Train a Comin
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 January, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Steve Earle's first record after emerging from artistic struggles, prison, and addiction, 1995's Train A-Comin' finds an artist starting from scratch and returning to the very basics of his musical vision. The low-key, charming, all-acoustic support comes from veterans Peter Rowan, Norman Blake, and Roy Huskey, while Earle's original material dates as far back as 1974--he wrote "Mercenary Song," he notes, while still working at Ciraco's Pizza. The mix of covers--Beatles, Townes Van Zandt, and the "Jamaican hillbilly" of "Rivers of Babylon" (with Emmylou Harris chiming in)--proves he had one primary listener in mind: himself. With no expectations thrust upon him, no labels involved, and very few at the time bothering to listen, Earle mined a raw gem. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (23)

If the Train is a'comin', I hope Earle is a'goin.'
Is this guy hoodwinking the public?I rated him one star 'cause it gets no lower than that.My take on him is that he really hails from The Bronx and puts on a contrived accent to sound like a red-neck/cracker/b-grass/hillbilly, none of which he does well.Save your money and go get the real thing from real artists of the real b-grass/South/Appalachian genre.Earle is just taking your $$$$$!

One of the great comeback albums ever
Having discovered Steve Earle for myself just after Guitar Town, I had a hard time watching and listening to him kill himself through the late eighties and early nineties.When I stumbled across this album in the new releases rack at Phil's Records I was initially afraid that it was going to be a posthumous career retrospective or another patchy live album.Well, I've rarely been so pleasantly surprised.Train A Comin' is an acoustic masterpiece recorded with a group of musicians who were well aware of Earle's destructive nature, but also of his genius.One listen will be enough to convince you that his genius reigns above all.There are no weak songs here.Even his cover of "I'm Looking Through You" by a band whose name escapes me at the moment, ;-) is a worthy listen.Steve sounds almost breezy as he effortlessly lopes through it.The surprise for me was that he wrote Travis Tritt's hit "Sometimes She Forgets", although upon listening to it I can't imagine how I could not think that he did."Tom Ames' Prayer" is my favorite on the album, both for the imagery and his phrasing.The ending is fantastic, and one can easily imagine Steve actually existing in this mindset in the midst of his drug problems.I can't recommend this album enough.Steve, welcome back to the land of the living.You can't imagine how you were missed.

Knocked me down!!!
I remember when I found this cd.It was the day it was released, and to my knowledge, Steve Earle was in prison on drug charges.The dude at the music store had this in his hand to put on the shelf, and I was like, a new Steve Earle recording?I had to buy it, but I figured it was some "outtakes" from his previous recordings which I had grew less and less fond of.

I got home, and SON!!!!New recordings!!!!Acoustic recordings!!!!Steve Earle had been up to something and didnt' even tell anyone!!!!

All the songs here are top notch bluegrassy, stringband type songs.No overblown "I want to be a rock star" songs.He covers and now has the definate version of "Tecumseh Valley."But I can't single out one song here that is better than the others.

This is the album, that to me, stands next to "Guitar Town" as the works that define what Steve Earle is all about.

Now lets just hope for another effort like this one. ... Read more

Asin: B000002NAV
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

The Austin Sessions
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 August, 1999)
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Editorial Review

When an artist rerecords the songs that brought him fame, fans have a right to be skeptical. After all, such moves are generally prompted more by a yearning to restore one's financial rather than artistic standing. This project by country maverick Kris Kristofferson, however, has one major factor in its favor: Kristofferson's original early-1970s recordings of the likes of "Me and Bobby McGee," "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33" were significant, but less than definitive. Here he returns to the tunes that helped lay the groundwork for the Outlaw movement of the '70s, but in place of the stolid Nashville arrangements on the originals is more sympathetic accompaniment. While The Austin Sessions is star-studded (guests include Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, and Alison Krauss), the project really rests on the broad shoulders of Kristofferson, who fares well. Never a threat to George Jones as a vocalist, he nevertheless sounds comfortable in a largely acoustic setting rasping his way through songs he should be prouder than ever for penning. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (38)

honest love songs
This is a great Kris Kristofferson album. These are all songs from the depth. By depth I mean the depth of experience and using that depth of experience to achieve some kind of unity of mind, body, heart and soul. The songs, and the singing of them, are a long way from the often narcissistic efforts of a lot of contemporary song.

These marvellous songs revisited are all sung with real feeling. There is no clich? here whatsover. They come from someone who has looked into himself with great honesty and arrived at some kind of self-acceptance. The feelings expressed in these songs are based on truth. Kris writes and sings songs that describe but also share in and empathise with the human condition. They are all really songs about living and loving. No easy task.

One of the all-time best singer/songwriters!
This album is definitely one of my favorites. Kris Kristofferson is a man who has been graced with many talents: singing, songwriting, and acting, just to name a few. To listen to this CD is to be amazed by one of the best country performers ever.

The songs on this album are timeless. My personal favorite is "Help Me Make It Through the Night," which is also one of my favorite country songs of all times. The desperation evident in its lyrics is moving; the same goes for "Sunday Morning Coming Down," a song you should be familiar with (Johnny Cash's version was pretty damn good, but no one sings it like the songwriter).

The haunting "To Beat the Devil" is another highlite--the only bad thing about it is that it might be true. "Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame" is a bit of a critical satire at how humanity catagorizes itself. "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33" has been given an edgier feel, while retaining the bitter struggle of a man on the edge of life. "Why Me?" is still as moving as the original; "Nobody Wins" is still as heartbreaking.

I left out some songs; I also didn't go into much detail with those I did talk about.I could go on and on raving about these songs; but the truth is, you simply need to hear them to believe them. Kris Kristofferson was given a gift: he writes what he knows, what he lives. You can hear it in his voice as he sings his memorable lyrics.

A multi-talented man who, in my opinion, hasn't aged a bit, Kristofferson is still the best singer/songwriter ever to grace country music. "The Austin Sessions" just might be one of the best country albums of all time.

Timeless Music for Young & Old from A Flaming Intellectual
When I first heard Kristofferson I was a VH1 junkie when they were showing a lot of retro shows.He performed Me and Bobby McGee on The Isle of Wight film.I was caught by the rough yet robust texture of his voice.That was seven years ago.Since then my musical tastes have expanded to include folks like Bob Dylan and Warren Zevon.Reeling from the recent deaths of Zevon and Cash, I pulled The Austin Sessions out for a listen.The comfort provided in knowing that Kristofferson is still out there pluggin' is inspiring.The songs contained in this album are essential for fans of real American music.The tunes are tough and rough but betray a sensitivity and a quality of inteligence not found in the modern day elite of Nashville.Kristofferson should be listened to by any aspiring songwriters along with Dylan, Zevon, Cash, and Lightfoot.These recordings are what American song should be about.With the state of American music in serious disrepair, the Austin Sessions and Kristofferson remind us that there was a time when the music mattered.There was a time when good poetry and tasteful chording made sense to the people.If you want to escape a world where other people try to dictate what sort of music you like, take this CD and a pair of headphones and push the money oriented world aside for 40 minutes and let the art take over.
Enjoy. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JZBX
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Outlaw Country    3. Pop    4. Progressive Country    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Not for Kids Only
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 October, 1993)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.49
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Editorial Review

An aptly named album if ever there was one, Not for Kids Only combines the talents of two legendary performers, the late Jerry Garcia, singer-guitarist of the Grateful Dead, and David Grisman, mandolinist and father of "dawg music," a melding of bluegrass, jazz, swing, Latin, and Jewish klezmer sounds. On this 1993 recording, the two devoted friends make seemingly effortless music, adapting traditional and old-time folk into a personalized sound so "homemade" (with jew's-harp and tambourine) as to inspire any child, young or old, to pick up whatever's at hand to play along. From the jaunty rhythms of "Jenny Jenkins" to the cornball humor of "Arkansas Traveler" and the laugh-out-loud lyrics of "A Horse Named Bill" ("I had a girl and her name was Daisy / And when she sang the cat went crazy"), this album, with Garcia's delightful hand-drawn cover art, tickles from top to bottom. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Good tunes
I bought this CD when it was released a few years ago, and thought it would be perfect when we had kids...We recently had a little girl and started playing the CD again and she hates it, sorry Dawg.Most songs have basic folk type of lyrics, but they all sound the same, esp to out 6 month old girl.I am a Huge Jerry fan, but found this CD a little too trendy for my taste.

Oh, my!
We sure love this album....it travels back and forth between the kids room and the living room.It's catchy enough for our 2-yr-old to sing along with and clever enough that it often makes me smile.I recommend it for everyone!

for kids of all ages
This is a great album. It's a whole lot of fun. It's really just Jerry and Dave doing a bunch of kids songs. I don't have any kids so I can't really tell you how well this goes over with little ones; but then that should also tell you how nice this album is for adults.

This album features the bluegrass, twangy sound that Garcia and Grisman became known for. It's really no different there. But unlike just about all their other albums, this one you can sing along really loud and have a blast doing it. Good stuff. ... Read more

Asin: B000003913
Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Children's Folk    3. Country    4. Country-Rock    5. Folk-Rock    6. Pop   

Anthology 3
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 October, 1996)
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Editorial Review

From the White Album to the end, the last days of the Beatles weren't smooth, which made the fact that they still produced some astonishing music all the more remarkable. In abbreviated form, "What's the New Mary Jane" is finally issued here, and proves underwhelming. For the rest of the set, it's largely down to outtakes and demos, but this time there isn't the same insight of the previous two volumes. Anthology 3 comes dangerously close to the sound of barrels being scraped. That said, it's the Beatles, and in whatever form, the music still shines brilliantly. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (91)

The most listenable of the 3 Anthology discs
Anthology 3 wraps up the series of outtakes and unreleased material from the Apple vaults and it's probably the most easily listenable of the 3, as it's more focused on alternate takes and less on incomplete runthroughs and session pieces. Some of the most revelatory material comes from early work on the "The Beatles (AKA 'The White Album') that are in some cases just acoustic demos. A couple pieces that appear here in Beatles versions were later released in drastically reworked form on solo albums.

A minor complaint crops up: As with the other Anthology CDs, the compiler has engaged in making phony "alternate takes" at times by mixing sections from one take into another and re-mixing it all into a casserole of what he/she/they imagine MIGHT have occurred. While it's occasionally interesting, it's the wrong tack to take on what was more or less marketed as a glimpse into the Beatles recording processes.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Paul's "Junk" is a beautiful acoustic lament. While it's nice on "McCartney", it's even better in the completely stripped down form that appears here. Even though it's a phony composite "alternate", the version of Ringo's "Don't Pass Me By" presented here is great. What sounds like doubletracked drums and percussion make for a very busy, somewhat dischordant sound that make it more experimental and interesting without making it "weird". It also removes the fiddle that tended to make the track a bit hokey on the official version. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is stellar with overdubbed conga drums and a better sax part, though the ending was weaker. Had they tacked the official ending onto this arrangement, they'd have had a better song than what was released. A slower "Sexy Sadie" is more impassioned (though the backing vocals are missed). An acoustic take of "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" is another highlight (yes, the Clapton solo is stellar on the White Album version, but it's great to hear this stripped back,too.) A similarly spare version of "Mother Nature's Son" is better without the drums, timpani and brass overdubs. It's only missing the Beatles vocal harmonies to make it a sweeter take than the official one."For You Blue" has some fine slide guitar from John (I'd always assumed it was George..especially since it's a "Harrisong"!) A pair of wonderful demos from George appear here for "Something" and "All Things Must Pass" (which wouldn't be released from the Beatles and instead became title track for George's 1st solo album.) Those familiar with Badfinger smash "Come and Get it" can hear that it was virtually identical to Paul's demo. The Beatles were capable of wonderful vocal harmony when they set their minds to it and hearing the 'vocals only' mix of "Because" here makes that clear. "I Me Mine" may have been the only Phil Spector misstep in his remake of "Get Back" into "Let it Be" (Spector lengthened the song by editing it together twice and overdubbed strings). Hearing the original reveals that while it's quite short, it's actually better without the embellishments.

LOWS:
"A Beginning" was a 'Yellow Submarine'-esque orchestral piece George Martin wrote to start off "Don't Pass Me By"..just what the song DIDN'T need. A plodding tempo haunts the "Helter Skelter" that's on here, while "Rocky Raccoon" is so slathered with affectation (the "hick" accent Paul uses, "Western" harmonica) that it goes from being a sort of backhanded Americana tribute into outright parody. It's fitting that Paul took it a bit more seriously on the official record (yes, I realize that after "Schminking" he's not trying..but before that he IS and the sarcastic tone was horrible). "What's the New Mary Jane?" is another audio collage a la "Revolution 9" albeit a bit more melodic. It's still only listenable as a curiousity. "Julia" is mostly instrumental, and since the song is so basic musically, hardly essential here. An outtake of the band doing Buddy Holly's "Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues" reveals they've crossed over from 'loose' to 'sloppy'. "Old Brown Shoe" is one of the worst Beatles songs to ever actually make it onto a single (B side for "Ballad of John and Yoko") and certainly didn't need to be heard in a demo version.A point of contention between Paul and Phil Spector has always been the strings and choir overdubs Phil added to "Long and Winding Road" and "Let it Be". Hearing them here in basic form, it becomes apparent how much those elements elevate the songs from good to great. Sorry, Sir Paul..Phil was right.

BOTTOM LINE:
This is the best buy of the 3 Anthologies in terms of offering you new views on classic pieces that SOUND good (rather than just "Oh, they almost did that? Well, good thing they didn't...."). The White Album demos in particular, and the origins of what would become solo material, are revelatory. You can probably find things to appreciate here if you're only a "medium" Beatles fan. (For the hardcore, the basic versions will probably seem like sacrilege.) This is the one I'll probably PLAY the most of the 3 Anthology CDs.

Garbage
What can you say about a band that is supposedly brilliant and legendary that writes a song 'Happiness Is a Warm Gun'.

Take away the hype and aura of the Beatles and what are you left with?No talent.

The Last Anthology
Remember the new album "Let it Be Naked"?Well, disc 1 of this set is sort of the same, only it's the "White Album Naked."We get to hear acoustic versions of all the great songs, including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Glass Onion," "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," and "Helter Skelter."I particularly enjoyed the outtake for "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da.""Helter Skelter is also quite interesting.Then on disc 2 we get outtakes from the "Let it Be" and "Abbey Road" sessions.Among my favorites from that set are the acoustic "Something," "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and the oldies medley of "Rip it Up," "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Shake Rattle and Roll."I have been a Beatles collector for many years, so I found this set to be spectacular. ... Read more

Asin: B000002TZ2
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. British Invasion    3. British Psychedelia    4. Folk-Rock    5. Hard Rock    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    9. Psychedelic    10. Rock    11. Rock & Roll    12. Singer/Songwriter   

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

Hot on the heels of The River, his commercial breakthrough, Springsteen's decision to release the stark, demo-quality Nebraska seems downright perverse. But the genius of the album is unmistakable--with just an acoustic guitar and his howling harmonica to back him, Springsteen tells the stories of characters walking on both sides of the law, some of them directly on the line in between. The effect is that of a powerful series of black-and-white photographs--the details are bleak in and of themselves, but they ignite the imagination in ways that are more satisfying than full-color shots would be. "Mansion on the Hill," "Highway Patrolman," "Atlantic City," and the frightening "Nebraska" are among the most sharply rendered and memorable works of Springsteen's career. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (108)

Sooo bleak, sooo real
When I first heard Springsteen as a 9 year old it was all Born In The USA and it was so overexposed that it got old real fast and made me feel a bit "over" the pseudo-celebratory crap it was used to celebrate/promote in the US.Not that the songwriter intended it that way...
Fast forward a few years and my brother picked up Nebraska.It sounded way different but I still wasn't interested.A few years ago I met a guy who raved about Nebraska in a pub in Melbourne and in a moment of alcoholic inspiration bought a copy.
A few years on and I can safely say that it is one of the best purchases I've made.The music is raw, delicate, painful and HUMAN!! A look at the sometimes seemingly pointless grind of our existence from the angles of normal people.

Simply one of Bruce's absolute best
The thing that I find very interesting about Bruce Springsteen is that he is many things to many people. There are people who enjoy coming to his concerts to hear the flat out rocker anthems such as Born in the USA and Born to Run and there are people who come to hear beautiful ballads like Incident on 57th Street, The River, If I Should Fall Behind, etc.

After the huge commercial success of The River, Bruce followed up that album with a sparse and dark record entitled Nebraska. Gone were the pounding bass,drums, and electric guitars prominent in past E Street efforts. This album was bare-bones Bruce. To be sure, this was risky stuff. The Boss could have followed up with another commercial album and cemented his reputation right then and there. But he didn't. Instead, he released this jewel of an album filled with great lyrics and great story telling. This album is so powerful that it just grabs you by the throat and won't let go. Stories of desperation and despair abound. Many of the central characters in these songs have lost their way and have found themselves on the fringes of society. As one other reviewer wrote, this is not great party music and it is not intended to be. It is bleak, introspective and chilling.

There are many great songs on this record to recommend it: Nebraska, Atlantic City, Johnny 99, Highway Patrolman, and Reason to Believe (among others). Unfortunately, it is this writer's opinion that Bruce's later efforts to attempt to duplicate Nebraska such as Tom Joad, and even the newly released Devils and Dust are second rate efforts and don't come close to the power of Nebraska. Why have lesser imitations when you can have the real thing? There will be people reading this review who will be puzzled and wonder what all the fuss is about, but this album is simply a masterpiece and is arguably one of Bruce's all time best. Give it a chance. It grows on you....

NJ bard meets Midwest Gothic
This is my favorite Springsteen albums - heck, it's one of my favorite albums.You'll never hear these songs on the radio - they're too good, or too depressing or too Midwest Gothic.It starts out with a song about a guy headed for the electric chair and things pretty much go down from there.

The album sounds like it could have been put together during the dust bowl years when farms failed and gangsters pulled three state crime spree until stopped by John Law.Things have not changed so very much.

For a guy from the Jersey coast Springsteen evokes the openness of the Midwest pretty well.If you like this album and want to check out some more tales of life in the middle look into James McMurtry (Where'd You Hide the Body is his best)
... Read more

Asin: B0000025T6
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Alternative Folk    3. Heartland Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Almost Acoustic
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 October, 1995)
list price: $17.98
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Features

• Live

Reviews (5)

A Jerry Masterpiece
This CD has incredible sound quality, and provides new and old Deadheads with melodic tracks that are complimented both by Jerry's prime vocals, and guitar playing. It's a side of music that is sometimes shown through the Grateful Dead, but perfected when Jerry goes solo.

Favorite tracks: Blue Yodel No. 9, Deep Elem Blues, I've Been All Around This World, Ripple

Recommended all fans of Jerry and his music.

Best Ever!
Not only do I think this is one of Jerry Garcia's most enjoyable moments it is also one of my ultimate all-time favorite albums in the world! This music just makes you FEEL good and I am not complete without it!!Especially check out Deep Elem and Wind & Rain!

if you like bluegrass this is for you
This disc is like a cross between jerry garcia band and Old & In the Way.Great for any fan of Jerry's. ... Read more

Asin: B000002VJP
Sales Rank: 101587
Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Folk-Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll   

March 16-20, 1992
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 August, 1992)
list price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

After ripping it up on No Depression and Still Feel Gone, their first two albums of twangy punk rock, Uncle Tupelo unplugged for this remarkable tribute--half originals, half political and religious covers--to the band's old-time influences. While the new songs of frontmen Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy are consistently strong here (especially Farrar's "Grindstone"), it's the album's haunted covers of old folksongs that are the true keepers. Tweedy's apocalyptic version of "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and Farrar's earnest readings of the beat-down "Moonshiner" and the labor song "Coalminers" are as frightening, beautiful, and passionate as anything the band ever recorded. --David Cantwell ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Solid American Genius
A phenomenon like Uncle Tupelo is at times hard to comprehend. This album solidifies them as one of the best bands of the last twenty years. Moving away from their earlier brilliant albums that meshed rock and country they bring it all home by devoting themselves to daunting and beautiful renditions of traditionals and new material. This is an obvious tribute and demonstration of where they derived their unique sound.
Haunting renditions of songs like Coalminers, Criminals and Lilli Schull do what Tupelo does best: reminds us that music is both a potent tool for protest and catharsis. Farrar's bold lyrics ironically contrast with the fatalistic topics that the songs treat.
This album is very different than their first two but the themes and motivation stay the same. They are a constant lament of loneliness, exploitation and isolation. They are songs about the system manifest in the individual. They reject the morbid romanticism that a lot of the alternative scene seems to attach to the woes of the modern man, which is in a way endorsement of the system that rejects them but gives them identity. This music is not about Tupelo. It is about man, and it is beautiful, haunting and an absolute work of genius...

DOES this cd need reviewing?
...This cd is wonderful. It's all that music should be. The acoustic simplicity, the picking, the grating voices, the poignant themes, all of them blend together to make one [heck] of a satisfying cd. As previously said, if you listen to Uncle Tupelo, you'll form a band.

But it doesn't matter, because no one (not even Wilco or Volt) will EVER be Uncle Tupelo.

On tour with Mould
read the other reviews for all the hoohah.what most of them neglect to tell is that this cd was recorded while uncle tupelo was on tour with Bob Mould, who is absolutely legendary as an acoustic performer.i missed these shows, and i'd give my left noogie to have seen them. ... Read more

Asin: B000003JYH
Subjects:  1. Alternative Country-Rock    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. United States of America    6. Urban Folk   

The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 August, 1997)
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Editorial Review

Bob Dylan has always been incredibly prolific, only releasing a fraction of what he records. Such a policy has made him a prime target for bootleggers over the years, finally prompting this sanctioned 1991 triple-disc dive into the Dylan vaults. It consists of rare tracks, unreleased outtakes, early versions of classics ("Times They Are a-Changin'," "Like a Rolling Stone," "I Shall Be Released"), and alternate versions that sometimes cut the originals ("Idiot Wind"). A measure of Dylan's depth is his list of discarded songs ("She's Your Lover Now," "Blind Willie McTell," "Series of Dreams") that would be the crown jewels of most catalogs. These 58 tracks serve as a shadow history of one of our most important artists. --Ben Edmonds ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (52)

absolutely brilliant
if you're a dylan fan, this isn't a set that you probably want to get; this is a set that you need. no one could have imagined how many BRILLIANT songs dylan had recorded that didn't make his albums. the highlights are too numerous, but i'll try to cover some of them.

disc 1:

'let me die in my footsteps' as much as any of dylan's pre-electric songs shows us why he is a great poet. it would have been a famous anthem if it were released on THE FREEWHEELIN' BOB DYLAN.
'talkin' john birch paranoid blues [live]' is hilarious before the song even starts - "and there ain't nothing wrong with this song". it's in the same vein as 'talkin' ww3 blues' & 'i shall be free no. 10'. i don't know if i'd say it's better than the other two, but i'd say it's equal to them. also, it's great to hear the crowd reaction.
'moonshiner' was not written by bob dylan. it's a traditional folk song [irish - believe - could be wrong]. one of dylan's best vocal and harmonica performances - of his entire career. it's difficult to praise this performance enough.
'last thoughts on woodie guthrie' is the only poem that dylan's ever read in public [to my knowledge]. very good poem, and i'd assume that the positive reaction it recieved led dylan to start putting his poetry in the liner notes of his albums [starting w/ ANOTHER SIDE OF BOB DYLAN]. the recording is priceless.

disc 2:

not surprisingly, his is the best disc of the set. i'll try to only highlight the very best [there's so much to highlight].

'farewell angelina' was of course given to joan baez. dylan's version is special - it's also one of his very first songs that uses surreal imagery. it's obviously nowhere near as accomplished as 'tombstone blues', 'desolation row', or 'stuck inside of mobile . . .', but it's great to see where dylan was w/ his writing.
'i shall be released' is so pained. dylan sounds likehe's crying the words. i prefer this version to the more famous version or any other version that's been recorded.
'sante-fe' is beautiful.
'if not for you' features george harrison. i usually prefer the NEW MORNING version, but it's just great to have a dylan song w/ george playing, extremely well, on it.
'nobody 'cept you' is one of my 1 or 2 favorite songs in this entire collection. it would have been the best song on PLANET WAVES if dylan decided to keep it. it's completely different from any other dylan song you've ever heard.
'call letter blues' was left off of BLOOD ON THE TRACKS. it's similar to 'meet me in the morning'.
'idiot wind' is a great alternate version. more sorrowful than the album version - less angry.

disc 3:

'angelina' is completely tripped out. the writing would fit on BLONDE ON BLONDE. the music wouldn't, but, hey, it's still a good song.
'blind willie mctell' is probably the best song in the collection. it's easily dylan's best song since the 70's. it's probably the best song by anyone since the 70's.
'series of dreams' was recorded for OH MERCY! and it, not surprisingly, has that wonderful OH MERCY! sound to it.

those are SOME of the highlights. get this.

Amazing from start to finish (including the third disc.)
Being presented as a "bootleg", the impression one gets is that this is a collection of esoteric and rejected material aimed at obsessed fans.Well, the fact is, almost everything on this release is simply top quality.I'd even recommend this to Dylan neophytes. (And if you are already a Dylan fan and don't have this yet - what are you waiting for?) Some of these songs would have been highlights on earlier Dylan albums. The most egregious lapse in this regard is the stunning Blind Willie McTell. It is a transcendant Dylan song; the kind that just stops you dead in your tracks and demands that you listen.Why on earth did he leave it off of "Infidels"?In any event, the songs in this release represent a great display of talent that should be heard by anyone who appreciates sincere, honest, heartfelt, incisive, powerful, masterful songwriting.Oh, and don't pay any heed to the reviewer who says the third disc is a waste.You are doing yourself a great disservice if you simply disregard all of Dylan's material after "Desire".(And why put the dividing line at "Desire"? "Street Legal", his next album, is also a masterpiece.)Sure, Dylan has laid some pretty big stinkers in his career, particularly beyond 1980, but rest assured, everything on this album is solid, and the third disc contains some of the best material on it.

2 out of 3 aint Bad
Discs one and two are outstanding, Nearly every song is instantly enjoyable. Disc three is dissapointing, as is Dylans career at this time 76-89(in my opinion he lost it after Hurricane.) Buy this cd if you have any interest in Dylan whatsoever, if you break it down discs one and two are definatly worth $15 a peice. The included book adds tremedous insite to the songs and is a joy to read. Very Nice Release which has earned a place of honor in my Dylan Collection (which coincedently ends at Desire in 1976) ... Read more

Asin: B000002AJG
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Harvest Moon
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (27 October, 1992)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

When Neil Young seems about to zig, he zags. Two years after 1990's loud Ragged Glory, he retreats to an old world of steel guitars, gentle folk melodies, and pristine country choruses. (That's Linda Ronstadt, who helped make 1972's Harvest a hit album, singing backup on the follow-up.) Young name-drops Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, and his old dog, King, in rich reminiscences about the musical ride he and his fans have shared since the late '60s. The album, as Young sings in "One of These Days," is "a long letter to all the good friends I've known." --Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (62)

WHEN I THINK OF A "SOLID" ALBUM...
...I think of American Recordings by Johnny Cash, The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen, A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band by Rich Mullins and the Ragamuffin Band, and this one--Neil Young's Harvest Moon. These are the four CD's (of popular music, as Amazon calls it) in my entire collection that do not have a weak song on the disc. Harvest Moon is the most laid back of the four (it is aptly named: it is the perfect CD for a lonely Autumn evening).

This CD joins the symphonies of Robert Simpson, Harvest Home by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and the two Appalachian albums put out by Yo-Yo Ma and his crew as some of my top listening material for the Fall.

Songs like Harvest Moon and You and Me are the perfect songs for reflecting about what Poe would call the "days of yore." I know this is a personal interpretation, but these songs bring to mind the seemingly endless Autumns of my teenage years. With this music on, I can picture clearly riding a ferris wheel or a tilt-a-whirl with the numerous ghosts of girlfriends past.

Old King brings to mind my own great dog--Jake--now dead and gone for more than a decade.

Natural Beauty is the one Great song on the disc. Its haunting melancholy beauty tinged with just the slightest bit of hope exemplifies the whole effect of this album. Too bad this song is scratched on my copy. (I may pony up the cash just to get this song back someday--it is that good.)

Well...so ends my reflection, my midrash on Harvest Moon. Convinced? You should at least give this album a chance--you won't be sorry.

I give Harvest Moon my highest recommendation.

Don't listen to the other reviews, Highly Overrated
This is at best a decent NY album, but it certainly doesn't deserve 5 stars.I own most of Neil's albums (including his 80s output) and this is probably the album I listen to the least.It's very accesable pop/folk, without much substance.If your not a big Neil fan and like your music easy to swallow than this is for you, but if your looking for something deeper and ultimately much better try Neil's classic 70s albums (Tonight's the Night, Time Fades Away, On the Beach, etc) or the album that came directly before this, the amazing, Ragged Glory.

If YouOnly Buy One Neil Young Album, This Is The One To Buy!
I own all of Neil's albums. So I can be biased.But this one is special.Each song on it is a classic; classic lyrics, classic sound, classic Neil.I've had to replace this Cd from wear and tear. It's the only one I've worn out. It's timeless.It's perfect. ... Read more

Asin: B000002MG4
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Country-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Harvest
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Proclaiming his intentions with "Are You Ready for the Country?" Young detoured briefly to the Nashville mainstream. On this No. 1 1972 album, even the singer's acquired-taste voice comes across smooth and beautiful--the smash "Heart of Gold," with steel guitars and Linda Ronstadt's backup vocals, is by far Young's most commercial-sounding song. His usual dissonant touches, like the otherworldly guitar in "Out on the Weekend," are less spooky in this new context. The last two tracks, the deceptively gentle "The Needle and the Damage Done" and the hypnotic rocker "Words (Between the Lines of Age)," predict "Tonight's the Night," Young's haunted 1975 classic. --Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (98)

After the gold rush, its time to reap the Harvest!
'Harvest', Neil Young's third solo studio album, released in 1972 was the follow up to Neil Young's hit album, 'After the Gold Rush' which had proven to be a great success. Neil Young himself had originally been a member of the band Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, however, following their break up, the country-styled rock star began his successful solo career. This album, made in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra quickly captured the no.1 spot of many album charts and sold in massive quantities upon its release, most notably in the UK where it was the biggest selling album of 1972. Neil Young himself labelled it the finest record that he made and many fans agree, afterall, this is one legendary record.

Canadian-born Neil Young recorded most of this legendary album in Nashville with collaboration from the great backing band 'The Stray Gators', who consisted of Jack Nitzsche (piano), Ben Keith (steel guitar), Tim Drummond (bass) and Kenny Buttrey (drums) and then he recorded the remainder of the album in England with the London Symphony Orchestra. Neil Young is an unbelievable songwriter and musician. He has a unique voice and style of playing the guitar and he writes songs of a reflective, emotive and meaningful nature. It is because of this, that he is named by bands such as Soundgarden and the Pearl Jam as 'The Godfather of Grunge' and you can see his influence in plenty of later bands, especially those during the grunge movement. What is even more remarkable about this album is that Neil Young himself had to perform most of the songs supported by a back brace to subdue a chronic back ailment he was experiencing at the time. The album barely passes the 40 minute mark but it means nothing when you consider the timeless quality of the 10 songs on the album which range from being country-folk styled to being grand, commanding and orchestral. Two versions of this classic are available, the standard remaster or the DVD compatible remaster - both contain the standard 10 track issue so you needn't worry which version you get.

So, the tracks themselves. 'Out on the Weekend' is a great country styled opener, with a great sound with lots of slide guitar in the background. 'Harvest', the title track follows this and is an idyllic, picturesque sounding track, driven by a strong piano part - Young's singing has a ramarkably innocent sound to it on this track. 'A Man Needs a Maid' is the first of the two orchestral integrated tracks - its an excellent track which builds up very well. 'Heart of Gold' will perhaps always go down as Young's biggest hit, a classic 3 minute acoustic track with a great harmonica part to it. Eventhough its not my personal favourite song on the album, in my opinion it is a perfect statement of Neil Young's musical style. 'Are You Ready for the Country' is a catchy, uplifting track were Young sings about the rural ways of the life - the guitar play sounds weird but great on this song. 'Old Man' is a slower, reflective acoustic track with a fantastic chorus. 'Theres A World' is an excellent second serving of the orchestral part of the album, with more great lyrics from Young. 'Alabama' is my personal favourite track on the album, with a electric guitar based style with Young singing in a yearning and longing style. 'The Needle and the Damage Done' is a 2 minute live track, acoustically driven were Young sings about the dangers of drug taking. 'Words (between the lines of age)' is a great closing track, more rocking than the rest of the album, Young and his backing band are on the top of their game in this powerful finisher.

'Harvest' is a fantastic album. Neil Young has done loads of music in his long career but this work is perhaps unsurpassed by any of his other solo work. Hopefully my review of 'Harvest' will dispel any doubts you may have about the album and will persuade you the buy a copy of this timeless classic.

His Greatest Album EVER!
I love this CD. Every song makes me smile. A Man Needs A Maid made me laugh and cry. The words are like poetry. The songs make you think. That's all I need to say.

neil's worst from the 1970s
this is my least favorite neil album from the 1970s, on the beach, tonights the night, zuma, comes a time, are all better than harvest. harvest sounds too commercial but it does have its good selection of tunes like old man, heart of gold, but it's the one that spins the least on my fuzzy warble player. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KD1
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Canada    3. Country-Rock    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Let It Bleed
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

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

Reviews (129)

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

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

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

Asin: B000003BF1
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Breakdown: Live Recordings 1973
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (18 November, 1997)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Editorial Review

Short-lived and with only a limited output, this five-piece bluegrass band nevertheless helped spread the gospel of this extraordinary genre via the famous coattails of its most notorious member: Jerry Garcia. However, they were no novelty act. Breakdown is the second posthumous release culled from a series of 1973 concerts in San Francisco. At a robust 70 minutes, the album flows like a complete live set, featuring scrumptious musicianship and harmonious camaraderie. Much better than the eponymous debut from 1975--and a perfect second volume companion to 1996's equally worthy That High Lonesome Sound--Breakdown features covers of greats Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs, originals by the band's guitarist Peter Rowan, fiddler Vassar Clements and banjoist Garcia. A must own for any fan of acoustic music and a great primer for bluegrass neophytes. --Greg Emmanuel ... Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (10)

More than bluegrass
Pianist Bruce Hornsby once asserted that his favorite musics were bluegrass and jazz. Asked if that seemed like a disparate pair of choices, he commented that both emphasize precision musicianship and tight ensemble play. This bluegrass leans a bit toward the jazz side of the fence. A superficial listening might lead you to believe this is straight bluegrass, but start concentrating on the individual musicians, and there is a lot more going on than first meets the ears. The real star here is fiddle player Vassar Clements, who magically embellishes mightily on the melodic line without seeming to do so. Like the best jazz, the more carefully you listen, the more that is revealed. Just gets better with repeat play. Desert island CD for sure. Better sound quality and better and more material than either the companion "High Lonesome Sound" or the Rycodisk distillation of the two.

My hero, Jerry Garcia
Old and in the way, exellent bluegrass from an exellent band and a legendary artist, the late Great Jerome John Garcia (1942-1995)This is just perfect bluegrass. It's not that country pop garbage. No "Redneck Woman" sh*t here. My idol will live on

The circle is not unbroken (thanks again Dawg!)
Back when I was in college OLD&IN the WAY were a novelty that let city boys like me sniff the country air I had no idea just how pure & sincere the band is/was.There are different configurations of this band still playing,but this is the original band caught live in 1973. It's pure grass (not the Panama Red kind.)The band exhibits a depth & respect for the originals that takes this listener's breath away ( none of the Flying Burritos hipster sneer here).The song choice is great:jigs, hymns,blues & covers. It clocks in at 70 mins, not counting the bonus track. It has the the Dawg/Acoustic Discs quality.The grass is bluer on these sides & I'm buying more Dawg/Garcia. Thanks DAWG for making it available... ... Read more

Asin: B00000391Q
Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop    4. Traditional Bluegrass   

That High Lonesome Sound - Live Recordings 1973 1
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 February, 1996)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $14.99
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Features

• Live

Reviews (3)

Just gets better and better ...
I bought this album because it's considered a classic, and because I love the fiddle stylings of Vassar Clements. At first I was irked by some out-of-tune vocal harmonies (it's live, after all). But I kept the album on and set the CD player to continuous play. Well, the second time it started at the beginning, I was hooked. I listened a couple more times and had to force myself to turn it off. It is really a true gem of an album. Vassar's fiddling is top-notch, a great example of his classic licks and style. Garcia, Grisman and Rowan also rock. This is indeed a classic bluegrass album, and should be in any respectable collection.

Bluegrass lovers
This CD is great! If you are not a bluegrass fan, it will certainly make you one! Some of Jerry Garcia's finest work without his electric guitar. He sure picks a mean banjo!

top notch stompin' fun!
Listen to this classic, bluegrass sound and you'll be hard pressed not to become a foot stompin', leg-smackin bluegrass fanatic in no time.This is blue ribbon bluegrass! ... Read more

Asin: B00000391G
Sales Rank: 39335
Subjects:  1. Bluegrass    2. Country    3. Pop