Record Reviews

AMAZING BLONDEL ~ MULGRAVE STREET TALKING ELEPHANT 141 (Barcode: 5028479014125) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2009 6th album by the wonderful British Folk-Rock / Prog group Amazing BlondelFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and sophisticated bands to appear on the scene in the 1970s. After recording four wonderful albums for the IslandFind albums on this label label, the band switched to the DJMFind albums on this label label, where they recorded four additional albums before disbanding. With the departure of John GaldwinFind albums by this artist following the recording of "EnglandFind albums with this title", the duo of Terry WincottFind albums by this artist and Edward BairdFind albums by this artist continued to carry the band´s tradition, utilizing well-known Rock musicians as guest artists and modifying the sound to a more contemporary rockier song format. However, the Folk elements and occasional medieval music elements were still incorporated into the music, with their vocal harmonies remaining second to none. On this album the guests include FreeFind albums by this artist´s guitarist Paul KossoffFind albums by this artist, drummer Simon KirkeFind albums by this artist and keyboardist John BundrickFind albums by this artist. This is quite different from the first incarnation of the group, but still a great testimony of the times now long gone. Worth investigation!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SANDY DENNY ~ LIKE AN OLD FASHIONED WALTZ (DELUXE EDITION) ISLAND 602537002887 (Barcode: 602537002887) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2012 This is the third solo album by the British singer / songwriter Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist, the undeniable Queen of the British Folk-Rock movement, which flourished from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. Danny fronted the best Folk-Rock groups of the day, such as StrawbsFind albums by this artist, Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist and FotheringayFind albums by this artist and later concentrated on her splendid solo career, recording four excellent solo albums for IslandFind albums on this label Records. Her life and career was abruptly cut short by her tragic and untimely death at the age of 31. This album is quite different from Denny´s previous work, less Folk-Rock oriented and with some gentle Jazz touches, an influence she absorbed from her father. Most of the material is original, but a few Jazz standards are also included. The overall atmosphere of the album is deeply melancholic and very introvert, nostalgic and somewhat dark, beautifully performed by her and a superb band, which includes many British Folk-Rock heroes, like guitarists Richard ThompsonFind albums by this artist and her husband Trevor LucasFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John BundrickFind albums by this artist, drummer Dave MattacksFind albums by this artist and others. Several notable British Jazz players also take part, like saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist. Denny´s angelic voice and her unique vocal style are simply stellar. Several of the songs feature beautiful orchestral arrangements. This new 2CD edition adds a plethora of bonus material, which includes outtakes, demos, alternate versions and previously unreleased live material, which is all worth its weight in gold. It’s a proper tribute to Denny´s remarkable talents and wonderful output she left us to enjoy forever. It is an absolute must to every Folk-Rock fan anywhere on this planet!

Updated: 26/08/2020Posted:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SANDY DENNY ~ RENDEZVOUS (DELUXE EDITION) ISLAND 602527993607 (Barcode: 602527993607) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1977 Released: 2012 This is the fourth and last solo album by the British singer / songwriter Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist, the undeniable Queen of the British Folk-Rock movement, which flourished from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. Danny fronted the best Folk-Rock groups of the day, such as StrawbsFind albums by this artist, Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist and FotheringayFind albums by this artist and later concentrated on her splendid solo career, recording four excellent solo albums for IslandFind albums on this label Records. Her life and career was abruptly cut short by her tragic and untimely death at the age of 31. This album was separated by almost three years from its predecessor, which saw Denny rejoining Fairport Convention and recording her fifth album with the group called "Rising For The MoonFind albums with this title" (the group´s tenth album). She also carefully prepared the songs for this album, which are again a change of direction, this time more towards Pop / Rock, emphasized by the inclusion of one of Elton JohnFind albums by this artist´s songs as one of the three non-original songs on this album. As usual she is accompanied by fabulous musicians including many British Folk-Rock heroes, like guitarist Richard ThompsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John BundrickFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave PeggFind albums by this artist, drummer Dave MattacksFind albums by this artist and others. Guest star appearances by Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist and Acker BilkFind albums by this artist are also present. Denny´s angelic voice and her unique vocal style are simply stellar. Several of the songs feature beautiful orchestral arrangements, which were criticized at the time for being a bit overshadowing Denny´s performances, but the certainly don´t make that impression in retrospect and are just right for the occasion. This new 2CD edition adds a plethora of bonus material, which includes outtakes, demos, alternate versions and previously unreleased live material, which is all worth its weight in gold. It’s a proper tribute to Denny´s remarkable talents and wonderful output she left us to enjoy forever. It is an absolute must to every Folk-Rock fan anywhere on this planet!

Updated: 26/08/2020Posted:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SANDY DENNY ~ SANDY (DELUXE EDITION) ISLAND 600753384299 (Barcode: 600753384299) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2012 This is the second solo album by the British singer / songwriter Sandy DennyFind albums by this artist, the undeniable Queen of the British Folk-Rock movement, which flourished from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. Danny fronted the best Folk-Rock groups of the day, such as StrawbsFind albums by this artist, Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist and FotheringayFind albums by this artist and later concentrated on her splendid solo career, recording four excellent solo albums for IslandFind albums on this label Records. Her life and career was abruptly cut short by her tragic and untimely death at the age of 31. This album is often considered to be Denny´s best and in retrospect it stands out as one of the greatest Folk-Rock recordings of all times. The vast majority of the material comprises of original songs written by Denny, beautifully performed by her and a superb band, which includes many British Folk-Rock heroes, like guitarist Richard ThompsonFind albums by this artist, violinist Dave SwarbrickFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John BundrickFind albums by this artist and others. Denny´s angelic voice and her unique vocal style are simply stellar. Several of the songs feature beautiful orchestral arrangements. This new 2CD edition adds a plethora of bonus material, which includes outtakes, demos and previously unreleased live material, which is all worth its weight in gold. It’s a proper tribute to Denny´s remarkable talents and wonderful output she left us to enjoy forever. It is an absolute must to every Folk-Rock fan anywhere on this planet!

Updated: 26/08/2020Posted:

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

KOSSOFF / KIRKE / TETSU / RABBIT ~ KOSSOFF / KIRKE / TETSU / RABBIT ORK 7 (Barcode: 5013929592728) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2007 Only album by the quartet Kossoff / Kirke / Tetsu / RabbitFind albums by this artist, which was formed in mid-1971 as a result of the demise of FreeFind albums by this artist Mk. 1 (following the release of "HighwayFind albums with this title") with the band´s guitarist Paul KossoffFind albums by this artist and drummer Simon KirkeFind albums by this artist joining forces with Japanese born bassist Tetsu YamauchiFind albums by this artist and Texan keyboardist John BundrickFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Rabbit). The band lasted only for a brief period of time, before Free Mk. 2 were re-established in 1972, but the album they recorded together remains a classic example of Blues-Rock. Somewhat similar (not surprisingly) to the sound and feel of the music Free produced, it is more relaxed and features some of the best guitar work Kossoff ever managed to put on tape. Of course the leading vocals of Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist are sadly missed, but Kossoff, Kirke and Bundrick handle that department admirably well. In retrospect this albums still sounds great 40 years later and its reissue on CD is a most welcome event. Recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend