What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Enlightenment -- CD

Van Morrison

1990 Polydor Records

Amazon.com

Its title seems squarely in the pilgrim's camp, where much of Van Morrison's '80s music dwells, but 1990's Enlightenment offsets new glimpses of Morrison's oft-sought Avalon ("Avalon of the Heart") with darker confessions of human frailty and challenged faith. The opening "Real Real Gone" belies its hard-charging R&B verve (a welcome return to high-octane soul after his relatively becalmed, then-recent work) with admissions of weakness, and even the lyrical title song reveals confusion more than salvation. A few years later, such defeats might have prompted one of his crankier outbursts, but this set is brightened by the joyful reminiscences of "Youth of 1,000 Summers" and the epic "In the Days Before Rock 'n' Roll," in which Morrison's declamatory fervor is matched by poet Paul Durcan. The latter song is a gloriously apt Morrison moment, exulting in Little Richard as though he walked the same astral plane as William Blake--which, in Morrison's world, is exactly the point. --Sam Sutherland

All songs by Morrison unless noted otherwise.

"Real Real Gone" – 3:43
"Enlightenment" – 4:04
"So Quiet in Here" – 6:09
"Avalon of the Heart" – 4:45
"See Me Through" – 6:13
"Youth of 1,000 Summers" – 3:45
"In the Days Before Rock 'N' Roll" (Durcan, Morrison) – 8:13
"Start All Over Again" – 4:10
"She's My Baby" – 5:14
"Memories" – 4:14

 

[heeman]

:music-rockout: :music-rockout:

 

[Botch]

 

[Rope]

Rope

 

[PaulyT]

Good music, I especially love "Before Believing" from this album.

And I gotta say, Emmylou is a fine looking woman, both in these early days (70's) and today. Not that that affects my opinion of her music... just sayin'.

 

[Rope]

Rope

 

[Dennie]

Shaking The Tree - Sixteen Golden Greats -- CD

Peter Gabriel

1990 David Geffen Records

Amazon.com

Peter Gabriel has never been one to stand on tradition. The former Genesis singer bends and hammers fashionable pop forms to his liking (à la his massive MTV-fueled hit "Sledgehammer") or uses the obligatory soundtrack assignment to explore the world music that has been his obsession for decades (as in "Zaar" from Passion). This 16-track anthology explores the width--and, crucially, depth--of Gabriel's rich post-Genesis music, from the post-prog obliquities of "Solsbury Hill" and "Here Comes the Flood" to the African musical and political concerns of the title track (available only on this collection) and the epic "Biko." But what makes the compilation even more compelling is the way it eschews the chronology of its decade-plus body of music, instead weaving and segueing Gabriel's music into a tapestry of compelling mood and color. It's a rewarding listening experience for fan and novice alike. --Jerry McCulley

1. "Solsbury Hill" Peter Gabriel (I), 1977 4:20
2. "I Don't Remember" (Edit) Peter Gabriel (III), 1980 3:48
3. "Sledgehammer" (Edit) So, 1986 4:54
4. "Family Snapshot" Peter Gabriel (III), 1980 4:25
5. "Mercy Street" (Edit) So, 1986 4:43
6. "Shaking the Tree" (1990 remix) The Lion, 1989 6:23
7. "Don't Give Up" (Edit) So, 1986 5:55
8. "San Jacinto" Peter Gabriel (IV), 1982 6:40
9. "Here Comes the Flood" (1990 re-recording) n/a 4:31
10. "Red Rain" So, 1986 5:35
11. "Games Without Frontiers" (Edit) Peter Gabriel (III), 1980 3:57
12. "Shock the Monkey" (Radio Edit) Peter Gabriel (IV), 1982 3:56
13. "I Have the Touch" (1983 Remix) Peter Gabriel (IV), 1982 3:56
14. "Big Time" So, 1986 4:26
15. "Zaar" (Edit) Passion: Music for The Last Temptation of Christ, 1989 2:58
16. "Biko" (Edit) Peter Gabriel (III), 1980 7:00
Total length:
77:05
"San Jacinto", "Red Rain", "I Have the Touch" (1983 remix), "Zaar" (Edit) are not present on the vinyl release.

 

[Dennie]

Good music, I especially love "Before Believing" from this album.

And I gotta say, Emmylou is a fine looking woman, both in these early days (70's) and today. Not that that affects my opinion of her music... just sayin'.

Great Choice Pauly! :handgestures-thumbup:

I have to agree with you.... She is a Beautiful Woman, then and now. You really can't go wrong with any of her albums. I highly recommend her Live album with Mark Knopfler, "Real Live Roadrunning" which is the CD/DVD set to "All The Roadrunning" CD.

Dennie :eusa-clap:

 

[PaulyT]

Yeah, that's a good one, too, I agree.

FYI I just put on Red Dirt Girl and while I like the music a lot, the production/recording quality is total shit. I had to turn it off after a couple of tracks, I just couldn't stand it, which was frustrating because I like it musically. I really try not to be an SQ snob, but this is a rare case where it was really obvious and totally rubbed me the wrong way; from the liner notes, it seems the producer and mixer and guitarist are all the same guy, and he uses so much distortion on his guitar I can barely tell what note it's playing, it's just awful - seems his production "ear" is the same, everything is muddled and garbled, though oddly Emmylou's voice and her own guitar are mostly ok, it's just all the rest of the band that sucks so bad. I wasn't too thrilled with the SQ on All I Intended to Be, either, but it's not that bad in comparison.

Sorry for the rant. It hasn't decreased my admiration of Harris and her singing/songwriting.

 

[Dennie]

4 Way Street -- 2 CD Set

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

1971/1992 Atlantic Records

The greatest guitar dual ever!, March 20, 2011
By DAVID "bigbasspa" (Lancaster, PA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: 4 Way Street (Jewel Box) (Audio CD)

I first heard this album on its release 40 years ago and I still feel that it is one of the very best live albums by any band. I don't want to spend time analyzing tracks as many reviewers have already done that but I just want to say that for those who may not have heard this album, the guitar dual between Neil Young and Stephen Stills on Southern Man is probably the greatest I have ever heard. I still believe that this version of Southern Man is the greatest live track I have ever heard. Play it loud and let Stephen Stills on the left and Neil Young on the right transport you to rock nirvana. Southern Man here is CSNY kicking serious a$$ and it is simply wonderful.

Disc one

"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (Stills) – 0:33
"On the Way Home" (Young) – 3:48
"Teach Your Children" (Nash) – 3:02
"Triad" (Crosby) – 6:55
"The Lee Shore" (Crosby)– 4:29
"Chicago" (Nash) – 3:11
"Right Between the Eyes" (Nash) – 3:37
"Cowgirl in the Sand" (Young) – 3:59
"Don't Let It Bring You Down" (Young) – 3:31
"49 Bye-Byes/America's Children" (Stills) – 6:35
"Love the One You're With" (Stills) – 3:19
"King Midas In Reverse" (Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Nash) – 3:43
"Laughing" (Crosby) – 3:36
"Black Queen" (Stills) – 6:45
"Medley: The Loner/Cinnamon Girl/Down by the River" (Young) – 9:41

Disc two

"Pre-Road Downs" (Nash) – 3:04
"Long Time Gone" (Crosby) – 5:58
"Southern Man" (Young) – 13:45
"Ohio" (Young) – 3:34
"Carry On" (Stills) – 14:19
"Find the Cost of Freedom" (Stills) – 2:21

 

[Dennie]

Yeah, that's a good one, too, I agree.

FYI I just put on Red Dirt Girl and while I like the music a lot, the production/recording quality is total shit. I had to turn it off after a couple of tracks, I just couldn't stand it, which was frustrating because I like it musically. I really try not to be an SQ snob, but this is a rare case where it was really obvious and totally rubbed me the wrong way; from the liner notes, it seems the producer and mixer and guitarist are all the same guy, and he uses so much distortion on his guitar I can barely tell what note it's playing, it's just awful - seems his production "ear" is the same, everything is muddled and garbled, though oddly Emmylou's voice and her own guitar are mostly ok, it's just all the rest of the band that sucks so bad. I wasn't too thrilled with the SQ on All I Intended to Be, either, but it's not that bad in comparison.

Sorry for the rant. It hasn't decreased my admiration of Harris and her singing/songwriting.

I'll put in "Red Dirt Girl" next, but I don't remember it being that bad! Do you have the 2000 Nonesuch release? It think it is the only version, but I thought I would ask. I'll let you know what I find. Often, I am doing other things and not necessarily paying attention to the SQ, just the music, but I will this time.


Dennie

 

[PaulyT]

Hopefully I haven't biased you too much... sorry. Yeah, it's the standard (only?) release AFAIK. I even tried playing the CD on my BD player instead of the squeezebox, thinking that maybe my recent software upgrade did something funky, but no, sounds the same, and other stuff on the SB is just fine.

 

[Dennie]

Red Dirt Girl -- CD

Emmylou Harris

2000 Nonesuch Records

I Love Emmylou but Burns does the Phil Spector thing to her,
February 14, 2001
By Bruce K. Day "sojourner"
This review is from: Red Dirt Girl (Audio CD)

I heard Emmylou do some of the songs off of this new CD on Prarie Home Companion just before Christmas and was really moved by them. Based on that performance, I gave the CD to my wife for Xmas. When she played it the first time, she asked me if there was something wrong with the "Stereo", It did not sound right to her. I was really surprised at the studio mix on these songs, very strong synth-drums overwhelm the delicate tunes we had heard in the stage versions. I turned down the hot high-end as much as the equalizer would allow and it helped some, but I still have to skip some of the tracks when playing this CD in the house. This mix works better in the car, where the hot mix cuts through the traffic noise. I do not want to sound like I'm a cranky old ****, I really thing that the tunes and lyrics are classic Emmylou Harris. I just wish that there had been an "almost unplugged" version for those who can hear the beat and want to hear the words.

All tracks written by Emmylou Harris, except where noted.

"The Pearl" – 5:02
"Michelangelo" – 5:14
"I Don't Wanna Talk About It Now" – 4:47
"Tragedy" [with Patti Scialfa - duet vocals & Bruce Springsteen - harmony vocals] (Harris, Rodney Crowell) – 4:24
"Red Dirt Girl" – 4:19
"My Baby Needs a Shepherd" – 4:39
"Bang the Drum Slowly" (Harris, Guy Clark) – 4:51
"J'ai Fait Tout" (Harris, Jill Cunniff, Daryl Johnson) – 5:31
"One Big Love" (Patty Griffin, Angelo) – 4:33
"Hour of Gold" – 5:00
"My Antonia" [with Dave Matthews] – 3:43
"Boy from Tupelo" – 3:48

 

[Dennie]

Hopefully I haven't biased you too much... sorry. Yeah, it's the standard (only?) release AFAIK. I even tried playing the CD on my BD player instead of the squeezebox, thinking that maybe my recent software upgrade did something funky, but no, sounds the same, and other stuff on the SB is just fine.

I see what your saying Pauly. From the first note on Track #1, "The Pearl", it is almost like a "Fuzz Box" is hooked up or something. I have noticed it before, now that I hear it again, but like you say, her beautiful voice comes through clearly.

I guess I focus on her voice, more than the fuzzy/distorted music and that is what allows me to enjoy this great album. But I can see where, if someone was focused on the music, it could be a deal breaker.

I'm listening to "Red Dirt Girl" now and that fuzzy guitar is playing away, but her voice, to me, overshadows the music and I am enjoying it very much. It is one of my favorite tracks on the album.

I say, give it another chance and don't pay attention to the music, if you can and focus on her beautiful voice. It helped when I turned it up some and just focus on her voice and harmonies.

It would be nice to have an Acoustic version of this album!


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Always Never The Same -- CD

George Strait

1999 MCA Nashville

Amazon.com

George Strait's work in the '90s is like a hall of mirrors: each new million-seller mirrors the previous million-seller, which mirrors the one that came before. And yet the master's touch never fails, and the music charms and sometimes thrills. Drawing again on his steady stable of writers--Jim Lauderdale, Dean Dillon, Steve Bogard, and Jeff Stevens--and adding Melba Montgomery's careful pen, Strait's latest is a fitting end to a decade he helped define for country music. The material isn't especially impressive given the routine, radio-safe themes, and Strait's band--the crème de la crème of Nashville (Randy Scruggs, Stuart Duncan, Paul Franklin)--plays impeccably but with little distinction. Still, even the middling material, delivered in Strait's lush, plangent tenor, has hit potential. Except for the two-beer ballad "That's the Truth" (one to drink, one to cry into), which explores the borders of deception and honesty, and the soaring, climactic "Meanwhile," which very convincingly weaves reality and fantasy, Always Never the Same is good but never great, consistent but never classic. --Roy Kasten

"Meanwhile" (Wayland Holyfield, Fred Knoblock) - 3:36
"Write This Down" (Dana Hunt Oglesby, Kent Robbins) - 3:41
"That's the Truth" (Steve Leslie, Melba Montgomery) - 3:19
"What Do You Say to That" (Jim Lauderdale, Montgomery) - 3:04
"Peace of Mind" (Aaron Barker, Dean Dillon) - 3:16
"That's Where I Wanna Take Our Love" (Hank Cochran, Dillon) - 3:20
"Always Never the Same" (Marvin Green, Terry McBride) - 3:06
"One of You" (Kostas, Lauderdale) - 2:35
"I Look at You" (Steve Bogard, Jeff Stevens) - 3:31
"4 Minus 3 Equals Zero" (Lonnie Williams) - 3:11

 

[Dennie]

"Hootie"....... :happy-partydance:

Learn To Live -- CD

Darius Rucker

2008 Capitol Nashville

As the front man of Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker has already experienced success - earning 2 Grammy awards and selling over 25 million albums worldwide. Now, embracing his country roots and a music he has always wanted to make, Darius is attracting the attention of country fans who are discovering his voice for the first time, and rewarding Hootie fans with new music featuring one of the most unique voices across any genre of music. Featuring his debut country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", Learn to Live features 12 undeniable country hits and a voice that is unarguably Darius Rucker. "I have always written country songs...for me, this is really just part of the natural evolution of my career. I plan to be doing this for a long time. This isn't a one album deal - it's a career thing," explains Rucker.

1. "Forever Road" Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers, Chris Stapleton 4:01
2. "All I Want" Rucker, Rogers 3:49
3. "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" Rucker, Clay Mills 3:03
4. "Learn to Live" Rucker, Rogers 3:48
5. "If I Had Wings" Rucker, Rogers, Rivers Rutherford 4:03
6. "History in the Making" Rucker, Mills, Rogers 3:29
7. "Alright" Rucker, Rogers 3:51
8. "It Won't Be Like This for Long" Rucker, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley 3:39
9. "Drinkin' and Dialin'" Rucker, DuBois, Gorley 3:04
10. "I Hope They Get to Me in Time" Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby 3:26
11. "While I Still Got the Time" Rogers, Rucker, Rutherford 3:49
12. "Be Wary of a Woman" Rucker, Dave Berg, Patrick Davis 3:26

 

[Dennie]

Sacred Love -- DSD 24bit HDCD

Sting

2003 Sony Music Asia

Like all good things, it takes some time, November 5, 2003
By Robert W. Henshaw "rwam35" (Glen Carbon, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)


This review is from: Sacred Love (Audio CD)
Like many, I'm sure, I skipped through the tracks on this cd when I first got it, hoping to find 4-5 that I immediately liked. Initially, I remember being disappointed. However, after a few weeks, I only have one thing to say: WOW.

As for the criticism, we have to first remember that unlike most musicians today, Sting is still, first and foremost...an artist. As such, his art (or music) is going to be an expression. It's obvious from listening to this cd that Sting's been going through some deep stuff internally, and it has naturally manifested itself into his music.

I have to say I agree with the review by "Hounds" found elsewhere on this site. There's definitely one Tribute song here, if not more. This shouldn't be a surprise - you can see a gradual transformation of Sting over his past couple releases where, if you know what to look for, you can sense his growing interest in the spiritual/God/whatever you want to call it.

Ironically, I think this album will probably go down as one of Sting's "worst", though, from the standpoint of the general population of music fans. Mostly because the lyrics in many of the songs are meaningless to most, but extremely powerful to some. In many ways, I wonder if this is more of a 'Gospel' cd cleverly disguised as popular music. In "Whenever I Say Your Name" (my absolute favorite), "The Book of My Life" and "Send Your Love", Sting may simply be crying out to his Creator...meanwhile, the world perhaps hears a song that makes no sense whatsoever. To me, that's the beauty of this cd.

All songs written by Sting.

"Inside" – 4:46
"Send Your Love" (featuring Vicente Amigo) – 4:38
"Whenever I Say Your Name" (featuring Mary J. Blige) – 5:25
"Dead Man's Rope" – 5:43
"Never Coming Home" – 4:58
"Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)" – 3:56
"Forget About the Future" – 5:12
"This War" – 5:29
"The Book of My Life" (featuring Anoushka Shankar) – 6:15
"Sacred Love" – 5:43

Bonus tracks

There have been multiple editions of this album. Some of them, such as the Japanese edition, feature various extra songs and remixes. Although the tracklist on the official Sting website includes a remix of "Send Your Love" and a live version of "Shape of My Heart", these are not always available.

Depending on the edition, the following bonus tracks may be included:

"Send Your Love (Dave Audé Remix)" – 3:15
"Shape of My Heart" (Live) – 2:18
"Like a Beautiful Smile"
"Moon over Bourbon Street (Cornelius Mix)"

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening...

Love Songs -- DSD 24 bit HDCD

Bee Gees

2005 Universal Asia

Interesting choice of songs., December 31, 2005
By duke14 "duke14" (NE Philly, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Love Songs (Audio CD)

For example, why is Closer Than Close on here? Don't know, don't care. They did an excellent job of picking some great love songs over the Bee gees career. Love So Right would have been a perfect addition to this album because it's one of their greatest singles and talks about love's goods and bads. It's good to see songs like Emotion, Heartbreaker, and Islands In The Stream on this collection. All songs are digitally remastered and have excellent sound quality. Interesting collaboration of songs. So check it out.

To Love Somebody
Words
First of May
Lonely Days
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
How Deep Is Your Love
More Than a Woman
(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away
Emotion
Too Much Heaven
Heartbreaker
Islands in the Stream
Juliet
Secret Love
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Heart Like Mine (bonus track)
Closer Than Close
I Could Not Love You More
Wedding Day
Lovers and Friends (bonus track)

 

[PaulyT]

Hopefully I haven't biased you too much... sorry. Yeah, it's the standard (only?) release AFAIK. I even tried playing the CD on my BD player instead of the squeezebox, thinking that maybe my recent software upgrade did something funky, but no, sounds the same, and other stuff on the SB is just fine.

I see what your saying Pauly. From the first note on Track #1, "The Pearl", it is almost like a "Fuzz Box" is hooked up or something. I have noticed it before, now that I hear it again, but like you say, her beautiful voice comes through clearly.

I guess I focus on her voice, more than the fuzzy/distorted music and that is what allows me to enjoy this great album. But I can see where, if someone was focused on the music, it could be a deal breaker.

I'm listening to "Red Dirt Girl" now and that fuzzy guitar is playing away, but her voice, to me, overshadows the music and I am enjoying it very much. It is one of my favorite tracks on the album.

I say, give it another chance and don't pay attention to the music, if you can and focus on her beautiful voice. It helped when I turned it up some and just focus on her voice and harmonies.

It would be nice to have an Acoustic version of this album!


Dennie

Yeah. And thanks for posting that review, it says pretty much the same thing I did. Sure, I'll definitely listen to this one again anyway, maybe in the car or put it on in another room and listen "remotely"...

 

[topper]

'The Road to Escondido'

:handgestures-thumbup: