Sunday Times
‘We need cheering up right now and this singer-songwriter, sometimes tender, sometimes sardonic, is just the ticket… like a home-grown cross between Georges Brassens and Tom Lehrer.’

Folk and Tumble
‘Harmonious jazz-tinged melodies and scathing satirical wit in one… Terence Blacker’s new musical journey finds him expanding his musical horizons into jazz with a vaudevillian feel on his new record ‘Playing for Time’ – a clever album full of social commentary, reflection, and captivating storytelling.’

The Living Tradition
‘Nilsson Schmilsson meets Jake Thackray with a little bit of Bonzo Dog thrown in for good measure…. Each original track blends into the next in an effortless, jazzy meld of deceptive simplicity and sophistication… The added bonus is a definite continental slant, complimenting the ambience in spades. There is plenty of wit on offer in these compositions – a bright, sharp-eyed response to our modern world…. an enjoyable listen.’

Liverpool Sound and Vision
‘One enormously satisfying album…. Terence Blacker scrutinises the depth of the human condition and the response is a cascade of emotional pleasure. Playing For Time is a rare and marvellous examination of the folk creed, humorous, beautiful, deadly, a real treat for the senses.’

R’n’R Magazine
‘A thoroughly accessible and likeable collection from this pensive and quietly intriguing man of very many talents.’

Folk London
‘A real mix of acute social observation, late-night cool jazz and even the rhythms of west Africa…. If you enjoy George Brassens, Tom Lehrer and Jake Thackray, this CD is for you.’

Fatea Magazine
‘The album… has his jazzy acoustic guitar and wry observational songs, but it is infused with a light bright café sparkle that was hinted at on ENOUGH ABOUT ME his 2018 album. “I Fool Myself” skips along like a contemporary “Ain’t Misbehavin’. There is a wonderful tension between the folk club guitar, Terence’s vocal delivery and the satirical story telling on “Fake News” and “Me Too” as contemporary references collide with the ragtime blues of “The Glory Of Love”, this is classic folk blues in the making.
“The Players And The Game” is another wonderful reflective song, delightful folk guitar and a poignant look back in a song that could have been written by Jackson C Frank or Martin Simpson. I can imagine this track particularly becoming a standard, covered and inhabited by others, so eternal is the sentiment.’

Northern Sky Magazine
‘Sharp rhymes, excellent lyrics and self-deprecating humour… a consummate crowd-pleasing performer – brilliant.’

Gyles Brandreth
‘A treat – witty, wistful, wonderful. A Paddy Roberts for the 21st century.’

Tom Robinson, BBC6 Music
‘Huge fun. It put a big smile on my face.’

Mardles
‘An excellent album in every respect…These are great songs, some of which will survive the test of time.’

Independent
‘A clever songwriter, social satirist and bittersweet romantic somewhere between Jake Thackray and Jacques Brel .’

Michael Messer Music Forum
‘Having listened to his Radio 4 programme on taboo music, I thought I’d check out Terence Blacker’s website. Been laughing all morning…. If “Sad Old Bastards With Guitars” doesn’t make you laugh, then you are one!’