The Songwriter

The Songwriter

ASIN: B000008KIN

Track Listings

1. Love on Arrival

2. Three Time Loser

3. Candle in the Rain

4. Factory Town

5. One Friend

6. God Must Be a Cowboy

7. I Won't Be Blue Anymore

8. Headin West

9. Those

10. Wood

The Songwriter,Dan Seals,Capitol,Country,Country & Western,Country-Pop,Soft Rock

Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD)
Average customer rating:

A Joke Turned To Gold

Thank You, Olivia Harrison

Great

Legends at work and play! One of the best buys of the year!

A Long Overdue Re-Issue

Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD)
The Traveling Wilburys
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Icky Thump

ASIN: B000P0J024
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

Handle With Care
Dirty World
Rattled
Last Night
Not Alone Any More
Congratulations
Heading For the Light
Margarita
Tweeter And the Monkey Man
End Of the Line
Maxine - (previously unreleased, Bonus Track)
Like A Ship - (alternate take, Bonus Track)

Tracks:

She's My Baby
Inside Out
If You Belonged To Me
Devil's Been Busy, The
7 Deadly Sins
Poor House
Where Were You Last Night?
Cool Dry Place
New Blue Moon
You Took My Breath Away
Wilbury Twist
Nobody's Child - (Bonus Track)
Runaway - (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

The Traveling Wilburys were one of the few supergroups that lived up to their promise, because they didn't try to. Things started inauspiciously when George Harrison, needing a B-side for a 1988 single, called in friends Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison for assistance. Two albums later--the second without Orbison, who had passed away shortly after the first was released--the loose-knit collective had recorded material that was as durable, and occasionally eclipsed, the participants' legendary solo work. The Wilburys succeeded due to a genial and contagious camaraderie that permeates both discs. What could have been a train wreck of ego clashes instead resulted in a frothy meeting of the minds. These guys are having a blast, trading lead vocals and harmonies on energetic folk-rock, quirky rockabilly, and Beatlesque pop that shimmers with the respect and esteem the members clearly hold for each other. Harrison and Lynne's rather slick production polishes off edges that might better have been left unvarnished, but there's no denying the loosey-goosey craftsmanship at work in tunes such as "Handle with Care," "End of the Line," and a striking Orbison performance on "Not Alone Anymore" that ranks with any of his finest. Both albums were million-sellers, but oddly went out of print for about a decade until Rhino resurrected them, adding two rare tracks per disc as well as a DVD of music videos and a band documentary. The resulting package is a comprehensive overview of a once--well, twice--in-a-lifetime project that, especially after Harrison's passing, will never be repeated. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

Featuring classics like "Handle With Care," "End Of The Line," and "Heading For The Light," super-group Traveling Wilbury's Collection highlights all of the band's music and previously unreleased bonus tracks through this re-mastered double album. The DVD features behind the scenes footage of the band writing and recording, along with their 5 video clips.

Customer Reviews:

A Joke Turned To Gold.......2007-07-10

There are many bands that tout themselves as super groups, but The Traveling Wilburys are one that actually lives up to the billing. George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and the late Roy Orbison originally got together to cut a song for a b-side to the "This Is Love" single off George Harrison's 1987 comeback album Cloud Nine. The song was "Handle With Care" and it was deemed to good to be just a b-side ("Breath Away From Heaven" ended up as the "This Is Love" b-side), so they decided to record a whole album to go along with the song. The resulting Volume I released in late 1988 is a fabulous collection of songs that contain some beautiful harmonies, flawless production and some sharp and witty writing. The guys are clearly having fun even going so far as to take on Wilbury pseudonyms (which for some reason were changed for the next album) and include a history of the band. Due to the sudden death of Mr. Orbison shortly after the album's release, a potential tour was scraped and it looked like the Wilburys would be a one time affair. But the group got back together for 1990's wryly titled Vol. 3. Though not as tight as Volume I, it offers many of same pleasures and has aged well over the years. The deluxe package combines both albums and a dvd and brings back these long out of print albums.

Thank You, Olivia Harrison.......2007-07-09

Thank you Olivia for allowing us to see this recording as a work in progress with the bonus DVD. The DVD that is included with this re-release, watching the "brothers" work their magic is priceless. Those of you who are on the fence wondering if this CD/DVD is worth buying, wonder no more. It's awesome.

Great .......2007-07-06

I read the other reviews, and really don't have much to add here as far as deep descriptions of the songs.
I just know one thing: I just got this CD set today and must have listened to it about 4 times already.
Need I say more?

Legends at work and play! One of the best buys of the year!.......2007-07-05

I had forgotten how good the Traveling Wilberrys first album was. It was a joy and revelation to hear it once again in great sound. All 12 songs are excellent plus you get two bonus tracks on each album which are keepers too. Just hearing Roy Orbison's god-given voice is worth the price of admission. You also have George Harrison singing lead on a few cuts and Dylan's "Tweeter and The Monkey Man" is as good as anything he's done the last 20 years plus Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne are all in great peak form too. What is enjoyable about this is that you can tell the boys were having fun doing this. There is a whimsical, laid-back, lighthearted good-feeling about this music. The egos don't get in the way and it seems there is genuine respect for each other's legendary talents. Jim Keltner, a premier session drummer is also aboard. Next, there is a 42 minute DVD showing how they got together and also shows the boys at work and play with videos of featured songs. The second CD is from the second album (Vol. 3) which is just as good as the first even though Mr. Orbison had passed away after the first one was released. This is the best purchase I've made this year as far as sheer enjoyment. 2 CD's = rated A+ = DVD = rated A. Like a fine wine, this release will only improve with age.

A Long Overdue Re-Issue.......2007-07-05

First, the problems:

Several of the videos have been altered. While I can understand why Milli Vanilli were removed from the original version of the "Wilbury Twist" video (although, if anything, their presence in such an anti-music video music video would only carry added weight), the version of "Inside Out," which is missing George Harrison's great rock star theatrics, makes no sense.

Second, Jeff Lynne's production sounds just as sugary as it did back in 1988/1990 (but not as over-produced as Tom Petty's ice cream headache-inducing "Full Moon Fever"). I wish there were acoustic-based "alternate" versions of these songs sitting around somewhere just waiting to be released, because they'd inevitably sound cleaner, crisper, and, well...better.

Lastly and leastly, none of the extra tracks are any where near as good as the albums (well, the "Runaway" cover is decent). Without these, both albums could have been put on a single disc, making the set a bit more affordable.

Nonetheless:

I LOVE these albums. Songs like "Heading for the Light," "Congratulations," "End of the Line," "Inside Out," "You Took My Breath Away," and "Wilbury Twist" are classics, perfect pop craftsmanship. They feature some of George Harrison's and Bob Dylan's warmest performances, and (of course) the ghost of Roy Orbison haunts the set - rarely do music legends go out in such a beautifully understated way.

Is it just me, or is the second album actually better than the first?

Average customer rating:

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Are Spectacular
Soundtrack for a great movie
Best Irish Singer
Fantastic music from the most original film of the year!
Movie musicals take a clever and fresh Celtic turn.

Once
Original Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

ASIN: B000PFU7OO
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

Falling Slowly
If You Want Me
Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy
When Your Minds Made Up
Lies
Gold
The Hill
Fallen from the Sky
Leave
Trying to Pull Myself Away
All the Way Down
Once
Say It to Me Now

Amazon.com

Even those allergic to musicals may be won over by Once, a tender-hearted Irish romance with songs by Czech Republic-born Markéta Irglová and Frames frontman Glen Hansard. (The film's director, John Carney, actually used to play bass in the group.) The trick here is that Irglová and Hansard also play the leads; because their characters are shown busking, writing music, or rehearsing, the songs are smoothly integrated in the film. The overall acoustic mood won't surprise fans of the Frames--some tracks ("Say It to Me," "When Your Mind's Made Up") have even popped up on the band's albums, though the arrangements are more pared-down here, befitting the scruffy, street-musician setting. Being the lesser-known entity, Irglová feels like a revelation; she sounds a bit like a folkie Björk on "If You Want Me," and her song "The Hill" is downright heartbreaking. Irglová and Hansard had already made the 2006 album The Swell Seasontogether, so their collaboration here feels really organic--they sound particularly good together on the title track, for instance. Now that's the kind of magic you want from musicals. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Are Spectacular.......2007-07-07

After seeing the movie Once and being haunted by its beautiful, lyrical music, I had to buy the CD. The songs are simple, yet powerful, with folk and ballad undercurrents. Once is my favorite CD purchase of the year. Thank you Glen and Marketa for listenng to your muses!

Soundtrack for a great movie.......2007-07-07

See the movie - it's one of the best movies about musicians and music as romance. Once you've seen the movie, you'll want the soundtrack!

Best Irish Singer.......2007-07-05

This artist is excellent. Also can't wait till the movie comes out on dvd so I can purchase it.

Fantastic music from the most original film of the year!.......2007-07-04

Let me start out by saying that the whole singer/sonwriter genre does not usually appeal to me. That being said, I found myself blown away by this film and its integral soundtrack. Having never heard the Frames (or even seen The Commitments, for that matter) this is my first exposure to Hansard's work. The music features outstanding emotional delivery and execution with lyrical content that is both poignant and catchy. Irglova's voice is unique and hauntingly beautiful. The track "If You Want Me" where she provides the lead vocals was the highlight of the album for me. Even if you don't like singer/songwriter stuff, you may enjoy this one - i did.

Movie musicals take a clever and fresh Celtic turn........2007-07-04

You'll appreciate this CD even more if you see the movie. The sweet without being sappy love story told in the movie comes through and reverberates beautifully in these artfully rendered music and lyrics.

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

Average customer rating:

Instant Karma's gonna getcha!!!
still great songs
Nice CDs for an excellent cause
A Must Have
Decent Compilation . . . GREAT Music!

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000PMG9G2
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

Instant Karma -- U2
#9 Dream -- R.E.M.
Mother -- Christina Aguilera
Give Peace A Chance -- Aerosmith with Sierra Leone Refuge All-Stars
Cold Turkey -- Lenny Kravitz
Whatever Gets You Through the Night -- Los Lonely Boys
I'm Losing You -- Corinne Bailey Rae
Gimme Some Truth -- Jakob Dylan Feat. Dhani Harrison
Oh, My Love -- Jackson Browne
Imagine -- Avril Lavigne
Nobody Told Me -- Big & Rich
Jealous Guy -- Youssou N'Dour

Tracks:

Working Class Hero -- Green Day
Power to the People -- Black Eyed Peas
Imagine -- Jack Johnson
Beautiful Boy -- Ben Harper
Isolation -- Snow Patrol
Watching the Wheels -- Matisyahu
Grow Old With Me -- Postal Service
Gimme Me Some Truth -- Jaguares
(Just Like) Starting Over -- The Flaming Lips
God -- Jack's Mannequin feat. Mick Fleetwood
Real Love -- Regina Spektor

Amazon.com

John Lennon would have turned 67 in 2007. If alive, he could well be at the forefront of bringing peace to Darfur, where more than half a million have died from violence and disease during four years of rebel discord. So to create awareness of the ongoing conflict, Amnesty International (with permission from Yoko Ono) has mined Lennon's solo work and rounded up nearly two dozen current artists to reinterpret the music, which spans the ex-Beatle's entire post-band catalog (plus a pair from while the Fab Four were still in business). As with any attempt to cover Beatles-related music, results are hit and miss, with kudos going to Snow Patrol and the Postal Service for capturing the starkness of "Isolation" and "Grow Old with Me," respectively, Mexican rock band Jaguares for uncovering the fear and fury in "Gimme Some Truth," and (surprise!) Christina Aguilera for nailing the complex composition and mood of "Mother." Other highlights include Jackson Browne's piano-led "Oh My Love," Green Day's louder straight take on "Working Class Hero," and the Black Eyed Peas turning "Power to the People" into a gospelly protest. Will resurrecting 30-to-40-year-old messages of peace and love be enough to help end the brutalities in Darfur? That remains to be seen. But selecting John Lennon as the author of those messages will make people listen and, with this collection, may keep them listening. --Scott Holter

Album Description

Featuring songs by the iconic John Lennon newly recorded by some of today's biggest as well as emerging artists, Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur is a major benefit-album project. In an effort to mobilize activism around this catastrophe, musicians unite to save lives. Some of the biggest artists in the world, along with today's emerging artists, all coming together for an unprecedented, brilliant collection of JOHN LENNON "covers." Proceeds from the campaign will go directly to support Amnesty International's urgent work on Darfur and other human rights crises worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

Instant Karma's gonna getcha!!!.......2007-07-10

Leave it up to those Amnesty International geniuses to make huge profits off of other people's talent while capitalizing on a human rights horror show!!! The plan: take the popular name of ex-Beatle John Lennon and the excellent songs he wrote, take today's hottest musical artists, and say it's to help with a human right tragey, how about the Sudan. There's a recipe for success. Now Lennon probably wouldn't have cared about the Sudan, a fight between Muslims and Christians, being the good little commie atheist that he was, he would have liked to see both sides lose. But that's why we have Yoko, Yoko who never ceases to miss an opportunity to cash in on Lennon's success and talent. But I digress, the real point of this is to help those poor people over there. They need the money right? Not according to amnesty international because THEY are keeping all the money!!! That's right the whole thing is just a Amnesty International fund raiser, with you, the unsuspecting doofus footing the bill. Of course, Yoko and the artists on this album will surely get their cut, but in the end AI is the true benefactor. Let's hope Instant Karma gets them and their criminal organization is taken down under RICO statutes.

still great songs.......2007-07-08

I always always always by chairity albums and this is a good one but I was hoping for a more diversified group of performers and perhaps some previously unreleased lennon stuff

Nice CDs for an excellent cause.......2007-07-07

If you're a John Lennon fan, you'll find most of the cuts to your liking. A few are so-so, but most are nice listening. Given that Darfur is to benefit, the CDs are a fine investment.

A Must Have.......2007-07-04

Even if you hate John Lennon music (gasp!!), this is a CD that everyone on earth should purchase. Give it away if you don't like it. The proceeds go to the Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, so it's a win-win situation. All the songs are favorite Lennon classics, and hearing them performed by today's artists is a joy. I'm not a music expert, but I've always been a Beatles fan, particularly Lennon and Harrison, and I can easily recommend this CD for the beauty of the music as well as for the human cause it stands for.

