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Reviews Written By: A3I6HYTU037QBA

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	Johnny Got His Gun
	"A must read for any young person going to war for fame & Glory!"	2008-04-12
When I was a boy, like most boys my age, we were exposed to movies about the glory of war. Our toys were army men or guns from all different eras. Poems like The Charge Of The Light Brigade, and stories like King Aurthur and the Knights of the Round Table were the types of literature on our summer reading lists and our movies glorified war heroes. Like many young boys at that age, I was enthralled with the idea that war was indeed glorious. Why wouldn't I? The society and times I lived in told me so. Sure, I knew I could die, but that was also portrayed as glorious. I was ready to do battle at the first chance that came my way. When I entered into a independent reading class, I saw a book on the list titled Johnny Got His Gun. The title of course drew me as did the shortness of the book in comparison to many others on the list. So I grabbed it. Well, Johnny Got His Gun, opened my eyes to a part of war I hadn't really thought through. Sure, I knew people got wounded, but in the movies, they got a purple heart, got better or died. I had never imagined the kind of experiences the subject of this book did. That certainly did not sound like a glorious ending that I'd wish upon myself. Additionally, I couldn't imagine being the cause of someone else experiencing this either. If you haven't read the book, I'll not be a spoiler, for it's not just the ending but the entire experience that makes the book so valuable. If someone you love or cares about, or even just know well, wants to join the military, for the "Glory", please have them read this book. I'm not anti military, or military personnel. It's not my intent to undermine someone's desire to serve their country, including my country. I just want those who go off to defend us to have a greater understanding of what can happen to them or to those in the war zones.
	Peter Gabriel - Secret World Live
	"One of my favorite Live CDs of all time"	2007-07-19
I remember one night, I was visiting my mother's house for a vacation back in 1995. I didn't have a lot of cable channels at my house, so I was surprised that while channel surfing on of all places, a concert was broadcast on the Disney Channel. It was a live concert of Billy Joel being broadcast. Turns out that back in the day, Disney didn't have commercials and at night aired entertainment geared to adults. I checked the guide to see what was coming up, and there was a concert by someone I'd not really listened to before, Peter Gabriel. (I didn't follow Geneses, only knew Phil Collins had replaced someone) Well, this concert blew me away. The rich tones, the "World Beat" of the music, and a great gravely voice with some staging worthing of a Broadway production. I could not believe my good fortune that I'd stumbled across someone new. Well, part way through the show I heard Solsbury Hill, which sounded familiar but this rendition was really fascinating. When the concert closed with In Your Eyes, I almost wanted to get up and cheer. I spoke with a friend of mine about this show, and told him it was some guy named Peter Gabriel, and his band and female singer put on one of the best shows I'd ever seen. I told him it was going to be on again, and if I could figure out how to get my mother's old "Beta Max" recorder to work and if I could find a tape for it, I'd record it for him. He looked at me with a blank stare, and said, "Your kidding me, right? You don't know Peter Gabriel? The name doesn't ring a bell to you?" No I responded. He looked at me and said "He's the former lead singer of Geneses." I told him I didn't really follow them. He said "Don't you recall a few months back I asked you if you wanted to grab a date and go to a concert with me and my girlfriend?" I shrugged and told him I had a vague recollection. He said "do you remember the name of the guy?" Not really I said. "Peter Gabriel, you idiot. I told you you would really like him but because you didn't know his music you passed. And afterwards how me and my girlfriend were raving about the show." Boy did I feel stupid. Well the show was aired on Disney a couple of more times while I was visiting, but I never was able to get the Beta Max working. I did buy the CD and listened to it probably two or three times a day while driving. I now regret not listening to my friend and now accept almost every offer to go see someone new afraid I'll miss a show as great as this one. (In twelve years, I've only found 2 other shows I've been more impressed with). I'm sorry to hear that the DVD isn't the exact same show on the CD or the one Disney aired. But that shouldn't stop you from buying the DVD or this great CD.
	Tai-Pan
	"It's important to know your rivals!"	2007-06-12
First, many years ago, as each book was released, I'd read all of the Asian Saga, and loved each and every one of them. It takes a lot for a book series to stand out in your mind when you think back the first was released in 1975. While Shogun was my favorite, Tai-pan, Noble House, and Whirlwind, always stood out in my mind as I learned more and more about the global economy, the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, etc. . . and America's love and focus of quarterly profits over long term strategy. As we watched China grow into an industrialized and economic powerhouse, my memory returned to the Clavell series, and how long term the Chinese strategy was compared to ours. Now, even though we have the most well trained and technologically advanced military in the world, we now find ourselves indebted to both Japan and China. Our country's deficit, and thus our future and standing within the international community, is held by these two Asian countries who are defeating us, not by military force (though the Japanese did try that in WWII unsuccessfully) but by outsmarting us with long term economic strategy. If ever a fiction series was prescient as to how our greed and arrogance would be used against us over generation to generation, Clavell's tightly woven and interesting books certainly have. For this reason alone, the Asian Saga including Whirlwind, should be a compulsory read in high school and by budding politicians. While our focus on the Muslim extremists is necessary, we cannot turn our backs on the threat China poses to our long term economic strength and sovereignty. The next President needs of have a firm understanding of how the Asian philosophy can and will continue to affect our lives. On a more book review basis, Clavell's writings are page turners, and create a story as tightly written and as all encompassing and engaging as the Lord of the rings series, or Dune, and Harry Potter, to name but a few. With the summer upon us, now is a great time to immerse yourself in a brilliant series which you don't need to wait years for the next book to be written. For sadly, Clavell passed away long before we were ready to lose him. It would have been interesting to see how he would have written about the current state of Asian affairs and those of the middle east, where the saga last brought us.
	Live Aid
	"Forget Woodstock. This is greatest concert of my time."	2007-02-12
Sure, Woodstock had some great acts, Jimi, ELP etc. . . but the concert wasn't taped in it's entirety (or at least ever released in its entirety). And as someone recently wrote, either is Live Aid, they list 85 songs missing. However, Live Aid brought such a wide variety of bands together and intermixing of talents that alone makes it stand out as one of the all time greatest shows every presented. I recall spending all of my time watching it in 1985, but lacking the high quality recording gear, even a stereo VCR, I never had the opportunity to relive those moments. Friends, knowing how much I loved music and how difficult I am to shop for, shocked me one Christmas when this first came out 20 years later. It was one of my favorite gifts ever. It's fun to go back, see how silly the mode of dress was back in the day, parachute pants seemed to be all of the rage when looking back. The obligatory Mullets and other silly coiffed hair styles on many of the artists still performing today are a reminder, never let anyone take your picture or video when dressed in "trendy" cloths, they'll come back to haunt you years later. It is amazing to sit there and see bands who you thought would be big end up being one hit wonders, other bands, quiet and unnoticed by many are now the enduring symbols of great sounds, professionalism, and the ability to change the music or change with the times. Who would have thought that Simple Minds, (a very hot Irish band back than) would be replaced so quickly by another little know Irish band who also performed, U2? I'll probably get in trouble for this, but I've ripped the audio out of the DVD's and carry many of the cuts on my Ipod, as its one of the few venues you can find some of the artists playing live on. I hope some day they'll release a full CD version of the entire concert including the 85 songs listed as missing.
	Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert [Expanded]
	"EC's most overlooked Live Album. A must have!"	2006-11-12
By now, you've read other reviewers' breakdown of the genesis of this band and it's performances. While EC's addiction is broadly referenced, this may not be entirely accurate. It's been referenced by others that EC was suffering from the loss of Duane Allman which ended the Derrick & and Domino's era. Whatever brought about Pete Townsend's desire to bring EC out of his self imposed exile, isn't nearly as important has what this album delivers, a great super band playing live, a number of songs we've all grown to know and love over the years. This group, playing with a rawness not often allowed by studios and producers to be released to the public anymore, is a rare treat. The band clearly is not over polished nor are sections of roughness overdubbed by engineers. This album actually captures what live shows used to be like back in the day. That the band is made up of some of the greatest musicians of that time period is a bonus. I've seen EC live later in life, and was very underwhelmed by his lack of engagement with the audience and other band members. I've seen Pete Townsend, Steve Winwood, Jimmy Page, and others in concert (separately sadly) but enjoyed their peformances greatly. However, on this album you can tell EC is actively engaged not only with the audience, but with the other band members. I've purchased and obtained other EC shows which are slicker in their production but non which convey the emotion of this show. I've listened to it over and over again, and it's a permanent fixture on my 8 gig Nano. Which is a high honor as only Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits reside there in perpetuity.
	SHURE BROTHERS E3 Sound Isolating Earphone Stereo Headphone
	"Great Sounding though the accessories are a bit pricey!,"	2006-08-23
Just picked these up today, bought them online from an authorized Shure Retailer after visiting the Shure Website and reading the warning about purchases made from Ebay and other sites not being covered under warranty. Spending this kind of money for a quality product, a large part of the price is the warranty and company standing behind the product. So you might have to spend a little more (though when shopping, I found them for $179.99 with a $50 price reducing coupon and free shipping so $129.99 wasn't all that bad). I own a pair of ER6i and am comparing them to the Shure E3 The good: Sound is excellent. I've read people complaining about not receiving enough bass. I tried a couple of different ear flang sizes, (I also own a pair of Etoymic ER6i which I love and found the three stage silicon flanges worked best for my ears. I've also written a review on the ER6i's pointing out thier strengths and weaknesses)finally settled upon the yellow foam for the E3. I've found the tone on these to be rich, picking up some subtle differences in tried and true songs from Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, and Eric Clapton from those heard with the ER6i's. The wires on the E3 are also thicker which has reduced some noises associated with movement on the ER6i's. However the thickness in wire does add to the bulk in your pocket which unless you are using the IPOD NANO, shouldn't be a big deal. All and all, I'm very satisfied with the price, quality and sound of the E3. The bad: As I've decided to go with the foam ear pieces, this adds a considerable ongoing "FEE" for using the E3 over the ER6i. Granted you can get 20 pack (10 pairs) of the foam replacements which retail for $21.50 (not including shipping and handling) for a reduced price if you shop around. But when you add the shipping and handling, they start to get pricey. I'll be interested to see how long a pair last. The E3 only included 1 pair in the original package, which seems kind of cheezy as they do recommend frequent replacment. Granted I could use the 3 stage silicon flange, (which by the way run over $12.00 a pair and none are included with the E3)as I've done with the ER6i. I do think Shure should have included a pair of them with the E3 for I am loath to spend $12.00 plus shipping and handling to try them. I still have some for the ER6i, I might try to see if they will fit. (update: I've tried the silicon ear pieces for the ER6i's and they work fine with Shure E3) All in all, I can recommend the sound of the E3 and as audio fidelity is different for each of us, I can't say that the ER6i are better or worse then the E3. Each have their strengths and weaknesses. I expect I'll continue to use both in different situatons. I will be flying at the end of the month, and will bring the E3 along for their maiden voyage. The ER6i's have always performed well for me in air travel, and I expect the E3 will as well. Update 2 (Just got back from a plane trip with the E3's. I flew on a four different twin prop planes, and a Jet DC of some sort. The E3cut out the noise as well as the ER6i. I thought the sound was better with the Shure E3 then with the ER6i. Though, as I stated, everyone's ear's are different.)
	Shure E3c-n Sound Isolating Earphones (Black)
	"Great Sounding though the accessories are a bit pricey!"	2006-08-20
Just picked these up today, bought them online from an authorized Shure Retailer after visiting the Shure Website and reading the warning about purchases made from Ebay and other sites not being covered under warranty. Spending this kind of money for a quality product, a large part of the price is the warranty and company standing behind the product. So you might have to spend a little more (though when shopping, I found them for $179.99 with a $50 price reducing coupon and free shipping so $129.99 wasn't all that bad). The good: Sound is excellent. I've read people complaining about not receiving enough bass. I tried a couple of different ear flang sizes, (I also own a pair of Etoymic ER6i which I love and found the three stage silicon flanges worked best for my ears. I also written a review on the ER6i's pointing out there strength and weaknesses)finally settled upon the yellow foam for the E3. I've found the tone on these to be rich, picking up some subtle differences in tried and true songs from Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, and Eric Clapton from those heard with the ER6i's. The wires on the E3 are also thicker which has reduced some noises associated with movement on the ER6i's. However the thickness in wire does add to the bulk in your pocket which unless you are using the IPOD NANO, shouldn't be a big deal. All and all, I'm very satisfied with the price, quality and sound of the E3. The bad: As I've decided to go with the foam ear pieces, this adds a considerable ongoing "FEE" for using the E3 over the ER6i. Granted you can get 20 pack (10 pairs) of the foam replacements which retail for $21.50 (not including shipping and handling) for a reduced price if you shop around. But when you add the shipping and handling, they start to get pricey. I'll be interested to see how long a pair last. The E3 only included 1 pair in the original package, which seems kind of cheezy as they do recommend frequent replacment. Granted I could use the 3 stage silicon flange, (which by the way run over $12.00 a pair and none are included with the E3)as I've done with the ER6i. I do think Shure should have included a pair of them with the E3 for I am loath to spend $12.00 plus shipping and handling to try them. I still have some for the ER6i, I might try to see if they will fit. All in all, I can recommend the sound of the E3 and as audio fidelity is different for each of us, I can't say that the ER6i are better or worse then the E3. Each have their strengths and weaknesses. I expect I'll continue to use both in different situatons. I will be flying at the end of the month, and will bring the E3 along for their maiden voyage. The ER6i's have always performed well for me in air travel, and I expect the E3 will as well. After using the E3's for a long time, I decided I preferred them over the ER6i's (which I'd had to send back for warranty work when one side went out). I figured with the thicker cords, I'd never have that problem with the E3's. Wrong. After a few months, the right side of the E3 cut out. Both Shure and Etymoic give great customer support. Just make certain you keep your original receipt and I recommend scanning it into your computer as well just in case you lose it. Anyway, while the E3's went back for replacement,(yes, they sent an entire new packaged set, in a retail box) I switched back to the ER6i. I don't know if Etyomic's replacement units are better than the original units but I was suddenly re-impressed with the tone quality of the ER6i's. And with a Nano, their thinner cord and lighter weight is a big plus. I've not gone back to the E3's as yet. They are still sitting on the unopened retail box. Maybe, if I ever pull out my 60 gig IPOD, I'll try the E3's again. But for now, I'm surprisingly happier with my ER6i's. But like I've said before, everyone's audio preferences are different.
	Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator Earphones
	"Great Sound, Support, Price, just not well designed for portability."	2006-08-10
I've owned a number of portable devices over the years, and am on my 5th IPOD. (All still working) I've purchased many different headphones of different designs, styles, manufacturers, and wide array of price points. These are by far my favorite sounding earphones to date. Many people have commented on the bass, and admittedly, I'm not a bass head. I've been a rock and roller attending hundreds of concerts over the years. (I just joined AARP the same month I went to see Petty and CSN&Y and on my way to see The Who next. I've stood on the field level during the last Pink Floyd tour while the speakers were actually blowing us backward they were so loud and bass filled. I've also had the luck of seeing Jimi, Janice, Zepplin, Tull, U2 and countless others) This has led to my beginning to lose my "highs". Therefore, bass is not an issue for me. I spend an awful lot of time writing at my computer and doing research in loud environments, so the noice isolating feature is very important to me. I've owned noise cancelling headphones, but the battery packs reduce mobility, and require carrying batteries when you travel. These earphones do the job nicely, without any bulk, and allow you to lower your volume thus increase your IPOD's playing time. I've toned down my music taste a little over the decades, and find myself enjoying Mark Knopfler's rich bluesy style over the hard rocking sounds of my youth, however, early Clapton live boots, and The Who live stille rock my world. Remastered releases of my youthful favorites still draw me to that old time rock and roll. The ER6i transmit the sound equaly as well regardless of who or what style I'm listening to. I've invested in the silicon triple flange ear pieces as I've smaller ear canals and these fit much better for me. You will need to try out the spongy foam or the silicon for your own ear's shape. My main complaint is the silicon triple flange go deeply into the ear canal and due to the thinness of the wires, you must be careful when removing the earphones. Do not grab them by the thin wires to remove them, or you will start to experience what other reviewers have mentioned, an intermittent cutting out of sound in one ear or the other. This design flaw, the thinness of the of the wires,is a design flaw I find fault with in regards to the ER6i. For to get the full effect from the sound, you must firmly insert the ear piece, but removing them can be difficult, especially if you have thick stubby fingers as I do. Etymotic's instructions tell you that if you purchase the earphones from another seller, you must register your Er6i on their website, under "warranty registration" within 90 days of purchase to recieve the full year warranty. You will find yourself unable to locate this section on their website. However, a call to Etymotic's toll free number will get you in touch with some very helpful staff eagerly willing to resolve your problem without any proof of purchase date. I know this because after suffering with the intermittent cutting in and out of my left earphone, (it's the one I would remove when someone wanted to speak with me) my right earphone finally went out completly. I called the toll free number, explained I hadn't registered the ERI6 prior to the experation of the 90 days. I was told I couldn't because this feature was not enabled. The staff member was apologetic, and without any argument at all, I was given an RMA number, no questions asked or proof of purchase date requested or required. I expect a replacement pair within the next ten days. This was very impressive to me in this day and age. I've read from some reviewers that SHURE does not have good customer support, though I can't personally attest to that. I had considered replacing the ERI6 with a pair of SHURE E3's but after dealing with Etymotic, I've decided to stay with them for the time being. Oh, initially, when I first purchased by ERI6, I was so impressed with the sound that when I saw them on sale for $80 with free shipping, I purchased a second pair. (I was going to be selling them on Ebay and going with the SHURE E3 after the right ear went out, but I'm glad I didn't. I will be using my second "spare" pair, while waiting for the replacement from Etymotic. My advice, these are great sounding earphones and at what you can find them priced for through Froogle, they are also the best priced quality earphones for the money. I can live with their design flaw of thin wires knowing Etymotic stands behind their product. A rare feat these days. Also, the customer support person spoke English, and actually lived in this country. Another bonus. Also of note, some people have complained about the length of the cord. When I bought my second IPOD, I found a company out of Australia that sold a cord wrap. They've since been bought out and are easily located under the name "Sumajin SmartWrap". They come in many different colors.
	SUMAJIN Smartwraps Earphone Cord Manager
	"Handy, Light wieght, useful item. Wish I'd thought of it."	2006-08-10
I love these. When I got my first IPOD, pre click wheel, I used the wired "remote" that came with the IPOD which made a tangled mess of wires and headphones. I thought to myself, if only there was a way of keeping things from getting tangled and tied up. Sometimes I had my IPOD in my front shirt pocket, sometimes on a belt, other times, in a lower pocket on carge type pants, so the length of wire I needed varied according to my outfit. At the end of the day, I'd find myself untangling the wired remote from the headphone wire especially when using the top shirt pocket. One day while searching Ebay for a retractable firewire cord for my IPOD, I ran across this useful little wrap. It was being sold by someone in Australia. The price of shipping was high for just one unit, and after contacting the seller, I learned that he would combine shipping costs for up to 8 of them. I knew a lot of friends with Ipods, I used different headphones depending on my environment, so I went ahead and bought 8. Glad I did. Everyone I gave one to as a gift three years ago are still using theirs. And even though I've reduced the number of headphones I use to one, and dropped the wired remote once the click wheel Ipod came out, I still place my Ipod in different pockets or on a belt. This neat little wrap keeps my cord from being tangled, is easily adjusted and has helped me from breaking the thin wires on my ERI6 headphones. They are light, durable, washable, and best of all, come in different colors to match almost any IPOD case or headphone wire color. Now, if only I was that inventive.
	Rollerball
	"Rollerball: A future that has already arrived."	2005-06-20
This movie tells about a future where countries are a thing of the past, and instead, the world is divided into geopolitical Corporations. The public is placated with Corporate provided entertainment, and for those needing violence as the rallying point for their loyalty, ROLLERBALL is offered. ROLLERBALL is a manufactured sport, a hybrid mixture of Motocross; Roller Derby, hockey; arena football; and what the NBA has devolved into; a violent packed war. All in all, a very entertaining game. A word of caution, a "remake" of ROLLERBALL was recently released, which, save for the "game" and the title, holds no real relation to the original ROLLERBALL, which is more about the devolution of society, and a trading of our independence and individuality in exchange for the allusion of safety and security. Steer clear of the "remake" for even the game itself is poorly portrayed. Back to the original. James Caan, as our hero, Jonathan E, the greatest ROLLERBALL player of all time, is coming to the conclusion of his career, not out of choice mind you, or due to any loss of ability, but because John Houseman's character, has been ordered to retire Jonathan for reasons not revealed until later in the movie. Houseman's character is a member of the elite and privileged class of this new society, a "Corporation" officer. A member of this class requested and because of the level of privilege afforded them, was able to obtain Jonathan's first wife during their marriage period. That incident along with his forced retirement, has Jonathan questioning what is happening in society. Jonathan attempts to obtain history books, only to find they have been "digitized" which is a polite way of saying there are no longer originals of books and they have been sanitized or the information restricted. The game itself is already extremely violent, but to ratchet up the pressure to retire, the powers that be decide to change the rules. The first game, no penalties. When that doesn't get Jonathan to change his mind, even after the airing of his career tribute, the next change is no substitutions or time limit. The End is of course a "Hollywood" type ending. The action scenes are incredible and a number of the actors did suffer real injuries during the shooting. But the larger message of this film is what is happening to our society today. This was supposedly a futuristic movie. It was shot in the 1970's and takes place sometimes around 2018. I recall at the time I saw it that I believed the future of giant corporations running everything and controlling every aspect of our lives and our politics was well underway. But I have long been deemed paranoid and prone to conspiracy theories. Of course having lived through JFK's, MLK JR's and RFK's asassination, followed by Watergate, probably contributed to my suggestibility to conspiracies. However, even I am surprised at the pace with which this future of Multinationals running the world and controlling everything combined with the blatancy with which our elected leaders are kowtowing to corporate interests over the welfare of their people as become so pervasive. If it continues at its current pace, ROLLERBALL will no longer be a possible future hidden in an entertaining movie, but rather a prophetic film whose message was ignored. Get this film and show it to your children, your friends, neighbors, and other associated folks. Hopefully, they will see the message and start striking back and remembering what built this great country of ours, individual spirit, a willingness to stand apart, the resolve to risk it all and not rely on others for our welfare.
	Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - Reach Up & Touch the Sky: Live
	"Paridise it's not but may have to do!"	2005-04-18
I love early Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. And the only way to hear them is LIVE. But not on this album. For a really LIVE experience, purchase Live at the Paradise Theatre Boston, Massachusetts December 23, 1978 [LIVE] a seamless recording of one concert, not a mish-mash of different shows, performances, venues, and nights just slapped together with no cohesion like this album. With that said, if you can't find that album at a reasonable price, this one will have to do as for some reason Live at the Paradise is hard to find and people are just plain greedy in pricing this album used on Amazon. If Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes ever come to your town, go see them. They put on a great show and are still touring from time to time and without the high prices of many of todays acts.
