Complete Vanguard Studio Recordings, The - Ian & Sylvia

Advantages: Perfect collection of contemporary music
Disadvantages: Could be seen as repetitive because of the large number of tracks

...Never a person to dissapoint, this album offers a brilliant insight into the lyrical and musical talent that is Ian Brown, presenting some of his most renound tracks such as "F.E.A.R" and "My Star" in a well produced collection. The clear and obvious upside to this CD is the fact that it not only summarises Ian Brown's uncommon genre of music and taste, but it also provides a contemporary twist on what could be considered tracks worthy of his former band, The Stone Roses. The music on this CD is most definately creative, with a wide variety of instruments and mechanically engineered sounds implemented into many of the tracks. This could be considered a bad point by many people but in this instants it is a passable act because of the way the tracks have been recorded and layered in the studio. A slightly negative attribute... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Just great songs, diverse, lovely pedal steel, Neil Young riffs
Disadvantages: Not enough pedal steel! Some corny lyrics at times

...bands and artists. When I heard about the Liverpool Nativity I laughed and said "I bet they won't use any of Ian's songs!" Of course, i had to eat my words - in as much of the show as i could bear to watch, two of his songs were used. The first "Love is a wonderful colour" was a hit for the Icicle Works in the 1980s, the other "Liverpool Girl" is a solo effort and has gained anthemic status at live shows. In the "Liverpool Nativity" the latter was murdered by an all women choir. I feel I have to put the record straight. "Liverpool Girl" comes from Ian's self-titled sixth studio album; you might think that with album number six being eponymous it might be a greatest hits affair but its not. In fact on its release it was Ian's first electric album in five years; Ian seems to revel in unleashing the Les Paul and rocking out fully... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Unparalleled playing, Unbelievably good bargain for 6 CDs!
Disadvantages: Um, paper sleeves? No, seriously, it's great

...This box set comprises recordings from 1985-89, when Horowitz was 81 years old! In 1986 Horowitz returned to Russia after 60 years away to give his monumental Moscow recital of which the live recording is included in this set. I personally find this performance of Liszt's Sonetto 104 del Petrarca to be the finest ever recorded. Alongside this is Scarlatti, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Schumann, Chopin, Moszkowski, and Schubert. Accompanying this recital is 5 other discs of outstandingly unique playing. As he got older, Horowitz's playing became a sort of caricature of itself in the nicest possible way. By this I mean, his dynamics became more extreme, he became more expressive than ever, and his sense of style was heightened to new levels. Horowitz's Mozart playing has been criticized for being too free and not in Mozart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful