Stackridge - Sex And Flags

While the metal frothing masses would not necessarily dig this stuff; anyone who enjoys rock music with a bit of folky edge would love this stuff. It's perfect for a laid-back Sunday afternoon sitting in the sun reading the paper getting slowly pickled.

Jason Ritchie, www.getreadytorock.com (June 2005)

...draws its material from 1999's Something For The Weekend and the whole of the 2003 website only album Lemon with some previously unreleased material thrown in for good measure...will undoubtedly please the legions of Stackridge fans.

Classic Rock Society (July 2005)

...The band's English humour and Fab Four-style tunes...are nowhere better illustrated than on Wonderful Day, about, er, driving an Austin Maestro...

Record Collector (August 2005)

No longer quite as eccentric as old, the members have mellowed with age, although their love of pastoral stylings, Beatles’ chord progressions, and a very English sound is as passionate as ever.

It all makes for an incredibly eclectic mixture of music, ranging from the epic ”Beating a Path”, into the bright lights of the music hall-esque ”Grooving Along the Highway on a Monday Morning Once”, then ”Sliding Down the Razorblade of Love” into blues… a splendidly entertaining set all round.

Jo-Ann Greene, Goldmine (July 2005)

The polished, cultured songs come off as a modern take on psychedelic pop, with their finessed elaboration never reaching bombastic dimensions. With all the wittiness, keyboards, guitars, flutes and violins that Stackridge is known for intact, this is a true celebration.

www.maelstrom.nu (August 2005)

Imagine Donovan mixing with Barclay James Harvest and ELO with 10CC along for the ride...as a pop album it is all good clean fun with some great pop tunes...

Feedback (August 2005)

...became synonymous with amiable eccentricity during their heyday in the early 70s...the band were tempted out of retirement two decades later and this anthology showcases some of the tracks they recorded during this second incarnation...

Kevin Bryan, Stirling Advertiser

Purple Spaceships Over Yatton - The Best Of (SJPCD228)

They really do cover all musical bases from the sublime folk tinged instrumental ‘Lummy Days’ through to harmony soft rock of 'Friendliness' – very CSNY. Then you have 'Do The Stanley' which sounds like a Monty Python musical number! 'Consiton Water' with its sax verges into jazz rock territory. The title track was re-recorded especially for this compilation making it an enticement for fans of the band getting this release.

One for collectors of quirky English rock/folk bands of the 70’s and the good news for fans is that Angel Air will be releasing their back catalogue.

Jason Ritchie, www.getreadytorock.com (September 2006)

If there ever was a band to inherit The Beatles it was Stackridge. Why the band has never received the deserved level of admiration (eventually leading key members to form the alternatively poppier The Korgis) is a mystery, even though this compilation is only my first attempt at confronting the band’s classic material.

This best-of release is, in a way, a preview to the Angel Air re-mastered series of the entire Stackridge classic catalogue, set to release in 2007 (so they promise). It represents most of the band’s 1970s releases, showcasing different aspects of the multifaceted sound.

Maelstrom (October 2006)

Equally close to traditional music and rock 'n' roll...the band were brave enough to go out on a sophisticated pop limb

www.dmme.net (October 2006)

Memories of a time of musical experimentation, free expression and parties in hazy rooms...are rekindled in this diverse and entertaining collection.

Classic Rock Society (November 2006)

Amazingly, this is Stackridge's first Best Of set, fifteen songs strong...In reality, this compilation is just a taster for what Angel Air has to come, reissues of all the band's original albums.

www.allmusic.com (November 2006)

There's music that could have made the soundtrack of Teletubbies and music that could be turned into orchestral pieces - and plenty of fantastic tunes.

Maverick (November 2006)

This best-of marches resolutely through the original group’s five-album career and draws
representative magic from each of them Dora the Female Explorer, Syracuse the Elephant, and no fewer than six tracks from the landmark Man In A Bowler Hat - and that’s only the half of it.

Jo-Ann Greene, Goldmine (December 2006)

...their entire back catalogue is scheduled for re-release during the course of 2007, and until then discerning punters can revel in the delights of melodic gems such as 'The Road To venezuela', 'Syracuse The Elephant' and 'Dora The Female Explorer'

Kevin Bryan, Hartlepool Mail (January 2007)

The Man In the Bowler Hat (SJPCD232)

1974's career highlight is a small but perfectly formed body of work. Producer George Martin lifts principal leads (and Beatles fans) Andy Davis and James Warren's capacity for a droll way with words and pastoral melody to new levels, tightening presentation without losing the immediacy and sparkle that trademarked their recorded output and, more importantly, popular live act . ****

Peter Muir www.getreadytorock.com (January 2007)

Stackridge (SJPCD230)

Inspiration is drawn from Zappa and the Beatles resulting in something that is interesting and can't be described as the 'normal' type of music that follows a fashion. A bit off the wall at times but you would expect that wouldn't you?

Classic Rock Society (January 2007)

Friendliness (SJPCD231)

Their live shows were described as '3 Hours of fun, lust and lunacy' which describes the set here too. But the minds drift as much as the songs do, making for an occasionally disjointed mixture.

Well packaged with 4 extra tracks, should please fans and a few more besides. ***1/2

Joe Geesin www.getreadytorock.com (January 2007)