	Wyatt Earp
	"Why bore an audience with 3 hours of Cosner?"	2005-02-14
Tombstone or Wyatt Earp? This seems to be the prevailing comparision. But why? Some reveiwers have referenced Kasdan's brillant western masterpiece Silverado to bulk up this movie and to justify the poor choice of Cosner's Earp. From my perspective, other than his portrayl as the dead body in THE BIG CHILL, SILVERADO was the only movie of value Cosner has ever been involved in. His portrayl of Earp is as exciting as his portrayal of the dead body in THE BIG CHILL. (Which was cut from the theatrical release. Maybe his choice of charactor was to wooden for that film as well?) One reviewer has stated WYATT EARP in not an "action film" like TOMBSTONE. They are right. Cosner's Earp does not need to engage in gunplay to kill. He can kill his opponents the same way he does the viewers, bore them to death. The running time of the original theatrical release was approximately three hours. The DVD release has been shortened, but unfortunately it can not be edited enough to add life to a listless charactor portrayal. Tombstone on the other hand moves at a quick pace, protrays the importance of family, honor, integrity, and most importantly friendship. I've read reviews knocking Val Kilmer's portrayal in Tombstone as Doc Holiday in an attempt to bulster Quaid's performance in Wyatt Earp. Acting next to Cosner, any sign of life is an improvement. So Quaid certainly looks better when not compared directly on screen with Kilmer. But Kilmer's Doc in TOMBSTONE examplifies and highlights friendship as the motive for Doc's riding with the Earps. The legend of Doc Holiday and his feared reputation, is more aptly shown in Tombstone than in WYATT EARP. Doc's reputation as a killer, though not as widely known today as when he lived, far eclipes that of Wyatt. And had he lived past 36, he might have been the central figure of the legend of the OK Corral. The Earp legend is in part due to Earp's living until 80 and befriending film makers in Hollywood. On Jan. 13, 1929 Wyatt Earp died in Los Angeles at the age of 80. Cowboy actors Tom Mix and William S. Hart were among his pallbearers. Earp was not a lawman for a great part of his life. In fact, he was more successful as a gambler, prospector, real estate investor and entreperneur. But we don't see many movies of successful business men, however, Cosner may have exploered that side of Earp and attempted to portray that throughout the movie. That would provide some explaination for his wooden portrayal. So the time in Tombstone, AZ is the highlight of Earp's lawman career, and as shown in the movie WYATT EARP, why waster three hours of your life on the rest. Besides, TOMBSTONE has the beautiful and senuous Dana Delany playing Josie, the woman with whom Wyatt would end his days.
	10cc - 10cc - Greatest Hits [Masters]
	"I enjoyed them more live."	2003-06-09
"I'm not in love" the band's best known hit, was over played during it's heyday and may well have contributed to the demise of the band. Years later, as nostilgia has grabbed me, I've embarked on a hobby of acquiring live versions of songs and artists familiar to me.I have on line file sharing to thank for this new hobby (So put that into your "stats" RIAA) And Amazon's easy browsing and wide selection have made the acquistion of many artists more obscure recordings do-able while the reviews written by persons with more musical history and knowledge have made me more venture some. 10cc is not someone I would have purchased a "Live" album of were it not for a review someone wrote about the Moody Blues solo artists' "Bluejays" album where I learned some of the artists of 10cc played on that album. The bargain price also play an important part in my decision. I was more than pleasantly surprised just how good they made their signature song sound live and enjoyed their renditions of Beatles/Paul McCartney songs. Would I have paid [item price] for this album? Heck no. But as a bargain bin album, this is and remains a great find. Of course, if you are a 10cc fan, this would be a must have album. For the rest of us, its an enjoyable live performance with much better than anticipated sounding vocals.
	Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes - Live at the Paradise Theatre Boston, Massachusetts December 23, 1978
	"Springsteen has nothing on these boys"	2003-06-08
Live albums can be a mixed bag, a poor recording, too much audience sound, and of course, some bands just sound terrible without the help of a good studio mixer and slick production tricks. Some top "acts" don't even play together without studio muscians cleaning up their poor sound. If that is your fear with this album, fear not, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were born to play together, and to be heard live. The "Jersey" sound they put out is equal to anything the "Boss" did during his various stints touring with the E Street Band, and surpasses many if not all of his attempts to be a live solo performer. True, there is no "Big Man" on sax but as Mark Knoplfer would say, "that trumpet sound blowing insane" for this band uses horns the way they were meant to be played with Rock n Roll, reminescent of Blood Sweat and Tears or even Chicago while they were known as Chicago Rapid Transit and not that whinning, boring commercial sound they devolved into after their second album. Does this band and album party, you betcha. Even before they play their aptly titled "Having a Party" signature song and "Stagger Lee" and its comical segue into "Santa Clause is Back" Southside Johhny and the boys know how to entertain and give you and the audience one great show. Sure, everybody who is a fan of a band tells you "This is the greatest live album ever, a must have." Well, no hype here, everyone's tastes are different and I've not heard every live album ever made. I do own a number of "bootleg" albums and a large number of commercially recorded live albums (this helps me to know when and when not to pay the extremely high prices concert promoters fleece you for these days) and this live album has moved into my favorites. While listening to Southside Johnny and this album for the first time, my son was in the room with me and though he had never heard them (or even heard of them) he thought theirs was a great sound and this a fine album. I enjoyed my first exposure to an entire Southside Johhny experience so much, I got back on line and ordered more Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes. If those are even half as entertaining, I might break down and even try a studio recording or two. So let yourself and some friends have a party, stick this CD in your mix and play this one Friday night for them. You won't regret you did. And if Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes come to your town, don't fear wasting your concert dollars.
	Firefall - Concert Classics, Vol. 2
	"Nostalga tours aren't always best."	2003-05-06
I loved them when I first saw them decades ago. I wish I had left them in my memories. First, the sound quality on this album is muddled, which with today's technology there is no excuse for this. As for the band itself, their strengh was their song writing and their harmonizing. This live concert demonstrates just how weak their individual vocals have grown over the years or maybe my memories have made them better than they were decades ago live. In this recording, at times,the harmonizing is good but the solo's leading up to them are almost painful to listen to. The instrumentals are also muddled by the mixing. The only positive I can say is their best known songs are all here, but a greatest hits album would be preferable, as there is no effort to make new interpretations, or different arrangments with the cuts as many artist are doing with live material these days. Basically, this album is just live versions of the original recordings and not played, sung, recorded, or mixed well. Greatest hits or best of albums are available. If you are a die hard fan, maybe you need this album. Otherwise, save your money.
	Justin Hayward & John Lodge - Blue Jays
	"When Mike Pinder departed this is where it should have ended"	2003-05-01
The Blue Jays begin where MB ended after Seven Sojourn and it is a great sounding album. Let me also say I love the Moody Blues, have seen them 11 times since they reformed thinking each time is their last tour. They never deviate from their albums. During the 60's & 70's they helped defined mine & my best friend's philosophy which we mingled with the wisdom of the original Kung Fu series. We were steeped in mysticism. MB brought us to places with their rich music, deep meaningful lyrics,opening 4 doors, examing wars, a trip through the beginning of time, space, intraspection, and Timothy Leary. After Seven Sojourn and the break up, we were lost, our Gurus had disbanded. We'd argued over whose songs had more meaning but never about whose vocals were richest and angst filled, Justin. Though never minimizing John's, Ray's Graeme's and especially Mike's contributions. On each album a surprise song held meaning. Mike's songs like "Have you Heard", "When You're a Free Man" "My Song" and "How is it we are here" always gave depth to the albums, but more importantly his keyboards and the Melotrone added the mystical quality and full sound that made MB unique. Granted after MB reformed they brought in Patrick Moraz but by that time MB was becoming Justin's band due to the popularity of his AM hits. Like some, when I heard the Blue Jays on the radio I cheered, mistakenly believing MB had released a new album. I went to the store disappointed to discover it was only Justin and John. This could only mean MB was really over. But like I said earlier, it is a great album. I wore out the vinyl and purchased two more copies before it went out of print. The CD is a great addition, it has a bonus track and doesn't wear out. Unfortunately MB with the exception of Long Distance Voyager never put out a decent album when they reformed without Mike Pinder. The Blue Jays of Justin and John was the last collection of Justin's work that seemed to have an entire album of his own work with that same mystical quality with the influence that Mike Pinder left him with. Not to say Justin and MB haven't released some great songs on each album. But for the same reason Patrick later left, the lack of risk taking, in my opinion there has been no full album since the Blue Jays that has been rich and full sounding. Even though the mystic, Mike Pinder doesn't appear in even one track on the Blue Jays (John does reference his sound's influence in the notes) The Blue Jays sound is the last mystical influenced trip of the original group and completes the transition to orchestrated sound. No early Moody Blue's collection is complete without it. And the Moodies must agree, for most of the cuts appear on the Time Traveler Boxed Set even though only Justin and John appear as Blue Jays.