Blue Skies From Now On………
FRANK SINATRA – Songs For Swingin’ Lovers;
Keep the heat under control with the coolest album ever made. As his pal Dino said: ‘It’s Frank’s world – we just live in it.’
EAGLES – Hotel California;
From the warm smell of colitas in the title track to the hazy sun of ‘The Last Resort’, even the darker songs have a shimmering heat.
JAMES TAYLOR – Gorilla;
Opening song ‘Mexico’ sets the tone on an album that floats by like a summer breeze.
THE BEACH BOYS – Pet Sounds;
An injustice to categorize this masterpiece as merely a summer album, but it resonates even more in the sunshine.
ROD STEWART – The Great American Songbook Volume Five;
The best compiled of the ‘Songbook’ series, as cool as a fridge full of Chardonnay.
NEIL YOUNG – Harvest Moon;
If the first two songs don’t cool things down, then ‘One of These Days,’ and the magnificent title track definitely will. Ol’ Neil has never sounded so relaxed than on this superb offering.
THE KINKS – Word of Mouth;
While guests gather around the barbeque, slip on this unjustly overlooked Kinks offering from July ’84. Only Ray can welcome summer and long for ones gone by in virtually the same breath. Note: his paean to Diana in ‘Good Day’ is to the actress Dors rather than late Mother of the future King.
MARVIN GAYE – What’s Goin’ On;
Marvellous Marvin proves beyond doubt you can have a message and make great dance music at the same time – the background sound on the title track is Marvin having a party. Make sure you have him at yours.
JOE WALSH – But Seriously Folks;
From the swimming pool cover right through to the air guitar finale of ‘Life’s Been Good,’ this is one summer bash not to miss. Funny, raucous, excessive, welcoming – the way every party should be.
‘Wonderful night for it……..’
VAN MORRISON – Moondance;
If sunshine had a sound it would be this monumental set from Van the Man. As uplifting as sunrise, enthralling as sunset, who needs a weather forecast with this serene collection at hand.
IAN GIBBONS (1952-2019)
This article is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Ian Gibbons (below) who sadly passed away last week. 
Best known for his keyboard work with The Kinks (1979-89, 1993-96), Ian was a fine musician who also brought his talents to the solo work of Sir Ray Davies. An integral member of the Kast Off Kinks, he leaves behind numerous examples of his excellent musicianship – but just as importantly many cherished memories as a charming and courteous man.
He is mourned and will be greatly missed.
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NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of ‘MONTY’S DOUBLE‘ an acclaimed thriller available as an Amazon Kindle Book.