Getting Better All The Time - Barbara Pittman

Advantages: Interesting selection of songs, lovely voice
Disadvantages: Some lesser-known songs didn't add a great deal to the album

...Barbara Dickson has a versatile smoky voice that can cope with anything from pop/rock/folk to the old jazz standards with no difficulty at all. "The Collection" gives her every opportunity to display her vast range. With classic pop 1960's tunes such as "Dancing in the Street" and "I Only Want To Be With You" usually sounding better from the original artist I was pleasantly surprised when I really enjoyed her versions. "The Crying Game" in particular is an especially difficult song to sing but Barbara managed it very well. There are some lesser-known songs in here by Alan Tarney (who also wrote for Cliff Richard) along with the hit "January February" which enjoyed a great deal of success in 1980. However, I have to reserve my biggest praise for her superb rendition of "Stardust" which is well phrased and beautifully sung. The piano... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Classy covers in a Nutty Boy style
Disadvantages: No original songs

...With the sounds of the Ska Revival making a welcome return through bands like The Ordinary Boys, Hard Fi and The Dead 60's, there has never been a better time for Suggs and Co to return. And return they do, big time! This, the Nutty Boys first album for six years, was born out of a series of secret gigs they did under the name of The Dangermen. During these shows, the band played versions of some of their favourite songs in their own inimitable style. The album features songs originally performed by a diverse collection of performers. From Prince Buster (Who originally wrote and recorded the song from which Madness took their name), through The Supremes, to their spiritual uncles The Kinks. Stand out tracks are You'll Lose A Good Thing, originally by Barbara Lynn, Shame And Scandal and the brilliant Cockney-Ska of Ray Davies' Lola... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Valhalla - absolutely the best song on this album and worth all the money
Disadvantages: some weaker songs "Hall of the King", "Damned for all Time"

...was a little bit better than on the debut album, as you can hear on some high screams and Blind Guardian used choirs in their refrains more often than they did on the debut. Still fast and heavy songs ruled the album: "Hall of the King", "Fast to Madness" and "Damned for all Time" are tunes where you can easily bang your head to. The titletrack showed a more epic side of the band: "Follow the Blind" was in midtempo and offered a mixture of e-guitars and accoustic ones. There's also another instrumental on the CD entitled "Beyond the ice": Nice, but nothing special... The best song by far on this album is without a doubt "Valhalla". It is heavy, pounding and the refrain is the best the band has written so far. Still a classic song in concerts you can hear the whole audience singing along the lines: "Valhalla, deliverance... have you ever forgotten... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful