Under The Covers - Maddy Prior & The Girls

Advantages: Maddy Prior on excellent form
Disadvantages: none

...Arthur the King is an intelligent and thought provoking album. If you were trying to categorise it, it would have to be filed under 'serious Folk'. What we have here is a collection of ten songs exploring the Arthur 'myth'. Nick Holland and Troy Donockley join Prior and between them theyweave a beautiful sound. The quality of the song cycle is remarkably high with Queen & Sovereignty and Once and Future King standing out. As a coda, there are five traditional songs unrelated to the central theme. This album doesn't fall too short of 'must have' status. Prior is in enchanting voice throughout and the subject matter is of almost universal interest. Buy it and rediscover your Celtic roots. It is an album that continues to reinvent Prior as one of the Godmothers of British Folk and makes All Around my Hat sound as if it came from different... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some interesting and intriguing choices of covers, A few excellent tracks, 'Real Men', 'Strange Little Girl'
Disadvantages: Too much concept not enough content, Some pretty tedious songs, 'I'm Not in Love', 'Raining Blood'

...In anticipation of Tori's forthcoming new (and original) studio album I thought I'd take a look at this her last release. Now I’ll make no excuses before I begin this review, Tori Amos is one of my favourite artists and when I first heard news that a new studio album was on the way I’ll admit to feeling the odd palpitation of excitement. However, when further details of the release became forthcoming, a slight feeling of disappointment reared its ugly head. You see ‘Strange Little Girls’ is a not an ordinary studio album, instead Amos has chosen to bring out a collection of covers rather then a set of original material. Aside from the fact that it is Amos’ own songs that primarily form the basis of my love for her work, the words ‘covers album’ is usually enough to send a chill down the spine of any self respecting music fan. Infact... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A nice addition to an avid fan's collection.
Disadvantages: A little boring.

...It seems that when most famous rock stars get to a certain point in their career they find it necessary to delve into the realm of releasing cover versions. It's not that Ozzy's done anything particularly horrific here- though the wailing of his daughter Kelly on "Changes" is something which I don't want to have to subject my ears to again any time soon-.Ozzy has just remade some of his favourite tracks and shoved them all on a CD in exchange for our money instead of making a new album full of original tracks. Never mind. His vocals very much suit the John Lennon tracks and these songs are pleasant on the ears but nothing special. Fans of Ozzy will enjoy this, other people may just feel disappointed he didn't invest his time into making something more memorable considering his current level of media exposure.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful