My pub juke box
Gary Whitlie,
the managing director of Miller Brands UK, chooses his favourite tracks
Music plays an integral part in my relaxation and my mood. My first purchase, Love, Devotion, Surrender, was released in 1973. So began my love affair with the guitar and Santana. I bought it from a small record store in what was then Salisbury, Rhodesia, where I grew up.
My favourite piece of music is the theme to Twin Peaks and my favourite song of all time is Into Temptation by Crowded House, soon to be reunited in concert here in the UK — yes, I am going.
Picking my top 10 of all time is almost impossible, but I have chosen a distinctive collection — peppered with some guitar greats — that I still enjoy immeasurably. Compiling this list has been a journey of discovery, because I find it easy to let time rush by, moving on to new things and new music without giving time to all the fabulous sounds I have listened to over the years.
1. The Loner [live]
Gary Moore
I saw him in concert a few months back in London while drinking our, then soon to be acquired, Grolsch brand. I was blown away by his energy and magical fingers on a stream of different guitars. I bought his Out in the Fields CD some years ago, and it came with a bonus disc featuring a 12-minutes-plus version of The Loner, undoubtedly one of the best guitar solos I have ever heard.
2. Bach's Toccata and Fugue
Myleene Klass
Myleene Klass's music video for this is tremendous, with an incredible atmospheric setting of a deserted building. Reminds me of the first time I noticed the music in the film Rollerball.
3. Radar Love
Golden Earring
The best music to drive to ever and has echoes of my youth, discos and the like.
4. China in your hand
T'Pau
My favourite one-hit wonder, but a wonderful one.
5. Europa
Santana
I have too many favourites from Carlos Santana, with just about every album he has produced on vinyl or CD. Europa (on Moonflower) was for many years, in my early collection, the one I played the most — I never got tired of it.
6. Blue Eyes
Springbok Nude Girls
A little known South African rock band with an interesting name. In South Africa they're little more than one-hit wonders, but for me this haunting track says something special.
7. Wherever you will go
The Calling
Alex Band, for such a diminutive chap, has a strong, deep voice and proves why lead singers are so important to a band.
8. Owner of a lonely heart
Yes
They present some fabulous guitar work and harmonies, but it is Jon Anderson's high-pitched and somewhat-haunting voice that seals it for me.
9. Where the streets have no name
U2
I first heard it on TV, the Edge working his impromptu magic on a roof-top concert in Los Angeles.
10. Englishman in New York
Sting
My favourite Geordie talent. I saw Sting in concert in Budapest, and along with Fields of Gold, this would rank as one of my favourites — liking my "toast done on one side" reminds me so much of my childhood likes.
