title: really awsome

text: This Vietnamese performer born in Da Nang, might be the best pop singer in her country and she is becoming famous all over southeast Asia. Her voice is clear and powerful. It is very easy to fall in love with My Tâm's songs if you explore them carefully. The whole CD is really good but maybe two songs are definitely outstanding: Nho (Mind) and Không còn yêu (out of love) which by the way it is a particular version of Canção Do Mar by Frederico de Brito & Ferrer Trindade, a classic Portuguese Fado. If you want to explore Vietnamese music, this is a really good choice; after you start listening  to her songs, you will not be able to stop, trust me. I would recommend this CD only if you have somebody special to enjoy it with...cause it will get deep into your heart.


title: wonderful singer!

text: You just need two glasses of wine, good mood and better company, My Tam will do the rest. The quality of her music is getting better every time. My advice, buy the CD a.s.a.p.


title: Musical Hedonism, up tempo, and just plain fun

text:
This is a very fun album if you like joyously high energy music.  It's hard to sit still with this playing.

And when you do play, it, play it LOUD!

It's only four stars because great art it ain't.  But great fun, it is.


title: Jimmy Griffin Archive Series Volume Two  10**********

text:
This rare treasure arrived today and I have listened to it 3 times.  Beautiful, heartfelt music is so easy to digest.  46 minutes of Jimmy Griffin's unreleased music is almost too good to be true.  I bought volume1 and it was fantastic!  Volume 2 in my opinion is even better!!  Makes me wonder, by the time we get to volume 5 what kind of masterpieces are still waiting to be heard?

Every song is a keeper but I have a few that stand out.  Track 2,  Jimmy sings with such soul on this one.  Track 8, Ballerina is really a gem. Track 10, I keep going back here the most.  Track 11 is vintage Griffin, the sound is not up to par with the other songs but it is still a beautiful tune.  The bonus track of For All We Know and Bridge Over Troubled Water performed by he and Larry Knechtel is a good way to close.

Thank you again to Martha Griffin for bringing all this music out so it can get a proper release for all of Jimmy's fans. Thank you Ray Chafin for putting this project together.  Thank you John Bass for the excellent mastering of these recordings.  But most of all thank you to James Griffin who sang life into all of these beautiful songs.

I followed James Griffin during his Bread years.  I purchased all of his solo work.  Remmingtons, Black Tie, Griffin & Sylvester.  I was lucky enough to see Bread in 1977 and the 25 year reunion tour.  It was such a shame that James never got the fame and recognition he deserved!!

I am so thankful to be able to hear all of the songs that were never released.  What a pity that there was not a market for this kind of outstanding music.  The fans will buy this for sure!!!  But think of the millions and millions of people that do not even know this music exists.  They are really missing out on a magical journey of really great music!

I just have one more thing to say.  When is volume 3 coming out???  Also, I bet Jimmy is smiling down from Heaven and proud of what all of you involved have done with his unreleased songs.  He is probably happy that his fans are able to hear this material.  BUY THIS NOW!!!


title: Classic recordings on cassette.

text: This is a set of pre-hifi recordings, which are surprisingly good, transcribed to tape.


title: Long Gone Music reissues the long out of print self-titled second album from Ray Kennedy

text:
Ray Kennedy is one of those names who people may or may not remember, but his work behind the scenes is very recognizable. As a songwriter, he penned songs with and/or for the likes of the Beach Boys and Fleetwood Mac. Prior to his songwriting work, he signed to Atlantic Records in the 1960's as one half of the duo Jon & Ray with fellow performer Jon Misland. Despite being surrounded with talented producers like Arif Mardin and Phil Spector, their project ended up unreleased. Ray then switched gears by becoming a member of the band Group Therapy. He recorded two albums with them before splitting from them by the end of the 60's. In 1970, he went on to release his debut album while continuing on as a songwriter- penning "Sail On Sailor" for the Beach Boys and a couple of songs for The Babys- the group that featured future solo artist John Waite (of "Missing You" fame). He tried the group thing again by joining the short-lived blues-rock supergroup KGB. They- much like his prior act Group Therapy- also released two albums before he decided to split once again. In 1980- a decade after his solo debut- he released his self-titled sophomore effort "Ray Kennedy".

The recording was released on Columbia subsidiary American Record Company- a label founded by Earth, Wind & Fire frontman Maurice White, which also contained Kennedy's labelmates Deniece Williams and The Emotions. Despite being produced by David Foster and having appearances from the members of Toto and Foster's group Airplay, Ray Kennedy's album is anything but a soft rock record. Kennedy writes most of the album with his songwriting partner Jack Conrad, save for a couple of songs. He longs to muster up the courage to express his feelings on "It Never Crossed My Mind". He also sings his versions of songs he penned for other artists- such as The Beach Boys' "Sail On Sailor" as well as The Babys' "Isn't It Time". Another song of his "My Everlasting Love" would be rewritten as "Tonight Tonight" by one of the recording's background singers, Bill Champlin for his 1981 album "Runaway" (which was also produced by Foster). Also included is the moderate hit AOR ballad "Just For The Moment". Overall, Ray Kennedy's album isn't a bad recording- it's actually pretty decent. The problem is that his voice at times sounds way too much like Robert Palmer to have any distinctive sound. Overlooking that minor drawback, this album is worth checking out. Long Gone Music reissued the album in 2015 with a few bonus tracks in the hopes of getting the attention of a new generation of listeners. Sadly, Ray himself passed away a year before the reissue, making it a bittersweet recognition of sorts.


title: Aurra move to a new label as Deja for their album "Serious"

text:
By the time Slave returned in 1978 after the success of their song "Slide", they released their sophomore effort "The Concept". At that time, they had a couple of new background singers- Starleana Young and Steve Arrington. Arrington would eventually become the band's lead vocalist when 1979's "Just A Touch Of Love" was issued. Soon after, Arrington would be replaced by guitarist and background vocalist Curt Jones. Being that Slave was already full of personnel, founding member Steve Washington felt there should be a spin-off group. He focused on Jones and Young to become the duo Aurra, with various members of Slave backing them up on production and instrumentation. They released several albums on Salsoul Records until the label's folding in 1984. The following year, they released their next recording "Like I Like It" on Next Plateau Records (which would later become known for their signing of female hip hop group Salt N' Pepa). By the time Jones and Young attempted a move to Virgin Records, legal issues stopped them dead in their tracks.

Aurra's founder Steve Washington fell out with the duo over money issues. To relinquish his control over them, he offered to sell them the name and trademarks of Aurra- to which Jones and Young objected. As a result, they changed their name to Deja, signed with Virgin and altered their sound in the process. Joining them for the ride was producer and former member of The Time Monte Moir- who previously wrote and produced songs for Janet Jackson and Alexander O'Neal, among others. Moir produced virtually the entire album- save for the first single "You And Me Tonight", which was produced by "Like I Like It" producers Jimi Randolph & Eban Kelly. The album leads off with the uptempo title track "Serious", where they issue their plea for commitment. Also on the album is the quiet storm favorite "That's Where You'll Find Me" as well as the minor club hit "Heart Beat". Curtis Jones and Starleana Young also act as co-producers- with the former on the optimistic "Some Things Turn Around" and the funky "Life", with the latter on "Premonition". Deja's "Serious" is a listenable album from the duo. Sadly, it would also be the last album with Starleana Young- as she would depart for a solo career and would be replaced by Mysti Day. It's not a particularly memorable outing, but it's certainly a satisfying one.


title: Ed O.G. releases his newest studio album "After All These Years"

text:
British production team Stock Aitken Waterman (Best known for their work with Rick Astley, Bananarama and Kylie Minogue) decided to start a record label in 1987. PWL Records was established along with a hip hop division- which was later renamed Chemistry Records- a mere two years later. One of the label's signings was the Boston rap group Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs, who released their classic (and hard to find) 1991 debut album "Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto". Produced by Awesome 2 and Joe Mansfield, the album yielded such memorable hits as "I Got To Have It", the comedic send-up about annoying friends "Bug-A-Boo" and the absentee father rant "Be A Father To Your Child". They returned in 1993 with their sophomore effort "Roxbury 02119" and while it was a better album than the first, it was met with the dreaded sophomore jinx. Ed O.G. went solo a few years later and racked up critical acclaim for a few of his recordings- specifically his album with Pete Rock "My Own Worst Enemy", the Special Teamz project "Stereotypez" and "Arts & Entertainment" with Masta Ace.

After recording for other labels, Ed O.G. decided to form his own company. In 2013, he established 5th & Union Entertainment and reissued the long out of print "My Own Worst Enemy". Around the same time, he released his newest effort "After All These Years". Partially funded through the website Kickstarter, the project was done as a dedication to his fans that supported him during his almost 25 year career. On his new album, he reunites with producer Pete Rock on three songs: The first single "Two Turntables And A Mic", "Make Music" and "Let Da Horns Blow" which features smooth jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley. He also works with 9th Wonder on the aptly-titled "Back & Forth", where he trades verses with King Magnetic of the supergroup Army Of The Pharoahs. Ed waves the flag for real hip hop on "Boom Bap (Neva Die)" and distinguishes himself from rappers who choose to use the gangsta persona on "U.N.I.". He collaborates with Camp Lo on "Love", Detroit native Guilty Simpson on "16's" and Public Enemy frontman Chuck D. on album closer "Fight". However, the album's most poignant song is his duet with Special Teamz "Da Beef Goes On", where they critique women who choose to stay in bad relationships with questionable men. Despite being brief at 38 minutes, Ed O.G.'s "After All These Years" is a great recording.


title: Jack White explores different styles and sounds on "Lazaretto"

text:
As a member of the duo The White Stripes, frontman Jack White and his ex-wife Meg enjoyed a great amount of success during the early 2000's indie rock revival. Evne though Meg White was frequently criticized for her drumming skills (or lack thereof), ironically it helped with the sound of the band. They signed with Richard Branson's V2 Records and enjoyed a good five year run of hits and albums to boot. The success would lead them to jump to a major label- as they would sign with Warner Bros. for 2007's "Icky Thump". It would also be their last recording together- as Jack and Meg would split at the beginning of 2011. From there, Jack would soldier on with a solo career- all while performing with other bands (The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather) and producing for acts like country singer Loretta Lynn. In 2012, he signed with Columbia Records to release his formal debut as a solo artist "Blunderbuss". He followed it up with his 2014 sophomore effort "Lazaretto".

On his new album, he works with some of the same personnel as the first- such as Fats Kaplan, Ruby Amanfu and former drummer for Black Milk Daru Jones. However, one of the people appearing throughout the recording is former Grace Potter & The Nocturnals bassist Catherine Popper. The album starts off with "Three Women", where he's very evasive about the status of his dealings with a redhead, a blonde and a brunette. He delves into country music for a few songs- such as the ballad "Temporary Ground" and the lament about wanting to have freedom "Entitlement". Alcohol and lost love is the theme of "Just One Drink", while trying to win back someone on the piano driven "Would You Fight For My Love". Jack also includes the instrumental "High Ball Stepper" and closes the album out with the brief ballad "Want And Able". Jack White's "Lazaretto" is an improvement over his previous effort. From beginning to end, it's an excitable listen- especially on vinyl (Although it should be noted that the first half of the album plays backward from the inside out). It makes one anxious to see what he has up his sleeve the next go round.


title: Lonette McKee leaves a lasting impresssion on her sophomore outing "Words And Music"

text:
Although Lonette McKee is mostly known as an actress, she didn't start out that way. She gained her initial attention being a musician and songwriter- starting out as a child prodigy. After spending her teenage years recording and playing in her local town of Detroit, Michigan, she landed a recording contract with Clarence Avant's first record label Sussex Records. In 1974, she released her Dennis Coffey produced debut album- simply called "Lonette", which spawned a minor hit with "Save It". Aside from the label's breakout star being fellow musician and songwriter Bill Withers, another thing holding her back was Sussex becoming an independent company shortly after the album's release. The following year, Sussex was force to fold due to unpaid state and federal taxes and the IRS auctioned off all of the company's belongings. That left Lonette without a label home, so she turned to acting and her career took off from there. Within a two year span, she gained a high profile role in the musical "Sparkle" as well as the Richard Pryor film "Which Way Is Up".

In 1978, she signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records to release her sophomore effort "Words And Music"- named so because she wrote all of the songs on the album by herself. However, her contributions to the album didn't stop there, as she helped mixed the album, produced it with Johnny Pate and was one of the musicians on her second recording. On "Words And Music" she has a who's who of talent- ranging from Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenour, Patrice Rushen and Ray Parker, Jr. She starts the album off with the ballad "Sometimes" where she's unsure about her feelings toward someone. She tries to reflect on a failed relationship on "Maybe There Are Reasons", and gets optimistic about a one night stand on "At Least I Had You One Time". She expresses her hurt on "Blues" and finally lets down her guard on the uptempo "Delayed Reaction". As great as her album was, it was released in the middle of Warner Bros. having a roster that was mostly funk based (Funkadelic, Graham Central Station, Bootsy Collins, Ashford & Simpson, Chaka Khan). She would further pursue her acting career and release one last album in 1992 before pulling the plug on music. Despite being out of print and kind of hard to find, Lonette McKee's "Words And Music" is an album worth checking out.


title: Amel Larrieux creates her most upbeat album with "Ice Cream Everyday"

text:
Singer/songwriter Amel Larrieux initially made her debut as one-half of Groove Theory. She created the group with rapper turned producer Bryce Wilson- a former member of the electro hip hop group Mantronix. From there, they recorded their lone self-titled debut for Epic Records. Shortly after the release of the album, Wilson and Larrieux fought over the group's direction. As a result, they parted ways in the middle of recording what would have been their sophomore album. While Bryce went looking for a replacement, Amel soldiered on with a solo career- releasing "Infinite Possibilities" in 2000. The album was critically acclaimed, but it wasn't as commercial as Epic would have liked. So Amel went independent on her sophomore effort- 2003's "Bravebird", which yielded her biggest hit "For Real". She returned in 2006 with the underrated "Morning" and the long talked about jazz covers record "Lovely Standards" the following year.

After a six year absence, Amel returned in 2013 with "Ice Cream Everyday". Much like her studio albums in the past, her newest recording was produced by her husband Laru Larrieux. It's a noticeable change for Amel, as she incorporates live instrumentation into her electronica styled R&B. She also made what has to be the lengthiest album in her recorded history at sixteen songs. She leads the album with "Afraid", followed by the percussive, piano driven "A Million Sapphires". Much like her previous ballad "Make Me Whole", the track "I Do Take" is a potential wedding song. She deals with being friend-zoned from a woman's perspective on "You Don't See Me", while getting sensual on the industrial ballad "Berries & Cream". She warns of a suspicious character on "Danger", and explores the negative power of words on "Moment To Reflect". She addresses the moments of being clumsy on "Have You " and channels the Minneapolis sound on "Orange Glow". On "See Where You Are", she gets people to examine where they are in their lives, while reluctantly giving in to love on "Don't Let Me Down". "Ice Cream Everyday" is another solid effort from Amel Larrieux. It may not be a radio friendly album, but no one has ever accused her of not challenging her listeners.


title: Rhian Benson does a complete one eighty on "Hands Clean"

text:
Ghanian born-British bred singer Rhian Benson didn't initially set out to be a singer. While she did learn to play the piano and guitar, she actually went to college in London, England and gotten a degree in economics. She continuted her education further by enrolling at Harvard and later going to work as an investment banker. When she arrived back in England, she started performing in small clubs. Eventually she was signed by DKG Music- a Warner Bros. distributed label based in Los Angeles, California. It was there she recorded her 2003 debut album "Gold Coast", which she produced with The Roots' sideman James Poyser, China Danforth and former A Tribe Called Quest engineer Bob Power. She release two well-received singles- "Say How I Feel" as well as the follow-up "Stealing My Peace Of Mind". While she got considerable attention and a MOBO Music award, that wasn't enough to keep her in the spotlight. Her label folded  and she was unheard from for several years until she signed with Icarus Music in 2010, to release her long awaited follow-up "Hands Clean" in February the following year.

On this new album, she undergoes a dramatic change- both in image as well as sound. Gone is the neo-soul style that people are accustome to hearing from her. It has been replaced by the electronic drones of Denmark based producers Jonas Rendbo and Daniel Fridell. Her sophomore album has more in common with Everything But The Girl than it does Jill Scott. She starts off the album with the lovelorn song "This Feels Like Home". She dabbles in reggae inspired numbers, such as the kiss-off first single "Better Without You" as well as "Wide Open Spaces" (which should not be confused with the Dixie Chicks song of the same name). She gets additional vocal help from her producer Jonas Rendbo on the inspirational "Be" and dabbles in electro funk with "You Always Know". While most of the album had a different sound, she hasn't totally abandoned her neo-soul roots. Look no further than the bossa nova influenced ballad "Rewind" as well as the piano driven "Afraid To Love Again". Rhian Benson's "Hands Clean" is a good but drastically different outing from the English soul singer. While she has been away from the music scene for a while, she returns with a listenable effort that shows her steeping out of her comfort zone.


title: Good cd.

text: Good cd. Great energy.


title: classic Marcia

text: Here is a collection of classic songs by the queen of reggae Marcia Griffiths. She has such an amazing voice and style. I'd recommend this beautiful album to anyone who enjoys the work of Otis Redding, Phyllis Dillon or Michael Kiwanuka


title: *S T A R S* - A Unique Album, In Need Of A "LIMITED EDITION DELUXE CD" REMASTER

text:
Everything about this album, "S T A R S", is beautiful; the Music, the Songs, the Singing, & even the beautiful Album Cover. Wish CHER would see to it that this special album would not only "finally" get a "U.S." CD RELEASE, but also give it a "REMASTERED" "DELUXE" treatment with a few BONUS tracks. Possible 'bonus' songs that have been mentioned before are: "LOVE SONG" - Cher sang her beautiful rendition of the song on her show. It was also covered by "Olivia Newton-John", "Elton John" & others. "A WOMAN'S STORY" might be another one, a song Cher recorded just before the "STARS" album. Also there's the last single recorded by "Sonny & Cher", "YOU'RE NOT RIGHT FOR ME", a very rare song. Despite the fact that there are some different styles of music here, all the songs just seem to be woven together by a common thread. It may very well have to do with the excellent Production by "JIMMY WEBB". And also, Cher's singing is
strong & assured, yet can also be delicate & "moving". She seems to have learned to have more control over her vocals. She had never recorded an album like this before, or after for that matter. It's a one of a kind, special album. Years later, Cher commented that she did like the album, but thought she could have done a better job on the vocals. Actually, her voice was sounding quite good on STARS. After being in the media so much in the 70's, T.V., Music, Magazine Covers the world over, she was at the wrong end of a media backlash. It may not have mattered what she did or how good the music may have been. The timing was no longer on her side then. At the same time, here is Cher trying to move away from some of the "story song" material that she had some big Hits with, & tackle material that seemed a bit more serious & earthy. And it wasn't that she didn't pull it off, it was that the public at large, at that point, saw her they way 'they' saw her. They weren't ready maybe to see the more complete more multi-dimensional Cher. It took a long time for her back then to pull out of the slump that her career took. What a shame, STARS "should've" been a BIG album for her. I don't know given the circumstances back then if it would've made a difference, but they should've released "MR. SOUL" as a Single from the album. It was a catchy ROCK number & had real potential. I always loved "JUST THIS ONE TIME", which "Jimmy Webb" of course Produced, but he also 'wrote' it. A lot of people seem to like that song I've read. I think that it might be the "Highlight" of the collection. Cher hits it out of the ballpark! Her voice is strong, & she throws the needed emotional element into the vocals until it culminates in her "soaring" high note toward the end! Contrast her powerful singing on that song, with the more subdued approach on the title cut,  "STARS". Again, the feeling comes through in her delivery. The 'Jackson Browne' song, "THESE DAYS", is another favorite. This is another song that has been recorded many times throughout the years by various artists, including  a notable version by ex-husband, "Gregg Allman".  Her rendering is very beautiful, moving & dreamy. The instrumentation too is beautiful. More upbeat songs are also covered such as, "ROCK AND ROLL DOCTOR", which is another Rocker like "Mr. Soul" already mentioned, & a Reggae number, "THE HARDER THEY COME, THE HARDER THEY FALL", which is incorrectly titled "The BIGGER They Come"........ on the pressings. Evidently they just decided to leave the 'printed' mistake without correcting it. A nice orchestra arrangement of "LOVE HURTS" sounds soothing & lush as the music continues for a while, still fading away long after Cher's vocals have finished. I don't know what the story is on this one, but Cher went on to cover this song "again" in a rock ballad style for the 90's album, "Love Hurts". "Nazareth" took it Top Ten the same year Cher put it out on "STARS", but it was actually written in 1960, & first recorded by "The Everly Brothers". All in all, "S T A R S" is a very "Unique", Strong, Cohesive album that should have had a CD RELEASE here in the U.S. "long" ago! They could Re-release it in the above mentioned "DELUXE" Format with Extra Packaging & New Liner Notes by CHER, & she could "mini" promote it by showing it on a late night Talk Show, "AND" maybe singing "JUST THIS ONE TIME" on the show. Now, is that too much to ask!!!
  Since as of this writing the Song Titles aren't listing, here are the Songs & their Writers.
  C H E R  *S T A R S*
1. LOVE ENOUGH  "Tim Moore"
2. BELL BOTTOM BLUES  "Eric Clapton"
3.THESE DAYS  "Jackson Browne"
4.MR. SOUL  "Neil Young"
5.JUST THIS ONE TIME  "Jimmy Webb"
6.GERONIMO'S CADILLAC  "Michael Martin Murphey"/"Charles Quarto"
7.THE BIGGER THEY COME,
  THE HARDER THEY FALL  "Jimmy Cliff"
8.LOVE HURTS  "Boudleaux Bryant"
9.ROCK AND ROLL DOCTOR  "Lowell George"/"Fred Martin"
10 STARS  "Janis Ian"
  PRODUCED BY:  JIMMY WEBB

