3 Colours Red - Nuclear Holiday. CD. (Secret/Snapper - SMACD911) A live set recorded at Islington Academy on the 6th of February 2004 by 90's Britrockers led by Pete Vuckovic. In truth the band, who were 'assembled' from former members of Senseless Things, Diamond Head, Skyclad and Forgodsake, always excel most in the live arena, so one might say this live album is long overdue. Features 'Beautiful Day' 'Sixty Mile Smile' 'Nuclear Holiday' 'Nerve Gas' 'Copper Girl' etc.

Elvis Presley - Inspiration- Original Recordings That Inspired Elvis Presley. Dble CD + DVD. (Secret/Snapper - SBOX032) Similar to Cherry Red's 'Roots Of Elvis' compilation, this set features 2CDs worth of the original recordings of everything that inspired the King, from Big Mama Thornton ('Hound Dog') to Arthur Big Boy Crudup ('That's All Right') and Wynonie Harris ('Good Rockin' Tonight'). There's also plenty of gospel, blues, country and doo-wop- even the work of crooners like Dean Martin inspired the nascent King's career, and the more you listen the more it shows! The third disc is a DVD interview with the young Mr E.A. Presley, recorded in Vancouver in 1957 just before the release of 'Jailhouse Rock'. Little did he know. . .

Fairport Convention - Journeyman's Grace. Dble CD. (Secret/Snapper - SMDCD572) Double CD set of Fairport blowing them away with the usual blend of jigs, reels, capers and much-loved originals at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, in 2003. This is the Nicol/Pegg/Sanders/Leslie/Conway lineup, which at time of writing was current but you never know with Fairport, do you? Includes 'Walk Awhile' 'The Wood And The Wire' 'Rosemary's Sister' 'Rosie' 'Claudy Banks' 'Matty Groves' 'Dirty Linen' 'Meet On The Ledge' (you don't say!) 'The Journeyman's Grace' itself and amusingly enough, 'Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)'. Bet it's nothing like the Manics' version. . .

Happy Mondays - Step On. CD. (Secret/Snapper - SDPCD214) Live set from baggy-trousered, bad-tempered Manc miscreants, led as ever by Shaun Ryder, Bez and the wonderfully named Knobhead, recorded live in Barcelona in 2004. A greatest hits set: 'Kinky Afro' 'Loose Fit' 'Bob's Yer Uncle' 'Step On' (one of the two John Kongos tunes the combo revitalised) 'Donovan' (not featuring Donovan this time, although Ryder is reputedly still, ahem, 'romantically involved' with his daughter) 'WFL' and '24 Hour Party People If You Think This Writer Can Be Bothered To Write The Full Title Forget It'. They even manage to cram in 'Reverend Black Grape' for good measure. A great party record.

Human League - Live At The Dome. CD + DVD. (Secret/Snapper - SMACD904) Live CD and DVD of Sheffield's premier New Romantic hero 'n' heroines, recorded on yet another lucrative tour in 2003 at the Brighton Dome. Material mainly stems from their 'pop' (as opposed to experimental) era and their recent, ie late 90s/early 00s album tracks, but is performed with such panache you'll love it anyway. Three cheers for Mr Phil Oakey and his unsung companion 'Butch Voice' (to be explained later-Ed) . Bonus DVD features a selection of tracks from the gig. I believe in me, I believe in you, and you know I believe in luuuurrrve. . .

Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Alien Starman. CD. (Secret/Snapper - SDPCD191) 2003 studio album from the maverick genius behind Jamaica's Black Ark Studios, the man who turned 'dub' into an art form as opposed to a novelty. A mixture of originals and covers in his own inimitable, brain-fried style. Once again, Mr Ashcroft, you were wrong- the drugs DO work!! Anyone who walks on stage halfway through his own gig at a festival in a tracksuit (the only person who can pull this off-sorry Jon Anderson) and gets a standing ovation just for shouting 'Clip clop hippedy hippedy hop bibbedy' (your reviewer was there) is obviously deserving of the highest respect possible. Essential sounds from a giant of his genre- remastered in a stunning digipak..

Toy Dolls - Our Last Album?. CD. (Secret/Snapper - SDPCD192) Could this actually be the last album from the Tyneside terrors? Read this review again in ten years and tell me!! But not before you've purchased this fine 2005-released CD of hilariously adroit punk rock, from the band that has influenced everyone from The Wildhearts to The Vandals. Titles this time round include 'No One Knew The Real Emu' 'Chenky Is A Puff' 'I Caught It From Camilla' 'I Gave My Heart To a Slag Called Sharon From Whitley Bay' 'The Death Of Barry The Roofer With Vertigo' (best song title of the decade?) and an appropraite cover of Europe's 'The Final Countdown' (!). Digipak edition, comes with two bonus tracks including a version of band classic 'Yul Brynner Was A Skinhead'.

Toy Dolls - Our Last DVD?. DVD. (Secret/Snapper - SMADVD225X) What might be their last album is already available. . .now one can revel in what might be their last DVD, recorded live in Utrecht, Holland in October 2004. A typically riotous and very very silly performance from the Toon lads, including 'Nellie The Elephant' 'My Girlfriend's Dad Is A Vicar' 'Yul Brynner Was A Skinhead' 'I've Got Asthma' 'Dig That Groove Baby' and 'Dougie Giro'. Digitally filmed and recorded in 5:1 sound (like anyone can tell, it's punk rock fergawdsakes!) and featuring a host of bonus features including an exclusive interview. Region 0 PAL disc.

© Delerium Music 2008. Web Site written and maintained by Matt Platts for Paragon Digital. Please see www.vatloophole.co.uk for information on why we closed down.