5 comments about The Carl Stalling Project, Volume 2: More Music From Warner Bros. Cartoons 1939-1957.

1. Are the names Mel Blanc, I. Freleng or Chuck Jones familiar to you? Then you will get a charge out of these albums as they remind you of Warner Brothers cartoons you saw. I even used these albums instead of "spooky music" for the trick-or-treaters at Halloween, and got appreciative comments from the parents who recognized the music. Definitely worth the price of admission.



2. As well as Stalling Project Part I, These recordings are more modern fidelity, less classic and more musical techniques. The improvisations appreciate me more than Part I. I like all tracks especially one from "Zoom and Bored" Salute Maestro!!!!
   jlipipun



3. More music from Warner Brother Cartoons 1936 to 1958.
   Carl Stalling was one of the foremost composers of music for cartoons and wrote virtually all of the scores for Warner Brothers cartoons from 1936 to 1958. This is a compilation of some complete soundtracks and other snippets. In my opinion, this disk is not quite as well done as "The Carl Stalling Project Volume I."



4. I really did like the slice-and-dice format of the first disc : I think it helped keep that cartoon zaniness without the visuals. I would recommend both volumes - I listen to them alot while I'm programming!



5. Carl Stalling. We all know who he is, but we don't know that we know. Who is he? The guy who did cartoon background music for Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for more than 20 years, that's who. Maybe you're thinking, "Oh, come on! Cartoon background music??! How good could something so trivial be?!" The answer to that question is.. VERY. Very entertaining. I just love Carl Stalling's great "scores". When you take away the context of it's being CARTOON music and just sit and listen to the damn thing, it's WONDERFUL music in and of itself! He goes from violins and a piano playing "agitato" simultaneously to a single oboe note and back again in five seconds. Not only that. He does that and, as random as it may sound, he mannages to segue it together beautifully. Now, every time I watch cartoons, the thing I pay most attention to is what aural miracles Mr. Stalling sneaked in. Maybe, after listening to this, you will too. If anything will change after you listen to this, it would be that you'll never think of cartoon music as trivial again........That's a GOOD thing.

5 comments about Fooly Cooly OST 1: Addict.

1. Fooly Cooly had an amazing deal with the Pillows who provided amazing music for them and it shows on these soundtracks. This is a good album but it lacks a bit. Though I think Vol.2 is better this is still a hot album. For one it only gives you a taste of "Last Dinosaur" on the first track, it only lasts about 20 seconds. Of course "Ride on shooting star" is hot and it will definitely get you into the CD. After that there are very nice songs like "Hybrid Rainbow" and a lot of Pillows instrumentals. The instrumentals are hot don't get me wrong but Sawao has a great voice and I would have loved to have heard it instead of just the music. I got the second volume first because a friend told me that the songs were better. If you're like me and did this then you'll be happy to know that the Drama's aren't on here so there's more room for more music. "Little Busters" is also very nice, I love the hook and "Instant Music" is also one of my favorites. I think that the FLCL soundtracks are amazing and The Pillows are an amazing band that gives great quality music on this album. I only take away a star for the instrumentals which I wish had Sawao on them and that's a personal preference because some people may like them the way they are but this album is still very worth it.



2. I actually saw FLCL after being introduced to The Pillows, which is a bit backwards. It's partly because of this that I have issues with the soundtrack. While supplying you with the superb music of The Pillows and some Shinkichi Mitsumune, there are some problems with the CD.
   
   For one thing, there are numerous soundtracks. It gets VERY confusing as to which one has what songs. Some soundtracks have the same songs, but different versions.
   
   That's the main problem, though. This, being a soundtrack, only provides us with the glimpses we got from the show as opposed to the full songs by The Pillows themselves. While still nice, thirty second clips are not too substantial. A few songs are long and full, but for the most part, it's quick and short.
   
   Really, if you just watched the show, then this is a good album to purchase. You liked the music and you want to hear it again, here's your buy. For Pillows fans: turn elsewhere.



3. Hmm, FLCL, what a great way to start to become a Pillows fan. Without this amazing anime, I would never of met one of my now favorite bands. Though that's how many americans met them.
   
   This CD features much of the music from FLCL, and really gave the show it's good feel, but I'm going to break this down. The FLCL Soundtracks are basically a mix of many of The Pillows past work. It features many different types of music that they can play as well, which shows their creaitivity in music. They also bring a whole heartedly good feel to it as well. From the haunting song Stalker Goes To Babylon (From their 2nd Compliation, Another Morning, Another Pillows, which came out in 2002) to the Japanese equse Bran-New Lovesong (From their 1999 album Runner's High) , there's a lot of variety and a lot to love.
   
   Basically many songs from their 5th album through their 8th album are on this and the other cd. A few of which are tweaked slightly , like Advice, which was originally a little lighter with Sawao using a funny english accent to even funnier lyrics. And also Runner's High. However many of the songs were cut so they aren't the original verison. Don't start thinking these guys are an instrumental band by any means, they aren't. Well, yes they do have instruamental songs, but most of the songs on here are or were with lyrics in them. A few songs that were changed include Carnival, my personal favorite of theirs and they basically took out the lyrics and cut it down so it was only a minute or so long, compared to the original 4 and a half minute song, and Stalker wasn't really cut down, but the lyrics were taken out.
   
   However this CD doesn't just feature The Pillows, it also has the works of Shinkichi Mitsumune, who uses syntesiers combined with actul insturments to create some very nice songs. Including the somber Rever's Edge to the poppy Pink.
   
   This CD is a great CD, if not the best way to introduce yourself to The Pillows. It'll be helpful in your choosing of wheater or not you want to own more of their CDs, and definatly shows their amazing variety.



4. Knowing that there are probably not a lot of FOOLY COOLY fans out there I think that this soundtrack is AMAZING. The music in the series went perfect with the story. The music in the bacjround of a animated show should be uplifting and make you want to dance or hear it again. that is why I rated the soundtrack 5 out of 5. I also think it is a perfect deal for CD ADDICT and CD KING OF PIRATES, because byou would all the tracks from the show.AMAZING



5. I tripped over "Fooly Cooly" on Adult Swim around 2:00am one night and thought that it was the wierdest things I'd ever seen. Now I've got the whole series on DVD. Even after watching it repeatedly, I STILL think it's one of the trippiest, acid-induced, wacked out, STRANGEST series anywhere. The visual style (and the plot line) is truly something from a seriously deranged mind. In other words: I loved it inside the first 5 minutes.
   One of the things that grabbed me and held on tight was the music. It plays against the story and setting perfectly and will make you watch the episodes JUST to hear the tracks. I finally found out about the soundtrack and had to have it. I quickly discovered that there are 4 or 5 FLCL soundtracks and started trying to figure out WHICH ONE had the tracks I wanted. I finally stumbled over "Addict" and this is definitely the one for the FLCL fan. (The track that had my brain totally stuck is from the beginning of episode 1 called "One Life").
   The music has alot of heavy power-chord distorted guitar riffs set against a range of sounds that are up and down the scale. This is one of those CD's that will definitely test your ability to fine-tune the equalizer because one second it's all high's and the next there's a LOUD old-school distorted electric guitar roar with a banging tough back beat.
   It's a great CD and even though "The Last Dinosaur" is only the 30 second version (apparently there is a "full" version, but I haven't heard it). The rest of the CD has all of the familiar sounds that makes the series so groovy and it MORE than makes up for that.
   The Pillows are a groovy hardcore band with a sound that doesn't feel like anything else. This CD should NOT be listened to while driving because your foot gets really heavy when it rocks! (especially track #7 "Stalker"!)

5 comments about Fooly Cooly OST 2: King of Pirates.

1. I already said a lot of what I wanted to say in the my review of the first OST (see that for more details) But, this is basically just a mix of stuff from their 5th album through their 8th one. They stil however cut many of the songs down, one being Patrica used to be much longer and with lyrics, it was from their 6th album Little Busters, and I'm pretty sure Nightmare was cut down as well. This is still a great way to be introduced to The Pillows and still shows their great variety, but the one reason to get this CD would have to be the song I Think I Can, which was espically made for this CD, meaning you can't find it anywhere else, this is the only album that The Pillows made with this song in it, and it is quite a good one (course all of them are aren't they?)
   
   It once again features a few works by Shinikichi Mitsumune, and they are once again well done by his synteizers and instruments.
   But, it also features a few dramas, which were made by the japanese cast of FLCL. Although no translations are given if you know what they are saying a few of them are quite hilarious.
   
