Classic British Folk Album
B. Hurley | Desert Hot Springs, CA USA | 04/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I came across Ralph McTell's Streets of London lp in a german record store in the mid seventies and became totally enamored of this British singer/songwriter's voice, guitar stylings, and song writing. Virtually unknown in the States, as are many of Britain's finest unfortunately, Ralph McTell seems to embody the glorious spirit of the British songwriter as storyteller tradition. I dug deep grooves in the vinyl in college, and learned many of the songs myself.
Many people in the States know of the song Streets of London, though they have little idea who sang it, but I will say that every song on this cd is a classic. Frankly I collected many of Ralph's lp's and none move me so much as this one. Particular favorites on the album are Lunar Lullaby, Grand Affair, and Red Apple Juice, all of which I have been playing and singing for the last twenty five years oh so, without benefit of having the album in my collection. I am so happy to see that it has been reissued on cd and look forward to playing it over and over again.
I would love to see a new awareness of Ralph's music in the States, though I fear that may only come in the form of late night musical infomercials, ala Roger Whitaker, Slim Whitman, and unfortuntely, I fear, Gordon Lightfoot. If you love a sonorous, deeply resonant voice, wonderful songwriting, and tastefull guitar playing, buy this cd. You will not be dissapointed."
Sounds even better thirty years later.
Nicholas G. Skroumbelos | New Jersey | 09/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When this album came out in 1975 this is all you heard throughout my college dorm. The sensual baritone of Ralph McTell
really did it for the ladies - and apparently still does.
I've given dozens of this album away and never one complaint.
In the parlance of Hollywood, McTell is sort of like Johnny Cash
meets Phil Ochs. These are songs of the lessons of life. If you
like Leonard Cohen you'll like Ralph McTell. Don't listen to the previous reviewer, this is a great songwriter and guitarist plying his craft. If you can, try to locate the almost impossible to find "Zimmerman Blues" and "Long Way from here to Clare."
Incidently, Kraftwerk was the reason the Pogues formed. The attitude was "Let's show 'em what human beings on instruments can do." That's what Ralph McTell is about."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1