Crystal Ball

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Limited Edition 4 Cd Set In Exclusive Clear Round Container Packaging. Also Includes Circular 18 Page Deluxe Cd Booklet.

Crystal Ball,Prince (Bb),Billboard Singles

Crystal Ball

Tracks:

Put Me On
Mademoiselle
Jennifer
Crystal Ball
Shooz
This Old Man
Clair De Lune/Ballerina

Customer Reviews:

Shaw's First.......2007-08-01

This is where it begins for Tommy Shaw. This is a spectacular effort by the band. John C. has departed and in comes in Shaw with his knack of capturing the top 40 hit. On this release though that never really happened so this may be considered a warm-up to their next, 'The Grand Illusion'. Lead off song "Put Me On'another James Young classic and can still say that after all these years the song still rocks. This is the album also, that sees James Young starting to take a backseat on lead vocals. As on their first four albums James Young was very prevalent on lead, but as success found its way with the band DeYoung and Shaw capture the spotlight for the top 40 hits that keep the band selling millions of records. I always like to link albums together as must have's. If you have one then you must have another because they just go together. If you pick up 'Crystal Ball' then please pick up 'Equinox' also. They have a certain flavor to them and they rock. Nothing bad here on this cd.

Certainly A Turning Point In Styx's Career.......2007-04-17

With the addition of Tommy Shaw to the band, Styx would ultimately go on to great success, and evidence of that was shown on this album. Although it's not the best of styx, no Styx fan should be without this album. Although "This Old Man" is a bit forgettable, the other songs on here are must haves. T. Shaw's shivering "Crystal Ball" is one of Styx's most famous hits, and for a good reason. DeYoung's "Mademoiselle" is possibly one of Styx's most classic pop songs, and JY and Shaw's "Shooz" is one of the greatest Styx rockers of all time. It may be Styx in a small dose, but it may be some of the only Styx you'll need. However, as I said earlier, you should buy this album if you're a Styx fan already. Those who are new to the band might want to try Equinox or possibly Paradise Theatre first. And, as also mentioned, it's a tad short (only 35 minutes). But if you are a Styx fan, you MUST have this album!

It's about time I finally got ahold of this CD.......2007-04-07

This CD is a must have for progressive rocker

Styx Schick.......2006-12-27

Great set o songs from the 70's albumns before styx turned dyx. "Rock'n Roll Shooz", "Put me on", and "Jenifer" are undebatably(did i spell incorrectly, oh gee why no e-mail me and tell me in loud boistrous font-like ye have nutn' better to think of herbert) the best of the bunch...
Other trax like Crystal Ball had a nice mellow tune of atmopshere. Rush and styx were comparable as was Kansas in the quality and rythmic stait(gosh/golly! I didn't know this was a spelling bee.) foreward rock. Instruments, though were often subtle in these bands too, bass utilized for more than "volumn" And gitars in "Shooz" something to live and die for.-eh that would be Tommy Shaw and James Young but I don't need to be a friggen rock literate yuppie to enjoy.(Humble Pie or Paris Flagg Proud).

Inconsistent.......2006-10-19

30 years after its release, this album is now only remembered for its exceptional title track. Upon its release, Styx fans who had loved the band's previous release, "Equinox", felt initially that the band was slowly selling out. The band had been playing with commercial sounds before, but the lyrics were becoming bubblegum on songs like "Put Me On" and "Mademoiselle". At the same time, the title track, the solid "Jennifer" and the closing track, "Ballerina", showed some rawer emotions from a band that had generally been known for its working-class style until now. "Crystal Ball" is certainly not a disaster for the band; it was simply a so-so step on their journey to arena rock superstardom.

Average customer rating:

A TRUE PRINCE

Crystal Ball
Prince
Manufacturer: NPG
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006CHF
Release Date: 1998-03-03

Tracks:

Crystal Ball
Track 2
Acknowledge Me
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8
Track 9
Track 10

Tracks:

Track 1
Interactive
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
Sexual Suicide
Track 8
Track 9
Track 10

Tracks:

Days Of Wild
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
P. Control
Track 9
Track 10

Tracks:

The Truth
Don't Play Me
Circle Of Amour
3rd Eye
Dionne
Man In A Uniform
Animal Kingdom
The Other Side Of The Pillow
Fascination
One Of Your Tears
Comeback
Welcome To The Dawn (Acoustic Version)

Amazon.com

Call him what you want--Prince, O(+>, TAFKAP, or the Artist: If this massive collection--three archival CDs and a fourth "unplugged" disc--proves anything, it's that music, not his name, is the reason we should still care about Funkytown's most famous musical exponent. Crystal Ball contains moments of unfettered brilliance, including furious jams ("Acknowledge Me," "Interactive," "Da Bang"), sexadelic funk ("Tell Me How U Wanna B Done") and unexpected hilarity ("Movie Star"). There's filler, too, like the mindnumbing vamp "Cloreen Bacon Skin" and the Broadway miscue "Strays of the World," but overall, this set is valuable if only as a rare glimpse inside the little guy's throne room during the height of his purple reign. --Daniel Durchholz

Album Description

Limited import quantities found of this 4CD set released in 1998 and currently out of print domestically. Thirty one tracks in all including 'Dream Factory', 'Lovesign', 'Da Bang', 'Crucial', '18 & Over', 'Get Loose' & 'Goodbye'. Packaged in a standard do

Customer Reviews:

A TRUE PRINCE.......2007-01-11

THIS CD BOX SET IS A MUST HAVE FOR ALL PRINCE FANS. I LIKE THIS CD BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WONT KNOW THE SONGS AND WHEN YOU TELL PEOPLE WHO IT IS THEY WANT IT. YOU COPY IT YOU SELL IT TO THEM AND BOTH PARTIES ARE HAPPY. YOU AND THE CON-SUMER ALIKE. YES THEYLL CON YOU TO MAKE THEM A COPY AND YOU WILL,IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. LOL

Average customer rating:

Finally...Some Re-mastered STYX
Two Great Styx Albums On One CD
FINALLY
finally well deserved remastering

Equinox/Crystal Ball
Styx
Manufacturer: Beat Goes On
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000E0VL2M
Release Date: 2006-02-20

Tracks:

Light Up
Lorelei
Mother Dear
Lonely Child
Midnight Ride
Born For Adventure
Prelude 12
Suite Madame Blue
Put Me On
Mademoiselle
Jennifer
Crystal Ball
Shooz
This Old Man
Clair De Lune/Ballerina

Album Description

2-On-1 of Styx's first two A&M records that were originally released in 1975-76. Equinox produced Styx's first single with A&M, the highly spirited 'Lorelei', which found its way to number 27 on the charts. Although it was the only song to chart from Equinox, the album itself is a benchmark in the band's career since it includes an instrumental nature reminiscent of their early progressive years, yet hints toward a more commercial-sounding future in its lyrics. After Equinox, guitarist John Curulewski parted ways with the band, replaced by Tommy Shaw, who debuted on 1976's Crystal Ball album. Crystal Ball wasn't as successful as Equinox, but it was a better album, showcasing Styx's increased skill for crafting simple, catchy pop hooks out of their bombastic sound. Both titles have been digitally remastered. BGO Records. 2006.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition that Combines the Tracks of the First Two A&m Records Classic Albums from the Chicago Rockers on a Single Compact Disc. "Equinox" was Originally Released in 1975 and "Crystal Ball" Followed in 1976. After Four "Progressive Rock" Albums Recorded for RCA Records Failed to Light a Fire, the Band Shifted to A&m and Added Guitarist Tommy Shaw to the Lineup Just Before Going Out on the Road "Equinox". The Combination of Touring and Change of Musical Direction Resulted in a Gradual Snowball of Success. "Lorelei" Became a Minor Chart Hit and that was Followed the Next Year by "Mademoiselle". These Albums Would Prove to Be the Precursors for their Juggernaut Breakthru Album to Come in 1977

Customer Reviews:

Finally...Some Re-mastered STYX.......2007-03-23

I am a hugh Classic Rock fan, and have been buying music since the late 70's when I was in junior high. Went from vinyl albums to cd's in the mid-80's. About 15 years after compact discs originally hit the market, consumers began to see newer "re-mastered" versions of the old classics. At first, re-mastering was usually reserved for the most popular titles, but from 2002 to 2005, there seemed to be a surge of popular titles available. Some artists, such as Rush, Elton John, and Led Zeppelin, had their entire catalogs of past albums re-mastered. Then again, some classic rock outfits seem to not know this is something the consumers want, or simply don't care.

Styx is one of those band's that are very popular, but you still can't get their early albums in the new re-mastered format. I don't understand why? They are just as popular with mainstream music buyers as KANSAS, who have almost all of their back-catalog re-mastered. Anyway, this is your opportunity to get two, early classic STYX albums on one cd, with good re-mastered sound. I bought mine when it was on sale for only $17.99 What a bargain! The London based record company, BGO Records specializes in re-issuing older music. BGO stands for the "Beat Goes On". As far as the sound goes, it's quite good. More over-all output, better bottom end, and no tape hiss!

Before this became available, I had purchased the 2-disc Styx Anthology, just to get a modern, better sounding compilation of Styx songs. It's good. Nice selection of tracks and great sound, but it still did not have all the songs I wanted. I wanted all the tracks from the Equinox album. I own an A&M copy, put out in 1987. Just has a simple gate fold insert listing the songs, production notes, and band members. That's it. This BGO version has a 14 page booklet, including all song lyrics, original album sleeve notes from 1976, and a 5 page historical review of the band by Alan Robinson (2006).

I just hope that BGO Records is planning on offering a Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight two-for this year! That would be great, since A&M Records here in the states are too cheap to re-issue STYX's music.

Two Great Styx Albums On One CD.......2006-12-18

EQUINOX/CRYSTAL BALL is a reissue of two great Styx albums on one CD. EQUINOX, as we all know, was guitarist John Curulewski's last album with the band before he left and was replaced by guitarist/singer/songwriter Tommy Shaw. There are many great songs here, including Dennis DeYoung's "Suite Madame Blue" and James "JY" Young's hot rocker "Midnight Ride", which is a far cry from the territory the band would later get into, whereas CRYSTAL BALL, Shaw's first album with the band, includes the stirring Shaw-written title track, a searching ballad which inspired me to put my dreams of looking good for various pretty actresses as a higher priority than food-related functions at my old school; this song is a far cry from the Barry Manilow territory DeYoung's later ballads would explore. This CD is a must own for anyone who's even remotely interested in Styx.

FINALLY.......2006-09-22

Two of Styx's best albums Equinox and Crystal Ball. Equinox being the end of the Curulewski era as we know he would leave the band to save his marriage. And Crystal Ball marks the beginning of the Tommy Shaw era. Every Song on here is awesome. The best songs off the two albums have to be "Light Up", "Lorelei", "Suite Madame Blue", "Put Me On", "Crystal Ball", "Mademoiselle", "Shooz", and "Clair De Lune / Ballerina". This is a great collection of music and any Styx fan should want to have these songs if not on this combination of the too then the individual albums. Because this some of Styx classic music.

finally well deserved remastering.......2006-06-05

The two albums that brought STYX to the arena rock circle they deserved the discs never sounded better. always dug LIGHT UP
LORELEI,and the enduring SUITE MADAME BLUE.The start of the STYX
as a teen i grew to love.Still with a progressive edge and the prelude to the TOMMY SHAW era.CRYSTAL BALL was another classic PUT ME ON may be the best song that the "weak link" J.Y.ever wrote probably because DENNIS sang with him.MADAMEOISELLE great
TOMMY and DENNIS collaboration a look at the great sounds to come
from SHAW and DEYOUNG.The title cut CRYSTAL BALL is a great song
one of TOMMY SHAWS best.then its all DENNIS DEYOUNG at some of his finest moments THIS OLD MAN the beautiful rendition of CLAIR DeLUNE and finally BALLERINA.The band was really working as aband together and this was just the start as there was so much more to come.Worth every penny to buy again the sound is so much better than the original lame A&M VERSIONS.

Average customer rating:

false advertising maybe?
A Broken Promise?
Amazing... Eclectic... Totally Listenable...
this is worth the money
A Must Have

Crystal Ball
Prince
Manufacturer: NPG
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JFYP
Release Date: 1998-03-03

Tracks:

Crystal Ball
Dream Factory
Acknowledge Me
Ripopgodazippa
Love Sign
Hide the Bone
2morrow
So Dark
Movie Star
Tell Me How U Wanna B Done

Tracks:

Interactive
Da Bang
Calhoun Square
What's My Name
Crucial
Honest Man
Sexual Suicide
Cloreen Bacon Skin
Good Love
Strays of the World

Tracks:

Days of Wild
Last Heart
Poom Poom
She Gave Her Angels
18 and Over
Ride
Get Loose
P. Contro
Make Your Mama Happy
Goodbye

Tracks:

Truth
Don't Play Me
Circle of Amour
3rd I
Dionne
Man in a Uniform
Animal Kingdom
Other Sid of the Pillow
Fascination
One of Your Tears
Comeback
Welcome 2 the Dawn

Album Details

Limited Edition 4 Cd Set In Exclusive Clear Round Container Packaging. Also Includes Circular 18 Page Deluxe Cd Booklet.

Customer Reviews:

false advertising maybe?.......2005-09-27

I have to say that this compilation was promised (or at least hyped up) to be chock full of rare, previoulsly unreleased and bootlegged Prince songs. So when I opened it up and found a lot of remixes of more recent tunes and just a few "prime of his recording career era" or early to mid-eighties rare songs, I was a disappointed. The outtakes and rare recordings that are in it a a treat though. The acoustic 4th CD is very also.

A Broken Promise?.......2004-01-05

Prince fans from all over the world was waiting to be rewarded with a collection of "vault" classics. Instead emerges a 3-cd collection of remixes, a fair amount of vault classics and, for the most part, outtakes & rare TAFKAP songs. There's also a 4th cd of acoustic "Truth". By the start of this collection, one would think this might be a classic. The title track, which was the original name of arguably his last classic "Sign O' The Times, will leave you breathless. Then "The Dream Factory", which was from the unreleased classic LP "Crucial", will have you salivating for track 3. But unfortunately what's left is a high & low feeling for the rest of the journey. Although we were treated to nearly flawless cuts like "Last Heart", "Good Love", "Sexual Suicide" & "Movie Star", we were also punished to listen to "Hide The Bone", "Acknowledge Me" & "Get Loose". CD 4's "The Truth" is TAFKAP unplugged. For the most part, it worked. "1 Of Your Tears" & "Circle Of Amour" are Prince classics. But like the 3-cd opus, it bares flaws as well. This is not a bad record at all. It's just that if the promise wasn't broken, We would be talking about a classic record instead of a good one.

Amazing... Eclectic... Totally Listenable..........2003-08-24

This 4 Disc Set would never have come to me without the person who gave it to me. I know this person had to have shelled out a good 50 or 60 bucks on it. Then she left it in her collection, but it went unplayed. She gave it to me in a bag of 2nd rate CDs, Extras, and empty cases. So to T.A.D. Thank you, very much!
Now to the Review:
This Album as a whole is one of the more interesting post-Warner Brothers records that Prince has recorded. I loved hearing the old tracks among the new. From the 80's Reverb of Dream Factory to the brilliantly remixed Lovesign, on disc I, I was quickly hooked. Then, came the simple Calhoun Square, or the Beauty of Crucial, on disc II. I can even thoroughly enjoy the 15:30 minute Cloreen Bacon Skin (15 minutes is too long for any song but it works here.) Then on disc III Then there's the almost nasty 18 & Over, or the "to make a female laugh" PoomPoom. These 3 discs totally work, as a whole.
Where The Magic's At:
The 4th Disc, in fact, the new material, was something Prince created for this quadruple album. This could have been sold seperately, and worked just as well. This is one hell of a record. I think this is one of the more clearer points of Prince's career. There are the funny ones, like "Don't Play Me," which proves that Prince is "over 30 and he don't smoke weed." I think that anyone who can write that and make it sound so very poetic, has to be really talented. "Man in Uniform" is yet another highlight in this fantastic CD. I think that if you can get this one at a reasonable price, I'd say go for it! If you're lucky enough to get this for free as I did, you were meant to hear this CD...Enjoy!

this is worth the money.......2003-06-14

well let me start by saying this set is a mixed bag, some great songs and some lemons, but what can you expect from a 4 cd set. everyone has different tastes and they are all catered for here so everyone can take something from this offering. let's go through what i like from the discs.

disc 1 - some pretty good songs here. crystal ball is great as is dream factory and lovesign. movie star is hilarious. some other good songs on this disc but these are my standouts.

disc 2 - starts off with interactive, a great song(it's hard to believe prince left this song out and left the other junk in on the gold experience). da bang is very catchy and i also like strays of the world. sexual suicide should get a mention as well as cloreen bacon skin, a good track but damn, not good enough to keep you interested for 15 minutes.

disc 3 - standouts are she gave her angels, a beautiful ballad and get loose, a remix of loose(from come).

disc 4 - all acoustic songs. the only one i could listen to was man in uniform. man if i want to hear acoustic music i will buy a folk music cd.

so there you have it. not every song is a killer but one mans rubbish is another mans gold. i suggest you buy the set, work out which songs you like and burn them onto one cd and you will be left with one of the best cds in your collection.

A Must Have.......2002-02-14

This 4 CD package is a 'must have' for any Prince fan.
I bought the set when it was 1st released. Happened to catch a live performance at "The Electric Factory" in Philadephia 1 week later.While waiting in line, a T.V.news reporter was walking through the line asking people about why they're here, what's they're favorite Prince song, etc. The guy behind us when asked what his favorite Prince song was, responded by singing the entire track '18 and Over', (from the newly released Crystal Ball CD). Me and my buddy were impressed.
There are many Highlights in this 4 CD set. But the cream that rises above all is the 3rd CD. It has become a standard at most gatherings at my house. Track#3-'Poom-Poom' is a funked-out,lyrically fun -old style Prince groove.Track#5-'18 & Over'has samples of his previous work'Come' and is outright one of my all-time Favorite Prince songs. The surround sound on this one is awesome,the full use of the 5 speaker system,with the backing vocals on the right-back speaker are alot of fun.
Track#8, a remix of "p-conrol" adds a more dancable flavor to an already hot number.
Add this to your collection A.S.A.P.

