Player

Player

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The Debut Album from the Purveyors of the Hit Single "Starlight". A Compelling Mix of Groove N Beats with Funk, Synth-pop, an 80's Aura and Hip-hop Thrown in for Modern Measure. Influences Are Obviously the Jb's, Prince, Giorgio Moroder and Parliament-funkadelic.

Tracks:

Daniel
Teacher I Need You
Elderberry Wine
Blues For My Baby And Me
Midnight Creeper
Have Mercy On The Criminal
I'm Gonna Be A Teenage Idol
Texan Love Song
Crocodile Rock
High Flying Bird
Screw You (Young Man's Blues)
Jack Rabbit
Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again)
Skyline Pigeon (Piano Version)

Amazon.com essential recording

One of the best entries from Elton John and Bernie Taupin's remarkably successful mid-'70s run, this album still holds up well over a quarter of a century after its release. Even casual fans will recognize "Daniel," "Elderberry Wine," and "Crocodile Rock," but "Teacher I Need You," "Have Mercy on the Criminal" and "I'm Going to Be a Teenage Idol" are equally good. Elton's backing band at the time (guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olsson) was easily his best, and producer Gus Dudgeon and orchestral arranger Paul Buckmaster bathed the tracks in a warm and enticing glow. The only complaint is that, due to its size, the CD reissue doesn't remotely do justice to the colorful packaging of the original album. --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews:

I remember when rock was young..........2007-07-24

Luis Mejia (son) - After the very well critisized Madman Across The Water and the stunningly produced Honky Chateau, Elton John goes through a pop basis and more difficult songs, leaving the stage of simple piano ballads.

This album is an excellent work by Elton, debut at 1973, the album marked a brilliant fame in USA, having some of his most catchy, simple, mellodic, classic and creative moods of all of Elton's albums. Not his best work, yet a fantastic album wich stablish his era of piano rock and catchy sounds with a simple and familiar style. Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player keeps a fresh and juvenile mood in every song, having graceful and imaginative compositions, also very humorous, still without loosing all of his piano ballad basis. The production is also fantastic but not as great as Honky Chateau.

This album keeps a structure that make every song fit perfectly with the other, making the whole album worth and all alike, like the simple, pop and mellodic tracks Daniel, which is the 2nd most famous track, and Blues For Baby And Me, the dramatic, thematic, suburban songs like Midnight Creeper and Have Mercy On The Criminal, the catchy, beautiful and joyful songs High Flying Bird, Elderberry Wine and Crocodile Rck (one of my personal favorites and the most famous song in this album), the humorous, refreshing tracks like I'm Gonna Be A Teenage Idol and Teacher I Need You, and the exagerated but consistent composition Texan Love Song.

As I said before, Elton's aspirations changed a lot in this album, applying a consistent mixture of popular music with a joyful rock and roll. His piano performance is seen much better in past albums, where he kept piano as the basis of his compositions, but its enjoyable as well. Bernie Taupin lyrics are much more creative and juvenile, leaving deep and melancholic lyrics and entering in this mood, which is certainly one of the aspects that make the 70's Elton's best era. The band performs with dedication and great rythm, leaving the album just as what it is, a bright and stylish album.

In conclussion this album keeps a lot of originality and the start of piano rock and familiar, popular sounds, very comprehensible, fresh and juvenile.

"Never knew me a better time/and I guess I never will".......2007-07-23

This is probably my favorite EJ album, possibly tying Madman Across the Water. There are bits of it I can't really enjoy: two bathetic melodramas (Have Mercy On the Criminal; I'm about to Become a Teenage Idol) almost singlehandedly ruin the album, and while the first half of Blues for My Baby and Me is very entertaining, the sitars just screw the song.
Thankfully, most the rest of this album is top-notched, with a strong sense of humor - take Teacher I Need You, very funny song, and one of the best here. Even Bernie Taupin's nasty misogynist/raging redneck stuff (Elderberry Wine, Texan Love Song) is completely tongue-in-cheek, and should be taken with a grain of salt. And they also make light of (wait for it) a song about a serial killer. No, I'm serious. Midnight Creeper is a funky, horn-driven stomp about a mass murderer. A lot like the Stones' Midnight Rambler, which is why it comes under some criticism, but I could care less.
There were two huge hits from this album, and both of them rank among the best Elton has ever done. Crocodile Rock has got to be my favorite song on this album. A rather annoying friend of a friend of mine (which translates to "an immature perv who I prefer to act like I don't know") once dissed the song, following it up with a crack at Elton's own sexuality. He and I have not spoken since. (which may have more to do with the fact that he's a moron than that we have different musical tastes, I don't know, but this is a stupid aside that shall end... now). The point is, Crocodile Rock is a great feel-good song, and if you're having a bad day, how can you resist smiling to the insane falsetto chorus (that I always thought was a kazoo or synthesizer until another friend of mine, who is NOT a moron, was kind enough to sing it for me because I kept telling her to sing and she kept refusing until Crocodile Rock came on the radio - damn! All these asides! Okay, I swear that was the last one). Oh, and it's catchy as all hell. and it's a lot of fun, and you can dance to it. My favorite EJ song of ALL TIME. A classic!!!!!!!!!
The other big hit was Daniel, and again I love that one. Not as good as Crocodile Rock, but still a pop song par excellence, as most of Elton's work tends to be. The melody is GREAT, and the mellotron is too. Very touching song. Love it!
So yeah, get rid of either of the stupid orchestral melodramas and this is a five-star record. Piano Player gets snubbed a bit by critics in favor of the self-titled, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Honky Chateau and several others from the era, which is a shame, because it's a great pop album with a sense of humor. And the title's funny. Oh, I almost forgot the uplifting, melodic High Flying Bird - still another strong point.

And root toot shoot myself to fame.......2007-06-12

Elton John jettisoned his past for good the instant "Crocodile Rock" hit the airwaves. With its nod to nostalgia and the la-la-la-la-la falsettoed chorus, the introspection fans of "Your Song" or "Tiny Dancer" had become accustomed to was replaced by flamboyance and high camp. And suddenly, Elton John became a superstar. "Crocodile Rock" went to number one and "Don't Shoot Me..." soon followed to the top of the album charts.

All of this was well deserved. Elton's evolution from the ballad heavy "Elton John" to here had seen continual fine-tuning of his chops and his personality, until the pensive, bearded bard on "Honky Chateau" became the pink suited, wild glasses man wearing platform shoes on the "Don't Shoot Me..." inner sleeve. He'd also expanded his musical vocabulary to the electric blues of "Midnight Creeper" and the goofy pop of "Crocodile Rock" and "Teacher I Need You." (You can bet a young Ben Folds probably had this album in his collection.)

That isn't meant to say that Elton and Bernie Taupin had forsaken their past. The dramatic "Have Mercy On The Criminal" and the lovely "Daniel" both adhere to the formula of Elton's earlier work. Elton's fascination with the American South takes a satiric turn on "Texan Love Song." The combination of styles on "Don't Shoot Me..." hinted at the extravagance to come on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." But even with that masterpiece to come, "Don't Shoot Me..." remains the watershed moment of Elton's early career where his aspirations to stardom caught up with the material he and Taupin were writing...and to listeners around the world.

This is such a good CD, my ten year old listens to it now.......2007-03-02

When a kid that listens to modern pop likes this CD in year 2007,something is VERY right! What's really cool, I once got in trouble at age ten for singing the lyrics to "Teacher I Need You" in school. The old mean lady teacher didn't get it,but I sure did, cuz I was singing about the music instructer...she was hot!
So's this album. Taupin writes lyrics that create perfect mental imagery, and then Elton and band create sonic art that is timeless. Since they have added the other tracks,and Amazon has such a great price on it,you'd have to be crazy not to buy this one.

elton john's don't shoot me..........2007-01-09

This is one of the great rock classic of ej, prior to goobye yellow brickroad. There are a number of good songs which never get much attention, including, high fying bird, elderberry wine, texan love song, & i'm gonna be teenage idol.

Of course there is daniel probably the most popular song in this album.

This album is a must for collectors of ej's songs.

Average customer rating:

Excelent CD!
baby come back; player
From a BIG Player fan.
Well, ONE Great Song...
What Hits?

Baby Come Back: The Best of Player
Player
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00000DLWP
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Tracks:

Baby Come Back
This Time I'm In It For Love
Melanie
Prisoner Of Your Love
I've Been Thinking
Wait Until Tomorrow
Givin' It All
Who Do You Think You Are?
It's For You
Bad News Travels Fast
If Looks Could Kill
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
It Only Hurts When I Breathe
Beautiful Love
Footprints In The Sand

Customer Reviews:

Excelent CD!.......2007-04-15

I was surprise with this Cd. It has MANY very beautiful songs!! I recomende it! Love It!

baby come back; player.......2007-02-02

i remember these guys from the 80's and i'm glad i could still find a copy of some of their best tunes. this is a good cd.

From a BIG Player fan........2005-09-27

I want to start my review of this CD by saying up front that I consider Player one of my favorite bands ever.Over course of many years they have managed five albums (Four from the late 70's early 80's version of the band and one from 1996 by core members Peter Beckett and Ron Moss).Each album contains a wealth of great songs played by really impressive musicians.

This CD is an excellent compilation of songs and covers all five albums.All of their albums have been released on CD (either here in the US or as imports). I recommend this set for anyone looking for an overview of the band.
NOTE: Check out my review of the Ron Moss solo album which is produced and arranged by Peter Beckett. I consider this another Player album.

Well, ONE Great Song..........2004-09-06

"This Time I'm In It For Love" is one terrific tune, and you can get the full version here. It's worth it, if you love the song. If not...well, these guys get old really, really quickly.

What Hits?.......2003-05-13

Maybe I missed something way back when but I only remember the one song "Baby Come Back" and I thought that was by Firefall(silly me). So what are all these other songs about? Seems to me a CD single would have covered the entire greatest hits collection of Player.

The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get

Average customer rating:

received and pleased
Brings Back Memories
The Smoker You Drink, the Player you Get
Just Like The Old Days................
The listen you more, the like it you are...

The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get
Joe Walsh
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002PC9
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Rocky Mountain Way
Book Ends
Wolf
Midnight Moodies
Happy Ways
Meadows
Dreams
Days Gone By
Daydream (Prayer)

Customer Reviews:

received and pleased.......2007-05-30

The purchased cd arrived as stated brand new and fully sealed.I have purchased other cd's through Amazon and their branches so I was expecting to receive it a a lot quicker than I did.Nevertheless I was pleased with the service and realise that living in Australia you can't expect to receive goods at the same speed each time.

Brings Back Memories.......2007-05-12

I had this back in the 70's and it still is a favorite. I play it all the time and can see now where I developed a love for a blend of rock & roll and jazz mix. This recording has both. Great music from Joe Walsh and his crew.

The Smoker You Drink, the Player you Get.......2007-01-15

I wore this album out when it was in vinyl. I remember having to put pennies on the stylus so the needle wouldn't jump or skip. When I went to replace it on cassette, this album went out of print and later re-emerged without the songs on it that were written by Joe Vitale or Kenny Passarelli. I guess that was after Kenny left the band. Anyway, this is a great album that spans a wide type of songs, from rock and roll classics of course (Rocky Mtn Way and Meadows) to soft songs like Prayer. Midnight Moodies reminds me of jazz. Happy Ways is one of the bass player's songs that sounds great-very original and fun to listen to. Joe's next album, "So What" was also a great album. I would place both of these as essential for Joe Walsh fans and 70's rock fans alike. Barnstorm is more for just Joe Walsh fans but is a great album too. With all the different types of songs on it, this album is true album rock and to me is kind of a musical journey that you don't get from a lot of contemporary albums.

Just Like The Old Days.......................2006-08-12

It Takes you back to a simpler time in the early seventies.From Joe's opening screams on "Meadows", to his guitar screams on "Rocky Mountain Way".......It brings back great times..Well worth the investment

The listen you more, the like it you are..........2006-08-03

As a long time Joe Walsh/James Gang fan, this is a disc that I never got around to picking up. Better late than never. It's chocked full of great tunes, even the ones that don't get played on the radio are pure joy to listen to. Lots of ear candy.

Average customer rating:

Picasso in sound
Great but NOT complete
There's only one.
Don't forget Satie was an Anti-Romantic
"Electric Spirit of Eric Satie" fans this is the one !

Satie: Piano Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Satie: Gymnopédies No1-3; Gnossiennes No1-6
The Magic of Satie

ASIN: B000002SBP
Release Date: 1992-01-23

Tracks:

Oeuvres Pour Piano: Gymnopedie I
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Gymnopedie II
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Gymnopedie III
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Les Trois Valses distingu du preux dI: Sa taille
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II: Son binocle
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III: Ses jambes
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Gnossiennes: I Lent
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II Avec nnement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III Lent
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Gnossiennes: IV Lent
Oeuvres Pour Piano: V Mod
Oeuvres Pour Piano: VI Avec conviction et avec une tristesse rigoureuse
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Mouvements en forme de poire, uatre mains: Mani de commencement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Prolongation du m
Oeuvres Pour Piano: I
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III
Oeuvres Pour Piano: En plus
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Redite
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Croquis et agaceries d'un gros bonhomme en bois: I Tyrolienne turque
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II Danse maigre (a mani de ces messieurs)
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III Espa (Sorte de valse)
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Sonatine bureaucratique
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Trois Nocturnes: I Doux et calme
Oeuvres Pour Piano: II Simplement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: III Un peu mouvement
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Premi penset sonneries de la Rose Croix: Air de ldre
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Air du Grand Maitre
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Air du Grand Prieur
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Le Fils des oiles: Prde du 1er acte: la Vocation
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Prde du IIe acte: l'Initiation
Oeuvres Pour Piano: Prde du IIIe acte: l'Incantation

Tracks:

Jack In The Box: Prelude
Jack In The Box: Entracte
Jack In The Box: Final
Sports et Divertissements: Choral inappetissant
Sports et Divertissements: La Balanre
Sports et Divertissements: La Chasse
Sports et Divertissements: La Come italienne
Sports et Divertissements: Le Ril de la Mari
Sports et Divertissements: Colin-Maillard
Sports et Divertissements: La Pe
Sports et Divertissements: Le Yachting
Sports et Divertissements: Le Bain de mer
Sports et Divertissements: Le Carnaval
Sports et Divertissements: Le Golf
Sports et Divertissements: La Pieuvre
Sports et Divertissements: Les Courses
Sports et Divertissements: Les Quatre-Coins
Sports et Divertissements: Le pique-nique
Sports et Divertissements: Le Water-chute
Sports et Divertissements: Le Tango
Sports et Divertissements: Le Traau
Sports et Divertissements: Le Flirt
Sports et Divertissements: Le Feu d'artifice
Sports et Divertissements: Le Tennis
Oeuvres Pour Piano: I D'Holothurie
Embryons desseches: II D'Edriophtalma
Embryons desseches: III De Podophtalma
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): I Voix d'interieur
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): II. Idylle cynique
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): III. Chanson canine
Preludes flasques (pour un chien): IV. Avec camaraderie
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): I Choral
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): II Fugue litanique
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): III Autre chose
En habit de cheval (a 4 mains): IV Fugue de papier
Apercus desagreables: I Pastorale
Apercus desagreables: II Choral
Apercus desagreables: III Fugue
Descriptions automatiques: I Sur un vaisseau
Descriptions automatiques: II Sur une lanterne
Descriptions automatiques: III Sur un casque
3 Petites pieces montees (a 4 mains): De l'enfance de Pantagruel (Reverie)
3 Petites pieces montees (a 4 mains): Marche de Cocagne (Demarche)
3 Petites pieces montees (a 4 mains): Jeux de Gargantua (Coin de Polka)
Peccadilles importunes: Etre jaloux de son camarade qui a une grosse tete
Peccadilles importunes: Lui manger sa tartine
Peccadilles importunes: Profiter de ce qu'il a des cors aux pieds pour lui voler son cerceau
Pieces froides - No. 1 Airs a faire fuir: I D'une maniere particuliere
Pieces froides - No. 1 Airs a faire fuir: II Modestement
Pieces froides - No. 1 Airs a faire fuir: III S'inviter
Pieces froides - No. 2 Danses de travers: I En y regardant par deux fois
Pieces froides - No. 2 Danses de travers: II Passer
Pieces froides - No. 2 Danses de travers: III Encore
La Belle Excentrique: I Grande ritournelle
La Belle Excentrique: II Marche franco-lunaire
La Belle Excentrique: III Valse du 'Mysterieux baiser dans l'oeil'
La Belle Excentrique: IV Can-can grand-mondain
3 Sarabandes: No. 1
3 Sarabandes: No. 2
3 Sarabandes: No. 3

Amazon.com

It's simple: in his various realizations of the piano music of Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini set a standard that has yet to be bettered. This compilation, drawn from recordings made between 1966 and 1971, is consequently the best of the best. Ciccolini always played Satie's music as though it had been written by Claude Debussy, not by some cheap charlatan or uneducated primitive (which, to an extent that is still debatable, Satie was). The result is that these seemingly simple piano pieces acquire a tonal allure that is as surprising as it is undeniable. They possess an understated sophistication that points directly toward Ravel and Poulenc, at the same time providing an opening to the minimalist aesthetic of the later 20th century. Ciccolini's playing is pliant and graceful, and under his fingers the music seems to breathe and come alive. What more could a composer or a listener want? --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Picasso in sound.......2006-02-19

Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Eric Satie were drinking buddies; it shouldn't be surprising that their work, though in different media, should bear striking similarities. This CD set replaces a very badly abused vinyl recording from the 1960s. No one plays Satie like Aldo Ciccolini. I do wish the Parade had been included, Satie wrote the music, Cocteau the libretto and Picasso did the sets and costumes-Satie's only ballet. Of course, the circa 1910 audience walked out. It's the story of an out-of-work ballet company that goes out onto the streets of Paris to try to get customers to come inside. The customers are stereotypes like the American in a cowboy outfit who adds the sound of this six gun to the music and the secretary who types through the encounter. The back wall of the theater was covered with Picasso designed neon signs flashing in bright colors throughout the performance. Across the front of the stage he'd strung acetate on which were playing street scenes of Paris from three cameras-red, blue and green. The men were way, way ahead of their times.

Great but NOT complete.......2004-12-23

Please note that this collection does NOT contain Erik Satie's complete works for piano. The collection makes no such claim, but at 5 CDs, some may assume it to be complete and none of the other reviews to date mention this. I am too lazy to do the research to come up with a complete list, but offhand I know that these songs are missing - "Je Te Veux", "Fantaisie-Valse" and "Valse-Ballet". These 3 are among my favorite Satie pieces, so yes, I think the collection is diminished somewhat by their absence.

Aldo Ciccolini always has been the greatest interpreter of Satie's work for piano. Ciccolini has a feel for Satie that no one else does, although I have to admit that I prefer a faster tempo to "Poudre D'Or" than the slower, introspective tempo Ciccolini always uses, but that's only a small matter of personal preference. These recordings were originally made in 1967 and 1971 and the sound quality is excellent. At the dawn of the CD era at various sessions from 1983-1986, Ciccolini recorded Satie's complete works for piano on EMI on 5 CDs. They are currently out of print in America, with the exception of one compilation CD (also available at Amazon at the time of writing) with Gabriel Tacchino playing the 2nd piano on the pieces for 2 pianos. Ciccolini was overdubbed playing the 2nd piano on the original recordings in this review. I have a slight preference for the later recordings, but many seem to prefer these originals. You can't go wrong with these, just understand that they are not complete and the missing songs are among Satie's best.

There's only one........2004-06-26

If you're reading this, you've already heard Satie's music, so I needn't to go into that. I do want to say that this is the only recording of Satie that is worth hearing. Ciccolini is the only foot that will fit the Satie glass slipper. Don't waste your money on the ugly step-sisters.

Don't forget Satie was an Anti-Romantic.......2002-02-25

No one could deny that setting every disperse music in a unique album is a remarkable job. But I didn't like much the approach of Ciccolini, which I knew around 1975 while getting borrowed the vinyl LPs in the Embassy of France in Buenos Aires. Now I'd like to explain to whom it may concern why do I feel that way.
Satie was an anti-romantic composer, at the point of creating the "furniture-music" (musique d'ameublement) which refuses that music could be so expressive as romantics wanted. Other ones clasifies him as a "Surrealist" composer (anti-romantic movement too), but there are no signs of dreams of unconsciousness through his work. Since that point of view you could play Satie's music anyway but expressively. Satie wasn't Debussy, besides the fact that they knew personally and admire each other. Could you play Debussy in a plain style without damage?. I don't think so, because Satie was farther of expressive tradition than Debussy: we can say that Debussy is a spirit of the XIX Century while Satie is a precursor of the XXth. Remember his own words: "I came to the world too young in a time too old".
The best performance I heard of the piano work of our composer was in charge of Jacques Fevrier on the excelent album called "Monsieur Erik Satie", with such a "sideman" as another member of the group of six as Georges Auric for the 4 hands pieces.
I wave goodbye with a great embrace to all Satie's fans.

"Electric Spirit of Eric Satie" fans this is the one !.......2001-08-17

Fans of "The Electronic Spirit of Eric Satie" will immediately recognize Aldo Ciccolini as one of the few musicians in touch with the true "Satie" style. The selections correspond to "Electric Spirit" ; except, performed as a good piano solo. The piano recording is done so well it's better than most orchestral versions. It sounds very much like "Electric Spirit" without orchestration nor electronic "boops" and "beeps"-- just a good piano. It's really just as funny and powerful; and here it has a class act. This performance is a rare find !

Average customer rating:

Simply Gorgeous !

Adagio: A Windham Hill Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | New Age | Styles | Music

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General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

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Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000089YAX
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

Air 'On The String' - Philippe Saisse
Ave Maria - Paul McCandless
Arioso - Tracy Silverman
Nocturne - Steve Erquiaga
Sarabande - Paul Schwartz
Intermezzo No.6 - David Benoit
Adagio - Brian Dunning
Adagio - Patrick O'Hearn
Prelude In C-Sharp Minor - Edgar Meyer
Adagio - Richard Schonherz
Adagio For Strings - Philip Aaberg
Largo - Tim Story

Amazon.com

Adagio follows in the rosin-dusted footsteps of The Impressionists, A Different Mozart, and A Different Prelude. As with those releases, it was produced by Dawn Atkinson and features many of the same artists. The results are as varied as the musicians. Violinist Tracy Silverman cuts one of his patented echo-delayed pizzicato violin arrangements of a Bach arioso, while Patrick O'Hearn drapes a somber keyboard shroud around the Adagio from Rodrigo's Fantasy for a Gentleman. Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning find the Celtic air in the Adagio from Handel's Sonata in G, while Philip Aaberg discovers infinity between the notes of Barber's ubiquitous Adagio for Strings. He stretches the melody across his piano in finely drawn lines, subtlety filled out with synthesizer undertones. Subtlety is a casualty on Philipe Saisse's bongos, bells, and synth arrangement of Bach's Air on a G String. It's also sacrificed in a corny confection of Handel's Sarabande by Paul Schwartz. His ham-fisted electronic keyboards would've sounded dated even before Switched-On Bach. But Adagio features plenty of musicians who are willing to surrender themselves to their elegiac themes, including guitarist Steve Erquiaga, Mike Marshall, and Edgar Meyers. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Simply Gorgeous !.......2003-10-05

This is the first Windham Hill compilation I've purchased in a long, long time, and I am thrilled with the music.
The artistry is stunning, the artists bring themselves to the music while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the original piece.
My favorite is Grieg's Nocturne, arranged and performed by Steve Erquiaga. I have been in love with his music from the moment
I heard his CD "Cafe Paradiso" (Imaginary road Records). It is absolutely stunning!
When I saw that he was on "Adagio" I went for it. I'm so happy that I did ...
Other hightlights for me are Philip Aaberg's "Adagio for Strings", Tracy Silverman's "Arioso" ..... they're all beautiful.
Thank You for this wonderful music.

Average customer rating:

Innovative music
Slop from a slapper
HO HUM --- REALLY NOT INTERESTING AT ALL
Classical With a Twist
Highly Listenable

Vanessa-Mae The Violin Player

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002SKU
Release Date: 1998-10-30

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Contradanza
Classical Gas
Theme From 'Caravans'
Warm Air
Jazz Will Eat Itself
Widescreen
Tequila Mockingbird
City Theme
Red Hot

Customer Reviews:

Innovative music.......2007-06-03

I have been listening to such contemporary artists as Bond, Yanni, Taleinsin Orchestra,... so I am not a new comer to contemporary fusion classical music. If I had listened to this CD when it first came out almost 10 years ago, I would probably have given it a 5. I am only giving it a four now (maybe a 3.5?) because there are simply other better albums out there - most of the songs here are more classically influenced than its purported to be. Also, while Vanessa-Mae is an accomplished violinist, she is not the most spectacular violnist. At times, she lackes the energy to propell her music to the next level. However, all in all, an enjoyable album, although nothing ground-breaking.

Slop from a slapper.......2005-03-01

This terrible and dull album launched the career of Über-nothing violinist, Vanessa Mae.

It is hard to describe the depth of the level to which this album stoops to be "popular". Low brow? You bet! Exploitative? Oh yeah! Dumbed down Classical Music? Well, that's what we've got here!

Value of this album? Hard to say. I am sure that Vanessa's parents and agent are happy with this prosaic product.

Very dumbed down dumb music - for the legions of philistines and musically naive of the world.

In one word, a "dud".

HO HUM --- REALLY NOT INTERESTING AT ALL.......2003-07-11

As violin technique goes, there is not much here in evidence to get all fired up about. She is an adequete violinist who does just fine with the material she is given, but the only people who are going to think that she is a violinist for the ages are people who don't know anything about violin playing.

That being said, this album had the potential to be interesting, except that the arrangements of Mike Batt are about as flat as one can get. This album seems to be more about Mike Batt's ego than about Vanessa Mae, as Mike perform, conducts, composes & produces practically every piece. This would be fine if the end product was remotely interesting, but of it sounds like it should be background music. The Bach arrangement, with gratuitous techno-pop flourishes thrown in at every opportunity, just bogs down in an effort to be "innovative." Most of Batt's compositions leave no impression whatsoever.

Any lunatic who puts this crossover album in the classical category truly needs to go back to Music Appreciation 101, to be reminded of what classical music is. File this one in the Fluffy Boring Pop category and forget about it.

Classical With a Twist.......2003-07-01

The first notes of Vanessa Mae's The Violin Player sound like a dramatic beginning to a classical composition, but it's not. This album in fact is anything but traditional classical. It's unique, creative, energetic and alive and I give Vanessa props for being brave enough to come out with it. It's hard to be different. The fact that Vanessa did make the music and did it so well says that she's a true artist, something sadly lacking in a world where technical mastery is considered more important than artistic invention. This is a fantastic, fun album that you'll want to listen to again and again, the music hitting something within you and bringing all sorts of energy you didn't know you had bubbling to the surface. If you won't buy it for that reason, then buy it for it's historical significance. It's already plain to me, Vanessa Mae with this album changed the one sided face of classical music forever.

Highly Listenable.......2002-11-13

Let's get this straight upfront: Vanessa Mae is a good violin player, but I've heard plenty better in the classical world today. You buy this CD not for Mae's technique as a violinist (frankly, I'd give her just a 6 or 7 out of 10), but for her innovation - her ground-breaking album that blends the old-style classical music with pop/techno/jazz, and gives that genre of music (which had there for a while even before Mae) the kind of visibility that it did not use to have. This album is novel and upbeat, and is highly listenable both to people who like classical music and those who find it intimdating (or boring). Would especially recommend this to people in their 20s and 30s.

