Official Bootleg Usa 06 (W/Book) Review

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(More customer reviews)
First of all, it should be noted that this same CD is available direct from JB's own web site at less than half the price of this Japan import. Also, it's a great disc and I highly recommend it.
HOWEVER:
As you can see from the Los Angeles Greek Theater ticket image I loaded above, I attended that show. The Greek event had many additional songs, guests and aspects that were unique to that show. While this CD has some great performances, sadly, most of what made the Greek date so special never made it to this disc.
Below this is a review I wrote for some fellow JB-heads the morning after. After you read this, and then listen to this disc, you'll probably roll your eyes and go "aw, geeeeeezzzz", the way I did.
9/29/06:
Well, let's go see Jeff Beck and do The Time Warp Again, because this show was a complete 180 from my expectations. There was little of the recent techno-based material; the majority was from the Blow By Blow/Wired and earlier eras, so it was obviously designed to be a "greatest hits" show.
Of special surprise, after opening with "Beck's Bolero", the band launched into my favorite Billy Cobham tune, "Stratus". Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta isn't Cobham (but then, who is?), but Vinnie is a monster on the skins in his own right and did a great job.
This band was a quartet, with Jason Rebello on keys, who had all the Hammer-Korg lightning solo routines down to a -T. But the real treat came as the band were joined sporadically throughout the show by great guests, most notably Beth Hart.
Hart tore thru a smokin' set of "You Shook Me", "Going Down", which segued into James Brown's "I Got The Feelin", Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come", and more than adequately filled Rod Stewart's shoes on "I Ain't Superstitious". (NONE of which is on this CD)
L. Shankar, most notable for his stint with Peter Gabriel in the 90's, came out to assist on electric violin on a gorgeous "Naida", complete with a great Indian percussion turn by Colaiuta. (The L. Shankar version is not on this CD)
Without Jennifer Batten on stage to push him, there seemed to be less guitar-pyrotechnics from Beck. But, as there were nearly as many slow numbers as upbeat tunes, listening to him showcased against quiet accompaniment, especially with his unmatched skill at harmonics, was a real treat.
The show had a few nasty hitches: Beck broke a string in one number, then his Marshall stack developed a bad intermittent and recurrent buzz that finally had him on his knees, guitar unslung and yelling "mother******!", while the tech desperately tried to solve the problem. You could see he was just mortified to his core, but the crowd gave him a consoling standing ovation.
After the first hour, they took a 10-minute break to "set-up", and a string ensemble joined the proceedings. Apparently, the Greek show was the only venue on this tour to get this:
9/11/06, Billboard Magazine: Jeff Beck has a special surprise in store for the audience at his Sept. 28 performance at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre. During the show, Beck will be joined by a 14-piece string section to perform for the first time a selection of material from his 1975 album "Blow by Blow" in the manner it was recorded. The string arrangements are being overseen by legendary producer George Martin.
The all-female, easy-on-the-eyes ensemble were thoroughly enjoyable on the slow numbers, but hopelessly drowned out otherwise.
That is, until the encores. The first was the version of Lennon's "A Day In The Life" he has been doing for the past few years, only with the string section, it was just stunning. (Not on this CD, either, arrrgggh) The last number was Beck, a cappella with a bottleneck, and the ensemble with Rebello conducting, on a gorgeous "Over The Rainbow". (Well, at least this made it to the disc!)
I enjoyed this show more than the 2001 Batten-quartet Gibson Ampitheatre show, which was marred by overwrought sound and annoying lighting. Here, the sound was perfectly balanced and the lighting respectfully subdued. I think Beck's playing is more raw and incendiary with Batten, but, again, this was an enjoyable experience tailored to the long-time fan, and with all the Greek-only facets, it was a very unique show.
(And, it could have made for an even more awesome 2CD set.)
(Sigh.)

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Japanese Blu-Spec CD pressing of this classic album. The Blue Spec format takes Blu-ray disc technology to create CD's which are compatible with normal CD players but provides ultra high quality sound. Sony. 2009.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Live Life Loud Review

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(More customer reviews)On the title track and opening song of their fourth album, Hawk Nelson urges its listeners to Live Life Loud. That sentiment, founding member Daniel Biro notes, is "as Hawk Nelson as Hawk Nelson can be." Live Life Loud. It's not just a matter of volume, mind you; it's a philosophy. Part of living at the extreme that title suggests is embracing all of life, accepting and even celebrating a little pain and darkness and finding a way to let it enrich life.
The album kicks off with Hawk Nelson's signature rock/punk sound with the title track, complete with cheerleaders. "Live Life Loud" reminds me of previous rock anthems "Friend Like That", "Bring `Em Out" and "California", but there is a maturity and musical diversity that really makes Live Life Loud the best overall album by Hawk Nelson from beginning to end in my opinion. "Never Enough" and "Eggshells" keep the rock going, and the guitar work has never sounded better. The band lists Jimmy Eat World as a musical influence and if you like that rock/punk sound combined with spiritual lyrics, this album is for you.
Catchy first single "Meaning of Life" continues the search for significance, harmoniously determining to "start today for a new beginning...find a way to make a change in all of us who need to find the meaning of life". The song reminds me of some of my favorite more pop-style songs recorded by Hawk Nelson, including "From Underneath", "Everything You Ever Wanted" and "One Little Miracle". The message of "Meaning of Life" is that we need to stand-out and not blend in with the crowd. We should be bold with our faith, Christians need to make a difference in our world. Next song "Alive" is about losing one's self and serving others. Another highlight for me is the song "Shaken" which includes some convicting lyrics "Open my eyes and help me see there's a world outside of me...Lord use me take me where You want me to go".
The second half of the album includes some more reflective songs including "Lest We Forget", a great cover of the hymn "Tis So Sweet" with guest vocals by Jenn Helvering (Sandi Patty's daughter), and the touching closing song "The Final Toast", written about Jason Dunn's grandfather. If you've liked previous albums by Hawk Nelson, you'll love Live Life Loud.
This is the best overall album by Hawk Nelson in my opinion. For me the standout songs are "Live Life Loud", "Never Enough", "Meaning of Life", "Alive", "Shaken" and "Tis So Sweet". If you like rock/punk like Jimmy Eat World, FM Static and Stellar Kart, then you can't go wrong with Live Life Loud by Hawk Nelson.

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On the title track and opening song of their fourth album, Hawk Nelson urges its listeners to "Live Life Loud."That sentiment, founding member Daniel Biro notes, is "as Hawk Nelson as Hawk Nelson can be." Live Life Loud. It's not just a matter of volume, mind you; it's a philosophy. Part of living at the extreme that title suggests is embracing all of life, accepting and even celebrating a little pain and darkness and finding a way to let it enrich life. "Live Life Loud" features the hit singles "Meaning Of Life", "Live Life Loud" and "Shaken". This powerhouse, pop rock foursome hailing from Canada has won the hearts of fans nationwide since their 2004 debut release "Letters to the President."

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Katie Melua Collection (Incl. Bonus DVD - PAL) Review

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(More customer reviews)I stumbled onto Katie Melua a few weeks ago while looking for something else and am so glad I did. Her voice is like a songbird and I enjoy her song writing too. She reminds me somewhat of the late Eva Cassidy and her duets with her are stunning. Why she isn't better known in the U.S. baffles me then it dawned on me..she can actually sing.
This CD/DVD set is a great introduction to her work, kind of a greatest hits or best of so far. I think the DVD that comes with this set is a European version but it plays fine in my DVD player and laptop. I hope she comes to the U.S. soon it will be a must see concert for me!

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Katie Melua, Katie Melua Collection (Incl. Bonus DVD) 2008 two disc (CD + PAL/Region 0 DVD) release, a musical summary of the 23 year old British singer/songwriter's journey so far with 17 songs on the CD including 'The Closest Thing To Crazy', Nine Million Bicycles', 'What A Wonderful World' (with Eva Cassidy) and three previously unreleased bonus tracks. The bonus live DVD was filmed earlier this year in Rotterdam. Highlights from her three previous albums are joined by 'When You Taught Me How To Dance', from the film Miss Potter, and three new songs recorded for this album release: 'Toy Collection' (written by Katie for the MySpace film 'Faintheart'), 'Somewhere In The Same Hotel' (a slow, bluesey song co-written by Katie) and 'Two Bare Feet' (a brand new, up-tempo, foot-tapping Katie co-write). Dramatico.

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Reptile Review

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(More customer reviews)When Eric Clapton and B.B. King planned the production of the album that would eventually become "Riding With The King," they scheduled three months of studio time - much to B.B. King's team's surprise because the King of Blues usually takes much less than that to finish an album. And lo'n behold, they were done in roughly a month, recording almost exclusively live, with very little editing involved. So Clapton decided to "tag on" an album of his own and take advantage of the outstanding group of musicians they had assembled, and the magical atmosphere of the cooperation with them. He had however, he says, "underestimated" how big exactly the effect of B.B. King's presence had been, and things just didn't seem to go together anymore as they had before. Besides, there didn't seem to be a real theme and a purpose to the album. So he took a break from recording and, when meeting with relatives in Canada, was reminded of his uncle Adrian (a.k.a. "Son") who had recently passed away, and whom he hadn't seen at all during the last years before Adrian's death; although growing up, this had been one of the most influential persons in his life. Like those of many outstanding musicians, Eric Clapton's albums often reflect the stage he is in in life; and remembering his uncle, it suddenly became clear to him that his new album had to be a re-examination of his early years, and of his relationship with "Son," a "local James Dean," as Clapton recently described him to Rolling Stone Magazine, and a true "Reptile" (i.e., "one of the guys") of his native Ripley.
I think it is important to take an album for what it is and not look for things which, given the album's history and meaning to the artist who has recorded it, cannot be there. This is obviously neither "Layla" nor "Fresh Cream" nor "Journeyman." Clapton has long since made his mark on blues and rock music, with these and other albums, with and without psychedelia (and he has never really been comfortable with the God-like status to which he was elevated early on anyway). He is no longer chasing Pattie Harrison. He has overcome drug and alcohol abuse; recovery from the latter prompting the doubtlessly difficult separation from his family in Ripley, including and in particular his uncle Adrian. He has founded "Crossroads" and taken control of both his private and his business life. His personality has evolved, and he doesn't exclusively have to rely on his music any longer to express what he wants to say. ("The only personality I had was within my fingers," he told Rolling Stone Magazine about his years with Cream and Blind Faith. "I could play it, but I couldn't say it. When we didn't have a song, I'd just think, 'Let's get stoned.' Which we did when we didn't know what we were doing.")
"Reptile" reflects the joy of Eric Clapton's cooperation with outstanding musicians such as long-time friends Andy Fairweather Low, Billy Preston, Steve Gadd and Nathan East (who have also joined him for what Clapton - sadly, very sadly - maintains is his last world tour - special kudos, though, to Billy Preston who, back from the hospital bed and his fight with chronic liver disease, literally danced on the stage when I saw them) ... and, yes, the Impressions, whom Clapton values so much that he has already announced that they will be featured on his next album, too. Clapton has called "Reptile" an "electric unplugged album" (with an "unplugged" feeling, but "plugged in" instruments) and compared its production to that of "461 Ocean Boulevard," his comeback studio album of 1974, in that during the recording of both albums, he and the other musicians would jam a lot, just playing songs of other artists they liked, and a fair share of those covers eventually made it into the final cut of the album. J.J. Cale's "Travelin' Light," Ray Charles's "Come Back Baby," James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" and Stevie Wonder's "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" are examples here, and Clapton impresses his very own mark on each of them. And although he took some time to remix the album after the initial recording, it still maintains much of the atmosphere present during its production (witness, for example, that spontaneous "Have mercy!" at the end of "Come Back Baby.")
But the album wouldn't be named for Eric Clapton's uncle (and dedicated to him and his wife Sylvia) if it wasn't, in large parts, also about the singer-guitarist's re-evaluation of the things that influenced him in his youth. Hence, songs such as the instrumental title track (which is a bossa nova because, Clapton says, he just loves Brazilian music), the closing and likewise instrumental "Son & Sylvia," "Believe in Life" and, of course, "Find Myself," written early on but finding its true purpose only when the album took its final direction. Despite all this, and its tributes to different musical styles - including those favored by Clapton's uncle - the one thing this album is not is "retro" (Clapton actually fought the record company to keep it from going down that path). It's as much a catalyst for its maker's emotions and state of mind as any of his other albums over the course of the past decades; it's also, blues and beyond, just plain good music ... and incidentally, as if this needed any emphasis at all, Clapton's powers as a guitarist are still fully in place, as not only evidenced on this album but also during his most recent live appearances (with the added benefit of a large screen, concert venue permitting, giving fans an up-and-close view of the man's fretboard wizardry). His latest album should be enjoyed on its own merits, not on those of his numerous past laurels, uniquely important as they are - and on these terms, there is plenty to enjoy indeed.
Also recommended:
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert
Crossroads
Unplugged
One More Car: One More Rider (CD & DVD Set)
Riding with the King

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Asian edition of 2001 studio album features 15 tracksincluding 1 bonus track, 'Losing Hand'. Reprise.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Station To Station (5CD /DVD/3LP) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am not commenting on the excellent music this set contains or the iconic artist who created it. There's no doubt in my mind that Station to Station is one of the most important and enjoyable albums from one of the top rock artists of all time, and fully deserves to be treasured as part of our cultural history and presented in the highest quality possible. So a super deluxe set like this is a compelling, and in my case, a necessary purchase.
And there is a lot about this set that was done right, from the inclusion of the highly regarded, original RCA CD mastering from the mid-80s, to an audiophile quality, 2 channel hi-resolution version of the album included on the DVD. Not to mention the vinyl and other goodies that make this set hard to resist for any fan.
But that makes it all the more maddening that EMI would deliberately sabotage the highly anticipated live concert CD included, as well as the (hard to get these days) 5.1 audio mix on the DVD with horrendous, over-compressed, brick-walled mastering that robs the music of it's natural dynamics and life. The continued insistence of the record companies to compress the life out of the music makes absolutely no sense on a super deluxe edition like this, and is driving away whatever discerning music purchasing buyers they have left.
We all need to complain to EMI for intentionally ruining the sound on the 5.1 mix, as well as the live tracks, if they are listening. At least they got the original 2 channel album right, so I'm still recommending this set despite some flaws.

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The Deluxe Edition is the ultimate fan's experience.Features include:* Original album* Previously unreleased 'Live Nassau Coliseum '76' concert * Station To Station - RCA CD Master* 5-track Singles versions CD E.P. incl. previously unreleased version of Station To Station, and for first time on CD, Word On A Wing* 3 x 12" heavyweight vinyl * DVD with new 5.1 mix* 24-page booklet, including: never before seen Steve Schapiro photo, Geoff MacCormack photos, Andrew Kent live Nassau photos & extensive memorabilia from the archives* Cameron Crowe sleevenotes* 6 panel folded poster * Onstage folder* Replica Backstage pass* Replica Biog* Replica Ticket * Replica band line-up* 3 press shots * Replica Fan club folder* Replica Fan Club Membership card* Fan club certificate* 2 small Collectors cards* 2 photo prints * Replica 4-page biography * 2 badges

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One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001 Review

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(More customer reviews)The 80's were a time of big hair, cool songs, and loads of fun. The 90's were a time of depression and deep thought. The new century, thus far, has seemed to be heading a little bit back to the 80's mentality and who better to usher in the new millennium of rock music than Bon Jovi?
Arguably the greatest Rock band of all time, personally my 6th favorite band, Bon Jovi released "One Wild Night' a compilation of the band's greatest hits performed live since 1985 in various different locations. One Wild Night, a cool song off their most recent album "Crush," serves as the title and I have to say that this is going right next to my set of party rock CD's next to ACDC Live, the KISS Alive set, and Poison's Power to the People. It is, without question, one of the better CD's of my collection which is not what I expected it to be.
It's a party CD. Plain and simple, it's not necessarily basic pop, it's not necessarily dance music, it's just a feel good, shake your bootie, bang your head good time. Though track 1 is "It's My Life," which I never really found too musically appealing live as I think the guitar should be used more prominently in the song as it does sound hard rock, not like it ended up sounding. The rest of the album is a giant rock and roll party. They take songs like Keep the Faith, which I never was a big fan of, and turn it into an incredible melody of blazing guitar and energetic chorus. Also, Rockin' in the Free World is something to keep your eyes open for.
Topping it all off is the one and only studio song on the album called One Wild Night 2001. Though the original One Wild Night came out in 2000 and was a hard ACDC meets Ricki Martin type dance song, this version drops the Ricki Martin aspect (which I applaud) and brings in more of the older Bon Jovi sound to create a "hair metal" sound that quite honestly makes me wonder how anyone could ever laugh at bands like Poison and Motley Crue, whom I've never turned my back upon and never will. All in all, Bon Jovi has gained my faith once again after a fairly unsavory review that I gave to Crush (though I think it's better than the boy band music out today by leaps and bounds). This is everything you'll ever need if you're a Bon Jovi fan, and all you'll need to become one.

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Japanese edition of 2001 live compilation includes two booklets, one eight-page booklet with color & black & white photos & a second 44 page booklet with lyrics to all 15 tracks & a list of Bon Jovi's tour dates from 1983 to 2001, including Jon Bon Jovi &--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Forever More Review

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(More customer reviews)This release has to rank as one of the Best Hard Rock-Heavy Metal albums of the year, hands down!! Tesla has never really dissapointed music fans with any of their albums. Sure, they have released stronger albums compared to some of their others. But, even (Dare I say) their "weaker" releases are top notch, and put up against other 1980's acts...there is no competition what so ever! Tesla is, like many have said here, one of the most underated rock bands of our time, and I say YOU BET THEY ARE! They tour constantly, put out fantastic albums one after another, and place their fans first!!!! I've been A fan since the first album, and have never looked back. I have also seen them twice in concert. First time in October, 1987 warming up for Def Leppard, and in Early, 1989 warming up for Poison. Both times were jaw dropping incredible experiences!!!! The funny thing is, compared to other bands that were around back in the 80's, and are still putting out material, Telsa is head and shoulders above them all! But, you don't hear the hoopla on the radio and with the media like you now get with acts like Bon Jovi. Such A crime!! If you have never heard of Tesla, or your A new fan, BUY THIS ALBUM!! You will love it, from start to finish! It ranks up there with one of their strongest releases. If you already are A fan, then you probably have this, and know what I mean. If you don't own it, you are missing out on an incredible band, and A fantastic bunch of songs. It's not 1986 anymore...it's 2008...and Telsa is STILL blowing the doors off those other 80's bands, and even the new groups!! An A+ album. And congrats to the band, and A huge thank you for once again another incredible album!!

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Telsa return in 2008 with their first new studio album since 2004's Into The Now, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #31 and featured the mainstream rock hits: "Caught in a Dream" and "Words Can't Explain". Tesla is a Hard Rock band formed in Sacramento, California in 1984, and they have sold over 16 million albums in the US as of 2008. Forever More is their seventh studio album. This isTesla's first album to be produced by Terry Thomas since 1994's Bust a Nut. The album was engineered by Michael Rosen, who worked with the band on their Into the Now album and marks the first full album of original material for new guitarist Dave Rude.

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Station to Station Review

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(More customer reviews)The mid-1970's were a stressful time for David Bowie. His marriage to the obnoxious Angela Bowie was disintegrating, he had become a top-notch coke freak, and was convinced that practitioners of black magic were out to get him. He had laid his Ziggy Stardust persona to rest, in favor of a white-boy soul man character, which was not as well-received as he had hoped. While his "Young Americans" album was a bold step in a new direction, it did not receive the kind of adoration that Bowie had become accustomed to. Somehow, while fighting with dictatorial manager Tony Defries, sorcerers, and the homosexual image he had created for himself, David managed to come up with an absolutely brilliant album that retains the disco-funk of "Americans", but pushes it into a whole new direction. The persona that dominates this album is that of the Thin White Duke, an aristocratic European fellow who likes to cruise around in limos, binged out on cocaine, his head swimming in fascist paranoid fantasies (someone once told me that "Station To Station"-era Bowie was one of the people Pink Floyd based "The Wall" on. I cannot verify this but it seems plausible). So self-absorbed was David during this era that he actually made his band play behind a backdrop during concerts, so that he could be the one and only center of the audience's attention. One look at the photos inside the CD booklet (David, looking like a famished hairdresser in sore need of a dental hygienist, scribbling kabbalistic desings on an asylum floor) will clue the listener in to Bowie's frame of mind at the time. The songs themselves are the antithesis of the shallow yet groovy preceding album; the hooks are there, but not as contrived sounding. The title track starts off slow and menacing, then builds to a disco crescendo that could take the Bee Gees on anyday. "Stay" is fast and funky, "Word On A Wing" is very heartfelt and seeminly religious, "Golden Years" (the closest thing to a hit here) is a doo-woppy dance tune that Dave supposedly wrote about Angela (who was also the inspiration behind the Rolling Stones' "Angie"). "TVC 15" seems to be the favorite of most, dealing as it does with a carnivorous television. And finally, "Wild Is The Wind", while not written by Bowie, has to be one of his most heart-felt performances. This album was the transition into a more experimental phase of Bowie's career, and I strongly recommend it.

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Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Michigan Review

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

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Exclusive-The Forever Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Chris Brown definitely grew up on this album. He's coming into his own. You can listen to every song on the album from beginning to end, which doesn't happen often when it comes to today's music. It was money well spent on my part.

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Two CD set of Chris Brown's Exclusive (Forever Edition) album of 14 tracksplus twointernational bonus tracks.Forever produced by Polow da Don and written by Chris Brown, Andre Merritt, and Rob Allen, "Super Human" featuring Keri Hilson, "Heart Ain't a Brain", "Picture Perfect (Remix)" featuring Bow Wow and Hurricane Chris. Completing the Forever Edition package is a bonus DVD with a special montage of performances from his recent Up Close & Personal sold-out tour and never before seen behind the scenes footage.

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Voltaic (Limited Edition) (2CD/2DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)The content for this release is unquestionably good. For those of us who didn't get to see Ms. Gudmundsdottir on the Volta tour the concert DVD included in this set is the next best thing. The addition of the remixed tracks, the "live" studio recordings and the disc of Volta videos is just icing on the cake that make the set well worth the money.
Where the set falls apart is in its "innovative" packaging. The outer case is cardboard that is held closed by a sticker (the colored teardrop you see in the pic is a sticker). Once this sticker is removed to access the discs, it cannot be replaced so the outer box cannot be closed again. In fact, removing the sticker removed some of the gloss coat on my package ruining the outer sleeve. Not what one expects at this price point. The interior of the package is cool but the discs themselves are held in flimsy paper sleeves (not cardboard or paperboard but plain paper) that will inevitably get torn with all but the most careful handling. While the artistic intention of the packaging is interesting it's pretty much worthless as a way to store this wonderful set. I'm planning on transplanting my discs to jewel boxes.

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'This relentless restlessness liberates me,' Björk declares on 'Wanderlust' from her 2007 studio album, Volta, which is also the dramatic concluding track of her new Voltaïc live CD. 'I feel at home whenever the unknown surrounds me.' Volta had been designed, Björk has said, as a journey, with the sound of fog horns and clanging bells linking individual tracks and artists from around the world making guest appearances, including Congolese band Konono No. 1, Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté, pipa virtuoso Wu Man, beat-master Timbaland, Lightning Bolt drummer Brian Chippendale and sublime chanteur Antony Hegarty. The New York Times called it 'a 21st-century assemblage of the computerized and the handmade, the personal and the global.' Voltaïc, then, is a remarkable, multi-media document of what happened after the record was completed, a journey of a differentsort as the ever-evolving singer assembled her live band, made a collection of typically amazing videos and one-step-ahead remixes, and toured the world for two years, making headline appearances at diverse venues and large festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella and even Harlem s Apollo Theatre. She recorded the Voltaïc live CD in one take at Olympic Studio in Londonwith her new band, prior to her 2007 Glastonbury appearance, presenting the set she would play on tour songs from Volta and new arrangements of such older material as 'Pagan Poetry,' 'All Is Full Of Love' and a thunderous version of 'Army Of Me.' It's a stunning performance, featuring cutting-edge computer technology, an old-school horn section and a female, flag-toting Icelandic choir -'bursting with raw life,' to paraphrase The Independent's description of Volta.The Voltaïc DVD contains highlights of Björk's visually dazzling Volta tour, full of on-your-feet moments, filmed in Paris and Reykjavik. Deluxe editions of Voltaïc also include a CD of remixes of Volta album tracks by such fellow travelers as Spank Rock,Simian Mobile Disco, Ratatat and Modeselektor, plus a DVD of Volta video clips, including Michel Gondry s take on 'Declare Independence,' set in a drab factory, that manages to reach a colorful, hopeful conclusion-a revolution meant to be televised.

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Screaming Masterpiece (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Screaming Masterpiece is an awesome documentary about the current music scene in Iceland. There's no need to have a history about it because almost all of the artists use their roots and ancestry as their main influences. For such a small island country Iceland has hundreds of different bands that make many different genres of music that all still relate to each other. This is one of the most interesting and entertaining documentrys I have ever seen. It is WORTH seeing.

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SCREAMING MASTERPIECE - DVD Movie

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Final Tour Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been looking for this CD for years. I gave a copy to a friend many years ago for his birthday. We played it that night. Jim's sense of humour is present with the dialouge introducing some of the songs. You can hear his guitarist Murray singing harmony and adding his fingerpicking touch. On "Careful Man," he shares with the audience how while in the Army, he was bitten by a snake. "When you need someone to suck the poison out of the bite, you realize who your real friends are!" He also plays a dirty little ditty "The Ball of Kerrymuir," with a fake Scotch accent, commenting in the middle of the song "If anyone can draw a picture of this scene, I'd like to see it!" and makes a reference to newscaster Howard Hughes. He also talks about his short career as a truck driver ("I used to like to get real close to the cars that were slowing me down and blow the horn at them to get out of the way!"). And before he plays "Roller Derby Queen," he talks about a pie that was hard as brick ("Imagine the trouble Murray and I had digesting that!" Well, no thanks, Jim!). Famous songs like "Operator," "NY's Not My Home," "It Doesn't Have to Be That Way" and "You Don't Mess Around with Jim." The melancholy "These Days" closes the set and sounds a lot like the classic hit "Time in a Bottle" with its D minor/D major arrangement. Although the mix is a little off, this CD should serve to show what a great entertainer Jim was.

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Digitally remastered digipak reissue of the 1980 release, which was recorded seven years earlier during Croce's final tour before his life was ended in a plane crash in Sept. 1973. 16 tracks featuring many of his biggest hits including 'Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels)', 'You Don't Mess Around With Jim' and more. Castle.

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Tour Review

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(More customer reviews)Okay - I must justify the mediocre rating. Mary J Blige is a legend, and she will be for a long time. That's why I was so excited when I bought this CD. What is missing is that much of the material that made her a legend...that is, songs like "Real Love", "Reminisce" and "You Remind Me" are not here. Yes, they're listed as tracks, but she only does like one verse or less on these. Instead, you hear great songs like "Misty Blue", but they aren't what I bought the CD for...
It isn't all bad though. She still does a stirring rendition of "Sweet Thing", and the best track on here (in my opinion) is "Missing You". It sounds so real, and that's what Mary is known for. I will give the CD this though: you do feel like you're at a live concert...in fact, it's a show in Los Angeles in late July/early August of 1997.
There is some cursing on the album, but other than that, it's the best live recording she's done since MTV's "Uptown Unplugged", which will be a classic. (Remember Jodeci's "Lately"?) At any rate, don't expect too much, that way, you'll be impressed when you get it. I still own it, so that says something...so be warned.
P.S. Her live version of ""Everything" is probably the second best on here...then there's "I'm Going Down"...so, it's like 3 stars. Pretty good! Peace and love,
P.P.S. OKAY...What they should have done was to take her best performances and compiled them...it's okay to not have them from one live show. Personally, I would have loved to hear "I Don't Wanna Do Anything Else" on here...even if it was with Dave Hollister (Blackstreet circa 1994-1995)and not K-Ci Hailey...alright, I'm out.
Basically, if you're not a die-hard Mary fan, you'll be satisfied.
Knyte.

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