5 comments about Buddy Guy Live! The Real Deal with G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band.

1. Buddy Guy is without a doubt one of the greatest guitar players in the world. This film, which showcases Guy live at his world famous "Legends" takes us on a musical journey. It not only shows us the immensly talented Guy playing with G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live band but it also features interview clips in which Guy recalls his early days, his influences as well as his brushes with other bluesmen as Muddy Waters. This film is brilliantly directed and filmed. The most important thing, however, is the music. It does not get any better with fiery blues riffs, solos, his charismatic stage presence and of course the trademark passionate voice of Buddy Guy, and live. A wonderful musical journey with one of the most talented and creative guitar players of our time. Buddy Guy is the epitome of blues greats and he is without a doubt the real deal.



2. Isn't Mr Guy receiving more than his fair share of attention these days ? This is a fine sample of what a young director can do with a copy of Adobe Premiere and a good PC ! Don't get me wrong, the music is TERRIFIC, sound is above average (it's recorded live at Legends, Guy's Club), the band is first class... Picture quality is OK, I guess, with 3-4 cameras buzzing around the place (a lot of angles, good thing) and a mediocre sepia-toning thing over the whole video, except -here comes! - the TERRIBLE cutscenes where your good frined Buddy Guy gets all-down-home-homey and warm, and starts telling stories of the past, his first cigar-box-guitar, the first time he met the blues, and, guess what ? ALL CUTSCENES are over solos! First song, first solo, Buddy breaks a string, everybody's laughing, oops.. a cutscene, solo in the back, picture comes back to the club after solo ends ! Poor editing? Buddy's tendency for overexposure ? Buy this tape for the music, and JUST LISTEN to it, no need to watch it (that is, if you're not fed up with his Royal Bluesness already)



3. I have been to Buddy Guy's Legends nightclub in Chicago and this video captures Buddy at his best jammin with GE Smith and the SNL band in Legend's itself...excellent direction with interviews with Buddy telling about the early days of the Chicago Blues scene...sound is excellent and I truly enjoyed watching Buddy and GE trade blues guitars licks...a must see video...



4. Buddy Guy plays very good on this video, as well the Saturday Night Live Band. What stands out in this film is the footage of the old Chicago Blues Clubs that have been closed down and their present day look. Buddy gives informative background on the old days, his perspective on the Blues and the role he's had. Playing in a small club you get limited camera angles, so I saw better footage of Buddy Guy at the Muddy Waters tribute on PBS. It's still worth the purchase though because he's playing more straight Blues, keeping the "Hendrix Style" to a minimum.



5. This is a fun blues video to watch. Buddy Guy is playing well and the selection of material is good. A purist may be disappointed that the backup band is led by G.E. Smith of SNL, but he and his band do an enthusiastic and excellent job.

   The only complaint that I have about this VHS tape is that it is another example of the twisted production values that are often brought to these "authentic blues hero concert tapes". Nearly every time Buddy Guy gets deep into a solo, the director/editor decides to cut away to an interview segment. I like the interview segments, but I am not so shallow that I wouldn't watch them if they appeared at the end of the concert, or even between songs. Come on! Most people who buy this VHS tape probably play the guitar and want to watch Buddy's fingers during each and every solo.

   I do hope they release this concert on DVD some day, and that if they do, they rethink the format. The interviews would make for a nice additional menu choice.

   The good news is that the concert was also released on a CD without the songs being chopped up this way. So buy both of them and you can really dig how great Buddy Guy can be in concert and was for this particular gig.

5 comments about Sign 'O' the Times.

1. Who cares how long it took..? Actually I do, and so do plenty of others it seems - it's at sales rank position 73 on 22 June 2005 and apparently still rising! Still, here it is at long last.

   On a technical level, the DVD surpasses all expectations. Audio and image are crystal clear which is particularly amazing for something recorded almost 20 years ago now. If you ever had this on tape you will be amazed. As other reviewers have said, the picture quality for You Got The Look is indeed the dreadful exception but you get the promo video for the single, not live footage, plus it is meant to be a "dream sequence" and I think was inferior on the original VHS edition of the movie. The audio for the track is however of the same quality of the rest of the DVD and great to listen to with its extended intro.

   As for the live performances of Prince and his entourage, be in no doubt that this is the best you will ever get, and that's pretty near perfect. The arrangements of the songs taken from the album are in many ways better than on the album itself, particularly "Gonna Be A Beautiful Night" which is far more energised than the album version as recorded in Paris, "Hot Thing" with its fantastic extended organ intro, "Forever In My Life" with its wonderful warm up and much improved "gospel" backing, and "I Could Never Take The Place..." which is just Prince at his absolute best. Overall of course there are no duds here at all - I just thought I should mention my favourites.

   Be in no doubt - whether you bought this on tape the first time or are diving into Prince's back catalogue to understand what the fuss was all about in the 80's, you really should buy this DVD.




2. I've been a Prince fan for years and came across this on cable about two weeks ago for the first time. Amazingly brilliant vocals/guitar work/creative performance by Prince, and Shelia E. was awesome on drums, really fun. I went to my local mall the following morning obssessed with buying anything Prince. Unfortunately my Sign O' the Times cassette from back in the day is worn out and I had to special order it on CD...Still waiting! I forgot what an awesome album it is! I highly recommend this VHS (don't know anything about the DVD version, sorry).



3. This video shows what Prince can do when he has just the right musicians on stage with him. The songs come from the album of the same name and they are all very well done. Each song is very well performed and staged as only Prince can do. The concert concludes with an amazing version of "Gonna Be A Beautiful Night" that allows the other members of the band a chance to show the world what they can do. This is a must for Prince fans because it is the last chance that you get to see him before he really got a bit on the strange side. My only regret is that this never made it to DVD.



4. I'm not the biggest Prince fan, but I believe he's very talented and I do own some of his music/video and do enjoy most of his work.
   But this concert video is just awesome. A mix of rock, jazz, blues and James Brown/Little Richard influences makes this something to own - even if you're not a big fan.
   But I'll be you will be after seeing this. You won't be able to stop appreciating his talent as this is a high energy/sexy/funky experience.
   This guy gets it.
   By the way - order the DVD from Amazon.com Canada. I did and the quality is excellent.
   Go to the "Canada" link at the bottom of the page. No big deal paying for it - Amazon accepts your US credit card and does the Canadian money conversion and you get billed the same way you do for US purchases.
   VHS doesn't last forever - don't waste money on a VHS in a DVD world.
   Enjoy!



5. This is the video that made me fall in love with Prince. This is truly Prince at his most creative, most entertaining, most musically cohesive. I think this video is a great starting point for anyone curious about Prince's music. His live performances add another level to his music and this video captures that. My only regret is that I didn't get the DVD. My advice is to get this and watch it over and over again. It gets better with every viewing.

No comments about Best Of Broadway the Late '40s (Great Showstoppers from Stage & Screen).

3 comments about The In-Laws.

1. The first song on this soundtrack, "A Love For You," was recorded by Paul McCartney and Wings for Ram, but not included on that album. It's hard to believe this song has remained unreleased until now. It's a spirited rocker with a very catchy melody, and could easily have been a hit song. The previously unreleased version of "Live And Let Die" included on this album has more of a demo feel to it than the regular version. "I'm Carrying" is also not a new McCartney song, but is a pleasant album track from the London Town album. You haven't lived until you've heard Ella Fitzgerald's version of the Cream song "Sunshine Of Your Love," with the brass section playing the guitar parts! The real find on this album is "More Than A Friend" by the group All Too Much. It was recorded in 2003 but it sounds like a psychedelic pop song from the sixties. Stylistically, this album is a mixed bag. You have to love a collection that includes both Elvis Presely and Yma Sumac, a woman with a five octave vocal range! Ray Charles has said that there are only two kinds of music; good and bad. No matter what type of song is included, this soundtrack contains all good music.



2. I don't usually buy soundtrack albums, unless there is a song or two not released elsewhere. I must confess the reason I bought this one is for the BEE GEES cut, "Wedding Day". But, there are great songs from Elvis to Ella Fitzgerald, and McCartney to B.J. Thomas and others in between. It is a very diverse album, with something to please everyone. I am glad I made an exception in this case.



3. The In-Laws soundtrack is a blast! Upbeat and Fun.
   (I would have given it four stars, except it contains
   3 McCartney songs-at least 2 too many.)

5 comments about Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out Of Balance (1983 Film).

1. I've had the VHS for a number of years and watched it several times through a low end audio/video setup. It was satisfactory. This CD gave me the highlights I missed on the low end VHS tape.

   I bought the DVD but haven't watched it yet because I was saving it to see the movie on the big screen. This past weekend I got to see the movie on the big screen but, to my surprise and profound glory, I got to see it not only on the big screen but I got to see it live with Philip Glass and company performing the soundtrack in person. Oh my what I've been missing.

   I have since recorded the DVD onto tape and never realized just how much I missed and how profound the recording is. Of course I may be biased having seen it live and the images of the movie emblazened into my brain when I hear the score but I absolutely love this composition.

   The reason it only gets four stars is that you must get the DVD; you must have the entire score. Anything less is to your loss. It's as if I never heard it before.

   My recommendation is to see it with the film but the soundtrack stands on its own as an amazing piece of music. The score for Powaqqatsi is also brilliant but perhaps because, as noted on the 'extras' on the DVD, no one was waiting for this movie, this stands out as an inspired piece, moreso than Powaqqatsi (which is also brilliant but in a different way).

   Invest in the DVD and don't tease yourself with this album alone. As an independent piece of music or as accompaniment to a brilliant piece of filmmaking, it's awesome.




2. This is powerful music if you like Philip Glass, but this compilation lacks what I consider the most moving track. It's about 8 minutes long and I think of it as the "Desert sequence." It starts with a slow string progression over aerial views of orange canyons and Monument Valley. It's immediately followed by "Cloudscape" after the scene with the caves and steam vents. I can listen to it over and over and the power doesn't fade. It lacks the frantic harshness of some Glass material.
   
   They re-issued the soundtrack in 1998 and may have included this track (I haven't heard it) but reviews say it's not the original stuff and sounds watered-down. I extracted and converted the Desert sequence from my DVD, so I'm happy, but they could have easily fit it on the CD since the other tracks consume just 46 minutes. I don't know why they left so much off unless they did it as an LP first and were too lazy to re-make it. CDs were introduced to the market shortly after Koyaanisqatsi was released.



3. The Koyaanisqatsi music is simply fantastic.
   
   Both the original soundtrack recording, and the newer re-recording, are very good, but they are different, each with its own strengths and relative weaknesses compared to the other.
   
   I think The Grid was much more exciting and intense, in this original version. Especially the bass; I miss the driving throbbing power of the basslines in this version, when I listen to the re-recording, where the bass is laid back in the background, in comparison.



4. This CD was my introduction to Philip Glass since then it has been a long down hill slide to poverty by feeding my addiction for more Glass.
   
   If you think the VHS and DVD are good you need to see it live. I first saw Koyaanisqatsi live at Santa Monica College on the outdoor field, the second time was at Royce hall at UCLA then in 2001 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle each time seemed better than the previous. Now that all three films are done I am hoping to see them each live in a three day marathon.



5. Parodied more than once, derided, blessed, hailed as a wonder, and decried as a travesty, this (abbreviated) soundtrack is capable of generating fascination and annoyance, often simultaneously. The truth is that this isn't merely minimalism -- it's expressive minimalism, with some impressive nuances. Given the space to breathe, the music here is breathtaking!

No comments about Reference Classics.

3 comments about Robert Ward: The Crucible.

1. I had the privilege of being part of a cast of this opera at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the late 70's, directed by the avuncular Herbert Wildeboor (since deceased). I've always loved the 7/8 hymn at the end of the first act. However, this performance is very uneven, including generally unfortunate singing by female leads, and bad acting (at least) by the person singing Reverend Parris. Reverend Hale and John Proctor are consistently good. And the orchestra parts, very demanding, are well handled. It astounds me that there is no new recording in all these years. I've since seen it done in Pittsburgh and know it's being done somewhere on the West Coast. While Mr. Ward's music is considered cliche by some, I prefer it much to, for example, Moore's Ballad of Baby Doe. Perhaps my affection for it is due to having the opportunity to perform it.



2. This performance is a gem. Just the soaring majesty of Frances Bible is well worth the experience. What a sadly underrated artist. The final duet with Bible and Ludgin is a lesson in passionate, searing drama and full-out singing.



3. I became familiar with this recording of the "The Crucible" back in the 60's when it was available on the old CRI label. It was an exciting piece then and it remains one now. It has been a puzzle to me why such an opera has not been taken up and presented regularly by major companies. The music is appealing--and frequently more than that; the drama is potent and never fails to captivate; it offers wonderful opportunites to a cast of singing actors. So what's the problem?! Granted some of the liberties taken with the Arthur Miller text render certain moments dramatically unclear and the Gershwinesque strains that accompany the slave Tituba's character are certainly a mistake. Still, the work as a whole is an exciting one. Hightlights abound, with the whole of the last act being especially moving.

   This is still the only recording available and, overall, it is excellent. The leads perfectly embody the roles of John and Elizabeth Proctor, while the balance of the cast, a few vocal duds notwithstanding, competently fill in the many character roles.

   The CD sound is very good and far superior to my old vinyl disks.

   If you've never heard "The Crucible," give this recording a chance. It is well worth your time.

5 comments about Out Of Sight: Music From The Motion Picture.

1. The soundtrack for OUT OF SIGHT is an excellent companion to the excellent movie. David Holmes is brilliant, and has greated one of the best soundtracks ever, in my humble opinion. The styles range from lounge to jazz, funk to old classics. Such classics include Dean Martin's "Aint That A Kick In The Head", The Isley Brothers "Its Your Thing" and "Fight The Power Pt 2", and Mumbo's "Watermelon Man". The rest are strickly intrumental tracks, but they are exciting to listen to and really suit the movie, and if you haven't seen the movie, I reccomend you do. On many tracks there is dialogue from the movie, which I think is an added bonus and sets the mood for the songs. Overall its a good buy and well worth it, you'll be listening to it over and over!



2. I must say that if I want to hear the dialog of the movie, I rent the movie!
   If I want to hear the music in the movie, I buy the soundtrack! Unfortunately, that's not what David Holmes had in mind, and there is way too much of the actual script laid over the songs on this soundtrack. Not that it's bad dialog...this is an excellent movie. But if you just want to get into the music, don't get this soundtrack. In fact, the songs and the dialog don't even match the chronology of the movie. For example, "It's your Thing" did NOT play during the robbery scene.

   Great music, though....I think I'll go look for the Isley Brothers on CD now.




3. I've already seen the movie, big guy.

   I always end up with mixed feelings about David Holmes' stuff. He creates wonderful music, and then screws it up by making it second fiddle to whatever droll dialogue he feels like throwing in. It was annoying on Let's Get Killed, where his collection of "New York's Most Neurotic" undermines the whole thing. The Ocean's 11 soundtrack was totally obscured by the movie's dialogue.

   Critics need to stand up and call Holmes on this for the silly immaturity that it is. Soundtracks to Tarantino albums used to frustrate me because of all the chattering, but at least they were distinct tracks you could skip if you weren't in the mood. With Holmes, up to two minutes of a groove will be taken up by dialogue from a movie you've already seen. It's not clever, it doesn't enhance the music, it's distracting, and luckily the thing was on sale when I bought it, because I think it is WAY overpriced for only 45 minutes of music.

   Holme's, it's cool to use movie dialogue as a punctuation mark; Rhames' "Let's go to Detroit" line is a great intro to the Isley Bros', Fight the Power (especially since they were with Motown for a while). But ENOUGH already! Your brilliance is being undermined by this George Clooney fetish. We want your music to shape OUR reality, not to help us relive a movie.

   Enough complaining. Apart from that, the vamps on this album are superb. His selection of a couple of Isley Bros best tunes are perfect and the Dean's "Kick in the Head" is a great complement. Holme's simply has talent and creativity to burn, which makes me want to keep buying his stuff, despite all the frustrating stuff he does with movie dialogue. The "Tub Scene" tune is perfect - absolutely perfect.




4. The soundtrack combines David Holmes smooth grooves with audio surprises from the movie. Listening to the music during the movie makes a great script, good acting and cool editing complete. However, when unaccompanied by the visuals, you can concentrate just on the terrific music. In particular, I had never noticed the flamenco guitar featured throughout the soundtrack. For David Holmes fans, or just fans of the movie, you will not be disappointed!



5. Look no further than the Tub Scene track. This hot, sexy scene has great music. Why would you buy this CD if you didn't like this track? At the end of this piece, the last thirty seconds are overlaid with dialogue from another scene entirely. Remember when J.Lo has to listen to that creep talk about Toughie the dog and how he would tussle with her, and give her a bone? Those sick lines are the last thirty seconds of the Tub Scene track.

   The other tracks are also affected. Hopefully David Holmes will one day offer a pure version of this album for download from online-only music stores, since producing a second CD would cost too much.

2 comments about Comedy Minus One.

1. Although some of the topical references (e.g. to mid-70s rock groups) may not be familiar to listeners, the humor shines through most of the routines. "Re-writing the National Anthem" is HILLARIOUS; Albert Brooks impersonates various groups who sing their candidates for the new national anthem. You can listen to this repeatedly and laugh each time. Only one vulgarity in the album -- the word "s---" and it's used in context. Refreshing to hear humor that doesn't rely on bathroom or bedroom jokes, and instead offers clever insights.



2. Albert Brooks is known today as a film director and comedic actor, but he did stand up comedy at the beginning of his career. This CD features a performance from 1973, where he tells humorous remembrances of being an opening act for Neil Diamond and Richie Havens, and does a hilarious routine about a hypothetical open audition to write a new National Anthem. Other than the live performance, he throws in a few bonus bits, including two (intentionally) unfunny prank phone calls. The album ends with "Comedy Minus One", in which Albert plays one half of a comedy team and the listener performs the other half (a script is provided and there are pauses in the routine where you are supposed to say your lines). It you like the films of Albert Brooks, you will probably enjoy this album, too.

2 comments about Patricia Brooks in Recital.

1. Rather than giving all the information I have on Ms. Patricia Brooks here, I shall suggest that one might wish to use a search engine to locate her obituary and perhaps more details regarding her amazing career (s),tragically cut short by MS at the age of 59. I am not a professional musician by any means, but I feel I can guarantee that the opportunity to hear her only recorded classical work is going to surprise and entrance those who appreciate excellence in the operatic world. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this CD; you will not regret it. As an aside, I think I should mention that the sound quality of the recording is less than one would wish, but in this case, one must take it as it comes or nothing at all. That is the reason for my only giving a four star rating.



2. I enjoyed Ms Brooks singings immensely. It is unfortunate that apparently the recording was made on site with microphones away from her so that the crowd noise and applause is "upfront". I wonder if that could not have been removed in a more effective way. Still, I am happy to have the recording.