The Very Best of the Sutherland Brothers & Quiver [Enhanced]

Then there's the track selection - the perennial 'Best of' debate. Most included here are worthy of their place, although the lack of the opening line from 'I Hear Thunder' from their first album with Quiver: 'The forecast for today is cloudy wind and sleet, possible snow on high ground especially in the Midlands and the North'is particularly missed (along with arguably 9 other tracks which could have made it up to a double)and the cod-reggae 'Something's Burning' would have been best forgotten.

So what do you get for your ' bargain price'? 20 tracks and a generous running time for a start. Their early years are well represented by strong songs such as 'The Pie', their first hit 'You Got Me Anyway' and the sea-shanty/gospel of 'Lifeboat' - the latter written by Gavin who was less prolific than Iain, perhaps more hit and miss, but wrote some of their most interesting songs. Then there's the original version of Iain's phenomenal 'Sailing', given room to breathe and sounding stately and modest with its sparse backing and drone accompaniement.

Good selections from 'Dream Kid', the first album with Quiver (except no 'Thunder') with Iain's conicise and hook-laden title track summing up the pop-rock side of 'the Suths' well. Only two strong tracks from 'Beat of the Street' (missing out Gavin's 'World in Action') but illustrating the formidable combination of Tim Renwick's expressive, melodic guitar, the sadly-missed Peter Wood's imaginative keyboards and Willie Wilson's excellent drums. Operating as a trio they then recorded 'Reach for the Sky' ( minus another bit of a star for not including the laid-back acoustic title track) with their most successful song (the too sugary and soppy - sorry lads)'Arms of Mary' along with 4 others - why hasn't Iain's 'Moonlight Lady' been a hit for someone? Then 3 tracks from the commercially relatively successful 'Slipstream'(but missing out some of Iain's best ballads).

Strangely there's nothing at all from 'Down to Earth' - a patchy but well-produced affair including Gavin's ode to Grimsby (!) (allegedly)and at least 3 other worthy tracks. The latest stuff on here are two typically polished gems from 79's 'When The Night Comes Down', which they put out as a duo.

In summary - what you do get is a good history of an honest and talented group experimenting with different styles and hallmarked by quality writing, singing and playing. What you might want to get are some of the other 8 albums they released, with special mention for 'Diamonds and Gold' a laid back collection of quality songs from Gavin releasd in 1999.

Thanks for some memorable gigs and some great songs lads! Your best is better than most!

1. The Pie - Classic. Simple, beguiling and almost hypnotic. A dream song.
2. I Was In Chains - I love Iain's voice - here it's like dark, wild and desolate.
3. Real Love - Moody and soulful. Love it. Tim's dreamy guitarwork - exquisite.
4. Sailing - Almost dirge-like in its starkness - original version, definitive and raw.
5. You Got Me Anyway - Classic rock. No cover versions required.
6. Lifeboat - You fly with the 'swallow in the bright blue sky'. Gavin has an interesting voice.
7. Dreamkid - Sexy man. Another of Iain's commanding, earthy vocal performances.
8. Champion the Underdog - this one is okay.
9. Beat of the Street - I love this! Sassy, sexy and fun!
10. Laid Back in Anger - captures the mood.
11. When The Train Comes - there's an almost childlike simpliciy about this one - images of a sun-drenched early morning, at the station with a one-way ticket... But its classy.
12. Arms of Mary - I like this, and yes, maybe a tad commercial, but it did chart and Iain's wistful vocals make it all worthwhile. Lovely.
13. Dr Dancer - I like this.
14. Love on the moon - Natty tune and production - it rocks. Again, with the added extra of Tim's dreamy guitarwork.
15. Moonlight Lady - Exxxquisite vocals from Iain. (Shayne from X-factor could do this justice.)
16. Slipstream - Another excellent classic, and yes, Iain does that wistful thing with his voice again.
17. Secrets - Catchy and neat. Another good 'un!
18. Something's Burning - I like this - dark and a bit desperate.
19. When The Night Comes Down - Sometimes I wonder where Iain got his inspiration from - who on earth would ever give this man the runaround!
20. Easy Come Easy Go - Personally, I found this a tad gloomy, but it is the last track after all.