Editorial Review

As pivotal a moment in his career as "That's Alright, Mama" and "Heartbreak Hotel," this was the show that put Elvis Presley back on his throne. It came at a time when the Beatles, the Stones, Hendrix, and acid rock ruled the genre and followed a decade of nothing but mostly lousy Elvis movies. On December 3, 1968, the camera panned in on the King's incredibly handsome face: "If you're lookin' for trouble, you came to the right place," he snarled before bursting into a terrific "Guitar Man." From that moment through the special's goose-bump-inducing finale, "If I Can Dream" (after which, legend has it, Presley collapsed from exhaustion backstage), this stands as one of rock music's great moments. Alas, it was recorded for television, so the audio quality on both vinyl and CD has never been of the highest quality. Read more

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Reviews (8)

Been a long time, baby.
This is the soundtrack to the Elvis special that ran on NBC back in 1968, commonly called "The Comeback Special".Comeback from what, you may ask?Well, his career was at a low point at the time.He had been stuck in (mostly)bad movies for years, and his records weren't selling like they used to.He still recorded an occasional great song, like "Guitar Man" and "U.S. Male", but few people seemed to notice.When the TV special was broadcast, it helped Elvis regain his popularity, hence the term "Comeback Special".The performances on the special included live "stand up" performances with an orchestra, live "sit down" performances with a group of his buddies and lip synched production numbers.The music is uniformally great.But on this particular CD, some of the songs have been edited, particularly to remove long instrumental passages where a dance sequence would appear in the special.This is still a great CD, but you are better off getting the double CD collection called "Memories", which has all the songs in unedited form.

The NBC TV Special. It never got any better
If you only ever buy one Elvis album this has to be it.
The King's return to the Stage.
After a few years in the army and a few years of doing movies,Elvis hadn't performed live in front of an audience for a decade. Elvis-Tv Special is the audio recording of the 1968 NBC-TV Special, that marked Elvis' return to stage.At the time of this concert the king still had it. He went out there with his band and rocked the house with many of his best songs.The performances are quite good, and much better than most of the live albums that would follow. If you're curious about Elvis in concert this is the CD to buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Oldies    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rockabilly   

Features

• Live
• Import

Reviews (6)

Over-zealous fans frequently overrate mediocre albums
I live in Buffalo and I'm a big prog rock fan; so when I saw this CD at the library, I knew I had to give it a free listen.
Almost Great
Ok, first The Bad: Intriguing...a definitive collector's item!
Fans of the original lineup can finally enjoy one of the first concerts from the 1982 tour.The sound quality (considering the source) is superb...especially in their renditions of "One Step Closer", "Without You", and "Wildest Dreams"...raw and powerful.This CD is the only live, original lineup recording to own...the others are insulting at best.Read more

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

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• Live
• Import

Reviews (3)

One of the best live albums period
For those of us who follow all of wellers work from the jam to present day- we know wellers quality of songwriting (great lyrics- diverse music- and true belief in his own talent. For some the council betrayed the working class ethics of the jam but to some this was the bravest and lasting statement of the eighties. though the style council lost the plot"as weller would say" after the our favourite shop album- this live album which includes only few songs after that period" mainly "heavens above" which is excellent indeed. what you get here is all those older classics delivered in a horndrenched wah wah guitared juggernaut that is superbly recorded and played with a buyount energy seldom seen today. Live weller and crew sound better than the album versions- songs like my ever changing moods are delivered in a faster more passionate style- weller actually has abit of that anger lingering. Big boss groove actually grooves- ( the mantra of "get on up' is growled by weller in his best soul voice) the original sparseness of the whole point of no return is flushed out in a full jazz number that transcends the original. The playing and arrangements are all top class and guitar wise paul has never sounded more confident and skilled. there are a few tunes that dont work mostly cuts that are unfamilair in the first place or covers-though the move on up mayfield tune is great. most interesting is the guitar and voice driven version of a stones throw away (without the melancholy string arrangment) that comes off like a raw jam tune. Otherwise you get all the soulpopfunkr&b delivered with wellers sharpedged political tongue that sings bout love-uniting-about youth and self-empowerment with some bitterness and that angry young man vibe that made wellers experiment more success than failure. A very good if not great album that outshines any jam or solo weller live album ive heard( and ive heard most of them.) strings-horns-wah-social commentary- DC LEES soaring vocals- steve whites superb drumming- the fingerskills on the keys with mickey talbot- and a youthful weller who believed in it all without any regret. Essential for style council-weller fans- and proof that all eighties music wasnt synthsized soulless bombast.

More Evidence Proving They Were Groovilicious
If you're a Style Council fan you must own this album. Phony musicians stink when recorded live but The Style Council sounded even better live than in the studio ("Home and Abroad" is also a necessity). This disc spans several years and features covers of some soul gems along with their own songs. They groove so hard on One Nation Under a Groove, Meeting (Over) Up Yonder and Hanging On To A Memory to justify the cost. The only downers are some snippets of Mick Talbot singing lead (oy vey) and a couple mediocre tracks, but those are minor trifles with this gem for us Council fans.

A rare chance to hear them play live!
The Style Council was one of the more difficult bands of the 1980's to categorize.A little bit new wave pop, some jazz, some house, some blues, some ballads, some rock and roll and all thrown together with excellent musicians and political lyrics. Band leader and singer Paul Weller has always been one of the more talented songwriters, from The Jam to his solo work today, his band the Style Council was his most experimental and unrestrained musical period. What more can you ask for from the 80's?Read more

Subjects:  1. New Wave    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop    5. Sophisti-Pop   

Features

• Enhanced
• Live
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (23)

Kohuept: A Solid Billy Joel Live Album
Lots of Billy Joel fans have mixed feelings about this 1987 live album, recorded during his famed concert in the Soviet Union. Though by no means is it among the greatest live albums ever (like The Rolling Stones' "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out" or even Joel's own "Songs In The Attic"), "Kohuept" is a solid document of Joel's groundbreaking concert in the Soviet Union.
Kohuept Gets the Job Done - Good Live Collection
In 1981 Billy Joel had released his first live album of his career.This album was entitled "Songs From the Attic", but it actually served two purposes:1) It was meant to be a live collection of songs;2) The portfolio of songs on the collection was meant to be focused around "Old Billy Joel" songs from early in his career - songs that had almost been forgotten about - or not heard much by the average fan.So in reality, by 1987 with 11 studio albums under his belt - Billy Joel was overdue for a true live album that provided a better cross-section of his career. But once again Billy uses his live album to serve two purposes. In 1987, Billy made a historic tour of the Soviet Union (it was still rare to find Rock artists touring Russia.Thus, later in 1987 Billy would release "Kohuept" (Russian for "In Concert"). In addition to serving as a record of Billy's concert in Leningrad - it would also serve the purpose of providing a long awaited live album that would be a better cross-section of his career.
Kohuept looks at a changin' times as Joel goes to the USSR
At the tail end of the Cold War, two years after Mikhail Gorbachev began to liberalize the Soviet Union with his "glasnost" (openness) and "perestroika" (restructuring), Billy Joel became one of the first (if not THE first) American pop-rock superstar to play a series of gigs in the Communist heartland.Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock/Pop    7. Singer/Songwriter    8. Soft Rock   

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Reviews (6)

When Folk Music Ruled, and Inspired
Hearing the original Limeliters with Glenn Yarbarough takes me directly back to Our 1962 Homecoming weekend at Marquette U.in Milwaukee. Folk music and the Limeliters were going strong then, but few groups combined the meaningful songs, comedy and superb music of the Limeliters.
Two Great Live Folk Concerts On One CD!
Folk music is always at its best when performed live, and this CD from the fabulous Limeliters gives the listener not one but two live folk concerts. The first was in San Francisco, the other in London. The appeal of the same kind of music to audiences on opposite sides of the world (and their often culturally unique responses) is what makes this CD so significant, interesting, and definitely entertaining. A very pleasant surprise
Growing up listening to my dad's albums of these guye, I always considered Our Men in San Francisco as the best live album of all time by ANYONE. Until I bought this 2 disc set I had never heard the London concert. What a gas! Here is a serious challenger to Our Men in SF. Hey Li Lee Li Lee is one of the most fun songs I have ever heard. The arrangement of Hard Ain't it Hard is hilarious, and Wabash Cannonball puts the Our Men version to shame, which is difficult to do! Their interaction with the crowd is so joyous and just plain fun to listen to. I've got my kids (ranging from 11 to 22 years old) hooked on the LimeLiters now. If you don't have this set, WHY ARE YOU WAITING? The only problem with these discs is that they don't go on forever - thank goodness for repeat buttons! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folk    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Folk Revival    4. Pop    5. Traditional Folk    6. Vocal    7. Vocal Pop   

