Evidence

1. All I Want (Is Everything)

2. Under The Darkes Moon

3. Reminds Me (A Little Of You)

4. South By South-West

5. These Chains

6. The First Chill Of Winter

7. Out Of This World

8. Love Is A Strange Hotel

9. Evidence

10. Oil On The Water

11. Tell Me Why

12. Who, What, Where And Why?

13. A Town Called Blue

Evidence,Boo Hewerdine,Darden Smith,Capitol,Americana,Blues-Rock,Contemporary Country,Popular Music,Rock

Average customer rating: The Weatherman LP Evidence the rapper/producer The Weatherman LP Stellar Very stormy forcast with bright spots from THE WEATHERMAN.

The Weatherman LP Evidence Manufacturer: Abb Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ruff Draft Popular Demand I'll Sleep When You're Dead Return of the Mac Desire ASIN: B000MGBR7C Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

1. I Know
2. Weather Report 1
3. Mr Slow Flow
4. Let Yourself Go
5. Down In New York City
6. A Moment In Time
7. Look For The Evidence (Interlude)
8. All Said & Done
9. Weather Report 2
10. Perfect Storm
11. Chase The Clouds Away
12. NC To CA
13. Evidence Is Everything
14. Thing You Do
15. Biggest Belgium Fan (Interlude)
16. Hot & Cold
17. Line Of Scrimmage
18. Believe In Me
19. Born In L.A.
20. Weather Report 3
21. I Still Love You

Customer Reviews:

The Weatherman LP.......2007-07-06

I have heard the best tracks on Hip Hop websites, but aftering buying the album I saw the up and downs in this effort. He comes with interesting flows on most tracks, but some of the beats are not worth mentioning. I also think the hooks could of been better considering who he is known for being with. I think this album is worth the money you will spend, but you must listen to this with an open mind!

Evidence the rapper/producer.......2007-07-05

Evidence is an L.A.-born rapper from the rap group, Dilated Peoples, who are known for their top-notch rap beats and down-to-earth lyrics. Evidence is known for his slow-flow rapping as well as being a respected producer who has made beats for Dilated as well as other artists such as Defari and Planet Asia.

With his solo debut, The Weatherman LP, EV/Evidence/Mr. Slow Flow/The Weatherman is able to show off a lot of his artistic creativity. This is probably because Dilated is no longer with Capitol Records. This album is now on ABB Records, which means that EV has more creative control over his music, which is a major reason why this album is worth at least a few listens.

The production done for this album is top notch, with long-time collaborator and friend, The Alchemist on boards for 5 of the tracks. The third track, Letyourselfgo, where he's a featured rapper along with Phonte, has a tight beat that'll definately grab your attention. On Chase the Clouds Away, The Alchemist samples again and produces the only sunny song on the album. The beat is steady while Alchemist, again, chops it up.
Sid Roams, the team of Joey Chavez (also a long time collaborator and friend) and Tavish Graham also help out with 3 of the tracks. These tracks use a very low end bass, and adds to the rainy forecast effect that the album has. Rakaa of Dilated raps on the Sid Roam produced "Perfect Storm" and DJ Babu produces 2 of them, so as you can see, the Dilated family is here. Other producers here are Jake One, DJ Khalil, and, o yea, The Weatherman himself.

This album is a very personal one, which deals with many aspects of Ev's life and career, such as where he grew up (LA), where he enjoys visiting (NY), and how he deals with pleasure and pain. The death of his mother is a constant theme throughout the album, hence why the majority of it has a rainy theme to it. He's also out to prove that it isn't always sunny in Southern Cali.

Guest appearances include Defari, Planet Asia, Slug, Big Pooh, Joe Scudda, and Madchild.

As far as his rapping goes, it hasn't improved much, but he's already a decent rapper.

Conclusion: If you're a Dilated fan, you'd be better off just buying it. If not, it is still worth a listen. It might be the sleeper of the year.

Pruduction: 5/5
Lyrics: 4/5
Rapping: 4/5
Overall: 4.5 stars (not an average)

The Weatherman LP.......2007-07-04

Hot beats, but his flow is near average, his guest stars kills it though. It still a good album.

Stellar.......2007-04-21

I initially wanted to give this a 4.5. Classic? No. But it's damn close. Give a damn what anyone says. I will say, everyone is entitled to there opinion. But give props where it's due. This album is strong. Lyrically, Production and even track order. It doesn't really have any track that I skip. So, once again, give it a shot. But do be advised, don't jump into this if you haven't listened to Evidence or Dilated prior to this release.

Very stormy forcast with bright spots from THE WEATHERMAN........2007-04-12

I really wanted to listen to this several times before I commented on it with a fair opinion. I wanted to love this album and dismiss the negative reviews that I'd read in magazines+on Amazon. The horrible truth is that there is alot of elements that are accurate in these reports. (1)Ev's flow has fallen off, no other way of saying it (any doubters listen to the 1st 2 Dilated albums then peep this right after them, hey presto), (2)Production is so similar it makes the album sound so bland. One very valid point that most of the reviews state is that Ev slowflows the album to death and thats so true. He just doesnt mix it up enough to engage the listener enough. God knows, as he states himself alot on the album, we waited long enough for the solo album so he really should've brought nothing but his "A" game to the table. With all that being said, there is simply no denying that Evidence is a ridiculously gifted lyricist+producer so when he gets it right on the album its brilliant. There are a fair amount of tracks where this happens such as "I Know", "Down in New York City", "Moment in Time" feat.Planet Asia, "All Said & Done", "Perfect Storm" feat.Rakaa, "Chase the Clouds Away", "Evidence Is Everywhere", "Line of Scrimmage" feat.Slug and "Born in LA" feat.Chace Infinite+Sick Jacken. The rest are either weak efforts from Ev or just straight boring, apart from the finale "I Still Love You" where you can feel the pain in Ev's voice when he's rapping about his mom's passing. An unusual ending for an album but a nice side of an mc that you dont really get to hear within his normal dilated restraints. Its honestly not as bad as some have said but its also nowhere as good as it shouldve been. Probably wont be put in heavy rotation, no matter how much of a Dilated fan.

Average customer rating: Ice is Nice Old school gangsta rapper with something to say All Of The OG's Best In One Place Well I guess that's it THE ICEMAN COMETH.

Ice-T - Greatest Hits: The Evidence Ice-T Manufacturer: Atomic Pop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: O.G. Original Gangster Power The Iceberg/Freedom Of Speech...Just Watch What You Say Rhyme Pays Body Count ASIN: B00004UEND Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

1. 6 'N The Mornin'
2. I'm Your Pusher
3. High Rollers
4. You Played Yourself
5. Peel Their Caps Back
6. O.G. Original Gangster
7. Colors
8. New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)
9. Power
10. I Ain't New Ta This
11. That's How I'm Livin'
12. I Must Stand
13. Squeeze The Trigger
14. The Tower
15. The Lane (E.V.A. Remix)
16. Money, Power, Women

Amazon.com

It's about time. With eight albums to his credit and a reputation that stretches across the globe, someone had to pay tribute to Ice-T. But no one did, so he did it himself. From classics like "6 'N the Mornin" and "I'm Your Pusher" to the more commercial "New Jack Hustler" and "Colors," this compilation is the ultimate cross-section of Ice's hits and favorites. Sure, it may be 13 years worth of material on pimping, playing, and the drug game, but The Evidence demonstrates the strength of a hip-hop artist who's still doing it his way, even into his 40s. Production by Ice himself, Afrika Islam, and DJ Aladdin, among others, underscores the artist's often cinematic approach to hip-hop, with everything from break beats to live bass, ticking snares and guitar licks. If Ice-T is accused of being one of hip-hop's greatest then The Evidence makes him guilty as charged. --Kenji Jasper

Customer Reviews:

Ice is Nice.......2007-07-06

Good collection of Ice-Ts raps. Ice-T is kinda different from most rappers in that he doesn't rely on the beat and the flow so much. There's not so much instrumentation in his stuff, just a drum usually. Ice T relies on storytelling. His delivery is rough, but that works for his stuff. He conveys the no-nonsense business attitude [and sometimes teh menace] of the streets. Contrary to so many critics of rap, Ice doesn't do a lot of glamorizing. He's just gritty realism. Here's some good raps:

6 in the Morning

I'm YOur Pusher

High Rollers

Original Gangster

Colors - tune from the movie

I Ain't New to This

The Tower - song about going to prison and the scary life inside. Great line: "who's got the power, the whites, the blacks, or just the gun tower." Makes a listener really want to NOT go to prison.

Money, Power, Women - starts with Al Pacino's quote from Scarface. Cool.

Looking at my list, it's pretty long. I think I have to say this album is a strong 4 stars, almost 5. If I were more of a serious rap fan, maybe I'd feel it was a 5. Whatever, this a solid CD with serious rap, good storytelling.
You Played Yourself

Old school gangsta rapper with something to say.......2007-06-18

Here it is, The Evidence from one of the first and best. This CD is so awesome, I love it because it makes you think about things long after the music has stopped.
The first half of this album is remarkable, so many great beats with smart lyrics. I can't really pick a favorite, but I really love the message of track 2, I'm Your Pusher. He tells the self-destructive drug users "You don't know what time it is". Instead of pushin' the rock he's pushin the music. It might sound foolish or silly to some, but I like that positive message about keeping a strong mind.
Then there's track 4, You Played Yourself. It's genius, basically saying stay real to yourself. He preaches "stupid, ignorant--don't even talk to me. In school you dropped math, science, and history. Then you get on the mike and try to act smart. Let me tell you one thing, you got heart". Brilliant. Or he mentions "you thought you could do dope and still stay cool? Fool...you played yourself.
Then on track 6, Original Gangster, he paints a vivid picture of the chaos that surrounds South Central L.A. If you listen to the lyrics, you'll get caught up in the sad violent whirlwind that is constantly spinning. He exclaims "I'd be a true sucker if I act like I didn't care".
And of course there's New Jack Hustler. Nuff said.
There are so many other masterful tracks, like 6 'N The Mornin', High Rollers, Colors, Power, The Tower...man, I better stop.
This album is simply a must own. Once again, nuff said.

All Of The OG's Best In One Place.......2005-07-01

Ice-T is known as the first true "gangster rap" artist. He earned this title not by using excessive violent and vulgar language, but because he told true stories about the life of people in the streets. Tales of husters,pimps,gangsters and prisoners are all told, as well as a few true stories from Ice-T's own life. Every song on this compilation is a classic. If you want to hear real rap music and not crunk pop garbage such as Lil John and Chingy, go to the nearest record store and purchase this collection.

Well I guess that's it.......2004-02-13

With Ice-T making bad movies and silly TV shows, his singing days are over. He probably did this to get out of his contract and be fully available to star in the 'Facts of Life' Reunion tour. I hear he's going to play Mrs. Garret's long lost pimp.

THE ICEMAN COMETH........2003-11-05

This is a well put together compilation from probably the best rapper out today.It contains many of his classic hits and is very well put together.I wish there were more rappers of the same calibre of ice t today.He is a very real person unlike many rappers of today who are simply about image and the pursuit of money.GET THIS CD TODAY.

Average customer rating: Classic Jazz album space jazz Any Herman Blount record will educate you Pretty Good Session A Must

Jazz in Silhouette Sun Ra Arkestra Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Speak No Evil Mingus Ah Um Space Is the Place The Real McCoy From the Soul ASIN: B0000014J0 Release Date: 1992-02-06

Tracks:

1. Enlightenment
2. Saturn
3. Velvet
4. Ancient Aiethopia
5. Hours After
6. Horoscope
7. Images
8. Blues At Midnight

Customer Reviews:

Classic Jazz album.......2004-10-20

This is perhaps the best place to start with Sun Ra - demonstrating his full roots in Ellington, Monk, and Space! But seriously - this guy is a true master - his compositions are imagineative - he is a master leader- the solos are all inspired - and everything is together. In Jazz there are 4 composers who really were ingenious - Monk, Mingus, Ellington, and Ra - there are some other great ones to - but these are the ones that really stand out to me!

space jazz.......2004-07-28

This is one of the best jazz albums from the 1950s. More like swing and bop than the free style Ra became noted for later on. The tune Images is a standout, being something like Monk's Off Minor. This is music for a future that has yet to arrive. Ancient Aethiopia will take you all the way there in time and place. Arguably, this is Sun Ra's best album ever!

Any Herman Blount record will educate you.......2003-05-01

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of Sun Ra albums. Not all in print of course. This one is pretty nice. Some like this one are jazz with a slight twist. Some are completely abstract, some are something different from anything you've ever heard. There are Do Wop and Disco Sun Ra albums made well before the terms Do Wop and Disco were coined. As a matter of fact it could be argued that Sun Ra invented Do Wop, Disco, rock and fusion jazz since he was experimenting in these genres long before most anyone else. They are all worth listening to.

Pretty Good Session.......2000-10-24

This was released on Ra's Saturn label in 1957. It's not quite as startling, colorful, or brilliant as "SuperSonic Jazz", which he released in 1956; the edges seem to have been filed down a bit on the music. But it's good stuff, listenable jazz with an exotic edge.

The one amazing track here is "Ancient Aethiopia" - it fuses eastern & western motifs together and sounds well ahead of its time.

A Must.......2000-05-10

I am a Sun Ra rookie. I heard of him, but never heard him. So, unlike other reviewers here, this is my first Sun Ra album. And I love it. More precisely, I think that its a masterpiece. One of those albums you here and just know you discovered a wide new world. Music will never sound the same again! (*written while hearing this album again, and dicovering how great it is).

Average customer rating: Masterpiece - nothing else in blues quite like this sensational discovery A great reissue of the brilliant work of a neglected master The Heart and Soul of Blues A jewel unearthed

Vietnam Blues: The Complete L&R Recording J.B. Lenoir Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music Chicago Blues | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Parrot Sessions The Complete Early Recordings of Skip James The Complete Blind Willie Johnson Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: J.B. Lenoir Hard Time Killing Floor Blues ASIN: B0000014PZ Release Date: 1995-06-27

Tracks:

1. Alabama
2. Mojo Boogie
3. God's Word
4. The Whale Has Swalloed Me
5. Move This Rope
6. I Feel So Good
7. Alabama March
8. Talk To Your Daughter
9. Mississippi Road
10. Good Advice
11. Vietnam
12. I Want To Go
13. Down In Mississippi
14. Slow Down Woman
15. If I Get Lucky
16. Shot On James Meredith
17. Round And Round
18. Voodoo Music
19. Born Dead
20. Leavin' Here
21. Vietnam Blues
22. How Much More
23. Tax Payin' Blues
24. Feelin' Good

Customer Reviews:

Masterpiece - nothing else in blues quite like this.......2006-10-14

I've just bought this CD for the 4th time - along with Jack Dupree's "Blues From The Gutter", it's the one I give away when I really want to give, and turn someone on to the blues.

It contains JBs last 2 albums before his untimely death in 1967, and represents the full flowering of his groundbreaking African Hunch style. JB was a popular Chicago electric blues musician who gradually evolved a new acoustic sound - syncretising a lot of what had come before, from gritty Delta guitar to barrelhouse-piano style syncopation, and more than a touch of gospel - but sounding fresh and modern; he was moving forwards not back. Sadly this style seems to have died with him; the world has not caught up yet.

All tracks have JB on acoustic guitar and vocals (those words hardly doing justice to what he does with them); many with Freddie Below on drums (inventor of Rock & Roll no matter what anyone else says); and a few with Willie Dixon's atmospheric growling on backup vocal (Willie also produced).

There's nothing else quite like this, though JB's 50's and early 60's Chicago recordings gave some hints of what was to come (a couple of his 50's hits are reworked here). The guitar work is simple yet complex, highly syncopated; the voice a flexible instrument, and the songs are just extraordinary - power and subtlety, tears and laughter, protest and acceptance, folk tales and modern living.

I can't really explain it in words, just listen to some of the samples, bearing in mind the the whole experience is so much more so - at least hear "Alabama", "Mojo Boogie", "Move This Rope", "I Feel So Good", "Good Advice", "Vietnam", "Down In Mississippi", "Voodoo Music", and especially "Born Dead" and "Feelin' Good" ... heck, just get the album! What a trip it is - hearing this for the first time is like hearing Robert Johnson for the first time...

sensational discovery.......2006-02-17

I knew Lenoir from Scorcesse's films "Blues History" . Hia social interests captivated me so much.

A great reissue of the brilliant work of a neglected master.......2005-02-03

Most hardcore blues fans know of J.B.Lenoir, but if you're unfamiliar with him then this CD will be a revelation. He is a unique stylist, master guitar player, and profound lyricist. His singing is powerful, idiosyncratic and full of conviction.

The cuts on this disc have been remastered beautifully, are full of depth and clarity. They represent the broad range of Lenoir's music, from biting social and political songs, through rocking dance numbers, to pieces in a more gospel or spiritual vein. Many of the songs foreground Lenoir's signature "African hunch" polyrhythm, a style as unique to J.B. as the "Bo Diddley beat" is to, well, Bo Diddley.

If you can only get one Lenoir CD, get this one. You'll love it and it'll compel you to get everything available.

The Heart and Soul of Blues.......2004-04-02

This CD is priceless. It is a ticket into another world. The amazing talent & raw heartfelt emotion of J.B. pours out of these songs and takes the listener on a journey. It is political, it's religious, it's sexual, it's unjust defeat, it's resurrection and it's definitely groovin. This is a glimpse into the heart and soul of a black man who lived and died during civil rights movement in the south. This CD gives the listener more than just great music, it serves up human feelings, the composition of life, and that's what the blues is all about.

A jewel unearthed.......2003-10-12

I've only listened to the five excerpts from this CD, in addition to what portions I have heard on Scorsese's documentary, and I can tell you, this man's a genius. His sounds are pure and full of vitality after forty-plus years. He is unique and original; Lenoir's guitar work is rooted in Delta/acoustic guitar blues traditions, yet, in his riffs and songwriting, he displays the savvy hooks and songwriting skills of a contemporary pop tunesmith. Above all, J.B. is laid-back and downright cool--one can't help but sway, bump, and grind, to his swinging rhythms. I hope his relatives, if they are still with us, are getting a significant portion of these royalties. This man was, and is, an American Blues treasure!

P.S. Mayall's song "The death of J.B. Lenoir" is also great; Lenoir seemed to "produce" great music even after his death! We are blessed for being able to hear, and to see (thanks to this new documentary) his incredible gifts after all these years!

Average customer rating: Great Technician Not Great Music Worth adding to any blues collection Could be better Artificial, Disappointing You Gotta Get This CD

Slideways Roy Rogers Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music Contemporary Blues | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rhythm & Groove Live! At The Sierra Nevada Brewery Big Room Slidewinder Pleasure & Pain Travellin' Tracks ASIN: B0000645KZ Release Date: 2002-03-26

Tracks:

1. Avalanche
2. Smoke & Mirrors
3. Razor's Edge
4. Duckwalk
5. I'm With You
6. Talking Walls
7. Crescent Steps
8. No Destination
9. Swamp Dream
10. There Is Only You
11. Precious Moments
12. Gumbo Funk
13. For the Children

Amazon.com

Blues producer and slide-guitar virtuoso Roy Rogers's eighth solo outing continues his exploration of roots music with an all-instrumental selection. Nearly an hour's worth of slide guitar is a rich confection, but the variety of styles and tones adopted here will keep the aficionado amused. A few of the cuts are simply grooves, rather than artfully prepared tunes, but the majority are blues based, and all are raunchy and uptempo. The opening "Avalanche" is a gloriously sweaty blueswailin' stomp. Other highlights include "Duckwalk," a rocking tribute to one of the unsung heroes of the slide guitar, Chuck Berry, and "There Is Only You," which climaxes in a manner reminiscent of some of Ry Cooder's best soundtrack instrumentals. Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste lends a New Orleans flavor, and Snortin' Norton Buffalo's harmonica is a key foil for Rogers's slide throughout. --Rob Stewart

Customer Reviews:

Great Technician Not Great Music.......2007-03-08

Love a good slide guitar. This is a good player. After 5 minutes it just sounds like variations of the same lick over and over and over again. I would like to hear him play with others. Not enough on his own.

Worth adding to any blues collection.......2002-12-13

This album has a level of energy that I haven't found on many recent blues albums. Overall I think many of the other reviewers are being a bit too critical--this one is great for driving or background music during a loud party. I play it at work frequently, and almost every time someone will walk past and say "that's good stuff--who is it?" Considering some of the major disappointments I've purchased in the blues vein recently, this one deserves a solid recommendation.

Could be better.......2002-11-25

I bought this after hearing the NPR piece, and thinking that this sounded like my kind of album. But...

Roy Rogers is certainly a virtuoso guitarist and he knows his stuff too. In this album you can hear echoes of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Clapton, Hendrix, even John Fahey. But the problem is that all the compositions are by Rogers, and while Rogers is a great guitar player, he is not much of a composer.

This album would serve very well as a cv for Rogers if he was applying for a position as a studio musician, and I'm sure he would get the job. There are also a couple of tracks that I really like, particularly #6 which is a kind of atmospheric blues with a nice harmonica accompaniment, and #10 that reminds me a bit of Thorn Tree In The Garden, the final instrumental track on Clapton's Layla album. But tracks 1-5 and 13 are tiresome and do not improve on repeated listening.

The album could be improved by cutting out tracks 1-5 and 13 and add some good standards like, maybe, some Hendrix numbers like Up From The Skies or Little Wing, and some classic blues or gospel tunes. The mark of a really good player is that he can take someone else's tune and make it his own, as for example Santana with Tito Fuente's Oy Como Va, or Peter Green's Black Magic Woman, come to think of it.

So maybe Rogers is not quite up to that stature? Well, that's why I haven't given this album five stars.

This sounds like a pretty dire review, but I do think that Rogers has a great album in him, though this is not it.

Artificial, Disappointing.......2002-11-14

Like others here, I ordered this CD after hearing the artist on NPR. He has chops but to paraphrase Albert King's complaint about other players, he "just plays fast, ain't got no soul." I don't hear it, anyway. The tracks are mildly entertaining but there's nothing moving or particularly rewarding, much less memorable. "Uninspiring" and "two-dimensional" are references that come to mind. I deleted it from my iPod after just a listening or two.

You Gotta Get This CD.......2002-10-31

Oh My God, Oh My GOD, OH MY GOD!!!!! I've listened to a lot of instrumental music in my life, but always thought "slide guitar - are you kidding, that's for backwater hillbillies". Boy was I wrong. I heard the NPR feature the other day on Roy Rogers and this album and was intrigued to say the least.

If you have ears (even one will do), you must run out right now and get this CD. It made me jump, it made my laugh, it made me cry, it made me want to live forever, it made me feel like I died and went to heaven. There are no words to describe it.

Average customer rating: ESSENTIAL Sun Ra Some Truly Great 20th Century Music: Too Good To Ignore Otherworldly I can't believe nobody's reviewed this CD before!

The Magic City Sun Ra Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Avant-Garde | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Space Is the Place For Alto Conquistador Jazz Advance Nefertiti, the Beautiful One Has Come ASIN: B0000014KK Release Date: 1993-11-25

Tracks:

1. The Magic City
2. The Shadow World
3. Abstract Eye
4. Abstract 'I'

Amazon.com

By the mid-1960s, bandleader and composer Sun Ra was delving deeply into extended, improvisation-heavy suites like The Magic City. Reckoned to be a tribute to his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, this long, circuitous piece comes in two different takes on the CD reissue, and both takes are rambunctiously keeled on Ra's core band members, tenor saxophonist John Gilmore and alto saxophonist Marshall Allen, who each offer scouring, ear-pinning interludes. Even so, the music here is huge, with sprawling collective improvisatons that burst with wholehearted high energy, suggesting a latent power that Sun Ra often channeled through both his own intricate scores and reams of cover tunes elsewhere in his several decades as jazz's chief outer-space renegade. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

ESSENTIAL Sun Ra.......2003-01-19

This (IMHO) is one of the finest releases from Sun Ra and the Arkestra. Accessable to the neophyte and satisfying to those familiar with Ra's music. Strong composition and execution. RECOMMENDED!

Some Truly Great 20th Century Music: Too Good To Ignore.......2001-11-15

I'm not going to compare "Magic City" to other jazz albums of the 60's, because it deserves a wider audience than only Sun Ra fans or free jazz afficionados. This album is distinct and amazing even in Sun Ra's eccentric ouevre, and it is without peer. If you appreciate the myriad attempts of 20th Century composers to reach the musical outer limits, such as those of Webern, Berg, Stravinsky, Varese, Bartok, Messiaen, Boulez, Zappa, etc., this is an album you will want to hear. Its textures, sonorities, and extremes of mood, from humor to terror and dread, put it in the august company of every musician who has put a soundtrack to consciousness and creation, to science and synthesis, to form generating itself in pure music. Get it!

Otherworldly.......1999-12-28

This is not the place to start in avant garde jazz. In fact, I suspect that plenty of perfectly reasonable, open-minded jazz fans will never get into this album. Unlike more accessible albums in the genre (Eric Dolphy's _Out to Lunch_, Ornette Coleman's early albums, John Coltrane's recordings between '61-'65) there's not much for most listeners to touch base with here. Harmony, rhythm, and melody are fleeting; the second half of the epic title track, which features extremely discordant horn blowing, will scare off 99% of the reasonable people.

If you're not completely scared off by this, I strongly recommend buying this album; the title suite is an incredibly intense collective improvisation: Sun Ra plays his eerie clavioline while Marshall Allen manically toots his piccolo and Ronnie Boykins does some killer bowing. Finally the rest of the band joins in to what may be some of the most intense and challenging fifteen minutes ever recorded. It truly is from outer space. The second half of the CD is full of shorter pieces that aren't quite as mind blowing but are still remarkable.

Get it if you dare.

I can't believe nobody's reviewed this CD before!.......1999-12-18

This CD is amazing and while I see 13 reviews for Eric Dolphy's "Out to Lunch," I see no reviews for this cd. This seems to show that people just buy those other albums because they're considered so good (and controversial), but never bothered to delve deep into the vein of free jazz, and this album is one of the greatest in that vein. Sounding harsh at times, this album ebbs and flows like no other. The continuously playing clavioline gives the album a constant theme of eerie unknown, like space, or another world. Yet it always manages to come back to sounding earthly. While Eric Dolphy was amazing and monumental in the same area, he never seemed to have the drive that Sun Ra did, who constantly made his musicians rehearse. This album is amazing and I highly recommend buying it for anyone who seriously listens to jazz, or any kind of music (if you want to have a better life, listen to a wide variety of music, that way you find out what you like.) The Magic City engulfs you and causes you to see things you wouldn't normally see. The songs not only are monumental in their sound, but monumental in their ability to represent visual themes, such as outer space and "the Magic City" itself, Birmingham Alabama. Listen to this CD at your local store, then buy it if you like it.

Average customer rating: Space is the place! Truth In Advertising Not his best nothing else like it Don't start here to get acquainted with Sun Ra

Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy/Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow Sun Ra Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Avant-Garde | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Space Is the Place Unit Structures Sun Ra - A Joyful Noise Live In Greenwich Village: The Complete Impulse Recordings Rip, Rig & Panic/Now Please Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith ASIN: B0000014JO Release Date: 1992-11-20

Tracks:

1. And Otherness
2. Thither And Yon
3. Adventure-Equation
4. Moon Dance
5. Voice Of Space
6. Cluster Of Galaxies
7. Ankh
8. Solar Drums
9. The Outer Heavens
10. Infinity Of The Universe
11. Lights On A Satellite
12. Kosmos In Blue

Customer Reviews:

Space is the place!.......2007-04-05

"Cosmic Tones for Mental Therapy" tops the list for all-time greatest album title (tied with "Weasels Ripped My Flesh"). The thought of these sonic vibrations from outer space reconfiguring your neural synapses is actually quite appealing. This stuff really does sound like it's from "out there"! The echo and reverb drenched and somewhat low-budget sound actually gives it extra charm.

The music on "Cosmic Tones" is very abstract. It sounds quite bizzare in 2007, so I can only image what it must have sounded to people in 1961 - not even Ornette Coleman or Cecil Taylor we doing stuff this far out in 1961.

"Art Forms of Dimensions Tomorrow" is a transitional work between straight jazz and the free space music of "Cosmic Tones". It's certainly enjoyable music, but for me it's less interesting.

I was lucky to see Sun Ra Live in 1988 and 1990, and actually had a few words with him in 1990. Despite being wheelchair-ridden he still had tremendous presence and a projected a very joyful vibe. This joyfulness comes across in all of his music, which is one of the things that most appeals to me.

This album is as good a place to start as any, if you are interested in exploring Sun Ra's universe.

Truth In Advertising.......2006-05-17

Cosmic Tones For Mental Therapy and Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow by Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra is quite a formidable title by any measure - and yet - when you actually listen to this astonishing piece of work you will find yourself thoroughly convinced - indeed - it is the only possible name for it.

They say that for an alcoholic, one drink is too many and one thousand aren't enough. I have discovered the same to be true of Sun Ra CDs, which seem to be breeding on my wall. Hearing one is too much because once you've listened it's too late to pretend you haven't heard what you've heard. One thousand aren't enough because each is different, the product of a man who explored constantly, driven by an inspired and fearless abandon.

Sun Ra CDs seem to break down into two categories, the really sharp old school jazz CDs and the intergalactic travel CDs. While I have praised Heliocentric Worlds Volume 1 in the past, I now think this is the indispensable Sun Ra CD - the one you simply MUST own. More than any other I've heard it bridges the gap between the two worlds of Sun Ra, in fact, listening to this CD it's difficult to tell which world you're in. At times it might be Morocco, other times it might be a spaceship rounding Venus, then again, some moments feel like a Cuban nightclub in the 1950's.

Maybe that's the real poetry of Sun Ra, you can never be really sure of anything. I may be back soon to revise my opinion again, after probing deeper into the enchanted world of Sun Ra. I wouldn't be at all surprised if I were again surprised.

Not his best.......2006-01-24

This CD is really for the completest among avid fans of Sun Ra. If that describes you, then this release is a treat: two of Sun Ra's early albums that were not easy to come by on vinyl even back then, unless you lived in New York City.

The music, however, is of questionable quality, even when considered within the proper context of genre and period. Don't get me wrong: I'm all for the avant garde, but these recordings grated even on my nerves and I'm no stranger to dissonance. My favorite orchestral composers are Penderecki and Carl Stalling, some of my favorite jazz records are by Ornette Coleman, I own several CDs by the likes of Captain Beefheart and Xenakis, my favorite rock record is by Mr. Bungle, I've enjoyed concerts by Rene Lussier and Andre Duchesne...but this purchase was a disappointment to me, regardless of price.

The dissonance in this recording was just not at all musical to my ears. I'm not exactly sure what Sun Ra intended with these pieces but they had no emotional impact on me, nor did they even have any kind of rhythmic or hypnotic effect say like `Fire' by the Third Ear Band from their elements album. The interest here is purely intellectual and not worth repeated listening, in my opinion.

I agree that Sun Ra was a great musician and composer who made an important contribution to the avant guard in general, but these particular recordings are not among his finest achievements.

nothing else like it.......2005-12-29

free jazz with form...or something like that. The composer in question is, Sun Ra, one of the most forward looking musical talents of the 20th century. This is one of his first truly 'out there' albums. In the 50's he was an innovator in a sort of big band style that incorporated some of the most strange and beautiful compositions with truly futuristic solos from the likes of John Gilmore (who pioneered the 'sheets of sound' style that John Coltrane would become famous for). 'Cosmic Tones/Art Forms' is something else completely. As other reviewers have said - you cannot define it. It is free - yet so different from what artists like Ornette Coleman were doing at the time. It has an organic almost folk like quality - it sounds almost ancient. It is closer to classical chamber music than to most jazz records. You can't even really compare it to Mingus - this is something else... Just listen and meditate on this one - so strange and beautiful.

Don't start here to get acquainted with Sun Ra.......2005-08-12

This is great Sun Ra, but by all means don't start here. Its crazy, surreal, and inaccesible, more so than "Space Is the Place" or "Easy Listening for Intergalatic Travel". However, if you are familiar with Sun Ra, but considor yourself a casual fan than this is an album to buy. It will help you delve into the world of the greatest Jazz artist who ever lived. Back in 8th grade I took a general music class, which was all about learning the history of jazz to attempt to make all the kid's taste in music better (it, for the most part, alienated them ever further). One of the albums our teacher played was this one, and the reaction of the class was pretty much the same. "Is this music?" As my tastes have matured, I grew to appreciate avant-garde music, the deconstruction and often times lack of a central rhythm. The music here isn't catchy, and it may appear to many as unlistenable. However, if you have a taste for weird and unusual music, you will fall in love with this album. This is more for fans of The Shaggs and Captain Beefheart than it is for fans of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Don't get the impression that Sun Ra and his band is merely jamming here however - its all part of a great artistic vision.

Average customer rating: Voice of an angel Great mix of Blues and Country The best live performance I've seen Agent Double-O Soul The Real Deal. Blues with a spiritual side

Songs From Venice Beach Ted Hawkins Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Next Hundred Years Happy Hour Watch Your Step The Kershaw Sessions: Live at the BBC The Unstoppable Ted Hawkins ASIN: B0000014QO Release Date: 1995-10-03

Tracks:

1. Searching For My Love
2. I Got What I Want
3. Latter Of Success
4. Having A Party
5. There Stands The Glass
6. Quiet Place
7. Good Times
8. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
9. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
10. He Will Break Your Heart
11. Gypsy Woman
12. Somebody Have Mercy
13. Share Your Love With Me
14. All I Have To Offer You Is Me

Customer Reviews:

Voice of an angel.......2006-07-06

Ted Hawkins' music still soars and inspires, even over a decade after his death. Fans, or those interested in discovering this artist, will not be disappointed with this, or any of his CDs.

Great mix of Blues and Country.......2005-03-11

I just bought some of his songs and just really enjoyed them. It's hard to turn the CD player off with his songs.

The best live performance I've seen.......2002-01-10

I was strolling down the Venice Beach boardwalk in the Summer of 1983 when I came upon a small crowd. If you've been on the boardwalk you know that's nothing out of the ordinary. But the music coming from the middle. Wow! I won't try to describe it in words except to say that tired man sitting on a milk crate delivered the best live performance I've seen in 30 years with a beat up acoustic guitar and no amplification. I walked straight to Penny Lane records and bought "Watch your Step." Grab anything you can find by Ted.

Agent Double-O Soul.......2001-04-21

Some of the songs on this CD, and the aching in Ted Hawkins' voice, will make you want to cry. Hawkins chose to sing about many dark, dark subjects, but his voice was a gift from God. Spiritually uplifting and damn depressing, sometimes within the same song. It's a mystery why, but I love it...

The Real Deal. Blues with a spiritual side.......2001-04-13

This voice reaches out and touches you. This man has clearly lived some hard times and learned how to forgive. The song, "Ladder of Success" is alone worth the purchase. You will find that the spiritual side of this guy is not pushy and yet hard to ignore. I find his spiritual songs to be his most genuine. Ted Hawkins was a genuis and this is a must-have.

Average customer rating: Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band, my review from Barcelona Has potential I was blown away! Melvin Taylor is the MAN!!! A God on the Guitar!!

Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Full Circle You & Me Grant Street Blues 10 Days Out (Blues from the Backroads)/ (CD/DVD) ASIN: B0000014Q4 Release Date: 1995-10-03

Tracks:

1. Texas Flood
2. Depression Blues
3. Grooving In New Orleans
4. Talking To Anna Mae
5. Tin Pan Alley
6. All Your Love (I Miss Loving)
7. Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong
8. T-Bone Shuffle
9. Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
10. Tequila

Customer Reviews:

Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band, my review from Barcelona.......2007-07-17

What a great guitarist Melvin Taylor is! like already I suggested in my `Rendezvous with the Blues' review here in Amazon and how his records like me in spite of pedal and vibrato in excess he uses sometimes in his performances but he is undoubtedly one of the greatest electric guitarist today. This `Melvin Taylor & the slack band' record is no an exception than the others although has a greater Blues orientation using a guitar trio format but I think it lacks of inspiration in spite of the very good themes inside. I like his originals `Depression Blues', `Talking to Anna Mae', the Robert Geddins's cover `Tin Pan Alley' and Aaron Walker's (the great T-Bone walker) cover `T-Bone shuffle' where does he prove and does achieve to play the Blues frankly well specially in the very good instrumental second one. In a second plan I also like Otis Rush's `All your love (all miss loving)'and Albert King's `Don't Throw your love on me so strong'.
As for Larry Davis's `Texas Flood' and Jimi Hendrix's `Voodoo Chile (slight return) are spectaculars, are very good played but for me they have an excess of pyrotechnics.
The track what closes the album, well, is out of place in every Blues album. I give it 3,5 stars.

Has potential.......2001-02-12

I like Taylor's own 'Depression Blues' where he produces something new and the standard 'Tin Pan Alley' where he doesn't try to play at a million miles an hour. Obviously a guitarist with potential, but he needs to learn that more is not usually better. An example is 'All Your Love' which starts out fresh and interesting, then loses its way in attempted pyrotechnics. He even closes the album with a putrid song totally out of balance with the rest of the tracks (similar to SRV).

I was blown away!.......1999-10-13

Heard "Voodo Chile" at a friend's house (was doing a comparism to Hendrix - I think Melvin Taylor's version is much better from a technical point of view, you can actually hear the bass...) - also his technique is so smooth, so fluid it took my breath away! Also had a listen to "All You Love (I Miss Loving)", having been brought up on the Mayall (Bluesbreakers) version, and again was blown away by Taylor's version. So, I just had to have it (and the other CDs as well :> ) - whd

Melvin Taylor is the MAN!!!.......1999-10-09

This CD is one of my favorites. Melvin Taylor is the best guitar player alive in my opinion and I have seen them all. KWS, Jonny Lang, Indigenous and none of these young guys can hold a candle to Melvin Taylor. Only man alive that should be compared to Hendrix and SRV.

A God on the Guitar!!.......1999-08-19

This is an album that sits on my shelf next to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Hendrix for he is truly of their kind. His powerful yet lirical guitar playing can calm you or work you into a rage. I cannot believe he is not more famous.

Average customer rating:

Made in Chicago Howard & the White Boys Manufacturer: Evidence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Blues | Imports | Stores | Music R&B | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: In the Palace of the King Albertville Going Back Home Old School Late in the Night ASIN: B000LPR5KM Release Date: 2007-02-23

Tracks:

1. She Loves My Automobile
2. Walk Away
3. Good Booty And BBQ
4. Walking To My Baby
5. I'm In A Phone Booth Baby
6. Yonder Wall
7. Cold Cold Feeling
8. Black Cat Bone
9. Coming Home

Music Album:

1. Executioner's Last Songs Volumes 2 + 3
2. For the Sake of the Song: First Album [Original recording remastered]
3. Forever in Your Eyes
4. Golden Moments
5. Gospel Gold
6. Gotta Keep Rollin': The Jeremiah Years 1979-1981 [Original recording remastered]
7. Great Dolly Parton [Box set] [Import]
8. Green Linnet 20th Anniversary Collection
9. Guitar Man [Import]
10. Have I Got a Deal for You

Music Album