Kickin' & Screamin' [Live]

1. Blood

2. Funky House

3. Trilogy

4. Sugar Sweet

5. Mornin'

Kickin' & Screamin',Allgood,A&M,American Trad Rock,Jam Bands,Popular Music,Rock,Southern Rock

Average customer rating: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME !!!!!!!! im suprised . Good Ol' Boys being Good Ol' Boys Outstanding idea, well executed!! Velvet Voices

Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones: Kickin' Out the Footlights... Again George Jones , and Merle Haggard Manufacturer: Bandit Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Last of the Breed God's Country: George Jones & Friends Like Red on a Rose Hits I Missed...And One I Didn't It Just Comes Natural ASIN: B000HIVQ7Q Release Date: 2006-10-24

Tracks:

1. Footlights
2. The Race Is On
3. The Way I Am
4. She Thinks I Still Care
5. All My Friends Are Strangers
6. Things Have Gone To Press
7. I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink
8. Born With The Blues
9. Sick, Sober & Sorry
10. I Always Get Lucky With You
11. Sing Me Back Home
12. The Window Above
13. You Take Me For Granted
14. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Amazon.com

Nearly 25 years after their last album together (1982's A Taste of Yesterday's Wine), the Possum and the Hag reunite... with a twist. This time, they sing each other's songs. The conceit can be dangerous unless you're playing it for laughs, e.g., Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley on the former's 1960 television special. But though Jones puts more emotion into interpreting Haggard's songs than Hag reciprocates, these two old legends manage to pull it off. And with the help of producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson), they keep the music solid, too, spotlighting steel guitar great Norm Hamlet and celebrated piano sideman Pigg Robbins, who played on many of their original recordings. Jones particularly shines on "The Way I Am," and Haggard proves sublime on "I Always Get Lucky with You." Where the album really lights up, however, is on the duo's pocketful of duets, starting with a poignant and intensely resonant rendition of Haggard's classic aging-musician ballad, "Footlights." Surprisingly, the repertoire never seems tired, and there's a surprise around every corner: Rhonda Vincent adding splendid harmonies on Haggard's new "Born to the Blues" and Jones turning transcendent on a confessional line about being "crazy and lonely." Just as these ragged masters take their leave, they put a little more Western in Duke Ellington's swing ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore"), filling in the middle with a warm, nostalgic banter that reminds listeners just how much these two have seen and done. Who knew hard-luck autobiography could sound so exquisite? --Alanna Nash

Album Description

On this disc the two country music icons take turns singing the other's hit songs. On four songs they team up on duets. The end result is an historic recording enhanced with stellar production by Keith Stegall and an all-star band.

Customer Reviews:

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME !!!!!!!!.......2007-06-29

Don't get me wrong! I didn't mean don't waste your time listenning to this album because it is not good. I just want to tell all of you to run out and get this piece of gem right now, by all mean neccessary. There's no need to read the reviews....just believe me.

im suprised ........2007-06-21

as i heard this album i was taken back . For in recent yrs jones voice has sounded like he has a renewed spark . LIKE A DANCER with a new step. i seen him in concert last yr and oh my he sounded wonderful . and never missed a note . just awesomwe . And merle on the other hand has lost a step . BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID merle missing a step is still better then most artist on tour now on thier best day . WITH only 4 people with many yrs under thier belts still doing what they do so well left touring . JONES .MERLE .WILLIE . AND HANK JR . i WAS thinking MERLE CANT DO GEORGE JONES songs .As no one can sing jones songs . AS WAYLON SANG .(WRONG ) YES I ADMIT i was wrong . merle was great on this outing . george on the other hand was very good . So the one i thought would be the stronger of the two was not . Now im not saying mr jones was lost on this album . But merle was the merle of old . But jones can sing anything so he got away with being different on this album .Like getting in the ring with a great fighter known for his right hook . SO YOU WATCH out for that right hook . and get knocked out with the left . HOPE they tour together this yr.

Good Ol' Boys being Good Ol' Boys.......2007-03-18

Sometimes two mixing two great talents togeter dilutes the result. Not in this case. Here, 1+1 is very much more than 2. Quite simply this is brilliant, blissful stuff. Outstanding.

Outstanding idea, well executed!!.......2007-01-19

One of my favorite albums ever. I've already bought several more as gifts!

Velvet Voices.......2007-01-18

I LOVE this CD. Merle's voice is pure velvet and George Jones is totally himself - the rich deep voice of yesterday. They make a great team. I hope they do another one!

Average customer rating: Wonderfully American A Gersh-winner Interesting... but I think I'd prefer a good Gershwin interpreter Gershwin's playing overated The jazzy Gershwin. What a CD!!!!!!!

Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Tin Pan Alley | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Traditional | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Gershwin Plays Gershwin: The Piano Rolls, Vol. 2 Essential George Gershwin Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue - Piano Concerto in F - An American in Paris Levant Plays Gershwin George Gershwin: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000005J1I Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

1. Sweet And Lowdown
2. Novelette In Fourths
3. That Certain Feeling
4. So Am I
5. Rhapsody In Blue
6. Swanee
7. When You Want 'Em, You Can't Get 'Em...
8. Kickin' The Clouds Away
9. Idol Dreams
10. On My Mind The Whole Night Long
11. Scandal Walk
12. An American In Paris

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully American.......2007-05-14

I've had a copy of this CD for years and love it. The power and optimism of the music is really quite remarkable... regardless of who or what is actually playing here. The arrangement of Swanee is light but rich with major chord trains like you just want to go marching around the room. And American In Paris leads you on a swaying, dischordy journey the deeper you go, as the narrative begins to trade delicacy for passion. (and I love renditions where you can hear the MUSIC and the instruments don't get in the way, like four-voice midi versions of Bach which reveal the eloquence).

When I listen to this CD now, and which is most surpring to me, I hear a profound pride in America - back "before." I play it when I have people over and we put burgers on the grill. This CD is the song of sitting in my back yard with the clouds blowing by and for the moment things feel OK.

"Before" - OK, there is no old perfect Amercia; but I'm thinking of the time before we learned to distill petroleum into toxic pollution, before pride meant vanity and thuggery, before hate-filled invective became public amusement, and before presidents went to war because it was good for business.

A Gersh-winner.......2007-01-07

George Gershwin had a long association with the mechanical device known as the player piano. At the age of ten, Gershwin used a neighbor's pianola to teach himself how to play, by very slowly pumping the foot pedal that advanced the hole-punched rolls, and placing his fingers on the depressed keys. His parents were so impressed by his abilities they enrolled the boy in formal piano studies when he turned 13. Thus, an American genius was born.

The existing films of Gershwin (who died of a brain tumor at age 38 in 1937) show him to be a virtuoso at his instrument. His 1924 acoustic recording of Rhapsody In Blue (with the Paul Whiteman orchestra) is further evidence of this. But no film or recording has what is contained within the album GERSHWIN PLAYS GERSHWIN: THE PIANO ROLLS, and that is-- full fidelity range.

The CD comes in a standard jewel case packaged in a heavy paper slipcover. Biographical liner notes are included along with details on the rolls. The earliest performance in this set is from 1916, made when Gershwin was an 18-year-old song plugger. My favorites here are "Swanee," from 1920, and "An American In Paris," from 1933, which is undoubtedly one of the last significant piano rolls ever made.

Gershwin's dynamic performances are not in the least obscured by the few extra notes added to the piano rolls (such practice was standard in those days). Listening to these recordings is like sitting next to this brilliant man, observing his fingers fly over the keys as he plays some of his best work.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 60:36

Interesting... but I think I'd prefer a good Gershwin interpreter.......2006-05-14

Composers are not necessarily the best performers of their own work. A songwriter's songwriter like Jules Shear or Jimmy Webb comes to mind -- surely the best representations of their songs are on other artist's albums.

This album is charming in its own way -- a taste of the music and performance style of a bygone era. Someone complained that these rolls were edited. So what? I'm going to review the final product, now how it was made. Do you eat sausage? Ask not what's in it!

I like to listen to this CD in short bits -- a few songs at a time. For some reason I find it to be fatiguing if I listen for more than 20 minutes or so. I'm not absolutely sure why this is so. Possibly the meter is just a little too metronomic on many of the songs. This lends a "mechanical" quality to the performances.

Additionally, I felt that the dynamic range was restricted. The music does get louder and softer, because of the piano rolls themselves and because of the computer programming used to read the piano rolls -- the dynamics were deliberately adjusted by the record producers in some spots, if I read the liner notes correctly. And yet. And yet. Still these songs do not dynamically "breathe" fully in and out the way they ought to. I find this disappointing, but I think it has something to do with inherent limitations in piano roll recording technique. I'm guessing.

Taken for what it is, it is an interesting concept, and the sound quality is very pleasant. The performances are very good for piano rolls, but fall short of what a good interpreter could do. Take, for example, the Rhapsody in Blue from Woody Allen's Manhattan soundtrack. Listen specifically to the piano part -- the dynamics and variations in rhythm. This is not by any means the best performance of Rhapsody, but it is better than the Gershwin rolls.

Gershwin's playing overated.......2006-04-09

After I heard this cd I bought Gershwin plays Gershwin on the naxos label which arn't piano rolls. Any pianist can tell that many of these rolls are heavily edited and can't be played by a pianists with two hands. On the naxos album that has some of these same songs Gershwin's actual playing doesn't sound very good. Many of Gershwins contempories such as James P. Johnson, Eubie Blake, Luckey Roberts and even Zez Confrey were much better pianists than he was, however they didn't have his melodic gifts as a composer. I would recommend Artis Whodhouse's
transcriptions of Jelly Roll Morton's piano rolls (on the same label) instead because most of those are exactly how he played them and in my opinion Morton was a better musician in every way than Gershwin.

The jazzy Gershwin. What a CD!!!!!!!.......2006-02-23

I got this CD as a gift. I am all for the austrogerman post- romantic music and as imagined Gershwin is not my favourite composer. I know him from his best known works such as the 'Rhapsody", the 'American' and his great songs. This CD is a treasure as mentioned from other reviewers of this site. Gershwin full of passion, his music being jazzy to the very end and that great feeling you get after a great live performance is present all over the length of this 'treasure'. No question about the presence of the music. Not to be missed

Average customer rating: west coast Heat! Yo, my 2 SC locs be rhidin' on this joint! WEST COAST RULES SHELLY DONT KNOW SH@T!!!!!!!

Kickin' Game Havoc & Prodeje Manufacturer: Quality Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Livin' in a Crime Wave Murder Squad Nationwide Take a Ride Ain't No Love Lost South Central Madness ASIN: B000001ZBL Release Date: 1994-10-25

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Charge It 2 A Bitch
3. Kickin' Game
4. That's The Way It'z Goin' Down
5. Guess-A-Dad
6. 2 G R Not 2 G
7. All I'm C'In Iz G'z
8. Endo Glide
9. G'z On Da Move
10. Block 2 Block
11. C U When U Get Out
12. Only Lonely Homie
13. Now I Lay Me Down
14. M-Squads Nation Wide
15. G'z Only
16. Outro

Customer Reviews:

west coast .......2007-01-04

mobb deep didnt have the name first from the person reviewing this cause when mobb deep came out i was like what the f.... when they said there names these dudes are pretty much under ground and had there names first havoc and prodeje

Heat!.......2006-04-11

Hav and Prod's 2nd album is nothing short of smokin'. Prodeje produces some of the banginest G-Funk beats to ever come out the west coast! Many of the beats are relaxing, so you know this one is for the rider in you. The SCC group album N Gatz we Truss was a dope album, but the producion was more polished and smoother on this one. Robert "Fonksta" Bacon jr. throws in those awesome guitar riffs like he does in SCC's albums and in Quik's works and gives the album a great vibe. Plus, Hav and prod tear up the mic. Who says that West Coast MC's can't rhyme? LV lays down some dope hooks. This album was well put together, adn it will show throughout. If you like this album, you'll definitely need to peep SCC's All Day Everyday; there is a similar vibe in that album. This album is a classic!

Yo, my 2 SC locs be rhidin' on this joint!.......2006-02-25

S.C.C. have been dropping dope classics 4 years and this is one of them. Prodeje is one of West Coast's best producers, he really shouldn't be burnt out on. This album is one of his best works, he's also a great rapper, and he gets some help from the rest of the S.C.C. crew (Havikk, Young Prodeje and others). S.C.C. does what they've been doing 4 years, which is gangsta rap, kickin' bacc, smoking a blunt or 2, and just plain and simple. They haven't got something really new to tell, but they are some of the best at the way they tell it. All the S.C.C. rappers's got a great flow and lyrically they're good enough to make you listen to what they say, and as I already said, the G-Funk beats on that album can match the Warren G and Daz Dillinger's albums like on the song That's The Way Itz Goin' Down which Havoc & Prodeje be bustin' on this joint SC stlye, Endo Glide is a slick smoke out groove thats down 4 the evil side, Block 2 Block is handled by Havoc which the joint is about hoods in the big SC, and I can't forget the song M-Squads Nation Wide featuring Murda Squad thats a good loc'd out joint thats handled down by Prodeje & the Murda Squad. *Note: Hey, yo Shelly Duarte, even though the S.C.C. may have had beef with Eazy-E, well at least they aren't like them fools Mobb Deep making music with that Ghost Unit posse! Your rappers from your area succ, while us locs, G's & locos be blowin' some blue berry hydro & some Danny-K, so represent the evil side on this album, man. Also! I have the hook-up to the music video "Knocc On Wood (Remix)" ~S.C.C. featuring Murda Squad, L.V., Gangsta Dresta, B.G. Knocc Out & Jayo Felony.

Havoc & Prodeje get their kickin' & smokin' out on joints 2, 3, *4, 6, 7, *8, 9, *10, 11, 12, 13, *14(featuring Murda Squad) & 15.

WEST COAST RULES.......2005-12-15

this is best album from havoc prodje !!!!!!shelly keep your mouth shut these catz been around for over 16 years mobbchumps been around f0r only 9 or more dont compare the two cause mobbdeep have no skillz does not matter if there with 50cent they still cant rap!!keep putting your foot in your mouth and you will choke on it!!!WEST COAST FOREVER!!!

SHELLY DONT KNOW SH@T!!!!!!!.......2005-11-30

WELL WELL THIS IS FOR THE LAST REVIEWER WHO CLAIMS MY BOYS HAVOC AN PRODEJE ARE BITING OFF MOBB DEEP? WELL THESE CATS ARE FROM THE GROUP SOUTH CENTRAL CARTEL WHICH WAS OUT WAY LONGER THAN THE WEAK ASS GROUP MOBB"SLEEP".. SO IT IS SAFE TO SAY THE CARRIED THIER NAMES BEFORE YOUR WEAK COAST BOYS WERE EVER CONCIEVED....... PLUS I SUGGEST U GIVE THA CD A LISTEN TO BEFORE U REVIEW IT...... ITS A TIGHT CD ONE OF THE BEST TO REPRESENTING THE WEST COAST........... A MASTERPEICE FROM CALI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating: Great Jazz To the max Gerald Albright Is On Fire Here! YEEEE-OOWWW, This thing is HOT and TASTEY!!!! Garbage !

Kickin' It Up Gerald Albright Manufacturer: Grp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Pure New Beginnings Flipside The Very Best of Gerald Albright Groovology ASIN: B0001N1RTY Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. 4 On The Floor
2. To The Max
3. Why Geogia
4. Walker's Theme
5. Condition Of My Heart
6. Throw Yo' Hands (In The Air)
7. Father's Lullaby
8. On The One
9. Kickin' It Up
10. If You Don't Know By Now

Amazon.com

Seventies jazz/funk fusion pioneer Jeff Lorber has hooked up with Albright for half of these tracks; that's appropriate because Albright's sound has a direct lineage from the past. He is the leading light continuing down the path blazed by Hank Crawford, King Curtis, and David Sanborn. Highlights here are the driving, hard-hitting tunes Lorber and Albright have produced together. The funkiest of the lot are "On the One," "Throw Yo' Hands," and "To the Max." Albright also displays the influence of Motown sax star Jr. Walker with "Walker's Theme." Like Walker, who covered acts ranging from the Guess Who to the Crusaders, Albright is very clever in his cover choices, with interpretations of the music of Harold Melvin, Brian McKnight, and a very interesting version of John Mayer's "Why Georgia," featuring Peter White. This is Albright's best effort in a decade. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

Great Jazz.......2005-08-14

Music that you can play for any occasion, or just relax and enjoy.

To the max.......2005-03-12

This cd was so good that my seven year old daughter sits and listens to it! I think thats says it all

Gerald Albright Is On Fire Here!.......2005-02-06

This is Gerald's latest effort,and I must say,it is a real smooth jazz gem.Gerald really lets it fly here,with jazzy energy everywhere.There isn't a dud on the entire album!While you may have heard of the popular single from this album on the radio,the funky "To The Max",there is more to this album than just funk.While there are a number of funky,upbeat and groovy tunes on this album,such as "4 On The Floor","ToThe Max","Throw Yo' Hands In The Air",and"On The One",there are also an equal amount of more standard,traditional smooth jazz stylings as well.Not like its a bad thing,far from it,because these tunes help to balance the album out and more,keeping it from going stale.Some of the more standard tunes on the album are,"Why Georgia","Walker's Theme",and "Father's Lullaby",which Gerald produced in remembrance of his late father.However,even the not so funky tunes shine here,with one of the best examples being Gerald's nice cover version of "Why Georgia".There is also a vocal track on the album,"Condition Of My Heart",performed by a former "Boyz To Men" member.While the album as a whole is great,the best picks are,"4 On The Floor","To The Max","Why Georgia","Throw Yo' Hands In The Air","On The One",and "If You Don't Know Me By Now".If you are looking for an exceptional sax player,then look no further,because you just found one.This album should be in everyone's smooth jazz collection.I highly recommend it!

YEEEE-OOWWW, This thing is HOT and TASTEY!!!!.......2004-11-19

Quite frequently, I buy albums and only one song is worth listening to... This is most certainly not the case here. I loved nearly the entire album, especially numbers 1 and 2 cuts. If these don't get you up and into a thumping Jazz trance, well you're dead. I have liked Albright in the past, but I feel this time he's really created a masterpiece. As stated earlier, this one is H-O-T!!

Garbage !.......2004-10-28

Another great player selling out to sell more. Seems like another outbreak of the Kenny bug. I'm sure any jazz aficianado would agree with me when I say that Gerald Albright is a much more comprehensive player than this album suggets. Check out the 'Live at Birdland West' album for a taste of what Mr. Albright is really about.

Average customer rating: "The Doctor" and the "Politician" say "this CD kicks some... A Guilty Pleasure Tough SUPER JAMS reply to njrobbo

Live 'N' Kickin' West Bruce & Laing Manufacturer: Rock & Groove ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Why Dontcha Got Blooze Mountain Live: The Road Goes Ever On Guitarded Flowers of Evil ASIN: B000667FXI Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

1. Play With Fire
2. The Doctor
3. Politician
4. Powerhouse Sod

Customer Reviews:

"The Doctor" and the "Politician" say "this CD kicks some..........2007-06-03

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey I am often asked to write about 60's and 70's rock and roll groups and recordings.

Live `N' Kickin' is a realistic representation of what the band sounded like on a given night. Although no fault of their own it should be noted that the record company needed to include more than four selections.

The opening track is a rocked up cover of the Rolling Stones tune and WBL puts their own stamp on the rendition. The choice of the Cream classic Politician being included was correct on all accounts. Although nothing could compare to Jack, Eric, and Ginger performing it, the WBL approach is well structured and a fine interpretation. Powerhouse Sod is an all out assault on the senses, full throttle going for the jugular and winning.

When Jack Bruce is on a recording you won't go wrong and having the letters W and L around him is going to bring you good rocking tonight!

Don't be surprised if you enjoy the power these three put into the live tracks so much you'll want to check out a studio record.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

A Guilty Pleasure.......2006-06-27

I like the sheer energy and I think Powerhouse Sod deverses to be anthologized somewhere else because it is, indeed, a rare instance of Jack Bruce playing a bass solo, and it is also absolutely stunning in its use of harmonics and chording. There is more of Bach's organ pedal influence in the piece than the average headbanger would really understand. And yet, it's fierce, angry rock n roll. This cut alone justifies the album. The problems I have are strictly with the excesses of the players and of the times. I like Leslie West a whole lot. Probably more than I should. He's got a great tone and, on occassion, has done some remarkable things. You won't find much evidence of that on this CD. He sounds more like he's just trying to keep up with Jack. And so we get a constricted, repetitive performance - but filled with lots of energy and volume. Corkly Laing ain't half as bad as everybody says he is. In fact, his playing on Why Dontcha, is really quite good. But. like West, when pushed beyond his capabilities, he just gets louder and dumber. His playing here is of the "break a drumstick on every downbeat" catagory. Man, it used to be fun to watch that in person, but less so on a CD in your living room. And, yeah, Playing With Fire is Love is Worth the Blues - except with Jack singing and a change of lyrics. Odd, huh? I saw these guys in concert twice, and had a good time, even as I recognized that the level of musicianship was mediocre at best. I'm sure there are other songs that could have been included that were not any worse than the stuff that's already on there. And it's despicable that the got-tanned record company doesn't care enough to do it justice. It's sort of like that joke -- Airplane food tastes so bad--- and they give you such small portions!

Tough.......2006-05-16

It's next to impossible to discuss any production by Leslie West, Jack Bruce, and Corky Laing without making comparisons to the original power-rock trio, Cream, mainly due to the presence of composer, vocalist, and bassist Jack Bruce. While Bruce is Bruce in both bands, Leslie West certainly isn't Eric Clapton, at least not in a technical sense, but he is a big, bold, bad guitarist with undeniable attitude. After all, there is a reason why Jack Bruce is playing with him. Corky Laing is another matter. He certainly isn't a Ginger Baker. His anemic contribution to the whole has to be considered one of the main reasons why WB&L didn't generate the commotion of Cream in the late 1960's. Of course marketing power-rock was an uphill battle by any measure in 1974, being on the cusp of the disco and New Wave phenomenons.

Although released on vinyl in 1974, this 2004 Sony/Windfall release is the first opportunity to sample these tracks on CD (an earlier version was available in Japan for some time, however). Background on the source of these recordings is paltry, and the information that is given appears shoddy. The liner notes, for example, list Jack Bruce as only contributing bass guitar, but he also plays synthesizer, takes the lead vocal on 'Politician', and sings together with Leslie West at other times. Running times are given twice, and they differ from one another. One set divides the four tracks into "side one" and "side two" apparently replicating the reverse side of the original album cover. The other set of running times appears to include some of the between-song banter and tuning. My CD player timed 'Play With Fire' at 12:45, for example, while the running times in the insert offer 12:36 and 13:27. The original album cover, however, lists 'The Doctor' at 7:56, while I timed it at only 7:30, and the updated CD listing times it at 7:37. Hard to tell what's amiss here. All of this is a shame, because the music is so deserving of better.

I found my appreciation for this disc multiplying with each listen. WB&L cover the Rolling Stone's 1965 hit 'Play With Fire' in heavy blues-rock mode, and with plenty of gusto. The tempo is turned up mightily at the 3 minute mark, tones down at the five and one-half minute mark, before surrendering entirely to an undistinguished three minute drum solo from Laing. At the eleven minute mark it's kickin' agin'. West, Bruce and Laing's second offering is perhaps their finest composition (with the only competition being 'Why Don'tcha'), the brutal 'The Doctor'. We're treated to a seven and one-half minute inspired rendition of this underrated classic.

Side two of the original vinyl disc didn't disappoint, either. 'Politician' was never one of my favorite Cream songs, but this version from WB&L packs a wallop that will send you beyond a Creamy deja-vu. Leslie puts lots of beef into his guitar runs, easily dismissing Clapton with sheer intensity, and Bruce's vocals are some of his best ever. They drip sincerity and emotion. It turns what I always considered to be a mediocre composition into a rock classic. The only other version of 'Powerhouse Sod' that I've heard was on Bruce's 'Live At the BBC' disc, and this ten minute plus version is much more coherant, animated, and vibrant. In addition, Bruce treats us to a four minute bass solo that serves only to confirm his reputation as a virtuoso on the instrument.

If you're buying this one, you're buying it entirely for the music. Don't expect anything more, but expect an aural blast from the past you won't soon forget. Total running time is under forty minutes, but let's hope that means volume two is still in the vault. It may be the only worthy moments that were captured on tape, however, and if that's the case I would prefer this lean version to one with rolls of fat. No disrespect to the Phat One intended (by the way, Leslie is also rather lean himself these days). So what are you waiting for? Order this puppy.

SUPER JAMS.......2006-03-16

Super power-trio jams, with nothing painful(unlike several other 1970s power trio live jams e.g. Grand Funk's "In Need" from their "Live Album".

Another response to njrobbo's review that said:
just think if you paid $40 for concert tix & the band only played 4 songs. The album is barely 40 minutes long.

Nobody ever paid $40.00 for a concert in 1974!!! In fact, many people were outraged when the next year, 1975, THE ROLLING STONES had the gall to charge $20.00 for their "Tour of the Americas".Also,this recording is also an edited version of the concert.

reply to njrobbo.......2006-02-27

Hi, I am responding to your review about this album being to short. Well, I don't know your age, but you must have been born in the age of CD's. This album came out in 1972 or so and was on vinyl and there is only so much space on a vinyl long playing record. I used to attend many Leslie West's shows with Mountain and their songs tend to be long. Now a little known secret and I found this out by accident. Live 'N' Kickin' was recorded at a place called the Orpheum Theater in Boston, Massachusetts. How do I know? Well I taped the show for myself and it wasn't until I had my tape converted to CD and swapped with another person that person heard the familiarity of the song on my bootleg with the Live N Kickin album. Politician was recorded note for note. The other songs were edited. Now you know the rest of the story.

Average customer rating: Crack The Sky- A great live recording and well worth hearing.

Alive and Kickin Ass Crack The Sky Manufacturer: Lifesong ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Crack the Sky Citizen X Animal Notes/Safety in Numbers The Precious Brothers White Music ASIN: B000J3Z9H2

Product Description

Recorded during live performances at the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia and The Agora, Cleveland, in 1978, during the "Safety In Numbers" tour. All of the recordings in this CD are new mixes and are remastered, using 2006 technology, and were not previously released on CD by Lifesong. These live performances were never previously mixed or released. 1) Hold On, 2) Mind Baby, 3) Lighten Up McGraw, 4) She's A Dancer, 5) Nuclear Apathy, 6) Ice, 7) Long Nights, 8) Safety In Numbers, 9) Surf City, 10) I Am The Walrus

Customer Reviews:

Crack The Sky- A great live recording and well worth hearing........2006-10-24

It may help to already be a Crack The Sky fan, but any fan of rock music that likes music that is tight, intelligent and accesibly complex will love this live album. For starters this is not your thin sounding live album doing "clam" ridden versions of studio cuts. The sound is full and energetic. The recent 2006 re-mixing and re-mastering for this live album would make many a studio album sound thin by comparison. Crack the Sky was driven by the rhythm section of Joe Macre on bass and Joey D'Amico on drums that has to be one of the greatest rock duo's (Move over Chris Squire and Bill Bruford.) When you add the smart twin lead guitars of Rick Witkowski and Jim Griffiths you have quite a formidable band. The fact that they could not only be so tight live but also have killer vocals and Beatle-like harmonies, is a high tribute to a band that never became a house hold name(but should have). If you like talent,intelligence and tightness serving up high energy rock with great harmonies and lyrics this is your album.

Average customer rating: Not As Good As His First, But Still A Nice Album Great country album He Sure Is Kicking It Up. i swear

Kickin' It Up John Michael Montgomery Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Life's a Dance John Michael Montgomery Brand New Me What I Do the Best Home to You ASIN: B000002IXN Release Date: 1994-01-25

Tracks:

1. Be My Baby Tonight
2. Full-Time Love
3. I Swear
4. She Don't Need A Band To Dance
5. All In My Heart
6. Friday At Five
7. Rope The Moon
8. If You've Got Love
9. Oh How She Shines
10. Kick It Up

Customer Reviews:

Not As Good As His First, But Still A Nice Album.......2007-07-05

When John Michael Montgomery released his debut album, "Life's A Dance," I breathed a sigh of relief that he might not be another 90's clone. Unfortunately that would not be the case. With each future release, Montgomery became more and more commercial and lacking with his songs. However, "Kickin' It Up" may be weighed down by a few commercial tracks, but it is still an excellent album. The title track falls into the commercial category, along with tunes like the high-energy "Be My Baby Tonight" and "Friday At Five." The better songs on this album were borderline commercial tunes that still showed that Montgomery hadn't been completely drained of his Country soul. Songs like "Rope The Moon" and "If You've Got Love" play to Montgomery's strengths which are singing excellent tender songs that have a hint of meaning to them. The big hit on this album was, in my opinion, not the best. "I Swear" was released by Montgomery and a boy band at almost the same time. It was hugely popular for both of them, but it also made the record companies force Montgomery into the hollow A/C Country vacuum that has killed so many other wonderful careers. From this point on, Montgomery's career slowly spiraled down.

"Kickin' It Up" is not a bad album, but it's also not Montgomery's best. I recommend it to fans of early 90's Country, but the best gems can be found on Montgomery's debut album.

Great country album.......2001-06-09

Wow, from the opening song "Be my baby tonight" which will make you wanna get up and dance till you drop, this album is a killer. His version of "I swear" is so much more romantic than All-4-One's cover. Every song on here is a good song, no filler. A very good album. John Michael has a Garth Brooks type of voice, but is pure country. There is nothing crossover about him. So if you are someone who enjoys real country, you will love this album.

He Sure Is Kicking It Up........2000-06-23

Once I Heard The Romantic Tune "I Swear" I Started Liking It. It Is Really Number 1. It Is John Michael's Best Song Of All Time. The Pop Group All-4-One Did A Remake Of The Song. Other Songs Included On Here Are: "Be My Baby Tonight", "Rope The Moon" And "If You Got Love". This Is A Must Have For Any John Michael Fan.

i swear.......2000-05-01

I listened to the preview of the song "I Swear", and it was pretty good. I would like it if you could start at the beginning of the song and play it for say, 45 seconds? just my opinion.

Average customer rating:

Kickin' It Manufacturer: Tabu Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items: On a Mission Robbie Mychals Butterflies Simple Pleasure Le Gent ASIN: B000EX11CE

Product Description

12 Tracks

Average customer rating: One of America's great songwriters

Over the Rainbow Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Get Happy: The Harold Arlen Centennial Celebration Harold Arlen Centennial Celebration Harold Arlen Sings Sweet and Hot Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Harold Arlen ASIN: B000000WMG Release Date: 1997-11-18

Tracks:

1. (You Got Me In Between) The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
2. I've Got The World On A String
3. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
4. Public Melody No. 1
5. When The Sun Comes Out
6. Hittin' The Bottle
7. Let's Fall In Love
8. Let's Put Our Heads Together
9. Now I Know
10. As Long As I Live
11. Rasin' The Rent
12. Blues In The Night
13. Down With Love
14. Over The Rainbow
15. It's Only A Paper Moon
16. Bud's Won't Bud
17. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
18. Stormy Weather
19. Kickin' The Gong Around
20. Two Blind Loves
21. That Old Black Magic
22. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
23. Ill Wind
24. Get Happy

Customer Reviews:

One of America's great songwriters.......2001-03-09

Amid the Cole Porters, Irving Berlins and George Gershwins of the world, Harold Arlen tends to be forgotten. And yet, when the greatest song of the 20th century was recently voted on by a distinguished panel of critics, whose song came out on top? Mr. Arlen's (Over the Rainbow). Here is a superb cross section of Harold Arlen songs by a cast ranging from Judy Garland to Bing Crosby to Ethel Waters, spanning decades and spanning a wide range of styles, from jazz to ballads, poignant to funny. Although the sound is not ideal, as many of the recordings date from the 30's and Pearl's objective in remastering has always been to achieve the fullest musical sound rather than to reduce surface noise, this is a minor complaint given the rich and mind-opening selection of great music found here.

Average customer rating: This is a great piece of work... Playing it safe Ho hum CD It's a kick.. Lorber Kicks The Homogenize Sound of Smooth Jazz

Kickin' It Jeff Lorber Manufacturer: Samson Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: State of Grace Philly Style Worth Waiting For Midnight Flipside ASIN: B000059LDA Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

1. Snakebite
2. Ain't Nobody
3. Happy Endings
4. Chopsticks
5. Keep That Same Ol' Feelin'
6. Reflections
7. The Bijou
8. Kickin' It
9. The In Crowd
10. What It Is

Amazon.com

The man who produced the very first albums by saxophonists Kenny G, Dave Koz, and Art Porter went into the studio with the intention of kickin' it on his Fender Rhodes piano along with a few of his horn-playing friends. He came out with his best album since his historic Arista Records heyday in the late 1970s. The two best soloists on the 40-minute, 10-song set are Gerald Albright and long-time Lorber band member, Gary Meek. Respectively, they kick off the first two tracks with the kind of unique jazz-funk that made Lorber a legend with acid jazzers and fans who were there in the late '70s when jazz-rock met urban R&B. The keyboardist pays nice tributes to two contemporary jazz icons, The Crusaders and Ramsey Lewis, with killer covers of "Keep That Same Ol' Feelin," featuring Albright, and "The In Crowd," featuring a perfectly subdued Richard Elliot. "Happy Endings," a ballad with Koz, seems to be Lorber's only appeasement to smooth-jazz radio, as the rest, including the only other ballad (the very pretty "Reflections"), are pure Lorber. They're tunes that are just as interesting harmonically as they are rhythmically, with great soloing, to boot. If more of his current keyboard peers delivered the same, smooth jazz would look a lot better overall. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

This is a great piece of work..........2004-04-22

I purchased this CD after hearing "Snakebite" playing on my local Detroit smooth jazz station. And despite some of the mediocre reviews, this is an excellent piece of work, don;t let anyone fool you. People reminiscing and comparing Lorber's work from bygone decades serve no purpose if you want to hear some superlative work that is infectious, fun, and extremely well produced. Buy it, you won't regret it.

Playing it safe.......2003-10-09

Man,this guy's stuff has sure left me flat over the last 10-15 years.When he collaborated with great R&B singers(some of the names escape me now,but Audrey Wheeler was one),Manhattan Transfer,and The System back in the 80's,he was a top funkasizin' son of a behotch.He's either sold out and went Kenny G,or he's just uninspired.Case in point-my favorite tune(might not be yours,but I hope it's up there) from this one is the title track,written with the amazing Robbie Nevil.I think he should get back to producing other artists.

Ho hum CD.......2002-10-25

This CD wasn't all that in my opinion. I mean, it wasn't the worst thing Jeff has put out, but it's marginal at best.

It's a kick.........2002-10-02

"Kickin' It" is neither the artistic triumph or smooth-jazz pablum that many reviewers have characterized. It's more earthy than most of Jeff Lorber's 1990s output, and has some of the tightest session musicians working in contemporary jazz.

Every song is a delight, though the cover of "Ain't Nobody" does nothing to enhance the song beyond what Rufus & Chaka Khan did orginally. And producer Paul Brown is nowhere to be found, which may come as some solace to Brown haters (of which I am not, but it does seem like he's producing everybody these days)

Sure, Jeff and the gang could have stretched out a little more, but most fans respect his restraint and though it's not a revolution, it's a decent evolution of Jeff Lorber's signature sound.

Lorber Kicks The Homogenize Sound of Smooth Jazz.......2001-05-06

Thank goodness for Jeff Lorber and this excellent piece of work. In a time when all you hear on jazz stations are songs that sound like they were all produced by Paul Brown. This is a breathe of fresh air. Packaged in this musical journey are wonderful melodies, driving beats, funky latin sounds and the beautiful keyboards of Lorber. Included in this CD are great guest horn players like Gerald Albright, Dave Koz, Steve Cole and Richard Elliot. Jeff also backs himself up with the tighest band that I have heard in years. Snakebite track one will set the tone for this musical journey and the fantastic keyboard playing by one of the best. So if you find yourself stuck in the musical dole-drom of smooth jazz. Start Kickin'It with Jeff Lorber.

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6. Love Songs [Import]
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