Average customer rating:

Time Walker

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Important Historical Recordings: the First Great Trombonist!
a great find
a fantastic example
Arthur Pryor Forever
One of the greats

Trombone Soloist of the Sousa Band

Manufacturer: Crystal Records
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ASIN: B000009M2N
Release Date: 1997-09-30

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We Won't Go Home Until Morning
Stay In Your Own Back Yard
Parisian Melodies
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Customer Reviews:

Important Historical Recordings: the First Great Trombonist!.......2004-09-17

This CD is a compilation of only a very few of the literally thousands of recordings Arthur Pryor made as a trombonist during a span of about 20 years. Since they date to the earliest days of recording technology--all of the works here are from 1901-1911--the sound quality is terrible compared to our modern recordings. Although all sorts of manipulations were used to improve the sound, including the combining of two different copies of the same recording, there is still a significant amount of hiss, crackle, and pop--it's more like a bowl of Rice Crispies than a newly recorded CD. If you can think of it like listening to an old Victorola it has a certain amount of charm, but surely some listeners will be immediately put off by the distortion, which admittedly lessens in the later works. Add to this the logistical problems of recording at the turn of the last century--only a limited amount of players could gather around the equipment--and it becomes clear that we aren't really hearing what an audience member at the time would have heard during a live performance of Sousa's Band. In fact, the band comes off quite poorly here--in The Blue Bells of Scotland they can barely keep up with Arthur Pryor, and their ensemble playing is poor in many places to an extent that's hardly credible for what was widely believed to be the best band in the world.

But of course one doesn't buy a CD like this to hear the accompaniment, or to listen to the sound quality. The only reason is to hear Arthur Pryor, surely the first great trombone soloist, in what is a wonderful piece of turn-of-the-century Americana. Pryor was the son of a bandmaster and learned to play all sorts of instruments (violin, cornet, alto horn, string bass, and valve trombone!) at an early age and was given his first slide trombone some time after his 11th birthday. He became a trombone virtuoso in the face of overwhelming difficulties--not only did a kick from a mule result in partial paralysis of his face, but also the trombone he'd been given was damaged and could only use the first two positions. In overcoming these seeming adversities through an astonishing work ethic he developed many of the features which made his performance so special: his characteristic constant shimmery vibrato created by "waving" his jaw; and an amazing embouchure (lip muscle strength) which allowed him to play every chromatic pitch using only those two positions (normal trombone technique employs 7!). Pryor revolutionized trombone technique and set a new standard, not only at home in America, but also abroad during his many European tours with the Sousa band and his own ensemble. One of his trombones, covered in engraving and with the characteristic unusually small bore he favored, can still be seen on display at the Interlochen School of the Arts outside of Traverse City, Michigan.

Featured on the CD are 26 Pryor performances, a few with piano, 10 with the Sousa Band, and 12 with Pryor's own ensembles. The music ranges from Italian opera arias (Verdi's Celeste Aida) to American popular songs of the day (Foster's My Old Kentucky Home) and contains a good portion of Pryor's own compositions and arrangements. Among my favorites are Pryor's The Patriot-Polka and Polka Fantastic, both clever pieces with amazing trombone performances. A real oddity is We Won't Go Home Until Morning (known to me as The Bear Went Over the Mountain) "played in four octaves"--it's exactly what it says it is. After a short piano introduction, Pryor plays the melody unaccompanied and unadorned in a high octave, then an octave lower, another octave lower, and finally in pedal tones. The whole thing has a real carny atmosphere, as if P. T. Barnum were hiding just around the corner. Van Alstyne's Navajo also captures this air of a time long gone, when Americans were wide-eyed and innocent and the world was never far from a Saturday afternoon near the bandstand.

Of special note are the unusually thorough notes in the programme booklet. Daniel E. Frizane supplies terrific biographical notes, from which I gleaned much of the information above; articles about the recordings and the Arthur Pryor performances are supplied, as well as an engineer's note describing the equipment and techniques used to restore the recordings. It's clearly a labor of love from all concerned.

a great find.......2002-11-10

If you're a trombonist, you've heard of that crazy song, Blue Bells of Scotland, and you may have noticed the name of the composer, Arthur Pryor. You may not know that he was a trombonist himself(!) and played in the John Philip Sousa band for many years, and then had his own band afterwards. Pryor was a famous name in the trombone world, and he wrote many pieces featuring a solo trombone; most of them are featured here.

If you want to buy this album to hear fantastic trombone playing so fast it'll blow your socks off or so pretty in a ballad you fall right to sleep, this is not the album for you. It is a recording produced from an OLD master (you may recall the Sousa band was at the turn of the 20th century), and with trombone playing that is not the style thought of as 'pretty' by today's ear. If this describes you, look for some of these same songs (blue bells, thoughts of love, fantasic polka), recorded by some of today's trombone virtuosos - Christian Lindberg, Mark Lawrence, Joe Alessi, etc. to find a more modern sound.

If, however, you want authentic period music, this is about as authentic as you can get. The trombone style is choppy when fast, and not as connected for slow tunes also, and the band accompaniment is the same way; that was the popular style of the time. It is nice to hear these pieces and realize how the composer intended them to be played (because he's the one playing them).

So, good for novelty purposes, bad for high quality recording of highest quality trombone playing

a fantastic example.......2002-07-17

Arthur pryor's trombone playing in this exellent assortment of pieces recorded in the late 1800's gives both beginner and expert players fastastic insight on how to improve their playing. Arthur pryor will undoubtedly go down as one of the world's greatest trombonists of all time....and to actually hear him play is an awesome experience.

Arthur Pryor Forever.......1999-12-17

I play trombone, and I have listened to this album, and I think it's wonderful. The sound is not very good, as it is a VERY VERY VERY old original recording, but it is an absolute must have for any trombonist. What can I say, I love it.

One of the greats.......1999-12-17

This is a must buy for any trombonist. I play trombone, and Arthur Pryor is, in my opinion, the all-time best trombone performer, and song writer that I have yet encountered. I have played the Blue Bells of Scotland, and it is wonderful.

Average customer rating:

One After Another
ace single
awesome
From
KEANE's B Sides are the BEST!

Crystal Ball/Maybe I Can Change
Keane
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000H80L68
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Tracks:

Crystal Ball
Maybe I Can Change

Customer Reviews:

One After Another.......2007-02-10

I was very impressed with the quality of at least one song on each of these 4 currently available singles; There are some abstract songs here and there, but 'Maybe I Can Change' will get stuck in your head very quickly. Nice production, and packaging that looks cool, but also looks like a coaster. Don't leave it on the table with company over.

ace single.......2006-11-10

This is a great single by an awesome band. Glad I bought it.

awesome.......2006-11-07

these boys are the band to watch! the songs have great melodies and they really press you to listen deeper the next go around. i did not think the video did this song justice, but the song is so great, that it is more fun to close your eyes and let the music take you somewhere in your imagination.

From .......2006-10-18

First of all, I have to say that "Crystal Ball" is awesome, and, aside from "Somewhere Only We Know", is my favorite Keane song. What makes this song so special is that it has been part of a journey that I have been on in trying to reach this person I saw on the news named Lara Roxx about a year and a half ago. It was a real sad story about how Lara grew up in a troubled family environment and wound up on the streets and eventually wandered into porn. After only 3 months in the porn business, she came down with HIV, as if this poor girl did not have enough problems already! To make matters worse, she was only 19 when she contracted the deadly virus--just starting out in life. She is still above ground and is currently residing in Montreal, trying to start a foundation to help raise money for AIDS Awareness. Well, recently, both my friend and I had the idea to try and contact Keane and send them my version of "Crystal Ball" entitled "Montreal" which deals with Lara's plight and have Keane sing "Montreal" and release it as a single and have the proceeds donated to Lara Roxx's Foundation to help her get it financed. I think Keane would really go for it as they seem to be involved in reaching out to the underdogs and those less fortunate in society. I am sure that Lara would really appreciate it as well. This is one of my ultimate dreams that I pray would come true someday soon.

If there are any other fans of Keane out there that might perhaps personally know the band and how to contact them, I would really appreciate it. Also, if there is anyone out there that personally knows Lara Roxx, I would like to know this as well. I am really serious about trying to make this happen.

[..]

Sincerely,

John

KEANE's B Sides are the BEST!.......2006-10-07

KEANE has consistently offered up some REALLY good B Sides (Almost all could have made the Albums!). "Maybe I Can Change" is AWESOME! I hope TOM is getting better and there will be a third CD! This band has staying power and I hope they will stick around!

Average customer rating:

Info Please!

Visions of Love: Best Of
The Explorers
Manufacturer: Crystal Ball
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FVQZ1M
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

Vision of Love
On a Clear Night
I'm Simply Asking You [Audition Demo][#]
Don't Be a Fool
In the We Small Hours of the Morning
10 Commandments of Love [#]
China Girl [#]
Red Riding Hood [#]
What a Sweet Thing That Was [#]
Every Road (I Walk Along)
Remember
I Hear You Name [#]
Got a Letter [Audition Demo][#]
Judy [#]
Don't Be a Fool [Stereo]
This Is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening [Coral Session][#]
Childhood's End
I Should Have Known
Lovers Dance
Watching You
Cupids Love Machine [#]
This Is the Beginning of Forever [#]
Vision of Love [*] - The Savoys
Every Road [*]
Don't Be a Fool [*] - Bandaleers

Customer Reviews:

Info Please!.......2006-09-05

No track listing and no image for this CD??? That's confusing because another Doo-Wop band named The Explorers have released an album called Vision of Love, Best Of and they have nothing to do with Phil Manzarena, James Wrath and Andy MacKay. I'm giving one star because of the lack of information.

Average customer rating:

Prince in top form
What IS This man on?!
I have to disagree. This isn't that good.
Funky Outtakes Compilation from Prince!
Dream Factory

Crystal Ball
Prince
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic
Emancipation
The Gold Experience
The Black Album
Come

ASIN: B00005A45M
Release Date: 2001-01-05

Tracks:

Crystal Ball
Dream Factory
Acknowledge me
Ripopgodazippa
Love Sign (Shock G's Silky remix)
Hide the Bone
2morrow
So Dark
Movie Star
Tell Me How U Want 2 B Done

Tracks:

Interactive
Da Bang
Calhoun Square
What's My Name
Crucial
An Honest Man
Sexual Suicide
Cloreen Bacon Skin
Good Live
Strays of the World

Tracks:

(These are the) Days of Wild
Last Heart
PoomPoom
She Gave Her Angels
18 & Over
The Ride
Get Loose
Make You Mama Happy
Goodbye

Tracks:

The Truth
Don'T Play Me
Circle Of Amour
3rd Eye
Dionne
Man in a Uniform
Animal Kingdom
The Other Side of the Pillow
Fascination
One of Your Tears
Comeback
Welcome 2 the Dawn (Acoustic Version)

Customer Reviews:

Prince in top form.......2007-01-04

This was marketed as a four-disc set. However, at the time, he sold it on his website with a fifth bonus disc entitled "Kamasutra". I own it. Just trying to give you collectors something to go after!!! Anything Prince does is worth buying!!

What IS This man on?!.......2005-04-13

An insane collection of outtakes. These are outtakes? Seriously? These are AMAZING outtakes! Prince's left overs are better than most people's most amazing albums. This stuff is really really three albums of brilliant left overs, that stewed in their juices in the refrigerator of the vault, and came out tasting better than ever! The fourth disc, The Truth, is a snazzy little "acoustic" album from Prince that is almost worth the price itself! At this point, people were worrying that Prince had completely lost his marbles and talent, and this small little "something extra bonus" was just what the doctor ordered! Oozing with well crafted, fun songs, that are different from the usual Prince style, he shows his ability to adapt and change and try new things all while writing amazing new songs. One of his best albums in years on a collection of music that helps his legend grow.

I have to disagree. This isn't that good........2004-09-12

As a huge Prince fan, honestly, "Crystal Ball" is horrifically boring.
Seriously. I understand other reviewers' enthusiasms towards Prince, but this is a complete chore to sit and listen through.
This is a collection of spruced-up outtakes and songs considered "not good enough" for the "regular" albums. That's where they belong.
Any serious fan with any experience with bootlegs will recognize many of these songs and sounds.
Now, I WILL say that as an educational document, a historic recording or a curio, this has merit. Prince is one of our few true musical geniuses we have, and his output will always deserve audition. It's very interesting to hear failed ideas, underdeveloped melodies, uninspired lyrics from him. It's like watching the musical evolution of an artist.
That said, the two stars really comes from the fourth "acoustic" disc. It has the most fully realized songs, funny enough with the least amount of production. It is likely the portion of the album you'll return to the most.
It's Prince's own fault, you know. I expect every release to blow my mind. I want another "Dirty Mind", another "1999", "Purple Rain", "Sign O The Times", or even "Batman", "The Gold Experience"...
And I will faithfully purchase every album he puts out regardless of how much I like (or dislike) the previous one.

Funky Outtakes Compilation from Prince!.......2004-03-13

Just what it is.

4 CDs of the funkist outtakes I've ever heard.

BTW, love that sped up voice that Prince uses on many of the songs including the title track. I believe it's the same effect Stevie Wonder used on some of his early '70s work (ex. Maybe Your Baby).

Great stuff!

Dream Factory.......2004-01-24

Prince is without a doubt, a genius. From the start of the album
with the title track, to the closing of the fourth disc with
an acoustic version of "Welcome to the Dawn." Prince shows his heart,humor,and behind. On the 15 minute "Cloreen Bacon Skin", he and Morris Day of the Time give up the funk over a continous bass line. At some time irritating, it is something to enjoy to hear at least once. On disc 1, the highlights are "Movie Star", which was originally written for Morris Day and is considered artist D'Angelo's favorite bootleg. It ends hilariously, yet so true for many men...you go out and feel the world revolves around you, you get a woman back to your crib, put on an enviromental record to set the mood, and the drunk falls asleep on you, ain't that doggy? The final track on disc 1, "Tell Me How U Wanna Be Done" features Carmen Electra on honey-dipped vocals, or sexy woman talk, however you phrase it, she did good.
Disc 2 picks up, especially with "Calhoun Square", and a nice ballad, "Crucial". Sheila E.'s drum beat on "Sexual Suicide" gets you up, and includes "Cloreen Bacon Skin". The 3rd disc is a jam session.Disc 4,"The Truth", is basically Prince's Mtv Unplugged album. The Michael Jackson jab, Don't Play Me", shows prince's versatility, the entire album,(disc 1-4),show his versatility. From Hendrix wah-wahs to synthesizers and funky basslines, this album should have won some award had it been paid enough attention. This as well as Come, Purple Rain, Emancipation, Diamonds and Pearls, and N.E.W.S(North,East,West,South), signify THE PURPLE ONE a well deserved spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As a fellow artist myself, i hope to accomplish at least half of what he was able to with my music.

Average customer rating:

Anything Goes (1956) Film Sound-track available again!
Bing Crosby, Mitzi Gaynor and Zizi Jeanmaire sing superbly
For Bing Crosby fans only.

Anything Goes (1956 Film Soundtrack)
Cole Porter , Bing Crosby , and Donald O'Connor
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Nostalgia | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Anything Goes
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ASIN: B00018U9WK
Release Date: 2004-01-27

Tracks:

Ya Gotta Give The People Hoke
Anything Goes - Mitzi Gaynor
I Get A Kick Out Of You - Jeanmaire
You're The Top
Dream Ballet (Based On 'Let's Do It' And 'All Through The Night') - Anything Goes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
It's De-Lovely - Mitzi Gaynor
All Through The Night
A Second Hand Turban And A Crystal Ball
You Can Bounce Right Back - Donald O'Connor
Blow Gabriel Blow
Sailor Beware
My Heart And I
Moonburn

Amazon.com

It's a testament to Hollywood's desire--nay, need--to complicate things that Cole Porter's 1934 show Anything Goes made it to the screen twice (20 years apart), both times with Bing Crosby as the male lead. For this 1956 version, the plot was rewritten, three Sammy Cahn/Johnny van Heusen tunes were added, and "It's De-Lovely" was brought in from another Porter show (1936's Red, Hot and Blue!). As a bonus, this CD adds three non-Porter songs written for Crosby in the 1936 film version. Confused yet? In any case, this soundtrack may leave Porter fans frustrated but will delight those who enjoy the finger-snapping arrangements customarily found in 1950s Hollywood musicals. The inventivity of the brass section on the title track, for instance, actually eclipses Mitzi Gaynor's perky vocals. As for "I Get a Kick Out of You," between Jeanmaire's French-accented reading and the insane brass section going into overdrive, it's a camp delight. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Anything Goes (1956) Film Sound-track available again!.......2005-04-23

This album was originally issued in the UK on the Brunswick Label, back in 1956. It was deleted in the early 1960s. It is marvellous to be able to obtain it again some 40 years later!

The quality is very good and it is an excellent bonus to have three tracks from the 1936 movie, included - especially the excellent Sailor Beware. The quality here is also remarkably good.

It should be noted that not all of the tracks are recorded directly from the soundtrack of the 1956 movie. In particular You're the Top appears to be a studio recording with Bing and Mitzi Gaynor. I seem to recall in the movie the song was sung concurrently by Bing/Mitzi Gaynor and Donald O'Connor/Jeanmaire in two different rehersal locations whilst on board ship. None the less the performance and quality is excellent - A most enjoyable CD especially for Crosby/O'Connor/Gaynor fans and good value at the price.

Wouldn't it be marvellous if this movie could be released on DVD, together with "The Birds and The Bees" - another of Mitzy Gaynor's rarely seen Paramount Technicolor comedy musicals? By the way the same sets are used in both films. Enjoy.

Bing Crosby, Mitzi Gaynor and Zizi Jeanmaire sing superbly.......2004-02-10

This reissue of the 1956 ANYTHING GOES soundtrack from Decca Broadway is a real find. Although quite inferior to basically every other cast album of AG, it still features some great vocal performances from Bing Crosby, Mitzi Gaynor and the stunning Zizi Jeanmaire.

Highlights include Mitzi Gaynor's peppy, energetic rendition of the Title Song; Zizi Jeanmaire's all-out performance of "I Get a Kick Out of You" and Bing Crosby's beguiling croon of "All Through the Night".

Though the curious quartet version of "Blow Gabriel Blow" is strange indeed (the number works better as a solo), and the just plain-embarrassing "Ya Gotta Give the People Hoke" and "A Second-Hand Turban and a Crystal Ball" are two more missteps.

Added as bonus tracks are 3 numbers from the 1936 film version of ANYTHING GOES with Bing Crosby (though these particular numbers were not written by Cole Porter, thank God).

Worth buying if only for the wonderful Zizi Jeanmaire. [DECCA BROADWAY B0001933-02]

For Bing Crosby fans only........2004-01-28

Decca's album of songs from the 1956 Paramount film ANYTHING GOES has always been a hashed up affair, and the decision to release it on CD is curious, to say the least.

The film was not well recieved when it was released and for many years it was a staple of afternoon TV movie shows.

Using the title and five songs from Cole Porter's Broadway hit, plus Porter's "It's DeLovely," Three new songs were needed, and instead of asking Porter, Paramount used Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn who contributed "Ya Gotta Give the People Hoke" "You can Bounce Right Back";and "A Second Hand Turban and a Crystal Ball." Never heard of these songs? With good reason...they are all terrible!

This is not even a true "soundtrack" album. Several songs were re-recorded in the studio. So instead of hearing "You're the Top" as performed in the film by all 4 stars, we get a cute studio arrangement for Bing Crosby and Mitzi Gaynor.

There are so many fine recordings of the stage production of ANYTHING GOES that this album is of little use unless you happen to be a Bing Crosby fan.

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