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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.

Fanny Mendelssohn was a prolific composer of over 400 works, mainly piano pieces and songs, most of which were never published in her lifetime (the first half of the nineteenth century). She was also a very talented pianist herself.

Dance away the heartache

Dance away fears

'The Harder They Come' is a 1972 Jamaican crime film that achieved international success and played a major role in bringing reggae to a wider audience. Ska and reggae artist Jimmy Cliff was its star and this is the title track.

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.

David Bowie wrote this song for Mott the Hoople who at the time were about to break up after limited commercial success. Drummer Dale Griffin said that when they heard the song they thought: "He wants to give us that? He must be crazy! We broke our necks to say yes!" Some vintage socks on view as well.

The Pandemic was tough on many artists as they were unable to perform. But some thrived, such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her live weekly "Kitchen Disco" concerts featuring herself and her family, streamed live from their kitchen on Instagram. All of which helped revive Sophie's career culminating  in the appearance of this track in the movie 'Saltburn' and a spot at the 2024 BAFTAs.

It's Murder on the Dancefloor, but it's worth the wait (DJ).

Brahms only wrote four symphonies and the first one took him 21 years, but he had hit his stride by the time of the third which he composed in 1883. This is the famous third movement.