Music: Top 5

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 15:43

Singer Rachel Unthank selects her top five musical moments

MORRIS ON

Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson, Dave Mattacks, John Kirkpatrick, Barry Dransfield

It was a groundbreaking album for its time, but in our house it was the record my parents put on to keep my brother Matthew and me occupied, so that they could have a lie-in on a weekend. We had a favourite track that got faster and faster, and we used to dance round the room, also getting faster and faster, until we collapsed in a heap.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Europe

I know! How uncool am I, but you know you love it too. I remember watching Top Of The Pops as a little girl and thinking that it should have beaten 'Living On A Prayer' by Bon Jovi to No 1. We listened to a lot of folk music growing up and I think that this was my awakening to rock music. It led to being into grunge music as a teenager, and there's still a little corner of my heart dedicated to loud guitars.

LADIES OF THE CANYON

Joni Mitchell

Before I got into grunge I went through a period of feeling a bit lost musically, which led me to explore my parents' record collection, where I found 'Ladies Of The Canyon'. I was enthralled by her amazing voice and songsmithery. Her lines hang together with magical, mouth watering evocativeness.

SHEILA STEWART

My sister Becky was given a compilation tape made by Mary Macmaster, after she'd been to a Folkworks summer school. At first she had struggled with Sheila's unusual voice but gradually it became her favourite track. She played it to me and we have been enthralled by Sheila's unearthly and spine-tingling voice ever since.

SEA SONG

Robert Wyatt

Listening to Robert Wyatt's music opened up my mind to new possibilities. It also marks a time in my life when I discovered artists like Antony and the Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens and Bonnie Prince Billy, which inspired me to strive to be more creative in my own music.

Rachel Unthank & The Winterset play Stonehaven Folk Festival on July 13, and Belladrum Festival on August 8 www.rachelunthank.com