A New Blues

About the Artist
Ernesto is 24 year old soulful singer and music maker Jonatan Bäckelie from Gothenburg, now based in Birmingham, UK.

Most recently Ernesto has been seen touring Europe and Japan with Compost Records nu jazz/broken beat pioneers Beanfield, collaborating with Swell Session (Freerange Records) and in action with Plej (pronounced 'play') from whose debut album Electronic Music from the Swedish Left Coast has been has been an underground word of mouth smash in European electronica circles. Plej's music featuring Ernesto's vocals has also been heard on the prime time TV series Six Feet Under and on Jaguar car commercials in the US.

Not content with this hectic schedule Ernesto has also been busily working away in his own studio and has now completed a most extraordinary and unexpected album. Presented to Exceptional Records as a finished album, Jonatan had previously hinted at its contents only by saying it was something he had been working on in between his many other projects. The album has turned out to be a jaw-dropping, genre-bending world away from the Beanfield/Plej/Swell Session musical axis and is a journey into a 21st century melting pot where the main ingredient was unpredictably blues but mixed with a measure of electronica and a good pinch of songwriting finesse.

Ernesto's background has been a tour across musical boundaries. Brought up by a traveling preacher father, church music was his first port of call. In fifth grade rave music got into his soul, but it was the subsequent discovery of break beat and techno which was to be the defining moment and dominant influence on his music . Eighth grade brought with it a synthesizer and a computer fast enough to serve as a music machine. Then came college, a graduation to jazz and the arrival of the new household god of Chet Baker. Some time later a new sampler arrived and a studio started to take shape. Then his girlfriend, Mimi, who communed with the Latin rhythms of Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto and Elis Regina, led him astray. And then came the blues....

Product Description
Ernesto's ground-breaking album A New Blues is just that, a 10 track introduction to a new way of recording and performing an infectious and highly contemporary form of blues, a new blues made by a daringly eclectic, boundary-defying young music maker who prefers to record his music without a net.

A New Blues,Ernesto,Exceptional,Contemporary Jazz,Crossover Jazz,Jazz,Jazz-Pop,Pop

Average customer rating: Great soundtrack Great Blues music is life bluestastic Wonderful Soundtrack!

Black Snake Moan Manufacturer: New West Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Delta Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Black Snake Moan 10 Days Out (Blues from the Backroads)/ (CD/DVD) Death Proof Old School Grindhouse: Planet Terror ASIN: B000L211NC Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

1. Opening Theme / Scott Bomar
2. Ain't But One Kind Of Blues / Son House
3. Just Like A Bird Without A Feather / Samuel L Jackson
4. When The Lights Go Out / The Black Keys
5. Standing In My Doorway Crying / Jesse Mae Hemphill
6. Chicken Heads / Bobby Rush
7. Black Snake Moan / Samuel L Jackson
8. Morning Train / Precious Bryant
9. The Losing Kind / John Doe
10. Lord Have Mercy On Me / Outragious Cherry
11. Ronnie and Rae's Theme / Scott Bomar
12. The Chain / Scott Bomar
13. Alice Mae / Samuel L Jackson
14. Stack-O-Lee / Samuel L Jackson
15. Old Black Mattie / R.L. Burnside
16. That's Where The Blues Started / Son House
17. Mean Ol' Wind Died Down / North Mississippi Allstars

Amazon.com

This soundtrack to the film written and directed by Craig Brewer is as steeped in the Southern blues as his Hustle and Flow was in hip-hop. The biggest surprise here is how well actor Samuel L. Jackson (who seems to have a thing for "Snake" films) holds his own as a blues singer against selections from Son House and R.L. Burnside. He sounds like a throwback to the classic Delta bluesmen on "Just Like a Bird Without a Feather," does a convincing take on the Blind Lemon Jefferson title track, and rocks the juke joint on "Alice Mae" and a down-and-dirty recasting of "Stack-O-Lee." Produced by the Bo-Keys' Scott Bomar (who also scored Brewer's previous movie), the 17-cut soundtrack features a kaleidoscopic array of blues, from the primal throb of the Black Keys' "When the Lights Go Out" and the funk of Bobby Rush's classic "Chicken Heads" to the spiritual lilt of Precious Bryant's "Morning Train" and the North Mississippi Allstars' expansive finale, "Mean Ol' Wind Died Down." --Don McLeese

Album Description

Black Snake Moan, the latest film from Hustle And Flow director Craig Brewer, tells a tale of love, betrayal, sex and salvation. It stars Samuel L Jackson, Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake. The film take place in Memphis, Tennessee and the local blues music from the area is a central part of the movie.

The soundtrack includes some classic and current blues artists including Son House, R.L. Burnside, North Mississippi Allstars and the singing debut of Samuel L Jackson.

While the Black Snake Moan soundtrack presents the best musical moments of the movie, as a stand-alone document, its seventeen tracks weave together a raw depiction of today's North Mississippi scene: a little bit country, and a little bit rock'n'roll, both built on a bedrock of primitive blues.

The Black Snake Moan soundtrack is a must have for fans of the film, the Blues, Samuel L Jackson or just a music fan looking for something very cool.

Customer Reviews:

Great soundtrack.......2007-07-22

This is an excellent soundtrack. I loved the movie and wanted to hear more of the music. It's a good mix of mostly blues, and Samuel Jackson sings on several tracks. Great swampy blues.

Great Blues.......2007-07-19

Saw the movie and loved the music, so had to have the soundtrack. Great traditional blues from the south!

music is life.......2007-07-14

The audio CD is not as good as the DVD.
Good story - the DVD translation to audio CD dissapoints as the soul feeling isn't there. Samuel Jackson could have a second career as he did pour his soul into the music [not evident on the audio CD of Black Snake Moan.] It's another way to make us pay more dollars for what technology doesn't want to deliver/share.

I like the DVD but if I want to listen to just the music -well you'll have to decide what is more relevant to you.

Old Mississippi blues, the heart of the soul. I'd rather have the soul.

bluestastic.......2007-03-19

This soundtrack to the excellent film was obviously put together by people who both know and feel a responsibility to the blues. Samuel L Jackson adds vocals to four tracks and does an admirable job; on 'Just like a Bird Without a feather' he more than holds his own alongside classic blues singers like RL Burnside and Jessie Mae Hemphill. John Doe--from the punk band X--adds a track as well that fits in much better than one might think.

Wonderful Soundtrack!.......2007-03-11

Watching the movie I was overwhelmed by the greatness of its soundtrack, and after purchasing this CD I was pleased to see that everything still seemed as wonderful. I am not a blues afficianado, but I do appreciate good music. I think that most anyone could enjoy this soundtrack.

Average customer rating: This one is a must have!! As always.... Knock out!! Just The Best Blues Guitar Around Tab Never Disappoints

Power of the Pontchartrain Tab Benoit Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music New Orleans Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Texas Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Similar Items: Moment of Truth Solid Ice Katrina Was Her Name Close as You Get In the Palace of the King ASIN: B000Q9OD1M Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Don't Make No Sense
2. Good To Ya, Baby
3. Shelter Me
4. Power Of the Pontchartrain
5. For What It's Worth
6. Midnight And Lonesome
7. Sac-au-lait Fishing
8. Somebody's Got To Go
9. I'm Guilty Of Lovin' You
10. Addicted
11. One Foot In the Bayou

Amazon.com

Tab Benoit's album titles leave little doubt as to where he's from or the music he plays. Brother to the Blues, Fever for the Bayou, Wetlands, and now Power of the Pontchartrain exude the sweaty Louisiana swamp, blues, and R&B inherent in their names. But that only tells part of the story--the rest is in the grooves where Benoit's distinctive, grainy voice and tough Telecaster leads bring soul, grit, and intensity to a sound already infused with an earthy sensibility. There's more of the same on this disc, but that's no criticism. Benoit generally sticks with others' songs here, yet he unearths hidden gems. Julie Miller's "Midnight and Lonesome" is dragged into the murky swamps as a driving ballad with eerie qualities that live up to its name. Miller and husband Buddy are also credited with the righteous-yet-rugged gospel of "Shelter Me." "Somebody's Got to Go," originally by Lonnie Johnson, gets a crisp, frisky makeover, and even Buffalo Springfield's crusty "For What It's Worth" takes a swim in the muddy waters of Benoit's home state, with a little help of some altered, post-Katrina lyrics. The guitarist lets his Cajun influences fly on the bouncy rhythms of "Sac-Au-Lait Fishing," the album's only original, and shifts into pleading Otis Redding mode for the aching blues ballad "I'm Guilty of Lovin' You." The Chicago-by-way-of-the-Delta shuffle of "One Foot in the Bayou" is also an apt description of Benoit's approach. He touches on a variety of Americana styles, yet always keeps part of himself planted firmly in the wetlands of his roots. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews:

This one is a must have!!.......2007-07-26

Once again Tab Benoit has outdone himself! His artistry shines on this album like never before! Gritty, haunting blues in Midnight And Lonesome, High steppin, foot tappin sounds in Sac Au Lait Fishing, and heartfelt pain in I'm Guilty of Lovin You. I have been a diehard fan of Tab Benoit for many years and must say this is one of his best efforts yet. I can hardly wait to see him live on stage again!

As always...........2007-07-22

Every time you buy a Tab Benoit's CD you can be sure that you will not be disappointed. And, as always, the brand new "Power of the Pontchartrain" confirms that rule. Excellent material played extremely well by Tab and the accompanying band. This time the "Louisiana's Leroux" are the supporting band and this is not irrelevant to the great final result. In fact the band spent several years, as explained in the linear notes, with one of the greatest Louisiana blues player of all time Mr. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. The album is really very good and I would take the risk to say that from my point of view this is Tab's best effort so far. Tab's voice sounds great as always and the guitar playing is absolutely fantastic throughout the entire CD. The excellent and clean production and sound of Telarc Blues deserve a mention too. All the eleven songs in the menu are very strong and you will not be tempted to use the skip bottom of your CD player at any time, however I believe that a special mention is deserved by the great cover of the Stephen Stills' classic "For what it's worth", by the deep blues "Midnight and lonesome" that for me is the best cut of the bunch, and by the two mid tempo "Somebody got to go" and "Addicted". Very highly recommended for all the blues lovers.

Knock out!!.......2007-07-16

Popped this into my CD player in the car the minute I got it and 5 minutes later was actually saying "Holy Smokes!!" outloud. Like all his music this CD is a knock your socks off collection of music. We saw him in person this summer and he is fabulous. Got called back for 2 encores and the crowd was screaming for more. He's the greatest guitar player I've heard since Stevie Ray Vaughn and he sings too!!

Just The Best Blues Guitar Around.......2007-07-15

Folks, if you haven't had the opportunity to hear and/or see Tab Benoit, then you're missing one of the greatest blues guitarist's in today's world. This man has IT! His music is as infectious as his love for the bayous of Louisiana and the blues greats he has played with and learned from. Treat yourself to some great music when you sit back and crank it up listening to Tab sing and just wear out that Fender of his that's shown on the allbum cover. Enjoy!!

Tab Never Disappoints.......2007-07-02

I never worry when I buy a Tab Benoit CD because his material is consistently good and his style doesn't change much over time. He is a superb rhythm guitarist and songwriter and a great live performer. His Louisiana style of blues is on display again with Power of the Pontchartrain. Besides the title cut, my favorite tune is Sac-Au-Lait Fishing, which makes you want to get up and dance. I also like One Foot in the Bayou. All in all, a great CD if you like a New Orleans style blues band.

Average customer rating: Good--but it doesn't hold together for me as well as the reviews described ...it wasn't that long ago.... Sorry Ry... ry cooder at his best Ry's own voice................................

My Name Is Buddy Ry Cooder Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: West Try Me One More Time We'll Never Turn Back Stars in My Crown Live at Massey Hall (CD/DVD) ASIN: B000MDH8E6 Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

1. Suitcase in my Hand
2. Cat and Mouse
3. Strike!
4. J. Edgar
5. Footprints in the Snow
6. Sundown Town
7. Green Dog
8. The Dying Truck Driver
9. Christmas in Southgate
10. Hank Williams
11. Red Cat Till I Die
12. Three Chords and the Truth
13. My Name is Buddy
14. One Cat, One Vote, One Beer
15. Cardboard Avenue
16. Farm Girl
17. There's a Bright Side Somewhere

Amazon.com

Though this release carries the deceptive subtitle Another Record by Ry Cooder, the virtuosic guitarist and ethnomusicological adventurer has never released another album quite like this. And neither has anyone else. After brilliant side trips into the music of pre-Castro Cuba and pre-baseball Chavez Ravine, Cooder returns to the Depression-era and Dust Bowl ballads that marked his earliest solo releases of the 1970s. Yet most of this material is original, offering a populist parable of three fellow travelers: Buddy Red Cat, Lefty Mouse, and the Reverend Tom Toad. The tradition of putting pointed social commentary in the mouths of animals extends from Animal Farm to Pogo, and Buddy seems like a feline cross between Woody Guthrie and Joe Hill--a troubadour of union solidarity, interspecies brotherhood, and radical populism. Though Cooder's cartoon vocals occasionally sound a little mannered, the music throughout ranks with his best, as he reunites with conjunto accordion master Flaco Jimenez and soul singers Terry Evans and Bobby King, enlists banjo brothers Pete and Mike Seeger, and receives inspired support from the Chieftains' Paddy Moloney, pianist Van Dyke Parks, and drummers Jim Keltner and (his son) Joachim Cooder. Whether he's channeling his inner Chet Baker on "Green Dog" or closing with the utopian vision of "There's a Bright Side Somewhere," Cooder shows more sides of his multifaceted music than he has on any previous release. --Don McLeese

Album Description

On My Name Is Buddy, Ry Cooder revisits, in a new set of original material, the sound and feeling of the "dust bowl songs" he first explored more than three decades ago on such groundbreaking albums as his self-titled 1970 debut and 1971's In The Purple Valley. In fact, he's joined by old friends like pianist Van Dyke Parks and drummer Jim Keltner who were with him at the start of his extraordinary, ultimately globe-spanning musical odyssey, which has yielded him six Grammy Awards to date, several more nominations, and perennial acclaim. My Name Is Buddy is also a journey, a phantasmagorical rendering in music, words and pictures of the travels of three unlikely cohorts - Buddy Red Cat, Lefty Mouse and Reverend Tom Toad - as they meander through the west "in the days of labor, big bosses, farm failures, strikes, company cops, sundown towns, hobos and trains...the America of yesteryear." For this allegorical tale, Cooder marshals all his remarkable skills as a producer, arranger, songwriter, soundtrack composer and musicologist. (The Christian Science Monitor recently dubbed him "a modern-day Alan Lomax.") My Name Is Buddy recalls Woody Guthrie's Bound for Glory - that is, if it had been enacted by the articulate animal characters of Walt Kelly's classic comic Pogo. Cooder conjures up the dark shadows of an earlier time to wryly comment on the political and social issues of the present. As back-story to his songs, Cooder has written short stories for each one and they're accompanied by evocative illustrations from noted San Antonio-based painter and muralist Vincent Valdez, all of which are included in a specially designed package.

Customer Reviews:

Good--but it doesn't hold together for me as well as the reviews described.......2007-07-12

I got the CD because I like Ry Cooder and like the concept of a story-CD. For me, "Chavez Ravine" felt like a more cohesive body of material, though.

I cannot fault the musicianship and the storyline is fascinating. Anyone who has a past anchored in the Dust Bowl area will identify with the stories---Cooder must have done his research from testimonials of folks who'd been there. If you are interested in this topic, the Oklahoma Historical Society has an extensive oral history collection, plus there were many interviews conducted by the WPA during the Depression. (The Indian Pioneer Histories)

One thing, I'm happy I got this CD used. I'd probably rate it less if I'd paid $16.99 for it and seen the 'eco packaging' already raveling at the edges. Yes, I'd like friendlier CD covers, but please can we at least get archival quality here? I do plan on keeping this CD.

...it wasn't that long ago...........2007-06-18

And maybe that is part of Ry's point.

Ry Cooder seems to be able to find the wonderful diversity of our world lurking under the notes. He plays and out comes ...the heat of the desert as desperation in Paris, Texas, ...the saucy spirit of persistence in Buena Vista Social Club, the fun "Oh I forgot how happy music makes me" in Chicken Skin Music. There are so many. And whats amazing is that there is hardly an album or soundtrack that you don't listen to - I mean really listen.

This is another amazing effort. Full of depression and unionizations references. There is Buddy (the buddy system), Lefty (left - get it), J. Edgar the pig (you can do this one yourself). Characters, good and bad, the truck drivers, the Klan (Republiklans), the poll police (the man) and the wonderful farmer's daughter.

I think the message could have been stronger. Pete Seeger is definitely part of the inspiration. He was master of the alagory - but he had to be. Those were the days when the man would pop out of nowhere and you would be gone (maybe lost to the coyotes). Seeger let his listener pull the power of the issue out of his prose. Ry Cooder could have been abit more "in our face" with these issues. 'Chavez Ravine' proves he has a punch.

But - fear not - this is too good to pull back a star. Listen to it and tell the younger folks that there were times when it was hard - really hard - to find the bright side.

Sorry Ry..........2007-06-12

...but this album borders on the juvenile. And the songs are poorly phrased. This package is destined for the bargain bins.
Now, let's hear from more of those folks who couldn't write a negative review if their life depended on it....Those are the ones that always wind up at the top of Amazon's Customer reviews.

ry cooder at his best.......2007-06-08

love the story line which gets across the message in such a subtle way- who would love a cat named buddy!!

Ry's own voice.......................................2007-05-31

A bit of a "return to his own roots" effort in that Ry:

(a) sings in a style I remember him most for, that is, in a straightforward unstrained manner, as he did on his earlier albums that I admired so much, and
(b) brings back to the arena some political folk sentiments, so we have some Woody Guthrie/Pete Seeger sprinklings along the way.

And he also brings along something rather new for him, a concept album built along a developing lyrical theme. So we have a story line that runs the length of the album.

As always, excellent sidemen and women bring invaluable contributions. But my first thiought on hearing this was that Ry was letting his own voice take its rightful place in the mix again, not so much at the expense of spotlighting his string playing and the guests.

Average customer rating: Get It On An Explosion in Angst A Welcome Departure An Entertaining Departure energetic

Grinderman Grinderman (featuring Nick Cave) Manufacturer: ANTI- ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Garage Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Abattoir Blues Tour (2CD+2DVD) Icky Thump The Weirdness Jarvis Sound of Silver ASIN: B000MX7YUE Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

1. Get It On
2. No Pussy Blues
3. Electric Alice
4. Grinderman
5. Depth Charge Ethel
6. Go Tell The Women
7. (I Don't Need You To) Set Me Free
8. Honey Bee (Lets Fly To Mars)
9. Man In The Moon
10. When My Love Comes Down
11. Love Bomb

From Amazon.co.uk

Grinderman is the sound of indie rock legends growing old disgracefully, and that is by no means a criticism. From the opening rant of "Get It On," this is an album with all the menace of an angry drunk, dripping with anger and testosterone (as the surfeit of facial hair in the band's interior photo will attest). It could even be the sound of Nick Cave's midlife crisis, but it doesn't matter, because Grinderman rocks. It's the sound of four musicians having a grand time, turning the volume up to 11 and really cutting loose. For that reason, it's the more upbeat tracks here that are probably the best: "Honey Bee (Let's Fly to Mars)" with its driving electric organ, the primal urgency of "Depth Charge Ethel," and the strutting album closer "Love Bomb." After all the po-faced seriousness he's displayed in recent years, it's good to know that Cave has rediscovered his sense of humour: "I cleaned the sheets on my bed, I combed the hairs across my head, I sucked in my gut and still she said, 'I don't want to,'" he sings on "No Pussy Blues," with his tongue firmly in cheek (amongst other places). Simply put, Grinderman is a hoot. --Ted Kord

Album Description

The story of Grinderman begins within the working processes of another band: Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds. At the start of 2004, when Nick Cave took a small team of Bad Seeds members -- violinist Warren Ellis, bassist Martyn Casey and drummer Jim Sclavunos -- off to the tiny Misère studio in Paris for a songwriting session, they effectively established a new band. The small combo configuration of Nick, Warren, Marty and Jim had its public debut in a showcase performance to promote the Bad Seeds Nocturama album; the foursome continued working in this streamlined format, getting together frequently for Nick Cave "solo" tours. Born of babbling lyrics hatched from Bosch eggshells in the Hyde-bound apocalyptic margins of the Cave brain, the Grinderman sound is an instinctual yawlp that also resurrects the demons of each musician's past: the trashcan proselytising of Birthday Party -era Nick; Sclavunos' late 70s New York no-wave noise wisdom; Martyn Casey's ominous Triffids bass reverb; plus Ellis' avant-garde soundtrack work and his teenage love of Black Sabbath. Destination: Out! Grinderman sound different from everyone, including themselves. As Memphis Slim put it back in 1941, "While everything is quiet and easy/ Mr. Grinder can have his way." It's a new day. God help you all.

Customer Reviews:

Get It On.......2007-07-22

Nick Cave is in an unfortunate position; his past accomplishments were so great that anything he does now that isn't stellar is a letdown. His work with The Birthday Party is essential, and his catalogue with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds is monumental. So what happens when Cave starts a "new" band like Grinderman? He risks disappointment.

Grinderman is not a far step from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Which, considering the personnel, is not surprising. Each member of Grinderman has also worked as a Bad Seed and some of these tracks that appear on this self-titled debut could easily be reworked for the next Bad Seeds release. "I Don't Need You (To Set Me Free)" and "Man in the Moon", for example, both unfold in a shape and style similar to past Bad Seed songs.

Still, in spite of the shared elements, Grinderman is somewhat distinct from the group's other band. It is rougher, it is more disheveled, and it is less compromising. The guitar playing, or rather, the lack of guitar playing is particularly messy. Nick Cave plays the instrument himself and he is far from a virtuoso. Every pluck reinforces this. His playing is awkward and clumsy. And yet, his crude fingers also give this band added personality.

Take "No Pussy Blues", the album's first single, for instance. It begins with a driving bassline and steady, banging beats and then erupts with a spill of loud, confrontational guitar. The gawky instrumentation works well. When Cave starts to sing, his charismatic voice carries the track even further. "No Pussy Blues" is peppered with his rugged sarcasm. Lyrically, the song deals with failed sexual advances and the resulting frustrations. "I sent her every type of flower / I played her a guitar by the hour / I patted her revolting little Chihuahua / But still she just didn't want to". Every syllable is delivered with a tongue-in-cheek dark humor and smirking wry attitude.

"No Pussy Blues" is fast. It is propelled by its quick tempo, and other tracks follow a similar path. The raw excellence of "Get It On", the driving fun of "Depth Charge Ethel", the bending wines of "Honey Bee (Let's Fly to Mars)", and rocking simplicity of "Love Bomb" all tumble forward on a throbbing bass and smacking rhythm.

Not every track relies on speed, however. "Electric Alice", which is one of the album's highlights, squirms along Warren Ellis's distorted violin strings. Voice and organ alternate their places at the song's forefront while bass and drums circle and contain the music. The song wanders and meanders blindly through psychedelic ambience.

Grinderman revisits the gritty attitude that Cave had in the 1980s, but misses the elegance. The music of Grinderman is often muddied and at least half of their songs shimmy along a sloppy path. Like an oil stain on the floor of a dirty garage, Grinderman is thick, dark, and ugly.

An Explosion in Angst.......2007-07-10

This one's for all the angry, frustrated, aggrieved souls who, knowing slightly better than to act on impulse and commit some egregious violation of either the legal or moral sort (preferably both at once), just need a good splash of hard rock and roll for cleansing. This is my first introduction to Nick Cave, and dare I say I'm all tingly with adrenaline after listening to `Grinderman'. For me, it's a nearly perfect melding of Iggy Pop and Tom Waits, where punk meets dark, folky blues. This is a loud and commanding record. Other reviewers have used the words vitriolic, raw, primal, vicious, and seething...and rightly so. That about says it all, but the newbie like myself might get caught into thinking that this is a one-dimensional album. Not so. Looking more deeply, there is ominous substance here. It evokes the creepy feeling that this is what you'll feel when you finally surrender your youth. All that angst and fury released into a gratifying but nevertheless pointless display of over-indulgent self-expression. But what Cave and Co. do is soak it all in, bask in one's powerlessness and thereby getting all the more pissed off. The result then, is an explosion of some awfully good and therapeutic rock. My favorites are: `Get it on', `No Pussy Blues', `Go Tell..', `Honey Bee', and especially `Love Bomb'. This is Rock and Roll with no consequence. We need more of this.

A Welcome Departure.......2007-06-21

As much as I like the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, their sound was getting to be a bit repetitous at times (to me, at least). It was about time for a new direction and Grinderman delivers. A few of the songs don't wear well (eg. no pussy blues), but several are sure to become classics in the Nick Cave musical archive. I would have given this release 5 stars, but I think that there is room for improvement. By the way...great guitar work from the man himself.

An Entertaining Departure.......2007-06-14

Knowing well the music of Nick Cave, when I saw the lewdly postured monkey on the cover of Grinderman, I knew I was in for an entertaining departure from his recent musical path. I had heard all the hype that preceded its release, but when I first heard it, it sounded very different from what I was led to expect.

I agree with the reviewer who said that one must listen many times to any album by Nick Cave before making a decision on its quality. His talent is so deep, and his writing often so complex, that his work rarely reveals itself fully on first listen. Much of the music press ballyhooed Grinderman as a return to the days of the Birthday Party. The song No Pussy Blues was widely touted as one of Cave's greatest. I think the press was wrong on both counts.

First of all, while Grinderman is raw and primal, it is hardly a return to the unstructured sound of the Birthday Party. Grinderman may be rough, but it is definitely not the sound of a bunch of musicians trying to establish their niche. Its the sound of a bunch of seasoned musicians having a blast! As for No Pussy Blues, I think it is one of the weaker songs on the CD even though the title may have been a draw for some. Cave seemed to be really stretching to make the lyrics fit, but in the end it sounds so desperate and unromantic that there's no wonder that he's got the "no pussy blues".

There are some great songs here as well. I like Electric Alice; Depth Charge Ethel with its sound sometimes evocative of Deep Purple's Machine Head days; (I Don't Need You To) Set Me Free; When My Love Comes Down; and what I think is the album's best song, the hard-driving Love Bomb.

Because Cave has made so many albums superior to this, I can't possibly tag Grinderman with five stars. But it still is worth owning if you are a fan of Nick Cave on any level or you just like your music raw and rowdy. I'll certainly be playing it whenever the mood so demands.

energetic.......2007-05-29

An energetic return to Nick Cave's early styles, akin the old Birthday Party work.

Average customer rating: Boyz II Men Greatest Hits Legacy Of Great Vocalists! Need to Expand CD! boyz II men review Very Happy This CD Is Just Whatever

Boyz II Men - Legacy: Greatest Hits Collection Boyz II Men Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music New Jack | R&B | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | 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: From There to Here: 1989-2002 Babyface - A Collection of His Greatest Hits The Best of Keith Sweat: Make You Sweat Mariah Carey - Greatest Hits II ASIN: B00005QZ1S Release Date: 2005-07-04

Tracks:

1. Motownphilly
2. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday
3. End Of The Road
4. In The Still Of The Nite (I'll Remember)
5. Hey Lover
6. I'll Make Love To You
7. On Bended Knee
8. Water Runs Dry
9. One Sweet Day
10. Doin' Just Fine
11. 4 Seasons Of Loneliness
12. A Song For Mama
13. Pass You By

Amazon.com

Legacy is the right title for this album. Boyz II Men were the original, modern-day boy band, predating both 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys. Heavily influenced by doo-wop groups such as the Platters and the Dells and developed by ex-New Edition member Michael Bivins, Boyz II Men quickly rose to heavyweight status after the foursome's 1991 debut, Cooleyhighharmony, their success based on romantic ballads and strong vocals. However, they lacked the charisma and looks to really make an impact on the world, and they're perhaps the only group that could be described as "quietly" selling 35 million records. This collection of their best moments concentrates on their strengths as crooning Cupids, exemplified by their massive hit and classic ballad "End of the Road" (taken from the Boomerang soundtrack). "Hey Lover," featuring LL Cool J, is as energetic as the album gets. Legacy is unabashedly assembled for lovers of slow, romantic bedroom soul. --Jake Barnes

Customer Reviews:

Boyz II Men Greatest Hits.......2007-06-08

Excellent CD. All their biggest hits. Great for any Boyz II Men fan!

Legacy Of Great Vocalists! Need to Expand CD!.......2007-04-30

'Legacy' by Boyz II Men was merely a decent compilation when it was first released, but with only 13 tracks, I felt short changed, and wasn't about to buy the re-released 2 disc version. I've followed Boyz II Men since 1991, and like many fans, have all of the CDs. With that in mind, I decided to create 'The Ultimate Boyz II Men Collection' that covers 1991 - 2002 perfectly. Here's the tracklisting, which results in a 80 minute single disc masterpiece...

1. Motownphilly
2. Uhh Ahh
3. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...
4. End Of The Road (fr.'Boomerang' SDTK)
5. I'll Make Love To You
6. On Bended Knee
7. Water Runs Dry
8. One Sweet Day - Live Version! (w/Mariah)
9. Doin' Just Fine
10. Four Seasons Of Loneliness
11. A Song For Mama (fr.'Soul Food' SDTK)
12. I Will Get There (fr.'Prince Of Egypt' SDTK)
13. Pass You By
14. Thank You In Advance
15. The Color Of Love
16. That's Why I Love You
17. So Amazing (fr.'The Hurricane' SDTK)
BONUS TRACK 18. Sara Smile (2004)

So there you have it, the Ultimate Boyz II Men on a single CD!
Enjoy making this collection at home!
Peace, SD
(Chakasworld)

boyz II men review.......2007-01-06

omg this cd is like the best...i knew every song..i listen to it everyday!! it's like the best cd u can purchase

Very Happy.......2006-08-06

I bought this CD to listen to "A Song for Mama". My fiance was thinking of using it for his mother/song dance. We decided on another song but I am still happy that we purchased the CD. I don't own much R&B so it will add to my collection.

This CD Is Just Whatever.......2006-06-21

Boy II Men were extremely hot back in the day and I always wondered why. I tried to give them a chance by getting their "II" album, but I just couldn't get into them. They had a few good songs out, but, other than that, their music was quite lame. Not enough soul and not enough funk. They never got down and dirty. You get tired of the harmonizing because it's done all the time. None of these guys were attractive either. They just weren't, especially the one with the glasses who sang like he had a bunch of snot up his nose. My friends and I used to look at pictures of the group and they would say, "Yeah, that one's cute, that one's cute, this one is foooiine!" I just couldn't see the attractiveness anywhere. Their looks were mediocre and so was the music. "I'll Make Love To You" and "One Sweet Day" have to be the worse songs ever. I heard both of them on the radio the other day and it made me sick to the stomach. These guys are long gone, but thousands of other sorry guy groups of sprung up to replace them.

Average customer rating: Best Aaron Neville album in a long time New Orleans....Proud to Call It Home I just love Aaron Neville Bring it on Home The always fabulous Aaron Neville!

Bring It on Home... The Soul Classics Aaron Neville Manufacturer: Burgundy S ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Duets: An American Classic Still the Same...Great Rock Classics Of Our Time Before Me These Days The Very Best of Aaron Neville ASIN: B000H7J9M6 Release Date: 2006-09-19

Tracks:

1. Rainy Night In Georgia (featuring Chris Botti)
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
4. Stand By Me
5. You Send Me
6. Respect Yourself (featuring Mavis Staples)
7. When A Man Loves A Woman
8. Let's Stay Together (featuring Chaka Khan)
9. It's All Right
10. People Get Ready (featuring David Sanborn and Art Neville)
11. My Girl
12. Ain't That Peculiar
13. A Change Is Gonna Come

Amazon.com

Approach Aaron Neville's Bring it on Home ... the Soul Classics with anything but an open heart and you've missed the point. This is a serious CD, at once mournful, humble, and joyous, with no shortage of moments that recall the terribleness of Hurricane Katrina. One way of processing it is as a cataloging of classic songs that helped Neville's fellow New Orleanians soldier through: opener "Rainy Night in Georgia" with jazzman Chris Botti wrings beauty from soaking-wet despair, "Stand By Me" turns its heel on pleading in favor of promise-making, and "People Get Ready," with David Sanborn and brother Art, is a chill-sending reminder of how unity and perseverance can trump tragedy. Viewed from another lens, Soul Classics is Neville's attempt at climbing aboard the late-career, classic-covers bandwagon while weaving his bayou-soul heritage into the picture. The trouble with that theory, though, is that it feels like so much more. His voice flutters alongside Mavis Staple's on "Respect Yourself" with completely uncontrived tenderness, and Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" becomes a meditation on stillness and ease that befits a boulder-sized lump in the throat. A tossed-together concept album this is not; a reflection of a soul man gifted with the ability to spin epic, unyielding sorrow into grace is more like it. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Rooted in the fertile soil of rhythm-and-blues' rich past, Bring It On Home…The Soul Classics, is a landmark work by Aaron Neville. This platinum recording artist and renowned vocalist has created an album of his interpretations of 13 universally loved soul classics, including Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay," Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" and Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." The album also features special guests Chaka Khan, Chris Botti, Mavis Staples, David Sanborn and Art Neville.

Customer Reviews:

Best Aaron Neville album in a long time.......2007-05-14

Keep them coming ....this is a great soul album...all the classic's and the great sound of Aaron Neville.
Enjoy....

New Orleans....Proud to Call It Home.......2007-02-26

This is truly a must. If you like R&B, Jazz, Motown, or just Aaron Neville's wonderful, distinctive voice - you will love this collection of songs well known to everyone. As a native New Orleanian, Aaron Neville makes me proud to call it home.

I just love Aaron Neville.......2007-02-01

It is hard for me to rate an Aaron Neville disc, because I just love the way he sings. It is very hard to find a song by him that he kills. And in this CD he took GREAT classic soul songs and sang them his style. Just wonderful!

Bring it on Home.......2007-01-16

Exellent mix of ballads and soul hits from a bygone era.

The always fabulous Aaron Neville!.......2007-01-14

You can't go wrong with Aaron Neville! His voice and these songs just transport you back in time! There just is no one out there like him. Sets a mood and keeps it! Love it!

Average customer rating: Just As Advertised Fats Domino Jukebox I'm happy, thanks! Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them Fats Domino CD, 20 year review

Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them Fats Domino Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Piano | Blues | Styles | Music Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: 25 All-Time Greatest Sun Recordings The Definitive Collection The Very Best of the Drifters Jerry Lee Lewis - 18 Original Sun Greatest Hits Fats Domino - Greatest Hits ASIN: B00005YW4I Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

1. The Fat Man
2. Goin' Home
3. Going To The River
4. Ain't That A Shame
5. All By Myself
6. Poor Me
7. I'm In Love Again
8. Blueberry Hill
9. Blue Monday
10. I'm Walkin'
11. It's You I Love
12. Valley Of Tears
13. Whole Lotta Loving
14. I Want To Walk You Home
15. I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday
16. Be My Guest
17. Walking To New Orleans
18. My Girl Josephine
19. Let The Four Winds Blow
20. Jambalaya (On The Bayou)

Customer Reviews:

Just As Advertised.......2007-06-08

Without sounding ancient, I remember when a lot of Fat's tunes were on the jukebox. This is the same effect with this CD. Domino's music the way it's meant to be heard. Great CD.

Fats Domino Jukebox.......2007-05-19

No bad songs on this CD.Doesn't get any better than this.

I'm happy, thanks!.......2007-03-09

Everything is like it was advertised. Good condition, on time, I'll buy from them again.

Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them.......2007-01-11

I bought this CD for my parents, and they loved it. All original hits, I recommend it.

Fats Domino CD, 20 year review.......2006-11-10

Good CD, arrival - Timely and in good condition; ease of ordering - excellent.

Average customer rating: Not Kool enough I Can't Stop Listening To THis Great CD Original no more. Kool and the Gang; Still Doing Their Thang! Kook & The Gang: They've Still Got It!

Still Kool Kool & the Gang Manufacturer: New Door Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | 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: Planet Earth I Am Feel the Fire If Only Something To Talk About ASIN: B000QFCDD6 Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

1. Dave
2. Steppin' Into Love
3. America
4. What's Happening Brother
5. It Is What It Is
6. Everything's Gonna Change
7. Too Low For Zero
8. Bang Bang With The Gang
9. Made For Love
10. Give It Up
11. Trust Me
12. Miracles
13. Livin' In The 21
14. Sorry
15. Someone Like You
16. Sailing (Instrumental)

Tracks:

1. Celebration
2. Hollywood Swinging
3. Summer Madness
4. Joanna
5. Ladies Night

Album Description

Throughout the years, Kool & The Gang have made music we've danced to, loved to, and been awed by, and their musical brotherhood is still strong. The celebration continues with their latest album, STILL KOOL, which is rich with good vibes, serious messages, signature horns, rockin' guitar, beautiful ballads and jammin' new grooves, and it shows why Kool & The Gang remain as relevant and contemporary as ever.

Customer Reviews:

Not Kool enough.......2007-07-30

This isn't the KATG I remember, many of the songs are slow, and there isn't any real funk on this CD. It sounds pleasant enough, but that's about all, it's just nice safe pleasant music.

I Can't Stop Listening To THis Great CD.......2007-07-28

"Still Kool" is a great CD. I've told all my friends and they agree that this a refreshing change from all the junk out there. Just Imagine: real trumpets, real drums, real saxophones, etc. And the vocals are right on time. "Still Kool" is a great hard hitting mixture of music. As I read in a review elsewhere,this CD will make you smile, dance, think, relax and more. I put it in my car CD player and now I cant wait to get back in the car. True, they don't sound like the old KATG; They sound much better. Buy this CD and I guaranty that you will love it. 8 of the 16 tracks really stand out. The combination of "Whats Happening Brother" and "It Is What It Is" will blow you away. "To Low For Zero" will warm your heart. "America" will make you proud. "Steppin' Into Love" and "Trust Me" will have you up and dancing. As you can tell, I love this CD. This is a buy.

Original no more........2007-07-26

Had I stumbled across one of the first 16 cuts on this cd, I'd have no clue who this is. I realize that as artists and lead singers rotate, there's a variance in the music sometimes, but this has no "orginal" Kool & The Gang flavor with the exception of the last original cuts. Some groups can mix the new school flavor with the old school and make it work, unfortunately this doesn't work for Kool & The Gang on this cd, feel the boogie??
On the flip side of that, The Bar-Kays' cd "House Party" maintains it's originality yet fuzes enough hip hop in to make it work without sacrificing that originality. When I first heard the first cut on their cd, I knew it was the Bar-Kays. Question is, would you know this was Kool & The Gang if you heard one of the first 16 cuts? - I wouldn't.

Kool and the Gang; Still Doing Their Thang!.......2007-07-23

I stumbled on this CD while flipping through a CD rack. I did not know it it exist and as a Kool fan, naturally I purchased it as they have not released anything new in quite some time. This turned out to be a great purchase because the songs are pleasant, musical and devoid of that rap sound. Again, it is a joy to hear music with real instruments throughout. I can't talk enough trash about the current state of black radio, including the one in my market, that has destroyed the minds of young black kids with mindless music, and discourages them from learning to play music instruments. If you feed young folks bad music, they're start to like it as they don't know any alternatives. Feed them good stuff, and they will cultivate an appreciation for it. This CD features a great recording of clean and very listenable, radio friendly music. It is aptly titled "Still Kool." Thats right Kool and the Gang is still doing their thang. I strongly recommend this purchase as this is a great great project from Kool and the Gang; the best soul music has to offer. To borrow from a song on this CD, it truly is what it is? And, to somewhat borrow from Richard Pryor, "... its (cheap) too. :-)

Kook & The Gang: They've Still Got It!.......2007-07-18

Wow! A must have! What A Comeback!!! You can hear a lot of their 80's flair with a current groove. "Steppin' Into Love" and "Trust Me" are nice grooves for dancing. My favorites of the entire listing are "Too Low For Zero" and "Made For Love". Mellow grooves to enjoy during a quiet rainstorm, a mellow glass of wine and someone to cuddle with! "Too Low For Zero" is a tearjerker! The entire CD is wonderful! I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you're looking for something fresh and engaging! Enjoy!!!

Average customer rating: JIMI'S FINAL ALBUM, FINALLY RELEASED HIS WAY ! Cry Of Love A must-have. It's as simple as that Wonderful Treasure Jimi's Version

First Rays of the New Rising Sun Jimi Hendrix Manufacturer: Experience Hendrix ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: South Saturn Delta Axis: Bold As Love Electric Ladyland Blues Are You Experienced ASIN: B000002P5R Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

1. Freedom
2. Izabella
3. Night Bird Flying
4. Angel
5. Room Full Of Mirrors
6. Dolly Dagger
7. Ezy Ryder
8. Drifting
9. Beginnings
10. Stepping Stone
11. My Friend
12. Straight Ahead
13. Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)
14. Earth Blues
15. Astro Man
16. In From The Storm
17. Belly Button Window

Amazon.com

The guy was damn ingenious with a guitar, but not half as industrious as the folks who've packaged and repackaged his posthumous material. First Rays of the New Rising Sun, however, is an attractive assortment of "spiritual, very earthy" late recordings that surfaced in the '70s via The Cry of Love, Crash Landing, Rainbow Bridge, and War Heroes. Hendrix appeared to be in transition between flamboyant showman and serious musician personas at the time (meaning his work, had he lived, might have been twice as meritorious and half as fun), and that makes many of these tracks all the more interesting. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

JIMI'S FINAL ALBUM, FINALLY RELEASED HIS WAY !.......2007-03-20

After guitar god Jimi Hendrix died, he released more albums than he did when he was still alive. Control of Jimi's music fell into the hands of attorneys who saw the opportunity to turn a fast buck, and quickly released this excellant music chopped up into several different albums (Rainbow Bridge, Cry of Love, War Heroes, etc.,etc.). After much litigation and several years, control of Jimi's music was given to Jimi's father and sister. They formed the Experience Hendrix record label and went to work. The first task at hand was to put together First Rays of the New Rising Sun, Jimi's title to the double-album he was putting the finishing touches on when he died. Through interviews with the producer, engineers, and musicians who worked on the project, they finished the album according to Jimi's specifications. The music on the album is sophisticated, energetic, and precise. Hendrix fans will recognize most of these songs. Freedom, Angel, Dolly Dagger, Roomful of Mirrors, Isabella, Hey Baby(New Rising Sun), and the beautiful Drifting are all highlights. Like The Beatles leaving behind the cute mop-top Beatlemania era with Rubber Soul and Revolver, Jimi seemed to be breaking away from the psycadelic wild-man theatrics of his early days, and getting down to the business of creating serious music with a conscious. You will find some of Jimi's best songs, vocals, and guitar playing on the aptly titled First Rays of the New Rising Sun. No Jimi Hendrix fan should be without it.

Cry Of Love.......2007-02-16

Back in the 70's I wore out my vinyl copy of Hendrix's Cry Of Love Album. Songs like, Drifting and My Friend have been floating around in my head for all these years and I had tried to find a copy of CRY Of Love on cd several times with no luck. Well, here it is under a different name and with some additional songs ! These are some of the best cuts Jimi Hendrix ever recorded and the music sounds as good today as it did when I was a kid. Absolutely great stuff.

A must-have. It's as simple as that.......2006-12-20

This is the geniune article, folks: The tapes that Jimi was working on before his untimely death. Seventeen songs, and all but two (Beginnings and Stepping Stone) are must-haves for any serious Hendrix fan. Of course, it's got the lovely, oft-covered ballad Angel, which has quickly become a Hendrix standard and is one of his best songs, perfect lyrics, perfect melody, perfect instrumentation... it's all there. A masterpiece. And it's not even the best song on the disc - I'd go with either the title track or Drifting, a low-key ballad that is one of Hendrix's more underrated. Rockers In From the Storm; Freedom; Izabella and Roomfull of Mirrors are perfectly complimented by the ballads (Night Bird Flying; the aforementioned Angel; Drifting) and the funk songs (Ezy Rider, another favorite; Dolly Dagger). And then there's the hilarious, wah-wah'ed Belly Button Window. Hendrix's last recordings have been repackaged several times, but this is the one to go to - it's probably what Hendrix would've approved of, unlike the Allen Douglass releases. Hendrix's music was taking an interesting turn before his premature death. If you're curious as to how a fourth studio album would've turned out (and really, who isn't?), this should satisfy you.

Wonderful Treasure.......2006-07-17

This is a treasure chest full of early unreleased Jimi. These songs really show the heart and soul of Jimi Hendrix as a thoughtful songwriter. As always, the guitar is wonderful and amazing; but there's something peaceful in even the most scorching of solos on this disc. Enjoy this wonderful collection of songs that illustrates Jimi's command of the blues and how he was able to stay true to it's roots or help it blossom into a rock 'n' roll explosion.

Jimi's Version.......2006-05-13

"In 1994, Hendrix's own handwritten track selection for First Ray surfaced and was reprinted in the french magazine Folk & Rock (November 1994). Surprisingly it was never used when attempts were made to complete the unfinished project in the years that followed. Hendrix only completed a song list for three sides of the double LP, and wasn't sure where to place the track "Night Bird Flying". With a darker-colored pen, he seemed to indicate that it should be the second song on side A. Hendrix's track selection for First Ray of the New Rising Sun was:

Side A: Dolly Dagger, Night Bird Flying, Room Full of Mirrors, Belly Button Window, Freedom.

Side B: Easy Rider, Astro Man, Drifting, Straight Ahead.

Side C: Drifter's Escape, Comin' Down Hard On Me, Beginnings, Cherokee Mist, Angel."

The above and any other quotes in this post are taken from the book, "Black Gold the Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix" by Steven Roby.

The album is refered to above as First Ray instead of First Rays because Jimi at first was going to call it First Ray of the New Rising Sun. Another quote from Black Gold:

"Billy Cox worked on the unfinished album, and recalled the time when Hendrix asked him about the correct wording: "He asked me, 'Is it the first ray, or the rays?' I said, 'I don't know. He said, 'What do you see when you get up in the morning? When you look over the horizon do you see one ray or rays?' I said, 'I'd have to check that out.'

Hendrix would seem to have had a cover for the album in mind too...another quote:

"There is also evidence that Hendrix may have had a cover in mind for the release. On September 17th, 1970, he sketched out various faces to form the shape of a cross, with his own face in the middle. The right arm of the cross had faces of white people, including J.F.K. and Hitler and two women and a baby. On the left arm of the cross was Martin Luther King, Jr., a black woman with a crown, an African woman, and a baby. On the bottom shaft, Crazy Horse, Geronimo, Cochise, two women and a baby represented Native Americans. Above Hendrix's head, the top shaft of the cross showed Buddha, Genghis Khan, a Japanese woman, and a Chinese baby, representing the Asian Peoples."

I like this CD and gave it 4/5 stars. But knowing that there are existing track listings by Hendrix out there I tend to wish they had tried to stay closer to the song orders he had chosen (Of course Jimi might have made many changes to those song orders before the album was completed).

Since these days most people can make their own CDs I would probably arrange a version (for my own listening pleasure) to look something like this:

Dolly Dagger
Night Bird Flying
Room Full of Mirrors
Belly Button Window
Freedom
Easy Rider
Astro Man
Drifting
Straight Ahead
Drifter's Escape (Can be found on the CD South Saturn Delta)
Comin' Down Hard On Me (Can be found on the Hendrix box set)
Beginnings
Here He Comes (Lover Man) (Can be found on South Saturn Delta)
Angel
Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)
Stepping Stone
Izabella
Earth Blues
In From The Storm

Approximate CD time = 79 minutes

Since the only version of Cherokee Mist I have heard is on the Box Set and has simliar patterns to that of In From The Storm I left it off. I left off My Friend since it was a leftover track from 1968. For those who are into having an instrumental open the album there is a spacey guitar instrumental called The New Rising Sun on the now deleted Hendrix CD compilation Voodoo Soup...I just wasn't sure how to fit it in due to space limitations. Pali Gap is also a track that could have been on the album as it was recorded during the same time period. Of course everyone's version of this album would probably be different (including Jimi's).

I could go on and on about this but I guess the bottom line is I like the music on this album very much I just wish it could have somehow stayed closer to Jimi's vision...

Average customer rating: A Good Selection, An Odd Accompaniment to the Documentary Great Intro to Jazz Ken Burn's Jazz CD A must have.. Good starter set for jazz beginners

Ken Burns's Jazz: The Story of American Music Various Artists Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music New Orleans Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Vintage Dance Bands | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music New Orleans & Dixieland Jazz | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Dixieland | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Jazz: A History of America's Music Jazz - A Film By Ken Burns The History of Jazz Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey Jazz Styles: History and Analysis (9th Edition) ASIN: B000050HVG Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

1. Star Dust - Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
2. Soon One Mornin' (Death Come A-Creepin' in My Room0 - Mississippi
3. Memphis Blues - Lieut. Jim Europe's 369th Infantry ("Hell Fighters") Band
4. Livery Stable Blues - The Original Dixieland Jazz Band
5. Charleston - James P. Johnson
6. Chimes Blues - King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band
7. Back Water Blues - Bessie Smith
8. The Pearls - Jelly Roll Morton
9. Dead Man Blues - Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers
10. Wild Cat Blues - Clarence Williams's Blue Five
11. Cake Walkin' Babies (From Home) - Clarence Williams's Blue Five
12. Sugar Foot Stomp - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
13. Heebie Jeebies - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
14. Potato Head Blues - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven
15. West End Blues - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
16. The Mooche - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
17. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Duke Ellington & His Washingtonians
18. Black Beauty - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
19. Mood Indigo - The Jungle Band
20. There Ain't No Sweet Man (Worth The Salt Of My Tears) - Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke
21. Singin' The Blues - Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke
22. Riverboat Shuffle - Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke
23. Hotter Than 'Ell - Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
24. I Got Rhythm - Ethel Waters

Tracks:

1. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
2. Echoes of Harlem - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
3. Moten Swing - Benny Moten's Kansas City Orchestra
4. St. Louis blues - Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
5. Ain't Misbehavin' - Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
6. For Dancers Only - Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra
7. King Porter Stomp - Benny goodman & His Orchestra
8. Rose Room - The Benny Goodman Sextet
9. Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) - Benny Goodman Sextet
10. Jumpin' at the Woodside - Count Basie & His Orchestra
11. Sent for You Yesterday and Here You Come Today - Count Basie & His Orchestra
12. Lester Leaps In - Count Basie's Kansas City Seven
13. Oh, Lady, Be Good! - Jones-Smith Incorporated
14. Without Your Love - Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra
15. Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday
16. God Bless the Child - Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra
17. Three Little Words - Art Tatum
18. Rebecca - Pete Johnson & "Big" Joe Turner
19. Harlem Congo - Chick Webb & His Orchestra
20. A-Tisket, A-Tasket - Chick Webb & His Orchestra featuring Ella Fitzgerald
21. Shine - Django Reinhardt & Le Quartet du Hot Club de France
22. Dear Old Southland - Noble Sissle & His Orchestra

Tracks:

1. Body and Soul - Coleman Hawkins
2. Cotton Tail - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
3. Take the 'A' Train - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
4. Begin the Beguine - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
5. In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
6. Well, Git It! - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
7. Solitude - Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra
8. Drum Boogie - Gene Krupa & His Orchestra
9. Salt Peanuts - Dizzy Gillespie & His All Star Quintet
10. Groovin' High - Dizzy Gillespie Sextet
11. Ko-ko - Charlie Parker's Re-Boppers
12. Scrapple From the Apple - Charlie Parker Quintet
13. Enbraceable You - Charlie Parker Quintet
14. Get Happy - Bud Powell Trio
15. Epistrophy - Thelonious Monk
16. Straight, No Chaser - Thelonious Monk
17. Manteca - Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra
18. Moon Dreams - Miles Davis Nonet
19. Just Friends - Charlie Parker
20. Rockin' Chair - Louis Armstrong
21. They Can't Take That Away From Me - Sarah Vaughan & Her Trio
22. Walkin' Shoes - Chet Baker & Gerry Mulligan
23. Fine and Mellow - Billie Holiday

Tracks:

1. Doodlin' - Horace Silver & The Jazz Messengers
2. I Get A Kick Out of You - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
3. St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins
4. Django - The Modern Jazz Quartet
5. Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
6. So What - Miles Davis Sextet
7. Giant Steps - John Coltrane
8. Rick Kick Shaw - Cecil Taylor Trio
9. Chronology - Ornette Coleman
10. Original Faubus Fables - Charles Mingus
11. Acknowledgment - John Coltrane Quartet

Tracks:

1. Hello, Dolly! - Louis Armstrong
2. Desafinado - Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd
3. In a Sentimental Mood - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
4. Tourist Point of View - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
5. E.S.P. - The Miles Davis Quintet
6. Spanish Key (single version) - Miles Davis
7. Birdland - Weather Report
8. Mister Magic - Grover Washington, Jr
9. Rockit - Herbie Hancock
10. Un Ange en Danger - M.C. Solaar & Ron Carter
11. Tanya - Dexter Gordon
12. Soon All Will Know - Wynton Marsalis
13. Death Letter - Cassandra Wilson
14. Take The "A" Train - The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

Amazon.com

This five-CD box set soundtrack to filmmaker Ken Burns's 10-part, 19-hour documentary Jazz spans nearly a century of jazz styles, from the martial rhythms of James Reese Europe to the soul-jazz of Grover Washington Jr. It includes time-tested classics like Benny Goodman's 1938 classic, "Sing, Sing, Sing"; John Coltrane's chanting 1965 immortal track, "A Love Supreme"; Billie Holiday's blue-ember ballad, "God Bless the Child"; and Ella Fitzgerald peeling off "A-Tisket A-Tasket." Bebop is represented by Charlie Parker's orchestral bop version of "Just Friends"; Thelonious Monk's nocturnal calling card, "'Round Midnight"; and Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts" and "Groovin' High."

The jazz-instrumentalist-as-singer comes to life on Coleman Hawkins's "Body and Soul" and Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers' "Doodlin'." Clifford Brown and Max Roach's "I Get a Kick out of You" epitomizes the hard-bop era, while Miles Davis's "So What" stands as the modal masterpiece. The cool school is in session with Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan dishing out "Walkin' Shoes," and the Modern Jazz Quartet's soulful elegy "Django" straddles all the above musical orbits. As for Django Reinhardt, he's featured on "Shine" with the justly famed Le Quartet du Hot Club de France.

Louis Armstrong's "West End Blues" and "Potato Head Blues" and Duke Ellington's rousing rendition of Billy Strayhorn's anthem, "Take the A Train," and his moody "Solitude" show why they are the Olympian masters of this art form--and the most frequently featured artists in the series. Although Ken Burns tries bringing the music up-to-date with Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, and two jazz-hip-hop-influenced tracks--Herbie Hancock's robotic "Rockit" and the French-language "Un Aige en Danger" by MC Solaar and bass legend Ron Carter--there are significant holes here. After Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman, the avant-garde period from the late 1960s to the 1980s is lacking. And aside from the bossa nova hit "Desafinado," Latin jazz is also missing. It's a tough task summarizing jazz in five CDs, and Burns has given us a vibrant and vivid multicolored aural portrait of the music. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Selection, An Odd Accompaniment to the Documentary.......2007-04-25

To chronicle the first six decades or so of American jazz in five CD's is an ambitious undertaking. Ken Burns pulled it off by making it the soundtrack to stories he wanted to tell. This made for heavy representation of songs from Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis easy choices. The documentary, in some ways, tells like an allegory of racism and civil rights in 20th century America, yet the soundrack includes white musicians like Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Dave Brubek and Benny Goodman in the CD selections. Brubek's inclusion is particularly notable after the documentary was so dismissive of "West Coast Jazz" - I don't even remember Take 5 being mentioned in the documentary. It would have been nice to include Bill Evans since every jazz pianist that followed him credited Evans as an influence, but his work as side man on "So What" is all we get. Herbie Hancock's Rockit is nowhere close to representative of his body of work. My main disappointment is that after Free Jazz and the like, jazz had nowhere left to go except backwards, yet the contemporary "pop" jazz at the end comes across as the latest and greatest thing yet. I respectfully disagree.

Great Intro to Jazz.......2007-03-23

For those just getting into Jazz or just need a refresher course this is a great CD. I brought it for my husband who is a big Jazz fan and he just loves it and gets alot of use out of them.

Ken Burn's Jazz CD.......2007-01-14

A great cd with many remastered original recordings of jazz greats. Each cd features a different jazz era, so one can select a jazz genre to suit one's mood.

A must have.........2007-01-05

..for any jazz fan or music history buff. LOADS of content, hours and hours of great music.

Good starter set for jazz beginners.......2006-02-22

This is a beautifully packaged 5 disc set highlighting some of the greatest jazz artists of all time. If you buy this set and are really excited about the sound and the masterful artists presented then, I highly recommend collecting the 22 discs of individual artists by Burns which showcase the popular and influential music of those artists. Having all of the Ken Burns Jazz editions is of course just a start but a good start into the world of jazz it will be.

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