He is touring until the end of November in The Great British Take Off (jonculshaw.com)
GEORGE MICHAEL:
Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 (Sony) The depth and feeling he had as a songwriter are captured wonderfully on this.
It came out in 1990, during my favourite era.
I was doing a show on Viking radio and would include one of these songs many times a week.
It was because of George (and Bon Jovi) that I grew my hair long in my teens, like a huge piece of beige broccoli.
THE SMITHS:
Hatful Of Hollow (Warner) I feel very lucky to have been 15 with The Smiths as a backdrop.
I love songwriters who think in a different way and have their own voice.
Morrissey is unique in that. I think people going through anxious times relate to him and find great hope.
STEVIE WONDER:
Songs In The Key Of Life (Motown) A lot of music now is written for a quick sale but albums like this last for ever.
When I looked into his back catalogue, there was a wealth of gold.
He has wonderful musicianship.
You feel so uplifted listening to it.
DAVID BOWIE:
Hunky Dory (EMI) Bowie had everything and this was an interesting stage in his career.
I first became aware of him with songs like Fashion and Under Pressure, then I started to look back.
Life On Mars is my favourite Bowie song.
You get a sense of how he would work with lots of theatrics.
KATE BUSH:
The Whole Story (EMI) This shows her breadth. She’s wonderfully enigmatic, you can’t quite figure her out.
I first saw her on Top Of The Pops in 1978 and remember being quite startled by this woman waving her arms about.
I had to put down my Star Wars jigsaw to pay attention.
HEAVEN 17:
Penthouse And Pavement (EMI) This heralded in the new synthesised sound of the 1980s.
At 12, I felt on the threshold of a new chapter of life and this was part of the soundtrack.
It had a real kick about it.
When I inherited my older brother’s music centre, this was its inaugural flight.
Daily Express :: Entertainment Feed
