Magic

Pilot | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 5, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables
• ASIN: B000000946
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,314 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Just a Smile

2. Magic

3. Lucky for Some

4. Girl Next Door

5. Lovely Lady Smile

6. Sooner or Later

7. Don't Speak Loudly

8. Over Speak Moon

9. Never Give Up

10. High into the Sky

11. Auntie Iris

12. Sky Blue

13. Just Let Me Be [*]

14. January [*]

15. Do Me Good [*]

16. The Mover [*]

17. Canada [*]

Editorial Reviews

A magical collection. The Scottish trio Pilot had their biggest hit in 1975 when their song "Magic" went all the way to #5 on the Pop charts. They followed it up with "Just a Smile" and "January" (all produced by Alan Parsons) and you can hear them at their most magical on this collection of their best.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pure pop for now people!, January 18, 2001

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magic (Audio CD)

Before disco dominated the airwaves in the 1970's there was a brief window where power pop was God. Badfinger, the Raspberries, 10cc, Queen all provided a rich tapestry full of great guitar licks, hooks that wouldn't quit and great harmonies. Pilot despite their status as 1 hit wonders managed to hold their own with the aforementioned groups.

Their first and only major hit Magic echoes Badfinger's(who were in turn influenced by the Beatles)No Matter What with its tight construction and rich melody. The rest of this CD doesn't quite live up to that single but most of the material is still fairly strong. I've often thought of Pilot as Badfinger or 10cc light; their music lacked the wit and lyrical ambition of Badfinger and the sardonic humor of 10cc (that would be the Godley & Creme era 10cc). Regardless, they managed to put together a trio of albums full of rich melodic fluff. I'd describe Pilot as the Pooh Bear of pop music bands.

While the songs are fairly routine lyrically and about as deep as a cup of coffee, the melodies, harmonies and arrangements make this confection go down relatively smooth (provided you don't gag when you eat cotton candy).

Interestingly, Pilot's drummer Stuart Tosh toured with 10cc as a drummer (so that 10cc's drummer could focus on singing) and eventually joined the band when Lol Creme and Kevin Godley left 10cc. He plays drums on Deceptive Bends and a couple of other albums as well.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If it's not Scottish it's ... well, you know., June 5, 2000

By 

Wes Saylors Jr. (Boone, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Magic (Audio CD)

There's definitely some Beatles coursing through the veins of Pilot, but the influence I recognized (and really enjoyed) was Queen. Check out the guitar licks in Magic. This is the kind of high-octane pop from the 70s that could only be the result of 3 boys from Scotland. (Especially endearing is when the brogue breaks through, like in Canada or Just a Smile.) If you want a CD that exists simply for the purpose of making you feel good, this is the one. If you are a product of the 70s (the NINETEEN 70s) like me, then this CD will feel like an old Scottish friend who sings charming pop songs to you. Oh Oh Oh, It's Magic.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than "Magic", March 27, 2000

By 

Manig (Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic (Audio CD)

Catchy, Catchy, Catchy tunes. Sure the lyrics are simple...sometimes downright silly(see "Auntie Iris") BUT you'll never find a 70s band with songs with more hooks. Also, David Patons vocals are so unique and very captivating.

Not only do you get all of the fingersnappin' gems from Pilots first album, this special release includes 3 songs from "Second Flight" and 2 from "Morin Heights" their only other US releases. Both recommended if you can find them!

Obviously the group was tremendously influenced by the Beatles but there is certainly nothing wrong with that! Especially when you pull it off the way these guys did!