Category: Album Reviews

February 29, 2016 / Album Reviews - Archive

The Essential Recordings (Primo/Planet) 8/10 Jacques Brel’s conservative, religious upbringing in Belgium would subsequently prove a crucial catalyst for both the satire and the more provocative elements of his marvellous lyrics. Brel was a major influence on songwriters ranging from Leonard Cohen to David Bowie, and the greatest cabaret artist…

February 18, 2016 / Album Reviews - Archive

PASSION WORLD (Concord) 7/10 Fred and Ginger, tomato and basil, gin and tonic: some pairings are such a natural fit as to seem inseparable. Singer Kurt Elling and pianist Laurence Hobgood were such a match for 20 years, but now the party is apparently over (excepting Hobgood’s presence as an…

February 11, 2016 / Album Reviews - Archive

BORN TO PLAY GUITAR (Sony) 8/10 Delivering electric live performances at the age of 79 is one thing, but finding something new to say on record when nearly 50 albums drenched in the blues have gone before is another. That Buddy Guy – he of the huge, keening voice and…