Tracy Chapman
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $8.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of the most striking debut albums ever released, this disc instantlyestablished Chapman as a musical force, and with good reason. Immediacy, integrity ofpurpose, and unqualified artistry are apparent in nearly every song. And while "Fast Cars"remains Chapman's best-known work, "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" is that rarest breed: asong which is both topical and timeless. Any exploration into Chapman's work shouldbegin with this at times stunning effort; it's a disc of remarkable uniformity and claritythat Chapman has yet to improve on. --Wayne Pernu ... Read more

Reviews (79)

one of her best
Tracy - OMG you are good! this is her first CD, i believe. i have them all, dam, i like this girl!revolution, fast car, ticket, for my lover... sigh... so much talent - why is she NOT given more airtime and more kudos? she is so stinkin' good. bluesy and deep, gotta listen to the words, and dance with your baby to Tracy. she's wonderful.

Very good, solid album
Tracy Chapman really amazes here. She does some great work and she is a talented singer as well as songwriter. There is nothing pretentious or boring about her; she simply sings the songs she wants other to hear and they are wonderful. It is easy listening with a bit of a light tempo pop background,but she manages to keep one's interest the whole way through. My favorite songs are fast car, talkin about a revolution, and for my lover. It is not perfect, but it is definetly a great album to give a chance and listen to. It is certainly better than anything out there today, there is no manufactured music, just simple and light. Bravo!

Hail Tracy
Whatever happened to the true artists in music today?

with Ashley Simpson and Boybands it seems that the heart and essance is going more and more.
it's great to retreate to a album which is heartfull, genuine and stil and always be a clessic.
alot of people put down Tracy Chapman because people think that she sounds like a man. this is also where comercial music is making it's rise. not al music has to have a catcht tune with a skinny bimbo flaunting herself to sell albums. It's the heart of the music and lyrics.
People instantly groan at the sound of her voice.
To those peole take note of er lyrics and tru;y understand where she is going with her songs and you likeevery one of her fans will realise that she is one of a kind. ... Read more

Asin: B000002H5I
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Folk    3. College Rock    4. Contemporary Folk    5. Folk & Traditional    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Singer/Songwriter   

True
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 September, 2000)
list price: $12.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (1)

Rich Kid Blues Incognito
This album is actually 'Rich Kid Blues' which was originally released in 1972. Her voice is very thin and weak because of drugs. The songs are good and I believe any real fan should have this in his/her collection. Any one who is not truly enamored of Ms. Faithfull may have a hard time appreciating this recording. ... Read more

Asin: B00004X0FH
Sales Rank: 84758
Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock & Roll   

Blood on the Tracks
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Inevitably, when critics praise a new Dylan album, they label it the "best since Blood on the Tracks," and with good reason. Inspired by a crumbled marriage, and recorded after a tour with The Band had apparently re-ignited his creativity, Blood is among Dylan's masterpieces. The album's epic songs are well known, but its real high points are the shorter numbers--"You're a Big Girl Now," the flawless blues "Meet Me in the Morning," and the sweetly devastating "Buckets of Rain." These are songs of "images and distorted facts," each expressed through tangled points of view, and all of them blue. --David Cantwell ... Read more

Reviews (214)

1 of 2
in my opinion, dylan managed to create the 2 greatest albums ever recorded - the first being HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED [released in 1965] and the second being BLOOD ON THE TRACKS [released in 1974]. i'd say that most dylan fans would point you to one of these two albums if you asked them for his best [some, but not as many, would point you to BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME or BLONDE ON BLONDE - which are both amazing albums]. i personally prefer HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED to BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, but i wouldn't say that it's necessarily better; i just like the style of writing and music more [usually].

why then do i believe that this is dylan's 1a album and one of the 2 best albums ever created? that takes a track by track break down.

'tangled up in blue' is arguably dylan's best song. it's certainly his greatest narrative. it's all at one time straight forward and swirling w/ complexities. the stripped production, which is apparent throughout the album, is completely fitting for the stories dylan tells - just like the revolutionary folk rock on HIGHWAY 61 was perfectly fitting for the surreal lyrics presented on that album.
'simple twist of fate' is probably dylan's second best narrative. the tempo slows here, and the listener starts to realize that dylan isn't goint to let him get out of this album w/out sharing some of dylan's pain. 'but i was born too late/ blame it on a simple twist of fate'.
'you're a big girl now' has some of the most beautiful guitar playing you'll hear. having said that, the brilliant writing and the pain just continues:

'Bird on the horizon, sittin' on a fence,
He's singin' his song for me at his own expense.
And I'm just like that bird, oh, oh,
Singin' just for you.'

'idiot wind' is one of dylan's two angriest songs. i know that it gets compared to 'like a rolling stone', and for good reason, but dylan hasn't been this angry since 'masters of war', and he'd never get this angry, on record, again. stanzas 3 & 4 [which make up verse 2] are two of dylan's best crafted stanzas.
'you're going to make me lonesome when you go' is one of two songs on the album where dylan seems to be trying to crack a smile about the pain he's feeling. you can seriously hear himself forcing a smile out for the songs [the other being 'buckets of rain']. it sounds like dylan is trying to talk about the divorce as a hypothetical situation that hasn't happened yet. for this reason, it's a dark horse nominee for saddest song on the album.
'meet me in the morning' has dylan putting his blues to blues. easily one of his best blues songs.
'lily, rosemary, and the jack of hearts' is the only song that doesn't seem biographical in some form or another. the story is a trip - a brilliant trip. while this song is the most separate - it's one of the4 or 5 most indispensable.
'if you see her, say hello' would be the obvious choice for most depressing song on the album, which is quite an accomplishment. these lines say it all:

'Say for me that I'm all right though things get kind of slow
She might think that I've forgotten her, don't tell her it isn't so.'

'shelter from the storm' is one of only two songs on the album that i can listen to no matter what my mood is or how i feel. it's the most surreal song on the album. also one of the four most famous songs on the album ['tangled up in blue', simple twist of fate', 'idiot wind', and 'shelter from the storm'].
'buckets of rain' - dylan trying to smile at the end of the day. this is the other song that i can listen to no matte my mood. what's most impressive about this song is how dylan manages to sum up one of the two greatest album ever recorded in one last verse:

'Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I'll do it for you, honey baby,
Can't you tell?'

i will exit on that note.

It's Like Bob Dylan Burst Upon the Scene All Over Again
It seems Bob Dylan's career has been studded with comebacks. "JWH" after the motorcycle accident. "Blood on the Tracks" after the lapse into country. "Infidels" after the lapse into religious territory. "Oh Mercy" after all those records with the girly backup singers (some of them were pretty good though). However, "Tracks" was so much more than a comeback. It's like Bob Dylan burst upon the scene all over again.

And now I'm going to say something that may or may not make any sense. I believe "Highway 61" to be the best rock & roll record ever made, but I think "Blood on the Tracks" is the best record Dylan has ever done. I know it doesn't make sense, kind of oxymoronic, but "Tracks" to me is more than just a rock record, more than poetry put to music, more than fine musicianship. It's chocked full of emotion, mostly tears. It's gritty and rough and it's got the best damned cowboy ballad ever sung on it to boot.

Jack Priest, Writer from the Darkside

Deserving of all the hype.A masterpiece.
Dylan's best work. Ever. One of the best albums by anyone. Ever. A mature work by an artist in pain. Has anyone ever conveyed feeling so deeply and uniquely on a "rock" album? Dylan made BOTT while breaking up with this wife, Sara. The beauty of this album is that the eloquence of the art transcends the pain and despite it, this album is not a downer.The lyrical talent presented here in and of itself is a celebration, regardless of the theme or mood.Unlike his mid-60's "psychadelic" material, the lyrics here are cogent and the metaphors brutally meaningful and personal.They are less ambiguous, less subject to interpretation.In that regard, this harkens back to pre-electric Dylan, particularly the albums "The Times, They Are A-Changin'" and "Another Side", both of which feature many songs based on the breakup of his relationship with Suze Rotolo.(Notice how "If You See Her, Say Hello" thematically and musically recalls "Girl From the North Country" from the "Freewheelin" album.)

The lyrics on this album will endure for ages. "I came in from the wilderness/a creature void of form/Come in she said, I'll give you/shelter from the storm". . . . . Powerful. "I'm going out of my mind/with a pain that stops and starts/like a corkscrew to my heart/ever since we've been apart". . . . Heartbreaking. "I know where I can find you/in somebody's room/It's a price I have to pay/you're a big girl all the way". . . . . Devastating.And the first line of the marvellous opening track says it all."Early one morning, the sun was shining, I was laying in bed, wondering if she'd changed at all, if her hair was still red."So much is conveyed in those lines.They draw you in.What's the story here, you want to know.And the album unfolds from there.An incredible opener.

The lyrics, however, are only one side of the equation. This is his best sounding album ever. Thankfully, for one of the few times in his career, Dylan takes a period of months, not days, to record an album.The result is simply spectacular. No song here sounds like it was recorded in a slap dash manner like last time out on the abysmal sounding "Planet Waves". The musicianship and production on BOTT are spot on. On the other hand, no song is overdone; no song is too slick sounding.Interesting and ingenious chord progressions and melodic lines.Beautifully layered guitar work, several tracks deep on some songs.Dylan's singing is emphatic and convincing.Probably the best of his career.His guitar work is outstanding.Simple but perfect.(Lovely fingerpicking in "Buckets of Rain".) His best move of all was to redo some of the tracks in Minnesota instead of releasing the album with only the New York tracks.All the NY tracks were recorded in open E guitar tuning.Keeping all the tracks like that would have made the album monotonous.Re-recording several of the songs in standard tuning was the finishing touch - a stroke of brilliance that added variety and punch to the sound and feel. (Although it is a shame and to Dylan's discredit that he never properly acknowledged the Minnesota musicians - who contribute greatly to the marvelous sound of this album).Get this. Listen to it. It's a brilliant album.
... Read more

Asin: B00000253N
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Folk-Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Singer/Songwriter    6. United States of America   

Songs Of Conscience & Concern: A Retrospective Collection
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 March, 1999)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The 15 lesser-known tracks included in this compilation deliver exactly what the title states. Peter, Paul & Mary, of course, helped invent "protest" music when they recorded Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind," transforming it into a '60s civil rights anthem. That song isn't included here; in fact, the best-known tune is Phil Ochs's "There But for Fortune," although folk fans will also be familiar with Woody Guthrie's Depression-era "Pastures of Plenty" and the antiwar "Wasn't That a Time," most often associated with the Weavers. The social concerns addressed range from environmental degradation (the antinuke "Power") to racial disharmony (Pete Seeger's childlike "All Mixed Up") to political injustice (the graphic albeit melodically beautiful "El Salvador"). "Don't Laugh at Me," the sole new track here, preaches childhood tolerance, making it a perfect companion piece to PPM's classic "Danny's Down," also included here. The gorgeous, melodic new song is a must for fans, and although the other 14 songs are culled from nine previous LPs, it's still impressive to hear such sincere expressions of social consciousness. --Bill Holdship ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary as folk singers
The idea behind "Songs of Conscience & Concern" is Peter, Paul & Mary sang lots of other great protest songs besides their popular hits "If I Had A Hammer," "Blowin' In The Wind," and "Where Have All The Flowers Gone."I might not have heard PP&M sing many of the songs included in this retrospective collection, but several of them are quite familiar from all the folk music I have been listening to this year.The album begins with the Weaver's "What That A Time" and Woody Guthrie's "Pastures Of Plenty," two songs I have recently discovered and greatly admire. The issues covered in these songs stretch from the Great Depression to today and the songs come from a dozen PP&M albums, although it is not surprising that three of the songs come from their "Flowers and Stones" album.One of the things I really noticed on this album was that they reflect not only the graceful harmonies of the trio, but that the instrumental work on some of these songs is as good as anything we have heard them do.With their successful holiday concerts and the enduring legacy of "Puff the Magic Dragon," it is important sometimes to remember that Peter, Paul & Mary were folk singers, and that once upon a time folk singers were the social conscience of this nation.This album is a remember of those times.

Touching CD!
This Peter ,Paul and Mary Cdis a dimaond in the ruff.It contains all lesser known songs.So if you want there famous and best songs you won`t find them on here .However the song EL SALVADOR takes us back to the Reagan presidency and wonders why are troops are there?But the one song that made this album a must by for me is DON`T LAUGH AT ME!...THIS SONG WILL SIMPLY TOUCH YOUR HEART!The song reflects on all the kids and people who are always ridiculed for there awkward appearances or social status.Maybe every cruel kid who tortured another kid as a child should listen to this song?As the song says in the end we all will get our angel`s wings.We are truely all equal in the eyes of God.If you wish to teach your kid about life ,buy this cd and listen to this song!

A Great Compilation of the Music PPM is Best At
PPM have been my favorite group ever since my parents bought us their first albums in the early sixties.I have also raised my now college-aged kids on PPM.I thoroughly enjoy this CD, even though I have all the songs (except the new one) on my other PPM CDs.My favorite titles are "Danny's Downs", "Home is Where the Heart Is" and "Don't Laugh at Me".They make us "conscience" of social issues that affect all of us here and now.It is great to have most of my favorite PPM songs on one CD.It is great tosee that after 40 years they are still giving us great 'G' rated music. ... Read more

Asin: B00000I8TV
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Folk    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Folk-Pop    4. Political Folk    5. Pop    6. Traditional Folk   

The War Is Over: The Best of Phil Ochs
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (04 October, 1994)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

On the one hand this compilation is hardly a "best of." On the other, the title is apt: this is a collection of Ochs after his most political period, and is dominated by difficult, uneven, and harrowing post-'67 material. Hanging up his solo activist persona, Ochs experimented with strings, folk rock, and full-tilt rock & roll, looking for a way out of the troubadour cult status he'd created for himself. The set may not be representative of Ochs as a whole, but there's an affecting poetic impressionism at work, and the sound of a man trying to make sense of his own life, as he also tries to make sense of the changes around him. --Roy Francis Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very poor cd
Phil Ochs was a very special person and an excellent singer. He had a sense of humor, sang with emotion, and carried many political and social messages with his songs. Unfortunately, with the exception of a couple of common songs on this cd, such as Outside a Small Circle of Friends, Tape from California, and I Ain't Marchin' Anymore (which can be found on virtually any other cd of his), this did not accurately present Phil Ochs as a singer. It certainly should not be called "The Best of Phil Ochs" because the songs are more of rock style that he experimented with later on in his life when he was severly depressed. It gave me a headache just to listen to many songs on this cd... I view this as a very similar cd to the "Gunfight at Carnegie Hall" one. While it may be historically interesting to understand Phil Ochs's downfall late in his life through this cd, I believe a biographical book of Phil Ochs much better serves this purpose. "The Best of Phil Ochs" cd is a horrible introduction to an excellent folk singer that had much more to offer to the world than portayed in these songs...

The Best & best-priced collection of Phil Ochs available...
I find the only early folky-protest Ochs song of value to be CHANGES, which is not on this cd; but what is on it represents his true lasting genius in writing, singing, andpsychosocial commentary... Ochs workedwith gifted producers and musicians (Larry Marks, Van Dyke Parks, RyCooder, Clarence White, Lincoln Mayorga) on these records: PLEASURES OF THEHARBOR, PHIL OCHS' GREATEST HITS, REHEARSALS FOR RETIREMENT, which are thesources for this best-of, and the lush strings & flawlesspop/folk/chamber arrangements really hold up! For my taste/ears, the opener'Tape from California' is one song truly warranting desert islandcompanionship: the damn thing has so many twists & turns & richpoetic wordplay, plus harmony-singalong possibilities that I've literallyplayed it hundreds of times and never gotten tired of it.Phil Ochs' lyrics I personally dig the more they becameplayful/'trippy-surreal'/entheogen-influenced? than their mid-60'sprotest-commie mode...and

thankfully the former are what's served uphere, a lovingly-crafted worthy salute to a great & tragic artist. PhilOchs' voice was a pretty amazing instrument, maybe not everyone's c of twith its oft-employed distinctive vibrato, but I think the guy really hadIT and this material shows it!

Thorough Collection of Post-Folkie Ochs Work
While it contains only one of his folk-protest songs, a live version of "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore," this CD gathers some of the best, or quirkiest, of Ochs' late 60s studio recordings, many of which are fascinating.Lyrics were always paramount for Ochs, and since he was steeped in the folk music structural tradition of verse upon verse, some of his songs seem to ramble on longer than necessary; but the best of them, "Outside a Small Circle of Friends," "Pleasures of the Harbor," and "Tape From California" are more memorable and adventurous than anything recorded by the folk artists who were his peers at the time.This CD represents only a portion of Ochs' importance, but it is a good introduction for music lovers who know little or nothing about him and his music.If you like this CD, you should also pick up "There But for Fortune," an 18-track compilation of his early work, to get a more thorough overview of Ochs' tragically brief but inspirational life and music. ... Read more

Asin: B000002GI3
Subjects:  1. Folk & Traditional    2. Folk-Rock    3. Political Folk    4. Pop    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Blue
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $8.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Joni Mitchell would go on from this '71 recording to make more popular, more ambitious, and more challenging albums, but she's never made a better one. Working with minimal accompaniment (Stephen Stills and James Taylor are two of the four sidemen), the Canadian thrush summoned an involving song cycle of romance found and lost. Though Blue is an uncommonly intimate representation, it's also astonishingly open and gracious. Songs such as "All I Want," "Carey," "California," and "A Case of You" work equally well as poetry and pop music. --Steve Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (187)

Nothin' like first impressions..
I just bought this album a couple weeks ago. It was my first Joni Mitchell album, and certainly not my last.

"Blue" is a wonder. It's melancholy, sparse, and quiet..yet, it's totally inviting. The songs range from folky, accoustic guitar songs to piano ballads; and not much in between.

"Carey" and "California" both fall into the former category, and are two of the more upbeat moments to be found. Both contain nice pop hooks; the latter sounds very James Taylor-ish, and I believe he played on this album.

Songs like "The Last Time I Saw Richard", and the title track fall into the latter category; both are haunting and beautiful at the same time. "River" is another sad, gorgeous piano ballad.

"A Case Of You" seems to be an 'essential' Joni Mitchell song; it's another gentle, beautiful folk song with some really excellent lyrics. Equally as essential in my view is "My Old Man".

Other highlights include the brooding "This Flight Tonight", the delicate "Little Green", and the opener "All I Want", which hooked me within the first 20 seconds, and never let up..

Now, to purchase some more Joni Mitchell albums..

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant!
This is an absolutely brilliant work of art right here.Joni Mitchell is just a great artist all around and she brings a level of depth to her work that is rarely seen.Unfortunately, being a profound musical artist is generally something that is not valued or appreciated by most, so many just won't get Joni Mitchell.Joni possesses a truly rare gift as a lyricist, and she is able to paint extremely vivid, rich and effective pictures with her pen.She is also one of the greatest composers ever.She has created some of the most complex and beautiful arrangements and melodies that I've ever been lucky enough to hear.Her arrangements are generally pretty intricate, so if your simply looking for some catchy poppy tunes to bob your head to, then you are really looking in the wrong place.Joni Mitchell is one of the few artist that I've heard that I can honestly describe as a genius and she shows why througout this entire album.This album is a totally engulfing experience from beginning to end.It can be a tough nut to crack at first if you don't already listen to this "type" of music ( I use that word very loosely because I really don't like to categorize music into "types"-the only types that I care about can be measured in degrees of quality :-), but man is it rewarding once you get it.It was a challenge for me at first, but I've learned that the best albums are not the ones that are fully grasped on the first listen, but ultimately are the ones that are just as powerful and rewarding no matter how many times you listen to them, and those albums often take a few listens to grasp.So, I continued to listen, and now I would put this in the top 5 albums that I have ever heard.It is stellarly written, superbly composed and just so moving, powerful, and effective an experience, that it gets better with each listen.The tone of this album is pretty somber all througout, although it does have the occasional radiant burst of sunshine such as 'Carey' and the oh so rockin' 'This Flight Tonight'.Well, I guess that I can't really describe 'This Flight Tonight' as radiant, but it is an energetic break from the melancholy somberness of most of the album.Ultimately, the best albums are the ones that are the most rewarding, and I have heard very few albums in my lifetime that are anywhere near as rewarding as this one is.

Follows you all through your life
32 years ago I was sitting on a beach with a girl and she said to me "There is a line in a song that goes 'Just before our love got lost, you said "I am as constant as the northern star" and I said, "Constantly in the darkness.Where's that at!If you want me I'll be in the bar." And I was hooked!I listened to the album ("Blue") and it has followed me through my life - as an anthem - a paean of the sweetest poetry - a melody to life.My youngest daughter heard it some years ago and now Blue has become her companion.This is unrepeated beauty and the sweetest companion in love and sadness. Mitchell has done a lot of great stuff since but nothing that quite matches the exquisite emotional subtelty of this musical masterpiece.Give it a try. If you have the ear you won't regret it.If not, that's ok. ... Read more

Asin: B000002KBU
Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Folk-Rock    3. Folk/Country Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits Of Melanie
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (13 July, 1999)
list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Melanie was the Jewel of the Woodstock Generation. Like her three-decades-down-the-road heir, the woman born Melanie Safka made a quick splash as a radio-friendly singer-songwriter. Something of a male Donovan (what is this, no-surname syndrome?), Melanie took hits (like Jewel, too) for delivering what critics considered hippie-dippy platitudes. (She came to resent her "bliss ninny" image and rebelled against it following her late-'60s, early-'70s heyday.) But, also like Donovan, Melanie's best songs have aged nicely, thanks in large part to her knack for integrating her distinctive rasp into ingratiating hooks and solid folk-rock arrangements. Alternating between melismatic sing-alongs ("Lay Down," here in unedited seven-minute-plus form, her splendid cover of "Ruby Tuesday," "What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?") and precious novelty numbers ("The Nickel Song," "Brand New Key," "Animal Crackers"), Melanie wrote her own little bit of pop history, which is celebrated in this worthy 19-song retrospective. All the hits are here, remastered by art-rock avatar Robert Fripp. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (19)

However....
I give this a 5 star rating for the 7 minute "Lay Down" and the beautifully remastered sound...HOWEVER....Where is "BITTER BAD"????:(

Incredible Voice
I remember listening to a great rock station in Atlanta in the late '60s.It played several of her songs and I am still in love with that raspy voice that's so unique.I do recall one song that I don't see listed on any on these releases.She did a version of the Who's "We're Not Going To Take It" and I wish I could hear it again.Maybe it's under a different title.But anyway, her voice stands out among the rest of female vocalist.She's captured my heart.

Not a Melanie fan, _but_
I bought this cd mostly for "The Nickel Song" which I happen to think is a terrific view of life in any sort of business. I really didn't expect to like the other cuts, having stated I'm not a Melanie fan.

But guess what - I did. I had forgotten how amazing "(Lay Down) Candles in The Rain" sounded, how the gospel singers and Melanies voice worked so well together. And I even sort of like "Brand New Key" now that they don't play it on the radio station every 20 minutes. My only complaint was "Lover's Cross" - I much prefer that by Jim Croce, but considering I didn't expect to like the rest of the cd except for "The Nickel Song", I was quite surprised.

If you're a fan, buy this cd - the sound is wonderul and her voice is clear and pure on it. If you're a wishy washy fan as I was, buy it anyway and enjoy it - you'll probably be surprised how much you like Melanie's music. I know I was. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JIL0
Subjects:  1. AM Pop    2. Folk-Pop    3. Folk-Rock    4. Jesus Rock    5. Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter    7. V/a Compilations   

The Best of Don McLean [EMI]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Reviews (19)

Musical Poetry
Don McLean is the subject of Roberta Flack's heartfelt tribute in the 1973 hit 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'.
McLean is certainly one of the greatest balladeers, coming out with some really superior music, soothing, thoughtful and with poetic lyrics.

This album begins with McLean's most famous hit 'American Pie' (1971) which was inspired by the tragic death of one of McLean's earliest role models and musical influences, Buddy Holly, in 1959.
Later commentators have tried to put other significance to the song, such as claiming it was an anti- Vietnam War protest song, but there is no evidence for such claims, as McLean refuses to comment on such spurious analysis.

At any rate , American Pie is one of my less favourite McLean songs so I don't know why it is his most famous.

It is followed by the sad tribute to Vincent Van Gogh, Vincent (1971).

But these two well known songs where certainly far from the sum total of Don Mc Lean's talent. 'And I Love You So (1970) is McLean's beautiful version of this poignant love song, also done by various other artists.
He also does a great version of Crying (1978), originally the hit of Roy Orbison in 1961.

Castles In The Air (1970) is in my opinion, perhaps McLean's greatest piece, an exquisite song of longing for the beauty and simplicity of the country life away from the shallow 'cocktail generation': "Words cannot express the feel of sunlight in the morning , in the hills away from city strife.I need a country woman for my wife , I'm city born but I love the country life" . The words are poetic and set to fantastic music. I can relate to the song perfectly.

Dreidel (1972), another superb piece, refers to the spinning top played with by Jewish children at the festival of Chanukah, and he compares it's spinning to the spinning of life.

Then there is the musical poetry of Winter Wood (1971) and the feel good love song Everyday (1973).

Mountains o'Mourne (1973) is an Irish ballad of longing and love , and as always McLean does it perfectly

While all the songs on this album are exquisite there are other wonderful songs, which McLean sung, which are unfortunately left off this album such as The Birthday Song (1972) , Wonderful Baby (1974) , Fools Paradise ( 1973) and Respectable ( 1970) .
With only ten songs on this album, there should have been space for some more McLean gems.

OUTSTANDING SONGS
Not a prolific artist, Don McLean's small body of work does contain some brilliant compositions. American Pie is a magnificent epic in the folk or singer/songwriter tradition, an avalanche of cinematic surreal images set to a memorable tune. It has been said that McLean outdylaned Bob Dylan here! Madonna certainly likes it as she recorded it recently. Vincent, about the painter Vincent Van Gogh, is perceptive, gentle and poignant and reminds me of Anne Sexton's poem Starry Night from the book To Bedlam And Part Way Back. And I Love You So, a hit for Perry Como in the seventies, is a gorgeous love song, Castles In The Air is sad and moving and McLean demonstrates his interpretive skills on this lovely cover of Crying. The aforementioned tracks are light years ahead of the rest but they're so unique and gripping that I gladly award this album 5 sparkling stars.

Brilliance in Small Portions
In my opinon, Vincent is the most beautifully written pop/folk song of the last century. While challenged in lyrical quality by other greats such as Janis Ian, Paul Simon, Joan Baez and Pete Seeger and even Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot and Jewel, Mc Lean fashioned together a few of the finest songs of this genre reaching the pinnacle with such folk touchstones as American Pie and Vincent. Ironically, like Van Gough himself, McLean's life and talents were fleeting. An excellent must have CD. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UUF
Sales Rank: 14685
Subjects:  1. Folk & Traditional    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter    5. Soft Rock   

Gone from Danger
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 September, 1997)
list price: $15.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Joan Baez has always been a top-notch interpreter and a perceptive spotter of young talent. On Gone from Danger, she hooks up with a number of talented young songwriters, simultaneously offering them a higher-profile platform for their work and giving her own career a needed boost. Folk-rocker Sinead Lohan contributes the gorgeous "No Mermaid" and "Who Do You Think I Am," while Baez takes on a trio of tunes by Richard Shindell, including "Reunion Hill," which ranks with the Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (which Baez memorably covered) and Dave Alvin's "Andersonville" as among the best contemporary songs about the Civil War. There are also songs by Dar Williams ("February," "If I Wrote You") and Betty Elders ("Crack in the Mirror") and one by Baez herself ("Lily"). All of them are terrific, and the performances are among Baez's best since her commercial heyday. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Beautiful recording, well chosen songs, and excellent
Probably the best all-around of any Baez CD, in my opinion. Some of the music is a hard listen:"February" the story of a lost love and new beginning just about brings me to tears."A crack in the mirror" about child abuse, cuts straight to the bone about the issue---from all points of view.

"Lily" which was written by Baez about a friend of hers from High School that she recently found is probably my favorite of the music.It's uptempo and reminds me strongly of hearing the song live at the Portland Zoo one full moon night.

Frankly, this album is as close as you can get to being there.

perfect recording--my favorite joan baez
her voice is a beautiful as ever, her political stance as strong and unequivocal as ever. I listen to this album over and over with great appreciation. The arrangements are first-rate. The songs are selected with preternatural intuition. Thank you, Joan, for this wonderful recording.

BAEZ HASN'T LOST HER SHINE
I grew up listening to Joan Baez, but in recent years, my LP's--you know, those discs before CD's--have taken a backseat in my daily listening. Let's face it, soundwise, they just no longer compete. Also, Joan is not up at the top of the charts anymore with the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguillera, et al--I shudder. That's just not my type of music. So with my Joan LP's out of sight and the lack of any "Joan media hype", I forgot that Joan Baez is very much alive and still a better talent than most of the hot tickets today. And she reminded me of that with this album. She has not lost a step. Her voice is pure gold and her songs touching and real. She sings stories. She paints pictures not only with the lyrics, but with the way she sings the words. She conveys emotions. She is an artist. God has given her a gift in her voice and she uses it perfectly. While I love all the songs on this album, my favorites are "Reunion Hill", "Fishing", "If I Wrote You," and "February". Joan becomes the person telling her story in each of these songs. In "Reunion Hill", you feel the woman's sorrow. You picture the INS interviewer in "Fishing". Joan touches her listeners in ways that many of today's "top singers" have yet to do. Many would do well to study Joan's work and learn from her.Final note: I saw Joan perform live on April 1, 2003. She sang for over 2 hours. How many performers do that nowadays? She was personable, honest, and true to herself. Today's younger listeners don't know what they're missing. Joan Baez is a jewel who should be cherished. Keep singing, Joan. I will never stop listening. Especially now that many of your earlier albums are being re-issued on CD. And, I can't wait for the new album this summer.And "Gone From Danger", I rate 5 stars out of 5. Diane Meholick, author of the novel,"Painting Katherine"... ... Read more

Asin: B000002SN9
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Folk    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Pop    4. Singer/Songwriter   

Changing Horses
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 September, 1994)
list price: $16.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

They really don't write them like this any more. "Big Ted's dead / He was a great old pig," sings Robin Williamson. "He'd eat most anything / Never wore a wig." Although the Incredible String Band had always been delightfully ramshackle, 1969's Changing Horses found the innovative folk-rock duo of Williamson and his mate Mike Heron becoming almost a slipshod stoned parody of themselves--with assistance from their girlfriends Rose and Licorice. Of the six tracks, two ramble on at such length (over 14 minutes) that even such exotic instruments as sarang, gimbiri, Chinese banjo, and the inevitable sitar fail to maintain much interest. Bob Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" had, no doubt, convinced them that quarter of an hour wasn't too long to go on about "messengers with sharpened heels" and an "amethyst galleon out on the rolling sea." But it is! Committed Incredible fans will hug this to their bosoms, but the casual listener is advised to check out the 1967 classic The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. --Johnny Black ... Read more

Reviews (7)

I'm still amazed
If there ever was something that change my life. It was definily this band. How modest they are to call themselves the Incredible Stringband when in fact they are/were the Incredible innovators of 'my thoughts' in all my early years, that is from the age of 13 well, until now. If anybody had an impact onmy life Robin certainly did. For many years ago, in Copenhagen, I meet licorice in a park, I wasgoing the same evening to a concert with the I.S.B. And there I was..... together with Licorice.. what a thrill... Until this day I remember that day. And the concert was great. There was light everywere and I mean light,because wereever the ISB played, there was light. I love these persons I know that they loved me. If ever you should listen to music, and offcourse you are, DO'NT MISS THIS. I love you but the maker he loves you the best.

THE BEGINNING OF CHANGES...
CHANGING HORSES was originally released in 1969, not that long after the ISB�s WEE TAM/BIG HUGE double-LP release (separated into two individual albums for release in the good ol� USA).Some of the gentle mood of WT/BH carried over into this recording, but for the most part it feels like the growth process that it is � the band was extending its instrumental reach into electric guitars (included on 3 of the 6 tracks).The listener could almost �feel� what was to come with future releases � the band�s personnel would change and expand, and they would become more of a �rock� outfit by the time EARTHSPAN was released in 1972.The changes were welcomed by some and dreaded by others.

The set opens with �Big Ted�, a Robin Williamson composition devoted to the life and death of a pig � done up in his inimitable style, and including some great, gently humorous lines.�White bird�, a 14-minute-plus Mike Heron opus, follows � the booklet reproduces Mike�s artwork as well as his calligraphy accompanying this song.The song goes through some nice, interesting changes, and overall works very well.�Dust be diamonds� is next � the first collaboration between Mike and Robin to appear on any of their records � with Robin taking the lead vocal.�Sleepers awake!� follows � a Mike Heron composition, sung a capella by the four members of the band in their beautiful sounds-like-a-rehearsal style.The voice blend into a lovely mix, and those of the girls are particularly effective in this setting.�Mr. & Mrs.� is next, another Robin Williamson composition.The arrangement here is the closest to a �rock� band that appears on this record � but it�s not at all overbearing, and seems to suit the song well.The lyrics are a bit hard to understand � it�s always been a disappointment to me that only two of the songs (the aforementioned �White bird� and �Creation�) were included in print.The swirling Leslies on the organ played by Licorice on this track are a great touch.�Creation� ends the album, a long (over 16 minutes) work composed by Robin.It�s an ambitious track, working elements of several creation myths into the lyrics, and it�s successful overall.My only problem with this track (and this is a personal peeve, not a serious criticism of the band�s work) is the inclusion of the �megaphone� effect on Robin�s vocal near the end of the piece � it�s a little too self-consciously vaudevillian for my tastes (he resorts to it again on a later album).

Robin and Mike were amazing prolific writers � thus the frequency of the ISB releases, 12 (13 if you count WEE TAM/BIG HUGE as two) releases between 1966-1973. This is an astonishing output that doesn�t even include compilations.There are more, recordings from early in their career and recordings made since they got back together a couple of years ago.They went through a lot of changes in a short period of time � but their work was generally of high quality, and always interesting, always pushing whatever envelope in which they imagined themselves � much to the listeners� delight.This is one of their better efforts, close to their best � definitely a great asset to my collection.

overall Incredible String Band rating
This album being a personal favourite, for its extendedtranscendental meditative trance numbers, White Bird and Creation, only gives you an idea of the ground Robin Williamsonand Mike Heron are capable of breaking. Its interesting for me to look back and see how I got turned on.It wasn't immediate acceptance, me being only 21,it was over my head--I wasn't at that level yet.Couple years later, I started to see(mostly for the lively blend/fusion ofeastern influence and folk-rock including innovations on the sitar).Williamson's lyrics are beyond reproach from even Bob Dylan as is his completely unique and supplemental singing style--East is as far as music goes.And the Incredible String Band is as far as Eastern goes. I now acclaim Robin Williamson as the greatest music artist(and least acknowledged) perhaps in all of history.Accompanied by Mike Heron, on any of a half a dozen instruments, this is the most farthest reaching experimentation and exploration of the ultimate limit in music. But most people we'll never even come close to "seeing".I'm deeply effended when uncultured/uneducated individuals insult their genious with rude, negative verbal insults and unsubstantiated, uneducated comparisons to the Bealtes who , of course, is probably the only band this person ever heard of(And this sorry excuse for anything claimed to be from and "know" the 60's-don't make me sick.The Beatles never had what these guys do.The comparison to me is ludicrous. Assists from Licorice and Rose are more than just whip creme and a cherry.The Incredible String Band recorded many great albums.Whether or not you listen to them depends on what you're looking for.But do you know genious when you see it? ... Read more

Asin: B00000064J
Subjects:  1. British Folk    2. British Folk-Rock    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Psychedelic   

Liege & Lief
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

British hippies who started out emulating Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention escalated their homeland connections with each outing, culminating in this, their fourth album and a watershed for British folk-rock. Hindsight offers the ironic possibility that the Dylan covers of its predecessor, Unhalfbricking, opened a window onto the earlier Irish-English-Scots roots of the American music they loved, and Liege & Lief jumps through that window triumphantly. "Come All Ye" underscores their affinity for the Band yet is joyfully rooted in their own fertile folk traditions, echoed in a mix of classic songs from members Sandy Denny, Ashley Hutchings, and Richard Thompson, and given direct homage in the extended ballads "Matty Groves" and "Tam Lin," which evoke Neil Young & Crazy Horse in kilts. Fiddler Dave Swarbrick's arrival as a fulltime member adds new richness and a wonderful foil for Thompson's superb guitar leads. A medley of jigs and reels showcases their flair for hot-wiring traditional British Isles dances, a fixture ever since. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Solid and Unqestionably Important, But Not FC's Best Album.
"Liege and Lief" is an undeniably important album and the word "seminal" cannot be overused in describing it.The album virtually single handily launched the genre of British folk/rock, inspired founder Fairprot member Ashley Hutchings to form Steeleye Span and, well the rest is history.

Nevertheless less this very solid album is not Fairport's best.The title belongs to their magnificent third album "Unhalfbicking" with their wonderful second album "What We Did On Our Holidays" checking in in second place.

Part of what keeps "Liege and Lief" from displacing those two are the occasional moments that come of just a mite contrived.The idea of kicking this off with a "calling on song" was a clever one give the albums concept of fully blending late 60's rock and roll with traditional British folk idioms, but that opening tack, "Come All Ye," well technically well accomplished comes across as more of an academic exercise than anything else.Nice try but better luck next time.

A smilier situation exists with the all instrumental track "The Lark in the Morning."Yes, jigs and reels are an important aspect of traditional music, but the execution here, while impressive, doesn't quite prevent the urge to hit the skip on the CD remote.

Much of the rest of the album, however isn't just exciting, it is damn exciting!The traditional "Matty Groves" is a harrowing epic of lust, betrayal, and murder that, in movie form, would have a difficult time getting on TV in these oh so Puritanical times in which we live.For all the songs strengths (and it has plenty to burn) it's pinnacle is the astonishingly passionate vocals from lead singer Sandy Denny who delivery terrifies me each and every time I hear it as she spins this mighty yarn and I've had this album in one form or another for more than 20 years.(Almost as compelling is the ghost story "Tam Lin" which also benefits from Denny's flawless delivery).

But the real highlights are two unbelievably gorgeous ballads, "Farewell, Farewell" and "Crazy Man Michael."Neither of them are traditional -- the first was written by then band member Richard Thompson (yes, *THAT* Richard Thompson) and the later by Thompson and band-mate Dave Swarbrick -- but you would only know that be reading the song credits as both sound like they could be traditional British Isles ballads that date back to the 15th century.Both are unforgettable and "Crazy Man Michael" just may be the bands single finest moment.A timeless classic for the ages.

So "Liege and Lief" is an excellent, but slightly flawed album.It's minor flaws are more than made up for by its heights, but those flaws do prevent it from being Fairport's finest moment, even if the album remains, unquestionably, its most influential moment.

Have I got views for you
Few albums truly merit the overused 'seminal' tag, but 'Liege & Lief' can stand proud among the best of 'em.
This, Fairport's best album by a country mile, played a lead role in kickstarting the British folk rock movement and it remains a key point of reference for lovers of the genre.
Rest assured, there is not a duff track on this masterpiece. If you get to the end of the opener, 'Come all Ye' without indulging in some serious foot-tapping, then the album's instant magic clearly hasn't woven its spell on you.
What follows is a veritable banquet of classic song after classic tune. This is the sound of a band at a creative peak and the album sounds as fresh and vital now as it did upon its release, all those years ago.
Buy this, and then tell your friends to buy it too. They'll thank you for the recommendation.

