You Crazy Dreamers

Now for something completely different from me but still in my opinion Brilliant. I always meant to write about this superb album when i mentioned Anthony in the other artists section over at the Ray board but for some reason never got round to it. British Ballads came out in December 2007 so we are not talking about a new release here but it’s way to good to miss out on. I am listening to it again while i speak after recieving a bulletin on Myspace of a one off gig in London that Anthony has coming up and I’m reminded once again of what a talent Mr Reynolds is and what a classic album this is. I wouldn’t be surprised that if in twenty or thirty years time this album is picked up and seen as a lost classic, it certainly has that feel to it.

The first thing that struck me listening to this album and every time i hear it is how well produced it is by Julian Simmons. The arrangements at times suck you right in and have you immediately rewinding to have another listen. Piano, swirling strings and Anthony’s voice which is like a mixture of Scott walker, Elton John and David Bowie, soaring majestically above it all. I can’t work out if it’s an album for hopeless romantics or the manic depressed, perhaps both? Where the dead live is one of the most perfectly crafted songs i’ve ever heard and at just over 7 minutes long is for me the stand out track on the album finishing with Anthony giving his absolute everything over searing arrangements. A close second is The Disappointed which is laden with strings and piano and is just under six minutes of perfection. It’s an extremely poetic piece of work that you can find yourself getting completely submerged in but still coming away wondering what it was all about, like some sort of trip but not in a psychedelic confused way but more in a floaty, dreamlike way, like you’ve been hypnotised. I seriously cannot recommend this album enough and urge you to get a copy asap. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.