5 comments about Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite.

1. I can recall how women used to swoon over Maxwell in the 1990s. When he would come to town, they would make sure they were in attendance, and when he released new music, his loyal female fans were the first in line. I kept hearing songs from this album on AOL radio and it provoked me to listen to this album once more. Wow! I was captivated by the middle of the first song. Music lovers, this is real music! This album contains singing, instrumentation, and lyrics! I do not see why any living thing wouldn't find something they thoroughly enjoyed on "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite."
   
   This album contains a lot of instrumental breakdowns within the songs and I loved that! Of course, there is enough of Maxwell crooning, but all of the instruments really make this album a distinguished and memorable work. Each song is worth listening to; he gives his listener more falsetto than we are used to, and he sounds fresh, young and sexy on from track one to track eleven! The weakest moments are "Welcome" and "Suitelady", but even they exceed mediocrity. The songs that were released, "Sumthin' Sumthin", "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" and "Whenever Wherever Whatever" are easily three of the best songs of the 1990s. "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" and "Sumthin' Sumthin'" are dance numbers thumping with wonderful baselines, while "Whenever Wherever Whatever" is a flawless, emotional ballad that you will never forget once you have heard it. Maxwell's voice is crystal clear in this ballad and the way the guitar cries will make the listener shed tears, also.
   
   Pick this album up right now! You are surely in for a treat. Sometimes we purchase albums and listen to them once and throw them away afterward because we did not enjoy it. I am willing to bet that this album has never been thrown away. This is his best work and he can't make an album better than this.
   
   Mikeisha's Top 5
   
   1. "Whenever Wherever Whatever"
   2. "Sumthin' Sumthin'"
   3. "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)"
   4. "Dancewitme"
   5. "Reunion"



2. I purchased this cd in 96 when it first came out.....I fell in love with the man, with the sound, with the vibe and the aura. How dare this reviewer try and pigeonhole this artist? Maxwell (to TRUE R & B fans) is a breath of fresh air. He can seduce a 70 year old as well as a 25 year old with his passionate stylings.......I happened to hear him on the BET awards show in June in honor of Al Green doing "Simply Beautiful"....I nearly died and went to heaven! The man is still awesome (sans his Neo fro)and I just wanted more, more, more.........
   
   I think that the critic should stick to reviewing Rock music.....cuz this genre right 'chere....YOU know nuttin about!!!!



3. great album by maxwell. one of my favorites to listen to when i just want to mellow out.



4. a great, slow, sexy set of love songs but hardly in the traditional sense. no up tempo to change the pace of things. but where is maxwell now? to be enjoyed over and over again.



5. What a debut!! It really says something when an album that debuted 10 years ago is still so popular & well-regarded. Although I think in all fairness that his predecesor, D'Angelo got audiences ready for this shift in r&b, Maxwell certainly put his stamp on the movement.
   
   The first time I heard this whole album, I just knew that Maxwell would be one of those ever-improving artists whose career I'd follow. He's one of a very few of the nu-school r&b cats who successfully (in my opinion) pull off that Marvin Gaye flow that I love - they can sing in falsetto & in their natural range, layering the two vocals so that it sounds like two different singers.
   
   I love everything about this disc from Maxwell's cool vibe to the exceptional backing band - it's truly timeless music that does not seem stuck in any era.
   
   My favorite tracks: WHENEVER, WHEREVER, WHATEVER; SUMTHIN SUMTHIN; LONELY'S THE ONLY COMPANY; TILL THE COPS COME KNOCKIN & ASCENSION
   
   If you love r&b but never gave Maxwell a listen, I'd highly recommend adding this debut to your collection!

5 comments about Design of a Decade 1986/1996.

1. This one will be at CD Warehouse too, I love Janet and I thought I would love this one, but I couldn't even make it all the way through, I tried skipping through it but they all seemed to start off with the same beat. Maybe it's just not riding music, so I'll try it as clean-up music before I sell it.



2. By 1996, Janet Jackson was pretty much a pop superstar with 3 classic albums already under her belt. She had countless hit and gained a vast assembly of fans worldwide. When it came to releasing a greatest hits album is was pretty much a no brainer! "Design of Decade" features all the singles from "Control" and "Rhytm Nation 1814" including the massive hit "That's The Way Love Goes" from the "janet." The album includes 2 new tracks which are both wonderful and one becoming Janet's 17th gold single in the form of "Runaway." All of Janet's hits sound fresher than they did when they were first released and some have been re-vamped a little to sound better ("Alright" and "Black Cat", for example!) The album can be summed up like this:
   
   Runaway-An upbeat exotic song about Janet visiting her friends from countries all over the world. Janet's vocals are sweet and sincere with good lyrics make this another great addition to Janet's collection of hits.-5/5 stars
   
   What Have You Done For Me Lately
   Nasty
   When I Think of You
   Escapade
   Miss You Much
   Love Will Never Do (Without You)
   Alright
   Control
   The Pleasure Principle
   Black Cat
   Rhythm Nation
   That's The Way Love Goes
   Come Back To Me
   Let's Wait Awhile
   
   Twenty Foreplay-A beautiful track that starts a very sensual ballad before becoming a mid-tempo r&b groove. Solid lyrics and Janet's signature sexy vocals make this a keeper.-5/5 stars
   
   The only downside is that they album could have included more hits fromthe "janet." album like "If", "Again" and "Any time, Any place". But "Design of A Decade" is a great collection of the first half of Janet's career and is essential to any Janet's fan's collection.



3. I have liked janet since i was a little girl and i was born in 1981 so thats a long time. I liked her greatest hits cd because it shows you how she was earlier and then how she is now. You can hear the changes in her voice and know that each album will be better!!



4. I recently got around to finally updating my cd collection, by ordering a few CD's from some artists I use to listen to - on cassette, in the 80's and early 90's (when I was a little boy and in my pre-teens)...you know, back when pop music was still good, bearable, and even a little bit meaningful...? Since I obviously couldn't afford to order a whole boatload of cd's, I got the greatest hits versions from some that used to be my favorites from the time - Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Prince, Madonna, George Michael, Billy Joel, Hall & Oates.
   When I popped in this cd (Design of a Decade 1986/1996), it was good to hear Janet Jackson's smooth, beatufiful, soothing voice again, because I'll admit, it had been a very long time since I've listened to anything at all from her. The thing that kind of pissed me off though, and that I really just don't understand is why in the bloody hell did she or whoever put this one together decide to include only ONE song from her "Janet" CD? That and I personally think that the one song, "That's The Way Love Goes" they did include is by far the lesser of the hits she had come off of that CD. My personal all-time favorite song by Janet Jackson is "Again", anybody who has ever heard that song knows it is just simply f'n breathtaking! "Where Are You Now" is another really good song that came off that CD. But yet they're both somehow missing from this CD. I just don't get why she or they would've left those off.
   Aside from that, it's an excellent CD, but I simply cannot overlook my personal favorite song by her being flat-out missing from it! If anybody knows of any other Janet Jackson - !!COMPLETE!! Greatest Hits (or anything along those lines) types of CD's, by all means please hit me up, and let me know what it's called and where I can find it - [...]. Thank you.



5. This stellar collection of Janet's earliest hits is jam packed from start to finish. Having "That's The Way Love Goes" included was an added bonus!!

5 comments about The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3.

1. This double album is representative of V.M.'s best recent stuff. The fact that the sublime "Shenandoah" and "Meet Me in the Indian Summer" (Orchestral version) are included is alone worth the price of purchase. I've probably listened to Shenandoah 30 times already; it's a soul-stirring beauty of a song.



2. I'm a big fan of Van Morrison but was disappointed by some of the "updated" versions of some of the old classics. Like a prior reviewer mentioned, the original versions (the songs I love and remember)are far superior to some of the modified material in this compilation. I will keep searching for a definitive "Best of...". I would recommend listening to all the song samples before buying the album to make sure you like these versions - something I failed to do.



3. It is always a pleasure listening to van morrison.But,particularly this "Best of volume 3",with a selection of beutiful songs very well interpreted along with other artists.Marcelo Pegado



4. I can not say enough good things about this 2 CD set. Long after the music has stopped the songs keep running though my head. What I most like about it is that the songs on it were chosen by Van Morrison which to me makes it more special and less just commercial successes. Also, the list of people who accompany him is pretty mind blowing. I'd forgotten just how much I liked the sax playing of Candy Dulfur. Anyway folks, I love this set and I think you will too. Van has indeed been "too long in exile..."



5. This album is a must for any Van Morrison fan, it has many colaberations with many artist, and older songs are redone in new and jazzy fashion. A must have album.....

5 comments about Diva.

1. Annie certainly has a wonderful voice, her genre is not my usual venue, but there is no denying her singing "Why" is one of those songs that becomes timeless, it just flows and wraps itself around you as you listen. All it took was one listen while fiddling around on the radio one day and I had to seek that tune out. Beautiful. Kudos Annie. Thanks.



2. Diva shares every emotion possible in this CD.
   Little Bird, Cold, Precious--all awesome!



3. Annie Lennox ... thank you for decades of excellent work.
   
   I'm fairly certain I own every CD you ever made. Including everything with The Eurythmics.
   
   DIVA is my favorite. The strength of her voice, never stronger. The lyrics and melodies ... solid.
   
   This is a CD that should be purchased, not downloaded from the internet.
   You lose too much in a digital MP3 format.
   
   This is a must own for anyone, any age group that loves music and a quality product.



4. I still enjoy listening to this album 15 years after its release. Annie Lennox really delivered with an outstanding album of 11 tracks. Diva marked the departure from her collaborations with Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and although there's not as much synth-pop on Diva, Lennox's lyrics on her solo work are just as honest and profound (if not more) as they are on her Eurythmics' compositions.
   
   My favourite tracks are "Why" - this has got to be one of the most beautifully written songs of all time. This song is so emotive and one feels Annie's pain, particularly towards the end. Other standouts are "Cold", "Money Can't Buy It", "Precious" and especially, "The Gift".
   
   If the Diva CD doesn't satisfy your hunger for Annie, pick up the Diva DVD, which features a collection of music videos from the album including "Why", "Legend In My Living Room", "Cold", "Money Can't Buy It", "Precious", "The Gift" and "Keep Young and Beautiful". Annie reinvents herself in each video to be consistent with the tone and feelings of each song. It's an absolute must-have for any Annie fan.



5. Annie Lennox never disapoints, almost all of my favs are on this CD from "why" about a disintegrating relationship. "Money can't buy it" a quest for material things & loss of love, to a very intense "cold" about non-reciprocated love, we can all relate to her material at sometime in our lives, she has an incredible gift to express her heartache/passion &/or pain/joy through her awesome voice & lyrics.

5 comments about Ultimate Collection.

1. A really excellent collection of some of Joe Cocker's best works including the best cover song ever; "With a Little Help from Me Friends", and also the later "Unchain My Heart" another great power vocal from Joe. I only wish that they had included "Hitchcock Railway", a great early Cocker Rocker that was always one of my favorites. All in all though a great retrospective of the eclectic Joe Cocker!!



2. Wow!
   
   You are going to want to experience this music again! Not only does it sound wonderful, it plays better than it did originally. It will take you back and clear away the cobwebs to memories you may have forgotten.
   
   Thank you Joe!! Keep rockin'.



3. The Ultimate Collection by Joe Cocker may not have all of his best hits; but this is still a pretty good compilation nevertheless. The sound quality is excellent and I like the artwork. This CD is a must-have for Joe Cocker fans.
   
   "With A Little Help From My Friends" is partially a cover a this famous tune by The Beatles; but when Joe Cocker performs his own rendition this number takes flight just about as good as when The Beatles performed it! The backup chorus bolsters Joe Cocker's performance and overall he delivers this ballad with a great deal of sensitivity. It makes a great beginning for this album. "Feelin' Alright" is a rockin' tune that has a catchy, almost irresistible melody to it; and Joe Cocker performs this without a single superfluous note! The percussion helps to mark the beat but there's an excellent arrangement for the piano--I love it!
   
   "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" is another cover of a Beatles tune; and Joe would make The Beatles proud with his sublime rendition! Joe sings this very well and the somewhat jazzy musical arrangement embellishes the number a great deal. Listen also for a live recording of "Cry Me A River;" this gets a jazzy, somewhat rock and roll treatment for this classic ballad made so famous by the great Julie London. In addition, "You Are So Beautiful" is clearly one of the greatest love songs ever written--Joe Cocker sings this with passion, heart and soul. It always amazes me to hear Joe sing "You Are So Beautiful."
   
   "Up Where We Belong" is another duet made famous by both Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. The two artists complement each other rather well and this makes "Up Where We Belong" a solid number. There's also a "90s version" of "Unchain My Heart." "Unchain My Heart" really rocks and it sounds very good! The backup chorus enhances the natural beauty of this ballad. Awesome!
   
   "Summer In The City" is a fine cover that gets a somewhat Caribbean treatment from Joe and his musician friends; the tempo slows down and the melody overall is very pretty. "Sail Away" is a tender number that touches me when I hear it; and the album also ends very strong with Joe Cocker performing "First We Take Manhattan." "First We Take Manhattan" rocks and only Joe Cocker could make this tune sound so good!
   
   Joe Cocker possesses a great talent and we are all better off for his sharing his giftedness with us. This is a great Joe Cocker album for his fans; and it's also a great starter CD for people just discovering the fine artistry of Joe Cocker.



4. standards of GREAT music all wrapped up and ready to remember.. classic rock at its finest.



5. The CD is simply sexy! I love to listen to it when I want to escape.

5 comments about Lie to Me.

1. I'm not thrilled by this album. I like Lang's bluesy renditions but I would have liked a few more cuts that have the energy of the title song.



2. When you consider that Jonny Lang was still a kid when he recorded this album, it's incredibly impressive.
   
   But putting the child prodigy angle aside, for a moment, it's really a mixed bag. There are, undoubtedly, moments of sheer greatness. The opener, title track "Lie to Me," is catchy, high quality blues, and the follow up "Darker Side" is a potent song, as well. The album offers up a nice mix of harder rockin' blues numbers with slower blues both of the heavy and soft varieties. At times Lang's playing even echoes that of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
   
   So why is it a mixed bag?
   
   Well, to some extent, the album tries a little too hard to be modern, and loses some of the raw emotion of the blues. Part of this modernity is seen in the album's clear pop leanings, evident on a number of tracks, which water it down somewhat. And then there's that final track, "Missing Your Love." It might be the weakest track on the album, and it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If it had to be included, it would have been a better fit somewhere in the middle...well away from the influential beginning or ending of an album.
   
   But, given all that, it's still a good album, and one worth hearing. Perhaps some who like pop infused blues more than I will appreciate it more fully.



3. For a second effort, it is just as good as the first. Jonny just keeps getting better and with a more mature and bluesy vocal.



4. With his worldly, whiskey voice Jonny Lang stuns us once again. So young to feel so much!!! And he relays it spectacularly. From the soulful lyrics to the spectacular guitar, this is a moody, wonderful CD.



5. Jonny Lang's major label debut was more successful than anyone would have dreamed. The title track became a big hit and vaulted Lang into overnight stardom at the tender age of 16. I actually don't think this album is quite as good as his previous independent effort "Smokin", but it is still a very good album. Being on a major with a big name producer the material here is much more polished than Lang's previous stuff. The guitar solos are shorter and the album contains more covers than originals. Still when you consider the fact that this kid was just 16 when this was recorded it is pretty amazing. Highlights include "Lie To Me", "Darker Side", "Rack Em Up", and the soulful "Missing Your Love" which would be a shade of things to come on Lang's later albums. I have had the chance to see Lang live several times over the years and each time he gets better. This is a very nice blues album from a talented guy. I don't think it is his best, but certainly worth owning.

5 comments about Boyz II Men - Legacy: Greatest Hits Collection.

1. I'm still listening to this CD daily and I'm enjoying it soooo much. It is without a doubt my favorite Boyz to Men
   CD. I'm sure their fans worldwide will thoroughly enjoy this CD.



2. I've been a fan of Boyz II Men since there 1991 hit "Motownphilly". I also remember growing up listening to them and always hearing them on the radio. What great memories. I got to see them live back in 1995 and it was a spectacular performance. Still to this day, my favorite track by them is "On Bended Knee". It is a very inspiring track. Other outstanding tracks include "End Of The Road,I'll Make Love To You,A Song For Mama,Water Runs Dry,and It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday". Even though they still record and tour to this day, they may not be what they used to be back in this era, but they will always remain one of my favorite r&b/pop groups of all time. I recommend this album to you!



3. I love Boys 2 Men. The greatest hits cd is awesome. All of my favorite songs they made is on it! I would highly recommend it. Add it to your cd collection!



4. When listening to music, no matter what the genre, the first thing that will get my attention is a catchy or beautiful melody. This is why I love Boyz II Men. This album is chalked full of beautiful melodies sung beautifully. I can't even figure out which are my favorites! Interestingly, it wasn't as big a hit as some of the others, but my favorite is probably "Water Runs Dry" because it's just so unique! Love all of this!



5. I just love Boys to Men and this is a great CD with some of their greatest songs.

5 comments about Hoodoo Man Blues.

1. [This is review is part of my 31 days of Halloween series.]
   
   The only thing that really qualifies as Halloweeny about this CD is its name HOODOO MAN Blues. Hoodoo cross-cultures with Voodoo at certain points, but is a separate expression of Americana folk magic/ritual. It is very focused on "tying" or "binding." Unlike Voodoo, Hoodoo is not strictly speaking, Africa-based. Of coutse if JWcalled the CD Voodoo Man Blues it would have entirely a different connotation.
   
   Back to this CD: The production values & remastering are abolutely fantastic. It is part of the Delmark's Roots of Jazz series that includes other notable performers Curtis Jones, Edith Wilson, Little Walter,etc.
   
   Junior Wells has a great voice & plays a mean harmonica. He is accompanied by other first class musicians Budy Guy (Guitar), Jack Meyers (Bass) and Billy Warren. The original LP was all recorded in an amazing TWO DAYS in 1965. Today it would probably take at lrast 2 months. All the songs are upbeat, boogie-woogie & really kick a--.
   
   I'm sure this and other music had an influence on Bob Dylan's evolution from traditional (but always original)folk music to his reincarnation as a folk rock & something more musician--and who plays a mean harmonica too. Like Junior Wells, Dylan by necessity was a troubador too, always on the move. A harmonica travels light.
   
   Other Amazon reviewers know a lot more about the genre (R&B) than do I & their postings are well worth reading.
   
   At Newport
   Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Muddy Waters
   The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions
   Live in Cook County Jail
   Let's Roll
   
   The Skeleton Key (Widescreen Edition)



2. HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells is a GREAT blues album. If you like Chicago electric blues, you've GOT to have this CD! The CD also has some out-takes that were never on the original album. These are great too. Junior Wells is my favorite bluesman of all time. His harp playing is fantastic as are his vocals. I almost forgot to mention that Buddy Guy plays absolutely fantastic guitar on this album!



3. A great collection of songs by one of the great blues harmonica players, backed up by legendary musicians. If I recall the LP album back cover of this (or the other essential Junior Wells album "It's My Life, Baby!") had this story: Junior worked to save up for a harmonica at a pawn shop, at the end of the week he was 25 cents short, so at the shop he picked up the harmonica and ran out. Caught and brought before a judge Junior's defense was "I just had to have it." The judge asked if he could play it, which Junior did causing the judge to rule in Junior's favor - case dismissed. Don't know if this is a true story but I'd have bought it for him myself. My thanks to the judge and my thanks to Junior! (ps. I no longer have the albums. If anyone does have the LPs please verify the judge story.)



4. 
   I dig the blues man, but I don't tend to review blues albums very much, unless there is something about the album in particular that stands out. HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells, which infamously includes legend Buddy Guy on lead guitar is one such blues album.
   As a fan, primarily of good, hard hitting, sleazy gutter rock and roll, as well as blues, this album brings alot of things together for me that make it a solid LP of straight ahead ballsy rock.
   An album that prides itself in being the very first Chicago Blues LP ever, it definately is one of the best. It was recorded at a time in the early sixties before the British Invasion revived the blues and the market for American blues was pretty much dead. Most of the blues market was either recording styles leaning towards acoustic folk or more of an r&b style. Even most of your down and dirty blues rockers of the forties and fifties were dulling down. But Junior Wells put together his best band ever, featuring Buddy Guy, who is now legendary for being the influence behind a bunch of guitar rockers... like Duane Allman, and most notably, his direct influence on Jimi Hendrix.
   This is timeless blues, that could in no way be considered dated or old fashioned either then or now. In fact this is probably one of the sleaziest, riffiest, ballsiest records of the early sixties, and is def a must if you like slick sounding, jagged edged, kick ace music.
   Every song rocks... A blues album album.



5. Junior Wells is one of the premier harmonica players ever to his the blues circuit, and this definitely shows off his talent. Very nice to have Buddy Guy playing guitar along side Junior. If you like Little Walter and Muddy Waters, Junior Wells fits in right along side of them, having replaced Little Walter in Muddy's band after Walter left. Highly recommended to any blues lover!

5 comments about Talking Timbuktu.

1. As a fan of the Tuareg group "Tinariwen', I couldn't resist buying this CD when I saw that another famous native of their region hooked up with Ry Cooder. If you've ever listened to Ry's soundtrack works or his wonderful stuff on 'A Meeting by the River' or "The Buena Vista Social Club' then you'll know why he is such a great match for a veteran like Mr. Toure. Ry's son , Joachim, is a good addition with his drum work too!
   
   Both of these men share a love of guitar music and it shows in every track of this CD. Similar to the effect generated with listening to 'Tinariwen', Talking Timbuktu transports me to the barren- but beautiful- expanses of the Saharan regions. It doesn't matter if its Mali, Niger or Algeria- the effect is the same. If you are familiar with the region, you'll get my meaning. Its haunting and mesemerizing at the same time.
   
   This is an absolutely gorgeous CD. It also makes for fantastic 'road music' for when I take road trips. Trust me, its a good companion when the long trails of New Mexico and Arizona beckon and you want music for along the way. BTW- there's a good hour's worth of music here. This is no short trip! ;)
   
   Talking Timbuktu definitely TALKS to me! It is not a waste of money at all!



2. I bought this CD because of Ry Cooder. I've loved his music since first hearing on the soundtrack for "Paris Texas." I'm also very much into indigenous and ethnic music and am happy to have discovered Ali Farka Toure in this CD. Sometimes slow, sensual, hypnotic, and bluesy like the songs Amandria (my favorite) and Ai Du, and sometimes more rhythmic with a strong beat that you want to get up and dance to, the music on this CD grabs you every which way. Ali Farka Toure's rich voice also adds another dimension to the quality of this CD, on top of the music itself. And every song is top notch. It's rare for me to like every song on a CD, but I love every song. It doesn't disappoint on any level.



3. "Talking Timbuktu" is one of those CDs where you have an aha moment. Oh yes, you have heard this music before and yet, not quite. Ry Cooder and Ali Farka Toure play beautifully together and truly bring the Mali's music straight to us. This is an extremely listenable CD and well worth the price.



4. This is really good music. A combination of blues, African, something I cannot put a description to. Each person has to experience this to see what it means to him (her).



5. As usual, this is another spectacular disc, only made better by the addition of Ry Cooder.

5 comments about Colorblind.

1. I really liked this album. Yes, it goes into a more pop direction...but it still has the RRFB magic in it and god forbid a struggling band should try to get a little success...jesus. I also don't get the lyric bashing from some of these reviewers. I'm not sure what fantasy world they live in, but in reality...not every good song has amazing lyrics. Some songs are just fun to listen to because of the beat or the guitar riff it has. If you guys want music with just solely good lyrics then I would suggest bob dylan or neil young, even though I seriously can't stand neil young at all.



2. I first heard Robert at Claptons Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2004. He blew me away. I bought Wetlands. A few weeks later, I saw the Family Band live at a small outdoor venue. They were fantastic, high energy and relate to the crowd...literally. Robert and bassist Danyel Morgan came out into the audience high fiving and shaking hands, LONG before the end of their gig.
   
   I own all three of their offerings and am awaiting this fall's new release. By the way, they are presently opening for Eric Clapton's Tour 2008. I suppose the 1-2-3 star people understand music better than "Slow Hand Clapton"?!?



3. Man , this is a horrible effort from young Mr. Randolph.
   
   Remember when he burst onto the music scene and played pedal steel guitar in a blues/rock vibe instead of the traditional Nashville country way? It was awesome! The Live at the Wetlands CD gives a very good feel for what it was like to hear music in a totally new way. To see him live was even better.
   
   So he gets some success followed by his 2nd CD (not as good as 1st, but OK he's working on it) followed by the current mess. The songs are WAAAAAAAAY over-produced and worse, they're not at all what made people take notice in the first place i.e. the blues/rock. As another reviewer said this is a "run-of-the-mill disposable mainstream pop release" - I totally agree with that. On top of that we can't hardly hear the playing of the pedal steel.
   
   8 of the 11 songs are co-written by Robert himself. Boy, he needs some help here. And not the kind provided by the current group of amateur collaborators.
   
   message to Robert: you need to fire your executive producer (if you can) and hire a new team of songwriters - I'd suggest the people who worked with Kenny Wayne Shepherd on his "Trouble Is..." release.
   
   And I'm holding out hope this waste-of-time CD was the doing of the record company for "commercial reasons" and is not where your true musical direction lies.



4. Robert Randolph and The Family Band caught my attention when I saw them perform on Eric Clapton's CROSSROADS II. The energy that Randolp plays with is the key. You know that the group has to be great just to be at CROSSROADS, but to then open for Clapton's '08 tour only adds credence to the group's combined abilities. "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That" adds the energy to The Discovery Channel's latest TV ads...providing further testimony to where these guys are headed.



5. I am always pleased with the prompt service that I always receive on all the order that I have made. Thank-you