Record Collector Issue 553 (January 2024) Syd Barrett & Nick Drake

Record Collector Issue 553 (January 2024) Syd Barrett & Nick Drake

COVER STORY - NICK DRAKE AND SYD BARRETT - Half a century ago, as 1974 dawned, two of the most inimitable and influential British singer/songwriters found themselves at a creative impasse. In Drake’s case, tragedy followed. In Barrett’s, the bewildering disappearance of a true English pop originaL
DONOVAN - Not quite the British Dylan, he was a byword for folky and psychedelic whimsy in his 60s prime. Now 77, his memories are still crystal clear when discussing the new A Gift From A Flower To A Garden box set
ABBA - In this extract from his new book, ABBA-ologist Carl Magnus Palm explores the group’s final year together before they downed tools for... ooh, around 40 years
BIG COUNTRY - After Stuart Adamson left the Skids, the brand of rousing Celtic rock he created with Big Country would prove even more impactful. Adamson took his own life in 2001 but his former bandmates continue to tour, determined to “celebrate the legacy”
IAN LEVINE - Profiling a producer, DJ and songwriter who played a pivotal role in the rise of Northern soul and gay disco/hi-NRG. Oh, and he once smashed a 12” over Simon Cowell’s head. We’ve all been there
THE SOUP DRAGONS - Criminally dismissed at the height of their success as indie-dance bandwagon jumpers, Sean Dickson’s versatile Scottish indie mavericks are now finally getting their due respect
FROM THE VAULTS - Box sets, reissues and compilations galore from the likes of Black Sabbath, Magma and Mott The Hoople are dissected and discussed
NEW ALBUMS - Long players from Bill Ryder-Jones, Sleater-Kinney and Gruff Rhys are just three of the fresh products we lend our expert ears to this month
BOOKS & DVDs - on Pulp, Stooges, Simple Minds and several others
SINGLES - including a spin of the new Micky Dolenz Sings R.E.M. EP
LIVES - From Eno to Shania, from Toyah and Fripp to Muse and Moseley Folk Festival, we’ve seen ’em all