Search - Robert Calvert :: Lucky Leif & The Long Ships

My favorite Calvert album has been butchered "sweetly".

06/14/1998

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Although this is my favorite Calvert album, I can only lament this release of a heavily "sweetened" version of the vinyl LP. Fully half of the tracks have been augmented with additional background vocals, synthesisers, and effects. Worst offense? The original vocal recitation of "The Making of Midgard" has been turned into a sort of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" rounder, totally obliterating Calvert's eerie presence. What a shame. To whomever is responsible, may Muspelsheim grind your bones."

I feelucky

R. Recchia | blodgett mills, ny | 07/15/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this a few weeks after purchasing CALVERT'S wonderful
album CAPTAIN LOCKHEED, having absolutely adored that album.
Also, after reading the other person's review of LUCKY LIEF, I
decided to purchase LUCKY on vinyl. I don't enjoy LUCKY as much
as I do CAPTAIN. It's definitely more song oriented, there's
none of the humourous dialogue of CAPTAIN. Also, the songs aren't
as memorable. It's much more diverse musically, with CALVERT
experimenting with folk, country and bluegrass and one song here(LAY OF THE SURFERS) is a
very good parody of THE BEACH BOYS, with it's background vocals
and it's surfing lyrics. In other words, very un-HAWKWIND like,
with only PAUL RUDOLPH and NIK TURNER making repeated appear-
ances, along with SIMON HOUSE. Lyrically, it's brilliant, of
course, and very funny at times, especially on MOONSHINE IN THE
MOUNTAINS. The song tempos are slower, for the most part. Not
as rockin' as parts of CAPTAIN. There is at least one gem here,
however, and that's the album's closing track, RAGNA ROCK.
This is really a great tune, with a very funky and catchy bass
line during the verses that you wish would never end and CAL-
VERT's singing on this is similar to BRYAN FERRY's The song
sounds a bit like ROXY MUSIC's LOVE IS THE DRUG.
The production is a little flat and I kept waiting
for the songs to take off and explode(!!!), but ... tis still
good! At the very least, an interesting album!"

Robert Calvert - 'Lucky Leif&The Longships' (Beat Goes On)

Mike Reed | USA | 09/18/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Another concept lp reissue from Robert Calvert,originally put out in 1975.'Lucky Leif...' was the follow up to 'Captain Lockheed...' and not QUITE as good either.It's alight.Perhaps a tad to 'out there' for some.The best tunes are "Magic Potion" and "Ragna Rock".I've heard others comment that this'd be a great CD to trip on.Calvert's backing players here are Nik Turner,Pink Fairies bassist Paul Rudolph,Simon House and Sci-Fi author Mike Moorcock.A decent title to pull out to listen to during a slow weekend."