The great German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, once wrote: “Without music, life would be a mistake”. He is, of course, absolutely correct. Then again, he’d never heard a Whigfield record…
I adore Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen; I love his music and I respect him immensely as a person. However, in choosing “Western Stars” as my album of the year, I now have a problem… how to review it! You see, I’m just a “normal” fan and Bruce is one of the few artists whose obsessive followers …
The REAL Reason Why Springsteen’s “Western Stars” Is So Great Read More »
I know, I know, it’s nearly the end of January 2020 and I’m only just publishing my review of 2019. I could invent many excuses for its lateness, but in truth, I’ve just been too drunk and too lazy. So, for the two of you who have been patiently waiting for this nonsense, please accept …
2019 – The Acoustic Egg Box Top 30 Albums Of The Year Read More »
In an annual tradition that’s rapidly taking on as much importance as the Queen’s Christmas Message, remembering to remove the plastic bag containing the turkey giblets, and avoiding Mrs Brown and her Boys until they’ve all been imprisoned on a remote Scottish island without any form of communication, I bring you the first instalment of …
2018 – The Acoustic Egg Box Top 20 Albums Of The Year Read More »
So here we are then, the ten best albums of 2017 as decided by the sole judging panel that is The Acoustic Egg Box. It was great to see new acts like Bette Smith and Childhood releasing music that bodes well for their future success, an outfit as hard-working and talented as Stone Foundation FINALLY …
2017 – The Acoustic Egg Box Top 20 Albums Of The Year (Part Two: 10-1) Read More »
And so, without further ado and after many hours of turmoil, sleepless nights and long conversations with myself, I present for your delectation (and dismay no doubt), the first half of this year’s prestigious Acoustic Egg Box Album’s Of The Year for 2017. I’ve based the chart on nothing more than my own exceptionally good taste …
2017 – The Acoustic Egg Box Top 20 Albums Of The Year (Part One: 20-11) Read More »
Formed in 2001, the American funk and soul label, Daptone Records is, in terms of both recording methods and quality of output, the nearest we now have to classic Stax or Motown. So, when in the space of little over a year, the label lost not only their two biggest stars but two giants of the …
ALBUM REVIEW: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Soul Of A Woman (Daptone Records) Read More »
It still gives me a huge buzz when I discover a previously unheard artist, especially when they’ve got a voice and personality as big and bold as New York’s sensational new soul singer, Bette Smith. Ms Smith was born and raised in the tough Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant and, when you watch the video for …
ALBUM REVIEW: Bette Smith – Jetlagger (Big Legal Mess Records) Read More »
For the uninitiated, The Clientele are a London-based British band from deepest, darkest Hampshire who specialise in a superior and unique brand of intelligent, literary dream-pop. They released “The Violet Hour”, the first of their (now) seven superb albums in 2002, but, despite huge critical acclaim, have never gained the commercial success in the UK …
ALBUM REVIEW: The Clientele – Music For The Age Of Miracles (Tapete Records) Read More »
A journey from Los Angeles to Great Torrington that takes 71 years is slow going even when measured against British Rail standards. But, when you’re P.P.Arnold, a legend the UK mod and soul fraternity has embraced for over five decades, us discerning, stylishly attired West Country folk will forgive the wait. Also, as incongruous as it sounds, seeing a former Ikette from the …
LIVE: P.P. Arnold – The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington, Devon – 14th October 2017 Read More »