attachment_type: IMAGE


title: Another Beatiful Ballad From A-ha ( SHADOWSIDE Single Remix Version )

text: When I first heard this beautiful song from A-ha' most current & what proved to be their very last studio album, "FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN"; I thought that it would & should be released as a single. Although I loved the album version I felt that as a single it should be 'remixed' a little', giving it abit more oomf,a little more power. That's exactly what they did.  They too just knew that it needed a little something extra for radio play. And I really like the results of the "SHADOWSIDE REMIX". Yes, it is some shorter than the album version, but that extra power & drama greatly add to the final product. And the guitars are much more pronounced, especially as it comes to it's dramatic ending. Another single off the "FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN CD"; "NOTHING IS KEEPING YOU HERE", also benefits from a Remix job, although there is nothing wrong with the album version. The Videos from those two songs plus the video for the single "FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN" are all released on an Enhanced DELUXE VERSION of a two Disc "FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN CD/DVD". Two Live Concert Videos are also included of the TITLE TRACK & "RIDING THE CREST". For me, "SHADOWSIDE" is classic A-ha, in the same league with "SUMMER MOVED ON" & "LIFELINES". I only wish that they would have included the 'Audio' single versions of these songs on the DELUXE issue of the CD/DVD too, as there was room for them to be included & would have made for an even better DELUXE product.  Sorry we won't be hearing anymore beautiful songs from this group, but wish them the best in their retirement.


title: great 1st album by whitesnake

text: awesome first effort by whitesnake


title: Five Stars

text: awesome stuff highly recommended


title: Five Stars

text: Super!


title: One of the most dynamic recordings that I own...and a favorite

text:
If you look at the Dynamic Range Database (dr dot loudness-war dot info), you will see this recording atop of the ratings, which is where it caught my attention initially.  But since I've received this disc, I've been mesmerized by the sound: if you like percussion ensembles, or even just thriller movies, this music will capture your attention.

Very highly recommended--if you like dynamic music.


title: Does what the title says, with some twists

text:
I'm writing because there may be others like me looking for low bass demonstration and testing.

The music on these three compilation disks varies from urban contemporary to jazz.  Here is a listing of the cuts, their artists, and source CDs.

Disk 1:  Artist:  From CD:
1) Drop the Bass Now,  Bass Metropolis,  Metro Bass
2) Pure & Perfect Bass,  Bass Connection,  Drivin' Bass
3) WooferCooker,  Bass Hit,  Bass Sub-Mission
4) 30 Below,  Bass Quake,  Bass After Shock
5) Boom Shakka (radio mix,) Cool V,  Boom Shakka
6) Bass Consciousness,  Bass Connection,  Driven' Bass
7) Bass Revolution,  Bass Hit,  Bass Sub-Mission
8) Bass Supply,  Bass Quake,  Bass After Shock
9) Shake Down,  Cool V,  Boom Shakka
10)Feel the Bass,  Bass Connection,  Driven' Bass
11)Spectral Bass,  Bass Hit,  Bass Sub-Mission
12)Sub Sonix,  Bass Quake,  Bass After Shock
13)Into the Chamber,  Bass Shock,  Dungeon Of Bass
14)Drop D Bass,  Bass Hit,  Bass Is Loaded
15)Fool 4 Da Bass,  Bass Quake,  Bass After Shock

Disk 2:  Artist:  From CD:
1) Birnam,  Mouth Music,  Mo-Di
2) Ruler of the Tides,  Mouth Music,  Shorelife
3) Too Good To Let Go,  b.y.o.b.,  b.y.o.b.
4) Go Jazz Style,  b.y.o.b.,  b.y.o.b.
5) Bass In Ya Face,  Jamaaladeen Tacuma,  House of Bass
6) Phone Call,  Jamaaladeen Tacuma,  House of Bass
7) Funk Me Dirty  Bootsey's New Rubber Band, Blasters Of The Universe
8) Got A Feelin',  Hardware,  Third Eye Open
9) Homesick,  The Last Poets,  Holy Terror

Disk 3:  Artist:  From CD:
1) Inside Out,  Timbuk3,  A Hundred Lovers
2) Legalize Our Love,  Timbuk3,  A Hundred Lovers
3) Just Wanna Funk Your Mind, Timbuk3,  A Hundred Lovers
4) Midnight Taboo,  Ray Obiedo,  Zulaya
5) Amor Real,  Jon Anderson,  Deseo
6) A Change Of Heart,  John Beasley,  A Change Of Heart
7) Steve-O,  John Beasley,  A Change Of Heart
8) Monkey Businessman,  Michael Manring,  Thonk
9) My Three Sons,  Michael Manring,  Thonk
10)Wide Asleep,  Michael Manring,  Drastic Measures


title: His best in years

text: His best in years. I love this album from start to finish. Nice to have it finally released. The flow is perfect.


title: Five Stars

text: Great deal Fast shipping


title: My stereo is on fire

text:
The liner notes say the CD is a "compilation" from the "archives of the MARC 4 editor", whatever that means, and lists no artist credits. Many songs sound like straight tape recordings of records, one even skips a bit. Most discouraging, many songs are ruined by WAY too much static, hiss, and pops.  The liner notes actually say "We added on purpose that typical scratchy noise of these old LPs that reminds us of these old shake-bossa party from the 60' [sic]". I thought maybe that was a lie just to cover some songs they took no effort to clean up, but one song had so much "crackle" to it that it sounded like the stereo had caught on fire!!!  Even the pet got concerned!

Two of the best songs, Luna and Pesnando al Mare can be found sounding very good here  [[ASIN:B0031D49ZA Luna]] & [[ASIN:B0031D2TA2 Pensando al mare]].  Most of the songs can be found flawlessly on those two "Nelson" recordings.  There was only one song that I was not already able to have on CD.

17 Tracks, mostly instrumental or with female humming.  No real reason to buy this unless it is very, very cheap:
Relax
Aspettando July
Luna
Momenti D'eatate
On the Train
Summer in Love
Brazilian Scene
European Bossa
Pensando al mare
Babette
Atmosfere Dolci
Sambalto
Happy Man
Peroche'
Brazil Sound
Weston
Divertimento


title: 70's Italian movies ago-go

text:
Got this because I love the band "I Marc 4" and 1970's Italian movie soundtracks in general. For the most part good stuff, here is the track listing:

01. F. Micalizzi - Running To The Airport
02. Gabriele Ducros - Sigla R.P.
03. P. Roelens - Intimate Conversation
04. I Marc 4 - Soho
05. Steffano Torossi - Sixth Dimension
06. G. Marinuzzi - Rhythms In Suspense
07. F. Micalizzi - Dark Suspense
08. Steffano Torossi - Coast To Coast
09. G. Tommaso - Metropolis
10. L. Michelini - Palude
11. Mirot / Lash - Rash
12. Ennio Morricone - Rincorsa Prima
13. Enrico Pieranunzi / Silvano Chimenti - Feasing
14. I Gres - Plancton (Stereo Version)
15. I Marc 4 - Piccadilly Circus
16. Ennio Morricone- Pensiero Stupendo
17. I Gres - To Mendes
18. I Marc 4 - Regent Street
19. Gabriele Ducros - Trip Free
20. I Gres - Jeannette (Stereo Version)
21. Mirot / Lash - Simpton 2:28
22. L. Zito - Movimento
23. Gabriele Ducros - Freedom Power

From Plastic Records, Italy (1999).  If you like I Marc 4 this is all you need: [[ASIN:B0041KUMF8 Beat Sound of the Marc 4]]


title: Not the typical Norah album, but fantastic for sure.

text: Fantastic album. Different from her other albums, though. My wife loves this album. I bought it on vinyl, after listening to it for a few days my wife wanted the CD for her car.<br />So, I guess we like enough to buy it twice in one week.


title: Master storyteller churns out live CD/DVD set

text:
By Jim Clark,
Publisher, Lee County Courier, Tupelo

Elliott Murphy said I caught his attention because his grandfather was born and raised in Tupelo.
Elliott, these days calls Paris, France home. Whenever Bruce Springsteen happens to have a tour in this capital city on the river Seine, he always invites Elliott to join him.
"Its like getting on a roller coaster that's passing you by at a hundred miles an hour and the thrill of being on stage with Bruce and his incredible musicians is incomparable. They always treat me like one of the band," Elliott said.
Elliott was born in Long Island, N.Y. and has been playing the guitar since the age of 12.
His music is a mixture of folk rock drawing from influences like Bob Dylan and Lou Reed. He's been making critically acclaimed albums since 1973 (Aquashow). His latest Elliott Murphy - Alive in Paris is a rollicking CD/DVD'set. One of the unique qualities of this live set is the absence of conventional drums. Alan Fatra does play the Cajon. It's a kind of box drum played by slapping the front face (generally thin plywood) with the hands.The two guitars and bass create both the rthymn and the melody. It really makes for an exciting and distinctive sound.
Personal favorites include "Green River,"'"On Elvis Presley's Birthday" and "Diamonds in the Yard."
For more, go to [...]


title: Excellent percussion based mixes.

text: I got this album in 1985, shortly after it came out, and it still manages to sound fresh and interesting. Too bad it's out of print. For all of the trivia buffs out there, those of you lucky enough to have a copy of this album, see how many of the sound clips you can identify.


title: Very satisfied customer

text: I’m really happy with the product it came when it say it would. It came really good condition. Very happy with the purchase.


title: Strings Help the Voice Soar

text:
It took me maybe, I don't know, maybe all of 12 seconds to love White Wilderness, the eighth proper album from the analog-recording whiz from Portland, Oregon. Recorded with The Magik Magik Orchestra and arranged by Minna Choi, White is the by-far best produced (and most ambitious) Vanderslice record to date, sounding big and beautiful at every turn. While Vando has always been an interesting songwriter, producer and arranger, by working with Choi and the MMO, he's really stepped his game up, creating what is - in this writer's opinion - his by-far best ever record. Yeah, I'm gushing. This is a gusher sort of a record - the kind you e-mail friends about.

After self-releasing a stellar EP titled Green Grow the Rushes late last year, Vanderslice (who recently moved from the Seattle-based Barsuk Records to the Indiana-based Dead Oceans, most recently releasing 2009's great Romanian Names) decided to go for it all, quietly recording the endlessly grand (yet often fragile sounding) White while the indie world celebrated simple records by bands like Best Coast, Wavves and No Age. Now, still new label hoisting him high, he's crafted one of the best winter-season records I've heard since those early Badly Drawn Boy discs. While the mood here shifts around quite a bit, the vibe is always somber (and epic), most likely due to Vanderslice's vocal style (always the focus) and the consistent use of string arrangement and dramatic swells. If you're somehow not already familiar with this indie mainstay, think Andrew Bird, XTC, Beulah and, if your ears are more of the mainstream pedigree, Owl City (or so I'm told). All that said, this is very original music that is hard to compare to anything else out right now.

The grandiose "The Piano Lesson," however, does remind instantly of both Sufjan Stevens and Shugo Tokumaru, arranged in a way that separates Vanderslice from most of the indie pack, coming off like something you'd expect a master like Brian Wilson to listen to on an off day. The overall vibe here is elegance, Choi, MMO and Vanderslice delivering nine fully-baked songs in about a half an hour that are delicately crafted and meticulously arranged and executed. And, of course, there are Vanderslice's forever underrated lyrics, which hold the whole mess together, front to back.

Standouts include opener "Sea Salt," which moves back and forth from minimalist composition to grand string arrangement.  The title track, another instant highlight, features little more than Vanderslice's voice, his piano and strings. No guitar, no drums, not even a bass. This approach allows Vanderslice's vocals, here more fragile than usual, to really shine. No bad songs in sight, I'm finding it hard to pick favorites from this very solid set of songs. Though this is a mostly accessible listen, "Convict Lake," I suppose, would be the closest thing the record has to a radio single, the album playing through in a 60s style AOR fashion, passing quickly and memorably as one solid piece of work.

The result is the album Vanderslice has been trying to make for years - a breakthrough album that, theoretically,  reminds very much of Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha, a 2007 album made for sophisticated ears that, somehow, made Bird a big name indie artist. Will White Wilderness do the same for John Vanderslice, another songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist who has been working hard for over a decade? Well, maybe. It should. It should because it's lean and mean and far more accessible than the Bird record. But who knows. Indie music being forever ficklie, White Wilderness could just be another record that chips away at listeners, adding to and maintaining a fanbase for Vanderslice. But, damn, listening to this heavily orchestrated pop record, I can't help but holler and cheer, hoping it's the one that finally breaks through.


title: Kris is a great singer. I love every Mandarin language song (Disk ...

text:
Kris is a great singer.  I love every Mandarin language song (Disk 1) and every English language song (Disk 2).  His vocals are terrific and he sings with great emotion.  I wish there was a DVD or Blu-ray of this.

At least there is a DVD of the 2001 Masterpiece in which he sings many English language songs.


title: Five Stars

text: EXCELLENT


title: An electronic excursion

text: Much of the electronic music these days seems to be in the "ambient" style, which is something I do enjoy (especially by the Ambient Master, Eno).  However, the synthesizer themes on Saul Stokes' 2008 album Villa Galaxia represent individual melodies with rhythm lines.  Some of them such as "Blaze" could be played as lounge music in an interstellar night club.  Others, like "Night Painting," are spacey enough for observatory or planetarium use, but they would only work with a really funky planetarium show!  This music follows in the footsteps of the great ones, J-M Jarre and Vangelis, which is nothing to be ashamed of!


title: Slowburner Burns Slowly

text: When I heard the song "The End," I already thought this CD was worth its high price. Cherry Glow sealed the deal. This group leaves a hint of early "Connells" on the tip of your tongue. If you don't understand, listen to one of the most underrated albums ever "Boylan Heights" by the Connells and you will begin to understand how good this band can become. There is a hint of nostalgia in the lyrics with smooth and not overpowering guitar licks. It's as if this group knows it's been somewhere yet trying to get there. Slowburner is a keeper.


title: Five Stars

text: Everything ok.


title: Amazing song

text: I love the cover and love the song. I am happy with the quality of the record and can't go wrong with the song.


title: top 10 all time

text: I have listened to thousands of records and own a physical collection of about 1700 records. This is in my top 10 all time. The music they were able to conjure here is simply amazing.


title: How the... wait... WHAT? Seriously??!!

text:
Ok, I knew Mark Kozelek was f#$%#ing good. But when the album "Perils from the Sea" came out, this man had reached into my very soul and had made the most heart-wreckingly beautiful album. Possibly my number #1 of the year. And if that amazing feat weren't enough, he comes out with an album that is on par with that friggin gem of an album.

I am just blown away from his output this year. He has not rested on his laurels, which are many, yet, has crafted songs that are remarkably touching, ernest and creative.

This is the kind of genius that made Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and all these guys who they are today. Simply long term dedication, a genius mind and an artist's heart.


title: More of the same?

text: Over the years I have learned to admire Will johnson... whether it's through centro-matic, south san gabriel or Will johnson himself. He has a torn up voice that sounds as sad as hell... but release after release, I feel he has not fully explored his potential... the songs on Scorpion are a bit meandering and have no climax. They just kind of ooze around slowly... It is a great album to chillax to and have a beer. I think Will can take things up a notch and explore some different sounds. Candidate Waltz was a wonderful album though so buy that one first!


title: 10 out of 5 stars

text: This is an album that is ranked so highly in my heart that it is above scores. It's perfect, emotional, powerful, beautiful, I'm so glad I was able to still buy a copy for a reasonable price ($23), from the first chords you know you are in for something really special. It just blows my mind. Different in all forms from bon Iver but equally magical.


title: Sunshine Superman

text: Record and cover came as described. Would definitely buy albums from here again.


title: Don't search for harmony 'cos the best stuff still divides.

text:
Like many Americans I first heard about The Proclaimers in the summer of 1993 when "Benny & Joon" was released and the song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" scaled the American charts to number three. I went out and bought "Sunshine on Leith" without knowing anything about them. To be honest, I recall being unsure how I felt about that album (more on that later). Yet, this began my fandom. They kind of reminded me of an American duo, you know, They Might Be Giants.

I'm not sure when I learned they had another album, "This Is the Story" from 1987, before "Sunshine on Leith" but I eventually bought it and liked that one as much as the former. Also not sure when I bought "Hit the Highway" but felt somewhat disappointed with it.

Then they disappeared for seven years. That's a career killer. Especially here in America where the attention span is that of a gnat. But, I clearly recall in 2001 when "Persevere" was going to be released--I had my copy day of release. Still, even that album was so-so. I persevered and continued to buy each new album (and surprisingly there were many more).

Generally, I have mixed feelings about The Proclaimers. They are capable of making some really good songs, but more often than not their albums are uneven, peppered with forgettable fare. Many times I've felt every other song on each of their albums is a throwaway. Which brings me back to "Sunshine on Leith". Over the years that album has continued to shine brighter than all other Proclaimers albums, and I believe it is their best, most consistent, most satisfying work.

"Dentures Out" is pretty good, but there are several songs on here that are meh. It all comes down to 3.5 stars, which is pretty much what I think they average overall. They aren't my top favorite artist, but I always enjoy them and buy their new albums. They are mid-range artists and I'll tell you why--it's simple, they aren't very experimental. You could put each album in a blender and not tell one from the other. Their approach is always the same--like Enya--they have a formula and they work it. Every album.

My top picks here are: "Dentures Out", "Praise", "Sundays by John Calvin", "Draw Another Line", and "What the Audience Knew".

Here's how "Dentures Out" compares to The Proclaimers' other works:

1987 This Is the Story: Three and a Half Stars
1988 Sunshine on Leith: Five Stars
1994 Hit the Highway: Three and a Half Stars
2001 Persevere: Three Stars
2003 Born Innocent: Four Stars
2005 Restless Soul: Three and a Half Stars
2007 Life with You: Two and a Half Stars
2009 Notes & Rhymes: Two Stars
2012 Like Comedy: Three and a Half Stars
2015 Let’s Hear It for the Dogs: Three and a Half Stars
2018 Angry Cyclist: Three Stars
2022 Dentures Out: Three and a Half Stars


title: We don't even care.

text:
I'm not a big fan of Smashing Pumpkins. I've never seen them in concert. However, I have bought all of their albums, and I do recognize their influence, relevance and merits. "CYR" is good, but not classic. I kept debating myself all week long as I listened and re-listened. I have a general problem with the decision to include 20 songs. It's too many. By the middle of the album fatigue set in and things all started to sound the same. I had to seriously concentrate to differentiate the songs I liked from the rest of the songs. I could have trimmed this album down to its essential 10 tracks. It seemed to me that the complaints about their last album being too short with only eight songs triggered an over-reaction to have more songs this time around.

Generally, the album doesn't have any songs that I felt were a waste, but it had many that just didn't register with me. There were some that repeatedly stood out as better than the rest such as "The Hidden Sun", "The Colour of Love", "CYR", "Adrennalynne", "Minerva", "Ramona", "Dulcet in E" and "Tyger, Tyger".

I keep wondering what the band is thinking. The last album and this album have three of the original four band members yet both albums have felt somewhat slight. Offering nothing new. In fact, "CYR" is steeped in The Cure and other 80's New Wave sounds. It seems strange to me to recreate this sound without really doing something experimental and fresh with it. Instead the album felt like echoes of what I grew up listening to, and far removed from albums like "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness".

I will continue to buy each new album from the band and Corgan because I do like them, but each time I keep hoping for something that just doesn't seem to materialize.

1991 Gish: Two and a Half Stars
1993 Siamese Dream: Three Stars
1995 Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness: Four Stars
1998 Adore: Three and a Half Stars
2000 Machina/The Machines Of God: Three and a Half Stars
2002 Zwan [by Zwan]: Three and a Half Stars
2005 TheFutureEmbrace [by Billy Corgan]: Three Stars
2007 Zeitgeist: Three Stars
2012 Oceania: Three and a Half Stars
2014 Monuments To An Elegy: Three Stars
2017 Ogilala [by William Patrick Corgan]: Three and a Half Stars
2018 Shiny and Oh So Bright: Three and a Half Stars
2019 Cotillions [by William Patrick Corgan]: Three Stars
2020 CYR: Three and a Half Stars


title: Why don't you go and make a change.

text:
I have been a fan of Eagle Eye Cherry since "Save Tonight" climbed the charts in 1998. Before that, I was a fan of his sister, Neneh Cherry, beginning with her hit, "Buffalo Stance" in 1989. Together, I have all of their music.

With Eagle Eye, I find that each of his five albums contain some good songs, but they fail to have great ones. They also fail to be consistently good from beginning to end. Often, it feels as if Eagle Eye has half a good album and half an album of filler. This is true in the case of all five of his albums, even this new one, "Streets of You" (2018).

Of course, nowadays no one is listening, as evidenced by the lack of reviews posted here, and the fact that this album slipped out in November 2018 (seven months ago), and again, no reviews yet.

On "Streets of You" the best songs are: "Streets of You", "Come What May", "While Away", "House at the End of the Road", "Down and Out", "Drunk and Sublime" and "Best of Us". The other six tracks are okay, with the worst being "Rise Above", "Top of the World", "Mother Never Told Me" and "You". "Remember to Breathe" and "We Ain't Dead" are okay.

One thing I did note this time around--it seemed to me that Cherry put more effort into his lyrics. Most of these songs are well written, but the arrangements suffer. I think Cherry could be a little more adventurous musically and sonically. On each of his albums he tends to get repetitive sounding.

It's frustrating because for every good song Eagle Eye puts out there, there is an equally weak song to follow it. I think all five of his albums get the three and a half star rating. I'm still waiting for him to hit it out of the park, and since he seems to only release an album every decade, it looks like my wait will be a long one.

Here's how "Streets of You" compares to Eagle Eye's other works:

1997 Desireless: Three Stars
2000 Living In The Present Future: Three Stars
2003 Sub Rosa: Three Stars
2012 Can't Get Enough: Three Stars
2018 Streets of You: Three Stars


title: Here's to the aging bands and proprietors of hotels. Let the day begin.

text:
I, like many Americans, was first introduced to the music of Simple Minds almost 30 years ago to the day with one song, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from the 1985 film "The Breakfast Club". I was 12 at the time, and I wasn't sure I liked Simple Minds. I sure didn't like the video for the song (and still don't). However, later that year the band released "Once Upon A Time" and the lead single "Alive And Kicking". I was sold at that point (and I liked the video, too!) But, I didn't buy the cassette tape until March 1986, after "Sanctify Yourself" and "All The Things She Said" hit the American Top 40.

Then, they committed commercial suicide. Their follow up was a live album in 1987 and then "Street Fighting Years" in 1989 (which sounded completely different). They lost all commercial momentum they had in America, but were still popular in Europe.  Comparisons were/are certainly reasonable between Simple Minds and U2. The have a similar sound, started about the same time, one is from Scotland, the other Ireland, and Bono and Jim Kerr have strikingly similar vocal tendencies. Simple Minds beat U2 at every turn, musically, but somehow Bono was more charismatic than Jim Kerr, and U2 somehow one the popularity contest. I mean, "Street Fighting Years" beat "Achtung Baby" by two years, but no one noticed in America (except me).

I reckon around 1995's "Good New From The Next World" the band (now just Jim Kerry and Charlie Burchill with session musicians) the band began to slip artistically. Sure, that album went to number two in the UK, but after that, the band struggled until 2009's "Graffiti Soul".

And so here is "Big Music"....another failure in America, but number 12 in the UK, go figure. I am still a die-hard Simple Minds fan. I have to say that this album in particular is probably the band's best effort since 1989's "Street Fighting Years". It sounds good, fresh, and also like Simple Minds should sound--New Wave Rock. Gone are the noodlings from their past three albums 2009's "Graffiti Soul", 2005's "Black & White 050505" and 2002's "Cry". In replace, a solid, no filler, straightforward and earnest Simple Minds album. "Blindfolded", "Midnight Walking", "Honest Town", "Human", "Blood Diamonds", The Call's re-imagined cover from 2009's "Graffiti Soul", "Let The Day Begin", "Concrete And Cherry Blossom", "Imagination", "Broken Glass Park" and "Spirited Away" all work very well side by side with each other. If there are weak tracks they are "Big Music" and "Kill Or Cure".

But you know, this is the Simple Minds of yore, the stadium sounding Simple Minds from "New Gold Dream", "Sparkle In The Rain" and "Once Upon A Time". This is good news, fans. Go buy it, now. Now, if Jim and Charlie and Mel could only persuade Derek Forbes and Mick MacNeil to get back on board for another album or two--that was my favorite line-up, and the one I consider classic.

Lastly, I actually managed to see Simple Minds live in February 1995 for the "Good New From The Next World" tour at the Ogden theater in Denver, Colorado. Standing room only. And they were LOUD. Deafeningly loud! But it was a great show!

Here's how "Big Music" compares with Simple Minds' other works:

1979 Life In A Day: Two and a Half Stars
1979 Real To Real Cacophony: Two Stars
1980 Empires And Dance: Three Stars
1981 Sons And Fascination: Three Stars
1981 Sister Feelings Call: Three and a Half Stars
1982 New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84: Four Stars
1984 Sparkle In The Rain: Four Stars
1985 Once Upon A Time: Four Stars
1989 Street Fighting Years: Four Stars
1991 Real Life: Three and a Half Stars
1995 Good News From The Next World: Two and a Half Stars
1998 Neapolis: Two and a Half Stars
2000 Our Secrets Are The Same: Two and a Half Stars
2001 Neon Lights: One Star
2002 Cry: Three Stars
2005 Black & White 050505: Three Stars
2009 Graffiti Soul: Three Stars
2014 Big Music: Four Stars


title: Beautiful, From Start To Finish

text: This is an amazing album. One of my close friends, who is a self-proclaimed music addict, recommended it to me. At first I was a bit apprehensive - who can imagine the boys from Northstar breaking into some country-style folk beats? After giving it a listen (well, more than just one), I rememebered suddenly what music is all about - it's about taking risks, finding new ways to express catharsis, and simply being creative. There are some very intriguing songs on the album, and if I had to recommend any specific one, it would be "The Gin War". This song made it into my top 25 most played songs on my iPod in a matter of three days. I also love "Platano" and "Lolita". This is a GREAT album. Please show your support for great artistry and buy it today.


title: vinyl

text: I wish this was pressed at 45. It has two tracks, but they are short so really was it worth taking up a whole 12 inch lp? I love the album art, but am a little let down.


title: Buy this album

text: I'm a huge NeedToBreathe fan and to me this is one of there best albums, it has a bit of everything. It has some rockers, it has the slower melodic songs. It is a great variety. This is true NeedToBreathe right here. Come on and just buy it already. You won't be disappointed!


title: A warm flood of American idealism

text:
"Good Night, And Good Luck" is George Clooney's love letter to the America of his 1950s childhood as much as it is an anthem to the journalism of that era and its figurehead, Edward R. Murrow. The opening sequence, at an evening gala of wine, smoke, women of a sophisticated age and men of a professional dignity, reveals as much.

Did adults enjoy themselves more in those days? Maybe, to the  neglect of their children, who became our Angriest Generation a decade later. Is this a shamelessly romantic picture? Absolutely. Does it immerse itself the complexities of Murrow's 1954 takedown of Sen. Joe McCarthy and his Communist investigations? Not really. But I enjoyed it as I would enjoy a well-made film that appreciated the sunny idealism Ronald Reagan in the face of his rotten politics. There are far worse things than a picture about serious people considering serious things seriously.

Consider how Clooney and actor David Strathairn - excellent here - portray Murrow, host of the CBS news program "See It Now," as a man who reveres words so much - and trusts his audience to understand - he dignifies them. He tells his audience, in one episode of his news program of "See It Now,"

that he will read from a paper so as not to be mistaken. Before technology ever overwhelmed viewers with visual clutter - we're to the point where Bill O'Reilly uses a graphic summarize his key points - content and image were married in a way that required clarity and eloquence. Murrow delivered commentary without putting quotation marks around it.

While we get the gist of the McCarthy hearings, "Good Night, And Good Luck" does not have the budget or epic goals of "All The President's Men," "The Insider" to relive the experience. For 45 years McCarthy - shown in the movie through real footage as a sweaty, furious troll of a man, a squinty-eyed balloon about to pop - was remembered as a zealot bent destroying ordinary Americans (and a lot of people in Hollywood) for minor or nonexistent connections to the Communist Party. Then conversative author Ann Coulter, among others, launched a vigorous defense of his hearings. The footage Clooney uses doesn't leave much doubt to me that McCarthy was about ready to start carving numbers in his wrist like John Forbes Nash, but then it's selective footage. Books - including Coulter's - offer better examinations, as do the movies "Guilty by Suspicion" and "Citizen Cohn."

Clooney is after the essence of living in slight paranoia. One CBS news anchor, Don Hollenbeck (Ray Wise) commits suicide, partially for the relentless criticism he gets for being a "Communist sympathizer" on TV. One of the men who is part of the "See It Now" team has to remove himself from the McCarthy project because his ex-wife attended meetings long ago. "We have to do this," Murrow says in reference to McCarthy stories, "because it cuts to right here in this room."

A classy supporting cast (including Clooney, Robert Downey, Jeff Daniels, Frank Langella and Tate Donovan) portray a bright, committed news team, aware of Murrow's talent, command, and reserved leadership. Strathairn makes several acting choices in the way he smokes cigarettes - a manner of expression back then. And Clooney, as he showed in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," is a talented filmmaker in basic ways - camera placement, lighting, composition, creativity. He integrates footage from "See It Now," "Person To Person," old commericials and the hearing themselves. He also recreates the old Columbia music recording studios that were once next door to the news floor. He inserts a few 50s standards from these  sessions as scene transitions. The effect is poignant and elegant. So is his movie.


title: 5 Great new songs from Jude Cole

text: 5 Great new songs from Jude Cole!!! The only down side is that this is just an EP, not a full album! Cant get enough of Jude!!


title: I highly recommend! The best I have heard.

text: Will Clipman has a gem here and I am so glad I found it. If you enjoy percussion and drumming, this will speak to you. Buy it, you won’t regret it!


title: Excellent remaster sound quality

text: Amazing sound and beginning of their two part harmonies.  Love it. I just appreciate beginnings of things.


title: Lady GaGa puts out awesomeness

text: I'm a metal head that went to Waken 2019. I am a lesbian that adores metal.  I NEVER got into Lady Gaga but this is an ode to my era of Madonna and Cher.<br />Co-Vid has us huddled in our music rooms, basements and headphones trying to get through this ugly time period in our history.  It’s a welcome intermission to our social boredom, having music that moves us.  The only shame is that this kick-ass perfect club music will have to wait until normalcy returns, if it ever does.  I will the first on the dance floor if it does. Thank you Lady GaGa for this timely and important work.


title: Amazing flute forest music

text: Fantastic, hypnotic, flute music.  Ambient forest music in the background.  Great for new age freaks.  I mean that in a good way.


title: Great trip down memory lane!

text:
Came across the cassette version of this album this morning and played it on my stereo. Brought back memories from the summer of 1990. Kenny Maclean was the last member to join Platinum Blonde in the mid-80s at the height of their success. Remember their album "Alien Shores"? That was the smash follow-up to their debut album "Standing In The Dark" and Alien Shores marked the start of Kenny's career with the group.

His solo album "Don't Look Back" marked a clear departure from the high-energy pseudo punk sound of Platinum Blonde. This album leans more towards the Adult Contemporary/Soft Rock side and it actually works. There are a few rockers on the album ("One Night", "State of Mind", "Hot Pink") but the rest of the album is slightly more mellow.

Kenny harmonizes well with fellow Toronto singer Molly Johnson on the vocals. And his ballads (one of my favourites - "I Can't Resist") capture the listener with their honest and emotional lyrics. I don't think this album is available anymore unless you can get your hands on a used copy but it is certainly worth the hunt if you recall the title track being played incessantly on the airwaves. It was definitely one of the biggest summer hits back in '90.


title: Climatic, Bleak Metal With A Cooling Finish

text:
Deception at times can make one feel uncomfortable about there stand on things, this is very much so towards a purchase. Initially listening to Gris's first track, one might find them selves in A) a euphoric ambient wonderland or B) a creepily building electronic sounds cape. By around the forty second mark, B victors (hopefully you picked B or you`re in for a surprise). Icy cavernous screeches, of whatever they might be about realization or terror im just shooting in the dark, none can deny the eeriness of it all.

Staticy may not be a real word but the guitars staticy aurora remains for nearly every track, along with the screams, and the side jabbing secondary guitar shutter. Traces of life shiver icily down the time slope of this album. The song titles are very difficult pronounce if you speak English, thankfully this is one of those albums where a full play through is recommended.

Few additional perks remain in the icicles of dormant nuances`, these include Spanish like guitar flickers, smooth electronics against the sheets of icy guitar, and avalanche pummeling drums.


title: Get it if you still can!

text: There are many Bach cantata #140 out there and I'm sure some very fine ones at that. But I have yet to hear one as vibrant and richly textured as this one. The chorus is fabulous and Felix Prohaska leads them along with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra into great operatic realms of splendor.


title: Fabulous and the best

text: This recording of Beethoven's Moonlight, Pathetique, and Appassionata sonatas played by Horowitz are by far the best interpretations I have ever heard. He pours his heart and soul into these. I'm convinced that Horowitz was left hand dominant. His bases are always pronounced and I think it contributes greatly to these pieces. Over the years, Horowitz has been criticized for missing notes and taking liberty and applying his own interpretations into his playing. Not so in these sonatas. I've compared these with Brendel, Pollini, and Richter (whom I love) but those just prove to me that this is THE disc of these sonatas to have and listen to. It would be a shame to see this go out of print.


title: THEY ROCK

text: The Osmonds never got the props they deserve. They actually wrote their own music and played their own instruments. yeah, some of their songs are treacly, but alot of them rock and rock hard. Not just "Crazy Horses" check out, "Hey Mr. Taxi", "Hold Her Tight", and "Life Is Hard Enough Without Goodbyes". I do think the asking price is just a tad too high....500.00 for a pirated cd? WOW


title: THANK YOU!!

text: WONDERFUL


if you love the Allman Brothers band you'll love this. I am especially taken buy Statesboro Blues. Dewayne Allman steals the show with his awesome slide guitar work. Many consider Statesboro Blues to be the Holy Grail of slide guitar. Give it a listen


title: Unusual approach to the music.

text: Facile and fast performances. Glad I listened.


title: What a gem!

text: I got this album for such a low price, and it includes the actual album, and a bonus disc of Oasis, live at the metro in Chicago back in '94.  This was my biggest steal yet on amazon, and I would've paid even more because Oasis is just that good!


title: Absolutely outstanding

text: 46 (yes 46) tracks, very beat oriented, seamlessly mixed although the sound quality could be a little better. A little heavy on '80's beats, but an outstanding funk-oriented collection of party breaks. One of a kind, a must-have.


title: Superb!

text: It really is too bad that this disc is not easily obtainable as it is one of the best bluegrass albums I have heard to date.  Blue Moon Rising is a band to watch.  The have very talented musicians (including one heck of a Dobro player) and a lead singer that complements the instrumentals quite well.  The lyrics on "Where Wood Meets Steel" are extremely well-written and capture some current in insightful themes.  There really is not a song on the album that I would rate less than "good," and many like "Billy Joe Died When The Mountain Fell Down" are absolute standouts and are exceptional.  Top marks...  This is a young band that I will be eagerly looking forward to new releases from.


title: Power Pop at its best!

text: Great guitar hooks, harmonies, and catchy songs by an industry veteran who's real name is Chuck Kirkpatrick, renowned recording engineer ("Rainy Night in Georgia", "You Can Do Magic", and "Layla" to name a few) and session singer and guitarist for Beach Boys, Bee Gees, America, Eddie Money, Michael Bolton, John Parr, Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton.  Kirkpatrick's self-produced album was recorded mostly at the Beach Boys' Brother Studio in 1977 with brother Scott on drums, Eddie Keating on bass, and Les Luhring on backing vocals.  All three were members of a well known Florida band, "Game" and the familiarity with each other as friends and fellow musicians lends to the energy and good feeling on this effort.  Kirkpatrick's self-admitted influences are Beach Boys, Beatles, and Eric Clapton to whom he pays homage with his own version of the very original which he engineered, "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad".


title: Some Things Don't Age Well

text:
This 1991 Metallica "black album" is their best-selling (though not considered by fans to be their "best"). But when I listen to it today, it sounds like dumbed-down Led Zeppelin. The lyrics remind me of simplistic poetry I wrote when I was 15 years old. From watching the "Year-and-a-half" Metallica doc re the making/touring of the album, it's clear that many young fans were inspired by it---so it's good in THAT way.  But as for being a good album either musically or lyrically... First, let me ask: In 1991, was the metal scene so sparse that THIS was considered great? It tries so hard to be "heavy" and "profound," but it fails miserably: Generic lyrics, generic guitar riffs, super-thudding bass (maybe innovative back in 1991?).

Sampling of lyrics:

NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are

WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
And the road becomes my bride
I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied

(Sorry, but even Bon Jovi's "Wanted: Dead or Alive" is more "profound" than this.)

At one point in the "filming of" doc, band members make fun of KISS and Guns-n-Roses. I don't know that much about G-n-R, but I do know that KISS's "Hotter Than Hell," "Rock and Roll Over," "Love Gun," and "Alive!" albums were much harder and much more interesting (both musically and lyrically) than this Metallica album.

Listening to it today (2022), seems like it was just a "moment in time" thing, where it happened to capture some disgruntled youths' feelings and sold a lot. But I don't think it stands the test of time, as a true work of art does.


title: Sloppy Doors

text:
The Doors' 4th album... It's an utter mish-mash. The one tight song is "Touch Me." The one interesting song is the long finale, "The Soft Parade."

The other 7 songs are basically toss-aways: "Tell All the People" and "Do It" ("listen to the children") sound like they came from the "Spinal Tap" soundtrack. "Shaman Blues" and "Easy Ride" and "Wild Child" are boring stoner jams. "Runnin' Blue" is a bad Dylan parody with unnecessary horns/strings. "Wishful Sinful" has way too many strings for such a slight song.

For Doors fans only (or for Spinal Tap fans seeking the source).


title: Russian Punk-Rock at Its Best

text:
One of my most favorite albums by Kino.
Great stuff !!

Highly recommended.  Russian understanding is options, although it does help to understand the lyrics to put songs in perspective.


title: Not at all what I thought it was going to be!

text:
ATTENTION! This has NOTHING TO DO with John Corabi's new project (also named Zen Lunatic)!!!

Besides that, it sounds to me like yet another post grunge/hard un-inspired band.

Both production and interpretation are kinda weak too.


title: For one CD?

text: And to think I bought this just five years ago for just 11.00 plus shipping.  The times, they are a-changin', and they're getting greedier.


title: Avoid this CD

text: All heinous remakes, and "Hitchin' A Ride" has prominent violins here with a baritone lead vocal.  If it weren't so pathetic, it might be funny.


title: The Original Single Mixes

text: It's about time that we, the consumers, should be able to get ALL of theCarpenters' hits the way we remember them.  I'm truly surprised that Richard Carpenter allowed these to be issued, without any remixing and re-recording like all the other myriad albums and compilations.  Kudos to T.J. Lubinsky Jim Pierson and Paul Brownstein (the executive producers) for making this happen.  True, it is only available as a "thank you" gift for public telelvision pledge drives, but anyone who wants to hear the songs AS ORIGINALLY RELEASED should keep their eyes and ears open for the opportunity to obtain this marvelous collection.


title: This is the REAL US track listing

text:
Sorry, but the track listing Gary gives in his review must be from a version of the album from another region of the world.  This is the correct US version track listing:
A1 Don't You Want Me-Human League
A2 Do You Believe in Love-Huey Lewis & the News
A3 (Oh) Pretty Woman-Van Halen
A4 Did It In A Minute-Hall & Oates
A5 Don't Stop Believin'-Journey
A6 Urgent-Foreigner
A7 In the Air Tonight-Phil Collins
B1 Spirits in the Material World-The Police
B2 Love Is Alright Tonite-Rick Springfield
B3 Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)-Rod Stewart
B4 Hold On Tight-Electric Light Orchestra
B5 Abacab-Genesis
B6 Working For the Weekend-Loverboy
B7 I Love Rock 'N Roll-Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

All in their original 45 versions (that's the way the labels and K-tel rolled in the 80s) and a great sampling of early 80s hits on one terrific record.


title: Stupid Greed Rears Its Ugly Head ...

text:
Don't pay this third-party price for this.  It has been reissued as "Playlist: Simon & Garfunkel" by Sony - it is the exact same issue as the 1972 "Greatest Hits" album, but on CD once again, for about $600.00 less than the price asked for by this greedy seller.

One star for the greed, five for the music.

You're welcome.

.


title: Rhino needs to release this in a version that can be enjoyed by ALL

text:
They need to release this in a version that can be enjoyed without the messing with quad channels (e.g. - a stereo mix from the quad tapes).  Other labels have put out quad mixes on stereo releases as bonus tracks - why can't Rhino do the same with this album?

Do they really NOT want to sell more copies?


title: Buyer Beware

text:
I've owned this album since the early 80s, and it is chock full of re-records, but they are not heinous (and believe me, if I say they're not heinous, they're not).  Most of them, if not all of them, strive to sound like the original hits; the only shortcomings in them are when the vocalist's voice hasn't kept up with the instrument it used to be.

You have been advised.


title: Album runs 55 minutes

text:
With 20 songs, that's an average of about 2:40 per song.  But it's a great listen, a throwback to the days when Disco was just gaining a foothold as such, with songs such as "I Got Your Love", "Nice N Naasty" and "Full Time Thing" becoming hits in the clubs, rather than on the Pop charts.  And it's "mixed" for continuous play, no gaps between songs- one starts to fade, while another fades up, like the 60s DJs used to do.  Consider it an "extended best-of-the-hits mix", and enjoy - "Disco Duck" notwithstanding.

Side One

  1.  Disco Duck-Rick Dees and his Cast of Idiots (truer words were never applied)
  2.  Get Up And Boogie-Silver Convention
  3.  More, More, More-Andrea True Connection
  4.  Disco Lady-Johnnie Taylor
  5.  That's the Way (I Like It)-KC & thre Sunshine Band
  6.  Nice N' Naasty-Salsoul Orchestra
  7.  Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)-B.T.Express
  8.  Full Time Thing (Between Dusk and Dawn)-Whirlwind
  9.  Young Heart Run Free-Candi Staton (why this song has always been lumped in with Disco is beyond me - it is NORTHERN SOUL, and too slow for Disco, not that it wasn't played at the clubs, anyway)
 10.  The Best Disco in Town (Pt.1)-The Ritchie Family

Side Two
  1.  Shake, Shake, Shake (Shake Your Booty)-KC & the Sunshine Band
  2.  A Fifth of Beethoven-Walter Murphy
  3.  Turn the Beat Around-Vicki Sue Robinson
  4.  I Love Music-The O'Jays
  5.  Get Down Tonight-KC & the Sunshine Band
  6.  Baby Face-Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps
  7.  I Got Your Love-Stratavarious featuring Lady
  8.  Venus (1976 Disco Remake)-Frankie Avalon
  9.  Get Dancin'-Disco-Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes
10.  Bad Luck-Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

If you can find a decent vinyl copy of this almost 40 years hence, and for not too obscene a price, by all means, grab it.


title: Contents of a Classic K-tel Album

text:
Though it's only one record of a two-record set, it's worth having, because of the 13 tracks, only two songs are edited beyond the radio single length.  The rest are at least the single, with the surprising inclusion of a few album versions.  Where there's a difference between the album version and the 45, I have indicated which are here.  I've recently remade this on my iTunes with all the full length versions (and including the second record, of course).

Side One:
It's A Miracle(Album version)-Barry Manilow
Don't Call Us, We'll Call You-Sugarloaf
Sad, Sweet Dreamer-Sweet Sensation
Midnight Train to Georgia(45 Version)-Gladys Knight & the Pips
Poetry Man(Album Version)-Phoebe Snow
Emma(Album Version)-Hot Chocolate
Walking in Rhythm(45 Version)-Blackbyrds

Side Two:
Rockin' Chair-Gwen Mc Crae
Fire(Album Version)-The Ohio Players
Radar Love(Edited here to 2-1/2 minutes from the 5:00 single,
  and the 6:25 album version)-Golden Earring
In the Bottle(Edited here to 2:40 from the 3:23 complete
  version)-Brother to Brother
Rock the Boat(45 version)-Hues Corporation
I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo(Doo Dat Dance)(45 version)-Disco-Tex
  and the Sex-O-Lettes

Of course, Record Two contained 13 more songs with the same pattern of 45/Lp versions and edits.
This was K-tel's 1975 year-end multi-record recap of the albums they'd put out during the year;
the regular releases had 20-22 songs, and most were severely truncated, so these year-end Lp's, with
more complete versions, were better values.


title: 10 good songs - and one great one

text:
It used to be that, back in the day, you could go out and buy a record sight unseen (or maybe that should be "sound unheard"), start playing it, and it sounds OK.  Then, all of a sudden, a song blasts out that is so good, you know before you are even half a minute into it, that you are going to play it again as soon as it's finished.
The Sighs are all super-competent on their instruments (the drummer and lead guitarist, especially), the singing is fine, and the first 10 songs on this album are all good.  But the last song is a live version of "Think About Soul" from their first album. "What Goes On," and it's terrific!  I did, in fact, play it again as soon as it was finished; that's rare for me these days.
If you are thinking, "So, I should buy an album just for one song?" don't worry; if you like power pop, these guys are quite good at it.  But, yeah; the last song is so good, it's worth buying the album for.
P. S.  Play it loud!


title: LOVE IT

text: Don't be without this if you appreciate New York no-wave stuff, although I consider him more punkrock. I can't believe he never got his due; his quirky talent has been so overlooked. I agree with the other reviewer and love this album! Glad to know he's still alive & kicking....hope to see him out & about in NYC.


title: Stevie has abeautiful voice.

text: We liked her selection of music.


title: Relaxing Beauty

text: A very great collection of Celtic songs. Some songs have voices, yet others rely soley on beautiful instruments. The music is great for unwinding after a stressful day or when one wants to sleep. My favorites are "She Wove a Cloak of Many Yarns," "Kincora," "The Wraggle, Taggle Gypsies," and "Overture." Highly recommended if you like relaxing, breathtaking music.


title: soulful first EP from New Jersey based band

text: I first began following the band Selkow after seeing them at shows around the Philadelphia area. I liked the band so much I actually went in as an associate producer on this very CD, so I acknowledge a bias. The six very personal songs on this CD speak to anyone who has had to overcome adversity and who can appreciate a sense of humor. Highly recommended.


title: Five Stars

text: Great listen


title: like their mid-period sound

text:
Wire - Nocturnal Koreans (Pink Flag)

An EP length “full length” CD, which is the only complaint one can lodge against this disc, comprised of eight compositions.

Comprised of guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Colin Newman; bassist Graham Lewis, drummer Robert Grey and guitarist Matthew Simms; Wire follows up their softer eponymous release with a more electric sound (with the exception of “Forward Position”, a beat-less droning piece), urged on by drums and occasionally with distortion (“Fishes Bones”). This disc is more akin to their mid period material, but still fits in nicely and pays homage to their newer sound, which still sneers at the three chord normalcy that defines most rock music (they prefer the experimental monotone of one or two chords).

Good, but unnecessarily short.

(3.5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: post Miranda and with Gwen, Blake's a happy man

text:
Blake Shelton - Body Language (Warner Brothers)

Released in 2021 with very little fanfare or promotion, “Body Language” shows us a happier man with lighter more upbeat songs. I suppose we have Gwen Stefani to thank or that.

The album starts off with the major single, “Minimum Wage”, which rock fans will immediately recognize borrows heavily from the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil”. “Makin’ It up as You Go” has a Jimmy Buffet feel to it, which a joyful calypso sound of the islands to it.

But most of the songs deal with new love and awakening to a better life that comes with a better love. Gwen joins in with Blake on “Happy Anywhere”, a cute little throwaway song. “Corn” is more like the pre-Miranda Blake Shelton, a romp through the field with a bottle of moonshine close at hand.

Blake’s smooth voice is laid-back, but calmer and more content that in recent releases.

Overall, it is a much more jubilant effort that of late, showing how even though Blake is not a songwriter, he lets his life guide his lyricists.

And life is good.

(3.5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: 7th in series of electronic live improvisations

text:
Tangerine Dream - Sessions VII (Eastgate)

After their standard set of electronic music, Tangerine Dream as of late have performed a lengthy improvisation. Seven samplings of these improvisations have appeared on the “The Sessions” CDs, and more can be found on Youtube.com. The seventh disc contains one improv from March of 2019, a time when the band was a quartet with Ulrich Schnauss as a member joining Quaeschning, Yamane and the, at that time, newly recruited Paul Frick.

The 39-½ minutes improvisation is quieter than many of their pieces, with the sequencer gently pulsing the piece along rather than becoming a dominant force. There are a number of sequences where stellar chord and clouds are the dominant sounds, often soaring to piercing locales in the heavens.

Recorded in London, they named the piece “Each Tea Lasts an Hour”, and although it plays straight through, on the tracking of the disc it is divided into eight pieces, seemingly at random. Despite it being sold as a full length it is considered to be a cupdisc, meant to last the length one might take to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

This one is very beautiful and gentle and comes recommended.

(4 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: includes recordings by Edgar and new adventures

text:
Tangerine Dream - Raum (Kscope/Eastgate)

The new studio work for the year features the late founder of the group, Edgar Froese, on some old recordings; along with the current members Thorsten Quaeschning, Hoskio Yamane and Paul Frick. The band’s sound is classic Dream, not just because of Froese’s presence on three songs, but also because it was Edgar who created the template that the band continues to follow.

The 68 minutes album contains two extended pieces, “Raum” and “In 256 Zeichen”, which both hearken back to days of “Tangram”, and are superbly done. “Continuum” sounds a bit like some of the bouncy pieces of Cluster’s “Zuckerzeit” era. Overall, the album (with the exception of the more updated equipment) could just have easily been recorded by the diamond years of Froese/Baumann/Franke. The new line-up has honed their skills beyond mastery.

The only complaint is that the track, “Raum”, was previously issued on “Probe 6-8), and generally teaser tracks aren’t 15 minutes long.

(4.5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: success depends upon the quality of the singer, and celine is the best one currently out there

text:
Celine Dion - Courage

Get one thing straight. Whether you like her material or not, everyone has to admit Celine Dion has the best set of pipes this side of Barbra Streisand. And pretty much does the same type of music.

Her latest album garners a set of sixteen easy listening songs, some reminiscent of Broadway music and a couple of mainstream pop songs; arranges them beautifully (especially regarding the interplay between Celine’s lead vocals and the backing vocals), and presents them on “Courage”, which elegantly is sold with Dion in a gown standing in front of a fire.

As we have come to expect from this artist, production is immaculate and the arrangements are pristine, although presented more in a Las Vegas manner, with no one instrument ever being highlighted. It is the type of mainstream easy listening that has reigned over the genre for the last sixty or more years.

Success all depends on the quality of the singer.

And in the case of Celine Dion, you simply have the best one currently available.

(5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: Disappointing

text:
Green Day - Father of All (Reprise)

Although being marketed as a full length album, this 26 minute recording is essentially an EP. And as such, it also feels like a hurried release to maintain the fan base between real full length releases.

Although the formula of Green Day is present (angry guitar chords and progressions and a hard but tight rhythm duo), the songs feel like abbreviations of what could have been. Not necessarily undeveloped, but stunted. As if they were not allowed to grow up and fulfill their destinies.

As a fan of Green Day, this was a very disappointing release.

(1.5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: An exceptional piece of work

text:
Ronnie Dunn - Re:Dunn (LWR)

A tremendous 2-CD set of Ronnie Dunn paying tribute to those who have laid the groundwork for his sound: both country and pop.

Dunn is in excellent voice and his solid country rock band (with strings as appropriate) are superb as he covers 24 songs by artists such as Ace. Rodney Crowell (and Lee Ann Womack), Electric Light Orchestra, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Albert Hammond, 10cc, Tom Petty, the Eagles and Pure Prairie League in nearly ninety minutes of excellent music, regardless of your personal musical taste.

Most songs are performed in tribute, which is to say he’s not putting his own spin on the material, preferring to use arrangements similar to the original compositions and performances. The addition is generally the guitar solos, the addition of an excellent pedal steel, and his own distinctive singing voice.

A fabulous release that is the highpoint of Ronnie’s musical career. You can tell these are all songs that he loves.

(5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: the finale of Miller's first period (aka pre-Joker)

text:
Steve Miller Band - Recall the Beginning…A Journey from Eden (Lost Diamonds)

Released in 1972, this record never made it as a CD in the United States or the U.K., but in 2008 a rare find emerged from Argentina and Chile, which is currently available at a very high prices. (The other CD not in circulation but is available at a too-high-for-this-man price tag, also never in the U.S. or the U.K., is “Rock Love”. Also currently unavailable is “Circle of Love”.)

The career of the Steve Miller Band essentially falls into two categories. Before “The Joker” and “The Joker and beyond.  Which is to say: innovative rock and mainstream rock.

This album was the final record in the pre-Joker era, which began with “Children of the Future” and ended on this, the seventh release.  As the culmination in the series, probably only outdone by their debut, this album is a wonderful work of art, as opposed to being a high seller.

Although not played with anyone from the initial band, the music is tight, the compositions powerful, and the production immaculate. Mainly a softer sounding record, the album is initially graced by “Enter Maurice”, an old time rock and roll parody sung by a spurned male lover whose travails with the law are slowly developed as the song humorously progresses. Miller even refers to this song on “The Joker”.

But the second side (or the last four tracks) of this album embody the best of what Steve Miller had to offer during his first period. Starting softly with “Love’s Riddle”, and then energizing a bit with “Fandango”; the final two tracks, graced with wonderful string embellishments, are probably the best songs Miller has ever penned.

“Nothing Lasts” and the title track are mainly acoustic and are simply beautiful works of art.  These two songs alone are worth the high price of the CD, with softly purred vocals, gently progressing chords and acoustic leads, as well as finely tuned and emotive lyrics. Literally perfect songs.

(4.5 stars out of 5)

MC Mahan


title: Solid album

text: Really good Christian pop album.


title: Great album

text: Solid collection of tunes here.


title: Solid album

text: Great country pop album.


title: Great album

text: Another great album by the band.


title: Good stuff

text: Great contemporary Christian tunes.


title: Solid album

text: More great tunes from a true singer!


title: Not bad

text: Good stuff.  Check it out!


title: Good stuff

text: Excellent album.  A different spin from the Arctic Monkeys.


title: Good stuff

text: Nice country pop album.


title: Great album

text: Great live album.  Can we please get a vinyl release?


title: Solid

text: Almost perfect.


title: Good stuff

text: Not bad.. better than I expected.


title: Overrated

text: If you like screaming and grunting, this might be your thing.  Me, not so much.


title: Good stuff

text: Great release.


title: Great album

text: This is a great album.  Check it out!


title: Nice compilation

text: Everything you want and more is here.  Nice hits compilation.


title: Classic

text: This album still holds up well.  Great mix of pop/rock and great songwriting.


title: Not bad

text: Not bad but not in love with it.


title: Mixed bag

text: Some decent songs on here but there are some that are just horrible.


title: Love this album

text: For me, this is their best record.  Great quality pop/rock.  Every song on this is a keeper.


title: Rockin' album

text: Album should get a re-release.  This is a great rock album.


title: Excellent Rock Album

text: Illusion II is the better overall album but this record holds it's own.


title: Excellent rock album!

text: The gold standard in hark rock/heavy metal.  This album still holds up and is still the strongest album in the Metallica catalogue.


title: Great rock album!

text: Great album.


title: Killer!

text: Great album. I don't know that we needed a double album here but the tracks are killer.


title: An Almost Perfect Classic

text: Most of the album is pure fire but there are a few misses on here, especially the last track.  Classic album in their catalog.


title: Great covers album!

text: Every song on here is a rocker!


title: Not bad but not up the standards of previous albums

text: On some songs almost sounding like a Smashing Pumpkins cover band but overall, not horrible.


title: Good stuff

text: Great pop/rock/country mix of tunes.


title: Good

text: Good album.. not great but there are some solid hits here but also some misses.


title: Great album.

text: The album holds up surprisingly well.  It's been a while since I last heard the entire record.  The majority of songs still hold up.  Great rock album.


title: Great rock album!

text: Female lead vocals, great guitars.  Great rock album.


title: Great live album

text: All the hits are here live!  Great performance and recordings.


title: Horrible

text: This has to be one of the worst albums that I have listened to in a long time.  Horrible.


title: Solid rock album!

text: Solid rock album!  Pleasant surprise.


title: Horrible

text: Horrible.. just horrible.  The only redeeming quality of this is that it ended.


title: Great collection of Paul Young's Hits

text: Great selection of songs!


title: Allman Brothers, best ever!

text: Great album by the Allman Brothers, they really really rocked and improvised in their early days!


title: Chic Corea

text: Stanley Clark is a superb bass player, alone or with Chic Corea and Return to Forever band!


title: Four Stars

text: very good


title: Still the Beatles

text: I was in high school when the Beatles came to America.  I got to trace their development.  There are three jewel cases, and This anthology is very early stuff, some of which I had not heard before.  There's a thing about tone quality, maybe, BUT back in the day, we weren't listening on radios or record players that were going to capture every single element in every single note.  Twist and Shout will never be performed by the Norman Nabernacle Choir (as stated by Tom Smothers).  I put the CD in my old Mercedes' stereo, cranked up the volume until the fillings in my teeth started to vibrate to the Music.  When it started to clear my sinuses, I backed it off a little, and to myself, said<br />Yeah. That's it, all right.


title: Eye in the Sky 5.1 sound

text: I've been looking forward to Eye in the Sky 5.1 multi channel sound for years. It's definitely worth the purchase.


title: Excellant! The SACD version takes some of the edge ...

text: Excellant ! The SACD version takes some of the edge off this digital recording.


title: Flawless performance

text: I got this for my husband, who studied organ with Clarence Watters when he was a student at Trinity College. He was absolutely thrilled to have it and has played it several times. I have enjoyed it greatly too. The quality of the recording was technically good as well.


title: Forever Changes

text:
Love-Forever Changes ****

So I had heard the album a few times from friends and family but never bought it for myself because while I loved most of the album there where parts of the album that left me cold, and honestly still do. However to say that this is an important piece of 1960's culture and L.A. legend would simply be a great understatement. With Forever Changes Arthur Lee and the gang totally encapsulated the feeling and images of the movement going on at the time and it is nothing short of a bizarre beauty.

'Alone Again Or' is accessible and easy going, yet deprived off life which makes it amazing. 'A House Is Not A Motel' is in short one of the most perfect songs this reviewer has ever heard. 'Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale' adds new flavor to the album with flamenco guitars, Santana like rhythms before they even were, and a wonderful horn chart. I think this song more than any other represents the variety that was L.A. at the time. The rest of the album is good to say the least with two exceptions.

'Live And Let Live' is hippie-yuppie at it's worst, the message is nice and all but I can do with out. Though all is not lost as there is a pretty great guitar solo. 'AndMoreAgain' is one of the most pretentious things I have ever heard and it plays like a bad Moody Blues tune.

Over all it could have been better but even still it is the classic that everyone raves about, and it truly is an album you can get lost in very easily. As for the bonus tracks, this could have done with out. They are mostly just alternate mixes that don't sound much different and the new tracks don't add anything really new, so just stick with the standard release.


title: Fantastic collection of tracks

text: Early blues rock. Fantastic collection of tracks. Paul Rodgers in his prime soulful and melodic.


title: Four Stars

text: fine


title: Starring ' Pete Best '  On Drums

text: It's John, Paul, George, and Pete.  That's right; Pete Best.  I bought this album ( vinyl ) at a grocery store in Utah back in 1982 and paid three dollars for it....brand new.  All of the songs featured here are songs they played in Hamburg, Germany and in the Cavern Club in Liverpool.  This recording is Before Ringo became a member of the group.  Give this album a serious listen as there is NOTHING wrong with Pete Best's drum work on this recording.  What you hear is HOW the Beatles REALLY sounded before becoming famous.  This is the  ' Infamous '  Decca Records audition that Beatle fans have ' heard ' about.  The reason Decca turned down the Beatles was purely ' Financial '  because the Tremeloes were from London ( where this recording took place ) and the Beatles were way up north in Liverpool and thus would cost Decca Records MORE money to record said Beatles.  My favorites on here are:  Crying, Waiting, Hoping...To Know Him Is To Love Him...Memphis...Sure To Fall...Sweet Little Sixteen...and Take Good Care Of My Baby.  This is a ' MUST HAVE '  for all serious Beatles fans.  IF you don't have it...GET it now !!!


title: Five Stars

text: great music.


title: Five Stars

text: get music.


title: La Creme de La Creme.

text: This is about the absolute best compilation downtempo CD I've ever purchased.<br />Highly recommended by me.


title: Five Stars

text: GOOD  CD


title: very good retro hop hop

text: very  good  retro  hop  hop  cd


title: Five Stars

text: great tunes


title: Helpful

text: Helpful if doing the course


title: Helpful

text: Helpful if you are doing the course


title: Alice still out performs talent 1/4 his age!

text: A surprisingly great show this old rocker puts on!


title: Four Stars

text: A great Led Concert!


title: Five Stars

text: Good music


title: My niece loved it.

text: It was purchased as a gift. My niece loved it.


title: Five Stars

text: great classic hard to find rock set


title: Like riding a bicycle

text: Dancing fool here ! I can still can do all the dances! Like riding a bicycle, it all comes back to you ! Got to go the FLY song is on !


title: Hoy Hoy!!

text: Feats Don't Fail me Now or ever!!


title: Five Stars

text: I love it, original songs. Good quality


title: The world stopped: a new perspective.

text: This book bridges the gap between the outmoded Newtonian physics and Quantum physics as they relate to human health and medicine.  When you have finished this amazing, well written book, you will never view allopathic medicine the same again.  And, regardless of your current beliefs, or lack thereof, you will come away with a feeling of real spiritual connection.<br />I believe this book should be required reading for everyone who wishes to graduate from high school and they should read it again before college graduation.  Also, the more people who read this before conceiving and delivering children, the better a world we would live in.


title: Great Song, but wish CD came with more songs

text: Love this song Rise by Katy Perry, but wish that the CD had more songs on it. Of course, I knew it didn't when I bought which I why I rated it 5 stars.


title: This is the best choice for a CTA purchase

text: All the songs are hits. If you are going to purchase a Chicago compilation, Chicago IX is the one to buy. I once had this CD but somebody ripped it off. Now it is good to enjoy the great music of Chicago again. After re-ordering it.


title: Nice selection, but not the best performances...

text: This CD has a good selection of music on it from 1 to 11, but not such good choices for children from that point on.<br />That being said, this disk is a excellent value for only $4 (including shipping).  The performances lack sensitivity however, and sound almost as though played by robots as opposed to live musicians, which (of course) it was, but the artistry just isn't there.  With some research, you will find much better performances of these melodies.  The disk is a great introduction to these pieces of music, and can help the novice classical buyer discover them.


title: Not so good.

text: A lackluster selection of music. Not my "cup of tea" anyway. Try to hear samples before you buy this.


title: Great Music, Poor Recordings

text:
While I like the music these fellows made, especially "Denise" and "Debbie", I cannot say the same for this CD.

Their music is wonderful, but all the joy is gone from the sound as these copies of the music cry out for decent remastering.

It is mid-October of 2016, and I just bought a used copy of this disk for $10. I would NEVER spend the current asking price of $35 Plus for this disc. While it has quite bit of their music on it, the sound quality makes it difficult to sit through and listen to the disc in one sitting.

It is a shame these guys can't find someone at Eric Records or Rhino to clean these tracks up. I would be well worth the time spent doing so...