2020 release from the veteran British singer/songwriter. Originally released in 2015 (with 9 tracks) as download via UMU Music, it was reworked by Russ with added tracks for the release as hard copy. It's Good To Be Here is his tenth album and it showcases not only his uncanny way with melody and lyrics, but also his more thoughtful side. Russ Ballard has plenty to say and he really opens up on this album. "I've spent my life making music and, if anything, it means even more to me now. I'm in the studio almost every day, writing and recording, so I have many new recordings."

EMI-Capitol Special Markets' Lost Hits series is unusual, as far as budget-line series go. Usually, budget-line collections have a few hits and a lot of filler, topping out at ten or 12 tracks. Lost Hits contains no less than 20 tracks, and instead of relying on predictable material, the compilers have balanced underappreciated hits, cult favorites and forgotten singles from the EMI vaults, resulting in a thoroughly entertaining disc. Lost Hits of the '80s sticks to mainstream pop for most of its 20 tracks, but there are jangle-pop singles (the Grapes of Wrath's "Oh Lucky Man"), new wave (Total Coelo's "I Eat Cannibals"), prog- rock (Marillion's "Kayleigh"), rockabilly revival (Phantom, Rocker & Slick's "Men Without Shame") and lots of pop-rock, hard rock and arena rock from the likes of John Taylor, the Pursuit of Happiness, Martha Davis, the Jon Butcher Axis, the Tubes, Rob Jungklas, Vixen, Red Rider, Industry, Amy Holland and Glass Tiger. There might not be many songs that are instantly recognizable, but that's the very reason why it's worth a gamble at this bargain price.

Most music fans remember Russ Ballard as guitarist/vocalist for 1970's British prog-rockers Argent. Although the band's "leader" was ex-Zombies keyboardist Rod Argent, Russ Ballard was thier secret weapon,penning some of the better Argent tunes. "At The Third Stroke" is one of his better solo efforts, featuring his always excellent songwriting, vocal and guitar playing skills.

Russ Ballard's first solo album is, surprisingly, a bit rootsier than one would've expected coming from an ex-Argent member, trying for a good, pounding beat on most of its length, interspersed with some anthemic-style numbers. There aren't too many interesting or diverting hooks on this album's worth of originals, and at his best Ballard is a decent if unexceptional hard rock singer here. The record as a whole is as much a somewhat bland extension of Ballard's mid-'60s work with the Roulettes, as it is a distillation of the core Argent sound, with the strongest songs being the material on the original LP's side one.