Classic Scots Ballads - Ewan MacColl

Advantages: Great music, for that holiday feeling
Disadvantages: She's no longer around

...he's Elvis" in the 70s). Another typical MacColl feature is that the songs invariably have a good yarn behind them. "Treachery" is an inspired tale of a singing star stalking a fan - the line about the fan "dancing around in his socks" is so absurd, yet sums up the betrayal so well, it makes me laugh every time. The hit single, "In these shoes" is extremely memorable, witty and camp - I believe that Bette Midler has shown an interest in recording a cover of the song, which seems perfectly appropriate. "England 2 Columbia 0" is another distinctive tale of deceit and the battle of the sexes - musically, it sounds almost like a bullring encounter. "Autumngirlsoup" sounds like a softer, ordinary kind of ballad, but listen to the lyrics and it's not what it seems at all - altogether more sinister! The final song, though, "Head" is... Read review

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Advantages: A good collection, with some priceless 'new' tracks
Disadvantages: six versions of one song!

...Of the three CDs I own by Kirsty MacColl, this is the one I have played least, it is the one I bought most recently, but I am just so keen on her album Tropical Brainstorm that I usually put that one on without thinking. Kirsty Anna MacColl (10 October 1959 - 18 December 2000) was a British pop singer-songwriter, she was the daughter of dancer Jean Newlove and noted folk music/folk singer Ewan MacColl and she grew up in Croydon UK. Kirsty's songs are full of the feelings she was experiencing at the time of writing. She drew on her relationships, and down to earth opinions for her lyrics, you can hear the humour, the anger, the sadness and the sarcasm. Maybe you don't recall who she was, but you may remember the hit 'Fairytale of New York' that she and The Pogues had a hit with, it has been re-released once or twice over... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some great classic listening!
Disadvantages: Brings back sad memories!

...might be forgiven for thinking it’s a pop tune until the guitar strumming kicks in. 6/10 Track 09 Alone, published by Sony Music Publishing, produced by Ron Nevison and performed by Heart back in 1987. This is quite a soulful ballad, starts off slowly with piano and then builds to crescendo for the chorus, great guitar solo in middle of track, great classic track that will never age! 9/10 Track 10 Is This Love, published by Warner/Chappell Music Ltd, produced by Keith Olsen and Mike Stone, performed by Whitesnake back in 1987. This song takes an age to start but when it does get going you’ll be signing it for days, song has a heavy drumbeat and softer guitar strumming, again, another timeless classic! 9/10 Track 11 Black Velvet, published by Gema/Biem, produced by David Tyson and performed by Alannah Myles back in... Read review

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