THE BEST OF HORSLIPS

Horslips: The Best Of' (Edsel Records MEDCD 700) This is a 29 track, 2 CD set drawing from all their studio albums released between 1972 and 1979 - and what a fantastic range we have! All tracks remastered at Abbey Road and the quality shines through - here we have the gestation of Celtic Rock by a good Irish Rock Band (contemporaries of Thin Lizzy with a similar rocking music bed) and multi-instrumentalists to boot! Their music is a fusion of Celtic themes, folk and good old 70s rock and if you're looking into the genealogy of the likes of Blue Horses, Mostly Autumn, Karnataka and Iona - one could argue you should start here. 'Sideways To the Sun' a fascinating track about fairies that will haunt you ' oh itwill, itwill, itwill, itwill. 'Speed The Plough' with a good guitar duel, 'Sword of Light' ' the type of track you keep replaying in the car whilst shaking your head (as if to Queen). 'Come Summer' - is that Jethro Tull? ' No, I didn't think so, but it came close!

Anyway my brother is into bands with violins, for it was he who introduced me to Mostly Autumn (in return I gave him Flock - poor deal), So to make up for that ' Andy, get your aural teeth into this one! Its damn fine like a good wine (you lot go and listen too ' this is a quality Best Of).