King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert Review

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(More customer reviews)As a long-time fan of BTO, I wanted this CD to give me a dimension that the studio sound couldn't give. Unfortunately, it did. Although the performance was exciting, as one would expect, the quality of production did not do justice to BTO - or to me. If the scores could be qualified, I'd say 5 stars for BTO, zero for the folks who remastered.

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Dog & Butterfly Review

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(More customer reviews)Sony Legacy has finally gotten around to remastering some of the Heart back catalog with improved sound and extra tracks. Being an old school Heart fan from way back in the beginning, I'm only too happy to replace my old CDs with the new improved versions.
While "Little Queen" was a little spotty in places, and "Magazine" was really only half an album, "Dog & Butterfly" was easily the band's best long player since their debut. It's highlighted by two of their strongest singles, the title track and "Straight On". The closing track, "Mistral Wind" is probably the favorite among a lot of the group's 70s fan base. It's kind of their "Stairway To Heaven".
The main concern with any reissue is sound quality. This remaster sounds terrific, from the funky opening lick of "Hijinx", to the soft gentle acoustics of "Nada One".
Aside from the improved sound quality, Sony is advertising several more reasons to buy the reissues. There are previously unreleased bonus tracks: this disc's best bonus track is a 1978 live recording of "Heartless". It shows Heart's ability to pull off faithful live renditions of their hits. Then there's a never before released ballad called "Feels". The Wilsons and Sue Ennis later reworked this track and turned it into the forgettable "Johnny Moon" from their 1983 "Passionworks" album. As presented here, it's very similar in arrangement to "Lighter Touch" which may be one reason it was passed over for release originally. The last bonus track is a 50 second acoustic guitar piece called "A Little Bit". This aptly titled track was recorded four years after the rest of the tracks here and it's inclusion on this disc is puzzling. It would fit better as a bonus track on a reissue of the band's 1982 "Private Audition" album. Maybe Sony hasn't yet made plans to upgrade Heart's other Epic albums yet.
The other extras, as advertised on the stickers that adorn the covers of these reissues, include liner notes and a track by track overview by Nancy Wilson. First of all, it should be pointed out that the same very brief liner notes appear in all three of these reissues (the others being "Little Queen" and "bebe le strange"). And the "track by track" overview is about one line per song (example: "High Time" - in the studio this was almost a gospel revival!). Not much inside information there, Nance. In fact, only 7 of the original 8 album tracks even contain an "overview", with the comment for "Straight On" conspicuously missing.
There are some nice photos in the booklet, which isn't really a booklet at all, but one of those annoying multi-panel things that folds out and out and out. Most of the photos are very, very small.
One other thing that stands out about these discs: they are the first I've bought that have the "FBI Anti-Piracy Warning" stamped on them. This threat of punishment "under federal law" is emblazoned both on the back cover and the disc itself.
So don't buy this disc for the liner notes, but if you're a Heart fan and you want to crank up "Mistral Wind" and hear it the way it was really meant to be heard, then by all means buy this reasonably priced gem. I give it 5 stars for the original 8 songs, sounding better than I've ever heard them sound.

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Heart, Dog and Butterfly--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Passionworks Review

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(More customer reviews)For the first time, the lineup of Ann & Nancy Wilson, Howard Leese, Mark Andes, an alumnus of Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne, and Denny Carmassi came together to make history. However, history would have to wait until they released Passionworks. To put it briefly, many of the songs here are more vital versions of their Private Audition style music, but I also see how some songs here were recycled and laden with Ron Nevison's wall of synth in Bad Animals. Hmm, how would Keith Olsen have produced Bad Animals? Makes one think.
"How Can I Refuse" describing the future road of an unexpected love is a more polished and solid guitar rocker in the fashion of the harder Private Audition songs.
One of my favourites here is the slow-rocker "Blue Guitar", the title instrument being the one true thing in a woman rocker's life. The sound here is reminiscent of "Perfect Stranger" except better. There's an ironic line here foretelling their future: "Just about to pack it in/Mr. Money Biz rolled in/Paid the way-broke the band"
"Johnny Moon" is a nice ballad about a dreamer who's "out there in another dimension. The chugging guitar that commences "Sleep Alone" and the catchy hooks and chorus--"Lonely woman gets so cold/with no loverboy to hold/one more night she's on her own/Nobody meant to sleep alone"--could've made this rocker a great breakthrough single. It's a more pure rock than its future synth-laden cousin "Who Will You Run To."
The mid-paced "Together Now" is so like "Love Alive" from Little Queen and a predecessor of "R.S.V.P." from Bad Animals.
Jonathan Cain, yes, that Jonathan Cain, wrote one of the best songs here and on any Heart album. The magical power ballad "Allies," which given its piano opening, sounds like a Journey song but it just ain't for Steve Perry. Depending on tried and trusted friends in the chaotic world is the theme here. "Allies with our back against the wall/I will answer when you call/And take on the odds/For what we believe is true." This verse espousing pragmatism is something many people are forced to do: "We search our hearts/to justify the reason/and draw the line/to meet somewhere halfway." The guitar and keyboard solos are followed by the Wilsons' trademark harmony vocals.
"(Beat By) Jealousy" details the poisonous effects and the ensuing vicious circle envy can have. It can't get from where "love can't breathe" to where one can "hook the blow between the eyes. Every round--we lose more ground." Ann really belts out the emotion on this one.
The mid-paced rocker "Heavy Heart" has a slight bluesy inflection, while Nancy's solo vocal "Love Mistake" is another winning and comforting ballad from the more delicate and honey-voiced Wilson sister. Wonderful imagery: "through the windows and lace/making patterns on your face/exposed with all your pain." There's some hope here: "After time has healed and made it right/We'll still be looking in each others eyes/and through it all/it's friends who will survive."
"Language Of Love" is a slow-rocker in using love where words won't do. And "Ambush" is a mid-paced number where Ann warns a tough guy of a certain woman who will cause even him to surrender.
Sue Ennis does her usual song co-writing contributions, and the first two songs is done by her and all the members of Heart. While I like Private Audition, Passionworks is better in terms of overall sound. Why it did even worse than its predecessor is unfathomable. A lack of promotion, the changing climate of music in the 1980's? This was their last album for Sony and they were about to throw in the towel, but then came Capitol Records, Ron Nevison, Mike Chapman, and Holly Knight, and a whole new chapter in their history.
Had I reviewed this in 1989, when I first got this and was already getting burned out on them, I would've given this 2 stars. Now, it deserves every star I give it, one for each member of the band.

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Revelation Review

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(More customer reviews)I won't go into the over the top review like some younger fans might do (which is plenty alright with me) but being closer to Neil Schon's age then Chris Daughtry's age it wouldn't come out right :)
I've been waiting for way to long for Journey to come out with an effort worthy of me sitting down and writing this review. Generations was ok, Arrival was nice but Revelation brings me back to when I was 18, in love with my high school sweetheart and attending every when Journey show played in my area. I go way back to pre-Steve Perry days. It has never been cool, maybe until now, to be a Journey fan. Back in my day you had to be a metal fan or you were a loser. The thing that always drew me to Journey was the phenomenal abilities of all of their musicians and the voice. The strong melodies, the rockers and the ballads. Really the whole package. A Journey album to me was always like reading a #1 Best Selling Novel. You just can't put it down or turn it off.
I say the voice because it is as much an instrument as the rest. Journey would not be Journey without a classic tenor at the helm. For me the 'voice' was always Steve Perry, he is simply the best voice I've ever heard in Rock and Roll.
With that being said, Arnel Pineda has taken the stage with the other members of our supergroup and simply amazed me. Neil describes him as a soulful singer. I really think that is the best description of him. Thank you Arnel for bring back 'the voice'!
If you're a Journey fan at all, you know what I mean when I say, you put the CD in the player, sit back and smile. When Journey puts out a new CD all is right in my world. This one is so highly recommended by me that there isnt' a number high enough to give it. Just buy it and you'll see what I mean.

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Two CD/DVD. 2008 brings the album Revelation from Journey. Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums)--are proud to introduce fans all over the world to their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda ('pin-eh-da'). He replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who parted ways with the band earlier this year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the band in 2006 for medical reasons.

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Rock the House Live Review

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(More customer reviews)"Wild Child" and "Fallen From Grace" were two of Brigade's standout tracks and both rise in grace higher live. Basically, Brigade live, with a new song and a few old songs mixed in, performed live at Worcester, MA at the Centrum on 28 November 1990.
The two Heart selections are the heaviest ones from that album--"If Looks Could Kill" and "Shell Shock." If they'd included "The Wolf" and "All Eyes", the house would probably be rocked beyond tolerance. "Shell Shock" gets its rightful due live, but the speeded up heavy guitars in fact this version of "If Looks Could Kill" really outstrips its studio counterpart.
For a breather, they perform one of their favorite songs from Little Queen, "Love Alive" which becomes a powerhouse with Denny Carmassi's drum power. They keep the acoustic guitars for "Under The Sky", a new favourite of theirs and mine, with the dreamy feeling of "lying on your back, looking at the stars" as Ann says in introducing the song.
I described "The Night" with its heavily punctuated power chords. Well, the only way it could be outdone was it to have been done live. With the beginning power chords from Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times" introduced, followed by bluesy guitar solo, the song proper begins, and yes, those power chords are pounded.
There isn't too much variation in the Bon Jovi-like "Tall Dark Handsome Stranger" or "Call Of The Wild" from Brigade or "Who Will You Run To" from Bad Animals. These are the few weak moments in this album.
"How Can I Refuse," from Passionworks is really given the rocking treatment with the chugging guitar intro. Given the unjustified roasting Passionworks got from the critics, it's at least gratifying to see at least one of its songs represented live.
The new song "You're The Voice" is a power ballad whose guitarwork gives it a Brigade-era sound. The importance of making a difference is the theme here, with peaceful overtones: "We're all someone's daughter/We're all someone's son/How long can we look at each other/Down the barrel of a gun?"
Howard Leese's guitar solo, "The Way Back Machine," serves as a prelude to the ferociously done "Barracuda" which makes it more a shark than a Barracuda. The best track here.
The song selection here clearly favours the Brigade album, but whether or not one liked Brigade, this live album proves that Heart can still rock and roll and live treatments of studio tracks that were heavy before give them a major rousing makeover. My only question was, after this song, was there a lake or somewhere they the audience could cool off? Great live album, despite its weak spots.

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Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo: Live Summer Vacation (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Pat says she's much happier with her career NOW than she was back when she felt tied to the fast-track -- and her happiness shows in this high-energy concert with only a few flaws. First off, she looks great -- trim and defined at the age of 50(!). Second, she sounds incredible and her band does too -- delivering as much heat and energy off of songs like Hell Is For Children and Promises In The Dark as they did 25 years ago. The only difference is that she now delivers her anthems with a nod to how fun they are to belt rather than taking them too seriously. The flaws? The concert looks as if it were staged just for the production of this video (so it feels somehow less live and spontaneous) and the occasional new song (Out of the Ruins) is just not my cuppa. Nitpicking, really. Enjoy the show -- she still out-hollas anyone. :)

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Return to Paradise Review

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(More customer reviews)Live recordings of some of the best bands in the world rarely, if ever, truly capture the essence of the live performance. Now meet the exception. Although Gary Loizzo is behind the mixing of this album, it is still truly one of the best produced recordings of Styx' career. I mention the above only because I thought that Styx' production values dropped considerably after Pieces of Eight, when they replaced Barry Mraz with Loizzo for Cornerstone and future albums, including the horrible Caught in the Act live album of '84. All of those albums sounded cheap and tinny with a production sound made for adult contemporary radio rather then rock. You can blame Dennis' songwriting from 79-83 for that as well.
But here on Return to Paradise, Styx is in the finest form of their career. Dennis and Tommy's vocals and instrumentals are spectacular. Chuck's bass lines are thundering, JY's guitar playing could set fire to a lake, and newcomer Todd Sucherman is a drum god! The highlight of this album is Suite Madame Blue. You can scrap the original recording and go with this version in a heartbeat.
I don't miss Dennis' egotistically overblown ballads, and the current Dennis-less lineup is a total joke. But for one magical night in 1997, Styx recaptured the magic and put on the best show of their career! And how lucky we are that they captured it on CD and DVD.
I do have to note one rather odd observation: I saw them on 3 different nights for this tour, and can tell you that every song intro and/or comment made between songs was rehearsed and repeated word-for-word at every show. You would think that a band who has been in the business for 30 years would be creative enough to ad-lib just a little bit.

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Three Lock Box Review

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(More customer reviews)Sammy's career is legendary and Three Lock Box rightfully fits into Hagar's history like a glove. The hits are here (Your Love is Driving Me Crazy & the title track to name a few) but what really puts this album on top are the early hints of Hagar's serious side which become more apparent in his later work. Songs like "Remember the Heroes" and "Growing Up" speak for themselves. This CD has been somewhat overlooked lately, but it really is an excellent piece of music. If you are a fan of Sammy Hagar, it is a must. If you are not, be advised, this will likely change your mind!

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Anthology Review

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(More customer reviews)Arguably Bryan Adams fans are going to be pleased with ANTHOLOGY, the best compilation of his hits spanning (at present) Bryan and the boys 25 years of chart-making sounds. From the humble rarely heard beginning of his career (REMEMBER and LONELY NIGHTS) all the way up to his latest disc (ROOM SERVICE), this two disc set follows Bryan's career and presents a near definitive listen to his best cuts.
As with any "best of" collection, there are some notable absences (Bryan's duet with Barbara Streisand "I Finally Found Someone" coming to mind), but it's hard to imagine these tracks not finally giving his supporters something to sing about. As well, the two-disc set includes a few tracks that didn't necessarily have to be there, but there inclusion doesn't dampen the exciting undercurrent of Bryan's sound.
As to new material, the disc boasts three 'new' cuts, two of which are new recordings of already existing material: a live recording of "18 'Til I Die" is a keeper as the listener gets drawn into the live experience of seeing Bryan in concert (showing how much he enjoys entertaining his fans), while the new version of "When You're Gone" with Pamela Anderson (a boy/girl, audience-member participant favorite of Bryan's since its release) avoids falling flat thanks to its catchy rhythm despite the near-dead weight of Pamela's vocals ... but if you've seen this song in concert then you know that this is probably what Bryan wanted. The sole new cut, "So Far So Good", does get buried a little bit under the weight of his stronger material, but it's definitely worth including here as a bonus to the long-time supporters.

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Anthology is Bryan Adams's first-ever career-spanning 2-CD collection, including 33 classics and three new recordings: "18 'Til I Die" (recorded in Lisbon), "When You're Gone" (featuring Pamela Anderson making her singing debut), and "So Far So Good"--each newly digitally remastered for superior sound.

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Frampton Comes Alive 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)Regardless of what the other reviewers are saying...this is a pretty good concert...You wouldn't expect Frampton to do any repeats of songs he did on the classic Frampton Comes Alive...Why should he??? He has nothing to prove..That album still holds the record as being the largest selling live album in history...how can you improve on a flawless performance that has been remastered to HDCD standards? But then...why would you??
Frampton himself always expressed that he lived for the stage and the rush of the live performace....he never felt the recording studio did his music justice...as it lacked the audience vibe.
I attended the 1976 tour and witnessed the full impact of his stage prowess from a center position not 75 feet from the stage....best location to get the best sound.
I have been a consistent fan since his early days with Humble Pie...and altho I was never really impressed with his post 1976 albums..I feel this live set features his later material in their most beneficial and natural setting....the live concert...
Try and forget the studio versions of these songs and give them a fresh listen....as I did....If you liked Peter Frampton back when he rode the wave of fame in the mid 70's....you wont be disappointed. He pulls out the talk box and uses it sparingly....just to treat you to a bit of nostalgia.....so you can say.....WOW...it really is him.....he might not have the long curly locks anymore...but he still knows how to wield a mean guitar...Whether it's his famed black beauty or any from his sizeable arsenal...there's no mistaking mister Framptons dynamically powerful playing. Bob Mayo is as supportive as ever...John Regan on bass and JR Robinson on drums are a very tight and solid rythym section..The chops are as strong as anything from 1976's classic.
I always wondered if there was more of the post 1976 material to this concert that wasn't included here...Might be nice if they release this CD set in a 2cd deluxe version in HDCD format.


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Find Your Own Way Home Review

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(More customer reviews)REO Speedwagon was one of the classic arena rock/pop bands from the late 1970's to 1980's. Along with Styx, Journey, and Loverboy, REO Speedwagon formed the backbone of this period of music where huge album sales and concert gross defined one of the wildest expansions of music in history.
Then, after their album, "Life, As We Know It," REO hit a period of changes in lineup with the departure of founding members, drummer Alan Gratzer, and lead guitarist Gary Richrath. Along with these shakeups, REO suddenly departed the Billboard album charts.
The new lineup featured drummer Bryan Hitt and guitarist Dave Amato and released two original albums, "The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog, and a Chicken," plus "Building the Bridge." The second album featured a cut used in a Presidential election.
But neither album achieved anything remotely close to the success of their previous releases, much less the earth shattering success of "High Infidelity." This latest original album, "Find Your Own Way Home," changes all of that.
This album has already charted and that is despite a limited initial release through Wal-Mart stores. Now the album has been generally released. More important, the songs in this album are truly excellent and varied.
The initial two releases are "Smilin' In the End" to the classic rock stations and "Find Your Own Way Home" to the adult contemporary stations. "Smilin' in The End" is an old-fashioned rock and roll romp, a defiant ode of success against the odds. "Find Your Own Way Home" is a classic REO power ballad, but with a soulful theme of unfulfilled love with a pointed rejoinder that the lover must find her own lost way.
One hopes this is not the end of the releases to radio stations because as good as these two songs are, they are not the finest on the album.
The album has many songs that echo the REO classics of the past, but also expands the band's genre into new territory. "Born to Love You," is a wonderful blues song with an electric punch. Bassist Bruce Hall again lends his baritone voice as lead singer, and the song is pure toe-tapping energy. But there is more where that came from.
"Everything You Feel" is perhaps the single best song on the entire album, a masterful blend of high energy instrumentals with ballad style lyrics that form a brilliant example of progressive rock. The song starts slow, with a barely audible extended musical introduction, a pale whisper that builds into a crescendo of hard hitting guitar and organ compositions. Within this wall-splitting instrumental is a ballad that explores the measure of the man as the sum of his relationships, broken and successful.
But there are other flavors. "Dangerous Combination" is a fabulously original song about the effects of alcohol on the male brain. The lyrics are splendid:
"I've been thinkin' too much.
I've been drinkin' to much.
Oh and thinkin' and drinkin' for me is a dangerous combination.
If we're gonna turn back, better turn back now.
I'd say no, but I don't know how.
Girl I really should be leaving.
But that's another conversation."
As you may surmise, the album has a central them, very much an adult version of the one so well done in "High Infidelity," hard luck in love and the pain of recognizing it! Except, unlike the techno rock of "Hi Infidelity," this album reflects a far higher degree of maturity, and without question a wide range of musical expressions.
If you want to listen to progressive rock, power ballads, blues, power anthems, folk, and country, you can load up a six-disk CD player cassette. Or, you can simply purchase this one album and find at least one quality example of each!
It's been 19 years since REO released an album of this quality. They've been highly successful on the concert tours but had a war chest of quality songs. Finally, the best of those new songs have made it on a new album. For REO fans, this is a release to celebrate. But for fans who have never heard REO songs, "Find Your Own Way Home" is a marvelous starting point.

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Track Listing 1. Smilin' in the End 2. Find Your Own Way Home 3. I Needed to Fall 4. Dangerous Combination 5. Lost on the Road of Love 6. Another Lifetime 7. Run Away Baby 8. Everything You Feel 9. Born to Love You 10. Let My Love Find You

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Dreamboat Annie Live Review

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(More customer reviews)Dreamboat Live!
I think you can make the argument that Heart may be the greatest band of all time. How? You say. Well, here's the thing, Heart has been making albums since within a decade of the beginning of the album rock era, with several of the greatest albums of the era, Dreamboat, and Little Queen for example. They continued to make great rock albums when (for example) the Rolling Stones were doing Disco during the Disco era. They survived personal and professional upheaval, and set the standard for the Power Ballad (MTV) era when concept albums were dropped for the hit single and video. They influenced the entire Grunge era, and Finally brought the Album Rock style back with "Jupiter's Darling". I have been an active and nostalgic fan for over 30 years. So even if you don't buy that argument, you have to admit, the Wilson Sisters, are two of the most talented and most influencial musicians of rock music ... ever. I admit it, I am heart and soul, a fan of the Wilson Sisters, but greatness is usually measured by history, and 3 active decades of work, well that is history.
So hearing this album brought me back to the first time I saw Heart on the original "Dreamboat Annie" tour. And even admitting that Ann Wilson may not have the sweet angelic voice of her youth, she still has power and now she has the nuance that comes with maturity. Now the careworn world weary lyrics, take on new meaning as my perspective and (I'm sure the Wilson) sister's have changed over the years. So I loved the remake of Dreamboat.
Where I might be a bit disappointed, is in the encores (which don't get me wrong are very cool to have), because I have heard Ann do these songs better in the past, and that is where it saddens me that her voice is starting after all these years to show the signs of age. Does that mean that the encores aren't good? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I doubt that Robert Plant could do them better these days, it is just I wish some things could last forever, but as we know the opposite of aging isn't staying young, so I am grateful for what I get.
Bottom line, if you are a true fan, this is a must have. If not, get the original album and learn what great album rock is all about.


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Led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, Heart broke down barriers and redefined what it meant to be a rock star. Now, on the first release in the new Legendary Albums Live series, they revisit their very first triumph, live on stage, in front of an ecstatic audience. Thrill as they play their legendary debut album Dreamboat Annie live for the first time ever. The band tears into their hits "Crazy On You" and "Magic Man" and covers classics by Led Zeppelin, The Who and Pink Floyd, all of which inspired them as they were writing and recording Dreamboat Annie.

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Savage Amusement Review

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(More customer reviews)Let's start looking at the time this album was released...Hair Metal ruled the rock scene in the late 80's, with a lot of ridiculous hype bands raising the hit parades, and the "appice" of this "movement" was the Def Leppard's
album "Hysteria" (1987),where the band sold millions of copies of this underrated album...Scorpions' last hit was "Still Loving You"(one of the best rock ballads ever), and I think that the pression was very strong to the band repeat the success on "Savage Amusement",so...That album has the shape of Hair Metal(take a look on the back cover - they're looking like Def Leppard or Bon Jovi - ARGHHH!!!),the production points this way all the time and this album, at first, has everything to be the worst Scorpions' album...but it is NOT!!! Incredibly, they recorded the best Hair Metal album I've ever hearded!!! It's serious...Def Leppard,Bon Jovi and Poison don't have Klaus Meine
on vocals neither Rudolf Schencker on compositions and Mathias Jabs kickin' ass on solo guitars!!! Try listen without prejudice to this album (don't look at the back cover and don't watch the video clips, please), and what you'll hear is the great melody and sensibility of this GREAT rock band...An exemple: the solo in the introduction of "Believe In Love"...the shape used on the recording was pure Hair Metal, but take a "look" deeper in the melody...it's beautiful!!!Listen carefully to Klaus' vocals in "Walking On The Edge" and "Believe In Love"...it's beatiful!!!Listen to the song "Rhythm of Love"...it's a rock masterpiece!!! "Don't Stop At The Top" is a strong rock song; "Passion Rules The Game" and "Every Minute Every Day" are slow rock songs like only Scorpions know how to do; "Love On The Run" is more fast and aggressive than the other songs,with an almost-punk beat; "We Let It Rock...You Let It Roll" and "Media Overkill" are genuine Hair Metal, but yet with the talent of the band making difference(listen to Mathias Jabs' solos!!!)...That's it, guys...In my opinion, "Savage Amusement" is an underestimated classic of rock, but undoubtly a CLASSIC!!!

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Digitally remastered reissue.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Have A Nice Day Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been a Bon Jovi Fan for a looong time and I have always been excited about new albums. I love Keep The Faith, New Jersey and all the others. Until now THESE DAYS has been my number one favorite... but now, w/ Have a Nice Day being released my favorite might change.
This is an incredible album. It's fun, energetic and highly emotional. Jon Bon Jovi's voice is rich and pure and very strong. Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan and Hugh McDonald have done an outstanding job w/powerful guitar riffs, energetic drum beats , melodic keyboards and nice bass runs and so much more.
Songs like "Last man Standing", "I want to be loved", and my favorite "Welcome to Wherever You Are" are all highly addictive, as is the whole album itself.
The dual disc is a real treat for any Bon Jovi fan and worth the little extra money! You get a high resolution dolby surround sound AND stereo sound version of this album (w/out the 13th track - duet w/ Jennifer Nettles "Who says you can't go home") and some fun video clips from their concert in Atlantic city (which is great because some of the songs are songs from the Box Set); the "Have a nice day" video and a clip of Bon Jovi EPK... some nice extras!
Thank you to the guys of Bon Jovi for making me more proud than ever to be their fan! With this album Bon Jovi have outdone themselves!!!


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Dualdisc featuring: Bon Jovi EPK - Behind The Scenes Video for "Have a Nice Day" 5 Live Performances (video) taped from Atlantic City show in November 2004.Songs include "Everyday", "Fourth of July", "I Get a Rush", "These Arms are Open all Night", and "Radio Saved My Life".

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Greatest Hits Live (Sba1) Review

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(More customer reviews)Regarding whether this will be a positive or negative review, let me start by saying I bought this Tuesday 8/26/08 (the day it was released), and I've thus far given it about a dozen listens. Yes I'm a fan.
And yes, I love this CD. "Greatest Hits Live" is culled from the same three European concerts of 3DN's '72-'73 world tour that provided the tracks for their amazing 1973 live double album "Around The World With Three Dog Night". I've never forgiven MCA for dropping the ball with their CD releases of the 3DN catalog. Not only have they never been given the box set they so richly deserve, but three of their original albums (four, if You count the non-MCA 80's ep "It's A Jungle") have never seen a CD release. "Around The World" was the most puzzling omission of all. It was a gold-selling massive hit, and one of the best live double albums of the 70's. As a side note, Edsel Records (UK) has released "Around The World" as a twofer 2-CD set (coupled with "Seven Separate Fools" as the other disc), which I highly recommend.
"GHL" obviously attempts to both rectify that missing CD release, as well as serve as an "alternate" hits collection. It certainly lives up to it's name. It truly is their greatest hits: no filler - no instrumental solos - and all performed live. It also attempts to fill the gaps of hit songs missing from "Around The World" by restoring "Easy To Be Hard", "Celebrate", "Try A Little Tenderness", and "One" (none of which appeared on "Around The World"). But it goes further than just restoring missing hits. For those who are wondering, even the "Around The World" tracks that do appear here are mostly all different performances from one of the alternate concerts. So this is truly "new" vault material from one of the biggest acts of the early 70's.
The awesome digital mastering really showcases the live power of 3DN: the soaring guitar of Mike Allsup, the fluid bass of Joe Schermie, and (particularly) the power punch drums of Floyd Sneed and the grinding Hammond organ of Jimmy Greenspoon. But it is (and always was) the amazing vocals of Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells that separated these Dogs from the rest of the pack.
Not that "GHL" is without flaw. At under 50 minutes, there could have been a lot more included. At the very least, their 1972 Billboard #1 hit "Black & White" should have been included (it does appear on "Around The World"). In a perfect world, MCA would have released "Around The World" as a 2-CD set, with the original double album on one disc, and these alternate performances on the second. These alternates were probably not originally chosen for "Around The World" for a reason. Presumably they chose the best available version of each song from the 3 concerts recorded back in the 70's for the original LP. It's particularly evident with "One Man Band", which is far superior on "Around The World". The editing here is tight overall. There are no fade in's or out's - it all flows seamlessly, but there's the sometimes obvious "flying in" of applause to mask the seams. Also the track running order on "GHL" is also quite different from "Around The World" (which was the true setlist order?).
Seminal 3DN, featuring the original seven members is a rare treat, and this CD delivers the goods. Until we get that box set with vault rarities we fans covet, this CD is a gem to be treasured. Diehard fan who own "Around The World" will want these alternate live performances. For the casual listener who perhaps only own a 3DN hits disc, this is a reasonably priced collection of those hits performed live back when they were new and fresh, and the group was at the top of it's game and the height of it's popularity.

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In 1972 Three Dog Night was truly a golden animal. Singers Chuck Negron, Danny Hutton and Cory Wells had already led their group into the Top 20 no less than 14 times since their 1968 debut, earning three #1 Billboard singles along the way. The tracks included on this album were recorded during the group's 1972/'73 world tour, an ambitious jaunt that took them from North America to Europe, Japan and Australia. By that time Three Dog Night had racked up such now-classic hits as "One," "Easy To Be Hard," "Celebrate," "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" and "Joy To The World".

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The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking Review

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(More customer reviews)I expect that everyone who's listened to this album, or is a fan of Roger Waters, is at least somewhat familiar with the music of Pink Floyd. Therefore, most of them compare "Pros and Cons" to Waters masterworks like "Final Cut" and "The Wall." I won't. I'm just going to write this for the music lover who's been directed to this page by a "best of" list of friend's recommendation.
Most importantly, "Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking" is a concept album in the ultimate sense. This means that it is not actually twelve different tracks that go together -- it means that the entire album is really one long track, telling one story. It includes a multitude of sound effects and imbedded dialogue to enhance the narrative. Many musical chords are used repeatedly in various parts of the album to reinforce the cohesiveness. It is virtually impossible to appreciate "Pros and Cons" without sitting down and listening to it all the way through at least a dozen times. Like all of Roger Waters' work, he requires his listener to put as much thought into the album as he did.
Minor problems do crop up. For instance, it's a godsend that the lyrics are included with the album, as well as the dialogue, because some of it is quite difficult to understand with no outside reference. Then there's the usual problem with Waters work: if you don't pay full attention, you WILL NOT "GET IT." I can't put it any more clearly. Waters demands your full participation. Also, some portions of the music don't run quite as deep as the lyrics. This makes the album as a whole seem shallower than it really is.... And sometimes, if you're not in a patient mood, some parts seems to drag on. This may be due to Roger not having the safety net of collaborators during the composition process. (This was his first solo album, after all. So he's allowed to be a little shaky.)
The execution of the music is flawless, though! Mr. Waters is an accomplished bassist. The Legendary Eric Clapton is lead guitarist (and if you don't know Floyd, I have to assume that you must know at least SOMETHING by Clapton...) Michael Kamen plays the piano and conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra. So despite showing signs of lacking in musical composition, the performance of the material gives it an operatic quality. Roger Waters himself gives a go-for-broke vocal performance that quickens the strain of the protagonist's conflict.
I think the main reason that this album is a bit obscure (except among true Floyd and Waters fans) is that there really are no tracks that could be marketed as radio singles. As I've mentioned before, the entire album is the only track on the disc. But for posterity's sake, I'll say that there are a few cuts that might have made excellent singles. "Sexual Revolution," "Every Stranger's Eyes," and the title track may have made it... But stripped of the album's context, they do in fact lose some of their power.
What really kills me is that I can't think of a single other artist to whom I can compare this album. It has a quite different sound from classic Pink Floyd, and Roger Waters' later work is even a little more audience-accessible than "Pros and Cons." I'd say that it could possibly be just summed up as a "country rock opera." I do think that you would not enjoy this album quite as much unless you first go back and investigate some of Pink Floyd's earlier work. "The Wall" and "Final Cut" are absolute essentials in Roger Waters ouevre, and listening to them would help considerably in appreciating this. If you like those, then you'll probably appreciate this album a bit more. Definitely don't make this your first Roger Waters purchase. "Amused to Death" is a much more polished work. If you want a good overview of his work, try his "In the Flesh" live album. Then move on to "Pros and Cons."
Now, if you do happen to be a Pink Floyd fan, and you're reading this review, you already know what a brilliant lyricist Mr. Waters is. Since this was his first solo album, it's easy to see his attempts to make his own musical mark, and that's probably what detracts a bit from this. But I can say that it is a very satisfying work, and anyone with a deeper sense of sophistication would certainly give "Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking" a thumbs up.

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Import only remastered pressing. Sony. 2003.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Love Bomb Review

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(More customer reviews)Yep...you read it right. Here is the story. There is tension between Spooner & Fee. Spooner is ready to exit the group. Fee records a solo LP and wants to release it the SAME TIME as Love Bomb comes out. The band asks him no to do it, but Capitol Records chooses to back Fee's LP in a MAJOR way and dump LOVE BOMB on the streets with NO promotion. I know all this becuase I worked in an AOR radio station in the Lexington KY market during that time. Capitol Records would not even consent to a lyrics inner sleeve (with artwork by Cotton & Prince)...you had to write the Tubes Fan Club and request a Xerox copy. Thus ended the group known as the Tubes. This is all too bad because this record had the potential to be even bigger than Outside/Inside. Side 2 is one continuous montage of music...a favorite at college parties. Todd Rundgren was brought aboard replacing David Foster as producer. Prairie got his first computerized drum machine (a Fairlight I believe). This LP rocks more than most others released in 1985. Don't pass it up simply becuase you don't remember it...blame it on Capitol Records.

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1993 14 tracksJewelcase

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