BEST ~ first things ~ Review

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(More customer reviews)Im not a kumi fan but i do like this cd. Its a best of koda kumi vol 1. (vol 2 is also out now but its not as good at alL!). this cd has some gems on it i must say. but the best thing about this cd is the dvd that comes with the special edition! THE DVD DOES NOT COME WITH THIS VERSION!!!!!!!! try to find the one with the dvd on ebay or yesasia.com or email amazon and maybe they will get it.

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Japanese pressing. Kumi Koda's best-of compilation including "Real Motion," "Cutie Honey," and "Butterfly." Bonus track is availalable for the first pressing only. Rhythm Zone. 2005.

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Farewell Review

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(More customer reviews)Petra's final moments are captured in the apt-titled "Farewell" disc, recorded October 4, 2005 at the Nashville stop of the same tour.
Bob Hartman's tight guitar work, John Schlitt's distinctive gritty vocals, Paul Simmon's tight drum work, and bass player Greg Bailey's talent come through loud and clear. A rush to production -- in the hands of fans a month later -- the disc could have spent more time in post-production. The bass and treble are a tad muffled, but with a near-flawless performance, this live album stands on its own next to the studio releases.
The concert showases new hits and old favorites -- featuring recent Jekyll & Hyde hits and the the standard Petra concert "Rock Medley" and "Acoustic Set". In the latter set, former lead singer Greg X. Volz joins the stage for a reprise of songs familiar to fans of the Beat the System tour and prior releases. Keyboardist John Lawry returns for his famous "Jesus Loves You" solo from the Captured in Time and Space live album. (My two-year-old and five-year-old laughed out loud at this fun bit of synthesizer sampling.) Louie Weaver is noticeably absent, but his replacement Paul Simmons has a very similar style with a crisp, clean, driving beat. Also absent is my favorite Petra song of all time, "Godpleaser", but you can't win 'em all.
Bob Hartman, Petra's founder and lead guitar player, exudes the soul of the band. Never have I heard such guitar work -- tight rhythms, punchy riffs, catchy licks, and driving power chords that fill the auditorium. Fans will complain that his guitar solo was only one and a half minutes long.
Truth be told, the musical performance is carried by Bob's guitar; nevertheless, he simply will not step into the limelight and take the attention to himself. Bob's purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ. His lyrics pull deep from Scripture, and point straight up to God. And that's what he did on tour; during the encore set, Bob personally challenged Christians to love one another and live as soldiers in a spiritual battle. He challenged non-believers to take the ultimate step of faith.
You won't hear these words spoken on the CD, buy you'll hear them loud and clear in the lyrics. Once more, Petra delivers a rock-solid message with a rock-solid performance. (Love it and live it, that's the soul of a Petra fan.)
Petra will long be remembered as a pioneer band in Christian rock music. High-energy songs, powerful guitars, soaring vocals, timeless ballads and straight-to-the-point lyrics have been the signature elements of this band going strong for 33 years and now entering retirement.
Farewell, Petra, we honor your work which continues to inspire and energize our lives of faith.

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Jack Johnson - A Weekend At The Greek & Live In Japan (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are a fan of Jack Johnson's music this is a great concert. He puts on an awesome performance with all of the best songs and also gives the audience a look into what goes on backstage and before the performance.

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Item Name: Jack Johnson - A Weekend At The Greek & Live In Japan [2 DVD]; Studio:Umvd Labels

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My Lives Review

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(More customer reviews)Below is some abridged information to help fans make their decision on this box set. Some of the information is from the included 58 page booklet and parts are from yours truly.DISC ONE (CD): 1965-1980
(1) My Journey's End
Previously Unreleased. Originally Recorded 1965 - Sony BMG. By group "The Lost Souls". Billy on Vocals and Keyboards.
(2) Time And Time Again
Previously Unreleased. Originally Recorded 1968 - Sony BMG. By group "The Lost Souls". Billy on organ and vocals (with John Dizek vocals).
(3) Every Step I Take (Every Move I Make)
Originally Recorded 1968 - EMI. By the Group, "The Hassles". Billy on organ and vocals.
(4) You've Got Me Hummin'
Originally Recorded 1968 - EMI. By the group, "The Hassles". Billy on organd and background vocals.
(5) Amplifier Fire
Originally Recorded 1970 - Sony BMG. Group "Attila". Instrumental only with Billy Joel on Keyboards and Bass. Jonathan Small on Drums.
(6) Only A Man
Never Released Before Demo. Originally Recorded 1971.
[REVIEWER: Chorus continually says "It's Not Easy"]
(7) She's Got A Way
Album Version. From Cold Spring Harbor. 1971, 1981 Sony BMG.
[REVIEWER: Yes, different from Live version you always hear from Greatest Hits II]
(8) Oyster Bay
Never Released Before Demo. 1973. Billy on Harmonica, Keyboards and vocals.
[REVIEWER: Nice soft blues/rock feel. "Taking it easy" is chorus.]
(9) Piano Man
Never Release Before Demo. 1973. Billy on Harmonica, Keyboards and vocals.
[REVIEWER: Slightly different verse lyrics and slower than regular version. Not the full song. A bit of echo in some words that can be a bit annoying. Raw, but beautiful work that was in progress.]
(10) The Siegfried Line
Never Released Before Demo. 1973. Billy on Harmonica, Keyboards, and vocals.
[REVIEWER: To me, this sounds like Billy vocals over an accoustic guitar. Good, but another unreleased song that seems to brief. Good lyrics like "Soon, soon they say the war will be over. Home, home we will come home in the summer."]
(11) New Mexico
Never Released Before Demo. 1973. Early version of "Worse Comes To Worse" song.
[REVIEWER: Simply the piano, harmonica, lead and backup voice from Billy.]
(12) Cross To Bear
Never Before Released Demo. 1974. Joel on piano and vocals.
[REVIEWER: Sounds like a second duet that he and the late Ray Charles should have done]
(13) Miami 2017
Never Before Released Demo. 1975. Original songs is from Turnstiles Album, Columbia Recording.
[REVIEWER: "I've seen the lights go down on Broadway" done with just piano and vocals - slow and easy. Good length though]
(14) These Rhinestone Days
Never Before Released Demo. 1976. Early version of "I Loved These Days".Billy on vocal and piano alone.
(15) Everybody Has A Dream
Version from "The Stranger" album. 1977 - Sony BMG.
(16) Only The Good Die Young
Alternate Version Never Before Released. 1977. Original song from "The Stranger album.
[REVIEWER: Interesting version. Dare I suggest its reggae style. No, I wouldn't do that to him! Not quite reggae, but dangerously too close for my tastes...]
(17) Until The Night
Album version from 52nd Street. 1978 - Sony BMG.David Friedman on orchestral chimes and percussion.
(18) Zanzibar
Unfaded album version. 7/13/1978 - A&R Recording. Original was on "52nd Street" album.
(19) It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
Album Version. 1980 - Song BMG. From "Glass Houses" Album.DISC TWO (CD): 1981-1988
(1) Captain Jack
Live Never Before Release Version. July 1981. Recorded live in Sparks Saloon on Huntington, Long Island.
[REVIEWER: Good polished version for a live cut.]
(2) The End Of The World
Never Before Released Demo. 1981 Media Sound. Early version of "Elvis Presley Blvd."
(3) The Prime Of Your Life
Never Before Released Demo. 12/7/1981 - A&R Recording. Early version of "The Longest Time"
(4) She's Right On Time
Album Version from "The Nylon Curtain". 1982 - Sony BMG.
(5) Elvis Presley Blvd.
Allentown B-side. 1982 - Sony BMG.
(6) Nobody Knows But Me
From a children's album, "In Harmony II". 1982 - CBS.
(7) An Innocent Man
Album Version from "An Innocent Man". 1983-Sony BMG.
(8) Christie Lee
Never Before Released Demo. 4/18/1983 - A&R Recording. Billy on Baldwin Acoustic Piano (SF-10), Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 and vocals.
(9) Easy Money
Album Version from "An Innocent Man". Also, on "Easy Money" Soundtrack. 1983-Sony BMG.
(10) And So It Goes
Never Before Released Demo. 1983. Billy on piano and vocal.
[Reviewer: On this one, personally I see little difference between this and the album version...]
(11) I'll Cry Instead
Live version from "An Innocent Man" B-side. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. 1983 - Sony BMG.
(12) Keeping The Faith
From 12" Dance Remix done on 1/20/1984 Hit Factory. 1983(?)-Sony BMG.
[REVIEWER: Although labeled a dance remix, not really any faster. Someone just added a back beat to me. Not a bad different version though, beat doesn't hurt the song any.]
(13) Modern Woman
Album Version from "Ruthless People" Soundtrack. 1985, 1986 - Sony BMG.
(14) Baby Grand
Duet with Ray Charles, this is version from album "The Bridge". 1986 - Sony, BMG.
(15) Getting Closer
Alternative Version Never Before Released. With Steve Winwood on Hammond Organ. Recorded at the Power Station. 1986. The original song was from album "The Bridge".
(16) House Of Blue Light
From "We Didn't Start The Fire" B-side. 4/8/1989 Hit Factory. 1989 - Sony BMG.
(17) Money Or Love
Never Before Released Demo. 4/8/1989. Billy on keyboard and vocals.
(18) The Times They Are A-Changin'
Live album version from "Kohuept" concert in Soviet Union. 1987 - Sony BMG.DISC THREE (CD): 1989-1999

(1) The Downeaster "Alexa"
Album Version from "Storm Front". 1989 - Sony BMG.
(2) I Go To Extremes
Live Never Before Released. 4/1990 recorded in L.A. Sports Coliseum.
(3) Shout
From "Live At Yankee Stadium". 2000 - Sony BMG.
(4) All Shook Up
From "Honeymoon In Vegas". 1992 - Sony BMG.
(5) Heartbreak Hotel
From "Honeymoon In Vegas". 1992 - Sony BMG.
(6) When You Wish Upon A Star
From "Simply Mad About The Mouse". 1991 - Sony BMG.
(7) In a Sentimental Mood
From "A League Of Their Own" Soundtrack. 1992 - Sony BMG.
(8) Motorcycle Song
Never Before Released Demo. Early version of song, "All About Soul." 1992.
[REVIEWER: As much as I like "All About Soul", this is a good alternate version that should have been called "Jericho Road". In some ways, I like this song better as Billy doesn't seem to be forcing it as much...]
(9) You Picked A Real Bad Time
The "All About Soul" B-side. 1992, 1993 - Song BMG.
(10) River Of Dreams
Never Before Released alternate version. March & April, 1993. Hit Factory. Originally version from "River Of Dreams.
[REVIEWER: Similar, but bridge goes into "Lullaby {Goodnight, My Angel}" for a twist.
(11) A Hard Day's Night
From "A Voyage On The River Of Dreams - Live From The River Of Dreams Tour". 1997 - Sony BMG. Written again by Lennon & McCartney.
(12) Light As The Breeze
From album "Greatest Hits Vol. 3". 1995, 1997 - A&M Records. Clint Black on Harmonica. Trisha Yearwood on Background Vocals.
(13) To Make You Feel My Love
From album "Greatest Hits Vol. 3". 1997 - Sony BMG. Written by Bob Dylan.
(14) Hey Girl
1997 - Sony BMG. Everette Harp on the Saxaphone.
(15) Why Should I Worry
From Walt Disney's "Oliver & Company". 1988, 1998.
(16) Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day)?
Album version from "Runaway Bride" Soundtrack. 1999 - Sony BMG.
(17) Highway 61 Revisited
Never Before Released Demo. 4/28/99 Hit Factory. Written and originally performed by Bob Dylan.
[Reviewer: Hopefully the skipping is only on my CD... If you haven't heard it before, it jams!] DISC FOUR (CD): 2000-
(1) Movin' Out
From "2000 Years The Millenium Concert". 2000-Sony BMG.
(2) You May Be Right
Never Before Released Live Version with Elton John from July 1994 Giants Stadium.
[REVIEWER: This is particularly cool for me since I was there at Giants Stadium in July '94 to see them.]
(3) Big Shot
From "The Essential Video Collection". 2001.
(4) Don't Worry Baby
From "An All Star Tribute To Brian Wilson". 2001, 2003.
(5) Goodnight, Saigon (Vietnam Veterans Version)
From Live Performance on "The Essential Video Collection". 2001.
[REVIEWER: What makes this different from the KOHUEPT and Greatest Hits versions?]
(6) Los Angelenos
Live version from "The Essential Video Collection". 2001. Original version was on "Summer of 1980".
(7) New York State Of Mind
From "America: A Tribute To Heroes". 2001 Sony BMG.
(8) Opus 1...Read more›

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Experience the evolution of a superstar! This stunning collection is a must-have for Billy Joel fans everywhere - 40 years includes 66 stellar performances captured for all time in this fabulous compiliation! Features live concert performances and includes 23 unreleased gems and demo versions.

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Woman King Review

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(More customer reviews)If you have kept your radar programmed for news about Sam Bean/Iron and Wine, you've probably read about the changes in his sound for this EP. For faithful fans who haven't heard this album yet, I will assuage any fears you might harbor of Iron And Wine having stray from the hushed Americana path.
There's indeed a bit of exploration toward fiercer musical territories, particularly on Woman King and Evening On The Ground with its more intense pace than the usual fare -even an electric guitar here and there!- yet none of it would seem unrecognizable to the long-time listener.
Overall, this is some of the music that Mr. Beam does so well, Folk and Country-tinged melodies sung in a hushed and moving tone with warm acoustic guitars behind it, now subtly accompanied by some bass lines and, at times, measured percussion.
Of course, this is not bad news. At least for me, if he were to continue to release albums in the style of The Creek Drank The Craddle, I'd continue to buy his music.
Speaking of his gorgeous debut, two songs here -Jezebel and My Lady's House- not only may remind you of The Creek Drank The Craddle, you may actually conclude that these beautiful compositions have nothing to envy the former set of songs.
Overall, this is a very respectable follow up to Our Numbered Days -his second album- and worth owning, although it may not take his sound to new altitudes. That's OK, the height at which this music hovers is high enough for me.

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This Latest Release is Striking Both for Its Broadened Palette and Its Thematic Focus on Female Characters Both Archetypal and Personal.

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Loggins and Messina Live - Sittin' in Again at Santa Barbara Bowl (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)To see Loggins & Messina in the 70's and seeing the DVD of their
final leg of the tour ,brought back some fond memories. I was
hoping they would do this and what a great job they did! First,
of all, the musicians they used were impeckable! Each one played
multi instruments with finese and ease. The violin player ,which played about 5 other instruments sometimes stole the show. He was even playing some of the guitar parts on the tunes! As for what they looked liked,well lets just say its been some 30 years. Kenny is skinny as a rail,Messina has a big gut ,both looked to be very happy. They did some great songs that I was not expecting. Growin,from Mother Lode,Sailing in the Wind from Full Sail and of course our favs,Angry Eyes,Holiday Hotel,Your Mama dont Dance etc.. An over all excellent DVD. At the end, at the special "section" it gives you 4 excerpts of the 1970 show " The Midnight Special". They all looked good, but take note on how fast every tune was played. Yes, this is worth getting. They will not tour again, if you missed it,nor will they make another CD. They stated "we all have other projects to do". Get the CD also for the memories. It also pays fine tribute to the late great
sax man Jon Clarke who just passed away just recently. Go and buy it, you will smile listening to those great tunes of yesteryear..

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LIVE:SITTIN IN AGAIN AT SANTA BARBAR - DVD Movie

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Digital Ash in a Digital Urn Review

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(More customer reviews)"Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" seems like an appropriate name for this album, one of two Bright Eyes has released in early 2005. It's about time and death, and it's swamped in digital music. Indie-rock's golden boy Conor Oberst lets out his inner Thom Yorke in this experimental album, which retains a dark, rough edge but doesn't quite measure up to Oberst's other work.
This time around, Oberst's mournful songs are dressed up in artful synth. Think of this as Bright Eyes' "Kid A" -- an experimental album that may herald a whole new direction for Bright Eyes, or may just be Oberst diddling around in the studio. "Digital Ash" takes some time to get moving, but is breathtaking when it finally does.
While "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning" has a stripped-down, warmer sound, "Digital Ash" is darker and colder -- part gritty rock, part new wave. Its heart is "I Believe in Symmetry," a jagged rock song with a transcendent climax. It's accompanied by the symphonic prettiness of "Gold Mine Gutted," and the cacophonic pop of "Take It Easy (Love Nothing)."
Oberst often overdoes it with all the synth and swelling soundscapes, with some very choppy beats put in. Regular instruments like a snare drum, acoustic guitar and strings keep it grounded. But despite the acoustic instruments, the dense electronic blips take this far away from country and indie rock.
His songwriting gets lost in the mix in songs like the vaguely loungey "Devil in the Details." His vocals also get messed with in a few songs, which just gives the feeling that parts of "Digital Ash" is overproduced. Most of the time his slightly trembly vocals are left alone, rising triumphantly over the multilayered music.
Conor Oberst is often maligned as pretentious, for songs that would be considered genius in an older musician. But his latest two albums establish Oberst as two things -- a talented prodigy, and one willing to take musican risks. Bright Eyes' "Digital Ash in A Digital Urn" is not the strongest work he has done, but it is definitely the bravest.

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Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst continues to earn his reputation as our most respected young troubadour with almost frightening ease. He's been recording since the age of 13, and for the past few years he's been tagged "rock's boy genius" by the music press. Now, with the release of these two albums, we have unequivocal proof that the 24 year-old Oberst belongs amid our lineage of great American songwriters. These albums are a soundly articulated slice of modern life rolled into two very different records, both bursting with all of the heartfelt poetry for which Bright Eyes' records have earned their acclaim.Of course, the rough edges haven't gone away - the palpitation of a splintering note, the crack of a voice as it overextends, the clumsy thump of a misplaced thumb. It's all still there. But there's a glorious new level of depth and a maturation of texture, writing and delivery.

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