SONG OF SEVEN

After the impenetrable and self-indulgent nonsense that was "Olias of Sunhillow" which, with all due apologies to all lovers of that offering, has next to no redeemig fesatrures, "Song of Seven" represents a very welcome breath of fresh air. Ditch track four, the turgid and incongruous "Heart of the Matter", and every other song is an absolute winner, with the four closing tracks that made up side 2 of the original LP ("Everybody loves you"; "Take your time"; "Days"; and "Song of Seven" (in particular)) forming just about the most perfect sequence of songs imaginable, with Jon singing masterfully across a range of moods and rhythms. So, forget your prejudices - just listen to the music - this man can move mountains. It would be 14 years before Jon approached these heights again: 1994's "Change we must" is an unheralded masterpiece from start to finish.