Out There Live - Dar Williams

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

Advantages: It's the best Harry Potter score yet - deeper, darker and inspired!
Disadvantages: Where have the old themes gone??

...the atmosphere on the Hogwarts Express perfectly. As the lights go out and temperature drops, Harry is confronted by a Dementor. Williams may roll out the old clichés (high-pitched, held strings/deep pedal notes/sliding chromaticism) but it sure as hell works (I had to change the track to stop the neighbourhood pets from howling in terror). Nice to see some proper scoring rather than some weak choir 'oohs' and 'aahs' that can leave you rather disappointed. Track 5: Double Trouble. The moment I heard this on the teaser trailer for the film I knew John Williams was on to something with this score. The familiar text (from Shakespeare’s Macbeth) mixed with combination of historical musical styles creates a great atmosphere, although since when has Hogwarts had a School Choir? Perhaps J.K. Rowling never got round to that Potter story line... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

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