10.41°C Keep Colchester Cool invites local faces to share their top ten tracks of all time. There are no rules – some will explain why they’ve chosen particular tracks; others won’t. Either way, it offers an insight into what has influenced some of our local heroes over the years.
This week, it’s the turn of Nel, one of Colchester’s most recognised musicians, known worldwide for his time in New Model Army and now gigging regularly with his current bands: Surfquake, Park and Ride, Martin Newell and the Hosepipe Band, and Strum ’n’ Bass. In the past, there’s been The Brotherhood of Lizards and Cleaners from Venus (both with Martin Newell), Thud and Blunder, The Hiding Place, 3 Times a Day, Swimming in the Sea, Ady Johnson’s band, Churchfitters, KiP KEiNO and others.
Here are Nel’s Top Ten Tracks (at this moment in time – in no particular order). Enjoy!
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Third Stone From The Sun
One of the best intros ever, and then you get that groovy bassline for the guitar melody to drift over – with some nonsense lyrics. Shame Jimi disses surf music, though; I’m sure he’s referring to bands like the namby-pamby Beach Boys, not the likes of Dick Dale and Nokie Edwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMedWLJEjJk
The Velvet Underground – Venus In Furs
One of the first songs I learnt to play. Atmospheric, hypnotic, screechy and slightly rude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfN1-YeBnA8
The Kills – Future Starts Slow
Thought I’d better include something a bit more up to date. I was going to include something by Jack White, but decided on this. I like the guitar motif – it’s just two notes, but so effective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLjuRG3hoE
Dick Dale and His Del-Tones – Misirlou
I first heard this in the 80s and again when Pulp Fiction hit the screens. That’s when I decided I wanted to play surf guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8
Davie Allan and the Arrows – Make Love Not War
While touring the States with New Model Army, I met a guy called Tim who works for Sundazed Records. He gave us loads of CDs to help keep us entertained while driving between gigs. Davie Allan’s Cycle-Delic Sounds was one of them – this is my favourite track. It sounds great when you’re driving through the desert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcWXZktNwJo
Deep Purple – Fireball
Double bass drums. Roger Glover spits out a cool bendy-note bass solo that sets up Jon Lord’s tremolo organ part perfectly – and just when you think it’s all over, a tambourine unexpectedly comes in. Genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q88koeaqrEg
PJ Harvey – Sheela-Na-Gig
The first song by Polly I heard – I’ve been hooked ever since. I never knew what a Sheela-na-gig was. I did some research… now I have a few ornaments dotted around the house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkS_R7RDuMc
Sonic Youth – Kool Thing
Hard to choose my favourite Sonic Youth track – I’ve got everything they’ve released. Just dropped the pin on this one. Kim Gordon is in my top ten favourite bass players.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTSUwIZdMk
Led Zeppelin – Since I’ve Been Loving You
When I started playing guitar, I bought the Led Zeppelin Complete Music Book and spent hours trying to play like Jimmy Page. When he switches guitar pick-ups from neck to bridge in the first solo on this track – phew!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tUHmHaa2Mg
Neil Young – Cortez the Killer
Guitar tone to die for. Sometimes a simple chord progression is all you need. A really long guitar solo at the beginning of the song – well, when you’re Neil Young you can do stuff like that. Again, a great track to play while driving through big open spaces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-b76yiqO1E