I hope everyone who reads this will buy the CD, and rather than make copies for friends and relatives, ask them to buy it, too.

Decent Compilation . . . GREAT Music!.......2007-07-03

I bought this compilation cd because I am a fan of Lennon's works. I was a little disappointed to see that on these two cds there were repititions of some of the songs. Given the huge library of Lennon's post-Beatles work, it shouldn't have been that difficult to have every song be unique. Still, listening to these covers is a solid reminder of what an artistic genius Lennon was.

I would like to think that most people are politically aware enough to already know about the horrors occurring in Darfur and do not need to buy this cd to be enlightened. However, if even one oblivious person buys this cd and learns something then that is a very good thing. It is wonderful to see so many different artists coming together for Amnesty International.

Average customer rating:

an original mind
Toothless Tiger
What a song writer.
To Be Older (Is to Be Sober, Is to Be Focused)
Heartbreaker's rebellious teenage lovechild

Easy Tiger
Ryan Adams
Manufacturer: Lost Highway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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New Moon

ASIN: B000P29B1W
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

goodnight rose
two
everybody knows
halloween head
two hearts
tears of gold
the sun also sets
off broadway
rip off
oh my god, whatever, etc.
pearls on a string
these girls
i taught myself how to grow old

Amazon.com

Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams's ninth solo studio album, is a return to form in every way. He's already shown that he can bash out three albums in one year--not to mention the hilarious fake hip-hop records posted for free on his Web site--and that he can sound as much like the Grateful Dead as he wants to in his constant subsequent touring. Backed once again by the Cardinals, Adams synthesizes and refines his approach to smooth, gorgeous country-pop. "Tears of Gold" is one of the best songs he's written in ages, while "Two" is a slowly percolating, sweet little number that recalls Sean Hayes in its soulful folksiness (someone named Sheryl Crow accompanies Adams on vocals). One of the greatest treats of this languorous, twangy album is the subtle ways that genre gets played with. "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" is the best Harvest outtake Neil Young never wrote, while the treated, synth-sounding guitar solo on the druggy, chooglin' "Halloweenhead" sounds like it comes straight out of Journey. And "The Sun Also Sets" sounds more than a little like Rufus Wainwright covering Fred McDowell's "Write Me a Few of Your Lines." It bursts with enough melodrama as to border on musical theater. But, as is clear on these songs of love and loss, Adams has always been at his best when giving into his most mellow, dramatic side. --Mike McGonigal

Ryan Adams Photos

More Ryan Adams

Heartbreaker
Gold
Love Is Hell

Album Description

I think there are really only two kinds of pop music CDs these days. There are the ones you listen to only once or twice, maybe downloading the single good song to your iPod or computer; then there are others that grow stronger, sweeter, and more necessary each time you play them. Gold was that way; Cold Roses was that way; so was Jacksonville City Nights. I won't say Adams is the best North American singer-songwriter since Neil Young...but I won't say he isn't, either. What I know is there has never been a Ryan Adams record quite as strong and together as Easy Tiger; it's got enough blue-eyed, blue-steel soul (with the faintest country tinge) to make me think of both Marvin Gaye and the Righteous Brothers. Probably ridiculous, but true. And the songs themselves are beautiful--the lyrics tightly focused and brief, the feeling one of melancholy calm that will probably be a revelation to fans that remember the old, sometimes angry Ryan Adams.

Now there's this, maybe the best Ryan Adams CD ever. And I know you want to listen to it right away. But slow down. Take your time. This album asks for that, and it will reward your full attention.

In other words--easy, Tiger.

--Stephen King

Customer Reviews:

an original mind.......2007-07-09

passionate, emotionally twisting tunes that seem to tell different stories that are all somehow interconnected by a magical mind and a unique voice. In a world overwhelmed by male singer/songwriters, this one is truly distinguished, with a style all his own. I discovered this guy through the recommendations (via a retail compilation) of Lucinda Williams and have been thankful ever since. A real original.

Look forward to his future.

Toothless Tiger.......2007-07-09

I bought this while on vacation, and I expected a lot from it since it was the only CD in my rental car. After numerous end to end playings, I can only bring two songs immediately to mind: "Two" is not breaking new ground, but is as achingly beautiful as any song he's done. "Halloween Head" is raucus and catchy, but sounds like a mailed in version of the obligatory "talented artist who just sobered up" song. Give me "Detox Mansion" every time. When you compare it to other Ryan Adams / Whiskeytown albums of the same ilk it sounds unconvincing. It's nice to listen to, but it lacks any passion.

What a song writer........2007-07-09

Very good album and I like this alot. I have all of his and this one really sinks it's teeth into me at this point in my life.

very insightful, and always such a good artist. A few of the lines in the songs really speak to me lately.

This one is no Ripoff.!!

To Be Older (Is to Be Sober, Is to Be Focused).......2007-07-08

Whatever Ryan Adams' stylistic whim over the past seven years--alt-country, AOR, country, dour Brit pop, folk, garage rock--nearly every album held two things in common: more than a few staggeringly brilliant songs that would make any songwriter envious (Rock'n'Roll and 29 being the exceptions) and enough certifiable duds that would leave you wondering how someone with Adams' remarkable talent could display such spotty quality control.

Easy Tiger, Adams' first release in over a year (an epic drought by his standards) isn't his best album, but it his most consistent, offering some moments of splendid songcraft without the weight of a lot of filler. Backed by the latest lineup of The Cardinals (they're not billed on the album cover), Adams concentrates on straightforward, acoustic-based songs and various flavors of country. "Halloweenhead," the album's lone musical departure, boasts a catchy melody and offers some self-deprecating humor, but the near Spinal Tap homage, replete with bells, storm noises, and the shout of "Guitar solo!," sounds decidedly out of place. The sunny bluegrass number "Pearls on a String" fares much better, providing a fun, top-tapping tune while retaining the instrumental textures common to the album.

The album opens with "Goodnight Rose," a staggered, twangy rocker reminiscent of Cold Roses but downshifts into a subdued, melancholy tone with the first single, "Two." Complimented by Sheryl Crow's harmonies, Adams' ache-tinged tenor buoys even the most pedestrian of lines: "'Cause it's cold in here/And I wish it was hot/The sink's broke, it's leaking from the faucet."

Not surprisingly, Adams' trademark elegiac tales of broken relationships, crushed ambition, and transient youth permeate the album. He fails, though, when he tries too emphatically to convey heartbreak. With a tinny acoustic guitar doubling the vocal melody, "Off Broadway," a reworked tune originally recorded during the Suicide Handbook sessions, suffers from an insipid and painfully repetitive chorus as Adams loses his way home after spotting an ex-lover: "I don't know where that is anymore/I don't know where that is anymore/I don't know where that is anymore/Used to be off Broadway." Someone help the man home already! And, on "The Sun Also Sets," he mars an otherwise solid song with a strained, overwrought vocal delivery, which culminates with him channeling what sounds like the voice of Grover right before the final chorus.

More often, however, Adams strikes the right balance of sadness and subtlety. On the breezy "Two Hearts" he foresees the inevitable collapse of a relationship ("Two hearts/One of them will break/Like bad ideas on a beautiful day/Two figures moving through the dark/ Three words is all it takes to break your heart in two") while on the beautiful "Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.," he wearily surrenders to listlessness: "But the light of the moon leads the way/Towards the morning, and the sun/The sun's well on it's way too soon/But oh, oh my God, whatever, etc."

That sort of self-reflection lies at the heart of quite a few tracks. To be sure, there are some "young gal did me bad" moments, but they're tempered by Adams' acknowledgment of his own failings, whether he's admitting the difficulty of commitment--"I make these promises/But all these promises hurt/It's like they never get a lift off" ("Rip Off")--or confessing his weakness for anxious "late night girls" on "These Girls"--"It's so sad but when they smile/God, I've been had"--arriving at the conclusion that "These girls are better off in my head."

Easy Tiger shows Ryan Adams can be focused and accessible, but it's fair to say that at times it sounds a bit too tame, too easy. With the album's heavy dose of balladry, there are few traces of his customary reckless energy or swagger. Maybe next time around he'll manage to infuse those elements into his maturing sound--chances are we won't have to wait long to find out. Still, Adams' talent as a songwriter is undeniable--"Oh My God, Whatever, Etc." "Goodnight Rose," and "These Girls" stand with the best in his extensive catalog--and not having to lunge for the skip button too often while listening to the album is a welcome change.

Heartbreaker's rebellious teenage lovechild.......2007-07-06

Heartbreaker had such an impact on many of us that it has been difficult to accept Adams's later works. Despite a love for Whiskeytown songs, Heartbreaker instantly blew us away. There are definite gems in Adams's post Heartbreaker catalog. Gold and Love is Hell Pt. 1 were solid efforts. However, many maintain a Heartbreaker bias when checking out Adams's new works. Adams has the ability to bang out a number of Heartbreakers, but chooses to let his own style develop wherever he feels like exploring. Lost Highway is an excellent label that backs Adams's endeavors. Easy Tiger is a manifestation of Adams's past, present, and future. He pushes the envelope with his voice and writing. The Cardinals (Ryan's band) do a great job of balancing the adventurous efforts to create some fantastic colorful mixtures.

When I first hit play my reaction was, "Who's singing on this?" I flipped through trying to ignore the initial Heartbreaker expectations, and was taken aback during the first go around. There were new sounds, characteristic elements that have found new territory, some vintage Adams, and a variety that had everything but the kitchen sink. This left my a bit confused as I tried to formulate my opinion of the work. After a few more rounds, I still couldn't make a definitive decision about the adventurous album. That is until I found myself craving a few tracks like "Two Hearts", "Halloweenhead", "The Sun Also Sets", and "Goodnight Rose". Adams's work always deserves respect because of the ingenuity and fearlessness that he applies when making his records. However, that doesn't always translate to fans enjoying certain albums. As I gradually found myself looking forward to a growing number of Easy Tiger songs, I realized that this record carried a certain weight to it that Gold, Rock n Roll, and Jacksonville City Nights didn't have. The exploratory styles, stabilizing instrumentation, and the standard brilliant lyrics that make up Easy Tiger have a sense of validity and unique panache that can't be found anywhere else. This album will not instantly knock you over the head or bump out one of your top ten favorites like Heartbreaker did, but it will win you over. Easy Tiger posses some very addictive songs and is a one of a kind album that will be fun to revisit for years.

Here are some disclaimers so you won't be so alarmed. The most notable aspect that differentiates this album is Adams's vocals. He is definitely making a statement of versatility, audacity, and enjoyment. There is a lot of Neil Young and at times even Jeff Buckley in Ryan's voice. A lot of the vocals resemble the voice Adams uses on certain Whiskeytown tracks (ie "Reasons to Lie") and he applies that sound to some varied and at times extreme situations. Do not be alarmed because despite the initial skepticism the vocals really fit well with the songs. The vocals create an endearing element to the lyrics and give the tracks so much raw character.

The album has some Heartbreaker in it with songs like "Oh my God, Whatever, etc.", "These Girls", and "Off Broadway". That helps counterbalance the raw adventure that some other songs take you on like "Halloweenhead". There are some finite stylistic tracks like "Pearls on a String" which is an unmistakable bluegrass jolt. The music of the whole album does a fantastic job of balancing and highlighting Easy Tiger's bold elements. The Cardinals really help make this album. The instrumentation adds an expanding effect to songs like "Goodnight Rose" and "Halloweenhead". The arrangements also add swagger, necessary characteristics, and a full bodied sound to songs like "Tears of Gold", "Two Hearts", and The Sun Also Sets". The music creates such a delicious musical statement when paired with Adams's overall creative vision.

This album may be Heartbreaker's rebellious teenage lovechild but is an absolute gem of a record. Cheers to Adams for pushing the envelope and putting his unique stamp on it. It takes balls to explore uncharted territory and try to maintain your exclusive touch. Adams has not only done that with this record, but has done it while having to maintain a reputation.

Average customer rating:

Insipid and inoffensive, uninspired and uninspiring
Simply Wonderful
I have a serious Norah Jones
Boring and useless...
Not Too Late - Norah Jones

Not Too Late
Norah Jones
Manufacturer: Blue Note
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Continuum
Taking The Long Way
Wintersong

ASIN: B000KCHZK6
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

Wish I Could
Sinkin' Soon
The Sun Doesn't Like You
Until The End
Not My Friend
Thinking About You
Broken
My Dear Country
Wake Me Up
Be My Somebody
Little Room
Rosie's Lullaby
Not Too Late

Amazon.com

Although the music of Norah Jones continues to blend pop, soul, folk, and country with a seasoning of jazz, her third album for Blue Note is the first where she's written (or collaborated on) all the material. Beneath the smooth surface lie darker strains on the album-opening "Wish I Could" (about a boyfriend lost to war), intimations of mortality in "The Sun Doesn't Like You," and the post-election horrors of "My Dear Country." The last seems to channel the inspiration of Brecht/Weill, while the equally bleak "Sinkin' Soon" is set to a jaunty Dixieland rag. Throughout, Jones's vocal intimacy and melodic warmth remain as disarmingly understated as ever. The soulful "Thinking of You," the countryish "Wake Me Up," and the syncopated "Be My Somebody" reflect the captivating style of her previous work. Although too much in the same midtempo mode becomes a dreamy lull, cut by cut, Jones's voice is irresistible. --Don McLeese

From Blue Note

Album Details

1. "Wish I Could" (Norah Jones-Lee Alexander): Norah Jones: vocals; Jesse Harris: acoustic guitars; Julia Kent: pizzicato cello; Jeffery Ziegler: bowed cello

2. "Sinkin' Soon" (Lee Alexander-Norah Jones): Norah Jones: vocals, piano; Daru Oda: vocals; M. Ward: vocals; Jesse Harris: guitjo; Kevin Breit: mandolin; J. Walter Hawkes: trombone; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: drums, slit drum, pots and pans

3. "The Sun Doesn't Like You" (Norah Jones-Lee Alexander): Norah Jones: vocals, piano; Jesse Harris: acoustic guitar; Adam Levy: electric guitar; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: drums; Paul Bryan: Chamberlain keyboards

4. "Until The End" (Norah Jones-Lee Alexander): Norah Jones: vocals, Wurlitzer, piano; Jesse Harris: acoustic guitar; Adam Levy: electric guitar; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: drums; Larry Goldings: Hammond B-3 organ

5. "Not My Friend" (Norah Jones): Norah Jones: vocals; Jesse Harris: acoustic guitars; Adam Levy: backwards electric guitars; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: marimba, cymbals

6. "Thinking About You" (Norah Jones-Ilhan Ersahin): Norah Jones: vocals, Wurlitzer; Chuck Mackinnon: trumpet; Rob Suddith: tenor sax; Lee Alexander: bass; Tony Mason: drums; Devin Greenwood: Hammond B-3 organ

7. "Broken" (Norah Jones-Lee Alexander): Norah Jones: vocals, electric guitar; Julia Kent: outro cellos; Lee Alexander: pizzicato, bowed basses

8. "My Dear Country" (Norah Jones): Norah Jones: vocals, piano; J. Walter Hawkes: trombones; Jose Davilla: tuba; Bill McHenry: tenor sax; Larry Goldings: Hammond B-3 organ

9. "Wake Me Up" (Norah Jones-Lee Alexander): Norah Jones: vocals, acoustic guitars; Lee Alexander: bass, lap steel; Andy Borger: drums

10. "Be My Somebody" (Norah Jones): Norah Jones: vocals, Wurlitzer; Richard Julian: vocals; Tony Scherr: electric guitar; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: drums; Larry Goldings: Hammond B-3 organ

11. "Little Room" (Norah Jones): Norah Jones: vocals, acoustic guitar; Lee Alexander: bass; Daru Oda: whistle

12. "Rosie's Lullaby" (Norah Jones-Daru Oda): Norah Jones: vocals, Wurlitzer; Daru Oda: vocals; Adam Levy: electric guitar, vocal; Robbie McIntosh: electric guitar; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: drums

13. "Not Too Late" (Norah Jones-Lee Alexander): Norah Jones: vocals, piano, Mellotron; Lee Alexander: bass; Andy Borger: drums

Produced by Lee Alexander

Norah Jones Photos (by Danny Clinch)

More from Norah Jones

Come Away with Me
Feels Like Home
New York City

Customer Reviews:

Insipid and inoffensive, uninspired and uninspiring.......2007-07-08

That's about the highest praise I can muster for this effort. It isn't that it's BAD, but it just never achieves "lift off."

I wish I could wax enthusiastic, but after quite a few listens at this point, I don't think my opinion is likely to change appreciably.

Time for Ms. Jones to find her passion. It isn't evident on this CD.

Simply Wonderful.......2007-07-07

I have all her cds. This one is new, different and good. I like all the tracks, Be my somebody tonight got me a speeding ticket. I saw her in concert and she puts on a helluva show. Worth every penny.

I have a serious Norah Jones.......2007-07-06

For 3 months, my Norah Jones CDs have taken over my car stereo. This woman is very talented!

Boring and useless..........2007-07-06

Unfortunately, this CD is much below all what one could expect from Norah Jones. Except the cover, nothing is worth remembering.

Not Too Late - Norah Jones.......2007-07-06

There are only a couple of songs on this collection that I enjoy. "Come Away With Me" is a better collection.

Average customer rating:

His best yet
A beacon in fog-filled musical world
Mayer ContinuesTo Mature
Can this CD be any better?
CD review

Continuum
John Mayer
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Not Too Late
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Heavier Things
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ASIN: B000H0MKGK
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

Waiting On The World To Change
I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
Belief
Gravity
The Heart Of Life
Vultures
Stop This Train
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room
Bold As Love
Dreaming With A Broken Heart
In Repair
I'm Gonna Find Another You

Amazon.com

Continuum is about as apt a title as it gets for John Mayer's third studio disc. Every element, from the peerless guitar playing to the plainspoken poetry of the lyrics to the breathy-sincere singing, makes a return from previous efforts. But to weakly pronounce this another worthwhile effort from an artist the world has come to expect a whole lot from and then call it a day would be no minor misdeed, because it's also the best, boldest disc he's ever made. Taking maturity as a theme throughout, Mayer tackles a batch of adulthood's bogeymen: indifference on the uptempo chart-climber "Waiting for the World to Change," aging on the melancholy-sweet "Stop This Train," and emotional trainwreckage on the big-rocking "In Repair." That's not to suggest he's turned overly introspective--check the Jimi Hendrix cover "Bold As Love," where he hits one home for guitarists who've been living in the shadow of legend everywhere, and the hard-charging "Belief," which benefits from a mesmerizing, liquid groove. Continuum may be the third in a series, but a creative cop-out this is not; Mayer is his generation's musical superman--powerful, unassailable, and magnetic. Hand that man a cape. --Tammy La Gorce

Amazon.com

John Mayer's third studio album follows the multi-platinum "Room for Squares" (2001) and "Heavier Things" (2003), and marks his first turn as producer. It is his most soulful, cohesive collection yet and he says it's no accident that this project is where all of his efforts, his potential, and his disparate influences fully come together.

More from Mayer

Room for Squares

Heavier Things

Try!, the John Mayer Trio

Inside Wants Out (EP)

Any Given Thursday (CD)

Any Given Thursday (DVD)

Customer Reviews:

His best yet.......2007-07-05

I love all of John Mayer's stuff, but his style has filled out and matured on this last album. He plays with all his heart and his band complements him really well.

A beacon in fog-filled musical world.......2007-07-02

While Mayer's first recording was definately in the "pop" category, this third release after the bluesy "Try" is much more difficult to pigeon-hole. There are some really great tunes on this one and it would be hard for me to choose a favorite. The blues show their face once again as our poor hero falls in and out of love. The really good news is John's talented guitar playing shines like a beacon in fog-filled musical world littered with so many "three chord Johnnies" out there. After this disc first came out, I caught some of the songs being used in the background of popular TV shows. I remember hearing Gravity on an episode of House and I think they also used Slow Dancing In A Burning Room as well. Both solid songs from Mr. Mayer. If you have not heard this disc, trust me and buy it for some superb rocking blues guitar work.

Mayer ContinuesTo Mature.......2007-06-29

John Mayer's third studio release (following Room For Squares and Heavier Things) is hands down his best release by far!

Mayer moves more towards a bluesier sound on this album than any of previous releases with the exception of (Trio). The lead off track and single "Waiting for the World to Change" has this feel. The song has anti cable news network feel as evident in the line "when when you trust your television, what you get is what you got cause when they own the information they can bend it all they want." Is Mayer paranoid here or is he tired of Fox News' "fair and balanced" tagline?

The following track, I DONT TRUST MYSELF (WITH LOVING YOU) show cases Mayer's amazing guitar talent. He really leans toward the blues guitar throughout the entire album. Roy Hargrove's horns really push this track into the blues. Another fine Mayer track and some outstanding guitar work.

BELIEF is the next track and is a song with anti war message in it. This evident in lines like "We're never gonna win the world. We're never gonna stop the war", "What puts a hundred thousand children in the sand? Belief can," and "What puts the folded flag inside his mother's hand? Belief can" Mayer's guitar again has a blues riff in this uptempo track. One of my favorites.

GRAVITY is the next song and single off of this record. Once again, fantastic guitar playing in a blues key. The lyrics here are really quite clever. Is he talking about the gravity on the planet or a person named gravity? Could go either way!

