Review by Tim Goodacre
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Rose Of Cimarron [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]PocoOne of Their Best
This is one of Poco’s best albums with the Rusty Young songs the strongest. A couple of good contributions also from soon to be Eagle Timothy Schmidt.Great harmonies and the remastering is clear and has depth. Great to have this and the other strong Poco albums out on mini lp format.
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Dire Straits [Hi-Res CD (MQA x UHQCD)] [Limited Release]Dire StraitsWonderful Clarity and Depth Of Sound
After downloading the required software on my UDP Oppo 205 I put this disc on without high expectations. The result was outstanding. The music on this disc rose to another level with superb clarity and depth for a recording done 40 years ago. It clearly surpasses the same recording I have on vinyl and standard CD. Will now look seriously at other available titles and hope for many more releases. Wouldn’t it me wonderful if the Beatles catalog was similarly released.
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Their Satanic Majesties Request [Japanese Original Ver.] (50th Anniversary Special Edition) [Limited Release]The Rolling StonesElaborate 7 inch 3D Cover Package
Received today and surprised how nicely this package has been put together. Previous Stones deluxe releases have been generally disappointing compared to other artists. Not this time. Much of the packaging credit has to go the Japanese record company as this particular package is a Japan exclusive. Foldout 7 inch envelope type cover with the 3D cover photo. Interesting booklet and SACDs sound great. Warm with superb detail similar to the earlier SACD release 15 years ago. Highly recommended and a must buy if a Stones fan.
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Natural HistoryJ.D. SoutherGreat Classics Done in a Mellow Mood
Wonderful songs from the country rock era. JD Souther wrote or co wrote a number of the Eagles best songs and several are done here in a mellow mood. The best known New Kid in Town is beautifully arranged with a great classical guitar component and others will be instantly recognisable as true classics. Buy this and put it on in the late evening with a glass of wine. Wonderful
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Rain In My Life [Low-priced Reissue]Bill LabountyExcellent Soft Rock
Great songwriting and strong production. Bill Labounty is little known except perhaps as a songwriter but this album proves not only can he write good strong soft rock songs but his voice is first class. After hearing this album I will try several others that he did in the 70s and 80s. Recommended if you like soft rock performed by a good songwriter with a strong voice and first class production.
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The Eyes Of An Only ChildTom JansWonderful Lost Talent
Next to last album from a very talented singer songwriter. Beautiful songs with a tinge of sadness in a country folk style from the writer of Loving Arms (recorded by Ellis Presley amongst others) which was included on an earlier album. This is is his best collection of songs and is a must have for collectors of 70s American soft rock. Jans died in the early 80s.
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Swallowed Up In The Great American HeartlandTom PachecoPleasant Surprise
I did not know anything about Tom Pacheco but purchased this on the basis that the current release list of similar titles contained some excellent albums at attractive prices. The album contains some great original songs with good melodies and strong lyrics. Pacheco has a good country style voice similar to Waylon Jennings and the whole package is excellent. Pacheco is an underrated talent and I will now search out his other releases.
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Terence Boylan [SHM-CD] [Low-priced Reissue]Terence BoylanRefreshing Surprise
Bought this on the basis of CD Japans new release list and referencing the people who played on the record and googling Terence Boylan. Top songwriting and superb performances from all concerned including Timothy Schmidt, Jim Gordon, Don Henley and others from the 1970's Californian country rock era. You will recognise the minor hit Shake It but all the tracks are first class sung sensitively and beautifully arranged. Cannot understand why this did not sell and why Boylan did not become another Jackson Browne! Get this while it is still available
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All Things Must Pass [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]George HarrisonImmaculate packaging.
Immaculate packaging faithful to the original UK release. Superbly done and coupled with 2014 remastering and SHM sound makes this a future collectible. Get it while you can.
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Walls And Bridges [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]John LennonVastly Underrated
Second only to Imagine in the Lennon canon. The usual impeccable Lennon production and his strongest songs for years. The beautifully dreamy No9 Dream, the clever imagery of Old Dirt Road, the catchy Surprise Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) and the world weariness of Nobody Knows You (When You're Down and Out) one of Lennon's finest songs ever. Underrated at the time but a must have if you want the best of Lennon.
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The Rolling Stones In Mono [7-inch Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]The Rolling StonesBeautiful Set with Great Sound
This set is exceptional in terms of the 7 inch sleeve packaging and sound remastering. I am not a real fan of mono recordings but this set is wonderful to hear and takes me back to my first listen of Beggars Banquet on its release in mono all those years ago. This set is so far ahead of the the US release in particular because of its quality packaging and SHM format. Buy this before it becomes unavailable.
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Goodnight Vienna [SHM-CD]Ringo StarrRingo's Next Best
Ringo's follow up to the hugely successful Ringo album. Again a top notch array of stars to support Ringo including Lennon, Elton John and Harry Nilsson. Great songs such No No Song, Snookeroo and Nilsson's wonderful Easy For Me. Great songwriting, top notch performances and Richard Perry's production. A gem.
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Ringo [SHM-CD]Ringo StarrRingo's Best on SHM
Ringo's best album and finally making its debut on SHM. Quality contributions from the ex Beatles especially Harrison on Photograph, Sail Away and You and Me Babe etc. Produced by Richard Perry this is a quality pop album with great writing and top performances. The extra cd tracks include Early 1970 which is a sad but heartfelt plea from Ringo to his ex band mates for them to keep working with him on future Ringo performances. Looking forward to future releases to include the post Apple albums Rotogravure, Ringo the 4th, Bad Boy and Roses.
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Pure McCartney (Deluxe Edition) [SHM-CD] [Limited Edition]Paul McCartneyExcellent song collection
This is an excellent collection of songs representative of McCartney's post Beatles career. Reminds you how good McCartney is as a songwriter and gives you a new appreciation of his huge volume of work. Great production is a hallmark of McCartney's solo work.
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American Flyer [SHM-CD]American FlyerCountry Rock at its Best
Great songwriters (Eric Kaz, Craig Fuller etc) and fine production from George Martin. Strong songs including Love Has No Pride make this a must have album if you like the Eagles, Pure Prairie League and other 70 s country rock bands. This should have been a top 10 album!
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Imagine [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-SACD] [Limited Release]John LennonGreat Album and Great SACD
Nice SACD sound- clear and with depth. Better than the blu ray version. Cardboard original packaging but unfortunate that the cd label does not have the original artwork. Now for the Beatles on SACD.
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Walls And Bridges [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-SACD] [Limited Release]John LennonGood remaster enhanced by SACD
Good SACD remaster. Sound is clear with nice depth. Original paper sleeve excellent but wish they had retained the apple label on the CD. Now for the Beatles in SACD!