Aereo-plain - John Hartford

Advantages: Wonderful music flawlessly presented
Disadvantages: This genre is Not for everyone!

...2. Big Rock Candy Mountain by Harry McClintock 3. You Are My Sunshine by Norman Blake 4. Down to the River to Pray by Alison Krauss 5. I am a Man of Constant Sorrow by The Soggy Bottom Boys 6. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues by Chris Thomas King 7. I am a Man of Constant Sorrow by Norman Blake (violin only) 8. Keep on the Sunny Side by The Whites 9. I’ll Fly Away by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch 10. Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby by Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch 11. In the Highways by Sarah, Hannah, and Leah Peasall 12. I am Weary (Let Me Rest) by The Cox Family 13. I am a Man of Constant Sorrow by John Hartford 14. O Death by Ralph Stanley 15. In the Jailhouse Now by The Soggy Bottom Boys 16. I am a Man of Constant Sorrow by The Soggy Bottom Boys 17. Indian War Whoop by John Hartford 18. Lonesome Valley... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Skillful guitar playing, raw sound, very heartfelt
Disadvantages: too long

...This was John's first solo album, released in 94 when he had just quit the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Firstly, completely ignore the fact that he was in the chilis because there is absolutely no link between the two, they're totally different (however all but one track was recorded before he quit the band). John recorded these tracks on a 4-track recorder, so it has a very raw sound. Niandra Lades consists mainly of fantastic tracks (As can be/My Smile Is a Rifle/Running Away into You/Mascara/Been Insane/Your Pussy's Glued to a Building on Fire), and there is a definite divide between 'Niandra Lades' and 'Usually just a t-shirt'. Usually just a t-shirt mainly consists of instrumental tracks which show off Frusciante's immense skill on guitar. There's also wierd effects, what sounds like a recording of a group orgy, and the final two... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Classic electro album, remastering adds a real boost
Disadvantages: None

...Metamatic was the first solo outing from John Foxx after he split with Ultravox! Ultravox! went on to rather greater fame with the replacement lead singer, some Midge Ure guy but for Ultravox! fans, John Foxx was the real deal. Metamatic deals with many themes and obsessions such as car crashes, Europe, relationships and too much J G Ballard and Philip K Dick which were bouncing around Foxx's head at the time as well as having elements of a story he was working on (and still is!). The lyrics are often full of grey cold imagery but all laced with an almost minimalist electro sound that was years ahead of it's time. It has to be said, he does also write some plain out and out baffling lyrics too - perhaps he uses the old Bowie 'cut up words' technique sometimes? Unlike the previous CD release which was fine but sounded like it was a bit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful