| 1. Catch of the Day |
| 2. Tain Ya Ta Bain Mei Ren Gui |
| 3. Only the Neighbors Know |
| 4. The Epic Moon |
| 5. Libertango |
| 6. Seventh and Trade |
| 7. Down on the Quay |
| 8. The Good Time Girl |
| 9. Betty Crocker's Bail |
| 10. Big Bang Theory Man |
| 11. Left With The Thought of You |
Editorial Reviews
Go Triad, North Carolina
"(Fader) approaches her music like a pulp-fiction writer, peppering her songs with Technicolor characters...unforgettable stuff"
Product Description
Welcome to the wonderful world of Clare Fader & The Vaudevillain's "Seventh & Trade". Hear tales of urban decay in a Southern town, coy alley cats, Cantonese surfer love, and much much more. Fans for Fader's first CD "The Elephant's Baby" will love the twists and turns that Fader's maze-like mind takes on this new cd.
Seventh & Trade
Justin Hayward's 'New Horizons', partially inspired by his late father, is a stunning song in every way. Both the arrangement and the music are wonderful, with the strings and Justin's guitar sounding almost mournful at times. Hayward's voice has such a sad and deep note to it as well and he uses it masterfully. His wide vocal range is spotlighted here, along with John's perfect use of subtle and understated harmonies. This song just grabs you by the heart and never lets up, but at the same time it's so beautifully done that you have to enjoy it as well. "Horizons" is just simply Justin Hayward doing what he was born to do.
Ray Thomas' 'For My Lady', written for the woman he was then married to, is this man at his awesome best. His rich baritone voice, with all its layered nuances has never sounded better, and it soared on the higher registers. The music and lyrics, which are both outstanding, complement each other so well. What more can I say except this is a beautiful song and Ray sings it to perfection. As an aside, I am so very glad he sang it at the 'Red Rocks' concert a few years back for all the world to discover and enjoy.
John Lodge once again manages to both playfully rock me and deeply touch my heart with his two songs on this album. A lot of fans and critics consider Lodge's beautiful 'Isn't Life Strange' to be his best song. It is a favorite of mine, as well. To all those who say John is neither a great singer or writer, I dare you to conclude that after giving this song a really good listening to, preferably two or three. John has never written so poignantly and eloquently as on this song. He writes: "Isn't life strange? A turn of the page. A book without light unless with love we write". WOW! is all I can say. John's airy, ethereal voice- not to mention his fabulous falsetto- have never sounded better or stronger. Justin's co-lead and harmonies once again show how terrific these two men sound together. The orchestral arrangements are wonderfully done without overwhelming the song, only adding to its magnificence.
I'm saving the best for last: John's 'I'm Just a Singer In a Rock n Roll Band'. This song frequently trade places with 'Ride my Seesaw' as my absolute favorite Moody Blues song. 'I'm Just a Singer' is THE consummate rock song and John Lodge is so very much in his element on this great song. My gosh but the man can rock it out like no one else. John wrote this song in response to the legions of "spaced out" fans who worshipped the Moodies as their messiahs. Thank God for those misguided fans or I wouldn't have this great song to enjoy- lol! Not only is the song plain fun to listen to, its lyrics actually have a deep meaning. This song is a winner in every way possible. All the Moodies give stellar performances vocally and instrumentally. The rhythm, beat and tempo of this song are outstanding, carried along by the masterful hands of Graeme Edge on percussion (his best performance, IMO) and John on his funky Fender bass. Mike Pinder's keyboards/ Mellotron work is absolutely incredible, and Justin's blazing guitar solo blisters the ears. I love to listen to this song cranked up full throttle while wearing headphones. I hit 'repeat' and off I go rocking for an hour or more on just this one song alone. (No, I never get tired of it- not yet anyway) I'm sure I have sustained major ear damage but the sheer joy this song brings me is well worth it. If I still smoked cigs, I'd have to light one up after experiencing the genuine pleasure this song gives me- it's that good! To all the fans who got to see this song performed live pre-hiatus, I am so very green right now. To me, this phenomenal song is the Moody Blues at their ultimate best.
Well dear folks, that's my take on 'Seventh Sojourn', four songs of it anyway. Take a listen to it...... and enjoy. As for John Lodge and The Moody Blues, I have to say that they are MUCH more than "just singers in a rock n roll band" to us fans. They are a fantastic group of talented men who bring so much needed joy and pleasure to a hurting world. Thank you!
On this occasion, Mike Pinder gets to open up a Moody Blues album with one of his compositions, "Lost In A Lost World"... I like the instrumental verse in the middle of the song, as well as the stereo effects on the vocals near the end, with the "So many people" chant on the right channel and the "Lost In A Lost World" chant on the left (Best experienced through headphones).
"When You're A Free Man" is an equally fine Mike Pinder song, and there is a sense of hope in the lyrics ... I love the one line that states:
"You know that love lasts ... For Eternity...
Let's be God's Children ... And live in Perfect Peace"
I love how the instrumentation in the fadeout to this track merges with the fade-in of the drums in the intro to "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)." Both this superb John Lodge composition and Justin Hayward and Graeme Edge's "You And Me" are excellent rockers that open up and close the second half of this album ... The brass effects on the former track are really neat and give the song that extra "punch," plus the group chant on the Justin and Graeme composition, before the lyrics "You're an ocean full of faces" is executed to perfection!
Both Justin's "New Horizons" and "The Land Of Make Believe" have a dreamy atmosphere about them, especially "Make Believe" (Beautiful xylophone effects and flute). Excellent dueling electric guitars (Also best experienced through headphones) on the solos to "New Horizons," as well. :)
For me, Ray Thomas' pleasant "For My Lady" paints the picture of a man on a cruise boat with the woman of his dreams! I love the way the song flows into John Lodge's fantastic "Isn't Life Strange," as both songs are played in the same chord ... Both Justin and John do an excellent job trading off vocals, and the harmonies sound nice on the choruses. I'm glad that this remastered edition of the album (As well as "Time Traveller") features a clean fadeout of the song that doesn't abruptly merge into the intro to "You And Me," like the earlier CD format of the album, released in the 1980's, did. To go off on a slight tangent for a bit, I'm probably one of the few (Or maybe the only one) listeners who enjoys the 1989 orchestral remake of "Isn't Life Strange," from "Legend Of A Band," just as much as the original version!
It's difficult for me to pick a favorite on this recording, since I enjoy all eight songs equally! I want to close this review by typing out one of my favorite Justin Hayward quotes from the live "Hall Of Fame" release:
"We're just Singers in a Rock and Roll Band!"
Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)
Three of their FM radio/concert staples are found here: "For My Lady," "Isn't Life Strange," and "I'm Just A Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)". That alone will probably be enough for any serious fan to want this disc. (If you are a serious fan and you aren't familiar with any one of those, trust me, you need to buy this!) But what about the five other songs? Like most Moody Blues album tracks, they take a bit of getting used to, but are worth the repeated listens. The opener, "Lost in a Lost World," comes as close as any song does to explaining why they broke up temporarily after this album, with its themes of isolation and lack of communication. But on the surface at least, it's not autobiographical. It's more of a rather cynical statement on the world at large. "New Horizons" begins almost dirge-like, but the balladish melody masks an optimistic tale of finding oneself. "You and Me" is one of their heavier rockers, and the "story" it tells works on a couple of levels. "The Land of Make Believe" and "When You're a Free Man" are characteristic acoustic ballads with orchestral backing, less radio friendly than the songs you already know but just as enjoyable once you get used to them.
The Moodies are as close as any progressive rock band ever came to being singles-oriented rather than album-oriented, and it does show occasionally here. Still, it's one of the most consistent albums they ever made.
1. Awake 10/10 - This is a very heavy and solid rock track. The vocals are spot on, and the guitar will totally rock you. The lyrics have to do with peer pressure, and trying to look like someone else instead of yourself. Wonderful song.
2. Last Regret 7/10 - A metal fashioned lament, woeing the singers lost years without Christ. A good strong melody, and wonderful guitar save this song, as the vocals resort to screaming more than once.
3. Missing Pages 10/10 - Wonderful tune. This is the CD's main radio hit, and it shines. Basically this song speaks out to lost people who have built walls around their hearts and souls.
4. My Only Hope 10/10 - Great rock song about Christ being our only hope. One of the heavier songs on the album.
5. Always 9/10 - Great acoustic drven ballad.
6. Breaking Away 10/10 - My favorite ballad on the album. The change from verse to chorus is amazingly unique, and the lyrics are so encouraging. "Breaking away, from everything that's hopeless, the world ahead looks wonderful today."
7. Burning Bridges 10/10 - The next great fist pumper on the album. I like to listen to this one cranked up.
8. Undone 10/10 - A wonderful ballad that finds the band crying out to Jesus, asking for restoration.
9. On My Way Home 9/10 - Yet another great ballad.
10. Broken Buildings 10/10 - Heavy rock set to a punk beat and a major key, I love it.
11. Every Saturday 8/10 - Great closing number, not as great as "Breaking Away" or "Undone" but a good slow song to close the album.
Overall this is a great CD that I hope you get the chance to enjoy.
Many of the songs contain powerful guitars and drums with a rather hard rock sound. Some of the tracks are a bit mellower. All contain positive lyrics with a Christian theme.
Seventh Day Slumber is never one to shy away from referring to God or Jesus in their music. This collection is no exception to that.
Some of the songs that are very good include the following: Awake, Breaking Away, Undone, On My Way Home, and Every Saturday. I particularly like 'Missing Pages'.
As an aside, if you have not seen this group in concert, they would be a great one to catch. In addition to their very enjoyable music, the lead singer, Joseph Rojas, has a very powerful testimony that will make an impression on anyone.
I recommend this album. It is a good one for anyone. Harder rock fans will particularly like it.
Note: The -1 star is strictly a measure of personal preferance, I prefer a more chilled vibe as is found on Cielo: Cloud Nine.
He also provides the much-needed edge on this release, compensating for the rather sedate predecessor "Every Good Boy". On Seventh Pinder uses a Chamberlain to great effect, producing a cleaner, brighter, less murky sound than the mellotron used on subsequent recordings. Pinder also opts for one of the few bona-fide Justin Hayward guitar solo's (and a memorable one) on his composition "When You're a Free Man".
"Seventh" was recorded during a period of band fatigue. Like the Beatles, they had spent most of the early adult life together. The liner notes detail the unusual length of time (for the Moodies) spent in 1972 on completing this eight song album.
Fans will not want to miss the 4 bonus tracks. The never before released 8 minute version of "Life Strange' is the first highlight- opening with a piano count in omitted in the standard release. The clarity of this version is better, one can hear the pump organ breathing and wheezing through the track. . However, the big surprise is when after the oboe fade sequence Pinder's Chamberlain swoops in to begin a 2 minute instrumental section. As is, it seems to have been left unfinished-to these ears, it seems to have been laid down as the background for a big guitar solo. It's assumed the band decided to leave this section off the track before atempting overdubs.
The "Lost World" instrumental demo is another revelation and the highlight of this release. It opens quite differently than the released version with a prominent, ominous guitar riff, and has a slight 70s soul sound to it. (Not too surprising, considering Pinders r&b roots.) The drumming also has more of a soul feel to it, and it really stands as a track on its on-it would fit nicely into a soundtrack.
"Island" appears to be an abandoned track with a scratch vocal, the chorus is not developed, (Justin Hayward scats this section) and what remains is a basic backing track with a neat ascending Chamberlain figure that repeats in intensity until the end of the track. What is also interesting about this track is that the band recorded this as early as Feb 1973- only a few months after "Seventh Sojourn" had hit the top of the charts. The liner notes make no mention of any other recording attempts after "Island" and after a long lull of seeming inactivity the band embarked on a world tour (perhaps obliged by contractual reasons) in Sept. 1973 ending in Feb. 74 in San Francisco.
One hopes a live concert from one of the 74 concerts is eventually released. The song selection was challenging (the concert opened with "Higher and Higher" which morphed into "Out and In", and numbers such as "Eternity Road", "One More Time to Live","Watching and Wating" and an extended "Legend of a Mind" were performed.)
"Seventh Sojourn" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered
Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...
"Isn't Life Strange" (Original Version):
The piano "count in" was a surprise, as I don't believe a piano was anywhere to be heard on the final version of the song! The instrumental break, that was edited out of the final version, was beautifully executed and reminded me of "The Voyage" from "On The Threshold Of A Dream" (In certain places) and "The Word (Mellotron mix)" from the Deluxe Edition of "In Search Of The Lost Chord," in true Mike Pinder mellotron style! The fadeout is extended a little further, so we can hear The Moodies singing a tad more than on the final version of the song. :)
"You and Me" (Beckthorns Backing Track):
This version of the song blew me away with the keyboard tracks in place of the vocals ... To me, the instrumentation sounded similar to the mellotrons heard on "The World Today," from Mike Pinder's 1994 release, "Among The Stars." The extra instrumentation, that was edited out of the finished product, was a treat, as well! Sounds like background music that could be used during a Moody Blues radio interview. :)
"Lost in a Lost World" (Instrumental Demo):
The haunting electric guitars, in place of the vocals, really grabbed my attention on this version of the song ... This riff sounds more like David Gilmour's style (Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason," in places) than Justin Hayward's! What a wickedly beautiful sound! :)
"Island:"
Until this reissue came along, this amazing unreleased gem would have made a fine bonus track to Justin Hayward's "Songwriter." The tune also reminds me of something Justin would have come up with for "A Question Of Balance," had The Moodies created the song at that time. More magnificent mellotron/Chamberlain playing from Mike Pinder, yet again! "Island" definitely has that "'Classic 7' Moody Blues" feel to it. :)
Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "Seventh Sojourn," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)
If you are hoping these "deluxe editions" will sound even better than the re-mastered discs of `97 you will be disappointed. The old re-masters sound much more pleasant to the ears than these "deluxe" discs. Doing a side by side comparison, using top of the line monitors, these "deluxe" versions don't come close to the last round of re-masters which breath much better. The "deluxe" versions have been once again aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the middle to later stages of the album (depending on the album), you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix, which is a sign of over compressing. For example, the song "For My Lady" seems to have lost all it's relaxed nature and Ray's vocals were lost in the mix! Has the music industry gone compression mad? Or, were the Moodies worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) lacked musical muscle, and super charging it with heavy compression is the answer? Or both?
The bonus tracks were very interesting to hear, but not really important unless you are a Moodies fanatic. The booklet's in this "deluxe" series are all a little redundant, you'll be reading a lot of the same text from booklet to booklet. The picture selection was a bit lacking in imagination. It appears that the people responsible for the booklets went with one photo session. Is that lazy or boring?
In conclusion, after hearing all of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still sound great. Perhaps the other two layers of these "deluxe editions" will be rewarding, but if you still haven't bought any of these yet, you are way ahead of the game.
Not only a great studio sound, but great in concert as well. I was fortunate enough to see them in a little dive with about 20 people in Greensboro, NC (I think it was the first concert for Ray Fryoux... Drums). I have to tell you, they were playing their hearts out for Jesus, not just for that small audience. Saw them again at Ichthus 2006 with an audience of around 5,000 ... same energy, same passion, same mission...and a few more great songs.
Highly recommended! These guys touch lives...like mine.
This album combines some power rock sound with some positive, meaningful lyrics. I think that this sound would appeal to many fans of secular rock as well as Christian music fans.
There are three particularly good songs in this collection: 'Shattered Life', 'Caroline', and 'Oceans From The Rain'. Two others that are pretty good are 'I Believe' and 'Masquerade'. The others are ok, but nothing special.
If you like a heavier sound, this would be worth checking out.
Tricia from San Antonio
There are many fantastic musicians and fusion groups and records out there, but Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy captures everything and does it like no other. Intense, seamless progressions, rich meaningfull melodies with a 70's twist.
Absolutely, without a doubt, essential!
This album is simply superb. Bill Connors adds so much more to this band than Al DiMeola. Al should stick to classical spanish guitar. Meanwhile, the songs transition very well, and each has a very sophisticated flavor and UMPH to it. One of the chief aspects that defines a classic CD is its ability to grow on you with each listen. This album is good for hundreds, if not thousands of spins. Each time you listen variables like mood, atmosphere, company, and others will redefine what makes this album so special.
If you like bands like Weather Report, or can appreciate the bass work of Jaco Pastorius, this CD will make a fine addition to your collection.
If you were not open minded this was not your music. But it was the beginning of a strong voice in music. It was powerful and very inventive. More so than even many of the fusion music being played today. It was not watered down by any means. A few continnue it today which is very supported. This is a great album and a signiture style that represented the culture of its time.
I'm sure this outing dropped some jaws in its day, especially considering that the 2 previous RTF discs (Return to Forever, Light As A Feather) were steeped in airy Brazilian jazz-samba sensibilities. Here, Chick Corea and his trusty bassist Stanley Clarke (just returning to electric bass) would change their whole sound and direction, adding in heavy rock and more orchestrated ensemble playing. An early lineup (which included drummer Steve Gadd, percussionist Mingo Lewis and guitarist Earl Klugh) gave way to the scorching lineup of Corea, Clarke, drummer Lenny White and a young unknown guitarist in the person of Bill Connors. Chick and Stanley's new musings were well served by the 2 new members. Lenny White's drumming combined the best aspects of a great jazz drummer, the ferocious power of a rocker and the funkiness of Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown) or Bernard Purdie. Bill Connors bought to the table a yearning to combine John Coltrane and Cream-period Eric Clapton into a unique musical voice. The new band was NEVER shy about flexing its musical muscles or taking chances right and left.
The opening title cut makes it screamingly clear that this was a band of great musical minds to be reckoned with, highlighted by tight ensemble passages and reckless abandon working together in amazing ways. The song has a very endearing hanging on for dear life quality to it. "After The Cosmic Rain" gives bassist Stanley Clarke a chance to shine with thick fuzzy propulsive bass lines and a nasty, snarly solo, not unlike a more manic Jack Bruce (in fact, Stanley used the same bass as Jack, a Gibson EB-3, famous for its fuzzy somewhat muddy sound. Shortly after these recordings, Stanley would trade it in for the crisp, crackling Alembic sound that would become his stock in trade.)
"Captain Señor Mouse" is a classic Corea musing featuring a manic and beautiful flamenco-inspired melody line and a dizzying variety of time changes, plus crafty use of exaggerated dynamics and tight, passionate ensemble work from everybody. "Theme To The Mothership" by stark contrast is a more open-ended full-throttle piece, giving Bill Connors a chance to unleash a soaring melodic solo, beginning with thick slicing sustained notes and gradually building to a barely controlled fury before miraculously landing right on the next ensemble passage. After this, Corea lets forth a brilliant ring-modulated Fender Rhodes solo that would have been right at home on a Soft Machine or Hatfield and the North disc.
"Space Circus" begins with low-key child-like whimsy before charging into a full-on funk workout, with everybody trading off searing phrases like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frasier in the ring. "The Gamemaker" sneaks up on you with a mysterious series of organ chords and Corea gently musing over the top of it gradually morphing into a repeating keyboard figure that frames the piece that the band picks up on and adds momentum to. From that point, Corea and Connors engage in a duel to the death, beating each other creatively silly as Clarke and White drive it along at a furious pace, leading to a nail-biting unison-passage ending.
This is a disc that will leave you exhausted in a wonderful way, kind of like a good downhill ski run or roller coaster ride. This is tightly played and orchestrated fusion at its boldest, rawest and uncompromising for its time. While subsequent RTF albums were more refined, and guitarist Al DiMeola may have been a superior technician/chopsmeister, Bill Connors just had a raw soulfulness and passionate abandon that DiMeola could never get close to (plus I happen to LOVE that thick, slicing tone of Bill's). The album's raw, in-your-face production just adds to the charm of hearing a new band flexing its musical muscles and breaking new ground.
Absolutely essential!
When these recordings were made RM bands were still at their height in the British service and their quality was amazing. Most bands numbered over 60 in this period, and that is why many Americans may be surprsed at the volume of music produced here. This is not one of your small, though excellent regimental bands! Americans tend to think that British military band instrumentation is on the thin side. Not so here! Of course Sousa always sounds best with either the Allentown band or the US Marine band.
This CD is evidence of how popular Sousa has always been in the UK, and with RM bands in particular. The selection here on two CDs covers most of the standard Sousa fair, with a few different selections here and there. Unfortunatley there are none of Sousa's fine transcriptions for classical music, or selections from his operettas. This music is always wonderful to have in combination with the marches as it shows how much variety he was capable of in his compositions. For that kind of concert the reader is referred to the very fine collection of Sousa music being done under the Naxos label by the Band of the Royal Artillery.
Here you will find a solid collection of Sousa's great marches. Roughly a third of those 136 compositions are contained here. The Royal Marines give a sharpe and clear sound to these works which should certainly inspire. You will also get a very nice idea how RM bands sounded back in the 1980s. Graham Hoskins was a fine director of music, typical of the inhouse genius of the Royal Marines Band Service at that time. He took this band on a USA tour in 1985 with the Arygll & Sutherland Highlanders. Devotees of Sousa should enjoy these spirited versions of the march king's music as performed across the pond.
Silver Ship is a very polished, professionally done, well-produced and engineered CD that produces a high quality sound. The music itself is of varying styles with hints of light classical, jazz, and what would probably be considered pop without the irritating stylistic vocals. Overall to me it's best described as simply heartfelt melodic instrumental music that probably is considered new age due to the lack of any other definitive genre to categorize it. It certainly is NOT new age world, Native American, Himalayan or the various other style chanting over a basic drum beat or wind chimes like so much of the new age style has become. This is definitely real and quality music that has a sense of timelessness and can be enjoyed for many years without being labeled as "dated".
I started to write a review two years ago when I first bought the CD but decided to wait and make sure how I felt about it first. Sometimes, in my case anyway, the first impression doesn't always last. I gave this CD four stars because I try to rate items here for what they actually are, as opposed to whether I personally like them or not. Overall, even though I am a fan of Suzanne's and hope this CD has done well for her, I am not particularly fond of it for several reasons. The first is simple enough, I prefer her electronic work to her piano and ensemble. But more so than that, as I didn't expect this to be an electronic recording since it's been so many years since her last one, is the tendency this recording seems to follow of Suzanne often giving over the lead to the "back up" musicians. Granted, these so called back ups are accomplished, high quality musicians in their own rights including Paul McCandless, Teja Bell, and Michael Manring among others. But I bought this CD as a fan of Suzanne, not any of those. If I had wanted their music, I would have bought one of their CD's. The most obvious example of this was on the track Wine Dark Sea, where it's very clear to me Suzanne is backing up Paul as opposed to the other way around. This song is also my least favorite on the CD as it comes over to me as being far too repetitive. In all fairness I'll admit that avoiding obvious repetition is probably one of the hardest things, if not the hardest, to avoid in composing instrumental music. I also had a problem with the title track. If I am not mistaken this song is very similar, if not almost exactly, like the title track to Turning. I am pretty sure I am hearing the exact same chord progressions at one point. Plus, while I am not saying Valerie Wilson's voice is bad (as it isn't) it doesn't strike me as being on the same level of Chyu-Yu on Turning. Not to mention, with no disrespect to what must be a sister or other relative of Suzanne's, these lyrics are pretty inane and not on the level of a professional songwriter. Other than these two tracks I found the other eight tracks very listenable and enjoyable. In particular I enjoyed Snow Crystals which begins with an electronic intro that gives us a hint of what Suzanne could still do in the synthesizer vein if she chose to do so. Other than Wine Dark Sea and the title track I would rate this as five star even if it isn't the style I would prefer from her.
I suppose one reason it may be good to have multiple reviews is one person may see things differently than others. One reviewer here, if I read and understood his words correctly, apparently sees this as a return to her 80's style. I don't see that at all. I would wonder if anyone totally unfamiliar with Suzanne could listen to this CD and then either Neverland or Velocity of Love and realize it's the same artist. To me you could almost call this CD Turning Part 2. Kathy Parsons says this represents maturity. She clearly is a highly skilled pianist and teacher, and therefore knows more about music than someone like me, who by comparison is nothing more than a former piano student who once supposedly reached the level of whatever early advanced is supposed to be. Whatever it is, that was over 20 years ago. So clearly Kathy knows more than I do and maybe this is maturity. But if it is then I prefer the freshness, vitality, and innovation of Suzanne's early electronic works. Overall I would say anyone who enjoyed Turning, or the works of artists like David Lanz, Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel, Spencer Brewer and others similar would probably enjoy this work as well.
It is my hope that Suzanne's muse continues to visit, as she said it did here, unexpectedly, during a trip to Italy. I believe she still has the talent and ability to continue to create new music. Only she however can determine if the creativity and energy needed to continue are still there and if she never plays another note or never composes another song she has done more than most and has had a career she should be truly proud of. Suzanne has the right to create music that appeals to her but in the same vein, as her fan, I have the right to prefer what style I like best. I don't see her ever returning to a recording style of strictly or even primarily electronics, but I do hope, if there are future projects, she will incorporate her electronic touch back into the mix as I still sincerely believe that is what she does best, and right or wrong, I believe there would still be a market for it.
Though Pianisimo 3 is still my favorite album, its only because of song #10, The Fifth Wave. Even after hearing it hundreds of times, it still has the ability to bring tears to my eyes.
Silver Ship is, in my opinion, her next step up from her album Turning. Turning was a remarkable album, combining her every talent and culminating it into one album. Silver Ship proceeds with this singular effort. A stunningly talented artist, you would do well to experience her music.
"(Fader) approaches her music like a pulp-fiction writer, peppering her songs with Technicolor characters...unforgettable stuff"
Product Description
Welcome to the wonderful world of Clare Fader & The Vaudevillain's "Seventh & Trade". Hear tales of urban decay in a Southern town, coy alley cats, Cantonese surfer love, and much much more. Fans for Fader's first CD "The Elephant's Baby" will love the twists and turns that Fader's maze-like mind takes on this new cd.
Seventh & Trade
Seventh & Trade,Clare Fader & The Vaudevillains,Raconteur Records,A dark and beautiful soundtrack to a pulp fiction novel that exists only in Clare Fader's mind.
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Seventh Sojourn
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ASIN: B000002GQL Release Date: 1997-05-20 |
Tracks:
- Lost In A Lost World
- New Horizons
- For My Lady
- Isn't Life Strange
- You And Me
- The Land Of Make-Believe
- When You're A Free Man
- I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)
Customer Reviews:
The Rocker and The Balladeer.......2007-06-08
Justin Hayward's 'New Horizons', partially inspired by his late father, is a stunning song in every way. Both the arrangement and the music are wonderful, with the strings and Justin's guitar sounding almost mournful at times. Hayward's voice has such a sad and deep note to it as well and he uses it masterfully. His wide vocal range is spotlighted here, along with John's perfect use of subtle and understated harmonies. This song just grabs you by the heart and never lets up, but at the same time it's so beautifully done that you have to enjoy it as well. "Horizons" is just simply Justin Hayward doing what he was born to do.
Ray Thomas' 'For My Lady', written for the woman he was then married to, is this man at his awesome best. His rich baritone voice, with all its layered nuances has never sounded better, and it soared on the higher registers. The music and lyrics, which are both outstanding, complement each other so well. What more can I say except this is a beautiful song and Ray sings it to perfection. As an aside, I am so very glad he sang it at the 'Red Rocks' concert a few years back for all the world to discover and enjoy.
John Lodge once again manages to both playfully rock me and deeply touch my heart with his two songs on this album. A lot of fans and critics consider Lodge's beautiful 'Isn't Life Strange' to be his best song. It is a favorite of mine, as well. To all those who say John is neither a great singer or writer, I dare you to conclude that after giving this song a really good listening to, preferably two or three. John has never written so poignantly and eloquently as on this song. He writes: "Isn't life strange? A turn of the page. A book without light unless with love we write". WOW! is all I can say. John's airy, ethereal voice- not to mention his fabulous falsetto- have never sounded better or stronger. Justin's co-lead and harmonies once again show how terrific these two men sound together. The orchestral arrangements are wonderfully done without overwhelming the song, only adding to its magnificence.
I'm saving the best for last: John's 'I'm Just a Singer In a Rock n Roll Band'. This song frequently trade places with 'Ride my Seesaw' as my absolute favorite Moody Blues song. 'I'm Just a Singer' is THE consummate rock song and John Lodge is so very much in his element on this great song. My gosh but the man can rock it out like no one else. John wrote this song in response to the legions of "spaced out" fans who worshipped the Moodies as their messiahs. Thank God for those misguided fans or I wouldn't have this great song to enjoy- lol! Not only is the song plain fun to listen to, its lyrics actually have a deep meaning. This song is a winner in every way possible. All the Moodies give stellar performances vocally and instrumentally. The rhythm, beat and tempo of this song are outstanding, carried along by the masterful hands of Graeme Edge on percussion (his best performance, IMO) and John on his funky Fender bass. Mike Pinder's keyboards/ Mellotron work is absolutely incredible, and Justin's blazing guitar solo blisters the ears. I love to listen to this song cranked up full throttle while wearing headphones. I hit 'repeat' and off I go rocking for an hour or more on just this one song alone. (No, I never get tired of it- not yet anyway) I'm sure I have sustained major ear damage but the sheer joy this song brings me is well worth it. If I still smoked cigs, I'd have to light one up after experiencing the genuine pleasure this song gives me- it's that good! To all the fans who got to see this song performed live pre-hiatus, I am so very green right now. To me, this phenomenal song is the Moody Blues at their ultimate best.
Well dear folks, that's my take on 'Seventh Sojourn', four songs of it anyway. Take a listen to it...... and enjoy. As for John Lodge and The Moody Blues, I have to say that they are MUCH more than "just singers in a rock n roll band" to us fans. They are a fantastic group of talented men who bring so much needed joy and pleasure to a hurting world. Thank you!
"Seventh Heaven!" :).......2007-05-20
On this occasion, Mike Pinder gets to open up a Moody Blues album with one of his compositions, "Lost In A Lost World"... I like the instrumental verse in the middle of the song, as well as the stereo effects on the vocals near the end, with the "So many people" chant on the right channel and the "Lost In A Lost World" chant on the left (Best experienced through headphones).
"When You're A Free Man" is an equally fine Mike Pinder song, and there is a sense of hope in the lyrics ... I love the one line that states:
"You know that love lasts ... For Eternity...
Let's be God's Children ... And live in Perfect Peace"
I love how the instrumentation in the fadeout to this track merges with the fade-in of the drums in the intro to "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)." Both this superb John Lodge composition and Justin Hayward and Graeme Edge's "You And Me" are excellent rockers that open up and close the second half of this album ... The brass effects on the former track are really neat and give the song that extra "punch," plus the group chant on the Justin and Graeme composition, before the lyrics "You're an ocean full of faces" is executed to perfection!
Both Justin's "New Horizons" and "The Land Of Make Believe" have a dreamy atmosphere about them, especially "Make Believe" (Beautiful xylophone effects and flute). Excellent dueling electric guitars (Also best experienced through headphones) on the solos to "New Horizons," as well. :)
For me, Ray Thomas' pleasant "For My Lady" paints the picture of a man on a cruise boat with the woman of his dreams! I love the way the song flows into John Lodge's fantastic "Isn't Life Strange," as both songs are played in the same chord ... Both Justin and John do an excellent job trading off vocals, and the harmonies sound nice on the choruses. I'm glad that this remastered edition of the album (As well as "Time Traveller") features a clean fadeout of the song that doesn't abruptly merge into the intro to "You And Me," like the earlier CD format of the album, released in the 1980's, did. To go off on a slight tangent for a bit, I'm probably one of the few (Or maybe the only one) listeners who enjoys the 1989 orchestral remake of "Isn't Life Strange," from "Legend Of A Band," just as much as the original version!
It's difficult for me to pick a favorite on this recording, since I enjoy all eight songs equally! I want to close this review by typing out one of my favorite Justin Hayward quotes from the live "Hall Of Fame" release:
"We're just Singers in a Rock and Roll Band!"
Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)
The last of their golden era, and one of their best.......2007-05-12
Three of their FM radio/concert staples are found here: "For My Lady," "Isn't Life Strange," and "I'm Just A Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)". That alone will probably be enough for any serious fan to want this disc. (If you are a serious fan and you aren't familiar with any one of those, trust me, you need to buy this!) But what about the five other songs? Like most Moody Blues album tracks, they take a bit of getting used to, but are worth the repeated listens. The opener, "Lost in a Lost World," comes as close as any song does to explaining why they broke up temporarily after this album, with its themes of isolation and lack of communication. But on the surface at least, it's not autobiographical. It's more of a rather cynical statement on the world at large. "New Horizons" begins almost dirge-like, but the balladish melody masks an optimistic tale of finding oneself. "You and Me" is one of their heavier rockers, and the "story" it tells works on a couple of levels. "The Land of Make Believe" and "When You're a Free Man" are characteristic acoustic ballads with orchestral backing, less radio friendly than the songs you already know but just as enjoyable once you get used to them.
The Moodies are as close as any progressive rock band ever came to being singles-oriented rather than album-oriented, and it does show occasionally here. Still, it's one of the most consistent albums they ever made.
A must have for any Moody Blues fan.......2007-04-15
The Sojourn is Over.......2007-01-30
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Sousa's Greatest Hits
John Philip Sousa , and United States Marine Band Manufacturer: Altissimo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sousa
| Sousa, John Philip
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
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Marches
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
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General
| Classical
| Styles
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Marches
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
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Classic Big Band
| Swing Jazz
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ASIN: B0000296U6 Release Date: 1999-09-07 |
Tracks:
- The Stars And Stripes Forever
- The Bride Elect
- Semper Fidelis
- King Cotton
- Sound Off
- The Washington Post
- The Gladiator
- National Fencibles
- Jack Tar
- The Thunderer
- Sabre And Spurs
- The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
- El Capitan
- The Gridiron Club
- Manhattan Beach
- Man Behind The Gun
- The Invincible Eagle
- The Gallant Seventh
Customer Reviews:
Sousa's marches.......2007-06-28
OK, But Not As Good As the Original.......2006-08-12
Sousa Marches, MC Band.......2006-08-04
This is so great!.......2005-03-27
A Great Sousa Collection.......2004-12-15
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Finally Awake
Seventh Day Slumber Manufacturer: Bec Recordings / Emd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Christian Alternative
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Christian Contemporary Music
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
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ASIN: B000NA28CK Release Date: 2007-03-20 |
Tracks:
- Awake
- Last Regret
- Missing Pages
- My Only Hope
- Always
- Breaking Away
- Burning Bridges
- Undone
- On My Way Home
- Broken Buildings
- Every Saturday
Customer Reviews:
GOOD rock cd........2007-07-18
By Far SDS's best effort!.......2007-07-07
Excellent CD!.......2007-06-22
1. Awake 10/10 - This is a very heavy and solid rock track. The vocals are spot on, and the guitar will totally rock you. The lyrics have to do with peer pressure, and trying to look like someone else instead of yourself. Wonderful song.
2. Last Regret 7/10 - A metal fashioned lament, woeing the singers lost years without Christ. A good strong melody, and wonderful guitar save this song, as the vocals resort to screaming more than once.
3. Missing Pages 10/10 - Wonderful tune. This is the CD's main radio hit, and it shines. Basically this song speaks out to lost people who have built walls around their hearts and souls.
4. My Only Hope 10/10 - Great rock song about Christ being our only hope. One of the heavier songs on the album.
5. Always 9/10 - Great acoustic drven ballad.
6. Breaking Away 10/10 - My favorite ballad on the album. The change from verse to chorus is amazingly unique, and the lyrics are so encouraging. "Breaking away, from everything that's hopeless, the world ahead looks wonderful today."
7. Burning Bridges 10/10 - The next great fist pumper on the album. I like to listen to this one cranked up.
8. Undone 10/10 - A wonderful ballad that finds the band crying out to Jesus, asking for restoration.
9. On My Way Home 9/10 - Yet another great ballad.
10. Broken Buildings 10/10 - Heavy rock set to a punk beat and a major key, I love it.
11. Every Saturday 8/10 - Great closing number, not as great as "Breaking Away" or "Undone" but a good slow song to close the album.
Overall this is a great CD that I hope you get the chance to enjoy.
AWESOME REAL CHRISTIAN PERFORMERS.......2007-05-02
Good Music With Very Good Lyrics.......2007-04-11
Many of the songs contain powerful guitars and drums with a rather hard rock sound. Some of the tracks are a bit mellower. All contain positive lyrics with a Christian theme.
Seventh Day Slumber is never one to shy away from referring to God or Jesus in their music. This collection is no exception to that.
Some of the songs that are very good include the following: Awake, Breaking Away, Undone, On My Way Home, and Every Saturday. I particularly like 'Missing Pages'.
As an aside, if you have not seen this group in concert, they would be a great one to catch. In addition to their very enjoyable music, the lead singer, Joseph Rojas, has a very powerful testimony that will make an impression on anyone.
I recommend this album. It is a good one for anyone. Harder rock fans will particularly like it.
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Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Iron Maiden Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
New Wave
| New Wave & Post-Punk
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
| Music
Britain
| British Isles
| Europe
| International
| Styles
| Music
General
| Rock
| Styles
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Progressive Metal
| Progressive
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
British Metal
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
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ASIN: B000063DI9 Release Date: 2002-03-26 |
Tracks:
- Moonchild
- Infinite Dreams
- Can I Play with Madness
- Evil That Men Do
- Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
- Prophecy
- Clairvoyant
- Only the Good Die Young
Album Description
The original version of their 1988 EMI album, unavailable inthe U.S. Eight tracks, including 'Can I Play With Madness','The Evil That Men Do' and 'The Clairvoyant'.Customer Reviews:
Truly Inspiring.......2007-04-05
Maiden's Most Ambitious Album!!!!!!Their Best!!!!!!And The Greatest Metal Album Of All-Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-03-07
CAN I PLAY WITH MADNESS???????????????.......2007-02-17
Still The Best Album Of All-Time!!!!!.......2007-01-28
The End of an Era.......2007-01-01
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Cielo: Seventh Heaven
Various Artists Manufacturer: Kinkysweet ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
House
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
General
| Dance Pop
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Pop Rock
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
General
| Compilations
| Rock
| Styles
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ASIN: B000KEG99W Release Date: 2007-03-27 |
Tracks:
- Âme - Sarari
- Hot Toddy -Delta Blues (dub)
- Rebecca Pidgeon - Learn to Pray (Charles Webster dub)
- Motorcitysoul - (Potelea) Mbali feat. Onejiru (Basic mix)
- Markus Enochson with Masaya - For You To See (Tiger
- Stripes vocal remix)
- Kiko Navarro - Soñando Contigo
- Demetucci - Mountains
- The Craftsmen - Estrella
- 12 Fingers - Reis E Piratas (Dub Selecao mix)
- Brisa Feat. Arcoris - Release (Mind dub)
- Fudge - Close to My People
Tracks:
- Rocco - Thursday Night, Friday Morning
- Jolene - The DJ (Alix Alvarez SOLE Channel Remix)
- Delgui - Highlights (Charles Webster mix)
- Kawabata - Kadena
- Skwerl feat. Hubert Tubbs - All Woman
- Quentin Harris - House
- Jon Cutler and Matthias Heilbronn present 640
- Fudge - Ponta Negra
- Dennis Ferrer - Transitions
- Mr. V - Just Dance (Quentin Harris remix)
- Ferrer & Sydenham Inc. - Timbuktu (Âme main mix)
Album Description
Following on from the critically acclaimed first Cielo CD (Paradizo),Kinkysweet presents the second compilation from New York's premiernightclub. From its state-of-the-art space in downtown New York's ultra-chic Meat-packing District, Cielo provides a music program specializing in deeply soulful house music. With weekly residencies from top DJs including Louie Vega, Francois K & Blaze and a venue that's tailormade for hedonistic nights,it's no surprise that Cielo has garnered many awards including "Best Club"(ClubWorld Awards ´06), "Best Club" (New York Magazine ´06) and "Best Venue" (Urb Magazine ´06). On this elegantly packaged double disc set, Cielo resident DJs Nicolas Matar and Willie Graff take you on a journey into the sophisticated side of New York nightlife with a stellar mix of deep house vibes that will transport you to Seventh Heaven.Customer Reviews:
UnRetro Disco.......2007-05-30
Note: The -1 star is strictly a measure of personal preferance, I prefer a more chilled vibe as is found on Cielo: Cloud Nine.
Deep House at it`s finest.......2007-04-21
great slightly deep spherical tribal and ibiza sound.......2007-04-11
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Seventh Sojourn
The Moody Blues Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Alternative Rock
| Styles
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General
| Pop
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Soft Rock
| Pop
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Pop Rock
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Baroque Pop
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General
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Progressive Rock
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| Styles
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Psychedelic Rock
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| Styles
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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
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ASIN: B000MGVCFY Release Date: 2007-04-10 |
Tracks:
- Lost in a Lost World
- New Horizons
- For My Lady
- Isn't Life Strange
- You and Me
- Land of Make Believe
- When You're a Free Man
- I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
- Isn't Life Strange [Original Version][#][*]
- You and Me [Beckthorns Backing Track][#][*]
- Lost in a Lost World [Instrumental Demo][#][*]
- Island [#][*]
Customer Reviews:
Their Best Album.......2007-06-06
Mike Pinder's Lost World.......2007-05-25
He also provides the much-needed edge on this release, compensating for the rather sedate predecessor "Every Good Boy". On Seventh Pinder uses a Chamberlain to great effect, producing a cleaner, brighter, less murky sound than the mellotron used on subsequent recordings. Pinder also opts for one of the few bona-fide Justin Hayward guitar solo's (and a memorable one) on his composition "When You're a Free Man".
"Seventh" was recorded during a period of band fatigue. Like the Beatles, they had spent most of the early adult life together. The liner notes detail the unusual length of time (for the Moodies) spent in 1972 on completing this eight song album.
Fans will not want to miss the 4 bonus tracks. The never before released 8 minute version of "Life Strange' is the first highlight- opening with a piano count in omitted in the standard release. The clarity of this version is better, one can hear the pump organ breathing and wheezing through the track. . However, the big surprise is when after the oboe fade sequence Pinder's Chamberlain swoops in to begin a 2 minute instrumental section. As is, it seems to have been left unfinished-to these ears, it seems to have been laid down as the background for a big guitar solo. It's assumed the band decided to leave this section off the track before atempting overdubs.
The "Lost World" instrumental demo is another revelation and the highlight of this release. It opens quite differently than the released version with a prominent, ominous guitar riff, and has a slight 70s soul sound to it. (Not too surprising, considering Pinders r&b roots.) The drumming also has more of a soul feel to it, and it really stands as a track on its on-it would fit nicely into a soundtrack.
"Island" appears to be an abandoned track with a scratch vocal, the chorus is not developed, (Justin Hayward scats this section) and what remains is a basic backing track with a neat ascending Chamberlain figure that repeats in intensity until the end of the track. What is also interesting about this track is that the band recorded this as early as Feb 1973- only a few months after "Seventh Sojourn" had hit the top of the charts. The liner notes make no mention of any other recording attempts after "Island" and after a long lull of seeming inactivity the band embarked on a world tour (perhaps obliged by contractual reasons) in Sept. 1973 ending in Feb. 74 in San Francisco.
One hopes a live concert from one of the 74 concerts is eventually released. The song selection was challenging (the concert opened with "Higher and Higher" which morphed into "Out and In", and numbers such as "Eternity Road", "One More Time to Live","Watching and Wating" and an extended "Legend of a Mind" were performed.)
"Seventh Heaven," Deluxe Edition! :).......2007-05-20
"Seventh Sojourn" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered
Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...
"Isn't Life Strange" (Original Version):
The piano "count in" was a surprise, as I don't believe a piano was anywhere to be heard on the final version of the song! The instrumental break, that was edited out of the final version, was beautifully executed and reminded me of "The Voyage" from "On The Threshold Of A Dream" (In certain places) and "The Word (Mellotron mix)" from the Deluxe Edition of "In Search Of The Lost Chord," in true Mike Pinder mellotron style! The fadeout is extended a little further, so we can hear The Moodies singing a tad more than on the final version of the song. :)
"You and Me" (Beckthorns Backing Track):
This version of the song blew me away with the keyboard tracks in place of the vocals ... To me, the instrumentation sounded similar to the mellotrons heard on "The World Today," from Mike Pinder's 1994 release, "Among The Stars." The extra instrumentation, that was edited out of the finished product, was a treat, as well! Sounds like background music that could be used during a Moody Blues radio interview. :)
"Lost in a Lost World" (Instrumental Demo):
The haunting electric guitars, in place of the vocals, really grabbed my attention on this version of the song ... This riff sounds more like David Gilmour's style (Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason," in places) than Justin Hayward's! What a wickedly beautiful sound! :)
"Island:"
Until this reissue came along, this amazing unreleased gem would have made a fine bonus track to Justin Hayward's "Songwriter." The tune also reminds me of something Justin would have come up with for "A Question Of Balance," had The Moodies created the song at that time. More magnificent mellotron/Chamberlain playing from Mike Pinder, yet again! "Island" definitely has that "'Classic 7' Moody Blues" feel to it. :)
Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "Seventh Sojourn," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)
CD vs. SACD...some people just don't get it..........2007-04-26
INTENSE re-mastering..........2007-04-24
If you are hoping these "deluxe editions" will sound even better than the re-mastered discs of `97 you will be disappointed. The old re-masters sound much more pleasant to the ears than these "deluxe" discs. Doing a side by side comparison, using top of the line monitors, these "deluxe" versions don't come close to the last round of re-masters which breath much better. The "deluxe" versions have been once again aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the middle to later stages of the album (depending on the album), you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix, which is a sign of over compressing. For example, the song "For My Lady" seems to have lost all it's relaxed nature and Ray's vocals were lost in the mix! Has the music industry gone compression mad? Or, were the Moodies worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) lacked musical muscle, and super charging it with heavy compression is the answer? Or both?
The bonus tracks were very interesting to hear, but not really important unless you are a Moodies fanatic. The booklet's in this "deluxe" series are all a little redundant, you'll be reading a lot of the same text from booklet to booklet. The picture selection was a bit lacking in imagination. It appears that the people responsible for the booklets went with one photo session. Is that lazy or boring?
In conclusion, after hearing all of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still sound great. Perhaps the other two layers of these "deluxe editions" will be rewarding, but if you still haven't bought any of these yet, you are way ahead of the game.
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Once Upon a Shattered Life
Seventh Day Slumber Manufacturer: Bec Recordings / Emd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Christian Alternative
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
Christian Contemporary Music
| Christian & Gospel
| Styles
| Music
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ASIN: B00076ONJQ Release Date: 2005-02-01 |
Tracks:
- Break Me
- Shattered Life
- Caroline
- Make Believe
- I Believe
- Back In Time
- Brand New Man
- Chris's Letter
- Masquerade
- Oceans From The Rain
Amazon.com
Much has been made in press circles about Joseph Rojas and his real-life story of redemption. While there is no denying the authority he holds when he sings about how God has changed his life, it's time to focus his music. Once Upon A Shattered Life, the band's sophomore effort, is truly a breakout release and one worthy to be heard. There are many assets to this group's music including Rojas' powerful vocal presence, much akin to the likes of Mac Powell (Third Day) or Bart Millard (Mercy Me). Newcomer Ray Fryoux lays down a bed of steady beats and anchors a solid rhythm section with bassist Joshua Schwartz. Meanwhile, Jeremy Holderfield provides riveting guitar work throughout, especially on tracks like "Shattered Life" and "Chris' Letter." Smooth rockers like "I Believe" and "Brand New Man" display a simplicity and catchiness reminiscent of Jeremy Camp or Switchfoot. But while Slumber's modern rock sound may draw parallels, this band makes its own mark on tracks like "Make Believe" and "Back in Time," showcasing an offset rhythm and creative guitar work. The band can even bring it down as it does on the two softer closing numbers, "Masquerade" and "Oceans from the Rain." The release is a confident step forward for the band both creatively and (hopefully) commercially and should propel them into the upper echelons of Christian music. --Michael LyttleCustomer Reviews:
Awesome!.......2006-11-10
Not only a great studio sound, but great in concert as well. I was fortunate enough to see them in a little dive with about 20 people in Greensboro, NC (I think it was the first concert for Ray Fryoux... Drums). I have to tell you, they were playing their hearts out for Jesus, not just for that small audience. Saw them again at Ichthus 2006 with an audience of around 5,000 ... same energy, same passion, same mission...and a few more great songs.
Highly recommended! These guys touch lives...like mine.
Energetic Christian Rock.......2006-04-18
This album combines some power rock sound with some positive, meaningful lyrics. I think that this sound would appeal to many fans of secular rock as well as Christian music fans.
There are three particularly good songs in this collection: 'Shattered Life', 'Caroline', and 'Oceans From The Rain'. Two others that are pretty good are 'I Believe' and 'Masquerade'. The others are ok, but nothing special.
If you like a heavier sound, this would be worth checking out.
Good but not Amazing.......2006-02-19
ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTIAN ROCK BANDS OUT THERE!.......2005-12-08
Tricia from San Antonio
Their voices will be heard thanks to this hit CD........2005-12-05
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Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy
Return to Forever Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Jazz Fusion
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Modern Postbebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000046X0 Release Date: 1991-04-16 |
Tracks:
- Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy
- After The Cosmic Rain
- Captain Senor Mouse
- Theme To The Mothership
- Space Circus Part 1 And Part 2
- The Game Maker
Customer Reviews:
must own fusion.......2007-06-06
There are many fantastic musicians and fusion groups and records out there, but Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy captures everything and does it like no other. Intense, seamless progressions, rich meaningfull melodies with a 70's twist.
Absolutely, without a doubt, essential!
Fantastic Jazz Fusion.......2006-12-27
This album is simply superb. Bill Connors adds so much more to this band than Al DiMeola. Al should stick to classical spanish guitar. Meanwhile, the songs transition very well, and each has a very sophisticated flavor and UMPH to it. One of the chief aspects that defines a classic CD is its ability to grow on you with each listen. This album is good for hundreds, if not thousands of spins. Each time you listen variables like mood, atmosphere, company, and others will redefine what makes this album so special.
If you like bands like Weather Report, or can appreciate the bass work of Jaco Pastorius, this CD will make a fine addition to your collection.
tight Album.......2005-12-04
Very Innovative for its time.......2005-07-24
If you were not open minded this was not your music. But it was the beginning of a strong voice in music. It was powerful and very inventive. More so than even many of the fusion music being played today. It was not watered down by any means. A few continnue it today which is very supported. This is a great album and a signiture style that represented the culture of its time.
Death Defying Groundbreaking Fusion!!.......2005-01-22
I'm sure this outing dropped some jaws in its day, especially considering that the 2 previous RTF discs (Return to Forever, Light As A Feather) were steeped in airy Brazilian jazz-samba sensibilities. Here, Chick Corea and his trusty bassist Stanley Clarke (just returning to electric bass) would change their whole sound and direction, adding in heavy rock and more orchestrated ensemble playing. An early lineup (which included drummer Steve Gadd, percussionist Mingo Lewis and guitarist Earl Klugh) gave way to the scorching lineup of Corea, Clarke, drummer Lenny White and a young unknown guitarist in the person of Bill Connors. Chick and Stanley's new musings were well served by the 2 new members. Lenny White's drumming combined the best aspects of a great jazz drummer, the ferocious power of a rocker and the funkiness of Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown) or Bernard Purdie. Bill Connors bought to the table a yearning to combine John Coltrane and Cream-period Eric Clapton into a unique musical voice. The new band was NEVER shy about flexing its musical muscles or taking chances right and left.
The opening title cut makes it screamingly clear that this was a band of great musical minds to be reckoned with, highlighted by tight ensemble passages and reckless abandon working together in amazing ways. The song has a very endearing hanging on for dear life quality to it. "After The Cosmic Rain" gives bassist Stanley Clarke a chance to shine with thick fuzzy propulsive bass lines and a nasty, snarly solo, not unlike a more manic Jack Bruce (in fact, Stanley used the same bass as Jack, a Gibson EB-3, famous for its fuzzy somewhat muddy sound. Shortly after these recordings, Stanley would trade it in for the crisp, crackling Alembic sound that would become his stock in trade.)
"Captain Señor Mouse" is a classic Corea musing featuring a manic and beautiful flamenco-inspired melody line and a dizzying variety of time changes, plus crafty use of exaggerated dynamics and tight, passionate ensemble work from everybody. "Theme To The Mothership" by stark contrast is a more open-ended full-throttle piece, giving Bill Connors a chance to unleash a soaring melodic solo, beginning with thick slicing sustained notes and gradually building to a barely controlled fury before miraculously landing right on the next ensemble passage. After this, Corea lets forth a brilliant ring-modulated Fender Rhodes solo that would have been right at home on a Soft Machine or Hatfield and the North disc.
"Space Circus" begins with low-key child-like whimsy before charging into a full-on funk workout, with everybody trading off searing phrases like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frasier in the ring. "The Gamemaker" sneaks up on you with a mysterious series of organ chords and Corea gently musing over the top of it gradually morphing into a repeating keyboard figure that frames the piece that the band picks up on and adds momentum to. From that point, Corea and Connors engage in a duel to the death, beating each other creatively silly as Clarke and White drive it along at a furious pace, leading to a nail-biting unison-passage ending.
This is a disc that will leave you exhausted in a wonderful way, kind of like a good downhill ski run or roller coaster ride. This is tightly played and orchestrated fusion at its boldest, rawest and uncompromising for its time. While subsequent RTF albums were more refined, and guitarist Al DiMeola may have been a superior technician/chopsmeister, Bill Connors just had a raw soulfulness and passionate abandon that DiMeola could never get close to (plus I happen to LOVE that thick, slicing tone of Bill's). The album's raw, in-your-face production just adds to the charm of hearing a new band flexing its musical muscles and breaking new ground.
Absolutely essential!
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Sousa: Marches; Band of HR Royal Marines; Lt. Col. G.A.C. Hoskins
John Phillip Sousa , Lt. Col. G. A. C. Hoskins , and Band of HR Royal Marines Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sousa
| Sousa, John Philip
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ASIN: B0000CE7FX Release Date: 2004-06-01 |
Tracks:
- King Cotton
- The Gladiator
- Semper Fidelis
- The Belle Of Chicago
- The Invincible Eagle
- Manhattan Beach
- The Liberty Bell
- El Capitan
- The Washington Post
- The Crusader
- The Black Horse Troop
- The Fairest Of The Fair
- The High School Cadets
- The Stars And Stripes Forever
- The Pride Of The Wolverines
- Hail To The Spirit Of Liberty
- From Maine To Oregon
- The Diplomat
- Powhatan's Daughter
- Kansas Wildcats
- Sound Off
- The Thunderer
Tracks:
- Hands Across The Sea
- The Royal Welch Fusiliers
- The Legionnaires
- Daughters Of Texas
- The Gallant Seventh
- Golden Jubilee
- Solid Men To The Front
- Marquette University
- The Beau Ideal
- The Rifle Regiment
- The Northern Pines
- Nobles Of The Mystic Shrine
- New York Hippodrome
- The Gridiron Club
- The Charlatan
- The Lambs
- The National Game
- On The Campus
- La Flor De Sevilla
- Jack Tar
- The Glory Of The Yankee Navy
Customer Reviews:
Sousa.......2007-07-25
Sousa By the Royal Marines.......2007-03-31
When these recordings were made RM bands were still at their height in the British service and their quality was amazing. Most bands numbered over 60 in this period, and that is why many Americans may be surprsed at the volume of music produced here. This is not one of your small, though excellent regimental bands! Americans tend to think that British military band instrumentation is on the thin side. Not so here! Of course Sousa always sounds best with either the Allentown band or the US Marine band.
This CD is evidence of how popular Sousa has always been in the UK, and with RM bands in particular. The selection here on two CDs covers most of the standard Sousa fair, with a few different selections here and there. Unfortunatley there are none of Sousa's fine transcriptions for classical music, or selections from his operettas. This music is always wonderful to have in combination with the marches as it shows how much variety he was capable of in his compositions. For that kind of concert the reader is referred to the very fine collection of Sousa music being done under the Naxos label by the Band of the Royal Artillery.
Here you will find a solid collection of Sousa's great marches. Roughly a third of those 136 compositions are contained here. The Royal Marines give a sharpe and clear sound to these works which should certainly inspire. You will also get a very nice idea how RM bands sounded back in the 1980s. Graham Hoskins was a fine director of music, typical of the inhouse genius of the Royal Marines Band Service at that time. He took this band on a USA tour in 1985 with the Arygll & Sutherland Highlanders. Devotees of Sousa should enjoy these spirited versions of the march king's music as performed across the pond.
Still Among the Best.......2006-06-01
How Sousa Should Sound.......2006-03-07
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Silver Ship
Suzanne Ciani Manufacturer: Seventh Wave ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B0009941I4 Release Date: 2005-06-14 |
Tracks:
- For Lise
- Wine Dark Sea
- Stromboli
- Capri
- Eclipse
- Open Seas
- Dentecane
- Snow Crystals
- Sargasso Sea
- Silver Ship
Amazon.com
In the late 1980s, the "beautiful music" radio format came to an end when Philadelphia's Easy 101, WEAZ-FM, switched formats and call letters. It's a shame, because Suzanne Ciani's music would have been perfect there. She's a veteran keyboardist who started out composing avant-garde works on a keyboardless Buchla synthesizer. She went on to fortune as a commercial jingle writer and fame as an early New Age star. But over the years, Ciani has been plying a treacle-laced brand of instrumental music in which she wears her heart on a keyboard adorned with Hallmark valentine homilies. Though marketed as New Age, her faux-orchestral music shares more of a lineage with 101 Strings, with compositions full of orchestral sweep and gentle melodies that attain the sentimental but never the serene or the sublime. "Sargasso Sea," a duet with cellist Joe Hébert, suggests that Ciani can go a little deeper, and oboist Paul McCandless of Oregon almost pulls out "Wine Dark Sea." His beautiful multitracked oboe and English horn lines echo and intertwine with each other before he breaks out into solos. But tracks like "Dentecane" are swept overboard by Ciani's overwrought melodies and strings. If your idea of romance is candlelit dinners, moonlit walks, and a Mantovani soundtrack, take a trip on her Silver Ship. --John DilibertoAlbum Description
Silver Ship won the Indie Award for Best New Age Album in 2006. 10 original compositions that represent the ultimate artistic maturity of five-time Grammy nominee Suzanne Ciani. A flowering of her classical acoustic and electronic roots. An audiophile CD, recorded at 192Khz/24bit resolution. Come aboard Ciani's Silver Ship and let Suzanne take you to the mystical places of her imagination, where emotions run as high and deep as the seas. Featuring members of The Wave (as seen on PBS): Paul McCandless, Matt Eakle, Teja Bell, Michael Manring.Customer Reviews:
Good but not her best.......2007-07-22
Silver Ship is a very polished, professionally done, well-produced and engineered CD that produces a high quality sound. The music itself is of varying styles with hints of light classical, jazz, and what would probably be considered pop without the irritating stylistic vocals. Overall to me it's best described as simply heartfelt melodic instrumental music that probably is considered new age due to the lack of any other definitive genre to categorize it. It certainly is NOT new age world, Native American, Himalayan or the various other style chanting over a basic drum beat or wind chimes like so much of the new age style has become. This is definitely real and quality music that has a sense of timelessness and can be enjoyed for many years without being labeled as "dated".
I started to write a review two years ago when I first bought the CD but decided to wait and make sure how I felt about it first. Sometimes, in my case anyway, the first impression doesn't always last. I gave this CD four stars because I try to rate items here for what they actually are, as opposed to whether I personally like them or not. Overall, even though I am a fan of Suzanne's and hope this CD has done well for her, I am not particularly fond of it for several reasons. The first is simple enough, I prefer her electronic work to her piano and ensemble. But more so than that, as I didn't expect this to be an electronic recording since it's been so many years since her last one, is the tendency this recording seems to follow of Suzanne often giving over the lead to the "back up" musicians. Granted, these so called back ups are accomplished, high quality musicians in their own rights including Paul McCandless, Teja Bell, and Michael Manring among others. But I bought this CD as a fan of Suzanne, not any of those. If I had wanted their music, I would have bought one of their CD's. The most obvious example of this was on the track Wine Dark Sea, where it's very clear to me Suzanne is backing up Paul as opposed to the other way around. This song is also my least favorite on the CD as it comes over to me as being far too repetitive. In all fairness I'll admit that avoiding obvious repetition is probably one of the hardest things, if not the hardest, to avoid in composing instrumental music. I also had a problem with the title track. If I am not mistaken this song is very similar, if not almost exactly, like the title track to Turning. I am pretty sure I am hearing the exact same chord progressions at one point. Plus, while I am not saying Valerie Wilson's voice is bad (as it isn't) it doesn't strike me as being on the same level of Chyu-Yu on Turning. Not to mention, with no disrespect to what must be a sister or other relative of Suzanne's, these lyrics are pretty inane and not on the level of a professional songwriter. Other than these two tracks I found the other eight tracks very listenable and enjoyable. In particular I enjoyed Snow Crystals which begins with an electronic intro that gives us a hint of what Suzanne could still do in the synthesizer vein if she chose to do so. Other than Wine Dark Sea and the title track I would rate this as five star even if it isn't the style I would prefer from her.
I suppose one reason it may be good to have multiple reviews is one person may see things differently than others. One reviewer here, if I read and understood his words correctly, apparently sees this as a return to her 80's style. I don't see that at all. I would wonder if anyone totally unfamiliar with Suzanne could listen to this CD and then either Neverland or Velocity of Love and realize it's the same artist. To me you could almost call this CD Turning Part 2. Kathy Parsons says this represents maturity. She clearly is a highly skilled pianist and teacher, and therefore knows more about music than someone like me, who by comparison is nothing more than a former piano student who once supposedly reached the level of whatever early advanced is supposed to be. Whatever it is, that was over 20 years ago. So clearly Kathy knows more than I do and maybe this is maturity. But if it is then I prefer the freshness, vitality, and innovation of Suzanne's early electronic works. Overall I would say anyone who enjoyed Turning, or the works of artists like David Lanz, Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel, Spencer Brewer and others similar would probably enjoy this work as well.
It is my hope that Suzanne's muse continues to visit, as she said it did here, unexpectedly, during a trip to Italy. I believe she still has the talent and ability to continue to create new music. Only she however can determine if the creativity and energy needed to continue are still there and if she never plays another note or never composes another song she has done more than most and has had a career she should be truly proud of. Suzanne has the right to create music that appeals to her but in the same vein, as her fan, I have the right to prefer what style I like best. I don't see her ever returning to a recording style of strictly or even primarily electronics, but I do hope, if there are future projects, she will incorporate her electronic touch back into the mix as I still sincerely believe that is what she does best, and right or wrong, I believe there would still be a market for it.
everyone evolves/but not everyone improves.......2007-06-08
First Ciani CD.......2007-03-14
Silver Ship an excellent New Age album.......2006-07-05
Fabulous!.......2006-03-10
Though Pianisimo 3 is still my favorite album, its only because of song #10, The Fifth Wave. Even after hearing it hundreds of times, it still has the ability to bring tears to my eyes.
Silver Ship is, in my opinion, her next step up from her album Turning. Turning was a remarkable album, combining her every talent and culminating it into one album. Silver Ship proceeds with this singular effort. A stunningly talented artist, you would do well to experience her music.
Rock Music:
- Sincerely Hot [Enhanced]
- Some Call It Aloha...Don't Tell
- Songs of My Heart
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- Temporal
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Brazil: Rio de Janiero
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Russia
- The Virgin's Lament (Caoineadhi Na Maighdine)
- Toute La Musique [Live] [Import]
- Venezia 2000 [Import]
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Lost in Emotion [CD-single] [Import]
Tenor Arias: Rigoletto, Traviata, Et Al
The Best Of Doc Watson 1964-1968
Christmas With the Nashville Brass
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The Definitive Monkees [Box set] [Import] [Limited Edition]
Taos Christmas Eve - Michael Hearne & Friends Live at The Old Blinking Light
Schumann: Kinderszenen/Carnaval/Faschingsschwank aus Wien