With the new Tight But Loose out on the streets and reunion rumours abounding, it’s been a hectic couple of weeks here. A trend that looks likely to continue as we move it to what will be a very interesting few months. Before I get down to the task of gathering text for the next issue – there’s time for quiet reflection and a look back at my 50th year. Forgive the indulgence as I round up the traditional birthday listing.

DL 51 at 51:

On the occasion of my 51st birthday….
The sounds, the sights, the tracks, and the books that have lit up the last 12 months

Frank Sinatra The Show London Palladium
Nostalgic birthday treat from the bruv and his wife

Bob Dylan Modern Times CD
His best in years -still the master

The Beatles Love CD
The ultimate mix tape – which proves how timeless their catalogue is – I’d say yes to a Zeppelin equivalent

Dylan Jones iPod Therefore I Am book
The GQ editor’s passion for music of all genres is awesome

Robert Plant Nine Lives box set
A worthy way to spend eight hours of your life – a beautiful package and hey a credit for the TBL author too!

Revelations Glastonbury Fayre 3LP reissue
Back in my collection at last (thanks Andrew R)

Mighty Baby A Jug Of Love CD reissue
Another weclome re appearance for the rare acid folk cult album
from one of the stand out acts of the Glastonbury set

The Royle Family The Queen Of Sheba DVD
Brilliantly acted and moving swan song for Jim and co

Oasis Stop The Clocks CD
Welcome best of and more from the only real important new band of the last 12 years to these ears

Bouquet Of Barbed Wire DVD set
Seminal 70’s drama series which I waded through when laid low with a virus infection last November

Hunter Davies The Beatles Football and Me book
Top memoirs from the man who really does remember the 60’s

Led Zeppelin Assemblage DVD
Great to have so much rare footage on one set

David Crosby Voyage CD set
Expansive collection form the west coast legend

David Crosby If I Could Only Remember My Name CD reissue
And yet more of the Croz – his finest moments re-mastered to great effect

Led Zeppelin Live At The Whisky Ago Ago CD
Amazing find from their first US tour- a lo-fi classic

Dave Armitage Born To Be Mild book
Wonderfully and inspiring rites of passage look back to the 70’s

Robert Plant/Strange Sensation Freedom Fries track
This one kicks in on the DL i-pod at regular intervals

Brickhill Wanderers 1 SKF Luton 1
The young Adam netted a classic curler in this match – one of his 20 goals during the year

The Honeydrippers JB’s Club Dudley gig
The singer away from his day job amongst friends and effortlessly guiding us through the backwaters of his record collection. A total joy

The Style Council My Favourite Shop CD reissue
Weller’s mid 80’s minor classic packed with extra tracks

The Faces Debris track
The late Ronnie Lane’s finest moment – I really need to get the documentary DVD that was screened on BBC3

Peter Robinson Piece of My Heart book
One of my favourite UK crime writers and the plot even features a Zeppelin appearance!

West Ham 3 Tottenham Hotspur 4
I was working that afternoon but the the bruv was texting me the goal info as they went in -what a finish!

Free Live At The BBC CD
Great collection by the classic blues rockers

Simon Kirke Esquires Club Bedford gig
And talking of which …the drummer brings it all back home in Bedford – he was a great interviewee too

Led Zeppelin Heartbreaker/Communication Breakdown
performances from the Earls Court May 25 1975 DVD
Now we know exactly why they were kings that final night…

Led Zeppelin Return Of The Destroyer London fan gathering
Warm vibes as we came out of our dens on a spring Saturday afternoon to celebrate 30 years on from a celebrated Zep gig.

Led Zeppelin Destroyers 6 CD set
Plenty of this collection (thank you Eddie E) was on the player as I scribed intensively on that 77 tour text for TBL 18

Detective Live At Atlantic Studios promo LP
The e-bay purchase of the year for me – I’ve been looking for this for ages and finally struck lucky . A great Swan Song act caught live in 1977

Fairport Convention Reno Nevada track
Early Fairport west coast influenced live performance and another i pod fave that has often accompanied me on that journey from MK

Andrew Marr History Of Britain TV series
Superbly informative look at the political canvas in Britain from 1945

Ronnie Wood Anthology 2CD
Enjoyable sweep across dear old Ronnie’s erstwhile career. From The Birds to Beck, to The Faces and Stones

The Rolling Stones More Rare Video 1964 – 1968 DVD
Some classic stuff here including a David Frost spot for Honky Tonk Women (thank you John P)

The Dave Clark 5 Video Anthology DVD
My first pop love -Glad all over? – Not arf!

Bobby Moore By Tina Moore book
The inside story of a tue footballing hero

Crosby Stills Nash and Young Rarities CD set
Outtakes and demos prevail across 4 CD’s of rarities. Essential rock harmony (thank you John P again!)

Seven Ages Of Rock TV series
Brilliantly edited compelling rock history

Tress On The Shore CD reissue
Underrated lost folk rock classic

Travellng Wilburys Collection CD set
Another welcome return to the shelves for Lucky,Otis and the boys

Robert Plant/Strange Sensation Bristol Fiddlers Club gig
Close up to some much needed nirvana in the West country

Rod Stewart Diana Concert Wembley live TV sequence
Forget all that American Songbook stuff- the man still has it as he displayed on this invigorating boost to a flagging concert

Madonna At Live Earth Wembley live TV sequence
Now that’s what I call a star performer

Elvis Presley Essential 70’s masters box set
30 years on still The King

The arrival of the finished copies for Tight But Loose 17 and 18
Seeing the creation of two magazines in the past 12 months has been very rewarding….. With thanks to JL, Martyn and Gary F and significant help from a few of my friends (you know who you are!) without whom….

The Simpson’s The Movie
I’m not one for the cinema – but this was a very enjoyable treat on Adam’s birthday- Doh!

Stephen Stills Just Roll Tape CD
A welcome holiday purchase in Brighton

Mike Gale Wish You Were Here book
This years perfect holiday read

Led Zeppelin Southampton Jan 22 1973 CD set
Absolutely stunning example of the last days of Zep as a working band before they went to Saturn…

The Times Educational Supplement Aug 17 2007 issue
Featuring our Samantha – proud- you betcha!

Frank Sinatra September of My Years LP
Always welcome on the Totnes deck as the reflections of another year unfold

Led Zeppelin The Song Remains The Same track
And finally from any source studio or live …still their overture and a track that will be at the forefront of what looks to be a very exciting period to be a Led Zeppelin fan….something that has been an absolute privilege for me to be for the majority of these past 51 years….

DL
September 5th 2007