5 comments about Passover.

1. Great beat, use of drone gives an unusual effect, almost like 60's music, with a new beat. Turn down the lights, turn up the sound and enjoy!



2. This album was strongly recommended to me by a friend so I went out and got it. Once again, my friend's taste in music proved correct - this is a great album. Other reviewers have pointed out similarities between The Black Angels and the Doors, and that's totally accurate. Passover also brought to mind Jesus & Mary Chain's early albums. The influences are obvious, but "influenced by" never moves over into "totally ripped-off" territory. It's an album that stands on its own. The whole album is good; the first four songs are great. This is a great start for a band - let's hope they can keep this kind of musicianship up.



3. Heavy duty Trudy. You best have a real stereo to handle the load. Not for kiddies.



4. 
   This cd has bore a hole in my brain and its making me crazy.A mind altering trip.



5. Passover by The Black Angels is an album that has so much meaning & is so addictive, it gets into my mind & won't let go. This band has combined compelling lyrics sung with an unexpected voice with tribal beats & droning, effects-laden guitars to create a singular & important piece of work. Anyone who is into music incorporating drone & guitar effects needs to own Passover because it is a stand-out in the genre. It may sound a bit montonous the first few listens, but after about 4 listens, you will start to realize what the music is doing to you. It's magical, and a huge listening experience for anyone who is initiated. Highlights are: the whole album start to finish, & keep playing 3 minutes past the last song for an acoustic song called, sort of, (they never actually named the bonus track) 'Iraq'.

5 comments about Crown of Creation.

1. I can easily agree with all the praise for this album; it's been my faovrite JA album since hearing it in 1970. Just thought I would mention this one thing: If you ever get the chance to buy the MFSL issue of this CD, BUY IT INSTANTLY!!!! I found this one at a record shop about 5 years ago and almost had to change my underwear when I saw it. And it was better than I had imagined. This is one CD I'm going to take to my grave.



2. Another of the albums that became a turning point in my life. The other reviews state everything about the album I could say. Let me just second the reviewer Pearl Drummer and say that Jack Casady is absolutely the BEST BASSIST ever, before or since (and completely underrated). His playing on the title track is so dense and complex that I never tire of hearing it. I wish I knew enough about engineering to separate it out so I could listen to it alone.



3. After the more experimental and overtly psychedelic After Bathing at Baxter's Crown of Creation marks a return to the shorter songs and more "commercial" (remember, everything is relative) sound of Surrealistic Pillow. It is my favourite Airplane record.
   
   This LP is a perfect mix of eccentric slower-paced songs (Lather, Triad), plaintive Marty Balin (In Time, Shared a Little Joke), inspired Kaukonen (Star Track) and classic Airplane (Crown of Creation, Pooneil Corners). The only throwaway is the irritating Chushingura. And it is only1:16 in length. The remixed sound is a revelation. The newfound clarity and crispness really does enable us to fully appreciate the individual musical talents of the band. The bonus tracks on this re-release are eminently forgettable. No, they are more than that - they are positively annoying! However, on the basis of the songs from the original LP this is a five star effort.



4. Yes. I saw the review that Guido wrote and, needless to say, I was metamortified! Let me say people, it is very difficult having a guide that is a party animal. When we did talk, he admitted that he was very drunk at the time and that since my reviews had achieved a certain fame, he felt very left out. He apologized (which was feigned), promised never to do it again (an excuse designed to make me leave), and offered vast amounts of help in the future (never once moving from his comfortable barstool). I suggested counseling for him. He was not happy with that. But since I could do no more, I just let things be. Eventually I learned from my other guides that he blames me totally for ALL of his problems! We are talking about a serious case of denial here people! However, I have decided to let his review stand and be a testimony to my good heart and fair-minded forgiveness. The faithful will certainly appreciate and be awed by my irreverent behavior and follow all my reviews forthwith. Yes. And I have learned to lock my laptop when I'm away!
   But, let's get to this fine psychedelic classic that beloved Airplane offered many Seer moons ago.
   Well- it certainly seems like the Airplane wanted to make a huge IMPACT on us with this album. Why else put them in the atom bomb? (By and by-one of Metamorpho's favorite covers of all time!). But it seems that-with "Crown of Creation" they reeled in more control after the uncontrollable "Baxters". However, they moved the creativity forward and, in this, achieved a great mix of songs. And what is so moving in that is the fact that each composition is a totally unique entity. Never one sounding the same as another-they achieved artistic integrity. And that is due to the immense talent of all the individuals.
   We begin with "Lather"- Grace Slick's ode to getting older. Not a rocker-it moves on insistently with a lullaby. How appropriate! But what totally makes this song are the "extras". The little effects they throw in to make the song so rich. The typewriter in the background; the cannon shot from a tank; the seagulls circling on a beach, the sound of Lather's hand; Jorma's "child crying", and Hari Kari as a game to play. This song is so classic and satisfying that they needn't have done more. But they did.
   "In Time" is a psychedelic sexual fantasy. And Kantner does a good job on this. But here, and elsewhere, begins Grace's extended background vocal "glue" that binds the whole thing together. She is most noted for the Marty and Grace yin and yang, push and pull, of vocals. And, herein, lies alot of the reason that their sound was most alluring.
   Ah. Then they do David Crosby's amazing "Triad". Grace's "come to me" vocals are exactly right for the message. Crosby, more or less, got kicked out of The Byrds for this. In Airplane's hands, they "fly" with it. Rebels will try "something new-if you're crazy too". And they do it so well.
   Jorma's writing shines on "Star Track". And his lead is amazing. Ultimately, it is about not taking the world so seriously. "Push the world on by with your hand", or else you'll be like a rat in a cage-running to please the "establishment" and ruining yourself in the process. We then get to Marty's excellent "Share a Little Joke". This is a favorite of Metamorpho's. It is the exhubance of moving towards happiness. "The world around you, never catches up with you". But the joke is one from within. Pay close attention to Marty's vocals, especially the rise to the break-then the lead-and the drum beat back to the vocals again. Intense and wonderful, it provides the exclamation point to the song. (!!!!!!!!)
   After Spencer's psychedelic aural auditory assault of "Chushingura" we then settle back to the tunes. And, just as a note here. In many groups of the time, I think it unusual that the drummer would have been given his own time to create. But, with the Airplane, they were willing to try it and with sometimes, amazing effect. That's creativity folks!
   "If You Feel" is a Marty excursion of sorts. Again, it is about the freedom to do as you feel. Whatever brings you joy. But to overanalyze it is a mistake. The words don't have to make sense if the feeling is what you're after-and this holds true for this song.
   "Crown of Creation" is the cornerstone and namesake of this album, and in it,makes a clear cut line into the generation gap. It is not one of my favorites-but one of Airplane's essential tunes for their legacy. But, interestingly enough, we become exposed to their concept of "change" in this song and how it "changes" with outlook and perspective. (I will get into this with Grace's "Greasy Heart). But, for now, it relates that if their is no change-within yourself-you will become a "fossil of our time". Meaning the older generation. Life is change. How very true.
   "Ice Cream Phoenix" seems like a drug trip and one designed around many questions. But the major one is that if the world is apocalyptic-how we still go on-love-and leave-and not feel sad about it. An ode-again- of moving towards happiness.
   Ah. We then get to Slick's tease of "Greasy Heart". A jaunty tune for sure. Nitty and gritty and real life- Grace's lyrics here are out in left field. Mechanical but moving. But now the "don't ever change people" comes into play. Interestingly enough-she says change in "Crown of Creation" but "don't change" here. But, in a strange way-it does make sense. Compared to an older generation one must change-or rather-not to follow in the same footsteps. But here she is saying that once you decide to change, do not decide to change-especially for the ones who are important to you. It is confusing-but perhaps- that when you do change decide not to change back. Now that I've confused you (and myself) in the process, I'll just move along.
   In "House at Pooneil Corners" we have the apocalpse Airplane style. Listen to the music. It's disjointed-downright disturbing-set in a meter to grate on you. But, it is totally consistent with the theme. Again, an Airplane genius that shines through.
   The extra tracks are interesting. And some from other releases and out-takes. But, the main body of work stands on the sheer, intriguing talent of this band.
   In closing- I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incredible contribution of Jack Cassidy. Innovative and fresh bass lines that, when you listen, are all over the fret board. At first you may think his bass riffs make no sense- but they all do! Again- he uses the bass as part AND apart from what is going on elsewhere. And this, people, is years before Chris Squire from Yes. Jack Cassidy created it. Chris Squire ran with it. But that is the chain of influences so prevailent in music. Always happens-always will.
   In closing- I did this review because: A) I love the music and B) I wanted to show Guido that there is still a spark of life in this old Seer. Now that it's all over- I may saunter over to The Fishnet to share a beer with that wayward guide. Don't worry-I'll leave early. Metamorpho needs his sleep in order to proffer his well-heralded reflections!
   To all- A good night and a great life. Keep moving on!
   Your own-----Metamorpho



5. I start out by saying I was a huge Jefferson Airplane fan and saw them live twice. One of the better Bay Area's bands, and one of the best live shows ever.
   
   Regretably, this album does not hold up well to modern standards. "Lather" is a wierd drug induced anti-war child becomes man theme without a melody or discernable beat. "Triad" is a nice song, better sampled by the Byrds in one of their outtake CD's currently available.
   
   "If You Feel" is a nice Marty Balin song, which is throwback to the 1st two Jefferson Airplane albums, and a precursor to his excellent singing and songwriting career.
   
   "Greasy Heart" is an excellent example of Grace Slick and Paul Kanter singing duets.
   
   Other than these two tracks, which are five star songs, the album simply doesn't translate well into this milenium.

5 comments about Question of Balance.

1. I've read all the reviews here on QOB and am amazed that no one has mentioned what truly destroys this album. DISTORTION! I'm a pro recording engineer and have always been aware this moodies album suffers terribly! The Master crossfaded tape is horribly distorted. It also seems down a tape generation. Most engineers just splice the crossfades 'tween tracks into the master takes to avoid degradation of the body of the song... but I'm not convinced that road was taken by evidance in the dull muddy overall sound. The song 'The Balance' is absolutely destroyed with distortion!
   If you listen to the bonus tracks on this sacd release (non-crossfaded full versions) you will here a major improvment in fidelity and NO DISTORTION! The bass is clean and round and all things are musch more well defined. If they cared about this record they would re-assemble it using these pre crossfaded versions and do the crossfades digitally..It needs to be rescued!!!!I've bought this album way too many times to be cheated like this again! Now that I know the clarity is there but they won't make it right! I'm disappointed and even pissed that they keep serving this fine wine in a old dirty plastic cup! Why don't they care???



2. First of all, this album is a classic, powerful, full of deep songs and breathless melodies, one of the best albums of my personal collection.
   
   It has different moods, each song can drive you to a particular moment in your life, and i am not making this out, for example, dawning is the day, is a song that will make you think of those days where you were trying to find your way through this huge maze that we call the world, the protest lyrics of "Questions", or the mixed emotions on the "Melancholy man", the cheerfull "It's up to you".
   
   Without a question, this album is an excelent selection for any music, prog rock.., classic rock..., Moodies fan..



3. The remastered CD is an incredible improvement from the original recording. I think the album is one of the greatest CD's ever made.The surrond sound CD is a must buy for a Moody Blues fan.



4. *The following comments are in regard to the bonus tracks on this release. To read my opinions on the original content of this album, check out my review under:
   "A Question of Balance" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered
   
   Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...
   
   "Mike's Number One:"
   An upbeat and beautiful spiritual sounding Mike Pinder tune ... Based on the lyrics, this song could have been titled, "A Happening," "Do You Know?," or "See The Glory." The track definitely has that "A Question Of Balance" sound to it, but it also would have made a fine addition to Mike's 1976 solo release, "The Promise," or could have made a possible bonus track for that CD release. :)
   
   "Question" (alternate version):
   This mix is like an extended version of the single mix of the song ... The sound quality is outstanding on this mix, especially on the louder elements of the song. The track also comes to a full ending with somewhat of a Spanish-flavored guitar style, at the very end. :)
   
   "Minstrel's Song" (original mix):
   This is probably the least interesting of the bonus cuts, because the song fades in, on this occasion, with very faint vocals heard in the intro. The song also fades out in the exact same spot as the album mix, because while the final version fades into "Dawning Is The Day," we can still hear The Moodies chanting "Around, around," one last time, very faintly, at the beginning of "D.I.T.D." The only positive side to this mix is that it is not cross-faded with the tracks that surround the song, on the final version.
   
   "It's Up To You" (original mix):
   Much like the single and "Best Of" (Ex: "The Best Of The Moody Blues," "Gold") mixes of "The Story In Your Eyes," from "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," this version of "It's Up To You" is similar to the original album version, but the instrumentation near the end of the track is carried on a little bit further, before the fadeout ... It's good "ear candy" which listeners haven't heard before. :)
   
   "Don't You Feel Small" (original mix):
   This version has an extended beginning AND ending to it! The instrumental lead-in, at the beginning, is awesome, and sounds similar to the instrumental fadeout, near the end of the song ... Nice job on the guitars, mellotrons, and percussion, all at the same time! :)
   
   "Dawning Is The Day" (full original mix):
   Same format as the previous mix (above), and the deleted material sounds just as great! :)
   
   In addition, the CD booklet, that accompanies this release, provides readers with the details on the controversial album cover to this LP (rear sleeve) ... Check out this release to get the full story (Page 13). Fans who own both this CD release and the 1997 CD remaster will notice that this version features the artwork that was changed while the 1997 version features the original artwork.
   
   Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "A Question of Balance," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)



5. Okay, let's start off by addressing some of the complaints that most people have. As far as the bass being mixed too low on this release I have to say after owning this in every lp and cd edition that the bass was always a bit lower on this album than on some of the other Moodies albums. The mix itself is from the original quad lp versions done by producer Tony Clarke in early 1972. The quad mixes were different in order to take advantage of the four way split instead of the regular stereo two way split. This meant mixing the album differently from a conventional stereo album. Many of the "effects" that are in the backgroud of the stereo version are turned up here changing the overall "balanced" sound of the album in order to give the best quad sound. As far as the music itself, this album has a much more basic feel than the band's last, To Our Children's Children's Children which might have had in part something to do with the fact that it wasn't the big hit the band wanted at the time it was released. That was the first released for their label Threshold. The opening song Question had been released on single a few months before this album's release and had become a big hit for the band. This album includes many Moodies classics and doesn't have a bad song on the release. Songs like Question, Melencholy Man, And The Tide Rushes In, and It's Up To You sound just as well today as they did back when this album was released. If you like the Moodies, you'll love this album.

5 comments about I Love Rock & Roll: Hits of the '60s, Vol. 2.

1. I Love Rock & Roll: Hits of the '60s, Vol. 2 has some pretty smart sounding rock tunes from the remarkable 1960s. The sound quality is very good and I like the different artists they put on this album. The artwork is also nicely done.
   
   "All Day And All Of The Night" starts it off with The Kinks doing their usual great job on this hot song. The modulations between major and minor keys blow me away and the lyrics sure are cool! Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody To Love" has a great late `60s feel that always makes me smile when I hear it; and The Byrds do their awesome "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)." "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)" is an exquisite piece of music and The Byrds perform this flawlessly with guitars, percussion and some mighty fine harmonizing.
   
   The Mamas & The Papas perform " Monday, Monday" with so much style it really amazes me; this song is a work of art with their harmonizing and the key changes make it awesome. I love that percussion on "Monday, Monday," too.
   
   Steppenwolf makes us change gears quite a bit for their hit song "Born To Be Wild." "Born To be Wild" has terrific electric guitars, percussion and some mighty fine singing. The Tokens weight in with their "The Lion Sleeps Tonight;" and I like how they have the background vocals supporting even more vocals. The Token sing this without a superfluous note and I really like that. Listen also for Fontella Bass doing "Rescue Me;" this remains one of my all-time favorite songs from the 1960s. "Rescue Me" sounds a bit like something The Supremes would have released but Fontella holds this down well and she makes this song her own with her fine vocals and a voice as clear as a bell.
   
   B.J. Thomas sings "Hooked On A Feeling;" this softer rock sound still sounds good today and the musical arrangement is very well done. B. J. Thomas has a strong voice and his excellent diction bolsters his performance. The album ends beautifully with The Dixie Cups performing their adorable little number called "Chapel Of Love." "Chapel Of Love" is a relentlessly optimistic tune with a catchy melody that I could never forget. It's a very beautiful song.
   
   As someone who reviews a lot of these CDs I would say that this is easily one of the better ones out there for tunes from the great 1960s. Keep in mind, of course, that this is a single CD retrospective and that people wanting a very, very complete look back at this decade would do well to choose a box set of CDs instead of any single CD.



2. Being that I was born in the mid-eighties, I did not have the priveledge of growing up listening to music of this sort. When I found this CD among my dad's collection I decided to give it a listen because I recognized some of the songs. I'm very glad I did!
   
   I greatly enjoy almost all of the songs, in particular The Kinks "All Day and All of the Night" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens.
   
   The rest of the songs are top-notch "oldies" as well, easily recognizable classics. The only song I don't really care for is "The Little Old Lady From Pasadena" by Jan & Dean, though it is still an okay song.
   
   Overall, I would certainly recommend this CD... when you find one both a father and a daughter can easily enjoy together, it must be good.



3. This is one BAD example of the music of this decade. First, the 60s started on JAN.one but I guess that dosen't count!
   If your looking to get a handle on where R+R (all) comes from this turkey an't it.



4. I hate compilation CD's that are supposed to be the best of something but manage to be the best of whatever singles the producer had lying around in the backseat of his car. This CD, however, is what it claims to be. I've never seen a compilation album with so many hits and so many recognizeable tunes. All of these songs are fun to listen to and the few songs you may not recognize are catchy 60-ish sounding riffs anyway. This is, by far, the most versatile CD I own.



5. Hello. It's a real nice collection most of all because it includes some artist i thought I never heard again. Some of them as The Kinks, The Vogues or Jan and Dean aren't easy to find in some other collections. The sound is excelent and the artists are well selected. Congratulations.

5 comments about Anthology.

1. My negative review friend(s) , I think I have two, they have returned.
   
   
   I promised them this time to make a 1 sentence review , as it obvious they do not actually READ my reviews, only to make a negative voting choice..
   
   This ONE SENTENCE REVIEW will enable them to vote negative more quickly, and they can have more free time to create in their coloring books.
   
   If my little negative voter "friends" like this offer I extend , also you please to email me private!
   
   I will have my 6 yrs old nephew, he can assist you to color within the lines and teach to you so not to drop your saliva all over the page while you drool!
   
   I am always glad to be of assistance! my services~~gratis! (NO charge!!)
   
   So now..my review..
   
   "I do not listen to this type of musics but being very popular USA 60s-70s groups, they made some nice hits, and some not so nice hits!"
   
   I await your negative votes my little friends! Hope my review helpful and that it is understood!
   
   all the best my little friends,to you two I offer hope, HALF A MIND is a terrible thing to waste!
   
   and ALL the best to everyone else here at Amazon also!
   
   
   
   Peppi (PS, I do like Cristal Blue Persuasions a bit, it was a big slow dance hit at many a party in the latino community! )



2. Love this cd. I graduated high school in '67. Crystal Blue Persuasion was and still is my most favorite song; in fact I looked to see if I could use it as a ring tone for my cell - no such luck. But, truly, I loved the 60s music, listen to it while on the treadmill daily. My stereo system has a repeat button and believe me I use it! Tommy James, I might add, had alot of hit songs that still sound good.



3. I bought this item for my father for Christmas. I'm sure he is no expert when it comes to Tommy James and the Shondells, but he claims that the songs were re-done. I read the reviews on many different versions of the "Best of Tommy James" CDs, and I thought I was going with the right one. Perhaps he does not remember how the songs originally sounded, I'm not sure. I just wanted to let everyone know because he was very disappointed.



4. This is a comprehensive double-length collection (27 songs), conveniently on a single disc. I looked over all the options before I purchased this, and Anthology appears to be the best of the Tommy James and the Shondells compilations.
   
   The selections include all of their most familiar famous Top 40, like "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Crimson and Clover", as well as the best of their more obscure tunes like "Love's Closin' in on Me" and (my favorite TJ tune) "Sugar on Sunday".
   
   All in all, NOT typical 60's pop rock. A unique niche - much of it is kind of bubblegumish, but an acid-rock slant definitely comes through. Generally feel good stuff that is easy to listen to and get in to.
   
   Listening to all of this in one stretch brought a new realization (or the reminder)of what I had not really noticed before (or had forgotten) . . . This guy and his band were the whole package on a top shelf level. He is a superb writer, and was WAY ahead of his time in use of electronics effects. James has a clean well controlled voice that he uses with an edge, and the aforementioned guitar and keyboard effects are catchy even 40 odd years later.
   
   Good mixing/sound quality, and the price on Amazon is a bargain. I've had this CD for a couple of years, and never tire of giving it another listen when I need a little classic/pop rock boost. As I said, it's easy to listen to and like - I can't imagine anyone not getting a kick from this.



5. If you love the music of the 50s,60s & early 70s,as I do,then this is the collection for you. Tommy James & The Shondells made some really great music. I especially love"I think We're Alone Now","Crimson & Clover"and"Crystal Blue Persuasion"-all are beautiful. The rest of the collection is great,too. I highly recommend that you buy this-you'll love it!

5 comments about Shaman.

1. This is an excellent DVD audio - the surround sound is just fantastic and the music is just great - a real pleasure to listen to. I have played this DVD audio over and over again since the moment I got it almost a month ago. Recommended! PS - everyone compares it to Supernatural. I have that too on DVD audio but find it a bit more boring than Shaman! Shaman has a wide variety styles that I find very attractive. I am an old Santana fan too - have been listening to his albums for about 25 years now - and I can tell you older albums can be less interesting than Shaman, which, by comparison, I find very fresh and innovative.



2. I've always loved the sound of Santana's guitar. Moonflower is always on my ready-to-play stack. But this CD and Supernatural, while enjoyable confections, are not really inspiring. The most annoying aspect is the insertion of Santana's name in the lyrics of both albums. There's something sadly narcissistic about that, and annoyingly self-aggrandizing. There are nice hooks on this CD, and it's a convenient way to be introduced to artists with whom one is unfamiliar. It's not unpleasant to listen to in the background. That being said, there's little here that will outlast the playlists of corporate radio stations with ADHD.



3. I've only been a Santana fan since 2001, and my introduction started with Supernatural, which really set the bar high for my expectations of him. From what I've been able to see so far, Santana took a different direction with his music by incorporating more commercial American artists into his collaborations, which wasn't a bad idea in my opinion, as long as its done moderately. With Shaman, it seems that he takes the colabos to the extreme, with a guest on damn near every song on the CD. Now, some of the tracks were done very well and the chemistry between Santana and the gust produced a great product, but some of them weren't all that.
   
   Good songs:
   You Are My Kind - Seal made a great choice for vocals on this, and as usual Santana ripped up the guitar.
   
   Nothing At All - Another good vocal choice, but Musiq tends to do good work period. The song is actually quite bangin, and coincidentally, my favorite on the CD.
   
   Why Dont You & I - Don't know much about Chad Kroeger, but this ballad-esque is quite catchy. This is a good example of that chemistry i mentioned before.
   
   Bad Songs:
   
   Amore (Sexo) - Macy Gray has never really impressed me, and she continues to disappoint on this track. Sad thing is that the instrumental is hot and could have done well by itself, or at least with a more capable singer.
   
   The Game Of Love - This is probably THE most pop-ish song I've ever heard Santana do, much to do with the fact that Michelle Branch is probably one of the most pop-ish singers in the genre. This song might work for some people, just not me personally. I actually tried to like it cuz it has potential, but really it all comes down to your tastes, and its just too sappy for me.
   
   America - P.O.D. and Santana.. interesting colabo, but not enough to get me liking it. It was an OK, but its another song you gotta have the right taste for. This is more for a fan of P.O.D. then for a Santana lover.
   
   The rest of the songs on here fall somewhere in between good and bad, but I say make your own distinctions. Overall, good album, worth the price you'd probably find it for in the used CD store.



4. This cd has a lot of good songs with the proffesional touch that santana knows perfectly. One review says that the latin song Foo Foo is too long. I can tell this person does not know anything about latin music because salsa's songs used to be really long in '70. Therefore, Foo Foo is an excellent production.



5. I have been a Santana fan for many years going back to the 60's and Carlos has never failed to come through on every album he has made, and Shaman is no exception. His Latin rhythms are evident in just about every song, no matter who the featured artist is. This is recommended for anybody who appreciates the greatest guitarist of all time.

5 comments about Caravanserai.

1. Jazz ideas had already been creeping into Santana's music on tracks like "Incident at Neshabur" and "Toussaint L'Overture", but Caravanserai boldly moved deep into jazz-rock territory. The upbeat and catchy Latin rock of the band's first 3 albums was replaced by a more meditative, abstract and instrumentally-focused style influenced by Miles Davis's early electric bands and Chick Corea's Return to Forever.
   
   Most of the band's original members are still here (Gregg Rolie, Mike Shrieve, Chepito Areas) but their roles have changed dramatically. Mike Shrieve suddenly steps up in the compositional department and his drumming really improves. Check out his Elvin Jones-isms on "Waves Within". Gregg Rolie sticks to keyboards (lots of electric piano) and the remaining vocals are pleasantly inconsequential. Guests make a big difference -- Tom Rutley's acoustic bass is a nice touch on many of the tunes, and future keyboardist Tom Coster makes his first appearance on a Santana album. Carlos and Neil Schon play off each other really well. The tunes range all over the map, from the epic "Every Step of the Way" (the guitar riff that ends the intro is awesome) to serious funk ("Look Up") to percussion duets ("Future Primitive").
   
   The influence of Latin music is still here in a big way with the gentle Jobim cover "Stone Flower" and the grooving instrumental "La Fuente del Ritmo", but people expecting the Classic Santana will be disappointed. Nevertheless this is one of Santana's best albums, right up there with Abraxas; whereas their later jazz-rock efforts were often mixed bags, it works here in a big way.
   
   [This review is based on the original CD version, which has an identical tracklist; I would assume the 2003 reissue has better sound.]



2. I can understand why some people thought this was where Santana fell apart as a group; I mean after all they were looking for the next "Evil Ways", or "Black Magic Woman". However, this was the answer Santana wanted to give to the changing world around them. It did cause Gregg Rolie, and Neal Schon to depart, and form Journey, but in a way it caused Carlos to mature as a musician. Side 1 of this is a perfect album side right from "Eternal Caravans of Recreation" To "All The Love In The Universe". "Eternal" is a thing of beauty right from the get go of the crickets chirping to the music that would bring it out to the end. I grew up listening to my grandparents record collection in which there was alot of precussion music, and hearing "Eternal" reminded me of this, "Waves Within" is a underwater dream, "Look Up" is a remainder of the early incarnation of Santana, "Just In Time" is another remainder, "Song Of The Wind" is peace like a river, "All The Love" is a fusion classic, as well as the song that ends the album on side 2 which is "Every Step Of The Way". It does fall apart a bit on "Future Primative", and "La Fuente Del Ritmo", but they're both o.k., the weakest song on here is "Stone Flower". Santana would break the mold, and in the same stroke reinvent Latin Rock with this. Unfortunately, the critics weren't open minded enough to catch on. Like I said I can understand why some say this is where Santana fell apart as a group, but then again those who left the group had another path to follow, and weren't open to what Carlos was wanting to say.



3. Sorry, but i know i'm in the minority here, but this album was when Santana went from great rock to something i have never understood. It's not "great rock" to me---------(we need Greg Rollie back!) The only thing they did after Santana 1,2, and 3 that was worthy of any merit was "Z-Bop".



4. 
   It's not given much credit, but In a Silent Way was a downright revolutionary album, in a way more influential than Bitches Brew. So what does that have to do with Santana? I am convinced it was Carlos' chief influence when he went in the studio to record this one. Sure, the Davis influence was always clear in Santana's music, but it always took a back chair to that of Jimi Hendrix and Tito Puente. But here, it dominates: this is a jazz record through and through, and one that obviously wasn't too successful, seeing that it contained no obvious singles. But I don't mind that. I mean, "Open Invitation" was an obvious single, wasn't it? This is one of Santana's finest achievements, partially because it's just him exploring whatever territory he wants to, rather than just giving the people what they want. And partially because the arrangements are varied enough to keep you interested ("Look Up" is funky; "Just in Time to See the Sun" is a pretty good fusion track), the two lengthy suites are ambitious and worthwhile, filled with enough changes, riffs, and paradigm shifts to keep your attention (the Hendrixian funk meets progressive Latin-jazz fused with Yes-like harmonies "All the Love of the Universe", with some sweet organ playing; "Every Step of the Way", which especially recalls Miles in its lengthy, shimmering intro), Santana's playing is often beautiful ("Song of the Wind"), and if you get bored with all that, the percussive, propulsive "La Fuente Del Ritmo" should wake you up.. Some of it does step into Drabtopia, like the Bitches Brew-esque "Future Primitive" and the Latin folk "Stone Flower". But those form a small minority, making this a Santana essential.



5. Man has always used music to help him journey to places outside of himself.
   
   Using techniques as varied as shamanic drumming to Tibetan throat singing, realms of reality beyond the confines of our material reality have been accessible for tens of thousands of years.
   
   Save for a few exceptional people, Western man lost his ability to see behind the shadows of reality around the time René Descartes said "I think, therefore I am" when materialistic dualism and scientific rationalism were born.
   
   Yet, while music in Western culture has seldom sought to re-capture the transcendental vibrational essence of more primitive times, I've been fortunate to discover a few moments of recorded music over the years that truly touched my soul.
   
   So it is with "Caravanserai". The first track, "Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation", and the last track, "Every Step of the Way", come about as close as I've ever experienced to a sense of true ecstacy.
   
   When I first heard this seminal album in its pristine vinyl state way back in the early 70's, I was just at the beginning of a adult life; a life that held a sense of adventure and happiness promised to the Baby Boom generation by parents whose own lives were colored by Depression and War.
   
   Now, some thirty-five years later, I've reached late middle age and many of those youthful promises have faded or disappeared altogether for my fellow "Boomers" and myself.
   
   Then I heard a brief excerpt from this album and immediately ordered the CD. When I first listened to it, I was disappointed that the musical fluidity that had marked the album had been chopped up into individual tracks for the CD.
   
   Still, the joy I felt listening to the two tracks above was what I wanted to rediscover, and the sense of creative joy that bubbled up and was expressed through the artists on those tracks once again delightfully sent me on those caravan dreams; just as they did so very long ago.

5 comments about Seventh Sojourn.

1. This has always been my favorite Moody Blues album. I recently upgraded to SACD capability and had to get this release to see if I could tell the diff from the old stuff. I'm not the audio expert that so many of the reviewers of this release obviously are, so I will just say that the sound quality and speaker separation are awesome! If you like the Moody's and have a good sound system, then you should check this one out.



2. Is it possible that with the three different mixes available on these SACD hybrids that certain folks are listening and reviewing the wrong versions?
   The 16bit CD version is most likely the one to be neglected in mastering on these re-releases- as the main focus was the Super Audio 24/96 and the Quad (surround) mixes 4.0. The 16bit CD version was included just so it could be marketed as playable on a wide variety of systems. To hear the supposed ultimate stereo version you must have an SA player hooked up properly. I get the impression that the 16 bit CD version was treated to the aweful maximum loudness routine without much attention to its skewing of the delicate moodies mix. Whereas the SA 24/96 version was left to it's natural state. I must admit that with all the repetitous liner notes... one would expect that they would tell their devoted audience of fans who have bought these records several times over, what the process was that presents us with these new versions. What a glaring omission and quite honestly insulting! This is a very confusing time to be a music consumer... the manufactures seem to want us to be in the dark as they are chasing money making scheams over truly caring for these archives. Big business gets us again.. excuse my cynic ... sometimes he's out of control! Quality control was lax on these releases and it was an easy way to make money without having to actually remix these albums from scatch into 5.1 surround (spending hundreds of thousands of dollars)... Hmmm... Let's just use the old Quad tapes! That's suspect right there. I suppose if the surround format continues to grow, they plan on re-releasing it again finally remixed for surround and not an easy and cheap quad left over. Sometimes I wish I could figure out a way to watch over this so it's done for the fans who buy it and not the execs and management who profit from it. I love the Moody Blues but I am disappointed in this low budget attempt at throwing us scraps. Even the cover art quality looks second hand. Somebody in the Moodies camp must care!!! ...STEP UP my friend!!!! It is like spraying windex on the mona lisa to clean it up? Cut it out!!!!



3. Well recommended for any lover of the Moody Blues. Still current. Still amazing. Must have for anyone who loves excellent music.



4. As a owner of the entire Moody Blues recently issued deluxe editions, this reminded me of the quadraphonic eight track versions of those same titles except In Search Of The Lost Chord, which I still own. This also includes BLUEJAYS in that format. When this title gets issued in SACD from the ORIGINAL quadraphonic tape masters, I would love to hear the extended ending of the song Remember Me, My Friend. This was TOTALLY lost when this title was first issued and subsequently reissued on CD. This is a very cool guitar/bass/drum workout by the band! I'm sure every fan of this title will agree. Lastly, any additional recordings put down on tape during the sessions included in this package will greatly enhance ones listening enjoyment. Tony Castro, Santa Clarita CA



5. If you ever want to try out a album by The Moody Blues. Get this one, this is & forever will be the best album ever released by the band. If you want to go one step further, get the SACD version containing bonus tracks. Every track is a classic. Search Judemac Forever on msn

5 comments about Fillmore East: April 1971.

1. i am not embarrassed to say i am one of grateful dead's biggest and long time fans. all things considered, this may be their best album. it shows the group as they really were; beyond belief, and a complete mess , sometimes in the same song. the 'beyond' parts make the experience more than worth the sloppiness and there are some chill inducing beyondo highs here. you dead lovers know what i mean. this is the album i always thought [hoped] they would release, but i believe they got cold feat, and scrubbed them up best they could. but we all knew better. for instance, when the dead would start a song that was special [i know; very subjective] like st stephen, the crowd would go nuts on that first note, but on other albums, what do you know, no crowd! not here, though. if you have been there, you'll get back that good old feeling. when the drum intro for alligator starts, and the crowd cries out in sheer joy, well, you get that experience of what it was like to be there in the audience. by the way, it is a great version , but they hit the wrong chords on the first change. now how can that be great? well, the rest hits the highs. if you had been there, let's just say you were able to forgive mistakes because you knew what was coming. there are great versions of st. stephen, casey jones, with bill graham acting up, bird song, cumberland blues, china cat/know your rider, a really exciting hard to handle, wharf rat, and dark star. i was actually at these concerts [ i think i missed one night, or i just can't find the ticket stubb] and i really can't believe that i can now get to be there again. so can you



2. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Grateful Dead the cover states, and so the original issue was named. Did it get confused with the George Michael(!) release, or what?
   
   Nevermind, this is an easy release to recommend, even to newbies. Think of the finest Grateful Dead albums, and put this one right beside those.
   
   Yes, there's lots of Pigpen, but this really all about Jerry and Bob and Phil playing one great tune after another in that "bar band Dead" style that included Motown and Merle Haggard and psychedelia, during the era that made deadheads out of all who attended their shows.
   
   Highlights include the St Stephen hints in the Alligator jam in disc four, routinely cited as one of the best jams ever, or the killer Hard to Handle right beside a Merle Haggard cover, or "Second that Emotion" or Bobby Weir's "Me and Bobby McGee" there are so many fine songs on this set. It's got a "Morning Dew" set opener!
   
   This is Europe 72, less polished, with more Pigpen, and a Dark Star, and all concerned earnestly playing and singing and having a good time doing it.
   
   Think of it this way: it's got Tom Constanten on the Dark Star, as good a Pigpen as you can find, and a ton rare tunes found seldom elsewhere, done very well, and Jerry and Bob and Phil playing together as well as they ever did, while right in the middle of the Workingmans and American Beauty era. So, you like those discs? You like Live Dead and the Skeleton Album and Europe '72?
   
   Then "add to cart" and smile, smile, smile!



3. This is a great addition to any Dead collection. It has a great variety of classics and quite a few deep cuts. I think it was a great value and have been really enjoying it!



4. This CD captures the Dead in their heyday. I still liked them a lot when they went through changes later on, but the early 70s were the best. Bob Weir had learned how to fit in between Jerry's lead and Phil's bottom end.
   
   I can't seem to get enough of their excellent 'funkadelic' rendition of the Smokey Robinson song "I Second That Emotion", which I had never heard by the Dead before. There's a lot of other very good material spanning the range of the Dead's musical experimentation.
   
   This CD is highly recommended by me for Deadheads and casual Dead fans as well. It's very tight at times, and not so tight at other times. Exactly what you expect from these musical innovators.



5. This Show has been on bootlegs for years but you will reconise this version of Bertha - yes it's the same recording used on Skull and Roses - so is Warf Rat - but why all these songs were not used is a shame - Trucking is outstanding and clocks in almost 12 minutes - Phil's bass playing is really out front and good - this is actually two shows taped for Skull and Roses planned outtakes etc...The Byrds played and were taped too on the same dates (not on this CD though) They opened the first show and the Dead opened the second for the Byrds etc..Hard to Handle is the same arrangement the Black Crows covered in the early 90's and has Pigpen singing on that one - These were the last shows by any group at the Fillmore a small theater in New York City run by Phil Graham - it was closed down because it was too small for the growing number of fans after the Woodstock concert movie came out in 1970 and the new Madison Square Garden build on top of the old Penn Station was now open for bigger concerts in late 1970 ( multiple bands played there too in concerts - The Dead played at the Woodstock Concert too in 1969 and were terrible - they were high on a unplanned acid trip and it rained most of the set - they lost their light show streen to high winds and Bobby got electricuted at his mic - Jerry was the only one that sounded good and Phil stopped playing on a lot of the songs and thier soundman Ramrod was thrown in a near by lake by irrate hippies who blamed him for the bad low level of sound etc.. - but this show is really outstanding a year and a half later - you won't be sorry to buy this last Fillmore Show - most of all the best bootlegs out there was recorded at this place - THe Who (1968 Sellout and 1969 Tommy material)- Hendrix (Band of Gypsys 1969 to 1970 New Years day - 3 shows) - The Byrds (1971) etc...The sound was excellent there because of the small 2000 seat Venue there - Can you Imagine seeing all these bands for 6 dallors a show back then in a 2000 seat theater - unblievable man - The Dead were Jamming this Night for sure - Jerry was Playing the Sunburst Stratocaster Hendrix gave him over a year before ( he played it from end of 1969 to 1971 till he started to play the bare wood Stratocaster with the Harley Davision logo on it till that was even replaced by the famous Ambelic Wolf guitar ( 1973 to 1979 )seen in the Greatdful Dead Movie - man you wish you could go back in time but this is the next best thing I guess - thank God for these recordings people - by the way the booleg CD version was 75 dallors of these shows back in 1991 so your getting a deal and more songs too - all the songs are good on this CD
   
   - Driven that Train - High on Cocaine - Casey Jones you better Watch your Speed - Bump Bump - Trouble ahead Trouble Behind you know that notion just crossed my mind is that right?

5 comments about All Things Must Pass [DIGI-PAK EDITION].

1. Do yourself a favor: buy this album. When it arrives, put everything else aside, get your headphones on, lie on your bed, close your eyes, and listen to it beginning to end. This is an album that deserves to be listened to in one sequence before you start listening to each song individually.
   
   This album is a journey through George's soul, and if you're lucky, your own soul as well. Yes, it's long, but all meditations are long. Listen carefully to the lyrics as you lie there, try to get the imagery in your head.
   
   This is the best album by any solo Beatle. Yes, better than Lennon's "Imagine" and "Plastic Ono Band", better than McCartney's "Band on the Run". Those are phenomenal albums with some great individual songs, but this one stands alone as an experience to be treasured.
   
   The only flaw with this album is that some of the jams at the end are kind of filler. You'll probably only listen to them once. You'll probably be in a trance by then, so it'll be really cool, but once you snap out of it you'll realize that you're hungry and the album is running a bit long. But that's okay, because more is better when it comes to George Harrison. Bless you, George.



2. The 30th anniversary boxed-set edition was remastered by George Harrison and is much better than the original 1970 release. As a bonus you get a booklet written by George, explaining his views about the old and new versions. Plus, you get bonus tracks not included on the original release.
   
   This was and is George's best solo album and this version is as good as it gets. As you may know, the original recordings made shortly after the Beatles dissolved, featured Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voorman. Dave Mason, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Ginger Baker, Phil Collins, Bary Brooker and others.
   
   I could go on endlessly trying to explain why this album is great and worth purchasing or repurchasing if you still have the original version. All I can say is, spend the twenty dollars. You will not regret it. This album will last a lifetime. Thank you George. We miss you.



3. From what I've been able to understand,Harrison released this immediately upon his departure from The Beatles. These are the songs he had been sitting on during the denouement of the band,and when the band finally split,out came these songs. This shows that George,in addition to being "the spiritual one" was also a very talented one. THere are a few "B Sides" ("From Behind that Locked Door", "It's Johnny's Birthday") but there are a lot of strong songs here too. Check out "Wah Wah" (my 4 year old son's favorite).
   
   All in all,The Dark Horse did good for his first time out!



4. I would have given this 2 1/2 stars if I could. I would like to see a "naked" version like they did with Let It Be. Make this a one CD release with all of Specter's horrible production removed. Harrison can write some great tunes, but he is hit and miss--mostly miss.



5. I first bought this while in the U.S. Navy. Now I have it on CD.