Anyone reading the two reviews previously posted readers might be forgiven for not realisng that they could get hold of five albums by one of the best songwriters this country has produced at a bargain price. The series of "Original Classic Albums" is clearly not an attempt to put all the best selling albums by each artist together but to provide a range of music by each, mixing a little rough with the smooth (or the less familiar with the familiar).
Those who are fans of the mighty Prefab Sprout will probably have all these albums anyway and are fully aware of the genius of Paddy McAloon. For those who may have only heard the odd single etc and would like to explore further this is a good way to very cheaply obtain five excellent albums of well constructed songs full of clever lyrics, sumptuous melodies and lush, but not overdone, arrangements. You can argue about which albums should have been included - the only proper collection would have them all of course - but for a budget introduction to some of the best music made this cannot be faulted. Only a complete Scrooge would carp about this collection. Never mind that it's not perfect, it's not meant to be! Forget the packaging, listen to the music.