Renaissance - Wizzy Noise

Advantages: Amazing collection from an amazing talent
Disadvantages: Some singles still left out - it could have been a triple CD

...the Road" on which he plays (uses?) mandolin, bagpipes, farmyard poultry and a two-tone car horn. What else? There's a duet with Renaissance's Annie Haslam, "I Never Believed in Love", "We Are the Boys (Who Make All the Noise)", a rock'n'roll medley credited to the Rockers, a one-off group he formed in 1983 with Phil Lynott, Chas Hodges and ex-Quo drummer John Coghlan; the jazz-funk "The Stroll", which he recorded as leader of the shortlived Wizzo Band; and a handful of jazz instrumentals like "Saxmaniacs" and "Strider". It lives up to its title, and if you've ever wondered whether there was more to the man than the gold radio station evergreens "I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday" and "Flowers in the Rain", go get this at once! The booklet notes and pictures are good too.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Pleasurable sounds
Disadvantages: If you don't like the world of dance music

...I agree Northern Exposure 1 and 2 should be way all mix albums are made. I'm a big fan of sasha and also have recommended mix albums by sasha in the form of 'RENAISSANCE 1' 'EXPEDITIONS' 'COMMUNICATE' these are timeless classics. If you need to hear good music for driving or simply to listen in the comfort of your own home, these are to be tracked down and captured. RENAISSANCE produced 4 volumes. 1. Sasha/John Digweed 2. John Digweed 3. Fathers of Sound 4. Ian Ossia and somebody who i cant remenber - lol. Each volume was a stylish box of 3 mix cds. These are very hard to find now and recently i sold all 4 for over $300 on ebay. So if you find any, hang onto them. EXPEDITIONS was the follow up to NORTHERN EXPOSURE and joined Sasha and John Digweed together again for a 2cd set. Again in the same vain as NORTHERN EXPOSURE, this too... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Standard Blackmore's Night sound, with a mix of the old and the new
Disadvantages: Deep Purple and Rainbow 'purists' may not like this style of music

...over 8 minutes long} ~ I can almost picture that ship from the front cover being tossed on the waves, hear the thunder and see the lightning! The sound is rather like 'Just Call My Name' and 'I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore', because of the drums. There are two slightly lighter instrumental breaks, the first one reminds me rather of 1980's era Clannad... until Ritchie's guitar comes back in! And the second one is much more renaissance in style ~ *very* nice. Another nice little touch is that the lyrics very briefly reference track 7 : 'The Circle'. Gilded Cage : Similar in style to both 'No Second Chance', 'Castles and Dreams', and, slightly, 'Ghost of a Rose'. Lots of lovely violin on this one :) Toast to Tomorrow : A cross between Mary Hopkin's 'Those Were the Days', and a Jewish wedding! Oh, and 'Home Again'! Very much like a German... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful