Across the Water

1. Acadian Saturday Night

2. Bridget Flynn

3. Foxy Devil

4. Hills of Isle au Haut

5. Across the Water

6. I Know My Name

7. Take Me Back to Ireland

8. Never Say No to a Jar

9. Leaving London

10. Eileen Og

11. Providence Reel/Castle Kelly/The Humours of Tulla

12. Court of King Caractacus

13. River Lady (A Little Goodbye)

14. Leaving on the Evening Tide

15. Plastic Paddy

Tracks:

Tiny Dancer
Levon
Razor Face
Madman Across The Water
Indian Sunset
Holiday Inn
Rotten Peaches
All The Nasties
Goodbye

Amazon.com essential recording

Named for a cut that originally appeared on his Tumbleweed Connection album, Madman Across the Water yielded some of Elton John's earliest AOR staples. "Tiny Dancer," like the previous "Your Song," was introduced and carried by John's masterful piano composition. The song's sense of longing also employed the falsetto chorus that would become as much of a trademark as his costumes. "Levon," another entry into the John/Taupin "ballad of" category, is one of their finest pieces. The orchestration gives the song not only its sense of foreboding, but also its release of tension as the song ends. "Rotten Peaches" became a favorite, as did "Holiday Inn." There's also a different interpretation of the title track than appeared on Tumbleweed Connection. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Elton John's Second Great CD.......2007-08-06

MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER was Elton John's second great album, following the Old West tales of the concept release TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION. The best song here is the title track, which sounds like a psychotic person speaking incoherent babble from the confines of a mental institution. Perhaps it shows better than any alterna-rock song what the price of excessive self-indulgence is, and I take it as a warning not to use an alcoholic beverage to toast my grandfather on his 95th birthday. This CD, along with TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, HONKY CHATEAU, GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, ROCK OF THE WESTIES, and CARIBOU, is one of Elton John's must-own individual CDs.

Keep listening over and over!.......2007-07-12

I have been dipping into the early Elton albums lately, and this one stops me cold and has me listening over and over. The Taupin lyrics on this album are masterpieces, and Elton delivers them with feeling and perfect melody. This album shows why this team has put out some of the best songs in popular music. True artists. Levon and Indian Sunsets are must haves for any Elton fan.

When Music Was Great.......2007-06-27

It is hard to imagine anyone who has not at least heard or Sir Elton John. He is the piano maestro who would bring Bernie Taupin's lyrics to life with the perfect musical arrangement. The 1970's saw Elton John become the outlandish arena rock, superstar. Unlike other stars, such as Madonna, Elton's outlandishness did not eclipse the music. While his big hits such as, "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road" and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", or "Bennie and the Jets" were huge, some of the earlier work showed the promise. "Madman Across the Water" is probably one of the most underrated albums of all time. In 1971 this effort should have been the freashest breath of air out there. Over the decades ballads have become anathema to stadium rock due to their often formulaic blandness. Let it be noted that before "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road", "Madman Across the Water" yielded two of the best ballads ever written, "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon". It was really years later when these songs became appreciated for their timeless brilliance. Both songs evoke a heartfelt emotion and beauty that few balladeers have been able to touch. While those two songs found a big audience on Elton John's greatest hits collection, put into context on the Madman album, they become something more. The title track is epic and sweeps one away with its lush orchestration and length. "Indian Sunset" is another such song and fairly well brings tears to your eyes. All of the songs are well crafted and orchestrated making them moving and powerful thirty-six years later. There were no sappy ballads on this album, just great, solid music. A real testament to a true artist. Any serious music aficionado needs to have this cd in their collection if they don't already have it on vinyl. Here, here, to a time when the music was truly great.

Dam good.......2007-05-13

This is a very under-rated album in the Elton John cannon. OK it probably isn't as good as Honky Chateau or Tumbleweed Connection, but I suspect that its more to do with the lack of a successful single than the quality of the songs on the album. With the exception of the very short "Goodbye" (1:48) only one other track (Razor face 4:40) is under 5 minutes in length. So unless they edited the songs there was no chance of a single from this album.

The album was recorded in 1971 and kicks of with "Tiny Dancer". Its a great opening track, but its beaten by track 2 "Levon". This has one of Eltons patented Piano introductions, a great lyric and arrangement and is one of Eltons greatest tracks never to be released as a single. Full credit should also be given to Paul Buckmasters great string arrangements on this track and many of the others well.

Careful reading of the credits to this album will reveal many well known musicians playing on this album. For example a number of tracks have Rick Wakeman playing Organ and Ray Cooper makes one of his earliest appearances on an Elton John album on "All the Nasties".

I've been playing this album for 30 years or more now and its well worth getting.

Music is life.......2007-03-27

I'm not an avid Elton John fan, I've just like the occasional hit on the radio.

This is an album I enjoyed and I'm not looking for more by EJ.

I don't have much use for organized religion but this album was beyond such nonsense. I gave this 5 stars because I think it was the best of EJ before he became the superstar: sound quality was excellent.

Average customer rating:

Incredible sounding 5 channel sacd
SACD Version of One of Elton's Greatest Albums
Yet Another Classic Elton John Album Enhanced via SACD format
Still my clear choice for the best of the early Elton John albums
Another superb SACD

Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Manufacturer: Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00064X3EK
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Tiny Dancer
Levon
Razor Face
Madman Across the Water
Indian Sunset
Holiday Inn
Rotten Peaches
All the Nasties
Goodbye

Customer Reviews:

Incredible sounding 5 channel sacd.......2007-03-10

The SACD 5.1 mix makes an excellent CD even better. Clarity, seperation and multi-channel defintion are all excellent. I noticed that some of the songs are extended versions of the original releases. Not having listened to this cd for many years in previous forms one other thing struck me. That being the only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star classic is the material on the 2nd side (at least what would be the 2nd side of the original LP) is noticeably weaker than side 1. Never hear anyone mention this, but if you think about it, its hard to argue that point. You could say its partly because of how incredible side 1 is and I would not dispute that point. Just makes me realize why back in the LP days I always found myself listening to side 1 more than side 2. None of this detracts from the overall excellence of this CD and even if it only contained side 1 it would still be a near classic. I'd say a solid 3 songs on this CD belong in the top 10 all time Elton John songs. That in itself is plenty good enough even if the lesser material seems a bit like filler in comparison.

SACD Version of One of Elton's Greatest Albums.......2006-11-14

This album was Elton John and Bernie Taupin's sixth album in three years. During that time Elton explored a variety of sounds, trying to find his sound. "Madman Across the Water" was the cusp of the quest that would be fully realized on Elton's next album, "Honky Chateau." While seeking his sound Elton managed to demonstrate an incredible potential that was broadly manifested on this album.

The first five songs particularly show a wonderful range of styles and compositions ranging from the solid pop of "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" to the heavily orchestrated "Madman Across the Water" and "Indian Sunset." The lyrics were occasionally murky and often misquoted. Yet, there was a lot of power in the piano and the backing arrangements were incredible. The still maturing voice of Elton was new and different at the time, and appealed to a broad array of audiences trying to find stability after the psychedelic and turbulent 60s.

One interesting feature of some of Elton's early music is the periodic influence of gospel or soul music, most strongly seen on this album in "All the Nasties." The influence would not last much longer as Elton went down a musically more cohesive path from this point on.

Over time Elton played keyboards of various types, but on his recent album "Songs from the West Coast" he returned to the piano once again, recalling the relative innocence of this early music, though with the maturity of a talented, seasoned artist. I think it is a tribute to the power of this early music that Elton has returned to it once again in an album released decades after this album.

Music of this type has an incredible amount of power and appeals as much to emotion as it does to the ear. Listen again to an artist that made it big based on the power of his music and not the over-polished commercial pop that is hyped on many FM stations today. Truly a solid album for any collection.

Yet Another Classic Elton John Album Enhanced via SACD format.......2006-10-29

"Madman Across The Water" was Elton John's second 1971 album, following closely on the heels of "Tumbleweed Connection". Although stylistically, Elton wanders across a vast musical terrain that's larger than "Tumbleweed Connection", relying upon gospel, rhythm and blues as well as bluegrass, country and rock and roll, it is truly in his ballads "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" that John offers two of his most compelling - and popular - songs in his early career. The album is also noteworthy for having guitarist Davey Johnstone joining the Elton John Band - in which both bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson are heard for the first time on an entire Elton John studio album - contributing his versatile range in bluegrass, country and folk music as the band's lead guitarist. Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements have not sounded as elegant as they have here, and with the new SACD format, it seems rather obvious that his compelling arrangements relied upon only a small group of studio musicians, not an entire symphony orchestra.

My own personal favorites on "Madman Across the Water" include the enigmatic-sounding title song, which some of Elton's fans and critics have remarked that it represents the scandal-ridden American presidency of Richard Nixon, but I think that this is too obvious an interpretation; the "Madman" could be anyone, not the least of which, Richard Nixon himself. I am also quite fond of the two ballads from this album that have proven to be enduring classic Elton John songs. "Tiny Dancer", the album's first song, is a lovely romantic tribute to Bernie Taupin's first wife - "the seamstress for the band" - which many may recognize now after it became a part of the soundtrack for Cameron Crowe's film "Almost Famous". "Levon" is a more gospel/rhythm and blues-influenced ballad, with a set of exquisite, quite memorable, lyrics from Bernie Taupin. Both ballads are blessed with elaborate string orchestrations from Paul Buckminister, which serve only to back Elton and his bandmates, without overwhelming them sonically.

Long-time Elton John producing associate Greg Penny - who had co-produced the "Made in England" album with Elton - has done a marvellous job with the sound quality, via the 5.1 Mix SACD format. Relying upon the late Gus Dudgeon's digital remastering, Penny has clearly gone much further, yielding the best possible sound I have heard for this album, by separating out each of the instruments being played by Elton, the rest of his band, and the studio session string ensemble. Without question, "Madman Across The Water" is an essential Elton John album, which is now more desirable in its SACD format reincarnation.

Still my clear choice for the best of the early Elton John albums.......2005-12-17

When I was going through my 1000+ CDs to look for ideas for the Music unit of the Popular Culture class I teach, I have come to the conclusion that "Madman Across the Water" was a seminal album in my life. I seriously started listening to FM radio in the early Seventies because that was the only place to hear "Levon," which was my favorite song for about half a year (I believe it was replaced by "Knife's Edge" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Consequently, the shift in my musical appreciation from Top Forty to more sophisticated musical forms can be traced to this particular song Elton John song and this special album.

Of course, once I had enough loose change I bought the album and promptly proceeded to play the first side about five times as often as I flipped it over and played side two; having the CD means I tend to listen to the whole thing all the way through. I would argue that "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Razor Face," and "Madman Across the Water" equals the best side of any Elton John record. I also used the title track as part of a poetry unit for English class (ah, those liberal days of yore). The movie "Almost Famous" has made "Tiny Dancer" popular again, but anybody who listens to this CD is going to find out there are some other great songs too. In addition to John's music and Bernie Taupin's lyrics, I think credit has to be given to Paul Buckmaster, whose sweeping string arrangements never worked better in giving John's songs color and depth. "Madman Acros the Water" is Elton John's darkest album, although it is more a sense of brooding and forboding rather than anger.

"Madman Across the Water" made it to #8 on the Billboard album chart. Since most of the songs were five minutes or longer, this was really the last Elton John album before he started turning out a string of Top 40 hits. But the best albums on any Elton John album were almost always the songs you never heard on AM radio. Ironically, given its place in my musical history, "Levon" made its way onto the third volume of Elton John's greatest hits collection even though it only made it to #24 on the single charts in 1972 ("Tiny Dancer" made it to only #41). Just another example of the cherished memories of our youth turning out to be phantasms when seen in the harsh light of day (or commercial music industry interests).

Another superb SACD.......2005-10-04

Like all the other 70's era Elton John SACDs, Madman is a pure pleasure to listen to. Something no one has metioned so far is that RAZOR FACE has been extened an extra two minutes for a long jam by the band. It's very cool.

Average customer rating:

Across the Water
Baby Boy da Prince
Manufacturer: Republic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000NA1Z2E
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

Intro
Way I Live
Naw Meen
Slide in Slide Out
Lock Me Down
Marrero
Rollin' to Det
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (Girl I Wanna)
Rich Boy
They Don't Know
Who Sheed
Fist Rock
Do What It Do
Good Juice
Rose
Skit #3
Good Juge
A Rose

Tracks:

Concert footage
Interviews
Behind the scenes footage of "The Way I Live" video shoot

Average customer rating:

One last touch of Paris (but oversold by the critics)
wonderful perforance of excellent songs
Classic Rorem Songs!
Come To Pop, Baby!
Worthy indeed - a gem

Susan Graham - Songs of Ned Rorem
Susan Graham , Martin Martineau , and Ensemble Oriol
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Susan Graham ~ Berlioz - Les nuits d'été
Poèmes de l'Amour

ASIN: B00004R9BK
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Tracks:

Sonnet [Bynner]
Clouds [Goodman]
Early In The Morning [Hillyer]
The Serpent [Roethke]
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal [Tennyson]
Opus 101 [Bynner]
I Strolled Across An Open Field [Roethke]
To A Young Girl [Yeats]
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair [after Foster]
Ode [de Ronsard]
For Poulenc [O'Hara]
Littlle elegy [Wylie]
Alleluia
Look Down, Fair Moon [Whitman]
O You Whom I Often And Silently Come [Whitman]
I Will Always Love You [O'Hara]
The Tulip Tree [Goodman]
The Wintry Mind [Bynner]
I Am Rose [Stein]
The Lordly Hudson [Goodman]
O Do Not Love Too Long [Goodman]
Far - Far - Away [Tennyson]
For Susan [Goodman]
A Journey [Glaze]
Sometimes With One I Love [Goodman]
Love [Lodge]
Orchids [Roethke]
Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening [Frost]
Do I Love You More Than A Day [Larson]
Ferry Me Across The Water [Rossetti]
The Sowers [Bynner]
That Shadow, My Likeness [Whitman]

Amazon.com

Contemporary composer Ned Rorem is typically likened to an American Schubert (living in Paris) for the fecundity, emotional range, and quality of his songs (though this represents only one facet of a prolific career). And Rorem's masterful 1998 cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen would seem to justify that reputation, as does this marvelous anthology from the Rorem songbook of the past half-century. The composer is fond of dividing musicians into the "German" and the "French," clearly identifying himself with the latter for the elusive sparkle and subtle play of shadows that characterize his art. What other kind of sensibility could "through-compose" Gertrude Stein's "I Am Rose" in a deftly perfect 27 seconds? Fortunately, American lyric mezzo Susan Graham intuitively understands this expressive aspect, as does pianist-partner Malcolm Martineau. Graham is constantly attentive to the marriage of music and text in the 32 songs here and phrases their little worlds into being with grace and wit. She can shade to a sweet vanishing point or allow her voice to blossom, orchidlike, into a dazzling profusion of colors. Few of these songs, which draw on the poetry of Walt Whitman, Theodore Roethke, Frank O'Hara, and many others, last more than two minutes. But their resonance lingers, whether in the haunting "Opus 101"--with its lean but potent string trio scoring--or the enigmatic "That Shadow, My Likeness" from Whitman. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

One last touch of Paris (but oversold by the critics).......2005-10-11

Ned Rorem is the last survivor, since the death of Virgil Thompson, of the long reach that Paris exerted over a generation of American expatriate composers, many of whom drifted overseas between the wars to study with the legendary Nadia Boulanger. Rorem's songs sometimes have American folk roots, but mostly he writes chansons, and like their French counterparts, his are crystalline, spare, sophisticated, and precisely defined emotionally.

If he were more tlaneted he might have wirtten masterpieces, but mostly this sounds like Samuel Barber on skim milk. Rorem often sets minor, if not trivial poetry. His lyrical gift is modest. But there's no doubt that he has been neglected, largely because of his stubbornly tonal conservatism, and now that tonality is repsectable again, he is being accorded last-minute honors. I'm glad for him, and his best work, which consists of his multi-volume memoirs, has added much to American culture. But even when skillfully sung by an artist of the caliber of Susan Graham, a hour's worth of Rorem's tiny jewel-like chansons is about twice too much at one sitting.

wonderful perforance of excellent songs.......2005-01-20

I'm a neophyte to Ned Rorem's work. To be honest I purchased this CD because I really enjoy listening to Susan Graham. Although I really love hearing Ms. Graham's opera performances, I find it refreshing to hear her singing something in English. I also appreciate how she's taken time to perform something other than opera. Susan Graham's performance of Ned Rorem's songs has me seeking out other performances of his work.

Classic Rorem Songs!.......2004-05-18

Susan Graham has a remarkable mezzo voice and sings Rorem as though she really is a sounding board for the composer. Kudos to her and this CD comes highly recommended to newbies to Rorem songs and those many die-hard fans!

Come To Pop, Baby!.......2004-03-12

Recently, I heard Susan Graham on Garrison Keillor's "Prarie Home Companion" show. Wow! I didn't know who she was, but she had so much humour, verve and style while singing some show tunes, and that incredible voice. I rushed to amazon but all the English language songs I could find seemed to be on this album of Ned Rorem music. Well, whatever the weight lieder songs carry for the Germans, it seems that art songs in English mean songs you can't snap your fingers to, can't slap out a beat to and would never, ever, sing with your friends. I know, I know, I'm a Philistine, but please, Ms. Graham, give us an album of American popular classics, show tunes and the like. When I listened to you on Mr. Keillor's show, if I had been a bell, I'd have been ringing too! You are simply great. Don't let the classical music fans have all the fun. Throw a little our way too. Pretty please.

Worthy indeed - a gem.......2002-08-27

I cannot disagree with "A Music Fan"'s panning of this CD. Having first purchased the Hearing CD which he/she references, I reached the conclusion that Rorem's music was too knotty and "20th century" for repeated listenings and enjoyment. This CD with Susan Graham completely reversed my opinion. The songs are indeed chosen to be accessible, but they are much more than that. They are, simply stated, lovely. This is a disc I will play again and again, and has caused me to investigate many other Rorem CDs. I just came on line to buy it as a gift for a friend. Rorem deserves his due, and this disc gives it to him.

Average customer rating:

Can't review what I haven't heard (had to assign rating)
This guy is sizzling and he rocks!!!
Rising son.
Powerful Electric Blues
Magical work!!!

Across the Water
Bernard Allison
Manufacturer: Tone Cool
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004W5MT
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

The River's Rising
Meet Me Half Way
I Just Came Back To Say Goodbye
I Want To Get You Back
Love Is Free
Coming Back (Across The Water)
Change Your Way Of Living
Feels Kinda Funny
Work It Out
Higher Love
I've Been Down

Amazon.com

With Bernard Allison following the North Mississippi Allstars and Susan Tedeschi onto its roster, Tone-Cool has become home to the blues' most exciting young talents. Like his dad, the late Chicago guitar hero Luther Allison, Bernard likes to mix his music with rock and soul. This CD starts with a burst of uptempo funk ("The River's Rising") and quickly passes through six-string metallurgy ("I Just Came Back to Say Goodbye," with it's ZZ Top rhythmic bedrock and squealing guitar), Johnny Taylor-style ballads (like the Malaco-perfect "Work It Out"), and other permutations. Although Allison's voice possesses a serviceable simplicity, it's his guitar that really sings, chorus after chorus packed with keening wah-wah and daredevil bends. It's also full of down-to-the-bone blues runs, like the solo that tags the funky "Higher Love." Allison shows some Texas sting, too, especially on a Stevie Ray-style guitar epic called "I've Been Down," which should produce fireworks live. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews:

Can't review what I haven't heard (had to assign rating).......2004-08-31

I would like to review this CD, but Amazom has been stringing me along since mid-May 2004 with delay after delay in shipping. Still haven't received the CD, and according to Amazon, I might not get it before mid-October. The only thing I can review is Amazon's service and I rate it 0 stars!!!!

This guy is sizzling and he rocks!!!.......2004-05-04

This is the first cd I have heard from BA. He's just as good as his father Luther Allison. He has the Jimi Hendrix/Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar sound down real good. After hearing this one I went and dished out some cash for more of his works. He has gone a step further than his forefathers B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, etc. He is in the New Blues scene along with Kenny Wayne Sheppard", "Eric Gales", "Joe Bonamassa", "Doyle Bramhall II" and "Graig Erickson." Check them out also.

Rising son........2001-10-04

Bernard Allison follows in the footsteps of his father the great Luther Allison with an album that powerfully fuses rock,blues and soul and,especially his own guitar chops that can rival Robert Cray's.This is a great album,while the cover versions of Joe Cocker's 'The River's Rising'and Colin James' 'Just Came Back'are as good as the originals.Bernard easily displays the explosive style of his father making for a great live experience.

Powerful Electric Blues.......2001-02-03

I was introduced to the music of Bernard Allison by the words "If you are into Walter Trout, you will like this." Then followed the song "I Just Came Back to Say Goodbye" from this album. I was rocked back by the sheer intensity and quality of the track.

It is the highlight here. It's the best rock song that I've heard for a very long time and I simply had to go out and buy the CD to hear the rest of the music.

The CD is mostly electric blues with flashes of other musical styles. Some of the songs are original while the others are the work of an assortment of musicians including of course Bernard's father Luther Allison.

Bernard Allison has a great guitar style. Combining blues lyricism with rock intensity in a manner closer to Hendrix than to Clapton. The only thing that lets him down a little is that his voice neither matches his musical style nor comes up to the standard as his playing.

His style will not appeal to traditional blues aficionados but it you appreciate Clapton, Hendrix and the like then this is a great CD. "I Just Came Back to Say Goodbye" is a song that everyone should listen to.

Magical work!!!.......2001-01-10

We don't need to be a blues purist to understand all of this amazing work of Bernard Allison.All we need is to be on tune with the new tendences of contemporary blues. Of course it's far from that Delta Blues style.This is the most pure Chicago's Blues and mixed with Rock'n Roll spices. This cd is a great surprise in all the ways we analyse it. The presence of SRV,Robert Cray,Hendrix,and specially the legacy of his Dad,Luther Allison,is fantastic in all the tracks. Undoubtedly,a great blues cd one of the bests of my collection. I really recommend this cd,and i can say that Bernard is really one of the best emerging artists of the blues!!!! A Gem,A Gem,A Gem.....!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Terrific Irish-American collaboration in service of charity
relief for tsunami pain

Hands Across the Water
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Compass Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000A7Q21Y
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Tracks:

This Beggar's Heart - Darrell Scott
Get Through It - Jon Randall
Ae Fond Kiss - Karen Matheson
Standing Still - Andrea Zonn
Fair And Tender Ladies - Tim O'Brien
A Man Of Constant Sorrow - Sharon Shannon
Reasonland - Solas
'Til A Tear Becomes A Rose - John Prine
Be Still My Soul - Beth Nielsen Chapman
40 Shades Of Green - Paul Brady
Part Of Your History - Blue Merle
Let's Heal - Altan
An Occasional Song - Cerys Matthews
Cumberland Plateau - John Cowan
This World's Family - Jim Lauderdale
In The Sweet By And By - Jerry Douglas

Amazon.com

The first thing you should know is that this recording was released to benefit children who suffered from the devastating tsunamis that ravaged Southeast Asia in late 2004. So, obviously, you should buy it even if it's not that good because it's for an awesome cause. Thankfully, you get to hear some pretty groovy tunes as well when you buy this compilation. Produced by Nashville-based fiddler Andrea Zonn and Irish musician John Cutliffe, the disc pairs British Isles artists with American roots musicians. It's not only far better than it has any right to be, the album highlights the similarities and affinities the different musics have for and with each other. Who'd have ever thought a cover of an old Irish tune reworked in English, by Vince Gill with Celtic lite band Altan no less, would be so lovely? It is, as is the rest of this wonderfully-realized collection, which also includes Bonnie Raitt, Tim O'Brien, John Prine, and Jerry Douglas. -Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Irish-American collaboration in service of charity.......2006-03-21

This collaboration brings together nearly a hundred American roots musicians and their Celtic counterparts in service of fundraising for the victims of the December, 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Between two dozen studios on either side of the big pond, overflowing computer networks, telephone lines and email streams ferried ideas and material that were knit into these sixteen tracks. What's truly amazing, given the patchwork nature of the album's assembly, is how smoothly the players integrate within and across tracks. The material flows smoothly from track to track, and though these aren't typically live-in-the-studio performances, the musicians are pulled together by both purpose and shared musical roots. Highlights include Darrell Scott's "This Beggar's Heart," a demo that was movingly overdubbed by the band Danu with fiddle, banjo, whistle and a harmony vocal, Tim O'Brien's reading of the traditional "Fair & Tender Ladies" with Lunasa providing the backing, the high harmonies of The Brock McGuire Band with John Cowan for "Cumberland Plateau," and the closing duet of Jerry Douglas' dobro and Ciaran Tourish's whistle. This is a tremendously thoughtful album in support of a tremendously worthy cause. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

relief for tsunami pain.......2006-01-15

This is an outstanding musical salve to the pain of the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami. Overwhelmed by the devastation Nashville bluegrass fiddler Andrea Zonn suggested to Irish music producer-player John Cutliffe that they draw on their musical acquaintances to do something to help. A year later, this music, the Anglo-Celtic source of America's Appalachian stream, represents hope for healing: in Zonn's words, ''Profound moments in time to help rebuild the lives of children we may never meet.'' Indeed, it deserves the accolade ''prayer in voice and instrument''. If the statistics of the tsunami were

staggering, noteworthy too are figures involved in bringing to fruition this transnational project: 27 recording studios, 29 studio engineers and more than 100 musicians from Nashville to Glasgow to Sydney (on tour in Australia, Michael McGoldrick and Donald Shaw recorded flute and accordion

respectively for Beth Nielsen Chapman's "Be Still My Soul", from a theme by Sibelius). This is typical of the methodology: on "Fair and Tender Ladies" Tim O'Brien is in Nashville, Lunasa are in Dublin; the effect is seamless. This alluring collection closes on a note of surpassing beauty, "In the Sweet By and

By", where the aching tones of Jerry Douglas' dobro blend with the ethereal

whistling of Ciaran Tourish, fiddler with Irish traditional band Altan. (This is an edited version of my review which appeared in The Age newspaper, Melbourne, Australia.)

Average customer rating:

Still my choice for the best of the early Elton John albums

Madman Across the Water

Manufacturer: MCA Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

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

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ASIN: B0002Z628W

Product Description

Elton John's 1972 hit record. Tracks: 1) Tiny Dancer 2) Levon 3) Razor Face 4) Madman Across the Water 5) Indian Sunset 6) Holiday Inn 7) Rotten Peaches 8) All the Nasties 9) Goodbye

Customer Reviews:

Still my choice for the best of the early Elton John albums.......2004-11-08

Average customer rating:

Across the Water
Baby Boy da Prince
Manufacturer: Republic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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Now, Vol. 24
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ASIN: B000NA1Z24
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

Intro
The Way I Live (feat. Lil Boosie)
Naw Meen (feat. Mannie Fresh)
Slide In Slide Out
Skit #1
Lock Me Down
Marrero (feat. Shoeshine & Reality)
Skit #2
Rollin' To Det
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (The Propsal Song)
Rich Boy
They Don't Know (feat. Nina Sky)
Who Sheed
Fist Rock
Do What It Do (feat. Dappa, Marty Bee & Lil Hidda)
Skit #3
Good Juge
A Rose

Average customer rating:

Decent Debut
easily one of the worst of 2007
Baby Boy da What?
A Great Debut Album!

Across The Water
Baby Boy Da Prince
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000IFRQ2M

Customer Reviews:

Decent Debut.......2007-05-27

It's not as bad as what people are saying. I would say it is a strong/solid debut very worthy of 3 stars.

Everyone knows the first smash single: "The Way I Live" which is hard driven over a very heavy bass line with a very catchy hook. Everyone bobs their head and sings along to this jam. That is the obvious reason why I decided to purchase this CD.

I basically got out of it what I expected to. Nothing spectacular but, by no means, nothing as terrible as what people are saying on here. All the songs have a great thumping beat. Good production. I think he is a decent rapper - maybe not 100% honed in on his craft. The lyrics are not always "there" and some of the lyrics in some songs seem a bit juvenile but, there are not too many songs that I skip over - they are decent. Nothing to write home about. I do like his voice and his style. I would give a full 5 stars if it was based solely on production and beats because the beats are tight!

I would give it a sample somewhere and if you like what you hear purchase. I like it but, there is some room for improvement. A car bumper for sure.

~~~~~JAC 07'

easily one of the worst of 2007.......2007-04-08

I wont give you the speech about what is wrong with hop hop and what this album has to do with that but I will say this....save your money. Im happy I had napster and was able to hear every track. This album is forgettable and not in a neutral way...The track " The way I feel," honestly should have kept me away (on 2nd thought) but I decided to give it a chance and listen to it and once again this proves the radio stations in my city havent got a clue...glad im movin... ( I can only hope hot 97 isnt playing this)

Baby Boy da What?.......2007-03-21

I honestly don't know why I picked up Baby Boy's album. Maybe I thought it had a chance because he's from New Orleans or something. Anyway, I followed this album through "The Way I Live", and that song should've already told me to stay away. To me that song is madd overrated since the beat is corny and all Baby Boy raps about how much money he has. So, I guess because of inner feeling, I decided to look into Across the Water, and I very much recommend you to stay on the side of the water you are on, or in other words, stay far away from this.

One very big problem that is simple to point out is the album is all about sex. Now, occasionally, and if done right, acts like Pretty Ricky can pull this off. (And maybe the Ying Yang Twins are occasionally tolerable.) However, Baby Boy does not this go around, so many songs sound skippable right from the beginning. Probably the best example being "Good Juge", which is just offensively sexual, that covers a sex story (Yes, as in every action done), and really the song doesn't go anywhere. The production is okay for clubs, but even then the song's production sounds unfinished and as a whole the song is filler. (Okay, not saying much but...) "Slide In Slide Out" goes into what the title suggests. The beat on this song is very nice and banging, but, not so good when you have such a boring and ridiculous chorus "Let me slide in/let me slide out". Also some unaccredited girl comes in through the chorus, and she sang so badly that I couldn't make a word out of her. "Lock You Down" is another sexual song, which has weak lyrics ("Get outta my face before I catch me a case/I shouldn't have been f--king with you in the first place", WHAT?), and Baby Boy sounds like... I hate to say this but...Chingy. It is hard to understand what he is rapping most of the time. It's also difficult to understand what he is rapping in "Marrero", especially in the chorus (which is by the way very weak, with the repeating of "What the f--k marrero". AZLyrics hasn't entered in the CD yet so I still have no idea if that's what he's rapping, I mean, it's pretty bad if you don't know what a rapper is trying to express). The production is also pretty lame, and sounds like a Lil' Jon wannabe beat gone absolutely wrong in every way. And even more sexuality continues with "Rollin' To Det", which has a confusing title and a confusing song that you know starts off wrong when the first line to the verse is "I'm trying to get laid." Again Baby Boy uses the overused topics of sex. And as the song goes on he tries to bring up the subject of cars and still fails to hold my interest throughout the repeated Chingy-like disorganized production. Confusion continues when you think...which one is it, cars or sex? (Not that one is better than the other.) And even when Baby Boy tries to make a song for the ladies or show his softer side with "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (The Proposal Song)", it goes off completely into weak-rap-ballad land ("Your my everything/and my everything is you"?), and once again has to include some sexual theme onto the side. Baby Boy makes weak I love you raps and goes off into wanting to taste his women. More for-the-ladies songs that should be passed on continues with a collaboration with Nina Sky titled "They Don't Know" (won't touch an easy joke with the title), but don't get your hopes up, they surely still can't sing very well. This song takes more of an R&B jazz direction, and sounds just like Nelly's "Dilemma"--unfortunately that song had a better collaboration and a slightly better rapper. Baby Boy still spits weak raps that leans towards the ladies but is so uninteresting and "been there, done that".

More problems continue when he makes "haters" songs that flat out suck and are a bore to listen to, like with "Do What It Do", which is ridiculously repetitive in its chorus, repeating the song title and the verses talk about haters. But this does make me wonder, does he have any haters? (And don't comment my review saying I am because this album is really bad.) What's the point of making a song about haters when he does not really have any? Anyway, the song has congested and terrible production that sounds overly synthed and suffers from a lame chorus. And if you thought some of the rappers on Dipset (Jim Jones, Cam'Ron, etc.) albums had weird names, how about Dappa, Marty Bee and Lil' Hidda? "Who Sheed" is ridiculously confusing, and sounds like a wanna-be "Drop It Like It's Hot". And, at least where I live, sheed isn't really a word. Somehow this is another "hater" song, where Baby Boy raps that if ni--as talk s--t then "who sheed". Don't question me, I'd give you an answer if I were to have one. The production is okay, and it might work for club, but I'd hunt down an instrumental rather than scratch you head all day wondering who came up with this word. (I don't know, is it New Orleans slang?) And if you wanted more "I have a ton of money so I'm going to brag about it." songs like "The Way I Live", you can just look up the song that follows it, "Naw Meen". It's just awful, pathetic, and a poor way to start off an album after the hit single "The Way I Live". The production is awful and sounds like a combination of Mims's "This Is Why I'm Hot" and Dem Franchize Boyz's "I Think They Like Me". And Baby Boy doesn't add much to the song other than contributing a few raps about how much money he has and for haters to stop hating. "Rich Boy", is yet another song that literally takes the words out of "The Way I Live" about hustling hard and have a ton of money to blow. You know why does every Southern rapper seem to have some sort of hustling song on their album? I mean, none of them come off well at all, and this one surely doesn't. As a matter of fact it sounds like a watered down "The Way I Live". Again, at least its tolerable, but tolerable is mediocre too.

Despite all the terrible music shown above, there's still a few songs labeled "tolerable", and one of them would be "Fist Rock", which has a catchy beat and although Baby Boy just seems to be trying to pull some sort of dance craze, it's still a halfway decent song. Another tolerable song is "A Rose", although it is a very confusing story about Baby Boy finding out his kids aren't really his and finds out his girlfriend is cheating on him. Now wait a minute, that might be the best song lyrically on the album. Unfortunately, the song suffers from a boring, unfinished sounding production, and Baby Boy is still a bit difficult to understand.

All in all, Baby Boy's album is something best left alone. I wasn't expected to be impressed by the album, but I neither expected it to be so bad. Baby Boy is hard to understand while he is rapping, production is dime a dozen, and this album doesn't really cover anything but sex and the typical hustling songs. If you want to stay away from bad music, I'd suggest you stay on the side of the water you are on. 1 star.

Track Picks:
You thought there was one?

A Great Debut Album!.......2007-03-20

This is a great CD.It has some excellent production.Baby Boy has a unique voice and a good flow.He always stays on beat.There are a lot of entertaining songs on this album.If you're into club bangers,than this is the perfect CD for you.Overall this is a well put together album and it shows in the quality of this CD.