Customer Reviews

Game Set Match

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This one is a total blinder. Its not as consistent as Penguin Eggs, but has cuts on it that are equal to anything on that album. Some are even better: the take on Clyde Water here reaches new levels of emotional impact, its devastating.

I'm digging out all these new releases now. if they're half as good as this one i'll be happy.

All sorts of older folkies are getting lots of pres and kudos these days but give me this guy anyday over Jansch, Bunyon etc (much as I love them), hes peerless.

It is frustrating that Nic's classic, five-star studio albums are all largely out of print and impossible to find, so we will have to do with these rag tag collections of radio gigs and fan recordings. So be it - all of this music is amazing. The song selection here will be familiar to most of Nic's fans, and I am not completely sure that some of these takes have not already appeared on similar collections. Nevertheless you absolutely have to have these. Nic's emotional reading of "Master Kilby" here is simply one of the very best performances of his career and surpasses the official studio version by miles. His staggering guitar technique and powerful voice are amazingly consistent even though these performances seem to come in from many different places and times, every song gets a committed, hearty reading.

The book notes are a bit skimpy on the details, and sonically the record varies quite a bit (as expected considering the sources) but the CD is a satisfying listen. Devotees of traditional song could spend eons with this collection.