Absolutely

Amazon.com
Southern California's Young Dubliners may share a name with one of Ireland's most famous folk bands, but they draw their musical inspiration from Celtic rockers like U2, the Boomtown Rats, and Big Country. On Absolutely, the Young Dubs deliver a dozen songs that range from the guitar-driven anthem "Salvation" to the barroom bellow "Brown Dog" to the power ballad "These Days." While the band's chunky electric guitars and funky rhythms are rock & roll to the core, the fiddling of Chas Waltz gives the grooves a distinctly Celtic lilt, especially on the instrumental "Unreel" and the sweetly nostalgic cover of the Faces' "Ooh La La." The Young Dubliners are a very popular stage act--their fans crowd the front of the stage in "jig pits" rather than mosh pits--and even though they will never be mistaken for a traditional folk group, the music of the Young Dubs moves to the undeniable rhythm of a Celtic heartbeat. --Michael Simmons

Absolutely,The Young Dubliners,Higher Octave,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Celtic Folk,Celtic Rock,Irish,Pop,Rock

Average customer rating: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Absolutely brilliant Absolute Garbage Is this part two of Freak Out? (4.5 stars) Brilliant

Absolutely Free Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention Manufacturer: Zappa Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Proto Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Comedy Rock | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Freak Out! We're Only in It for the Money Burnt Weeny Sandwich Uncle Meat Hot Rats ASIN: B0000009RV Release Date: 1995-05-02

Tracks:

1. Plastic People
2. The Duke Of Prunes
3. Amnesia Vivace
4. The Duke Regains His Chops
5. Call Any Vegetable
6. Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin
7. Soft-Sell Conclusion
8. Big Leg Emma
9. Why Don'tcha Do Me Right?
10. America Drinks
11. Status Back Baby
12. Uncle Bernie's Farm
13. Son Of Suzy Creamcheese
14. Brown Shoes Don't Make It
15. America Drinks & Goes Home

Amazon.com essential recording

Sandwiched as it is between Freak Out!, Zappa's 1966 debut with the Mothers of Invention, and We're Only in It for the Money, arguably his artistic zenith, Absolutely Free comes in a distant third--but that's only because the competition is so darn fierce. Absolutely Free is a continuation of the weird freakiness--both in sounds and concepts--introduced on Freak Out! "Plastic People" and "America Drinks & Goes Home" continue the artist's lampooning of Middle American values, while this time out, Zappa also seems obsessed with the fruits and vegetables that "keep you regular" ("The Duke of Prunes," "Call Any Vegetable"). The music here jumps from avant-garde jazz snippets to gritty garage rock to operatic vocals in a manner that was truly innovative at the time; in fact, it often sounded like true musical insanity. The definitive highlight here, however, is "Brown Shoes Don't Make It," a seven-and-a-half minute mini-operetta that initially ridicules America's suburban culture of the era before comically looking at the repressed sexual perversions hiding underneath that same culture. With its 13-year-old "Teenage Queen" ("who's rockin' and rollin' and acting obscene"), the Lolita-like obsession of the brown-shoed gentleman in the title, the track was a precursor to the naughty sexual themes later found in tracks like "Dinah Moe Hum" or the entirety of the Fillmore East, June 1971 album--themes that became Zappa's artistic stock in trade. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it........2007-05-16

The original release,"Absolutely Free" is a masterpiece.
It is a complete work like a symphony or an opera.
The inclusion of Big Leg Emma and Why Don'tcha You Do Me Right
interrupts the flow, the direction, the theme.
The listener should skip these two if they wan't to hear
"Absolutely Free" as it was intended to be.

Absolutely brilliant.......2007-02-05

The first time I listened to this I didn't like it. It's definitely not one of those albums you just casually listen to. But once I absorbed all of the lyrics and themes expressed in this album, I recognized it for its brilliance and its humor. It mocks its own "freakiness" by such asides as "Think this'll sell in New York?" as it covers themes ranging from reaching out to lonely people to the phoniness of society and its politicians to the dullness of everyday life to underage sex. One of the funniest and most brilliant albums I've ever listened to.

Absolute Garbage.......2007-01-13

Thankfully this was not my first Zappa album or I may not have bought another. Zappa shows his disdain for the ignorant listening public with Absolutely Free which is only slightly better than Were Only In It For the money. If your a first time Zappa listener start with Zoot Allures. Live at the Fillmore East, Joe's Garage or Roxy and elsewhere. At least then you'll here some of the best R&R guitar soloing ever recorded. Freak Out was possibly the best debut album ever recorded but man did he ever go downhill, although briefly, from there. Even Sheik Yerbouti and Ruben and the Jets would be better choices.

Is this part two of Freak Out?.......2006-12-04

First of all, who IS this Peter Gooch who does the incredible reviews of Freak Out and Absolutely Free? He does a hell of a review.

That said:

Burned out my mind on Freak Out. This vaporized the cinders that were left.

(4.5 stars) Brilliant.......2006-11-03

Okay, I wanted to give this a "real" five-star rating, and I would've if only the Big Leg Emma/Why Don'tcha Do Me Right single had been omitted. Let's face it, it really doesn't belong. Still, I don't know how many times I laughed out loud during the Duke of Prunes suite... my god it is HILARIOUS! Imagine a sex song, only with constant cheese and prune metaphors. And he also hilariously works in a parody of Duke of Earl ("Duke, Duke, Duke of Prunes!") . Same with Call Any Vegetable, which combines absurdist humor (it deals with being friends with vegetables, of all things); a complex arrangment, and Zappa's guitar skills during the "Invocation and Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin" (one of the great song titles, ever) section. There are also a trilogy of funny, biting satires: the opening Plastic People (which works in a demented variant of Louie, Louie during the beginning); the underrated war protest Uncle Bernie's Farm, and, of course, the unforgettable Brown Shoes Don't Make It, certainly Zappa's finest hour. Here he deals with mindless conformity ("Be a loyal plastic robot for a world that doesn't care"); the dumbing down of society ("Do your job and do it right/Life's a ball!/TV tonight"); secretive politicians ("A world of secret hungers/perverting the men who make your laws/every desire is hidden away/in a drawer/in a desk") and pretty much whatever else Zappa was thinking of at the time. And the song shifts styles rapidly, moving from hard rock to opera to '30's jazz (this is the only time you'll hear lyrics about an underage hooker doing her "business" with the mayor set to a Duke Ellington-esque backdrop!) I cannot praise this song enough. And America Drinks and Goes Home is hilarious, right down to the title. Especially the title. Great stuff. Really, really, really great stuff. I know that some people don't "get" Zappa, and his music is challenging. But it's very, VERY rewarding. I still think Hot Rats is the man's finest moment, but this is great!

Average customer rating: Excellenté! Wolf Parade is radical... More than a side project... Rivals the Arcade Fire's "Funeral" in terms of beauty My top release of 2006

Shut Up I Am Dreaming Sunset Rubdown Manufacturer: Absolutely Kosher ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Gulag Orkestar Return to the Sea Yellow House Six Demon Bag Drum's Not Dead (CD + DVD) ASIN: B000F8DB9E Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

1. Stadiums And Shrines II
2. They Took A Vote And Said No
3. Us Ones In Between
4. I'm Sorry I Sang On Your Hands That Have Been In The Grave
5. Snakes Got A Leg III
6. The Empty Threats Of Little Lord
7. Swimming
8. The Men Are Called Horsement There
9. Q-Chord
10. Shut Up I Am Dreaming Of Places Where Lovers Have Wings

Amazon.com

Sunset Rubdown's music is lo-fi, shell-shocked, dissonant, and very reminiscent of David Bowie/Brian Eno's post-apocalypse fixation, circa Station to Station. The images and music that singer Spencer Krug has put to tape tell of futility and disconnectedness through his warbled, pained singing--a style that almost distracts too much from the music. It's similar to the way that Conor Oberst's rawness sometimes overwhelms Bright Eyes. However, there are standouts like "I'm Sorry That I Sang on Your Hands That Have Been in the Grave," where a weirdly gorgeous meditation over a click-track coughs up a glimmering loneliness. On "The Men Are Called Horsemen There" glam and drama are dialed all the way up and mixed with a heavy Spectorian wall of sound. "Shut Up I Am Dreaming of Places Where Lovers Have Wings" swirls with tension, then opens into an '80s New-Romantic sad dance party. Employing unusual instruments, off-kilter arrangements, and an all-around herky-jerky feel, the album is intriguing and unsettling, not unlike Krug's other projects, Frog Eyes and Wolf Parade. --Gabi Knight

Customer Reviews:

Excellenté!.......2007-07-09

I love this album. If you like Wolf Parade, then I highly recommend this album as its complement.

Wolf Parade is radical..........2007-05-14

If you like wolf parade you'll like this album...I like spencer's voice, I don't know why but it reminds me of david bowie.

More than a side project..........2007-03-27

I found out about this group the same way that many others most likely have: I listened to Wolf Parade, wanted more and realized that singer/songwriter/keyboardist Spencer Krug had another band.

That band is Sunset Rubdown and while it is quite different than Wolf Parade (it's softer and more musically sparse), it still contains the unmistakeable love-or-hate vocals that Krug supplies for both groups. But if you loved Krug's somewhat-strained delivery on Wolf Parade's Apologies to the Queen Mary then you'll likely enjoy this side project of his.

The album does need quite a few listens for it to really grow on you but I instantly loved such tracks as "Us Ones In Between" with it's cryptic and poetic lyrics and it's simple piano melody. "I'm Sorry I Sang On Your Hands That Have Been in the Grave" has a wonderfully eerie, carnival-like, music-box esque charm to it that makes it stand out from the rest of the album. And finally, "The Men Are Called Horsemen There" and "Snakes Got a Leg III" give the album its most musically intense moments.

I have to mention that Sunset Rubdown also has an LP and an EP that were released prior to this. I absolutely love the EP. I highly recommend trying to find it and if you do - buy it! It has 5 tracks and they are all fantastic. I especially love "Three Colours". While "A Day in the Graveyard" parts I and II are probably the two best songs written and recorded by the band.

Rivals the Arcade Fire's "Funeral" in terms of beauty.......2007-01-09

Simply put, this is a beautiful album. For the longest time, the Arcade Fire's "Funeral" stood on its own as the most beautiful album in my collection. Sure, many albums have beautiful songs - even several beautiful songs, but no albums until "Shut up I Am Dreaming" have struck me as comparable to "Funeral", and that's saying a lot.

I'd now like to address the spotlight reviewer. Musicans/ artists (esp. good ones) create from their heart. Sometimes a lot of people like their contribution and they are recognized i.e., fame, and sometimes their contribution never catches on. However, it is insulting to insinuate that this is "music for the scenesters" like spencer championed them as his key demographic. I am 26 and far from a scenester kid, yet I enjoy this music very much. It's like insinuating that pink floyd made music for drug users. The fact that scenesters may (or may not) like this album is just a side-effect; scenesters weren't the impetus for its creation.

This is an album for anyone that appreciates a beautiful piece of work, be it a scenester, a stoner, or a conservative, etc.

My top release of 2006.......2006-12-22

I cannot state more emphatically that Sunset Rubdowns album is my pick for album of the year, not just for how surprisingly good it is to anyone that enjoyed Wolf Parade's incredible debut but because it is simply inspiring from start to finish. As a whole this is the most delightful kind of album, the one you wish everyone's side-band would put out to keep the enthusiasm going. The fact that it will remain under almost everyone's radar is not entirely bad, as it leaves it open for discovery many, many years down the road.

Average customer rating: Absolutely Awesome!! Best album yet Good but could have been great Sister Hazel's best album yet All I know is I LOVE being with you...

Absolutely Sister Hazel Manufacturer: Adrenaline Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lift BAM!, Vol. 1 Fortress Somewhere More Familiar Chasing Daylight ASIN: B000HKCUII Release Date: 2006-10-10

Tracks:

1. Shame
2. Mandolin Moon
3. Meet Me In The Memory
4. Beautiful High
5. Hey Hey
6. Hello It's Me
7. Tear By Tear
8. Where Do You Go
9. Anyway
10. This Kind Of Love
11. Truth Is
12. One Time
13. Everything Else Disappears
14. Little Black Heart

Album Description

The affirmative overtones of the CD's title only serve to underscore the pride the band feels with the end result; that it's the best record they've made in a decade-plus career. While wanting to create a cathartic experience for fans, this release also comes close to capturing that elusive live show magic. Sister Hazel have sold over 2 million albums, have six top 30 singles, have a certified platinum album "Somewhere More Familiar", and a certified gold release, "Fortress".

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Awesome!!.......2007-03-01

Sister Hazel has done it again. This is a great album with something for everybody. Their first release off the album, Mandolin Moon, is a fun song and completely addicting! The thing I love about Sister Hazel albums is that you can listen to the entire album without having to skip over songs because they're all fantastic. Hey Hey, Shame, Hello It's Me are some of my favorites....along with Everything Else Disappears, a wonderfully poetic song about meeting your soulmate. I highly adivise you to check out this CD. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Best album yet.......2007-02-24

I love this disc. Cannot play it enough and I think Sister Hazel is just taking off. Stay tuned!

Good but could have been great.......2007-01-10

This album is good, but not as good as their other cds that I listen to religiously (chasing daylight, self titled, somewhere more familiar, and fortress). I'd honestly give it a 4/5, but the reviews are really biased by the extreme fans. There seems to be a general reduction in the instrumental complextiy and vocal variety/harmonies from their past albums -- lots of basic guitar parts and little vocal variety. I know that they are better musicians than this! Each song starts out good, but then don't really go anywhere. The refrains always seem to disappoint and are not catchy -- they just seem 'off'. With a little more work, I think that all of the songs could have been great, instead of just consistently pretty good. Also considering the poor mixing (see other reviews), it seems like this album had great potential but was rushed, perhaps for a holiday release. It's worth buying, but not as your first sister hazel cd.

Sister Hazel's best album yet.......2006-12-28

I wanted to wait until we really listened to this album to review it. The jury's back and this album is awesome - their best ever.

In our family of six musicians, each one of us has a different favorite song. I love "Meet me in the memory" with words that resonate and a melody that plays itself over in my head all day. The kids love "Tear by tear", a melancholy story of loss and depression, with un underlying uplifting message. They love the music and "words that are like a poem."

"Beautiful high" is addictive and the harmonies engaging. I'm not sure what the other reviewers are talking about in criticizing the harmonies or the mixing of this album. We just don't see it.

This is another great by one of the great rock bands of our time - discover Sister Hazel before the rest of the world does. If you are used to buying albums where you find yourself skipping tracks, or feeling let down after the first 3 songs, this album will shock you with its depth. You'll be hooked through to the end. If you don't own any Hazel yet, this is a great place to start. Then work your way backwards with Chasing Daylight and Fortress. What's not to love about Sister Hazel? It's no surprise this album is at the top of the alternative rock lists right now - this may finally be their breakthrough.

All I know is I LOVE being with you..........2006-12-19

Sister Hazel has turned out some fantastic, yet little known, music since "Somewhere More Familiar..." was released. As they themselves have said, Sister Hazel has gone "back to the basics" with "Absolutely" by returning home to Florida to write and record demos and indeed, the feelings from their earlier albums come back into play, only better this time! Upon putting the album into the CD player, it's instantly easy, relaxing, and enjoyable to listen to. The lyrics are strong and honest. The instrumental work is feeling and comfortable. The two combined create an album that is full of emotion and beauty and familiarity. Going back to basics doesn't mean going backward at all in this case. It's coming back after experiencing a different part of life and appreciating what they've always had and always loved and creating something amazing. It's that loved, classic sound of Sister Hazel that has alaways set them apart that comes through in "Absolutely".

Personal favorites: "Hey Hey", "Truth Is", "Beautiful High", "Mandolian Moon", and "Little Black Heart". "Little Black Heart" is the hidden track is definitely worth it.

Also, Sister Hazel recently appeared a survey on the website Rate The Music, which is pretty fantastic considering it's a website that sends out surveys asking people to rate popular music. Good things to come for Sister Hazel...

Average customer rating: WONDERFUL AND GREAT TO HEAR ALL THE TIME Unbelieveably Good okay if you like mono Good material, but it's not enough A bit short on running time, but still some great music

Absolutely the Best The Zombies Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kinks (The Ultimate Collection) Happy Together: The Very Best of The Turtles Retrospective The Lovin' Spoonful - Greatest Hits The Grass Roots - All Time Greatest Hits ASIN: B00000JMX0 Release Date: 1999-07-13

Tracks:

1. She's Not There
2. Leave Me Be
3. Tell Her No
4. The Way I Feel Inside
5. She's Coming Home
6. Nothing's Changed
7. I Want You Back Again
8. Whenever You're Ready
9. If It Don't Work Out
10. I Love You
11. Is This The Dream
12. Remember You
13. Just Out Of Reach
14. Gotta Get A Hold Of Myself
15. Time Of The Season
16. Imagine The Swan

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL AND GREAT TO HEAR ALL THE TIME.......2007-07-20

LOVE IT! GREAT VOCALS AND JUST PERFECT. I LISTEN TO IT ALL THE TIME.IT'S LIKE BEING BACK IN TIME WHEN ALL OF THE SONGS WERE RELEASED.

Unbelieveably Good.......2006-07-15

The Zombies are definitly one of my favorite bands. These songs were back made back in the 1960's and they were VERY ahead of their time. The melodies are so intricate and touching. They are one of the greatest bands in history, but sadly never got the rewards for it. Their 1968 album Oddesey and Oracle is in the Rolling Stone top 100 albums listing. This music is timeless. Its a relief to hear this real music compared to the complete garbage being pumped out by the money- obsessed music industry of today. If you dont like this music you apparently have no taste.

okay if you like mono.......2005-07-09

Granted, I don't know if some or most of these songs were only recorded in mono (I doubt it), and that format is true to the 'transitor radio' ethos of that era, but still, the label should have acknowledged on the outside CD packaging that all but one or two songs are in mono. Okay, enough whining. The Zombies were among the greats, IMO, in Britpop. Someone said Partridge family-esque. Say what?! Listen to these gems. Great melodies, great harmonies. In addition to the obvious Rod Argent-penned hits - "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season" - there's Chris White's "I Love Her," an incredible song that was taken to the charts by "The People" (who?!) in '68. All in all, an exceptional slice of the 60s, except...

Good material, but it's not enough.......2003-09-18

The Zombies were one of the finest rock groups of the sixties. It's no surprise they still get oldies and classic rock airplay. Needless to say, over the years, a number of compilations have been released for these guys. How does this one measure up? Read on and find out.

PROS:
-If you're the casual Zombies fan who just wants to get Time Of The Season, She's Not There, and Tell Her No on one disc, you've come to the right place!
-There are a plethora of underrated masterpieces here as well.
-You get two bonus tracks - alternative versions to two of the band's biggest hits.

CONS:
-The major problem with this compilation is that it's hard to come by. You may have to search a few stores before you find it.
-It's only fifty minutes long, and you can fit eighty minutes onto a CD.

OVERALL:
If you're a casual fan of the Zombies (and nothing more), than this compilation is recommended. These guys played REAL rock and roll, not the junk that has flooded the airwaves in the modern age.

A bit short on running time, but still some great music.......2003-01-01

With their Byrds-ish jangle, Beach Boys-ish harmonies and Moody Blues-ish keyboard parts, it is difficult to argue that The Zombies were a band ahead of their time. Yet, one of the major reasons this St. Albans, England quintet only had three hits, despite being one of the best singles-orientated bands of their day, is that popular music was not quite ready for their tricky time changes and winding melodies. Certainly, the quality of the material was not a problem. A survey of Absolutely the Best, which collects sixteen of The Zombies' greatest tracks, reveals a plethora of almost perfect pop-rock singles, such as the gently rolling "Remember You;" the hauntingly bleak "Imagine the Swan;" the masterful alternations between jazz-ish virtuosity and R&B-ish oomph, "Is This the Dream" and "Just Out of Reach;" and the remarkably clever "Whenever You're Ready," which is probably the best snide, offhand rejection song this side of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's Alright." Then there are the hits: The frantic "She's Not There," the serene "Tell Her No" and the playful "Time of the Season," all of which are bonafied classics.

The consistent excellence of their work makes listening any Zombies collection a delight, but it also makes one hungry for more after this particular compilation, lasting a mere forty minutes, has ended. Surely, project supervisors could have found more material to treat listeners to, especially considering "Time of the Season" is the only track from the group's only proper album, 1968's Odessey and Oracle, which is considered a masterpiece in many circles. Hopefully, The Zombies will someday be granted a best-of compilation with a more satisfying running time. Until then, Absolutely the Best, although somewhat scanty, remains the best introduction to this astounding and underrated band.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely the Best! The Chiffons Manufacturer: Fuel 2000 ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Girl Groups | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Shirelles - 25 All-Time Greatest Hits The Best of the Crystals The Ultimate Collection The Ultimate Collection The Ultimate Collection ASIN: B00065U0RC Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. He's So Fine
2. One Fine Day
3. Sweet Talkin' Guy
4. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
5. My Boyfriend's Back
6. Did You Ever Go Steady
7. Sailor Boy
8. I Have A Boyfriend
9. A Love So Fine
10. I Wonder Why
11. When The Boy's Happy (The Girl's Happy Too)
12. Just For Tonight
13. Tonight I Met An Angel
14. Keep The Boy Happy

Average customer rating: ****1/2 - not all of the best. But what's here is great Absolutely!

Absolutely the Best Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Delta Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Backwater Blues Sonny & Brownie at Sugar Hill Sonny Terry: The Folkways Years, 1944-1963 Sonny & Brownie His Best ASIN: B00004WF4X Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

1. Walk On
2. Down By The Riverside
3. Blues For The Lowland
4. Right On That Shore
5. I'm A Stranger Here
6. Blowin' The Fuses
7. Trouble In Mind
8. Po' Boy
9. Early Morning Blues
10. Drinkin' In The Blues
11. In The Evening
12. Blues For Gamblers
13. Dirty Mistreater
14. What A Beautiful City

Customer Reviews:

****1/2 - not all of the best. But what's here is great.......2004-10-18

This 14-song compilation is not everything you could ever want from acoustic country blues duo Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. A couple of their live albums, like the two December, 1961 concerts captured on "Sonny & Brownie At Sugar Hill" and "Backwater Blues" respectively, are at least as good as introduction, but there is certainly nothing wrong with what is here.

There is a notable lack of good, career-spanning Sonny & Brownie-compilations, and even this August, 2000 disc is a bit on the short side considering that a CD has room for 80 minutes of music. But "Absolutely The Best" is definitely the best single-disc collection there is, and songs like "Walk On", "I'm A Stranger Here", "Dirty Mistreater", and the lesser-known but equally enjoyable "Po' Boy" are all among the duo's best. Indeed, the first two both rank among the all-time acoustic blues classics, and the combination of Sonny Terry's raw freight-train harmonica and gruff vocals and Walter "Brownie" McGhee's softer, more melodic approach guarantees lots of great moments.

"Absolutely The Best is an entertaining, thoughtfully chosen compilation, and if you get this one along with the two live albums I mentioned earlier, you'll pretty much be set!
Well, alright...there is "Live At The New Penelope Café", too, of course. And "Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry At The 2nd Fret".
But this is still a great place to start!

Absolutely!.......2001-03-30

This re-mastered version contains some of the finest riffs from Sonny. The quality of the sound is unparalleled. Accompanying Sonny and Brownie on 3 tracks are Lightnin' Hopkins and Big Joe Williams. Tremendous enthusiasm and great teamwork! Sonny was born in my adopted hometown. Probably the best product that this city produced.

Average customer rating: Five Man Electrical Band - 'Absolutely Right: The Best Of.... (Polygram) A breath of 60's fresh air Absolutely Rockin' Fantastic fun

Absolutely Right: The Best of Five Man Electrical Band Five Man Electrical Band Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music | Dance Pop | Easy Listening | General | Oldies | Traditional Vocalists General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Open The Best of Sugarloaf Sugarloaf/Spaceship Earth The Best of Edison Lighthouse: Love Grows Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye ASIN: B000006YPE Release Date: 1995-11-24

Tracks:

1. Signs (LP Version)
2. Dance Of The Swamp Woman
3. Hello Melinda, Goodbye
4. Moonshine (Friend Of Mine)
5. The Man With Horse And Wagon
6. Absolutely Right
7. Coming Of Age
8. Country Girl Suite
9. Julianna
10. I'm A Stranger Here (LP Version)
11. We Play Rock 'N Roll
12. Money Back Guarantee
13. Werewolf
14. Signs (Single Version)
15. I'm A Stranger Here (Single Version)

Album Description

1995 Mercury/Polydor records release out of Canada

Album Details

Assemblage of Tunes from the Canada's Own Five Man Electrical Band. Features Highlights from the Group's Various Albums, 'Goodbyes and Butterflies' (1970), 1971's 'Coming of Age' and More. Contains the Quintet's Crowning Show Piece 'Signs' (LP and Single Version), 'i'm a Stranger Here' (Also Two Versions) plus 'Country Girl Suite', 'Coming of Age', 'Julianna', 'Moonshine' and More.

Customer Reviews:

Five Man Electrical Band - 'Absolutely Right: The Best Of.... (Polygram).......2007-01-23

Looks to be the only CD available at the current time of this short-lived,two hit maker(not a one hit wonder,as most might assume)Canadian radio-friendly AM rock 'n roll five piece. Fifteen track anthology of Five Man's repertoire. Couldn't help but to notice the band had a slight country music direction. No matter,this CD is still worth a listen by you older fans(like myself). Most memorable cuts here are both the lp and single versions of "Signs", "Dance Of The Swamp Woman", the catchy "Absolutely Right" (the B-side to the "Signs" 45 single+their second actual hit), the well played "Julianna", "We Play Rock 'N Roll" and "Money Back Guarantee". Line-up:Les Emmerson-guitar&vocals,Brian Rading-bass,Ted Gerow-keyboards,Bobby Bruce-violin and Rick Belanger-drums.Another classic rock act from up north.

A breath of 60's fresh air.......2007-01-20

Good music from back in the day.This was a very underrated band and listening to them is a pleasurable trip back in time.

Absolutely Rockin'.......2005-12-20

A great collection by a great band. Originally known as "The Staccatos" in their hometown of Ottawa Ontario they recorded an album for Capitol and used one of the cuts from the album to rename themselves. From the rock anthem "Signs" and its "B" side "Hello Melinda Goodbye" to the underplayed "Julianna" and other great tunes such as "Absolutely Right, Werewolf" and "I'm a Stranger Here" this is a definitive cross section of the band. The group's leader Les Emmerson even had a decent solo career afterwards with some hits of his own.

Fantastic.......2002-12-23

Very few bands can successfully combine folk, rock, blues, and psycadelic pop into one unified sound, but Five Man Electrical Band pulled it off with flying colors. Every song here is of high calibre, and for those who have only heard "Signs," that is actually weaker than many of the cuts on this disc. True, the sound quality isn't sterling, but the quality of the playing and complex harmony vocals cuts through any technical imperfections. A must buy, even if it is hard to find.

fun.......2002-11-15

I found the original Lp, 'coming of age' in the basement the other day, it is absoultely amazing, and those songs on it, coupled with the other hits certainly are great and fun to listen to.

Average customer rating: Quintissential Bobby Goldsboro The Worst Song of All Time Original recordings remastered Brilliant pop singer of the sixties and seventies Excellent

Absolutely the Best Bobby Goldsboro Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music | Dance Pop | Easy Listening | General | Oldies | Traditional Vocalists General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: All the Best The Best of Mac Davis Honey: The Best Of Bobby Goldsboro The Vogues - Greatest Hits Bobby Goldsboro - All Time Greatest Hits ASIN: B00008W2UF Release Date: 2003-04-15

Tracks:

1. Honey
2. See The Funny Little Clown
3. Summer (The First Time)
4. Watching Scotty Grow
5. Whenever He Holds You
6. Little Things
7. Voodoo Woman
8. It's Too Late
9. Blue Autumn
10. The Straight Life
11. I'm A Drifter
12. Autumn Of My Life
13. With Pen In Hand
14. And I Love You So
15. I'm A Rock

Customer Reviews:

Quintissential Bobby Goldsboro.......2007-07-03

Speaking of the trip down Memory Lane - this is it. Bobby's voice,in pure form,will bring the past alive for you.

The Worst Song of All Time.......2006-04-21

CNN Eye on Entertainment named "Honey" the worst song of all time. I whole heartedly agree. Just listen to the lyrics. Absolutely pathetic!

Original recordings remastered.......2005-11-04

As another reviewer pointed out, this compilation stands out among all of the Bobby Goldsboro collections. This fine selection contains the original recordings remastered beautifully. BEginning with the world famous hit "Honey", you just know you have got yourself a great CD. My all time favourite "Summer, the first time" is included and is such a spine tingling song - haunting and beautiful. Also included on this compilation are his impressive covers of "I am a rock" and "And I love you so".

If you are looking for the best Bobby compilation, this is the one. It does not contain any of the re-recordings that he did in the early 90's (urgh).

Brilliant pop singer of the sixties and seventies.......2005-06-13

Bobby was never a prolific hit-maker but he wrote and recorded plenty of great songs. Most of the best songs are included in this wonderful compilation, which primarily focuses on his American hits.

Bobby's biggest hit came with a song he didn't write - Honey, a song that many people have strong opinions about. Honey made number one in the American pop and country charts in 1968. It also made number two in the UK pop charts that year. Re-released in the UK in 1975, Honey again made number two. Many singers have covered this song but the strangest cover is that by Tammy Wynette, who adapted the lyrics, taking the role of the woman who died in the song and singing from beyond the grave, even apologizing for dying.

Bobby's first American hit came in 1964 when he made the top ten with See the funny little clown. Apart from Honey, he never again made the American top ten though he came close with Little things (a UK top five hit for Dave Berry) and Watching Scotty grow. His other American top forty hits were Summer the first time (which made the UK top ten for Bobby), Autumn of my life, Voodoo woman (different from Bobby's usual mellow style - this one has an R+B feel to it), Whenever he holds you, It's too late, The straight life and Blue autumn. Bobby had other American hits that didn't make the top forty including With pen in hand (written by Bobby but it had previously been a hit for both Billy Vera and Vikki Carr), And I love you so (a cover of a Don McLean song that gave Perry Como a major international hit) and I'm a drifter. The compilation is completed by Bobby's cover of I am a rock (Simon and Garfunkel).

This compilation does not contain every Bobby Goldsboro song worth having. For example, it omits Hello summertime (a UK top twenty hit) and Cowboy and the lady (covered by Dolly Parton as Cowgirl and the Dandy for her album, Here you come again). Nevertheless, this is a very strong compilation of Bobby's music.

It is worth noting (in case you're tempted by a track listing of a rival compilation) that some compilations contain inferior re-recordings I do not mind re-recordings as such, but with Bobby's music, it is wise to stick with the originals. If you only want one compilation of Bobby's original recordings, this is the one to choose. If you decide to buy a different compilation, make sure that you know what you're buying.

Excellent.......2005-01-07

I really enjoyed this disc. Bobby Goldsboro is best known for "Honey" but I like some of the lesser known songs even more. I rate 7 of the 15 songs as very good or excellent. My favorites are "I'm A Drifter" and "Autumn Of My Life".

If you like "Honey" but don't know many of the other songs, you won't be disappointed with this disc.

Average customer rating: For me it was everything great for longtime fans not beginners absolutely brilliant concert registration Get 'In Concert' Instead Great, But Could Have Been Better

Absolutely Live The Doors Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: In Concert An American Prayer Morrison Hotel L.A. Woman Live in Detroit (Cobo Hall, 05/08/1970) ASIN: B000002HNR Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

1. House Announcer
2. Who Do You Love
3. Alabama Song
4. Back Door Man
5. Love Hides
6. Five to One
7. Build Me a Woman
8. When the Music's Over
9. Close to You
10. Universal Mind
11. Petition the Lord with Prayer
12. Dead Cats, Dead Rats
13. Break on Through
14. Lions in the Street
15. Wake Up
16. A Little Game
17. The Hill Dwellers
18. Not to Touch the Earth
19. Names of the Kingdom
20. The Palace of Exile
21. Soul Kitchen

Amazon.com

This 1970 double LP proved to be about as good an approximation of the singular methodology of a Doors concert as was possible in the pre-video era. Alternately short and to the point (like the AM radio hits "Touch Me," "People Are Strange," and "Hello, I Love You," among those featured here) and long and meandering (like such open-ended excursions as "When the Music's Over" and "The Celebration of the Lizard"), Morrison and crew displayed the full slate of their estimable powers as both musicians and motivators--continuing to daringly break through whatever sonic and thematic doors they opened. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

For me it was everything.......2007-06-22

There isn't really much I can honestly add to the comments here and the many reviews that exist of this album. What I can say though is that it is a true testimony of the quality and depth of the Doors' music on many levels, even the most unimaginable.



As an 8 year old in 1978, I liked the usual commmercial music you heard on the radio in those days in the US: Bee Gees, Village People, Stevie Wonder, etc.. Then one day my older cousin left this tape at my house and I found it. I put it my portable cassette recorder (the rectangular, mono ones with the extractable handle) and my life changed. I had no idea what Jim symbolized in popular culture, what he was talking about, nothing. All I knew was that it somehow spoke to me in a way I would only find out when I was old enough to grasp what the Doors message was. So I obviously would recommend this album to anyone and everyone. By the way, I think the performance is way above average considerinfìg that Jim was often too wasted to sing, and the sound is great, almost studio-like.

great for longtime fans not beginners.......2007-05-12

if your a beginner fan on the doors then this album isnt really for you it dosent include a lot of the common songs. but if your a longtime fan than this albums for you great live stuff here though jim morrison sounds a little stoned on some of this like on the song, 'Wake Up', or on Back door man other than that its a great album sound quality is the best for live stuff, also i'd like to say that on the song, 'Soul Kitchen', the band must of been pretty stoned cause it sounds all weird the organ and everything it dosent sound right anyway go out and buy this if your the guy who needs all the doors and yes this is......ABSOUTLEY LIVE!!!!

absolutely brilliant concert registration.......2007-01-26

The one and only official live-album released in between "Morrison Hotel" and "L.A. Woman" albums, this shows the Doors at it very best. They were not a middle of the roadband who played each night a greatest hits show but varied their setlist as often as possible and did not only play wellknown songs of their albums, on the contrary. Looking on the songlist on this album it shows more songs outside their studioalbums. To begin with a dynamite McDaniel classic "Who Do You Love" with the same sometimes weird lyrics as James Morrison used to write, to a medley which has "Loves Hides", a short but interesting track, not available on any or the regular albums. The same goes for the beautiful "Universal Mind", reminiscent of the "Waiting for the Sun" album, and the even stunning "Build Me a Woman", which is more from "The Doors" album but nevertheless doesn't appear on any of them. Further comes "The Celebration of the Lizard" in its long form as it is used to be but neither on any album released (that is until the 2003 compilation "Legacy" and the 2006 box "Perception"), from which the lyrics are printed inside the "Waitin for the Sun" album because of the song "Not to touch the Earth" which is a part of the mentioned longtrack, overall an outstanding performance (comparible to that on "The Doors Box" set, the "Live in New York" disc) and - oh surprise - the Ray Manzarek sung Willy Dixon classic "Close to You" (on the "In Concert" package switched to the second disc), somewhat comparible to the L.A.Woman outtake "(If You Need Meat) Don't Go Further", also by Dixon and sung by Manzarek. And last but not least "Dead Cats, Dead Rats", which preludes a heavy metal version of "Break on Through (To the other side)" with stunning guitar work by Robbie Krieger. Closer "Soul Kitchen" is also fabulous. The midsection is dominated by a long version of "When the Music is over", the audience was clearly having trouble with something or someone and the singer shows his annoyance and treathens to stop the show or play only one repeating note by Manzarek, with which the audience give in and the song evolves to a real eruption. Many acts have released timeless live recordings, this is definite one of them. Superb, it really gives you an idea how a Doors performance could have been and gives you the feeling that you were there. Highly recommended!

Get 'In Concert' Instead.......2006-01-21

Do not buy this CD "Absolutely Live" by the Doors. Pay the extra few dollars more & get the double CD, "In Concert" instead. The reason, the "In Concert" double disk has the live albums "Absolutely Live," "Alive She Cried" & "Live At The Hollywood Bowl" all in one package with one exception: an unreleased live version of 'The End' (the main reason to get that double disk just for that song alone!). Get it & it'll be money worth spent.

Great, But Could Have Been Better.......2006-01-04

While this album is a lot better than the EP "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" it's obvious that they left a few songs out. They have only a few songs from actual albums (they don't even have Light My Fire) and then segments from Celebration of the Lizard. This is a fantastic album if you ignore the previous detail about the song choices; Morrison's vocals are outstanding. I recently saw Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger live with their new band Riders on the Storm and they still kick a$$.
I'm also pretty sure that this is merely the first disc of the double live album.

1. House Announcer-N/A-Kind of funny. It's a guy telling the audience to have people go back to their seats or there's no show. Just kind of interesting.
2. Who Do You Love-4/5-This song is OK, but it's obvious why The Doors never laid it down on album.
3. Alabama Song-5/5-It's a medley, but it's great. Well done.
4. Backdoor Man-5/5-A little extra guitar solo by Robbie Krieger. This is a great song...Obviously. Another damn medley.
5. Love Hides-5/5-This song was never put on album and I'm not sure why. The lyrics to this song kick major a$$.
6. Five to One-5/5-A little longer than the studio version; Morrison improvs on a few things here and it's really cool.
7. Build Me a Woman-5/5-Yet another song never put on album. I highly doubt if Morrison ever had the "poontang blues." A great guitar solo is in this I might add.
8. When the Music's Over-5/5-One of their best songs. Jim Morrison always kicked a$$ at performing this song. During speaking parts not included in the studio version of the song he shows a really good sense of humor.
9. Close to You-5/5-Ray Manzarek on vocals and he's pretty good. I saw Manzarek sing "Alabama Song" with Riders on the Storm.
10. Universal Mind-5/5-I was doing time in a universal mind. This is yet another song never put on album; But lyrically it's really great.
11. Petition the Lord With Prayer-5/5-Funny. Morrison screaming about petitioning the lord with prayer.
12. Dead Cats, Dead Rats-5/5-It's more of a poem than an actual song and it's played with the beat from Break on Through.
13. Break on Through #2-5/5-Not sure why it's called Break on Through #2, it's the same song as just "Break on Through".

CELEBRATION OF THE LIZARD
14. Lions in the Street-5/5-Very cool. The beginning of the long poem.
15. Wake Up-5/5-Then it gets creepy.
16. A Little Game-5/5-"I want to play a little game. This is a game called go insane"...Or something like that.
17. The Hill Dwellers-5/5-Daughters smug with s**en eyes in their nipples. Lines just don't get much better than that.
18. Not To Touch the Earth-5/5-Featured on "Waiting for the Sun". This is an awesome song apart from Celebration. It's really great, really catchy.

19. Names of the Kingdom-5/5-I'm pretty sure this is not a part of COTL. It's great; Morrison speaks in a very sensual voice that's really cool.
20. The Palace of Exile-5/5-It's only like 46 seconds long, but then the crowd chants more which stretches it to a little over two minutes. What Morrison does say is very indian-like.
21. Soul Kitchen-5/5-Morrison's voice sounds a lot different then on the studio version; more tired and sensual. The song is exteneded to about 7 minutes, but it's really good.
A-

Average customer rating: 9 more tracks on "Sugar Sugar" Music They Don't Make Anymore I never get tired of this Back down memory lane BUBBLEGUM AT ITS BEST!!!

Absolutely the Best of the Archies The Archies Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Bubblegum | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music | Dance Pop | Easy Listening | General | Oldies | Traditional Vocalists General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of the 1910 Fruitgum Company: Simon Says 25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits: The Ultimate Bubblegum Collection The Best of the Ohio Express: Yummy Yummy Yummy Archies - Greatest Hits Come on Get Happy! The Very Best of the Partridge Family ASIN: B00005J73V Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

1. Eveything's Archie (Archie's Theme)
2. Get On The Line
3. Bicycles, Roller Skates And You
4. Bang-Shang-A-Lang
5. Feelin' So Good (S.K.O.O.B.Y.-D.O.O.)
6. Truck Driver
7. Melody Hill
8. Who's Your Baby?
9. Sugar, Sugar
10. Who's Gonna Love Me?
11. Jingle Jangle
12. Inside-Out, Upside-Down
13. Sugar And Spice
14. Sunshine
15. This Is Love
16. Archie's Party

Customer Reviews:

9 more tracks on "Sugar Sugar".......2007-07-06

Anybody into bubblegum needs the Archies, but nobody needs more than one compilation, so it's either this one or Repertoire's Sugar, Sugar

"Sugar Sugar" has all the tracks from "Absolutely" except the 1-minute cartoon theme song (which you can download from iTunes).
Plus "Sugar Sugar" has an additional 9 songs not on "Absolutely".

Only catch: "Sugar Sugar" costs 30% more, but you get 50% more music.

The question now is how much do you want that theme tune, and how much do you want to spend?

Hmm...dilemma

Music They Don't Make Anymore.......2007-01-09

I received this as a birthday gift last year. I knew a few of The Archies songs on the disc (Sugan, Sugar, Bang-Shang-A-Lang, Truck Driver & Jingle Jangle) so I popped it in and listened. I loved it. It just made me think they don't make music like this anymore. Happy sounding, upbeat kinda music much like the Bubble Gum Music Era of the 1960's with bands like The Ohio Express & 1910 Fruitgum Co. This disc was great. Not a bad tune on it. If you like music of this era I would highly recommend it. It's about 40 minutes of pure listening pleasure.

I never get tired of this.......2005-12-22

I remember liking the Archies at a very young age and my older brothers making fun of "Bubblegum". Hey, I liked some heavy metal at times but it feels good to be old enough not to care what others think when it comes to ALL the music I enjoy! Enya? Yes! Bodeans? Darn Right! John Denver? well, sometimes. But this Archies CD is soooooo groovy, and makes me feel ALRIGHT, all over. Every song is fun. I don't remember the cartoon show, but who cares. If you like Sugar Sugar, you'll like the rest. But did anybody else hear that Reggie got into trouble? Here's hoping he can turn his life around and clean up; maybe somebody will offer him his own radio show.

Back down memory lane.......2005-09-17

I have enjoyed this CD and remember back to the albums of the Archies that I so foolishly gave to Goodwill many years ago. Of course when you are a child you do not always pick up on words and phrases so I have been tickled by the silly words to the songs. "Sunday after mass, picnic in the grass, diggin Momma Cass with Skoobydoo"(LOL). I have been driving down the autobahn singing my little heart out! This collection of the the Archies hits is pretty good. Just one song that I felt could have been left out but we all have our preferences. I have enjoyed reading the historical information about the voices and people behind the Archies sound as well as information about the music included in the insert. I would suggest that other Archie fans purchase this CD. It will be money well spent.

BUBBLEGUM AT ITS BEST!!!.......2005-09-02

Finally, we get an Archies compilation with great sound that includes all of the Top 100 hits. The only bad thing about this disc is that the total time is just shy of 40 minutes. In this day & age there is no excuse for not filling a "best of" cd with 75+ minutes. They could've fit at least a dozen more songs on here! I think a "Volume 2" is in order, or better yet, reissue the albums as two-fers with bonus cuts. Now we're talking!

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10. Coco de Mer

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