Customer Reviews

Iceberg/Kamikaze

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I just finished quite a scathing review for Man's "The Welsh Connection", which I ordered with this one. Unlike that one, this CD has had great care in preparing the recording for CD release. If you like the Man band, do not pass up these two solo albums by Deke Leonard. Recorded when (I think) Man was at their peak. Great writing & tight playing. Even if you've never heard of this guy, I bet you'll like it.

This 2 cd compilation of Deke's first two solo albums truly contains some of the finest music ever recorded! I know that sounds a bit over stated, but over the last 25 years or so since I first bought these albums on vinyl I find myself returning to these albums again and again. The songs are concise little slices of life. I think I can safely say that there is not a second wasted. The music jumps out and grabs you by the throat right from the start and doesn't let go. Deke's guitar playing shimmers, shines and dances around the songs. His solos are short and to the point, not a wasted note to be heard. His lyrics are excellent throught the 2 disks. It takes a real gift to write lyrics like those in "Jesse", "Nothing Is Happening", "Broken Glass And Limejuice" and "April The Third".

Deke Leonard is as much a national treasure (if I may call a Welshman `national`) as Ian Dury, Richard Thompson or Ronnie Lane. The tracks Hard Way to Live & I Just Can`t Win are rock classics of their kind.
What makes Deke such a vital force in rock is his driving intensity tempered with the irreverent wit always shown by the Man band and its various members and offshoots. He can sing like a man possessed, but he (and Man) are always melodic, witty and brilliant musicians.
Deke should have been more than merely a contender. Hell, he is! Why, the man`s a big hunk o` rock!
Settling in?

One of the most brilliant recordings ever! Heard this first on an underground station in B'ham Alabama in about 1974 or 75(maybe even sooner) Have had the "iceberg"lp for all that time but the 8-track of "kamakazi" self destructed many moons ago.I plan on ordering this package and can't wait to hear it on cd. Also check out Deke singing &playing on Man's "Welsh Connection" . I thank "Father Tree" the Birmingham fm dj who turned me on to Deke and so many others who never got their just dues!!!!

I listened to this only in tape version twenty years ago and have not heard it since but it has stayed in my "jeans all these years" I have to have the cd. I looked for it for years after I wore the cassette out. Life alltime favorite!!! I could use the maximum space allotted for this review but hopefully you willget the message and if this arrives in stock you'll get your copy,too!!!