First and Best Folk Rock Ever
I first came across this album a little over 20 years ago in a water damaged box in a cottage in the Scottish borders. Since then it has been one of my favourite albums ever. It still sounds fresh today and has the best Fairport lineup and the most infectious energy and emotion of any of their work. I love most of Fairport's early output but this is singularly better than even What we did... or Unhalfbricking. Add "No Roses" by Shirley Collins and the Albion Country Band and you have the two most essential folk rock albums with the most awesome lineup of British folk musicians ever gathered. Listen to these two records and hear a thousand bands that have followed in their footsteps, and a few centuries of storytelling in song come to life. Revel in the romance and tragedy of Matty Groves, ache with the doomed Crazy Man Michael, jig and reel with the Medley, be astonished that Farewell Farewell wasn't written a couple of hundred years ago - if you like music, you need this album! ... Read more

Asin: B000002GFT
Subjects:  1. Folk & Traditional    2. Pop   

White Ladder
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 March, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

David Gray's glorious fourth record explodes in a wellspring of spacious, electronica-tinged folk-pop. He uses his bright growl of a voice to memorable effect, chewing on vowel sounds while spinning odes to lost love, the resiliency of young hearts, and the pain of experience. Gray's work finds the universality at the heart of folk music and tweaks it just enough to make it relevant for alternative audiences. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced
• Extra tracks

Reviews (372)

Fantastic Album
This is a great album and this artist knows how to craft a great song. I first heard his stuff in England on the radio and i couldn't get the music out of my head. Its a nice blend of acoustic guitar and electronic beats. Since i only review stuff i really like, i highly recommended White Ladder to those who enjoy singer/songwriter talents. This is a BIG talent.

brilliant
What a great cd!!! All the tracks are wonderful especially Babylon. The poetic songs will grow on you with each listen. Go out and buy it now you won't be disappointed.

This is great
I am a busy guy and I hardly ever have time to relax. I just discovered this wonderful CD and I can say that I have some peace of mind in my day now. This is smmoth, relaxing and deep. I love this CD. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Z3M3
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Sleepless
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 August, 1999)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $17.98
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Anyone expecting a stylistic leap the second time out for this bright talent will be disappointed with Sleepless. The mystery, however, is how anyone could listen to Kate Rusby's stunning debut, Hourglass, and wish that she'd abandon a sound that fits her like a custom-cut bodice. The Yorkshire, England-based classicist is clearly committed to the traditional folk music of her homeland, and she inhabits the music with preternatural confidence. First and foremost, she has a rare knack for making arcane phraseology seem vibrant. Witness the first album's "He took up his sword and he went to fight / Fa la lanky down dilly." Or, from this sophomore effort: "She's hit him on the head / The young man fell like lead / Quite dead / Upon the floor he lay." She dances over the words as if tipsy on some magical potion. Like its predecessor, Sleepless is marked by warm and supple playing. Among the smart originals and adapted traditionals is one contemporary selection--Iris DeMent's "Our Town." Appropriate, for as DeMent resuscitates old-time American hill music with unselfconscious élan, so does Rusby make the timeworn music of the British Isles come alive. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Kate Rusby's best album to date
I've been thrilled with the sounds of this album since it was first released, and even after hearing her earlier and later efforts, this is still the one that stands out in my mind as her most consistently engaging. Critics of Rusby complain that she sings the same songs over and over again. Of course there are many characteristics of her songs, which are mostly traditional British folk songs, that make them sound similar. Where Sleepless shines, however, is keeping the folk spirit without making each song sound alike.

From the opening number, "The Cobbler's Daughter", she lets the audience know that this album contains some unusual picks. Instead of a stereotypical ballad of lost or forbidden love, this song tells the story of an ardent suitor who woos the narrator until her exasperated parents attack him--her father by punching him in the eye, and her mother following up with a blow to the head with a broom, causing the young man to die and the mother to end up in prison. Rusby does follow this up with the more conventional "I Wonder What's Keeping My True Love Tonight", but this and the other more well-known songs on this album still sound fresh and meaningful. Although a modern listener unfamiliar with folk music might at first find the lyrics contrived and artificial, Rusby manages to make them beautiful and poignant.

A few of Rusby's own songs are included, the best being "The Sleepless Sailor", a haunting ballad of the sea. "Sweet Bride", written when Rusby was sixteen, is a little more banal but still catchy, and is the album's only misstep.

Rusby's vocals, as always, are pure and sultry, perfect for the songs she sings. Tim O'Brien also makes a short and welcome appearance. The instrumental accompaniments are some of the best aspects of the album. John McCusker's fiddle and Rusby's own guitar add variety and depth to the already great performance of Rusby herself.

I love this album!
This is my first experience with the voice of Kate Rusby. It makes me want to get her other CDs. I have listened to it only a couple of times but each time I hear it I hear new things and the music means more to me. That is the mark of a good album. I will only comment on one song, "Wild Goose," which is my favorite. In fact I loved it so much I went hunting for sources and found out (as I suspected) that it is a sea shanty (a "halyard song" to be precise), sometimes known as "Ranzo" or "Ranzo Ray." Those words appear in the chorus, as another reviewer mentioned. Of course Kate does her own thing with it, and the results give me a lump in the throat. It's a wonderful thing to know how a song can live many lives, from long-ago sailors singing as they work the sails and ropes, to my living room in 2004, and still have a powerful meaning. Thanks, Kate.

It's Your Town....Goodnight
Anyone who has even the slighest interest in traditional folk music, either from Britain, Ireland, or from the U.S., is doing themselves a disservice by ignoring this CD.Someone mentioned a comparison to June Tabor, which is a good starting point, except June has experimented with folk/rock and cabaret jazz genres, whereas Ms. Rusby's feet are firmly planted on traditional soil. Her gorgeously burnished voice hides her relative youth; her work is truly a stunning accomplishment.

While the pronounciation in her thick native Yorkshire accent can be a bit idiosyncratic, there is no hiding the heartbreak and melancholy that she brings to the traditional songs, and particularly to her well chosen cover of Iris Dement's "Our Town."See if you can listen to that song with a dry eye. Ah, but there is some much more to bathe yourself in as her voice permeates your head and heart. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JWCN
Subjects:  1. British Folk    2. Celtic    3. Celtic/Irish    4. Int'l & World Music    5. Pop   

Spirit
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 November, 1998)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

It's time for an update of our image of Jewel, the ingenue who set the music world on fire with her 1995 debut album, Pieces of You. After all, that effort consisted primarily of songs Jewel had written several years before, some of them dating back to her days as a free- spirited waif living in a van on the beach in San Diego. Now, at 25, she's become a sort of guru for self-expression and full disclosure, revealing perhaps too much of herself in see-through dresses worn to awards shows and a critically drubbed (yet bestselling) book of poetry. Spirit makes plain why Jewel's well-intentioned yet sometimes facile lyrics strike a chord with her audience while her poetry lies flat on the page. On songs like "Deep Water," "Hands," and "Down So Long," her words are borne aloft by sparkling melodies and her soaring voice, making even the most cynical observer take a schoolgirl-notebook image such as "your heart like grape gum on the ground" or an unreassuring platitude like "If I could tell the world just one thing / It would be that we're all OK" somewhat in stride. On Pieces of You, Jewel posed the musical question "Who will save your soul?" On Spirit, it sounds like she wants to do it herself. And the truth is, if you don't overanalyze it, the album does act as a sort of balm for wounded psyches or maybe a primer for raising your own inner child. Maybe she's right and we are all OK. Who knew? --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (585)

Poetic
This is my favorite Jewel CD to date.I love how poetic these songs are, and her voice is absolutely amazing.

The song "Hands" is the reason I purchased this CD to begin with.When I heard it on the radio, it really stuck with me.Especially the part where she asks "are you gonna save your soul?".What an important question!

All the songs on this CD have great meaning, when you really take the time to listen to them, and I think that's what I like so much about Jewel's music.

I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys "folk-rock" music, or is looking for lyrics with depth.

Get this Album; it's Jewel's "Spirit"
I returned to this album after 2 years of not listening to it.I don't like that many albums by female singers; this is one that I like.

Almost every song is stellar.Here is a list of my favorites:

Deep Water:she's got the voice of a minister in this one; she's kind of preaching, but it's very calming and enjoyable.you hear the beauty of her voice in this song

Hands:It sounded corny when it was a hit, but its lyrics are in fact pretty moving."I will not be idle with despair..." it even refers to her days of poverty.*very much like

Innocence Maintained: this is an underrated one. it's got a message, and a very nice melody.her words are very convincing

Stranger from the East: i also dont hear about this one a lot.it's very quiet, but it's a power gleaming from under the surface.i love her voice, it dips low, it stretches out high--she can do anything with her voice

Barcelona: brings me back to my high school days.it perfectly describes alienation.i used to like the "Let me fly..." chorus a lot more.it gives me a pang of what sadness was like then

i'm approaching this album with a lot of nostalgia, but i hope my review of the songs was a good introduction. All the songs are good.she really gave her all for this album; i miss the old Jewel.hopefully she will bring back her spirituality for the next album

Very deep, poetic and spiritful at the same time
This is the first Jewel's album that I bought. At 1st,I didnt like it, but then I found the depth of the album. She's simply a very poetic woman, yet also critical. I love almost the entire tracks but I love :
"Hands"--deep! I LOVE IT!
"Down So Long"--My 2nd fave
"Abscene of Fear"--wonderful
"Do You"
"Life Uncommon" // "Jupiter"// "This Little Bird"--her mom's song is very smoky!!!.Why Nedra wasn't being a singer?. ... Read more

Asin: B00000F1CY
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Singer/Songwriter   

Solitude Standing
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Suzanne Vega emerged in the mid-'80s, and while her intimate voice and acoustic guitar brought to mind Joni Mitchell, her urbane lyrics suggested a sensibility that was as much reportorial as confessional. Vega's second album, which replaced the delicate acoustic textures of her self-titled debut with more dramatic arrangements, includes Vega's career song, "Luka," surely one of the biggest hits ever written about child abuse. But it was the energetic folk-rock production of "Luka," thick with ringing guitars and pushed by perky drums, that let the listener luxuriate in a song that suggested the darkness that can lurk behind a neighbor's door. The title tune confronts personal loneliness with a similarly powerful performance, while "Ironbound/Fancy Poultry" makes a downtown landscape sound downright homey. Well-turned tunes like "Calypso" and "Gypsy" recall the softer textures of her debut. Ironically, Vega's next big hit would come when the English production duo DNA made a dance hit out of "Tom's Diner," a nursery-rhyme tribute to a coffee shop that opens the album. --John Milward ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Excellent lyrical folk-rock
Suzanne Vega is a talented writer of poetic folk songs.This album brought her commercial success and prominence with the captivating hit Luka.The title track is also quite memorable and the acapella Tom's Diner is also a haunting ode to emotional isolation, a theme that seems to run throughout Vega's introspective songs.Calypso is a nice melodic song based on Greek myth, and overall this album is pretty memorable, though a bit melancholy.Vega has an average voice, which suits her material fine, as her voice doesn't overpower the mood of her songs.Suzanne Vega is a singer/songwriter with a unique sound and original songs that folk aficianados will likely enjoy.

Solitude Standing
I've been listening to this album since the 80's, and Vega's unique voice and gripping lyrics still capture me and draw me into her world.
"Solitude Standing" is near and dear to me because of songs like "Luka", "Gypsy", and "Tom's Diner". Each song that she sings really tells a story about pain, love, love lost, and neglect.
Suzanne Vega keeps inspiring the musicians around her as well as her listeners.

Stands the test of time
This CD, Suzanne Vega's second, brought her commercial success through two of its best songs. Fans who are folk purists have something bad to say about everything after her first, eponymous, recording. Most of us, however, would never have heard that first recording if not for the success of this one, and it was successful for good reason. It isn't that the warmer sound or the use of distinctive instrumentation drew in fans, though some of the experiments with new sounds here seem to foreshadow her later work with Mitchell Froom. It's that Ms. Vega's poetry - and her lyrics truly are poetry - moved from the steady cool flow of her first album to include several truly outstanding songs like "Luka", "In the Eye", "Language", "Solitude Standing", "Ironbound", and "Tom's Diner", that jump out and grab the listener emotionally. And it's interesting to be grabbed so fiercely by such a tiny soft voice uttering such powerful words.

Where the a capella "Tom's Diner" has one marveling at Vega's descriptiveness again, as well as a simple but captivating beatnik beat, "Luka" and "In the Eye" are absolutely breathtaking in their quiet intensity. Reviewers here have diverse interpretations of "In the Eye", but I hear another abusive relationship in its worst moments as she calmly sings, "If you were to kill me now right here I would still look you in the eyes. And I would burn myself into your memory as long as you were still alive. I would live inside of you, I'd make you wear me like a scar." Her poetry acquires more feeling on this album, from my perspective. "Gypsy", though not the best song here, actually has warmth to it, something new to her repertoire at the time. "Solitude Standing" and "Language" are more her usual brilliant but cool and abstract use of language, discussed and quoted ad nauseum below, but absolutely lovely. Her descriptions of the urban landscape on "Ironbound" bring back vivid memories of neighborhoods I haven't seen in 35 years.

I rarely listen to this CD anymore, taken more by the sound of "99.9Fº" or the lyrics of "Songs in Red and Gray" when I'm in a Suzanne Vega mood. But this is a cohesive consistent beautiful recording without a bad song and many a great one, even by Suzanne Vega standards. Which is to say the lyrics are magnificent, the music lovely, and that it's miles above work done by any other singer/songwriter I can think of. And it's an obvious starting point for anyone interested in her work. ... Read more

Asin: B000002GHB
Subjects:  1. Folk & Traditional    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Regrooving the Dream
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 July, 2000)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If a musician could be described in baseball terms, Patty Larkin would be the ultimate utility player. She can do a little bit of everything--she's a poetic songwriter, a passionate vocalist, a knockout guitar player, a savvy entertainer, and a creator of music she plays herself on a multitude of instruments: guitars, lap steel, mandolin, accordion, and keyboards. The Boston native draws on a world of sounds--R&B, blues, Celtic, jazz, rock, even samba--for an inventive and innovative songbook that creeps into the contemporary fabric of America. Larkin has always balanced roots steeped in folk music with a modern pop edge, while never allowing her witty, thoughtful lyrics to take a backseat. On Regrooving the Dream, those lyrics ride shotgun. --Scott Holter ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Not so good to a Kottke head ...
I bought this CD after learning that Larkin is opening for Leo Kottke at a few concerts this spring. Expecting a fingerstyle guitar performance worthy of an opening act for Kottke, I was very dissappointed with the mediocre guitar performance. I was further dissapointed with her singing style; dark, monotonic, uninspiring. If you are looking for a Kottke peer performance, look elsewhere. If you think that Lisa Kudrow's character in 'Friends' puts on a good musical performance, you'll like this CD.

Multi-faceted Patty Keeps Pushing The Envelope
With each new album, Patty Larkin expands from her folk roots into uncharted realms both as a performer and songwriter. To these we must now add producer as well. Co-producing (with Bette Warner) her latest "Regrooving The Dream", Patty has absolutely mastered the studio and tamed it to serve her whims. The aural magic that only someone comfortable wearing all three caps can craft is blissfully evident here. This patchwork of sonic landscapes and spellbinding lyricism is even more dynamic and emotional than we've come to expect from this now seasoned artist. From her days as a street busker and Boston's "Best Kept Secret" she's matured into the complete artisan shown here, garnering a whopping eleven Boston Music Awards along the way.Her supple pipes suit her tremendously diverse repertoire to a T, and are among the very best anywhere. Her lyrics wend from the weary to the provocative, from the playfully absurd to the tragic. A Berklee alum, her guitar styles are often astonishingly beautiful, from intimate yet forceful chordings to molten slide work. Among the several other instruments she plays (all quite well) is my old favorite, the accordian, used to marvellous effect on the rai tinged "Anyway The Main Thing Is", myfavorite track. Talk about rockin' the Casbah. Between the squeezebox and the"manic mariachi" horn section, you could be in pre-war Algiers.Unafraid to take the "path less often travelled", but obviously pouring her heartinto this project, she's put together a masterpiece of americana. Well chosen cohorts like Marc Shulman, Glen Velez and the eclectic Mike Rivard, serve to round out her sound, never intruding, acting as extensions of her own voice. Exemplary sonics add even more impetus to an already winning work.This contemplative gem surely counts as a classic without genre, often the very best kind. Exploratory, yet at the same time, supremely confident, Larkin's omniverous musical vision has struck paydirt once again.

Guitar Wizardry, both acoustic and electric!
Patty Larkin has long been regarded as one of the best guitarists in contemporary folk, and this album helps cement that reputation. Stylistically, this album recalls "Perishable Fruit" but in most respects surpasses the performances. The music she brings forth from the guitar is both beautiful to the ear and challenging to the mind. Should you have the chance to see her live, DO IT! To hear the ability on an album is one thing: to see her replicate it live with only one guitar is breathtaking. Buy 2 copies of this CD and send one to your best friend. They'll thank you for it! ... Read more

Asin: B00004TZZ1
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Folk    2. Contemporary Singer/Songwriter    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Pop    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Resume: The Best of Richie Havens
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (06 April, 1993)
list price: $11.98
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Richie Havens in his prime possessed an uncanny knack for inhabiting familiar songs as if they were his hometown. He practically hijacked "Here Comes the Sun" out from under George Harrison, turning his 1971 version of the Abby Road tune into a rhythmic statement all his own and, in the process, charting for the one and only time in his career. That's true to a lesser degree with Lennon-McCartney's "Rocky Raccoon," Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman," and Fred Neil's "Dolphins," all of which are found on this 17-track anthology culled from the New York City singer-guitarist's late 1960s and early 1970s records. Havens penned a few songs of his own, notably the antiwar song "Handsome Johnny" (cowritten with actor Lou Gossett), and adapted others in his own inimitable style ("Run Shaker Life," "Freedom," his Woodstock-inspired variation on "Motherless Child"). But he made his mark as an interpreter--one whose work holds up admirably, judging by this focused retrospective. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A decent but not exemplary collection of Richie Haven's work
If you have ever heard Richie Havens in concert, then you know that live is the best way to listen to the man sing."Resume: The Best of Richie Havens" is a decent compilation of 17 tracks from his long career and while those who are more familiar with his career will certainly quibble with the selections, for those who have had only a sampling of his work (e.g., "Freedom" from the "Woodstock" soundtrack or "Here Comes the Sun" being the obvious choices) this is a chance to get deeper into his extensive body of work.On these other tracks Havens continues to prove he is one of the great cover artists of his generation with his version of Dylan's "Just Like a Woman," but also that he can craft some good original tunes like "Handsome Johnny." Above all there is his distinctive style where Havens basically plays the guitar as if it were a percusion instrument, matching the gruffness of his singing voice.Havens has a way of making a song that is not his own just sound so real that he makes a lot of other singers suffer in comparison.If you agree then check out some of his better albums, from his first release "Mixed Bag" to his latest release "Now," and, of course, "Sings Beatles and Dylan."

Amazing rhythmic guitar
I love this album! The guitar work is phenomenal, especially on "Dolphin".The song "Freedom" is a classic.Richie Havens is truly a master musician and a socially conscious one at that! This album shows some of his finest work.

brilliant
A collection of truly great songs by a musical giant.

Will someone please re-release one of Richie Havens' older collections: The Great Blind Degree? I've got an old, scratchy LP copy, but this is another fine collection of songs which deserves to find its way onto a CD. ... Read more

Asin: B0000032YW
Subjects:  1. Contemporary Folk    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Buddha and the Chocolate Box
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 July, 2000)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If veteran Cat Stevens fans were nervous in the wake of the previous album's (Foreigner) sometimes sketchy experimentalism, they must surely have been gratified by the singer-songwriter's return to form here. Reuniting with producer Paul Samwell-Smith, this 1974 collection kicks off with the bracing "Music" and never looks back, managing to be both more adventurous and focused than its predecessor. Though perhaps belied by the preciousness of the hit "Oh, Very Young," there's a muscular determination to songs like "Sun/C79" and "Ready" that serves Stevens well. Lyrically, tracks like "Jesus," "King of Trees," and "Home in the Sky" give early hints of Stevens's spiritual quest, though delivered through Samwell-Smith's eclectic, if still pop-focused production. Even to jaded ears, the album still sounds fresh in 2000 and may well sound like Cat Stevens's best work. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (7)

Good Album
Sorry to keep up the Argy Bargy, but now we aren't allowed to dislike a song for it's lyrics. I find the lyrics of "Home in the sky" suicidal-inducing. "Come the morning I'll be far from here, Happy, rising in another sphere, old world goodbye 'cause I'll be Home in the sky in the morning, Bye Bye" I guess it could be seen as not fearing death but the lines "all the bad times have passed" indicate the person in the song wasn't joyful about Earthlife. Then again, maybe soemone he knew took their life and this is his recounting of it. That said, "Home in the Sky" is one of Cat's Greatest musical accomplishments, with a breathtaking vocal intro, an amazing organ sound signifying death, and the music is really beyond description except I could say it really sound like it's "Happy rising, in another sphere" And Buddha is one of Cat's most beautiful albums, go and get it if you don't have it.

Yum Chocolate Box !!
This is a great album. I think it's a transition between Foreigner and the upcoming albums. Awesome songs such as "A Bad Penny", "Home in the sky" & "King of trees", which are the best tracks in the album. Then the well-known "Oh Very Young", beautiful. "Sun/C79" & "Jesus", great tracks. The songs here are more elaborated and more produced. It's Cat with a band. He keeps moving forward experimenting since Catch Bull at Four.
... tnahpelle from Australia likes this album which is great, but mentions that doesn't like "Home in the sky" 'cos of being a depressing tune :-Swell, depressing or not, MUSIC transmites feelings, which are not always HAPPY ones. So learn to accept a person's feelings, good or bad, happy or sad. If you are only looking for fun, go to the circus instead of listen to music. So I guess you are the kind of person that walks away from people when having a hard time ;-)

A happy sounding album
Oh Very young was the hit off thsi album. But almost all the songs on here are just as good. I think they are very happy songs and a lot fo them have nice meanings.
It starts off with the slow gospellic song Music. This feautres lots of emotion, Backing singers and a string arrangement. There's a lof of different instrument here. Then comes Oh Very young, the hit. It is a nice ballad that is piano based but includes some nice guitaring, has excellent backing singers. THen comes quite an emotional love song called Sun/c79. It starts off as a slow ballard, is probably the most guitar based song here but it speeds up when he starts talking about the mother. I'm not really sure what kind of style it is but there;s male backing singers, a keybaord sound, acoustic guitars and emotional vocals. Iti is followed by one of the best COuntry and Western songs I've ever heard, Ghost town. There's a nice Harmonica introduction which reappers throughout the song. THere is also a piano and a country style guitar, as well as an acoutsic. I have no idea what it's about but it speeds up at the end with an unusual melody. It's one of my personal fevourites and my favourite on here. Then comes a short spiritual ballard named after the Saviour. It's interesting, pinao based and easy going, as well as containing some interesting keyboard work. Ready is a fast gospel song, sort of a remake of Later off Foreigner but I like it a lot more, he is sort ofmoveing in and out of gospel and ballard. It feautres many guitars, excellent backing singers, and a quick beat. There's also keyboards I think, a lot of instruments. Then there's Kings of trees, an environmental song that starts off with a lot of church like singing from the girls. He gets quite emotional in parts and it's a five minute ballard. Then comes an experimental piece called A bad penny. It is almost as I hate being a star as Pop star. IT faetures a harpsichord introduction, a string section, backing grils, is fast paced and Cat builds up to an emotional climax where the trumpet comes in. Then there's Home in the sky, with an interestiong vocal intro followeed by a piano-based ballard. It's very depressing and is my least favourite here. All in all, quite a good album, he's tried very hard but I feel he did 1 or two many ballards. If you like ballards you'll like this. It's probably he's fourthmost popular album after Tillerman/Teasrer/Jakon. It's both guitar and piano based. ... Read more

Asin: B00004VW0I
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Singer/Songwriter    8. Soft Rock    9. Songwriter