What Are You Listening To?

[Dennie]

Guitar Artistry

Charlie Byrd

1968 Riverside Records RS-3005 Stereo

Superb performance from the guitar master, October 2, 2011
By Music Omnivore (Boston) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Guitar Artistry (Audio CD)

Essential CD for fans of virtuoso guitar. Byrd takes standards and turns them into marvelous sonic delights. Beautifully recorded and mastered.

Side 1: Taking A Chance On Love; Moonlight In Vermont; Speak Low; Nuages; Everything I Got Belongs To You; Makin' Whoopee; Django; Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Side 2: The House of The Rising Sun; Ring Them Harmonics; Taboo; To Ginny.

 

[Dennie]

Guitar/Guitar

Herb Ellis/Charlie Byrd

1963 Columbia Records CS-9130 Stereo

Guitar Guitar, November 13, 2010
By Jeeves - See all my reviews
This review is from: Guitar/Guitar (Audio CD)

I first heard this music on vinyl over 40 years ago, and managed to secure a vinyl copy from the USA. I have subsequently found this CD. I believe it is the only CD with these 2 artists playing together. Quite a few trios with Barney Kessell etc. Some great guitar artistry here, and some songs just keep coming back to you. I am using one track as the ring on my mobile phone. I rate this CD very highly and would recommend it to anyone who loves great guitar jazz.

Track Listing
1. Se Todos Fossem Iquais a Voce
2. Chung King
3. Carolina in the Morning
4. Three Quarter Blues
5. Take Care of Yourself
6. St. Louis Blues
7. Jazz 'N' Samba
8. Oh, Lady Be Good
9. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
10. Hundred Years from Today, A
11. Bluesette

 

[Dennie]

Frampton Comes Alive!

Peter Frampton

1976 A&M Records

Amazon.com

Frampton Comes Alive! jettisoned Peter Frampton out of relative commercial obscurity into the bankrolls of success. The album sold millions on the strength of two melodic singles--the rocking "Show Me the Way," and the slower, romantic "Baby I Love Your Way." In traditional 1970s form, the double album also had the prerequisite concert signature song. In Frampton's case it was the lengthy "Do You Feel Like We Do." Introducing Frampton's "talking guitar"--which was nothing but a primitive version of a voice modulator--the song became his calling card, complete with his marathon guitar solo and big rock ending. There's also an iffy version of the Stones' "Jumping Jack Flash," that is basically disposable. In terms of "sides," the double album manages to turn in at least one and a half sides essential to Frampton's rock and roll legacy. The rest is mediocre at best. --Steve Gdula

All songs written by Peter Frampton except as noted.
Side one

"Something's Happening" – 5:41
"Doobie Wah" (Frampton, John Headley-Down, Rick Wills) – 5:28
"Show Me the Way" – 4:42
"It's a Plain Shame" – 4:21

Side two

"All I Want to Be (Is By Your Side)" – 3:27
"Wind of Change" – 2:47
"Baby, I Love Your Way" – 4:43
"I Wanna Go to the Sun" – 7:02

Side three

"Penny for Your Thoughts" – 1:23
"(I'll Give You) Money" – 5:39
"Shine On" – 3:35
"Jumpin' Jack Flash" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 7:45

Side four

"Lines on My Face" – 7:06
"Do You Feel Like We Do?" (Frampton, Mick Gallagher, John Siomos, Rick Wills) – 14:15

 

[Dennie]

Shangri-La -- CD

Mark Knopfler

2004 Reprise Records

Amazon.com

Mark Knopfler isn't afraid to drop names. The heavyweight Cassius Clay laid low, the man who made burgers and fries into big business, the kings of rock & roll and skiffle are among the motley assortment who pass through Knopfler's fourth solo album. Recorded in Malibu with a tight crew of steadfast Knopfler sidemen, Shangri-La (the title comes from the studio where the entire set was recorded) chronicles the foibles of the acclaimed and the adrift, all delivered with the nonchalant grace that has marked Knopfler's music since Dire Straits emerged in the late '70s. Seven of album's 14 originals clock in at between five and seven minutes. That's Knopfler in a nutshell--don't rush things, but don't loose the thread, either. As a songwriter, Knopfler has a storyteller's eye for minutiae, which he delivers with practiced nuance. He overreaches here and there ("Song for Sonny Liston" fails to capture the pathos of the menacing fighter), but also pulls off a few career highlights (the understated crime-drama opener "5.15 a.m."). --Steve Stolder

All songs were written by Mark Knopfler.

"5.15 A.M." – 5:54
"Boom, Like That" – 5:49
"Sucker Row" – 4:56
"The Trawlerman's Song" – 5:02
"Back to Tupelo" – 4:31
"Our Shangri-La" – 5:41
"Everybody Pays" – 5:24
"Song for Sonny Liston" – 5:06
"Whoop De Doo" – 3:53
"Postcards from Paraguay" – 4:07
"All That Matters" – 3:08
"Stand Up Guy" – 4:32
"Donegan's Gone" – 3:05
"Don't Crash the Ambulance" – 5:06

 

[Dennie]

Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

Ella Fitzgerald

1960 Verve Records MG V 4042

One of the greatest holiday albums ever, November 18, 2009
By Glen Zimmerman "RealMenDriveFords" (Lindenwold, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas [Remastered] (Audio CD)

Recorded in 1960, when Ella Fitzgerald was in some of the finest form of her long and legendary career, this is nothing less than the epitomy of a great secular holiday album, and undoubtedly bears some inspiration for many female Christmas albums since. As you'll be able to see from experiencing this album, Ella can take even the most standard, formulaic, and overdone Christmas tunes and turn them into masterpieces. Her scat style of singing could not possibly be improved upon here, and she gets outstanding backing support (especially those slinky horns on "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas") from the prolific Frank DeVol and his orchestra, who give her some rousing and harmonious choruses to accompany her singing.

Side One:

"Jingle Bells" (J.S. Pierpont) – 2:21
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) – 2:56
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) – 2:56
"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (Frank Loesser) – 3:32
"Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) – 2:56
"The Christmas Song" (Mel Tormé, Bob Wells) – 3:00

Side Two:

"Good Morning Blues" (Count Basie, Eddie Durham, Jimmy Rushing) – 3:15
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 2:43
"Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) – 2:16
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Johnny Marks) – 2:51
"Frosty the Snowman" (Steve Nelson, Jack Rollins) – 2:12
"White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) – 3:02

 

[Dennie]

In The Pink

James Galway & Henry Mancini

1984 RCA Red Seal Records

I Must Be Getting Old!, November 6, 2007
By Moldyoldie (Motown, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: James Galway & Henry Mancini In The Pink (Audio CD)


I must be getting old because I'm listening to this...and liking it! LOL I picked it up for the "Theme from 'The Molly Maguires'", a beautiful tune from a none-too-beautiful movie about militant coalminers. However, in addition to themes from The Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Days of Wine and Roses, and Charade; there are fine tunes from The Thorn Birds, Victor/Victoria and other Mancini favorites like "Moon River", "Speedy Gonzales", and "Baby Elephant Walk". Most all are played in the "easy listening" style for which Mancini is known; Galway on flute never extends himself beyond those bounds.

This is fine "feel-good" music to fill your listening space, but it's somewhat short measure for a CD at only about 42 minutes...or you can simply press "repeat" as I often do.

Tracklist:
1. The Pink Panther
2. Meggie's Theme (from The Thorn Birds)
3. Breakfast At Tiffany's
4. Pennywhistle Jig
5. Crazy World (from Victor/Victoria)
6. The Thorn Birds Theme
7. Pie In The Face Polka (from The Great Race)
8. Baby Elephant Walk
9. Two For The Road
10. Speedy Gonzales
11. Theme From The Molly Maguires
12. Medley: Three by Mancini and Mercer: Days of Wine and Roses, Charade and Moon River
13. Cameo for Flute (for James)

 

[Dennie]

My Mom used to play this when I was a kid.......

 

[Dennie]

Black Byrd

Donald Byrd

1972 Blue Note Records

Tight album, January 16, 2008
By A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Black Byrd (Vinyl)

I've always dug me some Donald Byrd and his approach to Groove and arrangements will keep your head bopping non stop and this album was one of those albums where his trademark playing and his fusion of Jazz/funk is something that will keep your ear steady. i bought this album on disc about a decade and change ago and i have what i call the DOnald Byrd section of my music collection and stay on the Grooves. real solid and full of Snap and Funk on here.

1. "Flight Time" 8:27
2. "Black Byrd" 8:00
3. "Love's So Far Away" 6:00
4. "Mr. Thomas" 5:15
5. "Sky High" 5:59
6. "Slop Jar Blues" 6:00
7. "Where Are We Going?" 4:40

 

[Dennie]

It's A Guitar World

Chet Atkins

1967 RCA Records

Atkins serves up a mixture of late 60s pop and world music. Harihar Rao adds sitar to "January in Bombay" and "Ranjana" with some interesting and also somewhat mystifying results. Recent hits by The Tijuana Brass - "A Taste of Honey" and "What Now My Love" also get covered here. It reached #19 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and No. 148 on the Pop Albums chart.

Side one

"What'd I Say" (Ray Charles) – 2:13
"Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (Vince Guaraldi) – 2:23
"Lara's Theme (from Doctor Zhivago)" (Maurice Jarre) – 3:10
"A Taste of Honey" (Ric Marlow, Bobby Scott) – 2:41
"For No One" (Lennon–McCartney) – 2:07

Side two

"Pickin' Nashville" (Joe Layne, Jimmy Wilkerson) – 2:21
"January in Bombay" (Atkins) – 3:05
"Ranjana" (Karihar Rao) – 2:20
"Et Maintenant (What Now My Love)" (Gilbert Bécaud, Pierre Delanoë, Carl Sigman) – 3:15
"'Na voce, 'na chitarra e'o poco 'e luna" (Ugo Calise, C. A. Rosa) – 2:22
"Star-Time" (Leon Payne) – 2:15
"Sempre" (Sonny Osborne) – 2:52

Chet Atkins – guitar
Harihar Rao - sitar

 

[Dennie]

Kilimanjaro

Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman

1988 Passport Jazz

Speechless!, March 10, 2001
By Daisy (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Kilimanjaro (Audio CD)

The greatest album! I have heard it over and over again and I have not yet gotten bored of it. Every song is unique yet they all come together to form one upbeat,jazzy cd. The Ripps are the best jazz group out there! When you hear this cd you'll know why.Go out and get this cd, you won't be able to live without it again!!!

"Morocco" - 4:50
"Northern Lights" - 4:41
"Dream of the Sirens" - 5:38
"Katrina's Dance" - 5:59
"Kilimanjaro" - 4:47
"Back Stabbers" - 4:08
"Love Notes" - 4:15
"Los Cabos!" - 4:09
"Oceansong" - 5:30

 

[Dennie]

Donald Byrd and 125th Street, N.Y.C.

1979 Elektra Records

Good Solid Disc, May 29, 2000
By A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Donald Byrd and 125th Street, N.Y.C. (Audio CD)

This is Another Good Collection of Music By The Genius of Donald Byrd.The Arrangements are very Strong.His Work is Timeless.Very Well Produced. A Good Fusion.

Track Listing
1. Pretty Baby
2. Gold the Moon, White the Sun
3. Giving It Up
4. Marilyn
5. People Suppose to Be Free
6. Veronica
7. Morning
8. I Love You

 

[mzpro5]

Eleven original plus one traditional Christmas songs.

Something fresh for the season.

 

[Dennie]

Today's work truck music....

Straight Shooter -- CD

Bad Company

1975/1990 Atlantic Records

Supergroup hits its stride, November 7, 2001
By Mons "Mons" (Norrpan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Straight Shooter (Audio CD)

Released in 1974, Straightshooter is regarded by many as being Bad Company's strongest album. It has the bluesy feel of its predecessor (Bad Co) but has the band turning their amps up 11 and rocking out the strongest set of songs of the band's career. Do not forget that Bad Co was a supergroup with 2 guys out of Free (Rodgers and Kirke), the bass player from King Crimson (Boz Burrell) and Mott the Hoople's guitarist (Mick Ralphs). They should have been huge, of course, but suffered from having to play second fiddle to Swan Song stablemates Led Zeppelin. The songs were great, their sound: a sort of supercharged, sexy blues-rock without the pretention of Led Zep. What let them down perhaps was their lyrics, some of which make Spinal Tap look like Leonard Cohen, but if you can take that - and I can - this album is a great listen from beginning to end. Bad Company were also one of the few hard rock bands that wrote great ballads (Anna), though it was Straightshooter's high-octane rockers like Good Lovin' Gone Bad, Feel Like Making Love and Shooting Star that helped secure them a place in rock history. Bad Company were a good, tight band, but I would recommend anyone to listen to them purely to hear Paul Rodgers' masterful rock vocals. New to Bad Company? Get this one first, and then Bad Co.

Side one

"Good Lovin' Gone Bad" (Mick Ralphs) – 3:35
"Feel Like Makin' Love" (Paul Rodgers, Ralphs) – 5:12
"Weep No More" (Simon Kirke) – 3:59
"Shooting Star" (Rodgers) – 6:16

Side two

"Deal With the Preacher" (Rodgers, Ralphs) – 5:01
"Wild Fire Woman" (Rodgers, Ralphs) – 4:32
"Anna" (Kirke) – 3:41
"Call on Me" (Rodgers) – 6:03

 

[PaulyT]

I like this one a lot. Very good songwriting. Yeah it's kinda country, but not overly sappy country, as the lyrics are more than "my girlfriend dumped me and I'm drunk" which is how I think of most country music. And the music is more "americana" than country, IMHO. Anyway, great album, and good recording, too.

Edit: I love this line from Your Dad Did: "... the two-year old says grace: she says help the starving children to get well, but let my brother's hampster burn in hell." :laughing-rolling:

 

[nats]

Today's work truck music....

Straight Shooter -- CD

Bad Company

1975/1990 Atlantic Records

Supergroup hits its stride, November 7, 2001
By Mons "Mons" (Norrpan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Straight Shooter (Audio CD)

Released in 1974, Straightshooter is regarded by many as being Bad Company's strongest album. It has the bluesy feel of its predecessor (Bad Co) but has the band turning their amps up 11 and rocking out the strongest set of songs of the band's career. Do not forget that Bad Co was a supergroup with 2 guys out of Free (Rodgers and Kirke), the bass player from King Crimson (Boz Burrell) and Mott the Hoople's guitarist (Mick Ralphs). They should have been huge, of course, but suffered from having to play second fiddle to Swan Song stablemates Led Zeppelin. The songs were great, their sound: a sort of supercharged, sexy blues-rock without the pretention of Led Zep. What let them down perhaps was their lyrics, some of which make Spinal Tap look like Leonard Cohen, but if you can take that - and I can - this album is a great listen from beginning to end. Bad Company were also one of the few hard rock bands that wrote great ballads (Anna), though it was Straightshooter's high-octane rockers like Good Lovin' Gone Bad, Feel Like Making Love and Shooting Star that helped secure them a place in rock history. Bad Company were a good, tight band, but I would recommend anyone to listen to them purely to hear Paul Rodgers' masterful rock vocals. New to Bad Company? Get this one first, and then Bad Co.

Side one

"Good Lovin' Gone Bad" (Mick Ralphs) – 3:35
"Feel Like Makin' Love" (Paul Rodgers, Ralphs) – 5:12
"Weep No More" (Simon Kirke) – 3:59
"Shooting Star" (Rodgers) – 6:16

Side two

"Deal With the Preacher" (Rodgers, Ralphs) – 5:01
"Wild Fire Woman" (Rodgers, Ralphs) – 4:32
"Anna" (Kirke) – 3:41
"Call on Me" (Rodgers) – 6:03

Love all paul rodgers music

 

[putty34]

The Mavericks - What A Crying Shame

 

[Dennie]

Well, I'm disappointed in the fact that there seem to be NO MUSIC BOXES! But, it is good music....

Music Box <------ Here is where I felt I was misled! ..... :angry-tappingfoot: ( :confusion-shrug: )

Various Artists

1969 BankAmericard / A&M Record #SP19006

"Music Box"; Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass; Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66; Wes Montgomery; The Sandpipers; Jimmie Rodgers; Julius Wechter & The Baja Marimba Band; Claudine Longet; The Role of the Bank of America is unclear; presumably this record was given away as a premium if the consumer did something (apply for a credit card?):

My Heart Belongs to Daddy; Look Around; Wind Song; Cancion de Amor (Wanderlove) Green Peppers; Brasilia; The Lovers; Fowl Play; It's Hard to Say Goodbye; Bo-Bo;

 

[Dennie]

Christmas Memories Played On Antique Musical Boxes

1977 Classic Records

O Tannenbaum (O CHristmas Tree) - Polyphon

O Sanctissima (O Due Froehliche) - Symphonion

Silent Night - Regina

Among Shepherds (Old German Christmas Carol) - Symphonion

The Holy City - Regina

Every Year Anew - Symphonion

O Come Little Children - Regina

O Tannenbaum - Regina

O Come Little Children - Grand

See the Conquering Hero - Regina

Cloister Bells - Regina

Ave Maria - Empress

Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Grand

Monastery Bells - Kalliope

 

[Dennie]

Tinkle, Clang, Ring and Chime

The World's Rarest Music Boxes in High Fidelity

???? Columbia Records WL 134 - Part of the Adventures In Sound series

Recorded in Utrecht, Holland

A1 Unknown Artist – Unknown Melody
A2.a Brahms* – Schlafe, Schlafe Waltz
A2.b Unknown Artist – Schlafe Mein Prinzchen
A3.a Beethoven* – Fidelio Act II, Finale
A3.b Unknown Artist – Gedenke Mein
A3.c Unknown Artist – William Tell
A4 Unknown Artist – Dutch Folksong Medley
A5 Unknown Artist – Unknown Melody
A6.a Johann Strauss* – Radetzky March
A6.b Strauss* – Artists' Life
A7.a Gounod* – Waltz From "Faust"
A7.b Unknown Artist – Mijn Vriend Lindeman
A8 Unknown Artist – Onbekend Wijsje Daisy
A9 Unknown Artist – Whistling Bird
A10.a C. Harris* – After The Ball
A10.b J. Strauss* – Fledermaus
A10.c Unknown Artist – Danube Waves
A10.d Unknown Artist – Die Muhle Im Schwarzwald
B1.a Wagner* – March From "Tannhauser"
B1.b Unknown Artist – Triumphal March From "Aida"
B2.a Unknown Artist – Auf In 'S Metropole
B2.b J. Strauss* – The Blue Danube
B3 Gounod* – Waltz From "Faust"
B4 Unknown Artist – Unknown Melody
B5.a Unknown Artist – You Can't Be True, Dear
B5.b Unknown Artist – Anne-Marie
B5.c Unknown Artist – Regendrupples
B5.d Unknown Artist – La Paloma
B6.a Unknown Artist – Daisy
B6.b Unknown Artist – Dan Zal De Kapitein
B6.c Unknown Artist – Moritat
B6.d Unknown Artist – Under The Bridges Of Paris
B7.a Unknown Artist – Mirame For Rabill
B7.b Unknown Artist – La Clavada
B7.c Unknown Artist – Estrellita
B7.d Unknown Artist – Terry's Theme
B8 Unknown Artist – K.L.M. March
B9 Unknown Artist – Saint-Germain Des Pres



A1 - Miniature waistcoat-pocket music box

A2 - Pocket music box (three-inch barrel)

A3 - Thirteen-inch barrel music box

A4 - Old Dutch carillon

A5 - From an approximately 300-year-old English bracket clock

A6 - Music box (bell effect)

A7 - Music box (zither effect)

A8 - Photo album music box

A9 - Cafe music box

A10 - Cafe music box

B1 - Cafe music box

B2 - Cafe music box

B3 - Paper-roll hand organ

B4 - Serinette

B5 - Pin barrel organ

B6 - Twenty-six inch barrel organ

B7 - Spanish piano organ

B8 - Street organ "The Arab"

B9 - "Mortier" organ

 

[Dennie]

Speaking of The Mortier Organ.....

David Barlow Presents...

The Mortier Dance Hall Organ

1965 Columbia/E.M.I. (The Gramophone Company) Made in Great Britain