Six best albums... chosen by John Simpson
BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson, 64, has reported from many of the world’s trouble spots.
He’s also written a string of bestselling books, including Not Quite World’s End: A Traveller’s Tales (Pan, £7.99). He lives in London with wife Dee and their son Rafe.
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH: SYMPHONY No. 7
(Essential Classics)
This is deeply moving . It’s about the Germans during the Second World War because the composer was caught up in the siege of Leningrad. What I like is Shostakovich criticises Stalin all the way through. His courage is magnificent .
MAURICE RAVEL: LE TOMBEAU DE COUPERIN
(BIS)
This homage to the composer Couperin is my favourite music of all. Thoughtful, intelligent and peaceful, I listen to it when I’m feeling low. It’s the best medicine for dealing with a variety of ailments ranging from getting over a girl to having witnessed the evil that people are capable of doing in the name of freedom.
FRANCIS CABREL: LES BEAUX DEGATS
(Columbia)
There is a bittersweet tone to his songs that I really like. Les Faussaries is funny and savage, my favourite. There is a real power in the way Cabrel expresses his music and I’ve always had a soft spot for French music. Cabrel seems like a dear old friend, also a faithful travel companion over many decades in many unlikely places.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: WORKING ON A DREAM
(Sony BMG)
I used to take Springsteen for granted during his years as The Boss but now I feel as if I’ve discovered him – I get him completely. He’s a great songwriter who performs from the solar plexus.
MERCEDES SOSA: CANTATA SUDAMERICANA
(Polygram)
I prefer female voices to male and La Negra, as she’s known all over the Latin world, is one of those musicians who can make me stop in my tracks . Her voice carries the essence of Argentina. Cantata Sudamericana has the ability to transport me to the hot-headed landscape of one of my favourite countries .
HELEN MERRILL: MIXES
(The Orchard)
I like Helen’s rich, mellow voice. Her rendition of the great American songs of the 20th century has a special quality which enables my thoughts to wander through many happy events in my life. All The Things You Are, I Get A Kick Out Of You and These Foolish Things are some of the finest tunes ever and she brings her own marvellous interpretation to them.