2 comments about Time Bomb.

1. I am a Sue Foley fan, I believe I have all but one of her CDs. I picked this one up mainly because I saw her name on it. I would recommend it because the collaboration does not take away from the whole package. I would have probably preferred a solo outing, which I might've given 5 stars to, but this is almost as good. It still packs a lot of blues by my favorite female blues artist.



2. Sue Foley Deborah Coleman Roxanne Potvin `time bomb' Ruf Records
   
   Sue Foley and Deborah Coleman come to this recording with deep credentials in the blues rock world, but Roxanne Potvin is not a name that I am very familiar with, but more about her later.
   
   Often this recording is pleasing and at times very hot, especially on the NRBQ'ish rocking opening instrumental title track- Foley's `Time Bomb' which definitely races in true pedal to the metal fashion and just roars and soars! Foley's `So Far' is a rip roaring affair with a rockabilly tinge that is one of the finer compositions I heard from Foley in a while, and offers top notch blazing guitar rev-ups as Foley really wails on this track! But I could have done without her corny `Show Me' which really does not fit well with the rest of this CD. Coleman covers James Brown's `Talking Loud' in a Grateful Dead'ish `Shakedown Street' funky mode, complete with wah-wah effects, sassy background vocals, and is one of several fun tunes on this hip recording. The Coleman authored `Motor City' also utilizes soulful background vocals, and allows Deborah to do what she does best on her driving guitar, and the band also kicks in mightily especially the thumping bass of Jim Anton, and the strong B3 work of Mark Lickteig.
   Potvin's `Get Up' is probably her best contribution here, but all due respect to Potvin, this CD could have easily been a Sue Foley meets Deborah Coleman recording, and does not need the third-wheel singer/songwriter/guitarist, as it would have been neat to have a couple of Coleman/Foley collaborations, especially instrumentally.
   The albums closing track- Billy Davis' `In the Basement' made famous by Etta James is a riotous hoot, and allows all three ladies to sing a verse or two, and this tune is outstanding selection to round out this very neat recording.
   `time Bomb' works very well at least half of the time, which by today's standards makes this CD a very nice recording to own. I would be remiss to leave out the fine production work of Kevin Bowe (best known for his work with Robben Ford, John Mayall, Etta James, Tommy Castro, Jonny Lang, and others,) and to the executive producers Thomas Ruf & Sue Foley, bravo!
   Bob Putignano [...]

5 comments about Blink of an Eye.

1. Who'd thought this would be a Michael McDonald album with two African American kids on the cover. He does speak against his children and family in general in many of the songs ("I Stand For You", "Blink of an
   Eye", "Matters of the Heart",etc.) Sadly this album missed out on the charts. There were two singles released "Matters of the Heart" with Vince Gill (as a duet, here he sings backing vocals with Alison Krauss)
   and a cover of Freddie Scott's "Hey Girl" featuring the ever popular Kirk Whalum on sax. Perhaps he wanted to move away from the so called AOR
   synthsized sounds of his earlier work and stay with the times.
   I do agree with All Music Guide's review that he is the "Godfather of Blue Eyed Soul"



2. I found this CD to be all that I expected. As usual, I received prompt service from Amazon. I am enjoying it immensely.



3. Michael McDonald is the finest vocalist to hit popular music in the last 25 years. After an enormous run with the Doobie Brothers in the late 70's, (the Minute By Minute CD is an inspired piece of music), Michael got extremely hot as a solo artist, songwriter, co-lead and back up contributor for others like Christopher Cross, Patti Labelle, Kenny Loggins and Aretha Franklin. Other artists were copying his style. He even had a hugely successful appearance on Saturday Night Live in which his first 2 songs were so good they invoked the "Eric Clapton Rule" and asked him to come back out for a 3rd song!! It semed like he was everywhere and I think this overexposure actually hurt his career.
   
   Most of his solo work has not had the same commercial success, despite some absolutely great songs and performances. Blink of an Eye is the finest of all his solo works, even surpassing the great If That's What It Takes.
   The title tune is a killer, with great vocals, fabulous hot guitar by Warren Haynes of the Allman's and a really cool slightly off time percussion beat. The cover of Hey Girl is so georgeous it can bring tears to your eyes, More to us than That rocks. The only negatives are a couple of very mopey overlong atmospheric ballads.
   It is really a shame that this Cd and Michael in general are not much bigger and more popular to this day. He is a supreme talent.



4. I recalled my first purchase of this album in 1993 in cassette tape format. I was still a university student at that time. Jazz and R&B are my most prefered music, especially comtenporary jazz but I must say this album is an exception among my R&B collection (which are not so many). I was very glad that I can buy this album again in CD format from Amazon since it's impossible to find it now in Thailand.
   At first, what this album attracted me were the name 'Blink of an eye' and the picture of 2 boys which I felt it might have some connection while the name 'Michael McDonald' was still a stranger to me (as a Thai boy). But after listening, I got the cassette replayed and replayed until it degraded and it was left at my home after I graduate and went to Bangkok to work. Now I get it back again from Amazon in CD format and the magic is still there!!! It's a great work from Michael McDonald.



5. It has been 10 years since I first heard BLINK and until recently I did not appreciate the greatness of this R & B,blues,soul classic. HEY GIRL is an all time heart breaker,Mr. McDonald always stops the show at his concerts when he sings this timeless King/Goffin piece. I never understood why this didnt get the play it deserved..Mr. McDonald has a voice fromthe angels and will always be up there with Jackie Wilson, Luther Vandross, SamCooke, Jeffrey Osborne and Otis Redding with his fantastic arrangements of love songs.....the man cando no wrong musicially. If you do not have this one...run to a music store or get on line and buy it and listen with your heart, your soul and you spirit over and over...you will fall in love. Peg in SD

3 comments about The Great American Yard Sale.

1. Wonderfull American music played with steel guitars
   with a taste of western music back to the roots .
   Very nice listening for a long travel on the highway
   tweleve travelling songs
   listen from preview ""Nothing in the world can stop me.."



2. Mark Lemhouse:
   The Great American Yard Sale:
   Yellow Dog Records 2005
   
   I was talking with a friend the other day and I mentioned having trouble writing about the new Mark Lemhouse album. My friend, who has listened to The Great American Yard Sale as well said "why? Are you too startled by its greatness?" Yeah. I am. Maybe startled isn't the word because after his first album Big Lonesome Radio I expected good things in the future from him but dang, who knew? I sure didn't want to sell the man short. But like Yellow Dog Records label mate Chris Cotton Mr. Lemhouse has done his fair share of record Listening and knows how the history rolls and how to rock it. The Great American Yard Sale starts out deceptively enough with Scarlet. A sweet and innocent little banjo line then Lemhouse drops a rump shakin' wallop that recalls to me photographer Bill Steber's shots of the big beautiful ladies movin' and grindin' slow and low down in the jukes of North Mississippi. Mr. Lemhouse and his band lean down in on that greasy good groove thing and, in the words of the great T-Model Ford "Let it all hang in!" Lemhouse follows that with Paper Sack, a lament that ol' Tom Waits would dig. Lowly swangin' on the dirty money and peppered with accordion, banjo, and brushed drums torn up with sweet little guitar solos that Chris Issac could only pray for. I'm Worried is a tight sad country blues with living room harmonies. A banjo plus acoustic guitar piece that, like the previous song lays nicely textured `tho this with the sweet wash of a low flute and cello that combines brilliantly with Mr. Lemhouse's delicious rural city picking. It may be just the anthem you need. Leroy Feller's blues gallops down that hard lonesome road called women. "Nothing on this earth is promised. "No guarantees no reason why, you don't get nuthin' for your trouble, but all the angels sing about you when you die". It's a damn shame John Cash never got the chance to cover it. Never Me is a more traditional country blues made well done by Lemhouse's dark `shine and oj voice with banjo that ol' Dock Boggs or Charlie Poole would have appreciated. Several tracks on Lemhouse's second timer have an undeniably sexy groove-on but none more so than his reworked traditional Cluck Old Hen which carries enough draggin' it in the dirt swagger within its "When the Levee Breaks" steel-toed boot stomp to replant the southern Mississippi delta. Twice. Lemhouse and his band with Scott Bomar on bass and Paul Buchignan on drums and such know how to run that steamin' Memphis hot chicken down. Salem is a haunting melancholy song that sings of the miserable dreariness of autumn and winter in that Oregon capital city. Lines like "Six months to daylight in this town" and "I'm as cold as rock in the shade" sure as Lemhouse's acoustic and lap steel and Amy Severin's lonesome cello bring the bone rattling chill right off that ol' Columbia river. The Unofficial Ballad of Story Musgrave with Mr. Lemhouse on lap steel and acoustic backed by Charles Norman on occasional percussion is not just another song to remind you that there can never be enough country songs about wanting to be an astronaut. This track is followed by The Queen of Easy Street which in a perfect world would be a bigass hit single and would do for Lemhouse what similar odd tracks have done for the likes of your Counting Crows or your Wallflowers. But this ain't no damn perfect world and thank the stars Brother Lemhouse knows it. So after the lovely track 11 "Hazy" which would almost fit nicely on a Nick Drake LP comes You're a (...). A full on country rocker that oughta be the world's hottest download and be boomin' from trunks and ipods all life long. It's the new Take This Job and Shove It. It's your new song to play each day as you light that delicious first smoke after work. It's the song to play as you pull into the lot of your next crap job. It's a song Toby Keith wouldn't the okie (...) to cover. It's the theme song for every damned one of us that actually has to work at work. With this album Mark Lemhouse joins a rare group of fine artists like Drive By Truckers, Black Diamond Heavies, Chris Knight, Tarbox Ramblers and others working American music today that's as classic and timeless as it is of the Now. It's soulful, haunted, strong and smart music that is being heard by far too few people and that's a damn shame. The Great American Yard Sale ranks somewhere in my top three for album of the year.



3. This Album, not only tops his first critically acclaimed CD, "Big Lonesome Radio," but he succeeds in showing more of himself to the listener. He's a true songwriter and musician. Reminds me of a Daniel Lanois produced album to some degree. Lemhouse is a truly gifted musician and it shines through on every track. He's always taking you interesting places in his songs. This guy can say alot with a few well written lines and a whole bunch more on his instrument. Exellent CD.

5 comments about Booty and the Beast.

1. This is the single most exciting and enjoyable disc I've added to my collection in over 10 years--it's packed full of stand out tunes. If this is the shape of the new New York Blues, the future looks really bright. This disc gives a grade A rhythm section performance--these guys are tight enough to hold water and cut a groove deep enough to swim in. Palace of the King drives like no tomorrow with fabulous Hammond organ work to complement Popa's blistering guitar. Do Anything That You Want Me to Do with its tight bass/guitar/keys unison parts is perfection. I Was Lookin Back is another rhythmic tour de force with surprises around every corner. Stoop Down lays a smooth groove. And Same Old Blues takes a slow blues form and transforms it into something exceedingly powerful. Buy this disc.



2. This is the single most exciting and enjoyable disc I've added to my collection in over 10 years--it's packed full of stand out tunes. If this is the shape of the new New York Blues, the future looks really bright. This disc gives a grade A rhythm section performance--these guys are tight enough to hold water and cut a groove deep enough to swim in. Palace of the King drives like no tomorrow with fabulous Hammond organ work to complement Popa's blistering guitar. Do Anything That You Want Me to Do with its tight bass/guitar/keys unison parts is perfection. I Was Lookin Back is another rhythmic tour de force with surprises around every corner. Stoop Down lays a smooth groove. And Same Old Blues takes a slow blues form and transforms it into something exceedingly powerful. Buy this disc.



3. Never having heard CHUBBY, I ordered this CD after reading a number of write ups. All were positive so a disappointment could easily have arrived, allas not so. Great BLUES/ROCK from a relatively unknown guitarist. Not the best blues CD in my collection but up there and sure to get a lot of play and provide a lot of pleasure. I will order more CHUBBY asap.



4. Blistering in your face guitar work that still oozes with soul. I've got several of Chubby's CDs, and this one is hands down the best. Heavy doses of funk rhythms add energy to this "blues with an attitude." By the way, if you like this CD, dig up Left Hand Brand by the Gales Brothers...



5. 'Hit the High Hard One' is a brilliant live rock/blues album. This studio album of many of the same tracks unfortunately does not come close. A good guitarist regardless, but this album lacks the skill or excitement and occasionally ventures into the vulgar.

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

1. One DVD would not (does not) contain Clapton's best. This one comes close. I bought this as an intro to Clapton for my wife. Price is right and she became enamored with him. Call it a "Starter Clapton", not the ultimate Clapton. For that go to the Live Clapton DVD's.



2. This is a wonderful collection of his performances. Unlike the CREAM documentery, this is all music. With his many styles and variations, this is a little of all of them. Although it is not 5.1 stereo, if this is set up to your ears liking, you will totally enjoy this DVD. I particularly like PRETENDING and MY FATHERS EYES.



3. I gave the DVD a 4 Star rating due to Eric Clapton the artist. Unlike other reviewers who felt that nothing he's done since the 60's is worth listening to; I LOVED the music. Although I don't believe "Clapton is God", I have enjoyed Clapton's music through the years. I really enjoyed the videos and the guest appearances by other great musicians such as Phil Collins.

   The issue is for such a great Guitar Virtuoso, Clapton didn't review the sound quality before releasing the DVD. Great DVD for Clapton fans! However, once again the accountants put out the "Best of" DVD without listening to the sound. When do they remove accountants souls; the last year prior to taking the CPA exam?




4. Of all the artists with documentaries and video compilations, Eric Clapton continues to get the short end of the stick. This chintzy collection of common videos is both a waste of your time as well as money.

   With piles of fine `80's-`90's live video to use, Warner Video decided to just go cheap and slot in some best-of-Warners clips; they couldn't have spent more than the playing time compiling this. There is nothing here that's worth spending a nickel on, especially for fans who already have "24 Nights" or "Unplugged".

   Polygram did a far nicer job - and their's was nothing terrific, mind you - with their "Cream Of Clapton" that at least showed some aspect of the history of this performer. This is hardly the "best of" 1981-1999, it's no more than VH1 might do with a handful of videos and a half-hour to kill.

   A wasted opportunity - don't make things worse by wasting your hard-earned money.




5. I'm fairly new to DVD's, so when I bought this one I thought all DVD's took advantage of the superior sound available through the use of dolby digital 5.1, like James Taylor's, Live at the Beacon. This one doesn't it's in stereo. While I love Clapton, I don't HAVE to see him to enjoy him, so if I had it to do all over I'd have bought the CD. At least with the CD, I could have enjoyed his great music in the car as well as at home. So be sure and check what audio format is being utilized BEFORE making your purchase.

5 comments about Men and Women.

1. Simpley Red is underappreciated in USA. This album goes from ballad,in Maykbe Someday to, driving, big brass sound, Let Me Have it All.
   Move on Out, is another big , attention getting sound, and The Right Thing make this one outstanding album. The fill ins are mostly ok



2. If you look at the list of Simply Red's recordings this one is often overlooked and it is a shame. They started out with a bang and had some glorious recordings. After a little lull this masterpiece appeared.
   
   Mick Hucknall is in great vocal form and there is a true r@b, jazz spirit here. THE SPIRIT OF LIFE, THANK YOU and AIN'T THAT A LOT OF LOVE are highlights. I agree that the title makes it sound like it is a concept, themed set and it is not. It is merely a great collection of songs and a must have for any Simply Red collection. Don't overlook this one.



3. I am very fond of "Simply Red", and the content of this CD is superb classic Simply Red at Mick Hucknall's finest. I recommend this to everyone that is a Simply Red fan, and if you are not familar with Simply Red, and you like crooners and jazz pop rock, you need to try this CD. It is just excellent!
   This is the first time that I have purchased a used CD. It arrived in horrible condition. It is filthy and I have gotten a lesson in just how nasty some people live. I am very fond of Simply Red, and for anyone to abuse one of Mick Hucknall's CDs is sad to me.



4. They're my favorite rock group of all-time. 'Cuz they sound more like Steely Dan and OutKast. Wish I would've pickup their album along with Picture Book and A New Flame. They definitely rock knahmsayin. Best song(s) 2 date are "Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye" and "Suffer".



5. Simply Red just simply soars on this album. There's not a weak moment in this collection; all are very good. I really like all the songs but I must said that the song "Suffer" is an instant classic, great song. Then the rest is as good as Suffer, specially the reggae anthem "Love Fire" just awesome. Go and get this CD.

5 comments about A Stroke of Genius.

1. A must buy. Every cd Gerald has it awesome.



2. Gerald Levert returns with another CD but this one isn't as strong as Gerald can normally deliver.His voice is great and he still does the convincing pillow talk, but like his last few releases, the material isn't there. Too often he turns to R. Kelly-styled strip-club music way beyond his reach as Gerald is the grown & sexy lover man not some man trapped in the closet. Knock, Knock, Knock,Eyes and Ears and Keep It Warm are all cool but it's sultry duet with Tamia on the Carpenters,They Long to Be) Close to You is what makes the CD work for me.



3. the cd was used, it had a couple small scratches, but it plays very good. the case was cracked badly. I got very good service. I would use again.I got cd in good time also.



4. I was just reminscining on his songs. I remember this song I heard of his that I thought was special. You all know how Marvin Gaye uses all those distinct voices on some of his songs and they are all him. Well we all know he has been imitated on that most people that try don't even come close. They sound a hot mess. Well at the time I remember Beyonce had this song Speechless that tries to do what Marvin did it vocally sounds a mess. But, around the same time I heard Wear It Out (#9) it is one of the best contemporary songs vocally that can do what Marvin does.



5. No doubt, Gerald has far exceeded expectations with this one and I'd go as far to say it's one of his best!
   
   He's taken the risk of delving into a different market and has been successful. I totally feel where he went with this albulm and only hope others can open their mind to accept the change.
   
   Very well done.

5 comments about BeBe Live and Up Close.

1. I saw bebe live in Bermuda it was an awesome performance
   and this cd captures the essence of the show
   truly amazing he steals the show here like he did in Bermuda



2. The rythym, the beat... This is a great CD. His choice of words and what to add to this CD were incredible. He is a great song-writer. I like the Medly he sang with Debbie, and "I Wanna Be". Those are great songs.



3. WOW, really, WOW, Bebe has really outdone himself this time with this, his third solo album, a live concert featuring old and new hits with amazing studio tracks. The live portion of the album, recorded Monday, November 19th, 2001 for a taping at the BET Studios in Washington, DC that originally aired in February of 2002 is amazing, pure, unadulterated BeBe at his best, soulfully singing and working the crowd. The live performance features "Love Thing", a song about the miraculous birth of his daughter, Miya Destiny Winans born in August of '95, this song was omitted from his debut solo album. A few songs omitted from the album though shown on the program and quite possibly the DVD are the hits "In Harm's Way", "Thank You", "Jesus, Children Of America" with Byron Cage, and "Coming Back Home" with Juan Winans. Eventhough, I miss these songs, he more than makes up for them with the new content.
   The album starts of in the studio with "Do You Know Him" a hot new midtempo joint, produced by Warryn Campbell. Then, the live portion of the album starts off with the basically traditional version of the hymn "Amazing Grace", then a rousing performance of title track from his last album "Love & Freedom". Then "I Believe" a beautiful and exciting song, then the aforementioned, "Love Thing" and the new "I Fell In Love With God" with a little bit of my jam "This Song" at the end. Margaret Bell Byars joins BeBe at the mic with the international hit "I Wanna Be The Only One", taking the recording a bit higher. Then there's the absolutely amazing "Medley" which features the old Bebe & CeCe hits "Heaven", "Meantime", "Celebrate New Life", and "Lost Without You", a song which many naysayers back in '89 said was an R&B song, BeBe puts death to that rumor by saying that the love of Jesus is what the song is talking about, he also "gospelled" the song up at the end. Eventhough CeCe couldn't make it to the recording [she was on tour at the time] he called on one of the Winans "spare children", their baby sister, Debra Winans Lowe, to sing all of CeCe's parts. She did a wonderful job!
   The concert continues with the praise song"Thank You For Being You", a really good, happy song and then the phenomenal "It All Comes Down To Love", a look at the church as well as the secular world that talks about everything from drag queens to televangelists. It offers the true message of it's title. Then to end the concert is the beautiful "Humpty Dumpty", a beautiful spiritual spin to the nursery rhyme as well as others, a profound song. The the smooth, "Lay Them Down", takes us back to studio with another joint produed by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell. To end the whole album is the rousing and beautiful solo, "Born For This" performed entirely by Stephanie Mills. Like I said, this album is amazing, the best I've heard so far this year. A classic.



4. I bought this DVD and album many months ago. Probably listen to it a couple of times a week. It literally helped me out of that "midnight hour" that BeBe speaks of. It's beautiful, Debbie Winans is amazing and the musicians look and sound like they have a wonderful "thing" going on.



5. I was very impressed with this album, contrary to some opinions , it has a great blend of new material and some of BeBe's classic songs performed with CeCe all of which are wonderfully arranged and produced. From the opening studio track "Do you know him" (pay special attention to the background vocals by Kayla Parker) the jazzy live rendition of the classic "Amazing Grace" to the wonderful duet with baby sister Debbie on the "Medley" which showcases Debbie's wonderful vocal talents (hope to see a solo album from Debbie in the very near future). The album also includes new material like the upbeat "Thank you for being you" and "I Believe". The live portion is performed at the BET Studios in Washington DC, the setting is nice and relaxed and the band and vocalists backing up BeBe are very talented.
   BeBe is one of gospel music's greatest singers and songwriters and this album once again shows why he is one of the most recognized and sought after artists in the music industry today. He continues to inspire and break new ground in Gospel music and music period, which is refreshing as well as much needed.

   ...

5 comments about Unchained Melody.

1. I love Al Green....today as much as yester-year.....he has his own special talent, musically.....and I love to groove with Al Green....Every song on this album is so special to me....I am replacing my vinyls, with CD's....what I loved then is what I still love today.....



2. If you're trying to collect the whole Al Green discography of original albums, as I am, you might not immediately recognize that this is a compilation disc--a very important fact! As far as the music itself, it's classic; it's wonderful.



3. This is such good cd and at this price! It's all Al Green with his heart, soul and passion that only he can give to a song. My only problem is that it left wanting more - I guess thats a good thing.



4. i have already burned out 2 cassette versions of unchained melody
   that i purchased at the gas station of all places...i know GOD wanted to make me smile when i found al green's 'unchained melody' on cd!!!!! THE PRICE IS UNBELIEVEABLE and his sweet...etheral versions of these covers have me rocking in my chair and hitting the repeat button over and over...i remember listening to the cassettes nonstop all night long and on the way home...the al green has given these covers an uplifting, goespel and country & western feel and you still cannot get enough...what artist today or in the past can do this...this is to me is the ulitmate favorite al green selection...a super value
   at that...it is a very beautiful album...no hooting, schreeching and hollering all over the place...just sweet...soothing...soothing al green interpretations of these timeless classics...did God bless him or what? AND he blessed us by letting this wonderful music reach the world...



5. This Cd is awesome. This CD has some much feeling, that it is unreal. The song unchained melody is outstanding. This CD to me is the bomb. I wouldn't trade this CD for anything in the world. Al Green truly outdone himself.

5 comments about Millennium Classic Rock Party.

1. You're led to believe that these are the full-length hits when you play them, but DONT BE FOOLED!! They are chopped up shortened versions of the original hits!! FAME by David Bowie has about 2 min taken out, and the great guitar riff at the end of the Lynard Skynard "Freebird" tune is chopped off at the end . .A RIP OFF!!!



2. I enjoyed the CD. Was dissapointed that the Hocus Pocus song Focus was an edited version and not the full song. Other that that it was great!



3. This is a very great cd. I love this cd it is my favorite cd of all time and it rocks. it has great songs on it like We will we will rock you and songs like it. This is they best cd in the world. it rocks out loud.



4. Listening through I thought that this has got to be the best classic rock compilation that I have ever heard. Just about every tune belongs except "Joy To the World", which seems a little out of place. Why only 4 stars? Because they shortened my favorite song, FREEBIRD. If you listen, you'll notice that they took out a good chunk out of the guitar solos at the end. They should have kept the length and cut out JOY TO THE WORLD. If so, it would have been 5+++++++.



5. By calling this a "Classic Rock Party" one must interpret "rock" rather loosely. This collection includes pop ("Joy to the World"), folk-rock ("Sister Golden Hair"), and even a novelty song (the yodelling "Hocus Pocus") in addition to classic 70's rock--all of these songs were released between 1970 and 1978.

   Rhino's other releases in their Millenium series usually focused on a specific genre. When you're doing a hip-hop, funk or doo wop collection, you can do an adequate job even though you may be covering a decade of music. When your category is as broad as classic rock (whatever that means), your song selection doesn't hold together very well.

   These were all popular songs and all of them reached the Top 40, except "Aqualung," which was never released as a single. And why wasn't "Eighteen" or "School's Out" used in place of Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy"? As for some of the other song selections, Rhino appears to have simply decided to save some money on licensing fees by recycling songs from its Top Rock Hits series.

   Overall, this is a very listenable collection with terrific sound and informative liner notes. But unless you specifically looking for some of these songs, why not simply tune in to your local classic rock radio station?