Upon its initial release in 2011, Fly From Here, the first of the new millennium Yes albums not to feature vocalist Jon Anderson, received a critical reception that was, shall we say, less than stellar. The only studio album to…
View More Yes – Fly From Here (Return Trip)
In 1975, the American band Crack The Sky (CTS) broke onto the music scene with their groundbreaking eponymous album, hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine named ‘Debut Album of the Year’. CTS seemed destined for great success, however success proved more…
View More Crack The Sky – Live 1st Album: 50th Anniversary
Partners in life and music, Jo Spratley and Bic Hayes snuck this album out in September with such a lack of fanfare that apart from those in the know, barely anyone registered its existence. The Lead Of Saturn Is Gold…
View More MUMMY – The Lead Of Saturn Is Gold To The Wise
Ever since childhood, two of my favourite pastimes have been losing myself in fictional worlds and exploring new music, so a contemporary band that can tell an enthralling musical story is potentially onto a winner. Retreat From Moscow’s 2022 debut,…
View More Retreat From Moscow – The Illusion Of Choice
High Wire Act accidentally formed in 2023 because of drumming. Having stepped in to rescue Tom Slatter with drums, Mike Orvis and Tom decided to make music together. The band, High Wire Act was the result, and To Risk Your…
View More High Wire Act – To Risk Your Heart
Posthumous releases can be a mixed bag. Some are essential for true fans, and some seem rather more like barrel scraping. The newly expanded Sea Dream by legends Spirit is closer to the former, (though it couldn’t be described as…
View More Spirit – Sea Dream (4CD Expanded Edition)
Uriah Heep have enjoyed a long, fascinating, and remarkably productive career, and they remain active today under the steady guidance of original guitarist Mick Box. So why does this release focus so narrowly on the years 1973–1974, when their story…
View More Uriah Heep – The Shadow And The Wind: 1973-1974 (5CD Boxset)
This was not an album that I was looking forward to reviewing. Out of all the solo albums that the members of Yes released during their 1974-77 hiatus, Ramshackled easily has the worst reputation. I mean, just look at it;…
View More Alan White – Ramshackled (Remastered & Expanded Edition)
Former Giles, Giles & Fripp, Fairport Convention, and Trader Horne vocalist Judy Dyble was, to all intents and purposes retired from the music business, apart the odd one or two guest appearances at Fairport’s Cropredy convention, when in 2004, only…
View More Judy Dyble – Darkness To Light: The Recordings 2004-2006 (3CD Boxset)
You’ve probably read what follows before if you’re aware of my one-time obsession with everything Vertigo “swirl” and have come across my articles and reviews of albums on that most iconic of labels. However, a half-decent tale is worth repeating!…
View More Gracious! – The Recordings 1970-1971 (3CD/DVD Edition)