Essence

About the Artist
Stark and soothing, Natasha makes music to float away by...

Product Description
With a baby grand piano and a voice highlighted by the occasional shimmering harmony, "Essence" is unapologetic in its simplicity.

Essence,Natasha,Sibling Row,Pop,Pop Vocals,Popular Music,Rock/Pop

---

Average customer rating: What you hope for if you've ever heard "Bring Me to Life" Indispensable Light in the Darkness Amy Lee: The most underrated voice in music today smart people BUY THIS CD

Fallen Evanescence Manufacturer: Wind-Up ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | 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: The Open Door Anywhere But Home (w/ bonus DVD) All the Right Reasons Meteora Hybrid Theory ASIN: B000089RVX Release Date: 2003-03-04

Tracks:

1. Going Under
2. Bring Me To Life
3. Everybody's Fool
4. My Immortal
5. Haunted
6. Tourniquet
7. Imaginary
8. Taking Over Me
9. Hello
10. My Last Breath
11. Whisper

Amazon.com

The Daredevil soundtrack provided a nice boost for this previously unknown quartet from Little Rock, Arkansas. Evanescence's songs "My Immortal" and the imposing "Bring Me to Life" are clear standouts in the film, mainly because they work so well with the dramatic, eerie undertones of the storyline. They reappear here on the band's debut, alongside a selection of similarly brooding tracks that evoke pensive artists like Tori Amos and the Cranberries. Vocalist Amy Lee has the kind of voice that can cause weeks of insomnia, but on songs like "Tourniquet" and "Haunted" she belies the music's sinister mood with evenhanded spirituality, thoughtfully letting some light shine through the tempest. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

What you hope for if you've ever heard "Bring Me to Life".......2007-07-16

What you hope for if you've ever heard "Bring Me to Life", it delivers more of same from start to finish. However, clearly one-upped by nearly every track on "The Open Door".

Indispensable.......2007-07-09

This is one of the very best CDs ever made, and one of the ONLY ones I've ever found that I can listen to from beginning to end and never skip past a single song. I think there's maybe four or five others in the world that I can say that about, and I listen to almost all types of music, from Mozart to Enya to Tool to Billie Holiday to Simon and Garfunkel to Staind to... anyway, it's a masterpiece. Some music snobs like to turn up their noses at Evanescence and mock those who listen to them because they're generally thought of as "Teenage Goth", but I have a message for them: GET OVER YOURSELVES!! BY BEING NARROW MINDED YOU ARE ONLY DEPRIVING YOURSELVES OF SOME OF THE BEST, MOST HAUNTING MUSIC YOU COULD ASK FOR!! I listen to this CD ALOT and I never get tired of it. Amy Lee is amazing! TRY IT!!!

Light in the Darkness.......2007-07-03

Fans of bands like Nightwish, The Gathering, Lennon Murphy and Lacuna Coil are either rejoicing or cursing Evanescence. Their brand of atmospheric gothic rock / metal is quite comparable to all bands mentioned above yet they are the ones in the Billboard Top 10 Album chart.

"Bring Me To Life" is a stunning track on its own merit that could stand to lose the male pseudo rap-rock vocal yelling "Wake Me Up". (If you hear the demo version without the male vocal you will understand) I find it amusing that fans of bands like Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit are buying this disc just on the basis of this track alone only to realize that the rest of the disc is moody, dark journey into the belly of various beasts. Nevertheless, Amy Lee has a haunting voice that layers beautifully over gothic rock/metal passages much like Tarja, Anneke, Christina, and Tori Amos. "Haunted" is a short, but remarkable track that allows Amy's vocals to breathe chilling words of despair. Just read the cold words to "Imaginary" and you wonder what exact demon tortures the writer's (Ben Moody) soul.

Overall, this disc is way too deep and thought provoking for its target audience. For those of us that have supported this style of music for years, please don't pass judgment against this disc until you have experienced the overall enchantment within its 11 tracks.

Amy Lee: The most underrated voice in music today.......2007-06-27

I remember when "Bring me to life" started playing regularly on a local rock station a few years ago. I thought it was a pretty cool song and liked the vocals of female singer Amy Lee, who seemed to have a wide range and yet still able to have somewhat of an overall mystique to her sound that I still have a hard time describing to this day. At that point a friend of mine loaned me the CD, but upon the first couple of listens I put it back without a second thought.

After selling 14 million copies worldwide and having a strong sophomore release with "The Open Door", I decided to give Evanescence another chance, returning to the debut album "Fallen". Sometimes it takes giving an album a second chance to make a first impression, and this time around I guess I was ready to embrace a band that was deemed as Goth Metal by the masses, but had a female vocalist that was able to help them rise above the all too familiar growl and dirge vocal efforts that usually fall into this category. Strong singles that stand out to me start out with Track 1 in "Going Under", which has a nice, simple guitar piece that has enough grind to stay down in the darker, more brooding sounds of this style of music. Track 6 is a tune called "Tourniquet" and has some eerie tones that help it start out before breaking into a clean, balanced attack of guitars and percussion. The overall structure of this album is great, and although I said there are several singles I like, I will just sum it up by saying there is something great about every song on this album.

What really is a selling point for me, however, is the lead singer Amy Lee. Amy's voice is poetic in deliverance of the songs and has a great overall emotional connection with the music, while at the same time her range allows her to add a lot of diversity to each and every song throughout the album. Overall you have a powerful set of music that rocks when it has to, and has some piano melody to add to the mix (Track 6 and 9 in particular) that I feel sets it apart from a lot of the genre's and classifications that people have been trying to put it in. If you are not much into newer "Nu-Metal" or what have you, but enjoy some of the progressive metal sounds and intricate approaches of such musicians, you just might find Evanescence to your liking. As stated before, it took me a few years to "come back" and discover them, but the wait was worth it and I look forward to any new releases this band has to offer.

smart people BUY THIS CD.......2007-06-24

This CD is the best i have ever Heard. now if you like screaming bands you might not like them [FYI a girl is singing] but they are great.

lets start with Going under great rock i would give it a 9/10
every one knows this song Bring me to life AWSOME all around 10/10
the everybodys fool was a good try good message to i would give it a 7.5/10
the 4th one was also very nice not for rock fans but nice 8.5/10
haunted was my Lest liked did not do what Amy does best 5.10
The 6th one Very very nice not the best but not the best 8/10
the 7th one nice strings very nice to 8.5/10
the 8th one rock on 9/10
hello tryed to be like the 4th one BUT failed badly 6.5/10
we are allmost done My last breath they did it again Very nice 9/10
last one whisper 9/10
and it wont tell you but theres 1 more its number 4 again but with guitars again BUY THIS CD

Average customer rating: Deva Premal music to soothe the soul peaceful and enchanting..powerful Beautiful, Ethereal and Uplifting Bliss

The Essence Deva Premal Manufacturer: White Swan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dakshina Love Is Space Embrace Music for Yoga and Other Joys Kirtan: The Art and Practice of Ecstatic Chant ASIN: B00005QB42 Release Date: 1998-06-01

Tracks:

1. Gayatri Mantra
2. Om Asatoma
3. Tumare Darsham
4. Om Namo
5. Shima Shima
6. Sammasati
7. Yemaya Assessu
8. Gayatri Mantra - Bonus Track

Album Description

This top selling New Age/World beat CD is smooth, silky, calming and peaceful. Featuring Deva Premal's transcendant voice, ambient grooves, keyboard and hand percussion, THE ESSENCE invokes the heart healing power of ancient chants and mantras. The Gayatri Mantra, the oldest known to mankind, is the centerpiece of this truly meditative CD. Ideal for yoga, healing work, meditation and dancing.

"This is the music of Earth Angels, listen with your 3rd ear!" Gabrielle Roth

Album Description

2001 release from the soothing ethnic fusion vocalist. Includes the bonus track 'Gayatri Mantra'. White Swan.

Customer Reviews:

Deva Premal.......2007-04-26

Hauntingly beautiful voice - highly recommended and not only for the Guyatri Mantra.

music to soothe the soul.......2007-01-08

I bought this CD after hearing someone else play it. It is absolutely wonderful. The first couple of tracks are great for deep relaxation and the rest is wonderful for doing Asanas. One of the best cd's Iv'e come across. I highly recommend it.

peaceful and enchanting..powerful.......2006-09-02

I found the music to be healing. You will feel more connected with humanity as it has a multicultural beauty. Enchanting use of voice and unique musical instruments.

Beautiful, Ethereal and Uplifting.......2006-03-01

For years now I have encouraged people to use play lists to provide a soundtrack for work, recreation and contemplation. If done properly, they can quickly put your mind and subtle systems into perfect alignment to carry out whatever you want or need to do. Constructing play lists has become so much easier with the advent of the iPod. One of the fun things about iTunes is being able to see how many times you have played a particular song.

I was a little surprised to see that I had played the crown jewel of this collection - the Gayatri Manta - well over a hundred times over the last five years or so. Deva Premal's interpretation of this famous piece is extraordinarily fine, as is the entire album. It is almost impossible not to be uplifted by her amazing voice, which is rich, resonant and deepened by the most extraordinary sub-harmonics. Indeed if you are not, it may be a helpful pointer that something is not going quite right in your body or in your life, and that it's time to get some guidance about how to help yourself.

So much more than music, this is sound therapy.

Bliss.......2006-01-30

My yoga instructor often plays track 1 at the end of class while we're resting in savasana--listening brings me back to that feeling of pure bliss and awareness. The whole disk is beautiful.

Average customer rating: Oh My God, Essence Is A Gorgeous Record... Possibly her best Lucinda gives hope on an otherwise bleak, generic 21'st century music scene Absolutely sublime "For Girls Under Heavy Blankets with Heat Rising."

Essence Lucinda Williams Manufacturer: Lost Highway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Alternative Folk | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Country | 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: World Without Tears Car Wheels on a Gravel Road West Sweet Old World Happy Woman Blues ASIN: B00005B8GS Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

1. Lonely Girls
2. Steal Your Love
3. I Envy The Wind
4. Blue
5. Out Of Touch
6. Are You Down?
7. Essence
8. Reason To Cry
9. Get Right With God
10. Bus To Baton Rouge
11. Broken Butterflies

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Few artists in recent memory have been able to wring more from less than Lucinda Williams. The hauntingly beautiful, wistful, and often breathtaking Essence is another case in point of how far raw emotion and honesty can carry an artist. Williams's singing is at its paralyzing best throughout 11 bare originals, an incredibly affecting vocal performance by a woman who was not blessed with exceptional tone, range, or pitch. Throughout, her voice is incredibly naked, vulnerable, and wrought with feeling. "Blue" and "Broken Butterflies" are gorgeous anti-lullabies whose simple melodies belie their poignant ruminations. The title track is a sultry and susceptible sex-as-drug come-on while "Reason to Cry" has all the hallmarks of a classic country lament. The only departure from the subdued mood is "Get Right with God," a rousing gospel tune that practically begs for salvation through punishment and is the rare acknowledgement of a world beyond Williams's own fears and desires. More meditative than the personal narratives found on Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Essence is ultimately more powerful. Williams wallows in sorrow and weakness, and the result is moving and disarming. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Oh My God, Essence Is A Gorgeous Record..........2007-05-10

Enjoyable CDs like Lucinda Williams' Essence (2001) are generally the exception and not the rule, but this songstress and her band deliver; Tony Garnier plays bass, Jim Keltner plays drums, Bo Ramsey plays electric guitar, Reese Wynans plays Hammond organ, and Charlie Sexton tackles several instruments. This release followed Lucinda's greatest success -- the Grammy Award winning Car Wheels On A Gravel Road.

Strong songs on this roots rock CD are the longest ones -- Are You Down, Bus to Baton Rouge, Essence, Out of Touch -- because Lucinda's backing band gets to display their wares. Their instrument choices are often unexpected and unusual: fuzz bass, guitars (electric experience, electric octave, live loop, resolectric, slide, and tremolo), one note harmony, acoustic papoose, violins and violas.

Since you're interested, please know Essence was affectionately recorded at Mastermix Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota during 2001. Many of the polishing touches on this recording are very subtle, but the genius lies in Lucinda's use of predominantly male singers -- Jim Lauderdale, Gary Louris, and Charlie Sexton -- for both harmony and background vocals. Joy Lynn White also appears on three tracks.

Even though the shorter songs -- Steal Your Love, I Envy The Wind, Blue, Reason To Cry -- are pleasant, they really could have stood out more. Steal Your Love (Track Two) could have shimmered with harmonica, peddle-steel guitar and clarinet. I Envy The Wind (Track Three) could have likewise benefited from an extended refrain with flutes, piccolos, and recorders.

Not to complain really, but Blue (Track Four) and Reason To Cry (Track Eight) both sound like dour songs that could have been uplifted through some sort of piano accompaniment. Williams sings these tracks with such soft tenderness and love that background piano might have proved distracting, but I'd love to hear these tracks covered by the talented Cat Power for example.

Could I name two favorites? Certainly. Out Of Touch (Track Five) is the closest thing to a pop song. Bus To Baton Rouge (Track Ten) is also a delicate and sentimental song that tells a complex stories in under forty lines. Other than gems Blue and I Envy The Wind, I could listen to this pair of songs for hours.

Essence (Track Seven) is one of two power ballads on this album, and Lucinda nails it down perfectly with driving vocals that glimpse at addiction, death, obsession and transcendence. Alternately, Get Right With God (Track Nine) has biblical undertones, is more rollicking, and serves as the prefect counterpoint to the album closing Broken Butterflies (Track Eleven) which hints at forgiveness and healing.


Personal aside: Does anybody have Lucinda's email address? I had it before but lost it. I'd love to give her more songs.

Possibly her best.......2007-02-09

Anything that Lucinda Williams puts out is worth owning. Her ballads are sung from the heart with passion and soul, and that's what makes this CD great. although the cut "Get right with God" is good, it doesn't fit in with the rest, and probably should have been recorded on a different disc. That being said, if it wasn't for that slight flaw, I'd have to rate this one 5 plus stars. In my humble opinion Lucinda Williams is the best female recording artist today.

Lucinda gives hope on an otherwise bleak, generic 21'st century music scene.......2006-12-30

I just discovered this amazing singer-songwriter about two years ago with World Without Tears,a cross between Neil Young and Billie Holiday might be stating it too simply, but the first rate songwriting and real emotion to spare are undeniable, Bus to Baton Rouge literally brings me to the point of tears on almost every listening, I highly reccomend this and the other two cd's I have, Car Wheels On A Gravel Road and World Without Tears.Not a bad track to be found. Can't wait to see her live.

Absolutely sublime.......2006-08-14

This is quite possibly Lucinda Williams finest recorded work to date. I have no option but to award five well deserved stars. The songs and production are certainly not as immediately impressive as Car Wheels or World Without Tears. However, what we have is a superbly crafted and subtly understated work that rewards repeated listening through masterful and poetic use of lyrics, heatbreaking vocal expression, and near-perfect arrangements. It is wonderfully successful on all levels. There are no weak tracks, and I invariably listen to all 11 without skipping. The title track is a favourite; one of the sexiest things I've ever heard.

"For Girls Under Heavy Blankets with Heat Rising.".......2006-05-04

This mournful, erotic album is my favorite of Lucinda Willams work. I'm not usually a fan of female singers who play guitar, but this lady is a real musician, a poet and an emotional magician. She writes her own music and lyrics - plays on her heartstrings, sings from her soul. Her rough but vulnerable, husky, cowgirl voice tells you all you need to know about late nights in bars, too much booze, cigarettes, and a long time looking - and longing - for that one guy.

Her songs are deceptively simple. Their power comes from her images, her delivery and the way the music supports the lyrics. "Lonely Girls," the first cut, sets the stage for the rest. The brisk, light melody, juxtaposed against her sorrowful wail, pushes the sadness deeper. Backup for the predatory "I'm Gonna Steal Your Love," beats like an excited heart. She drags out the words, savoring every anticipated pleasure. The slow, rocking instrumental to "I Envy the Wind," and her voice, almost breaking with sorrow as she tenderly, and with exquisite sensuality, describes the way the elements are free to touch the one she longs for, is painful to hear. The words to "Blue" create the most delicate and beautiful images of the color blue - that particular deep, purple blue that suddenly surprises the eyes and the heart in an ordinary moment. But the lodestone at the center of this amazing album is the pulsing, and obsessive "Essence," with a beat that drives her passionate lyrics of carnal cravings to a boiling point.

In between these heated cuts are tender, sad songs of lost loves. The last cut, " Broken Butterflies," is a personal message to a lover whose anger destroys beauty and love. All this is the stuff of lonely girls.

The music ranges from the whining, bleeding sound of country and western, to jazzy blues. Especially delicious are: the sultry openings for "Are You Down," and the sexy, staccato guitar opening for "Can't Put the Rain Back in the Sky," with it's organ echo, and. punctuated drum beat with a brushed whisper.

The only cut that seems out of place is "Get Right With God." Perhaps a little penance is necessary after these hot, lustful numbers. It's the most upbeat number on the whole album. Maybe we needed it.

Average customer rating: An overlooked effort from Manchester Respectable collection for 70's MOR singer-songwriter Great Songs And More! Not quite 100% Essence The Essence of Melissa Manchester

The Essence of Melissa Manchester Melissa Manchester Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music | Dance Pop | Easy Listening | General | Oldies | Traditional Vocalists General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: When I Look Down That Road Better Days & Happy Endings 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Rita Coolidge Platinum Collection Melissa Manchester Platinum & Gold Collection ASIN: B000002VT5 Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

1. If It Feels Good (Let It Ride)
2. Easy
3. Bright Eyes
4. Midnight Blue
5. Through The Eyes Of Grace
6. Home To Myself
7. Alone
8. O Heaven (How You've Changed Me)
9. Good News
10. Through The Eyes Of Love (Theme From Ice Castles)
11. Just Too Many People
12. Lovers After All
13. Fire In The Morning
14. Whenever I Call You Friend
15. Don't Cry Out Loud
16. You Should Here How She Talks About You
17. Caravan
18. Just You And I
19. Come In From The Rain

Customer Reviews:

An overlooked effort from Manchester.......2005-10-11

is Just You And I. Few, if any, Adult Contemporary radio program directors and consultants have 'tested' this song with their audience. Holds up very well, like Midnight Blue. Come to think of it, I hear very little Melissa Manchester on the radio.

Respectable collection for 70's MOR singer-songwriter.......2005-06-04

Among the introspective female singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1970's was Melissa Manchester. Her track record or fame wasn't as big as Carly Simon or Joni Mitchell, but she had more charting hits than peers such as Karla Bonoff. What she did have was a knack for adult contemporary ballads, with soaring vocals and string accompaniment.

As for "If It Feels Good (Let It Ride)" and "Easy" from Home To Myself, both show her sound in the making, be it the upbeat piano in the first, and the leisure melodies of the second, which goes into uptempo bursts in some of the chorus repeats. She cites Laura Nyro as an influence for the catchy piano tune "Bright Eyes"

Her first Top 40 hit was the #6 ballad and #1 adult contemporary hit, "Midnight Blue," from the Melissa album. Co-written with Carole Bayer Sager, who did many other songs with her, this is a smooth, quiet, and relaxing song. The followup single was co-written with Vini Poncia of KISS and Ringo Starr fame. A more upbeat number "Just Too Many People" this #30 single was about lonely people "afraid to take a stand," and "living in a house divided." As the liner notes say, this song was banned on some stations who perceived it for being pro-abortion, which it wasn't.

The theme of exploring solitude is present in "Home To Myself" and "Alone." In the first, being alone isn't bad, depending on how one spends it, and that's something I relate to a lot: "Make my own time/it's mine to spend/think to myself/my youngest friend" and "it's not so bad all alone coming back to myself again." The second, with its lounge jazz inflections, vibes and sax included, calls for a needed time-out, for being in "a place in me, and I have to be there alone." Nice, leisurely, introspective songs, both of them.

Why the theme from Ice Castles, "Through The Eyes of Love" didn't even dent the Hot 100, is a mystery, as it has the caliber of "Midnight Blue", with great vocals, string orchestration, and arrangements that make for a worthy pop hit. Too overblown, maybe? Not in this writer's opinion. One of my favourites here.

Of interest here is, "Whenever I Call You Friend" the song she wrote with Kenny Loggins, who decided to sing it with Stevie Nicks. It hit #5 in 1978, but Melissa decided to cover it herself, doing a more relaxed string-laden version.

Her second Top Ten hit, the #10 ballad "Don't Cry Out Loud" has a nice sound and vocals from Melissa, yet, given the purpose of singer-songwriters expressing what's in their hearts, the chorus is somewhat repressive: "don't cry out loud/just keep it inside/learn how to hide your feelings." The song reaches a crescendo with strings and what sounds like a piccolo trumpet. This song renewed my interest after I heard American Idol finalist Diane DeGarmo's cover of this.

With the new decade, Manchester hit #32 with "Fire in The Morning" and her duet with Peabo Bryson, the jazz-pop of "Lovers After All" reached #54 in 1981, showing signs that maybe she was being outdated with the onset of new wave. Odd considering acts like Christopher Cross and Air Supply had staying chart power during the same year.

The only song I heard of hers on the radio but was clueless to who it was turned out to be her last Top 40 hit, the Grammy winner for Best Pop Vocal Performance, "You Should Hear How She Talks About You." This catchy pop tune, which draws comparison to some of Laura Branigan's early stuff, was also her highest charting Hot 100 hit and third Top Ten, scraping the Top 5 in 1982.

While missing one Top 40 hit, "Pretty Girls," this does justice to Melissa Manchester's role as singer-songwriter and adult contemporary favourite of the 70's.

Great Songs And More!.......2004-06-12

Melissa Manchester is and always will be the one voice I like to listen to when I need cheering up. I like to refer to her as the "female Barry Manilow" and I mean it in a positive way! Like Manilow, she recorded for Arista for many years. Like Manilow, her style of music is very similar whether you want to label this music as MOR, adult contemporary, and/or easy listening. Like Manilow, she has LOTS of memorable songs! I have lots of respect of similar female artists who I enjoy listening to also (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Carly Simon, Karen Carpenter, and Carole King), but in my opinion Melissa is the BEST! Listening to this CD will let you know why!

Before this collection was available, her "greatest hits" album from 1983 was the best compilation you can find. Thankfully, The Essence Of Melissa Manchester is a better collection! Nineteen wonderful tracks dating from her start in 1973 when her focus was on jazz-flavored songs. All her Top 40 hits are included except for the #39 hit "Pretty Girls" from 1979.

The packaging is superb: liner notes to highlight her music career along with comments on each individual songs. There are plenty of pictures with song credits. As a bonus, both Barry Manilow and Carole Bayer Sager have their own personal comments about Melissa. That alone was worth the price of this CD!

Finally, this collection works for both the casual fan (who will get her hits and full-portrait of Melissa) and for the Melissa fan (who would appreciate her best work on one CD).

Not quite 100% Essence.......2003-11-15

The title of the compilation should be "99.9 percent Essence of Melissa Manchester". As a vocalist, Manchester is without peer. She can finesse(or power) the most average song into something special. Only one thing keeps nagging me--why were the two singles from the most underrated LP of all time, "Mathematics", omitted from this collection. The two singles("Energy" and the title track, which would have been a number one hit if sung by Madonna, as radio programmers in the mid 80's ignored the older artists like Manchester, Ross, and Newton-John,even though their music was as fresh as any younger female artist)were on the MCA label, as, of course, was the LP, so this may explain the omission as "Essence" is an Arista release. It is the only plausible reason these important singles would have been omitted, but I have yet to find out why.
I highly recommend "Essence" to anyone that enjoys listening to what a true vocalist sounds like, rather than the cookie-cutter mediocrity that saturates today's airwaves.

The Essence of Melissa Manchester.......2003-07-20

Lots of music on this CD. Over 70+ minutes. Some classic Carol Bayer Sager songs.

Average customer rating: Deep Forest - Essence of my music collection The Best of The Forest My first exposure to this duo and not my last.... A mixed bag of surprises Excelent new 6 tracks

Essence of the Forest Deep Forest Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Boheme Comparsa Deep Forest Made in Japan Music.Detected_ ASIN: B0001NBLRM Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

1. Sweet Lullaby (Version 2004)
2. Marta's Song
3. Madazulu
4. Night Bird (Version 2004)
5. Freedom City
6. Desert Walk (Version 2004)
7. Dignity
8. Ekue Ekue
9. Boheme
10. Yuki Song
11. Deep Weather
12. Green And Blue (Live)
13. Twosome (Marta Et Katalin Version)
14. Will You Be Ready
15. Undecided (Deep Radio Mix)

Customer Reviews:

Deep Forest - Essence of my music collection.......2007-02-25

I bought this cd a year and a half ago not really knowing much about the group except for their song Sweet Lullaby. I was not disappointed, I love this cd!! It is now one of my most played cds I own!! It will be a cd that will always be in my music collection. Some people don't get into music they cant understand the words too, but I think that is one of the more beautiful sides to the album. I have also purchased Boheme and will purchase more of their cds the duo has recorded.

The Best of The Forest.......2007-02-08

Essence of the Forest is a masterpiece collection.

The wonderfull reproduction of eternal music of the French duo will not dussapoint anyone in this beautifull world, united so well by the Deep Forest music.

I Love the Essence of the Forest! Thank You Eric and Michel !

My first exposure to this duo and not my last...........2005-05-26

Beautiful re-arrangements of traditional African ballads with solid harmonious orchestration. This is my first exposure to Deep Forest and if what the more experienced reviewers are saying, not their best work, I can't wait to explore more. Perhaps not the best choice, but "Essence" has me wanting more of this group's work.

A mixed bag of surprises.......2004-08-14

Deep Forest's greatest hits collection finally sees a stateside release, albeit with a drastically different tracklisting to its import counterparts. While imports versions tend to be better in this case neither version is truly satisfactory. The US release offers Deep Forest's biggests hits "sweet lullaby" (in a slightly remixed form) and "marta's song" as well smart choices like "ekue ekue" and "twosome." These songs really showcase the act's ability create modern vocal pop songs from ethnic chants and old folk songs. The US collection sadly omits the duo's collaboration with Peter Gabriel on "while the earth sleeps." Neither domestic nor import release give a nod to "Pacifique" - the soundtrack they scored. The US tracklisting works well despite its noticeable omissions. It does try to make up with the inclusion of the Deep forest remix of "undecided" for artist Youssou N'dour. If you are a casual fan of deep forest or relaxing world music this is a great hits package. For fans of the group this album may be a huge disappointment and it may be worth seeking out one of the 2 import versions that exists.

Excelent new 6 tracks.......2004-08-03

I got this CD because it was playing in the CD store.
Deep Forest I reconized, even that the track Desert Walk sound diffrent, better than the released in World Mix. For me, now Desert Walk 2004 and Night Bird 2004 should be singles of this album, they are so good songs.
Sweet Lullaby 2204 is excellent. Ana Torroja sounds good in Sweet Lullaby 2003. The remixes of Yuki Song and Will You be Ready sound better than in music detected. I LOVE THIS ITEM AND I AM WAITING FOR THE DVD OF THE VIDEOS OF DEEP FOREST, THE BEST IN THE MUSIC IN THE TELEVISION

Average customer rating: Some of the Best of Chris Spheeris

Essentials Chris Spheeris Manufacturer: Essence Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Chris Spheeris: 1990-2000 Brio Culture Mystic Traveller Eros ASIN: B000AN12HM Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Aria
2. Psyche
3. Margarita
4. Marionette
5. Mediterraneo
6. New West
7. Embrace
8. Alegria
9. Elektra
10. Always
11. Quiver
12. Desires of the Heart
13. Slow Dance
14. Bombay

Product Description

Newest CD by Chris Spheeris

Customer Reviews:

Some of the Best of Chris Spheeris.......2007-07-13

Chris has a number of excellent albums available, but this is one of the better collections, particularly if you are starting to collect his music. Chris has a Greek heritage, and the music wonderfully reflects this, but it is more eclectic, more varied, quite modern yet, evocative of older, ethnic and vibrant near East dance and festival music. He also has a fine talent for slower, more haunting pieces, and again, this album seems to reflect a perfect balance of themes, tempos and styles to really get one hooked on his albums. This is excellent background music, sophisticated music for a social gathering or conversation pit, BBQ or soiree with hors'douvres, souvlaki, retsina and a friend named Zafaria!

Don't just listen to Chris Spheeris, get off that couch, you old potato and let your feet discover their long lost ancient dances...you want to get lost in the Ageian, vine twist in Santorini and Crete, you know you do! Oppa!

Average customer rating: For the tabla lover No false advertising here U S T AAAAAAAAAA D J I Punjabi at its best Amazing

Essence of Rhythm Zakir Hussain Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tala Matrix Making Music Mel Bay Learning the Tabla Book/CD Set Sarangi: The Music of India Live in San Francisco at Stern Grove ASIN: B000009HRR Release Date: 1998-07-28

Tracks:

1. Tal-Posta In 5 Beats Raga/Jhinjoti on Sarangi
2. Tal-Pancham Sawari In 15 Beats/Raga Asa Mand (Naghma) On Sarangi
3. Jhaptal in 10 Beats/Raga Jhinjoti on Sarangi

Customer Reviews:

For the tabla lover.......2004-10-04

Ustad Zakir Hussain is one of the most famous living master tabla players. He tours and records widely. This CD showcases his drumming.

The sarangi and tanpura are very much in the background, playing the melody and drone of traditional classical music of India. The tabla playing is indeed masterful and brilliant. The music is well-recorded.

Any fan of truly exceptional drumming should enjoy this recording. Fans of traditional Indian music may wish to hear more of the other instruments in the mix.

~heidimo

No false advertising here.......2004-04-26

This disc lives up to its name. Zakir Hussain is an extraordinary artist and his tabla playing almost seems melodic at times. There is a drone accompaniment from Suchismita Chatterjee, but Zakir is very much to the fore on each of the three tracks. Incredible virtuosity on an instrument you either love or hate. It is entrancing - and I love it.

U S T AAAAAAAAAA D J I.......2002-03-18

Once again, Ustad Zakir Ji has proved his mastery over the tabla in this most amazing recording. I enjoyed this recording for a number of reasons: he demonstrates ways and methods to play off of odd timed cycles of 10, 12, and 15 beats - rather than the age old favorites of 4, 8, or 16 (which everyone feels comfortable in). He takes these, and incorporates "tukras" and "kaidas" of teen taal and kehrva and shows how to confuse even the beat itself- that is, he places four of five, eight over fifteen, 32 over six, 49 and a half over nine, 20 and three quarters over three and a third...and unless you are locked into the lahara (the cycle keeping melody behind the tabla) you will trip over yourself trying to find the ONE. also, except for the track that his younger brother, Fazal Ji (who is also AMAZING), accompanies him on - this cd is pure Z A K I R. He plays the sarangi, he plays the tabla, and he plays the tabla (duets with himself). Tuning his tablas to the root note as well as the perfect fourth (correct me if i'm wrong), he gets a really cool sound with duel tabla solos, and tabla duels between the "Sa" pitched tabla and the "Ma" pitched. Thank you, Ustad Ji.

Punjabi at its best.......2001-01-17

Anyone who knows the name Zakir Hussain knows to expect nothing but top notch tabla acompanyment. This cd spotlights this phenomanal artist in three solos. Mindboggleing intrcacy and impecable timing are but a few things to expect from this indescribable cd. A must have for percussionists, tabla enthusiasts, or anyone whose heart beats.

Amazing.......2000-07-07

Zakir Hussian is always good but this is very very good.

Average customer rating: This is my favorite CD and I listen to it all of the time. A fabulous record! Eros....Forever.... BEST GUITAR & SYNTHESIZER ALBUM .. Remarkable!

Eros Chris Spheeris Manufacturer: Essence Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Culture Desires Enchantment Mystic Traveller Brio ASIN: B000001UJD Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

1. The Arrow
2. Alegria
3. Carino
4. Psyche
5. Quiver
6. Slow Dance
7. Mediterraneo
8. Juliette
9. Always
10. Eros

Customer Reviews:

This is my favorite CD and I listen to it all of the time........2007-01-03

This CD give me such a feeling of peace and tranquility. I love to listen to this CD all of the time.

A fabulous record!.......2006-02-27

Chris Spheeris is nowadays one of the maxim exponents of this genre who found in Othmar Liebert one of its most remarkable predecessors

The emotional range is surprisingly wide: from enjoyable themes until contemplative gazes to nocturnal memories.

Specially recommended for all those have decided to go in search of new sounds.

Eros....Forever...........2003-05-12

Chris spheeris is a passionate and talented multi-instrumentalist.I have purchased most of Chris's Cds, and I loved it.In this album,Eros,Chris has created an unforgettable and beautiful atmosphere which it will lift your spirit.Chris Plays a spanish guitar with some greek music style. He also added some eastern europe music to create beautiful mood for us. The melodies of his guitar is so beautiful and amazing that you want to listen again and again.In Eros, His music is creative and vivid.Sometimes, I cried when I hear the track number 3 in this cd.Because it is so beautiful ,and this song reminds me of the sad memories which I gained through my life.Chris plays a beautiful piano which is accompanied by spanish guitar.His songs in this Cd is magical and unforgettable.Eros is about Chris's memories of his youth period.Eros is perfect Cd for two person who love each other as well.Chris has opened new heart in me, and I believe that it will do the same thing for you. His songs takes you to the land where kindness lives forever.Chris has touched many heart with his music.His music Brings joy and sadness,and it inspire you with its magical atmosphere.Buy this Cd,and you will love it.Chris has afew other cd other than Eros,and they are perfect album as well.....Forever....Viva Chris....

BEST GUITAR & SYNTHESIZER ALBUM .........2001-12-30

I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY TIMES I HEARED THIS CD. MAYBE HUNDREDS IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL AND ROMANTIC, SIMPLY THE BEST MUSIC A PERSON CAN BUY FOR HIMSELF OR FOR FRIENDS.THIS IS A MASTERPIECE THAT WILL REMAIN AS A CLASSIC AS TIME GOES BY.THE MOST POWERFUL COMBINATION OF ACOUSTIC GUITARS AND SYNTHESIZERS EVER CREATED.

Remarkable!.......2000-08-13

The music on this CD is so many things at once! It's uplifting, soothing, inspiring and comforting, energetic yet subdued. It flows beautifully and puts the listener in touch with something beautiful. I love the CD so much that my husband and I had it as the theme for our wedding last year.

Average customer rating: Just About the Most Peaceful Music I Have Ever Used As a Therapist Inner-peace Awesome but reject the shamanism Heaven on Earth The most relaxing selection of songs I've ever heard.

Essence Peter Kater Manufacturer: Source Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Healing | New Age | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Compassion Elements Series: Water Piano Elements Series: Air Elements Series: Fire ASIN: B0000018I4 Release Date: 2001-04-20

Tracks:

1. Essence

Customer Reviews:

Just About the Most Peaceful Music I Have Ever Used As a Therapist.......2006-12-23

Peter Kater's BEST, in my opinion. Almost no massage therapy client I have is able to stay awake through this CD. It has a very spiritual feeling to me. I love this CD.

Inner-peace.......2004-12-16

Peter Kater's music is Increditable. Mostly very relaxing and soulful he plays from the heart. Some would say mellow and peaceful. I have purchased all of his cd's and his style with some creditable guest they perform all to well together it is worth every penny. I have found peace and its in Peter's music.

Awesome but reject the shamanism.......2003-10-16

I love Peter Kater and most of his music without occult or shaman titles in them, because the truth is, it is part of a cult thinking and spiritual darkness. I studied it for years as I did other cults and I know people firsthand who were involved with the illuminated cult and "ism. Otherwise he has an excellent talent and beautiful spirit in music and melodic creation on the piano and you cannot deny that he has a God-given gift, if and when he ever acknowledges that is truly where it comes from.

Heaven on Earth.......2002-12-05

So beautiful, so exquisite, so moving. It seems to be divinely inspired. I am so appreciative to you, Peter Kater, for this treasure.

The most relaxing selection of songs I've ever heard........2001-09-21

I haven't any idea where I purchased this CD but I use it when I'm getting a message. I'm ordering one for my masseuse because she wanted to share it with her other clients.

Average customer rating: Make Time For This Music a real smoker! Powerful Accomplished but Challenging i've looked at some of these reviews and they make me laugh

Time Is Of The Essence Michael Brecker Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tales from the Hudson Two Blocks from the Edge Wide Angles Now You See It...Now You Don't Michael Brecker ASIN: B0000296PM Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

1. Arc Of The Pendulum
2. Sound Off
3. Half Past Late
4. Timeline
5. The Morning Of This Night
6. Renaissance Man (A Tribute To Eddie Harris)
7. Dr. Slate
8. As I Am
9. Outrance

Amazon.com

Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker has offered his horn to countless studio sessions since the late 1960s, many including his own bands. Purists might have considered Brecker's reputation sullied by his association with fusion--especially as performed in the 1970s by the Brecker Brothers, which featured him alongside his brother Randy on trumpet, and later by Steps Ahead--but since the mid-1980s, the tenorist has been on a post-bop roll. Time Is of the Essence extends Brecker's broad command of the styles pioneered during the mid-1960s. He's playing with a veritable supergroup, Pat Metheny adding efficient strums and riffs on guitar and Larry Goldings pillowing the atmosphere on a Hammond B3 organ. Three drummers alternate on the session, with the great Elvin Jones making the most turbulent storm and Bill Stewart providing the most detailed textures. Jeff "Tain" Watts mixes Jones's romping power with a sense of the delicate, loaning Brecker's melodies an added dimension. For his part, Brecker plays hard and fast with absolute proficiency. The tunes are gutsy and sharp, with lots of creative soloing and up-tempo energy. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Make Time For This Music.......2007-05-23

I'll try to do this (review) without dropping the names of those mighty tenorists who came before him, who he channeled so effectively whenever he wanted to, as if he were just pushing some kind of "recall" button on his horn. Elvin's here - so why not draw the comparison? Because the truth of the matter is that on "Time Is Of The Essence", this completely masterful work from 1999, Michael Brecker sounds exactly like himself.

First time I saw MB was in support of his 1987 Impulse! debut at the Great American Music Hall in San Fran. (Wait - that's not true - Steps Ahead did a great show right here in Kzoo, October 1984.) (wait - that wasn't first either - Chick Corea Three Quartets Band, Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, spring 1981 - dawg! well anyway..) He had Mike Stern, Joey Calderazzo (who I'd never heard of before), a bass player (Jeff Andrews maybe?), and Adam Nussbaum. Funny that I can't think of the bass player's name. It wasn't a heavy, but Brecker rarely played with anyone who wasn't, or who wasn't about to be. I say funny, because TIOTE is the only MB release that I can think of where there is no bass player. That's because Larry Goldings was on loan from John Scofield or had escaped Sco's clutches or something. Goldings puts both hands (probably both feet too) to excellent use on the Hammond, which essentially fills up the bass end, while smoothing out the hole in Brecker's otherwise organ-less discography. Not that MB didn't ever have a keyboard player before (in addition to or sometimes just in place of piano) - Good Heavens NO!! Mixing it up with keys and strings (most frequently the 6-er variety) was Brecker's bread and butter. He even seemingly played keyboards himself whenever he ventured into the realm of the Steiner EWI (what a great instrument!). Here, though, on TIOTE, Brecker is *all* tenor and Goldings is *all* B3, and the results go way beyond what we had waited so long for.

At that GAMH date, Brecker seemed to me both like a man possessed and like a brother giving it all away to you at the same time. On TIOTE, it's not like he's holding anything back. He isn't. But he *does* have this extra gear that he can drop it into whenever he wants to. And typically he wants to whenever he hears the call of the drums. Ah, yes, the DRUMS! This album has dream drums! And not just from Jeff "Tain" Watts, who was well incorporated by this time into MB's working routine, in addition to all his Branford stuff and his own stuff and all the other "stuff" that he felt like making time for (obvious pun, yes I'll stop now). Bill Stewart's on board too and isn't HE sensational? I don't care who else is on the gig - if you tell me that Bill Stewart's gonna be playing with a band downtown tonight - I'm gonna be there! And I don't mean that he just thrills you with every move he makes - what I mean is that he integrates himself completely into each piece with his great big ears and plays so... intelligently, that's it. He's also an excellent tune-smith himself, elsewhere. Here on TIOTE, the pens belong to Brecker (5), guitarist Pat Metheny (2), and to Goldings (1), with one more (see below).

"And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, for the *star* of our show ..." (yes, this is where one of those rolls goes). "Ladies and Gents, please welcome Mr. Elveen Jones!!" Jones takes the chair we had always wanted to hear him in, and does he disappoint? Are you kidding? This is Elvin Jones, the man, solid, loose, in the pocket, all over the place, the master of polyrhythm himself on 3 tracks for the millenium. On two of these, there's a spot where everybody else drops out so it's just him and MB, and look out!! At one point during "Outrance", the closer, MB drops out too, and I swear from the next room that it sounds just like a bass and drum duo, but there's no Larry, hands or feet - IT'S ALL ELVIN.

Almost done and I still haven't dropped it (those names). Well, the other star of this show is the George Whitty comp "Renaissance Man", which is so perfectly pulled off in honor of the man who had a reason for talkin' ---t, Mr. Eddie Harris. I can barely go two weeks without having to hear at least this one track from this excellent 5 star album. And I could try to turn this review into my personal tribute to all of the great players represented here, real or channeled, who have left us too soon. But it's probably best to simply close with a paraphrase from the title of a Metheny tune: Every Day I Am Thankful For Your Music.
Salaam, Michael

P.S. Major props go out to sound man James Farber for fantastic services rendered. The balance is wonderful. Leave your controls flat cuz this sucker kicks with no help required.

a real smoker! .......2005-09-24

This album is the real deal.

Brecker leads the charge, this time with Larry Goldings on organ, and familiar sideman Metheny on guitar. In my opinion, they hit the ball out of the park on this one.

This time, the focus is really on the music. Often, I think Brecker gets caught up in demonstrating the state of the Tenor (Delta City Blues, My One and Only Love) as only he can. For this one, it's an all hands on deck team effort. The arrangements are great, but it's the hard driving swing that makes this record groove. I think it's absolutely one of Brecker's finest efforts. And check out the drummers on this one. Theey get a chance to really shine, where the songs are well suited to their individual strengths.

Elvin Jones plays like a god, providing herculean drive and swing as always. But, Stewart and Watts match his intensity (as much as anyone else could.)

Goldings is terrific here, and Metheny plays fine as usual. But he also shows a little extra edge, which is always nice.

At the time this came out, I remember a quote by Brecker about how he wore out a few copies of Unity by Larry Young, which featured Joe Henderson's fine Tenor playing matched with Young's organ. With Time of the Essence, Brecker (whether intentional or not) creates a fine tribute to Youngs landmark recording. On Time is of the Essence, Brecker and company created their own matserpiece worthy of comparison.

Shawn

Powerful.......2004-09-04

While I love the funky, bluesy playing of traditional jazz organists like Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott, and "Groove" Holmes, I also dig progressive organists such as Larry Young playing with Anthony Williams, Dan Wall with John Abercrombie, and on this CD Larry Goldings with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. Goldings handles his instrument with a lighter touch than the traditional organists. In fact his playing at times seems almost piano-like; I learned from another Amazon review that Goldings is also a pianist so this makes sense. Brecker is a very powerful tenor player here as always; like Coltrane and Dexter Gordon one has the feeling he could just go on soloing forever. Rounding out the front line is the fine guitarist Pat Metheny who solos well throughout. Drummers Elvin Jones, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Bill Stewart alternate in the drum chair providing solid support. The compositions are interesting with enough variation to hold interest. Offering almost 70 minutes of music "Time Is Of The Essence" is a worthwhile purchase.

Accomplished but Challenging.......2002-02-23

Anytime Jazz sax player Michael Brecker has something to say people listen - and rightly so, as his style has had a profound impact on modern jazz. In this album, Brecker departs from his often "funky" style and explores the organ-based quartet format. The result is satisfying, but also significantly more challenging on the ear than other works by him. This is an album which you must sit and listen to, rather than play and absorb subliminally.

The line up of the album is second to none. Metheny takes the lead on Guitar, and Larry Golding's organ playing is exquisite. Rhythm is provided in tun by Elvin Jones, Jeff Watts and Bill Stewart. However, at least for me, the sum is a little less than one might expect from the parts.

Rating this album was a struggle. Technically, it is accomplished; the playing is outstanding, and the production is good. Yet of all my Brecker albums it is the one I play least. Partly, that is purely stylistic, but partly it is that I simply don't find the usual Brecker nuances displayed here. As an introduction to Brecker's music I would avoid this album, at least as a starting point. If you are already an avid Brecker or Metheny fan, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly - there is certainly a great deal of content which bears many repeat listenings.

i've looked at some of these reviews and they make me laugh.......2001-08-02

How could you be a fan of jazz and say this album is bad because Brecker didn't throw in a bunch of funky grooves into his albums and be like the rest of the mainstream saxophonists come on you cant tell me "Outrance" wasn't an amazing track so what if its sounds like Coltrane do you hear anybody else able to play at that level of skill?that track even rivals Coltrane's skills and soul and i just cant believe that people here are trashing this album so bad because its not some experimental funk jazz and if you asked me "Delta City Blues" yea an original Track but it doesnt have the power and skill thats involved in "Outrance" it doesn't grab you any its basically a funky instrumental that shows off his technical abilities i mean at about the 3 minute mark of the song "Delta City Blues" does break into a great jazz song but 3 minutes is a long time to wait for things to develop and then have only about 2 minutes of actual solo's this new album has gone to the roots of Jazz and switched his style up to become a better Jazz musician as a whole and be more widely respected i grow tired of artist's putting out the same things and its good to see a change in style and watch it work succesfully if you guys have a problem with that then maybe you shouldn't be listening to michael brecker and maybe you should pop in some kenny g he always plays with his soft whining sound so you'll hear no changes there and thats my word peace!!1

Christian Music:

1. Family Portrait/Party Started [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Karaoke]
2. Feel Good Time [Import]
3. First Taste Of Love
4. Floating Down the River
5. Fresh Hits 2000 V.1 [Import]
6. Garnet
7. Gettin' Close [Explicit Lyrics]
8. God, Self & Community
9. Goodbye Flatland [Import]
10. Guaranteed Chance

Christian Music

christian music

Christian Music

Beast With Two Backs [Import]

An Organ Pilgrimage

Bachelorette

These Are the Days: [Import]

Back to the Heavyweight [Import]

Aria, Vol. 2: New Horizon

Amiciper Sempre [Import]

Bass America: Collection One

All the Best Irish Drinking Songs

Belorussian Series 3

Aos Mestres Com Carinho: Homenagem a Dolores Duran [Import]

Agua Nueva

Bangin on the Wax (Best of the Crips)

Llibre Vermell de Montserrat. A fourteenth century pilgrimage

Zappa in New York