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• Live

Reviews (10)

Proof that Neil can ROCK
This is a great live album, easily my favourite of the myriad of live Diamond releases there are out there. Neil really lets loose, and is clearly enjoying himself just as much as his small, but appreciative audience.
suprising good!
Ok, so I remember this record from my childhood, Mom had the vinyl. With Neil about to release a new CD with Rick Rubin, I deceided to seek this out of print CD out.....it was worth it!This is Neil Diamond LIVE with a small band, no strings, no horns and very little (or less cheesy-ness than normal)....its Great! On Lordy and Brother Love's traveling Salvation Show Diamond Literally shreds his voice!its raw and real!Somebody should remaster and reissue this (with bonus material if possible)....this record was released by Neils old label after the success of Hot August Night, and to be honest I like this live record better!Its a raw, young Diamond, not over blown cheese....seek it out!

The Real Deal
I see people diss this album because the sound isn't "big" enough. If you're looking for the "airbrushed" sound of lush orchestration, multiple percussionists, backup singers, and the huge productions which mark the decline of many great artists, then this album is not for you. Rather, this particular collection recorded live at a club in LA is Neil Diamond stripped down to his rockin' roots; just guitar, bass, drums, and Neil. He rocks your socks off from the beginning of "Lordy" all the way through the closing number, the best version of "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" that I've ever heard. I've loved this album since my college roomate introduced me to it in 1995 and still jam my old vinyl version. I implore you to also discover this ablum and find Neil Diamond at the true height of his stage prowess. The between song banter is fantastic as well (eat your heart out, Wil Ferrel.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Pop    3. Pop Vocals    4. Pop/Rock    5. Popular Music    6. Soft Rock   

Features

• Live
• Import

Reviews (1)

Great Sounding Live Album
This is the best live album from Greg Kihn.It sounds great and has a good song selection--even the raps between songs by Greg are interesting.The only problem with it is there are no notes about the recording, the dates, the musicians, or the places it was recorded.However, Greg does introduce the band and guess what? the guitar player was Joe Satriani, --no wonder the lead guitar playingwas great.I still would like to know when this set was recorded--does anybody know what yr Satriani was in Greg Kihn's band--I am guessing around 1990-1992. Get this CD--it sounds great and of course Greg's singing is great along with his rhythm guitar style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Wave    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Power Pop    5. Rock    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Like virtually every band in the mid-'60s, the Beach Boys were expected to deliver their hits in person--no mean feat considering the ever more baroque concoctions that Brian Wilson was constructing in the studio. Tellingly, at the time the 1964 Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Live
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (14)

Ladies and gentlemen, my pleasure to introduce to you, the stars of the show, here tonight with beautiful sounds, the Beach Boys
This CD features two live albums by the Beach Boys.
Concert 3 stars, Live in London 5 stars
Concert is an early Beach Boys concert, the big thing is that you get to hear the band with Brian Wilson.But the set selections are quite weak, few Beach Boys originals and lots of insipid covers, even an instrumental. Its more of archival and historic importance.Live in London, although without Brian, is really outstanding. Unlike other great 60's band, the Beach Boys never stopped touring, and it shows in this recording. By 1967-68, when this record was recorded, the Beach boys were a mean live Rock n Roll well oiled machine. One of the best live band of the time, no question about it. All the vocals are spot on, and Mile Love is great as a ringmaster. The vocals on Darlin by Carl Wilson are nothing short of extraordinare. Live in London may be one of the best live recordings of the sixties.

Michael Stack is Wrong, These Are Grrrrreat and Here's Why!
What the hell does someone from Chelmsford know about surfing anyway? ;) These 2 albums give you a taste of both their Beatlemania-like phase in 1964 and their post Pet Sounds creative path.There is one song on here that makes the whole package worth buying and that is the special stereo live version of "I Get Around".It is the only way to hear that particular song in stereo and it sounds awesome- only missing Carl's solo in the middle. Don't knock them for "covering" "Little Old Lady From Pasadena" either! Brian not only wrote it he sang on it too- that's his falsetto on the original Jan and Dean recording. Same with "Surf City".And Mike Love still plays both with his touring Beach Boys and they both sounded great.It's great to hear the Beach Boys in their prime with all of the girls screaming and with Brian still on stage belting out the high notes.But it is also great to her the "Live In London" era as well... also sold as "Beach Boys'69".Carl soars on "Darlin'" and you get to hear some of that cool stuff from albums like "Friends" as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Pop    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Popular Music    5. Rock    6. Rock & Roll    7. Rock/Pop    8. Sunshine Pop    9. Surf   

Features

• Live

Reviews (4)

Get this if you must...
...but it would be better if you got the original double-CD Live.Having seen JT live a number of times, I can say that the performances they managed to record during the course of this tour are some of the better ones he's done. Go For The Complete "Live" Double-CD
The only reason I don't give this one 5 stars is because it's an edited version of the complete "Live" double-cd, which has more than twice the number of songs. You'll miss out on some great material if yousettle for this version.

One of the best performers in his best performance...!!
I am a music teacher of 23 years.I have always been fond of James Taylorand his style.After listening to this CD I have an even greater respectfor his stylings, He breathes new and fresh life into the old hits.I amcontinually amazed at his ability to capture the emotional, political andsocial climate of the times with his music and lyrics.You will experienceit all..loneliness, joy, nostalgia, irony...blues, jazz, rock'n'roll,country, and Arnold McCuller. I've watched a lot of collections come andgo.This one is definitely a "KEEPER". JT, I thank you. ND ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Folk-Rock    3. Pop    4. Pop/Rock    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter    9. Soft Rock   

Features

• Live

Reviews (1)

Croce at his best
Believe it or not, this is Jim Croce at his best. Just him and his sidekick Maury playing their acoustic guitars and singing their hearts out. Croce's career was too short to allow him to record a proper live album, but this collection of live (that is, not lip-synched) performances from US and UK TV shows of the day ends up being just as good. The stories he tells in between songs really humanize him, and the inclusion of the last track, available nowhere else is another considerable plus.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop    4. Singer/Songwriter    5. Soft Rock   

Features

• Live

Reviews (107)

Hanson just got room on my favorite CD list.
When I was younger at the time when Hanson was super popular, I did not really like them that much, but they've changed my mind the past week. While I was working, I was getting bored of my normal playlist, so I put my iPod on shuffle and Hanson came on. I went and found the CD in its entirety and listened to it. It was amazingly catchy and perfect to work to. This concert is amazing...they have so much talent! I'd recommend Live From Albertane over Middle of Nowhere any day. (Maybe that's because I didn't really like the high, squeaky voices)

Live from Albertane - when they live they mean live!!
great, it feels like your there!!! some person wrote that they didn't like it because MMMBOP does not sound quite the same as it did on middle of nowhere, well of course it doesn't hanson is older now their voices have changed a bit and it's live, so if you fell in love with hanson for their baby voice - you fell in love for the wrong reason.This is the best live cd i have ever heard and if your worried about there being screaming in the middle songs- worry not because there is really none except in the begining and end of tracks - so check it out and if you like buy and then check out their Christmas cd - Snowed in mg:)

Live is GREAT
This album is one of the BEST live albums in the history of live. This CD marks where Hanson's voices began changing. And there are some new songs and cover songs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Popular Music    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Teen Pop   

Features

• Live

Reviews (6)

live as live can be
Steve Miller Band live is with no doubt the best recording of a live performance I have ever heard.I,m not saying that all of the other LIVErecordings we have loved for years are not as good of a music experience,such as ALLMAN BROS filmore,BOB seager,FRAMPTON.What I,m saying is this STEVE MILLER is by far the best example of how a live recording should sound.After working in the live music business for 15 years I heard many types or styles of live mixing,S m LIVE is the best.Just listen you can hear the mixing changes as they should be,everything or I should say all of the instruments have their position in the mix and then BAMM another lead jumps out to the front of the mix or MR> buffalo with his dynamic harp,it just seems each feature of the song just keeps jumping further out front never loosing anything into the background.Its all there,my hats off to the front of house tech on this project,hope to hear mor of your work and of course lets hear more from STEVIE miller.

Decent live album!
Steve Miller live is a decent live album. The song than what is missing on the CD is available on the cassette version.Steve Miller live is a live CD containing hits mainly from The Joker,Fly like an Eagle, and Book of Dreams, with a few songs thrown in from other albums. The song choice is excellent in my opinion,but the performances of on the album aren't very good. Fun if you enjoy live albums but not essential.

Sure missing
I'm searching for that missing tune which I had on the original tape version. A real pity it's missing. That tune alone would have been reason enough to purchase this cd. Still, great versions of the songs that are included here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Pop    3. Pop/Rock    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

At an age when most professionals are entertaining thoughts of early retirement, Cheap Trick continue to burnish their reputation as arguably the best live rock band on the planet. Recorded over a four-night stand at Chicago's Metro in 1998, this live collection can't escape comparison with the band's unlikely breakthrough, 1979's Read more

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• Live

Reviews (94)

Cheap Trick - 'Music For Hangovers' (Cheap Trick Unlimited)
Should be able to obtain a copy of this gem for really low-priced almost anywhere you look.'Music...' was recorded at one of the four-night special engagement they played at Chicago's Metro in 1998 to mark the 25th anniversary release of their first album.That's what I've heard anyway.Tracks off 'Music For Hangovers' are all if not mostly off of the band's first three lp's.An old school Cheap Trick fan's dream police(er,I mean dream)come true.Sound is great,almost as if you were there yourself.Tracks that were more than a delight to relive again include "Surrender","I Can't Take It","Dream Police","The Ballad Of T.V.Violence"(haven't heard this cut in awhile now),"Gonna Raise Hell" among others.Highly recommended.A must-have.

MONEY SAVING TIP
HEY YOU CAN GET THIS FREE:BUY JUST ABOUT ANYTHING DIRECT FROM CHEAPTRICK.COM AND THEY THROW THIS IN FOR FREE.I WAS AT THE CONCERT AND HAVE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THIS!SO, OF COURSE I LOVE IT.A NICE SELECTION OF THEIR BIG SONGS.

Exceeds the legendary
Cheap Trick may very well be the best pop/rock band America has ever produced, and it's no mistake that the first big splash they made in terms of record sales was the phenomenal "Cheap Trick At Budokan" live album that was initially only available in the US market as a Japanese import.The high regard in which the Budokan recording is held becomes all that more impressive when considering that it was released in THE decade known for great live albums (and it holds its own with Frampton, Kiss, McCartney, et al from the same era).Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Arena Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. New Wave    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Popular Music    8. Power Pop    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Neil Finn's restless creative spirit didn't lounge during Split Enz's and Crowded House's two decades of achievement. In this live recording (culled from five shows at New Zealand's St. James Theatre in April 2001), Finn not only pauses to take stock in his rich career, he often generously shares the spotlight with an impressive array of guest musicians (brother Tim, guitarist Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Electronic, violinist/vocalist Lisa Germano, Radiohead's Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien, and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder) who've come to back him and express a little fandom of their own. The results are gratifying cross-pollinations: Vedder sharing vocals on Enz's "Stuff and Nonsense," "Take a Walk," and a jagged version of "I See Red"; Finn tipping his hat to Morrissey on the Smiths' "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" after Marr's jangly "Down on the Corner"; and sharing an always-welcome harmony with Tim Finn on material from their various projects together. If there's a criticism to be made, it's that Finn occasionally shortchanges himself here. Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (34)

Missing Tracks?!
Where is the Acoustic version of Fall At Your Feet found on the DVD?! That is probably the most incredible recording of one of Neil's most popular songs? I was gutted to not find it on this album... a crying shame...

One huge surprise.
It was absolutely worth the price of this CD to find out that my favorite Split Enz song of all time, "Take A Walk," is also quite obviously Eddie Vedder's!His live version here does not eclipse Neil Finn's original, but it's very apparent he's thrilled to be singing it (with Finn on harmony vocal).Who knew Vedder had such excellent taste?I thought he was obsessed with Pete Townshend!
Great after a few listens
Upon first listen to this album I was fairly dissapointed. Initially,the vocals on the One All songs seemed weak and I didnt care for the work of Eddie Vedder on several other tracks. However,after a few more listens this album has become a favorite. Neil Finn's voice has an incredible pure resonance live and it shines brighter than any of the other vocalists who are not as strong. Vedder's renditions of Stuff and Nonsense and Parting Ways are surprising gems after a few listens. The Finn standouts are the cover of There is a Light That Never Goes Out (even better than the original),She Will Have Her Way,and Weather With You. Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. New Zealand    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

For three decades, Dianne Reeves has been one of the most popular vocalists, thanks to her well-produced recordings and engaging live shows. On this date, recorded before an audience of 300 fans, Reeves weaves her trademark, hornlike contralto over smooth grooves that cross over mainstream jazz, contemporary pop, and world-music lines. Her band, featuring keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz and Wynton Marsalis's bassist, Reginald Veal, delivers the Cat Stevens-associated church hymn "Morning Has Broken," Mongo Santamaria's classic "Afro-Blue," and Cole Porter's immortal "Love for Sale." She also pays homage to jazz's Brazilian roots with her splendid, spirited readings of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste," a duet with guitarist Romero Lubambo, and Milton Nascimento's "Bridges." On her lyrical, midtempo "Come In," Reeves's cousin, keyboardist George Duke, turns in a brilliant solo, and "The First Five Chapters" is an autobiographical number inspired by author Portia Nelson. But the zenith of the set is "The Best Times (Grandma's Song)," her new version of her most requested song, "Better Days," which sings the praises and virtues of family values better than our politicians. Read more

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Reviews (6)

At last, THE GRAMMY
This is the CD that made the world take notice. This is not her best body of work. She has giving loving fans better then this and never won a Grammy. This just tells you what a big talent the world has been missing. On studio recordings, Miss Reeves is above the game. Her live shows as this, can never be surpassed. I would love to see her make another live CD covering some of her other favorites. But, if you never saw her live shows this is a treat.

just call her...DIANNE REEVES, M.D.
("M.D." in this case stands for musical doctor...)Those of us who have seen DR live know it is an experience unlike any other.Onstage, she makes her own rules and then breaks them-- seeming to constantly reinvent her songs/voice/ musical identity, all the while maintaining an intimacy with the audience that is as easeful as it is proufound/magical.I think that she does a number ofvery radical things with her music in general, and that her particularly radical style is exemplified by her performances on stage, and here in this album.When I say radical, I mean:somehow during the creative process of performing, she makes the radical choice to include the listener/audience over and over again EXPLICITLY in her creation.She has, I think, an innate and extremely rare understanding of the nexxus of human emotion and art (who else would dare put forth an album as raw and complex and contradicory as "Art and Survival'?) and is able to use her talent to make the final product far more than the sum of its parts. She goes beyond her role and status as an entertainer, giving medicine to her audience, medicine that lives on in the human heart long after the concert is over.Ironically, it's this, the most astounding aspect of her musicianship, that makes her most vulnerable to criticism.Most will agree on the dazzling voice, but: one reviewer of this album called "5 Chapters""self-indulgent"; others have claimed she is too experimental and not a "true" jazz singer.I, myself, referred to some songs on "Bridges" as "didactic" (see review).It was listening to this live album that made it click: refrains "Testify" and "Mista" now are embedded in my consciousness, self-activating affirmation chants that I hold dear in times of spiritual/emotional crisis.These songs annoyed me when I first heard them!Now I understand what she's doing:disobeying the sacred unspoken tenet of the European sensibility, that says we must "show but not tell" in art.The tenet the enforces the division between the experience and the expression.In the live world with DR, there is no division:when she greets the audience, she's singing;when she introduces each and every member of the band, telling stories all the way [left out on this album :( ], she's singing; when she talks about her start in the music business, her love of singing, her family, her heart being broken, she's doing this singing-talking thing that as far as I know is completely original to her, at least to the extent that she does it.And the singing is beautiful, and the talking is interesting-- thus, again-- more than the sum of their parts:the synergy of her miraculous presence and talent.Unmatched.She's THE singer for this millenium.I'm running out of room here but the truth is that Dianne is the queen of jazz...and the doctor of our broken hearts.Let us praise her...

The spirit of jazz
Once again Dianne Reeves demonstrates with her musicshe's one of a kind, one of the very few vocalist that relly say something new and, no matter what the critics say about her not focusing on pure jazz, SHE IS theperfect incarnation of what the spirits of jazz is: challenging theboundaries of music, pursuing freedom,improvisation, cultivating anexquisite taste with a sensibility that goes deep down into gospel, soul,r&b, afro, reggae to find a reveal new treasures. Above all this,naturally,stands her voice: warm, deep, rich in coulour and expressioncontralto,a voice guided by a sense of rythm and technical mastership goingfrom moaning, caressing, soaring, roaring, culminating with an ability toscat that leaves you speechles. This time Diane's been caught in therapture of a live performance, possibly her best dimension. She sing herheart out and kills you with a brilliant Brasilian trip: the acousticreading of "Triste" is magnificient, matched by Nacimentos'"Bridges" that is already "the definitive cover" ofthis beautiful song. Then, she and her extraordinary band sweep you awaywith a salsa-latin flavoured "Love for sale" that will have evenCole Porter surely nodding with satisfaction from high above. What avoyage.. and then he comes George Duke playing the pianoanddressing anold Dianne's hit "Come in" new, soulful and smooth and caressingand... beautiful... Each of the the songs of this superb set are simplystunning: a perfect collectionto appreciate the art of Dianne Reeves,indeed. After her first, sensational "New Morning" live in Paris,this is the second chance to travel on the wings of real live jazz with oneof the truest and best artists on the music scene today : when you're done,you just want to stand up and cry: Bravissima Dianne! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hard Bop    2. Jazz    3. Jazz Music    4. Jazz Vocals    5. Pop    6. Traditional Pop    7. Urban    8. Vocal Jazz    9. Vocal Pop   

Editorial Review

Recorded just past Cat Stevens's commercial zenith and about a year and a half before he quit the music business for good, Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (6)

Crowd Noise a Major Distraction - Music Great
I spent hours editing my wav files to eliminate annoying crowd lead-ins and fades.....and cut out Cat's insipid remarks....Cat needs to stick to just music....overall, my album is 8 minutes shorter and eminently more listenable....the music is great....sound quality is great... wish I could have been there....

Excellent Live Album
I learned to play guitar by imitating early Cat Stevens music.This recording fills me with both joy and sorrow.Joy that this wonderfully lyrical and tightly arranged music stands up well to the test of time.Sadness that such a considerable musical talent has been silent all these years.We are impoverished.
Wonderful
I had always thought of Cat Stevens as being a pop-folk singer for teenage girls in the 70s, never thinking his music had much substance. But ever since I bought his 'Very Best of' CD that came out a few years ago, I have been addicted to his music. It is full of a mature yearning for spiritual truth and a deep compassion for humanity, as well as a strong sense of humour (all wrapped up in great melodies).
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. England    3. Folk-Rock    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter    9. Soft Rock   

Features

• Live

Reviews (5)

Essense of Best Live Performance band
The Sons of Champlin have always been known for putting on incredible live shows. Their "Live" album from 1998 on Grateful Dead records was a raw version of that. This album is a polished version that captures it again. If you'd like to see it there is also a DVD version of the "Secret" concert. Better yet, go to sonsofchamplin.com and find out where you can see the real thing.

Buy this CD!!!!!
This recording of a February 2002 concert finds the Sons in fine form.Bill Champlin, who has been a member of Chicago since 1981 and who won two Grammy awards for song writing (After the Love is Gone and Turn Your Love Around) is "back with the band he's supposed to be with" and he is clearly having a great time.His guitar duets with Tal Morris are dynamite as are his B3 with all the stops out solos, and his singing is as strong as ever.The rest of the band are no slouches either -- Geoff Palmer on keys and vibes is nothing short of astonishing, the rhythm section of Jim Preston and David Schallock are as solid as you can find in any band, anywhere, and the horn section anchored by Mic "Brass Kicks Ass" Gillette is right on the money.Great songs, great performances -- buy this cd now!

Great as usual!
This CD is, unfortunately, aptly named. For whatever reason, The Sons of Champlin never received the recognition outside of the SF Bay Area they deserved. This CD is a recent live recording and captures the heart, soul & essence of the Sons. The music is joyful & uplifting, a perfect blend of funk, jazz, soul, blues & rock. Bill Champlin's voice never ceases to amaze. Do something nice for yourself, get it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folk-Rock    2. Pop    3. Psychedelic    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll    6. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Selena's Grammy-winning Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (22)

WOW!
All I can say is wow.....This woman is full of energy and puts heart and soul into all of her songs.Make sure you get a copy of this.....A major highlight on this album is No Debes Jugar

Still my favorite Tejano CD
I remember listening to this CD endlessly back during the summer of 1995 shortly after Selena's tragic death. I have listened to Selena's studio albums many times and couldn't believe how good this live recording was. Selena and her band exhibit a lot of energy throughout this record. After listening to a lot of Tejano since, I have to say that this effort by Selena and company is still