Golden Greats - Woody Herman

Advantages: Brilliant and Original Compositions
Disadvantages: A Bit Rough around the Edges For Modern Tastes

...BRIEF (ISH) INTRO TO WOODY Now most people have heard of Woody Allen and some people may have heard of Woody Woodpecker - but who the heck is, or was, Woody Guthrie? Born in 1912 in Oklahoma, Woodrow Guthrie was, probably, the most respected of the American protest folk singers of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. In fact you could say he was the protest singers’ protest singer! Remember Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Donovan, Pete Seeger and the rest? Well, Woody Guthrie was the inspiration behind all of them. More recently, Bruce Springsteen has also seen fit to worship at the shrine of Guthrie. Bob Dylan, in particular, hailed Guthrie as a hero and went to great pains to visit ‘The Legend’ as he lay dying in hospital. If you recall the ‘talking’ and ‘rambling’ style of Bob Dylan, then you’ve actually heard a (not too clever) version of Woody... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: It's Buddy Holly - Enough Said!
Disadvantages: Unfortunately, Buddy's guitar disappears behind the over dubbing

...Unfortunately after Buddy's death, his Manager, Norman Petty hired the Fireballs, who overdubbed much of the original guitar and music by Buddy & the Crickets. The result is that the original music is so far back in the mix, they might as well have not bothered! Buddy Holly was without doubt a musical genius, he was experiementing with elementary overdubbing before his untimely and tragic death. Therefore it is a great shame that Norman Petty treated his music this way. If you want to hear the real Buddy Holly, then there are available collections which have the original undubbed music on them, but you may have to shop around. Buddy's music is far too important and indeed, enjoyable to be treated this way, and you the listener deserve the real thing, rather than a heavily overdubbed version.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Love Like A Foutain, Dolphins Were Monkeys, Golden Gaze
Disadvantages: Neptune

..."I Could Astound You If I Wanted, I Wouldn't Even Have To Try." -- Very true, former Stone Roses frontman really can astound you with this album. It is very different to his work with the Roses, but is still absolutely amazing. Includes the singles "Love Like A Fountain", "Dolphins Were Monkeys" and "Golden Gaze". The only 'bad' song on the album is "Neptune" but the rest of the album makes up for it. Rumour has it that he is soon to release his new album, lets hope it's as great as this one. He may be getting a little old, but it really doesn't show.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful