Reviewed by Tony May

Sir Stonehill lets his ever-vivid imagination run riot on this concept album combining the child like with a surreal intensity and a feather light touch of clowns pathos. As ever, the master craftsman's songs have power to cut through barriers to express the hearts deep longings. The vulnerability of it all is most moving, making this programme a sample of vintage Stonehill and when randy's in form he's devastatingly good. 'Wonderama' as a whole set combines pathos and joy, cranking the proceeds up to the heights of great drama. You might gather that I approve. The man's hardly ever put a foot wrong, and this deserves the overworked description of 'classic'.

And for a different point of view:
Don't be fooled by an album full of interesting titles, it can often be covering something up. This fella gave us "Big Ideas In A Shrinking World", "Shut De Do" and "You Are The Light Of The World" not so long back, all these tracks of far greater pedigree than you are likely to find on his latest offering. I don't doubt that a great deal of effort has gone into its production, but if it doesn't have that spark then it will not grab a listener by the ears. This one doesn't grab me anywhere. Come on Randy, keep the interesting titles, lets have better songs. I particularly liked the titles "Barbie nation" and "Sing In Portuguese". But give us something better to hear.
1
Chris Berry

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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