Reviews
13 Featuring Lester Butler (2011)
13
First-rate combination of studio and live tracks on reissue of 1997 only album from blues act 13, the project of late vocalist and harmonica player Lester Butler
American Aquarium (2011)
Small Town Hymns
Ambitious fourth album but first UK release from sprawling seven-piece alt. country act, American Aquarium
Andy White (2009)
Songwriter
Musically ambitious, but flawed tenth album from multi-talented Belfast-born, but Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Andy White
Big Audio Dynamite II (2013)
Class of '92: Live in London
Impressive live album, recorded at the Town and Country Club in their native London in 1992, from Big Audio Dynamite, who were now in their second line-up
Blue Floyd (2010)
Live at Birch Hill
Inventive fourth album recorded live at a concert in 2000 from American supergroup Blue Floyd, who take Pink Floyd tracks and then improvise and rework them as blues, jazz and funk work-outs
Boz Boorer (2011)
Miss Pearl/My Wild Life
Fantastic, authentic-sounding rock 'n' roll on highly charged double album reissue from Morrissey's musical director, Boz Boorer
Chris Smither (2015)
Up on the Lowdown/Drive You Home Again
Excellent double CD reissue of 1990s albums from cult American blues singer-songwriter, Chris Smither
Cracker (2015)
Berkeley to Bakersfield
Excellent double album from critically-acclaimed American alternative rock band Cracker, the first in twenty years to include the original line-up and which combines hard-edged punk with country rock
Dave Alvin (2012)
Blue Boulevard/Museum of Heart
First-rate blue collar rock on double CD reissue of underrated Californian-based singer-songwriter Dave Alvin’s 1991 and 1993 albums, ‘Blue Boulevard’ and ‘Museum of Heart’
Freddie King (2015)
Live and Loud 1968
Enthralling live album, recorded in San Francisco in 1968, from Texan-born blues guitarist, Freddie King
Graham Parker and the Fact (2011)
80's Reverb Rules Ok!
Superb live album and only recording of Graham Parker and his short-lived then band, which was recorded at the Limfjords Festival in Denmark in 1986
Gram Parsons (2014)
The Early Years, Vol. 1 and 2
Unessential retrospective of early recordings, some unreleased, from the late Gram Parsons, which will prove of interest to his devoted fan base only
Gregg Allman Band (2015)
I'm No Angel/Just Before the Bullets Fly
Rewarding double disc reissue of two 1980's Gregg Allman Band albums, ‘I’m No Angel’ and ‘Just Before the Bullets Fly'
Happy Martyr (2012)
One Square Mile
Enjoyable but somewhat monotonous debut album of Happy Martyr, the new project of Morrissey guitarist Boz Boorer and rapper and lyricist Alex Lusty
Hillmen (2012)
The Hillmen
Fascinating reissue of 1964 only album by Los Angeles bluegrass band the Hillmen, which was an early group of Chris Hillman from the Byrds
Kinky Friedman (2014)
Lasso from El Paso
Enjoyable reissue of typically offbeat 1976 live album from Texan singer-songwriter, crime novelist and politician, Kinky Friedman
Matthew Sweet (2019)
Blue Sky on Mars/In Reverse
Reissued brace of underrated late 90's albums by American singer and guitarist Matthew Sweet offers both power and pop
Matthew Sweet And Susanna Hoffs (2013)
Under the Covers Vol. 3
Eclectic third collection of 80's covers from American singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet and the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs
Michael Weston King (2007)
A New Kind of Loneliness
Unappealing and unimaginative pop-country on new album from Mancurian-based singer-songwriter Michael Weston King
Mose Allison (2010)
The Collection
Splendid double CD of both famous and more obscure tracks from gifted jazz pianist, arranger, composer and singer, Mose Allison
Nils Lofgren (2013)
Keith Don't Go: Live in London 1990
Enjoyable but unexceptional live album from Nils Lofgren, recorded at the Town and Country Club in London in 1990
Nine Below Zero (2012)
Live! Europe 1992
Raucous live album recorded on 1992 European tour from British blues punk act, Nine Below Zero
Poco (2018)
The Songs of Paul Cotton
Rewarding reissue of 1979 compilation which looks at the songwriting of Paul Cotton who joined acclaimed country rock act Poco in 1971, and whose work soon came into the foreground
Poco (2017)
Live at Columbia Studios, Hollywood, 30/9/71
Fine live album which captures a 1971 performance of resonant music from country rock trailblazing band Poco
Poco (2015)
The Forgotten Trail
Excellent reissue of 1990 double CD compilation from Californian country rock pioneers Poco, which handpicked by fans includes tracks from their first eight albums
Quicksilver Messenger Service (2012)
Live at the Summer of Love
Fantastic live double CD of covers and original numbers from 60's San Francisco-based psychedelic act Quicksilver Messenger Service, which provides an excellent introduction to their early career
Randy Meisner (2015)
Live in Dallas 1982/Love Me or Leave Me Alone
Flawed double CD reissue from former Eagles member Randy Meisner, which combines together a 1982 live recording with a collection of previously unreleased live recordings
Ric Lee's Natural Born Swingers (2013)
Put a Record On
Astounding debut album from blues super group Ric Lee’s Natural Born Swingers’, which as well as Ten Years After drummer Ric Lee, also features pianist Bob Hall who was a founder member of Savoy Brown
Rick Danko (2011)
Live Anthology
Evocative live 1980s and 1990s solo recordings on double CD from the late Band bassist and vocalist, Rick Danko
Rick Nelson (2011)
Stay Young: The Epic Recordings
Poorly presented compilation of American singer Rick Nelson's mid 1970's recordings for the Epic label
Roger Mcguinn (2013)
Born to Rock and Roll
Fabulous compilation of former Byrds' front man Roger McGuinn's 70's solo albums
Soft Machine (2014)
Turns On: An Early Collection
Often inaudible double CD collection of early recordings from classic British psychedelia act, the Soft Machine
Solomon Burke (2012)
The Last Great Concert
Enthralling live album recorded in 2008 towards the end of his career from late soul giant, Solomon Burke
Tom Ovans (2009)
Get on Board
Fabulous twelfth album from gritty-voiced Texas-based singer-songwriter, Tom Ovans
Tom Ovans (2007)
Party Girl
Eleventh album from hit and miss raspy-voiced Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Tom Ovans, which, despite his extensive back catalogue, proves to be one of the best albums in his long career
Various (2014)
The Del Shannon Tribute: Songwriter, Volume 1
First-rate tribute album to 60’s singer-songwriter and rock and roll artist Del Shannon, which includes covers from Frank Black, Kelley Ryan and Don Dixon
Various (2012)
Sixties Transition
Fantastic compilation from the archive of producer and one-time Byrds manager Jim Dickson, which compiles tracks from some of the most important artists in West Coast rock, including, as well as the Byrds, David Crosby, the Hillmen, Leon Russell and Dino Valenti
Wilde Flowers (2016)
Wilde Flowers
Fascinating and sometimes moving collection from budding hopefuls of the Canterbury Scene the Wilde Flowers before they blossomed into Soft Machine, Caravan and other bands
Wilson Pickett (2014)
Live in Japan
Impassioned soul on excellent reissue of 1973 live concert album from the legendary Wilson Pickett