Average customer rating:

Incredible!
Greatest Bar Band Ever?
A bit flawed but enjoyable cd
Till we have built Jerusalem......
LP

Long Player
Faces
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Nod is As Good As a Wink to a Blind Horse
Ooh La La
First Step
Gasoline Alley
Never a Dull Moment

ASIN: B000002KBG
Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

Bad 'N' Ruin
Tell Everyone
Sweet Lady Mary
Richmond
Maybe I'm Amazed
Had Me A Real Good Time
On The Beach
I Feel So Good
Jerusalem

Customer Reviews:

Incredible!.......2006-12-05

I remember seeing this album in the bargain bin in the early 1990's and seeing Ron Wood, I thought it might be good, but was perplexed as to what the hell Rod Stewart was doing there. When I played "Bad N Ruin," I was blown away. It is easily one of the greatest hard rock/rock n roll songs of all time. I then ventured into more Rod Stewart and Faces albums from 1969-1972. Yes, he was that good. Yes, he sucks now. But, to his credit, he did leave a lot of great music in those brief four years (four Faces albums and four solo albums). I recommend getting all eight (and Jeff Beck's truth). Had they continued in this style, I am fully confident they would have eclipsed the mighty Stones.

Greatest Bar Band Ever?.......2006-11-18

The Faces were sloppy. The party obviously followed them off stage and into the recording studio. Thank God.

"Long Player" may not be their best album, but who cares. Bluesy licks? Got it. Hammond organ? Got it? Rod Stewart back when he was ROD F'N STEWART? Got it. Ronnie Wood before he was a marginalized sidekick? Got it.

Buy. Listen. Enjoy.

A bit flawed but enjoyable cd.......2006-07-17

After their first album went mostly unnoticed by critics and public alike, Faces began to tour heavily and their popularity soared. This is when they went into the studio to record their second album, Long Player. An uneven affair but it's got its charm.

The first track, Bad'n'Ruin, is a midtempo rocker, not as loud as the ones that open their next (and last) two albums. It's a good song with some room for Kenny Jones, Ian McLagan and Ronnie Wood to show off.

Tell Everyone is one of the best ballads ever, written by Lane though it's Rod Stewart who sings it. Over a simple drum beat and piano and soft guitar Rod sings a lyric about love and waking up with your loved one beside you.. While not a very original lyric, the musical landscape actually makes it a gorgeous song.

Sweet Lady Mary is a country/folk song, similar to some stuff to be found in Stewart's discography back then. Kenny Jones doesn't play on this one. The music here is Hammond organ, acoustic guitar and pedal steel guitar. Rod sings it one more time.

Richmond is an acoustic blues song, only feauting its writer - Ronnie Lane. Another gorgeous song. One wonders where all these people would have been were it not for the great bluesmen.

Maybe I'm Amazed is a Paul McCartney song, recorded live in New York, that puts the original to shame. Here Lane and Stewart share lead vocals.

Had Me A Real Good Time is another of the few rockers to grace this album. I dig it but feels uncomplete despite its almost 6 minutes running time. A guitar solo would sure have helped. Instead we have the only appearance of a horn section in a Faces album, something we can all be grateful for.

On The Beach is the only turkey on the cd. The vocals are barely audible and if this made the album it shows the band were not on top of their creativity. I guess nobody would miss this song if it wasn't included.

The other live cut is a rousing cover of Big Bill Broonzy's I Feel So Good. Good version, with plenty of room for McLagan and Wood's solos. I enjoy the audience participation, directed by Rod Stewart.

The closing track, an instrumental version of Jerusalem, is another solo effort, this time by Ronnie Wood. A nice performance.

In a nutshell: a somewhat uneven album but enjoyable, as usual with Faces.

Till we have built Jerusalem.............2004-10-13

The Faces' second album from 1971 is better than their somewhat unfocused debut album, and almost on par with 1972's "A Nod Is As Good As A Wink...To A Blind Horse".

It's a little bit of a mixed bag, with two live numbers, some hard rock, and a couple of tender ballads. Rod Stewart sings one of them, the charming "Tell Everyone", and Ronnie Lane takes a lead vocal on the other, the country-ish "Richmond", but both of them are penned by Lane, the band's excellent "ballad writer".
A live rendition of Big Bill Broonzy's "I Feel So Good" is good but much too long at almost nine minutes, but the other live number, a gritty take on Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" is really great, as is the folkish "Sweet Lady Mary" and the delightful, tough rocker "Had Me A Real Good Time".
"Long Player" is a bit of a sloppy affair, and it does have a couple of weak moments, but it still captures what the Faces were all about, from the opening riff-rocker "Bad 'N' Ruin" to the closing instrumental, Ronnie Wood's rendition of Sir Henry Wood's "Jerusalem".
3 3/4 stars. Nice.

LP.......2004-08-27

In this album you generally confront pieces of songs not as slow as blues rock and not as fast as RnR. This album is mature. They sound slower in this album relative to their ''OOH LA LA''album.Stewart opens the stage with 'Bad 'n' Ruin'. A rocker.Listen to this song and see what rock music is. In 'Sweet Lady Mary', you hear no drums, just vocals and the electric guitar 'Sweet Lady Mary' is an example of folk rock number. 'Maybe I'm Amazed' is the magnificient Paul McCartney cover. I do not have the original, but the cover is very well sung by Stewart. I should say as ''FACES'', everyone does his part very well. It is known that they have had great impact on the later coming punk groups' playing styles. 'Had Me A Real Good Time' seems to be a rock and roll piece. It makes you dance, it is catchy, rhythmic. A saxophone is used in this one(towards the end). Usage of saxophone takes this to the jazzy side. For my part i do not prefer anything other than the guitars(all), the bass guitars and the drum(s). Sometimes Not even the keyboard(one should listen to Bruce Springsteen's BORN TO RUN album-'night','backstreets' to feel keyboard along organ). 'I Feel So Good' is a bluesy Willie Broonzy cover. Let me tell you the story behind buying this album: One day i asked to my aunt's husband, Lutfi Can, to come with me down to the store and choose a rocker(he is in his 50's and he is a real rock listener) He chose this one, i was very new to rock those times(in 1998), i listened to the cd and said to myself:'This is horrible'. But time passed i listened over and over to get the appreciation. At the end, i was thanking God that i owned this album.

Average customer rating:

Marvellous!!A delicious recording!!!
Rock guitarist turned lutanist

Portrait

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Weiss: Sonatas for Lute, Volume 1
Dowland: Complete Lute Works, Vol.1-5

ASIN: B00004SCUK
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

Sir John Smith His Almain
Forlorne Hope Fancye
(Pavan)
La Jota
Cumbees
Piva
Emporer Of The Moon
La Battaglia (Jannequin)
Voglio di vita uscir'
(A Jig)
The Earl Of Essex Galliard
The Right Honourable
Aria: Come La Rondinella
Greene-Sleeves
The Glory Of The West
The Queen's Jigg
Fantasia
Sarabrand (sic)
Go From My Windoe
Toccata 2a, For Chitarrone
Hor che gli augelli
Je ne seray jamais bergere

Customer Reviews:

Marvellous!!A delicious recording!!!.......2004-10-01

O`Dette! The lutanist that would become popular in Dowlands time! he seems to me like a Leonhardt on lute.I find the lute no less expressive and enchanting than harpsichord or piano when I listen to Mr O`Dette

Rock guitarist turned lutanist.......2002-08-05

I listen to this album over and over and never get tired of it. O'Dette's interpretations keep sounding fresh and alive, perhaps because of his rock background. This was the popular music of the time and he plays it that way. There's no dusty mustiness of age hanging over it.

Tracks:

Sharon
The Holdup (Live)
Mr. Bojangles (Live)
Suffer To Sing The Blues
Mr. Blue
The Joke's On Me
Sammy's Song
Yankee's Revenge: Leather Britches/The Red-Haired Boy/Teetotaler's Reel...
Wallflower
Statesboro Blues/Church Bell Blues
Nobody's
The Main Street Moan
I Like To Sleep Late In The Morning
Dehlia (Live)
The Holdup

Customer Reviews:

Bromberg rules.......2003-04-20

I first became aware of David Bromberg when he guested on a summer replacement series hosted by the late Bobby Darin in the early 70's. Here was this amazing musician with the unusal face and unusal voice to match. But could he play! I proceeded to see him in concert dozens of times since that day and anticipated each album release. I started my own band, named it the SOUL REVIEW after a comment of David's at the start of his first COLUMBIA RECORDS album. We played several of Bromberg's songs.
Hearing this album brought all of that back to me...and then some. It made me wonder....where is David Bromberg now? David if you stumble on this review....I would love to talk with you.

Folky, Funky Fun.......2003-02-26

David Bromberg is one of those musicians that is tough to pigeonhole. His gumbo recipe consists of a touch of blues, a dab of funk,a dollop of old timey folk, with an off-kilter, slightly out-of-tune delivery thrown in for lagniappe . He's hung around the periphery of the music scene for quite a while now. With his unique blend of sardonic, off-the-wall wit and masterful song-styling, his has always been a distinctive voice in the cookie cutter landscape of contemporary music. Best known for his rendition of the Jerry Jeff Walker classic, "Mr. Bojangles," he's never been a big success commercially, but has always been one of those performers who truly deserve wider exposure.

For Bromberg fans, this CD will be familiar territory, as is the case with all "best-of" compendiums. As retrospectives go, however, this is particularly well produced, both in terms of sound quality and song selection. It provides as good an overview of a long and productive career as a 15 song CD can achieve. There are a few songs left off the album that I personally would have liked to have seen included in a true "retrospective," however. Bromberg's 1977 recording of "Child's Song," off his Reckless Abandon album, for instance, is the most bittersweet and poignant rendition of that song I've ever heard. Also missing: "Send me to the L'Ectric Chair" (1974, Wanted Dead or Alive), "Joke's on Me," (1975, Midnight on the Water), "Sweet Home Chicago" (1976, How Late'l Ya Play 'Til?). His '77 best-of release, Out of the Blues: Best of David Bromberg, is another possibility for getting a taste of his earlier recordings, but what is truly needed is a two or even three CD disc (Rhino Records style), to present a true compendium of this singer/songwriter's prolific career. Hopefully, fans will be rewarded with something of the sort in the not too distant future.

I know I ain't good lookin...........2001-07-29

Retrospective is an apt title for this collection, as it is not what I would call the "best" of Bromberg...of course, someone out there might. Most of these songs, though, are killers: Dehlia is incredibly heartfelt and honest without smacking of nerdy technicality (as some white "folkies" can). Sharon is great to crank up when the wife is out... Mr. Bojangles is transformed miraculously from cliche' to poetry...But why why WHY put sappy tunes on like the annoying Mr. Blue when there is so much better Bromberg stuff out there??? I would get either one of the "How Late'll Ya Play Till?" disks for a more consistently blissful Bromberg experience.

Miss the Mississippi and David.......2001-05-27

I remember crossing the Mississippi a long time ago & hearing the version of Mr Bojangles included on this cd. It must have been some rogue folk station, but it was such a strong impression that when I heard it on this release I sat back in wonder. I saw Bromberg after crossing west that year. He walked out on stage, sat down like you would in someone's parlor, and tore into Don't Let Your Deal Go Down. I am beginning to regard Bromberg as the J.D. Salinger of folk/blues/rock (ie. no category) creating great music out of the loop. Hopefully, we get to hear it someday.

I never get tired of listening to Bromberg.......2000-12-23

I've been listening to David Bromberg for 30 years & I never get tired of him. From concerts in Syracuse & Ithaca New York in the 70's & old albums through the 80's & now via CD's. Treat yourself to one of the best!

Average customer rating:

RICHARD SHINDELL'S "COURIER" - A TRIUMPHANT TROUBADOR
Captures Richard Live!
Check this out "Laid Back" folks!
Shindell's best work to date
Richard WHO?

Courier
Richard Shindell
Manufacturer: Signature Sounds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005Y1TX
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

The Courier
Memory Of You
Next Best Western
Willin
The Kenworth Of My Dreams
Arrowhead
Reunion Hill
Nora
A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress
On A Sea Of Fleur De Lis
The Ballad Of Mary Magdalen
Are You Happy Now?
Transit
Fourth Of July, Asbury Park

Amazon.com

These live recordings find the seminarian-turned-new-folkie in his element: playing before an attentive, enthusiastic audience in his native New Jersey and New York, spinning mythic stories of fateful battlefields, haunted truckers, and visionary saints and lovers alike. Fronting an easygoing band of expert pickers, Richard Shindell turns in surprisingly solid covers of Little Feat and Bruce Springsteen tunes. Cry, Cry, Cry partner Lucy Kaplansky wraps Shindell's nasal, sinewy delivery in subtle harmonies, pushing the best of these songs, including "Next Best Western" and his finest, most poignant take on relationships, "Are You Happy Now," past previously recorded versions. As an introduction to Shindell's spiritual lyricism and as a live document for longtime fans, Courier is a cache of reflective, gently glowing gems. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

RICHARD SHINDELL'S "COURIER" - A TRIUMPHANT TROUBADOR.......2007-03-27

Few artists can successfully translate the strength and intimacy of a live performance onto a CD, but Richard Shindell is just the sort of rare singer/songwriter who does just that. His CD, titled "COURIER" was recorded live in New York and New Jersey, and the excitement of those performances is beautifully captured on this album. The CD opens with the title track "COURIER"-a strong foksy work told in the typical Shindell style of first person narrative. With such an impressive work as the number one track, some might worry that the rest of the CD may pale in comparison.On the contrary, it continues to get better and better with each passing song. Not only is Shindell's voice rich and expressive, but his writing is so insightful that one is reminded of other greats like Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman. His themes are serious-lost love (as told in "Memory of You" and "Nora",), War (as exhibited in the magnificent "Reunion Hill") and Prejudice ( in the song "Fishing"). Yet, Shindell's keen sense of humor helps to keep the work from being too mired down in the maudlin. For instance, in his crowd-pleasing "Are You Happy Now", he speaks about his lover who abandoned him on, of all days, Halloween. He writes "What was I supposed to do/But to sit there in the dark/ I was amazed to think that you/ took the candy with you too". By laughing through his pain, Shindell's angst becomes more powerful without being overpowering. Richard Shindell is an engaging performer with a rock-solid voice that is nothing short of mesmerizing, yet his greater talent is his writing. He weaves such intricate tales in a few perfectly chosen words...a true poet, as witnessed in such Shindell classics as "The Next Best Western" and "A Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress", that it is little wonder that Richard Shindell's work has become a staple on other's recordings, most notably Joan Baez, whose covers of "Reunion Hill" and "Fishing" truly bring out the genius of the work. On "COURIER", Richard Shindell is blessed with some fine back up musicians and singers, including John Putnam on guitar, Denny McDermott on drums, Lincoln Schleifer on bass, and the ethereal Lucy Kaplansky lending her lilting country folk voice as a perfect foil to Shindell's powerful tones. There are no missteps on this recording...only brilliant writing in the true folk tradition, presented in a straight-on manner that is certain to please.

Captures Richard Live!.......2005-11-28

Most songs are quite brilliant. "Courier," "Transit," "Reunion Hill," and "Ballad of Mary Magdalen," are the best. Even a couple of trucker songs in there done very well, like "Next Best Western." This CD gives one an excellent feel for what a live show is like.

If you get a chance, read his bio on the [...] He has quite an interesting history.
He was going to be a priest, but apparently found songwriting more interesting and more "his calling." He is still a very spiritual man and it shows through in his intelligently crafted music.

Check this out "Laid Back" folks!.......2005-03-29

This is a really clean, tight nit live performance by Mr. Shindell. A couple of the tracks sound somewhat familiar but it's overall variety and tone is really nice. A real asset for a late night run down the interstate. Good stuff I must say!!!

Shindell's best work to date .......2005-01-11

I loved Richard Shindell in the "Cry Cry Cry" project with Lucy Kaplansky and Dar Williams, and the cover of his "Reunion Hill" as done by Joan Baez is as magnificent and stirring as anything you'll hear. But I've found his voice slightly nasal for my tastes, and the recordings (even his solo performances) a bit dry compared with his always stellar songwriting.

Until this.

I listen to this album when I want to feel life deeply. It's a live album without chatter between songs, which really works for me, his voice and songwriting meeting in blissful marriage. The Civil War ballad "Arrowhead" thoughtfully explores the "glamour" of war vs. its reality; the relationship song "Are You Happy Now?" is poignant AND fall-down funny; "The Ballad of Mary Magdalen" has special longing from the male voice as compared with the Cry Cry Cry version. Nice to hear Lucy backing him him up on some of the tracks. And special notice to the spiritual, surrealistic revenge fantasy "Transit," which always gives me chills (in an uplifting way).

Tasteful covers of "Willin'" and "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" round out this altogether spectacular offering.

Richard WHO?.......2004-12-17

Why are all the great artists of my time so obscure that when you mention them most people don't know who you're talking about? I guess we just have to look at who just got re-elected President to see the lack of judgment of the American public. The all DO know who Jessica Simpson is though.

This is a magnificent CD from beginning to end. Shindell's songs are brilliant, and his vocals are passionate and moving. "The Next Best Western," "Reunion Hill" and "The Ballad of Mary Magdalen" are probably the most intensely PERFECT songs on this CD, but it's difficult to say that anything on this Cd is a "stand-out." Every song is a "stand-out."

Music:

Music

music

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