You can't beat a bit of Brummie Reggae. A throw back to early 1980s black inequality, three million unemployed and on the dole in Thatcher's inner city Britain. A classic album, and a great document of that era. Used millions of times, usually accompanied with grainy news footage of inner city squaller, queues at the job centre, inner city riots, burnt out cars and striking industrial union members.

Now we're talking. One of the greatest live albums of all time. Just listen to to that drumming of Ian Paice. Blackmore on Guitar and Gillan's singing on child in time. EPIC! Five Stars. Jon Lord on organ and Glover on Bass. A classic album, if ever I heard one. Worth it for Highway Star only.

Nice try posh boys.

This is one of my favourite albums of all-time. It's worthy of a full user review, as it's a true classic. For those who have lived under a rock, or are born this millennium, Kate Bush is considered a true genius and this is viewed my many, as her seminal album. Side 1 has a collection of "hits", including; Running up that Road, Hounds of Love, The Big Sky and Cloudbusting. The subject matter is varied, including a mother's love for her son, who has committed murder, and exploration of dreams, with inspiration take from the Peter Reich memoir A Book of Dreams. It is Side Two that in my opinion the album flourishes. A suite of seven songs based on the same theme, under the heading, "The ninth wave". The story is of a woman/mother who has fallen through the ice on a frozen lake and is trapped, thinking of those left behind, as she fights to stay afloat and alive. Highlights for me are, "And dream of sheep" and "Hello Earth". There's even a Celtic Jig in there (Jig of Life). What an album! 46 minutes of perfection. Impossible to fault.

Can see why it was called Modern Sounds, the big band feel, makes it bright, sharp and punchy. None of these tracks sound like Country and Western songs, so I'm assuming they are standards/classics in C&W which makes Charles reinterpretation of them so striking, he's placing a big band aesthetic over them, making them feel new and impactful. Charles has great phrasing, he can stretch and hold a note so well. Not many words in some of the lyrics, but he lets them float over the music. He also hold and bend notes so well, to fit to fill the phrasing and tempo of each song. More a fan of the uptempo numbers, but the slower ones show off the versatility of Ray’s voice/tone.

Never heard of this before. Intrigued after reading the Wikipedia entry. Ok only

Melted into the background. and all warbling sounded the same to me in the end. One line that stuck out, “I have green eyes because I eat vegetables”. She has brown eyes on the album sleeve. Sorry for being glib.

Shite

Does nothing for me

Brilliant