title: Great first release from a great American band

text:
R.E.M. -- Chronic Town. Released October 1982. Produced by Mitch Easter and R.E.M.

With cryptic song titles, clean, chiming guitars, orchestral drumming, driving bass, and haunting, nearly-indecipherable vocals, R.E.M. snuck onto the early 1980s rock scene in America around the same time I moved to Jacksonville, Florida, straight out of high school, mere months after my mother passed away from cancer. A new city, a new job, a new life--why not new music? I first read about them in a music magazine. Remember when you would read about bands in a magazine and then it would take months, sometimes even years before you would actually hear that band? The summer of 1983 and I was reading about them yet again and still had not found a copy anywhere in Jax until I went into Coconut Records on Atlantic Blvd. Not only did they have Murmur, their first full-length album, they also had Chronic Town, the EP I had read about months before. I bought them both.

When I put Chronic Town on my turn table it was the first time that I ever heard a bass player that sounded like ME. This was extremely important as a nineteen year old trying to find their own way as I was becoming more and more convinced that I was doing something wrong. Around this time I was in a band that had auditioned a keyboardist and at the end of the audition, instead of waiting for us to tell him what we thought, he began to rip into each of us, beginning with me. You're playing in the wrong register, he said to me. That's not a pentatonic scale, that's not how you hit the strings, oh and by the way, those aren't  even the right type of strings. He went on to criticize every member of the band and then had the audacity to ask when his first gig with us would be. This sort of thing can be shattering when you're young and still learning who you are. I was also noticing that other bass players did things in similar ways to one another yet I had no clue what they were doing most of the time or how to copy them. Or even if I wanted to copy them. But Mike Mills' lines made sense to me. Melody and pulsing and keep it climbing and galloping. If there was at least one more bassist out there that I could connect with then I must be onto something. I never bothered to learn how to play any songs off Chronic Town or Murmur, I felt as if I'd been playing them already. Yes, validation is a wonderful thing. Years later, a guitarist I was playing with was criticizing my playing, saying that I needed to play "the same way everyone else did." I stuck to my guns and never looked back.
Recorded in a weekend at Mitch Easter's Drive-In Studios, this is a slapdash, yet good sounding EP--clear and punchy, very rock 'n' roll without sounding as if you'd heard it all before. Not as moody or atmospheric as the soon to be released Murmur, closer to what the band must have sounded like in their practice room in Athens.

Michael Stipe, the singer, was criticized for mumbling the words but this never bothered me, especially when I was younger. Words? Who cares because the vocal melodies were still easy to sing along with. Stumble through the yard, stumble through the--what? Who cares, just keep goin'. The sing-along equivalent of running through the rain with a busted ankle while on a runner's high. It doesn't matter, so don't stop. And don't look back. Walk it off.

What else? Oh, instead of "Side One" and "Side Two" the record was labeled "Chronic Town" on one side, "Poster Torn" on the other. No beginning, no ending, no discernible order. As a teenager with a warped imagination and a unique sense of self, these small differences from the norm were very important. And after years of listening to loud distorted guitars in rock bands, the clean, yet driving, guitars on this record seemed like a Revolution. Or perhaps a Revelation. One of them "R" words. When other bands played clean they were playing sad songs or slow songs or sappy songs. Peter Buck choosing to keep his guitar-sound clean seemed purposeful. Intentful. And rockin'.

There's only five songs on this EP and it goes by way too fast. When it was over I was most hungry for more. Luckily I had Murmur to delve into. More on that on another post.

Before we leave, can we talk about the cover of this album for a moment? That sly imp, sticking out his tongue, as if daring you to buy the album, seems to be ready to share a secret if you're willing to listen. The secret? What do YOU think? Any takers?


title: I love this album

text: Okay everyone. I know you all love Fireflies.  Enough said!  Okay, I guess not, because Amazon requires that I write at least twenty words describing my experience with Fireflies.  Well, this guy, Owl City, has that thing for a distinct sound, similar to the guys who wrote Truly Madly Deeply.  You'll love all of his songs.


title: Great cd.

text: This cd is the best of Belafonte, he is funny, beautiful songs and very entertaining.


title: Excellent!

text:
'In Testa' is fun and experimental, and evidence that Dari have grown and matured since their last album. Non italian speakers won't understand the lyrics, which are all in italian, but it's certainly worth a listen anyway. The rhythms  and melodies speak for themselves, and italian is a beautiful sounding language even if you don't understand.
Check out their other albums:
Sottovuoto Generazionale
[...]
Sottovuoto D-Version


title: Absolutely love this music

text: Absolutely love this music.  Had never heard of a chapman stick before but was hooked right off.  It is so soothing and wish I had known about you guys when I was looking for wedding music.


title: Great CD

text: Some old school gangsta rap.


title: Classic but unusual punk songs you haven't heard before

text: This isn't the average punk comp with songs you've heard a million times before on other compilations. Chances are you will find a treasure you have never heard before. If you like L.A. and S.F. punk from the early 80's you will probably like this. I especially recommend the song Hillside Strangler; very catchy and edgy. I can't get it out of my head.


title: Recorded with a smart phone?

text: The music is great but the sound quality is terrible. It seriously sounds like it was recorded with a smart phone.


title: You can buy them cheaper

text: Cheaper to buy separately ..(this is a scam)..


title: Not Good, only use Gimmicks

text: Most of their songs are recycled for their  old group(formerly Rania). They already got into a scandal and lost a member. Their live performances show how undee


title: Great group!  Great music!

text: OK, I have to admit I'm a little biased because my daughter is one of the three female singers in this group.  It's a shame that they didn't continue to write and sing their songs.  But their 20th anniversary was fun!


title: Great!!

text: Love it!! CD included some great extras, thank you!


title: Happy camper

text: Great seller. These are perfect for my Quickstove, and I love the fact that I can separate each disc into fourths. Well done, Shefko!


title: Chris is the best

text: This is a wonderful cd, purchased after Ms. Kokesh performed for the Central New York Folkus Project.  I recommend you go hear her live!


title: A decent release

text:
Ork is a semi-random purchase.  It's random in the sense that I have never heard of this band before, it's not random in the sense that it is released by Folter Records.  In my interest to own all the Folter releases I picked this up.  I don't know how this band progressed over the years at all and maybe I will find this out later, but for now this is their debut full length.

I am happy to report that my decision to buy this based on Joerg releasing the album was a good one.  Once again Folter has not let me down in introducing me to a new and good band.  However, I should stress that they are not really a great band.  I think many critics out there would consider Folter as releasing fairly "safe" bands overall.  Bands which, on their own, are actually very good, but are not good enough to move the genre forward in a lot of cases.  That doesn't stop me from wanting Folter releases, because while Ork may not be bringing anything new to the genre, they are excellent at performing a tried and true method of Black Metal.  I don't always want to listen to ground breaking bands or bands that are so avant-garde you may as well put their CD's in an art gallery.  Sometimes I just want solid and well performed Black Metal and that's exactly what Ork is giving us.  At times the bands guitar work reminds me a bit of what Trimonium does, but not nearly as good.  Even though Ork was around long before Trimonium, I feel like Trimonium just did it better.  Ork is a little more general in their approach and they layer leads rather sparingly against the rhythms.  The vocals are very monotonous and I do wish the vocal performance was a little more dynamic.  There is a little bit of keyboard flair throughout the album, but it is used very little.  I am thankful for this, because drowning guitar lines like this in keyboards would just be a poor choice.  When they do use extended keyboard sections it is actually rather far away in the mix, so it never overwhelms the music at all.  I really appreciate this for sure.

While not one of Folter's must hear bands, this is certainly a solid release.  I can't imagine any Black Metal fan outright hating this.  In fact the only complaint that would come out is that it is a fairly generic release of music that has already been written.  I am a little more liberal in my view of this stuff... I just like well performed Black Metal.  For me I stumble upon too much poorly performed and poorly written material, so I feel appreciative when I hear a band that can at least perform the music well.  Ork is definitely worth checking out if you've exhausted all your essential bands to hear.

Review taken from: Subjected to Metal .blogspot .com


title: An absolute Black Metal classic!

text:
This is the first official full length from Moonblood and it's status has reached legendary proportions.  I never got the original cassette for this, nor did I get the vinyl re-edition in 1998 because I didn't really collect vinyl back then.  However, when I saw a CD pressing made available I quickly picked this up.  I realize these are bootlegs, but let's be honest all the original copies have sold out and the band has made all the money and support they ever wished to on the releases.  If an official CD release ever surfaced, I would certainly buy that to replace this copy.  The cover featured on this bootleg is the same as that on the vinyl release.  The CD itself features cover for the cassette edition.  Whoever made this did a very good job on it.  All the artwork is there and the inside the booklet the lyrics are printed.

I must confess that after going through all the rehearsals in 1995 I was a little worried about what Moonblood would put out for their very first release.  I am happy to report that the vast majority of the material on here is taken from the first three rehearsal tapes.  Rather than furiously write new material they've returned to what has already been written and re-recorded some of it.  "In a Bloody Night of Fullmoon" seems to be the only newly written material and that song is absolutely magnificent.  It's everything I would want in a new Moonblood song.  In looking at the track listing I remember not being too keen on all of these songs, but I think having them well recorded has changed my outlook on some of these songs.  I only thought  "Blut & Krieg" was mildly interesting, but having heard this version I realize how good the track actually is.  Hearing "My Evil Soul" in studio was really interesting because that track came out extremely well.  In the rehearsals I think it's a little hard to see the true vision Moonblood has in mind for the songs.  Listen to the song "I am All" and listen to how prominent that bass guitar is!  I don't think there is any bass on the rehearsals.  It's just such a stark difference to hear how the songs are fully supposed to sound.  The vocal performance on "Blut & Krieg" is spectacular.  Remember how I mentioned the vocals sounded great on "Rehearsal 6"?  Well I think Gaamalzagoth tried to emulate that on this performance, so it came out extremely well done.

The recording quality is very well done.  You can hear everything very well and there's even a heavy dose of bass guitar in the mix!!!  The vocals are mixed very well and it really gives a great feel to the music and atmosphere.  It makes me wish all the Moonblood material could be recorded this well, because I realize now how much context I am missing in their performance.

This is simply a must hear.  I was slightly disappointed that they didn't re-record any of the songs with serious medieval parts, but I think their choices were pretty good overall.  It comes off as a fairly traditional Black Metal release, but it really does stack up against the Scandinavian classics quite well.  If this had not had a limited release I think Moonblood would have been a lot more well known in 1996, rather than after the millennium with all their material being bootlegged.

Review taken from Subjected to Metal .blogspot .com
(No spaces)


title: Dancing in my seat!

text: I am so lucky to have this album in my iTunes! It really jumpstarts my day with mondo energy!


title: Rare product.

text: Good value for the price.


title: Rare product

text: Good value for the price.


title: Just a good 'ole western

text:
3:10 to Yuma

This western staring Russell Crow and Christian Bale is a remake of the 1957 film baring the same name and is also based on the short story by Elmore Leonard. This film is about good and evil plain and simple.  It's about the relationship of a seemingly good man and one that seems rotten to the core.  Bale plays an everyman rancher that has fallen on hard times and has lost the respect of his family.  He is a desperate man that is no longer able to provide for his family.  Crowe who plays an outlaw that is legendary.  Everyone has heard of Ben Wade and fears the things that he has done.  I can see the comparisons to Unforgivin because it's like they took the Mooney (Eastwood) character and split him in two.  In the Unforgivin, Eastwood was battling inner turmoil of good versus evil, here it's manifested by two different characters that find a strange bond and sympathy for the others plight, even if it's unspoken and never addressed. Some great acting on screen, one of the new notable faces is Crowe's right hand man, played by the terrific Ben Foster, who nails his role as a confident and homicidal bandit

A very involved plot that always makes you wonder what direction the movie is going.  The Characters are interesting and muli-layered.  Sometimes you often wondered who the good guy was, if their really was one.  It's a good western and worth seeing on the big screen.  It's not a perfect piece of film making like Unforgiving and defiantly uses the Western stereotype we have seen in Tombstone and others like it, the quick draw showman gun slinger.  The money hungry businessman, everyone has tuberculosis...you know, the normal western stereotypes.  Cliché or not this film works and works well.  Mangold is not re inventing the wheel with this piece but it fits in line with a lot of other westerns that follow this formula that are fun to watch and enjoy the performances.  It doesn't hurt this film that it features two of the greatest actors of my generation...oh, and Peter Fonda.


title: It's a good one to add to your library collection.

text: Really is a great cd, I grew up with The Outlaws music back in the 70's being from the south you can understand were they are coming from. Came in great condition.


title: Best older gospel music there is.

text: Very nice four dise box set CD package of some 1970's Jimmy Swaggart music But one CD was a newer early release CD.


title: Glad I found this.

text: Amazing.


title: Special news report: Murrow takes on McCarthy in this fall's must see film

text:
Using black-white film, director-actor George Clooney (who makes an appearance as `Fred Friendly') has audiences consider the dangers of an unrestrained government---and the important role truly independent journalists play in protecting democracies.

After World War II, the 'red menace' was considered the next great threat to American democracy. During the 1950's, very few people wanted to appear as being for communism; subsequently it was thought that no measure was too extreme to end communism.

Enter a politically calculating young Senator from Wisconsin-Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy quickly makes a national name for himself by announcing that he has lists of communists who are in government, and the nation needs to follow him if they want to stop 'them'.  Among them is Milo Radulovich, an Air Force officer who, after secret accusations about his patriotism were made and he refused to denounce his father and sister, was drummed out of the service.

Because no actor was cast to play McCarthy's thankless role, the film reacts to woven-in vintage clips of McCarthy himself. This also saves Clooney and the rest of the cast on the off chance that McCarthy's few remaining admirers want to charge Hollywood with 'twisting' his words.

Against McCarthy's witchunt, Edward R. Murrow had the conviction to publicly call the Senator on his actions during an episode of his talk show "See it Now". In 1954 the veteran news journalist openly challenged McCarthy's allegations of communism being entrenched throughout United States society, the Radulovich allegations had offended him because a servicemember was asked to attack his own family.  Effectively ending McCarthy's reign of terror upon the American people, that investigation also championed the constitutional rights of all citizens.

Foreshadowing Watergate, Murrow also proved that dedicated and professional journalists act as a much-needed fourth check on government actions and power.

He receives critical backup from CBS News producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney doing double duty) and executive William Paley (Frank Langella). These are moves which I honestly believe would not be duplicated in today's TV newsrooms even with everything that goes on during our own time. Despite public criticism about the `liberal media' these journalists are trained to avoid offending their corporate owners and caretakers. People of all political ideologies will continue finding Murrow's professional integrity refreshing because he was only committed to delivering the facts of a story.

Clooney and the rest of the crew/cast did an excellent job with period clothing, music, and mannerisms (Robert Downey Jr and Patricia Clarkson are a married couple in an era when workplace marriages are formally prohibited `just because') but the film's powerful message easily resonates with the current issues in our modern society. I am really impressed with the time and care George Clooney gave to this film.


title: This is what good rock should sound like

text:
Unlike so many of the post early 90's rockers that have just resorted to incomprehensible lyrics and outright mayhem, this band returns moody rock to days gone by.
Post-Bikini Kill, I was worried what I would listen to because it seemed like all my favorite grrrl bands were splitting or going mainstream to the point of watering down their trademark assertiveness. Then I found Slumber Party and instantly became a fan.
The quartet of Detroit girls pens and writes lyrics that would make the late great Kurt Cobain immensely proud. Their self-titled debut album (a previous six inch was released through the Kill Rock Stars "Mail order Freaks" club) sent shivers up the spines of cowards everywhere as they scrambled for a way to describe this dynamic force to be reckoned with.
As with every truly alternative CD, the band is uncategorizable. They are there and they are unique and that is about it. This tradition is completely consistent with independent music, and the band must be applauded for being themselves and waking up the world.
Although the music is incredibly mellow, potential listeners should not buy it expecting to hear something gentle, soft and radio friendly. While there is no doubt that some forward thinking college station could play this album (hey, it practically screams brooding!) it is unlikely it will even make some of major city alternative stations (some of whom have turned into little more than a top 40 rock and roll station) that in turn cater to suburbia.
 As much respect as I have for the women in music who do perform such music, I think it unfairly delineates a manufactured concept of what "Male" and "Female" music is really supposed to sound like, and undoes (unintentionally of course) much of the work that pioneering acts such as Patty Smyth and the Raincoats did in the 1970's and 1980's.
Slumber Party revives women's rock music into the next century and tells the remaining few nay Sayers that we are here to stay. Turn it on; crank it up, because women in rock are here to stay for good.


title: Disappointng

text: There are only a couple of songs that I like hearing his voice. As for the rest, they do not do him any justice whatsoever


title: Great versions of older Christian metal classics

text: Each song showcases the various lead guitar player of that band at the time. It was great to hear this old 80's/early 90's Christian metal. Some of the songs were a little different from the version on the band's particular CD, which made this a better deal that some "best of" collection. It's worth having to relive those glory days of Christian metal, even though some bands were missing that should have been included like Bloodgood (David Zaffiro was amazing) and others.


title: Excellent cd

text: If you are unfamiliar with The Violet Burning, you're missing out on a great band.  I recently purchased their newest worship cd ("Faith and Devotions of a Sattelite Heart") and was blown away by the whole cd!  It's one of those you just have to listen to from beginning to end without interruption because there's no where to truly stop!  Grab that one!  Now on to this cd.  This is sort of a "best of" collection of some of their past cds.  Again, the ambient kind of sound (or "vibe" for lack of a better term) is great on here.  Songs like "Low" and "Gorgeous" have some incredible music moments, and the vocals throughout are great with just the perfect amount and timing of female background singing that accents everything.  I really don't think you'd be disappointed with this cd if you like Christian alternative bands like "The Choir" or other bands like the old REM stuff.  Grab this one for an intro to the band, and then get "Faith and Devotions..." as a follow up to truly hear what a worship cd can be.


title: Classic Beach Boys

text: If you love The Beach Boys music, which I do, you will enjoy this.


title: Dex Swings With The Blue Note

text:
The facts of the case: Avid Entertainment gives us a 2-CD compilation of Dexter Gordon's first of three comebacks, all recorded with Blue Note records in 1961–62:

"Doin' Allright" (1961), with Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Horace Parlan (piano), George Tucker (bass), Al Harewood (drums):
I Was Doing All Right (9:23)
You've Changed (7.32)
For Regulars Only (5:49)
Society Red (12:27)
It's Your Or No One (6:17)

"Dexter Calling" (1961), with Kenny Drew (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums):
Soul Sister (7:44)
Modal Mood (5:22)
I Want More (5:18)
The End Of A Love Affair (6:52)
Clear The Dex (4:53)
Ernie's Tune (4:15)
Smile (3:21)

"A Swingin' Affair" (1962), with Sonny Clark (piano), Butch Warren (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums):
Soy Califa (6:27)
Don't Explain (6:05)
You Stepped Out Of A Dream (6:33)
The Backbone (6:49)
Until The Real Thing Come Along (6:48)
McSplivens (6:43)

"Go" (1962), with Clark, Warren, and Higgins:
Cheese Cake (6:31)
I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (5:19)
Second Balcony Jump (7:03)
Love For Sale (7:34)
Where Are You? (5:18)
Three O'Clock In The Morning (5:40)

Included in the accompanying booklet are reproductions of the original liner notes for all four LPs. Altogether Avid offers a few seconds shy of three hours of music.

And what music it is. All of these albums are considered cornerstones in Mr. Gordon's discography. Among them, "Go" is often ranked first, perhaps deservedly so, though "A Swingin' Affair" seems to me every bit its equal. Both are tinged with Afro-Latin stylings. Both swing hard. The quartet of Gordon, Clark, Warren, and Higgins is tight as Dick's hatband and smokin' hot.

All four albums are usually typed as hard bop, but I think that classification misleads. If "hard bop" refers to a statement of a melody, which then becomes so harmonically detached from the song that it's practically unrecognizable, then this isn't hard bop. This is soft-hard bop. Gordon digs deep, then soars into the stratosphere, but never disengages himself from the song itself. Think Herschel Evans, not Charlie Parker—but Dexter Gordon imitates no one. His is an original voice: caressing his tenor sax with a big, round, rich sound that's as joyous and luxuriant as Louis Armstrong in his prime. Gordon's ballads could make you weep. He is also playful, unafraid to drop quotations of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "Five O'Clock Whistle" into a chestnut like "Three O'Clock In The Morning" (1920). And why not? Music, especially jazz, means play, not strained overreaching for weird arpeggios that show off technique.

The musical bottom line: these are records that can be played over and again and never grow tiresome. Repeated listenings only enhance the listener's appreciation of how practically perfect they are.

