Elton John, Nick Lowe and Tony Bennett: Curtis Stigers' six best albums
CURTIS STIGERS, 48, had hits in the early 1990s with I Wonder Why and You’re All That Matters To Me.
He is at BluesFest at the Royal Albert Hall, London, from October 26-31. Visit bluesfest.co.uk
ELTON JOHN: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (UMC)
The first album I bought. He was not just a flamboyant pop star but a great musician and songwriter.
On top of that the music was ear candy.
There’s country in it but with a British accent, which is a lovely, quirky thing
THE BAND: Music From Big Pink (Capitol)
I was feeling pretty beaten up by the music business when I discovered this. The originality made me want to move in different directions.
It has so many American influences: soul, country, rock ’n’ roll, bluegrass.
JASON ISBELL: Southeastern (Southeastern)
A singer-songwriter who put himself on the map with this. It’s roots music that’s heartbreaking and funny.
The theme is that Jason cleaned up with the help of a woman who is now his wife.
NICK LOWE: The Convincer (Proper)
Nick is a friend whom I met when I recorded his song for The Bodyguard. There’s country in it but with a British accent, which is a lovely, quirky thing.
TONY BENNETT & BILL EVANS: The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album (Universal)
Tony has a way of singing that is simple and beautiful and Bill was playing piano around him like a mad orchestra.
It hit me at a time when I was studying jazz and I hear something new every time I put it on.
STEELY DAN: Aja (MCA)
I discovered Steely Dan when a friend of my mother moved out and left a box of vinyl. They were pop-rock musicians but deeply influenced by jazz. This is their masterpiece.