5 comments about Wicked Grin.

1. So there is not much more that can be said about this album. This is one of the most solid collections of Tom Waits renditions that you will find, almost as great as Tom himself.
   
   Better than any of the other tribute compilations and better than the Scarlett Johansson or even the Holly Cole renditions, although I must say that the Holly Cole ones are rather great as well.
   
   John Hammond is one of the moden greats in Blues and really has somethings to say and says them with love, heart and soul. This album captures that with the brilliance that only Tom Waits could deliver.
   
   Buy it!



2. I like blues and I like Tom Waits. This album is the kind you don't get tired of, but it takes at least 4 full plays through the CD to start appreciating the songs. I painted my basement which took two days and played this CD at least half the time. That was back in 2003, and this still is a regular in my CD changer. So it is definitely a grower and not a slam banger. All I can say is like a fine wine sit and savor it and you will find yourself coming back to this CD again and again. It has even made me seek out the John Hammond catalog and listen to him more. Fine guitar playing.



3. This guy is as cool as they come. I absolutely love this CD.I've since ordered several more.



4. I bought this CD fully expecting to really enjoy this since I love Tom Waits's music and I enjoy John Hammond's guitar playing. However after numerous plays I have since grown tired of this CD and I have sold it. After a while all of the songs seemed to sound the same and they don't hold a candle to the Tom Waits originals. So save your cash and buy the Tom Waits originals.



5. After 39 reviews, I have some doubts about any beneficial effects the 40th may have, but I feel so strongly about this disc that I decided to weigh in anyway.
   
   Pretty straightforward, really: Tom Waits is a musical genius. John Hammond is a great blues guitarist, and a very good singer.
   
   Didn't they listen to this CD before they released it?
   
   Except for the passing novelty of hearing some of Tom's (deliberately) incomprehensible growling translated into english, this disc has very little to offer.
   
   You know that sensation you get when you hear a really great song performed as elevator music?
   
   Bingo.

5 comments about The Dude.

1. if i'm correct, 'the dude' followed quincy jones' 1977 'sounds'. and the results are equally incredible!
   
   the presence of guest singers includes the great patti austin, james ingram and michael jackson. the instrumentalists are equally formidable like the brothers johnson, stevie wonder and david 'hawk' wolinski.
   
   the greatest plus is that are more songs than 'sounds' 7 tracks. and a couple of them became identifying songs of the early 1980s like 'one hundred ways', 'ai no corrida' and 'just once'. there is very little to dislike about this album. it is foremost in showing off the producer as star. and that is not always a bad thing, is it, mister timbaland?



2. This album took a mid-western kid who only rocked with AC/DC and KISS and smooooothed me out a little and made me move from side to side instead of just bobbing my head up and down. I loved this album as a kid in the 80's, and now I'm going to upgrade from vinyl and get the CD.



3. I'd almost forgot how good this album was. Lost in my album boxes for years. A great dance-funk sound. Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson fame) and Steve Lukather (Toto) really jam and just add to the all-star cast Quincy Jones gathered. You really need to add this CD to your collection.



4. This is another album I have been after for some time. I originally heard it when my daughter acquired it, and was blown away! Q's music really strikes a chord with me, ably abetted by the stellar vocals of James Ingraham & Patti Austin.



5. Loved it in the 80's, loved it in the 90's, STILL LOVIN' IT TODAY!!!! One of my all time favourites!!!!! This album soars...... always lifts my spirits and gives me fresh vision.

5 comments about Greatest Hits Live.

1. Although I am a Boz Scaggs fan - I was surprised to find this set of CDs to be a disappointment. As many artists will, Boz takes a new direction with most of the songs in these performances. His interpretations are well outside the bounds what what I had expected. Unfortunately I don't think these new directions benefitted the recordings in most cases. Its a shame because I really do (otherwise) like his style.



2. I don't know why it is, but until recently I hadn't owned any live albums by Boz Scaggs. 'Silk Degrees' is, of course, a classic, and everything he's done from 'Some Change' onwards has been terrific. I recently bought the excellent remastered version of 'Silk Degrees', and was very impressed by the three live bonus tracks. This led me to buy this 2CD live set dating from 2004.
   
   And I have to say it is a revelation. Scaggs and the band are far more jazz-flavoured live than on many of the studio albums. The five songs originating from 'Silk Degrees' are excellent, but a big surprise here was to find myself really liking some tracks I didn't particular enjoy in their original studio format.
   
   The best tracks on Disc 1, for me, are 'It All Went Down the Drain' and 'Ask Me Bout Nothin But the Blues', though it should be stressed that the overall quality is remarkably consistent. The second disc is even better than the first. 'Runnin Blue' is an excellent eleven-minute epic, and my favourite track of the lot is 'Loan Me A Dime' - the studio version (with the legendary Duane Allman on guitar) is a very hard act to follow, but Boz and the band deliver an excellent (and even longer -almost sixteen minute) version of the song here.
   
   Throughout this live set, Scaggs and the band are on top form. I particularly liked Drew Zingg's guitar work, and the trumpet and sax contributions, too, work really well. All in all, a real top-flight album. I can't recommend it too strongly!



3. The week before I bought this item I attended his concert.
   It was a great concert and this CD brought it all back. Have listened to it often and it is his greatest hits. Well worth the cost.



4. I've firstly bought the DVD. Now I've bought the CD to listen it in my car, in my house in everywhere I go. It's a CD for listening all through the day.I was impressed by the quality and talent of Boz and his Band in the DVD and I continue it in this fantastic double CD. It's the best performance live I've already seen. Boz is in his best performance, the Band is perfect, the quality of recording is also perfect. All in all, everything is perfect.Even if you don't know Boz Scaggs, you'll be very satisfied buying this cd. Absolutelly Perfect!



5. This album (all comments apply to the DVD, too) covers his "greatest hits," certainly, but does something else just as effectively--it displays the fact that Boz is a master arranger and band leader. It's not luck that makes a band sound silky smooth, punchy, and soulful at the same time--it's major talent, decades of experience, and hard work.
   
   Of course, great songs--played with tight, driving rhythms, solid brass, virtuosity on the melodies and solos (without being guitar frenzy)--all supporting Boz's warm, melancholic voice and backing vocalists (who are not in the least "background.")
   
   If you love music, buy this. If you think you love music, but only listen to what passes for it on the pop stations, buy this. If you've never heard music and are curious, buy this.
   
   One weekend night, when you have your significant other(s) around, open some wine, put this on the stereo (*don't* rip and compress this one), and turn it up. You'll dance, you'll sing along (if you're a 'certain age') and you'll be sad when it's over. You'll probably play it twice. And it may change what you define as "music."

5 comments about Live From Austin TX.

1. This is really a Great cd..I mean, Susan Tedechi LIVE on stage in Austin, Texas! Kudos!



2. Susan Tedeschi, a singer of the blues with a Janis Joplin feel. Tedeschi has risen up the ranks by hard work and a formal education in music, resulting in multi Grammy Award Nominations. This live performance at 'Austin City Limits' reveals her versatility and enthusiasm as she sings from her heart. The voice of Susan Tedeschi has been described as "a blend of Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin." This CD is well worth adding to your collection.



3. I had never heard of Susan Tedeschi until a guy I used to be involved with introduced me to her music. Since then I have bought three of her CDs because I enjoy her voice and musicianship very much. The best songs on here, to me, are the title song, plus "I Don't Want Nobody" and "It Hurts Me Too." There are no throwaway songs on here, just some really good listening.



4. I've been a Susan Tedeschi fan for a while, and I was so excited to get this album for Christmas -- and overall, it's great music. Tedeschi is an outstanding blues/rock musician, and she's in great form with this recording from Austin City Limits.
   
   I was really surprised, though, when I popped it in and heard nothing but Tedeschi's singing and the organ/synth. Yeah, the drums are present. During solos, you can sort of hear Tedeschi's excellent guitar. But the predominant instrument in the mix is that ever-present synth, and that is just not the right mix for her music.
   
   Tedeschi is so good that this album is still excellent -- but more for the hard-core fans who can appreciate the alternate sound. The recording/mixing wasn't up to par, so if you've never heard Tedeschi before, go with one of her studio albums.



5. Ms Tedeschi's rendition of "Angel From Montgomery" is worth the price of this CD. WONDERFUL!!! As great as Bonie Raitt does with the old John Prine tune, Tedeschi does better. Soulful and full of emotion. You feel the emptiness and the desire for that reprive. Just great!

5 comments about Picture Book.

1. This cd is one of the very best first recordings by any artist and it is issued here in this amazing Collector's Edition. Simply Red has always been underrated here in the US. They have had the random huge single but overall successs here has not happened. Such a loss. This is quality r@b, jazz and pop in its purest form. Mike Hucknall has very emotive vocals and a very intense range.
   
   Sadly, Simply Red has said that they shall be recording no more new sets. A great loss but these excelent collector's editions of their best albums helps ease the pain. This, their first album, is presented here digitally remastered for superior sound quality. It also introduces us to the group with hits such as MONEY'S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION, HOLDING BACK THE YEARS and HEAVEN. There are also some other excellent cuts such as SAD OLD RED and LOOK AT YOU NOW. The cd also contains 5 bonus tracks which are remixes of the albums top cuts. Quality music and an excellent introduction to the group.
   
   But this is not all. There is also a dvd of Simply Red performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1986. It's an amazing dvd with 19 cuts. The sound and picture are amazing and Simply red are even better live. This collector's edition is a must have for any Simply Red fan or fan of quality jazz/r@b.
   
   Highly recommend.



2. I don't understand what the story about a deadbeat dad and raising his kid has to do with this album, but hey.
   
   They just don't make music like this anymore. "Jericho" and "Look at You Now" are just as worthy of praise as this album's more famous hit singles. The former of these I truly missed during Simply Red's last European tour, though Mick's great stage presence and repertoire surely made up for it.



3. At least in America,the British-based Simply Red debuted in 1985,spawning three Top 20 hits from this album,COME TO MY AID,HOLDING BACK THE YEARS and MONEY'S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION. I have to admit that frontman Mick Hucknall is a vocal clone of Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane/Starship fame. It is possible that Simply Red was nominated for a Best New Artist of 1985 Grammy. I'm sure Sting,Freddie Jackson and Whitney Houston were nominees as well. Simply Red's Elektra Records labelmates included The Cars and Motley Crue.



4. This is what I think of as a great album from an underrated band. Maybe not their best, but well worth a listen. Included is the wonderful and moving "Holding Back The Years", one of their best songs ever, and probably most popular. "Money's Too Tight (to mention)" is another well known song, and rather upbeat. I also really enjoy the cover of "Heaven", as it's one of my favorite Talking Heads songs. The rest holds up well, and is still a good listen after all this time. If you're looking for more than the "Greatest Hits", give it a try.



5. The first time I listened to this, I didn't think much of it. The more times I listened to it, the better it sounded. I would call it somewhat subtle and it doesn't just slap you up on the side of the head. The more I listen to it, the better it sounds. It is also one of those albums that you can listen to over and over again without really getting sick of it.

5 comments about Plantation Lullabies.

1. Meshell is one of the few artists whose CDs I instantly bought altogether. I didn't have to wait for her CDs to come out because I unfortunately did not know about them initially (excluding The World Has Made Me The Man Of My Dreams, which I had to wait for). If I had known about her music, I would have been a fan from the very beginning. Still, it's not everyday that I buy several CDs by the same artist at once. After hearing about the greatness of her music from an actor, I went to a music store and bought them the next day. I can honestly say that she is a genuine artist and she deserves more recognition than she is currently getting. Like all her CDs, Plantation Lullabies is intellectual, political, sensual, romantic, comforting, beautiful, and spiritual. It also shows that she is proud of being African-American. Her voice is also very lovely. You'd have to buy her CDs to understand what I'm saying. Listening to her CDs is an extraordinary sensation that you should experience as many times as possible. It sure makes me very happy.



2. This cd is soulful and political. Me'shell is a superb vocalist, instrumentalist, and song writer.



3. of the so-called neo soul movement in the early 90s. This record was a breath of fresh air and was an introduction to one of the few free thinking black artists to emerge with some degree of success post-Prince. Her whole style was new fresh, jazzy and funky; poetic & thought provoking, and she plays a mean bass. But this was only the beginning, Meshell has not waivered in being one of the most progressive soul artists out there; she still is today. Best tracks: "Shooting up & getting high", "Soul on Ice", "Step into the projects" & "Two lonely hearts on the subway".
   Maxwell would later mimic her style of opening up the CD/LPs with a short instrumental overture and the unexpected breakdowns in the middle of songs. Highly Recommended~!



4. Somehow, somewhere there must have been a bad storm that killed all soul from musicians. But thankfully there was Noah who built an Ark and had Me'Shell Ndegeocello and Neo-Soul on board. That saved soulful people to still in the mist of all this crap music produce and bless us with music straight from the heart. Where ever Me'Shell is, I'll rush over.



5. I first heard of Me'Shell NdegeOcello after hearing her vocals and bass on John Mellencamp's rendition of Wild Nights. Over the next few years, I occasionally heard of her stellar reputation as a musician, but I hadn't heard any of her work. I must say I was pleasantly surprised after purchasing Plantation Lullabies. I can't begin to accurately describe her work, but experienced it as a soulful fusion of styles that evoked often overlooked or supressed emotions. While listening, it felt like I was accompanying MeShell on a journey with no particular destination, just roadtripping for it's own sake. Probably not very helpful, but you should get this one anyway.

No comments about Hope Radio (Full Col).

5 comments about Hooker 'n Heat.

1. Simply 'the best' for the voodoo of truely great Harmonica boogie improvisation. Alan Wilsons [pre-suicide] respect and harmonica 'call & response' to John Lees creative outpourings are like nothing else before or since. What a session. This record is a highly influencial album in my life and stands as a great example of 'electric Harmonica' tone and technique. I would give my 'coolies' for Al's amplifier and wonderful style. Meanwhile The whole band sounds very excited and committed to honoring their session with the legendary boogieman. What more to say? The tunes are often long improvised 'jams', spread with 'solo' loose tunes with John Lee Hooker, his words, guitar and ever tapping foot. This historical recording is not everybodys 'cup of tea' but if you want 'real' trance like boogie and blues with that primitive rhythmic vibe this is 'the ducks guts'.



2. I guess Hooker is not my kind of blues, nothing against it, though. Maybe I will take it to the gym with me today and maybe it will help me with my workout.



3. This is a great set, a raw & spontaneous jam session (what else would you expect from these guys?) with a production quality that almost sounds like it was recorded just yesterday. The first CD mostly features JLH alone-- stompin' & cookin' up the sparse & emotional groove that is uniquely his. The second CD features more of Canned Heat with some excellent guitar & harp work by the band. The last cut, Boogie Chillen #2, is worth the purchase alone, especially if you're a harmonica fan.



4. In 1970 the blues-rockers Canned Heat got this, as it would turn out, great idea in bringing blues-legend John Lee Hooker into the studio for a close collaboration. The album was planned as a feature for John Lee Hooker in that respect that half of the album would mostly feature his solo stuff, where as the other half would be together with the group.
   
   The amazing thing is that it brings the best out in John Lee Hooker, as he would deliver some of his most inspired performances ever - that also maybe due to the "Heat's" enormous respect for the man. Canned Heat had proved themselves to be among the most serious and properly best of the "white" American bluesbands with original compositions, especially by the late blues-harp `wonder' & rhythm/slide guitarist Alan Wilson - and by bringing in a slightly more `rocking' approach, they popularised a music that, at the time, seem to have faded away from the limelight (maybe some remembers hits like "Going Up The Country" or "On The Road Again").
   
   Even more wonderful is the fact that the inspiration is mutual and Hooker's duets with Wilson's soulful harmonica, later in the first half, is literally sparkling - there is a fantastic communication between the two. But also the second half with the band is really smoking and I personally really like their bassist Antonio De La Barrada for his inventive and driving playing, but no doubt that Canned Heat fore and most was a group - a unit, and that really shows and because of their open, raw and honest nature, they musically fits so well with Hooker and makes him sound so great.
   
   Canned Heat's lead-singer though, Bob "the bear" Hite, respectfully stands back and solely dedicates himself as a producer together with Skip Taylor. Unfortunately this also was to be Canned Heat's last album with Alan Wilson, who prematurely died soon after these recordings. A loss they properly never really overcame and their best work is also to found before this tragic event occurred with albums like: "Boogie With Canned Heat", "Live At Topanga Corral", "Living The Blues" and "Future Blues".
   
   Many have acknowledged this work to be some of the best Hooker ever delivered - I for one agree.



5. As much as I love the 1989-1997 albums that closed out John Lee's amazing career (Healer, Mr. Lucky, Boom Boom, Chill Out, Don't Look Back), 1970's Hooker 'n Heat is a true crown jewel in the legacy. Just as Johnny Winter's pure sympatico hand of support guided Muddy Waters through his late-career Blue Sky albums, Canned Heat provides the most solid and driven backing I've heard on a JLH album. John Lee is in full-blown Crawling King Snake mode here...on this album he's not a kindly "elder statesman," he's a dangerous man, and if you approach his flame, you WILL get burned. The late Heat vocalist Bob "The Bear" Hite limits himself to co-producer duties here, so the musical dynamics come from Al "Blind Owl" Wilson (his final recording), guitarist Henry "Sunflower" Vestine (get ready for the thoroughly insane 11 minute "Boogie Chillen No. 2"), Antonio de la Barreda on bass and Fito de la Parra on drums. The first 9 tracks are John Lee solo. Wilson joins tracks 10 and 11, and the full band backs the remaining 6 tracks. Make no mistake about it...you WILL get cold chills when Hooker bellows "Alan! Alan! Blow your HORN, baby!" on "Let's Make It."

5 comments about No Nukes.

1. Pretty boring stuff, except for the Springsteen track, which saves the day. Most of the artist featured on this album have concert albums that are far superior to the material found on this album.
   
   If you believe in the cause, are looking at this album as a historical document, or dig Springsteen's version of the Ryder medley, buy this album. If not, save your money.



2. Thank you, I got my item on time & I love it, it brought back many memories!!!!



3. Given the state of the Earth today, the sentiments of many of these songs are still current. This is an amazing collection of artists and songs - no matter how old you are!



4. I really liked this when it came ut on vinyl, but in retrospect, it was the cause, not the music. B. Raitt is grand, G Nash with an excellant Cathedral, J C Young, and the highlight to me We Almost Lost Detroit by the great Gil Scott-Heron. But the second disc is second rate. Edit the filler and it rates higher.



5. As a child of the 70's who grew up in a very "no nukes" home this album was on the turn table every night. What a great find for me all these years later as I start my own family. "Power" is one of the nicest, smoothest, most heartwarming songs every performed.
   
   The geniune love, care and respect these artists had for each other and mostly the earth and it's future generations pours through on every note.

5 comments about Clapton Chronicles - The Best of Eric Clapton.

1. When it comes to guitar gods, none of them have really known how to shine brightly like Eric Clapton. On his own, and as a member of Derek & The Dominoes and Cream, he has shown for five decades what it is really like to be a Rock legend. But, his work on Warner Brothers during the 80's and 90's, proved to be a far departure from his legendary tracks like Layla and albums like Ocean Boluevard. Nevertheless, he kept on going, and made some of the best music of his career, and that can be shown on this album which is now available for downloading through Amazon.com's MP3's.
   
   The 1999 Eric Clapton greatest hits album Clapton Chronicles: The Best Of Eric Clapton is a solo effort of Eric's strongest set of solo songs that have been all about the heart and soul from an artist who had embattled drug addiction, the horrific loss of his son Connor, and a rebuilding of a music legend. The songs here have a lot of soul in them and include a lot of great tracks like his lesser-known 80's hits like It's In The Way You Use It from the Tom Cruise film The Color Of Money and Forever Man, to his comeback era in the 90's with his heartfelt ballad Tears In Heaven, and his collaboration with Babyface on Change The World which won Record Of The Year in 1997. There are other great songs that were shown here well including Blue Eyes Blue from Julia Roberts film Runaway Bride, Bad Love and his MTV Unplugged live performance of Layla. Sadly though, the album does overlook a few great songs including Motherless Child off his From The Cradle album, and his other standouts like Wonderful Tonight.
   
   Despite a few great tracks that were overshadowed, Clapton Chronicles: The Best Of Eric Clapton isn't a bad greatest hits album. While it isn't shown as well as his 2007 Complete Clapton hits album, it still stands out well for anyone who has yet to really hear the heart and soul that has still shown what Eric Clapton has been made of for all these years. I really recommend you get a good listen to this album, and get down with this Bad Love.
   
   Album Cover: B+
   
   Songs: B 1/2-
   
   Price: B
   
   Remastering: B+
   
   Overall: B



2. I truly enjoyed the Clapton Chronicles. It is a very good mix of some of his best music. It seemed as though he was going back in time, from current emotions back to his youth. Love it!!!



3. Not much more to say than I Love Eric Clapton and this is a great BEST c.d. to own.



4. i love every song on this cd. my money was very well spent.there wasnt just one or two songs i liked. i loved them all! eric clapton is one of the best.



5. It's Slow Hand at his best; what else does anyone need to know?
   There's plenty of classic rock in "She's Waiting", "Bad Love" and "It's in the Way that You Use it" and a gentler, more reflective Clapton in "River of Tears", "My Father's Eyes" and "Tears in Heaven". For the fans of Runaway Bride, you can find him crooning the beautifully sad "Blue Eyes Blue". A personal favorite of any newly broken heart. Clapton's voice is both dusty and silken at times; soothing with just a little edge to it. Not a song on here you wouldn't pay a lot more to hear.