The rest of the songs on this album are fantastic! VULTURES is a great song with some fine Fender Rhodes and organ work from Ricky Peterson. This track could easily be another single. In fact most of the tracks on this record be singles!

My absolute favorite track on the album is "SLOW DANCING IN A BURNING ROOM". This song is clearly about the end of a relationship with a woman. The lyrics are once again top notch Mayer. But again its the guitar work that shines on this track. Mayer pulls the guitar lick on this track that really sounds like the guitar is weeping! It "sets the mood" for this track. Its John Mayer at his best!

Steve Jordan's drum work and Pino Palladino's bass playing on this album really compliment Mayers guitar work. The make a tight group. Its obvious that their work on the "Trio" album set the stage for Mayer to hook up with these two guys on this album. The musicianship on this album is tight and top notch.

In summary, I can not recommend this album enough. Mayer has clearly matured most notably in his guitar work and also in his lyrics and subject matter. Mayer is really on track to be a great guitarist. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with over then 10 years or so.

GET THIS ALBUM, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Can this CD be any better?.......2007-06-28

Just a few moments ago, I happened to stumble upon the review I had written for "Heavier Things", which, up until now, was my favorite Mayer project. At the age of 16, I wrote a sort of laughable review - I discussed how I thought that the "country twang" in "Come Back to Bed" was an experiment gone awry. How foolish I must have been. But now, at my mature age of twenty, I must say that John Mayer has got it going on. Many of my friends laughed at me when I practically ran out to buy this album - but to me, Mayer is a way of life. I never miss a concert of his when he comes close to whichever city I am living in at that moment, whether I catch him at Red Rocks or Webster Hall in NYC, yet there is no simple way of explaining my love for his music.

Perhaps John himself explained to all the skeptics, all the non-believers, why Mayer is such a godsend, a breath of fresh guitarist air. First and foremost, I feel that John Mayer is by trade a highly-talented guitarist, and not at all like the gooey, self-depreciating character that he plays in most of his songs. He is still underrated by most in this area, and I feel that seeing him live is the only remedy to this curse.

That being said, I feel obligated to tell you that "Continuum" is the best album to be released in the past year. (Sorry, Justin.) It ranges from sweet acoustic tales of life and love ("The Heart of Life"), to full-out emotive, electrically-enhanced ballads ("Slow Dancing in A Burning Room"), to upbeat, percussion-happy messages of hope (Waiting On the World to Change"). A few of these songs were performed by his John Mayer Trio way back in 2005 (Another show I did happen to catch.) Most notably, and most exciting, in my opinion, Mayer covers Hendrix's "Bold As Love". Of course it is done as an homage to Hendrix, but it leaves us wondering whether John Mayer is our generation's version of a Jimi Hendrix. He channels the man himself with his hands, but only time will tell where Mayer will end up ranking in the realm of music legends. So far, with this album, Mayer is sitting pretty.

CD review.......2007-06-26

Like all "albums" it contains a couple of absolute gems IMO (Waiting on the world to change, Gravity) among the other solid, but more mainstream numbers in the genre. Hence; 3 stars.

Average customer rating:

Terrific!!!!!
Best music from anyone in years!!!!
springsteen at his best
My two and half year old is obsessed with this cd
Good CD, but poor packaging again!!!

Live In Dublin

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Bruce Springsteen with the Sessions Band: Live In Dublin
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Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD)

ASIN: B000P1KTVY
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

Atlantic City
Old Dan Tucker
Eyes On The Prize
Jesse James
Further On (Up The Road)
O Mary Don't You Weep
Erie Canal
If I Should Fall Behind
My Oklahoma Home
Highway Patrolman
Mrs. McGrath
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live
Jacob's Ladder

Tracks:

Long Time Comin'
Open All Night
Pay Me My Money Down
Growin' Up
When The Saints Go Marching In
This Little Light Of Mine
American Land
Blinded By The Light
Love Of The Common People
We Shall Overcome

Amazon.com

The last time Bruce Springsteen gave up E Street for Folk Street, the band of fiddles, banjos, and accordions--sans audience--was recording 2006's We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions in the informality of his living room. This time the Boss takes his American-music foray to Ireland for a three-night stint on the north quay of Dublin's River Liffey. The 23 songs drawn from those performances cover most of the songs from the Pete Seeger tribute, but venture drastically into Springsteen's popular back catalog ("Atlantic City," "Highway Patrolman," "Blinded By the Light") while delving further into his affinity for multiple styles of music, from folk and blues to gospel and country. "If I Should Fall Behind" plays like a tear-jerking last call in a dimly lit pub. "Open All Night" has been shaped into pure swing, complete with pedal steel and sax. And "Jesse James," with its furious banjo, spectator handclaps, and Springsteen howl, could pass for the Pogues, circa 1985. A simultaneously released DVD uses nine cameras to capture every sweat-beaded highlight, from the tin whistle of "Further Up the Road" to an arena bursting out in a "We Shall Overcome" singalong. --Scott Holter

Album Description

New 2 CD set features 23 songs, including fan favorites, Springsteen classics and never-before-released performances

Customer Reviews:

Terrific!!!!!.......2007-07-07

This Cd is just fantastic. I love it, and play it all the time.I think it is his best!! If you are are fan, you need to buy this Cd.

Best music from anyone in years!!!!.......2007-06-29

Bruce Springsteen's "We Shall Overcome- The Seeger Sessions" album, and this new one "Live In Dublin- With The Sessions Band" are both nothing but pure genious!!!! It's the best music that I have heard from ANYONE in any area of music, in many years! I absolutely love it!

I am so glad that I was able to experience this in concert, in the summer of 2006 near Chicago, IL. It was an experience that I will never forget. The music just captures you, and doesn't let go.

I have purchased both versions of "We Shall Overcome" (So glad to finally have "Buffalo Gals" & "Bring 'Em Home" on CD!). I also have "Live In Dublin" on CD, and the DVD too!

Keep this type of music coming Bruce! It's great!

springsteen at his best.......2007-06-24

I'm a springsteen fan for 25 years. saw already 8 concerts of bruce in the netherlands, also the session tour in my hometown rotterdam. for me, this is springsteen at his best. of course I like the rockin bruce but how he play this country/folk songs with so much passion and feeling, it touch me very much. no one can reach this level of making music. springsteen and country music. It's a great combination...."o mary don't you weep" is my favorite

My two and half year old is obsessed with this cd.......2007-06-20

We watched this concert on PBS and my two and half year old son who LOVES music (he's a huge Dan Zanes fan) went wild when he heard the folky set.
We bought the cd and we pretty much listen to it everyday. He loves "Pay Me My Money Down" and "This Little Light of Mine". This is an excellent compilation and believe me, I have listened to it many, many times :)

Good CD, but poor packaging again!!!.......2007-06-18

When I bought the "We Shall Overcome" CD, the packaging was bad; just a CD slipped into a cardboard and it ended up all scratched up when I just bought it. I had to go through this again. I wish Sony would learn to use jewel cases. But I'm giving it 5 stars because of the content, which is great.

By the way, I originally had a review of 2 stars because I was angry about the packaging, but I deleted it because many people were angry about it. So, I deleted it and gave it 5 stars.

Keep it mind: the 5 stars is for the content, but the packaging gets 2 stars. When we buy CDs new, I would like it to be scratchless. But the packaging didn't stop Bruce from releasing a maginificent CD. Good work Bruce!!

Average customer rating:

Powerful, evocative stories of life lived
I waited 3 months to write my review...
Best of 2007
Consistent with the first album, maintained her originality
great cd

The Story
Brandi Carlile
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000NDIAWY
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Late Morning Lullaby
The Story
Turpentine
My Song
Wasted
Have You Ever
Josephine
Losing Heart
Cannonball
Until I Die
Downpour
Shadow on the Wall
Again Today

Amazon.com

The Brandi Carlile story so far is fairly short: fresh-faced singer-song writer from rural Ravensdale, Washington, quietly releases a 2005 debut that has critics and fans reaching for their thesauruses searching for appropriate adjectives to describe her voice. Patsy Cline, Jeff Buckley, kd lang, Beth Orton, Linda Ronstadt, and Aimee Mann get name-checked as Carlile and her guitar-and-bass-playing Hanseroth twins-led band criss-cross the country for two years, first as openers, then as headliners. Cue the overproduced, disappointing follow-up album? Not so fast. On The Story, Carlile teams up with veteran roots producer T Bone Burnett, who brings in vintage equipment and strips down her sound. Instead of using overdubs, the new songs--most of which were already road-tested--are recorded live, giving the ballads and midtempo rockers a tough, uncompromising edge and a fuller, more aggressive attack. Echoes of country and folk color the bucolic "Have You Ever" and the unadorned acoustic "Cannonball," but it's the sweeping drama of the more epic-sounding "Until I Die," "Late Morning Lullaby," and the U2-styled "My Song" that leave the greatest lasting impressions. Carlile and Burnett make a perfect team: he allows her malleable voice room to soar in the mix while she brings sharp original songs that exude confidence, pride, and emotion. It's a combustive combination and one that results in a sophomore release every bit as good, and in many respects better, than her first. Stay tuned as the story continues. --Hal Horowitz

Brandi Pics

From Amazon.ca

Brandi Carlile has a rare voice, consistently spilling over with honesty, purity, and passion. Her dynamic and tonal range is truly exceptional and on par with the likes of k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, and Patsy Cline--at times soft, swooping, and clear as a bell ("Turpentine," "Josephine," "Cannonball"), and then ferocious to the point of breaking ("The Story," "My Song"). A voice like Carlile's when paired with the right material is a winning combination, and The Story's country-meets-Radiohead ballads and rockers do not disappoint. While the songs on are not as consistently stellar as those on her self-titled debut album, they are more often than not solid, and show off her talents and confidence as both an artist and performer, which have fully bloomed since her debut. This, coupled with T Bone Burnett's light, live production style, creates an album that is ultimately more rewarding than her first. The high points on The Story have raised the bar considerably for Carlile, and they are frequent. Her choice to record the album in a live setting inside the studio lends it a raw intimacy and authenticity noticeably absent from most studio recordings, and leaves us with not only an album, but a work of art. Carlile is a career artist still defining her sound, but her maturity as a vocalist cannot be questioned--this is an immensely talented singer laying herself bare before us, and one of the strongest releases of 2007. --Alan Wiley

Customer Reviews:

Powerful, evocative stories of life lived.......2007-07-07

One of the most emotional and communicative pieces of music and songwriting I have heard in a long time. This woman knows life and gives voice to her life and her lessons. Her songs unleash your heart and allow the tears to flow. It's beautiful.

I waited 3 months to write my review..........2007-07-06

Second efforts always get the critics wishing for this wishing for that blah blah blah...I liked it at first because I wanted to hear more, then I liked it more, after I got to "know the songs." I first heard her on KMTT out of Seattle and knew I had to buy her first offering. This one is good, sure its differnt but it's still good. It's the next offering that I'm concerned about...will the music industry taint her or will she be more like Emmylou Harris or DMB and skirt the music industries strong armed tactics. Honestly I buy 3 or 5 CDs a week and this one is still on the top of my rotaion and always in my Ipods "active" playlist.

Best of 2007.......2007-07-05

Like another reviewer, I bought this one based on "The Story." Although I've been listening to the CD since it was available a few months ago, I just saw Brandi in Newport and I had to post a review. Along with Amy Winehouse and Regina Spektor, I put this in the top CDs of the year. Unlike those two singers, whom I would describe as refreshing and eclectic but bordering on affected, Brandi Carlile offers something more organic. While some of her songs do sound like others on this CD, overall she demonstrates great vocal range, from elegant and lilting to raw and powerful. The more I listen the more I'm convinced that she can extend beyond the limits of any particular genre--country, folk, rock--in which people want to place her. That's why I'll keep listening, why I'll buy her older CDs, and why I'll see her again in Boston next week.

Consistent with the first album, maintained her originality .......2007-06-27

Have you ever bought a CD for one song? Were you pleasantly surprised to discover maybe 1 or 2 other tracks that you actually liked? "The Story" will give you a full CD to love from start to finish. Although slightly shrill at times, it doesn't offend the ear, somehow it adds to the sentiment she is trying to convey. I hate to compare her to other artists, I find her style and sound to be quite unique. I'm a huge fan of her debut CD and am pleased that this sophomore release is of equal caliber. A great addition to your collection, really a timeless CD.

great cd.......2007-06-27

i really like this cd.brandi carlile has a great down to earth voice,and she plays the guitar really good as well.i love singing in my car before work puts me in a great mood.and this cd makes it happen!

Average customer rating:

Great CDs
perfect disc
Beautiful album that grows on you
Eye to the Telescope
Eye To The Telescope

Eye To The Telescope
KT Tunstall
Manufacturer: Virgin Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Corinne Bailey Rae
How To Save A Life
All the Roadrunning
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Not Too Late

ASIN: B000DN5VJY
Release Date: 2006-02-07

Tracks:

Other Side Of The World
Another Place To Fall
Under The Weather
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Miniature Disasters
Silent Sea
Universe & U
False Alarm
Suddenly I See
Stoppin' The Love
Heal Over
Through The Dark

From Amazon.co.uk

If the art of the female singer-songwriter revolves around coffee-table soliloquies then Eye to the Telescope--the debut album from Edinburgh-born chanteuse/guitarist KT Tunstall--is a pleasing mediation between the traditional demands of brooding egocentricity (espresso) and frothy commerciality (cappuccino). KT Tunstall has star quality. "Suddenly I See" is an effortlessly liberating pop fillip while, conversely, "False Alarm" redresses ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" for losers who had nothing to lose to begin with. However, Tunstall isn't entirely convinced by the compromise ("I'm struggling to cater for the space I'm meant to fill" she sings) and "Miniature Disasters"--one of several strong numbers showcasing her aptitude for wrapping up pop tunes in either folky bluesiness or ponderous jazz--catalogues her desires for unfettered self-expression. The opening cut "Other Side Of The World" might sound like Dido without the giftwrapped grief (she's none too flattered with the comparisons) but Eye to the Telescope is spiritually closer to Carole King and Elvis Costello than Katie Melua. And that's no bad thing. --Kevin Maidment

Amazon.com

KT Tunstall's debut album Eye To The Telescope is the creative consequence of her inquiring imagination. "My songs examine and explore little specific emotions or situations or stories," she explains. "They're kitchen table songs, like a conversation between me and one other person. It's almost like an alien has been sent to get emotional samples from human beings and put it all together on a record."

KT Tunstall Photos

More You Might Enjoy

KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza
Corinne Bailey Rae
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Album Description

KT Tunstall is a sparkling new songwriter with Chinese blood, a Scottish heart, great legwarmers & a cool name. KT celebrates classic singer-songwriting in the tradition of Rikki Lee Jones, Carol King & Fleetwood Mac with an articulate, accessible, immediate brew of rootsy sass, wistful quandary & after-hours atmosphere. KT's unique perspective offers a rare emotionally connecting intensity through it's gripping lyrical bite & heartfelt melody. Her debut album Eye To The Telescope is the creative consequence of an inquiring imagination with production duties supplied by Steve Osborne (U2, New Order, Doves). 12 tracks. Relx. 2005.

Album Details

Kt Tunstall is a Sparkling New Songwriter with Chinese Blood, a Scottish Heart, Great Legwarmers and a Cool Name - "Well, It's Got a Bit More Attitude Than Kate which Just Says Farmer's Daughter to Me," She Laughs. Kt Celebrates Classic Singer-songwriting in the Tradition of Rikki Lee Jones, Carol King and Fleetwood Mac with an Articulate, Accessible, Immediate Brew of Rootsy Sass, Wistful Quandary and After-hours Atmosphere. The Latest in a Line of Outstanding Contemporary Scottish Songwriters Including Texas, Fran Healy, Teenage Fanclub and the Beta Band, Kt's Unique Perspective Offers a Rare Emotionally Connecting Intensity Through It's Gripping Lyrical Bite and Heartfelt Melody.

Customer Reviews:

Great CDs.......2007-07-08

Thank you. I bought one for me and another for my daughter. I love the music

perfect disc.......2007-06-27

I really love this CD, it puts me in a good mood every time I put it on. This girl is a talented singer and more of her should be heard on the radio. Her songs are artfully sung and she has her own original sound.

Beautiful album that grows on you.......2007-06-03

I had already purchased the track "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" as a single, and borrowed this album from a friend to hear the rest of the songs. Upon a first listen, I only liked about three of the tracks, but as I kept it in my car and continued listening to it, I found my appreciation of the album as a whole increasing, and decided that I needed to buy my own copy. My favorite tracks are now "Miniature Disasters", "Silent Sea", and "Universe and U"--not, to my surprise, the tracks that first brought me to the album.

Eye to the Telescope.......2007-05-19

After recieving this CD as a gift, I was dubious that it would be any good. I was never all that fond of Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, it seemed to have no depth. I was shocked to hear the songs which were so DEEP and POWERFUL: Other Side of the World, Another Place to Fall, Under the Weather, and Through the Dark in particular. In fact, the only song that I didn't like on the CD was Black Horse.

"Over the sea and far away
She's waiting like an Iceberg
Waiting to change,
But she's cold inside
She wants to be like
the water"

I also like that KT Tunstall has VARIETY. The songs aren't all out of the same mold. I get so confused with other popular artists today because all their songs sound the same!

"You say you feel like a natural person
You haven't got nothing to hide
So why do you feel imperfection
Cut like a sword in your side"

And finally: The Lyrics. Not the same old "I want my boyfriend back" or "My heart is, like, so broken" type of song. Tunstall's lyrics have MEANING and are really beautiful.

"And I used to talk
With honest conviction
Of how I predicted my world
I'm gonna leave it to to star gazers
Tell me what your telescope says"

This has quickly become my favorite CD and I highly recommend it. KT Tunstall has really conveyed depth, power, beauty, and meaning all in one CD.

Eye To The Telescope.......2007-05-13

This is a great CD with a fresh new sound. Highly recommended

Average customer rating:

Better and Better
Such a drama queen...
Still Gowing
Listening is a lot of work...but
He produced Himself, thats all you have to say!

Release the Stars
Rufus Wainwright
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sky Blue Sky
Volta
The Reminder
Back to Black
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ASIN: B000O78LH8
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

Do I Disappoint You
Going To A Town
Tiergarten
Nobody's Off The Hook
Between My Legs
Rules And Regulations
Not Ready To Love
Slideshow
Tulsa
Leaving For Paris
Sanssouci
Release The Stars

Amazon.com

Recorded in Berlin and executive produced by the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant, Rufus Wainwright's fifth album offers an ounce of restraint from the man that dressed up as Sir Lancelot's crossed girlfriend Lady Shallott on the cover of his last. Well, not really. Having fallen in love and curbed his self-destructive streak, the New York-born singer-songwriter has certainly sharpened his wit on Release the Stars but the songs remain as ornate and over-the-top as ever, drawing as much inspiration from opera and the musical theater as the desire to purge personal demons. So while Wainwright spends considerable time here pondering the state of the world ("Going to a Town") and his own battles with drug and sexual addiction ("Sanssouci"), every note is punctuated by a choir, orchestral swell, or big burst of brass. It wouldn't be Rufus with anything less. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Better and Better.......2007-07-08

What I like best about this album is that it is emblematic of Rufus' ever-maturing talent, both in subject matter and musical stylings.

A few standouts: "Do I Disappoint You" (love this track - bombastic opening as only Rufus can do. Compare with "Oh What a World" and "Agnus Dei" from the Want One and Want Two CD's), "Going to a Town" (written about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina - and NOT Anti-American as some have said), "Slideshow" (love the melody, not sure how well the subject matter goes with it though), and "Tulsa" (wasn't sure about this one at first, but now I like it - and it's not really about sleeping with Brandon Flowers, as many seem to think).

All in all, this CD makes good listening. I can't wait to hear what Rufus will come out with next.

Such a drama queen..........2007-07-04

I've wanted to like Rufus. I've tried to like Rufus. I bought this just for "Going to a Town"- an amazing song, and the lyrics are spot-on. But the rest of the disc is so melodramatic and off-the-charts narcissistic that I find it completely unlistenable. Rufus, can't you rein it in just a little bit?

Still Gowing.......2007-06-29

Rufus has created four masterpiece albums before this one, and he is still growing in talent and direction! Too many artists write the same music album after album once they find success, but this is not the case here. Whereas, I cannot say this album is my favorite, it does grow on me more and more each time I listen to it. This album is quite different - give it your patience and you will be rewarded. It contains few catchy melodies that are accessible upon first hearing, but instead is full of sophisticated musicianship.

Listening is a lot of work...but.......2007-06-27

Purchased this CD solely based on the reviews, and WOW! It is fantastic! It is very complex, and listening to it the first few times feels a bit laborious, trying to take it all in. As it turns out, it is well worth it. What a crazy, soaring, smooth, quasi-operatic extravaganza. I especially like "Release the Stars." It makes you feel like standing up on top of your desk, spreading your arms out wide, and belting it out yourself.

He produced Himself, thats all you have to say!.......2007-06-27

I love Rufus. His music if full and gorgeous.....and the title track on this Cd is an example of that. My only complaint... if it were possible... that this might be a little too much Rufus.

Album Review:

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