Advantages: The wonderful tracks My Man, Don't Explain etc
Disadvantages: The dialogue interupts musical flow

...Lady Sings The Blues premiered to an eager, anticipating audience in October 1972. The public flocked in droves to the cinemas to see this much-hyped film, whilst critics watched intensley and eagerly sharpened their pencils. Soul singer and Motown legend, Diana Ross controversially took the role of the tortured Jazz legend, Billie Holiday and deservedly won wide critical acclaim for her harrowing and riviting performance in the film which subsequently gained her an oscar nomination (though Diana sadly lost out to Liza Minnelli for Cabaret - people claimed this was down to Berry Gordy's over-kill campaign to get her to win where Berry sent various extravagent gifts to members of the comittee which was merely perceived as a ploy to get her to win). Critics were instantly silenced on hearing the movies quintessential and divine... Read review

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Advantages: very convincing style of writing
Disadvantages: sometimes contains too much information on one page

...*** John Murray, born in West Cumbria in UK now lives in Brampton near Carlisle. A writer with reporting kind of talent, a lover of words, Murray in “Jazz etc” is intelligent and educativily informative. By now, he has published five critically honored novels and a collection of stories, “Pleasure”, which won the Dylan Thomas Award in 1988. His novels, “Radio Activity” (1993) and “Reiver Blues” (1996), were nominated as Books of the Year in The Spectator, The Independent and The Observer. In 1984 Murray founded the fiction magazine, “Panurge”, the magazine that celebrated a number of young writers. John Murray's previous novel, “John Dory”, was listed for the Lakeland Book of the Year and won the creative category, the first novel to receive such an award... Read review

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Advantages: Some decent rhythm and blues
Disadvantages: Film dialogue in the wrong places

.... The "Perry Mason Theme" has a down tempo, almost bar room jazz type feel to it, with perhaps a touch of soul mixed in. It's not really a song I'd listen to on its own, but it's one that will always remind me more of the Blues Brothers than it ever will of Perry Mason. Once more, the Blues Brothers get a song, as Elwood sings with Mighty Mac for the first time. "Looking For a Fox" runs to much the same themes as "Cheaper to Keep Here", although it's a far more upbeat and up tempo number. It's a great rhythm and blues number, although I can't hear it without it reminding me of how bad a dancer John Goodman (who is Mighty Mac) is in the film. Any fan will recognise "Can't Turn You Loose" as the introduction music for the Blues Brothers from the first film and it's tough to not hear Cab Calloway's intro from that film over the top. I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: May be the best contemporary white female blues singer and acoustic guitarist you'll ever hear.
Disadvantages: None

...THE ARTIST: In 1981 Rory Block was no young white female blues singer like today’s Susan Tedeschi. Nor was she the Bonnie Raitt of old, back in her incredible pre-Grammy days in the late 60s and early 70s. That’s when Bonnie would play small clubs like the old Main Line on Philadelphia’s Haverford Avenue, a steel National Guitar on her knee, a leer in her eyes, an oath in her mouth, grinding her hips as she played, purring “I’m gonna put you in my blender, gonna whip mash ‘n puree.” No, already in 1981 Block was arguably better than both -- possibly the best contemporary white female combination blues singer and acoustic guitar player around. We’re talking about a woman who, as a teen working in her father Alan’s legendary leather and sandal shop in New York’s Greenwich Village in the 60s and 70s, would watch and listen... Read review

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Advantages: Every one you can think of
Disadvantages: none

...Williamson is a good example of what I mean. Chuck Berry? Does he belong on this Blues CD? Most definitely, he does. As well as helping to create the new Rock and Roll sound, Chuck Berry was a very accomplished Blues man. As his song Wee Wee Hours is a firm testament to. And the First Time I Met the Blues by Buddy Guy? If this doesn't send shivers up and down tour spine, baby, you ain't GOT no spine! I made mention of Etta James. Her song Tell Mama is a good, romping song, which, with its horn section reflects the style of Blues epitomised in the film the Blues Brothers, which was, in all probability dipping very tentative toe into the waters of Rhythm and Blues. Willie Dixon's Walking the Blues, however, gives more than a nod towards Dixieland Jazz. I think it was something my father would have approved of, him being a fan... Read review

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Advantages: Blues music, what more can be said? Many great legends of blues and soul.
Disadvantages: Not enough songs

...No doubt, many of you have seen the Blues Brothers film, and I expect all of you have at least heard of the Blues Brothers. I was first introduced to them after seeing the stage musical production (which blew me away, it was phenomenal) and afterwards, I listened to this album which has always been in our household, but I had always ignored it. I only recently saw the film when it was broadcast on TV so it’s fair to say I was travelling backwards as far as the Blues Brothers is concerned! This soundtrack album includes almost all of the songs that are featured in the film, missing out only one or two. Unfortunately, the priceless performance of Wanda Jackson’s “Stand By Your Man” isn’t present, but that’s probably a good thing really! I’ll skip on the storyline of the film as it’s the music that matters here. If you... Read review

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Advantages: Generous 75ml bottle
Disadvantages: No atomiser, doesn't last well

...Hugo Boss hit the fashion market a good few years ago now, famed for expensive suits and contemporary gentlemans fashion. It's not just clothes though, over the years Hugo has released occasional scent, beginning with "Boss No. 1" back in 1985. There must have been something of an "aftershave boom" in the late 1990s and through into the new millenium as there was a constant stream of new scents being released by most of the big fashion houses. So it was that, in 1999, Hugo Boss released "Dark Blue" onto an unsuspecting world. Following on from the wildly successful "Hugo", Dark Blue had a lot to live up to. Hugo, alongside Eternity for Men, had become something of a staple for men aged around 20. So where would Dark Blue fit into the picture? It was squarely aimed at the nightlife, party-people market. The dark-blue glass bottle... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Sophisticated and beautiful
Disadvantages: None!

...I love all kinds of music, really, but in my private listening time I tend to listen to complicated music or expressive singer-songwriter types- my tastes run from Jethro Tull and Frank Zappa to James Taylor and Jackson Browne. I had begun to get interested in Jazz- listening to Bill Bruford and Brand X, Weather Report, those kinds of things. I admit that I had not really listened to this kind of jazz before my first encounter with "Blues for Stuff and Steph" - given to me by a friend- let alone, ever heard of Stuff Smith. I had an old CD of Stephane Grappelli somewhere but hadn't listened to it for years. By the time I'd got to the fourth track, Nuages, I was mesmerised. The violin, so soulful, crooned to me, the piano, a beautiful soft accent like a waterfall behind the trees, the bass and drums keeping it all together very... Read review

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Advantages: Absolutely splendid food, very friendly and efficient staff, good prices, great wine
Disadvantages: None

...As a frequent visitor to Dublin (my husband and I have been every year since 2001), I feel like I've eaten in most of the restaurants in the city centre, but every year we make at least one trip to the Eliza Blues restaurant. Every time we've been here we have been seated in a different place - ranging from near the window to on the slightly raised platform a the back. Each location has been wonderful for different reasons and we've had no complaints in that respect. Each time our waitress has introduced herself promptly and offered us a pre-dinner drink from the extensive menu. They have an excellent selection of wines, beers and spirits as well as liqueurs for after dinner. We have sampled a number of their bottles of wine and have never had a bad bottle, always thoroughly enjoying our well-priced choice. The food has... Read review

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Advantages: Some new and different sounds from the band
Disadvantages: Disappointing opening and closing tracks

...The morning of Saturday 8th November was an exciting one. One week after being informed by CDWOW that the new Blue CD, Guilty, was winging its way to me, the thud through the letterbox told me it was here. I immediately got Paul to work, taping it for my car as I was travelling to and from Manchester and I have no CD player in my car. I was hoping that the trip would give me ample opportunity to listen to the album a few times – what I wasn’t banking on was Jacob chattering on for 2 hours solid and expecting replies to his every question and statement. Unfortunately, not much listening took place. But now it is all quiet so I’ve grabbed my CD player and I’m going to have a proper listen to the album, with hopefully no interruptions. Of course, it’s all in the name of Ciao research – oh yes, and the fact that I’m going to see them live... Read review

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