CATEGORIES

Felix Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor

Jo Talbot celebrates the Mozart of the 19th century’ as she searches out the finest recordings of this masterful work for piano, violin and cello

"Debbie Harry Asked Me to Join Blondie!"

Calling themselves 'Punk Music' in 1970, Suicide channelled the danger, artistic revolutions and Vietnam rage of beleaguered New York City into coruscating electronic onslaughts that were later hailed future blueprints. For keyboard magus Martin Rev it was part of the creative journey that started in the 50s with doowop then jazz and continued in the wake of Alan Vega's 2016 passing with the idiosyncratic solo albums he began unleashing 44 years ago. "I'm still searching, and I'm still being surprised," he tells long-term UK press champion Kris Needs.

IT WON'T BE LONG THE BEATLES IN 1964: THE FIRST 60 DAYS

As 1964 dawned, The Beatles were still virtually unknown in the United States, although I Want To Hold Your Hand was picking up massive radio airplay less than a week after its American release.

THE Dwight STUFF

Tulsa, Oklahoma native Dwight Twilley, who died in October 2023, was one of the prime movers of power pop, up there with Badfinger, The Raspberries, Stories, Todd Rundgren, Shoes and Big Star. Combining Sun Studio sonics with Beatles melodics, Jim Morrison-ish good looks and a kinship with Tom Petty, he had everything going for him. He only had two big hits 1975's I'm On Fire and 1984's Girls - and yet this prolific and gifted singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, operating under his own name and the Dwight Twilley Band, released many superb albums. Here, his widow, Jan Rose Twilley, speaks with Bill Kopp about his life and music.

IT'S A LAD, LAD, LAD, LAD WORLD

Dismissed as purveyors of blokeish mediocrity, Shed Seven were one of the most critically derided bands of the Britpop era. Yet the York fourpiece have outlasted their peers: rousing new album A Matter Of Time marked their 30th anniversary with a No 1 chart placing, the first of their career. Singer Rick Witter tells John Earls why he's able to laugh off \"meat and potatoes\" insults.

THE ONE AND Jony

FILM ACTOR, THEATRE STAR, SINGER, SONGWRITER, AND LOVER OF BARBRA STREISAND AMONG MANY OTHER NOTABLE PARAMOURS, ANTHONY NEWLEY WAS A CHARMING MAN AND A PROUDLY UNCONVENTIONAL ARTIST. BUT WHY IS THIS EXTRAORDINARY TALENT SO FORGOTTEN? SPENCER LEIGH DELVES INTO HIS WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD

THE JOY OF APEX

Even at the height of punk, when being different was paramount, X-Ray Spex stood out. Like The Mothers Of Invention a decade earlier, they railed against homogeneity and artificiality via a uniquely insurrectionary sax attack. Lois Wilson speaks to Lora Logic, Paul Dean and the late Poly Styrene's daughter Celeste about their incendiary individualism. Identity parade: Ian Dickson

This month: The Vinyl Hunters

Jake and his grandad Dave Kapusta are affectionately known online as The Vinyl Hunters. Dave was a black cabbie who has been collecting records since the 60s, ranging from prog through to heavy metal.

10 OF THE BEST This month: Ed Banger Records

DJ Mehdi Lucky Boy (Ed Banger 6143676, LP, France, 2006) £20

THE ENGINE ROOM

The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music

UNDER THE RADAR

Artists, bands, and labels meriting more attention

1,200 Pages? What Was I Thinking?

Frontman of the much-missed Rush, child of Holocaust survivors, veteran of 40-plus years in progressive rock, self-confessed germophobe and details obsessive and arguably the Greatest Living Canadian there's a lot for Geddy Lee, 70, to talk about. Fortunately, he's been able to squeeze it all into his new autobiography, My Effin' Life, in which he explores the perils of fame, the pleasures of retirement, and an unexpected dalliance with Peruvian marching powder. Asked to name Rush's best album by Joel McIver, he warns, "Millions of fans are going to disagree with me on this..."

Ihsahn – "Extreme music lends itself well to experimental arrangements"

In an extraordinary double album, former Emperor guitarist Ihsahn delivers new material in two contrasting versions: metal and orchestral. "It was a perfect match," he says, “because my guitar had the same tuning as the cellos!"

Declan McKenna Breaks Free

The singer-songwriter discusses the more chilled vibe that defines his third album, the pressure on artists to engage with social media, and how he's becoming the artist he always wanted to be

Judas Priest

This month Jamie Hunt examines the riffs and rhythms of Glen Tipton and KK Downing, from one of Birmingham’s greatest ever metal bands.

HOWIE LITTLE

A minute's all it takes to discover what makes a great guitarist tick. Before he jumped into his limo for the airport, we grabbed a quick chat with the guitarist from north England's classic to modern rock band, ATLAS.

MITCH DALTON

The studio guitarist’s guide to happiness and personal fulfilment, as related by our resident session ace. This month: It’s Grim Up West.

MARCIO PHILOMENA Six Jazz Licks

This month the Brazilian jazz master, Berklee graduate and Master in Music at Hague Conservatoire shares six of his favourite jazz licks, with Jon Bishop as your guide.

PHI YAAN-ZEK

Guitar instrumentals have supplied some of music's most evocative moments. Jason Sidwell asks top guitarists for their take on this iconic movement. This month: the multi-cultural prog-rock and fusion titan talks to GT.

PLAY BETTER SOLOS!

This month Jon Bishop is looking to supercharge your soloing and add interest to your lead work. If you feel it's time to explore some new ideas then look no further.

WOLFGANG A. MOZART Marriage Of Figaro: Duettino

Dust off your cravat as Declan Zapala has prepared a charming arrangement of the classic scene from Mozart’s opera masterpiece, as heard in The Shawshank Redemption.

KINGS OF LEON

Kings Of Leon formed almost 25 years ago in Nashville, Tennessee and consist of the Followill brothers Caleb, who plays rhythm guitar and sings lead vocals, drummer Nathan, and bassist Jared, along with their lead guitar-playing cousin Nathan Followill.

MATTEO MANCUSO

Charlie Griffiths takes a journey through the style of an Italian virtuoso who chooses classical guitar fingerstyle over other picking approaches.

ALBERT COLLINS

Put a cold shot into your playing this month as David Gerrish explores the ultra-cool licks of the Master Of The Telecaster, aka The Iceman.

ERIC JOHNSON

This month Andy G Jones focuses on the legendary Texan guitarist whose fast flowing lines and Pentatonic flurries continue to amaze.

BLUES SCALE LICKS

This month Simon Barnard shows how adding one chromatic note to the scale can dramatically spice up your standard Minor Pentatonic licks.

During the filming of his video licks for GT, Jason Sidwell spoke to Marcio about his jazz influences, his musical equipment and composing.

What were your first jazz inspirations?

THE CROSSROADS Django Reinhardt Blues

For this month's feature, John Wheatcroft shows us what the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist has to offer the blues player of today- and a lot more besides.

VIDEO MASTERCLASS THE EAGLES

Blending country and rock with perfectly orchestrated harmony lead lines, The Eagles are responsible for some of the most iconic recordings. With Jamie Humphries.

GEORGE KARAYIANNIS

In this month's JTC Guitar lesson we meet a brilliant Greek guitarist, teacher and performing musician who mixes rock and metal with jazz and prog influences.