Making Music [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Making Music [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Making Music (Radio Edit)

2. Making Music (4 Hero Remix)

3. Night & Day

4. Making Music (Video)

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The first single taken from Chungking's mesmerizing (remixed & remastered) debut album 'The Hungry Years'. Three non-LP tracks, 'Making Music' (Radio Edit, 4 Hero Remix) & 'Night & Day'. Gut. 2004.

Tracks:

Tunnel Of Love
Romeo & Juliet
Skateaway
Expresso Love
Hand in Hand
Solid Rock
Les Boys

Amazon.com essential recording

Making Movies is Dire Straits's third album and includes several epic numbers that remain among Mark Knopfler's finest work. "Tunnel of Love, " "Romeo And Juliet" (covered by the Indigo Girls), and "Solid Rock" all work with the same distinctive galloping rhythm underneath Knopfler's country-blues staccato guitar. The addition of Springsteen's E Street Band pianist Roy Bittan hardly seems less a coincidence considering the Springsteen-esque tone of the material. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

Another all-time classic.......2007-06-08

This is another all-time classic, another all-time favorite of mine, still as fascinating as it was 25 years ago when I first heard it. Make sure you get the remastered edition, though, it sounds much better than the non-remastered one. Extremely sensitive love-inspired tracks.

The foundation of the classic Dire Straits sound.......2007-05-10

In the late 1970s, Dire Straits was a band that built a strong following. Much of Dire Straits was the result of the awesome guitar work of Mark Knopfler, but there was also some great instrumentation from other band members such as drummer Pick Withers and bassist John Illsley.. In many circles, Knopfler is considered as good as they come. For Dire Straits, they would do things much differently than many of the other bands during the time of the "British Invasion". In an era where Punk and New Wave were taking center stage, Dire Straits were doing things the old-fashioned way - a combination of Classic Rock, Blues, Folk, and even some Country. Knopfler also proven himself to be a top-notch lyricist - writing both humorous and serious songs. The combination of outstanding instrumentation, great lyrics and a mix of old-fashioned Rock genres is really what made Dire Straits such a great band. . The achieved success with their debut album - the self-titled Dire Straits. Although, their follow-up album "Communiqué" followed up, many consider that album not as strong as "Dire Straits". For the band's third album, "Making Movies", some changes would take place - and as a result it would become what many consider to be one of the strongest albums in the Dire Straits portfolio.

On the first two albums, many feel that Dire Straits had a more stripped down basic classic Rock sound. For "Making Movies", things changed. It would be on this album where we would see Dire Straits move toward more-complex arrangements. This trend would actually continue on the album that would follow "Making Movies" - 1982's "Love Over Gold". "Making Movies" would make a major personnel change in that Mark Knopfler's brother, David would depart the band. At the same time, the band would bring in the E Street Band's Roy Bittan to play keyboards. Bittan has one of the most distinctive keyboard sounds in the music business and it often is easy to identify his work. It is Bittan's unique style combined with the outstanding guitar work and music arrangements of the band that helped "Making Movies"s easily emerge as the band's signature sound to date.

There are seven tracks that make up the "Making Movies" album. Here is a track by track review:

"Tunnel of Love": This is the opening track of the collection and has easily become one of the band's classic tracks. The song opens with an arrangement of a melody from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel". As the song progresses into the "Rock portion", you will first hear Bittan's trademark keyboards followed by Mark Knopfler's trademark guitar. This song presents a great narrative as Knopfler reminisces about his younger days at an amusement park. Overall, this song just seems to capture the signature style that Dire Straits has really garnered a reputation for. I saw one review say that this song this song is "everything that was great about these guys condensed in 8 minutes" - I couldn't agree more.

"Romeo and Juliet": As the title says, this is basically a song about Romeo and Juliet. Here we get Knopfler's unique take and spin on this classic William Shakespeare work. Knopfler displays humor when he says, "Juliet says 'hey it's Romeo you nearly gave me a heart attack'". At the same time Knopfler gives his perspective on the whole story when he says (from Romeo's point of view), "Juliet the dice were loaded from the start". More great instrumentation - especially from Bittan and Knopfler help complete the picture of this story.

"Skateaway": This is a sometimes overlooked song, but nonetheless still a Dire Straits classic. This song might seem simple, yet it demonstrates some of the terrific arrangements by the band. The song paints a picture of a girl at a roller skating rink. Yet the part that really is interesting is how Knopfler tells the story of the girl listening to music on a portable music player (probably a Walkman). The lyrics "she gets rock n roll a rock n roll station; and a rock n roll dream; she's making movies on location" tell the story perfectly. Listen to how Knopfler creates a sound that gives you a feel of the roller rink. At the same time, listen to how the music "changes up" throughout the song. Bittan's keyboards shine as well - you will definitely pick out his classic sound.

"Expresso Love": This is another classic Dire Straits song. It also starts out with some great keyboards by Bittan and like "Tunnel of Love", this progresses into a classic Dire Straits song. Knopfler's guitar chords will have you jamming them over and over again.

"Hand in Hand": This song takes a softer sound when compared to most of the other tracks on this collection. In some ways this reminded me a bit of Dan Fogelberg. In this song, there is a slight country-like sound - and this is something that would become an influence on Knopfler's influence later in his musical career.

"Solid Rock": This is the shortest track on the album, but that doesn't impact anything. This song has a Southern-Rock feel and in some ways, Knopfler's vocals reminded me of Tom Petty. Knopfler's guitar will be the primary star of this song. In this song Knopfler sings about living a safe and conservative kind of life as he sings "Well i'm sick of potential; I'm sick of vanity now". This is another terrific song.

"Les Boys": This song was a most unorthodox song. It basically pokes fun at the female impersonators in the cabaret. The lyrics "Les boys got leather straps....get dressed up get a little risque" tell the whole story. This song does a great job at creating that cabaret feel to it.

The liner notes include all of the lyrics. Overall, this song exemplifies the classic Dire Straits sound. If one has any interest in Dire Straits at all, this would be the album I recommend getting.

Making Movies.......2007-05-07

This is probably one of the fifty best albums I had heard when it first came out. This remaster of that album is fantastic. I have both the original and the remaster and I now only play the remaster. Highly recommended for Dire Straits fans or anybody else with an ear for good music.

Tied with Rumors for best album of all time.......2007-05-06

This is perhaps the best album ever made. Buy this album. Play and leave on repeat. End of story.

a simpler time..........2007-04-28

1980 I was in Denver, CO before MTV. There was a half-hour program on late at night called FMTV. Videos!!! The regular rotation included; Start Me Up - Stones, Controversy - Prince, Whip it - Devo and a couple pieces by a group I wasn't that familiar with...Romeo and Juliet and Tunnel of Love - Dire Straits. They had me hook, line...you know. To this day, along with Sultans of Swing and Brothers in Arms, I'm convinced that Mark Knofler is a rare bird, a true trubador. He tells stories so damn well(not to mention he strokes axe mighty nice)that I never tire of his expressions.

T of L reminds me of a girl I met when I was 18 at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO by the name of JoSylvia Malone. We rode the 'Zambini Zinger' roller coaster together one time, I never saw her again, but this song describes that type of youthful passion perfectly...

Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition (1984 Film)

Average customer rating:

Probably the best concert ever preserved
good Talking Heads record
Bigger is not always better
One of the greatest live albums ever.
Great Improvement Over The Original Version

Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition (1984 Film)
Talking Heads
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stop Making Sense
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ASIN: B00000K3G8
Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

Psycho Killer
Heaven
Thank You for Sending Me an Angel
Found a Job
Slippery People
Burning Down the House
Life During Wartime
Making Flippy Floppy
Swamp
What a Day That Was
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
Once in a Lifetime
Genius of Love
Girlfriend Is Better
Take Me to the River
Crosseyed and Painless

Amazon.com

The soundtrack to the Jonathan Demme documentary, Stop Making Sense captures the Talking Heads live in 1984 on what would turn out to be their last major tour. This collection, and the film, is a true gift to the band's fans, a testament to the Heads' extraordinary talent, both in the studio and especially onstage. Frontman David Byrne infuses each song with a jolt of energy and drama that could only have come from a late-'70s art-school student. Now-classic tracks such as "Psycho Killer," "Girlfriend is Better," "Once in a Lifetime," "Take Me to the River," and "Burning Down the House" have never sounded better. This expanded 1999 reissue includes all nine of the original tracks, plus seven previously unheard cuts, including "Heaven," "Found a Job," and "Crosseyed and Painless." --Lorry Fleming

Customer Reviews:

Probably the best concert ever preserved.......2007-02-19

Simply the single best set by any band in the history of rock and roll. I know there will be people out there who will point to some Dead concert that's only available on a third generation cassette, but this set is as hot as the Heads ever were. The expanded edition is a great gift to the world.

good Talking Heads record.......2006-02-20

i own this on vinyl and it's just good talking head songs live,although i have to say the original version of some songs are better but if you have the money i guess go for it but i recommend buying non live recordings.

Bigger is not always better.......2004-10-26

The original LP version of this was a mere 9 songs, and was absolutely brilliant. I remember playing it constantly, wearing it out much like my two album "The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads" double live album. I also got to see the concert film at some midnight show and was enthralled...a concert movie for people who liked music! I loved it so much that I eventually got David Byrne to sign the book that came with the album.

So I was really hyped to hear that the entire concert soundtrack was about to be reissued on CD. Seven extra songs! Warm with nostalgia, I finally bought the disc. Boy, was I let down. First, it isn't the whole concert. "I Zimbra" is particularly missed. Then, of all the crappy songs to include over that one, we have the Tom Tom Club and their SERIOUSLY dated "Genius Of Love."

One of the brilliant things about Talking Heads is that they may have been trend setters, but they were never trend mongers. The music sounds just as fresh today as it did when I slit the shrink wrap on the 1984 Album. But the Tom Tom Club was a lightweight side project that scored one novelty hit, and it sticks out like crayon smears on a DaVinci. I reach for the skip button just about everytime its lame, cliched, and oh so 80's stage patter starts to invade what used to be a flawless CD.

It takes what used to be a 5 star CD and knocks it down by one. It also provides continual proof that that not all unreleased tracks are really a "bonus." Since it has finally come out on a double disc, I strongly recommend the remastered and reissued "The Name Of This Band is Talking Heads" over this. At least the expanded tracks aren't an emarrassment.

One of the greatest live albums ever........2004-10-23

Jonathon Demme's 1984 concert film of the Talking Heads was an incredible experience. Sadly, when the original soundtrack was released, it contained only nine of the songs performed. Not only that, but they were entirely out of sequence, completely destroying the original purpose behind David Byrne's conception of the concert. Thank God they released this anniversary edition of the soundtrack, as this really does the film justice. Every song is here, and in its proper place, the way it was meant to be heard.

So, what is the big deal, you ask? Well, picture this. The soundtrack begins with "Psycho Killer," one of the first really big hits for the group. Instead of the entire band being onstage, David Byrne walks out with an acoustic guitar and a boom box. He presses PLAY on the box, which cues a drum program to begin playing. So the first song is just David Byrne singing and strumming his guitar, accompanied by pre-recorded percussion. For the next song, "Heaven," Byrne is joined onstage by bassist Tina Weymouth. Then Chris Frantz's drumset is wheeled out, and the three of them go into "Thank You For Sending Me an Angel." We finally hear some real drumming, not the predictable, computerized beats in "Psycho Killer." The album really begins to come alive. Then they go into "Found a Job," and things get more interesting. Byrne swaps his acoustic guitar for an electric, and lead guitarist Jerry Harrison comes out, meaning we now have two guitars. By the time the fifth track, "Slippery People," is underway, the entire band (including the extra musicians and backup singers) are on the stage, and now things are cooking. What happens over the remaining twelve tracks can only be described as an overload of the senses.

The purpose behind the concert was to provide a unique experience for the concert-goer, to create visual as well as aural art. Some of that sense is lost on the CD listener, but some of it remains. The songs were translated to disk beautifully, so that they still retain just about everything that made them a pleasure to listen to while watching the film. One can almost picture David Byrne running laps around the stage, dancing with the lamp, or wearing the big suit.

The concert resulting in the film and this album was performed shortly after the band released their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." So, needless to say, many of the songs you will hear are from that album. And I have to say that for each of them, I prefer the live version to the studio version. Each one of them sounds more vibrant, more full of life when performed on the stage. The improvisation on "Burning Down the House" is as good as it gets. Ditto "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)," which is one of the most beautiful things I've heard, and I don't even like love songs. The studio versions lack that extra energy. Their pulse is just too slow. This is never more true for "Life During Wartime," which is actually a song from 1979's "Fear of Music." But anyway, this song displays Byrne's tendency to perfectly mismatch music and lyrics. The pulsating beat of club rock flows beneath what I interpret to be a humourously disturbing tale of a country under martial law. The song should not work as well as it does, and yet somehow, they pull it off. Anyway, after hearing the live version of it, I can no longer listen to the studio version. Also noteworthy is the improvisation on "Crosseyed and Painless." The intro and the extended guitar solos are just the icing on the cake for that one!

If there is a bad song on this album, it would have to be the interlude by the Tom Tom Club (a solo project of Heads drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth). "Genius of Love" could have been a great song. The instrumentation is very good. Sadly, it's ruined by Frantz's raucous babbling. He's attempting to be random like David Byrne, but tragically, he's not good at it. Other than that, this album is solid gold. It demonstrates the full potential of live music, and sounds amazing while doing it. Whether you're a fan of the Talking Heads or not, this album belongs in your collection.

Great Improvement Over The Original Version.......2004-10-17

It's true, to really appreciate this album, you have to see the film. And that's no chore. Stop Making Sense is probably the best concert film ever made. It's hard to imagine just listening to the album without thinking of Byrne's amazing stage presence (in or out of the big suit).

The Special Edition is the entire film soundtrack (minus some stage banter and the cut performances of "Cities" and "I Zimbra"). Their imagination made Talking Heads one of the greatest live bands of all time. The songs are mostly from SPEAKING IN TONGUES, but they also include interesting and in some cases superior versions of songs from all of their albums prior to 1983 with the help of the Tom Tom Club.

In addition to STOP MAKING SENSE, I recommend the newly released CD version of THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING HEADS. Listening to both would map eight years of live performances and barely short of 4 hours of live material.

I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump

Average customer rating:

I am on a string and you can lead me anywhere
Goodnight Moon
Shivaree throws one heck of a party!
It's all Good
Alice in Dr. Seus-land

I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump
Shivaree
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Arlington Girl
Oh, No
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Customer Reviews:

I am on a string and you can lead me anywhere.......2007-06-28

Shivaree is what more pop should sound like -- an embittered torch singer who secretly dreams of experimental electrofolk. This odd trio debuted with "I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump," whose title gives you a hint about what their eerie fusion ballads and alt-rock sound like.

It opens on a deliciously sick note with "Cannibal King," which is basically some wobbling keyboard, and Ambrosia Parsley singing, "The cannibal king with the big nose ring/Fell in love with a sweet young maid/And every night by the pale moonlight/This is what you'll hear him say..." Well, that's not very sick, but Ambrosia makes a loud yummy sound at the end.

The actual music starts with "Bossa Nova," a little alt-countryish song peppered with samples and clashes of synth. And, of course, a girl's incisive breakup with her guy ("I'm never talking to you again/I'll go join the marines/And then I will peacefully sail away with some safe magazines!"). Then we get the deliciously jagged electropop of "Daring Lousy Guy."

From there on, Shivaree experiments with variations of the fusion music: the electronica-riddled piano songs, jazzy little ballads, mournful alt-rocky laments, funky tunes about "a back stabbing Hollywood pimp," and the exquisitely soulful "Goodnight Moon." But things mellow out somewhat in the last trio of songs, which include a cynically romantic ballad, a wistful acoustic melody, and finally the "Arrivederci."

Shivaree have grown and changed over the years, but their debut album is still a pretty solid listen -- they take your basic folky-rocky-countryish melodies, and weave in some electropop and jazz. And they've got some truly wicked, incisive songwriting, as if the title didn't tip you off.

The band manages soft and poppy songs with equal alacrity: solid riffs, great drumming, and some gentle interweaving of piano melodies and acoustic guitar. And of course, lots and lots of synth -- blippy, funky, and shimmering soft canopies of shivering sound. Danny McGough isn't quite perfect, though -- Shivaree has a tendency to cram synthy tangles into any quieter spots between vocals.

But Parsley takes center stage, with the voice and attitude of a world-weary torch singer -- throaty and hostile, with a jaded view of romance and the world. She sings of free spirits, abusive boyfriends ("Your throat is going to be exploded/and I'm still being shy!"), fear of the dark, and nasty entertainment bosses. "Something's under the bed/Now it's out in the hedge/There's a big black crow sitting on my window ledge/And I hear something scratching through the wall..."

Shivaree started off remarkably strong in their debut album "I Oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump," which lives up to its name -- bitter, beautiful, and wickedly funny.

Goodnight Moon.......2006-05-14

Love Ambrosia Parsley's singing voice. Haunting in some ways, smooth, soothing... It seems, though, about the only winner is tune #7, Goodnight Moon, on this CD. This won't stop me from buying something else by this group, or by Ambrosia, should she venture out on her own.

Was it worth buying this CD? For me, yes. Absolutely. Can't get enough of Goodnight Moon; also, this seems to be the type of album one has to play a few times to truly appreciate the music.

Shivaree throws one heck of a party!.......2006-01-29

I liked this CD - it's out of the rut. These aren't people playing to whatever the fickleness of commercialism dictates for the minute, these are folks playing what they want. Hence the music is a bit quirky with the opening an old standard. Overall, I found the CD quite haunting- lots of shivers running up and down my spine. It's also well done- you won't be disappointed if you give it a more serious listen.

On the downside- well, I found some tracks stronger than others- I'd characterize this CD as a bit uneven. But that's a small price to pay for something that you're not going to hear on commercial radio.

Sam B.
Stamford, CT

It's all Good.......2005-10-19

If you loved "Goodnight Moon" you'll like the rest of the album. Although the hit single is the shining light on the CD, the remainder of the songs are just as cool and stay true to the Shivaree style.

Alice in Dr. Seus-land.......2005-09-02

I Oughtta starts off with the extreamly short Cannibal King, a 46 second ditty that highlights pretty much everything important about Shivaree: a macabre subject, a comic undertone, unexpected music and outstanding vocals. Once past the short intro piece, I Oughtta dives full on into the band's eccentric goodness.
Goodnight Moon may be the band's only really famous song, and it's the only thing on the CD that comes close to being 'pop'-y. The rest range from millitary-style exit marches (Arlington Girl) to obessive-compulsive love ballads (Oh No). Of special note are the excellent Bossa Nova and the altogether much too short Arrivederci and Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday in particular is an increadibly tranquil bit remnicent of campfire circles.
Ambrosia Pierce is worthy of the praise sung to her name, her breathy, husky-sweet vocals are clear and well matched to the music, carrying a wide range of emotion and nuance. While not the most dynamic or talented singer on the market, she carries herself well and plays to her strengths, making for music as smart as it is beautiful.
Overall, I Oughtta a strange and wonderful cross between fantasy and nightmare, elegant and poised, with a beautiful edge of maddness. Excellent.

Average customer rating:

One of the Top Five Live Albums of All Time
I like the liner notes better than the music.
Big
necessary to check out
New version really makes sense

Stop Making Sense
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Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002L71
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

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Once in a Lifetime
What A Day That Was
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Amazon.com

The soundtrack to the Jonathan Demme documentary, Stop Making Sense captures the Talking Heads live in 1984 on what would turn out to be their last major tour. This collection, and the film, is a true gift to the band's fans, a testament to their extraordinary talent, both in the studio and especially onstage. Frontman David Byrne infuses each song with a jolt of energy and drama that could only have come from a late-'70s New York art-school student. Now-classic tracks such as "Psycho Killer," "Girlfriend Is Better," "Once in a Lifetime," "Take Me to the River," and "Burning Down the House" have never sounded better. --Lorry Fleming

Customer Reviews:

One of the Top Five Live Albums of All Time.......2006-03-14

If you can only have one Talking Heads album, then get this one. Frenetic energy, fabulous changes, perfect pacing, it captures the entire Talking Heads legacy. "Life During Wartime" and "Take Me to the River" are unbelievable to end the set. I wish The Clash had something like this for posterity. This compares to The Band's "Last Waltz" for best rock performance in a live setting. Daniel

I like the liner notes better than the music........2005-11-01

I love Talking Heads. I do. But I love them in the way that someone who knows them mainly through hearing his older siblings constantly playing them as he grew up loves them. I don't own many of their albums, and I've never even see the film "Stop Making Sense," though I've watched David Byrne's "True Stories" dozens of times. I picked this CD up out of a bargain bin a couple of years ago, and though I like it, I just don't feel it's Talking Heads at their best.
It's got a great version of "Psycho Killer," played the way David Byrne would play it back in art school--with recorded music played on a boombox kicking off the song--some okay tracks by the Tom Tom Club, and some genuinely clever liner notes ("In the future women will have breasts all over").
But, almost all the songs here aren't as good as their album counterparts, and overall the CD feels erratic and irregular. If you love Talking Heads, you should own this. You probably already do. But if you're just looking to get into them, this probably isn't the album to start with. Check out their "Popular Favorites" compilation instead, or either of their first two albums. Those are much better.

Big.......2005-08-29

When he came out in that big suit and started with the funky chicken type stuff. Man, I'm still laughing. Great music too.

necessary to check out.......2005-02-24

This is essential because it draws from their very best material, and the songs have never sounded this good. "once in a lifetime" is particularly improved, giving it a harder edge compared to the studio version, but you will find all of the songs are very well arranged live. It doesn't really sound like a live album, its so good. If you are new to the band get this and the newly released The Name of the Band is Talking Heads, another great live album. Or you could opt for the Best Of disc instead. I am having a hard time deciding between the two, actually. But I have no doubt that this is a necessary musical document of the greatest band of the 80's.

New version really makes sense.......2003-12-25

the new extended version of this album is really worth extra money as one of previous reviewers said.i grew listening ti this version but new one has many songs more that are important too.
Talking heads mixed funky pop with quirky social commentary and some psychedelic atmosphere to create their own distinctive sound."Burning down the house" or "Once in a lifetime" are the best examples.
of course "Stop making sense" (album was recorded live.the self-titled movie was about the same live concert as on cd) is essential for any respectable music fan but the new longer mix is more good for the added tracks and improvement in sound.get new "Stop making sense" along with "True stories" or "Fear of music".they deserve to be listened

Average customer rating:

A treasure of the musical world.
A classic above all classics
Funny and scathingly true
Hilarious - move over Victor Borge & Beatrice Lily

Encore?

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

A treasure of the musical world........2007-04-14

I was first introduced to Miss Russell in 1980 by fellow musicians in Rochester NY. We spent late nights after rehearsals secretly listening and laughing ourselves sick. She had the ability to put us and our conductor in our places and made us like it! Miss Russell clearly understood opera, live concert events, touring and all aspects of the music of the world. Parts of this album were recorded in New York City USA and parts in Johannesburg South Africa. It makes no difference where the audience is, the language and experience is universal and we all laugh together. Undressed bagpipes, ears turning into gardenias, the lament for the fat ladies, and "Jolly Old Sigmund Freud" presented in the singular voice of a "ruined opera singer" are irresistible.

The best comment about this album came from my seventeen year old son. Just last year (2006) I finally got a CD copy of this priceless work of art and shared it with him. He listened totally enthralled. The selection "Hamletto, or Prosciuttino (sung in simultaneous Italian and English0" caused him to comment, "Well, now I know what Hamlet is about." He since asked me to get the others and has loved them as well. "Backwards With the Folk Song" brought back memories of Voice Lessons and dreary concerts that now can be enjoyed safely from a distance. Today's indie and emo musicians could do well to listen and learn.

I would recommend Miss Russell's work for any teenaged class, they seem to adore her sly wit. Besides, all the French Horn players in the High School band need a little teasing from time to time.

A classic above all classics.......2000-03-17

From the velvet-voiced music reviewer herself, Anna Russell has laid many a sour note. This in itself, is what makes her so funny. She takes greater pains to sound bad as most other singers do to sound good. And the best thing about this, and all of her recordings in general is that you will never tire of them, no matter how much you play them... From those before her or after her in the musica funnia farma (P.D.Q. Bach, Victor Borge, Florence Foster Jenkins, etc.), it is in this venue of music appreciation (or as some say, depreciation), that will bring newer fans to the classical arena...

Funny and scathingly true.......1999-10-29

Highly recomended listening for the serious classical music enthusiast who enjoys a good laugh!

Hilarious - move over Victor Borge & Beatrice Lily.......1999-03-15

Anyone who loves classical music, Victor Borge, Flanders & Swann , Beatrice Lily, or PDQ Bach will love this album, play it over and over, and quote her to friends.

White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s - The Joe Boyd Story

Average customer rating:

A companion piece

White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s - The Joe Boyd Story
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Fledg'ling UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s
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Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood

ASIN: B000FILWRM
Release Date: 2006-06-05

Tracks:

Crossroads - Eric Clapton & The Powerhouse
Way Back In The 1960s - The Incredible String Band
Because It Wouldn't Pay - Johnny Handle
Spanish Ladies Medley - Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy & Diz Disley
Arnold Layne - Pink Floyd
Granny Takes A Trip - The Purple Gang
She's Gone - Soft Machine
If I Had A Ribbon Bow - Fairport Convention
Seven Yellow Gypsies - Shirley Collins
Chinese White - The Incredible String Band
Autopsy - Fairport Convention
The Deserter - Fairport Convention
Poor Boy - Nick Drake
The Sea- Fotheringay
Flowers Of The Forest - Mike Heron
Come Wind Come Rain - Vashti Bunyan
Primrose Hill - John & Beverley Martyn
I Don't Mind - The New Nadir (Previously Unreleased)
Church Mouse - Dudu Pukwana & Spear (Previously Unreleased)
Andromeda - Chris Mcgregor's Brotherhood Of Breath
Afraid - Nico
Way To Blue - Nick Drake
Brazil - Geoff & Maria Muldaur

Album Details

Boyd Produced and was Instrumental in Creating Some of the Most Important Recordings of the 1960s (As Well as the '70s and '80s). He is Best Known for his Work with English Folk Musicians, Having Shaped the Early Sounds of Fairport Convention, Incredible String Band, Fotheringay, John Martyn and Nick Drake. But He also Provided the Base of the Early Sounds of Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Soft Machine, Nico, Geoff and Maria Muldaur and Shirley Collins. This Collection Brings You Some of Boyd's Exemplary Pieces from the 1960's by the Aforementioned Artists and Many More. Also Featured Are Two Previously Unreleased Tracks from Boyd's Archive by the New Nadir and Dudu Pukwana and Spear. Discover the Modern Glory Days of Making Records in a Period When Musicians Could Share their Musical Abilities with a Master Sound Auteur, Resulting in Recordings that Remain Fresh and Transcend Time.

Customer Reviews:

A companion piece.......2007-05-08

This CD is basically a companion piece to Joe Boyd's book of the same name containing key selections of the bands he produced / managed. Joe Boyd was an American who helped shape the careers of Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, The Incredible String Band, Pink Floyd and others by being a great producer and even greater manger with enough understanding about the music biz and the musicians under his Witchseason Productions company. I could go on but if your interested into what was happening in swinging London during the mid to late 60's than get this along with Boyd's book and you can have fun with a "six-degrees-of-separation" involving key players in the music business of the 1960's.

Average customer rating:

Not always profound, but great fun
East Indian Music with a Dash of Jazz
Chaurasia is GODLY
Good but not great East-West fusion
Manfred Eischer please turn down the sax a hair

Making Music
Zakir Hussain
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Essence of Rhythm
Remember Shakti: The Believer
A Handful of Beauty
Natural Elements
Remember Shakti: Saturday Night in Bombay

ASIN: B0000260YC
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Making Music
Zakir
Water Girl
Toni
Anisa
Sunjog
You And Me
Sabah

Amazon.com

It's a simple enough concept: gather four great musicians--percussionist Zaikir Hussain, flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia, guitarist John McLaughlin, and saxophonist Jan Garbarek--into a studio, push "record," and see what happens. In the case of Making Music, quite a bit does happen. The meditative flute work of Chaurasia gives this disc a much deserved Indian feel, Garbarek's soaring horn lines add plenty of soul, and the interplay between McLaughlin and Hussain forms a rich tapestry of sounds. Soothing and soaring, here's an example of genre-fusing at its finest. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Not always profound, but great fun.......2005-07-12

I love this album, though other reviewers are perfectly right to point out the occasional shallow spots and sometimes over-prominent sax (why do so many of Garbarek's collaborations have this fault?). I don't think these musicians were always aiming for profundity in these sessions. The title I think is meant to be taken literally: these guys were simply making music. But it is great fun all the way through.

All the performers are highly prolific, amazingly versatile and deeply experienced collaborators. Getting them together was perhaps more of a good marketing idea than the result of any great meeting of musical minds, but the result is consistently more stimulating than any Kenny G. recording that I know.

There are also moments of great beauty, especially those produced by Hariprasad Chaurasia and Jan Garbarek. Garbarek's sax often takes up not only Indian melodies, but also mimics the intonations of Indian instruments.

Musical pleasure for almost every ear, made by great musicians having fun together.

East Indian Music with a Dash of Jazz.......2005-06-07

I'd describe this as mostly East Indian music with a couple of jazz songs included. All four musicians are quite gifted musically, but the album isn't perfect.

"Making Music" (the first song) is a 12-minute somewhat somber interplay between the four musicians,
"Water Girl" is a percussive worldbeat-type song featuring the tabla,
"Toni" is an "ECM-jazz" ballad featuring saxophone (the tone is excellent),
"Sunjog" is rhythmic jazz with each instrument entering in unison,
"You and Me" is an energetic tabla-guitar interplay and a great way to end the album,
and "Sabah" is another song which leans toward jazz.
(I think "Sabah" should have been the first song because it's not much of a show-stopper, but would generate more interest as an opener than "Making Music" which takes awhile to get moving.)

"Zakir" has some guitar later joined by some squeeling sax near the end of the song; it's my least favorite being somewhat meandering. "Anisa" is a 3-minute guitar solo followed by 6 minutes of solo tabla and voice ..definitely not jazz.

Overall, it's a great album, and a very good listen if I use the programming buttons.

Chaurasia is GODLY.......2004-11-22

Most of the tracks are really, really good....my special words are about 'Sunjog'. It starts with a rather unconventional note from Garbarek...Pardon my ignorance (if any) but I was not able to conclude if it is incorrect mixing or playing or a deliberately inserted 'noise' to make the oncoming note from Chaurasia, nothing but GODLY. I should admit that the first times I listened to it, the start of flute will almost bring a drop of tears in my eyes.

Must buy for anybody who wants to try Zakir, John and for anybody who wants to listen to any music of Zakir and John together, but outside of Shakti.

Good but not great East-West fusion.......2002-09-16

I have to agree with the other reviewers about the volume level of Garbarek. He's just too hot in the mix. It's somewhat jarring to my senses whenever he plays.

This is unfortunate, because "Making Music" is otherwise a nice fusion of East & West. With players of this quality, it'd be hard for them to produce anything without musical worth.

This is overall a mellow excursion, maybe a bit too New Agey for my tastes. At points, such as during the track "Zakir", things almost start to sound Kenny G-ish.

I would definitely recommend looking elsewhere for all but the biggest fans of this style of music.

Manfred Eischer please turn down the sax a hair.......2002-02-25

This is a truly wonderful album and I agree with the other reviewers. I know it's for the sake of keeping it real but, Manfred the sax is way outta control volume wise. No fault of Mr.Garbarek. All of his albums seem to be like this. SKRONK me right outta my complacency why don't you. And I thought ECM's whole deal was to make it relaxing for the listener. I think they wanted us to experience what it's like to have our ears up to the bell of Jan's horn. Anyway I still love this music! Hariprasad is DA MAN! And Zakir and Mr. McLaughlin aren't too shabby either. Monumental!

Average customer rating:

Phew.
Organic Ambient Trance Funk
what i expected
Clean and Beautiful: A prelude to the live experience
Eclectic Electric Jazz Electronica

Nomad
Lotus
Manufacturer: Harmonized
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Germination
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All This Everything

ASIN: B0002ZYEAA
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Suitcases
Livingston Storm
Spiritualize
Plant Your Root
Travel
Greet The Mind
Ball Of Energy
Jump Off
Colorado

Customer Reviews:

Phew........2006-01-29

What gets me about Lotus isn't just that their sound is crisp and their melodies beautifully composed. What gets me is that their songs--often relaxed, very chill, meandering through a song almost effortlessly--can be so infectious and bring you to a completely different mental plane. Nomad is an incredible studio synthesis of their talent. Seeing them live is the best way to go (it's incredible) but Nomad really gives you a great scope of their talent... although, they are also this tight in person.

Organic Ambient Trance Funk.......2005-08-16

I just had to write this review because this cd deserves an average rating of 5 stars. This is a very sophisticated interpretation of Lotus's live sound. No self-indulgent meandering, just very tastful, structured compositions. However, i don't think everyone has the capacity to appreciate the aesthetic value of this music, along with the overall musicianship.

This cd jams, but in a subtle way. Lotus leaves out alot of the uneeded tension in alot of music today and replaces it with a easy vibe that is equally relaxing as it is danceable. The music is part ambient so its not music that demands to be listened to. It fits well in the background at a party or in the car. Its not all about the individual solos, instead more about the vibe the music, as a whole, gives off. It is as equally interesting as it is ignorable. It's downtempo electronica that perfectly combines organic jams with ambient textures. This is one of my favorite albums i own, and i'd recomend it to anyone who appreciates good music.

what i expected.......2005-08-15

Someone told me about lotus so I checked them out. The "live drum and base/jam techno" scene is on the rise and Lotus along with bands like MFA, djnotadj, and signal path is certainly one of the pioneers. The cd sounds great with many varied explorations into different styles of the live techno genre. Check it.

Clean and Beautiful: A prelude to the live experience.......2005-05-13

Yo ladies N gents, I go to college in PA, and the first time I really heard anything about Lotus came when a kid on my floor bought this disc and I spun it in my room. First and foremost, this album is totally righteous. If youre into classical improv and jamming, this is for you, and also, if youre into dance/trance this is for you as well. Furthermore, if youre into funk, they lay it down in kingly fashion. I've seen lotus twice this year, and the first time they were awesome, and the second time (a mere 3 months later) they were completely unreal. Whoever wrote that B/S about STS9 being better than lotus has obviously not seen them live, or was candy flippin too hard to understand. Sound tribe is a complete and utter joke compared to this band; in fact, there is no comparison. Please do yourselves the favor and go see Lotus live, and while youre at it, get this disc. Peace

Eclectic Electric Jazz Electronica.......2005-03-28

You may have heard the buzz about this band. They
are truly a formally well-educated musical band
that likes to improvise off the audience's energy.
The use of improvisation, as well as certain music
phrases, or riffs, classifies them as jazz
performers. Rolling Stone magazine calls their
music "Loose, spontaneous Jam Rock instrumentals.
Funk and Latin influences surface in both the guitar
figures and the overall rhythms, while the drums
show a real jazz-inflected approach to dynamics and
may be the group's strong point." The drummer,
Steve Clemens (related to Samuel Langhorne?) is
indeed dynamic and delivers a great sound. But I
think the melodic/harmonic interplay between the
guitarist (Mike Rempel) and keyboard man (Luke
Miller) sustains the compositions over the length
of the musical program.
The music ranges from Smooth Jazz to Grateful
Dead concert jamming--definitely an eclectic mix.
In fact it seems at times that Mike is channeling
Jerry Garcia (not a bad contact)!
So, if you like instumental music that is great
to listen to (for both background and fore) pick
up this CD. The samples provide good examples of
the sound quality and dynamics of Lotus'
material.

Average customer rating:

excellent
The Stratocaster Godess
This CD deserves to make History

Still Making History
Ana Popovic
Manufacturer: Eclecto Groove Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Solid Ice
In the Palace of the King
Katrina Was Her Name
Close as You Get
Moment of Truth

ASIN: B000P7V4GM
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

U Complete Me
Hold On
Between Our Worlds
Is This Everything There Is
Hungry
Doubt Everyone But Me
You Don't Move Me
Still Making History
My Favorite Night
How'd You Learn To Shake It Like That
Shadow After Dark
Calendars
Sexiest Man Alive
U Complete Me (Blues Version)(Bonus Track)

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2007-07-20

I am very pleased with this cd which was received in a timely manner in great condition!

The Stratocaster Godess.......2007-07-14

Usually, I listen mostly to hardcore metal and glam rock, but few years ago I've noticed a record with a very attractive girl on the cover, sat beside a fender stratocaster. It was Hush by Ana Popovic. Back home, when I put the record in my player I became a fan for life after few minutes. Ana simply drove me to the best of blues, Jazz and Rock music. After Comfort To The Soul, a jewel as well, Still Making History is her third studio album (maybe the fourth, I think she recorded one a long time ago but never found trace of it). I already think that's her best album and if you don't know her it's a very easy way to fall in love with her music. After that you won't be long before beeing in a rush to buy the others one. If you love great guitar players, don't go further, she's probably the best guitar player I've ever seen, and she's such a singer as well, a very strong voice, and even if, like me, you're not a blues or jazz fan,you'll change your mind definitely. If she's coming in your town, don't miss her, I've seen her once on stage, and that was such an experience, and at the end of the concert, don't go away to quickly, Ana loves to meet her fans and to have a chat. Hope to see her again very soon.

This CD deserves to make History.......2007-06-25

I saw Ana Popovic live two years ago and thought she was a great guitarist with a potentially good voice and would be creating some classic blues-mould-breaking music in maybe five years time. I was wrong - she's done it with this CD already.
Ana's Serbian roots have given her plenty of fuel for lyrics here and she writes well beyond her years on difficult themes: The anger that being treated second class because of your birthplace creates (`Hold On'), Third world poverty (`Between Our Worlds'), Our chance to change things for the better(`Still Making History').
Naturally, she lays down first class blues as expected - (`You don't move me', `How'd you learn to shake it like that'); but she also delivers great reggae riffs as on (`Hold on' and `Between Our Worlds') as well as delivering breathtaking jazz vocals, (`Doubt everyone but me' and 'Calenders')
This is an exceptional work that deserves a whole lot more attention than it will probably get. Buy it, play it, and tell your friends!

Goldilocks (1958 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

A beguiling album
Broadway FLOP yields a HIT original cast album
a classic cult musical
Straight from Broadway's Golden Age: It's Goldilocks!
Worth your investment - A real delight!

Goldilocks (1958 Original Broadway Cast)
Joan Ford , Walter Kerr , and Jean Kerr
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Leroy Anderson Collection

ASIN: B0000027WO
Release Date: 1992-05-19

Tracks:

Act I: Overture
Act I: Lazy Moon
Act I: Give The Little Lady
Act I: Save A Kiss
Act I: No One'll Ever Love You
Act I: Who's Been Sitting In My Chair?
Act I: There Never Was A Woman
Act I: The Pussy Foot
Act II: Lady In Waiting
Act II: The Beast In You
Act II: Shall I Take My Heart And Go?
Act II: I Can't Be In Love
Act II: Bad Companions
Act II: I Never Know When
Act II: Two Years In The Making
Act II: Heart Of Stone

Customer Reviews:

A beguiling album.......2004-10-31

Someone had a brilliant notion in getting Leroy Anderson to write a show. (It wasn't the first time; he was hired for "Wonderful Town" but was ditched in favor of Leonard Bernstein.) That it didn't quite work may owe to the fact that he was largely written out, the best of his imperishable vest-pocket tone poems long in the past. Still, this is an utterly captivating score, superbly interpreted. If you want a complete idea how it sounds you might want to get MCA's budget two-disc anthology of Anderson conducting his own music, including several of the show's dance numbers; they almost make you forget how great Arthur Fiedler was with this master of the pops.

Broadway FLOP yields a HIT original cast album.......2004-02-13

This is another splendid original cast recording from Goddard Lieberson and Columbia records. Great score by Leroy Anderson by a fine cast headed by Elaine Stritch who is in great voice here. Don Ameche is her nemesis/love interest and Pat Stanley nearly steals the show with her first act number "The Pussy Foot."

The record is short (45 minutes) and does not include the dance pice "The Town House Maxixe" which can be heard on MCA's Leroy Anderson collection. What is on the CD is quite delightful and Sony has done a first rate job coaxing excellent sound from the early stereo tapes. The booklet gives a good essay on the history of the trobled show and a detailed plot summary.

a classic cult musical.......2002-10-19

GOLDILOCKS is one of my all-time favorite 'lost musicals'. It struggled through three months and 161 performances on Broadway, only to close after scathing reviews and dwindling audiences.

GOLDILOCKS was written by theater critic Walter Kerr as a love-letter to the silent movies that had captivated him as a child. The story concerns sardonic silent-actress Maggie Harris (Elaine Stritch) who has a stormy love-hate relationship with her cocky director (Don Ameche). Complications arise in the form of beautiful Lois Lee (Pat Stanley), who sets out to steal him for herself. Maggie decides to make one more picture under the assumed name of Goldilocks, and makes one last grab at romance...

The reason why the show failed so miserably was the weakness of the book, which was magnified a thousand times over by the greatness of the score; which features "Lazy Moon", "Lady in Waiting", "The Pussy Foot", "Where is the Beast in You?", and my personal favorite "I Never Know When to Say When".

Through its lovely cast album, the musical has a devout cult following and no wonder. Elaine Stritch in her first Broadway leading-role (after years of supporting work in revivals of PAL JOEY and ON YOUR TOES) and the sparkling score of Leroy Anderson is fantastic stuff. Highly recommended.

Sony Music.

Straight from Broadway's Golden Age: It's Goldilocks!.......2001-06-29

I first discovered Goldilocks through the double draw of Leroy Anderson and Elaine Stritch. Elaine Stritch I already knew as Joanne in Company singing "The Ladies Who Lunch", and Leroy Anderson was one of my favorite composers, known for such light programmatic and novelty orchestral pieces as The Syncopated Clock, Belle of the Ball, Bugler's Holiday, The Typewriter and Plink, Plank, Plunk. That combo of names caught my eye as I was flipping through the record bins one day, and as I scanned the album cover I saw the names Don Ameche, Nathaniel Frey and Margaret Hamilton which absolutely clinched the deal. I left the store with the record and went straight home to play it. From the moment I dropped the needle (yes, I've had it that long) I was captivated, and it has since become one of my perennial favorites.

The score is top notch, particularly in the material for Stritch and the perfectly cast Don Ameche. It does sag a bit in the material for the secondary couple, but I think that's because it's the primary couple who are the comedians while the secondary couple gets stuck with the sappy side of romance. Yes, there are book problems. Walter Kerr later admitted that they kept beefing up the comedy at the expense of the love story, and reading through the book (which through an incredible stroke of good fortune I found at a local Half Price Books) that's a fair criticism. But this weakness doesn't overwhelm the show and make it unworkable. I have to agree with the assessment that with The Music Man already running featuring a slightly more lovable con artist and a sweet rather than brassy leading lady, Goldilocks wasn't able to measure up to the competition. Taken on its own terms though, Goldilocks works wonderfully.

To mention particular favorites of mine in the score, I have to start with Stritch's Act 2 torch song, "I Never Know When To Say When". Why didn't this become a standard? It stacks up with the best Broadway has to offer. You can hear the pain in Stritch's voice as she laments the mess she's made of her relationhips. "Give the Little Lady" near the top of Act 1 doesn't really cover much in the realm of plot, but it's just so much fun, and "The Beast In You" never fails to get me laughing. All of these feature Stritch alone or with the chorus, but her duet with Ameche, "No One'll Ever Love You", is just as good, and Ameche's solo number, "I Can't Be In Love", in which he discovers to his astonishment that he is indeed in love, is priceless. Then on top of that is "Bad Companions" for Don Ameche's shady sidekicks Nathaniel Frey (an excellent comic character actor who appeared in many better known shows such as Damn Yankees and She Loves Me) and Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West sings!) which is a hoot from start to finish. These are the standouts in my book, but the whole score is eminently listenable, pleasant and tuneful. Of course with Leroy Anderson writing the music it couldn't be anything else.

I sometimes wish I had been born 30-40 years earlier so I could have actually seen what I am only able to get the barest hint of from reading the libretto and listening to the cast album. I strongly recommend to anyone who has had enough interest to wind up here reading these reviews to make this show a permanent part of your collection. More people need to know this show!

Worth your investment - A real delight!.......2001-01-14

Having learned about the life of Leroy Anderson through the recent PBS story on his career,I was very interested to hear this famous composer's only Broadway show.

This original cast recording is a gem. The majority of the songs are first rate, the perfomers are all first rate and the recording quality sounds as fine as anything on the market today. What a shame that the show had such serious problems, such as a weak book and opening with such hits as West Side Story and Music Man already running on Broadway.

If you enjoy Broadway musicals and don't know this show, buy this recording. You will not be disappointed!

Music: