Puppet On A String [Remastered] - Sandie Shaw

Advantages: The greatest band to ever stroll the planet
Disadvantages: None (well, they're not to everyone's taste)

..., self-deprecating lyrics and array of stage props (National Health glasses, gladioli inserted in his back pocket, hearing aid, flowery shirts and questionable sexuality in the early days), they suddenly had a trump card. THE TRACKS ------------------- I've given the tracks below marks out of five. To highlight Morrissey's by turn cocky, exquisite and depressing lyrics, I have added a TBM section (Typical Bloody Morrissey) . I hope this helps. **1. Hand In Glove** The song that followed This Charming Man into the charts at the tail-end of 1983, is also a duet with Sandie Shaw (of Puppet On A String fame). This was never one of my favourite Smiths tracks but showed early promise (it was originally released in the summer of 1983 and is thus rather rough around the edges compared to later releases). There are raw drums galore and Marr... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The voice of an Angel ; Title track being one of the best folk rock songs
Disadvantages: Some weak tracks ; Not on the same par as Fairport Convention or Fotheringay

..., Water's gonna overflow, Swamp's gonna rise, No boat's gonna row. Now, you can train on down To Williams Point, You can bust your feet, You can rock this joint. But oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now? You're gonna have to find yourself Another best friend, somehow. 5. JOHN THE GUN - 4:37 A true folk classic, a return to the roots from early Fairport Convention albums featuring Sandy, the first true traditional folk offering on the album. It's easy to forget that Sandy is actually doing a solo album, the sheer quality of this song is only comparable within the confounds of a band. The icing off the cake has to be the mid point Celtic violin/strings jig, i mean the vibrato is sensational, the chorus is a fine mix of Thompson/Denny which sends a rather nostalgic mood in the air. Man i love this song, if i were to draw up a list... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good vocalist
Disadvantages: A lot of

...This album is miles beyond Equator in every possible way. Bernie Shaw proves himself to be Heep's most capable vocalist since John Lawton (they'd been thru John Sloman, Pete Goalby and Steff Fontaine). Mick in particular stands out with his distinctive guitar sound and the production is a vast improvement as Richard Dodd gives the band a big, meaty sound. The biggest improvement, however, is in the lyric writing. Although several of the songs are covers, all of the songs have a socially conscious edge that had been missing since Ken Hensley's departure. This provides Heep with their first true album theme since The Magician's Birthday. The weakest part, however, is Phil Lanzon, whose keyboards hide in the background, giving the album a feel more like a Rainbow album than Heep. Grade: 5.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic