Clifford T Ward - Home Thoughts ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This lovely analogue recording is sure to please. Lots of brass, tight deep bass and percussion with great songs makes this a special album. Clifford T Ward was a talented song writer but sadly died prematurely after making just a few albums. Home Thoughts was his second album released in 1973 and is by far his best having reached number 40 in the album charts in the UK. This album is particularly precious to me because he was born and lived near where I grew up in Worcestershire and the album photos were taken in Hartlebury Castle very near to where I now live!

Tanita Tikaram - Ancient Heart ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Singer/songwriter Tanita Tikaram's debut album, Ancient Heart, stands as one of the most underappreciated albums of the 1980s, and she, along with Tracy Chapman, preceded the 1990s' onslaught of female singer/songwriters by almost a decade. Tikaram, who was only 19 when this album was released, created a melancholy and wistful work, mature beyond her years, of startling originality and honesty. While this album may be considered folkish and artsy, it never stoops to the clichés that dominated those styles of music in the later Lilith Fair years. Her near perfect signature song "Twist in My Sobriety" is a stark, sinuous, desperate torch song that managed to garner a bit of radio and video airplay in its day and sounded like nothing else then or since. Other highlights include the lovely and more upbeat "Cathedral Song," "World Outside Your Window," and "Good Tradition"," as well as the jazzy "For All the Years" and the haunting "I Love You" and "Valentine Heart" -- the latter being one of the album's true highlights. Ancient Heart is a smoky, world-weary album, that, years after its initial release, does not sound one bit dated and has effortlessly stood the test of time. The definite highlight of Tanita Tikaram's career.

All Music

Dolly Varden - The Dumbest Magnets ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's impossible to avoid the inevitable clichés, and dodge overused adjectives, such as "unbelievable," "excellent," "breathtaking," "unique," "vibrant," and worst of all, "refreshing," when describing this album because Dolly Varden is all of these and more. An alt-country band out of Chicago that vacillates between a Gram Parsons-early-Eagles sound, a Cowboy Junkies vibe, and something else totally original.

The band's founders, husband and wife singer/songwriters Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansenwere the buzz of the underground country scene ten years ago billing themselves as Stump the Host, but with Dolly Varden, they have kicked things up another notch. Christiansen's vocals are like a hybrid of Susanna Hoffs and Linda Ronstadt, if you can imagine that, and the music runs knee deep in mood swings, from the ethereal "Some Sequined Angel" and "Balcony" to the power pop of "Second Chance" and "I Come to You." But it all fits together, like pieces in a dime-store jigsaw puzzle, creating one scenic landscape of sonic elegance.

"Apple Doll" features an almost oriental sounding guitar riff that will stick with you like honey on your skin, with resplendent harmonies, and an understated musical foundation that sets the mood for the country strains of "The Thing You Love Is Killing You." One of the most addictive doses on the record is the title track, "Dumbest Magnets," with intense lyrics like: "Your nervous laughter is contagious/My will has broken down in stages/We've scraped the bottom of the block together/The dumbest magnets hold together."

Dumbest Magnets is a departure from the band's ultra-somber The Thrill of Gravity a couple of years ago, in that they are rocking things up just enough to make it interesting. It's refreshing

Dolly Varden's 'the dumbest magnets' is a brilliant album both sonically and musically!

Jeff Lynne - Alone in the Universe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love ELO then you will love this album. Great songs and a great recording! My favourite track is 'I'm leaving you'!

As with ELO’s previous chart-topping albums, Jeff Lynne continues to serve as ELO’s producer, songwriter, arranger, lead singer and guitarist. In September 2014, for the first time in 30 years, Jeff Lynne's ELO headlined BBC Radio 2's "Festival In A Day" in London's famous Hyde Park to a sold-out crowd of 50,000 fans in attendance and nearly a million people tuned in to watch.

Lynne was the creative genius behind ELO which sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, had more than 20 Top 40 Hits across the U.S. and the U.K. and received countless awards and accolades. At the time of ELO’s formation, Lynne had said the goal was to create modern rock and pop songs. A goal that remains true some 30 years later with the creation of new material. 

“Music is such a powerful force in our lives. A good song can make people feel much less alone in this universe. And trying to create one of those songs somehow makes me feel less alone too. My whole life—from being that kid with a dream in Birmingham right until today—proves how much music can do,” said Lynne.

“Jeff Lynne is a total master of his craft and ‘Alone In The Universe’ is pure pop perfection. We are thrilled to be involved in the return of ELO and enormously proud to be releasing this contemporary classic on Columbia Records,” said Ashley Newton, President of Columbia Records

Eels - Daisies of the Galaxy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superb recording! Superb songs! Superb album sleeve! Superb!!!!!!

Caro Emerald - Deleted Scenes from The Cutting Room Floor ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Miss Emerald's first album is great but not as good as her second! I should really grade it as 4 1/2 stars but I don't know how to do a 1/2 star! You should definitely buy it but get 'Shocking' first I think!

Nils Lofgren - Acoustic Live ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Not really my kind of music but a better recording will be hard to find! Nils guitar work is exemplary and the whole set is recorded pretty well as good as it could be. I've been to a number of hi-fi shops and shows and this album is nearly always there to be seen in the record piles! If you want to impress you're friends then put this on, sit back and watch their faces!

The one and only Demonstration record?

Steely Dan - Aja ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I think that this record should be in everyone's collection! Donald Fagen and Co exceed here with a wonderful collection of songs, recorded to a very high standard. My favourite track of the lot is Josie. I got this Mobile Fidelity LP second hand and although the sleeve is very well worn the vinyl itself plays beautifully with great dynamics and sound stage.

Human League - Octopus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I enjoy most of Human Leagues offerings but Octopus in my view is by far the best! It's definitely the best recording of their's and probably the best songs too. Unfortunately I believe that it's very difficult to get hold of second hand but who knows we may see a reissue of it very soon? It's currently rated 4.67 / 5.00 on discogs with only one copy for sale at £147! Reissue needed urgently!!

Laura Cantrell - Not the Tremblin' Kind - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I just love Laura's Cantrell's voice! This is a fairly simple recording but it is very captivating and with a list of great foot-tapping songs you are sure to want to play it over and over. Beware though once you are hooked on this girl then you are doomed! My favourite tracks are "Two Seconds" and "The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter"





BBC Music said:

"When Laura Cantrell's last album Not The Tremblin' Kind was declared by none other than our very own John Peel to be possibly his favourite album of the last ten years the music world couldn't help but sit up and listen. If a country folk album by a New Yorker and released on an up and coming Scottish independent label didn't sound the most promising thing in the world When The Roses Bloom Again proves that it was no fluke and that old Peely was right on the money. Let those with sympathetic ears listen and spread the word."

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This album probably needs little or no introduction! Beautifully recorded and a collection of touching songs which sound great on vinyl and on a good hi-fi system!

"Yet even the most preposterous lyrics are salvaged by Wonder's melodies and sure, sharp production sense. Though the words to "Pastime Paradise" may make you want to run from the room, the music will keep you there, with its fascinating blend of what sounds like a string quartet set to a delicate Latin beat. And the song's final build, joining Wonder's vocal with a gospel choir and chanting Hare Krishna followers, is as inventive and exciting as anything on the album. If the lyrics are flawed and uneven, the productions are, without exception, excellent. What he can't say in words he can say more fluidly, subtly and powerfully in his music. So it's Wonder's music, his spirit, that dominates here and seems to fill up the room. It's his voice — also beyond mere words, into pure expression — that snatches you up. And won't let go". (Rolling Stone)

Caro Emerald - The Shocking Miss Emerald ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Shocking Miss Emerald indeed!

Caro's first album Deleted Scene's from the Cutting Room Floor was a great success and is equally as good as this album. The production and recording is very good with good bass, lovely strings and even a touch of hip-hop and electro-pop thrown in for good measure! Every track is brilliant but Liquid Lunch is my favourite! A must for any audiophile!

'The Shocking Miss Emerald is a spectacular return for Caro Emerald. Overflowing with glitz, glamour and a nod to the golden age of Hollywood stage and screen, this new collection is sure to keep the Dutch songbirds star burning bright for quite some time'. (Renowned for Sound)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - MOJO ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Only want to buy one Tom Petty album? Buy this! A digital recording but produced and mastered to absolute perfection! MOJO is great rock, recorded superbly and mastered for vinyl by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. You will hear bass here that pretty much surpasses most other releases by a long way. Produced by Mike Campbell, Tom Petty and Ryan Ulyate and recorded at The Clubhouse, Los Angeles. Every track's a cracker and Petty performs some wonderful guitar work as usual! Stand out track by far is 'Good Enough'! Not just Good Enough mind - bloody amazing!

To quote the Rolling Stone Magazine -

"It was worth the wait. Mojo is dynamite — Petty and the Heartbreakers' matured return to the elementary fury of their first golden-twang era, capped by 1981's Hard Promises. The performances are natural knockouts — cocksure grooves, pithy knife-play guitars and little overdub fuss — worked up, then nailed, some on the first full take, at the band's suburban Los Angeles rehearsal space. Petty can't help stressing the authenticity here. The credits include the make and vintage of every instrument and the exact tracking date of each song. That's Petty playing a 1964 Gibson ES-335 guitar and lead guitarist Mike Campbell wielding his steady weapon, a '59 Les Paul Sunburst, on April 28th of last year, in the opening number, "Jefferson Jericho Blues."

Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene excel here with what is considered by many to be their best album!  Talk Talk at their best in my view! Recording wise it's excellent but unfortunately I can't find who the mastering engineer was but whoever they were they're a genius!

Carpenters - Now and Then ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Released in 1973 Now and Then was a big hit for the Carpenters! Beautifully recorded by Ray Gerhardt and Mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman this analogue album on vinyl is in my view a must have! Superb gate-fold sleeve! Getting a good copy again is a bit hit and miss but can be done. Karen Carpenters voice is to die for and the arrangement of songs is perfect! Dynamics are good too with plenty to entertain!

A & M Records AMLH 63519

Joe Jackson - Body and Soul ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had no hesitation in making this album the subject of my first blog post! Probably his greatest masterpiece? One of the first ever digital recordings yet you wouldn't know it when listening. Recorded in an ancient Masonic Lodge in New York using vintage Neumann M-50 Microphones and 3M 32 Track Digital Recording System this is Joe Jackson at his best with some great songs and a big sound stage. Guitars, keyboards, violins, flutes, trumpets they're all there in abundance to make 9 beautifully crafted songs that are dynamic, complex and intriguing. Why can't all recordings be this good I ask myself? My copy is breathtaking but beware it took 4 attempts to find a good copy! Written and Arranged by Joe Jackson, Produced by David Kershenbaum and Joe Jackson
1984 A & M Records - AMLX 65000