Ot Air (The Album To Launch The World Tour) - John Otway

Advantages: A diverse musical choice, the good, the bad & the ugly.
Disadvantages: No Damned, Costello or Dury! Oh, the humanity!

...that are minor classics in their own right but ones that the record buying British public in their wisdom didn't rate highly enough to buy. In this category, a special mention must be made of Wreckless Eric, His 'Whole Wide World' stands out here like a sore thumb. This is a real little gem that the whole world (ahem) should know. But doesn't. Eric is still making records and touring (check out his last years 'Bungalow Hi' album) and he remains, along with John Otway, one of the few true Brit eccentrics still making good music, now that Viv Stanshall has gone.... As for the rest, well it's just...the rest. Tracks most of which even I've never heard of or are (let's be honest) real stinkers. Tracy "I was big in America, me..." Ullman? Nah, I don't think so. Rachel Sweet and her sickly pop? Pass! Complaints? Well apart from the missing rather more... Read review

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Advantages: A mix of the classics + no hit wonders who deserve a 2nd listen
Disadvantages: The last disc tails off abit, but 3½ discs are excellent

...and with the Damned released the first punk single and album with “New Rose” and “Damned, Damned, Damned”. Marketing then took over again with the 2nd Stiff album “A bunch of stiff records” actually featuring mostly acts from other labels whilst they also promoted acts in the music press who they liked but who had nothing what so ever to do with stiff. At this stage the label had had a couple of minor hits and was gaining recognition in the music press but was yet to taste major chart action. This was remedied by the Live Stiffs Tour which showcased Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Larry Wallis and Nick Lowe and was to make stars of Dury and Costello whose incendiary performances as they tried to trump each other are legendary. Just as success seemed assured Jake Riviera started up his own label, radar... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...and one or two other collaborators, one of which is normally his constant recording companion, Richard Holgarth, a man often found along side John Otway. There are two sides to Attilas work, most of the selection represents his political nature. As an old school socialist, he has always had enough material to use and with the advent of New Labour, seems to have got even more venomous. European concerns feature highly, the exploitation of newly opened borders and the new rise of Fascism, as do more domestic issues, the Falklands war and the poll tax as well as religion. One of the best songs in this category is "Tyler Smiles" a rant against the poll tax, the state of the country and Margaret Thatcher. Whether you agree with his political view point, you can`t deny that some of the points he makes are worth mulling over. And if you really dont... Read review

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