In the second half of the nineteenth century, Richard Wagner revolutionised opera which he saw as a total work of art with music part of a wider visual, poetic and, especially, dramatic experience. 'Das Rheingold' is the first of the four operas in his 'Ring Cycle'. This prelude describes the River Rhine, calm and majestic.
When Paul McCartney released his first post-Beatles solo album it didn't do well, at least with the critics. Compared to his radical bandmate John Lennon, he just seemed twee and lo-fi.
Many years later the album is seen as hugely influential. In fact the pendulum has swung on so much of his solo work. Even so, it is hard to believe no-one at the time thought 'Every Night' a great song.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (aka Eminem) has announced that he is finishing off his alter ego, Slim Shady. A highly controversial and comic creation he gave vent to what Eminem saw in everyone, though, as is perhaps inevitable, the artist gradually turned in to a grumpy old dad, moaning at what rap had become. Marshall also had his addictions and became close friends with Elton John who helped him through them.
Beyoncé's country album (she cannily calls it a 'Beyoncé' album not a 'Country' album) is inevitably causing much debate, not least about the origins of country music itself. In fact one of the key moments in the emergence of Country was the 1927 Bristol session, recorded in Bristol, Tennessee. The Carter Family were one of the artists at the session and they became one of the first big Country recording stars. This song is from that 1927 session.