Customer Reviews

North & South

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gerry Rafferty had one massive hit, "Baker Street", that unfortunately resulted in little of his other material ever getting any airplay. This album came later, and although no track can challenge "Baker Street" in terms of hit potential, every track is strong, thoughtful, and well executed with his unique voice really coming out. I suspect that "Shipyard Town" was the only real single off the album, and it is one of my personal favourites of all time, but the other tracks are very consistent. This album is a bit more upbeat than his previous work, but still most definitely in the folk rock category.

This is a favourite album of mine, and I say go and get it. Also, do check out "City To City", the album that has the "Baker Street" track, as well as a number of other strong tracks.

"North and South" ended a lengthy recording hiatus for Rafferty. Surprsingly, given that it came 6 years after his last album, and 9 years after his last hit, the album only just missed the UK top 40.

Unsurprisingly the album is filled with wall-to-wall Rafferty classics. Most of the songs clock in at over six minutes, mainly due to lengthy introductions, but the music is almost sensual, and never boring. In fact the only weak cut on the album is by far the shortest. The laid back nature of most of the tracks may mean that the music will wash over you without leaving much of an impression, so my advice is to actually take the time to LISTEN to this master at work in order to fully appreciate just how wonderful this album is. Once it hits you you will not easily forget it.

This is my favourite Rafferty release bar none. If you're fond of any of his work at all you should have this album in your collection.

Having been a Gerry Rafferty fan from hearing the "City To City" album, I was thrilled when Rafferty had released "North and South" in 1988. It was a wait worthwhile. This album captures the high energy of "City To City", but has a Celtic flavor as well. The songs "A Dangerous Age", "Shipyard Town" and the title track "North and South" are the highlights of this album. Unfortunately, back in 1988, I had the feeling this album would not be as popular as the "City To City" album, so I went out and bought the tape as well. If you're a Gerry Rafferty fan and you run across "North and South" in a resale shop, grab it while you can! This album is a rare gem if you can find it!

I bought this disk in 1988 and was immediately overwhelmed by the power and feeling of most every cut. I still listen to the disc and find some of the tracks to be the most beautiful, and sad, that I have ever heard. Rafferty sings about the loss of love heart-breakingly well. There are so many good songs I could not begin to name them all. Lovely music. Lovely voice. Just wonderful music.

Has it really been almost 17 years since this was first released? NORTH & SOUTH's collection of tunes represent the very best Rafferty has ever offered -- yeah, even better than "Baker Street" and the CITY TO CITY album. Hooks galore, splendid production (even a bit of reggae!) and some of the finest guitar playing Jerry Donahue has ever put to vinyl...er, disc. If you're fortunate enough to find a used copy of this, GRAB IT! Recommended to fans of Richard Thompson. You know who you are.

This is a great disc by the "Baker Street" guy and is different than "City to City" from which his only big hit is taken. This album is very solid and has a folk (as expected) sound as well as Rafferty's trademark vocal. "North and South" is even more pronounced in its Celtic stylizations than previous material and for that it is well worth the listen. Several tracks stand out but the whole disc is quite even and stands up to repeated listenings. "Shipyard Town", "Tired of Talking", and the title track are wonderful, with what I call a 'U.K. Country' flavor. Crank this puppy up and tell people (who ask) - "It's that 'Baker Street' guy, you know..." Enjoy.

I puchased this CD when it was released in the late 1980's, and fell in love with it immediately. Today, it has lost none of its appeal. I have tried some of Rafferty's other material with little success. I wonder if this was the session where he got everything right?

Most of the songs are incredibly beautiful and melodic; even the few rockers having memorable and tuneful arrangements. Gerry's voice is a gift to the ear, and his backing band complements him perfectly. The lyrics frequently tell of heartbreak and love gone stale, adding to the haunting timelessness of the album.

If I had to pick 10 CD's from the last 20 years for my desert island, this would be one of them.

Truly one of Rafferty's finest works, and certainly his most polished. Every track works, and he given the album a distinctive sound by giving in to his Scottish roots. Fans who were won over by City to City will want to hear this as well.

This is an absolute gem of an album that went largely un-noticed on release in 1988. I won my copy (tape) on a radio call in - only thing I ever won. If it had been released a couple of years earlier (circa Dire Straits Brothers in Arms or Chris Rea - Dancing with Strangers) I can't believe that it would not have been huge. North and South is the absolute standout - I could listen to it forever absolutely sensational slow builder. Shipyard Town was the first single - nearly as catchy as Baker Street - and a similar style. Moonlight and Gold was the second single - a smoother than smooth ballad and stunner. Hearts Run Dry is a great song but was a poor choice for a single. Dangerous Age is catchy beyond belief. There is not a bad track on the whole shebang.
Production is stunning. If there is ever an album screaming out for digital release (preferably on CD) this is it. It is a crime that it is not currently available.

I bought this album on tape in 1988 and remember how the sound blew me away. I was familiar with Gerry Rafferty through his classic '70s song Baker Street, but was quite ignorant of his other works. Then they started playing Shipyard Town on the radio while I was at college and I thought "Wow!"
The whole album is strong, with a blend of rocking numbers and gentle ballads. In fact, Rafferty seems to be predictable alternating the more upbeat songs with ballads, but I like it just fine. In all, there are six faster songs and four ballads. My favorite track is the wistful Moonlight and Gold. Actually, I'm drawn to all the ballads - Hearts Run Dry, Winter's Come and On a Night Like This. But Shipyard Town is as powerful as it ever was, an epic, soaring blend of Celtic rock with Rafferty's unique voice sailing over it.
This album made me go back and listen to Rafferty's album from my sister's generation, City to City, to find if North and South wasn't a fluke. I was very pleased with the songs on City to City as well, especially The Ark and title track.