CD-Charts Position 1
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Magic

by: Bruce Springsteen

Release Date October 01, 2007
what a terrible album, could he be running out of steam??? all good comes to an end sometime

CD-Charts Position 2
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Chrome Dreams II

by: Neil Young

Release Date October 22, 2007
A magnificant album which sees Young at possibly his peak, will be
difficult to follow, a landmark.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Chrome Dreams II: +DVD

by: Neil Young

Release Date October 22, 2007
As a life long fan of Neil Young imagine the anticipation of a DVD! The music on Chrome Dreams seemed fine enough and then I sat back to watch the DVD expecting some footage of Neil and the band.

What did I get? Well, not the 'moving video image' as stated on the can. There was just music with close-ups of a rusting car and nothing else.

So sorry Neil but the DVD is less than miserable. I bought Steve Earle's 'Washington Serenade' at the same time. Again fine music BUT with a great DVD with Steve showing some passion for music.

Next time maybe try to give your fans a treat with a genuine DVD and don't be afraid to show some love and passion for your music in front of the camera. Come on and give it a go!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Revival

by: John Fogerty

Release Date October 08, 2007
It has been a long time coming but the end result is a quality product. My girlfriend and I listened to it for the first time on a long drive across Germany and Belgium and we liked it so much that we let it repeat several times. The melodies are good, the musicianship is first class and some of the political comment is very apt. he even nods in the direction of CCR a couple of times. Great stuff!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Dirt Farmer

by: Levon Helm

Release Date October 22, 2007
Best Helm in years this is rock with goose bumps!Its a long time since I've heard such brilliant vocals, instruments and lyrics plus backing vocals.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Shine

by: Joni Mitchell

Release Date September 24, 2007
A little late in the day to be sure sure but with good reason.

I wasn't sure I wanted to hear it but having bought the album
it then took me a good year to absorb its' wily charms.

'Shine' is a conceit of a sort you see.

The languidly marvelous orchestral excesses of'Both Sides Now' (2000)
and 'Travelogue' (2002) notwithstanding it has been almost
a decade since the last recording of new and original material and
'Taming The Tiger' (1998) could never be seen to have been a high point
in Ms Mitchell's long and illustrious career.

Having 'retired' from the business of strumming and singing in
2002 her muse lay dormant for a while but we can be glad that
she has set her paintbrushes ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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A Hundred Miles Or More... A Collection

by: Alison Krauss

Release Date August 18, 2008
Alison Krauss I guess is one of those singers you either love or hate. She has a tonal quality that for me epitomises the very best in Bluegrass. This album is no exception. The sheer quality of her voice is at time unbelievable
and whilst it is true she veers away from pure bluegrass - her strength is that she can carry this off with huge credibility. I bought this album not only because I love Alison Krauss - but I heard her wonderful duet with James Taylor of "hows the world treating you?"- and simply had to have it! This is an old song recorded by Elvis in his early days - and hearing Alison and James brought back all those memories of wonderful songs, and meaningful lyrics. I also adore her version of "I'm just a country boy/girl" formerly recorded by Don Williams - but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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All I Intended to Be

by: Emmylou Harris

Release Date June 09, 2008
I liked this album a lot. It starts off strong and gets better through to the two songs at the end, which for me were the highlights. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voice, beautiful music, beautifully produced. A melancholy album pretty much through and through I felt, and that would be my only criticism. Nothing pacey and upbeat to help mix it up a bit. Four stars from me.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Keep It Simple

by: Van Morrison

Release Date March 17, 2008
Some Van Morrison albums take some time to get into but this one hits the spot straight from the off. As a long time fan, it is hard to place this album against his impressive back catalogue, will take living with it for awhile but I can't see any Van lovers being disappointed as it includes some great simple Celtic Soul and Blues music, featuring guitar, harp, organ, banjo, fiddle, accordion, sax, etc and some beautiful singing. Lover Come Back is another great love song, Behind The Ritual another mystical atmospheric classic, Keep It Simple something of a manifesto and all the other songs add up to a quality album. Remember, Van knows.

CD-Charts Position 10
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The Bairns

by: Rachel Unthank And The Winterset

Release Date August 20, 2007
We caught Rachel Unthank at Cambridge Folk Festival in 07 and were blown away. It reminded me of some of the cutting age post punk stuff (hardly sounds folk!) in the early to mid 80s, not that we can trace much of this but vague memories of Peel, and support groups to the Nightingales and Terry and Jerry (sorry I am indulging myself here).

So after playing the Bairns to death, and tiring of it a little, totally surprised when we saw them live again to appreciate how wonderful this is and to have to play it once again.

Brilliant that a whole new audience can now appreciate it through the mercury nominations and even more wonderful to meet Becky at the Big Chill, even if I had forgotten the camera at the time (hope that she doesn't think she has a middle aged groupie)