Broken Biscuits - Davy Graham

Advantages: Definitely his best solo album - and that's saying something
Disadvantages: Some songs aren't as good as they could be

...I ordered this album from Amazon as soon as it was announced, so that I could get it within the first week of it's release. Blur are my favourite band and I've got all of Graham's previous solo albums, which range from pretty good to just about tolerable :-P however, this has enough to better his past 4 albums combined, and to provide possibly one of the best indie rock albums of 2004. I got the album in the same order as 'Meltdown' by Ash, which I listened to far much more than this initially. I gave this a go, but it didn't catch me as quickly as Ash's album did, so I stuck it into my CD collection and let it gather dust for a few months. In November (6 months after it had been released), I randomly decided to give it a go again and I'm glad I did. I listened to the 45 minutes with absolute joy and have listened to it many more... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: What the Blur of old would sound like in 2004
Disadvantages: Not enough stunning tracks, too many with potential

...I first heard a song on the radio and they refused to tell who the person was until after. After hearing the song (Freakin' Out), I had come up with Johnny Rotton for the 'i don't care' vocals and Graham Coxon for the little guitar bits. After triumphantly finding out it was Coxon, I realised that this was a fantastic song and, whilst Blur's new direction is not all bad, their strong point was when Coxon's songwriting was harnessed by Damon Albarn and that their loss was a tragedy. 1. Spectacular A solid opening track leaving you singing 'You are, something quite spectacular'. Not a track that will be released. 7/10 2. No Good Time Not really a quick nor slow song, it makes for an easy-on-the-ears album track. Not much more, not much less. 6/10 3. Girl Done Gone A bluesy track that is mournful in vocals, yet... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Virtuoso trumpet at its best
Disadvantages: Only the re-released version has the sound quality it deserves

...The first time I heard this CD was with my Grandparents as a young child, I didn't understand and didn't appreciate the beauty of the music, I remember my granddad tapping his toes and sipping his whiskey, humming gently along with the trumpet solos, this fond memory was abruptly brought forward whilst browsing in a local alternative record shop. I spotted "A Kind Blue" and instantly withdrew my wallet and the CD was mine. As readers you will probably like to know about the music is like! Well simply it is divine, some find Miles Davis's music too intense and muddled, but it takes either an uninterested listener to ignore this or a fascinated listener to understand and appreciate it, I hope that the buyer will lean towards the latter of these two opposites.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful