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Best of Friends (CD + DVD)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Jools Holland

October 15, 2007
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.

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American V: A Hundred Highways

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Johnny Cash

July 03, 2006
This is a masterpiece, this is how records should be done, crisp sounds, a great and passionate voice, an intensity that is difficult to see in other records. I think this is his best performance ever, too bad he was not there to listen to it. His version of "Further up on the road" is just unbelievable, I think Springsteen might have cried when he listened to it. Similarly "four strong winds" is really good and better, for example, than Neil Young's version on Comes a Time.
A record that will make you cry, with passion and soul. I don't give 5 stars easily but this is just too good.

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The Felice Brothers

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Felice Brothers

March 03, 2008
Having already bought both Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes this year and been slightly disappointed I purchased this CD with a little trepidation. The music papers have hyped both the former to a level where they should become instant classics...but the Felice Brothers seemed to slip under the radar getting goo reviews but no more.

But hey! since first sticking the CD in the car stereo I haven't been able to take it out. OK on first listen I did think there was a Dylan fixation...but now I don't even detect it...it is the sound of the Felice Bros..

'Helen Fry' is a great track and does sound very much like an early Green on Red track with loads of organ in the background and 'Scarecrow' is a dark tale that you really need to listen ... Read More:

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After the Gold Rush

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Neil Young

July 31, 1987
If you want to try the music of Neil Young then this is a good one to start with but beware, being a Neil Young fan is addictive and expensive although its also very rewarding. With over 30 solo albums to his name, plus being a part of Crosby, Nash, Stills and Young and Buffalo Springfield too, you've stumbled across one of the most prolific and brilliant singer-songwriters ever to grace our wonderful planet.

Released in 1970, this was Young's third solo album and the most succesful until the release of Harvest two years later. Many people class this as his best piece of work and its certainly his most complete studio album in my opinion.

The album went multi Platinum in the states and has appeared on a number of "greatest albums ... Read More:

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The Very Best Of

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Val Doonican

September 29, 2008
Great release of Val Doonican in time for Christmas.

Especially pleased to find "I'm gonna get there somehow" on this CD

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A Hundred Miles Or More... A Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Alison Krauss

August 18, 2008
Alison Krauss I guess is one of those singers you either love or hate. She has a tonal quality that for me epitomises the very best in Bluegrass. This album is no exception. The sheer quality of her voice is at time unbelievable
and whilst it is true she veers away from pure bluegrass - her strength is that she can carry this off with huge credibility. I bought this album not only because I love Alison Krauss - but I heard her wonderful duet with James Taylor of "hows the world treating you?"- and simply had to have it! This is an old song recorded by Elvis in his early days - and hearing Alison and James brought back all those memories of wonderful songs, and meaningful lyrics. I also adore her version of "I'm just a country boy/girl" formerly recorded by Don ... Read More:

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Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Mary Chapin Carpenter

November 17, 2008
Disappointing in the extreme.I am an MCC fan but I'm afraid that I find the music on this CD boring.In fact at times I was left wondering whether the tracks had actually changed so alike one another do they sound.
I realise that not all Christmas songs need to be of the 'Jingle Bells' variety but interspersing the occasional 'lighter' track among the slow,nay dreary ones,wouldn't go amiss.

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Acid Tongue

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Jenny Lewis

September 22, 2008
After being thoroughly disappointed with Rilo Kiley's last album I approached this with some trepidation. Thankfully this turned out to be a good listen - not immediate but a definite 'grower' after a few plays. Songs such as 'Pretty Bird' and 'Godspeed' are gorgeous, for example. I've even grown to quite like Elvis Costello's contribution to 'Carpetbaggers' which at first struck me as rough and too raw. Now I think I think it fits the song. All in all, worth a listen. Jenny Lewis is a talented writer and singer - one wonders why she needs Rilo any more as this is far superior. I do agree with the reviewer about the cover - it is shockingly bad considering the quality of the contents. No stars for that!

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Play: the Guitar Album

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Brad Paisley

November 10, 2008
This is just an amazing record. Brad has incredible talent and masters a lot of different music styles; not just country. It is indeed a 'different' record with mostly instrumental tracks, but he pulls it off perfectly. This is as good as it gets. Congrats, Brad! ( too bad the cd-cover design is as ugly as it gets ;-)

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The Best of Steeleye Span

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Country
by: Steeleye Span

August 26, 2002
Worth the price of admission for Gaudete alone, this is a good solid folk album, you can picture the lead singer resting his chin on his hand as he nasally crafts each track. For someone new to Span, it is a grower, which is always a sign of quality in an album.

If I have one gripe, it's that several songs, and 'All Around My Hat' in particular, tend to go a bit 'Quo' when they get over-excited. This is of the time, and to a degree the Span signature, but I find it an unnecessary blot on an otherwise great CD.