Search - Heads Hands & Feet :: Old Soldiers Never Die

They only fade away

William Wood | Sydney, New South Wales Australia | 09/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well firstly I have to disagree with part of the review by Loce the Wizard (sorry) because I really enjoy the ballads on this set , especially Soft Word Sunday Morning which is probably my favourite track here(and frankly one of the most heartfelt vocals you will ever hear). I always felt that the strings on Jack of all Trades where well over the top but have grown to love them too.

I first bought this disc on its release way back when and it has remained a favourite of mine until today and will probably go on to be a favourite for many more years.This is an exceptional disc in itself but also one of those discs where the whole seems to equal more than the parts. Albert Lee in particular turns in a stunning performance on both guitar and piano while writing some great tunes. Chas Hodges of course went on to be half of the dreadful Chas and Dave (Cockney larrikins for hire) but here he shows what he could really achieve and if the band had found just a little luck we would have heard more of it.

Listening to this disc I have the sense that the band knew it was all over and that this was to be their last recording so these songs of life and love on the road are filled with a bittersweet sadness that comes from the heart.Music is indeed a cruel mistress."

Good Session Marred by Too Many Strings

loce_the_wizard | Lilburn, GA USA | 03/26/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"... A virtual who's' who of London session players and stellar talent, HH&F never made the big time, yet their style foreshadowed the Americana movement that fomented in the United States during the fairly dreadful, music-wise, 1990s... Though Tony Colton and Ray Smith most clearly personified the band, guitarist Albert Lee is the member with the greatest legacy. Chas Hodges and Pete Gavin provided a fiery rhythm section. HH&F were noted for their footloose rambles combined with awesome multilayered harmonies. Jack of All Trades, the too short opening track, showcases the vocal talents of the group and segues into the stomping Meal Ticket, a song to get you moving in the morning. Just Another Ambush, Taking My Music to the Man, and Another Useless day all display the rocking and boogie style that no doubt brought audiences out of their seats. But the problems surface on the ballads I Won't Let You Down and Soft Word Sunday Morning and the hybrid Stripes. Here, the orchestral overlays strangle the life from the songs, like kudzu slowly kills a grove of trees. The strings are too much, too lush, too thick. ..."

Why not include the 45-only missing track????

B. Margolis | Minneapolis, MN United States | 01/19/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I own the German Repertoire CD of this from 1992 and while i'm pleasantly surprised that it's been reissued, I don't understand why in heaven's name Wounded Bird didn't have the basic foresight to include the 45-only B side, their remake of "Dirth Heavy Weather Road". This track was on the Poet And The One Man Band LP. (Poet was the earlier incarnation of HH&F). This 45-only track was on the B side of "One Woman" and being nearly 6 minutes, the 1973 UK Atlantic single has very poor sound quality. It would've been totally appropriate for Wounded Bird to have included it here, but no. Very short sighted of them, so I don't need this."