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2006-04-23T02:19:00.000-07:00

Eagles : The Very Best of

Eagles : The Very Best of
Eagles : The Very Best of Artist: The Eagles (Usually ships in 24 hours) This packed double-disc is the slim option for fans who find the Eagles' vaunted greatest hits sets too little and the boxed set too hefty. Hit singles large and medium are here, often ("One of These Nights," "Hotel California") still sounding definitive and even tough. Large helpings of favorite album cuts are also included, along with a taster from a promised 2004 Eagles studio reunion. Unfortunately, "Hole in the World," Don Henley's response to September 11, feels just as empty and entitled as "Get Over It," the band's previous state-of-the-union message (from which the newer song represents a philosophical 180-degree turn). But for those seeking an overview of this Southern California juggernaut's successes, as well as telling comments from band members--mostly Henley and Frey--in a well-designed booklet, Very Best will more than do. --Rickey Wright

2006-04-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Lanza: Greatest Hits

Lanza: Greatest Hits
Lanza: Greatest Hits Artist: Georges Bizet (Usually ships in 24 hours) Easy listening I have always liked Mario Lanza and the album is wonderful and relaxing. Lanza of the joyous voice! This album has some really splendid songs, and yes, it's a good introduction to the King of the high last notes. I grew up with one of Lanza's albums and more or less learned to sing by singing along with his wonderful warm voice. What good energy he had... and too bad he died so young (sigh). It certainly lifts my spirits to listen to his music again and I hope anyone reading this will take a chance and get to know him too. Not bad as an introduction to Lanza I recommend this collection as a good starting point for those interested in this extraordinary tenor. It's not a complete representation of the man by any stretch of the imagination, but it includes a handful of unforgettable recordings that will make newcomers to Lanza sit up in astonishment.
Highlights include the immortal Serenade Golden Days from The Student Prince, Beloved (from the film version of the Student Prince, and arguably Lanza's best English-language love song), Because You're Mine, If I Loved You, and the stirring Addio Alla Madre from Cavalleria Rusticana. If love songs seem a little over-represented at the expense of arias and (notably) Italian Neapolitan Songs, then blame BMG for their habitual neglect of Lanza's more serious side. In any event, this is essentially a one-CD version of the three-CD set, The Mario Lanza Collection. All of the renditions are the same as on the earlier CD, as are the sound sources. With the exception of The Student Prince Serenade, most of the selections here have never sounded better.
Be aware, however, that several of the arias are in fact retakes of more familiar versions. Vesti La Giubba, for instance, is an alternate take from Lanza's May 1950 session, and although the tenor is in great voice, the orchestra lets him down on the climactic phrase by moving on before he has finished his High A on the word "infranto". The Flower Song is even more unrestrained than the familiar take - great fun, but not the kind of recording you'd want newcomers to Lanza to hear! (Lanza never quite "nailed" this aria, but his heart was in the right place.) La Donna E Mobile is the familiar 1950 version in the first half, but is replaced by an inferior retake in the second half, followed by an edited-in High B ending (on "pensier") from the original recording!
The only truly bad recording is the inexplicably popular With A Song In My Heart. Lanza is unfocused, and strains his way throughout the piece. Yours Is My Heart Alone is somewhat better, but is easily surpassed by the tenor's 1956 recording with the conductor Henri Rene (and currently unavailable on CD).
The "Greatest Hits" are here: the million-selling Be My Love, Loveliest Night of The Year and the aforementioned Because You're Mine. I have to confess to an aversion to the first two - Lanza was often a far better singer than these recordings suggest - but most fans, I'm sure, will continue to cherish them. Besides, what tenor since Lanza has ever sung Be My Love without straining his way through the wretched thing and then fudging the High C at the end? Lanza made it his own, and to be fair to the song, it is actually a very difficult piece to pull off, as Messrs Domingo, Carreras and Leech will no doubt attest. But that was also one of Lanza's most under-appreciated strengths - he made everything sound so easy. Listeners accustomed to the laborious efforts of most present-day tenors will be astounded by the freshness, ease, and sheer bravado of these performances.

2006-04-19T04:12:00.000-07:00

Fishscale

Fishscale
Fishscale Artist: Ghostface Killah (Usually ships in 24 hours) While the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan now seems a faint memory from hip-hop's '90s era, Ghostface has become a one-man force in maintaining the vitality of the Clan. The way he opens Fishscale with the frantic, hyperactive "Shakey Dog," is all the evidence you'd need to see how Ghost is that rare MC who's gotten better with age. His jumble of colorful wordplay is now honed into a sharp edge of drug-game narratives ("R.A.G.U."), neighborhood stories ("Barbershop"), honeyed pimp talk ("Big Girl") and braggadocio raw enough to melt minds ("Be Easy"). Backing him up are both familiar partners-in-rhyme like Raekwon (who sounds his best in years), Cappadonna, and Trife and also a surprising squad of underground producers that includes Just Blaze, Pete Rock, MF Doom, and the late J-Dilla. One of the skit quips that Ghost hasn't been this focused since Supreme Clientele, his 2000 classic; that's no joke--this is his best since then. --Oliver Wang Liked the first half, didnt like the second Still the best hip-hop album of 2006 so far, but I thought the first half of the album had the best tracks, didn't care so much for the second half besides Dogs of War. The track Three Bricks with Biggie is weak, doesnt fit with the rest of the songs. I think the Wu is gonna make a come back tho this year, with this and Raekwon's Only built for cuban linx 2... cant wait!

Favorite Songs-

Shakey Dog
The Champ
9 mili bros (second fav)
R.A.G.U. (favorite)
Be Easy
Kilo
Dogs of War Theodore! Ghostface takes the art of the street tale to a whole new level by adding the element consequence to his stories. Of all the hustler-turned-rapper albums that have hit the shelves in the past two years, NOTHING comes close to this. So clever and so complex, Ghost is in his prime. I highly recommend this album. An MC that makes you listen to him What is amazing about FISHSCALE is the fact that rather than just listening to the musical backgrounds behind Ghostface, you must listen to him as an MC because if you don't, you won't understand what he is saying. That is perhaps what makes him more unique than the repetitive/hooky MCs in the rap game. Every verse that Ghostface contributes is telling a story of some kind. This is more well exhibited on the highlight track of the album "Shakey Dog" which is virtually hookless.

Production on this album is exceptional using simple drum programming and an assortment of soul samples. You feel that the production never takes away from Ghostface here, which is more than can be said about a ton of other rap albums.

For the most part, there are no truly dull or unexciting tracks. My favorites include "Shakey Dog", "The Champ", "R.A.G.U", and "Back Like That" among others. This isn't for people who are into rap that is extremely hooky or for people that can't handle extremely, extremely graphic content. For a gangsta rap album, it could be considered a masterpiece. 4/5.

2006-03-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

Gonna Wear Red

Gonna Wear Red
Gonna Wear Red Artist: Wendy Woo (Usually ships in 5 to 9 days) Click Here for more information Woo's first Wendy Woo's a fixture on the Denver music scene, and a "hall of fame" winner of the local alt.paper's "Best of Denver" award for singer-songwriter. She has a great voice, she's a terrific guitar player (she often plays percussively like the late Michael Hedges) and she has -- like the other review here sez -- great stage presence. Her songs geat too, and get under your skin after just a listen. This is her first album, and it's a strong showcase for her talent. Recommended. Woo-Hoo! The first time I heard Wendy Woo and the Woo Band was back at the River Festival in Salina, Kansas. That voice, that guitar, that stage presence that drives them wild! I like chicks that have attitudes, and this chick has plenty of it! I'm about to burn a hold in this CD because I enjoy listening to it so much. She has such an awesome voice, and it's amazing what she can do with such a limited range. The lyrics and the sound of her voice have deeply touched my heart! I looove to around the house or driving in my car singing along with almost every song off this album! Now, I'm proud to be an official "Woo" fan!

2006-03-26T00:23:00.000-08:00

Mob Hits: Music From And A Tribute To The Great Mob Movies

Mob Hits: Music From And A Tribute To The Great Mob Movies
Mob Hits: Music From And A Tribute To The Great Mob Movies Artist: Various Artists (Usually ships in 6 to 11 days) Click Here for more information As you may already know from seeing it hawked incessantly on late-night TV by Jerry Vale, Mob Hits is a compilation CD that attempts to capture the ambience of the modern gangster pic by assembling songs heard in key scenes of such films as The Godfather, GoodFellas, Donnie Brasco, and Casino. While licensing restrictions keep the music of Frank Sinatra from being part of this collection (odd, as the address on this package is the address for his long-time label Capitol Records), the selection and sequencing of well-known Italian "hits" by Vale, Dean Martin, Louis Prima, Lou Monte, Al Martino, and Julius LaRosa gets the job done with discretion and honor. And the liner notes even offer a toll-free number for homemade pasta sauce. --Gregg Turkington Italian all the way! I love this CD. Bought one for my 100% Italian Mother too and she loves it!
My favorite songs: Mambo Italiano, Oh Marie, Lazy Mary, Buona Sera and Angelina Zooma Zooma!!! Everytime I listen to those songs I just get a huge smile on my face!!!
It's not PC, this CD is a RIP OFF I had to write. . .I am an Italian American and I took issue to the person who referred to some reviewers as "PC idiots." I really felt offended by this statement, therefore I am adding my two cents. No one should pay all this money for a bunch of oldie Italian songs that someone put together on two CDs and sell it (at an inflate rate) based on a discriminatory title they put on the Label.
A reviewer was correct. . .half those songs you can get at the library without charge. It is pretty disgusting that one has to see the word MOB to sell anything--especially an inferior product at an inflated price.

There are so many better Italian CDs out there at a reasonable price and that truly convey the heritage. I have a few I can recommend: Decca Records: You've Tried the Rest Now Try the Best. . .A Pizza Box of Italian Hits. . .. or the Roman Holiday
The Italian Wedding CD, a fabulous complilation of original recordings of all the best Italian songs performed at weddings. They both are infinitely superior to the Mob Hits CD, and cost a fraction. Thanks for hearing me out, Marco Very good album This is actually a very good album. I agree with another reviewer that if Sinatra was on here it would be 5 stars. I love the fact that some great songs are on here, and the sound quality is very good. Of course some of the songs on here are very common. I love the fact that it covers 2 discs and Al Martino is on here more than once. A great companion for the mob movie lover!

I can understand people complaining about the price, and that they could pick up many of these songs at the library. However, I'd rather rate the album! Reminds me of the saying "You get what you pay for"

2006-03-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits Artist: Neil Young (Usually ships in 24 hours) Click Here for more information One question would be: What took him so long? After all, a contemporary like Van Morrison has sold boatloads of his single-disc best-of set to buyers wary of diving into that deep catalog without a primer to get them started. So three and a half decades into his solo career, Neil Young finally delivers his version of that most modest of albums--the pre-holiday "hits" overview. What's surprising, coming from such a proud maverick, is its conventionality. Granted, the original master mixes are a boon for fans, but otherwise, there's not much here for loyalists who quite likely already possess the original "Like a Hurricane" on a couple of albums, as well as a handful of live interpretations scanning the years. Since Young cracked the Top 10 only once (1972's "Heart of Gold"), this set is built around concert staples as "Cinnamon Girl," "Rockin' in the Free World," and "Hey, Hey, My My" rather than chart favorites. Despite Young's honorable standing as a still-vital graybeard, the disc is skewed heavily toward his early work, shortchanging some mighty productive recent years. Peripheral fans may find this set of interest, but faithful followers are better advised to investigate the DVD version, which, at least, includes videos, photos, lyrics, and Web links. --Steven Stolder Loved it! Incredibly ......... am speechless. Two-Thumbs-Up I ain't going to write long review for this album. It's no doubt that he is a wonderful singer. Especially it's "The Greatest Hits", I wouldn't think twice to buy this masterpiece. It's a great collection. From 17 songs, 12 of them are my favourites. 3 words to end this review: Magnificent, Greatest, and absolutely a Chef d'oeuvre! The Perfect Collection For Beginning Or Casual Neil Young Fans I've never been a huge Neil Young fan (my father despises him), but I've always enjoyed his music. I needed one Neil Young cd for my collection, but I couldn't find one. Until I received "Neil Young - Greatest Hits" as a Christmas present from my parents yesterday. I listened to it yesterday. How does it hold up? Read on for the practically inevitable positives and negatives.

Positives:
-This collection is perfect for those who only want one Neil Young album in their collection. It has almost all of his best known songs, including "Cowgirl In The Sand", "Cinnamon Girl", "After The Gold Rush", "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (my personal favorite), "Ohio", "The Needle The Damge Done", "Heart Of The Gold" and "Rockin' In The Free World".
-Underrated masterpieces have been included as well.
-The remastering job is excellent.
-Affordable and easy to find.

Negatives:
-Some underrated gems have been excluded, such as "Tell Me Why", "When You Dance I Can Really Love," "Walk On", and "Four Strong Winds".
-Nothing from his Buffalo Springfield days, which means "For What It's Worth" is not included.
-Nothing past "Harvest Moon".
-No liner notes, just track information. I expected something a lot better.

So, overall, this is an ideal Neil Young collection for beginners. Highly recommended. Canadian Content There as for as long as I can remember three distinctive groups of music. There was the heavier innovative British sound, the more commercial but good American sound and the unique Canadian sound. When I read from your Amazon reviewer that Neil Young only cracked the top ten once, that is a true statement. Or when one of your other reviewers states that "there aren't a lot of famous Canadian rock stars" that as far as he knows is also true. Only one problem. There are untold numbers of Canadian rock stars...in Canada that cracked the top ten over and over. One trouble was that most of them or their singles couldn't crack the lucrative American market. Neil Young had hits in Canada with almost all of the tunes on this compilation, most notably "Cinnamon Girl" and "Like a Hurricane" with his sometimes group Crazy Horse, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Old Man, Southern Man (rebuttal by Lynyrd Skynyrd on Sweet Home Alabama) Harvest Moon, Hey Hey My My" etc. etc. etc. And lets not forget the song that Neil, Dan Akroyd, Tom Green , Gordon Lightfoot and company closed out "Live 8 " in 2005, the mega hit "Rockin' in the Free World". There are a lot of good Canadian artists overlooked outside of Canada. Start with 70's icons Triumph, Trooper, Prism, April Wine, Aldo Nova to start. I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised.