Eight Bar Riff 1943-1950 - Harry James

Advantages: Excellent re-recordings of some of the oldies; some very good cover versions
Disadvantages: Some rather disposable cover versions too

...Having issued one album (new sets, live performances, ‘best ofs’ et al) almost every year in a career that started at the end of 1967, it’s inevitable that the occasional Quo release might be not exactly essential. Unlike its predecessor ‘Heavy Traffic’ (2002), which contained all new material and was their best for several years, ‘Riffs’ is probably only for the fan who must have everything. ‘Riffs’ comes in two formats, a double containing one audio CD and a DVD, or just the former. The double was widely advertised as a limited edition on release, though it depends on Universal Records’ definition of what exactly IS a limited edition. The audio CD has 15 tracks. Five are re-recordings of much-loved Quo favourites which the old line-up first recorded in the 70s, and nine are cover versions. Those of us who greeted... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Every song has a story.Live recording atmosphere.
Disadvantages: Another garbage looking cd cover.

...Harry Chapin, was a friend of mine.Much like Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan or Cat Stevens. They got me through my teenage angst. The self imposed mysery of thinking that the world hates you is a terrible time. Unlike my peers who turned to Jack Daniels of The Monks of Buckfast for their "southern Comfort" I turned to music. I sought out singers who had stories to tell. There used to be a show by Bob Harris on radio 2 late at night and I would listen to it as i fell asleep. He would play the stuff that a kid my age wasn't supposed to like. One night after one of those "I hate you Dad" arguements i stormed off to my bedroom in a Kevin The Teenager manner, put the radio on and heard Harry speak. Cat's in the cradle. This was a song unlike any other in the world. The lyrics spoke to me and they still do today. In that first hearing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It's rock n' roll in it's purest from
Disadvantages: Album is too short

...to be “The most Oasis sounding Oasis song ever” according to Noel Gallagher, and also taking its name from a t-shirt Noel saw, The Hindu Times is the album’s opening track, spiritually fading in to a roaring crash of distorted Epiphone guitar strings. Within four bars this song can only belong to one band and this thought is characteristically affirmed by the simple, yet divine riff that plays over the top of the proceeding four bars of music. “I get up when I’m down/I can’t swim but my soul won’t drown” croons Liam; the opening line possibly the most positive, that Gallagher senior has written since the likes of Supersonic and Bring It On Down. The first verse ends and blends artistically with the bridge before ripping into the chorus in a wave of guitar fuelled rock and roll, unmatched by any band... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful