5 comments about Jethro Tull: Live at Montreux.

1. FINALLY A BAND OF TRUE GENIUS AND CRAFTMENSHIP COMES LIVE INTO YOUR HOME WITH THE VIDEO CLARITY AND THE DTS MASTER SOUND TO LET US KNOW WHAT BLUE-RAY IS TRULY ALL ABOUT.
   I HAVE SEEN JETHRO TULL LIVE SINCE 1974 UNTIL RECENTLY 8/10/08.
   LET ME TELL YOU THE QUALITY OF THE BLUE-RAY VIDEO AND THE SOUND OF THIS DISC HAVE FINALLY GIVIN ME THE LOOK,FEEL AND ULTIMATE TULL EXPERIENCE.
   I WAS FLOORED BY THE PICTURE AND I HEARD EVERY INSTRUMENT CLEARLY AS IF I WERE IN 3RD ROW CENTER.
   THIS BAND HAS NEVER GOT THE PRAISE THEY HAVE DESERVED FOR SO MANY YEARS.
   THE GENIUS BEHIND ANDERSON AND HIS CREW CAN BE SEEN IN ALL ITS GLORY WITH THIS DISC.
   IN MY OPNION THIS IS THE BEST CONCERT DISC THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED ON BLUE-RAY SO FAR.
   THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND THE INSTRUMENT PLAYING IS ALL THERE TO SEE CLEARLY AS IF YOU WERE ON STAGE YOURSELF.
   I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THIS FANTASTICK,UNDERATED BAND UP CLOSE AND AFTER ALL THIS TIME I'M TRULY SATISFIED.
   I HAVE TO THANK EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT FOR SUCH AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH THE VIDEO QUALITY AND SOUND REPRODUCTION.
   ALSO AMAZONS PRICE OF $16.95 IS A NO-BRAINER FOR ANYONE NEW TO THIS BAND OR FORMAT.
   YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO PURCHASE THIS DISC AND GET THE ENTERTAINMENT YOU DESERVE FROM YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY HOME THEATRE SYSTEM.
   EAGLE ROCK WILL GET MY FUTURE BUSINESS BUT IF THEY DO MORE TULL IT WILL DOUBLE.
   THANKS AGAIN BOYS FROM THE BAND YOU LOOK AND SOUND GREAT HERE.
   THANKS BLUE-RAY ALL THE HYPE IS WORTH IT NOW.
   PS.........CAN YOU TELL ME WHO PLAYS FLUTE WITH IAN ON "FAT MAN" ?
   GET THE DISC AND FIND OUT.
   BRAVO



2. Fastastic video, great sound and a lively set.
   The wide screen experience is really amazing and the lighting is great.
   Nice camera work and close-ups!
   Still awesome musicians after all these years.



3. I was a huge Jethro Tull fan in the 70's...Ian Anderson unlike some of the rockers in their 60's should have hung it up a number of years ago and just listened to other musicians or old tapes in his retirement.



4. If you're a Tull fan wondering whether to get this concert or purchase the "Living With The Past" DVD, get this concert. This is a really nice, long, well-played set with lots of great songs from many different stages of their career. It is (like all the Montreux DVD's) well shot and well recorded. "Living With The Past" for some reason was ill-conceived, poorly directed, and tries to salvage an off night for them, which it can't. So stick with this one - a great example of latter day Tull - not so edgy anymore, but very polished and professional musicians who - God bless 'em - are still at it!



5. As a long-time fan, after viewing this, I can safely report that the band was NOT hitting on all cylinders on the night this was recorded.
   
   However, what bothers me the most about this disc is the stereo panorama when listening in PCM 2.0. Except for the drums and occasional keyboard effects, everyone is centered! In other words, Martin Barre and keyboardist Giddings are not panned right/left. I mean, if you go to the concert they are, so I don't get it...they might as well have recorded this in mono! And of course, once AGAIN, Barre is mixed too low. Perhaps someone can post if this is the case in 5:1...any better?
   On the plus side, there is no fiddling with the video (like jumping to black & white rehearsal footage, as they did on the Living With the Past DVD).
   
   After 20+ years of hearing Ian struggling with his vocals, isn't it time he hired someone to sing harmony--or at least resume using the voice delays that in effect 'doubled' his vocal at strategic onstage moments in the early years? To me, he just doesn't help himself with the 'dry' PA settings he uses.
   
   I mean, I've loved and respected this band for many, many years...but one's patience can have its limits.
   ASJ

5 comments about Journey - Greatest Hits.

1. I too, was not a big Journey fan during the times they dominated the charts. However, as one other put it, they were enscribed into my memory during these times and have now become a cherished part of my memories. It seemed that no matter where you were, there was a Journey song playing on the radio at some point. I have fully come to appreciate their contribution to our culture and salute their music for standing the test of time and lived on to become timeless classics. Their songs still live on today at teen parties when it comes time to slow dance. This generation is starved for smoothing music in the mind jarring rap laced musical culture they exist in today. It's good to hear the time honored classics.



2. If you are a Journey fan, you will love this cd. I wont nit pick it to death like some reviewers do..this is just about music, and music is there to soothe the soul..Im not going to sit here and pretend to work for Rolling Stone or anything..I'll leave that to the dorky wanna bes..
   Journey's music is great, the cds..all of them are awesome..if it doesnt have the song you want, find the cd that does and buy it..end of story.



3. Once Steve Perry joined Journey for the "Infinity" album, the band's course was inevitably reset. They changed direction from being a progressive rock band to an arena rock juggernaut. Perry's main contribution was a strong melodic sense coupled to his more soulful vocals. The hits started almost immediately, as "Lights" and "Wheel In The Sky" became FM Rock Radio staples.
   
   That is what this greatest hits focuses on, the songs that became the standards by which the public remembers the band. If you were interested in the albums BEFORE "Infinity," I suggest "Time 3," which adds material from the years when Neal Schon was still aping his jazz-Rock tenure with Santana and Gregg Rollie was doing standard rock keyboard boogie. Personally, I liked them better when Perry got on board. The sound focused and the songwriting tightened. Songs like "Separate Ways/Worlds Apart" and "Any Way You Want It" could add a jolt of adrenaline to a day of radio. When Jonathan Cain replaced Gregg Rollie on "Escape," Journey took on a romantic bent from Cain's songwriting. "Open Arms" came first, then "Faithfully" (on "Frontiers") solidified it. These were pop radio songs without peer, and they make Journey's "Greatest Hits" an essential document of 70's and 80's radio rock. (The updated "Greatest Hits" includes the best song from the 90's reunion "Trial by Fire," "When You Love A Woman.")
   
   The other reason you might be looking at this is not because of Steve Perry's voice or Neal Schon's guitar heroics, but because of Tony and Carmella. It was Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" that echoed out of the final minutes of "The Sopranos" closing episode. It was funny that Tony passed over Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra for Journey and inspire a million parodies in the process. (Including Hilary Clinton...where the best moment is when she and President Bill Clinton are flipping through songs and Bill says "My money's on Smash Mouth...") Talk about cementing your place in pop culture...who could have asked for better?
   
   This best of offers a pair of soundtrack rarities in "Only The Young" (from "Vision Quest") and "Ask The Lonely" (from "Two of a Kind"). Missing are a few crucial singles like "Suzanne," "Stone In Love" and "Walks Like A Lady." If you really want them, go for the box sets or individual CD's.



4. If you hear the name Journey you know it is going to be good.



5. I picked this album up to listen to some old favorites from time to time. I grew up with this music on the radio, and "Don't Stop Believin'", "Faithfully", "Any Way You Want It", "Separate Ways", and "Open Arms" are thereby a part of my blood...whether or not I want that. I'm a sentimentalist, I guess.

5 comments about Lynyrd Skynyrd - Lyve- The Vicious Cycle Tour.

1. This is modern Lynyrd Skynrd performing at their very best. This line-up contains some excellent seasoned rock veterans performing at their very best. Johnny Van Zant is on lead vocals, Gary Rossington (a founding member of Skynyrd) is on lead and slide guitar, Billy Powell (founding member is on keyboards), Rickey Medlocke, (formerly of Blackfoot) is on lead guitar, the late Hughie Thomasson (formerly of the Outlaws) is on lead guitar, Michael Cartellone (formerly of Ted Nugent and the Damm Yankees) is on Drums, the Mississippi KId Ean Evans is on bass. Also, you get Carol Chase and Dale Krantz Rossington as background singers. This dvd also contains other backup musicians. They play all the classic from the old Skynyrd and include some new songs. Every song performanace is excellent. Some highlights include an awesome version of "Traveling Man".
   This performance has excellent slide guitar play by Gary Rossington. It also, contains Ronnie Van Zant singing along on the big screen with Johnny
   Van Zant.It's like a part of the past and part of the present together.
   Another highlight includes the performance of "Freebird" which features the excellent "three guitar" performances by Rossington, Medlocke, and Thomasson, along with the "three guitar" performances of Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Steve Gaines on the Big Screen. Again, it's part of the past and part of the present. The current guitar players pay tribute to three guitar players from the past.(Note: Gary Rossington was one of the guitar players of the past and one of the current ones also.) Billy Powell performs like a seasoned professional on the piano. All, the members play like seasoned professionals. This is an awesome concert dvd.
   It was recorded and filmed at The Amsouth Amphitheatre in Nashville,TN on July 11, 2003 before a packed crowd. The set list consists of 20 songs. There is bonus material also, which includes a video of "Red, White and Blue". This is definitely a 5 star dvd in all respects, it is well packaged, it has a beautiful picture of this version of Skynryd performing on stage on the cover of the dvd. This is one of my favorite all-time dvd's, I never get tired of wathcing it. It is a true classic that will stand the test of time. I highly recommend it.



2. I'm listening to Skynyrd Songs for over 30 years now, and the bands style affected my own guitar playing style and the sound of my band a lot. But this DVD tops ANYTHING I ever heard from Lynyrd Skynyrd! What a fun to see and hear them performing on stage! What a sound they developed and raised over the years! Just Great!
   
   The precision of the band's setup and the powerful drums of the new drummer lift the bands performance on a new level. The unexcited way of acting - without even a glimpse of routine - and though showing so much fun and enthusiasm playing their songs is just unique.
   
   For me and my band, this DVD is all we need to motivate and fire us up for our upcoming shows.
   
   A must for Lynyrd Skynyrd fans anyway, but also a must for lovers of real Live performances!



3. Awesome Concert Skynyrd at it's best. A must have for Lynyrd Skynyrd Fans and you southern rock collection. Video quality is great and so is the sound



4. This video is well worth the money. We play it often for parties and other events. It is a favorite among guests!



5. This is an incredible dvd! Make sure you turn your volume up high! Almost as good as being at one of their concerts. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Blaze Of Glory: Songs Written And Performed By Jon Bon Jovi, Inspired By The Film Young Guns II.

1. I was extremely pleased with the quick shipment on the item. Seller was very prompt and item was exactly as advertised. Thanks again!



2. Thought Jon Bongiovi could have been more creative in his melodies and songwriting with this compilation.



3. Stripped down a bit, a lot more "earthy," Jon Bon Jovi's "Young Guns II" album is a nice breakaway from his efforts with the band that bears his name. Fans of Bon Jovi, however, will find plenty to enjoy in this album. For starters, the raucous "You Really Got Me Now," has an excellent "jam session" feel to it. "Miracle" and "Never Say Die" give the listener a light dose of what made Bon Jovi tunes like "Born To Be My Baby" so much fun to listen to. Then there are tunes like "Blood Money" and "Bang A Drum" that herald the coming Americana sound that Bon Jovi would play more of with their later albums.
   
   Last but certainly not least, "Blaze of Glory" sounds like a hairband tune soaked in whiskey and left out over night. It's the highlight track on the album and it alone makes this one worthy of purchase. Also included is Alan Silvestri's "Guano City," a passable track from the score of the film.
   
   Overall, this is definitely a keeper for fans of Bon Jovi or anybody who enjoys grittier rock. Recommended.



4. As the soundtrack to a movie that bombed badly you could be forgiven for dismissing this Jon Bon Jovi solo effort but it would be wrong to consign it to the scrapheap without giving it a listen if you've ever had a soft spot for his day job band Bon Jovi.
   
   Released initially in 1990 and produced by the main man himself and Danny Kortchmar to good effect the albums eleven tracks are all within the confines of the projects brief - ie they are all country tinged to a greater or lesser degree. Most people who were anywhere near a radio in the Western world around 1990 will be familiar with this albums resident hit single and title track Blaze of Glory. And it's probably fair to say that this song is the high point of the record as it has a good chorus, simple yet effective construction and some emotion. It's also pretty much the most hard rockin' number on the entire album.
   
   Some of the songs miss the mark badly such as the utterly plastic and fake sounding Bang A Drum and the last track, Guano City, is mercifully only one minute long. Some other tracks however do work to a reasonable degree such as lead cut Billy Get Your Guns and there is some genuine maudlin emotion on songs such as Dyin' Ain't Much of A Livin'. Blood Money tries to work a similar done-me-wrong emotion but falls pretty flat while most of the other tunes blend in with the wallpaper fairly quickly.
   
   Jons' familiar voice tends to walk by your side throughout this release, it really does come across as very much a solo effort though anoraks might want to know that such luminaries as Jeff Beck, Elton John and Aldo Nova do turn up on the album in places and the booklet includes the lyrics to the whole shebang. Mind you, once you open out the booklet the side opposite to that with the lyrics has a full size picture of Jon - wow, just what I always wanted!
   
   All jokes aside my advice overall is that if you are a Bon Jovi fan and don't have this yet then definitely get it as you'll find a few gems here. And given the directions Bon Jovi have gone over years the country tinge to this album makes perfect sense in hindsight.



5. I never thought I'd be able to find this CD but Amazon had it and it was shipped very fast. Great album. Just a great album with great songs from the movie which was a clasic western.

5 comments about Live Aid (4 Disc Set).

1. As someone who never paid the slightest attention to Queen or Freddie Mercury, I was absolutely blown away when I saw portions of this concert on my local PBS station. So, I bought this disc from Amazon and I am very pleased to have it in my collection. It includes not only the wonderful concert in Montreal but also a second DVD with a fund raiser in London that is truly awe inspiring. I cannot recommend this too highly: if you are a fan you will love it. If you have never seen or heard of this group, you will become a fan!



2. After 25 years on Panavision now it's time to be on bluray! Thanx to Brian May and the rest of Queen to invest in a highly digitally remastered bluray disc! I've never seen before such a really good quality music DVD/bluray!



3. I bought the one disc version of this. I was not happy with it because the songs were not in their entirety. I waited until the price came down and I was ready. I am so glad. What a wonderful experience this is. To see the artists in 1985 is an adventure. Even the oganizer Bob G performing is wonderful. Do buy this and forget about your problems for a while and be part of this. A good cause and a beautiful day. It is easy to find the artist you want to listen to. The menu is so helpful. This brings a lot of joy to share with friends, don't watch it alone have people over. You will be singing and taking it in.
   
   Debra Envall



4. Wow this is a great concert (origially titled:"We Will Rock You") on Blu Ray Disc!!! Includes the classic Montreal preformance + the classic Live Aid stuff as well as some cool extras including a commentary by Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor!!! This title is also available on standard DVD but Blu Ray is the way to go if you have a Blu Ray player!!! For me it was money well spent,much cheaper than a concert ticket,and you have the best seat in the house,and can enjoy it over and over again!!! R.I.P. Freddie Murcury. Very recommended!!! Two tgumbs up!!! A+



5. I love this blue ray disc queen at his best performace recomended sound is crispy good ,and grsphic's are super clear.

5 comments about Mothership [Vinyl].

1. The mothership is as grand as its' title. Amazing packaging, has a colorful booklet that let's a fan into the world of Led Zeppelin, and all the vinyls sound epic. Each song in the collection is a classic for both the average fan and a true fan.



2. Very satisfied with purchase. Would recommend that Amazon.com try to package vinyl shipments so they don't shake or move in package to prevent damage. Thanks, Norm.



3. I hesitated for about 2 seconds before spending $60 on a 4-LP box set, but man was it worth it! The remastering quality is top rate - it's not like they just "cleaned up" the originals. Levels, channels and fades have all been reworked. I put on the record and played several tracks simultaneously to the 4-CD box set from 20 yrs ago (switching the input selector back and forth). It's like night and day, you wouldn't believe the improvement if you didn't hear it. Dazed and Confused is the perfect track for comparison with the huge dynamic range and monster drum riffs. The drum mix is the biggest improvement with the new master - they go from muddy and flat on the old CD mix to crisp and 3-dimensional on the new vinyl.
   
   I'm listening through a high-end Rega Mira3 amp and Rega Apollo CD, Technics SL-1200MK2 TT with AT120 elliptical stylus and Paradigm Studio 20 loudspeakers.



4. There really is a difference in the sound.
   
   I usually listened to the 4-disc set with the green leaf on black background, but now I listen to Mothership.
   I hear notes I never heard before and I can almost understand all the words....almost.
   The sound is much better and is worth the money.
   
   If there is a Mothership Two, I will certainly buy that also.



5. I already have Led Zeppelin's 10 CD box set, but I still wanted a "Best of" collection for my carousel CD player. I once had their DVD of "Led Zeppelin" but that was just too much of the same thing over and over.
   
   What made "Latter Days" so disappointing was that it didn't include the very important Pop charted single of "D'yer Mak'r". A good Led Zeppelin collection can't dismiss that important track. "D'yer Mak'r" is just as important as "Stairway To Heaven."
   
   I enjoy listening to Led Zeppelin more than watching them. I got rid of their double DVD of "Led Zeppelin" because it bored me silly. Having this one DVD included in this "Mothership" collection is tolerable because it doesn't overly repeat so many songs. And watching them live is kinda creepy. It would make more sense if they called themselves "Dogs" instead of "Led Zeppelin". Plant and Page both look like a couple of dogs on stage. I'd rather just keep my interest in Led Zeppelin as "audio", not "visual."
   
   The packaging of this 3 disc collection sucks beyond belief. You have to pull up the CD's out of a very tight sleeve and you can only hope that you won't rip the sleeve with your knuckles trying to get the CD's out. I think I'm just going to keep the CD's in my carousel CD player. I don't think I'd watch the DVD again anytime soon, so this packaging (along with the DVD) will just end up in my junk drawer for a while.

5 comments about Jazz.

1. Looking back at the 1970s, sometimes many forget how big the band Queen was. Even as Queen moved into the 1980s, while their popularity did slightly decline in the United States, it continued to be very high in Europe. Their performance at Live Aid is widely considered one of the greatest of all-time and their subsequent "Magic" tour is considered one of the all-time greatest concert tours. If it weren't for Freddie Mercury's death in 1992, we might still be talking about Queen being as big a band as the Beatles. When Queen released their 1973 self-titled debut album, it showed all of the signs of greatness to come. By 1977, Queen would ascend into the upper echelon of Rock with their sixth album "News of the World". This album would feature the monster hits of "We Will Rock You" and "We are the Champions". However this album would offer so much more as it showed Queen as a band not afraid to innovate and explore new horizons. Following up a such an effort is often not easy, but with the release of their seventh album, "Jazz" - Queen would undertake what might have been their most ambitious effort to date. "Jazz" would showcase Queen's innovation like no other album they had done before that. While many didn't consider "Jazz" to be up at the level of "News of the World" - I would whole-heartedly disagree - this album is a masterpiece.
   
   Queen is an example of the sum of the parts actually being greater than the whole. However, if you take each of the four members of Queen, they easily stand on their own as a top musician in their profession. Freddie Mercury is easily known to be the emotional and flamboyant lead vocalist of Queen who indeed has a legendary voice. Brian May is the legendary lead guitarist and probably the second most popular member of the band. Roger Taylor and John Deacon go extremely underrated. Listen to Taylor's thundering drumming in the studio or live and one can easily understand why he was asked to participate in an All Star Drum Jam (The S.O.S. All-Stars) at the Live Earth concert. As for John Deacon, he might be one of music's all-time underrated bass players. Many of his bass lines have proven to be the foundation for Queen's musical sound. In addition to being top musicians, all four members play integral roles in the songwriting.
   
   While the title of this album is "Jazz", Queen explores a multitude of musical styles, but Jazz isn't one of them. On "News of the World", Queen opted for a more "stripped down" Rock sound. On this album, we still Queen integrating different musical styles into their core sound. The result is something special. Here is a synopsis of the 13 original tracks:
   
   "Mustapha": As the title indicates, this album has a Middle-Eastern feel to it. Most of the lyrics were also done in Persian. May and Deacon really help set the tempo with their guitar and bass work respectively. Mercury does a great job with the Persian lyrics - especially has he raises his voice up some octave levels during the chorus midway through the song.
   
   "Fat Bottomed Girls": Legendary song by Queen. May's guitar gives this song a Rock feel, while the combined harmonies of Mercury and May show a traditional Queen theatrical feel. The line "Get on your bikes and ride" establishes some synergy with this track and the fourth one, "Bicycle Race".
   
   "Jealousy": This is a ballad by the band that is highlighted by the piano and a simulated sitar sound. Mercury shines on vocals, but when the background harmonies are needed by May and Taylor, they are spot on.
   
   "Bicycle Race": Another masterpiece. In general the chorus gives you a feel for pedaling on a bicycle. I particularly like the tempo and melody changes. Parts of the song have the classic theatrical sound. The reference to "Fat Bottomed Girls" provides synergy back to the track with that name.
   
   "If You Can't Beat Them": Great song written by Deacon. While Deacon wrote this song, the big highlight is a two minute guitar solo by May which is as good as any guitar solo I ever heard.
   
   "Let Me Entertain You": Deacon's bass work is spot on with this song, but I also give credit to May's guitars. Great harmonies as well. This song establishes synergy back to "Teo Torriate" on "A Day at the Races" with the reference to "We'll sing to you in Japanese".
   
   "Dead on Time": A similar tempo to "Keep Yourself Alive" from Queen's debut album, but with a more modern twist. This song is simply Hall of Fame quality. It's a complete effort by the band by ultimately its May who generates some powerful guitar riffs that shines.
   
   "In Only Seven Days": This is a softer song by Deacon. This song gives Mercury the opportunity to shine. Not the best song on the collection, but not a bad one.
   
   "Dreamers Ball": This is more of an acoustic song. It almost sounds like a cross between ragtime and tropical island music providing for a unique and innovative sound.
   
   "Fun It": This song has more of a dance beat to it. Taylor takes the lead vocals and his higher octaves are perfect on this track. It's a different sound for Queen, but I got used to it.
   
   "Leaving Home Ain't Easy": May takes the lead vocals on this ballad. Not a bad track at all.
   
   "Don't Stop Me Now": Legendary track with a classic Queen theatrical feel. I love the tempo change from the soft intro.
   
   "More of that Jazz": Underrated song by Queen. Taylor takes the lead on vocals. I particularly love the innovative montage of the other tracks on the song "Dead on Time", "Bicycle Race", "Mustapha", "If You Can't Beat Them", "Fun It", and "Fat Bottomed Girls".
   
   Don't listen to the critics. This is album is simply a masterpiece. Definitely worth checking out.



2. A worthy follow-up to 1977's News of the World, Jazz continues the Queen tradition of making a very diverse album, though not so over-the-top as, say, A Night at the Opera. "Fat Bottomed Girls" is the best tribute to "heap-big women" ever put to vinyl, "Bicycle Race" and "Don't Stop Me Now" are both classic and a lot of fun. "Jealousy" is a typical overblown Freddie Mercury ballad, that works. "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" is a sad/breezy Brian May ballad, and "Dreamer's Ball" is lighthearted and jazzy, with a sad undercurrent. There are a few weaker moments, including Roger Taylor's rather lame "Fun It" (he was always the band's weakest songwriter) and John Deacon's pedestrian "In Only Seven Days." On the whole, however, this album works, and is notable as Queen's last of the 70s, the end of an amazing run. As with many artists, the 80s would prove to be trickier and a bit uneven music-wise.



3. Wow. Simply, wow. This album slams you from the very beginning of the first song, "Mustapha," and keeps beating you over the head mercilessly with Queen's absolutely masterful rocking. The entire album is one of their most cohesive, and highlights all the members' insane musical abilities, from Brian May's intense guitar work ("Dead On Time" is an excellent example) to Freddie Mercury's piercing vocals. This album is just good fun and good music. Queen's tongue-in-cheek sense of humor is rampant ("Let Me Entertain You" and "If You Can't Beat Them"), and this album is polished and sharp in its manic pace. This album is for the listener looking for an album to just let loose and rock out to. It's not a casual listening album, but it is guaranteed to entertain you, no pun intended! With the possibility of redundancy on my part, it's GREAT!



4. This CD sounds uninspired & unfocused. They bring back Roy Thomas Baker as producer, but his touch is nowhere to be found. There are some nice moments, but for the most part, but they tend to sound like their simply going through the motions. There doesn't seem too much though put into the track listing either. Roger Taylor's two songs on this (Fun it & More of that jazz) are boring and embarrassing. The only reason to own this CD is for Brian May's hypnotic "Dead on time"



5. Queen released their seventh album in November of 1978 entitled 'Jazz' which in the chorus of the title track contained.."more of that jazz" meaning a another solid but unspectacular outing from the band critics loved to hate. An explosion of song styles as if Queen were trying to be all things to all people...or was this diversity only to please themselves. Pop, country, sappy ballads, funk/disco and even metal were showcased on this record along with a truly bizarre opener (what the hell was "Mustapha" anyway...arabic rock????!!!). 'Jazz' was no better than or worse than the previous two lps and did contain its share of hits. Favorites include "Fat Bottomed Girls" with its delicious harmonies and dynamite guitar sound....just a skinny lad (not with those power chords). "Bicycle Race" was the quirky hit, similar in style to "Killer Queen" in which it contained pomp, outrageous (and dated) lyrics and diverse arrangements. "Don't Stop Me Now" should have been a bigger hit than it was with Freddie, a larger than life character, celebrating his party existence...too mister farenheidt for mainstream America? Metal and hard rock are served well in "Dead on Time" with another guitar workout from Brian and "Let Me Entertain You" another rhythmic hard rocker from Freddie. John Deacon offers "If You Can't Beat Them", his first true rocker and "In Only Seven Days", one of his typical ballads. Roger Taylor's songs are usually hit or miss...title track is darn good, "Fun It" just blows. Maybe Queen was trying to hard here, but their fans didn't care...football gives us thrills....rock and roll just pays the bills.

5 comments about Counterparts.

1. Fantastic work. Classic organic rock. Melody, hooks and tons of drive. A worthy effort gentlemen.



2. When I purchased this album the first day of its release, I could tell they were moving in a different direction; boy was I ever right!! Counter parts is deffinitly their best album of the 90's. From the opening track Counterparts, this album takes on a journey back when they had that guitar sound of the 70's. Alex lifeson with some great guitar work on Cut to the Chase, Stick it Out,and the best song Cold Fire to Neal's great writing with songs like Nobody's Hero, which is a tear jerker to Animate, and Cold fire are some of the best lyrics I have ever seen and heard in a song, along with his drum playing and of course and Geddy Lee's bass with hardly any keyboards, is a breath of fresh air. His singing is also0 great on this record. This is a must for Rush fans of all generations. It is a sleeper and under appreciated.



3. Counterparts is one of those CDs that could have been made a few songs shorter and would be a lot tighter for it. I find some of my favorite Rush tunes here, such as Stick It Out, Alien Shore, Animate, Double Agent and Cold Fire, but also my all-time least favorite Rush song, the lethargic Speed of Love. If that is really the "speed of love" it's a wonder we aren't dying out as a species from lack of reproduction. It's actually ironic - the lyric "nothing changes faster than the speed of love" is buried in a sluggardly, decidedly not fast song that sounds more like your grandfather's snoring through the wall from the next room.
   
   OK, now that I got that off my chest, I'm also non-plussed by Everyday Glory. As for the instrumental Leave That Thing Alone, well... that flat-out jams. Great groove, listen to the Rush in Rio cd to hear this song really blown open live. All in all Counterparts is a solid, strong offering, and it was especially refreshing in 1993. I like most of Rush's 80s stuff, and Roll the Bones is very good... but hearing Rush crank it up a bit more sounded great then, and still does now. However, as hard as Counterparts sounds in places (Stick it Out), it is far less in your face than Vapor Trails.
   
   As for the lyrics (always a classic feature of any Rush album), I love them. Neil surprised me back then with this nearly full album's worth of relational and interpersonal lyrics. Such lyricism made rare appearances before Counterparts, such as in Emotion Detector, Ghost of a Chance and Entre Nous. Neil may not be a psychologist, but he is quite pointed with these lyrics, especially on Alien Shore and Cold Fire. The more familiar oblique, brainiac lyrics are here, as on Double Agent and what I think is the best track in the bunch, Stick It Out. Overall a very enjoyable CD, with that one clunker there in the middle... which should have been titled "The Sleep of Love" or something like that.



4. Presto and Roll the Bones pared down the wall of synthesizers that Rush was known for in the 80s, but it wasn't until this album that the band finally reverted into the heavy power-trio style. Though the songwriting is in the same straightforward, accessible style of the previous two albums, Alex Lifeson supplies more loud, distortion-laden riffs than he had in years. The music itself is erratic -- it starts out great ("Animate", "Cut to the Chase", "Nobody's Hero"), descends to an unremarkable mush in the middle and then finishes strong on the last four songs. Fans of the band's early, metal days may really enjoy this back-to-the-basics Rush.
   
   [This review is based on the 1993 original release, not the 2004 remaster. I have no issues with the original's sound quality.]



5. Según mi opinión este disco Counterparts de Rush es uno de los mejores discos de los 90's, se identifica las distorsiones de guitarras que se imponen a muchos grupos de la onda grunge y una versatilidad del bajista que ojalá tenga pronto la suerte de ver en vivo.

5 comments about Absolute Hits.

1. No problem with a five-star rating. This selection is "cream of the crop" blending in most of Mr. Squier's top hits along with two live tracks which I found sensational. This release pulls together everything a Squier fan could want. Not a boring moment of rock 'n roll here. A nice compilation. Happy listening!!!



2. Even though I live in England I had to order this CD from those lovely folks at Amazon.com as Billy is not exactly a household name over here. In actual fact if I wasn't a massive Queen fan I wouldn't know him either as none of his classy rock songs are played on the radio over here. As the liner notes to the CD state Billy Squier not only toured with Queen but recorded with Freddie Mercury too. On the brilliant Love Is The Hero Freddie's distinctive background vocals lend support to the song perfectly.
   
   Remastered in 2005, all the songs sound great and every one is a winner on this compilation. Although having two live songs added on to the end of an album can sometimes not merge well with the rest of the record, in this case they work well. Both well chosen songs as they are two of Billy's biggest Billboard hits. All an artist like Billy Squier needs is for one of his songs to appear in summer movie blockbuster and he'll be re-discovered by a new generation. Until then though I'd advise anyone reading this to buy this excellent compilation.



3. Billy Squire paid his dues before finally grabbing the brass ring. A pair of underlooked albums with Piper (both unavailable) before going it alone as a solo artist (The Tale of the Tape) and then exploding with his second album, Don't Say No. The big meaty guitars and catchy shout along of "The Stroke" made him ready to start filling the stadiums formally reserved for the likes of Foreigner or Queen.
   
   Billy was also a tailor made MTV figure. Willowy good looks, bushy rockstar hair, tough-guy style with puppydog eyes, the videos soon became unavoidable. When they clicked, like "The Stroke" and "Emotions in Motion," they added to the star-power. But when they backfired, as they did in the universally derided "Rock Me Tonight," Billy suddenly found his momentum stopped like ramming the wall in a Mack Truck in overdrive. While there were still a few minor hits, Signs of Life was where the big success stopped.
   
   The remaining tracks on this best of signal that record company malaise or just a changing of the times were more at fault than the quality of the music. Freddy Mercury's backing vocal on "Love Is The Hero" makes it a standout. "Don't Say You Love Me" barely missed the top 40 in 1989. By now, however, Robert Plant lite was being over-hauled by Nirvana and Kurt Cobain, and his co-contemporaries (think Def Leppard, who opened for Squire in their early career, and Queen, who were preparing their final bow with Innuendo) were suffering the same fate.
   
   Thus this 12 song plus 2 live extras CD sums up Billy Squire quite well. His albums have begun to see re-issue of late, so you can still eat from the whole platters on some of these songs, but for the casual fan of "The Stroke," this does a service to American Arena Rock of the 80's.



4. item arrived very quick and in brand new condition would recomend purchasing from here alot of hits on cd that everyone knows plus a couple of live versions.



5. This compilation, while maybe not really comprehensive is still very good, all the good songs of Billy Squier are here and the sound is great. I'm quite pleased with it. I feel that Billy Squier has been underrated, he certainly deserved more credit, among the hard rock of the 80's. This disc brought back so many memories and I really like it. Recommended to anyone who likes Billy Squier.

5 comments about Roll the Bones.

1. Rush is the living legend. The band attracts so much enthusiam by some but neglected by many. My first Rush purchase is Vapor Trail in 2002 and this one is my second encounter to this giant.
   
   My first impression on this album is this is much like DREAM THEATER somewhat surreal. The melodies, chorus and bridges are spontaneous rather than organized meticulous one not something like we seen in the works of say...SURVIVOR or ASIA. LIVE YOUR LIFE the last track is the exception this does not belong to this album because it's too catchy. DREAMLINE the opener well represents what is good at this band dynamic yet unfathomable in mysterious manner. BRAVADO has catchy opening yet has surreal mid-stage arrangement. GHOST OF A CHANCE is my top favorite of this album though it requires repeated listens.
   
   So this one is not masterpiece in an ordinary sense but a decent one and a fine purchase if you have any one of their works. To an initiator, however, I recommend you either buy their latest or the greatest hits package.
   
   Verdict: Decent Rush album with a bit of catchiness.
   Rating: 88 out of 100
   Recommended for: Rush some of DREAM THEATER fans, early 90s rock fans. And some 70s rock fans.



2. This album starts out fantastically -- "Dreamline" is easily one of the best songs the band has ever done, while "Bravado" and the title track maintain a high standard. But other than "Heresy" and the instrumental "Where's My Thing", the rest of the album is forgettable mainstream rock. Though fans of the 70s material may appreciate the (near) absence of synthesizers they might still find parts of this CD to be extremely boring. The completist will want to pick this up, but most of the good songs from this album are available on the live set Different Stages.
   
   [This review is based on the original 1991 release, not the 2004 remaster; the sound quality on the original is just fine.]



3. Rush's first album of the 90's would be another disc that would divide their fan base. Although I don't rank it up with the band's absolute best I have always enjoyed it. The album starts out strong with what is in my opinion one of the band's all time best singles in "Dreamline". It is a great song with a great hook and deserved the large amount of AOR airplay it received upon release. I have always loved the line "We are young.....learning that we're only immortal, for a limited time". Ain't that the truth......... Really the first half of this album is all really strong. After "Dreamline" comes "Bravado" and the title track with its weird middle rap section. A lot of Rush fans absolutely hate this track, but I think it works and shows the band not taking themselves too seriously. "Where's My Thing" is the band's first all instrumental track in many years and is another winner. The second half of the album is not quite as good, but all decent songs. Overall I think this one is a step up from their previous album "Presto" and one that is well worth owning.



4. Rush's worst album since Caress of Steel brought to an abrupt end a very strong run of releases that had begun with Hemispheres in 1978. Nevertheless, the album is not without its positives. Dreamline is one of the band's great songs, and there are other good ones, like Bravado, and You Bet Your Life. Face Up, The Big Wheel, and Where's My Thing make for passable filler. The rest, though, is unlistenable garbage, whether it's the strikingly awful rapping in the title track, or the dreadful run of songs "Heresy/Ghost of a Chance/Neurotica" that surely represent the three worst consecutive tracks -- ever -- on a Rush album. When an album has stuff on it that is so terrible that you'd be embarrassed to play the CD in front of other people, it's pretty bad. When it's a RUSH album that does this, its pretty depressing. Download Dreamline and skip this one.



5. I discovered Rush late in life. I never longed for a new release to hit the music stores. Once I heard my first Rush album, I was hooked. My first Rush allbum is not important as every one of their releases could have sparked the fire. Roll The Bones fits this category as it offers up some of Rush's greatest tunes. Songs such as Dreamline, Bravado, Roll the Bones, Where's My Thing and Ghost of a Chance are monster tunes as only Rush could write and perform. If you have not discovered Rush, I highly recommend this album. Rush is a guitar heavy three-man rock band which is made up of guitar legend Alex Lifeson, lightning fast bass player Geddy Lee and Neal Peart who has been voted world's best rock drummer. Someone mentioned playing their albums while exercising which I have enjoyed doing. This is a high energy album which will surely work your bones in a good way. Good stuff by a great band. - Ciao