Al Stewart - Orange / Past, Present & Future / Modern Times (2 CDs)

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What a terrific double CD set this is.  3 fine Al Stewart albums from his CBS period plus one bonus B-side track.  A lavish booklet with lyrics to all the album tracks, original sleevenotes, an essay, timing, songwriting, musician and production details.  In short everything missing from the EMI double of "Year Of The Cat" / "On The Border" reviewed earlier here.  This release is on the independent Edsel label.  It costs a bit more than the EMI set but it's worth every penny.

CD1 comprises the "Orange" and "Past, Present & Future" albums in full.  "Orange" is a little dated and finds Al still in bedsit 1960s free love mode.  Hugely enjoyable, and boasting an instrumental very reminiscent of Bach on the lute.  "Amsterdam" is of its time but also timeless in its beauty.

"Past, Present & Future" is a more mature work with more adventurous arrangements.  Lyrically ambitious - a concept of some sorts epitomised by the track "Nostradamus" which is quite a contrast to the Judas Priest opus of the same name.  At just under 10 minutes Al's "Nostradamus" is the very model of brevity!  "Soho" and references to Christine Keeler and tarot cards date the album just as "Amsterdam" did "Orange".

CD2 kicks off with "Swallow Wind", the bonus track, and then moves on to the "Modern Times" album.  If you're of a certain age, you probably remember lead track "Carol" which was on heavy rotation on Radio Caroline.  "Apple Cider Re-Constitution" is a fantastic song - one of Al's best.  A special mention must go to Quiver guitarist Tim Renwick for his outstanding work on all three albums.

If you like the singer-songwriter genre, this set is an essential purchase.

Panic Room - Visionary Position

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Ah, Panic Room.  How I love this band.  I raved about their second release "Satellite" here. "Visionary Position" is their debut release and is almost as good.  It's definitely a 5-star album in its own right. 

I first discovered the band by checking the listings for a local music pub.  How astonishing to find a band of this quality playing such small venues.  I am sure a breakthrough must be just around the corner, so grab the chance to catch them up close and personal while you still can!  

This album has eight tracks but stretches to 65 minutes.  Only the closing track "The Dreaming" outstays its welcome, and that's due to a deliberately jokey reprise which doesn't spoil the main song.  The preceding song "I Wonder What's Keeping My True Love Tonight" is a divine trad folk classic arranged by the band and featuring some of the most engrossing acoustic guitar I've heard for a long time.  The album kicks off with the clever "Elektra City" followed by outstanding songs "Endgame", "Firefly" and the anthemic "Reborn".

There is only one version of the album, available as a CD or download from the usual suppliers or direct from the band's website at http://www.panicroom.org.uk/

Blue Oyster Cult - Original Album Classics (5 CDs)

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I'm not being lazy by picking so many of these "Original Album Classics" series.  They are really outstanding value if you like the material and the packaging concept.  So here we have 5 prime slabs of Blue Oyster Cult: the eponymous first album, "Tyranny And Mutation", "Secret Treaties", "Agents Of Fortune" and "Mirrors".  The first 4 of these come with bonus tracks - mainly demos, outtakes and live cuts.  Some of the material does sound dated now, but hey, I love it anyway.

I have always thought "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is the quintessential rock song.  The structure, pace and beauty of the original album version are augmented here by the presence of the demo of the track.  It's a shame we don't get the single edit as well but we are treated to the 7" of "Career Of Evil" here.

The last BOC album I bought was "The Curse Of The Hidden Mirror" which is pretty pedestrian compared to the gems here like "Dominance And Submission", "Mirrors", "The Revenge Of Vera Gemini" and "Workshop Of The Telescopes".

BOC always had fantastic taste with guest artistes so what a thrill to hear Patti Smith and Ellen Foley again.

I hope this is selling well.  I'd like to see a second BOC box (after all there are two Lou Reed ones) featuring such classic albums like "Imaginos" and "Spectres".

These BOC albums are widely available in different formats, but this box is the best way to get them.  Beware of paying over the odds for it though. It should only cost about the same a standard full price CD but I have seen it going for more on the website of a well known retailer.
My previous reviews of "Original Album Classics boxes were of Journey  and Kansas.

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