Roots [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Soul legend's second solo studio album and one of the finest soul albums of the Seventies. Lavishly produced, epic funk driven orchestral sound made it one of the most progressive soul albums of its era.

Roots,Curtis Mayfield,Soul/R & B

Roots [Import]

Tracks:

Brand New Kind Of Actress (5:31)
Down In A Hole (4:18)
Try (4:48)
Chicago Promenade (3:19)
Dress Blues (4:07)
Grown (3:42)
Hurricanes and Hand Grenades (5:07)
In A Razor Town (3:15)
Shotgun Wedding (3:45)
The Magician (4:16)
The Devil Is My Running Mate (3:45)

Amazon.com

Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Isbell was a driving force in the rousing postmodern Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers. Sirens of the Ditch is his solo debut. A resident of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Isbell clearly has Catholic taste in his roots rock. His backing band throws together a pleasant mélange of pedal steel, organ, strummed acoustic guitar, and heartfelt Americana vocals. At first, it sounds like something you've heard before a thousand times, by Ryan Adams or was that Bryan Adams. However, on closer inspection, there's a lot more going on. After rhyming "bitch" with "ditch" in the song "Ditch," Isbell throws in a line about "dancing to 'Purple Rain'" and you're drawn in, to a clearly delineated but poetic storyline and gorgeous melodies. Isbell's best songs will remind you of Richard Buckner, Raymond Carver, and Neil Young. "Dress Blues" might be the most sympathetic and awesome song about the Iraq war yet written. Huzzah. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

Accomplished guitarist and songwriter Jason Isbell, formerly of Drive By Truckers (DBT), releases his debut solo album Sirens Of The Ditch.

The album rocks with 11 tracks all written by Isbell kicking off with "Brand New Kind Of Actress", followed by the rocker "Down In A Hole", a swampy number featuring Muscle Shoals natives Spooner Oldham and David Hood. Isbell s songwriting skills shine especially on "Dress Blues" a pensive ballad about a high-school classmate who lost his life fighting in Iraq and "Chicago Promenade" a tribute to his late Grandfather.

Listeners caught glimpses of Isbell s skills on Drive-By Truckers records with tracks like "Danko/Manuel" and "Outfit".

Sirens Of The Ditch's mystical quality can be partially attributed to the FAME recording studio (Aretha Franklin, Duane Allman, Otis Redding) in Isbell s hometown of Muscle Shoals, AL where the album was recorded. A lot of old soul musicians came through here in the late 60s and 70s and helped define the Muscle Shoals sound, the lifelong Alabamian explains, so that influence was always in my environment, but on this record I really tried to capture that.

Co-produced by Isbell and Patterson Hood (DBT), Sirens Of The Ditch features Isbell singing lead vocals and playing guitar throughout, joined by Shonna Tucker (DBT) on Bass and Brad Morgan (DBT) on drums. Several musicians pop in for cameos including Spooner Oldham and David Hood (Patterson s father) on "Down In A Hole", John Neff (DBT) on "Dress Blues" and Patterson himself guests on "Shotgun Wedding".

Customer Reviews:

A Storytellers very good work ... with the best yet to come.......2007-08-01

Jason Isbell is a storyteller, one whose work with DBT took me, a Southern California boy, into the tradations, beauty and horrors of his Deep South. As with the best of DBT's work, he did so in graceful, yet frequently brutal narratives. With DBT, you didn't easily forget a Jason Isbell song. "Outfit", "Declaration Day", "Never gonna Change", "Goddamn Lonely Love", "When the Well runs Dry" ... these songs are movies that play out in your mind and stay.

DBT albums like The Dirty South are intense affairs. One of the many benefits of having three top-notch contributers was it allowed Jason, Patterson and Cooley to bring their top material. In Jason's case, that always meant intense or highly entertaining material ("The Day John Henry Died").

In Jason's debut release, I have listened to it for three weeks now before weighing in with a review. Jason's songwriting skills and guitar playing are evident throughout, with many of the songs improving with ongoing listening.

However, I don't believe the overall quality of his full release is fully realized, thus the four star rating. While contributing 3-4 songs likely representing his best work per DBT album, in this case there isn't enough top level material throughout Sirens of the Ditch. This point of view probably is not fair, my expectations were very high. His previous work usually left me open-mouthed in amazement, very little here comes close to that. It likely would be difficult to produce an entire release consisting of the quality and intensity of Jason's previous work.

I conclude by noting that I am very anxious to see Jason's band in tour. I saw DBT on The Dirty South tour in an amazing show and Jason's guitar work and songs were incredible. As much as I enjoy the majority of his first release, I have a gut feeling that the next one will blow every gear and be simply incredible.

Isbell Stands on His Own.......2007-07-31

When Isbell was in the Drive-By Truckers, you just knew he had more songs waiting to be heard. On his debut solo album, he proves he has what it takes to go it alone, and even broaden his horizons a bit.

The hard rocking tunes are still there ("Try," "Shotgun Wedding"), and Isbell still shows a real talent for gothic Southern tales ("Down in a Hole"). But he's also penned a couple of great sad songs ("Dress Blues," "In a Razor Town") with lyrics that just ache: "You watch every move / And call it sleight of hand / You know it's what I do / But never who I am" ("The Magician").

This isn't the Truckers, to be sure. Isbell is at once less hard-edged and less overtly Southern than his former band. But anyone familiar with Isbell's contributions to that group will not be surprised (or disappointed) by the material here. Isbell is a real talent, and has surely put out one of the best records we'll see this year.

Fantastic!!!.......2007-07-29

Brilliant song writing! Echoes of Drive by Truckers yet still very original! Best album I've heard this year! Jason made the right decision to leave DBT's otherwise we made not have had the pleasure of this excellent début solo album. Hope there's more where that came from! Well done Jason, can't wait for a UK tour!!!!

Pretty good debut.......2007-07-28

Jason Isbell is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter. I was really bummed when he left Drive-By Truckers because his songs were many of my favorites. I was anxious to see what he'd do by himself, and I think it's pretty good. It has the same deep, soulful storytelling of his DBT songs, and his voice is great. The music on some of the songs is kind of hit and miss though. Some of them are great, but a handful, maybe half, don't live up to the power of the DBT stuff. They're a little dull. I know, it's not fair to compare his debut solo album to a band that's been around for years, which is why I'm excited by the promise shown in this album--it shows that he'll do great things on his own. In itself, though, this album isn't great all the way through. Still, if you're a big DBT fan, this is worth picking up.

Decent but not spectacular.......2007-07-27

Jason Isbell definitely has potential, but you get the feeling that he hasn't quite found his voice yet. He's only like 28 years old, and he's just separated from a great band - The Drive-By Truckers. Some of these songs are pretty good alt-country numbers, but others fall flat and bland. Also, I'm not wild about his voice: he sounds like he could be one of the singers in Rascall Flats. But if you like alt-country with a more MOR sound, this would be a good one to buy.

Two Sevens Clash: 30th Anniversary Edition (Dlx)

Average customer rating:

Good Reggae Album...

Two Sevens Clash: 30th Anniversary Edition (Dlx)
Culture
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Jamaica | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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Harder than the Rest
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ASIN: B000QTD0AC
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

I'm Alone In the Wilderness
Pirate Days
Two Sevens Clash
Calling Rastafari
I'm Not Ashamed
Get Ready To Ride the Lion To Zion
Black Starliner Must Come
Jah Pretty Face
See Them a Come
Natty Dread Taking Over
See Dem a Come
See Dem Dub
Natty Dread Taking Over
I'm Not Ashamed
Not Ashamed Dub

Customer Reviews:

Good Reggae Album..........2007-07-25

Most of my exposure to reggae has been by listening to Bob Marley. It seems that there is more to reggae than just him, so my next foray into reggae was through the soundtrack to "The Harder They Come" by Jimmy Cliff. This album has similarities to both of them but there are differences.

Overall, I thought this was a very well written album. I like the songs and the music is very catchy. One nice thing I like about the music for reggae is that it is happy (even though the subject may not be). My only complaint with this album is the odd size.

Average customer rating:

Save your Nickels and Dimes
Solid Greatest Hits Record
Give Mike a Break!
Only one disc?
Worth a purchase even for the hardcore fans...

Greatest Hits
Social Distortion
Manufacturer: Time Bomb
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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New Maps of Hell
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Zeitgeist

ASIN: B000QFCCUA
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

Another State Of Mind
Mommy's Little Monster
Prison Bound
Story Of My Life
Ball And Chain
Ring Of Fire
Bad Luck
When The Angels Sing
I Was Wrong
Reach For The Sky
Far Behind

Customer Reviews:

Save your Nickels and Dimes.......2007-08-05

I bought this on impulse. I love the band, and see them live whenever they're within 300 miles from home.

There aren't any original studio recordings on the disc. Nothing you've ever heard on the radio, nothing you've seen live. It's a quickly thrown-together garage-studio set of re-interpreted hits, and a few non-hits mixed in. There are some obvious choices missing, as well, but I knew that when I bought it.

Some tracks have cinder-block-room reverb. Others have mic splatter. It's just a hard disc to listen to. It doesn't sound live *or* studio. It sounds like a demo tape, really, but without the energy.

If you want live recordings, get the live cd they put out a few years ago. If you want the cleaned-up originals, get the old sony cds (or better yet, just download them for free from the Social D web site). If you've already got both, just save up your nickels and dimes for the next show.

Solid Greatest Hits Record.......2007-07-24

I have been a huge Social Distortion fan since 1988. I remember hearing "Prison Bound" when I was skateboarding a lot. My first Social Distortion show was in 1990 on the self-titled tour. I remember hearing "Ball and Chain" and "Sick Boy" live and it was the most awesome thing ever. The energy at the show was amazing. I have seen them many times since then and through many line-up changes. One thing stays the same and that is that Social Distortion is the greatest band of modern times. Mike Ness always impresses me with his lyrics and signature sound. This greatest hits record is really cool and I appreciate the re-recorded sound. It is very tastefully done and anyone who loves Social Distortion will gladly welcome this as an addition to their collection. I can't wait to hear the new record when it comes out and to catch another fantastic Social Distortion show.

Give Mike a Break!.......2007-07-09

Of course if you are a longtime fan you might now want this, as it is largely a reprise. (Thus the title: Greatest Hits.) I, as a fanatic, am looking forward to checking out some of the re-recorded songs and love "Far Behind." Obviously if you are looking for new material, this isn't the place to go! Come on, guys. It looks like a pretty competent greatest hits collection to me. If you want B-tracks, etc., buy the damn original albums like the rest of us! Mike--you are one of the greatest songwriters of our era, and I can't wait for the new album!

Only one disc?.......2007-07-02

Considering that I have been enamored with Social Distortion since I was eight years old, my review may be on the biased side, but the major quips I have with this collection are that A. It's only one disc: Granted not every Social Distortion song can be called a hit, they have more than 11 tracks to consider great. B. Not all the old songs are remastered: The two tracks I'm really talking about are 'Another State of Mind' and 'Prison Bound'. If you've been lucky enough to see or hear one of their latest shows, they start off 'Prison Bound' with a beautiful piano melody, which would have been fantastic to hear in a studio form, and 'Another State of Mind' with the new dynamic duo of Ness and Wickersham would have been something for the ages. I am pleased to hear the White Light, White Heat, White Trash songs redone, but they didn't require too much reworking because of the album's sheer perfection on its release eleven years ago.

So for those just getting into Social Distortion, or the people like me who will buy just about anything they do regardless of how it's reviewed, give this a try, but don't spend too much on it or expect monumental difference in songs. Hopefully it won't be another eight years before another album hits the shelves.

Worth a purchase even for the hardcore fans..........2007-07-01

When I first learned that Social Distortion would be releasing a "greatest hits" album, I wasn't too excited about it. Of course, I have all the albums already and I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of paying $14 to get the one new song in an album of repackaged hits. I was also a bit put off by the fact that this album would only contain 11 songs. That is pretty thin for a "greatest hits" album. Still, since I can't get enough of Social Distortion and I'm a shameless completist, I knew I'd end up forking over the cash.

Let's just say that I was surprised when I first listened to this CD. As has been speculated on by Social Distortion fans for some time now, all of the songs from the major label era albums (tracks 4-9) have been given a major facelift.

This is where things get interesting. As of now, the band has not officially commented on this situation and the liner notes are no help either. Some fans are convinced that these tracks are merely remastered. Others think that the original songs have been re-mixed. Still, more think that what's on this CD is demo versions of the Sony era classics. Others think that the songs have been completely re-recorded.

I can't say that I'm an expert on mastering, mixing, or recording, but all I needed to hear was the first 5 seconds of "I Was Wrong" to realize that these songs are basically totally different. To me, the vocals and guitars sound totally different on all of the songs.

Personally, I don't buy the notion that these songs have only been "remastered". I own many remastered albums. I re-bought some of Bad Religions re-mastered releases in 2004. All of those songs sounded nearly identical to their original releases. The only difference in those releases is that they ended up much louder and crisper on the remastered discs. This is not the case with this CD. These songs have been altered and altered alot.

I'm sure some purists will be put off by the fact that the band has done this under the name of a greatest hits cd. Myself, I don't mind it one bit. It was a welcome surprise and actually made it worth me buying this cd. If I want to listen to the originals, I can pop those cd's in any time. This is a nice change of pace.

The new versions of the classic songs are interesting. I really can't call them better or worse than the originals. They are just different. I like both the originals and what's on this cd. Like I said, this is just a nice change of pace. Also, Far Behind is a great song. Classic Social Distortion.

So, I will say that this "greatest hits" album was worth the money in the end. In a perfect world, I would have preferred them to have released a b-sides/unreleased tracks cd. Social Distortion has a huge catalog of rarities that they've never released. That would have been better for the hardcore fans like myself, but I'll take what I can get. Maybe someday I'll get what I'm looking for (Mike Ness if you happen to read this: hint, hint). In the end, this will tide me over until they get around to releasing another new album. I'll just keep crossing my fingers and hoping that doesn't take nearly a decade like the last one.

If you're a hardcore SxDx fan or a newbie just looking to get aquainted with some of Social Distortion's music, you won't be disappointed with this cd.

Average customer rating:

The Seeger Sessions
Springsteen's best album ever
Get American Land Edition
Great fun, don't be turned off
Lame Record of Lame Songs

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
Bruce Springsteen
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

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Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

All the Roadrunning
Taking The Long Way
Surprise
Living With War
Modern Times

ASIN: B000EU1PNC
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

Old Dan Tucker
Jesse James
Mrs. McGrath
Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep
John Henry
Erie Canal
Jacob's Ladder
My Oklahoma Home
Eyes On The Prize
Shenandoah
Pay Me My Money Down
We Shall Overcome
Froggie Went A-Courtin'
Buffalo Gals (bonus track)
How Can I Keep From Singing (bonus track)

Amazon.com

The premise was simple. Bruce Springsteen invites a dozen or so New York City musicians--packing banjos, fiddles, accordions and the like--to his New Jersey farmhouse for a three-day hootenanny, and tape is rolling. The results are sublime, his 21st album featuring their versions of songs harvested from Springsteen's dog-eared LPs by Pete Seeger. Not all written by Seeger, the songs are how the American folk icon interpreted them, and these organic recordings, with no rehearsals or overdubs, pay tribute with the simplicity and spontaneity he intended. It's not hard to link Springsteen's dissatisfaction with American politics to the protest song "We Shall Overcome" or even the Irish ballad "Mrs. McGrath," where he alters the lyrics to read, "I'd rather have my son as he used to be/Than the King of America and his whole navy." But the beauty of these Seeger Sessions are pieces that underscore the mood of the bandleader, which borders on down-home amusement: the bluegrass outlaw ballad "Jesse James," the Dylanesque "Pay Me My Money Down" and the euphoric "Jacob's Ladder," a gumbo-and-whiskey-fueled romp that could pass for the closing hymn at the Church of Asbury Park. --Scott Holter

Album Description

VIDEO

A 40-minute film about the recording of the album with artist commentary. Includes filmed performances of:

John Henry Pay Me My Money Down Buffalo Gals Erie Canal O Mary DonÂ't You Weep JacobÂ's Ladder Froggie Went A CourtinÂ' Shenandoah

Plus four bonus live tour videos:

How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live (Bruce Springsteen Version) Bring Â'Em Home American Land Pay Me My Money Down

Customer Reviews:

The Seeger Sessions.......2007-08-03

I loved this CD. The arrangements were great! Bruce on the vocals was a perfect fit. I found myself thinking about a few songs during the day and singing it out loud. Watching the video really makes you appreciate the different muscians and how they work together to produce something meaningful and beautiful. Bye.. I think I'll go watch it again!

Springsteen's best album ever.......2007-07-17

When this album first came out I listened to it non-stop. My favorite track: "Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep." I went to see the band when they toured to promote the album in the spring of '06. Wow. There were something like 15 musicians on the stage and their passion was palpaple. This comes through in the album, too, which was recorded live.

Get American Land Edition.......2007-07-16

This is a great album, but notwithstanding the reviews written here, you should get the American Land version of this album (We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition). It has all the same songs, plus four more tracks on the audio CD, including "American Land" which is one of the best songs he's done in years. There are also several additional videos. Unlike this version, the American Land edition is not a dualdisc; instread it consists of an audio CD and a DVD disc.

Buy the American Land edition instead (ASIN: B000GG4XJM).

Great fun, don't be turned off.......2007-07-08

I'm a guy with some pretty diverse musical tastes, but quite honestly, I probably never would have gotten into Pete Seeger's brand of country-folk music on my own. But as a lifelong Springsteen die-hard, I put aside any skepticism I might have had and bought the "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" DualDisc. As his career progresses, Bruce Springsteen is a constantly changing artist, and he is always drawing influences from new and different sources. But this album is definitely different from any project he's ever done before. The banjoes, accordions, and twangy fiddles might put off some listeners at first, but give it a chance. You'll actually find that this stuff has a lot of similarities to classic rock, with the catchy hooks, instrumental solos, and song structures. Songs like "Old Dan Tucker," "Jesse James," and "Pay Me My Money Down" are upbeat, totally fun tracks. There's a few songs worth skipping on the tracklist, but overall, "We Shall Overcome" is a fun listen of folk standards and covers. I challenge Springsteen fans to go into this album with an open mind, and I think they'll enjoy it just as I have.

Lame Record of Lame Songs.......2007-06-26

If I had a hammer
I'd hammer on the hippies
I'd hammer on some commies
All over this land
I'd hammer on the peaceniks
I'd hammer on lame Jerseyites
I'd hammer out all the rotten filthy dirty draft dodgers
All over this land

The Grass Roots - All Time Greatest Hits

Average customer rating:

Great CD!
Grass Roots 2007
POP MUSIC DELUXE = GRASS ROOTS style !
An unknown tidbit about "The Grass Roots"
A definite blast from the past

The Grass Roots - All Time Greatest Hits
The Grass Roots
Manufacturer: Mca Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002P1T
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Let's Live For Today
Where Were You When I Needed You
Things I Should Have Said
Midnight Confessions
The River Is Wide
Bella Linda
Lovin' Things
Wait A Million Years
Baby Hold On
Heaven Knows
Come On And Say It
Temptation Eyes
Two Divided By Love
Glory Bound
The Runway
Sooner Or Later

Amazon.com

As a band the Grass Roots were always a shadowy bunch, a front for studio musicians and professional songwriters looking to get their songs on the radio. They scored 14 top 40 hits during their reign in the late '60s/early '70s and their hits were among the catchiest and most enjoyable of the AM radio era. "Let's Live for Today," "Midnight Confessions," "Bella Linda," "Two Divided by Love," and a slew of others are shameless pop made brilliant by multilayered harmonies and arrangements that liberally borrowed from folk-rock and R&B. The Grass Roots may have been product, but what great product. --Rob O'Connor

Album Description

This low-priced disc is far & away the best single-CD compilation ever issued of the Grass Roots' work, 16 chart singles covering every phase of their history, from 1966's 'Where Were You When I Needed You' (in its actual hit version) thru 'Let's Live for Today' & 'Midnight Confessions' to their last hit, 1972's 'The Runway.' Originally released in 1996. MCA.

