Danny Wilkerson - Wilkerson

I know that I am biased, but I do consider Big Stir to be the best music label and community in the world. Their recent tie up with Spyderpop is especially wonderful. Spyderpop have released wonderful albums by wonderful artists and all seem to have not had half of the attention and love that they deserve. Reissues of these albums have been handled by Big Stir and it has seen an opportunity to get the albums out to a wider audience. 

Right at the front is the magnificent debut album from Danny Wilkerson. Known, of course, as one of The Pengwins and to some as the ex Mayor of Annetta North in Texas, Wilkerson has fashioned up one of the great Pop Rock albums. The album features a who's who of collaborators and although, the feel is very much McCartney Pop, many more are brought to mind, 10CC, Andrew Gold and particularly, The Major Labels.

It's no secret that I pine for another Major Labels album, Aquavia remains one of my favourite albums ever. That influence is particularly prevalent on Carry The One and You Still Owe Me A Kiss and it'll be no surprise to find two thirds of the band are collaborators on Wilkerson. Bleu McAuley's Top 40 aims with other artists, can mask his musical knowledge and ear for a melody But when you get him on Power Pop, he is an absolute master, he knows which buttons to press, He presses all of them here. The arrangements are superb.

Likewise, Ducky Carlisle's involvement and mixing of half the album, shines through. Guest Appearances by Roger Joseph Manning Jr and Pat Buchanan only add to the quality. It is no fluke that the album was in the Top 10 of the IDHAS Albums Of The Year in 2018. Wilkerson's songwriting shines through. There's also some fine song sequencing. 

On a debut album, it would have been easy to open proceedings with something upbeat and chirpy. Something like the second track, Enough For Somebody, would have done the trick. Instead, Everyone Loves To Love kicks things off. Everyone Loves To Love is a 5 minute extravaganza, it's like ten songs in one, almost a megamix of what is to come. 

The Andrew Gold reference largely comes from Too Much Of A Good Thing. It is Gold to a tee, a wonderful singalong. How She Lost My Heart is a corking slice of Psych Pop with a harpsichord solo. There's not a duffer amongst these ten songs, if you want to sing the choruses, there's plenty, if you want something slower and chilled, you have it too. Melodic excellence, beautifully written, splendidly arranged. Wilkerson is an absolute masterpiece.

You can listen to and buy the album here or at the Big Stir Site here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 1-10

2018 has been a fantastic year for the type of music that we like. It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a Top 10 person, I just think what's the point.

However, for the first time last year, I did a Top 50, normally I just say what my favourite album of the year is. I've simply done it again, because those five posts of last year were so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists.

As I said the standard this year is incredibly high, so much so that I've extended the choice to 100 albums. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.

For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review if applicable.


No 1 : Ex Norwegian - No Sleep     IDHAS Review here.







No 2 : Bird Streets - Bird Streets     IDHAS Review here.







No 3 : Caper Clowns - A Salty Taste To The Lake     IDHAS Review here.






No 4 : Ian McNabb - Our Future In Space    IDHAS Review here.

No 5 : Nick Frater - Goodbye Kayfabe    IDHAS Review here.







No 6 : The Foreign Films - The Record Collector    IDHAS Review here.







No 7 : Wilkerson - Wilkerson    IDHAS Review here.

No 8 : Caddy - Ten Times Four    IDHAS Review here.







No 9 : Mick Terry - Days Go By    IDHAS Review here.







No 10 : The John Sally Ride - Nothing Doing 





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Danny Wilkerson - Wilkerson

When we look back on the year, we may very well find that most of our favourite albums are from the last couple of months, indeed I'd expect many of these albums to be adored a decade on. Right at the front is the magnificent Danny Wilkerson debut album. Known, of course, as one of The Pengwins and to some as the ex Mayor of Annetta North in Texas, Wilkerson has fashioned up one of the great Pop Rock albums. The album features a who's who of collaborators and although, the feel is very much McCartney Pop, many more are brought to mind, 10CC, Andrew Gold and particularly, The Major Labels.

It's no secret that I pine for another Major Labels album, Aquavia remains one of my favourite albums ever. That influence is particularly prevalent on Carry The One and You Still Owe Me A Kiss and it'll be no surprise to find two thirds of the band are collaborators on Wilkerson. Bleu McAuley's Top 40 aims with other artists, can mask his musical knowledge and ear for a melody. but when you get him on Power Pop, he is an absolute master, he knows which buttons to press, He presses all of them here. The arrangements are superb.

Likewise, Ducky Carlisle's involvement and mixing of half the album, shines through.Guest Appearances by Roger Joseph Manning Jr and Pat Buchanan only add to the quality. Special mention also to the Spyderpop label, a label close to my heart. Any label that has Lannie Flowers and Chris Church on it is worth your attention. You can now add Danny Wilkerson.

Wilkerson's songwriting shines through. There's also some fine song sequencing. On a debut album, it would have been easy to open something upbeat and chirpy to open proceedings. Something like the second track, Enough For Somebody, would have done the trick. Instead, Everyone Loves To Love opens proceedings. Everyone Loves To Love is a 5 minute extravaganza, it's like ten songs in one, almost a megamix of what is to come. The Andrew Gold reference largely comes from Too Much Of A Good Thing is Gold to a tee, a wonderful singalong.

I've played a couple of songs on the Radio Show, Carry The One being one, a particular favourite, it reminds me a lot of Velveteen Queen, the sort of song that Paul McCartney used to write, soothing and anthemic. How She Lost My Heart is a corking slice of Psych Pop with a harpsichord solo.

There's not a duffer amongst these ten songs, if you want to sing the choruses, there's plenty, if you want something slower and chilled, you have it too. Melodic excellence, beautifully written, beautifully arranged. Wilkerson is an absolute masterpiece.

You can buy the album at Spyderpop or the likes of Amazon. You can also listen to sound samples and buy the vinyl at CD Baby.