Soundstage: Peter Cetera Live in Concert... (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a Chicago fan (& all genre's of music in general), I decided to purchase "A&E's Chicago Live by Request" and Peter Cetera on "Soundstage" with Amy Grant. I missed Peter's voice on the Chicago DVD but it is very entertaining and a well done production and concert. Chicago has replaced Cetera with a very talented singer and musician who steps up to sing the selections originally voiced by Peter (& done very well). Below are my primary observations of the "Soundstage" DVD:
* The picture and sound quality are excellent. The concert is in Hi-Definition for a great presence on applicable equipment.
* Cetera still sings with his wonderfully familiar voice although it has definitely softened with age. The high notes are not quite hit but he still manages to stay true to the original songs (much like Elton John and Paul McCartney's aged voices; Elton 58, Paul 62 years old as of April 2005).
* There is virtually no interaction with the audience (except for a few quick "thank you's" and silly comments to the audience and fellow artists). It would have been nice to hear something related to what he was about to sing. I read similar reactions to his "Peter Cetera Live" DVD.
* Amy Grant is very good. I'm not a fan of Amy but she sings 3 solo songs that were very well chosen including one of 1991's big Pop hits "Baby Baby" and "El-Shaddai" from her first breakthrough album in Gospel in 1982. Each one is excellent and she is in fine form. A great way to begin this DVD. She also joins Cetera during his act to sing their hit duet "Next Time I Fall" from 1986.
* The backing instrumentalists are fantastic although they do give these songs a different spin. Instead of the Chicago brass section, piano, electric guitars and male background vocals, you hear them with a large string section, acoustic guitars, female backing, brass and piano. This is a nice sound for Pop, Rock and Classical enthusiasts.
* The DVD and/or concert is short. Most respectably produced music events are longer than 71 minutes (and less expensive). The song list is excellent but limited. You get a mix of solo hits and Chicago greats.
* There is a nice list of DVD Extra features but really only the 3 bonus tracks are meaningful. They are great extra tunes but being that you are only getting 9 Cetera songs on the main set (including the two duets) and 3 Grant songs, I would have expected them to add more video material to this disc such as archived footage of him.
Overall I give this a 4.5. Beautiful music, great audio/video quality and some fun nostalgia with a new twist.
Track Listing:
Amy Grant
------------
Baby Baby
Simple Things
El-Shaddai
Peter Cetera
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One Good Woman
Glory Of Love
Restless Heart
If You Leave Me Now
After All
The Next Time I Fall
Baby, What A Big Surprise
You're The Inspiration
Have You Ever Been In Love
Bonus Tracks
-------------
25 or 6 to 4
Even a Fool Can See
Hard To Say I'm Sorry

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Grammy Award-winner Peter Cetera performs classic favorites for the SoundStage audience. He is joined by four-time Grammy-winner Amy Grant for their duet "Next Time I Fall", classic hits such as "Baby Baby" and songs from her latest album. As seen on PBS.

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Take Action 3 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great compilation that has two compilations worth of material. It has established bands on major labels and established indie bands. There are also has some upstarts as well. You get all of this for $6? HMMMMMM, that's a really good deal. Also, it has a suicide prevention book contained on the enhanced portion of the first CD. So, it's invaluable in another way. I don't care for the low yelling and drudge-like music which fills the beginning and end of the first CD, but I really enjoyed the rest. Avenged Sevenfold is an amazing band that should be talked about among bands like Metallica and Systen of a Down because they're that skilled and are reminiscent sonically. Don't be frightened away by the punk label because it really is all-inclusive, there are some emo bands on here, slowcore even. This compilation really mixes up styles. Hopefully, you'll pick it up.

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The House Carpenter's Daughter Review

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(More customer reviews)My initial fears were that Natalie Merchant's new independently released folk album might be too "folksy" -- my expression for some music that can sound too dry, too unimaginative, or too old fashioned. But those concerns evaporated within a few seconds of hearing the playful fiddle of Judy Hyman dancing out of the speakers on the first track. Fifty minutes later, I knew I had another CD that would make its home in the pile near the CD player rather than in the proper shelves that are rarely consulted.
Of course, the centerpiece of this 11-song collection is Ms. Merchant's warm, round voice -- only now it is stripped of the polished and comparatively intrusive pop production qualities often evident in her recent mainstream releases. I thoroughly enjoy Ms. Merchant's previous work, going way back to 10,000 Maniacs and though Tigerlilly, Ophelia, and Motherland. But this CD is Ms. Merchant made plain to see and, as a result, a joy to listen to.
The song selection is the other key element to this collection, and even for folks who aren't so familiar with some the story behind these songs (like me), the well-written liner notes help to compensate. The arrangements themselves are intelligent and understated, and music is top-notch while staying in its proper supporting role.
The last selling point of this CD is the attractive package it comes in: a limited edition version that includes a smart booklet that, among other things, explains Ms. Merchant's view that folk music is simply something "universally loved and understood" that will "endure the test of time ... because it has made itself useful to so many of us." By that standard, the House Carpenter's Daughter is far more "folksy" that I initially feared -- and thank goodness for that.

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Peace Review

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(More customer reviews)Break out the tinsel and lights.......Christmas has come early. Realizing that it is only September, this cd will definately put you in the mood for wanting to start decorating now and wrapping all of those Christmas presents. Jim Brickman has once again delivered another musical masterpiece. This much anticipated cd is right up there beside the previous Christmas cd "The Gift" It is a cd full of classics, along with some new tunes,{sure to become classics}The cd begins with a beautifully orchestrated version of "We Three Kings" This wonderful cd features a multitude of talented artists. It starts with The Blind Boys of Alabama, who at age 85, can harmonize with the best of them, singing "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!" Then Anne Cochran {long time friend, classmate & co-star of his tours} joins Tracy Silverman, {also a co-star of his tours} along with his electric violin on the hauntingly beautiful "Do You Hear What I Hear?" as they performed it in their holiday concert last year. Jim then showcases a newcomer to the world of recording music. Her name is Kristy Starling, finalist of the "Today" show Pop Idol contest. She lends her talent to the song "Sending You a Little Christmas" She will be joing Jim and friends on his Holiday Tour this year.If you have the opportunity to catch his Christmas Tour, you should, because you won't be disappointed. Then Colin Raye returns for the holiday cd,{he was previously featured on "The Gift"} singing the title song "Peace" All in all, this is a wonderful cd to put you in that holiday mood, to decorate by, to bake cookies by, or just to sit and reflect on good times, families , memories and what Christmas means to you.

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2003 Christmas album featuring a mix of traditional andcontemporary holiday songs, with guests such as The BlindBoys Of Alabama, Anne Cochran, Kristy Starling & CollinRaye. Includes the bonus track 'Peace (Where The HeartIs)'. BMG.

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Full Circle Review

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(More customer reviews)No way does this album deserve some of the hate that it's been getting, although people are finally showing it some love with the last few posts. Okay, so Del's not all over the album. So what? We've heard from Del for 12 years up to "Full Circle," it's time to let the other members get their time to shine. We need to thank Pep Love love for his work on this album. Almost every verse he drops is memorable, and he saved a few songs that would have been mediocre otherwise. Pep Love is arguably the strongest Hiero member RIGHT NOW (sorry Del) and proves it on "Full Circle." Opio is all over the album too, and shows how valuable he is.
The album starts out on an excellent roll that lasts until midway where the momentum dies somewhere in the arguably mediocre songs "Chicago" and "Heatish." "Halo" follows and is a standout, it touches on a lot of spiritual themes, and the till the end of the cd, the following songs are hit-or-miss (more "hitting" than "missing" in my book). "Jingle Jangle" seems to be the only track that I can't get into, it's a little too much. The beat on "Love Flowin'" might be a little overdone. Otherwise, the last two tracks are definitely winners.
I believe that "Powers That Be" is the album's best cut, with a lively, upbeat sound and outstanding lyrics and a chorus with humming in the background. Plus, Del and Pep Love grace that track. The single "Make Your Move" is actually quite good compared to the cold reception it's getting. Goapele's vocal's are so soulful, and actually enhance the track instead of feeling recycled. If there's any doubt, just listen to Pep Love's lyrics and you should like the song. "Classic" has one of the best beats on the album, although the lyrics aren't the tighest they have to offer, it's still a standout. "Let It Roll" is a faster song, and one of the best, but the preceeding "100,000 Indi" is lacking energy, and somewhat wastes the talents of guest Abstract Rude. "Maggie May" revolves around a rather cliched story, but they end up making it worthwhile. The title track has some of the strongest lyrics through-and-through. Although I was feelin' Goapele's vocals more on "Make Your Move," the title track is still probably my second favorite off "Full Circle." The last one, "7 Sixes," all the members join in and just flex their skills (especially Del.) The best songs on the album??? I think they are: "Powers That Be," "Halo," "Let It Roll," and "Full Circle." "Fantasy Island," "Make Your Move," "Classic," "Maggie May" and "7 Sixes" are the other notables.
I don't see this album as being inferior to "Third Eye Vision." "Third Eye" wasn't as untouchable as some are claiming it to be, anyway. This has got some memorable tracks, and the whole album flows quite smoothly, song-to-song. The production, overall, was much, much better, which is where "Third Eye Vision" dissappointed. Jay-Biz is not to be found on "Full Circle," so just eight of the members are involved. I can see people complaining that this is too much 'business as usual.' That feeling arises at points, but Hieroglypics are too strong to have that notion be a deterrant. They do need to work on their hooks, though, some of them being the low-points of the songs. If you can't think of a good hook, just lay low and let the DJ do some scratching or something! Anyways, this album still clocks in at 4 to 4.5 stars, which is quite impressive given the mediocrity and disposability of Rap these last few years.

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Japanese edition of the 1997 album by the dark metal sextet featuring the bonus track 'Mercyless Force'. Seven tracks total. A Neat Metal Records release. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Love & Life Review

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(More customer reviews)In the times when being a diva becomes more or less a caricature, Mary J. Blige proves with her 2003 album "Love & Life" that she is still up there at the top of contemporary r&b. On this, not less than a sixth regular album since the 1992 breakthrough debut "What's The 411", the songstress teams up again with Sean (P.Diddy) Combs, with who she collaborated on the 1994 release "My Life", still considered by many to be her best.
Times have changed but she still sounds fresh and groovy. "Love & Life" does not include such killer singles as the previous album's title track "No More Drama" or the stellar Dr. Dre-produced "Family Affair", but, for that matter, is more consistent. Starts with a unique, movie-like intro in which Mary is getting a call from P.Diddy, before Jay-Z gets his rap job done. Follows the first 'normal' track, "Don't Go", which pretty representatively sets the mood for the entire, 70-minute album.
The catchy first single "Love @ First Sight" with Method Man cleverly employs an eloquent bass line, before being replaced in loudspeakers by relaxed, summer-y feel of "Willing & Waiting". Mary's voice is again full of raw emotions, as on "When We" and "Friends", the album again offers great beats (Eve collaboration "Not Today" or "It's A Wrap"). "Ooh!" follows the footsteps of Aretha Franklin, pounding "Press On" is downright glorious, a cream of Blige, as is positively erotic "Feel Like Makin' Love". The record's end simmers down to ballad territory, in which the singer relishes, apparently drawing from her personal life.
With "Love & Life", Mary J. Blige easily outshined the other, currently more successfuly sold R&B female artists, who may produce great singles (Beyonce, Ashanti) but only uneven albums. Blige remains the real premiere urban diva of her generation and this recording will go down as one of her very best.

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The second UK edition of 2003 album includes, as a bonus, Mary's collaboration with Sting, 'Whenever I Say Your Name', along with the exclusive UK bonus track, 'Didn't Mean', but omits 'If I Don't Love You This Way'. 20 tracks.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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U2 Go Home - Live From Slane Castle (Limited Edition Packaging) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Packaging
The first surprise is that the DVD is available in two different kinds of packaging. One version comes in the usual digipack-cover as we know it from the Boston DVD. Inside you find the booklet in the usual DVD upsize format. The second version, in contrast, comes in a suprising format: its a standard cd jewel case with a booklet in the same format. A pretty unusual format for a DVD and day-to-day customers might easily mix up this version with a normal audio CD.

The Content
The DVD contains the entire slane castle concert from September 1st. 'Mysterious Ways' is not part of the concert, but listed as a 'bonus track'. The reasons for this are still unknown. The concert without Mysterious Ways lasts 1:38h, the bonus track is 6:26 min long. Furthermore the DVD contains a remastered version of the 'Unforgettable Fire' Documentary, which has been available before on the 'The Unforgettable Fire Collection' VHS from 1985. Bonus-Features include the already mentioned Mysterious Ways track, a DVD-ROM section with screensavers, desktop wallpapers, an elevation tour calendar and weblinks, plus - for the the first time ever - the possibility to view 3 songs from the show in a 360° perspective.

The Concert
The most noticeable fact about this concert is the perfect mood the band was in on this evening. What seemed somewhat artificial and nervous in the Boston show, you can see much better here - the band enjoyed playing a second time in front of such a crowd at Slane Castle. Maybe it's the fact that it was not planned to release this concert for sale. Some incidents before the shows made both Slane concerts very emotional. The huge crowd brings a terrific spirit to the homes of all U2 fans, and the interaction with fans is much better here than in Boston.

Between songs Bono tells stories, plays games with fans and makes other kinds of jokes, all this makes the recording and U2 on this evening so likable. We pass on a song by song review, as we think that each viewer has to make up his own mind about this concert. We just want to point out that U2's mood and musical performance is outstanding. In comparision with all the other live videos this is the one which transports the feeling of a live concert best. All other videos tend to be stiff in some way or too well prepared. U2 at Slane Castle 2001 is the band U2 we want to see, they act with their hearts and have fun.
The Picture
The concert was recorded with many camera perspectives although Ned O'Hanlon said in an @U2.com interview that the expenses on that show were just a small fraction compared to the expenses for recording the Boston show. The spirit of the entire show is captured very well, shots from and of the audience are used very often and reflect its enthusiasm. The video format is 16:9, the pictures are sometimes very coarse, sometimes due to special effects, but this may have to do something with the light conditions during the shooting.
The Sound
This is the first time a U2 DVD is released with DTS sound, in addition to the PCM stereo format and DolbyDigital 5.1. But we think that for a normal user there is no relevant notable difference. Bonos voice is transferred very clearly via the centre speaker. The instruments are mixed to the front speakers, from the rear speakers you can notice quiet echoes, which are sometimes irritating. The audience is well mixed into the rear-speakers. There is no crystal clear mixing as can be found on DVDs like 'Eagles - Hell Freezes Over', where each instrument can be heard on a different channel. But maybe it's not comparable, because the Eagles show was a club-gig especially prepared for this, U2 in Slane was an open-air show which was, at the time of recording, not scheduled for a release.
The Extras
'The Unforgettable Fire' documentary
As mentioned before this is a remastered version of the 'Unforgettable Fire' documentary which follows the recordings of the album of the same name at Slane Castle in 1984. The video format is 4:3 and the documentary is 28 min long. The Documentary also includes the "Pride (In The Name of Love)" video. The picture quality is not the best, it's far away from DVD-quality.
Bonus-Track 'Mysterious Ways'
Once the track list of the DVD became public, many fans were shocked as the same song which was already missing on the Boston DVD was once again cut out. For still unknown reasons the song was taken out of the usual running order of the DVD and instead placed as a bonus track. It is not as was rumoured (and feared) a so called "easter egg", but a normal track which can easily be accessed via the main menu. (Remark: Producer Ned O'Hanlon said in a recent interview that the song just didn`t really fit into the show).
DVD-Rom Bonus Tracks
The most anticipated special, the 360° view of the concert, ends up being a Quicktime video of the three songs Elevation, Beautiful Day and Where The Streets Have No Name. Users have the possibility to spin around 360° degrees in real time at the touch of their mouse. A real high-end-special-feature feeling unfortunately doesn't come across due to the lack of quality which reminds one of a cheap webcam.
The second special feature is the 'Elevation tour diary calendar and clock'.
Furthermore two screensavers in red and blue are available - their style matching the artwork of the DVD. Nice, but not really exciting.
Four desktop motives are available to polish up your Windows system. They are available in 1024x768 and 800x600 resolution.
Finally the obligatory links to U2.com and NGOs that are supported by U2 are featured. Exclusive weblinks are unfortunately missing.
You can read the entire review with screenshots also in english at .....,..

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U2 GO HOME:LIVE FROM SLANE CASTLE - DVD Movie

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Michigan Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a stunning album which, in different ways on this page, has already been pretty well documented. It is wonderful, promising, and somewhat ironic that a number of the best recordings of recent date have been made by young musicians and composers, both women and men -in addition to Stevens, Laura Veirs, Vetiver, Devendra Barnhart ... the list could go on!- mostly in their own bedrooms, on a shoe-string budget and not having to count, in most cases, on big name producers nor virtuoso session players.
What can you expect from this album? Some of the most beautiful, open-hearted and downright honest music being made today.
You, like me no doubt, will soon acknowledge favorites among these songs, yet because it is meant to be a suite about the, at times beleaguered, state of Michigan, it ought to be appreciated as a whole as it was intended by Sufjan Stevens; and, because I would not want to taint your listening experience with my preferences.
If you can afford it, buy it -and buy it new- so this guy gets some money for this gift of an album. If you must borrow music, try Sting or Madonna ... I'm sure they can manage on their savings.

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