Ex Girl and Terroristen guitarist Gerry Laffy likes his mixtapes a bit like his amplifiers - going all the way up to eleven.  So as a result where everyone else who has contributed to our ever popular feature has struggled with compiling a tape consisting of just the magic thirteen Gerry has somehow managed to come in two tracks under par and in the process compile quite possibly one of the most eclectic track listings yet.....

1.) 'My Number' - Girl (from the album 'Sheer Greed')

The first significant track I ever wrote. Well for me at least. This was my first record released. My top three Girl tracks are: 'My Number'. 'The Things You Say' and 'Hollywood Tease'.

2.) 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers' - Jeff Beck (from the album 'Blow By Blow')

As a 15 year old kid I would bunk off school at Hampstead School, and I'd work occasionally at a record shop in Kilburn Station, Small Mercy's or something. The owner was Dave Stewart who later made a mint with Eurythmics. He turned me on to 'Blow By Blow' (ironically we smoked too much blow too). Phil Collen later did a cover of this. Not bad, but Jeff to me is the guv'nor.

3.) 'Joe the Lion' - David Bowie (from the album 'Heroes')

This album had a HUGE impact on me. I was 17, working at LWT as a junior in the Graphics Dept. This has remained my fave of the 'Heroes' album. I listen to it a LOT.

4.) David Lee Roth - 'Skyscraper' (from the album of the same name)

This track is in my will to be played at my funeral. What a great combo David Lee Roth and Steve Vai were.  Apart from the first four Van Halen albums, the two DLR/SV albums were amazing. I like all of the tracks on this album.

5.) 'Mating Drive' - Lenny White (from the album 'Venusian Summers')

The fantastic drummer for Return To Forever, 'Romantic Warrior' was a hit dynamic album for the combo featuring Al Di Meola, Lenny, Stanley Clarke in what was essentially Chick Corea's band. Lenny got a shot after 'Romantic Warrior' to do his own album. This track has the amazing Ray Gomez on guitar. I listen to this track when I am on the bus on my way to work. I find myself having to curb the desire to air drum along to this (ha ha)

6.) 'Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)'  - Alicia Keys (from the album 'The Element of Freedom')

I did the loop of the pre vocal bit for a student at college. I fell in love with this album when I first heard it. It's spare and intensely beautiful.

7.) 'Joshua' - Allan Holdsworth (from the album 'Secrets')

I love Holdsworth's fluidity and unique style. This piece is stunning, some amazing, no, impossible runs. Also the name of a significant other, I play this sometimes, as a reminder.

8.) Peter Gabriel - 'I Don't Remember' (from the album 'Peter Gabriel 3')

I liked Gabriel with Genesis. Liked him even more when I heard his first solo album. Only Peter would do a debut solo record with no cymbals. Forcing him to be a creative explosion. This track is from 'Peter Gabriel 3', but I like this more than most people's first choice Gabriel song 'Sledgehammer' despite that track's cool plasticine music video.

9.) Guns N' Roses - 'Shackler's Revenge' (from the album 'Chinese Democracy')

I discovered this album in early 2012. I REALLY loved it. Although I was a tiny bit put off by the first track. Once this sucker kicked in I was like WOAH..Brilliant. I adored this track and almost everything after it. I like Axl as a singer, I liked the songs and like Ozzy I guess he has a knack of finding great guitarists (actually I think that is just being in LA with a ton of money to pay the best guys)

10.) 'Cool Water' - Joni Mitchell (from the album 'Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm')

I have loved Joni a very long time. This album 'Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm' is my favourite. She has several guests on this album, Peter Gabriel, Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Tom, Petty, Don Henley and on this track she does a cover with Willie Nelson. It's crisp and beautiful. I reminds me of the potency of a simple glass of cold water when you are really thirsty. It reminds me that the simplest things in life are the best.

11.) 'Aja' - Steely Dan (from the album of the same name)

I like Steely Dan a lot. I even got to play on stage with Skunk Baxter once. It's the drummer I like the best on this. This sounds to me like several really great musicians sitting in a room playing really great music. The drummer at the end really let's rip...let me look up who it was. Jim Keltner probably, nope, Steve Gadd. Anyhow, they must have liked it so much Donald asked him to reprise it eh...amazing anyhow. A nice suprise to end a cool song and also my mixtape.

[Photos by Conor Carroll http://www.facebook.com/ConorCarrollPhotography] 

http://www.facebook.com/gerry.laffy

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