Those Pesky Kids (Children's Classics & Toddler TV Themes Of The 60's & 70's) - Various Artists

Advantages: Lots of great songs from the eighties
Disadvantages: A few not so great

...I was in my local record store the other week browsing for ideas for mothers day for my wife from our two small children when my attention was caught by this particular offering. As most of you will be aware from my previous reviews, one of my great passions is eighties music and I couldn't resist buying this. Not for my wife I might add but for myself. So what was it that caught my attention? Well to be honest the graphics on the CD hardly grab your attention. Basically it consists of a dark blue cover with light blue lettering declaring that it is a Top of The Pops Album, with this letting enclosed to make it appear like a circle. The BBC logo is also detailed but this is hardly prominent either. In red lettering at the bottom of the circle the album stipulates the 80s, and provides details of a selection of artists... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of well known and likeable tracks
Disadvantages: Some tracks will make you cringe

...lane and can only be played blaring out on an in-car CD player with the windows down! Ok ok, maybe I am getting a little carried away with memories of my youth and the sound of the 80's, but this is a great album and well worth a listen. So let me guide you through these hits of Movieland. Some tracks will take those who have seen a particular movie back in time, and others will make you wish you had never seen the movie in the first place. **CD1** = 01: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes - Up Where We belong Taken from the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman", this well matched duo belt out this classic ballad. Joe Cocker's gravel-like vocals lead us into the track quite gently, shortly followed by Jennifer Warnes' energetic tones, and then the song builds up into a crescendo... Read review

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Advantages: Well compiled collection
Disadvantages: Not all best tracks included

...be surprised to find Soul Limbo included as the bright opening track on disc 3, its high tempo Calypso/Jazz fusion having been heard on the Test Match credits for many a year. Any Soul compilation worth its salt has to include tracks by artist such as Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and Isaac Hayes and a Stax compilation is fortunate enough to be able to include tracks form these artist since they were all signed to the record label in the 60’s and early 70’s. We get the obvious standards such as ‘Dock Of The Bay’, ‘(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘Mr Pitiful’ as well as my personal favourite ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’ from Otis Redding choices that illustrate the depth and breath of style that he could achieve with his voice. I don’t think another soul artist has ever bettered the emotive plaintive qualities of his vocals. Sam and Dave’s... Read review

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