Customer Reviews

Tin Man Was a Dreamer

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

 

 

Oh, so long ago (like 20 years) I lost my platter (12" vinyl) of this recording. This album is ESSENTIAL! I remember it all! I've searched for it and asked for it everywhere. I couldn't give it up! Imagine my DISBELIEF when I find, it is finally available on CD! (thanks, Amazon!) My cup runneth over! The Tin Man Was a Dreamer is an all time fundamental recording. Banana Anna is hot hot hot! Dolly is a love ballad. Pig's boogie (my favorite!) is fiery and skilled piano gymnastics. I can't categorize this album. It's insight and talent, with complexities so smooth, it feels elementary. Albums in a similar vein may be Traffic - Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys, Little Feat - Dixie Chicken, and the keyboard talent and dexterity of Keith Emerson. Nicky is a quiet man and a thinker. The piano on this album is phenomenal! Nicky Hopkins is a phenomenon. (He was the Rolling Stones keyboardsman, too, ya know.) This is hot, happy, stimulating music. Your collection is incomplete without it.

Nicky Hopkins was an underrated musician who decided to try a solo album with this venture. He played with The Rolling Stones as a studio musician, and with Quicksilver Messenger Service as a full fledged member. The first five tracks of the album were the best in my opinion, and after that it flounders, revealing Hopkin's weakness as a rock and roll writer. However, 'Dolly' is a haunting ballad that includes Mick Taylor on lead guitar, and 'Edward' is an interesting instrumental that rocks. The quality of those first five tracks more than makes up for the rest of the album which unfortunately seemed like an afterthought. However, ultimately, it is a classic and one I searched for on CD for many years. Thank you Amazon!

If I had heard this album back in the 70's when I was a kid, I'm sure this would be have been one of my personal favorites, a cherished gem that I'd have returned to again and again to experience its unique mysterious charm. As the phenomenal session pianist for so many, the unofficial sixth Stone, and the brilliant performer in his own right, Nicky Hopkins rates as the greatest under known musician of my life. So under known, in fact, that I've never heard any of his solo material, as much as I adore his work with the Stones. I've owned "Jamming With Edward" since it was released on cd, so when I stumbled across this album on amazon, and heard the samples, I was flummoxed - how had I never heard it?! What a magically eerie mood his voice casts and how amazingly well balanced are all the arrangements, his distinctive piano never overwhelming. Even the "lesser" tracks, the ones that sound more dated and quaint, have a deeply alluring mystique. "Edward" would have had its grooves worn through, not just because it's my name, but because it's such a masterful expression of everything that's wonderful about great music. I'm surprised it hasn't found its way into any number of tv commercials, movie soundtracks, and sports telecasts. Some people keep good secrets and the ones who kept this secret from me should be flogged. As if I didn't have enough reasons to want to live my life over...

I happened upon this album in the 70's, as a teen. My friend shared it with me, and I fell instantly head over heels with Nicky Hopkins songs. I even named one of my pet chickens Dolly. Subsequently, also a fan of Peter Frampton, I was delighted when I discovered that he accompanied Peter Frampton on my favorite Frampton tune "Sail Away". If you have not had the opportunity to listen to the late Nicky Hopkins, I highly recommend that you add this CD to your collection. And when you check out some of your older albums, I will bet you find quite a few he played session piano for! He was one of the most energetic and soulful pianists of his time, a teller of wonderful (non-smarmy) love songs and band experiences, with a genuine warm and happy vocal style.

Nicky Hopkins was one of the driving forces behind Quicksilver Messenger Servce, as well as a big, in demand session piano player. He just has this unique piano playing gift, and has a voice that is so distinctive. His voice really grows on you. This album is long gone from my collection, and it is nice to finally see it available on CD. The one song I have sung from time to time is Dolly....."Dolly, where are you? Dolly, come see me through. Dolly, I'm so in love with you....."
I will have to save a few pennies for this one, but I remember this being Nicky's best effort.

I have been looking for this on CD for some time & was surprised to find it at Amazon. This is Nicky's best solo recording as a whole with a great cast of 'guest' musicians including George Harrison. The sound quality is pretty good considering we have no idea if these are from the 'master' Stereo 2 track tape mixes. Love the cover art with the fingers as piano keys. A must for your Beatle collection. Had the pleasure to meet Nicky (and his dad & sis) when he was touring with the Jeff Beck Group at the Electric Factory in Philly 1968. Long live the music Nicky Hopkins!

One of my all-time favorite albums! Yes, my copy is an old and, I'm sure, worn album. (I haven't had a turntable hooked up in at least 10 years, but I still have my album collection.) I've been aquiring CD versions of my "faves". I'm glad to see this is available to add to me CD collection!

Nobody added more to more rock and roll albums than Nicky Hopkins. He was a full member of The Jeff Beck Group (along with Ron Wood and Rod Stewart), Quicksilver Messenger Service and The Jerry Garcia Band. As a sideman, he moved the sound to another level for Jefferson Airplane, Steve Miller, Matthew Sweet, the Beatles and (listen to "Angie") the Rolling Stones' very best work.

Here, he shows off his instrumental skills but the writing and singing are painful.