'S Wonderful - Doris Day

Advantages: Hardcore fans may love this
Disadvantages: It is just poor, and certainly not for me

...it gets the blood pumping for the fans, but on CD it just does not cut the mustard. The strangely titled 'Shoot Doris Day'(although I wonder what she did to deserve that) is next up. At times it has an ethnic undertone in it's melody, but the humorous title belies that fact that this is a very serious song with serious issues in the lyrics, but the point is missed again. 'Miniature' has guitar riffs that remind me of acoustic Bon Jovi sets, and it is pretty short, so don't be tempted to wander out of earshot or you might just miss it. 'No Symphony' is the first song that is evidence of a shift towards country music....that is untilt he overworked electronics hit the song hard, and then it is all downhill. 'Juxtaposed With U' was released as the first single from the album, and it is pretty catchy, and probably the only song that stuck in my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: One of the greatest soul albums of all time
Disadvantages: ---

...mannered pre planned phrasing and prepackaged formula. Here, she just lets loose but still keeping strong vocal form; sounding more like a looser Ivy Anderson( A singer in Duke Ellingon's band in the 40's ) instead of a stiff Doris Day knock off. With her breathy vocal style and picture perfect tone on " Serenade" she gives a wonderfully nuanced style homage to Dinah Washington . ( She also did a tribute album of her material in 64) . Capturing the song's demure but breezy subtleties, around an elegant background of a jazz band augmented with lush R&B horns, " Dream" is the best non-Bachrach-Bachrach ever done or record. Aretha filters in luxurious gospel shouts into the song's schmaltz. The music, cocktail jazz arrangements blended in a pop-soul background, captures Burt's weird camp appeal without losing any of Aretha... Read review

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Advantages: Wonderful, classic Bowie album
Disadvantages: Song for Bob Dylan

...of the scale to the other, while Bowie proves that he really can play the saxophone. Slightly loopy it may be, but I think it's an exhilarating joy of a song and I love it. 8. Andy Warhol (3.56) The mood stays upbeat as the final notes of Fill Your Heart fade over the opening dialogue of Andy Warhol, in which Bowie corrects producer Ken Scott's pronunciation of "Warhol" before dissolving in laughter. Surprisingly, that laughter doesn't irritate me after listening to the song many times. This was the first song I heard from Hunky Dory and I found the tune played by Bowie's acoustic guitar stayed in my head for days afterwards. I wondered for a long time how the unusually full guitar sound with its flamenco flavour could have been created before concluding that either there are two guitars or an extra track was overlaid in the studio; I still don... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The songs, the playing
Disadvantages: Nothing major

...Bolder and Mick Woodmansey featured on guitar, bass and drums, but the sound was more folk rock and ballad than standard rock and roll. They veered off into that direction for Ziggy, but Hunky Dory was a quite unique collection of songs, with Ken Scott producing. Aside from the quirky pop of Fill Your Heart by Biff Rose and Paul Williams, all the tracks were written by Bowie, and he combined outstanding pop with some wonderful rock music, although it was generally the former which were the more successful. The Man Who Sold The World was obscure and riff heavy, but had been disappointing and now Bowie opted for a lighter, more accessible feel, which was certainly more appealing. It certainly achieved chart success, peaking at number 3 in September 1972 and enjoying 69 weeks in the UK Top 50. Strangely it could only scrape a minor showing... Read review

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Advantages: A great selection of musical styles, fantastic debut album
Disadvantages: None

...favourite track on the album, purely because of the strange music which does not seem to compliment the vocals. This album has totally blown me away, with the exception of the last track. I suppose I was expecting, cynically, for Rachel to fall flat on her face, and not being able to cut it in the solo world. “Funky Dory” made me sit up and take notice of someone I had long associated with a nondescript pop band, and who really was not used to her full potential. Rachel’s voice is amazing, and has served to prove that she has a big future ahead of her. “Funky Dory” is a fantastic debut album, which I am sure will secure the future of Miss Stevens in the music industry. She sounds very similar to Madonna in a great many of the tracks, and one can only wonder what the great diva will make of this first offering. The album is a testament... Read review

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Advantages: One of the best albums ever made!
Disadvantages: None!

...Bowie at his very best! This album is absolutely faultless from beginning to end. A roller-coaster of upbeat tunes, thoughtful melodies and ending with spaced out psychedelia. The album opens with the brilliantly penned 'Changes' just to wet your appetite for what's coming next: 'Oh You Pretty Things, 'Eight Line Poem', 'Life On Mars', need I say more? Also included are the absolutely brilliant 'Andy Warhol', 'Song for Bob Dylan' and 'Queen Bitch', with Bowie drawing on his influences to pen this songs. The album climaxes with the 'Bewlay Brothers', spiralling us down to the end. Not the first concept album but certainly one of the best. When this album finishes, you look through your collection, wondering what to put on next. It really is that good! This is a must for all Bowie fans and in my opinion a must for any serious record... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful