In 1975 my flatmate gave me a copy of Al Stewart’s  definitive folk album – Past, Present and Future.  Al Stewart, a generous musician, surrounded himself with some of the very finest musical talents and gave them the space to really express their talents – Peter John Wood (keyboards), Tim Renwick (Guitar), Peter White (Guitar), Rick Wakeman (Keyboards), Dave Swarbrick (Mandolin) and Isaac Guillory (Guitar).  It is hard to discern Isaac’s contribution to the outstanding guitar playing on this album, so it was an absolute delight to find a solo performance of his on YouTube.  Here he is, at the very height of his musical powers, playing his trilogy ‘Trains’ to a folk-club audience that cannot have numbered more than a twenty or so.

Every so often I come across a concert performance that gives me goosebumps. Branka Parlić is one of the most prominent interpreters of contemporary classical music in Eastern Europe.  Here she takes on the cycle of Philip Glass’ Metamorphosis, which is considered to be one of the most challenging tasks in the sphere of contemporary minimalism, and plays with a vigour and intensity (those forearm muscles wouldn’t disgrace a blacksmith) that is simply stunning. Recorded with breathtaking clarity at the Synagogue in Novi Sad, Serbia.