Coming Up With The Sunshine: Radio-Ed O'Brien's Favourite Music | Page 5 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Scott WalkerScott 3

Argh, I’m changing my mind now. Do I pick Scott 3 or Scott 4? Err…oh God, this is hard. Sorry. OK, I’ll go for 3, purely because my wife and I were listening to it in the kitchen yesterday. Scott 4‘s my most-played album on all of my devices at home – it’s literally been played three times more than any other record. But Scott 3…there’s something especially moving about it right now. The end of ‘Sons Of’, that final moment. We both in tears at the end of it last night. Blubbing like idiots while making supper.

Among Radiohead, Scott Walker’s definitely our unifying artist. First of all, it’s his voice: it’s just undeniable in its power. Then there’s the Wally Stott arrangements, all this extraordinary instrumentation. To think that he was doing jingles and TV adverts at the same time. There’s such craft in his albums, and such constant inspiration.

PreviousNext Record

Don’t Miss The Quietus Digest

Start each weekend with our free email newsletter.

Help Support The Quietus in 2025

If you’ve read something you love on our site today, please consider becoming a tQ subscriber – our journalism is mostly funded this way. We’ve got some bonus perks waiting for you too.

Subscribe Now