Once Again - Barclay James Harvest

Advantages: Four very good tracks
Disadvantages: Last BJH album where pros may outweigh cons

...Barclay James Harvest sought success through a mixture of progressive pomp and pastoral melodies. Their investment in tours with a full orchestra and the mystifying lack of success had meant a gradual shift of styles in search of a hit. The band even recorded a single under a pseudonym but anyone who heard the B side would have known whodunit. By the time XII came along the band were clearly at a crossroads. Their search for success meant a move towards recording shorter, punchier songs. This was the last record featuring keyboard maestro Woolly Wolstenholme.His departure changed the musical outlook of the group, and led to a hybrid of pomp and disco which gave them some success in Germany and other parts of the continent but made their old fans groan with dismay. The album kicks off with "Loving Is Easy". It's a promising beginning... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Tremendous from a musical point of view
Disadvantages: Disappointing selection of tracks and dull presentation

..."California Man" was first issued in 1974 as a compilation of The Move's last three A-sides, some of the B-sides, and several tracks from their last Harvest album "Message from The Country", after Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan had gone their separate ways to form Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard, and also left the EMI/Harvest label. At the time it was welcome as the only way to acquire the tracks once the singles had been deleted. But as a reissue on CD to celebrate Harvest Records' 30th anniversary, it is plainly inadequate. Any self-respecting 70s fan will need no reassurance that the music is terrific. After all, the title track was one of the finest UK rock'n'roll singles ever bar none, "Tonight" was a gem of a song with crisply-strummed acoustic guitars and a solo that out-Harrisoned Beatle George at his best, "Ella... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: 3 monster CD's of some of the best prog rock bands ever, and CHEAP
Disadvantages: Alot of songs that you wont have heard and wont again

...- Colosseum Disc: 2 1. Here Comes The Flood - Peter Gabriel 2. Tubular Bells (Part 1) (Edit) - Mike Oldfield 3. Winter Wine - Caravan 4. May I? - Kevin Ayers & The Whole World 5. Sympathy - Rare Bird 6. A Salty Dog - Procol Harum 7. Mocking Bird - Barclay James Harvest 8. Which Way The Wind Blows - Anthony Phillips with Mike Rutherford & Phil Collins 9. Lucky Man - Emerson, Lake And Palmer 10. In Every Dream Home A Heartache - Roxy Music 11. 10538 Overture - Electric Light Orchestra 12. Mumps - Hatfield & The North Disc: 3 1. Peaches En Regalia - Frank Zappa 2. Rhayader (From The Snow Goose) - Camel 3. Pantagruel's Nativity - Gentle Giant 4. Germ Patrol - Egg 5. O Caroline - Matching Mole 6. Bedside Manners Are Extra - Greenslade 7. Meditation Of The Snake - Steve Hillage 8. Spectral Mornings - Steve Hackett 9. Ships In The Night - Be Bop Deluxe... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful