2 comments about Superharps.

1. This CD explores blues harmonica playing, almost in the form of a harp master class, and delivers in wonderful production, band and frontmen. Essentially, Sugar Ray Norcia is the main man here, playing on 7 of the 11 tunes, and he proves to be the best player AND singer. I have never heard him play as well on record before and he outplays the other players throughout. James Cotton also plays better than in a long time, which is nice to hear. Charlie's 3rd position playing, including his signature odd tuning work can also be heard and as far as I can pick up 1st, 2nd and 3rd position playing is covered on the CD. The playing by Billy Branch is good, but I have heard him better, especially on Johnny Winter's PointBlank releases where he is simply oozing. What makes this CD so enjoyable is the backup band, led by guitarist Kid Bangham, formerly of Sugar Ray's Bluetones and Fabulous Thunderbirds, providing excellent backup. This not just a harp record, it delivers nice guitar, piano, bass and drums. I can wholeheartedly recommend this CD to all blues lovers, but you have to love or enjoy harmonica.



2. I picked this CD up as an promotion, and was pleasantly surprised when I first listened to it! Charlie Musselwhite,Billy Branch and James Cotton out perform themselves, along with the other performers. Track No. 3 is outstanding in it's own right. I recently met Billy Branch at a local performance and stated to him that it was an outstanding CD..he stated to me at the time, that he did not even have a copy yet. You will listen to this CD over and over again and get new meaning everytime.

5 comments about Common One.

1. "I think I'll Go Walking In The Woods." ... A true feeling of grace.
   From Haunts of Ancient Peace to the last refrain of When Heart Is Open.
   Common One delivers perfection. The mountain top, the struggles, the long journey, complete redemption.
   
   "Oh, My high in the art of suffering one"
   
   Common One hits a chord that only the Common One can.
   A true underrated gem.
   The path that leads to a Beautiful Vision



2. I'm a massive Van Morrison fan and for me this is one of his greatest albums. For me When Heart is Open is an incredibly sublime and beautiful piece of music. It's far away from pop or rock music, which is why some people find it difficult, but it's a stunning and deeply moving piece. I've listened to it countless times and have always been inspired by it every time. There are other sublime moments of this album too, such as Summertime in England (which is overlong though, and would have been more effective in a shorter version) and Haunts of Ancient Peace. The whole album comes from a deeply spiritual place, and its serenity spreads to the listener. It's perhaps Van's most experimental album, which is probably why it was his least successful (both critically and commercially). But I'm incredibly grateful that this music has enriched my life so much over the last 15 years or so.



3. You might be thinking that because this album is only 6 songs long and is a bit boring to look at that it's not worth peeking inside. You would be very wrong. This is one of Morrison's best albums, and two songs in particular are about as good as it gets if you are a true fan of Van the man. Summertime In England (epic and poetic) and Satisfied (uplifting with an incredible minute-long sax solo). You can definitely feel that this is one of Van's more improvisational albums, and caught somewhere between his 70s Moondance days and his 80s Beautiful Vision era, but it all works. If you enjoy this period of Van's musical history, you really should check this out.



4. If you've ever seen Van live, you know that some nights are time spent in heaven. On his worst night, you're in the audience of Van's private hell. Some of his albums are the same. I don't care what Vanistas say, some of bland. This is not one of those; it is one of the reasons why Van Fans keep coming back.
   
   I originally bought this cd back in the late 80's before I had a cd player. I just wanted to know that someday I'd be able to hear the set in its purest forms. It still holds up. Discovering Van? Good place to start. If you don't get greedy, you can cherry pick his best work and avoid the dross. This is a perfect cd.



5. I got this off a recommendation from a friend of mine here on amazon, and basically I don't know what to think of it. First off, I REALLY respect Van the Man for following up the relentlessly commercial (and often quite dull) Into the Music with a work as bizarre and inaccessible as this one. My theory about Van is that he just doesn't give a crap, that he is the ultimate artist - not that he is the best artist, that is, but that he only does what his muse tells him, regardless of whether or not it makes him money. If his muse points him in a commercial direction (Band and Street Choir; Into the Music), that's where he goes. But hey, think of it like this: Moondance and Tupelo Honey were both artistically and commercially successful. This is artistically successful from the standpoint that it's a very creative work, mixing jazz, soul, and Celtic folk. And when this one's on, it's ON. Summertime in England is an absolute Morrison masterpiece, with long, captivating lyrics; numerous tempo shifts, and enough interesting sax and keyboard solos to sustain it for its fifteen minute length. A song like this and its similarly lengthy companion When Heart is Open invite no middle ground: you either worship and adore or despise them. And I'm not big on When Heart is Open. I guess I can hang with its In a Silent Way atmospere (In a Silent Way being one of my twenty favorite albums ever), but it's just formless, shapeless, and dull. It's ambient music, and ambient's one of the few genres of music I don't listen to much, because I don't really get it. It just goes over my head. So does When Heart is Open. For the record, I feel the same way about the two epics on Saint Dominic's Preview: Listen to the Lion is one of Van's greatest achievements, but Almost Independence Day makes no sense to me.
   Really, if you take that one out, and replace it with a few standard-length tunes, this wouldn't be bad all. I mean, Wild Honey's not really worthwhile either, but Van's done far worse - take When Heart is Open, for instance. Anyway, an album can have a couple weak spots to still earn a recommendation. Satisfied is middling, redeemed only by some memorable sax solos. It's also the only comemrcial song on this album, which is anything but common, no matter what its title suggests.
   Now for the two standard-length pieces I do like. Even though Summertime In England is my favorite of the pack, if I had to choose one song to represent this album for the upcoming Still on Top compilation (which I believes ignores this one entirely), it would be Haunts of Ancient Peace. As the title hints, it's haunting, stately, and reverant. Sure, it's just pure mood, and it gets by on mood alone, but the mood is wonderful. The hymnal Spirit is the same way.
   Common One is pretty far from an inviting album, and it's hard for me to say if I like it or not. The cover art is my favorite of all Van's albums; Haunts of Ancient Peace and Summertime in England strike me as Van classics. But this is not one to begin your Van journey with, and I must say I greatly prefer his work from Astral Weeks to Veedon Fleece (well, I'm still missing Hard Nose the Highway and It's Too Late to Stop Now, but you get my drift). As an artistic statement, it's hard to argue with, but I'm pretty sure this was made for Van's enjoyment and not ours. Which I again really respect. I just don't "get" about half this album.

5 comments about The Best of Delbert McClinton.

1. Very true to style. Great timing and lyrics. Every song is a classic Delbert.



2. If you like Texas Twang this one is for you. Great music with rockin' sound. Delberts history with other musicians thru the years is unbelievable but after you hear his music you can believe. The guy the taught John Lennon to play harmonica.Country rock at its best



3. mr.mcclinton's rendition of al green's "take me to the river" left me bug-eyed,drop-jawed andsoaking wet.i thank heaven itself for this man's presence on our planet.



4. I find his music captivating. His voice is special. He has the ability to surround himself with the best in the business. What a rock!



5. There are a number of great songs on this album. The production values are not up to current standards in terms of sound quality and clarity, but the goods are there. Delbert's one of the best singers of blues-based rockers and soulful ballads there is. His husky voice worn raspy after twenty five plus years in the business, his southern twang and his phrasing combine to produce a powerful, tasteful, captivating interpretation of well chosen songs that tell moving, funny and fun stories. My favorites on this album are Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams to Remember" a sadder-but-wiser ballad, Al Green's "Take Me To The River" which has been widely covered but nowhere better,and three rockers with stories "Giving It Up For Your Love", "Real Thing" and "Heartbreak Radio". If you like blues and soul, you'll like Delbert.

1 comments about I'm the Man You Need.

1. This can't measure up to Stand Up In It. But, what could? Theodis does a pretty good job on some pedestrian tunes. He does stand out with the Let's Get It On medley. Worth a listen. Still looking for the magic of the Stand Up In It disc. On that one their wasn't one bad cut.

5 comments about The Best of Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari's Greatest Hits.

1. We bought this CD AFTER we had gotten a copy of his Zucchero and Friends CD. This CD has many of the same tracks as the "friends" CD - they are good, but the duets are actually better. We are surprized that Zucchero is not better known in the US as his music is great and we love his style. Anybody who likes something a little different would appreciate Zucchero's music, even the foreign language tracks. If you like this CD, you will like the duets CD even better. I would buy another Zucchero CD and have shared ours with friends who also liked it well enough to buy.



2. Original songs that you want to play over and over and over. Great album!



3. I can easily recommend this fine Italian musician/singer/composer! Zucchero is that incredible musical discovery still waiting to happen in America. He loves the blues, but he can rock with the best of them and play funky or Latin too. He sings both in Italian and English, even mixing them at times. The emotion of his singing is so moving that the first time I heard it I was hooked. The more I listen to his music, the more I want to listen to it, he is totally addicting. This is a fine collection of SOME of his best, and a good sampler to try him out. Trust me, buy ANYTHING by this musician, you will never go wrong.



4. I heard a song by Zucchero a year ago and thought it was good then I heard My Love and I fell in love. Zucchero is so diverse that he can make you swoon over My love then get you up dancing with the next song. If you like REAL music with melodic sounds, something you can humm and keep with you then you have to have a Zucchero experience. You'll fall in love too...guranteed.

   He weaves together Italian and English so well I don't even know that I don't understand what he's saying.

   Zucchero is a must have.




5. I can't get enough of this guy, he's unbelieveable and so far this is the second best. The best being "Shake".

5 comments about Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot (IMPORT).

1. If you like Gordon Lightfoot then you won't like this. Listen to music samples before you buy. The tribute by the Cowboy Junkies (The Way I Feel), is superb and complements the original and would be the only reason to buy this.



2. We love Gordon Lightfoot music. I wanted to like this, I asked for it as a gift, and finally got my hands on this through Amazon.Com. It has it's moments, but all to many of the performances are bland. One of the truest points the ALL MUSIC GUIDE makes about most all Tribute albums is that they make you long for the original artist. That is sure the case here. With few exceptions the renditions of the Lightfoot classics and album tracks don't hold a candle to the originals.
   .
   COWBOY JUNKIES, "The Way I Feel" was superb, and the folks who compiled this disc must have felt the same way, as they opt to open the set with this promising number. A cool, funky guitar snakes its way thru the tune, while the drums keep the pace and acoustic guitars compliment Margo Timmons fine vocals.
   If the rest of the CD had one half the innovativeness that this song has it would be a Canadian classic garnering Juno favour.
   But alas the great moments pretty much stop there.
   Oh, there are other nice performances, smatterings of nibble guitar play or a contemporary sound here and there.
   .
   American defector JESSE WINCHESTER is a nifty choice on "SUNDOWN" and that is the second best moment. With it's percussion and slick wah-wah fret work, it rocks well. Jesse at least puts his own vocal spin and arrangement on one of Gordos more bluesy numbers. A singer song-writer like Winchester is a smart choice for a CD such as his.
   .
   Neither RON SEXSMITH (DRIFTERS) nor BRUCE COCKBURN (RIBBON of DARKNESS) made much of their opportunities, in my opinion. I have enjoyed moments by SEXSMITH in the past. As for Bruce...If I had a rocket launcher, why I'd...
   .
   BLUE RODEO are a great band, and while they don't win me over entirely with their version of a unsung Lightfoot classic, "GO GO ROUND", I'll grant them a pass. They do not harm the song. The liner notes point out that this may not be one of Gordon's personal favs, but his 1960's folk generation lyrics offer some nostagic fun for me, so I give BLUE RODEO a mild thumbs up.
   .
   One of the ubiquitous COLIN LINDEN's many side projects is BLACKIE & the RODEO KINGS, and they do a serviceable rendering of "SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE". It is one of the numbers that makes me want to run to my record collection and pull out GORDON's original, because the way he subtly eases into the chorus is so inspiring. COLIN and the band rough house it up a bit on this one, and while all is not lost, it just seemed better suited as a slower balled that a rocker. The playing is fine -the vocals a stretch. But COLIN, who doubles as executive producer on the project and sits in on many of the sessions, is all right in my books and a wonderful guitarist, so I'll give him a passing grade. His intentions are always well meaning.
   .
   CONNIE KALDOR, is one of the biggest missteps. It's not even that it sounds bad (or good), the harmony vocals actually work well. It's just so hard to take on Gordon's best song, and maybe just one of the greatest songs ever written and try to do anything the same (or different) and make it work. It begs for the original. Gordon Lightfoot nailed "IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND". The words are pure poetry and when Lightfoot sings them you feel as if you are the person he sings of. Like a Michael Jordan jump shot, Babe Ruth's swing, Mona Lisa's smile and Fitzgerald's "Gatsby", perfection should be left untouched. The guitar chords and moving strings (NOT piano keys) also help make HIS masterpiece work. I have heard Gordon Lightfoot sing IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND hundreds of times and he never fails to get me to turn the volume up. CONNIE I'm sorry, I just had to the the volume down.
   .
   I liked TERRY TUFTS take on "FOR LOVIN' ME", the mandolin is such a under-used and effective instrument. This song takes on a life of it's own while still paying tribute to the tune it salutes. Hey anyone that can include a 7-string guitar, dobro and mandolin, is OK in my books. Thanks for taking a chance.
   .
   HARRY MANX, "Bend in the Water". Undistinguished glop.
   .
   TRAGICALLY HIP, like BLUE RODEO have earned a certain amount of respect throughout Canada, to some degree North American, as well as success internationally. However BLACK DAY is not my favorite LIGHTFOOT, nor is this the best thing I've heard by T.H. Like much of the album, it reminds me that there are better versions of this song, and better songs in the LIGHTFOOT canon. Sure it is a song written about a tumultuous time in America, but to drive that point home with overly load, aimless guitar chords and screeching vocals, doesn't work for me. A quick glimpse at the back cover photo on the CD sleeve shows Gordon apparently covering his ears. Tragically, this might be the song that made him do it, I'm afraid.
   .
   What can one say about Canadian veteran MURRAY McLAUGHLAN. Straw hat, and old dirty hankies... Now here is a guy that deserves a chance to cover Gordo. And he does Canada proud. Like a Canuck Steve Goodman. He takes a fairly obscure song and turns in a solid performance. Bonus points for the use of a penny whistle. It is one of the more elegant moments on the album. Take a chance and succeed. I believe I can tell that he respects the music he is celebrating. Way to go, Murray, moping a face like a shoe.
   .
   MARIA MULDAUR, haven't heard from you since "MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS" (Take Your Camel to Bed). This is no MIDNIGHT and while you may be a lightweight, you are no GORDON mimic. Failer.
   .
   Word to JAMES KEELAGHAN, don't mess with CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY. That song is GORDON's domain, and really out of everyone's league, even on a tribute album. Like trying to re-record "Hey Jude", just shouldn't be done. Period. You want to sing about Don Quixote or Maid Marion, that's one thing, but don't try to toast to the living and drink to the dead.
   .
   SYLVIA FRICKER's QUARTETTE, won't make me forget Gordon's "SONG FOR A WINTER DAY", nor SARAH McLAUGHLAN's version, for that matter, but it is a song that plays well and is well sung in 4 part harmony. It is a fine LIGHTFOOT moment and always sounds nice as part of my Christmas collection. Four Strong wind-pipes, you might say. Well done ladies, well done.
   .
   AENGUS FINNAN, word to the wise, unless your name is Stompin' Tom Connors and you think k.d. lang is a young hipster, please don't bother writing weak tribute songs on so-so tribute albums. Doesn't work that way. Sophmoric at best.
   .
   Overall there are some nice moments but they are off set by just as much manusha. Like goldilocks' porridge either to light or to hard. But some of it is just right. Bonus points for not including any cloying song resembling a ship wreck on the Great Lakes. Gordon Lightfoot wrote many classic songs, that is not one of them.
   .
   As for the title of the album "BEAUTIFUL", wouldn't it have been nice to have someone like k.d lang (who feted Canadian song-writers with her own fine CD last year) or the Sarahs Harmer or McLauchlan, or Kathleen Edwards, or Jann Arden, or Chantal Kreviazuk, or even someone like Amanda Marshall, take on the song the album is named after? It is missing from a CD entitled: BEAUTIFUL. What gives, with that?
   
   
   
   --I don't think you can ever do your best. Doing your best is a process of trying to do your best. - Townes Van Zandt



3. ...is beautiful. A delight to hear Canadian singer/songwriters celebrating their natonal treasure.



4. I think I speak for most people when I say that tribute albums only tend to make you want to hear the originals again. Maybe that is the point, but usually you only want to listen to the cover versions once and then sprint to the original album never to return. This album is an exception. First of all, most of the artists are Canadian and that lends an air of sincerity and empathy to their vision of the song. Second, notice that no one tried to tackle "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". That shows that these artists know better than to try to better a signature song and that they had the wisdom to mine the vast Lightfoot songbook and highlight the more obscure, yet accessible songs. Gordon Lightfoot has long been underrated as a songwriter with eclectic tastes in music and a keen ear for a poetic lyric. This album goes a long way toward showing how Lightfoots songs could be interpreted many ways without losing the power or sincerity of the lyric. The arrangements are fresh and modern. While this can often be jarring, in this case it is refreshing since it refocuses your attention to the lyric. One particular highlight for me was Connie Kaldor's reading of "If You Could Read My Mind". This is a song that we have all probably heard in the supermarket or the mall a hundred times, but Ms. Kaldor's spare interpretation brings back the poignancy of the lyric and, as she points out in her notes, the songs works when changed to a woman's point of view, showing how universal the feeling of the song is. That is but one highlight of this album. This album will not replace the Lightfoot originals in your collection; it is not intended to. But it may compel you to make room beside them for a heartfelt homage to a Canadian legend.



5. solid CD--varying quality, as most tribute CDs are. I'm not sure why the Miami reviewer feels his/her OPINION of particular songs is more valid than the previous reviewer's. These are individual opinions; there is no "correct" view of a song. Get over yourself and enjoy the music--or not--without pronouncing that someone with a different opinion from you is "not a real fan."

5 comments about I Can't Complain.

1. Ordered the used CD. It is in good condition and plays through without skips or lockups.



2. As much as I love Phoebe Snow's voice (and song writing and guitar playing) she just seems to be trying to do too much on this record. One moment its solid pop such as the duet with Michael McDonald (Right to the end) and the next its labored blues such as Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu. Please! The real low point for me though is the speeded up take on Mitchell's Case of You. Diana Krall nailed this song on the TNT tribute to Mitchell but Snow's version is lame, lame.

   All in all, one of those records that a fan has to have but disappointing when you know the next one is going to be such a long time coming




3. dear aunt phoebe, i would like to congradualate you on your success in music. i was wondering when you are going to get me the limp bizkit tickets? just kidding. love, jeff sussman



4. This is one of the best CD's I have heard from cover to cover. Everyone needs to give this an ear. Sister Phoebe has got some soul!!!! Give us more!!!!!



5. I wished this CD were all Blues but it is great anyway. Baby Work Out has you workin' out & Rockin' Pneumonia is the best. This CD can make the hair stand up on the back of your head if ya know what I mean. I play it all the time on Blue Wave Radio KECG 88.1 / 97.7 Sat 7 to 9 am & Single's Cafe Sun 5 to 6 pm in the East Bay CA. G Hanes Where It's Red Hot & Resophonic Blue.

5 comments about It's Real.

1. wow! what an album,from track 1 all the way through to the last track,every song has a different feel to it and carries a different emotion,easily kci & jojo's best album,just listen to the samples,a must have, best song is how long must i cry,load of heart and effort on this one!



2. Actually, I give this one 4.5 stars. I think it is a sexy blend of up tempo and slow songs. Soulful and bluesy, but urban and gritty, too-southern gentility well-combined with the raw sensuality and vulnerability that makes you want to know more-just like those bad boys you see walking around. This is a wonderful showcase of the Hailey brothers' ability to harmonize and compliment each other artistically and emotionally I own all 4 K-Ci and Jojo CD's and this is, by far, the best. As time went on, they seemed to have forgotten the things that make us love them so much-like the emotions they can stir with their sincerity and the freakiness that makes us ladies swoon. Perhaps they were experimenting on the later efforts. Or maybe they were trying to distance themselves from their youthful raunchiness, in an effort to be taken more seriously-but I say if it ain't broke don't fix it. This is some good stuff, right here.



3. Actually, I give this one 4.5 stars. I think it is a wonderful blend of up tempo and slow songs. Nice and bluesy, but urban and gritty, too-southern gentility nicely combined with raw sensuality and vulnerability that makes you want to know more-just like those bad boys you see walking around. This is a wonderful showcase of the Hailey brothers' ability to harmonize and compliment each other artistically and emotionally I own all 4 K-Ci and Jojo CD's and this is, by far, the best. As time went on, they seemed to have forgotten the things that make us love them so much-like the emotions they can stir with their sincerity and the freakiness that makes us ladies swoon. Perhaps they were experimenting on the later efforts. Or maybe they were trying to distance themselves from their youthful raunchiness,in an effort to be taken more seriously-but I say if it ain't broke don't fix it. This is some good stuff, right here.



4. After their sensational debut "Love Always", K-Ci & JoJo come back again with a solid album. It does not quite reach the majestic musical plateau that their first album did, but it comes extremely close and is one of the better R&B releases in recent years.
   The album starts off with the brilliantly catchy "Fee Fie Foe Fum" as the Hailey brothers wind you through a story of betrayal. This song makes use of K-Ci's trademark hollering. "I Wanna Make Love To You" is a more upbeat and lighter song than the latter. This song is more reminiscent of the trademark songs of their previous group, Jodeci, as it is a more explicit love song. "I Wanna Get To Know You" uses a nice bouncy beat and the listener is treated to the great exchanges when K-Ci & JoJo sing back and forth. This is one of the more catchy songs on the album and definitely makes this one of the albums best. "Hello Darlin'" is a slower and much more romantic song. It contains a great hook as instruments are added in and the beat picks up. "How Long Must I Cry" uses great coordination between a slower beat and picking it up to make it more catchy. "Makin Me Say Goodbye" features a great hook by JoJo and K-Ci's original singing style on the first two verses. "Tell Me It's Real" was the smash hit from the album and is a really good song. It is not too pop sounding to stand out from the album and is a great contribution to the album. The song "Life" stands out from the album more than any other song as it was taken from the Life soundtrack. It is a welcomed feature as it was written and produced by R. Kelly and is mostly a solo from K-Ci making use of his bluesy style to the fullest. "Girl" is a nice song as it starts off slow and becomes an outstanding upbeat song. "What Am I Gonna Do" although not produced by Timbaland, has production that sounds similar and is yet another good song. "Here He Comes Again" is a very meaningful song as the Hailey brothers plead with a girl to leave a man who is treating her wrong. "Momma's Song" is an inventive and nice addition to the album. It is a song written by their mother and performed by K-Ci & JoJo.
   K-Ci & JoJo put out another solid album. The strength of this album is their voices as their contrasting singing styles work extremely well together. JoJo has a higher pitched voice and sings in a more traditional style. While K-Ci's voice is raspier and he likes to sing in a southern blues style. Dating back to their Jodeci days, all the Hailey brothers albums have had solid production and this one is no different. This is one that all R&B fans should have as this duo are two of the most talented musicians in the industry. Very few of the lyrics are not written by them and guest background vocals are limited.



5. I wouldn't call this album WACK, but some people may call it close to that after hearing Love Always. Love Always was filled with smooth, silky singles like "All My Life" and "Still Waiting," whereas THIS album sounds a little experimental.

   When you want to, you'll hear good stuff like the first single, "Tell Me It's Real," as well as "Here He Comes Again" and the best song, "How Long Must I Cry." Except for "Tell Me It's Real," K-Ci and JoJo made the mistake of not releasing the dope songs. (Of course, another mistake is every song not being dope to begin with.) Also, many of the song titles are not very creative, like "I Wanna Make Love To You" and "I Wanna Get To Know You," not that they're bad songs. In other places you'll find them being a little TOO creative. Case in point: the second single, "Fee Fie Foe Fum." A Jack and the Beanstalk reference? BAD idea. The chorus is "Fee fie foe fum/Got a feelin' you've been dippin' with someone." That's just ridiculous. Also the hook has K-Ci saying "Late at night/I hold my pillow tight/And I wish that it was you." How old is he? Three? One song to steer clear of completely is "Hello Darlin'." At the beginning it sounds like it will be good, but then comes the ridiculously loud chorus with even louder ad-libbing and bad wordplay. Just take my word for it.

   Because this is a K-Ci & JoJo album, what can we look forward to? How about some essential oversinging by Mr. K-Ci Hailey? Not only does he do it to almost ruin the end of "Here He Comes Again," he strains to do it in "Fee Fie Foe Fum," and he even does it in the intro.

   Even with all the things I mentioned, this album isn't necessarily something to throw in the garbage. It just doesn't quite live up to most people's expectations, that's all. Fortunately they came back home with their followup, X.

3 comments about Classic Cocker.

1. To me, It's one more GREAT JOE COCKER "CLASSIC" cd to add to my collection,AND I LOVE IT!!! I love all 19 songs that have been selected to put on this one cd. You Can't go Wrong having this one or ANY COCKER CD FOR THAT MATTER!!! THEY ARE ALL GREAT!! This one gives you a few decades worth of "COCKER" material. A MUST HAVE!!



2. When it comes to Soul acts that really are about soul from Britain today, many of them haven't been able to score hits within the past several years. From Elton John, Simply Red, and Phil Collins who've made quality records the past several years, it seems as if people here today would rather be interested in Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Joe Cocker has also been that kind of victim to the listeners of radio today. Although his musical blues and rock styles and standards haven't scored the past two decades, you can definitely count on him when it really comes to making quality songs. Considering the music he has made so well has shown brilliantly from his eras with A&M but also overshadowed the past several years through his Captiol classics. But they come alive alone on this exclusive online album.
   
   Joe Cocker's 2007 Classic Hits, which features a different track listing than the actual Classic Cocker greatest hits album which is in record stores only, shows a much more welcomed reflection of Joe Cocker's Capitol records era during the 80's and 90's. The collection is remastered well, and shines brightly as a well-rounded reflection of Joe Cocker's brilliance and voice. There are also one or two additions from his times during his A&M works, mainly You Are So Beautiful. Nevertheless, the Capitol works are what steal the show, with tracks like You Can Leave Your Hat On, and his classic rendition of Ray Charles Un-Chain My Heart. Also, this online album also shines on those overlooked Capitol tracks from Don't You Love Me Anymore, and Night Calls work well into the mix.
   
   Although the album fairs mostly well, there are a few disadvantages to the record. Classic Hits overlooks a few great tracks like his cover of Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word from Two Rooms, and mostly focuses in on live versions of Joe's classics from his 1990 album Joe Cocker Live!, instead of using the original versions of Delta Lady and With A Little Help With My Friends.
   
   While there is so much to enjoy, Joe Cocker's Classic Hits stands still as a much better reflection of his Captiol Records era than many of the past greatest hits records like 2006's Joe Cocker Gold, and 2004's Ultimate Collection. I also feel terrible this version is not available in the stores, just through online music subscription sites only. It is a much better hits record than the actual Classic Cocker in music stores.
   
   Songs: B 1/2-
   
   Price: B+
   
   Remastering: A-
   
   Overall: B



3. When it comes to artists these days, they are just all about hype, and not even the simple essence of true voice. That is very unfortunate with wannabes like Britney Spears, Ashlee and Jessica Simpson and other who feel like they're #1, but remain worthless on merit. That is what so many people feel about artists from years ago who've maintained there peak years ago. Joe Cocker is one of those forgotten souls. Although his presence was very strong in the 70's and 80's, many people see him today as a forgone conclusion. Yet, a new hits album has just been released that doesn't make new fans seem to come in.
   
   Classic Cocker, Joe Cocker's 2007 greatest hits album, is a single disc that mainly reflects on Joe's 80's era during his reign with Capitol Records, rather than his 70's commercial success with A&M in the 70's. The songs here have all been remastered nicely, but doesn't really maintain to be definitive enough for a single disc greatest hits album. Still, there are a lot of great songs here like his hits You Can eave Your On, Shelter Me, When The Night Comes, the upbeat rendition of Ray Charles' Un-Chain My Heart, and Civilized Man. The album though does include few highlights from A&M. The only constants is his smash standard You Are So Beautiful and Up Where We Belong with Jennifer Warnes from An Officer & A Gentleman.
   
   While the album sounds good, there just undoubtingly leaves a whole lot more to be desired. Although it tries to be definitive from his Capitol work, it really falls short from his 1993 Best Of Joe Cocker, which did a better job of his Capitol era. There are just a lot of great songs that were overlooked here including Don't You Love Me Anymore, Feels Like Forever, Night Calls and his cover of Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word which was featured from the Two Rooms tribute record. Also, the album instead relies on lesser-known songs Joe performed including What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted and live versions from Joe Cocker's 1990 live record of A Little help With My Friends, Edge Of A Dream and The Letter.
   
   Although it is a great buy for longtime fans of Joe Cocker, it just really misses out on bringing newcomers to Joe Cocker's music, who seem to more interested in who has to be hot today. Still, Classic Cocker does have some really good songs, but falls short on being definitive as much as previous hits records like the 2004 Ultimate Collection, and 2006's Joe Cocker Gold. I suggest if you're new to his music, you might want to try something else, because it isn't enough when his night comes.
   
   Album Cover: B
   
   Songs: C
   
   Price: C
   
   Remastering: B+
   
   Overall: C 1/2+

4 comments about Daredevils of the Red Guitar.

1. This is the stuff guitar heroes are made of. Henderson doles out everything from straight-up rock & roll to slow, nasty blues and twangy country on this album. The quality and clarity of the sound on this recording serve to enhance and complement Henderson's in-you-face guitar style too. The opening track "Hit the Bricks" is fairly weak, and there are a few others that don't necessarily light any fires (the title track and "Love Somebody"), but the rest of the CD smokes. The seven instrumentals include Henderson's favorite Link Wray song "Rawhide," and a twangy, two-part version of Duane Eddy's "Rebel Rouser." The Ventures medley is a true delight (he breaks out the whammy bar a bit). "Brandon's Song" features some double-lead guitar and sounds like something you might hear from Clapton. "Jitterbugs Part 2" is some of the fastest swing you'll ever hear. It includes a great bass solo and a dead stop part of the way through, after which Henderson says in his great Texas drawl, "Is it just me, or is this too damn slow?." You can probably guess what happens next. Willie Nelson (vocals on "These Eyes") and Tom Morrell (nice steel guitar on "Judi Likes the Blues") are among the guest artists.



2. I must admit that I purchased this album because of the red PRS guitar on the cover. I lucked out as old Bugs isn't too bad of an axe player. His voice and sound is a tad countryish, and he's a far better player than a singer. I find his vocals a little on the weak side, and emotionless, but his playing can be very powerful at times.

   My favorite tunes on the album are the instrumentals. Any guitar-head flips for the Ventures or someone who can cover them well. Bugs does just that with a great representation of five classic Ventures rolled into the "Ventures Medley". The title track is a flashy instrumental with a good groove and some fast hammers on the guitar neck. His fifteen-year-old son takes a turn behind the skins. Probably should keep an eye out for the younger Henderson. Bugs pays tributes to his hero's again by covering the great Duane Eddy's "Rebel Rouser", and does a great job of it as well. "Rawhide" rounds out the great instrumentals on this album.

   There are some great licks and solos on this album. If you like your guitar-work a little bit country, a little bit blues, and a little rock and roll, then this is worth checking out.




3. Bugs Henderson and the Shuffle Kings are a group that is completely down to earth. They play with their hearts and souls. They make up a true blues band.



4. Avid Bugs Henderson fans will be disappointed in this "studio" release. Bugs always has and will do his best work before a live audience. The choice of tunes is interesting, perhaps the best cut being the Ventures "medley".