Album review: PATRICK CAMPBELL LYONS – You’re A Cloud, I’m A Comet

PATRICK CAMPBELL LYONS – You’re A Cloud, I’m A Comet

Market Square [Release date 25.08.17] Website

1967: one notably exotic, if delicate, bloom amidst the flower power trademarking the nascent psych-pop scene of London’s Summer of Love was the enigmatic Nirvana. The loose-limbed, multinational collective’s debut was the launch release for the Island label and the following year’s phasing-drenched summer charter, “Rainbow Chaser”, as well as others from the band’s sumptuous if brief repertoire of symphonic pop have become staples in TV and movie synchronisation.

At the helm, ex-pats Greek Alex Spyropoulos and Irishman Campbell Lyons; post-the band’s 1971 demise amidst sky-high costs and an A&R swerve at Island, the duo went their separate ways, the former back to writing in Athens, the latter to production and solo work and much travelling.

This 50th anniversary of that summer and that debut are marked by reissues of the band’s catalogue and this brand new gem from a reinvigorated Campbell Lyons, now residing in Athens himself and clearly taken again by the ‘muse’.

Recorded in Greece, this comet of a record brims with vitality counterpointed by pools of still self-reflection in a 11-song set ranging from quirky ditties (“Only Heavens Knows”) to slow-build ballads (“A River And a Day”, “Now”) via the jaunty likes of “Honeyman” and melancholic (“I  Want you back”), much of which resonates tonally and thematically with his former band’s material.  “Different Day” stands out, tackling gender reassignment with strident celebration, and catchy closer “The World Is A Beautiful Place” is likely to be 2017’s number one ‘earworm’.

Alex is on board amidst a complementary 20-strong Anglo-Greek line-up of Hammond, piano, synths, horns, acoustic guitar and much chorusing, providing some well-rounded heft to the gentler material and Campbell Lyons’ keening vocal.

His solo career, much like his life, has been restlessly erratic, but the Greek sun and overall vibe have worked wonders for Patrick Campbell Lyons in this late-blooming return to form.  ****

Review by Rob Peters


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January


Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply