Just the best there is
Russell Greaves | Wiltshire, England | 12/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I like Pete Atkin / Clive James (yes that Clive James.) I've written an eugolic review of their other Amazon-catalogued CD "A King at Nightfall / The Road of Silk", and most of the comments apply here also. I would suggest you read that first and then return here. On "Secret Drinker" there is the track, "Tenderfoot". Here you have a song where the title and the musical introduction place you in time and space before the words even start. The first line of the song confirms your location, the rest of the song strips bare any male who has sought refuge from emotional commitment in a strong and silent persona. One track among an album of gems. The "Live Libel" part of the CD is a glorious set of parodies of the major "talents" of the 70's (when this LP was written). My 11 year old son is routinely reduced to helpless laughter, first by listening to "Black Funk Rex" on the CD (the title is so apposite that it tells it all), and second by the appearance of the targets on BBC TV's "Top of the Pops 2" when the targets of this particular barb are exhumed.Just read the review of "A King at Nightfall" (featured in BBC Radio 2's Critial List program) / "The Road of Silk", visit the website, buy that album, this album, pester amazon into sourcing the first two albums on a single CD - "Beware of the Beautiful Stranger / Driving Through Mythical America", and you will have music of such depth and beauty that will repay endless scrutiny. Those of us who bought the vinyl back in the 70's are still listening and still finding fresh insight and depth, both in the words and the music. Join us and realise that there is someone out there writing music that speaks to your past, your present and your future, and will stay with you as you grow. How much else of your music collection, especially the components you bought 30 years ago, can you say that about?P.S. After 27 years of a dearth of new releases, there are 2 new CDs out on internet mail order only. Look for a website with "Pete", "Atkin" and ".com" in there somewhere."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1