Steve Pledger wins CD review competition with Under Lemonade Skies by Martyn Joseph
This month's CD review competition has promoted the creative musical talents of Martyn Joseph and his soon to be released album 'Under Lemonade Skies'. Steve is clearly a fan as he has written reviews of Martyn Joseph's previous album entitled 'Evolved'.
Martyn Joseph is a prolific singer songwriter from Penarth in South Wales. In a folk music career that spans 27 years he has produced 16 studio albums and 10 recordings from live performances. Additionally he produced a 5 track EP entitled 'The Great American Novel' following the invasion of Iraq and donated all the proceeds to War Child. Martyn Joseph combines his musical life with a dedication to political activism with the two overlapping each other in regard to song lyrics and focusing attention on human rights.
Here is a sample of Steve Pledger's review.
'I can recommend this to all who love and appreciate the craft of the songwriter, amongst whom, this man is second to none. Here is beauty, passion, longing, tenderness and - above all - empathy. This is an album that soars; songs that will leave you breathless and inspired. I implore all who already love the work of Martyn Joseph and all who are thrilled by songs of integrity; vocals that find their way straight into your soul and spectacular and sensitive musicianship to per-order your copy now. I believe no-one will be disappointed!'
Listen to the sample tracks of Martyn Josephs albums here at Find CD and don't forget you can compare prices; Just listening to the sample tracks of Under Lemonade Skies has convinced me that it has the potential to be an amazing album.
A £50 Amazon voucher is on its way to Steve Pledger.
Enter our CD review competition and win £50 Amazon vouchers
Here at Find CD we run a monthly CD review competition. Why don't you tell your friends and family to submit a paragraph or two about their favourite albums. Currently we send a £50 Amazon voucher to the winning entry each month. All you need to do is write something unique that has not been published elsewhere on the page where the album page on the find CD website.
Go on – its easy. If we get over 100 reasonable reviews we will increase the prize fund to £100.
Here are a few tips on writing a good album review:
Be really familiar with the music. Play the CD several times over – initially in a relaxed atmosphere. Consider each time you listen how the music makes you feel – as all good art, it should make you feel something!
If you are unfamiliar with the artist or band - research the background/previous work and performances of the artist.Listen again in a more objective and critical manner and with pen and paper to hand.
Now you are ready to start writing:
- Start with facts about the musicians/artist/band rather than your opinion. This can include the type/genre of the music, previous albums, song inspirations, the instruments played and by whom .Describe specifically some of the tracks that have particular appeal, being careful to use language to create an image and feel about the music. Is it dramatic and powerful, frequently changing in tempo and intensity, or perhaps simple and lyrical, with little more than a voice and simple guitar rhythm and gentle drum beat? Think about why you enjoy particular aspects and dislike others.
- Give a judgement about the work. What attitudes are conveyed in the music? How are the lyrics? What is memorable/ poignant/shocking etc? Be sure to stick to the CD you are reviewing and not overly compare with previous work.
- Expand on these themes with perhaps comparisons to other work by the artists or by similar musicians.
- Summarize in the final paragraph your overall impression.
Play the album again - Are your opinions fair? Are there any technically outstanding features of the performance? Does a certain sound, voice or instrument make the music particularly absorbing, captivating or stimulating. Does it make you want to dance, sing or relax?
- Add in your final thoughts to your first draft.
- Edit your work for spelling, punctuation and grammar, making sure that you do not use unnecessary words.