I meant "review".

OK, here’s my review of Cams’ “This Disc is for the World.” To be honest, I must be out of this world, because most of this was not for me. That’s not to say there weren’t a few tunes I dug, but for the most part it wasn’t my thing. So here’s my song-by-song review. As always none of what I say should be taken too seriously as it’s only one dude’s opinion…

Koop, featuring Cecilia Stalin – Dreamy vocals and a smooth jazzy sound. I dig this. If I was the sort who sat around on Sunday’s reading the paper with my wife and eating fresh fruit, this is what I imagine would be playing. Sadly, I’m usually up around noon for my weekly chat with my mother, followed by a quick read of the paper, a shower, lunch and 11 hours of football (not the game some of y’all call soccer).

Peter Gabriel – I really haven’t paid much attention to Peter since his “So” album. There’s been a song or two since that I’ve heard and either liked, or thought was kinda boring. This song I suppose would be in the middle of the spectrum.

The Waterboys – Hmmm, I remember a tune of theirs way back called “The Whole of the Moon.” I find it hard to believe this is the same singer (I think his name was Mike Scott? His voice was really nasally and kind of annoying). Anyway, these two songs aren’t bad. These guys recently played where I live (OK not at my house, but a bar I wish was my house). Didn’t see them and I’m glad I didn’t, as they requested no beer service during the show. Pretty ballsy move considering they were playing AT A BREW PUB!

Nick Harper – The first song was OK…The second song…not-so-OK. The last three discs I’ve reviewed have had one song each that starts out pretty good and then out of nowhere there are these incredibly cheesy backup singers. I like harmonies. But random bleats of backup singers during the chorus annoy me.

Roy Harper – I don’t know why but Roy’s vocals remind me of the guy from Belle and Sebastian. Just a little bit. I suppose it’s probably the other way around but that’s not important. Not quite my thang, but it’s not bad.

Kate Rusby – When I listened to the first song, I thought her voice reminded me of Harriet Wheeler’s (The Sundays). This is my favorite track on the disc. I suspect Lauren will say the same. The second song has a cool Celtic thing going on. I like these two songs quite a bit.

Salif Keita – I can’t quite find the right words to explain what this song does to me. Let’s try: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH TURN IT OFF TURN IT OFF MAKE IT STOP MOMMMMMMMMY!!!!!!!!!

Peter Finger – A finger-pickin’-good instrumental. That goes out to all my KFC homies out there. Word up yo! Not bad, but this is not my thang. If I were feeling more creative (that horrible KFC joke took a lot out of me) I’d write my own words to this and sing along.

Lokua Kanza – The intro reminds me of that Dream Academy Song “Life in a Northern Town.” Again, not really my thing. But it certainly is no SALIF KEITA!!!!!!!

Glenn Tilbrook – Glenn rules and is a very funny dude indeed. We saw him a couple months ago with Jill Sobule. He did a bunch of solo stuff and a bunch of Squeeze stuff. I went to the restroom just before the encore. When I came out everyone was leaving…apparently Mr. Tilbrook took the crowd for a walk around the block, with his guitar while singing “Pulling Mussels from a Shell.” Lauren said it was pretty cool. I’m still a bit steamed…HAW! Get it, Mussels…steamed…

Akvarium – What do you get when you cross an accordion, a guy singing and an acoustic guitar? Not my thing.

Gotan Project – This is a pretty cool song. I like the booming beat. Kind of reminds me of “#1 Crush” by Garbage.

Bert Jansch – Two songs that really aren’t doing it for me. The second one was a little better than the first (I’m saying this for the first time ever, but the lack of vocals helped). But then again it’s like deciding on getting kicked in the shin or punched in the stomach.

Manu Chao – I’ve only heard of this band (good things too). I have to say it’s hard not smiling while this is on. I wouldn’t buy this, but I would most certainly pass along Bongo Bong for future mixes for friends. I’m totally bouncing around.

Francis Cabrel – After Manu Chao, I’ve lost all my energy. I can’t say if I heard this song first I still wouldn’t be tired. Not bad, not good.

Joni Mitchell – Hey a Christmasy song…it’s almost Christmas. Crazy. Anyway, Joni’s Joni. She’s cool I suppose but I can’t help think of VH1’s 100 greatest women in Rock. She was profiled on it. Then the most surreal thing happened…the Barenaked Ladies start talking about how her music totally inspired them. This led to a friend of mine commenting, “Yeah, I imagine they were thinking of Joni when they wrote ‘Chickety China the Chinese Chicken…” Take this for what it’s worth (WARNING…ANOTHER BAD JOKE APPROACHES) Joni totally rips off “Jingle Bells” in this tune.

Scott Colvin wrote:

> But then again it’s like deciding on getting kicked in the shin or punched in the stomach.

I'm offering you a poke in the eye...

Thanks for the review Scott. I appreciate it!

It's interesting how much Salif Keita got to you. I was introduced to him through another TT and at first had similar thoughts to yours; however I was advised to persevere as his music (and indeed a lot of African music) requires a lot of effort but rewards you in spades. So I did persevere and I now have spadefulls of rewards. In fact that SK CD was on repeat on my player for days. It really gets under your skin.

Cheers,
Cams

Hi Cams,

Sorry I'm so late with this. At least I'm on time with Annika's so I'm back on track ...


1. Waltz for Koop — Koop, feat. Cecilia Stalin, from Waltz for Koop, 2002
I kind of like the beat to it. I thought the vocals seemed a little thin. I'm curious about Scott's review of this song -- I wonder who the wife is that's eating fruit with him while listening to this song...

2. Signal to Noise — Peter Gabriel, from Up, 2002
It's OK.

3. This Light is for the World — The Waterboys, from Universal Hall, 2003
4. The Christ in You — The Waterboys, from Universal Hall, 2003
Vocals seem a bit too dramatic -- the style of singing seems like it would fit well within an off-Broadway musical or something ... They aren't bad songs ... just delivered a little different.

5. Smithereens (Acoustic Version) — Nick Harper, from Smithereens, 1998
6. She Really Was — Nick Harper, from Smithereens, 1998
I don't mind these songs. Catchy.

7. Next to Me — Roy Harper, from Death or Glory, 1992
This is OK.

8. The Fairest of all Yarrow — Kate Rusby, from Ten, 2002
9. Sir Eglamore — Kate Rusby, from Ten, 2002
Wow. I love Kate Rusby. One day I took detour in the middle of reviewing your CD -- I downloaded some songs off Kate's Web site and listened to them instead of the rest of the CD.

10. Madan — Salif Keita, from Moffou, 2002
OK, my reaction to this wasn't quite as bad as Scott's. But, I do have a hard time listening to it.

11. 101 South — Peter Finger, from Open Strings, 1999
Pretty instrumental piece.

12. Mutoto — Lokua Kanza, from Lokua Kanza, 1993
I'm very uncultured. I can't help but be reminded of the Lion King, which was probably my first taste of African music. But, it's not bad. Just not something I'd listen too often.

13. Interviewing Randy Newman — The Completely Acoustic Glenn Tilbrook (bonus disc as part of The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook), 2001
This is great. I really enjoyed that Glenn Tilbrook show Scott mentioned in his review -- I was mainly at that show to see Jill Sobule, who opened. Going in, I only knew a couple of Squeeze songs, but, even knowing none of his music, he was terrific.

14. Goluboi Ogonyok (the Blue Light) — Akvarium, from Navigator, 1995
This is OK. Not my usual thing, but, it doesn't bother me.

15. Época — Gotan Project, from La Revancha del Tango, 2001
Interesting. Again, not my usual thing, but enjoyable.

16. Black Water Side — Bert Jansch, from Jack Orion, 1966
17. Angie — Bert Jansch, from Bert Jansch, 1965
These are OK.

18. Bongo Bong — Manu Chao, from Clandestino, 2000
19. Je ne t'aime Plus — Manu Chao, from Clandestino, 2000
Very interesting. Both songs use the same background, yet have a different feel.

20. La Corrida — Francis Cabrel, from Samedi sur la Terre, 1994
Not really for me.

21. River — Joni Mitchell, from Blue, 1971
I like Joni, such a pretty voice.

Thanks for the review, Lauren. Glad you found a hit in Kate Rusby. She's just done a tour during which a DVD was filmed. An hour of it was shown on the BBC last week, and I have to say that she really shines on the stage. Her passion for the music she sings is immediately apparent, and translates on to the screen well. I will most assuredly be buying the DVD when it is released in April.

This disc is very pleasant throughout. Particular favorites: 101 South Bongo Bong Thanks, Cams.

I now have the disk! After a couple of months of tree-less-ness! Many thanks... Will review soon.

Thanks for letting me know and for helping us to get back on track.

Cams

Review This Disc Is For The World Cams’ Towie Tree


Waltz for Koop – Koop feat. Cecilia Stalin

Not bad, although I like the voice much better than the music. The voice came like a (nice) surprise, since I expected a rich male voice after listening to the first bars...

Signal To Noise – Peter Gabriel

Not sure if I like this. It’s a bit calm in the beginning, I like the middle part, yet it’s not a song I like from the start. This might change some day...might be my mood....

This Light Is For The World – The Waterboys

This song has a nice tune, I like it

The Christ In You – The Waterboys

I love this song! Especially the violin in the background (or is it a cello?).

Smithereens (Acoustic Version) – Nick Harper

I absolutely love this one – great guitar. Is the rest on the album like this?

She Really Was – Nick Harper

Is this from the same album? It’s a lot different. It’s o.k., but not as nice as Smithereens

Next To Me – Roy Harper

I think I prefer Roy Harpers lyrics to his music and voice. I love If, because the lyrics of that song reflect exactly how I feel about religion. This is a nice song, great guitar again.

The Fairest of All Yellow – Kate Rusby
Sir Elgamore – Kate Rusby

I love Kate Rusby ever since you put some of her songs on the first CD you sent to me! I definitely need to get her album “10” one day! Are her other albums like this?

Madan – Salif Keita

Not bad, but nothing I would listen to everyday.

101 South – Peter Finger

Nice Fingerstyle Work!!

Mutoto – Lokua Kanza

I really like the combination of guitar and African choir here.

Interviewing Randy Newman – Glenn Tilbrook

Cool! Is the rest like this? Never heard of Glenn Tilbrook before.

Goluboi Ogonyok – Akvarikum

Hm – I LOVE Accordion!! And Russian is such a beautiful language!! I could certainly listen to more of this!

Época – Gotan Project

This is a French group, isn’t it? I definitely like it! I had heard of Gotan Project before, but never listened to anything they did. This is great!

Black Water Side – Bert Jansch

I once borrowed this CD from our library, and although I thought it wasn’t bad, I realized it didn’t touch me after a few listenings...but as I listen to it now, I definitely like this song. ( I remember the Black Cat Blues and thought it was a great idea! The pic of the cat sitting in the guitar case is great! )

Angie – Bert Jansch

Yeah, I remember that from the other compilation. I liked this, too, but I still liked Chasing Love much better...anyway, Bert Jansch is a fantastic guitarist!

Bongo Bongo – Manu Chao
Je ne t’aime plus – Manu Chao
Yeah, both songs were great hits here in Germany. I’m glad I have these songs now, because I never bothered to get Manu Chao’s album

La Corrida – Francis Cabrel

This is one of my favourites by Francis Cabrel. There’s not much to be said about Francis Cabrel – he’s simply great!

River – Joni Mitchell

I remember that from the other compilation, too! Great song!


Conclusion:

Great CD, the ones that stand out for me are Kate Rusby, Glenn Tilbrook, Akvarium and Gotan Project, well, and Smithereens by Nick Harper
Thanks for sharing!

Many thanks for the review, Annika.

Kate Rusby's music gets better and better the more you listen to it. Her latest album, Underneath the Stars, is her best yet in my opinion. She also has released a DVD of a concert filmed in Leeds (near her hometown) and I would suggest this would make the best starting point. The BBC showed an hour of the concert and it is fantastic!

Nick Harper: Smithereens (the album) just grows and grows. His next album, Harperspace, was more accessible I found, which is to say it was 'easier' to get to know, however, having listened to both as much now, I'd have to say that they're both equally as good. Where Nick really shines though is in his live performances. I have a double CD of a concert he did and it is simply amazing. He has such charisma and humour, and that translates well with the audience making for a great atmosphere. I missed his last tour by one day

Glenn Tilbrook is formerly of Squeeze, who I'm sure you must have heard of. You'll know a couple of their songs for sure, even if you didn't know it was Squeeze. Jools Holland was in the group too. He's a great songsmith in my opinion, and works with Nick Harper a lot believe it or not. (Nick's on Glenn's label)

Glad you liked the CD. You can keep it if you like!

Cams

Hi Cams,

thanks for the CD!

Never heard of Squeeze, though. But maybe you're right and I'd recognize a few songs.
Good to know that you can reccomend Kate Rusby's latest CD. I was puzzled since one of the reviewers at amazon.de categorized it as 'mainstream music' which I thought was rather odd. But then some singer/songwriters do change their style and actually become more mainstreamy as success grows. So you never know - this reviewer might have been right.

Thanks again for sharing,
Annika