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Advantages: Wide range of music, superb musicians
Disadvantages: Accents may take time to understand, IRA references may offend

What do you do when you are drunk? No I mean really drunk. When you senses have left you and you find yourself collapsed on the sofa. What do you think of? What do you want? When I'm a bit the worse for wear I want many things ( best not to go into them now but I'm sure you could guess most of them) but there is one thing I know will satisfy. The Dubliners collection is the perfect CD for this occassion. *** The Band *** The Dubliners are not ...
...be sure there not! They had a top ten hit in the UK in 1967 with Seven Drunken Nights and they have had hits with Black Velvet Band and Never Wed an Old Man. They take there name from the James Joyce novel ( if you have read this hats off to you; I am an English graduate and I still have yet to tackle it). They play Irish folk music and are a five piece band. *** The Albumn *** I have laughed at some of the music reviews I have read on Ciao so ... Read review

Advantages: Still rather unique
Disadvantages: Sounds quite similar to modern pop

...I had bought for resale. Aye by Angelique Kidjo is supposedly said to be her best album and it was released in 1994 on the Fontana Island label. I was pretty disappointed, it wasn't what I expected at all. I expected a modernised version of West African roots music but found that this artist from Benin had more in common to today's crap pop than pop at its best and there was not enough of the African sound for my liking. This I blame on the US and ...
...it was a bit ahead of its time as it has a lot in common with current pop. Her voice for whatever reason just didn't have the smooth sound that I had expected, this may have something to do with me not being a great fan of soprano voices. 1. Agolo 2. Adouma 3. Azan Nan Kpe 4. Tatchedogbe 5. Djan - Djan 6. Lon Lon Vadjor 7. Houngbati 8. Idje - Idje 9. Yemandja 10. Tombo ... Read review

Advantages: Superbly fun and eclectic album
Disadvantages: None

Max Pashm's album Never Mind The Balkans is my new favourite album of the year, possibly even knocking Firewater's "The Golden Hour" off it's perch. It's incredibly danceable, I struggle to keep my hands and feet still whilst listening on public transport and it is bound to cheer up any day, no matter what the weather or circumstances. The album was released at the end of September, 2008 by Elektrikos/Organikos (don't quote me on this but I think ...
..."Imnul Kish Mayn Tokhes". Never Mind the Balkans is without a doubt an album that has to be listened to, an eclectic, fun piece from the genius that is Max Somers and his enterage. Having worked in the past as a producer with The Sex Pistols, he's mimicked their Never Mind The Bollox album cover on this interesting new album. 1. Imnul 2. Fight On The Streets 3. Rembeteli 4. I Neno 5. Klezmernaki 6. Anarchy 7. The Calling 8. The Tongue 9. ... Read review

Advantages: Ferrer's beautiful voice, simple arrangements
Disadvantages: None at all

"Mi sueno" is the final album recorded by much celebrated lead vocalist of the Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer. In spite of being well-known among die hard fans of Cuban music, Ferrer was not even famous in Cuba let alone the world outside the isolated Carribbean island until American musician Ry Cooder discovered the veteran performers and made them into international superstars; Ferrer was 69 years old at the time. Cuban music includes ...
...of music that incorporates the Spanish 'cancion' style with African beats. Modern salsa music is derived from 'Son Cubano'. Guajira is derived from son and is distinct because of the arpeggiated guitar or piano parts; the Cuban classic "Guantanamera" is the best-known example of this style. Rumba is typified by call and response singing and this is something the Bueno Vista Social Club was particularly known for. Ferrer was best-known for being a ... Read review

Advantages: Inspirational playing, clever arrangements, and a purity of purpose.
Disadvantages: Probably not for everyone.

Nic Jones has always been in the background of my life. From my earliest days we had a cassette tape of this fine album on our trips to the Lake District, and Nic's sonorous tones make that landscape come alive. Regarded by many folkies as Nic's best album, this was recorded at the zenith of his career, just two years before his tragic car accident. Unable to play since then, subsequent releases have been taken from live recordings at gigs and festivals, ...
...and arrangements at their peak. On Nic's playing, I have to say something that may sound over-enthusiastic. His ability to play rhythm and melody simultaneously is hard to match, even today. The depth of sound his guitar style creates is simply spell-binding, especially on his Canadee-I-O. Much of this album is related to the sea in one shape or another, and creates highly evocative images of the hardships of cold (The Little Pot Stove) and the ... Read review