5 comments about Stevie Ray Vaughan: Pride and Joy.

1. What can I say - I like SRV. I can hear the influence of Jimmy Hendricks: Hendricks is just a bit too radical for me. If you like Texas style influences {nothing to do with politics] I think you'll rest easy and enjoy this DVD.



2. I actually like the cheesy videos. "Superstition" is pretty good, "Cold Shot" is hilarious for many reasons, and "Little Wing" is a really cool look at some old footage of SRV and the musicians who inspired him, not to mention the best remake of one of the greatest songs of all time.
   
   I also really like the MTV Unplugged performances, although it is with this footage that I have my primary complaint. Before and after each song, Stevie is talking to the crowd. I would love to hear what he has to say, but the DVD cuts immediately to the next song. Why not include the entire session? As a huge SRV fan, I would have loved to see him interact with his audience in such an intimate setting. I felt ripped off that they didn't include this. Otherwise, it is a great DVD that true fans would love.



3. It is hard to give a Stevie Ray Vaughan DVD anything less than five stars, but the fact is that most music videos often distract from the song itself with corny, cheesy, or even vomit-provoking images and plots. This collection of SRV music videos was originally released on VHS shortly after his death, but the newly added footage in this DVD makes this a worthy purchase for fans.
   
   While none of the videos here are terrible, any fan of Stevie Ray knows that a music video cannot compare to seeing the man tear it up on stage in a real concert setting. The videos for "Cold Shot" and "Superstition" are fairly humorous and entertaining, and "Little Wing" is a nice little tribute to Stevie's memory. The rest of the videos here are pretty average, and "Good Texan" is a real disappointment that should have never been included in the DVD. It is presented as basically a Jimmie Vaughan solo performance without a single glimpse of Stevie Ray at all!
   
   Vaughan's MTV appearance only months before his death in August 1990 gives us a rare glimpse of his lightning quick acoustic guitar playing and it's a really nice addition to the DVD. Also included is a nice segment of Stevie and brother Jimmie being interviewed and jamming together during the making of their album Family Style. Interviews and behind the scenes material of SRV has never been available on video before, so this footage is definitely a treat.
   
   I recently discovered a truly priceless SRV performance on YouTube that is far better than anything here and was sadly LEFT OFF this DVD! Stevie Ray and the blind guitarist Jeff Healey appeared on stage together and tore the house down with a great version of "Look at little sister" that will blow you away! Jeff Healey stands up and rips into a SCORCHING solo that would have blown most guitarists right off the stage! Stevie immediately unleashes his own solo that matches the same blistering intensity of Healey's solo and the audience gives them a standing ovation at the end as Stevie and Jeff exchange hugs. This is one of the greatest SRV performances I've ever seen and it's even better than the MTV Unplugged performance featured here. Anyone lucky enough to have seen that performance has to be shaking their head wondering WHY it was not included on this DVD!



4. This is really a cool DVD considerably different than his pure-performance DVD's (all others except this one). If you love SRV and want everything he has done in your collection, I highly recommend this DVD!



5. if your a stevie ray vaughan fan this is a
   must have it not only has all of his music videos
   it also has his only appearance on mtv unplugged

5 comments about Suitcase.

1. Keb is a talented musician with a beautiful voice and solid poetic compositional skills. Very much appreciated that he participated in the Vote For Change tour in '04, and thought that he, Bonnie and Jackson Browne were one hell of a trio.



2. Keb Mo is always good but this is great! Listening to this will chase the blues away.



3. I found Keb' Mo' by accident. I was looking thru blues cds at the local library and found "Slow Down." I heard that cd and thought it was really good. So I ordered some more to listen to and didn't know that "Suitcase" was his latest - greatest. When I listen to "Suitcase" it is straight forward honest and funny. I like Keb' Mo's easy going laid back style that is very pleasing to the ears. The whole album is great with a story to tell. Keb' Mo' has either lived this or has had close friends that have experienced some of the things he sings about. It is a very entertaining album and worth the purchase!



4. This record shows Keb' Mo's usual combination of blues and ballads, like most of his precedent works. As usual, it is a refined and accurate record, with excellent arrangements and high quality of the sound. There are some differences, actually: comparing to some early records and to the last one ("Keep it simple"), "Suitcase" seems to be a little weighed down on the "pop" side of such mix, as ballads (I'm a hero, I'll be you water, Life is beautiful, etc.) prevail over genuine blues tracks. More: some pieces begin with a blues introduction, but suddenly turn to a pop song (listen to "Your Love"). I do not know if it depends on Keb's present good mood, or if Blues is making its way towards a softer age. As for me, I own all Keb's records and I love this musician as one of the best living bluesmen, but I will keep this work for my relaxed moments.
   
   Riccardo Frau
   Sassari - Italy



5. This is another one of his CD's that is enjoyable from start to finish.

5 comments about Eric Clapton - One More Car One More Rider.

1. WASN'T SURE WHAT "COOL" REALLY MEANT UNTIL I SAW THIS DVD. SIX GREAT MUSICOS DELIVERING TWENTY GREAT SONGS AS IF THEY WERE JAMMING IN THE LIVINGROOM. SLOW, EASY AND WITH STYLE THAT COMES FROM JUST FEELING THE MUSIC. ONE OF THE FEW VIDEO PRESENTATIONS THAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE MUSIC SOUND BETTER. IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN "COOL" IN YOUR LIFE......LISTEN AND WATCH THIS DVD. YOU WILL THEN BE "COOL' FOREVER.



2. my primary objection to this show is that it is too slow and "sentimental" david sancious is a brilliant musician but his talents are mis-used here...the set list is a bit sleepy, and while there is some ripping blues as the show progresses, the sense of the dvd as a whole is that it is one collective "nap time"



3. Outstanding! I first rented this DVD, then went out and bought one for both me and my brother.
   Sit back with a bottle of wine and enjoy this one. It's really a fantastic experience.



4. Even if you are not an Eric Clapton fan, this DVD is great music. The sound is excellent and Eric can play guitar like no one else. He mixes old classic Clapton with lots of blues that is just unbelievable. BUY IT!



5. As a long time fan, this is one of the best live DVD concerts ever. It was done in Long Beach, California about five years ago and was filmed at the last minute...never really intended to be taken to the market for many years. The musicans are top flight, the music is well arranged and superbly played. I really enjoyed listening to the late Billy Preston jamming on that Hammond organ...he added a lot to the band's sound. The instruments ran the gamut from classic guitars of the 40's and 50's to the latest stuff Fender makes as well as some electronic synthesizer stuff from Dave Sanchez that sounded a lot like a saxophone, but he was playing it on a keyboard and blowing into a reed of some kind. I especially enjoyed the last song they played..."Somewhere Over The Rainbow"...it was a remarkable sound from the late 1930's that was arranged and played to perfection. Love him or hate him...Eric Clapton is an icon in the guitar world who can hold his own with just about anybody esle on the planet.

5 comments about Live Johnny Winter And.

1. This is a true texas blues icon coming into his form live and loose. It is a must have. Although not the greatest sound quality - it was only 35 years ago or so... It is still better than a lot of stuff put out today if you can believe it. And the songs are all covers except mean town blues, but still anything Johnny Winter has ever done is great. Compare it with todays music. Could anyone ever come out and release a live album of with 6 covers and become a legend from it? I do not think so. BUT, if you have the talent and the guitar licks that make you stand out, yes, the cream does usually rise to the top. The "And" is all about a dude named RICK DERRINGER playing 2nd guitar in the band. Yes, nice right hand man to have on your side... Jumpin' Jack Flash is a classic that JW played live for a long time. And the blues licks he plays are just killer. Try Johnny Winter And LIVE - then pick up your fender firebird and plug into your bassman cranked up - and just play.



2. I heard this album almost 30 years ago on the 12 inch black vinyl medium and loved it then .I was reminded of my love for JW when i saw a track on Crossroads Festival(Eric CLapton).Hearing it again has revived the same feelings of facination with the stunning slide that has always facinated me.GLad to be back with Johnny Winter.



3. Bought this LP in the Fall of 1971 while in high school and took the thing home and practically fell out of my chair from the first few bars...this is the finest live album I may have ever heard period!The amazing combination of Derringer and Winter is outstanding...both guitarists at the peak of their powers! I strongly suggest that if you enjoy hard blues rock that this cd be in your regular rotation. Having seen Johnny in 1970 at the Capitol Theather standing in front of almost 20 Fender Twin Reverbs was a real rush and this cd captures what it was like to hear Johnny live at his peak! Buy it now and enjoy....also may I suggest "Johnny Winter And" as well as "Johnny Winter Second" and "Still Alive and Well" all are some of the finest bluesrock ever to have been laid down period!



4. I was looking for a CD version of a cassette tape of a Johnny and Edgar Winter live concert, which I've misplaced.
   There's a killer medly of old rock and roll hits I was particularly hoping to find. This CD isn't the one. I've since discovered the one I want is a collector's item and is priced out of my range. I'll keep looking in the attic for the cassette version.



5. This is one of the best live rock/blues preformances I have ever heard. Johnny was at the top of his game!!

5 comments about Hope and Desire.

1. Ms. Tedeschi has a sweet soulful sound with an undertow, so watch out. It will suck you in and take you down. The kind of gospel that will make you say "Sweet Jesus, I didn't know it could be like this". As a matter of fact, I'll be singing Protect My Child on Sunday in the Sanctuary. JK! There is enough here to satisfy boys and girls and help them satisfy each other.



2. This is the first Susan Tedeschi CD that I have purchased. I initially searched for her music because of comparisons to Bonnie Raitt's style. After listening though, I realize she deserves to stand alone without the comparisons because of her great musical abilities and her own style. I am very pleased with my purchase. On this CD she makes the covers her own...very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to building my Susan Tedeschi collection. Hope and Desire will stand the test of time.



3. What is the definition of "DANGER ZONE"?
   The answer is,when a young singer attempts to cover a song that has been done by the astounding Ellen Macgillwaine.
   Wow!
   Susan Tedeschi survives!



4. Susan is the brightest new light in the world of REAL, non machine generated R&B, blues, and rock music, and Hope and Desire is just her latest fine effort. In a time when it is rare to hear a song that is not smothered with computers and machines generating sounds that simulate musicians and instruments, hearing people, well actually singing and playing is a refreshing pleasure to what we are exposed to in this non-musical day and age. Susan is down to earth and genuine, and Hope and Desire emulates those feelings.



5. Make no mistake about it, Susan Tedeschi's got the musical chops sorely missing from a lot of contemporary artists.
   
   I first heard her singing "Kansas City" with Willie Nelson on his "Milk Cow Blues" CD, and found her vocals to be stunning, which still holds on "Hope and Desire". I love her rendition of "You Got the Silver".
   
   She's made my list of favorite contemporary musicians. I'm looking forward to listening more music from her.

5 comments about Live at Carnegie Hall.

1. Live At Carnegie Hall was recorded on October 4, 1984 (one day after Stevie's thirtieth birthday), and is a highlight of Stevie's early days with his band, Double Trouble. There are also guest appearances by John Hammond, Jimmie Vaughan, Dr. John, vocalist Angela Strehli (who sings an enthusiastic lead vocal on C.O.D.), and the Roomful Of Blues horn section. The performance is an intimate, but rousing, blues celebration of Stevie's birthday. At the end of the night, Stevie says, "Thank you very much for making this my best birthday ever...forever!". Musically, you couldn't ask for better. The sound and production are smart, and the performances are clean and inspired (that's an understatement on some of the songs!). The absolute best recording ever of Cold Shot is here, Testifyin' sounds great, and Lenny is simply AMAZING. It really makes you wonder why Stevie doesn't get even more recognition as a guitar god than he already has. Things That I Used To Do and Dirty Pool are both jaw-dropping, Stevie at his blues guitar best. Pride And Joy and Iced Over both sound as good as ever and the horn section adds to the sound instead of hampering it, and it gives the songs new life. More than just really good blues, Live At Carnegie Hall is an intimate documentary of a very special night in the life of Sevie Ray Vaughan, his friends, and his family. There's a lot of love, warmth, and personality on this one, and some really fine electric guitar fueled blues music, too.



2. Of all his CD's, this feautures some of Stevie's best playing, and it's LIVE! The acoustics of Carnegie Hall add tremendous depth to his soulful playing here, and he just rips and rips away without holding anything back. As an added bonus, this was right near the end of his career when he had his head on straight and his chops were peaking. You are really missing out if your collection doesn't include this one.



3. There is such history in this venue, and for Stevie to play there it was quite an extraordinary event. The recording is fabulous in your face guitar,
   like they had the mic inside his cabinets, protected by a noise gate. Great, great live performance here.



4. Live at Carnegie Hall is a must-have for the diehard SRV fan who wants to get a taste of the guitar master's live perfomance electricity. I purchased his Live Alive CD prior to this one and was somewhat disappointed (Live Alive was recorded at the depths of SRV's drug and alcohol addiction and lacked the luster and originality of his previous works).
   
   This, however, was a real treat. His torrential solo on Dirty Pool and collaboration with his brother, Jimmie, on Things that I Used to Do were flawlessly executed and super-charged. I am always amazed at how he could bend and twist notes in ways unheard of, but these two songs were absolutely mind-boggling.
   
   The second half of the CD, where SRV adds the Room Full of Blues horns and Dr. John on keyboards, was a pleasant surprise. Initially, I was skeptical, thinking it would be like "gilding the lilly, but it's a great R&B sound that every SRV fan should experience. In addition, Angela Strehli was outstanding on her fiery vocal on C.O.D.
   
   The only issue that prevented me from giving this a five-star rating, is the muddy sound on the first two or three songs (Carnegie Hall was originally designed for acoustic performances). Don't let this stop you from adding this one to your collection, though.



5. SRV and friends play up a storm. Herein are arguably the definitive recorded versions of "Cold Shot", "Pride and Joy" and "Things That I Used To Do". The horns really add warmth to the sound, but Stevie Ray is front and center. Eric Clapton has said he was in awe of Stevie Ray Vaughan for his flow; the way solos just poured out of him, and there are some blazing examples on this recording.
   Yes, the man was a great guitar play, an absolute master of the form, but something that is rarely mentioned is that his singing was as emotive as his playing. He was in great voice on this night too.

5 comments about Crossroads: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

1. Ry Cooder and Steve Vai are great in this particular venue. The story line is somewhat hokey, but the music is tops!!



2. The music is much better than the acting in this film. Ry Cooder's production of classic blues tunes remains one of my favorites today. The Karate Kid steps up to the plate but his performance is mediocore yet saleable. A great story, looking for Robert Johnson's lost tracks, a rendeveouz with the devil, a young love affair and a quest for redempetion make this film very likeable. It is, however, the music that sets it apart. If you are a fan of R. Johnson a lover of the blues then it's a must see/listen.



3. I see that most of the reviewers for this record are disappointed that the Cooder-Vai duel didn't appear on the soundtrack album. That's understandable. But for me, that was better experienced as video. Personally I think the high point of the soundtrack, and the movie for that matter, was the electric guitar bottleneck piece "Feelin' Bad Blues". It is fantastic. It sounds like the guitar may be accompanied by a hammer dulcimer toward the end. I played this for a young guy I work with who is a heavy metal fan and is just discovering the blues. He got wide-eyed.



4. All of the best cuts from this movie are actually located on Steve Vai's CD entitled "The Elusive Light and Sound". It is a very excellent CD, and has over 40 tracks on it. Thats all, Thanks.



5. Good sountrack, and while I think that the idea was to lean towards blues on this release, some of the best music from the movie isn't on this release. To get that you need the movie DVD, and though I have no complaints in seeing the movie to get hear these tracks, it would have been nice to have them included on the soundtrack.

5 comments about Born Under a Bad Sign.

1. This album and Earl Hooker's "The Moon Is Rising" are two of the greatest electric Blues albums of all-time. There is not a bad song on this disc. Albert King also displays great versatility; "Born Under A Bad Sign" sounds nothing like "The Very Thought Of You", perhaps an odd song choice for Albert, but very well-handled. This is one of the albums that the late Stevie Ray Vaughan most admired. He was heavily influenced by Albert's playing on this record, as were scores of other Blues guitarists and Blues-Rock performers.



2. This is really a fantastic blues album. Not even close to the most technical thing out there, but Albert King just pours out emotion into his guitar. It's a very soulful performance.



3. The Blues have always been much more popular in concert settings than on record. Truth is, there's not a wealth of terrific Blues studio records that appeal to a broad audience. If there were more Blues albums as excellent as "Born Under A Bad Sign", there's no question there'd be a much larger audience.
   
   If you've only ever heard the title song by Cream, do yourself a favor and get this to hear King's smoking version. No worries that this will be an album that starts with a hit followed by a lot of filler. There's a lot more searing guitar work on "Crosscut Saw" and "Kansas City" and then on throughout the album. Every song is terrific. "As The Years Go Passing By" is an achingly beautiful, if mournful, slow blues with a haunting solo from King. One of my all time favorite Blues songs. Closing the album with the Jazz chestnut "The Very Thought Of You" might seem a curious choice but King reworks it as a Blues number and it really works.
   
   This could not be a five star album if King weren't getting excellent support and Booker T and the MGs deliver that support with gusto. Their crack playing perfectly complements King on this outstanding collection of songs without ever overshadowing him.
   
   This is one of the very best Blues guitar albums and, come to that, one of the finest Blues albums period. If you were starting a Blues collection with as few as five CDs, this would have to be one of them. If you're looking for a first purchase of Albert King, I'd strongly recommend this over the excellent "Very Best of Albert King". It's not just that King never made a better Blues record. Nobody else did either.



4. Albert King-Born Under A Bad Sign *****
   
   
   This is it, the album that changed everything. Up until this point it was white boys playing only trashy rock n' roll, but after the release of Born Under A Bad sign all the little white boys from England wanted to be blues musicians, especially the guitar players. With out Born Under A Bad sign Clapton, the Vaughn brothers, and Jimi Hendrix to just name a few would not have chosen the paths they chose. Instead they would have opted for a more straight forward rock sound (not to say that Clapton wouldnt do that anyways in the late '70s and 80's sadly).
   
   Taken from a collection of singles and released as one whole album finally in 1967 Born Under A Bad Sign was Albert Kings crowning achivement so to speak. Pun intended. This was the album that solidified him as a guitar power-house and making him the third King in the three king trilogy along side B.B. King and Freddie King.
   
   The album features and all star line up of Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn on guitar and bass. Al Jackson jr. on Drums. The Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love, Joe Arnold). To top off the line up is the great Booker T. Jones and Isaac Hayes on the keys. Phenomonal. Easily the best blues line up ever assembled!
   
   Starting off with the title track, and legendary 'Born Under A Bad Sign' which is easily one of the top five blues numbers of all time. So good infact that in the mid 80's the hardcore band MDC (millions of dead cops) covered the song, and did a great job in fact. Killer cuts like 'Crosscut Saw' and 'Kansas City' keep things moving in an up beat manner complete with bleeding guitar. 'Oh, Pretty Woman' continues things. No not the Roy Orbison song, no, no, no, Kings 'Oh, Pretty Women' in my opinion is far superior. Possibly the very best song he ever recorded. A song that had a large influence over the Doors in the L.A. Woman period is 'Down Bother Me,' just a standard blues. 'The Hunter' is a rollicking number with a killer groove thanks to Al Jackson and Hayes. Now Albert King always said he thought of Born Under A Bad sign of more of a vocal album rather then a guitar album and for good reason, three of the albums best songs, 'I Almost Lost My Mind' 'As The Years Go Passing By' and the closer 'The Very Thought Of You' are very vocal. The guitar is there but the vocals are clearly the focal point of those tracks. Between those three are the gut wrenching 'Personal Manager' a song that should not be heard on a broken heart, and the severed wrist of a song, 'Laudromat Blues.'
   
   This is one blues album that even a regular rock fan would enjoy. Fans of Eric Clapton would love this album because you can see where he gained a lot of his classic guitar licks from. As far as the blues go, it doesn't get any better then Born Under A Bad Sign from the real king...Albert King!



5. Born Under a Bad Sign marked the history of the blues. This reissue is essential for blues lovers.

5 comments about La Bamba: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

1. For the most part, this is a great soundtrack. The only problem I have with this, is that the "La Bamba" on the CD is not the exact one played in the movie during the concert and also at the end of the movie where the credits are. The one in the movie is SLIGHTLY faster and upbeat. Would have loved to have that version on the CD.



2. I have the soundtrack and I know that there are a few songs that aren't on the soundtrack, one for instance, being the song that is played while donna and ritchie are driving "home from school". I can't really make out the lyrics to search the song so this is my next step. So if somebody could help me that would be great.



3. I misplaced this old soundtrack and was able to purchase another on Amazon.com. This is a great soundtrack and the music is terrific. This is one soundtract you should add to your collection. I've purchased several cd's and products in general from Amazon and have never been disspointed.



4. Sound track other than the primary cut, LaBamba .Did not seem the same as the movie.Would not recommened the sound track.Was purchased as a gift.



5. This is a solid soundtrack. Los Lobos do a good job of duplicating Ritchie Valens' old songs (although there was no accordion on the original versions). The other cover songs, by Howard Huntsberry, Marshall Crenshaw and Brian Setzer, are also well done. Bo Diddley does a great remake of his classic "Who Do You Love". The last two songs by Los Lobos are not Ritchie Valens songs, but they are okay. If you liked the movie, you will probably like the soundtrack, too.

5 comments about Keep It Simple.

1. Great CD! It arrived fast and worth the wait. Love Keb Mo on a rainy day or any day



2. Every song tells a story...and every instrument comes through beautifully in each song! Such clarity..the voices! This is now my mellow out CD. It encourages me (and will encourage you too) makes you smile and will humble you. Keep It Simple is a wonderful addition to any collector who likes down home classic blues music or just introduced to it like me! I must ask: KEB'MO PLEASE DO A INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF THIS CD..I would love to have it in my collection too!
   Thanks. A new fan...T.



3. Keb Mo is all blues, just acoustic blues. Won many awards for his work. Saw him at the Monterey Blues Festival and in New Orleans as well. This album is has, like all albums, some material that I like, some I don't, but am very glad to have it in my collection and listen to it often.



4. This is one of the best albums Ive heard yet from this man. What a great talent and what a great guy. You know he's comfortable in his skin if one of his lyrics is "You don't have to shave your legs for me." There isn't a song on this album I don't like. I listen to is almost every day,



5. Remarkable for accuracy, arrangements and quality of the sound, it is not a "pure blues" record, but a (winning) combination of blues and ballads (fifty-fifty). Refined and sophisticated, always pleasant, it shows a nice list of tracks all deeply rooted in American popular music, linked by the unmistakable Keb's touch, with his acoustic/dobro guitar work. Keb' Mo' is probably the best "complete" bluesman at the moment, respectful of blues tradition and nice to modern listeners. High class. High quality.
   
   Riccardo Frau - Italy