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Are You Experienced Average Customer Review:  Audio CD (22 April, 1997) list price: $13.98 -- our price: $12.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review As emblematic of its time as of its sorcerer-like creator, 1967's Are You Experienced unleashed Jimi Hendrix onto a world in the midst of such cultural and musical shakeups that it really didn't seem as "far out" as it actually was. It wasn't just Hendrix's virtuosic skill as a pure player that was so impressive; it was, even more, the range and scope of sheer sound that he coaxed, cajoled, and ripped out of his instrument. "Purple Haze," "Manic Depression," and "I Don't Live Today" filled ears with indelible sonic images, and songs like "Foxey Lady" and "Fire" pointed the way toward a new brand of rock-charged soul music. And how about a hand for drummer Mitch Mitchell? --Billy Altman ... Read more Reviews (193)
The European and American versions of the album differed a little, but here you have all 17 songs ( including the early singles ) A few comments the songs "Foxy Lady" timeless Hendrix classic "Manic Depression" may sound a bit dated today "Red House" - 12 bar classic Hendrix blues - great track "Can You Hear Me" - Lots of Energy "Love Or Confusion" and "I don't live today" - Experimental songs - pointing towards later recordings "May Be This be Love" - melodic beauty "Fire" - Jimi rocks "Third Stone From the Sun" - is a beautiful instrumental with Jimi recitating.and creating all sorts of strange sounds on his guitar. "Remember" and "Are You Experienced" - probably not the most memorable tracks "Hey Joe" and "Purple Haze" are both rock classics "51st Anniversary" - a fun track - quite a good B-side "Highway Chile" even better And then for me the standout track, "The Wind Cries Mary" - Hendrix when he's the most melodic. Magic, mystery and beauty.
Jimi Hendrix. When one thinks of guitar masterminds, this guy automatically comes to mind. His style of playing was way ahead of its time, and his music never failed to please. Even to this day, many years after his death, his music is still enjoyed by rock and roll fans as much as ever. It was in 1967, along with his band the Jimi Hendrix Experience, that he released his first album - the appropriately-titled Are You Experienced. Read on for my review. As you may have seen from the tracklist, many of Hendrix's big hits first appeared on this album. Among these is his biggest hit of all, Purple Haze. This is one of the earliest truly successful hard rock songs, and it's been a huge influence to various rock stars - beautifully demonstrated by the number of times it has been covered over the years. Hey Joe, another big hit, is a much more bluesy number, but it's no less excellent than Purple Haze. Fire and Foxey Lady also became huge hits, and why not? They're regular masterpieces. The last of the fairly popular songs is The Wind Cries Mary, which is a slower track. It's the least-known of the hits, but still excellent. And then we have the songs that were never hits at all, but still won't fail to please listeners. Among these we have the rocker Manic Depression, the lengthy Third Stone From The Sun, and, of course, the title track. In the end, this album stands as a hard rock masterpiece. This compact disc reissue of the album does more than just remaster it - it adds six bonus tracks. Tracks 1-11 were the original album, and tracks 12-17 are bonuses. Many of these tracks were released as B-Sides to Hendrix's singles. For being B-Sides, these are remarkably good. What's astonishing is that they don't disrupt the "flow" of the regular album at all. The original album was sequenced almost perfectly, and it fades into these bonus tracks very well - if you're a casual Hendrix listener, you might not even know that these weren't on the original LP! I really wish the record company would have made it more clear which songs are B-Sides and which ones were original album tracks, but I'm not complaining. Jimi Hendrix is a guitar god, and his first album stands as solid proof of that. While not necessarily his best (it's hard to play favorites with this guy), it is still excellent. If you're a fan of classic and/or hard rock, do not hesitate to purchase this album!
Asin: B000002P5Y |
$12.99 |
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Led Zeppelin IV (aka ZOSO) Average Customer Review:  Audio CD (19 July, 1994) list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Also known as the "rune" album or Zoso because of the medieval symbols adorning the inner sleeve, Led Zeppelin's fourth album, released in 1971, turned them from mere superstars into giant behemoths of the rock world. On tracks like "Black Dog," "Misty Mountain Hop," and "Rock and Roll," the combination of Robert Plant's banshee wails and Jimmy Page's frenetic guitar playing forever altered the stylistic bent of hard rock music. And the foreboding "When the Levee Breaks" demonstrated that Zeppelin could indeed play the blues fairly straight if they so desired. Still, everything here ultimately took a back seat to the album's (and, ultimately, the band's) magnum opus--the expertly constructed and deftly executed classic, "Stairway to Heaven." --Billy Altman ... Read more Features Reviews (634)
Although truly Led Zeppelin IV is not a huge change from the group's previous albums it is none the less one of the band's best albums. It has more variety than their earlier albums. Whether it be hard rockers like Led Zeppelin I or II or beauitful acoustics similar to Led Zeppelin III this album has both styles. The opening track BLACK DOG is a huge rock classic that has been considered by many one of Zeppelin's best tunes. In conclusion Led Zeppelin IV is perhaps the band's best album although it is not my personal favourite (Led Zeppelin II is for me) it is definelty one of the group's finest works.
Black Dog (9/10) What a great way to kick off an album! rocking riffs from Page and screaming vocals from plant define this track, a great way to get motivated. Rock n' Roll (8/10) Another great track with wailing vocals from Robert Plant, the only flaw is that it can be repetitive at times, but otherwise this song is great. The Battle of Evermore (9/10) A bit laidback compared to the previous two tracks but beautiful nevertheless. The lyrics with Sandy Denny's vocals add a great presence to this Zep track. Stairway to Heaven (10/10)I'm going to be different in saying that this is definitely not the greatest song of all time, but it's a classic, an epic. And a song with such variety packed into less than 10 minutes has yet to be duplicated. (Especially by Slipknot) Misty Mountain Hop (8/10) You cant go wrong with this one, Very interesting vocals throughout the whole of it. A bit too poppy for my tastes. Four Sticks (6/10) A decent track, great drumming from Bonham throughout, but it doesn't have much else going for it. Going To California (9/10) Pretty folksy for Zep. The first time I heard this on the radio i fell asleep, I know that doesn't sound complimenting but it also happened with "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles, and it's a good thing. When The Levee Breaks (8/10) A very strange sounding track that's a trip and nothing less. Heavy Blues is what I would call it. ... Read more Asin: B000002J09 |
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The Very Best of Cream Average Customer Review: Audio CD (09 May, 1995) list price: $13.98 -- our price: $12.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review The groundbreaking work of this British psychedelic-blues supergroup deserves more thorough study, but this 20-song compilation provides a useful overview for newcomers. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker--virtuosos all--expanded the parameters of rock by incorporating a jazz sensibility into their distorted blues jams. This compilation mixes their odd original hits with a number of souped-up blues covers. The live version of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" remains one of the greatest blues workouts a rock band has ever produced. Since Cream released only four albums, this set includesv most of the highlights, and it illustrates how Cream cast the seeds of heavy metal. -- Marc Greilsamer ... Read more Reviews (55)
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Asin: B000002GFC |
$12.99 |
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Layla (Original Mix) Average Customer Review: Audio CD (20 August, 1996) list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Layla stands as one of a handful of pillars of classic rock. The short-lived ensemble that was the Dominos provided an outlet for Eric Clapton to vent his then unrequited (and secret) passion for the wife of his best friend, George Harrison. Romantic anguish inspired Clapton to write and collect an embroiling and interconnected song cycle. Meanwhile, latecomer Duane Allman prodded Clapton to tear it up on guitar, so as not to be overwhelmed by his even more talented foil. Of course, Clapton eventually won the hand of his lady love. And then he divorced her. Sometimes real life messes up a good plot line. --Steve Stolder ... Read more Features Reviews (103)
Anyway, Eric Clapton wasn't totally comfortable with the rôle of front man early on in his career, and so he hid behind the "pseudonym" of Derek and the Dominoes, wishing to escape the superstar expectation that sank Blind Faith. "Derek And The Dominos" tear through the best, most consistent collection of original material Eric Clapton has ever recorded, and they do it with burning, intense emotion, laying down definitive electric renditions of Jimmy Cox's classic "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" and Big Bill Broonzy's "Key To The Highway", as well as a fine take on Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing". There is barely a weak track on this superb record, which opens with the lovely rock ballad "I Looked Away", and one of Eric Clapton's best original songs, "Bell Bottom Blues", which features burning slide guitar from Duane Allman. And then there's the magnificent title track, of course, Eric Clapton's longing ode to "Layla", i.e. George Harrison's wife Patti (Boyd) Harrison, with whom Clapton was desperately in love. Filled with excellent songs and superb musicianship, "Layla" is a must-have for any and all lovers of...well, music, actually.
Anyway, Eric Clapton wasn't really comfortable with the rôle of front man early on in his career, and so he hid behind the "pseudonym" of Derek and the Dominoes, wishing to escape the superstar expectation that sank Blind Faith. Along the way, spectacular slide guitarist Duane Allman was added, and having him as lead guitarist alongside Eric Clapton is every bit as great as you would have guessed. And even though more than half of the songs break the five-minute barrier ("Highway" is 9½), the two guitarists rarely if ever come off sounding indulgent; they never play ten notes when three would have done the trick, and the arrangements are never less than superb. There is barely a weak track on this superb record, which opens with the lovely rock ballad "I Looked Away" and one of Eric Clapton's best original songs, "Bell Bottom Blues", which features burning slide guitar from Duane Allman. Other highlights include Billy Myles' "Have You Ever Loved A Woman", the superb classic blues "It's Too Late" by Chuck Willis, and the soulful two-guitar-blueprints "Keep On Growing" and "Tell The Truth", which were written with organist/pianist Bobby Whitlock who shares the lead vocals on a few tracks. Ironically, considering what a personal album this was for Eric Clapton, the lovely acoustic coda "Thorn Tree In The Garden" is a solo performance by Bobby Whitlock, but it sums up the entire record perfectly. Filled with excellent songs and superb musicianship, "Layla" is a must-have for any and all lovers of...well, music, actually.
Asin: B000002G87 |
$13.98 |
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Soul to Soul Average Customer Review:  Audio CD (23 March, 1999) list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Guitar lovers will flip over this reissue's new bonus tracks: a conversation in which Stevie Ray Vaughan extols the virtues of Jimi Hendrix's playing and then essays them all in a medley of "Little Wing/Third Stone From the Sun." There's also the brief slide-guitar instrumental "Slip Slidin' Slim." What's breathtaking about these and the 10 remastered cuts that were the original 1985 album are the remarkably live amplifier tones. It sounds as though Vaughan's plugged directly into your stereo--especially at the climax of "Little Wing," where his Stratocaster feeds back through a wall of spinning Leslie speakers in a fit of psychedelic bliss. Otherwise, this CD still seems like a creative holding pattern for Vaughan, despite the addition of keyboardist Reese Wynans to broaden his band's palette. Nonetheless, the prophetic "Change It," which foreshadowed Vaughan's recovery from addiction by a year, and his in-concert staples "Ain't Gone 'n' Give Up on Love" and "Life Without You" debut here. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more Features Reviews (24)
This is his third album, originally released in October 1985, and for "Soul To Soul", Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble abandoned their original trio format and included keyboardist Reese Wynans and (occationally) saxist Joe Sublett. The music hasn't changed too much, though. It's still a superb blend of blues and rock, and even though Vaughan's guitar is perhaps a little less prominent on some songs, his playing is still masterful. Stevie Ray also covers Howlin' Wolf's "You'll Be Mine", and considering that no-one in the world has yet been able to match the vocal power and ferocious attitude of the Wolf, and probably never will, he does a good job with it, although it's not really one of the highlights of the album. The three bonus tracks consist of a short interview snippet and two songs. Well, three songs, actually, since Vaughan plays a medley of "Third Stone From The Sun" and Hendrix' "Little Wing". "Soul To Soul" has perhaps the strongest track list of any album released during Stevie Ray Vaughan's all-too-brief lifetime (well, alongside "Texas Flood"), and it is highly recommended to any and all lovers of blues-rock and contemporary blues music.
Asin: B00000ICN7 |
$10.99 |
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Hot Rocks, 1964-1971 Average Customer Review: Audio CD (25 October, 1990) list price: $35.98 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review It's the rare greatest-hits album that takes on a life of its own. Generally, best-of collections are superceded by updated retrospectives. Hot Rocks is one of the rare exceptions to the rule. Originally released in 1972, it instantly became the Stones intro of choice, elbowing aside Big Hits, High Tide and Green Grass and Through the Past Darkly. Why? It happened to hit the racks when Mick and company were at their creative peak. The 21 tracks found here represent seven years of dizzying growth. From "Time is on My Side" through "Satisfaction" and "Let's Spend the Night Together," on to Sticky Fingers's "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses," Hot Rocks never lets up. The likes of Sucking in the '70s and Jump Back come and go, but this Stones overview will not be moved. --Steven Stolder ... Read more Reviews (106)
Buy this! Its definitely worth the money. While you're at it, buy Exile, you won't regret it.
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1962-1966 Average Customer Review: Audio CD (05 October, 1993) list price: $34.98 -- our price: $31.49 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review The closest the Beatles came to a greatest hits package, this document of the early part of their career features hit singles (in chronological order) and selected album tracks, running from "Love Me Do" through the groundbreaking Rubber Soul and Revolveralbums. While this may be an excellent intro for beginners, real fans will never be content with only selections, especially when you're dealing with those aforementioned albums. Capitol packages the collection on two discs, copying the original vinyl version--but, of course, CDs hold more music than records did. Still, you do get 26 bona fide classics, so there's no real need to complain. --Bill Holdship ... Read more Reviews (160)
The packaging is quite good(in fact better than most of the Beatles cd's issued) with lyrics and photos. The packaging could have been more complete with insights from the surviving band members about the overall mood this collection evokes(everything else about these songs seems to have been discussed, but the feeling the band has now listening to these tracks in retrospect). George, although he didn't have any a or b side singles during this time, is not well represented. While John and Paul were the driving force of the band early on, some of George's compositions("Don't bother me", "If I needed someone", "Taxman")are some of the finest album tracks on their respective albums. Emi if you're listening when you reissue this, I'd suggest the additon of the previously mentioned tracks by George, "And your bird can sing", "She said, she said", "For no one"(one of Paul's finest songs)and "Tomorrow never knows". Additionally, a better selection from one of the band's finest albums, A HARD DAY"S NIGHT, would be appreciated. Overall, not a bad collection but not the best representation of the band(a similiar flaw exists with The Blue album--The White album isn't represented as well as it should be).
1962-1966 ("Red") covers the Beatles' Merseybeat era, a time when the Beatles were considered a singles "teenybopper" band. Among the best cuts on the first CD are "Please Please Me", "She Loves You", "Eight Days a Week", and "Ticket to Ride". Their progression from teenyboppers to "serious band" begins to show in the songs from 1965's Rubber Soul, including "Norwegian Wood", featuring George Harrison on the sitar, and John Lennon's introspective "In My Life", which hints at the band's glorious and more complex studio work that was to follow. The Red CD collection ends with two songs from 1966's Revolver, a record that placed the band on even higher creative ground: Paul McCartney's masterpiece "Eleanor Rigby" is the first time a string quartet accompanied a rock and roll record, and "Yellow Submarine" was one in a line of catchy, childlike songs written for resident jester and drummer extrodinaire Ringo Starr. The first disc of 1967-1970 ("Blue") has the far more unenviable task of selecting four representative tracks from 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, still considered to be the most ground-breaking and influential album in the history of rock. "A Day in the Life" is the standout -- Sgt. Pepper's closer and emotional peak. The CD closes with the two songs that best demonstrate the eventual clash in Lennon and McCartney's songwriting styles: McCartney's "Hey Jude" and Lennon's "Revolution" were sides A and B respectively of the Beatles' greatest-selling (and perhaps just "greatest") single. Where Lennon's song is a snarling, self-righteous rocker, McCartney's is a sing-song orchestral ballad. The one you like best probably depends on whether you're a "John" or "Paul" person -- truth is they're both great. The final CD spans from 1968's The Beatles ("The White Album") to the end of the band's career. McCartney's best moments "Let it Be", "Get Back", and "The Long and Winding Road" (Despite that over-the-top Phil Spector production) are here, as are Lennon's "Don't Let Me Down" and "Come Together". The closer is "Long and Winding Road", though it's perhaps a weaker conclusion than "Two of Us" might have been. The Red and Blue collections are awesome reminders of the Beatles' past accomplishments and their continued vitality even today.
Not counting the Anthology albums in the 90's (which are not hit compilations anyway), the Beatles have in the last 30 years been compiled only once, on 2000's "1", an excellent overview for what it is, their best known and biggest hits. The 1973 "Red" and "Blue" compilations remain in print, and I guess are still selling. While the "Blue" 1967-1970 compilation justifies its continued availibility on 2 CDs, one really has to question why the "Red" 1962-1966 compilation does. "The Beatles 1962-1966" (26 tracks) clocks in at 62 min., way below the capacity of a single CD, yet remains on the shelf as 2 CDs (along with a heftly $31 retail price). This is nothing short of ripping off the buying public, in my opinion. The reason given by the label management is "to keep the integruity of the original vinyl issue", but is anyone really buying this? Shame on them! The music on the "Red" album is of course stellar, that's not the point. Maybe it's too soon yet after the "1" compilation, but hasn't the time come for a definitve 2CD compilation of the Beatles, along the lines of, say, "The Essential Bob Dylan", maximising the capability of 80 min. of a CD? ... Read more Asin: B000002UYZ |
$31.49 |
Fanstastic Music But Horrible "Bang for the Buck"
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1967-1970 Average Customer Review: Audio CD (05 October, 1993) list price: $34.98 -- our price: $31.49 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Even as the Beatles began heading toward an inevitable breakup, their prolific ways continued; this two-disc look back only skims the surface of their later achievements. Excerpts from Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, the white album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be compete for space with classic singles that do as much or more to prove their eclecticism: the epic ballad "Hey Jude," the plaintive "Strawberry Fields Forever," straight rock & roll of all stripes from the plainspoken "Revolution" and "Get Back" to the surreal "Come Together." Decades after the split, this (and its companion set of 1962-1966 cuts) remains a favored introduction for young listeners and a key sampler for veteran fans. --Rickey Wright ... Read more Reviews (176)
While now a bit awkwardly on 2 CDs, the original double vinyl was the perfect package. The song selection is just about perfect, really. Nothing to take away from "1", but can you really call that the ultimate compilation of the Beatles when it doesn't have "A Day in the Life" (the definitive Beatles song?) or "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"? Maybe it's too soon yet after "1", but I really believe there is room for a 2 CD collection of the entire Beatles catalogue (greatest hits and essential album tracks) along the lines of "The Definitive Bob Dylan", a great example of how to use the full capacity of CDs. Is anyone with me on that?
At over fifty minutes for each CD, you are getting value for your money, even if the price is a bit daunting. Disc 1 can be considered a Greater Pepper, as it has the two original tracks from those sessions that were released early, Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, arguably the best one two punch single the group released. Following those gems are some highlights from Pepper, including Day In The Life, perhaps the grandest statement ever mastered to tape. As John Lennon put it, he wanted the end of the song to sound like the end of the world - it does. What the blue set does that Beatles "1" does not is present a more balanced perspective of the group. Including tracks from Pepper and The Beatles (White Album), you sense that some of their best songs were not released as singles, but were integral parts of landmark albums. For this reason the compilation may ring a bit hollow. However, it does not detract from the first class assembly of vision and production inherent in each and every track. For the more studious Beatlphile, this CD set may be too abbreviated. However, for the average fan, or just about anyone who wants to listen to over one hundred minutes of the best pop music ever recorded, this is a must buy.
Asin: B000002UZ1 |
$31.49 |
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