Funeral for a Friend

Amazon.com
Since 1977, the Dirty Dozen has extended the New Orleans brass band tradition, adding a funk rhythm section and recording with alt-rockers from Elvis Costello to Modest Mouse. But the band has deep roots, and they've never been more apparent than on Funeral for a Friend, a performance that goes to the very core of jazz and New Orleans musical life. Dedicated to one of the band's founders, the late Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, it's a jazz funeral with hymns played at stately dirge tempo en route to the cemetery, then pressed to festive up-tempo counterpoint on the return. The music here pulses with life--and with afterlife too--as the raw R&B force of tenor saxophonist Kevin Harris and baritone saxophonist Roger Lewis energizes traditional tunes like "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and Blind Willie Johnson's "John the Revelator." On "I Shall Not Be Moved" and "Jesus on the Mainline," the band pushes outward to hypnotic, dense, incantatory jams. Funeral for a Friend is a summary of the Dirty Dozen's greatest strengths, a memorable CD filled with joy and sorrow and real emotional power. --Stuart Broomer

Funeral for a Friend,The Dirty Dozen Brass Band,Artemis Records,Jazz,Jazz Traditional,New Orleans Brass Bands,New Orleans Jazz,Pop

Average customer rating: looking forward Really 3.5 stars. Borders on being a very weak concept album Saw this coming... Funeral for Funeral for a Friend Good, but not their best

Tales Don't Tell Themselves Funeral for a Friend Manufacturer: Atlantic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lies for the Liars Hours Holding a Wolf by the Ears Cities Arrivals & Departures ASIN: B000P6R962 Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

1. Into Oblivion (Reunion)
2. The Great Wide Open
3. The Diary
4. On a Wire
5. All Hands On Deck
6. All Hands On Deck
7. Out Of Reach
8. One For the Road
9. Walk Away
10. The Sweetest Wave

Album Description

Tales don't tell themselves, but Matt Davies, lead singer of the Welsh band Funeral for a Friend, will tell them to you. On the band's third proper album stateside, his tales materialize as songs which he describes as dramatic and intense with a sense of urgency. Produced by Gil Norton (Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Dashboard Confessional), the lead single Into Oblivion (Reunion) showcases soaring guitars, thoughtful lyrics, and even a string section and is set to propel the band further into the American mainstream. Following an upcoming run on the European festival circuit, the band will be headed back to the States for another summer on the Vans' Warped Tour bringing the rock to the masses.

Customer Reviews:

looking forward.......2007-05-27

I'm very impressed!after really boring "Hours" ,we are able to pick up another(after "casually dressed...) strong and solid effort from Funeral for a friend!yes,they've changed!as for me,it's a good sign!guys are steppin' forward,and I dont care if these steps into mainstream pop\rock or not!forget about stereotypes--let THE MUSIC BE WITH YA!:))

Really 3.5 stars........2007-05-23

I just don't know what to say about this album.I mean it's good album on it's own,but something I wouldn't expect from these guys.The tracks sound like pop rock.I mean wheres the screamo from there first album.Seems to me there trying to do a Linkin Park,another great band completely changing their sound.I wasn't a big fan of hours but it was a alright album,at least they screamed on that album.We all know a lot of bands are changing their sound but they are taking baby steps,not a leap like this one.So if your thirst for screamo isn't subsided then go pick up Lies for the Liars by The Used or Chrome by Cartel.

Borders on being a very weak concept album.......2007-05-17

I'm not sure if FFAF intended for 'Tales Don't Tell Themselves' to be interpreted as an album that figuratively narrates a story about the experience/spiritualness/whateverness of being out at sea -- but honestly, no matter how hard they tried, the album is horribly bleak and inconsistent.

Two stars for 'Into Oblivion' and 'Out of Reach', as much as I had hoped to rate this any higher, I just can't...particularly after seeing how 'Hours' was massive underrated and bashed by critics and fans alike...go back and take a listen to it now in its entirety, it might sway some to change their opinion of what a "weak album" is.

Vocally, TDTT is dead on, no arguments there.
Technically and instrumentally, what happened? Simplification made this album too accessible too fast. (e.g. The Diary)

Perhaps TDTT will put things into better perspective, where the cohesiveness and solidity of an album such as Hours is now far more appreciated for exploring a more mature sound not too far removed from 'Casually Dressed..' days -- and although I wouldn't go as far as saying TDTT is a complete utter failure, remember that effort and sound 'maturity' is always often misunderstood for sucking up to mainstream.

Nice try guys, but this one will take many listens before it even remotely sticks out as nothing short of impressive.

Saw this coming... Funeral for Funeral for a Friend.......2007-05-16

Casually Dressed - Awesome album, and why I love this band.
Hours - Obviously more mainstream oriented, but still very good.
Tales Dont Tell - Purely mediocre, almost boring.

I do NOT own this cd, but listened to the whole thing several times on their myspace page. The only reason i am considering buying the CD is because they are (were?) my favorite band. Am I rushing to conclusions? I sure hope so. Congratulations FFAF, 12 year old girls are going to love you.

Good, but not their best.......2007-05-16

I'm a big fan of FFAF since their debut LP "Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation" , back then their sound was a lot faster with some screams now and then...in their second album "Hours" they changed a bit, the screams disappeared and they sounded a little bit heavier than before...now with "Tales Don't Tell Themselves" the comeback a lot different, but still closer to "Hours" than "Casually...".

When the first track "Into Oblivion (Reunion)" starts you can see that you are going to listen to a new FFAF, new but still awesome. The entire album is amazingly good. Yes good... nothing more nothing less. Since i recieved the news that Funeral was recording a new album, i thought that they would go back to their origins, i thought that i was going to hear screams again. But that was only in my dreams.

I have already heard a lot of people saying bad things about this record... it's not true. I just agree with them when they say that this is not their best...not even close.

Does it worth 14 bucks? Yes, in my opinion, i'd buy it.

Average customer rating: Elegant, Beautiful, and Rougher Than A Dull Razor YAWN!!! Great CD! FFAF are so the best band ever! Holding myself for a second - just to catch a smile on this line..... What I Thought Of This Cd

Hours Funeral for a Friend Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Say Hello to Sunshine Things Aren't So Beautiful Now Discovering the Waterfront Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount Louder Now ASIN: B0009I7NP8 Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

1. It's All That Rage
2. Streetcar
3. Roses for the Dead
4. Hospitality
5. Drive
6. Monsters
7. History
8. Recovery
9. End of Nothing
10. Alvarez
11. Sonny

Album Description

Informed by the full-gale force of hardcore punk and metal, yet infused with a poignant, provacative melodic sensibility, Funeral For A Friend have won fans from both sides of the pond by touring relentlessly and winning fans over one by one. Hours showcases the band's musical abilities and innovation while delivering some of the most tuneful songs of their career.

Customer Reviews:

Elegant, Beautiful, and Rougher Than A Dull Razor.......2007-06-13

This is my favorite Funeral For A Friend album. I have them all, and admittedly, I am not a fan of screamo, and their newest album gives me the impression that their musical influences are leading them in a softer direction but they're shifting that way reluctantly.
First of all, the first three tracks are stellar in my opinion. The lyrics to the first two are easy for me to relate to, and all three feature catchy riffs and good vocals. It'll certainly get your head shaking, if you don't mind looking like a bit of an idiot in public...
In any case, the next few tracks are good, and normally would be even better, but to be honest, most of the best tracks are first. Then comes History, which is beautiful, softer, elegant, and if you haven't seen it, (I'm well aware this has no bearing on the rating of the CD but it makes the song more powerful) the music video is amazing. Then there are a few song which some people like and some people don't, notably Alvarez and Sonny. The great thing about this album is that it all has a sense of unity, but every song has some sort of defining characteristic to give each one a unique feeling, but they aren't so different that the album feels dis unified. Overall, the best part about this album is actually the lyrics:not many bands like Funeral For A Friend have decent lyrics any more, they're usually fractured and don't make much sense or are difficult to relate to, but personally, I find myself singing along to Hours more than once a week.

YAWN!!!.......2007-04-05

This is basically another emocore tripe that tries too hard to be punk and metal and it still fails miserably. There really is at best four or five metalcore bands that I like ,but this can't even compare, boring riffs, unimpressive "solos", hack bassist, and a drummer that can't even get his beats right. The lyrics are just whiny and cheesy, no real sense of maturity or maybe even penmenship and it's just more lyrical rehash from their other albums. You want some good punk go for The Clash, The Ramones, Black Flag, The Misfits, Sublime and Suicidal Tendencies. For great metal, Soilent Green, Venom,Celtic Frost, Suffocation, Voivod, Metal church, Behemoth, Daath, Amon Amarth and Mastodon. Just skip this eyelinecore junk altogether.

Great CD! FFAF are so the best band ever!.......2006-06-23

This CD is so amazing and has great cover art. FFAF are my favourite band and the song roses for the dead shows how good they truly are. This is their worst CD out of the 3 but it still one of my favourites of all time. Hours has great songs like streetcar and also is very emotional with great screams.
Truly Amazing!
FFAF forever!

Holding myself for a second - just to catch a smile on this line............2006-06-22

This album RULES it gets better and better with each listen - its technically inferior in places to the other 2 albums but it has a more 'honed' sound. Simply stunning. Very bleak and desperate sounding - hence may not be for all. Since i put it on my MP3 player i havent bothered listening to the other 20 gig.

Love them almost as much as the mighty B F M V

Rich
"FUUUUUU*************************KKKKKKKKK YYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!" - Matt Tuck to a pathetic Southampton crowd.

What I Thought Of This Cd.......2006-06-20

I think the first and second tracks on this cd arent bad, i liked "street car" a lot.

I have a varied taste in music, but im not too versed in most of these kinda bands, and i guess this "wouldnt fit" into my so called "image". Or whatever that is. But i heard the song "street car" on that Madden football game, and i really liked it. It sounded awesome and strong.

I heard that spark of potential in some of the songs,like street car. I think a band like this can go far, as musicians, as artists....but who knows what the motives or ambitions of most these kinda bands are.

Some are probubly content with their scene girl fan-base...while they desire to make the big time, they just dont all truly want to make great music....so they end up fading away.

Perhaps this band will go off to do something truly great. That goes for every band out there that has that spark of potential.

I think the song "street car" is pretty awesome, i bought the cd.

And i usually am picky when i invest in buying cds.

This review prolly offered no insight into the album. I just felt i should leave comments on it, cuz i did listen to the whole thing i think once.

I know, thats real sorry.

But i think the first and second songs show some potential.

Average customer rating: Pretty dissapointed The Maturity has paid off FFAF has made the mainstream switch. A great progression for the band Please, Not FFAF...

Tales Don't Tell Themselves Funeral for a Friend ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lies for the Liars Back to the Bus Hours Minutes to Midnight Holding a Wolf by the Ears ASIN: B000NVIKEO Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

1. Into Oblivion (Reunion)
2. Great Wide Open
3. Diary
4. On a Wire
5. All Hands on Deck, Pt. 1: Raise the Sail
6. All Hands on Deck, Pt. 2: Open Water
7. Out of Reach
8. One for the Road
9. Walk Away
10. Sweetest Wave

Customer Reviews:

Pretty dissapointed.......2007-06-26

This album does not contain any of their great hard stuff like "All the Rage" or any of their moving sappy songs like "This Letter". Instead its a completely different sound that has dissappointed me as a long time FFAF fan. There is, however, 2 or 3 pretty good songs I liked. But if your looking for the songs that got you interested in them in their earlier albums you wont find it here. Even though I believe FFAF is better, if you like their style you will most likely be interested in Thrice as well. Check them out.

PS - If this is your first FFAF album, dont get this one, get HOURS. Its by far their best album. Every track is awesome.

The Maturity has paid off.......2007-06-12

I know that many people question this album and dont like it, but i find it one of thier best. As i have been a fan of FFAF since they first came out, and i believed each cd gradually got better, this album does bring about a new kind of sound. The lyrics are probably the most mature part of it, the singer shares his own experiences with his fans, and sings his heart out in each song. This album is one of my favorites of all time and each song has a catchy part to it. I will admit, its not like the older FFAF, the guitar is lighter and softer but still very much enjoyable, to me it kind of sounds like a harder Coldplay, which can be a good or bad thing. You either love it ot you hate it, i love it!!

FFAF has made the mainstream switch........2007-06-11

If you are pretentious and you don't think bands should make money, you will not like this cd. If you like good rock mixed with good vocals and enchanting melodies that stay in your head all day, this is the cd for you. Old FFAF was and is great, this new little more regular rock sounding FFAF is great also.

A great progression for the band.......2007-06-02

Great music but the terrible whiney vocals let it down.
The band have matured (some on guys, aren't you over screamo yet??) but the singer is the weak link in this band.

Please, Not FFAF... .......2007-06-01

OK, while listening to FFAF's new album, I will have to say that I have to agree with most of the other reviews. This album is ok, but just that. Gone are the time shifts, guitar complexity in favour for a more mainstream melodic sound. It's not bad, it's actually rather good by "Mainstream standards", if I had actually heard an album like this from Simple Plan I would have been impressed and would have considered it a progression for Simple Plan, but for FFAF, this is a step back. In "Hours" you could easily distinguish that the old metal influences were fading away, there were no screaming parts except for one or two songs, and they had blatant sing-along slow-tempo ballads. I didn't care at all, since the album still sounded tight and they kept their signature musicianship overall, it was not perfect, but it was still very good. I guess that FFAF succumbed to the mainstream success, I can't imagine why, maybe "Hours" was not what they expected it to be for their pockets, maybe they are tired. I don't know...

Average customer rating: hmmm Amazing! 2nd best in my Opinion! FFAF rock so much! Their best to date Seven Songs Five Stars This isn't an EP, it's a masterwork.

Seven Ways to Scream Your Name Funeral for a Friend Manufacturer: Ferret Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hours Things Aren't So Beautiful Now Say Hello to Sunshine They're Only Chasing Safety Discovering the Waterfront ASIN: B0000DG070 Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. 10:45 Amsterdam Conversations
2. Red Is the New Black
3. Art of American Football
4. Getaway Plan
5. This Year's Most Open Heartbreak
6. Kiss and Makeup
7. Escape Artists Never Die

Customer Reviews:

hmmm.......2006-07-13

I read someones review saying that this album had the best screaming u have ever heard. I think you are out of your f***ing mind. This guy of Funeral Of A Friend sounds like a whiny little b****. Sounds like a 7 year old girl. This guy cannot scream at all. Well the album sounds nice good guitar riffs. Thats why it gets 3 stars

Amazing! 2nd best in my Opinion! FFAF rock so much!.......2006-06-23

This CD is so good and is their second best in front of hours. This years most open heartbreak is my favourite song by them and also of all time by anyone. It is so amazing along with the rest of the CD and every song period by them. FFAF are easily my favourite band and they will never turn into a bad one.
AWESOME and soooooooo GOOD!
5 stars

Their best to date.......2005-11-17

FFAF's recent albums are definately less aggressive than this, which
I think has been detrimental to their popularity/respect in the indie scene, going off on a tangent sorry. Every song on Seven Ways... is awsome. Great riffs, melody, rythm, and at times good lyrics. It was a mistake to re-record a lot of the songs on this album for later releases, the sound of Seven Ways... was what they should of stuck with.

Seven Songs Five Stars.......2005-08-06

Funeral for a Friend's "Seven ways to Scream Your Name" is a masterpiece. That's it, a masterpiece, that you must check out right now. Also it's an EP. Every song is awesome but Red is the New Black, Escape artist Never Die, Kiss and Makeup, and Getaway Plan are the better of the seven songs. I do not regret spending money on this CD, neither will you.

This isn't an EP, it's a masterwork........2005-06-23

I don't care about they EP's usually suck rule. This is the best EP I have ever heard! It surpasses everything they have done past this. It's just an awesome cd!
Go pick it up at FYE for 11 bucks if you like hardcore or emocore or the like. it's a steal of a purchase. Even though there's only 7 tracks on here, every track is truly a dream.
I cant think of much bad about this album.

Average customer rating: This is Truly a Masterpiece and Best album ever! 10 stars 10432747365 times better than Hours Lame is the only word to describe this why the haters? A very overrated album by an amazing band

Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation Funeral for a Friend Manufacturer: Ferret Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hours Things Aren't So Beautiful Now Say Hello to Sunshine Discovering the Waterfront Let It Enfold You ASIN: B0002IQ9T6 Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Rookie Of The Year
2. Bullet Theory
3. Juneau
4. Bend Your Arms To Look Like Wings
5. Escape Artists Never Die
6. Storytelling
7. Moments Forever Faded
8. She Drove Me To Daytime Television
9. Red Is The New Black
10. Your Revolution Is A Joke
11. Waking Up

Customer Reviews:

This is Truly a Masterpiece and Best album ever! 10 stars.......2006-06-23

This CD is so amazing. It shows the soft and alot more of the heavier side of FFAF. Bend your arms to look like wings has such a awesome beat and is so meaningful. Every song on this CD kicks a** and is the best album ever
Great art work visually and Emotionally!
MASTERPIECE!
10 STARS*********

10432747365 times better than Hours.......2006-05-24

I thought this album was awesome. Hours sucked horribly. They sold out just like everyone else. Their "drunk" screamer is what made this band. Not some lame super emo cd. This is a screamo album so if you dont liek screaming dont listen to it. I thought the screams brought good contrast to this cd. In my opinion if you liked teh EP's then buy this. If you are one of these kids who hates any screaming and loves bands who sell out then check out Hours. So basically if u think ur cool because u got on the FFAF Hours bandwagon dont waste your time with this.

Lame is the only word to describe this.......2006-05-22

Now don't go discounting my opinion because I usually listen to harder music. I very much like emo LIKE this. Just not this CD in particular.

This is one of those typical run-of-the-mill emo releases (release, not "effort" it hardly seemed like they tried at all) that's not very catchy, interesting or even good for that matter. The only reason it gets 3 stars from me is for two ABSOLUTELY AMAZING tracks.

Bend Your Arms to Look Like Wings is definitely NOT standard of the rest of the CD. This song is actually good. Even the title suggests something meaningful. Aside from being catchy it has a melody and actually progresses through to the end. And what an end it is!! The outro is so beautiful. The interval at which the notes are played just strikes a chord inside of me, it makes me want to cry and scream at the top of my lungs.... at the same time.

Rookie of the Year. One of the greatest songs ever written. Period. It's a powerful, beautiful track about friendship and how you can care about someone so much. You can't beat that. You couldn't ask for a better song.

I obviously like this kind of music or otherwise I probably wouldn't like those two songs. Like I said, I like emo because I like good, well written, powerful music. Unfortunately that DOESN'T describe the rest of this CD. If you like lame, totally uninspired music like Taking Back Sunday, Brand New or A Thorn for Every Heart go ahead and get this you'll probably like it. But if you actually like good, well written music you'll download those two songs and go someplace else and not waste your time with the rest of this CD.

why the haters?.......2006-05-17

I actually prefer this album to Hours. I guess that puts me in the minority. I thought Casually had more of an edge to it than Hours, grimy if you will. Hours was a good album, but seemed more polished in a slicked up production sense. Some people prefer that as you can see from the reviews, but don't be deterred, Casually is an excellent album.

A very overrated album by an amazing band.......2006-03-17

I should of listened to Forest from ISU. I bought "Hours" and was so floored, I figured I would give "Casually..." a try. What a mistake. This album is so spotty it boggles the mind that this band made the work of art "Hours". This album should be called "Casually Overated & Deep in Mediocrity". This band is absolutely amazing, dont get we wrong, but this album was just a stepping stone to get noticed and produce better work. The effect of this album makes you want to listen to it less and less. "Hours" gets better and better every listen. I find myself waking up with songs from "Hours" stuck in my head. Everything about this album is a few notches below "Hours". From the substandard vocals, to the plain guitars, to the average drums. Now maybe I wouldnt be so critical of this album if I didnt hear Hours but I guess this pales in comparision so much, its laughable. If you want to buy this album, do it in support of a great band getting better and dont expect to get much more out of it than that.

Average customer rating: Sound Of Spirits Leaving And Arriving What I want at my Funeral unique Street Church Interesting, but disappointing

Funeral for a Friend The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Manufacturer: Artemis Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music New Orleans Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: This Is The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Collection Buck Jump The New Orleans Album What's Going On Voodoo ASIN: B00020HBZA Release Date: 2004-05-11

Tracks:

1. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
2. I Shall Not Be Moved
3. Please Let Me Stay A Little Longer
4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
5. Jesus On The Mainline
6. John The Revelator
7. I'll Fly Away
8. Is There Anybody Here That Loves My Jesus
9. Down By The Riverside
10. Amazing Grace

Amazon.com

Since 1977, the Dirty Dozen has extended the New Orleans brass band tradition, adding a funk rhythm section and recording with alt-rockers from Elvis Costello to Modest Mouse. But the band has deep roots, and they've never been more apparent than on Funeral for a Friend, a performance that goes to the very core of jazz and New Orleans musical life. Dedicated to one of the band's founders, the late Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, it's a jazz funeral with hymns played at stately dirge tempo en route to the cemetery, then pressed to festive up-tempo counterpoint on the return. The music here pulses with life--and with afterlife too--as the raw R&B force of tenor saxophonist Kevin Harris and baritone saxophonist Roger Lewis energizes traditional tunes like "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and Blind Willie Johnson's "John the Revelator." On "I Shall Not Be Moved" and "Jesus on the Mainline," the band pushes outward to hypnotic, dense, incantatory jams. Funeral for a Friend is a summary of the Dirty Dozen's greatest strengths, a memorable CD filled with joy and sorrow and real emotional power. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Sound Of Spirits Leaving And Arriving.......2006-11-26

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is more than yet another terrific group; because of all they've done to preserve true NOLA jazz, while infusing it with modern influences, they're also an important group. Funeral For A Friend finds them in the middle of their comfort zone and the result is a splendid and soul-satisfying CD. At 40:14 it's a wee bit skinny for the price, but the quality more than compensates.

The jazz funeral is one of many things NOLA got right. Family and friends march towards the cemetery, accompanied by a dignified, solemn brass dirge. Famously, the walk back home morphs into a strut as grief departs and makes way for jubilation. This is not a frivolous, ad hoc party, this party is crucial. Participants celebrate the life of the departed, his or her passage to a better place, and their own suddenly more precious lives.

The DDBB could have faked this music any time, it's familiar ground, but this CD is a tribute to one of its own, Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen. You can hear the authenticity in every note, the mourning, the delight, and even a supernatural presence - chilling. The liner notes advise listeners to "Play It Loud," and it's a good idea, the nature of the moment calls for complete immersion.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee gives you the whole dynamic - lament and foot stomp. I Shall Not Be Moved gets a rousing, hallelujah treatment tough enough to set the gators dancing while Please Let Me Stay A Little Longer, (a standout), blends guitar and accordion with baritone sax into a very jumpy jambalaya. What A Friend We Have In Jesus showcases the slow march; pretty, sad, reverential. Jesus On The Mainline - with choir - is a rabble-rouser, real revival stuff, and it's got a second act that is downright rapturous - amazing!

John The Revelator, (another standout), is slinky and infectious; skeletons might enjoy dancing to this one. The four remaining tracks are all hymns, alternating between furious and melancholy. It's a long emotional ride in a short amount of time. The closer, Amazing Grace, (1:00), is played straight, and wraps this masterpiece with a bow. Highly recommended.

What I want at my Funeral.......2006-01-20

I enjoyed this Cd tremendously
i would have preferred the songs were set up like a true New Orleans Jazz Funeral, with the dirges first then the happy up beat songs. But, as it is, it is a recomended CD.

unique.......2006-01-09

I've ordered several New Orleans-based music CDs since Katrina and this is my favorite so far. For me, it captures alot of the spirit of the place. I'm not a gospel music fan. But even if you think you don't like gospel music, you can't help but like this--brass and drum with a splash of dixieland and blues, a little accordian. It was an uplifting treat to my ears and heart, despite the title, and reminded me again why New Orleans is a special place for nurturing musicians and expanding music appreciation.

Street Church.......2005-10-12

As a minister, I enjoy worshiping the God of all creation with music; good music. What I enjoy most about the way the Dirty Dozen Brass Band gang play these old hymns is their laid back-n-loose musical interpretation. No pomp-n-circumstance here.
This is street church all the way.

Interesting, but disappointing.......2005-10-11

I originally heard this group on a Garrison Keillor Prarie Home Companion radio broadcast soon after the tragic events in New Orleans last August. I enjoyed the music immensely and sought out recordings for my own benefit as a Christian and to indirectly help support our stricken brethren. I'm still glad I did, but the CD was not as satisfying as I had envisioned. While listening to this recording I soon realized that this group is highly improptu and serrendipitous and probably a real challenge to record. With all due respect, the majority of the music on this CD is very brash. One particular vocal piece is over sung and difficult to appreciate. Probably this is all due to a deficiency in my perspective, I'm sorry. The result is that I share this CD, which is good, but don't care if I get it back, which is bad. So, be careful.

Average customer rating: from quickie to classic

Elton John - Here and There Manufacturer: MCA Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000645EBU

Product Description

Original Recordings as transferred from Analog Tape. (AAD). This version is the original CD as put out by MCA before the later ones which were remastered. Album compiled and produced by Gus Dudgeon.

Customer Reviews:

from quickie to classic.......2007-06-25

Originally a single disc album with ten songs, "Here and There" was a contractual obligation album that Elton disavowed. But in 1996, as part of the ambitious "Classic Years" remastering project, "Here and There" was given a deluxe redo, expanding the album to a pair of CD's, over two hours of music and the classic New York appearance on John Lennon with Elton for three songs. This is also now a terrific document of the extravagance and sheer exuberance of Elton's mid-seventies concerts.



The "Here" segment was a benefit Elton performed in 1974 at the request of Princess Margaret, and is the more reserved of the two shows. It is also an interesting show in that Elton dipped into his oldies and played the likes of "Skyline Pigeon" and "Love Song." The British respond with typical stiff-upper-lippedness...until "Crocodile Rock" comes along. They jump from their chairs at the last minute, for "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting." But for the most part, Elton leans hard on the piano based early tunes like "Border Song" and "Candle In The Wind."



The reserve is totally blown off for the "There" concert, Thanksgiving in Madison Square Garden 1974. The crowd is already roaring by the time the opening graveyard wind whistling of "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" breaks into its meaty main verses, and hardly wanes from there. While John's voice is a little raw from the constant touring (you can hear his voice crack on "Rocket Man"), he's obviously having a blast. You also get a couple songs here that have long since been trimmed from the live shows, like "Grey Seal" and "You're So Static."



Even with all that energy, when Elton introduces Lennon, you can almost feel the Garden shaking. Little did these folks know that they were witnessing history; Lennon never played in public again. As history records, Lennon accepted a dare from Elton that "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" would not hit number one on the pop charts. Likely because of Elton's popularity and his piano playing on the single, the record did top the charts, and Lennon made good on the deal. The reward for us now is that Elton and Lennon's version of "Whatever...," Lucy In The Sky In Diamonds" and a loose, raucous version of "I Saw Her Standing There" are preserved for posterity.



The remastering is exquisite, and when you figure the sonic improvements along with the extra tracks AND the inclusion of the Lennon songs, "Here and There" is the best of Elton's live albums. For all the live albums that glutted the seventies, "Here and There" can now be counted among the best.

Average customer rating:

Back to the Bus Funeral for a Friend Manufacturer: Back to the Bus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tales Don't Tell Themselves Lies for the Liars Arrivals & Departures Tales Don't Tell Themselves Hours ASIN: B000NDDQMI Release Date: 2007-04-02

Tracks:

1. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
2. Enemy Maker - Dub War
3. Tat Twam Asi - Earthtone9
4. Midlife Cirsis - Faith No More
5. Take A Picture - Filter
6. More Than A feelin - Boston
7. Ain't Talkin' Bout Love - Van Halen
8. Water & Solutions - Far
9. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due - Megadeth
10. Bury Your Dead - The Haunted
11. Mouth For War - Pantera
12. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
13. Further - Longview
14. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
15. Roses For The Dead - Funeral For A Friend

Album Details

The Last Track on the Album Will Be the Extremely Exclusive and Insightful Chat About Life on the Road Funeral for a Friend "tourbus Tales".

Average customer rating:

Escape Artists Never Die Funeral for a Friend Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Welsh Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Monsters Pt.2 ASIN: B0001ACKPM Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

1. Escape Artists Never Die
2. You Want Romance?
3. 10 Scene Points To The Winner
4. You Want Romance? (Video)
5. Escape Artists Never Die (Video)

Album Description

Taken from the 2003 album 'Seven Ways to Scream Your Name'. The title track is backed with four non-LP tracks, 'You Want Romance?', '10 Scene Points To The Winner', 'Escape Artists Never Die' (Video), & 'You Want Romance?' (Video). East West. 2004.

Album Details

Special Single from the Band who Take their Name from an Elton John Album Ttheir 2003 Mini-album "Seven Ways to Scream Your Name" Accompanied by Two NON-LP B-sides and Not One, but Two Enhanced Videos to Boot!

Average customer rating:

The Life and Works of Ludwig van Beethoven Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | 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 Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Life & Works of Bach Life & Works The Life and Works of Frédéric Chopin Brahms: Life & Works The Life and Works of Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky ASIN: B00005MKG4 Release Date: 2001-07-17

Tracks:

1. Childhood And Youth - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
2. Symphony No.7 in A (Finale) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
3. Hammerklavier Sonata, Op.106 (Exc.) - Jeno Jando
4. Beethoven As A Pianist - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
5. Sonata in C, Op.2 No.3 (Finale) - Jeno Jando
6. Beethoven As Pianist - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
7. German Dance, WoO 8, No.4 - Capella Istropolitana/Oliver Dohnanyi
8. Beethoven's Vienna - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
9. Sextet in E Flat, Op.81b (First Movement) - Life And Works: Ludwig Van Beethoven
10. Beethoven As Friend, Pupil And Artist - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
11. Trio in c, Op.1 No.1 (Finale) - Stuttgart Piano Trio
12. Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat (Finale) - Stevan Vladar
13. The Onset Of Deafness - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
14. Appassionata Sonata (Finale) - Jeno Jando

Tracks:

1. The Crest Of The Wave - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
2. Septet in B flat (Scherzo) - Life And Works: Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Sonata Pathetique, Op.13 (Exc.) - Jeno Jando
4. Beethoven In Love - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
5. Piano Sonata in C Sharp Minor, Op.27, No.2 (Exc.) - Jeno Jando
6. A Winning Streak - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
7. Symphony No.2 in D, Finale (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
8. Beethoven in Crisis: The Heiligenstadt Testament - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
9. Eroica Symphony: Funeral March (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
10. Beethoven And Heroism - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
11. Eroica Symphony, Finale (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
12. Beethoven The Revolutionary - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
13. Razumovsky Quartet No.1, pp. 59 No.1, Adagio (Exc.) - Kodaly Quartet
14. Beethoven And Women - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
15. Violin Concerto in D, Op.61, First Movement (Exc.) - Takako Nishizaki
16. Beethoven And Performer - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
17. Emperor Concerto, Finale (Complete) - Stefan Vladar

Tracks:

1. Beethoven And Suffering - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
2. Coriolan Overture - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra/Stephen Gunzenhauser
3. Beethoven And Fate - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
4. Fifth Symphony, First Movement (Complete) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
5. Fifth Symphony, Finale (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
6. Beethoven And The Transcendence Of Suffering - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
7. Seventh Symphony, First Movement (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
8. Beethoven, Goethe And Self-Pity - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
9. Beethoven On His Method Of Composing - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
10. Beethoven And Unrequited Love - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
11. Serioso Quartet, Op.95, First Movement - Kodaly Quartet
12. The Immortal Beloved - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
13. Violin Sonata in G, Op.96, First Movement - Takako Nishizaki/Jeno Jando
14. To The Brink Of Suicide - And Beyond - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck J
15. Battle Symphony (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
16. Prisoner's Chorus from Fidelio - Life And Works: Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Archduke Trio - Jeno Jando/Takako Nishizaki/Csaba Onczay
2. Beethoven 'Kidnaps' Karl - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
3. Beethoven's Manner & Appearance - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
4. Pastoral Symphony (Exc.) - Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos
5. Beethoven As A 'Parent' - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
6. Piano Sonata No.32, Op.111 - Jeno Jando
7. Beethoven And Friendship - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
8. His Attitudes To Publication - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
9. Beethoven As Conductor - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
10. Ninth Symphony (Scherzo) (Exc.) - Hasmik Papian/Ruxandra Donose/Manfred Fink/Claudio Otelli/Nicholas Esterhazy Chorus
11. His Final Works - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
12. String Quartet in B flat, Op.130 ('Cavatina') - Kodaly Quartet
13. Beethoven's Death - Jeremy Siepmann/Bob Peck
14. Music: Ninth Symphony (Exc.) - Hasmik Papian/Ruxandra Donose/Manfred Fink/Claudio Otelli/Nicolaus Esterhazy Chorus

Amazon.com

This set is a fine introduction to Beethoven for a certain class of listeners. It is much too long, detailed, and serious for children. It is not for advanced musicologists, either. Author-narrator Jeremy Siepmann avoids musical analysis altogether, concentrating instead on biographical material about Beethoven and his friends and providing historical and social background. Siepmann's text is absorbing and is frequently illustrated with substantial music examples (usually complete movements) from the Naxos catalog. Unfortunately, the first such example (from the Seventh Symphony) sounds regrettably mushy, but otherwise, the performances are consistently rewarding. If Naxos has put together this set, with its very large booklet, partly to promote its catalog of Beethoven recordings, the company may well find listeners attracted by the examples offered. The complete reproduction of the spoken text seems like a waste of space and paper, but the remaining material in the booklet is intelligently written and useful. Even people generally familiar with Beethoven are sure to find something new and interesting here. --Leslie Gerber

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