What if The Beatles had never formed?

The runaway success of American stars like Frank Sinatra, Johnny Ray and Elvis Presley ensured that by 1957 Britain’s teenage market for short, catchy songs delivered by handsome men was firmly established and clamouring for home grown talent. But if a 16-year-old tearaway from Liverpool called John Lennon had decided not to enlist the services Read More…

The Beach Boys – The SMiLE Sessions (2011)

The SMILE Sessions (Capitol) Quite possibly the greatest record that was never released, SMiLE is shrouded in mystery, surrounded by legend and clouded by myth. Ropey bootlegs have done the rounds for years, while bits of Brian Wilson’s rambling imaginings from 1966 and 1967 surfacing on later Beach Boys’ sets like Smiley Smile and 20/20. Read More…