Looking Glass

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As with his compositions for The Christmas Box, Paul Cardall's original piano pieces on The Looking Glass are inspired by a Richard Paul Evans novel of the same title. The story is one of loss, longing, and the ultimate salvation of true love. Cardall's 14 pieces move from setting the scene ("Bethel") toward conflict, dramatized in pieces such as "The Dream" and "Without You." His playing, both expressive and understated, rolls gently against a pliant and inventive backdrop of guitar, violin, cello, and viola. "The Woman in the Snow" marks a turning point in mood. Plaintive melody is replaced by a quickened tempo of inquisition and hope, followed by the disclosure of character through fully realized themes. Juxtaposing heavy and bright tones at the climactic centerpiece, the song cycle comes to harmonious resolution with "Redeeming Love," based on "Amazing Grace." A must for fans of Richard Paul Evans. --Paige La Grone

Looking Glass,Paul Cardall,Narada,Jazz,New Age,Pop,Solo Instrumental

Looking Glass

Tracks:

Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)
Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne
Highway To Hollywood
Are You Dreamin' (Money In My Pocket)
One By One
Rainbow Man
Sweet Jeremiah
Dealing With The Devil
City Lady
For Skipper

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful value.......2007-07-25

I see people giving this album 2 and 3 stars for 'two' good songs. My question to them is, "What are you listening to?" This is a fine album so often overlooked and generally dismissed as that record with the "Brandy" song. In truth, I always loved this song and that's what eventually led me here to buy it. Hey, for five bucks that fantastic song is worth it alone! But I was pleasantly surprised when I got the CD and listened to it in it's entirety a week after purchase. What an absolutely wonderful album for only five dollars! I didn't know it was possible to get a 5 star CD for that price but it is, you simply need look no further.

For the first song, well you all know it so well so I won't go into any great detail. "Brandy" is one of the finest songs ever written. Very few songs in this world are perfect, and ladies and gentlemen this is one of them. Love it forever. As for the rest, "Jimmy Loves Mary-Ann" is probably the second best song on here as you have probably already read in the other reviews. It is very similar to "Brandy" in many ways. Good bass, good beat, and a very nice chorus. If it weren't for the existance of the title track I daresay that Looking Glass would be popularly remembered for this song instead. Two quick 5 star songs to begin with. Looking Glass trades lead singers for the next track and throughout the album creating a nice balance of voice and harmony. For instance, "Highway to Hollywood" is a more wholly upbeat track while "Are You Dreamin'" returns back to the sound already firmly established in the first two songs. "One By One" may be the only really bland track here, I just can't seem to get into it. Slower, and a little too quiet compared to the rest of this album I think. It seems out of place if you ask me. Therefore skip down to the next song "Rainbow Man", a happy, feel good tune that's suitable for the mood. "Sweet Jeremiah" kicks up the pace, injecting pure american rock and roll to the mix without comming up for air. Fast classic rock the way it should be, and "Dealing With the Devil" follows suit. A little slower than it's predecessor, it still manages to maintain that rock ballad quality. Nothing fancy, just good ole music. "City Lady" was kind of a surprise to me because it seems more sophisticated than the rest, like it's a little before it's time or something. And it has a bass line and drums that make me think vividly of some Steely Dan creation, "Gold Teeth" to be exact. This song slides suddenly but gracefully into "For Skipper", a lamenting and beautiful sea sounding ballad just suited for the seaish, coastal kind of quality that brandy posesses. A fine finish, and that's precisely the saddest thing about this album... it has to end.

Brandy is an immoveable album in music's history that somehow became forgotten along it's way. Sad really. But here for your enjoyment on CD, and honestly, you really can't find better value for a better price anywhere. Buy it now!

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl).......2005-10-14

I received the CD Brandy in a timely manner. I played the CD and the music was clear and good. I gave the CD to a young lady named Brandy who was born about the time the song was released.
She was thrilled with the gift and I was thrilled with my purchase.
Marion Hamaker

Unappreciated Artists.......2004-12-08

"Brandy" is fine, catchy tune with a story to tell. Great song, but not all this band was capable of.
"Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne" is another of the same.
But "Sweet Something" (on Golden Classics
Looking Glass) and "For Skipper" are jazzy and breezy works of art. The folks who say that all there is to this group is "Brandy" and "Jimmy" are missing something special because their ears are tuned to Top 40 or "Classic Rock."
Pay attention! Take time to savor the talent and musical vision of this group. Don't believe these two songs are just filler (like some of their other tunes).
While this band never broke through, they deserved more encouragement for what they were capable of, the art of "Sweet Something" and "For Skipper."
Too bad that these two songs are not on the same album as they were on the vinyl release "Subway Serenade" -- which I have from the early 1970s. These two songs are timeless gems.

Fun Sunshine Music.......2004-10-20

Another reviewer said it best, it's the kind
of music when the world was a little more
innocent, and not as jaded. "Brandy" is a
guilty pleasure, its a great summer songs that
evokes the early 1970's, the beach, and love.
Jimmy Loves Maryanne is great as well. As others
have noted this was essentialy a harder rocking
boogie band, than is evident on their big hits.
But what a time it was, I would also suggest from
the same time "Dancing in The Moonlight"-King Harvest,
"Go All The Way" Raspberries, & "Long Cool Woman" -Hollies.

The Whole Album is Great!.......2004-02-10

While I agree that Brandy and Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne are great songs, I like the rest of the album as well. It brings back a fresher, lighter time when the world seemed like a friendly and happy place!

Average customer rating:

Best Covers Album Ever with One Sensuous Gem
A haunting album
step through
Me too
Surely one of the all-time best cover albums!

Through the Looking Glass
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000OQ9
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us
Hall Of Mirrors
Trust In Me
This Wheel's On Fire
Strange Fruit
You're Lost Little Girl
The Passenger
Gun
Sea Breezes
Little Johnny Jewel

Customer Reviews:

Best Covers Album Ever with One Sensuous Gem.......2007-01-11

This is Siouxsie and the Banshees best album next to the stunning "Kaleidoscope". Who cares if it's a covers album?, all of it sounds like the Banshees' own stuff anyway. Although songs on the album like "This Wheel's On Fire" and "Hall of Mirrors" are great, the one song that defines this album is the smoldering, sexy, Eastern-tinged "Trust in Me". It is a cover of a song from Walt Disney's "The Jungle Book", sung by a talking boa constrictor (Perfect for Siouxsie!). Siouxsie purrs and growls her way through it, and when she says to "shut your eyes and trust in me", you'd better do that and more! Even though Siouxsie can do this kind of thing in her sleep by now, "Trust in Me" is one of Siouxsie and the Banshees' best song, second only to "Paradise Place".

A haunting album.......2006-05-18

The first time i had heard this album I was totally oblivious it was a covers album. It really sounds like all original stuff she wrote for a particular album. It's not disjointed like some covers albums can be, it sounds like a coherent solid original album. Yea, i heard siouxsie's passenger before iggy pop's which may seem strange to some people but we are all introduced to music at different stages and times. (Was surprised to find the true meaning of the song "Strange Fruit", originally sung by Billie Holliday regarding the lynching of slaves) This album has a unique and haunting sound. I believe it to be the best of Siouxsie's.

step through.......2006-05-02

in general, im not a huge covers fan. so initially, the idea of a strictly covers album didnt interest me. but since i liked the covers of "dear prudence" on hyaena and "helter skelter" on the scream, and was also experiencing a renewed obsession with the banshees, i purchased looking glass and its now one of the most frequently played and valued cds in my collection.

with remarkable integrity, the band respectfully maintains the feel of each original artist while infusing their own distinguishable sound, and with fantastic results. if you dont recognize some of the titles, you will find the sparks, the doors, television, roxy music, kraftwerk and others reinterpreted here. considering the diversity of the source material it works amazingly well as an album, providing refreshing transitions without sounding disconnected.

there are a few particularly unexpected and rewarding moments on this cd that deserve mentioning: "trust in me" for one, which was culled from the disney movie jungle book, is outstanding and pleasantly surprising. "hall of mirrors" is another, with one of kraftwerks robotic innovations receiving an invigorating boost of energy. and billie holiday is absolutely BLOWN away, musically as well as vocally, with a truly shivering adaptation of "strange fruit." only siouxsie could have improved upon this "classic", and in my opinion actually make it listenable.

the rest of the cd is equally engaging. if youre a fan of the banshees, you wont be disappointed. and if you have eclectic musical tastes with nostalgic yearnings for the past, youll be positively thrilled.

Me too.......2005-07-05

It's criminal and typical that Siouxie's cover of "Trust in Me" isn't well known. It's one of the all-time great covers. The remainder of this album is excellent and her choice of faves (and these are her faves) is surprising and fun--especially the Sparks tune which she does fabulously. Listen to the samples if you haven't heard her astounding voice and delivery and pray for the day you encounter her perfectly off-pitch creepy-as-heck vocals in the song "Israel" or the glorious tune "Dazzle." One of the great vocal talents in pop and stupidly underappreciated.

Surely one of the all-time best cover albums!.......2005-05-17

The song choices are really surprising for Siouxsie and the Banshees and they all turned out fantastic. What makes them so good, aside from the talented musicians involved, is the creative way these songs are reimagined.

My impressions:

"This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" (The Sparks) - a propulsive, runaway roller-coaster of a song augmented with fantastic orchestration.

"Hall of Mirrors" (Kraftwerk) - bubbling, mechanical, yet infused with soul courtesy of Siouxsie. Great lyrics.

"Trust in Me" (Richard and Robert Sherman - from the JUNGLEBOOK movie) - one of the most sensuous, slow-burning recordings ever with heavenly harps. Absolutely hypnotic.

"This Wheel's On Fire" (Bob Dylan) - shocking reinvention of the last track of Bob Dylan's BASEMENT TAPES album recorded with the Band. Much more upbeat than the original with wild orchestral accompanyment. A complicated version, this must have been challenging to record, but it's positively dazzling.

"Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allen - sung by Billie Holliday) - you gotta admit, it took guts for Siouxsie to cover a song sung by one of the most acclaimed vocalists of all time. This is a harrowing protest song against the lynching of blacks in the old South. Predictably, Siouxsie's voice doesn't compare to the lush, creepy delivery found on Lady Day's version but she holds her own with a valiant effort. The song is fleshed out with windy atmospherics and a melancholy violin.

"You're Lost Little Girl" (The Doors) - becomes almost a celebratory march in the hands of S&B augmented by orchestra and chiming bells.

"The Passenger" (Iggy Pop) - great horn section, great attitude from Siouxsie. In some more just alternate reality, this song is a huge hit.

"Gun" (John Cale) - a really fun song - the only one on here in which I haven't heard the original, so I can't compare the two. Never-the-less, I find this cover to be an absolute blast!

"Sea Breezes" (Roxy Music) - One of my absolute favorites from Siouxsie and co. The original is strange and experimental. S&B turn it into a dreamy, mysterious wonderland with an intense climax courtesy of some powerful drum rolling from Budgie.

"Little Johnny Jewel" (Television) - another favorite. The original is quirky and loaded with prickly guitars. By comparison, S&B practically turn it into a pop song that is totally infectious. I never heard the original until the MARQUEE MOON re-release which featured bonus tracks including this single, Television's first ever release. "Little Johnny Jewel" was originally a strange affair, stretched out over two sides of a single, heard in its entirety on the expanded album. It's a classic record, very highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Not a Bad Album!
A Fine Vintage of Brandy
Searching for Brandy
LOOKING GLASS A SURPRISE
The Whole Album is Mellow!

Golden Classics
Looking Glass
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000092T
Release Date: 1996-11-05

Tracks:

Jenny Lynne
Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)
Catherine Street
Don't It Make You Feel Good
Golden Rainbow
Dealin' With The Devil
From Stanton Station
One By One
Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne
Rainbow Man
Sweet Somethin'
Wooly Eyes
Who's Gonna Sing My Rock 'N' Roll Song
Rock This Town

Customer Reviews:

Not a Bad Album!.......2007-07-21

Prior to buying this CD album (Yep, I still call 'em albums. A collection of ANYTHING - photos, songs, etc. is an album in my book!), I only knew 2 songs by the Looking Glass. " Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne", and of course, "Brandy". This album is culled from their 2 Epic releases, and a nice cross-section of songs it is. Some highlights are: Jenny-Lynne; Golden Rainbow; Dealin' with the Devil; as well as their 2 big hits.
The liner notes mention that when they toured, that alot of concert goers were dissappointed that they didn't sound like their record. (No horns or string section when they were live, I guess.) And while I've gotta admit that they do sound fuller on the songs with these additions, this is still a good overall collection of what pop music sounded like in a time where it mattered more on WHAT you sounded like, as opposed to WHAT you looked like, or how well you could dance in your video.

A Fine Vintage of Brandy.......2005-12-14

Pop. Pure and simple. If video did indeed kill the radio star that simply means to me that a lot of the 70's groups never would have been recorded. Appearance means more anymore than the music. Looking Glass' personnel was like many others. Then, there were the distinct vocals. Listen to "Brandy". I have my own visual of that song that anyone else's interpretation would have erased. That has to be the best song never to have been made into a video, thankfully. Jimmy loves Mary-Anne still reminds me of two high school friends that dated. Their names were....Jim and Mary-Anne. Still reminds me of them. The rest of the album is terrific. Give the songs a chance and you'll enjoy them as much as the aforementioned ones.

Searching for Brandy.......2005-08-07

I love music and when I heard the song "Brandy" on the radio one day, I did some research to find the group that performed it. Looking Glass did not sound familiar to me, but I bought the CD and there are quite a few good songs on here. Elliot Lurie started the band and wanted to be a hard rocker, but the recording company was more interested in his ballads. I like both kinds of music, but his voice does purr on "Brandy". None of the other songs on the album are bad either. It is definitely worth the buy.

LOOKING GLASS A SURPRISE.......2004-08-03

ORDERED THIS CD FOR THE SONG "BRANDY" THAT I HEAR ALL THE TIME. AND TO MY SURPRISE, THE WHOLE CD IS A FAVORITE. THIS BAND WAS GOOD AND SHOULD HAVE HAD MANY MORE HITS. THEIR MUSIC AND LYRICS DO HAVE THE SOUND OF THE TIMES WHEN IT WAS RECORDED. NOT A BAD THING! THE WHOLE CD MAKES ONE WANT TO MOVE TO THE MUSIC. HOPEFULLY, THESE MEN KEPT ON MAKING MUSIC IN THEIR OWN WAY.

The Whole Album is Mellow!.......2004-02-10

I agree with the other reviewer! This is a really nice mellow album that is much more than just the one-hit wonder song Brandy. However, that one-hit wonder song is definately one of my all-time favorites and is worth the price of this album by itself!

Average customer rating:

The Looking Glass Wars Soundtrack
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Automatic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Product Description

THE LOOKING GLASS WARS is a novel set in two dimensions -- our world and Wonderland. Since so much of the story unfolds in Wonderland it came to me that for the reader to more fully experience these characters and their world I should somehow extend the mental dimension of the page to the aural dimension to make it more sensory and emotional. Acting on an Imaginative impulse I decided to create an aural novel by producing a soundtrack much the same as a director would for a film. It was an abstract concept but one that I felt held a secret, locked promise if faithfully and artistically pursued. The musical landscape offered an incredible choice of talent and within a short time a number of artists were at work on their songs. And this is where it all became strange... For as the music came together and the tracks were compiled I came to know these characters, my characters, on a much deeper level. Ultimately, I found it both shocking and exhilarating to so intimately experience the anguish and passion of the heroic, monstrous, vengeful and loving denizens of Wonderland. Frank Beddor

Average customer rating:

Stunning Piano CD from Paul Cardall
The Best Story I've Ever... Heard Without Words...
Simplicity! Which is Really Refreshing!!!
Don't Let's Start
Paul Cardall's star is rising

Looking Glass
Paul Cardall
Manufacturer: Deseret Books
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1999-10-05

Tracks:

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Without You
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The Woman In The Snow
A Kiss Of The Sunlight
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The Looking Glass
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Strangers
Nostalgia
Redeeming Love

Amazon.com

As with his compositions for The Christmas Box, Paul Cardall's original piano pieces on The Looking Glass are inspired by a Richard Paul Evans novel of the same title. The story is one of loss, longing, and the ultimate salvation of true love. Cardall's 14 pieces move from setting the scene ("Bethel") toward conflict, dramatized in pieces such as "The Dream" and "Without You." His playing, both expressive and understated, rolls gently against a pliant and inventive backdrop of guitar, violin, cello, and viola. "The Woman in the Snow" marks a turning point in mood. Plaintive melody is replaced by a quickened tempo of inquisition and hope, followed by the disclosure of character through fully realized themes. Juxtaposing heavy and bright tones at the climactic centerpiece, the song cycle comes to harmonious resolution with "Redeeming Love," based on "Amazing Grace." A must for fans of Richard Paul Evans. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Stunning Piano CD from Paul Cardall.......2003-06-08

"The Looking Glass" is, quite simply, one of the finest CDs I own. Paul Cardall is an extremely talented pianist, and here he showcases 14 original compositions on a 48 minute disc.

The music was written for a novel of the same name by Richard Paul Evans. Piano lovers need not necessarily be book lovers too, for this CD more than holds its own without its literary counterpart. Indeed, I have never heard of the author, never mind read the book, and in no way do I feel that my enjoyment has been affected in any way.

What beautiful piano music! This CD has that oh so rare quality of being an absolute joy to listen to from beginning to end. It is not often that I like every single track on any CD, but I certainly do here. For a 14 track CD, this is nothing short of amazing. Indeed, it is very hard to select favourites. Mention must go, however, to the first track which certainly has that "captivating the listener" quality. Other highlights include tracks 2, 5 and 10.

Piano is the lead instrument in all the tracks, with some lightly orchestrated.

The back cover photograph of the pianist suggests he is a very young man. For such a relative newcomer to the music-scene to write such a mature and fabulous CD, makes this release all the more special. I certainly look forward to hearing future works by Paul Cardall.

A first class piano album. I give it my highest possible recommendation.

The Best Story I've Ever... Heard Without Words..........2002-09-25

This is a great album, I'm 22 and this is my favorite album I've ever heard. Paul cardall is beyond talented, he plays from his heart. He has a way to put his soul into each piece of music that comes out of the piano. I haven't written reviews before this and I'm a longtime customer of amazon.com but I had to reccomend this CD. The story in the cover corresponds with the music and talks about the story without saying a single word...

Simplicity! Which is Really Refreshing!!!.......2002-03-05

It is so nice at the end of the day, while I'm in the middle of the traffic flow, to put on this cd. Any minor stress, pressure, or wieght in my mind seems to fade as I absorb the music. It seems to me that there are too many new age albums where the artist tries to out do some other artist by adding another instrument here or there. Paul obviously does his own thing and only worries about simplicity which is really refreshing.

Don't Let's Start.......2001-11-07

I realized when I was four songs into this album that I was still waiting for it to finsh getting started and go somewhere. Paul is an excellent pianist, and he certainly has the New Age Piano technique down. Unfortunately, he does nothing with it. His melodies are simple, and he does little to embellish on them once presented. Rather, he focuses on repetition with slightly varied flourishes. The most interesting piece is "Hunter's Heart" which is so close to David Lanz's "Desert Rain" as to be considered a cover. Paul will be an interesting composer to watch, once his skills mature.

Paul Cardall's star is rising.......2000-05-23

When I listen to Paul Cardall's music, I hear the influences of George Winston, Jim Brickman, even Chopin. However, the style is very much Cardall's own. The Looking Glass is a wonderful collection of mostly original romantic piano music. Cardall's use of small ensemble (mostly strings) adds texture and depth to his musical arrangements. This is music that truly washes over the listener. Don't ask me how Cardall's music can be both soothing and soul stirring, but that is the effect it has on me, especially the tracks entitled "The Dream", "The Woman in the Snow", and "The Looking Glass". This CD is a must for those listeners who enjoy quiet piano music. Highest recommendation.

Average customer rating:

Through the Looking Glass
Eliza Gilkyson
Manufacturer: Private Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Average customer rating:

Filled a gap in my pop music history knowledge.
Great Collection from a great 60's artist.
Memorable top-40 hits fleshed out with worthy also-rans
Creepier than ten Marilyn Mansons! WAY out of line indeed!
THE BEST BUY GREATEST HITS CD

Looking Glass: A Collection
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Customer Reviews:

Filled a gap in my pop music history knowledge........2007-07-02

Yup, I recognized the voice that I could never place a name with, and that I remember from listening to on the radio as a child. This isn't exactly a CD that I'd take to a desert island or listen to often, but I'll admit it's way better than I thought it would be. I figured I'd get a blast-from-the-past from the few big hits and then have to listen to a lot of filler garbage, but this CD is actually very listenable all the way through.

Gary Puckett certainly had a great vocal talent, and it was great to catch up on that part of my music listening past that I couldn't quite place.

Great Collection from a great 60's artist........2007-02-05

First of all.....to David P. Jaudon,of Ballston Spa NY......You Sir are a first class idiot and obviously a loser as you seem to know nothing of the great 60's groups of which Gary Puckett and the Union Gap were one of the best. This collection contains all of their biggest Top 40 hits plus some album tracks as well. Why this guy compares this to a great uncle coming on to your little sister, or whatever kind of foolishness he describes just shows that he knows nothing of music or the times when the songs were popular. Remember, Fool, they're just songs..OK??? They don't need to be analyzed or compared to some perverted ideas from your own mind. They're just 60's pop music and great tunes at that.

Why don't you do us all a big favor and not write any more reviews if you can't stick to the music and quit making some Victorian observations of your own.

Memorable top-40 hits fleshed out with worthy also-rans.......2002-08-04

With five memorable radio hits, "Woman Woman," "Young Girl," "Lady Willpower," "Over You," "The Girl is a Woman Now," and an otherwise commercially obscure catalog, Puckett and band often seem like one-hit wonders. The narrow playlists of oldies radio has reduced their catalog to the essentials (even managing to drop charting singles like "Don't Give in to Him"), and despite Puckett's strong performances on the oldies circuit over the years, the act never seemed to be fully fleshed out in the public's consciousness.

This 1992 Columbia Legacy collection goes a long way in providing the story beyond the hits, both through Al Quaglieri's informative liner notes, and the well-selected track list. As detailed by Quaglieri, the band's story is not too unusual for the era: Puckett and crew came together organically, got themselves a record deal, and found success with material from their manager and other third-party songwriters. Disillusionment set in (Puckett wanted to sing rock, not ballads, other band members wanted to write), and the growing tension caused their producer to leave. A newly assigned producer squeezed out one more hit before Puckett left for an unspectacular solo career. First hit ("Woman Woman") to last ("This Girl is a Woman Now") took a shade over two years.

While none of the album tracks and non-charting singles can match the radio brilliance of the top-40 hits, Puckett's dramatic voice was put to some other good material. Tim Hardin's "Don't Make Promises" is a fine piece of blue-eyed soul, with Puckett's reserve on the verses building to a horn-charged crescendo by song's end. Bassist Kerry Chater's "Wait Till the Sun Shines on You" effectively mixes classical motifs with Puckett's balladeering, and his co-write with keyboardist Gary Withem, "Can You Tell," is a moody gem. Gary Puckett's co-write, "Daylight Stranger," effectively combines bluesy-acoustic guitars and electric organ with an upbeat vocal (rather mindfully of Mike Nesmith's work from the later Monkees years), and Puckett's previously unissued "Every Hour," is a sweet folk-calypso.

The remastering, from original multitracks and mix-down masters, shows off the surprising amount of care and musicianship that went into these recordings. The stereo mixes (including first-ever for "Don't Make Promises" and "Daylight Stranger") are crisp, and perhaps disarmingly revealing, especially compared to the mono AM broadcast on which the hits originally travelled to listeners ears.

Puckett's catalog is equally well represented by this disc and Collectables' "A Golden Classics Edition." The latter's longer track list includes the same five hits and a larger helping of the band's album tracks; this collection extends a bit further chronologically, including a few of Puckett's post-Union Gap solo tracks ("I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" "Gentle Woman").

Creepier than ten Marilyn Mansons! WAY out of line indeed!.......2001-11-26

You can talk all you want to about your Marilyn Mansons and G.G. Allins. For my money, nothing scores higher on the "quease-o-meter" than this Austin Powers lookalike from the 1960s/1970s. Using arrangements straight out of a third-rate Vegas lounge band, Puckett croons his oily declarations of love to "wuh-hum-enn" of all ages. And I do mean ... ALL AGES. Hearing Puckett's biggest hit, "Young Girl" is the aural equvialent of catching your balding middle-aged uncle coming on to your little sister. "Lady Willpower" is similarly creepy. I can't imagine ANY woman giving this loser the time of day.

For better or worse, "Looking Glass" contains all the hits ... and then some. Musically, I would rate this below a "1" if I could. However, some things go so far beyond awfulness that they become fascinating and intriguing. Forget "Hannibal". For pure sicko thrills, nothing beats this Puckett collection. And this is why I give it 3 stars.

THE BEST BUY GREATEST HITS CD.......2001-05-08

This was almost a toss up, with the "Collectibles" CD being very good with 27 songs as well. The reason I choose this was it also includes some solo work, "Keeping the Customer Satisfied" and "Let's Give Adam and Eve Another Chance", as well as his top tens hits. They are all here, including "Woman, Woman" ,"Young Girl", "This Girl Is A Women Now", "Lady Willpower", "Over You" and "Don't Give Into Him"

B SIDES Such as "Don't Make Promises" and "Daylight Stranger" are included, with choice album filler.

I Just saw Gary Puckett in Ft. Lauderdale at a concert and his voice is still fantastic! Check out his shows, you will enjoy it!

Tracks:

Begin
Jovial Costume
Angel Of Solitude
Dying To Stay
Getting By (Version 2)
Arrival
Watching Water
Opus Ashamed
Black Tea
Inspiration's Passing
Pill Hiding
Slow Motion People
Final Act

Album Description

'Other Side of the Looking Glass' is the much anticipated debut by the producer responsible for numerous anticon classics such as sole's Bottle of Humans and 'Divine Disappointment' on Music for the Advancement of Hip Hop. Alias has performed with The Roots, Freestyle Fellowship, DJ Krush, DJ Spooky, Blechdom From Blectom and more.

Customer Reviews:

A Glimpse of Alias' Psyche through the Looking Glass..........2004-11-26

Alias is a founding member of Anticon, whose magnum opus is undoubtedly The Other Side of the Looking Glass. The album's intro clearly establishes Alias' intention in crafting these songs, an attempt to articulate issues and events particular to his life, such as the death of his mother ("Institutions Passing") struggles with bi-polar disorder ("Pill Hiding" and "Dying to Stay") and other topics such as anxiety and worriment. "Black Tea" depicts Alias' imagined older self having to face the reality of his wife's passing, and recognition that he must spend his days alone. It is apparent that Alias' partner played a significant influential role in his songwriting.
My personal favourite track is "Watching Water", undoubtedly the crowning song of this album, which epitomizes much of the abstact quality to "The Other Side..." on a whole. Here Alias admits that sentimentality can have the deleterious effect of regret, especially in light of the fact that every individual is not a fixed point in space and time, and must therefore adapt to new situations, much like a falling drop of water that is enveloped by a larger mass of water. A truly beautiful song.
The Other Side of the Looking Glass is one of my most favourite hip-hop albums, since it features a talented artist using an unconventional approach to convey his thoughts and emotions, which are truly worth his salt. Alias' sheds light on many aspects of his personality, and the album is absolutely devoid of filler, and features only one guest (Dose One on "Opus Denied"). If one is a fan of spoken word matched to engaging beats, this album will undoubtedly enchant the listener.
Big ups to London Ont's own Thesis who pieced the incredible artwork for the album.

Deep.......2004-02-09

That's all I can say, this album is gloomy and deep and that really appeal's to me. What I can say I liked most about this album is not the rap but the sound that Alias has injected into the album. But I will warn the buyer, this album isn't for everyone. If you are not used to something different from rap then don't buy this album, but other than that it's all good.

The brightest side of the looking glass.......2003-03-02

Alias is no doubt my favorite poet. Each of the songs on this CD had verses that made me sit and think about how it's possible for anyone to write so melancholy and make it cheer me up so well. Number 7, Watching Water, is the song that I relate to the most. I bought this CD two weeks ago and it hasn't left my CD player.

one of the best I've heard in a long time.......2002-07-18

This is heavier than any Norwegian black metal band, more melancholy than most pale, early '80's, British pop. Inventive instrumentation and samples coupled with interesting beats make this the most complicated and ulimately the most rewarding hip-hop album I've heard in a long time. This guy is the best kept secret on the Anticon roster.

Alias shows his strength.......2002-05-29

This album is incredible and well worth the wait. Another fine example from Anticon records. Alias is great at mixing emotion with music and still having fabulous beats. If this tickles your fancy, check out So Called Artist, Deep Puddle Dynamics or anything else Anticon sells.

Average customer rating:

Premier Pops

Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Mancini Country

ASIN: B000008I2M
Release Date: 1994-08-05

Tracks:

Overture To A 'Pops' Concert
The Thorn Birds: The Thorn Birds Theme
The Thorn Birds: Arrival At The Vatican
The Thorn Birds: Meggie's Theme
The Thorn Birds: It's Shearing Your Hearing
Movie Song Medley: Life In A Looking Glass
Movie Song Medley: Crazy World
Movie Song Medley: Song from '10'
Hong Kong Fireworks
Sunflower
The 'Inspector Clouseau' Theme
Charade
Glass Menagerie, Pt. 1 (Tom's Theme)
Glass Menagerie, Pt. 2 (Blue Roses/Laura's Theme)
Three TV Themes: Hotel
Three TV Themes: Newhart
Three TV Themes: Remington Steele
The Sons Of Italy
Ohio Riverboat
Main Title From 'The Great Mouse Detective'
Moon River

Average customer rating:

The Best!
Rocking Backwards
Through the Looking Glass - a Tribute
Worth the money
Great Musicians gone bad!!!

Through the Looking Glass
Toto
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Turn Back
Falling in Between
Isolation
Hydra
The Seventh One

ASIN: B00006L7S9
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Could You Be Loved
Bodhisattva
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
I Can't Get Next To You
Living For The City
Maiden Voyage/Butterfly
Burn Down The Mission
Sunshine Of Your Love
House Of The Rising Sun
Watching The Detectives
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry

Customer Reviews:

The Best!.......2006-06-25

Great album from these AOR stalwarts. The covers are top notch like the playing. Lukather shines here, especially on Sunshine of Your love and While my guitar Gently Weeps. Worth the price of the CD alone. Steve Porcaro adds a much needed touch of class to the recording, showing us why he should never of left the band. His touch has surely been missed since. All in all, a worthy exercise and a very entertaining diversion.

Rocking Backwards.......2006-06-17

TOTO's 2002 release made up of non-original tracks reminds me of White Queen in Carol's Through The Looking Glass who live in reversed time sequence. Probably they wanted to do something peculiar not any of music fans might have expected.

To be honest, I think whether you can enjoy this album depends upon how deep are were into 70s rock. Some are familiar tracks and others may not. Among them Herbie hancock's classic MAIDEN VOYAGE/BUTTERFLY is excellently cared and you may enjoy whether or not you know the original. My personal favorite is BODHISATTVA one of my favorite STEELY DAN tracks and I am glad TOTO chose that track for this release. Beatles track WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS sounds close to original and Bobby Kimball did quite good vocal performance. BURN DOWN THE MISSION also is quite a nice choice giving great respect to ELTON JOHN one of my favorite artists.

Verdict: NOT regular release but still enjoyable
Rating: 74 out of 100
Recommended for: 70s rock fans and TOTO fans.

Through the Looking Glass - a Tribute.......2006-06-06

Toto's "Through the Looking Glass" is a great album that should be listened to by every Toto fan. As a professional musician, I've often thought that it would be neat to put together a collection of those artists/composers who influenced me. Every musician has had several, from classical to jazz to pop - someone who has inspired them in their musical development. I think it very admirable that they decided to put an album like this together.

Of the tunes that I am familiar with, Toto has done an amazing job of keeping to the original artist's style, yet modernizing and making it their own at the same time. George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" has been arranged as a power ballad, opening with some keyboard sequencing and ending with a heart-felt, guitar solo. The tribute to Herbie Hancock's classic "Maiden Voyage/Butterfly" is simply stellar - again, a modern sound that any contemporary jazz station would be proud to play. Elton's "Burn Down the Mission" is another tune that retains the "Toto" sound, yet doesn't take away from what Elton produced.

Think about it - how many covers have new artists butchered? As a classically trained pianist, I was taught to keep it in the style/era of the original composer, yet make it my own. Toto has done just that. Though I do not care for most of the songs on this album (the originals never did anything for me), I am impressed, I am impressed with the overall result. If you enjoy Toto's music, this is one for your collection.

Worth the money.......2005-12-23

The only time I have ever heard of TOTO was that song "Africa" in the 80's. I was looking for a CD to differentiate from my usual, and a good firend of mine who happens to be a professional guitar player reccomended this CD to me. Although im not an avid fan as some may have stated, I think this CD was definately worth my money. track # 6, Maiden Voyage I think is a very awesome jam to relax to and just enjoy yourself. This may not be a hardcore TOTO Cd, but I definately reccomend it for anyone looking to sit back and just enjoy some good sounds.

Great Musicians gone bad!!!.......2005-08-23

I grew up listening to TOTO and have been to concerts... they are at the top of my music pile, but this album is the perfect example of great musicians making a bad album. If you are looking for a GREAT TOTO album/DVD get their 25th anniversary TOTO Live in Amsterdam DVD....wow talk about fantastic musicianship... simply a unbelievable DVD. The lighting, sound and music arrangement was and is the best.

This album... I hate to say it in the same sentence with TOTO...SUCKS!!! Sorry guys... I own them all but this one.

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