Pray [CD-single] [Import]

Product Description
Second Single from UK Dance/Pop Diva Tina Cousins Debut Album, :killing Time.features Six Australian Exclusive Remixes.

Pray,Tina Cousins,Zomba

Average customer rating: OK if you like a pop music sound Excellent CD A helpful prayer tool Excellent for personal or group participation Helps me with my prayer time.

The Rosary [2 Cd Set] Manufacturer: Expresso Inc. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items: The Rosary (The Mysteries of Light) The Rosary The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Song Prayer of the Church/ The Rosary Catholic Latin Classics ASIN: B0006G4806 Release Date: 2004-10-21

Tracks:

1. The Joyful Mysteries
2. The First Joyful Mystery
3. The Second Joyful Mystery
4. The Third Joyful Mystery
5. The Fourth Joyful Mystery
6. The Fifth Joyful Mystery
7. Hail Holy Queen
8. Litany of Loreto
9. The Luminous Mysteries
10. The First Luminous Mystery
11. The Second Luminous Mystery
12. The Third Luminous Mystery
13. The Fourth Luminous Mystery
14. The Fifth Luminous Mystery
15. Hail Holy Queen
16. Litany of Loreto

Tracks:

1. The Sorrowful Mysteries
2. The First Sorrowful Mystery
3. The Second Sorrowful Mystery
4. The Third Sorrowful Mystery
5. The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
6. The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
7. Hail Holy Queen
8. Litany of Loreto
9. The Glorious Mysteries
10. The First Glorious Mystery
11. The Second Glorious Mystery
12. The Third Glorious Mystery
13. The Fourth Glorious Mystery
14. The Fifth Glorious Mystery
15. Hail Holy Queen
16. Litany of Loreto

Product Description

The Rosary double CD album is a great tool to pray the Holy Rosary every day. It's a Rosary prayalong. It contains the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. Beautifully orchestrated. Learn how to pray the Rosary.

Customer Reviews:

OK if you like a pop music sound.......2007-07-18

As a person who prefers Gregorian Chant to pop music, I found this to be a disappointment, but if you like "easy listening" music, this may work for you.

Excellent CD.......2007-01-18

This CD has both music and the rosary on it. I bought it for my wife for Christmas. She listens to it every day going to and from work. She said it is appealing to her.

A helpful prayer tool.......2006-03-22

I use this cd to pray the rosary while I am driving (I drive over three hours a day). I like the music snippets, the voices of the leader and the responder, and the tempo (not too fast or too slow). Both the leader (a male) and the responder (a female) have strong, clear, reverent voices. After each mystery is announced they read a very short quote from the Bible which helps you get your mind on that particular mystery. There are quite a few extra prayers at the end (like Hail Holy Queen and the Memorare, as well as a litany of intercessions), but if you don't like to end your rosary that way you can always turn the cd off and finish with your own prayers. I'm glad I purchased this cd.

Excellent for personal or group participation.......2005-09-07

Have been using the rosary CD for daily prayer in a nursing home chapel about a month. Excellent, positive responses from all participants. Prayers not too fast nor too slow - easy to mediatively pray along.

Helps me with my prayer time........2005-07-07

I live in New York City. I commute via mass transit. This CD set helps me utilize my morning commute as quality prayer time.

Average customer rating: WHATEVER DIS ALBUM IS OFF DA CHAIN!!! Great CD Good single......bad album A CD or one very long song

I Pray Amanda Perez Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Angel Where You at The Writing's on the Wall Scorpion Ciara: The Evolution ASIN: B00029RRIW Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. I Pray (Never Forget It)
2. I Need Your Love
3. Run With It
4. Angel (Acoustic Guitar Version)
5. Fire
6. Make Me Feel
7. Dedicate
8. Calling You
9. I Need You
10. Angel
11. Hoe
12. How U Luv Dat
13. Already
14. Hell No
15. Get It Girl

Customer Reviews:

WHATEVER.......2005-11-23

Ya'll b***h** are retarded. This album is throwed. Even thought there is profanity and editing.

DIS ALBUM IS OFF DA CHAIN!!!.......2005-09-29

MAN I SO LOVE THIS ABLUM!!!! When I first bought this CD, I was crying when I first heard the song I Pray. Even when I saw the video! Ya'll better buy dis album. It's hot! I LOVE ALL THE TRACKS!! BUY DIS CD YA HEARD!

Great CD.......2005-05-11

Man, u guys r all wrong! Amanda has great talent n wonderful tracks that at least I can neva get tired of. Not only do tha songs got good beat n flow, but shes gotta great, unique voice 2. 2 tell u tha truth, I dont think that Ive eva heard any woman rap n sing as good as her, let alone the make beat like dat. 2 me, people who think that she's got no talent and the same boring ol sound and message repeats in each n every song r just stupid. I mean, gimme a break. My personal faves on this album r "Hoe," "How U Luv Dat", n "Get it Girl." This artist dserves lotsa good credit 4 good music.

Good single......bad album.......2005-02-03

I bought this album because of the songs "Angel" & "I Pray". I also bought it because I do like Amanda's voice. But the album as a whole is a dissappointment!!!All of the songs sound the same, except the last couple tracks. The problem is you don't ever get to them cause you fall asleep within the first few songs.I do believe that Amanda has talent....but the songs on this album covered it up!!!

A CD or one very long song.......2005-01-02

Amanda, Amanda, Amanda. I am a TRUE music lover and I appreciate the talent and hard work of those in the industry. But to regurgitate the same tracks over and over, same message, same flow, same beat. Where is the creativity, where is the talent, how many people have wasted there money on this album? With the occasional contagious hooks (I Pray and Angel), this cd is a complete waste of time. I am all about giving EVER new artist (or so called artist) a chance, but this was overall a disappointment...Sorry.

Average customer rating: How well do you like this kind of music? A Delightful Recording A great find--worth more than its price Interesting and Lovely Music this was our country's music c.30 decades ago!

Early American Choral Music, Vol. 1 His Majestie's Clerkes Manufacturer: Hmf Classical Exp. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Early American Choral Music, Vol. 2 Rivers of Delight (American Folk Hymns From the Sacred Harp Tradition) Wake Ev'ry Breath - Music of William Billings The Shapenote Album Sacred Harp Singing ASIN: B000059WLJ Release Date: 2001-05-08

Amazon.com

William Billings (1746-1800) was one of the first important composers born in America. A leather tanner by trade who taught himself composition, Billings left behind some lovely, unique music that contains early indications of American musical independence. It often doesn't sound like European models. Today, Billings's music survives mostly in Southern shape-note singing, with its exciting raw tone and rhythmic vitality. But as Paul Hillier's selection demonstrates, Billings shouldn't just be characterized as musical folk artist. The "Funeral Anthem: Samuel the Priest" has harmonies so poignant that they remind us of Bach, and the brief "David's Lamentation" is a superb piece of musical characterization, heartbreakingly effective. Despite the ensemble's name, it's thoroughly American. The performances find a good middle ground between sounding too folksy and sounding too cultivated, and the group's diction is clear enough that we can do without the texts, which came with the original edition. This is a lovely disc, which will come to most listeners as a revelation. It's also an outstanding bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

How well do you like this kind of music?.......2006-02-21

I ended up ordering this CD, as well as Vol. 2, and "Make A Joyful Noise: American Psalmody." I thought the quality was excellent on all three, but I wanted to say that if you're not sure how well you like this kind of music, I would recommend the American Psalmody CD instead of the two CD set. I found myself enjoying the music very much at first, but quickly losing interest as it all began to sound alike to me.

A Delightful Recording.......2005-07-25

Since buying this a week or so ago, it has rarely left my CD player, and is equally pleasurable at the start or end of the day. The performances are energetic and moving, and make me long for my former days with a cathedral choir, when #16 was one of our favorites. With each hearing, I find more to delight me. (While I agree that the diction is good enough that lyrics on the liner notes aren't strictly necessary, they would have been a nice addition.)

A great find--worth more than its price.......2004-09-03

This is all music by William Billings, one of the giant figures of early American church music. It is sung by a fine group that specializes in early music. The music is often hearty and pleasing, and the textual themes deal with early colonial life (e.g., harvest & the coming winter) and sometimes complex theology (e.g., pietistic interpretations of the Song of Solomon). The overall sound of the music is straightfoward, as it was no doubt to appeal to the common folk (new world Protestants). But don't let that fool you--there's high quality construction in these hymns that elevates them above folk music. Some of the songs really grab you & stay with you. This is a gift & an important part of our American heritage & culture.

Interesting and Lovely Music.......2004-02-25

This CD was issued originally as "A Land of Pure Delight" on the Harmonia Mundi label. Billings was the first major American composer, an apparently self taught composer with a distinctive and powerful style. A real American original, Billings' work has several interesting features. He did wonderful things writing for choirs and some of his work seems to sound like earlier, polyphonic music. This recording has features a selection of fine pieces. Lovely performances.

this was our country's music c.30 decades ago!.......2001-10-17

I am fairly new to this series, but I now own 3 cds in this series: Anna Mag. Bach Book, Festive barouque christmas and now this one. I have been looking for a cd with this kind of music, and now my search is done. I enjoy this cd very much, but the only down side is that this cd is too short.

Average customer rating: Unexpected Greatness From A Band Considered Past Their Prime! The Comeback Album For Live! Not One of LIVE's Best. Surprised they're not more popular Do not buy

Birds of Pray Live Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music All Bargain Titles | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: V The Distance to Here Mental Jewelry Secret Samadhi Throwing Copper ASIN: B000093FKA Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

1. Heaven
2. She
3. The Sanctity Of Dreams
4. Run Away
5. Life Marches On
6. Like I Do
7. Sweet Release
8. Everytime I See Your Face
9. Lighthouse
10. River Town
11. Out To Dry
12. Bring The People Together
13. What Are We Fighting For?

Amazon.com

Live was originally labeled the poor man's U2, thanks to their anthemic choruses and earnest spirituality. Unlike the Irish superstars, however, the Pennsylvania quartet have found what they're looking for on their sixth album. Singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk proclaims in "Heaven" that he not only has gotten his faith back, but also has seen God in his infant daughter and a sunset. Gooey sentiments, perhaps, but Kowalczyk delivers them with a sweet sincerity that delivers a solid psychic punch. The band seemed to have lost its way around the turn of the century by embroidering their trademark guitar-heavy sound with an abundance of frivolous loops, gadgetry, and gratuitous fretwork. This time out, they thankfully reverted back to basics, throwing out the trashy keyboards and again pounding out their rhythmically charged rock. Kowalczyk is also writing less ponderous lyrics. The singer has found his salvation in love, which has softened his stern demeanor and given his stream-of-consciousness songs a playful spin not heard before on a Live record. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected Greatness From A Band Considered Past Their Prime!.......2007-06-21

Upon Live's release of their fifth studio album entitled "V," the seemingly forced and dull effort portrayed a band who lacked potential both musically and lyrically. In comes their sixth studio album, "Birds Of Pray," which was released on May 20, 2003. Unlike its predecessor, "Birds Of Pray" is a solid album from start to finish as it successfully showcases big guitars, sweeping anthemic choruses and earnest ballads. There are no "fillers" to be found within the 13 tracks that comprise one of the band's most superior albums to date. Below, please find the rating for each song individually:

Heaven - 10/10

She - 10/10

The Sanctity Of Dreams - 9/10

Run Away - 9/10

Life Marches On - 9/10

Like I Do - 9/10

Sweet Release - 8/10

Everytime I See Your Face - 8/10

Lighthouse - 9/10

River Town - 10/10

Out To Dry - 8/10

Bring The People Together - 10/10

What Are We Fighting For? - 10/10

The Comeback Album For Live!.......2007-04-25

I titled this review as such because it follows their disasterous 2001 release "V". They tried to be something they are not with the rap. Anyway, I first heard "Heaven", and decided to give it a chance, being cautious because of their last effort. On December 26, 2003, I decided just to buy the album and give the whole thing a chance. It was slow going at first, but after about 4 months, I found myself listening to the whole thing consistently with much pleasure. Although not as anthemic as "Throwing Copper", Live did go back to the basics on this one, concentrating on good riffs and inspiring lyrics. The songs on B.O.P. provide great melodies when you are driving down an open road or simply decompressing after a long day. Every song on here is good, but the standout tracks for me are "Life Marches On", "The Sanctity of Dreams", "River Town" and "Out to Dry". A definite keeper!

Not One of LIVE's Best........2007-03-10

I love this band. They have an amazing amount of talent. However, this album has fallen short of their greatness. The first song is remenisent of "The Distance to Here", but you'll find out very quickly that this album lacks LIVE's creative song writing ability, and falls short of portraying their amazing talant. If you're a hardcore fan, I would buy the album, but don't expect greatness because it just isn't there.

Surprised they're not more popular.......2007-01-22

Although I usually listen to the heavier stuff, Live is a really great band. I'm surprised that they haven't been more successful, commercially. True, BoP doesn't quite measure up to "Throwing Copper" but it's still a very well-done album.

Do not buy.......2006-12-08

I am a big Live fan who is actually one of the few who loved their last album V. That being said this is the worst piece of junk they have released. They should have issued "Heaven" as a single and been done with it. There is not one other song worth listening too and I have given this CD many chances. Thank god the boys have recovered with their new album "Black Mountain". Do not buy this record even if you are a completest just get the greatest hits for "Heaven".

Average customer rating: Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing. Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so. ONE OF MY FAVOURITES Fans will be delighted!

Kathleen Battle & Christopher Parkening ~ Pleasures of Their Company John Dowland , Manuel de Falla , Charles Gounod , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Enrique Granados , Fini Henriques , Jaime Ovalle , Joaquim Antonio Barroso Neto , Franz Xaver Richter , Anonymous , William Levi Dawson , Robert MacGimsey , Kathleen Battle , and Christopher Parkening Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Angels' Glory Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson So Many Stars The Best of Kathleen Battle Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart ASIN: B000002RNM Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Music By John Dowland: Come Again! Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
2. Music By John Dowland: Allemande (Guitar Solo)
3. Music By John Dowland: What If I Never Speed?
4. Music By John Dowland: Galliard (Guitar Solo)
5. Music By John Dowland: Fine Knacks For Ladies
6. Ave Maria
7. Bachianas Brasileiras No.5: Aria
8. Coleccion De Tonadillas: La Maja De Goya
9. Three Brazilian Songs: Boi-Bumba
10. Three Brazilian Songs: Azulao
11. Three Brazilian Songs: Para Ninar
12. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Cancion
13. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Nana
14. Three Spanish Folk Songs: Seguidillia Murciana
15. Six Spirituals: Ain't Got No Time To Die
16. Six Spirituals: I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
17. Six Spirituals: Ain't That Good News!
18. Six Spirituals: Sweet Little Jesus Boy
19. Six Spirituals: This Little Light Of Mine
20. Six Spirituals: Ride On King Jesus

Customer Reviews:

Enjoying The Pleasures of K. Battle & C. Parkening.......2007-05-06

Whether you are very familiar with these two artists or have never heard either one, you will delight in this musical collaboration. Only a guitarist of Christopher Parkening's stature could be the ideal accompaniment to the perfection of Kathleen Battle's voice. The music ranges from selections by John Dowland to American spirituals, Bach/Gounod, Villa-Lobos, Granados and some Spanish folk songs. The result is a coherent, soothing and utterly delightful listening experience. You will revisit this album often, and always be glad that you have it. For fans of Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening, I think it is a must.

Great blending of the talents of two top-notch artists in their respective fields. Parkening on the guitar and Battle singing........2006-01-31

We always enjoyed seeing and hearing Battle in concerts, usually on the television and Parkening has been a favorite guitarist. To listen to these two fine artists in concert is a real treat.

Superb technique, emotionally flat, but enjoyable even so........2005-05-25

I can't imagine these songs being performed with any greater technical brilliance than they are by Parkening and Battle on this CD. Both are virtuosos, him in the guitar, her the voice. Their skill is particularly apparent in the Dowland songs, the "Ave Maria", and the Bachianas brasileiras no. 5 (for me, the high point of the recording), which are all in a formal style well suited to the talents of the performers.

I compare the Brazilian songs to the version recorded by Salli Terri with Laurindo Almeida in the late '50's on "Duets with Spanish Guitar", which I have listened to repeatedly since I first heard it in 1959. Battle's phrasing, enunciation, and vocal skill are far superior to Terri's, but Terri brought a level of emotion to her singing that Battle seems to lack. Where Battle's perfection enhances her superb performances of the Dowland and Villa-Lobos pieces, it seems to detract from her performance of the Brazilian folk pieces.

I find this to be true again in the spirituals - vocal perfection and control detracting from the "soul" required to bring out the "spiritual" feeling. Imagine these same pieces sung by Mahalia Jackson or Aretha Franklin and you'll understand my point.

Parkening's performance has the same quality - technical virtuosity, especially noticeable in his lute-like technique in the Dowland solo - but lacking in emotional depth.

The classical selections are highly recommended, the folk pieces a bit disappointing, but overall an enjoyable recording.

ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.......2004-03-19

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BATTLE ALBUMS, HER SWEET VOICE IS ACCOMPAINED BY THE GUITAR VIRTUOSO CHRISTOPHER PARKENING, TOGETHER CREATE A TENDER, DELIGHTFUL & BEAUTIFUL LISTENING EXPERIENCE. BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS N- 5 HAS IT`S BEST PERFORMANCE IN THIS CD.

Fans will be delighted!.......2003-08-25

Fans, maybe, but I must say I'm not a huge fan of Kathleen Battle or opera or songs in different languages, either. My mom is, though. And through her I have heard Kathleen's best. And her very best (if you ask me) is one of the tracks ON THIS CD titled "Ain't that good news," even though it should be called "Ain'ta dat good news," since that is how its sung. It is a really good song (ask anybody) with a little surprise high-note at the end. If I were you I would (if not buy this CD right here and now) then go to [a book store] and see if their computers will let you hear "Ain't that good news" because that song is great.

Average customer rating: The 80s Bob Ezrin ain't the 70s Bob Ezrin. Ted Nugent is present here. Underrated? Yes. Thes Best? Yes. Hard rockers and breath-taking ballads Sounds Great to Me

Count Three and Pray Berlin Manufacturer: Geffen Gold Line Sp. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Alternative General | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | New Wave | Alternative Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Alternative 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: Love Life Pleasure Victim 4Play Voyeur Berlin - Greatest Hits Remixed ASIN: B000000OYD Release Date: 1996-03-19

Tracks:

1. Will I Ever Understand You
2. You Don't Know
3. Like Flames
4. Heartstrings
5. Take My Breath Away
6. Trash
7. When Love Goes To War
8. Hideaway
9. Sex Me, Talk Me
10. Pink And Velvet

Customer Reviews:

The 80s Bob Ezrin ain't the 70s Bob Ezrin........2006-02-16

If you hate the so-called Pink Floyd album, "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" (and why wouldn't you?) there's more than one reason for that. It isn't just that Floyd lacked their primary songwriter, it's that they had Bob Ezrin in the producer's chair. Unfortunately, Ezrin had discovered how to get the "huge" sound. And before he landed that choice gig, he worked some of that hugeness hoodoo on Berlin.

Everything sounds huge here. Huge snare. Huge bass. Huge Terri Nunn hollering hugely. Huge grunting guitar power-chording powerfully. Wiggly whammy-bar solos whackering wildly. No "backing vocals" here -- it's a "choir." Everything is bigger. Didn't Peter Gabriel write a song about this? I don't think people realized he meant to be critical.

Stop bashing me over the head, please. I get the point: Bob's a very, very talented boy! Yes he is, he IS!!

The Bob Ezrin of the 1970s, who produced dynamic, spine-tingling albums like Lou Reed's "Berlin", or the original Pink Floyd's "The Wall", would seem to be gone, listening to this album. Perhaps he's calmed down nowadays.

The three stars are for two great John Crawford tunes ("Will I Ever Understand You"; "Trash") and the wonderful closer, "Pink And Velvet." Ezrin's pal David Gilmour is just phoning it in here, but the amazing Terri Nunn nails every single syllable just dead-on.

Some may miss the claustrophobic, lonely-in-a-little-room feeling of "Pleasure Victim" (see my five-star review) . . . John Crawford wrote all the tunes . . . Terri sounded sweeter with that hint of insecurity in her voice . . . but I guess we can never get a sequel to perfection.

Ted Nugent is present here........2005-08-22

Odd as it may seem, Ted Nugent plays on this Berlin album. Fits in rather nicely, I must say. Buy it!

Underrated? Yes. Thes Best? Yes........2004-07-27

The last Berlin album of the 80s shines strong and proud with several great songs including "Will I Ever Understand You", "sex Me Talk Me" "When Love Goes to War", with even the hit song "Take My Breath Away". Although the style of Berlin changed, I think it's all for the better. Terri Nunn's strong and assertive vocals still shine bright, and in some songs such as the ballad "Pink and Velvet" you'll think, "Wow, this is fantastic". Highly Recommended

Hard rockers and breath-taking ballads.......2004-02-18

By the time Berlin released Count Three And Pray, they were a trio consisting of Terri Nunn, Rob Brill, and John Crawford. The keyboard exercises of "No More Words" and "Masquerade" are no longer present, chunking most of the synth keyboards for some heavy guitars and pounding drums. And having someone who produced KISS's Destroyer helped.

The slow and moody "You Don't Know" features three Japanese instruments, the biwa (lute) shakuhachi (vertical bamboo flute), and koto (long zither).

The song that finally got me to get this album is "Like Flames," whose marching bass and roaring guitar signalling the hard rock sound producer Bob Ezrin used when he produced KISS. The struggle between the weak and the strong, the needers and commanders underline an overall gloomy feel: "We never learn but we know too well/Heaven's died and gone to Hell." One of their best songs.

There are four non-singles that really grabbed me due to their sound. The mid-paced "Heartstrings" of the whirlwind of emotions at the moment and morning after shines from tight instrumentation and a catchy chorus. I don't know who does guitar here, but it's impressive.

The immortal "Take My Breath Away" with that memorable throbbing bass keyboard, was their only #1 single and began life on the Top Gun soundtrack. This also turned up on their greatest hits collection.

With chugging and wailing heavy guitars set to a quasi-power pop/punk rhythm, "Trash" endorses those to live it up and have fun, and not to worry, as one can live with one's past.

"There's no happy ending when love goes to war" goes a bit of "When Love Goes To War." This call to talk things out instead of ending it with finality has some Cold War stylings: "give me the time I'll show you I'm not your enemy/let's end the cold war." The pounding drums and throbbing rhythm guitar harken to early KISS.

"Hideaway" is just as heart-tugging a ballad as "Take My Breath Away" calling for a sad and lonely one to free oneself from trapping of fashion (the mask) and unmask oneself to freedom and a needed friend. One of my favourite songs.

"I'll wear pink and velvet for you" sings Nunn in the final ballad ending this album, "Pink And Velvet" a song avowing mutual love and support in lieu of drugs: "The needle was our life, our hope, our trust turning into dust." The airy keyboards are a plus here. Also benefits from Missing Persons' Patrick O'Hearn's fretless bass and Dave Gilmour's unmistakable guitar.

There are many guitarists who help out here, such as Ted Nugent, Elliott Easton, and Dave Gilmour. The majority of this album was produced by Bob Ezrin, best known for producing KISS's Destroyer and Music From The Elder. Notable is how the songwriting is separate instead of collective, the exception being "Heartstrings."

The reference "Mo says play it loud" found in the album cover comes from Mo of the Pep Boys, the car commercials, as I learned from Nunn in an MTV interview promoting the album. With the exception of two not too mentionable songs, the rest of the album rocks out or sings out to the heart. So why Count Three And Pray? Well, maybe it's a reference to the fact that they were a trio, or maybe that it's their third album. Whatever the case, a strong album but one that led to dissolution and Terri Nunn's solo album years later.

Sounds Great to Me.......2004-01-26

Pleasure Victim, Love Life, and this work are all well worth a listen. And the prices are just fantastic! I thought I'd be plunking down full price and Belin is here at "bargain bin" prices. I can't recall every song on this one of the top of my head, but the sound is not all that different from the harder rocking songs on Love Life. Personally, "Like Flames" and "Will I Ever Understand You" are just incredible songs, and I'm interested to hear "Pink and Velvet" if Gilmore plays on it also. "Take My Breath Away" is a #1 single, it's worth including too, though for those of us who were fans of the early lyrics ("Torture" is worthy of a cover by Manson or Reznor) this one does come off as a little tame. Or at least on first listen. You take my breath away ... all of it?

Average customer rating: oh my goodness Exellent 1930's style swinging gospel A "NEWLY DISCOVERED" BUT OLD LEGACY Gospel / Spiritual Harmony Fan Doesn't live up to "Standing in the Safety Zone"

I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray The Fairfield Four Manufacturer: Word Entertainment ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Standing in the Safety Zone Wreckin' the House (Live at Mt. Hope) Live from Mountain Stage The Best of the Blind Boys Beautiful Stars ASIN: B000002NHD Release Date: 1997-09-09

Tracks:

1. Noah
2. These Bones
3. Come On In This House
4. There Must Be A City
5. Get Away Jordon
6. I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
7. That Day Is Done
8. Help For The Needy (Today)
9. Shadrack
10. Four And Twenty Elders
11. Amazing Grace/Prodigal Son

Amazon.com

In the '40s, a cappella gospel bands like the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Five Blind Boys were all over the radio. But after Soul Stirrers singer Sam Cooke switched from gospel to soul, the bands faded out, and until the Fairfield Four's reunion in the late '80s, it was almost impossible to hear new installments of this thrilling spiritual music. I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray is the 1997 follow-up to the band's 1992 comeback album, and even nonbelievers will have trouble avoiding a spiritual experience when the singers' voices touch each other the right way. Elvis Costello (who writes fawning liner notes) and Pam Tillis show up for guest vocals, but they can't match the power of the Four's "There Must Be a City." --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews:

oh my goodness.......2006-06-12

I don't normally listen to this type of music, but I just heard this CD at full blast on a $40,000 (yes, forty-thousand dollar) home stereo system ...

... and ... I was just totally blown away. Not by the volume, but by the intensity of the soul. I then borrowed the CD and listened to it in my car, but my car stereo couldn't do it justice.

If you ever have access to a very very nice home stereo system (the kind where the speakers cost around $3,000 each), buy this CD just so you can hear how it was meant to be heard. I don't think it's meant for a cheap stereo, unless you just like the meanings of the lyrics.

As for now, yeah I thought the lyrics were nice, but hearing this on a very nice stereo system at first made me think "man, this is dumb music" for about five seconds, then it made me think "oh my God, this sounds incredible" from then on.

Exellent 1930's style swinging gospel.......2004-12-28

Thier harmonies are reminiscent of the Mills Brothers of the 1930's. Appealing harmonies, swinging syncopated rhythms, and loads of style and class!!! The highlight here is Get Away Jordan, which has a James P. Johnson style stride piano player, and female vocal reminiscent of Connee Boswell, and the Mills Brothers of the 30's! This cd is gospel with more then a touch of blues and swing music! Only That day Is Done is a dud, a 60's sounding soul ballad, however the rest of teh album is so good and full of the Holy Spirit annointing, it is amazing. REVIVAL TODAY!!! Praise God, Glory to God, Jesus is Lord!!!

A "NEWLY DISCOVERED" BUT OLD LEGACY.......2002-06-28

Frankly, until the release of " O BROTHER,WHERE ART THOU?," I am ashamed to say that I'd never heard of the Fairfield Four. Once I saw that film and bought the soundtrack, I sought out other Fairfield Four recordings, and have not been disappointed; conversely, I've been DELIGHTED! This particular CD is pure Heaven. It's fun, it's moving, and so unlike anything I've ever heard before. It will put the "Holy Spirit" in you regardless of your religious beliefs!
The sincerity of the sound, and the feeling of faith with which it is sung, makes one feel both happy and hopeful. I'm glad that I bought it; you will be, too.

Gospel / Spiritual Harmony Fan.......2000-05-22

If you like "Standing in the Safety Zone," don't buy this one. Gone is the warmth and smooth harmony; The biggest dispointment is that you can barely hear the original Fairfield Four, especially with the newer male singer who yells, screams, and growls, which creates more dissonance than group harmony.

Doesn't live up to "Standing in the Safety Zone".......1999-03-05

I listened to this CD with great anticipation after enjoying over and over again, "Standing in the Safety Zone." I was disappointed. In "Standing ...", I loved how the songs were performed and how each song had a personality all its own. In this CD it sounds like they are reduced to background vocals for the guest artists. A lot of repetition and the songs didn't really go anywhere. I felt myself anticipating the great harmonies and group vocals of the first CD, but only heard flashes of the Fairfield Four, not whole songs. Too much guest artists and not enough Fairfield Four. If you have "Standing in the Safety Zone" don't bother buying this CD, cherish the one you have.

Average customer rating: OK Great CD Great worship CD! Very Good An enjoyable album.

Pray Rebecca St. James Manufacturer: Forefront ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: God Transform Worship God If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something Wait for Me: The Best from Rebecca St. James ASIN: B00000DCEK Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

1. Pray
2. OK
3. Give Myself Away
4. Hold Me Jesus
5. I'll Carry You
6. Come Quickly Lord
7. Peace
8. Mirror
9. Lord You're Beautiful
10. Love To Love You
11. Omega

Amazon.com

There's a beauty to the rawness of Rebecca St. James. While her contemporaries in the Christian market ply their formulaic-sounding wares, St. James continues to go where few artists, if any, have gone before. On Pray, her fourth album, the young Australian singer meshes Euro-industrial with charismatic Christian for a mind-bending (if not soul-bending) experience. Producer Tedd T. offers the right blend of programming, melodic rock, and St. James's powerful vocals on the opening title track as well as the brilliant "Come Quickly Lord" and "Peace." While the covers of Rich Mullins's "Hold Me Jesus" and Keith Green's "Lord You're Beautiful" provide new treatments to old standards, it is the numbers penned by St. James and Tedd T. that stand out. Don't miss the haunting final number, "Omega," or the mystery track beyond. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews:

OK.......2007-01-19

Rebecca's album "God" is a classic but this album isn't as good as it, nearly! Sure, there's great songs like "Pray", "Love to Love You", "I'll Carry You", and "Mirror" but there's quite simple songs too, such as "Hold Me Jesus", "Peace", "Lord You're Beautiful", and "OK" (the keyboards like in Depeche Mode songs) that don't deserve much attention! The last song "Omega" is a great one and it's a nice way to finish this album! Rebecca has such a great song and I only hope that they would have produced this album better and made better ideas!
Stars: Pray, Love to Love You, I'll Carry You

Great CD.......2006-03-01

I really loved this CD. What I love about Rebecca is that she is herself; she doesn't try to be like "the world" (notice quotation marks) to get your attention.

1. Pray- A song that starts out with some violens, then just explodes. It is a very passionate song and just well done.

2. Ok- An okay song, though not my favorite. It is kind of quiet, and I favor her pop/rock sound. She just has that kind of voice.

3. Give Myself Away- Another great song. I loved the chorus. The music reminded me of old school rock.

4. Hold Me Jesus- A beautiful song that describes a person at her wits end.

5. I'll Carry You- KICKIN'! This song has another good message of friendship. Plus, it rocks.

6. Come Quickly Lord- Well written, well sung, well played...awesome.

7. Peace- Not my favorite, but I loved the message. The song sounds very professional and well written again.

8. Mirror- Alas, not a favorite song for me. It just doesn't sound like her.

9. Lord, you're beautiful- The song opens quiet, but then at the chorus starts to rock

10. Love to love you- A sweet song about loving God.

11. Omega- I loved this song, and it was a perfect ending to the album.

So, with that said, this oldskool album is very good. So, go buy it.

Great worship CD!.......2005-08-09

I love this CD not just for its catchy songs but for the worshipful atmosphere it creates whenever I listen to it. I get frustrated with "Christian" music that does nothing more than induce a vaguely cheerful emotion. I want music that focuses my mind and heart on the Lord, not on my emotions. Pray does just that with lyrics that praise and honor God. I also appreciate the fact that Rebecca St. James' lyrics are simple to remember - after just a few times of hearing her songs, I find myself singing them all day! Be sure not to miss the hidden song "Be Thou My Vision" on the last track. It is the best version of the best hymn I have heard to date. I highly recommend this CD and would like to thank Ms. St. James for offering a CD that gives glory to the Lord God.

Very Good.......2005-03-07

Pray features Rebecca's beautiful voice with very uplifting lyrics. I listened to this recently after not having played it for a couple of years. I have ended up listening to it several times since then.

There are several songs on it that are very good and none that aren't enjoyable. I particularly like 'Pray' and 'Come Quickly Lord'. If you like Rebecca's music, you should definitely enjoy this. If you are not familiar with her, it is not a bad place to start.

An enjoyable album........2004-06-06

The first time I had ever heard of Rebecca was when I saw her live. I can't remember the exact date but it was in Kamloops, BC. She had just released Pray and I was skeptical going to see her as myself, am not a religious person. But boy, did I have a good time!

Not only did she play a long and brilliant set, there were many times when she'd take time-outs for chats with the audience and made it a really enjoyable experience. She was signing autographs after the show and not having any Rebecca merchandise myself, bought Pray and got her to sign it. She was friendly and endearing and I really enjoyed meeting her.

Years after purchasing Pray (and not having listened to it in a while), my respect and general like for Rebecca and her music are still there entirely, if not more. It's one of those albums that you still ENJOY after years passing.

Rebecca has an interesting way of incorporating worship with catchy lyrics and her diverse euro-pop sound. Her voice is strong and inviting and always leaves the ears wanting more and the rare thing is, you feel that way after each song. I always feel that everything with turn out okay in the end after I'm finished listening to Pray and it's an album that really makes me feel hopeful about the future.

It's hard to inspire people that much through music and Rebecca is someone that definitely inspires through Pray and I'm sure she will through whatever else she has done or will do. It's an album that at least deserves a listen to whether you're a religious person or not, because her lyrics still inspire the non-believers.

Average customer rating: Wendy Carlos - 'Tron' (Disney) If You Liked the Movie, You'll Love this Album EXCELLENT! The sounds need the sights A fantastic soundtrack for a pioneer CGI movie

Tron Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Anime & Video Game Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tron (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition) Sonic Seasonings + [Enhanced CD] Secrets of Synthesis Rediscovering Lost Scores, Vol. 1 Rediscovering Lost Scores, Vol. 2 ASIN: B00005V8J7 Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

1. Creation Of TRON
2. Only Solutions - Journey
3. We've Got Company
4. Wormhole
5. Ring Game And Escape
6. Water, Music, And Tronaction
7. TRON Scherzo
8. Miracle and Magician
9. Magic Landings
10. Theme From TRON
11. 1990's Theme - Journey
12. Love Theme
13. Tower Music - Let Us Pray
14. The Light Sailer
15. Sea Of Simulation
16. A New TRON And The MCP
17. Anthem
18. Ending Titles
19. TRONaction (Original Version)
20. Break In (For Strings, Flutes, And Celesta) - The London Philharmoic Orchestra
21. Anthem For Keyboard Solo

Amazon.com

Disney's pioneering 1982 effort in computer animation has garnered a small but devoted cult audience, despite--or perhaps because of--its now-dated, rudimentary vid-game aesthetic. But while designers Jean Giraud and Syd Mead gave its visual design a certain streamline moderne panache, its musical score attempts a similar back-to-the-future fusion with somewhat more mixed results. Given the composer's often chilling, landmark synthesized score work a decade earlier on Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange, Wendy Carlos seemed like an apt choice for Tron. But without her previous collaborator's taste for Beethoven, Elgar, and Rossini, Carlos's instincts wend from atmospheric, 20th-century European modernism to cheesy '50s B-film melodramatics, with the sonic limitations of '80s synth technology sometimes a burden. Still, those fond of her solo work and collaboration with Kubrick on Orange (and The Shining) will find familiar charms in "Water, Music, and TRONaction," "TRONscherzo" and "Theme from TRON." But Journey's "Only Solutions" and now all-too-ironic "1990's Theme" further fix the score firmly in the '80s. This debut CD-release of the score also features three bonus tracks, the original "TRONaction" and two other unused cues, including a solo synth rendition of the film's anthem. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Wendy Carlos - 'Tron' (Disney).......2007-06-26

I'm honestly not all that familiar with the extended catalog of electronic music pioneer Carlos has done outside of her 'Clockwork Orange' and 'Tales Of Heaven And Hell' releases (see my reviews of both), but I was sort of taken with 'Tron'. This is music 'from the future, with a vision'. Really dug the two cuts scored from Journey here, "Only Solutions" and "1990's Theme". 'Tron' may be considered by some to be a bit bizarre, but should be pretty enjoyable to most. Do check this soundtrack out when you can. You won't regret it.

If You Liked the Movie, You'll Love this Album.......2006-12-30

This was the only work of Wendy Carlos I've ever heard, and I thought it was great! For the time period the movie was made in, this music was amazing and ahead of it's time. Watching the movie and listening to the soundtrack go hand-in-hand--I don't think this soundtrack would stand too well on its own. However, for those who've seen Tron, every song will be exciting.

The blending of synth and orchestral music was very well done--so much so that I didn't ever notice it until listening to the soundtrack the first time in my iPod headphones. Every song has a unique blend of synth/live orchestra.

The only reason I gave the CD 4 stars instead of 5 is because it isn't one of those albums that you can listen to over and over again. Rather, listen one or two times, then put it on the shelf, then bring it out again at some later time. The Journey songs on the CD (and in the movie) were defintely not the band's best, so don't get the album just because you're a Journey fan. I'm glad Disney finally published this CD!

EXCELLENT!.......2004-07-15

Etant fan de "TRON", j'ai eu un trés grand plaisir a posséder la BOF de Wendy Carlos.La musique est tous simplement génial et un grand MERCI pour AMAZON.CA ,car sans eux, mon réve devenez impossible.

The sounds need the sights.......2004-07-02

While I felt the music of 'Tron' melded quite well with the film's action and scenes and set the right tone for the most part, the music by itself doesn't sound all that interesting to me. Ms. (formerly Mister) Carlos' work requires the movie's visual cues to help it really stand out. Without the visual element, the score is kinda droning, and rarely catches my attention while I'm listening to it and performing some other task-- like writing a new product review for example. It's almost like I'm not listening to anything at all. Not helping matters is the pair of sub-par Journey tunes. I guess Disney didn't wanna shell out the big bucks to get the rights to a few of their decent songs...

Bottom line: if ya wanna listen to this soundtrack, buy the Tron DVD (the 2-disc Special Edition of course, which can be found at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005OCMR/qid=1088712198/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-6699831-0404821?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846) and listen to it while watching the movie. You'll get much more auditory enjoyment listening to the score in this manner, believe you me...

'Late

A fantastic soundtrack for a pioneer CGI movie.......2004-01-24

It took 9 years for Disney to release the original soundtrack for Tron. But the wait was all the more worthwhile. When I saw the movie way back in 82, I was entralled by its computer animation, but noticed the soundtrack was equally impressive. Like the movie itself, the music was a pioneer of its kind, with an emphasis on synthesizer composition, while there was a mix of orchestral music in the soundtrack. The electronic music is what makes it so special and it creates a truly cyberspace feel for the movie. It sounds not just futuristic, but the variations in the music generate different moods for the plot. I like most of the pieces in the soundtrack, but I think 'Theme from Tron' and the 'Love Theme' stand out, and the 'Anthem' is one of my favorites. Needless to say the synthesizer music throughout the soundtrack manages to stand the test of time, even though the 2 tracks by Journey do sound pretty dated by today's standard. But those 2 songs are still pretty good considering they are from 1982.
Wendy Carlos managed to create music that suits the movie to the T. The electronic music is full of harmony. I can listen to the soundtrack time and again and still not get tired of it, because it still sounds futuristic more than 20 years after it was composed. I recommend this soundtrack to all those who have seen the movie, as well as those who enjoy electronic music.

Average customer rating: LIVE; you never know what's going to come up! Yay!!!! Another +Live+ masterpiece!!!!! Very enjoyable album BIRDS OF PRAY Great album

Birds of Pray (Bonus DVD) Live Manufacturer: Mca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: V Mental Jewelry The Distance to Here Secret Samadhi Awake: The Best of Live (Deluxe Version - CD/DVD) ASIN: B000093FKB Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

1. Heaven
2. She
3. The Sanctity Of Dreams
4. Run Away
5. Life Marches On
6. Like I Do
7. Sweet Release
8. Everytime I See Your Face
9. Lighthouse
10. River Town
11. Out To Dry
12. Bring The People Together
13. What Are We Fighting For?

Amazon.com

Live was originally labeled the poor man's U2, thanks to their anthemic choruses and earnest spirituality. Unlike the Irish superstars, however, the Pennsylvania quartet have found what they're looking for on their sixth album. Singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk proclaims in "Heaven" that he not only has gotten his faith back, but also has seen God in his infant daughter and a sunset. Gooey sentiments, perhaps, but Kowalczyk delivers them with a sweet sincerity that delivers a solid psychic punch. The band seemed to have lost its way around the turn of the century by embroidering their trademark guitar-heavy sound with an abundance of frivolous loops, gadgetry, and gratuitous fretwork. This time out, they thankfully reverted back to basics, throwing out the trashy keyboards and again pounding out their rhythmically charged rock. Kowalczyk is also writing less ponderous lyrics. The singer has found his salvation in love, which has softened his stern demeanor and given his stream-of-consciousness songs a playful spin not heard before on a Live record. --Jaan Uhelszki

Album Details

The Veteran Band Return to the Fray with an Album that Gets them Back to their Roots. The Set was Produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Something Corporate) and "Heaven" Leads off the Album and the Anticipated String of Singles. This Special Edition Includes a Bonus Dvd with Live Tracks Recorded During the the 2002 Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands.

Customer Reviews:

LIVE; you never know what's going to come up!.......2006-04-12

I enjoyed this album as I do all LIVE albums, though it is my least favourite offering so far, if only because some of the songs sounded like they were trying too hard to be 'LIVE-like'...and because unlike most LIVE albums, this one does not read like a book; a progression of songs from one end to the other that tells a consistent story. Instead it seems more like a haphazard collection of songs written while on tour. However it is growing on me, song by song; or rather some of the songs are growing on me at different paces, unlike with, say,'V',where I dismissed the whole first half of the album at first blush, only to have it explode in my consciousness as a whole two listens later as a cohesive narrative of confusion and anger fading to hopeful Love.

For me, 'Pray's progression was of standouts like the powerful 'SHE' and the haunting indictment 'What Are We Fighting For?', then the creepers; the haunting ballad to Jesus, 'River Town' first crawled up into my psyche like a determined mouse and then ate away at my resistance bit by bit (I now absolutely ADORE this song!), then 'Sweet Release' struck me as wonderful. 'Run Away' was already a good road song, only improving with Shelby Lynne's backup/duo vocals n the Best Of version. 'Out To Dry', 'Like I Do', 'Lighthouse', 'Everytime I See Your Face' and 'Sanctity of Dreams' took a little longer, but I've found something to love in them as well, in that order. On the other hand, 'Heaven' has always seemed too radio-friendly to me, and the frantic 'Life Marches On', and overwrought 'Bring the People Together' were the ones that felt like they were trying too hard...the lyrics and melody just never seemed to match up in my mind. This inconsistency for me was the reason this could never be my favourite LIVE album; but then Ed calls it 'the sound of a band restarting its engines'...so here's hoping the progressionwill be smoother in 'Songs From Black Mountain'; an album that already sounds like it will have its commercialised aspects, but also flashes of the old introspective/spiritually inquisitive LIVE I love and treasure.

The bonus DVD of live songs was a wonderful sugar on the cake; at first I enjoyed this far more than the CD, since I have not had the opportunity to enjoy my favourite act live; and seeing Ed's connection with the Dutch fans makes me understand better why it is that he loves playing to them so much. US fans may not 'get' his lyrics because they aren't selling out enough, Brits may not 'get' the lack of razor-sharp sarcastic wit in the music and ethos; but the Dutch seem to 'get' both lyrics and music, and to appreciate both band and message as they are. Maybe I'm a Dutch LIVE fan in spirit, misplaced to the US by some cosmic accident, LOL.

A lot of people (read: critics) slam this band for,(A) having an 'inconsistent recording history' (a criticism that only holds up in 'Birds of Pray' in my lexicon), or (B) being from the grunge era.

My rebuttal to (A) is: Too many folk in the music business can't seem to get past the biggest selling album disease; they compare all later efforts to the one that broke the charts. I personally wouldn't have remained a LIVE fan of this degree throughout the years if all they had done was release a 'Throwing Copper' clone every couple of years. I happen to LIKE the fact that LIVE gives the money-driven industry the finger and goes on growing and evolving--and letting their music evolve WITH their lives and ideas--without regard to trying to duplicate the public success of their best known effort. This rather punk ethos (for a solid rock band anyway) is called 'not pandering to the moneymen' and 'artistic integrity over public consumption'. The subsequent albums have sold well, though they haven't had the lucky timing that 'Throwing Copper' had to fit so well into what was happening in popular music at the time. Only jaded critics who care only about numbers would call these modest successes 'failures' only because they weren't 'Throwing Copper's with different covers. Far too many bands and artists have been murdered by their labels forcing or pressuring them to recycle, rerecord, and play the same stuff that won them accolades in their breakthrough efforts, regardless of whether they had since grown or changed; in the process losing that edge of anger or wonder or whatever it was that first captured the public imagination. LIVE has chosen to be comfortable with the fans that 'get' them rather than allowing someone to force them into an artistically stultifying mould for the sake of sales alone; this is called 'not selling out', and for taking that risk I applaud them.

As for (B): Though they happened to have emerged into the public eye in the same era as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, et al, LIVE never really fit the grunge model with anything but a tendency to ignore the interview and paparazzi angle of business (ie they refused to whore themselves out to the media, instead preferring to concentrate on the MUSIC, shocking though that may be!), and a wonderful sort of ambivalent anger at the socio-religious status quo. This anger was the reason many folk loved 'Throwing Copper', and dislike later albums, in which the anger has faded to a message of Hope and Unconditonal Love. If consistent anger without growth is what these folk are looking for, then obviously a band that grows and changes is not for them. And for those who call lead singer Ed Kowalczyk a Kurt Cobain wannabe; they have obviously never listened for a moment to the lyrics and melodic spirit of his songs anyway.

Which brings me to another main criticism of LIVE. Some folk are turned off by the overt spirituality of Ed's lyrics, calling it 'preachy'. Critics also slam LIVE for their lyrics, saying "if we wanted preaching, we'd go to church". But EddieK is not preaching; he neverdoes. What he is doing is sharing the most intimate moments of his life: the moments when the Spirit touched him and made him whole; and in knowing how that feels, how uplifting it is in a moment of confusion, I find these lyrics inspiring.

As a long-term Live fan, I find them life-altering; and in fact, this fourth album, 'Distance to Here', quite literally saved my life. Many I've spoken to feel the same way; for though Live as a band name is hard to 'google', the FriendsofLive are out there and being uplifted daily by the work the band, and EddieK with his lyrics in particular, do. They make the world better just by being in it...and by being willing to SHARE! If communication and understanding can save the world, then Live are right on the avant guarde, with U2, the Indigo Girls, and a few others.

So all I can say for those critical minds who find Live's lyrics 'pretentious and sentimental' and 'drippy softcore preachery'... for them I can feel only pity, for as far as I am concerned, the message of Love is one for everyone, if we can but let it in. If the lyrics don't speak to these people, fine; but they do speak to some of us; so deeply that they bring tears to our eyes. So the fact that these critics are arrogant enough tell everyone they meet not to bother listening long enough to make their own decision/connection (or not) with the music, to me, is a sin. Just because they got nothing out of it, doesn't mean we are all alike...thank God! Yes, we are all different...but Love is Love.
Thank you EddieK and Live, for lifting me up.

Yay!!!! Another +Live+ masterpiece!!!!!.......2005-10-24

Live rocks, and so does this album. I love how through this amazing band's 13 year career, they always change, but in some ways, haven't changed since "Mental Jewelry". The lyrics, oh the lyrics, in this album are amazing. Every song is crafted like a pop song (V1, Ch, V2, Ch,Bridge, Ch) but so perfectly. You won't even care. Every one of the musicians play excuisitly. The guitars are loud, bass is catchy, and the drums are never predictable...Just like all their other cds. These songs are just plain fun to listen to. You'll listen as much as their others. I was very pleastly surprised by it. I thought that it would be a pathetic attempt to fit in with the stuff coming out in '03, but it isn't. Live stay true to their fans, and have come out with great music and pefect song writing.
I highly recommend this album.
3rd best one.

Very enjoyable album.......2005-02-16

Can we stop comparing albums to other albums? A great band not only creates great music consistently, but evolves over time. With the exception of "V", all of Live's records have been great and also different! No, it may not be as good as Throwing Copper, but I think it is unfair to expect a masterpiece like that to be replicated. Secret Samadhi has several excellent songs (Heropsychodreamer, Gas Hed Goes West, etc.) but also had some very boring tunes. Birds of Pray, on the other hand, is enjoyable from front to back. It says something that the lone single from the album is one of its weaker tracks.

I can't say there are many great songs on the cd, but every single one is good. Nothing groundbreaking is done here - There are no incredible drawn out guitar solos, the songs rarely depart from the traditional pop song structure (verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus), and nothing is shocking or controversial about it. What it is, however, is a collection of very catchy, often thoughtful, enjoyable songs that will tempt you to sing along and push the repeat button. It is an album to be listened to in the car, at home alone, at a party, when you are happy or depressed.

The heavy Lighthouse, political What are We Fighting For?, and Sanctity of Dreams are some of the most memorable songs in my opinion. Out to Dry is probably my favorite track. Short and sweet, it has possibly the catchiest chorus of any Live song ever.

I believe that most great albums grow better and better with each listen, and that it often takes time to truly realize and appreciate their greatness. However, if you are impatient and don't like to wait for music to grow on you, Birds of Pray would be a good investment. It's good from the first listen.

BIRDS OF PRAY.......2004-04-10

PERSONALLY I THINK BIRDS OF PRAY IS EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS THROWING COPPER. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THIS CD. IT IS ALWAYS GREAT WHEN THERE ARE SEVERAL GREAT TUNES INSTEAD OF 1 OR 2. PLUS THE DVD AT THE PINK POP IN THE NETHERLANDS IS AWESOME.

Great album.......2004-03-27

This is my first Live albim I've bought; it's so good I'm looking into more of thier albums. It rocks hard and has great melodies. If you like rock music with real singing this album is a great choice.

Album Review:

1. Prince Blimey [Import]
2. Push Pull
3. Simon & Shaker: Dual [Import] [Limited Edition]
4. Sleep
5. Slumberland
6. Snapshot [CD-single]
7. Sound for Spaces [Import]
8. Sound of Love [CD-single] [Enhanced]
9. Sounds of the Seventies [Import]
10. Stereo Sushi, Vol. 2

Album Review

album review

Album Review

Nothing Without Me, Pt. 1 [CD-single] [Import]

The Romantic Clarinet

Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras [Box set]

Music: Sudadio Giusabestia [Import]

Volumen Tres

Ultimate Death

Why Not Pray

We Did Some Things [Explicit Lyrics]

Tsubasa Chronicle: Future Soundscape V.2 [Limited Edition] [Import]

True Colors

Unique [Import]

Thoughts / Efkar

Vote Fe God

Need Your Love So Bad / Albatross (IMPORT)

Slander (And Other Love Songs)