   As I said in the past review this CD is a great way to introduce yourself to The Pillows, sorry for being breifer on this one but I said much already in the last review. This CD is once again a mix of great work from The Pillows nd features some amazing work from Mitsumune, and hilarious dramas to boot, I'd tell the stie name for translations, but too lazy, just google. Till later, P! (Pillows symbol, incase you didn't know)



2. When you buy this soundtrack you know that your buying it for 12 songs and not 17 because five tracks are Japanese Drama's which take up about eight to ten minutes a piece. You come to accept that they're not going to change the entire soundtrack for the American fans and you leave it alone. The problem comes in when the Drama's take up way too much time and some of the other songs are shortened to fit the disc so they won't have to waste cash on a 2 disc. I feel that fans all over would have been more excited to see five more tracks from the Pillows instead of those drama's. The dialogue is probably very good and entertaining but if you don't know Japanese there pointless to you. Great songs like White Ash are limited to only 1:19 and it is so good that you want it to be longer because when your really into it it goes off.
   
   The book that comes with the disc gives you some insight as to what the dialogues are about but they only help a little. The soundtrack is basically missing more Pillows and you can't get enough of them after I think I can and they give you more after it with a hidden track. Their music is very hype here; these guys know their instruments very well. You can't get enough of the style they play and the drummer is very talented. The best songs are the ones with vocals and even though this album is limited in some ways it's a perfect way to start your addiction to The Pillows music.



3. Well the FLCL anime series would not be what it is without its soundtrack. The Pillows' music compliments the weird and energizing tone of the series. Its always good to have an open mind when listining to this stuff. This OST is Brilliant



4. If you thought the anime was great, then check out this soundtrack. The second volume has been released and it is sure hard to find so what are you waiting for!!!!? Hey, I didn't find this at Planet Anime and I know I'm not getting ready to pay 30 dollars+ tax at Robert's Corner Store. I have the third and first volume and they are AMAZING!!! I love Crazy Sunshine and Lsdt Dinosaur. So to all my Aanime fans out there , check out this CD!!!



5. I really enjoyed this both this CD and the first one. This CD has a very different flow to it than the previous one (mainly due to the [Drama] parts of it). I would suggest this one more if you're a fan of the show, and go with the first one if you're newer to it. The reason that i gave this a five instead of a four, though, is that the music is superb. Mitsumune and the Pillows sound amazing on this disk. A definite buy for fans, and, if you like the genre, for others as well.

5 comments about Scooby-Doo's Snack Tracks: The Ultimate Collection.

1. We got the CD when promised and it exact condition as promised. Thank you! The songs on this CD are more the classic Scooby songs which was a perfect complement to our other Scooby CD for my son's 5th birthday party (a Scooby Doo Mystery party).



2. Believe me when I tell you that I probaly love "original" Scooby Doo songs more than any one on the planet. That is why I was slightly dissapointed by this CD. The problem is that it included most of the songs from the original series sung by Danny Janssen, except for "I Can Make You Happy" and "Pretty Mary Sunlight". Those songs were awesome in a Beatles-esque type of way. Instead they used the versions by Davy Jones and Jerry reed wich are basicaly dry solo songs instead good of band music. There was more than enough space on the Cd for both versions of each. They put every type of Scooby Doo theme song available though (go figure). This CD is probably worth getting just for the song "Tell Me Tell Me" and a few others(kids will love it). It Shouldn't be called the "Ultimate Collectoion" without those two Janssen songs though, because they were some of the most memorable songs from my childhood(and a whole lot of other Generation X ers). I think that I'll write the Cartoon Network and have them release the platinum edition, which should include every type of scooby do song ever made from 1969-2008 including a crappy hip hop version of the theme song for the youth of today lol:)



3. We played this in the car on our vacation and our two girls loved it for the most part. They remember the songs and could sing along. They just love Scooby.



4. This CD features music from various Scooby-Doo shows. Of course, the theme songs are all here. There are also some bubblegum songs that played on the original show during the chase scenes. Remember the show where the Scooby Gang teamed with a guest-star every week? Well, the songs sung by guest-stars Jerry Reed and Davy Jones are here. The songs from the later shows are mostly sung by Scooby and his pals, and are rather silly. The CD ends with a fun dance mix of Scooby-Doo music and quotes. A lot of the music on this CD isn't particularly good, but it's a fun nostalgia trip.



5. My package was recieved more than on time and exactly as it was advertized. Thank you, you made a 4 year old little boy's day.

5 comments about The Simpsons: Songs In The Key Of Springfield - Original Music From The Television Series.

1. What a disappointment! This was the first Simpson CD I've ever purchased and it is terrible. I watch the Simpsons all the time and I know there are many many great songs on the show. But did they pick any of those great songs? No! It had way too much talking on it, and a couple different Simpson theme song paradies. The songs were short, I guess I was hoping they would elaborate on the songs a bit more. There were only two songs on it that were fun to sing along with. I based my CD choice on the reviews of this product and I don't know where those people were coming from, but this CD is not the one with all the good songs on it, so pick another one or build your own off itunes.



2. In one episode of the Simpson, they had the stone masons singing a song.
   "We do." Love the song and this CD has that song on it in full.



3. Every other reviewer here has said it all: in a nutshell, this is a really fun recording and a must-have for any Simpsons fan. I just wanted to comment that every time I listen to this album I am always amazed at the incredibly lavish production value. The orchestra is as sweet as a film score, which lends a lot of weight to the characters and their various story lines. The music really draws you in and makes you care about the characters. As a musical enthusiast and amateur musician, it makes my soul happy.



4. This has got to be one of my faveroite Simpsons CDs I own.
   Packed with Simpsons goodness on every single track. You'll find yourself singing along to these catchy, yet hilarious tunes from the show. Being a Simpsons fan for almost my whole life, I know every tune and melody. If you're a Simpsons superfan, this CD is for you.
   =)



5. Until I heard this CD, I never fully appreciated how much music was in "The Simpsons." Sure, I knew the theme songs, and was aware of guest appearances by The Who, The Red Hot Chile Peppers, and many other bands, and I know that Danny Elfmann and ALf Clausen are exceptional composers who excel in many other venues. Over the years, however, the show has produced a number of memorable songs, many of them satirizing some of the most popular (and often unctious) chestnuts of recent American music.
   
   Krusty's "Send in the Clowns" is a prime example of the importance and the sheer quality of the songs in the show. Like the best musicals, they advance the plot, jive with with the show's themes and characters, and are musically memorable and lyrically hilarious. Some of the songs are played semi-straight (Lurleen's country songs) while others extend the subversive, on-target humor of one of TV's most brilliant shows. (As the co-owner of the creature who actually won the "animal who most resembles a Simpson contest," receiving a Matt Groening autographed poster as a prize, I am one of millions of experts on the show and a longtime fan.)
   
   I agree with the reviewer who said there were a just a few too many reworkings of the Simpson theme songs on the CD (although many of these are of unquestionable worth), the CD, replete with both music and samplings of dialogue is a tribute to the show, a true bargain box set, and a must for any Simpsons or musical comedy fan. Springfield, you RAWK!

5 comments about Dragon Tales.

1. I love it. The music is so good and give it five. Fun for all kids.



2. Our daughter loves dancing and playing to the songs on this disc. It's upbeat for her and not too sugary or chirpy for us. Tons of good beats to encourage a developing sense of rhythm and movement. Excellent for playtime!



3. This is a great children's CD from the Dragon Tales series. It has the original songs on it (ones my 6-year-old grew up on). We play this CD over and over and never seem to tire of it. It's our favorite CD - even my 2-year-old loves it.



4. If you or your children like the music played on the Dragon Tales show, this CD is a must! I must admit that I bought if for myself because I was sick of the same old "Wheels on the bus" "Old McDonald" type music that is marketed for kids. But once my son heard it the first time, he asked for it again and again and again. It's very upbeat (with the exception of a couple of mellower songs) so it's a great CD to get out the kids energy. Highly recommend it!



5. I got this cd for my son during about three years ago on a vacation. He was three back then. He's almost six now, and he still loves listening to it, and so do we, his parents. No matter how many times we listen to it, it never gets boring, and we even got my 1 1/2 year old nephew into it. My son's favorite song on this one is "Cassie." Mom and Dad like "Hello," "Doodli-Do," "Wake Up" and "Hum."

5 comments about Lion King 1 1/2.

1. Although I have paid for this CD, I haven't received it so far. Your assistance would be much appreciated. Sincerely
   
   Jaroslav



2. The 3 movies of The Lion King are very famous to many people who are or not Disney fans. This is one of the 3 of course. This is really a wonderful movie of stories that hadn't been told in the first movie of The Lion King. It's really filled with plenty of humor and the music in it impressed me much. So I found this soundtrack and bought it in a music shop near my college.
   When I wathced the movie, the song "Digga Tunnah" is my favorite, and I'm happy that it's in this soundtrack. But I found it's a little different from the version in the movie. Then I watched the movie again and knew that this is the version in the ending. Besides, it's much longer than the version in the movie. Well, this is not so important. This song is really good, rhythmic and always makes me associate it with the tableaux in the movie, then I smile unconsciously. So is "That's All I Need", it's a little longer than the one in the movie. The last few parts of this song are a little different in the tune and lyric. However, it's a good song as well. I have listened to the song "Jungle Boogie" before but I can't remember when and where. In the movie, it appears in the plot that how Simba lives with Timon and Pumbaa. I felt this song is vivid and naughty when I was watching, and I wanted to listen to the full version. Well, I think the full version feels not so good as the one in the movie, maybe it's because of listening without the tableaux. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a good song which I first listened to it in the album "Return to the Pride Rock". The same melody is repeats again and again, but it's beautiful, the lyric is good as well.
   Some scores in the movie impressed me too. Take the score that appears in Simba and Timon competing with each other in eating snails as an example, it's so familiar to me when I heard it in the movie, and I think it's very dramatic in the very plot. "Timon's Traveling Theme" is really wonderful too, very glorious and dramatic.
   I think the shortcoming is that it's too little for the scores, the other scores in the movie beside these ones in this soundtrack are wonderful. And I was a little disappointed that the vigorous version appears in the ending of the movie hasn't been recorded in this soundtrack. In other words, this soundtrack is not complete. However, tracks in this soundtrack are good. It can't be describe with the word "wonderful" but not too bad. So I want to rank it 3.5 stars.



3. Since this is such a ridiculously short CD, I'll review it track by track.
   
   1. Grazing In The Grass - I'm not too fond of Raven, so I naturally didn't really like this track. It just isn't my taste.
   
   2. Digga Tunnah Dance - I love Digga Tunnah, but this is just the version that plays over the credits. Why weren't the superior movie version and the reprise included?
   
   3. That's All I Need - This is probably the best track, with an extended ending.
   
   4. Hakuna Matata - This is just the track from the original movie. I can understand including it, but why not the version in 1/2? It's brief and silly, but I still like it (although you wouldn't get the joke with Pumbaa eating the dancing grub without the visual)
   
   5. The Lion Sleeps Tonight - This is also a nice track, but it's easy to find. It doesn't really "make" the CD or anythhing.
   
   6. Jungle Boogie - Why was this included? It's played for five seconds in the movie! If this is here, then why not also have "Sunrise, Sunset?"
   
   7. Timon's Traveling Theme - I like this track. It has the Hans Zimmer feel of the original movie
   
   8. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly - It's nice this was included, but I don't have much to say.
   
   All in all, so much more could have been done with this CD. It's too short, and some of the choices are too silly.



4. This album seemed more like the Lebo M and Nathan Lane album. They actually could have named it for them. Thats not a bad thing, though--I adore them both! As others have said, you wont get the cool Digga Tunnah from the movie and that sucks. But you will hear Lebo's beautiful voice on the "Lion sleeps tonight". Thats worth the price of the whole CD.



5. No matter what people say "Grazing In The Grass" is terrific. Just because they didn't like it don't say it's a bad song. Someone is obviously on some drugs or deaf.

5 comments about Rugrats In Paris: The Movie (2000 Film).

1. This soundtrack brings back so many memories for me. Like when "Who Let the Dogs Out" became popular in middle school when I was in the fifth grade. I'll never forget that. Picture this: It's the last day of school, and as usual, they (the school) puts on an awards ceremony and slideshow to remember the previous (2000-2001) school year by. The awards have all been announced (like for those whom have completed their speech therepy goals, stuff like that) and now they are showing the slide show. Sure they play some "hits", but then the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men comes on, and pretty much the whole school auditorium is singing along! But a few months before, Rugrats in Paris is shown at Strand Theatre here in Grafton, and once again, the song is a big hit. All the kids in the theater where the movie is showing is singing along. I should have put the movie story first because the song first became famous in our movie theater and then the awards day ceremony. It's been seven years since the CD came out, and I still listen to it to this day. I love all the songs that are on here, and I highly recommend this CD. Later.



2. This CD has awesome pop-centered music. Kids will be sure to love it and those "young at heart" will, too. Angelica's song at the end is very good. Aaron Carter... eh, well [cringe]... it's a kids album so I guess you've got to expect him, right? Most of the songs fit the theme of the movie very well.
   
   If you're a *huge* fan of both the movie and its music, try searching for the official import version of this CD, which has 14 tracks instead of 13 and includes Bardot's choir-esqe "Higher Than Heaven" - a nice closing pop track. Oh, how I wish she was on the US CD...
   
   My fav tracks are 2, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14.



3. Pretty good album but the first Rugrats movie album was way better and I own both.



4. This is the second CD I ever got. I havn't realy listened to it in a while sinse I got Jimmy Neutron,but I remember I liked it when i actually listened. I also got the movie,wich is really good. Goodbye.



5. This is really good for dance routines and stuff.I'm like the organiser for the kids downstairs and right now we're doing a play and we're using half the songs here! If you're running a dance class or something all the songs here are really good.

5 comments about Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost.

1. I don't know why, but for some reason, the two songs from Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island are not sung by the original group (Skycycle) who sang them. And while "The Ghost is Here" sounds fine, TTA was horribly redone. The new singer has a nasally voice and delivers several parts of the song poorly. Unfortunately, the original version of TTA is not on any other Scooby Doo CD, nor is it on any of the 2 albums released by Skycycle. So for those who want to listen to the awesome original version of It's Terror Time Again, you'll ether have to find an MP3, or hold a recorder up the the TV.
   
   This is not meant to give an overview of the CD and it's quality, only to serve as warning for those who are buying this with "It's Terror Time Again" in mind.



2. The package arrived more than on time and was exactly as advertized, thank you so much. You made a little boy's day.



3. Overall I thought it was a good movie, epecially the Hex Girls because they are super cool. I felt like they were contridictary with the witch theme however. Because many wiccans nowdays are witches and to still portray witches as bad was kind of conflicting. Music was great though.



4. This is a very cute album.

   First up we get the Scooby-Doo theme song done in a brand new way by Billy Ray Cyrus. After that there are seven songs by The Hex Girls (the goth group featured in the movie). This is the main reason I got the CD. I really like their songs 'Hex Girl', 'Earth Wind Fire and Air' and 'It's a Mystery'. The latter of which has a really cool melody.

   Only one track is dedicated to Louis Febre's score though. However he has released a promo CD all his cues if you can find it. Though it's pretty hard to come across.

   Released on the Kid Rhino label the CD is nicely packaged with bright colors and liner notes. It may run for a swift 32 minutes but it's definitely for Scooby Doo fans. And for folks who liked the Hex Girls music.




5. hey i really like your cd and i was wondering if i could have a copy.We have been workimng on it in school for the saint dvids day compotuion and i acudentually broke the cd so could i please have a another copy.

   yours thankfully aiasha hillman
   88 queen street abertillery gwent np13 1ap.

5 comments about Bug Music: Music Of The Raymond Scott Quintette, John Kirby & His Orchestra, And The Duke Ellington Orchestra.

1. This music is energetic, joyous, creative and inspiring. And addictive, as some of the tunes live on in one's head long after listening! I've been waiting for music like this all my life.



2. I enjoyed this album much more than I thought that I would. Listening to it evokes many excited emotions, and it's great to dance to.



3. I noticed that most of my Amazon reviews were negative. I tend to rant when something fails, but I rarely go online to express the joy that some products bring -- I'm clearly a grump. So I decided to write about something that elates me day in and out.
   
   This music is beautifully played, well recorded, and my whole family enjoys it. My wife and I chose 'Charlie's Prelude' as our wedding song, our two-year-old daughter will dance anytime we put on this CD, and I've even had the great fortune to see Don Byron's group play these almost-impossible-to-execute tracks live.
   
   Bug Music is just a terrific work. Buy it and enjoy it!



4. This is a favorite when looking for an energy pop ... sort of caffeine on CD. And during a week-long painting project with a 13-year old, all hip hop and rap, this was the single CD he asked for again and again!



5. A previous reviewer mocked this album as no different than what Wynton Marsalis does. I respectfully disagree. While Don Byron is reviving music too little known (Kirby, Scott), and honoring the well-known (Ellington), and not taking any liberties with the content... he's NOT suggesting that jazz should be frozen in time, or that anything freer than bop is just noise, the way, say, Marsalis does.

   Sure, i dig this recording. But i also dig his radical, modern works like the Tuskegee Experiment, his Knitting Factory work, and his sideman work with the likes of Marc Ribot. You will NOT hear Wyton Marsalis playing with Marc Ribot or Bill Frisell!

   Respect for the past, and an eye to the future - that's what jazz ought to be, i think. Contrary to opinion, i think the cool thing about this album isn't that people will listen to it and then go listen to Raymond Scott or Duke Ellington. No, the cool thing is that they'll listen to this and then open their ears up to something genuinely new and radical with Byron's gorgeous modern works.