Virginia Astley - Tender (Elektra)

As the phenomenon that is the solo female singer-songwriter makes something of a comeback, Virginia makes her bid for stardom. After a spell supporting the Fun Boy Three and a solo deal on Rough Trade, Virginia now delivers her sweet lilting tunes accompanied by an equally sweet lilting vocal. A little sugary at first, but - like Cadbury's Cream Eggs - genuinely addictive. (Eleanor Levy, Record Mirror, September 21, 1985)

Quite possibly the only truly original-sounding song in the whole of this fortnight's bunch. With a wistful, dreamy vocal over a whole lot of oboes, violins and other orchestral stuff, multi-instrumentalist Ms. Astley conjures a mood that feels old-fashioned and rural and awfully English. Hardly the future of rock `n' roll, but very enjoyable and perfect music for the summer we never had. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, August 28, 1985)

Virginia Astley - Love's A Lonely Place To Be (Why Fi)

A sad tale of love grown old with a watercolour vocal from Miss Astley and a pretty arrangement of classical tinge. One for Mary Hopkin lovers. (Mark Cooper, Record Mirror, January 22, 1983)

A Ravishing Beauty indulges in more than a modicum of the pretty-pretties. But tinkling bells and a twinkling belle do not a substantial pop record make! (Fred Dellar, Smash Hits, February 3, 1983)

Virginia Astley - Melt The Snow (Rough Trade)

For the past few years, Virginia Astley has been quietly producing enchanting music. Using piano, flute, and her wistful, choirboy voice, she creates an atmosphere of stillness in her songs, which are often moving and always tender. "Melt The Snow" is the latest of these, and one of her best yet. A gentle and optimistic song, it kisses away those winter blues. Single of the week. (Stuart Husband, No 1, March 2, 1985)

Virginia Astley is like Kate Bush reincarnated as Sebastian Flyte: at times the tinny choral tones are stretched as thinly as a sliver of smoked salmon at a vicar's tea party, but they're more than compensated for by those quaint old stringed instruments. Julian Cope, eat your heart out. (Dylan Jones, Record Mirror, February 23, 1985)