Capitol Collectors Series: Louis Prima
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 May, 1991)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Band leader and lounge kingpin Louis Prima will be best be known for the classic, "Just a Gigolo," immortalized by David Lee Roth for a whole new generation of swingers. But Prima's output went much further: in his day he recorded for Capitol, acted in a movie or two, even owned a golf course. Prima's genius is infectious: lounge, swing, and Dixieland all fuse together into medleys that are fun, dance-worthy, and upbeat. Prima's duets with Keely Smith are the obvious highlights here: "That Ol' Black Magic," "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!," and "I've Got You Under My Skin" are essential Prima tracks. Sure, the cheese factor occasionally runs high, but it is a fun trip. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Wildly Entertaining
I bought this CD because "That Old Black Magic" was always one of my favorites.I had heard that Prima was pretty good but I wasn't familiar with the level of his (and his band's) talent.This CD blew me away the first time I heard it and it lifts me up every time I play it.Prima and his band have a lively sound and they obviously have a good time producing it.I saw, from the liner notes, that they were billed "the wildest show at Tahoe" and I can believe it.I'm only sorry that I never had the occassion to see this act live.

The songs on this CD are almost all very good.In fact, the ones I didn't care for that much ("Banana Split", "Hey Boy, Hey Girl") probably can be found on someone else's favorites list.The ones that I really livened up to were "Just a Giolo-Ain't Got Nobody", "Oh Marie", "When You're Smiling", "Pennies From Heaven" and "Angelina-Zooma Zooma".I pared that list down leaving off a lot of other great ones (including "That Old Black Magic").Listen to these and you'll feel the excitement of music.

I have bought other Prima CD's since this one and I have enjoyed them but they do not come close to the beginning to end quality that there is on this CD.If chamber music is your thing then you're not even reading this review.If you want to jump, jive, and wail, THIS is the music for you!

Louis Prima Is A Wildman!
This is a "must have" CD for any fan of Louis Prima. This album really SWINGS and even ROCKS at times! There's not a bad cut on it. Backed by his excellent tenor sax man, Sam Butera, Prima blasts through a series of cuts in his own inimitable style, on occasion abeted by the great Keely Smith. Prima was a one-of-a-kind performer whose career spanned the big band era, post-war jazz era and the rock era. If you only get one Louis Prima album, make it this one!

The Music Goes 'Round and Around
Songs are performed between 1956 and 1962 by Sam Butera and The Witnesses and by Luigi's wife Keely Smith. All the classics are here "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" gave Dave Lee Roth a hit, "Jump, Jive, An' Wail" was a big hit for "The Brian Setzer Orchestra", "Sing, Sing, Sing" for Benny Goodman Orchestra. This is goddamn great Jump Blues! ... Read more

Asin: B000002UWF
Subjects:  1. Dixieland    2. East Coast Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jump Blues    5. Pop    6. R&B    7. Swing    8. Traditional Pop    9. United States of America    10. Vocal    11. Vocal/Standards   

Disraeli Gears
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 April, 1998)
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Editorial Review

Fresh Cream, the album that introduced this seminal super-blues trio to America, was perhaps a bit too blues-based to do the advance hype ("Clapton is God!") justice. Two of its three best-known tracks, after all, were blues covers. It was Disraeli Gears that turned Cream into a "supergroup." Here they pursue the psychedelic ideals of the era with total abandon (the LP cover art still stands as one of the 1960s' most striking designs), merging these ideals with their take on the blues and adorning the amalgamation with some superb pop craftsmanship. Of the eleven originals here, four--"Tales of Brave Ulysses," "SWLABR," "Strange Brew," and "Sunshine of Your Love"--earned major airplay. This, their excess-free greatest moment, does the Cream legend proud. --Bill Holdship ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (78)

WARNING: This is an OBJECTIVE review from a true fan
These 60s rock gods made some of the best music of the era which was, along with Jimi Hendrix, a precursor to Heavy Metal. Each musician was and still is extremely talented. Drummer Ginger Baker loved to make full use of his kit. He turned the drums into musical instruments, far beyond simply functioning to keep time. Especially of note was his genius use of the double kick drums, putting all his limbs into fluid motion. Eric Clapton really came into his own with Cream, finally playing with musicians who could really challenge him. As great as his music has been over the years, I think his playing with Cream finds him at his most adventurous, a true creative peak. And main vocalist Jack Bruce is a unique bassist who could hold his own with Clapton.

Having said all that, this album, great as it is, doesn't exactly sound timeless to me. It's very much stuck in the 60s, a product of its time. Of course, the best rock ever made was in the 60s and DISREALI GEARS is very enjoyable today, but I think younger kids just getting into it won't look at it the same way or even as fondly as those who were there. I actually hate a lot of the frat-punk, nu-metal, whatever-you-want-to-label-it that's around today, but I don't think younger people would find Cream as exciting as newer bands like, say, Van Halen, Rage Against the Machine, Death or Mars Volta. Of course, this review will get poo-pooed on by the old cheese-cutter types who were "there" and who would claim that 60s groups like Cream are the be-all-end-all of rock and that rock has hardly changed or progressed in any interesting way since then (me? I'm somewhere in between, born in 1970).

Also, many rock fans will no doubt be happy with a "best-of" Cream collection that includes the best songs from this album ("Strange Brew," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Tales of Brave Ulysses," and "SWLABR"); the others are less essential. They're good though, especially if you like old-school blues with standard chord changes - Cream handles this style expertly.

Like most really talented bands, seeing them live is where it's at. To my amazement, they've recently reunited and immediately started selling out shows in London. If you can't catch them, at least try to get a hold of some classic live footage where they've really played out their improvisational jazz-influenced skills to the hilt.

My impressions of DISRAELI GEARS:

"Strange Brew" - killer, loping melody that's almost funky. Clapton totally off the hook and all over the frets. *****

"Sunshine of Your Love" - a monster, possibly their most famous tune save for "White Room" which still gets played to death on classic rock radio. Incredible, but Jimi Hendrix, who loved Cream, could play this one better than anybody. *****

"World of Pain" - good song, classic Cream sound, Clapton tripping the psychedelic tones. ***1/2

"Dance the Night Away" - mysterious sounding rocker loaded with psychedelia. ***1/2

"Blue Condition" - written (and I believe sung) by Ginger Baker, this is a quirky waltz with honky-tonk piano accents. ***1/2

"Tales of Brave Ulysses" - "Slow Hand" speaks through his guitar with pure note-bending wah-wah heaven. ****1/2

"SWLABR" - with the possible exception of "Crossroads," this is the most upbeat, exiting, rockin'-est Cream tune ever and my favorite on the album. *****

"We're Going Wrong" - as the title indicates, this is a rather downbeat number, although Ginger is just all over his drums. Amazing performance, but probably my least favorite track here. ***

"Outside Woman Blues" - upbeat, standard blues, Clapton on vocals. ***3/4

"Take It Back" - peppy downhome blues shuffle accented with harmonica and crowd noises. ***1/2

"Mother's Lament" - basically a joke song with vocals and piano, the boys hamming it up, having a ball.

Recommended, and I would agree with most other reviewers here, this is Cream's best album - but see 'em live! (however you can!)

Disraeli gears
Yes, I know - people keep telling me - this is an all time, bone-fide classic. And with this in mind, I bought it, listened to it and tried to disregard the hype that surrounds it and form my own opinion but its reputation got in the way and damn well ruined the whole thing.

There is no doubt that in its day, this album was THEgreatest blues-rock album created but I wasn't alive then and have been soaked in the 30 years of great "Blues-rock" albums that followed in its wake, which has served to make this one sound a little like all the rest. Love the cover though !

Passing the time!
Simply put, this is Cream's finest all around. Skip the Bonnie & Delaney, Blind Faith hooey and go straight to the source. This album (CD, whatever, it's called this week) is a veritable masterpiece . It has a myriad of musical styles to amuse and defuse. "We're going wrong" is a bit on the lame side, but suffice it to say this is one of the best 60's all around musical achievements. An excellent follow up is "Wheels of fire". Which delves into live and studio takes that hold up beautifully under the stress and pangs of time. Buoyed by Felix Pappalardi and Robert Stigwood's direction and musicality, you could do a whole lot worse. Face it, YOU WANT THIS CD. Treat yourself right. Get it. Get it? ... Read more

Asin: B0000067L2
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Sheer Heart Attack [Bonus Track]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 March, 1991)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

Sheer Heart Attack is a Queen album that has something for nearly everyone. There's glam, progrock, guitar pyrotechnics to spare (check out Brian May's shape-shifting performances on "Brighton Rock" and "Flick of the Wrist"), proto-speed-metal ("Stone Cold Crazy"), and Queen's unique brand of campy humor ("America's new bride to be / Don't worry, baby, I'm safe and sound," Freddie Mercury declares on "Now I'm Here," a Queen concert staple). The group takes a rocked-up turn at ragtime on "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" and downshifts memorably on the spare piano-and-voice interludes "Lily of the Valley" and "Dear Friends." Best of all is the wicked rock-and-harmony showcase "Killer Queen," the group's first international smash. If you need a reminder of everything that was right about rock's old guard before punks stormed the gates, look no further. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (74)

queen rocks
one of their best albums, alot of diveristy on this album, one of their best.

best queen album
I feel that Queen's Sheer Heart Attack is definitely their best album. It flows well and covers all grounds musically. It rocks. Although I do think it is possible that this album is more appealing to people with certain tastes due to some odder songs on the album. Songs:
Brighton Rock: My favorite Queen song. Starts with some cool carnival music and a guy in the background is whistling the same song that was being sung at the end of Seven Seas of Rhye on Queen II. Some thrashy guitar comes in and then Freddie Mercury too. He sounds like a girl but it just works on this one. There is a cool middle section that explores some metal styles and the song ends with another killer riff.

Killer Queen: They slow down for moment here with this classic. Some of Queen's best harmonies can be heard on this track (in my opinion).

Tenement Funster: This is a kind of mellow rock song sung by Roger Taylor. It's probably one of my favorites. I feel that because of the odd way that he constructs his songs, they are hard to get into. Once you do they are all great though and this one is kind of catchy.

Flick of the Wrist: The lyrics seem kind of violent here which is kind of weird. Great guitar by Brian
.
Lily Of The Valley: A nice ballad that is kind of insignificant because it is short. Ends this little medley.

Now I'm Here: My second favorite Queen song (the fact that they are on the same album is a coincidence). Interesting lyrics and a rocking tune.

In The Lap of the Gods: I honestly just listen to this track to hear Roger Taylor's background vocals. They are amazingly high.

Stone Cold Crazy: A little metal rush after In the Lap of the Gods. Great guitar work kinda weird lyrics.

Dear Friends: Another insignificant ballad. Not much to say here.

Misfire: This song has some really cool guitar stuff. The song is just incredibly catchy. Too short!

Bring Back That Leroy Brown: This is a fun little ragtime bit that you have to be in the mood for. I think Queen's vocal harmonies actually help this song come alive. They just fit really well.

She Makes Me: This is a soothing track, but its too repetitive. I like the ending.

In the Lap of the Gods...Revisited: A different song from In the Lap of the Gods, but very similar. Starts out soft, has a little edge to it, and is consumed mostly by the chorus repeating over and over to the end. Very catch chorus, you'll wanna sing along.

I think this album can appeal to people of various musical interests and help them get into Queen. I think the album is spectacular.

Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
I rarely write a song by song review, but this album, which is most definitely my favourite Queen album, I can find enough to say about each song to warrant such a review.

1.Brighton Rock
May's opening track is one I listened to I don't know how many times. He is deservedly acclaimed as one of rock's premiere guitarists, and this song is a display of how good this guy will always be. Though it's not one of his orchestrated multi-tracked guitar turns, Brighton Rock shows how much Queen owed to Brian May and his talent, his inventiveness, and his 'sheer' playing ability. If only all bands had a guitarist this adept at approaching the instrument. Even Zeppelin.

2. Killer Queen
Mercury's timeless Queen standard probably has had more said about it than I could possibly add. One of its best moments is again, Brian May's orchestrated guitar solo. It's pretty amazing that in live versions, what he could play of it sounded equally as good, if not better. But here you have much of what Brian May is reknowned for, incredibly arranged multiple guitar solos, with a signature sound all his own, recorded for someone else's song. And that's what a band should be about. With Mercury's songwriting talent, what better is there than having Brian May contributing an incredible, and serving guitar solo to make the song 10x better?

3. Tenement Funster
Roger Taylor Appreciation Fan Club Alert. As said in another review, Roger Taylor is my favourite member of Queen, and this song is probably my second favourite Taylor song in their catalogue after 'Fight From The Inside' (1977). He comes from behind the drumkit to play rhythm guitar on this track, and the whole song 'rocks'. That May was not bothered that the drummer wanted to play guitar as well is cool enough, and later John Deacon didn't mind not playing bass on some Taylor tracks, and that's very cool. It meant that in Queen you could do what you liked to do, and unless it was absolutely horrible, no one minded. Truly what most bands should strive for, 'partnership'.Great vocal as usual from Taylor as well.

4. Flick of the Wrist
Probably one of Mercury's most underrated songs, and always one of my favourites from him. Again, an incredible guitar solo from Brian May, probably one of my favourites along with 'Dragon Attack' from 1980's 'The Game'. The Queen vocal harmonies of Mercury/Taylor and May (if that is the case on this song) were never better. If it's just Mercury, wow!

5. Lily of the Valley
Fading in from 'Flick', Lily is one of those sentimental Mercury songs that always has a soft spot in my heart from me. Vocally beautiful and melancholy, one of Mercury's best ballads. If not long enough in time.

6. Now I'm Here
May's song became a Queen Live standard, and the studio version is every bit as good. Again displaying May's guitar talents, Now I'm Here is typical 70's glam, but done 10x time better than what Glam sometimes got. One of my favourite songs from this album, not knowing how many times I've truly played it.

7. In the Lap of the Gods
Stunning vocals from Roger Taylor on this one (known for doing the amazingly high harmonies on 1975's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'). This vocal tour de'force is reminiscent of Queen II, but with more gravitas and experience behind it. It's half Oklahoma, Wizard of Oz, Wagnerian Opera. Truly an underrated Queen/Freddie Mercury song.

8. Stone Cold Crazy
Band composition, which is the first time for them as a group. Excellent song throughout. Too short!

9. Dear Friends
Beautiful Brian May song, which he became increasingly good at. If there is a sentimental Queen band member, its Brian May. Completely opposite his ''rocker'' style, May writes beautiful ballads.

10. Misfire
John Deacon's first composition for a Queen album, which is way too short. What needs to be said here is that if Queen has people good at something, there best pop song writer is John Deacon. He just has an amazing talent for Pop Music, writing incredibly catchy songs, which would later give Queen their hugest hit (even though it was quite reminiscent of CHIC). I have a vague memory of hearing this on radio, or I had heard it before I ever bought the album. Deacon is Queen's pop merchant, and this would be the first indication of his talent at this.

11. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
If only McCartney understood what could be done with songs reminiscent of a bygone era, songs like 'Honey Pie', 'You Gave Me The Answer' wouldn't be as 'quaint' or 'corny' as they are, when compared to what Queen could do with the genre, like this song and 1975's 'Seaside Rendevous'. This is what happens when you let as much creativity that went into those songs artists of long ago wrote (like Duke Ellington, Count Basie etc.)show up in your tributes to that era and style. It makes a great song, one that has so much 'talent' going into it, that you don't care it sounds like it came from 1930. The background vocals on this song are amazing, as is the musical arrangement by all 4. McCartney should have listened to a Queen album and Freddie Mercury before going back once again to the 1930's and 1940's.

12. She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)
One of my other favourites from this album. A pretty obscure Brian May song, by what I guess is Queen standards. I've always loved this song and its moodiness, its off-chord ending, and the way May sings it. By far he had 'the gentlest voice' of the three main singers, which also lends to his 'softer side' as a balladeer. I don't know how many times I've listened to this one either. Tons.

13. In the Lap of the Gods...Revisited
A totally different version of the earlier song, and one I like just as much. Another underrated Mercury gem.

If you're going to buy a Queen album, please get this one. Track after track its just one of their best, most inventive, and successful efforts. And showed how much of a 'team' they were in presenting what Queen was about.
... Read more

Asin: B000000OAA
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. British Metal    4. Glam Rock    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    9. Rock   

Ultimate Collection
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 June, 2002)
list price: $30.49 -- our price: $30.49
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Features

• Import

Reviews (18)

Ian Gibbons from The Kinks is extremely talented
Ian Gibbons from The Kinks had a band before The Kinks called The Records. The Records recorded 3 albums for Virgin Records International. The Records are still around but now called John Wicks and The Records. They still play the hits like Starry Eyes, Teenarama and Girl, but they have some new songs that rock too. Mix of 70s rock, classic rock, punk rock, power pop and Paul McCartney. Co-owner of Ironworks studio and singer/songwriter Jude Cole was also in this band on the album Crashes, where he sang and played guitar for them. Jude Cole owns Ironworks studio with actor Kiefer Sutherland. Jude Cole was the only American in the band of course since The Records were English/British. Shades In bed (Virgin Records) came out in what 2002 or 2003 on cd? The 2nd album Crashes (Virgin Records) has just been remastered and released on cd with bonus tracks and is sold everywhere in the world. It sounds better than the crusty old vinyl I've got but I've got all their material already anyways. Music On Both Sides was the 3rd album by The Records released in 1982(Virgin Records). The Records have a new album out now entitled "Rotate," which is credited to John Wicks and The Records. This is the first new album of material by The Records since 1998's album "Rock Ola."

Still, The Records are one of the all-time greatest bands. They toured with the likes of The Cars, The Jam with Paul Weller, The Police, Boomtown Rats, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, The Undertones, The Rezillos/Revillos, Robert Palmer and Joe Jackson. The Kursaals formed in 1977 and reformed later, with John Wicks and Will Birch from The Records. As the Kursaals, they later disbanded. The final result was an all-star UK band known as The Records, containing John Wicks as lead singer/writer and rythm guitarist. Will Birch played the drums and co-wrote some of the songs with John Wicks. In 1979, The Records played numerous stadiums and club venues in support for Shades In bed, which was entitled The Records in the United States and contained alternate artwork. In 1980, The Records continued to please fans with their extraordinary rock and roll, while maintaining their trendy sensibility. Though he is now a full-scale producer and singer/songwriter, Jude Cole was vocalist and guitarist in The Records until 1980, when they quickly returned to the UK. Jude Cole moved to Los Angeles, where he expanded his career, playing bass for a rock legend and the man who brought us "Runaway," Del Shannon. In the coming years, Jude Cole would begin his solo career, recording numerous hit albums, with radio singles and videos on mtv. Hearts in her eyes was recorded by the Searchers and more recently by Mary Chapin Carpenter, an acclaimed singer/songwriter. The Records had singles that charted above Cheap Trick and Neil Young.

The Records contained members of The Kursaal Flyers and formed in 1978 and disbanded in 1982. Today, The Records are known as John Wicks and the Records and they sound just as they did 25 years ago. The Records have an official UK site www.therecords.org and for John Wicks and The Records I went to www.johnwicksandtherecords.com and listened to some of the new recordings from John Wicks and The Records, which sound great! The site has an excellent 3-part biographical section, along with a complete discography, tour dates, a discussion forum and an archive.

While The first album, Shades In Bed features John Wicks, Huw Gower, Will Birch and Phil Brown, the second album, Crashes features John Wicks, Jude Cole, Will Birch and Phil Brown. Shades In Bed features the hits Starry Eyes, Teenarama, Rock and roll Love Letter and See My friends a popular cover of the classic song "See My friends," by The Kinks. In fact, Ian Gibbons left The Records as keyboardist, to join The Kinks! The Records Shades in bed album was produced by John Mutt Lange who went on to produce AC/DC Highway to Hell, Def Leppard and currently producing his wife the country rock and pop crossover Shania Twain. Crashes is the current cd re-issue, which included the hit "Hearts in Her eyes." The disc features Jude Cole on vocals and guitar. Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses is a greatest hits compilation, which serves as a great introductory for newer fans. Paying for the summer of love contains rare songs and tracks that have never been released on cd until now. John Wicks and The Records have recorded several albums, including Rock Ola and their newest album, entitled Rotate. Rock Ola is a stripped-down rock and roll album with songs of the same quality as the classic Records material. Rotate explores the different aspects of songwriting, while maintaining the quality and craftsmanship of the past recordings. Some say The Records were and still are punk, power pop, new wave, other say rock and roll. The truth is that The Records fall under no true classification. Long live The Records, as they continue to rock the world! You can buy their stuff in most stores and on amazon and listen to samples on their websites.

Odd, pointless collection
I just had to comment on how heavily slanted this "ultimate" collection is. It purports to cover the Kinks' entire career, but practically all of the material here is from the very narrow period from "The Kink Kontroversy" (1966) through "Something Else by the Kinks" (1967). The remaining 30+ years of the band's career is covered by a few carelessly tacked-on tracks at the end. Prominent late-'60s albums like "Arthur" and "The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society" are glossed over, and the band's popular resurgence in the 1980s is almost totally ignored. Obscurities like "Sittin' on My Sofa" and "She's Got Everything" are great for devoted Kinks fans, but on a career overview album aimed at new or casual fans, why include them instead of later hits like "Destroyer" and "Sleepwalker"? Why bother covering the later years at all if the collection is going to be so hopelessly lopsided?

For a new fan looking for a broad and balanced overview of the Kinks' long career, I would recommend picking up "The Singles Collection," "Celluloid Heroes," and "Come Dancing with the Kinks," which cover (roughly) the '60s, '70s, and '80s respectively.

Essential CD for anyone who loves rock'n'roll
The Kinks are one of the few 60s bands that have stood the test of time, and this is *the* great CD that brings them into the 21st century. If you like Cake, or Beck, or Wilco, or any of the other poetic/pop alternative bands of the 90's and 00's - check out the Kinks. They are the original grunge band. For all the boomers out there like me, this is an album you will love.Many of the songs on this CD I first heard on a tinny transistor radio as a middle school student. You Really Got Me ... All Day and All of the Night ... Tired of Waiting.These songs STILL ROCK!! ... Read more

Asin: B00005V4WI
Sales Rank: 1100
Subjects:  1. Baroque Pop    2. British Invasion    3. Garage Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Heavy Metal    6. Mod    7. Pop    8. Pop/Rock    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Rock/Pop    12. Singer/Songwriter   

Terrapin Station
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $17.98
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Reviews (36)

this is one of the more interesting dead releases
this was my introduction to the Dead, and it was quite a first impression.The song "estimated prophet" has become one of the best grateful dead songs in my view.the next song on the disc is a completely forgettable cover song, the next is "passenger," which is pretty kick butt."samson and delilah" is ok, and "sunrise" is a little boring, but "terrapin station" rules!!!This is one of the grateful dead songs that should definitely be listened to by everyone."estimated prophet" is on their best of disc, so don't get this cd just for that.get it for terrapin station.The songs may all seem pretty good at first, but the novelty of most of them wears off quickly.Not so with the first song and the epic at the end!!
(also, the cover is one of my all time favorites!)

Conceptually Brilliant
Asa a trained musician myself, I find Terrapin Station one of teh Grateful Dead's most intriguing albums. The opening track, Estimated Prophet, employing as it does a reggae-styled compound 7/4 meter, is miraculously rhythmic. Generally, 7/4 music does not have the capacity to sound so dance-able. The double-meaning of this track's title reflects the witty quality of its lyrics. The closing track, the six-song suite "Terrapin Station" is also brilliant. The poetic lyrics by Robert Hunter combine some elements of great litereary storytelling ("Lady With a Fan") with more poetic, image-creating diction ("Terrapin Station"). The music of the opening song, "Lady With a Fan" by Jerry Garcia, demonstrates some of the more extreme syncopations possible within a 4/4 framework. The music of "Terrapin" is quite brilliant, combining as it does the pulsating, simple 4/4 melody, with the brief transitions (9/4) all of which are intriguingly orchestrated. "Terrapin Flyer" is also a rhythmic experiment, vascillating between the high-flying music in 3/4 and the much heavier, deeper 7/4 music. Garcia's guitar solo in this song is jaw-dropping, and the orchestration continues to be of interest. Highly recommended, unless you're one of those deadheads who hates the refined "studio" quality of this album.

still driving that train
the first and last songs are the heart of the album. The first, Estimated Prophet, is one of the most sonically perfect rock songs ever recorded, with some cool reggae sounds, a whole new vibrant sound from Jerry's guitar, his best synthetic wah sound ever, and great licks for a low key rocker that won't quit. The last song, the title track, is brilliant for the most part, a little sluggish in places (it's very long) - particularly with the string section, but it's a grand design that works out excellently in the long run.

The middle songs on the album could have been easily excluded for a better whole. ... Read more

Asin: B000002VCC
Sales Rank: 20746
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

The All-Time Greatest Hits of Roy Orbison
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $8.99
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Editorial Review

It's a measure of Roy Orbison's classics that even some of the uptempo songs that break up the dominant balladic mood of this 20-song collection are themselves fairly melancholic. Rarely does Orbison allow himself the outright celebration of something like "Mean Woman Blues," more often going for the shades of gray that slip into "Blue Angel" and "Leah." Few could do what he achieves on these singles, and not just because few are gifted with such a voice. The biggest achievement of all may be Orbison's ability to make a devastated cry like "Only the Lonely" sound somehow peaceful. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (35)

The Very Best From A DistinguishedCareer
If you do want the very best and only the very best, it's all right here and most of the songs sung so outstandingly were written by Roy himself either in partnership with Joe Melson or Bill Dees. The touching Christmas tune, "Pretty Paper" was written by Willie Nelson and "Dream Baby" and "Shahdaroba" by Cindy Walker who wrote many-a country tune including Jim Reeves' "Distant Drums" (which Roy covered). These songs as done by Roy Orbison touch the emotions in a way that only a relative few can. These are priceless. Also Roy took Elvis Presley's rousing1957 hit, "Mean Woman Blues", and made it his own in 1963. After some years off the charts as a solo artist, Roy was on his way to making a new round of hits with his magnificent voice when he died in December 1988.The songs in this package are from his best years on the charts.

Incomparable
Roy Orbison defies easy categorization.One can say Yes and No to him being Country, Pop, or Rock and Roll.He is, simply and undeniably, Roy Orbison.Few singers could put the power and the passion he did into his music.Tom Jones did, with "Delilah" and, possibly, Andy Williams with "Moon River," the theme from "Romeo and Juliet," and the love theme from "The Godfather."The Moody Blues hit that chord with "Survival," "Nights in White Satin," and "Tuesday Afternoon."These "stand-out" songs, where the singer or the group puts all he/she/they has/have into the performance, gives the listener a rare treat, a glimpse of perfection.Roy Orbison did this fairly often.In this particular collection, you see it in "Only the Lonely," "Pretty Woman," "Blue Bayou," and in his incredible rendition of "Crying."Other reviewers have noted the absence, from this collection, of "You've Got It," and I heartily agree; it was another stand-out, signature song for Orbison, and certainly belongs in any Greatest Hits collection for him.But, then, few things in life are perfect.Orbison touched perfection in "Crying," and that one song makes this collection worth the price of admission.

Go Ahead! You Already Know the Words!
There are few surprises here: This 20 track, 2 volume in one CD is a first rate compilation of Roy's golden years with Monument records in the early to mid 1960s. Naming favorite tracks is highly subjective, for each of us has our pet choices.Roy had so many hits and most were done his unique triple octave voice that led up to climactic fadeouts or endings. (This reviewer does not actually know what a "triple octave" voice is but I have heard it used often in referring to Roy). The best goldies from this viewpoint are "It's Over" and the ultimate climax song "In Dreams".Who else could hit that high note? Who else would dare attempt it? This reviewer also liked "Blue Bayou" and "I'm Hurtin". And yes, "Pretty Woman" is here too. Some amazon friends have complained that none of Roy's selections from his later years are included but those are beyond the scope of this CD. It is vital to note that amazon has an extensive (!) selection of Roy CDs. I don't know of any that match the value of this particular one.Why keep scrolling down? Why wait?Hit the "add to shopping cart" button. It's difficult to end a positive review on a negative note but the skimpy and thinly written informational jacket insert is truly pathetic! Surely Roy derves more respect! ... Read more

Asin: B0000026T0
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Rock & Roll    4. Rockabilly    5. United States of America    6. V/a Compilations   

Closing Time
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

It starts with a sunrise, it ends with "one star shining," and in between Closing Time contains an honest year's worth (1973, to be exact) of sweet, melodic, vintage Tom Waits--minus some of the vocal growl and thematic grit of his later stuff (but you can see it coming). Waltzes, lullabies, blues, jazz, you name it. Driving songs and drinking songs, even an honest to gosh country tune: "Rosie." There are torchers ("Lonely"), scorchers ("Ice Cream Man"), and back-porch senior citizen love songs ("Martha"): "Those were the days of roses/Poetry and prose, and/Martha, all I had was you and all you had was me." Other standouts are "I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love with You" (guess what--he does!) and "Grapefruit Moon," in which Waits croons: "Every time I hear that melody, something breaks inside." Hang on to your hearts and hats, folks. --Dan Leone ... Read more

Reviews (82)

THE SOUNDTRACK OF ANCIENT SUMMERS (Part 5 of 6)

AND NOW THE SUN'S COMIN' UP
I'M RIDIN' WITH LADY LUCK
FREEWAY, CARS AND TRUCKS
STARS BEGINNING TO FADE
AND I LEAD THE PARADE-- from Ol' '55

(*Continued from the album 'The Beatles', a.k.a., "The White Album".)
...The League's most triumphant moment came in 1983 at the Fourth of July parade in Brentwood, attended by thousands of patriotic Americans every year.Tiburon came to a screeching, skidding stop in front of 824 Bay Street at nine a.m., and we flipped over the doors and into the Cadillac as Torch pulled away.We found a parking spot and walked over to a coffee shop for B.C. where it was decided that we would try entering Tiburon into the popular parade which featured floats, marching bands, city officials, Congressmen and celebrities such as Chevy Chase and Ted Knight in restored Dussenburgs and other classic cars.I made cardboard signs saying, "The League Of Soul Crusaders - Santa Monica" and we tied them inside the doors so that they could be flipped outward when the time came....After a long wait, the plainclothes cops stopped dogging our every move, and we saw an opening.Torch honked the horn and a large group of surprised spectators parted as Tiburon nosed in behind a nuclear submarine float.We were all a bit nervous at first, figuring that the stunt might cost us a stay in jail, but when the procession came to one of its periodic halts and a policeman strolled by, smiled and shook his head, all of the apprehension left us. In a parade of celebrities, marching bands and classic cars, Tiburon with its bumper stickers and blow torched edges was an instant hit.A man tossed a plastic horn to Napoleon who made good use of it. Someone else presented us with an American flag which we waved at the people who responded enthusiastically.Another gentleman emerged from the masses and handed Pooh a collection of balloons, and a street vendor ran up to the car with a free case of ice cream sandwiches for us.We began distributing the balloons and ice cream to the few children bold enough to venture out to us as we drove by.The spectators roared their approval and one little boy dashed out from the crowd to get an autograph from Torch."You guys are great!" one young man called out."Following the sub, you're like a protest of the nuclear age."Everyone had their own interpretation of the meaning of our involvement.We knew that we had upstaged every television and movie star who had preceded us when the crowd broke out into a chant of, "Soul!...Soul!...Soul!..."We got our one and only negative reaction from an elderly man seated on the curb."In my opinion, you guys have ruined the whole parade," he yelled at us.Torch replied immediately, "Well, who died and made you Grand Marshal?"...

-- Adapted from the copyrighted book, 'The League Of Soul Crusaders' by Stephen T. McCarthy
Soundtrack by TOM WAITS available on Asylum Records.Buy it today and listen to the echo of ancient Summers.

(*Story concluded on the album, 'One From The Heart' by Tom Waits.)

Without a doubt my favourite Tom Waits album.
This is an extraordinaly under-rated record in my opinion. It is definitly in my top 5 favourites of all time and I have a huge, huge record collection and broad music taste. I have never heard a better song than Ol' 55 and I'm not exaggerating. It is a marvellous, beautiful song. Closing Time is a very evocative album. Martha and I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You are legendary tracks. Virginia Avenue and Ice Cream Man are classic bluesy jazz-bar tunes. On Waits VHI Storytellers performance he played Ol' 55 in his big Louis Armstrong-style growl which signifies the song still has meaning for him as he rarely, if not ever, plays material from this period of his career anymore. Waits is a genius who posseses a fantastic imagination and an eccentric personality that always shines through in his music, whether it be his lyrics or the music that always fits them perfectly. He is a true bohemian, not a pretentious wannabe who will disguise his horrible song-writing skills as 'art'. One of the most unique individuals in the history of music, there is only one Tom Waits and that's all there ever was or will be.

The Piano didn't start drinking yet.
I am one of those listeners who don't believe drug abuse and alcoholic behaviors an artist make. Just as I think Billy Holiday and Janis Joplins early recordings when their voice weren't ravaged with drinking are sublime, I think Tom Waits first album is up there as one of his best (if NOT the best).

Closing Time is an amazing album when you consider the time period that it was recorded. It has a different sound to everything else that was going on and a very intimate, un-slick production feel.

His voice, while gravely, is incredibly strong and also sweet-not the raspy "cool" Tom Waits we know today. While not a hugely experimental (by today's standards CDs) album, it has a dark beauty that reminds me of Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake. This is a man who FEELS, people, and yes, is actually terrified to show it!

I first started listening to this CD after a late night shift while it was dark and raining. When the first piano chords came in over the speakers, I knew I was in for something incredibly different. A genuine story teller with a gift for portraying intimate stories in way that becomes humanely universal, the soft horns and fade outs add to this atmospheric album. I honestly felt like I had stumbled onto a chain-smoking failing musician who was playing his demons out onto the piano in a church basement. At times overwhelming and romantically depressing, sometimes I am shocked that Tom Waits is around today.

His other albums are powerful as well, but there is something special about the intimacy and fully-fleshed feel of his first album. I personally suggest you listen to it late at night while looking out of a window into a rainy city block.

... Read more

Asin: B000002GYR
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter   

Raunch 'N' Roll Live
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 April, 2000)
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Features

• Live

Reviews (12)

Alllllll Riiiiiiiiiiiight!
One of the great party bands of the 70's!!I saw them several times live in the early 70's and the energy they dispayed on stage puts many of the acts today to shame.They might not have been the "prettiest" bands around but for good old Southern rock, they couldn`t be beat.Rock on Jim Dandy and the gang!!!

I'd give it 10 stars if I could!!!
This is an unbelieveable live album!If you like live music and are a fan of '70's live performances then YOU NEED TO OWN THIS ALBUM!Even if you are not really a fan of Black Oak, YOU NEED TO OWN THIS ALBUM!This record truly rocks from start to finish.If you like this one then check Grand Funk, Live Album too.They rock!

Rock like you will never hear again! A must have!
The drummer (Tommy Aldridge)is just plain old [fabulous]and I have been playing drums for over 25 years!
Jim Dandy ROCKS and the rest of the pirates too!
Grab some whiskey, brush your blues off and let go
and PARTY while you listen to this! Life is short!
ROCK HARD! ... Read more

Asin: B00004SW9Q
Sales Rank: 37989
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Southern Rock   

Montrose
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Reviews (65)

Quite possibly the finest hard rock album of all time.
Or at least in the top 5. This is the album that started it all for me. To my tastes, it defined what rock should be and could be. Oh, I had heard plenty of Led Zep, Steppenwolf, Iron Butterfly, et al, but Ronnie Montrose's heavy power-chords and slide guitar action overlaid by Sammy Hagar's soulful wail distilled kick-ass rock to its essence. The album was both timeless and ahead of its time. You could put this music out over the airwaves today and I guarantee you generation Y would think it was new stuff and fall in love with it. It's true it didn't get much air time when it was released, but let's face it, hard rock still wasn't getting a lot of play back then. Hell there weren't even that many FM stations yet, especially if you didn't live in a big city. The AM stations just wanted to play Top 40 Pop and stick with "safe" commercial bands. One was lucky to find a good progressive rock station, usually from a college campus. But I digress. Anyway, I've owned this one on vinyl, eight-track, cassette and CD, so that should tell you something.

A Terrific Rock Album.
My friend lent this too me cuz he wanted me to hear what pre-Van Halen,Sammy Hagar sounded like in the seventies. Well, I think that Sammy Hagar did better in Montrose than he ever did in Van Halen. This album has great music and great singing. Here are the tracks and my thoughts and oppinions:
Rock the Nation: Kick a$$ song. The music is killer
Bad Motor Scooter:A great song. Sammy Hagar showed some serious vocal talent even in the seventies.
Space Station #5: I like Ronnie Montrose's guitar on here. It rocks.
I Don't Want It:I really like this song. Again we have Hagar showing off his vocal talent.
Good Rockin' Tonight: Really good song.
Rock Candy: Really cool song. Love the guitar in the beginning.
Possible metaphor?
One Thing On My Mind: Yet another good song.
Make It Last: Good song. Really good guitar.
A-

I never understood why this album wasn't a huge hit!!
If I was stranded on a deserted island and I could only have five CD's to listen to, this one would be one of them. When I was a kid I had the record album and I turned on a few of my friends to it. They literally left my house and drove to the record store to buy it. I KID YOU NOT.

Unfortunately, this album got no airplay on the radio. A friend's older brother turned me on to it. Even now I recall the scene: I was in my friend's big brother's room--he had a huge Conan the Barbarian black light poster, not from the Arnold movie but from the comic book--and my friend's brother went to his record player and played the song "BAD MOTOR SCOOTER". When I heard Ronnie Montrose play that opening guitar lick that sounded like a revving motorcycle, holy sh##t, I had to have this album. I became a huge Ronnie Montrose fan, and I still am.

When they started releasing older rock albums on CD, this was the first one I went out and bought. I couldn't be without this one in my collection. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KHL
Sales Rank: 2255
Subjects:  1. Arena Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Boston
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

"Better music through science" was the Epic Records-coined slogan that Boston leader Tom Scholz hated, but this masterwork of studio-happy, high-school-parking-lot music earned it. Scholz fine-tuned his overdubbed guitar orchestra to a pitch that a thousand subsequent album-rockers couldn't resist. And why should they? Where the band's later records were hardly worthy of note, Boston pulls together classic after classic: "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," "Hitch a Ride." The pseudo-cosmic ambience invites scoffs as the year 2000 approaches, but it's really just part of the disc's charm. Let it take you home tonight. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (194)

Is there an echo in the building?
It sure sounds that way to me...LOL!

Everybody always talks about the "crisp, clear sound quality" on this album and how Tom Scholz was a "genius".If you ask me, I think the production is a bit TOO crisp and clear.To me it sounds tinny and echoey.But what would you expect from a self declared "genius", who put this album togeather over five years in his basement studio?

I've heard that this album was home-made for only $10 000, and I definately believe that.The guitars blare and drone, and there is an irratating echoing noise throught the album.It sounds like the band moved all their equipment into a big, empty barn and recorded the whole album in there!

No offence to all the Boston fanatics, but I just don't like Tom Scholz being hailed as a brilliant producer, when he is really just an amateur.The myth of Tom Scholz being a genius is so widespread that I thought I'd better clear that up.

Bye!

An enduring classic for all time
Classic 70's albums bring into mind Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, Led Zeppelin's fourth album, and Blondie's Parallel Lines, to name a few.Add to that Boston's debut album, which sold 16 million copies in the US and was in the album charts for two years.Much of the success was due to the intelligent songwriting of Tom Scholz and rock vocals of Brad Delp, who by the time of their third album Third Stage, were the only two from the original lineup left.

The remembrances of summers past and a girl named Marianne is embodied in their first single "More Than A Feeling," one of the best known rock singles of the 70's.Reaching #5 in 1976, it featured all the components that made Boston a force to be reckoned with.Delp's soaring vocals, accompaniment from other members, and Tom Scholz's distinctive squealing and revved guitars, particularly during the chorus.

"Peace Of Mind," the third single, which barely showed its face in the Top 40 (#38), is more a rocker throughout.It's a song showing the wisdom of not getting caught up with the fierce competition in the music world:/Can'tcha you see there'll come a day when it won't matter/Come a day when you'll be gone/I sometimes find myself liking this song more than "More Than A Feeling."Why didn't this get into the Top 5 as well?

The second single, "Long Time," has as an accompanying prelude "Foreplay," with its rambling organ solo and snarling guitars.After 2 mins 23 seconds, "Long Time" begins with a squealing guitar and Brad singing.This #22 song has the long-term dream or vision, much like "Peace of Mind" and the need to move on from one place to another to find it.The "got to move on" dynamic is also explored in "Hitch A Ride," only on a more cosmic level, where hitching a ride to the other side and leaving for the last time is the final departure.

"Rock N Roll Band" is an autobiographic song of how the band made it from local gigs till their discovery.Just as engaging if not more than"Peace of Mind."There are some nods to old-fashion R&R in the verses of the jamming "Smokin'."Jamming, or should I say smoking?

All the songs are singleworthy, due to a consistent strong guitar, heavy bass, drums, in other words, the forerunner of what would later be termed arena rock.Corporate rock is another term that comes to mind, although later, Boston's most recent album would be named Corporate America in denunciation of the type of music his band had been a part of.

Not many artists have a best-selling pop debut album like Boston, although two that come to mind are Whitney Houston and Hootie & The Blowfish.An enduring classic that still hasn't lost its touch all these years.

one of the greatest debut's ever
I cant think of a greater debut album than the self titled album from this superb rock band from boston.this awesome cd sold more than 18 million copies worldwide and contained hits like more than a feeling,rock and roll band and hitch a ride.brilliant.get this album along with their sophomore album dont look back. ... Read more

Asin: B000002572
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Alive
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 July, 1997)
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Editorial Review

The fact that Alive! is arguably Kiss's best album highlights the fact that they are performers first, musicians second. There's nothing wrong with that, especially when a live album sounds this good. Stuffed to bursting with classic tracks, Alive!, originally released in 1975, is a classic metal album. "Deuce," "Strutter," "Hotter than Hell," "Black Diamond," "100,000 Years," and especially "Rock and Roll All Nite" (probably the most well-known party song in existence)--they're all here, and wonder of wonders, they still sound fresh after all these years. The success of Kiss's 1996 tour shows that they've still got plenty of fans; Alive! is one album no Kiss fan should be without. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered
• Live

Reviews (166)

All Show, No Talent
That pretty much sums up KISS.

This is considered their best album, i'm sorry, but that is just sad. These guys needed to put out a live album or they were gonna sink as a band because their studio albums sucked @$$, they had no technical skill with their instraments, they had to relie on face paint and pyrotechnics to draw the crowds into their shows. I like 70's hard rock alot, but KISS was nothing but a foolish show with four guys dressed up like effing retards breathing flames. With no ability to play, it was like going to a circus to see the clowns intead of a rock concert. This "live" album was completely overdubed as soon as the master tapes were parked in the studio parking lot, the only thing untouched was Peter Criss's drum work. They sucked so bad live that they need massive studio overdub to make this sound right. How can you call this live when nothing on here was recorded live?

The one album to own if you want Kiss
If you can own only one Kiss album, this is the one to buy.It's Kiss at their hardest rocking best.The songs are from their first three studio albums and are much better (hard and raw) on Alive than their somewhat flat and whimpy studio counterparts.Now there is a rumor that this album was recorded live but without an audience present and then fixed, overdubbed in the studio where the audience was dubbed in.You know what?It doesn't matter because Alive rocks, and is an excellent best of album for early Kiss. They never put out an album this good again with the possible exception of the Alive 2 album which was loaded with overdubs and comes off as too polished.Alsoo personally I prefer most of their older tunes to the newer ones.If you are a fan or just curious, Alive is Kiss at its apex:when they really knew what they were about.Before they made awful concept albums, before Beth, before they took their makeup off and then put it on again, Kiss were top-notch hard rock entertainers.Alive is the classic Kiss lineup when their concept was still fresh:Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.Yeah, the lyrical content never gets very far above crotch level, but this isn't Bob Dylan, or Led Zeppelin for that matter.This wasn't supposed to be taken too too seriously.It was only on later albums when Kiss tried to be "artists" or when they tried for a poppier sound, that they started to flag a bit.Alive is some fun '70s rock and roll by the best party band of that period.

Kiss Alive, Kissed and over-dubbed.
YOU WANTED THE BEST AND YOU GOT THE BEST THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD... KISS YOU BETCHA. I AM REALLY HAPPY THAT KISS DID THIS LIVE ALBUM SIMPLY TITLED KISS [ALIVE!] THESE OVER-DUBBES I HAVE BEEN HEARING ON HERE IS OUTLANDISH. IT MAKES NO SENSE IN MY OPINION. IN ORDER SELL A GREAT LIVE ALBUM ESPECIALLY THIS ONE, YOU HAVE TO MIX THE ALBUM IN THE STUDIO ANYWAY. PERSONALLY THEY DID THE SAME THING WITH YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST ALBUM. KISS MIXED THAT ALBUM. SO JUST REMEMBER, IF YOU WNAT THE BEST FROM KISS EXPECT THE BEST FROM KISS. I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I LOVE TO OVER-DUBB AND MIX LIVE RECORDINGS. AND IN GENERAL, I LOVE LIVE CONCERT MUSIC, AND ALL AND ALL, I LOVE THIS ALBUM. AND I ALWAYS WILL. IHAVE BEEN A KISS FAN SINCE 1977. AND I WILL ALWAYS BE A KISS FAN. KISS RULES... ROCK ON GUYS. OH ONE MORE THING... IF FANS WANT TO BE LIKE KISS... WEAR THE MAKE-UP. ... Read more

Asin: B000001EL1
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

The Last Record Album
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Reviews (8)

The best of the best
I'm shocked that this album has received anything less than five stars from anyone.It's easily my favorite Feats album.Not to denigrate the other songs, but with "Long Distance Love", "One Love Stand" and, especially, "All That You Dream", the other songs could be covers of the 1910 Fruitgum Company and it would still be a great album."All That You Dream" is not only my favorite Little Feat song, it's possibly my favorite song, period.

Little Feat's laid-back album
So what happened? Did Little Feat feel too relaxed after making "Feats Don't Fail..."? I've heard and read lots of good reviews for this album, but sadly, I have to object. I've listened to this cd quite a few times, but the pretty ballad "Long Distance Love" is still the only song I can remember anything about. Even the playing somehow feels routine, more uninspired than previously. This disc is somewhat saved by the inclusion of the two tracks which had to be left out from the single-disc edition of the live double album "Waiting For Columbus" (the cover of C&W band Fraternity Of Man's "Don't Bogart That Joint" from the "Easy Rider" soundtrack is short but hilarious, and seems to go on very well with the audience despite the subject matter). You should invest on that one instead, and preferably on the double-disc edition that contains previously unreleased material as well.

The Feats Start Running Out of Steam
Unfortunately, this album saw Little Feat starting down their long trajectory to musical mediocrity.Lowell George's problems began reducing his influence over the band, most of the hooks were gone, and an increasing jazz influence resulted in more fusion-type noodling and fewer funky Southern grooves.Furthermore, the band was apparently discovering synthesizers, which begin to make their unwelcome presence felt.

This is not a bad album, but it's unfortunate that the title turned out to be false advertising. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KG1
Sales Rank: 35221
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Southern Rock   

Dare!
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 September, 1997)
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Editorial Review

When flipping through the annals of new-wave history, one can easily enough overlook the entry marked "Human League." But the truth of the matter is, this Phil Oakey-helmed synth-pop outfit was crucial to the movement, and, Dare!, its third release, is an absolute linchpin. Thanks to its breakthrough single, "Don't You Want Me," the record almost single-handedly made it safe to like new wave, and an MTV video gave it a fashionable face that was impossible to ignore. The sound was theatrical, awash in kitschy keyboards, but felt new and refreshing back in 1982. The League would never climb to such hooky aesthetic heights again; Dare! ranks as its greatest achievement--and it still sounds new and refreshing today. --Tom Lanham ... Read more

Reviews (33)

a lot of synthesizerers
i got a copy of this for a dollar and if you have the same opportunity you should carpe cdiem cuz it's worth even more than that.

New Wave Classic
Few bands of the 80s can use the sythesiezer to make fantastic sounding music, except of course, there are exception, such as TheHuman League and Berlin. The biggest hit on this album "Dont You Want Me" combines great synth riffs with the bands romantic sound. Many cheesy new romantic songs fill the album, that is not to say these are bad songs, i think they are a great representation of the 80s, especially "Open Your Heart" with the electronic noises in the background, and Phil's sophomore voice. I love it! The two intrumentals at the end add little to the album, but they are definetly some of the best synth instrumentals ive heard. Non-Stop is the better one, Hard Times is good no doubt, yet a little tedious.

Monotone.
I love monotone music.Listening to a cd for the sake hearing one song over and over, hot damn.Reading reviews by other people, I get an odd overview of the album.It is the best album to come out of the eighties, because it has one good song.That one song being "Don't you want me", which nearly 25 years later is still overplayed.With the amazing skills that HL had, it's a wonder that they aren't still around.
(note the sarcasm) ... Read more

Asin: B000000HQH
Subjects:  1. Dance-Pop    2. England    3. New Romantic    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Synth Pop    8. Synthesizer   

Tres Hombres
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

Fandango! is the early Top classic. It's all killer, no filler, even if half of it is live. Any record with "Tush" and "Heard It on the X" deserves its classic rock status. Tres Hombres doesn't quite match its rep: "Jesus Just Left Chicago" is back porch blues made for the arena, "La Grange" kicks open the door of the whorehouse, and "Waitin' for the Bus" is the best James Gang impression by a band actually from Texas. But the rest doesn't have Fandango!'s nerve or El Loco's sophomoric wit, which is what every band needs when the gimmick starts to run dry. --Robert Wilonsky ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Outstanding record!
It's sad that this album got lost behind ZZ Top's 1983
mainstream hit album "Eliminator" because this is the
best overall album they did. In my opinion, LaGrange
is the best song they ever did. But this album is deeper
as it has other well known tracks like "Beer Drinkers and
Hell Raisers" aswell as "Jesus Just Left Chicago" to round
out 3 big hits. However, the rest of this album holds it's
own.... "Waitin' for the Bus" a top notch ZZ Top song as
the hermonica is played at it's best here. Sheik is also
very underrated.

Classic meat 'n potatoes blues rock, but lost in bad remix!
There ain't nothin quite like sitting down after a long workday, pouring myself a long, tall cold one and sitting down to my Tex-Mex audio feast of ZZ Top's classic Tres Hombres album.From the beautifully dark wah-drenched solo in Waiting For the Bus to the trippy, bongo-backed rhythm that is Shiek, the result is truly one of the finest crafted rock albums of all time.Sadly enough, PLEASE choose carefully when making your purchase, for when this album was remastered for compact disc, the rhythmic tightness was all but lost in a sea of electronics, with the drums sounding more like a track from a Bananarama ballad than an actual 1970s Texas blues-based-playing-to-packed-beer-soaked-taverns-7-nights-a-week band.Chalk it up under "It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time" on behalf of the label, but times have changed, and I know I speak for the majority of ZZ fans who agree that the 1970s era albums (or is it 1980s?I'm still not sure!) deserve to be preserved in their original integrity and re-released with the original, bare-bones, untarnished tracks.I'm hoping it's only a matter of time before Bill, Dusty and Frank come to their senses and make this possible, for their 1970s masterpieces deserve to be heard as they intended, as unpretentious as the music itself.

Remixed For Your Inconvenience
Beware!!! When This Album Was Released On CD In The Early 90's They Used The Remixed Version That Appears On The ZZ Top Six Pack Compilation. In Todays Music World It's A Horrid Representation Of A Great Classic Rock Album (It, And The First Album, Rio Grande Mud, Fandango, Tejas & El Loco All Sound Like "Eliminator" & "Afterburner" Clones. Go To Your Nearest 2nd Hand Store And Find Them On Vinyl or Cassette. Until Then We Can Only Hope ZZ Top & Warner Bros. Get Their Act Together, Hmmmm...Calling Rhino Records? ... Read more

Asin: B000002KJQ
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Southern Rock   

The Legendary Segovia
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 February, 1999)
list price: $10.98 -- our price: $10.98
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Editorial Review

The Segovia heard in these recordings, made between 1927 and 1939, is quite different from the somewhat enfeebled legend who toured and recorded through his 80s. The flashing virtuosity and color of the best of these 78s compares better with the virtuosic standards of the '90s. Just hearing Tárrega's familiar Recuerdos de la Alhambra in this 1927 recording is enough to convince you that you're listening to one of the great guitar virtuosos of all time. It's unclear why Segovia's often-sentimentalized Bach became so famous, and the transcriptions that lead off this disc are quite unstylish by our contemporary standards. But once you get past those and the following Baroque items, which take up only a few minutes, you're into the romantic and 20th-century repertoire that Segovia played so brilliantly. The amazing transfers make the recordings sound much more recent than they actually are. --Leslie Gerber ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nice but Noisy
As a casual fan I was surprised by the noise
on the track.You might choose to hear
the noise as a pleasing retro background.This
CD is probably great for Segovia experts, but
if you're looking for nice background music
just be aware it will sound like the old vinyl
it was remastered from.

Exceptional guitar work
Segovia makes his brilliance shine on this compilation. You can't deny the musicianship in these early recordings that, if you are familiar with any of his later sessions, were never left behind. Buy it, you'll love it. I'm sure you'll be scouring for more Segovia to grace you cd player.

To listen both while reading a book an in silence
I used to play a classical guitar once, but, of course, i never played like Segovia. If you like silent music, music for the heart, you should purchase thi album. Both for silent listening and listening while doing something else. It nice like eraly spring. ... Read more

Asin: B00000I3VA
Subjects:  1. Chamber    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Keyboard   

Hippy Hippy Shake: the Definitive Collection
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 May, 1993)
list price: $11.98
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Reviews (2)

The Merseybeat sound of one of the OTHER Liverpool bands
I remembered the song "Hippy Hippy Shake" but not that this 1964 hit was by the Swinging Blue Jeans.I must have never heard the group's name because I do not think I would easily forget something like that.Anyhow, the song has been remembered even if the group has not, and "Hippy Hippy Shake: The Definitive Collection" proves why this Liverpool group from the British Invasion has been largely forgotten.Even their big hit, a cover of an obscure 1950's rocker, was covered better by the Beatles on one of their BBC appearances.The best of the rest is definitely their Merseybeat version of "You're No Good" (of course I remember the Linda Ronstadt version, but this was originally recorded by Betty Everett) and a nice cover of "Shakin' All Over/".At their best the Swinging Blue Jeans provided some high-energy covers in the Merseybeat style and a few decent original compositions, but the group ran out of steam pretty quickly and half the tunes in this collection are pretty forgettable.This album includes several non-LP and rare singles along with some unreleased songs, but does not include "All I Want Is You," which was the best song off of the one album they released in the U.K. during the Sixties.So this album is at least one song shy of being truly definitive, but it does show the Swinging Blue Jeans were a bit more than one-hit wonders.There are enough songs here for aficionados of the Merseybeat sound to add this to their music collection, but will not be of much interest to anybody else.

Worthwhile anthology of longlived Merseybeat band
The only thing the Swinging Blue Jeans are remembered for in this country is "Hippy Hippy Shake," a fairly heavy-sounding piece of rock 'n roll. In actual fact, however, the Blue Jeans were more inclined to record midtempo ballads. In the U.K., they are probably best known for their fantastic Merseyfied cover of "You're No Good," a genuine classic from the era. Although it was cut two years too late (in 1966)to be commercially viable, their Merseyfied version of Bacharach/David's "Don't Make Me Over" is another classic. They also did a fine version of "Don't Go Out Into the Rain, You're Gonna Melt" about one year before Herman's Hermits. There is some very good stuff here.

However, the Swinging Blue Jeans also produced a fair number of very pedestrian tunes, oftentimes written by themselves. This is particularly true of their earliest period in 1963 and 1964; some of the songs are embarrassingly corny. For those of you familiar with the successful British writers of the era, think of a more chirpy and irritating alternative to Mitch Murray and you've got the picture.

For you Hollies fans, longtime member Terry Sylvester will be found on the Swinging Blue Jeans tracks from 1966 forward.

This is not an ideal anthology of this group. There are actually a good number of other tracks recorded by the band which are vastly better than many of those included here. But as an introduction that gives you their big important classics, this set will suffice. The sound is excellent. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DR4P
Sales Rank: 229328
Subjects:  1. British Invasion    2. Merseybeat    3. Pop    4. V/a Compilations   

Moving Waves
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 February, 2001)
list price: $17.49 -- our price: $17.49
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Features

• Import
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (11)

Searing, silly, and reflective
This 1971 recording opens with the explosive, FM warhorse Hocus Pocus (6'42"), which features yodeling, whistling, crazed laughing, and silly vocalese parts along with the searing 200-mph guitar work of virtuoso Jan Akkerman.In a jarring 180-degree reversal, the tempo shudders to a grinding halt and the mood shifts from the opening madness to the dreamy classical guitar and mellotron of the 2'01" Le Clochard.This reflective mood is maintained through Janis (3'09"), which features some very nice flute parts, the title track Moving Waves (2"42"), and the somewhat up-tempo Focus II (4'03").Of the four shorter pieces, only Moving Waves features vocal parts.The high point of this disc however is the largely instrumental, 15-part Eruption suite, which goes on for about 23 minutes.This lengthy suite includes brief vocalese sections, unaccompanied guitar and drum solos, very churchy sounding Hammond organ, brooding mellotron parts, and impressive ensemble work.This is a decent bit of prog that is certainly worth adding to any collection.

One of the: ALL TIME BEST PROG ROCK ALBUMS!
I was introduced to Focus through the song Hocus Pocus. A quite bizarre song BUT a good one. Some of the best drumming and guitarwork in all of classic rock!

Not only that, it was The Guess Who who introduced me to it. When the fake Guess Who (only Jim Kale & Garry Peterson were a part of it from the classic line-up) played a show locally (free so i went) they did Hocus Pocus to do their band introductions... at first i couldnt figure out what Guess Who song it was, then i heard the yodeling and thought wow, thats not Guess Who, so who the hell is it? After the show, replacement vocalist, Terry Hatty told me who Focus was and urged me to check them out, so i did.

This was one of the 2 albums i got. (The other being the best of 16 track cd) I was blown away. Just sit with headphones on and listen to gems like Focus 2 over and over. You will hear a different part every time. Same with Eruption featuring some of the greatest guitarwork (in the Bridge section) and some of the most beautiful piano work (in the Eurdice section). Janis sounds like a slow Jethro Tull song (in fact when i DJ i play it during dinner hour and people ask me what Tull album it is on. Le Clochard is a short piece and decent. Moving waves is bizarre with the only vocals on the album except for a short piece in Eruption and that damn yodeling.

Actually i love the yodeling, drive down a 65 max limit interstate with it playing. Especially when you are angry. I guarantee Yodeling along (and driving at around 85 by the time you are done) will reduce the stress. (just make sure the windows are closed)

A Must have if you like Emerson Lake & Palmer & Jethro Tull.

Please check out my other reviews and vote for them.

A Forgotten Masterpiece
It's sad how much good music is lost under the piles of trash masquerading as music. Moving Waves one of the true masterpieces
of progressive rock. Excellent and intelligent instrumental songs
(with the exception of the title song, which has a vocal), and
shifting tempos and moods makes this an enjoyable album and a break from the 3-chord variety of music. The tracks "Focus II" and the suite "Eruption" have always been my favorites. The first song "Hocus Pocus" is kind of goofy but, its fun and has fantastic guitar work. I say "goofy" because it's not often that you hear yodeling in a rock song. It was a big hit at the time of it's release and it is the reason most people bought the album. After people got tired of playing that song over and over, an unexpected treasure was found when people started listening to the entire album. Listening to the entire album revealed one of the best albums of the 1970s.
... Read more

Asin: B00005B364
Sales Rank: 11234
Subjects:  1. Rock    2. Rock/Pop   

Shock Treatment
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 October, 1990)
list price: $9.98
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Reviews (8)

DEFINITELY AN EXCELLENT ALBUM BY THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP
Although this album lacks the hard driven guitar sound of RONNIE MONTROSE, who formed his own group called MONTROSE with then unknown SAMMY HAGER, this is still an album that should not be forgotten.The first song SOME KINDA ANIMAL with DAN's lead vocal and RICK's guitar riffs is a outstanding rock beginner that gets the listeners off their chairs or beds and on the feet.On the other hand, the next song EASY STREET written by DAN for EDGAR to sing has a excellent 30s or 40s resemblence, especially with the sax solo and the piano style.SUNDOWN is a outstanding ballad written and sung by DAN whose rhythm guitar playing, EDGAR's clavinet and mellotron, and RICK's lead guitar playing give the song a relaxed and laid-back feeling.The next song MIRACLE OF LOVE is a outstanding keyboard rockin' tune that gets the listeners back on their feet with EDGAR's stronge lead vocal.DO LIKE ME is really not my favorite on this album.Plus I do not understand why DAN did not play bass guitar on this song, but some of RICK's guitar solos sound like a saxophone for some peculiar reason.DAN's ROCK AND ROLL WOMAN is another outstanding rock tune that keeps the album in motion, and then comes EDGAR's keyboard ballad SOMEONE TAKE MY HEART AWAY with the rewarding sound of the mellotron.DAN lead guitar playing on his QUEEN OF MY DREAMS really shines along with his lead vocal, and his MAYBE SOMEDAY YOU'LL CALL MY NAME has a relaxing feeling.Plus, DAN's RIVER'S RISEN is and great song to listen to, and the harmony vocals remind me of what I hear on ELTON JOHN's GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD.Unfortunately, ANIMAL is also not my favorite song either.Overall, I was glad I found this cd in the used cd store, and I do not understand why it is not availalbe anymore.

Excellent! A forgotten classic!
An outstanding follow-up to "They Only Come Out At Night."This album was a moderate hit when it was released in the 70's, but it should have been a HUGE hit.It is classic rock / pop at its finest.It includes the top 40 hit "River's Risin'" but several other songs received air-play and should have been big hits, including: "Easy Street", "Maybe Someday You'll Call My Name", and "Sundown."Not a bad song on it.The late Dan Hartman really shines on this album.His songs were more commercial than Winter's.He should have received equal billing in this group.Highly recommended!

Gimme Dan Hartman
This lp proves Dan Hartman was the star of the group.That is quite a statement considering Edgar and Rick were there but Dan is like the main man!
Even the classic Easy Street was written not by Edgar but by Dan!
This lp shows there would have been NO EWG without Dan Hartman.
Some Kinda Animal cranks the lp into high gear as one of the wildest rocking numbers around.
Rock and Roll Woman should have been a #1 single and River's Risin a top 40 hit is almost as good as the classic Free Ride!
A person could rave on about this album all day. Buy without delay! ... Read more

Asin: B00000251A
Sales Rank: 205739
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Boogie Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll   

Beach Boys - Vol. 1-Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 September, 1999)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

The three-volume Good Vibrations series is designed with the hits-hungry fan in mind. Eschewing a strict chronological approach, the best-of sets are arranged according to charting position. Thus the initial collection is laden with the group's trademark tunes, ranging from the California boys' first top 10 charter, 1962's "Surfin' Safari," to their last, 1988's "Kokomo," a stray, post-Brian Wilson success. "Kokomo" is by far the newest selection included here; nothing else dates past 1966's No. 1 smash, "Good Vibrations." With the likes of "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "California Girls," and the incandescent "God Only Knows" rounding out the set, Greatest Hits Volume 1 is the ideal first pick for anyone looking for the Beach Boys at their commercial peak. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (64)

Nothing short of awesome!
If you're looking for a "greatest Hits" cd, well, then be sure to grab this one as well as the others in this set.We just love this record in our house and it has the classics, "California Girls, Good Vibrations, and I Get Around."We just recently got this out for our toddler who saw a toy car in the grocery store that played "I Get Around."Well, he fell in love with that song and so when we got home, we popped this into the player and well, we've heard that song straight about a zillion times now!Even a toddler knows these guys are fantastic and this album is just a must-have.The Beach Boys rank right up there with the Wiggles in our house!Highly recommend!

Good Songs - But Packaging is Bad
I am not a huge Beach Boys fan.In fact, some of their big hits of the 60's have been so overplayed that