Lightnin' And The Blues (The Herald Sessions) - Lightnin' Hopkins

Advantages: Value of money, something different!
Disadvantages: Not for everyone!

..., and mercifully no crowd cheering. The song does lose pace a little, and this doesn’t quite work for me, but never mind, the next track... 5. Mental Beat Another “Eng-land” style drum riff with beautifully out-of-tune guitars herald the beginning of this twisted up little gem. Not very rock, more like a pop track with those excellent Monroe vocals over the top. Like a lot of pop songs from the 80’s all rolled into one. Women screaming in the background. Very occasionally smacks of ‘must try harder’ until the backwards-sounding guitar solo comes in and I concede to the powers of the 6-string again. Dammit! “It’s an endless song” sings Monroe – at just over 5 minutes I’m tempted to agree. 6. Self Destruction Blues Typical blues song time, but a welcome relief! It’s good to keep switching the pace in ‘best-ofs’ I find, a few quickies... Read review

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Advantages: It's real music
Disadvantages: None

...the drums, the lyrics of Mr Buchanan again deal with ordinary events in his and other peoples lives and he makes them sound magnificent and noble in the process. The Album The collection begins with “Happiness” (4.40) this song might be familiar to some of you as it was used for many years on the Scottish tourist board T.V. adverts, open beautiful scenery and ancient buildings with “The Blue Nile” playing in the background, picture postcard perfect. The song begins with an opening refrain on a keyboard and if you listen really closely you can hear Paul counting 2, 3, 4 and the tapping of his foot on the floor of the recording studio (a trick used by John Lee Hooker on his recordings) and the strumming of an acoustic guitar the vocals begin with the lines “Now that I’ve found Peace at Last, tell me... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Getting back to their rhythm and blues roots
Disadvantages: None

...vocals and percussion Nicky Hopkins - Piano Rocky Dijon - Congas Ric Grech - Fiddle Dave Mason - Mellotron and shehani Jimmy Miller - Backing vocals Watts Street Gospel Choir - Backing vocals All songs were written by Jagger and Richards apart from 'Prodigal Son' which was written by Reverend Robert Wilkins. Sympathy for the Devil 'I watched with glee While your kings and queens Fought for ten decades For the gods they made' At the time of release The Stones were already being critised for their satanic leanings and 'Sympathy ...' bought fresh rumours of them corrupting the young. It was written from the first person perspective with Jagger taking centre stage as the devil. This track was inspired by 'The Master and the Margarita' by Mikhail Bulgahov. It took 2 days to record and a further three days for the overdubbing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful