The first two Jack The Lad CDs have recently been reissued, and you can order online now!
Here's a couple of reviews if you're not familiar...
Review: It's Jack the Lad (CD)
4 out of 5 stars
At the time of its release, 'It's Jack The Lad' didn't necessarily have high expectations of it. Featuring ex-Lindisfarne members in the shape of Simon Cowe, Ray Laidlaw and bassist Rod Clements (who, ironically enough, wrote Lindisfarne's breakthrough hit, 'Meet Me On The Corner'), and North Shields singer-songwriter Billy Mitchell (who ended up in the latterday incarnation of Lindisfarne), 'It's Jack the Lad' ended up delivering some pleasing results. One of my favourites is Mitchell's evocative and charming 'Turning Into Winter', with a yearning melody and nostalgic lyric, which has stood up remarkably well some thirty-odd years after its release.
Elsewhere, the band show that they were not merely Lindisfarne Lite; their 'A Corny Pastiche' medley of jigs and reels is a delight, and Clements 'Plain Dealing' is as fine a song as anything he contributed to Lindisfarne. An album for those who love the extended Lindisfarne family, and 70's brit Folk Rock. Someone reissue it, please?....DONE!!!
Og Oggilby
Review: The Old Straight Track (CD)
5 out of 5 stars
I hadn't heard this album for a number of years having searched high and low many times for my vinyl copy which I am sure I still have.I have tried over the years to obtain a CD copy ,but as it was out of production for many years and copies were rare and selling for many times over the cover price, I never thought that I would hear this again untill unearthing my lost vinyl copy.My surprise at finding it listed once more on Amazon as a reissue made me immediately order a copy. I remembered it as being good but I was surprised at just how good it sounded.The sound quality is superior to the original,which was over bright and poorly mixed.
All together this is an excellent album for anyone who enjoyed the folk/rock era of the 80's or else for anyone who just appreciates excellent music. Anyone who can listen to "The Wurm" on this album and not be speechless at the end of it,by its beauty and storytelling magic , should seek medical advice on there hearing problem.
For something different or just because you are tired of boring predictable music BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!
S J Chilvers