A few issues back we threw open the doors to you, our adoring readers, to have a say in the top acoustic tracks of all time.

� ese kinds of lists always crop up in magazines from time to time “Best Guitar Players”, “Best Guitar Solo”,

“Worst Rock Mullet” and so on. Realising that we might be in danger of simply re-printing a list of the “acoustic canon”, we widened the goal posts somewhat to include songs that include an acoustic guitar or a mandolin/banjo/ukulele as a major instrument but are otherwise “plugged in”. We’ve also

included selections from some of our contributors, so you can see how your choices compare. So, without further ado we present your list of the top acoustic tracks of all time. And if you don’t agree with the list, well don’t blame us, you lot picked ‘em!

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AS VOTED FOR BY YOU, WE PRESENT YOUR TOP 50 ACOUSTIC SONGS OF ALL TIME

50 Every Rose Has Its � orn - PoisonWe knew when we opened this up we might get some from left fi eld…Anyway, for readers who might have a more rock disposition this tune is probably no stranger. � e strummed acoustic intro chords are instantly recognisable and so easy (shifting from a G major to a Cadd9) that you could teach it to your mum in about 10 seconds. And the rest of the song is just as straightforward,

except for the electric solo in the middle. An unexpected way to kick the list off , but if it’s good enough to get Bill and Ted past the pearly gates, well, it’s good enough for us.

49 Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day� e American punk rockers achieved one of their biggest hits with this uncharacteristicly sensitive single. Known for their high-energy, distorted power chord driven punk this song sees the band in a more refl ective mood, with a catchy arpeggiated motif. A worldwide radio hit that struck a chord with the masses the single shifted millions of copies and sprung the band into crossover success.

48 Nothing Else Matters - MetallicaWell, the list certainly has a rock heavy bottom end so far! San Francisco thrash legends Metallica recorded this uncharacteristic ballad for their monumentally successful 1991 album Metallica, better known as � e Black Album. Again, a deceptively simple picked fi gure sets the tone, and it is an instantly identifi able riff , beloved of sensitive headbangers the world over who want to woo the rock chicks at a house party. For an epic version check out the rendition played with the San Francisco Symphony.

47 Iris - � e Goo Goo DollsAnother sensitive rocker! You big bunch of softies, you. With an unusual tuning of BDDDDD,

the guitar has a full ringing sound throughout, and instrumental sections of the song feature mandolins, violins and cellos.

46 Drifting -Andy McKeeWatching Andy McKee is watching a man in total control of his instrument, and is bound to be bad for your self-esteem. � is signature track, with its soaring melodies and deft use of tapping and percussive techniques is

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spellbinding. If you aren’t one of the more than 35 million people to have watched it on YouTube, go thou now and be astounded.

45 Tamacun – Rodrigo Y Gabriela� ese former Acoustic cover-stars are well known for their deft covers of hard rock and heavy metal songs, but it’s this composition that made it onto the list. With its spicy Latin melody, bouncing rhythms and frantic fl amenco strumming this is a modern acoustic classic.

44 Candy Man – Donovan� is arrangement of a traditional song features on Donovan’s 1965 album Fairy Tale. � e guitar playing is bouncy and swift, and Donovan’s vocal delivery and harmonica playing leaves the listener in mind of a certain Mr. Dylan.

43 Vigilante Man - Ry Cooder� e LA guitar wizard shows off his awesome slide playing and tasteful blues chops in this standout track. His dusty, soulful vocals are the perfect counterpoint to his supple playing. Who says white men can’t play the blues?

42 Better Together - Jack JohnsonSurfer Jack Johnson’s laid back tunes conjure up images of burnt orange sunsets and warm Hawaiian seas. � is light and breezy love song from his third album, In Between Dreams, is a fan favourite and features Johnson’s trademark chunky strumming. A modest chap he told Acoustic: “I’m not a technical guy. I feel fl attered to be appearing in magazines like yours.”, and while it’s true his technique won’t be bothering Andy McKee anytime soon, you can’t deny the catchiness of this song.

41 Stuck In � e Middle - Stealer’s WheelA massively popular song at the time of its release, this song reached a new audience when Quentin Tarantino set it as the background music to an infamous torture scene in Reservoir Dogs. � e distinctive slide solo and fi lls that pepper the track make this deliriously catchy song a continual joy to listen to.

40 Fruit Tree - Nick DrakeNick Drake never achieved much success in his all too short life. His albums sold poorly, and his reclusive nature, refusing to

be interviewed or perform live regularly, only compounded the problem. Of course that would all add to his mystique after his tragic death in 1974. � is song from his debut album Five Leaves Left is characteristic of Drake’s music, a melancholy vocal and refl ective lyrics supported by cascading fi nger picking, strings and clarinet.

39 Trouble - Ray LaMontagne� is has cropped up on TV soundtracks amongst other places. � is isn’t a song where the acoustic dominates proceedings, instead providing a broad “wash” which the vocals and sweeping strings can play off . � e chorus is undeniably catchy and you’ll fi nd yourself humming it long after the song has stopped playing.

38 Fire and Rain - James Taylor� is song was the major breakthrough for a young James Taylor back in 1970 and featured on his second album, Sweet Baby James. � e sparse guitar fi gures spun by Taylor are delicate but somehow steely and strong and the perfect support for the song’s deeply personal lyrics.

37 So Long, Marianne - Leonard CohenWe’re guessing that this made the list, not due to the fairly rudimentary guitar playing, but thanks to Cohen’s incredible ability to tell a story. Always a better lyricist than guitarist (unsurprising given that Cohen’s fi rst calling was as a poet), this song is a perfect example of the Canadian’s ability to whisk the listener off into another world, and impart raw emotions.

36 Beatles Medley - Tommy EmmanuelPicking a best track from the Australian virtuoso is a tough call, but this medley of hits from � e Beatles illustrates his incredible technique. A staggering masterclass sees Tommy replicating bass lines, vocal melodies, guitar and piano riff s that will leave a smile on even the biggest technique-a-phobe’s face.

35 I’m So Glad - Skip JamesSkip James gave up music as a career during the Great Depression. It wasn’t until he was “re-discovered” in the 60s that the true majesty of his art reached a wider audience. A big proponent of D-Minor tuning Skip went on to infl uence many in the blues revival and beyond. � e song is a perfect introduction to his idiosyncratic playing and vocals.

34 Black Bird - � e Beatles� is song proves just how eff ective vocals and guitar can be. Paul McCartney’s delicate playing was inspired by J.S. Bach’s Bourrée in E minor, and the lyrics were written to be symbolic of the Civil Rights movement in America during the 60s. � is is one of McCartney’s most popular compositions and it’s easy to see why it makes the list.

Joel McIverCrosby, Stills & Nash: GuinnevereBob Marley: Redemption SongGuns N’Roses: PatienceNick Drake: Fruit TreeJames Taylor: Song For You Far AwayEwan McColl & Peggy Seeger: The First Time Ever I Saw Your FaceJohn Martyn: Fairytale LullabyBon Jovi: Wanted Dead Or AliveLed Zeppelin: Ramble OnOpeth: Coil

Paul Brett:‘Adagio’ from the ‘Concerto de Aranjuez’ by Joaquin Rodrigo.‘Anji’ by Davey Graham..‘Jubillee’ by John Joyce.‘First Show’ by American Jazz great, Charlie Byrd. ‘Nuages’ Django Rheinhardt.‘Vaseline Machine Gun’ Leo Kottke.‘900 Miles’ : Dick Rossmini.‘Statesboro Blues’ : Blind Willie McTell.‘Rock Island Line’ : Leadbelly.‘Driftin’ : Andy McKee.

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33 � is Old Guitar - John DenverIf, as an acoustic guitarist, you can listen to this song without getting just a little bit misty eyed, well, you’re made of stern stuff . With a beautiful fi nger picked progression throughout, Denver’s fragile and plaintive vocals convey what could be the ultimate tribute to our instrument wrapped up in a tender ballad. A true classic from a true legend.

32 A Pretty Penny - Steve TilstonIt’s been said that Steve Tilston is one of the best kept secrets in British music. � at might be over-egging the pudding, but there’s no doubt that he’s one of

the best and deserves a wider audience. � is is a recent song, from his 2008 album Ziggurat and it’s a testament to his skill as a songwriter that he’s still penning such memorable songs.

31 Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) - Steve Harley� e song is a classic but it’s the acoustic guitar solo that makes it really stand out. � e solo was performed as a sound-check warm up before the recording sessions for the song began. Little did Jim Cregan know that when he was noodling away he was creating one of the most widely listened to and adored acoustic guitar solos to grace the charts.

30 Baby Driver – Simon and Garfunkel� e fact that this song was the B side to this duo’s other entry on this list illustrates just how strong the material Simon and Garfunkel produced was. With its playful lyrics and incessantly catchy vocals this song would have been an A side for most other artists. � e twangy guitar intro and big, full-bodied strumming propels the song along at breakneck speed leaving a sense of delirious fun in its wake.

29 Another Lonely Day - Ben Harper� e unfairly good looking Mr Harper delivers a melancholy ballad . His smoky vocals are supported by a slow-strumming which gets under your skin, lending the song a hypnotic quality. To say it’s lyrically downbeat is a bit of an understatement, but there’s an aching beauty to it nonetheless.

28 Losing My Religion -REMAn unlikely hit for the Georgia alt.rockers this song has become ingrained in the collective consciousness thanks to heavy airplay on radio and MTV. It could be the most famous song with a mandolin as its cornerstone, with its famous riff courtesy of guitarist Peter Buck. Incredibly Buck had

only just purchased a mandolin and was learning to play when he came up with the riff , proof positive that you don’t need to be a virtuoso to write good music.

27 Fast Car - Tracy ChapmanWith its distinctive fi ngerstyle riff and Chapman’s rich vocals this song was destined for success from the start. � is was Chapman’s fi rst success and launched her career, winning a Grammy for ‘Best Female Pop Vocal Performance’. � e lyrics struck home in the 80s in contrast with the big money, survival of the fi ttest attitude so prevalent at the time, and it’s the timelessness of the lyrics, as well as the quality of the music that helped it re-enter charts in 2010 thanks to digital downloads.

26 St Louis Blues - Big Bill Broonzy� is song is a standard in the repertoire of blues and jazz musicians the world over, but Broonzy’s take on it is surely one of the standouts. Broonzy infl uenced generations of guitarists with his folk-blues stylings, which were in turn infl uenced by his own early days playing spirituals, ragtime and boogie. It’s his skill at delivering a melody that makes his playing rise above his contemporaries, and listening to this song it’s easy to see why he was so infl uential.

25 Love and Aff ection - Joan Armatrading� is was Armatrading’s fi rst chart success, cracking the top 10 in 1976. � e gentle vocal delivery and light guitar work belies the message of the song. To this day it remains a fi rm fan favourite and Armatrading’s signature song.

24 Patience - Guns N Roses� e bad boys of rock go all acoustic. From their highly successful G’NR Lies album (actually two EPs spliced together, 1986’s Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide and then a four track acoustic off ering), this tender ballad and its accompanying video ensured that the album sold very well indeed. � e song also features a nice acoustic solo by Slash.

23 Northern Sky - Nick DrakeFrom Drake’s second album, Bryter Layter, this sweeping love song’s popularity has been bolstered by its appearances on fi lm soundtracks. Driven more by the meandering piano lines that run through the piece this is still an inspired slice of Drake at his very best.

22 Never Going Back Again - Fleetwood MacRumours marked the peak of Fleetwood Mac’s popularity, though the band’s sound was very diff erent from its blues roots. Linsey Buckingham’s twangy playing on this song is one of the album’s standout moments.

21 More � an Words - Extreme� ese hair metal heroes achieved their greatest success largely thanks to the crossover success of this ballad. Nuno Bettencourt showed that he could do more than shred the living hell out of an electric with some tasteful fi ngerstyle work that supported Gary Cherone’s perfect

Pierre Bensusan“A Case of you” by Joni Mitchell (Blue)“How Can I Forget (Song For Margo)” by Kenni Rankin (Professional Dreamer)“Self Portrait in 3 Colours” by Charlie Mingus (Mingus Ah Um)“Part II C”  by Keith Jarrett (Köln Concert)“Track 2” by Virginia Rodrigues (Nos)“Aguas de Março” by Antonio Carlos Jobim (Finest hour)“I do it for your Love” by Bill Evans & Toots Thielemans (A� nity)“São Jorge” by Hermeto Pasquoal (Zabumbê:Bum:Ã)“Cancion del Amor” by Paco De Lucia (Zyriab)“Ponta De Aeria” by Wayne Shorter and Milton Nascimento (Native Dancer)

Russell Welton: Naima version of the John Coltrane piece: Steve Lukather Wu Wei: Pierre BensusanFlamenco Guitar Solo: Steve StevensAerial Boundaries: Micheal HedgesEspiritu: Al Di Meola, Paco De Lucia and John McLaughlinAlbeniz Suite Espanola, OP.47 Asturias: Andres SegoviaTribute to Bach, BMV 1004 : Chaconne: Steve HackettYou Go To My Head: Django ReinhardtBroon’s Bane/The Trees: Alex Lifeson   Just Relax: Stochelo Rosenburg

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vocal delivery. Reaching number one in the States and number two here in the UK the band were on top of the world, then a few short years later would fi nd themselves out in the musical wilderness along with their other big haired brethren.

20 Old Man – Neil YoungHarvest was a monumentally successful album for Neil Young and is rightly regarded as one of the greatest of all time. � is particular track was modestly successful as a single but seems to fi nd particular resonance with people, dealing as it does with the fact that we all have similar wants and needs. James Taylor guests on vocals and a 6 string banjo tuned like a guitar with Linda Ronstadt also supplying vocals.

19 Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door - Bob DylanWhen Bob Dylan wrote this song for the soundtrack to Pat Garret and Billy � e Kid could he have known it would go on to be so popular? � e song has been covered by many artists since, perhaps most famously by Guns ‘N Roses, and the fact that it works either as a stripped back acoustic track or a balls out rocker is testament to the strength of the song.

18 � e Boxer - Simon and GarfunkelOften believed to be an attack on Bob Dylan (something Simon himself has denied) this classic from the Bridge Over Troubled Water album features some brilliant fi ngerstyle work from Fred Carter Jr. � e cascading intro gives way to some tastefully picked arpeggios that give the song a rolling and plaintive feel in perfect step with the lyrics. A classic.

17 1952 Vincent Black Lightning - Richard � ompsonWidely regarded as � ompson’s greatest song, this is certainly a perennial favourite that goes down a storm every time it’s performed. A beautiful modern folk song, delivered in the style of something altogether more trad, it tells the story of a wayward rogue and his young girlfriend united by their love of his 1952 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle. � e playing is, as you’d expect, exquisite throughout and � ompson’s impassioned vocals and brilliant narrative lyrics unfurl a short fi lm in the mind’s eye.

16 Streets of London - Ralph McTellIf you were to measure the success of a song by the amount of times it’s covered by other artists, this signature song from Ralph McTell would come out pretty well. Covered by over 200 artists it obviously strikes a chord (pun fully intended) with many including your good selves. � e socio-political message is classic McTell as is the fi ngerpicked guitar line.

15 Tears In Heaven – Eric ClaptonWritten in the aftermath of the tragic death of his son Connor, few songs can be said to deal with such raw pain as this. � e guitar work is tasteful and restrained, as expected from one of the greats, and the version on the Unplugged album is about as personal and heartfelt as it gets.

14 Intuite - Pierre BensusanWidely regarded as one of the greatest fi ngerstyle players of all time, and an undisputed master of DADGAD, Pierre has been writing beautiful acoustic music for decades. � is track from his 2001 album of the same name is nothing short of exquisite. Coaxing a delicate melody from his guitar Pierre demonstrates his astonishing technique and tone, but always kept under a tight rein to serve the song as opposed to being for its own sake. A richly deserved entry in the list.

13 Anji - Davey Graham� is fi ngerstyle instrumental is easily one of the most infl uential pieces of solo acoustic guitar music in history. Chosen by Paul Brett as one of his top ten he had the following to say: “� is inspired a whole new generation of acoustic

guitarists. Without this I doubt acoustic music would have veered in the direction it did, and especially if his promotion of the DADGAD tuning had not occurred.” Well said Paul, well said. Gordon Giltrap also chose it and said: “It is THE classic acoustic instrumental of the 60’s. Its magic never dies.” We’re not going to argue with those endorsements, and neither, it seems, are you.

12 Come On In My Kitchen - Robert Johnson� e myths and legends that surround Robert Johnson have become bigger than the man himself (sold his soul to the devil don’t you know) but the guy knew how to play the blues, and importantly managed to convey intense emotions and experience in succinct songs. With its references to “hoodoo” objects and the classic blues themes of love, loss and betrayal it’s no wonder it has become beloved of blues artists the world over. And when you listen to the original, you feel there just could be something in those myths.

11 Hotel California - Eagles� is song is widely lauded for its incredible guitar solo, which regularly loiters near the top of “best guitar solo ever” type polls, and rightly so. But the heavy use of 12-string acoustic throughout defi nitely qualifi es it for inclusion here. Written about the excesses of the California rock scene of the day this is an enduring classic that’s enjoyed by pretty much everyone, especially after a few beers in the pub on Saturday night.

Gordon Giltrap:Shawn Phillips: Favourite Things.Jose Feliciano: Light my Fire.Pete Seeger: The Bells of Rhymney.Pavan for a dead infant: Julian BreamHoneysuckle Rose: Django Reinhardt.Anji: Davey Graham.Lady Nothingy’s Toy Pu� : Or just simply LADY NOTHING...John Renbourn.Chambertin: Bert Jansch.Julia Florida: John Williams.Behind Blue Eyes: The Who and Pete Townsend.

Huw Price:Black Queen: Stephen StillsChambertin: Bert JanschDark Was The Night Cold Was The Ground: Blind Willie JohnsonSouthern Accents: Johnny CashPaper Aeroplanes: Green Green Grass Of HomeClarsach (The Nine Maidens): John RenbournThe Red House Painters: Summer DressThe Scarecrow: June TaborBlind Willie McTell: Bob DylanCome Up & See Me (Make Me Smile): Steve Harley

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10 You Got A Friend - James TaylorPenned by legendary songwriter Carole King for her album Tapestry, it was Taylor’s cover released the very same year that catapulted the song to the tops of the charts and gave Taylor a world-wide audience. His acoustic fi ngerpicking is the natural accompaniment to King’s heartfelt lyrics, and it’s easy to see why Taylor’s version connected so strongly with audiences then and continues to do so to this day.

09 Father and Son - Cat Stevens� ey say no relationship is more complex than that between a mother and daughter. If that’s true then the father and son dynamic is a very close second. In a song that seem to ring true for every man that listens to it (and doubly so once he becomes a father), Cat Stevens shows himself to be one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time.

08 Yesterday - � e Beatles� e Guinness Book of World Records recognises this, another McCartney classic, as the most covered song of all time. A plaintive ballad about a broken relationship, McCartney played this on his favoured Epiphone Texan. Considering its enormous popularity it’s surprising that the rest of the band weren’t too fond of the song and vetoed it being released as a single in the UK, feeling it was at odds with their sound at the time. Nonetheless

it found almost immediate popularity when other artists covered it and scored numerous chart entries with it. A song that treads a fi ne line between saccharine sentimentality and real emotion it’s a reminder of just how great a musician Macca is.

07 Pink Moon - Nick DrakeIt’s a testament to Nick Drake’s enduring talent and legacy that he features on this list three times. � e title track from his fi nal album, this song stands out from the rest of the album thanks to a short piano interlude, while the rest of the album is just guitars and vocals. � e whole album was recorded over two evenings and delivered to Island records shortly after. Tragically Drake would be dead just two years after the album’s release, but thanks to songs such as this he lives on, infl uencing the music of a wide variety of artists.

06 Hurt - Johnny Cash� e Man in Black made a huge return and widened his audience out to a younger generation with this cover of a Nine Inch Nails’ song. Trent Reznor’s introverted and melancholy lyrics took on a new depth when sung by an ageing Cash, while the simple and sparse guitar playing is the perfect accompaniment, buoyed as it is by an incessant piano in

the chorus. � e song has since become synonymous with Cash, whose cover is seen in many ways superior to the original.

05 Big Yellow Taxi -Joni MitchellMitchell’s environmental song has become her most enduring song from a catalogue that is almost unparalleled in quality. � ere’s something about the jaunty delivery and Mitchell’s trademark guitar that is at odds with the serious message of the song, and yet it’s this contrast that gives it such enormous strength, it gets under your skin and drums its message home without coming across as preachy.

04 Heartsong - Gordon GiltrapWhen you talk about the greats of British guitar players Mister Giltrap has to feature in any list. � is song was a chart hit from his Perilous Journey album in 1977. It went on to become ingrained in the British consciousness as the theme music to the BBC’s Holiday programme. � e verve and energy in Gordon’s playing, and the uplifting melody made it the perfect song to accompany such a programme, we defy you to listen to this song without a smile creeping onto your face. Gordon took some time out to tell us about the song, so we’ll let him have the last word:

“‘Heartsong’ started life as a song which I wrote in about 1969 called ‘Starting all Over’. It was written in open G tuning...DGDGBD. I was experimenting with some double strummed chords one day and ‘hey presto’ that basic chordal riff arrived at the fi ngertips. ‘Heartsong’ has in its own way become a classic, and it single handedly brought me to the attention of a much wider audience, especially when it was used by the BBC for many years as its theme for the Holiday programme. It was subsequently nominated for the coveted Ivor Novello Award. I still get immense pleasure from playing it all these years on and it continues to be a challenge in terms of its inbuilt energy and technical challenges”

03 � e Times � ey Are a-Changin’ -Bob Dylan� is could be the ultimate protest song. In fact Dylan acknowledged it was written with that deliberate intention in mind. � e lyrics have a timeless quality to them, as relevant to the social upheaval of the 60s as they are to the current corporation and bank-dominated 21st century. � e lyrics are what this song is all about and it remains one of his best.

Stephen Bennett:The Quintet Of The Hot Club Of France: “Billet Doux”. John Martyn: “May You NeverBlind Willie Johnston: “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”. Vinicius Cantuaria:“Caju”. Martin Hayes/Denis Cahill: “The Lonesome Touch”. The Doobie Brothers: “Black Water”. Robert Johnson: “Travellin’ Riverside Blues”. Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys: “Old Joe Clark”. Crosby, Stills And Nash: “Suite:judy Blue Eyes”. Charlie Haden: “Is This America?”

Graham Hazelwood:Alice’s Restaurant Massacree: Arlo GuthrieFarewell, Farewell: Fairport ConventionGood Company: QueenHeartsong: Gordon GiltrapHurt: Johnny CashMemories: Chasing PandoraThick As A Brick: Jethro TullThree Mules: Al StewartTrains: Al StewartVigeland’s Dream: Eleanor McEvoy

Andy HughesMiss Emily: Ghost TrainsIf You Could Read My Mind: Gordon LightfootFace In The Crowd: Tom PettyAngie: The Rolling StonesHalf A World Away: OasisAfter The Goldrush: Neil YoungAnd I Love Her: The BeatlesYou’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away: The BeatlesI Wish I Was Your Mother: Mott The HoopleHelpless: Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young

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is still a memorable piece of playing: Stephen Stills was playing with Buff alo Springfi eld – with Neil Young – who were part of the 60s legion of American groups. History recalls that a party took place in Mama Cass’s house in 1968, where Crosby, Stills and Nash sang a Stephen Stills song called ‘You Don’t Have To Cry’. It was in that rendition that all three realised they had an empathy and sound, using a basic three-part vocal harmony backed by acoustic guitars. � is was, in fact, the birth of Crosby, Stills & Nash.

� eir fi rst LP, Crosby, Stills & Nash, was released in 1969, and from this LP two singles hit the Billboard singles chart, with the LP peaking at number six in the album charts. It contained some memorable songs which fi rmly established their unique harmony style. ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes’ was, and is, my favourite track. It was inspirational to many guitarists/vocalists who were hovering between playing electric and acoustic guitars in the 60s. It was certainly a style which, mixed with Richie Havens’ approach, gave my Paul Brett Sage band a direction. Have a listen to ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes’ as performed live at Woodstock on YouTube.

and the classic ‘Our House’ are my favourite tracks, and you can clearly hear a change of style occurring slightly from the fi rst line-up with the addition of Young and other band members.

Everybody in those days wrote songs about freedom and political comment, as it was the fashion. Music could, and did, change the world’s view at that time on many issues. Neil Young wrote a song refl ecting the issues on the Kent State University shootings, which the band recorded and released in 1970. � is was largely a protest by students on campus about the invasion of Cambodia, rubber-stamped by President Nixon – he of the Watergate scandal. � e Ohio National Guard opened fi re on the students, killing four and wounding nine. It was indeed a massacre of the unarmed by the state, and Young’s lyrics in ‘Ohio’ refl ected this: ‘Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, we’re fi nally on our own. � is summer I hear the drumming, four dead in Ohio’.

All of these talents released their own solo albums in the early 70s, including Young’s iconic After � e Gold Rush, my personal favourite of all his LPs. As in most fusions of great talent, diff erences and disagreements

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It was decided after the success of the fi rst LP to add to the line up … Enter Stills’s old band member, Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young. Young, at the time, had formed his own band, Crazy Horse, and while it is reported that both Stills and Nash had reservations about adding Young to the line-up, especially as he wanted to keep working with Crazy Horse, these doubts were allayed and CS&N became CSN&Y. � e second LP was released in 1970 under the title Déjà Vu and was the fi rst featuring Neil Young. Other musicians were added to these sessions, including names such as the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia and Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian. � ere were also contributions from drummer Dallas Taylor and bass player Greg Reeves. ‘Teach Your Children’, ‘Woodstock’

crept into their psyche, which led to fragmentation, with Crosby and Nash forming a duo, while Stills and Young went their own way. � is is the way of things in general, with people wanting to follow diff erent paths in their creative careers. Yet still to this day, in 2010, Crosby, Stills & Nash are undertaking tours together again and Neil Young has been performing solo dates.

Without the unique input of Richie Havens and CSN&Y, would contemporary music have taken a diff erent turn? Certainly I would have done, and possibly many others. We should be thankful that, over the years, their creative talents and songs have provided us with a rich tapestry of acoustic-based music that is still timeless. Paul Brett

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02 Heart of Gold - Neil Young� is song was directly responsible for Neil Young’s move into the mainstream spotlight as a solo artist. A number one single from his number one album, Harvest, the song catapulted Young to international stardom, though he would admit later that its success made him move away from the middle of the road afterwards. With its harmonica intro and distinctive riff it’s easy to see why Bob Dylan allegedly didn’t like the song, as it sounded a bit too much like him, and hearing it in heavy radio rotation at the time used to grind his gears somewhat. Sour grapes? Who knows, but with its simple, hooky riff and chunky strumming this song is distinctively Neil Young. And the harmonica playing is better than Dylan’s too.

01 Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez -� e top three of this list were separated by a matter of a few votes each. � is coming out on top was unexpected, but the more you think about it the more sense it makes. Few pieces of music could be said to be so easily indentifi able, just hum the fi rst three notes and I bet your wife/mum/brother/gran/best mate knows it. Featured in numerous fi lms and adverts as well as being performed and re-interpreted by countless musicians, from Julian Bream to Miles Davis it is a piece of music that has reached millions. And yet, it’s a fair bet that relatively few who know the melody could tell you who wrote it. Written in 1939 in Paris by Spanish composer and pianist Joaquin Rodrigo, the Adagio is the second movement of the Concierto de Aranjuez which is by far Rodrigo’s most famous composition, thanks in no small part to the Adagio. Rodrigo was completely blind by the age

of three, but became a virtuoso pianist. Incredibly he never mastered the guitar, despite the fact that he was responsible in no small part for raising the profi le of the Spanish guitar, and that his most famous compositions are for guitar.� ere is a pervasive sense of melancholy in the main melody, which comes as no surprise when you know that it was written in the aftermath of the miscarriage of Rodrigo’s wife’s fi rst pregnancy. As the strings of the orchestra kick in mid-way through, reiterating the main melody, the Adagio quickly becomes one of the most emotive pieces of music ever recorded.Acoustic’s Paul Brett had the following to say about the Adagio, which he chose for his own personal Top 10: “It’s simply the best constructed piece for acoustic guitar ever written in my opinion. It has everything, inspiration, mood, melody, technique and an immediate identity in the opening notes.”An unexpected, but deserving winner of our reader’s poll.

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