No comments about The Best of ZZ Top.

5 comments about Life Before Insanity.

1. This is a very solid album. Not a ton of variety from song to song, but it flows well together. It's good music to relax to. I played this album softly in the background while I read some poetry and it was wonderful for that. Some good ambient music to drown out my surroundings, but relaxed enough that I could focus on what I was reading. Gov't Mule is a pleasant surprise.



2. Gov't Mule has been lumped into the jam band category, but their music is hardly just noodling solos, half-a*sed melodies and nonsense lyrics. Their albums are cohesive, SOLID, INTENSE, GREAT SONGS! A little jazz influence, too, of course. And they do like to solo--hey, it's Warren Haynes with the Allman Brothers, after all--but their material is heads and shoulders above ANY hard/southern/blues rock band out there today. For a long time I avoided Gov't Mule because I thought they were just a jam band with long, boring, jazzy songs. Boy, was I wrong! DEAD wrong! Get ALL of Gov't Mule albums if you like Skynyrd, the Allmans, Led Zeppelin, Blackfoot, the Black Crowes....you will be KICKING yourself for not discovering this band years ago!!
   
   The only album of theirs I DON'T recommend is their latest--Mighty High. It's nothing but boring, industrial-ish reggae. If you like that kind of music, then fine, you'll probably like it. For me, it was a waste of money. I just hope their next effort is back to the blues rock that they are best known for.



3. LIFE BEFORE INSANITY, Government Mule's last album with the late, great Allen Woody on bass, is a great slab of ZZ Top/Montrose-style hard blues-rock. All of the songs are great, especially "Bad Little Doggie." Leader Warren Haynes is a blistering guitarist and singer, and his belief that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia since 2005 for drug-smuggling was unjustly convicted makes this album an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.



4. This disc is part of the reason why I don't burn or share studio discs. This is an inspired work of art. It is the last Govt Mule studio work that includes founding bassist, Allan Woody. The song writing is inspired, the lyrics are pure poetry, often dark and brooding explorations of ego. and examinations of the self society. Warren Haynes' voice is powerful easily interpreting his private examinations of self and society. His tales often betray his emotions and feelings laying bare places most of us keep hidden. He is a modern slide, blues, rock guitar virtuoso. This is a studio work but you still hear great demonstrations of his improvisational skills. Skills currently being used by the Allman Brothers Band as well as Phil and Friends, two of the top improvisational bands of this and the last century. Matt Abts is a frenetic, embattled engine producing much of Govt Mule's horsepower. He hammers away on the drums, relentlessly battering the skins creating a consistent Thunder Thor would be proud of. Allan Woody powers the team shouldering the Mule's yoke. His contribution to the band is difficult to convey. A founding member and friend who's loss triggered a Govt Mule Odyssey that ultimately brought the fan the "Deepest End" series that culminates in a DVD/film that chronicles Rocks most unique and creative "Power Trio".

   "Life Before Insanity" is ABTS-SO-MULE-LY FAB-MULE-OUS! A disc that makes me listen. It gets better with every spin!




5. Why in the world do these record people keep taking this CD off the market. This is a solid jam CD that has some great gutiar work from Warren Haynes. He was in the Allman Brother for awhile and he can flat out play the slide guitar. Great song, Life Before Insanity. Buy this CD if you can find it. You won't be sorry.

5 comments about Liquored Up & Lacquered Down.

1. Favorite album by this group. High energy,fun,humorous. Mary Huff sounds like Kate Pierson on B-52,s.



2. This is my first SCOTS CD and I love it. Gets better with every listen.



3. A great mix of rockabilly, country, mariachi and storytelling. IF you like S.C.O.S., you'll love this album.



4. SCOTS, faves of party-goers for years, have topped themselves with "LU&LD." The band that has often suffered from not living up to the high expectations they generate has created a fully articulated, well-crafted album chock full of polished efforts.

   SCOTS, true to its roots, makes party albums. Virtually every song in their repertoire is suited for Saturday night in Chapel Hill, North Carolina -- a night of beer and dancing following a day of BBQ pork. Without losing their raw edge or their insane sense of humor, SCOTS has put a bit of elbow grease into this album, and the results shine.

   The title track is probably the best known tune on the album, if only due to its clever use in the "Miss Congeniality" soundtrack. And it's a well-done piece of work, complete with the SCOTS' trademark tongue in cheek. But it gets some worthy challenges as top song from "King of the Mountain," "Cheap Hotels," and "Just How Lonely." "I Learned to Dance in Mississippi" is sure to pack any dance floor, as is their version of "Pass the Hatchet." "Hitting on Nothing" is a chick anthem if there every was one, and "Drunk and Lonesome (Again)" is a sure-fire singalong at many a late-night fraternity house.

   One of the premier good-time rock bands, SCOTS set a new standard for themselves with this effort. Check it out!




5. Makin' love...ridin' a bike...throwin' a football thru a
   rubber tire swing. You do it once-you can do it a million times
   over. Same for the SCOTS-still making that tried and true
   psych/voodoobilly/surf music since day one, now honed down
   and as sharp as a farmer's chicken decapitatin' hatchet. Where
   else can you get a peach colored leisure suit and a pair of
   Florsheim boots in the same ditty? Oh yeah...and nobody can play
   the Danelectro like Rick Miller. Great production, even better

   songs. While listenin, you can "let yer dog run he'll be back when he's done...chasin' those critters away." And bassist Mary
   Huff's standout "Just How Lonely" will send shivers down any
   Patsy Cline fan's spine. Great music, excellent lyrics...not a
   dud in the lot. Get yer 8-piece box of fried chicken, a case of
   Dixie blackened voodoo beer, prop up yer feet, let out a few
   "YEEHA'S", sit back and enjoy...for this is The Real McCoy.

2 comments about How Great Thou Art.

1. The plethora of remastered Elvis sacred anthologies has made the original individual albums obsolete, but afficianados still appreciate hearing the music in its original context and enjoying the original cover [booklet] art. The remastered sound (done in 2007, apparently0 is excellent, and the additional of three tracks, including Elvis' Grammy-winning "You'll Never Walk Alone", is a nice bonus. Nitpicks: "Peace in the Valley", the final cut on the original 1967 album, has been cut (the 1957 track is available on myriad CDs), and the cover art has been cropped (especially noticeable on the top and bottom) and reproduced darker and more color-saturated than the original, which does nothing to improve it..



2. Released in early 1967, this was Elvis' second, full length Gospel album. It was a hit in the US climbing to 18 on the album chart and eventually being certified MULTI-PLATINUM by the RIAA and being award a Grammy. It was a bigger hit in the UK reaching 11 on the album chart there. It includes Crying In The Chapel which was a huge hit worldwide; it peaked at number 3 on the US singles chart in 1965 and stayed at number 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart for 7 weeks. It also topped the charts in the UK as well as several other countries. This release is made even better than the original with the includsion of bonus tracks including You'll Never Walk Alone which was a minor hit in 1968. Elvis' performance of these songs is excellent!
   
   While this is an excellent CD, there are better Elvis Gospel collections available now, such as his excellent Ultimate Gospel CD.

No comments about Graffiti the World.

5 comments about My Kind of Country.

1. MY KIND OF COUNTRY, the fourth album that brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (.38 Special) have done together is the equal of its predecessors BROTHER TO BROTHER, VAN ZANT II, and GET RIGHT WITH THE MAN. In other words, it's great! Like the previous three CDs, it would be equally at home on country radio stations (e.g. KUPL) and rock radio stations (e.g. KGON). The songs show a sense of pride in our country and our military, which is refreshing in a sea of records which have been a negative influence on me. The Van Zants' advocacies of sanctions against countries which falsely convict foreign visitors (e.g. Indonesia), increased funding for law enforcement, and capital punishment/life without parole for kidnappers make all four Van Zant CDs, including this one, essential purchases for both your ears AND your conscience.



2. I was pleased with this CD. Was in good shape, music was alright, no evidence of damage at all. Definetly a good addition to your music collection.



3. "My Kind of Country" is the fourth VanZant CD and well worth the wait. VanZant "Brother to Brother" and VanZant II haven't been mentioned in prior reviews and deserve their kudos. All have songs that will have you singing long after the CD is over. "Get Right with the Man" certainly deserves the spotlight it has drawn, but "My Kind of Country" is a CD that both country and non-country music lovers will be pleased to add to their collections. Both Johnny and Donnie have distinct, strong voices that make them the legends they are today. You can feel the pleasure they get from singing and sharing their talent with their listeners. Can't wait to hear the next CD they do together.



4. As one reviewer put it here, Van Zant didn't reinvent themselves, country music came to them. This is an amazing story of what one genre of music is willing to except and promote, versus the stale, often generic rock and pop world that would have put a band like Van Zant out to pasture years ago. In fact, AOR radio has done that to this duo, who are seperately part of southern rock royalty. And no wonder. They can sing, play and write. Admittedly there's some extra pedal steel, where in southern rock, it might only be present in B-side or a deep album cuts. Even more interesting is that Donnie Van Zant is allowed to sing! In .38 Special, Donnie was the John Oates of the band, getting the non-single album cuts. Donnie's voice fits quite well with brother Johnny who has the best laugh in recorded music history. One listen to "Goes Down Easy" and you'll get my point. "That Scares Me" is more traditional country with it's laments of parenthood without perspective. These boys are totally okay being every cliche of southern life. Football, Jesus, an occasional adult beverage, bass boats, patriotism, NASCAR and any other steroetype you can conjur up. The verdict is there's nothing inherently wrong with any of this. In fact, if you want to be from the south, you need to act like southerners. And Van Zant is firmly confident in their southernhood. What you'll also get on "My Kind of Country" is fine production value, twin lead guitars, killer drums and instrumental accents like banjos, steel guitar and layered acoustic guitars. You won't find a more polished piece of honky tonk than this project.
   
   One final element that makes this project commendable is repentance. These boys now seem okay in their own skin, they understand where they've been and where their headed. Whether it be a non-stop tour bus, or a past filled with guilty pleasure, the Van Zant brothers know they need to make a clean break with their past and leave an example of changed lives in their wake. This is a great illustration of how decadence can be turned around for good. You can't deny the force this kind of music has compared to most of today's rock and half of today's country. Great production, great material and a soon to be platinum sophomore country album. Look for "Goes Down Easy" to become a bar classic.



5. I really love this CD. They could have rock'd it out a little bit more. On "Thes colors don't run, That scares me and Friend" are true songs of the heart. I would definately recommed this CD to a friend.

5 comments about The Pressure Is On: Original Classic Hits, Vol. 7.

1. after listening to this selection of hank jr.s , there were a few slections that i had been looking for, but forget the titlesi would recommend this selection to any of hank jr.s fans that are looking for a excellent quallity cd!



2. In my opinion, Hank Williams Jr. - when he did it right - was about as good as it gets in country music. You listen to his records like "Old Habits" and "Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound" and it is hard to get much better than that. But with this album Hank Jr started showing glimpses of what would become his future...and it's not good. He has a terrible version of "The Tennessee Stud" and everything just seems so overdone. He's best on songs like "I Don't Care If Tomorrow Never Comes", "Ramblin My Shoes" and "All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down" - everything else is just filler. And with future albums the filler would get worse until he eventually got to the point he would write things like "This Ain't Dallas" and "Fax Me a Beer". Too bad, terrible waste of talent.



3. The standard of this album is set by the opening track, the classic A country boy can survive. The coalition to ban coalitions is one those political songs that Hank is so good, but this is one that a lot of people can empathize with to some extent, whatever their own political beliefs. Of course, everybody feels like joining one of those coalitions at some time or other, when things or values they treasure are threatened. Tennessee stud is a cover of the classic horse song by Jimmy Driftwood. Rambling in my shoes is a duet with Boxcar Willie, a singer who achieved fame in the UK but, as I understand, remained virtually unknown in his homeland. Boxcar also contributed the train whistle effects. The title track is a smoldering bluesy song.

   All my rowdy friends have settled down, lamenting how his friends no longer spend as much time enjoying themselves drinking, was one of the biggest hits of Hank's hugely successful career. I don't care if tomorrow never comes, a great duet with George Jones, is about having a good time - so perhaps Hank found one rowdy friend he could still drink with. Weatherman is another great bluesy song, in which Hank begs for a change in the weather. Every time I hear that song is another lament, this time remembering someone he misses. The controversial Ballad of Hank Williams, in which Hank makes his views on his father clear to the tune of Battle of New Orleans, completes an outstanding album.

   This is, by Hank's standards, quite a mellow album, proving that he can be brilliant even when he's not being rowdy. Although I normally prefer him when he's rowdy, I enjoy both aspects of his music and the strength of the material here ensures that this is one of my favorite albums of his.




4. This is definitely my all-time favorite Hank album. When I was a kid my dad had this on vinyl and I remember listening to it the night before going fishing in Gettysburg, PA. The memories this album conjures up for me are amazing. My favorite song is probably 'Tennessee Stud' with its "Johnny Cash-like" vocal delivery. Of course the classic 'Country Boy Can Survive' is on this one which is very fun to perform at karaoke by the way. Other highlights include 'Ramblin' In My Shoes' featuring the late great Boxcar Willie, 'Mr Weatherman' which reminds one a bit of Eric Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight', and the title track 'The Pressure Is On' where Hank's Greg Allman influence just shines. In my opinion this CD is a must-have for all country fans. It sounds just as good today as when it was first released and will sound good until we're all gone. It is timeless!!



5. IF you liked Hank 20 years ago, this disc will take you right back to the 1980's! A decidedly invaluable addition to my Hank collection!

5 comments about Lions.

1. It's my feeling that the Black Crowes were struggling with a lot of stuff before and during the making of this CD. The brothers Robinson weren't getting along (have they ever...LOL) and the band had seen a lot of their sales decrease with each album past "Southern Harmony..." It was probably thought that a label change and a new producer, Don Was, would revive their creativeness and, hopefully, sales of their new material.
   
   Despite the mismatch of producer and artist, I still think "Lions" is a good CD. I like many of the songs and even though the production is a bit too slick for my taste, I enjoy listening to this CD. "Soul Singing" is a particular favorite.
   
   I had the pleasure of seeing the Crowes open for Dave Matthews Band recently, so I came back to this CD to listen to it after they played a couple of songs from it live. My overall opinion is that it's not their best work, but it's a good listen (I don't think they ever really made a bad album, anyway).



2. This is Black Crowes worst album, hands down. I LOOOOoooVvvvEeee the Black Crowes. The soul of the band is compromised with this album, though there are a few very good songs. Black Crowes are best on the "By Your Side" "Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" and "Three Snakes and One Charm" albums. "Shake Your Money Maker" and "Amorica" are also very good. I expect raw, hard, blues-soul-rock by these talented fellows. Their most recent effort, "Warpaint," is quality, but not the harder Black Crowes that I love.
   
   I'd love to hear another "By Your Side" or "Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" or "Three Snakes and One Charm" by this band (without exactly repeating themselves, which they never have).



3. This is an excellent album. The band is in fine form...especially after that Shake Your Money Maker retread(which is what you get working with a caveman LOL). Although I personally miss Johnny Colt and Marc Ford...their replacements are slouches by no measure. The songwriting is quite good...some fine, fine...soopafine material here. Lickin' is one of my all time faves. The glossy, almost poppy dance mix production really freshens an sging sound. Most of the tracks run into eachother, making the album hard to turn off. So take me down to the Greasy Grass River Baby...just make sure you bring some Crowes.



4. ...including Hendrix, Zappa, James Brown, Stones, George Clinton, and many others can be heard influencing this album, which is never imitative but always unique and very spiritual, with references from Milton and Dante to William Blake and Sitting Bull's dance prior to Custer's Last Stand. From the screeching feedback that introduces "Midnight from the Inside Out", les freres robinson can be scary, nasty-hot ("Lickin') the ultimate putdown artists (No Use Lyin') and still breathe monstrous life into a little funky thang y'all ("Ozone mama"). The soul journey that seems to begin on "Greasy Grass River" flows though Electric Ladyland and creates a veritable Stairway to Heaven, and we are dropped in the water, freed, redeemed, and blessed..."Soul Singing", "Cosmic Friend" mix funk and rhythm and blues with psychedelia, as someone else has mentioned, wandering into a Sly Stone-like brilliance, but much modernized and somehow ethereal while heavy at the same time. Wow. Very impressed. These fellows are certainly masters of their craft, and also OUT THERE with Don Was, who really knows how to open up a studio recording. (Check out Brian Wilson's "I Guess I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"--I mean the album from the mid-80's, not the Pet Sounds song.) Where have I been? I needed this album back in 2001! I gotta lotta catchin up to do!



5. This disc is much better than most of the reviews on Amazon.com give it credit for. Actually, IMHO this is the bands best set since their sophomore effort. Why?? Because they push the comfortable boundaries of traditional "Southern Rock" cliches and yet still remain loyal to the spirit of the sound. If you like the band but were turned off by this album I challenge you to give it a second listen.

5 comments about At Fillmore East.

1. Great music, and a great transfer to SACD multichannel. It seems to be much easier to allow your ear to focus on the various instruments as the band plays. You get much more effect of being in a small concert hall with this mix. Even though it's the original mix, anyone with the right equipment (SACD Player and a decent 5.1 surround system) shouldn't be dissapointed in getting this SACD.



2. I cut my teeth on jamming listening to Cream. So the Allmans' Live was not a revelation just a stunning album and purchased on release in Australia. I know it all by heart -just burnt into the synapses.
   
   In 1992 Tom Dowd did a full concert remix and remaster as "The Fillmore Concerts". This is where the controversy starts cause it sounds different and so it should - Tom transferred the original 16 track master tapes to digital and remixed. Taking advantage of the wider dynamic and frequency range, he produced a mix with the bass guitar stronger and drums clearer and more dynamic. Unfortunately the guitar freaks found the relatively lower level guitar sound unacceptable but the bass freaks loved Berry's sound (more bottom end).
   
   Now we have the SACD stereo, multi-channnel and Audio Stereo remaster release of the original 2 record set accurately split over 2 cds. It should fit on one but there is marketing to us baby boomers. But I gotta say they did perform split sets so it does reasonably capture the night.
   
   And more controversy - the stereo CD layer is a remix closer to the original LP release. Drums are further back but the bass guitar bottom end is retained. The tracks are identical to the original release but not on the SACD layer with the Fillmore Concert's "Stormy Monday" used, which is the unedited version including the harmonica break, and a different edit to end "Whipping Post". On the SACD layer the tympany start to "Mountain Jam" is rapidly faded out and applause overdubbed which is annoying if you want the sonic continuity when following up with the jam from the "Eat A Peach" SACD.
   
   Sound of both layers is excellent with SACD preferred because you can adjust the bottom end via the sub control. The surrounds give some reverb and audience noise - "Play all night". The centre has plenty of bass guitar, some drums and some of Greg's vocals (reinforcing the original centre-left positioning of the vocals). I would have preferred the drums a bit higher in the centre.
   
   I can feel the SACD Deluxe "Fillmore Concerts" is on its way - the wallet is already feeling lighter.



3. One of the best live albums of all time, I was hoping for more when they released this as a Hybrid 5.1 SACD.
   1) Its now 2 cds again. And you would think they would have 2 seperate holders for the cds. They just piled them on top one another.
   2) The surround sounds don't use the backs enough. I think the quality of the recording hinders the effectiveness of surround sound. I never feel like I am at the concert, unlike other surround sound discs.
   Update:
   I had a problem with the back speakers on my stereo.
   Now, it sounds like the audience is behind you.
   I now feel like I am at the concert. It's amazing



4. The Fillmore Concerts that came out in the 90's was actually "corrected" from the spliced versions of the original, to include the full, uncut versions. It pretty much is a different album altogether from the first. Both are great, but many would consider the first release to be the definitive and "best" version. There is no grave rolling or shame in releasing this greatest live album of all time in SACD.



5. I've been a major fan of The Allman Brothers-Live at the Fillmore since it originally came out in vinyl. The interplay between Duane and Dickie as well as Butch and Jaimoe was unbeatable to this day. I believe in the 90's, the late,great producer, Tom Dowd went through the original master tapes and improved the recording even more by splicing songs together from different performances seemlessly as well as remixing/remastering the entire recording. It also included tracks that originally appeared on EAT A PEACH as well as the song, DRUNKEN HEARTED BOY with Elvin Bishop. All these tracks are missing from the Hybrid SACD version. The titles are as they originally appeared when the lp was first released.
   Personally if a cd is going to get the deluxe SACD treatment, it should have had the material that Tom Dowd labored so hard to improve. Now that he's gone he must be spinning in his grave seeing the original recording being used.
   Sure sonically it's simply phenomenal but it could've been over 2 1/2 hours long yet the first cd clocks in at about 37 minutes far below the 80 min. capacity of any cd. Universal, the company that distributed the cd should be ashamed. They'd have sold many, many more had they used the aformentioned improved tapes rather than the original. All in all however, it still sounds fantastic but it could've been SO much better.

5 comments about XXX.

1. i confirm all the positive reviews about this record, this record has indelible qualities for it ; this is a hint of the future of music, and a real foray into the future, not like those pseudo-innovators who invented in fact nothing, this album sounds like nothing which has been done before; for completing its advantages there is a bunch a standout tracks, lousy, distorted fuzz guitar which at times sounds almost like a synthesizer (a kind of sound that you can hear at the end of a Hendrix's song on 'Electric Ladyland' called 'Gypsy's eyes); there is two excellent tracks: 'Pop Chop Sandwich' and 'Sinpusher' (a re-writing of 'Pincushion', Billy Gibbons thought that this live version was an improvement over the studio track released on 'Antenna'); for me this two songs are classics; 'Beatbox' (it begins like an electronica thing before turning into a superb guitar solo), 'Crucifixx-A-Flat' (very bizarre track, i would describe it as a cross between rap and ZZ sound), 'Dreadmonboogaloo' (experimental dance tune, ZZ here experiments with sampling) and 'Made into a movie' (slow blues, a little bit repetitive though but with a nice guitar) are also good tracks; the guitar tone and playing is superb and the drums of F. Beard are a true improvement over the previous releases (especially compared to the MTV eighties stuff), his playing is more subtle and slightly funky; in short, one of the best rock albums of the post-Hendrix's era, this is indispensable for someone who have a good ear.



2. This is the best ZZTop album I have heard. Not a bad song on it. I live in Utah and only hear a few ZZTop tunes on the radio. In my opinion XXX is some of their finer stuff. ZZTop forever!



3. Billy is a god of tone. I've listened over and over to this CD (always) with a big smile on my face. No one and I mean no one rocks like ZZ.



4. Not quite as dirty as Rythmeen. But this album is another true original. The boys' darkest album yet. This one is not as roudy as Rythmeen, but better due to its understated and ominous quality. Another gem from the most underated legends in the music industry.



5. I bought this album when it came out and was incredibly dissapointed. Again, you have to write a set of songs to go along with that great fuzz toned guitar. Plodding, boring and lazy are a few of the words that come to mind when I think of this album. I was a huge fan of Rhythmeen, which seemed like a re-birth of the old Top sound to me. This was a huge step in the wrong direction. So, in my humble opinion if you want a good later day ZZ Top album pick up Rhythmeen or even Mescalaro.