Various - Sing and They’ll Sing Your Song

  by Nicky Crewe

published: 26 / 3 / 2018

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This compilation is a treasure. I have discovered a record label to follow and trust as well as an introduction to musicians and artists who are new to me. I chose to review it because of mention of Karen Dalton and Arthur Lee in the PR notes. Their music means a lot to me. This compilation covers a twenty year spread of the label’s releases, including world music and rediscoveries. Megaphone was founded in 1997 when concert promoter Stephane Bismuth introduced Liverpool quartet Shack to west coast legend Arthur Lee. The tracks on this album share a quality, an aesthetic, that is a credit to Bismuth’s musical taste. It’s music without borders, transcending time, language, culture and musical tradition. The artists and their material are as varied as 1950's Bahamian calypso from Blind Blake, 'Iraqui Oud' from Omar Bashir and a cover of Alan Price’s 'Poor People' by Simon Dalmais. Listening to recordings from 1962 and 1963 by Karen Dalton, 'Ribbon Bow' and her version of Ray Charles’ It’s Alright, is such a special treat too. It’s hard to know where compilations fit in to the music business today. There are so many ways to access music through the internet and via digital platforms. Algorithms make suggestions, not friends and fellow music fans. Back in the 1970s record labels’ compilations introduced me to music and artists who became part of my life. I’m thinking of the Rock Machine, Chess and Island record compilations of the time. This album is a wonderful introduction to these artists and this record label. It leaves you wanting more, which is just what a good compilation should do.

Track Listing:-

1 Something Like You
2 Ribbon Bow (Remastered)
3 Poor People
4 Hawaii
5 Shoot the Nanny
6 Dolaytrim
7 Nessuno
8 Ballade de Melody Nelson
9 Better Be Safe Than Sorry
10 Maqâm Hijaz / Maqâm Awj
11 It's Alright (Remastered)

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