Music

Average customer rating:

Gone before his time
Michael Brecker's Best Ever.
The final opus from one of the CATS
fabulous
transcendent

Pilgrimage
Michael Brecker
Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000OHZJA0
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

The Mean Time
Five Months From Midnight
Anagram
Tumbleweed
When Can I Kiss You Again?
Cardinal Rule
Half Moon Lane
Loose Threads
Pilgrimage

Amazon.com

Clocking in at nearly 80 minutes, this posthumous release comprises the last recordings Michael Brecker made before his untimely death in January 2007. Battling the debilitating effects of leukemia, he sought comfort, strength, and transcendence through music. The all-star lineup on Pilgrimage, which includes Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, and John Patitucci, has worked in various combinations over the past four decades. Here, they perform with the compelling group interplay of a longstanding ensemble. Brecker's nine compositions mark the first time he made an album solely of his own material. This is further testament to the creative drive that helped sustain him during his physical decline. From balladry to classic post-bop reveries, Brecker has fashioned one of his finest albums, and certainly his most personal work. The disc closes with the title track, which was also--fittingly--the last number he recorded. Never maudlin, this music and these fine musicians celebrate the power of music to connect human beings to one another, note by note, measure by measure. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Gone before his time.......2007-07-18

The great music on this cd helps soften the blow of losing such a talented saxophonist as Michael Brecker. The musicicians play as if they knew this would probably be his last cd, and unfortunately it was.

Michael Brecker's Best Ever........2007-07-09

I think other reviewers have said it better than I could when it comes to Michael Brecker's final album "Pilgrimage" so, I'll be brief. This is his best album ever. The playing as well as the musicianship between Brecker and his all-star line-up of Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, John Patitucci and Brad Mehldau is stellar on every track here. There isn't one weak track recorded here.
"Pilgrimage" features his best playing and his best compositions - truly a testament and high mark in the legacy of this respected sax player. If you don't believe me, read the other reviews here and then buy this CD.
An Instant Classic for 2007.
Rest in Peace, Michael.

The final opus from one of the CATS.......2007-07-04

Great writing, great playing, great ensemble guys. Great record.

RIP, Michael. You'll be missed, champ.

fabulous.......2007-07-03

If you are a fan of Michael Brecker this is a must have. As if the fact that it will be the last cd he ever releases isn't enough reason to purchase it, it is also a remarkable musical masterpiece. I honestly do not know how he managed to play at a level that is above the usual while practically on his death bed. The accompanying musicians are as good as they get as well, so the interaction between players and overall playing is just spectacular throughout.

transcendent.......2007-07-03

Amazing CD, transcendent in every sense of the word. Michael Brecker will be greatly missed.

Average customer rating:

CBGB
Exceptional best-of set
A nice compilation of The Talking Heads
Articulate Collection
Excellent Heads Compilation

The Best of Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002IQMKM
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

Love ->
Building On Fire
Psycho Killer
Oh, Love Comes To Town
Take Me To The River
Found A Job
Life During Wartime
Heaven
Memories Can't Wait
Once In A Lifetime
Houses In Motion
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
Girlfriend Is Better
Burning Down The House
Road To Nowhere
And She Was
Wild Wild Life
Blind
(Nothing But) Flowers

Album Description

Formed in NYC in the mid-'70s by David Byrne, Chris Franz, Tina Weymouth, and ex-Modern Lover Jerry Harrison, the Talking Heads evolved out of their now-legendary humble beginnings at CBGB's to become one of the most adventurous and influential bands ever. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, the Heads' visionary, polyrhythmic sound daringly combined funk and punk, African beats, avant-garde minimalism, and pure pop. From their 1977 debut through their Brian Eno-produced classics to their '88 farewell, Naked, they both pushed artistic boundaries and delivered indelible radio hits like "Once In A Lifetime" and "Burning Down The House."

Customer Reviews:

CBGB.......2007-07-06

This collection is all a Talking Head fan (except the most devout fan) will ever need. 3/4s of the tunes are great, the rest are still good.

Exceptional best-of set.......2006-10-10

Of course you know all these songs, and of course there are many more great cuts deeper on the original albums, but for a single-disc review of a band with over 10 years' worth of releases, this 18-track set is hard to beat. The group went through several striking stylistic changes over its lifetime, but that variation actually helps this disc hold together as an album as well as a set of songs.

This would make a great introduction for a younger fan of the current crop of danceable art rock bands (Of Montreal, The Killers, Decemberists) or a casual fan looking to supplant an old LP collection.

A nice compilation of The Talking Heads.......2006-08-24

I've always liked The Talking Heads, they always had catchy songs that were fun to listen to. I must admit, my favorite of theirs has always been "Burning Down The House", but there are so many good songs on here, as well. The Talking Heads were one of the best bands of the 80's, that's when they had their best work. The 70's were ok, too, but their 80's work really shined. I'm quite happy with this.

Articulate Collection.......2006-08-17

Oddly, a compilation by Talking Heads should come out uneven and disjointed, but this collection is marvelously done. The songs meld well together and provide a sampler that wouldn't prevent anyone from buying their excellent original albums. ('Talking Heads '77,' 'Remain in Light,' and 'Speaking in Tongues' are their crowning achievements artistically, but 'Fear of Music,' 'More Songs About Buildings and Food,' and 'True Stories' demonstrate that they had a great repertoire. (Unlike, 'Sand in the Vaseline,' which is also excellent, but perhaps takes too many gems and doesn't align them as well.)

For the uninitiated, Talking Heads is one of the freshest and engaging progressive bands from the seventies and eighties. "Psycho Killer," "Once in a Lifetime," "Burning Down the House," and "Wild, Wild Life" all capture the inspired lunacy that dares to match the insanity of ordinary life. All of their albums are well represented. "Life During Wartime" represents them at their progressive best, but "And She Was" showcases their ethereal best.

In sum, 'Best of Talking Heads' provides a great mix and a thoughtful sampler without spoiling all of the fun.

Excellent Heads Compilation.......2006-04-03

Known as much for their quirky style as well as their enigmatic and creative music, Talking Heads were one of the most popular and successful bands of the late 1970s' and early 1980s'. Even today, almost 20 years after they broke up, they still have a large fanbase.

Personally speaking, I'm not the world's biggest Talking Heads fan. However, I've always liked what I heard from them, and I always wanted one of their cds in my collection. So when I found the single disc, 18 track collection "The Best Of Talking Heads", I snatched it up immediately.

This is by far the best collection for the Talking Heads novice. Pretty much all the Talking Heads essentials are here, including "Love - > Building On Fire", "Take Me To The River", "Life During Wartime", "Memories Can't Wait", "Once In A Lifetime" and "Burning Down The House" as well as many others. And every track sounds fantastic.

In addition, there is a wonderful booklet replete with great liner notes, including interviews with Talking Heads fans such as Moby and El P. It is also readily available and affordabe. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

More Great music
Energy, sparkle, chops, and great grooves
The Lyrics Say It All...
Best CD in years
Energetic, interesting and exciting!

Good to Go-Go
Spyro Gyra
Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Funk | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000P28KXW
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

Simple Pleasures
Get Busy
Jam Up
The Left Bank
Funkyard Dog
Along For The Ride
Island Time
Wassup!
Easy Street
A Winter Tale
Good To Go-Go
Newroses

Customer Reviews:

More Great music.......2007-07-03

I buy Spyro as soon as it hits the stores and have never been disappointed. Good to Go-GO is just another in a long line of Great work. Jay changes his support crew but the basics don't change. He lets his new members put their own touches to the history and evolution of the Band.
My favorite cut on this album has to be A Winter Tale. The growling base work and the light airy piano along with the Sax makes this premire music. I listened to the cut three time in a row the very fisrt time and picked up new nuances everytime.

Energy, sparkle, chops, and great grooves.......2007-06-20

I've been listening to SG since 1981 - had all their early years stuff on vinyl and have seen/heard them several times in concert. They've always been jaw-droppingly amazing live and most of their studio sessions in the last few years have failed to capture the magic that is Spyro Gyra. Not this CD. Cut 1 with Tom Schuman growling on the Rhodes and Julio cruising out on guitar is well-worth the price of admiission alone. No group, and I mean no group, has the raw talent and musicianship that these guys do. This CD allows them all to stretch out and develop their solos and boy does this CD groove. Run, don't walk. . . . . Jay B and Co. have proven, once again, that they are the king of the contemporary jazz genre.

The Lyrics Say It All..........2007-06-13

After the low-key "Wrapped In A Dream", "Good To Go-Go" is a breath of fresh air in my opinion. I am an avid Contemporary Jazz genre fan, and love upbeat jazz. This certainly fits the bill, plus it has a cool calypso sound in a couple of the tracks. I was happy to hear that they are going back to a few tracks that contain lyrics, making it easier to remember what track/song you are listening to. This is/was certainly an entertaining CD and I would easily buy it for a friend or family member.

Best CD in years.......2007-06-12

This is the best of Spyro Gyra's in years. After some average CD's like Original Cinema, The Deep End and Wrapped in a Dream they came with this one. The couldn't find a better tittle for this album because is really GOOD TO GO-GO. If you are a fan you will love this one but if you never heard them this is a good time to start doing it. Island time is the best track.

Energetic, interesting and exciting! .......2007-06-12

Spyro Gyra has consistently been one of the most successful pop-jazz groups of the past 30 years.
They released their first self-titled album in 1976 which they paid for and released on their own, on an independent label. Their sound caught on.
Within a year they had sold tens of thousands of records and signed a record deal.
The group has released an album of unique, innovative music almost every year for the past three decades. Not bad for some guys who just started out jammin'.
"Good to Go-Go" is the band's twenty-sixth of their overall career and their fifth release on Heads Up, following on the heels of the GRAMMY nominated 2006 release Wrapped in a Dream (Best Pop Instrumental Album).
They keep maiteining a fresh approach to their craft by borrowing from a range of sources and distilling them into an unmistakable signature sound.
A new face in the Spyro Gyra lineup belongs to drummer/percussionist Bonny B (short for Bonaparte). The Trinidad native had been touring with the band for several months before they went into the studio to record "Good To Go-Go", and the energy he brought to the party served as the catalyst for some fine tuning in the group's overall philosophy.
Bonny B joins saxophonist and Spyro Gyra founder Jay Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez and bassist Scott Ambush in the five-man lineup.
Guest violinist Howes adds a continental flair to "The Left Bank", which is still 90% Spyro Gyra and the very talented Andy Narell adds his pan-playing to the second track.
The highlights of the the album are the bouncy mid-tempo "Simple Pleasures", a great song to listen to while driving with the windows down on a warm summer evening; the syncopated backbeat and subtle tonal shifts of uptempo "Get Busy" make for a challenging but fun melodic exercise.
"Along for the Ride" and "Island Time" take the listeners into a sort of Arthur Lyman/Les Baxter exotic islands music, but updated for the 21st century. Andy Narell adds his pan-playing to the second track and by now this album has won everybody's spirit.
Going into the homestretch with the title track, penned by Ambush, a highly percussive drums/bass groove that allows room for sax, keyboards and more.
Closing with "Newroses" increases the tempo/energy even further, with each band member trading licks for almost seven minutes.
In one word, a truly enjoyable, spirited delight.

Average customer rating:

Ian's Righteous Return
Good rock n roll
One Of the Boys
Ian's still the best...
Ian Hunter returns to form!

Shrunken Heads
Ian Hunter
Manufacturer: Yep Roc Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000NTPGCK
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

Words (Big Mouth)
Fuss About Nothin'
When the World Was Round
Brainwashed
Shrunken Heads
Soul Of America
How's Your House
Guiding Light
Stretch
I Am What I Hated When I Was Young
Read 'Em 'N' Weep

Amazon.com

Though Ian Hunter hit his popular peak in the 1970s, as the frontman for Mott the Hoople and with solo favorites such as "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Cleveland Rocks," fans who have followed his career ever since will find him in fine form here. Co-produced by Hunter and Andy York (guitarist for John Mellencamp), the album mixes the hard-crunching rock 'n' roll, literate lyricism, bittersweet balladry, and self-deprecating humor that have long marked Hunter's best work. Musically, both "Stretch" and the piano-driven "How's Your House" have the dynamics of Mott (though the latter was inspired by the aftermath of Katrina), while "When the World Was Round" and "I Am What I Hated When I Was Young" find Hunter in older-and-wiser mode. After "Brainwashed" attacks consumer culture with a feverish immediacy, Hunter finds soul-stirring redemption in "Guiding Light." --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Ian's Righteous Return .......2007-07-17

This collection of songs blew me away! Every song is fantastic! He's like a young man but with the experience of 68 years of livin'. Excellent lyrics and music (Ian composed both).
It's a tour de force. I want to be taking whatever Ian Hunter is taking. Ian Hunter is living proof that age is only a number. He is more alive and vital on these songs than artists
one-quarter his age. Shrunken Heads is a rollicking, driving, ROCKIN' CD. My compliments to the artist who always KNEW Cleveland Rocks!

Good rock n roll.......2007-07-16

This is the first Ian Hunter CD that I have bought. I think it's very good for new music. It has even inspired me to check out some old Mott the Hoople stuff.

One Of the Boys.......2007-07-15

Like many of you, we were turned on to Ian and Mott the Hoople in 1974. I will never forget it. They produced some of the most melodic rock of the years 1974-1976. We had a large group from Philadelphia at St. Joe's College that rallied around Hunter. This is indeed an extraordinary album. It is incredible to believe he is in his late sixties. I believe "Soul of America" would be an incredible smash hit for any of the top artists today. It is indeed a shame that only those of us left from that era will get to appreciate this masterpiece. Here's to all of you who realize how good "One of the Boys" was, especially as a live song. Hunter said: "this is what we're all about"... Amen!

Ian's still the best..........2007-07-03

Ian Hunter is still the greatest. His song writing is impeccable. His delivery is right on the money & engaging. He's topical. He's current. He rocks, & still lays out a Helluva groove. I love this album so much, that I bought & sent copies to several friends.

Ian Hunter returns to form!.......2007-07-03

From the opening, 'Big Mouth' (with it's clever spoken Hunter intro) throughout, this is the best Ian Hunter solo album since "You're Never Alone..." and ranks with this and possibly some of his Mott recordings! Hunter, while in even raspier voice than the past, has all of his lyrical bite and humour displayed in the best of his Mott period. He (unlike Jagger & Co.) has in fact copped to his age and writes songs about where he is now in live with great wit and playfulness. The band is just great, with a rocking mix. I approached this cyncially, but definitely his best release of new songs in over 20 years. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Average customer rating:

Challenging and Rewarding
In some ways Bad Plus's best album yet
A good entry into jazz for rock fans
More touch needed on the quieter songs
Does anyone really LIKE listening to this music?

PROG
The Bad Plus
Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Give

ASIN: B000NQQ4OC
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Physical Cities
Life On Mars
Mint
Giant
Thiftstore Jewelry
Tom Sawyer
This Guy's In Love With You
The World Is The Same
1980 World Champion

Amazon.com

You have to hear the Bad Plus's lush, lovely instrumental approach to Tears for Fears' hit "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." It's a slowly-evolving meditation on the tune that clearly is in love with its melody and structure. It might be the finest jazz cover of an '80s song since Miles Davis cut Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" back in the day. The other covers, especially their florid take on Rush's "Tom Sawyer," may be likely to get the most attention of anything on the album. But they rely too much on irony, on people's previous perceptions of the music, and do not seem quite as enamored of the original. They're jokes that are funny the first time but not so much the second or third. As with the Bad Plus' previous releases, the group's original compositions are the meat of the album: "Giant" and "Physical Cities" carve out huge walls of sonic space with abandon. This is rockist jazz, a postmodern fusion that relies greatly on tricky time signatures and mashups of seemingly incongruous sound. It's not likely this music will age spectacularly well, but so what? If you're looking for some engaging and conversation-inducing dinner music preceding an evening spent watching Napoleon Dynamite or any Wes Anderson flick, this is just the thing. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Challenging and Rewarding.......2007-07-14

Prog is much better than their recent live CD (Blunt Object). On Prog, they explore contemporary pop/rock standards like Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World, David Bowie's Life On Mars and Rush's Tom Sawyer along with their tight orginals Physical Cities, Mint, Giant, Thriftstore Jewelry, The World Is The Same and 1980 World Champion.

This is a must have for anyone interested in contemporary jazz (not smooth) that wants something challenging and, ultimately, rewarding to listen to.

[DW]

In some ways Bad Plus's best album yet.......2007-07-07

Overall, I would rate this as the Bad Plus's best album. With the excpetion of suspicious activity it has the best songwriting and it has the best adapations of cover songs of all bad plus albumns. The covers are are good choices and the adaptations are brilliant. Physical cities and Giant are interstesting new songs. Suspicious activity introduced more new songs, and in that way is better than Prog, but Prog is solid from start to finish and the overall consistency makes it Bad Plus's best albumn yet.

A good entry into jazz for rock fans.......2007-06-29

As a rock fan - and a prog rock fan in particular - I was intrigued by the concept of this CD so I picked it up. And I must say that I love it! I've always dabbled a little bit in jazz, but this recording fuses the two genres in a way that I find appealing and even fascinating. Unlike some of the reviewers, I love the "Tom Sawyer" cover; it is anchored enough in the original and then takes off with its own ideas and the awe-inspiring musicianship of the group. Having enjoyed this CD I'm going to get the others too. In the end, I think jazz aficionados can take comfort from the fact that this CD will expose some to jazz who otherwise wouldn't have given it a shot.

More touch needed on the quieter songs.......2007-06-28

The Bad Plus return with another mixture of deconstructed covers and originals. "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is done softly and less Bad-Plusy than covers on their other discs. Or, you could say it's done jazzier - the main sing-along melody doesn't appear until the end. It's a good start, and it's their best quiet song on this CD. "Physical Cities" is a thudder, which focuses on group improvisation. Cut from the same cloth as "Big Eater" (from "These Are The Vistas"), its ending is like being hit with a wooden mallet. "Life On Mars" burbles along for its first four minutes until Ethan Iverson starts playing the recognizable part of the song around David King's cymbal crashes. I don't get "Mint" -- both quiet and loud sections come and go without making much sense to me. "Giant" resolves into a pretty beginning, and is nice, though the same ostinato gets tiresome after a while. "Thriftstore Jewelry" is more nimble and dynamic, and might be my favorite original. "Tom Sawyer", unlike other Bad Plus covers, is done fairly straight and almost reverently. "This Guy's In Love With You" is a Bacharach-David cover, and "The World Is The Same" an original. Both are relatively quiet, neither reach me. You could summarize this CD by saying it's 60% quiet, and 40% loud, but the reason I give it three stars is I'm not crazy about the quiet ones. I just think they need to be played with more touch, more agility. The Bad Plus resolves its track & field cycle of "1972 Bronze Medalist" & "1979 Semi-Finalist" with the best one yet, "1980 World Champion". This is another in their strength; the fast, jagged songs. The Bad Plus would be boring if they made every song sound like "Physical Cities", so I'd like them to get better on the "Giant"-style songs.

Does anyone really LIKE listening to this music?.......2007-06-06

I can't quite shake the feeling, after listening to this alien music for the past week or so, that I've been duped. And though I think Prog is somewhat of a recovery after Give and (esp.) Suspicious Activity, I can't bring myself to totally sign on.

I have thoughts like these as I listen: Wow, Dave King brings something to his kit that few jazz drummers ever have (although I could do with a little less bombast and heavy-handiness). Or, Ethan Iverson's displaying some awesome chops (although he still strikes me as awfully mannered). Or, Reid Anderson actually has some pretty attractive songs on this disc (although the band unnecessarily beats "Physical Cities" to a bloody pulp).

Bottom line--I can't convince myself that these boys aren't stuck in unwitting self-parody. That is, attitude trumps substance. To be expected, I suppose, when a band comes with this much hype--and apparently believes it.

Nevertheless, I'm pretty much bowled over by the covers (unlike some of the other reviewers), especially the laconic tumescence of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "This Guy's in Love with You." "Tom Sawyer" strikes me as funny, and "Life on Mars" as appropriately weird.

Actually, in a lot of ways, this is a pretty killer disc, although, it must be said, the vibe pretty quickly wears thin. Consequently, I find myself not picking it to listen to for the pure pleasure it gives, but to access its quirkiness. Which, unfortunately, tends to relegate it to novelty status.

That said, it's quite an attractive novelty. Somewhere between 3 and 5 stars.

Average customer rating:

great music
Consistant as always.
Supreme sound, engaging mood!
Meadows is the Music Man
Awesome

Dressed to Chill
Marion Meadows
Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FAOC6S
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

Dressed To Chill
Remember Me
Dance With My Daughter
Miss Know It All
Bounce
I Believe I Can Fly
Coco Flow
Just My Style
Scent Of A Woman
Steppers...Let's Do This
1000 Dreams
To Love Her

Amazon.com

Soprano/tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Marion Meadows comes from the smooth jazz sax tradition paved by Grover Washington, Jr. and George Howard. Though his sound is not a full as those two, he makes up for it with his lyricism, which imbues the twelve tracks here. Highlights include the "down-low" quiet-storm track "Miss Know it All," with vocalist Will Brock, "Dance With My Daughter," Meadows' companion piece to Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father,""and his engaging cover of R. Kelley's "I Believe I Can Fly." The lively "Steppers...Let's Do This" is a high-energy salute to the disco-house dance genre from Chicago. With production by keyboardists Michael Broening and Chris "Big Dog" Davis and some instrumental support from guitarists Chuck Loeb and Freddy Fox, this recording is the right fit for Marion Meadows' contemporary fans. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

great music.......2007-05-14

I love this cd! As always Marion Meadows has produced great music!

Consistant as always. .......2007-05-10

Once again the gifted marion is on top form as always. Although not as strong as previous outing "in deep", a similar musical journey, the highlights being "dance with my daughter" and the wonderful "1000 dreams".
As always Marion's art of soprano playing is head and shoulders above any current and forseeable smooth jazz sax players.

Supreme sound, engaging mood!.......2007-03-13

Among the new promises of the sax in this genre, Marion Meadows has become a figure of first order. His kaleidoscopic arrangements, memorable harmonies and brilliant display of febrile lyricism, have earned him an enviable status in this hour.

Go for this album; one of the best of the year and convince by yourself. He is one of the greatest ones of the instrument.

Meadows is the Music Man.......2007-02-19

Marion really brings home the soothing sounds on this CD. His studio recordings are great but his live performance is superb!!!

Awesome.......2007-01-28

Awesome, the cd was received with in a reasonable time,no damage to the cd case or package.The music is great,good to listen to when driving long distance.I will continue to order from Amazon.com
Thanks for your customer service.

Average customer rating:

Smooth Jazz CD
A most enjoyable and passionate journey.

Little Tokyo
Hiroshima
Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000P7V5VG
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

Midnight Sun
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Lanai
Red Beans and Rice
Sir Charles
Hidden Times
Shades of Honor
Quan Yin
Drama
Hiro Chill
Little Tokyo Underground

Customer Reviews:

Smooth Jazz CD.......2007-06-27

This CD is a smooth soothing jazz style.
A very relaxing blend of music.
Similar sytle to earlier works such as Turning Point, and I Do Remember.
Must have for any Hiroshima fan.

A most enjoyable and passionate journey........2007-06-05

Hiroshima are not so much a band but an institution nowadays in the USA, they symbolise the classic maxim, 'East Meets West' whereby the music of Asia is fused with the music of North America and Europe but also the fusing of cultures both old and new.
On this new release , the Japanese Americans Dan and June Kuramoto, which form the basis of Hiroshima, continue with their tried and trusted formula of fusing the music of their present and past.
"Little Tokyo", which is named for a well known Asian neighborhood in Southern California, combines Asian, Latin American, African American and more influences into their compositions.
There is an exotic dimension to this CD collection the defies definition. That it is one of Hiroshima's most creative releases to date is definite.
Every performance shines with individuality, whether in solo or in group expression.Guest keyboardist and labelmate James K. Lloyd of Pieces of a Dream joins in on the catchy tune titled "Lanai".
The album offers a cocktail of young and old, east and west, funky tunes and contemporary jazz grooves with a dash of lyricism and the result encapsulates the dedication and reverance of some of today's finest exponents of Japanese and American idioms.
If you haven't heard any of Hiroshima's music yet, this is a good starting point and you will soon be looking for those back catalogue albums to learn more about their unusal musical adventure.
This is most enjoyable album of diversity,it is like a journey, not a destination for a band who have enjoyed more than 30 years of success playing music in a style and mode which is consistent with today's evolving cross cultural themes.

Average customer rating:

Amen
How much do you miss this band?
Thank You Mr. Zawinul
Zawinul's own tribute to Weather Report
21st Century Weather Report

Brown Street
Joe Zawinul
Manufacturer: Heads Up
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pilgrimage
Metheny Mehldau Quartet
CARLOS SANTANA & WAYNE SHORTER/LIVE @ MONTREUX JAZZ FEST/CD
Forecast: Tomorrow
The Third Quartet

ASIN: B000MGVCLS
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Tracks:

Brown Street
In A Silent Way
Fast City
Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz
Black Market

Tracks:

March Of The Lost Children
A Remark You Made
Night Passage
Procession
Carnavalito

Amazon.com

Recorded in Vienna, the city of Joe Zawinul's birth, this 2005 concert adapts many of his most celebrated compositions for the expanded presence of the WDR Big Band. After the triumphant opening of the propulsive eleven-minute title track, the gentle "In a Silent Way" revisits the evocative memories of Zawinul's childhood that inspired him to write the piece over forty years ago. While this hour and a half of music draws from Zawinul's past, it is never dependent upon nostalgia. Rather, the bold new settings show how vibrant the writing remains. Zawinul's core quartet (with percussionist Alex Acuna, bassist Victor Bailey, and drummer Nathaniel Townsley) can be as ferocious and supple as any of Weather Report's line-ups. Everything from the atmospheric quietude of a piece like "A Remark You Made" to the world funk of "Black Market" is given its full due by this sprawling yet controlled 19-piece ensemble. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Amen.......2007-05-19

This is a signature album from a keyboardist who spans the time in which I have enjoyed JAZZ.

How much do you miss this band?.......2007-05-03

If there had never been a synthesizer, would Weather Report had to have been a big band? There's not a dull second over the course of two discs, and they could have put out two more. Never a huge fan of the big band as a youth, I now know it's the best way to get the maximum color out of a composition and it's arrangement (have you all seen the Pat Metheny Group stuff with the big band on You Tube?).

Mr. Mendoza, can you write charts for more of these tunes? Sponsors, funders, underwriters: can you please offer up some grants for the completion of such a project? Somewhere toward the end of "Night Passage", the volume is rising, the groove is SO intense, and I'm pleading "Don't stop, please don't stop!"

If Mr. Zawinul and Mr. Shorter should ever meet on stage again, this is how they should do it. Whether they do or not, Lord have mercy, someone get this record a tour in the U.S., and fast!

Buy it now-it's THAT good.

Thank You Mr. Zawinul.......2007-04-04

Thank you Mr. Zawinul for sharing your music with us and I wish that someday there will be a new Weather Report with Mr. Shorter. Your music will live forever. El mundo necesita musica de Jazz como esta simplemente lo mejor! Long Live Weather Report!

Zawinul's own tribute to Weather Report.......2007-03-11

I was looking forward to this release even though I am not a huge fan of big band. But then, we're talking about the WDR big band, one of the finest in the world. And besides, look at that rhythm section: Alex Acuna, Nathaniel Townsley, Victor Bailey and the Man himself, Josef Erich Zawinul on keys. It's practically Weather Report, sans Mr Shorter.

To top off this stellar roster of players, the arrangements were penned by none less than the inimitable Vince Mendoza. Does it get any better than that? Not with this collection of great tunes. It's amazing how natural these great compositions translate to the big band format; they fit hand in glove. This format allows the listener to clearly hear the relationship Zawinul's ideas have to Duke Ellington's 'shout' melodies Just listen to the beautiful intro to In a Silent Way or the natural big band sound of Night Passage. In a way, Zawinul was gunning for that sound back in the day on those early synths. Now you can hear those parts played by the real deal. Listen to the audience response when the full band enters on the opening track, Brown Street, or for that matter, on the drums and percussion break on the steaming closer, Carnivalito. There is genuine excitement being generated here. It sounds like a party. We are talking serious groove here.

I am delighted and surprised by the ease and depth of feel exhibited by this large ensemble on what were originally small group compositions. The level of soloing is very high, as one would expect from this crack group of european musicians. There are plenty of Zawinul moments, but a number of players have their moments to shine as well. All acquit themselves quite well under Zawinul's watchful ears.

This is a must have for Weather Report fans, but there is something here for lovers of jazz in general. It is a revelation to hear just how steeped in the jazz tradition these pieces are when heard in this more acoustic setting. Big Fun for all.

21st Century Weather Report .......2007-03-06

This big band rendition of the best of Zawinul, Shorter & Company is an essential "Weather update." As other reviewers have opined, those 70s synth sounds have not aged well despite the fact that JZ was the consummate synth player (akin to Garth Hudson with the Band). The horns arrangements are unified and add a fresh perspective to the WR standards. Would love to hear more peformances, but these two discs' worth are nothing short of amazing. Jazz is alive and well in the 21st Century.

Popular Favorites 1976-1992/Sand In the Vaseline

Average customer rating:

Not applicable
If They're Not In The Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame, Heads Should Roll!
Sounds great,sounds like they are right next to you.
Worthwhile; possibly obsolete
Strong compilation from a smart pop band

Popular Favorites 1976-1992/Sand In the Vaseline
Talking Heads
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Name of This Band is Talking Heads
Speaking in Tongues
Little Creatures
Green
Remain in Light

ASIN: B000002LRK
Release Date: 1992-10-13

Tracks:

Sugar On My Tongue
I Want To Live
Love/Building On Fire
I Wish You Wouldn't Say That
Psycho Killer
Don't Worry About The Government
No Compassion
Warning Sign
The Big Country
Take Me To The River
Heaven
Memories Can't Wait
I Zimbra
Once In A Lifetime
Crosseyed And Painless
Burning Down The House
Swamp
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)

Tracks:

Life During Wartime (Live)
Girlfriend Is Better (Live)
And She Was
Stay Up Late
Road To Nowhere
Wild Wild Life
Love For Sale
City Of Dreams
Mr. Jones
Blind
(Nothing But) Flowers
Sax And Violins
Gangster Of Love
Lifetime Piling Up
Popsicle

Amazon.com

Released four years after the Talking Heads called it a day with 1988's Naked, Popular Favorites provides a thorough overview of one of the most important American bands of the '80s. From tightly wound early efforts such as "Psycho Killer" and "Don't Worry About the Government" to the seriously funky likes of "I Zimbra" and "Burning Down the House," David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Franz grew as musicians as they stretched the original concepts of the unit to the breaking point. Over the course of two discs and 32 selections, the anthology chronicles the Heads' development from Bowery art punks (albeit of the most civil stripe) to unlikely arena stars. A smattering of unreleased tracks and notes from the original quartet nicely flesh out the retrospective. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Not applicable.......2007-07-08

Tried twice to purchase this CD. Both times only 1 of the 2 cds arrived in the package.

If They're Not In The Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame, Heads Should Roll!.......2007-03-20

I found it interesting being referred to in general in one of the spotlight reviews (I'm an evangelical Christian). There are some things I don't like about Talking Heads, and that is a leaning toward Nihlism (no meaning to anything). However, I applaud a band that makes you think, especially one this creative.

I won't make a list of favorite songs like I normally do; there are many good ones. I will say, though, that the band was strongest when more of the band collaborated together on the songs than in the latter years (most of disc 2) when Byrne wrote most of the songs solo.

Another thing that I consider negative, more present in the booklets, is the unnecessary cussing from Byrne. This did give me a negative point of view towards Byrne in general.

I saw "Stop Making Sense" first, and that converted me to being a fan of the group. Actually, the first time I heard this cooled me off, but re-listening helped make me a bit more of a fan again.

Sounds great,sounds like they are right next to you........2007-01-26

This cd has so many songs that you won't believe they squeezed it on the 2 cd set.David Byrne at his finest.

Worthwhile; possibly obsolete.......2006-10-10

This 2-disc set spans, somewhat uncomfortably, the boundary between a greatest-hits collection (targeted at the casual fan) and a retrospective box set (targeted at the completist). Nearly all of the band's well-known hits are here (with the odd exception of "Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town"), padded out to double-CD length with live cuts and non-album tracks. The result is completely listenable, as the boundary between the group's quirky art-rock days and their FM-radio heyday falls nicely between discs, but new fans might consider the later, single-disc hits collection a better value while fans wanting to go deeper will seek out the recent DualDisc re-releases which feature lots of bonus tracks.

It's all great stuff, however, with the first disc showcasing the band's uncanny ability to merge art tendencies with pop instinct even as they were mastering their instruments, and the second bringing key tracks from some of the less-heard later albums to light.

Of special note is the superb re-mastering job by Bob Ludwig, which gives the early songs a punch and presence missing from the prior releases.

Strong compilation from a smart pop band.......2006-09-16

Talking Heads is one of those rare bands with the distinction of making smart pop music accesible for the masses. The double disc "Sand in the Vaseline" is a good reflection of their career. I first became familar with them in the early eighties when songs like "Burning down the House" was all over FM radio and MTV. Disc 2 represents this era thoroughly, and includes some smaller hits that I forgot about until I bought the CD.

The pleasant surprise was Disc 1. Disc 1 focuses more on their earlier music from the late 70's, like "Life During Wartime." While I was familar with these hits as well, some of the more obscure songs on Disc 1 became my favorites on either disc. "Sugar on My Tongue" and "I Wish You Wouldn't Say That" stood out immediately as I was listening to them for the first time. I also liked some of the last songs on Disc 2 that they released before finally disbanding. "Sax and Violins" and especially "Lifetime Piling Up" come to mind. But that's what a good band does. Good bands produce timeless music throughout the decades that stand the test of time. This is a thorough compilation of a good band and a starting point for those becoming familiar with Talking Heads for the first time.

Average customer rating:

still good but earlier albums better
Afro/ Techno/ Magnifico!
Holy Byrne, Batman!
Amazing
The best Heads CD ever.

Remain in Light
Talking Heads
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fear of Music
Speaking in Tongues
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Talking Heads: 77
Little Creatures

ASIN: B000002KO3
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
Crosseyed And Painless
The Great Curve
Once In A Lifetime
House In Motion
Seen And Not Seen
Listening Wind
The Overload

Amazon.com essential recording

Way back in 1980, the original wave of Talking Heads fans were pleasantly stunned to hear Remain in Light, produced and co-written by Brian Eno, on which Byrne and company are joined by guitar god Adrian Belew, and funk legends Bernie Worrell (keyboards) and Steven Scales (percussion), among others, for a fuller, funkier sound nobody imagined they had in them. The first three songs are long, layered, full-body dance parties, with incessantly repeated phrases (musical and lyrical), and increasingly catchy melodic hooks that won't let go for days. "Once in a Lifetime" was the big hit, but the rockingest track is the third, "The Great Curve," after which the songs get more linear and subdued. It's still great stuff, right through to the especially Eno-like droner, "The Overload," but the second half is maybe better to sleep to than dance to. Which is fine: after the exuberance of the first three songs, you'll need a little nap. --Dan Leone

Customer Reviews:

still good but earlier albums better.......2007-05-13

i am a huge talking heads fan,but this album ranks no 4 on my list. their previous 3 albums are a bit more funkier and catchy. though i have to admit the great curve (off remain in light) is one of my favourites. buy all 4 you wont be disappointed!

Afro/ Techno/ Magnifico!.......2007-01-28

'Remain in Light' is arguably the Talking Heads' best album ever. Steeped in primitive, African rhthyms, but sent with the trajectory of advanced technology, the album harnesses a mesmerizing and formidable set of sounds and images. It is easily Talking Heads' most avant garde work of their whole career. Think of tribal music generated from a computer, and you get 'Remain in Light'.

What used to be known as side one has mainly more progressive songs, and the second half is more subdued, but all of it is brilliant. There's "Born Under Punches," where David Byrne warbles, "I'm a tumbler...I'm a government man." Like many songs before it, he takes the everyman through the cross-hairs of everyday, struggling existence. "Cross-eyed and Painless" is pedestrian, but contains some riveting funk, and "The Great Curve" is hypnotic with the most dancey song from the album. "Houses in Motion" takes the funk where "Cross-eyed.." left off, but, understandably, given the title, takes a slower groove. (I've often wondered if the song is about the homeless.) Anyway, nuances give way to thoughtful songs like "Seen and Not Seen" and "Listening Wind". The finale is truly magnificent. Perhaps a song about calamity as big as Armageddon, "The Overload" is a chilling song that envelops the listener with its ominous development.

Still, a classic after all these years, 'Remain in Light' sounds just as innovative and modern as it did upon its release. Having a troubadour song, "Once in a Lifetime," complete with synthesizers that simulate flowing water, has kept them on the radio for a number of years with the most moving, and yet, "normal" song from the whole album.

Holy Byrne, Batman!.......2007-01-27

Every band has an album so good, it overshadows everything else they did, even making their better albums seem like mere trifles by comparison. For the Talking Heads, it was Remain in Light. Eight tracks of sheer brilliance: funky, paranoid, and avant-garde thanks to Brian Eno's genius production job. Loaded with unforgettable classics, namely the first four songs: Once in a Lifetime is not only the group's signature song, but arguably the greatest tune of the entire New Wave movement, maybe even the late-'70's in general; Crosseyed and Painless fuses dance with rock and avant-garde music in a way that NOBODY had EVER attempted before; The Great Curve is seductive and sensual, a rare thing for the group, with a cool distorted guitar solo; Born Under Punches has some of the best paranoid lyrics one's likely to hear, period, with an unforgettable feel to boot. This could've been a science-fiction short story, as could've the droning closer Overload, which is also first-rate. Seen and Unseen, Listening Wind, and Houses in Motion are all slightly weaker than those five, but they're all pretty good: there's not a bad song here. I'd say this is even better than Fear of Music, which is quite an achievement. If the Heads do anything for you, you owe it to yourself to buy this.

Amazing.......2006-09-22

I first heard this record either my sophomore or junior year in college. It was late one night and I'm sitting at my computer reading music reviews and I always heard these great things about the album "Remain In Light" as well as the Talking Heads. Rolling Stone (a magazine I cannot stand primarily for the rankings they always do) ranked this record the third greatest album of the 80's. (After #1 "London Calling" and #2 "Purple Rain"). I'm a lover of old-school music so I had to hear this record....I had to hear the Talking Heads. Luckily, my roomate had this CD and I listened to it at about 2 in the morning.

The record opens with "Born Under Punches" (The Heat Goes On). I did not get it at first. I'll go so far as to say I did not even like this record. All I liked was "Crosseyed and Painless". The music was too weird for my liking.

The next day I decided to give it another chance. And man, am I glad I did. This record is flat out ridiculous!! You want funky music?? The entire first side is filled with killer grooves. Tracks 1-4 are danceable and will either make you move or do something. You cannot stand still while listening to this record. This is possibly the first record by a prominent band exploring African polyrhythms....all that really means is that each member of the band is doing their own thing within the song. The additons of Adrian Belew (guitar), Steve Scales (percussion) and Funk Legend Bernie Worrel (Parliment/Funkadelic) on keyboard give the band a complete sound not heard before. The second side starting with "Houses in Motion" slows the record down but the funk does not go away. Concluding with "The Overload" which has producer Brian Eno's influence all over it. (Eno was also on "Buildings and Food" and "Fear of Music" (The track is a very "Low", "Heroes" era David Bowie track, albums which Eno also produced).

The funk that started on "Fear of Music" is magnified ten-fold on this record. My two favorite songs are "Crosseyed and Painless" and "Once In A Lifetime". Starting with "Lifetime", this was the single from this record and it had a video as well. This is considered by many to be the band's greatest song. Watery keyboards along with the Weymouth/Frantz tandem and David being David with the lyrics makes this songs special. But to me, "Crosseyed and Painless" is the jewel of this record.

When I first heard this song back in college I immediately thought it was amazing. This is pure funk. I listened to it about 20 times that night. (No exaggeration) Tina Weymouth'a bass destroys this track and with everything going on at once it is almost impossible to name all the instruments on this one track. (Or any track for that matter) Weymouth has to be one of the best bassists. She never plays anything too complicated but she never messes up, never drops the rhythm. The bass fits in perfectly on these tracks. Frantz does not drop his 4/4 pattern and the track just has so much life. More than any other record, Byrne's lyrics really do not matter nor what the songs are about. This record is all about the music....the polyrhythms. The Talking Heads were so inventive and their music crossed all racial boundries. Songs from the record were played on Black and White radio stations. The influence of this record was felt throughout the entire decade in Rock, Funk and R&B music by groups wanting to branch out in their music.

As great as the music is it is kind of strange to me that it has not been sampled more often. This album has "SAMPLE ME" written all over it!! Those who think this music is monotonous are not seeing the big picutre. I think it is harder to play the same part over and over because one slip and the whole track is wasted. The Talking Heads were all about precision and given time this records seeps in the your mind and body and it cannot be escaped. This is a must listen. If you are interested in the band this is the place to start. No one else was doing music like this back then and that is why it is considered a landmark. Talking Heads- One of my all-time favorite bands.

The best Heads CD ever........2006-07-08

Adrian Belew makes this an incredible Cd. Great sounds come from his fingers and leaves you wondering how in the world did he make his guitar make that sound? Listening Winds is a great tune with terrorist's point of view. I am not all hot on terrorists but it's a good song. And of course the song about the water going under is the bomb from way back. This CD still holds the same place in my heart as it did 20 years ago.

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