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CD TRACKLISTING Time For Love |
John Fiddler is one of Britain’s most underrated singer-songwriters. This Angel Air re-issue (with bonus tracks) will do much to set the record straight regarding a performer whose career spans over three decades.
John was the singer-songwriter with Medicine Head, who signed to John Peel’s label Dandelion and had a Top 20 hit in 1971 with “(And The) Pictures In The Sky”. Several Top 20 hits followed in 1973-4 for Polydor before John joined various ex-Mott The Hoople members in the cult band British Lions.
In the eighties, he teamed up with ex-Yardbirds Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja and Paul Samwell-Smith in the now legendary Box of Frogs. Also featured on this much-sought after album were Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, Ian Dury, Steve Hackett, Graham Parker and Roger Chapman.
Most recently John has been touring his acclaimed “Return Of The Buffalo” one-man show which consists of songs from every phase of his career together with his interpretations of classic rock standards.
“The Big Buffalo” was recorded in 1994 and this reissue includes 4 bonus tracks together with a very informative 16-page booklet. The Rough Guide To Rock described it as “an astonishing solo album…” Says John: “I’m really pleased with “The Big Buffalo”. I recorded it pretty quickly, and I think the songs are very strong.” There are some outstanding performances on the disc most notably “Time For Love” (which features the guitar of Laurence Archer)and the John Lennon song “Working Class Hero”.
Reviews
...this CD is an eclectic mixture of up-tempo rockers, ballads and r 'n' b classics that should prove to be popular with anyone fortunate enough to hear it...There has been much debate with Classic Rock Society circles as to what actually is classic rock and such is the strength of this album that I would be tempted to put it forward as the sheer definition of this genre.
Terry Craven, Wondrous Stories (May 2000)
It's a superb album that all lovers of good music will enjoy. Some are acoustic while others are electric but at all times John is in total control, and the results are a tonic...an album to savour
Feedback (June 2000)
...when you spent your early life bashing a bass drum with your foot, computerised percussion's a piece of cake - sounds like a collection of polished demos of potentially excellent live rock songs.
Classic Rock (June 2000)
...for much of the time synth-heavy AOR rock...There are however echoes, especially on Wish, of the plaintive pop of Crowded House but Fiddler is at his best with just an acoustic guitar and harp for company...
Birmingham Post (June 2000)
...The music is modern and very melodic...a fine example of 90s pop-rock. A far cry from what Fiddler was doing 20 or 30 years ago, but it's done well, and with extra tracks and sleevenotes that are up to Angel Air's usual high standards.
Record Collector (July 2000)
...Mindblowing collection of instantly memorable songs, at least half a dozen that Garth Brooks could have a hit with, from one of the great voices of rootsy rock 'n' roll...Just listen to songs like Strong Heart, Time Will Tell, Win Or Lose and When I Looked Away and you see Country Number One stamped all over them...An absolute delight from start to finish.
Country Music (July 2000)
...It's very good...to see it reissued with four bonus tracks and completely repackaged with an informative 16 page booklet (Angel Air are just fantastic at this stuff). The album itself is full of strong material and some excellent performances and kinda fits into a British Jackson Browne pigeon hole, should you need a place to file it. Acoustic based rock music, thoughtful, mature, and very very good...It comes highly recommended...
Free Appreciation Society(August 2000)
...longtime admirers of any of his past bands will be delighted to know that all the old magic is still intact...The Big Buffalo should ensure that Fiddler gets at least some of the due he deserves.
Jo-Ann Greene, Goldmine (July 2000)
"Remastered with four extra tracks this highly entertaining release comes complete with an informative 16-page full colour booklet"
Hartlepool Mail (November 2000)
Sadly overlooked at the time, let us hope that this updated version of the album on Angel Air will attract the sort of attention an artist of John's stature undoubtedly deserves. The Big Buffalo is full of memorable melodic songs of love and heartache most of which contain John's trademark features - that rich voice, harmonica and fine acoustic guitar...Angel Air have done a great job repackaging this album with a new cover and a nice booklet with liner notes written by Jay Wyatt and Dale Griffin...if like me you missed this album first time round, you've got no excuses now. Buy it!
Two Miles From Heaven Issue 2
...it's an honest affair with some very effective songs: Time Will Tell, Let The Kids Know, Working Class hero and the acoustic version of Strong Heart - all pretty cracking material. Alongside Fiddler there's Laurence Archer and Lou Stonebridge - and for three they make a pretty strong argument for an album that deserves to be heard.
Modern Dance Issue 32 (December 2000)
…follows closely in the footsteps of his former band…
It provides a generally good mix of R & B Rockers and ballads…
The two covers are exceptional…but it his own songs which dominate the album, and rightly so….
…overall it is proof positive that John Fiddler still has something to say.
Steve Ward, Wondrous Stories (March 2002)
…light-hearted and pretty enjoyable
Joe Geesin, Record Collector (May 2002)
It takes on board all his experiences, starting from an acoustic base and building electric flourishes and snappy drums around Fiddler's still-catchy numbers that have always had 'three-minute pop hit' written all over them. Two covers define his influences - Robert Johnson's Walking Blues and John Lennon's Working Class hero - but the rest is Fiddler at his best, the blues and the tunes all held together by one of Britiain's best voices…Great timeless music *****
Maverick, Issue 3, September 2002
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