Editorial Review

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Reviews (139)

Eloquent and Excellent
John Mayer is back and better than ever with Continuum.This album from this brilliant singer-songwriter is destined to be a classic.He eloquently, vocalizes the thoughts and fears of our generation from heartbreak to the fear of losing our parents and aging.He also does an excellent job of addressing social issues with the utmost class and without forcing his opinions on anyone.Kudos, John!I am pleased to see someone talented represent our generation, and I look forward to buying his music for many years to come.

Satisfied
I was sitting up late Saturday night and turned it to Soundstage already in progress. I saw Buddy Guy on stage playing with this young guy I had never seen. I became enthralled with the performances but I never caught his name. So afterwards I looked up the Soundstage tv schedule and found out it was John Mayer. Did some further checking and found out about his turn toward the blues, and I love blues. Took a chance and bought the cd next day. Best music I've bought in a long time. No, it's not straight blues. But it's definitely honest. And in this day and time of kitsch glorification, I'll take it. I feel like my money was well spent. Can't say that for a whole lot of things I've bought.

A wonderful, thoughtful album...
The fact that I am taking the time to post, speaks volumes about how special I think Continuum is...I often find myself "suckered" into buying a CD these days, because a track suggests that the rest of the album may prove to be a pleasant surprise. It is a bit like the movie trailer that entices you to head to the theater, only to be disappointed that you have already seen the only enjoyable part of the movie. Continuum is the exception to that unfortunate rule...It is an extraordinary piece of work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Album Rock    3. Blues-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

At a time when the majority of those his age are drifting into retirement, 65-year-old Bob Dylan has put the capper on a three-record run that ranks with the best in his storied, 44-album career. Like Read more

Reviews (153)

Fresh Breeze Blowin
The music contained within this CD is simply brilliant, particularly when compared for what passes as commercial music these days.Dylan's songwriting and vocals are superb and his production efforts are flawless. The band is in top form and the mix is spot on.This project,as most of Dylan's recorded work, will stand the test of time. My only criticism is the absence of any acknowledgement for songwriting inspiration. Certainly at least a "tip of the hat"is deserved by Big Maceo Merriweather for his influence of Worried Life Blues for Someday Baby. Same goes for Hambone Willie Newbern as it relates to Rollin and Tumblin. Perhaps, we'll have to wait for the next chapter of Chronicles to acknowledge these artists.

Like Wine
Like wine, and as another reviewer has already commented, Dylan really does get better with age... though that's not to detract at all from his past masterpieces. There are several in depth reviews written so I figure I can make this one short and sweet: the album is great and worth a listen whether you're a long time DYlan fan, a Dylan neophyte, or never cared for him (can't imagine many belonging to this last group...)

Still Magical
Having grown up with hard rock and merging in to jazz with age,I'm not sure what prompted me to buy the album.I hadn't heard it or about it.Bob Dylan was just some wierd musician to me - This one album has changed all that; I'm a new Bob Dylan fan -Modern Times is pure musical magic.It is at the same time haunting, ironic, true, brilliant...(yes I'm beginning to purchase older stuff now..I've a lot of catch-up work to do!)One review labled the music "pedadantic" - likely not a musicians point of view.No it's not oversaturated with gizmo sound and yes it lacks the immediately catchy Brittany Spears pop sound.Bob Dylan is the wrong place to look for that anyway.Relax, reminisce, day-dream - older is sometimes better! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The degree to which you'll like Read more

Reviews (91)

Elegant Sequel to "Captain Fantastic", But It's More Reminiscent Of.......
Thirty-one years after "Captain Fantastic", Elton John and his long-time partner, lyricist Bernie Taupin, have quite literally returned to their roots in "The Captain and The Kid", yielding an album that sounds as fresh and poignant as their great mid 1970s album. And yet, it sounds more like a return to their earlier musical roots, most notably such classic early albums as "Tumbleweed Connection" and "Honky Chateau", than a full-fledged sequel that is also a satisfying conclusion to "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy". All the praise that this album is acquiring so far is quite well earned; demonstrating that Elton's 21st Century musical revival - beginning with "Songs from The West Coast" - hasn't been a fluke. I doubt I have heard as consistently fine a collection of songs as those on this album; indeed, I have to search as far back as his early 1990s hit "The One" to find among his recent albums, one that isboth a great body of work, as well as yielding quite a few Elton John/Bernie Taupin hit singles. Without a doubt, "Captain and the Kid" should be regarded more as an album with a consistently great set of songs, due in no small measure to the introspective nature of Taupin's lyrics chronicling their history - both together and apart - since Elton's triumphant American debut in Los Angeles back in 1970, a memorable performance at Los Angeles' Troubadour Club. Moreover, Elton hasn't sung as well as in a long, long time, even if his youthful falsetto has given rise to a deeper, often richer, sound. And here on this album, he's often backed with classic harmonies from Davey Johnstone and Nigel Olsson - as well as the rest of the current Elton John band - bringing back fond memories of Elton singing with Davey, Nigel, and the late Dee Murray on his classic 1970s albums.
I love this !
I love this !
Fantastic Stuff!
I have just about everything Elton has recorded and have seen him 21 times in concert.I buy his new releases on the day they come out and I have high expectations which are not always met.This CD not only meets, but exceeds my expectations. Several music genres are represented including: honky tonk, country, blues, folk, rockers and ballads.I love how he subtly uses pices of his older classics to add to or reinforce some of the newer lyrics.For example, in the verse to "Blues Never Fade Away" which is about loss, you can hear piano licks similar to "Candle In The Wind" reinforcing losing ones life at a young age.In the song "And The House Fell Down" about his druggie days, the chorus picks up to a beat reminiscient of "I'm Still Standing" which adds the meaning that he survived his druggie days and has become a better person for it.There is not one bad song in the set, but if I had to put them in order from best to least, it would be as follows:
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Four years after he took Elvis Costello's advice and bit the music/radio biz hands that have simultaneously fed and frustrated him for decades on the scabrous Read more

Reviews (111)

Alright!
I just realized this is the first Tom Petty CD i have ever bought. I bought it because I heard it on a radio program called "World Cafe'" and I was intrigued.
TOM GETS TO THE POINT, AND ROLLS ANOTHER JOINT!
...To quote his song "You don't know how it feels" recorded some 13 years ago now on his last solo album "Wildflowers."That is a truly great album, and this latest one, "Highway Companion" is pretty good too.However, Tom is looking and sounding quite sleepy and stoned on album photos and music, which makes it all seem a little insincere.
Best Album since Full Moon Fever
Tom is back!Outstanding album.Not a bad track in the bunch.Love the blues influences in many of the tracks!This album is really from the heart, and it shows. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Heartland Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rock/Pop    8. Southern Rock    9. United States of America   

Editorial Review

At a time when the majority of those his age are drifting into retirement, 65-year-old Bob Dylan has put the capper on a three-record run that ranks with the best in his storied, 44-album career. Like Read more

Features

• Special Edition

Reviews (61)

cd and dvd review
at first, your impression of how Dylan sings nowadays can be cringe-worthy. it's not his fault, it's just age that robs him of the ability to turn on a dime that any young person can do without thinking about it.
A Great Record But What About...
Yes, the record is fantastic and timeless... but in all of these 59 lengthy, overly-authoratative and sometimes ethereal reviews there is not one mention of who is on the record playing the instruments accompanying Mr. Dylan. WHO IS ON THE RECORDING?
He still has it after all these years
The album provides a very enjoyable experience. We know Bob Dylan is a jack of all trades and a master of nearly everything in the musical genre. From protest songs to love songs and then to break up songs. From acoustic, to electric, to gospel, and now onto 'modern times'. This is a feel good album through and through (...because it feels good to know that Bob still has it after all these years). The stand out tracks in my opinion are "Spirit in the Water", "Working Man's Blues #2", "Beyond the Horizon", and "Nettie Moore". If you like good music, then you'll enjoy this album for a very very long time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

The long-awaited third record in the Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Bob Seger has racked up a lot of worthy tracks over the years, but it took until 1994 for a greatest hits package to appear. Voilà. The bad news: We're missing an awful lot of songs here. Read more

Reviews (135)

Bob Seger Greatest Hits
I am glad that I have purchased this CD, all Bob Seger's greatest hits is compiled on this one CD. Great listening music, if you liked the 80's type of music.

Blast from the past
I had never bought music from him before.But I am collecting lots of old rock and roll artists to remember from time to time.Great collection of music.

Bob Seger - Greatest Hits
I can't believe this CD was not in my collection years ago. This is one of the best greatest hits collections I own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Detroit Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Heartland Rock    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Rock    8. Rock & Roll    9. Rock/Pop    10. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (1303)

5 stars because there aren't 6
I am so glad that Apple finally has gapless playback in iTunes 7.0 because I can finally hear this album in the way it is intended: no gaps and seamless segue between songs. I will have to buy one of the new iPods to get the same effect mobiile-wise.
"Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way"
'Dark Side of the Moon' marks the point where Pink Floyd were catapulted from being a decent size rock/psychadelic band with a healthy following, into the realms of musical immortality. This album is an astonishing and groundbreaking achievement in terms of both its musical, and lyrical content.
I wish I could give this less than 5 stars, but...
it's too damn good.Dark Side of the Moon, perhaps more so than any other album in rock and roll history, tends to be liked because of a certain cool factor (possibly tied with Nevermind and Zeppelin IV).Every stoner and wannabe stoner will put this in their top 5 and say things like "It's a trip,maaaaan", while making to sure to wear a Dark Side T-shirt to let everybody know they have cool status.Nevertheless, I must give credit where it is due, and this truly is one of the most innovative and pleasing works of the past 50 years.In fact, the only Pink Floyd album that tops it IMO is The Wall, which I would rank as the single greatest album of all time.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Art-Rock/Experimental    3. England    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Popular Music    7. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    8. Psychedelic    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop    11. Synthesizer   

Editorial Review

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Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (990)

Never Gets Old
When you compile the list of the 10 albums you would want if you were stranded on a desert island, this one might possibly get the most votes. Not only is it one of the all-time greats, but it is a double album, which has to factor into it.
can't hammer this down
This is the greates pinkfloyd cd ever but I would not recemond this to the little kids. IN the cd. You can feel his amotions in this also there is another one live but it has diffrent songs but not bad so please buy this

you better run
i remember the first time i listened to the wall. and i was blown away. the lyrics and the music were so strong and emotional. when my friend that i was listening to it with asked me if i liked it or not i didnt know what to say. i like the wall better then dark side of the moon. and thats really saying something. the wall has all kinds of music styles in it so every one that listens to it should pretty much enjoy it. like run like hell and another brick in the wall part 2 are pretty heavy. and comfortably numb and hey you are preety soft. i think every music fan should buy this brilliant cd. peace out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Disco    3. Hard Rock    4. Pop    5. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The Beatles' last days as a band were as productive as any major pop phenomenon that was about to split. After recording the ragged-but-right Read more

Reviews (988)

pass me the pipe bro
this is genuine drug addix muzak, come together is sexist theme, the sun king is slang for heroin, you only give me your funny paper is a hint at LSD use, so this spells out a terrible disgusting and bad influence on your clean mind. I have also always hated the cover and now I see why.
It doesn't get any better than this..
The Beatles last album just happens to be their best. Only the Beatles could get together one last time, dispite all the personal acrimony and substance abuse, and deliver the ultimate timeless swan song.
plus one more star if you please.
All I can tell you is that this is the way a swansong SHOULD sound.Even though they had major issues amongst each other at this time,they along with producer George Martin put out one hell of an album.This time around George Harrison came up with two of his best in "Something" and (my favorite song on the album) "Here Comes The Sun".Although John's heart wasn't truly in it,he still contributed "Come Together" and "She's So Heavy".Both songs are John Lennon classics .Paul's major additives were the infamous second side/second half medley,and a McCartney classic in "You Never Give Me Your Money" and it's reprise during the medley.It's mind boggling how a group can evolve from "I Want To Hold Your Hand" to "Here Comes The Sun" in six years.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. British Psychedelia    3. England    4. Hard Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    9. Psychedelic    10. Rock    11. Rock & Roll    12. Rock/Pop    13. Sunshine Pop   

Editorial Review

Rank 'em how you like, Read more

Reviews (569)

a killjoy CD
This rubbish is trually an killjoy CD, what with no hi-pitched girls voices and sexy rhythms??? you call that music?? you must be mad for starters and crazy on top of that. One good song : Think for yourself, but don't care much for the performances at all.
Rock + Folk + Beatles = GREAT!
Although I don't own this album, my dad does and I listen to it all the time. Songs like "I'm Looking Through You", "Drive My Car", "Wait", and "The Word" rock! Other soft songs like "In My Life", "Nowhere Man", "Norwegian Wood", and "Michelle" are good to. So if you don't already have it, go out and get it!

RUBBER SOUL IS AS REAL AS IT GETS
I purchased this album in 1966 and was blown away, but first had to readjust from the Fab's earlier works and learn to appreciate how different Rubber Soul was from Help, yet still analogous. I mean, we all knew it was the Beatles when I've Just Seen A Face (American release) leaped into our ears upon our first listen, but they had transcended their classic sound a year earlier, surpassing anything they or anyone else had come close to perfecting prior to Rubber Soul. I'm still marveled by these lads, who were in their early 20's during the time Rubber Soul was composed and recorded, and their incredible sophistication for only being barely out of their teens. It's always been difficult for me to listen to anything new without comparing it to their standards. I guess that's not a grumble. I was so lucky to be elevated to this level of music appreciation at such an early age that it has forever changed my manner of thinking. This is one heck of a classy album and my fave forever! It just keeps getting better with every listen. If I may borrow John's line - "In my life...I love them more!" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bass    2. British Invasion    3. England    4. Folk-Rock    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Rock    9. Rock & Roll    10. Rock/Pop    11. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Better known as the "White Album," this was meant to be the record that brought them back to earth after three years of studio experimentation. Instead, it took them all over the place, continuing to burst the envelope of pop music. Lennon and McCartney were still at the height of their powers, with Lennon in particular growing into one of rock's towering figures. But even McCartney could still rock, and the amazement on "Helter Skelter" was that he had vocal cords at the end. From Beach Boys knock-offs to reggae and to the unknown ("Revolution #9"), this has it all. Some records have Read more

Reviews (937)

panhandling the cu*ts
Hi, my name's Joao, I have heard anything by this group from Starclub in Hamburg sessions to Twickenham outtakes and beyond to the Ringo Rotogravure and Wings @ the speed of sound and although this bunch is familiar for burning holes in people's pockets with their trite melodies (i would suggest maladies) and nonexistant depth in lyrics (think: 'I once had a girl', 'one to three four can I have a little more' and for instance 'because you're sweet and lovely girl I love you').
The greatest album from the greatest band
If I were trapped on a deserted island for eternity and could only have one album with me to pass the time, it would be the White Album. It is the most diverse, interesting and well crafted album ever made. The songs range from rock to country to surfer rock to heavy metal to folk to camp to progressive to the just plain weird. The unparelled songwriting genius of Lennon and McCartney is well on display here as is there obvious differences in style. Harrison also emerges on the White Album and showcases his best song ever "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Some may point to "Sgt Pepper" as the Beatles crowning achievement, I point directly and emphatically to the White Album.
4 Stars means excellent...
First off, let's get one thing straight, the star ratings are as follows...
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Baroque Pop    3. British Psychedelia    4. England    5. Folk-Rock    6. Hard Rock    7. Pop    8. Pop/Rock    9. Popular Music    10. Psychedelic    11. Rock    12. Rock & Roll    13. Rock/Pop    14. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

You might think it's easy for a songwriter with a high degree of prowess and a distinctive guitar sound to make an all-instrumental CD. But on Read more

Reviews (18)

Mesmerizing!
Peter Frampton is better than ever. This album is mesmerizing especially "Float" - a must have album. If you don't have it yet, get it.

An Important Artistic Work For Frampton
Have listened to Peter Frampton's new instrumental album "Fingerprints" a few times now, and wanted to post a review.It's really good, but it's really different from his prior albums too.Being an instrumental album and having read the pre-release press I was expecting that, but was still surprised at the wide range of musical styles covered here.On first listen I wasn't sure it sounded like Frampton at all, on 2nd listen it sounded much more familiar, and by the third listen I could hear Frampton all over it.His fluid guitar leads & sound are unmistakable, but it's the shifting song styles he plays them over that make the album so diverse.This sounds like the kind of music he's probably always played when he was practicing, playing for his own pleasure, warming up during a soundcheck, or jamming on in the studio between takes for more "regular" sounding songs during previous album sessions.This is an important album for Frampton, and I think it establishes clearly just how accomplished a guitarist & musician he is.Most fans know this already, but this album shows just how much command over the guitar he really has, and how comfortably he can branch out into all sorts of playing styles to make the instrument do whatever he wants.More of a guitarist who also sings, rather than a singer who also plays guitar.Not all rock musicians could record such a diverse album as this.Each song demonstrates a completely different aspect of his playing ability, and puts him in the ranks of other jazz/rock/fusion instrumentalists.Another nice touch is that none of the songs play on for longer than they need to.On an instrumental album it would be easy to just play on forever, but all 14 songs here have very tight themes and arrangements, and keep the album moving.A few notes on the songs:
His best - again
When I wrote a review for Frampton's last disc, Now, I said it was the best thing he's ever done and that he belongs in the pantheon of great guitarists.With Fingerprints he picks up right where he left off, sans lyrics.In an interview I saw he said that this is the record he's always wanted to make ("I've been living a lie for the last 40 years") and that comes through in his playing; you can hear how much he enjoys his work.In the end Fingerprints drives home the point I made in reviewing Now; Frampton is one of the best guitarists rock has ever produced. I won't go so far as to say he's the absolute best, but I will say there is none better.Fingerprints is a portrait how a guitar can sound in the hands of a gifted virtuoso. If you are interested in hearing another great guitarist then after you put Fingerprints in your shopping cart check out Koala Motel by Anne McCue. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. England    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

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Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (644)

As Good as it Gets
Clearly one of the greatest albums you could select for turning the lights off, cranking up the stereo, and enjoying the mood. Pink Floyd was so good in the Animals/Dark Side/Wish You Were Here/Wall albums, it's hard to pick the best among them. Depends on the mood.
I finally confronted my nightmare
I found one of the most depressing albums of all time, and it was under my nose. There's only one real saving grace off this album, and that was "Shine On You Crazy Diamond(Part One)" It was a rather dark, stark, and yet beautiful piece, but I can't say that for the second part of the song which you have to endure through 3 horrible songs just to get to. "Welcome To The Machine" is boring as well as depressing it seems like it's never ending like "Tuesday Afternoon" "Have A Cigar" is also long-winded, and depressing, "Wish You Were Here" it's not the greatest, but it's also not that bad either. I also realized that there was some conflict going on with the group, and Capitol Records after "Dark Side Of The Moon" wound up being so successful, and made the group move over to Columbia Records, and a perchance meeting with former frontman Syd Barrett during the recording of this album was also noted. He was only 29 when he saw them again, and it looked like he aged 35 years by then. Which is the same spirit I got when I heard this album all the way through on December 18, 1993. It was a boring Saturday night in Florida, and I had nothing to do with myself except to put my brother's Floyd cd collection onto cassette tapes. I don't wish to be there again.

Still to this day my favorite David Gilmour/Roger Waters-era Pink Floyd record. And that's saying an awful lot....
This coming from a guy who also cites 'Meddle','Dark Side Of The Moon' and 'The Wall' as his other three all-time D.G./R.W -era Pink Floyd albums. That and the live disc on 'Ummagumma'..
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Pop    4. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Accuse Rod Stewart of what you like--through the years he's been calleda philanderer, a has-been, a pageant-ish progenitor of puff rock--butas he has consistently proved with his Great American Songbook series, the concept of dignity is not lost on him. There is a time,after all, for leaping across stages in leopard-print spandex whileshamelessly parading an unparalleled gift for scratchy-voicedseduction, and he is past it. Past his prime is another thing. On thisfourth installation of the Clive Davis-produced series, Stewart againmakes excellent use of his rolodex: Diana Ross, whose affection for this material comesthrough as convincingly as her spike-haired partner's, cuddles up foropener "I've Got a Crush On You," Chaka Khan packs her bags but not her mighty vocalsfor "You Send Me," andSir Elton shelves the recent balladeer's instinctsfor a rip-roaring run through "Makin' Whoopee." A handful of marqueeinstrumentalists also returned Rod's calls-- Dave Koz blows sax on "Nevertheless," and trumpetersChris Botti andRoy Hargrove turn up the heat on "I Wish You Love"and "My One and Only Love" respectively. As on earlier discs, though,it's when Rod rules the spotlight alone that he can be most compelling:Cue up "My Funny Valentine" in the right frame of mind and you maynever need to hear it sung by another. Retiring the satin shirts infavor of this material was the smartest move Stewart ever made. Read more

Reviews (110)

Please call Woody, he needs your help
This CD should come with a warning label: not fit for mature / discreet listening audiences. Listening to this bloody dreadful CD could be hazardous to your ears.
Little Rod Rooster....Is That Singing?
Has America gone completely mad? A previous reviewer states: "Rod has outdone himself on this one." Huh? Did she really mean that as a compliment? I've come to the conclusion that nobody under sixty years of age in this screwed-up contemporary society, in which mediocrity reigns, has any idea what a great pop vocalist sounds like. The songs included on this travesty of a cd are standards, classics of jazz-pop. Listening to Stewart mangle them with his phlegm-saturated gargling must have Mildred Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, etc., turning over in their graves. Stick with the few remaining major leaguers like Tony Bennett and Vic Damone---even in their eighties they sound lightyears better than this sandpaper-voiced human vegetable. Or check out the newer generation of pop-jazz crooners like Michael Buble, Harry Connick, and Peter Cincotti. They are infinitely better singers than this guy. My God! I can't believe that some people truly think this guy has talent! What's next---- Joe Cocker sings Caruso?

Thanks for retiring...
"Mother, you won't recognize me now... don't be embarrassed by your ugly worn-out son."
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Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. England    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Traditional Pop   

Editorial Review

Rod Stewart's mellowing years have neatly coincided with a commitment to smart ballad choices and a generally warmer musical persona. Rod the Mod liberated at last? Like many a pop singer, Stewart returns here to what's become generally known as the Great American Songbook, that evergreen body of mid-20th century songcraft that continues to inspire singers across oceans and generations. It's said that Stewart has been vocalizing many of these songs in private for years, and given the warm, human scale of most of the performances here, it's not hard to believe. Producer Phil Ramone's spare, unobtrusive arrangements inspire the singer to some of his most subtle and rewarding performances in years. Stewart's slightly weary vocal tack handsomely suggests the smoke, booze, and aching heart that lie at the best of these songs. Such back-to-the-future efforts can often sound like a last career gasp; here, they seem a refreshing breath of fresh air. Read more

Reviews (346)

It Had to be You
Great music, and a great interpretation.A must for the more senior music lovers.

So so.
I'm one of the few in the middle on this CD.
Unbelievable
First off to avoid any conflict of interest claims I admit that I an a huge Rod Stewart fan. That being said, I just wasn't interested in hearing him do the old American classics(which I also love). I just didn't see how he could do them justice, that is, until I saw his DVD "Live from Royal Albert Hall" in which he did several of the songs from his first "Great American Songbook". I was just blown away. These songs were now his. I went to the computer to order one of the CDs but my wife talked me into getting all three and I am surely not sorry. I believe that there are very few CDs available with no weak tracks(there are some) but here are three that just don't have a weak track(IMHO). He has made all of these great songs his. My all time favorite song is "Stardust" by Hoagy Carmichael. I had never heard a version that I thought could top his, until now. If you love the old standards you should really give these 3 CDs a listen. They'll melt your heart!!!! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Even if you don't agree with Neil Young's politics, you can't help but be daunted by the intersection of his genius and ire on his second album in less than seven months. It is the very rare artist who is able to channel indignation and moral disgust in such a coherent and forceful way--without sacrificing any of the vivid imagery, passion, or the high level of musicality that we have come to expect from him over the past four decades. But that's not what elevates this album: it's his pure, naked, visceral reaction to the Bush administration's foreign policy, building on a canon of outrage that he began with 1970's "Ohio," penned in the wake of the Kent State student deaths. But here he goes one better, filling in the lines that he began to draw on 2003's Read more

Reviews (306)

I kneel to Neil.
This is one Neil Young album that the majority of people will judge before they even hear it. Meaning, any anti-Bush, pro-USA, Neil fan will enjoy it. For the most part that's probably true. It is mostly track after track of ripping apart the Bush administration and war, yet also maintaining a sense of hope and love for the country. Lyrically that's what it is. Musically I find it's similar to his mid-90's album "Mirror Ball". It's rocking Neil for the most part, and appropriate for the topics. Not every song is a winner, but I really like the tracks "The Restless Consumer", "Let's Impeach The President", and "Lookin' For A Leader". Subtle? Not really, but I like it.

No throwaway songs here
When I read that the album was hastily put together I expected it to be rough around the edges. Electic Neil always sounds that way to me anyway. Part of the charm. What I did't expect was how musical it would be nor the depth of the lyrics. Surely some of his best work. Pretty amazing for an aging hippie of 61. Makes you wonder how good he'll be when he's 81.

manifiesto visceral de un artista comprometido con su tiempo
ah..el viejo neil.... se desgarra y nos desgarra con su predica disonante...ocupando el sitial que a su generacion ya no le corresponde, te escupe en la cara una realidad que nos lastima a todos....endulzadas con su eterna voz, las letras duelen.... no podes dejar de emocionarte cuando dice..."LISTENIN'TO BOB DYLAN SINGIN' IN 1963..WATCHING THE FLAGS OF FREEDOM FLYIN'.. tanto tiempo no ha cambiado nada...... ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

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Reviews (776)

Landmark
If all documentation of music was destroyed (99% of today's music should be anyways)this album would be the only blueprint needed for an ALBUM.

Definitely the best
Even more than Pepper, I think this was the album that changed pop music forever. I was in the UK and a teen at the time, and I have to admit it took several listenings and a healthy dose of illegal srimulants to figure it out. Today the music is still revolutionary and I no longer need the stimulants (sniff) but it ranks as one of the best 5 albums of all time

Whose Top 10?
I've no designs on being iconoclastic or a hater or anything like that, so before you read on, please understand that. I fully understand that Beatles fans can be a fanatically loyal bunch who back up their beliefs with scores of critical support from the "experts" who have annointed the Beatles as kings of rock and roll music and innovators of all sorts of styles, production values, and other musical milestones. One reviewer even had the audacity to say that this album was "unquestionably" one of the greatest works of art of the 20th century. Well, I certainly question it. Am I able to say that "Road to Ruin" by The Ramones is unquestionably one of the greatest works of art of the 20th century as well? Why not? It's all subjective no matter how much one wants to convey their expertise. This album is good but there are dozens I'd rather hear instead and that criterion alone is the sole one I use to rate albums. As with so much of the Beatles, a bit less of the excessive banner waving and veneration would be a nice change.
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Subjects:  1. British Invasion    2. British Psychedelia    3. Drums    4. England    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Psychedelic    9. Rock    10. Rock & Roll    11. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

The Who's mighty catalog of beautiful, poignant, and often silly pop songs bashed out with Cassius Clay finesse has suffered in the past at the hands of multiple, butcher-shop best-ofs and horrible packaging. But this thrilling band--undeniably one of ye classicke rocke's greatest--gets the career-spanning entry-point compilation it deserves with the double-disc Read more

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (166)

WOOWHO!
A great collection of music. 35 of The Who's best songs it's got em' all from "Won't Get Fooled Again" to my personal favorite "My Generation". This is a great greatest hits album. By one of the most talented bands ro ever come out of the UK. These guys are great. Buy this album NOW!

overrated
don't get me wrong, there's some great stuff here: Behind Blue Eyes, Substitute, Bargain, Won't gGet Fooled Again, Baba O'Reilly, a few others.But if the Who are going to be in the co. of the all time greats, there shouldn't be any filler on a 2 disk set anthology.They're the most overrated band in rock history. tried to be rockin' and rollin' rock and roll while at the same time putting a lot of effort into concept albums, didn't get the mix right.Pink Floyd mastered the concept album 'per se', David Bowie gave us the concept album that really wasn't (rise & fall of zig strdst & spdrs frm mrs), while tommy, 4ophenia, and the one that was aborted (I forget the working title)fall short, somewhere in between. Just as the Who fall short, somewhere in between the Beatles, Stones and Led Zep. Daltrey as a great frontman? gimme a break; not worthy of shining the shoes of Jagger or Plant, not even Ozzy (in his prime with Sabbath) or Ian Gillan (Deep Purple). He doesn't even sing on some of their most famous songs, and he didn't write any of them (to go by the liner notes that came with this disc, anyway).Many of their songs are described as quirky. 'silly' is closer to the mark. How 'bout just 'dumb'?The Stones declared that 'time was on their side' and marched defiantly in the face of all obstacles, including time itself . The Who promised that they would die before they got old, on the other hand, and failed to deliver. This was my last attempt to 'get into' a band that I USED TO feel guilty for never having 'gotten into'

Easily one of the most talented groups to come out of UK
This album demonstrates the musical mastery of the legendary Who. It's also interesting how today's groups like Green Day and Limp Bizkit don't even close to the Who. And to Orion, a reviewer on this forum, you're a sad case, my friend. I sincerely hope that you successfully seek out the psychological help that you so desperately are in need of. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Few bands of the 1960s retained as much a sense of the roots of rock and roll as did Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their music is rife with country, rockabilly, and R&B influences, a combination that produced several hit singles--most of which are present on this collection. These include "I Heard It through the Grapevine," "Lodi," "Up Around the B ," "Who'll Stop the Rain," and of course "Bad Moon Rising." This is an excellent greatest-hits collection, and a perfect introduction to the music of a band that has been enduringly influential. Read more

Reviews (207)

Blues Rock n Roll at its best
This is awesome stuff by Creedence Clearwater Revival I have been wanting to buy this for quite some time. And I don't know why I procrastinated so much because this is defintely worth every penny.

Why a review?
Why should I write a review for a CD that has 20 songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival!! Seems like a waste of time to me. 5 Stars.

True Blue Rock-n-Roll!
They're all here on this CD.Every one of the great hits that defined one of the most talented rock groups in history.It's really strange to hear what passes for great music today, when you listen to this.
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Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll    6. Rock/Pop    7. United States of America