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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The forty four tracks on Refugees provide a fascinating glimpse of the first ten years of one of the UK's most quirky independent record labels - the late Tony Stratton-Smith's Famous Charisma label. Now only a shadow in the Virgin/EMI stable, in its seventies heyday the label had some top acts and was very successful.
Refugees? Well there is the single version of Van Der Graaf Generator's 1970 song of the same name included here, and also a track from the band Refugee - formed from the remains of the Nice with Swiss keyboard player Patrick Moraz. But I suppose the real refugees are the artists who couldn't find a home elsewhere and were made welcome by "Strat" on his label.
Some of the material included will be very familiar to a fair few of us, Clifford T Ward, The Nice and Rare Bird, for example, other stuff less so. The Genesis tracks featured are the B-side of a single and an EP track, rather than just adding a well known album track you probably have anyway. Most of the material has been remastered especially for this compilation with help from Abbey Road's Peter Mew.
The packaging is yet another creation of the ever talented Phil Smee, and the accompanying booklet has artist's biographies, discographies and full track details. The set is presented in a double jewel case with disc one and the booklet in the first half and discs two and three in the second half. Refugees is nicely produced and competitively priced and deserves to sell well. Although there is a good selection of 70's rock, erring towards prog, there is also some comedy from the Pythons and a hint of folk.
If you had albums featuring the Charisma pink scroll, or Sir John Tenniel's drawing of the Mad Hatter, then you will love this fine anthology collection of some of the label's high points. If you are unfamiliar with the material but like 70's rock with a British twist and a touch of prog and whimsy then this set will give you just that. A fine tribute to "Strat", his artists and his label.
Refugees? Well there is the single version of Van Der Graaf Generator's 1970 song of the same name included here, and also a track from the band Refugee - formed from the remains of the Nice with Swiss keyboard player Patrick Moraz. But I suppose the real refugees are the artists who couldn't find a home elsewhere and were made welcome by "Strat" on his label.
Some of the material included will be very familiar to a fair few of us, Clifford T Ward, The Nice and Rare Bird, for example, other stuff less so. The Genesis tracks featured are the B-side of a single and an EP track, rather than just adding a well known album track you probably have anyway. Most of the material has been remastered especially for this compilation with help from Abbey Road's Peter Mew.
The packaging is yet another creation of the ever talented Phil Smee, and the accompanying booklet has artist's biographies, discographies and full track details. The set is presented in a double jewel case with disc one and the booklet in the first half and discs two and three in the second half. Refugees is nicely produced and competitively priced and deserves to sell well. Although there is a good selection of 70's rock, erring towards prog, there is also some comedy from the Pythons and a hint of folk.
If you had albums featuring the Charisma pink scroll, or Sir John Tenniel's drawing of the Mad Hatter, then you will love this fine anthology collection of some of the label's high points. If you are unfamiliar with the material but like 70's rock with a British twist and a touch of prog and whimsy then this set will give you just that. A fine tribute to "Strat", his artists and his label.
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Founded by the redoubtable Tony Stratton-Smith in 1969, Charisma Records
played a hugely important role in the musical education of a wild and
somewhat wayward young Wolf.
The label was a hallmark for quality, single-mindedness and innovation.
This wonderful 3-disc compilation is an unmissable labour of love.
There are so many treasures here from the period spanning 1969-1978
that it would take a month of Sundays to give full credit to the amazing
range of artists and music contained within its covers.
Van Der Graaf Generator; Audience; The Nice; Rare Bird; Genesis; Brand X.
All of them part of the richly rewarding soundtrack to my adolescent wanderings.
It is very moving to be reminded of the times, the sounds and the people.
Peter Hammill, singing his heart out with VDGG on the anthem-like 'Refugees'.
(Surely one of the finest and largely unnoticed voices of our time ?!)
Two incredible vocal performances too from Audience's Howard Werth on
'House On The Hill' (from the 1971 album of the same title) and 'Jackdaw'.
One of the most musically intelligent and erudite bands of the period.
There's a magical treat from Clifford T Ward with the beautiful
'Gaye' - a song I had long forgotten which, upon hearing again,
brought an honest tear to my eye.
(Hmm...A really soppy tale could be told here
but it is probably best left to memory!)
Scottish band String Driven Thing's 'Heartfeeder' is another
powerfully nostalgic highlight.
For the rest Peter Gabriel's 'Solsbury Hill' , The Nice's
'America (Second Amendment)' and 'Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No 6',
and Rare Bird's 'Sympathy' are extraordinary reminders of the solid and
uncompromising platform which Charisma gave to its incomparable stable
of unique artists and bands.
The most uplifting moment of all for me was hearing Brian Davison's
Every Which Way performing 'Bed Ain't What It Used To Be'.
A major force who, sadly, never fully realised their potential.
For those who care to remember even Monty Python's 'Spam Song' is here !
A big little piece of musical history.
Essential.
played a hugely important role in the musical education of a wild and
somewhat wayward young Wolf.
The label was a hallmark for quality, single-mindedness and innovation.
This wonderful 3-disc compilation is an unmissable labour of love.
There are so many treasures here from the period spanning 1969-1978
that it would take a month of Sundays to give full credit to the amazing
range of artists and music contained within its covers.
Van Der Graaf Generator; Audience; The Nice; Rare Bird; Genesis; Brand X.
All of them part of the richly rewarding soundtrack to my adolescent wanderings.
It is very moving to be reminded of the times, the sounds and the people.
Peter Hammill, singing his heart out with VDGG on the anthem-like 'Refugees'.
(Surely one of the finest and largely unnoticed voices of our time ?!)
Two incredible vocal performances too from Audience's Howard Werth on
'House On The Hill' (from the 1971 album of the same title) and 'Jackdaw'.
One of the most musically intelligent and erudite bands of the period.
There's a magical treat from Clifford T Ward with the beautiful
'Gaye' - a song I had long forgotten which, upon hearing again,
brought an honest tear to my eye.
(Hmm...A really soppy tale could be told here
but it is probably best left to memory!)
Scottish band String Driven Thing's 'Heartfeeder' is another
powerfully nostalgic highlight.
For the rest Peter Gabriel's 'Solsbury Hill' , The Nice's
'America (Second Amendment)' and 'Country Pie/Brandenburg Concerto No 6',
and Rare Bird's 'Sympathy' are extraordinary reminders of the solid and
uncompromising platform which Charisma gave to its incomparable stable
of unique artists and bands.
The most uplifting moment of all for me was hearing Brian Davison's
Every Which Way performing 'Bed Ain't What It Used To Be'.
A major force who, sadly, never fully realised their potential.
For those who care to remember even Monty Python's 'Spam Song' is here !
A big little piece of musical history.
Essential.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a collector of Charisma records since I bought my very first record; '...and then there were three...' by Genesis in 1978, I feel quite well placed to comment on this package.
Following the 'Charisma Box' released some years ago now (where have those years gone?) comes this new three disc set capturing the cream of the label in the years 1969 to 1978; some would say the heyday for the label. It's a very mixed bunch with prog, folk, AOR and even comedy from the Pythons. Something for everyone, and a tribute to the talent spotting of label founder, the late Tony Stratton-Smith. But despite the diversity, it's all good!
The set itself has been lovingly produced with a thick booklet packed with facts about the artists featured and many photos. The design and effort that has gone into this is superb; even down to the 'pink scroll' designs on the three discs. Each track has info about its original release and the track included by Bell+Arc makes its first appearance on CD.
Individual tracks that for me stand out are 'Refugees' by VDGG, 'Twilight Alehouse' the rare Genesis B-side from the 'I know what I like' single, 'City Song' by Lindisfarne from the 'Fog on the Tyne' album (containing some wonderful production by Bob Johnston, especially on the echoing harmonies), Clifford T Ward's timeless 'Gaye' and Peter Gabriel's finest solo hour in 'Solsbury Hill'. There's hardly a duff track on here really.
A few minor quibbles I do have which would have resulted in 4.5 stars if that had been possible (I rounded up to 5). There is duplication of artists and an exclusion of other contenders from the Charisma stable in this period. Gary Shearston's 'I get a kick out of you' is a major omission. I would also have liked to have seen included a track by Pacific Eardrum (one of the few Charisma bands featuring a female band member); Levinsky/Sinclair whose soaring 'Only feel this way' should have been a big hit; The Blue Max with 'Dream Machine' and finally Chris White whose Beach Boys style rendered a minor hit in 1976 with 'Spanish Wine'.
One final thought; Charisma shared catalogue numbers with B&C (Beat and Commercial)records until mid 1972. The two labels released a similar eclectic range of music and some B&C songs would not have been out of place on this set. Perhaps a collection of B&C recordings is due?
...and also, since this set covers 1969 - 1978, perhaps a second set from 1979 - 1984 should follow?
Following the 'Charisma Box' released some years ago now (where have those years gone?) comes this new three disc set capturing the cream of the label in the years 1969 to 1978; some would say the heyday for the label. It's a very mixed bunch with prog, folk, AOR and even comedy from the Pythons. Something for everyone, and a tribute to the talent spotting of label founder, the late Tony Stratton-Smith. But despite the diversity, it's all good!
The set itself has been lovingly produced with a thick booklet packed with facts about the artists featured and many photos. The design and effort that has gone into this is superb; even down to the 'pink scroll' designs on the three discs. Each track has info about its original release and the track included by Bell+Arc makes its first appearance on CD.
Individual tracks that for me stand out are 'Refugees' by VDGG, 'Twilight Alehouse' the rare Genesis B-side from the 'I know what I like' single, 'City Song' by Lindisfarne from the 'Fog on the Tyne' album (containing some wonderful production by Bob Johnston, especially on the echoing harmonies), Clifford T Ward's timeless 'Gaye' and Peter Gabriel's finest solo hour in 'Solsbury Hill'. There's hardly a duff track on here really.
A few minor quibbles I do have which would have resulted in 4.5 stars if that had been possible (I rounded up to 5). There is duplication of artists and an exclusion of other contenders from the Charisma stable in this period. Gary Shearston's 'I get a kick out of you' is a major omission. I would also have liked to have seen included a track by Pacific Eardrum (one of the few Charisma bands featuring a female band member); Levinsky/Sinclair whose soaring 'Only feel this way' should have been a big hit; The Blue Max with 'Dream Machine' and finally Chris White whose Beach Boys style rendered a minor hit in 1976 with 'Spanish Wine'.
One final thought; Charisma shared catalogue numbers with B&C (Beat and Commercial)records until mid 1972. The two labels released a similar eclectic range of music and some B&C songs would not have been out of place on this set. Perhaps a collection of B&C recordings is due?
...and also, since this set covers 1969 - 1978, perhaps a second set from 1979 - 1984 should follow?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Little Cornucopia of Delight
Refugees is a three cd collection that presents a pleasing account of the first 10 years of the highly innovative Charisma label. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alan Garwood
Excellent
Excellent compilation, put together with discernment. This is worth it for Peter Hammills voice alone, but on top of that you get a great history of Charisma too. Read more
Published 21 months ago by The Marfalouth
Rock classics
Excellent choice of artists and as a progressive rock fan this covers
a wide area of bands and singers.
Can we have another plaese to include Prog artists .
a wide area of bands and singers.
Can we have another plaese to include Prog artists .
Published 22 months ago by chrisb
An ode to creativity
Attracted by mainstream artists present on this label (Genesis, Nice etc),with this anthology I have discovered a whole load of talent which it is well worth investing in ! Read more
Published on 19 May 2010 by Juju59
Great but glaring omissions
Lots of good music here and a good introduction for newcomers to the Charisma label, one of the greatest labels of all time, at least in the early period. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Grozniak
still famous after all these years
For pure depth and diversity the famous charisma label is unsurpassed,only vertigo,early island or harvest records can compare,but for me charisma wins hands down,mainly in musical... Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2009 by S. Perry
Excellent idea but not the best tracks here
The Charisma label will be remembered as a legend that was eventually swallowed up by the Virgin label - in its heyday an outlet for some interesting, talented artists, but... Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2009 by Mr. F. M. Havicon
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