Category Archives: Vagabond’s World

Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water in 2024

I am hearing my all-time favourite song for the first time… again! The “Made In Japan” live version which was released in 1973 was my lightbulb moment in music. I was 14 years old and went from listening to Pop on the radio to listening to Rock on vinyl. The 1972 studio version from theContinueContinue reading “Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water in 2024”

My Top Ten Favourite Rock Albums Of All-Time

Originally posted April 2009, updated February 2024. The list didn’t change, just improved the images and text. Also added Spotify / YouTube playlists. Albums arranged in alphabetical order by artist. 1. Piet Botha – ‘n Suitcase Vol Winter (1997) Piet Botha – ‘n Suitcase Vol Winter https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51pQLlJotmXsnR7aZUF5s0?si=1eac12b059b447c1 I first heard ‘Sien Jou Weer’ on RadioContinueContinue reading “My Top Ten Favourite Rock Albums Of All-Time”

Ramases – Stepping Stones (hybrid mix)

https://youtu.be/dF0lqLitB_w?si=DIOTL6qFmygTSpZP The song “Stepping Stones” originally appeared on the 1975 album “Glass Top Coffin” by Ramases. This is a hybrid mix from two different outtake versions. The slideshow is a montage of images created using Pixlr AI. The original song lyrics seem to be “You’re mine now”, though on the outtake versions Ramases is veryContinueContinue reading “Ramases – Stepping Stones (hybrid mix)”

’70s Compilation Albums that helped shape my music tastes

Originally posted in May 2009, updated December 2023. Growing up in the ’70s, I discovered a number of bands, and their back-catalogues, through compilations. This is a sampling of some of those albums that had a marked influence on me. 24 Golden Oldies 24 Golden Oldies [1973] A double album released in South Africa onlyContinueContinue reading “’70s Compilation Albums that helped shape my music tastes”

What Am I Creating? Digital Art!

I am creating Digital Art using Pixlr.com AI, mainly to enhance my Spotify playlists. Party at Christmas we will Rock on Africa She Too Can Cry Lost In Space DJ Yoda Hymns For The Golden Star Children Cool For Cats Yellow Tree Blue World Radar Love Vagabond’s World Vagabond Cafe at Psycho Beach Vagabond Cafe in Nowheresville Journey ThroughContinueContinue reading “What Am I Creating? Digital Art!”

What Am I Creating? A Website for South African Rock Legends, Rabbitt

Rabbitt was one of my all-time favourite bands of the 70s. In 1976 I was in Matric at Boksburg High, and living in Benoni. I used to love watching Rabbitt on the very new medium of TV at the time. I also heard them often on the radio, especially “Charlie”. I once heard “Lifeline” being played inContinueContinue reading “What Am I Creating? A Website for South African Rock Legends, Rabbitt”

What Am I Listening To? Locomotive Breath by Rabbitt featuring Trevor Rabin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f5tqeya_ME Rabbitt – Locomotive Breath (Jethro Tull cover), 1972 version, featuring Trevor Rabin Rabbitt covered the Jethro Tull classic ‘Locomotive Breath’ in 1972 and released it as a single. It went to #11 on the Springbok Radio charts (in February 1973) and #3 on the LM Radio charts. It was number 96 in the LMContinueContinue reading “What Am I Listening To? Locomotive Breath by Rabbitt featuring Trevor Rabin”

Heaven’s In Here – An Imaginary Tin Machine Box Set

Tin Machine helped revitalise my career — David Bowie David Bowie’s brief flirtation with the Tin Machine project from 1988 to 1992 left many fans in the dark and wondering what direction he was following now. I loved the bleak and sinister sounds (sometimes inflected with touches of humour) and the interesting choice of covers.ContinueContinue reading “Heaven’s In Here – An Imaginary Tin Machine Box Set”

What Am I Listening To? Vagabond’s World Playlists!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-u1s_Wc1vILoo0CfGulWvI5SXrDKgP4j Vagabond’s World https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67oiL5KWeZnPfNiTSnOOon?si=2e857b1168634df7 Dynamic playlists of mostly obscure tunes that I have enjoyed over the years. I created the Vagabond’s World website in October 1997! And here I still am.

