Train of Thought

About the Artist
Heavily influenced by such seminal rock acts as Joy Division, the Clash, and Elvis Costello, the Tabloids are known for uptempo songs with a strong political bent.

The band has a distinctive sound owing in large measure to Lead singer Michael Robinson's deep, gravelly voice and offbeat phrasing. In addition, the Tabloids' benefit from a wide cast of characters, each lending their unique talents to the project. Unlike many traditional bands, singer-songwriter Robinson tailors the recording band to the mood and message of each song. The result is a great blend of hard rocking tunes and mellow ballads, each presented to tell an individual story with thought provoking, witty lyrics.

Product Description
"Train of Thought" features a veritable rogues gallery of crazy characters such as Mistress Xanadu, The Sinister Minister, Hamlet, Fellini, Mona Lisa, Senator Heridan, Madame Sosotross, Dr. Gigolo, Houdini, Mr. Obvious, Johnny Zombie, Leonardo Da Vinci, The Cogito Ergo Sumo Wrestler and Sticky Vicky.

In addition, the lush arrangements of the Tabloids' signature quirky vignettes feature smoking sax solos, haunting violin passages, acoustic guitar arpeggios and rock organ riffs.

Train of Thought,The Tabloids

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Average customer rating: Absolutely fantastic I don't know what these people are on. This is definitely a great album. One Hott Album!! Blows Away All Other Metal Posers One of the greatest heavy rock albums of all time!

Train of Thought Dream Theater Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Octavarium Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory Images and Words Awake ASIN: B0000CDLA7 Release Date: 2003-11-11

Tracks:

1. As I Am
2. This Dying Soul
3. Endles Sacrifice
4. Honor Thy Father
5. Vacant
6. Stream Of Consciousness
7. In The Name Of God

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely fantastic.......2007-07-06

Dream Theater's seventh album brings it to the table, dishes it out, and cleans up afterwards. A great album that, while only containing seven tracks, crosses the entire spectrum from the fast and heavy "This Dying Soul" to the calm and methodical "Vacant", easily more variation that many other bands out there can fit into albums with twice as many tracks.

Train of Thought has something for everyone, and for fans of Dream Theater, new and old, it certainly doesn't disappoint. And the more you listen to it, the more you grow to like it. Definitely a recommended buy, period.

I don't know what these people are on. This is definitely a great album........2007-06-28

One thing I've noticed with all Dream Theater reviews save a couple (which you'll find out which after you read this sentence): all the critical fans whine because it's not another "Images & Words" or perhaps "Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory". Both were good albums but while these fans proclaim to not want monotony they also criticize the albums for not being like them, which is something I, at least personally, find a bit contradictory.



I don't know if I'd call myself a Dream Theater album. This was actually the second album of theirs I bought after "Imges & Words" but even to this day I still listen to it and with gusto. Even the lyrics are impressive for the most part. "Face yourself, man/Brace yourself and trace your hell back!"



This album is one of their heavier albums, probably even the heaviest of all of them (though I haven't heard all of them yet, including the new album). If you like a more metal sound you'll like this. It may be more "straight up" or "direct" than their previous albums but it still has its "prog-ness" to it. There's not many soft songs on here except "Vacant", which is short. Other than that, the only real softness is on parts of "Endless Sacrifice" and "In The Name of God", and I say part because a lot of those songs have heavy parts too.



It's probably safe to say there's not as much of that typical synthesizer, organ-like keyboard work, if you know what I mean, and a lot more distortion. However, Jordan does some really astounding keyboard work with a distorted, guitar-like keyboard sound. If you're not familiar to this type of keyboarding, you'll probably think it's a guitar, like I did, but really it's just Jordan kicking a**. Seriously, great stuff. The rest of the instruments and vocals are great too. My favorites as of now are "Endless Sacrifice" because of that really great instrumental section which in my opinion has two of the best guitar solos John as ever played as well as one of the best dual solos Jordan and John have ever played; and "In The Name of God" because it has that "epic" feel I wish I could hear more of (in metal in general). The closing part where James goes, "In the name of Gah-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahd/In the name of Gah-ah-aaaaahd!" is powerful and soaring and one of the best vocal lines I've ever heard from them and is the best part of the song. I find myself rewinding and listening to that part over and over because it gets me so hard.



Well, anyway, this is a heavy Dream Theater album with a lot of good stuff. It's not a repeat of "Images & Words" and "Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory" so spare me the tears. I don't know if it's better than their earlier albums, which have a lot to do with personal preference as Dream Theater generally releases quality albums and there's so much to examine in all of them. However, I think it's one of Dream Theater's better albums and definitely worth the buy. It may not be perfect but that doesn't mean it's worth the unfair, crap rating people are giving it.

One Hott Album!!.......2007-05-25

Dream Theater was introduced to me through the group Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ( I'm a heavy fan of both groups ) I also listen to other groups such as Genesis,Kansas,Yes,ELO,Rush and the like. After putting this album on and listening to it several times,I could hear traces of those other groups in different parts of the recording. I give it a 5 star here because the drummer really shines here - ( ok,I'm a drummer for over 30+ yrs.) In a nut shell,this recording is not only a first for me,but one that will be in my liabary for along while!!
Go get ahold of this recording if you like your music loud,fun and strong --- you will wide up with more than a grin on your face as this album "lets it all hang loose!" :-)
Enjoy!!!

Blows Away All Other Metal Posers.......2007-05-17

I thought I'd post a review for the non-Dream-Theater-fan. I don't qualify for that title anymore since over the past year or so I've gone from complete DT ignorance to DT nutcase.

With all that said, if you're like I was several months ago: wondering about the large catalog of DT offerings and not knowing where to start, AND if you really enjoy wild, heavy, monstrous guitar tone - bordering on some of the extremely heavy industrial or metalcore type of stuff, then THIS is the album to start with.

Then - once you listen to a couple of Petrucci's solos on this thing, you're sure to go buy the rest of their albums, because he's popping off the same kind of completely mind-blowing solos on nearly every song on every album... it's just that on this one he really has a grinding, chunky rhythm track on most every tune, and they really went out of their way to play metal.

At the same time it is extremely progressive, so I caution metalcore and industrial fans: if you become bored with your collection after taking in the complexities of Dream Theater... don't say you weren't warned: this band plays stuff twice as complex as anything you've heard before, and frankly that can include Vai, Gilbert, whoever... nobody goes to the Nth degree the way this band does: the skill level of everybody, not just the guitar player, is so over the top, you're hearing new nuances everywhere even after many, many listenings. (And note how the real DT afficianados are ripping this album for not being progressive enough... so give it a listen, and then imagine how mind-bending the rest of their catalog is).

One of the greatest heavy rock albums of all time!.......2007-05-15

For fans familiar with Dream Theater, nothing needs to be said about the musicianship. For new fans, it helps to listen to a song at least 5 to 10 times before passing judgement. The songs have so much depth that a listener cannot grasp it all with a single listen. I'm a guitar guy, John Petrucci is the most skilled rock guitar player in the world IMHO. Mike Portnoy's percussion on this album is mind boggling. Not just technical, but really accessible and interesting. This album, along with Octavarium, DT displays a new level of polish with their song writing that really appeals to my ear. Buy this album, listen to it ten times, and prepare to become a new obsessive Dream Theater fan.

Average customer rating: Talib Kweli and Hi Teck Makes You Want To "Move Somethin" (Rating: 10 out of 10- -5 stars) Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought: Best CD you've never heard of The CD is a blast Very impressive. Brought a tear to my eye!

Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought Talib Kweli , and Hi-Tek Manufacturer: Rawkus / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Black Star Quality Like Water For Chocolate The Beautiful Struggle Things Fall Apart ASIN: B000067CLQ Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

1. Experience Dedication
2. Move Somethin'
3. Some Kind Of Wonderful
4. The Blast
5. This Means You
6. Too Late
7. Memories Live
8. Africa Dream
9. Down For The Count
10. Name Of The Game
11. Ghetto Afterlife
12. On My Way
13. Love Language
14. Love Speakeasy
15. Soul Rebels
16. Eternalists
17. Big Nel From Da Natti
18. Touch You
19. Good Mourning
20. Expansion Outro

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

Talib Kweli is probably the only MC who could do justice to "For Women," Nina Simone's righteous, ragged battle cry, and he does so with his cover on Reflection Eternal. That cut illustrates this album's timeless quality, its personal poeticism, and its strength. Kweli's lyrical skills have only improved over time, approaching the stuff of legend. And producer Hi-Tek's supple grooves balance the wordcraft perfectly. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Amazon.com

Silencing any suggestions that he's any less capable than his more high-profile Black Star partner Mos Def, Talib Kweli, along with DJ Hi-Tek, crafts a masterful debut with Reflection Eternal. Like Mos, Kweli displays an impressive range of styles and sensibilities--whether popping party lyrics on "Move Something," reflecting on the mysteries of the heart for "Love," or musing on hip-hop's death and rebirth for "Good Mourning." In comparison to Mos Def's status as a new funk soul brother, Kweli's more of a b-boy bookworm--erudite and articulate, but he can also let fly with fire and spark on the mic anytime. DJ Hi-Tek finally gets to show off his full range of production ability with a blend of hot, aggressive tracks ("Blast") and relaxed groovers ("Memories"). As good a debut as you could ask for. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

Talib Kweli and Hi Teck Makes You Want To "Move Somethin" (Rating: 10 out of 10- -5 stars).......2007-01-31

You can argue that Talib Kweli & DJ Hi Teck are the best emcee and DJ duo since Pete Rock & CL Smooth. When I first discovered them was when I was at home listening to the Music Choice Rap Channel, when the song "This Means You" popped on. That song alone wanted me to go and get that album, because of it's excellent wordplay by Kweli and Mos Def, with the production of Hi Teck.

There is not much I can say that already hasn't been said, seeing the average rating is at it's max. As I mentioned before, Kweli's rhymes are superior to hear. Being as young as I was at the time this dropped (around 14 or 15), trust me, I've never heard someone rhyme like that before. A perfect example where Kweli runs free on the mic is the song "Some Kind Of Wonderful". Another track that stood out was "The Blast" where even Hi Teck spits a verse that is also dope (the video had Talib doing two verses, but that is not on here. I'm kinda mad, since this is reissued).

Guest appearances are dope as well. My favorite would be Xzibit and Rah Digga popping up for the song "Down For The Count". Another would be the De La Soul contributed verses in "Soul Rebels". Production is also excellent by Hi Teck. Some of the song here are kind of laid back to listen to, but you can easily catch a vibe towards them.

"Reflection Eternal" (or "Train Of Thought" to some people) is one album that I can enjoy on many levels again and again. I remember listening to this album back in high school, and only a hand full of people knew who these guys were. If you ever get a chance, pick this us. The production on here is soothing and can clear your mind. If you are not familiar with Kweli, you might want to check out "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star". I just found out Hi Teck was in a group called Mood back in '97 and will listen to that as well. Arguably one of the best that came out of Rawkus. Word up.

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

Favorite Tracks: Move Somethin', Some Kind Of Wonderful, The Blast, This Means You, Memories Live, African Dream, Down For The Count, Name Of The Game, On My Way, Love Language, Soul Rebels, Touch You, For Women (Bonus Track)

Honorable Mention: Good Morning

Peace Everyone!!!

Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought: Best CD you've never heard of.......2006-12-20

One of the best albums I've ever heard, I'd give it 6 stars if Amazon let me. With the exception of Gangstarr (though I think Kweli is lyrically superior to Guru), I have never heard an MC and producer mesh so effortlessly on a consistent basis like Kweli and Hi-Tek. This is a CD I put in and listen to without touching a button.

Both Talib and Hi-Tek display impressive versatility in their respective trades, starting the CD with a party track like "Move Something," then moving to songs like "Memories Live," and "Love Language". You see Hi-Tek's jazz influence in songs like "Love Speakeasy," and "Good Mourning,". I also love the Nina Simone samples. The bonus track "For/Four Women," is a song which chronicles the trials and tribulations of Black Women since they arrived to this country centuries ago. Finally, on a personal note, "The Blast" is my favorite song in the whole wide world. Not saying you should care, but that tells you how I feel about this CD. I will listen to this when I'm 50 years old and I have no doubt about that.

That being said, it absolutely KILLS me that Kweli later comes out with LPs like "Quality" and "Beautiful Struggle," and gets very few to no tracks from Hi-Tek. It boggles my mind. When you look at the results of Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought and Blackstar, it becomes clear that the duo makes great and refreshingly intelligent music. In today's rap climate, that is clearly not the norm. I don't have an afro and I don't wear Cowrie shells or dashikis, but yes, it is great to hear rap music of some substance, celebrating black music and black people. I still treasure my copies of Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic and Life After Death, but this one's also in my special CD case...

The CD is a blast.......2006-10-09

I love the concious rap, the nature of it is so real. I can go by these tracks because of what they represent; the essence. The top 5 songs of the album:
1 The Blast
2 move somthin
3 Down for the Count
4 Good Mourning
5 Eternalists

Very impressive........2006-09-01

I'm always up for intelligent hip-hop, and "Reflection Eternal/Train Of thought" is filled to the brim with creative rhymes, head-bobbing beats, and powerful messages. For example, "Too Late" is a song that mourns hip-hop's downfall. "Nowadays rap artists coming half-hearted/Commercial like pop or underground like black markets/Where were you the day hip-hop died?" It's so true it's almost eerie. Plus, the beat is amazing.

Another note-worthy song is "Name of the Game". An amazing piano sample plays in the backround, and Talib's crazy MC skills are practically jaw-dropping:

"'The name of the game is..'
Persistance, dedication
Consistant motivation
Resistance to stagnation of information
Distribute it free to the entire population
No hesitation
Makin it public
No privitazation from corporations"

Genius!! Seriously, no true hip-hop collection is complete without this gem. "RE/TOT" is sure to be remembered for years to come.

Brought a tear to my eye!.......2006-05-31

This is an absolutely amazing album created by the reflection eternal. Another release that focuses on making classic songs that mean something positive to people. Songs that you can play twenty years from now and they are still dope and relevent to your life. Support emcees that have talent, not materialistic artists that make songs that will help you into a jail cell.

Average customer rating: Return to Sanity Have Some Madeira British humour at its best If you haven't heard this... Gentle Satire

Complete Flanders & Swann Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music Comedy & Spoken Word | Box Sets | Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Songs of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann At the Drop of a Hat The Best of Flanders & Swan - A Transport of Delight Beyond The Fringe (1961 Original London Cast) Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer ASIN: B000006T4S Release Date: 1997-04-30

Tracks:

1. Warthog, The (The Hog Beneath The Skin)
2. The Sea Horse
3. The Chameleon
4. Whale, The (Mopy Dick)
5. Je Suis Le Tenebreux
6. Songs For Our Time
7. A Song Of The Weather - Flanders & Swann
8. The Reluctant Cannibal
9. Greensleeves
10. Misalliance
11. Kokoraki
12. Madeira M'Dear?
13. Too Many Cookers
14. Built Up Area
15. In The Bath (From 'At The Drop Of A Hat')
16. Sea Fever
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Tracks:

1. The Gas Man Cometh
2. Sounding Brass
3. Los Olividados
4. In The Desert
5. The Sloth
6. The Rhinoceros
7. Kangaroo Tango
8. Jaguar
9. Dead Ducks
10. The Elephant
11. By Air
12. Slow Train
13. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice - Flanders & Swann
14. The Humming Bird
15. The Portuguese Man-Of-War
16. Sea Fever
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Tracks:

1. The Gas Man Cometh
2. Sounding Brass
3. Los Olividados
4. In The Desert
5. The Sloth
6. The Rhinoceros
7. Kangaroo Tango
8. Jaguar
9. Dead Ducks
10. The Elephant
11. By Air
12. Slow Train
13. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice - Flanders & Swann
14. The Humming Bird
15. The Portuguese Man-Of-War
16. The Wild Boar
17. The Ostrich
18. The Wompom
19. Twice Shy
20. Commonwealth Fair
21. P** P* B**** B** D******
22. Paris
23. Eine Kleine Nacht Musik Cha Cha Cha
24. The Hundred Song
25. Food For Thought

Album Details

Fantastic Triple CD Box Set of the Recorded Works of One of Britain's Most Popular Comedy Duos. Their Keen Observations of Everyday British Life and Abilities to Exemplify them in Song Made them the Darlings of the UK. Cleverness, Wit and Absoute Hilarity were the Order of the Day, in Just About Any Style of Music. Pure Comic Genius on Three Discs!

Customer Reviews:

Return to Sanity.......2005-07-27

Before Monty Python, before the Beatles, before "'Enery the Aigth Oi Am" there was the subtle, sweet, insdious humor of Flanders and Swann, and their lyrics remain part of the recognition rituals of Ivy Leaguers of the sixties. For any aging hippies or yuppies who find life WAY more stressful than we ever expected, and for whom the down side of alcohol, sex, and drugs has become apparent, I recommend listening several times to "In the Bath". It raises a cry for peace among the nations by inviting all the leaders to sit congenially steaming in a communal bathtub. And they reminding us of our essential self-interest when they add the proviso "as long as Swann and Flanders get the end without the taps." On those nights when we suspect that there isn't any point to it all, reach for the Flanders and Swann. They won't convince you there is any meaning to life, but they'll make it a lot easier to bear. Don't even try to do without it.

Have Some Madeira.......2005-07-06

Not every line in Flanders and Swann has become part of our 37-year marriage, but many have. As our turntables fail, we are pleased that we can relive all the fun stuff we used to collect. Nothing is like this duo, especially what you usually hear as French horn by Mozart converted into "I found that horn go(r)ne." And, of course,
"Have some Madeira, m'dear" is an all-time favorite.

British humour at its best.......2003-03-15

When I started out as a teacher of English, I had the most wonderful colleague as a mentor -- when she retired she gave me three LPs with much of what is on these CDs, and it must be one of the best gifts I have ever been given. Practically all of it makes me smile or laugh out loud (although I must admit that some, like The Armadillo and Slow Train, make me so melancholy that I can just feel my lower lip tremble and my eyes fill up). How can you beat lines like "Hail to thee, blithe Wompom", or "The English are moral, the English are good / And clever, and modest, and misunderstood"? I find they make great listening exercises for my teenaged students as well -- they consider it ancient, but incredibly funny!

If you haven't heard this..........2003-01-16

The great comedic pairing of the late Michael Flanders (vocals) and Donald Swann (piano and occasional vocals) must surely rank among the hall of fame of comic singers and songwriters. Descended from the British music hall tradition, these two men wrote and performed music which still sparkles with wit today, some 40 or more years since it was recorded.

After being told to take up singing as a means of strengthening his polio-weakened lungs, the wheelchair-bound Flanders teamed up with pianist Swann and proceeded to write such classic songs as "The Hippo Song (Mud Mud Glorious Mud)", "The Gasman Cometh", "The Gnu Song", "A Transport of Delight" and many others. As well as a gently satirical spirit, all these songs feature the sublime wordplay and interplay of both men.

The first two discs of this box set are actual concerts - "At The Drop Of A Hat" and its successor "At The Drop Of Another Hat". Recorded at the height of the duo's popularity and form, the sound quality is surprisingly good for recordings this old.

"At The Drop Of A Hat" opens with three of the Flanders and Swann classics. "Transport Of Delight", a song in praise of the "97 horsepower omnibus" features the wonderful harmonies of the duo on lines like "any more fares" and Flanders' dead-on impression of a London busdriver "Geddardait, we're full right up inside". "Song of Reproduction" deals with the new, as it was then, stereo technology and features Flanders delivering an incredible monologue using every conceivable piece of audiophile jargon. "The Gnu Song" (in which "gnu" is pronounced phonetically) is a real treat. The audience's reaction to the reappearance of the gnu is superb.
As well as this opening trio, the disc features Flanders' snippets of "Songs For Our Time" (in which he experiments with conventions of hit songs), "Song of the Weather" (a rundown of English weather throughout the year), "The Reluctant Cannibal" (featuring Swann in the tititular role and the chorus "I can't eat people/I won't eat people/eatin' people is wrong"), Swann's foray into Greek folksong "Kokraki" and the justifiably famous "Madeira M'Dear". The performance ends with a rousing version of "The Hippo Song".
Flanders is in fine voice throughout and his comments introducing each song are delivered with deadpan accuracy. The story behind "The Gnu Song" is an absolute masterpiece. Flanders' monologue about the creation of "Greensleeves" is also superb - "'Greenfleeves'. That's an interesting name for a fong" (referencing old English script) being just a taste.

"Another Hat" begins in equally fine form with "Gasman Cometh" and "Ill Wind". "Gasman", presaged as "a tale of unending domestic upheaval", is sure to have most people who've ever dealt with unreliable tradesmen nodding in agreement, while "Ill Wind" is Flanders' attempt at setting words to a French horn concerto featuring the immortal lines "I lost that horn/lost that horn/lost that horn/found that horn/gorn". The performance continues with Swann's Russian/English song "In The Desert", the ending of which is truly side-splitting. "All Gall" (a reinterpretation of "This Old Man" to fit then-French President Charles de Gaulle) is a little dated but very cleverly done. "Song of Patriotic Prejudice", with its introduction and opening lines grabbing the audience's attention is another triumph, while the "Hippo Encore" is a great end to the performance.
Again Flanders is at his peak. His loving description of the Spanish olive-stuffers ("Olividados") and his superb story about flying ("By Air") are both brilliant examples of the shaggy dog story.
My favourite from both of these discs would have to be "First and Second Law". Flanders decides to educate Swann in elementary science and picks on the first and second laws of thermodynamics ("heat is work and work is heat" and "heat cannot of itself pass from one body to a hotter body") and the repetition of these phrases in time to Swann's barely-there piano accompaniment is one of the finest moments in British comedy.

The third disc is largely forgettable. It begins with a series of animal-related songs performed in a studio and without much of Flanders' rambling introductions. "Warthog" has its moments, while the others were clearly not performed in front of an audience for a reason. "Wompom" is also mildly diverting, presenting a story about a made-up substance which is the answer to everything.
The rest of the disc is then filled out with much earlier material in a rather poorly-recorded concert. "20 Tons of TNT" (related to the calculation the pair had done which gave that as the amount of TNT per person on the planet at the time) provides food for thought, but little more.

Is this box set for everyone? No. Much of the humour both within and without the songs does require a bit of background knowledge to what was going on in Britain and Europe at the time (1960s), John Profumo is referenced a few times as well as Charles de Gaulle and the Common Market, while a smattering of classical music knowledge can help out a bit with Swann's work and "Ill Wind". The fact that my grandfather (who's in his late 70s) recalls hearing these songs and laughing may give an indication as to the age of some of the subject matter. Equally the fact that "First and Second Law" references an awful lot of physics might do the same.

Nevertheless, for anyone who loves British humour done in a gentle manner or who is interested in the source of "mud mud glorious mud/nothing quite like it for cooling the blood", give these CDs some serious consideration.

Gentle Satire.......2002-04-03

I've been singing Flanders and Swann every day In the Bath since I first heard them in 1964. If you don't know them, think Gilbert and Sullivan by way of English music hall and Noel Coward, with a bit of Tom Lehrer musical satire and classic Bob Newhart or Charlie Manna monologues. F&S commented gently on their times: "The purpose of satire, it has been rightly said, is to strip away the veneer of comfortable illusion and cozy half-truth. And our job, as I see it, is to put it back again." Quite simply the best comic songs and patter of the 20th century. Michael died in 1975, Donald in 1994. Goodnight, Mabel Figworthy, wherever you are.

Here are some samples of Michael's verbal wit.

Wordplay:
- "A Transport of Delight," their song of the pleasures of the double-decker bus "has recently been adopted as the theme song of the Underground resistance movement."
- Speculating that Henry VIII wrote Greensleeves: "and the royalties go to royalty."
- About a tennis referee late in the day: "the umpire upon whom the sun never sets."
- Explaining how he was hoisted in his wheelchair onto airliners by a fork lift: "Why they need a great machine like that to lift forks I do not know. Well, they're only plastic, now, aren't they?"
- On status symbols: "The object is to Gunga Din your neighbor: 'I'm a better man than you' is the acid test," and, "let's bang our status cymbals with the best."
- To a disenchanted cannibal: "You used to be a regular anthropophagi."
- Of a lecher: "And he said as he hastened to put out the cat, the wine, his cigar, and the lamps," while the girl "lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes, and his hopes."
- At the corrida d'olivas (the Andorran festival of olive stuffing, not to be confused with the Spanish corrida de toros, or bullfight): "And a great cry goes up of Ole! He has made an 'ol."
- "It's no good going up to a scientist and saying to him like you would to anybody else, 'Good morning, how are you, lend me a quid, and so on.' He'll just glare at you, or make a rude retort."

Throw-aways
- During the height of the cold war the Soviet Union sent the Moscow Ballet on a world tour. Donald sang one chorus of the Hippopotamus Song "mud, mud, glorious mud - nothing quite like it for cooling the blood" in Russian. Michael: "That should improve our cultural relations."
- During the 1963 Mandy Rice-Davies and Christine Keeler scandal: "None of that going around saying no smoke without fire. Nil cumbustibus, Profumo." Also, from "Friendly Duet," "such models of friendship are precious and rare, while the friendship of models is not."
- "Now if you're writing a musical, as I'm sure practically all of you are, . . ."
- Of Donald: "You know that no one has a higher regard for your music . . . than you do yourself. I merely meant that you are not great because you are not dead. If you wish to be great you must stop composing and start decomposing."
- "We never found a rhyme for (Soviet Premier Nikita) "Kruschev" until he was dead: Did he die or was he "pushed off"?"
- "We spent two dreadful, uh, delightful years, entertaining the Americans whose need, let's face it, is greater even than yours. Of course, when we're over there we say that the other way 'round."
- "No matter what you may say about the Germans, and who doesn't . . ."
- "Some of the songs that have made our names a household word, like slop-bucket . . ."
- "They've started testing cars now. They started at 10 years, then 5, now three. There's even some talk of having them tested before they leave the factory."

Absurdities
- "I'm delirious about our new oven fitted with the eye-level grill. This means that without my having to bend down the hot fat can squirt straight into my eye."
- A spectator during the construction of Stonehenge: "So, it's not going to be lived in. Well, that's something anyway. So what is it, then? It's a what?! A calendar?! A bit big for a calendar isn't it? You'd look pretty foolish with that on your desk."
- "Donald knocked himself out this morning. Got one of those new pop-up toasters. Nasty things."

Incredible multiple rhymes:
- "The fair hippoptama he aimed to entice from her seat on her hilltop above, as she hadn't got a ma to give her advice, went tip-toeing down to her love."
- Of Josephine: "Nonsense, said Bonaparte. She lives on her own, apart, in her own apartment."
- "Oh let us be married if our parents don't mind. We'd be happy and inseparable. Inextricably entwined. We'd live happily every after, said the Honeysuckle to the Bindweed."
- "And you'll always see a single lace-less left-hand leather boot. A bootless British river bank's a shock. We leave them there at midnight, you can track a member's route by the alternating print of boot and sock."

Average customer rating: Wish i had bought it earlier great performers

Train of Thought: 1985-1990 Wishful Thinking Manufacturer: Valley Multimedia-Closeouts ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Way Down West That Was Then Pilgrimage ASIN: B000005XD4 Release Date: 1995-06-01

Tracks:

1. New Pajamas
2. You Oughta Know
3. Little Will
4. This and That
5. Groan Men Counting
6. Vida Es Comida
7. Think Again
8. Carlos, You're Blowing My Mind
9. Portugal
10. Objasa
11. Mike and Randy (Leave for Pluto)
12. Have Relax

Album Description

Contemporary Jazz, Fusion, Jazz.

Customer Reviews:

Wish i had bought it earlier.......2004-12-20

This is a band that got introduced to me in the eighties when the whole jazz fusion thing exploded in malaysia.
I didn't hear much of them after that period ,but rediscovered them on the net lately and picked up the cd today.
played it once and was convinced this band deserved more recognition for their work.

great performers.......2002-12-14

used to be one of the best l.a club scene fusion band with amazing players who play more then just high level performence music, they play together with a lot of musicality and good taste and choice of notes .the great supporting of the bass and drums section is outstanding especialy jerry watts jr. ,one of the best fusion players in the l.a fusion scene.

Average customer rating:

Lost Train of Thought Ray Wylie Hubbard Manufacturer: Smith Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Loco Gringos Lament Crusades Of The Restless Knights Snake Farm Delirium Tremolos Growl ASIN: B0002NY7VI Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

1. Here Comes the Night
2. Sweet Lips Goodbye
3. Basics of Love
4. These Eyes - Ray Wylie Hubbard, Willie Nelson
5. When She Sang Amazing Grace
6. Runaway Freight Train
7. Portales
8. Rockabilly Rock
9. Love in Vain
10. Twist of Fate
11. Wanna Rock and Roll

Description

On a hot rainy July night in Texas at the Cibolo Creek Country Club, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Stephen Bruton, Lloyd Maines, Chris Maresh, Lisa Mednick and Paul Pearcy performed together for the first and perhaps the only time. Two hundred or so close friends and fans from around the world gathered to witness as something mystical happened. Engineers Brian Hardin and Tim Holt were on hand to record it. They did. This is it.Songs include: Loco Gringo's Lament; Without Love; Ballad of the Crimson Kings; When She Sang Amazing Grace; Last Train To Amsterdam; There Are Some Days; The River Bed; Last Younger Son; Wanna Rock And Roll; The Obligatory Encore (Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother)

Average customer rating:

Lost Train of Thought Ray Wylie Hubbard Manufacturer: Smith Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Crusades Of The Restless Knights Delirium Tremolos ASIN: B000006LZ5 Release Date: 1995-10-03

Tracks:

1. Here Comes the Night
2. Sweet Lips Goodbye
3. Basics of Love
4. These Eyes - Ray Wylie Hubbard, Willie Nelson
5. When She Sang Amazing Grace
6. Runaway Freight Train
7. Portales
8. Rockabilly Rock
9. Love in Vain
10. Twist of Fate
11. Wanna Rock and Roll

Average customer rating:

Lost Train Of Thought Ray Wylie Hubbard Manufacturer: Misery Loves Company ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000021YM1 Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

1. Here Comes the Night
2. Sweet Lips Goodbye
3. Basics of Love
4. These Eyes
5. When She Sang Amazing Grace
6. Runaway Freight Train
7. Portales
8. Rockabilly Rock
9. Love in Vain
10. Twist of Fate
11. Wanna Rock and Roll

Average customer rating:

Train of Thought Mitchell Forman Manufacturer: Bmg Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000E9WJ Release Date: 1989-02-06

Tracks:

1. Wonderama
2. Milton
3. Train of Thought, Pt. 2
4. Sea of Fertility
5. More Mr. Nice Guy
6. Odd Angel
7. Monkey's Uncle
8. Andy's Girls
9. What Makes It Special?

Average customer rating: You probably already have the "bonus" material

Train of Thought Dream Theater Manufacturer: Wea International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000286IDS Release Date: 2004-05-17

Tracks:

1. As I Am
2. This Dying Soul
3. Endless Sacrifice
4. Honor Thy Father
5. Vacant
6. Stream of Consciousness [Instrumental]
7. In the Name of God

Customer Reviews:

You probably already have the "bonus" material.......2004-06-09

This is just a heads-up to all of the die-hard Dream Theater fans. The bonus disc that comes with this Korean exclusive edition of Train of Thought is taken directly from Dream Theater's last live release - Live Scenes from New York. There is nothing in this edition that you haven't already heard. It does come in a pretty cool double jewel case with a slipcase, but fancy packaging is not nearly enough to make it worth the hefty price tag this edition carries. I found this out the hard way. By the way, I reviewed the regular edition of Train of Thought and gave it a full 5-star rating. This one is rated low because it seems like a rip-off.

Average customer rating:

Train of Thought Crazy Fool ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000N00DD6

Product Description

1 Train of Thought 2 Come and Get it! 3 Rhyme 4 Rhythm 5 Back Door 6 Runnin' 7 Robin Hood 8 Lord Have Mercy 9 System 10 Line in the Sand 11 Carried Away 12 Revolution on a Bathroom Stall 13 Uncle Cliff's 14 Law Dog 15 $$$ 16 Fall Into the Sol 17 !Que Viva!

Christian Music:

1. Trouble [CD-single]
2. Try This [Import]
3. Turnaround [Extra tracks] [Import]
4. Uncle John From Jamaica [CD-single] [Import]
5. Walk On The Water
6. Walk with Me
7. Windy and Other Hits
8. Xiren
9. XS
10. 100% Ado

Christian Music

christian music

Christian Music

Celtic Passion: The Songs of Roy Orbison

Picnic Interlude / Symphony No. 2 for guitar

The Velvet Underground [Original recording remastered]

Mr. Guitar: The Complete Recordings 1955-1960 [Box set]

Subliminal Sessions, Vol. 4

The Secret Language of Birds [Extra tracks]

Sao Goncalo [Import]

The Evolution: The Hip Hop Experience, Chapter 1 [Explicit Lyrics]

Take a Chance

Stravaganze-17th Century Italian Songs And Dances

Sol Do Meio Dia

Suena el Sur: Volumen Reggae

Straight from the Woods

River to River Trail: The Hike Through Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois

Cool Blues