The economic bottom line: At this writing, only "Go" remains in print, for about twelve bucks. "Dexter Calling" is OP on CD, unavailable except on the secondhand market. The other two CDs, if you can find them, currently sell for $35 to $45 each. Avid's price: under ten dollars. That's practically a giveaway. There are no bonus tracks ("Landslide" is AWOL from "Dexter Calling"), but I can live with that. The sonic quality is excellent. You're not shortchanged a whit in sonic quality.

My evaluative bottom line: these four albums are essential for any jazz lover's collection. If Dex has been overshadowed by Bird, Hawk, Trane, or Rollins, then it's time for you to hear him step up front and center.


title: Mr. Poitier Takes His Own Measure

text:
I do not listen to most books; I prefer to read them. This book I listened to: six discs in six hours across three nights, before bedtime. It is unabridged. The reader is the author himself.

I highly commend this book—but I recommend even more strongly that, if you can find a good copy at an affordable price, listen to the audiobook. It is the author's thoughts, recorded in his mellifluous baritone with a relaxed Bahamian lilt, professionally trained cadences, occasional chuckles and strong emphases. The experience is entirely different from that of reading the book. Because this is among the most personal of the author's books, that difference makes all the difference.

Here we have Mr. Poitier's summing-up of his life: from his earliest years on Cat Island, followed by migrations to Nassau (painful), Miami (humiliating), to New York (exhilaration tainted by fear). That summary suggests a depressive read, or listen. It is not. Mr. Poitier is among that rare breed of Africans or African-Americans— among whom one may number Howard Thurman, Ralph Ellison, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, John Lewis, Barack Obama, and many others—who have been pulverized by the dehumanization of racist bigotry and have emerged, at the other end, with compassion, integrity, and the capacity to ennoble all peoples, irrespective of race and gender. "The Measure Of A Man:" is finally hopeful book, but one that never disregards the social toxins to which its author has been subjected. It is a powerful testimony.

This is also a most personal testimony. Along the way the author shares with us the tough, unyielding love of his parents, Evelyn and Reginald, his closeness to his six elder siblings, his bottomless love for his own six daughters. When he details the poverty of his early years that were rich with family love, it is presented without cliché and utter truthfulness. Mr. Poitier takes justifiable satisfaction in his hard-fought achievements and the responsibilities to others that, for him, those accomplishments carried. He claims that he never accepted a dramatic role that would embarrass his father; when one surveys his long life in theater and cinema, that, too, is absolutely believable. Unsparingly he looks back on his anger, disorientations, and failures. This is no autobiography with its subject as hero. This is as honest an account as any human being could be expected to render of him- or herself. It reminds me of Hamlet's measure of his father, the king: "He was a man, take him for all in all."

As one would expect, Mr. Poitier touches on his most memorable performances from "The Blackboard Jungle" (1954), "The Defiant Ones" (1958), "A Raisin In The Sun" (Broadway, 1959; Hollywood, 1961), "Lillies Of The Field" (1963, in which he shattered the color barrier by being the first African-American actor to win the competitive Oscar for best leading performance), "A Patch of Blue" (1965), "To Sir With Love" (1967), "In The Heat Of The Night" (1967), and "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?" (1967). Each is a gem, but the actor takes care to explain how he drew upon particular people and events in his life to make his characters real. Like the rest of this book, "The Measure Of A Man" does not descend into sleazy tell-all but is unafraid to explore real-life tensions that informed their productions.

Some reviewers complain of this book's somewhat jumbled narrative construction, especially in its last chapters. Here is where the audiobook's superiority over the written word is most profound. Imagine yourself seated beside this gentlemen, for six lovely hours, as he articulates conversationally all the things that have made him who is, what he has aspired for, where he has arrived, what he ultimately believes, and why. In such a narrative the mind inevitably flashbacks and fast-forwards, because no one's memory is logically linear. It's a tapestry of thought.

This is an autobiography of exceptional grace, written by an exceptional human being for whose life, on and offstage, we may all be grateful.


title: A Collector's Item

text:
Laurel Records, the producer of this two CD set, was founded by Herschel Burke Gilbert (1918–2003), who composed most of the musical cues for "The Rifleman" (1958–63), starring Chuck Connors. For those who fondly remember the series, this elegantly produced album will be warmly received. It's a collection of almost every cue that Gilbert either wrote specifically for the series or composed for movies of the 1950s (such as "Riot In Cell Black Eleven" [1954] and "The Naked Hills" [1956]), then "needle-dropped" into the Connors series. Also included are cues for the series written by a cadre that this prolific composer employed, including Gil Grau (for years Nelson Riddle's go-to arranger and orchestrator), Joseph Mullendore, and many others. Most of "The Rifleman"'s music was recorded in 1958 by the Kurt Granke Orchestra in Munich for an all-purpose library; the original tapes from those sessions, which have been digitally remastered, are of crystalline clarity. Other cues, based on multi-generational MUTEL acetate discs, do not have that same audio sparkle but are still pleasing. The cues themselves range from the series' memorable main and end titles, "Mark's Theme" (composed for the character played in the series by young Johnny Crawford), and many variations on both to suit different dramatic moods and moments: humoresques, chase and fight scenes, Coplandesque bucolics, mysteriosos, romances, and so forth. Also included on these two discs are some fascinating rarities: a seven-minute suite that Gilbert arranged for concert band; and a vocal version of the main title, with lyrics by Ned Washington and Alfred Perry, sung by Bill Lee. (The lyrics aren't half-bad, but the show's producers were wise to stick with an instrumental version.) The liner notes for the accompanying 21-page booklet are meticulous in research and description, including photographs and even a reproduction of one episode's cue sheet, which will fascinate TV music buffs.

In all this is a set well worth having if your library includes classic soundtracks. At present one Amazon dealer is asking over $100 for these two CDs. That's too rich for my wallet. With a bit of scrounging you can secure new or like-new copies through other sources.


title: An Imperfect But Entertaining Collection

text:
This set is tricky to review. Its primary advantage is to pack onto three, economically priced CDs seventy-five of The Mills Brothers' unique renditions of some old chestnuts. Even "Sweet Adeline," the standby for barbershop quartets, can be found here. In essence such a quartet is what these brothers were, although they refined that art with purity of sound and some impish winks. Their greatest hits, such as "You Always Hurt The One You Love," are here, as are familiar standards, like "Sweet Georgia Brown": not usually associated with the barbershop sound  but tailored for their special vocalizations. The boxed set opens into three wings; the sprockets holding the discs are secure.

The downsides follow from the low price-point. None of the tracks is unlistenable, but many have a muddy sound for ears trained to expect nothing but digitally remastered clarity. There is no accompanying booklet that tells you the group's history. The songs' titles and writers are set in 3-point font, on paper glued to the inside of the box underneath the plastic sheathing that holds the discs. If you squint hard through a magnifier, you can read them.

There are many collections of Mills Brothers albums out there That's a very good thing: they were a talented, popular group that deserve preservation for new generations. The decision you face is between quality and quantity. If you prefer twelve or sixteen of the group's greatest hits, remastered for something close to audible perfection in the twenty-first century, this set is not for you. I wanted as much Mills as my buck would buy. If that's your criterion, you won't be disappointed. The upsides are hours of listening pleasure, at an affordable price, of tracks so old that they've become new.

Two other delights of this set deserve mention. (1) On many numbers the gentlemen sing with other, terrific entertainers: Louis Armstrong (several), Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby. (2) Quite a few of the tracks—"Georgia Brown" and "Caravan," for instance—display the Brothers' uncanny knack for mimicking musical instruments like clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and bass fiddles. It's a reverse of what instrumentalists do all the time with wah-wah mutes: imitating the human voice. Many of their original 78 or LP album covers verified that all the music, save a rhythm guitar, were produced by very human voices. I'm a trombonist and, had I not known better, would have sworn that one was backing this quartet. Nope. It's all Mills Brothers: a legendary group, much imitated, but always original. The music they make lies comfortably on my ears.


title: Of Silver Age Television Soundtracks, None Is Better Than This

text:
Amazon cannot verify my purchase because I bought multiple copies of this 1000-unit, limited edition set directly from its producer, La La Land Records, on the date of its release in July. You can only take my word that I have actually listened to all the tracks on these four discs, multiple times. And they are a joy.

Every cue from every episode of every season of "The Wild Wild West" is not preserved here—though not for want of effort. To date, some tapes from the md-1960s have not yet been recovered. Other memorable cues (notably, from "The Night of the Returning Dead" [1966]) could not be included because of legal entanglements. However, the bulk of of the series' best music is most certainly to be found here, lovingly remastered from original source elements. The majority of the music was composed by Richard Markowitz, which is fitting: he composed the series' memorable signature theme and the majority of the first and second seasons' tracks. With six scores to his credit across all four seasons, Richard Shores built on Markowitz's foundation with dynamic, highly percussive cues. The most versatile music may be that of Robert Drasnin, composer of three scores in Season One (including the dodecaphonic [!] theme for Dr. Loveless) and an outstanding Gothic score for Season Two ("The Night of the Man-Eating House"). Other composers represented are Harry Geller (excerpts from two scores), Jack Pleis (one score), Walter Scharf (one score), Fred Steiner (one score), and an early score from Dave Grusin, which was hard to recover but well worth the effort ("The Night of the Puppeteer").

What makes the music for "West" stand out from others of its era is its sheer variety of melodies and colors. It began with Markowitz, who hit on the ingenious idea of entwining Coplanesque music we associate with the American West with a mischievous jazz counterpoint: the perfect complement to the series' sly anachronisms. On that foundation, based on script needs, the composers could and did take us everywhere: to Mexico, China, India (in a score that includes one of the earliest recorded uses of sitar), Japan, and France. The inner journeys, musically captured, are even more interesting. When an episode was out-and-out fantasy ("The Night of the Burning Diamond"), an ecoplex keyboard (an early version of a synthesizer) captured the weirdness onscreen. When the story blended sagebrush and horror, the music followed suit ("The Night of the Raven"). Always, however, the composers returned home to West's doubled signature (a heraldic theme with syncopated Fender bass) and Artie's quirky humoresque. The orchestrations and performances by the best session musicians of the day have never sounded better. An unexepected bonus: a STEREO reproduction of all the music from the series' pilot (produced in 1964-65). Still more: vocal and instrumental versions of a theme, commissioned by CBS, written by Dmitri Tiomkin ("Rawhide") and Paul Francis Webster ("The Shadow of Your Smile"). This nifty historical find falls under the category of "What-Might-Have-Been-and-Thank-Heaven-It-Wasn't."

The set's producer is Jon Burlingame, the dean of cinematic musicologists. His research for these tracks—for over two years—his knowledge, and his impeccable taste in arranging suites, delightful and compelling, from 1 to six minutes in duration are peerless. No one but Mr. Burlingame could have given us what we have here, including his scrupulously detailed program notes in an accompanying booklet that, like the jewel case, is beautifully designed.

In all, this collection is a feast for the ears: music that is dramatic, comedic, jazzy, thrilling, rhapsodic, eerie, offbeat, and altogether delightful.


title: "Duel" Was Meant To Be Dual: Sight with Sound

text: A tough review to write, and maybe I shouldn't try. Billy Goldenberg is one of my favorite small-screen composers: melodic, versatile, intelligent, sensitive to the melding of sound and image. His music for Spielberg's "Duel" was daring, fresh, and perfect for this movie. Detach this score from the images it was meant to accompany, however, and much of it leaves me cold—in part, because he was deliberately reaching for a raucous, metallic, piston-driven design. Completists will want this, and I'm glad to have it, because so little of Goldenberg's work is available on disc. But beware what you're buying: Stravinsky, not Schubert.


title: A Lush, Disturbing Soundtrack

text: I'm happy to join the chorus of praise for this little known soundtrack for a lamentably little known movie. In some films (one thinks of "Psycho") the music is so important that it virtually becomes a character itself. That is the case here: Blake, Wilkins, and Wannberg were given a haunted and haunting story and made it even more unsettling. Music plays an important role in the movie's narrative: the protagonist (played by George C. Scott) is a bereaved composer, and an old music-box becomes an important plot point. The composers weave all this together into something at once melodic, dissonant, mournful, and terrifying. While the music made the movie more unsettling, this is a soundtrack that stands firmly on its own, apart from the images. Amazon's distributor, Creature Features, did not disappoint: the merchandise arrived promptly and in excellent condition. Halloween is soon upon us. Celebrate it in musical style.


title: This Is the One to Own

text: Although I don't consider it his greatest achievement, I own not fewer than three versions of Bernard Herrmann's music for "North by Northwest": an LP from the 80s, lovingly directed by his friend and fellow composer, Laurie Johnson; the Joel McNelly cover; now this, the remastered cues from Herrmann himself conducting the MGM orchestra. As far as I can tell, this is the complete soundtrack, with all cues executed just as they are heard in the film, the way the composer wanted them. The sound quality is excellent. With repeated listenings one appreciates how spot-on this music was for this movie: compared to "Vertigo"'s doomed romanticism and "Psycho"'s dissonant terror, "NBN"'s music is a polished entertainment. A true collector's item, highly recommended,


title: It's About Time

text: Intrada Special Collections are a godsend for those who have wanted soundtracks for movies of Hollywood's golden and silver ages. This is the treatment for "Charade" that aficionados have been awaiting since 1963. It's NOT a reissue of the RCA Victor album (LPM/LSP-2755); as far as I can tell, this is the original underscore in its entirety (28 cues with a running time of 77:53), beautifully remastered, with informative liner notes by Jeff Bond. For those who love the movie, the cues will immediately jog the images in place. Yet Mancini's work stands firmly on its own as a musical statement: for its sheer variety in melody, tone, and instrumental choices, this is arguably one of his best scores. Grab it while you can, before it runs out of print and triples in price.


title: Excellent cd, can’t stop playing it!  Well done!

text: Great songs from Eric Clapton!


title: Not the Original Recordings

text: Ugh. Dinah is a great singer, and some folks may enjoy her re-singing her hits, but not me. I love the sound of the original recordings of anyone---not an older, croaky-voiced rendition of their former selves. And when the music arrangements change the tempo and even the beat on some of these, it's so far removed from the original that it seems to me a lie to say it's the "Best of" so-and-so, or the "Greatest Hits" of so-and-so. And since I'm young and was never around to have heard the originals, I buy these in hopes that they are original recordings, and when I find they are not, I am very disappointed. Record companies do these re-recordings to make a buck, and I suppose the singer wants to earn some extra cash as well. My question is why don't they admit up front that these are remakes? "Dinah Shore Sings Again!" or something like that. Oh no. Being honest wouldn't make any money, and we all know what makes the world go 'round.


title: Waste of Time

text:
This review is for the Warner Archive DVD release (Amazon currently has it mis-categorized as "Audio CD"), which is a very excellent transfer of "No Time for Comedy." I think the very best classic films are in the time period of 1935--1944, with exceptions, of course, but films of those years have a certain atmosphere, and give viewers a certain feeling, like Hollywood really knew what it was doing and turned out some excellent work. This film, however, from 1940, is a waste of two great stars, James Stewart and Rosalind Russell.

The first 20 minutes or so are wonderful, light and funny, but then it's as if another director takes over and throws everything in reverse; the whole thing goes toward dark drama with Jimmy, the country boy from Minnesota who was head over clogs in love with Rosie, suddenly (and for no apparent reason), seeing another woman on the sly ... and it's so unbelievable that the whole picture loses steam---and your interest. The viewer is left with no sympathy for his character, and Russell's character folds into an unsympathetic travesty of mawkish, fake hope, saying she wants to keep her husband, but do we really believe her?

It's hard to believe this was scripted by the same authors who would later create "Casablanca," and is from a play produced by Katharine Cornell.

Save your money and time and watch these two great stars in their other great films of 1940: James Stewart in "The Philadelphia Story " or "The Shop around the Corner," and Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday."


title: Excellent sounding German remaster!

text: I'm not sure if this was an authorized remaster or not, but this CD sounds fantastic!  Most of Hendrix's top hits or most popular known tunes are here, and i'm hearing things that i've never heard before, listening through my Klipsch horn-loaded speakers.


title: Excellent orchestral take on classic APP songs!

text: This is an excellent CD if you're into orchestrations of pop or rock music.  Andrew Powell And The Philharmonic Orchestra do justice to some of The Alan Parsons Project's most recognizable songs, and did this before this became 'de rigeur' in the late 80's through now.  Before Metallica, The Scorpions, Kiss, Yngwie, Pink Floyd, or Rush did this, The Alan Parsons Project led the way.  My only complaint is that the mastering/recording sounds a bit polite and 'laid back', often lacking in dynamics as a Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab recording should have!  Listening to the impeccably remastered 'I Robot', for example, and this disc, is a 'night and day' difference in dynamic range and forwardness in sound.


title: Great collection of modern Greek pop music!

text: Disc #1 is a FANTASTIC selection of contemporary Greek pop music!  Great combination of both male and female vocalists that will make you laugh and cry!  Can't stop listening to this!  5 star rating for disc one.  Disc #2, on the other hand, is more dance/hip-hop oriented, with a mix of up-tempo tunes sung in English and Greek.  It sounds like any other mediocre, generic mix of 'Jersey Shore' fist-pumping fare.  2 stars at most for disc two.


title: Typical Kilbey.  Which is to say pure GENIUS and expansive!

text: What can I say.  Steve Kilbey is a master craftsman ten times over.  A consummate artist.  He is not of this earth!  Seems everything this man touches turns to gold.  This CD is magical in its scope and approach.  Kilbey lays down some very dreamy and progressive tracks with dobro, mandolin, guitar, and drums as the backdrop.  The songs are highly original, yet strange but cohesive.  I've never heard anything quite like 'Dabble', and I am in awe.


title: Great album!

text: The CD arrived quickly and in good condition. Great selection of songs!


title: Lousy remakes

text: Lousy remakes , can't believe I wasted good money and waited 2 months to toss this junk in the recycle bin. Amazon should insist that these dealers who sell to their customers that they be honest and upfront about sub par cds and lps, especially remakes. The info should be printed clearly where it can be seen.I guess they got me this time,but for those who are considering this collection, save your money and disappointment, do not buy.


title: Found a true gem

text: Finally found Argents Hold your head up in the full length version as well as other great songs at a great price. Thanks


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent hard to find cds by the Outlaws at a great price, what's not to love. Thanks


title: Just what I was hoping for, had several hard ...

text: Just what I was hoping for,had several hard to find songs coupled with outstanding pricing . the only down side was waiting to see if the songs were original or remakes as there was no track listing on line. Luckily they were just what I was hoping for,thanks again.


title: A good selection from the 80's of one hit wonders.

text:
I wanted some of those famous songs from the 80's that you can't find anywhere. I also wanted the popular songs- the one hit wonders- I didn't want to have to order a complete CD. This was perfect for my use. I enjoy listening to the 80's music I grew up with on long drives and this was a good addition to my collection.

It is probably not the first CD of 80's music I would order as there are others out there with more songs (and in some cases more popular songs) for a better price. (At least when I bought this one) But this is a good one to have on hand to round out your collection.

Enjoy.


title: Great Lessons

text:
This is a fun CD. I can't say I have mastered yodel skills yet as I have just begun the lessons and can only practice as long as the kids will let me while we drive down the road.

Here is what you  need to know before you buy this CD. It is almost imperative that you have a place to practice alone and undisturbed. And it takes practice.

But so far, I haven't found it impossible or too difficult that I want to quit. It is a fun skill to learn. I hope that someday someone will be asking me to yodel too.


title: Still Have Joy

text: Enjoying this CD so much.  I was glad I found it here on amazon.  Looking for more music by this artist.


Smooth country for fans of Henry Mancini.  Henry Mancini composed and recorded outstanding albums.  He gives is touch the some great country songs making for some enjoyable listening.  The selections include country standards and newer country songs.


title: Ray Conniff produced great renditions of popular songs even after easy listening had ...

text: Invokes the times and brings back the memories of the mid 1970s.  Ray Conniff produced great renditions of popular songs even after easy listening had all but disappeared.  This is enjoyable listening indeed for Ray Conniff fans.


title: Two later albums by an outstanding popular male vocalist

text: This CD includes many later written songs as well as an outstanding live performance.  Perry Como was one of the top popular male vocalists of several decades.  He vocals always give great listening pleasure.  His sound and intimate style is always recognizable.  These later albums maintained that Perry Como touch.


title: Two outstanding albums by great performers!

text: Two outstanding albums by Henry Mancini and Doc Severinsen.  The recorded sound is great.  Songs that were popular in the 1960s and early 1970s, some standards and songs by Henry Mancini are included.  Great music for fine listening.


title: 3 outstanding Boston Pops/Arthur Fiedler LPs on 2 CDs!

text: This includes 3 outstanding Boston Pops Victor Red Seal Records on 2 CDs.  The music is outstanding and so is the sound.  It doesn't get any better than this.  It is a pleasure to have these 3 LPs on Compact disc.  They are 3 of my favorite Boston Pops records.


title: Outstanding performances of fine Gershwin music and an original composition by the very talented Peter Nero.

text: Outstanding performances of great music.  Boston Pops under the direction of Arthur Fiedler is one of the all time top orchestras.  The original albums had great sound and none is lost on the CD issue.  I have enjoyed listening to these Victor Red Seal albums frequently from the time of their original issue back in the 1960s.


title: Two more outstanding RCA Victor albums by Floyd Cramer

text: This CD includes popular songs from the 1960s as well some from other times.  Outstanding piano playing by Floyd Cramer make all sound great.  Vocalion has issued two more great RCA Victor albums.


title: Outstanding performances by a superb pianist!

text: Peter Nero plays superbly songs associated with Herb Alpert and other popular songs from the 1960s.  The disc includes 2 outstanding RCA Victor Dynagroove albums.  It is a pleasure to listen to these fine instrumental recordings.


title: Outstanding instrumental recordings featuring the great Al Hirt

text: Two superb Al Hirt RCA Victor Dynagroove albums from the 1960s are on this disc.  Al Hirt performs outstanding renditions of songs that were performed by Bert Kaempfert.  Latin In The Horn includes Baia and other popular Latin favorites.  It is one of my favorite recordings.


title: My favorite Cash

text: A very unique collection of music that hints at a premonition that his time on earth was almost finished.


title: Love

text: Love


title: Good but not my favorite Scofield album.

text: I prefer Scofield's newer works.  This recording has great fusion and playing but the synth sounds are a bit too corny-sounding nowdays.  It does have a sort or nostagiac quality that I like about it, as if I was playing a video game from the late 80's, 90's.


title: Great music!!!!

text: Great album!


title: Five Stars

text: ENJOYING LISTENING TO THESE CD'S!


title: Mississippi musician

text: Johnny spent a period of time in Nashville, but mainly you find him around the Jackson, Mississippi area, and once in a while in Vicksburg.  He plays at clubs, sometimes solo, sometimes with a group, and you find him occasionally at benefits.  He has an assortment of guitars, and you get guitar and vocal.  This was his first CD, and is limited to 6 tracks starting with Smoke Filled Room.  Johnny is lead guitar and vocal, assisted by Sam Brady on keyboards, and backup by other musicians and vocal.  The CD features some of his original songwriting along with that of others.  Also see his later CD [[ASIN:B001BLILUS Monkey Nerve]]


title: Original music, mostly

text:
OK, so I'm biased.  Mike is a personal friend and was my alternative to a phychiatrist when I needed to unwind.  I gave him a small chunk of money to get the CD finished.  I miss the days at The Patio and other local watering holes.  He still plays clubs and private gigs, but mostly in the Jackson area (and sometimes arranges benefits).  Not quite as wild as the days gone by when he played on top tables, but he still has a few things for after the children have gone home.

This CD has 10 cuts, 7 original by Mike, 2 written by Kelly and Jean Pates (also musicians in the Jackson, MS, area), and one cover tune, "Down by the River," from Neil Young.  It tends to be a mix of pop/rock/country, and the last cut, "The Spotlight," is a fun composition about a young woman lured to the big city.  You have to know the background to appreciate some of the music.  "Loves an Emotion" was composed when he was sleeping on a friend's coach after some trouble at home.

Mike is backed up by a variety of musicians, including Derrick Martin (the wild drummer who went on tour with Little Richard), the late Mike Pope who was the other half of Mike and Mike when they played local clubs, Johnny Crocker who plays slide guitar on one cut (Johnny has 3 CDs of his own), Marty Smith on elecric guitar (the other half of Mike and Marty), Kelly and Jean Pates (acoustic guitar and background vocals), and several others.

This CD has gone out of production at the moment, but seems to be available used.  Mike Thum was working on a second CD when Mike Pope died on his day job (working offshore).  That, and other problems, left the second CD on the shelf including Mike and Mike's "Vicksburg Blues," but maybe some day... His spontaneous compositions, during club performances, will never be recorded.

I would note that this was a limited edition.  Occasionally copies appear on sale.  Signed copies are somewhat rare, particularly copies signed by the late Mike Pope (I have my personal copy locked away).  Autographs would be inside the front cover.  Open the case and look if you have a copy you are planning to sell (they may sometimes show up in estate sales).  The value depends on who signed it.


title: Et je suis fier...

text: Good, traditional songs from Burgundy. Hard to find.<br />Being Bourguignon, I love it.


title: Hi-glucose.

text: These beautiful tunes are often barely recognizable,  as they float helplessly in a torrent of sugary "accompaniement".<br />Well, Reader's Digest style.


title: One of the most distinctive voices in popular music

text: Billy Eckstine was legendary.  He is one of those performers I wish I could have seen in person.  His distinctive baritone voice made anything he sang extraordinary.  This 2 CD set is one of the most well thought out and enjoyable collections I own.  Billy Eckstine recorded for M-G-M between 1947 and 1954.  Here you will find the original recordings of many of Billy's biggest solo hits as well as more jazz oriented tunes backed by Woody Herman's and George Shearing's groups. But I prefer the ballads,  particularly 1950's "My Foolish Heart" and his signature song "I Apologize".  Perhaps my favorite tune on the entire set is the final one.  "Passing Strangers" is a duet he recorded with Sarah Vaughn back in 1957.  This one will literally send chills up and down your spine. It is an extraordinary recording!  There are 42 tracks in this collection and over two hours of recorded bliss. This is a great collection to "crash" with.  The 24 page booklet is one of the best I've seen with extensive biographical information,  rare photos and a short discography.  "Billy Eckstine:  The Best of the M-G-M Years"  is a collection of timeless classics that you can enjoy for a lifetime.  Highly recommended.


title: "That girl took that song away from me!!!!"

text:
It was the summer of 1967.  Otis Redding was in the midst of the performance of his life at Monterey International Pop Festival.  What he was referring to of course was the way Aretha Franklin had turned his song "Respect" into one of the biggest hits of the year. His own version had peaked at #35 on the pop charts a couple of years earlier.  But I digress.  Otis Redding was just beginning to hit his stride as summer turned to autumn in 1967.  This veteran performer had been around for a while.  The fact is that up until this point he had made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of 19 times although his records usually ran out of gas somewhere in the middle of the chart.  His tunes fared much better on the Soul/R&B charts where 8 of them had made it into the Top Ten.  It is really difficult to understand why the man had not had greater commercial success up until this point.  After taking a few months off Otis Redding returned to the studio in early December 1967.  There he recorded a song he had co-written with Steve Cropper. Everyone thought it was a mistake.  His wife hated it. Three days later Otis Redding was dead at 26, a victim of a tragic plane crash in Wisconsin.

When the story appeared in the newspaper I remember thinking to myself "Who is that?"  And although I had been collecting records for about three years I had never heard of him.  Despite his enormous talent Otis Redding had just not quite connected with general audiences. Less than two months later in January of 1968, Volt records released that tune his wife and friends hated so much.  "(Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay" went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart and remained there for a month.  Everyone was now beginning to realize just how talented this man had been.  There are a few different Otis Redding collections around but I find "The Very Best of Otis Redding"  to be the best of the lot.  You'll hear his version of tunes that went on to become hits by other artists like 1965's "I Can't Turn You Loose" and his dynamic version of the great blues standard "Try A Little Tenderness".  In the meantime, you'll also enjoy the exhilirating work of the Stax/Volt house band who were undeniably at their peak during this time.  For me other favorites on this compilation are the 1968 hit "The Happy Song (Dum-Dum") and Otis' high energy duet with Carla Thomas "Tramp".  An informative 12 page booklet with interesting biographical information and chart data for each track is also included.  Believe me you cannot go wrong with this one.  Highly recommended.


title: Donna Summer would have been a star in any era.

text:
There's just no question about it.  Donna Summer was one of a handful of shining stars to emerge from an otherwise lackluster decade in the history of American popular music.  Lots of people agree that the 1970's left a lot to be desired musically.  But between 1975 and 1989 this gifted young vocalist would amass an impressive total of 31 singles on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart.  Of these, nearly half hit the Top Ten while 4 of her records made it all the way to #1!  Donna Summer was definitely the exception to the rule.  Now in 2013 the British division of Universal Music has released an exciting new 2 disc anthology of her work that they have dubbed "Donna Summer - I Feel Love:  The Collection".  This new package features 26 of Donna's biggest single hits and most popular album tracks.

Now as you might expect "Donna Summer - I Feel Love:  The Collection" offers up most of Donna's biggest hits from her days at Casablanca Records in the late 1970's.  Enjoy once again all-time favorites like 1978's "Last Dance", "Heaven Knows" recorded with the group Brooklyn Dreams and her memorable #2 hit "Dim All the Lights" from the summer of '79.  Also included are Donna's debut single "Love to Love You Baby" and her chart-topping duet with Barbra Streisand "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)". I was also pleased to see that one of my personal favorites from later on in Donna's career "She Works Hard For The Money" also appears in this anthology.  Having said that I was quite surprised and a bit disappointed to discover that her incredible 1989 comeback hit "This Time I Know It's For Real" did not make the cut.  What a shame!  I always thought that was one of the best songs she ever recorded.  Meanwhile, "I Feel Love:  The Collection" also features a number of Donna's most popular album cuts and dance tracks.  There are three terrific tunes from her 1979 album "On The Radio" including "Our Love", "Sunset People" and "I Remember Yesterday" that were never released as 45's here in the U.S.  It was fun hearing them again after all these years and as far as I'm concerned they sound every bit as fresh and exciting as they did the day they were recorded.

Overall I would characterize "Donna Summer - I Feel Love:  The Collection" as a pretty representative aggregation of her work. I would have changed a few things here and there but overall I was quite pleased with the final product. I thought that the sound quality on this one was positively superb. Now since there are still a number of Donna Summer anthologies currently available I would take the time to compare and contrast before deciding which one works best for you.  While I personally prefer the 2003 single disc release "The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer" you probably can't go wrong with "I Feel Love:  The Collection". Lots of great music at a very nice price.  Recommended!


title: Where are the silver coins???

text: Okay so I received these expecting both gold and silver however all I received were a gold coins. The coins are beautiful their large, they have a nice weight to them and they are solid. Truthfully I would purchase them again, however I would hope to receive what I ordered both silver and gold coins.

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title: "From Fear Tremble, The Devil Breathes Loudly" - Translation of lyrics in March of the Empire tune

text:
As fan of video game soundtracks, I adore what composers like Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy series), Jeremy Soule (Harry Potter, Skyrim), and Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger) present to us. Masterpieces of compositions that submerge us fully in the universes of the games we play. While becoming also Reference pieces for many artists worldwide. For musicians, but also game designers. Music that can be enjoyed, in the case of Jeremy Soule’s Harry Potter work, as accompaniment pieces while reading the series. Which brings us to the greatest quality of a video game soundtrack. Its ability to be enjoyed outside of the video game medium. As melodies and songs that even non-players can enjoy while listening to the soundtrack’s tunes. Understanding through it a story which only music can communicate in every human being’s heart.

And for Jesper Kyd’s Freedom Fighters soundtrack, it is the rise and fight of a grand USA city and its citizens against the enemies that have invaded it. Russian Armies People from the Communist Front who, in an alternate history timeline, have launched the Bomb on Berlin, winning the War before the Americans and gaining, through their political gains, a control over the majority of the world. Succeeding a complete control of the United States in 2003. Which forces a portion of its population (New York) to fight against this regime and its propaganda; specifically the underground armies of Resistance leaders Christopher Stone and Isabella Angelina.

So as the story is set in a Russian Political landscape, the music we hear is following that country’s culture; with clear references to the Soviet Union aesthetic during the Cold War. Very Militarist and dictatorial rhythms present in the drum beats and in the amazing Hungarian Choir that performed for this soundtrack. Voices which, according to their corresponding tunes, represent the Soviet Army. But also (with the female voice) the concept of Liberty, of the martyrs during this war. On both sides of the video game’s conflicts. Singing performances that would be incredible to watch on stage during a concert or during the music recording which Bela Drahos conducted and Pierre Foldes orchestrated. In sum, that choir presents to us a nest of human souls expressing the reality of an extremist regime that tries to implement by force or terrorist attacks its politics on another country.

Which does reference, considering the setting of the game’s story, to a crucial factor in the history of the 2000s.

The War on Terror; brought out following the September 11 incidents at the World Trade Center. A crucial influence in the compositions of this album since Jesper Kyd explained that he started composing this music in Manhattan, right after the tragic events of that day. In an eerie/sinister atmosphere that was quite evident in the music as I felt the music recaptured full well the vulnerability of that city as it got attacked by a terrorist force. So more than a great soundtrack that accompanied an original story, Jesper Kyd’s melodies acts like a time capsule of a dark period in humanity’s history.

Regarding his instruments, Jesper Kyd used percussion to display the force of the army, but also electronic airs that reference Manhattan; its tall buildings and long streets being invaded by the army, but also the underground current of the Freedom Fighters. Many of them working through the town’s sewers, subways, and slums to reclaim neighbourhoods taken over by the Soviet Regime. Hip Hop airs mixed alongside electronic notes that work perfectly with the story’s themes and characters. Making us all fell what they are going through. Victory, Joy, despair, and empowerment as the reclaim of New York is slowly approaching. As for the Russian lyrics in the most operatic tunes, Gaelle Obiegly did a great job writing them down. Which a couple of websites have translated and their poetry is frightening and powerful. Depicting the sinuous effects of War and Propaganda regimes that implement their politics on other countries.

About my favourite tunes, I enjoyed all of those that had the Hungarian Radio Choir at work. Such as the Invasion of The Empire, Freedom Fighters and March of The Empire. All three showing the full growling march of the Soviet army on the American soil. For Isabella Leader of the Resistance, I loved its underground aspect, but also the piano notes at the beginning as they always remind me of the game’s intro. Christopher and Troy driving toward Manhattan for plumbing work. Unaware of the tragic anarchy that would occur that day. For the Nightfall, Infiltrator and Sabotage tunes, they expose full well the underground strategies of the freedom army as they sneak around the city’s buildings and ruins to obtain their territories. In some cases, you can hear vibrations and hums that reminded me of army trucks approaching, of neon bulbs oscillating and echoes within a bombarded city. Of army horns ringing in the distance. Making these compositions three amazing experiences to listen as they bring me back to the levels where they were played in. As for Rebel Base, what an incredibly soothing tune. Through each note we are reminded how that location is a haven of rest, peace, and thoughtful reflections for the Freedom Fighters. Set within the Sewers, that tune also recaptures that column of light and leaves falling down into the centre of that base. A glimpse of hope and freedom which the soldiers can enjoy if they stand underneath it. In sum, a beautiful melody that I love to hear over and over again.

To potential buyers of this album, obtaining a physical copy might be more than difficult. But fortunately, the album can be purchasable online in different ways. First on Bandcamp on the official account of Jesper Kyd, but also on Itunes. In great digital editions which contain Bonus Tracks like Zero hour and Flag of Freedom, an alternate version of another tune I love also.

Furthermore, the album is also available on Streaming services. On Spotify and on Jesper Kyd’s official YouTube channel. Two legal services where you can listen to his other albums as well. Offering the Bonus tracks I spoke earlier.

In conclusion, the album of Freedom Fighters is a must if you love video game soundtracks, but also if you have been a fan of that great game which has never gotten a sequel sadly. An album perfectly recorded and orchestrated, with volume levels that make its listening quite enjoyable whether in earphones or on speakers.


title: Excellent Release That I Wish Had More Tracks To Offer

text:
Following their successful work projects on their Debut Album and on the Hokuto No Ken Anime Series, The group Tom Cat offered to the public a second album.

Fence.

A release of five songs. Among them the main title Fence; my favourite release out of this record. A song of emotion that just catches your heart and refuses to let you go. One of the best melodies released from this J-Rock Group.

Another tune I loved as well was So What?; the Instrumental intro as it presented each group member and made us realise the good camaraderie that exists among everyone. Even better was when they played with the sound display of their group as if you listen with headphones, they play music one moment on the right side, then to the left one.

So in terms of music, always a beautiful job from this group. Though my only criticism would be that I wish they could have released more songs as this group is excellent. I even felt they could have also put their Tough Boy and Love Song from the Hokuto No Ken Anime in it as well. But maybe they couldn’t or they had already released them in another record destined only for the anime series Soundtrack.

Either way, the album is another beautiful display of Rock music. And if you check inside the CD, you get a poster that offers on one side a photo of the main Singer, and behind all the songs’ lyrics.

As for the Cd’s recording quality, the engineering is top notch. The volumes are well balanced and we do not hear any parasite noises during the listening. Kudos to the whole team behind that work people tend to forget to thank for were it not for that team, then any group’s music would be non-listenable.

In sum, the album Fence is a great purchase for the group’s fans. Though I still find it sad that they haven’t released further CDs than this one as I find them more talented than other groups that are over-promoted in the worldwide medias and whose music/lyrics pale in comparison to what Tom Cat give to the public.


title: A Cat whose Rock Tunes will charm you

text:
In 2008, I discovered the Anime Hokuto No Ken. Saw the profoundness of that apocalyptic series where martial artists try to salvage their love for their loved ones amidst a planet that has lost its colours due to a massive atomic bomb holocaust. A story of violence; but where love and friendships would be formed and strengthened through life hardships. And the best group to present the emotion of those dramas and the romance of these people was the J-Rock Group Tom-Cat. Especially through their excellent songs Tough Boy and Love Song. Two anthems of the values in this series.

Strength, Will Power, Friendship, and Love.

And as that Series conquered me, so did my love for this group who only released a couple of albums and songs that have garnered extensive praises and even remixes/new performances from groups and fans honouring the music of Tom Cat.

So it took me a lot of patience and research to finally find this debut Album. Consisting of ten tracks that have riveted me. For their music, their beats, but also the emotions they bring to me. Nostalgia for the 1980s rock culture. For a J-Rock culture that nowadays is not that much present in the Anime culture as back then, rock groups were quite the norm for those series to employ in their Opening and Ending Credits. But another element that touches me is how it plunges me deeper into the Universe of Hokuto No Ken. Into its soul and mood. Into what happened before, during, and after the tragic events that plunged the world into a Mad Max Universe of No Return. A world where everybody is trying to reconstruct themselves. Through their communities, but also their loved ones. Relationships that may elevate their souls or self-destroy them.

But more than that emotional quality is the musicality of this record. The richness of the instruments. Guitars whose strings electrify you in the action of the song’s scene, the synthesizers way to grab your soul at the melancholic emotion of the singers. Sadness, joy, yearning, love, solitude. In sum, a music of the heart and the soul.

So it is sad that this album and group has never offered further records than the two or three they gave in the 1980s. Because a group like this has shown through each track in this album a great musical talent that resonates with today’s audiences. Both fans of Hokuto no Ken and of Rock.

So for those who’d want to purchase this album that is not in wide release on amazon Japan, the best way to purchase it would be on Amazon’s Marketplace (Canada, UK, France, America, etc.). And though it’s search might not be easy to find, the music will be worthy of your collection. Whether you are a fan of anime, of Hokuto No Ken, or of Rock and Roll.


title: Marvellous Release from one of the most important singers of the 20th century

text:
Alongside his success with the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson took time in 1972 to release his own album. His first Solo Debut through Got To Be There. A Bubble Gum/ Pop Soul/R&B release of songs composed by various composers. People such as Bill Withers, Willie Hutch, and Elliot Willensky; all of them releasing great songs that Jackson 5 fans will enjoy a lot. Will encourage them to follow the career of Michael.

Indeed, with tunes like I Wanna Be Where You Are, Wings of My Love, and Got To Be There, the writers and Michael really recapture the magic of love. Very upbeat melodies that recount the romantic feelings of people in love with a woman or longing for their return toward someone they love. And all of that with many musical instruments like flutes, violins and guitars. By the way, it is great to see Carole King being part of this musical adventure with Michael Jackson as the last song You've Got a Friend; which she sang for her album Tapestry, is also sung by Michael in this album. Wonderful to see his take on her beautiful classic.

As such, fans of 1970s soul/R&B music will get a magnificent plunge back into the musical culture of that era through this album. A great record that I wish more people would get to hear as the album is not that available on Amazon. Though it is fortunate that Spotify and other musical streaming services offer access to the album.

Regarding Michael, it is always a joy to hear his voice and his singing performances. Prodigal singer, his talent at captivating audiences is incredible. Not only is he perfect, he knows how to display the emotions in his story. The joy but also the longing for the ones that they love. No wonder he became the star singer of the Jackson 5.

As such, fans of 1970s music, of Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5 will enjoy a lot this first release from one of the most influential singers in the history of music.


title: Hey...

text: Need more information about what songs and the artists. i think I need this one. That would be nice. Oh and the one star is not the rating i want to give.


title: Five Stars

text: "Guess Who's Comin' To The Crib? Turns 30!"


title: Five Stars

text: "Uncle Charlie's Most Underrated Album!"


title: "This Is J. G. 's Most Beloved Album ...

text: "This Is J.G.'s Most Beloved Album!"


title: It Just Gets Better With Time

text: "It Was An Uneven Album When It Was First Released, But As The Album Ages, It Just Gets Better With Time!"


title: Five Stars

text: "Supa Dupa Fly Turns 20!"


title: Five Stars

text: "The Time Lives On..."


title: Great music, just that the CD track display is slightly defective.

text: Singer Claude Lombard just died in September 2021, and I think with this, I can give homage to her, and she also reminds me of the late singer  Annie Cordy, also from Belgium. J'adore Claude Lombard et Annie Cordy.


title: My childhood in Belgium and France.

text: The sound is fine, it's just that the digits are not displaying properly on the screen of my CD/cassette tape player, otherwise, everything else is alright. I grew up watching French dubs of Japanese anime and cartoons (from different countries and cultures) in Belgium and France, where I still have family and friends. Thank you very much.


title: Fantastic

text: I lot of the songs we sang or sing in church, very lively, and these types of messianic songs from this and other CDs really make me want to go to Israel.


title: GREAT LISTENING BUT NOT ALL OF THE MOVIE'S SELECTIONS ARE ...

text: GREAT LISTENING  BUT NOT ALL OF THE MOVIE'S SELECTIONS ARE HERE.


title: Good music, lousy price

text:
I remember seeing the Buggles "Adventures in Modern Recording" video on MTV all those years ago, some time after "Age of Plastic" had been in the record stores.  I went out and bought the cassette for my car stereo,  and it did not disappoint.

The aspect I like about this album is that the music is expansive and touching in an electronic synthesizer sort of way.  That is you get a sense of scope and scale, and perhaps even some implied profundity regarding the actual song and music.  In short I like it, and like others have said, the bonus tracks are welcome but essentially sort of mediocre though interesting.

As a young man I always got a technological vibe from both Buggles' albums, and "Adventures in Modern Recording" has a touch of that, but has more or less a bit more nostalgic and reflective heart in both music and lyrics.  Like I say, the music itself is presented with a kind of dimensionality that adds to the emotional scope of the songs.  I find it appealing, and am sorry mister Trevor Horn didn't add more to both "Age of Plastic" and "Adventures in Modern Recording" when he first made both albums.  Consequently I'm sorry there were more Buggles' albums with a kind of rock-synth-pop angle to them, because I really enjoyed the music.

The music appeals to a niche genre; a kind of synth-pop with some rock overtones, so it's not for everyone but I like it.

Now, for all that, do not pay $900+ for a copy.  The album has been re-released several times, and there are better prices out there.

The music is more or Either way, enjoy the music when you get the chance.


title: Canned and mediocre.

text:
A lot of TV during the 1970s and the music that adorned it was pretty mundane.  As creative as a lot of it was it was limited in scope and presentation, and often sounded like (or was the same as) elevator music.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century soundtrack falls into this mode.  Most of the tracks are ambient, some incidental, but most of it was just blasé.  The music offers little, even the action tracks or more narrative music was again just like the show itself, rather tepid and in step with the show's overall presentation, which isn't saying a whole lot.

Part of the issue was Glenn Larson himself.  Not that he was a bad guy, but he was a highly religious figure who was chosen to do a science fiction series (or rather several) and the kind of sexual intrigue and action associated with an action and needed in a scifi series like Buck Rogers comes across as ham fisted, sterile, and just ill-informed on the kind of TV show it needed to be.  And that's pretty much the music in a nut shell.

Some film or TV music I have, notably the 1960's Star Trek television series, I could listen to over and over again.  One of my favorite soundtracks is Dragonslayer by Peter North because it offers atmosphere, narration, as well as just being good stand alone music.  The two scores to the two animated Heavy Metal films offer the same regardless of the poor quality of the second film.  But the Buck Rogers music is about as vibrant and memorable as the stories, makeup, lighting, and just overall production quality; i.e. functional but forgettable.

I bought the special two-season edition for just over a hundred dollars, or so I recall.  And to see one set of CDs being sold for well over three-hundred dollars, to me, is just criminal.

If you really need this music, then I'd recommend checking out a copy at the library.  I don't regret buying my copy, but I do wish the music had been better.


title: Silly j-pop music

text:
Honestly I was expecting the cool synth vibes a-la Vangelis Blade Runner score, but instead most of what's on here are the vocals that promoted the two films, and not the actual score itself.  Oh sure, the main theme's there, but then you get these really girlish-teen oriented pop songs about having a boy friend and being a couple, or the loneliness of not having a beau.

Yeah, it's embarrassing for the serious scifi anime fan, but it is what it is.  I saw the first two Gall Force anime films ages ago, liked the action, but thought the anti-sexism theme was a bit ham fisted.  And the music for the film is kind of in that same vein.  The idea is to bust sexist perspectives for young teen males by showing them how girls can be tough, but then to remind girls to be girls.

Yeah again I'm embarrassed I bought this thing, but again I was really expecting the actual score.  Oh well.

If you're hoping for the really cool action synth rifts from the films, then look elsewhere.  This disk has none of that.


title: Decent childs' fare, however ...

text: This story book with a record focuses only on one story from the movie due to limited space.  However, it is decent reading material for the very young who are still learning to read.  I'm not sure how it would fly with today's youth, but I enjoyed it as a young boy.


title: The complete score

text:
This version of the score to The Last Valley has several more tracks than the other release that has maybe a dozen or so tracks.  This version has nearly twice the music, and is richer than the other release.  The movie itself is decent enough, but what really helps is John Barry's magnificent score to bring us into the high middle ages during the 30 years war.  The strife, the killing, the loving, the pillaging, the fears, the delights, the confrontations as man fights with himself to keep society together while razing its resources to sustain himself.

This music bring you the military adventureing of the European mercenary, and the more softer tones of why life is worth living, even during a conflict that lasted decades.  Truly one of John Barry's great works.  Check it out.

Having said that, I think $200 plus is a bit much for this.


title: Good music

text:
Normally I don't review made for TV product, and both film and music, in spite of some money backing both, have that kind of feel.  That is to say that even though Windwalker was given a theatrical release it doesn't have the scope and scale of anything beyond a film that was meant for mainstream TV audiences.

But the echoing simple flutes for the score are hauntingly beautiful.  You can hear and feel the vast scope of the culture and its ancient roots deep in the mountains of North America.  There's joy, there's sadness, there's anger, there's pride, there's justice and even revenge in this music, and it has the heir of authenticity to it, even though it may have been composed by someone not of Native American heritage.

All in all I really like this music, and was fortunate to find a CD on another website.  But fortunately Amazon now carries it as it's become available on digital format.

Really good music to set a small scale Native American saga.  If you're into different music or film scores, then scope out a copy.

Enjoy.


title: Good anime music.

text: Fairly decent nostalgia blast music for an animated action series that's long come and gone.  The main title and all the action riffs are on this CD, including all of the more pastoral segments.  I wouldn't call it great music, but it's decent enough.  If you watched the series as a boy, and are a fan, then maybe splurge a few extra dollars for a copy.


title: Pretty heady stuff

text:
I had a bit of a hard time getting through listening to this, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that I haven't seen the math, and even if I did I'm not sure I'd understand it enough to either nod or shake my head at what Brian Greene says is happening in physics today.

An infinite number of universes repeating an infinite number of patterns, which means there's a copy of you, me, the guy next door, the gal down the street, the dog, cat, mailman and whoever else, existing in some other universe wondering, living out similar or dissimilar lives that you and I have experienced.

Eh, I'm not sure I buy into that, though I understand the idea being conveyed.  But hey, a lot of it is conjecture and speculation based on the mathematics.  But, if math is real, and is a tool we use to understand our world around us, then how can we not follow the trail of where the math leads us in terms of extreme environments and other environments that the mathematics says should exist.

The problem, again as Greene states himself, is that we'll probably never be able to prove either way whether the math is telling us the truth or not.  That is unless you know someone who's got an interdimensional machine for sale ... or rent.  Or heck, even borrow one from your neighbors.

Levity aside the material in this book really does go way out there in terms of what might be, what might be possible, and what the math behind all the theories says is.

Wow.  Pretty heady stuff.  I'm not sure whether to call it science or science fiction, or some kind of unholy marriage of both.  Either way it is interesting stuff, and does pass the time.  Definitely not a book for the scientific feint of heart, and also a bit of a psychedelic trip without the drugs.

It sure would be fun to visit some of those parallel universes.  But, until that happens, we'll have to live with Greene's book.

If you're a science enthusiast, then I say take this book with a grain of salt or two.  If you're heavily into theoretical physics, then this is the book for you.  If you're into hard science, the I'd recommend you hold up your holy symbol of choice at this book and back away.

An interesting read all the same.


title: A decent disk.

text:
This isn't the entire soundtrack, but, as the name suggests, the orchestrated portions of the score.  Missing are the pop songs, the battle music "Bloodbath Highway" from the road rage scene, the closing song, and a number of other tracks with music that are either scene specific or otherwise not part of the score as such.

Even so, I like it.  I see the price has shot up to $111 or thereabouts at the time of writing this review.  That's way too expensive, and this comment comes from a guy who has spent $60 in 1980's dollars on imported soundtracks from Japan, because that was the only way you could get them back then.  But over a hundred dollars?  Well, it that's truly the only option, then give it a try, but I might recommend you scrounge the net some before committing.

Portions of this disc are grand and sweeping, but otherwise the music is fairly straightforward description for whatever scene is on the screen.  It's mostly got a law and order bent to it mixed in with a good dash of heroism and adventure.

Give it a listen if you've seen and like the film.


title: Order received

text: Was exactly what I had ordered.  Very Pleased.


title: Good Music CD

text: Good Music CD


title: Love this

text: Love this I had the CD and after my move it disappeared so I bought another


title: always a great cd

text: not what i was hoping for<br />have lots of lee, not his best


title: 20 Greatest Hits

text:
**********************
Tracks:
**********************

1. The Guitar Man
2. Peter Gunn
3. Because They Are Young
4. Some Kinda Earthquake
5. Theme From Dixie
6. Shazam
7. Kommotion
8. Trambone
9. Bonnie Come Back
10. Detour
11. Rebel Rouser
12. Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar
13. The Lonely One
14. Movin' N' Groovin'
15. Cannonball
16. Yep
17. Ramrod
18. Ring Of Fire
19. Ragbone
20. 40 Miles Of Bad Road


title: Greatest Hits

text:
*********************
Track Listings:
*********************

1. Satin Sheets - (live)
2. Temporarily Yours
3. Love Me
4. Wild Side of Life - (live)
5. Love Is a Faded Rose
6. Back to Back - (live)
7. It's Too Late
8. I Ought to Feel Guilty
9. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
10. Star Studded Nights


title: Time Of Our Lives

text:
*******************
Track Listings:
*******************

1. He Bore My Burdens For Me
2. Time Of My Life
3. I Could Tell You Had Forgotten
4. Taking It Back
5. I Will Overcome
6. Lord Shakes These Chains
7. When Nothing But a Miracle Will Do
8. In the Service Of The Lord
9. Mountain Top For Me
10. It's About Time To Leave


title: Return Flight

text:
********************
Track Listing:
********************

1. WHO'S GONNA STAND FOR JESUS
2. JESUS PLEASE TOUCH ME AGAIN
3. THE DEAREST FRIEND
4. I WOULDN'T BE A BIT SURPRISED
5.  MOST OF ALL
6. THE GREAT ESCAPE
7. HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
8. KEEP MY SPIRIT RIGHT
9. RED HOT DESIRE
10. MENTION MY NAME
11. MY FAITH STANDS FIRM
12. LIVIN' THE GOOD LIFE
13. I'LL GET MY REWARD
14. IT'S NOT OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER


title: Molly O'Day

text:
**********************
Tracks:
**********************
1. When Judgement Reaches Home,
2. I'll Shout & Shine,
3. When I Inherit My Mansion,
4. It Won't Be Long,
5. Good Man of the House Is Coming Back,
6. Just as the Sun Went Down,
7. Snow Covered Mound,
8. Blind Child,
9. Crossing Over the River,
10. Thank God for My Christian Home,
11. He Was Waiting at the Altar,
12. Sinner Man Where You Gonna Hide.


title: 18 Greatest Hits

text:
********************
Tracks:
********************

1. Crazy Arms
2. Make The World Go Away
3. Heartaches By The Number
4. City Lights
5. My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You
6. I Won't Mention It Again
7. She's Got To Be A Saint
8. For The Good Times
9. You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
10. The Other Woman (In My Life)
11. I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)
12. Release Me
13. A Way To Survive
14. The Same Ole Me
15. Soft Rain
16. That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome
17. I'm Still Not Over You
18. Night Life (with Willie Nelson)


title: Michael Combs Remember Me

text:
************************
Track Listings:
************************

This One's With Me,
I'm Going Home,
Remember Me,
There Is A Savior,
Victory In Jesus,
Keep On Keeping On,
One More Song About Jesus
It Ain't Me


title: Green, Green Grass of Home 4 CD Set Readers Digest

text:
************************
Track Listings:
************************

DISC ONE
Back Home Again - John Denver
Green, Green Grass Of - Home Porter Wagoner
Georgia On My Mind - Crystal Gayle
Galveston - Glen Campbell
Burgers And Fries - Charley Pride
Jennifer Johnson - Mac Davis
I Never Picked Cotton - Roy Clark
This Ole House - The Statler Brothers
Homeward Bound - Willie Nelson
Ozark Mountain Jubilee - The Oak Ridge Boys
Coal Miner's Daughter - Loretta Lynn
In Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home - Johnny Cash
Kentucky Rain - Elvis Presley
Blue Bayou - Roy Orbison
Oh, Carolina - Vince Gill
The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Vicki Lawrence
My Favorite Memory - Merle Haggard
Smokey Mountain Memories - Earl Thomas Conley
Tennessee Homesick Blues - Dolly Parton
Tennessee River - Alabama

DISC TWO
Jackson - Johnny Cash & June Carter
Houston (I'm Comin' To See You) - Glen Campbell
You're Lookin' At Country - Loretta Lynn
Sweet Country Woman - Johnny Duncan
Jambalaya (On The Bayou)- Brenda Lee
The Streets Of Baltimore - Bobby Bare
Home So Fine - Earl Thomas Conley
Big City - Merle Haggard
Tulsa Time - Don Williams
Route 66 - Michael Martin Murphey
East Bound And Down - Jerry Reed
Take Me Home, Country Roads - The Statler Brothers
Kentucky Waltz - Eddy Arnold
Smokey Mountain Rain - Ronnie Milsap
All The Gold In California - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
American Made - The Oak Ridge Boys
Big Wheels In The Moonlight - Dan Seals
Highway 40 Blues - Ricky Skaggs

DISC THREE
Country Sunshine - Dottie West
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine - Jimmie Rodgers
Me And Bobby McGee - Roger Miller
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind - Dolly Parton
Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys - Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You - Gene Autry
Fancy - Bobbie Gentry
Kern River - Merle Haggard
Young Love (Strong Love) - The Judds
Will The Circle Be Unbroken - Randy Travis
Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
Song Of The South - Alabama
You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie - The Bellamy Brothers
Drive South - Suzy Bogguss
Graceland - Willie Nelson
Texas-1947 - Johnny Cash
Good Ole Boys Like Me - Don Williams
Shenandoah - The Statler Brothers
Dixie - Lee Greenwood

DISC FOUR
Home On The Range - Eddy Arnold
Tumbling Tumbleweeds - Gene Autry
The Yellow Rose Of Texas - Ernest Tubb
Cool Water - Frankie Laine
The Wayward Wind - James Galway w/Sylvia
South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way) Willie Nelson
Waltz Across Texas - Waylon Jennings
You Are My Sunshine - Jimmie Davis
Hoppy, Gene And Me - Roy Rogers
America The Beautiful - Elvis Presley
Me And Jimmie Rodgers - Bobby Bare
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Tennessee Ernie Ford
What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana - Johnny Cash
The Star-Spangled Banner - LeAnn Rimes
Maggie's Dream - Don Williams
Home Again In My Heart - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
When Johnny Comes Marching Home - Dolly Parton


title: Michael Buble, More

text:
********************
Track Listings:
********************

1. You'll Never Know (Live)
2. My Funny Valentine (Live)
3. Nice 'N Easy
4. Mack The Knife
5. I'm Beginning To See The (Previously Unreleased)
6. Softly As I Leave You (Previously Unreleased)


title: Connie Smith Clinging to a Saving Hand

text:
*******************
Track Listings:
*******************

1.Clinging To A Saving Hand
2.Softly And Tenderly
3.One Day at a Time
4.I Saw A Man
5.When I Get To Glory(Sing, Sing, Sing)
6.He Was There All The Time
7.Satisfied
8.Peace In The Valley
9.Crumbs From The Table
10.How Great Thou Art


title: Martina Mcbride on Target

text:
**********************
Track Listings:
**********************

1. This One's For The Girls (Remix)
2. Wrong Again (Acoustic Mix)
3. Being Myself
4. Harper Valley PTA (Live)
5. Independence Day (Live)


title: Charles Johnson Waiting for the Messiah

text:
***************
Track Listings:
***************

1. WAITING FOR THE MESSIAH
2. I'M RICH
3. MY GOD IS REAL
4. NOBODY BUT YOU
5. THE GREATEST GIFT
6. THERE IS LIBERTY
7. I'VE BEEN SAVED
8. MANSION OVER THE HILLTOP
9. ROUGH SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
10. I CAN'T EVEN WALK WITHOUT YOU HOLDING MY HAND


title: Jimmy Martin, Paul Williams, J.D. Crowe Big Jam Session

text:
*******************
Track Listing :
*******************

1. Intro
2.Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
3. Molly And Tenbrooks
4. John Henry
5. Angel Band
6. Paddy On The Turnpike
7. Jimmy's Mule
8. Ruby
9. Little Maggie
10.Put My Little Shoes Away
11.Gotta Travel On


title: Dottie Rambo The Goold Ole Days Volume Four

text:
****************
Track Listings:
****************

1. Come Spring
2. There Is Power In The Blood
3. Is That The Lights Of Home I See
4. Each Step You Take
5. Constantly Aware Of His Love
6. I'll Sleep Beside You Someday
7. Thank You For The Valley
8. I've Learned To Lean On The Lord
9. I Have Hope
10. Mercy
11. What Can I Offer
12. Could That Be A Gospel Song
13. In The Beginning, God Was
14. Marvelous Grace
15. When Payday Comes
16. Father Dear, I'm Coming Home
17. The Old Home Place
18. Where Goes The Wind
19. When I Lift Up My Head
20. One More Valley
21. Silent Bells
22. My Heart Can See
23. Mama's Teaching Angels How To Sing
24. Pray For Me


title: B.J. Thomas 22 Greatest Hits

text:
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Track Listings:
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1. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
2. Hooked On A Feeling
3. Rock And Roll Lullaby
4. No Love At All
5. Eyes Of A New York Woman
6. Most Of All
7. Suspicious Minds
8. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
9. If You Ever Leave Me
10. Half As Much
11. In The Misty Moonlight
12. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
13. I Just Can't Help Believing
14. Mama
15. Everybody's Out Of Town
16. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
17. I Believe In Music
18. Mighty Clouds Of Joy
19. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
20. Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)
21. This Guy's In Love With You
22. Everybody's Talkin'


title: The Speers He's Still in the Fire

text:
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Track Listings:
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1. He's Still in The Fire
2. How Long
3. I asked For Mercy anbd I Found Grace
4. It Had to Be Love
5. Standing In The Presence of the King
6. I'll Walk Dem Golden Stairs
7. He Could Have Walked on By
8. My Lord Will Never Change
9. Things Too Broken To Mend
10. I just Can't Keep It To Myself


title: Heaven Bound Lifting Praise

text:
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Track Listings:
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1. IT'S CALLED HEAVEN
2. FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS
3. I'M GONNA LIFT MY PRAISE
4. STILL SMALL VOICE
5. SWING WIDE THOSE PEARLY GATES
6. FIRE UP THE CHOIR
7. SUPREME SACRIFICE
8. IF THAT WASN'T GOD
9. I'LL NOT BE MOVED FROM MT. ZION
10. WHEN WE MAKE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE