On The Turntable pt1

 July 2026

Music that has featured on my hi-fi this month. 

Doublespeak - Doublespeak, vinyl LP ( An album of cover versions by synth pop buddies, Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode,Yazoo,Erasure), Neil Arthur (Blancmange), and Benge.)

Propaganda - A Secret Wish,  vinyl LP ( German electronic band from the 1980s, known as "The Poison ABBA").

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Souvenir, CD ( A collection of all of the singles by the electronic pioneers).

Scritti Politti - Cupid And Psyche 85, vinyl LP ( A new expanded reissue of the classic 1985 blue eyed soul and lovers rock tinged release).

Propaganda- Wishful Thinking, vinyl LP ( A remix album of the aforementioned album).

The Damned - Machine Gun Etiquette,  vinyl LP (The best punk album ever).

CMAT - Euro Country, CD (Country inspired music from this wonderful Irish singer/ songwriter. My favourite album of 2025).

Echo And The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain, vinyl LP (The classic fourth album from 1984 by the psychedelic influenced scousers).

As well as music on the hi-fi, there was a wonderful event broadcast on BBC 4. The Prog At The Proms concert. The BBC Concert Orchestra with guest singers performing orchestrated versions of prog rock songs. It was wonderful. Both well known prog classics and lesser known pieces were performed. With a cast of guest vocalists, Guy Garvey, Jane Weaver, Gruff Rhys, The Staves, Peter Hammill, Vanessa Haynes, and the recorded voice of Greg Lake. And putting on a wonderful performance on the drums, for two of three Emerson,Lake And Palmer numbers, we had Carl Palmer himself. It's often said rock drumming is a young man's game. Well not on this showing. At age 76, he was brilliant. Presenting duties fell to BBC 6 Music's Stuart Maconie, who did a great job.

The set list was as follows

First Half

• Fanfare for the Common Man (Aaron Copland, arr. Emerson, Lake & Palmer) – Performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra with Carl Palmer on drums.
• Living in the Past (Jethro Tull) – Featured vocals by Gruff Rhys.
• Out-Bloody-Rageous (Part 1) (Soft Machine) – Instrumental arrangement.
• I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (Genesis) – Featured vocals by Guy Garvey.
• Northern Lights (Renaissance) – Featured vocals by Jane Weaver.
• Nights in White Satin (The Moody Blues) – Featured vocals by Jane Weaver.
• Refugees (Van der Graaf Generator) – Performed by original frontman Peter Hammill.
• And You and I (Yes) – Featured vocals by The Staves.
• Tubular Bells (Part One - Excerpt) (Mike Oldfield) – Orchestral version featuring a spoken-word master of ceremonies. 

Second Half

• Karn Evil 9: First Impression (Part 2) (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) – Played by the orchestra with the original, archived vocals of the late Greg Lake.
• Sylvia (Focus) – Orchestral rock crossover.
• Komfo (Osibisa) – Highlife-infused prog instrumental.
• Peaches en Regalia (Frank Zappa) – Full symphonic arrangement.
• King Crimson Medley (21st Century Schizoid Man / I Talk to the Wind / Court of the Crimson King) – Featured vocals by Guy Garvey.
• Entangled (Genesis) – Orchestral delivery of the A Trick of the Tail classic. Vocals by Guy Garvey and Jane Weaver.
• On Reflection (Gentle Giant) – Celebrated for its intricate vocal and instrumental polyphony.
• Maker of Islands (Incredible String Band) – Featured vocals by Gruff Rhys.
• The Great Gig in the Sky (Pink Floyd) – Improvised operatic rock vocals performed by Vanessa Haynes.
• Crime of the Century (Supertramp) – Grand symphonic arrangement.
• Pictures at an Exhibition: The Great Gate of Kyiv (Modest Mussorgsky, arr. Emerson, Lake & Palmer) – The grand finale featuring Carl Palmer returning on drums. 
• The BBC Concert Orchestra were conducted by Robert Ames.
• And the answer to the question that all true prog rock fans will ask?  Yes. There was a Mellotron.