What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Tales From The Hudson -- CD

Michael Brecker

1996 GRP Records

Amazon.com

Because he has recorded so much mediocre commercial jazz, Michael Brecker's more ambitious ventures are often not taken as seriously as they should be. For Tales from the Hudson, Brecker assembles an all-star band of Miles Davis's 1970 rhythm section (drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Dave Holland), underrated pianist Joey Calderazzo, and guitarist Pat Metheny--and on two numbers, Calderazzo is replaced by McCoy Tyner. For this special occasion, Brecker has written five impressionistic modal pieces and has also included one composition apiece from Metheny, Calderazzo, and the late pianist Don Grolnick. The satisfying results should do much to bring Brecker his due as a fine composer and bandleader and a player with a hearty tenor tone and good instincts about where to find fresh territory in an improvisation. --Geoffrey Himes

All tracks composed by Michael Brecker; except where indicated

"Slings and Arrows" — 6:19
"Midnight Voyage" (Joey Calderazzo) — 7:17
"Song for Bilbao" (Pat Metheny) — 5:44
"Beau Rivage" — 7:38
"African Skies" — 8:12
"Introduction to the Naked Soul" — 1:41
"Naked Soul" — 8:43
"Willie T." (Don Grolnick) — 8:13
"Cabin Fever" — 6:59

Michael Brecker — tenor saxophone
Pat Metheny — guitar, guitar synth
Joey Calderazzo — piano
Dave Holland — bass
Jack DeJohnette — drums
McCoy Tyner — piano (Tracks 3 and 5)
Don Alias — percussion

 

[Randy]

April Wine Nature of the Beast

The Babys Anthology

 

[Dennie]

Amandla -- CD

Miles Davis

1989 Warner Bros. Records

One of my favorite albums, February 26, 2005
By S. Delson "mandelscot" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Amandla (Audio CD)

Amandla has always had a way of creeping into my playlist. It may be characterized as 80s fusion, but there is something deep about this album that has grown on me with each listen. While much of 80s jazz is not worth a listen today, there is something about Amandla that makes it timeless. Yes, there are programmed drum tracks and 80s synthesizers, but everything in this album is done with the best of class, and the sum of its parts is simply classic.

You're not going to find the Miles Davis of his past in this album. Instead, you will find an artist stretching his horizons in the way that Miles did throughout his career. Miles was a master of bringing contemporary musicians together, and Amandla showcases this talent. Marcus Miller and Kenny Garrett absolutely shine on this album in the same way that Ron Carter and Wayne Shorter shone in days past.

All tracks were composed by Marcus Miller, except where indicated.

"Catémbe" – 5:35
"Cobra" (George Duke) – 5:15
"Big Time" – 5:40
"Hannibal" – 5:49
"Jo-Jo" – 4:51
"Amandla" – 5:20
"Jilli" (John Bigham) – 5:05
"Mr. Pastorius" – 5:41

 

[Kazaam]

Neil Finn (from Crowded House and Split Enz)

"Try Whistling This"

 

[Dennie]

1 + 1 -- CD

Herbie Hancock - Wayne Shorter

1997 Verve Records

Warning: Active Listening Required, June 6, 2006
By Sor_Fingers (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: 1+1 (Audio CD)

This album is a real manifest of brilliance, two geniuses in the studio collaborating. The music is free, liquid and liberal. There is not much form, nor is there much planning. This album is mostly free jazz and I am pretty sure that much of the people who rated this recording low were probably not very appreciative of free jazz in general. Because this album is not as musically simple or structured as something like "Kind of Blue," it really requires a different listening style than most music in the mainstream. You wouldn't listen to this album in the same way that you would listen to "Kind of Blue" just as you wouldn't read Salman Rushdie the same way you would read Hemmingway. This album really requires the listener's brain to be completely engaged. Though there is much to analyze on all jazz records, many can be put on as background music and the sounds can be enjoyed and appreciated passively. That is not the case with this disc. The listener can only really appreciate this album by getting into the mindset of Hancock and Shorter and trying to figure out what exactly is going on. What the listener can discover besides the fact that both are incredible players with an incredible technical mastery of their instruments, is that this album is essentially four golden ears at work. The two players are constantly in eachother's heads. Rarely is either player soloing, instead, the two players are creating an intricate dialog of sound, chords, melodies and rhythm that requires the use of the amazing ears each player has. They make the sparse setting of piano and saxophone not just work, but engulf you. I have to disagree with reviewers who claim this album lacks emotion, shape or inspiration. I just don't understand how that accusation can be made. Listen to the brilliance, engage your brain and try to dissect the dialog Shorter and Hancock compose. The only thing simple about this album is the title. Everything else is going to require a little bit more engagement. If you are willing to take on that task, more power to you.

1. "Meridianne – A Wood Sylph" Shorter 6:09
2. "Aung San Suu Kyi" Shorter 5:45
3. "Sonrisa" Hancock 6:26
4. "Memory Of Enchantment" Michiel Borstlap 6:20
5. "Visitor From Nowhere" Hancock/Shorter 7:44
6. "Joanna's Theme" Hancock 5:22
7. "Diana" Shorter 5:32
8. "Visitor From Somewhere" Hancock/Shorter 9:04
9. "Manhattan Lorelei" Hancock/Shorter 7:22
10. "Hale Bopp, Hip-Hop" Hancock 1:51

 

[Rope]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gunlBUan8Y[/youtube]

Rope

 

[Dennie]

The New Standard -- CD

Herbie Hancock

1996 Verve Records

Overlooked Jazz Masterpiece, February 22, 2006
By Lars Tackmann (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: New Standard (Audio CD)

This is by far one of Hancock's best recordings (at least since the Headhunters, Thrust, Manchild days). He captures a strange haunting sound in the twilight between Jazz, Pop and Rock. When I come home from a long day there is nothing better than mixing a gin and tonic and putting on Herbie's fantastic version of "Norwegian Wood". The musicians seams to be completely in tune on this record, not just showing off talent but really putting there soul into it.

If you dig Miles Davis on "In a Silent Way" or Coltrane in "My Favorite Things" then you are going to love this fantastic record. Tracks like "Mercy Street", "When Can I See You", "Manhattan" and "Love is Stronger Than Pride" are made of the good stuff, they are played with depth and skill in that rare way that makes a classic. In short this record can be put next to any great Jazz masterpiece.

"New York Minute" (Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, Jai Winding) - 8:35
"Mercy Street" (Peter Gabriel) - 8:36
"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" (Lennon, McCartney) - 8:07
"When Can I See You" (Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds) - 6:17
"You've Got It Bad, Girl" (Wonder, Yvonne Wright) - 7:15
"Love Is Stronger Than Pride" (Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman) - 8:00
"Scarborough Fair" (Simon, Garfunkel) - 8:24
"Thieves in the Temple" (Prince) - 7:33
"All Apologies" (Kurt Cobain) - 5:08
"Manhattan (Island of Lights and Love)" (Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock) - 4:06
"Your Gold Teeth II" (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) - 5:14

Herbie Hancock - piano
Michael Brecker - tenor and soprano saxophone
John Scofield - acoustic and electric guitar, electric sitar
Dave Holland - acoustic bass
Jack DeJohnette - drums, electric percussion
Don Alias - percussion

 

[Dennie]

BAng!zoOM -- CD

Bobby McFerrin

1996 Blue Note Records

Smooth jazz with brilliant vocals!, September 5, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Bang Zoom (Audio CD)

This album is a must for all music-lovers, embracing the spirit of soul, the art of jazz and the mood of top-quality classical music. The Yellowjackets, who are well known for their successful collaborations with various artists, sets the scene perfectly and creates the best possible background for Mcferrins vocal-skills. No need to hesitate; just buy it.

Track Listing
1. Bang!Zoom
2. Remembrance
3. Friends
4. Selim
5. Freedom Is A Voice
6. Heaven's Design
7. My Better Half
8. Kids' Toys
9. Mere Words

 

[Dennie]

Weekend In Monaco -- CD

Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman

1992 GRP Records

If you buy only one Rips disc, this is it..., March 13, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Weekend in Monaco (Audio CD)

Easily my favorite of all the Rippingtons' discs. The title track is outstanding. Great music for Sunday morning while sipping coffee and reading the newspaper; great music for a dinner party; great music at the office; just great music.

"Weekend in Monaco" - 5:19
"St. Tropez" - 5:55
"Vienna" - 4:49
"Indian Summer" - 5:44
"A Place for Lovers" - 5:12
"Carnival" - 5:45
"Moka Java" - 5:46
"Highroller" - 5:56
"Where the Road Will Lead Us" - 4:15

 

[Dennie]

Tribes, Vibes + Scribes -- CD

Incognito

1992 Verve Forecast

Amazon.com

Incognito's third album nods to the influences that ground their jazz-funk-and-soul jams. The 11-member band adds a Latin feel to a snazzy cover of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," while "Magnetic Ocean" has a Weather Report-in-ballad-mode vibe. "Change" combines Maysa Leak's Chaka Khan-like power with sweeping Soul II Soul-ish strings, and "Need to Know" gives props to Roy Ayers (check the clavinet) and Rick James (horn section). The band is at its best showcasing Leak or featuring soloists, as on "Colibri" and the Mandrill-ish "Closer to the Feeling." Still, some attempts fall flat, like the syrupy "L'Arc en Ciel de Miles" that's more Chuck Mangione than Prince of Darkness. This one's for smooth-jazz aficionados; Brit-funk fans should check the band's later fare. --Suzanne McElfresh

Track listing

1. Colibri
2. Change
3. River In My Dreams
4. Don't You Worry About A Thing
5. Magnet Ocean
6. I Love What You Do For Me
7. Closer To The Feeling
8. L'Arc En Ciel De Miles
9. Need To Know
10. Pyramids
11. Tribal Vibes

 

[Dennie]

Brothers In Arms -- SACD

Dire Straits

2005 Mercury Records (Import)

Amazon.com essential recording

Propelled by Mark Knopfler's literate songs, gruff vocals, and spidery guitar work, Dire Straits had overcome initial skepticism for their resistance to '70s new wave accents in favor of a rootsy traditionalism. This 1985 album captures the band consolidating a far more epic style than the concise shuffles and ballads that the original scrappy quartet had reeled off, their ambitions fueled by the larger canvas afforded by the CD. One of the first albums to exploit the format's longer playing time, Brothers in Arms was initially released in separate versions for CD/cassette and edited LP, and the band became digital poster boys on a world tour sponsored by CD hardware interests. Critics that had once warmed to the band sniffed at the marketing, but the album remains their best known, noteworthy for the MTV staple "Money for Nothing" and the breezy rock shuffle "Walk of Life," as well as for the wistful "So Far Away," the plot-driven narratives of "Ride Across the River," and the title song. --Sam Sutherland
Product Description

Import only SACD pressing. 20th anniversary limited edition of Dire Strait's 1985 album in the Hybrid/SACD format - 5.1 Surround Sound, packaged in a standard jewel case. Features the same nine tracks as the original version. Mercury. 2005.

1. "So Far Away" 5:12
2. "Money for Nothing" (Knopfler, Sting) 8:26
3. "Walk of Life" 4:12
4. "Your Latest Trick" 6:33
5. "Why Worry" 8:31
6. "Ride Across the River" 6:58
7. "The Man's Too Strong" 4:40
8. "One World" 3:40
9. "Brothers in Arms" 7:00

 

[Dennie]

I'm listening to this version.... :text-bravo:

Of this album....... :eusa-clap:

Bat Out of Hell -- 24k Gold Mastersound SBM CD

Meatloaf - Songs by Jim Steinman

1977/1994 Epic Legacy

Indulgent, Overblown ... Just The Way I Like It!, May 19, 2000
By Bill R. Moore (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Bat Out of Hell (Audio CD)

This album falls somewhere between progressive rock, classical, and opera. Strange? Yes. Good? Definately. A classic? You bet. One reviewer said that Meat Loaf is a "pretty good singer". Man, is that a major understatement. Meat is one of the greatest singers of all-time. Although he is not my favorite singer, you'd be hardpressed to find another rock vocalist who could pull off these songs and not make them sound corny. Despite what some reviewers have said, that is exactly what he does here. Every single song is a masterpiece. The title track is a classic rock song, with the timeless "motorcycle guitar" from Todd Rundgren (who also does a masterly job producing this album). Paradise is the most well known song from here, and with good reason, it is great. Heaven Can Wait is a simple song (a rarity on this album) that features one of Meat's best ever vocal performances and some great piano work from Roy Bittan. Jim Steinman is a genius, plain and simple, anyone who could write such grandiose, sprawling music as this should be given credit, and no one else could've sung it except for Meat Loaf. For that reason alone, Bat Out of Hell is worth owning.

Side one

No. Title Length
1. "Bat Out of Hell" 9:56
2. "You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)" (intro spoken by Steinman and Marcia McClain) 5:04
3. "Heaven Can Wait" 4:38
4. "All Revved Up with No Place to Go" 4:19
Side two

No. Title Length
5. "Two out of Three Ain't Bad" 5:23
6. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" (duet with Ellen Foley) 8:28
7. "For Crying Out Loud" 8:45

 

[Dennie]

Simple Dreams -- OMR 24k Gold CD

Linda Ronstadt

1977/2009 Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs

Amazon.com essential recording

On its face, Simple Dreams seems a crazy quilt of styles, from the friendly country-rock remake of Buddy Holly's "It's So Easy," the brooding covers of Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou," and Dolly Parton's "I Never Will Marry" to dissolute tales of rock & roll madness like the Rolling Stones' "Tumbling Dice" and Warren Zevon's "Carmelita" and "Poor Poor Pitiful Me." Yet Ronstadt is able to keep it all together, proving her interpretive depth and stylistic breadth all at once. Simple Dreams is perhaps Ronstadt's most adventurous rock-oriented album, and, with the exception of the drum sounds, which indelibly identify this as a product of the '70s, it still works. --Daniel Durchholz

Side 1

"It's So Easy (To Fall In Love)" (Buddy Holly, Norman Petty) - 2:27
"Carmelita" (Warren Zevon) - 3:07
"Simple Man, Simple Dream" (J.D. Souther) - 3:12
"Sorrow Lives Here" (Eric Kaz) - 2:57
"I Never Will Marry" (Traditional) - 3:12

Side 2

"Blue Bayou" (Roy Orbison, Joe Melson) - 3:57
"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" (Warren Zevon) - 3:42
"Maybe I'm Right" (Waddy Wachtel) - 3:05
"Tumbling Dice" (Keith Richards, Mick Jagger) - 3:05
"Old Paint" (Traditional) - 3:05

 

[Dennie]

Hasten Down The Wind -- OMR 24k Gold CD

Linda Ronstadt

1976/2009 Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs

Amazon.com essential recording

After the critical and commercial smash Heart Like a Wheel, Linda Ronstadt could have had her pick of material from the day's top songwriters. Instead, she chose the wares of a couple of young artists on the rise, Warren Zevon and Karla Bonoff. Each provided her with first-rate material for Hasten Down the Wind: Zevon wrote the title track and Bonoff supplied "Someone to Lay Down Beside Me," "Lose Again," and "If He's Ever Near." Ronstadt also bravely covers songs already done definitively by others--Patsy Cline's "Crazy," Buddy Holly's "That'll Be the Day," and Tracy Nelson's "Down So Low"--and emerges not merely unscathed, but triumphant. She also presages the turn toward Spanish material her career took in the '80s with "Lo Siento Mi Vida." It's easy to see why the public went wild for Hasten, Ronstadt's first platinum album. --Daniel Durchholz

"Lose Again" (Karla Bonoff) - 3:34
"The Tattler" (Ry Cooder, Russ Titelman, Washington Phillips) - 3:56
"If He's Ever Near" (Karla Bonoff) - 3:15
"That'll Be the Day" (Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, Norman Petty) - 2:32
"Lo Siento Mi Vida" (Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Edwards, Gilbert Ronstadt) - 3:54
"Hasten Down the Wind" (Warren Zevon) - 2:40
"Rivers of Babylon" (Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton, S. McNaughton) - 0:52
"Give One Heart" (John Hall, Johanna Hall) - 4:07
"Try Me Again" (Linda Ronstadt, Andrew Gold) - 3:59
"Crazy" (Willie Nelson) - 3:58
"Down So Low" (Tracy Nelson) - 4:08
"Someone to Lay Down Beside Me" (Karla Bonoff) - 4:28



Bonus Picture.....

 

[Dennie]

Rare Genius - The Undiscovered Masters -- CD

Ray Charles

2010 Concord Records

Unparalleled Genius, November 14, 2010
By Damian P. Gadal (Santa Barbara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters (MP3 Download)

You never know what you're going to get with these posthumous music releases. Often times, it's something the artist would never have approved of, and a case of the record company trying cash in on their death. Not the case here, and I'm glad I took a chance and bought this.

This release holds up well with Ray Charles' other work, and shows that he was an unparalleled genius.

Refreshing Ray Charles that's now in the top of my current music rotation.

"Love's Gonna Bite You Back" – 3:54
"It Hurts To Be In Love" (Dixson, Toombs) – 4:53
"Wheel Of Fortune" (Benjamin, Weiss) – 4:00
"I'm Gonna Keep On Singin'" – 5:30
"There'll Be Some Changes Made" (Blackstone, Overstreet) – 4:04
"Isn't It Wonderful" (Taylor, Webster) – 4:13
"I Don't Want No One But You" – 4:20
"A Little Bitty Tear" (Cochran) – 3:35
"She's Gone" – 3:10
"Why Me Lord?" (Kristofferson) – 3:57

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

 

[smgreen20]

Been a while since I've been to this thread. A lot going on. To much new music to keep up.

Megadeth's 13

Evanescence's What you want

Metallica's LULU

Megadeth's 13 is a great album. Loving the pace of the album.

Evanescence's What you want isn't that bad either. Record quality seems to be very good, dynamic.

Metallica's LULU SUCKS!!!!!! Okay, to be fair, the music is awesome, Lou Reeds voice sucks and is what ruins the album keeping it from being a great piece of work. Metallica isn't really claiming this album as a studio release of theirs, but more of just a collaboration.

 

[Dennie]

Devotion -- DVD-A

Aaron Neville

2000 Silverline Productions

The Grammy Award Winning voice of Aaron Neville is one of the most recognizable in popular music. He has performed for presidents and royalty, as well as the disadvantaged and prison inmates. His talent has transcended musical genres and trends. Aaron Neville is an American musical icon. Devotion, Aaron Neville's latest recording, is a collection of material that is very personal to the artist. A spiritual rather than a religious album, Devotion brings together popular songs like "Morning Has Broken", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Let It Be" with gospel greats "Mary Don't You Weep" and Banks Of the River Jordan" that have always been favorites of Aaron.

With Devotion, listeners will be able to hear that unmistakable Aaron Neville voice as if they were in the studio with him while he made the record. This 24 bit/96khz, six channel surround disc brings amazing clarity to every note of the recordings. Additionally, the disc includes a very special video section that includes interviews with Aaron and many of the people who have been instrumental in his life. There is also footage of Aaron performing songs from this album live at Angola Penitentiary.

1. Morning Has Broken
2. Mary Don't You Weep
3. By Heart, By Soul (Guest vocals by Avalon)
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water
5. Singing You a Prayer (Duet with Ivan Neville)
6. Jesus Loves Me
7. Let It Be
8. What Would Jesus Do?
9. Banks Of the River Jordan
10. Were You There?
11. Any Day Now
12. Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine
13. I SHall Be Released

 

[topper]

'Don't Look Back' is credited to John Lee Hooker and produced by Van Morrison, but effectively functions as a duet between the two, who have appeared and recorded together previously (Hooker's Never Get Out of These Blues Alive and Chill Out). Here, Morrison lends his hypnotic chanting--an intriguing complement to Hooker's spellbinding approach--to his own, "Healing Game," as well as contributing freely elsewhere, both vocally and on rhythm guitar. This set is more meditative than other recent Hooker discs, with the bluesman thoughtful and cogent on Morrison's "Don't Look Back," Hendrix's "Red House," and a number of originals. ~ Rickey Wright

 

[Dennie]

Hauntingly Beautiful! ........:crying-yellow:........:bow-yellow:

American IV: The Man Comes Around -- CD/DVD

Johnny Cash

2002 Lost Highway Records

Amazon.com

On first thought, the idea of the Man in Black recording such covers as "Bridge over Troubled Water," "Danny Boy," and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" might seem odd, even for an artist who's been able to put his personal stamp on just about everything. But American IV: The Man Comes Around, which also draws on Cash's original songs as well as those by Nine Inch Nails ("Hurt"), Sting ("I Hung My Head"), and Depeche Mode ("Personal Jesus"), may be one of the most autobiographical albums of the 70-year-old singer-songwriter's career. Nearly every tune seems chosen to afford the ailing giant of popular music a chance to reflect on his life, and look ahead to what's around the corner. From the opening track--Cash's own "The Man Comes Around," filled with frightening images of Armageddon--the album, produced by Rick Rubin, advances a quiet power and pathos, built around spare arrangements and unflinching honesty in performance and subject. In 15 songs, Cash moves through dark, haunted meditations on death and destruction, poignant farewells, testaments to everlasting love, and hopeful salutes to redemption. He sounds as if he means every word, his baritone-bass, frequently frayed and ravaged, taking on a weary beauty. By the time he gets to the Beatles' "In My Life," you'll very nearly cry. Go ahead. He sounds as if he's about to, too. Unforgettable. --Alanna Nash

"The Man Comes Around" (Cash) – 4:26
"Hurt" (Reznor) – 3:38 Originally recorded by Nine Inch Nails for The Downward Spiral (1994)
"Give My Love to Rose" (Cash) – 3:28 Originally recorded by Cash for Sun, appears on Sings Hank Williams (1960), also appears on At Folsom Prison (1968)
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon) – 3:55 Originally recorded by Simon and Garfunkel for Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)
"I Hung My Head" (Sting) – 3:53 Originally recorded by Sting for Mercury Falling (1996)
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (MacColl) – 3:52 Was a number one hit for Roberta Flack (1972)
"Personal Jesus" (Gore) – 3:20 Originally recorded by Depeche Mode for Violator (1990)
"In My Life" (Lennon/McCartney) – 2:57 Originally recorded by The Beatles for Rubber Soul (1965)
"Sam Hall" (Ritter) – 2:40 Originally recorded by Cash for Sings the Ballads of the True West (1965)
"Danny Boy" (Weatherly) – 3:19 First published in 1910, previously recorded by Cash for Orange Blossom Special (1965)
"Desperado" (Frey/Henley) – 3:13 Originally recorded by The Eagles for the album of the same name (1973)
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (Williams) – 3:03 Originally recorded by Hank Williams; previously recorded by Cash for Now, There Was a Song! (1960)
"Tear Stained Letter" (Cash) – 3:41 Originally recorded by Cash for A Thing Called Love (1972)
"Streets of Laredo" – 3:33 (Traditional) Previously recorded by Cash for Sings the Ballads of the True West (1965)
"We'll Meet Again" (Charles/Parker) – 2:58 Most famously a hit for Vera Lynn (1939)