title: Arguably the WORST DELIBERATELY BAD TASTE ALBUM EVER MADE

text:
Hence my five stars.  H***, there should be six stars.

I can't get my mind around the commercial concept of this, what anyone in the music business was thinking, what financial calculation went into "this is a great idea because...," so I'll shoot blind here and try to navigate all the alligators swimming in the swamp around me....

Joey Bishop's commercial personality was the lovable loser equivalent of human-as-bassett-hound.  And a good C&W song is a perfect vehicle to sing a depressing duet with your bassett hound, hence Joey Bishop mooning mournful Hank Williams' songs (several on this album!), and the depressing "Born to Lose."  C&W songs/Joey Bishop, comedian:  a perfect pairing--depressing music and comedic persona.  And an insult to country & western music as art form; it has all of the mid-'60s insult and none of the Eddy Arnold.  It works on so many levels.

Backing music:  late 1960s country-flavored easy listening dreck, a la Dean Martin's period Reprise recordings.  Credits on Bishop's album:  "Produced, Arranged and Conducted by Ernie Freeman."  Ernie Freeman shows up on Reprise artists with considerable frequency in the late '60s, such as the Vogues' Reprise albums.  Rat Pack C&W.  And that gloriously horrid spoof C&W Nudie (like) suit Hollywood cowboy cover photo...with lace cuffs?  That's a tipoff!

Voice.  Voice?  Bishop has the kind of vocal range that spans, uh, no octaves?  Worse than Tab Hunter.  Worse than Telly Savalas.  Worse than Wing.  Worse than Amy Grant.  No power.  A nothing voice, but he doesn't even talk the lyrics.  He has so little power that the mike picking up his vocals must've been cranked so up high on the gain that they had to duct-tape his headphones with the backing music against his ears, to avoid any earphones' leakage that, if it fed through the cranked-up voice microphone, would have blown out every speaker in the studio and the resulting power surge would have blacked out the surrounding neighborhood.

This album is played straight, all the way through.  He never breaks character.  This isn't a pop album.  This isn't a country album (popped).  This isn't a music album.  It's music as a standup act.  Artistic, perfect, low comedy, and he got ANYONE who bought it for the music.  Gorgeous.

September, 1968, a little over three months after Regis Philbin's Mercury album, IT'S TIME FOR REGIS.  Get 'em both.


title: George Cates, Lawrence Welk's musical director, credits on this Lp

text:
This is an instrumental sunshine pop/psychedelia Lawrence Welk on LSD album, via credit on the back cover, "Produced by George Cates and Jack Pleis for MOD Productions."  Album release number is Capitol ST 117, circa January-February, 1969, a little after the BEATLES (white album), Capitol/Apple SWBC 101.

What does it sound like....

Imagine Beatles, Doors, Jeannie C. Riley songs, the kind of rock stylings of 1969 B. J. Thomas, played by a Mariachi or Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass band, with full symphonic string orchestra, lead instruments fading in and out being a bluesy harmonica, harpsicord, alto saxes, an early Moog synthesizer (or funky? electric organ), and the bass instruments trying to groove along in a Stax-Volt funky soul vibe.  The orchestra, lotsa violins, sounds like period (1968-70) strings a la what Al DeLory was overdubbing on Glen Campbell hits like "Wichita Lineman," "Galveston," and "Try A Little Kindness."  All professional technique and no feeling.  Wow.  Dig the cover art, too.  Real Now Sound, dude.

Other SOUNDS OF OUR TIMES albums in this Capitol series:
MUSIC OF THE FLOWER PEOPLE - Capitol T/ST 2817 (Fall, 1967)
LOVE IS BLUE - Capitol T/ST 2892 (April, 1968)
GALVESTON - Capitol ST 182 (Spring, 1969)


title: One of the most truly AWFUL fake rock album series ever made, and I absolutely recommend it!

text:
The series was, as best as I can tell, one of the worst/best el cheapo budget bin ripoff-your-parents sucker bait of late '60s recreated Not-Hits' albums ever foisted off on unsuspecting buyers.  Absolutely a gorgeous MY THREE SONS fake Nixonian alternative "rock" series which dates per a series of Billboard articles on new releases from late 1969.

If you enjoy at best semi-pro versions of mild psych pop-rock from the late '60s, these are for you.  Excruciatingly BAD Mamas & the Papas, Monkees, Association, Seekers, Beatles, Doors, Byrds, Bobby Goldsboro, etc..., songs.

An Lp discography, of sorts, for your pursuit of these noxious treasures (I have them all, not including the Christmas album, not listed):

THE RAY BLOCH SINGERS (Ambassador Records):
S 98080, HITS OF '66
S 98079, HITS OF '67
S 98078, HITS OF '68
S 98077, HITS OF '69
S 98082, THE WINDMILLS OF YOUR MIND, ALL TIME MOVIE HITS
S 98083, 1776, ALL THE HITS FROM THE SMASH BROADWAY MUSICAL
S 98084, HAIR, ALL THE HITS FROM THE SMASH BROADWAY MUSICAL
S 98085, FOR LOVERS ONLY, LOVE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY
S 98087, THE HIT SONGS FROM THE MOVIE PAINT YOUR WAGON
S 98088, ALL THE SONGS FROM HELLO DOLLY

The best of these worst is the HITS OF ... series, especially the HITS OF '69 (just a GREAT fake drug-rock cover, too!).  Here's the liner notes from that album:

1969 was a super year...Everything that happened was smashing or stirring or shattering...The clothes were groovier, the dances wilder, and the parties were out of sight.  A new president took office and a man actually stepped and jumped and danced on the moon...ON THE MOON.  Through it all, around it and in it, was the music of the times.  The hit songs of 1969 ran as wide a spectrum as the events of that banner year, and the hit songs collected by the Ray Block Singers in this album run the entire spectrum of the hits.  The cream is here, and smoothly done.

"Moments to Remember" was a smash hit a few years ago.  Brought back for a second airing in 1969, it reached the heights once more.  Memories have always played an important part in music.  Few songs though, bring such sad memories to mind as Dick Holler's "Abraham, Martin And John."  "Spinning Wheel" is as hard a song to classify as the time and group (Blood Sweat & Tears) it sprang from.  It jumps and drifts and slides all at the same time.  "This Magic Moment" is another song which was brought out of the the past and updated for today, it and "Love Me Tonight" cover the up side of love, "The Worst That Could Happen" and "Both Sides Now" cover the downward trip.

Another hit performed by the Ray Bloch Singers in this album is "Everyday People."  A great song, but definitely not an accurate description of Ray Bloch.  Musical Director of the world famous Ed Sullivan Show since 1948, he has been a conductor, arranger, vocal coach and choral leader on Radio and Television.  Before that, he sang with choirs and played the piano with New York ballroom orchestras and on the radio.  He played with a Jazz quintet which was billed opposite the Memphis Five, one of the top dance bands.  Ray Block has proved himself to be an "Extra-Everyday Person."

(end of liner notes)

Uh, ballroom orchestras, uh,... yeah. The movie hits' and Broadway showtunes' albums give away the game here; if you like your acid hard-rock Lettermen songs played by your high school cover band and voiced by a suburban vanilla out-of-touch glee club, these albums are right up your alley.  The Mike Curb Congregation and the New Seekers were more in tune with rebellious youth music than these guys.  Recommended!


title: Billboard Magazine, November 23, 1974

text:
See page 21, NOT ON THE LP -- CAMPBELL article about a $250,000 lawsuit against Buckboard and the Thrifty Drug Store chain seeking an injuction against selling this Lp.

This album dates back to late '63/early '64 as THE SWINGING 12 STRING GUITAR as by the In Group, In 1002, more or less recorded/distributed by the World Pacific/Aura/Pacific Jazz/Horizon series of labels.  In 1002 was chopped from 12 to 10 tracks for the next reissue on a budget (less than half-price) $1.98 series of albums on VeeJay's Surrey junker label in late '65, COUNTRY SHINDIG, Surrey SS 1007, then again repackaged for GLEN CAMPBELL PLAYS 12 STRING GUITAR on Pickwick Records PC/SPC 3052 in 1966.  After this Buckboard/Springboard album, the same package was given a new cover as GLEN CAMPBELL LEON RUSSELL, WAY BACK WHEN, on Koala Records (another budget el cheapo) in 1981.


title: Very obscure 45 by Glen Campbell, dates May, 1958.

text:
Albuquerque, New Mexico:

The record was bankrolled/produced by Coy Zeigler (more about that at the bottom).  Zeigler had witnessed a package tour in Albuquerque, NM, area by Sun Records artists, notably Roy Orbison.  Coy approached Glen Campbell about making a record, and enlisted a local barbershop quartet, the Singchromatics, to sing backup (think Elvis's Jordanaires at the time); the Singchromatics were Cal Sexton, Pat Carley, Robert Harley, and Charlie Jackson.  The songs were recorded in a little studio in Albuquerque near the 12000 block on Coal Street.  Zeigler also enlisted two KOB radio employees, George Mahoney and Art Tillery (Tillery was the radio/sound engineer).  On the label, the Singchromatics were listed as the Glen-Aires.

Glen and the group rehearsed at Charlie Jackson's house.  Coy recorded four songs, two for the Ceneco 1324 single "Dreams for Sale"/"I've Got to Win," and the other two on the followup Ceneco 1356 single, "I Wonder"/"You You You."  The label on the Ceneco singles, 719 Sunset Road SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, was Glen Campbell's home address at the time.  Coy Zeigler took the tapes to Phoenix, Arizona, and pressed 300 copies of each single, and spent weeks driving across the Southwest visiting radio stations attempting to plug the records.  If you check the record label on the Ceneco 1324 single, you'll notice that it appears to be in the same printing style as Weldon Rogers' Jew-el 103, "This Song Is Just For You"/"Everybody Wants You" (GC runs the band on "Everybody Wants You" side of that disc, c. 1959 at KOB radio studios)--from the same Phoenix, AZ, pressing plant service.  Unfortunately, I've never been able to ascertain the name of that facility.  Ceneco 1324 was listed as a new release in BILLBOARD magazine on May 26, 1958; the followup was listed in BILLBOARD on September 8, 1958.

Note:  The sources for the above-listed information comes via a phone conversation I had in the mid-1990s with three of the four Singchromatics, initially Cal Sexton, who was living in Maryland at the time.  They weren't paid for the session, but took a 1-cent per record financial stake in the two releases.  Coy Zeigler bought them dinner in lieu of the financial failure of his "hit" singles.

Weldon Rogers:  owned the Jew-el label, #101 was Roy Orbison's first recording, "Ooby Dooby" in 1956.

About Coy Zeigler:

Coy Ziegler (born 1920):  Not--Charles James Ziegler (born 1950).
songwriting credit attributed to Coy Ziegler are:
Angel of the Streets
Anniversary of Tears
Big Big Day Tomorrow - possible: Jerry Wallace (Challenge Records); Rose Maddox (Capitol)
Big Lonely House
Big Mountain of Love
Door Is Always Open the ...
Everybody's Happy
Help's on the Way - Buddy Cagle Imperial 66218 45 single/LP track Imperial 9318/12318
I've Got to Win - GC Ceneco 1324
I Wonder - GC Ceneco 1356
Long Black Train
Mexican Polka
Please World
Round and Round She Goes - possible:  Jerry Wallace (Challenge Records)
Runnin' Away from the Blues
Say Amen
She Took Everything but the Blues
Vision of You

"Runnin' Away from the Blues" songwriting credit shows Jimmy Bowen, Jerry Capehart and Coy Zeigler.  Other names associated with the above songs are Bernard L. Krause, Blaine P. Bercier, Emma Bercier, Scott Turner, Charlie Williams, Dick Karie, Audie Murphy (movie actor & WWII decorated war vet), Billy Anglin.  Publishing companies are Tocino Music, Central Songs, Back Bay Music, and Irving Music.

Oh, yes, a big shoutout to HAIR who sent me a cassette tape of the radio call-in show 20 years ago (?), which had just enough information to get the Singchromatics on the phone.


title: Pickwick junk label repackage of the NORWOOD soundtrack

text:
Original version of this would be the NORWOOD movie soundtrack, Capitol SW 475, from mid-1970, though this Pickwick budget bin release doesn't have the movie soundtrack instrumental mood music.  This Pickwick SPC 3346 album dates August, 1973.  Original versions of this Lp were pressed on a silver color label at the center of the disc.  Songs:

Side one:
I'll Paint You A Song/Maria/Ol' Norwood's Comin' Home/Everything a Man Could Ever Need
Side two:
True Grit/The Repo Man/Norwood (Me and My Guitar)/Private John Q/Down Home

Obviously, "True Grit" is from the other movie.  "Private John Q" is the stereo version from GC's 1965/6 followup to his 1965 "Universal Soldier" Capitol 5504 hit single, Capitol 5545; "Private John Q" was a Roger Miller-penned song featured on Roger Miller's ROGER & OUT Smash Lp from '64.  If you want Campbell's stereo version of this song, you have to get it here.

FYI info--
Dating PC/SPC Pickwick Lps:

3/6/65:  3001-3012
5/29/65:  3022-3024
10/02/65:  3028-3040
8/27/66:  3048-3054
9/28/68:  3116-3133
1/31/71:  3252 (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR "excerpts" $1.89 album)
7/31/71:  3273-3279
10/30/71:  3288-3290
7/29/72:  3307-3326
8/11/73:  3344-3353
8/3/74:  3381-3398

Prior to mid-'68, Pickwick Lps were $1.98 mono list, $2.49 stereo.  In mid-'68, stereos were reduced to $1.98 list.


title: 1972 Fan Club album edition 2 Lp set

text: Issued by either the Capitol Record Club or Longines Symphonette Society--release number 94469 was a Capitol Record Club 90000 series non-Capitol stock Lp release number.  Ten songs "Aura Lee" through "Greensleeves" are public domain old folk vocals which form one of the 2 Lps in the set, and the other 10 songs/Lp are instrumentals.  Some of the songs are B(ack)-sides of Campbell's Capitol 45s:  "Kelli Hoedown" from Capitol 2224 "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife," "Hava Nagila" from Capitol 2573 "True Grit," "Bach Talk" from Capitol 3123 "The Last Time I Saw Her," "Wayfarin' Stranger" from Capitol 3305 "Manhattan Kansas," which effectively dates this set after March, 1972.  The album was issued with a blue-cover 1972 edition of THE GLEN CAMPBELL SOUVENIR PICTURE ALBUM book, via the U.S. fan club at the time.  At this writing (March, 2012), many to most of the songs in this package have never been available on CD.


title: An exploitation album when Rivers hit it big on Imperial

text:
The source of this album dates about two years before, when Rivers put out three Capitol 45s which stiffed:

Johnny Rivers:
Capitol 4850 Long Black Veil/This Could Be the One (November, 1962)
Capitol 4913 If You Want It I Got It (45-38667)/My Heart is in Your Hands (45-38668) -- (February, 1963)
Capitol 5232 Long Black Veil/Don't Look Now (July, 1964; apparently this 45 was issued in response to the success of Rivers' "Memphis" hit on Imperial 66032)
 LP:  THE SENSATIONAL JOHNNY RIVERS, T/ST 2161 (Billboard listing NEW ALBUM RELEASE on 9/05/64).  Has track, "Everybody But Me (master 38666).  Recording date is 11/05/62 on matrix 38666/7/8; Glen Campbell was the band leader at the session #10908.  Some session information:

Capitol  (Capitol 4913 -- Johnny Rivers)
38666 Everybody But Me - Lp track on ST 2161 THE SENSATIONAL... Lp
38667 If You Want It - Capitol 4913
38668 My heart is in your hands - Capitol 4913
Date:  5 November 1962 (9:00 - 12:30)
Session nr: 10908
Employer's Name: Nick Venet
Other musicians:  Russell Bridges, Jimmy Bowen, David Gates

Capitol  (Johnny Rivers)
38704 Double Cee Cinnamon Cinder - Lp track ST 2161 THE SENSATIONAL....
38705 Walking Slowly - Lp track ST 2161 THE SENSATIONAL....
Date:  7 November 1962 (12:00 - 3:00 PM)
Session nr: 10914
Employer's Name: Nick Venet

The album's running time is a little over 22 minutes, and only 10 songs:
Long Black Veil/Everybody But Me/I Just Got to Get Away/Fallen Idol/Don't Look Now
This Could Be The One/Double C - Cinnamon Cinder/If You Want It, I Got It/My Heart Is In Your Hands/Walkin' Slowly.
Capitol T pop series albums normally had 12 songs.  Reviews of the album often suggested it was a kind of Glen Campbell-sounding album.  It was.


title: Honk if you love Celine Dion

text:
I bought this for the power ballad version of "My Heart Will Go On."  This is a cartoon rock band, well, the Jersey Shore version of Motley Crue (can anything be lower?), which is why I LOVE this band.  Really, I wish there were more releases by these guys, even if the music is somewhat derivative of Spinal Tap played straight.  Instead of Buck Owens' version of "Buckeroo," something from this album should have been prominently featured on Mike Judge's documentary, IDIOCRACY, about all my former students in Reno's Hug High School.  Three stars for the derivative nature of the inspiration, but it works as great punishment music.  If you're still looking for something even MORE wretched than Satanicide's version of the TITANIC movie's theme song, you should check out Neil Diamond's AS TIME GOES BY set.  (Hey, I think the Lettermen might have done "My Heart Will Go On" for Pat Boone's Gold label!).

And if you guys at Satanicide are reading this ("H*** YEAH!), how about a pounding version of "You Light Up My Life"?  "Feelings"?  Barb Streisand's "People"? ....


title: DELAYED REACTION

text:
BAPTIZED IN THE GHETTO: As per usual, it's difficult to find anything useful to add to Achis's comprehensive review, but I'd been waiting for Xkaliba to drop BAPTIZED IN THE GHETTO so long that I've just got to share my thoughts. First, yes, Achis is right on the money here, this is indeed a very fine example of Virgin Islands reggae music, and further evidence - as if it were needed - that a) great reggae doesn't have to carry a Jamaican passport and that b) the Virgin Islands scene is bigger than the admittedly very big Midnite band. If you're still dubious, just check Ras Attitude's mighty ROYAL LIONAGE or NiyoRah's PURIFICATION SESSION or Army's beautiful RASTA AWAKE.

I first heard Xkaliba via the excellent I-Grade label compilation, WEEP NOT in 2003. In fact, his powerful BAPTIZED IN THE GHETTO was one of the highlights of that collection, a blistering old-school dancehall vibes that tipped Xkaliba and producer Donny Dread as ones-to-watch as the Virgin Islands scene really began to take off. Donny Dread's strong solo effort, SET DE PACE, followed shortly after, featuring a nice combination with Xkaliba and talented Guyanese singer Yahadanai, and it wasn't long before an album titled BAPTIZED IN THE GHETTO found its way onto the release schedule for 2004. Over the next two or three years though, I heard very little from Xkaliba. The BAPTIZED album dropped back off the schedule, and would make occassional appearances there only to disappear again just as quickly. Then, late in 2006 there was a flurry of activity in Donny Dread's Groundbreaking Records camp. Along with a Midnite-Groundbreaking combination LP titled ANEED and a solo effort from female chanter Nubian Natty, NAH GO LIKE ME, here, at long, long last was Xkaliba's much-delayed debut - though I didn't actually believe it until I was standing at the counter at the record shop with a copy in my hand.

Was it worth the wait? Definitely so! The only real drawback for me is that - and this is just an educated guess - quite a lot of the material sounds like it actually originated back in 2003 or 2004 when the release was originally scheduled. Since then, the Virgin Islands scene has gained some massive momentum, and BAPTIZED IN THE GHETTO perhaps doesn't sound as powerful or as fresh as it might had it been released a couple years back, as apparently was planned. In fact, several of the rhythms are carried over from Donny Dread's SET DE PACE, which immediately dates them. But I don't want to sound dismissive here - the fact is that this is a very strong set from Xkaliba and the Groundbreaking team. It's a potent production of real, raw roots music taken in a conscious dancehall direction, and I think Achis's comparison to that mid-late eighties sound of Tenor Saw and King Kong is spot on.  Achis already pointed out the highlights so I won't go over them again, but I should add that there are a couple of guest spots for I-Grade producer Tippy who provides rhythms from Midnite's classic NEMOZIAN RASTA record for BLING BLING and ENJOY LIFE. I also have to agree that JAH RESCUE ME is the real killer here, with a great lyric from Xkaliba and one of the very best Groundbreaking rhythms, a wicked one drop vibe with horns popping off like fireworks and perfectly pitched keys drifting back down again. (This rhythm was also put to good use on the producer's own beautiful herb anthem MS. SATIVA and Midnite's stunning EARTH from the ANEED project - check out these tunes.)

To sum up BAPTIZED IN THE GHETTO, I think you have to say, "Better late than never!" In spite of the delayed delivery, this is still a great reggae record and recommended to all - if you can track it down! Rather like standing in the queue at the bus stop, waiting all day and just as you're about to give up, two come around the corner at once, BAPTIZED was followed very closely by FOR THE PEOPLE, a nice collection of assorted tracks recorded over the past four years or so and released on Xkaliba's own Kaliba label. Look out for that one, too, and don't forget Nubian Natty's album, or the Midnite combination: good works from Groundbreaking, for sure.


title: Actually Very Worth It...

text: I am a big t.A.T.u. fan and that's why I bought the CD. To my surprise is pretty good. It only includes remixes, which are really good. They keep you dancing all all day long, and even thought it is not the best chioce for a single, the remixes make up for it.. I would recommended to people that like dance/club music, or if you are a t.A.T.u. fan.


title: an album with potential is marred by mediocre songwriting and vocals

text: Will and Sheri Walters, The creators of this christian goth group Wedding Party obviously don't do good jobs too many times at singing on-key, As judged by most of the content on this album. Eric Clayton, The lead vocalist for the far superior Saviour Machine, Helped out on the production and most of the background vocals on this album, But even his presence doesn't do much to save this album from being a dissapointment. As a fan of Goth rock, I was expecting a whole lot more than what i heard in this album. I mean, After all, For the most part, The music isn't really the problem on this album. It's the offbeat lyrics and vocals that really holds this album back from being anything worth remembering. While the lyrics focus 100 percent on Jesus, You can't help but feel unentertained by the lack of melody in this album. The music is dark and at times even haunting, But once Will Or Sheri comes in, You'll wanna skip to the next track. Also, The ballads on this album were mostly bad [And there are a few of those]. But, A few decent songs save the album from being a total waste of time, Namely ''To The Unknown God'' [I actually liked this song], ''Omega'', and ''Raven's Warning''. Of the two vocalists, Sheri really hinders this album more so than Will, Being that you can clearly tell that she does not have a good voice and therefore is often unable to sing a song good. Add to this album's flaws some shoddy production and you've got yourself a forgettable album. If you collect christian goth music, Then maybe you should order this. But, If you really wanna know my opinion, Skip this album and buy any one of the  albums in the Legend trilogy from Saviour Machine or buy a Virgin Black album. Hope the review helped.


title: Decent if unmemorable effort

text: This album is halfway decent, Featuring some listenable songs scattered throughout some really horrible songs. I tell ya, You can find just about anything these days in the christian rock genre. I say that especially in the case of these guys. The name of this album is medicine. The name of the band is Bushbaby. These guys sound british and they mirror the sound of Oasis all throughout this album. The lyrics are mostly Christ-centered, Meaning you won't have to really attempt to decipher anything on this album. The problem with this album is that there's a few too many very skippable tracks and a major blow to this album is that these guys just don't know how to pull off a good slow song [evidenced by ''Candlestick Cradle'']. There are a few good songs, Such as ''Fall Down'', ''Medicine Man'', and ''Dreaming Day''. If you like brit rock, Then maybe i can reccomend it. Otherwise, Just pass this one on by.


title: Takes some getting used to, But this is an awesome compilation

text: This compilation from MCM Music features some very unique and unusual music that you usually will never come to expect in christian music. Several different bands on here have songs [at least 2 per band]. I was thoroughly impressed with Narnia [They sound like a cross between 80's Metallica and latter-day Manowar], and Saviour Machine. Eva O [Former Christian Death member and currently a christian] was undoubtedly the hardest artist to get into that was on here [Though track 3 was nice, unlike track 2]. I was simply blown away at the fact that a lot of these bands are actually gothic but yet they all perform it with christian lyrics! Because of the fact that this is mostly a gothic compilation, A lot of these songs have a dark, very unsettling feel. Right from Pastor Dave's intro to Saviour Machine's The Whore Of Babylon, This is a welcome breath of fresh air when you think about all the stupid poppy ''CCM'' bands that are currently flooding the ''Christian'' music industry. Best tracks are Narnia's ''Long Live The King'', Rackets and Drapes' ''Home Street Home'', Wedding Party's ''War Memorial'', Saviour Machine's ''Behold A Pale Horse'' [The highlight of the entire compilation], and Wedding Party's ''Bury The Dead''. If you're looking for something that glorifies God but is darker, This is a good cd for you.


title: An ok compilation of lesser-known christian punk bands

text:
I picked this cd up at a local christian bookstore used for about $[...]. I initially had very low expectations for this album due mainly to it's ultra-low price and also the fact that some of these band's names sound very cheesy and stupid. I was pleasantly surprised to find that i do like a few of these songs a lot, But there is a fair share of totally skippable songs [Why do christian punk compilations tend to feature some of the worst punk songs ever?!!!!]. I'mna do something different in this review, I'ma give my opinion, On a 1 to 10 scale on all of the tracks in the order that they are contained on this cd:

1. Pocket Change-Amazing Grace [10-Classic-The best version of amazing grace i ever heard, Love the beat a lot]

2. No More Droids-Failure [1-Easily one of the worst tracks on here, The singer sounds very bad and it's obvious she can't sing a lick and she makes the band's music sound useless]

3. Easement-Worthy God [9-More of a metal track than the others, This was a cool track]

4. Duckie-Embrace [3-This sounds like some Emo crap]

5. Calibretto 13-KGB [3-Stupid lyrics and bad vocals mostly ruin this one]

6. The Roosevelts-Life's A Bore [6-The music's ok, But once again, The vocals sound very cheesy]

7. Zeal-Beautiful Loser [6-This one's simply endurable at best]

8. Spitting Image-Take it or leave it [5.5/I was liking this one a lot until the singer started rapping at the end]

9. Subtrain-Bone [10-Classic-This song made me glad that i own this cd, This is another metal song and this is the best song on the cd, Great music, Great Godsmack/Pantera-like vocals, This makes the cd worth something, Check this one out immediately!]

10. Crossface-Tribulate [6-Standard rapcore song]

11. Unwind-The Game [5-Another track that was ruined by someone who just cannot sing]

12. Harmonium-Delicate [0-Abomination to music-What the hell is this? Something from the 7th heaven soundtrack?]

13. Chargin-Wake Up [8-An enjoyable metal song with a cool melody and good guitar riffs reminiscent of earlier Tourniquet]

14. Buckledown-Not Alone [1-Horrible ska-punk song]

15. 3 Car Pile-up-The Blood [8-This song was good. This is simply one of those fun songs]

16. The DBG'S-My Friend's An Addict [8-This was a cool song in spite of it's noticable shoddy production values]

17. The Pantlegs-Return To Woodcrest [1-An awful-sounding song that's made even worse because of it's extremely low quality production values. I mean cmon, This sounds like something that was recorded onto a tape from the 70's!]

18. Nashville Fats-Grace [0-Abomination to music-This is a bluesy acoustic track ruined by mind-numbingly awful lyrics and vocals. Was this song meant to be serious or was this a joke?]

19. Greg Strange-Holy Rollin Hot Rod [0-Abomination to music-This is even worse than the track before this, This makes traditional church music seem like enjoyable music!]

20. Unknown Band-Unknown Title Track [9.5-This bonus track is a surprisingly entertaining song. This is pretty much a death metal track. Good growls and good music make this a great track that rocks and is another one of the highlights of the compilation]

21. Common Children-Hate [7-This is a pretty decent track and an ok way to end this compilation. It's nothing special, But it does have some catchy moments]

There you have it. On this cd, You get the good, the bad, and the ugly all in one package. While this is not a classic compilation, There are a few pretty good songs that are worth hearing. You get 2 excellent songs and 6 good ones which total up to 8 songs that're worth a listen. I reccomend buying this cd used, But only if it's no more than $[...]. Hope the review helped.


title: Decent M8 Sampler

text: This little compilation was a sampler for a christian rock label named M8. I do think that this cd has a wide range of christian rock and metal bands, Both older and newer. However, Some of the songs on here are very bad [Namely Lust Control's ''Grace'', The Cyberhalo song, The Mike Roe song, and the 77's track]. Feezel's song on here was ok, It kinda bore resemblence to a Saliva track to me. The songs were all taken from releases and re-releases that were coming from the label at the time. Some great songs, Like X-Sinner's X-Sinner, Jamie Rowe's Peppermint Daisy Music, and Saint's classic Warrriors Of The Son definitely make the cd worth a listen in spite of the several horrible songs on here. Neon Cross' ''Need Your Love'' was bone-crunching and very enjoyable. Barnabas also had 2 tracks on here, 1 was great, 1 was terrible. The Pashawkee track on here sucks as well. All Access' ''One Special Night'' Was a great track [I actually have both their studio and live albums]. All of the albums [Though many of them were re-releases or rarity collections] which these songs came from are out-of-print, Some for the 2nd time. This cd is out-of-print too. But, I managed to buy this cd from a local christian bookstore for about $1 and even though this is a mixed bag, It was worth the purchase being that you do get a taste of some classic christian metal. It's worth ordering. Hope the review helps. Be blessed.


title: Five Stars

text: This is seriously one of the best punk albums of all time.


title: Five Stars

text: All time favorite CD, love the Pearls and their ministry No Greater Joy.


title: sublime, gentle chant

text:
This recording is a rare example of pure Gregorian Chant in the Fontgombault style from the mid 20th century. What distinguishes this style of Gregorian Chant to others, is its gentle, legatic feel; incredibly fuild, and incredibly surreal; unlike the hard rhythmic style of other eras. This style seems especially suited to honor to the Blessed Virgin. Everything about this CD transcends this world. Even the unique tonal inflections of the lead voice is quite moving and intimate; one can sense a sort of longing and anguish to one day meet Our Lord.

We are very blessed to have captured this quasi-heavenly exchange in an audio recording, nearly 50 years old.


title: Enjoyed this album as a college student

text: Still love it after all these years.  Still a great album


The great soundtrack finally got the treatment it deserves. This opening cue, finally in stereo, really sounds like a train ride: inviting, exciting with full of promises of the coming adventures.


title: Absolutely spectacular Pathetique - you need look no further!

text:
This performance by Honeck and Pittsburgh a has everything you could possibly want -  excitement,  overwhelming passion,  spectacular virtuosity.

I have loved this symphony for a long time -  and there are many wonderful recordings,  but this truly eclipses them all.

What the negative reviewers could possibly be thinking is beyond my comprehension.


title: Superb

text:
4 1/2*

Good Latin albums are getting harder and harder to find these days - the glory days of salsa and merengue(the 90s and early 00's) are over, and even great artists like Olga Tanon and Manney Manuel are having a hard time coming up with good material.

Some exceptions include Milly Quezada and Gilberto Santa Rosa, and it is great to see Juan Luis Guerra doing the same.

Guerra is  one of the greatest Latin musicians working  today: he writes, arranges and sings all his songs. His past work is legendary, and are among the greatest ever written, even if I personally have to endure the political angle of some of his lyrics.

Recently Mr. Guerra took a very unfortunate turn towards "Christian merengue" which I found objectionable and of lower musical quality moreover.

Mercifully, this new album is just love songs, free of politics and religion (as far as I can tell - I am not a fluent Spanish speaker) - and it is a real winner. While it may not quite have the unique rustic  charm of his greatest work, it is, on the hand, more modern and accessible, his technical singing abilities have matured magnificently, plus the recording quality of this CD is a big improvement over his earlier ones.

The first half of the album includes an infectious mambo, an abolutely magnificent bachata, Qaue Me Des Tu Carino,  and the kind of high spirited salsa and merengue we associate with this artist. It is similar to his old work, but different.

The second half of the album is perhaps a bit less impressive. The best here is an intriguing mellow salsa Cancioncita De Amor, and a ballad Sabia Manera in which Guerra sings more beautifully than I have ever heard him. On the basis of this one song alone, I would say Guerra has the finest male voice in Latin music today.

The other songs in the second half are fine, but relatively conventional compared to the rest of the album. Plus the title tune, La Llave de mi Corazon is a straight repeat of Medicine for My Soul, but in Spanish. The Final "bonus" song A La Vera is beautiful, but abbreviated.

I would not say La Llave de mi Corazon surpasses Guerra's best work of the 80s and the 90s , but that is really not important. It is good to see that Mr. Guerra has come up with an album  that retains much of what has made him so great, but without repeating himself.

With all the dreary music being released today, that La Llave de Mi Corazon should get a "Best Album" award is a no-brainer.


title: The Hollies should have been named The Everlys.

text: All of these albums are fine, but two are historic and justify the price. Two Yanks in London uses The Hollies as their backup band and song writers. Roots from 1968 is a very early country rock album shows the direction many groups went later.


title: Previously Released Material and Censored!

text:
I'm a hardcore Green Day fan and I try to collect almost all of their CD's/Records including singles, EP's, and bootlegs. However, this one will remain absent from my collection.

First of all, there are no B-Sides or lives tracks on this. Only 4 other tracks from previous albums.

Secondly, it's EDITED! Nobody wants to hear censored versions of Green Day songs!

So with no previously unreleased material and censoring great songs like American Idiot and Boulevard of Broken Dreams, there is absolutely no reason to waste your money on this garbage! Just go buy the albums themselves instead.


title: Great price and great shipping

text: Very good.seller even gave me a bonus cd


title: I Miss The Space Lady!

text: I used to pass her a lot when I walked through the Castro years ago. She always created an environment that was special and that felt warm and loving. You could be lifted out of yourself just by passing her on the street. I have many fond memories of her and hope she visits again someday. This is a nice collection of some of her cover tunes and some original material. Her interpretations are unique and...spacey. This music is good to chill to. It has charm children would enjoy. It is smooth and catchy. Great stuff!


title: Remaster, Please! :-)

text:
I have been enjoying this CD since I got it. The sound quality sounds like it is coming out of an old TV, though. I don't really mind it, but if this music could be remastered and improved even a little, that would be great. Since the show has come out in a remastered, cleaned-up version, perhaps a new edition of this CD would be a good idea as well. If it is released, I will certainly purchase it!

Please see also: [[ASIN:B00465I17Y H.R. Pufnstuf: Complete Series]] or [[ASIN:B00465I188 H.R. Pufnstuf: Complete Series Collector's Edition]].


title: German Politics Meet American Music

text: This CD is very Nina. The thing to understand is that, whereas in the USA, the idea of singing Christian Rock songs may seem either trite or devotional, depending on the spiritual place you occupy, Nina's context is a bit different. Namely, at one point, in her homeland of East Germany, one was forbidden to sing such music in public, much less make recordings available for sale. If one understands the German Punk scene, the rebellion was a very serious one against the restrictions of the DDR. Said rebellion could result in arrest or worse. So, it was not simply a musical style, but a political movement with potentially grave consequences. That considered, even though this CD has a musical style of Christian Rock and Gospel, the intention is actually rather Punk in nature. True, it was produced at a time where there were no longer the restrictions of the DDR, but, in its own way, it is part of the current flourishing of the arts in Germany and, specifically, Berlin, which constitutes a creative rebellion against the fascism of earlier decades. Further, Nina shows her colorful personality against the backdrop of a typically reserved German culture. Politics aside, this album pays homage to a number of previous rockers, including Elvis Presley. It is joyous and expresses unconditional love. It is even a bit campy at times. Remember, Jesus turned the water into wine, not a nutritional supplement. This CD is wine for the soul!


title: classical dennis brown

text: nothing can top classical Dennis Brown - he can sing, sang, will always be to the top -will be listened to forever


title: Five Stars

text: Love this song.


title: I've never met Henry Gross, but...

text:
A friend of mine in the music business turned me on to Henry Gross a couple of years ago. My friend said Henry's real name should be "Mister Pop," and if you check out Gross's impeccable control of pop-music craft and general song-writing skills, it's a no-brainer that my buddy was right.

FOREVERLAND is just Gross's latest offering, a collection of terrific pop tunes that sits nicely upon his stack of rocking records that date all the way back to Woodstock and ShaNaNa. If anything, he's only gotten better over the years. He still rocks as hard as ever, and his ballads are practically perfect.

If you're breathing and happy to be alive, you'll almost certainly enjoy this collection of "should-be" hits.


title: Five Stars

text: Awesome!


title: The early Blaggers

text:
Anyone who hasnt heard the Blaggers or heard of them if you are buying this one you are getting a very Clash/Upstarts influenced Oi! sound (rather than there later rave/Happy Mondays influenced stuff)

Some are a little critical of this album seeing it as just basic run of the mill Oi! and nothing special but for me this will always have a strong nostalga for me (not least because I first heard it when it first came out all those years ago)

People may make much of their political beliefs (but then I would have to say, strange that people make such a big thing about left wing bands then listen to far right extreamist stuff saying "I just listen to the music") There is not much on this that you would regard as any more 'political' than most early Oi! bands (unless people are going to say the 4 Skins were a political band because they wrote A.C.A.B!)  Just typical working class themes here nothing more.

Anyway, this is well worth tracking down.


title: Five Stars

text: Great


title: Gets better each time you hear it!

text: This is one CD that I never tire of listening. The sound quality is fantastic, the voices exquisite. Each track is strong and epic in its own right - my personal favourites are "Maar Daala", "Silsila Chahaat Ka", and "Dola Re Dola". Even though I have absolutely no idea what they're singing about (just vague recollections of the subtitles from the DVD), the songs are beautiful. This CD is not just for fans of Bollywood - it is pleasing to everyone I've made listen to this CD.


title: There is a god!!!

text: I always thought that I was the sole fan left of CR.  I could not get through a day of high school without listening to their debut album (yeah, I am pushing 40 now).  I recall sneaking out of the house late at night so that I could drive to LA and see them.  Those were the days!  I love Peter's solo stuff, but it just never seemed to have the finesse of the CR stuff.  This album is going to be my highlight of 2007!


title: Muy bonito..

text: Solo le falta madurar, como su tío Pedro Guerra.


title: What a Woman!

text: 4Ever Ella!


text: The best album ever

user_id: AHZCDKWUNLWNQJPYSNELFXXLTQYA


title: Very satisfactory transaction in all respects.  Would buy again from this supplier.

text: Anne Murray's velvety voice never fails to entertain.  Very good selection of songs.


title: GREAT

text: If you are into this type of thing then you will absolutely LOVE it.


title: A wonderful music!!

text: I purschased this rare CD and I don't regret it!! Oh my God, this worth MORE the money!! If you have the chance to go in Germany or find the Melodiya russian label on the web (this CD is no more avaible at amazon), buy it!!!! This is the complete ballet of Gayaneh, not the usually "suite"...and the music!! So colorful, very expressive and, of course, complete! A piece of masterpiece!!! If you want to discover a great russian composer, two words: Aram Khatchaturian!!!


title: Jeff Cook is awesome!

text: This cd was exactly what I expected it to be.  The seller described it excellently.  I love all the songs on this cd, especially Ashes Won't Burn and Can You See Me Now.  They are awesome!  Love it a lot!


title: Larry's first historic comedy album.

text: Ok, this probably isn't Larry's BEST comedy album, but it's up there.  "Lord, I Apologize" is probably his best.  So, if you don't have any Larry, start there.  But after that, go for this one.  It's now out-of-print, and tough to find.  But it has many early jokes that Larry doesn't perform any more, so this is the only way to hear them.


title: Disco con demos y pistas completas

text: excelente album de estas hermanas, muy agradecido por la compra, cumplio todas las espectativas, musica pistas completas y tiempo de entrega excelente, muchas gracias por todo, a disfrutar de buena musica, bendiciones buen dia


title: Five Stars

text: Great CD.


title: Calum Scott only human Deluxe

text: Great CD.


title: Great CD.

text: Love Gloria Gaynor.


title: Five Stars

text: very good


title: More of a fun series than anything else

text: These Russian Beatles cd's are fun, even if questionable in their legality. The sound qulaity often leaves a little something to be desired but the bonus tracks are always interesting. This one is no exception.


title: The Best Unknown Album Ever Made

text: It's been a number of years since I bought this CD and I'm still frequently bringing it off my shelves of nearly 1000 cds to listen to it. I had never heard it, as far as I remember in the hazy late 60's when it was originally released. I bought it based on some fantastic reviews I read. The reviewers were right, this album is a true classic. We've all heard of classic albums by groups like the Beach Boys, The Zombies, Beatles, etc., etc., but most people have never heard of this band. I'm telling you that if you somehow made it to this Love page on Amazon that,yes, a band that never sold more than about 100,000 copies of any of its albums (and that wasn't this one) in their original release, did make one of the finest rock albums ever and this is it. Incidentally I bought their first two albums after this one and was disappointed. This is the album that Arthur Lee thought would be his last and he paid great attention to detail and gave it his all. Some people I play it for say they sound similar to the Beatles. I've heard it called an acoustic symphony. Psychedelic folk rock is the genre they were tagged with. Arthur Lee wrote fantastic songs here and sings beautifully on them. The songs are acoustic based, but electric guitars are used quite effectively as well as horns and strings. The album flows and has some lyrics that will make you jerk your head around to look at the speakers. To conclude I believe this easily should be placed in a list of the best 10, 20 or 30 rock albums of all time and should therefore be considered for your music collection.


title: Oh What a Voice

text: I bought Tar and Cement on a 45 back in the 60's. I was enthralled, enchanted with that song and treated it as a no. 1 hit even though it only briefly made the charts at number 38. It was #1 in Australia. Anyway as the woods I grew up in have been turned into Tar & Cement the song never lost its luster and meaning for me. I searched for it for years with no success. Then in recent years I finally found it on Girls gone Zonk. I wondered if Verdelle Smith ever recorded anything else and presumed not. I couldn't find anything until now with this album finally appearing on Amazon. I am so glad I purchased this album and would pay much more for it if I had to. Verdelle Smiths voice can make any song sound great. You get 2 versions of Tar & Cement here. One just a little longer with some extra lyrics thrown in. In My Room is a terrific song. She sounds like Dusty Springfield on that one. Should have been a hit. Baby Baby is a great soul song. Catch a Falling Star is a unique classic originally done by Perry Como that I like alot. You get lots of great songs here. Over the Rainbow never sounded better than when sung with Verdelles Angelic voice. I play this album constantly and enjoy every song.Who knows why she disappeared back in the day, but she sure had a super fantastic beautiful voice. Love the album.


title: Five Stars

text: Great selection. I love it!


title: Time-Life does it again.

text: I bought this to replace the missing 1956 CD from the entire set.  All the songs in this Time-Life series are good.


title: Nostalgic Songs

text: I bought these songs to play at a local nursing home where most of the residents are in their 70s and 80s.  They love the songs.


title: This LP is her best compilation.

text: This is a wouderful album. Everything is there.  I am a fan and finally have an album worth playing.

attachment_type: IMAGE


title: Perfect Oldie Compilation

text: This is a perfect music CD. It is a perfect collection of the music I heard on the radio during the 70's & I can hardly wait for the other 2 CD's to arrive. Everyone who heard it agrees with me.


title: Love Danny Williams

text: Love Danny Williams. The tracks are so easy to listen to and it is so good to hear a someone who can actually sing and his phrasing is superb.<br />Sadly something that is lacking in todays music.


title: Brenda Lee

text: What can I say except another outstanding addition to my Brenda Lee collection. I was too young to enjoy her in her hey day and I am just delighted I am able to collect her music today. It is worth the double ups and she is still the greatest female song stylist of her genre. Now if only I could get the "Versatile Brenda Lee" and "Brenda Lee" on CD.  I live in hope.


title: Five Stars

text: these are rerecordings but sound good


title: good music-good version

text: i also wish this was put on cd.as a matter of fact three songs of this album were included in a pickwick cd released in 1996 entitled STAR WARS AND OTHER SCI-FI THEMES.the three selections were 1. the conversation 2. the appearance of the visitors 3. theme from "close encounters of the third kind." the soundtrack- pickwick album spc3118 is smooth and is easy to listen to.again,it needs to be put on a cd-not just part of a cd but the whole album.one album that was put on cd in 1998,pickwick product, was "gone with the wind'-originaly recorded and released in 1967. pickwick's "close encounters is a good product.


title: good relaxing music

text: these recordings are not the original soundtrack recordings.they are,however,are good. i do not have the original soundtrack,so i must judge this on its own merits.i have played this album over and over since i purchased it a month ago.it is a relaxing album.this album includes-theme from love story,mozart jennys theme,bach-sonata in g major,a time for us,lara's theme from doctor zhivago,a man and a woman, love theme from romeo and juliet and love letters. this is a beautiful album.i bought this through amazon.


title: thoughts on the cover

text: i agree with the points made by the previous reviewer. the cover photo made me think after he brought it up. i thought for awhile and then it hit me-the group on the cover is a 1969 photo of johnny maestro and the brooklyn bridge.


title: what is on this cd?

text: billy has a great voice,but what is on this cd ? can someone list the songs on this cd? thank you---richard bennett


title: Soft Warm & Inviting...

text: Poetry in Motion!


title: "UNFAITHFUL LOVER IF I DID NOT LIST AMONG MY 1-2 FAVORITE COMPOSERS"

text: Jack Jones 'Wives & Lovers"- Crazy, on heavy radio rotation many, many years, had to get a copy for my own I was only 7, froze when I found this album cover, you could see, here is a composer who has studied all the spreads and sheets!


title: "A COMIC STRIP THAT DEFIES BORDERS"!

text: I love how this item is referred to as a comic book, every line in each facial muscle has meaning and lends a story unto itself, and every song a vital phase to explore, yes, you the listener, breathe new life into each verse.


title: 8th COMPILATION '74 LAST RELEASE ON RCA- "I LOVE IT"!

text: "Someone to Give My Love To"  The Master Delivery ranks among the best work by Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band, "Seattle" Glen Campbell & The Wrecking Crew.


title: 27th ALBUM, 8th COLUMBIA '76- "FIND ME HERE"...

text: Listening for the door at the end of a long day, the song we fell in love to on our hi-fi, as my heart begins to swell, I know that I am home, anxious as ever.


title: 28th MAIN ALBUM 9th FINAL MAIN ALBUM COLUMBIA 1976

text: Title track 2nd of 3 Singles for last album on Columbia (38th Single 10th Columbia) "I Don't Wanna Talk It Over Anymore" b/w "You Crossed My Mind A Thousand Times Today"


title: 3rd ALBUM 1st ON COLUMBIA "HOLD THE PHONE"!

text: I don't care who you are, the power and volume, we all take a cue from Hank Jr. "Turn It Up"!


title: ORIGINAL EDITION OF 3rd ALBUM '69 WITH LONGER TITLE!

text: "The Simon Sisters Sing the Lobster Quadrille and Other Songs for Children" reissued in '73 as "The Simon Sisters Sing Songs For Children".


title: 16th MAIN ALBUM '07- "ONE OF MY FAVORITE LIVE ALBUMS"!

text: Jimmy Webb really knows how to light up and warm a room!  This album sounds especially good on headphones.


title: "MY CHOICE FOR CAMELOT IN THE JET AGE"!

text: The front album cover of the 1960 Original Cast Recording only had lettering it would be the edition President JFK had at the White House, graphics for the 1965 reissue are very attractive!


title: "LOVE AT 39,000 FEET"- STREAMING YOUR WAY!

text: Looking out across the Nightclub Peter Nero can see who are in love, the sparks really fly!


title: "JEROME MOROSS POSSESSES A BIG HEART"!

text: Lifelong friends Bernard Herrmann and Jerome Moross first met studying under Copland, known for assisting other composers, their work is some of the most beautiful music ever written!


title: "TO THE VICTOR BELONG THE SPOILS IN A WAR"!

text: A very bright and upbeat score for what may have been a dark seedy underside of the Resistance.


title: LIFE IS NOT ALL "STOP" & "GO"!

text: A dismantled race car like a marriage serves no purpose, when the pieces are assembled and fit together, the fire and combustion for a winning formula!


title: "EVERY ARTIST HERE HAVE EARNED THEIR WINGS"!

text: The GOASTT/YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND/IF BY YES/Sean Lennon/Kemp and Eden.  One of my favorite collections in my uhm... collection!.


title: AIRTO & FLORA'S 6th B&W ALBUM 2000- PRODUCED IN THE UK!

text: Fourth World fifth album, I love to play my Airto & Flora remixes driving across town, thoughts turn to the original masters, the new versions possess a high level Octane!


title: B&W 12" & CD SINGLE 1994- BWR052 & BW5052!

text: Africa (Taking Me Home 7" Mix) Africa (Taking Me Home Club Mix) Firewater/Jive Talk (Rolling Gait Mix) Africa (Original Mix)


title: FIRST LP BUDDHA RECORDS- "BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE"!

text: Alue-Xibaba (She-ba-ba)-Terror-Bebe-Andei-Mixing-The Tunnel-Frevo-Liamba  Look for Japanese Compact Disc Version Skye Records 2005 & 2015.


title: ONE OF MY "FAVORITE" COMPILATIONS!

text: Toquinho and Vinicius are all about their friends, lending and adding their voices strengthening the mix, not just harmonies- lead vocals, b/w cover photo conveys an open door policy!


title: VINICIUS HISTORIC LIVE RECORDING- "NEW ENTRY IN MAIN DISCOGRAPHY"!

text: Originally brought to the surface in '91 and reissued in 2008, among a list of other ultra-rare live acts such as "Vinicius-Joao-.Jobim "Um Encontro No Au Bon Gourmet ".


title: VINICIUS 8th FEATURE LP '67- GOOD INTRODUCTION TO BOSSA NOVA!

text: From the first opening notes featuring Chico on vocals leading into the next track with Nara up to the final orchestration this is one my favorite albums and first choices for a gift!


title: 22nd LP '72 DOUBLE DISC- 10 VOCALS, 10 INSTRUMENTALS!

text: "The Artistry Of Glen Campbell" is one of my favorite albums and nicest ways to relax and unwind after a long day.


title: BOUND TO PLEASE ROCK & ROLL ENTHUSIASTS AT HEART!

text:
Rick Nelson "Memphis Sessions" 10 Songs, 16 Songwriters!

RICK NELSON MEMPHIS SESSIONS
(E 40388 AL 40388)
Published 1986 CBS Inc.
"EPIC" IS A TRADEMARK OF CBS INC.

Side 1.

That's Alright Mama
It's All Over Now
Dream Lover
Rave On
Sleep Tight, Good Night Man

Side 2.

Almost Saturday Night
Lay back In The Arms Of Someone You Love
Stuck In The Middle
Send Me Somebody To Love
True Love Ways

10 Songs
(In alphabetical order)

ALMOST SATURDAY NIGHT
DREAM LOVER
IT'S ALL OVER NOW
LAY BACK IN THE ARMS OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE
RAVE ON
SEND ME SOMEBODY TO LOVE
SLEEP TIGHT, GOODNIGHT MAN
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
THAT'S ALRIGHT MAMA
TRUE LOVE WAYS

10 SONGWRITER CREDITS (In alphabetical order by Individual or group of Songwriters)

(01). MIKE CHAPMAN/NICKY CHINN
Lay Back In The Arms of Someone You Love
(02). AURTHUR CRUDUP
That's Alright Mama
(03). BOBBY DARIN
Dream Lover
(04). JOE EGAN/GERRY RAFFERTY
Stuck In The Middle
(05). JOHN FOGERTY
Almost Saturday Night
(06). BUDDY HOLLY/NORMAN PETTY
True Love Ways
(07). TIM KREKEL
Send Me Somebody To Love
(08). JOHN LORBER/SAM LORBER
Sleep Tight, Good Night Man
(09). SONNY WEST/BILL TILGHMAN/NORMAN PETTY
Rave On
(10). BOBBY WOMACK/SHIRLEY WOMACK
It's All Over Now

16 INDIVIDUAL SONGWRITERS (In alphabetical order)

(01). Mike Chapman
(02). Nicky Chinn
(03). Arthur Crudup
(04). Bobby Darrin
(05). Joe Egan
(06). John Fogerty
(07). Buddy Holly
(08). Tim Krekel
(09). John Lorber
(10). Sam Lorber
(11). Norman Petty
(12). Gerry Rafferty
(13). Bill Tilgham
(14). Sonny West
(15). Bobby Womack
(16). Shirley Womack

Produced By Steve Buckingham
FOR STEVE BUCKINGHAM PRODUCTIONS

Producer's Note

The original tracks and vocals were transferred from 16 track analog to 24 track digital. Research involving discussions with Rick's manager, musicians and friends gave us definate indications what he had wanted to accomplish stylistically with this album. with this in mind, we overdubbed drums and electric guitar to achieve what we think Rick wanted... a rock and roll singer back to basics with a hot rhythm section.

RECORDED AND MIXED BY ED SEAY

ASSISTED BY GARY PACZOSA

ORIGINALLY PRODUCED BY LARRY ROGERS
AT LYN-LOU STUDIO-MEMPHIS

MIXED AT DIGITAL RECORDERS-NASHVILLE

ART DIRECTION BY Bill JOHNSTON

ILLUSTRATION BY KIM WHITESIDES

Special Thanks To
STEVE GIBSON, EDDIE BAYERS, BOB MOORE,
BOBBY NEAL, DANNY HOGAN, JOHN BELAND,
LARRY BYROM, TOM ROBB, JOHN CARDOZA
BILLY THOMAS, JOHN DAVIS, RONNY SCAIFE


title: "THE SONGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW"!

text:
Burt Bacharach Timeless, 5 CD's, 101 tracks, 45 Artist, 23 songwriting collaborators, 13 songs appear more than once in different versions, 1 song previously unreleased James Ingram A Higher Place.

Over 38 hard to find tracks worth seeking out, songs appear in chronological order, liner notes include an alphabetical track list to serve as a reference guide.

I recently listened to all of the Burt Bacharach Timeless 5 CD box set three times over the period of one week, songs that take on a different shape depending if it's morning or late in the evening.

Songs to fit every mood, guide, inspire, nurture and sustain.

Timeless...

I appreciate being able to listen to a number of tracks between 1971 and 2006.

Major works to surface on the radio, tailored made for a variety of artist, my life changed on a dime when I recently got to hear them in one place.

As I have mentioned, the beauty of the Burt Bacharach Timeless 5 CD boxset all the tracks are presented in chronological order, it really is a diary.

Lani Hall Love Song composed by Leslie Duncan is a good place to open discussion.

Burt Bacharach is a fan of good music, he has talked about sometimes he feels it would've been a lot easier if he just showed up at a club to simply sing and play without the usual constraints set upon a composer and record producer.

Lani Hall Love song is an off the cuff gem performed for the sheer love of making music, and collaborating with a long time friend and associate, after many decades it still has a very contemporary feel, in addition to backup vocals I'm sure Burt Bacharach is on electric organ, Burt Bacharach is urging her on, Lani Hall is the messenger...

LOVE IS THE KEY WE MUST TURN
TRUTH IS THE FLAME WE MUST BURN
FREEDOM THE LESSON WE MUST LEARN
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
HAVE YOUR EYES REALLY SEEN?

A wonderful sentiment to set up the listener for the next group of songs.

ROBERTA FLACK MAKING LOVE by Bacharach/Sager/Roberts 1982

HERE... CLOSE TO OUR FEELING... WE TOUCH AGAIN... WE LOVE AGAIN
REMEMBER WHEN WE THOUGHT OUR HEARTS WOULD NEVER MEND?
AND WE'RE ALL THE BETTER FOR EACH OTHER
THERE'S MORE TO LOVE, I KNOW... THAN MAKING LOVE

I can't think of a more delicate arrangement, I'm sure the number required a woman's touch, I am thankful for the work Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach and associates worked on, one of the reasons I love Burt Bacharach so much is because I get the feeling a good arrangement never goes out of date, if a composer and arranger comes up with a beautiful blend it is indeed, timeless.

PEABO BRYSON & ROBERTA FLACK MAYBE by Bacharach/Sager/Hamlisch 1983

Discussing his output with the author and chronicler Serene Domenic, Burt Bacharach has mentioned Maybe has some unforgettable elements, you can bet they register with the public, the delicate arrangement on Making Love is used to full effect again repeating that incredible blend matching song and word.

YOU KEEP ASKING ME IF I WILL LOVE YOU FOR ALL TIME
IF TWO OF US WILL BE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT STRONG
AND IF WE LEARN TO KEEP IT FREE AND LET EACH OTHER GROW
WE'LL FIND OUT THERE'S NO YES OR NO

Falling in love is quite a revelation, especially when you find yourself falling in love over and over time and again with the same person, no one composes or arranges like Burt Bacharach, the man has something most relevant to say.

Don't touch that radio dial!

CHAKA KHAN STRONGER THAN BEFORE by Bacharach/Sager/Roberts 1984

Burt Bacharach has a lot of respect for his collaborators, the abilty to repeat and duplicate sheer magic, always introducing fresh welcome new material, a number of artist have covered Stronger Than Before for the sheer love, ear candy, a number emotionally, that leaves the listener spiraling upward.

I WILL TAKE YOU ANYWHERE YOU EVER WANT TO BE (STRONGER, STRONGER)
YOU'RE THE LIGHT INSIDE OF ME

These are incredible compositions coming out year after year one after another, new blends and formulas, it doesn't get much better than this, just you wait. Another project.

DIONNE & FRIENDS THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Bacharach/Sager 1985

A huge signpost for the 80's, a number that couldn't come at a more better time, the opening note and syllables which makes so much sense and have a way of tumbling, like opening a lock causing the heart to quiver.

AND I
NEVER THOUGHT I'D FEEL THIS WAY
AND FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I'M GLAD I GOT A CHANCE TO SAY
THAT I DO BELIEVE THAT I LOVE YOU

Not one to sit on their laurels Bacharach/Sager managed to top themselves with another monster hit.

PATTI LABELLE MICHAEL MCDONALD ON MY OWN by Bacharach/Sager 1986

In the book Burt Bacharach Song By Song Michael McDonald cites our composer as one of his three main original influences, and the adrenalin involved to put on the headphones and be engaged with a Burt Bacharach production.

Bacharach and Sager most certainly are responsible for some of the most timeless works I know.

I will never forget what it was like to switch on MTV and experience On My Own.

An enormous love which can't be contained, to have ever loved so much and manage to share it with the public at large, I'm sure we are all in accord... leave the world wondering a love like that is attainable.

I'VE GOT TO FIND WHAT WAS MINE AGAIN
MY HEART IS SAYING THAT IT IS MY TIME AGAIN
AND I HAVE FAITH THAT I WILL SHINE AGAIN
I HAVE FAITH IN ME

You are no good to anybody else unless you learn to be true to your self.

As I sit and listen to the 5 CD box set Burt Bacharach Timeless, I am extending ever further to the outermost stratosphere.

PATTI LABELLE SLEEP WITH ME TONIGHT by Bacharach/Sager/Diamond 1986

Somebody had to say.

What could be more fitting, after all, the collaborators are longtime close affiliates, you're in good hands.

AND NOW I FINALLY UNDERSTAND
HOW MUCH I'VE MISSED YOU
YOU'VE LOVED ME ONCE
PLEASE LOVE ME AGAIN

Luther Vandeross pops up here with his interpretation of a perennial classic.

LUTHER VANDEROSS ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART by David/Bacharach 1986

Who says all is fair in love and war, when you have it bad for someone, you have it bad, always milling around inside you, a love that can be a bit of burden to hide or disguise, when you expect so much from the world and can't do everything alone, learning or knowing when to plead or cite your case, sometimes to no avail... Luther Vandeross is one of my favorite vocalist and interpreters.

El DEBARGE LOVE ALWAYS by Bacharach/Sager/Roberts 1986

Champions of the heart, a revealing glimpse inside someone's life, a pleasure and privelage to learn how love operates.

Unending.

I GOT A SECRET FOR YOU
CAN'T BELIEVE MYSELF
BUT EVER SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
I THINK OF NO ONE ELSE

It is 1986, Bacharach and Sager have been collaborating for a number of years, enjoying a string of hits, striking gold every turn, with an innate ability to bring friends and associates into the picture, 1987 will prove another landmark year.

DIONNE WARWICK & JEFFREY OSBORNE LOVE POWER by Bacharach/Sager 1987

A potboiler.

TO THIS NEW GIRL JUST LAST NIGHT
I TRIED TO KEEP IT LIGHT
WHEN SHE HELD ME IN HER ARMS, SHE KNEW
SHE TOLD ME THAT I HADN'T GOTTEN OVER YOU

I have found the duets Bacharach/Sager composed for Dionne to be especially powerful, she's really listening as she sings along, it must be nice to know that you have a hit.

My word... what Burt Bacharach do you have on your MP3.

It is a legitimate question.

There's ten hits for you between 1971 and '87.

I can't think of a more mystical exchange, selling and pushing singles for radio play, quite frankly, I'm in awe, what a collection of titles and artists.

But it doesn't stop there. The hits keep on coming.

Are you with me?

GLADYS KNIGHT OVERNIGHT SUCCESS by Bacharach/Sager 1987

A song that is bound to hit you like a plank between the eyes.

THE TIME HAS COME TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND US
SEE ONCE AGAIN IF WE ARE LIVING HAPPILY

Pretty powerful stuff...

SO IF WE COULD BE HONEST
WE COULD SAY WHAT WE MEAN

Text book examples what it's like to be in a relationship if you have all the right makings.

Lyrics for Overnight Success call upon a clever play of words drawing to a grand crescendo.

REECHO EVERYONE'S RESPECT
JUST BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING
SO JUST TREAT EVERY PERSON FAIRLY

Bacharach/Sager collaborations continues well into the early 90's.

In chronological order my MP3 string of hits play out like a double album album beginning with the joyful Lani Hall Love Song by Leslie Duncan and the first section drawing to a close with Dionne Warwick & Jeffrey Osborne Love Power, continuing with Gladys Knight Overnight Success, extending to the next Bachrach/Sager single.

PATTI LABELLE NEED A LITTLE FAITH by Bacharach/Sager 1989

Artist and collaborators playing their heart out.

AND I AGREE THAT WE LIVE OUR LIVES
WITH A HOPE THAT WE'LL FIND THAT SPECIAL ONE
WHO KNOWS ALL THAT WE CAN BE EACH DAY

You see, everyone has a true soul mate, you want to be in a relationship where each other's needs are met and fulfilled gladly, only fitting to bring in Goffin for the next duet.

DIONNE WARWICK & JEFFREY OSBORNE TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU AND ME by Bacharach/Sager/Goffin 1989

A banner for those who have loved and lived to tell.

TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU AND ME
PROTECT US FROM THE THINGS THAT HURT LOVE

I'm in... This is getting good... where do we go from here...

ARETHA FRANKLIN & MICHAEL MCDONALD EVERCHANGING TIMES by Bacharach/Sager/Conti 1991

I GOTTA FIND ME A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
EVERYDAY KEEP FORGETTING WHAT'S MINE
I GOTTA FIND ME A WAY, THAT'S LESS DEMANDING
AND WE'RE HOLDING ON SO TIGHT, ALL OF OUR LIVES

True love is no game and stands the test of time, everyone knows heartache and loss, beat the clock, get excited about prospects.

The next collaboration returns to an artist versed in life cycle proceedings, knowing what it means to take on a man's surname and lose your personal identity, come to grips, don't hide behind your man, it may be your short coming, get in touch with your innermost feelings and needs, what could be more liberating, wake up and herald a new day.

ARETHA FRANKLIN SOMEONE ELSE'S EYES by Bacharach/Sager/Roberts 1991

I SAW REFLECTIONS OF A GIRL I WAS, HEY, CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE
SEEIN' A WOMAN WHO'S DEFINED BY YOU, I NEVER REALISED
I CAN'T LOVE YOU, I CAN'T LOVE YOU THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE'S EYES, OOH~

Bacharach/Sager will bring Goffin back into the picture for another very moving number.

THE STYLISTICS HANG YOUR TEARDROPS UP TO DRY Bacharach/Sager/Goffin 1991

An incredible run, definitive songs which display a world on fire.

Burt Bacharach Timeless has three important numbers composed between '91 and '93 that I encourage everybody to seek by Bacharach/Sager/Ingram and Bacharach/Ingram/Bettis.

Yes, that is James Ingram.

Disc 4 TRACK 11 JAMES INGRAM A HIGHER PLACE by Bacharach/Sager/Ingram 1991
Disc 4 Track 15 JAMES INGRAM SING FOR THE CHILDREN by Bacharch/Ingram/Bettis 1993
Disc 4 Track 16 JAMES INGRAM THIS IS THE NIGHT by Bacharach/Ingram/Bettis 1993

Undisputed classics, a gift for all time.

A wonderful collection rounded off with rousing renditions of, FALLING OUT OF LOVE by Bachrach/Leiber/Leiber.

My personal playlist end on a positive note. Where else?

Disc 5 Track 7 DAVE KOZ DON'T GIVE UP by Bacharach/Koz 1999

And for good measure, Disc 5 Track 15.

DIONNE WARWICK I'M ON MY WAY by Bacharach/David 2000

Life affirming work.

Soul reunion.

Solid testimony Burt Bacharach is true to form- world finest composer, arranger and producer.

Look for two important numbers by Barbra Streisand.

Disc 4 Track 2 BARBRA STREISAND ONE MORE TIME AROUND by Bacharach/Sager 1988
Disc 4 Track 3 BARBRA STREISAND LOVE LIGHT by Bacharach/Sager/Keane 1988

Keep on playing and listening.


title: Music that takes me back

text: Great artist


title: Brilliant Comedic Team

text: This was a night club comedy act in the early 1960s.  Stevens was a radio disc jockey with a late-night jazz program, and Jack Clements was a brilliant goof-ball who (help me if you know?) may have gone on to write film scripts.  The two hit it off and this series of four-minute to six-minute skits records their unique rapport.  I remember laughing all through their 'Arf Arf' routine, about a psychiatrist and a man who barks like a dog.  Wish this was still available.


title: Five Stars

text: o.k.


title: Thank you.

text: Liked it


title: Thank you

text: I liked it.


title: Bookstore Freebie is Outstanding

text: Compilation of twelve songs from Narada, Higher Octave, Domo and Real World labels.  I believe Virgin Records, which released this disc, had just bought those labels and was showcasing the best-of.  Very outstanding selection.


title: Five Stars

text: It's no wonder that EMI turned them down after listening to this.


title: Five Stars

text: If you like the A&M records of artists they recorded, you'll love this!


title: Guitar Master at Work. Chicago

text: This man is a genius on electric guitar. His stepfather was another blues guitarist you may have heard of, Robert Johnson. R(Jr)L has been on records with Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sunnyland Slim and Otis Spann. His work here is brilliant. When he plays and sings, you feel it in your heart. Though he had been recorded as a sideman as far back as 1944, this 1970 date is his first as a leader. My 1973 copyright Delmark vinyl is a little worse for wear after 42 years, but I don't hear the clicks and pops, I hear the guitar master at work.


title: First live shows with Doug Yule, a document for fans

text: Not recommended for anyone new to the Velvets due to the sound quality, but fascinating and rewarding for the long-time fan, this crowd-recorded live set is Doug Yule's first public performance with the VU. I give it three stars because, as they readily admit in the liner notes, it is a lo-fi cassette recording. The music is worth it though, with the earliest known recording of the song "Foggy Notion" as well as different lyrics on "Pale Blue Eyes," which they were soon to record for the White Light LP. The version of "Jesus" here is more rocking than the studio one that came out in 1969 on Velvet Underground.


title: An overlooked camp classic

text: "Tina Benez" (s/he prounounces it "ben-AYE") is the drag name for this dude who once worked at the NYC gay bookstore "A Different Light" (151 W. 19th St. at 7th. Ave.) in Manhattan in 2000/2001. S/he was so animated and hilarious we were in stitches. Her long-suffering co-worker Tom (from NJ) did most of the work while Tina clowned and camped around. OK, the CD is late-90s electro-pop, heavily processed, fun, dancefloor remix gay music. One track, "I wanna be loved by you" has SEVEN remixes! "Ghost in you" is my favorite of all the songs because it has a haunting beauty(it has one remix included.) "Tina" told us her CD was #1 in Thailand, and we've been laughing about that ever since. It sure must be rare, considering at the time I write this the only two sellers are asking between $60-65 bucks for it! "Tina" signed the CD artwork insert for me. I wonder what ever happened to "Tina Benez"? Hope s/he's well and happy!


title: angel cards

text: these are beautiful stunning cards.  The descriptions are gentle and loving.  I especially like the dictionary of angels.  I highly recommend.


title: I love

text: I love half the songs in the double album. It wasn’t the album I was thinking it was.


title: Great cd, shipping not

text: As great as one would expect from TVXQ. Shipping very slow.


title: Vinyl

text: This ia vinyl review of the police Ghost in the Machine Nautilus Super Disc this lp sounds wonderful much more life then the cd or the A&M verson if you can find one of these lp,s don,t wait get it i feel i,ve heard this classic lp the right way for the first time i thank amazon for having it if your into vinyl i don,t think there is a better verson out there Enjoy and Rock ON


title: genial

text: excelente sonido y box agradable


Five Stars


title: Three Stars

text: Listenable but not even close to first album "Cigarettes and Housework".


title: Holy Grail of Kinks Kollection Revealed

text:
I have been curious about this album for many, many years and am not sure when I first became aware of it.  Released in 1969, the LP was part of a promo campaign called "God Save The Kinks" in N. America when label Reprise was trying to reconnect that audience with the band which had all but disappeared to the record buying public here.  A proposed 1968 album called "Four More Respected Gentlemen" became the Loch Ness monster equivalent in Kink lore and was ultimately replaced by this record which was proven to be real but very elusive to acquire.  I have read online that it was also available as a "mail away" or something like that but its availability is scarce. Being a promo, I don't know if anyone really knows how many copies were ever pressed.  One kronikler said he had only ever seen 2 copies in 20 years.  Even in his notes of the double album 'Kink Kronikles' (1972), which in my opinion is THE ultimate Kinks album ever, John Mendelsohn refers to 'Berkley Mews' as being "heretofore-unreleased".  This contributes to the Loch Ness reputation of 'Then Now and Inbetween' which actually contains the first true release of 'Mews' and whose liner notes (ironically) are written by the same Mr. Mendelsohn!

So mystery and intrigue aside, now that I own this beast, how is it?

First off, as an album, it gets 4 stars because of the annoying edits of many of the songs including the amazing and already short "David Watts" who gets edited to 1:52 from its original 2:39 running time - come on!  I know its a promo album but seriously, too many edits like this and I would relocate that ad person responsible for this back to the mail room.

The track listing itself is hard to dispute given its purpose as a promo disc.  Any album that has two of the best 60's songs ever in 'Days' and 'Waterloo Sunset' back to back has an almost unarguable case in those two tracks alone.

For the record, here are the tracks -

Side One:
1.  "Early Chunky Medley" (3:21)
  Louie Louie/You Really Got Me/ I Need You/Till the End of the Day
2. A Well Respected Man
3. Dedicated Follower of Fashion
4. Dandy
5. Sunny Afternoon

Side Two:
1. David Watts
2. End of the Season
3. Sitting by the Riverside
4. Death of a Clown
5. Village Green Preservation Society
6. Last of the Steam Powered Trains
7. Big Sky
8. Berkley Mews
9. Days
10. Waterloo Sunset

Of course, the 10 tracks on side two are the giveaway of edits being used.

In conclusion, the real value of this album is as a collectable - or as a 'kollectable' because only 'kompletists' will be interested. Guess I know where that places me.

Happy hunting!


title: If you only want one Spanish guitar album, this is it!

text:
British_eh.

I purchased this Album in California around 2008.  I love this as background music, around a pool, a drink with an umbrella in it, and a warm sunny evening with the sunset approaching. It is soothing, relaxing, but upbeat.  I have all the Gypsy Kings albums, so this does go well with them, as an instrumental.

You'll love it.  5/5

Cheers.


title: Great Hot Tuna record!

text: Had a cassette of this years ago, and really liked it, but I forgot about it, had other Jorma when I was collecting CD’s. Now collecting vinyl and was very happy to find this old friend. It’s a great Tuna record!


title: Five Stars

text: All ok. Thank you so much.


title: "..I found out she's the Girl Next Door"... great tune

text: Bobby Brown's first release since leaving New Edition. This CD has a lot of good songs, featuring the stand-out track "Girl Next Door" written by Melvin D. Wells and produced by Larry Blackmon (from Cameo} and I thought the CD was well produced by such talent as Robert Brookins, Larry Blackmon & Paul Jackson, Jr. among others. Very good sound quality because it's a Japanese Import. 5/5


title: excellent

text: this is one of Rebecka tornqvist's best albums, together with "Good thing" and "A night like this"; every song is very good, it's a very interesting album; Rebecka is a very good artist, it's a pity that she's not so popular; I'm waiting for "Melting into orange"  to arrive by mail


title: one of the best albums of the '90

text: The first album by Rebecka Tornqvist is one of her best albums; there are very good songs, like "Mary, Mary", "Madrid", "Easy come, easy go", "Here's that rainy day", "Molly says" and "Angel eyes"; I love all the songs of this album; Rebecka is an excellent artist, and all her albums are worth buying.


title: Five Stars

text: he is great


title: Lighting it up in Vegas

text:
This is an 'unofficial release' of a 1995 concert broadcast over FM radio from the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino, labeled in some circles as 'Live at The Joint'.  The cafe is a 4,100 seat facility, and from the sounds of it, every seat is occupied by a devoted Stephen Stills fan.

This excellent recording features Stills solo on what sounds like the same instrument he utilized four years previous for his 'Stills Alone' CD release, a metal-top acoustic resonating guitar fitted with electric pick-ups, and then an electric set featuring Gerald Johnson on bass, Michael Finnegan on keyboards and vocals, and Joe Vitale on drums.  While the audience is on fire they at no time overwhelm the proceedings being recorded on-stage.  Stills' metal-top guitar in the acoustic set and Gerald Johnson's bass on the electric set predominate.  If you enjoy your rock bass driven, this disc will not disappoint.

An enthusiastic 'Midnight Rider' opens the acoustic set, and Stills sounds in improved voice over the raw, gravely sound that surprised many fans on 'Stills Alone'.  Two medley's are featured, 'So Begins the Task' coupled with 'Johnny's Garden', and the 'Daylight Again/Find the Cost of Freedom' suite that seems a bit out of place in the middle of the concert, closing out the acoustic set.  Featured between the medleys is a cover of Dylan's 'The Ballad of Hollis Brown' which Stephen recorded on 'Stills Alone'.

The electric set finds Stills on the metal-top acoustic for the first three numbers.  'Love the One You're With' ignites the crowd, followed by 'Change Partners' featuring some enjoyable harmonies along with keyboardist Finnegan.  A unique 'Treetop Flyer' is next, possessing an unusual structure perhaps best described as a jumping ballad, and offering an evolution on the "I'll fly guns" lyric, this time delivered as "I''ll fly most anything but guns", helping to preserve the smuggler as a sympathetic figure.  Finnegan cuts loose next on the vocals to the bluesy 'Born Under a Bad Sign'.  Of the remaining five electric numbers, Stills dips into the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young catalog for 'Long Time Gone', 'Dark Star' and 'Woodstock', and throws in his biggest hit with The Buffalo Springfield, 'For What It's Worth', delivered as an audience sing-along.  The closer is a ramped up version of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's 1965 composition, 'Born In Chicago'.

This is a high-energy, sincere performance from Stills and his band, a veteran outfit dating back to the 1970's.  The recording is clear, crisp, and well-balanced, easily a five-star production.

It's good for Stephen to have recordings such as this in circulation.  Despite their 'unofficially released' status, anyone hearing this performance would certainly be inclined to want to see Stephen in concert, and hearing songs like 'So Begins the Task' and 'Johnny's Garden' should spark interest in Stills' complete catalog.


title: tee & wink

text:
Here's a nice, self-titled disc by David Teegarden (drums and vocals) and Skip Knape (organ, bass & vocals) from 1970.  The pair existed as musical force, primarily in the Detroit area, from 1968 until 1973.  They certainly are the classic "one hit wonders", teeing off in October of 1970 with a number 22 hit, 'God, Love and Rock & Roll'.  The song holds the pole position on this disc, gradually layering organ, conga, some brilliant  brass, and soulful backup singers into rousing Gospel-rock, entreating the listener to sing along with the chorus of "We believe" and "Amen".  It's a formula that Tee & Wink rely on with effective regularity.

While it's fair to say that there is nothing that will turn you off on 'Teegarden and Van Winkle', it is also true that there is nothing on the disc to compare with 'God, Love and Rock & Roll'.  But that is primarily a testament to the enormous appeal of the band's singular hit, rather than an indictment of the filler.  There are other highlights to be mentioned, and the artists have strategically arranged the selections to ration the tastiest morsels at the most opportune moments.  Side one of the original vinyl featured five tracks.  Track four, 'Everything Is Going To Be Alright' managed to get airplay (at least in Southeast Michigan), expressing the band's positive mantra with lyrics like "as long as I've got shoes on my feet, food for my children to eat, it's going to be alright".  Side two begins and ends with the longest productions, a cover of 'Eleanor Rigby' (featuring a sweet piano and organ foundation over seven minutes of vinyl), and 'Homegrown/Okie From Muskogie', actually seperate tracks timing out together at 8:26.  'Homegrown', like 'G,L and R & R', features a funky organ and conga and a sweet "Everybody's homegrown" chorus.  The conserva-rock really peaks with a faithful (well, maybe just a bit tongue-in-cheek) rendition of 'Okie From Muskogie'.  A humorous aside is offered as the song's bridge, describing a true Okie as someone who "watches the news, Bonanza, and falls asleep".  The song is presented in a faux-live environment, with lots of entirely appropriate hootin' and hollerin'!

More reserved and less distinguished fare is offered with 'Mona Sweet Mona' (of course "from Oklahoma"), a light rocker with it's own share of brassiness; a heavy production ballad, 'Ruth Colleen'; the side one closer 'Going Back Home'; and the countrified 'You Do'.  None are as memorable as the Plumm/Westbound label featured on the disc, which may win the award for Ugliest Record Label, hideously crashing purple and yellow together.

Teegarden and Van Winkle stand as minor, local players in one of the most free-wheeling eras of rock and roll.  Perhaps their biggest splash was performing as back-up musicians for Bob Seger, with Teegarden continuing his association with Bob well into his more acclaimed era.  Like the later incarnations of The Byrds, the band features a Christian flavor, and even subsequently released 'Stoned On the Love For Jesus' as their parallel to The Byrds 'Jesus Is Just Alright'.  As a band, Tee and Wink put out a handful of fairly unassuming albums, but this one clearly stands out as their finest production.  Unfortunately, the disc has never been offered on CD, so picking up a vinyl or cassette version is going to be the best you can do.  Not a fitting situation for a band that deserves a nod as well as a wink(le).  Sorry about that.


title: still underground

text:
Let's face the facts: this is an album that only ascended to number 154 on the album charts when it was released in 1967.  It garnered less attention than releases by Bobby Goldsboro and the 1910 Fruitgum Company.  The liner notes accompanying the CD would like us to believe 'Forever Changes' didn't even crack the Top 100 due to a lack of promotion and touring by the band, and because of the flood of quality music released in the Summer of Love (ironically).  While those factors may have had a hand in precluding success... number 154?  There simply has to be more to it than that, and there is.

It's interesting to note that in offering up examples of the kind of competition 'Forever Changes' was up against, Ben Edmonds (author of the enclosed liner notes) cites such works as Captain Beefheart's 'Trust Us' and Tim Buckley's 'Goodbye and Hello'.  Talk about writing revisionist history.  While he does give a nod to The Doors' 'Strange Days', what became of The Beatles' 'Sgt. Peppers', Jimi Hendrix' 'Are You Experienced?', and Creams' 'Disraeli Gears'?  These are the sorts of albums that truly drew attention away from composer and lead singer Arthur Lee and 'Forever Changes'.  In fact, despite growing up surrounded by the psychedelic music of the 1960's, I hadn't even heard of this disc until recently.  But given the strong reviews here and elsewhere for this disc, by obviously intelligent and discriminating people, I decided to give it a spin over the laser.  I'm glad I did because it really is a quality album, clearly overlooked through the annals of time, but the rabid acclaim accorded it here and elsewhere is no doubt a bit cultish.

At varying times throughout this disc, Love has the capacity to sound like a number of good sounding bands of the mid and late-1960's, while at the same time sounding completely unique.  More than any other band, they possess a sound and style most reminiscent of The Moody Blues.  The opening track, of course gaining the pole position as the optimal choice for a hit single, 'Alone Again Or', possesses the qualities that make Moody Blues music what it is.  It's a brilliant acoustic number with mariachi overtones and orchestral support that is just right.  The third track, on the other hand, sounds a good deal like the Left Banke, best known for their hit 'Walk Away Renee'.  The Left Banke always sounded to me like they were singing through the fog, and 'Andmoreagain' has the same nuanced quality.  The seventh track, 'Maybe the People...' comes across as a Latino version of Chicago Transit Authority, and track ten ('Bummer In the Summer') takes an excursion into territory normally occupied by The Who.  The number is bass heavy with a great electric guitar lead solo picked like a banjo, and of course a great title.

Both the song titles and bass lines deserve seperate mention.  Many of the songs possess titles that never show up in the songs, predictably tracks like 'Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale' and 'The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This', but also 'The Daily Planet' and 'You Set the Scene'.  One wonders what the message is, but as with Stephen Stills' 'For What It's Worth', we'll assume there's a logical explanation.  There are also a number of songs that offer up compelling bass lines courtesy of Ken Forssi, such as 'The Daily Planet' (another tune from Whoville), and 'The Good Humor Man...'.  As with the occasional riviting electric guitar solo's, these heavy bass lines do much to supplement songs built largely around acoustic guitars and orchestral accompaniment.  The closer on the orginal vinyl version, 'You Set the Scene' is, in fact, a wonderful mix of acoustics, bass, and horns in a rich seven-minute "big finish".

The lyrics also deserve mention.  While they stand as the least compelling element of 'Forever Changes', they are certainly representative of the psychedelic notions that permeated music of the era.  Consider "they're locking them up today, they're throwing away the key, I wonder who it'll be tomorrow, you or me?" from 'The Red Telephone', or "Oh, the snot has caked against my pants, it has turned into crystal" from 'Live and Let Live'.  We also have, from the bonus track 'Wonder People', "I could be in love with just about everyone, I think people are the greatest fun".  While the lyrics are certainly poetic and avant-garde, they are also the most daunting reason why 'Forever Changes' can't truly be compared to its closest sounding cousin, 'Days of Future Passed'.

The Deluxe Edition of 'Forever Changes' is quite a production, and the album deserves it.  The liner notes are lengthy, thankfully informative about the album, the band, and their times, and are interspersed with interesting photographs and graphics.  The jewel case comes in a seperate protective cardboard liner with an additional band photo.  The bonus tracks are interesting, mostly instrumental versions and alternate, mono takes of tracks already on the disc, but also offering three new tracks.  For some reason we're given takes #22 through 38 of 'You're Mind and We Belong Together', most of which are false starts.  While it has a 'fly-on-the-wall' quality to it, it's hard to imagine who would listen to it more than once or twice.

This is a curious album, and I fully understand why so many people would feel it's an overlooked classic.  It nevertheless possesses very obvious shortcomings that explain why it has remained underground for so long.  The word-of-mouth promotion it has always received is to be valued however, because Arthur Lee and Love possess a niche appeal that is undeniable.  If you're a fan of 1960's psychedelia, you should surely give 'Forever Changes' a listen.  You may find yourself the member of a cult!


title: Forever a Bob Seger Fan!

text: I have almost all of Bob's records/CDs, etc. and am now retroactively going after more of the earlier offerings.  Interesting to gauge his growth through the years.  In spite of his popularity, has never gotten the acclaim due him.  One of the very best!


title: Feelong Youthful?

text: this cd will bring back those memories of being 17 and wanting to be open to the world around you at that time. this band broke up so this a truly a gen in pop music and dance too


title: Five Stars

text: awesome


title: Five Stars

text: great


title: Great Outlaws Show From The West Coast, Plus Some Early Demos

text:
LOS ANGELES 76 @ RECORD PLANT & DEMOS FROM 1973 is a great recording of a classic live show by the original lineup of the Outlaws at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, California, on November 22, 1976, plus some early demos from 1973. The band's special blend of Moby Grape, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Poco, the Allman Brothers Band, and CSN(Y) is in full flower here. Guitar-wise, Hughie Thomasson's Fender Playing is inspired by Chet Atkins, Barry Melton, James Burton, David Nelson, Jimmy Bryant, Jerry Miller, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Joe Maphis, Stephen Stills, and Hendrix, whereas Billy Jones's Gibson style takes its cues from early Clapton, and Henry Paul's assertive rhythm work drives it all home. Vocally, Jones's ethereal high tenor lacks the punch of Thomasson's and Paul's baritones, but floats beautifully between them when all three are singing.

Overall, LOS ANGELES 76 @ RECORD PLANT & DEMOS FROM FROM 1973 clearly demonstrates how the Outlaws influenced everything from contemporary country to jam-band rock. DO NOT PASS UP THIS ARCHIVAL RELEASE.


title: Great Last Testament From The Late, Great Hughie Thomasson

text: ONCE AN OUTLAW is the Outlaws' final studio recording featuring the late, great Hughie Thomasson. And what a way to go out. Although a few songs are weak, the majority are exceptional, with the band's blend of Moby Grape, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Poco, the Allman Brothers Band, and CSN(Y) picking up where it left off in 1994 with DIABLO CANYON. This is their best album since HURRY SUNDOWN, and it's a shame that it sat in the vaults for all of these years after Thomasson died on September 9, 2007, as there is no sign anywhere on the album that his health was failing. DO NOT PASS UP THIS ARCHIVAL ALBUM.


title: Yet Another Great Concert From The Outlaws' 2005 Reunion Tour

text:
THE OUTLAWS STARLAND BALLROOM is yet another live recording of an exemplary concert from the Outlaws' 2005-2007 reunion tour. Just like in the 70s, the whole band is playing as if lives depended on it. Vocally, Chris Anderson's tenor, though not as high as that of the late, great Billy Jones, still blends perfectly with Hughie Thomasson's and Henry Paul's baritones. Guitar-wise, just like in the 70s, Thomasson's style draws from Chet Atkins, David Nelson, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, and Hendrix; Anderson takes his cues from early Clapton, just as Jones did; and Paul's assertive rhythm work drives it all home.

Overall, the band seem happy to be back together, and the fans appear to be enthusiastic about the return of the guitar army of old.


text:
THE OUTLAWS @ THE BIRCHMERE MAY 19, 2005 is yet another great recording of a concert from the Outlaws' reunion tour of 2005-2007. The band is a seven-piece here, with guitarists-singers-songwriters Hughie Thomasson, Henry Paul, and Chris Anderson and drummers Monte Yoho and David Dix playing as if their lives depended on it. Vocally, Anderson's tenor, while deeper than that of the late, great Billy Jones, still perfectly balances of Thomasson's and Paul's baritones. As far as guitars are concerned, Thomasson's style is still a blend of Chet Atkins, David Nelson, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, and Hendrix, just like in the 70s;  Anderson, like Jones, takes his cues from early Clapton; and Paul's assertive rhythm work drives it all home.

Overall, the band seem happy to be back together, and the fans seem enthusiastic about having the old guitar army back in full force.


title: A Fourth Great Live Recording From The Outlaws' 2005 Reunion Tour

text:
THE OUTLAWS COLUMBUS, OH MAY 25, 2005 & FULL CIRCLE DEMOS is a fourth great live recording from the Outlaws' 2005 reunion tour featuring both Hughie Thomasson AND Henry Paul, plus some unreleased studio recordings. As in the 70s, the band's style and sound combines traditional country music and guitar-powered Southern rock, and Chris Anderson, who was in the band in the late 80s, does Billy Jones as great as BJ himself. It's exciting to have the old guitar army and the band's trademark vocal blend of two deep voices and one high one back, and both audience and band seem thrilled to be together again.

Overall, this set demonstrates how the Outlaws influenced much of today's guitar-based music. DO NOT PASS UP THIS DOUBLE-CD RECORDING.


title: Another Great Show From The Outlaws' 2005 Reunion Tour

text:
THE OUTLAWS LYNCHBURG, VA MAY 18, 2005 is a double-disc set of another great show on the Outlaws' 2005 reunion tour featuring both Hughie Thomasson AND Henry Paul. As in the 70s, the band's style and sound combine traditional country music and guitar-powered Southern rock, with Chris Anderson, who'd been in the band in the 80s, doing Billy Jones as great as BJ did. It's exciting to have the guitar army of old, and the band's trademark blend of two deep voices and one high voice, back, and the audience seems thrilled to have the Outlaws back.

Overall, this set demonstrates how the Outlaws influenced much of today's guitar-based music. DO NOT PASS UP THIS DOUBLE-DISC SET.


title: Great Marshall Tucker Band Show From The Windy City

text: TAKE THE HIGHWAY- LIVE IN CHICAGO 1977 is a great double-disc recording of a 1977 Marshall Tucker Band concert in Chicago, Illinois. The band is in top form throughout, jamming like it's nobody's business, with lots of great songs to boot. The sound quality leaves a bit to be desired, but the truth of the matter is that great songs and great playing always more than compensate for low fidelity. THIS IS A SET YOU SHOULD NOT PASS UP.


title: The Greatest Live Molly Hatchet Document Ever

text: BOUNTY HUNTER LIVE '78-'80 is the greatest-ever document of Molly Hatchet as a live band. The four CDs- three with Danny Joe Brown, one with Jimmy Farrar- display a band that's young, hungry, and desperate to make its mark on the world. There are other live Molly Hatchet albums out there, and even others documenting this era, but having gotten this one for the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, I can tell you that, of all of the live Hatchet CDs out there, this boxed set best represents the band's blend of Foghat's hard rock and the Outlaws' Southern boogie.


title: Great, Dark Album About The Underbelly Of The South

text: THE DIRTY SOUTH is a great, dark album with lyrics about the dark underbelly of life in the South, with highly cautionary lyrics that can also be relevant to Yankees like me being driven along with a musical blend of John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, John Hiatt, and the Outlaws. The three guitars and voices push and nudge each other to carry home a message that if you're not careful, you could die an early, painful death. DO NOT PASS THIS CD UP.


title: Canned Heat's Best Album

text: BOOGIE WITH CANNED HEAT is Canned Heat's best album ever, featuring the immortal "On The Road Again", sung by visionary Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson. This album also featured the lead guitar of unsung great Henry "Sunflower" Vestine. Overall, if you love blues-based rock, this CD is a must-own.


title: Great Set Of Late-Period Outlaws

text: LOS HOMBRES MALO/IN THE EYE OF THE STORM is an import remastered reissue of two relatively obscure Outlaws albums on one CD. These albums are basically straight-up Southern-fried hard rock, with only traces of the country sound of the early Outlaws, but they're still great if you accept them on their own terms, as I do. Freddie Salem's hard rock riffs and Hughie Thomasson's lightning guitar runs are a unique contrast to each other here, and, on IN THE EYE OF THE STORM, you also get Billy Jones' unique wide vibrato leads as well. Overall, this is a great set of the Outlaws before and after the peak of GHOST RIDERS.


title: Yet Another Great Double Live Release By The Outlaws

text: THE OUTLAWS LIVE AT NASSAU COLISEUM, FEBRUARY 19, 1979 is yet another great double live archival CD of the Outlaws from their 70s heyday, once again capturing them in front of an enthusiastic New York crowd. This set features some of the hottest guitar playing to be found ANYWHERE in 1979, a year when new wave and punk were sounding a death knell for many traditional bands. Ironically, this may have benefitted the Outlaws by wiping out much of their competition, as did the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd in a plane crash in 1977. Whatever the circumstances, this set is a must-own for ANY serious pop, rock, and/or country fan.