Marbles Marbles (2020)

Los Angeles-based hard rock/heavy metal unit Alcatrazz was originally formed as a vehicle for vocalist Graham Bonnet, but became famous for introducing budding guitar heroes instead, namely Swedish phenom Yngwie J. Malmsteen and ex-Frank Zappa six-stringer Steve Vai. Emerging in 1983 with No Parole from Rock 'n' Roll, which featured the hit "Island in the Sun," the band peaked in 1985 with the release of their sophomore effort, Disturbing the Peace, which housed their second most well-known single, "God Blessed Video." The band issued one more studio LP, 1986's Dangerous Games, before ceasing operations the following year.

This album is a compilation of all Marillion's past Christmas songs originally included on various fan club releases over the years. The album has now been updated to include The Carol Of The Bells, All I Want for Christmas Is You, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and a Child's Christmas In Wales.

When viewed as a whole, this compilation gives an accurate overview of the way that the blues developed through the fifties. Take “Goin' Away Baby” for example: it is surely no coincidence that Muddy Waters himself played on this practical demonstration of how the Mississippi country blues sound was updated after the war to provide Chicago, and ultimately the world, with a tough new sound. Moving on to 1952 and “The Last Time”, the addition of Johnny Jones on piano combines with Jimmy's relaxed, confident vocal to give the song an assorted urban feel - this performance also clarifies why the accompanying musicians were occasionally billed on the records as "The Rocking Four".
The later recordings reveal that Jimmy had a fondness for uptempo material, culminating in success on the national R&B charts with the 1956 recording of “Walking By Myself"…