Real CD Reviews
Real Radio’s Tony Wright picks four hot CDs he is loving right now
DAVID GRAY MICHAEL BOLTON
CHRIS REA MUSE
DRAW THE LINE ONE WORLD ONE LOVE
STILL SO FAR TO GO… THE RESISTANCE
Album number eight sees no let up The monster-selling superstar Michael THE BEST OF CHRIS REA
The Resistance is a superb album,
in the quality of output from Mr Gray. Bolton returns with a new album, A collection of fantastic songs from
which following on from the
He has spoken about ‘Draw The featuring a clutch of more than one of the UK’s biggest and most
monster that was ‘Black Holes And
Line’ being a new direction, but I’ve acceptable new songs. His tendency under-rated talents. Fool If You Think
Revelations’ must have taken many
had the slide rule out and I can see to overcook every performance in the It’s Over, I Can Hear Your Heartbeat,
fans by surprise, Unashamedly retro,
no deviation from his well-trodden past remains and can be a little trying, The Road To Hell (Pt 1 & 2) and an
the album opener really does put a
path. He’s lived with the anvil that is but the fact of the matter is he has an impressive 31 further tracks spread
line in the sand, as in one song we
‘Babylon’ around his neck for some undeniably great voice. across two CDs makes this a great
have near Dr Who blended with Rock
time now, and he’s tried hard to better listen. The only problem is this is
n Roll Pt1 and Blondie’s Call Me
it once again here. Unfortunately, he ‘One World…’ offers up nothing hardly an anticipated release, as
infl uences all wrapped into the belter
falls short. None of this is a problem extraordinary: there are no surprises, this is Mr Rea’s ninth ‘Best Of’ since
called ‘Uprising’. Following on, the
though, as from the opening track but it is perfectly Michael Bolton and his fi rst, ‘Old Light Through New
title track opens in an epic style and
‘Fugitive’ you know you’re in for a very listenable album, which he Windows.’ That was a ‘Best Of’ which
nearly falls into the Pet Shop Boys ‘It’s
something good as it builds with its probably made without breaking into a saw him he re-record most of his best
A Sin,’ but its euphoric rock beat and
layered harmonies and his instantly sweat. Opening up with the very nice songs, which some would say for the
brilliant vocals lift it into a place of its
identifi able Dylan-esque vocals. Caribbean feel – which is not really better; some for the worst.
own. The tracks roll on, and one after
reggae and not quite AOR – of ‘Ready another they continue to impress,
The release features mostly mid- For Love.’ Things pick up on track two, So, what we have here are all his and while they all seem to sound
tempo ballads broken only by the which is both the title track and the fi rst classics, reheated. Sadly some are like something else, they are all
aforementioned ‘Fugitive’ and ‘Stella single, and preaches of world love and not originals versions, but from ‘New totally unique and you just can’t stop
The Artist’ which is, by comparison is very Michael Bolton. Light…’ such as ‘Josephine,’ which listening. ‘The Resistance’ is faultless,
to the rest of the album, a full-on the original is far superior. ‘Still So as is the production (which is credited
rocker. ‘Kathleen’ hails the arrival of Looking to gain some street smarts, we Far To Go…’ fi lls in the blanks on the to the band.) Own this.
the fi rst collaboration, with the subtle see Mike teaming up with hip young more recent offerings from Rea, so
inclusion of Texan singer-songwriter things Ne-Yo on the vocoda driven ‘The it’s okay if you missed the last eight,
Jolie Holland with a haunting vocal Best’ and Lady Gaga on the R&B-ish as this will bring you bang up to date.
performance. The second comes ‘Murder My Heart’ and needless to say, There are the two new tracks ‘Come
via the higher profi le Annie Lennox Ne-Yo and Gaga pull back to Bolton’s So Far Yet Still So Far To Go’ and
on‘Closer’ and the very acceptable standard, rather than him stepping up ‘Valentino’, both unmistakably Rea,
‘Full Steam.’ to theirs. and both unlikely to make any inroads
past this release. So, if you don’t have
‘Draw The Line’ is without a doubt a It would have been good to hear him
a best of Chris Rea, you should buy
very enjoyable listen, but there is so take some risks and step outside of
this, it’s excellent.
little, maybe even nothing, to set it his comfort zone; it’s not like he needs
aside from his previous albums that the money now with a string of multi- Tony Wright
it’s hard to say too much more than million selling singles and albums to
Tony presents Real Radio
I have. If you’re a fan you’ll have it his credit. Regardless, ‘One Love One
Breakfast with Angela Jay on 105-
already, but if you are ‘Gray-curious’ World’ is a good album and no Michael
you should check it out. Bolton fan will be disappointed, as it’s
106FM, online at
realradio.co.uk,
right on message.
DAB and on Sky Channel 0146.
TONY WRIGHT PRESENTS REAL RADIO’S BREAKFAST SHOW WITH ANGELA JAY EVERY MORNING FROM 6AM.
Recall simpler Christmases
CORRECTION
A beautifully-restored garden in Wales is
Festive tunes, traditional-style
In the September
preparing to step back in time for the festive
issue of Swansea Life,
season when it hosts its traditional winter fairs
we ran this image
this year.
with incorrect details.
The correct details
The seasonal shopping experience, complete
are:
with choirs, traditional costumes, mulled
wine and bell ringers, is an annual event at
Farhi Dress £250.00
Aberglasney in Carmarthenshire and has
Vivienne Westwood
shoes £88.00
become one of the most talked-about festive
All from Jones
occasions.
54, Newton Road,
A marquee in the grounds of the historical
Mumbles, Swansea
garden showcases the very best quality arts
stallholders are luxury confectioner Heavenly;
and crafts, gifts, decorations, seasonal foods
cake and Celtic spirit liqueur connoisseurs
SA3 4BQ
and local produce. There are stalls of goodies
Popty Cara and cheese experts Caws
www.jonesdesignerfashions.co.uk
in the Mansion and an amazing array of plants
Cenarth. Also invited are Leatherwear, Tansy,
01792368001
in the Cloisters. Expected among this year’s
Teasle and Thyme, Ten Green Bottle, the
Welsh Harp Centre and Forest Culture.
swansealife November 2009 47
WhatsOn_Nov.indd 47 20/10/2009 13:04:10
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