19-04-2002 The Sydney Morning Herald

Compilation CDs are always a tricky business because they often require a set of deft hands on the skip button. It is worthwhile, however, to let all of the fifteen tracks recorded live from the Club Acoustica evenings at The Basement play on. While Sydneysiders often gripe about a lack of original live music, this album proves otherwise.

From the stark country mood of Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel to the kooky smokiness of jazz trio Blue Crew, the fleetingness of Brett Hunt and the girly folk of Miss Radio, there's a lot going on here. The first track, Jay Atwill's funky Caribbean style 'Street Song', also reminds listeners that this album is acoustic (i.e. no amplifiers) not folk.

The highlight is King Curly's foot tapping 'I Wish I Was A Girl', in which Steve Appel fantasises about being a girl and having his own fun behind the bedroom door, the bottom line being 'if I was more like you I wouldn't have to follow you round'.

Sweet Stuff!