The GUARDIAN just published a very entertaining and informative article where their music writers picked out the musicians whose literary references illuminated them. It’s a wonderfully varied list of writers – Joe Orton, Saul Bellow, Antonio Gramsci, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Oscar Wilde, Grace Paley and John Berryman,

And the very personal explanations about why the writers made their choice are well worth a read.

When I posted the article on Facebook, several friends commented with their literary discoveries from their record collections and gig going. Now I’d like to hear yours.

Once I start to think about it, what haven’t I learnt from my record collection?

Civil Rights Movement – The Neville Brothers – December 1st, 1955 Our freedom movement came alive And because of Sister Rosa you know We don’t ride on the back of the bus no more.

French poetry – The Bonzos – The Odd Boy lay down by the football field Took out a slim volume of Mallarmé

European History – Bonny Light Horseman – Oh, Napoleon Bonaparte, you’re the cause of my woe Since my bonny light horseman in the war, he did go…..

American sporting history – Simon and Garfunkel – Where have » Continue Reading.