Customer Reviews:

Great CD!.......2007-05-26

This will certainly take you back in time. The Grassroots had so many hits and they are all here and are the original versions that you heard on the radio! My personal favorite is "The River Is Wide", which gets very little airplay on oldies radio stations. If you are a Grassroots fan, you will not be disappointed.

Grass Roots 2007.......2007-05-08

Just saw the Grass Roots(Grill and others) at the Sellersville Theater, in Sellersville, PA. He was using a cane but still sounded great. This takes me back to my childhood days and listening to the sound bites on this CD I am amazed how well he still sounds. I really recommend you buy this one. He also has a great stage presence and really interacted with the crowd. I would definitely recommend anyone who enjoyed this band in their youth to take time to see them. Yes, even after all these years! The crowd is small, personal and you won't regret it. He even cut a live CD in 2000 that he sells on tour.

POP MUSIC DELUXE = GRASS ROOTS style !.......2007-04-26

Well, what a great CD. Listen, I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents car, I was about 10 or 11 yrs old, listening to KLIF AM radio, Dallas. Hearing The Grass Roots songs through those cheap GM Chevy speakers was almost as good as ice-cream. I had just started playing drums (thanks, Ringo), and the Grass Roots songs propelled me even more. (I am going somewhere with this). Later, in the 80's, I went to a Texas Rangers baseball game where Herman's Hermits, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Monkees and The Grass Roots were playing a special show after the game. Well, I will say this, they were all good, but the stand-out (BY FAR) was Rob Grill and whatever Grass Roots band was performing with him. He KILLED the crowd, and let me tell you, those songs sounded as good as they did when I was sitting in the backseat of the car many years before. Get this CD. As a drummer, I've always wondered if Hal Blaine was playing drums on this CD. Hmmmmm. Anyone know for sure? (Hal was a monster drummer in the 60's and played on everything for everyone).

You will listen to this CD for a very long time. POP PERFECTION that STILL sounds GREAT!

An unknown tidbit about "The Grass Roots".......2007-03-28

before American Bandstand had a song "written" for them (by none other than Barry Manilow!) the theme song for American Bandstand was "Midnight Confessions" by The Grass Roots!

Now, I dare you say The Grass Roots weren't an important musical group! Before MTV, American Bandstand was the BOMB!

A definite blast from the past.......2007-03-09

If you remember and loved the Grassroots, you will still love them.

Average customer rating:

An Undiscovered American Treasure
Just Fabulous
STOP, BUY THIS NOW!
Spend Some Time in the Wilderness
Brilliant...(don't tell anyone)

A Year in the Wilderness
John Doe
Manufacturer: Yep Roc Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Easy Tiger
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Sky Blue Sky
Icky Thump
Translated From Love

ASIN: B000NJWSHQ
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

The Wilderness
Hotel Ghost
The Golden State
Darling Underdog
A Little More Time
Unforgiven
There's a Hole
Lean Out Yr Window
Big Moon
The Bridge
The Meanest Man In the World
Grain Of Salt

Amazon.com

It comes as little surprise that John Doe employs three different female vocalists (Kathleen Edwards, Jill Sobule, and Aimee Mann) to assist on A Year in the Wilderness. After all, it was Exene Cervenka's restless harmonies that bolstered Doe's own dusky lead vocals, providing X with a distinctive sound that has seldom been imitated and never bested, even by the group's own alumni. Doe nonetheless continues to refine the formula, delivering sharp, literate lyrics to rugged, often pensive odes. He mines a kinder, gentler, but no less incisive territory of the somewhat precarious space between the sexes. Doe even strums an acoustic guitar in full folk-ballad mode on "A Little More Time," a somber reflection on love lost. Former X guitarist Dave Alvin provides rootsy firepower on the driving "Hotel Ghost," as close as this disc comes to the old L.A. punk days. But Doe's raw approach chafes at the introspective nature of these songs, adding somber, gritty gravity to the uncompromising lyrics of "Unforgiven," "you say I'm good for nothing, so nothing's good enough for me." While the set lacks the blazing nervousness of X's best material, the older/wiser Doe preserves an uneasy sense of youthful alienation that sports a musically grizzled, five-o'clock shadow. These songs resonate with a mature, biting broodiness that updates, but never dilutes, his legendary early work. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

John Doe is back again. As a founding member of punk monoliths X, he seized his rightful place as one of the most influential musicians in American alternative music in the 1980 s, clearing a path for the revolution in that genre that would take place a decade later. Since launching his solo career in 1990 with the dusty road-poetry of Meet John Doe, John has produced six stunning roots rock albums of frightening honesty and vision. A Year in the Wilderness is no exception.

This time around John has invited his friends and frequent conspirators to help him interpret songs that came fast and hard. Doe dubs the Wilderness sessions, A scary and wondrous process where a blast of intuition and force that takes only moments to realize, but that can last forever and carry consequences you never imagined. Guest stars appearing on A Year in the Wilderness include Dave Alvin, Jill Sobule, Kathleen Edwards, Dan Auerbach (from The Black Keys), Greg Leisz and Aimee Mann.

Customer Reviews:

An Undiscovered American Treasure.......2007-07-21

After being introduced to X in the early 80's, John Doe has never let me down. This album is no exception. He was part of my soundtrack to growing up in LA. Hearing him jam with Dave Alvin on Hotel Ghost really brought me back. Even Kathleen Edwards adds a little Yin to John's Yang the way Exene did back in the day, especially on Lean out yr window. He's as raw as ever. Maybe his words have matured, but his delivery is like it was in '85. I'm actually going to see him next Thursday in NYC and I'm beside myself with anticipation. If you don't' know John Doe, your need to. Although he's been in more movies than I can count, if you are a John Doe fan, you gotta see Roadside Prophets. He's the best.

Just Fabulous.......2007-07-07

Although a long-time fan of X, I'd never bought any of John Doe's solo work before. I read a good review of this album in the LA Times, and thought I'd take a shot.....

I love it. The most commercial cut is "The Golden State", a great tune. I think my favorite song is "Unforgiven", and "Big Moon" seems to haunt my head. The whole album has this vibe that I can't describe, other than to say I find myself wanting to play it almost every day. It has a "deep sound", both musically and lyrically. The songs flow so well that listening is effortless, and leaves you wanting more when the album is finished.

I believe than John Doe is a great creative talent who seems to get better with age. You won't regret buying this release; on the strength of this one, I'm going to buy some of his previous releases!

STOP, BUY THIS NOW!.......2007-07-07

I don't usually write reviews, but I am making an exception for this fantastic album.

BUY IT NOW! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

I've loved John Doe since way back in the X days. I've had the pleasure of enjoying his music for decades. This is by far his best work and collaboration.

A true gem.

Spend Some Time in the Wilderness.......2007-06-28

From the rollicking rhythm of "There's a Hole" to the breathtakingly soft intensity of "Grain of Salt," from the seductive and bluesy "Big Moon" to the "hauntingly" punkish "Hotel Ghost, "A Year in the Wilderness" contains all of the elements that have made John Doe one of America's greatest (although often underappreciated) singer/songwriters: poetic lyrics, vocal intensity, and well-chosen guests.

No one expresses the possibility, the longing and the loss of the landscape of love better than Doe. Like the wilderness, Doe's landscape is striking-- awe-inspiringly beautiful and able to make us feel connected to each other and the world while it resonates with a sense of isolation. This album features some of Doe's best writing to date, yet even when he makes use of a familiar phrase his delivery is transformative. No where is this clearer than in "The Golden State" where Doe uses phrases so familiar they have become clichés and transforms them in to a unique and powerful revelation about the complex nature of relationships through the alchemy of his delivery.

This album is a must have for long time Doe fans and a wonderful introduction to his work for those discovering him for the first time.

Brilliant...(don't tell anyone).......2007-06-17

I've loved having John's solo work all to myself...pop music's best kept secret...music to share with your most musically sophisticated friends...music for long road trips. I suppose that's all over now.

And it's about time.

Because this MF is too big, too smart, too rocking, too cutting, to be denied a wide audience. I would love to see this thing come out of left field and sell 6 million copies, and have John win 5 or 6 Grammy's next February. Not that awards mean anything, but every once in awhile it's nice to see an exceptional artist, at his best, get recognized.

Besides, John has the best hair in rock and roll. "John, see you in Denver (6/22). Yrs. George Tadich Jr."

Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits

Average customer rating:

A Nice Collection of John Mellencamp's Work
Very good compilation!
review songs
John Mellencamp's
Words Can't Say How Good This Music is!

Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
John Mellencamp
Manufacturer: Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Greatest Hits
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The Essential Bruce Springsteen

ASIN: B0002XL252
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

Walk Tall
Pink Houses
Lonely Ol' Night
Jackie Brown
Rain On The Scarecrow
Love And Happiness
Check It Out
Peaceful World
Paper In Fire
Your Life Is Now
Human Wheels
When Jesus Left Birmingham
Authority Song
What If I Came Knocking
Crumblin' Down
Small Town
R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.
Cherry Bomb
Pop SInger

Tracks:

Thank You
Martha Say
Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)
Hand to Hold on To
I Need a Lover
Hurts So Good
Get a Leg Up
Wild Night
Dance Naked
Teardrops Will Fall
Ain't Even Done With the Night
Just Another Day
Jack and Diane
Rumble Seat
I'm Not Running Anymore
Again Tonight
This Time
Now More Than Ever

Amazon.com

Compare this to John Mellencamp's previous hits set, The Best That I Could Do 1978-1988, and it quickly becomes apparent how much the artist formerly known as John Cougar has grown in the second phase of his career. Following a 1994 heart attack, the songwriter transformed from cocky jukebox hero to compassionate everyman, trading in big pop riffs for sublime, politically charged songs that echo the outspoken work of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. Spanning 25 years, this 35-track set incorporates most of the last collection along with more recent hits over two discs in nonchronological order. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

A Nice Collection of John Mellencamp's Work.......2007-07-27

I discovered "John Cougar's" music in the early 80's when Jack and Diann hit the local air-waves, purchased the Uh-Huh album due to all the exposure on MTV, and once he put out Scarecrow, I and almost everybody I knew was enjoying his music.

I casually bought a few more of his offerings over the years, but had kind of lost interest over-all. I wasn't really into the Folk-rock style he was shifting towards. All of that changed in 1995 with the release of Whenever We Wanted. It ROCKED! It is my personal favorite album besides Scarcrow. Anyway, in the past couple of years I have been slowly replacing old CD's with newer "remastered" versions. Mr. Mellencamp's entire catalog of albums has been re-released. Currently, they are at bargain prices. And many offer bonus tracks.

Well, I had a decision to make. Should I buy all of his single albums or this collection which has the hits off practically all of his albums? Some of his early albums really had only one or two tracks that I wanted and those were found on this collection. So, even though I already had bought about 6 of his remasters (from American Fool thru Whenever We Wanted) I decided to go ahead and purchase this 35 track 2-CD set.

When I sat down to load it into my Ipod, I realized there were about 19 new songs that I previously did not own. Sound quality is good. Basically identical to the re-master series. This would be a great collection for any casual fan, or as an introduction to Mellencamp's music.

Very good compilation!.......2007-07-24

This is a great introduction to JMC to casual fans. I have listened to a few songs of his on the radio and but never owned any of his older albums. This one sums up his entire music career. He is a great singer/song writer and I would highly recommend this album.

review songs.......2007-06-11

There is a whole lot of songs in this album. There were many good signature songs that I enjoyed and got to know but there were a few songs that I did not want to hear again. I think I got more of my money's worth on this album.

John Mellencamp's.......2007-05-03

Excellent, keeps you rockin' & dancing to the beat. Makes a great gift for those who love John Mellencamp's music. Hey we are over 50 & we just love his music!!!

Words Can't Say How Good This Music is!.......2007-03-31

Two CDs, 37 songs and most of them were massive hits this album is great value. There's so many hits on here, you select and listen to the big songs you here all the time on radio and played by cover bands in pubs all the time such as Jack and Dianne and Small Town to name just two, then as the CD moves to the next track you realise this next title whose name you'd forgotten is actually another great song and big hit that you also hear all the time. I never knew Mellencamp had so many hits but this album is more than evidence of his great talent.

You can also get this double album in a version that comes with a DVD (check first which version you are buying as the Amazon one on this page I'm reviewing is just two CDs) but even just the double CD of music is more than worth whatever the price is.

Average customer rating:

Rich and varied
Love It!
WAITING FOR CHRIS HBO SHOW DVDS
Good compilation, but get the DVD/CD version!
OOOOHHHH so GOOD!

Best Of Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best of Chris Isaak
Forever Blue
Baja Sessions
All the Roadrunning
Taking The Long Way

ASIN: B000E5N63E
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

San Francisco Days
Somebodys Crying
Wicked Game
Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing
Let Me Down Easy
Two Hearts
King Without A Castle
Only The Lonely
Speak Of The Devil
Blue Spanish Sky
You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love
Cant Do A Thing (To Stop Me)
Lets Have A Party
Dancin'
Blue Hotel
Please
I Want You To Want Me
Forever Blue (Acoustic Version)

Album Description

Chris Isaak begins his third decade as one of the most distinctive recording artists—and the epitome of modern cool—with his first career-spanning retrospective. Best Of Chris Isaak CD features every hit, led by "Wicked Game," and including many fan favorites such as "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing," plus four previously unreleased tracks: an acoustic "Forever Blue," a cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" and two new Isaak-penned songs, "King Without A Castle" and "Let's Have A Party."

Customer Reviews:

Rich and varied.......2007-08-06

The best of a great song stylist--and who could resist that gorgeous voice? A fine artist and his best songs. A must-have for a contemporary music collection.

Love It!.......2007-07-20

I have loved CI's music for many years. He is handsome sings wonderful and has a cool personality. I have all his cd's and this one is a must to have.He is working his tail off with many concerts this year. Go see him if you haven't yet. You will fall in love too as all his fans have!

WAITING FOR CHRIS HBO SHOW DVDS.......2007-06-09

Hard to find a dvd with all good videos. This dvd impressed me, even though I'm not his biggest fan. Bought Wicked Game from Walmart awhile back and couldn't play it half the time due to Digital Rights Management. Plus I rarely use Windows Media Player. Power DVD plays most video and takes snapshots. With this dvd I'm watching the soul wrenching video! Eat your heart out Walmart. Keep your DRM music. HBO please release The Chris Isaak shows on dvd! Stop teasing us with that promise.

Good compilation, but get the DVD/CD version!.......2007-06-01

Chris Isaak is the modern master of high-lonesome and old time croon. From his first CD with Silvertone to "Always Got Tonight" (the final CD represented on this set), you get to follow Isaak's progress from Presley/Orbison acolyte to the delightful, quirky original he is today. While "Wicked Game" (from "Heart Shaped World") was his lone proper hit, he's had many memorable songs and two albums to hone his craft before he entered the national consciousness.

What is interesting is that, even as he has matured as an artist, the roots to his music are still directly traceable to Sun Records. The obsessive Elvis Presley singles "Driving" and "Blue Hotel" to the more subtle "Let Me Down Easy," Isaak has remained stunningly consistent. The songs are always sly and sexy, even with the occasional foray into different vocal styles (the hot growl on "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" from "Forever Blue").

The CD is missing a few songs ("Don't Make Me Dream About You," "Solitary Man," "Cryin'" and "Go Walking Down There"), but if you get the DVD version (Best of Chris Isaak (CD + DVD)) there are six songs that aren't on the CD. The DVD is a treat for another great reason. Skip watching the music videos; make sure to watch with Isaak's commentary. For those familiar with his (inexplicably not yet of DVD) Shotime series or his live shows, Isaak's got a very dry and quirky sense of humor. His belly-laugh-a-minute comments make the extra expenditure worth it.

But even more interesting is watching a young Chris Isaak looking like a pompadoured Rockabilly star on "Blue Hotel" and "Dancin'." It's easy to see how he became a movie-star in training ("The Silence of the Lambs (Widescreen Special Edition)," "Little Buddha" and "A Dirty Shame (NC-17 Rated Theatrical Version)"), but also just as interesting to see the stars who guested in his videos, including the late Chris Penn. But really, make sure you listen to this for the commentary. It's a blast.

OOOOHHHH so GOOD!.......2007-03-09

Chris Isaak is a master at his craft! His style reminds me of Roy Orbison, but he is even better! This album is a joy to listen to - over and over!

Average customer rating:

Wow, what a collection of work
These Days ~ Vince Gill
Inspired by negative reviews
These Days by Vince Gill
Vince Gill - These Days

These Days
Vince Gill
Manufacturer: Mca Nashville
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Like Red on a Rose
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Not Too Late

ASIN: B000HKDEN8
Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

Workin On A Big Chill
Loves Standin
Cowboy Up (featuring Gretchen Wilson)
Sweet Thing
Bet It All On You
Nothin For A Broken Heart (Duet w/Rodney Crowell)
Son Of A Ramblin Man (featuring Del McCoury)
Smilin Song (featuring Michael McDonald)
The Rhythm Of The Pourin Rain (featuring Bekka Bramlett)
Nothin Left To Say

Tracks:

All Prayed Up
Cold Gray Light Of Gone (featuring The Del McCoury Band)
A River Like You (featuring Jenny Gill)
Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve
Molly Brown
Girl (Guest Vocalist: Rebecca Lynn Howard)
Give Me The Highway (featuring The Del McCoury Band)
Sweet Augusta Darlin
Little Brother
Almost Home (Duet w/Guy Clark)

Tracks:

This New Heartache
The Only Love
Out Of My Mind (featuring Patty Loveless)
The Sight Of Me Without You
I Cant Let Go (featuring Alison Krauss & Dan Tyminski)
Dont Pretend With Me
Some Things Never Get Old (featuring Emmylou Harris)
Sweet Little Corrina (featuring Phil Everly)
If I Can Make Mississippi (featuring Lee Ann Womack)
Take This Country Back (Duet w/John Anderson)

Tracks:

What You Don't Say (featuring LeAnn Rimes)
The Reason Why (featuring Alison Krauss)
The Rock Of Your Love (featuring Bonnie Raitt)
What You Give Away (featuring Sheryl Crow)
Faint Of Heart (Duet w/Diana Krall)
Time To Carry On (featuring Jenny Gill)
No Easy Way
This Memory Of You (featuring Trisha Yearwood)
How Lonely Looks
Tell Me One More Time About Jesus (featuring Amy Grant)
Everything And Nothing (featuring Katrina Elam)
Which Way Will You Go
These Days

Amazon.com

These new recordings of mostly recent Gill compositions are the culmination of a project aimed at recording four distinct albums: rock, romance, vintage honky-tonk, and acoustic. The Rockin' Record, virtually perfect from start to finish, begins with "Workin' on a Big Chill," its swampy groove straight out of John Fogerty and a showcase for Gill's guitar virtuosity--a groove he resumes on "Cowboy Up," with cameo harmonies from Gretchen Wilson. "Sweet Thing" and a duet with Rodney Crowell on "Nothin' for a Broken Heart" pulsate with Chuck Berry intensity that contrasts with the solid, '60s Memphis groove of "Bet It All on You." The Reason Why showcases Gill's legendary ease with ballads, several of them enhanced by creative string arrangements by David Campbell (Beck's father), including "What You Don't Say" with LeAnn Rimes and "The Memory of You" with Trisha Yearwood. The stunning "Faint of Heart," a remarkably sultry jazz duet with Diana Krall, could become a standard. Some Things Never Get Old revisits classic fiddle-steel honky-tonk, music Gill has long reverenced and referenced. "This New Heartache" is straight out of Ray Price. Gill and Patty Loveless tear up "Out of My Mind" and Allison Krauss and Dan Tyminski join in for the waltz "I Can't Let Go." "Don't Pretend with Me" honors Ernest Tubb's honky-tonk primitivism. Little Brother, all-acoustic and often bluegrass-flavored, shines from beginning to end. Along with "Molly Brown," a stark cautionary about racial violence, Gill sings both "Cold Gray Light of Dawn" and "Give Me the Highway" with the Del McCoury Band. He and Guy Clark close it out with "Almost Home." Despite outstanding past efforts, Gill--one of the top hitmakers of the '90s--hasn't had a Top Ten single since 2000. No matter. His talents and the heart he puts into his writing, singing, and picking remain at their peak. This stellar collection proves it--four times over. --Rich Kienzle

Album Description

In an unmatched outpouring of virtuosity and energy, Vince Gill has created a 4-CD set of 43 new and original songs that MCA Records will release Oct. 17 under the title These Days. The collection is an artistic tour de force that displays Gill's mastery of lyrics and musical styles, ranging from traditional country and bluegrass to jazz and rock.

"I started looking at all these songs I had," the amiable superstar explains, "and going, `Shoot, I want to record that song, and I want to record that song.' I just kept checking with the other musicians to see if they were available. I had no deadlines, no rules or anything like that. So I just kept trying songs."

To accompany him on this ambitious undertaking, Gill turned both to artists he knew and had worked with before and to those whose music he admired at a distance. "I never try to fill up my records with famous people," Gill says. "I try to fill them up with the most talented people I can find on the face of the earth." By the time the project was completed, that group included Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Rodney Crowell, Phil Everly, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, John Anderson, Lee Ann Womack, Jenny Gill, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson, Guy Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Bekka Bramlett, Michael McDonald, steel-guitar master Buddy Emmons and many other musical standouts.

Initially, Gill planned to pare down the songs he'd recorded to a single album. Then, in one of the studios he used, he spotted some Beatles memorabilia and recalled that the Fab Four had routinely released multiple albums within the same year.

Gill took the idea to Luke Lewis, Universal Music Group Nashville Co-Chairman, who totally supported his notion of multiple releases. In fact, Lewis came up with an even more radical strategy: he told Vince to go and record more songs that explore his passion for acoustic sounds and release a 4-CD set. And that's exactly what happened.

Gill co-produced These Days with famed keyboardist John Hobbs and sound engineering whiz Justin Niebank.

Customer Reviews:

Wow, what a collection of work.......2007-07-29

Prior to a few weeks ago I didn't know anything about Vince Gill's music beyond the few hits that I had heard on the radio. Then, my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert. Wow! I went out the next day and bought "These Days" and just about the only time I get disk 2 out of my CD player is to insert #3 or #4 (disk #1 is OK, but not so much my cup of tea). If you have any tinge of liking for country type music I don't see how you could not love this set. If you are already a fan of Vince you will not be dissapointed, and if you are a new fan like me you will wonder how you missed Vince for all this time. You will probably end up buying all of his earlier work as I am now doing. GREAT work and this guy is not just getting older, he is getting better.

These Days ~ Vince Gill.......2007-07-07

A lot of the songs are vintage Vince Gill. His guitar playing is nothing short of spectacular. The duets are wonderful. His guest singers blend well with Vince's, oh so sweet, tenor. I love the album, but give it only four stars because so many of the songs are featured on albums I already own.

Inspired by negative reviews.......2007-05-21

Before ordering this CD set, I read most of the reviews on Amazon. A couple of them were very negative. However, I just couldn't believe in a "bad" recording session from Vince Gill. Especially with the great stars who collaborated as guests on many of the cuts.

Well, the good news is the negative reports were just wrong. I like these CD's, there are four in the box set, more every time I listen to them. An excellent product and a great addition to any music collection that loves ballads, country, bluegrass, and yes: Vince!!

These Days by Vince Gill.......2007-05-13

This item is a must buy for all Vince Gill fans. We purchased it after seeing in Vince in concert. The concert was great, but you can't have that all the time. His range as a musician is evident throughout this 4 CD set. Plus, the musicians he surrounds himself with make this a must buy.

Vince Gill - These Days.......2007-05-13

I'm a long time fan of Vince Gill but this album is his best. A must have for any Vince Gill fan!!

Average customer rating:

Another stellar, thoughtful album.
Great
Love this album
He's really done it this time

Beautiful Door
Billy Bob Thornton
Manufacturer: New Door Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000RIWASA
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

It's Just Me
Restin' Your Soul
In the Day
Beautiful Door
I Gotta Grow Up
Hearts Like Mine
Carnival Girl
Always Countin'
Pretty People
I Can Tell You
Hope for Glory
Boys Is Gone

Amazon.com

Awright, den. Karl Childers's alter ego arrives on his fourth solo album mired in memories, awash in tears for too many lives and relationships that ended too soon. He's mournful for the war and the misguided politics that begat it, for a friend who suicided out, for a woman who broke his heart, and for a boy who died too soon. Unlike its predecessors, Beautiful Door seems stuck in a time warp of the '60s and '70s, from which it draws much of its lyrical inspiration and musical framework (folk, country, and roots rock, all a showcase for cowriter Brad Davis's eloquent, punch-in-the-gut guitar playing). Billy Bob Thornton doesn't so much sing as speak over music, his gravelly Arkansas drawl occasionally sustaining pitch long enough to approximate a melody. But his forthright vocals here owe more to The Edge of the World than to the whispery Private Radio or Hobo, though guest Graham Nash is so underground (on three cuts) you'd need a Geiger counter to find him. As his own producer, then, Thornton puts the focus squarely on the songs, which seem the private writings of a man who lives an intensely insular life, not an internationally known actor/director. Ghosts float across the ceiling throughout--the leadoff track, "It's Just Me," takes the point of view of the suicide who refuses to abandon the living, while the second song ("Restin' Your Soul") tells the same story from the companion left behind. Two other confessionals ("I Gotta Grow Up" and the winsome "Hearts Like Mine") may reference ex-wife Angelina Jolie. If the social commentary of "Pretty People" arrives DOA, Thornton turns drolly novelistic on the honky-tonking "Carnival Girl," an encounter with an unusually confident midway worker ("Her bottom lip and both ears were linked by chains/She even had a tattoo on her aura"). Consider Beautiful Door another strange visit with an artist who isn't afraid to put himself on the line. --Alanna Nash

Album Description

A collection of twelve tracks, BEAUTIFUL DOOR, is a lyrical, sonic story about life and death, beginnings and ends. A blend of roots rock, country, and folk, the musical genres Billy Bob Thornton has always loved most, BEAUTIFUL DOOR is the follow up album to his third solo release in 2005, HOBO -- and like HOBO, BEAUTIFUL DOOR is a collection of songs Thornton intended to have listened to as an "album," in its entirety. "The album had to have a sequence. And even if it's not an A+B+C song type of story-- BEAUTIFUL DOOR is still a sonic landscape that both musically and lyrically flows from one track to the next."

Customer Reviews:

Another stellar, thoughtful album........2007-08-05

It's possible that BEAUTIFUL DOOR is Thornton's best since PRIVATE RADIO. That debut record will always be my favorite, if just because I stumbled upon it by chance, and it subsequently changed my outlook on music as a whole. But enough about me and how Billy Bob Thornton influenced my musical philosophy (or theology; we could debate endlessly on terms); let's move on to more (de)pressing matters--BEAUTIFUL DOOR.

DOOR is, indeed, beautiful, in its stark despair ("You say you want to talk about a better world/But you've closed that beautiful door") contrasted against hope for a better future (a minute-long chant of "hope for glory," the meaning of the phrase changing from a condemnation, to a prayer, to a motto). Thornton spends much of his time looking back, often with a despair so deep it pains you to hear it ("Something's wrong when you can't find meaning since 1972"), occasionally with wry humor ("I gotta grow up/I gotta go to work/Quit countin' on luck/Even if it hurts"). He spends his time with a carnival girl who has the stare of a twenty dollar prostitute; bemoans a suicide; blames the pretty people for the world's problems; wishes a lost lover a good life; counts his pills instead of eating them; and basically sings of life on the other side of the tracks. And it all comes off as authentic.

The authenticity isn't the only thing that keeps the album flowing smoothly; Thornton cowrote all of the material with guitarist/producer Brad Davis, and also provided all the drum work. The result is an album that is a piece of art; dark art, yes, and art that is just a few steps away from being too morbid to admire--but do we care? No, we do not. Thornton is no crooner. Do we care? Absolutely not. He has a ragged voice, the perfect voice for delivering these honest, gut-wrenching songs. Thornton is one of those few actors-turned-singers who is worth listening to. And why? Because his music is his life. On BEAUTIFUL DOOR, Thornton takes his life and applies it to these country/folk/pop/rock tunes, creating an album that will stand the test of time. Just like its three predecessors. It's impossible not to take Thornton seriously as a musician, because it just seems that he was born to do this. Poor fellow. At least we get some great music out of it all.

Great.......2007-07-28

The first actor-gone-singer that I feel is worth listening to. This guy writes good music with very intelligent lyrics. Also, he is not just another shallow Hollywood member.

Every song here is great.

Love this album.......2007-07-26

As a country music lover, I was pleasantly surprised when I listened to Billy Bob Thornton's latest record, Beautiful Door. I've already listened to it over and over, and enjoy it more each time. It's easy to hear that music is Billy's true passion - his talent really comes through in the awesome music and great lyrics. Even if you didn't like Hobo, or some of his other albums, check this one out. I promise, if you appreciate good music, you won't regret it. Defnitely a "5." No question.

He's really done it this time.......2007-07-24

Hard to believe it's been this long, but "Private Radio" was my favorite record that came out in 2001. Thousands of listens and several copies later, that album has not lost one ounce of punch and I still break it out frequently. "Edge of the World" (2003), despite a few flaws, was by far and away my favorite. I loved the story it told by weaving together so many different styles and it still stays on heavy rotation in my truck or on my ipod. I thought He could never top that one. There was a certain magic going on that could have had to do with the personal drama he had going on at the time. It was (and still is) one of the most ambitious albums, in my opinion, since Willie Nelson gave us "Red Headed Stranger". Unfortunately, it wasn't as well recieved as it should have been. The combination of so many styles kinda threw people off, and the mere fact that Billy is not what one would call a "crooner". His voice is exactly what it should be for the songs that he writes. Their sorta mini-stories about (or told through the perspective of) the everyday folk. The guy or gal who takes your money and gives back your change at the local convenience store. That one guy that no one seems to notice, sitting alone at the end of the bar staring at a half-empty bottle of High-Life. The lonely. The misunderstood. The brokenhearted. The downtrodden. Their all there. It's the same sort of approach that he used when he wrote out the characters in "Sling Blade" and "Daddy and Them". It all translates seemlessly into his songwriting and delivery.

"Hobo" was a unique and great effort in its own right. It was on a smaller scale and with that one, he found a certain vibe and stuck with it. The theme was about California being "the new frontier" and it was sorta semi-autobiographical. It all resulted in a wonderfully re-playable and rewarding record that played oh-so-wonderful late at night with the candles lit and a fifth of rum (or maybe a little Purple Passion). I was still so wrapped up in "The Edge of the World" it took me a good year to really appreciate its greatness.

With "Beautiful Door", he's finally done it. He's made a classic that will stand the test of time and serve as a time capsul for the era. I'm happy/sad to admit that he did the unthinkable (for me, anyway) and topped "The Edge of the World". This time out, he co-wrote with Brad Davis, handled vocals, drums, and production on his own. If you've been there for the last three records, then the first thing you will notice is that everything is tighter. Tone wise, it's similar to "Hobo" with more of a 60s and 70s vibe and it rocks a little harder and a lot more frequently. His vocals are a bit different. I can't make any comparisons because I can't think of anyone that sounds like him. He's certainly found a vocal style that is more versatile and distinctive, and 100% his.

"Beautiful Door" isn't what I would call a bonafide concept-album, but all of the songs do flow together, despite covering such a wide variety of styles. The theme here is a lot broader than "Hobo". The lead-off track, "It's Just Me" is a song about suicide told in first person and "Restin' Your Soul" is the companion track told through perspective of the person left behind. Very unique and oddly comforting. "In the Day" is a look back to how we all remember our younger days as being more innocent even though the world was still far from it. "Hearts Like Mine" is perfect for radio play and will, I'm pretty sure, have a few people wondering just who he is talking about. "Always Countin'" is already one of my faves. It's about OCD and it's dead on. One of the boldest statements on the album comes in the form of the album's most rocking track "Hope For Glory". And it's awesome.

It's probably fair to say that the scope on "Beautiful Door" is on par with "The Edge of the World", even if it doesn't tell one specific story. The varitey is there too, without killing any of the vibe. Needless to say, it was well worth the wait and it's his best album yet.

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