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The Charlatans have consistently reached new heights in a career, that’s seen them survive bankruptcy and deaths of key members. Frontman Tim Burgess is a battlehardened veteran of the rock ’n’ roll wars yet radiates infectious and upbeat innocence on terrific new album Different Days.

“In troubled times, it sometimes helps to think positively,” reflects Tim, 49.

Rising early with his four-year-old son helped. “We got to see the sun coming up and he’d be asking me about my favourite dinosaurs. It’s a pretty upbeat feeling, unless you dwell on what happened to those dinosaurs.”

Different Days is The Charlatans’ second album since the death of drummer Jon Brookes, from brain cancer, in 2013.

A star-studded cast of friends including Paul Weller, Johnny Marr and New Order drum legend Stephen Morris helped create the album’s mood of blissed out majesty.

“Stephen Morris is a total one-off,” Tim smiles. “I absolutely worshipped New Order and still do.

“His drumming has influenced every generation and will do, regardless of what happens with music. It’s like they based the best drum machines on him.

“I’ve interviewed him on stage a couple of times and he’s so funny too.

“To end up working with him has been mindblowing – he delivers exactly what a song needs every time.”

Fate played a part in making Morris Jon Pepper always divided fans. Was it their greatest work or a filler-freighted carrier of their masterpiece, A Day In The Life? This 50th birthday special remixed by Giles (son of George) Martin supports the former. As well as embracing Music Hall and foreseeing the Podcast era, Pepper features The Beatles using the studio rather than stage to rock louder and harder than before. An essential addition to The Fab Four’s story – rock gods at work and play. Unbeatable.