Record Reviews
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  | KEVIN AYERS ~ STILL LIFE WITH GUITAR
MARKET SQUARE 112 (Barcode: 806676000289) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1990 - 1991 Released: 2002
Legendary Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist managed to keep his musical career aflame over the years by releasing splendid albums every now and then but staying away from the limelight. His ability to write well-crafted songs, which sound easy and simple, but are in fact often devilishly clever, earned him admiration and respect among his peers. This album was recorded when Ayers heard the debut album by Fairground AttractionFind albums by this artist, a short-lived UK Folk-Rock group, which blended many different genres into their music, from Folk and Country to Rock and Jazz, very similar to what Ayers used as his modus operandi. Ayers thought that it would be nice to record an album with the group and after pulling some strings his wish was granted. The cooperation obviously worked very well, as the resulting album is a blast from start to finish. Augmented by some of his regular musical collaborators, like guitarists Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, Ayers presents a great set of his unique songs. A special merit goes to the fantastic Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, whose bass playing drives the music and gives it an overall Jazzy feel. It’s great to have this little gem back in circulation and the many Ayers fans will surely rejoice.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ THE BBC SESSIONS 1970-1976
HUX 073 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Another splendid release from the BBC vaults presenting the extraordinary work of Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, spanning a period from his early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist days and later solo career. The list of musicians playing with Ayers on these sessions looks like a who’s who of early 1970’s Canterbury scene, Prog and Jazz combined: Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, David BedfordFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Archie LeggettFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist & Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist. The music is as adventurous and quirky as his usual output, with often humorous lyrics and plenty of instrumental passages to spice it all. This material is of immense historical importance and opens many windows to the understanding of the simmering UK musical scene at the time. The sound quality is excellent as usual for all the BBC recorded material. A must to all Canterbury scene fans.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JCM ~ HEROES
REPERTOIRE 1354 (Barcode: 4009910135426) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018
This is the only album by the British trio JCMFind albums by this artist comprising of three ex-ColosseumFind albums by this artist members: guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, bassist / vocalist Mark ClarkeFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs and one instrumental, mostly originals by the trio members, a couple of Jack BruceFind albums by this artist songs, one Graham BondFind albums by this artist song and four songs involving guitar heroes that the album is dedicated to: Gary MooreFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist.
The music floats between Rock oriented songs and Jazz-Rock Fusion material, all beautifully executed by the three veterans, who prove to be timeless heroes themselves. Clempson still plays some superb guitar licks that very few other guitar players around are able to compete with, Clarke sings with great sensitivity and Hiseman, one the greatest drummers of all time, as well as an excellent recording engineer and producer, does a perfect job as well. Sadly, this was his last recording before his untimely death, shortly after the album was released.
For Colosseum fans, British Prog / Jazz-Rock Fusion enthusiasts, guitar freaks and all good music lovers around the world this album is a breath of fresh air, although it sits firmly in the tradition established well over five decades earlier. The saying “they don’t make music like this anymore” obviously does not apply to this album. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 04/06/2025Posted: 07/08/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | PATTO ~ HOLD YOUR FIRE (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2582 (Barcode: 5013929468245) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the second album by the short-lived British Progressive Rock group PattoFind albums by this artist, led by the charismatic vocalist Mike PattoFind albums by this artist, which also included guitarist / vibraphonist / pianist Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, bassist Clive GriffithsFind albums by this artist and drummer John HalseyFind albums by this artist. The original album presented eight songs, all composed by Halsall with lyrics by Mike Patto. This remastered and expended edition adds two outtakes from the album studio recordings as bonus tracks and a second CD with eight tracks from BBC radio sessions and three alternate takes of the studio album.
Although Patto did not achieve much recognition at the time, their albums are considered as an integral part of the early British Prog, mainly thanks to the extraordinary guitar work by Halsall, who influenced many important Rock guitarists of his generation. After Patto disbanded Halsall played in TempestFind albums by this artist, BoxerFind albums by this artist and in Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist´ band until his untimely death in 1992. Mike Patto also died tragically early in 1979 as a victim of cancer.
The music is an amalgam of Blues, Rock and some Jazz-Rock influences, which in retrospect sounds like many other similar products of the period, sadly not leaving any remarkable musical statements, except the already mentioned guitar parts by Halsall. But it is definitely a nice listening experience with a strong nostalgic tinge.
Overall this is an opportunity to revisit some lesser known recordings of early British Prog, which still are relevant today and pay tribute to one of the forgotten guitar heroes of that period.
| | Updated: 02/08/2019Posted: 02/08/2019 | CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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