Kirsty Maccoll - From Croydon to Cuba: An Anthology
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Free Music Notes for From Croydon to Cuba: An Anthology
Free Music Review: Please, Sir, May we have some more?
Hit: 5 Stars
I suppose an anthology is difficult to compile, however, it seems a no brainer that unreleased or not available on cd music should be included. There are wonderfully rare gems on this 3 cd set, but there are enough still out there to make a fourth cd, maybe more. Kirsty Maccoll was undoubtedly one of the most diverse and underappreciated artists ever. Her lyrics run the gamut from politically charged to down right silly. In between there are amazing moments of poignancy, sensitivity, deep reverence, and humilty. These works are balanced by others full of exceedingly clever, witty, sexy, tongue-in-cheek fun.
There have been artists who have reinvented themselves and/or continued to record through various periods. Some have even ventured bravely into uncharted territory by releasing albums of a style they are not typically known for. However, none have expressed the true command of music as a whole like Kirsty Maccoll. This amazing woman from a London Suburb has successfully explored American Country, '60s Pop, Folk, Irish Traditional, Rockabilly, Electronic, Middle Eastern Rhythms, MOTR Pop, Adult Contemporary, Punk, Latin Rhythms from across the Americas, Zydeco, and at the time of her death was venturing into Broadway/West End Showtunes. Not only did she create textbook examples of these styles, she more often fused them effortlessly into her own sound. Sadly she was followed by a series of circumstances that made commercial success fleeting and sporadaic. For this reason, I think it unlikely that songs not released on this anthology will ever make it to commercial release.
Kirsty fans are sometimes divided over which Kirsty they prefer; Early, experimental pop Kirsty; Middle, melancholy, thought provoking Kirsty; Later, funky, fun, back-on-top Kirsty tend to be the categories. However, all agree that her diversity is a trademark and validation of her talent. For that reason, I think it a shame that so many gems were left out of this collection when so much currently available work has been included.
Regardless of the lack of rarities, there is, without a doubt, something for everyone on this compliation. Thankfully, pieces from the shelved '80s electonic pop album "The Real MacColl" have been included. It was also a pleasure to hear a selection from the last of her recordings; the work from her showtune collaboration. The inclusion of the elusive "You Caught Me Out" brought a huge sigh of releif to many longing for more classic Kirsty. It's hard to review the songs on this album by one standard, as there is such a variety of styles and themes, other than to praise them each for expressing some facet of Kirsty's vast talents.
It is no wonder that she has worked with and inspired artists as diverse as Evan Dando and U2, or David Gray and Matchbox, or the fists-ready Pogues and the sugar-sweet Tracey Ullman. Some of these collaborations are included on this anthology as are other less commercially flashy but none-the-less brilliant works with the moving talents of Mark Nevin, Billy Bragg, Gavin Povey, and Pete Glenister.
Certainly, the variety of styles suggests that, just as there is something for everyone, there are also some songs that will initially disappoint those who are looking for their favourite Kirsty production style. However, further listening often brings appreciation to music that at first seems unpleasant. Fortunately, it doesn't take too many passes at her songs to find some element of her talent that grabs you brusquely by the shoulders and whispers in your ear, "Hey, pal, I'm glad your here, I wrote this for you. Now, check this out!"
Free Music Review: A BOX SET FOR KIRSTY...FINALLY!
Hit: 5 Stars
It sure took long enough for it to happen, but it was worth the wait! "From Croydon to Cuba" is a excellent collection, it features all her singles, a few b-sides, her best album tracks, and a lot of previously unreleased material. Now it would be very easy to complain about whats not on here, but that's just nitpicking, besides it would be nearly impossible to put every great song she ever wrote and/or recorded into one concise package! Thankfully Kirsty and her music is finally getting the respect it deserves, with re-issues of "Kite", "Electric Landlady", and "Titanic Days"(my personel favorite), these also feature the B-sides from each era, remixes, and more unreleased material (now if they would just release "Desperate Character" and her unreleased second album "Real" in it's entirety). This anthology eclipses the others("Galore", "The One and Only") and is a must for not only Kirsty fans, but anyone who likes eclectic artists and music.Free Music Review: The Best of the Best - Buy This Now!
Hit: 5 Stars
I am not one who is given to hyperbole, but this is truly the best multi-disc career retrospective that I have encountered. The late, great Kirsty MacColl is truly the most underrated singer/songwriter ever. And Virgin has done right by her in a generous, comprehensive collection full of previously unheard or long out of print tracks. I am particularly pleased in the generous helping of songs from my favorite album of Kirsty's, 1989's "Kite," but each period of her well-documented career is represented well here. But in many cases the previously unreleased tracks are as good as the well-known (to her fans, anyway) tracks - what a treat to have "Still Life," "London Bridge is Falling Down," "Manhattan Moon" and the wonderful cover of Grace Jones' "Libertango (I've Seen That Face Before)". Marvelous. Buy this now and begin to be cast under the spell of Kirsty's wit, multi-layered vocals and breathtaking songcraft.Free Music Review: Witty, urbane, great voice -- and sorely missed...now release her video collection, please...
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a fine compendium of Kirsty's varied and far-reaching albeit tragically short body of work. In chameleonlike fashion she eases from one style to the next, surrounding herself with smart studio help while always maintaining a dinstinctly British style. The only comparison I can make is Dusty Springfield, but she lacked Kirsty's way with lyrics.
Her humor, grace and lovely voice are deeply missed; the only thing I wish this package would include is the yet to be released DVD collection of Maccoll's low/budget high-ceativity videos...
Free Music Review: Miss her...
Hit: 5 Stars
Great talent...then and now. Never understood whe "He's on the Beach" wasn't a smash hit...one of my alltime favorites...perhaps just ahead of her time. This compilation will satisfy anyone who enjoys fresh music, as it is pretty certain you haven't heard most of this on the radio (if you have, please let me know where you live)...Buy it and enjoy.
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