End of Year - Part One

Well, it is almost time for my favourite albums of 2006 list, but before that I feel that a post covering some of the worst records of the year and maybe one on old classics re-discovered too maybe.

So. Worst/Most Disappointing records of the year?

Paul Stanley - Live to Win

Oh no, tears are falling ... and alas Paul these are not tears of joy. This really isn't a very a good album. A collection of very average pop rock tunes, which thankfully only lasts just over 30 minutes.

Panic at the Disco - A Fever you can't sweat out

Too clever by half - or at least they think they are. Some amusing lyrics, but the album is just too samey musically. I reckon they have a great album in them, this just isn't it.

The Ordinary Boys - How to Get Everything You Ever Wanted in Ten Easy Steps

A few years ago the Ordinary boy's debut album ' Over the counter culture' filled me with great hope. A nice mix between the Jam and Ska, blended into jolly pop tunes (good live too). Now since singer Preston's appearance on celebrity Big Brother, his marriage to Chantel who he met on there, and the band have become, well, shite really.

Nina Gordon - Bleeding Heart Graffiti

This isn't a bad album, but I must admit I was expecting better. Her first solo album 'Tonight and the rest of my life' was a delightful pop record. This one, isn't bad, but it's also a bit average and could frankly be any one of a hundred artists. Sad.

Fairlight and Todd

There is a vintage Fairlight CMI keyboard up on eBay signed by 44 legendary artists include Lindsey Buckingham, Nick Rhodes, Stuart Copeland, Elvis Costello, Mike Oldfield, Hans Zimmer, Roland Orzabal, Barry Gibb, Steve Winwood, Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson, JJ Jeczalik, Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Boris Blank, Midge Ure, Alan Parsons, Geoff Downes, Brian Wilson, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Sir George Martin, John Paul Jones, Trevor Horn, Jim Kerr, Brian Eno, Jean Michel Jarre, Howard Jones, Herbie Hancock, Thomas Dolby, Keith Emerson, Mark Mothersbaugh, Bono, Jan Hammer, Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder, Iva Davies, David Hirschfelder, Chick Corea, Daryl Hall, Mike Rutherford, Billy Gibbons, Peter Gabriel and David Bowie.

All used the Fairlight during the Eighties. The Fairlight will be auctioned online up until a live auction at the WITNESS Benefit Dinner and Concert in New York City on December 11, 2006. WITNESS is a human rights organisation set up by Peter Gabriel. Starting bid is $100,000

Speaking of Todd and the Fairlight, there is a great clip of Todd speaking about A Cappella on Entertainment tonight, with a clip showing him with a Fairlight Series II CMI. Whilst you're there why not check out Couldn't I Just Tell You (Live 2000);
A Dream goes on forever; and Todd and Eliot trading licks at the end of Dangerous Type for the The New Cars