So Much Better Review

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(More customer reviews)I first starting hearing Carl Thomas on hooks to various Bad Boy projects so I figured that he was a new r&b singer that had been signed on to bring more r&b flavor to the label just as Faith Evans, 112 and even Total at times had already done before. The 1st track that I remembered Carl Thomas getting some serious shine on was on "Is This The End" that was featured on Puffy's "No Way Out" CD that also featured Twista & Ginuwine and on the "Been Around The World (Bad Boy Remix)" that also featured Puffy and Mase. I was still interested to see what an actual CD of his sounded like. The first track that I ended up hearing Carl Thomas on was "I Wish". The track was produced by Mike City and Carl was able to sing about a woman who he got involved with that didn't tell him before hand that she was unhappily married with kids. This midtempo jam definitely was one of my favorites at the time.
His debut disc "Emotional" dropped in the year 2000. This CD was in my stereo and car for a long period of time. The title track still is one of my favorite r&b tracks 'til this day. You could hear the emotions coming from Carl like this was an actual experience that he had gone through. This was definitely my favorite track but I also liked the "Anything" (Interlude), "My Valentine", "Giving You All My Love" w/Kelly Price, "Woke Up In The Morning".... let's just say the whole CD. I remember Joe's "My Name Is Joe" coming out around the same time and I would just go back and forth between both CDs.
Carl Thomas made another stellar track "Can't Believe" with Faith Evans, which from what I understood was a remix to the track "Emotional". I am not sure whether it was or not, but the song definitely was the 2nd favorite track that I ever heard Carl Thomas on after "Emotional". Puff Daddy and Mario Winans sampled the "Phone Tap" beat that Nas & The Firm had used on their Dr. Dre produced track and you would have actually thought that Carl and Faith actually had been a couple at one time.
4 years later, that's right 4 years, Bad Boy released Carl Thomas' 2nd disc "Let's Talk About It". The 1st single ended up being a decent midtempo jam in "She Is" and the 2nd single was my favorite track on the CD, "My First Love" that was produced by Just Blaze. My other favorites included "Anything", "Make It Alright", "Work It Out", "All You've Given" and "Rebound". Don't get me wrong I liked the CD but it just didn't have the same emotion that "Emotional" had behind it.
I heard a track that Carl Thomas had with Brandy entitled "Somethin' About You" recently so I was hoping that Puffy was going to release another Carl Thomas CD soon. I didn't know at the time that Carl Thomas had left Bad Boy because he felt like he needed a fresh start. I heard another track "2 Pieces" on the radio and that's when I found out that Carl Thomas was going to release a CD independently.
Carl's 3rd disc "So Much Better" was released on June 5, 2007. I looked through the liner notes of the CD and I saw that Mike City produced the majority of the tracks so I knew the CD would be a good one and I was right. The CD starts off with "Another You" (Steppers Mix). The track is pretty good but you can't help but notice that it sounded like Jaheim performing "Step In The Name Of Love", which isn't a bad thing. However, the original version that appears as a bonus track at the end of the CD does the track better justice. "2 Pieces" ends up being one of my favorites as Carl is admitting his faults that has existed in the relationship but he also knows how he would feel if his woman should ever decide to leave him. "Thought You Should Know" may be worth the price of the CD alone with Lalah Hathaway's vocals also being on the thoughtful slow jam. I remembered that Lalah had a nice track in "When Your Life Was Low" on a CD that she had made with Joe Sample back in the day. "Thought You Should Know" has Carl expressing himself about the way that his lady makes him feel. "Somethin' About You" aims to do the same but it is more of an uptempo track. Brandy shows up on the hook and I have liked this track since the first time I heard it. "If That Ain't Love" has Carl talking about the ups and downs of being in a relationship. If their worth it and you actually care about the other person the ups and downs you'll be able to get through. That's what Carl is discussing on this track. "Late Night Rendezvous" takes place with Carl at a particular club that is about to close for the night. He starts to reminisce about an encounter that he had with a woman and he wonders if she wants to reenact what they did before. If you're a man then you should definitely be able to relate to this track. There is also a version with E-40 at the end of the CD. It doesn't get much better than the title track ladies and gentlemen. Yes the background singers will have you thinking that Jaheim's background singers were hired by Carl Thomas and Mike City but when you hear the excellent songwriting that is performed by Carl you'll forget about that. Carl expresses regret about how he treated a woman that he knew was good to have in his life. Now that he is alone and by himself, he wishes that he hadn't done the things that he did to drive her away. "Oh No(You Can't Be Serious)" definitely has a reggae feel to it. It has a nice beat to it and you will have this track on repeat for awhile. Carl is almost in disbelief as he feels that his woman is seriously thinking about leaving him. Baby Cham also appears on a version of the song on the end of the CD. Mike City works magic on a track that features Carl Thomas and Dave Hollister sharing equal vocals on a song in "Can't Get Over". Carl and Dave display nice chemistry as they talk about a situation where they still think about a particular woman that was good to them in their lives that they had done wrong. "How Can We" is a nice uptempo track that has Carl trying to figure out what he has done wrong to have his woman not to talk to him and not to act the way that she usually does to him. Bryan Michael Cox who I have now dubbed the "Slow Jam Man" after all of his stellar production on various artists CD such as Usher, Mary J. Blige, Joe and others shows up to produce "If You Ever". Carl talks about how people shouldn't walk out on what they perceive to be falling in love. Don't run from it just take things day by day and see what happens. "I Miss You" (Interlude) is a tribute to Carl's brother who died in 2004. This is definitely a quality interlude unlike most interludes that you usually hear on a CD. "Home" is produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and has Carl talking to his children at the beginning of the track and also talking about how much he has missed them since he went on tour. He discusses things that are going on in his relationship and with his kids and how he enjoys having them in his life.
If you purchased this CD from Best Buy you also got the original version of "Another You" which is better than the "Steppers Mix" on Track 2 and "Still Ain't Right" which is a sequel to the track "You Ain't Right" which appeared on "Emotional". The original is better but the track is still worth checking out. Ladies and gentlemen, you won't be able to find too many flaws with this CD which is why I rate it 4 and a half-5 stars. If you're a fan of quality r&b music and you enjoyed Carl's debut CD "Emotional" and his 2nd disc "Let's Talk About It" then you should also pick up "So Much Better".
James' Top 5
1) Thought You Should Know w/Lalah Hathaway
2) If You Ever
3) So Much Better
4) 2 Pieces
5) Oh No (You Can't Be Serious)
Honorable Mention:
Can't Get Over w/Dave Hollister
Home
Late Night Rendezvous
Another You (Original Version)
Somethin' Bout You w/Brandy
Ranking Carl Thomas' Discography
1) Emotional
2) So Much Better
3) Let's Talk About It

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Christmas Review

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(More customer reviews)Mannheim Steamroller is the brainchild of Chip Davis, and is a fusion of classic music with high-tech pop. Mannheim Steamroller burst on the scene in 1974, with their Fresh Aire album. This album came out in 1984, and is without a doubt the greatest of their great Christmas albums. Having such classics as Stille Nacht (Silent Night) and Good King Wenceslas, it is very pleasant to listen to, with their rendition of Stille Nacht being a new Christmas classic.
Now, some can argue as to which album of Mannheim Steamroller is better. As for me, this one is it. Indeed, it has now gotten to the point where I cannot imagine Christmas without this album. So, if you are looking for some excellent Christmas music, then you really should consider getting this album. My family and I love this album, and give it our highest recommendations.


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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: MANNHEIM STEAMROLLERTitle: CHRISTMAS ALBUMStreet Release Date: 10/01/1997

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Due Voci Review

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(More customer reviews)Karin took care of the technical stuff.
If I could use one phrase to sum up the disc - Romance on a Disc.
I feel Due Voci with this CD will bring romance back to a culture that has forgotten about it. Kelly and Tyler will bring back and remind people about the beautiful part of a relationship - Romance!!
When I listened to the CD, I could see moonlight dinners, walks on the beach and lazy weekend mornings ......
Men and woman will be able to identify with Due Voci. 20/30 somethings that are looking for good date music, married folks who may need a little jump start in the romance of their relationship and people who enjoy great music will be able to find the right music on this CD.
I loved the DVD. It shows some of the background of what these magnificent artists have done to make all of what we will continue to see with DUE VOCI possible.
I can't wait for a tour to hear them sing more!!

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Legendary songwriting machine Diane Warren, who has penned some of the most recognizable songs over the past 25 years, has joined forces with Grammy-winning producer Humberto Gatica (Michael Bublé, Celine Dion) and created Due Voci, featuring the magnificent voices of Kelly Levesque and Tyler Hamilton singing classic reinterpretations of Warren's many hits. Their self-titled debut release, DUE VOCI, will be released June 8, 2010. Warren, who has penned over 90 top ten hits in the course of her remarkable career, including "Unbreak My Heart," "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing, "Because You Loved Me," "If I Could Turn Back Time," and "How Do I Live," said that she found "the perfect voices" in the pairing of Kelly Levesque and Tyler Hamilton after a year and a half search and hundreds of auditions. Kelly Levesque, who has performed with Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, was also a member of the trio group Three Graces. She has worked with producer/songwriters David Foster, Desmond Child, The Matrix, Trevor Horn, and the Neptunes. Tyler Hamilton was a top 10 finalist on "Canadian Idol" and has performed with Katharine McPhee and David Foster.The Bonus DVD included in this version contains behind-the-scenes footage and a "Making Of Due Voci" featurette, plus a performance of one Diane's best love songs, "Because You Loved Me."

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A Classic Christmas Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been a huge fan of Wynonna's since the early days of The Judd's. I have every single album she has put out with The Judd's and Solo efforts. I have seen her live 10 times. She never fails to impress me. This woman can sing ANY genre of music and succeed in doing so. On her first solo Christmas album, Wynonna sings some of the songs she did on her X-mas album with her mom. This time she has an Orchestra to back her powerful vocals. The Chrismas Song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas all sound like the classic traditional versions. Her voice with the Orchestra...WOW! On Santa Claus is Coming to town...I like the little bells in the background and the children singing. Ave Maria, Emmanuel and It's the Messiah are all beautiful songs. Not very many people could pull off Ave Maria. Wynonna does effortlessly!!! What more can I say....This is just a beautiful traditional christmas album that will be a staple in my CD player during the Holiday Season for years to come.

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Combine one of Country's most recognized voices with the most revered holiday classics of all time and music fans have reason to celebrate the season with Wynonna's first ever solo holiday album, A Classic Christmas.Wynonna's warm delivery on holiday favorites such as "The Christmas Song", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "O Holy Night" leave the listener yearning for the smell of chestnuts roasting on the open fire.Wynonna delivers a few gems too that'll leave you speechless, especially the emotional "Ave Maria" recorded in Italianized Latin. From start to finish, A Classic Christmas certainly lives up to its name.
Wynonna PhotosMore from Wynonna

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B'day Review

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(More customer reviews)The release of the original version of B'Day came at the perfect time in my life. It came out the day before I had to return to work after my summer break and I was depressed, not only by that, but also by other things going on in my life. On September 5, 2006, I went to the music store and bought two copies. (I now own four copies, including the deluxe edition). I opened it and shoved the CD in my car stereo. What I heard changed my life. The songs were flawlessly produced and Beyoncé's vocal delivery was energetic, enthusiastic, swaggering, powerful and charismatic. Every song was amazing. Never have upbeat songs been graced with such beautiful, complex harmonies! It is now my favorite album of all time, even though I have had countless people shake their heads and laugh at this statement. (I plan to have many more after posting this review, too.) This album offered me an escape from my problems that even Mary J. Blige's My Life and Me'Shell NdegéOcello's Bitter couldn't bring to me, and for this I am thankful.

Considering this, I promise to give an absolutely truthful review that will answer the essential question at hand: does it live up to, or is it better than, the original? I feel no need to review songs from the original because you've most likely heard them on the radio, bought the album and/or seen the videos. Plus, I pretty much thought it was flawless.

There has been some confusion and I'd like to clear it up. The deluxe edition is a two-disc set. It comes with the expanded version of the original and a bonus disc with Spanish songs. It does NOT come with all of the videos. To obtain the videos recorded for each song, there is a DVD that you must buy separately from the CD set, which is exclusively available at Wal-Mart stores and on their website, or at least for the time being. (By the way, the DVD is definitely worth the purchase. The videos are amazing and very amusing.) Now that we've got that cleared up... let's move on to the new additions.

"Beautiful Liar," which was initially leaked on the Internet with only Beyoncé's vocals in November, is a little disappointing. It has a great theme and the song is alright, but the production is a little stale and uninspired to me. I also don't think Shakira's vocals mix well with Ms. Knowles'. Either way, it is pretty enjoyable and the dramatic, almost opera-like vocals from both women are nice. Can't say it fits the environment of the overall album, though.

The next new track, "Welcome To Hollywood," is simply a version of Jay Z's "Hollywood" with only Beyoncé singing. Nothing more, nothing less. (Good thing she left him out, because he already appears on here twice.) I wasn't a big fan of the song in the first place and always found the production to fall flat, but this version is an improvement. I love her blasting vocals and she gives the song a more cohesive sound.

Now "Flaws & All" is what I'm talking about! A common complaint towards the original B'Day was it barely had any ballads that made her debut such a hit. Here, B delivers a beautifully confessional song where she admits she has flaws and glitches. In the first few seconds of the song, she declares "I'm a train wreck in the morning / I'm a b---h in the afternoon." Wow! She has ups and downs, but her man (cough cough, Jay Z) loves her anyway, and that's why she loves him. It truly is beautiful and the melody is amazing. This is a welcome addition to the album, for me.

"Still In Love (Kissing You)" is another superb ballad, which was originally done by Desiree for the Rome + Juliet soundtrack. Beyoncé inserts some of her own lyrics to make the song more personal and she definitely does the song justice. It took a few listens to get used to because the production is very minimal, but it is a beautiful track nonetheless. In the last few seconds of the song, she proclaims that she loves her man "more than music." And we know how much she loves music. It's very touching and romantic.

The last new addition to the first disc is a hidden track that comes after "Listen." It is titled "World Wide Woman," which leaked on the Internet earlier this year. It has a very laid-back, spring/summer feel to it and I personally love it. It doesn't necessarily fit with the rest of B'Day, but I suppose that's why it's hidden. I'm glad it was included, though.

It was originally intended that Beyoncé would release a Spanish album, but that apparently fell apart. To not put the tracks to waste, some of them were put on the bonus disc, which is pretty much here just for added value. It includes the "Spanglish" version of "Beautiful Liar," which was actually the original version before Shakira stepped in. It features Sasha, Beyoncé's alter-ego, on the Spanish lines. I personally prefer this version to the original. The "remix" is not much different from the original, kind of useless. Same background music and everything. The version of "Beautiful Liar" completely in Spanish, "Bello Embustero," is also included. "Irreemplazable," the Spanish version of the ten-week number one hit "Irreplaceable" is very nice. The beautiful tone of her voice is preserved even when she is singing in Spanish and it sounds quite authentic. The same applies to "Listen (Oye)." I was rather impressed. "Amor Gitano" is enjoyable. But the real treat is the Nortena Remix of "Irreemplazable." It has accordions in it! Quite a refreshing combination!

So, back to the essential question: does it live up to the original? Was it worth it? As a fan, I was ecstatic for some new material. But for the casual music listener... it may not be necessary. "Still In Love (Kissing You)," "Flaws & All" and "Worldwide Woman" were welcome additions, but I would've preferred to have tracks such as "Creole," "Lost Yo Mind" or numerous others to replace "Beautiful Liar" and "Welcome To Hollywood." (I wish she would release an album of all the songs not released and call it B'Sides... eh?) Also, the addition of the new songs sacrifices the cohesive environment which existed in the original. The bonus disc feels out place. It is really not essential and it would've been much better if the DVD were included, even if it did raise the price tag a bit.

Bottom line: Overall, it's still great, but it doesn't live up to the original for me because now there is some filler that pollutes this album. If you are a fan, this is excellent. If you are more of a casual listener and you have already purchased B'Day, I would listen to samples (which are readily available all over) and see if you think it's worth it. You probably won't find it absolutely necessary, even though the price is right, kids!

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Macadam Flower Review

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(More customer reviews)Her first albums showed us the quality of her voice, however in this one, it is seldom noticed, only the new version of Aedeus stands out, being a calmer version of her previous work, still having the strong presence of feelings in its interpretation, all others are a poor use of the talent of this beautiful woman, if the all the music in this cd were as nice as the cover, my humble opinion would be much better favoring.

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2009 release from the French Neo-Classical/Rock soprano and composer. Emma Shapplin started her music career in Classical music, studying Opera with different teachers, and then moved to Rock. She discovered that although Rock gave her a certain artistic freedom, it was still not enough for her appetite for self-expression. She decided to create her own style which became a combination of diverse Opera influences, lyrical poetry and modern Trance and Rock/Pop influences. 12 tracks. Sony.

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Just Go Review

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(More customer reviews)I really wasn't sure what to expect with this new CD, but it is amazing! I heard "Just Go" on the radio and instantly loved it. The title song's carefree chorus features Akon, who I think works very well with Lionel Richie. The song is real unassuming and likable, and it makes for a perfect song to listen to this summer. I thought Lionel's other song with Akon, Nothing Left to Give", was real catchy too. Akon's singing on this song is very similar to his work on Gwen Stefani's song "Sweet Escape".
"Forever and A Day" was very interesting, too. I thought the beginning of the chorus sounded a lot like those old Folder's coffee commercials ("The best part of waking up..." as compared to Lionel's "Girl, your the best part of me...") Whether it was intentional or not, it sure made me remember the song!
"Good Morning" is a beautiful romantic song that is a real joy to listen to. I think it's one of the best on the album. "I'm In Love" is another great song that's enjoyable and sincere without being too loud or complicated. The song's got a great chorus that's a lot of fun to sing along with.
Along the way, there were a few of the songs on here that weren't that memorable, but it doesn't mean they aren't good (for example, "Forever", "Pasttime", and "Think of You"). Even the "worst" song on here is "good", I think.
The highlight of the last half of the album has to be Lionel's duet "Face in the Crowd". I was surprised the song was so upbeat and not slow like "Endless Love", but it worked very well. I hadn't heard of the female singer before, but she did a really good job.
Another surprise was "Somewhere in London", a techno-infused song that is quite dancy. The album ends very well with "Eternity", a beautiful gospel-like song featuring a choir and wonderful message of unity. Great ending.
If you like Lionel Richie and you're an objective music listener, you have to check this CD out. As a young person (23) who appreciates older music and has a limited taste for the modern stuff, this album is perfect. There are very few artists who can pull off something like this, where they remain true to their style while updating it and marketing it to a younger audience. What a wonderful surprise this CD was!

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Singer, songwriter, worldwide tour head­liner, producer, Oscar recipient and five-time Grammy award-winning Island recording artist Lionel Richie gets into a new groove on Just Go, his first new studio album in more than two years, arriving in stores on May 19th, 2009. Just Go features some of today's biggest writers and producers, including Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Stargate and Akon, with Lionel sharing writer credits with Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Ne-Yo, Akon, Johnta Austin, and Taj Jackson. Lead single "Good Morning," produced by The Movement, blasts out to Urban AC radio today.Just Go is Lionel Richie's long-awaited follow-up to the RIAA gold Grammy-nominated Coming Home (September 2006), his previous studio album. The latter made chart history as the first top 10 album debut of his 26-year solo career, and spun off the #1 Urban AC chart hit "I Call It Love." Three weeks after the album's release, he opened a 7-week, 17-city headlining North American tour, sponsored by United Way. Lionel Richie's most recent project was Live In Paris (September 2007), his first concert DVD, which premiered on PBS television pledge drives across the country in August 2007, as part of the prestigious Great Performances series. The concert, taped at the Bercy Arena in May 2007, was made available on DVD with 19 live songs plus lots of extras: full-length videos for two songs from Coming Home, "I Call It Love" (shot in Los Angeles by director Jessey Terrero and star­ring daughter Nicole Richie) and "Just For You"; plus the ultra-rare clip of "Angel," from the 2001 album, Renaissance. Bonus material also included intimate, behind-the-scenes footage of Lionel and his team preparing for the Paris show. The DVD was issued separately and as part of a deluxe two-disc package coupled with the 14-song audio CD counterpart, entitled Live: His Greatest Hits, which was also issued on its own. Lionel Richie became a core member of the Island Records family with the release of Renaissance in March 2001, his first album for the label (and sixth overall career solo album). Since then, he has released Just For You (May 2004), the live album Encore (September 2004), Coming Home (September 2006), Sound Of the Season (December 2006, his first Christmas album), and Live In Paris (September 2007). Lionel Richie is a pop icon who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide in his career, and has the honor of owning an Oscar an­d Golden Globe Award (both for "Say You, Say Me," from White Knights) and a total of five Grammys (collectively for "Truly," Can't Slow Down, and "We Are The World"). Richie has the distinction of being the only songwriter in the modern pop era to write #1 song hits over the course of nine consecutive years: 1978 ("Three Times a Lady" with the Commo­dores), 1979 ("Still" with the Commo­dores), 1980 ("Lady" for Kenny Rogers), 1981 ("Endless Love" duet with Diana Ross), 1982 ("Truly"), 1983 ("All Night Long"), 1984 ("Hello"), 1985 ("We Are the World" with Michael Jackson for USA For Africa), and 1986 ("Say You, Say Me"). Lionel Richie's string of 15 consecutive top 10 R&B hits between 1981 and 1992 (five of which hit #1) - 13 of which were consecutive top 10 pop hits (also including five #1's) - stands as one of the most enviable achievements in chart history. His countless awards, also including multiple American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, People's Choice Awards, ASCAP Awards, the World Music Lifetime Achievement Award, and more, were capped when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2003. Lionel Richie is an iconic artist who refuses to live off of the greatness of past laurels. Upcoming TV Performances include "CBS Sunday Morning" on May 10th. Over 100 concerts planned for 2009 in US, Europe, Australia and Asia.

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Yes - Songs from Tsongas - 35th Anniversary Concert Review

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(More customer reviews)The much-delayed live DVD from Yes' 35th Anniversary tour is finally here, and it was well worth the wait. The sound is good, the direction and editing are good, the performances are stellar musically, and the whole thing is put together very well.
If you weren't able to see the tour, then you'll especially enjoy this DVD immensely. This is unlike any other Yes tour. The first thing that is unique is the inclusion of an acoustic set, which is fun and informal, but includes some impressive music. Second, this show is a true retrospective of the band's entire career. We get the standards, of course ("Your is No Disgrace", "All Good People", "Starship Trooper", "Owner of a Lonely Heart", etc). But the rest of the show is made up of rarely-played material: two songs from the early albums ("Sweet Dreams" and a terrific "Every Little Thing"), an ABWH song ("The Meeting"), finally some inclusion of music from the mid-90s ("Mind Drive" and the intro from "Footprints" dressed up as a short song), two Rabin-era songs ("Rhythm of Love" plus the obligatory "Owner"), some newer material ("Time is Time" from MAGNIFICATION and "Show Me"), and a few deep cuts like "Turn of the Century". The whole thing kicks off with "Going for the One" and culminates with a searing "Ritual".
The highlights are an amazing rendition of "South Side of the Sky", one of the most emotional performances of "And You and I" I've ever heard, the gorgeous "Wonderous Stories", possibly the most perfect Yes song ever, and a truly lovely "Century". Other really great moments are Rick's lovely piano intro to the acoustic set, his solos in the Rabin-era songs, Steve's beautiful "Second Initial" which closes the acoustic set, and of course Chris' bass solo in "Ritual", although it is not as long or as raucous as I've seen it before.
I highly recommend this DVD to other Yes fans. If you enjoyed the band's other DVD releases in recent years, then this one will certainly not disappoint. I'll have to go back through my collection to reevaluate everything, but this may be one of the best DVDs Yes has released.

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YES:35TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SONGS FR - DVD Movie

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Best of the Red Army Choir Review

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(More customer reviews)When you listen to this album, voices ring true and clear with the gusto of "WE ARE THE RED CAVALRY" and "SONG OF THE VOLGA BOATMEN" seem to jump out at you. These recordings are priceless and have brought the years to the forefront, when this male choir took first place at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1937.
Silva Classics has taken the reins to bring the "ultimate" of full choir sounds, including classical hymns and traditional songs. If you love superb vocals with rich and vibrant styles ~ 32 selections guaranteed to take your breath away ~ this album has it all.
My highlight pick is the "CIVIL WAR SONGS", a medley of traditional tunes with outstanding arrangements and excellent performances within each members sections, a must have for your music collection.
Total Time: Disc One 57:24 on 16 Tracks & Disc Two 58:58 on 16 Tracks ~
Silva Classics SILKD-6034 ~ (2002)

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Unplugged Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the best show that MTV Unplugged ever had. Bryan Adams shows what a great musician he is by his and the artists he surrounds himself with performance. It is very obvious how much he love music. Thank goodness they put this on cd. Now if they would just put out a DVD!!! The visual performance and quality of recording is gorgeous. Very rich sound.
"Back to you" is a shining star on this cd.

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All the Lost Souls (2008 Deluxe CD/DVD Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)The new album "All The Lost Souls" travels through life and death, presenting the ups and downs of James's extraordinary journey.
The album draws on influences from many artists of the 70s - Fleetwood Mac, Elton John and a touch of Bowie - and tells us most of what we need to know in the title.
Blunt has recorded a selection of songs that follow on naturally from "Back to Bedlam". The musical range is ballad to mid-tempo, all of it expertly played and produced.
The point of Blunt, however, is his lyrics, which are calculated to produce a pounding in sensitive bosoms.
Already in the opening "1973", the British singer is wishing he was sober, while by the time we reach "Give Me Some Love", he confesses to having taken a shipload of drugs.
He wants to share his pain at being a successful pop star whose soul is in torment.
"All the Lost Souls" is so similar to "Back to Bedlam" that it will no doubt keep his fans happy but will also fail to win over any of his critics.
The retro-inspired "1973" is a classic pop hit while those anticipating the love ballads of his debut album will not be disappointed with the tracks "I Really Want You" and "Carry You Home".
His live band lifts the lyrics and succeeds in creating an impressive background of catchy beats and rhythms. But while there is plenty of material for his fans to enjoy there's also plenty of clichés which show Blunt's banality and lack of range - "1973" is the only attempt to branch out from his comfort zone and even then he doesn't venture too far.

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2008 deluxe two disc (CD + NTSC/Region 0 DVD) edition of the British singer/songwriter's sophomore album featuring five bonus tracks ('Love Love Love', 'Primavera In Anticipo' with Laura Pausini and live versions of 'Cuz I Love You', 'Young Folks' and 'Breakfast In America') plus a bonus 19 track DVD that contains eight live performances, five music videos and six documentary shorts. WEA.

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Ear Food Review

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(More customer reviews)Five HUGE Stars!! Jazz music flourishes in the hands of double Grammy-winner Roy Hargrove: hands holding both his flaming trumpet & flugelhorn and his brilliantly arranged themes and compositions. Roy Hargrove continues to showcase his brilliant trumpet virtuosity, open and muted, both of which escape the spell of Miles. This is one of the most approachable and enjoyable CDs of the year: carrying a definite Blue Note 1960's tinge at times (which is to say-timeless) and at other times just plain great modern Hargrove music. Mr Hargrove is assisted by a highly talented group of musicians which includes: Justin Robinson on alto/tenor sax and flute, Gerald Clayton on piano, Danton Boller on bass, and Montez Coleman on drums, all of whom solo brilliantly and interplay in a highly empathetic way. The rhythm section is particularly impressive as are Messrs. Clayton and Robinson, individually. Roy's goal was to produce enjoyable, engaging, unpretentious music and he succeeded on all levels!!
The 'best of the best' begins with Cedar Walton's marvelous "I'm Not So Sure" with Roy blowing hot liquid notes in a great solo and his band-mates likewise soloing assuredly in a song cast with a gospel/funk glow. "Joy Is Sorrow Unmasked" is pure jazz beauty, voiced to perfection and soloed wonderfully. "Rouge" is wonderful unison playing all the way through, somewhat in the area code of Charles Mingus' "Self-Portrait in Three Colors", but still individualistic, and "Divine" has Roy in solo ballad mode on flugelhorn. "The Stinger" is a multi-tiered delight, with Justin Robinson getting off a great solo, showing some Cannonball influences. The funky playful "Strasbourg/St. Denis" has a laid-back beat and superb solos that emulate a bright sunny day and which stay in the mind for days. "Brown" is pushed along by Montez Coleman's rimshots and beautiful unison muted trumpet and sax. In all, a great jazz CD of 14 songs that is one of the best of 2008, so far. Bravo, Roy Hargrove!! My Highest Recommendation. Five Big Stars
(This review is based on an iTunes digital download.
Trivia: Roy Hargrove was 'discovered' by trumpet master Wynton Marsalis.)

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"This recording was made to bring sonic pleasure to the listener," says trumpeter/bandleader Roy Hargrove about his sublime new album, Earfood, his debut Groovin' High/Emarcy Records. "Simple melodies moving around luscious chords allow [my working quintet] to capture attention and give a feeling of transcendence." Nicknaming the album Sound Nutrition, Hargrove delivers a 13-song collection of nutritious post-bop jazz that includes seven of his originals and six covers that range from the upbeat Cedar Walton crowd-pleaser "I'm Not So Sure" that opens the CD to the New Orleans-styled endsong, Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home to Me." "This is my favorite way to play," says Hargrove, who, at 38, is one of a handful of jazz artists of his generation who have deservedly attained critical and commercial star status. "I like playing music that's considered classic jazz, especially now when it's hard to find musicians who deal with the jazz tradition. So many people are playing the `new and improved' jazz, which alienates a lot of the audience. I'm not afraid to play the blues and soul, and I like to try to be innovative. But I prefer the standards sound. If you get too far from that, what's the point?"

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Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Review

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(More customer reviews)Every few months or so, I come across an artist or band that I previously would not have taken much interest in because their music genre didn't fit what I see as my preference. Usually, the artist blows me away and becomes an obsession of which a race swiftly brews where I must buy nearly every album they've released. Examples from the past few years are Alanis Morissette, Bjork, Sheryl Crow and Lauryn Hill. And then there's Sarah McLachlan, my latest discovery. Being an avid Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, I always knew who Sarah was, but couldn't really put a face to the voice. I'd heard her songs, but never thought about exploring her music. For some unknown reason, I went ahead and bought two of her albums on the same day. These were "Solace" and "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy." The former has received few spins on my CD player, but only because the latter has been hogging all the time...
Let me just say that once I heard this album, I was completely sold. Sarah's angelic vocals warmed me from the inside and enveloped me in a trance, and in that moment I knew I had to own her entire back catalogue. Released in 1994, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy was the third studio album from Sarah after her debut "Touch" and the sophomore set Solace. Sarah was still a fairly unknown with the release of this third album, but since its 1994 release it has gone on to become a masterpiece of the decade and touched millions with its beautiful lyrics, gorgeous vocals and soothing harmonies.
The album opens with the beautiful and sly "Possession." This song is trademark McLachlan and still one of her most popular songs. The song is a real life encounter that Sarah experienced of a stalker who constantly sent her letters. The song is unique because she sings the song through his eyes which must take courage and strength, along with a stunning voice that makes you believe everything she is singing. When she states "I'll take your breath away," you better be ready because she means it! "Wait" is a gorgeous mid-tempo song with gentle percussion and some brilliant vocals from Sarah. Her vivid lyrics paint awesome images in your mind and you can't help but love every second. "Plenty" is perhaps my favourite song on the album - it definitely has the best introduction. That sound of a door slamming after the 16th second sets the mood and the percussion coming in is eerie and masterful. When she sings finally after one minute, it's a complete revelation and the chorus is just majestic.
"Good Enough" is the first real ballad of the album. With its sombre opening and gentle beat, the song has a gorgeous composition and Sarah's voice fills the set with passion and emotion. "Mary" is a bar down from the previous four songs, but is great nevertheless. The song opens like a flickering candle and sets the soothing tone for the rest of the song. Sarah's airy vocals rise and fall all over the percussion creating a scenic and calm scene. "Elsewhere" took a while to grow on me, but once it did I was in love as with the rest of these great songs. The song takes a while to get going, but the chorus is amazing where Sarah cries, "I believe!" after around 90 seconds. "Circle" is the most up-tempo song on the album and start off with a cute laugh by Sarah. The song has a great beat and some amazing lyrics. The chorus makes this song a kind of anthem, because you can sing along to "What kind of love is this that keeps me hanging on?!"
"Ice" brings the upbeat mood down a peg or two, as Sarah sings with an icy and frigid tone in her voice. The song's title presents a chilly and Arctic feeling of loneliness and longing. The song is rather depressing, but Sarah handles the song so well by wrapping her voice around the lyrics in the most amazing way. "Hold On" is definitely one of the best songs on the album and is a fantastic song about true love and loss. Sarah has lost her man, and the section where she sings, "Oh God the man I love is leaving! Won't you take him when he comes to your door? Am I in Heaven here or am I in Hell?!" is mind-blowing! That voice. It's just stunningly professional and overpowering! "Ice Cream" is what fans see as probably the worst song on the album, even though it's still good. I have to agree - the lyrics are a tad childish, but once again, Sarah's voice save it from becoming cringe worthy.
"Fear" is another brilliant masterpiece from this album. The cello and keyboards set the atmosphere and the song peaks when Sarah sings, "There's nothing I'd like better than to fall!" She thrusts the song higher with her vocals, as they climax and gently fall down as the percussion sets in. It's superb, really, you won't have ever heard anything like it. The album closes with the brilliant album title-track "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy." The song is heavily emotional and a great album closer with more of the same that we've heard all the way through the album. If you can get the Import version of this album then I'd highly reccommend it because it contains the bonus track "Blue," which is a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic. Joni's version is still the more superior, but Sarah does a fine job of recreating the raw intensity. Very impressive.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
I had initially wanted to review Touch first, then Solace and then Fumbling Towards Ecstasy - I had wanted to review all her albums in order. However, since I don't own Touch yet, I got down to business and got this review written for this album. It's my 300th review, so I though Why not?! And also, the music on this album is just too damn good to wait to express myself on! I adore Sarah and this masterpiece, so it's hard to contain the love I feel for it. Anyone interested in exploring Sarah's music should do so instantly, starting with this.

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Sarah Mclachlan

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Stripped Review

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(More customer reviews)I hate to admit it, but this album is excellent. I am not a fan of this artist, but I heard the album because my niece has it. I was shocked at the vocal talent and quality of the songs used. I can't believe this is the Genie in A Bottle Girl! In comparison, the last Britney Spears album isn't half as good as this one. There are several beautiful ballads that I dare anyone with an open mind to listen to...Beautiful is just that Beautiful. Soar is also an excellent song. Give this one a listen and you will not be disappointed.

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Features guest appearances by Eve, Redman, and Dave Navarro. Track production by Rockwilder, Glen Ballard, Alicia Keys, Scott Storch, Steve Morales, Rob & Heather and Linda Perry.

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Soulbook Review

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(More customer reviews)(3.5 stars)
Rod Stewart's latest CD, "Soulbook," has him singing fairly well but it's not exactly the best album he has ever released. For Rod's fans when he was doing a much, much different style of music, this may not be for them unless they also like this genre of music, too. Rod's voice may not be quite as strong as it was twenty or more years ago; but that's the aging process. I will say that Rod still delivers his songs from the heart and that's admirable. The track set lets the songs flow rather well into each other and that enhances the album but then again there are a few missteps along the way. Some numbers are stronger than others for sure!
"It's The Same Old Song" is very well done; and this starts the album off in a good direction. The drums and percussion add a lot to the arrangement. The music fits in very well with Rod's vocals and he never misses a beat, either! "My Cherie Amour" features Stevie Wonder singing with Rod; I like it but this is truly Stevie's song. Moreover, at this stage in his life Rod's voice just can't measure up to the Stevie's original performance back in the day. Sorry, Rod! On the other hand, however, "You Make Me Feel Brand New" charms me with its beauty; Mary J. Blige does a great job with Rod and that's grand. They should do more duets together! I also really like "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher;" the arrangement works wonders for this classic tune.
"Let It Be Me" is a stunner that has Rod Stewart singing wonderfully with Jennifer Hudson. Hudson was the perfect choice for this duet--heck, she could sing out the phonebook and I'd be standing there applauding! Rod's vocals are also easy on the ear. In addition, "Rainy Night in Georgia" is a big highlight of this album. "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" is another song that gets a fine treatment; Rod sings this and the backup singers harmonize to perfection.
Whether or not you'll like the other tracks depends on your personal preferences. To my mind, other songs that make the grade include "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now." The arrangements for the other tracks are good but they could have been better and Rod's voice just isn't quite solid enough to rank as high in my book as it used to rank although I do get the clear impression that Rod sings with all his heart and soul and I admire that.
Overall, "Soulbook" is an album for people who like classic soul music and covers of those tunes; and Rod Stewart diehard fans may want to get this because they would probably like to have everything Rod ever did or will do. The more casual fan, however, would do well to keep looking for other soul albums; this is a pretty good album but it's just not completely distinguished.

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2009 album from the Grammy Award winning Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer. SoulBook is a collection of classic'60s and '70s era Soul favorites sung by one of the most interpretive voices in music. Stewart is personally passionate about this project, which is a return to his beginnings when he fronted The Jeff Beck Band and the critically-revered band The Faces, iconic in the history books for fusing American roots music - Rock, Soul and Blues. Soulbook reunites Stewart with his longtime collaborators, producers Steve Tyrell and Steve Jordan, of Rolling Stones/Xpensive Winos fame, who also brought in top musicians Ray Parker Jr., Waddy Watchel, Darrell Jones, Dean Parks and David Paich to join Rod in the studio for the album.

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Michael Buble Review

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(More customer reviews)Michael Buble has a competent voice, an interesting style and a natural flair when it comes to singing pop classics, and his debut album, produced with the help of David Foster and Paul Anka, is a gem.
Listening to it, you'd never guess the album wasn't of the Rat Pack period. Buble, whose smooth voice is a delight, is only 25 years old, though.
With Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams doing albums that harken back to the era when Dino and the Chairman ruled the airwaves, it's good to see someone who's not just doing these songs as a sort of wink-wink throwback. Buble sings these songs because he prefers singing these songs, not because he had a pop rock career that fizzled.
Hopefully, with future albums, he'll stay within this genre and continue doing such fun, catchy work. It's good that someone like Michael Buble recognizes that the best music is the kind that can lead couples to dance.

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Producer David Foster (Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand,Whitney Houston) has a new discovery in the wake of a verysuccessful young find Josh Groban. Michael Buble(pronounced boo-blay) is a 25-year-old singing sensationwhose smooth voice & heartthrob style harks back to theswingin' greats of earlier decades, to the likes of Frank & Dean, but also speaks to a new generation's sensibility.2003 self-titled debut from Reprise/143.

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Sarah Brightman - One Night in Eden (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was under the mistaken impression that Amazon were there to sell products, not put people off. The childish and spiteful Editorial review by Marshall Fine is completely inappropriate and misrepresents this excellent concert entirely.
While I respect the views of the people who had reservations about the concert, Fine's so-called 'review' is a very different affair. That this creature should attack Sarah's 'pudgy build' - precisely the same kind of comment that triggered Karen Carpenter's ultimately fatal anorexia - speaks volmes about the kind of fool he is.
Sarah, like Marilyn (size 14) Monroe, has a beautiful womanly figure. Marshall Fine obviously prefers 100 lb catwalk models to normal-looking women who understand that females are supposed to retain body fat, as a survival mechanism, they being the childbearers of the species.
That aside, this is a wonderful concert which features many great songs and is a visual delight. Sarah looks gorgeous throughout, as you might expect.

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Studio: Emi Music DistributionRelease Date: 03/16/2006

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