Black and Blue America

Amazon.com
Since he gave up the ponies and returned to music full time, the author of "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning" has enjoyed a low-profile artistic renaissance of elegant, tender songwriting. But by the lights of his fifth post-racetrack release, penning shrewd, often stunning country-folk lyrics is no longer enough. With the help of Lucinda Williams, John Prine, ex-Van Morrison guitarist John Platania, and gospel singers Audrey Martels and Deena Miller, Chip Taylor aims for the big statement, splicing in spoken samples from Eisenhower, Malcom X, Cassius Clay, and older brother Jon Voight as if his songs of temptation, outlaws, Jesus, baseball, and Marilyn Monroe weren't deliberate enough. Taylor isn't a memorable singer, but his lackadaisical drawl isn't offensive either--and when Lucinda joins him on aching, unpretentious ballads like "Could I Live with This" and "The Ship," his listeners will immediately recognize why Taylor is both a legend and a vital, contemporary voice. --Roy Kasten

Black and Blue America,Chip Taylor,Trainwreck Records,Americana,Country,Country-Rock,Folk-Rock,Pop,Rock

Average customer rating: Critics said "Nay" Blackbyrd... Heading towards the light and fluffy elevator style jazz.... FLYING 5 IT's TIGHT BELEIVE ME

Black Byrd Donald Byrd Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Jazz Funk | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Places and Spaces Stepping into Tomorrow Street Lady Ethiopian Knights Blacks and Blues ASIN: B000005HDT Release Date: 1992-07-14

Tracks:

1. Flight Time
2. Black Byrd
3. Love's So Far Away
4. Mr. Thomas
5. Sky High
6. Slop Jar Blues
7. Where Are We Going?

Amazon.com

Dr. Donald Byrd's deeply rooted jazz background never stopped him from constantly pushing jazz forward, opening the minds of his listeners in the process. Produced by Larry Mizell in 1973, Black Byrd is filled with beautiful music that captures his passion for sound. The sophisticated, uptempo instrumentals are funky and danceable, but also extremely smooth. Byrd's impeccable trumpet meshes perfectly with the African-influenced beats and rhythms. Jazz purists may want to look into earlier Blue Note recordings such as Royal Flush and Byrd in Flight. --Shane Hunt

Customer Reviews:

Critics said "Nay".......2007-01-10

When this recording was first introdused critics laughed and downplayed this album, Just to prove and show that some critics are sometime way OFF. This was the best selling album on "Blue Note" and is a NOW criticly aclaimed masterpiece.

Blackbyrd..........2005-09-24

I heard "Flight Time" as a teenager on a wax "Greatest Hits" collection by Mr. Byrd. When I saw "Blackbyrd" on CD, I bought it without hesitation! A very good contemporary jazz collection!
Five stars!

Heading towards the light and fluffy elevator style jazz...........2004-09-16

....but not there yet. I prefer the deep funk of Byrd's "Ethiopian Knights", but "BlackByrd" has grown on me considerably. On my first listen I was taken by surprise because I wanted more "Little Rasti" and I put this away for a long time. I've been listening to it now for a few weeks straight and it's laid back summertime groove has consumed my soul. "Street Lady" has the same vibe, so I picked it up to, but I will have to stop there and dig on all the great Byrd I have. It seems after Street Lady the music got really really light and fluffy. Snore...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Go get "Fancy free", "Electric Byrd", "Ethiopian Knights", "BlackByrd" & "Street Lady" and you will have the funkiest of Donald Byrd and the best in my opinion.

FLYING 5.......2000-04-19

Donald Byrd is A Musical Genius.His Music takes Jazz Into So many Directions&Yet Never Looses it's Roots&Foundations.THis Disc Is Smoking From start to finish.

IT's TIGHT BELEIVE ME.......1999-09-16

this cd is one of the BYRD MAN slickest especially 'LOVES SO FAR AWAY' I've made this cut into my personal LIFE THEMES with out a doubt a winner -get up -get out-and get dis cd-CAN YA DIG IT?????

Average customer rating: Too long a wait... A timeless classic! Long Awaited Black & Blue and Tobacco Road The voice shines through

Black and Blue/Tobacco Road Lou Rawls Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Lou Rawls: The Capitol Jazz & Blues Sessions The Very Best of Lou Rawls: You'll Never Find Another Soulin' Stormy Monday Why Am I Treated So Bad! ASIN: B000FA57NU Release Date: 2006-05-16

Tracks:

1. Roll 'Em Pete
2. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
3. How Long, How Long Blues
4. Everyday I Have The Blues
5. St. James Infirmary
6. (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue
7. Gloomy Sunday
8. Kansas City
9. Going' To Chicago Blues
10. Trouble In Mind
11. World Of Trouble
12. Six Cold Feet Of Ground
13. Strange Fruit
14. Tobacco Road
15. Cotton Fields
16. Rockin' Chair
17. Stormy Weather
18. Ol' Man River
19. Blues For A Four-String Guitar
20. St. Louis Blues
21. Georgia On My Mind
22. Sentimental Journey
23. Summertime
24. When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Customer Reviews:

Too long a wait..........2006-08-05

Adding this CD reissue of "Black and Blue" and "Tobacco Road" from 1963-64 was a no-brainer, for this was the first time I'd had a chance to hear two of the greatest albums Lou Rawls has ever recorded.

It was a treat to hear Lou do justice to some of the greatest jazz and blues classics ever written, brilliantly arranged by Onzy Matthews and played by a smokin' hot big band made up of A-list musician talent. The liner notes were very informative and gave insight of the creation of each album.

Judging by the fantastic arranging and conducting on these two albums, I cannot believe that Mr. Matthews' career did not take the more successful turn of other arrangers of that period. As for Lou, thank God that his early work is finally in circulation for all to enjoy...why wait until after his death for this to happen?

A timeless classic!.......2006-07-12

Lou Rawls is one of the greatest singers of this era. I have several of his albums. But I rejoiced when I found songs not included on other CDs such as "Blues for a Four-String Guitar," "Stormy Weather," "Georgia on My Mind," and "Summertime" as well as some of his signature tunes like "Tobacco Road." Lou Rawls really makes the standards his own. This album is Lou Rawls at his best, and a must-have for any fan!

Long Awaited Black & Blue and Tobacco Road.......2006-07-06

It's very hard for me to be objective about these two recordings by Lou Rawls and Onzy Matthews. I wore out my vinyl long, long ago and have been waiting for the CD issue of these records for 20 years. FINALLY! Great and creative big band writing by Onzy Matthews....The arrangements never get in Lou's way and such mature singing for a young guy. Lou's in great voice, the selection of material is first rate and the writing and playing top notch. Enough with the cliches........buy it..at two for the price of one!

The voice shines through.......2006-05-23

This CD comprises of two albums recorded in 1962 & 1963, with two tracks, numbers 7 & 24 as bonus tracks. Arrangements on both albums were by Onzy Matthews, with a whole slew of hand picked session players to perform them.On both sets Lou Rawls displays imperious styling and phrasing, and his voice is distinctive and given lots of space in the arrangements. There is, however a distinct contrast between the choice of material on the two albums. The "Black and Blue" set contains a much better chosen range of songs, and the arrangements more in empathy with Rawls style. Stand out tracks are a version of "Every day I have the Blues", Count Basie's "Going to Chicago Blues" and an outstanding reading of Oscar Brown Junior's "World of Trouble". The bonus track would not have been out of place in the original programming. The "Tobacco Road" set starts with an excellent version of the title track, but the rest of the set is good without ever being outstanding, except for "Blues for a four string guitar" which is really quite weak. Throughout, Rawls does his best to impart something new to all of them, though he's not helped in places by the arrangements, where on the second album the guitar sound is weak. It's also difficult not to compare the version of "Georgia on my mind" with what Ray Charles was doing with it at about the same time in another place! The remastering is excellent throughout, mixed as it was from 3 track tapes. I welcome the re-release of these long deleted albums, but on reflection despite Rawls' valiant efforts elsewhere the "Black and Blue" set is the highlight of this CD.

Average customer rating: A real gem of the 80's

Collected Black 'N Blue Manufacturer: Majestic Rock ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Heavy Metal | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rough Cutt/Rough Cutt Wants You! The Right to Rock No Respect Steeler License to Kill ASIN: B000AIZ8LI Release Date: 2005-10-02

Tracks:

1. Strong Will Rock
2. School of Hard Knocks
3. Autoblast
4. Hold on to 18
5. Wicked Bitch
6. Action
7. Show Me the Night
8. One for the Money
9. I'm the King
10. Chains Around Heaven

Tracks:

1. Rockin' on Heaven's Door
2. Without Love
3. Stop the Lightning
4. Nature of the Beach
5. Miss Mystery
6. Swing Time
7. Bombastic Plastic
8. We Got the Fire
9. Strange Things
10. Two Wrongs (Don't Make It Love)

Tracks:

1. Nasty Nasty
2. I Want It All (I Want It Now)
3. Does She or Doesn't She
4. Kiss of Death
5. 12 O'Clock High
6. Do What You Wanna Do
7. I'll Be There for You
8. Rules
9. Best in the West

Tracks:

1. Rock On
2. Sight for Sore Eyes
3. Heat It Up! Burn It Out!
4. Suspicious
5. Snake
6. Live It Up
7. Gimme Your Love
8. Get Wise to the Rise
9. Great Guns of Fire
10. Stranger

Tracks:

1. Chains Around Heaven [DVD]
2. One for the Money [DVD]
3. Show Me the Night [DVD]
4. Summer Heat [DVD]
5. Run Run [DVD]
6. Autoblast [DVD]
7. Action [DVD]
8. Strong Will Rock [DVD]
9. Hold on to 18 [DVD]
10. Violent Kid [DVD]
11. Rock N' Roll Animals [DVD]
12. Wicked Bitch [DVD]
13. School of Hard Knocks [DVD]
14. I'm the King [DVD]
15. Lip Lock [DVD]
16. Sign in Blood [DVD]

Album Description

This is a unique opportunity to own all four classic Black n' Blue albums - Black n' Blue, Nasty Nasty, Without Love and In Heat - in a deluxe box and with an added NTSC/Region 0 DVD of the band's performance in Tokyo in November 1984. Strictly limited to 1000 copies, this is a must have for collectors of the genre and fans of the band alike. Contains an eight page booklet with sleeve notes from Black n' Blue fan and expert Dave Reynolds. Magestic. 2005.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Collection of all Four Classic Black N' Blue Albums - 'black N' Blue', 'nasty Nasty', 'without Love' and ' in Heat' - all in a Deluxe Box and with an Added Ntsc Dvd (All Region 0) with a Live Concert Recording of the Band's Performance in Tokyo from November 1984. The Set is Strictly Limited to a Pressing of 1000 Copies and is a Must have for Collectors of the 80's Rock and Fans of the Band Alike. The Set Includes an Eight Page Booklet with Sleeve Notes from Black N' Blue Fan and Expert Dave Reynolds.

Customer Reviews:

A real gem of the 80's.......2005-10-31

If you haven't heard of Black n Blue, consider that Gene Simmons produced some of their albums, John Kalodner says he still doesn't get why they were not huge, and Bruce Fairbain got the job of working on Slippery When Wet because Jon Bon Jovi loved his work with this band. It's classic 80's hard rock, on the Bon Jovi/Poison side of the tracks, and this box contains four albums, each in a cardboard sleeve that replicates the original album cover ( but let's not kid ourselves, it's done like this to be cheap ), and a DVD of a live performance, which obviously is still VHS quality, but at least it's not going to wear out. There's also one booklet, which talks about the different albums, and it's all in a cardboard box. Overall, I think the quality of presentation is not great, but it's worth it to own these classic albums, and in the end, who cares what the box looks like - the music rocks.

Average customer rating:

Rarities Black 'N Blue Manufacturer: Crash Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dominator United Abominations Real to Reel Ron Keel: The Ultimate Collection Double CD Prodigal Songs ASIN: B000NIIUY2 Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

1. Violent Kid
2. Sign in Blood
3. Wicked Bitch
4. Gold Heart
5. Hold on to 18
6. Lickety Split
7. Serious Drag
8. So Long
9. Hell Yeah
10. Autoblast [Live]
11. Im the King [Live]

Average customer rating: And God bless Ferrante and Teicher

America Forever Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lounge | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ferrante & Teicher - All-Time Greatest Hits Christmas Is So Special The Ferrante & Teicher Collection Film Classics All Time Great Movie Themes ASIN: B00005UNBC Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

1. America's Patriotic Marches
2. Semper Fidelis
3. George M. Cohan's Tribute To America
4. Rhapsody In Blue
5. The Stars And Stripes Forever
6. West Side Story Overture
7. American Musical Portraits By Stephen Foster
8. When Johnny Comes Marching Home

Customer Reviews:

And God bless Ferrante and Teicher.......2002-03-19

As some of you know, I am a Ferrante and Teicher fan from way back. When I read their dedication on this disc, I was really impressed. I dont know which one is officially retired, but the fact that he came out of retirement to help put this disc together was great... and the disc is A-1! During the Bicentennial year(1976) I had a vinyl disc, Spirit of 176, which
much of the music from this disc is from. Some of the musical effects are quite interesting, and my mother really loves the disc. I am so pleased that they released it. A real keeper!

Average customer rating: A Box Of Brilliance

A Box of Sousa Manufacturer: Altissimo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005Y7U0 Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

1. Semper Fidelis
2. Presidential Polonaise
3. Manhattan Beach March
4. Comrades of the Legion March
5. Saber and Spurs March
6. Gridiron Club March
7. King Cotton March
8. Easter Monday on the White House Lawn
9. Who's Who in Navy Blue March
10. Invincible Eagle March
11. Excerpts from Mars and Venus
12. Washington Post March (1890)
13. Washington Post March (1988)
14. Stars and Stripes Forever [Live]
15. Man Behind the Gun
16. Selections from the Operetta, the Bride Elect
17. Reine de la Mer
18. Sound Off
19. Royal Welch Fusiliers
20. By the Light of the Polar Star
21. Beneath the Southern Cross
22. Mars and Venus
23. Gallant Seventh
24. Thunderer March [Historic 1896 Recording]
25. Fairest of the Fair
26. Hands Across the Sea
27. Diplomat
28. Rifle Regiment
29. Occidental
30. Riders for the Flag
31. Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
32. High School Cadets
33. Boy Scouts of America
34. Picador
35. Directorate
36. Black Horse Troop
37. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
38. Beau Ideal
39. Belle of Chicago
40. Corcoran Cadets
41. National Game
42. Loyal Legion
43. Liberty Bell
44. Liberty Bell [Historic 1894 Recording]
45. Century of Progress
46. Atlantic City Pageant
47. Free Lance
48. Glory of the Yankee Navy
49. March of the Mitten Men
50. Minnesota March
51. Northern Pines
52. Our Flirtations
53. Pride of the Wolverines
54. Solid Men to the Front
55. White Rose
56. Bullets and Bayonets
57. In the Land of the Golden Fleece
58. Pathfinder of Panama
59. Liberty Loan
60. Peaches and Cream
61. National Fencibles [Historic 1890 Recording]

Album Description

Box Set of 4 CDs by The United States Marine Band.

Customer Reviews:

A Box Of Brilliance.......2004-01-13

Brilliant is a good word for this set of must have band classics, all of these songs are as american as apple pie. Its a must have for any true patriot or band lover. Sousa is the Motzart of the marchign band world and truly this capture so much more than any other collection.

Average customer rating: WELCOME BACK!! Ewwww...! This Is Taylor's Best CD Yet, And That's Saying Something! A Fantastic Album - No Matter Who or Where You Are Pretty songs in pretentious package.

Black and Blue America Chip Taylor Manufacturer: Trainwreck Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Seven Days in May Hit Man The Living Room Tapes Unglorious Hallelujah Chip Taylor's Last Chance ASIN: B00005NNLK Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Black & Blue America
3. Intro
4. Dance With Jesus
5. Intro
6. Could I Live With This (With Lucinda Williams)
7. Intro
8. It Don't Get Better Than This (The J-Zoom Song)
9. Intro
10. Theme For an American Hero
11. Intro
12. Sometimes I Act Just Like A Fool
13. Intro
14. I Need Some Horses Around
15. Intro
16. Fort Worth Thursday Night
17. Intro
18. The Ship (with Lucinda Williams)
19. Intro
20. In Your Weakness
21. Intro
22. Blind Of The Midnight Hour
23. Intro
24. You Left Me Here
25. Intro
26. What A Smile You Had
27. Intro
28. Stroke City Girls
29. Intro
30. The Way Of It (with John Prine)
31. Intro
32. Temptation (with P.P. Arnold)

Amazon.com

Since he gave up the ponies and returned to music full time, the author of "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning" has enjoyed a low-profile artistic renaissance of elegant, tender songwriting. But by the lights of his fifth post-racetrack release, penning shrewd, often stunning country-folk lyrics is no longer enough. With the help of Lucinda Williams, John Prine, ex-Van Morrison guitarist John Platania, and gospel singers Audrey Martels and Deena Miller, Chip Taylor aims for the big statement, splicing in spoken samples from Eisenhower, Malcom X, Cassius Clay, and older brother Jon Voight as if his songs of temptation, outlaws, Jesus, baseball, and Marilyn Monroe weren't deliberate enough. Taylor isn't a memorable singer, but his lackadaisical drawl isn't offensive either--and when Lucinda joins him on aching, unpretentious ballads like "Could I Live with This" and "The Ship," his listeners will immediately recognize why Taylor is both a legend and a vital, contemporary voice. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

WELCOME BACK!!.......2002-12-19

HOW GREAT TO HEAR CHIP TAYLOR'S VOICE ONCE AGAIN!! I'VE BEEN A FAN FOR YEARS, I STILL HAVE ALL THE OLD ALBUMS ON VYNL!!! THERE ARE SOME GREAT SONGS ON THIS C.D, HOWEVER, I COULD LIVE WITHOUT THE CLIPS IN BETWEEN SONGS!!! I'M SURE 'OL CHIP IS TRYING TO MAKE A POINT HOWEVER, I FIND IT A BIT ANNOYING!! I'VE EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO BURNING MY OWN COPY AND TAKING ALL THOSE PARTS OUT!!
ANYWAY, I STILL LOVE THE MUSIC!! CHIP IS KEEPING EMOTIONAL SINGING ALIVE!!!

Ewwww...!.......2001-11-28

Just when I thought we could FINALLY forget about "Angel of the Morning" -- tied for Ultimate Ickiest Lyrics Of My Generation only with "Afternoon Delight" -- here's more? Oh please go back to talking with horses, only horses, and spare us poor humans.

This Is Taylor's Best CD Yet, And That's Saying Something!.......2001-11-10

Something that matters: Chip Taylor wrote the following songs - "Wild Thing," "I Can't Let Go" (Hollies, Ronstadt), "Angel of the Morning," "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" (Janis Joplin), "Son of a Rotten Gambler" (Anne Murray, Emmylou Harris).
Something that doesn't matter and which may not even be true, but it's interesting: Chip Taylor is Jon Voight's brother and consequently Angelina Jolie's uncle.
What is really important: Black and Blue America is Chip Taylor's solo masterpiece. Like fellow veteran Billy Joe Shaver, Chip Taylor is finding his best music well into a long, illustrious career by simply relaxing and being as direct as possible in presenting his music. The songwriting skills are sharper than ever, and by taking a laid back approach to the arrangements which fits perfectly with the styles of his two most prominent guests, Lucinda Williams and John Prine, he capitalizes on his own strengths as a vocalist.
Before allowing a sense to develop that Black and Blue America is a nonchalant venture, it must be said that this recording is very well planned. Each of the sixteen original songs is preceded by a brief introductory segment which could be an historical speech clip or a phone message related to the topic of the song being presented, at least indirectly. The songs themselves are a mix of some very serious topics with very un-serious topics. Humor mixes with indignation, the potent phrase mixes with the flippant. Here is a man bothered by those things which make America black and blue but who knows that reality requires humor and that concern not buffered by nonchalance will drive a person crazy.
It's the humor which will first draw a listener into Black and Blue America. As Prine and Taylor exchange verses and quips on "The Way of It," everything cool about John Prine becomes clear in Chip Taylor. As Lucinda Williams duets with Taylor on "Could I Live with This," everything unique about Lucinda Williams becomes clear in Chip Taylor. What surprises about both instances is that Chip Taylor seems so in charge, as if he's the one who taught Prine and Williams to do the things they do, as if he was the original "wild thing" and they are simply walking in his footsteps.
Here again the worlds of Billy Joe Shaver and Chip Taylor collide. Both have been around any number of blocks any number of times (as witnessed by the wit of "Fort Worth Thursday Night" here), and both have finally reached the point where simply letting those experiences come through their natural gifts for songwriting results in music several notches above that of the music around them. When the "New Country" movement began in the late seventies, fans "discovered" the music of country outlaws like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings and realized quickly what experience meant in terms of good music. Billy Joe Shaver and Chip Taylor are the current "outlaws," and the comparisons to Jennings and Nelson can be extended because Shaver resembles Jennings' rough-edged "back to basics" sound while Taylor resembles Nelson's more whispered approach to simple acoustic country. If "black and blue America" wants to "discover" two country artists who deserve having their work recognized, America couldn't do better than to sing the praises of both Billy Joe Shaver and Chip Taylor.
Black and Blue America is every bit as vital as Willie Nelson's Red-Headed Stranger. A complete work in concept and execution, Black and Blue America blends a folk touch with country in a way that differentiates it from Red Headed Stranger but captures no less perfectly that sense of seeing a slice of America with raw honesty. Where Willie went to America's past for his portrayal, Chip Taylor goes closer to the present, and consequently his inclusion of phone messages and VCR repair talk hits more directly on what ties America today with the America in Willie Nelson's saga. Both Taylor and Nelson find their melodies in simplicity, tapping into melodic ideas which will survive because they take the timeless concepts and embellish them only moderately. Little if anything on Black and Blue America is complex, but the use of the ideas is unique, and that's the confidence that Chip Taylor took into this recording, a confidence shared by his guests John Prine and Lucinda Williams in their own individual work.
The pros in the music business ultimately discover that their instincts are right and that, if they follow their instincts, the results will far overshadow any situation where overplanning strips an idea of its real strength. Chip Taylor perhaps never trusted himself as a solo performer as much in the past as he does on Black and Blue America, and the results are palpably evident. Perhaps it is the presence of Williams and Prine which convinced him that he, as a performer, is someone other noted performers admire. But whatever happened, an already solid performer hits his stride perfectly on sixteen new cuts. Cool, casual, and with just a hint of "wild thing" to it, Black and Blue America is a first class piece of work from a first class singer/songwriter whose time to be noticed for his work might just be now.

A Fantastic Album - No Matter Who or Where You Are.......2001-08-31

How sadly ironic that after Taylor has come up with a brilliant song-cycle about life in America in the last half century, it is only the European critics and fans who have immediately adopted it as the minor classic that it is. Oh well, maybe we just need some time to catch up. After all, there really is something here for everyone - folk fans will love the elegiac title track, Lucinda Williams' fans will latch onto to the two wonderful duets, the new "O Brother" crowd will cheer "Dance With Jesus," Texas frat boys can get drunk to "Fort Worth Thursday Night," people who have been waiting for a new John Prine song will eat up "The Way of It," and plain old music fans are guaranteed to find at least 10 gems on this sprawling album.
Chip Taylor is the real thing and here's hoping that his own country finally realizes it.

Pretty songs in pretentious package........2001-08-14

I own Chip Taylors classic album "Last Chance" from the seventies and some of the recent efforts following his comeback in the mid-nineties. If you liked "The London Sessions Bootleg" this is more of the same sprawling stuff but with a much more elaborate and polished sound. Acustic and electric guitars dominate but other instruments like fiddle, steel guitar and keyboards adds color on several tracks. The title track and the spoken intros between every song lead me to expect some kind of concept album about America but this is not the case, in my opinion. Many of the songs are simply love songs or amusing observations of everyday life. The intros are recordings of everyone from Sigmund Freud to Chip's brother Jon Voight and adds nothing but length and confusion to this album. But it's the songs that count and Chip seems to have a never-ending ability to come up with simple and catchy melodies. Lucinda Williams is a regular guest on Chips albums by now and she adds her magic vocals to a couple of beautiful ballads although they are not as great as their previous duets on "Seven Days In May" and "London Sessions". John Prine is another guest. But the best songs feature Chip on his own: "You Left Me Here", "Stroke City Girls", "Sometimes I Act Just Like A Fool" and the fast country-rock of "Forth Worth Thursday Night" are some of my favourites. Among some pretentious stuff, these songs stand out as the real gems.

Average customer rating: AL GALLODORO

Paul Whiteman: Carnegie Hall Concert December 25, 1938 Manufacturer: Storyville Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Morton Gould | Gould, Morton | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grofé, Ferde | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ferde Grofé's Tabloid Suite Infinite Gallodoro Say It with Music Linger Awhile Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra ASIN: B0007NFLFY Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

1. INtroduction By Deems Taylor
2. The Farmer Leaves The Hay
3. Blue Belle Of Harlem
4. Cowbell Serenade
5. Quonk
6. The Seventh Day
7. The Bell Fugue
8. St. Louis Blues
9. Gay Mood/Peasant Song/Finale: Op.1

Tracks:

1. Cuban Overture
2. Nursey Ballet
3. Talk
4. Bumpy Weather Over Newark
5. Suicide Cliff
6. Mexican Jumping Bean
7. Trylon And Perisphere
8. Shadrack
9. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
10. Rhapsody In Blue

Customer Reviews:

AL GALLODORO.......2005-07-23

The best thing about this whole CD was being able to find Al Gallodoro's marvelous playing! Worth the whole price!

Average customer rating:

The Incredible Flutist Ulysses Kay , Walter Piston , Peggy Stuart-Coolidge , Daniel Gregory Mason , Siegfried Landau , Paul Freeman , David Epstein , Aristid von Wurtzler , and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Symphony Orchestra Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Piston | Piston, Walter | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Still | Still, William Grant | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem) ASIN: B000001K5E Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

1. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: I. Li'l Scamp
2. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: II. Honeysuckle
3. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: III. Dance
4. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: IV. Mah Bones Is Creakin'
5. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: V. Blue
6. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: VI. Brown Girl
7. William Grant Still / From the Black Belt: VII. Clap Yo' Han's
8. William Grant Still / Darker America
9. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: I. Schottische
10. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: II. Waltz
11. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: III. Round Dance
12. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: IV. Polka
13. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: V. Promenade
14. Ulysses Kay / Six Dances: VI. Galop
15. Walter Piston / Suite from the Ballet 'The Incredible Flutist'

Tracks:

1. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Rhapsody for Harp and Orchestra
2. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / New England Autumn: I. Dawn Over the Mountain
3. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / New England Autumn: II. Country Fair
4. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Pioneer Dances: I. Allegro vivo
5. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Pioneer Dances: II. Andante, quasi rubato
6. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Pioneer Dances: III. Allegro vivo
7. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Blue Planet
8. Peggy Stuart Coolidge / Spirituals in Sunshine and Shadow
9. Daniel Gregory Mason / Prelude and Fugue for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 20

Average customer rating:

The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions: Poor Butterfly Joe Turner (stride piano) Manufacturer: Black & Blue France ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music New York Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005JY86 Release Date: 2002-07-01

Tracks:

1. Poor Butterfly
2. Taboo
3. Just One of Those Things
4. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby
5. If I Had You
6. I'm Coming Virginia
7. Out of Nowhere
8. Carolina Shout
9. On the Loch Lomond [Take 2]
10. Paris Blues
11. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
12. Jada
13. Route 66
14. I Cover the Waterfront
15. Poor Butterfly [Take 1][#]
16. On the Loch Lomond [Take 1][#]

Music Album:

1. Bluegrass Preserved
2. Bob Wills' Texas Playboys Band Recorded Live May 21, 2000 [Live]
3. Broken Dreams
4. Christmas Present
5. Classic Country: 1950-1959
6. Country Christmas (Karaoke)
7. Divide and Conquer
8. Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
9. "Don Williams - Greatest Hits, Vol. 4"
10. Great Marty Robbins [Import]

Music Album