Promised Land [Import]

1. Helpless

2. Do You Love Me?

3. I Start Counting

4. Agnus Dei

5. Memorabilia

6. Shatter

7. Vermilion

8. (Introit Et) Kyrie

9. 1963

10. Dead Or Alive

11. Felicity

12. Sky Was Full Of You

Promised Land,American Rock,Escalator,World Music

Average customer rating: Perfect starter CD!

America's Choir Mormon Tabernacle Choir Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Mormon Tabernacle Choir | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Peace Like a River Rock of Ages: 30 Favorite Hymns The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Greatest Hits: 22 Best-Loved Favorites Sing, Choirs of Angels! Songs from America's Heartland ASIN: B0002CX1LQ Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Fanfare Alleluia/Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
2. Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
3. This Is My Father's World
4. Hallelujah Corus
5. Fugue In C Major
6. Come, Come, Ye Saints
7. O Home Beloved
8. Come Let Us Anew
9. Bound For The Promised Land
10. Shenandoah
11. Cindy
12. Danny Boy
13. Climb Ev'ry Mountain
14. Battle Hymn Of The Republic
15. Praise TO The Lord, The Almighty (Reprise)
16. God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Customer Reviews:

Perfect starter CD!.......2005-02-12

I'm surprised that no one has reviewed this CD yet. Released in conjuction with the Nationally-released PBS documentary "America's Choir" - this album is a perfect starting place for people who wish to have a sampler of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Serving as both a latter-day "greatest hits" and a stand alone album, this CD gathers six tracks from the Choir's recently released albums "Consider The Lilies," "Spirit Of America" and "Peace Like A River" and adds TEN brand new tracks recorded specially for this project, creating a perfect sampler of both the Choir's magnificent history and it's current sound. It highlights the strengths of the Choir's repetoire, from well-known hymns ("Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing") to patriotic standards ("Battle Hymn Of The Republic") to folk songs ("Shenandoah," "Bound For The Promised Land") and even some surprises, like the traditional Welsh anthem "O Home Beloved" and the "Fugue In C Major (Jig)" for organ and orchestra. A wonderful, wonderful CD, with startling changes in mood and tempo, but with the unifying artistry of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Sqare.

Average customer rating: Their last progressive album Jumping the Shark.... Another polished Queensryche album The beginning of the post blues Queensryche; Personal, introspective, and Exellent

Promised Land Queensrÿche Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rage for Order Empire Hear in the Now Frontier The Warning Queensrÿche ASIN: B00009L1UR Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

1. 9:28 A.M.
2. I Am I
3. Damaged
4. Out Of Mind
5. Bridge
6. Promised Land
7. Dis Con Nect Ted
8. Lady Jane
9. My Global Mind
10. One More Time
11. Someone Else?
12. Real World
13. Someone Else? (With Full Band)
14. Damaged (Live)
15. Real World (Live)

Customer Reviews:

Their last progressive album .......2007-06-23

Sometimes its sad to see bands stagnate. In all honesty, though I love the man and all his albums, can we as fans really distiguish one newer King Diamond album from another? Is there really that much difference between House of God and Puppet Master? Nothing wrong with sticking with your guns, but sometimes it can get stale.

As this example exemplifies, there is also another extreme at the end of the spectrum, an end where a band like Amorphis will make an album like The Karelian Isthmus, then a few years later, Tuneola. "Progression" can be a dirty word for fans, but some bands are EXPECTED to make albums that sound different from the others, and one of these bands is the mighty Queensryche.
Thankfully though, they inhabited a halfway point (before Hear in the Now Frontier) where their sound was ENHANCED by progress, not hampered by it, and the core was always there.

Promised Land is probably the last album done by Ryche that qualifies as "Progressive metal" (Mindcrime II may qualify but just barely), and in fact, it may be the most progressive thing they ever did.
Its also some of the best material they ever did, not to the standards of the previous three albums (that may change as I listen to it more), but definitely better than any album afterward, and possibly to the level of "The Warning" and the first EP.

The album is truly progressive in scope, with epic somewhat "symphonic" passages intermeshed with textured guitar parts and vocals as godly as usual. Its the beginnings of the band going fully on into more of their "retro" territory, but thankfully in this case, its Pink Floyd rather than Louder than Love.

It also has some of the strange electronic touches that were on Rage For Order previously (Remember this is before most NIN clone bands) and still retains much of their twin axe attack like on previous records. It is truly a masterpiece, their last stab at a genre that they helped invent and took in a new direction on this one. In fact, some of the passages remind me of the metal prog/psych mix that was later explored by latter day Porcupine Tree, in a way.

I don't know what happened to the band after this album, the kidnapped by aliens and replaced by evil clones story works just as good for this band as Metallica.

On this album, the band reached for a very ambitious height that unfortunately, seemed to spell disaster for any commercial viability, especially compared to previous releases. Musically, its incredible, but listening to it is sort of sad because of the decline that was to follow.

Jumping the Shark...........2007-04-26

This album was, at the time, a great infusion of the Ryche at the very point when Corporate Amerika was taking over the music scene. Queensryche tried very hard to mesh with what was popular on the radio and didn't do too good of a job at all. Promise Land has some very strong music and lyrics, but for the most part, it feels alot like the producer and the the label tried to take every good song from every album and reinvent it, which was disastrous for the band.
I really tried to like this album, and there is some really good music and lyrics, but in the end, this is the swan song for Queensryche....

With Promised Land, they jumped the shark and never looked back.

Another polished Queensryche album.......2007-03-20

While you could rename this to "Music to kill yourself to", I did find the album to be ridiculously polished and produced. It's not a bad thing, really, because it fits the theme. It's classic Queensryche moving out into yet another frontier, and worth a listen.

The beginning of the post blues Queensryche;.......2007-02-02

That Queensryche should turn back to the Blues inspired progressive metal that they started with.

Seems to me that Queensryche felt a little pressure from Nirvana amongst others to play less bluesy material, but despite lots of good stuff(and I include 'from the now frontier', 'Tribe' in that list), seems to me that all that post Empire material(including 'Promised Land!') doesn't have the richness and deepness that previous Queensryche records had.

Call me biased, but I've always noticed that if you want to play deep stuff, play the blues. I remember thinking Joe Satriani's "Surfing with the Alien" was going to be so great; i bought it and Jeff Beck's "Guitar Shop"; i listened to Joe first and tried to think it was so cool; i turned on Jeff Beck's lp second and never bothered with all this neo-classical rock guitar again!

I'm not going to say that Dream theatre isn't any good, or that Tate shouldn't combine his operatic vocals to the Blues like he did back in the day . . . ope, I think I proved my point!

If you listen to Operation Mindcrime one and two, you should notice two things; Operation Mindcrime 1 is bluesy compared to Operation Mindcrime 2, and 2) the second half of Operation Mindcrime 2 is bluesy're and the more emotional ride than the first part of the album.

Queensryche, get back to the blues if you want to play such heavy stuff! If your trying to play such heavy topics, the Blues is where it's at; the Blues is the deeper higher substance version of rock and roll!

Personal, introspective, and Exellent.......2007-01-31

After the highly succesfull "Empire" album, Queensryche was forced to tour extensively in order to meet the demand for their concerts. After the long, greuling tour, the band members went their seperate ways for an extended period of time, and eventually re-united to record their fifth studio album titled "Promised Land".

The phrase "Promised Land" is actually a metaphor for the american dream of having success. Queensryche discovered that (commercial) success, which is what "Empire" gave them, really wasn't all it was made out to be. So they hit the studio, and instead of writing about a futuristic totalitarian digital age (as was found in some songs from "The Warning" and "Rage for Order"), or social commentary and love songs (as was the case with "Operation:Mindcrime and "Empire"), Queensryche decided to instead look within and have the lyrics revolve around personal issues.

The end result was "Promised Land", which is, to say the least, a masterpiece. Instrumentally, this is Queensryche's creative peak. Theres still "metal" parts found in songs such as "Damaged" and "My Global Mind", but theres much more variety this time around, with plenty of clean guitars, guitar harmonies, and guitar solos that actually add to the songs without giving the feeling that they are just there to fill up space.

However, this album does have a few road bumps. "Dis con nec ted" still continues with the same dark, moody atmosphere from all the songs leading up to it, but it is clearly inferior in quality to the rest of the album. "My Global Mind" is a step-down in quality as well. However, they are still descent songs that fit in well with the album. The rest of the album is nothing short of exellent. My favorite songs are "I am I" and it's eastern flavored guitar harmonies that open up the album on a positive note, and is in fact my second favorite Queensryche opener behind "Walk in the Shadows", "Bridge", which is a nice, short, emotional song written by Chris DeGarmo which talks about his torn relationship with his father, the title track, which really is hard to describe, "One More Time", with it's beutiful mix of clean and distorted guitars topped off with a great chorus and an almost Gilmore-like guitar solo, and "Someone Else", which is a song jampacked with emotion and great singing.

To conclude, this album is exellent, and is my second favorite Ryche album behind "Operation:Mindcrime". It might take some people a couple of listens for the album to sink in, but once it does, it's exellent. I highly recommend this album.

Average customer rating: GREAT! A relaxing journey into our Colonial past Fantastic! Cold Mountain type music that's great

Colonial America Manufacturer: Maggie's Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Instruments | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Celtic | Europe | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International Folk | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Early American Roots The World Turned Upside Down Music of the American Revolution: The Birth of Liberty Celtic Roots The Spirit of '76 and Ruffles and Flourishes ASIN: B0000C9Z9X Release Date: 2003-09-01

Tracks:

1. Rickett's Hornpipe/ Fishers Hornpipe
2. Maiden Lane/ Jack O' Lent/ Chestnut/Bonny Broom
3. Parting Friends/Primrose
4. Flowers of Edinburgh/East Neuke of Fife
5. Prelude / La Catherine
6. Planxty Browne/Planxty Burke
7. Cutie Clat Her
8. John Come Kiss me Now
9. Scots Tune
10. Carolan's Farewell to Music
11. A Port
12. Yeil, yeil
13. Kedron/Saint's Delight/Promised Land
14. Gird the Logie
15. La Belle Cavalier
16. La Luxillier/La Balanje
17. Federal Overture
18. Death & Life

Album Description

Spirited new sounds from across the sea to the shores of the New Land. From the first colonists to the American Revolution and the birth of our republic Hesperus Early Music Ensemble's music reflects a time of new ideas, freedom and vitality. In town and village, parlor and ballroom, from the Appalachians to the great concert halls hear the musical pulse of early American music performed on a wide variety of folk and early music instruments. Includes: lively country-dance tunes, evocative Shape Note Hymns, old time Appalachian fiddle tunes, graceful European parlor music, French cotillions, divisions and improvisations. Introduction -The English Colonies in America were a patchwork-not just of territories whose boundaries became state lines, but of people from different places and classes with widely different values and experiences. This recording presents music from that patchwork; from England, the Colonial homeland; Scotland and Ireland, the homes of the largest groups of immigrants outside England; and France, the ally of the Patriots, and music written in the United States. More recordings by HESPERUS from Maggie's Music are Celtic Roots featuring Scottish fiddler, Bonnie Rideout and Early American Roots. Hesperus Ensemble is THE sought after musical group for period music that is both authentic, and most important fun, lively and spirited. They are frequent performers at the Smithsonian's Institute of American Music and can be heard on the soundtrack or the Paramount film with Johnny Depp entitled Sleepy Hollow! Excerpts from liner notes:2.A Set of English Country Dance Tunes: Maiden Lane, Jack O'Lent, Chestnut, Bonny Broom - The visionary London music publisher John Playford first published his English Dancing Master in 1651. It was reprinted 18 times over the next 77 years and is still popular today. 3. Parting Friends/Primrose - These tunes have come down to us in choral arrangements called shape-note hymns .

Customer Reviews:

GREAT!.......2007-05-20

This cd travels everywhere with me and you can easily imagine a ball at Monticello given by Mr. Jefferson when you hear it.
Try not to daydream too much while driving as i had done several times..lol..it's hard not to with this cd..:)
Perfect for a colonial reenactment or party.

A relaxing journey into our Colonial past.......2006-03-16

I bought this CD to provide me with another dimension to my studies of period events. It truly contains a wealth of music, and takes it place as an important addition to my musical library. Living in the Mt Vernon area, I often travel with the CD playing while visiting historical places, and it provides a wonderful companion to "set the mood" for the myriad locations in the area. The quality of the sound is remarkable, the musicians superb, and the breadth of song selection provides a musical landscape for the period. Highly recommended!!

Fantastic!.......2004-03-04

I first heard the "Colonial America" CD by Hesperus when I visited Monticello recently (the home of Thomas Jefferson) where they were playing the songs in the gift shop. Imagine my dismay to find that only one cassette tape was left of the fabulous music of Hesperus; however, that tape held me spell-bound all the way home, from Virginia to North Carolina.

It was an incredible journey from the past that has stayed with me since, and every day I drive that one hour back and forth to work. This music has changed everything about the trips, and I can't wait for more.

Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to buy all three CD's, including "Early American Roots," "Colonial America" and the incredible "Celtic Roots" with the most beautiful violas imaginable.

Thank you Hesperus! Please play more!

Cold Mountain type music that's great.......2003-11-15

Novels and movies like Cold Mountain, Oh Brother Where Art Thou? and Song Catchers are showing the growing interest in traditional music and this recording hits the mark. It is music from the days of early America--the time when the first colonists come to America. You can hear the fiddle playing tunes still popular in the Appalachian mountains today and also hear shape note music arranged by Hesperus as wonderful instrumentals. The music takes you to a time when folks were making music in their homes-before TV, before the internet! This recording is good for teachers or educational purposes too- with informative liner notes. All the music is played on folk and early music instruments and it's lively and an enjoyable listen.

Average customer rating: beautiful patriotic music All new recordings, with a strong patriotric theme

Spirit of America Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Mormon Tabernacle Choir | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music | General Christmas | Today's Deals | Box Sets | Children's Music | Classical Instrumental | Halloween | Hanukkah | Kwanzaa | Opera & Vocal | Pop Instrumental & Easy Listening | Pop Vocal General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Peace Like a River Consider the Lilies Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood Love Is Spoken Here The Wonder of Christmas ASIN: B0000A4G6H Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

1. America the Beautiful
2. Bound for the Promised Land
3. This Land Is Your Land
4. Shenandoah
5. Battle Hymn of the Republic
6. Distant Land
7. They, The Builders of the Nation
8. House I Live In
9. America, The Dream Goes On
10. Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
11. God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
12. Hymn for America
13. Pledge of Allegiance
14. Cohan's Big Three: Yankee Doodle Dandy/Give My Regards to Broadway
15. Goin' Home
16. God Bless America - Craig Jessop, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Orchestra
17. Star-Spangled Banner
18. Call of the Champions

Customer Reviews:

beautiful patriotic music.......2003-08-28

This is an excellent CD. The music, both voices and orchestra, is superb. The content of the lyrics is inspiring. It reminds me of so many reasons I'm proud to be American.

All new recordings, with a strong patriotric theme.......2003-07-16

Surprised that no one has reviewed this yet. Amazon.com doesn't give much info on this release, so I thought I'd rectify that. This is the second brand-new release on the "Mormon Tabernacle Choir" label, following their April 2003 release of "Consider the Lilies." Again, several of the arrangements are by Mack Wilberg, with direction by Craig Jessop and accompianment by the Orchestra at Temple Square. The track list is as follows:

1 America the Beautiful
Music: Samuel A. Ward

Text: Katherine Lee Bates
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg (Oxford University Press) 4:30

2 Bound for the Promised Land
Music: American folk hymn.
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg (Oxford University Press) 2:35

3 This Land is Your Land
Music: Woody Guthrie
Text: Woody Guthrie
Arrangement: Percy Faith & Michael Davis 2:40

4 Shenandoah
Music: American folk song.
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg (Oxford University Press) 4:48

5 Battle Hymn of the Republic
Music: William Steffe
Text: Julia Ward Howe
Arrangement: Peter J. Wilhousky (Carl Fischer, Inc.) 5:19

6 Distant Land
Music: John Rutter
Text: John Rutter
Arrangement: John Rutter (Hinshaw Music, Inc - ASCAP) 4:41

7 They, the Builders of the Nation
Music: Alfred M. Durham
Text: Ida R. Alldredge
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg (Deseret Book Co.) 3:28

8 The House I Live In
Music: Earl Robinson
Text: Lewis Allen
Arrangement: Michael Davis 3:26

9 America, the Dream Goes On
Music: John Williams
Text: Alan and Marilyn Bergman 3:18

10 Give My Your Tired, Your Poor
Music: Irving Berlin
Text: Emma Lazarus
Arrangement: Roy Ringwald (Shawnee Press, Inc. - ASCAP)
Orchestration: Michael Davis 3:01

11 God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
Music: George W. Warren
Text: Daniel C. Roberts
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg (Oxford University Press) 4:12

12 Hymn for America
Music: Stephen Paulus (Paulus Publications)
Text: Michael Dennis Browne 3:08

13 The Pledge of Allegiance
Music: Charles Osgood
Text: Francis Bellamy
Arrangement: Michael Davis 2:39

14 Cohan's Big Three (Yankee Doodle Dandy, +below)
Music: George M. Cohan
Text: George M. Cohan
Arrangement: Floyd E. Werle
+Give My Regards/Brdway, You're a Grand Old Flag 3:53

15 Goin' Home
Music: Antonin Dvorak
Text: William Arms Fischer
Arrangement: Jay Welch 4:36

16 God Bless America
Music: Irving Berlin
Text: Irving Berlin

Arrangement: Roy Ringwald (Shawnee Press, Inc. - ASCAP)
Orchestration: Michael Davis 3:44

17 The Star-Spangled Banner
Music: John Stafford Smith
Text: Francis Scott Key
Arrangement: Robert Russell Bennett 2:21

18 Call of the Champions
Music: John Williams
Text: Olympic Motto 4:47

The sound on this release is, if anything, even cleaner than the previous release, with the Choir and orchestra very evenly balanced. The programming includes a mix of both traditional and brand new songs, a couple of which (Stephen Paulus's "Hymn For America," and Charles Osgood's "The Pledge of Allegiance") were commissioned especially for this recording. Additional note: several of these songs were included on the Choir's 2003 Northeastern States tour, which was a huge success. I highly recommend this recording!

Average customer rating: McCoury Band at their best again. Bluegrass at its best The McCoury musical magic is first pew McCoury Takes Listeners to 'The Promised Land' God is in the details.

The Promised Land Del McCoury Band Manufacturer: Mccoury Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Country Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Company We Keep All American Bluegrass Girl Long List of Heartaches A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family It's Just the Night ASIN: B000FFL3AQ Release Date: 2006-06-13

Tracks:

1. I'm Bound for the Land of Canaan
2. I'm Poor as a Beggar
3. It's Surprising What the Lord Can Do
4. Jesus Carried Me a Cross
5. Five Flat Rocks
6. I'll Put on a Crown and Walk Around
7. Don't Put off Until Tomorrow
8. Led by the Master's Hand
9. It's an Unfriendly World
10. Gold Under My Feet
11. Ain't Nothin' Going to Come Up Today (Me and the Good Lord Can't ...)
12. We Know Where He Is
13. Sit Down with Jesus
14. Lord Is Writing Down Names

Amazon.com

Hopes were higher for the first all-gospel release by Del McCoury, perhaps the finest singer in bluegrass, whose a cappella "Get Down on Your Knees and Pray" has long been a show-stopping highlight of his live performances. Though the album showcases McCoury's keening tenor and the virtuosity of his band, the results fall short of divine inspiration. Most of the material tends toward the obscure; whatever the spiritual message, some of the music simply isn't as compelling as the range McCoury typically offers on his secular releases. Among the highlights are the bluesy retelling of David and Goliath on "Five Flat Rocks," the stately grace of a musical eulogy on "We Know Where He Is," and the call-and-response harmonies of "Gold Under My Feet." At his most moving, McCoury can send a spiritual jolt through the spine of an atheist; on Promised Land, he's mainly preaching to the choir. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

McCoury Band at their best again........2007-07-12

I love this new album of gospel or songs of the Lord. Again The McCoury Band has given us another great album to listen to and enjoy. Get this album you will love it.

Bluegrass at its best.......2007-01-31

If you love bluegrass and the Lord, then this is the CD for you. Great songs which get you clappin' and lift your spirit!!!!

The McCoury musical magic is first pew.......2006-11-24

Playing Time - 42:51

What They Do: They're on the top of the bluegrass game and play songs full of warmth and passion to celebrate the spirit of God. Del delivers each song with convincing emotion, and his lonesome highs are always piercingly clear.

Little Known Facts: This is the band's first all-gospel project, and I'm told that Del McCoury has never recorded a gospel music album in his five decade long career.

The Songs: The set draws heavily from the material of Oklahoma-born Albert E. Brumley, the most popular white gospel composer among rural southernerns in the 1930s. His songs present visions of a caring, personal Savior and of an abundant, pastoral Heaven where old acquaintances would be renewed. "I'll put on a crown and walk all around all over God's Promised Land." The album opens with Brumley's "I'm Bound For the Land of Canaan" and "It's Surprising What The Lord Can Do" has Del switching to his soaring tenor on the choruses. In fact, a number of their vocal arrangements have Del jumping up to the higher harmony on choruses. Halfway through the set, the band supercharges the music with Brumley's "Led By The Master's Hand" and the band's remarkably distinct vocals. Following that, in "It's An Unfriendly World" a beggar asks for some guidance in a world full of sorrow and sin. Other classics from Brumley include "I'll Put On A Crown and Walk Around"and the album closer "The Lord is Writing Down Names."

A beautiful duet with Ronnie and Del is is presented in the ¾-time "Gold Under My Feet," while the band's splendid quartet is illustrated in "Five Flat Rocks," that also showcases Ronnie McCoury's consummate guitar skill. A strong nod to tradition is Pete Pyle's "Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow" that kicks off with Ronnie's tremolo and downstrokes on his eight strings of fame. From Mississippi, Pete Pyle had been a soloist on the Opry who also was member of Bill Monroe's band. Del McCoury and Jerry Salley co-wrote "Ain't Nothin' Gonna Come Up Today" that suggests we fight Satan on our knees. Instrumentally, you won't find a band that is much more solid than Del's. The band's newest addition, Alan Bartram on bass, is rock solid and also contributes to some of the vocal harmonies.

The Musicians: Del sings and picks guitar with his sons Ronnie (mandolin) and Robbie (banjo), as well as with Jason Carter (fiddle) and Alan Bartram (bass)

The Bottomline: The 67-year-old Del McCoury shows no signs of slowing down. The McCoury musical magic is first pew.

Reviewed By: Joe Ross (staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

McCoury Takes Listeners to 'The Promised Land'.......2006-08-22

It's hard to believe that it took Del McCoury more than forty years to record his first all-gospel album, but THE PROMISED LAND was worth the wait. This 14-track collection is a treat for the ears as well as the soul.

The album kicks of with "I'm Bound for the Land of Canaan," one of seven songs composed by Albert E. Brumley. Best known for "I'll Fly Away" (not included here), Brumley wrote more than 800 songs during his lifetime and was selected to the Country Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Songs run the gamut from the stately "We Know Where He Is" to the bouncy "I'll Put on a Crown & Walk Around." Among the highlights are a bluesy version of "Five Flat Rocks" with stunning four-part harmony and Ronnie and Rob McCoury providing some wonderful guitar picking. "The Lord Is Writing Down Names" also showcases Ronnie's and Rob's guitar prowess.

There is not a weak track on this album. If you're a fan of traditional bluegrass and gospel music, this album will not disappoint. [Running Time - 42.55] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

God is in the details........2006-06-28

As The Promised Land testifys. The best band in bluegrass soars in this encomium to the Lord. McCoury's plaintive vocals never sound better, and the rest of the Boys more than hold their own. Not to be missed.

Average customer rating: Wonderful! To love Andy Griffith is to love his voice.

Bound for the Promised Land: The Best of Andy Griffith Hymns Andy Griffith Manufacturer: Sparrow ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: I Love to Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns Just As I Am: 30 Favorite Old Time Hymns Somebody Bigger Than You and I Christmas Guest American Originals ASIN: B00074CC8M Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

1. Shall We Gather At The River/Will The Circle Be Unbroken
2. Precious Memories
3. Sweet Prospect/I Am Bound For The Promised Land
4. Amazing Grace/Grace Greater Than All Our Sin
5. I Love To Tell The Story
6. When We All Get To Heaven/We'll All Understand It Better By And By/When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
7. There's Power In The Blood/Down At The Cross (Glory To His Name)
8. We're Marching To Zion/When The Saints Go Marching In
9. There Is A Fountain/Are You Washed/Nothing But The Blood
10. Church In The Wildwood
11. Just As I Am/Jesus, I Come/I Need Thee Every Hour
12. When I Can Read My Title Clear
13. I'll Fly Away/A New Name Written Down In Glory
14. Does Jesus Care/His Eye Is On The Sparrow
15. God Will Take Care Of You/Just A Little Talk With Jesus
16. What Wonderous Love Is This/Jesus, Lover Of My Soul
17. It Is No Secret
18. Beautiful Savior
19. Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!.......2006-12-14

This CD is just wonderful! Listening to the songs take me back to when I was child sitting in church. These songs and Andy Griffith singing them are just great.

To love Andy Griffith is to love his voice........2005-09-12

I returned the CD unopened because it did not arrive in time for the occasion it was intended. We had to scout one out from a local store. My husband had expressed his wish for one of Andy's gospel hymns, Amazing Grace, to be played at his graveside burial service. It was exactly the perfect rendition for our private service, though one would have to be a huge fan of Andy Griffith, which my husband was, to appreciate his voice over some other more powerful ones.

Average customer rating:

Inspector Morse, Volume 3 (English TV Series) Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Inspector Morse, Volume 2 (English TV Series) Inspector Morse, Volume 1 (English TV Series) The Magic of Inspector Morse The Complete Inspector Morse Sherlock Holmes TV Soundtrack ASIN: B000003RV1 Release Date: 1996-03-05

Tracks:

1. Eirl Theme
2. Oxford
3. Duet: "Bei Mannern - Welche Liebe Fuhlen" from The Magic Flute
4. Cryptic Contemplation
5. Andante From String Sextet No1 In Bb OP 18
6. Reflections
7. 'Traume' From "Wesendonk-Lieder
8. Generic Morse Music
9. Dark Suspicion
10. Adagio From Piano Concerto K488 In A
11. Apprehension - Confession - Resolution
12. Promised Land
13. "Hab'Mir's Gelobt" from "Der Rosenkavalier"
14. Painful Admissions
15. "Adieu, Notre Petite Table" from "Manon"
16. Quiet Awakening
17. Brunnhilde's Immolation from "Gotterdammerung"
18. Inspector Morse Theme

Average customer rating: great music, great cause Five Year Anniversary of Bloodshot Records Waiting for the 10th Anniversary Album ... Exciting New Country Vision I'll trade that "o" for an "i", please...

Down to the Promised Land: 5 Years of Bloodshot Records Various Artists Manufacturer: Bloodshot Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Jangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Power Pop | Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Making Singles, Drinking Doubles For a Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot Records Insurgent Country, Vol. 2: Hell-Bent Insurgent Country, Vol. 1: For A Life Of Sin Exposed Roots: Best of Alt. Country ASIN: B00004TM1I Release Date: 2000-06-20

Tracks:

1. Oh! Chicago - The Yayhoos
2. Evening Gown - Alejandro Escovedo
3. Making Love With You - Old 97's
4. Favorite - Neko Case/Jon Rauhouse
5. Roses Are Blooming - The Hollisters
6. Oh, Lonesome Me - Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel
7. Sunshine - The Meat Purveyors
8. Money To Burn - Rico Bell & The Snakehandlers
9. I Hear A Sweet Voice Calling - The Handsome Family
10. Easy Ridin' Mama - Devil In A Woodpile
11. Please Take The Devil Out Of Me - Caitlin Cary
12. Why Drunky? - The Blacks
13. The Least I Could Do - Supersuckers
14. Going Home - Roughnecks
15. It's Too Late - The Riptones
16. Hell Or High Water - Johnny Dowd
17. Unforgiven - Hazeldine
18. Turn The Lights Down Low - Moonshine Willy
19. Blue Diamond Mine - Texas Rubies
20. Baba O'Riley - Waco Brothers

Tracks:

1. Bloodshot's Turning Five - Robbie Fulks
2. Here Comes My Ball And Chain - The Cornell Hurd Band
3. See Willy Fly By - Graham Parker/The Waco Brothers
4. Looks Like I'm Up Shit Creek Again - Nora O'Connor
5. Milk & Scissors - The Sadies
6. Broken A/C Blues - Duane Jarvis
7. Wicked Saviour - Rex Hobart & The Misery Boys
8. Glue - Andre Williams/Sally Timms
9. Guitar Playin' Woman - Bare Jr
10. Hard On Things - Giant Sand
11. Monday Night - Ryan Adams
12. Ghost On The Highway - Trailer Bride
13. I'd Like To - Mike Ireland
14. 13 Nights - Kelly Hogan & The Pine Valley Cosmonauts
15. Hang Your Head In Shame - Grievous Angels
16. Last To Know - Deanna Varagona/Chris Mills
17. Bring The Noise - The Unholy Trio
18. Brixton - Chip Taylor
19. Train Song - Split Lip Rayfield
20. Highway To Hell - Red Star Belgrade
21. Bonus Track - Down To The Promised Land: 5 Years Of Bloodshot Records

Amazon.com

Since hoisting the "insurgent country" banner in 1995, Chicago's Bloodshot Records has provided refuge for former punk rockers who embrace Hank Williams Sr. as patron saint and Lefty Frizzell as kindred spirit. Informed by equal measures of attitude, alcohol, and twang, this raucously vibrant birthday collection of previously unreleased material resists the corral of categorical conformity. Instead, highlights range from the Waco Brothers' banjo-driven breakdown of the Who's "Baba O'Riley" to the shimmering, haunted ballad, "Favorite," by Neko Case and Jon Rauhouse. Featured within the 40 tracks on this two-disc extravaganza are label stalwarts such as Alejandro Escovedo (renewing Mick Jagger's "Evening Gown"), Robbie Fulks, and Kelly Hogan, along with guest artists ranging from Graham Parker to Giant Sand. Plainly a labor of love, the set provides a definitive survey of the diversity of music carrying the alternative-country brand. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

great music, great cause.......2006-12-20

I love irreverent music. I just think it's good not to take things too seriously, and this CD is a good example of such an attitude. Although the artists are all participating in this project for a very serious cause, the abolition of the death penalty, the songs themselves are fun, energetic, and catchy. There's also a great variety to the styles of alt country represented here, which makes the novelty of it last a long time.

Five Year Anniversary of Bloodshot Records.......2005-04-13

My first exposure to "insurgent country" was the first Bloodshot Records CD, "For a Life of Sin." I was amazed at how innovative and enjoyable this country music was compared to the pop pap spewed by so many so-called country artists today. This CD commemorates Bloodshot Records' fifth Anniversary, and contains two CDs of remarkable and slightly twisted country music.

There seems to be a dichotomy between those who listen to these CDs. Those people who prefer pop music sung with a country twang rather than real country seem to not like this music. Those people who prefer classic country and also enjoy rock typically seem to like this music. I asked someone recently whether my description, country music as the Grateful Dead might have played it, was appropriate, and he agreed.

As with "For a Life of Sin," this CD contains a wide range of musical styles. There is what I call classic or traditional country, though it is greatly updated and improved (insurgent, perhaps?), bluegrass, blues, gospel, rockabilly, and even some country-rock, emphasizing country. Since there are 40 tracks on two CDs I am unable to review each song individually. However, amongst this collection of remarkable music are several songs that transcend their brethren. I apologize in advance if I missed including your favorite song.

"Making Love with You" by the Old 97's is a funny song, nearly a novelty song. The lyrics make me laugh every time I hear them. "Favorite" by Neko Case and Jon Rauhouse is a beautiful song that contains elements of New Age. I would describe this song as alternative country because of the vocals and unique ending. There is an excellent cover of "Oh Lonesome Me" by Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel that slows the song down and makes it even bluer than the previous versions I have heard.

"Sunshine" by the Meat Purveyors is a bluegrass song on speed, done very well. If you like John Cougar you may also like "Money to Burn" by Rico Bell and the Snakehandlers, which I call country-rock. A wonderful twangy song with both male and female lead vocals is "The Least I Could Do" by Supersuckers with Amy Nelson. I could hear Dolly Parton singing this song. Get raucous and rowdy with "Going Home" by the Roughnecks, another country-rock song.

Another bizarre alternative country song is "Hell or High Water" by Johnny Dowd. I am unsure of how to describe this song. Think B-52s in combination with the Talking Heads, and that only catches a flavor or this unique song. The song is really not a country song, but it is very different, and I think this song is one of my personal favorites from this disc. I noticed that others did not care for this song. Given how strange it is, I think I can understand that.

For another excellent classic country song, listen to "Unforgiven" by Hazeldine. The song is heart rending, slow and sad. The harmonies are nicely done and the music is solid; a wonderful bar and slow dance song.

The first disc finishes off with the first country version of the Who's "Baba O'Riley" that I can recall having heard. Much of the rock flavor has been retained, but this version has acquired a solid foot-stomping country flavor. There are plenty of moments that tie this version to the Who's original, but the rest is a unique interpretation.

The first song on the second disc is a celebration of Bloodshot Record's five year anniversary. "Bloodshot's Turning 5" is sung in a crooner style that dates back to the 1930s by Robbie Fulks. The following song continues the humor with classic country style. "Here Comes My Ball and Chain Again" by The Cornell Hurd Band will put a smile on anyone's face. Another humorous song is Nora O'Connor's blues song "Looks Like I'm Up Shit Creek Again." Nora's sincere voice and the mellow music contrast humorously with the lyrics.

The Sadie's "Milk and Scissors" is another bizarre, but excellent song. "Glue" by Andre Williams and Sally Timms with its G-L-E-U lyrics is the longest song on the two discs, and contains excellent rock-influenced music. "Guitar Playin Woman" by Bare Jr. has a rap-like beginning. "Ghost on the Highway" by Trailer Bride is country head banging music, and as unique as anything on these two discs. "Train Song" by Split Lip Rayfield is an excellent bluegrass song that will have you moving your feet, if you can keep up with its speed.

Just when you think you understand the direction a genre of music is taking you hear music from Bloodshot Records. This music has been called alternative country. I prefer to think of this type of music as being closer to traditional or classic country (and bluegrass) than much of the commercial music performed by mainstream artists, who sing highly sterilized pop with just enough country twang to place their songs in the "country" category. That is not country, that is marketing. Challenge your perceptions of country music. Buy this CD and learn how interesting and fun country music can still be.

Waiting for the 10th Anniversary Album ..........2005-02-06

Doubtful about buying this album? The following data will convince you (to buy, of course): this is a 2 CDs set with 40 songs and a bonus track (a lap steel solo by Jon Rauhouse), making a total of 142 minutes of music (evenly split across the two CDs). Besides, the two discs come with a 20-page booklet with plenty of photos and information. Still not enough? Then, consider that all the songs in this album were previously unreleased. It's not a simple collection of "Best of" put together to celebrate the label; each artist had to provide something new to enter the final roster.
Some chose to make covers (among them, Alejandro Escovedo of a Jagger's song and the Waco Brothers of Townsend's "Baba Riley"), while others donated new songs for the occasion (Old 97's, Neko Case, Moonshine WIlly and many others). Great performances resulted in both cases.
Disc One kicks off with a great rock number by the Yayhoos (never heard of them, but they rock!); then follows "Evening Gown", one of my favourite songs in the album. I don't know the original, but I think Escovedo's voice is perfect for this mournful ballad. "Making Love with You" is another rock number: despite the singer's fragile voice, the song works and is another favourite of mine.
The fourth track is "Favorite", a luscious and haunting ballad by alt-country diva Neko Case and one of the highlights of the album. By the way, a live version of "Favorite" has recently appeared in her latest release "The Tigers have spoken". Unfortunately, it is the weakest track on "Tigers", with her voice below par. The studio version here is much better and that's another reason why you should buy this record.
"Favorite" also gives me the opportunity to point out that for the most part artists contributed excellent songs, not fillers, to this album. For example, "Oh Chicago" also appears on the Yayhoos' debut album, while "Please take the devil out of me" was rerecorded by Caitlin Cary & Lynn Blakey (2 of the "Tres CHicas") for their new album "Sweetwater".
I can't comment on each song, of course, but I can list some of the best tracks: "Roses Are Blooming" (very old-country, but catchy), "Oh Lonesome Me" (a poignant performance from Anna Fermin), "The Least I Could Do", "See Willy Fly By", "Guitar Playing Woman", "13 nights" and ... well I could go on. Of course, there are also dull moments and that's inevitable given the size of this project. For my part, I tend to skip a couple of tracks on each CD (they are "Hell or High Water" and "Blue Diamond Mine" for Disc One). Otherwise I listen to each CD from start to finish, if I got time. In fact, tracks are different enough from each other, so that the listening doesn't get boring. (However, a marked preponderance of country/rock bands with male singers is evident).
You buy an album like this if you are a collector and want to complete your, say, Neko Case discography or if you want to discover new artists. In the latter case, with more than 40 artists involved in the project, you'll find plenty of new favourites. In this regard, Moonshine Willy was a revelation to me: "Turn the lights down low" is a bluegrass track of unrestrained joy: the lyrics are light-hearted and the music is played at the speed of light!
The other bluegrass songs (by The Meat Purveyors and Split Lip Rayfield) are not as good. Unfortunately, it seems that Moonshine Willy has disbanded. If the other songs are as good as "Turn the lights down low" (I'm going to find out), it's beyond me why this group didn't stand the test of time.
In all, I strongly advise you to buy this album. Even though you like just one fourth of the songs here (but three fourth is likelier), it's still worth the money!!

Exciting New Country Vision.......2004-04-24

Every American who fancies themself a musician should have a crack at the Johnny Cash songbook! Most of the great man's songs were cowboy tunes that go back even farther than Johnny himself. The Nashville music-ocracy has had possession of "Country Music" for far too long, and have been turning out dreck by the truckload for decades now. Anyway, the performances here are almost without exception outstanding. Buy this, you won't regret it.

I'll trade that "o" for an "i", please..........2004-03-16

Wanna torture me? Make me listen to one more cowboy shirted ex-punk rocker mangling their way through the Hank Williams or Johnny Cash songbook. Get a buncha Art Institute of Chicago students together, buy some cowboy shirts, overalls, etc. and call yourselves Moonshine Trailer or something, sing in a WIDE affected voice and flail on banjos, mandolins that you can't play and sing about whiskey stills, prison and stuff you don't know nothing about. Welcome to the world of Bloodsh-t Records. A buddy of mine said that ten years ago the owners of this label would spin records at a punk club and they had something like three country records: Dwight Yoakam, some Gram Parsons record and something else...the title escapes me. BS Records must die!

Average customer rating: Great '70s Elvis! Country crooning Elvis at his 70's best Presley at his best, and never sang more sincerely Ho-hum

Promised Land Elvis Presley Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Raised on Rock Moody Blue Moody Blue You'll Never Walk Alone That's the Way It Is ASIN: B000002W17 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Promised Land
2. There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In)
3. Help Me
4. Mr. Songman
5. Love Song Of The Year
6. It's Midnight
7. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming
8. If You Talk In Your Sleep
9. Thinking About You
10. You Asked Me To

Customer Reviews:

Great '70s Elvis!.......2007-04-01

This is an extremely underrated album, as were many of The King's releases from this era. There's country, and rock and roll, and even a little funk with "Talk In Your Sleep." Elvis is in fine form vocally, and the album is pretty well produced as well. I hope that maybe someday there will be new releases of these albums that are remastered and maybe with some musical or other enhancements to bring it up a notch. Unfortunately, many of Elvis' albums from the '70s were shoddily produced and thrown together without much care or thought at all. This was the Colonel at his worst. Another complaint is the cover. Just about every cover from the '70s had some kind of concert photo, and they looked very generic. Another suggestion would be to re-release these albums with covers that have the quality and imagination that would make even Elvis proud. It could be a way of re-introducing The King to a whole new fan base. Either way, this is still a solid album and an excellent addition to anyone's Elvis collection. Buy it!

Country crooning.......2006-09-06

This is not a bad album, however titling it after one of Elvis' great rock songs (Promised Land) may give people the impression that it is a rock album. It is not. "Promised Land" is the only real rocker on the album and it does include the pop hit "If You Talk In Your Sleep", but the rest of the songs are mostly 70's era country ballads. That doesn't make it bad, in fact several of them were hits on the US country charts, including the moving "Help Me". But buyer beware. If you are not into country, you will probably not be into this CD.

Elvis at his 70's best.......2006-03-31

This is my favorite Elvis album of the 70's. It kicks off with a rockin' rendition of the Chuck Berry hit "Promised Land". Elvis is at his natural best here, with a song that speaks to his personal experience. James Burton contributes some smokin' guitar solos, while drummer Ronnie Tutt anchors the locomotive rhythm section. "There's a Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In)" is a country ballad, but Elvis sings it with the passion of a southern soul singer. "Help Me", written by country star Larry Gatlin, is contemporary gospel, and once again Elvis sings it with passion, the words obviously having special meaning for him at this time in his life. "Mr. Songman" follows at similar tempo, written by one of Elvis' backup singers, Donnie Sumner of Voice. "Love Song of the Year" is a sad, slow song, but once again Elvis is in excellent voice. "It's Midnight" is downright despondent, and Elvis' singing aches with the pain of his loneliness. The understated backing of his TCB band really enhances the performance. 'Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming" wipes away the gloom, with the glow of newfound love, another invigorated performance. The funky "If You Talk in Your Sleep" changes the mood once again, the TCB band is at their best here, and the string and horn arrangement adds to the feeling of danger and foreboding. "Thinking About You" is much lighter, Elvis finally putting some past memories behind him. The closing track, Waylon Jennings' "You Asked Me To", is carefree and fun, just a straight country tune, with some more nice picking from James Burton. These tracks represent the best of Elvis' '73 Stax sessions. He would only enter a studio proper once after this. "Promised Land" was one of his biggest selling singles of the 70's (#14 in winter 74/75), "If You Talk in Your Sleep" also made the top 20, and the album went all the way to #1 on the country albums chart. This CD is proof that Elvis still had "it" long after the critics had written him off.

Presley at his best, and never sang more sincerely.......2005-07-03

One writer wrote a negative review that was obviously just not an Elvis fan. This was about the time sadly things in Elvis' personal life was getting worse his Divorce, his health ect., listening to this record you can tell this by his choice of songs mostly sad ballads, he never sang with more heart and emotion or with a stronger voice and is probably one of Elvis' best release of the 70's. In the song Help Me you can feel him singing and pleading with god for guidance. If your an Elvis fan or just a fan of good music this is an essential for you to own. Also the Rocker Promised Land the first song on the CD is great to. This is a must Have.

Ho-hum.......2004-07-31

An album titled "Promised Land" (a really great rock n' roll song by Chuck Berry) ought to be good, right?
Well, yeah, it ought to be. And Elvis Presley's rendition of the title track is okay, although Berry's is better.
But the rest of the album is just plain awful. I'm sorry, but it is. And I'm sorry mainly because I have actually paid money for these bland, indistinguishable ballads and greasy Vegas-styled love songs from the "Bierstuben" of Bavaria.

Now, Presley was usually a pretty good balladeer, but hearing him croon his way through nine more or less similar and very much less than memorable Julio Iglesias-like pop songs and overblown country songs is exceedingly boring.
I know that "real" Elvis fans feel that people like me, who don't consider Presley to be the greatest thing ever, should be barred from writing reviews (and possibly shot). But I don't hate Elvis Presley...in fact, I think his early Sun singles and his tough 1968 comeback performances are some of the greatest rock n' roll you'll ever hear.

This album, however, suffers greatly from an almost total lack of quality material, and those of us who aren't blown away by the very sound of Presley's (sometimes overly honeyed) voice will find very little of interest on "Promised Land". It seems like any songwriter with an ounce of talent must have been able to sell a handful of forgettable, saccharine pop songs to Presley around this time.
1 1/2 stars. Ew!

Average customer rating: Still moving after 12 years... For Some But Not All Another decent album for the Ryche fan One record the world overlooked The last Queensryche album and one of their best

Promised Land Queensrÿche Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hear in the Now Frontier Q2K Empire Rage for Order Operation: Mindcrime ASIN: B000002TTH Release Date: 1994-10-18

Tracks:

1. 9:28 A.M.
2. I Am I
3. Damaged
4. Out Of Mind
5. Bridge
6. Promised Land
7. Disconnected
8. Lady Jane
9. My Global Mind
10. One More Time
11. Someone Else?

Amazon.com

Queensryche's follow-up to the double-platinum Empire is something of an acquired taste, but it's well worth the effort. There's considerable variety here; the heavy progressive-rock of "I Am I" and the ballad "Bridge" were hit singles, but there's also the funk-inflected "Disconnected", the edgy, spooky "Lady Jane", and the piano-and-vocals "Someone Else?". The title track is probably the strongest and least accessible song on the album; instead of rocking out, it's a slow, heavy song in the vein of "Anybody Listening?" from Empire. Listen to it at least five times before forming an opinion; each time, you'll hear something you didn't before. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

Still moving after 12 years..........2006-11-22

I still recall the first time I listened to this cd 12 years ago. Skipping school to write a paper, I made a little side stop on my way to the college library to a store then called Disc N Tape to pick it up on release day. From the first listen, the cd took a special place in my life...and hasn't changed since. Songs like "Bridge" and "Someone Else" highlight a solidly moving and emotional ride, something that in my opinion, Queensryche has not been able to match since. For a high school senior, still struggling with identity issues, decisions on colleges and all the associated problems dealing with severe depression, "Promised Land" became an escape...a sort of comfort, a way of dealing and coping with those problems. Even today, there is an emotional sense that washes over me as I listen to the cd. Well worth the investment, gets better each time you listen.

For Some But Not All.......2006-09-14

I OWned All Of The Rike's CD's Through Empire And I Figured That They Would Be All That I Would Buy (Besides Mindcrime II for the story) And I Saw The Price That I Could Get This In Good Shpae For So I Bought It And Well It Wasnt What I Thought It Would Be (I Hadn't Herd Much About This Comparaed To Hear IN The now Frontier & Q2K which I hear Are horrible)So I Gave This A Listen And relaized That There Is Actual Metal Someplace On This CD (Alougth It Is VERY VERY VERY Hard To Find) I'd Do A Track By Track Thing But I Fell The By Classifing The Songs Into Groups Would Be Simpiler.

9:28 a.m - Damaged = Sorta Metal Any Metal Fan Would Probably Be Able To Sit Through these.
Out Of Mind - Silent Lucidity Version 2 (AND I HATE Silent Lucidity)
Bridge = ARRRGGGH NOOOOOOOO!!!!! This Song Is Almost Country
Promised Land = Alright Track (Better Than Bridge Which I Somehow Was Able To Keep The CD Going And Not Throw It Out The Window), Little Long Though Bu it Was LIke A Soft Version Of The Long Tracks On Empire.
Dissconnected - Pretty Much Like The Above Only Shorter
Lady Jane - Of All The Slower Traks On This One Id Say That This On Is The Best
My global Mind - My Favortie Track on This Thing, It's Baically About A Guy Sitting Down And Watching he 10 o' clock news or something
One More Time - Someone Else? = Slower Tracks

This Album Isnt Really For Metal Fans, But If You Wanna See Queensryche Evlove This Is Probab ly Where You Would Need To Start Looking, Ill Still Probably End Up Buying Hear IN The Nwo Frontier & q2k to see how bad they really are -_-

Another decent album for the Ryche fan.......2006-07-05

Queensryche were really on a hard task with this album. They created a fine meisterwork in Operation Mindcrime that prog metal, hair metal and generic hard rock fans loved and then followed it up with the totally different Empire, an album that spawned a ballad that was a huge hit in the US and helped the album shift even more units than Mindcrime.

So what could they do after that? Well unlike the difference between Mindcrime and Empire which really was somewhat of a reinvention, the difference betwixt Empire and Promised Land isn't so drastic. In fact it seems to sit somewhere in the middle and actually is a lighter album than either of it's two predecessors.

The album starts off with an interesting little intro track and then seques into I Am I and Damaged, two straight ahead hard rockers. The fourth track, Out of Mind, is almost a repeat of Silent Lucidity in terms of it's mellow execution married to an off centre concept and haunting vocal lines by Tate. Things get even more Freudian during Bridge wihch deals with issues between fathers and sons.

As the album progresses the tracks get less and less special though Disconnected is an interesting direction for the band. Much of side two - in the old money - is very desultory and mellow. Not sure if the band wanted to be taken more seriously as generic musicians rather than hard rock knuckleheads or if this is really the album that was on their minds at the time.

All the production values are as you'd expect and overall this is a good album though not a great one. The newcomer to Queensryche should perhaps wrap their ears around Empire first and if they like that then try this on for size. More metal minded people would be better serviced by grabbing one of the Mindcrimes or their quite early discs.

One record the world overlooked.......2005-11-06

It has been a number of years since I purchased a copy of Promised Land and I remember the excitement and anticipation that led up to the record and the release of the first single I Am I. After a long wait following Empire, the group delivered with this offering. I went to the tour back then and it was truly an electric atmosphere. Queensryche played nearly all of the songs on the record during the tour on almost any night and the crowds just loved it. Then to my surprise the record was somewhat disregarded...perhaps because it was released about the same time as a number of popular grunge records were coming out of Seattle. Whatever the situation, the record wasn't a commercial giant. But don't let that fool you. This record has a number of classic cuts such as I Am I, Damaged, Bridge, Out of Mind, Lady Jane, One More Time and the haunting piano ballad Someone Else. This record explores some different sounds and styles than earlier Queensryche records, but there is something here for everyone..epecially if you are a fan of the band....There are very few misses here as all of the songs bring something new to the table. This isn't a one theme record like previous efforts (Operation Mindcrime)but it still tackles tough social issues like Mental Illness in the song out Out of Mind. The one song that can be a bit difficult to swallow is the title track Promised Land which is over 8 minutes long and worked much better in a concert format. Still its a mere hiccup to an outstanding record with great musicianship. This record can hold its own with any of Queensryche's top records..and I should know because I own most all of them :-)..Sure I'm biased towards the group a bit....but this really is good stuff..honest!

The last Queensryche album and one of their best.......2004-06-12

First things first. Promised Land was the last Queensryche album that I liked and they have released nothing that I enjoyed much since 1994. As a matter of fact, whatever they did post-PL sounds nothing like the Queensryche we all discovered in the 80's and grew to love so much over the years. Unfortunately they took a completely different direction after this record obviously going for a more commercial sound alienating some of their die-hard fans along the way, myself included. Well, so be it. To me Promised Land was the last nail in the coffin of Queensryche and they will never be the same band again.

I'm all for change and progression. I do not expect my favourite bands to carry on walking on the same musical path for ever. The self-titled debut was great as was The Warning. With Rage for Order they were onto new soundscapes and Mindcrime was the pinnacle of their success. With Empire they also managed to sell their albums. And all of this happened in a space of eight years always pushing their limits a bit broader and developing their mindset. As years passed by, the brilliance of Mindcrime and Empire was even more evident, so the guys took a long time -- 4 years -- to write their ultimate follow-up to these magnificent records. And Promised Land proved to be a completely different, more mature in a way and unexpected Queensryche album. While it surprised some fans, it eventually began to grow on those who were open-minded, particularly with "I Am I" getting a lot of airplay and MTV support.

This is not a concept album or as unified a release as Mindcrime was; however it has its own unique traits to it and is possibly the most balanced album in their entire catalog. Everything runs so smoothly satisfying both the old metalheads and the ones who lean towards Ryche's proggy roots. The Pink Floyd influence was never so prevalent before. There are spots on this disc that are very reminiscent of Floyd's A Momentary Lapse in Reason for all I know. The opening tracks "I Am I" and "Damaged" both penned by DeGarmo and Tate are the heavier sides of the album with nice hooks and remarkable vocal harmonies. They are followed by "Out of Mind" and "Bridge" which are both stamped by Chris DeGarmo's trademark sound and feature the more laid-back and their softer moments. DeGarmo's solo in "Out of Mind" is perhaps the LAST guitar solo I liked on a Queensryche album. Its slow progression and minimal writing charged with tons of emotion make this solo a masterpiece all on its own standards. Too bad this guy got all the unfair crap from his very own fanbase and was always overlooked one way or another among prog metal listeners. Too bad because Chris DeGarmo, whether his musical style nowadays appeals to me or not, is one of the most prolific songwriters ever. He was always regarded the 'second' man of the band because of Tate, but it showed hideously how important his role in the band is when he left the band. And as for the albums that he played on, they weren't bad albums because of DeGarmo, they were bad because DeGarmo played on them without having his heart in it. That's my take at least. If Ryche was so good on their own, they wouldn't have asked him to co-write on their last album Tribe, would they?

The title track, also the longest song on the album, is neatly placed right in the middle of the record and is my favourite song on the album. It was composed by all members in the band together and there is room for everyone to show how great they function together. "Promised Land" is an integral part of the way they all express themselves so well. The Floydan atmosphere is there, Tate does his lower register vocals flawlessly as well as he lets out his killer screams. I think this album was when his voice was its best. A perfect smooth tone with a lot expression. The rhythm work is top notch with solos played in random all over it. "Disconnected" is one of those songs I would despise if I heard it on their post-PL records but it sounds okay on this CD as it's the only one following the album's most complex track. It is very alternative sounding as it's the only tune that DeGarmo had no hand in writing. Still there's a nice solo towards the finale which makes it listenable. It is however sad that Ryche decided to ground their 'new' work on this song taking the easy way out instead of the title track with its layered melodies and intricate musicianship.

"Lady Jane" is another personal favourite of mine and while I have always enjoyed listening to "My Global Mind" as it's the next heavy tune to keep things in order I always believed it fell a little short in the lyrical department. As for the last two songs here, "One More Time" and "Someone Else?", the latter of which became another radio single, I have to point out that no Queensryche album has had such amazing album closers, that includes their masterpiece Mindcrime. I can't stop listening to this disc without hearing these two songs. Only then do I feel complete, hence the "perfectly balanced album" thing I mentioned previously. This album is so successfully produced and recorded it almost brings me to tears when I think of all the CDs they released after it. Why did all their brilliant ideas go down the drain all of a sudden?

Promised Land is one of my top 3 Queensryche albums always changing places with Empire. Mindcrime is unquestionably their best moment, but I also highly recommend their earlier stuff if you like good heavy metal with progressive overtones. If you don't like metal and prog, but just simple alternative pop-rock, then maybe their newer material would be more up your alley.

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