Everybody Loves The Sunshine - Roy Ayers Ubiquity

Advantages: The Very Best Of The Big O
Disadvantages: I had to review 41 Songs... phew

..., it sounds fresh, new and different. 2. I Drove All Night Great sing-along song, evoking amusing memories of the video for me. As a stand alone strong it is very powerful, excellent driving rhythm to it. An excellent song to drive to, for that matter. This is a power ballad in the finest sense, and much superior to Cyndi's version. 3. She's A Mystery To Me Written for Roy by Bono, a fact I hadn't realised at first, I had not heard this before buying the album. Bono obviously wanted to stretch him with a high pitched chorus and he rose to the challenge brilliantly. A good love song which with a lesser artist may have sounded syrupy but Roy's vocal quality makes it sound , as with all his love songs, like he's just being honest. 4. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) Infectious. If I hear this song once it goes round in my head... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great songs, great playing
Disadvantages: vocals an acquired taste

.... Actually it's my favourite Ayers album of all, containing at least three classic Kev tracks. The album gets off to a sombre start with the heavily orchestrated "There Is Loving", a three-piece suite (sofa so good!) but soon lightens up with the gorgeous ballad "Margaret", Ayers' plummy tones anchoring the flowery sentiments of the lyrics in almost parodic fashion. "Champagne Cowboy Blues" is a spoof of those awful, sentimental Country songs that Granny likes. Like most spoofs it palls on repeated hearing but the part near the end when Kev croaks "goodbye old horse" always cracks me up. "Oh My" is a bit of an old-time swinger while "Lullaby" is a flute-flavoured... well, lullaby. I've left the three best tracks until last. "Stranger In Blue Suede Shoes" is a hilarious tale concerning the pleasures of certain illegal substances, over which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: One of the greatest voices - and 41 tracks
Disadvantages: Lack of date information for tracks [see text]

...? If not, this will surprise you, though personally I'm not over-keen on these two songs and would much rather hear him on his own material. In fact, this collection is so diverse that I find myself wondering how appropriate the title 'Love Songs' is. Especially when it includes his versions of 'Land of 1000 Dances' and 'Run Baby Run'. Roy Orbison sings Wilson Pickett and the Newbeats? Well, yes - and very well too. But love songs? Er, let's not split hairs. What I will register a (little) whinge about is the packaging. Several of these recordings are listed in the booklet as being © 1997 or 2000. Are they all remixes? All right, I know that a lot of people who buy love song compilations may not be unduly bothered about such niceties, but Roy died in 1988 and I for one would have appreciated knowing the date they were originally... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful