There are essentially, it seems to me, no more than three categories of LP record: the kind I wouldn’t listen to in a fit (except perhaps of laughter); the ones I would gladly listen to but would not, could not, buy, and finally those LPs for the possession of which I might be persuaded to become parted from some of the legal kind of tender.

As the recession bites, the threshold of quality-control rises and the last category becomes increasingly squeezed and progressively diminished. My own purchases for 1982, it must be said, reflect – perhaps slightly exaggerate – the overall slump in the record industry which saw sales of albums down by 33% on last year.

Fortunately the situation is not altogether pessimistic. In 1982, even if the standards did become much more exacting, there were nonetheless a goodly number of records which I couldn’t see myself going without.

And while it is particularly encouraging that half a dozen or so, at least, of these indispensables were home produced, it is also, I think, worth remarking that three were, once again, the work of the old triumvirate of reliables – Van, Rory and Philo. Morrison’s ‘Beautiful Vision’ must again be a serious candidate for the album-of-the-year spot; and Punchestown-hero Gallagher’s ‘Jinx’ and ‘The Philip Lynott Solo Album’ will not be far behind. The fact that it is the old guard who continue to shine may well be saying something about the developing Irish music scene that few of us would wish to dwell upon in this, the festive season – though on the credit side it must be noted that had the respective offerings from U2 and The Rhythm Kings been released into the end of ’82 rather than – presumably – the beginning of ’83, the situation might well have taken on a different aspect.

Also, of course, there were encouraging releases from a number of the newer Irish Lights, Moving Hearts, in my view, consolidated their reputation as one of the most vital of Irish rock bands with ‘Dark End Of The Street’; Stockton’s Wing ‘shone’ with “Light In The Western Sky”; and I’m currently in the process of savin gup for Johnny Duhan’s album (prospective present buyers, please note!).

Chris De Burgh too, did much for his reputation with “The Gateway” and The Rats came back with a boom with ‘V. Deep’ – not forgettin of course their triumphant Castlebar appearance.

Internationally too, it was the old reliables who continued to excel and impress, such as: The Jam, Costello and Dexy’s – while Pete Townshend and The Fun Boy Three made not unfavourable impressions, and Roxy Music provided instant if unenduring pleasure with ‘Avalon’.

In 1982, also, the two most long and eagerly awaited albums from Dire Straits and Graham Parker, finally made it into the shops and failed to live up to expectations when they did. ‘Love Over Gold’, however masterly its execution, was marred by its inherent self-indulgence and in the absence of the ruthless Rumour, Parker’s ‘Another Grey Area’ was a sad disappointment.