Deliver

Deliver

ASIN: B00008FD1W

Track Listings

1. Ozark Mountain Jubilee

2. When You Get to the Heart

3. Alice in Wonderland

4. Ain't No Cure for the Rock and Roll

5. In the Pines

6. I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes

7. Through My Eyes

8. Break My Mind

9. Still Holding on

10. Down Deep Inside

Tracks:

Doomsayer (The Beginning of the Exit)
Sanctuary
Demon(s)
Ethereal Drain
Paradox with Flies
Light at the Edge of the World
Stand and Receive Your Judgment
Tunguska
Fire in the Skies
Full Imperial Collapse
Deliver Us

Customer Reviews:

...........2007-07-10

First, if yer a fan of older Darkest Hour (pre-Undoing Ruin) than this album is not for you. But if you are a fan of Undoing Ruin then I am sure you will love this.. this... garbage.

I feel as though this album is so watered down and boring compared to any of their other material. The biggest change someone will notice is J. Henry's vocals. He is using more clean vocals like he did on a few tracks on Undoing Ruin. my only problem with this is that it sounds like the singer of Sum 41, and that's very bad.

The solos have improved while the actual guitar work itself is boring and nothing too exciting.

Best tracks: An Ethereal Drain, Stand And Receive Your Judgement, Deliver Us.

Don't throw away yer money, just download the album.

For new fans who have only heard Demons and were like "zomgzzz soo br00tal!!!11!!11" dont waste yer time. Go pick up Mark of The Judas and Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation instead.

Average customer rating:

60's pop
I Can't Stop Playing This CD!!!
Good First Effort...
California sunshine distilled into intelligent pop songs
Surprisingly great debut

Kind of Light
The 88
Manufacturer: Mootron Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Over and Over
The Coast Is Never Clear
Loneliness Knows My Name
OK Go
Oh No

ASIN: B00009B8F3
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Tracks:

All the Same
Afterlife
Elbow Blues
How Good It Can Be
Kind of Light
No Use Left for Me
God Is Coming
Hate Me
I'm a Man
Melting in the Sun
Sunday Afternoon
Something Had Me Good
Hard to Be You

Customer Reviews:

60's pop .......2007-02-10

Oh no..this should be 3 stars...Amazon won't let me change it and I have submitted already...Oh well read away and you will see what I think...

I hear a definate Beatles influence, especially in their choruses - more so than The Kinks. Each song has new and interesting ideas that keep you intrigued with what starts as straight forward power pop twisted mid way into psychadelic pop bliss. Recommended for lovers of Wilco (I really hear Summerteeth similarities here), The Flaming Lips (in the choruses and Track 2, Afterlife), Brendan Benson, Beulah and The Elephant 6 collective.

I Can't Stop Playing This CD!!!.......2006-08-31

I've been listening to this CD constantly. It's absolutely addictive. They have such a cool, unique sound. I don't agree with some reviews comparing them to The Kinks. I think they are totally unique. I can't compare them to anyone else, really. They just have their own sound. And it's GREAT!

Good First Effort..........2006-03-01

This CD is a good effort by an up and coming LA band. A lot of the songs are similar in style, but that doesn't make them bad. This is a good, upbeat CD. The last song,'Hard To Be You' is reminiscent of the Beatles. Other songs will have you asking yourself, "Who do these guys sound like". It's not my favorite, but it's pretty good.

California sunshine distilled into intelligent pop songs.......2004-07-24

This is an excerpt from my review for Scoot! Quarterly Magazine:

The 88 was voted Best Pop/Rock Band by LA Weekly and I can see why. The album reminds me of a long summer weekend I spent in Venice Beach and the resulting rooftop party. The 88 sounds as if it has distilled whatever SoCal sunshine has been reverberating since 1960 into a solid collection of catchy rock and roll. Yet, the sunshine doesn't render it pop fluff. I imagine a youthful Ray Davies transplanted to a funky beach bungalow. Songwriter and lead singer Keith Slettedahl even sounds a bit like the Kinks' front man and utilizes bits of slide guitar and melodious vocals reminiscent of what made the Kinks stand apart from their peers. This is especially evident in the song No Use Left For Me, which deftly incorporates an accordion. My favorite song is Sunday Afternoon (not to be confused with the Kink's Sunny Afternoon) which can turn any car into a virtual Chevy Malibu convertible. I defy you not to sing along...even if its lyrics mention both God and prostitutes.

Surprisingly great debut.......2003-12-21

This really is a fantastic CD. There's a pretty major Kinks (circa Something Else)influence hanging over Kind of Light and the lead singer can sound eerily like Ray Davies at times. It'll be a shame if it gets lost in the shuffle due to lack of publicity. Possibly one of the best of 2003.

Average customer rating:

Deliver the Word...
Unforgettable masterpiece
War's forgotton Word
War Second best
It's not perfect but......

Deliver the Word
War
Manufacturer: Avenue Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Latin Rock | Latin Music | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

All Day Music
The World Is a Ghetto
Why Can't We Be Friends?
War
War Live

ASIN: B0000032UY
Release Date: 1992-08-04

Tracks:

H2 Overture
In Your Eyes
Gypsy Man
Me And Baby Brother
Deliver The Word
Southern Part Of Texas
Blisters

Amazon.com essential recording

Established as bona fide hit makers thanks to the success of the albums All Day Music and The World Is a Ghetto, the Los Angeles-based seven-man group War aimed for a hat trick with the 1973 album Deliver the Word. Less mainstream in its approach than its chart-topping predecessors, the seven-cut set boasted just one hit in the form of the groove-flavored "Gypsy Man," a top 10 pop and R&B single in the summer of '73. Exploring Latin rhythms, funk, jazz, and rock, Deliver the Word stretched musical boundaries. "In Your Eyes" was a lengthy opus that came complete with orgasmic sighs, an opportunity for the skillful musicians to stretch out. One of the true standouts was the catchy "Me and Baby Brother," which should have been a much bigger hit for the band. The album's title cut was a brilliant soulful ballad, while "Blisters" was a fine bluesy close for the album which, in spite of its lack of hit singles, became the band's third gold LP in succession. --David Nathan

Customer Reviews:

Deliver the Word..........2007-02-04

War! Another of their classic albums that rates: Five stars! Enough said!

Unforgettable masterpiece.......2006-05-16

My favorite War album, even though it is considered below their two earlier masterworks.

There is no forgetting any of these songs, or the mood they create. This a cohesive piece of music-making that envelopes you and keeps you in its grip.

Unique does not begin to describe the sound War creates. Here are creative artists with a vision that is, by the time of this album, fully realized.

This album is never out of my regular rotation at home or on the road.

Highly recommended.

War's forgotton Word.......2006-04-04

The fourth studio release in the post-Burdon era, 1973's Deliver The Word gives War yet again, another gold record. The bands 3rd in a row. Thus putting to sleep once and for all any argument about why War missed Eric's vocal or face time. War had indeed become a much bigger splash than Spill The Wine.

War's sprawling epic Gypsy Man proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the band, being the veteran hit makers that they became, could compete on both sides of the Billboard charts. Although Deliver The Word (the title could be considered misleading)wasn't as politically charged as their first release, non-the-less parallels the "fingers" lp to some degree.

Deliver The Word for obvious reasons, should considered War's forgotton gem. Why United Artists chose not to market this recording with the same intensity as their next studio release (the commercially successful Why Can't We Be Friends?) is anyones guess. Any real War fan has this one.

olofpalme63

War Second best.......2006-03-05

Mixed Rock and Jazz with Soul influence, what a difficult blend, yet War delivers it's second and last tight album.
War hits its peak with the release of 'The world is a ghetto' in 1972, followed by this strong album.
Difficult to hear music as good. Almost impossible to hear anything better. Highly recommended for the Soul Jazz or Rock lovers.

It's not perfect but.............2005-08-20

This is my favorite War album. I instantly liked it when it came out back in the 70's. I just acquired the CD and all those "Driving through the country on a warm sunny day that everything is just working out fine feelings" rush back just like it was yesterday. I still have the album.

Yes, it isn't like the other War albums. And that's OK. War was more than those other albums. The group had a sound that was unique,varied, and popular with social messages that are still true today. My teen age kids like War and this album(Which in itself is rather scary). This album,apparently, doesn't fit well together according to liner notes about it. I disagree. I always thought it flowed rather well. I always found comfort in the flow from "H2O Overture" to "In your Eyes" to "Me and Baby Brother" to "Southern Part of Texas". Sort of like a building wave that ends with just the right peak. Another classic album that transcends eras.

Average customer rating:

An uplifting experience
One of the best, and latest, of the Robeson recordings...
Paul Robeson Live
New version available in UK
Question

Paul Robeson Live at Carnegie Hall

Manufacturer: Vanguard Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ballad for Americans
Songs of Free Men/ A Paul Robeson Recital
Ol' Man River: His 25 Greatest
Spirituals
Marian Anderson

ASIN: B000000EFU
Release Date: 1990-05-24

Tracks:

Every Time I Feel The Spirit
Balm in Gilead
Volga Boat Song
Monologue From 'Othello'
O Thou Silent Night
Chinese Children's Song
My Curly Headed Baby
Old Man River
Going Home
Monologue From 'Boris Godunov'
The Orphan
Christ Lag In Todesbanden
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel
Lullaby
O No John
Joe HIll
Jacob's Ladder
Chassidic Chant
Freedom
O Grieve You Now My Mother
This Is The Hammer
All Men Are Brothers

Customer Reviews:

An uplifting experience.......2006-12-05

If one takes into account the time at which this recording was made, and the surrounding events affecting his life, one can truly appreciate the significance of this album. Experiencing oppression not only from the U.S. but later the Canadian government to travel abroad, Robeson was impeded, but not prevented from singing in the name of peace, human rights, and the rights of the common worker. Victory was at hand when on May, 9 1958, the date of this recording, Paul Robeson announced that his passport battle had been won. This is the recording of a triumphant gentleman, a loving, ecstatic audience, and very importantly, a talented and very attuned pianist (Alan Booth). With this in mind one can more greatly appreciate how special this concert was. The magic of this recording trancends Robeson's impeccable singing. It is the concert as a whole that makes it so spectacular. Listen to 'Joe Hill', think of Robeson's battle, and hear why it is so powerful. Or listen to 'O No John', Alan Booth pounding the keys on the last notes, and the audience's response. Every person in Carnegie Hall was riveted. Well worth the price, and an uplifting experience.

One of the best, and latest, of the Robeson recordings..........2006-10-17

This concert came along in 1958, when Paul's passport was restored and he was allowed to travel and make a living again, after several years of being on the Communist blacklist. His joy at performing once more for his traditional audience comes through in every track. That same year, he did a concert at his brother's church in Harlem, and when Columbia Records issued that one, it had another winner. Not long after those shows, Paul went overseas for five years, suffering a health crisis that brought him back to America in 1963, broken down and unable to perform consistently. He spent his last decade or so of life on the sidelines, living quietly with his sister in Philadelphia. This concert, then, along with the one at Mother Zion Church, is one of the final triumphs of one of the most interesting American lives. We know now that Paul's stubborn support of the Soviet Union in the Stalin era was a tragic flaw in his character, but he had magnificent gifts of voice and of acting presence, and had he come to the attention of audiences in 1957 instead of 1927, he would likely have earned millions as a singer and actor, and his political and social radical activism would have been a much smaller impediment to his career. If you already own some Robeson recordings, add this one because it represents him at the beginning of what was then "old age." If you own none, this concluding album is actually a fine starting point, because his earlier work suffers a bit from the primitive recording technology of the '30's and '40's.

Paul Robeson Live.......2006-07-11

Of course his baritone is fabulous. His rendition of Joe Hill is unforgettable - this was a song he sang for the builders' labourers on the site of the Sydney Opera House in around 1969 -also Old Man River, which he made his own. He should have sung this in the film of the musical Showboat but he was passed over for an inferior voice by the producers because he was a member of the Communist Party. A pity. He also sings some gospel on this CD, I'm not mad about religious songs but if you like them then you'll love this.

New version available in UK.......2006-02-18

This version is now redundant as Vanguard has released a version in 2005 with the original album cover for the first time and with new sleeve notes. The sound is also better. I purchased it from amazon.co.uk.

Question.......2005-09-29

I would like to buy Paul Robeson CD with "Old Man River" and "Kevin Barry (Irish)"

Average customer rating:

A good collection
A Musician of Great Dignity and Style
Passed the "Opera in English" test with flying colors.

Great Operatic Arias

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A Treasury of English Song
Songs My Father Taught Me
More Songs My Father Taught Me
On the Idle Hill of Summer: Song Cycles & Songs by Vaughan Williams, Butterworth, Quilter, Peel
Great Baritone Arias

ASIN: B0006SGF1Y
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

'Even Bravest Heart My Swell'
'I Am The Barber Everyone Wants, I Am!
'Must I Be Made To Suffer'
'Look Down, Oh Gentle Evening Star'
'You Have My Love And My Devotion
'Oh Wine, Deliver Me From Sadness' - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
'Marriage Is Sacred' - I Was Right To Be So Suspicious'
'Turning My Gaze Upon This Proud Assembly'
'O Nadir, Best Of Friends'
Billy In The Darbies
'Though I'm Somewhat Out Of Practice' - Janice Watson
'Hello, Here's A Soldier Bold' - Janice Watson
'I Wonder What He'll Think Of Me!'
'In Visions, Illusions'

Customer Reviews:

A good collection.......2007-05-14

Unlike the huge names, collections by Allen are not many - plenty of his opera performances are recorded, but there are only a few collections. My voice teacher recommended I listen to him to understand better how to deliver power without weight, something we've been working on. Yes, it's all in English, but that's fine, and the quality of Allen's instrument comes through very well.

A Musician of Great Dignity and Style.......2005-07-27

Sir Thomas Allen is one of the enduring baritones who has been able to move throughout the operatic repertoire and the recital stage with intelligence, informed characterization, and immaculate musicianship. To have a recording of some of the roles he has inhabited at this point in his career is a gift (this CD was recorded in 2003). To have the added challenge of retaining the stature of the roles while sung in English translations at the request of Chandos is a credit to his abilities and communicative powers.

English is a difficult language to make musical, though saying that abruptly is countered by the fact that some of the most beautiful operas in history are by Benjamin Britten, a composer who truly understood his native tongue and kept it as fluid as the soaring melodies he wrote, as Thomas Allen proves here in 'Billy in the Darbies' from Britten's 'Billy Budd'. It is the other major arias from Korngold to Wagner to Tchaikovsky to Rossini, Bizet, Mozart, Gounod, Verdi, Thomas, Strauss, and Lehar that Allen proves that English translations do not detract at all from the performances!

For those purists who prefer opera sung in the original language (and for those who don't even need supertitles in the opera house!), then this recording may provide a temporary barrier to respecting Allen's singing. But once caught up in the ease with which he moves from style to style and comedy to drama, it is hard not to relinquish old preferences and not be wholly impressed with the beauty of the voice and the warmth and dignity of this fine musician. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, July 05

Passed the "Opera in English" test with flying colors........2005-07-04

For me, the test here was Figaro's Cavatina, from Rossini's Barber of Seville - sung in English, as is this entire compilation of 14 operatic favorites, sung by baritone Sir Thomas Allen. Could he pull it off? Could Chandos pull it off? The answer is an unequivocal, unqualified yes! The secret in singing classics in English, that were written and scored in another language, is in three things: pacing, vocal agility and appreciation for "fit", and what greater test for tongue and timing than Figaro? When you listen to this one song, you will understand why Chandos and its benefactor, Sir Peter Moores have such a passion for their Opera in English series. Sir Allen's voice is a matured unmistakably settled baritone voice that contains a lifetime's worth of understanding of the music and words he imparts through his magnificent delivery. For example, when he sings, Tchaikovsky's "You have my love and devotion" from The Queen of Spades, he delivers a smooth and deeply emotional rendition that lacks nothing in translation. Wagner's "Turning my gaze upon this proud assembly", from Tannhäuser is another example of how fine, full orchestration behind a seasoned voice that waxes eloquent with every phrase, can create a mood of relaxed familiarity with word and music, that may be lacking when sung in another tongue. Great Operatic Arias, serves up a smorgasbord of tunes that are familiar, made more so by the care and attention given to creating a place for the Opera in English series in every home library. The mood here is romantic, relaxed and with few exceptions consistent throughout. If you haven't heard Opera in English, this might be a good way to start, given the fact that the listener gets to sample how different composers might sound in other than German, Italian or French. You might be surprised to discover that when done with care, as is obviously the case here, the sound is about as good as it gets. As an added bonus, the booklet that comes with the CD is full of pictures, libretto in English, and biography that gives us a good insight into history of the singer and his identifying rolls.

Average customer rating:

Deliver Us from People
Walker Kong
Manufacturer: Magic Marker
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

New Moon
Sound of Silver
There Goes the Sun
Transparent Life
Favourite Worst Nightmare

ASIN: B000N60H18
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Tracks:

Change Your Mind
We Are The Falling Stars
The Waiting Room
Goodbye, Lonesome Eyes
Andy Warhol & The Honey Bees
Cloudy Girl From The Western World
Metamorphosis Blues
Belmont, 1973
Las Vegas Son
Don't Give It Up!
Oh, Jackie

Album Description

"The Go-Betweens brush up against the Free Design; Belle & Sebastian get tangled up in Blue Aeroplanes. The album delivers heaven from the get-go ... a giant-sized pop outfit that proves success doesn't mean imitation so much as inspiration." -- MAGNET

Tracks:

Deliver Us
For Other Eyes
Swine
Expert Rites
Dead Letter
I Almost Had A Weakness
Why?
Who Do You Think You Are?
Taking My Life In Your Hands
This Offer Is Unrepeatable
Dear Sweet Filthy World
The Letter Home
Jacksons, Monk And Rowe
This Sad Burlesque
Romeo's Seance
I Thought I'd Write To Juliet
Last Post
The First To Leave
Damnation's Cellar
The Birds Will Still Be Singing

Amazon.com

Good on Elvis for risking the ridicule of a blinkered pop world with this unprecedented (for him, certainly, and most anyone short of Kurt Weill) and quite lovely album of bitchy, wise, and funny art songs accompanied by strings. His freshest, most evolved work in years. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

The definition of Musical Genius.......2007-05-22

If/when this ever is reprinted you MUST purchase it. It is beautiful in ways that I can't describe. For a writer/musician who is known for writing some amazing pieces, this is his pinnacle.

You will sob. You will laugh. You will rage. You will be haunted.

From a purely musical perspective, when you listen to this CD you are in the presence of great genius.

Listen to it alone, at least at first. Listen in the dark and let the imagery flow over you like fog.

Epistolary reflections on Costellian themes..........2006-01-16

Elvis Costello (Declan MacManus) has done his fair share of collaborations in the past decade. From the Grammy-award winning project with Burt Bacharach in 1998 to 2001's subdued "For the Stars" with Anne-Sophie von Otter Costello has branched out from his rock roots in diverse directions. "The Juliet Letters" from 1993 was the first in a long line of such collaborations. Costello and the Brodsky Quartet were brought together by mutual appreciation (Costello went to Brodsky Quartet concerts while the Brodsky Quartet attended Costello concerts). And Costello's now ex-wife Cait O'Riordan provided the epistolary theme for the project. She spotted a newspaper article about a professor that responded to letters addressed to "Juliet Capulet". Costello then presented the article to the quartet for inspiration. The group of five ended up writing all of the music and words (though much of the music is credited to "MacManus"). The results fall somewhere between classical song cycles and Beatle-inspired "string rock" (a la "Yesterday" and "Eleanor Rigby"). Feelings of melancholy and anger pervade most of the songs. The strings punctuate these feelings perfectly. Fans of Costello's rock music probably won't find much to appreciate here. But the album contains many of the same classic Costello themes and vocal styles utilized in his rock.

Like a Richardson novel, letters provide the basis for the project. Failed and frustrated relationships abound. "Thank you for the flowers / I threw them on the fire / And I burned the photographs that you had enclosed / GOD they were ugly children" Costello sings venemously on the driving "I Almost Had a Weakness". After all, nothing seeps loneliness more than an unanswered love letter. But more than love gets the treatment here. Other songs include a suicide note ("Dear Sweet Filthy World"), a letter from a soldier to a stranger ("I Thought I'd Write to Juliet"), a bizarre experiment in selective exhumation ("Damnation's Cellar"), a reflection on separation ("Why?"), and a letter full of hope in the face of despair ("The Birds Will Still Be Singing"). Many songs explore the sad one-sided nature of letter writing. And no song responds to any other song. This fills the songs that deal with ineffable questions with an almost desparing isolation. But not everything is doom and gloom. "This Offer is Unrepeatable" picks up the mood with a humorously exaggerated letter from a scam artist (and it more than a little resembles the Tom Waits' classic "Step Right Up"). The final song injects some hope into the stark themes in the manner of "Old Man River": "Banish all dismay / Extinguish every sorrow / If I'm lost or I'm forgiven / The birds will still be singing". So in the end, things aren't as bad as they seem. The world goes on regardless of our ephemeral concerns. And as long as the world goes on hope exists.

This CD contains a lot of very beautiful and moving music. Two violins, a viola, a violincello, and voice provide all of the instrumentation. Costello branched out into something very different here. And not all of his fans appreciated it. Regardless, in retrospect "The Juliet Letters" pointed to the future. This year Costello will tour orchestra halls. Not only that, he also wrote a full orchestral score ("Il Sogno"). Strings appear more frequently in his recent music. And year by year he seems to embrace "classical" music more intensely. Still, he hasn't abandoned rock and pop (as "When I Was Cruel" and "The Delivery Man" testify). Though this early collaboration remains somewhat underappreciated, it nonetheless fully showcases Elvis Costello's diverse, adaptable, and broad musical scope. Costello will doubtless appear somewhere on the list of accomplished twentieth and twenty-first century musicians.

Beauty? Truth? You Can't Handle Either!!.......2006-01-06

The reason the Costello/Brodsky collaboration "Juliet Letters" is such a difficult listen is also why its the MOST SINGULARLY BRILLIANT ALBUM IN THE ENTIRE ELVIS COSTELLO DISCOGRAPHY! And this declaration is coming from a man who could write a thesis on "Armed Forces" and "Imperial Bedroom" in his sleep! The idea of setting "letters" to music has certainly been done before, but Costello sticks his neck out, both as a composer and singer in ways he'd never done before. Accompanying yourself with just a string quartet (no snarling guitars or euphonious keyboard filigrees,) is the surest way to test your mettle as a vocalist. And sure, sometimes Costello's voice isn't exactly the strongest, but like say, Billie Holliday it always seems to occur precisely when the lyric calls for it: check out "Who Do You Think You Are?" or "The Birds Will Still Be Singing" and you'll hear exactly what I mean. Even his ode to a chain letter, "This Offer Is Unrepeatable" serves up a cheeky bit of satire worthy of "Three Penny Opera." Of course, you can only experience this album sporadically - could anyone watch "Death Of A Saleman" or "Long Day's Journey Into Night" repeatedly without losing one's mind? Emotionally-wrought exercises like "Letters" take a lot out of you, even when you're merely the observer (or listener,) rather than the participant. But that's what makes the journey, however bittersweet, one worth taking.

Deep and moving music from Elvis Costello........2005-06-18

The Juliet Letters is a moving colaboration from Elvis Costello and the Brodsky String Quartet. His deep vocals are complemented by the string quartet. This album is
neither fish nor fowl (classical or pop) it's just a musical
exercise. The strings are some of my favorite compositions,
(viola, cello and violin). Elvis Costello not only got the Brodsky Quartet a bigger audience but he inspired them to
write their own music (a third of the songs are composed by the Quartet).

While it might not be everyones cup of tea, the music is brilliant and Elvis reaches octave levels I thought I would never imagine he could ever attain. Maybe sometime in the near future he'll work with them again. I applaud him for taking such a bold step in making a non-commercial album.

Highly recommended.

Give it a Try.......2004-03-03

I've been listening to a lot of Philip Glass and Steve Reich lately,and its caused me to go back to this album to give it another go.Previously I thought that it was an interesting experiment which hadn't worked out very well.Now I think that it is a good album for rockers and classical music lovers to use to stretch their ears a little.So called crossover albums are usually horrifying-does anyone else remember that album that Procol Harum did with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra? Elvis flatly denounces the concept in the liner notes.And not everything on this album works.It isn't the brilliant work that some of the other reviewers seem to think that it is.But it is a worthwhile experiment and a work that should be given a fair chance.Rockers and classical music lovers tend to be snobbish and dismissive of one another.This is a good work for them to live with for a while.When Elvis and the Brodsky's click-on "Jackson Monk and Rowe" or "Romeos Seance"-the results are as beautiful and valid as anything either of them have ever done.
Three stars because some of this simply doesn't work. But this is a work anyone who likes Elvis or the Brodsky's should have in their collection.

Average customer rating:

Two Good Albums - A Little Uneven, But Still Good!
They Deliver The Goods
GREAT MUSIC!
Pleasant to the ears!
Downhill from the debut, but has come classics

The Mamas & The Papas Deliver
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
People Like Us
Monterey International Pop Festival
The Mamas & The Papas - California Dreamin'

ASIN: B000002PBB
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Dedicated To The One I Love
My Girl
Creeque Alley
Sing For Your Supper
Twist And Shout
Free Advice
Look Through My Window
Boys & Girls Together
String Man
Frustration
Did You Ever Want To Cry
John's Music Box

Album Description

Two of the hit California-based pop vocal group's original LPs together on one CD, 1967's 'The Mamas & The Papas Deliver' (which stayed at #2 for seven weeks in a row at the time!) and 1968's top 20 'The Mamas & The Papas'. Includes the hits 'Dedicated To The One I Love', 'Look Through My Window', 'Creeque Alley' and 'Dream A Little Dream'. A combined total of 25 selections, also including the bonus track 'The Right Somebody To Love' (Alternative Version). All tracks digitally remastered from the original master tapes. Also features the original cover art & additional sleeve notes. 1999 release.

Album Details

Two on One CD Includes 'Dedicated to the One I Love', 'Creeque Alley', 'Dream a Little Dream of Me' and 'Look Through My Window'.

Customer Reviews:

Two Good Albums - A Little Uneven, But Still Good!.......2004-08-21

This 2 albums on one CD contains the Mamas & Papas` 3rd and 4th album from 1967 and 1968.

Apart from their first album "If You Can Believe Your Ears" the Mamas and Papas' album were all somewhat uneven. They all contained one or more of their great singles; mostly written by band leader John Philips.
But the group also covered old pop-classics like "Spanish Harlem", "Dancing in the Street" or "My Girl". This of course made it harder to keep the albums consistent.

Some of their covers were quite succesful, though. On "Deliver" was their terrific cover of the old Shirelles hit "Dedicated to the One I Love" was included. The Mamas & Papas turned it into a completely different song, and one of their very best recordings and biggest hits.

They also gave a fine version of "My Girl" , but it may appear a little too "poppy" and mainstream for a group that had the ability to write first-class material themselves.

The autobiographical "Crequee Alley" is a charming and catchy tune which also made the top ten as a single.

Their cover of "Sing for Your Supper", sung by Mama Cass; seems completely out of place to my ears. Too much "family-pop".

Though I don't care much for their version of "Twist and Shout" either, at least they give the song a completely different and original treatment.

Their original album tracks are mostly pretty good. Especially "Look Through My Window" which strangely enough only made it to # 25 in the charts. "Did You Ever Want to Cry" was perfect for Mama Cass'; a little like her classic "Dream a Little Dream of Me" from their 4th album.

"Free Advice" and "String Man" are also good album tracks.

Michelle Philips opens the 4th album "Presenting" with a charming acapella version of the old Shirley Temple song "The Right Somebody to Love"; you might easily mistake her her for Marilyn Monroe on that one. The song goes directly into their majestic "Save in My Garden"; another John Philips masterpiece - it undeservedly on made # 53 in the charts.

"Medication Mama" is another strong track, nothing like their usual style,almost country and sung by John Philips ( or Doherty?)

"For the Love of Ivy" is another of their favourites, though not a hit, it's included on most Mamas and Papas compilations.

"Dream a Little Dream" is Cass Elliot's tour de force. A great recording.

Their cover of "Nothing's Too Good For My Little Girl" is okay, but apart from the terrific single-track "Twelve-Thirty", the rest of the album is pretty forgettable.

Still there are so many strong tracks on this "2 on 1" CD that I'll call it recommendable; if you want a little more than just their hit-records.

They Deliver The Goods.......2004-04-19

Deliver came out in 1967, at the height of the folk rock era. Simon & Garfunkle's Parsley Sage Rosemary & Thyme was a huge hit Donovan was scoring big with Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow and of course Bob Dylan and the Byrds were the chief architects of the folk rock movement. Along come four kooky looking individuals with beautiful finely crafted four-part harmony and the rest as they say is history. Deliver catches the M's&P's at their creative zenith. There's not a bad song in the bunch. Another words they deliver the goods. Pardon the pun. This one is a true classic and sounds as great today as the day it came out. Long live the M's&P's.

GREAT MUSIC!.......2001-07-25

A GREAT CD OF THE M&P'S 3RD, AND 4TH ALBUMS. THE ADDITIONAL BONUS TRACK OF 'THE RIGHT SOMEBODY TO LOVE' IS AN ADDED TREAT (AS IS THE M&P CHATTER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SONG 'DID YOU EVER WANT TO CRY'). THE ONLY NEGATIVE THING THAT I COULD SAY ABOUT THIS CD IS THAT IN THE LINER NOTES, IT REFERS TO THE LATE CASS ELLIOT'S DEATH AS BEING CAUSED FROM CHOKING ON A SANDWICH. THAT NEVER HAPPENED, FOLKS! EVEN A PASSING M&P FAN WOULD KNOW THAT SHE REALLY DIED OF HEART FAILURE. I FIND IT REALLY TACKY THAT SOME PEOPLE KEEP BELIEVING THIS URBAN LEGEND EVEN WHEN THEY ARE SHOWN HARD PROOF THAT IT IS A LIE.

Pleasant to the ears!.......2000-01-15

I've always been a Mamas and Papas fan since I was 11 years old (being that I'm 23 at this time). I had listened to their greatest hits album for several years and recently had started buying each album they had released, getting a hold of the "not-so-greatest" songs. To tell you honestly, many of their songs that are not considered the greatest, are my most favorite as well. On the album, DELIVER, there are 7 songs that I didn't grow up listening to and 6 of those I like--excluding the song, "John's Music Box", which really has no point on the album and makes me want to hit the stop button on my CD player. Every other song is a work of 60's art.

Downhill from the debut, but has come classics.......1999-09-25

I noted in my review of the Mamas and the Papas debut album IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS that that album was the beginning of the decline of one of the best rock groups of all time. And it's true. Every album after that got worse and worse, which is unfortunate given the amount of amazing talent involved in the group. Every member of the group has their own solo songs, but of course Mama Cass steals the show, as always. "Dedicated to the One I Love", "My Girl", and "Sing for Your Supper" are overall the best songs on the album. The rarer, neglected songs on the "B-side" should remain that way, they are for the most part boring. This is, of course, a must-have for the Mamas and the Papas, but isn't an essential rock document like the previous album.

Average customer rating:

The Funk Revisited
Soulful and Beautiful
Smooth and Funky

Back to the Funk
Bradley Leighton
Manufacturer: Pacfic Coast Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Just Doin' Our Thang
Elixir
Soul Express
Just Getting Started
Ultrablue

ASIN: B000BPYKLY
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Tracks:

Runaway
Flow
Back to the Funk
Midnight Affairs
Clear Blue Skies
Special Lady
Sunday in San Diego
Make it With You
Ready for You
Soul Moon
Love Light in Flight

Product Description

In the contemporary jazz world - where guitars and saxes currently reign supreme - flutist Bradley Leighton brings a fresh, new voice to this popular genre of music. Upbeat, funky urban grooves and teh soulful, mellow sound of his alto flute combine to make this collection of tunes a refreshing change of pace in a sometimes mundane and perfunctory genre.

Customer Reviews:

The Funk Revisited.......2006-12-01

With the release of the new Album "East Coast Project" with Jason Miles coming in 2007, I decided to revisit Bradley Leighton's early 2006 release "Back to the Funk". To hear a flutist take lead on this project brings back fond memories of Dave Valentin, Yusef Lateef, Bobbi Humphrey, Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, Alexander Zonjic, Frank Wess and others back in the day. Bradley engineers a refreshing blend of old school and new school contemporary (funk) jazz.

I agree with the Pacific Coast Jazz press release which stated: "Back To The Funk's robust horn arrangements ricochet off of slamming funk beats while his alto flute angelically rises above the gritty grooves on tracks like `Runaway,' `Clear Blue Skies' and the title cut. Leighton chills on sensual mid-tempo trysts such as `Midnight Affairs' and `Soul Moon.' Strolling back in time, Leighton dusted off three gems to revisit: Stevie Wonder's "Love Light In Flight," Ray, Goodman & Brown's `Special Lady' and Bread's soulful `Make It With You,' which were deep fried in a vat of funk. Real guitar, bass, drums, and plenty of sax, trumpet and trombone help give the record an authentic, warm feel. "

With that said, whether you are a jazz enthusiast, funk master extraordinaire or R&B listener, you will enjoy this visit "Back To The Funk", I sure did. ~the JazzeOne

Soulful and Beautiful.......2006-07-03

I really love this CD. Leighton's alto flute gives such a rich lush sound to these tunes, particularly the pop renditions I Want to Make it With You, Love Light in Flight, and Special Lady. His playing blends so beautifully with the horns and the rhythm section. If you grew up with Tower of Power and Earth Wind and Fire, you will love this CD.

Smooth and Funky.......2006-02-12

I've never heard him do anything funky but he did this time. This is a "groovy" cd. From start to finish I thought everything was fantastic. I even liked some of the programmed drums. However, there was actually a drummer on this one. The accompanying artists were great. The sound of the funky trombone and soulful trumpet along with Bradley's flute makes some cool sounds. This cd is very different from his other works. I really enjoyed this one. I hope he does something similar in the future. Check this one out and you will be grooving with some smooth funky jazz. The Stevie Wonder cut, Love light in flight is a smash.

Average customer rating:

This is why they were "marvelous"
Definitely Delivers!!

Deliver. The Singles 1961 - 1971
The Marvelettes
Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Motown | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Girl Groups | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Looking Back 1961-1964

ASIN: B000001AK0
Release Date: 1993-09-07

Tracks:

Please Mr. Postman
So Long Baby
Twistin' Postman
I Want a Guy
Playboy
Beechwood 4-5789
Someday, Someway
Strange I Know
Locking up My Heart
Forever
My Daddy Knows Best
Tie a String Around Your Finger
As Long as I Know He's Mine
Little Girl Blue
Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much in Love to Say Goodbye
He's a Good Guy (Yes He Is)
Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers
You're My Remedy
Little Bit of Sympathy, a Little Bit of Love
Too Many Fish in the Sea
Need for Love
I'll Keep Holding On
No Time for Tears

Tracks:

Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead
Your Cheating Ways
Don't Mess With Bill
Anything You Wanna Do
You're the One
Paper Boy
Hunter Gets Captures by the Game
When You're Young and in Love
Day You Take One (You Have to Take the Other)
My Baby Must Be a Magician
Here I Am Babyreachin' for Something I Can't Have
Reachin' for Something I Can't Have
Destinationl Anywhere
What's Easy for Two Is Hard for One
I'm Gonna Hold on as Long as I Can
That's How Heartaches Are Made
Rainy Mourning
Marionette
Breath Taking Guy

Customer Reviews:

This is why they were "marvelous".......2005-05-06

There are many compilations of their music but this double-cd is the best of the bunch because it features most of their B-sides, some of which were previously unavailable. This collection underscores the shame it has been that the Marvelettes have never received the recognition they deserve for being not just Motown's first successful girl-group, but the quintessential representation of the genre.

Definitely Delivers!!.......2003-06-19

This is a great overview of one the Best girl-groups ever! It's a shame that the Marvelettes have been basically forgotten by the award shows!! Great music on these two cd's!!

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review