Ambient Lounge Vol.1 - Various Artists

Advantages: Brilliant Covers, Great Original Versions
Disadvantages: Data Listings on MP3 Players Is Sketchy

...I actually downloaded this rather than buy the CD, but then had the wonderful surprise of The Blonde coming home and depositing it in my lap having just been out shopping. She bought it because I had been wittering on about how much I loved Jo Whiley on Radio One and especially the covers that the artists did on the live lounge. It seems to have got through.... I might have to try that tactic when I want a new suit *grin* Anyhow.... The album covers are actually pretty non-descript. The front shows some guitar cases with plenty of stickers, a couple of Mike stands and a bright red label with Radio One live lounge emblazened upon it. It does a job I suppose. The reverse of the CD has the track listings on, and since it is a double CD, there really isn't that much room for anything else. The tracks involved are as follows... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great sense of fun and music abilty, lacking ego!
Disadvantages: The Automatic and Fiddy!

...Covers have always been a bit of a hit and miss affair. Some people do it well, some people don't. It can be commercial suicide and ruin artists' credibility. The recent trend over the years, pushed particularly by Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley, and other ventures such as Warchild, is that an artist can perform live, or record a cover and still retain their credibility and not come over as a sell-out. Maybe it's just that people have lightened up a little, or maybe it is just because there are things like the Live Lounge, that encourage well-picked songs to do as a cover. Granted that the concept is not a new one, and even Jo would not say that. But, I think the idea of the Live Lounge is maybe new. For the last couple of decades, musicians and music lovers have been concerned about what is cool and what is now. Noone would have dared... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some excellent performance, shows the pure raw talents of some of the UKs top artists
Disadvantages: some weaker tracks and some covers that dont work for me

...I have to admit I have been waiting in anticipation for the release of a live lounge CD for a number of years. My mornings are often much happier after hearing the Jo Whiley show, partly for her sexy voice (unfortunatly not featured on the CD) and for the amazing live lounge sessions. For those of you that dont listen to radio 1 mid-morning during the week, Jo Whiley often invites artists into the studio for a chat and to perform a few tracks. These are often stripped down accoustic versions of thier most famous songs and an inpromptu cover which can range from the sublimly beautiful to the hilariously funny. This CD compramises the best performances from the last couple of years and there should be something for everybody on this list. The songs range from moving acoustic versions of artists well known hits (KT tunstall other... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful