Essential Graham Coxon

In this 2012 Hyde Park take on the Parklife stomper “London Loves,” Damon Albarn’s pop sensibilities and Coxon’s avant 6-string proclivities clash to a point of perfect symbiosis—especially at 1:43 where Coxon channels Zoot Horn Rollo and John Coltrane.


Captured at Blur’s intimate 2009 Colchester homecoming concert, this stage-right heavy, fan-shot take of The Great Escape’s “Charmless Man” showcases Coxon’s brawny Townshend-inspired hybrid rhythm/lead style and love of Super-Fuzz and RAT distortion.


With a Ralph Bown OM in hand, Coxon delivers a literal and lovely take on the notion of English bedsit folk—as well as a crafty homage to Davey Graham and Syd Barrett—with a cut from his 2009 LP The Spinning Top.


Always a willing and able shape shifter, Coxon and his early-’60s SG Special move from filthy funkateer, to clanging, sci-fi sonic generator, to Fripp-fried soloist in the space of The Magic Whip’s lead single, “Go Out.”