Kaleidoscope World

Corrine Drewery is my favorite "girl" singer, and she's does her best work on "Kaleidoscope World". Of course, Andy Connell is the brains behind Corrine's pipes, and the diversity of his arrangements on this album make it one you'll always treasure. This is a true classic in that unique, SOS style. They do 60's pop better than 60's pop ever did it, especially here. The brass and all the orchestration are perfect. For example, the first track,"You On My Mind", is an amazing consolidation of 60's iconic riffs. One brief trumpet solo, repeated several times in the song, is clearly from the 60's James Bond flick "Goldfinger". Corrine's vocals are powerful, clear and sweet.My favorite track is "Forever Blue" (notice the cover photo shows both Andy and Corrine with blue skin). The tune starts with a harmonica intro that almost reminds me of something from Roger's and Hammerstein's 60's musical "Oklahoma". But then Corrine's vocals start and she is amazing. Her British accent combined with her superb, multi-range alto make me want to play this one over and over. The full orchestration just enhances that 60's sound of perfect June nights with fireflies and just the right breeze. The ending riff, which brings back the harmonica along with the violins is from some instrumental I remember my parents playing from the 60's when I was a child. I've hummed that tune most of my life. And wouldn't you know it, Connell has thoughtfully provided a fully instrumental additional track of "Forever Blue", which is also a joy.Also worth a mention, as others have, is the "The Kaleidoscope Affair", which could be the theme to a 60's sophisticated spy movie. No, not Bond, or even "Our Man Flint". More like Steve McQueen's "The Sand Pebbles".The rest of the disk is equally memorable. If you just have one Swing Out Sister CD, this is the one you want.

I'm embarassed to admit that, quite regretfully, I wrote this CD off after my first listen back in the very early 90's. I loved "Its Better To Travel" and expected (demanded) something similiar. Kaleidoscope World is a vast departure from Better To Travel. My mind was closed. I was hugely disappointed. I took the disc back to the store and exchanged it for something else...Many years later, I picked up a copy of Swing Out Sister's video compilation, "It's Better To Watch". As I watched videos for "You On My Mind", "Where In The World", "Forever Blue" and "Waiting Game", I thought "Wow, these are great songs! What album were they on and how did I miss them?" DOH! It didn't take me long to solve the mystery! (And, I'm all done kicking myself...)With great basslines, brilliant instrumentation and spectacular background vocals, every song on Kaleidoscope World is rock solid. I thoroughly enjoy the entire CD. My particular favorites are: You On My Mind, Where In The World, Tainted, Waiting Game, Between Strangers, Coney Island Man and Masquerade (Instrumental). The lyrics on this album are remarkably, poignantly, hauntingly lovesick. Corinne delivers them quite convincingly and with maximum affect. The words tug at your heart and you can't help but wonder what the person who penned those emotions was going through. Although the songs are notably sad and remorseful, this disc is simply beautiful.

This CD is just so great. I had one copy for years and lost it in a housefire. It was one of the very first CDs I repurchased after the fire. Probably one of the ONLY CDs I will actually replace. Every song stands on its own as great, but besides the hits of Where In The World, and Waiting Game, Forever Blue is just so beautifully arranged and orchestrated. In spite of its heartbreak subject matter, the musicality sweeps you right off your feet in a delightful sway. Harmonies on Masquerade are tight, and the whole album has such a nice flow about it. So glad to have this second copy to enjoy again.

I have loved Swingout Sister for years since my brother bought their first album. Hard to find cds anymore in local stores, so Amazon is my main my go to for music I want but can not find locally.

I knew all the songs back in the 80s & it brought back good memories!@#$;)

Corrine's voice tones beautifully with exceptional musical artistry featured extensively throughout this amazing collection of ten great songs which include melodic instrumentals. Swing Out Sister finding themselves popular in the Japanese musical market are best known for their debut album "It's better to travel" featuring their best known song "Breakout" but this collection of songs is to my mind far superior and well worth adding to any serious musical collectors collection

Received the product in great condition!

Great music and prompt delivery

Excellent album, don't feel personally that swing out sister could surpass their excellent debut album "It's better to travel", but "Forever blue" on this album is worth the price of the album on its own.

ideal

As good as the first time I heard it, forgot how good swing out sister really were.

Sometimes you don't want to listen to Led Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd, or Interpol or Arcade Fire, all favourites of mine. Sometimes you just need something without neuroses or angst. Just something pure and gorgeous. And Kaleidoscope is all that and it swings and grooves too. Just sublime.

I've always loved Swing Out Sister and this is one of my favourite albums. Problem was it was not available in mp3 format so I had t buy this as a CD. I wish you would sell it in mp3 format.