America - The BBC Sessions - Nice (The)

Advantages: A definitive early Bowie compilation
Disadvantages: DJ links and first five tracks

...This is probably the best compilation of pre "Alladin Sane" David Bowie that you can buy. It's a well selected compilation of radio sessions from the years 1968 to 1972. As a bonus you also get a live Cd recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in June 2000. Because these are from radio sessions we get links and introductions from various beeb voices including Brian Matthew and John Peel which amuse and annoy in equal measure. The quality of the recordings are excellent throughout , and as such doubles an essential purchase for new listeners and Bowie-philes alike. Despite this being an excellent compilation , the first five songs are the pre "Space Oddity" Anthony Newley impressions (remember "Laughing Gnome", it's not here but it's not far away), so are dispensable but serve to illustrate how uninteresting Bowie was in the early days... Read review

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Advantages: A lovely duet with James Taylor
Disadvantages: Flat and repetitive

...Taylor, who by the way, still sounds as good as he did 20 some years ago. It is a lovely and soothing track about Jeremiah Dixon, a Geordie surveyor and Charlie Mason, a west country stargazer. Together they make their way to Philadelphia to draw the Mason- Dixon Line. This track is a favourite of several BBC Radio DJs. It is a very nice track. The other track that I enjoy is also a duet. This time with Van Morrison. Again, the two voices compliment each other well. This song is entitled The Last Laugh. It is about someone who manages to redefine himself whenever he is down. "They had you crying, but you came up smiling. They had you crawling, but you came up flying. And the last laugh, baby is yours. And don't you love the sound, of the last laugh going down?" A song of hope in one's greatest despair. Mark Knopfler is joined... Read review

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Advantages: A great collection of Deaf Schools musical history.
Disadvantages: Maybe better if it were a mix of their best work, not all of their work.

...that the quality of the album deteriorates toward the end. It is however a perfect memoir of the struggling bands attempts at fame. The facts and Discographies; Deaf School - An Art Rock / Punk band created in the late 1970's in Liverpool. The band split up mid 80's but have reformed several time since, 'What A Way To End It All' is an anthology of all three of their original albums, ( 1976: 2nd Honeymoon, 1977: Don't Stop the World, 1978: English Boys/Working Girls) as well as 12 previously unreleased versions of theirs songs, recorded in BBC sessions for the late John Peel. The cover and booklet contain album art work, band photography, magazine and paper reviews, along with a history of the band as told by David Wells. Band Members; Bette Bright: vocals Enrico Cadillac: vocals Eric Shark: vocals Ian Ritchie: woodwind instruments Max Ripple... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful