Such & Such

1. Rare Thing

2. Some Kind of Sonnet

3. Totterdown

4. Anthony Believes

5. I Need a Cup of Coffee

6. Waterhole (Awasazi)

7. Mirror Dance

8. West End Samba

9. Sniper's Tale

10. Rolling Down This Roman Road

11. There Is a Song

12. Sweet Such & Such

13. Constant Lover

Such & Such,Steve Tilston,Market Square,British Folk,Contemporary Celtic,Irish Folk

Average customer rating: Decent Start...but hopefully a better one will come along A great Bon Jovi collection Cross Road Decent Beginner's Set BON JOVI AT THEIR BEST!!!

Cross Road Bon Jovi Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Have a Nice Day Crush Lost Highway Slippery When Wet This Left Feels Right: Greatest Hits With a Twist ASIN: B000001EC1 Release Date: 1994-10-18

Tracks:

1. Livin' On A Prayer
2. Keep The Faith
3. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
4. Always
5. Wanted Dead Or Alive
6. Lay Your Hands On Me
7. You Give Love A Bad Name
8. Bed Of Roses
9. Blaze Of Glory
10. Prayer '94
11. Bad Medicine
12. I'll Be There For You
13. In & Out Of Love
14. Runaway

Amazon.com

This best-of is loaded with the usual smash suspects plus three new cuts--the sub-Mellancamp "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night," the Bed of Roses-style ballad single "Always," and a low-key remake of "Living On A Prayer" titled "Prayer '94." Love 'em or not, there's no denying the loyalty of the fans. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Decent Start...but hopefully a better one will come along.......2007-07-10

As far as greatest hits by the band, this I believe is the first one of studio cuts anyway. I saw this one in the Spring in the top Ten at Amazon, and was wondering why all the sudden interest in Bon Jovi, of course they did just come out with a new CD, and the new stuff is pretty good, me myself recently got the Remasters of their first 3 or 4 Cd's, and I admit that "Keep The Faith" was the last one I bought...But I did get the big box set of rarities 100 Million fans can't be wrong, so they are indeed my major rock guilty pleasure.

Is there no "Essential" Bon Jovi yet?, didn't see one...I was hoping for a 2 CD set of their hits along with a few deeper album cuts by now not that I need that, just that it would seem it's time for that since they've been around for 20 plus years now. Hopefully it isn't far off, this band deserves a better career collection than this one, I can't imagine the casual fan wanting this lacking set, even the order is strange. Of course the hardcore Bon Jovi fan likes about every one of their songs, maybe only 4 or 5 from the first album, but even I like most of the songs on 7800 degrees, and an essential would have to have Tokyo Road and Silent Night on it or I would not buy it. As far as Slippery, New Jersey...every song on those should be essential, maybe one or two left off...and that they are not on the greatest hits as this is known, is a major flaw. I'm thinking the ultimate Bon Jovi greatest hits set would have to have at least 4 songs each from the first two CD's, and then maybe 5 or 6 from Slippery, New Jersey, and Keep The Faith? That would fill out 2 Cd's I think and make a nice collection; better than this one for sure.

Hopefully fans new and old will get a better restrospective soon, this one is a nice start I guess, but I would highly recommend checking out their remastered catalog for more hits. They don't have many duds at all at least on their first 4 or 5 Cd's. The late 90's one's I don't know, perhaps an essential collection would contain some newer songs...but classic Bon Jovi is good enough for now.

A great Bon Jovi collection.......2007-06-09

For the most part, this is a great Bon Jovi collection. I do not equally enjoy every song on this album, but this collection includes nearly all of their early hits.

Cross Road.......2007-06-09

I love this CD, it's awesome, the songs are the best. Especially "Always", "Bed of Roses" and "I'll be there for you"

Decent Beginner's Set.......2007-05-22

For people who only know Bon Jovi from their "Have A Nice Day" and beyond years, "Cross Road" is a very good collection of tunes for them to check out. It gives the listener a solid set of their most popular tunes from their hair band heyday before they got all earthy/Mellencampy. This album is by no means a complete gathering of their greatest tunes. It leaves out at least two songs ("Living In Sin" and "Born To Be My Baby") and instead fills those holes with the dismal "Prayer '94," the forgettable "Always" and the harbinger of things to come, "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night." "Someday" is actually a very good modern roots rocker, but people don't buy greatest hits albums for the new songs. People buy this album for songs like the original "Livin' on a Prayer," "Wanted Dead Or Alive," "Bad Medicine," and "I'll Be There For You."

Lesser known tunes from their earliest offerings(particularly "Runaway") signal the beginnings of a great band to come. Later songs such as "Keep The Faith" and "Bed Of Roses" reveal a band in rock decline and quickly headed for the adult contemporary sound. In short, "Crossroad" gives the listener a pretty good take on how a band from Jersey made it big, leveled off, then headed for the sweet and steady success of light rock. Just to shake things up a bit, "Blaze Of Glory" from Jon Bon Jovi's solo "Young Guns II" project is included. Sadly, we do not get a sample from any of Richie Sambora's solo works. He really is a much better guitarist than he's given credit for, and it would have been nice for one of his tunes to be included in this collection.

I grew up during Bon Jovi's prime, and am proud to say that I own original cassette copies of "Slippery When Wet" and "New Jersey." Although they weren't my favorite hair/glam/hard rock band (that was Def Leppard), they were still one of the best around at the time. Bon Jovi is no longer the band they once were, but for people who want to know where they came from, this is the album to pick up.

BON JOVI AT THEIR BEST!!!.......2007-02-17

Words cannot describe how awesome BON JOVI is!!! I am their #1 fan and no other group in this world produces such quality / entertaining / heartfelt music. I RECOMMEND YOU BUY HAVE A NICE DAY and ALL OF THEIR CDs!!!

Average customer rating: IT'S ONE WILD NIGHT, ALRIGHT!!! Live Concert Versions of Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits zero stars Bon Jovi rocks not a greatest hits album

One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001 Bon Jovi Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Live Albums | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: This Left Feels Right: Greatest Hits With a Twist Have a Nice Day Crush Cross Road Bon Jovi ASIN: B00005J73X Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

1. It's My Life
2. Livin' On A Prayer
3. You Give Love A Bad Name
4. Keep The Faith
5. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
6. Rockin' In The Free World
7. Something To Believe
8. Wanted Dead Or Alive
9. Runaway
10. In And Out Of Love
11. I Don't Like Mondays
12. Just Older
13. Something For The Pain
14. Bad Medicine
15. One Wild Night 2001

Amazon.com

One Wild Night? Well, that's not strictly true, as this live album was recorded at Bon Jovi concerts spanning three decades. But why be pedantic when the result is a live album that effectively doubles as a greatest-hits collection? Bon Jovi's songs are tailor-made for stadiums and arenas, and, from classic fist-in-the-air rockers ("Livin' on a Prayer," "Bad Medicine," "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Runaway") to lighters-in-the-air numbers ("Keep the Faith," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Something to Believe In"), the choices are suitably larger than life. The career-reviving single "It's My Life" sounds right at home, as do great covers of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" (recorded, appropriately enough, in Johannesburg in 1995) and the Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays" (performed with Sir Bob Geldof). --Robert Burrow

Customer Reviews:

IT'S ONE WILD NIGHT, ALRIGHT!!!.......2007-02-17

Words cannot describe how awesome BON JOVI is!!! I am their #1 fan and no other group in this world produces such quality / entertaining / heartfelt music. I RECOMMEND YOU BUY ONE WILD NIGHT and ALL OF THEIR CDs!!!

Live Concert Versions of Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits.......2007-01-19

"One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001" by Bon Jovi, Is a compilation of Bon Jovi's best songs, performed at various concert events from 1985 to 2001. For Bon Jovi fans, it's classic Bob Jovi and a Must Have! If you like music recorded from "Live" performances, You will love this album! If you prefer "Studio-Cut" versions, you may not like this album because it has the sound and feel of a live concert.

zero stars.......2005-11-13

One WEAK night!...zero stars if that was available. I never realized Bon Jovi was this bad a live band. They obviously get a LOT of production help in the studio because this album (several different concerts in several different venues) is ALL bad. Sorry for them and sorry for me for buying it.

Bon Jovi rocks.......2005-08-09

I found this CD to be extemely uplifting, great music to listen to while driving.

not a greatest hits album.......2005-05-14

This is not Bon Jovi's greatest hits, and that's the only bad thing that anyone who likes Bon Jovi can say about this. It's a fun collection of some live great live performances. Bon Jovi is great in concert, interacting with the crowd, and building up the energy and fun. You can hear that the audience and performers had a great time. If you like Bon Jovi, then this is certainly worth the money!

Average customer rating: BON JOVI FANS ARE NEVER WRONG!!! Bon Jovi strikes gold BON JOVI ROCKS MY WORLD Yes, they can be. They are. For any Jovi fan...

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong Bon Jovi Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Heavy Metal | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Have a Nice Day Have A Nice Day 7800° Fahrenheit Bon Jovi Keep the Faith ASIN: B00065JTBA Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

1. Why Aren't You Dead?
2. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
3. Taking It Back
4. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (Original Demo)
5. Miss Fourth Of July
6. Open All Night
7. These Arms Are Open All Night
8. I Get A Rush
9. Someday Just Might Be Tonight
10. Thief Of Hearts
11. Last Man Standing
12. I Just Want To Be Your Man

Tracks:

1. Garageland
2. Starting All Over Again
3. Maybe Someday
4. Last Chance Train
5. The Fire Inside
6. Every Beat Of My Heart
7. Rich Man Living In A Poor Man's House
8. The One That Got Away
9. You Can Sleep While I Dream
10. Outlaws Of Love
11. Good Guys Don't Always Wear White
12. We Rule The Night

Tracks:

1. Edge Of A Broken Heart
2. Sympathy
3. ONly In My Dreams
4. Shut Up And Kiss Me
5. Crazy Love
6. Lonely At The Top (International B-Side)
7. Ordinary People (International B-Side)
8. Flesh And Bone
9. Satellit
10. If I Can't Have Your Love
11. Real Life
12. Memphis Lives In Me
13. Too Much Of A Good Thing

Tracks:

1. Love Ain't Nothing But A Four Letter Word
2. Love Ain't Nothing But A Four Letter Word (Original Demo)
3. River Runs Dry
4. Always
5. Kidnap An Angel
6. Breathe (B-Side)
7. Out Of Bounds
8. Letter To A Friend
9. Temptation (International B-Side)
10. Gotta Have A Reason
11. All I Wanna Do Is You
12. Billy
13. Nobody's Hero

Amazon.com

Playing off of Elvis Presley's 1959 album 50 Million Elvis Presley Fans Can't Be Wrong, right down to the gold-lame suits the quartet dons on the cover, stalwart rockers Bon Jovi make a strong case that they're one of the true populist bands of their era with a box set that serves up dozens of previously unheard and seldom heard offerings. Designed as a heaping 20-year anniversary feast for insatiable fans, the four-disc/bonus DVD collection is surprisingly vital and consistent, considering that just about everything included was initially either rejected or related to B-sides and soundtracks. The high quality of these castoffs is attributable to the band's habit of preparing dozens of tracks for each album and cutting loose strong compositions that didn't fit with the theme of the completed product. Thus, some stylistic stretches were left in the vaults (check out the Southside Johnny-style r&b of "Love Ain't Nothing But a Four Letter Word"). Bon Jovi fans will find be delighted by this collection, and even skeptics may find themselves reconsidering these Jersey survivors. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

BON JOVI FANS ARE NEVER WRONG!!! .......2007-02-17

Words cannot describe how awesome BON JOVI is!!! I am their #1 fan and no other group in this world produces such quality / entertaining / heartfelt music. I RECOMMEND YOU BUY 100,000,000 BON JOVI FANS CAN'T BE WRONG and ALL OF THEIR CDs!!!

Bon Jovi strikes gold.......2007-01-30

I love the songs on here!You can tell from the different songs how Bon Jovi matured over the years. I really hope they put out another box set with unreleased songs. I also hope,they realize what a goldmine they have in their vaults!I have been a Bon Jovi fan since1983 and they just keep getting better!

BON JOVI ROCKS MY WORLD.......2007-01-23

BON JOVI IS THE BEST ROCK BAND EVER.I WILL ALWAYS LOVE BON JOVI. THIS BOX SET ROCKS THESE GUYS WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD JON, RICHIE DAVE and TICO WILL BE HERE FOREVER. THERE IS NOTHING BUT GREAT SONGS AND POWERFUL VOCALS.
ON CD 3 YOU WILL HEAR TICO, RICHIE AND DAVE SING. RICHIE SAMBORA SINGS A VERY POWERFUL BALLAD IF I CAN'T HAVE YOUR LOVE THAT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!! TICO TORRES SINGS ONLY IN MY DREAMS HIS VOICE IS W O W!! AND DAVID BRYAN SOUNDS LIKE ELTON JOHN SINGING MEMPHIS LIVES IN ME.

BON JOVI MEANS ALOT TO ME I WILL LOVE BON JOVI TILL THE I DIE

Yes, they can be. They are........2007-01-21

For fans, I suppose this would be a rather big delight; for non-fans, it's nothing that will turn you on to the band from Jersey. They had some okay, cheesy hits in the '80s - but listening to some of their modern songs from this collection proves how completely out of touch they are nowadays.

For any Jovi fan..........2007-01-04

How can you not buy this box set? Enough said.

Average customer rating: Criminally underrated gem The CD you would take to a deserted island Richie is just as good alone A window to a guy who is often in the shadows Unappreciated Blues Rock Gem

Stranger in This Town Richie Sambora Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop General | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Undiscovered Soul Destination Anywhere Power Station Blaze Of Glory: Songs Written And Performed By Jon Bon Jovi, Inspired By The Film Young Guns II Lunar Eclipse ASIN: B000001G16 Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

1. Rest In Peace
2. Church Of Desire
3. Stranger In This Town
4. Ballad Of Youth
5. One Light Burning
6. Mr. Bluesman
7. Rosie
8. River Of Love
9. Father Time
10. The Answer

Customer Reviews:

Criminally underrated gem.......2007-06-03

After achieving so much with their band, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora decided to go their own ways and see what they could do as solo artists. Jon Bon Jovi's Blaze of Glory proved to be an immediate success, both musically and commercially; while Sambora released his debut a year later to mixed reviews. Although the average Bon Jovi fan took to the album right away, from a commercial standpoint, it didn't earn Sambora quite what he may have hoped for. Regardless, musically, Stranger in This Town is a terribly overlooked gem, and it exudes unadulterated songwriting brilliance.

Behind Richie Sambora, there are two of his long-time band mates: David Bryan on keyboards and Tico Torres on drums. Torres' playing strictly serves the purpose of the songs; he doesn't really do any lengthy drum acrobatics, but there are pieces that allow him to shine through. Bryan, on the other hand, is integral to the overall sound of the album, as his keyboards are, at some point, the defining factors of the songs. Also, he co-wrote two tracks: the beautiful album intro "Rest in Peace", a wonderful song based on profound blues licks and Sambora's emotive vocals; and the ambitious title track, which sees the duo merging nifty acoustic guitars with delicate synth lines. Bryan is also highly audible on the truly moving ballad "Father Time", complete with Desmond Child's signature hooks, distant female vocals, and a warm melodic edge.

Though a solo album, only three of the ten songs were written entirely by Richie Sambora. "Church of Desire" is the mid-paced piece, centred around moody keyboards and blues-inflected guitar riffs. The song is carried by a thick bass groove, and Sambora's guitar solo is truly heartfelt and emotional. On "River of Love", Tony Levin's bass arpeggios become central to the piece, especially when supported by Torres' spare drum beats. Finally, "Mr Bluesman", by many known as the album's minor hit, Sambora's greatest influence, Eric Clapton, makes a guest appearance playing an improvised blues solo where he rips it up. Despite its five-minute running time, even Torres gets to play a brief drum solo, yet it's all within the context of the song and the writing is truly impressive.

That said, the album being more on the blues rock spectrum of things didn't really produce any radio hits. Actually, Sambora did collaborate with Desmond Child on two tracks, one of them being "Rosie", arguably the most popular cut off of this track. Also co-written by Jon Bon Jovi, the piece has a solid hook, but truth be told, it does not gel that well with the rest of the pieces, which seem more honest and from the heart. Likewise, "One Light Burning" might have been his take on poppier songwriting; he tries to merge cool beats and percussion work with Randy Jackson's bass playing whilst injecting the piece with a sing-along main chorus, but it doesn't really work -- Sambora is simply more of a blues-ridden rock guitarist than someone who can churn out easily accessible melodies. That's obviously Jon Bon Jovi's strong side.

Stranger in This Town is in many ways better than most of the Bon Jovi catalog. Even after sixteen years, most of the songs are still timeless and still imbued with emotional power. It's also filled with material we'd normally never hear on a Bon Jovi release, so kudos to Sambora. He was totally right when he wrote that "listening instruction" in the liner notes: "Turn down the lights, light a candle... Welcome..."

The CD you would take to a deserted island.......2007-03-22

If you like the blues that has been modernised you will love this cd. It is ashame his following cd did not keep with the blues feel Richie Sambora could of taken over for Clapton for a new generation of blues fans.

Richie is just as good alone.......2007-01-18

While best known for his jammin licks in the band Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora holds his own this solo album. Full of grit and soul.

A window to a guy who is often in the shadows.......2006-04-26

Richie Sambora, guitarist of stadium rockers we all know (and either loathe or love) put this disc out in those bygone days of 1991 and - surprised us.

We didn't get a bunch of 2nd rate BJ tunes. We didn't get endless widdly diddly excess nor crap attempts at showing a blues/roots tinge.

What we got was an album that really opened up some possibilities for Richie. There were typical soft rock tunes like hit 'Ballad of Youth', youthful love gone wrong tracks like 'Rosie' but there was also more on display.

The more on display is a guy with some body to his music, with an ear for a decent tune, a guy who with this album has perhaps shown the world that he isn't just a guitar player but a musician.

Taken as a whole I can't give this album more than three stars as it's a bit overwrought in places and a little too understated too often/too long in other parts. But it does give anyone into melodic hard rock or BJ or afficianados of 80's rock a real glimpse at a guy who definitely has a voice of his own. Any fan of this genre should try to at least hear this disc. More metal fans may find the whole thing somewhat wanting in ooommpphhh.

Unappreciated Blues Rock Gem.......2006-03-23

I have been a Bon Jovi fan for over twenty years and always thought Richie Sambora was very underrated and unappreciated for his guitar playing. Happened to pick this CD up out of curiosity recently and WoW.

This is a great album. Deserves to be heard. It is very Blues influenced and doesn't sound like Bon Jovi at all.

Just buy it.

Average customer rating: One of the Best Albums Nobody, Including You, Have Heard Excellent Richie Sambora's Solo Journey . . . IS THIS RICHIE OR HARRY CONNICK JR.????????? Great!!!!

Undiscovered Soul Richie Sambora Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stranger in This Town Lunar Eclipse Power Station Destination Anywhere These Days ASIN: B00000612G Release Date: 1998-03-03

Tracks:

1. Made In America
2. Hard Times Come Easy
3. Fallen From Graceland
4. If God Was A Woman
5. All That Really Matters
6. You're Not Alone
7. In It For Love
8. Chained
9. Harlem Rain
10. Who I Am
11. Downside Of Love
12. Undiscovered Soul

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best Albums Nobody, Including You, Have Heard.......2007-01-17

I imagine nobody would buy this album without knowing of Richie's work in Bon Jovi. That fact alone saddens me for a few reasons. For one, this album sounds SO little like Bon Jovi's work (it's calm, bluesy, beautiful, and introspective rather than big, catchy, dynamic, and hook-filled) that I can imagine many fans listening to this album - expecting Richie's guitar-oriented take on Bon Jovi's sound - and being thoroughly disappointed by how little it sounds like their expectations.

Two, this album is easily as good - if not better - than anything Bon Jovi's ever done. And while I might get grief for that statement alone, I say that being a HUGE Bon Jovi fan myself who owns every album and would proudly say that I enjoy their post-90's music perhaps even better than their glory day music. But the fact (or rather my strong belief) is that this is one of the best journeyman albums ever, and vastly underrated. Somewhere in the vein of GOOD classic Clapton without the overdone, tired blues scales and Bruce Springsteen without the lyrical/storytelling density.

This album also shows Richie's wide ranging influences and effortlessly shifts moods and styles throughout. Made In America is a very strong acoustic opening. Sounding somewhat like Springsteen lite (not in a bad way) with strong, story-telling verses and chorus and subtle, twangy, chiming Telecaster (Richie's main guitar on this album) accompanying him in the background. Hard Times Come Easy is one of the most bluesy songs on the album. But bluesy in a very upbeat, catchy way with alot of short, sweet Telecaster licks and an excellent, catchy chorus.

Fallen From Graceland is one of the beauties of the album. A slow, calm introspective ballad featuring a lovely sustained organ (I think) in the background and some great, subtle guitar and drum work over Richie's hypnotizing vocals. Richie does something very smart on this album which is vary the tempo from song to song. Going from the slow crooning of Graceland we head right into the upbeat, tongue-in-cheek If God Was a Woman. Featuring some more cool Tele strumming from Richie with a harmonica taking the lead and some of Richie's best lyrical work on the album (if you're in the mood for something kinda funny). This is also probably the most classic blues sounding song on the album.

All That Really Matters is in the same vein as Graceland. A ballad like love song. It's a good song, but not the best on the album. In fact, the album only bogs down a bit at this point with a string of decent to mediocre songs. You're Not Alone is different and quirky, with a cool sounding vocal effect and an effects laden guitar. It's catchy and different, but doesn't fit with the rest of the album. It It For Love and Chained are perhaps the two most mediocre songs on the album. Actually, both are pretty good songs, and it's surprising that songs this good represent the WORST of an album.

But then comes the supreme beauty of the album. Perhaps my favorite song ever written by anyone with Harlem Rain. This song is just a stunningly beautiful piece of music and song-writing featuring some exquisitely gorgeous acoustic guitar work by Richie with another sustained keyboard/organ sound in the background. This is also perhaps the darkest song (from a lyrical/tone perspective) on the album. Talking about the pain of being beaten down by life:

"In your search for tender mercy, no one seemed to care,
The faith that used to be your crutch, is now your cross to bear.
You lost yourself so long ago, you don't know who to blame,

Harlem rain, coming down.
Another shattered soul in the lost and found.
One more night on the streets of pain,
getting washed away, by the Harlem rain."

This is actually one of the few songs that have ever made me cry. And even today after hearing it a ton of times I can't help but get chills listening to it.

Going from the saddest, most beautiful song on the album right into the heaviest, hardest rocking and perhaps most self-affirming in Who I Am. This is a 7 minute behemoth of a song showcasing Richie's excellent electric guitar work. The song builds and builds perfectly through calm verses, tension building bridges, and an excellent chorus into Richie's best solo breakout of the album.

If "If God Was a Woman" is the most classic blues song in an upbeat sense, Downside of Love is the most classic blues song in a downbeat sense. It has some love and heartbreak lyrics, some cool, bluesy licks with soulful vocals and delivery into perhaps a slightly bland chorus, but it's still a really good song.

The title track closes the album in an superb way. Starting out with Richie muting and up-down picking the E string on his Tele in a really cool, building rhythm until the drums start coming in to build up to the verse. The opening guitar lick/melody to the song is one of Richie's best ever. A subtle string of notes so telling in detail they're practically a lyrical verse themselves. The drumming continues through the verses where Richie tells one of his best stories on the album until diving into perhaps the best chorus on the album. This is an anthematic song that walks the line between upbeat and downbeat perfectly (not just with the music, but the lyrics too): "When you walk that road. You walk alone, just an undiscovered soul in the great unknown."

More than anything I think this album leaves the listener with a sense that they've just been through one of life's little journeys. Through good and bad times, Richie takes you through it on the album. Musically, it's much more diverse than most of Bon Jovi's stuff. Even though it's NOT original in any way, it doesn't have to be when the songs are THIS good and album is THIS consistently strong.

It's kind of a shame Richie released his two solo albums (this one and Stranger - which is also excellent) at the time he did. Had he released these in the 70s, 80s, or even now when people are getting back to wanting something new and different and retro rock is coming back in style, this might've been more of a success. The 90s when it was released was just an awful time for anyone NOT wearing flannel and practicing their angst ridden poses and lyrics in the mirror. Anything even remotely upbeat, with different styles and flavors and influences was doomed to be a failure in this "It's either black or black" time.

It's telling that Bon Jovi finally shot back into the mainstream post-90s with songs from Crush and Have a Nice Day. Had either Richie or Jon (who's solo album is also very good but VERY different) released their solo work now I believe it would've worked more.

On a side note, I can't recommend Richie's other solo album, Stranger in this Town, enough. It actually has several stand out songs which equal his best on this album (the title track, Ballad of Youth, and One Light Burning especially). While Stranger is more directly blues oriented and features better guitar work than Soul, it also bogs down toward the end while Soul is consistently strong and more varied.

In closing I can't do anything but wholeheartedly recommend this album enough. I know it won't change the fact that it was pretty much a commercial failure and only a handful of folks will ever really listen to this album and love it and enjoy it like I have, I hope anyone who reads this can be convinced to give it a try.

Excellent.......2006-08-21

Shows another side to Sambora...and proves that he should be singing for Bon Jovi, not Jon. diverse songs all showcase Sambora's versatile playing and singing. One only hopes that he does another solo album very soon.

Richie Sambora's Solo Journey . . ........2005-02-21

Richie Sambora, guitarist of the famed, New Jersey-bred melodic rock group, Bon Jovi, has once again taken a journey to embark on his second solo effort, Undiscovered Soul.

Most reviewers would feel so annoyingly inclined to compare Richie Sambora with his bandmate, Jon Bon Jovi, as well as his work within the confines of the band as a unit. This reviewer, however, is not even remotely tempted to do any such thing. The band, Bon Jovi, have become an underrated band in the 90s as a result of an overly-fickle public. To make matters even more grim, the band is overlooked by radio and MTV due to the fact that these media outlets think of Bon Jovi as a "hair-band" stuck in an 80s time capsule. As a result, the members of the band have branched out to try other career avenues. Jon Bon Jovi released a solo album of his own late last year, and he's presently tweaking his newfound acting career. Richie Sambora has decided to let his wife worry about the acting while he continues to go down the road as a musical solo artist.

Richie Sambora has always been one of the most underrated guitarists to hit the rock world. Unlike his technical counterpart, Eddie Van Halen, Richie is more of a guitarist of the heart. His instrument speaks to you, stirring up emotions inside you that are deep and to the core. Don't be mistaken -- the man can play a fast riff of smoking, cascading notes, but more importantly, he can pull back and create beauty. His musical roots lie in, not only rock and roll, but heavily in blues as well. Like one of his biggest influences, Eric Clapton, Richie is not only a spectacular guitar player, but he can also sing and pen some delightful ear candy -- and he does it more than well.

On Richie's first solo effort, Stranger In This Town, Richie's blues influences are strong and more than evident throughout the disc. A seriously depreciated album, Stranger In This Town, fell through the cracks when the shift in musical tastes changed. Despite this, it was a highly acclaimed piece of work made by fans and media alike. This reviewer didn't think Mr. Sambora could top his first effort, but she may have been wrong.

If you're looking for a hard-rock album, Undiscovered Soul isn't going to deliver. However, if you're looking for beauty and depth, you'll find plenty here. Though not as bluesy as Stranger In This Town, there's still some subtle blues influences intertwined throughout the disc. There is a heavy tendency towards pretty, acoustic numbers -- plus there's two enchanting ballads, and a few mid-tempo, pop-oriented songs on here. You have a hint of some hard-rock on here in two songs, but they're the minority. Produced by Don Was and mainly co-written with the help of Richie Supa (known for co-penning a handful of Aerosmith tunes), this disc is very personal and to-the-heart while providing an exquisite musical backdrop that's pleasing to the ear.


Made In America: An auto-biographical mid-tempo filled with a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, with some symmetrical keyboards thrown in, this song leans towards the "classic rock" style of a song. The lyrics paint a picture of "growing pains" and having the dream of music in your young mind: "Made in America, nineteen-fifty nine, born down by the factory, cross the Jersey City line. Raised on the radio, just a jukebox kid -- I was alright."

Hard Times Come Easy: Up-tempo and catchy, this song is the first single and the most pop-oriented (as in, Top 40 music) on the disc. With a harmonious chorus full of hooks and a beat that causes you to tap your foot whether you want to or not, this one is about the ups and downs of life: "It's amazing, we go through changes, when times get crazy; it's up and down it's hot and cold. These complications just keep on coming, there ain't no running; when it comes to life that's how it goes. Round and round we go, sometimes it feels like we're on a roller-coaster ride. Baby, don't you know, it could eat you up if you try to keep it all inside."

Fallen From Graceland: Co-written with Bon Jovi bandmate, David Bryan, as well as Richie Supa, this song is a real stand-out. The beat is easy and searching, the guitars bewitching and hypnotizing. This song swings like a lullaby as Richie croons softly through your speakers, hitting you somewhere in your soul. The lyrics are beautiful and deep, touching the soul of even the most cold-hearted: "There's a line that you cross, when you find out that you're lost. When you world is closing in, and it crawls under your skin. And the heart's always blind, when it's in this state of mind. There's a burning light in this town for every heart that's broken down tonight -- here tonight. You're stranded out there in the rain and you can't see past the pain -- tonight. You've fallen from Graceland."

If God Was A Woman: A total blues, good ol' rock n' roll fest of a song chock-full of both tongue and cheek, this song is another major highlight. Full of bluesy and jamming riffs, a dynamic drum beat, and all-out rhythmically smoking harmonica bits (played by none other than the Demon of Screamin', the Big-Lipped Blues Master himself -- Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, yours truly and this jam-fest of a song became instant best friends. With David Bryan and Richie Supa once again assisting Mr. Sambora with the penned words, this song is about just what the title suggests -- If God was a woman . . . : "If God was a woman, would you be impressed, if she showed up in high heels and a pretty red dress. Would you make a donation or would you draw the line? Would you yield to temptation or savor her wine? If God was a woman, she'd come like an angel or a devil in disguise. When she left in the morning, would you lose your religion or kiss your faith good-bye?"

All That Really Matters: Another stand-out, this is an aesthetic ballad filled with grand, lovely piano and ethereal guitars. Richie's voice is filled with unabashed passion, proving this song to be heartfelt and a possible future wedding song contender. Lyrically, it's about that one emotion we're all still obsessed with understanding: LOVE. With love comes the search for a soul mate, and with those of us lucky enough to find that person, and even for those who are still hoping to find, this song will pull at your heart-strings: "There comes a time in someone's life, when you find the things that matter. And every time we touch, the love runs deep, we realize it's ours to keep, and that's all that really matters. You'll always be my sweet addiction; in this life, my saving grace. You're all that really matters. You know it's true -- ain't no me without you."

You're Not Alone: This is another favorite because of the very unique style and approach to it. With distorted vocals, soaring guitars, and a heavy-hitting beat, this song is one of the heavier on the album. Richie wrote this song around the time his daughter was born. The subject matter is about unconditional love and support: "You can be a million miles away; I will always love you. You can be a thousand thoughts away; I'll always be thinking of you. No matter where you try to hide, you are always going to find me; right where I belong -- I've been beside you all along. Like some ancient star, forever we'll remain; even if the sky should ever fall from grace. If I die or fade away, in the end you'll always know -- you're not alone."

In It For Love: A pretty but simple acoustic number, this is a fine song, but not a standout. On the contrary, it borders a bit on the bland side. The lyrics are written well, and the melody is nice, but it falls flat in comparison to the other tunes on the disc: "Life is a road, forever winding, where it leads us I don't know. In it together, for better or worse, searching for our pot of gold."

Chained: A tune which starts out slightly bluesy and then kicks into a more pop-oriented tune, this one is another likable song, but more so for the lyrics than the actual music. Musically, it's good but not outstanding. There are some scorching guitar solos and flavorful riffs in there, and the beat is up, but not spectacular. Lyrically, you can very well relate, which is the song's strong point: "Hey, what's this feeling; I've never been down this far before. I was scared of believing that love would never find my door. I was chained -- chained to my broken dreams. I never knew who I was suppose to be; waiting for someone to come and rescue me."

Harlem Rain: Another slow, acoustic number with pretty-sounding melodies, this song has a melancholy, searching feel to it -- much like Fallen From Graceland. However, while this song is pretty, it's no way half as beautiful as the aforementioned. It only scratches the surface of raw emotions, and like In It For Love, it doesn't stand out in comparison to some of the other material. It does have a charming appeal to it, however, and is far from being a "bad" song. The subject matter is about tough times experienced by the common folk: "The old man down the corner is drowning in his pain. I can see the sorrow in his eyes, his tears they leave a stain. The streets have left him broken, he's in the final phase. It's been a long, hard road -- from his glory days."

Who I Am: The other hard-hitting song on the disc, complete with heavy drums, eerie keyboards and guitar riffs, this song changes tempo. It's starts rocking, switches to soft and mythical and then changes the tone again -- BAM! -- by hitting you over the head. There's some shredding guitars in the middle of the piece, adding to the defiant tone of it. Co-written by Marti Frederiksen (who co-wrote such tunes Something's Gotta Give and Attitude Adjustment from Aerosmith's Nine Lives disc.), this song is about finding out who you really are: "When I lost is when I learned, when the road took a crooked turn. Wore a face of I just don't care, that piece of me just disappeared. Help me now, help me now -- finding some hope inside myself. Reaching down, finding out -- who's hiding in this shell."

Downside of Love: The other "ballad" on the album, this one is another favorite and major highlight. Much different from it's sister ballad on this disc, All That Really Matters (which was more of a slow, classic ballad), this one is oh-me-oh-my-do-I-have-DA-BLUES!!!! This song is probably the most blues-influenced on the disc (next to If God Was A Woman). This is the blues, brother, and Richie wails is soooo well!! This song is a prominent showcase for Richie's incredible vocal ability, and it shows that he's improved tremendously since recording Stranger In This Town. The guitars are wailin', the "boards" are cryin', and Richie's vocals are soarin' with raw-boned E-M-O-T-I-O-N. This is the blues, and we've got the blues because, with love comes the part that H-U-R-T-S -- deep within the soul, brother. You know the old cliché -- Every rose has it's thorn, so maybe every love has it's downside: "There's a danger of getting so close to you. There comes a time when the walls fade away. And when love turns to bitter blue; sometimes it feels so hard to stay. Last night we went to bed angry. We didn't mean what we said. Seems we never get past forgiveness. We try to hide, we never learn to swallow our pride. On the downside of love -- where love turns to hate, we just can't relate. On the downside of love -- when you're misunderstood -- cause when it hurts you, it hurts you so good."

Undiscovered Soul: A mid-tempo, upbeat, happy-go-lucky rocker, this song will be liked by anyone who appreciates a good Bon Jovi gem. This sounds so close to a Bon Jovi song that I can see partner-in-crime, Jon Bon Jovi, covering this song. That seems almost comical to this diehard, but I can see that "I'm a cowboy" theme running through this song. I can envision Richie with his trademark black hat and double-neck guitar, and Jon with his cowboy boots and fringe jacket. Yes, I'm going back in time, but I digress. The subject matter of this song is in that good ol' story-telling theme (a la Tommy and Gina from Livin' on a Prayer and Lie To Me). I could almost see this as being the story of the "before" Tommy and Gina found each other. Hey, I can use my imagination, can't I?: "She was standing at the station, small town suitcase in her hand. There were dreams she found inside her that no one could understand. She never talks about her childhood, so much past to leave behind. She's so scared to go, but still she says good-bye."


In summary, Richie Sambora made a beautifully creative package of music that touches the soul and tickles the ear. Once again, it's him and his guitar and I think, despite what critics and a capricious public may say, Richie Sambora is a man, and a musician, to be reckoned with. While he will always be a very important part of Bon Jovi, it was more than a pleasure to hear Richie's own voice. Being the other great half of the song writing talent that drives Bon Jovi, Richie (with the help of his Jovi bandmate, David Bryan on three songs, as well as a big helpful hand from Richie Supa on nine, as well as the input of some other fine artists) has written some deeply introspective, personal and reflective lyrics. Many can lose themselves in his words and get some kind of meaning out of them. The music is more beautiful and elegant than it is aggressive and hard-hitting, causing many a critic (I'm sure) to cry "Michael Bolton" -- but no matter. Richie is "who he is" and that's something this musical climate needs a good shot of.

In comparison to his first effort, Stranger In This Town, it is clearly evident that Richie has topped himself lyrically and at least called it even musically. His voice has gotten stronger and he has more of a vocal range on this effort than on his previous. This is not only a showcase for his writing talent and what he can do as a guitarist, but also as a vocalist.

While there's one or two songs that are middle-of-the-road, there's not a horrible, or "bad", song on this disc, and there's many highlights that make it a shining star. Here's hoping Richie and his Bon Jovi bandmates will return soon as a group, but here's also hoping we get to continue to hear Richie's individual (and so very special) voice (as well as bandmate, Jon's) every now and again. As much as yours truly gets "da blues" from lack of new band material, she's glad Richie made this disc because it's become one of her new best friends.

© Written by Diane Trautweiler on April 19, 1998.

IS THIS RICHIE OR HARRY CONNICK JR.?????????.......2003-11-02

This is not Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi, nor is it Richie from his last solo album "Stranger In This Town." This album is horrible and most of the songs sound like they should be sung by Sting. What is the point or direction of this album? I do not get it, somebody please explain it to me. Where is my guitar hero? Where are the killer riffs and solos at? Most of the music is softer than Mariah Carey and most of his singing sounds like he is on his knees crying out to the Heavens above, trying his best to sound like her too. Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great!!!!.......2003-05-05

This is really a very good album. If you like te Bon Jovi music style you will sure love this! It is less rock-style, but it fits in the whole style of the Jovi-feeling...

Average customer rating: Music that trancends all rational expectations of what good music should be fabulous

Such Great Heights Iron & Wine Manufacturer: Sub Pop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Passing Afternoon Boy with a Coin In Good Company We Will Become Silhouettes 5 Songs ASIN: B000GG4MXE Release Date: 2006-08-07

Tracks:

1. Such Great Heights
2. Trapeze Swinger (live recording from Radio Vienna)
3. Naked as We Came (live recording from Radio Vienna)

Album Details

2006 EP from the Man Whose Moniker is a Nom De Plume for Miami's Samuel Beam, Writer of Songs that Are Simply Arresting When You Hear Them. Includes Two Exclusive B-side Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Music that trancends all rational expectations of what good music should be.......2007-07-16

This single release of "Such Great Heights" is easily the best single that I can remember.

While Sam Beam's cover of the Postal Service's "Such Great Heights" got a bit overplayed and overexposed with its inclusion in Garden State and later in, of all places, M&M's commercials, it is still a masterful cover in every sense of the word. Not since Johnny Cash has an artist covered a song so well and effectively making it his own. Beam's delicate voice gently croons the opening line "I'm thinking it's a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned" over a beautifully simplistic, stripped down version of a song that becomes such a far cry from the poppy, electronic original.

The radio sessions of The Trapeze Swinger and Naked As We Came are also pure aural pleasure. Beam bottles lightning twice with flawless live takes of these two beautiful songs that seem to fit thematically together. "Naked As We Came" speaks to a couple in which one dies prior to the other and "The Trapeze Swinger" is a bit of a self eulogy imploring the ones left behind to remember the good times spent together.

While somewhat pricey for three songs, it is worth every penny. Put on headphones, shut your eyes and let Sam Beam's voice carry you where it will, evoking deep emotions along the way.

fabulous.......2007-05-16

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that the CD is too short.

Average customer rating: Shakespeare would've loved it Ellington and the Bard Perhaps Duke Ellington's Most Intriguing Suite... IS THERE NO END TO DUKE'S CREATIVITY? Perhaps THE BEST jazz work

Such Sweet Thunder Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Black, Brown and Beige Ellington Uptown Blues in Orbit New Orleans Suite Masterpieces by Ellington ASIN: B00000IMYN Release Date: 1999-04-27

Tracks:

1. Such Sweet Thunder (Cleo)
2. Sonnet For Caesar
3. Sonnet To Hank Cinq
4. Lady Mac
5. Sonnet In Search Of A Moor
6. The Telecasters
7. Up And Down, Up And Down (I Will Lead Them Up And Down) (Puck)
8. Sonnet For Sister Kate
9. The Star-Crossed Lovers (AKA Pretty Girl)
10. Madness In Great Ones (Hamlet)
11. Half The Fun (AKA Lately)
12. Circle Of Fourths
13. The Star-Crossed Lovers (AKA Pretty Girl) (Stereo LP Master)
14. Circle Of Fourths (Stereo LP Master)
15. Suburban Beauty (Master Take)
16. A Flat Minor (Preferred Take)
17. Cafe Au Lait (Preferred Take)
18. Half The Fun (AKA Lately) (Alternate Take)
19. Suburban Beauty (Alternate Take)
20. A Flat Minor (Outtakes)
21. Cafe Au Lait (Outtakes)
22. Pretty Girl (AKA The Star-Crossed Lovers) (First Recording)
23. Bonus Track 1

Amazon.com

Such Sweet Thunder was, like Black, Brown and Beige and the later Far East Suite and other works of the late-1950s and on, a long-form study broken into identifiable miniatures that could stand alone as tunes. But this one was far more unlikely than Ellington and cocomposer Billy Strayhorn's other suites, with its focus on characters developed by William Shakespeare. Pieces were scripted for both centuries-old characters and Ellington band members; for example, Paul Gonsalves's tenor sax and Johnny Hodges's alto parry as a musical Romeo and Juliet on "Star-Crossed Lovers." Surely this description of the CD makes it sound stiff, even pretentious, but the music gives the lie to such an assumption. Ellington was a master of sectional polyphony, making sure his band's sections swung individually and then in tandem with the other sections, creating a powerful, sometimes swirling swing. But he had Strayhorn, who was also a master of creating moods and ambient textures. And that's where this session becomes fascinating, in the moments when the group creates something other than rhythmic propulsion, standard harmony, or even focused melody. Rounding out the original LP issue--which accounts for only half of this CD's length--are a host of alternate takes, three of them wholly or partially unreleased until this set. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Shakespeare would've loved it.......2007-05-06

Be jealous of me - I own CD Col 469140 2, which was an earlier reissue that I bought somewhere in Europe. Needless to say, it has the right take of Up And Down...Look for it! This is Duke and Billy's finest writing together - from the swagger of the title track, with its hidden references to Birmingham Breakdown and Jumpin' Punkins, and its use of Duke's "African" motto theme (check out Dance #5 from Liberian Suite) to the very particular decadent elegance of Lady Mac (note the use of Procope's alto). And then one of Duke's very best usages of Clark Terry in that great piece of musical humor, Up And Down, and his best - ever piece for Cat Anderson, the stunning Madness in Great Ones - one of Duke's most "cutting edge" pieces (though I have to admit I don't love the climax - it feels a little overblown). It seems that no one but myself has ever heard some slight nods towards Gil Evans in this suite. Something in the very particular transparency of the scoring - the lightness of the brass writing. Some sonorities...I could see them feeling it. But whatever, this is a masterpiece. One should expect nothing less from Duke, although now that we're living in the age of Ellington hagiography, where (albeit brilliant) sketches like Afro - Eurasian Eclipse are treated like the second coming of Ko-Ko, I think the critical standard is a little low in general. But put that all aside - this CD is a triumph.

Ellington and the Bard.......2006-03-26

This is Duke Ellington's suite in tribute to Shakespeare. Most of the selections are inspired by a particular character (Othello, Caesar, Henry V, for example), and most feature the work of a particular band member. SONNET TO HAND CINQ features Britt Woodman's trombone to good effect; LADY MAC, a waltz and one of the best tunes in the suite, has excellent Clark Terry work; CIRCLE OF FOURTHS, the only track that is taken up-tempo, has a good Paul Gonsalves solo. The most famous selection is STAR-CROSSED LOVERS and features Johnny Hodges on alto in a beautiful solo. Other musicians featured are Harry Carney on THE TELECASTERS and Quentin Jackson on trombone in SONNET FOR SISTER KATE. The music in this suite is introspective for the most part and highly personal; how connected it is to anything Shakespearean is up for debate. The better pieces are quite attractive; it's the kind of music Ellington hoped to be remembered for.

Perhaps Duke Ellington's Most Intriguing Suite..........2006-02-03

This review is an excerpt from my "So You'd Like To..." guide called, "Explore the Music of Duke Ellington: Part I."

Classically inspired, Such Sweet Thunder, also known as The Shakespearean Suite, is an intriguing work for those who have affinity toward classical music. The songs are dedicated to the characters from Shakesphere's plays, and some of the outstanding pieces are the solemn "Sonnet for Caesar" with its tragic ending, the delightful "Lady Mac" who enjoys a bit of ragtime, and Clark Terry's trumpet goes "Up and Down, Up and Down" as Puck who laughs at the world. Billy Strayhorn's "Pretty Girl" was adopted into the suite and entitled, "The Star-Crossed Lovers." With its fluttering notes, the sudden opening by Ellington on the piano lifts the mind right up to the state of high drama and romantic tragedy. Paul Gonzalves plays the part of Romeo. Known for his sensuous phrases and the purest of tone, the peerless Johnny Hodges plays with all the love and heartache that Juliet feels. Ellington ends on the very same notes as the opening and, as Bill Berry in the liner notes put it perfectly, "It leaves one suspended."

IS THERE NO END TO DUKE'S CREATIVITY?.......2005-03-25

Miles Davis once said every one ought to get down on their knees and thank Duke, after listening to this album you'll see why. I am big fan of Duke and the amazing creativity displayed in this album is awesome. There is no bebop, avant guarde, free jazz present just straight ahead swinging crafted beautiful music. The playing is exemplary and does successfully what it set out to do, provide interpretations of Shakespeare characters and plays.

The genius of the man is such that this music can be listened to without references to the Bard's work and is awesome in ever aspect. Melodic , interpetative, improvisational jazz at its best, my only 'problem' is I can't decide which track I like best so I am forced to listen to the music again and again and again and... OH WELL :-)

Buy this album you won't regret. If music be the food of love PLAY (SWING) ON Ellington PLAY ON. Sound familar?? Enjoy

Perhaps THE BEST jazz work.......2005-03-04

If you see my reviews, you will find I am a lover of classical music. Most music I listen to (with attention, not hearing at work or at lunch) is Classical. So when I gave a listening to this masterpiece I was shocked by its conception. I was attracted immediately. Perhaps one of the reasons is the miracoulous orchestration, full of (intuitive) variation and grand scope, nor different in essence from Classical woks. Not only orchestration, also the most varied jazz material is found here. That's why for me, according to my background, this is better than the far east suite or Black, brown and beige. No surprise that in the notes the producer said it was recorded inspired in Classical recordings. For me this is one of the most advanced and at the same time most accesible jazz works, perhaps the closest point jazz was before becoming classical, without being classical. Gershwin of course was a jazz composer, but also classical (piano concerto, Porgy and bess). Ellington never became a formal classical composer but here he becomes very, very close to that. Here you find that improvisation, the soul of jazz, is just a part in a world of extraordinary written music. Compare to Kind of Blue. They say it is a masterpiece of jazz. Sorry, I don`t find it attractive at all. Stupid motifs followed by just improvisation. improvide and improvise. Where is the "substance" of that improvisation? You can improvise for ours but there must be a coherence, global vision, and there must be variation (allways trumpet, piano, saxo1, saxo2, poor ensamble work). here 3 minutes are more richer than 50 minutes of Kind of blue. I dont love improvisation for the sake of improvisation. Here Ellington adds substance, the matter of what Classics are made, and by a Jaz composer !!!!
Some people complain about the famous quotation in Puck. To those who never listened to the vinyl, you won`t find there is something wrong. What it appears here seems reasonably well composed. May be the LP is better, but to those who don`t know it, there is nothing wrong here.
The reason I put 4 stars is about the production. The rest of the material are in essential 3 tracks which show a typical Ellington way of composition. nice pieces at first, but they dont compare with SST, they are poorer. And please, what is the point of repeating tracks just by some little notes different???? perhaps I am not accustomed to the world of jazz improvisation where a note makes difference. For me is like repeating the material you found before. Just stupid. So what you find here is 35 minutes of marvellous music, 30 or 35 of no sense repeats and 7 or 8 minutes of conventional (disposable for me) jazz. A valid reissue must have included Black, brown and beige (Sony release) but of course, the company makes more business if they release them in 2 cds instead of 1.
To sum up, THE choice for those who begin to explore jazz from a classical music previous experience.

Average customer rating: Out of the 3, the best... Amazing artists making amazing music. Such Great Singles Thumbs up! For $4, you can't go wrong..

Such Great Heights (Single) Postal Service Manufacturer: Sub Pop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: We Will Become Silhouettes Life Is Full of Possibilities HOME: Volume 5 Plans Phantom Limb ASIN: B00007L7ET Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

1. Such Great Heights
2. Theres Never Enough Time
3. We Will Become Silhouettes
4. Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine

Album Description

This collaboration between Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel, Figurine) combines Ben's sweet-as-pie vocals and Jimmy's soaring electro-pop soundscapes, making for sublime listening. This specially priced single is a teaser for the full-length that was due out in February, and includes one album track, 'Such Great Heights', an exclusive Postal Service track, 'There's Never Enough Time', and two covers of Postal Service songs, 'We Will Become Silhouettes' (performed by the Shins) & 'Such Great Heights' (performed by Iron & Wine). Both covers are exclusive to this release. Sub Pop. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Out of the 3, the best..........2006-12-23

I have loved the Postal Service since the first time I heard them. It's too bad they are no longer together since the lead singer is now singing, last time I knew, with Deathcab for Cutie. Out of the 3 singles they have out, I thought this one was the best. Specifically I enjoyed The Shins version of "We Will Become Silhouettes" the most. Some of their other singles have a bad remix on them, but for the Postal Service fan, I'd recommend all 3 since they aren't that expensive plus each one does have the original song plus a remix, good or bad, and/or a cover from another band.

Amazing artists making amazing music........2006-09-01

I bought this single for Iron & Wine's take on Such Great Heights and was not disappointed. All 4 of the songs, from the original to Samual Beam's amazing rendition of a classic Postal Service song, leave you wanting a whole new album from Gibbard and Tamborello. Where are you two?

Such Great Singles.......2005-11-13

The Postal Service is one very unique band, and now, you can hear them from a different perspective. 2 originals and 2 more originals covered by Iron and Wine and the Shins. These songs are great, very exceptional.

Such Great Heights was a very poppy upbeat from their album "Give Up", and it's a great song. The drums are active, there is a lot of panning-involved riffs, and some good vocals.

There's Never Enough Time is a simple Electronica song. The simplicity is actually great in this song. Everything is real clear, and the "tss tss tah tss" drums sound awesome. I love the arrangement of this song, and the keyboard riff is soo good.

We Will Become Silhouettes by the Shins is a very nice song. Instead of busy keyboard riffs with saws and snare drums, there's a lot of realism acoustic guitars. They didn't make an exact replica measure for measure and they change some of the melodies (but keep the mood the same). Both the Postal Service's version and the Shins' version are good in their own ways.

Finally, Iron and Wine's cover of Such Great Heights. If you like acoustic guitar work, you'll apperciate this song. It's folky and a very different perspective on this song. Because of the slow tempo, the verses seem a little long, but that's the only flaw I see in this song.

Basically, if you like the Postal Service, this single will be worth it to you. It's only a few bucks to find out anyways.

Thumbs up!.......2005-10-31

Such Great Heights contains four tracks altogether. Two songs performed by The Postal Service: the self titled track which is borrowed from it's upcoming release, Give Up (2003), is very up-beat, almost drum-n-bass like, a very catchy melodic tune...and the other, There's Never Enough Time, which is alright - blends random electronic blips and bleeps and twangy guitars to a steady groove.

The other two tracks are not performed by Postal Service. The Shins perform an "unplugged" version of We Will Become Silhouettes and the last track, Such Great Heights is performed by Iron And Wine - most notably played in a recent M&M's "kaleidoscope" commercial...very slow & pokey folky with just acoustic guitars and vocals.

Very worthy of the $4 price tag!

For $4, you can't go wrong.........2005-10-10

I LOVE the song, "Such Great Heights". I bought this because I wasn't so sure if I would love the entire album, so for a measly four dollars I purchased the single and I was blown away.

"Such Great Heights" and "There's never enough time" are two great Postal Service songs. The Shins do an awesome cover of "We will become silhouettes" that will be stuck in your head all day, and DNTEL's "Such Great Heights" is a slow and beautiful cover.

Great for Postal Service Bands or anyone who's looking for some great music for not a lot of dough.

Average customer rating: A fortunate meeting between two great musicians! We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together Warming and just music, pure joy of music

We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together Bebo Valdes , and Federico Britos Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Argentina | South & Central America | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Latin Music | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bebo de Cuba Bebo Bebo Rides Again Recuerdos de Habana: A Portrait at 80 Lágrimas Negras ASIN: B0002O095U Release Date: 2004-07-06

Tracks:

1. We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together
2. Bakiff
3. My One and Only Love
4. Rosita
5. Noche Azul
6. Someone to Watch Over Me
7. Claudia
8. I Only Have Eyes for You
9. Adionino
10. Way You Look Tonight
11. Luiza
12. Waltz for Debbie
13. Canci
14. Together

Album Details

2003 Release by the 86-year-old Cuban Pianist/Composer/Arranger Along with Latin Jazz Violinist Federico Britos.

Customer Reviews:

A fortunate meeting between two great musicians!.......2007-02-18

After the well known success of Buena vista Social Club, the world realized there were many roads to explore around the significance of new airs of freshness that received the Latin music.

And in this state of things Bebo Valdes 'presence was even embossed by Fernando Trueba in "Calle 54" ( as a matter of fact, Truba produced the last album of Bebo). This album is a plesant compilation of universal themes that have as common denominator the love in every single track, seen by several composers around the world. And that cosmopolitism enriches beyond measure and notably the huge lyric legacy of it. From Ernesto Lecuona? s Noche de luna to Gershwin's Someone to watch over me and from Billie Evans' Waltz for Debbie to Astor Piazolla' s Adios Nonino, the wide range of distilled emotions, livings and memories is carved in relief by this formidable team of sensitive musicians.

We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together.......2006-08-19

it is a disk beautiful, it is one of the best interpretations of Bebo Valdes

Warming and just music, pure joy of music.......2005-03-06

This is one of those things that makes you wish to have more time to hear this kind of marvelous music. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating: The Most Relaxing Journey been lunar eclipsed Great Instrumental A Must Have

Lunar Eclipse David Bryan Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Undiscovered Soul Stranger in This Town Power Station On a Full Moon Destination Anywhere ASIN: B000050G7K Release Date: 2000-12-05

Tracks:

1. Second Chance
2. I Can Love
3. It's a Long Road
4. On a Full Moon
5. April
6. Kissed by an Angel
7. Endless Horizon
8. Lullaby for Two Moons
9. Interlude
10. Room Full of Blues
11. Hear Our Prayer
12. Summer of Dreams
13. Up the River
14. Netherworld Waltz
15. In These Arms (vocal version)

Customer Reviews:

The Most Relaxing Journey.......2003-05-04

This is by far one of my favorite albums. I originally got the album because I was a Bon Jovi fan. It is the most relaxing and therapeutic album you could ever listen to. I hope David makes another album just like this. Pop the CD in while you are driving and you will have the most relaxing trip of your life!

been lunar eclipsed.......2001-09-02

having heard david bryan as the keyboardest in bon jovi and now listening to a solo work, has been a great experience. david is one of the most accomplished pianists i have ever enjoyed listening to. his work moved me from one emotion to the next and played to the love of piano music in my soul. this is a great work to have for those who love piano at its best. i would recommend this for those who love a good piece of emotional envolvement.

Great Instrumental.......2001-03-16

I have diverse tastes when it comes to music. I am glad that I added this to my collection. If you like Jim Brickman you will enjoy this. It's sort of like "kicked-up" Brickman. Nice rendition of Bon Jovi song "In These Arms".

A Must Have.......2000-12-11

If you enjoy stripped down music with catchy melodies you'll love this. David Bryan leaves the slickly produced music of Bon Jovi for a beautiful introspective instrumental piano record. Imagine listening to a Bon Jovi song while it was being written, before the distorted guitars, heavy bass, pounding drums, and vocals had been added. That will give you some sense of what to expect here. The melodies are incredibly catchy, and the music is quite soothing. However, perhaps the brightest spot on the album is David's rendition of the Bon Jovi hit that he penned, "In These Arms". Armed with just a piano, and surprisingly emotional vocals (the only vocal track on the CD), David delivers quite the performance. In fact, this track alone justifies the purchase. Piano instrumental fans, and Bon Jovi fans alike, this is a must have addition to your respective collections. It is nothing short of spectacular.

Music Album:

1. The Best of Cris Williamson
2. The Best of Doug Sahm & The Sir Douglas Quintet 1968-1975
3. The Best Of Stonewall Jackson
4. The Color of Dusk
5. The Complete Hank Williams [Box set]
6. The Dark
7. The Earth Rider - The Essential John Stewart 1964-1979
8. The Essential Jim Reeves
9. The Kingston Trio/...From the "Hungry i"
10. The Man from God Knows Where

Music Album