Rust Never Sleeps
by Warner Brothers
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Editorial Review

Young has recorded many live albums, but none capture his two dominant musical personalities with as much power as 1979's Rust Never Sleeps. The acoustic side opens with "My, My, Hey, Hey (Out of the Blue)," a devastating anthem about the state of rock & roll. Comparing the Sex Pistols' Johnny Rotten to the late Elvis Presley, Young delivers perhaps his most famous line: "It's better to burn out than to fade away." Side 2 demonstrates the emotional power of Young's hard-rocking quartet, Crazy Horse, with the scathing political songs "Powderfinger," "Welfare Mothers," and the loud reprise of "My, My, Hey, Hey." --Steve Knopper ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (51)

He added dimensions in the studio
I don't know for sure, but I believe this album combines studio recordings and live recordings from the 1978 tour.If you were to pick "Live Rust" over this album, you'd miss out on a lot.
You'd miss "Thrasher," "Pocahontas," "Ride My Llama", and a couple other songs in their entirety.As for the songs that appear on "Live Rust," the version of "Sedan Delivery" is augmented by weird transporting digital effects, and "Powderfinger" is the type of song that one should hear done more than once.It is Young's best electric song and a great song in the American ballad/storytelling tradition.And you don't want to miss out on those weird electrified synthetic clap effects on "Welfare Mothers".They make you feel like you are in a Mad Max era rock concert.

It seems that Rust Never Sleeps is Neil's studio statement from that time, whereas "Live Rust" is just a (great) document of the live show he was doing.

essential Neil Young
Everything Neil Young does is at least interesting and worthy of a listen, but the high points in his career are must-haves. This is one of those high points.The strange, bittersweet acoustic tales start it off, then the pounding Crazy Horse style that made Neil Young a punk icon brings it to a head.

It's even better on vinyl!

A newly discovered classic (for me, anyway)
I'm not that big of a Neil Young fan (or Crazy Horse, for that matter). The only other Neil Young song I heard was "Old Man," which was featured in the "Wonder Boys" soundtrack (the underappreciated 2000 "dramedy" starring Michael Douglas). That song was brilliant, but it didn't exactly show why Neil Young is hailed as the "Godfather of Grunge." Upon finally listening to "Rust Never Sleeps" on my parents' old record player, I think I have an idea why. But what I was more surprised is how much I ended up loving the album. "Grunge" isn't important here now. What's more important is the album content, such as the state of rock music (at the time), American history (Native American mostly), death, the need to get away, or just a very cool story about space.

He presents all material from folk-sounding melodies, to punk rock, to all out hard rock... perhaps even a hint of "grunge." There's not one other band/artist that can have an album that presents their material in different song styles... well, there's the Clash... and Bob Dylan... and what's-his-face... and whozits... and that guy, the one who always wears a shirt. Okay, so there are others, but Neil Young is the only one I feel that did it perfectly without slipping up or sounding weird or out of place.

The first side is nothing but folky and acoustic songs. Starting off with "My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)," the most famous line, "It's better to burn out than to rust," grabbed my attention right away. Naturally it would since I listen to a lot of Nirvana stuff and read some bios on Kurt Cobain (Kurt writing in his suicide note, "It's better to burn out than to fade away.") But the song's main topic is rock. During the '70s, it seemed as if rock was dying... or was already dead. The '70s was mainly disco and punk, from the Clash or Village People. And even rock and punk seemed to have incorporated disco into their music (eg: Pink Floyd's "The Wall" or the Clash's "London Calling"). Distant memories of "Dark Side of the Moon," Jimi Hendrix, or any Beatles stuff were fading because everyone would rather hear the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." Jim Morrison once declared "Rock is Dead,"... but not until Neil Young made what is arguably his finest work (some still say "Live Rust"). And his first song reverses what anyone thought at the time or still thinks so to this day. Right away, Young declares, "Rock and roll is here to stay," then later on, "The king is gone but not forgotten/This is the story of Johnny Rotten," talking of both Elvis and the Sex Pistols. Then... "Rock and roll can never die/There's more to the picture than meets the eye." Rock music has returned with this album.

"Thrasher" has subject-matter remotely similar to a few songs in Pink Floyd's excellent "Wish You Were Here" album (the songs "Welcome to the Machine" and "Have a Cigar"). Like how Pink Floyd lashed at greedy music execs, Neil Young lashes at those who "sold out." He says they were poisoned, lost, became "park bench mutations on the sidewalks and in stations," and waiting. Young implies that he would never sell out, which, according to Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist), he hasn't done yet.

But the biggest surprise for me was the song "Pocahontas." There are extremely few songs that can make me shed a tear... Neil Young's "Pocahontas" is now one of them. In just 3 minutes 22 seconds, Young is able to tell the entire Indian story from the beautiful beginning, to the "White Man" occupation, to the slaughter of Indians and buffalos, to a tragic present-day poor Indian living in a slum "at the top of the stairs/With my Indian rug and a pipe to share." A soft, blissful, romantic, beautiful, and tragic song... not even Bob Dylan can top this. Native American history is quite sad and tragic, and the present-day state of Native American life isn't any better. Not many people would give thought to this issue. Neil Young just told it like it is without holding back. There is not one other person outside of the Native American race or who isn't some politician that can come out and talk about it (maybe Iron Maiden, with their song "Run to the Hills"). I guess the song just means so much to me since I am a so-called Native American (Navajo, to be exact). Perhaps I am taking it more personal than how it should be accepted or viewed. But nonetheless, "Pocahontas" is a tragic, emotional, and powerful song. As for "blissful, romantic, and beautiful"? Young later on sings:

I wish I was a trapper
I would give a thousand pelts
To sleep with Pocahontas
And find out how she felt
In the mornin' on the fields of green
In the homeland we've never seen.

Maybe a love that can't happen is what Young is suggesting here? But then adds that "maybe Marlon Brando will be there by the fire." And talks of Hollywood, an astrodome and the first tepee. What lies in the future, perhaps?

Side two of the LP is when Neil Young and Crazy Horse comes fully blasting with their electirc, hard-rocking pieces, beginning with a narrative by a "young boy" who ultimately gets killed in battle in the song "Powderfinger." "Welfare Mothers" is a hilarious song about divorced lower-classed women. It's supposedly a "punk" song, and it may not sound like it, but the backup vocals and funny lyrics, complete with a hard-rocking sound, makes it all the more "punk." Sedan Delivery" is a song about being with yourself and finding yourself by just getting away for a while. This is something that applies to everyone.

The album then ends on "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)." Similar to the beginning track, only with slightly altered lyrics and being a loud, anthemic, hard-rocking masterpiece, making the former acoustic piece more powerful than ever with fuzzy and distorted guitars, giving a hint of "grunge." With Neil Young still around, rock and roll is definately not dead.

From "out of the blue" and "into the black," Neil Young and Crazy Horse provides a true masterpiece that I'd add to my top ten albums of all-time list. He tells us a brief history of our country, more about rock and roll music that can still apply to this day, a story told from beyond the grave ("Powderfinger"), and tells each song from different times, whether it'd be past, present, or future, and sometimes even "time travels" in just one song. Some time ago, Rolling Stone magazine called "The Velvet Underground & Nico," quote, "The most prophetic album ever made." Pish! Not a chance. Give me "Rust Never Sleeps" any day. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KDG
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Canada    3. Folk-Rock    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Singer/Songwriter   

From Elvis in Memphis [US Bonus Tracks]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 May, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Features

• Box set
• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (17)

Definitely Elvis's best album ever!
This album in my opinion is the greatest Elvis ever made. I have all of these 1969 Memphis sessions on the 1999 2 CD set Suspicious Minds which I also highly recommend. Elvis's 1969 Memphis recordings are the most beautiful and most powerful of them all. I don't have this CD because I have all of these on the Suspicious Minds sedt. This CD is recommended for the casual Elvis fan but if you are like me and want the complete 1969 Memphis sessions I highly recommend the Suspicious Minds CD or the From Nashville To Memphis 60's Masters set. My favorite song of all time from this album is the beautiful Johnny Tillitson composition It Keeps Right On A Hurtin, a beautiful country ballad. Elvis does a lot of fine country versions of songs such as Hank Snow's I'm Moving On, Eddy Arnold's After LovingYou, Bobby Bare's Long Black Limazine, John Hartfords Gentle On My Mind and many more! They are all masterpieces! Buy it!

Elvis in top form
The career of Elvis Presley had its ups and downs but most people (apart from the minority who insist that he never did anything worthwhile after the fifties) agree that the late sixties yielded some of his finest recordings. The album was originally released in the summer of 1969, made up of twelve tracks. This re-issue is even more impressive as it includes six bonus tracks, all of which were recorded at the same sessions. These extra tracks mostly appeared on singles, either as A or B-sides.

Including all the extra tracks, this set includes four major international hits - In the ghetto, Suspicious minds, Don't cry Daddy and Kentucky rain. During this run of hits, Clean up your own back yard became a UK number two hit and also made the American top forty but is not included because it wasn't recorded at these sessions although its B-side (The fair is moving on, a beautiful but rarely-heard ballad) is here.

The remaining tracks are also impressive, especially True love travels on a gravel road, an original song co-written by Dallas Frazier, a prolific country songwriter. Only the strong survive (an American hit for Jerry Butler) is a Gamble-Huff song - these two went on to major songwriting success with Philadelphia International. Other fine covers include I'll hold you in my arms, I'm moving on, It keeps right on a-hurting, Gentle on my mind and Long black limousine.

This is certainly one of Elvis Presley's finest albums, with or without the bonus tracks, although it is worth noting that all the tracks can be found in the boxed set, From Nashville to Memphis, which contains all Elvis' studio recordings of the sixties except his soundtrack and gospel recordings.

If you are an Elvis fan but don't want (or can't afford) the boxed set, you should definitely add this to your collection.

Classic Elvis album
A classic Elvis Presley album, and indeed one of his all-time greatest, "From Elvis in Memphis" presents the harvest of two recording marathons in early 1969 at Chips Moman's American Studios in Memphis. Following hot on the heels of the '68 Comeback Special, the Memphis sessions produced a string of hits and sterling cuts, which helped to reestablish Elvis as one of the leading figures in rock culture. Even now, some 35 years after date, there isn't a weak number on this disc, with Elvis returning to his roots of blues, rhythm 'n' blues, country and gospel, and blending it all into his charateristically eclectic mix, as only he could, yet with a force and conviction which hadn't been heard for years. The way he turns the old Eddy Arnold country hit-tune "I'll Hold You In My Heart" into a powerful blues cut which doesn't let go, is just one example. The opening "Wearin' That Loved on Look", "Long Black Limousine", "Power Of My Love", and "Any Day Now" are by any standards magnificent achievements.
For the current CD release six more songs from the Memphis sessions (the hits "Suspicious Minds", "Kentucky Rain", "Don't Cry Daddy", among others) were added.
Highly recommended. ... Read more

Asin: B00004T0UT
Sales Rank: 19725
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Progressive Country    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll    6. Rockabilly    7. Traditional Country    8. United States of America   

Memories: The '68 Comeback Special
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 October, 1998)
list price: $29.98 -- our price: $26.99
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Features

• Live
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (29)

****1/2. Presley at his best
This two-hour reissue is sort of a companion volume to MCA's September, 1998 disc "Tiger Man", which contains the complete set from the second of two concerts given by Elvis Presley on June 27, 1968.

It is pretty much just an expanded version of the original "NBC TV Special" album, featuring almost two dozen previously unreleased takes, including several alternates, which means that "Baby, What You Want Me To Do" is here in five (!) different versions.
That may be a bit too much for some, but the quality of the music is high all the way through. I am particularly fond of the tunes recorded with just a small group which includes 50s band members D.J. Fontana and Scotty Moore, and it is very enjoyable to hear Elvis Presley playing and singing with such conviction...he even plays a pretty mean R&B-styled rhythm guitar!

A must-have for Elvis fanatics, casual Elvis fans should also find this 35-track double CD to their liking. Most of the best-known classics are here, including "Heartbreak Hotel", "That's All Right Mama", "Jailhouse Rock", "Trying To Get To You", "Hound Dog" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", as well as several slightly lesser-known (but often very fine) songs, such as "One Night", "Guitar Man" (in a medley with "Trouble"), and "When It Rains It Really Pours".

I don't own very many Elvis Presley-albums, and I'm not really that big a fan. But if you only ever get one Elvis-CD, make sure you get either this one or the original NBC Comeback Special soundtrack. This is Presley at his best and most accessible.

Elvis at His Absolute Best
Forget the Sun recordings or the 1969 Memphis sessions -- this is Elvis Presley's best work. When John Lennon said that "Elvis died after he went into the Army," he obviously didn't see or hear the historic Comeback Special. Lennon and the Beatles never came close to capturing the raw power of Presley's 1968 performance -- nor has any other rock artist. "Memories" is an indispensible two-CD document of this legendary show. The highlight is an informal session on Disc 2 in which Elvis sings with passion and fury. More than 35 years later, Presley's performance is astonishing -- the King not only earned his crown, but reinvented his music in the process.

10 stars... at least
One of rock's greatest performances. This is a MUST OWN for any Elvis fan. The sound quality is amazing, and everyone knows the performance if phenominal. Outstanding set. ... Read more

Asin: B00000D9VY
Sales Rank: 2799
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Rock    4. Rock & Roll    5. Rockabilly   

Live At The Roxy Theatre
by Oglio Records
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 June, 2001)
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Editorial Review

"Brian is Back!" It's taken decades, but that once sadly ironic press agent's epithet has finally come true. The intervening quarter-century may have devastated Brian Wilson's mind and body, and band and family, but, as this double-disc live recording/love-fest ably demonstrates, his soul and music burn on. Backed flawlessly by a 10-piece band (including L.A. pop revivalists the Wondermints) of fervent loyalists, Wilson and company march joyously through the Beach Boys' hits-laden catalog, from "Surfer Girl" through "Good Vibrations" to the cream of Pet Sounds, a handful of the legend's solo works, and a gratifying surprise or two (including a delicious, inside-out-ironic cover of Barenaked Ladies' laid-back "Brian Wilson" that segues hauntingly into the all-too-autobiographical "'Til I Die"). If cynics have chosen to deride Wilson's mature voice (as steady and expressive as it's been in decades) and general oddness (here revealed for what it often truly is: a playfully off-center sense of humor), they do so at the peril of ignoring his vast contributions and continuing influence--and the spark of undimmed genius that still holds so much promise. Make no mistake, this show was not about nostalgia, but rather a celebration of music whose performances sound completely in the moment. Previously available only as a Wilson Web site exclusive, this expanded edition includes an audio interview with Brian at the piano, as well as two bonus tracks--"Sloop John B" and the rousing encore sing-along "Barbara Ann"--that help further underscore a hopeful notion: Brian is really back. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (47)

Brilliant live set from a living genius.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Brian Wilson began touring in the late '90s, and his shows became everything the Beach Boys were not-- a celebration not of surf and cars and fun in the summer, but of genius, digging below the hits and unearthing many gems.Backed by a supportive and brilliant band, the music on these two CDs, taken from two nights at the Roxy in Los Angeles, is brilliant.

The credit largely goes to Brian's band, the core of which is the L.A. pop band the Wondermints-- a superb group of musicians, and former Beach Boys touring bandmember Jeffrey Foskett, who largely sings Brian's falsettos.Brian's vocal range has contracted a bit over the years, and the vocal arrangements are structured for him to sing all the leads.While his voice is weak and occasionally goes off key or misses notes, its still got enough of that magic to carry itself.

The set is amazing-- from the opener, bizarre 1965 single "The Little Girl I Once Knew", the energy level is high, the performance is filled with obscure gems such "This Whole World", "Kiss Me Baby", "Please Let Me Wonder" and "'Til I Die" (the latter is a powerful and moving rendition), hits ("California Girls", "I Get Around", "God Only Knows", "Good Vibrations"), a couple "Pet Sounds" instrumentals, and a pair of new songs.

Now mind you, Brian's sort of odd mannerisms, accentuated moreso during these early shows, are there, but they're easy enough to ignore, and really, the performance is top notch.This is very highly recommended for any Beach Boys fan.

An introduction to Brian Wilson
I am not a traditional Beach Boys fan at all.I won tickets to see Paul Simon in concert.Although I am a Paul Simon fan, my wife and I were surprised when we heard that Brian Wilson was the "back up" band.I thought to myself, we should check the Brian Wilson set out.He should have been the "headliner"...as much as I like Paul Simon, the concert highlight was Brian Wilson and his band.I immediately became a fan and bought this cd release.The cd has a nice mix of songs and the band and Brian Wilson put on a good show.He even makes a little fun of his own personal past "lying in bed just like Brian Wilson did"...

Brian's Back With A Vengeance
After years of personal struggle, storied Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson offically reemreged from his shell with "Live At The Roxy". This is by far Brian's best solo release, spanning 2 discs of his classic music, both solo and with The Beach Boys.

Disc 1 begins with a fiery take on "The Little Girl I Once Knew", one of the many obscure Beach Boys numbers featured here. What follows is a lare group of gems spanning nearly 40 years of music - "This Whole World", "Don't Worry Baby", "Kiss Me Baby", "California Girls", "Surfer Girl", "In My Room", "Add Some Music To Your Day", and "Please Let Me Wonder". Also, a new recording written in 1983 but not heard until now, "The First Time", is also included, and is one of Brain's all - time best compositions. Also, it's nice to hear him shy away from the ballads and rock out on "Do It Again" and "I Get Around". Also included is an interview with Brian that is short and sweet.

Disc 2 begins with Brain making a satire out of hunself, performing a cover of the Barenaked Ladies song "Brian Wilson". This immediately segues into the chillling "'Til I Die", perfomed so seriously that it makes one wonder if Brain really has recovered from his emotional problems. He bouncs back with a scorching rendition of "Darlin'". A few songs later, he does a heartwarming rendition of "God Only Knows". Then comes the heartbreaking "Lay Down Burden", his tribute to Carl Wilson. The mood swiftly changes with a cover of "Be My baby", to me the definitve version of the song. "Good Vibrations' bbrings the house down. It's almost as if you're there. "Caroline, No" endures thanks to his vocal work. "All Summer Long" glides along a caefree way with the blissful vibes. The haunting ballad "Love And Mercy" is also in its definitve version, shying aay from the technology used on the album version. Two bonus tracks add to the excitement of the album: an escapist rendition of "Sloop John B." and a thrilling "Barbara Ann" brings the set to an explosive close.

I think this cd shoudl be bought by anyone who likes music as much as I do. It's possibly the greatest live album ever made. Brian clearly is over his problems, and this cd shows his positive outlook on life. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JRWZ
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Rock   

Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live
by Sanctuary Records
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 June, 2002)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Rock music has rarely benefited from aging veterans revisiting their glory years in a live setting--witness Roger Waters's disastrous run through Pink Floyd classics on In the Flesh. But Brian Wilson is the exception, primarily because he has virtually remained the same wide-eyed pop fanatic he was in 1966, when he initially released his teenage symphony to God, Pet Sounds. The live version of the Beach Boys classic, recorded in January of 2002 at Wilson's four sold-out shows at London's Royal Festival Hall, hardly sounds like secondhand goods. Despite the potentially sacrilegious risks, Wilson's 10-piece touring band--which includes members of the Wondermints and the former Beach Boys session players--actually revitalizes the music with its reverential-but-contemporary verve, breathing new life into classics like "God Only Knows" and "Caroline, No." Chuck the CD cover aside and it merely sounds like you are listening to a newly remastered version of the real thing.--Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (42)

Fantastic performance!
Who would ever imagine that a studio album's complete line up would be reprised live from the first to the last track? Ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson brilliantly performs every song from the Beach Boys' PET SOUNDS album,released on Capitol Records in 1966. Over thirty-five years later,these songs sound exactly like or similar to the studio recordings. Of course,Wilson had a back-up band since he couldn't play all the instruments all by himself. That would be silly and impossible. Why didn't he elect the other surviving Beach Boys Mike Love,Alan Jardine and Bruce Johnston to join him in the making of this album? I suppose that with the eternal absences of Brian's brothers Carl and Dennis,they couldn't be the band their fans once knew and loved. But still,this is a fantastic performance recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It's as if the Beach Boys recorded this in 1966 or '67,promoting PS.

Great, but lacks the power it had live.
This disc, culled from recordings over four days, is exactly what it says it is, "Pet Sounds" performed live by Brian and his band.No more, no less.Really kind of a shame that the rest of the show was not included, but rather we only got the performance of "Pet Sounds".However, ignoring that, let me talk about the performance itself.

There's not much to say about Brian's band that hasn't already been said-- they're top notch, they sing magically, they've got full command of their instruments, and they approach the material with a reverence and sensitivity that supports Brian well.For his part, Brian's voice is strong-- not quite what you want it to be, but the guy *IS* 60.Some songs have to change key for his voice, but he does a great job overall.The backing vocals are perfect-- these guys had been on the road for several years now and there wasn't much they couldn't sing together.

The arrangements are pretty close to the original-- there's a couple deviations (other than the key changes), a slight backing vocal in "Don't Talk" being the one I can think of off the top of my head, but it sticks pretty close.The album itself is genius, there's not much to say about the music that I can't say already.

One more thing to be said-- live, this was incredible.The audience was in awe, really.Emotions ran rampant, the album that spoke to all of us was in front of us.I don't think any document can accurately capture that.Having said that, I'm glad to have it.

Really, its a fun, engaging performance, but seek the studio album if you don't have it.If you do have it, this is a great record, but I'd recommend getting "Live at the Roxy" in conjunction with it so you can hear what else Brian and his band have to offer.

A Rock Fan's Dream Come True
This is truly a fantasy come alive. Brian Wilson, the man who created what many believe is the greatest album of all time, performing that masterpiece live in concert. It sounded to good be true. And yet, it did happen. And better yet, it was captured on cd for the whole world to hear.

The songs are played in the same order as the original album. It begins with a powerhouse rendition of "Wouldn't It Be Nice". Brian seems to be enjoying himself here, and you could never tell that this man had a nervous breakdown when you listen to the performances on this album. "You Still Believe In Me" sounds almost exactly like the studio version, minsu applause and the obvious change in Brian's voice. "That's Not Me" is better than the album version. Though Mike gave a good rendition of the song on the album, Brian make the song his. "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" is heartstopping. Brian has some trouble with the high notes, but otherwise gives a flawless performance. "I'm Waiting For The Day" is again better than the album version. I especially love the intro this song, it's so upbeat and snappy. "Let's Go Away For Awhile" is done well, but the "Live At The Roxy" version is better. "Slopp John B" and "God Only Knows" are so good, they're worth the entire price of the album on their own. Following those two perfromances is a crackerjack "I Know There's An Answer". "Here Today" is lightyears better than the album version. It becomes a perfect pop/rock song, and Brian sounds amazing. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" is done well, and you can feel Brian's emotion as he says each word. "Pet Sounds" is wonderful, and the closing "Caroline No" is electrifying.

There's nothing more to say about how great this album is. It cannot get any better. Hopefully, Brian will release an album from his current "Smile" tour. ... Read more

Asin: B000067OYY
Subjects:  1. Chamber Pop    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock   

Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (12 June, 2001)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Editorial Review

Classic E.L.O. music has always been stuck in its own retro-futuristic time warp of recombinant pop. Inside that image of E.L.O.'s spaceship (here updated without the 8-track docking bay), one imagines a ye olde discotheque stuffed with Beatles mannequins and powered by pump organ synthesizers. The genius of Jeff Lynne is to fuse kindergarten rock & roll, ultra-Liverpudlian choruses, and faux-symphonic instrumentation with a pop that's both sappy and supple. With only a few duff tracks, this timeless, invigorating disc is a rocking, left-field surprise. Talk about a comeback--Zoom is nothing short of a revelation for fans of this critically underappreciated group. Lynne sings on the opening cut, "Alright," that "You've got to hold onto something that you believe / Hold onto something that makes you feel alright," and the entire album bears this out with grace and wit. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (213)

Looks like an E.L.O. album, sounds like an E.L.O. album...
...but is it really an E.L.O. album?

Looking through the reviews here, the answer to that question seems pretty debatable.

A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that Jeff Lynne WAS E.L.O.While I don't deny that he was the genius of the group, I think saying that he (and only he) WAS E.L.O. sort of sells the other members of the original band very short. You've got to give credit where credit is due, and the original E.L.O. had some very talented members.

It would have been nice if they had been on this album...but the album doesn't suffer all that much from their absence.

ZOOM is full of very sold, very good songs! I just recently got it and I'm finding myself listening to it A LOT - and also a lot more than I thought I'd be. I'm sort of kicking myself now for not picking it up when it was originally released.

Is it the same E.L.O. from the 70's and 80's? No, of course not. But does that really matter? What matters most is the music. And with ZOOM we're all getting a lot of really great music.

Here's hoping this isn't the final E.L.O. album. It's so good that it leaves you wanting more.

Don't keep us waiting too long, Jeff.

A disappointment but every comeback can't be brilliant
As a Jeff Lynne album, this would get 4 stars.But as an ELO album - it just doesn't sound like the ELO I know.There are some very nice tunes here - it never really gets going though.Where's the orchestra?Where's the 40-voice choruses chanting nonsense syllables over a discofied Beatles riff?It doesn't have the innovation and originality that were the hallmark of ELO, and it's really missing Bev Bevan's power drumming.It's just a bunch of songs written by Jeff Lynne, like their Balance Of Power album.A lot of people think Jeff Lynne is 100% of ELO.This album proves he's more like 60% - he might write the songs and direct everything, but the sound of a REAL band of HUMAN players chugging along cannot be duplicated with computer recording and multitracking.Good (actually, great) songs - 'Long Time Gone', 'Really Doesn't Matter', 'Just For Love', and the less musical but notably edgy 'Lonesome Lullaby' (explaining why Bev Bevan isn't on the album).Where he tries to rock out - 'Alright', 'State of Mind' - it comes off as third rate Wilburys.

A: Zoom. Q: What is the sound of Jeff Lynne visiting Earth?
Zoom. It really is ELO Alright. Listening to it is like spending A Moment in Paradise. This album picks up right where Jeff left us with Balance of Power. I haven't heard Armchair Theater yet, nor have I heard Part II (and most likely never will), but those who claim this isn't ELO must be the same who say Secret Messages and Balance of Power are not good ELO albums. It's really just a matter of your State of Mind. It seems to me this album must have been made Just For Love, as it sure isn't bound to ever make any Easy Money. It's as if Jeff Lynne has found out It Really Doesn't Matter At All, and he's been making this In His Own Time. ELO has been Long Time Gone, and I dare say it's an Ordinary Dream of true ELO fans that it won't be as long until the next time that friendly Stranger visits our Quiet Street, and sings another Lonesome Lullaby from his home planet of timeless (timeful?) dreams while (before?) we are Melting in the Sun.
Some reviewers describe Lynne as a "poor man's McCartney". I'd say he's a poor man's John Lennon and George Harrison as well, and I'm a quite happy poor man.

Five stars. This is ELO: post-temporal (well - post-TIME) ELO, but none the less; that's not bad, only different. I prefer the different to the indifferent and I want more! "Seems like forever and Time left to spare", Jeff: don't wait forever, if there's any Time left in you: share! ... Read more

Asin: B00005KG66
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock   

Live at the Royal Albert Hall (with Bonus Disc)
by Steamhammer Us [Spv]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 July, 2003)
list price: $24.98 -- our price: $6.99
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Editorial Review

The Who wrapped up their 2000 World Tour--possibly their final wave of the Union Jack hankie now that John Entwhistle has died--with this red-carpet Teenage Cancer Trust charity shindig at the Royal Albert Hall. Time has taken its toll on some of the Who's more splenetic sensibilities; there are times when Roger Daltrey sounds too seasoned and contented to muster much in the way of vocal vitriol. But the old grumblers can still sound enthusiastically cross. While few live albums rival Live at Leeds for impelling urgency, Live at the Royal Albert Hall has added curiosity value by virtue of the contributions from a slew of younger and famous devotees, including Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller, Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Kelly Jones, and Kennedy. Not to be upstaged by younger bucks, the Who sound positively regal on "Won't Get Fooled Again" and as feral as rutting tigers on "My Generation." --Kevin Maidment ... Read more

Reviews (20)

The Who amaze me more then any other band
I started to listen to The Who, but couldnt get into them. I always heard they were the loudest band in the world. I had Tommy and Who's Next, but it wasnt till I heard a greatest hits cd by them that I started to understand. The Who's early days had some of the greatest rock/pop songs ever, then went into full fledge rock with Who's Next. Every album that I hear is not there best, still can amaze me. Pete Townshend is a guitar god, his playing on this cd is simply jaw dropping. Van Halen, Young, Slash, Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Townshend needs to start getting noticed to his playing. He is simply one of the greatest guitarist ive ever heard, and i've heard them all. Roger Daltery's vocals arent as good as the 60's and 70's but still enjoyable. This cd was a steal for seven dollars, and made me realize why the Who is one of the greatest live acts of all time. I was worried seeing all the guest stars, but Townshend shines on this. I recommend this to any rock any who appericates good music.

RIP : John Erstwile and Keith Moon

Great Album For A Who Fan!
Being a Who fan, I would have to say this is one if not the best Live Albums they put out. This is due to the great selections of songs ie. Baba O'Riley, Won't Get Fooled Again, Behind Blue Eyes....etc., along with great sound and recording quality. Buy it!

4.5 Stars... Unexpectedly strong show, and great bonus CD
I have to admit I was very sceptical when I saw this release. I saw the Who last in concert in 1996 (on the "Quadrophenia" re-enactment tour) and wasn't too impressed, frankly.

"Live at Albert Hall" (3 CDs, 29 tracks, 162 min.) brings us the full benefit show from November, 2000. What stands out immediately when "I Can't Explain" kicks off CD1 is how reinvigerated the band sounds, in particular the bass playing of John Entwistle. The band simply is in great form that evening. Other highlights on CD1 are "Relay", "The Kids Are Alright" and "Who Are You". CD2 is more risky, with all the guest stars (this is a benefit show, after all). I really don't understand or like Bryan Adams on "Behind Blue Eyes", I mean, Bryan Adams on the same stage as the Who? c'mon on! Other guest spots work much better, such as Paul Weller on "So Sad About Us", Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder on "I'm One" and the Stereophonics' Kelly Jones on "Substitute". But the real highlight of CD2 is a 12 min. workout of "5:15", check out the bass solo from Entwistle! The bonus CD brings us 4 songs from the February, 2002 show at the Royal Albert Hall, the last show of the band with Entwistle, and a must for that reason alone.

I personally was appalled that the 2002 US tour went on, a mere days after the passing of Entwistle. When can you say 'enough is enough'? Meanwhile, "Live at Royal Albert Hall" is a very strong live album, highly recommended! ... Read more

Asin: B0000942K8
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Double Fantasy
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 September, 2000)
list price: $33.49 -- our price: $33.49
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Features

• Import
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (5)

Such a happy (and sad) record at the same time
This is a beautiful album. Yoko's stuff needs to be given a little time, but it really grows on you. I can assure most everyone that John's stuff is amazing, beautiful, breathtaking, etc. what you would expect from a man who seemed to have found a more content state of mind. His songs are amongst his best, and possibly everyone has heard most of them. But "I'm Losing You" is a stand-out, and "Cleanup Time" is very underrated. The production is slick and there is a vibe of happiness within this record. This is the first John Lennon album I ever got, and I automatically fell in love with his music from this point on.

There will always be people who have problems with Yoko, but she's a pretty darn good songwriter, and her music is nearly always excellent on here. Her singing...uhh...it grows on you. (Hey people like Dylan so much...he sounds even worse!) Anyway, buy this record because it is very worth it.

What Shouldn't Be
Now, I bought this album recently and listened to it several times through.This album would be really great, if ol' Yoko's stuff wasn't there.She's not exactly the greatest songwriter or singer.John's stuff on the album is great, like Cleanup Time and Woman.Some of Yoko's stuff takes some time to get used to, but they should have just put their songs on their own albums.

John's at his best and Yoko doing the best she can.
I listen to the albums I'm discussing as I write my reviews, so I'm in the middle of "I'm Losing You-I'm Moving On". Usually Yoko Ono gives me a migrane but with this album I merely grit my teeth. Strangely enough, after hearing Yoko's songs, they grow on you a bit. "Kiss Kiss Kiss", for example, isn't much different from some of the music you hear in modern Japaneese animation. "I'm Moving On" would be a great piece if it were recorded by someone who can pronounce words clearly while singing emotionally or at least someone who doesn't wrap up the track with a bird or monkey call. John's music is mellow as compared to his 1970's songs, and quite similar to Paul McCartney's solo work at that time. "Double Fantasy" should be considered only 1/2 of a John lennon album. and credit given to Yoko for filling up the other half with occasionally pleasing songs. I remember back in the late 1980's, I was mixing cassette tapes to be played on my car stereo. I took some of John's tracks from this album, Some tracks from Paul McCartney's "All My Best", George Harrison's post Beatles song "All Things Must Pass" and Ringo Starr's "It Don't come easy", blended them all together on a single tape and labelled it "The Beatles: Together Again?". I'm considering doing the same thing with my CD's of these albums and adding the bonus track "Help Me To Help Myself" as a Wild Track ala "Her Majesty" on The Beatles "Abbey Road". ... Read more

Asin: B000051TBB
Sales Rank: 170527
Subjects:  1. Pop   

Tug of War
by EMI Int'l
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 October, 1998)
list price: $24.49 -- our price: $24.49
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Features

• Import
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (10)

Go Ahead On And Get It
Now if you ask me, and plenty of Stevie Wonder fans do now and again, this here album by Paul McCartney features one of the best Stevie Wonder duos of all time, namely "Ebony and Ivory." This Tug Of War Album gave us a grand total of five singles and remained on the charts for a whopping 29 weeks, and at the #1 spot for three. This isn't the best showing for a McCartney album, but then again any McCartney album usually sells a whole passel more than then next best performer. The other singles lifted off this here album are "Take It Away," and "Get It," as well as "Dress me Up As a Robber."Not bad for a man many were writing off at the time as past his prime.

A lot of folks here about were writing me off as past my prime here a while back, and then I went ahead on and won me the Tri-County Hog Callin' Contest, the Chesterfield County Yodeling Championship, the Cow Pie Toss at the County Fair, and the much coveted Road Kill Recipe Sweepstakes. We don't actually cook up road kill, it's just a traditional contest whereby folk around Chesterfield County make up outlandish recipes for road kill and post them in the Chesterfield County Gazette every April 1st. It's a traditional around these parts, but we don't actually cook up the stuff and we certainly don't go in for eatin' none of them dead critters. Anyway, I won all these things in quick succession and felt like I had kind of made me a comeback like Sir Paul... who just keep going strong even after shedding the Beatles AND Wings and also after getting roughed up in them business arrangements with Michael Jackson. They way I see it, if he can keep coming back strong then he ought to be a shining example to all of us as a model of perseverance and creative integrity.

Even if you don't particularly care for Mr.McCartney's music, I'd go ahead on and get this here album because it is so enjoyable to listen to. Plus that, it is mighty fine background noise when you are needing to think up some cockamamie recipe for road kill...which we don't actually cook and eat. Wouldn't want to get rumors started about folk in Chesterfield County. We may be rural, but we ain't hicks.

Nearly a masterpiece, and definitly four stars minimum.
"Tug of War" is one of my favourite albums but in retrospective is not as good as "Ram" or "Flowers in the Dirt" or even "Flaming Pie"...
Is firmly on the top ten Mc Cartney "solo" production and would be enjoyable for the one's wich do not know it.
INDISPENSABLE FOR MCCARTNEYISTS.

OK, I guess.
His best since "Band on the Run" (although still not even half as good.) Working with George Martin again helped. Obviously what Paul needed was a competent partner who would level with him whenever he went off the rails or settled for half baked lyrics. Not a great album but a good one. ... Read more

Asin: B000005RT9
Sales Rank: 42202
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1
by Wilbury
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $15.98
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Reviews (53)

Amazing!
I bought this album (on cassette) when it was released, and I still consider it one of the 10 best ever, even though I can't seem to find it on CD.Almost every track is brilliant, but what's most incredible about it is that it actually made me rethink my total hatred of "country" music...Roy Orbison's performance on this album made me go out and buy everything he ever recorded that I could get my hands on.And then, just like that, he was gone.I already loved the music of Harrison, Dylan, Petty, and Lynne, but this album definitely expanded my horizons.Get it any way you can!

Unique and brilliant...
Regardless of anything else, the Traveling Wilbury's line up of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison & Jeff Lynne made the group a major musical landmark. And, unlike most similarly "stellar" combinations, this one really worked. With no name checks and no individual writing credits anywhere in sight they clearly meant business in integrating themselves into a genuine "group" structure, and it shows because they play & sing as a tight, wholly complementary unit. But above all, what makes their first album so good is the sheer quality of its songs. With only a couple of exceptions they lay down an excellent set of "good time" rock music that really does bring out the best in the huge array of talent on offer, including the superb "Handle with Care", "End of the Line" & "Not Alone Anymore".

Unique, brilliant and in the end short-lived, "Volume 1" is their only recording that includes Roy Orbison's wonderful vocals. Find it, buy it and revel in one the best albums of the 1980's.

No egos, just great music!
Most supergroups are short lived, and this one is no exception.What is an exception, however, is the lack of the infighting and ego-trips that usually scuttle such get-togethers.With the Traveling Wilburys, it seems that the musicians themselves take a back seat to the music.Every song writing credit is to "The Traveling Wilburys", and even the artists go so far as to use fake names, such as Lefty (Roy Orbison), Charlie T (Tom Petty), Lucky (Bob Dylan), Otis (Jeff Lynne), and Nelson (George Harrison).

All of the musicians blend seamlessly together, with each artist taking his turn at the microphone, each one giving a fantastic performance, from George Harrison on "Heading for the Light", to Roy Orbison on "Not Alone Anymore", on down the line, with all of the members equally contributing on the album's quintessential song, "Handle With Care".Of particular note is Jeff Lynne (Otis Wilbury), who does a superb job of producing the album, as well as playing on almost all of the tracks.Although Lynne is known from his work with the Electric Light Orchestra in the 70's, he is by far the least well known in this group of legends, and he seems to hold his own well in this pantheon of stars.From a song standpoint, this is one of the few albums that I own where I don't skip any songs at all.Each song is very well written, and the album flows seamlessly together from one song to the next.

It's a shame that this group had to be so short-lived, but the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long, and this candle burns so very brightly! ... Read more

Asin: B000008LOV
Sales Rank: 103
Subjects:  1. Pop/Rock    2. Rock   

Reunion
by Motown / Pgd
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 October, 1994)
list price: $9.98
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Reviews (3)

I expected more
Okay, let me just say that after actually being fortunate enough to see the Temptations' Reunion two times in 1982, I got the chance to witness something that I had missed back in the day because I was way too young to remember: Eddie Kendrick(s) and David Ruffin once again in the group that made their names famous. That in itself was a treat. They were absolutely AMAZING to see!!

This is why I can't comprehend just WHY Motown did not give the guys better material and promote the accompanying tour more! The best song on REUNION is undoubtedly the ten-minute long funk anthem "Standing On The Top" (written and produced by Rick James) - with "You Better Beware", an upbeat ballad,as a close second. Okay, I could understand the Smokey Robinson contributions to this ("Backstage, "More On The Outside"), because he was the producer who gave the Tempts their first big hits, but these tunes were clearly not some of Smokey's finer works. The other songs ("Lock In The Pocket", "I've Never Been To Me", "Money's Hard To Get") are mediocre, so-so, non-memorable stuff that the group recorded during this time period. Because I own the original vinyl that only had seven songs on it, I have not had the opportunity to hear the last two extra cuts that are on the CD ("Like A Diamond In The Sky", "Don't Hold It In"), so I can't make any judgment on them. So for the most part, my review is based on the original LP issued in 1982.

The choice of some of the songs and the lead vocalists on this album is questionable. You have to wonder just why, other than Rick James, no other popular contemporary Motown act (Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder in particular) was recruited to contribute material towards this project. Those guys were very hot during that time, and it seems logical to me that songs written and produced by Richie and Wonder could guarantee more than just one hit song from this album. Nor could Motown retrieve Norman Whitfield's services to participate on this?? Shame on them. Any Tempts fan KNOWS that it was Whitfield's production that successfully carried the group for years throughout their transitional periods (personnel changes and musical tastes).

Dennis Edwards is the featured vocalist on about 90% of the songs ("Standing On The Top" is a group lead), whereas not making it any different from any other Temptations LP that came out since he joined the group. I really love Dennis, don't get me wrong, but why did David only have ONE lead ("You Better Beware", an excellent performance by him) and Eddie had NONE?? Come on, now! Those two guys were the most popular and celebrated leads the Tempts ever had, and this is how a "reunion" with them is celebrated?! If it weren't for them having their picture on the album cover, would anyone even know that they were there?

Overall, I was expecting a lot more. The opportunity to make this a great and memorable event was missed, and REUNION turns out to be a disappointment. The whole project was just handled badly. As I said, "Standing on the Top" is the big attraction here, and if you can get your hands on "You Better Beware" too, then that's really all you need.

PRICED TOOHIGH
I LOVE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING BY BRINGING EXCELLENT MUSIC TO YOUR CUSTOMERS. BUT, THE PRICE ON THIS CD IS JUST TOO HIGH TO BUY.

never been to me
this song speaks of life at its best, your ups and downs and helps to take stock of one self. there's a African saying that says the ins and outs of a road is enquired from those who have since travelled it. ... Read more

Asin: B000001ALO
Sales Rank: 295920
Subjects:  1. Motown    2. R&B    3. Soul   

Run Devil Run
by Capitol
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 October, 1999)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

Whenever Paul McCartney's storied life has hit personal or professional hard times, he's wisely returned--figuratively and literally--to his musical foundations. In the Beatles' final, troubled days, it was Get Back, the aborted return-to-roots project salvaged as Let It Be, and during his late-'80s solo doldrums it was the '50s rave-up CHOBA B CCCP (a.k.a. the "Russian Album"). In the wake of Linda's passing, McCartney "gets back" to a motley dozen '50s hits, B-sides, and obscurities, and pens three surprising originals that neatly fit their mold. Using a band of seasoned British vets (including Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour and Mick Green from Johnny Kidd & the Pirates on guitars, and Deep Purple's Ian Paice on drums) whose own unbridled affection for this music radiates from every track, McCartney tackles the familiar (Gene Vincent's "Blue Jean Bop," Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up") and unfamiliar (the Vipers' UK skiffle hit "No Other Baby," Carl Perkins's "Movie Magg") alike with enthusiasm, if not slavish devotion, as witnessed by his nifty zydeco revamp of Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man." The Mac originals "Try Not to Cry" and "What It Is" (and the choice of Ricky Nelson's "Lonesome Town") seem to deal not-so-obliquely with his love and loss, yet are delivered with an upbeat confidence that seem to belie his mourning. In the end, Run Devil Run may be as much personal exorcism as it is loving musical recapitulation, and McCartney is in peak vocal form throughout. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (291)

Rock Devil Rock
George Harrison spoke about the Devil's Radio.On this album, the Devil is rocking harder than ever.Paul covers a lot of old '50s music, but only has three new songs.Paul had attempted this before, with his Russian album."Run Devil Run" blows that one away.Paul has a tight, hard-rocking band behind him, and his versions of the old '50s songs are awesome.I've tracked down many of the original versions of these songs, and I find that in most cases, Paul's versions are better.I especially liked his versions of "No Other Baby," "All Shook Up," and "She Said Yeah."I also recommend Paul's "Live at the Cavern Club" DVD for live versions of many of these classics.

McCartney still got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After all this years this genious from Liverpool , Sir Paul McCartney still got it!!!!!!!, is so refreshing and so inspiring for everyone that even way after the middle age , someone can still surprise the whole world with energy, youth in the heartand inconditional love for rock and roll, specially if then recent sad events in Mr McCartney s life happened like his wife Linda McCartneys death and former bandmate George Harrison loss , but Sir McCartney still can recover to continue with life and writte some more pages in rock n roll history and offer to the world more amazing music. collaborations are also the best of the best, Ian Pace from Deep Purple in drums, David Gilmour from Pink Floyd in guitar and of course Mr McCartney returning to his first love , bass guitar, a collection of classic songs , some very well known and other songs rescued from the very early days of rock and roll movement , a must have if you like to listen the roots of the best music genre in our age.
HM
HM

Macca's best album in years
Paul McCartney's first album since 1997's Flaming Pie entitled Run Devil Run was released in October of 1999.
The album was Paul's first since the death of wife Linda in 1998.
The album was made at the urging of Paul's good friend, Pink Floyd guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour. In March of 1999, both Paul and Dave(whom Macca had been friends with since the recording of Dark Side of the Moon and a huge Floyd fan and predicted that Pink Floyd would become huge back in 1967) got together with Deep Purple skin basher Ian Paice, former Johnny Kidd guitarist Mick Green and 70s one hit wonder Pete Wingfield on keyboards and recorded Run Devil Run at Abbey Road Studios in London.
Paul co-produced the album with Chris Thomas(whom worked with Paul on 1979's Back to the Egg and had worked with Dave on Dark Side and The Division Bell).
Run Devil Run kicks off with Paul's take of Blue Jean Bop which is at first Paul singing with his bass then Ian comes in with the drums, then Mick comes in with his Fender Strat and lastly Dave using his Fender Esquire Telecaster(the same one that Dave had pictured on his About Face album). She Said Yeah is next and was excellent. The two Elvis covers of All Shook Up and I Got Stung are excellent. The former is sped up with some drums by Dave Mattacks who played drums on this track and Macca's original Try Not to Cry. Other highlights are Lonesome Town with Dave doing a killer guitar solo showing his guitar playing hasn't gone soft in recent years, Little Richard's Shake a Hand, the title cut(a Macca original), What it Is(another Macca original) and the closing Let's Have a Party which had Dave and Mick trading leads in the middle.
The album was modestly received hitting #26(not bad considering competing in a N' Sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguliera music world). This was the best covers album ever and is rivaled by the recently released Rush album Feedback. ... Read more

Asin: B00001QGPH
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Rock    4. Rock & Roll   

Freedom
by Warner Brothers
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 September, 1989)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Freedom was Young's return to form after almost a decade of electronic experiments and mediocre novelty music. "Rockin' in the Free World," a howling anthem about homelessness, depression, and drug dealing, bookends the album--and, in 1989, proved the singer/songwriter hadn't completely dropped into obscurity. The romantic ballads ("The Ways of Love"), grunge-predicting guitar-rockers (a siren-screaming version of "On Broadway"), and one amazing, punk-like story-song ("Crime in the City [Sixty to Zero, Part I]") constitute Young's strongest writing in years. --Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Don't Cry
It's worth it for 3 songs - "Don't Cry," "Someday" (a song about Erwin Rommel!Maybe he'd been reading one of those Time-LIfe WW II books or something...) and "Rocking in the Free World," of course.

Not one of his best
I love Neil and Freedom is a great song, but overall this album is not very strong

Good Rocker
"Keep On Rockin' In the Free World"that's the best track. Thanks to Roy in Minneapolis for taping this CD for me. It is very interesting music and one of Neil's best.

... Read more

Asin: B000002LHM
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Everything Must Go
by Warner Brothers
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 June, 2003)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

After trading their infamous two-decade hiatus for an armful of Grammies, Steely Dan breezed through the recording of Two Against Nature's follow-up in a year--near record time in the oft-tortuous Becker/Fagan sessionography. Loosening their notoriously anal retentive studio bent has yielded upbeat immediacy, an almost un-Dan-like brightness to jazzy funk and blues that snap and crackle--even if pop is obviously the farthest thing from their fevered brows. But anyone who confuses the sunny disposition of "Blues Beach" and others here with anything but an ever slyer incarnation of their trademark irony and icy veneer just isn't paying attention. Bookended by "The Last Mall" (a cool, chunky update of "Black Friday"'s apocalypse) and a bluesy, laconic title track that serves up metaphors for bankruptcies both commercial and moral, Walt and Don argue that our once fair society may well be past redemption. Better to simply close out the excess with a good blue-light special. "Godwhacker" serves jazz-head notice on no less than the almighty, whilst Becker makes his belated Steely Dan vocal bow on the slinky "Slang of Ages," daring to be termed "Newmanesque" for rhyming "netherworld" with "Duke of Earl"--if not his lugubrious, lounge-lizard delivery. Abetted by guitarists Hugh McCracken and Jon Herrington, the sax of Walt Weiskopf (and others), and synched to the playful grooves of drummer Keith Carlock, Becker and Fagan bring a deliciously detached elegance to "Green Book" and "Pixeleen"'s sharp musings on digital vidiocy, forging an album that's a cunning, symbolic reminder that the sun will shine brightest just before it explodes. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (240)

Great addition to today's music
Steely Dan is quite possibly one of the most creative, innovating, and talented groups of the 70's (though they used different musicians throughout their career). They fused jazz, rock,and blues, into a cool far from cliche sound.

The great thing about Steely Dan's music is it doesn't get boring. Everything Must Go is no exception. The music is very entertaining, and is not repetetive or old. After almost 30 years after their high point in career, they are still creating wonderful music that doesn't fail to please.

Don't get me wrong, there's no way this album is as good as classics such as Aja. However, coming from a band of this caliber that's 30 years old, this is a damn solid album. Plus, I do not think that they're still trying to achieve the genius of Aja in this album or Two Against Nature, they probably are aiming more on a mindset of creating the same old great music at a smooth pace.

Becker's bass and guitar solos are good as always, and Fagen's jazzy voice, while different from years past, is still very good. The songs are similar but different than the previous Steely Dan albums, which make this album unique like all the other ones. It's great that amidst all the rapping and junk you see in the media today, we get a classic album that sounds great to the ear and doesn't get boring.

Buy this album, regardless of your age or musical standards. It's one of those rarities of today's music that's actually well done and intelligent.

Weak Outing by Steely Dan!
I have never seen such a weak CD built up so highly by reviewers. If this thing is so good, then why is it selling at $2.68 each for a used one on here? I think died-in-the-wool Steely Dan fans would like it if one track on here was nothing but Fagan or Becker flushing a toilet. The further Fagan and Becker stray from their jazz/blues influences and towards this rinky dink, funky,poppy, sweetisie daisies sounding crap, the worse and more monotonous they get. Don't get me wronng....I'm a fan also. I think Steely Dan has written and performed some of the greatest pop tunes of my generation, but think "Kakakiriad" was the start of a steep slide downwards. Their two last releases(including this one) sound like they could have come directly off that CD. So m,any of them have the same exact beats and Becker does that same exact "chicken pickin" thing on his guitar that he started on Kamakiriad. How could someone who put out a solo CD as good as Walter Becker's be anywhere close to satisfied with this kind of material? Beats me!

almost a grammy
A definite must-look. With the exception of Becker's ridiculous pervert-cum-stoner track "Slang of Ages," Everything Must Go delivers in style.My ratings:
Last Mall= A-
Things I miss the Most= B
Blues Beach= B+
Godwhacker= A-
Green Book=A++ (the Becker "trading one's" guitar solo is alone worth the price and a very slick arrangement to boot)
Pixeleen= A
Lunch With Gina= B (weird, very Fagan-esque)
Everything Must Go= A+ (fantastic bridge, both lyrically and harmonically)
Great disc, SD. ... Read more

Asin: B0000936MD
Subjects:  1. Jazz-Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Soft Rock   

Sunflower/Surf's Up
by Capitol
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 July, 2000)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

After an acrimonious split with their original record label at the end of the 1960s, the Beach Boys moved over to Warner Bros., ostensibly to capitalize on their phenomenal early successes. But the move also coincided with band founder/creative genius Brian Wilson's burgeoning health problems and subsequent artistic abdication. That the boys were able to come up with what remain two of their more interesting albums is an enduring testament to the band's willpower. Sunflower, originally released in 1970, was a drastically revamped version of an unreleased album called Landlocked, and has an upbeat consistency that both built on the band's vocal strengths and somehow overcame schmaltzy pop and even the embarrassing, halting espanole of "At My Window." Perhaps the album's greatest revelation is the brief flowering of Dennis Wilson as a writing and singing talent, especially on the lovely "Forever." With Dennis largely succumbing to older brother Brian's demons, '71's Surf's Up is marred by cloddish efforts at agit-prop hipsterism (Mike Love's "Student Demonstration Time") and a nascent environmentalism that ranges from the naïve ("Don't Go Near the Water") to the bizarre ("A Day in the Life of a Tree"). Carl Wilson rescues the collection somewhat with "Long Promised Road" and "Feel Flows," but the album's twin jewels are both salvaged Brian Wilson efforts--the title track was one of the centerpieces of the unreleased Smile (cowritten by lyricist Van Dyke Parks and here given that album's "Child Is Father to the Man" as a glorious coda), while "Til I Die" hails from the scrapped Landlocked and remains one of Brian's most hauntingly introspective works. Both albums have been remastered on a single disc and include new liner notes by Wilson biographer Timothy White. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (81)

The great forgotten Beach Boys album plus "Surf's Up"
In England, the Beach Boys continued to be well-received post "Pet Sounds". Here in the U.S. they were dead commercially. The album reached #151 in their homeland, with its most "successful" song commercially, "Add Some Music to Your Day" peaking at #67, well out of the pop charts. It's too bad because it's the band's most successful album artistically in terms of working as a unit.

The followup, "Surf's Up", was the band's attempt to regain their credibility with the FM rock radio crowd and while not as good an album overall as "Sunflower", it contains arguably the single finest Beach Boys effort ever.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Brian's "This Whole World" is absolutely breathtaking in its innocence with great group vocals, particularly at the "Oom bop dit-dit" coda. "Add Some Music to your Day" may be the best tribute to the life quality enhancing value of music ever written. Rocker "It's about Time" blends some screachin' lead guitar and driving drums with an out-of-left field bridge that mark this as one of Dennis' best compositions. The most notable emergence on the album, though, is that of Bruce Johnston's. His melancholy "Tears in the Morning" uses interesting arrangement touches (accordion and Spanish tinged guitar and a reverb drenched piano coda) alongside a great lyric, Dennis' "Forever" has made its way into Beach Boy lovers weddings with good reason...it's one of his best ballads and a nice vocal performance.

"Surf's Up" shows Carl emerging with the gritty optimism of "Long Promised Road" (co-written with then manager Jack Rieley). The song ALMOST cause me to forgive Rieley for his faux pas later (See "LOWS"). The track really kicks in from the instrumental bridge where the trombonish sound (it's probably a Moog synth) duels with the guitar. "Take Good Care of Your Feet" is good silly fun that hides a rather avant garde production (phased vocals, heavily echoed cowbells, etc.) "Disney Girls (1957)" is Bruce's finest piece of writing ever. It's a perfect evocation of the innocence of the 50s...particularly the "Hi Rick and Dave" section. "Til I Die" is wonderfully melancholy. "Surf's Up", a Brian and Van Dyke Parks penned "SMiLe" leftover with some re-recording, is far and away the best track here: completely pictorial music and surreal lyrics. No "columnated ruins" here...just sheer majesty.

LOWS:
Dennis' "Got to Know the Woman" is a weak lyric coupled with a somewhat painful performance. As much as I like him, this one brings down the album. At the risk of being branded heretical, I'll say that "Cool, Cool Water", a cobbled together "SMiLe" outtake sounds wildly out of place on "Sunflower" and probably takes away from it. It's an astounding vocal performance but the jarring transitions don't fit in with the self-assured melodicism of the rest of the album.

"Surf's Up" could define "uneven" and contains what I consider the band's biggest "rut" ever: "A Day in the Life of a Tree". The lyric is actually good but the 'vocal' from Jack Rieley induces first laughter, then retching. Ugh. "Student Demonstration Time" is every bit as bad as other reviewers say. And more. Consider this couplet as Mike Love attempts to speak eloquently about Kent State's riots ("They said the students scared the Guard, though the troops were battle dressed, Four martyrs earned the new degree: the Bachelor of Bullets").

BOTTOM LINE:
"Sunflower" is flat out great. While not as good as "Pet Sounds", it stands alongside their great 60s albums like "Today!", "Summer Days (and Summer Nights)" or "Friends". "Surf's Up" is more uneven but if you skip the two worst tracks, it's a fine effort as well.

One of the great albums paired with an uneven effort
The material on the two albums is among the best recordings by the Beach Boys-- "Sunflower" is the great overlooked Beach Boys record and "Surf's Up" contains two of Brian Wilson's most powerful compositions, perhaps even the greatest music he has ever written.

"Sunflower" is the unique during this period in that Brian's contributions are heavily felt-- no less than seven of the nine tracks bear his name as composer, while one of them is simply awful ("At My Window", cowritten by Al, with bizarre voiceover and goofy lyrics) and a couple of them are lacking in performance ("Our Sweet Love", cowritten by Carl and Al) or lyrics ("Dierdre", cowritten by Bruce), the remainder of the material is brilliant-- "This Whole World" is a brief r&b-influenced piece with great dry harmonies and a killer lead by Carl, "Add Some Music To Your Day" and "Cool, Cool Water" (the latter being a recycled Smile song) have purely brilliant vocal arrangements, and "All I Wanna Do" is another of those "lost" great works-- incredible vocal delivery by Mike, cascading chorus harmonies, and a really sweet lyric.

The remainder of the album has one Bruce Johnston piece ("Tears in the Morning") and four Dennis Wilson compositions, including the great opening rocker "Slip On Through" and perhaps the best of Dennis' several brilliant love songs, "Forever".He also contributes two fairly straightahead rockers, the lusty "Got to Know the Woman" and another great Carl Wilson lead vocal on "It's About Time".

"Surf's Up" is a weaker album, but closes on a stunning note, two of Brian's great compositions, the absolutely unbelieveable "'Til I Die", quite possibly the best lyric of any Beach Boys song and an incredible vocal delivery to match, and the incomparable "Surf's Up", leftover from Smile."Surf's Up" is just outstanding, the galloping piano rhythms, soaring lead vocal from Carl, and circular vocals over brilliant left hand piano on the "Child is the Father of Man" tag are just breathtaking.

The rest of the album doesn't quite live up to the ending-- Jack Rieley's influence in lyrics is felt, but much of the political/environmental/health consciousness lyrics on this record (Al and Mike's "Don't Go Near the Water", Mike's rewrite of "Riot in Cell Block #9" titled "Student Demonstration Time", Al's "Take a Load Off Your Feet" and "Lookin' at Tomorrow" and Brian's "A Day in the Life of a Tree") feel inauthentic."A Day in the Life of a Tree" is actually quite a nice song, with a really magic tag, but suffers from a really weak lead vocal by Jack Rieley, and "Take a Load Off Your Feet" may well be, in my assessment the worst Beach Boys song of the late '60s/early '70s.There's a strong, although overly sacchrine Bruce contribution ("Disney Girls") and two strong Carl pieces (the great rocker "Long Promised Road" and mid tempo oddity "Feel Flows"), but noticably missing are contributions from Dennis, who pulled his songs after a disagreement.Still, a ten track album with five strong pieces and several decent or interesting ones isn't bad at all.

"Surf's Up"'s unevenness is really made up for by the power of the great songs on there, and "Sunflower" is essential.After Pet Sounds, this is the next Beach Boys stuff to get.

A mind-blowing two-fer on one CD
I would easily pay $30 each for these albums individually on CD.Thanks to the Beach Boys "two-fer" series (one of the great ideas in record label history), you can get them both on one CD for half that price.

It was on 1969's "20/20" that the other Beach Boys began to step out of Brian Wilson's huge shadow.But "Sunflower" and "Surf's Up" showed just how much talent really was present in the greatest musical act of all time.On "Sunflower," Dennis Wilson contributes the breathtaking "Slip on Through" and the heartbreaking "Forever," as well as two lesser, but still enjoyable tracks, "Got to Know the Woman" and "It's About Time."On "Surf's Up," Carl Wilson comes up with his first true solo compositions, and they're both classics of early 70s rock -- "Long Promised Road" and "Feel Flows."Bruce Johnston chips in two perfect pop confections, "Deirdre" and "Disney Girls 1957."Even Al Jardine gets in the act with the generally overlooked gems "At My Window," "Don't Go Near the Water," "Take a Load off Your Feet," and "Looking at Tomorrow."

Brian Wilson is the looming presence over these brilliant albums.It is generally believed he was uninvolved with the production of "Surf's Up" -- except for his own two contributions, "A Day in the Life of a Tree" and "'Til I Die.""'Til I Die" is heartrending, stunning -- an extroardinary, autobiographical song."Tree," to my ear (not all agree), is almost equally brilliant (though I would rather Brian had sung the lead himself instead of giving it to the band's then-manager Jack Rieley, who was not a real singer).Reportedly, the closing track, "Surf's Up," was completed by the Beach Boys from Brian's unfinished SMiLE tapes, but somehow it works, and to my way of thinking this version of the song is one of the ten greatest cuts ever recorded by anyone.

Brian appears to have been more involved in "Sunflower."The album has his stamp as a sort of "executive producer" (though some would dispute that).He contributed several incredible tracks, particularly "This Whole World" (the a capella ending is breathtaking) and "Cool Cool Water," which is unlike any other song I've ever heard, and marvelous in every way.Brian also chipped in the lovely, atmospheric "All I Wanna Do," the tender "Our Sweet Love," and the anthemic "Add Some Music to Your Day."

These are two five-star albums that show a side to the Beach Boys most casual fans would never even dream of.I cannot explain why they were not popular in their own time (at least in the US; they did better overseas).Shockingly, "Sunflower" only spent four weeks on the US album chart; its commercial failure was reportedly a devastating emotional blow to Brian in particular.Now, however, with hindsight, these albums are recognized (at least by those who know them) as among the very best the 1970s produced. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TJXS
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Rock    4. Rock & Roll    5. Sunshine Pop   

Supernatural
by Bmg/Arista
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (15 June, 1999)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.28
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Arista debut of Carlos Santana and band gives fans of the soulful guitar vet two albums in one, but it's a decidedly good-news, bad-news proposition. First, there's a fine collection of late-'90s-model Santana--tastefully tooled songs driven by Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms ("[Da Le] Taleo," "Africa Bamba," "Migra," "Primavera," and the emotionally charged instrumental "El Farol") that allow Carlos plenty of elbowroom for his passionate soloing. Then there's the collection of tracks featuring a lineup of de rigueur alternative and hip-hop stars, including Dave Matthews, Everlast, Rob Thomas, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Eagle Eye Cherry. To their credit, Matthews ("Love of My Life") and Eagle Eye Cherry ("Wishing It Was") muster enough chemistry to make the fusion work. But the rest of the collaborations feel like an unnecessary stretch to reach out to a younger demographic that El Jefe has little trouble attracting on his own terms. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (1060)

deserves its lauded success
there are a lot of great songs and collaborations on here, most notably with Dave Matthews, Rob Thomas, and Eric Clapton, who are people I have heard before and enjoyed.Many collaborations are with "artists" who I hate or have no respect for (such as the pathetic rappers; rap is extremely overrated), which weakens the album overall in my book.But there are great tunes, Carlos plays some great guitar, and it is a very celebratory fiesta album for modern times.The sharp arrangements and production make this the much loved album that it is.

Many people see fit to compare it to his older stuff, but i really see no comparison.THis is a completely different thing, very unrelated to songs like "black magic woman" and the like.This is a very accessible album; I recommend it in addition to any of his older stuff when Santana was a band, not just him.I also recommend you check out Shaman, which is just as polished (if maybe a little weaker) than this cd.

lame songs and it's grammy time
Santana motivated me to start playing guitar over 10 years ago when I saw him in concert. I bought handfulls of his releases around that time. He deserved his first grammys back in the 'black magic woman' days, but I doubt back then such music by a non-anglo would be allowed to champion the awards scene. I figure that's the only way you can explain it. How else do you explain how 'smooth' was such a hot hit? I cringed every time I came across that stupid song in my day to day life. Lots of canned music on this release and will not buy anymore Santana that are collaberations.

I'll cut Santana slack if this is a case of needing to pay the bills, but other than that, Carlos, please leave the cheesy pop music for the Britanys, Matchboxes, and Backstreets of the world.

Carlos, you are far better than that and don't need these people. Get back to Milagro, Dancing in the Flesh of Spirits, and Blues for ElSalvador. PLEASE!!

Carlos, what happened?
This is sad.Santana used to have a SOUND and PASSION.Now poor Carlos sounds like he's a gueston other peoples' albums.
The current formula seems to be, get whoever is flavor of the month ("hot") and get the whole bunch on a salable but forgettable and artistically bankrupt "product".
Of course a year or two down the line the truth is evident (Matchbox 20 anyone?).
Ditto for Shaman.
The truth is that after Michelle Branch has finally pudged out and dissapeared along with all the other pop tinsel and fluff Santana insists on "collaborating" with Carlos will still be around.Carlos, YOU are the future.PLease move on.
... Read more

Asin: B00000J7J4
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Latin Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop   

The Dance
by Warner Brothers
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 August, 1997)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Fleetwood Mac's 1997 reunion could have been the kind of event that works on video--great concert, after all--but ends up not paying off in repeated listenings on CD. But The Dance, while concentrating on the group's '70s and '80s triumphs, finds the Mac energy running high and impassioned. New songs like "Temporary One" and "Bleed to Love Her" are fine additions to the canon, while "Everywhere" and "Say You Love Me" both breeze along the way you remember them and manage a reinvention in the live setting. The dark side of the vision is accounted for with Lindsey Buckingham's crazed solo "Big Love," but best of all is "Silver Springs," wherein Stevie Nicks tears the roof off the sucker and sets fire to the rubble. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (144)

wasn't a fan till this one!
OK, kids, back in high school, a hundred years ago, all of the time i kept hearing "fleetwood mac.. ohhh" fleetwood mac this and that. oh, sure fleetwood mac.. bla bla bla. and i didn't listen to them. BUT, when i got a hold of this CD, live with the marching band (marines?) wow - i liked it! i especially like this version of "Rhiannon" (track #4) like it much better on this CD than on the original. and i like "silver springs" and all the others. my dear hubby, Norman, is laughing at me - he liked them back in high school - well, i was always a late bloomer! ha! just get it, listen to it, and dance with your sweetheart. and, give him or her a big kiss for me.

Great Live CD, depite its flaws
I purchased "The Dance" after I saw the video of the concert played during a PBS pledge drive one evening. The concernt was amazing. The live disc, not so much.

Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a great disc. But I guess without the visuals of the band in action, the recording's flaws are a little more apparent. Not to mention that the CD version is significantly edited compared to the video/DVD.

The band sounds truly great on their old stuff. I don't buy much into the critiques that Stevie Nicks has lost the caliber in her voice, as I've always loved her not for her range, but for her unique sound. That, she still has. And although I've always been somewhat ambivalent towards Christine McVie, I'd venture to say that she sounds better than she ever has on "The Dance." Moreover, "The Dance" might be worth it solely for the recording of "Tusk" and "Don't Stop" with the USC marching band. Very unique and original twist.

It's unfortunate that the producers of this CD failed to include "Gold Dust Woman", which sounded great on the video version. I can't remember if "Gypsy" was performed, but that's another that I would have liked to have heard on this disc. Adding insult to injury, the inclusion of some dubious "new material" on this otherwise Reunion-themed tour was a poor decision, in my opinion, and detracts from the overall experience.

Although I know that this is inherent in a live recording, all the band's constant chatter and story-telling wears me out. If I want the commentary, I'll watch VH-1 Behind the Music. Just play already!

The Mac Attack is back!
After a long seperation, Stevie, Lindsey, Chrissy, Mick, and John are back and they sound just as good as they did when they first appeared. They all sound great live and the collection of songs is awesome. We get four new tracks: 'Temporary One', 'Sweet Girl', 'My Little Demon', and 'Bleed to Love Her' which also appears on 'Say You Will'. They just sound like they're having so much fun. This is a great album to dance to. Stevie Nicks does a standout version of 'Silver Springs' and 'Tusk' and 'Don't Stop' are performed with a marching band. There's so much to appreciate with thi