Reviews Written By: A2R6RA8FRBS608provided by Amazon.com |
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 | Only Rock'N Roll: 1960-1964 (Series) | |
 | "strong CD of rock and roll hits that make you wanna DANCE !!!" | 2008-06-30 |
| Only Rock'N Roll: 1960-1964 is a very strong CD with twenty major hits from the early `60s. This stuff is good, classic rock and roll; and you're bound to love this if you enjoy this genre of music. I thought the quality of the sound was rather good; and I feel badly that the other reviewer maybe had a defective CD. The artwork is very good, too. Little Eva starts the track set with her major hit, "The Loco-Motion." "The Loco-Motion" rocks well without being too hard; yet the beat is still very catchy and you're sure to agree that this is a major highlight for this album--it's not just the opening number! Similarly, Dion does "The Wanderer" with panache; he sings this song with lots of positive energy and he does a great job on this tune about a womanizing guy who likes to remain uncommitted to any one woman. Bobby Lewis also makes good with his terrific hit entitled "Tossin' And Turnin'." "Tossin' And Turnin'" has some fairly complicated tempo and key changes; but Bobby makes this all look so easy anyway! Of course, we know it really wasn't so easy--Bobby's incredible vocal talents truly carried him through like the pro he always was and still remains! Gene Chandler has a favorite hit of mine with his "Duke Of Earl;" this love song is really well done and it has a stately flavor to it that I rarely hear or enjoy. Gene's excellent diction bolsters his performance even further--great! "Big Girls Don't Cry" shines like silver and gold together when Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons sing this one up right! The falsetto voice of Frankie Valli really sounds good on this number and they harmonize to perfection as well. "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen is another equally bright number; and "Louie Louie" is another major highlight of this CD. The Kingsmen sing and play "Louie Louie" with all their might; and the drums and guitar work add a lot to the rockin' flavor of this tune. "Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)" by The Shangri-Las really stands out as they deliver this with all their hearts and souls; it really was a huge hit for them and they never miss a beat, either. "Quarter To Three" by Gary "U.S." Bonds was always a personal favorite of mine; this tune really rocks great and the beat is absolutely infectious--what a fun tune to enjoy! Gary "U.S." Bonds could really turn out a tune in his time. In addition, there's "Save The Last Dance For Me" by The Drifters; this most romantic song is a charmer and I always enjoy hearing this song. The Drifters do a great job even with the tempo changes and that impresses me a lot. Jan and Dean do "Surf City" with high energy; this may initially sound like something The Beach Boys may have turned out but it holds its own very well and Jan and Dean come out smelling like roses. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles is another fine, timeless love song with another sweet melody; and the strings are used to great advantage. Joe Jones does his "You Talk Too Much" with lots of punch; and the CD ends very strong with "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys. You know, this is a very strong installment in this CD series. Indeed, I could have written a lot more than I did just here--it's all so wonderful. I highly recommend this CD for fans of classic rock and roll. | ||
 | Nuggets: A Classic Collection From the Psychedelic Sixties | |
| "golden nuggets shining brightly !!!" | 2008-06-28 |
| Nuggets: A Classic Collection From the Psychedelic Sixties has quite a few killer classics on it and if you like psychedelic music from the awesome `60s this CD is made just for you! The sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done. There is a good diversity of artists on this disc, too. The CD starts with The Standells doing their awesome hit entitled "Dirty water." "Dirty Water" has a catchy melody and you won't forget this tune anytime soon if you haven't heard it already! "Dirty Water" just doesn't start the album; it's also a highlight of this CD. Great! The guitar work is excellent as The Standells sing and play this one up right! The Count Five also do their "Psychotic Reaction;" this classic golden nugget shines bright with some great percussion and guitar work--how about that musical interlude jam session? Even if it is comparatively brief, the interlude is still excellent rock music. The Easybeats also do a fantastic hit, "Friday On My Mind." "Friday On My Mind" has great harmonizing and it's always been one of my favorite hits from back in the day. The Five Americans do "I See The Light" with lots of positive energy; and the electric guitar is perfect for this tune! Listen also for The Syndicate Of Sound doing their hit "Little Girl." "Little Girl" is instantly recognizable for us people who like their `60s rock. It has a fine psychedelic rock flavor to it and The Syndicate Of Sound never misses a beat, either! "Little Girl" is another major highlight of this album. The Monkees follow with "Pleasant Valley Sunday;" this tune sounds really fine and it fits in well with the other tracks on this CD. "Laugh, Laugh" by The Beau Brummels has a great melody that I always enjoyed; and when I hear this song I cannot help but smile. Sure, the lyrics may not be the happiest; but it's a great song and it's very well arranged. "Laugh, Laugh" really has a great flavor to it and the harmonica is used very well. There's also The Troggs doing their huge hit called "Wild Thing;" they handle the complicated tempo and key changes like pros! The Monkees do "Valleri" with all their might--and just one listen proves it! "Valleri" is an underappreciated number if you ask me. I really like the catchy melody of "Valleri" and if you like this type of music you're going to love this tune. "Just A Little" shows The Beau Brummels back again with another hit of theirs; "Just A Little" is very beautiful and this rock ballad impresses me. The Seeds sing and play "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" with heart and soul; and the CD ends nicely with The Amboy Dukes performing "Journey To The Center Of The Mind." This psychedelic rock tune makes the perfect ending for this album--and there's great harmonizing, too! Overall, Nuggets: A Classic Collection From the Psychedelic Sixties has a lot to like on it! I highly recommend this album for people who like psychedelic rock from the `60s and people who enjoy music from The British Invasion will enjoy this album, too. | ||
 | Matt Dusk - Two Shots | |
| "Matt Dusk sells these songs without even trying--BRAVO, MATT DUSK !!!" | 2008-06-28 |
| Matt Dusk scores big again with his album entitled Two Shots; and he more than proves he's worth his weight in gold. Matt's voice is in excellent form and it's truly like a finely tuned instrument; I rarely hear and enjoy a male vocalist as proficient as Matt is! The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is nicely done as well. The album begins with "Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad;" the key modulations are excellent; Matt switches between minor and major keys to make this number a strong beginning tune fort his album. Matt swings gently to make this a really fine ballad and the music that accompanies Matt never drowns him out while still adding a lot to the tune. "Miracle" is a sprightly little tune with lots of pep; and Matt sings this with lots of positive energy; Matt's voice is smooth as silk and he never sounded better! It's numbers like "Miracle" that tell me this guy's going to be around for a real long while! "Cold as Ice" is a fine torch song that features Matt Dusk squarely front and center--and that's all right by me! Matt massages the lyrics to this song with panache and he never sings a superfluous note, either! I am very impressed with Matt's work on "Cold As Ice;" and I predict that you're going to like this very much if you like contemporary pop vocals. In addition, "Lonely Road" again features Matt singing--this time of his one true love; he hates to be away from her. Will his character find her again? Listen to the song--maybe there's an answer and maybe there's not. "Don't Go Looking" has Matt Dusk swinging gently again to make this number shine brighter than silver and gold! Matt really delivers this with all his heart and soul; he delves deeply into this song to make it all his own and it works well for both him and "Don't Go Looking." Similarly, "Fly Me To The Moon" showcases Matt's talents very nicely; and I believe that "Fly Me To The Moon" is a major highlight of this album. The musical arrangement is part smooth jazz and part R&B; so expect "Fly Me To The Moon" to be a very fine number you'll never get tired of hearing. "Please Please Me" is a good cover of a Beatles song; although the Amazon website says this is a weaker number it has its own strength; Matt just slows down the tempo a whole lot to place a more romantic, smoother spin onto this tune; it's no longer a rock song the way The Fab Four sang it. There's no right or wrong here; but you may like "Please Please Me" just as much as I did. "Always" has a lush musical arrangement; and listen for Matt to outdo even himself on "Five." The album also ends very smoothly with Matt Dusk singing "Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad" all over again--with maybe a few changes in that arrangement to let you decide if you like the first version or the second version better! I like the first version; but again there's no right or wrong here. Matt Dusk really did some great work on this album; it's a joy to hear him sing. I highly recommend this for his fans and people who like contemporary pop vocals will enjoy this album as well. | ||
 | Carpenters - Song for You | |
| "Karen and Richard could never fail us--BRAVO, CARPENTERS !!!" | 2008-06-21 |
| A Song For You is a strong album from Karen and Richard Carpenter that showcases yet again their singularly beautiful artistry. Karen and Richard performed so very well together that is was practically heavenly; and I am not trying to be effusive-it's just the simple truth. When Karen sang it was as if she was singing to you and only you; and Richard's musical arrangements and backup vocals always enhanced the beauty of their ballads. The artwork is very nicely done and the quality of this sound on this CD is excellent. The album begins with the title track, "A Song For You." "A Song For You" has a gorgeous melody that fits perfectly with the vocals Karen sings. Karen's voice is not only beautiful; it also conveys a certain innocence and even a touch of vulnerability that made so many people love her singing. Great! "Top Of The World" is a very joyful song that celebrates life, love and everything god. Karen sings this with all her heart and soul; and the sound of Karen and Richard singing together is absolutely wonderful. I rarely enjoy any music that quite so well done. "Top Of The World" is certainly a major highlight of this album; and it was a huge hit for Karen and Richard Carpenter as well. "Hurting Each Other" is a touching, moving song about a couple who can't seem to stop hurting each other's feelings; their love is in jeopardy and they apparently just don't know how to stop the cycle of abuse. "Hurting Each Other" was another major hit for Karen and Richard and this was very well deserved; the arrangement is lush without being overdone or silly. In addition, there's also "It's Going To Take Some Time;" now Karen sings of a couple who needs time to heal their wounds or decide if they are going to stay together. Karen and Richard sing this with panache and I'm very impressed. "It's Going To Take Some Time" was a huge hit--again!--for Karen and Richard; and just one listen tells you why. "Goodbye To Love" has a very pretty melody that belies the seriousness of the lyrics; a couple is breaking up and Karen sings this sad song with lots of feeling. Karen really delves into this ballad to flesh it out and give it a true appeal to the listener; and it all holds its own very well. "Flat Baroque" has a great musical arrangement that does indeed have baroque qualities; and there's also the timeless ballad "I Won't Last A Day Without You." Karen sings this flawlessly; and I like the special effect of it sounding as if there were TWO Karen Carpenters singing some of the lyrics! This effect works wonders for this ballad. "Road Ode" is a number I actually didn't remember from all those years ago; but when I hear it I really do enjoy it. The melody is classic Carpenters--lush without being excessive; and the vocals lack nothing--it's all THAT good. The album also ends nicely with Karen and Richard Carpenter performing a stunning, haunting reprise of "A Song For You." Wowzer! Karen and Richard Carpenter turned out one of their very best albums with A Song For You. Kudos to the reviewer who so insightfully points out that the first five songs on this album reflect the moods of a cycle of a love affair beginning, lasting and then ending. I highly recommend this as a must-have for Carpenters fans; and anyone who enjoys contemporary pop vocals will love this album, too. | ||
 | Bobbie Gentry - Bobbie Gentry - Greatest Hits | |
 | "great--as far as it goes, that is (three and one-half stars)" | 2008-06-21 |
| Bobbie Gentry - Greatest Hits is yet another disappointing release from good ol' Curb Records. Sure, these are great hits by Bobbie Gentry; but how can they call this all-too-brief CD a "greatest hits" CD? That does a disservice to Bobbie Gentry and it misleads the public. This is really a short album that is geared toward the casual fan who just wants a brief smattering of some of Bobbie's hits. The quality of the sound is, however, quite good; and the artwork is also nicely done. "Ode To Billie Joe" starts the CD with one of Bobbie's greatest hits ever. "Ode To Billie Joe" tells the rather mysterious story of some people living in a rural area. We get a story involving suicide, a relationship between a young man and woman which might have been so frowned upon that people needed to deny it existed; snobbery and much, much more. The guitar work is excellent and I guess we'll never know why Billie Joe jumped off that bridge because Bobbie Gentry says she won't be giving away the answer anytime while she's living! "Ode To Billie Joe" is an incredibly strong beginning song for this album. "Fancy" has a fine country melody that swings and sways just right to make this stick in your memory for quite some while to come. The strings are used to great advantage and Bobbie Gentry never sounded better! I love "Fancy" and I'm sure that you will, too--this is classic Bobbie Gentry and that's quite all right by me! "Morning Glory" is a very sensitive ballad that features Bobbie Gentry squarely in the spotlight--great! Bobbie sings this as if she really did just wake up-and her voice, ever so slightly gravelly on this tune, works very well. The strings sound great and the percussion also works to mark the beat. "Slow Cookin'" is a rather cool song about a woman who's clearly attracted to a man she wants to make her own. This ballad rocks softly and the country music effect combines with the soft rock to create a heavenly melody. "Slow Cookin'" is an excellent tune and Bobbie Gentry delivers this with lots of feeling. "Steal Away" is another fine song that ahs Bobbie supported by a chorus; the melody is beautiful and "Steal Away" holds its own very well. In fact, I consider "Steal Away" to be a highlight of this album. "All I Have To Do Is Dream" is a wonderful cover song; Bobbie and Glen Campbell sing this to perfection--and beyond! Bobbie and Glen ace this easily--their talents led them through this rather effortlessly. Great! "Let It Be Me" is another fine duet that covers a song by The Everly Brothers. This all works very well as the woodwind instruments complement the vocals oh so well on "Let It Be Me." "Mississippi Delta" showcases Bobbie Gentry's ability to rock a country tune really hard; and the album ends strong with Bobbie Gentry performing "Penduli Pendulum." I don't recall this song but it grew on me rather quickly and it makes an interesting ending for this album. Bobbie Gentry could really sing out a tune with the best of them--and the fact that Curb Records reduces her to a mere eleven songs for their "greatest hits" package annoys me. This is a CD geared toward casual fans; more diehard fans will want more substantial albums for sale on this website. | ||
 | Barbra Streisand - Memories | |
| "Barbra's star twinkles and shines !!!" | 2008-06-21 |
| Memories is one of Barbra Streisand's better albums out there and when you hear the songs you'll be certain to agree with me! The quality of the sound is very, very good; and that artwork faithfully re-creates the artwork of the record album jacket. "Memory" starts the CD with this stunning song from the Broadway musical entitled Cats; Barbra makes this all her own with her uncanny sense of timing. Barbra's excellent diction also enhances her performance and as Barbra plays with both the tempo and the keys a little she truly does make this ballad her own--great! "Memory" is a fine song and it makes a strong beginning for this album. Listen also for Barbra Streisand to do an excellent duet with Neil Diamond on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers;" "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" is one of Barbra's best duets ever and Neil Diamond also gets to show off the operatic qualities of his voice. Neil and Barbra sound very well together, each voice complementing the other flawlessly; and their timing is excellent. "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" is truly a major highlight of this album. "My Heart Belongs To Me" is another very beautiful ballad that boasts a lush musical arrangement; and the backup singers do a fine job of harmonizing without ever missing a beat! "My Heart Belongs To Me" shines like silver and gold out together and I really like this number whenever I hear it. It's rare that I enjoy such a sensitive ballad. In addition, Barbra sings one of Billy Joel's signature songs with panache; "New York State Of Mind" really impresses me; as a native New Yorker who lived many years in the five boroughs of New York City this tune certainly brings back many fond memories of me going around the city and marveling at the sites there. When I hear this song I remember walking down Fifth Avenue at Christmastime, The Mets, The Yankees and seeing Wall Street traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange--and so much more. "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" has Barbra doing another smashing duet with the great Donna Summer. "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" is the album version; there is, by the way, a longer version but we don't get that here. This duet is positively electric and it leaves you wanting so much more. And more is precisely what you're going to get. "Evergreen" is a song that won an Oscar for Barbra when she sang this in her version of "A Star Is Born." "Evergreen" features Barbra squarely front and center--and that's right where she belongs! "Evergreen" stuns me with its beauty and I could never tire of hearing Streisand sing this tune. "The Love Inside" gives us another sensitive song; Barbra aces this easily--even though we know it really wasn't as easy as Barbra makes it look. The CD ends well with Barbra Streisand performing "The Way We Were" from the movie of the same name. "The Way We Were" is quite insightful and I think this makes the perfect ending to this exceptional CD. Barbra Streisand was one of the very few true divas we've ever seen; and we are better off for her sharing her talents with us. Streisand fans will consider this a must-have for their collections; and people who enjoy contemporary pop vocals will cherish this album as well. | ||
 | Cole Porter - The Very Best of Cole Porter | |
| "wonderful album of Cole Porter tunes" | 2008-06-21 |
| The Very Best Of Cole Porter is an excellent CD that has a broad diversity of artists who recorded some of Porter's best known songs. The quality of the sound is rather good and the artwork is very nicely done as well. There's a lot to like on this album. Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady Of Song, delivers "Too Darn Hot" with lots of positive energy and she makes this tune sound sharp and snazzy. Ella sings and swings brightly to make this tune her own; and indeed I've never heard a better interpretation of this tune than Ella's. Ella Fitzgerald also profits from a musical arrangement that fits in perfectly with her singing--great! Peggy Lee also performs another excellent Porter tune, "My Heart Belongs To Daddy." "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" gets a pure jazz arrangement that you're either going to like or dislike--this is far from the normal delivery of this song and therefore whether of not you like Peggy's version depends on how much you enjoy jazz. There's even Tony Bennett singing the rarely heard lyrics to the famous "Begin The Beguine;" "Begin The Beguine" is a classy number and Tony does great justice to this song with his wonderful voice and his elegant, sensitive treatment of this ballad. Listen for the great Sarah Vaughan to deliver "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" with panache; Sarah Vaughan could take the phone book and after she was finished singing it you'd be standing and applauding, begging her for more! Sarah truly gives "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" the royal treatment; and it shows when you hear this. Dean Martin also turns in a fine performance of "True Love" that moves me with its beauty; Dean Martin croons this and sways gently to make "True Love" a major highlight of this album. "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" is wonderful when the immortal Louis Armstrong sings it; and that's grand. Louis Armstrong does this with a very solid treatment and as the tempo picks up just a little bit this number really takes off like a jet! Eartha Kitt also delivers a very smooth interpretation of "Let's Misbehave." "Let's Misbehave" is one of my favorite Cole Porter tunes and I really like Eartha's interpretation of this number. Anita O'Day also sings "Just One Of Those Things" with passion; Billy May & His Orchestra provide a heavenly musical arrangement that stands out without ever overshadowing Anita's vocals. "I Get A Kick Out Of You" by Dinah Washington is absolutely exquisite; Dinah never misses a note! Fred Astaire also sings "Night And Day" with style and grace; you're sure to enjoy Fred's singing this number! The album closes well with "You Do Something To Me" by the great Ella Fitzgerald. Ella gives this her all and it shows when you hear it! Overall, The Very Best Of Cole Porter makes me wanna applaud every time I hear it--what an electric album! I highly recommend this for Porter fans and the people who enjoy the artists on this CD. People who like classic pop vocals will not be disappointed. | ||
 | Frank Sinatra - Sinatra Sings Cole Porter | |
| "fine album of Sinatra singing Cole Porter tunes to perfection--and beyond..." | 2008-06-20 |
| Sinatra Sings Cole Porter is another fine album by a young Frank Sinatra whose voice made bobby socksers swoon and men jealous of his "stealing" their sweethearts! Frank's voice is in excellent form here; and the quality of the sound is really rather good. The artwork is very nicely done as well. "Night And Day" starts the CD with Frank singing along with a very lush musical arrangement. The strings sound so sweet--but Frank is in charge here and he's the one who makes this number fly! His voice is excellent, very sweet and full of the warmth that made so many people happy. "Begin The Beguine" features Frank Sinatra singing a rarely heard vocal version of this tune alongside the usually heard musical arrangement. The tempo is kicked up a little to add some zest to this tune and it all holds its own very well. Impressive! In addition, there's also "I Get A Kick Out Of You." "I Get A Kick Out Of You" is one of my favorite numbers on this album and the tune is one I could never tire of; Frank sings this with panache and the music is very beautiful. I really like "I Get A Kick Out Of You." Listen for Frank Sinatra to perform a lovely medley of "Easy To Love/I've Got You Under My Skin." "Easy To Love/I've Got You Under My Skin" showcases Frank's voice and he never misses a beat. This is truly Frank Sinatra at his very best; his voice made everyone stop and listen and there's no need to explain his incredible popularity even as he got older through the years. "Don't Fence Me In" has Frank clowning around a bit. I first heard this song performed by The Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby; but Frank also manages to put his own mark on this great ballad with some improvisation and a great upbeat burst of energy that is unmistakable. Great! Similarly, "I Concentrate On You" is a tender love song that many sweethearts danced to in their living rooms all alone at night; Frank does this brilliantly and it leaves you wanting more. And that's precisely what you're going to get. "Just One Of Those Things" is a fantastic Cole Porter tune that Frank sings in great spirits and the tempo is just right to make this rendition of "Just One Of Those Things" a highlight of this album. "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" has some surface noise but this duet Frank does with Rosemary Clooney really shines brightly just the same. "Cherry Pies Ought To Be You" features Rosemary Clooney doing an electric duet with Frank; they sound great together and this is a strong duet that makes both Rosie and Frank look great. "You Don't Remind Me" is another very sensitive ballad that Frank sings with lots of feeling; and that turns "You Don't Remind Me" into one of the better songs on this CD. Just for good measure, there's another version of "Begin The Beguine" and the CD ends with another version of "Night And Day." Wonderful! Frank Sinatra could have sung them all--and we'd have stayed all night! His treatment of Cole Porter tunes must have made Porter very happy--they're all THAT good. I highly recommend this CD for Sinatra fans and people who enjoy Cole Porter music. | ||
 | Ames Brothers ,Andrews Sisters - Hits of '50 | |
| "fine album of great hits from 1950..." | 2008-06-19 |
| Hits of '50 I Can Dream Can't I? is another excellent installment in this CD series of wonderful hits from days gone by. The artwork is very, very good; and the quality of the sound is absolutely excellent. This is anything but elevator music; and it's sure to bring back many fond memories for people who first heard these songs over the radio. The CD starts with Patti Page doing one of her hits that became one of the staples of her fine repertoire. "The Tennessee Waltz" is a very sweet pop song with a touch of country flavor to it that enhances the natural beauty of this ballad all the more. Patti's voice is as clear as a bell and I love it! "The Tennessee Waltz" makes a strong start for this album. The very famous Andres Sisters also do one of their biggest hits as they perform "I Can Dream, Can't I?" "I Can Dream, Can't I?" highlights the sister act with a fantastic chorus that, this time at least, works very well for this ballad. In addition, "My Foolish Heart" gets the royal treatment from Billy Eckstine; he croons this tune to perfection and it's really very pretty. The Ames Brothers do good on their version of the early rock tune called "Rag Mop." I love that musical arrangement with its harmonica and "Rag Mop" is certainly a major highlight of this album. Is there anything The Ames Brothers couldn't sing? Doris Day follows with a grand version of "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered;" many, many men were enchanted by Doris' voice and just one listen to this will tell you why! Doris never sounded better. Nat King Cole does "Mona Lisa" with panache and he never misses a beat; and Teresa Brewer sings one of her signature songs, "Music! Music! Music!" "Music! Music! Music!" has some great melody that is both upbeat and catchy; the keyboard work is very fine indeed. The immortal Edith Piaf also performs her magnificent "La Vie En Rose;' and although there is some surface noise it never truly interferes with this recording. Although "Hoop-Dee-Doo" wasn't Perry Como's favorite style of music, he played along nicely with this tune he does with The Fontaine Sisters is absolutely grand. Patti Page returns to do a wonderful version of "All My Love (Bolero);" this is very well done. The Mills Brothers also sound very sweet; they harmonize and the music fits in perfectly as they do "Nevertheless I'm In Love With You." Great! The album ends strong with "Goodnight, Irene" performed by The Weavers. The Weavers were a wonderful group and they made a lot of sublime music when they worked together. Hits of '50 I Can Dream Can't I? will give you much to be happy about if you get this CD! I am so disappointed that a fine CD like this is currently out of print but maybe that will change as it continues to sell. I highly recommend this CD for people who like music from the early 1950s and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will be charmed by this CD as well. | ||
 | Various Artists - Hits of 51 | |
| "great songs we really listened to in 1951..." | 2008-06-18 |
| Hits of '51 - Come On-A My House has a whopping twenty-five (yes, twenty-five) hits from 1951 that made the airwaves sizzle back in the day! The quality of the sound is really rather good; and the artwork is very well done. This should bring back memories for a lot of us! Guy Mitchell starts the album with a great rendition of the classic love ballad, "My Heart Cries for You." I always liked "My Heart Cries for You" because of its pretty melody; and Guy's excellent diction enhances his performance all the more. "My Heart Cries for You" makes an excellent start for this album. "If" by Perry Como is a charmer from "Mr. C.;" Perry croons this brilliantly and I am left wondering why Perry Como doesn't get the recognition he deserves even today. Les Paul & Mary Ford do a great job on "How High the Moon;" they perform this with a country beat that injects electricity into this number and the vocals are excellent. Patti Page's "Mockin' Bird Hill" is a beautiful number and I like the special effect of having it seem that there are TWO Patti Pages singing parts of this song. Great! Nat King Cole performs "Too Young" with so much feeling it's obvious he truly delved into this ballad to make it his own; and only Nat King Cole could sing "Too Young" with such style! I love every minute of it. Rosemary Clooney also turns in a stunner performance with one of her best known songs, "Come On-a My House." "Come On-a My House" really did belong to Rosie and she sings this with so much enthusiasm you begin to sense that she's singing just to you. In addition, Mario Lanza sings "The Loveliest Night of the Year" with panache; and Mario Lanza fans will not be disappointed by this ballad. Tony Martin also sings "I Get Ideas" with so much passion you can tell he really enjoys performing this tune; "I Get Ideas" is a classic love song that is also a major highlight of this CD. Tony Bennett's "Cold, Cold Heart" features Tony sounding so well--he sounds younger and his voice was incredible even all those years ago. Frankie Laine's "Jealousy (Jalousie)" is a number you simply won't forget anytime soon; I like "Jealousy (Jalousie)" with its tango flavor. Frankie Laine's incredible sense of timing enhances his ability to do this song really wonderfully. The Ames Brothers do a fantastic rendition of "Undecided;" this really was one of their biggest hits even though it's a cover song. The Ames Brothers sure could harmonize! The album also ends on a very solid note (no pun intended) with Johnnie Ray & the Four Lads performing one of Johnnie's biggest hits ever--"Cry." "Cry" gets the royal treatment from Johnnie ray and the backup vocalists do a great job, too. Wow! Overall, Hits of '51 - Come On-A My House is a strong CD full of hits and timeless ballads. I hope it comes back into print soon! | ||
 | David Cassidy & The Partridge Family - David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection | |
| "now THIS is anything but elevator music !!!" | 2008-06-18 |
| David Cassidy & the Partridge Family: The Definitive Collection has incredibly fine hits by both David Cassidy as a soloist and The Partridge Family as a whole including David Cassidy. This music brings back many fond memories for me of watching the television show with my mother and sister back in the day; and the quality of the sound here is perfect. The artwork is very nicely done as well. Sure, maybe a song or two could have been added or replaced, but it's a very strong CD nonetheless. "I Think I Love You" has a terrific arrangement including that awesome harpsichord work. "I Think I Love You" is a very strong, pretty pop ballad with that distinctly `70s flavor to it. David Cassidy sings this passionately and his excellent diction really helps to enhance his performance. In addition, the other singers here do a great job on backup vocals; they harmonize beautifully. "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" is another catchy pop tune from the `70s that so many people loved from the very first time they ever heard it--it's all THAT good. The percussion helps to mark the best on "I Woke Up In Love This Morning," too. "I'll Meet You Halfway" is a very, very beautiful and moving song that always stayed in my mind no matter how many years pass; I really like this tune and the key modulations are very sophisticated. David Cassidy does a solo job on "Cherish;" his cover of this song gets a very sensitive rendition and his rendition is easily one of the best I've heard out there. David has some voice and I enjoy hearing him sing. "I Am A Clown" is another solo effort by David Cassidy; and he aces this seemingly effortlessly. The female backup singers make the ballad very pretty and the music that goes with David's vocals makes the perfect fit for this number. "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is another number that features David with The Partridge Family; they play and sing this to perfection. I love their rendition because, somehow, they managed to put into the melody just a dash of optimism that I rarely hear or enjoy when I hear other artists perform this song. Great! "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" again features the entire Partridge Family and it's quite a moving song. "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" has a strong chorus and that impresses me a lot. David and The Partridge Family also make good on "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love;" "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love" really shines and the ballad is strong yet beautiful at once. "Daydreamer" is another solo effort by David Cassidy; this tender torch song has a great melody and the piano arrangement works so well for this ballad. "Walking In The Rain" gets a fine treatment from David with The Partridge Family; this is some great cover! The album also ends strong with David Cassidy performing a rockin' cover of The Beatles' "Please Please Me." Excellent! This CD lays to rest any concerns that these artists were ever anything even close to second class--they rule! This is a great CD for their fans and this is also full of contemporary pop vocals mixed in with that `70s beat to make these tunes sound great--forever! | ||
 | Carpenters - Close to You | |
| "Karen and Richard sold these songs without even trying--BRAVO, KAREN AND RICHARD !!!" | 2008-06-17 |
| Close To You is an excellent album by Karen and Richard Carpenter. They made outstanding music together and it still stands the test of time. Hearing this music brings back so many fond memories for me as I heard so many of these tunes originally on the radio. The quality of the sound on this CD is very good; and I really like the artwork, too. "We've Only Just Begun" begins the album with a smash hit for Carpenters; they play and sing this beautifully and the number is very sensitive. Karen sings this with so much passion; you truly feel that she is singing to you and only you as you hear her sing. In addition, Karen sings so sweetly about the joys of starting a love affair or a marriage while still managing to acknowledge in the lyrics that there is still some uncertainty about the road that lies ahead for her and her one true love. Great! "We've Only Just Begun" is truly one of their greatest hits ever; and I could never tire of listening to this ballad. "Maybe It's You" is a number that stuns me with its beauty; Karen sings this with panache and Richard's music is perfect to go along with Karen's vocals. The lush musical arrangement makes "Maybe It's You" a classic Carpenters song. "Reason To Believe" is a soft pop number from the early `70s that still holds its own very well even today all these years later; and "Reason To Believe" puts Karen and Richard Carpenter squarely front and center--and that's wonderful. "Help" is a sublime cover of this Beatles song; Karen sings this with heart and soul. You can really hear Karen's delving into the song to bring out her personal emotions that, as she sings this song, make this a wonderful rendition of this number second only to the rendition by The Beatles themselves. Wonderful! In addition, "(They Long To Be) Close To You" charms me with its beauty; and I cannot understand why anyone would think that music like this is "corny." "(They Long To Be) Close To You" is a very sweet tune and we really see Karen Carpenter open up and let herself perform this ballad with her heart and lots of feeling. "(They Long To Be) Close To You" is clearly a major highlight of this album. "Baby It's You" has a very sensitive arrangement; and listen for "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" is a Burt Bacharach/Hal David number that Dionne Warwick made so famous; when Karen and Richard do their cover of this classic ballad Bacharach must have surely been proud! Karen sings this to perfection; and her uncanny sense of timing impresses me, too. "I Kept On Loving You" has that early `70s flavor to it; and the number works very well. "I Kept On Loving You" is a solid number and those chorus lyrics fit in well, too. The album ends with "Another Song;" "Another Song" is a very special number and it makes a fine ending for this album. Overall, Carpenters fans will love this album if they don't have it already. This is also great for people who enjoy contemporary pop vocals. | ||
 | The Four Lads - 16 Most Requested Songs | |
| "give these guys a spotlight !!!" | 2008-06-17 |
| The Four Lads 16 Most Requested Songs is an excellent CD and I am so sorry that this is currently out of print! This is a fine CD of great tunes by The Four Lads and you will really like this if you like other groups like The Four Aces and others from back in the day. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done, too. "Standing On The Corner" is a fine number that Dean Martin often liked to sing; and when The Four Lad sing it this tune is full of pep and the woodwind instruments do a lot to enhance the musical arrangement. The Four Lads harmonize to perfection and it really makes this album shine when they have numbers like this one on it! "Who Needs You" has more great harmonizing and the strings are used to great advantage. I love it! The Four Lads sing this pretty love song with heart and soul; and just one listen proves it! These songs are truly timeless; they still sound good today and lovers everywhere will still enjoy slow dancing to music like this all alone in their living rooms late at night. "The Mocking Bird" has another pretty melody that has just a very slight twist of country to make this shine; and The Four Lads come in at all the right times to make "The Mocking Bird" glisten like gold! "The Mocking Bird" is a very fine tune and I predict that you'll enjoy it. "Not So Much" is a tender song and The Four Lads were born to sing songs like this! "Not So Much" is a passionate love song and it adds a lot to this album. "Tonight" is from the musical entitled West Side Story; and The Four Lads sing this with a great deal of passion, heart and soul. The Four Lads harmonize well and the individual lyrics are equally bright. "Tonight" is yet another timeless love song and it clearly is a major highlight of this album. Great! There's also "Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words);" now THIS was always my idea of a splendid love ballad and I could never tire of hearing The Four Lads singing "Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)." "Moments To Remember" is another classic tune that shines so bright when The Four Lads sing it to perfection--and beyond! "Moments To Remember" is a wonderful song that I seem to have always known--I remember hearing it that long ago. This is one of those songs that once you hear it you can never forget it. It's all THAT good, especially when The Four Lads handle it with all their great style! "Time After Time" is a tender love song that I love so very much; now THIS is anything but elevator music! The Four Lads sing this with heart and a great deal of feeling; and this is easily another major highlight of this album. "Why Can't You Behave" has a fine musical arrangement that uses the brass well; and when The Four Lads sing this I am convinced that no other group could ever do this one better! The album ends very well with The Four Lads singing "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing;" "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" shins brighter than silver and gold put together. The Four Lads can never be truly forgotten--look at what they could do! Hopefully this CD will be back in print soon; and meanwhile people can still enjoy the singular talents of this group. I highly recommend this for fans of classic pop vocals as well. | ||
 | The Partridge Family - Come On Get Happy!: The Very Best of the Partridge Family | |
| "an undeniably good album" | 2008-06-17 |
| Come On Get Happy! The Very Best of the Partridge Family is a pretty good CD of some of their greatest hits. Sure, some may argue that a song or two was left out but overall this is a strong single CD compilation. The quality of the sound is very good and the artwork is really nicely done. The CD starts with the title track, "Come On Get Happy." They sing this very well and their harmonizing is excellent. This sure brings back many memories from my childhood days! This song makes me remember the days when I would turn on the television to watch the episodes of their television show and I liked the show when I was a kid. "I Think I Love You" is definitely one of their greatest hits ever. They sing and play this with panache; David Cassidy sings very well; and the song has great modulations between major and minor keys to make it sound even prettier. I think that's a harpsichord in the musical arrangement; and it all works very well. "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" celebrates the joys of falling in love with your one true love. David Cassidy sings this with passion, heart and soul. The guitar work and the percussion sure does work to make this number shine; and it's quite a strong pop hit from back in the day. "Baby I Love, Love, I Love You" has a very pretty arrangement and they sing and play this with all their heart and soul. "Baby I Love, Love, I Love You" features this group front and center--and that's quite all right by me! In addition, "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" truly does showcase David Cassidy's vocal talents and he aces this number quite easily. He was talented! "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" is another highlight of this fine album. "Sunshine" has a relentlessly upbeat, bouncy flavor to it that will make bubblegum and soft pop lovers happy everywhere! "Sunshine" features the greatness of The Partridge Family and that's terrific. "Let The Good Times In" is another bouncy, upbeat melody that really makes you appreciate the fine music of The Partridge Family--they truly WERE talented. In addition, "I'll Meet You Halfway" is a stunning number and it's probably my favorite song on the entire album. What a moving arrangement--I love every minute of "I'll Meet You Halfway." "Together (Havin' A Ball)" is classic Partridge Family music; and listen for "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love." "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love" is a charming ballad that holds its own very well. "Roller Coaster" features David Cassidy really opening up to make his mark on this excellent number; and the CD ends well with The Partridge Family performing "Together We're Better." "Together We're Better" is another upbeat tune with a strong arrangement and it makes the perfect ending for this CD. The Partridge Family entered our lives with some incredible music. Fans of this group will love this CD; and people who like bubblegum pop music will enjoy this CD, too. | ||
 | The Four Aces - The Four Aces' Greatest Hits | |
| "give these men a spotlight !!!" | 2008-06-16 |
| The Four Aces' Greatest Hits may not have every last hit they ever had; but as a single CD compilation it's a pretty good one. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done. This is anything but elevator music! "Tell Me Why" opens the CD with a beautiful number that features The Four Aces singing at their very best. They harmonize beautifully; and the individual lyrics lack nothing--it's all THAT good. ""Tell Me Why" is a hauntingly beautiful number that I'm sure you're going to enjoy very much; this is classic Four Aces material and it proves their talent right from the start. "Perfidia" gets a great treatment; this peppy little number shines bright when The Four Aces sing it--the Latin beat gets replaced with a pop beat and it holds its own remarkably well considering how big a change they made in the musical arrangement. "Three Coins In The Fountain" is a very touching, moving ballad that actually won an Oscar for best song in a motion picture in March, 1955; and The Four Aces do justice to this great classic pop vocal with their exquisite sense of timing and their excellent diction. I love it! "You Brought Me Love" has a fine organ arrangement and The Four Aces perform this with panache; the melody is perfect and the music that accompanies these men fits in perfectly with their vocals. Again we hear The Four Aces harmonizing flawlessly; and the individual lyrics that are sung are equally impressive. Excellent! In addition, listen for "Heart And Soul: this excellent classic pop tune really brings back memories of hearing my parents hum this tune to themselves as they went about their household chores. "Stranger in Paradise" never sounded better than when The Four Aces sang it; I love their rendition--indeed, I believe that their rendition of "Stranger In Paradise" is THE definitive rendition of this timeless ballad. I know you'll like this number; "Stranger In Paradise" is easily a major highlight of this album. The Four Aces make it look so easy--but we know it was their exceptional talent that allowed them to give us this false impression. Singing this well requires great talent; and that's exactly what The Four Aces had. "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" is another huge highlight of this album; The Four Aces were born to sing classic love songs like this one. The woodwind instruments add to the musical arrangement; and there's also "Heart" from the stage play "D*** Yankees." The Four Aces perform "Heart" with great style; and the backup vocalists sound great, too. The album ends with The Four Aces doing a sublime rendition of "Mister Sandman." "Mister Sandman" is a catchy pop tune from the 1950s that I always enjoy hearing; and The Four Aces do this so well it makes a very strong ending for this CD. Fans of The Four Aces will consider this a must-have for their collections; and it also makes a great introductory CD for newcomers to the artistry of The Four Aces. | ||
 | Disney - Disneymania, Vol. 2 | |
| "fine Disney album with lots to enjoy..." | 2008-06-16 |
| Disneymania 2 is not just for kids--it's for the child inside of me, too! This album is chock full of peppy tunes that make me smile. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done. "Welcome" by Jump 5 has kids and "tweens" everywhere enjoying their teen pop sound! The percussion helps to mark the beat and Jump 5 sings this upbeat, catchy melody with all their might; and this helps to make "Welcome" a solid introductory number for this album. Great! "True To Your Heart" gets the royal treatment from Raven; Raven sings and plays this to perfection--and wow, what a number! This is yet another upbeat number from the folks at Disney and it really has a great pop beat. "True To Your Heart" is clearly a major highlight on this album. In addition, "It's a Small World" by Baha Men at first sounds quite different from the music you hear on the ride at Disneyworld and Disneyland; but the chorus is very much the same and the reggae treatment is really very well done. "It's a Small World" brings back so many fond memories for me of taking this ride with my mother when we were at Disneyland back in '72. I loved the ride then; and this music reminds me of how much I still love this charming ride even today. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" gets the royal treatment from Stevie Brock; Stevie sings this with passion and the pop flavor of this rendition makes it very strong and yet true to the original arrangement all at once. "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" is one of my very favorite Disney tunes; and if you're lucky enough to catch the 3 o'clock afternoon parade down Disney's Magic Kingdom Main Street USA you just may hear this tune as the parade passes in front of you! "Circle of Life" is a very beautiful melody with great lyrics performed here by The Disney Channel Circle of Stars. "Circle Of Life" always moves me with its beauty and its message and that's grand. "Anytime You Need A Friend" by The Beu Sisters has a great pop beat to it that has just a hint of hip hop and this all works very well. The chorus is excellent and The Beu Sisters really make this their own as they sing this one out right! "When You Wish Upon a Star" is another stunning Disney classic tune; Ashley Gearing sings this with lots of feeling and I'm very impressed with this young lady's voice. I hope to hear more from Ashley Gearing very soon! "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" gets a very sensitive arrangement from Daniel Bedingfield. Daniel's incredible sense of timing and his excellent diction bolster his performance; and the CD also ends very nicely with They Might Be Giants performing the "Baroque Hoedown" that you may recognize from Disney's nighttime Main Street electrical parade. Overall, Disney fans will love this one--and people who like teen pop and today's pop in general will really enjoy this album. Thank you, everyone! | ||
![Shrek the Third [HD DVD]](product_images/4938000/4938374-shrek-the-third-hd-dvd_thumb.jpg) | Shrek the Third [HD DVD] | |
| "a good film--but not great and not as good as the first two were (three and one half stars)" | 2008-06-15 |
| Shrek The Third is a good movie with incredible animation. I marvel at that animation! However, the plot is just average and it didn't really hold my attention the way I hoped it would. I think after this Dreamworks needs to move on to new develop new characters in new films; but only time will tell if Dreamworks wants to milk this theme yet again. The voiceovers are very well done and the DVD has a plethora of extras. When the action begins, Shrek (Mike Myers) and his wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) are filling in for the ailing King Harold (John Cleese). Unfortunately, King Harold passes away and, with his dying wish, names Shrek as the rightful heir to the throne. This doesn't sit too well with Shrek who has been suffering from public relations embarrassment to public relations embarrassment as he launches ships with such strength that the ship blows a hole and sinks--and more. King Harold says, just before he dies, that the only other heir to the throne would be a young man at school named Arthur (Justin Timberlake). Immediately after the funeral for King Harold, Shrek, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-in-boots (Antonio Banderas) set sail to find Arthur at school. Things go downhill even more when Artie (as Arthur is called) is ambivalent at best to become a king; and it's up to Shrek and his buddies to convince Arthur to become king. Of course, things back in Far, Far Away Land aren't much better. Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and his cronies take over the kingdom and imprison Fiona and her friends including Fiona's mother. Things look pretty bleak. Of course, the plot can go anywhere from here. (Yes, I know, you've read the spoilers by now but I won't give them away anyway.) Will Fiona and the other women be able to break free and fight the evil Prince Charming? How does Shrek react when he finds out he's becoming a father? What happens to Puss-in-boots and Donkey when an old wizard accidentally casts a spell on them so that they are trapped in each other's bodies? Watch the movie and find out! The DVD extras are very extensive. The commentary is great; and I like the bonus feature that includes a man going through a storyboard of a deleted scene at the school where Arthur is standing on line to get his lunch. There are funny "suggestions" from Donkey, Shrek and other characters as to how to deal with the problems of parenthood; and there are web links as well. Overall, this is a good effort and a movie to watch when a better one is unavailable. However, Shrek fans will love this movie. This is best suited for families with kids that are at least 8 or 9 years old because of some crude humor that you wouldn't want younger kids to experience. | ||
 | Fuji CDR80 Empty Color Jewel Cases, 25 Pack | |
| "great--but sold in 25 packs best suited for people with smaller media collections" | 2008-06-13 |
| These slim jewel cases by Fuji provide sturdy protection for CDs; but they can also store any type of media that is the same size, such as DVDs as well as CD-Rs, DVD-Rs, and more! I have been fortunate in that the cases I bought never cracked when I tried to open them. Could that be because I'm a 90 pound weakling? SMILE I doubt it--I think these are well constructed. They hold together for years at a time and that's great. Moreover, these slender jewel cases measure roughly less than half the width of the older, original jewel cases that now seem far too wide and "fat" today. You can stick a "post-it" note to the front of the jewel case to indicate what's on the disc inside, too. These jewel cases can be storing discs on bookshelves, cabinet shelves or wherever. They are not ugly, either. In fact, they come in several different colors including red, yellow and blue. You can use these colors to categorize types of media so you don't have to hunt endlessly for the type of media you're looking for. As I write this the package of 25 jewel cases costs $5.99. That works out to a cost of roughly 24 cents per jewel case; and that is a bit more expensive than other packages of jewel cases for sale out there. This package of twenty-five jewel cases is really suited best for people with smaller media collections. People who have larger collections of media would do better to find jewel case packages with more jewel cases at a lower cost per case. Overall, I highly recommend these CD/DVD jewel cases for anyone who wants compact yet sturdy storage for their media. I feel badly for reviewers who had some damaged cases in their shipment; but my shipment came completely intact. Use these in good health! | ||
 | Fats Domino - All Time Greatest Hits | |
| "Fats deserves so much more than this very brief CD (three and one-half stars)" | 2008-06-13 |
| Fats Domino - All-Time Greatest Hits is yet another somewhat disappointing release from good ol' Curb Records. This company simply loves to turn out "greatest hits" CDs that are way too short to be legitimately called a "greatest hits" CD. Don't get me wrong--what we do get on this CD is excellent material--Fats Domino is wonderful all the way through--but there's just not enough of it. The CD could have had at least a couple extra songs on it; and that irks me. However, the sound quality is good and I like the artwork. The CD starts off with Fats Domino singing and playing "Whole Lotta Loving." "Whole Lotta Loving" has a great beat, a fine piano arrangement--and Fats never sounded better! His uncanny sense of timing and his excellent diction improve his performance even more. "Whole Lotta Loving" has an excellent, catchy beat and this makes a great start for this CD. "I'm Walkin'" is another high energy number and that music fits in perfectly with the lyrics sung by Fats! "I'm Walkin'" is classic Fats Domino and you can't get any better than that! In addition, "Blue Monday" showcases Fats front and center--right where he belongs! The beat is fast although the song somehow manages to feel like it has a noticeably slower beat than some of the other songs here; and Fats makes this all look so easy. His talents certainly carried him through! "Blueberry Hill" was probably Fats' biggest hits ever; this early rock and roll number swings gently and sweetly to make "Blueberry Hill" a total masterpiece. Fats Domino sings this with style and his finesse makes "Blueberry Hill" a major highlight of this album. Great! There's also Fats making good on "My Blue Heaven." "My Blue Heaven" has yet another very catchy melody that I really love; and you can even dance to this wonderful tune! I love it. "My Girl Josephine" has great electric guitar work; and Fats sings this without a superfluous note! "My Girl Josephine" features Fats Domino at his very best and that's something very special. "I Want To Walk You Home" has Fats singing this with panache and I'm very impressed. The electric guitar really enhances this ballad and it's another huge highlight of this CD. "Be My Guest" has that Fats Domino style to it; and Fats sings this flawlessly. The horns are used to great advantage in the arrangement; and Fats never misses a beat! "Be My Guest" is a really fine number and I think you'll enjoy it very much. The album ends very strong with Fats Domino performing "Let The Four Winds Blow." "Let The Four Winds Blow" is another catchy tune that I enjoy so much; and it's a fine ending number for this CD. Fats Domino was truly one of the earliest rock and roll stars; and we owe a huge debt to him for his contributions to the art of music. I recommend this CD for more casual fans or newcomers deciding if they personally like Fats' artistry. Fans who are more serious will probably have these songs in their collections and they should look for more substantial CDs by Fats Domino on this website. | ||
 | Energizer 6V Lantern Battery | |
| "excellent battery--and plenty of juice for long life !!!" | 2008-06-12 |
| Energizer makes great batteries; and these batteries will show you just how good they are made once you try them. These 6 volt batteries really last noticeably longer than the 6 volt batteries other companies used to make. I really like this because I live in a semi-rural area and every so often we have a blackout that lasts however long it lasts! I always get plenty of long life out of these Energizer 6 volt batteries when they're in my high powered flashlight; and that's excellent! Use these batteries before their expiration date. The expiration date will always be a few years into the future; but some people still have them lying around in a dresser drawer or on a closet shelf anyway. The problem is not only do they lose their potency; the batteries eventually begin to corrode. When the batteries corrode eventually a whitish powdery sticky substance begins to leak out of them and this makes a mess--trust me! Do NOT dispose of these or ever place these in or near a fire. They could literally explode. I wouldn't carry them loose either--they should be protected in the case they came in or they should be already installed in your portable flashlight or whatever device you placed them into. Overall, these Energizer 6 volt size batteries are the ones to choose if you need 6 volt size batteries. I highly recommend them for any device that needs 6 volt batteries. | ||
 | Count Basie/Sarah Vaughan - Count Basie & Sarah Vaughan | |
| "fine album by Sarah, Joe and that Count Basie Band" | 2008-06-12 |
| Count Basie/Sarah Vaughan features great words and music by Count Basie and His Band along with Sarah Vaughan--and there are even two tracks with Joe Williams helping out, too! The quality of the sound is wonderful on this digitally remastered CD of a 1961 record album; and the artwork is very nicely done as well. "Perdido" has Sarah Vaughan singing at her very best; her voice is very rich, warm and rather vibrant. Sarah swings brightly to make her performance really great; and she scats as well as the best of them ever could! The band plays this with style; the brass is used very well and the music perfectly complements Sarah's vocals. "Perdido" is quite a strong beginning number for this album; and the jazzy arrangement is grand. "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" is a fantastic track that showcases Sarah Vaughan's incredible strength as a female vocalist. Sarah sings this with lots of passion and you can tell that she has truly delved into "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" to make her rendition of this ballad shine. The brass and piano arrangements are also very good. "Alone" gets the royal treatment from Sarah who delivers this with panache; I really like "Alone" and Sarah aces this effortlessly. Sarah's excellent diction and her uncanny sense of timing make "Alone" a wonderful number to enjoy. "Mean To Me" places Sarah Vaughan squarely front and center right next to the sublime musical arrangement by Count Basie and His Orchestra. "Mean To Me" is definitely a major highlight of this album; and I think that you'll like it a lot. In addition, "The Gentleman Is A Dope" sparkles when Sarah Vaughan sings this alongside the Count Basie Band. "The Gentleman Is A Dope" really gives us a great sense of just how wonderfully Sarah Vaughan could sing alongside some of the finest musicians of the day--great! "You Go To My Head" is a classic love song that Sarah and the band members make so very special; Sarah exercises her entire vocal range on this number and this makes the number so full of feeling it's wonderful. That "Count Basie style" enhances "You Go To My Head" even more. "You Turned The Tables On Me" has Sarah swinging gently; and when she goes into the main lyrics of the song this number takes flight! The Count Basie Band uses its incredible sophistication to infuse this number with a somewhat jazzy arrangement that leaves you wanting more. And there is more! "Teach Me Tonight" has Joe Williams doing a fantastic duet with Sarah Vaughan as the Count Basie Band plays the music to perfection. Joe Williams is in excellent form and he never sings a superfluous note either. Joe also does a duet with Sarah on "If I Were A Bell;" and the album ends so nicely with Sarah Vaughan and The Count Basie Band performing "Until I Met You." "Until I Met You" is quite a love song and this makes the perfect ending for this album. The only disappointment, as another reviewer correctly notes, is that Count Basie himself only plays on one track, "Mean To Me." I wish he had participated on all the tracks! Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams and The Count Basie Band just couldn't be beaten--and this CD proves it. I highly recommend this album. | ||
 | Pure Disco, Vol. 3 | |
| "get up and boogie TONIGHT !!!" | 2008-06-12 |
| Pure Disco, Vol. 3 is a fine installment in this CD series that has so many wonderful disco tunes that we can still enjoy and dance to today! The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done. Sister Sledge starts the whole thing off with her hit, "He's The Greatest Dancer." Sister Sledge sings this really well and that funky 70's disco beat really sounds great! The backup singers do a great job; and the music fits in perfectly with the lyrics, too. Chic also scored a major disco hit with their "Le Freak;" "Le Freak" has the percussion marking the beat and they sing and play this to perfection! The rhythm is very well done and Chic makes this all their own. In addition, The Village People sing "In The Navy" with their usual campy style; but it all works very well and The Village People certainly had their share of success! "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps is one of my very favorite disco tunes on this entire album; the beat is excellent and The Trammps inject just a touch of soul to make this a strong number. I really like "Disco Inferno" and I think you'll like it, too. Kool & The Gang also score big with their hit entitled "Ladies Night;" "Ladies Night" is terrific and the beat is perfect for dancing. Kool & The Gang really impress me a lot. Listen also for Gloria Gaynor to perform her classic disco number, "Never Can Say Goodbye." "Never Can Say Goodbye" is probably one of the best disco numbers ever written and just one listen proves it! Gloria sings this with all her might and it really shows when you hear this number. Donna Summer's "Could It Be Magic" shines equally bright; Donna was one of the greatest disco queens and she richly deserved this accolade. "Get Up & Boogie" by The Silver Connection features some very good harmonizing; and the backup chorus works well for this tune. "Get Up & Boogie" has that classic disco flavor and it still sounds great today. Abba's "Lay All Your Love On Me" isn't my idea of a true blue disco tune--but it's so good it should be here on this CD anyway. Sylvester's "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" IS true blue disco--and man, how he could turn out a tune! Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" is an example of a disco number that has a slower beat; and The Four Seasons do great on "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)." The album ends very well with the "Martian remix" of "You're The One I Want" from Grease sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Great! Overall, this installment in the "Pure Disco" CD series carries its weight well and there's lots to enjoy. I highly recommend this for disco fans and people who like `70s music may do well to check out this album. | ||
 | Energizer 529 6-Volt Battery | |
| "excellent battery--and plenty of juice for long life !!!" | 2008-06-12 |
| Energizer makes great batteries; and these batteries will show you just how good they are made once you try them. These 6 volt batteries really last noticeably longer than the 6 volt batteries other companies used to make. I really like this because I live in a semi-rural area and every so often we have a blackout that lasts however long it lasts! I always get plenty of long life out of these Energizer 6 volt batteries when they're in my high powered flashlight; and that's excellent! Use these batteries before their expiration date. The expiration date will always be a few years into the future; but some people still have them lying around in a dresser drawer or on a closet shelf anyway. The problem is not only do they lose their potency; the batteries eventually begin to corrode. When the batteries corrode eventually a whitish powdery sticky substance begins to leak out of them and this makes a mess--trust me! Do NOT dispose of these or ever place these in or near a fire. They could literally explode. I wouldn't carry them loose either--they should be protected in the case they came in or they should be already installed in your portable flashlight or whatever device you placed them into. Overall, these Energizer 6 volt size batteries are the ones to choose if you need 6 volt size batteries. I highly recommend them for any device that needs 6 volt batteries. | ||
 | Disco Nights, Vol. 4: Disco Groups | |
| "good--as far as it goes, that is (three and one-half stars)" | 2008-06-12 |
| Disco Nights, Vol. 4: Disco Groups has good music; but just as another reviewer notes they have edited several of these tracks for some reason I can't quite understand. The quality of the sound is good; and the artwork is nice. Unfortunately, I am somewhat disappointed with this album because too much editing was employed before they released this CD. Nevertheless, what we do get is great quality--I just wish there were more of it! The Trammps start the CD off with their smash hit entitled "Disco Inferno;" this tune really IS one of the greatest disco tunes of all time and The Trammps were born to sing this song! "Disco Inferno" is also excellent dance music even today; and The Trammps harmonize well as they sing this one out strong--I love it! Lipps, Inc. does "Funky Town" with lots of feeling and the strings section is used very well. "Funky Town" has a great beat and Lipps, Inc. delivers this without a superfluous note. "Funky Town" naturally has that great funky `70s beat to it and this is another prime example of good `70s disco dance music. The Weather Girls also perform their cult hit, "It's Raining Men." I once saw a picture of The Weather Girls performing this number live. The two women, previously known as Two Tons Of Fun, were decked out in elaborate pink dresses while scantily clad muscle hunks paraded about the stage in back of them--what a hoot! The Weather Girls had several hits but without a doubt their biggest success was "It's Raining Men." The Village People also do a fine job on one of their biggest hits called "Y.M.C.A.;" "Y.M.C.A." was popular with guys even after they discovered that The Village People were representing an alternative lifestyle. Tavares has a very pretty melody with their "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel;" this is also great music for dancing and the lush musical arrangement really works well for this number. In addition, A Taste Of Honey makes good on "Boogie Oogie Oogie;" "Boogie Oogie Oogie" is more classic disco and that's awesome! The Hues Corporation does one of my very favorite disco tunes called "Rock The Boat;" they sing and play this to perfection--and beyond! The Hues Corporation really has a good beat going on with this number and "Rock The Boat" is a highlight of this album. There's also K.C. And The Sunshine Band doing "Get Down Tonight;" so many people were surprised when they found out that K.C. was a young white boy with long hair! The CD ends with yet another excellent tune, "Native New Yorker" performed by Odyssey. Odyssey does "Native New Yorker" really, really well and it was always one of my very favorite disco dance tunes. Overall, Disco Night, Vol. 4: Disco Groups has great music although several tracks have been trimmed down by an editing process that really screams "ouch!" This is a fine introductory CD for newcomers to this type of music; diehard fans will want more substantial CDs and box sets for sale on this website. | ||
 | Oldies But Goodies 4 | |
| "oldies sweeter than wine..." | 2008-06-11 |
| Oldies But Goodies, Vol. 4 is a solid installment in this fifteen CD series of great hits from back in the day! These hits really made the airwaves sizzle and they remains great music today. The sound quality is really rather good; and the artwork is nicely done. Creedence Clearwater Revival kicks off the CD with their fantastic tune entitled "Proud Mary." "Proud Mary" has a rock and roll beat that seems mixed with a touch a folk rock and maybe even a dash of country for good measure. Creedence Clearwater Revival sings and plays this tune so well that it makes an instantly recognizable tune and a highlight of this album. Buddy Holly sings "Peggy Sue;" this early rock and roll song showcases Buddy's fine voice and he aces this seemingly effortlessly. Of course, we know that it really isn't so easy--but Buddy's great talent allows him to make it appear easy. The Shirelles also do a magnificent job on "Soldier Boy;" "Soldier Boy" has a fine rhythm and the percussion marks the beat well. The Shirelles were one of the finest girl groups of the `60s and just one listen proves it. The Turtles do a fine job on "It Ain't Me Babe;" this tune sounds a bit like something The Rolling Stones would have produced but make no mistake about it--The Turtles make it their own and it all holds its own very well. "Harper Valley P.T.A." by Jeannie C. Riley is a huge favorite of mine; Jeannie sings this with her heart and soul and I really like "Harper Valley P.T.A." Carl Perkins also sing and plays "Blue Suede Shoes" with a great early rock and roll beat that is impossible not to like--hooray for Carl Perkins! The Big Bopper performs "Chantilly Lace" with lots of feelings; the music that goes with his lyrics really fits in well for this number. "Chantilly Lace" is a very pretty melody and the fast tempo makes it good for dancing, too. "Chantilly Lace" is definitely a highlight of this CD. In addition, The Rays do "Silhouettes" with a great deal of passion and sensitivity; The Rays sing this torch song with panache and I'm very impressed. B.J. Thomas also delivers "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" with lots of feeling and all his heart. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is a sweet melody even though the song is not about a happy situation. I always enjoy hearing B.J. Thomas singing "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." The Jive Five do "My True Story" very well; and they mix a light rock beat with doo wop to make this number special; and listen for "Come On Let's Go" by Richie Valens. The album also ends well with Sandy Nelson performing "Teen Beat." Oldies But Goodies, Vol. 4 has a lot to like if you're a fan of the oldies; and this makes a great CD for people who enjoy early rock and roll, too. | ||
 | Fats Domino - Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them | |
| "Fats Domino sold these songs without even trying--he was THAT good" | 2008-06-11 |
| Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them has some wonderful hits by the great Fats Domino. This is practically mandatory listening for fans of Fats Domino; and people who like rock and roll music from back in the day will appreciate this album as well. The artwork is also very, very good. "The Fat Man" starts the CD with Fats singing this one out really great! "The Fat Man" has surface noise but it's a very good tune and it makes a strong beginning for this album. I really like "The Fat Man." "Going To The River" has that classic Fats Domino sound; the piano is used well and the percussion really fits in well as Fats sings this to perfection--and beyond! It's tunes like "Going To The River" that made Fats Domino so very special. "Ain't That A Shame?" now showcases a much more mature Fats who sings and plays this like the pro he always was! The drums are great and the electric guitars add so much to the musical arrangement. "All By Myself" has a fine early rock and roll melody that's quite catchy and Fats Domino sings this really well. I love that great horn solo, too! "I'm In Love Again" has a fantastic melody and Fats sings this flawlessly. His excellent diction and his uncanny sense of timing enhance his performance and we can easily see that Fats is a founding father of rock and roll. "Blueberry Hill" should lay to rest any doubts that Fats Domino wasn't anything short of a masterful entertainer; I always liked "Blueberry Hill" and Fats' rendition is THE definitive rendition of this classic ballad. "Blue Monday" is a strong number that Fats delivers with all his might; and listen also for "I'm Walkin'." "I'm Walkin'" highlights Fats' ability to take a rock and roll tune and charge it electrically with his fine performance and style. I'm very impressed; and another highlight of this album is "Whole Lotta Loving." "Whole Lotta Loving" features Fats front and center--right where he belongs! The piano arrangement is very strong and the melody has a great beat for dancing. "I Want To Walk You Home" is another masterpiece from the great Fats Domino; he aces this effortlessly. "Be My Guest" has another catchy rhythm that makes you want to hear this tune over and over again--and Fats never sounded better! The brass is used to great advantage and Fats never sings a superfluous note. "My Girl Josephine" is a very pretty tune that gets an electric charge to make this a fine early rock and roll ballad; and the CD ends strong with Fats Domino performing "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)." "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" is another powerful tune and you're bound to enjoy it if this type of music is what you crave. Overall, this Fats Domino CD is one of the better ones out there without a doubt. It is great for fans of Fats Domino; and it makes the perfect introduction for newcomers to Fats Domino's artistry. | ||
 | Coming Home | |
| "a solid effort--but it just misses its mark..." | 2008-06-10 |
| Coming Home is a sensitive portrayal of three people and how their lives were changed by the war in Vietnam. Look for wonderful acting by Jane Fonda who had to contend with a script that was not exactly the best I've ever seen; and Jon Voight does an excellent job playing the role of Luke Martin, a Vietnam vet who was badly wounded in combat. Bruce Dern plays Capt. Bob Hyde with a lot of style; all the actors do their best in this film. The script fails to flesh out the depth of the characters and the movie held my attention although there were some slow moments along the way. When the action begins, we meet Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda) and her soon to go to war Marine husband Bob Hyde (Bruce Dern). We also soon meet Sally's friend Vi Munson who is ably portrayed by Penelope Milford. Bob is eager to go to war and fight (and kill) for his country but Sally's much more realistically concerned about her husband being in combat. After Bob does go off to war, Sally and Vi form a friendship bond that is sweet and touching. Vi's brother Bill Munson (Robert Carradine) is psychiatrically disabled in a veteran hospital; so when Vi goes to volunteer there Sally decides to volunteer as well. Sally wants to deal with true issues about the war but the other women volunteers won't have any of it; and slowly but surely Sally begins to doubt that the war is absolutely necessary and good. At the same time, Sally meets an old school pal named Luke Martin (Jon Voight). Luke himself is very injured following his being wounded in combat during the war and Luke is certainly cynical and haunted by guilt to say the least. Luke and Sally also form a friendship and this eventually leads to a love affair that is rather poignant and well done in the movie. Of course, the plot could go anywhere from here. Will Sally want to leave her husband Bob when he returns from war and live with Luke instead? How will Vi handle life after her brother Bill kills himself in the hospital? What about Bob's injury--just how did he REALLY get wounded? In addition, when Bob is away Sally works (which Bob doesn't like) and she becomes more anti-war than ever before. How will Bob handle this change in his wife? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch the movie and find out! There are a few DVD extras; the optional running commentary was very good. Overall, Coming Home is a very good but not truly great story of how lives were drastically changed because of the war in Vietnam. I recommend this for people who like this type of theme and people studying the Vietnam War would do well to get this movie. However, the script falls short of my expectations and the actors are indeed left to make the best of a lukewarm situation. The acting is truly better than the script! | ||
 | Coming Home | |
| "a solid effort--but it just misses its mark..." | 2008-06-10 |
| Coming Home is a sensitive portrayal of three people and how their lives were changed by the war in Vietnam. Look for wonderful acting by Jane Fonda who had to contend with a script that was not exactly the best I've ever seen; and Jon Voight does an excellent job playing the role of Luke Martin, a Vietnam vet who was badly wounded in combat. Bruce Dern plays Capt. Bob Hyde with a lot of style; all the actors do their best in this film. The script fails to flesh out the depth of the characters and the movie held my attention although there were some slow moments along the way. When the action begins, we meet Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda) and her soon to go to war Marine husband Bob Hyde (Bruce Dern). We also soon meet Sally's friend Vi Munson who is ably portrayed by Penelope Milford. Bob is eager to go to war and fight (and kill) for his country but Sally's much more realistically concerned about her husband being in combat. After Bob does go off to war, Sally and Vi form a friendship bond that is sweet and touching. Vi's brother Bill Munson (Robert Carradine) is psychiatrically disabled in a veteran hospital; so when Vi goes to volunteer there Sally decides to volunteer as well. Sally wants to deal with true issues about the war but the other women volunteers won't have any of it; and slowly but surely Sally begins to doubt that the war is absolutely necessary and good. At the same time, Sally meets an old school pal named Luke Martin (Jon Voight). Luke himself is very injured following his being wounded in combat during the war and Luke is certainly cynical and haunted by guilt to say the least. Luke and Sally also form a friendship and this eventually leads to a love affair that is rather poignant and well done in the movie. Of course, the plot could go anywhere from here. Will Sally want to leave her husband Bob when he returns from war and live with Luke instead? How will Vi handle life after her brother Bill kills himself in the hospital? What about Bob's injury--just how did he REALLY get wounded? In addition, when Bob is away Sally works (which Bob doesn't like) and she becomes more anti-war than ever before. How will Bob handle this change in his wife? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch the movie and find out! There are a few DVD extras; the optional running commentary was very good. Overall, Coming Home is a very good but not truly great story of how lives were drastically changed because of the war in Vietnam. I recommend this for people who like this type of theme and people studying the Vietnam War would do well to get this movie. However, the script falls short of my expectations and the actors are indeed left to make the best of a lukewarm situation. The acting is truly better than the script! | ||
 | Coming Home | |
| "a solid effort--but it just misses its mark..." | 2008-06-10 |
| Coming Home is a sensitive portrayal of three people and how their lives were changed by the war in Vietnam. Look for wonderful acting by Jane Fonda who had to contend with a script that was not exactly the best I've ever seen; and Jon Voight does an excellent job playing the role of Luke Martin, a Vietnam vet who was badly wounded in combat. Bruce Dern plays Capt. Bob Hyde with a lot of style; all the actors do their best in this film. The script fails to flesh out the depth of the characters and the movie held my attention although there were some slow moments along the way. When the action begins, we meet Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda) and her soon to go to war Marine husband Bob Hyde (Bruce Dern). We also soon meet Sally's friend Vi Munson who is ably portrayed by Penelope Milford. Bob is eager to go to war and fight (and kill) for his country but Sally's much more realistically concerned about her husband being in combat. After Bob does go off to war, Sally and Vi form a friendship bond that is sweet and touching. Vi's brother Bill Munson (Robert Carradine) is psychiatrically disabled in a veteran hospital; so when Vi goes to volunteer there Sally decides to volunteer as well. Sally wants to deal with true issues about the war but the other women volunteers won't have any of it; and slowly but surely Sally begins to doubt that the war is absolutely necessary and good. At the same time, Sally meets an old school pal named Luke Martin (Jon Voight). Luke himself is very injured following his being wounded in combat during the war and Luke is certainly cynical and haunted by guilt to say the least. Luke and Sally also form a friendship and this eventually leads to a love affair that is rather poignant and well done in the movie. Of course, the plot could go anywhere from here. Will Sally want to leave her husband Bob when he returns from war and live with Luke instead? How will Vi handle life after her brother Bill kills himself in the hospital? What about Bob's injury--just how did he REALLY get wounded? In addition, when Bob is away Sally works (which Bob doesn't like) and she becomes more anti-war than ever before. How will Bob handle this change in his wife? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch the movie and find out! There are a few DVD extras; the optional running commentary was very good. Overall, Coming Home is a very good but not truly great story of how lives were drastically changed because of the war in Vietnam. I recommend this for people who like this type of theme and people studying the Vietnam War would do well to get this movie. However, the script falls short of my expectations and the actors are indeed left to make the best of a lukewarm situation. The acting is truly better than the script! | ||
 | K.C. & the Sunshine Band - 25th Anniversary Edition | |
| "awesome music that makes me wanna DANCE RIGHT NOW !!!" | 2008-06-07 |
| KC and the Sunshine Band 25th Anniversary Collection has a lot of great music by KC and The Sunshine Band that I really love to hear! The sound quality is great and the artwork is very nicely done, too. This is a great two CD set for diehard fans; and it's also very good for the more casual fan who wants a "greatest hits" package without buying too many CDs by this group. The first CD starts off with the original single version of "Get Down Tonight;" their disco style really also rocks hard and I love every minute of it! The musical special effects work perfectly and they sing this tune out loud! Great! "That's The Way (I Like It)" follows; KC and the Sunshine Band sing and play this to perfection--and beyond! The tune has a great disco beat with that throbbing bass and they sing this well. Now THIS is music that makes me wanna dance! "Sound Your Funky Horn" has a great beat--and yes, it IS a funky beat! IT smacks of that `70s flavor I still like so much. "I'm So Crazy ('Bout You)" picks up the tempo somewhat and this works very well for this dance number. "I'm So Crazy ('Bout You)" is prime KC and the Sunshine Band and I like "I'm So Crazy ('Bout You)" very much. "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty" is probably one of the strongest numbers on the first CD; this tune was a huge hit for this group and the beat is catchy and great for dancing even today all these years later! Great! "I'm Your Boogie Man" rolls and rocks through its disco flavored melody; this made so many people take to the dance floors in the golden era of disco--and it still has a great sound today. If you like disco, "I'm Your Boogie Man" is a perfect song for you to dance to. "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" is equally bright; the percussion marks the beat and KC and the Sunshine Band perform this flawlessly. The second CD continues the hits. "Keep It Comin' Love" was one of their biggest hits ever with its throbbing beat and they sing this very well--awesome! "Who Do Ya Love" has an uplifting beat and the melody is also great for dancing. "Please Don't Go" is another very strong number--this has a slower dance beat that is perfect for slow dancing all alone late at night with your sweetheart in your living room. "Let's Go Rock And Roll" impresses me today; this shows us how KC and the Sunshine Band were morphing toward an early `80s dance type of music that evolved out of disco; and they do this really well! "Give It Up" has a distinctly early `80s beat to it and KC and the Sunshine beat still can make me wanna dance with this hit. "Por Favor No Te Vayas (Please Don't Go)" is sung beautifully in Spanish to the same music that we get for the English music; and listen for the "Tom Moulton" mix of "Get Down Tonight." This last number polishes off the two CD set with flair and it leaves you wanting more, too! | ||
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