5 comments about The Great American Songbook Collection (4CD/DVD).

1. I boiught the great american songbook collection for my mother for christmas. It is not my taste as I prefer the original Rod Stewart but my mother was so delighted with it I don't think I have ever bought her anything so successful.



2. Rod Stewart, in my opinion, merely plays a minor role in this collection; it is his phenomenal back-up musicians who are responsible for the flawless renditions herein. While Rod's voice certainly blends well with the updated arrangements of these classic tunes, the band's musical interpretation of each song within this box set is awesome. Kudos to the band!!!!



3. It was shipped in a timely fashion, the condition of the 4 CD set was in very good shape. I was pleased with it overall.



4. Finally,this marvelous work is cornered and boxed for your listening and dancing pleasure.Legions of fans have expressed their raving reviews and I'd humbly wish to add mine.The obvious secret of this projects success begins with the actual song selections. Where on earth,did Rod's team unearth these musical gems? For too long, many of these tunes were ignored for weeks on end without the proper vocal appreciation.This set demonstrates Rod's artistic ability to change the musical winds and elevate this material to the precipice,on which it richly deserves to rest.Second,an equally important,are the musical arrangements represented throughout this work.Simply put, Jackie Gleason would blush with envy. Rod and company have guided these charts in a direction other arrangers fear to tread.Last but not least,Rod's unnatural ability to deconstruct these musical treasures acts as the tipping point to their universal appeal. His energy and artistic perspiration are evident throughout this classic series.My only disappointment,rests with the fact that Rod may have concluded his recorded exploration of the Great American Standards.However,it's whispered, among fans, that a G.A.S.box set containing rarities,b/c,d sides, outtakes, alt.takes and demo's may still see the light of day.Hopefully,the legendary and much bootlegged,Makin Whoopee,alt.take#38 will be included. Sadly,as Rod turns his talent towards recording the entire classic RocknRoll canon,other side projects have been abandoned or delayed. The much anticipated,Rod Sings the Work of Stephen Foster, has,I understand, been shelved.However, there's still some hope the rumoured recording of, Rod Humms the Ray Noble Classics Live on the Beach at St Tropez,accompanied by only a gin and lemmon squash, will possibly see a future release date. Until then, remember,a day without Rod's music is a non-rodday.



5. I love Rod's take on these sweet,sentimental,classic songs.Grab a glass of Chablis...dim the lights...turn the phone off...and fall into each others arms....ahhhh...romance :-)

5 comments about News of the World.

1. This album was suffering the fate of many of the things I have on vinyl, which means it's been sitting unplayed on the shelf. I don't listen to the radio any longer (does anyone?) so I've not had the occasion to listen to much queen.
   
   Amazon had this release on special, so I purchased and downloaded it. It was refreshing to listen to again, almost as if for the first time, though it did bring back a lot of good memories.
   
   This is a very strong album with a sold mix of music showcasing just how talented and versatile the band was.
   
   I guess I'm going to have to download the rest of the queen catalog now.



2. I've listened to this album since it was released back in the 70's. I continue to listen to it regularly. It never leaves my cd player. Brings back great memories... with a little bit of rock and little bit of sort of easy listening.



3. If Queen had released this album and called it a day, they would be remembered as the band that gave the world an anthem for the ages. Go to any sports match around the world, and eventually the boom-boom-clap of "We Will Rock You" will thunder through the stadium. Watch any final series recap and you'll likely hear "We Are The Champions." Over 30 years later, and they are the reason "News Of The World" remains an essential seventies album for Queen, even as the ferocity of punk was beginning to make its presence felt.
   
   Not that Queen didn't take notice. The third song on the CD is "Sheer Heart Attack" (and not Sheer Heart Attack oddly enough) rates as one of Queen's hardest rockers next to "Stone Cold Crazy." As usual, however, Queen took as many musical detours on this album as they did on their previous discs. "Get Down Make Love" is a detached grinder, while "Sleeping On The Sidewalk" veers into Latin Rhythms (and is ably covered by Los Lobos on the Killer Queen Tribute CD). "All Dead All Dead" is a melancholy piece from Brian May, and ends with Freddie Mercury's typical camp crooning on "My Melancholy Blues."
   
   It has been rare that any band could become so massively huge and yet be so willing to spin their styles all over the map. By having such divergent personalities along with Mercury's flamboyant, charismatic front person, Queen was a one of a kind band where the chemistry mixed perfectly. It made "News Of The World" an album where a band, so ambitious and bent on extravagance, simultaneously hit their commercial and artistic peak. "News Of The World" is, in my opinion, the last brilliant Queen album.



4. I didn't realize it at the time but the disappointment that was "News of the World" wasn't just a temporary setback, it set the tone for things to come. If you have the first two tracks, "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" on a compilation, consider that not having purchased this, you have dodged a bullet.
   
   Apart from the first two tracks which gained quite a bit of airplay, the only two salvageable moments from the rest of this dreck would be the two rockers penned by Roger Taylor, the title track and "Fight from the Inside". Of the remainder only "It's Late" attempts to rock but it reeks of a song issued before it was done baking and as such becomes the most painful listening experience that Brian May had given us to this point. It really could have been something given enough time and polishing but instead it sounds clumsy and studied.
   
   I cringe to think of how horrible the rest of the album was. Oh, if you were a 14 year old girl in 1977 I'm sure this would have been a glorious experience for you, but the ardent Queen fan could only be heartbroken by utter schlock such as John Deacon's "Spread Your Wings" (send this to Bette Midler and be done with it already) or Freddie's wannabe-"Melancholy Baby" song, "Melancholy Blues". Brian's song about sidewalk life and "All Dead All Dead" were, well, all dead.
   
   Please, add the hits to your collection via individual downloads or perhaps a best of compilation, but if you're going to invest in an entire Queen CD, make it Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, or A Night At The opera. Until this point the punk rockers had no reason for existence, but after this travesty they had every justification to cast stones at the arena rockers who had become bloated, lazy and irrelevant. I still remember how mortified and sad I was in November of 1977 when I first heard this thing.



5. This album, News of the World is an album every rock fan should own. Just like the Cars debut album, Boston's debut album to name a few, this album is full of hard rock that will last forever. We listened to this 8-track till it was worn out back in high school and today it sounds just as good on a CD player. People tend to forget just how hard these boys ROCKED !!!

5 comments about The Essential Simon & Garfunkel.

1. These days, I have way too many CD's on my "to buy" list and not enough money to go around. The best way to deal with this dillema is to either get the group's most definitive album or to get the best "best of" album. That's exactly what you'll find in "The Essential Simon & Garfunkel." Not only does it have all their greatest hits, but the collection spans two discs, so you're sure to get enough of their music to get your fill.



2. I received this CD in a timely manner, and have enjoyed it very much. It brings back alot of nice memories for people who are in my age group.



3. This collection contains more than 35 songs which include just about all of the best known ones and quite a few lesser known but good ones, like el Condor Pasa. Most of them are the studio recordings, especially the better known ones like Sounds of Silence, and they sound very good. I think overall it is very good, especially for the price.
   
   A few minor areas of concern: First, there are some live tracks which sound better in their studio versions. I am not sure why they include live cuts when the studio ones are certainly available. Second, the packaging is cheap - I had to break the case to get at CD Number 2. I had this problem with another of the "Essential" sets, so I think they could do a better job here. Finally, I am not sure why they included a few songs; for example, I find "Old Friends" and "A Most Peculiar Man" depressing. Overall, howerer, I think this a very good collection and is certainly worth the money!



4. The product arrived at the specified time that was given to me when I ordered the CD. There was No damage to the CD as it was well packaged and the songs are great to listen to and bring back good memories.
   Thank You
   Jean Marie Naples



5. I'm a fairly new fan of Simon and Garfunkel. This album is a great collection of their most-popular songs, and I've listened to it over and over again.

5 comments about Neil Young.

1. Like some others, I prefer the original pressing. The lovely guitar work, some of Young's best, sounds somehow even better buried in the mix. It is an album of aching beauty. A young fragile voice singing visionary songs; the menace of 'The Loner', the interface between paradise and progress explored in 'Here We Are in the Years', different aspects of love expressed in 'I've Been Waiting For You' 'What Did You do to My Life' and 'I've Loved Her So Long', the lust of 'If I Could Have Her tonight' and the sheer trippiness of 'Last Trip to Tulsa'. And was there ever a more tender threnody to alcoholism than 'The Old Laughing Lady'? I guess Jack Nietzche is largely responsible for the dreamscape ambience which bathes the whole album in a psychedelic haze. This is one of my all-time top ten alongside Astral Weeks, Baxters, Forever Changes, Grace etc.



2. Some might find this recording archaic and dated. I could not disagree more. Personally, I think other words express it best--nostalgic, disillusioned, timeless.
   
   I was a Buffalo Springfield fan during those incredible years, and because of where I lived, I found myself limited to what small record stores had to offer in the 60's. I did not have the chance to hear these songs until 1973.
   
   The music reminds me of certain elements of Buffalo Springfield.
   
   Combinations of keyboard and guitar achieve this on many of the recording's songs, but most importantly, the effect happens not because Neil is somehow imitating a sound like his former band, but it occurs because Neil artistically expresses key elements that were a part of that incredible band's sound.
   
   Listening to the songs takes me back. It reminds me of my youth.
   
   Are there dark elements? Personally, I think all great music and poetry have to have this, because the muse sometimes lurks in shadows. I guess I never liked music that didn't express passion, and that can not happen if a recording is a trite reproduction of any generation's "pop" inclinations. Neil's music has never been that. And that is why I will always be a fan.
   
   Because the recordings on this album affect me like they do, I see it as timeless; I see it as a "must have" purchase.
   
   There is not a single song on the CD that I would not want to hear. It is an incredible view of an icon's emergence into solo work.



3. 
   A while back, Warner Brothers Japan re-released 12 Neil Young titles. The surprise was that remastered content appeared for the first time on most of them.
   
   The titles & WB-Japan catalog numbers are:
   
   Neil Young WPCR-75086
   Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere WPCR-75087
   After The Gold Rush WPCR-75088
   Harvest WPCR-75089
   On The Beach WPCR-75090
   Tonight's The Night WPCR-75091
   Zuma WPCR-75092
   Long May You Run WPCR-75093
   American Stars n' Bars WPCR-75094
   Comes A Time WPCR-75095
   Rust Never Sleeps WPCR-75096
   Live Rust WPCR-75097
   
   I picked up most of these, A/B'd them, and found them to be superior to the domestics. However, having purchased the domestic 2002 remasters of "Beach" and "Stars n Bars", I declined the Japan versions of those two titles.
   
   Unfortunately, while the Japan version is remastered, Live Rust is not restored to the original LP's running form, and remains still the bastardized version.
   
   If you own the U.S. versions, and you're a NY fan, I would seriously consider replacing them with these.



4. and Sometimes you expect a little more from a solo debut recording from an elite,unique,artist like Neil Young. The problem was with more of the instrumental arrangements and production more than the ingenious writing of Young,also lacking the trademark Young acoustic sound,where as on this recording-sounds like everything is stuck in the middle of a whirlwind and drifting way out in the horizon causing and leaving a mass of confusion to the listener. Neil Young is too brilliant and talented for this first effort and compare to classic albums such as ,After the Goldrush,American Stars-n-Bars,Rust Never Sleeps,On The Beach, Harvest ,Harvest Moon, Zuma, and ,Live At Massey Hall - is a newborn classic. This first one folk's is no where near the usual Neil Young we're used to hearing,unless your into space odyssey.(keep it rollin' Neil.)



5. Just as an informational aside, I've owned this album since it came out and later purchased another on vinyl and eventually on CD. The first cover doesn't have "Neil Young" across the top but only the stark illustration of Neil. I can't remember what possessed me to buy the second LP with the different, current, cover. I was "Neil obsessed" , I think, ever since I saw the Springfield on my birthday in 1967 at Boston's Back Bay Theatre on a bill with The Beach Boys, the Soul Survivors (remember them?) and the Strawberry Alarm Clock, who never made the show. The gig was double-booked that night, they had all played at the Rhode Island Auditorium on the same night, so the show was running late. I digress. My brother liked the country-like material the Springfield were doing, but I loved the look of Neil, hair hanging down, an echo of the leather fringe hanging from his arms and high moccasins, playing his guitar with intensity, battling against Steve Stills break-for-break. Anyway, back to the album in question. The newer version was re-mixed. I read in Rolling Stone that Neil didn't like the original mix. The new one had louder guitar parts (really noticeable on "The Old Laughing Lady" and a few other cuts. Other subtle things as well. I still like the first one better, but it is only on vinyl and I like it better probably more because of familiarity. If it were pristine, I suppose it would be worth money to collectors, but it isn't, and I don't think I'd part with it anyway. This was always my most favorite Neil album of all. These songs got me through a few years and I am eternally grateful to Neil for them.

5 comments about Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978 Film).

1. I am a Sgt. Pepper child too. I have the fondest and happiest memories of me going lots of time to the movie theatre to see this flick, conning and tricking every adult that i knew into taking me to see it again. I had the triple casette that was ultimately destroyed by the use and father time. Later I spent month after month monitoring the satellite tv programming hoping that they would have to show the movie again, eventually, which they did more than 10 years later at 4 am. Finally, I got hold of this CD in London in 98. I was soo excited and happy. It sounded great although obviously with a dated 70's sound. The album has some great covers, maybe the best covers of Beatles' songs of all time performed by Aerosmith, EWF, and of course the BeeGees. Peter Frampton vocally was not up to the challenge but his guitar work on almost all the songs he played gave them a unique sound. I am terriblely biased as I loved the movie (which is headed for cult status, just wait and see) and the start of it makes me feel like a kid again, my daughter loves the movie too, and I love the soundtrack, but don't be fooled by all the slamming, it is the work of George Martin and some other great producers, by the same guys that made Saturday Night Fever and Grease to name a few.



2. I liked this album and the movie. It may not be the best movie ever made, nor was this the best album ever made; however being a fan of the artists who worked on the project I'm a fan. 100%. Yes the movie was cheesy I'll give it that, but who cares.
   
   Personally, I got a kick out of Frampton's face when I asked him to sign my copy of the movie!!! (And YES he's still touring and still KICKS MAJOR @$$ on the guitar!!! The hall of fame honor was long over due!)
   
   But hey, what do I know.... : ) Sure there are people bound to disagree, lets just agree to disagree!



3. If you love musicals this is a must have! This is one of the best musical movies ever made, and I don't give this kind of praise lightly. The Bee Gees sing Beatles songs better than The Beatles themselves (forgive me, even though The Beatles were musical geniuses, it is true). Even my youngest (at four years old) is fascinated by this movie and regularly requests to watch it. George Burns narrates and takes you on a pleasant nostalgic trip back in time. With the great array of singers (The Bee Gees, Peter Frampton, Earth Wind and Fire and so many more) you will be singing and dancing along with the whole movie. Then you have the opportunity to try to name all the famous people in the closing song. I bet you can't name them all! Amazing and Highly Recommended. Enjoy this one.



4. Having seen the movie, and being a Beatle's fan, I can see the animosity of people criticizing both the soundtrack and the film. However, this cover of Beatle's music is no worse than the recent covers done in "Across The Universe". Just remember a cover is a cover. There are some songs that didn't work, but for the most part, the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton did very well. I enjoyed Robin Gibb's cover of "Oh Darling" (which plays the full version on the album, but gets cut in the movie for the scene to work) and George Burns' rendition of "Fixing A Hole" (despite the album's editor editting the final 30 second sequence from the song, the full version is in the movie).
   
   The rest of the album is also outstanding with Aerosmith's cover of "Come Together" and Earth, Wind, & Fire's version of "Got To Get You Into My Life". Billy Preston's cover of "Get Back" is also worth it's weight. I recommend this CD set on it's cover value and it's placement in pop culture history.



5. This CD is wonderful. It is so hard to find soundtracks that not only have every song but are sung by the singer in the movie. If you loved the movie you will want to add this CD to your collection

5 comments about Live In New York City (2CD).

1. There are many reviews here that are better than anything I can write. So this is just an informational note. I haven't seen it mentioned that the CD as released by Amazon doesn't include 5 songs that are on the DVD as released by Amazon. Plus many of the songs on the CD are in a different order than the DVD. The missing songs are Backstreets, Darkness On The Edge of Town, Light of Day, The Promise and Thunder Road.



2. The CD companion to the DVD of the Madison Square Garden Reunion Tour. My only wish is that they had included Light of Day on the CD. There are plenty of gems for Springsteen fans in this one. Don't take my word---rent the DVD and check it out for yourself. Better yet, take a peek at the set list on this CD. This is my 3rd copy because two others have been scratched up through use.



3. Creo que es exelente producto pues lo regale por el sistema de amazon a un amigo en su cumpleaños y no me lo devolvieron.



4. Say what you want about Bruce "getting old", but I strongly believe that this album (which showcases Bruce in his late-40s/early-50s) puts many rockers half-his-age to shame.
   
   All the songs are great, especially the ones that are re-arranged, such as "The River." For a special treat, Bruce throws in the rarity, "Don't Look Back."
   
   And yet, of all the songs on this live album, I believe the most impressive is Bruce's acoustic version of "Born in the U.S.A.", where Bruce plays an acoustic 12-string. For those of you who have Tracks, but not this, trust me when I say LINYC's version of "BITUSA" makes Tracks' acoustic version look like nothing.
   
   ONE WARNING: Though I personally have no qualms about the song-selections, some of you who want to hear the "staples" (i.e. "The Promised Land") might be dissapointed. And yet, when it comes to preferences of Bruce-fans, the term "to each his own" is definetely applicable.
   
   Is it an extensive treasure-trove of live performances a la Live 1975-1985? No. Is it worth it nonetheless? Yes.



5. LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY is a live album taken from Bruce Springsteen's reunion tour with the E Street band, and the results are electrifying. This album beats the great PLUGGED by a country mile, and has the feel of a religious service, with Springsteen testifying and hollering like there's no tomorrow. The studio reunion album, THE RISING, was just as good, and proved that the reunion was not just a temporary thing. Springsteen's belief that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia since the spring of 2005 on drug-smuggling charges was unjustly convicted makes this CD/cassette an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

5 comments about Something/Anything?.

1. I've just finished listening to this album AGAIN. This is pop music at a level that very few artists could get close to. The Beatles could for sure but not many others. There is only one throwaway track which is 'Overture - My Roots - Money...'- I could live without it easily but even this track works in as much as the following song is such a knockout and the contrast is just great.
   I have many Todd albums. Love them all but this will always be my favourite. I came to Todd through I Saw The Light which I heard on the radio and fell in love with. A final mention. How beautiful is 'Cold Morning Light'? It's a heartbreaker.



2. When I first heard this in 1972, I was swept away with his melodic genius. This is Todd on all 8 cylinders: creative, melodic, eccentric and eclectic. There is pretty pop 'I Saw The Light", "Your Saving Grace" and "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" and the gorgeous "Marlene", motown shades with "Wolfman Jack" and bizzaro songs like "The Night The Carousel Burnt Down" which sounds like something from a black and white Fellini movie. Todd plays all the instruments and although he's a wonderful talent, everyone haas been waiting for something/anything like this from him again......and it never happened. This was his shining hour. A pop masterpiece!



3. Something/Anything? is to Todd Rundgren what Abbey Road is to the Beatles or what Dark Side Of The Moon is to Pink Floyd. The 1972 album is his magnum opus of 3-minute pop songs and blue-eyed soul, including the hit singles "I Saw The Light," "Couldn't I Just Tell You," and arguably the greatest pop song of all time, "Hello It's Me." Rundgren wrote, played, sang and produced everything on three of the four sides of the double album, establishing him as a studio wizard and a true star. Other musicians including Rick Derringer, and Hunt and Tony Sales backed Rundgren on the fourth side. Something/Anything? marked the end of a trend for Rundgren, before turning to more experiment albums like A Wizard, A True Star. Album tracks include:
   
   1. I Saw The Light 3:00
   2. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference 3:51
   3. Wolfman Jack 2:55
   4. Cold Morning Light 3:34
   5. It Takes Two To Tango [This Is For The Girls] 2:41
   6. Sweeter Memories 3:33
   7. Intro 1:11
   8. Breathless [instrumental] 3:15
   9. The Night The Carousel Burned Down 4:28
   10. Saving Grace 4:12
   11. Marlene 3:54
   12. Song Of The Viking 2:31
   13. I Went To The Mirror 4:04
   14. Black Maria 5:20
   15. One More Day [No Word] 3:43
   16. Couldn't I Just Tell You 3:34
   17. Torch Song 2:53
   18. Little Red Lights 4:49
   19. Overture: Money [That's What I Want]/Messin' With The Kid 2:28
   20. Dust In The Wind 3:49
   21. Piss Aaron 3:26
   22. Hello It's Me 4:37
   23. Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me 4:00
   24. You Left Me Sore 3:13
   25. Slut 4:04
   
   G. Merritt



4. This is the best album ever by the multi-talented Todd Rundgren. My best friend back in my high school days turned me on to it and 34 years later I'm still groovin' to it. Mostly Todd on all instruments and vocals, it is a very impressive body of work. Best cuts (IMHO)--""I Saw the Light", "Hello, It's Me", "Saving Grace", "Couldn't I Just Tell You", "Cold Morning Light", "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference", 'No Word", "Marlene" and " Dust In the Wind". Well worth having in your collection.



5. I heard the first song Black Mariah on a satellite radio station. I was astounded with it, and how great it sounded. I loved everything about the song. It is so different than any other rock tune I've ever heard. So I was bound to have this song no matter if it was the only good song on the CD. Well this is exactly what I got. This is a double disk set. I didn't really care for anything else on the CD's. This seemed to me to be the only coherent, directional, melodic song in the entire entourage of songs presented in this set.
   I also tend to be pretty focused on what I like and consider to be worthy of my music library. To the rest of the folks many of these tunes would probably be acceptable. Playing guitar for 30+ years installs a permanent filter that constantly needs adjusting to the ears of most musicians. I'm no different so I just didn't like the rest of the album. To me it has a sort of sophisticated Jimmy Buffet sound to it. Again just me.
   So how would I rate this album? On the basis of overall value for the money it's a total failure to me. On the basis of any really outstanding music available it's outstanding just for Black Mariah.
   Would I buy it again knowing this? Sure. I love the first song that much, and it makes it worth the price. Had this song not been on the CDs I wouldn't waste the lighter fluid to burn it up. Todd does a good job on the guitar work as do the rest of the musicians on the CD. The songs don't work , they just seem lame to me. Again just my opinion.

5 comments about Xanadu.

1. Had this album on Vinyl LP for years till it broke. Was excited to find it on CD! This is a great album, and ELO is awesome! I Missed these songs!



2. I never even heard of Xanadu before my wife told me about it. She forced me to watch it and quite frankly it's a great movie. I ended up loving the sound track as well. I would recommend this if your a fan of the movie.



3. Music: 5 stars; Album sequencing: 4 stars
   
   This movie soundtrack was originally released in 1980, presenting the improbable mix of songs of Olivia Newton-John (penned by John Farrar) and Electric Light Orchestra (penned by Jeff Lynne) in a truly terrible movie, but the music was first rate, with both Olivia and ELO at their peak.
   
   You have to imagine "Xanadu" (10 tracks; 42 min.) as the original vinyl album, with an A and a B side. On the A side are the John Ferrar-penned Olivia-sung tunes, with mega-hit "Magic" kicking things off. "Suddenly" is a fantastic ballad, featuring Olivia in a duet with then superstar Cliff Richard. "Dancing" is the only tune on here that doesn't captivate me (although it plays an important role in the movie). "Suddenly" is another beautiful ballad" and "Whenever You're Away From Me" is a great duet between Olivia and Gene Kelly (in his last movie role). Side B brings 5 outstanding ELO tunes, including "I'm Alive", "The Fall" (one of the better tunes from Jeff Lynne ever), the ballad "Don't Walk Away", the semi-hit "All Over the World", and the closer and title track (and mega-hit), with Olivia on vocals.
   
   What always bothered me was that the songs on this soundtrack were completely out of sync, and didn't present the story line of the movie. Well, that has been corrected, now that "Xanadu", 27 years later, has been brought to Broadway, as improbable as it is. I saw the show in New York last month, and it is fabulous. Even better, the Broadway soundtrack presents the songs in their natural flow, mixing up the songs from the A and B side, as they should have all along. But despite this flaw on the original 1980 soundtrack, let there be no mistake, the music here is first rate. I've always thought of this soundtrack as a musical guilty pleasure, but when it stands the test of time, now 28 years later, is that really just a guilty pleasure?



4. Let's just start by saying that I was buying the Idle Race 2-cd set and realized that I now had just about everything Jeff Lynne had ever recorded......EXCEPT FOR XANADU!
   
   How could I resist?
   
   Anyway, I am not going to waste too much space on a Xanadu review. A few of my (random) thoughts:
   
   -> This CD confirms my theory that ELO was at least better than Olivia Newton-John (as for my assertion that ELO was better than Abba, we'll have to wait for another day). The ELO half of the CD is WAY BETTER! Actually, the only ONJ track I was able to get through was MAGIC, and I probably won't even listen to that one again for quite a while. Once every 25 years is often enough for me.
   -> ALL OVER THE WORLD is quite possibly the best Motown rip-off ELO (or anyone else for that matter) ever pulled off. Couldn't they have just done a cover of HEATWAVE or DANCING IN THE STREETS instead?
   -> I'M ALIVE is still annoying.
   -> The two ELO non-singles (THE FALL and DON'T WALK AWAY) are actually really good, although the sequence of the two songs should be reversed, since the "It's a lie" chorus in THE FALL sounds a little bit too much like "I'm alive."
   -> The title track is probably the best thing Olivia ever did. How does Jeff Lynne do it?
   
   Finally, I think it is also pretty funny that, before working with his idols (Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, etc.), Jeff Lynne had to do a duet with Olivia Newton-John. Talk about paying your dues.
   
   I guess I did waste a fair amount of space there. Sorry about that.



5. I love the music from the movie. ELO has some of their best songs in this CD. It is wonderful!!!!!

5 comments about England's Newest Hitmakers.

1. Yes, even the Rolling Stones were once young and hungry. Released in 1964, the group's U.S. debut (and the counterpart to their self-titled U.K. LP) is an urgent slab of hardcore blueswailing from the soon-to-be Greatest Rock and Roll Band In The World. This was made in the days when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards hadn't yet come into their own as songwriters. Indeed, only three of these songs are group originals. And I'm using the word "original" in a very liberal sense here: "Now I've Got A Witness" is basically an instrumental version of a Motown tune by the name of "Can I Get A Witness" (a version of which appears toward the end of this album), while "Little By Little" is- let's face it- a very derivative uptown R&B/blues shuffle. Finally, "Tell Me" has Phil Spector's fingerprints all over it, with its teen-drama lyrics and swooning melody. The funny thing is, these aren't really bad songs: "Little By Little" is full of bemused attitude, with plenty of gin-joint instrumentation and a great drawling vocal from Jagger, with a wild guitar solo thrown in the middle. "Tell Me" may be derivative, but it shows that the 'Stones knew how to maximize the effect of their favorite cliches: It's an incredibly catchy song, with a soulful chorus and a totally freakin' sweet guitar part. It also proves that even when Mick was mewling and pleading for his girl to take him back, he still sounded way cooler than anybody you'll ever meet. And have I mentioned the guitars? "Now I've Got A Witness" is, well, actually pretty boring. They can't all be winners, I guess.
   
   No, these 'Stones were not known for their songwriting. What made their music, self-penned or otherwise, worthwhile were the performances. And they really were amazing performers: Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones (who, in the absence of a dominating creative voice within the group, was actually seen as the head Stone) was an absolute beast of a musician, attacking his instrument(s) with prodigious insanity and plenty of raw attitude. Richards, meanwhile, was just about the only guitarist who could make a suitable partner; the two bounced off of each other brilliantly, intertwining rhythms and leads with dizzying virtuosity. Like any self-respecting rhythm section, Charlie Watts (drums) and Bill Wyman (bass) were completely brilliant despite a virtual lack of recognition. They lent a certain primal umph(!) to the proceedings, giving these songs a salivating swing that shimmed its way from one end of the record to the other without ever letting up. And then there was that Mick fellow...
   
   Anyway, the songs. The ones I haven't already mentioned, anyway: The opener is a cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away," and it's incredible; it drips with animal fury and gutter sexuality, and it's also hypnotic and ferocious and a little bit scary. It's the kind of thing I wouldn't want my girlfriend to hear, because she'd realize that compared to the people in the song, I'm not a real man. There's also a wild, wild cover of Chuck Berry's "Carol," and an unbelievably cool version of "Route 66." Lots of cool blues tunes, too- Jimmy Reed's "Honest I Do" is pure caveman seduction, and "I'm A King Bee" has some stinging leads (I didn't want to make that joke, but I really couldn't think of another way to describe the guitars on it). There's also a totally outta-hand rip through "I Just Want To Make Love To You."
   
   The album ain't perfect- the aforementioned "Now I've Got A Witness" is one strike against it, and the uninspiring "You Can Make It If You Try" is another. "Walking The Dog" is sleazy and fun, but so is the rest of the album, so this one doesn't really stand out as such. Plus, those whooping, whistling noises in the chorus are really annoying. The rendition of "Can I Get A Witness," while not as bad as some people say, isn't terribly exciting either.
   
   But it's great, for the most part. It's fun, it's raw, and it rocks really hard. Plus, the cover art is really cool. The 'Stones were really good at sneering.



2. Before they were "The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band", the Rolling Stones were the greatest rhythm and blues bar band in England. Their first album showcases the myriad of influences that inspired them, but without being note for note covers. The band takes these songs and makes them their own. If not on par with their later releases, this album provides a glimpse of the Stones in their infancy. There's no denying that the energy is here, if not the polish. The Muddy Waters/Howling Wolf blues roots are clearly seen, as is the Chuck Berry/Buddy Holly early rock fascination. We see that this is Brian Jones's band as it was before the Jagger/Richards/Andrew Loog Oldham triumvirate took over. We also see the first steps in the eventual direction the Stones would take with the song "Tell Me", the first of many Jagger/Richards compositions. The songs may be rough and ragged at times, but they are delivered with a youthful exuberance that far outweighs any flaws. The remastering process has rendered the sound much clearer than the original CD release, making this a must have for any Stones fan. People looking to purchase their first Stones album may want to look to Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St., Let It Bleed, or Beggars Banquet, as those albums are more representative of the band at its creative peak.



3. Ah, back in the day when it was Brian Jones' band and the Rolling Stones were more interested in creating great R & B music than stardom and screaming girls. A release from the precious couple of years of the band's life before the ambitious Andrew Oldham (produced this and all the early Stones recordings) started moving them in a more "Beatlesque" direction in order to cash in.
   
   I have all of the ABCKO SACD remasters and I especially like the early material by the Rolling Stones before Brian lost all his influence. I've also been a musician for over 40 years and remember the band's first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, more years ago then I care to admit or even think about. I was there at the beginning so I've been listening for over 40 years. Given that, I'm exceedingly well qualified to provide you with an objective review.
   
   This was/is our introduction to "the band that will not die" ("Bullets can't stop it, rockets can't stop it, we may need to use nuclear force!").
   
   Anyway, this is a very solid first release. There's really only one tune that caused me to raise an eyebrow. "Now I've Got a Witness" includes a very cheesy Farfisa organ accompaniment. But Farfisa organs were in all the studios back then so can we really blame them for letting Stu have a go on it? The guitar and harmonica are quite good on this track anyway. Other than that cheesy organ sound, there are no weak moments to speak of. Sure, "Tell Me" and "Carol" don't seem to fit with the rest of the material but that's ok. This is a very good R & B record made by some really talented young musicians. I especially love listening to Brian Jones' lead parts and harmonica playing. It was also a delight to hear his back vocal clearly on "Walkin' the Dog" even if it was a tad gruff.
   
   If you like the early Rolling Stones then this is one you must own; however, I would start with the insanely good "Rolling Stones Now!", their third US release.



4. As time passed by, my sense that this and "Out of Our Heads" were their finest efforts never really left me. Not to say that enormous chunks of wonderful stuff didn't follow, of course, unlike many bands who peaked on their early releases and never challenged again. I just loved the raw passion in the way they covered material like "Not Fade Away" "Hitch Hike" and "Walking the Dog," and made it their own. To me, these well chosen covers were much more appealing than some of the later "middle of the LP" songs from their own writing. And, as for "Tell Me," it just doesn't get much better than that!



5. ...I agree with many of the critics who think the Rolling Stones 1963 singles would have made for some nice, but necessary bonus tracks. Otherwise a good debut from the boys. There are some great tracks here, like Not Fade Away, Route 66, I Just Want to Make Love to You, Honest I Do, Little by Little, I'm a King Bee, Carol and Tell Me. But, later in the album the boys start to run out of gas. Can I Get a Witness, You Can Make It If You Try and Walking the Dog are pretty weak. Also track 5, Now I've Got a Witness is filler.

5 comments about Wings - Greatest Hits.

1. I really enjoy my Wings CD - I play it in my car often and I spend a lot of time driving so this CD gets a lot of play!!!!!!!



2. I've been a big Paul McCartney fan since the Beatles came out. Paul McCartney continued on after the break up of the Fab Four and had quite a successful career as a solo artist and with Wings. This compilation only covers a few of their songs and each one a gem. When Wingspan came out a couple years ago, it blew Wings Greatest Hits right out of the water. Despite that, this is still a very good compilation. Another Day is featured on this compilation, Paul's first solo single. Unfortunately the B side of this single was not included on here or on any other Paul McCartney album to date. The B side, Woman Oh Why, is on the American pressing of one of Paul's albums as a bonus track but I can't see getting this again just for one song. Maybe Mr. McCartney will put together a box set and include all the A and B sides in the set. We can only hope.



3. WINGS GREATEST contains' two songs that are not Wings tracks "Another Day," and "Uncle Albert." And for some reason Paul left off "Listen To What The Man Said," a 1975 Wings # 1 hit, (he did include it on later compilations). He also left off two more USA top ten hits "Helen Wheels," and the live 1977 version of "Maybe I'm Amazed-(which can only be found on the pricey "WINGS OVER AMERICA" live album). Paul must consider all 1970-1985 singles to be wings--even though technically Wings recorded from 1971-1981, for on his Wingspan collection from the late 1990s, he also mixes solo and wings tracks. Regardless, this is a worthwhile collection, there is not a "Hey Jude," or "Yesterday," in this collection, but in fairness to Paul--the 1970s were quite different from the 1960s. And Paul come in 2nd only to Elton John, for the most top 40 hits on Billbard during the 1970s.



4. Wings are another great project of Paul McCartney, you need to have this one.



5. I love the songs in this collection. I just can't stand the recordings. The songs sound distant and thin. They lack any kind of depth. I like to feel as if I am right there in the studio on the original take, with each of the instruments jumping out in clear detail. GH collections seem to fall into this pitfall. Re-recordings often seem to loose that extra something in the process. You'll do better buying the original tracts.