"Eureka" by THE BIBLE - Second Album from 1988 on Chrysalis Records (reissued as "The Bible" in 1989 also on Chrysalis) - featuring Boo Hewerdine, Neill MacColl and Guests Calum MacColl (son of Ewan MacColl), Johnny Huckridge of The Charlie Watts Orchestra, Danny Thompson of Pentangle, Martin Green of Idiot Dancers with Production by Steve Earle (October 2012 UK 2CD Reissue on Cherry Red - Expanded Edition Andy Pearce Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry…

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LET'S GO CRAZY - 80ts Music On CD

Your All-Genres Guide To Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters

Classic Albums, Compilations, 45s

All In-Depth Reviews from the Discs Themselves

Over 1,650 e-Pages of Info

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"…Forgotten Faces…Lipstick Traces…"

Musically the Eighties is a much-derided decade (and in many cases warranted too). But it also had its masterpieces - "Hounds Of Love" by Kate Bush, "Steve McQueen" by Prefab Sprout, "Infected" by The The, "Passion - The Last Temptation Of Christ" by Peter Gabriel, "The Colour Of Spring" by Talk Talk and "Hats" by The Blue Nile - to name but a few.

There are many more of course (Durutti Column, Tears For Fears, The Smiths, Hall & Oates, John Hiatt, It’s Immaterial, The Silencers etc) - but I'd like to argue that one of those gems should be the beautifully melodic "Eureka" by Norwich's finest THE BIBLE from 1988 (reissued in 1989 in a different configuration as "The Bible"). 

This is a gorgeous double digital with tip-top audio from one of my fave remaster boffins – Andy Pearce. Here are the Sky Writings...

UK reissued 15 Oct 2012 - "Eureka" by THE BIBLE on Cherry Red Records CDBRED 531 (Barcode 5013929153134) is an Expanded Edition 2CD Reissue and New Remaster.

DISC 1 - THE ALBUM (48:16 minutes):

1. Skywriting [Side 1]

2. Honey Be Good

3. Skeleton Crew

4. November Brides

5. Cigarette Girls

6. White Feathers [see NOTE below]

7. Crystal Palace [Side 2]

8. The Wishing Game

9. Red Hollywood

10. Tiny Lights

11. Blues Shoes Stepping

12. Up In Smoke [see NOTE below]

NOTE: DISC 1 features the 10-track LP "Eureka" - originally released January 1988 on Chrysalis CHR 1646. As was customary for the time - the Cassette and CD versions carried bonus tracks - in this case the two were "White Feathers" and "Up In Smoke”, placed at the end of each side - Track 6 and Track 12. This CD reissue uses that MC and CD configuration. But if you prefer to place both these tracks at the end (thereby not interrupting the 10-track LP run) a simple reprogramming of this CD will allow that.

However, the story doesn't stop there. After a less than ecstatic reception from the public (despite a lot of genuinely positive press) - Chrysalis tried to re-launch the album and band the following year. They rearranging the track list of "Eureka" - gave it different artwork - and simply called it "The Bible". This new LP variant was released 25 September 1989 on Chrysalis/Ensign CHEN 12. The first track "Graceland" was a 1989 'New Version' - all others were from 1988 - a mixture of "Eureka" LP tracks and 3 non-album B-sides. This 2CD set will allow fans to sequence that 12-track LP and CD as follows...

"The Bible" - the 1989 compilation

Side 1:

1. Graceland [Disc 2/Track 7]

2. Crystal Palace [Disc 1/Track 7]

3. Honey Be Good [Disc 1/Track 2]

4. Skeleton Crew [Disc 1/Track 3]

5. Red Hollywood [Disc 1/Track 8]

6. Abraham, Martin & John [Disc 2/Track 8]

Side 2:

1. Skywriting [Disc 1/Track 1]

2. Glory Bound [Disc 2/Track 18]

3. Up In Smoke [Disc 1/Track 12]

4. Blue Shoes Stepping [Disc 1/Track 11]

5. Cigarette Girls [Disc 1/Track 5]

6. The Golden Mile [Disc 2/Track 4]

NOTE: "The Bible" LP had 12-tracks as did its CD equivalent on Chrysalis CCD 1727 - but there was a limited edition of the LP which contained a FREE 4-Track 12" Single on Chrysalis CHEN D 12. The first track of the 12" was a new Bible song followed by three beautiful cover versions - all songs done in an acoustic style. They appear on CD 2 as "The Will To Love" [Track 17], "I'm So Lonesome (I Could Cry)" [Hank Williams cover - Track 14], "Motherless Child" [Traditional Blues cover - Track 15] and "On Broadway" [Drifters cover - Track 16].

DISC 2 - BONUS TRACKS (69:19 minutes):

As was common in the 80's - each single release off an album featured as many as five formats and more (7"s, 12"s and CD Singles) - each usually with non-album songs or remixes to entice fans and collectors. And like Deacon Blue and Love And Money - The Bible's B-sides were revered as being good - and on occasion better than the A. Between the "Eureka" and "The Bible" LPs they managed five releases (with a few before that too) - so it's not surprising to see so many extras on here. They break down as follows...

1. Graceland (Remix Version)

2. High Wide And Handsome - tracks 1 and 2 were non-album tracks on the August 1986 UK 12" single of "Graceland" on Chrysalis CHS 12 3036

3. Bubblehead

4. The Golden Mile

5. The Slow Drag Down - tracks 3 to 5 were non-album tracks on the UK 12" single of "Crystal Palace" released February 1987 on Chrysalis BIBX 1.

6. Coming Of Age - a non-album track on the September 1988 German 12" single of "Honey Be Good" on Chrysalis 611 711.

7. Graceland (Extended New Version)

8. Abraham, Martin & John [Marvin Gaye cover]

9. Eureka 

10. Mayday - tracks 7 to 10 were non-album tracks on the May 1989 UK 12" single of "Graceland" on Chrysalis BIBX 4 [in Sept 1989 Track 7 also acted as the opening track for "The Bible" LP].

11. Skywriting (Alternate Version)

12. King Chicago (New Version)

13. Electric Money - tracks 11 to 13 were non-album versions on the August 1989 12" single of "Honey Be Good" on Chrysalis BIBX 5.

14. I’m So Lonesome (I Could Cry) [Hank Williams cover]

15. Motherless Child [Traditional Blues cover]

16. On Broadway [Drifters cover]

17. The Will To Love [Bible song]

Tracks 14, 15, 16 and 17 are described in the NOTE above to “The Bible” LP

18. Glorybound (New Version) - appeared on the August 1989 UK CD single of "Honey Be Good" on Chrysalis BIBCD 5 - it also featured as a track on "The Bible" 1989 LP and CD.

There's an expanded 16-page booklet with new liner notes by noted music-writer DARYL EASLEA with contributions from the band's principal songwriters BOO HEWERDINE and NEILL MacCOLL and American Country-Rock singer and Album Producer STEVE EARLE.

WHAT'S MISSING:

Packaging - the original album had a detailed inner sleeve with more of TONY SHEPPARD'S classy artwork and better still - the lyrics. Both are MIA when they shouldn't be. However, compensating for that are the new interviews, new photos of the band and a collage shot of various picture sleeves.

Songs - the February 1987 issue of "Graceland" on Chrysalis BIB 1 had non-album cuts across the 7"s and 12"s like Glory Bound (Live), Mahalia (Greg Walsh Remix), Spend Spend Spend, The Slow Drag Down (Live), Glory Bound (Live) and Walking The Ghost Back Home (Live) - all MIA. Even better would have been the sought-after Limited Edition 12" single of "Honey Be Good" on Chrysalis BIBAX 3 that featured exclusive Acoustic Versions of "Honey Be Good", "Cigarette Girls" and "King Chicago" - again MIA. None of these have ever been on CD to my knowledge - and they should have been included. Having said all that - tracks like "Coming of Age" and "Bubblehead" are superb - and for me the 4 Acoustic Tracks on "The Bible" LP FREE 12" are absolute highlights - beautifully done - so intimate.

THE MUSIC:

American Country-Rock giant STEVE EARLE produced the first 7 tracks of the album with the last 3 handled by England's PETE SMITH - "Red Hollywood", "Tiny Lights" and "Blue Shoes Stepping". Their combined polish served the songs well - nicely present but never overdone - the sound is classy and well proportioned. And ANDY PEARCE'S CD remaster brings that out.

The punch of "Skywriting" opens proceedings nicely - setting up that sophisticated Bible sound. You're then hit track after track of classy songwriting - particularly loving "Skeleton Crew" and "November Brides". Another nugget is "Cigarette Girls" which is acoustic based (one reviewer claims there's seconds missing off its beginning - but I can't for the life of me hear it - nor even see how it will even be noticed by a new listener (lyrics above)). One of my favourite sleepers on the LP is the slinky jazz feel of "Red Hollywood" - it opens with NEILL MacCOLL'S echoed guitar-work sounding not unlike David Gilmour on Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" from "Wish You Were Here". The track also features DANNY THOMPSON of PENTANGLE on Double Bass and a fantastic Trumpet break from JOHN HUCKBRIDGE half way in - absolutely superb stuff. "Tiny Lights" too is a cracker. The jaunty duo of "Crystal Palace" and "Honey Be Good" were obvious singles and I love "Blue Shoes Stepping" - ending the LP in memorable style.

To sum up - despite my minor misgivings about presentation (sloppy spelling errors too in the text) and tracks that should have been on here - I don't want to do this superb 2CD reissue by Cherry Red an injustice. "Eureka" is the kind of album you need to rediscover - a melodic cracker and something you should investigate pronto.

Like Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera, Gary Clark of Danny Wilson, James Grant of Love And Money and Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout - Boo Hewerdine is considered by many to be one of England's great songwriters  - his melodic tunes recorded in the last few years by top musicians like EDDI READER and KRIS DREVER. And on the evidence presented here - it's easy to see why his songs are so loved...

PS: And if you're listening Cherry Red - how about expanded CD remasters for these other Eighties meisterworks languishing in digital Limbo: "Life's Hard And Then You Die" by IT'S IMMATERIAL - "A Blues For Buddha" by THE SILENCERS - "Dumb Poet" by IMMACULATE FOOLS. I could go on if you ask me nicely...

THE BIBLE - DISCOGRAPHY

7", 12" and CD singles around the album "Eureka" and "The Bible"…

(Graceland was released 4 times)

"Graceland" – UK 12" single on Chrysalis CHS 12 3036 (August 1986)

A1: Graceland (Greg Walsh Remix)

(Original Version on the "Walking Back To The Ghost" LP/CD] [Disc 2/Track 1]

A2: Glory Bound

B: High Wide And Handsome [Disc 2/Track 2]

"Graceland" - UK 2 x 7" single pack on Chrysalis BIBG 1 (February 1987)

A: Graceland (Greg Walsh Remix) B: Glory Bound (Live)

A: Mahalia (Greg Walsh Remix) B: Spend Spend Spend

"Graceland" – UK 12" single reissue on Chrysalis BIBX 1 (February 1987)

A1: Graceland (Greg Walsh Remix) [Disc 2/Track 1]

A2: High Wide And Handsome [Disc 2/Track 2]

B1: The Slow Drag Down (Live)

B2: Glory Bound (Live)

B3: Walking The Ghost Back Home (Live)

"Crystal Palace" – UK 12" single (and CD single) on Chrysalis BIB 2 (August 1988)

A1: Crystal Palace [Disc 1/Track 7]

A2: Bubblehead [Disc 2/Track 3]

B1: The Golden Mile [Disc 2/Track 4]

B2: The Slow Drag Down [Disc 2/Track 5]

"Honey Be Good" – UK CD single on Chrysalis BIBCD 3 (Sept 1988)

1. Honey Be Good [Disc 1/Track 2]

2. White Feathers [Disc 1/Track 6]

3. Glorybound (New Version) [Disc 2/Track 18]

4. Abraham, Martin & John [Marvin Gaye cover] [Disc 2/Track 8]

"Honey Be Good" – German 12" single on Chrysalis 611 711 (September 1988)

B3: Coming Of Age [Disc 2/Track 6]

"Graceland (New Version)" – UK 12" on Chrysalis BIBX 4 (May 1989)

A1: Graceland (Extended New Version) [Disc 2/Track 7]

A2: Abraham, Martin & John [Disc 2/Track 8]

B1: Eureka [Disc 2/Track 9]

B2: Mayday [Disc 2/Track 10]

NOTE: The 1989 remake of "Graceland" turns up twice on this 2CD set – the 7" mix of 'New Version' at 3: 51 minutes is on Disc 2/Track 18 and the 12" 'Extended New Version' at 4:17 minutes is on Disc 2/Track 7.

"Honey Be Good" – UK 12" Single on Chrysalis BIBX 5 (August 1989)

A1: Honey Be Good

A2: Skywriting (Alternate Version)

B1: King Chicago (New Version)

B2: Electric Money

"Honey Be Good" – UK 12" Single on Chrysalis BIBAX 5 (August 1989)

A1: Honey Be Good

A2: I’m So Lonesome (I Could Cry) [Hank Williams cover]

B1: Motherless Child [Traditional Blues cover]

B2: On Broadway [Drifters cover]

"Honey be Good" – UK CD single on Chrysalis BIBCD 5 (August 1989)

1. Honey Be Good

2. King Chicago (New Version)

3. Crystal Palace (Alternate Version)

4. On Broadway [Drifters cover]

“Something Big: The Complete A&M Years…And More!" by BURT BACHARACH (Featuring the albums "Hit Maker!" (1965), "Reach Out" (1967), "Make It Easy On Yourself" (1969), "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid – Original Soundtrack" (1969), "Burt Bacharach" (1971), "Living Together" (1973), "Burt Bacharach In Concert" (1974), "Futures" (1977), "Woman" (1979) and more (November 2004 (reissued January 2007) Hip-O Select 5CD Book Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…The Bell That Couldn't Jangle…”

"Something Big: The Complete A&M Years…And More!" by BURT BACHARACH is a sumptuous 5CD set originally released November 2004 in the USA-only as a non-numbered limited edition of 5000 by Universal’s premium reissue label - HIP-O SELECT (reissued January 2007).

I’ve managed to borrow a copy from a friend and while it sounds spiffing (remasters from real tapes) – musically it’s a very mixed bag to say the least - some of it good - some of it downright awful. There’s a lot on Hip-O Select B0003615-02 (Barcode 602498642863) - so let’s get to it straight away…

Disc 1 (72:14 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 11 are the album "Reach Out" - released 1967 on A&M Records SP 4131 (Stereo)

Track 12, "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" is the A-side of the 1968 US 7" single on A&M 1004

Tracks 13 to 23 are the album “Make It Easy On Yourself” - released 1969 on A&M Records SP 4188 (Stereo)

Disc 2 (77:00 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Burt Bacharach", A&M SP 3501, 1971

Tracks 11 to 20 are the album "Living Together", A&M SP 3527, 1973

Track 21 is the 1st song on the album "Futures", A&M SP 4622, 1977

Disc 3 (79:59 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are the remaining songs on the album "Futures", A&M SP 4622, 1977

Tracks 11 to 18 are the album "Woman", A&M SP 3709, 1979

Disc 4 (78:24 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 9 are the soundtrack "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid", A&M SP 4227, 1969

(Track 2 is the famous B.J. Thomas number 1 chart hit, "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" - track 5 is an instrumental version of it track 6 is "On A Bicycle Built For Joy" - another vocal version of "Raindrops…" by B.J. Thomas - the one used in the film with the speeded-up 'vaudeville' bit towards the end of the song)

Track 10 is "Etta's Theme", a previously unreleased alternate version of track 7 "Come Touch The Sun" - it's from the "Butch Cassidy…" sessions, 1969

Tracks 11 to 25 are the album "Burt Bacharach In Concert", A&M SP 68279, 1974

(11, 13-15 and 17-25 are previously unreleased in the USA)

Disc 5 - "Essentials” - 64:40 minutes):

Track 1 is a previously unreleased alternate mono mix of "Saturday Sunshine", 1963

Track 2 is "And So Goodbye, My Love", a US 7” single on Kapp Records 532, 1963

Tracks 3 to 14 are the album "Hit Maker!" on Kapp Records KS 3428, 1965

Track 15 and 16 are "What’s New, Pussycat?" b/w "My Little Red Book (All I Do Is Talk About You)" - the A & B-side of Kapp Records 685, a US 7" single from 1965. The A is not the more famous Tom Jones hit - but has vocals by Joel Grey - the B-side vocals are by Tony Middleton

Track 17 is from the soundtrack "After The Fox" on United Artists UAS 5148, 1966

Track 18 is "The Fox Trot", a US 7" single on United Artists 50123, 1966

Tracks 19 and 20 are "Nikki" b/w "Juanita's Place" - the A&B sides of Liberty 55934, a US 7” single from 1966

Track 21 is from the soundtrack "Arthur The Album", 1981 on Warner Brothers, it’s an instrumental and not the number 1 chart hit sung by Christopher Cross

Track 22 is "That's What Friends Are For", from the soundtrack to "Night Shift" in 1982 on Warner Brothers, it’s an instrumental and not the chart hit sung by Dionne Warwick & Friends in 1985

Track 23 is "Love Theme From Arthur", on the soundtrack "Arthur 2: On The Rocks", 1988 on A&M Records, it’s an instrumental version

Burt Bacharach and his lyricist Hal David have penned huge numbers of great tunes across the decades, carried into record charts the world over by scores of superb interpretative artists. But therein lies the problem with this nice, but hugely expensive set – it does NOT provide an overview of those definitive versions, but instead Bacharach’s interpretations of his own songs, and to call them ‘cheesy’ is to be way too generous! Most tracks are instrumentals and removing the singer, and the lyrics they sing, reduces the songs to boring brass blasters that just don’t work. When he does sing, his voice is grating and wildly un-expressive. They are to my ear just awful – beyond the valley of drivel. Remember, this exclusive and limited 5CD velvet book set clocks in at over $150 Stateside and £100 sterling here in the UK – and given that half of the material is un-listenable dreck - a person has to question whether it’s worth even half that price.

Don’t get me wrong – there are lovely moments on here, the 1971 remake of the 1966 “Nikki” is beautiful – both are included. The three instrumental versions on Disc 5 of The Arthur movies and Night Shift track are as lovely as anything John Barry has done. The remastering too – superlative – it’s been done by tape supremo ERICK LABSON at Universal and is typically warm, full and beautiful to hear, and I suspect, one of the main reasons why easy/soundtrack enthusiasts will buy this set – despite its price.

But I would say – hand on my heart - hold those expectations on this one. Try to hear it before you buy. Or better still - purchase the original 'long-book' issue of the superlative 1998 Rhino 3CD Box set "The Look Of Love" instead – it’s a fraction of the cost and ten times the listening pleasure. And its track-by-track attached booklet is a work of art in itself - both it and the music contained within - a genuine tribute to Bacharach's songwriting genius…

"Top Of The Line" by PRINCE PHILLIP MITCHELL – Second Album from May 1979 on Atlantic Records (November 2007 Rhino "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" CD Reissue – Bill Inglot Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 300 Others Is Available in my

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"…Lying Here Next To You In My Birthday Suit…"

The cool and seductive "Top Of The Line" is the second Soul album ace songwriter PRINCE PHILLIP MITCHELL made for the mighty Atlantic Records in the late Seventies (1979).

This UK released November 2007 Expanded CD on Rhino remasters the album to a very high quality for the first time and adds on a bonus Previously Unreleased instrumental cut (54:07 minutes total playing time). Here's the break down for Rhino 8122-76434-2 (Barcode 081227643423):

1. Top Of The Line

2. Use Your Body

3. Highlight Of My Life

4. In Between Lovers

5. I'm So Happy

6. If It Ain't Love It'll Go Away

7. Paying The Price

8. Let's Get Wet

Tracks 1 to 8 are the album "Top Of The Line" released in the USA on Atlantic SD 19231 in May 1979

Track 9 is "Take Me Away (Instrumental)" which is a Previously Unreleased album outtake - the lyrics were never completed nor added to the mix...

Rhino's long-time tape engineer BILL INGLOT has remastered the first generation master tapes and the sound is typically great - warm, funky and with plenty of wallop without having to turn it up. Once again the booklet has an essay on the album and artist by noted writer CHARLES WARING that is excellent.

This is smooth loverman Soul where our hero is a bedroom dynamo and his girl is "dynamite" in the candlelight (and anywhere else that's convenient). "Top Of The Line" is a great groove with strings ("number one...second to none...") while "Use Your Body" is over five minutes of "give it all you've got..." and vocally he gets a tad ecstatic every now and then. The swooning continues with the slick "In Between Lovers" but even better is the Teddy Pendergrass funk of "I'm So Happy" - a lovely upbeat dancer with sighing girly vocals. "Paying The Price" sees him duet with The Jones Girls while "Let's Get Wet" is not really a subtle song where one of The Jones Girls literally say "not tonight Phil..." before the song goes into a pulsing Disco rhythm.

"Top Of The Line" is not really as good as its predecessor "Make It Good" from 1978 (which is also in this series) - but both are old-school Soul albums worth revisiting in your boudoir soon...

PS: This release is part of Rhino's "CLASSIC SOUL ALBUM - REMASTERED & EXPANDED" Series. Most titles are first time onto CD and are rare soul albums from the Warner/Atlantic/Cotillion/Elektra vaults:

1. Ace Spectrum - "Inner Spectrum" (see REVIEW)

2. Blue Magic - "Blue Magic" (see REVIEW)

3. Donny Hathaway - "Come Back Charleston Blue O.S.T." (see REVIEW)

4. Leroy Hutson - "Paradise" (see REVIEW)

5. Ronn Matlock - "Love City" (see REVIEW)

6. Gwen McCrae - "Gwen McCrae"

7. Gwen McCrae - "On My Way"

8. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Make It Good" (1978 US Debut LP on Atlantic) (see REVIEW)

9. Prince Phillip Mitchell - "Top Of The Line" (1979, his 2nd album on Atlantic) (see REVIEW)

10. The Voices Of East Harlem [featuring Donny Hathaway] -"Right On Be Free" (see REVIEW)

Limitless Skies - "The Aeronauts" Film of 2019 by Tom Hopper - A Review by Mark Barry...

 "The Aeronauts" - A Review of the 2019 Tom Harper Film

Beautifully filmed in a way that you just don't see anymore – 2019’s "The Aeronauts" is apparently based on true events - though I'm not sure how much of the extraordinary daring-do that Felicity Jones' character does seven miles up is based on any kind of actual reality (I suspect her staggering stunts are there to amp up the tension and empathy).

Suspending disbelief or not – this is a wee cracker of a film and Amazon have clearly thrown a few quid at it because the visuals are properly gorgeous and the cleverly structured backstory flashbacks just enough to make the journey up illuminating and interesting.

Both Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne are superb as wild skybird Amelia Wren and stuffy atmospherics scientist Dr. James Glaisher - a man ridiculed by his fellows and colleagues (Tim McInnerny of Blackadder and Game Of Thrones fame amongst them) as he implores their academically well-to-do top hats for money and faith in his latest and greatest endeavour - to map out and possibly even predict the weather by finding out what exactly is up there and how it works (I mean real high up there).

Both of these damaged people are driven to reach for the stars even if it is a tad foolish and life killing in the process. Felicity’s widow character was married to another damn-the-torpedoes aeronaut called Pierre Rennes played fleetingly by Vincent Perez (mostly in flashback). This handsome Frenchman had won her heart big time and his loss to the pushing-of-ballooning-boundaries cost him his life two years before the film opens (simultaneously killing her desire to attach herself to any other male of the same persuasion).

Felicity Jones is fantastic in the role (as is Redmayne) and the believable chemistry between them as actors that showed up in "The Theory Of Everything" film turns up once again here. This time however and right from the start, her Amelia seems to dominate proceedings, a ball of energy even when her heart is broken. Coming on like a sort of face-painted Annie Oakley of the skies, Amelia also instinctively knows how to play the be-suited and frilly-frocked 1862 crowd promised an historic assent into the sky at 5pm sharp (the first time we meet her). She arrives in true theatrical tradition astride a highwayman's coach only minutes before the task – much to the ire of Dr. Glaisher and carnival showman Ned Chambers played with I-don't-care-if-you-die-just-give-my-punters-a-spectacle relish by Robert Glenister. Ned wants the nutty duo to go higher that anyone has ever gone before (and with a dog in tow too, cutesy). But the experienced lady and the seeming novice man have different ideas once in the air.

The socially awkward Dr. Glaisher is all pencil-notebooks, meteorological instruments, second-precise pocket watches and carrier pigeons in wooden boxes (to send back his measurements and therefore keep the science real and provable). Wren had to be dragged kicking and screaming back into the basket and we learn why in flashback (a frazzled but burgeoning relationship between herself and Dr. Glaisher). Amelia Wren may appear flippant but she knows what she's aeronautically doing (a few thousand feet up, she slips out of her corset and puts on a real flying person's oil-skin kit). Then she has to deal with hypoxia and oxygen depravation and other botherations. As you can imagine, as they go even higher and the risks start to exponentially mount up, testing their resolve and their ludicrously exposed breadbasket cocoon, a splendid time is guaranteed for all...

Directed with loving skill and visual flair by Tom Harper - the film does well not to fall into the 'they fall in love' trap that looms over every scene as danger loosens their emotions and lips. And those of a vertigo nature will truly have their nerves and senses shredded and tingled in equal amounts. There are nutty amounts of hanging out of (and on to) ropes and wicker and inflated sheets – in short, precious little separating them from the crushing earth below and that other pesky little scientific thing called gravity. The CGI is world-class good - beautiful shots of the oldie-worldie balloon floating ever upwards through clouds and storms and snows particles and respites of clear blue calm. And of courses there's those hair-raising views of the earth below as one or both them stand astride the creaking pod - looking downwards shots that show you just how precarious their scientific predicament truly is.

Aiding them in their quest to beat 23,000 feet above sea-level are earthbound friends (Himesh Patel excellent as the level-headed John Thew) and family trying to hang on to the shirt tails of a womanly force of nature - Amelia's practical and truthful sister Antonia (the beautiful Phoebe Fox) and a worried but understanding/inspirational mum and dad (veteran actors Anne Reid and Tom Courtney). And on it goes as our heroes take the wonder in their hearts and apply it to limitlessness of the skies.

"The Aeronauts" is old-fashioned for sure and some might find it a tad cheesy in this age of mega Marvel special effects extravaganzas constantly trying to out-gobsmack the vacuous predecessor. But it's also a surprisingly lovely and engaging film. You root for these characters in their balls-to-the-wall bravery and you applaud inside as their good old British gumption wins the eventual day.

I'm down with that. And if "The Aeronauts" ever shows up on BLU RAY – I'd love to own it and I'll send one to me mum too (take that Tony Stark)...