Swinging The Blues - T-Bone Walker

Advantages: Too many to list
Disadvantages: Some of Scott's solo stuff is 'difficult'

...with Jacques Brel, a Belgian troubadour, much in the same mould as Scott himself (Brel was very popular in France in the 50's). Brel wrote perceptively about the human condition. You'll know his songs, (for instance Brel wrote 'Seasons in The Sun', later covered by Terry Jacks [and horror of horrors Westlife!]) and two of his compositions are here (the jaunty 'Jackie' [covered most recently by Marc Almond]and 'If You Go Away' - An utterly beautiful song, a song for the broken hearted if ever there was one). As Scott's career progressed he wrote more and more of his own lyrics and had the music orchestrated by his own choice of composers. In concentrating on the less challenging Scott Walker solo stuff ('Montague Terrace In Blue' and 'Boy Child' will give you some indication of how heavy and symbolic Scotts writing would become) this compilation... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Fragile like you
Disadvantages: I'm on my 19th nervous breakdown listening to it.

...is like a cowboy booted kick in the guts, Bob Dylan style. "In my time of need" sings nostalgia for some lost era, it feels like a Steinbeck novel, Ryan's angelic vocals whispering soulful and blue over a tale of hardworking calloused hand love in a dreamy America long lost. But still "Sweet Little Gal (23rd/1st) is, for me, the most memorable. It's raw and powerful in it's honest simplicity, just piano and voice. It's bare bone beauty is stripped naked in the rain and crying, beaten and alone. I've never heard a voice more vulnerable, more poignant. Truly great music moves you- "Sweet Little Gal" simply destroys me with sadness and empathy. You don't need to be a dumpee to blub like a baby to Heartbreaker. But you'd have to be pretty cold and callous not to.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Neil Diamond esque
Disadvantages: I wouldn't particularly say it was great

...", This song is mistitled (as "I've got to have you" by windows media player which screws up the ordering).. Back to the Neil Diamond sound (woooo), the vocals are similar to the opening song and the lyrics again are slightly down beat and about someone missing someone else. The song almost reminds me of Fred Neil's "Dolphins" from a vocal aspect at times, despite it being much more country oreientated. 8/10 "Walkin' in the sun" This song takes a kind of blues pop feel, with some brass sounding music in the background, and a soft relaxing vocal with a swing your hips feel. Not the happiest of lyrics, but a song you've kinda gotta think "I've felt a bit like that". Good solid song even if not spectacular. 6/10 "Lover's lullaby" A soft "lullaby" basically, deep hollow sounding vocals, with easy going lyrics, the song just seems somewhat evil some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful