Old Friends - Barbara Carroll

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: Great photos
Disadvantages: Everything else !

...Barbara Windsor has been an idol of mine since childhood. I loved her in the Carry On films & now in EastEnders as Peggy Butcher, but this album is probably the worst one in my collection. I know she is trained as a singer & has a history in theatre work & musicals, it is not her talent that is so much in question, but this album is just awful - sentimental rubbish. Some of the songs are wonderful (As Long As He Needs Me, What The World Needs Now Is Love), but her version of them just doesn't do justice to the songs. What is worse are the duets, when she sings with Joe Longthorne & fellow EastEnders stars, Mike Reid & Steve McFadden, who should definitely stick to acting !! The only good part about this album is the lovely photographs on the cover & inside, but only buy it if you are a huge fan with no musical taste !... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: 29 good songs
Disadvantages: No Kokomo

...This is the first review of The Beach Boys - Greates Hits, so I have a chance to set the standard. As a massive fan of the Beach Boys this opinion is very bias, but what the heck all opinions are. Containing 29 songs in all this album is full of the boys top songs. All but Kokomo. Some of the best tracks: Good Vibrations - I Get Around - California Girls - Surfin' Safari - Little Deuce Coupe - God Only Knows - Barbara Ann - Fun, Fun, Fun - Don't Worry Baby - Help Me Rhonda - Surfin' USA - When I Grow Up - Wouldn't It Be Nice - Sloop John B - Surfer Girl - Do It Again - Break Away - You're So Good To Me - I Can Hear Music - Caroline No - Heroes and Villains - Disney Girls - Lady Lynda - Then I Kissed Her (My Fav.) - Darlin' - Friends - Wild Honey - In My Room - Cotton Fields The Beach Boys are a very successful old group who produced... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful