What Are You Listening To?

[Rope]

I am the master and ultimate authority on what is good.

I would SOOOO like to argue that point!

What he meant to say was masterbaiter, as in one who puts bait on hooks and works on the pier. :teasing-tease:

Rope

 

[Dennie]

On my way, don't know where I goin' -- CD :handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup:

Paul Simon

2002 Warner Bros. Records
Folk /Rock Icon Paul Simon's Best From His Solo Years!, November 10, 2002
By highway_star (Hallandale, Florida United States)\
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is an excellent collection of singer/songwriter Paul Simon's hits from his debut solo album simply titled "Paul Simon" (released in 1972) to his "You're The One" cd (released in 2000). In my opinion Simon is one of America's best (if not the best) songwriters ever. Every song has meaning and is sung with emotion. You've got all the hits starting with the catchy "Mother And Child Reunion", "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard", the sensative "Something So Right", the humorous "Kodachrome", "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover","Still Crazy After All These Years", "Slip Sliddin' Away", "You Can Call Me Al" (remember the great video from MTV's glory days), etc. As a bonus disc you get rare 1973 concert performances of Simon performing several songs in "American Tune" and "Duncan" (New York & London), "Mrs. Robinson" from a 1999 New York City concert, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" from a 2001 New Orleans concert and "The Coast" from a 2002 Montreux, Switzerland concert. This disc has been remastered and the sound quality is nice and crisp compared to other greatest hits cd's I've heard. There's also ten pages of liner notes which gives a brief history of Simon as well as the making of his various l.p.'s. A great cd for those who enjoy 60's and 70's folk rock. Highly recommended!

 

[Dennie]

The amount of music that I listen to, amazes ME! I feel truly blessed! ray:

We Live Here -- CD :handgestures-thumbup:

Pat Metheny Group

1995 Geffen Records

Amazon.com

This 1994 recording marks one of the closest collaborations of guitarist Pat Metheny and keyboardist Lyle Mays, with every composition co-composed by the two except Mays's "Episode d'Azur." It's a varied, engaging tapestry. Metheny's ever-shifting guitar sounds percolate and soar over the smooth backgrounds of Mays's piano and synthesized orchestrations, occasional background vocals by David Blamires and Mark Ledford, and a strong foundation provided by bassist Steve Rodby. The title song builds over a wall of rapid, insistent percussion from Paul Wertico and Luis Conte, while there's a brooding, luminous sweep that seethes, then explodes, in the 12-minute "To the End of the World." But it's Metheny's inventive guitar work that distinguishes this music, including the long, lyrical lines of the very pretty "And Then I Knew," the tunefully subdued funk of "The Girls Next Door," and the soaring, bubbling excitement of "Episode." --Adam Rains

1. Here To Stay
2. And Then I Knew
3. The Girls Next Door
4. To The End Of The World
5. We Live Here
6. Episode D'Azur
7. Something To Remind You
8. Red Sky
9. Stranger In Town

 

[Dennie]

Orange and Blue CD :text-bravo:

Al Di Meola

1994 Rhino Records

An Excellent Master Piece, August 30, 2003
By Lior Aviram (Israel)

This one of my favorite, A true Master Piece.
It can hear an evolving story with plot, A Theme through out the Record. Its more of a mellow jazzy CD, Kind Of A Pat Matheny Sound. A Must for every jazz fan. Really. Great.
This One Can Really Move me To Tears. Magical.

All songs by Al Di Meola unless otherwise noted.

1. "Paradisio" – 7:19
2. "Chilean Pipe Song" – 4:52
3. "Ta'alina Chant" (Di Meola, Noa) – 1:56
4. "Orange And Blue" – 7:31
5. "This Way Before" – 4:39
6. "Summer Country Song" – 5:29
7. "If We Meet Again, Part I" – 1:29
8. "If We Meet Again, Part II" (Di Meola, Hernan Romero, Mario Parmisano) – 5:03
9. "Cyprus" (Di Meola, George Dalaras, Polykarpos Kyriacou) – 3:51
10. "Theme Of The Mothership" (Chick Corea, Di Meola) – 5:25
11. "Precious Little You" – 4:24
12. "Casmir" – 4:07
13. "On My Own" – 3:20

 

[Dennie]

Hot House -- CD

Bruce Hornsby

1995 RCA Records

This album is addicting and mesmerizing., October 26, 1999

This album is both addicting and mesmerizing. From the first strains of Spider fingers to the last notes of Cruise control, Bruce Hornsby proves that he is the consumate musician and story teller. He's racked up a bunch of superior musicians and vocalists to work with here. Incuded are Jazz guitarist Pat Metheney, country Banjoist Bela Fleck and the always funky and fabulous diva Chaka Khan. All of them give stellar performances, but none outweigh the arresting presence of Bruce himself. The cd just gets better and better with each track, my favorites are "White wheeled limosine" the story of a jilted bride and "Country doctor" the story of a doctor who's wife dies under mysterious circumstances. The music is jazzy and jammin not the pop piano songs that you might expect. It's hard to believe that this is the same guy who wrote "The way it is". Patty Hayes

All songs written by Bruce Hornsby.

1. "Spider Fingers"
2. "White Wheeled Limousine"
3. "Walk in the Sun"
4. "The Changes"
5. "The Tango King"
6. "Big Rumble"
7. "Country Doctor"
8. "The Longest Night"
9. "Hot House Ball"
10. "Swing Street"
11. "Cruise Control"

 

[Dennie]

These Dreams - Greatest Hits -- CD

Heart

1997 Capitol Records

Amazon.com

Heart is another hard rocking band whose career falls into two categories, Before The Fall and After The Fall. The rock-as-act-of-seduction "Crazy on You," was a powerhouse with its acoustic intro that eventually led to an orgiastic vocal crescendo, thanks to Ann Wilson's throaty pipes. "Magic Man" was their entry into the 1970s-rock-opus category, with its epic guitar and synth solos. The ballsy "Barricuda" and the lilting "Dog and Butterfly" and "Dreamboat Annie" showed the band could deliver the goods, regardless of tempo or volume. Then came The Fall, a several-year long period when the Wilson sisters couldn't get a hit if they had targets painted on their backs. Heart eventually pulled it back together with power rock ballads, including "What About Love" and "These Dreams." The band continued in this vein through the rest of the 1980s, turning in the occasional rocker like "Never." Overall, These Dreams--Heart's Greatest Hits is a fine sampling of the band's career. Particularly interesting is the acoustic version of "Straight On," which--in its original form--had the band convincingly flexing some funk muscle. --Steve Gdula

1. "Crazy On You" (Fisher, Wilson, Wilson)
2. "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" (Lange)
3. "If Looks Could Kill" (Garrett)
4. "Never" (Bloch, Connie, Knight)
5. "Alone" (Kelly, Steinberg)
6. "Who Will You Run To" (Warren)
7. "Straight On" (Live Acoustic Version) (Ennis, Wilson, Wilson)
8. "Magic Man" (Wilson, Wilson)
9. "What About Love" (Allen, Alton, Vallance)
10. "Dreamboat Annie" (Wilson, Wilson)
11. "Dog and Butterfly" (Live Acoustic Version) (Ennis, Wilson, Wilson)
12. "Nothin' at All" (Mueller)
13. "Heartless" (Wilson, Wilson)
14. "Stranded" (Kyle)
15. "Will You Be There (In the Morning)" (Lange)
16. "These Dreams" (Page, Taupin)
17. "Barracuda" (Live Version) (DeRosier, Ennis, Fisher, Wilson, Wilson)

 

[PaulyT]

Dunno why it took me so long to get around to getting this one, I really love her second album (My One and Only Thrill). This one's great, too, I'm really enjoying it even on the first listen. I love her voice.

Zing, if you haven't heard her albums, I suggest you give a listen to some previews somewhere, I think you might like her stuff. (She's almost as good as JB.)

 

[Zing]

Zing, if you haven't heard her albums, I suggest you give a listen to some previews somewhere, I think you might like her stuff.

I know her music and it's not my style however I bought My One and Only Thrill as a gift for my father. He loves it.

(She's almost as good as JB.)

No, she's way better!

 

[Dennie]

Zing, if you haven't heard her albums, I suggest you give a listen to some previews somewhere, I think you might like her stuff.

I know her music and it's not my style however I bought My One and Only Thrill as a gift for my father. He loves it.

(She's almost as good as JB.)

No, she's way better!

Topper turned me on to her years ago. I have those two albums and can't wait for another one!

Who is JB ????


Dennie

 

[PaulyT]

Joe Bonamassa.

 

[Dennie]

Joe Bonamassa.

Gottcha!

I still don't have any of his......yet!

Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Souled Out CD

Tower Of Power

1995 Sony Music

Tower of Power's Souled Out featured four new members, including a new lead vocalist. However, the change in membership didn't revitalize the band as they churned out the same blend of funk and mid-tempo groovers that they had for years, with only a couple of numbers making any sort of impression. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Entertainment Weekly (8/18/95, p.56) - "...The horn lined soul intros make for an exciting listen....Fastidious funk is the real matter at hand..."
- Rating: B+

1. Souled Out
2. Taxed to the Max
3. Keep Comin' Back
4. Soothe You
5. Do You Wanna (Make Love to Me)
6. Lovin' You Forever
7. Gotta Make a Change
8. Diggin' on James Brown
9. Sexy Soul
10. Just Like You
11. Once You Get a Taste
12. Undercurrent

 

[Dennie]

Legend - The Best Of CD

Bob Marley and the Wailers

2002 Def Jam Records

Amazon.com essential recording
Even as greatest hits packages go, this is an utter gem. Every song is inspired, in a class of its own, whether the real version of "I Shot the Sheriff," the hymnlike "No Woman, No Cry," or the sheer joy of "Jamming." Even allowing that Marley never wrote any bad material, then Legend is still the crème de la crème, the heart and soul of the Jamaican people packed into one five-inch compact disc. He was unique, and the message of this record, more than any other, is that he died far too soon. --Chris Nickson

1. Is This Love
2. No Woman No Cry
3. Could You Be Loved
4. Three Little Birds
5. Buffalo Soldier
6. Get Up Stand Up
7. Stir It Up
8. One Love/People Get Ready
9. I Shot the Sheriff
10. Waiting in Vain
12. Satisfy My Soul
13. Exodus
14. Jamming

 

[Dennie]

Coolin' Off CD

Galactic

1996 Capricorn Records

Cool Grooves and Funky Moods, October 6, 2000
By JD Miller (Allentown, PA United States) (REAL NAME)
This CD combines aspects of Jazz, Funk and Blues beautifully. First, you have one hell of a rhythm section with drumming and bass work that really thumps your mid-section. Next you have the gravel-scratched voice of their singer (who only appears on a few songs). The melodies are provided by Guitar, Organ and Sax.

The production values are great...this doesn't meant the music is over-produced...you can simply hear all of the instruments perfectly at low and high volume. The band provides lots of pictures and liner notes with all of their CDs. The other thing that's interesting is their use of technology to bring their music to fans. If you go to [their] site: you can read about the band, how they started and where they are going. You'll also get suggestions are more artisit from this genre.

I hope this band can manage to stay together - they are so young and, yet, sound so experienced and comfortable with each other. They also have a consistent (not repetitive) sound across all of their CDs. I think you'll enjoy this one.

1. "Go Go" – 3:02
2. "Welcome to New Orleans" – 0:14
3. "Something's Wrong With This Picture" – 5:56
4. "Funky Bird" – 4:57
5. "Stax Jam" – 3:10
6. "Church" – 5:54
7. "On the One" – 5:29
8. "Mystery Tube" – 2:35
9. "Doo Rag" – 6:16
10. "Percussion Interlude" – 0:51
11. "Everybody Wants Some, Pt. 1" – 4:19
12. "Everybody Wants Some, Pt. 2" – 2:24
13. "Everybody Wants Some, Pt. 3" – 5:12
14. "Goodnight" – 3:53

 

[Dennie]

I really enjoy this album....

"Come On Home" -- CD :eusa-clap: :text-bravo: :eusa-clap:

Boz Scaggs

1997 Virgin Records

Amazon.com

Having sat most of the '80s out, Boz Scaggs returns in the mid-'90s as an urbane blues crooner, effectively bringing his music full circle from the sleek, disco-friendly pop of his '70s commercial zenith to the purer R&B of his late '60s debut. Come Home is a soulful valentine to the same models that informed that first outing, juxtaposing solid new originals against venerable songs from Jimmy Reed, Earl King Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Mitchell, and other blues and soul masters from Memphis, Texas, and Chicago. Scaggs, always a model of taste (who else could have produced disco hits that still sound stylish), juggles two blue-chip rhythm sections with strategic infusions of soulful brass, greasy organ, and Scaggs's own deep-fried guitar work sustaining the set's bluesy accents. --Sam Sutherland

1. "It All Went Down the Drain"
2. "Ask Me 'Bout Nothin' (But the Blues)"
3. "Don't Cry No More"
4. "Found Love"
5. "Come On Home"
6. "Picture of a Broken Heart"
7. "Love Letters"
8. "I've Got Your Love"
9. "Early in the Morning"
10. "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)"
11. "T-Bone Shuffle"
12. "Sick and Tired"
13. "After Hours"
14. "Goodnight Louise"

Allmusic called Come On Home "a genuine musical treasure." :dance:

 

[Rope]

Rope

 

[Dennie]

Hey! Put it back!!

Or not!

I truly appreciate your honesty Zing and like I said before. (Paraphrasing now) We don't all like the same music but we can get along. bscene-drinkingcheers:

My two thumbs up may be someone else's nightmare and probably is. Doesn't mean I'm not going to continue to enjoy it. It may also be someones introduction to a genre and they can't even imagine what lies ahead. With a little "info/help" from others, they/we might discover much better artists in that genre.

I still say put it back (maybe just edited a little)!

Thanks for your opinion! :handgestures-thumbup:


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

I really enjoy this album....

"Come On Home" -- CD :eusa-clap: :text-bravo: :eusa-clap:

Boz Scaggs

1997 Virgin Records

Amazon.com

Having sat most of the '80s out, Boz Scaggs returns in the mid-'90s as an urbane blues crooner, effectively bringing his music full circle from the sleek, disco-friendly pop of his '70s commercial zenith to the purer R&B of his late '60s debut. Come Home is a soulful valentine to the same models that informed that first outing, juxtaposing solid new originals against venerable songs from Jimmy Reed, Earl King Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Mitchell, and other blues and soul masters from Memphis, Texas, and Chicago. Scaggs, always a model of taste (who else could have produced disco hits that still sound stylish), juggles two blue-chip rhythm sections with strategic infusions of soulful brass, greasy organ, and Scaggs's own deep-fried guitar work sustaining the set's bluesy accents. --Sam Sutherland

1. "It All Went Down the Drain"
2. "Ask Me 'Bout Nothin' (But the Blues)"
3. "Don't Cry No More"
4. "Found Love"
5. "Come On Home"
6. "Picture of a Broken Heart"
7. "Love Letters"
8. "I've Got Your Love"
9. "Early in the Morning"
10. "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)"
11. "T-Bone Shuffle"
12. "Sick and Tired"
13. "After Hours"
14. "Goodnight Louise"

Allmusic called Come On Home "a genuine musical treasure." :dance:

I'm listening to this one again! :happy-smileygiantred:


Dennie :mrgreen:

 

[Dennie]

Another album that I truly enjoy.....

Between The Lines -- CD :handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup: :eusa-clap:

Janis Ian

1975/1990 Columbia Records

This is Janis Ian's second album from her re-emergence in the early to mid-'70s as one of the genre's most inspired and original singer/songwriters. While this title houses Ian's biggest international hit, the confessional "At Seventeen," the entire effort combines her honest and confessional lyrics with an equally engaging blend of pop/rock and definite jazz and blues. She assembled much of the same ensemble that had worked on her previous long-player, Stars (1975), and much of the material retains the same warmth and intimacy in both her craft as well as the presentation. Unlike the more somber and introverted tracks that dominate Between the Lines (1975), the disc commences with a prime example of Ian's infectious coziness on the light and airy "When the Party's Over." This is one of the title's more straightforward love songs and features an appropriately lilting counter-harmony from Dennis Pereca. More typical are the somewhat dark and oblique "From Me to You," "The Come On," and the despairing title track. Darker still are "In the Winter" and the abject loneliness of "Tea and Sympathy" -- both of which feature some engaging arrangements courtesy of famed arranger/conductor Ron Frangipane, whose clients include Melanie and Townes Van Zandt as well as both John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Underlying the heady orchestration and truly at the center of Ian's skill are her emotively powerful yet reserved melodies. This was undoubtedly a factor in "At Seventeen" becoming a Grammy winner as well as a chart-topping single stateside and a Top 20 hit throughout much of Europe as well as more disparate locations such as Israel. The strength of material and public interest garnered by Between the Lines would continue on her next equally powerful long-player, Aftertones (1976). This album is a recommended starting point for potential enthusiasts, as well as a touchstone to be repeatedly revisited. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Track listing

1. When the Party's Over
2. At Seventeen
3. From Me to You
4. Bright Lights and Promises
5. In the Winter
6. Water Colors
7. Between the Lines
8. Come On, The
9. Light a Light
10. Tea & Sympathy
11. Lover's Lullaby

 

[Dennie]

His Band And The Street Choir -- CD :handgestures-thumbup: :handgestures-thumbup:

Van Morrison

1970/1990 Warner Bros. Records

The dark night of the soul that culminated in ASTRAL WEEKS found its counterpart in Morrison's next two albums, the seminal MOONDANCE and its subsequent sister, HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR. Both released in 1970, these latter two albums defined ... Full Descriptionthe folk/soul/blues amalgam that would prove to be the foundation of Morrison's music. The photos inside the sleeve reveal Van as country gentleman, looking at home and (dare we say it) happy. This image is furthered by his then-wife Janet Planet's liner notes, which paint a picture of Van as a man reborn.

The music more than bears this out. The tunes here are among the most soulful in Morrison's repertoire. The classic opener "Domino" finds him wailing over a punchy horn section and insistent, percolating rhythms, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Van rocks his way through the R&B-inflected "Blue Money," gets down on the funk workout "I've Been Working," and waxes lyrical on "If I Ever Needed Someone," which seems to be both a gospel song and love ballad simultaneously. HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR is perhaps Morrison's most open, exuberant recording.
Side one

1. "Domino" – 3:06
2. "Crazy Face" – 2:56
3. "Give Me a Kiss (Just One Sweet Kiss)" – 2:30
4. "I've Been Working" – 3:25
5. "Call Me Up in Dreamland" – 3:52
6. "I'll Be Your Lover, Too" – 3:57

Side two

1. "Blue Money" – 3:40
2. "Virgo Clowns" – 4:10
3. "Gypsy Queen" – 3:16
4. "Sweet Jannie" – 2:11
5. "If I Ever Needed Someone" – 3:45
6. "Street Choir" – 4:43