Sound of Music [Import]

Product Description
Japanese reissue of the British punks' 1981 album packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Vivid. 2004.

Sound of Music,Adicts,Vivid Sound,Punk,Rock

Average customer rating: Very Cool Album Great music I've heard this before. Better Than His Last One Sounds like a hit!!

Sound of Silver LCD Soundsystem Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Electronic Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank The Good, the Bad & the Queen Favourite Worst Nightmare The Reminder Icky Thump ASIN: B000M3452Y Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

1. Get Innocuous!
2. Time To Get Away
3. North American Scum
4. Someone Great
5. All My Friends
6. Us V Them
7. Watch The Tapes
8. Sound Of Silver
9. New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down

Amazon.com

Two years after LCD Soundsystem's eponymous full-length debut sent indie scenesters rushing to the dancefloor, the outfit headed by dance-rock producer James Murphy serves up another stiff cocktail of punk, dance, and funk with Sound of Silver. Analog synths, chugging basslines, chunky guitars, and Murphy's wild falsetto excursions are once again the foundation to which is added the new and strange, such as the heavily chorused voices that suggest backward-masking in the opener "Get Innocuous" and the captivating harmonics keyboardist Nancy Whang bounces off of Murphy's vocals on "Someone Great." If this album has its own version of "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House," it has to be "North American Scum," an infectious stormer that breezily dismisses Europe as a place where "the buildings are old and you might have lots of mimes." Such lines are good evidence that LCD's music would rather ridicule itself than fall into the kind of pretense and nostalgia it constantly lampoons. The album's title track reflects that hankering after one's teenage years is often interrupted when "you remember the feelings of a real live emotional teenager--then you think again," while the power ballad "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" wearily serenades the Big Apple as "still the one pool where I'd happily drown." True, LCD's music is not for everyone, which may have something to do with why their fans love them as they do. If you fall into the latter category, however, Silver is gold. --Brent Kallmer

Customer Reviews:

Very Cool Album.......2007-07-15

James Murphy, the one-man band behind LCD Soundsystem, toiled for most of the 90's in obscure underground rock bands before sliding into his role as a producer/remixer. I have to admit I passed up LCD's debut album a few years back, in spite of considerable buzz. I loved the title of the single "Daft Punk is Playing at My House," but found the actual song to be a repetitive one-joke dance track. I had been hoping for something more creative, similar to, well, Daft Punk's best work. After hearing Sound of Silver, I'm thinking there may be something more to Murphy's sprawling 2-disc first album than I gave him credit for at the time.

Sound of Silver is one of the bounciest, most exciting albums I've heard this year. LCD Soundsystem often gets labeled as dance-punk, but there isn't a lot of punk rock in their sound. It's more accurate to say that Murphy brings an aggressive, punk rock attitude and a certain griminess to his rock-tinged dance music. The album has an impressive variety of sound, from the opening electronics of "Get Innocuous" to the drum-fueled shouting of "Watch the Tapes" to the lounge ballad closer "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down." Lead single "North American Scum" is crazy catchy, with a pulsing electronic bass and jagged guitar line accompanying Murphy's very funny lyrics about the European and American club scenes.

The album does drag in places, mostly due to the fact that it's still dance music at heart. So there are a couple of songs that go over the 7-minute mark without doing anything interesting. "Get Innocuous" suffers from this, as does the title track. "Sound of Silver" actually has pretty funny lyrics, but there's only 4 lines in the song, and they're repeated ad nauseum. On the other hand, "Us vs. Them" nudges into this territory without bogging down, due to its high-energy vocals. "All My Friends" is the longest song on the album, but it's also the best. It has another one of Murphy's irresistible hooks; a great series of piano riffs that propel the song for nearly 8 minutes. "All My Friends" also benefits from Murphy actually singing- he tends to sort of shout his way through most of the songs, but he makes the right call by opening up and using his singing voice here. "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" also is clearly better for Murphy's singing. It's basically a torch song, and the broken-hearted croon he affects makes the song work as he sings about New York City's tourist-friendly 90's whitewash tearing out the heart and soul from the city.

At a lean 9 songs, Sound of Silver doesn't overstay its welcome, and even the longer dance tracks don't slow the proceedings down too much. This album is unique and fun, and musically very clever, and it's one of my favorites of the year so far

Great music.......2007-07-07

This was the first CD I ever heard from LCD Soundsystem and once I did, I was hooked. Excellent music has made me a fan.

I've heard this before........2007-07-03

Why is everyone lauding this second effort from LCD Soundsystem so much? It sounds like his first album. I own his first double CD album and this, "Sound Of Silver", just sounds like a rehash of that. It's well produced, fairly nice to listen to, but it just seems as if LCD Soundsystem realizes they have a hook, something that people will buy, so that's what they'll put out. And unfortunately, I was duped into buying it. I wasted money on an album ('Sound Of Silver') that I basically could have heard by listening to his first album. All of the songs on this album sound like songs on his first, and the lyrics on some of the songs are laughable in the least, which I would quote verbatim from the lyric sheet, had I already not gotten rid of this CD, due to its taking up space in my CD rack. 'New York...', is a riot, anyone who produces a track like this cannot expect to be taken seriously. I hope for his next album that he does better, although I'm fairly certain I won't be buying it anyway.

Better Than His Last One.......2007-06-22

If I have one criticism of this album it would be that he wears his influences on his sleeve. However, if you love Talking Heads' "Remain In Light" and Kraftwerk's "The Man Machine", you will probably like this album. The last track is also reminiscent of Grandaddy.

Sounds like a hit!!.......2007-06-17

LCD Soundsystem are a US electronic rock group, with a very British sound, a fact not lost on them as they sing "and for those of you who still think we're from england / we're not, no" on the buzzing, incredibly catchy "North American scum".

The album comprises just 9 songs, averaging 5 minutes each. Each track takes 1 to 2 minutes to build up to the vocal delivery.

Case in point is "Someone great" with loads of layering and electronic effects building up to a Human League-like song with eighties sounding synths.

Similarly, "Get innocuous" takes about 2 minutes to build to a shimmery dance song (with disembodied vocals) which takes no prisoners.

"Time to get away" has lead singer James Murphy singing and yelping over a pulsing guitar drenched house groove. The title track is a sparse but hypnotic effects laden song. "All my friends" is a pulsing U2-esque song.

Closing is the lone ballad; "New York, I love you but you're bringing me down", starting off deceptively like a Coldplay song, building up to a blistering guitar solo, and an unexpected twist at the end. They sound like a totally different band on this one.

It does take a few plays to get into but once it gets into your head, you can't get it out. One of the best dance CDs of the year!

Average customer rating: a classic...... Sound of Music--Still Great Sound of Music I love The Sound of Music! Loved it so much, we bought it twice.

The Sound of Music (1965 Film Soundtrack - 40th Anniversary Special Edition) Julie Andrews , Rodgers & Hammerstein , Marni Nixon , The Sound Of Music (Related Recordings) , and Irwin Kostal Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mary Poppins The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition) Annie (Original 1982 Motion Picture Soundtrack) Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack) The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack) ASIN: B000BFNZAQ Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

1. Prelude And The Sound Of Music
2. Overture And Preludium (Dixit Dominus)
3. Morning Hymn And Alleluia
4. maria
5. I Have Confidence
6. Sixteen Going On Seventeen
7. My Favorite Things
8. Do-Re-Mi
9. The Sound Of Music
10. The Lonely Goatherd
11. Edelweiss
12. Laendler
13. So Long, Farewell
14. Ent'acte
15. Climb Ev'ry Mountain
16. My Favorite Things
17. Something Good
18. Processional And Maria (The Wedding)
19. Sixteen Going On Seventeen (Reprise)
20. Do-Re-Mi (Reprise)
21. Edelweiss (Reprise)
22. So Long, Farewell (Reprise)
23. Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Reprise)
24. Finale
25. Robert Wise Interview
26. Richard Rodgers Interview
27. Charmian Carr Interview

Customer Reviews:

a classic.............2007-05-17

I can still remember the first time I heard this soundtrack. It was on my family's turntable. We happened to own the original vinyl addition. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (AKA THE SOUND OF MUSIC, in the words of Christopher Plummer who was Captain Von Trapp, in the film) is a classic musical that has really spanned the generations of young and old viewers, for (more than) four decades. For starters, the music is catchy ("The Sound of Music," "These Are A Few of My Favorite Things," and "Edelweiss," as just a few examples). Secondly, this cast was just great! Though, I have a personal preference toward the original cast, with Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel. Nonetheless, Julie Andrews is great here. What a beautiful soprano voice.

This edition features bonus transfers of interviews with those involved in bringing THE SOUND OF MUSIC to the screen. What's more, this is the complete soundtrack (instrumental and music featuring vocals is included here). Definitely a "must buy" for true fans.

Sound of Music--Still Great.......2007-05-13

I loved the music when it came on the big screen. I loved it on LP and cassette. Now, I love it even more on CD. The joy I get from listening to it while driving is wonderful. It sends me back to fond family memories. This is a must have.

Sound of Music.......2007-05-07

The CD of the soundtrack of Sound of Music came in good shape and in good time.

I love The Sound of Music!.......2007-04-14

I love this movie so much, it's my favorite! So I recently bought this cd. Wow! If you love the movie, you'll love the cd. The cd has every song from the flic and is so clear. Listening to the songs make me want to watch the movie all over again for the trillionth time. You'll be able to picture every scene listening to this cd. Also, if your stuck in traffic and need a pick me up, play this cd. You'll wake up from your drowsy drive and entertain yourself cause you can actually sing along to a song and know the words, while the movie is replaying in your head.

Loved it so much, we bought it twice........2007-04-11

You know all of these songs and Julie Andrews is at her best. This is a great soundtrack, and the disc got a ton of play in my family. On a vacation trip to California the disc accidentally got left behind in the rental car. After 6 months of the kids asking for me to replace the disc, I finally bought it again. The disc is in heavy rotation, to borrow a term from radio programming, and everyone's enjoying it again.

Average customer rating: Wonderfully captures the feel of the film Fabulous CD Great The Departed great soundtrack

The Departed Soundtrack Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Warrior's Code The Departed (Score) Van Morrison At The Movies: Soundtrack Hits The Departed (Two-Disc Special Edition) Marie Antoinette ASIN: B000J3FBVG Release Date: 2006-11-07

Tracks:

1. Let It Loose - The Rolling Stones
2. Comfortably Numb - Rogers Waters feat. Van Morrison & The Band
3. Sail On, Sailor - The Beach Boys
4. Sweet Dreams - Roy Buchanan
5. One Way Out - The Allman Brothers Band
6. Baby Blue - Badfinger
7. I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys
8. Nobody But Me - The Human Beinz
9. Tweedle Dee - LaVern Baker
10. Sweet Dreams (Of You) - Patsy Cline
11. The Departed Tango - Howard Shore Featuring Marc Ribot (dobro) and
12. Beacon Hill - Howard Shore Performed by Sharon Isbin

Amazon.com

With Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese completely reinvented the way popular songs--instead of a made-to-measure score--can be used all the way through a movie to emphasize mood and action. He continues in that vein for The Departed, whose soundtrack is full of tunes by classic acts. If a theme emerges, it's great guitar work: on Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," on the Allman Brothers' "One Way Out," on Badfinger's "Baby Blue," and on Roy Buchanan's "Sweet Dreams." (Even the two selections from Howard Shore's score highlight that approach, with performances by Marc Ribot and Larry Saltzman on "The Departed Tango" and by Sharon Isbin on "Beacon Hill.") A couple of numbers also deliver slight twists: the version of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" is the live one from 1990, when it was performed with Van Morrison and the Band; and the Beach Boys' obscure 1972 song "Sail On, Sailor" isn't sung by its cowriter Brian Wilson. Thankfully, LaVern Baker and Patsy Cline help offset a very white, very male, very classic-rock selection. While it looks as if Scorsese stopped listening to music sometime around 1975, Beantown's Dropkick Murphys do contribute "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a nod to the movie's setting. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

The Departed has been hailed as director Martin Scorsese's most powerful film since Goodfellas. With critical acclaim, major stars and all the punch of an explosive crime drama, The Departed is set to be a box-office smash. The soundtrack album features songs from all-time greats The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Allman Brothers Band, Roy Buchanan and Badfinger along with a collaboration between Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Van Morrison, and The Band. Add cult faves The Human Beinz, current South Boston punkers Dropkick Murphys, an R&B gem from LaVern Baker, a country- pop selection from the immortal Patsy Cline, and a pair of selections from Grammy® Award-winning score composer Howard Shore and The Departed's soundtrack album promises to be as widely popular as the film.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully captures the feel of the film.......2007-07-19

The Departed finally won Martin Scorsese the long overdue Oscar he has so very much deserved over the years. Like Goodfellas and Casino before it, The Departed utilized a soundtrack of previously available songs to set the mood and capture the feel of the film, and this soundtrack succeeds on just about all counts. The blistering live rendition of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" by Roger Waters, Van Morrison, and The Band starts the disc off, and is followed by classic tracks from the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, the Allman Brothers Band, and Patsy Cline. Sandwiched in between these older acts and the two score tracks contributed from composer Howard Shore, is the instantly catchy "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" from punk favorites the Dropkick Murphys, which you'll no doubt remember nodding your head to when watching the film. There may not be anything featured here that you haven't heard before or seen somewhere else, but the soundtrack for The Departed is a blast regardless and wonderfully captures the feel of the film. In those regards alone, the soundtrack, much like the film itself, is a pleasently wonderful treat.

Fabulous CD.......2007-06-27

I loved the movie and I love the soundtrack. I play it all the time.

Great.......2007-06-27

I really enjoy the Departed soundtrack it is a great mix of varying songs from all eras, and of course it came from a great movie.

The Departed.......2007-06-26

The soundtrack for the movie was so wonderful I knew I wanted it for my collection. Although the CD does not contain all the songs in the film, there are enough to make this one of a kind collection worth having.

great soundtrack.......2007-05-19

I loved the variety of music on the "Departed" soundtrack. From Roy Buchnanan to Patsy Cline's version of "Sweet Dreams", Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers, and The Stones! As a musician, I can confidently state that this soundtrack is about good music.

Average customer rating: This is worth adding to your collection Corinne Bailey Rae - how sweet is she?!!! Corinne Bailey Rae, BUY IT!!!!!! Corinne!!! inventive

Corinne Bailey Rae (Dlx- 2CDs) Corinne Bailey Rae Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Not Too Late Live In London & New York (CD/DVD Jewel Box) Put Your Records On Back to Black Once Again ASIN: B000LRY9PY Release Date: 2007-02-06

Tracks:

1. Like A Star
2. Enchantment
3. Put Your Records On
4. Till It Happens To You
5. Trouble Sleeping
6. Call Me When You Get This
7. Choux Pastry Heart
8. Breathless
9. I'd Like To
10. Butterfly
11. Seasons Change

Tracks:

1. Since I've Been Loving You (Led Zeppelin cover)
2. Emeraldine (original song)
3. Munich (Editors cover)
4. Venus As A Boy (Bjork cover)
5. Another Rainy Day (original song featured in "VENUS")
6. Daydreaming (Aretha Franklin cover)
7. Enchantment remix
8. I'd Like To remix

Amazon.com

Corinne Bailey Rae Photos

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Customer Reviews:

This is worth adding to your collection.......2007-06-27

Mellow, consistent vocals are easy to listen to and mix in with your favorite Blues/RB cd's. Great as background music for gatherings or just to wind-down in the evening.

Corinne Bailey Rae - how sweet is she?!!!.......2007-06-02

This young lady has such a sweet sounding, easy listening voice - I love it. Her voice is so relaxing and peaceful - totally un-violent. She warms my heart. I will be keeping my ear open for more of her talent...

Corinne Bailey Rae, BUY IT!!!!!!.......2007-05-12

We purchased Corinne Bailey Rae, one week before we saw her in person. What a talented young lady. When I think of Corinne Bailey Rae, she defines CLASSEY. Her performance in person speaks volumes. We didn't have the best seats in the house, however, if she comes around again, we will be sure to see her. BUY THIS CD, you will really enjoy it. She is like a breath of fresh air to the music industry.

Corinne!!!.......2007-04-14

I absolutely love this CD! I cannot stop listening to it! My hour drive to and from work doesn't seem to bother me anymore. It's so mellow.

inventive.......2007-04-09

A really enjoyable collection of songs by a fresh and inspired singer who brings a breath of fresh air to the world of pop. Pay special attention to the unique selection of covers. This collection is so cool because there are such great originals and covers.

Average customer rating: Farrar bares his influences. Appalling Good album, but buy it on ITunes A Beautiful Progression for Jay Farrar Strong diverse outing for Jay & Co.

The Search Son Volt Manufacturer: Transmit Sound/Legacy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sky Blue Sky West Easy Tiger Death Songs for the Living Live at Massey Hall (CD/DVD) ASIN: B000MNOXXA Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

1. Slow Hearse
2. The Picture
3. Action
4. Underground Dream
5. Circadian Rhythm
6. Beacon Soul
7. The Search
8. Adrenaline And Heresy
9. Satellite
10. Automatic Society
11. Methamphetamine
12. L Train
13. Highways And Cigarettes
14. Phosphate Skin

Amazon.com

Five albums into Son Volt's career--and a pair into the band's rebirth following leader Jay Farrar's several solo ventures--it's time to bury the encumbering "alt-country" moniker that has dogged Farrar since his days in the genre-setting Uncle Tupelo. While the inexhaustible songwriter relied on guitars to drive 2005's rock-heavy Okemah and the Melody of Riot, Son Volt amends its familiar arrangements on The Search, balancing the instrumentation with piano, organ, and dabbles in a horn section. "Feels like drivin' 'round in a slow hearse," Farrar pleads over repetitive piano and East Indian guitar loops in "Slow Hearse." It's a pensive opener that suggests something is askew, but the horns that kick off "The Picture" literally scream it from the Stax vaults. Farrar dives in and out of genres, tingling the ivories to add subtle alterations to both the gorgeous "Underground Dream" and Imagine-like "Adrenaline and Heresy," turning his band into Gang of Four for the 134-second rocker "Satellite" and singing alongside Shannon McNally on the soulful "Highways and Cigarettes." While it may be impossible for this Son Volt to ever reach the pinnacle of their 1995 debut, no one can accuse Jay Farrar of going through the motions. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

Farrar bares his influences........2007-07-10

After listening to the first 5 songs I was hailing this as his masterwork.When I listened to the whole album I was convinced it was the best complete album I have heard in 20 years.It stayed in my cd player 3 days.The only reason I took it out was to loan it to a friend.It seems to me Jay let some of his influences peek out.The 1st song sounds like a Beatles song.The second song sounds like a Van Morrison tune.The third song sounds like a Led Zeppelin song.The fourth and my favorite has lush backgrounds that remind me of those great Moody Blues songs with mellotron layering.Every song is a treat on this one.Buy it.

Appalling.......2007-06-27

Dull, trite (especially the hard-hitting commentary on the depredations of Chimpy McBushhitlerburton and his Cheneyboy puppetmasters) and did I say dull, and distinguished by an utter absence of melody, inventiveness, or anything that makes music fun to listen to?

It's been ntoed that there's a Farrar camp and a Tweedy camp. I never cared much for Tweedy - but you gotta admit, the guy does try to push the envelope and consistently sets what we capitalists call "stretch targets." Not so Jay, who since the brilliance of Trace seems resolved to produce the same lame album over and over again. That his fans find some deep aesthetic purpose therein speaks less of their delusion than how great a record Trace was: certainly someone who threw this thinderbolt can make lightening strike at least once more time. But it's not to be, and will never. Proof? Quick, hum something from Straightaways or Wide String Tremolo. Or Sebastopol. That's right, you can't, can you? Nor would you want to, if you could. Or nor could you, if you wanted: there's nothing hummable.

Alas, it ain't to be. Jay had one good record in him, that was Trace, and we shall never see its like again. I am starting to believe that his "brilliance" in Tupelo was the result of good old capitalism competitoin with Tweedy, who modest though his talent may be, does make excellent use of it. Jay, unmoored from his old Belleville pal, reveals himself as a lazy, pompus slacker, the sort of boring nut you see journaling in independent coffee houses with a copy of some Said or Chomsky trash under his elbow. The brilliance of Trace, in retrospect, is starting to strike me as dervived less from a spark of the divine within Farrar than the principle that if a monkey sits at a typewriter long enough, he'll produce Shakespeare. By some weird change of evolution and chance, it happened early for Farrar.

Two stars because no mmatter how wretched Jay is, at least he's not Ryan Adams.

Good album, but buy it on ITunes.......2007-06-18

The I Tunes version has bonus tracks bundled into the album price. Two of those bonus tracks - Bicycle Hotel and Carnival Blues - are as good as anything Jay has ever written.

Jay's Gob Iron album, released a few months earlier, is slightly better than The Search.

A Beautiful Progression for Jay Farrar.......2007-05-25

I always suspected that Jay Farrar had a masterpiece in him, but the ever-diminishing payoff I experienced with most Son Volt releases left me feeling less and less certain of my conviction. After listening to "The Search" for two solid weeks, I'm fairly convinced that this is the miracle I've been hoping for. As is usual for a Son Volt record, I required multiple listens before the songs began to sink in, but like a cautious friend, the underlying logic of "The Search" slowly started to reveal itself. This album is deeper than most, so it justifies a lot of playtime, and the more I listened, the more I realized that this is a disk you can keep in your player for a few weeks without growing tired of it, or restless.
As a lyricist, Farrar was never one to reveal himself recklessly, but I notice a few shifts in his methods here that aid in conveying his expressive side. First, the lyrics are more poetic than usual, which does not necessarily mean that they are opaque. Depending on the song, Farrar's words veer from the oblique to the direct and literal. For example, on "Action," he sings, "Break up the old drug pound story, Tortured soul wears an ego sleeve. Heavy hearts and heavy hitters, Bards disease finds the killing floor." These words might not ever mean anything literal to me, but they conjure up rich imagery, while the melody deepens their impact. Elsewhere, on "Adrenaline and Heresy," Farrar sings "She said I still love you, I don't know if I want to spend the rest of my time with you," which is as direct a statement as can be made about a failing relationship. Farrar sings these words with a striking sense of resignation that resounds long after the song ends. "Highways and Cigarettes" is also full of literal imagery ("Best to clear the mind with a Mexicali radio station. Keep an eye out for the border patrol, checking for drugs and so called aliens." He's still very self-serious, but the wordy phraseology and energized interplay of the new band adds an element of fun that had been lacking on previous Son Volt projects.
These words might not resound on the page, but "The Search" benefits immensely from Farrar's melodic sense, which appears to have grown suddenly, and significantly. He is no longer limited by the ideas on his palette, and all sorts of textures help the listener to retain interest. A horn section spices up the high-energy romp of `The Picture," while tasteful keyboards add flavor throughout. Interestingly, there also seems to be an abundance of backward-looped guitars to add a spooky, otherworldly feel to songs such as "Slow Hearse" and "Phosphate Skin." It may take some patience to realize it for yourself, but "The Search" is a beautifully constructed work and I'm finally able to say with some certainty that Jay Farrar and Son Volt have created a minor masterpiece. A Tom Ryan

Strong diverse outing for Jay & Co........2007-05-01

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this album, with the pre-release reports that Son Volt was moving in a new direction, adding new instrumentation. Would it be some weird new experimental, unlistenable thing?

After listening for myself, I'd have to to call the new direction more of an enhancement than a departure. The traditional elements of a Son Volt record are still here -- great songs and melodies, sorrowful pedal-steel guitar, some inscrutable social commentary lyrics, and a solid dose of Americana.

But this record is somehow more than other SV albums. It has diverse sounds that we haven't heard on SV songs before, like horns and piano, that blend very nicely with their sound. There are rocking tracks, slow burn tracks, and moody introspective tracks. Every song on this record is strong, which is a lot more than I can say for "Okemah". This is an excellent record from start to finish.

Average customer rating: Sousa's marches OK, But Not As Good As the Original Sousa Marches, MC Band This is so great! A Great Sousa Collection

Sousa's Greatest Hits John Philip Sousa , and United States Marine Band Manufacturer: Altissimo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches The Military Band: Salute to the Services Salute to America Fiedler's Favorite Marches 40 Famous Marches ASIN: B0000296U6 Release Date: 1999-09-07

Tracks:

1. The Stars And Stripes Forever
2. The Bride Elect
3. Semper Fidelis
4. King Cotton
5. Sound Off
6. The Washington Post
7. The Gladiator
8. National Fencibles
9. Jack Tar
10. The Thunderer
11. Sabre And Spurs
12. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
13. El Capitan
14. The Gridiron Club
15. Manhattan Beach
16. Man Behind The Gun
17. The Invincible Eagle
18. The Gallant Seventh

Customer Reviews:

Sousa's marches.......2007-06-28

Excellent CD! I'm happy with the speed in which it arrived at our home.

OK, But Not As Good As the Original.......2006-08-12

It's OK, but doesn't have the quality of Sousa's original songs which were also played by a United States Marine Band.

Sousa Marches, MC Band.......2006-08-04

I was totally happy with the CD. It was everything I expected it to be. Thanks Much

This is so great!.......2005-03-27

This music speaks to my inner being, my father was a Marine with the ETC, and it was not an easy time. Music like this helped him think about how the best things in life are two doors down on the left, just a shade away from peace. I love this music, track 13 speaks to me so much that I am not sure if I have the time to listen as much as I want to! Such great music!

A Great Sousa Collection.......2004-12-15

These recordings seem to date from the 1960s and reflect a style of play that is impossible to find today. Some people might consider the sound to be too bright, the entrances too aggressive. But I think this is more authentic for Sousa than what one generally hears today. Sousa himself is known to have preferred "enthusiastic" entrances from his players, to have favored an "orchestral" sonority for his band and to have played his marches in strict tempo with no ritards or tempo changes. That is what you have on this disc, which features the Marine Band under Lt. Col. Albert Schoepper, who also conducts on Volume 3 of Altissimo's Sousa Original series.

Average customer rating: Pulitzer Prize Winning Album! Switching Instruments Not a Coleman fan after all. Just Beautiful A vital force in jazz

Sound Grammar Ornette Coleman Manufacturer: Sound Grammar ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Carnegie Hall Concert Critical Mass Sonny Please Pilgrimage Metheny / Mehldau ASIN: B000GFRE76 Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

1. Jordan (after introducing the band members)
2. Sleep Talking
3. Turnaround
4. Matador
5. Waiting for You
6. Call to Duty
7. Once Only
8. SONGX

Amazon.com

When so much jazz is recycled or reissued, a new Ornette Coleman album is cause for celebration. But Sound Grammar, the free-jazz legend's first release in a decade, is special even by his lofty standards. Coleman was 75 when this live-in-Italy set was recorded in 2005. But he sounds pluckier than he has in years. Pared down to its eloquent basics, the music has a rare combination of beauty, power, lift, and melodic immediacy. With two bassists providing contrasting textures and internal drama--Greg Cohen plucks his acoustic instrument while Tony Falanga bows his--Ornette plays with his usual songful brilliance on alto saxophone and also sounds great on trumpet, a secondary instrument on which he usually demonstrates yeoman skills. (He also dabbles on violin.) Sound Grammar could be better engineered--the astute catchall drumming of Ornette's son Denardo Coleman is too far back in the mix and the basses frequently don't have enough presence. But this album stands with Ornette's best. Two of the songs, "Turnaround" and "Song X," are remakes; the rest of the material is just as good. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

Pulitzer Prize Winning Album!.......2007-04-18

It was announced today that this album won the Pulitzer Prize for music. Congratulations Mr. Coleman!

Switching Instruments.......2007-02-18

Coleman's play on different instruments showed a lot of skill, but the music seemed to lose some of its spontaneity in the process. The jazz represented to me a kind of neo-be-bop that lacked lyrical luster and moving harmonies.

jwc

Not a Coleman fan after all........2007-02-02

Thought Coleman was a different type of jazz musician than he is. If you want melody and mellow, forget Coleman. If you like dissonance, try him

Just Beautiful.......2006-12-02

The return of acoustic Ornette Coleman, beautifully recorded, a wonderfully intuitive and interactive band, and the leader playing as sweetly as he ever has in his life. This is my favorite album of Ornette's since Song X and a reminder that the jazz greats just get better and better as they age.

A vital force in jazz.......2006-10-18

Of the few remaining legends in jazz, Ornette Coleman is the only one that doesn't record fairly often. Sonny Rollins had long running deal with Milestone before starting his own label, and Ornette has followed that route in starting his own imprint and releasing Sound Grammar, his first album in nine years and a recording of a concert from Germany in 2005 where he performed on alto saxophone, violin and trumpet with his son Denardo Coleman on drums, Gregory Cohen on bass, and Tony Falanga on bass. The music is classic Coleman with sweeping joyful arcs of alto on some reinterpretations of classics and a few new compositions.

"Jordan" leads things off with a choppy start-stop feel with Ornette improvising over bowed and plucked bass. There's an interlude where the two basses improvise together before Coleman contributes a few trumpet blasts. "Sleep Talking" begins with mournful bowed bass with some light alto sax comments. A bass duet over drums contributes a very open sound to the music. "Turnaround" has an almost "Saints Go Marching In" fell to the melody. Ornette has a gently sweeping solo over a bed of bass and drums. The group gets a beautifully unique sound with Ornette's keening alto and two basses. "Matador" takes things on a faster pace with some jaunty, smiling alto before two basses, both plucked, duke it out before Ornette sweeps back in and takes everybody out.

Both "Waiting" and "Once Only" convey a deep sense of plaintive loss and yearning with Coleman's saxophone nearly crying the blues in these deeply emotional performances. Contrasting those performances are a couple of free up-tempo numbers, "A Call To Duty" and Song X." The first is a fast paced, full throttle improvisation with ominous bass and drums keeping a wicked beat while Ornette contributes some slurred trumpet and sharp alto saxophone. Finally "Song X" ends the concert on a very high note with some daredevil heart-stopping alto improvisation over frantic basses and drums. Denardo Coleman gets his lone drum solo and there a cool bass duet interlude, but the moment belongs to the leader who is absolutely on fire. This is an endlessly exciting and powerful disc proving that Ornette Coleman is still a vital force in jazz. Very highly recommended.

Average customer rating: M. Gibbon "book maven" very nice.. Sound Medicine: Music for Healing Great meditation CD Sound Medicine: Music for Healing

Sound Medicine: Music for Healing Steven Halpern Manufacturer: Relaxation ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Self-Help | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Healing | New Age | Styles | Music Space Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Electronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | New Age General | New Age | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Dance & DJ | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Inner Peace Chakra Suite Sleep Soundly Gifts of the Angels Music for Sound Healing ASIN: B00007JGQ6 Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

1. Interstellar Light
2. Awakening
3. Stillpoint
4. Jerusalem
5. Ascension
6. Oneness
7. Healing Music #1
8. Healing Music #2

Album Description

Music touches our hearts and resonates within our bodies. The right music can truly renew us, helping us to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Great musicians have always recognized this therapeutic power of music, and researchers are finally proving them right. THE SOUND MEDICINE SERIES features the works of inspired musical pioneers who are exploring music's healing power.

Natural Balance and Harmony Your body is a self-healing instrument. If you give it a chance it will always tend toward homeostasis or healthful balance. Sound healer Steven Halpern uses soothing and free-floating keyboard compositions to draw the body into this state of balance and harmony. Combining artistic inspiration, sensitivity, and sophisticated sound technology, his compositions synchronize the hemispheres of the brain and amplify the production of alpha waves. This natural response is associated with feelings of deep relaxation, contentment, and well-being.

Steven Halpern, Ph.D. stands at the leading edge of the growing public understanding of the relationship between music, body, mind and spirit. An internationally acclaimed composer and recording artist Halpern has produced over sixty recordings and authored several books. His music has been featured on 48 Hours, America's Talking, and in USA Today, The New York Times and Yoga Journal. Halpern's recordings are used in hospitals, healing clinics, and leading spas worldwide.

Music for Healing Mind, Body & Spirit was previously released under the title In the Key of Healing

Customer Reviews:

M. Gibbon "book maven".......2007-05-16

Good sleeping Music. Very calming for the mind. It would go nice with a cup of tea.

very nice.........2007-04-10

This CD was a nice experience. It did seem a little repetative but, all in all, it was good.

Sound Medicine: Music for Healing.......2007-03-20

When you come home at night, weary and bedraggled from yet another hard day at work and a long commute home, put on this cd. it will refresh your spirit and help it heal. :::::smile:::::

Great meditation CD.......2007-03-12

This is my new "go-to" CD for meditation. I'm a fan of vibrational music for meditation, but sometimes the vibrational CD's can get repetitive and boring. This CD has multiple tracks with variety in the music, but with calming vibrationals in the background. Good for meditation, guided imagery, yoga, or great background music for reading.

Sound Medicine: Music for Healing.......2007-01-04

Following a suggestion from Candace B. Pert, Ph.D. found in her book "Molecules of Emotion," I decided to look for a relaxation CD to help me fall asleep. Because I also suffer from migraines, the word "healing" in the title of this CD intrigued me. It's still hard to believe, but for the past three months it puts me to sleep so quickly that I've never heard the end of the CD! And if I should wake up in the middle of the night I just turn it on again and fall right back asleep. Amazing!

Average customer rating: Ah, complete control over vibrational radiance. Steve Vai and an Orchestra, pure magic. Simply Sublime.

Sound Theories, Vols. 1-2 Steve Vai Manufacturer: Red Int / Red Ink ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Systematic Chaos Systematic Chaos Paradise Lost Snakes & Arrows Quantum ASIN: B000QFCCV4 Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Kill the Guy With the Ball
2. The God Eaters
3. The Murder Prologue
4. The Murder
5. Gentle Ways
6. Answers
7. I'm Becoming
8. Salamanders In the Sun
9. Liberty
10. The Attitude Song
11. For the Love Of God

Tracks:

1. Shadows And...
2. Sparks
3. Frangelica Pt.I
4. Frangelica Pt.II
5. Helios And Vesta
6. Bledsoe Bluvd

Customer Reviews:

Ah, complete control over vibrational radiance........2007-07-01

It wouldn't be accurate to call this a live album. It's really more like an album that was recorded (mostly) in front of a live audience and HEAVILY edited. It sounds like a live album, though. Basically, Steve Vai has taken seven complete performances and, for each section, phrase, or sometimes even single note of all seventeen songs, chosen the most perfect of the seven. He then pasted all of these most favorable parts together to make one perfect whole. This is especially remarkable considering that Steve had to deal with the different sound ambiences of different venues.

In the liner notes, Steve writes that the two-part piece "Frangelica" has hundreds of edits, while other tracks (he doesn't specify which ones) have very few. It's fascinating reading how he carefully listened to each note of each instrument and replaced any less-desirable notes with notes from other performances or even from other sections of music. In some cases, when no "right notes" (defined by Steve as notes that were played with the correct pitch, phrase, confidence, and attitude) were available, he would try to "re-fabricate" the notes in the studio or take them out altogether. Only perfection is heard on this album!

I know it's an overused word, but Vol. I (entitled "The Aching Hunger") is brilliant! Each track on this disc showcases Steve's exceptional guitar work in completely refreshing ways. The old songs, with the backing of the Holland Metropole Orkest, often seem entirely new. There's a lot of newly composed material on this disc, too... all of it beautiful. The highlight here, in my opinion, is the perfectly arranged "Salamanders in the Sun," originally from the album Flex-Able.

Steve, as a guitarist, gives the impression that he has the ability to translate through his guitar absolutely anything that enters his head. It's always been amazing to hear Steve perform his most complex passages note-for-note, accurately and exactly as intended. With these new versions of the songs, we hear other instruments keep up with him note-for-note, as well. Even knowing that these performances have been highly edited, it's evident that Steve and the orchestra played amazingly tight together!

Personally, Vol. II (entitled "Shadows and Sparks") isn't nearly as accessible for me. It's without Steve's true expressive voice, his guitar, and frankly the compositions here aren't quite as brilliant (they are still very good, though). It's interesting and different and incredibly complex.

In addition to traditional orchestral instruments, there is often more eccentric instrumentation used. Saxophone, Moog synthesizer, electric guitar (not played by Steve), bass guitar, what sounds like at least one drum set, and even a referee-type whistle are commonly heard. This makes the Holland Metropole Orkest able to have a chameleon-like sound. It often resembles a traditional symphony orchestra, but sometimes it sounds more like a marching band or big band or, quite often, a jazz fusion group. Rarely does it sound like any one thing for too long, which keeps it interesting.

A few of the melodies on disc two are familiar ("Shadows and..." contains allusions to "Whispering a Prayer" and an excerpt from "Bangkok," for example) and some of the melodies are subtle and inspired, but some of the melodies don't make sense for me, musically. Some individual sections of compositions seem too different from one another or seem to exist without real purpose or are never really given a chance to develop. Many of the odd time and key signatures are overwhelming. I don't possess the musical understanding that is needed to appreciate exactly what Steve is doing.

Even if there are perhaps some shortcomings, I find disc two to still be a true wonder to listen to. Although it doesn't contain his guitar playing, it still contains Steve's magic. The standout track for me is "Frangelica Pt. II," one of the more accessible tracks on Vol. II.

There is an undeniable attraction to the music on both of these discs that has made me want to listen to them over and over. The title of this review is a phrase Steve used in the liner notes to describe the ability of a composer to "capture, and make real, the audio vision of their mind's eye." There's no doubt that Steve has captured something intangible and made it quite real. It's the ethereal magnetism of his music. Very few artists today are capable of this. It would probably be fair to say that not even all of Steve's releases have it, but Sound Theories most certainly does. It contains music with so many layers, so much depth, and Steve has so much passion for what he plays and creates, that undoubtedly both discs in this set will be spinning in cd players... and spinning heads... for years to come.

Steve Vai and an Orchestra, pure magic........2007-06-28

Sound Theories Vol 1 & 2", a double-live CD capturing legendary guitarist Steve Vai's electrifying collaboration with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra. The two-disc set spotlights rare material pulled from five European performances, a studio session and a soundcheck rehearsal recording, all of which took place between mid-2004 and 2005.

"Volume 1" features Steve Vai playing guitar with the Orchestra, which has earned worldwide acclaim.
What he does on CD 1 is take those performances and blends them together so it sounds as though it was all 1 show. Truly amazing.

Steve Vai never disappoints.

Together Steve and the Orchestra they bring new life to both
existing and never-before-heard Steve Vai songs.

Highlights on disc 1 are

"For the Love of God", "Liberty", "The Murder", "Attitude Song", "Salamanders in the Sun".

That's not to say the rest aren't as good as those, they are but I feel that these are the songs that are just a bit above the rest and will be the ones you'll remember most.

"Volume 2" features the Orchestra by it self performing songs written and composed by Steve Vai.

Listening to CD 2 it sounds as though he's playing along with the Orchestra, but he's not.

Highlights on CD 2 are
Well CD 2 is the highlight as the whole disc is just that good.

So there you have it.

The question is should you buy it or not.
I say this is an album that Steve Vai fans and rock music fans and even some of you metal heads out there can agree on that is worth buying.

Simply Sublime........2007-06-26

Absolutely amazing! Vai's compositions sound so full and lush with the orchestra. Steve's attention to detail in the audio editing, is a lesson worth aspiring to also. The guitar playing is faultless - as you'd expect from any Vai release.

Go buy it know you knuckleheads! Or I'll hunt you down...

Average customer rating: PATTI SANTOS was the original vocal! Two Great Cuts, One Nostalgic Cut, and a Lot of Garbage Memories I don't know about "the San Fran sound", but I know IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SOUND... It's A Beautiful Day - self-titled (San Francisco Sound)

It's a Beautiful Day It's a Beautiful Day Manufacturer: San Francisco Sound ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Marrying Maiden Happy Trails Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus Surrealistic Pillow Quicksilver Messenger Service ASIN: B000000DPF Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

1. White Bird
2. Hot Summer Day
3. Wasted Union Blues
4. Girl With No Eyes
5. Bombay Calling
6. Bulgaria
7. Time Is

Amazon.com

Yes, the original version of that FM oldie "White Bird" is included on this CD. Formed in 1967 by former symphony violinist David LaFlamme, this popular group plowed through all of the San Francisco Sound's clichés at once: organ, fiddle and drum solos; epigrammatic sayings about love, time, and dreams that are so cheesy they would make a Hallmark hack blush; the soft-part-that-heads-steadily-toward-the-crescendo part; incongruously pieced-together prog-rock songs that plod on for way too long; off-kilter male and female singing; and a near-total lack of soul. This 1969 recording, then, is a clear blueprint of what not to do in psychedelic rock--with the exception of "White Bird," which retains a sheen of innocence and melodic oomph despite its daft, repeated utterance that "she must fly!" This reissue has a bright, clear sound and excellent separation; it will more than please fans of the original LP. However, those looking for an equal to the best works of Moby Grape, Quicksilver, and the Dead are encouraged to seek elsewhere. --Mike McGonigal

Album Details

The Classic Band of the Sixites Embraced by San Francisco and the Love Generation, the Legendary First Album featuring White Bird. One of the Original Ten San Francisco Groups Produced by Matthew Katz who Produced Jefferson Airplane.

Customer Reviews:

PATTI SANTOS was the original vocal!.......2007-07-14

PATTI SANTOS Santos was the original vocal on the original recording. Her voice was so unique and beautiful that no one since her untimely death will EVER be able to duplicate. For some reason, there is NO mention of Patti in any of these reviews OR on LaFlamme's website. I wonder why that is? PATTI SANTOS was what made It's A Beautiful Day what it was. Yes, the violin is very pretty, but I can always listen to Jean-Luc Ponty. I'm afraid that without PATTI SANTOS on vocals and percussion, IABD will never be the same. Just a good example of how it's never as good as the original. I do, however, think all of IABD's albums are excellent masterpieces. The LaFlamme solo albums are good too. Fortunately, we have the beauty of PATTI SANTOS' vocals on those albums. It's kinda like trying to recreate "Close To You" by the Carpenters with another singer other than Karen Carpenter--it can't be done. These were unique, beautifully gifted artists who were one of a kind and are still missed to this day.

Two Great Cuts, One Nostalgic Cut, and a Lot of Garbage.......2007-07-13

Great cut: Hot Summer Day: unique, superb mix of instruments (violin, harmonica, keyboard, and electric guitar), nice vocals (the lyrics are kinda dumb, but that's part of the 60s), fantastic build up...everything that characterizes a great 60s song. The last few intensive notes end this song beautifully.

Great cut: Bombay Calling - a wonderful violin driven instrumental that makes you bounce in your seat.

Nostalgic Cut: White Bird (yup. I'm that old). Great to hear it, but it makes its point and then pounds you to death with it

OK Cut: Girl with No Eyes (what is this song trying to tell us?)

What's with the rest of this junk? It's either painfully harsh or just downright boring. Amazon reviewer Mike McGonigal hit the nail on the head. This album is everything that's right and wrong with the 60s music.

Memories.......2007-03-19

I had one of the songs off this CD stuck in my head for weeks. I finally got my song fix and it was great!

I don't know about "the San Fran sound", but I know IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SOUND..........2007-02-23

This album was recorded well before I was born so this review will not be based on subjective and biased memories...though I wish I could have experienced this band back in that era because a lot of great music was created back then. I am not familiar with the so-called "San Franscisco sound" but I do know of other bands in this era such as Jefferson Airplane, the Doors, King Crimson, and Procol Harum (these are bands I mention because I think elements of their sound can be heard in It's a Beautiful Day).

BEAUTIFUL!!! That word really does describe this album better than anything else in the english vocabulary. The cover of the album reminds me of the movie 'The Sound of Music' and the music is pure genius. Take a typical 4 peice 60's band (bass, guitar, drums, vocals) then add keyboards with psychedelic sound effects, a very talented violinist, a female vocalist, and a variety of other instruments...combine all this with gorgeous melodies, poetic lyrics, and progressive song compositions = BEAUTIFUL!!!

I won't take the time to dissect every song but I will make mention that "White Bird" really is as wonderful as all the other reviewers have made it out to be. Other highlights for me were the psychedelic and very catchy melodies of "Girl With No Eyes", the distorted guitars and upbeat tempo of "Wasted Union Blues", the guitar licks and harmonies of the instrumental song "Bombay Calling", and the diverse and crazy "Time Is" (almost 10 minutes in length and includes a great percussion solo). There is really no filler on this album and David Lafamme's voice is just as moving as his violin. As the lyrics of "Bulgaria" suggest: "Open up your mind!"

BEAUTIFUL!!!

RECOMMENDATION: As mentioned earlier in my review - fans of the Doors, King Crimson, Jefferson Airplane, or Procol Harum should dig this music. If you are already familar with It's A Beautiful Day then those aforementioned bands should be part of your music collection as well. Also highly recommended is the band Camel's 1975 instrumental masterpiece entitled 'The Snow Goose'. See my profile for more suggestions.

It's A Beautiful Day - self-titled (San Francisco Sound).......2007-01-13

Review no. 115. For a semi-obscure act,I was amazed at seeing over a hundred reviews for this 'cult classic', sort to speak. Originally released in 1969, this was It's A Beautiful Day's debut record. I remember my baby sitter playing this lp several times, as I always thought it was, like sort of cool-but at the same time a bit strange. Now, light years later, I like getting to check out the CD reissue. Tunes I was most impressed with were "White Bird", "Summer Day"(most older fans should recall this cut), "Bombay Calling" and the somewhat eerie "Bulgaria". Good old school San Francisco psychedelic / folk rock.Line-up: David LaFlamme-flute, violin&vocals, wife Linda-organ&piano, Hal Wagenet-guitar,Mitchell Holman-bass and Pattie Santos-percussion&vocals. Unless your memory is a mite rusty, this band might appeal to fans of Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, Spirit, the Strawbs and possibly Soft Machine.

Rock Music:

1. Splash Mountain [Import]
2. Start from the Dark [Enhanced] [Import]
3. This Is Your Life [Import]
4. Together Alone/Woodface [Import]
5. Too Many Fools Following [Import]
6. Tough Love [Import]
7. Untitled [Import]
8. Ups & Downs: Early Recordings & B-Sides [Enhanced] [Import]
9. Way I Am [Import]
10. Western Ballads [Import]

Rock Music