Sool - Ellen Allien

Advantages: A Musical for everyone.
Disadvantages: This is the orignial recording.

...of the nearest pub to repair my make-up and to come back down to earth. The story centres on the last few days of chaos and terror that resulted in the fall of Saigon and the evacuation of the American Embassy. Chris, a marine meets Kim a Vietnamese girl in a brothel run by a Eurasian pimp. In one night of passion they fall in love and spend as much time together as they can, entering into a ceremony of marriage in the style of the country. But their time together is cut short when Chris is called back to the embassy to find it surrounded by people desperate to join in the evacuation. Kim and Chris are separated and he has to return to America where he picks up the threads of his life, marrying Ellen his childhood sweetheart. Kim is left to fend for herself; pregnant with Chris’s son she eventually flees to Bangkok with the “Engineer”, the pimp... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great soundtrack with no fillers, great standalone 80s album, includes a few songs not on other 80s compilations, a few funny moments
Disadvantages: Some songs will not mean anything to people who haven't seen the film

...! It is a funny song, but you have to listen to the words, and it would probably be lost on anyone who hasn’t seen the film. It also contains swearing, hence the Parental Advisory sticker on the CD. • 14. Rapper’s Delight (Medley) – Ellen Dow plus Sugarhill Gang Another one which would be lost on anyone who hasn’t seen the film. Ellen Dow plays an old lady in the film, who takes singing lessons from Robbie in order to serenade her husband at their golden wedding. After performing “their song” she then breaks into a cover version of Rapper’s Delight – well known for being recognised as the first rap track ever to enter the charts. Ellen has a very “unusual” voice – she could have provided voices for Pinky and Perky without any electronic help at all, and although the song is funny at first it is not something I’d want to listen to a lot... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Whimsical lyrics
Disadvantages: Whimsical lyrics don't always appeal

...from Ben Darvill's mouth organ and mandolins, it's a pretty normal combo. Some tracks such as "I Think I'll Disappear Now", are a bit more slavish in their influences; that one could indeed be XTC at first listen. The melodies are all well rendered with some nice harmonies and there is much use made of Ellen Reid's backing in multi-tracked mode. There are no heavy powerchords, booming drums and thumping basslines; this album doesn't strut like a priapic teenager, it's a mature adult in the throes of a second, slightly more restrained but still inquisitive youth. Lists: 1 - God Shuffled His Feet 2 - Afternoons and Coffeespoons 3 - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm 4 - In The Days Of The Caveman 5 - Swimming In Your Ocean 6 - Here I Stand Before Me 7 - I Think I'll Disappear Now 8 - How Does A Duck Know? 9 - When I Go Out With Artists... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful