| 1. Silent Night |
| 2. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day |
| 3. Forgiveness |
| 4. Jingle Bells |
| 5. Ancient Tide |
| 6. Joy to the World |
| 7. Amazing Grace |
| 8. Arms Open Wide |
| 9. Season |
| 10. Silent Night (Reprise) |
The Season,Peter Kater,Silver Wave,Christmas,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Contemporary Instrumental,Pop
Average customer rating:
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The Swell Season
Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova Manufacturer: Overcoat Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000GH3CVQ Release Date: 2006-08-22 |
Tracks:
- In The Arms Of This Low
- Sleeping
- Falling Slowly
- Drown Out
- Lies
- When Your Mind's Made Up
- The Swell Season
- Leave
- The Moon
- Alone Apart
Album Description
Frames front man Hansard has teamed up with classically trained Czech vocalist and pianist, Irglova to produce this album of affecting songs and compositions. From straight songs to piano instrumentals, "The Swell Season" affords an insight into a whole other side of Glen/The Frames, as well as offering a perfect introduction to this very talented newcomer. The record takes its name from author Josef Skvorecky's book of the same name. Set in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, the story centers on one man's love of music and his pursuit of unattainable women as a country comes unglued. Like the book, the record deals with the pains and hopes of those struggling to make sense of their lives.Customer Reviews:
delightful.......2007-07-22
A great songwriting combination.......2007-07-15
Awesome.......2007-07-12
The Swell Season.......2007-07-04
The Frames "The Cost" is a great record too!.......2007-06-05
Average customer rating: |
Constantine
Manufacturer: 6th Place Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000SQKZ92 Release Date: 2007-08-07 |
Tracks:
- Girl Like You
- Several Thousand
- Everybody Loves
- Child, You're the Revolution
- Right To My Head
- Favorite T-Shirt
- Sister, Sister
- Fading Into You
- I Thought It Was Something
- So Long
- Heaven Help The Lonely
- Midnight Radio
Amazon.com
If you're on the fence about whether music from American Idol alumnus Constantine Maroulis is worth your time, consulting the cover art could help. Those who swooned over his dark good looks in 2005 will be swayed again instantly. And in the end, that won't be a bad thing. Constantine, the former contestant's first solo album (fans will note that Pray for the Soul of Betty, a 2005 release, was the work of a band to which Constantine contributed vocals prior to his TV turn) rocks hard, rejects infantile songwriting, and leaves no room for duds--each of its 12 tracks surprises with a maturity you wouldn't necessarily expect from a guy who got his big break on TV. The opening piano plinks of "Girl Like You" give way to a Santana-esque romp, "Everybody Loves" brings out the Freddy Mercury in Maroulis' likable if not overly pliant voice, and "Sister, Sister"--one of a few numbers co-written by Maroulis--steals hearts with a sharp turn away from the predictable; here's a song about sibling love from an artist who some would expect to focus on lusty joints. Constantine's producers play it straight and don't get overly fancy, but that's not to say the disc is without flourishes. The sizzle Constantine normally reserves for the camera slips directly into these songs. --Tammy La GorceConstantine Photos
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Album Description
Constantine Maroulis is one of American Idol's most popular stars. He made American Idol's 2005 season exceptional with his delivery of Queens' Bohemian Rhapsody. Constantine's accomplishments since idol have been stellar. From starring in Off-Broadway's acclaimed Jacques Brell Is Alive And Well In Paris, to co-hosting Idol Chatter on Fox's Good Day NY, he remains a great talent. On May 14th, 2007, Constantine became a featured performer on The Bold and The Beautiful, the number two soap in the world. Constantine's role was created especially for him and the show incorporates music from Constantine's upcoming album. This forthcoming album includes great songwriters from LA, NYC, and Nashville including Rob Thomas; Willie Nelson; Angie Aparo (Faith Hill); Marcel (Rascal Flats); Grammy-nominated Kevin Kadish (Jason Mraz) as well as songs by band members Boggia, Copely and Roye.
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In Season: The Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons Anthology
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005BC9O Release Date: 2001-05-15 |
Tracks:
- Sherry
- Big Girls Don't Cry
- Connie-O
- Peanuts
- Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)
- Walk Like A Man
- Ain't That A Shame
- Candy Girl
- Marlena
- Stay
- Little Boy (In Grown Up Clothes)
- Dawn (Go Away)
- Silence Is Golden
- Ronnie
- Rag Doll
- Save It For Me
- Big Man In Town
- Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye)
- Betrayed
- Toy Soldier
- Girl Come Running
- Let's Hang On (To What We've Got)
- Don't Think Twice (It's All Right) - The Wonder Who?
- The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)
- (You're Gonna) Hurt Yourself
- Working My Way Back To You
- You're Ready Now
- Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)
- I've Got You Under My Skin
Tracks:
- Can't Take My Eyes Off You
- C'Mon Marianne
- The Proud One
- Tell It To The Rain
- Beggin'
- Lonesome Road - The Wonder Who?
- I Make A Fool Of Myself
- Watch The Flowers Grow
- To Give (The Reason I Live)
- Will You Love Me Tomorrow
- Idaho
- The Girl I'll Never Know (Angels Never Fly This Low)
- And That Reminds Me (My Heart Reminds Me)
- Patch Of Blue
- My Eyes Adored You
- Swearin' To God (Single Version)
- Who Loves You
- Our Day Will Come (Single Version)
- December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)
- Silver Star (Single Version)
- Fallen Angel
- Grease
Amazon.com
At three CDs, Rhino's 25th Anniversary Collection may have featured just a little too much. But at one CD, Rhino's distillation of that box set--also titled Anthology--may have been just a tad too short, neglecting cuts ("The Proud One," "Peanuts") that true aficionados wanted on CD. The label remedies the situation with its 2001 Anthology, which, at two CDs, is really only three songs shorter than the 25th Anniversary Collection. Thus, the casual fan may still get a bit more than necessary (including a very vanilla take on Fats Domino's "Ain't That a Shame"). The tradeoff is you'll also get everything you could possibly want by this wonderful group, including the great obscurities (although the label also released a new rarities package, Off Seasons, to coincide with this compilation). It prominently features those amazing '60s radio hits that merged Spector-ish production with East Coast street-corner doo-wop to produce epic miniature rock operas. Much of the imagery in those very class-conscious love stories would turn up in the songs of another great Italian rock star from New Jersey named Springsteen. And to this day, the music and production still sound passionate and glorious. --Bill HoldshipCustomer Reviews:
It doesn't get any better than this.......2007-06-17
Great Set List, Great Sound, Great Packaging! What Else Is There?.......2007-06-06
Great Sound. Volume and mixing is perfect. I even put this on a Wave Editor and the volume is near 0db with terrific dynamic range.
Great Packaging, with a nice booklet with photos, a detailed set list with dates and original stock numbers, and nice information about the group.
I wasn't a huge fan of the Four Seasons, but if you want to buy a really good sounding CD set of their stuff with a great set list and packaging, this one is for you.
Great Memories.......2007-03-14
This collection made me a fan!.......2007-03-02
Anyway, that's what I thought until out of a desperate attempt to wean my young children off the Beach Boys that they seem to need to listen to every evening and have been for the last two years or so, I went ahead and ordered this anthology.
Well, a whole new world of pop music opened up to me. Guess what, when you play a beatifully remastered CD on a high-end stereo system (one of those systems where the transformers are in separate boxes), they actually sound rather good! I was totally amazed at this band that I had pre-judged as being a bunch of 50's throwbacks that are only good for a screech or two during a CD commercial on late-night TV.
And, the stuff between the hits sounds good too. Sure, not all the tunes on this collection have the hooks of the great hits, but to me it's more interesting to hear a full range of what a band is/was capable of, not just the absolutely greatest hits.
One of my kids liked it too. So, if you're already a fan of this band I don't see how you could go wrong, unless you own all these tunes already, but if you're not a fan this CD set just might make you one.
And once you've digested this anthology, go get the "Let's Hang On and 11 Other Hits". It's got a different version of "Workin' my Way Back to You" and the brilliant "Beggars Parade" and a lot of other great tunes that didn't make it to their greatest hits albums.
Great Collection.......2007-02-17
It has very hard to find singles that were released in the 60s and 70s. One of my favorite selections is FALLEN ANGEL, that is featured in the Broadway play JERSEY BOYS. Buy this!!
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Open Season
Feist Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000F39MEM Release Date: 2006-07-18 |
Tracks:
- One Evening (Gonzales Solo Piano)
- Inside & Out (Apostle Of Hustle UnMix Live At The BBC)
- Mushaboom (Mocky Mix)
- Gatekeeper (One Room One Hour Mix)
- Lonely Lonely (Frisbee'd Mix)
- Mushaboom (K-Os Mix)
- Snow Lion
- Tout Doucement
- The Simple Story
- Lovertits
- Mushaboom (Postal Service Mix)
- Gatekeeper (Do Right Mix)
- One Evening (VV Mix)
- When I Was A Young Girl (VV Mix)
- Mushaboom (VV Mix)
Album Description
Exclusive French pressing features a different track listing to the Canadian version. This 14-track album features songs, remixes, collaborations and songs that were recorded around the Let It Die sessions and either appeared as B-Sides, promo only releases or on other artist albums. Exclusive tracks to this French version include, 'Mushaboom' (Mocky Mix), 'Gatekeeper' (One Room One Hour Mix), 'Snowlion' (with Readymade FC), 'Tout Document' (Remix) and 'Mushaboom' (VW Mix). Universal. 2006.Album Details
A Stop Gap Release to Satisfy her Fans Between the Canadian Singer/Songwriter's First and Second Albums that features All-exclusive Remixes, Live Recordings and Previously Unreleased Material. Song Collaborators Include Jane Birkin and Gonzales (Covering a Peaches Song) and Readymade Fc.Customer Reviews:
Knee deep snow.......2006-10-16
It opens on a quiet note with a piano version of "One Evening," which is basically a pretty, downbeat little instrumental. Things start to kick off with the acoustic-driven "Inside and Out (Apostle of Hustle Unmix," which brings it down to gritty guitar-driven melodies. Okay, whatever, but not exactly my cup of tea.
But the remixes are good stuff -- "Mushaboom" gets done over and over, whether it's a perky pop melody, a heavier techno-laced one, an almost wordless mix by VV, or the peak of the album -- Postal Service's delicate trip-hop remix. There's also the murky "Lonely Lonely (Frisbee'd Mix)," a jazzy "Gatekeeper" remix, and a funky redone "When I Was a Young Girl."
There are also some songs that haven't been heard on her regular album: the dreamy "Snow Lion" with Readymade FC, the trippy French "Tout Doucement," the taut ballad "Simple Story" with Jane Birkin," and the naughty-edged "Lovertits" (well, what did you expect with that title?) with Gonzales.
Most albums of B-sides and remixes are pretty much half-and-half. Fortunately, Feist scores higher with an almost perfect array of remixes, and four excellent individual songs. Don't expect the same sound as "Let it Die," though -- the folkpop sound can only be found in a couple of songs here, like the full mix of "Gatekeeper" and the unmix of "Inside and Out."
Instead, we get all sorts of remixes -- jazz, funk, trip-hop, hard electro, and even "One Evening" pared down to a single piano melody. And the songs get a bit of a twist, with everything from skipping vocals to crunching snow to scratching vinyl. Sometimes you'd hardly even know they were the same song, except for the occasional cry of "Mushaboom!"
And fortunately Feist never gets lost in all this remixing, unmixing and reworking. Her clear, fresh voice cuts through all the beats and extra instruments. But she sounds best in the four original songs, with rippling piano, harp and some blippy sound effects. "Tout Doucement" is especially charming -- it sounds like a French cafe at happy hour.
"Open Season" won't give anyone reason to fire at Feist. Her odds and ends sound wonderfully polished, with only a few rough diamonds left over.
Beautiful .......2006-09-08
My guesses were true
You saw me see you
That something you said
The timing was right"
Playful in beauty, Feist's Open Season is a mingling of richly orchestrated sounds and remixes. One Evening (solo piano) is striking in its ornate textures even in the straightforward solo version. The Remix later in the album is hardly recognizable and the mood more sultry.
Inside and Out has dreamy lyrics, but is edgy in acoustic musical exploration. Snow Lion reminds me of Magnet's laid-back albums and the beauty melts into a subtle discordance on a moonlit landscape. The Mushaboom Mocky remix seems the best of the versions on this album, but I still prefer the original song from the Let it Die album recorded in Paris.
"You treat me like a vision in the night
Someone there to stand behind you
When your world ain't working right
I ain't no vision, I am the girl
who loves you inside and out"
A better introduction to Leslie Feist would be the Let it Die album, but this one might make you curious and interested enough to listen to all her music.
~The Rebecca Review
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Battlestar Galactica: Season 2
Manufacturer: La-La Land Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000FCUYKO Release Date: 2006-06-20 |
Tracks:
- Colonial Anthem (Theme from Battlestar Galactica) (4:02)
- Baltar's Dream (2:45)
- Escape from the Farm (3:09)
- A Promise to Return (3:03)
- Allegro (4:59)
- Martial Law (1:51)
- Standing in the Mud (1:45)
- Pegasus (2:46)
- Lords of Kobol (2:50)
- Something Dark is Coming (8:51)
- Scar (2:26)
- Epiphanies (2:43)
- Roslin and Adama (2:49)
- Gina Escapes (2:00)
- Dark Unions (2:53)
- The Cylon Prisoner (3:51)
- Prelude to War (8:22)
- Reuniting the Fleet (2:45)
- Roslin Confesses (2:09)
- One Year Later (1:43)
- Worthy of Survival (3:35)
- Battlestar Galactica - Main Title (0:45)
- Black Market (5:48)
Amazon.com
In its own way, this soundtrack to the cult SciFi Channel series embodies all the trends of film and, to a certain extent, TV-scoring circa 2006. Alien universes and mysterious plots are suggested by exotic instruments like gamelans and taikos; an otherwordly woman comes in at regular intervals to vocalize esoterically ("Lords of Kobol"); and thundering percussions suggest action ("Scar"). It's as if cult band Dead Can Dance were on the required listening list for American screen composers ("Gina Escapes"). Composer Bear McCreary pulls off the mix better than some of his contemporaries because, this being TV, he probably doesn't have the budget of a big Hollywood composer and so he can't rely on a ginormous orchestra to do the work for him (i.e., he can't just pile on dozens of violins to suggest mood). Look for ex-Oingo Boingo member Steve Bartek (who's orchestrated many of Danny Hellman's finest scores) on guest guitar on the final track, "Black Market." --Elisabeth VincentelliAlbum Description
Acclaimed composer Bear McCreary builds on his impressive Season One accomplishments with this new original soundtrack from the second season of the Sci-Fi Channel's critically praised, top-rated television series starring Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Katee Sackhoff. Once again, composer McCreary delivers a sensational, emotionally rich score that ingeniously melds orchestra, vocals, percussion and synthesizer in a variety of exciting motifs. Simply put, it's an amazing compilation that trancends the genre and brings sci-fi television music to new heights! Former Oingo-Boingo member Steve Bartek plays featured guitar on "Black Market". CD Booklet contains exclusive liner notes from McCreary and executive producer Ronald D. Moore.Customer Reviews:
Great Album, even for nonfans!.......2007-07-10
Moody and Moving.......2007-07-08
Great follow-on soundtrack to Season 1.......2007-06-27
Choosing Between Season One or Two? Choose Two........2007-05-15
Fantastic.......2007-05-12
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Battlestar Galactica: Season One
Daniel McGrew , Ken Stacey , Lillis Ó Laoire , Melanie Henley Heyn , Michael Now , and Raya Yarbrough Manufacturer: La-La Land Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009Q0F5U Release Date: 2005-06-21 |
Tracks:
- Prologue
- Main Title (US Version)
- Helo Chase
- The Olympic Carrier
- Helo Rescued
- A Good Lighter
- The Thousandth Landing
- Two Funerals
- Starbuck Takes On All Eight
- Forgiven
- The Card Game
- Starbuck On The Red Moon
- Helo In the Warehouse
- Baltar Speaks With Adama
- Two Boomers
- Battlestar Operatica
- The Dinner Party
- Battlestar Muzaktica
- Baltar Panics
- Boomer Flees
- Flesh And Bone
- Battle On The Asteroid
- Wander My Friends
- Passacaglia
- Kobol's Last Gleaming
- Destiny
- The Shape Of Things To Come
- Bloodshed
- Re-Cap
- Main Title (UK Version)
Album Description
Presenting the original soundtrack from the first season of Sci Fi Channel's critically acclaimed, top-rated television series starring Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Katee Sackhoff. Composer Bear McCreary's dynamic score ingeniously melds orchestra, vocals and synth into an emotional experience that ranges from full-throttle action to soul-stirring drama. Packed with more than 78 minutes of music, this is a comprehensive collection of the very best musical moments from this amazing sci-fi drama's first season. Features both U.S. and U.K. main title themes and includes exclusive liner notes.Customer Reviews:
Good companion for Battlestar Fans.......2007-05-07
Captures the feel of the show.......2007-04-11
Awesome Soundtrack.......2007-04-11
BSG.......2007-04-10
Agree with everyone else.......2007-03-28
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Jack's Big Music Show, Season 1
Various Artists Manufacturer: Nick Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000HEWGMY Release Date: 2006-09-26 |
Tracks:
- Jack's Big Music Show Theme Song
- Grumpy
- Under A Shady Tree
- Music Is The Best
- Number 1
- I'm Gonna Catch You
- Me Dance
- Bugs Are Really Swell
- I Like It That Way
- Music Everywhere
- I'm Not Perfect
- Space Explorers
- B3
- Bottle Of Sunshine
- Jack's Big Music Show End Theme/Close
Customer Reviews:
Jack's Music Show.......2007-06-27
Jack's Fabulous CD from Season 1.......2007-06-27
If It Has Laurie Berkner It Can't Be All Bad.......2007-06-09
If your child loves Jack's Big Music Show, Laurie Berkner, or just silly songs, he will love this.
GREAT CD.... MY KIDS LOVE IT~!!.......2007-05-17
A Great Sing-Along CD!.......2007-05-16
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Mad Season
matchbox twenty Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004SVM8 Release Date: 2000-05-23 |
Tracks:
- Angry
- Black & White People
- Crutch
- Last Beautiful Girl
- If You're Gone
- Mad Season
- Rest Stop
- The Burn
- Bent
- Bed Of Lies
- Leave
- Stop
- You Won't Be Mine
Amazon.com
Sell 10 million copies of your debut album and you might find yourself putting on a few airs. Evidence that it's happened to matchbox twenty can be found in the new, spelled-out format of their all-lowercased name and the pretentious insertion of that name into the title of this, their sophomore set. The level of popularity achieved by their 1996 debut, Yourself or Someone Like You, posed a more profound problem, though--should they follow in the footsteps of that smash effort, or strike out in a different direction? To their credit, the Orlando quintet puts their massive popularity on the line by opting mostly for the latter course: there are no obvious retreads here of earlier hits such as "Push," "3 a.m.," and "Real World"--or of "Smooth," the multiple-Grammy-winning Santana hit penned and sung by matchbox frontman Rob Thomas. Instead, the album sports a nice mix of material that is catchy, but may take a little longer to settle into your memory banks, such as the moody yet intense "Bent," the horn-driven rocker "Black & White People," and several songs examining various aspects of relationships, "If You're Gone," "Rest Stop," and "Bed of Lies." Whatever the members of matchbox twenty want to call themselves, these guys may yet be able to have it all--artistic growth as well as massive sales. They're not headed for Hootieville just yet. --Daniel DurchholzCustomer Reviews:
Not amazing, but has AMAZING moments.......2007-01-25
Apart from these songs, there are none that particularly stand out to me. I do enjoy "Bent", "Angry", "Bed Of Lies", and "Crutch", but not enough to go out and buy the CD. They are nice in small doses, but not worth the money. The chord progressions seem not quite finished, almost, but the lyrics are very meaningful, which makes up for it in part, but not entirely.
In conclusion, my final rating for the album is three stars for several outstanding numbers ("You Won't Be Mine"!!!), and a whole lot of okay ones.
P.S. "Black and White People" is not, as I thought at first, a rather racist title-it's refering to the minds and/or souls of people... Black and white as opposed to technicolor, you might say. :)
it's unnerving.......2006-12-25
Not coincidental. Rather an announcement that the fabulous band Matchbox Twenty is back and is still who they were. Only better, if that's possible.
They're still remembering:
'So scream you, out from behind the bitter ache
Heavy on the memory, you need most'
'Black and White People' continues this heavily-caffeinated album, with its brass back-up, upbeat tempo, and enigmatic lyrics:
'If it's just that you're weak
Can we talk about it
It's gettin' so damn creepy
Just nursing this ghost of a chance
The fiction, the romance
And the Technicolor dreams
Of black and white people'.
OK, then. I think we need some color commentary.
Or not. Because the anger resumes with highly intelligible clarity on the next track, 'Crutch':
'Man I feel like hell so come on over
Be a love machine and I could be your friend
Ain't no shame feel strong for one another
Make a real true color come end to end then
God damn, change of pace
I think there's still a piece of my heart on your face
It's a shame to let it waste
How does it taste? How does it taste?
I don't want to be the crutch
One step from down
I don't want to be the crutch
One step from down, down, down, down, down'
It's too earlier to tell how this emotionally raw self-disclosure will wear. Will we hum 'Crutch' in 2025?
But for now, the golden appeal of Matchbox Twenty derives from the fact that they write this stuff down as the feel it. And then they sing it to really, really good music.
One hopes, for their sake, that they find some mutuality, some enduring reconciliation of love and self-interest, some peace. One hopes for the music that they don't make this discovery too soon. Not, say, before one more album like this one.
Alas, the boys of Matchbox Twenty are only sure of one thing: that hearts will continue to break. In this, they are the quintessential children of their generation:
'It won't be the first heart that you break
It won't be the last -- beautiful girl
The one that you wrecked wont' tak you back
If you were the last ...
This will all fall down
Like everything in the world
This too must end
And all the words we said
We can't take back.'
But they were only words, or at least words is all that's left because the stuff of those words has gone. Again. Leaving only loneliness and a sing-able melody line. Good grief, guys, didn't it ever go right, just once? Didn't it last?
No? OK, then. Please keep writing, singing, recording. We need to hear more of this.
No relenting. 'If you're gone' continues what looks like a MAD SEASON theme if not a Matchbox Twenty dominant motif. Only this time, the loss comes with a hint, a whisp, a remote possibility of reconcilation:
'If you're gone, maybe it's time to go home
There's an awful lot of breathing room
But I can hardly move
If you're gone, baby, you need to come home
Cuz there's a little bit of something me
In everything in you'
But not too much hope:
'I bet you're hard to get over
I be the room just won't shine
I bet my hands I can stay here
I bet you need more than you mind'
Good grief, they captured the loss, didn't they?
The eponymous song of the album is actually quite forgettable. It's kind of a foil to the hauntingly beautiful 'Rest Stop', arguably the song we *will* be humming in 2025:
'Just three miles from the rest stop
And she slams on the brakes
She said I tried to be but I'm not
And could you please collect your things ...
She said: while you were sleeping
I was listening to the radio
And wondering what you're dreaming when
It came to mind that I didn't care
So I thought - hell, if it's over ...
Jus three miles from the rest stop
And my mouth's too dry to rage
The light was shining from the radio
I could barely see her face
But she knew all the words that I never said
She knew the crumpled-up promise of this
Broken-down man, and as I opened the door ...'
This is the selective verbiage of abandonment that isn't supposed to come to men's pens until they've turned forty-five and suffered enough for poignance.
But it keeps on flowing out of the tracks of this magnificent CD. Hear 'The Burn':
'I thought about
Leaving but I couldn't even get outa' bed ...
Thought about
Singin' but I couldn't remember all the words ..
So I wonder how I ever got the burn
Everything and everyone I needed before
Tryin' to get a handle on a reason to shine
Pickin' up the pieces that are falling behind takes time'
There's a sad, almost dissolute self-absorption in all of this, but one that finds its way quickly outward to the lips and hips of Matchbox Twenty's fans and followers. Like the biblical psalms (though these work there way more quickly towards hope), the typical ballad in this CD is intensely personal, yet offered up to a wider community to words that they can instantly claim as their own. There is *almost* not a miss on this entire album, the headline track laid aside for one moment.
'Bent' comes closes to describing the trauma of their voices in a way that takes some degree of responsiblity:
Yet even the confession of being 'bent' ('So can you help me, I'm bent // Im' so scared that I'll never get put back together') is a plea for community, for togetherness, as though the solution to bent-ness is not one to be found in solitude or self-reform:
'If I fall along the way
Pick me up and dust me off
And if I get too tired to make it
Be my breath so I can walk
If I need some other love
Give me more than I can stand
And when my smile gets old and faded
Wait around, I'll smile again'
There are other deeply soulful tunes. 'Bed of Lies'. 'Leave'. 'Stop'. 'You Won't be Mine'. In fact, one rattles on from one emotionally draining track to the next, marveling that MT can keep up the pace.
But they do. These dudes have articulated a life, a throbbing, mobile, abandoned, wishful, painfully memorable pain.
Embedded in this sea of music, listening to it over and over, one hopes for the men of Matchbox Twenty that they truly are 'marking it down to learning'.
There Isn't a Single Bad Song........2006-07-05
Awesome Album!.......2006-04-15
I'd never heard of Matchbox 20 before that track. I absolutely fell in love with the whole album. Great listening!
Crossing the Threshold From Pop Success to Serious Artist Expression.......2005-12-02
Forget the cut by cut commentary - this music reflects an artistic maturation process that is awe-inspiring and stunning; they've become tighter in their delivery and, perhaps that is reflected by the truly talented arraingments and writing. They make it sound easy.
The last cut, "You Won't Be Mine" signals very good things to come. Indeed, it does it's job so well that you will simply sit and contemplate it's delicacy until, perhaps four minutes after it has ended you will get another surprise and a variation of the arraingment floods the senses with the promise of what talent and sensitivity can mean to such an art form as this.
Average customer rating:
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Above
Mad Season Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002B2T Release Date: 1995-03-14 |
Tracks:
- Wake Up
- X-Ray Mind
- River Of Deceit
- I'm Above
- Artificial Red
- Lifeless Dead
- I Don't Know Anything
- Long Gone Day
- November Hotel
- All Alone
Amazon.com
Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley teams with Seattle pals Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees) in the tradition of other part-time grunge aggregations like Brad and Hater. These 10 numbers--mostly somber, acoustic-hued ballads like the single "River of Deceit"--are a therapeutic soul-cleansing for the troubled Staley. Core fans of any of the aforementioned bands will rank this with the solo work of Screaming Tree frontman Mark Lanegan (a guest vocalist here). --Jeff BatemanCustomer Reviews:
RIP layne staley.......2007-06-05
Gooaasch.......2007-05-05
And, I like it all. Electronica, Jazz, Funk, Hard Rock, Trip-Hop, 50's 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and current, etc. Classics as well as new. This album makes you feel.
Sure, since it's release 10+ years ago, it has found itself not on my "go-to" list more than once. That's the nature of music though.
Yeah, Alice fans will dig, but it's bigger than that.
Where it hits hard...Staley. The man was obviously pained. That in turn produced a moving experience. Although he did the same with Alice, this seems more poignant.
"Wake Up" is THE most memorable cut. Starts out mellow, Layne crying out, a blues/rock riff, and leads to McCready getting off...just amazing.
The combo of musical influences is evident. Staley, McCready, Lanegan, et al just make beautiful, rocking music.
Not one song disappoints. From beginning to end it messages the soul. Whether a soothing effect or a punch in the the kidney...it's perfect.
Led Zeppilin III is in my top 5 of all time...and this rivals.
Good as hell, all the way through.......2007-04-04
Great experience.......2007-03-22
Layne's voice still echoes from Above.......2007-03-12
His voice on every track is completely mesmerizing. Many of the songs contain a small hint of anger that has been overwhelmed by an infinite sadness. The lyrics are so painfully searing, you get a real feel for the agony behind the words. This entire journey is a therapeutic attempt for Layne to overcome his inner demons.
I love every song on this album. The first track, Wake Up, is a soft, mellow song that really showcases his amazing voice. With the accompaniment of a very basic, throbbing bass guitar and some xylophones, Layne acknowledges his need to wake up from his nightmare.
On X-Ray Mind, Layne admits his need to step away from the grind of his regular life, and how he can tell some of his so called friends might not have his best interest in mind.
The third track, River of Deceit, is the only song that received any radio play. It's about anguish and about choices. Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) skillfully adds to Layne's undeniable energy with his acoustic guitar.
The fourth song is my favorite poem, titled I'm Above. It is the only song that doesn't have elements of personal suffering in it. It basically is stating what comes around, goes around. It demonstrates the power to take the higher ground.
Artificial Red is next, filled with abrasive guitars that control the pacing. Lyrically it seems to be about isolation and recovery. Kind of the entire theme of this album.
Lifeless Dead apparently torments over a lost love. Layne sings this song with a monotone voice, which signifies the drainage of emotion. The guitar riffs are simplistic in their execution plus rigid in their delivery.
Next, the song I Don't Know Anything builds up quickly and then evens out with it's repetitive chorus. The guitars really battle it out.
The final poem, Long Gone Day, is a heartfelt recollection of times gone by. There are sounds of desperation, mistakes, and regret.
Mike closes out this phenomenal collaboration with an awesome instrumental, November Hotel. He demonstrates his remarkable talent even more here at the end. This is followed by kind of an eerie, angelic goodbye.
Mad Season's lone output is one of my most treasured CD's. It's as good as Dirt(Alice in Chains) or Ten(Pearl Jam). That is some lofty praise. We can always still hear Layne's voice, and sometimes I can still feel his tears raining down from Above...
Average customer rating:
|
There Is A Season
The Byrds Manufacturer: Legacy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000HEWGEW Release Date: 2007-01-16 |
Tracks:
- The Only Girl I Adore
- Please Let Me Love You
- Don't Be Long
- The Airport Song
- You Movin'
- You Showed Me
- Mr. Tambourine Man
- I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
- You Won't Have To Cry
- Here Without You
- The Bells Of Rhymney
- All I Really Want To Do
- I Knew I'd Want You
- CHimes Of Freedom
- She Has A Way
- It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
- Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)
- It Won't Be Wrong
- SZet You Free This Time
- The World Turns All Around Her
- The Day Walk
- IF You're Gone
- The Times They Are A-Changin'
- She Don't Care About Time
- Stranger In A Strange Land
Tracks:
- Eight Miles High
- Why
- 5D (Fifth Dimension)
- Wild Mountain Thyme
- Mr. Spaceman
- I See You
- What's Happening ?!?!
- I Know My Rider
- So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star
- Have You Seen Her Face
- Renaissance Fair
- Time Between
- Everybody's Been Burned
- My Back Pages
- It Happens Each Day
- He Was A Friend Of Mine
- Lady Friend
- Old John Roberston
- Goin' Back
- Draft Morning
- Wasn't Born To Follow
- Tribal Gathering
- Dolphin's Smile
- Triad
- Universal Mind Decoder
Tracks:
- You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
- I Am A Pilgrim
- The Christian Life
- You Don't Miss Your Water
- Hickory Wind
- One Hundred Years From Now
- Lazy Days
- Pretty Polly
- This Wheel's On Fire
- Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man
- Candy
- Child Of The Universe
- Pretty Boy Floyd
- Buckaroo
- King Apathy III
- Sing Me Back Home
- Lay Lady Lay
- Oil In My Lamp
- Tulsa County
- Jesus Is Just Alright
- Chestnut Mare
- Just A Season
- Kathleen's Song
- All The Things
Tracks:
- Lover Of The Bayou
- Positively 4th Street
- Old Blue
- It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
- Ballad Of Easy Rider
- You All Look Alike
- Nashville West
- Willin'
- Black Mountain Rag
- Baby What You Want Me To Do
- I Trust
- Take A Whiff (On Me)
- Glory, Glory
- Byrdgrass
- Pale Blue
- I Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician
- Nothin' To It
- Tiffany Queen
- Farther Along
- Bugler
- Mr. Tambourine Man
- Roll Over Beethoven
- Full Circle
- Changing Heart
- Paths Of Victory
Amazon.com
A newcomer to the musical progression and legacy of the Byrds could hardly expect to find a better crash course than this: four discs with 99 songs, a DVD of ten previously unissued television performances, extensive annotation. Yet longtime fans of the band might wonder what the point is. Any riches buried in the vaults have long ago been mined--first in 1990's definitive four-disc Byrds box, then on Columbia's series of extended editions of every Byrds album in the catalog, replete with previously unreleased bonus tracks. By this late date, all possible revelations have been revealed, with the five previously unissued performances here of interest mainly to completists. The familiar music is glorious, of course--the chiming guitars and soaring harmonies that brought Bob Dylan and folk-rock to the top of the charts and then soared into the stratosphere with "Eight Miles High" and all but invented country-rock with Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Yet except for the DVD, anyone who wants this much Byrds probably already has most of it. --Don McLeese
More Byrds
Mr. Tambourine Man |
Turn! Turn! Turn! |
Fifth Dimension |
Younger Than Yesterday |
The Notorious Byrd Brothers |
Sweetheart of the Rodeo |
Greatest Hits |
The Essential Byrds |
The Preflyte Sessions |
Customer Reviews:
They Put The Jingle-Jangle In Mr Tamborine Man.......2007-04-06
The influence dosen't end with The Beatles. It continued to be felt and heard by everyone from Van Morrison on Brown Eyed Girl to Donovan's Sunshine Superman to The Kinks A Well Respected Man and The Turtles I Only Want To Be With You and eventually back to Dylan himself as he embarked on his classic Nashville Skyline album. And the most obvious Byrd devotee Tom Petty kicked off his career with American Girl, a song that many thought actually was recorded by The Byrds.
This box set gives both first time listener and Byrd afficianado an in-depth overview of their vast and varied body of work. From their PreFlight orgins to their folk-rock emergance of Mr. Tamborine Man and Turn Turn Turn to the raga-rock thunder of Eight Miles High and Fifth Diminsion to the Nashville West incarnation of Sweetheart of The Rodeo and Dr Byrds & Mr Hyde. It's all here. Listen and think back to the days when McGuinn and company were blazing a new path and so many were born to follow.
Full Circle.......2007-04-03
These extra tracks and the copious booklet notes gave a fresh extra insight into the history of the band, which had probably more changes of line-up and musical direction than any other major band, and gave the compilers of this 4CD spin-off vast scope to draw from in telling the musical story of the band. This it does from its pre-Columbia inception in 1964 to its disbandment nearly a decade later, and, as a coda, one of four pieces the band reformed to record for the 1990 box set. As a fulsome introduction to the band it would be hard to better in value for the clarity of the recordings and the illustrative overview it provides. If a particular year or album should particularly chime, rest assured there is plenty more left to discover to warrant a separate purchase covering that section of the band's life.
Disc 1 includes the earliest known recordings by the fledgling band in 1964, from when they were known as the Jet Set and the Beefeaters onwards, and 18 of their ground-breaking 1965 folk-rock tracks, their most prolific and arguably most successful year. Disc 2 covers their psychedelic explosion in 1966 and the subsequent come-down in 1967, the last contemporary recordings of the original classic line-up.
Disc 3 launches the re-invented band featuring Gram Parsons on the seminal Sweethearts Of The Rodeo album in 1968, including some with Gram's lead vocals that weren't used after he left the band; and the following period up to 1970 with master guitarist Clarence White. These include Dr Byrds And Mr Hyde, Ballad Of Easy Rider and (Untitled). Disc 4 continues the same period with a dozen live 1970 New York performances, then fragments with various recordings from the Byrdmaniax/Farther Along era (1971), all with the same line-up of McGuinn, White, Skip Battin and Gene Parsons. Two live recordings from January 1973 (with John Guerin on drums) for the film Banjomen; a reunion of the original line-up a month later featuring two Gene Clark songs; and finally, a 1990 reunion recording by McGuinn, Crosby and Hillman complete the 99-track smorgasbord.
If you should already own the expanded re-issues there is far less to tempt you to part with your money. The first disc does include a rare Jet Set recording, both sides of the Beefeaters' Elektra single and some of the readily available so-called Pre-Flyte sessions. The rest are from the 1996 re-issues (Turn! Turn! Turn! turns up in mono again, peculiarly, as it was on the expanded album). The second disc includes the authentic mono mixes of Why? (single version), Lady Friend and Old John Robertson, and a mono Swedish radio session version of He Was A Friend Of Mine.
On disc three Candy is the remixed soundtrack version, but Lay Lady Lay is again not the official version as released as a single. Contrary to the booklet information, Kathleen's Song is the standard Byrdmaniax version. Disc four fares better with 4 1970 live recordings previously unreleased and 2 only from the 1990 box set. It also has their instrumental contribution to a 1971 Earl Scruggs album; the two Banjomen soundtrack live recordings; and the 1990 box set recording. Fittingly, since their career kick-started with Mr Tambourine Man, this final track is Dylan's Paths Of Victory.
Perhaps the juiciest carrot is the fifth disc: a truly evocative DVD with 10 1960s TV appearances showing the band miming to their hit singles as go-go dancers in cages gyrate the way only sixties dancers could.
One Of The Best Box Sets This Year.......2007-02-06
Second Box Set Is Indispensable.......2007-01-22
Here's the complete rundown on what's new to the THERE IS A SEASON box set:
Disc One (64:51) - Where THE BYRDS box set began with "Mr. Tambourine Man," this set begins with six tracks from 1964. The first track is the folky "The Only Girl I know," written by McGuinn and Clark and recorded as The Jet Set. The next two tracks, "Please Let Me Love You" and "Don't Be Long," were recorded as The Beefeaters. The next three tracks, "The Airport Song," "You Movin'" and "You Showed Me," still showed the Byrds still looking for their own distinct voice, experimenting with blending folk, pop and rock. In addition, the compilers have put more emphasis on Gene Clark's songwriting this time. "You Won't Have to Cry" (co-written with McGuinn), "Here Without You," "I Knew I'd Want You," "She Has a Way," "Set You Free This Time," "The Day Walk" and "If You're Gone" are all Clark tunes. Also added are Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom" and Crosby's instrumental "Stranger in a Strange Land" (taken from the expanded edition of TURN! TURN! TURN!). In addition there are the mono single versions of both Clark's "She Don't Care about Time" and Dylan's "All I Really Want to Do." Also, "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is the mono "withdrawn version" taken from the expanded edition of TURN! TURN! TURN!
Disc Two (66:20) - This disc adds tracks to focus on David Crosby's songwriting talents. Several tracks from FIFTH DIMENSION are new to this set: "Wild Mountain Thyme," "I See You" and "What's Happening?!?!" along with the single mono version of "Why." The last three were all written or co-written by Crosby. Then there is the Crosby-Hillmen "Tribal Gatherings" from THE NOTORIOUS BYRD BROTHERS. Also included is a 1967 live radio broadcast version of "He Was a Friend of Mine" (previously unreleased) and a bonus track from the expanded edition of THE NOTORIOUS BYRD BROTHERS, "Universal Mind Decoder," which is a fascinating instrumental demo which later became "Change Is Now."
Disc Three (78:45) - There are alternate versions of "Lazy Days" and "Pretty Polly" from the Legacy Edition of SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO; "This Wheel's on Fire" from the expanded edition of DR. BYRDS & MR. HYDE; "Pretty Boy Floyd," "Buckaroo," "King Apathy III" and the Merle Haggard classic "Sing Me Back Home" all from LIVE AT THE FILLMORE; and "All the Things" from the expanded edition of (UNTITLED)/(UNISSUED). Also new to this set is "Candy" from DR. BYRDS AND MR. HYDE and "Child of the Universe" from the motion picture soundtrack CANDY.
Disc Four (71:24) - There are four previously unreleased live recordings from 1970: "You All Look Alike," "Nashville West," "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and "I Trust." There are two live tracks from the movie soundtrack BANJOMAN: "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Roll Over Beethoven" (both recorded in 1973). Also new to this box set are "Take a Whiff (On Me)," "Glory, Glory," "Byrdgrass," "Pale Blue" and "Nothin' To It," the latter from EARL SCRUGGS: HIS FAMILY & FRIENDS. And finally there are perhaps the two finest songs from the 1973 BYRDS reunion album: the countrified "Full Circle" and the melancholy "Changing Heart," both written and sung by Gene Clark.
Bonus DVD (26:00 approx.) None of these TV performances are live recordings and only "All I Really Want to Do" gives a broadcast date (1965). It's obvious that producers didn't know how to film rock musicians. For example, there's way too much attention paid to the dancers during Clark's terrific "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better." Some of the songs have abruptly truncated fades (to eliminate announcer voice-overs?)--it's especially irritating on "Set You Free This Time." The first seven songs feature the original 5-man lineup. Tracks 8 and 9 are after Clark had exited the group. Track 10 is the only color video (from a Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour broadcast) and has the group performing "Mr. Spaceman," and though Crosby is now gone from the group Clark is back on board (although his return lasts less than two months). [This lineup dates the "Mr. Spaceman" clip to October or November of 1967.] While you are only hearing the recorded versions of these songs, it was great fun to see videos of the band at their peak. [Wasn't there any concert footage available to augment this bonus disc? As such, there are no additional features on this DVD.]
Overall this is an amazing box set. Not only are there 99 songs on this box set (compared to 90 on the previous box), the booklet is 100 pages with essays by Tom Petty, Gary Louris (of the Jayhawks) and Roger McGuinn himself, along with liner notes by David Fricke that include new interviews with surviving members McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby, and dozens of photos--the most poignant is the 1991 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame picture. (It would be the last time they shared a stage together; two years later Gene Clark and Michael Clarke would both be dead.) This box stands as a testament to their greatness as singers, songwriters and musicians. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
IF IT AIN'T ON HERE, THEY DIDN'T SING IT.......2007-01-18
They came a long way from a bunch of beach bums assembled around two protean talents (McGuinn and Crosby) who didn't even play their own instruments on the first record. In fact, I'm still not certain Michael Clarke can keep time. Nonetheless with Crosby and McGuinn at the controls and Gene Clark and Chris Hillman coming up fast, the Byrds took off. In no uncertain terms, Dylan would be some Minnesota shlub suffering from verbal diarrhea had not McGuinn taken his interminable paeans and turned them into iconic classics. In almost every case, these are still the best renditions of Dylan out there, bar none, by a long shot. When the original band fell back to earth (something about McGuinn telling Crosby he'd never amount to anything), McGuinn proved the master of his own destiny, assembling Gram Parsons and his colleagues into the finest Country Rock outfit ever, and yes, had it not been for the Byrds, the other birdies from Southern California would never have found their wings either.
Dylan recently said in ROLLING STONE. "The Sixties? I own the Sixties! You want 'em, I'll sell 'em to you." Well, that's as maybe. If you do buy the Sixties from Zimmy, then he'll have enough to payback the mortgage McGuinn, Baez and Harrison gave him.
For this record set, buy it! You'll understand why this band in each of its lineups was so seminal. And if you don't, go tune your iPod to Clap Your Hands and leave the rest of us to the really good stuff - almost all of it is here or in Abbey Road.
Meditation Music:
- The White Arcades
- This Earth
- Thunder Bay
- Tingri
- Tyger
- Walter T. Smith
- Winds of Space
- A River's Journey
- A Windham Hill Retrospective
- Angels Embrace
Meditation Music
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Concerto No. 1
Music: Live Bands In The House - Volume 3 [Explicit Lyrics]
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
Saint Germain des Pres Café: The Finest Electro-Jazz Compilation [Import]
Tha Mob Won't Take No for an Answer
Tales from Turnpike House [Import]


