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Album, Reviews

Album Number One | Gary Walker & The Rain

Outside of looking good (which,
admittedly, was important),
nobody knew why Gary Walker
was in The Walker Brothers.
Did he really sing and drum on
their records? The fact that he
didn’t defend himself against
such accusations suggested
minimal contribution.

When the group split, Gary
was the brother least likely to
succeed, but he teamed up with
The Rain, which featured Joey
Molland (Masterminds,
Badfinger) and Charlie Crane
(Cryin’ Shames). As Molland and
Crane wrote and sang most of
the songs, Album Number One
sounds like a latterday
Merseybeat album. The originals
include Joey Molland’s homage
to Playboy, Magazine Woman,
and the rough R&B of Doctor,
Doctor. Most, however, sound
like they were written in the pub.
There are also covers of Classics
IV’s hit, Spooky (also a single)
and The Drifters’ If You Don’t
Come Back.

Album Number One was only
released in Japan, where Gary
had a big following, though not
big enough for Album Number
Two. After 41 years, this is its
UK debut, enhanced by the
moody 1968 single, Cutie
Morning Moon, written and
produced by brother Scott (the
line, “The fog don’t hide my
fears,” is pure Scott Walker). Its
B-side, Gary’s Theme, however,
was as inconsequential as Sony
and Cher’s Hello.

Eclipse/Universal | 9846790
Reviewed by Spencer Leigh
Back to Issue 367

The Story Of Light

On guitarist Steve Vai’s 16th solo album, virtuosity is again the name of the game; despite his hard rock pedigree, self-indulgent fret-wanking isn’t on the menu. The Story Of Light has its fair share of riffage, but the focus is on those alien guitar landscapes that help Vai stand out among guitar gods.

The Magic Garden

Long hailed as one of the most
adventurous albums of the 60s,
The Magic Garden was the
perfect marriage of The 5th
Dimension’s vocal talents with
Jimmy Webb’s writing and
arranging, all under Bones
Howe’s experienced production.
It was an elaborate and
exquisite soundscape: a
concept piece before the term
was …

Laura Veirs Warp And Weft

Laura Veirs has quietly become something of an institution in American songwriting circles, and Warp And Weft, her ninth record, is a Trojan horse of an album. Initially pleasant and noticeably accomplished, it grows with each listen into something beloved, subtly poetic and rewarding.

Flying Saucer Attack: The Complete Recordings 1977-1979

It was a short, sharp career for The Rezillos. They gave us a run of singles so bright they could light up the sky, and two unforgettable albums, yet from first recording to on-stage farewell was barely 18 months.

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