Can't Stop the Rock [Explicit Lyrics]

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. What the Fuck's Going On!

3. Crank This Shit Up - DJ Kizzy Rock, DJ Smurf

4. Yeah, Shawty, Yeah (Shake It Shawty)

5. Work Dat Thang (Girl) - DJ Kizzy Rock,

6. Bounce It Y'all - DJ Kizzy Rock, Total Kaos

7. Shake Ya Hips - DJ Kizzy Rock, Splack Pack

8. Wkiz Radio 107.3 FM

9. Let Me See U Ride - DJ Kizzy Rock, DJ Smurf

10. Can't Stop the Rock - DJ Kizzy Rock, DJ Smurf

11. Bounce That Shit

12. Ballin' Prelude

13. Ballin'

14. Spotlight - DJ Kizzy Rock,

15. Luv Dis Game - DJ Kizzy Rock, Mr. Ku,

16. Famous Amos

17. Eastside Connection

18. It's Like That - DJ Kizzy Rock,

19. Can't Stop the Rock [Remix][*]

20. Do It, Do It [*] - DJ Kizzy Rock,

Can't Stop the Rock,DJ Kizzy Rock,Ichiban Old Indie,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Average customer rating:

Jackpot
Landmark Ska
Non Stop Fun!
This IS the orginal complete album
Ska done right - this album is so addictive!!!

I Just Can't Stop It
The English Beat
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Special Beat Service
Wha'ppen?
Specials
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All the Rage

ASIN: B000021XS8
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

Mirror in the Bathroom
Hands Off...She's Mine
Two Swords
Twist and Crawl
Rough Rider
Click Click
Big Shot
Whine & Grine/Stand Down Margaret
Noise in This World
Can't Get Used To Losing You
Best Friend
Jackpot

Customer Reviews:

Jackpot.......2007-05-08

This, along with The Specials (The Specials) is one of the two of the defining masterpieces of the 2nd Wave of ska. However, unlike the Specials, they give credit where credit is due -- crediting Prince Buster with "Rough Rider," whereas the Specials did *not* credit Toots & the Maytals with "Monkey Man," basically ripped off "Al Capone" by Prince Buster, threw some nonsense lyrics together, and voila "Gangsters". They kept the "Don't Call me Scarface," and in lieu of "Al Capone's Guns don't argue" at the beginning, "Bernie Rhodes (their manager) knows don't argue"...
Ok, enough of that. Both are masterpieces in their own right, but "I Just Can't Stop It" takes the cake, IMHO. And I've been listening to ska for quite a few decades now...and just came from seeing the Beat (as they're known in England; unfortunately an American band named the Beat had them precursor their name with thier country of origin...) for the 2nd time in 6 months. They played over 2.5 hours straight through, and are at the top of the list of energetic bands I've ever seen. And live, they are much different than they are on record -- both are brilliant, in their own special way. My favorite song off the CD, "Twist & Crawl," which is more new wave/mod meets ska, became an insane dub-fueled monster live.
If you are a fan of music, especially one of the 3rd wave of ska (e.g. Sublime, No Doubt, to name the most famous...and who blended punk rock with ska) and want to know some of the origins of the music, even though Sublime covers Toot's "54-46 Was My Number" and never covers any of the 2nd generation (even looking through my prodigious Sublime bootleg collection), this album is for you. And for those wondering what ska is, this is for you...it is a masterpiece. It's better than any ska anthology you'll find IMHO.

Landmark Ska.......2007-02-23

The Beat took up their task with relish and purpose, producing one of the most definitive ska albums of the 80's. Today, I Just Can't Stop It remains a timeless work a quarter century later...

Quibbles about the British edition aside (only the early American version of the cd has Tears of a Clown and Ranking Full Stop), this record is as socially conscious as it is fun. Ranking and Wakeling were not overly opinionated lads, but they made their points eloquently and with arresting honesty. It is quite often the case, however, that you find yourself singing along to a beautiful harmony, only realizing later on what the lyrics actually say. I only noticed the political overtones of 'Stand Down Margaret' after grooving to it for some two or three years. :)

It's a shame that a group of this caliber splintered after only three albums, but I suppose we should count ourselves lucky to have heard them at all.

Non Stop Fun!.......2006-06-18

First released in 1980, The English Beat's (known in the UK simply as The Beat they added the name English to their moniker to avoid confusion with a California based also band called The Beat) "I Just Can't Stop" it is not only possibly the single greatest album of the later 70's/early 80's ska revival, it is one of the greatest album of the late 70's/early 80's punk/new wave scene.

Already full of nonstop, infectious boppin' tunes the band's US label added two songs to the original album -- "Rankin' Full Stop," and a cover of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown" that had been stand alone singles in the UK. By omitting those songs from this CD reissue the album has been restored to its original running order and, as a previous reviewer noted, becomes the album the way the band intended for it to be heard.

But all of that is really pretty moot because this is still a great, great record with songs like "Best Friend," "Mirror in the Bathroom, "Hands Off She's Mine," and "Wine and Grind/Stand Down Margaret" (ah, the days of the anti-Thatcher/Reagan anthems) that compel you to hit the repeat button on your CD remote over and over.

Ignore the reviewers who don't know the history of this album and get this -- the complete and original version of one of the all time great albums.

This IS the orginal complete album.......2006-05-25

As has already been noted by one other reviewer, the original release of "I Just Can't Stop It" did not include "Tears of a Clown" or "Ranking Full Stop". These were added to the original U.S. release of the record due to the fact that these UK singles were otherwise unavailable in the U.S. Seeing as how they are compiled on multiple North American releases and were never supposed to be on the record, releasing the original UK version of the album on CD is perfectly justified.

Ska done right - this album is so addictive!!!.......2006-01-22

I'll be honest here - I used to HATE ska. I would go to my local concert hall to see some local musicians and there would ALWAYS be horrible ska bands playing (which is why I hated ska). I had just about given up on the genre when, to my surprise, I hear a sample of The English Beat's "Mirror In The Bathroom" on Coldcut's "Journeys By DJ: 70 Minutes of Madness" (also an excellent album) and was immediately intrigued. Lo' and behold, after I got this album, it was amazing! I never knew ska could be so fun and interesting! Every song here is great and all of them are pretty memorable - everything about them is fantastic. The vocals are very well done here as Dave Wakeling has a very appealing voice. The lyrics are also pretty interesting to listen to as well as catchy - "Mirror In The Bathroom" is but one of many songs that'll get stuck in your head. Musically it sounds like most other ska bands but with a little new wave and college rock thrown in. It's also very well-produced for an album that came out in 1980. Overall this is an album that most people will LOVE, not jsut ska fans. Absolutely recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

Average customer rating:

Remarkable
This is the funniest thing - ever!!

Voldemort Can't Stop The Rock!
Harry and The Potters
Manufacturer: Harry And The Potters
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000N0QYM0
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Customer Reviews:

Remarkable.......2007-07-21

I also purchased this at Borders. I was unable to talk myself out of it. It was good for a couple of chuckles and I found myself drumming along with the beat out of sheer boredom, but it was bearable and will probably be listened to again... more so for the side show freekiness of it.

This is the funniest thing - ever!!.......2007-07-08

I saw this album at Borders last night and my hand reached out against my will and picked it up, clutching it with steely talons in an iron death grip that would not unclench until the album was officially bought and paid for (by me).

My other hand reluctantly reached for my wallet, and the rest is pretty much non-history. The album is... interesting. Not at all any style of music I would normally endure, but for sheer balls and downright fun ideas, I had to support my fellow artist9s), and I do not regret the purchase. In fact, I will listen to the entire CD at least a dozen times over the next month, even at the cost of mine own eardrums.

It's not that the musicians are untalented (they ARE talented - that much I will say), but it is simply hard to imagine going rabid in a fan-boy way over this band. That said - if they ever play LA I will be banging my head... er... swaying gently?... holding up my lighter?... well I will be at the show. They are probably a hoot live, and that is what music is really all about - being there with the musicians having a great time. buy the album. your mom will thank you. Then go see them live.

DISCLAIMER: I am firmly entrenched in the Draco and the Malfoy's fan base, so that may have influenced my review ;-)

Average customer rating:

Something for everyone
Reminds me of summer!
One Hit Wonder
Awesome Mix of old school hip-hop with new school pop
A CD I tried to sell and no one would buy

You Can't Stop the Bum Rush
LEN
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000J2PG
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

Steal My Sunshine
Cryptik Souls Crew
Man Of The Year
Beautiful Day
The Hard Disk Approach
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Amazon.com

It took hip-hop a couple of decades to become ingrained in pop music, but the genre's influence shows on Len's You Can't Stop the Bum Rush. The members of Len might not agree--after all, they probably consider themselves a hip-hop act, and they've got a case, what with their lineup (which incorporates a DJ and a couple of MCs), their use of loops and samples (from the Andrea True Connection, the Bar Kays, Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, and the big mack daddy himself, John Travolta), and guests like Biz Markie, Kurtis Blow, and Mr. Dibbs. But there's something very pop at the core of Len, and it's what makes Bum Rush so special--as hip-hop becomes harder and more experimental, Len rediscover a very vital part of the history. Filled with keyboards, dance rhythms, harmonies, stoner humor, and Sugar Ray-ish party vocals, Bum Rush is pure pop for the hip-hop generation. The album keeps things light but never skimps in delivering single after single; they may all prove disposable, but why worry about that now? --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

Something for everyone.......2007-07-23

If you only like Steal My Sunshine, then you don't like music. This album has so many different styles it's amazing it all fit on one cd. Each song is different, and you can't say that much these days. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.

Reminds me of summer!.......2006-08-15

I can't explain it, but this CD, particularly the song "Steal My Sunshine", has always reminded me of summer and my childhood. I grew up listening and loving that song since the day it came out, and I just recently bought it from BMG for $1.99.

It's hard to explain what kind of music is on this CD. There's some rap, hip-hop, a little bit of soul, and even some techno. I've never heard such a mix. Sure that makes it a little odd at first, but it kinda grows on you. It's a pretty good variety, but I must admit some of the songs are a little odd.

So, on that note, I would buy the single for "Steal My Sunshine" if that's the only song you are interested in, but like I said, you might be able to find this entire album for a fabulous price, like I did with BMg.

One Hit Wonder.......2006-07-20

I am a rock and roll person. I hate rap. This is a rap/pop album that first came out when I was eight; "Steal My Sunshine" was big on my list. That is still a good song, however, I don't really like their other songs. Just buy the single of "Steal My Sunshine"- it will save you money.

Awesome Mix of old school hip-hop with new school pop.......2006-01-10

Love every song on this Album. I bought because of Steal my Sunshine. I love techno and some Old school hip-hop. I hate gangsta rap. You won't find any gangsta rap on this album. That's why I like it. It plays the old school white boy rap which I love. The whole album has a fun light-hearted feel to it. It's a shame this band never became more successful.

A CD I tried to sell and no one would buy.......2005-02-10

This cd is horrible. It starts of with a couple catchy pops songs that Carson Daily liked then all the sudden, they bust out some rap. Canadians can't rap, I DEMAND JUSTICE!!!!

Average customer rating:

Silky and Soulful
Darrly Hall at his best!!!!
Great solo album
Getting better all the time..
Pleasantly Surprised

Can't Stop Dreaming
Daryl Hall
Manufacturer: Liquid 8
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Soul Alone
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ASIN: B00009KTZB
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Cab Driver
Let Me Be The One
Can't Stop Dreaming
Never Let Me Go
Holding Out For Love
Justify
What's In Your World
Hold On To Me
She's Gone
All By Myself
Fools Rush In

Product Description

1. Cab Driver
2. Let Me Be The One
3. Can't Stop Dreaming
4. Never Let Me Go
5. Holding Out For Love
6. Justify
7. What's In Your World
8. Hold On To Me
9. She's Gone
10. All By Myself
11. Fools Rush In

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Silky and Soulful.......2007-06-12

great sound...great voice...smooth and mellow...but not TOOO mellow. daryl hall knows how to deliver. a simple but sophisticated collection. heard "cab driver" on the radio and thought it was a new song....then found this cd and Soul Alone...don't know how i missed them..but glad i found em...they are already "regulars" on my play list.

Darrly Hall at his best!!!!.......2007-05-13

I was a freshman in college when Hall & Oates began to make an impression on the music scene back in the '70s. So, for the next fifteen years I was a big fan of their "blue-eyed soul" music. Unfortunately for them the '90s didn't bode well for that particular genre of music. But guess what? What's old is new in the new millenium, and Darryl Hall (minus John Oates) kicks mega-a** on this CD. This is without a doubt the "best" effort Darryl Hall has put forth in twenty years!!! Do yourself a favor and purchase Can't Stop Dreaming immediately. And for all of us who remember AWB, Alan Gorrie collaborated on this CD and his influence really works for Darryl Hall,

Great solo album.......2007-04-10

This is an excellent solo album done by darryl hall. I am only familiar with the songs that were hits in the 80's so this is so refreshing to hear. Very easy listening.

Getting better all the time.........2007-01-26

Daryl Hall's music and ever evolving kind of soul is like those gool ol' wines: they get better as they age. Like many children of the 80's my first memory of Hall & Oates goes straight back to their 1982 album "H20" (Maneater, Family Man...). From then on, Hall & Oates was simply an inherent part of the decade. But when I found out that one of my favorite songs ever ("Everytime you go away" performed by Paul Young) had been indeed composed by Daryl Hall, I began to explore his music in deep beyond the no. 1 hits. With pleasant results. I became a Hall & Oates fan and more specifically, a Daryl Hall fan. "Big Bam Boom" released in 1984 included one of the greatest songs ever written and one of my all time favorites "Some things are better left unsaid". Although the song did not caught much attention at the moment (in fact it only reached no. 18 on the Domestic U.S. charts) boy how it introduced the unique harmonics and true soulful mood that define the true richness of Daryl Hall's unparalelled type of music. It is so very pleasant to find out that 20 years later Daryl Hall is still faithful to his roots and can undoubtedly deliver superb music. With "Can't stop dreaming" Daryl's definitely showcases his very own "Philly Mood" in a mature, relaxed and at-ease sort of way. What a great musician and singer. "Can't stop dreaming" was originally released in JAPAN (!) in 1997 and 6 years later (2003) in the U.S. I bought the imported japanese CD back in 1998 and since then it is one of my all time favorites. All the songs are great (all of them, really)and they are all bound to be favorites though perhaps the moving ballad "Holding out for love" has a special place in my heart and of course, the new version of the all-time hit "She's gone" stands out for good. Daryl explores different styles with his everpresent underlying strong soul & R&B foundation and the whole product is incredibly easy to listen and enjoy. To all Daryl Hall fans out there, this CD is a must have.

Pleasantly Surprised.......2006-09-24

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Hard to believe the album is as good as it is without the harmonies of John Oates....but I really enjoyed it. More smooth jazz than pop or rock, this is the best cd I've heard straight through in awhile.

Can't Stop a Man: The Ultimate Collection

Average customer rating:

One of the best
Thank the good Lord for Beres Hammond
Lovers Rock
Highly Recommended..
Slammin'

Can't Stop a Man: The Ultimate Collection
Beres Hammond
Manufacturer: Vp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000D9PMW
Release Date: 2003-12-02

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One Step Ahead
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Last War
Groovy Little Thing
What One Dance Can Do
She Loves Me Now
Tempted To Touch
Putting Up Ressistance
Come Back Home
Full Attention
Who Say
Live On
Double Trouble
Step Aside
Love Means Never To Say you're Sorry
Show It Off
Doctor's Orders
My Wish
Sweetness
Sugar You Want

Tracks:

Preacher Man
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I Could Beat Myself
No Disturb Sign
Can't Stop A Man
Love From A Distance
Sweet Lies
Call On The Father
Warriors Don't Cry
Queen & Lady
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Can You Play Some More (Pull It Up)
They Gonna Talk
Rockaway
Ain't It Good To Know
Come Down Father
Ain't That Loving You
Dancehall Vibes
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Customer Reviews:

One of the best.......2007-04-06

Beres is truly a modern day Marin Gaye of carribean music, with a variety of flavor and different rythms. If you like reggae this is a must buy.

Thank the good Lord for Beres Hammond.......2006-09-10

Beres Hammond by far is the best when it comes to Lover's Rock. As a youngster, my generation is all too much infatuated with Reggae and know so little about it. If you say you know Reggae and the name Beres Hammond doesn't ring a bell then you DON'T KNOW REGGAE!!!! Beres has been such an inspiration to me. This Ultimate Collection is a must have for Reggae lovers.

May God continue to allow Beres Hammond to keep making music that touches people in so many ways.

Lovers Rock.......2006-01-24

If you are looking for a collection of songs based on love, reality and good vibes, this CD set is exactly what you need. With songs like "One Step Ahead" and "What one dance can do", you'll find that these tunes truly will groove your musical soul. The lyrics are easy to follow...and the sensuality of each song is coined in a very non-abrasive way.

Buy this collection today. You will NOT be disappointed!

Highly Recommended.........2006-01-01

This CD set contains the best of the Beres Hammond's songs! Beres is the next best thing since Bob Marley! What a sweet voice, intelligent & uplifting lyrics and a total positive vibe from this collection.

Slammin'.......2005-10-26

If you already know Beres then there is no need to explain if you don't know Beres you better recognize! The man is amazing!

Average customer rating:

GREAT MUSIC! PATHETIC SOUND!!!!!!!!!!
Sister....as in Twisted!
NO, YOU CAN'T
Great second album
4.5 stars - An excellent sophomore release

You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll
Twisted Sister
Manufacturer: Spitfire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Under the Blade
Stay Hungry
Come Out and Play
Love Is for Suckers
Still Hungry

ASIN: B00001QEG2
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

The Kids Are Back
Like A Knife In The Back
Ride To Live, Live To Ride
I Am (I'm Me)
The Power And The Glory
We're Gonna Make It
I've Had Enough
I'll Take You Alive
You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)
You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll
One Man Woman
Four Barrel Heart Of Love
Feel The Power

Album Description

1999 digitally remastered reissue of Dee Snider & company's 1982 and third album with three bonus tracks added, 'One Man Woman', 'Four Barrel Heart Of Love' & 'Feel The Power'. 13 tracks total, also featuring the '80s banger anthems 'We're Not Gonna Take It' & 'You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll'.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT MUSIC! PATHETIC SOUND!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-10-18

This is one of the greatest metal albums ever recorded, which is the only reason I gave it a 3 instead of a 1, because the sound is PATHETIC!!!!!!! I have the analog, & I'm having a hard time telling the difference between the 2. In fact, the analog may sound better!!!!! If you like Twisted Sister 0r good metal, then you should own a copy of this album. BUT, DON'T be expecting a first class 24 bit remaster!!!!

Sister....as in Twisted!.......2005-11-30

When it came time to load up my i-pod, lo and behold, I took 8 of the 10 tracks from this album. Hence a review was deemed necessary. Twisted Sister were never a virtuoso band but they paid their dues in the 70s and learned how to crank out good quality metal. YCSRR has plenty of good riffs, decent solos, and the vocals of one Dee Snider. I always loved the first three rockers- The Kids Are Back, Like A Knife In The Back, Ride To Live, Live To Ride. But there are other good songs like We're Gonna Make It and I've Had Enough. The cover of The Who's I Am (I'm Me) and the ballad You're Not Alone are also good. And let's not forget the title track. I often feel the need to give the two-fingered Dio sign come chorus time, YOU CANT STOP ROCK N ROLL!

NO, YOU CAN'T.......2005-09-06

I don't have too much to say about this one. This is perfect from the beginning to the end. It's raw, it's fun, it's heavy and it has an attitude that not a lot of cd's out there have.

From "The kids are back" to "You can't stop rock'n'roll" it is a trip to the start of US metal. I might get tired to describe this one, because it's very simple and almost impossible....... it's very fun to review but you can't on this one. I'll just say that this sounds like the Rolling Stones meets Judas Priest.

God, if they had only stayed on the jeans look the history might be different today.

And one more thing, this CD deserves the honor to be the first official Heavy Metal album to include a beautiful metal ballad (maybe the first of all times) "You're Not Alone".

Highlight: OK, to skip the usual cliché that every song is great I'm gonna pick three: The Kids Are Back, I'm Am (I'm Me), You Can't Stop R'N'R, You're Not Alone (OK 4 songs and that's it!!!!).
Lowlight: The inside picture were they look like bad-paid-clowns. And Dee Snider looks like he fought with his mom on a wedding.

Great second album.......2005-09-05

I had to have this one, and I got it at last.

Looking at some of the songs online before I bought You Can't Stop Rock N Roll, the songs "Like a Knife in the Back" and "We're Gonna Make It" didn't catch my eye too much. Ironically, it turned out to be the exact opposite of this. Read on.

"The Kids are Back" was one that I liked somewhat, but it definitely wasn't my favorite on this album.

"Like a Knife in the Back" ironically turned out to be one of my favorites. I love the heavy bass-work by Mark Mendoza, and the lyrics are very good too.

"Ride to Live, Live to Ride" was one that looked good from the start, and it's also another favorite of mine.

"I Am: I'm Me" was one of the reasons I bought this album. It didn't turn out to be AS good as I thought it would, but it's still a very good song.

"The Power and the Glory" was another one of those songs that didn't look too good, but turned out to be one that I liked a lot.

"We're Gonna Make It" is another really good song, one that I had to listen to over and over a few times.

"I've Had Enough" Was so-so. I've never been in such a situation as described in the song, so I guess I can't really appreciate the meaningful lack of euphemism in the song.

"I'll Take You Alive" interested me because I like A.J. Pero's wild drum solo at the end of the song. Looking at the lyrics online before I bought the album also put it in high esteem with me.

"You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)"...The tune is good, but I find the lyrics just a tad cliched. The "Lifetime of Endless Rain" line in particular. A decent number nonetheless.

"You Can't Stop Rock N Roll", the lovely title track. I like the great personification the Dee gave Rock N Roll. But I guess it didn't turn out like that...True Rock N Roll died out with the death of Hair Metal/Glam Rock, and was replaced by the new punk rock that, though good, will never fully replace Hair Metal. The way I see it, there is a big rift of a difference between "Punk Rock" and "Rock N Roll".

And the bonus tracks...

"One Man Woman" Now let me tell you something...Don't believe the lyrics you read on the internet for this song. They're almost completely wrong. The first line of the second verse sounds like "they love to lay down beside her", not "they'd love to lay down on the saddle" as they describe in the online lyrics. A good song, maybe something they should have considered putting as a bonus track on Love is for Suckers.

"Four Barrel Heart of Love" I haven't listened to this song much since I got the album. It's okay, but I didn't find it too interesting.

"Feel the Power" Another song where online lyrics are completely wrong! Those of you that have this album, I have a rhetorical question for you: does "we'll show you all a thing or two" (real lyrics) sound anything like "we'll show you all what we will do" (online lyrics)?!
I think the song is good, but I didn't like the chorus because it slowed down.

The biggest disappointment of this album was the remastering work. They did such a good job with Under the Blade, Stay Hungry and Love is for Suckers (I don't have Come Out and Play...yet), what happened with this one?

Save the bad remastering work, I think this album is good overall, but I suppose Stay Hungry is still the leading starter album for people who are new to Twisted Sister.

4.5 stars - An excellent sophomore release.......2005-05-05

You Can't Stop Rock And Roll (1983.) Twisted Sister's second album.

Twisted Sister broke onto the musical scene in 1982 with their hard and heavy debut album, Under The Blade. The band had begun to build up a following much earlier, as a rather popular bar room act in the New York City area. When the band tried to go mainstream, and they took on their ridiculous image, many of their old fans from the bar days turned their backs on them. Despite this, the group's debut album proved to be one of the hardest and heaviest rock and roll albums ever release - and it was a masterpiece all the way. Unfortunately, it didn't really give the band the widespread maninstream success they had wanted. The band followed it up the next year with their sophomore album, You Can't Stop Rock And Roll. Read on for my review.

Following Under The Blade being a commercial failure despite being an awesome album, Twisted Sister tried to expand their audience by commercializing their hard rock sound a good deal, while at the same time, trying to maintain their hard rock edge. That is why the group's sophomore album sounds considerably more mainstream and commercial than their debut. Unfortunately, despite the group commercializing their sound, the album failed to really improve the band's popularity outside of the lone hit the album spawned, which was the classic title track. Although still hard and heavy, this one does have more a pop-metal sound to it than the debut. One strength the album DOES have, though, over the debut, is that it's where the band really started to diversify and polish their sound. The debut was raw, straight-up heavy metal. On this album the band starts to polish the rawness out of their sound (I kind of wish they hadn't), and play more diverse music. The album has pop metal tunes, hard and heavy metal tunes, and even the group's first true power ballad, You're Not Alone. No, this isn't my favorite Twisted Sister release (the debut is likely to always hold that spot in my book), but it's still a damn fine album through and through.

Twisted Sister's albums got remastered and reissued, and the record company, in addition to expanding the liner notes and remastering the sound, included bonus tracks! In other words, if you don't own these albums yet, it's well worth buying the new versions - you get better sound, better liner notes, and above all, the excellent bonus tracks.

There really isn't much else that needs to be said here. Twisted Sister created an excellent sophomore album that would help to shape their sound for the years to come. Dee Snider and the boys were on their way to the top of the musical mainstream (they'd reach it on their next album), and this album is proof that the group was more than just "another eighties metal band." If you're a fan of the group, this is well worth the purchase. Just be sure to get the remaster!

Average customer rating:

live charge

Can't Stop the Machine
American Head Charge
Manufacturer: Nitrus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Cannibal
HELLYEAH
The War of Art
The Blackening
Vena Sera

ASIN: B000NJLLWO
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

All Wrapped Up
Seamless
Violent Reaction
Downstream
Dirty
Take What I've Taken
When I Failed
Stature
To Taste Acid
Just So You Know

Customer Reviews:

live charge.......2007-04-05

This is what this band is all about. AHC's live shows are a kick in the teeth, stomp your heel on todays cookie cutter unoriginal half hearted "metal" bands. This is a much anticipated addition to any headcharge fans collection, and a great ice breaker for any newcomer.

String Quartet Tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Average customer rating:

HUGE Chili Pepper Fan
Not-so-loud Chili Peppers' songs
enjoyable
Just my opinion..
oh man

String Quartet Tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Manufacturer: Vitamin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

String Quartet Tribute to Nirvana
The String Quartet Tribute to the Beatles
String Quartet Tribute to Coldplay
String Quartet Tribute to Incubus
The String Quartet Tribute to Queen

ASIN: B0001ADBD2
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Tracks:

Under the Bridge - Tallywood Strings
Californication
Other Side - Ya Baby!!! String Quartet
Fortune Faded - Ya Baby!!! String Quartet
Higher Ground - Tallywood Strings
Breaking the Girl - String Vindaloo
Scar Tissue
Soul to Squeeze - Ya Baby!!! String Quartet
By the Way - String Vindaloo
Aeroplane - Ya Baby!!! String Quartet
Can't Stop [*] - String Vindaloo
Suck My Kiss [*] - String Vindaloo

Product Description

1. Under The Bridge
2. Californication
3. Other Side
4. Fortune Faded
5. Higher Ground
6. Breaking The Girl
7. Scar Tissue
8. Soul To Squeeze
9. By The Way
10. Aeroplane

Bonus Tracks:
11. Can't Stop
12. Suck My Kiss

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

HUGE Chili Pepper Fan.......2006-12-14

I enjoy this album very much. I am a RHCP fanatic although sometimes I am in the mood for light relaxing music and this fits perfectly. So, I get to enjoy the best of both worlds with this excellent tribute to their work. Might I add that Under the Bridge is beautifully composed here, and is my favorite track of all time and on this album as well.

Not-so-loud Chili Peppers' songs.......2006-10-30

First and foremost, The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a hard rock band. Nobody is going to buy this album in order to hear the Chili Peppers- that would be stupidity. There are only two reasons anybody would purchase this album:

1. You love the Chili Peppers' music and You want a change of pace.
2. You love listening to string instruments (such as the violin).

Buy this album if you love the Chili Peppers' music and you love strings. That sounds like a no-brainer...

enjoyable.......2005-03-10

I realy happend to enjoy this CD. I just bought it recently and every time i listen to it i feel like its the real thing because its so similar. I Love just relaxing to this cd. I think it is worth hearing.

Just my opinion.........2005-01-19

..but I just feel indifferent about this CD. I bought it thinking it would be an orchestrated-type stuff, which it is but I was hoping for something I could relax to. Whenever I hear the music in this CD, I think of weddings. Don't get me wrong, it's a good CD, but just not what I was expecting (which was a more relaxing kind of orchestration).

oh man.......2004-06-29

i bought this cd when i went looking for the last elusive cd that was missing from my rhcp collection(freaky styley, you should buy that one too)...i ended up walking out with this one as well and i rocked it all the way home with my windows open. this isn't an orchestral arrangement, it is a true to the original quartet: every solo, (almost) every fill, and every vocal que is present. The basslines jump from Persiani's prodigious upright (bass) and u can almost picture flea bouncing around. this work brought a whole new breadth and life to th emusic that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end; and for that, i applaud the string quartet.

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Twisted Sister's sophomore album
I Love these Sick Mutha's Twisted Flubbers
before they got Hungry,and before they came out and played!
You Can't Stop Rock n' Roll
TS at their best

You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll
Twisted Sister
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Come Out and Play
Stay Hungry
Out of the Cellar
Tooth and Nail
Dancing Undercover

ASIN: B000002IGB
Release Date: 1990-07-25

Tracks:

The Kids Are Back
Like A Knife In The Back
Ride To Live, Live To Ride
I Am (I'm Me)
The Power And The Glory
We're Gonna Make It
I've Had Enough
I'll Take You Alive
You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)
You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll

Customer Reviews:

Twisted Sister's sophomore album.......2005-06-01

I Love these Sick Mutha's Twisted Flubbers.......2005-04-07

Listen and Listen good, Don't let anybody tell you what to do, am I starting to sound like Dee? well then don't let anybody ever tell you Twisted Sister sucks cause if they do then you kick them in the head cause nobody should stop you from having a good time, DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOU SMF's.

Anyways, listen this Album kills,truly amazing metal I love twisted sister, full of power and truthful lyrics and just plain amazing metal in everyway. This is coming from a Canadian who loves these bands, DIO, Iron Maiden, SCORPIONS, Megadeth, JUDAS PRIEST, THe Cure, RUSH, SABBATH, Rainbow, DEEP PURPLE and ofcoarse TWISTED Farting SISTER!!!!!!!!!!

before they got Hungry,and before they came out and played!.......2004-03-05

This is kinda the "Forgotten" TS album,but a very good one!Every track is good,I think The Kids are Back,and the title cut,stick out as the class of the CD,but there is some other good stuff on this album as well,check it out,you won't regret the purchase!Check out their "Come out and Play" album,also,if you like the Sister,in my opinion,that is the best Twisted album EVER!But again this album "You Can't Stop..." REALLY ROCKS!,and will delite Hard Rockers Galore!

You Can't Stop Rock n' Roll.......2004-02-25

I picked up YCSRnR just after getting Stay Hungry 20 years ago..1984, which basically introduced me to the Twisted World of The Sister ! They still rate as one of my all-time fav bands!
And although Stay Hungry deserves all the success and attention it gets, I'd have to say that somehow I think thier previous effort 'You Can't Stop Rock n' Roll' is even better, it's strange but true...
Included on the Remastered Cd you'll find three extra tracks that any serious TS fan will enjoy but don't stand along the classic yet underated tracks that are included on YCSRR...My favs other than the 3 which are on 'Big Hits' are 'Like A Knife in the Back, We're Gonna Make It & You're Not Alone'
Highly reccommended Cd for any TRUE SMF out there and I know you won't be dissappointed.

Feel the Power of TS

TS at their best.......2003-07-05

To me, this album was Twisted Sister's best. It represents the band's raw power before their commercial success.

Average customer rating:

A Rose By Any Other Name...
"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!
Free at last!
I Love This Recording
The Goodall Ring - 1975 - Restored and Remastered

Wagner: The Rhinegold
English National Opera
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Wagner: The Valkyrie

ASIN: B00005B550
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Customer Reviews:

A Rose By Any Other Name..........2007-07-02

The figure of speach may not be completely correct in this instance, but, well, I hope you get the point. In any case, for a Dutch speaking person, like I, to hear 'The Ring' in a language other than the original German feels - almost shockingly(?) - natural. Certainly, this modern English translation, to me, is as least immediate, and probably even more immediate, than the original (archaic) German text. And in music drama, immediacy is essential. Maybe it is also the wonderfully natural translation, I don't know, but it works for me, the Ring in English.
But most of the credit has to go to the music, the singers, and the recording as such. I believe that this (originally analogue) remastered recording has one of the best recorded sounds and acoustics of any Ring, studio or 'live'. It is wonderfully clear but warm, kind of velvety (very unlike Solti), with beautifully natural balaces between voices and orchestra. Audience noises can be heard (including a delightful little ripple of laughter) but never really obtrusively so, thankfully. And I love the thunderclap-sound effect when Donner strikes his hammer against the rocks - very tastefully done, and lending extra power to the scene.
All the time one reads in reviews everywhere of the very slow speads at which the music is conducted by Sir Reginald Goodall. Well, that may be so, but I, for one, am certainly endeared to Sir Reginald Goodalls 'caressing' of the music, as a result of which wich the Leitmotifs come out more clearly than ever. The slow - but nonetheless very concentrated, and always involved - playing has, to me, an almost mesmerizing effect. Certainly, compared to many other recordings, the music may sound stretched almost beyond breaking point. But in the end, I think it is really just that: a matter of speed, no more. The concentration never falters and the dramatic arc never saggs. There is live 'music magic' going on here, I feel, even if the English National Opera Orchestra may not be (as precise or as diciplined as) a Wiener Philharmoniker or a Bayreuther Festspielorchester. Certainly, Sir Reginald Goodall must have loved this music and these opera's: one feels a slowly beating but constant loving pulse that energizes the drama and the music.
But we also have the singers. And what a great singers! While the best may be yet to come (with Alberto Remedios as Siegmund and Siegfried, and Rita Hunter as Brunnhilde), we here, in The Rhinegold, already have one of the most commanding of Wotans (Norman Bailey, with wonderful burnished timbre). Also, Emile Belcourt stands out as a wonderfully sleek but full-voiced Loge. Derek Hammond-Stroud's Alberich may not be as black as Gunther von Kannen's (for Barenboim), for example, but there is enough anguish, frustration and anger to lend his character a convincing reality and depth. And the giants too, are a winning pair. Especially Fafner (Clifford Grant) is as imposing and powerful as one may ever wish.
With all the rave reviews, here and elsewhere I can't wait to hear The Valkyrie, (especially) Siegfried and Twilight of the Gods. This certainly is a winning 'Ring', to be kept alongside any other 'great' recorded 'Ring' out there, IMHO. To me, it can hold its own alongside any other favorite recordings.
Please, sample this Ring (try for example the Chandos website for fragments of all of the music) and decide for yourself. Highly recommended.

"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!.......2007-06-12

Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Goodall, Boulez, Janowski, Levine, Haitink, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:

TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Boulez's Ring: 13 hours, 40 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Haitink's Ring: 14 hours, 10 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes

CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.

Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.

Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.

Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: nothing is faster than andante. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.

Boulez: Here it is, folks - the controversial Centennial Ring. To fit the Ring Cycle in the industrial age, Boulez gives it a very Schoenbergian, Bartokian atmosphere. Much of his tempi are very quick, very Bohm-like, though they're still not as fast as Bohm. Keep in mind, though, this live Ring works only if you hear AND see it (the DVD's work best).

Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".

Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.

Haitink: This might be seen as a disappointment. If you want great conducting, then this is for you. If you want a persuasive array of singers, look somewhere else. Haitink's conducting saves this work from being a total flop. There is nothing quite like his Rheingold & Gotterdammerung ("Siegfried's Rhine Journey" is a bit forced, but magnificent nonetheless).

Sawallisch: I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.

ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.

Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.

Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.

Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act Two Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.

Boulez's Bayreuth Festival: While it doesn't really pack the same punches as Bohm's Bayreuth, it still delivers a stunning performance. Orchestral interaction between characters (Ex. Siegfried's motifs mixed in with Mime's motifs) fares better than Berlin's and English National's. Rhine maiden motifs are given more wit, while the Dragon motifs are played with less eeriness. Beauty makes up for the irritatingly quick "Wotan's Farewell".

Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Boulez's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are heard clear in this Ring. The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.

Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.

Haitink's Bavarian Radio Symphony: This may very well be like Metropolitan, only this sounds much more poignant. The strings sound better and the percussion sound clearer. The leitmotivs are almost never screwed up. First scene of Rheingold will take one's breath away.

Sawallisch's Bavarian State: Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.

SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).

Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.

Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".

Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.

Boulez: If you watch Donald McIntyre on the Centennial Ring production, then you can tell that he's a fine "industrial" Wotan. If you just hear him on CD, then you'll be disappointed. His diction is weak, his emotions are forced, and his voice sounds robotic. The DVD's will do.

Levine and Haitink: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's and Haitink's Ring.

Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.

-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.

Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).

Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."

Boulez: How can anyone not be impressed by the Brunnhilde of Gwyneth Jones? One can almost feel her excitement during Siegfried Act Three, and her fear in Walkure Act Three. Her weakest point is probably during her Gotterdammerung Prologue (a bit too stressed).

Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.

Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).

Haitink: Hmph. I was hoping that Eva Marton would do well here. I was seriously let down by her strained singing. She does okay in "Annunciation of Death", but she is at her worst in "Immolation".

-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm, Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Peter Hoffman for Boulez, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, Reiner Goldberg for Haitink, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jeanine Altmeyer for Boulez, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, Cheryl Studer for Haitink, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Three exceptions, though: Goldberg and Schunk don't sound heroic enough, and Norman for Levine doesn't sound young and innocent enough.

-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.

Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.

Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.

Boulez: Is Manfred Jung a good tenor? Yes. Is he a good Heldentenor? NO. He doesn't have that heroic voice like Windgassen and Remedios. Again, the DVD's are your safest bet.

Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.

Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. Levine should've chose Kollo or Jerusalem when he recorded his studio Ring.

Haitink: Have you ever seen Siegfried Jerusalem on the Levine/Metropolitan DVD? Well, here he is again, and this time, he sings with more valor and enthusiasm. Bravo!

-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").

Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.

Boulez: What we have here is the weak Alberich of Hermann Becht. When he's in Nibelheim, the authority isn't there. When he's in the Neid-Hohle forest, the creepiness isn't there. And when he's near the Gibich house, the misery isn't there. Even on DVD he's unsatisfactory.

Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.

Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.

Haitink: No offense, but Theo Adam as Alberich? Come on . . .

-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.

Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.

Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.

Boulez and Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent Mime, VERY fun to listen to. There is much humor and eccentricity in his voice, and that's what makes his dwarf much more compelling than Dempsey's dwarf. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. He is equal to Zednik when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.

Haitink: Peter Haage sounds like he's entertaining young kids. His version of Mime is a bit childish, and the dark humor that the dwarf brings out sounds-over-the-top here. Nonetheless, he is still entertaining to listen to ("Wer halfe mir?" has never sounded better).

Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.

-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on during the Trilogy.

Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Again, another Loge that's marred by lack of cunning.

Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. He has the wit, the craftiness, and the untrustworthiness that the character deserves. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.

Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.

Boulez and Haitink: I can summon Heinz Zednik's performance in just three words: Brilliant Beyond Belief!

Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt and Zednik depend only on vengeance and deviousness, Stolze only imagination and deviousness, Windgassen and Svanholm only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.

Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.

Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.

-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings. Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). Anja Silja is the most memorable Freia (Bohm), while Kurt Moll makes the most fabulous Hunding yet (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm, Goodall, and Boulez. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.

CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation, Neuhold's Badische version, and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss, etc.), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the industrialized Boulez, the truthful Janowski, the unhurried Levine, the abnormal Haitink, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.

The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
-The Valkyrie (Part 2): Wagner: The Valkyrie
-Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
-Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

Free at last!.......2004-09-18

I've enjoyed listening to the Ring cycles by Solti, Bohm, and Furtwangler, but my pleasure has always been dampened by the necessity to follow the dramas with a German/English libretto. This performance freed me from that burden and allowed me to listen to the Ring with my ears alone for the first time. And what a delightful experience it was! I found I could understand about half the words the first time through. but that was enough for me to understand what the characters were saying and concentrate on Wagner's great music. Some of the characters (Loge and Alberich, for example) are almost perfectly comprehensible, while others (Fricka in particular) might as well be singing in German. The sound itself is superb, with perfect balances between orchestra and voices. Goodall's conducting is famously slow (about half an hour longer than usual), but he is never slack and he reveals a wealth of detail in the orchestration. The singers are a mixed lot, with Loge, Alberich, and Mime particularly effective. Bailey is hardly the grandest of Wotans, but he is solid and convincing. In any event, for us non-German listeners, this recording is a real treat. I would not recommend it as a first Ring (Bohm is a good choice, though some of his tempi are rather hectic), but as a supplement to a recoding in the original language, it is hard to beat. Give it a try! As for me, I'm ready to go on to "Die Walkure" (pardon me, "The Valkyrie").

I Love This Recording.......2002-04-05

I was a little suspicious when approaching this English-language version of Das Rhinegold. I was considering assembling this as my third RING set (behind Solti and Levine) and had listened to THE VALKYRIE (Die Walkure) with a little initial disappointment. Although the live sound quality was very interesting, the tempo was much slower than I was used to and thus a little disconcerting, and the English words were harder to understand than I had hoped. Nevertheless, I persevered and listended to THE RHINEGOLD (probably my favorite of the four RING operas, although I know this puts me in a minority) and was amazed. Best of all, after listening to this album I revisited the Goodall VALKYRIE and discovered a new appreciation! Now the Goodall set ranks as one of the best I've heard. It just needed to get under my skin a bit.

What's so good about it? Three things stand out for me: First, the slow tempi that were a litle rough at first actually allow, upon repeated listenings, a new discovery and understanding of Wagner's unfathomable genius. Every nuance is slowed down just enough to be fully accessible. Second, the modern English translation really does make this a different experience...my initial mistake was thinking that English lyrics could allow me to listen to this as background music, and that's not the case. However, if one devotes the same attention to this as a German recording, the time wil be richly rewarded. Finally, the smaller orchestra creates an almost chamber music-esque setting, which compliments the music in an undefinable way. Despite being in English, this is almost more Germanic than original-language recordings.

I still probably wouldn't get this as the first foray into Wagner's RING (I still think Solti or Levine are the choices for that). But for someone who already has some familiarity with the work, this will provide a lifetime's enjoyment. Cudos to Chandos for resurrecting these recordings!

The Goodall Ring - 1975 - Restored and Remastered.......2001-06-08

I have been curious about this for years. When I saw the packaging, I wondered whether this was the same Ring that has been kicking around for a couple of decades from the Sadler's Wells performances of the mid-70s. News flash: It's the same. However, the box says that it's been re-mastered with something called 24-bit digital mastering. Since I never heard the old records, I have no idea if this is better. Judged on its own, the sound is terrific. This live recording really places the listener in the theater with clarity and authentic spaciousness. So often, a live recording will capture the audience up close, then the orchestra, then the singers, cataloguing every throat being cleared and every bow being tapped. Somewhere in the distance, the singers voices follow their heavy tread over the stage. Not here. There is an intimacy to the sound here that approximates sitting in about the tenth row back in a large hall. It doesn't sound like the opera's being played in your room; it sounds as though your room has been transformed into a medium sized theater. I found it uncanny.

As to the experience of the drama in English, that too is remarkable, at least for someone like me whose home-tongue is English. The drama takes on an immediacy that I have never experienced before. This factor alone is why you should explore this Ring. I can't overemphasize the impact on me that this recording had on me because it was in English and because it was well-acted. Surely this is what Wagner meant, at least dramaturgically (obviously allowing that you can't actually see the action).

Overall, the singing is competent, and in some places, it's excellent. None of the cast really stands out musically. Norman Bailey's wobbly Wotan could have certainly benefitted from a deeper, richer tone. Still, and perhaps more importantly, he creates a god who is clearly unsure of where the moral highground is, even when he's standing on "an open space on a mountain summit." Everyone, for that matter, is dramatically convincing, especially Emile Belcourt (Loge) and Derek Hammond-Stroud (Alberich) and Robert Lloyd (Fasolt), all of whom, by the way, have excellent diction. And speaking of diction, I almost could have done without the libretto when the men were singing. Not so with the women, whose diction was uniformly wanting.

Goodall's pace is notoriously glacial. Still, it's interesting to hear it parsed in this way, and I never had the feeling that I was going to fall off the world. Which is to say that the tempos were deliberate, not affected. This was definitely a labor of love for RG and the English National Opera. The orchestra is a little thin sounding, and perhaps, not entirely up to the score. Occasionally a horn mis-blew and a cello creaked. This is unavoidable in live performances, I suppose. Still, there is a surprising sense of smallness to the ensemble, even though there's never a moment when the balance between singers and players is lost. As a result, the overall effect is a balance of clarity and urgency that is clearly the upside of Goodall's idiosyncratic "vision" of the score. Not a huge or "erotic" sound, but always committed, intelligent, and sometimes impassioned.

For all of its flaws, this is an astonishing and, for me, an indispensible recording because it made me listen to this opera with new ears. While it's not the most lyrically pleasing recording (Karajan) or musically authoritative (that would be Solti, IMHO), dramatically, this Rhinegold excells any recording I know of. I will definitely buy the rest of the set.

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