Johnny Rivers - Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (10 July, 2001)
list price: $16.98
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Features

• Live

Reviews (9)

JOHNNY GREEN EYES, RED HOT GUITAR, SEDUCTIVE ROCKER
I SAW JOHNNY RECENTLY IN FT COLLINS CO., AND HE DID A EXCEPTIONAL AND SURPRISING PERFORMANCE:)

HE PLAYED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO ""HEAR"" HIS VOICE AND "FEEL" LIVE GUITAR---HE HAS THAT SEXUAL POWER THAT HE HAS ALWAYS HAD---MAYBE MORESO??

JOHNNYJOGS EVERYDAY, NOT AN OUCE OF FAT ON HIM AND SINCERELY> GIVES ENERGY OUT< TO THE AUDIENCE.
ITS NOT BABY I WANT YOUR LOVIN' --- BUT, BABY I "NEED" YOUR LOVIN'
THE FINALE IN REAL TIME "SECRET AGENT MAN" IS A FUN RETROSPECTIVE--- FOLLOWED BY A SILVER PEN AUTOGRAPH TO: OWEN,
JOHNNY RIVERS, '03.

THANKS JOHNNY, I SUGGEST EVERYONE SEE YOUR PERFORMANCE.
THIS CD REMINDS US HOW MANY BIG HITS JOHNNY ACTUALLY HAD/HAS:)

TAKE A (ROCK- N - ROLL) ON THE RIVER- JOHNNY RIVERS ISORIGINALLY FROM NYC, THEN ONTO BATON ROUGE LA., ---GET YOUR TICKET TODAY AND TAKE A RIDE ON THE RIVER:)

Not Original Recordings!
If you want the originals buy the Capitol records Version. This is one of those disc's where the artist had to re-record the songs on his own label to avoid legal action. Very mis-leading. Johnny Rivers is a great artist with classic songs, but he must have got a raw deal on his song rights. Maybe we'll see his story on 'Behind The Music' some day.

Songs aren't the Originals
You won't recognize some of the songs as they're not the originals.In fact it doesn't even sound like Johnny's regular back up musicians.Most are live and he's changed them in an interesting way, but it simply doesn'tmeasure up.Note that the cover of this album is the same as another onethat does have the originals, and I find that misleading. ... Read more

Asin: B0000059SA
Sales Rank: 102360
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Rock   

Heart Shaped World
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 June, 1989)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

Chris Isaak managed to turn his videogenic visage and brooding masculinity to his advantage in a big way, becoming a sort of MTV-era cross between James Dean and Elvis. Heady stuff, but don't hate him because he's beautiful. In fact, Isaak had been plying his trademark latter-day rockabilly sound for some years before the inclusion of "Wicked Game" in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart jolted sales of Heart Shaped World. (But the stylish Herb Ritts video certainly didn't hurt, either.) Still, the album is a moody gem, featuring the pensive title track, the smoldering "Blue Spanish Sky," and, of course, "Wicked Game." If you still doubt Isaak's good intentions, though, check out the album's rockin' finale, a fine version of Bo Diddley's "Diddley Daddy." --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Elvis has entered the building
Well not exactly.But hey! Sounds like a good title. Back to the review. Jokes later. If you are curious about Chris issack this is a good album to start with. Buy this one and take it from there.

Beautifully romantic
I first came across this album in the late 80s.

It was the guitar that caught my attention when I first heard it in a record shop, and it was the voice that closed the deal.

This used to be my "secret seduction tool" until everyone else found out about it. You know what I mean, the sort of album you'd put on when you got home with that special friend you had just met a few hours ago. Just put on "heart shaped world" and shift into auto-pilot whileChris and his buddies did the seduction for you.

In a way I'm sad that "heart shaped world" has become so well known.Well known albums get dismissed as acoustic wall paper because they recieve so much airplay.

Despite "Heart shaped world's"public acceptance, it is still a romantic classic.Beautiful sounds and lovely words.

Don't dismiss Chris Issac as just another country and western pretty boy.Chris's music has real heart without being cheesy and the sounds that back him are perfect.

Beautifully romantic music.

Another great cd
This album is the one famed for producing "wicked game".This is a great cd otherwise, though, as I do not even really care for that song.Standouts on this album are "Im not waiting", Diddley Daddy", "Wrong to Love You" and the title track, "Heart Shaped World".This cd is like vinatge chris isaak, and any fan who has yet to do so should purchase this cd! ... Read more

Asin: B000002LGI
Subjects:  1. College Rock    2. Guitar    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Roots Rock    7. United States of America    8. Vocals   

Don Williams - 20 Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

With the gentle lope of his rhythms and the plainspoken phrasing of his material, Don Williams sings country music of unmatched simplicity and purity. His love songs are as straightforward as their titles--"I Wouldn't Want to Live If You Didn't Love Me," "You're My Best Friend," "I Believe in You"--delivered in a warm baritone that makes his singing seem as natural as breathing. "Tulsa Time," a country chart-topper, might be more familiar to rock fans through the cover by Eric Clapton, one of Williams's devoted fans. Though some of the early-'70s selections suffer from overproduction, and so many of the hits sound so much the same, the collection attests to Williams's enduring appeal. (Major omission: his "If I Needed You" duet with Emmylou Harris.) --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (14)

One Of My favorite CDs!
I like all types of music and one of them is country music and when I listened to someones Don Williams CD I liked it so much that I went and bought this greatest hits DVD and it is very good and all of the songs are excellent and I recommend this CD to all country music fans.

One Of My favorite CDs!
I like all types of music and one of them is country music and when I listened to someones Don Williams CD I liked it so much that I went and bought this greatest hits CD and it is very good and all of the songs are excellent and I recommend this CD to all country music fans!

The Gentle Giant at his Best
Don Williams, to me, is the King of Country Music.No one else compares.He is one of the greatest storytellers of all time and his believes in every song he sings.My favorite songs of his are "Lord I Hope This Day is Good" and "Good Ole Boys Like Me".This is a very good collection of his hits and should be considered a gem in anyone's country collection. ... Read more

Asin: B000002O3U
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country-Pop    3. Pop    4. Traditional Country   

Johnny Horton - Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Editorial Review

While Louisiana Hayride star Johnny Horton's 1956 Top 10 debut "Honky Tonk Man" strode the line between rockabilly and honky-tonk minimalism, he found his niche in 1959 with a short-lived phenomenon known as the saga song: newly penned tunes, based on or inspired by historical events. The song that rendered Horton immortal? A rousing rendition of folksinger Jimmie Driftwood's War of 1812 number "The Battle of New Orleans," which topped both the country and pop charts for weeks. Riding a winner, Horton kept the momentum going with the Civil War-themed "Johnny Reb," and "Sink the Bismarck," based on a World War II naval battle. He died in a Texas car crash in early November 1960, days before his next single, "North to Alaska" (from the John Wayne film of the same name), hit the charts. While saga tunes understandably dominate this collection, it also includes "Honky Tonk Man" and the ballads "Whispering Pines" and "The Mansion You Stole." There's no better introduction to Horton's seminal recordings. --Rich Kienzle ... Read more

Reviews (26)

They Don't Make Music Like This Anymore
Horton died 9 years before I was born. I remember listening to my parent's copy of "Battle of New Orleans" and "Sink the Bismark" when I was a kid and loved it.

I picked up this CD a couple years ago so I could listen to my old childhood favorites. Besides the two songs above, I had never really heard Horton's other songs. But this entire CD is good! It's a breath of fresh air to hear someone sing about history and the frontier instead of the exclusive focus on sex and relationships of today's pop music/contemporary country.

From the earnest refrains of "Johnny Reb" to the wry humor of "Springtime in Alaska" and the swinging rythm of "Honky Tonk Man" this CD offers a lot of variety.

I don't give a lot of 5-star reviews and am mainly a fan of heavy metal but Horton is classic and timeless and 100% American.

Try finding a better Johnny Horton CD
Let's get down to brass tacks.This CD has all the hits Johnny Horton recorded during his truncated life, including his biggest hit, the patriotic "Battle of New Orleans" as well as "Sink the Bismarck."Aside from these two tunes and "North to Alaska," rest are pretty much filler, but so what?Those three tunes are all that matter anyhow.

Northern lights a-running wild ....
The age of this collection rather shocked me, but it has certainly withstood the test of time.Johnny Horton was the ultimate balladeer, with a rich, mellow voice that clearly tells a story.His story was apparently over with all too soon, but the magic lives on.This collection of greatest hits is clearly timeless, and still manages to capture new audiences.The Battle of New Orleans has been performed my many artists, but Horton's rendition is still the classic.North to Alaska (They crossed the Yukon River and found the bonanza gold) and Springtime in Alaska (Where the cariboo crawl and the grizzly bear hug we did our dance on a Kodiac rug) will ALWAYS be a huge favorite to this reviewer.You had to be a little girl living in Alaska during statehood -- when Horton's songs would come on the jukebox and everyone would stand up and stomp and sing -- I still get a thrill remembering it.Every song in this collection tells a story well worth listening to, Comanche the Brave Horse (an ode to Custer's mount), the haunting sadness of Whispering Pines, Sink the Bismarck (we've got to sink the Bismarck, `cause the world depends on us).If you haven't heard all the songs in this collection, well you OWE it to yourself. Also a very fun way to introduce a little history to a youngster! ... Read more

Asin: B0000026AG
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Honky Tonk    3. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    4. Pop    5. Traditional Country   

Tennessee Ernie Ford - Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 July, 1993)
list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98
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Reviews (3)

Great Songs
Lovely Cd.Excellent songs.Shame it does not have The watermelon song/one suit.Got hold of these songs recently.The watermelon song especially is excellent. VK Oxford UK

My kids like it
I grew up listening to this singer's popular music (anyone out there know where to find his song "One Suit"?) but my husband didn't and he likes it too now. Some songs may be "rural" sounding but some numbers have a great sort of big band swing and a lot are just fun. His voice is surprisingly veratile and the arrangements are well done. Every song on here may not be my style but they aren't all the sometimes sappy hymn-style either. If you like his gospel songs that is no guarantee you'll like this for sure but if you just like his voice this will expand your appreciation of his abilities. And my kids really do like it.

If I were you, I would stick with the hymns
Essentially, what we have here is a CD of songs that typify a certain lifestyle of the rural south in the early twentieth century. (I did not want to be so rude as to say hicks.)While I am basically a part of the region, I am not in love with the music of the era. If you are, more power to you. I am probably overshooting my dislike for this general style of the music because I love to hear Ford's powerful, magnificent voice sing the many hymn standards that he recorded. As it is, though, I feel that this CD is inferior to what he was capable of recording and, quite frequently, did record with his version of many hymns. ... Read more

Asin: B000000D6Q
Sales Rank: 6795
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Country Boogie    3. Country-Folk    4. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    5. Pop    6. Traditional Country   

Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 October, 1999)
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Editorial Review

A lonely Westerner in Nashville, Marty Robbins salved his soul by cutting an album (in one afternoon) of mostly self-composed cowboy ballads. One of them was a four-and-a-half-minute epic, "El Paso," that broke every rule of Top 40 programming to become a No. 1 pop and country hit in 1960. Robbins was arguably the most surefooted and accomplished singer in all country music, and that was never more obvious than on these Western ballads performed to often breathtaking perfection with a very small group and a vocal trio. Other titles include "Big Iron" (also a Top 30 hit), "Running Gun," and Western classics like "Cool Water," "Billy the Kid," and "The Strawberry Roan." Three extra tracks flesh out the 1999 release, including "Saddle Tramp" (the B-side of "Big Iron") and "The Hanging Tree" (title song from the 1959 Gary Cooper Western). --Colin Escott ... Read more

Features

• Extra tracks

Reviews (42)

A wonderful storyteller!
I never been much of a Country music listener until recently.I purchased this CD during my unforgetable trip to the Southwest in 2005.This is inretrospect, a great way to relive the memories.It's also the chance to listen to a master storyteller.I've always enjoyed Marty Robbins' stories of the Old West.From Utah Carol to Big Iron, from Cool Water to El Paso, the songs tell stories about how life in the west was like during the late 1800's to the early 1930's.Enjoy this outstanding greatest hits collection from a master storyteller!

I remember...
Growing up with these tunes playing in Dad's truck (he had them on 8 track cassette). My Dad's big influence when he was growing up?Marty Robbins! So when I was a little girl, I remember my Dad sitting down with his six-string...singing all the gunfighter classics ("Big Iron"..."Billy the Kid") Even today, among my sisters and I, "Mr. Shorty" remains a favorite.

My Dad, with his clear tenor...is a dead-ringer for Marty on "El Paso", and has often told us that "San Angelo" topped it by a good 8 minutes in length. I still love to hear Dad sing "Strawberry Roan", and can picture each story unfold as he sings...from the terror of a night on the trail ("Master's Call") to the dancing and flirting "Falina" (in "El Paso");and even the deadly gunfight between Mr. Shorty and his rival.
Each song, sung by my Dad, who used to sit and copy lyrics while listening to Marty's recordings of them.Mr. Robbins had a clear, concise way of delivering a song that made you believe every word as "true". And I wonder how many of today's big country artists count Marty Robbins among their heroes?
I know my Dad did and still does.It takes some persuading for Dad to sit with his guitar and sing these old songs, but once he gets started;he does them all. The songs he grew up learning, are timeless. If not "Gunfighter ballads and Trail Songs", I reccommend, "No. 1 Cowboy", or "the Essential Marty Robbins". If for no other reason than to see where "real" Country and Western came from.

This CD deserves 50 stars plus !
I recently purchased this CD at a Grand Canyon gift shop on the south rim as a memoir, what a great choice ! Not only is the CD great because it takes me back to the breathtaking canyon but the CD is great in of itself too. The songs are done so well and create such a clear picture in the listeners mind of the gun battles, close calls(with stampedes),hangings and such. Any Amazon customer that is contemplating buying this CD do it !! You will not be disapointed, it is offered here at a great price too ! Hail to Marty !! ... Read more

Asin: B0000296J9
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Pop   

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Greatest Hits [Hip-O]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (24 September, 1996)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

Kenny Rogers & 1st Edition ~ "HALF of Their Greatest Hits"
ABSOLUTELY, NOT ONE OF ANY OF THE CURRENT 'GREATEST HITS' OR 'ANTHOLOGY' REISSUES LISTED AS EITHER 'KENNY ROGERS & THE FIRST EDITION' OR 'KENNY ROGERS' OFFERS A FULL [OR EVEN 'HALF' FULL] SELECTION OF THIS GROUPS EARLY, PRIME MATERIAL! I HAVE EMAILED THE OFFICIAL KENNY ROGERS WEBSITE IN REGARDS TO OFFERING A MORE COMPLETE 'FIRST EDITION' RETROSPECTIVE AND THEY JUST KINDLY [IN A COUNTRY-KINDA-WAY] BLEW ME OFF, STATING THEY SHOWED NO INTEREST ... WHATSOEVER ... IN THAT MATERIAL! GRANTED THE REMAINING UNRELEASED [IGNORED] RECORDINGS WERE NOT "MAJOR" HITS FOR THE GROUP, BUT IN RETROSPECT THEY WERE INDEED IMPORTANT SINGLE RELEASES ... AND A FEW OF THEM WERE ACTUALLY VERY, VERY GOOD SONGS! EXAMPLES: "TULSA TURNAROUND", "CAMPTOWN LADIES", "CALICO SILVER", "CHARLIE FER DE LANCE", "MAMMA'S WAITING" ... TO NAME THE MORE IMPORTANT SONGS! ALSO, WHY HAS THERE NEVER BEEN A CD RE-ISSUE OF THEIR CLASSIC "BALLAD OF CALICO" DOUBLE-ALBUM??!! THIS ALBUM WAS A VERY IMPORTANT RECORDING!! IT WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST 'CONCEPT' ALBUMS EVER RECORDED, AND IT CONTAINS A BOUNTY OF BEAUTIFUL WESTERN/COUNTRY SONGS - ALL OF WHICH WERE WRITTEN BY THE LEGENDARY "MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY". TRULY A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS WHEN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY NOT ONLY IGNORES IT IMPORTANT MOMENTS, BUT BLOWS-OFF ITS FANS!

A timeless album
This album contains the cream of the cream about Kenny Rogers , his first steps just in the rise of his unbeatable career .
Something's burning , Ruby don't take your love to town or Ruben James are among the most representative and emblematic of this ensemble with clear country influences , but his compositions are made with broad gusto , rhytms and excellent arrangements . This album still remains as a classic in the glorious sixtioes decade .
If you are a hard fan of the Kenny Rogers from 1977 to 2004 , please turn around the clock , go back to his origins and you will be rewarded with this melodic voice.

Remember this group from the Smothers Brothers Show?
I was never a big fan of Kenny Rogers, but I sure remember when the First Edition aired on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour."In fact, although it is long gone, I remember an issue of the Smothers Brothers publicity newspaper that talked about how Tommy Smothers had "discovered" the group.Certainly the Brothers Smothers got the First Edition their first national exposure (they did the same for Simon & Garfunkle; whatever happened to them?).Of course the very best of these songs have been preserved on several Kenny Rogers albums, which makes sense because there was a point where the group was transformed into Kenny Rogers & the First Edition.So, there are lots of discs with "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," "Reuben James," and "Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Is In)."The value of this album is the best of the rest, which would be "But You Know I Love You," "Something's Burning," and "Heed the Call."If you do not already have these songs in your music collection and you remember the group fondly from their appearances on the Smo Bro show, then this is as good an collection as any.However, I assume the vast majority of interest is going to be from those who are trying to track down the early works of Kenny Rogers. ... Read more

Asin: B000005KO3
Sales Rank: 53144
Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Country    3. Country-Pop    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Soft Rock    7. Urban Cowboy   

Glory Road: 1968-1972
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 June, 1992)
list price: $31.98
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Reviews (4)

The Definitive Neil Diamond Album
"Glory Road" is the best argument that Neil Diamond is a genuine musical talent and not a hack.Though he's always been spotty as an album artist, Diamond has a clear knack for knocking out singles and an ear for memorable and sometimes beautiful melodies.These five years were a remarkably fertile and prolific time for him; for every familiar hit that hooks you immediately, you'll find a previously unheard gem.As an earlier writer mentioned, "Walk on Water/Theme" is a gorgeous song, probably the best here, maybe the best he's ever done.It, and a few other choice surprises, reveal an honest romanticism mixed with passion that few singer/songwriters have ever achieved.The bigger Diamond got, the more self-conscious he became (and he was pretty self-conscious to begin with), but "Glory Road" earns its name.

The best compilation of Neil Diamond material, period.
I guess my only complaint with "Glory Road" is the sound quality, or lack of it. This set carries a relatively high list price and the booklet says that it was "digitally remastered" in 1992. Was it really? It sounds like the tracks from "Glory Road" were taken from the hissy MCA masters used during the originalMCA catalog CD releases in the mid 80's. "Glory Road" does notimprove on the sound at all. It is a little ironic that Neil Diamond's"His 12 Greatest Hits" on CD from 1985 sounds much better thanthis.

If you can tolerate the hiss levels, "Glory Road" is,unequivocally, the best compilation title in Neil's CD catalogue. His othercompilation titles are repackages of the same "hits" over andover again, or poorly-thought-out "theme" collections that werecompletely baffling in their song selection and/or sequencing. "GloryRoad" presents a logical, chronological overview of Neil Diamond'smid-period recording career while he was signed to Uni (and later, MCA)Records from 1968-1972. It has an extremely informative booklet, with manylittle-known facts about his career, although it would have been nice ifmusician credits were available for the book to give recognition to themany excellent musicians who played on Neil's records.

I think thateveryone who was conscious during the 70's has probably heard the"hits" ("Sweet Caroline", "Song Sung Blue"et. al.). "Glory Road" is useful because it includes key albumtracks (like "And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind", "Both SidesNow", "Free Life", "Crunchy Granola Suite","Morningside") as well as some "misses"- singles thatweren't huge hits and therefore are "new" to an whole generationof people ("Two Bit Manchild", "The Last Thing On MyMind", "Walk on Water"). Basically, if Neil released it as asingle, it's here, whether or not it was a "hit".

If you'reeven half-way interested in Neil Diamond's music, you will eventually wantto explore beyond the tried n' true hits. "Glory Road" is thebest introduction to the "other" material. You may even gethooked. I did. When I heard "Walk on Water" for the first time,it took 5 weeks to get that song out of my head!.

The best introduction to Neil Diamond
As there's only one other (somewhat negative) review of this double CD collection on this page, I thought I'd help restore the balance.Diamond's Uni/MCA years saw him at the peak of his powers and although thiscompilation isn't perfect (it's too short thereby needlessly depriving usof the likes of Coldwater Morning and Canta Libre, plus there's too manylive cuts) it's the best one on the market - and that includes the 3 discbox and the double Greatest Hits collection.Unexpected highlights includeJuliet, If I Never Knew Your Name and Stones. ... Read more

Asin: B000002OJ9
Sales Rank: 71393
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals   

Rocky Mountain High [RCA]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
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Reviews (19)

Moving and Beautiful
Obviously a classic.Simply incredible songs of love, discovery, spirtituality, emotion, hope, prayer, and release.I simply lose it every time I hear the title song; in my mind there are very few songs--in any genre--that pack the spiritual whallop, youthful environmental zest, and truthful observation that this song has.Listening to that song is like a prayer for me, and there is no doubt in my mind that John Denver was deeply divinely inspired when he wrote it.I don't get tired listening to it, I feel deeply rejuvenated and energized, full of life.

Musical Paradise
This is perhaps John Denver's most well-known record, primarily because of the big single, "Rocky Mountain High."While I do love this song, I believe that several other songs on the album deserve just as much attention."Paradise," is an old song penned by John Prine, that fits perfectly into John Denver's favorite song subject matter - growing up in the country and feeling regret for our past environmental mistakes."Prisoners," is a simple, but intense song about loneliness that can be interpreted to fit the outlook of the individual listener.All three of these songs give me chills.

The beautiful thing about John Denver's most heartfelt songs (self-penned or not) is that each person hears something different and meaningful.This broad-based appeal to universal musical understanding is the mark of an artistic communicator.John Denver's body of work is certainly not above criticism, but he does deserve credit for carving out a very unique and valuable spot that no one else has been able to emulate.

Beautiful Mellow Music
John Denver's sixth album contained the song for which he is best known, the album's title song "Rocky Mountain High".This song went top 10 and secured John Denver a place as Colorado's musical hero, and became an unofficial anthem for the state.

John continued the largely acoustic musical style of his previous albums, using electronic effects and instruments sparingly to create a style of pop/country/folk that remains as unusual today as it was then.The classic "Rocky Mountain High" was dominated by acoustic guitars and John Denver's voice in a echo effect, that creates a more expansive musical piece than a description would imply.The song itself is a song of loss and discovery in the mountains of Colorado.One point of the song is that someone finds themselves in the solitude of the Colorado mountain wilderness.Another point is a lament of the number of people moving to Colorado and the loss of that solitude.

"Mother Nature's Son" is a country/pop song.Open fields and blue skies.Born poor, singing on the street corners.A kind of theme for John Denver and his life, though the song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.John's version is a mellow version with a country flavor.

"Paradise" will remind you of Appalachian folk music.Strong on violin, with vocals taking center stage.A very wonderful song which will remind you of the bluegrass music of the 40s and 50s.The topic of this song is environmental, a tale of paradise lost to strip miners.

The next song switches back to easy listening pop."For Baby (For Bobbie)" is a pop love ballad somewhat in the tradition of Simon and Garfunkel, but without the harmonies.

"Darcy Farrow" is a folk tale of two lovers; she dies in an accident, he kills himself because he couldn't handle the loss.A song that takes place in the area between Nevada and California near Reno, this song could easily have been a cowboy song, but John keeps the tone as a folk song.

The next song is a reminder that the Viet Nam war was in progress in 1972."Prisoners" is a lament about a woman with a child who is lonely without her husband, who is a prisoner of war.The song concludes with the desire to bring all the prisoners home.This song has a country flavor with a fast beat.

"Goodbye Again" must be the business traveler's lament.Each time he has to go on the road they fight.She wants him to stay, he can't and he wishes they wouldn't fight just before he has to go on the road.In its own way this is a love song, a ballad for sure, and probably more of a folk song than country.

The last five songs are conjoined by the seasons of the year.Reading the lyrics, you could see this song performed by a progressive rock group.The song is sung in John Denver's traditional acoustic style, with a light pop flavor, perhaps folk.The song is a celebration of the seasons of the year.Connecting the five songs into one theme in a suite would make one tempted to call this progressive folk or pop.However, perhaps that's a stretch.It's a series of songs that make a concept.

John Denver managed to make some of the most consistently beautiful, generally acoustic, songs.This album is classic John Denver.If you know John Denver's music, you'll find this one has a lot of class and style, and is well worth owning.If you aren't as familiar with John, this album is easy listening with a flavor that tends toward folk and country, but not strongly so, and also often can be considered pop.It's good music for mellow occasions. ... Read more

Asin: B000002W7S
Sales Rank: 15109
Subjects:  1. Folk-Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter    5. Soft Rock   

Singles 1969-1981
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 May, 2000)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
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Editorial Review

This revamped version of the Carpenters' two original Singles LPs may, despite the absence of some Top&nbsp;40 charters, stand as the definitive single-CD collection of the duo's hits. Included are most of the reasons Karen Carpenter's bring-the-pain vocals are still revered by thrift-shopping college kids and their moms alike. Despite the act's squeaky-clean image, Karen was of course more than touched by tragedy; at least one of the more hopeful of these tunes, "For All We Know," has doubt built right into its title. The best of this is smart, cry-in-your-Evian pop that sounds a lot less dated than it might in your memory. "Close to You" and "Hurting Each Other" are actually soulful claims on their then-new soft-pop tradition, while the towering "Goodbye to Love" is worthy of Rumours-era Christine McVie. Despite some duds, mostly from its later period, 1969-1981 makes its case for this enduring and sometimes classic outfit. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Ah That Voice: That Beautiful Voice!
Where does a person start when they type up a few words about The Carpenters? I mean after all we are talking about the # 1 American born hit-makers in the 1970s.How about if I start with my personal favorite song by them and that is, We've Only Just Begun. I can't put into words how beautiful I think it is. It received a Grammy nomination for song of the year and was also THE wedding song for a whole generation however I personally have always thought of it as a song not only congratulating newlyweds but also for congratulating graduation classes down through the years and "yes" it is that time of the year again. Congratulations Class Of 2005!
This Carpenters Singles 1969-1981 disc also has, For All We Know, Rainy Days And Mondays, Goodbye To Love, Yesterday Once More, Sing, and two others I consider # 2 and # 3 on my list of favorites by Karen and Richard being, (They Long To Be) Close To You, and, Superstar, plus thirteen more gems. It basicly replaces their compilation of,Carpenters The Singles 1969-1973 because it has those same songs plus extra tracks. I own both andthis Carpenters singles 1969-1981 is the only one I listen to now.
On a down side; one evening in 1983 I was listening to the radio and heard about Karen and like all other Carpenters fans I was deeply saddened. She was only 32 years old.
The 5 stars is for Karens beautiful voice and beautiful it was!

Longtime Carpenters fans will be disappointed
Browse through a decent number of reviews and you'll find lots of folks...even those who gave this good star ratings...talking about how Richard Carpenter has overdubbed new piano parts at times ("Sing" in particular is cited) and the CD has been extensively re-mixed.

If you don't release the 45RPM version...without re-mixing it, adding extra parts, taking away other parts to "modernize" it..then you have NOT released the singles. These changes are not "remastering"...they are re-recording. If Richard desires to do that, it should be released as "The Carpenters' Greatest Songs...Re-interpreted!" or something similar. Those who want to hear that could still buy it..and those seeking the songs they remember AS they remember them would be spared the deception.

BOTTOM LINE:
Don't buy into the revisionist history. Stick with the "1969-1973" version instead. (ASIN B00000HY5F)

appalling remastering
There is little purpose for me to try to define the musical content of this album, as a fan of the Carpenters since age 5 (and probably before), I am satisfied by the inclusion of all their hits in 1 album.

HOWEVER, the actual sound quality of this CD is a different story.The remastering is a complete disaster, and I am surprised thata famous engineer like Bernie Grundman and/or Rich Carpenter can put their names on this.

The sounds are completely unbalanced.The vocals which should be the main emphasis are thin and scratchy with excessive echo, and are completely dominated by the muddy instrumentals. Don't try to listen this CD with headphones or good speakers.I am puzzled by some percussion bits which seem to be added to the originals (as pointed out by other reviewers).

Also I disagree with the excuse that LPs cannot be faithfully represented on CDs.Recent remasters of Bob Marley's albums are simply spectacular, in spite of the fact that they were probably recorded with inferior equipment to begin with compared to the Carpenters.

This CD really damages my memories of the Carpenters; I think Karen deserves better.

EDIT- It seems that the prior iteration of this album Singles 1969-1973 (now out of print) may have better acoustics though less songs.Just received my copy.Beautiful original versions with full range of karen's vocals and the original instruments.Simply beautiful, get that one instead. ... Read more

Asin: B00004R7VU
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals    3. Soft Rock    4. United States of America    5. Vocal   

Anthology
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 April, 1991)
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Reviews (10)

Notes From The Underground
The importance of this early Steve Miller Band material cannot be overstated.Far from being a prelude to his mid-Seventies stardom, the early SMB was perfect, and I do mean PERFECT, counterculture music.The presence of Boz Scaggs very early on (he's only on one song here) has added some mystique but Miller was the key.Most of the early albums are now available and I would recommend ALL of them.But for the SMB neophyte, "Anthology" is the best starting point.

Guests abound, notably Paul McCartney, Lee Michaels, Ben Sidran and, most profoundly, Nicky Hopkins on piano in "Baby's House".While the song is overly long, Hopkin's piano work transcends anything he was doing more famously with The Rolling Stones around the same time.

But the greatest stuff is vintage Steve Miller.Excellent in their own right, "Going To The Country", "Going to Mexico", "Seasons" and "Living In The USA" scream for an altered state...and, once there, you are rewarded on a level known to many "back in the day".Essential esoterica from the visionary side of the social revolution.

Best 'Greatest non-Hits Album' of all Time
This is a great collection. The best of Steve Miller - before he got popular (sold out????). BTW gmbofmpva is wrong...this IS an 'Anthology' - all these songs were previously reseased. I implore you to buy this cd - Kow Kow and My Dark Hour alone, are worth twice the price.

Back filling my old collection
I started back filling my old collection of vinyl, cassettes and memories (stuff lost along the way). This one was an old favorite.The title does fool you, it really wasn't an Anthology just the name of a release.Good recording, mellow, vibrant, kind of rockin' but more artistic in quality.Later on Steve Miller broke into the pop scene with the Joker.This one though remains my favorite. ... Read more

Asin: B00000DRBK
Sales Rank: 16340
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Psychedelic    7. Rock    8. Songwriter   

Best of C.W. McCall
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 April, 1998)
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Reviews (17)

Decent but Be carefeul

There's essentially 2 best of CW mcalls that any fan should be aware of....for my money....Songs like Black Bear Road, the classified...and several others are essential...and beat the overly popularized Convoy as his best tune.

That said, pick your best

We Got A Great Big Convoy Rocking Through The Nigh
I Love C.W.McCall his music is so much fun and at the same time he has a seriouse side there are some classics on here like Convoy(natch),Silvertone,Old Home Fill'er up and Keep on Truckin Cafe and Autobaun
C.W.McCall Rules

great but not excellent
From the Roundhouse at Ridgway to the Depot in Durango on board the Rio Grande Southern RR's Gallopin Goose rail car number 5, to driving a load of chickens on a flatbed out of Wiggins over Wolf Creek Pass to 4x4ing over Black Bear Road to running in a Convoy or Rafting on the Green River this album has it all but it is somewhat lacking in song selection such as where's the better knowin train song "The Silverton"? and two of the best trucking songs I know "Night Rider" and "I've Trucked All Over this Land"? and don't forget old 30 and Riverside Slide which is based on a true story. If CW put those songs on this or a new CD it would be in my book Excellent ... Read more

Asin: B0000047O1
Sales Rank: 1821
Subjects:  1. Bakersfield Sound    2. Country    3. Country Comedy    4. Country-Pop    5. Novelty    6. Pop    7. Truck Driving Country    8. Urban Cowboy   

Six Days on the Road
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Audio CD (15 April, 1997)
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Features

• Live

Reviews (2)

Good Variety of Songs and Singing Styles
This album has shown the country music world that Sawyer Brown isn't just a novelty song singing group. Some of the better songs on this CD are remakes. "This Night Won't Last Forever", an excellent cover ofMichael Johnson's version, is actually better as a Sawyer Brown tune. Theother remake is the title track and is also better than the original. Othergreat "original" material is "Another Side","Talkin' 'Bout You", "Small Talk" and "TransistorRodeo", my personal favorite on the CD. Sawyer Brown has come a longway from their mostly filler albums of the 80's. They just keep gettingbetter.

have seen them live - highly recommended
This CD is a major accomplishment for Sawyer Brown.A life long countryfan I can tell you that anyone who has followed Sawyer Brown's career won'tbe disappointed in this album. ... Read more

Asin: B000000DHU
Sales Rank: 87946
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Country    2. Country    3. Pop   

How Do You Like Me Now
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Audio CD (02 November, 1999)
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Editorial Review

Oklahoma singer Toby Keith is neither a remarkable singer nor songwriter. Yet in his more inspired and focused moments on his sixth studio album--his first for DreamWorks--Keith does occasionally manage to transcend his journeyman's limitations and achieve a sort of workaday eloquence. On patchily conceived and executed songs like the self-written "Die with Your Boots On" and a pointless ditty called "Country Comes to Town," even Keith's hard-edged baritone swaggering over flashy, high-voltage arrangements can disguise the basic lack of musical substance and creative vision. Yet on "Heart to Heart," a tender song Keith wrote for his young son, and an exquisite story song called "New Orleans," Keith surprises by turning in heartfelt, impassioned performances that transcend the general ordinariness that is otherwise the order of the day. --Bob Allen ... Read more

Reviews (84)

One of the Best country cd's. WRITTEN BY A NON COUNTRY FAN!
This and Tim McGraw's Set This Circus Down are the best 2 country cd's released EVER!

Here is why:

How Do You Like Me Now: Great song with some funny lyrics. A good song that all of us wish we could apply to that beautiful girl from school when she turns out to be a stay at home fat ugly joke, and we turn out to be successful, rich and desirable.

When Love Fades: THE BEST SONG HE HAS EVER DONE! HANDS DOWN. NO CONTEST! Some of the best "Relationship is ending" lyrics that have EVER been written.

"Going through the motions,
pretending to be,
The man you used to see in me.
Dont wanna hurt me,
so you play along,
and it dont feel right and it dont feel wrong.
It just like a memory,
barely alive,
when will we let it die.

Who'll be the one
To say goodbye
Who'll be the one to stay
When Love Fades

Simply brilliant! The dual vocals with himself towards the end are especially great. WHY IN THE WORLD it wasnt released as a single is beyond me. This would have been an EASY #1 HIT!

Blue Bedroom: Not a slow song but a heavier type lost love song. One of those: "I lost you and i miss you and come back home" songs. Totally throws you off being sequenced right after When love fades which was a "I know its over, lets break up" kind of song. good nonetheless!

New Orleans: A story song in the same type as a Jim Croce or Harry Chapin type of story song. About a woman and man who get together. She fled a bad relationship in New Orleans and how she is getting on with her life. GREAT TUNE!

Country Comes to Town: One of the huge hits this album produced! Strange to hear a horn section in a country song but it works and VERY WELL!

Heart To Heart (Stelen's Song): Stelen is Toby's son. A nice poignant tale about how children are or can be with their parents.

She Only Gets That Way With Me: Kinda like my ex-wife, she only gets THAT way with me. Well, except with her other exes. Who get THAT way RIGHT BACK AT HER! This is a good song but my stupid joke may not be representative with what this song is about.

Die With Your Boots On: One of the weaker tracks, for a non-country fan (or someone who likes a small amount of country songs. This sounds modern with an old time country topic.

You Shouldnt Kiss Me Like This: Another of the hits. To me a ballad is not a country song, just like it isnt a rock song or anything like that. The only evidence of country in this love song is the twang to his voice, if even that.

Hold You Kiss you Love You: I love the beat to this one. For when you get that lustful feeling with the one you love.

Bottom Of My Heart (do i know you): A sad lost love type of song, and a very good one at that!

I Know A Wall When I See One: Ever date someone who got away and you wish you hadn't let that happen? Then this is your song!

This album is under 40 minutes which is a shame but it is a FANTASTIC, PHENOMINAL ALBUM!

How do you like Toby now?
"How Do You Like Me Now" is the song that first captured my attention and got me to buy this CD. From the upbeat songs to the ballads, Toby knows how to draw a listener into his world. The emotions on the ballads come thru, the fun he is having on the upbeat songs come thru, you can't lose.

Who's That Man?
I started liking Toby when I would hear a song I liked, and would wonder, who's that man?They all turned out to be him.

I choose this CD because of How Do You Like Me Now?!, a song we can all relate to about rejection turning around, but I soon fell in love with You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This, When Love Fades and Blue Bedroom, where he shows his emotional, sentimental side.I Know A Wall When I See One is the kind of song you can't get out of your head, as is the good-natured Country Comes to Town.

Toby is a talented songwriter, has an excellent voice, and is full of emotion, humour and fun, and I can honestly say there is not one song on this CD I don't like. The perfect start or edition to any Toby collection. ... Read more

Asin: B00002MYVE
Subjects:  1. Country    2. Pop   

Absolutely the Best
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Audio CD (13 July, 1999)
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Reviews (9)

Good material, but it's not enough
The Zombies were one of the finest rock groups of the sixties. It's no surprise they still get oldies and classic rock airplay. Needless to say, over the years, a number of compilations have been released for these guys. How does this one measure up? Read on and find out.

PROS:
-If you're the casual Zombies fan who just wants to get Time Of The Season, She's Not There, and Tell Her No on one disc, you've come to the right place!
-There are a plethora of underrated masterpieces here as well.
-You get two bonus tracks - alternative versions to two of the band's biggest hits.

CONS:
-The major problem with this compilation is that it's hard to come by. You may have to search a few stores before you find it.
-It's only fifty minutes long, and you can fit eighty minutes onto a CD.

OVERALL:
If you're a casual fan of the Zombies (and nothing more), than this compilation is recommended. These guys played REAL rock and roll, not the junk that has flooded the airwaves in the modern age.

A bit short on running time, but still some great music
With their Byrds-ish jangle, Beach Boys-ish harmonies and Moody Blues-ish keyboard parts, it is difficult to argue that The Zombies were a band ahead of their time. Yet, one of the major reasons this St. Albans, England quintet only had three hits, despite being one of the best singles-orientated bands of their day, is that popular music was not quite ready for their tricky time changes and winding melodies. Certainly, the quality of the material was not a problem. A survey of Absolutely the Best, which collects sixteen of The Zombies' greatest tracks, reveals a plethora of almost perfect pop-rock singles, such as the gently rolling "Remember You;" the hauntingly bleak "Imagine the Swan;" the masterful alternations between jazz-ish virtuosity and R&B-ish oomph, "Is This the Dream" and "Just Out of Reach;" and the remarkably clever "Whenever You're Ready," which is probably the best snide, offhand rejection song this side of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's Alright." Then there are the hits: The frantic "She's Not There," the serene "Tell Her No" and the playful "Time of the Season," all of which are bonafied classics.

The consistent excellence of their work makes listening any Zombies collection a delight, but it also makes one hungry for more after this particular compilation, lasting a mere forty minutes, has ended. Surely, project supervisors could have found more material to treat listeners to, especially considering "Time of the Season" is the only track from the group's only proper album, 1968's Odessey and Oracle, which is considered a masterpiece in many circles. Hopefully, The Zombies will someday be granted a best-of compilation with a more satisfying running time. Until then, Absolutely the Best, although somewhat scanty, remains the best introduction to this astounding and underrated band.

liked about a third of it
That says it: a third of the album is good, the hit tunes they are known for--and the rest of the tunes are really not all that good. However, I will always like and appreciate the Zombies for the great hit numbers they had. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JMX0
Sales Rank: 16536
Subjects:  1. Baroque Pop    2. British Invasion    3. British Psychedelia    4. Pop    5. Psychedelic    6. Psychedelic Pop    7. Rock   

The Guess Who - Greatest Hits
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Audio CD (23 February, 1999)
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Reviews (26)

basics, get back to the basics
Every day someone else says rock is dead. Every year someone writes an article about rock being stale, lame, overcooked, half-baked, stupid, too male, not male enough, or just plain sucky. As long as The Guess Who get radio play these people will have a place to go to get their fix. In their day the Guess Who were not well received by critics and I'm sure it's partly because they sounded like they were having fun. They had the unfortunate task of competing with Zeppelin, Hendrix, Lennon and others that achieved rare heights. The Guess Who stomped out some hits. Big hits.
Laughing, She's Come Undone, No Sugar/New Mother Nature, these are timeless jams that make people feel calm. They make people remember not to take rock so seriously.
So they aren't Springsteen. Who cares? They aren't Alice Cooper. Every time I put this on I don't want to take it off. It gets the blood flowing.
Don't forget about this wonderful band.

Guess Who a great pop band that rocked
I noticed that one reviewer complained that GW didn't lead music into new paths. I don't think that is the point, Guess Who was a fun, pop band who had the musicality and chops to pull off almost anything. They covered many styles from flat out pop to jazz, with a hint of swing, hard rock, and roots music. They were the cool antidote to the "serious" bands, frankly Burton Cummings was a much better vocalist than 95 percent of his contemporaries, Bachman is an amzing guitarist, and the tandem who took over for Bachman were not slouches either. There music had a cool, loungey feel to it. Undun could have been done by Elvis or Bobby Darin for that matter. Albert Flasher was miles ahead of the ponderous noddling that pervaded the early 70's by so many boogie bands. These Eyes was perhaps the first power ballad, Laughing -a revelation of how slick these guys were. That may be the point-they were technically better players than many of their contemporaries, who could jump from one style to the next, and they were Canadians. Glamour Boy should have been on this CD, it is an hilarious "dissing" of David Bowie and the then popular Glam rock bands.

The [ALMOST] perfect collection
In 1999, we saw the release of another Guess Who compilation, but upon closer inspection, this album was essentially the total package, containing every hit you could ever have wanted, and if you only had merely a passing interest in the band, you needn't even try to look for their original albums. And it was a hard search.

This compilation may very well be the most complete and perfect collection of any band's greatest hits CDs ever produced. Plain and simple: many bands have greatest hits collections, and pretty much all of them are flawed in some way. I mean it's true you cannot please everyone but as far as GUESS WHO GREATEST HITS goes, likeI said above it is the [almost] perfect collection. What do I mean by this? Check it out:

Where is "Glamour Boy"? I'm sure quite a few would agree that this song is worthy of being included here. I know ANTHOLOGY has the single version, but it wouldn't have been too hard to stick the album version on here, as most of these tracks are around the 2-4 minute mark anyway. The other matter is I would have enjoyed seeing "Shakin' All Over" but that was a different era for the band, and it's OK with me they chose to focus on the Burton Cummings material, as it is the superior choice.

In addition to the plethora of great songs you have in the liner notes a great bio of the band that chronicles it's activities from it's earliest beginings to their final show (without Bachman) in Fall of 1975. I don't own any other GW compilations so I can't say if any of the others have a bio, they probably do, but since this is the only compilation I will own, it makes an [almost] 99.9 % perfect compilation. Of all the compilations out there, consider this one seriously as deserving of your money.15/18 ... Read more

Asin: B00000I0QI
Sales Rank: 1273
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Canada    3. Hard Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock   

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Three Dog Night
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Audio CD (16 May, 2000)
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Reviews (16)

Pure Bliss
I had only heard One and Joy to the World before this (I'm a 90's child) but a couple years ago, I begged my father to try and find a CD for Three Dog Night. He came home with this one and I was hooked. I've been playing it non-stop. I believe these are the best songs ever written, and I even wrote a paper on their alternate meanings for class (and got an A). I love this CD!

Great 1970s hitmakers
This compilation provides a fair selection of hits by this remarkable band whose heyday was from 1969 till the middle 1970s. It opens with their anthemic hit from 1971, Joy To The World, and concludes with the magnificent track The Show Must Go On (1973) that was written by UK artist Leo Sayer who had a hit with it in the UK.

The best songs are Black and White, a cover of a song that was originally a hit for the reggae band Greyhound in the UK, the wonderfully atmospheric Mama Told Me Not To Come (a brilliant portrayal of a 1970s party) and the buoyant Celebrate. I don't much like Three Dog Night's Middle of the Road balladeering as in Old Fashioned Love Song or Never Been To Spain, although these did well on the charts.

Much better tracks to include would have been the catchy Family Of Man, similar to Black And White in its reggae rhythm, and the sensitive and beautiful Pieces Of April. This CD is not comprehensive but there are many Three Dog Night collections available for the completists. It still showcases a band of great versatility that made a substantial contribution to melodic rock and pop in the 1970s.

notbad,but comes up short of hits.
I've been collecting these "20th Century Masters" collections since their debut in 1999 and over all they're a decent overview of each artist's career, but if an artist or group had more than ten hits(or recorded for multiple labels besides one under the Universal umbrella), than these discs can come up missing a few songs.Three Dog Night, for example, had 21 top 40 singles(on the ABC/Dunhill label) from 1969-1974 but only 12 of them could be included on this budget-priced "best-of".So no room for "Family of Man", "Out In the Country" or "Pieces of April" and other lower-charting singles.For only a few dollars more I'd recomend the just-released "Complete Hit Singles" collection that includes all 21 of their greatest hits on one disc(plus a great booklet with liner notes and photos). ... Read more

Asin: B00004T9TV
Sales Rank: 58683
Subjects:  1. AM Pop    2. Album Rock    3. Arena Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Soft Rock   

Born to Be Wild: A Retrospective
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Audio CD (05 November, 1991)
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Reviews (9)

The "Difinitive Collection" 1966-1990
Born To Be Wild "Retrospective" is a wopping 34 song tribute to Steppenwolf. This is Real Rock !! PowerHouse Rock !! Steppenwolf to this day still dedicate themselves to bringing us Rock n Roll. The style of Rock n Roll that we have craved and thrived on for decades. Steppenwolf Music is the "Rebel Rock" that speaks to all of us free spirited Rebels in the world.
This Retrospective comes with a fact filled booklet that gives an in depth history of Steppenwolf including some Great Photos.
The booklet alone is worth the price of admission. And thats just for starters. The encore presentation in this collection is the music.
Be prepared to get your rocks off with Hits like:
Magic Carpet Ride- Sookie Sookie- Rock Me- Move Over- Everybody's Next One- For Ladies Only- It's Never Too Late-
The Pusher- Screaming Night Hog- Born To Be Wild-
Hey Lawdy Mama- and the John Kay Hit "I'm Movin On".

Steppenwolf "Retrospective" is for everyone and anyone who wants a little wolf in their lives. John Kay calls this an Excellent Collection of the bands music. Today, Steppenwolf operates without any major label financing. They even have their own in house 24 track recording studio and they continue to tour several months out of the year.
Final thought:
There is nothing retro about this Retrospective.
It is as current today as it was back then. "Go For It" !!

That's real NOW, man!
This is the ultimate Steppenwolf album!Fans of late 60's psychadelic/progressive rock will really appreciate this one.The songs included chronicle John Kay's rise to rock history, from his membership in the band "The Sparrow" through the drug-induced 60's and the formation of his now-famous band.

Along with Iron Butterfly, I consider Steppenwolf to be one of the bands that really defined the psychadelic rock scene in the late 60's, until the arrival of Led Zeppelin blew everyone away.

You will NOT be dissapointed with this collection.From "Twisted" to the much later live version of "Born To Be Wild" and Kay's 80's projects, Steppenwolf's folk and R&B roots can clearly be heard.

This compilation is not for the casual Steppenwolf fan; there are "best of" albums out there for you.If you are interested in the evolution and metamorphosis of rock n' roll bands, however, this 2-CD set is for you.

poor sound quality
This is a wonderful collection of Steppenwolf. However, I was unaware that this CD set was transfered from analog tape and absolutely contains hiss and anomalies. I would have never purchased this particular recording on CD. The sound quality is so poor that it can only be listened to at a low volume level-quite unfortunate for tunes such as Born to Be Wild, Sookie Sookie and Magic Carpet Ride. Don't waste your money if you have become accustomed to and expect excellent sound quality from a CD. The music is good-just should have been digitally remastered or why bother? ... Read more

Asin: B000002OHU
Sales Rank: 43683
Subjects:  1. Acid Rock    2. Garage Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Heavy Metal    5. Pop    6. Pop-Metal    7. Psychedelic    8. Rock    9. Rock & Roll   

20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Mamas & The Papas (Millennium Collection)
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Audio CD (23 March, 1999)
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Editorial Review

The Mamas and the Papas blazed across the '60s folk-rock scene,scoring nine Top&nbsp;40 hits in less than two years. So bright was their brief run that it earned them a berth in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This set shows at least some of the reason why--there's the era-defining hit "California Dreamin'," plus other triumphs such as "Monday, Monday," "Words of Love," "Dedicated to the One I Love," and the autobiographical "Creeque Alley." Perplexingly, the 20th Century Masters set substitutes "Dancing Bear" for "Glad to Be Unhappy," which was a bigger hit. Then too, the set is skimpy compared to their previously released Greatest Hits, but it does win points for including two Cass Elliot solo hits, "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me."--Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (16)

one of the most overrated bands from the sixties
I recived this cd as a gift. I was never a big fan of this group and after giving this cd a listen, i know why, because I feel that their music really wasn't that good.For the most part they were part of the drug culture of the sixties, but their music fails to express the true essence of the era.The doors, traffic, the turtles, the animals and/or the zombies were much better bands whose music captures the culture of the time.Dylan and Melanie were also part of the folk scene but were much more creative than this band.I don't understand why so many people liked this group, i think they were avarage at best.In my opinion, this is not a CD worth owning and they do not deserve to be part of the 20th century masters collection.

California Dreamin' for the Millenium Folks
Oh, this one will take you back to those sunny summer days, sitting outside on the grass on campus, wearing a long granny dress and wire-rimmed spectacles (hey, those are back in style!) and sipping some wine while listening to the Mamas and the Papas on the transistor. Funny, though, this music is still appealing though nothing like it is being played today.

The smooth harmonizing of the group, highlighted by the clear, flexible and gorgeous voice of the late Mama Cass is surprisingly cheerful even today. The laid-back tone is great for weekend play, whilst cleaning the house or writing checks to pay bills. It makes me nostalgic--I guess I still love the same music I played in the 60's. Sigh.

Totally Original
For the Mamas and the Papas to have only been together for 2 years, they certianly produced some wonderful tunes."California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" are the two standards most ppl identify, but "Creeque Alley" and "Make your own Kind of Music" are very personal songs from the band and Mama Cass.I've never been a big fan of this band, but I felt the urge to order this cd for a "101" perspective.I can not find any similarities in their vocals, chord progressions, or harmonizations to any other band before them.One would think the Beatles influenced most acts in the late 60's, but this isn't the case with the Mamas and Papas.However, I believe they influenced a great deal of artists in the 70's.Bette Midler, for example.In the song "Dream a Little Dream of Me" Mama Cass's voice sounds exactly like Bette's.I also believe Billy Joel was subconsciously influenced by their lyrics.I also believe the album "Double Fantasy" from John and Yoko owes alot of gratitude to the Mamas and the Papas.

Since these are the original recordings remastered, you don't get a lot of bass.But the soaring vocals, ornaments, and guitar riffs in the treble register more than make you "feel" the musical idea!:-) ... Read more

Asin: B00000I8LO
Subjects:  1. Folk-Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Sunshine Pop   

Gordon Lightfoot - Complete Greatest Hits
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (02 April, 2002)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

Though he rose from the ranks of journeyman '60s folksinger to become apotent and consistent '70s hit maker, Canadian singer-songwriter GordonLightfoot's stock in trade was as much hard-eyed, dispassionate observation asromance or poetic whimsy. Perhaps that's why his songs have been covered byeveryone from Elvis (thisset's "Early Morning Rain") toDylan. If there's such athing as an alpha-male folkie, Lightfoot certainly fits the bill. Spanning thetongue-in-cheek chauvinism of 1965's "For Lovin' Me" and the cheatin' ways of"Sundown" to more introspective fare like "If You Could Read My Mind" and"Beautiful," this 20-track collection presents a concise primer on Lightfoot'scareer and craft. After his career peaked with one of the most unlikely top fivehits ever, the gloom-laden 1976 narrative "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,"Lightfoot's production tailed off sharply, though this anthology's "Stay Loose"('86) and "Restless" ('93) are testament to his enduring skills as a songwriterand performer. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (37)

A great overview
This disc is a great overview of Gordon Lightfoot's songs.All the hits are here, as well as some others. Gordon has a relaxing style, that is pleasant. This is definately the single-disc compilation to get, if you are a Gordon Lightfoot fan.

A Fine General Sampling of Lightfoot's Work
Gordon Lightfoot is difficult to categorize.His voice, a richly masculine baritone; his delivery introspective and cool, sometimes to the point of being dismissive; his choice of material never quite folk, never quite pop, never quite rock, but at different points in that triangle of musical styles.Needless to say, he has never been a commercial artist.Surprising to say, he has had a fair amount of commercial success--and with some of the most unlikely material imaginable.

If you are a determined Lightfoot fan, this single "best of" CD will give you endless grounds for complaint, for it leaves out several of Lightfoot's most critically acclaimed but less widely known works.For the rest of us, however, COMPLETE GREATEST HITS is a solid sampling of his work that mixes the obvious hits with a host of less obvious cuts, all of them rendered in the artist's unique style.

Among the obvious cuts are Lightfoot's most radio-popular hits, the dramatic "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and the sultry "Sundown."Certainly these are classics of their kind, and most people who purchase this CD will likely be led to it by a desire for these two songs.Strange to say, however, they are both actually a little atypical of his work, which is perhaps best characterized by such songs as "Carefree Highway" and "If You Could Read My Mind," the latter of which has been recorded by a host of artists but never better than by Lightfoot himself.

Overall, the melodies and lyrics of some songs pop a bit more than others in your ear, but one thing is true of all: whether it is one of the celebrated cuts or something you've never before heard, Lightfoot's voice and style are quite unlike any other male artist; his is a manly voice strangely suited for an emotionally rainy day, and he makes virtually everything he touches memorable.A worthy collection, particularly recommended for those approaching his work for the first time.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Bought This Just To Have "Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald"!
Well, let's put it this way... I already had a pretty comprehensive "Best Of" type collection of Lightfoot's songs. However, the song "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" had NOT been included in 'that' collection. Though I love nearly everything he has ever written/recorded "The Wreck" is undoubtedly my "favorite" song of his and thought it worth buying another collection of his songs just so that I could have that "classic" in my collection! ... Read more

Asin: B00005YW4N
Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Country-Folk    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. Soft Rock