Big As a Berry Review

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(More customer reviews)This woman can sing!! But that's not what amazed me- what got me was she can effortlessly switch from one musical style to another and flawlessly don different personas. One moment she's country belle crooner, and the next song she's a broadway starlet, then she's a smooth rocker.
Megan has a beautiful voice and her performances are so charismatic and delivered with so much personality that it's hard to not like this album!
I shocked my husband with this, telling him I had a CD of "Karen Walker" singing. He said, "oh, God," and laughed, because all the only thing most people know of her voice is the one she dons for her TV character. I hit play and he was blown away. He muttered "wow!" in reply.
The first track, 'Bathroom Window,' she starts by belting "She came in through the bathroom window..." and there's no denying her talent, and the beauty and power of her voice from the get go. I was afraid that the song selection wouldn't be my cup of tea (I'm 23 and haven't heard of many of these songs), but I adore it.
Go, go, Megan!!

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This Delicate Thing We've Made (2 CDS) Review

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(More customer reviews)Darren Hayes, former multiplatinum-selling frontman for Aussie duo Savage Garden (Truly, Madly, Completely- The Best of Savage Garden), has come into his own on This Delicate Thing We've Made. It's been a whirlwind few years for Hayes: on his third solo album after Spin (2002) and The Tension And The Spark (2005), Darren parted ways with Sony, started his own label Powdered Sugar, and married his partner Richard Cullen in a civil ceremony in London.
As one review rightly pointed out, if Hayes was still attached to Sony / Columbia, no megaconglomerate record company would have ever financed anything as ambitious and hard to categorize as This Delicate Thing We've Made. Spanning 25 tracks on 2 CDs, the album is all over the place sonically in a tribute to some of Darren's idols, including Prince, Michael Jackson, and Kate Bush, and the authentic retro vibe is courtesy of a 1983 Fairlight CMI syth. Darren's earlier collaborations with Robert Conley on Spin (Crush (1980 Me) and Tension and the Spark continue on TDTWM, along with Justin Shave as producer (Justin played keyboards on Darren's Big Night In tour).
Even though there is a unifying theme of time travel, Darren's bouncing off the sonic walls, from funk to electro to boy band to uniquely Darren. Unexpected samples (barking dogs, airplanes, horses) crop up in the middle of songs, and two songs (Conversations with God and Neverland) strongly remind me of Tori Amos-influenced Casey Stratton (Standing at the Edge), who shares the same soaring falsetto and sense of lyrical drama.
My main issue is the balance between uptempo flirtations with electronica (club hit Step Into the Light, Casey, Listen All You People, Me, Myself, and I) and slower ballads, which make up most of the second disc. I feel that TDTWM lacks the overall cohesiveness of Tension and the Spark, and I find myself skipping over a few of the tracks (the aforementioned Bombs Up In My Face and the dark, gritty Setting Sun). However, TDTWM grows on me with each successive listen. It's such a nuanced, complex work that multiple listens are required to do Darren's creative vision justice.
This special edition features deluxe packaging (suede clamshell box) with a double-sized booklet containing exclusive photos.
Kudos to Darren for the creative, pass-the-good-karma origami bird marketing that ties in with TDTWM's theme. He encourages fans to print an origami bird, write a wish or note (world peace, happiness, someone loves you, etc.), fold it, and leave it in a public place for others to find. If you find a bird, you can upload its location and a photo to neonbird dot com/something-wonderful


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Darren Hayes is not only one of the finest (if not most underrated) singers and songwriters of our generation, he is also a master of reinvention. 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' is released on Hayes' own label, Powdered Sugar, and is the record he has wanted to make for years. Now he is his own boss, he's doing everything his own way. Bizarrely, it's the most commercial-sounding thing he's ever done. His old record label, Columbia, must be kicking themselves. The album is a double-disc pop opus. It is a deeply felt, moving, and joyous celebration of life and of pop music. Though the tracks vary in style and genre, often deliberately sequenced so as to draw attention to their differences ("Setting Sun" followed by "A Hundred Challenging Things" is one of the most dramatic changes of mood I've ever heard), together they form a whole that is one of the most enjoyable and one of the most intelligent pop albums of the last decade. It seems inspired by, and certainly deserves to be regarded alongside, albums such as Madonna's 'Ray of Light', U2's 'Achtung Baby', Prince's 'LoveSexy', and Peter Gabriel's 'So'. There are musical nods to these artists, and others. In terms of style, there is pure pop celebration here, in the form of songs like "Listen All You People", "Tuning of Violins" and the first single "On the Verge..." "Casey" proves that melancholy, yearning lyrics don't have to be stuck on ballads, but can be sung over up-tempo synth-pop to heart-wrenching effect. In tracks like "Bombs Up in My Face" and "Me, Myself and (I)" Hayes is channeling Prince at his funkiest best. To be honest, any 11 of the tracks could have been released as an album, and would have made a great record. But by giving himself room to explore musical avenues, develop his themes, and (dare one say it) nudge the whole thing towards being a concept record. Hayes has managed to craft an album of intricate narratives and personal confessions that simultaneously document his arrival at peace within himself. He has created something that really demands to be listened to, that hooks you and completely seduces you. The UK's NME Magazine called him a genius. They weren't wrong.

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Distant Bell Review

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(More customer reviews)The tracklisting is
1. Gently Johnny
2. So Uncool
3. Innocence Sleeping
4. Banks of the Nile
5. Simple Lyric
6. No More Words
7. Too Late
8. The Trees They Do Grow High
9. Greenwood Laddie
10. Timeless
11. Handful of Ashes
12. Farewell to Music (w. Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains)
13. Gently Johnny (Extended Version)
"A Distant Bell" is Caroline Lavelle's third solo album. She has collaborated with many artists ranging from BT ("The Great Escape"), Chicane ("Lost You Somewhere") and Massive Attack ("Home of The Whale") to Vangelis ("Come To Me"), Hector Zazou ("The Freeze, "Lies Will Flow") and the violinist Nigel Kennedy ("Breathing Stone"). She has also contributed to Muse's "Origin of Symmetry", Radiohead's "The Bends", Loreena McKennitt's "Book of Secrets" and the legendary Irish band Chieftains, attending live tours of these artists with her cello and backing vocals.
A versatile sought-after vocalist and cellist by artists of classic, new age, electronic, chamber folk genres, Caroline Lavelle established alongside her collaborations a parallel solo career that has been one of profound experimentation. Merging traditional Irish tunes with electronic blends (on debut "Spirit", produced by William Orbit), she released an album which surpasses all the likes of Enya. Her second album, "Brilliant Midnight" is a brilliant showcase of her own song-writing and producing skills as well as the depths of her personality.
"A Distant Bell", her third solo effort intermingles, again, the traditional British-Irish tunes with that very creative and sensual attitute towards song-wirting and performing that she exhibited in her previous records. All the songs are crafted with a careful sense of perfection alongside many moments of inspirational spontaneity.

To the changes undergone, "A Distant Bell" has a minimum electronics and maximum of acoustics. The majority of the songs are performed with strings, haunting guitars, pianos and Lavelle's wonderful voice. The result is a unique and fresh interpretation of evergreen traditionality. Her distinctive voice accompany the album's emotive melodies so smoothly as to put you into a state of insurmountable captivation of music.
The haunting emotional essence of the record is further reinforced with her well-crafted self-written songs like gentle "So Uncool", the catchy Irish gem "No More Words", "Too Late" and the glorious climax "Timeless", which goes

"But old love grows so long / that the part above the ground has less effect / and time can wither tender shoots / but leaves those roots secure and strong / But the best love has no time / no forwards, backwards but only now / It's strong arms hold you when you walk and / if you fall you're always caught"... This is exquisite poetry clothed with music, at its best! A perfect 50 min. for forgetting the day and embarking on an acoustic chamber folk journey!
Also don't forget visit Caroline's website carolinelavelle.com where you can stream all the the songs on the album plus discover background of her previous albums, her own record label and some B-sides!


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Avalon Review

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(More customer reviews)Not necessarily being an actual practicer of Wiccan i have always had an interest in it and what attributes it has. Having a large background in Indian heritage i can always say i have had an obsession with forests, water, the earth, and a closeness to nature in general. This album is a brilliant masterpiece of haunting ambient beauty and basically steals your soul and doesnt give it back until the album is over. All the songs are very in depth with much emotion but each one being its own entity. Staring off with Avalon (The Goddess of the Sacred Landscape) you really get the feeling sully puts his heart into it, also with the really great female vocalist he uses, its clear to see why the song is so beautiful and effective. 7 Years being one of the strongest tracks on the record is really a great song in itself, clocking in at just under 9 minutes it has a very powerful and moving vibe to it. I'll study more into what it means but i'm pretty sure it's the death of someone close, he's dealt with for 7 years. Broken Road is a great song very reminiscent of Geoff Tates solo song "Someone Else" only without the annoying high range vocals. The song sends chills up your spine and is obviously very personal mentioning Sullies father. Great track. Sinner's Prayer is a great Indian vibed track complete with chants, and orchestra which most songs on here consist of. Sully and the female vocalist(Lisa Guyer) whom i'm not familiar with, really help round out the entire album and as i said every song is great, at first they may seem to sound the same but give it a few listens, and you'll be hooked. I was on the first few listens, but since i only got it yesterday, its still fresh to me, will it stay that way? I'm sure of it.
Most albums can take a while to get use to and some if you get hooked to quickly it will get old fast, i found this to be the case with Nevermores-The Obsidian Conspiracy, which i wore out, but still is great. Many people will probably dog the albums Wiccan theme as they do Slayer with there Satanic themes, oh well to each there own. The songs on this are just superb and it puts you in a very relaxed, meditative state in which you won't want to return from. Thats something few albums have, let alone try. The theory of Reincarnation is something i have been interested in all my life, so as i study it i truly love to listen to the songs here, The Departed and The Rise being the ones closest to the subject. So even if your not interested in any of the spiritual type aspects of the album, buy it anyways, you'll be happy to just relax, and take a departure away form the grind, and the usual music we are stuck with. Also yes the name Jesus Christ is mentioned about twice in the record so for all the believers this won't be a problem. You'll especially like the track "My Light" if your a fan of gospel, and if you get up and start singing with it, who can blame you? Nothing wrong with that. So hats off to Sully, at least someone has the balls to bring in there personal and spiritual beliefs back into music. And as far as i'm concerned this is in a category all its own. Godsmack are a great band, and i'm glad they do so well, but i always did like songs like Serenity, Voodoo, Voodoo Too, and Spiral, so i'm glad Sully took the time to venture out on his own and try something like this. I think people from all walks of music will appreciate this CD, and it will go down as the best album is about 20 years or more, for the kind of music it is. Also its great for fans of Conjure One, Deep Forest, Enya and even Tiamat. So enjoy, i do.

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The long awaited solo album from the iconic Godsmack frontman.

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A Mediterranean Odyssey Review

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(More customer reviews)For those who could not see Loreena in Budapest, this is the next best thing. I nearly gave this four stars - but decided that five stars were merited for both Loreena's talent and for the incredible musicians. What almost lost her a star was that there IS NO NEW MATERIAL on this CD set. All of the songs are available on her other sets.
One CD is just a sampling of her music, sort of a "greatest hits" collection without actually putting that on the CD cover - maybe Loreena thought that was too passe', too ABBAish, if I can turn that group into an adjective....(And Yes, ABBA was a fun band)
The other CD has an assortment of her music recorded at the various locations on her latest tour and it would have been fantastic to see her perform these in Budapest and Istanbul. She has changed some of the songs slightly, and her voice has a warmth and depth that it does not have on the Alhambra DVD. The other change is a greater emphasis of the bass guitar, which can seem out of place with the Celtic/Byzantine direction she had been going, and makes it sound a little more jazzy. The violin is not as pronounced as it was on Alhambra, which is a capital shame since Hugh is so singularly talented, and Nigl has been entirely replaced on the hurdy gurdy, AND YOU CAN TELL. What happened to Nigl?
I enjoyed this for the warm tone of Loreena's voice, and it is replete with beauty and talent - just wish it had some new material. If I had to pick one CD to take with me, it would still be the Alhambra.

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A Mediterranean Odyssey comprises a richly designed Limited Edition 2 disc set commemorating Loreena McKennitt's 2009 Mediterranean Tour. Designed to attract not only the legions of devoted Loreena listeners, but to expose and inspire the uninitiated to an exotic, haunting and emotional musical experience they will never forget. A glittering addition to Loreena McKennitt's catalogue - A Mediterranean Odyssey combines NEW live performances of audience favourites from her 2009 Mediterranean Tour with a collection of previously released studio recordings. Inspired by the tones, textures and rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean, this latest release features virtuosic performances on authentic instruments including oud, lyra, bouzouki, harp and hurdy-gurdy alongside electric guitar, cello and percussion. Experience the continuing journey of the Celts across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas with this evocative 2-disc set. Disc 1 "The Olive and the Cedar" A Mediterranean-inspired collection of 11 studio recordings personally selected by Loreena McKennitt from her back catalogue. Disc 2 "From Istanbul to Athens" Is 56 minutes of concert highlights from the 2009 Mediterranean Tour including five songs not featured in previous Loreena McKennitt "in concert" releases. Includes a 24 page, lavishly illustrated booklet featuring on-location photographs captured during the tour.

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Live Review

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(More customer reviews)Suzanne Ciani reached another goal in her recording career. On March 14 and 15 of 1997, Suzanne and her supergroup of musicians called "The Wave," produced their first live concert album at the historical, Herbst Theater in San Francisco.
Featured players of the Wave include Grammy- winning woodwind player Paul McCandless (a founding member of the seminal jazz group Oregon), Windham Hill solo artist Michael Manring on bass, Teja Bell on guitars, Kalani on percussion, Matt Eakle on flute, Jeremy Cohen on violin, and Doug Harman on cello.
This album presents a tapestry of beautiful arrangements of her favorite songs. It has that "lite jazz" flavor. In addition, there are three new songs written especially for this album.
I have many favorite songs, but there are some that I should share with you.
Suzanne's signature song, "The Velocity of Love" is a very passionate arrangement.
"Go Gently" and "Time Stops" is what I would classify as "songs of comfort." It feels that her music embraces you when faced with difficult times in your life.
Again, all of her songs present a lot of imagery. The liner notes are well presented. The audio quality is very well done. You may want to play around with the Dolby Surround settings on your stereo system to capture that live concert feeling.
Suzanne was the "Diva of the Diode" from her gifted talents on the Piano at an early age. She was the "Diva of Electronic Music" from her expressive works in electronic music. After listening to Ciani's "Live" album, she is the "Diva of Endurance" because her music withstood the test of time. This album is a living proof of her achievements in music.
Purchase "Suzanne Ciani and the Wave - Live," and let her music embrace you.

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This CD was Indie-nominated for Best New Age Album.Recorded in San Francisco at the Herbst Theatre, this album is Ciani'sfirst live recording.This 74-minute tour-de-force features some ofCiani's most popular compositions, accompanied by her stellar group, "TheWave."It is supported by a TV special. Also available on DVD.

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Truth Of Touch Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all - I wouldn't say this is precisely Yanni as you know him, for this is definitely not the the Yanni from the 90's. Since Ethnicity, Yanni has explored new paths and in a sense grow. I can't say that I liked all of his recent productions, "Voices" was an OK album and "Mexicanisimo" was a terrible abomination - do not buy that album! Truth of Touch on the other hand is really refreshing - it really is. It has very well thought rhythms and melodies, it has a very unique and new sound to it - I believe it is a great transition for a new totally amazing Yanni to come in the next album. As far as the songs, Truth of Touch, Seasons, Voyage, Guilty Pleasure and Nine are my favorites. They also have some voices music which is ok and not overwhelming and a few other songs like "I'm So" and "Yanni & Arturo" which are terrific.
If you want to know more or less what this style is, I would compare to "If I could tell you" with a little bit of more rhythms and electronic sounds - but the album is really completely new, I totally like it and honestly:
YOU OUGHT TO BUY THIS ALBUM AND SEE HIM LIVE!
The ambiance of the album is just great, you can lay down in bed and listen to seasons, for example, and totally relax and imagine great things. This album is overall happy and energetic, it puts me in a very good mood. I also use it on the background to do homework. I must say that you shouldn't expect LATA or Tribute at all - take it on its own terms, the album is great. GIVE IT A SHOT WORTH IT!

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The return of Yanni as you know him: Truth Of Touch features all new instrumental compositions and recordings. Its his first album of new material since Ethnicity in 2003

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