Selections from Vagabond’s World

A Spotify playlist of some of my favourite obscurities from the world of Rock. Either obscure songs or songs off obscure releases by well-known artists. This is a dynamic playlist, I will be adding to it every now and again. As the Spirit of Rock moves me. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67oiL5KWeZnPfNiTSnOOon Selections from Vagabond’s World Please visit myContinueContinue reading “Selections from Vagabond’s World”

Suck It And See! Vertigo Sampler from 1973

Suck It And See! I loved the sampler albums from the late ’60s and the early ’70s. They were a wonderful way to discover lots of new, and often obscure music, with a schoolboy’s limited resources. One of my favourites was the double album from Vertigo, titled “Suck It And See!”, released in 1973, whichContinueContinue reading “Suck It And See! Vertigo Sampler from 1973”

Deep Purple – Live & Blue

LIVE & BLUE: DEEP PURPLE [South Africa 1996] Re-imagined and Expanded A re-imagined and expanded mix of a live compilation CD released in South Africa-only in 1996. Track List Speed King (live in Stockholm 1970) Child In Time (live in Stockholm 1970) Paint It Black (live in Stockholm 1970) Black Night (live in Stockholm 1970)ContinueContinue reading “Deep Purple – Live & Blue”

Flash Fearless Versus The Zorg Women Parts 5 & 6

Flash Fearless versus The Zorg Women Parts 5 & 6 I bought this album in December 1975, at Hillbrow Record Centre in Johannesburg, on a sale and immediately fell in love with its tongue-in-cheek humour and superstar line-up. I remember receiving a 12-page comic with an issue of NME and not with the album itself.ContinueContinue reading “Flash Fearless Versus The Zorg Women Parts 5 & 6”

Music Of Our Time – CBS Sampler South Africa 1971

Music Of Our Time [South Africa 1971] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-u1s_Wc1vILpwZmu1jhiPJZfrqWDtf_k Music Of Our Time [South Africa 1971] https://www.mixcloud.com/briancurrin/music-of-our-time-1970-to-1971-expanded-feat-leonard-cohen-bob-dylan-chicago-janis-joplin/ Music Of Our Time [South Africa 1971] Expanded https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0r8fw24e89QZ0VY2DIDdVi?si=1c055e142cde4c9c Music Of Our Time [South Africa 1971] Expanded In 1971, CBS South Africa released a budget sampler album, which introduced me to a number of great bands and artists. TrackContinueContinue reading “Music Of Our Time – CBS Sampler South Africa 1971”

Remember The Mixtape: Music Of My Time (previously Music Of Our Time, Volume 2)

Originally compiled on a C90 cassette, this mix was inspired by the Music Of Our Time (1971 sampler) from CBS and the Suck It And See! sampler from Vertigo (1973). At the time, I called this tape Music Of Our Time Vol. 2, but the title of Music Of My Time seems more apt asContinueContinue reading “Remember The Mixtape: Music Of My Time (previously Music Of Our Time, Volume 2)”

Classic Rock to launch Deep Purple Fanpack | News | Classic Rock

These guys see me coming a mile away! Re-Machined: A Tribute to Machine Head is the star attraction in Classic Rock’s upcoming Deep Purple Fanpack. Hear official, all-new recordings of the band’s classic 1972 album performed by Metallica, Iron Maiden, Chickenfoot, Black Label Society, Kings of Chaos, the Flaming Lips, Steve Vai, Jimmy Barnes &ContinueContinue reading “Classic Rock to launch Deep Purple Fanpack | News | Classic Rock”

Deep Purple – The Made In Japan concerts

Originally posted in 2011, updated in 2024 Japan, August 1972 15th – Osaka (Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan)16th – Osaka (Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan)17th – Tokyo (Budokan) Setlist HIGHWAY STAR SMOKE ON THE WATER CHILD IN TIME THE MULE including DRUM SOLO STRANGE KIND OF WOMAN LAZY SPACE TRUCKIN’ including excerpts from MANDRAKE ROOT and FOOLS BLACK NIGHTContinueContinue reading “Deep Purple – The Made In Japan concerts”

My Favourite Rock Albums Of The Decade, 2000-2009

As a teenager in the ’70s, the album was the ultimate thing. I would spend long hours listening to Dark Side Of The Moon, Made In Japan, Tales From Topographic Oceans, Tommy, etc in their entirety and without interruption … except for turning over the vinyl, of course. Over the last while albums have becomeContinueContinue reading “My Favourite Rock Albums Of The Decade, 2000-2009”

Disco Fever – my first contribution to an official CD compilation

In early 1999, I met with Derek Smith from Gallo, and he asked for my opinions and ideas for a South African Disco compilation. In July 1999, Disco Fever was released with a credit to me in the booklet – 40 years old and I was starting a new career! Disco Fever – Various ArtistsContinueContinue reading “Disco Fever – my first contribution to an official CD compilation”