This is Uncool: the Best of Woodystock

I've been listening to a lot of 'classic rock' at the moment (or, as some musos like to call it, 'dadrock'). This is due to the influence of my cousin, Woody (his real name is Vernon which he hates). I've been round his place these last three Sundays, listening to some of his record collection. He's a bit older than me so his musical taste is grounded in the 70's behemoths (Zeppelin, Sabbath, Purple and Floyd). I've often dismissed a lot of the prog-rock / heavy metal of that era as bombastic or uncool, but Woody's been able to challenge some of my prejudices. In return, I've been able to introduce him to some (relatively) new music, like At The Drive-In, of whom he loves. Anyway, here's the top five tunes on Woody's stereo:

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
The title track from their 1975 album, which I think is probably their last great album (I'm not fussed on 'Animals', 'The Wall' or any of the post-Waters material). It's a poignant and genuine song about former lead singer Syd Barrett. It's quite a chilled-out track, with an intro of radio static and acoustic guitar that reminds me a bit of Sparklehorse.

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Kiss Them For Me
I'm familiar with a lot of Siouxsie & The Banshees' early post-punk stuff, which is great. This is a track from their 1991 album 'Superstition', which was recorded with Talvin Singh (winner of the 1999 Mercury Music Prize). Unsurprisingly, it's got quite an Eastern feel to it, though not in the same sense as 'Hong Kong Garden.'

Led Zeppelin - In My Time Of Dying
This is one of Zep's biggest tracks, clocking in at over 11 minutes long. Sums them up much more than 'Stairway to Heaven.' It's taken from their double-set 'Physical Graffiti', which also includes the Puff Daddy-sampling 'Kashmir.'

Black Sabbath - Children Of The Grave
"Shaaarrron!" Poor old Ozzy. To a certain generation, he'll always be a reality-show buffoon rather than a rock god. This is a one of Woody's favourite Sabbath tracks, from their 'Master Of Reality' album. Despite the gothic overtones, it's actually an anti-Vietnam War song.

Frank Zappa - Catholic Girls
My friend Simon first introduced me to the wonderfully strange world of Zappa. This is a track from the 1979 concept album 'Joe's Garage.' The song is an irreverant dig at the not-so-angelic Catholic girls who go to church to "blow all the Catholic boys."

This week I have been mostly enjoying...

George Galloway getting evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house - perhaps they should have had a giant catflap fitted for him to exit through. Miaow!

Life On Mars on BBC 1.

Demon Days by Gorillaz.

This week I have been mostly enjoying...

Hyperdrive on BBC2 - Red Dwarf meets Spaced.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky - David Brent's favourite Russian dissident.

Coventry beating Derby 6-1 - another six-goal drumming following last season's 6-2 victory. Bring on Boro!

Wilson Pickett 1941 - 2006

"Take a sad song and make it better" - 'Hey Jude'

That's exactly what Wilson Pickett did with that song.