FRAN HEALY ENTERS MOJO POLL

10:34 AM GMT 24/05/2007

Fran Healy: “The Band’s Music From Big Pink still sounds at odds with music the way it did back when it was released. With America’s counter culture peaking, it was a rebellion against rebellion. The songs sound like they’re from the 19th century, when the pioneers came over, before there were buildings. They used old instruments, and grew beards! It’s bonkers, too, because at first the guitar sounds drunk, the Hammond has a weird tone, and there’s loads of trombones, but it’s so accomplished and original. For starters, you can’t open an album with a slow song, but Tears Of Rage is the slowest song ever! It really sets the tone for breaking some sort of mould and convention.

“For me, the key song is The Weight: everything coalesces, and it’s a pop song too, which uses religious overtones to tell another kind of story. The Band are a great role model because they did everything in such a noble, cool, proud way. Because they’d been together for eight years before Big Pink, they’d made all these contacts, and through them became a band’s band. Every band around would have bought Big Pink, The Beatles included. Look at The Last Waltz – the film is a who’s who of the world’s greatest musicians: Clapton, Joni, Dylan, Neil Young, Neil Diamond! Without Big Pink, I certainly wouldn’t be in a band. It’s such a pure record that it encourages you to be true to yourself, to just run with what you do naturally in music, and don’t be afraid to do something that no-one else has done.”

Nominate your records that changed the world (remember, singles and albums are equally eligible) below, or by mailing Mojo@emap.com. Travis's fifth studio album, The Boy With No Name, is out now.

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 10:34 AM GMT 24/05/2007

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Funkadelic - Maggot Brain (the track)
A trip into another dimension. I feel my soul stir whenever I play it.

Posted by Stephen Knight at 9:13 PM GMT 27/05/2007 Report Abuse

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I remember being 13 years old and listening to Radio Caroline on my recently dead great aunt's old radio under the covers when I heard Waiting For The Man. I hadn't been so terrified in my whole life.

Apart from that:

I Feel Love - Donna Summwer
Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaaata
Too Girlie Girle - Sonia George
Welcome To The Jungle - G&R

and anything by Atom Tobin.

YRS

Posted by David Holzer at 7:27 PM GMT 30/05/2007 Report Abuse

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fran healy listened 2 this album?

u jokin or what?!!!!!!!

dis pathetic loser's fav album is really aqua's debut!!!!! ha ha!!! jeez travis r complete useless shiteheads who sld b shiftly told 2 put down their instruments and walk home..............

Posted by fran healy hate society (now 6 billion registered, paying members) at 6:52 AM GMT 12/05/2008 Report Abuse

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