I'm not a massive fan of the concept of 'Guilty Pleasures'. Generally people should be free to embrace and enjoy the music they like without fear of censure and scorn from others (fans of Scouting for Girls, you are the exception to the rule). Nonetheless, I accept that a 29 year old male might not be expected to be a fan of 1970's soft rock acts with little commercial success since 1979's 'Night Owl' album. But, as with much of my taste, its origins lie in late 1980's childhood musical imprisonment while travelling on holiday in my parents' car. The Beach Boys, The Who, The Stones and other bands I continue to revere were staple selections, as was this 1978 album, which sold over five million copies and reached the top 5 in both the UK and US.Whilst the album is primarily remembered for the incredibly radio-friendly 'Baker Street' (video below), the real beauty lies in records such as 'Island', which also employs the saxophone of Raphael 'Baker Street' Ravenscroft, and 'Whatever's Written in Your Heart', which offer simple tributes to love and longing. With not a bad track, it remains an effortlessly timeless and comforting record and heightens my sadness at learning that Rafferty is, at the time of writing, three months missing after checking out of a London hospital where he was being treated for liver problems. With much of his history since 1980 seemingly revolving around various drunken incidents - aside from producing the Proclaimers' glorious 'Letter from America' in 1987 - it would appear that this story is sadly not one destined to end with a glorious renaissance and a tour of 'City to City'. Retailing at around a fiver on the likes of Amazon though, it is a classic of its type and deserving of being recognised as such.
