Gospel Soul Of Marion Williams, The - Marion Williams

Advantages: Erm.............things can only get better!!!
Disadvantages: Many of the tracks are poor

...As I start this review I have to make it clear that I am a Robbie Williams fan. My better half and I saw him live in Paris last year and it was, undoubtedly, the finest 2 hours of live entertainment and showmanship that I have ever seen. He is, without question, the finest performer and "popstar" that the UK has produced in the last twenty years, building a career on musicality, pop songs and performance, which is why "Rudebox" seems to have been a genuinely bad idea!! It's a departure into electro-pop, hip-hop and rap that is as unwelcome as it is unconvincing, and I worry that Robbie is starting to sink with his demons again! It is backed up with unusual images of Robbie in tracksuits, staring at us with hip-hop "attitude". The Background Robbie Williams' meteoric rise to stardom with Take That, the apparent acrimony behind... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: moving, insightful and beautiful songs. It's Captain Kirk
Disadvantages: Not everyone's up of tea

...There is already an excellent review of this CD c/o Champ666 who alas seems to have departed Ciao. Still, I thought I'd add my own slant on this fine album that is either a work of genius or utter tosh and even now, I'm not entirely sure which although based on the amount of play it gets around here, I'm leaning on the former. William Shatner, yes, he of Star Trek, dodgy wigs and hammy acting has finally reached that age where he no longer takes himself quite so seriously and this album shows. An epic work that is quite unlike anything else you're ever likely to hear unless you have a stash of very strange beat-poet albums I've not seen before. Shatner is no stranger to releasing albums and has been responsible for a few over the years, mostly pretty dire, it has to be said - badly read Shakespear through to bizarre covers. His... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Modern folk with profound lyrics and beautiful melodies.
Disadvantages: Not widely available

...I first became aware of Dar Williams when I bought the Joan Baez CD, Gone from Danger. Dar Williams had written a number of tracks on the CD and also provided backing vocals on some. I was very impressed by this singer / songwriter and promised myself I would seek out more of her work. It took me some time but I finally came across this CD, "The Green World". The CD is the fourth of Dar Williams solo albums released in 2002 by Razor & Tie and I was not disappointed. The CD is enjoyable for many reasons. Each of the songs is a delight to listen to instilled with the folk-song storytelling quality. Dar's voice is pleasing and clear; at times wistful, at others mournful, sometimes childlike and sometimes whimsical. The lyrics are amazing and original; they are catchy yet the underlying sentiment is often profound; somewhat ambiguous... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful