Like any other old-school R&B band trying to establish some street cred these days, Tony Toni Tone devotes one track on House of Music to a collaboration with a guest rapper. The track is the first single, "Let's Get Down," and the rap star is DJ Quik, but the results are not what you'd think. For one thing, the Oakland trio applies its trademark of relaxed self-assurance to the mix. While everyone else in hip-hop and R&B is flinging electronic beats, synth bleeps, and vocal beefs at the listener, Tony Toni Tone never hurries. Lead singer Raphael Saadiq, {cq} his brother Dwayne Wiggins and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley exude the confidence that they're in control, so they can take the time to let the beat sway and slide rather than slam all the time. --Geoffrey Himes
House of Music,Tony! Toni! Tone!,Motown / Pgd,Hip-Hop,Pop,R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Urban
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Time on Earth
Crowded House Manufacturer: Ato Records / Red ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000Q9OD7G Release Date: 2007-07-10 |
Tracks:
- Nobody Wants To
- Don't Stop Now
- She Called Up
- Say That Again
- Pour Le Monde
- Even A Child
- Heaven That I'm Making
- A Sigh
- Silent House
- English Trees
- Walked Her Way Down
- Transit Lounge
- You Are The One To Make Me Cry
- People Are Like Suns
Amazon.com
Fourteen years, a live CD/DVD, some solo albums, and one tragic suicide after Crowded House's last release comes this highly anticipated reunion. Singer/songwriter Neil Finn and bassist Nick Seymour reunited after the 2005 death of drummer Paul Hester, brought in a new member and two producers (Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite) to replace longtime cohort Mitchell Froom, and the impressive result is a logical and overdue addition to the band's previous four albums. Finn's knack for a melodic ballad remains firmly in place as Time on Earth coasts on his dreamy voice and introspective, hook-laden pop choruses. However, this is a more reflective collection that requires a few spins to fully reveal its charms. Finn co-writes "Even a Child" with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, and that and the frisky "She Called Up" are the most buoyant tracks on this predominantly pensive disc. Finn has generally shaded towards a darker edge and this hour-long set might have benefited from more of the lighter touch he applies to "Transit Lounge," a song enhanced by Beth Rowley's lovely and startling wordless vocals along with jazzy electric piano and even airport sound effects. Strings, sitar, and intricate production add subtle elements that bolster the timeless musical qualities Finn has always reveled in. The ominous, even brooding "Silent House," a co-write with all three Dixie Chicks, is another highlight that sounds like nothing either has done before as it floats along on fuzz guitar and hurdy-gurdy, both courtesy of Johns. Trimming some weaker cuts would have made this a more focused listen, but Time on Earth is a worthy successor to Crowded House's existing catalog--a high compliment indeed. --Hal HorowitzCustomer Reviews:
Phenomenal Songwriting.......2007-07-30
Who is Crowded House?.......2007-07-28
That being said, how palpable is Paul Hester's absence here? Very much so. Part of that is due to that other drummer guy deigning to take his place (Matt Sherod, who does an excellent job of playing originally without being conspicuously NOT Paul Hester and who should understand that my sarcasm is aimed at detractors and not at him), but it's mostly due to the lyrical content. A good deal of this album is about the grief and guilt around Hester's suicide, with not at all subtle, wounds open and pass me the salt lyrics.
So in defense of this as a Crowded House album: their last studio album added a guitarist who was just accepted into the fold by the band and by the fans: Mark Hart. Who scoffed? Who questioned Together Alone's legitimacy as a CH album? Not many.
Neil Finn is the heart of the band, but those who surround him give a place to pump blood. Split Enz was one thing, Crowded House another, his solo work, something totally different, Finn Brothers a collaboration with an equally brilliant brother. All of that comes through here. All of those influence this work.
In the end though, this DOES sound like a Crowded House album in the way that they all do, even when they don't sound that much like each other. Compare Woodface to Together Alone, or any other CH to another. This is a new CH, with the same power, the same spirit, the same core, and yet something different.
Sorry if this review is rambling, but after a week of straight listening, I have to say that this is the most exciting album I've heard in a long time and I'm jazzed. Neil Finn is a genius who surrounds himself with geniuses. Buy. This. Album. Now.
Something is missing.......2007-07-26
I think this is a fitting tribute to Paul and I understand the reasons for reforming Crowded House, but Paul's absence is palpable. With all that being said, this is a beautiful and haunting album that every CH and Finn fan should own. You won't be disappointed with the album at all. I want to make that clear. You will, however, feel a sense of loss I think. This is as cathartic an album as you will find in some ways. Buy it, enjoy it, love it, but remember the good ol' times in your heart.
I respect your wishes Paul, but we miss you.
Make time for Time On Earth........2007-07-24
So what a delight it is to have Crowded House back together again to give us this album which can be enjoyed at a much more relaxing and rewarding pace. That's the thing about Neil Finn - he writes melodies that don't instantly reveal their true beauty - they take their time to hit home. And this is the case with Time On Earth. On first listen it sounds pleasant and inoffensive and just kind of "pretty good". I'll admit I was left slightly disappointed on the first hearing. But sit with this album and give it a few plays and like a polaroid photograph all it's colours, lights and shades are gradually revealed. I have a new favourite every time I hear the album now and as the songs become more familiar to me I find myself humming and singing them to myself during the day. This is a drawn out pleasure and is all the more rewarding for it. An album that will actually give you something back if you take the time to appreciate it. Who'd have thought it in this day and age!?
All good songs here - not a duffer among them. Early favourites for me were 'Pour Le Monde','Silent House' and 'Nobody Wants To' and then the others arrived at different times. At the moment I'm stuck on 'People Are Like Suns' a stunning emotional closer and it's obvious that the loss of Paul Hester has coloured the writing of the songs on Time On Earth.
Neil Finn is a master of his craft. Great album.
If There is Hell on Earth - There Must Be a Heaven Too.......2007-07-24
Unlike the other four Crowded House disks, this one is spotty, and I hate saying that. But 14 years and an incomplete original roster doesn't necessarily make it a 'Crowded House' disk in my book.
There is some great material on here ("Walked Her Way Down"), some really good material ("Nobody Wants To", "Even a Child", "Don't Stop Now", "Heaven that I'm Making" & "Say That Again").
But there is some really bad material too. "She Called Up" starts promising enough - and different too. But then it falls into a 'la la la la' chorus that makes the Carpenters' "Sing" sound like musical genius. I am not a fan of "A Sigh" either.
There is some good, but borderline marginal music here - and that's the hardest part to swallow. I don't like marginal Neil Finn. "Silent House" is ok, but I think the Dixie Chicks covered it better. "Pour Le Monde" sounds like something that didn't make John Lennon's 'Double Fantasy' disk - and the rest of the songs are too bland to comment on. Nothing sticks out - good or bad.
Yes, I stick with my four-star rating, but it is based on that the good material is strong and Neil Finn has a pretty good at-bat record. Had it been a lesser artist, I would have gone to three.
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Yellow House
Grizzly Bear Manufacturer: Warp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000FS9LKW Release Date: 2006-09-05 |
Tracks:
- Easier
- Lullabye
- Knife
- Central And Remonte
- Little Brother
- Plans
- Marla
- On A Neck, On A Spit
- Reprise
- Colorado
Amazon.com
It's a rare thing to find a band that counts the glockenspiel, autoharp, banjo, and flute as key instruments, especially when it's a rock band with just four members. Grizzly Bear use all the above instruments plus another dozen or so to make the 10 floating, gossamer, low-lit tunes that comprise Yellow House. They are rounded edges, off-kilter waltzes ("Lullabye," which teeters tipsily), laconic vignettes, and even a vintage 1930s waltz written by singer Edward Droste's great-aunt. The meshwork here is Grizzly Bear's smarts, a banjo lending fleeting rhythmic hints to a guitar-picked melody ("Reprise"), a haunted piano filling the sonic air with smoke. All four members sing duskily and softly, making a slow-going atmosphere that would delight the great composer Morton Feldman. The brilliance here is that every song mesmerizes, not with aural dominance but with an atmospheric magnetism. --Andrew BartlettAlbum Description
"Magical, haunting melodies are Grizzly Bear's mainstay. A band that won't jilt you; they always craft their songs from start to finish--and meticulous instrumentation and arrangements are their specialty. On "Yellow House", Grizzly Bear still flexes its lo-fi connoisseurship, but with a better recording--still totally DIY, now embellished with fine sonic engineering."Customer Reviews:
Deserving the 5 stars.......2007-06-24
Yellow House.......2007-06-07
Welcome Home.......2007-05-11
The Beach Boys, minus the beach ("Knife").
A moon-powered TV on the Radio ("On A Neck, On A Spit").
A tamed-n-trained Animal Collective ("Easier").
Hot Chip on ice ("Little Brother").
If none of that makes any sense to you (and who can blame you?), let it be enough to say that Grizzly Bear's sophomore LP is as warm and silky as sudsy bathwater. The quartet utilizes banjos, laptops, and flutes (among other, more traditional instruments) to create something so atmospheric, so emotional, so good that at times it's just plain heart-wrenching.
Named after one of the band members' mother's home, where the album was recorded, the album is just as inviting as a return to the loamy roots of nostalgia. The apogee of cool soul sonics, "Yellow House" is big enough to live in, but as cozy as a warm embrace.
Perfect end to a perfect day ........2007-05-02
Grizzly Bear like a few choice indy(ish) bands have there vocals down almost too perfectly. "Easier" kicks off the album as a bedtime story that leads to worlds unseen. You really get a feel of what the album will be like in this first song ~ harmony, simple drum placement, and sounds you hear only in cartoons way too early in the morning. All these make up whats to come ~ "Knife" shows up just in time to remind you that its the vocals that make Yellow House.
I was really into "Central and Remote" for a while because of the amazing breakdown in the second half of the song. The acoustic really wants the musician inside you to come out and play, its THAT inviting! "Plans" will seem like the band formed into one giant animal because each sound brought by the members mesh just too well ~ the whistling and again the harmony between the memebers is astounding. Really makes you think the direction music is headed after hearing an album like this.
"Reprise and Colorado" couldn't be placed in the albums list any better. Colorado is also the most simplistic sounding song on the album, with repeating lyrics and the constant sound of something swarming around you. Those two finishing songs finally behead the monster that is Grizzly Bear ( in a good way ) Don't worry it will grow back and hopefully later into another beast with similar traits that follows this album.
Each day, I spend it with you.......2007-04-18
It opens with a run-through of the instrumentation -- a flute smoothing out into a wobbly violin, and some tinny piano. After a moment of silence, the band slips into "Easier," with its folky banjo/guitar melody wrapped in gentle shimmering synth. And the lyrics hint at broken houses and broken loves: "I know, I know, the doors won't close/the pipes all froze/just let it go...let's recreate an easier time/because I still can't find you."
They follow it up with an earthier song, "Lullabye," which meanders uncertainly through mostly acoustic territory, but with the occasional synthy chime. The songs that follow are in this mold -- ghostly rockers and fizzly, windy ballads. Each one starts off simple and slow, but builds up into atmospheric and powerful pieces of work.
If you just hear a sample or skip through it, "Yellow House" sounds like your basic folk-rock album. Not much to listen to. But listen to some of the songs in their entirety, and the beauty of their music really starts to stick out -- it's sort of glitchy shimmery freakfolk psychedelica, with a bit of lo-fi indie-rock thrown in for good measure.
They have a dud every now and then -- the first halves of "On a Neck, On a Spit" and "Reprise" are too banjoey and straightforward to fit in. However, the rest of the time they craft their music exquisitely -- the instrumentation and vocals are layered together into hypnotic swirls, sometimes fading out to give it that ghostly sound.
The instrumentation itself is a beautiful blend of all sorts of instruments -- some straightforward guitar and restrained banjo, some echoing glockenspiel and a soft flute. And the entire album is shrouded in dark, unearthly synth from Chris Taylor, ranging from glitches to wavers, misty fuzz to a twittering sound like a moth's wings.
All four members contribute their vocals, and their intertwined, mournful voices are absolutely stunning. They could sing just about anything and make it sound pretty -- in fact, "Colorado" is mostly made up of mournful calls of the title word. The other songs usually have a few more lines than that, but are pared down to the core: "A folding chair/Sitting out by the wading pool, chlorine blue/Rush of wind passing over me/Restless nights/Chin up, cheer up/My love's another kind..."
Grizzly Bear craft a beautiful, delicate collection of freakfolky tunes with a psychedelic edge, an exquisite listen that takes a little while to sink in. "Yellow House" should be lived in.
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Farewell to the World
Crowded House Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000G8NW6K Release Date: 2007-01-16 |
Tracks:
- Mean To Me
- World Where You Live
- When You Come
- Private Universe
- Four Seasons In One Day
- Fall At Your Feet
- Whispers And Moans
- Hole In the River
- Better Be Home Soon
- Pineapple Head
- Distant Sun
- Into Temptation
- Everything Is Good For You
Tracks:
- Locked Out
- Something So Strong
- Sister Madly
- Italian Plastic
- Weather With You
- It's Only Natural
- There Goes God
- Fingers Of Love
- In My Command
- Throw Your Arms Around Me
- Don't Dream It's Over
Amazon.com
If there ever was a farewell album could make one long for a reunion, this is it. Crowed House had their own personal hegemony of the airwaves in the '80s and '90s, and their final show on the steps of Sydney's Opera Plaza in 1996 shows you exactly why. This two-CD package overachieves as a live document, capturing both the high emotion of the crowd (120,000 strong) and stoicism of the band members, except for the final two songs, which find Neil Finn with a catch in his throat, fumbling over words. The entire recording is filled with memorable moments, brimming with humanity, heart, and the group's irreverent sense of humor--from dedicating song to the full moon, to inviting former band members onstage. "A Hole in the River," the gothic tune about Finn's aunt's suicide continues to haunt, while "Something So Strong" has grown up to be a self-help anthem. Farwell to the World is engaging, smart, philosophical, and sometimes even prophetic on songs like "Weather with You," when Neil Finn cautions, "You can fight the sleep, but not the dream." --Jaan UhelszkiFrom the Label
Crowded House Photos
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More from Crowded House
Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House |
Crowded House |
Temple of Low Men |
Album Description
Two CD set containing the final live performance by this Australian band fronted by Neil Finn (also of Split Enz and the Finn Brothers) finally released on the 10th anniversary of it's recording. In Novermber of 1996, Crowded House played their final gig in front of 120,000 fans in Sydney, Australia. Farewell To The World is the offically released recording of that bittersweet concert. All the Crowdies hits are here including 'Don't Dream It's Over', 'World Where You Live', 'Weather With You', 'Something So Strong', 'It's Only Natural' and many more. 24 songs total. EMI. 2006.Album Details
2006 Legitimate Issue of the Most Sought after Concert Recording by the New Zealand Foursome. Previously Available for a Very Short Time Only on Videocassette, this was the Band's Final Performance as the Sydney Opera House. While a Bittersweet Occasion, it was One of the Most Impassioned Performances Ever Delivered by the Group. All the I's were Dotted and the T's Crossed, featuring Final Renditions of all their Hits, Capped off with an Impassioned, "Don't Dream It's Over". While Neil, Nick and Paul Would Later Perform at a Few Charity Concert Appearances, this was the Group's Final Formal Sendoff, Making it all the More Poignant for Fans in the Wake of Paul Hester's Subsequent Passing. One More Time, Relish the Joy that was One of the Great Phenomenons in Modern Pop Music History.Customer Reviews:
Excellent live album full of energy and killer songs for Crowdies.......2007-07-15
I can't say I've done a head-to-head of late between this and the previous single disc edition so I don't know if any overdubbing was done. If it was, they did a masterful job of hiding it--the band sounds terrific (and yes, on a great night they sounded this good--heck even on a bad night they outclassed the competition). The only new material here is a cover of the Hunter & Collector's tune "Throw Your Arms Around Me" but it's one of the few places to also get a stunning live version of "Everything Is Good For You" (which appeared on their last release as a band the "Recurring Dream" Best of set). It's also one of the few CDs in print where you can hear live versions (many of them stunning)of the tracks for their albums "Woodface" and "Together Alone". The band DID release a live EP with some of the material here but that's long out of print and probably fetching high prices on Ebay and here as well.
Even my LEAST favorite track the humorous "Italian Plastic" by the late Paul Hester is enjoyable to listen to here. Luckily for fans, the Dream isn't over as the band has since released a new album and is touring the world. Let's hope that they get back in the studio quickly as Neil's indicated that he'd like to put together another album of new material ASAP.
Beyond great!.......2007-05-07
A Wonderful "Farewell".......2007-03-20
This is a great double CD, and for even casual fans of the band, it is well worth purchasing. The production is fabulous, and the performances are excellent. One will find so many of the "greatest hits" ("Distant Sun", "Weather With You", "World Where You Live", "Don't Dream It's Over", and my personal favorite, "Fall At Your Feet") done well, especially "Don't Dream", the last song of the show, complete with crowd-sung chorus and deafening applause at the conclusion. But fans will also enjoy other non-single album tracks like "Whispers And Moans", "Fingers of Love", and "When You Come", songs that are terrific but didn't make the Greatest Hits cut. Also included are some elements of the personality of the band, something that separated them from the majority of bands who take themselves way too seriously. Neil adds alternate lyrics in "Into Temptation" when he realizes the crowd in front needs water; during "Sister Madly", Paul does an imitation of Tina Turner, and the songs ends with the line, "Climb every mountian...". The guys are fully enjoying this last show, and you can tell it is not just for the 100,000+ fans there and the MTV Europe audience watching it live, but for themselves as well, and this recording captures that nicely.
I will say this: I bought a VHS copy of this show a few years ago before this CD was officially released, and this recording takes out some of the in-between song banter that made the concert feel even more like a concert. But on the up-side, more songs from the show were included in this 2 CD set than on the original film, especially a few more songs with neil's brother Tim, and the Hester-penned song "Italian Plastic".
I highly recommend this release.
The World Where They Lived.......2007-03-15
This is an amazing CD that will probably leave most of us wondering, gee, why didn't you make it a four-disc set?
Were they really this good?.......2007-02-23
Those who are reading this review are probably somewhat familiar with the band's history (Split Enz, etc.), but one fact bears repeating for U.S. listeners: Only here were they known as one hit wonders; the rest of the world quickly figured out how good they were and the band's star rose accordingly. In fact, the Very Best of Crowded House (from '96) entered the charts at number one in both England and Australia.
This live c.d. is a welcome addition to their catalogue capturing the band in 1996 in front of 100,000+ in a perfect display of the dual professionalism and looseness of their live shows.
I can't help but recommend the DVD too. In fact if you can only plunk down for one, then get the DVD. I recommend both.
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Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House
Crowded House Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002U5B Release Date: 1996-07-23 |
Tracks:
- Weather With You
- World Where You Live
- Fall At Your Feet
- Locked Out
- Don't Dream It's Over
- Into Temptation
- Pineapple Head
- When You Come
- Private Universe
- Not The Girl You Think You Are
- Instinct
- I Feel Possessed
- Four Seasons In One Day
- It's Only Natural
- Distant Sun
- Something So Strong
- Mean To Me
- Better Be Home Soon
- Everything Is Good For You
Customer Reviews:
the return of crowded house............2007-03-15
this greatest hits shows the greatness of a band audio-wise but doesnt show their incredible live presence and on-stage banter that made them legends. Paul Hester sadly left us a few years ago but the news is out:
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Crowded House Reform - Official Statement from the Band
Crowded House founders Neil Finn and Nick Seymour have confirmed that they will be putting the band back together, with plans for a new studio album and world tour.
Talking about the decision Neil said "After spending most of last year making music and hanging out with my friend Nick Seymour we are now announcing our intention to reform Crowded House with a new record entitled Time On Earth. It feels right to us that the band should re-emerge at this time and together with Mark Hart we look forward to reconnecting with the audience that we established and for whom we still hold a deep respect. We aim to make the upcoming shows and the new music every bit as vital and spirited as what has come before. We are conscious that Paul Hester was above all a great drummer and we are currently auditioning to find someone special to take that role."
The band is currently putting the finishing touches on the new album for release later in the year. Tour plans are yet to be announced but the band have confirmed they will play the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in California USA along with Bjork, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Rage Against the Machine."
they are coming out with a new album this year (2007) and a new tour!!!!
GOD BLESS CROWDED HOUSE.....
Great CD.......2007-02-09
Essential compilation of severely underrated band.......2007-01-19
Almost every band purported to be the Next Big Thing eventually gets compared to The Beatles, whether it's Duran Duran or The Strokes, and it's usually quite a stretch in any number of ways. Not so with Crowded House. In superficial aesthetics the two bands share a lot in common: the Rubber Soul-like harmonies that adorn their album Woodface; the driving, melodic basslines of Nick Seymour (much like Paul McCartney); Paul Hester's non-technical, but undeniably toe-tapping drumming; and Neil Finn's voice, which can break into Lennon-esque, hoarse rock shout, or have a soothing clarinet quality like McCartney.
But the songwriting is where the comparison is most apt. The Beatles' best songs seem almost inevitable and cosmic: *somebody* was bound to happen upon a melody this perfect eventually (as in "Yesterday"), and for some reason Lennon and McCartney were able to pluck such songs out of the air regularly. Neil Finn did the same, several times for each album, with Crowded House. Listen to "Four Seasons In One Day" just once, and you'll hear what I mean.
With this album, all these songs are collected in one place. I can't say how essential this disc is for anyone who appreciates outstanding pop songwriting that goes beyond catchy and crafted and into the realm of something deep and transcendent. The first 10 listens you'll be enjoying the melodies, energy and fantastic production; after that, you'll feel like you've found a new musical best friend. It's that good.
An entire CD that is very easy to listen to........2007-01-13
beautiful, soaring, exciting pop/rock.......2006-12-31
Crowded House may not be a major band - one MTV hit, a couple of radio hits, and they're real big in New Zealand (where they are from) - but they are one of greats. Reminiscent at times of (OK, I know, this gets thrown around too often, but it's true) the Beatles (in their mid-years - think Rubber Soul) and The Ocean Blue, they can mellow with the best (Not the Girl You Think You Are, Four Seasons in One Day). When they choose to rock (Locked Out), the maintain musical and lyrical integrity. Weather With You is an indescribable joy.
Perhaps not for metalheads, but anyone who likes sophisticated (but not overly complex) arrangements, thoughtful lyrics, and spotless, emotional performance will love this.
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House Party
Dan Zanes Manufacturer: Festival Five Rec. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000CC85J Release Date: 2003-10-07 |
Tracks:
- House Party Time
- Wabash Cannonball - with Bob Weir
- Queremos Bailar
- Hop Up Ladies
- Washington At Valley Forge
- Jamaica Farewell - with Angelique Kidjo
- Tankoh-Bushi
- Down In The Valley
- Waltzing Matilda - with Deborah Harry
- West Indian Counting Song
- Sunny Old Sun
- Tennessee Wig Walk
- Shining Star
- How Do You Do? - with David Jones
- Daniel In The Den
- Surrounded By Friendship
- Old Joe Clark
- Hey Little Red Bird
- We Shall Not Be Moved
- A Place For Us - with Phillip Glass
Amazon.com
For parents, listening to Dan Zanes provides not only instant Raffi relief, but also the warm sense of belonging to the right crowd. On each disc he trots out a posse of cool friends like Sheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, and Lou Reed and he delivers his openhearted lyrics with the rare roots-rocker's gift for stirring grace into grit. It would seem that the release of his fourth record, House Party would be ripe for a backlash--how long can the hokey conceit of a bunch of aging groovsters banging out kids' tunes in a Brooklyn basement hang onto its charm? Looks like we'll have to wait and see, because House Party rages on with the same winning, welcome-to-our-homespun-revolution vibe as its predecessors. Deborah Harry takes a twirl on "Waltzing Matilda," Bob Weir fires up the "Wabash Cannonball," and Angelique Kidjo bids "Jamaica Farewell," but the Zanes originals are this record's proving grounds, and they pin the tail on the donkey with bulls-eye precision. Contributions from returning regulars Barbara Brousal and Rankin' Don--the best couple of favors a party could hope for--send Zanes' campaign to become the guy who turned lampshade-wearing into a kindergarten fashion craze soaring. --Tammy La GorceCustomer Reviews:
GREAT! Brings back lots of Memories.......2007-07-27
Great fun.......2007-07-25
Dan's first album...Wiggle the Wiggles out of your CD Player.......2007-06-12
So do yourself a favor, swap out Wiggles or Barney for Dan and his Friends, and enjoy kids music once again.
Thank goodness for Dan Zanes!!!!!!.......2007-05-21
When I was a single college gal, I remember listening to very hip, fun music. Then came pregnancy and babies. Then Baby Einstein music (which is good, but sounds like someone's ballerina jewelry box after awhile), Barney, Sesame Street and nursery rhyme CDs that took over my music collection. Ack!!! What happened to me? I decided it was time to search for something new for me and the kids to listen to.
After finding this CD and loving it, I just assumed that my one-year-old and four-year-old would not like DZ because it sounded too different from what they were used to. Boy, was I wrong! My older one thinks she is listening to "cool music" -- which she is! We especially like the "Wabash Cannonball" but every song on here is a hit with my kids. The guy is truly talented, and it's just great stuff. And it's fun to hear the celeb singers on a kid's album. Finally, we all have "cool music" to listen to!
My daughters favorite!.......2007-05-14
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Firecracker
The Wailin' Jennys Manufacturer: Red House ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000FFL2MU Release Date: 2006-06-06 |
Tracks:
- The Devil's Paintbrush Road
- Glory Bound
- Begin
- Things That You Know
- Swallow
- Starlight
- Apocalypse Lullaby
- This Heart Of Mine
- Long Time Traveller
- Avila
- Some Good Thing
- Prairie Town
- Firecracker
Amazon.com
When Winnipeg's Wailin' Jennys recorded their debut disc, 40 Days, back in 2004, their enthusiastic fan base--cultivated in part by significant airplay from CBC Radio One--provided the young group with a fast track to fame. Their fans' praise came first, critical acclaim arrived shortly thereafter, and a 2005 Juno for Best Roots & Traditional album soon followed. Surprisingly, as opportunities arose, founding member Cara Luft left the band, expediently replaced by Annabelle Chvostek. Thankfully, the Jennys' sound is none the worse for wear, even stronger in the respect that Chvostek's deft fiddle and mandolin playing helps to further uplift their melodies, while her warm alto adds a nice touch to the three part harmonies.On this sophomore release, founding members Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody continue in the tradition of writing songs independently, with each songwriter taking the lead on her own tracks. Moody seems to have the strongest songwriting sense: Listening to "Things That You Know" and "This Heart Of Mine" makes one yearn to hear the Dixie Chicks cover these tracks with the vocal strength and three-part power that the Wailin' girls do not have yet. With a country edge and a Celtic lilt, Firecracker is an enjoyable listen, but those looking for edgy, O Brother-style country and alt-folk might find a better fit seeking out Gillian Welch or the Be Good Tanyas. Roots fans looking to dip their toes into easy listening-style acoustic music, however, will find this to be a fine fit. --Denise Sheppard
Customer Reviews:
I love these girls!.......2007-07-28
FIRECRACKER.......2007-07-05
The Jennys have an otherwordly ability to harmonize. Their voices weave beautifully together. I really hope this record gets the recognizition and air play it deserves. Standout tracks are Glory Bound, Starlight, This Heart Of Mine and Things That You Know, but ALL of the songs shine.
One of the Best Albums I've Heard in a While!.......2007-05-25
the Wailin' Jennys Firecracker.......2007-05-23
Great music!.......2007-03-09
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Destination Moon
Deborah Cox Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000ND91U4 Release Date: 2007-06-19 |
Tracks:
- Destination Moon
- What A Difference A Day Made
- Misery
- Baby, You've Got What It Takes
- This Bitter Earth
- Squeeze Me
- New Blowtop Blues
- Blue Skies
- I Don't Hurt Anymore
- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
- September In the Rain
- Look To the Rainbow
Amazon.com
Those who don't know any better are apt to dismiss Deborah Cox as another R&B/dance diva determined to cling to the spotlight by whatever means necessary, including a giant genre-leap. Those who've been listening carefully, though, will check their doubts at Destination Moon's door. On this, her fourth disc, Cox sidles up to jazz--the jazz of her role model Dinah Washington--with subtlety and surefooted grace; along the way, she makes something of a masterpiece. From classics such as the title track to lesser-known but deeply felt compositions such as "I Don't Hurt Anymore," she avoids the temptation to rub a modern sheen over these songs and settles contentedly into the mood Washington carved for them instead. "This Bitter Earth" gets the "mm-hmm" treatment Dinah delivered so well, and "Misery" and "New Blowtop Blues" don't dream of belying their blueswoman roots. Best of all are the more delicate tracks: "Look to the Rainbow" captivates with a contemplative sadness, and "Blue Skies" is a natural wonder as beautiful as a dose of pure azure on a cloudless day. --Tammy La GorceAlbum Description
Platinum-selling recording artist Deborah Cox reinterprets the classic songs of Dinah Washington on her Decca debut, Destination Moon. Destination Moon thrusts the R&B/dance diva into whole new territory, showcasing her range and scope as an artist capable of tackling jazz, blues and "big-band" with ease and confidence. Deborah Cox's first exposure to Washington came very early, when she was a little girl. "I first became aware of Dinah when I was growing up, when I was about 8 or 9 years old" she says. "A lot of jazz was played about the house. I heard my mother playing a 45 of "This Bitter Earth" -- this first song I had ever heard from Dinah. It was the richness and the tonality of her voice that I gravitated to." For the arrangements and the production, Deborah turned to the highly-versatile New York-based music man Rob Mounsey, whose credits with such diverse performers include Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett to name a few. The record was made live in the studio, with 40 musicians in the same room with her, playing and singing in real time under Mounsey's direction. "I'm doing this to broaden people's awareness of what I can do and also for the sheer love of her music." As a result, Deborah's homage to Dinah Washington does not lean overwhelmingly toward one particular style. It was designed from the beginning to be a compendium of several of Dinah's idioms - the big-band swing of "All Of Me" and "Destination Moon," swaggering R&B ("I Don't Hurt Anymore)," the blues that earned her the misleading nickname "Queen of the Blues" ("Misery," "New Blowtop Blues"), the lush ballads that put her on the jukeboxes of Middle America ("What A Diff'rence A Day Made," "This Bitter Earth").Customer Reviews:
Fantastic CD.......2007-07-21
S. Washington
Greenbelt, MD
Love her voice.......2007-07-18
Deborah Shines.......2007-07-05
Jazz & Blues with Deborah !.......2007-06-25
While her hits have generally called on her to be very angry or very sad, these classic songs allow her to be at turns gentle, sassy, reflective, happy and wry. The productions and arrangements are reminiscent of the golden era of era of Billie, Sarah, Dinah and others, but contain enough surprises to keep them from sounding old-fashioned.
Deborah - who shifted from pop siren to Broadway star with Aida, further expands her range to include jazz, blues and big band. Cox and her backing musicians were recorded live in the studio, playing and singing in real time. The effect pays off as Cox accurately renders each song with her own textures.
No one expects Cox to abandon the dance-floor (she just released a new dance track with Tony Moran), but her latest offering "Destination Moon" allows her to explore another musical landscape with glowing results.
Deborah takes the jazz route on "Destination Moon", a tribute to one of her all-time heroines, Dinah (The Queen) Washington. Whether you view it as a tribute album, a jazz debut or just a collection of good music, this album succeeds on all levels. From the swinging big-band to piano-voice ballads, Cox captures the essence of Washington, yet adds her own touches. Washington's milestone recordings are here. Cox gives "What a Difference a Day Makes" a mid-tempo turn with strings, getting the Queen's innocent voicing, but injecting more feeling into the lyrics.
"Baby, You've Got What It Takes" comes at us as a fast shuffle. Cox fills "This Bitter Earth" with Washington tics - the up-speak at the end of phrases, the self-satisfied "mmh-hmmm" after a line. Washington first made her name as a blues singer, and Cox lays the blues on in "Misery" and "New Blowtop Blues", that classic mean-woman lament where she sings of her run-in with a jealous ".45-packin' mama."
On "Destination Moon", focusing on Washington, the jazz singer, dishing out several of the standards most closely associated with her career, Deborah also wraps her powerful pipes around gems like "I Don't Hurt Anymore", "September in the Rain" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes".
Producer/arranger Rob Mounsey pulled out all the stops for these sessions, surrounding Cox with a 40-piece orchestra that laid down a gorgeous foundation for her to build on. And she did just that.
In an interview conducted to promote her new album, , Cox said she recorded this record for two reasons -- to pay tribute to an artist who had so inspired her and to show that she, like Washington, was capable of doing a lot more musically than some people might have expected.
She succeeded on both counts. It's very nice work.
Think long, rainy afternoons, dinners for two and early mornings on the patio.
This is one of the top CD of this Year!!!.......2007-06-20
Also check out Amel Larrieux new CD its the same kind of music. I love it!
Enjoy and reccomend!
Average customer rating: |
Your Town Tonight
Eliza Gilkyson Manufacturer: Red House ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000R348A8 Release Date: 2007-07-17 |
Tracks:
- Beauty Way
- Green Fields intro
- Green Fields
- Dark Side of Town
- Tender Mercies
- Jokerman
- Rose of Sharon intro
- Rose of Sharon
- Tennessee Road
- Angel And Delilah
- Hard Times In Babylon
- Jedidiah 1777
- Lights of Santa Fe
- Easy Rider intro
- Easy Rider
- Requiem
- Bare Necessities
Album Description
Your Town Tonight is singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson's first-ever live release in a music career that began in the late 1960s. It's the fifth album on Red House Records for the Grammy-nominated, Austin Music Hall of Fame-enshrined artist, following the acclaimed Paradise Hotel, which won three Austin Music Awards and four Folk Alliance Awards.Responding to adamant demands for a live CD, Eliza Gilkyson delivers 14 songs full of the passion and humor that fans have come to expect in her moving live performances. Although frequently requested favorites like "Beauty Way" and "Requiem" are included, Your Town Tonight is unique in its breadth, showcasing older originals like "Rose of Sharon" and "Lights of Santa Fe," as well as covers of songs by Bob Dylan ("Jokerman") and her father Terry Gilkyson ("Bare Necessities" and "Green Fields").
Recorded predominantly at the Cactus Café in her hometown of Austin, Texas, the album features a familiar cast of characters that includes her long-time producer Mark Hallman and her award-winning band--Mike Hardwick (electric guitar, dobro), Cisco Ryder (drums, vocals), Glenn Fukunaga (bass), Jeff Plankenhorn (acoustic guitar, vocals) and Robert McEntee (electric guitar, vocals). Also joining her is label-mate Ray Bonneville, adding searing blues harmonica on "Angel and Delilah" and "Dark Side of Town."
From the rocking Americana sounds of the first track to the down home swing of the last, Your Town Tonight is a friendly recording that draws the listener in, showing what makes Eliza Gilkyson stand out from the crowded field of singer-songwriters, causing critics to call her "one of the most original and influential folk artists of our time" (This Is Texas Music).
Average customer rating:
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La Revancha del Tango
Gotan Project Manufacturer: Xl Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00008NRL8 Release Date: 2003-04-08 |
Tracks:
- Queremos Paz
- Epoca
- Chunga's Revenge
- Triptico
- Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)
- Una Musica Brutal
- El Capitalismo Foraneo
- Last Tango In Paris
- La Del Ruso
- Vuelvo Al Sur
Tracks:
- Triptico (Peter Kruder Mix)
- Santa Maria (Tom Middleton's Cosmos Mix)
- El Capitalismo Foraneo (Antipop Consortium Mix)
- Santa Maria (Pepe Braddock Mix)
Amazon.com
Released in Europe in 2001, La Revancha Del Tango's sexy combination of chillout programming and authentic tango music became a lounge favorite and led to massive sales. Lightning struck twice when it was released two years later in the States--the domestic debut attracted the attention of electronic music hipsters, tango freaks, and world music geeks. And rightfully so. The Gotan trio of Philippe Cohen Solal, Christoph H. Müller, and Eduardo Makaroff write the album's strongest material themselves, but their imaginative incorporation of Frank Zappa's "Chunga's Revenge," Gato Barbieri's theme from the movie Last Tango In Paris and, not surprisingly, Astor Piazzolla's "Vuelvo Al Sur" into the Gotan world shows just how broad and inclusive their tastes really are. Naysayers may complain that this album can be heard in every hip restaurant and clothing boutique from Paris to Los Angeles, but sometimes the cream does rise to the top and gain mass acceptance, as it has here. Also includes a bonus disc of four remixes. --Tad HendricksonAlbum Description
The debut by this Paris based trio is a relaxed blend of tango dance rhythms and Argentinean instrumentation. The group was brought together by their passion to combine sound with image and to marry electronic and acoustic music. They built on their house, dub, and hip-hop influenced productions by adding two of Argentina's finest tango musicians, the musical result being supremely distinctive, incorporating bandonion (a form of accordion), violin, and vocals. This release includes 2000's most memorable jazz-house hit, "Triptico", which has already sold over 400,000 copies worldwide. The US version features the original ten tracks from the European release, along with a special bonus disc of the "Santa Maria" video plus four audio tracks.Album Description
The debut by this Paris based trio is a relaxed blend of tango dance rhythms & Argentinean instrumentation. The group was brought together by their passion to combine sound with image & to marry electronic & acoustic music. They built on their house, dub, & hip-hop influenced productions by adding two of Argentina's finest tango musicians, the musical result being supremely distinctive, incorporating bandonion (a form of accordion), violin, & vocals. This release includes 2000's most memorable jazz-house hit, 'Triptico'. The U.S. special edition includes a second disc with five bonus tracks, 'Triptico' (Peter Kruder Mix), 'Santa Maria' (Tom Middleton's Cosmos Mix), 'El Capitalismo Foraneo' (Antipop Consortium Mix), & 'Santa Maria' (Pepe Braddock Mix & Video). Digipak. XL. 2003.Customer Reviews:
Next-Generation tango.......2007-07-18
They succeeded.
Tango fantasico.......2007-06-27
One Sexy CD.......2007-03-27
Tango Music at Its Best.......2007-03-09
Tango-Trance? Trance-Tango?.......2007-02-18
I listened to "La Revancha del Tango" this Sunday afternoon. It was around 40 degrees outside - damned hot! - and I just sat and listened to this disc with my air conditioner on full blast. I rather think that I will play this CD the next time I have some friends over for a few drinks.
The music of Gotan Project is rather hypnotic and relentless on this CD. I like that. I guess that one could call this "Tango-Trance", or something like that?! The percussion/drums, bass line, piano and piano accordion dominates the sound here.
I've been playing "Lunatico" at work all week and I like it, too. Gotan Project is performing in Adelaide, South Australia soon and I am seriously considering making the effort to see them.
Very spunky, suave and sexy dance music.
Average customer rating: |
Country Mouse City House
Josh Rouse Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000ROAL3U Release Date: 2007-07-31 |
Tracks:
- Sweetie
- Italian Dry Ice
- Hollywood Bass Player
- God, Please Let Me Go BAck
- Nice To Fit In
- Pilgrim
- Domesticated Lovers
- London Bridges
- Snowy
Amazon.com
Since his debut record showcased a youthful Nebraskan with an open road of promise, on through the five albums that followed Josh Rouse has followed that road in dawdling, nomadic spurts across America and the Atlantic to Spain, where he now lives his life and makes his music. Annually, it seems, Rouse re-emerges to say hello, streaming his pop awareness and weaving stories in the simplicity of songs, always with an air of candor and reticence. Thus, there are few bombshells on his seventh release, one flowing with lustrous arrangements and Rouse's pacifying voice. Though his guitar serves as the conduit, the music is fused with modest horns and gentle organ fills, with buoyant songs such "Hollywood Bass Player," "Domesticated Lovers," and "London Bridges," along with the jazzy "Pilgrim" and the splendid rocker "Nice To Fit In" leading the way. No longer the naïve Midwesterner from a decade ago, this is the globetrotting Rouse who has found a home in Spain--and deserves to find another in your record collection. --Scott HolterChristian Music:
- I Came to Play
- I'm a Loser: The Swamp Dogg Sessions and More
- I've Got a Feeling [Import]
- Innervisions
- Inside of You
- It's Already Written [Enhanced]
- Jody Watley - Greatest Hits
- Joined Together: The Complete Studio Duets
- Just as I Am [DualDisc]
- Keep on Smilin'/Dixie Rock [Original recording remastered]
Christian Music
Karaoke Party! Ladies of Country [Karaoke]
Precious Time Pt.2 [CD-single] [Import]





