Acoustic Blue

Product Description
2003 compilation for the contemporary folk troubadour on Tomato Records features 14 tracks recorded at various locations in Europe (mostly Germany) as well as the track 'Nothin' which was recorded at Flashpoint Studio, Austin, Texas, December 10, 1996, just three weeks before Townes' death.

Acoustic Blue,Townes Van Zandt,Tomato Music,Americana,Country-Folk,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: Simply addictive! Haunting sounds The phenom Ms Jones Glad i bought it ( Part II )...! I'd Love To....

Come Away with Me Norah Jones Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Feels Like Home Not Too Late Careless Love Taking The Long Way Corinne Bailey Rae ASIN: B00005YW4H Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

1. Don't Know Why
2. Seven Years
3. Cold Cold Heart
4. Feelin' The Same Way
5. Come Away With Me
6. Shoot The Moon
7. Turn Me On
8. Lonestar
9. I've Got To See You Again
10. Painter Song
11. One Flight Down
12. Nightingale
13. The Long Day Is Over
14. The Nearness Of You

Amazon.com

It is not just the timbre of Norah Jones's voice that is mature beyond her 22 years. Her assured phrasing and precise time are more often found in older singers as well. She is instantly recognizable, blending shades of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone without sounding like anyone but herself. Any way you slice it, she is a singer to be reckoned with. Her readings of the Hank Williams classic "Cold Cold Heart" and Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" alone are worth the price of the CD. Jones's own material, while not bad, pales a bit next to such masterpieces. They might have fared better had she and producer Arif Mardin opted for some livelier arrangements, taking better advantage of brilliant sidemen such as Bill Frisell, Kevin Breit, and Brian Blade; or if the tunes had simply been given less laconic performances. Jones has all the tools; what will come with experience and some careful listening to artists like J.J. Cale and Shirley Horn is the knack of remaining low-key without sounding sleepy--sometimes less is not, in fact, more. --Michael Ross

Amazon.com

Norah Jones Photos (by Danny Clinch)

More from Norah Jones

Not Too Late

Feels Like Home

The Little Willies

Customer Reviews:

Simply addictive!.......2007-07-12

This is her best album!
Her voice is unbelievable, the delivery is amazing and the lyrics are stunning!

Haunting sounds.......2007-07-06

For 3 months, my Norah Jones CDs have taken over my car stereo. This woman is very talented!

The phenom Ms Jones.......2007-06-27

This is such an outstanding production, so much better than the later(I think) CD. Miss Jones should be careful which guitar players back her up. She should stick to Bill Frizell or maybe she should try Mark Knoffler, if she can get him away from Emmy Lou.

Glad i bought it ( Part II )...!.......2007-06-20

I knew that Nora Jones was good music but i had no idea just how good...My sister-in-law bought me this CD for Father's Day...i have listened to it 3 times today. The way i would describe her lyrics and delivery is equal to "Musical Rose Petals". So smooth and so inviting is her voice. I really love the Piano work also. Her birth name being "Geethali",Nora Jones along with the likes of Michael Buble have added a nice,new,fresh selection of music to today's currently enemic sound. This album made her only the second artist ever to sweep the "Big Four" being Album,Song,Record,& Artist of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2003. Standouts for me include: "Come Away With Me","Don't Know Why", and i really like her rendition of Hank Williams SR.'s "Cold,Cold Heart". With her throw back to Billie Holiday/Roberta Flack days voice coupled with a very welcomed piano based style, Nora Jones can take me away anytime! If you've waited to give her a listen ,as did I, do yourself a favor and don't wait any longer.

I'd Love To...........2007-06-05

Okay, she's not quite a standards specialist, but a lot of people think Norah Jones is well on her way to setting some new standards of her own.

The daughter of famed Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar, Jones grew up in Dallas with her mother, and her work is firmly rooted in the dry Texas soil. The youngest in this survey (she was born in 1979), Jones burst on the scene in 2002 with this debut album of nine original songs plus a handful of country and pop standards. Renowned for her sweet and soulful set of pipes, Jones has often been compared to Billie Holiday. There's also a touch of Roberta Flack and Emmylou Harris in there.

Come Away with Me is an honest-to-goodness country-blues recording that you can sit back with on the front porch rocker on a brisk autumn afternoon. Sort of like an early James Taylor, Jones mixes a little bit of country, folk, and soul into a collection that's the perfect antidote to today's insincere fare. The public must have sensed the same thing, because it bought this CD in boxcar loads, and in 2003 Jones walked away with eight Grammies, including album of the year and best new artist.

The title track, written by Jones, is the first new song I've heard in a long time that's utterly believable. "Come away with me and I'll never stop loving you," she begs, and it's as though she's singing it to you, personally. To Hank Williams's "Cold Cold Heart" she brings an R & B feel, petitioning in anguish to her lover man to come back, body and soul. "I've Got to See You Again" is an exquisite modern torch song in the same vein, while "One Flight Down" is an upbeat tune with chord progressions right out of Paul McCartney's Wings songs, like "Carry That Load." She ends with Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You." Close your eyes, let Jones's words envelope you with their soulful caress, and you'll sense that she's a lot nearer than your living room speakers.

Average customer rating: Ridiculous Good IT STILL MAKES ME CRY The Second Best Album of All Time yes siree... a MASTERPIECE to say the least! Should be a 10 --

Astral Weeks Van Morrison Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music $8.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Heroes | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: Moondance His Band and the Street Choir Into the Music Tupelo Honey Saint Dominic's Preview ASIN: B000002KAT Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Astral Weeks
2. Beside You
3. Sweet Thing
4. Cyprus Avenue
5. The Way Young Lovers Do
6. Madame George
7. Ballerina
8. Slim Slow Slider

Amazon.com essential recording

Never mind that Van Morrison is one of the most indelible songwriters of the 20th century--take each album on its own terms. On 1968's seminal Astral Weeks, a twentysomething Van Morrison can be found belting his gospelly, bluesy vocals in just as fine a form as he would be 20 years hence. In the sociopolitical context of the times, the album cried out about such ubiquitous '60s themes as cultural oppression and social upheaval. But it is Morrison's vocal dexterity and passion that maintains such timeless appeal. Take tracks like "Madame George" or "Cyprus Avenue" and you'll find such beautiful mourning, it'll be clear why modern songwriter Sinéad O'Connor once publicly exclaimed: "Van Morrison should be friggin' canonized." --Nick Heil

Customer Reviews:

Ridiculous Good.......2007-07-03

Half the songs on here give me goosebumps. Astral Weeks is probably my favorite Van Morrison album, granted Tupelo Honey and Moondance are a lot more fun, Astral weeks is transcendental. In this album Van seems very in love, nostalgic, or sentimental. Key tracks (really all of them) include:
Astral Weeks- Strong and solid,
Sweet Thing- The strings in this are awesome
Cyprus Avenue- More like familiar Van Morrison
Madame George- It's long, and good. Again and as usual, an awesome arrangement. (for David Gray fans, this is where part of "Say Hello, Wave goodbye comes from)

The other tracks on here are all good, no real dancing numbers, but all the songs are beautiful, the kind you put on a mix CD for a new (or not so new) love. Anyone who considers themselves a Van fan had better own this.

IT STILL MAKES ME CRY.......2007-06-21

I think it came out in '68 when I was a sophomore in high school...shy, insecure, just moved to a new school. These songs became part of my very being, and they will always be a part of who I am. There was just something about Van: the words, the stylings, the chord progressions. His music made my soul scream, and it felt so good.

The Second Best Album of All Time.......2007-06-13

FREE FORM VOCAL STYLINGS

This album rates very highly on many critics list of the all time best. It routinely comes up in the top ten. About 10 years ago, Rolling Stone magazine voted it the second best album of all time, behind the Beatle's Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Released in 1968, this is Van Morrison's second solo album. It is 46 minutes long and the sound quality is good, although the music is mixed a little thin.

The Way The Young Lovers Do is the only thing on this album that is anything close to pop song along the lines of Brown Eyed Girl. I am not a big pop music fan, but I like this song. The rest of the album is something completely different.

The rest of the album is some nice music with some interesting playing, mixed really low. It is a mixture of jazz and folk with a little blues thrwon in. There are some interesting bits on flute, vibes and keyboards. But, the music remains just a back drop and is mixed in at a very low volume. The CD comes with a fold out cover that tries to give a historical perspective of the album. Intrestingly, it is pretty subdued and does not rave about the album like the critics do.

Morrison's wild and unstructured vocals are mixed loudly on top of the music. He seems to be always riffing and jamming. He'll be singing along and then he'll jump into a repeated riff, such as "you breath in, you breath out, you breath in, you breath out, you breath in, you breath out, you breath in, you breath out".

I know people are going to get mad at me, insult me and call me names, but I have to admit that I just don't get it. I don't think this is a personal, emotional album, and I don't think it has interesting stories. It comes off to me as an experimental album that didn't quite work.

Music is a very personal thing. People can get really mad when you don't agree with them on music that they really love. They take a low review on thier favorite album as a personal attack. They say nasty things about the reviewer.

To get even, people will mark a review as "hot helpful", like that evens things up. But, a review like this is helpful to buying public that might not know much about this ablum and are thinkging about buying it because of all the rave reviews (that is why I bought it).

Just because certain people love it doesn't mean everyone will. In fact, many people did not like this album. It is the only Van Morrison album not to chart. And you might wonder why Morrison did not do anything like this again. He certainly still had the artistic freedom to do what he wanted, because he had a pretty lose contract from Warner Brothers. What he came up with next, is Moondance, which was completely different. In later albums, Morrison did incorporate some of the Astral Weeks vocal stylings on some songs, but it was much more controlled.

Van Morrison started out in a group called Them. Them had a minor hit with Baby Please Don't Go, and bigger hit with Gloria, written by Morrison. Them was going through changes, so Morrison retired from music for a few years, before coming up with Brown Eyed Girl, and his first ablum, Blowin' Your Mind. He did not approve of the album and withdrew. His manager died, freeing him from his contract, so he was able to sign with Warner Brothers, have much more artistic freedom and came up with this.

yes siree... a MASTERPIECE to say the least!.......2007-05-23

Years and years from now, if the world is still in one piece and the human race hasn't made itself extinct, people and history books will hopefully have long forgotten these vapid, celluloid dolts of today (i.e. see Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Justin Timberlake, et al...) and remember and revere such artists as Van Morrison. Well... I guess one can always dream, right? Damn, I am one naive, lost soul! I still believe that it is 1982 and I am asleep, dreaming this all, waiting patiently to wake up. This really has to be some kind of joke right? Anyway, back to the reasons why this CD deserves five stars (actually I would put this one in that rare six-star category if I could).

This saintly, little genius from Belfast has produced some of the most beautiful music ever, in the history of beautiful music. Like Bob Dylan, Van wasn't blessed with a voice a la Sinatra or Tony Bennett. He was a very good guitar player, but he's not even in the same league as say a Jimi Hendrix or a Wes Montgomery or a Al DiMeola, et al... And lastly, his lyrics can't compare with that of Dylan's or even Simon and Garfunkel for that matter. All that being said (and I know that these are some bold words I'm about to pen), I can't think of any one musician that has had as long and as productive of a career as Van Morrison (besides Louis Armstrong of course, but it isn't fair to compare anyone to Pops when it comes to contributions to American music). This cat is something else for sure! I love Miles, and Duke, and Sinatra, and the Glimmer Twins, and I highly respect and enjoy quite a bit of Dylan, Paul Simon, McCartney, et al... But this guy is still doing it and hasn't missed a beat in over forty years now! All I have to say is un-friggin-believable! He hasn't really slowed down since he first started in the early 60's belting out such enjoyable songs as "Baby Please Don't Go", "Gloria", and "Here Comes the Night" to name a few. However, in 1967 after leaving the band "Them" he started getting really serious and his second solo album in 1968 'Astral Weeks' is, to put it mildly, sublime, and magical, and totally unique, unlike anything you have ever heard before or since. A true genius is almost always an artist who is way ahead of their time, and Van was (and still is) a true genius. This album is his crowning achievement, his greatest work which is saying a lot when you consider just how many great albums he has produced for going on five decades now - AMAZING!

I know, I know, this is only one man's opinion, and you may even consider the author of this review a bit... as my Italian relatives would say... PAZZO! However, any lover of good music (no matter what your favorite genre is) should really enjoy this. Van merges jazz, blues, rock, r&b, folk, and a little bit of Celtic music into this one and the results are outstanding. He sings and plays his guitar beautifully. Every song contains placid, poetic lyrics that will melt your heart, especially with the solitary way in which Van belts them out with such ardent fervor and emotion. The other great thing is the band behind the man, the men who helped Van create such magnificent music on this masterpiece are the following jazz greats - Jay Berliner (guitar), Richard Davis (bass), Connie Kay (drums), John Payne (flute, soprano sax), and Warren Smith, Jr. (percussion and vibraphone). They all sound inspired, and it's very difficult to pick out one performance over the others because each one is top-notch. I usually don't like writing no-brainer reviews, but this album has a real special place in my heart. Enjoy!

Should be a 10 --.......2007-05-13

This album doesn't suck.

Buy it. Put it on. Shut up. Listen to it. Don't be afraid to lose yourself (you'll find yourself again).

I'm going to put it on right now.

Average customer rating: Pleasant Surprise! A really great blues CD He used to be a Brooklyn Dodger Dion- "Bronx In Blue" wow

Bronx in Blue Dion Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: New Masters Dion & Belmonts - Greatest Hits Live in New York City [Collectables] Déjà Nu Live in Concert ASIN: B000ENC75O Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

1. Walkin' Blues
2. You're The One
3. I Let My Baby Do That
4. Who Do You Love
5. Built For Comfort
6. Crossroads
7. Travelin' Riverside Blues
8. You Better Watch Yourself
9. How Many More Years
10. Terraplane Blues
11. Honky Tonk Blues
12. Baby What You Want Me To Do
13. Statesboro Blues
14. If You Wanna Rock & Roll

Amazon.com

As the voice behind such frothy oldies as "Runaround Sue," "The Wanderer," and "Ruby Baby," Dion doesn't spring to mind when one thinks of great blues interpreters. But this stripped-down session--the singer accompanies himself on acoustic guitar with just a hint of percussion--shows the former teen idol to be a convincing and affecting folk-bluesman. While nobody will confuse Bronx in Blue with Son House, Dion is in exceptional form, as he interprets about a dozen classics and contributes a newly written song. Even attempting to cover such crusty, trusty warhorses as "Crossroads" (one of four Robert Johnson tracks here), Howlin' Wolf's "How Many More Years?," and Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me to Do" is a daring move, but Dion succeeds due to his sense of integrity, obvious love for the genre, and an enthusiasm that leaps from the speakers.

His voice is clear and emotional, his guitar playing frisky yet surprisingly accomplished--and the sheer joy Dion conveys on tracks like Hank Williams Sr.'s "Honky Tonk Blues" is contagious. The exceptional recording quality brings an immediacy and intensity to the performance, making Bronx in Blue a revelation for both oldies lovers and roots blues fans. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

Bronx In Blue is an all-acoustic blues outing highlighting the music that first inspired Dion as a child growing up in the Bronx. With songs by Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Hank Williams, Lightnin' Hopkins and Jimmy Reed, the collection is a soulful tour de force for Dion, not only in his familiar role as a magnificently interpretive vocalist but, also, as a brilliantly innovative guitarist.

Dion notes, "When I was a kid, there was no Rock & Roll. In the early 50's - late at night, I'd tune into Wheeling, West Virginia (WWVA), listening to the Blues - Howlin' Wolf's `How Many More Years,' Jimmy Reed's `Bright Lights, Big City.' After school, I'd run home to catch the last half hour of the `Don Larkin Country Show' coming out of Newark. I was a Hank Williams junkie; for me, putting country and blues together - that's what I call Rock & Roll."

Previewing the album in MOJO, Paul Déchamé writes, "Recalling the back-to-basics approach of Cash's American recordings - muted drums, acoustic guitars - it's a little like having Dion in your front room strumming his favourite blues songs." Don McCleese, in No Depression, sums up Bronx In Blue thusly: "It all sounds like Dion. It all sounds great."

Customer Reviews:

Pleasant Surprise!.......2007-06-13

I have always been a big Dion fan - from his hits of the 50s through "Abrahm, Martin and John" as well as his Christian/Gospel songs.
This album exceeded my expectations. All of his renditions of blues music are uncluttered without excessive instrumentation - Just acoustic guitar and his great voice! I am also impressed that he is one of the few artists who understand the close connection between country music and blues. He says he knew 70 Hank Williams songs as a teenager and his version of Honky Tonk Blues is one of the best I have heard.
I can highly recommend this album!

A really great blues CD.......2007-05-30

This stripped down treatment by a master singer is truly a work of art. The musicians who originally wrote these songs would be proud of the manner in which they were recorded.

He used to be a Brooklyn Dodger.......2007-05-12

Dion has made a series of outstanding albums dating back to the 70's (check out Return of the Wanderer, & King of the New York Streets).
Unfortunately, most people consider Dion to be an "oldies act". The man is an incredible talent, just as relevant in 2007, as he was in 1957.
The only reason that I did not rate this effort 5 stars is the programmed drum tracks. If Dion would have just stomped his foot, I would have rated it a 10!!

Dion- "Bronx In Blue".......2007-03-16

This is classic Dion, outstanding. Great acoustic guitar and the recognizable vocals of Dion. All but two songs are blues covers of standards, but in Dion's inimitable style. Dion's two originals are also excellent. This CD will go down with his best works.

wow.......2007-03-01

What an album. Even if this guy had just appeared out of the blue, he'd have made a superb contribution. I'm a resident of Belmont in the Bronx, and for that reason and about a million others I really, really, really hope that Dion goes on tour with this wonderful acoustic blues and offers us more material like this.

Average customer rating: Urban Blues w/ Maria in top form Excellent Tribute with Awesome Backup Good stuff PAYING HER DUES , AGAIN

Naughty, Bawdy and Blue Maria Muldaur Manufacturer: Stony Plain Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Heart of Mine: Love Songs of Bob Dylan Richland Woman Blues Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul A Woman Alone with the Blues (Remembering Peggy Lee) 30 Years of Maria Muldaur: I'm a Woman ASIN: B000O591I8 Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

1. Down Home Blues
2. Up The Country Blues
3. Separation Blues
4. A Good Man Is Hard To Find
5. Handy Man
6. New Orleans Hop Scop Blues
7. Smile
8. TB Blues
9. One Hour Mama
10. Empty Bed Blues
11. Early Every Morn
12. Yonder Come The Blues

Amazon.com

Building on her Grammy-nominated collections of classic women's blues from the '20s through the '40s (Richland Woman Blues, 2001, and Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul, 2005), jazz/blues chanteuse Maria Muldaur returns with Naughty, Bawdy & Blue. It's an apt title for a sassy group of songs originally recorded by Victoria Spivey (one of Muldaur's mentors), Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and other female urban blues stylists the singer describes as "liberated socially, financially, and most of all sexually from the confines and mores of the times." Backed by the perfect fit of James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band, who often performed with Sippie Wallace and whose sound seems to have time-traveled without alteration, Muldaur moves through a dozen vaudeville blues numbers with integrity and authenticity, and never resorts to campy riffs or faux black dialect. Her expressive soprano has taken on a depth and heft through the years, and she's smart to deliver such suggestive lines as "I love the way he whips my cream" (from "Handy Man") or "He's a deep-sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong" (from Smith's "Empty Bed Blues") with a subtle wink, preferring to let an insinuating trumpet chase home the joke. The album finds its highlight with "Separation Blues," a duet with Bonnie Raitt, who introduced Wallace to new audiences on her tours of the '70s and '80s. Muldaur and Raitt--corduroy and burlap--harmonize with the ease that comes from decades of friendship, and from the joy of preserving and appreciating one of America's purest musical forms. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews:

Urban Blues w/ Maria in top form.......2007-06-05

Thankfully there is someone carrying the torch to the Next Generation of music lovers. I can say, "Gee, I remember when I heard Alberta Hunter sing 'Handy Man' live in New York City." and count my blessings. Now there is someone who will keep these songs alive for others to discover.

The Chicago Jazz Band is one of the best bands I've heard in ages and they work hand in hand with Maria Muldaur. It's a shame this is just a single cd - they have enough material for a double, I'm sure.

I know there is that DRIVE to hit the ultimate cut of a song, but I think a second version of Empty Bed Blues wasn't quite necessary. I keep thinking there were two or three other songs that could have been used. Coming in at just a shade over 45 min. seems like a big tease.

Coming down to it - she's the best blues singer, she gathers the best musicians and arrangers around her. She just oozes sex appeal and she knows just what she's singing about.

Hopefully she's got a Naughty, Bawdy & Blues Pt. 2 up her sleeves.

Excellent Tribute with Awesome Backup.......2007-06-01

This album is great. I discovered her music back in college in the 90s, and she really is one of the best blues singers around. . .and amazingly productive putting out an album a year since Louisiana Love Call came out in 1992. She has done all types of genres of jazz and blues.

Naughty Bawdy & Blue is one of the best. The songs are mostly uptempo with a great backup of trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saloon style piano, etc. It is urban upscale blues of the 1920s and 1930s, a tribute to the great female singers of the era.

The songwriting is terrific. You don't get this kind of smart, bawdy, and often moving type of songwriting today. The Chicago Jazz Band brings an infectious mood to the songs.

In short: This is a really fun album of great songs, singing, and musicianship. I guarantee you will like it. It is one gem after another to the point you are disappointed when the album ends. My favorites: Down Home Blues, Up the Country Blues, Separation Blues (great duet with Bonnie Raitt), New Orleans Hop Scot Blues, TB Blues, One Hour Mama (very funny), and Yonder Come the Blues.

I cannot imagine anyone not liking this album. It makes me want to seek out the original singers and songwriters of these songs, which is exactly what a tribute album should do.

Good stuff.......2007-05-25

Just love the delicious old-time racey blues. The harmony with Bonnie Raite is so tight.

PAYING HER DUES , AGAIN.......2007-05-17

PAYING HER DUES, AGAIN

If you ever wondered who, if anyone, was going to carry on the tradition of great female blues singers now that the likes of Bessie Smith, Mamie Smith, Sippy Wallace and Memphis Minnie have long been gone from the scene look no further. As I pointed out in a review of her last album Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul Maria Muldaur has paid her dues and here she is doing it all over again. This is the third album in series that she started in 2002 to cover the old great blues singers. In the present album she covers the above-mentioned singers and others in a style in which they would surely recognize their style. These are the classic female blues singers of the 1920's and 30's. Maria is in fast company but she does not miss a beat.

Pay particular attention to her rendition of Victoria Spivey's Handy Man and the covers of Sippy Wallace songs. Damn if Maria does not sound like that unfortunately not well known singer (Maria also covered a Wallace classic Don't Advertise Your Man on her last album).


I would also add that I had the pleasure of hearing some of the cuts on this album live in concert by Maria in Cambridge (one of her old stomping grounds in her youthful days with the Kweskin Jug Band back in the sixties) and she can still belt them out. If there is any truth in the assumption that former President Clinton was our first `black' president no one can deny that Maria is our first `black' classic blues singer. And has the stage presence, to boot. The tradition lives. Listen on.

Average customer rating: Surprise hit! Good music OK recording Sonic and musical masterpiece better with time Wow are these guys amazing!

Ways Not to Lose The Wood Brothers Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Alternative Folk | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Little Willies People Gonna Talk Songlines Fox Confessor Brings the Flood All the Roadrunning ASIN: B000E6UK4G Release Date: 2006-03-07

Tracks:

1. One More Day
2. Tried and Tempted
3. Luckiest Man
4. Glad
5. Chocolate On My Tongue
6. Atlas
7. Time To Stand Still
8. The Truth Is the Light
9. Spirit
10. Angel Band
11. Where My Baby Might Be
12. That's What Angels Can Do

Amazon.com

Modern folk and blues rarely sounds as inventive and colorful as the Wood Brothers' spare, soothing studio debut. Currents of jazz, pop, and country also ripple through these 12 lovely arrangements built around Chris Wood's upright bass (previously heard in Medeski, Martin & Wood) and Oliver Wood's gentle acoustic and electric guitars. It's not simply that the brothers' sweet, high voices have the genetic gift of close harmony: they're in absolute synch creatively, too. So when one's singing lingers over a lazy phrase in a number like the languid ode to living "Chocolate on My Tongue," the other hangs back on his instrument until just the right, complementary moment. Drummer Kenny Wollesen, who plays on a handful of tracks, is on the same wavelength--never rushing or pushing the Woods' behind-the-beat sensibility. And the rich dark tones of the bass and, in particular, slide guitars perfectly illuminate their unhurried stories about spiritual discovery and the trials of life. All of which makes Ways Not to Lose a delightful, relaxed listening experience. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews:

Surprise hit!.......2007-05-03

If someone had told me a year ago that I would now be listening and singing along DAILY (mostly in the car, but sometimes in the shower--better acoustics for singing "Spirit" and "The Truth is the Light" all bluesy) to a CD from the "folk" bin, I would have called that person crazy. Now I've been to see The Wood Brothers twice and am eagerly awaiting their next CD. I am a fairly new Medeski Martin and Wood fan (Chris Wood being the bassist in both bands) and found Ways Not to Lose while perusing their website. TOTALLY different music and just as enjoyable! I like that it's just the two brothers and their two instruments (okay, and a little bit o' drums). It makes me feel all nostalgic...for what exactly, I do not know. The songs are infectious and I seem to have a different favorite every few days. I agree with what some of the other posters have said...every single one of the songs is a keeper, not one bad or even so-so one. I also recommend their Live at Tonic CD. AND I recommend whatever their next CD is because I've already heard some of their new songs at their shows and am all a-quiver with anticipation.

Good music OK recording.......2007-03-08

I got this CD after seeing and loving the duo on the Public Radio show Mountain Stage.

On the show they played as a duo and I was happy that on the record that there were no additional musicians or studio stuff.

All of the songs are great, to me they have sort of a bluesy style that has hints of Van Morrison. My favorite is Luckiest Man Alive.

Anyway my only complaint is that the quality of the recording is not that good. I have a tape of the radio show with them on it and it is actually clearer than the album. I hope at some later time they will do a live album with a really crisp sound quality that has some of these songs on it.

In the meantime enjoy this album although the bass is MUCH crisper in real life and PLEASE go see these guys live!! Totally worth seeing!!!

Sonic and musical masterpiece.......2007-02-08

Bought this on recommendation from a hifi forum to which I belong. It is wonderful music and the sound quality is fantastic. Exceptional recording. Great songs with deceptively simple arrangements.

better with time.......2007-01-16

I wasn't affected one way or another on my 1st few 'spins' of this CD.
However, I kept putting it on and it has really grown on me - a sign of a strong CD...after a while it gets infectious.
Just don't know if I'd call it folk..more like modern blues. The instrumentation is sparse or make that uncluttered, but effective.

Wow are these guys amazing!.......2007-01-12

The Wood Brothers (Oliver Wood guitars, vocals, Chris Wood standing bass, vocals, and Kenny Wollesen, drums and percussion) are wonderful. They are distinctive and unusual, kind of folk, kind of blues, kind of jazz...kind of not like anything else out there. With the exception of one traditional song Angel Band, Chris and Oliver wrote all the songs and there ain't a lemon among `em. They somehow manage to be mellow and edgy at the same time, though how that is managed I have no idea. I do know I have been spinning this cd nonstop (well, truth be told, I have been iTuning it nonstop on the old `puter, but you know what I mean) since I bought it a few days ago, and have already ordered another of their cds. The bluesy smooth Chocolate On My Tongue is my favorite (at least right now) but every song is wonderful. Check `em out!

Average customer rating: A Must Have Broad Spectrum Virtuosity Cool Pairing for Meyer/Fleck Fans Bela Fleck + Edgar Meyer = strange mixture Virtuosity Knows No Musical Boundaries

Music for Two (Bonus DVD) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Eccles, Henry | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sinfonia | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Bluegrass Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Jam Bands | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Bluegrass | Live Albums | Country | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Country | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Perpetual Motion Uncommon Ritual The Telluride Sessions The Bluegrass Sessions: Tales From The Acoustic Planet, Vol. 2 Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites: Performed on Double Bass ASIN: B0001XAMS6 Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

1. Bug Tussle
2. Invention 10, BWV 796
3. Pile Up
4. Prelude No.24, BWV 869
5. Solar
6. Blue Spruce
7. Canon
8. The One I Left Behind
9. V. Menuet I - II, BWV 825
10. Prelude No.2, BWV 847
11. Palmyra
12. The Lake Effect
13. Largo/Allegro Vivace
14. Allegro Vivace
15. Wrong Number
16. Woolly Mammoth
17. Wishful Thinking

Amazon.com

On Music for Two, banjo wizard Béla Fleck and stand-up bass maestro Edgar Meyer effortlessly sail through a challenging program that includes compositions by Bach, a sonata by Henry Eccles, a Miles Davis tune, and a number of self-composed finger twisters. The amazing thing about this varied selection is not its eclecticism--which is only to be expected with these two--but that it all blends together so seamlessly. Fleck's jazz-tinged compositions (like "The Lake Effect") and Meyer's bluegrass-inspired tunes (like "Wishful Thinking") sit so comfortably next to Bach's baroque jewels and Davis's cool jazz that it makes you question the entire of concept of musical classification. (In fact, the Bach preludes, inventions, and partitas translate so well to the banjo/bass arrangements, you have to wonder if old JSB might not have had a bit of bluegrass in his soul.) Music for Two was recorded live at a series of 2001 concerts, where Fleck and Meyer proved conclusively that the banjo and the bass were capable of remarkable subtlety and not just twang and boom. --Michael John Simmons

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have.......2007-04-25

These two really sound good together. If you're not so impressed with the music when you first hear it (I don't know if that's possible), check out the DVD that comes with it. You will gain such an appreciation for the music that's being played. Watch out for the guy making the banjo jokes. This CD is really an incredible work, I can't say it enough. Very relaxing music.

Broad Spectrum Virtuosity.......2007-04-23

This album runs the gamut of styles and genre. It is hard to get bored when a musical turn is but a few notes away. The two musicians integrate their instruments with incredible skill. I hate to give it a four star rating. The music is worth the 5. The loooooong, live applause tracks detract from the album. The asides by the musicians are sometimes hard to hear. Minor aggravations aside,this album plays frequently, very frequently, in our home,car, iPods, etc.

Cool Pairing for Meyer/Fleck Fans.......2007-01-02

I've seen both Edgar Meyer and Bela Fleck live (unfortunately not together) and I really think this album just captures the magic of their live shows: I can almost see them in my living room together! For those not so familiar with the music of one or both the inclusion of classical tunes with those composed by Meyer/Fleck and other contemporary songwriters is a cool drink of water. Music for Two is a good intro to the world of cozy bluegrass.

Bela Fleck + Edgar Meyer = strange mixture .......2006-11-10

Bela Fleck is one of the my jazz favorites... And hi with combination called Edgar Meyer are... great music!!!

Virtuosity Knows No Musical Boundaries.......2006-10-22

Béla Fleck & Edgar Meyer are both extraordinarily accomplished musicians who spend much of their time in very different worlds: Fleck in his newgrass space and Meyer in a more classical mode. But each has travelled in the other's territory before, and on this CD they connect around more genres than you can shake a stick at. In addition to their own compositions they tackle many of their joint favorites. The affection shows in the passion of the playing and the obvious camaraderie. And the accompanying DVD is a treat. Don't miss this one.

Average customer rating: Old Time Music You will feel so much better The right medicine for the blahs! Outstanding fun! Brings Back Memories to the Old (and Young)! Priceless anthology

Good For What Ails You: Music of the Medicine Shows 1926-1937 Pink Anderson , Gid Tanner , Gus Cannon , Emmett Miller , Charlie Poole , Dallas String Band , Grant Brothers , Uncle Dave Macon , Beans Hambone , Clarence Ashley , Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers , Gwen Foster , and Carolina Tar Heels Manufacturer: Old Hat Records / Enterprises ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Harmonica Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Old-Time Country | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Appalachian | North America | International | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of American Primitive, Vol. 2 American Primitive, Vol. 1: Raw Pre-War Gospel (1926-36) Music From The Lost Provinces: Old-Time Stringbands From Ashe County, North Carolina & Vicinity 1927-1931 Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922 ASIN: B000B5KRNO Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

1. The Spasm - Daddy Stovepipe & Mississippi Sarah
2. Tanner's Boarding House - Gid Tanner & Riley Puckett
3. Don't Think I'm Santa Claus - Lil McClintock
4. Hokum Blues - Dallas String Band with Coley Jones
5. Jimbo Jambo Land - Shorty Godwin
6. Gonna Swing On The Golden Gate - Fiddlin' John Carson & His Virginia Reelers
7. Papa's 'Bout To Get Mad - Pink Anderson & Simmie Dooley
8. The Man Who Wrote Home Sweet Home Never Was A Married Man - Charlie Parker & Mack Woolbright
9. Bye, Bye, Policeman - Jim Jackson
10. The Bald-Headed End Of A Broom - Walter Smith
11. Bow Wow Blues - Allen Brothers
12. Beans - Beans Hambone & El Morrow
13. A Chicken Can Waltz The Gravy Around - Stovepipe # 1 and David Crockett
14. Tell It To Me - Grant Brothers & Their Music
15. Ain't No Use Working So Hard - Carolina Tar Heels
16. Mama Keep Your Yes Ma'am Clean - Walter Cole
17. C-H-I-C-K-E-N Spells Chicken - Kirk McGee & Blythe Poteet
18. My Money Never Runs Out - Banjo Joe
19. Railroadin' Some - Henry Thomas "Ragtime Texas"
20. Traveling Man - Prince Albert Hunt's Texas Ramblers
21. G. Burns Is Gonna Rise Again - Johnson-Nelson-Porkchop
22. Baby All Night Long - Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers
23. Born In Hard Luck - Chris Bouchillon
24. He's In The Jailhouse Now - Memphis Sheiks

Tracks:

1. Gonna Tip Out Tonight - Pink Anderson & Simmie Dooley
2. Chevrolet Car - Sam McGee
3. It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' - Gid Tanner & His Skillet-Lickers
4. Bring It With You When You Come - Cannon's Jug Stompers
5. Atlanta Strut - Blind Sammie
6. Go Along Mule - Uncle Dave Macon & His Fruit Jar Drinkers
7. Casey Bill - Earl McDonald's Original Louisville Jug Band
8. I Got Mine - Frank Stokes
9. Hannah - Chris Bouchillon
10. Adam & Eve In The Garden - Bogus Ben Covington
11. Mysterious Coon - Alec Johnson & His Band
12. Her Name Was Hula Lou - Carolina Tar Heels
13. Reno Blues - Three Tobacco Tags
14. Scoodle Um Skoo - Papa Charlie Jackson
15. Stackalee - Frank Hutchison
16. The Cat's Got The Measles, The Dog's Got The Whooping Cough - Walter Smith
17. Shout You Cats - Hezekiah Jenkins
18. Nobody's Business If I Do - Tommie Bradley
19. Sweet Sixteen - Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers
20. Ticklish Reuben - Charlie Parker & Mack Woolbright
21. I Heard The Voice Of A Porkchop - Jim Jackson
22. Shine - Dallas String Band with Coley Jones
23. The Gypsy - Emmett Miller & His Georgia Crackers
24. Kiss Me Cindy - J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers

Album Description

Earning Their White Stripes. "But what I'm listening to most of the time at present is an album called Good For What Ails You, which is an album of songs that people used to listen to at medicine shows all over the States. It's quite an interesting album and I think that people would be well advised to pick it up." Jack White - Sunday Mail (Australia) Dec 18, 2005

Five Stars. Groundbreaking. "Fans of Nick Tosches' Where Dead Voices Gather will lap up this extraordinary snapshot of an America that is still shrouded in shadow. Good For What Ails You supplants the Harry Smith collections by surveying the people's music of the day, some of which sounds like nothing you have heard before." Jon Savage - MOJO Dec 2005

Before motion pictures, before radio, before television, the traveling Medicine Shows brought entertainment to America! Flamboyant pitch doctors roamed the land, hawking their tonics, elixirs, and miracle cures, and with them came a host of singers, dancers, comedians, banjo pickers, blues shouters, jug blowers, string ticklers, and minstrel men. The shows died out by mid-20th century, but not before a handful of seasoned veterans left their musical legacy on phonograph records. Here are classic performances by such colorful names as Pink Anderson, Daddy Stovepipe, Gid Tanner, Blind Sammie, Bogus Ben Covington, Fiddlin' John Carson, Banjo Joe, Shorty Godwin, Beans Hambone, Emmett Miller & His Georgia Crackers, the Three Tobacco Tags, and many more!

Two-CD Set / 48 Songs Digitally Remastered / Over 2 Hours of Music / Six-Panel Digipak with 72-page Full Color Booklet

A Profusely Illustrated History of the Medicine Shows, many Rare Photographs and Firsthand Accounts never before published, plus full discography and song descriptions.

Customer Reviews:

Old Time Music.......2007-05-13

This gave us 50 tracks of original music. Along with it you get a nice booklet that tells the history of the medicine shows and individual descriptions of each track and it's performers.

You will feel so much better.......2007-01-25

You just can't imagine what the life of a performer on the road in the 20, 30's (or earlier) must have been like. The ups of course was the freedom, and the fun at times. The downs include never knowing what was around the corner, the cold (or heat), some of the boarding houses I would imagine would have been dreadful amongst many others.

But at least we can listen to the music. I've only received this the other day and I've not taken it out of the player, it goes to work with me and takes me home again, it plays in the background when I'm busy about the house. Yes some of the sound quality is hissy, but they are old recordings and besides I would rather hear it like that, it adds to the feel. These are happy songs, even when they are talking about slashing someones throat. If you looking at this you obviously have an interest in this style of music and you would be doing yourself a favour by purchasing this wonderful collection. You get 2 CD's and a wonderful booklet that tells you a little history of the genre and pictures of some the the performers on the CD's as well as a little history on each of the songs.

The right medicine for the blahs! Outstanding fun!.......2006-10-23

Step right up..ladies and gentlemen...Are you feeling blah listening to those same old CD's you've had for the last several years? Does today's music leave you cold? Well, you've come to the right place. Restore your enthusiasm...bring back the fun, with 50 recordings from the golden age of medicine shows. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Many of these fine artists are obscure names to most people of this generation...but alas...like an old ancient Indian cure...this box set will bring you back to life. Yes friends and neighbors...it also comes with a beautiful full-color booklet with all the songs, dates and stories of old. Uh..excuse me son, don't crowd the stage. IT'S A PANACEA FOR ALL BORING AILMENTS! Yes and considering how old these gems are (1925-36) they are all in remarkable shape...and your sense of humor will be too. So pick one up today. It;s more fun than a brand new Victrola!

Brings Back Memories to the Old (and Young)!.......2006-08-28

'Good For What Ails You' is a great set of cd's with old songs that were sung at old medicine shows. I remember some of those songs from records and radio programs from my childhood - songs that I had totally forgotten!

I lent the cd's to my father, and they brought back fond memories of his childhood in western OK when the medicine shows would come to town and set up on the square. Everyone would attend the "show" and listen to the music, sales pitches, and go home with something! He truly enjoyed the cd's, also.

Even if medicine shows are new to you, the music is worth the time to listen. Lot's of fun, interesting lyrics, and you might even hear something that has come back again!?

Priceless anthology.......2006-07-05

This element of American history should never be forgotten, and this anthology ensures that it won't. The accompanying booklet is a textbook of fascinating anecdotes and photographs, and it even includes a small, helpful insert of "spelling errata" to guide the reader through the language of the time. The music itself transports the listener to a time that seems like ancient history, populated by snake oil salesmen who employed fast-picking, fast-talking one-man bands to make their product more appealing to the desperately poor. But this collection also reminds us that times haven't changed all that much since those days of the Great Depression. After all, when was the last time you heard a trendy, catchy song in a commercial trying to sell you something as basic as toothpaste?

Average customer rating: The multi-channel mix is awful. Cd Music This version should be pulled. Poor Example of SACD I love this young lady...

Come Away With Me Norah Jones Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition The Girl in the Other Room Concord Jazz Sampler Vol.2 Avalon Concord Records SACD Sampler 1 (Multichannel Hybrid SACD) ASIN: B00008WT49 Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

1. Don't Know Why
2. Seven Years
3. Cold Cold Heart
4. Feelin' The Same Way
5. Come Away With Me
6. Shoot The Moon
7. Turn Me On
8. Lonestar
9. I've Got To See You Again
10. Painter Song
11. One Flight Down
12. Nightingale
13. The Long Day Is Over
14. The Nearness Of You

Amazon.com

Norah Jones Photos (by Danny Clinch)

More from Norah Jones

Not Too Late

Feels Like Home

The Little Willies

Customer Reviews:

The multi-channel mix is awful........2007-07-12

As noted in another review, the multi-channel is absolutely awful. It's as if the bass is eq'd out of the mix. Honestly, it's completely unlistenable in my opinion. Thankfully the two channel SACD mix is fine. For that reason, I'm still glad that I bought it because I enjoy this album quite a bit.

Cd Music.......2007-04-06

I was really looking forward
to this cd, but unfortunatally
I didnt receive it.

This version should be pulled........2004-12-02

One of the requirements of SACD releases, as set forth by Sony and Phillips, is that there be at least an SACD (DSD) stereo layer. The surround DSD and hybrid Red Book PCM CD compatible layers are optional. As the previous reviewer mentioned, the stereo DSD layer on this release was taken from the Red Book 16/44.1 PCM master used to make the CD layer. So Blue Note skirted a basic requirement of the format they were releasing on by deceptively scamming consumers into thinking they were getting a true SACD. As far as anyone knows, however, the surround SACD layer was taken directly from the 2 inch multitrack and sampled to DSD, then remixed and mastered to the SACD surround layer. I haven't heard anything to the contrary. As it stands right now, I agree with Fremer that Blue Note should simply apologize, pull the current release, rerelease a proper SACD, and give past purchasers a free exchange. I listened to the surround layer at my parents house in Oregon and was pleased at the music and sound quality. I do think it is overall a bit emotionally monotonal and placid though, as the recent SNL (or was it Mad TV) spoof parodied. But I think people who buy it are looking for that. Still enjoyable.

Let me clear up some of the misconceptions floating around:

Keep your universal DVD player set up internally for 5.1 channel with all channels on at fixed volume (usually max output), set to large, and your reciever/preamps on Surround Direct Analog with no digital conversion...then pray that you have a DVD player and reciever that doesn't do anything else funky. All of the older Denon universal units really messed with the sound. If you're still not getting good bass, then you need full range speakers. Never ever have speakers turned off or set to small in your DVD player when listening to SACD's. In fact, you shouldn't even do this with stereo CDs, since you'll mess up the dynamic range that the outputs are working at.

Most universal players use the original Sony DSD chip, which has a little port that connects to the DAC. Contrary to popular belief, SACD is not converted to DVD-Audio (PCM as opposed to the PWM of DSD) when it goes into that little port. That just sends the analog signal to the filter stage to lop off the high frequency noise. The only conversion that will ever occur is if you try and do bass management, which will kick the Sony converter chip into what's called Wide-DSD...a euphamism for a form of very high frequency PCM, also called Narrow PCM. It's still PCM, it's just that Sony doesn't like to call it that. So, keep everything On, Large, and Fixed in the player and Pure Analog Direct after it gets out and you'll probably be fine. Do volume changes in the reciever in the analog domain.

I also wouldn't trust the new players that convert everything to SACD internally to do bass management. It's another form of Wide-DSD. Why? Because you can't do computations with a 1-Bit format. You can't mix in SACD or produce in that format until you either convert it to analog or PCM. You can only record/master live to each descrete 1-Bit DSD channel, then you're stuck with it as is. All the SACD recording consoles are actually this psuedo-DVD-Audio format internally, though they likely sound quite good. To get true DSD through and through you either record/produce to analog tape, or you mix live, which is probably why Telarc likes the format so much.

PCM has good points and bad. PWM has good points and bad, too. They're both very low noise, but PCM tends to sound a bit artificial and lacking in that organic body of analog. PWM is hella organic and analog-like (probably due to its psuedo-analog 1-bit nature), but embeds subtle quantization noise within the signal permanently, often leaving it sounding not quite as transparent and Oh-My-God-clear and pristine as DVD-Audio at 192khz. Some engineers claim that the high frequencies are inferior in transient response to even normal Red Book CD, but transients are so difficult to measure, Red Book so rife with other problems, and DSD does so well in all the other departments (including other characteristics of its highs) that I find it to be a non-issue. At least you get SACD on all the channels in 5.1, definitely as good or better than 24/96. The last thing you want is conversion back and forth between the two formats internally; then you get the worst of both worlds. Remember that DSD was invented for archival purposes to permanently store the Columbia Records inventory. The archival format's actually twice the bitrate of consumer SACD, so it likely sounds as lovely as is claimed.

Poor Example of SACD.......2004-11-13

My rating of 2 stars applies to the SACD version of this record and not the CD. I consider the CD to be a 5 star recording. After carefully listening to both the two channel SACD mix and the CD stereo versions I could not discern an audible difference. I enjoyed the 5.1 mix and found the rear surround to be tasteful and subtle, not at all distracting, but, again, no significant improvement in detail except that created by spreading the sound around to five channels. A recent article on the "Stereophile" website suggests that the SACD mix in fact shares the same 16 bit lineage as the CD, which would explain why the two channel mix and the CD mix sound identical. Norah's label has cheated its customers with this one and should go back and do an actual DSD mix and replace these "CDs" for free or give us our money back. There is no reason to purchase this SACD in addition to or in lieu of the CD unless you are interested in listening to a standard resolution 5.1 mix.

I love this young lady..........2004-02-27

I have to agree with the others - the SACD analog mix in 5.1 was a blunder(4 stars). I borrowed this from a friend for a test run. I have the same content on DVD/video - Very nice... - When I choose to listen only - I just turn off the TV and listen to a very good 5.1 DD/EX version. I admit it is not quite the quality of SACD but very good nonetheless. Spyro Gyra has 2 SACD's available and they are the standard for SACD comparison - absolutely flawless... Waiting for 2 of my all-time favorites on SACD - Eat a Peach and Live at the Fillmore from the ABB... SACD is just a small notch above DVD-Audio - although with DVD-Audio you can also listen on most any DVD player that supports DTS, DD-5.1 and DD-Stereo. SACD's are more dicriminating - I bought the Onkyo DVSP-800 specifically because of the SACD and DVD-Audio discrete analog and outstanding DVD-progressive scan video capabilities...

Average customer rating: Taking the long road If you can see her live, then: get! If not... The Best!! Powerful, Transcendently Beautiful! Stages is Awesome

Stages Ruthie Foster Manufacturer: Blue Corn Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Blues | Styles | Music Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Runaway Soul The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster Full Circle Live From Austin TX State of Grace ASIN: B00023B1GW Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. Ocean Of Tears
2. Crossover
3. Another Rain Song
4. Real Love
5. God Bless The Child
6. Turn Me On
7. Death Came A Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes)
8. Get Out Of My Way
9. Lost In The City
10. Prayin' For Rain
11. Church
12. Walk On
13. Oh! Susannah
14. Full Circle

Customer Reviews:

Taking the long road.......2007-02-25

Ruthie Foster shows the full range of her musicianship on this remarkable recording, which captures not only her rich voice but her wonderful sense of humor and love for music that stretches over a broad range of genres. Whether playing on a tango theme or drawing from her wonderful dip bag of folk music, Ruthie never fails to please the listener, especially on this album.

If you can see her live, then: get! If not..........2006-12-04

...then you owe it to yourself to buy this album. You won't miss her on stage again: expect goose bumps, and maybe some damp eyes, just listening to the CD. This is one of the best live recordings -- of anyone -- that I have heard. Buy it now, as the first in your collection, and you can tell your friends later: "Ruthie Foster? Oh yeah, I know her music!"

The Best!!.......2005-06-15

Ruthie Foster is THE BEST pure singer I have ever heard. When she sings Walk On and/or Oh Susannah - chills...
I absolutely LOVE HER - not only her singing but her guitar playing also. Check out/download her video at Kerrville from the internet and see her perform. A genius who can sing anything: blues, folk, whatever. I LOVE her - she is my favorite singer. Both her Stages and Runaway Soul albums- whew!!
Wish she would perform on national TV...

Powerful, Transcendently Beautiful!.......2004-11-11

A couple of weeks ago on a stiflingly sultry afternoon at the Texas Book Festival I heard in the distance this incredible voice singing the old Curtis Mayfield song, "People Get Ready." I moved quickly toward it and caught the last two minutes of Ruthie Foster's one hour set at the Entertainment Tent. In those two minutes, the gritty spirituality of her bluesy gospel rendition of that classic gave me the chills, and, I confess, watery eyes. She shook me. I told my wife that she was the greatest singer I had ever heard, and I'm not sure that I would qualify that even now. I ordered two of her CD's as soon as I could get to the internet and Amazon.com. The studio produced "Runaway Soul" is truly great, and I highly recommend it, but "Stages" is as close to perfection as any human has a right to expect. I agree with the other reviewer. It's the best live CD I own, with the possible exception of "James Brown at the Apollo!" Her rendition of "Oh, Susana," is revelatory. Foster discovers beneath the hokey joy of the tradition tune a transcendently beautiful lament. It is a shockingly insightful performance. Haunting. I could go on and on about other great numbers on the CD, but won't. Just buy it and enjoy it.

Stages is Awesome.......2004-08-09

This is simply the best live album I have heard! Having seen Ruthie Foster live at the Canmore Folk Fest - Stages stays true to her performance and gives the listener insight in to the fabulous range and style of Ruthie Foster - highly recommended.

Average customer rating: Falling in Love with your Path, Choices, and where you draw lines Does Van ever make a bad album? swinging r & b from van the master. Solid classic Van I have them all.

Down the Road Van Morrison Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: What's Wrong With This Picture? The Healing Game Back on Top Magic Time Days Like This ASIN: B0000646UW Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

1. Down the Road
2. Meet Me in the Indian Summer
3. Steal My Heart Away
4. Hey Mr DJ
5. Talk is Cheap
6. Choppin' Wood
7. What Makes The Irish Heart Beat
8. All work and No Play
9. Whatever Happened to PJ Proby ?
10. The Beauty of the Days Gone BY
11. Georgia on my Mind
12. Only a Dream
13. Man Has to Struggle

Amazon.com

Van Morrison's childhood was steeped in American music, in part because he grew up the son of a rabid collector of classic jazz and R&B records. Morrison's infatuation with the music understandably led to the raucous, blues-rooted performances of Them and his early solo records, but it also inspired his long, oft-misunderstood journey to find music more spiritually and geocentrically rooted. This inviting, if typically restive, collection brings the singer full circle, suggesting you can indeed go home again--and that your life's journey just might make you appreciate it with new eyes. Thirteen of these tracks are Morrison originals, though they have a warm, almost subliminal familiarity. Good-natured shuffles like the title track, "Choppin' Wood," and "Hey Mr. DJ" have a nostalgic edge that sharpens considerably on the jaunty "Whatever Happened to PJ Proby?," where Morrison grouses, "Nothin' much to relate to anymore / 'less you wanna be mediocre." But there's considerably more than simple blues redux on Morrison's agenda, as his graceful ballad "Steal My Heart Away" and sublime covers of Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia" and Acker Bilk's "Evening Shadows" (originally an instrumental but now with lyrics by Morrison and an evocative, signature clarinet solo from Bilk himself) prove. A return to the classic Morrison sound, perhaps, but one gratifyingly informed by three decades of musical and spiritual pondering. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

2002 album with 2 UK bonus tracks added 'Evening Shadows' & 'Fast Train'.

Customer Reviews:

Falling in Love with your Path, Choices, and where you draw lines.......2007-06-21

It's my last day teaching this class and that's sad mostly....school's out. First graders are now second coming.

So I'm listening to Van as I put the crayons away in color cups, organize for summer school. Clean, sweat, think and daze. Feeling the usual remorse, regret, loss and a sense of relief, joy, wonder and exhaustedly realize this is the last time I'll need to say...it's been a very tough time teaching through the nightmare of adopting the canned scripts NCLB reform shoved down my throat.. Because the fight is largely over. "They" won and the kids are going to be disadvantaged like I never thought possible, at least mine are....ah...it hurts to go there. Watch Congress reauthorize and be proud they'll magically get a "growth model" while Kennedy tests his children's, no, that's our children's so called progress working their behinds off, tests more and better-what he wants is 'rigor'. Hope not mortis... Great master plans from the Bushes et al seem to lead us to the places like where I am...in a ghetto with less, now way less. So what's new. Oh, yeah, call it progressive political vision. Van's CD is about a good a tonic as I know right now today. I think he'll forgive the rant. I really do. Pour it over my heart and soul. Sylvia and I are singing.

So...this is a wonderful set of songs if you aren't 25 anymore, except on the inside. And you wish love was real, and you wish you had someone that knew. It's a collection of someone singing to the way it is, or at least we mythologize it is. But I'm so tired all I can do is say, go listen yourself for you. iTunes at the least. I love Indian Summer, Down the Road, Steal My Heart Away, The Beauty of the Days Gone By. And so many..

I'm headed back home again. It's a deep reach to find enough love to do this work, find the resources and the ways to sustain believing in anyone or anything. Especially this year, especially this year. Thanks for the tunes, Van.

Does Van ever make a bad album? .......2007-03-10

I dont know what else to say in here that is not already covered, only this is now my 9th Van CD on my ipod. while allot of all bleeds together in "sameness" it just works. I use shuffle and my pod is on most of the day, so this kind of music along with classical opera and bluegrass just seems to work great for all day listening.

swinging r & b from van the master........2007-02-20

two wonderful slow numbers, "the beauty of the day's gone by," and "georgia on my mind," and thirteen swinging uptempo r & b treats make up this fine recording. the mood is relaxed and easy, with plenty of guitar, horns, and hammond organ along the way to provide a soulful groove on which van's singular voice can ride. released in 2002 this is one of mr morrison's strongest releases of the twenty-first century. long may he record.

Solid classic Van.......2006-04-09

The album opens with the title track, setting the tone as one of reflection on days gone by. This mellow mid-tempo song with intricate instrumental flourishes is followed by the buoyant Meet Me In The Indian Summer, a catchy love song.

Steal My Heart Away is also a love song, but slower and more soulful with evocative imagery, Hey Mr DJ is a chugging pop number with lovely backing vocals and a bit of Morrison's wordless vocalising, whilst Talk Is Cheap is a slow bluesy song about the pitfalls of fame.

The tuneful ballad What Makes The Irish Heart Beat is a definite highlight of the album, infused with Celtic soul. All Work And No Play is a pleasant enough pop ditty and the next one, Whatever Happened To PJ Proby is really interesting as he references various obscure British singers from the 1960s.

One of my favourites is the stirring nostalgic ballad The Beauty Of The Days Gone By with its gorgeous melody and poetic lyrics. I also love the tuneful and lilting Only A Dream. The last song, Fast Train with its appealing organ and harmonica made me think of Arlo Guthrie's Last Train, but is nowhere near as heart-breaking and intense. And that is what I miss on this album: Van's intensely devotional moments.

Down The Road displays all the various styles of the artist, like R & B, rock and his Irish soulfulness but sticks mostly to the middle of the road. The songs are mostly good and sometimes great as in the aforementioned tracks. Down The Road is really a 5-star album, but measured against Van Morrison's vast body of musical genius, it comes in at four.

I have them all........2005-09-14

I have been listening to Van Morrison since I stumbled upon a copy of "Tupelo Honey" when I was 18 and it blew me away. He never really made a bad album, but you can spend you money safely here. I keep waiting for another "No Guru" or "Astral Weeks" and this is not that but it is better than 99% of the music out there. Keep it coming Van!

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