Live & More Review

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(More customer reviews)This was the first Donna Summer album I acquired back in '78; The music, while a faint-bit dated, has aged quite well. For anyone who purchases the c.d. release will be greatly disappointed by the deletion of MacArthur Park Suite. It is ironic since MacArthur Park was Summer's FIRST #1 single to hit the U.S. pop chart and fans would buy the double album for that 18 minute track/suite(the "More" part of the album)! True, the lyrics which were once performed previously by Actor Richard Harris back in the 60's, are either cryptic or corny (or both)to some. Yet, Summer's cover version was tastefully done with colorful orchestra/symphonic intstruments and electric guitars; This sounded pretty good without having a tacky symphonic,synthesized disco-feel of the era. Also, her vocals were astounding. Donna can sing any corny lyrics and yet put a lot of passion and depth behind them (sing-the-phone-book theory). The only way to complete the Live and More c.d. is to purchase another Summer compilation entitled The Dance Collection which will contain the original full length MacArthur Park Suite as originally released on the double record album. Otherwise, the c.d release has a track from a 1977 movie-thriller called The Deep (Deep, Deep, Down Inside). I think Ms. Summer probably cringes as well when remembering doing this campy disco-tune for the soundtrack. The vocals sound as though they were coming out of a megaphone or old victrola.
The second deletion is the original photo cover as released on the album of Donna's famous headshot as she is holding the microphone with her head tilted back and eyes closed. Now, I realize why some music collectors miss the original album releases from back in the days of vinyl; The c.d. s are convenient, but the l.p.s had great artwork, photos and other cover details not re-issued on c.d.s !
As for the Live side, side one borrows heavily from her Once Upon A Time album tracks; The live tracks and vocals are actually better sounding and more dramatic since she drops her studio falsetto and has an actual live crowd applauding and cheering as each new track begins. The only slight drawback, as one previous reviewer stated, is that the speed or tempo is a little rushed for the first 6 tracks. I remember thinking that maybe the pitch on the turntable was incorrect.
Aside from the technical negatives, this is the definitive beginner's Donna Summer album for even young or new listener's. Remember, she was here before Maria or Whitney !

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: SUMMER,DONNATitle: LIVE & MOREStreet Release Date: 02/06/1990

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Long Road Home: Ult Fogerty Creedence Collection Review

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(More customer reviews)The Long Road Home is subtitled the ultimate John Fogerty Creedence Collection. While it is tough to make an appellation like that because someone's favorite tracks are always left out, this twenty-five song collection comes pretty darn close. Spanning Mr. Fogerty's almost forty year career the collection include his beloved CCR hits like "Proud Mary", "Born On The Bayou", "Green River", "Who'll Stop The Rain", "Down On The Corner" and two versions of "Fortunate Son" to his solo works like "Centerfield", "Old Man Down The Road", live versions of "Rockin' All Over The World" and "Almost Saturday Night" to the title track from last year's Deja Vu (All Over Again). The only complaint is that the collection relies heavily on his CCR work and that two of his solo albums, the overlooked Eye Of The Zombie and Blue Ridge Rangers are not represented at all and the two tracks from his self-titled 1975 album are recent live version not the original versions from the out of print album. Those are minor complaints about a truly first rate release that shows the greatness of one the best songwriters in rock history and a major influence on countless artists.

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This comprehensive retrospective features, for the first time ever, all of the songwriter's most poignant and enduring hits. Included are seminal tracks from the Creedence catalog, along with the crème de la crème of his solo work, including "Centerfield," "Déjà Vu (All Over Again)," and "Hot Rod Heart" from the GRAMMY(R) Award-winning CD Blue Moon Swamp. Also on the disc are four new tracks recorded live by Fogerty during his 2005 tour of the United States: "Hey Tonight," "Bootleg," "Keep on Chooglin'," and a blistering rendition of "Fortunate Son."

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Red Velvet Car Review

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(More customer reviews)For those of you that are big HEART fans I would like to let you know that this CD rocks. Also 2 extra brand new songs not listed on the description of this CD can be found if you buy this CD at "TARGET" since the band made a special deal with the retailer it looks like. $9.99 gets you 2 extra songs worth the money.

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Ann Wilson and her sister Nancy first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the 70s with songs like Crazy On You, Magic Man, and Barracuda, and many more. They continued topping the charts through the 80s and into the 90s with huge hits like These Dreams, Alone, What About Love, If Looks Could Kill, Never, and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters enormous talents. Along the way, Heart sold more than 30 million records, had 21 Top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music. Red Velvet Car -- the most personal and powerful work yet from Ann and Nancy Wilson, and their first album in 6 years -- takes generations of Heart fans on what truly feels like the musical ride of a lifetime. Powerfully produced by Ben Mink, Red Velvet Car is a thoroughly electrifying song cycle of largely acoustic-based sound and a stunning album with a true and renewed sense of purpose. Ann and Nancy committed themselves to writing and recording an album that was as authentic as possible, culling from their own personal experiences and some universal themes. The result on Red Velvet Car is an album of breathtaking intimacy and honesty.

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