Blueprint

Disc: 1

1. Just a Touch of Love - Slave

2. (Not Just) Knee Deep - Funkadelic

3. Don't Mess With Mister T. - Marvin Gaye

4. Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine, Pts. 1 & 2 - James Brown

5. Bra - Cymande

6. Message - Cymande

7. What's a Telephone Bill?

8. You Can't Turn Me Away - Sylvia Striplin

9. Loving You - Minnie Riperton

10. Two-Fisted Love - Phoebe Snow

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Me and My Baby Brother

2. Talking Loud and Saying Nothing - James Brown

3. (Not Just) Knee Deep - Funkadelic

4. Two-Fisted Love - Phoebe Snow

5. Just a Touch of Love - Slave

6. You Can't Turn Me Away - Sylvia Striplin

7. N.T. - Kool & the Gang

8. Don't Mess With Mister T. - Marvin Gaye

9. Juicy Fruit - James Mtume

10. You're So Good - Barry White

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Blueprint,A Guy Called Gerald,Blueprint [Studio],Club/Dance,Dance Music,Electronic,Funk,Pop

Average customer rating: Trully the Blueprint for the Hip-Hop Music of Today CLASSIC WITHOUT A DOUBT Fire coming out of ya speaker big r&b and hip hop fan here is it better than reasonable doubt?

The Blueprint Jay-Z Manufacturer: Roc-a-Fella ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Reasonable Doubt The Black Album Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter ASIN: B00005O54T Release Date: 2001-09-11

Tracks:

1. The Ruler's Back
2. Takeover
3. Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
4. Girls, Girls, Girls
5. Jigga That N***a
6. U Don't Know
7. Hola' Hovito
8. Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)
9. Never Change
10. Song Cry
11. All I Need
12. Renagade
13. Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The Blueprint may be Jay Z's most captivating record since Reasonable Doubt, but its predictably detached mood reflects the master hustler's superior ability to trick out lackluster subject matter with lyrical complexity and brief flashes of manufactured introspection. The Blueprint, a solid mix of preprogrammed radio hits ("Izzo," "Girls, Girls, Girls") and better-than-average mid-tempo compositions ("Never Change," "Song Cry"), confirms the Brooklyn rapper's legendary status. Blistering flames of the Queensbridge/Jay Z feud fan high with "Takeover," a direct attack on Nas, set over the Doors' rock & roll burner, "5 to 1." "Renegade" provides the album's only full-on guest appearance. Jay and Eminem take this opportunity to address haters (within the industry and in the general population) who don't understand the mind of an artist. Jigga spells it out on the title track: "Reasonable Doubt--classic, shoulda went triple." The Blueprint might not be quite on par with Reasonable Doubt but it is reasonably good. --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews:

Trully the Blueprint for the Hip-Hop Music of Today.......2007-07-13

This album showed the industry how to make a classic album without going commercial to the point where the music becomes corny. The Blueprint is a combination of the hands down best lyricist in the game with the best production. Jay-Z has ran rap music since he released Vol.2...Hard Knock Life and this album showcased his talent in his prime. Full of great production by mostly Kanye West and Just Blaze, the Blueprint highlights Jay-Z's ability to carry his own album without a bunch of big name features. In fact, the only feature on the album is Eminem on the song "Renegade". They both destroy the track lyrically.

This album was so good that it found a way to shine even though it was released on 9/11. Many people forget that fact. Despite the release date, The Blueprint still maintained its place in the market and sold very well. That's an example of Jay-Z's control over the industry. The album had so many highlights that it is hard to pick a few without mentioning every song.

One highlight was the song "Takeover" which dissed Prodigy and Nas. This song started one of the biggest battles in rap's history between Jay-Z and Nas. The Blueprint is full of a bunch of great songs and most of them could have been potential singles. After this album you could hear a lot of other rappers trying to steal Jay's style. He gave them the blueprint and it led to a bunch of baby Jay-Z's. The only problem is that he is so good it doesn't matter. No one can touch him. Jay-Z said it best in "Hola Hovito", "If I ain't better than Big, I'm the closet one." A classic....

CLASSIC WITHOUT A DOUBT.......2007-03-16

THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A CLASSIC ALBUM. DEFINITELY HIS BEST WORK SINCE "REASONABLE DOUBT". EVERYTHING U WANT FROM AN ALBUM IT HAS. IT HAS THE USUAL COMMERCIAL-FRIENDLY TRACKS THAT JAY MAKES (H TO THE IZZO, JIGGA THAT NIGGA, GIRLS.), SONGS THAT ARE STREET, GUTTA AND GANGSTA (YOU DON'T KNOW, RENEGADE, TAKEOVER) AND IT ALSO HAS TRACKS WITH DEEP LYRICS (SONG CRY, HEART OF THE CITY, NEVER CHANGE). THIS ALBUM IS GANGSTA BUT SMOOTH AT THE SAME TIME. ANYONE WHO IS INTO STREET HIP-HOP SHOULD COP THIS ALBUM.

Fire coming out of ya speaker.......2007-02-23

As a devoted Jigga fan, this album was everything and above what I expected. Every track from beginning to last consist of stellar production with complex rhymes. Jay shows off his wide array skills and versatillity with backshots at Nas(Takeover), radio cuts(I.Z.Z.O), emotional wordplay(Song Cry). Highlights include "Girls, Girls, Girls", "Never Change", and is topped off with "Renegade" which in my opinion CONTAINS HIP-HOP'S GREATEST VERSE OF THE PAST 10 YEARS by Eminem. Even the bonus tracks would be leads for the next rapper. Jay has been called commercial, but who ever says that ain't listening.

big r&b and hip hop fan here.......2007-01-08

I remember buying this album and michael jackson's invincible on the same day back in fall 2001. Needless to say, I got my r&b and hip hop fix for that fall and needed to hear nothing else.

is it better than reasonable doubt? .......2006-11-24

this is my favourite jigga album, im a huge jay-z fan, this album came out around the time i was listenin 2 dre 2001 and eminem amongst many others, and this one was the album that made me 'fall in love' with hip hop. Every single track is soulfully blessed and lirically genius, many say reasonable doubt is one of the best rap albums ever, no doubt if you know your hip hop, but this album is on par. The Blueprint brought you arguably the best Eminem produced track he has done to date on 'Renegade' and definately some of his best lirics on a track. This album awoke a sleepin giant in NAS on 'Takeover', which went on 2 be one of the greatest beefs ever. (thank god they made up!) The intro track, 'the rulers back' is one of the best intro tracks on an album, an amazing beat with clever lirics, like most of the songs on 'The Blueprint' you could say. lirics like 'i'm far from being GOD, but i work GOD damn hard', just made the bonus track at the end. The scary thing is jigga freestyled this sh**, no book of ryhmes, putting your best stuff 2gether 2 make a song(sorry NAS). Jay-z is at his most clever on this album, if you listen carefully to some metaphors he uses and words he plays with. Anyone who disses jay-z needs help, its ok to have an opinion but there's no doubting the talent this guy has and what he has done to hip hop since Biggie and Pac. Underground rapper and one of my favourites Immortal technique comes close, commercially, nas, common, mos def, talib qweli etc are poetic and sick rappers but they lack the swagger and finishin touch which jay-z has. I could go on and on talking about this album and HOV, but seriosuly if you're a hip hop fan this has to be in your collection as it changed the game, and its 1 of the best rap albums ever.
Forward 2 years and to the black album...........is it better than the blueprint? put it this way jay-z has 4 'real classics', which other rappers can boast that and is more consistent??
I'm looking forward to 'Kingdom Come' but honestly i think Jay peaked on The Black Album, was it a good idea to come out of retirement? WE'll see...........

review by Anton Stokes.

Average customer rating: A Light and Easy Listen...

Blueprint Suphala Manufacturer: Suphala Productions; www.suphala.com ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rise ASIN: B000QJMADA Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Maybe There's A Place Where Someday Just You and I Can Go, featuring vocals by Vikter Duplaix, bansuri by Rakesh Chaurasia, violin by Mazz Swift (Suphala)
2. The Blank Page, featuring electric guitar by Harper Simon, additional production by Salim Merchant (Suphala)
3. Underwater City, violin by Mazz Swift, cello by David Gotay (Suphala)
4. Music Like a Memory, featuring words and vocals by Edie Brickell, viper by Mazz Swift (Suphala)
5. Seventeen Birds Outside My Window (Suphala)
6. Auramatic, featuring electric guitar by Vernon Reid, words and vocals by Furor Thin, production by King Britt (Suphala)
7. Unwind You, violin by Mazz Swift, cello by David Gotay (Suphala)
8. Maybe There's A Place Where Someday Just You and I Can Go, featuring bansuri by Rakesh Chaurasia, violin by Mazz Swift (Suphala)
9. Music Like a Memory (instrumental), viper by Mazz Swift (Suphala)
10. I Feel Awake Even Though This is a Dream, featuring words and vocals by Edie Brickell (Suphala)

Product Description

With "Blueprint," Suphala's created a remarkable work marked by deft songwriting and arranging, and the conviction that the tabla can be the basis for music that can both inspire and entertain. Blueprint is an album that rewards close, and repeated listening. On "Blueprint," Suphala features a coterie of talented contributors including Edie Brickell, Vikter Duplaix, King Britt, Vernon Reid, Mazz Swift, Harper Simon, and Rakesh Chaurasia. visit www.suphala.com

Customer Reviews:

A Light and Easy Listen..........2007-07-10

The new album from Suphala, "Blueprint" is a light and easy listen that would enhance any Sunday morning. Known for integrating the modern sound of the tabla into the mainstream music scene, Suphala's latest progressive work is a fusion of rhythm and electronica guaranteed to awaken the senses. The album is a perfect balance between the world and jazz genres with some interesting collaborations including the first single, "I feel Awake Even Though This Is a Dream" featuring Edie Brickell. Blueprint is a prime example of why Suphala has become an established act in today's world music scene.

Average customer rating: Blueprint 2 is Jay's Nastradamas.................. A Gift On One CD & A Curse On The Other (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars) A solid album by the Jigga Man Blueprint 2 - The Gift And THE CURSE!!!! One of the better modern Hip-Hop Artist

Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse Jay-Z Manufacturer: Roc-a-Fella ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Blueprint In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000 ASIN: B00006ZCFI Release Date: 2002-11-12

Tracks:

1. A Dream (featuring Faith Evans and Notorious B.I.G.)
2. Hovi Baby
3. The Watcher 2 (featuring Dr. Dre, Rakim & Truth Hurts)
4. '03 Bonnie & Clyde (featuring Beyonce Knowles)
5. Excuse Me Miss
6. What They Gonna Do (featuring Sean Paul)
7. All Around the World (featuring LaToiya Williams)
8. Poppin' Tags (featuring Big Boi, Killer Mike & Twista)
9. F**k All Nite
10. The Bounce
11. I Did It My Way

Tracks:

1. Diamonds Is Forever
2. Guns & Roses (featuring Lenny Kravitz)
3. U Don't Know (remix, featuring M.O.P.)
4. Meet the Parents
5. Some How Some Way (featuring Beanie Sigel and Scarface)
6. Some People Hate
7. Blueprint 2
8. N***a Please (featuring Young Chris)
9. 2 Many Hoes
10. As One (featuring Memphis Bleek, Freeway, Young Guns, Peedi Crakk, Sparks & Rell)
11. A Ballad for the Fallen Soldier
12. Show You How (bonus track)
13. B****s & Sisters (bonus track)
14. What They Gonna Do Part II (bonus track)

Amazon.com

Do you want in on hip-hop's dirty little secret? Well, not even rap's greatest icons have been able to pull of a memorable, fast-forward-free double disc--2Pac's All Eyez on Me and Wu-Tang Clan's Wu-Tang Forever included. On this follow-up to part one, Jay teams up with Destiny's Child's Beyoncé on "03 Bonnie & Clyde," a so-so remake of 2Pac's "Me and My Girlfriend." The Dr. Dre-produced remix to "The Watcher," featuring Rakim, reveals that, in addition to expanding his audience, Jay is interested in appealing to his tried-and-tested demographic--East Coast hardrocks. He rounds out the first disc with "I Did It My Way," sampling Paul Anka's version of "My Way" and equating his Rap Pack (Kareem Burke, Dame Dash) to the Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin. Don't laugh. The stronger second disc contains some pleasant surprises. The Lenny Kravitz-fuelled braggadocio of "Guns and Roses" titillates, while Jay's Jeru the Damaja-like "Bitches and Sisters" is sure to stir up accusations of misogyny. In the end, not even Jay can tear through 11 hot tracks, much less 25. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews:

Blueprint 2 is Jay's Nastradamas.........................2007-04-04

The first Blueprint was layered in soulful samples and bangin beats. Jay went for a more worldly sound on BP2 and threw a lot of fans for a loop. Too many ambitious songs and not enough hits. Plainly put.

A Gift On One CD & A Curse On The Other (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars).......2007-03-07

Almost a year after "The Blueprint 1" Jay decided to throw a double disc of his material and make it the sequel called "Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse". Given to some, "The Blueprint 1" was a classic and made the best rap CD of 2001 and received accolades from all over. "Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse" could have been an excellent follow up to the predecessor, but didn't exactly, This CD had mass amounts of filler tracks and not enough material of what was expected from Jay-Z. As if all the songs that were scrapped from "The Blueprint 1" ended up on here.

Disc 1: The Gift

Majority of this CD, Jay holds his form. "The Watcher II" featuring Dr. Dre and Rakim is an excellent track to me. "Excuse Me Miss" was the second single of the album and was another great song for the maturing Jay. A few more songs that I thought were good were the bouncy "All Around The World" and the fast pace "Poppin Tags" with Twista, Big Boi, and Killer Mike. He shows the lyrical and bragging side of him on the last track "I Did It My Way". There are tracks that didn't hit like others, like "F All Nite" with Pharrell and the lead single "'03 Bonnie And Clyde" with Beyonce. If I had to pick between the two CD which was the better one, I would choose "The Gift" over "The Curse".

Lyrics: B
Production: B
Guest Appearances: B+
Musical Vibes: B
Overall: B


Disc 2 (The Curse):

The second CD "The Curse" has most of the skip material. There are a lot of songs I had very little care for, such as "Diamond Is Forever" and the awkward sounding "Guns & Roses" with Lenny Kravitz. Some songs I find Jay to be at his worst, as if he just threw lines together aimlessly, like on the first verse on "Guns & Roses". The first good track was "You Don't Know (Remix)" that hits just as good as the origonal. "Somehow, Someway" is good with Beanie Siegal and Scarface. Sort of reminds me of "This Can't Be Life" from the Dynasty album with the Kanye West beat. Then there is the title track a weak diss to Nas that people will only hear once. Next are a few club track like "***** Please" with Pharrell and Young Chris, as well as "2 Many" with Timbaland. Afterward we get the entire Roc-A-Fella cloab with "As One". The bonus tracks are solid. I say the best one was "What They Gonna Do 2" with is good as the first.

Lyrics: C
Production: B-
Guest Appearances: C
Musical Vibes: B
Overall: C+


Overall this double disc has a lot of filler tracks, as well as some good ones. If you were expecting a sequel to "The Blueprint 1", you're in for a dissapointment. This album does make a few hits with it's formula but not as consistant, especially with the second disc. That is usually the case when it comes to double discs, some empty sounding tracks to fill it up, and that was what Jay had on this album. If you're a fan of The Source Magazine, you'd know that this was the lowest mic rating he received on all of his albums 3.5 mics.

The Gift: (8 out of 10- -4 stars)
The Curse: (6 out of 10- -3 stars)

My favorite Tracks: The Watcher 2, Excuse Me Miss, What They Gonna Do, All Around The World, Poppin Tags, I Did It My Way, You Don't Know (Remix), Somehow Someway, As One, What They Gonna Do 2

Honorable Mention: The Bounce, 2 Many

Peace Everyone!!!!

A solid album by the Jigga Man.......2006-08-03

8.5 STARS OUT OF 10

I realized last week that there isn't a decent album to listen to in the world. I decided to look old school, so I shuffled around my disk collection before throwing in Blueprint 2. I gave it a few spins for the first time in a year or so, and I still say I really like this album.

A lot of people hate on this album and call it the worst in Jay-Z's impressive collection of stellar cd's. While I agree that it is not nearly his best work, this album is far from bad and is a few steps up from Volume 3 which I think is Jigga's worst album.

It is comprised of two cd's. Disk 1 is the Gift, while Disk 2 is the Curse. Personally, I think the Curse is the much superior and deeper disk. Don't sleep on the Gift though. While it has the more radio friendly songs, there are still 6 or 7 solid tracks NOT featuring Beyonce or Pharrell. And even those two songs were decent when the album first dropped a few years ago.

Are there a handful of subpar songs? YES.
Could the album have been trimmed down to 18 of the best? YES.

Still not bad though for a DOUBLE album that was supposedly thrown together in two months.

Blueprint 2 - The Gift And THE CURSE!!!! .......2006-05-19

The title cover says it all "The Gift and The Curse", where not even Jay-Z can pullout a classic double album, though it does contain some of it's finest moments, such as the Dr. Dre produced ("The Watcher Pt. 2") where "Dre", "Rakim" and "Truth Hurts" show up for a help in hand. The remake of "2Pac's" classic noir ("Me And My Girlfriend") featuring Beyonce and also the open track "Dreams" where "Faith Evans" sings the chorus and they add an old recycled "Biggie" track to add on a verse. We know "Biggie" was your man, how many time do you have to remind us. With all those mentioned above, there are just too many fillers that made the cut for Blueprint 2 and truth be told, it would have been more prestigious and would have gained more acclaim, such as the previous year's "Blueprint", if the album was presented on a single CD rather than having a 2 disc set. "Pharrell of the Neptunes" shows up for "Excuse Me Miss" where we see a more matured "Jay-Z", but with cuts like "Poppin' Tags", "B*tches and Sisters", we can see he hasn't changed much, which is not necessarily a bad thing. On a postive note the album does improve with superb production work, supplied by "Kanye West", "Just Blaze", "Timbaland" and many more.

One of the better modern Hip-Hop Artist.......2006-02-03

I was very suprised to see that some of the reviews of this album got 1 and 2 stars. Even though I will agree that this isn't his best work, The Blueprint 2 still manages to be a solid effort. Some say that Jay-Z has sold out and just isnt putting out quality material. Yet I tend to look at it from a different point of view. Today's Hip-Hop is so much different then it was in the 80's and 90's. There are sooo many different hip-hop artist, and I think way to many are being given record contracts, cause half of them dont have an once of talent. Just because you can lay down some rhymes, doesn't mean you deserve a record contract. Most of these artist dont even write their own material. Jay-Z can is an exception as he writes his own material, does his own sampling, and produces his album. I believe he is one of the better Hip-Hip artist of the modern era, and I really enjoyed The Blueprint 2. The songs on this range from all different types of genere, from some hardcore, to some laid back tracks, to some "poppy" material, and I really think its a solid effort. Jay-Z proves that not every song has to be about guns and pimping and wanting to be a ganster. (kinda like the no talent 50Cent) I really like the beats and sampling that Jay-Z uses on this release to, and the last three bonus track on this CD, have some unique style and some great beats. NO, its not as solid as previous releases, but its still a very solid effort. If we had more hip-hop artist like Jay-Z, and less like 50Cent and Juvinile, then the music world we be a better place..ENJOY

Average customer rating: Captures Mr. Gallagher in his typical fine form Dont bother,,,, Another Lost Gem rip

Blueprint Rory Gallagher Manufacturer: Buddha ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tattoo Rory Gallagher Calling Card Against the Grain Photo-Finish ASIN: B00004KD1D Release Date: 2000-02-22

Tracks:

1. Walk On Hot Coals
2. Daughter Of The Everglades
3. Banker's Blues
4. Hands Off
5. Race The Breeze
6. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
7. Unmilitary Two-Step
8. If I Had A Reason
9. Stompin' Ground (Alt Version 10)
10. Treat Her Right

Customer Reviews:

Captures Mr. Gallagher in his typical fine form.......2004-10-01

It's hard not to just sit and shake your head and wonder why the late Rory Gallagher never achieved the acclaim he merited and what might have been were Rory still among us.

This remastering of his 1973 release "Blueprint" captures Mr. Gallagher in his typical fine form, whether finessing the slide, breaking off some acoustic blues, or flat-out blistering the frets. And as is the blueprint for any Rory Gallagher recording, there is plenty of variety in his song selection. His band, now a foursome augmented by Lou Martin on keyboards and extra guitar, hang with Rory and frame his guitar wizardry with deft, solid support.

"Blueprint" serves as a fine entry point for those just discovering Rory Gallagher and a welcome addition for those rounding out their collection of his recordings.

Dont bother,,,,.......2004-03-04

,,bother reading each and every review to choose your first Rory album,as all of his recordings are excellent. Each with its own personality, but with some common threads, such as his blues based great guitar work. Its amazing how such a back to basic,mostly power trio can have so much variety with so many albums. I must say, if your tastes come from classic power rock, I'd start with something like 'Calling Card','Top Prioity', Photo Finish, or even this one, but no matter,,pick anyone,,you cant go wrong.

I must give a huge 'thank you' to Rory's brother Donal who keeps putting out unreleased/lost recordings.
Keep it up Donal, I and every other Rory fan will keep buying them up.

Another Lost Gem.......2002-06-11

Rory Gallagher may be the best unknown guitarist of the 70s (apologies to Johhny Winter and Roy Buchannon, but it's true) and THE best slide guitar player after Duane Allman died. And this [along with Tattoo and Irish Tour '74] is another example of Gallagher at his prime.

Leading off with the firey "Walk on Hot Coals" and it's tale of a lowdown gambler, Rory and his... band [Rod D'Arth on drums, Gerry McAvoy on bass and the recently added and incredible Lou Martin on keyboards] grab the listener by the throat and don't let up. "Daughter of the Everglades" the next track is more subdued and pretty, but the band, especially Martin's organ/electric piano fills add to the swirling carnivalesque feel [see"Tattoo'd Lady" on Tattoo]. "Banker's Blues" is Rory on acoustic [probably National steel ala Johnny Winter] and harmonica and Martin on blues piano doing their best Leadbelly. Then it's back to straight ahead rockers for "Hands Off" with more great by Martin again on piano. This and "Race the Breeze" may be the best examples of how adding the keyboards opened Rory and the band up from the restrictions of playing as a trio. "If I had a Reason" is a nice honky tonk feeling waltz with some nice quiet slide, almost approaching the sound of a pedal steel.

The Bonus tracks on this one are a studio take of "(Back on My) Stompin' Ground", a track as far as I know only found on the Irish Tour album. It's a nice little blues rocker, reminiscent of something Peter Green might have done with Fleetwood Mac in the early years of that band [see the BBC Sessions of Fleetwood Mac]. "Treat Her Right" is, according to the liner notes, something Rory had been playing for years, and something I know I have heard, but just can't place. It's a speeded up version of an oldie with the band laying down a wall of sound [ala Jimi Hendrix's version of Howlin Wolf's "Killing Floor" on the Radio One Sessions] and Rory throwing down a couple really good solos down. Truly a nice find.

If you're just finding out about Rory, this is another good starting point.

rip.......2000-03-07

Rory achieved such a high level of performance that my remarks are no more than a tribute to his talent. Daughter of the Everglades and Seventh Son are my two favorites on this lp. Hopefully a best of cd will come out to give the younger listeners a clear look at Rory's amazing techinique and style.

Average customer rating: Natalie at Her Best! A Listening Pleasure Natalie who? Victor is the Macmaster From a Blueprint to a Masterpiece she does it again

Blueprint Natalie MacMaster Manufacturer: Rounder / UMGD ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Celtic Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: My Roots Are Showing Yours Truly In My Hands Live Fit as a Fiddle ASIN: B0000BWVOH Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

1. A Blast
2. Appropriate Dipstick
3. Jig Party
4. Touch of the Master's Hand
5. Eternal Friendship
6. Gravel Shore
7. Devil and The Dirk
8. The Ewe with the Crooked Horn
9. Josefin's Waltz
10. Bela's Tune=
11. Silver Spear
12. Minnie & Alex's Reel
13. My Love, Cape Breton and Me

Amazon.com

The Chieftains have repeatedly explored the Celtic roots of North American bluegrass and old-timey music and now this fleet-fingered, Juno Award (Canada's equivalent of a Grammy)-winning Cape Breton fiddler has done the same. It's not much of a stretch--after all, Appalachia's Scots-Irish population and Cape Breton's Scottish settlers are cousins from afar. While the former were land locked for decades, their Canadian counterparts were isolated by island life. This explains how both cultures became unwitting repositories of folkways long obsolete in Scotland and Ireland. MacMaster's playing, while extraordinary, is nonetheless fairly typical of the style she grew up with, featuring emphatic, slashing rhythms and a ringing, florid tone. As on her previous albums, she has incorporated some engagingly puckish modern twists (notably on "Touch of the Master's Hand") with no loss of focus. An impressive roster of bluegrass luminaries, such as Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, and Alison Brown, sit in. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Natalie at Her Best!.......2007-07-21

One of my favorite MacMaster CDs! The cuts are lively, beautiful, and present Natalie at her best. If you're a MacMaster fan, this CD is a must for your collection.

A Listening Pleasure .......2006-01-29

I got this CD for Christmas and haven't stopped listening to it. This is Natalie at her best! The track "My Love, Cape Breton and Me," which is the only vocal, just brought tears to my eyes. Everything this woman does is gorgeous, and her soul shines through!

Natalie who? Victor is the Macmaster.......2004-05-06

This is an amazing disc, with a good showing by all. I love Celtic music, I love new grass, any disc with Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, and Jerry Douglas on it is worth buying, even if they were playing with Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson (Uhmm...like I thought a Dobro was like an extinct bird or something....). However, despite the I-just-escaped-from-a-Mary-Kay-convention look of the cover, Macmaster is amazing. The tone is sweet and the speed is amazing. As a side note, Victor Wooten steals the show, he emulates a bhouran (Irish Frame Drum) and also plays a duet with Natalie. Amazing. I would have to agree that the "master's hand" is at best dopey, and after wading through the grating lyrics I was disappointed not to hear some kind of killer violin solo. This is the exception though and is easily solved by hitting the skip track button. Awesome album...definitely worthwhile

From a Blueprint to a Masterpiece.......2004-05-01

Natalie MacMaster is a true musical treasure whose talent is extremely underexposed to our American culture, for her Celtic fiddle playing is extraordinary. I know, for I have witnessed it with both my ears and my eyes.

Featuring this outstanding fiddle playing is Natalie's latest studio release,Blueprint. It is on the Rounder Records label, a name that might draw a response in the nature of "Where have I seen that name before?" For those of you who might be wondering, Rounder also features Joan Osborne since her departure from Mercury/Polygram, as well as the latest recordings of the lovely Alison Krauss, whom I often compare with Ms. MacMaster. In fact, many might regard Natalie MacMaster as being, in many ways, Canada's counterpart to Alison Krauss, or, in turn, Alison Krauss as being the American counterpart to Natalie MacMaster.
Enough, already!! They're both fabulous!!

As for the Blueprint CD, featured are the great musicians who have been tightly associated with Ms. Krauss and other leading names in traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Among them are Bela Fleck of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and Jerry Douglas, who is widely known as "the world's greatest dobro player".

In this package is versatility, a little something for people of all age groups to enjoy. The tunes range from the ancient Scottish tradition rhythms appreciated in Natalie's beloved Cape Breton to more contemporary tunes that are essentially categorized as Neobluegrass fused in with the lightning-fast Celtic fiddle playing that only Ms. MacMaster can patent.

As a whole, Blueprint is an excellent CD that will help many an avid listener from America or from another similar culture to acquire a new musical appreciation for, if not a whole new musical taste in, Bluegrass and/or Celtic music.

If the CD does not quite do it for you, then go see Natalie MacMaster live. I recently attended fer performance in Smithfield, NC. Her arrangements were some of the best I have ever seen in a live show. At the very least, she is truly amazing with her athleticism on stage and her ability to create energy in concert without missing a note.

Natalie MacMaster is a true all-around entertainer, and if you don't believe me, then I say, again,"Go see her perform!!!" You will be amazed. I promise.

she does it again.......2004-01-22

MacMaster has done it again. I own two of her other CD's A Compilation and In My Hands. What drawed me to this CD was that Touch of the Master's Hands was on it. I was first introduced to this song when my grandfather pasted away, and they sung it for him. I have yet to hear a better version of it than what MacMaster has done. Along with the other songs on the wonderful CD, it makes a wonderful, and enjoyable listen. One thing that I did notice was that it differed from her other CD's a little bit, but that's a good thing in some ways. Too say the least, a wonderful job done.

Average customer rating: Funky & Danceable 3rd LP from hip-hop's Teacher-- KRS already made an album called Blueprint first........... Propaganda? Sure...great hip hop? Definitely... ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS I HAVE EVER HEARD You must learn!

Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop Boogie Down Productions Manufacturer: Jive ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Old School | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: By All Means Necessary Edutainment Sex and Violence Return of the Boom Bap Criminal Minded ASIN: B0000004V6 Release Date: 1989-06-28

Tracks:

1. The Style You Haven't Done Yet
2. Why Is That?
3. The Blueprint
4. Jack Of Spades
5. Jah Rulez
6. Breath Control
7. Who Protects Us From You?
8. You Must Learn
9. Hip Hop Rules
10. Bo! Bo! Bo!
11. Gimme, Dat, (Woy)
12. Ghetto Music
13. World Peace

Customer Reviews:

Funky & Danceable 3rd LP from hip-hop's Teacher--.......2007-06-04

Ghetto Music--
Released in the summer of 1989, Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop was the third studio album from Boogie Down Productions. The music is crisp and thick with rhythm. Sonically, Ghetto Music is slightly less up-tempo than both Criminal Minded and By All Means Necessary. KRS-One flaunts his reggae influence more than ever with this album, and even incorporates more live instruments on several songs.

Standout cuts include "Jah Rules" with a nice sung chorus by group member Harmony; "Jack of Spades" gives the lowdown on Keenan Ivory Wayans' vigilante hero from I'm Gonna Get You Sucka; "Why is That" re-imagines Biblical characters with an Afrocentric view and criticizes America's public education systems; "Who Protects us from You?" admonishes police brutality: "So do not kick my door down and tie me up while my wife cooks the stew; `cause you were put here to protect us, but who protects us from you?"

The most surreal narrative is "Bo! Bo! Bo!": KRS One's lyrics find himself being rousted by police while on his morning jog; the confrontation turns ugly, and before he knows it, he's taking on several cops in a shootout, blacks out, then wakes up in a bookstore that apparently doubles as a headquarters for militants. "World Peace" is a good closer to the album, with KRS advising banner-waving types that they need to be more aggressive if they really want to achieve their goals. A re-release should include any available bonus material, including the superior remix to "You Must Learn".

KRS already made an album called Blueprint first..................2006-12-30

So says Nas. KRS went from being a hiphop B-Boy to straight teacher and preacher on Blueprint. I remember when this joint dropped in the summer of 89. It was too preachy for a summer record and not as dope or ground breaking as his hit Self Destruction or PE's Nation of Millions.

Top Joints:
Why Is That?
Jack Of Spades
You Must Learn

Propaganda? Sure...great hip hop? Definitely..........2005-09-13

A phrase I've seen a time or two in reference to James Brown and Little Richard suggests that they can be forgiven their egotism because their music lives up to the boasts. That thought came to mind after ingesting this CD from "The Teacher" KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions.

Those who suggest this disc is musical propaganda are correct. Kris Parker's general message here is that the police are not to be trusted, the educational system is failing to pass on the achievements of black Americans of the past and of African culture, and that sometimes a black man's only friend is his firearm. He uses an intense vocal delivery while musically smooth rhythms take some of the edge off the bitter pill. Reggae flavors turn up often, being most pronounced (ironically enough) on "Hip Hop Rules". The group also make time for a nod to the beat box sound in "Breath Control".

HIGHLIGHTS:
The scratched hook of "Jack of Spades" is relentless. Ever wonder where the origins of "throw your hands in the air" were? Check the rhyme...Parker's sister Pamela "Harmony" Scott turns in a nicely soulful vocal on spiritual paean "Jah Rulez". ("What can they do?/What can they say?/They can't live without your love/another day...") "Who Protects us from You?" aims at police brutality, questioning whether the quality of protection varies by class. ("It seems that when you walk the ghetto/You walk with your own point of view...") "You Must Learn" indicts the educational establishment's failure to teach about the achievements of forebears like Benjamin Banneker (creator of the almanac) and Granville Woods (inventor of the walkie-talkie). It's not just young blacks who miss out here. ("When one doesn't know about the other one's culture/Ignorance swoops down like a vulture..") Gangsta rap template "Bo! Bo! Bo!" is catchy, if not more than a little disingenuous on a disc that also includes "World Peace" and the logo of the "Stop the Violence" movement.

LOWS:
"World Peace" is simultaneously musically catchy and lyrically vapid. "If we really want world peace/and we want it right now/We must make up our mind to take it.." is the answer according to Parker but that doesn't take into account the fact that many world conflicts are based in deep seated religious or ethnic divisions that won't go away just because of "positivity".

BOTTOM LINE:
You have to take some of the "education" here with a grain of salt. But there can be no doubt at all about KRS' skill on the mic. He absolutely defines the foundations of old school hip-hop and this album is one of rap's cornerstones. Recommended.

ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS I HAVE EVER HEARD.......2005-09-10

in a world overpopulated by fake gangastas, players, thugs, and wannabe rappers krs-one has constantly proven himself time and time again to be one of the greatest MCs of all time I recall seeing him live in 2002 and to this day he is still one of my favorite performers. I mean were talking about a guy who over the years has literally crushed thousands of MCs and wack crews both here and overseas how many MCs do you know who can claim that. This album is B.D.P. at the top of his game blazing lyrics and beats that are a good 10 years ahead of their time and when you look at other rappers from that timeframe such as kane and Kool Moe Dee without a doubt B.D.P was the best. while not as good as Edutainment this album is still a wonderful introduction for anyone looking to get into BDP or hip hop in general.

You must learn!.......2005-07-26

Any BDP cd is an instant classic. KRS-1 is your favorite MC's MC. Learn hip hop from the TEACHER!!! Extremely DOPE!!!

Average customer rating: Long time fan WELL DONE !! Excellent! buy this if you love anthony phillips Anthony Phillips Has A Field Day

Field Day Anthony Phillips Manufacturer: Blueprint UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Archive Collection, Vol. 2 Wild Orchids Metamorpheus GENESIS (David Myers Plays) Seven: A Suite for Orchestra ASIN: B000B86564 Release Date: 2005-10-10

Tracks:

1. The Voyage Out
2. High Fives
3. Credo
4. Cerise
5. Runaway Horses
6. Home Sweet Home
7. Steps Retraced
8. Field Day
9. Nocturne
10. Tryst
11. Girl In The Gallery
12. Bel Ami
13. Concerto De Alvarez
14. Lifer
15. Chasing The Light
16. Parlour Suite I
17. Parlour Suite II
18. Parlour Suite III
19. Parlour Suite IV
20. Parlour Suite V
21. Parlour Suite VI
22. Parlour Suite VII
23. Parlour Suite VIII
24. Swoon
25. River Of Life
26. Momento
27. Open Road
28. White Spider
29. Half Way Out

Tracks:

1. Weeping Willow
2. The Love Not Shared
3. Sojourn
4. Dawn Over The Field Of Eternity
5. Fallen City
6. Rain On Sag Harbour
7. Days Of Grace
8. Timeline
9. Oubliette
10. Tania
11. Babbling Brook
12. Shimmering Sharon
13. Tea Room In Terra Del Fuego
14. Mudlark
15. Tearaway
16. Midnight Blue
17. Evening Shroud
18. Rapscallion
19. Beyond The Castle Walls
20. Forgotten Pathway
21. Fairy Ring
22. Largo D'Amour
23. Whippersnapper
24. Kissing Gate
25. To The Lighthouse
26. Driftwood
27. Festoons And Billows
28. Flotsam And Jetsam
29. Sunfish Shallows
30. Smart Alec
31. Prayer For Natalie
32. Out And Beyond

Album Description

Field Day is Anthony's latest studio album and is a double album featuring Anthony's beautiful acoustic playing. The album is sure to be popular with his large and dedicated fan base and as to be expected will also appeal to fans of the early Genesis sound as heard on Trespass. Blueprint. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Long time fan.......2007-07-01

In my early teens I was blown away by guitarists like Al DiMeola and John McLaughlin. In my junior year of high school I stumbled upon the music of Anthony Phillips. Rather than being blown away I was deeply moved by the beauty of his compositions. Listening to Field Day is like picking up a conversation with an old friend. From the exuberant "runaway Horses" to the introspective "nocturn" this is one of his finest recordings.

WELL DONE !!.......2007-04-04

Another awesome work from ex-member of Genesis. Very relaxing (like a field day). And is double CD. Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-03

With unanimous five-star praise from reviewers, it really isn't necessary for me to write a review, but this CD is so worthy of praise, I've chosen to write something.

I completely agree with another reviewer who said that Field Day is elegant, exquisite, and classy. It can also be said that many of the pieces are beautiful, tender, moving, and sweet - in that magical way so unique to Anthony Phillips. The CD certainly reflects his greatest maturity as a composer and seems like a labor of love. After listening to the entire CD, I felt so touched and moved. He has a great capacity for beauty. There is no one like Anthony Phillips.

Not all Anthony Phillips CD's are equally good, but being a fan since The Geese and The Ghost, I can say that this clearly is as good as the best he has made, if not better. It really is excellent. All you Anton fans, you really should get this!

buy this if you love anthony phillips.......2006-11-07

i recently purchased Field Day, and it is delightful. Anthony has made a delicious return to his stringed instruments, unaccompanied stringed instruments, no less, and he uses a variety of 12-string, classical, nylon, etc. guitars and other lutes to portray his musical imagery. i am a hardcore fan of Anthony Phillips, and i have all the classic recordings, and i'm pleased to announce that i'm very satisfied to have Field Day as part of the collection. He delves into the old "Private Parts and Pieces" style of playing. i highly recommend this set of two discs to anyone who loves Anthony's music. there is no filler on this album, only great music!!!!! : )

Anthony Phillips Has A Field Day.......2006-10-26

"Field Day," the latest album from former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips, is a double album of solo acoustic guitar pieces that Anthony mostly recorded between 2001 and 2004. Playing various guitars, including 6-string, 12-string, charanga and bazouki, Anthony serves up a beautiful 2 hours-plus of marvelous solo guitar performances (61 in all). "Concerto De Alvarez" and "To The Lighthouse" are especially stunning, but the whole album from start to finish is a breathtaking beauty. A fantastic showcase for Anthony Phillips' composing & guitar-picking genius, "Field Day" is phenomenal.

Average customer rating: Les Fleur de Lys - 'Reflections' (Blueprint) They Never Made It?!......Must've Been The Wierd Name solid british mod psychedelic pop rock Heavy Psych and Third-Rate Soul British psychedelic rock from little-known band

Reflections Les Fleur de Lys Manufacturer: Blueprint UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Before the Dream Faded Tomorrow Revolution About Time! Definitive Mod-Pop Collection 1966-68 The Open Mind ASIN: B00000864N Release Date: 1997-02-03

Tracks:

1. Circles
2. Mud In Your Eye
3. Gong With The Luminous Nose
4. Sugar Love
5. Hold On
6. Prodigal Son
7. One City Girl
8. Daughter Of The Sun
9. Tick Tock
10. I Can See The Light
11. Liar
12. I Forgive You
13. So Come On
14. Hammerhead
15. Stop Crossing The Bridge
16. I Like What I'm Trying To Do
17. Hold On
18. Butchers And Bakers
19. Wait For Me
20. Reflections of Charlie Brown
21. Brick By Brick
22. I've Been Trying
23. Moondreams
24. So Many Things

Customer Reviews:

Les Fleur de Lys - 'Reflections' (Blueprint).......2006-08-20

Turns out that I've actually heard several tracks of this lost,forgotten and over-looked late '60's psychedelic band before.They have at least two cuts on the Rhino -'Original Artyfacts: Nuggets II' 4-CD box set (see my review).This 24 track compilation release is an absolute must-have for true fans of such. Just a few of the outstanding gems here are "Circles",the fabulous "Mud In Your Eye","Hold On","Prodigal Son" and "Tick Tock". Should appeal to fans of The Action,Creation,The Who,John's Children(pre-T.Rex)and possibly Q65.

They Never Made It?!......Must've Been The Wierd Name.......2005-03-24

Yes, that's the only explanation for this bands chart failures because the music speaks British psych rock brilliance! I'm guessing some picked up their singles back then, tried to pronounce their name, then put the single back down in frustration. Anyone who loves the Who, Kinks, Creation, Small Faces, NEEDS TO ADD THIS TO THEIR COLLECTION PRONTO!!! I only knew of "Circles" and "Mud In Your Eye" on the Nuggets Vol.2 compilation, which I both loved apon hearing (their version of "Circles" outdoes the Whos version). But this CD will be such a treat to anyone interested in the "lesser" bands of this awesome era in British rock. Check it out...I'M GLAD I DID!!!

solid british mod psychedelic pop rock.......2005-01-01

It's easy to see why Les Fleurs de Lys didn't have more success, although some of their music is absolutely incredible 60s mod rock. Through their many name changes (Rupert's People, Chocolate Frog, Shyster) and personnel changes they never really steablished a true 'group.' But the body of work produced under these various names and lineups is very good, from the raw power of Circles to the beauty of Relfections of Charlie Brown to the psych rock of Gong With the Luminous Nose.

It's a very good collection for those looking for lost 60s artifacts. The liner notes are excellent, explaining well the confusing story of the Lys, and collecting the few pictures available of them. It's a long CD, good value for money, and all in all, it pretty good Who-like material that should've gone far had the group been consistent. But whether they achieved fame or not, it's all here for you to enjoy, and it's best enjoyed loud.

Heavy Psych and Third-Rate Soul.......2004-03-09

This compilation starts out strong with heavy hitters such as "Circles (Instant Party)", "Mud In Your Eye", and the absolutely rockin' "Hold On". This is great guitar-heavy psych stuff, to be sure. These tunes have been available on British Psych comps like the legendary "Chocolate Soup for Diabetics" series. The bulk of this comp, unfortunately, consists of pedestrian rock and roll and competent-at-best imitation soul and R&B. Get the genuine articles (Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, etc.) instead.

British psychedelic rock from little-known band.......2000-06-13

Another of the overlooked gems of psychedelic rock and roll lost for many years in the tape vaults, Fleur De Lys recorded some of the finest singles of the mid to late 1960s under their own moniker, while issuing other under numerous nom de disques, as well as acting as the backing band for female vocalist Sharon Tandy on a rip-roaring version of "Hold On." Blueprint Records of Austria has collected 24 tracks, 65 minutes playing time, containing all 14 tracks released by Fleur De Lys under their own name, beginning with their bang-up cover version of Pete Townshend's "Circles," which the Who recorded as "Instant Party." Though the group had a constantly flowing membership, its most recorded incarnation contained lead guitarist Bryn Haworth, who supplies loads of tasty solos on this compilation, as well as future King Crimson bassist Gordon Haskell, and future Jefferson Starship keyboard player Pete Sears. Also included is work by guitarist Phil Sawyer in his pre-Spencer Davis Group days. Early works were produced by future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. The ties to future rock legends abound with Fleur De Lys, and it is a travesty that they did not reach a wider audience, as "Reflections" provides proof positive that these guys "had it." Highlights are the two versions of "Hold On," the previously mentioned cover of "Circles," the rocking "One City Girl" and the band's debut single "Moondreams." No fan of guitar-driven psychedelic rock should be without this compilation.

Average customer rating: Good Album Printmatic Killer album... Help Me! What IS that sample used in 'Tramp'?? A very funky album

1988 Blueprint Manufacturer: Rhymesayers ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: 8 Million Stories Things Go Better with RJ and Al Unlimited EP Champion A Tribute to Lisa Bonet ASIN: B0007UVX1I Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Anything Is Possible
3. 1988
4. Inner-City-Native-Son
5. Tramp
6. Boombox
7. Trouble On My Mind
8. Lo-Fi Funk - Aesop Rock, , Blueprint
9. Big Girls Need Love Too
10. Fresh
11. Where's Your Girlfriend At?
12. Kill Me First - Blueprint,
13. Liberated

Customer Reviews:

Good Album.......2006-05-15

Nice album...I enjoyed.

Kill Me First samples a piece of classical music (a Prelude by Rachmaninoff), which I very much appreciated.

Printmatic.......2005-09-30

I know hip-hop, period. Not that fake ish, not that radio ish, not that commercial ish, but the real ish. (...) And that's perfectly fine - I'm the same way. Point is, this album was the best album of 2005, hands down. I've been a fan from afar of 'Print since Greenhouse Effect/Weightless and his production has impressed me. . .but lyrically I always felt his delivery was lacking something. Now, he's nearly (gasp) perfect. Matured, professional and tight as a two-dollar bill rolled to inhale, he found his niche without the faintest trace of gimmick, an element I worried about with this project.
"You want to player hate we can take it back to '88, my catalog is analog dog all cassette tape. . ."

Killer album..........2005-09-04

I absolutely love 1988 by Blueprint. I bought the Soul Postion album when it came out because I was into RJD2's music. I hadn't even heard of Blueprint at that point, but he was awesome on there. I had been waiting for him to come out with a true solo album, and I am not at all disappointed. The only thing I could ask for would be for more tracks. While he doesn't use the most complex beats or raps, the flow of the album is just amazing. He seems to be in perfect harmony with the beats and rhymes at all times. "Inner-City Native Son" is my favorite song on the album. I love the beat on this. "Big Girls Need Love Too" is just hillarious. Bottom line, this is a great hip-hop album. It isn't going to be for everyone, but I LOVE this album! Check it out...

Help Me! What IS that sample used in 'Tramp'??.......2005-08-27

Tramp is a great song, and this is driving me nuts! There are two vocal song samples used in this track, with one just being the word 'tramp', which I'm sure is Lowell Fulson from the original version of the song.(edit: it's actually Joe Tex, from the song 'Papa Was Too') The second sample, the one that I need to know about, is a very long one. Goes - "She wants to ride on home in your car. She wants...." The voiceprint reminds me most of one of the lead singers from the classic 60's rock group Spirit, Jay Ferguson. It's the only name I can put to the voice. If anyone knows what song and artist it is, please post. Don't have a copy of the liner notes, so don't know if the samples are listed in the credits. Please help this headached D.J.

A very funky album.......2005-08-19

Having heard Soul Position (RJD2 + Blueprint) and not really being too impressed with the result I was sceptic giving this record a spin... but wow, I'm glad I gave it a chance. Blueprint definitely brings the sound of 1988 hiphop to the year 2005 without sounding outdated. All the beats bang hard, the way hiphop sounded in 1988. They don't sound like someone banging on pots and pans, like many records from back then would sound to any recent hiphop head. Using golden age samples, golden age drums, but with modern technology. Beatswise there is nothing wrong with this album. Blueprint's flow and delivery are great too. He might not be a Nas, but his voice is clear and understandable. His lyrics are witty and funny at times. Especially the song "Big girls need love too" is funny as hell. If you love hiphop, do not sleep on this album. Whether you have been into hiphop since 88 or got into it a year ago doesn't matter. Unlike many hiphop releases both beats, lyrics and delivery are all great on this album. Definitely one of 2005's best albums so far...

Average customer rating: A Fine Creation of Lady Day GrownUpMusic.com recommended! It is a nice album.... Grammy Approval

Blueprint of a Lady: Sketches of Billie Holiday Nnenna Freelon Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Live Maiden Voyage I'm with the Band Good Night, And Good Luck Soulcall ASIN: B000A7DVOK Release Date: 2005-08-23

Tracks:

1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
2. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
3. Don't Explain
4. God Bless The Child
5. Strange Fruit
6. Willow Weep For Me
7. Balm In Gilead
8. Them There Eyes
9. Only You Will Know
10. You've Changed
11. Now Or Never
12. Lover Man
13. Left Alone
14. Interlude - Little Brown Bird
15. All Of Me

Customer Reviews:

A Fine Creation of Lady Day.......2006-02-14

Billie Holiday and Nnenna Freelon are very accomplished jazz singers of their generations who happen to be Black women. There the similarities end. Whereas Ms. Holiday sung languidly, behind the beat, with a cool that masked (sometimes, and in varying degrees) a profound sense of personal pain, Ms. Freelon sings on the beat, vibrantly and buoyantly, and does so in many styles. Whether singing soul, funk, jazz, r & b, or cool jazz, she pulls her singing off impressively.

But all jazz singers ultimately owe a debt to Lady Day, and Ms. Freelon pays hers here, with this Grammy-nominated album. Rather than imitate or re-create Billie Holiday, she takes these compositions and willfully does them (except for "Now or Never") in a completely different way than the originals. We have "God Bless the Child" a la '70's soul; "Strange Fruit" almost as free jazz; "Them There Eyes" as cool jazz; and (believe it or not), "Willow Weep for Me" as funk, to name but four examples. These certainly are not recreations of Lady Day; they are creations and, as Ms. Freelon points out, Billie Holiday says "No two people are alike, and it's got to be that way with music, or it isn't music."

So, does this music work?

"Don't Explain" certainly does; this arrangement is outstanding. As to the rest: it's a matter of your personal taste. Ms. Freelon always sings well, and she and Nick Phillips do a fine job producing this album. The album is worthy of a Grammy nomination, although I personally would have picked a few unnominated ones from 2005 over this one.

But to me, the gold standard for reinterpretations of Lady Day is Carmen McRae's "Carmen Sings Lover Man and Other Billie Holiday Songs." To give this c.d. 5 stars is to suggest it is as good as Carmen's album. It isn't. I admire this album; I absolutely adore Carmen's, and believe it to be possibly the finest vocal jazz album ever made.

Recommended nevertheless. Ms. Freelon is a very fine singer who should be heard. RC

GrownUpMusic.com recommended!.......2005-11-13

We love Nnenna. We love Billie. So what's not to love? In truth, this isn't simply a record of Freelon mimicking Holiday. By no means. Holiday is merely the starting point, as Freelon and her first-rate band interpret Lady Day's standards in their own inimitable way. "God Bless the Child" gets a funky beat and "Lover Man" becomes one of those late-night deejay favorites that just oozes R&B sexiness. And you haven't heard "All of Me," until Freelon infuses it with reggae flair. This is not Diana Krall jazz here, folks. This is jazz that draws you in and sits your ass in a table up front where you can soak up the vibe. If you get a chance to see Freelon live, seize it!

It is a nice album...........2005-10-22

I like this album but I cannot play repeatedly,it's a little monotonous.
If you're looking for something truly adventurous and never boring, passionate and sensuous in the 'jazz standards' category, then,please listen to 'Lazy Afternoon' by Regina Belle.
You will never thank me enough for that :-)

Grammy Approval.......2005-08-30

This album is just great. Nnenna ( 5 time Grammy nominee) vocal style is awesome, in full forum. Excellant arrangement, the band that backs her vocals can't be touch they are jammin. I love it, a fresh new sound as always from Nnenna...mix of R&B, jazz, gospel, latin and raggae...Nnenna have always been a master mind at what she produces and arrange. You must have this CD in your collection. Tracks I recommend, I didn't know what time it was, Now or Never, Balm in Gilead...stay #1 on 90.1 WRTI FM Radio/Philly for 8 weeks, All of me, Now or Never, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, You've Changed and Lover Man, God Bless The Child .....Nnnenna you're the Bomb....

Album Review:

1. Break for Love: Danny Rampling [Import]
2. Carrie Lucas - Greatest Hits [Import]
3. Come to Me (Single & Remixes) [CD-single] [Import]
4. Dance Commander [CD-single]
5. Different Day [Enhanced]
6. Diva Brazil
7. Dream On: The Very Best Of
8. Drumming up a Storm [CD-single]
9. Dubnobasswithmyhead [Import]
10. Electro Jazz Divas, Vol. 2 [Import]

Album Review

album review

Album Review

Aaron's Party (Come Get It) [Import]

Fragments

Complete Recordings 1929-1942 2

Music: Miniature [Import]

From Bliss to Devastation [Import]

Divine Intervention

Forever Changed

Crime Fighter

Entre Nosotros

Cherishing by Wind Chimes

Enchanted

Bon Bon French [Import]

Girl (+ Bonus Tracks) [Import]

Live: Cottiers Theatre

Rarum 3: Selected Recordings (Dig)