OF QUEUES AND CURES

The second National Health album no longer has Alan Gowan guesting on keyboards, nor Amanda Parsons on vocals. But they now John Greaves from Henry Cow on bass, and also guests Georgie Born (also from Henry Cow) on cello, Paul Nieman on Trombones and Phil Minton on Trumpets, and Keith Thompson on Oboe, as well as Jimmy Hastings on flutes and clarinets (Hastings is the only one here who also guested on the first album). So, the music here is virtually all instrumental, with an even more classical (and less jazzy) feel than the first album. Saying this, the music here is really top notch, often better than on the first album. Songs like the two versions of the 'Bryden 2-Step', 'Squarer for Maud' and 'The Collapso' are very musical, sounding a lot like the best moments from Rotter's Club. The only drawback on this album is Pip Pyle's 'Binoculars', mainly because of Pyle's lyrics, and the poor way they are sung (one listen and you will know what I mean). But overall, this album has a great feel, and contains some of the highlights of the band's catalogue. I give this album 8.8 out of 10 on my 10-point scale, which is 0.1 more than their debut. So, again, 4 PA stars.

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