Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pop music at its most diverse and brilliant, 27 Sep 2005
People wondering whether to buy the Kirsty MacColl single CD "Best of" or this triple album "Croydon to Cuba" will have a hard choice. If you like a broad spectrum of pop, then you will surely be delighted with going for the full 3CD anthology. (She was born in Croydon, South London (1959), and ended up loving Cuba and its music, hence the title. Her untimely death came in December 2000 when hit by a speedboat whilst swimming in Mexico.)
So many gems which didnt make the single CD are included on this triple set.
She was one of the most under-rated artists of all time, and sadly missed by her loyal army of fans.
Her progression from surfing sounds and teen-pops to "Terry" and on through "He's on the Beach" to mature "Soho Square" and country-tinged "Other People's Hearts" to the dance-style "Walking down Madison" and the Latin influence of later songs is a great musical journey. Superb lyrics, catchy tunes, her own magic backing-vocals - overall a great package. Although her career lasted only 22 years, and her ouput was limited, it seems like the last 40 years of music is represented here by one of the all-time masters of singer-songwriting. You will need to take time to appreciate some of the tracks, but after a few listens, they definitely grow on you. My favourite artist, as you may have guessed !!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Voice of an Angel, 15 April 2005
By A Customer
When a friend saw this among my recent acquistitions he vaguely recalled that Kirsty MacColl sang with the Pogues once, he was thinking of the marvellous 'Fairytale of New York' which appears on this album, and that she had died before her time. If that is all you know of Kirsty's work then prepare for a rare treat. This anthology provides a varied cross section of the work of the woman once called Britain's greatest hidden treasure. Kirsty's MacColl's biting wit and gentle humour are greatly in evidence and, for the newcomer, this album is a great place to begin to appreciate her talent. The longer term fans don't feel left out as there are tracks on this album that I have been trying to get hold of for years. With 65 tracks to chose from and not one piker between all three CDs it is impossible to choose highlights. Taking one track from each 'Angel' would bring tears to a glass eye, 'Free World' shows Kirsty's anger at the consumerist society that was just emerging when it was written, and as a it song has become increasingly relavent since, and many women will identify with lyrics in the song 'Don't Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim'. Kirsty MacColl's talent was not sufficiently recognised when she was with us and I am glad that now, at last, this wonderfully talented arist is receiving some the appreciation that was denied her in life. For more information about Kirsty, including some tracks to listen to on Realplayer, go to www.kirstymaccoll.com, then buy this album. You'll be glad you did
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too much talent, not enough time., 21 Jul 2006
It's difficult to remain unemotional when listening to this brilliant compilation. In this reviewer's opinion there has never been as exceptional an artist less well served by her various labels than Kirsty MacColl. That this collection finally, much too late, sets things right is a mixed blessing indeed. We longtime fans have most of this material already, and those not familiar will probably not be inclined to invest their time in an artist who tragically can never release new material. If only they could be made aware of what they're missing.
From the perfect, effervescent pop of "They Don't Know" to the wonderfully assimilated latin rythyms of "Tropical Brainstorm" Kirsty MacColl produced music that has no real parallel in it's variety, scope, beauty, intelligence, honesty and accessibility.
As every fan of hers has said several times at least, it's absurd that she wasn't better known and appreciated. If there's a prospective buyer out there for whom Carole King's "Tapestry" was once a favorite album, you need to buy this. If you have a soft spot for Joni Mitchell, Chrissie Hynde, Sarah MacLachlan et al, you should consider this. If I were to critique each song, I'd write a book. I'll just say that I can't imagine anyone being dissatisfied with this boxed set. It's worth twice the price.
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