5 comments about Breakfast in Bed.

1. Joan Osborne has won me over again, this time as the singer of 70's soul covers and the writer of new songs to fall in love with. I strayed over to this looking for a wife gift, I tend to listen to more Jazz and Blues vocalists, yet I found her voice styling and her arrangements tight and complete. I can say proudly that my wife and I sang along with her on her covers of Kiss And Say Goodbye, Midnight Train To Georgia, Sara Smile, Break Up To Make Up and Kiss And Say Goodbye. And other than the overly maudlin Baby Is A Butterfly, Ms Osborne has given us a wonderful makeout album... oops cd.



2. Joan has a great soulful voice and she has proved her versatility in handling everything from melodic pop to twangy country.
   Her love for Motown favorites can be felt on "Breakfast In Bed".
   A homage to early soul songs from the late '60s, "Breakfast In Bed" shows Osborne wasn't a one trick pony with her huge single "(What If God Was) One of Us".
   On her latest offering, she looks toward Motown, with worshipful, full-throated covers of R&B classics plus six original songs, each written with such R&B style that you first wonder if you've heard that tune before.
   After last year's little-heard Pretty Little Stranger released only seven months before this one, she wraps her husky voice all the way around a bunch of classics such as "Ain't No Sunshine", "Midnight Train To Georgia" and Dusty Springfield's "Breakfast in Bed".
   She's in fine voice throughout her debut album for Time Life, but the inclusion of her two phenomenal covers from Standing in the Shadows of Motown at the end of the collection actually highlights the album's shortcomings.
   The album is a real mixed bag.
   Her voice is excellent but her languid and almost emotion-free interptretations are pretty far from a specially adventurous and engaging record.
   There are no ground-breaking elements here, nothing's memorable, rather the album sways towards mainstream R&B which is a shame as the soul tracks are excellent and her potentials are limitless.
   It seems that she and the producer have chosen to favour the marketing and the charts over quality and originality.



3. Great Kick back and relax music. Joan does a wonderful job on this album! My fav is Eliminate the Night



4. It is my opinion that this if Joan's best work. It is very soulful, and the sound is great. I would highly recommend this cd to anyone. I have played it over and over again. I wish that I could get it in SACD.



5. This is a delicious collection of covers, many of my favorite songs sung the way they were created. While it is unoriginal in its arrangements I admit that I would have been disappointed if Osborne had recreated the songs in some new formation. The old songs sung the old way, wonderful.

5 comments about The Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates.

1. I am a casual fan of the duo. I started looking for a compilation of their greatest hits and came upon "The Very Best Of Daryl Hall & John Oates". I thought great. Then I started looking at the tracks for my all time favorite "She's Gone". It was no where to be found on this compiliation. What? Are you kidding me; no "She's Gone" on "The Very Best of Daryl and John Oates". That song is arguably their greatest hit. Omitting it from the collection is a major infraction. As such this compiliation is not worth two cents to me.



2. Hall & Oates - the very name (OK names) takes me back to the early 80s, and my college years. The songs echo and re-echo through my memories - Sara Smile, Rich Girl, One On One, Did It In A Minute. And now I have them back. This is a very good Best Of album, containing so many great Hall & Oates hits. It has 18 tracks, which adds up to a lot of that great Rock and Soul sound of Hall & Oates.
   
   Now, though I dearly love this album, but it does have a few omissions that seriously undermine it. I mean, where are Everytime You Go Away and She's Gone? But, that said, it is a great album, and one that I am very glad that I bought it. If you like that great early-80s sound, or just plain like good music, then get this album. I highly recommend it!



3. This is one of the best Greatest Hits compilations I've purchased in quite a while. This compilation spans the career of Hall and Oates and includes all their hits in one package. This compilation is a must for everyone.



4. I bought this CD for my girlfriend because she loves Hall and Oates. Luckily, she loves this compilation as well. In my opinion, this is way more Hall and Oates than anyone would ever seriously need, but she, being a fan, gave it her stamp of approval so that must mean something. If you want even more Hall and Oates, then you are probably already in their fan club and wouldn't be shopping Amazon anyway.



5. These songs bring back alot of memories. I can listen to all these songs over and over.

No comments about Norah Jones - Live from Austin, TX.

5 comments about Unplugged.

1. This cd is worthy of its reputation, and is the last great recording by Eric Clapton. "Malted Milk", "Walkin' Blues", "Layla", which he was able to successfully alter to fit an acoustic setting, "Nobody Know You When You're Down & Out", the classic made famous by Bessie Smith and later covered by an aged Scrapper Blackwell, and "Tears In Heaven", are all exceptionally great tracks. "Hey Hey" is not one of Broonzy's better songs, so I'm not sure why Clapton chose to record it. "Old Love" is mediocre, but "Running On Faith" is wonderfully done. This disc would have been even better if Clapton would have performed the material solo, much like the legendary Bluesmen he so greatly admired used to do, day in and day out. However, he has admitted in interviews that he is not a good enough musician to do what his idols did. For those of you who doubt this, simply look up interviews with Eric Clapton done by Guitar Player magazine. This is also the reason that his tribute record to Robert Johnson was not done alone.



2. It's Eric Clapton - intimate and unplugged - playing some great blues and acoustic rock. Does life get any better than that? Everyone needs this CD!



3. eric clapton is and always will be considered as a guitar legend. and this shows it.
   
   a soothing and uncomplicated production in a very intimate atmosphere, "unplugged" has a serene sound that will captivate anyone who has ears for good music. i highly recommend listening to it in a good set of stereo system



4. When you find yourself listening hungrily for the nuances of each individual note, when you find that the performances get better each time you listen to them, when you feel as if there is no bottom to the virtuosity and feeling in a performance, then you know that you've made some little connection with the mind of a genius. I am untutored in guitar technique, regrettably spotty on the history of the blues, but I can tell you that this is simply, modestly, great music.



5. Who knew? Eric Clapton Unplugged (1992) was just going to be a treat for Clapton fans, and a chance to see and hear one of history's greatest guitarists show his stuff on an acoustic guitar. But Clapton and Unplugged made history by winning six Grammy Awards including Album Of The Year, Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, and Best Rock Song (Layla). It turned out to be MTV's proudest moment and grandest achievement.
   
   There's a lot to like on Unplugged, including this cool, laid-back version of Layla. It loses none of it's purpose and has a great guitar solo. The deep and personal Tears In Heaven won three of those Grammy Awards, and the fact that Eric managed to bravely perform the song he wrote about his son, Conor, who had recently died, speaks volumes. The acoustic blues songs, Nobody Loves You When You're Down And Out, Before You Accuse Me, San Francisco Bay Blues, and Robert Johnson's Walkin' Blues and Malted Milk all sound great, too. Two huge standouts on the album are Old Love and Running On Faith. Both are personal, soulful, and include inspired vocal perfomances, fine acoustic guitar work, and excellent slide guitar. Both songs stand along with E.C.'s best work.
   
   Unplugged is really more of a perfect storm, where circumstances came together and fell into place, than a great work of art, but it's still a fine example of how talent, tragedy, and triumph can form an inspiring and wonderful creation. Eric Clapton Unplugged isn't perfect, but it's close.

5 comments about The Essential Daryl Hall & John Oates.

1. I spontaneously ordered this CD thinking of the good ole days. I guess my memory is fading because there were very few songs that I actually liked. Even my husband wondered "what the heck did you buy this for?" My own fault, not Hall & Oates.



2. She's gone. This song got worn out by commercial radio in the late 70's. It sort of faded away from the radio. There was a time that I said "if I hear this f#@$ing song one more time"... Now it seems to have a new meaning or new life to me. Daryl Hall has one of music's most distinctive and soulful voices. When he hits those high notes, it still gives me goose bumps.



3. It made me fall in love all over again with Hall & Oates. The CD came sooner than I expected.



4. Shipment was recieved at a reasonable rate. In great condition, brand new. This product consisted of 2 CD's. The first CD had great classic Hall and Oates songs but the second CD wasn't that impressive. Could have gotten the one CD and been satisfied. Description was accurate and helpful.



5. This compilation album by Hall and Oates not only has their most famous hits but it opens your eyes to their less well known songs of equal quality and fervor. I can listen to this album over and over again and because of this i give it five stars.

5 comments about Stevie Ray Vaughan - Greatest Hits.

1. The name of this album should be "I Am the Greatest!" because that is what this album is for Stevie Ray. Any blues/rock lover will absolutely wear this CD out because it is the vary essence of SRV music. The only CD left to buy is his Live at Austin City Limits, his best performance ever in my opinion!



2. Tragically SRV left us way too early so we can never know the heights he would have achieved in blues guitar playing. This album has probably his best work with the exception of Voodoo Chile, Tin Pan Alley and Riviera Paradise. If you are not moved by listening to "Little Wing" or "Life Without You, then you simply must be dead!!



3. I picked this up a while back because I did not have much Stevie on CD. This is a decent single disc collection that captures all of his radio hits and a few choice album cuts. Since this album came out I believe there is a more comprehensive two disc compilation that has also been released. For what it is the album is ok, but at only around 50 minutes they could have fit quite a bit more on it. Before Stevie Ray I really had very little appreciation for the blues. Since then I have become a big fan and have gone on to discover many other blues masters. If you are looking for an introduction or just the hits, this album is worth getting, but for a more in depth look I would pick up his studio albums (he only released 4 during his short lifetime).



4. A nice compilation of SRV, and it inspired me to pick up his albums, which is what good compilations do. It's a choice I do NOT regret in the least!



5. I read another review that pretty much hit the mark. If you are not real heavy into SRV, this is a great CD to have. It has all his stuff you've heard on the radio plus a few other tasty cuts. On the other hand, there are a lot of really smokin tunes that are missing from this short collection. It's like a teaser - when it's over, you'll wish there was a disc number two.

5 comments about Tribute to Bobby.

1. i heard this opening song on the radio, couldn't get out o fthe ar until it finished. Went inside, couldn't find it on itunes. I then wrote the DJ an e-mail to find out who the singer was and the name of the CD. Found it right away when he responded, and now i am wearing it out.



2. I must admit up front that I have never been a Simply Red or a Mick Hucknall fan. I am a BIG fan of Bobby Blue Bland however, and even met and interviewed him a couple of years ago. Bobby Blue Bland is one of the greatest Blues vocalists of the last 50 years, and he certainly deserves to be rediscovered by a young new audience.
   From the samples here I can say that Mick Hucknall definitely knows the vocal stylings of Bobby Blue Bland, he's got most of the Blue Bland style down, everything but the Blue Bland growl. But the arrangements are a bit too commercial "sweet pop" for my taste - they really don't make the album attractive to me, and I have a feeling that most die-hard Blues fans will feel the same. Of course, I sincerely wish Mick all the success in the world, so that Bobby Blue Bland gets some major exposure as a result of this project - it's about time he got some big time recognition. He's the greatest Blues singer still alive.



3. This tribute is worth my money. I am very happy to have bought this album. Bobby Bland is definitely a wonderful singer. But Mick Hucknall
   had captured the music that was missing in my life. Thank you Mick and thank you Bobby for making music the way it should be.



4. You know, I was a little worried about a new Mick Hucknall CD. Worried it wouldn't stand up to the best of Simply Red. Well, worry no more. This CD is brilliant, beautiful and THAT VOICE! Wether he sings solo or with Simply Red, Mick is just a genius. Has he ever sang a bad song or a bad version of a song? The last two SImply Red CD's were incredible and his fans won't be disappointed with his new venture into more R&B, Soul and Blues. He can do it all, and extremely well I might add. His version of Cry Cry Cry is amazing, I remember the original and this is as good if not better. His rendition of these great tunes is unbelievable, to me, Mick can do no wrong. He is one of those artist that I don't have to wait for a review or hear the CD before hand, he never lets me down. What a gift he has with that voice, he could sing the phone book and it would be great. I love this man and thank him for all the wonderful, amazing music he has shared with the world. Please! Never stop singing.



5. Mich Hucknall is a decent r&b singer and these are good tunes. But listening to them only made me want to seek out the original Bobby Bland tracks, which kick these remakes to the curb.
   
   However, this is a pleasant CD and most folks will find it an enjoyable listen. If it spurs interest in Bobby's recordings props to Mr. Hucknall.

5 comments about Texas Flood.

1. Stevie Ray sings and plays from the heart. Great first cd for anyone. Imagine what kind of jams he would be pulling down today!



2. Stevie Ray Vaughan was, without a doubt, the greatest Blues-Rock guitarist of all-time. However, I'd like to stress the term, "Blues Rock", and not "Blues". He was not a Bluesman. Being a Bluesman requires more than just playing Blues guitar licks very fast and accurately. On this album, his singing is solid, the music makes the listener move his/her feet, the guitar playing is frantic and a great deal of fun, and Vaughan simply comes across as having an original image and sound. The album is available for a very cheap price on Amazon.com, so you should definitely pick it up. This is Vaughan's best album. Although I detest him being considered "the best Bluesman", he was still a great musician and I would have loved to have seen him live in concert. His pre-mature death will remain one of the greatest tragedies in music history. "Pride And Joy", "Texas Flood" and "Rude Mood" are all excellent. Fenton Robinson also performed "Texas Flood" on his "Somebody Loan Me A Dime" album, and it sounds a great deal different than it does on this album.



3. I remember reading about this smoking guitar player out of Austin Texas in early 1983. Couple months later I was in the record store and I looking for a new guitar album to buy. I look down and see this guy with a strat and a gun slinger look. Then I remembered what I read. So of course I bought it. Put it in my cassette player in my car and was totally blown away. That tone, those smoking licks and solo's. That was really the last time I was really blown out of the water by a guitarist. I mean, who can live up to this guy. He was the whole package. Great songs, good vocals, great rhythm section. I think SRV is the best blues rock guitarist to walk on this planet. I miss him....



4. even though im 16 i think that S.R.V. was one of the best Guitarist to ever Play. HE IS A FRIGGIN LEGEND!!



5. There is more heart and soul on this album than you will ever hear on today's radio. SRV was an incredible guitar player.

5 comments about The Ultimate Collection.

1. I just love this man ! Yes, these are old favorites, but I never get tired of his voice ! Beautiful !



2. I received my order promptly and perfect condition. I love the CD and will order again.
   
   Thanks
   Wanda Jensen



3. Michael McDonald sings all of his hits! This is an album all fans of
   Michael McDonald will love.



4. I FOUND THIS TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST MY ERA I GUESS
   BUT I LOVED IT



5. Released to capitalize on the surprise success of Michael McDonald's Motown tribute, Rhino beefed up the barely four year old Very Best of Michael McDonald with one track from that covers album and some of his best Doobie Brothers songs. It makes for a much better overview of McDonald, who became a huge singles artist in the 80's even when his albums didn't seen to get much notice.
   
   From the moment he stepped to the front of the Doobie Brothers, McDonald captured everyone's ears. His urban leanings moved the Doobies away from their greasy biker rock and into "Taking it to the Streets." Soon he was making Grammy worthy hits like "What a Fool Believes" and then to the ultimate solo career. But "I Keep Forgetting" was an incredible song from a great album (If That's What It Takes) that appeared just as 80's New Wave became dominant. It meant that McDonald's brand of easy listening soul took a back-seat to the likes of Culture Club and The Cars.
   
   So while albums like No Lookin' Back didn't get the huge success songs like "Lost In The Parade" were worthy of, McDonald joined his friend Kenny Loggins as a go-to guy for soundtrack songs, like "Sweet Freedom." His one-off singles with James Ingram ("Yah Mo Be There") and Patti LaBelle ("On My Own," which hit number one) did keep him in the public eye, even as his albums charted lower and lower. It means that songs here like "Blink of an Eye" or "Open The Door" went mostly unheard till now. (In all honesty, the popular singles are the most interesting songs.)
   
   Regardless of the chart status of the any of the songs here, it is still McDonald's voice that captivates. His forays into blue-eyed soul gave both his band (The Doobies, Steely Dan or solo) gravitas, or hits for others (Carly Simon with "You Belong to Me"). While his style of singing may have fallen from style for a time (the Motown CD's were his first top 40 albums in almost 20 years), his resonant soulful baritone voice never did.

5 comments about Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1.

1. As usual, Jill always delivers!! Each song, each melody! Her way of giving music that you can truly feel!! Gotta love her!! Gotta purchase this!! Enjoy! I still enjoy it!!



2. I love this artist and I was so thankful to receive this CD quickly! Thank you!



3. I love all of Jill Scott's music, it's lovely to just have playing in the back ground while your working, cleaning, just chill'n.



4. You can pop on this CD and just sit back or you can sing along. Certainly Jill made an impression on me. Sure, she's no Ruth Brown, Chaka Khan, or Gladys Knight for that matter, but she is JILL SCOTT and she is a stone cold singer ("singa"). This woman is skillful; she can scale it up high and bring it down low (lo') and hit falsetto and she blows! (Sometimes I get a glimpse of Ella Fitzgerald when Jill sings.)
   
   I love this album. AND I love her LIVE "Experience" album, too. Thanks, Jilly from Philly!!!



5. Jill Scott gives the word Diva true meaning. I admire and appreciate her awesome vocal skills.....what a talent.