Customer Reviews

Not Til Tomorrow

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

 

 

I first puchased this album way back in 1972 and though Ralph's written and recorded many tracks since I still relate to this album as his to be his best! It holds a great variety guitar styles and simply goes to show that he certainly has a greater depth to his range than The Streets Of London alone! The other albums I'd recommend a listen (as second bests) are both live, "Ralph Albert & Sydney" and his more recent release "The Ferryman" . Ralph I'm afraid, seems to be one of these artists that is more suited unacompanied, though that can't be said for this album. Early John Martyn recording are a suitable companion to Ralph's. Enjoy!

I own a lot of McTell's albums, and I've always believed this is far and away his best. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say "Not Till Tomorrow" ranks with the very best contemporary folk albums of the last thirty-five years. It's nearly an hour long, and every cut on it is a first-rate example of expert song-writing craft, not to mention the performances. Two in particular--'Birdman' and 'Gypsy'--are just about as good as it gets. The mood swings from atmospheric to political to contemplative to comical and ironic effortlessly, and although McTell's voice is rather ordinary-sounding, it's expressive enough to hold its own among the sensational array of side musicians he has backing him up (and he's quite a good guitarist in his own right!). I love this album, and you will too!

When I evaluate an 'album' (as an album), I tend to approach it as a portfolio of material representative of a given artist. It is the collective whole - the 'multi-course dining experience' - that to my mind should be judged as an 'album'. For me, then, a 'great album' is one which in one sitting provides a rich sampling of that artist's depth and variety. Additionally, I consider it crucial that the artist (as opposed to the producer, etc.) 'come through' clearly. After 30 years, I have yet to find any competitor to _Not Til Tomorrow_ as my #1 'portfolio - album' of all time.

It is, indeed, very good news for all singer-songwriter fans that Ralph McTell's Not Til Tomorrow and Easy have at last been released on CD, and are once again available. These are both superb albums. I agree completely with the previous reviewer who ranked Not Til Tomorrow among the finest singer-songwriter discs of the past 35 years. It unquestionably is. Easy is another exceptional record, and I would place it at the same exalted level. These are records that can be spoken of in the same terms as, say, Eric Andersen's Blue River and Joni Mitchell's Blue. They are essential parts of any singer-songwriter collection. You should treat yourselves to these records. Further good news has recently arrived to the effect that Ralph's follow-up to Easy, Right Side Up, has also just been re-released. Though I don't think it quite matches these two overall, it too is a must. Several of his very best songs (From Clare to Here, Tequila Sunset, Weather the Storm and Slow Burning Companion) are on Right Side up, so on that basis alone it is way ahead of most singer-songwriter albums. There is no question but that Ralph McTell is one of the 10 finest male singer songwriters of the past 4 decades...perhaps even top 5. If you don't know his work, do make his acquaintance as soon as you can.

YES I agree with the other reviewers that this is a five star folk album. Trouble is that it seems to be unavailable on Amazon most of the time. It can be ordered through Ralph's web site along with most of his other CD titles. Hope this helps. Ralph McTell needs to be heard by many more!!