Abbey Road
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Beatles' last days as a band were as productive as any major pop phenomenon that was about to split. After recording the ragged-but-right Let It Be, the group held on for this ambitious effort, an album that was to become their best-selling. Though all four contribute to the first side's writing, John Lennon's hard-rocking, "Come Together" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" make the strongest impression. A series of song fragments edited together in suite form dominates side two; its portentous, touching, official close ("Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/"The End") is nicely undercut, in typical Beatles fashion, by Paul McCartney's cheeky "Her Majesty," which follows. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (846)

how old am I????
Reading some of the revues for this album make me think just how many people are there out there that have never heard the beatles ???? the first time I heard that I remember hearing the beatles I was in short pants at the tender age of 5 and was instantly hooked and have been ever since and yes this was their finest hour albeit there last hour. god what a band they where and how sorely I miss them they laid the foundations for all the rock bands to come and I still judge all others against them long live the beatles they last and last thank god for the memories I have of listening to their music as it came out. I feel so fortunate to have been there when it occured.

One of the greastest rock bands....
Without Buddy Holly and other legends in the 50s, we wouldnt have rock music, without The beatles we wouldnt have bristish invanison, without Led Zeppelin and AC/DC we wouldnt have metal. What I am trying to say is The Beatles are one of the greastest bands, there's really nothing to hate about them. John Lennon is one of the best vocalist,Paul and John could write very intersting lyrics. The Beatles changed rock n roll, and without them you wouldnt have most of the music you have these days.

Beautiful Album
I wont bore you with things that have been said before about this masterpiece. These guys knew it was the end, and boy did they deliver.

Best Beatles Album, hands-down. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UB3
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. British Psychedelia    3. England    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    8. Psychedelic    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Sunshine Pop   

Live [MCA]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 July, 1989)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Live

Reviews (18)

Great Live Album...
I have to agree with the abover reviewer....many of trackes are MUCH better than the studio versions - not that the studio versions were slackers...One of my favorite live albums....Also I must agree, why did they stick the studio version of "Hey Lawdy Mama"....I would guess to promote this record....

Steppenwolf - 'Live' (MCA)4 1/2 stars
Believe this CD has been released on several labels through the free world.My copy mentions inside the info fold-out that this album is from 1970 and it is IN FACT a fake-live lp at that.I thought to myself,"Don't tell me they're pulling the 13th Floor Elevators scam..." I've listened to this CD several times and it doesn't sound fake to me.But then again,I've heard some horror stories of how vocalist John Kay does have some enemies out there.Either way,'Live' is a good pick.Tracks that had me playing this disc numerous times were "Sookie Sookie","Monster","Hey Lawdy Mama","Magic Carpet Ride",the memorable "Pusher" and the FM radio staple "Born To Be Wild"(I've heard doo-wop stations play this song in the afternoon).Very old school biker rock&roll.Line-up:John Kay-vocals,Larry Byron-guitar,Nick St.Nicholas-bass,Goldy McJohn-keyboards and Jerry Edmonton(R.I.P.)-drums.A must-have.

Steppenwolf Live and Twitching
It's not entirely awful, this live album with a scary wolf, reminiscent of the thing from The Neverending Story, on its cover.The two finest moments are, predictably, the two songs whose genesis was not in the songwriting pen of any of the Steppenwolves.The opening blast through Don Covay's "Sookie, Sookie" is pure brilliant trash, and "Corina, Corina" is the lone, lovely ballad.Titular similarities aside, these polar opposites provide the only respite from the too-clean soloing and anonymous hard rock that suffocate the rest of the disc, but don't worry, if that's your bag there's more than enough to go around.

The real reason to send this thing in flying-disc mode back to 1971 is John Kay's between-song commentary: "Greetings to you, friends of peace... I think we should get together as much as we can and bring about change."Yeah, man.If the music itself weren't so squarely rooted in its moment, maybe this sort of time capsule stuff would work on the record.Instead, the sound is dull, even if most of the time Steppenwolf thankfully spares us the typical live-album excesses of the day (although the plodding section of "Monster" consisting of a bunch of down beats and nothing else is an obvious exception).And the lyrics are on par with Kay's stage sermons, just a bunch of slogans you'd find on posters in someone's basement.

Of course, no Steppenwolf live album would be complete without the biggies (you know what they are) comprising side four of the original vinyl (minus the trite "Hey Lawdy Mama," which is clearly a studio track with overdubbed happy-clappy).None of these top their more familiar studio counterparts, although Steppenwolf mercifully takes us out on a note almost as high as the one on which they brought us in. ... Read more

Asin: B000002O4H
Sales Rank: 48938
Subjects:  1. Acid Rock    2. Garage Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Pop-Metal    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. V/a Compilations   

Captured Live at the Forum
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 May, 1989)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Live

Reviews (19)

Three Dog Night - 'Captured Live At The Forum' (MCA)
Originally released in 1969 on Dunhill Records.Anyone else remember their logo being on lp's back then?Nice CD reissue of Three Dog Night's third actual lp,however also their first chart success.Only downside of this live record is after the first four plays,it does tend to get old,FAST.So do what I do.Listen to it twice and then keep it available whenever you're in the mood to hear it again.Tunes I dug the most were "Feelin' Alright",their memorable "One","Eli's Coming" and "Try A Little Tenderness"(Too-ga,You gotta....however it goes).I remember when I was at a school party,I was like maybe ten,I heard "One" for the first time,I went nuts.Three Dog Night sure had their run of stardom from 1969-75.A should-have.

High Voltage Rock
I always liked this album when it came out on reel to reel in the 70'S. I have it on cassette also, now CD. The sound on all three is good but a little flat/lackluster when using a standard stereo system.
A good set of headphones really help to hear the finer details of the music and see that TDN really sets a mile stone in rock history.

I have available to me a state of the art sound system. This uses the latest equipment plus the Aphex 204 processer.
This system has a 800 watt output and is located in a 40 X 50 foot room with 16 foot high ceilings and a dance floor.
Four 200 watt Streem speakers are located in each corner of a 20 x 20 foot dance floor aimed at each other.
The over all sound of this system is very good and can rattle your teeth when cranked up.

Well when I put the TDN live CD in the CD deck and cranked it up it was just like being there LIVE! It sounded better thanthe headphones except now the building rafters were rattling under the power of the TDN live album.

Chest Fever, sounds good through the head phones but was jaw dropping awsome when played through this system.

The live sound is there, you just need the equipment to pull it out and push it to the front.

Put this CD on a high quality sound system that can bring out the real sound that is hidden in the tracks, crank it up. You will feel like you are really at the concert and you won't need the "$5.50 tickets".

Great live album
I bought this album on vinyl many years ago and instantly loved it.I was only 14 at the time it was released, but still enjoy it.

It is interesting that the album starts out with the announcer declaring in a motivational pitch, "One of the heaviest groups in America today, Three Dog Night!"TDN had an interesting and unique sound, blending pop, psychadelic rock/organ and three part harmony a capello style vocals.The band had a string of top 40 hits in the late '60s.Usually, it would be hard to classify top 40 bands as "Heavy," even one with the talent and longevity of TDN.

Many of TDN's early hits are here, including "One," "Eli's Comming," and "Feeling Alright."These three dogs were really well marketed, performing other people's music, but making it their own with their unique style.Beyond the hits, it is the emotional level of this live recording which distinguishes it from the studio versions.

Unfortunately, the conversion to CD is not marvelous.It is bright, gritty and has the chalk on chalkboard screechiness which is why I don't listen to CDs much. ... Read more

Asin: B000002PE9
Sales Rank: 12528
Subjects:  1. AM Pop    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock   

Led Zeppelin II
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 June, 1994)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Riff rock had been what Jimmy Page's former band, the Yardbirds, were all about, and on Led Zeppelin's second album, released, like its predecessor, in 1969, the inventive guitarist demonstrated that he'd indeed learned his lessons well. Witness "Whole Lotta Love," a woozy epic based on one simple, head-banging-friendly guitar riff. Or the mock-dramatic "Heartbreaker," propelled by far more intricate but similarly effective note squashing. Between Page's sonic wizardry, John Bonham beating his drums into submission ("Moby Dick"), and the juice running down Robert Plant's leg ("The Lemon Song"), Led Zeppelin here just about succeeded in raising rock & roll excess to an art form. --Billy Altman ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (308)

Stolen material!
Whole lotta love is a direct ripoff of an old Muddy Waters tune. The only difference in the song is Led Zep added the three words whole lotta love. The rest of the song is identical! I was told they had to pay off after the fact!

Sad to say, but after studying the blues for a few years, I have found almost all my favorite tunes from "back in the day" were ripped from old blues guys!

it's almost a greatest hits cd
ok lets be honest here led zeppelin is one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. the reason for that is because you have an awsome combo, you have jimmy page's amazing guitar work involving very catchy riff's and insaine solo's to top it all off. but this cd is one of their best, i mean if you have the songs "whole lotta love", "heartbreaker", "living loving maid", and the rest of the songs on that cd it's probably a greatest hits, but this one isn't. you should go out and buy it if you don't already have it. you'll love it.

undeniable
No one with an inkling of taste and knowledge can deny this is an essential part of any music lover's collection . This album covers so many basses. Heavy rock. Blues. Acoustic love songs. It is just perfect in every way, and is so far removedfrom all the really dumb heavy metal it evidently inspired. Strip these songs to their basics and they would still blow me away. But as they are, theyadd up to something that is genuinly more than the sum of its parts. The soulful singing of Robert Plant. The thunderous drumming of John Bonham. The deft bass playingcourtesy of John Paul Jones ( as underated a musician as there ever was) and the unbelievable guitar playing of Jimmy Page. Even though a few lyrical and musical motifs are borrowed from old blues records ( but doesn't every writer do that?) the Plant/Page songwriting team really hits its stride here.Rarely will you find a collection of songs like this on one album, something that can truly be called magical. A once in a lifetime thing. If you have yet to take the Zeppelin plunge, this is the place to start. ... Read more

Asin: B000002J03
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Déjà Vu
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 September, 1994)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Less than a year after the release of CSN's groundbreaking debut, the group returned with Stephen Stills's former Buffalo Springfield cohort/rival Neil Young augmenting the threesome. The result is a less concentrated but more kinetic creation; Young swims through the celestial harmonies of rock's best barbershop trio like a fly in consommé. While somewhat dated ("Almost Cut My Hair"? Wait a while, David, it'll fall out), Deju Vu is teeming with early '70s FM staples, including "Helpless," "Teach Your Children," and "Our House." --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (87)

a classic album by a great 60's band
if you want to check out CSNY, this is the only album you need.All of their best stuff came together on this album, and though some of it is dated, it is still full of classic songs that are a testament to the hopefulness of the 60's.

I have a mix cd of the best songs off of this cd and the CSN self titled album; I highly recommend that the new fan gets this album and the new CSN greatest hits cd and Neil Young greatest hits cd, as well as the Best of Buffalo Springfield.then you will have the best songs that these frequent collaborators have to offer.You will highly enjoy all of the above aforementioned material that goes well with this oft-lauded album, also.

Classic Albums of 1970:No. 4
Published reports state that Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young logged 800 studio hours before completing this masterpiece. Each band member had two solo songwriting credits, with Stills and Young co-writing the scorching "Everybody I Love You" and Joni Mitchell penned the anthemic "Woodstock."

These are songs that are imbedded in every baby-boomer's psyche.Who among us can't sing along to Nash's elequent "Teach Your Children"? [Note: That's the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia playing pedal steel. The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastion also shows up on harmonica for Crosby's "Deja Vu."]

The vocal harmonies that made CSN such a joy are here as well, and with Young on board there is an edgier sound to many of these songs.This album has it all:lush harmonies, excellent songwriting and stellar playing. The band would scale these heights on subsequent releases, but never as consistently as they do here.ESSENTIAL

One of the Greatest Albums of all time!
Crosby Stills and Nash made an amazing debut album. Now with the addition of NEIL YOUNG, is just too good to be true. This album simply rocks...period.

1.Carry on-8/10 Great intro to a great album!

2.Teach your children-9/10 Relaxing,loving,and peaceful.

3.Almost cut my hair-9/10 Great hard rock hippy song.

4.Helpless- 7/10 Boring...yet...awsome!

5.Woodstock-9/10 ROCK'n'Roll! Great cover song. AMAZING!

6.Deja Vu-9/10 Mind Blowing.Gives a great sense of Deja vu!

7.Our House-9/10 Another Highlight of the album. Peace and love!

8.4+20 - 4/10 worse song on the album.

9.Country Girl-8/10 A great example of Neil Young adding color to the band.

10.Everybody I love you-6/10 Definetly not a fantastic track...but good...yet...bad outro...but who cares!!!!

... Read more

Asin: B000002J0L
Subjects:  1. Folk-Rock    2. Folk/Country Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. United States of America   

American Woman
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 July, 2000)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (12)

GREAT !!! Finally given the proper cd makeover
I must say, the first cd attempt at this great album left a bit to be desired. It was a little heavy on the low end (bass) and the the first 8 seconds of the song "8:15" are cut out. Now Buddha is right on the money with this one. All the detail & dynamic range of the original recording are right there for our pleasure. These songs never sounded better ! My only complaint is why only one bonus track ?(the other Guess Who Buddha remasters had at least 2 & we all know there is plenty of great stuff to choose from) I did really enjoy this early version of "Got to find another way" (Burton later did his own version of this on his 2nd solo lp "My own way to Rock") After finding out what a great job Buddha did on this & the other 3 Guess Who albums they remastered & re-released, I only wish they would have continued with the rest of the Guess Who catalog.

The seminal Guess Who album
This album is where The Guess Who's career reached its pinnacle.The group actually existed for years in a different incarnation, but the one we've known and loved over the years is an example of classic rock at its finest.The title track was their biggest hit ever, and the one we remember this group for.
The only track I cared for less than all the tracks was "When Friends Fall Out".I think there was some intention of placing this at the end of the album (to indicate a somber ending to the entire song cycle) instead of its current position, but for what its worth it is a depressing track--sort of a cross between Jefferson Airplane/Starship, The Lennon Sisters, and Strawberry Alarm Clock (remember "Incense And Peppermints"?)
But if you want to hear The Guess Who at its peak, this is the album you should get.

Nothing Need Be Said
This release was a classic when it first came out and is still one the great Rock N' Roll releases. ... Read more

Asin: B00004U38U
Sales Rank: 72112
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Boogie Rock    3. Canada    4. Folk-Rock    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Rock   

Chicago Transit Authority
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 February, 1995)
list price: $12.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Formed in 1967, the Chicago Transit Authority echoed the concepts of Blood, Sweat & Tears by adding a jazzy horn section to their rock sound. Before shortening their name due to pressure in their hometown, the CTA released this impressive debut album. Featuring the vocals of keyboard player Robert Lamm, guitarist Terry Kath, and bassist Peter Cetera, Chicago's sound was smoothly orchestrated one minute and overtly raucous the next. The late Terry Kath indulged himself in "Free Form Guitar" and wailed aggressively in the cover of the Spencer Davis Group's hit, "I'm a Man." Robert Lamm wrote most of the original material, including the successful "Beginnings" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is." This record shows Chicago fully formed and sounding great. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (54)

CTA: A Chicago rock band fused with a power brass trio
The 1969 self-titled "Chicago Transit Authority" may well be the most ambitious debut album in the history of rock simply because it was a double-album.Groups with that much material usually pick the top half and parcel out the rest on subsequent albums, which explains why lots of bands come out with great first albums and never come close again.Instead, CTA shortened its name to Chicago (before that they were the Big Thing), kept putting out double-albums for a while, insisted on numbering all of them just to be different, and became the second most successful American rock band of all time in terms of albums and singles after the Beach Boys.CTA did some rock 'n' roll but usually it was mixed with a heavy dose of jazz and some classical touches.We were familiar with bands that had horn sections, such as Blood, Sweat & Tears, but CTA took it to the next level.Actually, if you look at the group's membership you can see there is a traditional rock band in there consisting of Terry Kath on lead guitar and vocals, Peter Cetera on vocals, Robert Lamm on keyboards, and Danny Seraphine on drums.Yet the group's distinctiveness clearly came from CTA's power brass trio of James Pankow on trombone, Walter Parazaider on reeds, and Lee Loughnane on trumpet.

What is surprising is how many singles this debut album turned out, which is not surprising given it is a double-album, but is unexpected since most of the songs are ambitious in style and length.Fours songs charted (one of them twice) between 1969 and 1971: "Questions 67 and 68" (#71), "Beginnings" (#7), "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" (#7), a cover of "I'm a Man" (#49), and "Questions 67 and 68" (#24).As we came to expect from the best groups at this point in music history, the really interesting tracks on the ones you only got to hear on the album.Blues rock is represented by "South California Purple," their political sentiments are expressed on "Prologue, August 29, 1968"/"Someday," they stretch the boundaries of experimentation with "Free Form Guitar," and the affair ends with the whole band lets lose on the 14:38 "Liberation."It might be more from a quantitative standpoint that a qualitative that the band that would be remembered as Chicago became the definitive American jazz rock band, but it certainly deserves that reputation.We just should not have been surprised that buying a double-album from a new group was going to end up being such a serious commitment for so long a time.But they showed in "Chicago II" that there was, literally, plenty more where these songs came from.

Meet the Chicago Transit Authority...
[Before I begin this review, I need to clear something up. When this album was released, Chicago was known as The Chicago Transit Authorty. Accordingly, I am referring to the band by that name.]

1969 was an excellent year for classic rock. I could go on talking about all the excellence the year experienced, but I'm gonna stick to the subject. In 1969, an experimental/progressive rock group known as The Chicago Transit Authority released its self-titled debut album. The band wanted to do things that had never been done in the rock industry before, and they did just that. Who would've thought a rock band with a horn section would turn out to be such a recipe for success? Read on for my review of this band's debut album.

Introduction - This is a good, strong opening track, which even features some organ usage (something we don't get enough of in rock and roll!) A HIGHLY UNDERRATED TRACK.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? - The band's first big hit, this one deals with the singer's hatred for the world's obsession with time. WHEN THIS SONG IS PLAYED ON THE RADIO OR FEATURED ON A HITS COMPILATION, THE EXTENDED PIANO INTRO IS CUT.

Beginnings - One of the more jazz-oriented rockers on the album, this is yet another excellent track. WHEN THIS SONG IS FEATURED ON A HITS COMPILATION, THE DRUM SOLO AT THE END IS CUT.

Questions 67 And 68 - The main attraction of this track is Cetera's vocals, which are better here than on any other track of the album. He sounds quite similar to the way he would sound eight years later on Chicago X's If You Leave Me Now.

Listen - Though this album is somewhat overrated, it has several tracks which go underrated, and this is one of them. Just "Listen" to it, and I think you'll agree with me.

Poem 58 - It's called a "poem", but this track is mostly instrumental. This band is usually remembered for their horn section, but, as this track proves, the other members are excellent players of their respective instruments.

Free Form Guitar - The title says it all. This sounds like a primitive version of the Van Halen track Eruption (which was also a guitar solo and nothing more), and that's a good thing.

South California Purples - Why do hits compilations overlook this track? IT'S EXCELLENT! Sure, it's not as good as some of the band's biggest hits, but it's still a great track.

I'm A Man - A remake of the Spencer Davis Group classic (an early band to feature Steve Winwood.) This cover is actually BETTER THAN THE ORIGNAL!

Prologue, August 29, 1968 - By far the weakest track on the album. It's just a series of voices chanting "The whole world is watching." It fades into the next track. Had the two tracks been combined, this one would've fared considerably better.

Someday (August 29, 1968) - The previous track was an introduction for this one (if the title of that one didn't give it away.) This is another excellent track for the album that tends to go unappreciated.

Liberation - The closer is a fourteen minute plus instrumental session. This is an EXCELLENT album closer, but I think this track would've been just as good if it were a quarter of the length it ended up being.

Unfortunately, there is a huge problem with the mastering job on this CD. The beginnings of some tracks are actually the endings to the previous tracks, meaning some tracks start and end in the wrong place. However, this is only a minor complaint; I'm happy they were able to put two records onto a single compact disc. Because the album nearly hits the eighty minute mark (the limit for time on a CD), there aren't any bonus selections like some of the other masters have.

Following the release of this album, the ACTUAL Chicago Transit Authority [promised] legal action if the band didn't change its name. To avoid a dispute, they dropped Transit Authority from their name, and have been known simply as Chicago ever since. The band's debut album is pure classic rock excellence, and worthy in the collection of any fan of the genre.

So original, so bold.
CTA ("Chicago 1") has never received the due it so richly deserves from rock critics. This album is simply one of the best creative efforts of the late 60's, and introduced a sound that has never been duplicated.This album is in my top ten of all time, though there are tracks I really don't care for (that's how good the good stuff is).

To this day I feel the power and magic my friends and I experienced when we first heard "Introduction". I play this song for my two sons whenever I want them to hear how a truly great band plays together, yet allows the individual to showcase their great talent. "Introduction", worth the price of the album by itself, remains for me a powerful example of musicians who are at the top of their art.

"Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is", "Beginnings", "Questions 67&68", "Listen", and "I'm a Man" are all great tracks, as evidenced by the early hits from this album.

Fans of Chicago in the late 70's and 80's may have never known what a great bass player Peter Cetera was (knowing only his syrupy ballads of that later era).Robert Lamm on the keyboards and Terry Kath were undeniably the best at their craft in this moment in time.The brass "section"-Pankow, Parazaider, and Loughnane-characterized the energy of this album.

But the most overlooked drummer in rock and roll history, Daniel Seraphine, made the sound complete. Seraphine was the first drummer I ever heard that proved that the drums were a true musical instrument, and not just for keeping the beat. In all my years of following the "best of" lists, his name rarely if ever appears in the list of great drummers. But I can assure you that you will be mesmerized by his playing. He is the best that ever was.

"CTA" and "Chicago II" are the best 1-2 albums ever produced.Own them and listen for a lifetime. ... Read more

Asin: B0000021RB
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

ABC
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 February, 1992)
list price: $9.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Jackson brothers' second album is more solid than you mightexpect from even the great singles act that they already were. Inaddition to radio classics (the title track, "The Love You Save," and"I Found That Girl"), the quintet and their production team applythemselves to fine versions of other Motown stars' hits and a toughversion of Funkadelic's funnypsychedelic-soul nugget "I'll Bet You." The preteen Michael emotes morethan credibly on the likes of Stevie Wonder's"Don't Know Why I Love You" and Smokey's "(Come'Round Here) I'm the One You Need." Like Eric B. and Rakimdid later, he might have declared "I ain't no joke," but hisperformances here did it for him.--Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Talented But Creepy
Technically, these cats are good.But I've always had a problem with them, because a five year old singing about "wanting to get it on with you, girl" is just plain creepy.And, most of the songs sound very similar.It felt like there were about 1,800 tracks on this thing that sounded exactly the same. ABC and GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE stood out, however.

Essential!
The definitive bubblegum pop-funk-soul album. This is my favorite album of all time and has been since I first got it as a present at the age of 5 back in 1973. Young Michael, as he always did back then, sounds like an angel. The music & production by the label's in-house "The Corporation" production team is immaculate for what essentially was a quickie release filled with Motown and other catalog covers made to cash in on the group's phenomenal singles selling success. Worth it alone for "A-B-C" but includes so many other classics, all I can say, is you need this in your life.

A very great album!!!
This effort by the Jackson 5 proves to bea commercial success. Michael Jackson is a very, very talented singer and while he takes most of the lead, Jermaine gives it his best on "I Found That Girl". "ABC" is the most well known song on the album and it's sampled a lot even today."One More Chance", "(Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need" and "2-4-6-8" are also gems to be heard, also, with Michael sounding so young and fresh. This is one of the Jackson 5's best albums and I definitaly recommend it for any Jackson 5 even if you are not die-hard one. ... Read more

Asin: B000001AD0
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. R&B   

Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 January, 1995)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (58)

You may like this too
I am a huge fan of Michael Nesmith's solo music and his music with The Monkees. If you enjoy The Monkees then I strongly recommend that you check out the following:
1) Teenage Symphonies To God by The Velvet Crush
2) Papa Nez: A Loose Salute To The Work Of Michael Nesmith by Various Artists
3) Home by Josh Rouse
4) Summer Teeth by Wilco

NOT Milli Vanilli phony baloney fakes
The Monkees have always had a very unfair rap about not being original and having everyone else writing their songs. First of all, Mike Nesmith was an original member of the Monkees wasn't he? And unless my eyes are deceiving me, whenever I look at a Monkee album I see that Mike always wrote a very large number of songs, if not half of them on each album. I would consider THESE songs to be Monkee originals.

Yes, there were cover songs, but what artist didn't have them? Can even the Beatles make the claim they didn't have cover songs in their first several albums? ... And considering the disgraceful quality of some of the Beatles' cover material such as "Slow Down" and "Matchbox", I can actually say that unlike the Monkees, the Beatles' choice of cover material wasn't quite the greatest choice in the world.

And yes the Monkees DID play their own instruments, even on the early albums. They may not have played ALL of them but wasn't Davy Jones considered one of the most talented tambourine player in his day, just like John Lennon was known for his harmonica playing? I say let's finally put credit where credit is due. The Monkees were true artists and NOT the Milli Vanilli phony baloney fakes the critics like to say they are.

This album is truly their absolute peak of performance. With the exception of the song "Words" which sounded a bit ridiculous and a bit of rambling on the second part of "Star Collector" I can't find a single problem with any of the tracks. I only wish "Daydream Believer" could have been on the album.

This is as good as an album gets! If you never heard the Monkees before and would like to buy an album to sample their music, this is the one to get!

The Monkees Finest Hour!!!!
The Monkees hit a creative peak with their November 1967 release Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Limited, the group's fourth straight #1 album. The title is a combination of the group's astrological signs; Micky, Peter, and Mike respectively,... Davy, who shares the same birthday as Mike Nesmith, is of course the Jones. After providing all the instruments on their third album "Headquarters", the Monkees who were on a North American tour at the time, defer to a more practical approach to record-making and share the instrumental duties with a variety of other musicians. What that basically means is that Micky Dolenz is no longer the drummer in the studio. The group was also more open to outside songwriters this time around utilizing pros like Carole King and Boyce and Hart while recording tracks by future stars like Nilsson and Michael Martin Murphy. Aided in no small part by the expert production of Chip Douglas (who also supplies bass guitar), the Monkees turn in their finest and most enjoyable collection of songs. Michael Nesmith continues to yield an increasing amount of control over the group's output, as he sings five of the twelve songs here and writes a sixth. For the first time Nesmith lends vocals to songs not of his own composition, Murphy's "What Am I Doin' Hangin' Round", Mann and Weill's "Love Is Only Sleeping" and the wistful "Door Into Summer" written by producer Douglas and Nesmith friend Bill Martin. All are album highlights as is Nesmith's dark and moody "Daily Nightly" sung ably by Micky Dolenz who keeps a remarkably low profile on this album, represented only by this song and two sides of a previously released single, Boyce and Hart's menacing "Words" and the greatest song the Monkees ever recorded, Goffin and King's anthemic "Pleasant Valley Sunday". Nesmith's final appearance is on the beautiful "Don't Call On Me", a gentle ballad co-written with his friend John London with a fragile vocal similar to his future hit "Joanne". Davy Jones shows a new confidence under Douglas' direction and shines on the rocking "She Hangs Out", Nilsson'sinfectious "Cuddly Toy", Goffin and King's catchy "Star Collector" and the pleasant "Hard to Believe", co-written by Jones with the Sundowners, the group's opening act on tour. Peter Tork contributes some of his best vocals to "Words", (a duet with Dolenz) and plays a skillfull electric piano solo on "PVS" while contributing keyboards and guitar on several tracks. He also gives us a silly tongue twister, "Peter Percival Patterson's Pet Pig Porky", shades of "Your Auntie Grizelda" and the only novelty piece on this album. The Monkees, who's confidence and egos were growing to epic proportions at this time, sadly dispensed with producer Chip Douglas after this album, a big mistake considering the highly inferior follow-up, "The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees". This album is full of excellent and eclectic songs, great performances and sterling production that make this the Monkees equilavent of "Revolver". The group's finest hour. ... Read more

Asin: B0000033E1
Sales Rank: 26895
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Let It Bleed
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $17.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of the Stones' most beloved albums, 1969's Let It Bleed was a benchmark for several reasons. First, founding guitarist Brian Jones died during the recording process. Second, the Stones take their last significant look at pure blues (Robert Johnson's spooky "Love in Vain") and country ("Country Honk," the two-stepping alter ego of "Honky-Tonk Women") before folding both styles into a cohesive rock & roll vision. Third, it contains some of the band's most eerie hits, such as the flame-enveloped "Gimme Shelter," the drug-reality anthem "Monkey Man," the epic "You Can't Always Get What You Want," and Mick Jagger's menacing "Midnight Rambler." --Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (129)

An Absolute Masterpiece
I am going through a period where I am very obsessed with everything The World's Greatest RockNRoll Band did, I checked out their albums like "Exile on the Main street" Which is thier best. But "Let it bleed" is not far behind. The album has Two of the greatest rock songs ever recorded, "Gimmie Shelter" and "You Can't always Get what want" are Unreal; two of rock's all-time greatest tunes. But those are only Two songs; "let it Bleed" has Seven more Equally great songs. The title track is one of my favorite Rolling stones songs and "You Got The Silver" is one of their best Love songs. Overall "Let it Bleed" is one the Stones Top Three Albums and one of Rock's all Time great albums.

Stones very, very best album.
This is really the first album I ever remember seeing. My German uncles' and cousins' had it when I was Army Brat growing up in Germany 35 years ago. I had a C2 fx in amotorcycle accident in 1980 and having these tunes running through my head made me realize how wonderful life is and truly strengthend my will to live after the emergency room docsgave me less than a 1 % chance to survive. I remember being pumped full of morphine in the hospital and having the tune "Monkey Man" going through my head. "You cant always get what you want" helped comfort me after my right arm was permanently paralyzed in that wreck. This truly is a very personal album for me and a personal review, but I'll go ahead and post it. Face it, if you love the Stones I'm not telling you anything you don't know already about the quality of these tunes. I'll never tire listening to this and "Sticky Fingers".

Classic stones
They were the best rock & roll band ever. And this is my favorite of all of their greats. Lay back and listen to truly great album. Gimme Shelter has the most haunting guitar intro ever. ... Read more

Asin: B000003BF1
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Boots
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 February, 1995)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (17)

Jenny C Riley (sp)
Its as good as you remember...Now you might read another five star review and get the straight dope.I have to admit it some of these people really know their stuff.It was the summer of 196? that my grandfather Oscar T purchased the Nancy Sinatra album and it may have been the only album he ever bought because this was the only album he ever played that summer and for the life of me I could not find an alternative, granted I did not look real hard .This I believe was the same summer Oscar T purchased an electric hedge trimmer with2- 25' yellow extension cords. A typical day consisted of fishing in his pond, run errands andlisten to Paul Harvey on the radio and then back home for a little "boots a walkin'" then chores. I would watch in fascination while he would trim the hedge, not much on TV back then.As fate would have it I inherited the hedge trimmers and extension cords, but not the album. The extension cords were yellow as Imentioned, I was doing laundry today I counted the repairs with black electrical tape where the cord had been damaged or severed by the hedge trimmers, I counted 7 which works out to one repair every 7.142857 etc. feet. I judged it safe nevertheless and trimmed my hedges for a couple of years with the same set up.Until,my neighbor came over and schooled me on the proper way to hold the trimmers so I "would not cut off my fingers", well I tried this and could never get used to the safe style and thus ended my hedge trimming efforts for a couple of years. Finally I realized the bushes were not going to trim themselves and so I decided the abandoned estate look was in, this worked for a while. Finally I tore out the bushes in the front of my house and replanted plants that required little maintenance. This left my side yard bushes, I was so afraid I would cut my fingers off, I went to Lowes and bought a nice pair of scissor style hedge trimmers, I happened upon a friend of mine at the store and he said "you know they sell electric trimmers" but I confessed to him I was afraid I'd cut a finger(s) off , he looked puzzled and I was to flustered to explain. I bought the scissor trimmers and was well pleased with their efficiency, but it was to late, my bushes where to far gone so I sought professional help and he suggested I tear the bush's out and replace with low maintenance plants, I liked his way of thinking,so it was done. I still have the electric trimmer and cord just for nostalgia, and if anyone is looking for a fair deal on scissor style hedge trimmers contact me and we can discuss the particulars. Buy the album its good stuff.

Are you ready, boots?
Nancy Sinatra was signed to Reprise Records mainly because her father owned the record label.After a whopping eleven flop singles, Nancy was given "one more chance", with the understanding that she would be dropped by the label if her next record didn't sell.Having nothing to lose, she hooked up with maverick producer/songwriter Lee Hazlewood at her next recording session.The resulting record, "So Long, Babe", wasn't a major hit, but it sold enough copies to save Nancy's job.Then the next record that Lee cooked up for Nancy, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", was a major smash and turned her career around.What comes next after a Number One hit single?An album, of course!Nancy first album was centered around that hit (and the sexy cover didn't hurt sales, either).I guess Lee was a little short on material, because over half the album was covers of other people's hits.Artists covered include The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Knickerbockers and The Statler Brothers.You know, all the usual suspects.The covers are actually pretty fun, thanks to interesting arrangements by Hazlewood.The CD includes four bonus tracks."The City Never Sleeps at Night" was the b-side of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'"."In Our Time" was a relatively unsuccessful single, and "Leave My Dog Alone" was it's b-side.The mono single version of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" closes out the album.Recommended to all of Nancy's fans.

A masterpiece
"These Boots" always seemed like a funny novelty song; so, like many others, I discarded Nancy Sinatra as a one-hit wonder who cashed in on that famous relative. But this album is a pop masterpiece that is totally evocative of its era. It only could have been recorded in 1966. It's a wondrous mishmash of musical currents: loungy bossa nova, bright Memphis horns, David Rose-style bump-and-grind, easy listening choruses, catchy bumblegum pop, and bold Vegas showstopping. And it all works! The mostly forgotten Lee Hazlewood, who produced the album, was a genius who had a finely tuned ear for commercial music. He crafted Nancy's wholly fabricated tough-chick image to ride on top of his brilliant arrangements. This is one of the most listenable albums of the '60s. When it plays I feel I'm cruising down the Sunset Strip in a convertible ogling mini-skirted girls in front of the Whisky Au Go Go. ... Read more

Asin: B000003GYH
Sales Rank: 6302
Subjects:  1. Easy Listening    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Sunshine Pop   

Hair - The American Tribal Love Rock Musical (1968 Original Broadway Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

"America's First Tribal Love-Rock Musical," went the advertising, and nobody could argue with that. Hair opened on Broadway in 1968 and immediately became a smash, although no one could quite discern what it was about. Something like, "War is bad, drugs are good, racism bites the big one, and nudity is nice." Although all these sentiments are expressed on this album which, like the show, has not dated well, the quality of the music makes it forgiveable. The songs weren't really rock, but they accomplished what all good pop songs set out to do; stick in the craw. In fact, several of its tracks later became hits for pop acts, including "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" (The Fifth Dimension), "Hair" (The Cowsills), and "Good Morning Starshine" (Oliver). --Dawn Eden ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (36)

Fly In the Breeze
The deluxe collector's edition released in 2003 is an excellent update for the "Hair" soundtrack.With the war in Iraq raging, the themes of war seem relevant again 37 years later.The first disc is the 1968 Broadway recording and shines with the remastering from BMG/RCA.The title track has such great energy and sense of freedom, "I let it fly in the breeze & get it caught in the trees.""Easy to Be Hard" is a lovely melody with a dramatic build, "Do you only care about the bleeding crowd?How about a needing friend?I need a friend."Shelly Plimpton on "Frank Mills" has always put a smile on my face about the girl who lost the address of a guy she likes.It's specificity about "the Waverly" and that he looks like "George Harrison of the Beatles" make it humorous, even though it's delivery is so straightforward deadpan."Electric Blues" is a track not released on the first album, but sounds like the cast was having a huge amount of fun.Disc 2 contains the 1967 Off-Broadway production.In almost all aspects, it seems like a warm-up for the Broadway production.On "Hair," the vocals are ragged & have an assaulting quality in delivery."Where Do I Go?" with Walker Daniels on vocals is more hushed, less musical.Walker also leads on "Exanapanetooch," a track not included on the Broadway production, wisely cut.The bonus tracks are interesting footnotes and the interview with composer Galt MacDermot is informative, but not probably something I'd want to listen to repeatedly.Overall, the remastering and verve of the original Broadway cast performance make this an excellent release.Enjoy!

Best musical play EVER
This is the best musical drama of the century. This was better than Jesus Christ Superstar!. Every song on the album is catchy and magical. It's like spiritual rock n roll. Hair was a universal love religion that cannot be put into words. It brought people of all walks of life together as one. The Rich and poor, black and white, hairy and shaved, Jew and Buddhist were dancing in the streets. There has never been another musical that topped the greatness of HAIR.

The first in a long line of great rock musicals
Rock shows like Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, The Wiz, Grease, Rent, Mamma Mia, and Hairspay are big hits, and are all wonderful shows(except Momma Mia) but you have to start some where. The graddaddy of all rock musicals, Hair. Written by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, and music by Galt MacDermot in 1967 on Off-Broadway, (that cast is featured in this two disc set, as well as the orginal Broadway cast, and an interview with Galt MacDermot) Then moved on to Broadway in 1968, where it stayed for four years to sold out crowds. This was a new kind of musical for a new kind of generation. With songs like Aquaris, Hair, Donna, Ain't Got No, Sodomy, I Got Life, Colored Spade, and my personal favorite Let The Sunshine in. This show will never be revied because of it being very outdated. But music is never dated because you can find revelance in them today with the war and our government. Hair is the father of rock music in broadway. I love it, you will too. ... Read more

Asin: B000002W1S
Subjects:  1. Cast Recordings    2. Music Theater    3. Musicals    4. Pop    5. Show Tunes    6. Showtunes / B'way    7. Soundtrack   

Yellow Submarine (Songtrack)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 September, 1999)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (237)

The Way It Should Have Been Issued in the First Place
If you are torn between the new and original versions of YELLOW SUBMARINE, buy them both.My parents bought me the original Apple record album in the late 1960s shortly after I saw the movie in the theater.In those days, I felt somewhat cheated by the original album.I was hoping for the inclusion of NOWHERE MAN, SERGEANT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, and other musical tracks from the movie.As an eight-year-old, I had neither the patience, nor the taste for George Martin's orchestration on side two of the album.

I am sure the argument has been made that the missing Beatles songs were on other albums and, therefore, had no place on YELLOW SUBMARINE.If so, this does not explain why previously released YELLOW SUBMARINE and ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE found their way onto this pressing.Indeed, there were only four new Beatles creations on the record including ITS ALL TOO MUCH, ONLY A NORTHERN SONG, ALL TOGETHER NOW, and HEY BULLDOG.Remember in the US-released version of the movie, the cartoon HEY BULLDOG sequence was not included in the film.

In summary, as a youngster I was dissatisfied with the original release.

Jumping ahead several years, I eventually developed an appreciation for the original album.It also helped that by that time my Beatles record and tape collection had grown to the point where I had the missing tracks several times over.When the movie YELLOW SUBMARINE was remastered and re-released -- Alas, never in a cinema within several hundred miles of my home -- I was elated at the new soundtrack CD.I was immediately reminded of my disappointment 30-plus years prior.I can now also put the HEY BULLDOG sequence into perspective.

The Beatles music sounds better than ever.I am glad someone came to his or her senses and issued this CD.

Owning both CDs, I have the best of both worlds.Maybe YELLOW SUBMARINE will eventually be released as a double CD set.

Not bad at All, buta Little Messy
I don't understand why some people are so negative towards this album, Sure it's a re-issue and some of the less knowns sountrack songs from the original albums are long gone and replaced by more well known songs from other albums. I don't blame them for that, I even thing this compilation is better then the original version even if it is less original. I'll just rate song for song here.

It starts with the title track that is sang by Ringo Starr and is well known for everyone "Yellow Submarine", a catchy meliodic pop song. Next song is another great one "Hey Bulldog", it's a psychedelic Lennon song with great hook and catchy riffs. Third song is "Eleanor Rigby" that originally wasn't part of this album, a melancholy classic beatles song that is always welcomed though. "Love You do" is also new, it's a indian inspired song, quite odd but catchy. "All Together Now" is a catchy pop song from McCartney typical for the late 60's. "Lucy In the Sky" is next, also new. "Think For Yourself", a decennt pop-rock song, not part of the original album either. "Sgt Peppers" is added aswell, why? "With A little Help from My friends" also added and "Baby You're a Rich man".

"Only a Northern Song" was part of the classic 1969 album. It's also a decent psychedelic song with a great addition of instruments. Harrison song. "All You Need is Love" is next "When I'm Sixty Four", "Nowhere Man" that is much older. "It's All too Much" was however part of the original album and it's one of the best here. I especially love the instruments used. It's a essential psychedelic Beatle's song written once again by Harrison.

This album is great, with the additions it becomes stronger then before, but too messy. Many songs added from diffrent albums like "Nowhere Man" and "Think for Yourself" that were made already in 1965 and you can hear that on their sound. They don't fit in here. "Sgt Peppers" and "Lucy" are also songs I connect with totally diffrent Beatle's albums. However, all songs are good here, so no need to complain. 4/5

the falsification
I could have done a better remix on my computer. My computer supports sound effects like pitch and tempo, and I could compress some 2 hours of music into half hour with no problem, and all this I could do in a way it would still sound like the Beatles. This record sounds like Wings, it doesn't sound even like Elvis, no, this is more Like Edith Piaf chansones. The title and contents are somewhat misleading, you'd think this is the Yellow Submarine when it is in fact just another compilation. Every collector probably knows that compilatios compared to originals are just an error in one's budget in a long term. The producers should therefore name this record Oldies but goldies II, or Part Masters III or something like that. Why am I complaining, what is the worst thing about this release? Well I'm just sad for whoever bought this record will save their money on original I suppose. And original, Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, although it consistsof a couple of White album leftovers, also features the fifth Beatle on B side and is something quite unique in Beatles' opus. Engineers' effort in remixing would be nice if it wastn't rewriting the history, the Beatles are not all about Paul's musicianship you know, and you are not doing anyone a favor by increasing the volume on his bass guitar and singing. Just a rip off. The Beatles with Tony Sheridan is better investment than this one. ... Read more

Asin: B00000K4ES
Sales Rank: 2583
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock