So Many Roads (1965-1995)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 November, 1999)
list price: $79.98
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Editorial Review

Deadhead collecting has come a long way. An experience that was once based in haphazard bootleg tape trading of complete single shows has graduated to this: a fancy, cloth-covered, lovingly annotated five-disc box set of live recordings, oddities, outtakes, and rehearsals spanning 30 years. The live cuts comprise the heart of this package, and they put you right in the thick of things, presenting the Dead in pure, undiluted fashion, warts and all. The Dead intelligentsia who produced the package--David Gans, Blair Jackson, and Steve Silberman--have boldly chosen the most interesting improvisations and most riveting examples of group synergy: the Dead at their least accessible, but most ambitious and compelling. There are moments where you'll cringe at off-key harmonies or flubbed chords, but there is always a payoff. At times, you can hear the band desperately struggle through the verses just to get to the jam, where redemption always awaits. Jerry Garcia's wounded off-key moans on a 1984 version of "Shakedown Street" eventually give way to a wonderful in-the-pocket funk workout; on a 1988 reading of "Playing in the Band," Bob Weir's botched lyrics are long forgotten when the band intensely teeters at far-off edges just moments later. The problem with this approach is that you lose context by considering performances outside of their natural environment--the specific concerts that spawned them--but this approach also opens up many options as well. For instance, there are sparkling fusion-based jams from the early 1970s, examples of Garcia sparring with Branford Marsalis and Bruce Hornsby in 1990, and an assortment of eye-opening transitional instrumental passages and impromptu creations. These moments of splendid spontaneity are what the band is all about. Welcome rarities include early recordings driven by Pigpen's searing blues harp; a pair of studio outtakes from the Dead's landmark 1970 sessions featuring acoustic instruments and lovely harmonies; Pigpen's R&B-flavored "Chinatown Shuffle" and an arresting version of Merle Haggard's "Sing Me Back Home" from 1972; keyboardist Brent Mydland leading the crew through the Meters' "Hey Pocky Way" in 1989; and Garcia launching into the Irish folk tune "Whiskey in the Jar" at a 1993 rehearsal, much to the delight of his bandmates. A few of the oddities offer only historical value and the final disc bogs down a bit by focusing on the Dead's newest unrecorded material, which, despite some worthy additions, can't match the intensity of the live cuts. For courageous newcomers, the amazing trajectory of the band is here to behold--from psychedelic blues and folk to free-form odysseys to country-rock to jazz and funk to gritty heavy rock. For those only familiar with the Dead's radio-friendly songs, this is the other side of the spectrum. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Features

• Box set
• Live

Reviews (70)

Gone but not forgotten
This is the best available career spanning document of the music of the Grateful Dead. It is sourced from live recordings, which is the way to go with GD, a band which had its moments in the studio but, at its best, was unsurpassed in live performance.

However, "available" must be used advisedly in this case. While Amazon lists availability as 2 to 4 weeks, in fact the 5 disc set has been deleted by BMG and Amazon do not seem to be able to source it at all.

This is a great pity, since this survey has been compiled with obvious love, knowledge and, most importantly, good access to the GD archives.

Happy Trails

Could SOUND better...
I know that most likely that I will become a pariah, but I have to say that this set is a little bit of a disappointment. It seems as though whomever compiled this set consistently chose the poorest quality of recording, both in sound and performance. That's not to say that there aren't any gems to be found. The guest musicians are GREAT, as well as the little bits of commentary caught on tape from the band (re: Whiskey in the Jar). But the one fault of the Dead that keeps me from calling this an overall gem is the fact, especially in their later years, that the Dead didn't always put everything into all their performances. And the off-key, low fidelity of some of these recordings goes to prove my old Dead adage: "The Grateful Dead can take you to some beautiful places you never thought possible with their music...or they can sound like the Grateful Dead."

expensive but very good
Comprehensive, so bound to include non favorite songs or periods here, BUT!

- A great overview over time
- it shows what the dead were good at: improvising, improving / recreating the song in a live context
- Some classic versions (other one, Shakedown street, Watkins Glen, Scarlet, So many roads)
- I even like most of the studio try-outs on the last disc
- You gotta love Whiskey in the jar. They were friends up to the end ... Read more

Asin: B000028TUT
Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Country-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Jam Bands    5. Pop    6. Psychedelic    7. Rock   

Wish You Were Here
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 April, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

Wish You Were Here is a song cycle dedicated to Pink Floyd's original frontman, Syd Barrett, who'd flamed out years before: two grimly funny songs about the evils of the music business ("By the way, which one's Pink?"), and two long, touching ones about the band's vanished friend. The real star of the show, though, is the production: sparkling, convoluted, designed to sound deeply oh-wow under the influence--and pretty great sober too--with David Gilmour getting lots of space for his most lyrical guitar playing ever. And, though the album is big and ambitious, even bombastic, it somehow dodges being pretentious--the Barrett tributes are honest and heartfelt, beneath all the grand gestures and stereophonic trickery. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (519)

a superb floydian classic
wish you were here was amongst the best and most succesful pink floyd albums along with the wall,the dark side of the moon and meddle.this brilliant album contains classics like shine on you crazy diamond and wish you were here.hugely recommended.get all these floyd albums.

Unbelievable.
After Pink Floyd had tackled the monumental task of writing and performing one of the greatest albums ever in the form of "Dark Side of the Moon", the daunting task for the band was to provide a follow-up. "Dark Side" had been a landmark, an album so far beyond anything else that Floyd had done up to that point, it seemed as though nothing would be able to top it. This notion was only half right, although the next album does indeed fall a bit short of "Dark Side", it deserves its place in Pink Floyd's catalog as one of their three best albums (in my opinion, alongside "The Final Cut", an oddity, I realize).

Firstly, the production on "Wish You Were Here" is remarkable for its time, surpassing "Dark Side"'s smooth texture at moments like the ambience of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, as well as the title track. Gilmour's playing is also at its best, the guitar becoming more of an "instrument" (per se), as opposed to the beautiful wall of noise that was presented by the previous album. With only five tracks (and four songs), the material can seem a bit lacking, this is prior to the realization that a single song is 25 minutes, as well as the fact that the other three tracks are some of the best of Floyd's career:

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt.1) - A stellar opener, layers, layers and beautiful ambience. Gilmour's famous riff enters, and from there, the song takes the listener (who, by this time, is perferably on a mind-altering substance of some sort) on a cosmicsonic journey through textures of music. A wonderful opener. 9.5/10

Welcome to the Machine - Things get pessimistic. This song obvious had a heavy influence on the rise of synths in the 1980s,as well as featuring, if not wonderful, than at least effective lyrics and haunting guitar passages. 9/10

Have a Cigar - If this album had a weakest track, this would be it. Still unbelievable in its own right, the bass line is catchy. This is the most upbeat number on the album, but pales in comparion to the epics that are to follow. The emotion here is not as effective, but Have a Cigar still makes for a wonderful segue to the final two tracks. 8/10

Wish You Were Here - Most likely Floyd's most famous song (as well as Another Brick in the Wall Pt.2). A symphony of acoustic guitar, flowing, sensational vocals and heartfelt lyrics makes for one of Floyd's best songs, without a doubt. 9.5/10

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pt.2) - Easily the best song on the album, the second part of the epic "shines" at the end of this stellar album, featuring everything that a listener could want, and some things that you may have forgotten. This song must be heard to be believed, and it likely in my top 5 Pink Floyd songs in their entire catalog. 10/10

Overall - 9/10, "Dark Side of the Moon" remains Floyd's masterpiece, but "Wish You Were Here" is a worthy successor, and ventures places that even its predecessor couldn't dream of.

Great album!
I love every song here, its one of my all time favorites. Get it! ... Read more

Asin: B000024D4S
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Citizen Steely Dan: 1972-1980
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 December, 1993)
list price: $59.98 -- our price: $53.99
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Editorial Review

As should be expected, Steely Dan's four-disc box set isn't like all the other rectangular pop-music retrospectives/tombstones. Not for Messrs. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen the typically bloated, ego-jacking crate padded out with childhood recordings, suspect cassette demos, and broken-down session takes, annotated by candid snapshots purloined from some distant relative. Nope, this is simply Dan Mach 1's complete oeuvre, from the craft-conscious pop of Can't Buy a Thrill to the jazzy torpor of Gaucho, laid out chronologically and neatly compressed into four discs, with not even a handful of "bonus" cuts (a live recording of "Bodhisattva," a '71 demo of "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" with Flo and Eddie on the side, "Here at the Western World," a Royal Scam outtake, and their obligatory soundtrack cameo, "FM") to color outside the lines. The liner notes are suitably smart, even if they occasionally strain trying to stay astride of B&F's patent sardonicism. For the aspiring Steely Dan completist, a fine place to start. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (58)

An INCREDIBLE Deal!!!
ALL the albums plus a few tasty extras at a STEAL of a price!!! If you're a hardcore fan you'll dig deeper and find a couple/three CDs of rare items and obscure demos, but this set has ALL of their essential recorded works. I just cannot get over the price! What a STEAL! It's like an overwhelming body of evidence laying out the case for what a pair of geniuses (geniuii?) Don and Walter were back in the prehistoric days of the 1970s. Truly impressive. And the music has held up remarkably well. Intelligent rock music that always tells a good story. You can't ask for more. It's one bull's-eye after another, song by song. Unequalled genius. BUY THIS SET WHILE IT'S STILL AVAILABLE!!!

I real hit and a big miss
CITIZEN STEELY DAN is a fabulous collection of songs by Steely Dan, a band that many people for many years have scratched their heads about.Whether it was always changing their style or music, having lyrics that go one way and could be meaning something else, starting out as a rock band with CAN'T BUY A THRILL before settling out on a refined jazz groupe with GAUCHO before completely breaking up and returning years later, and having more then their fair share of critics, many of which are mentioned in the accomponying book.Steely Dan was (is) certainly unique.Their box set can certainly have the same things said about it.All of the songs save their two newest ones have all read ALL of the songs on it.EVERY song from Every album till 1980 is here and at attention.You can get almost all of their songs in one shot save for albums EVERYTHING MUST GO and TWO AGAINST NATURE.Awesome.

Now I said that there is a real miss too and there is.Of the boxed sets that I've seen you can usually get some good obscure stuff on the box sets that you can't get anywhere else.With the sole exception of one song a demo from years ago, there is NOTHING NEW on the set.No foreign only releases, no disc of demo or alternate takes, no live songs from before they stopped touring in the 70's (Botthisattva on disc two is available elsewhere, SD's live disc that came out years ago is nowhere near as explosive sounding.)The novelty of the box sets is usually with the exclusive tidbits and this package is pretty slim.

All in all CSD is still a good buy for the Dan fan I just wish it had more to offer, other then everything.

good box
i just recently bought this box set, and to tell you the truth i was pretty pleased with it, i mean here you have all the seven albums between 1972-1980, what more could you ask for, i knowthey could have added more demos and rare tapes, but the guys from SD explained that the only demo they had (everyones gone to the movies) was the only surviving one, the others for some reason were damaged. they even included the live version of Bodhisattva recorded in 1974 and if thats not enough, you also get Here at the western wolrd and FM, wich we all know were singles, so if you like this group and want to have the whole collection in one box set for a reasonable price, then this is it baby!!!!! you cant go wrong!!!!! SABOR!!!!!!! ... Read more

Asin: B000002ORE
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Box Sets (Audio Only)    3. Hard Rock    4. Jazz-Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Soft Rock   

The Remains of Tom Lehrer
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 May, 2000)
list price: $49.98 -- our price: $44.99
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Editorial Review

This three-CD set collects many of Tom Lehrer's tunes, described by Time magazine as "brilliant and coruscating parodies," bringing back a bygone era when the "liberal consensus," as Lehrer calls them, knew who they were and could, therefore, laugh at both themselves and the well-defined enemy. Delivering clever, witty rhymes about topical subjects was Leher's strength. In "Wernher Von Braun" [the Nazi German scientist who later worked for NASA], Lerher sings: "I'll sing you a tale of Wernher Von Braun / A man whose allegiance is ruled by expedience / Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down / 'That's not my department,' says Wernher Von Braun." Using a rollicking piano as accompaniment, Lehrer will remind some of Mark Russell, the current political satirist, but Lehrer's more pointed humor and grating, nasal voice make him a much tougher listen. His Jimmy Durante-like delivery, however, doesn't completely trump his truly quick mind and clever use of language. --Wally Shoup ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (25)

Be Prepared - TO LAUGH!
How can you describe Tom Lehrer's work to someone who has never encountered it before?
Satirical? Yes, but only partially.
Biting? Always, but sometimes with a touch of silliness.
Wicked? Definately, but with a twinkle in the eye.
Perhaps the one word to descrobe Tom Lehrer's work is, quite simply, funny.
Having discovered Lehrer through a chance hearing of his most famous song, Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, I became hooked. This box-set presents all of Lehrer's recordings along with a fantastically produced hard-backed book chronicalling just about all of the information there is on the man (he's a very private individual) as well as all of the lyrics.
Taking each of the three discs individually I shall start with the second one. Disc Two features Lehrer's two original recordings from 1959 and 1960 - 24 tracks in all.Each song is a gem but standouts include the aforementioned 'Pigeons' as well as The Hunting Song, My Home Town, Oedipus Rex and The Masochism Tango. The titles themselve point at the very political-INcorrectness of the content! These recordings are live and include the bridging introductions and gags (some of which are even funnier than the songs) and are boosted greatly by the presence of a very receptive audience.
Disc Two is virtually the same set of songs as Disc Two but without the audience and dialogue. These versions were recorded in a studio and suffer badly without the rapport that Lehrer has with the live audience. The only reason to listen to Disc One over Disc Two is for the two extra tracks slipped in at the end. Both I Got It From Agnes (how you interpret this song shows how dirty your mind is!) and That's Mathematics (a riff on That's Entertainment) are little treasures well worth re-visiting.
Disc Three is a mixed affair that is never short of genius. The first 14 tracks are Lehrer's work featured on the US version of That Was The Week That Was. These are all performed with an audience and bridging dialogue and are just as good, if not better than those on Disc Two. Classics here include Smut (my personnal favourite from the whole collection), Pollution and The Vatican Rag (which has the assembled audience in stitches!). The titles here rightly suggest that more satire is apparent in this set of songs than the earlier work. This slightly dates the content, but not so much as to render it redundant. Also on Disc Three are four of Lehrer's earlier works (from Disc Two) with full orchestration instead of the usual self-played piano. These are wonderful to hear, but still lack the audience reaction. Also here are songs that Lehrer wrote for The Electric Company TV show (funny, educational and yet, still a little subversive!) and a few little oddities including I'm Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica (a Jewish 'Christmas' song) and Selling Out (another personnal favourite).
By the end of the third disc I was a little depressed that this comic genius had not made any more recordings. We must be satisfied with what he has left us, and look at the quality not quantity. Start again as soon as you're finished listening, these songs have great 'repeat appeal'. The only other recording of Tom Lehrer's work available (if it still is available) is the cast album of Tom Foolery, a revue of Lehrer's songs from 1980, performed by a cast of four and produced by (a young) Cameron Mackintosh. Although Lehrer himself does not appear on this recording, the cast work well with the material and the inclusion of a live audience helps too. I own a copy of this recording and treasure it.
Lehrer's final (to date) public appearance was as part of the Cameron Mackintosh celebration Hey, Mr Producer! Here he performed Poisoning the Pigeons in the Park and here is where I took an interest in the rest of his work. This performance is available on DVD, video and CD.

America?s great musical satirist
The complete Tom Lehrer oeuvre is to be found in this outstanding box set.For the uninitiated, Tom Lehrer was a recording artist, whose incredible wit and singular ability to comment on politics of the time with a hummable melody is unparalleled. Contained within are his first two studio recordings, which allows the listener to focus on the clever melodies and wordplay, but the real gems are his three live recordings where audience reaction to Lehrer's outrageousness and his command of a crowd are on fine display. College fight songs ("Fight Fiercely, Harvard"), folk music ("The Irish Ballad," "Clementine"), and even the Boy Scouts ("Be Prepared) are all fair game.Lehrer is at his finest when creating a melody that is pleasant and enjoyable and then putting in lyrics that horrify the listener.(Ex: "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" which is simply one of the funniest songs ever.) Included are some recordings that Lehrer did with a full orchestra, that work very well (Although Lehrer himself was not totally comfortable recording them).There are some relatively new cuts that Lehrer did in the 90's and a special treat for those of you who grew up in the 70's, Lehrer's songs for The Electric Company, which are still a lot of fun, but this is basically everything that Lehrer did during his relatively brief musical career, before returning to academia. I discovered Lehrer's work in the 70's and am glad that this set exists for my listening pleasure. (Now that I've written all these nice things, Mr. Lehrer, can I go home now? Please?)

Most beautiful box set I've ever seen
Tom Lehrer is brilliant, and some of the other reviews will eloquently tell you why.Chances are if you are looking at this item, you already know his brilliance.Even if you have the original CDs, you may want to get this, for it is the most beautiful box set I have ever seen.The hardcover, full color book has fun comments, Mad Magazine excerpts, and all the lyrics.The only improvement I could think of is I wish the "Critical disdain for Tom Lehrer" sticker that is on the shrink wrap had been put in a place where it could stay in good condition. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SWBH
Subjects:  1. Box Sets (Audio Only)    2. Comedy    3. Musical Comedy    4. Pop    5. Satire    6. Spoken / Comedy / Radio Shows   

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
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Editorial Review

Before Sgt. Pepper, no one seriously thought of rock music as actual art. That all changed in 1967, though, when John, Paul, George and Ringo (with "A Little Help" from their friend, producer George Martin) created an undeniable work of art which remains, after 30-plus years, one of the most influential albums of all time. From Lennon's evocative word/sound pictures (the trippy "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," the carnival-like "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite") and McCartney's music hall-styled "When I'm 64," to Harrison's Eastern-leaning "Within You Without You," and the avant-garde mini-suite, "A Day in the Life," Sgt.Pepper was a milestone for both '60s music and popular culture.--Billy Altman ... Read more

Features

• Deluxe Edition

Reviews (914)

Arguably rock's greatest album hands down
The Beatles' classic ninth UK and twelfth US album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released in June of 1967.
The album was the start of the band's studio phase and was the benchmark of all future rock albums to come.
Some people may think Revolver is the greatest(IMHO it was the end of the mop top era) but Sgt Pepper was the first Beatles album I ever heard start to finish and was the album that paved the way for the album to be an important vehicle to the music business.
The album starts off with the title cut and bass player Paul McCartney just rocking out in a grand way. Next is drummer Ringo Starr singing Paul and John Lennon's With a Little Help From My Friends, which is a great song that will stay in the head for days. Guitarist John Lennon's Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is one of the best songs on the album and was inspired by his son Julian's picture that Julian drew in school(and not by a certain hallucinogentic that was popular in 1967). The rocking Getting Better is a timeless song to sing when you're feeling blue and Macca would resurrect this song on his 2002 US tour. Fixing a Hole follows and is a great song to mend a broken heart. The sweet and poignant She's Leaving Home is a touching piece with a sweet Macca vocal with great backing vocal work from John. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite is a great song written and sung by Lennon and is a great song and makes you feel like you are at a circus.
The second half starts with Within You Without You written by guitarist George Harrison. The track is pure genius with it's Indian sounds and genius lyrics. The funny When I'm Sixty-Four does a great job of helping the mood and is one of Paul's best songs and sounds like it could have been recorded in the 1930s. The ballad Lovely Rita follows and is a nice little love song. Good Morning Good Morning is a lyrical improvisation written by Lennon and is a great rocker. SPLHCB (reprise) is a great and revolutionary hard rock re-do of the album's intro, thought up and re-written by Lennon. The last song on the album has been voted one of the best rock songs ever, and it remains that to this day. A Day In The Life, written by Lennon on a piano with a newspaper in front of him, is the best song by the Fab Four and therefore is a masterpiece and also has a vocal interlude by Macca on the song's bridge. The song finishes with a bang bigger than Hiroshima.
The album broke ground as it was the first album ever to go to #1 without any hit singles and stayed for 17 WEEKS and has now sold 12 or so million copies in the US alone!!!!
This album was also voted Greatest Rock Album ever by many classic rock stations and rock magazines!
If you haven't already done so, click on the 'Add to Cart' button at the top of the page and get next day delivery immediately.
The album is worth it and is just as important to rock albums as Dark Side of the Moon, Sticky Fingers, Who's Next and though I hate to disagree Nirvana's Nevermind.
Highly recommended!

The Four Horsemen Triumph Again
The argument over which Beatles album is best will never end with this album vying with Revolver etc for the title.Personally I think it's Abbey Road but Sgt Pepper is very close,and if in the right mood maybe my favorite.These things change ya know!
Now the songs,not a weak one among them as the Beatles perfect psychedelic music and make rock music a bonafide art form.As the reviewer states no one took rock seriously until Sgt Pepper though an argument could be made that Revolver also did. The album itself is a melange,yes a melange! of quirky english psychedelia,rock and old style english pop that some would say is the blueprint for brit-pop along with Revolver. Musical escapism at it's best and a testament to the unsurpassed musical genius of the Beatles.
Buy!!!

MASTERPIECE!!!
No, Just kidding. This album isnt worth the time the beatles spent making it. A truly weak and dissapointing effort. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UAU
Subjects:  1. British Invasion    2. British Psychedelia    3. England    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Psychedelic    8. Rock    9. Rock & Roll    10. Rock/Pop   

Great American Grofé
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 March, 1997)
list price: $10.98 -- our price: $10.98
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Reviews (1)

Good, not grand, sound on Grofe fifties fest.
Felix Slatkin's renditions of Ferde Grofe's "Grand Canyon" and "Mississippi" suites are good, though the spacious fidelity required for this music isn't here--even by 1956 standards, the acoustics are cramped.Contrast this with the big-sounding Andre Kostelanetz version from 1941 that was consistently reissued on Columbia for decades, from shellac to vinyl, and then from monaural to reprocessed stereo.(Why isn't this masterful performance on CD??)Otherwise, the scrunched dynamics and tape hiss are no worse than one would expect from the period--better, perhaps.Frankly, I didn't know that stereo existed in 1956, but apparently it did.Though it sounds a tad empty, this is authentic stereo.

The real reason to buy this CD, however, is the Grofe-conducted "Death Valley Suite," which I happen to love in spite of its many faults, not the least of which is a joyous but corny Stephen Foster medley that abruptly pops out of the sand in "Desert Water Hole," the third movement.This is very 1939 in character, with the feel of a patriotic movie short, making it only slightly anachronistic for 1949, the year of the suite.The concluding "Sand Storm" plows along in triple-forte fashion with howling wind machines and a shameless indulgence in whole-tone modality, the storm ending with an augmented-triad overlap of woodwinds and strings.A lovely and richly-scored reprise of a second-movement theme brings this fun, if not awfully serious, work to an end.For a 1954 recording, "Death Valley" sounds very good, with less tape hiss and dynamic flattening-out than there could have been.Oh, and there's the fastest "Cloudburst" ever recorded, with Grofe again at the baton, as a bonus track.This is also from 1954.A very nice buy. ... Read more

Asin: B000002SP9
Sales Rank: 126688
Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Orchestral   

Copland conducts Copland - Appalachian Spring, etc
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $17.98
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Reviews (8)

Appalachian Spring
This production has stuck in our minds and is an inspiration for us, we thank you.
Respectfully ~ Maureen Tallman

"Copland-Again Pleasing to the Ear"
This work of Copland created in me the what I believe to be the goal of good art: interest in the artist. I am now an Aaron Copland fan solely due to this CD and I now am searching music stores who might carry his work. Majestically melodious as well as quietly grand, Copland's particular style of composing American music is a joy to listen to. I enjoy listening to Copland's music because his music makes me want to listen to his music all the more.Highly recommended for those in love with the composition of music as well as listening to music.

can't top the composer as conductor
Although Bernstein may be thought of as the premier conductor of Copland's music, these performances under the baton of the conductor himself are far superior in my humble opinion.In Bernstein's hands, for example, thehoedown from Rodeo is much too fast, Copland draws the music out andinstead of cowboy music you have a true masterpiece of classical music. Listen to them consecutively, it is night and day. Same with Fanfare. It'salso tough to beat the magnificent William Warfield's version of the OldAmerican Songs, next to a version such as Marilyn Horne's, these (no knockon Ms. Horne) have gravitas and beauty.The sound quality on this disc,especially the tracks played by the LSO recorded at Walthamstow, is nothingshort of astonishing, sounding better than the vast majority of moderndigital recordings.A must. ... Read more

Asin: B0000026GG
Sales Rank: 93954
Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Band    3. Classical    4. Orchestral    5. Vocal   

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 August, 1997)
list price: $10.98
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Reviews (1)

SUPERLATIVE BEETHOVEN FROM DR.STEINBERG
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE RECORDING THAT FEATURES TWO OF BEETHOVEN'S GREATEST COMPOSITIONS PERFORMED WITH A LOVING DEDICATION BY THE GREAT WILLIAM STEINBERG AND THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY WAS A TIGHT ENSEMBLE THAT HAD ITS GRIP ON THE ASPECT OF PRECISION BUT ALSO HAD NO PROBLEM WITH UNBUTTONED HEARTFELT EXPRESSION AND MUSICAL ELOQUENCE. WILLIAM STEINBERG KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A PERFORMANCE WORK AS IS CLEAR IN THIS PERFORMANCE OF BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH. STEINBERG WAVES HIS BATON AND GETS THE FIRE AND BRIMSTONE TENSION OF THE FIRST MOVEMENT WITH AN OVERPOWERING EMOTION AND THE MOMENTS OF MYSTERY ARE SHARPLY DEFINED. THE SECOND MOVEMENT IS BLESSED WITH A PROUD NOBILITY AND A CROWNING MAJESTY WHICH IS ALL EMBRACED BY PASSION WHETHER IT IS IN THE MOMENTS OF PIANISSIMO,MEZZO FORTE,OR FORTISSIMO. THE FORCE OF A HUSHED ENIGMA IS MASTERLY SUSTAINED IN THE THIRD MOVEMENT COUPLED WITH A PLAYFUL MISCHIEF AND A THRILLING SUSPENSE. STEINBERG THEN CREATES A MASTERFUL GRADUAL SLIDE INTO THE CLIMAX OF THE THIRD MOVEMENT THAT BREAKS DOWN THE DOORS TO THE FINAL MOVEMENT LIKE A RAY OF LIGHT KICKING THRU THE DARKNESS. THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PLAY THE FOURTH MOVEMENT WITH A BLINDING TIDALWAVE OF PASSION,PRECISION,GUTS,GLORY,AND A NEVER CEASING ATMOSPHERE OF THE VICTORY THAT THIS MOVEMENT IS ABOUT. PEOPLE CAN TALK ALL THEY WANT ABOUT THE FAMOUS CARLOS KLEIBER V.P.O. VERSION(WHICH I LOVE) BUT I FIND WILLIAM STEINBERG'S VERSION TO BE THE DEFINITIVE BEETHOVEN 5TH. THE PIECES FIT THE PUZZLE PERFECTLY IN EVERY ASPECT. THE 6TH SYMPHONY IS A BONUS AS IT CONTAINS THE SAME QUALITIES AS DEMONSTRATED IN THE 5TH. ESSENTIAL. CIAO.O.F. ... Read more

Asin: B000002SAY
Sales Rank: 321469
Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Symphonic   

Bach - Mass in B minor / Argenta, Nichols, Chance, Stafford, Milner, W. Evans, Gardiner
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $33.98 -- our price: $30.49
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Editorial Review

One of the most frequently mentioned "favorite" works of Bach, the B MinorMass is not really a functional liturgical work, but an assemblage of movements writtenover a period of many years. Its grand scale is certainly awesome, but its musical andspiritual unity is more remarkable, considering its origin and the fact that it containsseveral different compositional styles--not to mention some of Bach's most profound andbeautiful music. Performing this work and preserving a sense of its grand design whilebringing out the considerable musical details is a challenge that most choirs, orchestras,and conductors are not up to. Almost by consensus, however, John Eliot Gardiner'sversion is the most successful--and it is indeed a phenomenal recording--at oncesumptuous and penetrating, with gorgeous choral and solo singing, and spacious, vibrantsound. --David Vernier ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Blach!
Why so much praise??I listened to this after so many other listenings of others and have to say that this version is truly awful.The brisk speeds and lightness are totally unsuitable for the Mass in B.

There is no sense of cosmic grandeur and deep religiosity in Gradiner's version.Truly dissapointing :(

Sure, some of the playing and singing is nice...but c'mon, period instruments and forces simply don't work and don't cut it for Bach's Mass in B.

For don't take my word for it, compare the Gardiner to other truly Great interpretations like Richter, Enescu, early Karajan, Scherchen, Guilini, Munchinger, and of course...Klemperer.

Gardiner is no match for these guys, his rendition is like a little stream along side a mighty ocean!

Clean, crisp, and never sloppy
I am usually not one to fuss over the matter of period instruments. I tend to worry more about the performance than about whether or not the performers are using instruments that may or may not be authentic (there is still debate over this). But I must aver here that the instruments (and voices) used add to a certain crisp, clear sound I find attractive in this music where it is easy to obscure lines and voices.
And as far as the performance goes, Gardiner holds a tight reign and lets the music speak for itself. Everything is clean, fresh, and well conceived. The tempi seem proportionate, the articulation well employed, and the dynamics balanced. One of the very greatest pieces of music receives here a sharp performance, certainly much more convincing than the grandiose excesses employed by someone like von Karajan. Even Leonhardt's version doesn't seem as sparkling and as precise as Gardiner's. The only alternate I would recommend is Rifkin's interesting experiment with one voice per part. But you can't go wrong with this recording.

An outstanding performance
Again, five stars for Mr. Gardiner. The tempi are thoughtfully chosen: neither rushed, nor sluggish. Throughout the entire work, as in his outstanding renditions Passions, Gardiner rests faithful to the music and its appropriate style, giving it an extra impulse which I find most pleasant. The quality of singing is unsurpassed: every leading instrument or vocal counterpoint can be followed with no difficulty.

Just as Rennaissance paintings, Bach's choral works are more than masterpieces. Their Christian themes, although branded "irrelevant" by politics-obsessed post-modernists, are CENTRAL to the works, far beyond being just tools subjugated to an artistic sense. Bach's Passions (not to mention Cantatas), Michelangelo's Sixtine Chappel murals are not only highest art, but highest CHRISTIAN art. The very motivation of their existence is religious. The lung with which they breathe is the evangelical message of Christianity. Although i'm not personally a believer, I find hindrance of this character outright mutilating. ... Read more

Asin: B0000057CN
Subjects:  1. Choral    2. Classical   

Living and Dying in 3/4 Time
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $7.99
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Editorial Review

Jimmy Buffett's third album, Living and Dying yielded the hit single "Come Monday," which still ranks among his finest compositions. As wistful and romantic as that number may be, the dominant feeling of the album is gentle good humor, as on songs like the richly detailed "Brand New Country Star," the nostalgic "Pencil Thin Mustache," and a recitation of the Lord Buckley tall tale "God's Own Drunk." Buffett approaches country & western-style topics on "Livingston's Gone to Texas" and "Brahma Fear" without succumbing to the blandness of de rigueur Music City product. "West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown," meanwhile, has to be considered the definitive song of debutante rebellion. It's a thin field, admittedly, but a song worthy of the title nonetheless. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (17)

great album from a great songwriter
Love this album. Not to take away from James Ferguson's sentiments for God's Own Drunk, but I feel it's only right to point out that this is not Buffett's song.It was written and originally performed by Lord Buckley I believe.But none the less, a great song and a good choice by Jimmy.Brahma Fear, Livingston's gone to Texas, love it all.

CD Release Doesn't Do Justice
1974's Living and Dying in ¾ Time was Buffett's second major label album and fourth overall release.The quality of the music is 5 star material, as Buffett was at his singer/songwriter peak.

I would love to give a review that deals with the music contained within, but I must make a point of stress on this CD release.It's just plain bad.The sound quality is full of tape hiss, which contrary to what the disclaimer says on the back of the case, does NOT have to be heard when analogue recordings are transferred to digital.All it takes is finding the master tapes and preparing the tracks for a higher resolution format.

Don't expect to get any more artwork or liner notes with the disc either.What you see in the image at the top of this page is the only thing left from what was included in the original 1974 package.Gone is the rear cover photograph of a shark, a beautiful Key West sunset painting form the gatefold, a photo of Jimmy form the insert, band credits and complete lyrics to each song.Not to faithful to the original release, eh?Maybe that was excusable in the 80s when the CD boom was still taking place, but now... No.

Please, if your an MCA executive and are reading this, it's time to re-release.

Songs you should know by heart
It's a toss up between this album and A-1-A for Buffett's best.But, I have to give the edge to Living and Dying and 3/4 Time for "God's Own Drunk," the quintessential Jimmy Buffett song.He's tried a lot of different things in the years since, but nothing compares to the bar room banter that can be found in this song.Buffett could also dig deep inside himself and pull out such ballads as "Come Monday."From top to bottom this is a great album and went a long way toward establishing Buffett's storied career. He continues to draw on these songs in his concerts, but for some reason has relegated "God's Own Drunk" to the past.Too bad because it combined the humor and pathos he is most famous for.Buffett could always play the crowd, and give them what they wanted to hear, but in this album one finds a bit of personal introspection and some of the finest Buffett ballads to be had. ... Read more

Asin: B000002PBH
Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Singer/Songwriter   

There Goes Rhymin' Simon
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

In the early '70s, Paul Simon sounded old before his time: while his harder-rocking peers were hanging on to themes of youthful rebellion and romantic obsession, Simon, already a pop veteran who'd notched records since his teens, focused on the smaller details and defining quirks of real life. His second solo album finds him regarding the passage of time and the fragility of relationships with his usual mix of smart-aleck observations and gentler, more deeply felt melancholy. "Kodachrome" was a breezy delight upon its release that now sounds prescient in its backwards glance at myths of youth, "An American Tune" sustains its mood of graceful maturity against a Bach-inspired guitar arrangement that's still gorgeous, and "Something So Right" remains Simon's most luminous declaration of love. Actually produced in varied studios with shifting session bands (including the chameleons in the Muscle Shoals Sound section), the set also introduced the Roches and notched Simon's first plunge into gospel on "Loves Me Like A Rock." --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A bigger hit than the debut!
Paul Simon scored more hits with this album than his 1972 solo debut. There are four Top 20 hits which are KODACHROME,a trademark for Kodak's color film,ST. JUDY COMET,LOVES ME LIKE A ROCK and SOMETHING SO RIGHT. All songs appeared on NEGOTIATIONS AND LOVE SONGS 1971-1986,released in 1988. The other songs are good. On the cover is a photo of a teenage Paul Simon,circa 1950's.

Now the years are rolling by me
For me this is Paul Simon at his best, with excellent performances of American Tune, Duncan or The Boxer. This Boxer is actually my favourite version of the song, including those he used to perform with Garfunkel. Featuring an impressive combination of andean instruments played by the Peruvian group Urubamba, it also includes the "original" but rarely performed, additional verse (Now the years are rolling by me...), and the famous flute interlude which replaced this verse in the classic S&G versions is wisely moved to the end, resulting in a memorable closing to the cut.

If you like the blend of gospel sound with Paul's music, he also brought the Jessy Dixon Singers to this live performance, offering a newand stimulating approach to songs like Sound of Silence or Bridge over Troubled Water.

I would say this is a good product for those who feel less enthusiastic about Paul Simon's solo career when compared to the good old days with Garfunkel; it is a good example of Paul's talent and includes classics such as America or Homeward Bound. Very good.

ouch
my least favorite simon album.the writing is forced and inconsistent.not very good. ... Read more

Asin: B000002LBW
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Folk-Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. Soft Rock   

Best Of Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 August, 1997)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Ella Fitzgerald's voice was satin to Louis Armstrong's sandpaper, but when you put them together on a single song, their chemistry was unimpeachable. This disc selects highlights from the three albums they made together at Verve (including their Porgy and Bess), and adds a spiffy live track from the Hollywood Bowl. Though they don't harmonize much (Armstrong's voice wasn't built for harmony), Ella's dignified swing and flashes of teasing wit play off Satchmo's gritty, good-humored roar symbiotically. The material is mostly lightweight Tin Pan Alley stuff (lots of Gershwin, plus the likes of "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"), and they fly it like a kite. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (45)

MA-AN!Too much talent for the the spoiled youth to bear...
I have good instincts, folks.Just like all of you who've already givin' this a glowing review.I checked this out from the library a few days ago and was immediately FLOORED.So much so that I'm thinking about no reteurning it; telling them I lost it an' just paying for it.I'm amazed at the gracefulness that comes across when you put together two so distinct an' so DIFFERENT voices.Louis' scratchy, gruff, yet likeable an' melodic croon an' Ella's smooth-as-silk, soothing an' intoxicating voice incredibly, to me, go PERFECTLY on these duets here.From that first opener 'Let's Call the Whole Thing off', done so sly an' flirtatious on both parts, to 'Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You' to the ever-engaging 'Autumn in New York' and 'Stars Fell on Alabama' one of the GREATEST standards EVER written ("And in the center just you and me, My heart beat like a hammer, My arms wound around you tight, And stars fell on Alabama last night").THAT is what romance is, kiddies!Oh, an' I can't forget 'Summertime'.Ahhh, yes, 'Summertime', with that opening trumpet that tugs at your heart strings and makes you wish for days of love, happiness, sunlights an' flowers; a world of beauty that should never be taken for granted.

Yeah, I know what you're thinkin'; "there he goes, layin' it on thick again."Well, I can't help it.In a time filled with the most repugnant excuses for music I've ever heard in all my soon-to-be twenty-five years, it is a shining gift that this music has been preserved for us who TRULY appreciate talent and genius.There's no show-boating here, no bone-headed braggadocio, no studio gimmicks.THIS is what music is.

Geniuses make Geniusjust by being together
Perhaps this is the collaboration of the two greatest singers in the history of Jazz. Louis is the fundamental jazz singer who changed it all once he put down that coronet and began to scat and sing. Louis's inflections and his rhythm, his ability to do what he could do on a trumpet with his voice started real Jazz singing. People forget but Fats Waller's "Ain't MisBehavin" was introduced by Louis in a Broadway show in the 1920s.When he sang and played the tune he would often get three or four encores, and people who had already seen the show several times would pay full price to come in and see that one song!

Norman Grantz of Verve put together these combination recordings on the fly, whoever was in town, no rehearsals, no real arrangement worth much, a set list drawn together on a piece of paper, the artists hustling to make time between gigs, not usually having their regular accompaniests.

Yet, all the Louis Armstrong collaborations are wonderful. None are as brilliant as Louis and Ella for sheer wit and vocal power, for inventions. They are great in regard to rhythm, perhaps that is why Lester Young called Ella Lady time. Listen to them alternating verses, and also listen to the way that Louis's trumpet playing comments on both their vocals.

While this sampler is good, I recommend their album doing songs from Porgy and Bess to anyone who has ears, whether you can hear or not.If you can't hear, you want the CD on hand for the day they find a cure. You deserve something this good to be the first thing you hear!

Among the best CDs I have ...
As others have said, you just can't miss with this one. Production value is very high -- these are also great recordings (incredible really). Makes you think that these were anticipated to be great performances ... Louie and Ella did not disappoint.

The back cover says it all "These 15 tracks may be the greatest recordings in Verve's hallowed vaults -- masterpieces selected from the three albums of duetsrecorded by 'Pops' and a Lady named Ella ..." ... Read more

Asin: B0000047FO
Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Bop    3. Jazz    4. Pop    5. Standards    6. Swing    7. Traditional Pop    8. Vocal Jazz   

Rock Instrumental Classics 1: 50's
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 March, 1994)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Reviews (7)

Woo hoo!
This is a great collection of instrumental rock and roll classics from the 1950s.Most of these songs were big hits, and the few that weren't hits should have been hits.This is just about the perfect compilation of '50s rock instrumentals.Anyway, I can't think of anything that they left out.Highly recommended.

History repeats itself
When I saw the song list for this CD I was blown away!
It looked exactly like a stack of 45's I remembered having
on my first record changer way back in pre-historic times.
So naturally, since half of them have been have been stolen,
broken, or played to death, I had to have this CD.
I was not disappointed. You won't be either, especially if you
want to hear what rock and roll was like besides the "big names".
The Rhino booklet that is included is very informative about the songs as well as the era.

ROCK INSTRUMENTAL CLASSICS / VOL. 1-5
At one time these were available in a boxed set.Guess who
put it out,"R-H-I-N-O",I rest my case!!!However,you can still
purchase them individually but please hurry,and do so,before
"R-H-I-N-O" finds out!!! If "R-H-I-N-O" knows these are still
on the market they will surely pull them off.Therefore,turning them into collector's items!!! Once,these are,items of desire,
a feeding frenzy will occur and the seedy underbelly of those will surface,tearing at our funds,separating us from our money... ... Read more

Asin: B000003383
Sales Rank: 26550
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. V/a Compilations   

Live Bait
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 September, 1999)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Features

• Live

Reviews (2)

Worth it for one song...and do see a live show!
I agree that the live content of "Live Bait" is not up to the studio versions of the same songs on the Lizards' other albums, but this album is worth the small price if only for "Teenage Immigrant Welfare Mothers on Drugs", a song that doesn't appear on any other album, and is almost without equal among the Lizards' political satire.

Having seen a live Lizard show, I would still highly recommend seeing one...you know all the words...come to the show and sing along with the real thing.And, between sets, the Lizards revert to their first love...retail merchandising, as they sell their own CDs, T-shirts and other Lizard memorabilia.

Check them out at the Mucky Duck Lounge in Houston, TX, a small venue where you can really get to know the band.

For Completists Only?
The Lounge Lizards are not the best live band.They stand out for their clever songs, which, honestly, are much better presented in a studio setting, where the average picking and okay singing can be put in their best light.If you are new to this band, spend your money on one of their excellent studio albums. ... Read more

Asin: B00001NFFR
Sales Rank: 56022
Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Progressive Bluegrass   

Live Art
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 September, 1996)
list price: $19.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Something of a retrospective, Live Art is a treat for both newcomers and aficionados of the eye-popping artistry that is Bela Fleck, not to mention his more-than-capable partners in crime, bassist Victor Wooten and percussionist (well, it's not exactly a drum set he plays) Future Man. This two-disc set features live performances spanning a four-year period, with several guest appearances: Branford Marsalis sits in on "Flying Saucer Dudes," Chick Corea is featured on "The Message," and Bruce Hornsby appears on "More Luv." Several never-before-recorded songs appear here as well--the Scottish-inflected "Lochs of Dread," among others. Favorites like "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo," "UFO Tofu," and "Sinister Minister" are here as well, making this a well-rounded, enjoyable collection for any Fleck fan. Jazz? Folk? Bluegrass? Who knows, but whatever it is, it's well worth hearing. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (59)

"Bigfoot" is one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard
First of all I believe Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are some of the best musicians playing today, and their live interaction on Live Art is almost telepathic.
For my peronal tastes though, their music tends to lean just a bit too much towards what I call "happy jazz" - in other words, despite being extremely well played, the music seems to just meander with little tension or bite. Not something you'd likely hear in an elevator - it does jam -but it does not rock.
The one real exception in my opinion is the 5th track "Bigfoot"which builds to an amazing level of intensity. It starts off with the most beautiful folk-celtic banjo line which returnsthroughout the song, but in between features excellent solos by everyone in the group, and believe me this track does rock. This is one of the best instrumental peices I have ever heard - I love it. Honestly, this is the only track I "listen" to on the recording, the rest I have play for background. I would have gladly bought "Libe Art" for Bigfoot alone.
Finally, the music is exceptionally well recorded despite the fact that it is live. I think that many people will find lots to enjoy on Live Art.

A little for everyone
Great stuff....There is a lot of energy and raw talent in this album.Some of his best live stuff.The aural dynamics are astounding.Get this even if you aren't a fan of the genre, you might be after this album.A definite buy.

For sure the best album I own
A friend told me about bela fleck, so I picked up this album. They are all so unbelievable! The tunes are catchy as well as complex musically. Bela's solos are so smooth and connecting, and Victor's bass work can't be rivaled. Their feel for eachother is just a joy to listen to.I completely recommend it. ... Read more

Asin: B000002N7R
Subjects:  1. Fusion    2. Jazz    3. Pop    4. Progressive Bluegrass