Better Than This

Amazon.com
Roots rock with a difference, Hadacol's Better Than This surveys a wide landscape of twangy rock & roll, pulling out musical allusions to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Jerry Lee Lewis piano, and Luther Perkins guitar, and then rigging it all up to straightforward lyrics of unexpected vividness. Swerving between contented hope and a cynic's conviction that everything's forever screwed up, these 12 songs--built around four-piece rock but with occasional accents of mandolin, B-3, and pedal steel--each hit the highway in search of a reason to believe. "You got your tips and your graveyard shifts and I've got these seven bucks an hour," Hadacol sing on "Drive All Night," "but you know none of that really seems like a reason to stay." --David Cantwell

Better Than This,Hadacol,Checkered Past,Country-Rock,Pop,Rock

Average customer rating: Sweet Charity: Sweet Memories Sammy Davis Jr. is awesome Great Memories (better than current 2005 Broadway Revival) long-overdue reissue of the classic soundtrack Sweet Charity

Sweet Charity (1969 Film Soundtrack) Cy Coleman , Shirley MacLaine , and Sammy Davis Jr. Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Sweet Charity Gypsy (1962 Film Soundtrack) Sweet Charity: A New Musical Comedy (1966 Original Broadway Cast) Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast) Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film) ASIN: B0000AYL1W Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. My Personal Property
3. Big Spender
4. The Pompeii Club
5. If My Friends Could See Me Now
6. There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This
7. It's A Nice Face
8. Rhythm Of Life
9. Sweet Charity
10. I'm A Brass Band
11. I Love To Cry At Weddings
12. Where Am I Going?
13. Finale

Customer Reviews:

Sweet Charity: Sweet Memories.......2007-07-13

Listening to this Soundtrack brought back so many sweet memories of a fun time in my life - college. Hearing "Rhythm of Life" done by Sammy Davis Jr. was most memorable. This is such a fun soundtrack to play. I look forward to many years of enjoyment and recommend it to anyone who was in college in the late 60's.

Sammy Davis Jr. is awesome.......2007-01-10

I have been converting my old LP's into CD's then putting them on my Ipod. I am picky about what I put on my Ipod, selecting only certain tracks from each CD. This CD, however, I put all tracks onto my Ipod except the overture. While I find Shirley MacLaine's voice a bit weak, the songs overcome any such problems with their energy. And one of the main reasons I wanted the movie rather than broadway CD was because of Sammy Davis Jr. His contributions to this album are worth every penny.

Great Memories (better than current 2005 Broadway Revival).......2005-08-06

I saw the movie version for the first time a couple of years ago and continue with fond memories. I saw the 2005 Broadway Revival in June. Trust me, stick with the movie cast recording. Paula Kelly, Chita Rivera, and even Shirley MacLaine have a magic and zeal that is lost in the current revival. My main disappointment is that the movie soundtrack's version of The Rich Man's Frug is too short and doesn't have the best parts of the full number from the movie. That aside, who could ever top Sammy Davis' performance in Rythm of Life. Chita and Paula are beyond comparison in Something Better Than This.

This cast recording makes me wish I was old enough to have seen them during the original Broadway run.

Consider buying the DVD to the movie to accompany this DVD. That way, you'll also get to see Ben Vereen at his best. I will warn you that the movie was a bit indulgent with extended scenes whose length is not justified by their contribution to the overall film. It's about 20-30 minutes too long. But the musical and dance numbers are really great. Who doesn't love Fosse?

long-overdue reissue of the classic soundtrack.......2003-10-09

SWEET CHARITY was turned into a not-so-successful film in 1969, starring Shirley MacLaine. Originally appearing on Broadway in 1966 starring Gwen Verdon, the musical is based on the classic Fellini film "Nights of Cabiria".

The score was heavily revised for the move to celluloid. "You Should See Yourself" was replaced by "My Personal Property", "I'm the Bravest Individual" was replaced by "It's a Nice Face". The melody for "Sweet Charity" was re-jigged for a more uptempo feel. Songs cut from the score altogether included "Baby Dream Your Dream", "Too Many Tomorrows" and "Charity's Soliloquy".

Shirley MacLaine was joined by a cast including veteran Broadway talents Paula Kelly and Chita Rivera, John McMartin (recreating the role he originated on Broadway opposite Gwen Verdon) as Oscar Linquist, Sammy Davis Jr. as Daddy Brubeck, Stubby Kaye as Herman and Ricardo Montalban.

Shirley MacLaine sings her numbers with her sweet pixie-esque voice, gliding through showstoppers like "I'm a Brass Band" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now" with great ease.

Another fantastic package from Decca Broadway. Peter Filichia, as always, offers comprehensive liner notes, and sound quality is quite good. In addition to this CD I also recommend the still-superb 1966 original Broadway cast album with Gwen Verdon.

Sweet Charity.......2003-09-14

I've been waiting for this version of Sweet Charity to come out for years. My parents use to listen to the Decca LP many years ago and the tunes grew on me. From hey Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, I'm A Brass Band, etc, etc Great music all around with not one bad track. Before this version I had brought the Broadway Show versions and to me they were all kind of flat. Maybe because I grew up on the film version I couldn't appreciate the show versions as much. The vocals and the scoring are great. Shirley MacClaine doesn't have the greatest voice in the world but she's still great.
My biggest complaint about this CD release is that it is not complete. You think that Decca Records would do a complete Cd release as previous musical soundtracks have done. This is a direct copy of the Lp released so many years ago. There is so much more music in this film that I was disapointed when I found it it was only a Cd of the original album. With Cd's fitting up the 80 minutes of music it is very surprising that this truncated version was released. Maybe because it's not considered a classic. This is am underrated film as far as I am concerned and in my opinion a far better score than Chicago (with all due respect to Bob Fosse who directed this film) This would be a great CD if only it wasn't abbreviated.

Average customer rating:

Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005 Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | 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 All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Warmth of the Sun White Nights Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000B8I93Q Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

1. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
2. Summertime
3. I Could Write a Book
4. It Never Entered My Mind
5. I Can Cook Too
6. Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
7. If I Loved You
8. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
9. Thou Swell
10. I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
11. There's No Business Like Show Business
12. South American Way

Tracks:

1. Shall We Dance
2. Ohio
3. Luck Be a Lady
4. Mack the Knife
5. There's a Small Hotel
6. Once in Love with Amy
7. Yodel Blues
8. Lazy Afternoon
9. There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
10. You're Just in Love
11. Now Is the Time

Tracks:

1. Impossible Dream
2. Love Makes the World Go 'Round
3. Try to Remember
4. Put on a Happy Face
5. I Say Hello
6. Happiness
7. She Loves Me
8. What Kind of Fool Am I?
9. Shy
10. Consider Yourself
11. Poor Little Person

Tracks:

1. Magic to Do
2. They're Playing My Song
3. I Don't Know How to Love Him
4. I Won't Send Roses
5. Good Morning Starshine
6. Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
7. Hard Candy Christmas
8. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
9. Won't You Charleston with Me?
10. Applause

Tracks:

1. Phantom of the Opera
2. Memory
3. On My Own
4. Muddy Water
5. How Could I Ever Know
6. American Dream
7. I Know Him So Well
8. Dr. Jazz
9. Me and My Girl
10. Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

1. Mamma Mia!
2. Popular
3. Seasons of Love
4. Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
5. Whatever Lola Wants
6. Crazy
7. How Deep Is Your Love
8. Stars
9. People Like Us
10. I Go to Rio

Average customer rating: Country don't get much better than this it really doesn't get any better than George Jones! Best George Jones album in awhile very solid&strong His best work in years with still more to come.

It Don't Get Any Better Than This George Jones Manufacturer: Mca Nashville ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: I Lived to Tell It All Walls Can Fall High-Tech Redneck And Along Came Jones The Cold Hard Truth ASIN: B000006EJB Release Date: 1998-04-07

Tracks:

1. Wild Irish Rose
2. Small Y'all
3. Over You
4. It Don't Get Any Better Than This
5. Smack Dab
6. Don't Touch Me
7. Got To Get To Louisiana
8. When Did You Stop Lovin' Me
9. I Said All That To Say All This
10. No Future For Me In Our Past
11. I Can Live Forever

Amazon.com

With the exception of 1993's High-tech Redneck, this is the only disappointing George Jones solo album in 14 years. Of course, with the standard Jones sets for country singers, disappointment is all relative, which just means the title here is an overstatement, but just barely. The first single, "Wild Irish Rose," has the notoriously apolitical Jones telling the tragic tale of a homeless Vietnam vet; "Over You" is a sequel to "He Stopped Loving Her Today"; and "Smack Dab" is a boot-scooter so rollicking it might actually get George some young-country airplay. Best of all are the cover of George Strait's "When Did You Stop Loving Me" and the elegant evocation of unrequited love, "Don't Touch Me"--it really doesn't get any better than that. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

Country don't get much better than this.......2003-06-04

Defining country music is difficult, but two words define it better than most - George Jones. More than anybody else in the last half century, he epitomises what the music is supposed to be all about. This particular album contains a lot of upbeat songs - not necessarily what you expect from George, but perhaps he was enjoying life at the time.

Of course, it would not really be a George Jones album without some weepies, and there are some here. The saddest song here is the opening Wild Irish rose, about a down and out drunk. Another very sad song is the sixties country song Don't touch me. Originally a huge country hit for the sadly forgotten Jeannie Seely, it is remarkable that George waited this long to record it, because it suits him ideally.

The title track features a star-studded guest line-up of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Bobby Bare, together with a Johnny Cash impersonator called Johnny Counterfeit. My guess is that Johnny Cash was probably ill or otherwise unable to attend the recording sessions, but his absence does not detract from the song.

Got to get to Louisiana features another guest, T Graham Brown. Other great upbeat songs include Small y'all, Smack dab and I said all that to say all this.

George was well into his sixties, but he sounds as good as ever on a great selection of songs. Fans of George's music will enjoy this album.

it really doesn't get any better than George Jones!.......2003-01-28

this album (his last for MCA) has 11 songs that fit Jones like a glove you'd swear that the material was recorded way back in the early '80s and left off 'I AM WHAT I AM'!!"Wild Irish Rose" is the kind of single that 'new country' fans aren't used to hearing. 90% of 'new country' fans only know of Jones by way of Alan Jackson or Garth Brooks' statements or they know of Jones' hatred for modern country music. whatever the case, "Wild Irish Rose" could only have been recorded by George and have the same effect on people...the top songs on this CD are "Don't Touch Me", "When Did You Stop Loving Me?", "Over You", and the cajun duet "Got To Get To Louisiana" with T. Graham Brown. the engineer on this CD is none other than Billy Sherrill. this is an excellent album but i warn you: it's subdued and relaxing...much like his 1990 album 'YOU OUGHTA BE HERE WITH ME' or 1983's 'JONES COUNTRY'.

Best George Jones album in awhile.......2000-03-28

George always does a good job, but his material has been weak in recent years. Well, I guess EVERYONE's material has been weak in recent years...but this one has some good songs on it, that let's George just do what he does better than anyone else ever has.

very solid&strong.......2000-02-03

George Jones is a Legend in country music and music in general.he is a very talented man.this disc is a strong effort.his version of when did you stop loving me is great.i still love Marvin Gaye's version best of all but George Jones adds his style to it.the title track is good as well.he should be giving more respect than he is getting.he stays true to COUNTRY.

His best work in years with still more to come........1998-08-03

This is the Jones album that everyone who ever heard George sing will agree is his best in quite awhile. As a fan I have collected over 40 of his albums, and while I treasure everyone of them, this goes to the front of the case. "Wild Irish Rose" shows that his voice is as strong as it has ever been, while "Over You" reflects the great emotion that he can bring to a song. "Over You" puts a lump in my throat everytime I hear it. If you like traditional ballads this is the album for you. It is a true shame that this artist and much of his best work will never get the air time it deserves.

Average customer rating: A touching English Butterfly

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English] Giacomo Puccini , Yves Abel , Cheryl Barker , Paul Charles Clarke , and Simon Birchall Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Turandot (Chandos Opera in English) Puccini - La bohème / Haymon · O'Neill · Opie · McLaughlin · A. Miles · Dazeley · Shore · PO · Parry Verdi: La Traviata Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Te Kanawa · Hampson · Rosenshein · Gedda · Sir Charles Mackerras [in English] ASIN: B00005QF3K Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. Act I: Introduction - Cheryl Barker
2. Act I: 'So The Walls And The Ceiling...' - Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
3. Act I: 'I Think Your Honour's Smiling' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
4. Act I: 'It Can't Be Much Further Now!' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
5. Act I: The Whole World Over - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
6. Act I: 'Fate Can't Crush Him' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
7. Act I: 'Is The Bride Very Pretty?' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
8. Act I: 'True Love Or Fancy' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
9. Act I: 'See Them! They're Climbing The Summit Of The Hill!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
10. Act I: 'We Are Honoured' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
11. Act I: 'The Imperial Commissioner' - Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Simon Birchall
12. Act I: 'Oh, Indeed, My Friend, You're Lucky!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
13. Act I: 'Come, My Beloved' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Stuart Kale
14. Act I: 'My Fate I Have To Follow' - Cheryl Barker
15. Act I: 'Silence! Silence!' - Stuart Kale/Roland Wood/Cheryl Barker
16. Act I: 'Congratulations' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Frances Brett/Clive Bayley/Stuart Kale
17. Act I: 'Dearest, My Dearest, Weep No More' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
18. Act I: 'Evening Is Falling...' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
19. Act I: 'Child, From Whose Eyes The Witchery Is Shining' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker
20. Act I: 'Ah, Love Me A Little' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor
21. Act II Part I: 'Izaghi Izanami' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
22. Act II Part I: 'One Fine Day' - Cheryl Barker

Tracks:

1. Act II Part I: 'Come, Let's Enter' - Stuart Kale/Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
2. Act II Part I: 'Yamadori, And Has your Unrequited Love Not Yet Released You? - Cheryl Barker/D'Arcy Bleiker/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
3. Act II Part I: 'Now, At Last!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
4. Act II Part I: 'Just Two Things I Could Do' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
5. Act II Part I: 'This Child! This Child, Then!' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
6. Act II Part I: 'Do You Know, My Darling' - Cheryl Barker
7. Act II Part I: 'I Must Be Going' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
8. Act II Part I: 'Ah! Ah!' - Stuart Kale/Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
9. Act II Part I: 'Look, It's A Man-of-war!' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
10. Act II Part I: Flower Duet: 'Shake The Cherry Tree' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
11. Act II Part I: Humming Chorus - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
12. Act II Part 2: Prelude - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
13. Act II Part 2: Daybreak Over Nagasaki - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
14. Act II Part 2: 'It's Morning' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
15. Act II Part 2: 'Who Is It?...' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
16. Act II Part 2: 'I Know For Such Misfortune There Is No Consolation' - Gregory Yurisich/Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor
17. Act II Part 2: 'Farewell, Oh Happy Home!' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
18. Act II Part 2: 'Then Will You Tell Her?' - Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
19. Act II Part 2: 'Suzuki, Where Are You?' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
20. Act II Part 2: 'You, Suzuki, You're Always So Faithful' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
21. Act II Part 2: 'Viper! I Want You To Answer' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby/Gregory Yurisich/Ann Taylor
22. Act II Part 2: 'Your Little Fluttering Heart Is Beating' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
23. Act II Part 2: 'Death With Honour Is Better Than Life With Dishonour' - Cheryl Barker

Amazon.com

This performance, the only one available in English, is problematic. Best is Yves Abel's leadership of the orchestra, which sounds wonderful, imbuing Puccini's lush score with just the right exoticism and emphasis. But aside from Gregory Yurisch's fine Sharpless, the singers don't please. Paul Charles Clarke as Pinkerton is lacking stylistically and vocally, and as Butterfly, Cheryl Barker sounds under strain and never pretty. While she has the power and feeling for the big second-act climax (the sighting of the ship), she never for a moment sounds fragile or girlish, not even in the all-important early scenes. English or not, this set isn't in the running. Stick with Callas or Scotto in Italian, and follow the libretto. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A touching English Butterfly.......2002-03-27

Anyone familiar with Cheryl Barker's Butterfly will be interested in hearing this recording. I have heard her in the role twice - in Auckland and London - and her voice has filled out as the years have gone on. She hasn't a large italianate soprano; the sound is too slender somehow. Yet there is the paradox - it has great carrying power and a decent cutting edge to make itself heard above the orchestral climaxes. What really impresses is the sense of vulnerability and moral strength she imparts, making sense of the big moments of the secong act. The sound in Act one is gorgeous (and a super D flat in theentrance aria) and she differentiates impressively between the child-bride and the embittered woman of the two acts.

She is surrounded by a mixed supporting cast. Jean Rigby is maternal, warm and affecting as Suzuki. Gregory Yurisich makes Sharpless' dilemma more understandable than usual, rather than being completely ineffectual. Paul Charles Clarke perhaps illustrates Pinkerton's arrogance with a degree of vocal swagger, but the sound is rough-hewn and unlovely save for some moments in the love duet. Stuart Kale's Goro is suitable ingratiating and oily.

Abel's conducting is the other chief draw of this set. That he has experience of the score in the theatre means that his pacing is really superb, and the lush orchestration is given its due, the potent intermezzo during the overnight vigil sounding suitably ominous.

This won't replace the classic Butterfly recordings, but in the absendce of any new ones recently, and for acceptable diction in an English version, it is certainly worth the (not very high) price. Recommended.

Average customer rating: Not So Normal Better than Normal Can't Get Much Better Than This Spend your money on anything else Excellent!!!!!

Better Than This The Normals Manufacturer: Forefront / Emd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Alternative | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Coming to Life Place Where You Belong Caedmon's Call 40 Acres She Must and Shall Go Free ASIN: B000009ROD Release Date: 1998-08-25

Tracks:

1. Better Than This
2. Song And Dance
3. Someone To Believe
4. Everything (Apron Full Of Stains)
5. What I Cannot Earn
6. I Need You
7. If Tomorrow Was Forever
8. What's Ailing Norman?
9. Daddy's Girl
10. Running From The Sun
11. Forgive
12. Unknown
13. Unknown
14. Unknown
15. Unknown
16. Unknown
17. Unknown
18. Unknown
19. Unknown
20. Unknown
21. Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Not So Normal.......2006-07-08

This rates among my top 5 favorite CDs(Nothing is Sound, Sea of Faces, Better Than This, Exit East, Jesus Freak). It has a strong acoustic rock feel. I've never listened to a CD like it. Their definitely not normal. The best track in my opinion is 6: I need you. Whatever the price, I reccomend that you by this CD, you won't regret it. Music just doesn't get any "Better Than This".

Better than Normal.......2004-08-23

Great Christian CD! It seems there is a consensus in the other reviews that this is a great CD music-wise with meaningful lyrics that anyone with struggles will relate (in case you don't know if that includes you, it probably does). The lyrics are actually Christian unlike many so-called 'Christian CDs' out there. And the music is soulful (no, not R&B, but, well that's the best I can explain) and not at all cheesy. Buy this CD! It'll be one you actually won't regret spending a few bucks on.

Can't Get Much Better Than This.......2003-10-08

These guys are great - musically and as "normal" people. The lyrics on Everything always make me stop what I'm doing and listen, really listen - they are true to life. I had the opportunity to run into The Normals a few times and they really do make an effort to reach out to people - they don't just sing about it. Better Than This and Song and Dance are catchy and fast. Running from the Sun is a great "driving" song. Everyone can relate to I Need You - you find yourself singing it right away. One of my favorites on the album is actually Daddy's Girl, it doesn't seem to match the rest of the album, although it's another "story song" like Everything, it doesn't feature Andy's vocals as warmly - but I like the emotion in it. Prepare for quirky lyrics ("It's like walking on ice in socks" - What I Cannot Earn), affirming subjects and incredible guitars. I can't stop listening to Andy, Mark and Clayton!

Spend your money on anything else.......2002-02-08

This cd sucks. Christian music is so dead. Music in general is dead. The only cd that has excited me recently in Christian music is Living Sacrifice - Reborn and Hammering Process. I would also like to add 77's - Pray Naked. you might also try Soul Embraced and some Star Flyer 59 - any of em :)

If you wanna go secular I recomend the following- Sepultura - Nation, Belle & Sebastian - Fold your hands and walk like a peasent, Portishead -dummy, Iced Earth - Dark Saga. That broad enough in styles for ya to show ya I am not biased and know all styles of music?

Wake up WORLD, wake up church!

Excellent!!!!!.......2001-11-27

When I first heard this cd I was amazed. I didn't think that they'd be this good. I like that I can listen to a song without the bad language and that it meant something. MOst people don't have that. This is christian music, not music that says its christian and really isn't. I like that it has a newer age flow. I loved this cd!

Average customer rating: Solid Country Rock Album Terribly underrated and overlooked band. waiting in massachusetts for more music from hadacol! The Perfect CD It doesn't get any "Better Than This"

Better Than This Hadacol Manufacturer: Checkered Past ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: All in Your Head ASIN: B00000G5PU Release Date: 1999-09-28

Tracks:

1. Better Than This
2. Big Tornado
3. Somebody Lied
4. What You Wanted
5. Poorer Than Dead
6. It'll Work Out Fine
7. Messed Up
8. Drive All Night
9. Cheap Liquor
10. Rebel Boys
11. Carry On
12. Pappy

Amazon.com

Roots rock with a difference, Hadacol's Better Than This surveys a wide landscape of twangy rock & roll, pulling out musical allusions to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Jerry Lee Lewis piano, and Luther Perkins guitar, and then rigging it all up to straightforward lyrics of unexpected vividness. Swerving between contented hope and a cynic's conviction that everything's forever screwed up, these 12 songs--built around four-piece rock but with occasional accents of mandolin, B-3, and pedal steel--each hit the highway in search of a reason to believe. "You got your tips and your graveyard shifts and I've got these seven bucks an hour," Hadacol sing on "Drive All Night," "but you know none of that really seems like a reason to stay." --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

Solid Country Rock Album.......2002-10-18

Hadacol's "Better Than This" is a first rate alternative country album that unfortunately got lost in the shuffle somehow. These guys have a deft songwriting touch enlivened by a self-effacing sense of humor. The album's standout track is "Big Tornado," in which the twister of the title track serves as a metaphor for a relationship gone bad. Other excellent songs include the redneck anthem title track, the road romance of "Drive All Night," the rocker "What You Wanted," and "Poorer Than Dead." The rest of the material isn't quite as strong, but the whole album holds up well. Fans of fellow Missouri bands The Bottle Rockets and Nadine ought to be right at home with "Better Than This."

Overall, an excellent alternative country album that deserves a wider audience.

Terribly underrated and overlooked band........2001-02-25

Hadacol write great songs, play them with energy and enthusiasm, and are just plain good. So why haven't more people heard of them? Well, they're a small independent band from Kansas or St. Louis (not quite sure which) and they're on a small (but excellent) record label, Chicago's Checkered Past Records...and no, I don't work for Checkered Past, I just dig their stuff.

The title track on this disc reminds me a lot of Wilco, and is immediately catchy. The rest of the disc is more

roots based, but is equally as good. 'Rebel Boys' is one of my other favorites on this disc.

Hopefully with the release of their new album this summer (summer of 2001), they will finally win over the big audience they deserve.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this CD.

waiting in massachusetts for more music from hadacol!.......2000-12-20

i bought this cd on the strength of a review in country standard time and because the band is named for the product that hank williams touted on the radio. every song on this is heartfelt and energetic, and i listen to the cd whenever i'm near my player. my favorite cut is "pappy," which highlights how tuneful and clever this band is. more, please!

The Perfect CD.......2000-05-01

I may be biased because one of the guys in the band is my neighbor, but these guys are great. See them live if you can. They do a great cover of Ring of Fire.

It doesn't get any "Better Than This".......1999-02-11

Wow! Where has Hadacol been all my life? I just finished listening and I can still feel their Rock and Roll energy reverberating through me. "Better Than This" seems to have something for every music fan. Need to shake off the remnants of a long, hard day at work? Turn up the sound to "Messed up" or "It'll Work Out Fine" and feel the healing powers of Hadacol. Life got you down? At least you don't have a "Big Tornado" headed straight for your trailer; hell, even if you do, just crank up the volume, close your eyes and ride that baby out, Hadacol style! This is one twister warning you'll definitely look forward to hearing on your local radio station.

I've heard a lot of records in my day, and this one reins supreme! I can't wait to hear more, and more, and more from this band. Hope that you all enjoy it as much as I do. Thanks, Hadacol!

Devin Barnett

Average customer rating:

Walking On Sunshine Scooter Lee Manufacturer: Scootway / Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Honky Tonk Twist and Then Some By Request Scooter Lee - More Of The Best Best Of Scooter Lee Dance Music Test of Time ASIN: B0006MA32C Release Date: 2004-10-01

Tracks:

1. Walking On Sunshine
2. Seacruise
3. Show You How To Zydeco
4. I Feel Lucky
5. Stand By Me
6. Pretend
7. Why Me
8. Sweet Sweet Smile
9. 634-5789 (that's my #)
10. At The Hop
11. I Only Want To Be With You
12. To Sir With Love
13. My Guy
14. Waltz Across Texas
15. Oh Lonesome Me
16. This Love Of Ours
17. Evil Girl
18. Locomotion
19. Down At The Twist & Shout
20. Sweet Home New Orleans
21. We Are Family

Album Description

The Leading Artist of Country Dance Music brings you her 4th Compilation of some of the greatest dance music for the dance floor. It's 21 Songs that will keep you on the floor with "sure fire" floor fillers. This CD was created to raise funds for the National Nonprofit Dancing For The Dream which raises money to fund research on the benefits of line dancing in those over the age of 50. Some great new line dances have emerged and you can find them all on Scooter's website.

Average customer rating:

Weekend Thriller Greener Manufacturer: Fancy Pants ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000CAGH1E Release Date: 2003-01-01

Tracks:

1. Weekend Thriller
2. My Universe
3. Numb
4. Burn
5. Big Star
6. Failure
7. Earthling
8. Hurricane
9. Overgrown
10. Circle Me
11. Sunshower
12. Little
13. Hate Song
14. Weekend Thriller (Remix)

Average customer rating: Classic form 1992

Better Than Life Manufacturer: The Acappella Company ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAGW82 Release Date: 2005-06-28

Customer Reviews:

Classic form 1992.......2006-03-12

Released in 1992 this is another classic from this gospel vocal group. Songs are:
1. How Majestic Is Your Name
2. Better Than Life
3. He Gave Her Water
4. When I Say Farewell
5. The Time Has Come
6. More Than A Friend
7. Rock-A-My-Soul
8. What Was I Supposed To Be?
9. Lay Down The Burden Of Your Heart
10. Let's Get Together

Average customer rating:

Acappella Gold Manufacturer: Word Incorporated ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAGW9G Release Date: 2005-06-28

Music Album:

1. Blue Grass Favorites
2. Bristol
3. Candy Kisses [Box set] [Import]
4. Carolina Smokey Moon
5. Chandelier of Stars [Import]
6. Classics Collection, Vol. 1
7. Clinch Mountain Bluegrass
8. Collection 2: Fabulous / Blood Sweat Tears / Ragged Old Flag
9. Come to That River
10. Conjure Man

Music Album