Caledonian Sunset - David Sinton

Advantages: It's real music
Disadvantages: none

...In the year 2000 Hobotalk released their debut album called "Beauty in Madness" on the Virgin label catalogue number CDHUT61. This critically acclaimed album, which was number 12 in "The Times" top 20 in 2001 the album was commercially ignored. This band are highly regarded around the Edinburgh music scene but with lack of sales for his unfashionable confection of folk based pop songs Marc Pilley the front man and songwriter of Hobotalk who had formed the band in his native Dunbar in 1999 found even with a 6-album deal in place found he was dropped from his record label. This was not before the label had tried to turn him into their version of David Gray by using beats and effects to give his new songs a more commercial appeal as far as Marc was concerned this was not happening so the follow-up album to Beauty in Madness... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: great listening
Disadvantages: none

...Van Morrison was born in 1945 George Ivan Morrison. In the early 60s he began his singing career. In 1966 he was the lead singer in a band called Them, He left them after a couple of years and began his solo career as a singer songwriter. His music is a rock rhythm and blues some jazz, with Celtic influence. Avalon sunset was produced in 1989 and the words of the songs show his religious beliefs.This music is restful and peaceful with its spiritual overtones a little melancholy. I am an atheist, do not believe in god, however find this music good and listen to it occasionally. In the first track Whenever god shines his light Van Morrison sings and is backed by sir Cliff Richards. Van has a growley, gravely voice and it contrasts with cliffs sweeter voice. This is an upbeat song with a gospel feel to it. I sit here listening... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Wide range of music; some truly great tracks; consistently high quality
Disadvantages: Very few, perhaps only that it is very slighty shorter than previous albums

...After a somewhat shaky start with his first three albums, David Gray Finally hit it big with the self financed White Ladder in '98, but many were asking whether he could ever emulate such a performance again. A New Day at Midnight, David's follow up album certainly made a good attempt, but it is only with the release of Life In Slow Motion that David Gray has truly cemented his 8 year move from acoustic obscurity to a true musical star. From the moment Life in Slow Motion begins, you know that the album's going to be a good'un - the opening, faint, tinkling notes of the first track 'Alibi' slowly fade to silence before an explosion of the unique vocal stylings of Gray. This is followed by 'The One I Love', the first single released from the album and by far one of David's best ever songs. Its catchy tune, powerful voice... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful