Ridin' High

Ridin' High

ASIN: B00065TZCS

Track Listings

1. Rise and Fall of Seven

2. Light Green

3. Kundalini Woman

4. Sunny

5. Meet a Cheetah

6. Molecules

7. Wack-Wack

8. Stan Speaks

9. Alfie

Ridin' High,Maynard Ferguson,Wounded Bird Records,Bop,Crossover Jazz,Hard Bop,Jazz,Pop

Ridin High
Average customer rating:

(3.5 Stars) This Dynamic Duo Still Manages To Deliver!

Blame it on Puffy and Bad Boy South

I ALSO BLAME PUFFY

BAD not in a good way!

It's not "Living Legends", but "Ridin' High" is still worth checking out

Ridin High
8ball & MJG
Manufacturer: Bad Boy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000GDI21A
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

Intro
Relax and Take Notes feat Notorious BIG andProject Pat
Ridin High
Turn up da Bump
Cruisin feat. 36 mafia and slim of 112
What you Gonna do feat. Pimp c
30 rocks feat Diddy
Blowjob int
Hickory Dickory Dock
Runnin out of Bud feat. Killer mike
Clap on feat yung joc
Alcohol Pussy and Weed
Pimpin int
Pimpin don't fail me now feat. Juvenile and jazze pha
Worldwide
Take it off feat. Poo bear
Memphis
Get low
Stand up

Album Description

Hard-hitting hip-hop with a respectful nod to R&B and the blues, the set opens with a dramatic intro that seems to forewarn listeners of what is to come.

Customer Reviews:

(3.5 Stars) This Dynamic Duo Still Manages To Deliver!.......2007-06-26

With over 13 years of being in the rap game, 8Ball and MJG have seen the ups and downs of the industry through first-hand experience. They also know that the landscape of Hip-Hop has changed about a dozen times since their 1993 debut album Comin' Out Hard. With modest success from being on various independent labels (most notable being Suave House), the crew was signed to Bad Boy by Diddy and released their major label debut Living Legends in 2004. Still getting much of the same buzz as they did when they were on top of the underground scene, they did sell in excess of 750,000 copies (more than Diddy was able to do with Press Play in 2006). So with the release of Ridin High, the duo are hoping to at least match that success, but actually take a step backwards in the end. The album starts off pretty good with songs like the radio-friendly "Cruzin" featuring Project Pat and Slim of 112, the grimy anthem "Relax And Take Notes" featuring Notorious B.I.G. (per Diddy's request I'm sure), and the energetic, bass-heavy "Turn Up The Bump." Pimp C rolls through to rep for Houston on "Watchu Gonna Do," Killer Mike resurfaces for the entertaining track "Running Out Of Bud," Yung Joc makes a so-so appearance for the thumping "Clap On," and Jazza Pha and Juvenile bring all of their talents on board for "Pimpin Don't Fail Me Now" (a play on the chorus to Missy Elliott's "Pussycat"). Unfortunately there are huge missteps with a couple of tracks on this album. Diddy obnoxious presence in the background of the over-produced title track and his vocals on "30 Rocks" bring down the album tremendously. "Hickory Dickory Dock" (yes, you read that right) is just bad all around, and "Alcohol, Pu$$y, and Weed" is another bad attempt at making a Pop-sounding Dirty South track. "Get Low" is poorly produced and lyrically dormant, while "Take It Off" featuring Poo Bear is a futile attempt at recreating the feel of their former hit "Space Age Pimpin." This will probably spell the end of their mainstream run, but 8Ball & MJG obviously have the potential to be chart-topping superstars. But when you have a label that doesn't have much experience with producing and promoting albums from the Dirty South, it usually spells disaster for all.

Blame it on Puffy and Bad Boy South.......2007-06-02

I agree with the reviewer who wrote that Puffy and Bad Boy are to blame for this album. Man, long gone are the days when Eightball and MJG had their own style, both lyrically and musically. Ever since they signed with Bad Boy all that changed. Diddy pushed them into a much more comercial direction, so that the album sound pretty much like most other albums coming out of the Dirty South. And it wasn't like that back then! Listen to their first 5 albums, and you could see that Ball and G were doing their own thing! And they even sold much more back then (let's face it, Diddy does nothing to promote this album, and that's why it hasn't sold well). They weren't able to do that on this album (at least on most songs). It's like they took a few steps BACK. "Livin' Legends" was much better. For example, the first single "Relax and take notes" is a deccent track, and that's it - how it was chosen to be a single is beyond my understanding.
Anyway, the album itself is nice, but overall most of it doesn't stand up. There are about 5 great songs, and the rest range between avarege and weak (Especially that "Hickery Dickery Dock". What the hell was the label thinking?? You KNOW that Ball and G would've never make a song like that!). The whole album sound too much like a Lil' Jon/TI/Young Jeezy album. Too much sreaming, too much of that crunk sound, too much screaming by MJG (remember how smooth he used to be? Not those game are gone_... The good songs are those who sound different. But the album overall isn't as melodic and soulful like their previous albums. Lyrically the album is also the weakest they've ever done. It's not as personal and deep like their previous albums, and it's obvious it's all Bad Boy's directions... Anyway, the bottom line is that it's an OK album, nothing special, but Ball and G are still living legends, and with their talent they are able to save the album and make it an enjoyable listen.

I ALSO BLAME PUFFY.......2007-05-01

I ALSO BLAME PUFFY. HE TALKING AON ALL TRACKS. BUT BESIDES HIM, THE ALBUM IS PRETTY SOLID. I SAY HE COULDNT HAD MORE PRODUCERS LIKE JAZZY PHA, PHARELL, OR SOME EVEN FROM THE SOUTH, BUT YOU KNOW PUFFY WANTS IT ALL INHOUSE. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I LIKE RELAX & TAKE NOTES, MEPHIS, RUN TO THE CORNER STORE, 30 ROCKS IS MY JAM MINUS PUFFY'S CORNY AZZ

BAD not in a good way!.......2007-04-10

NOT THE SAME GROUP WITH bad boy production. Don't waste your TIME.

It's not "Living Legends", but "Ridin' High" is still worth checking out.......2007-04-03

I have no problem admitting that I was a late bloomer to 8Ball & MJG. I knew about their earlier CDs like "On The Outside Looking In", "Comin' Out Hard", and "On Top Of The World", but I never decided to purchase any of them. What finally made me come around was a cut that 8Ball had on his solo CD "Lost" with Master P, Silkk The Shocker, Mystikal, and Psycho Drama entitled "Pure Uncut". I purchased "Lost" and I enjoyed cuts such as "Coffee Shoppe" w/Redman, "Backyard Mississippi" w/Goodie Mob, "Put Tha House On It" and "Ball & Bun" w/ Bun B of UGK. A year later, 8Ball & MJG dropped "In Our Lifetime" and that ended up being the 1st CD that I purchased from them. My favorite tracks ended up being "We Started This", "Paid Dues" w/Cee-Lo, "Throw Your Hands Up" w/Outkast and "Don't Flex". In the year 2000, 8Ball & MJG came back with "Space Age 4 Eva" which featured the infamous "Pimp Hard" and "Buck Bounce" which featured DJ Quik. Once this CD was released and ran its course I didn't hear too much from them as a group but they were always known to get down on a collaboration. Later I heard that they had signed with Bad Boy, of all places and that they would be releasing a CD soon. The CD got pushed back numerous times but finally in May of 2004, "Living Legends" was released. Since I wasn't familiar with their first 3 CDs, "Living Legends" instantly became my favorite CD from them with tracks like "You Don't Want Drama", "Don't Make", "Forever" w/Lloyd, "Look At The Grillz" w/TI & Twista, "Straight Cadillac Pimpin'" and "Memphis City Blues". "Living Legends" remained in the CD player for a long time.

Now at the top of 2007, 8Ball & MJG are back with their 2nd release on Bad Boy entitled "Ridin' High". Things get off to an excellent start with their 1st single "Relax & Take Notes" which features the late, great Notorious BIG, with a sample from "Dead Wrong" and Project Pat, who dropped his "Crook By Da Book: The Fed Story" in the last quarter of 2006. This is clearly the best track on "Ridin' High" in my opinion. The title track caught me by surprise and the song actually took awhile to grow on me. The reason why I like the track is because it doesn't sound like something that 8Ball & MJG would normally do and sometimes you have to dare to be different. Now it may have been an idea from Puffy to get them some commercial exposure but the track is still a good song in my opinion and definitely a track for the clubs. Another one of my favorite tracks is produced by Timbaland's right hand man, Danja, in "Turn Up The Bump". Their is nothing complex about the track it's just classic Ball & G with MJG proclaiming that he is a pimp for life and that he doesn't have any love for certain types of the opposite sex. I was a little skeptical about "Cruzin'" at first too. You figure if you have 8Ball & MJG and Three 6 Mafia on the same track that you're going to get the same magic that was created on "Stay Fly" which also featured Young Buck. However, Slim from 112 joins the track and it ends up being a track for the ladies. After a couple of listens the track should grow on you. However, I can think of the Mobb Deep and 112 track "Anything" that I never ended up liking at all...lol Pimp C joins 8Ball & MJG on "Whatchu Gonna Do". 8Ball & MJG were featured on Pimp C's "Bobby & Whitney" from his "Pimpalation" CD so I was sure that Pimp C would show up somewhere on "Ridin' High". The track is one of the better songs on "Ridin' High" with Pimp C doing the hook and the last verse of the track. "30 Rocks" would actually be a decent track if they would have left Puffy off of it especially with the tight track and the Ball & G lyrics on it. However, this isn't the first or last song that Puffy has been on that will be messed up by him. Even Young Joc gives a decent performance on "Clap On". I have nothing to compare the track to since I wasn't ever going to listen to Young Joc's CD, but "Clap On" ends up being a decent combination between the artists. "Pimpin' Don't Fail Me Now" is a laid, back smooth track that most people will have mixed feelings on. Jazze Pha produces the track and does the hook and Juvenile shows up to do a guest verse as well. DJ Toomp provides some energy with the track "Worldwide" and Bangladesh, who produced alot more songs on "Living Legends" shows up to produce "Get Low". The track would be better if it didn't sound like "Don't Make" Part 2, but you will still like the track, in my opinion. Al Capone shows up to pay tribute to "Memphis" once again and Killer Mike shows up on the obvious track about their favorite drug of choice on "Runnin' Out Of Bud".

The problems with "Ridin' High" are easy to notice. It seems that on some tracks that 8Ball & MJG take the easy way out and they make tracks that add no value to the CD whatsoever. "Hickory Dickory Dock" is just awful. They should have just stuck with the track "Outfit" that Lil Jon produced that was supposed to come after the Interlude on Track 8. The same can be said for "Alcohol P**** and W***". Anytime I see Mario Winans name on a rap track, I should already have known how that would sound. Mario, please stick to r&b and making another CD. I don't need to see your name on production credits for a Ball & G CD. "Take It Off" doesn't make U want to listen to it more than twice either.

Overall, I am still an 8Ball & MJG fan. I just feel personally that if they leave their career in the hands of Puff Daddy, they won't be able to carry the powerful 8Ball & MJG name the way that it should be carried. After "Living Legends" I atleast expected their next CD to be just as good or even better, but with "Ridin' High" those expectations aren't reached. If you are an 8Ball & MJG fan you'll still find some songs that are worth listening to, you may just not be satisfied with the overall product. I still rate this CD between 3 and 3 and a half stars.

James' Top 5

1) Relax & Take Notes w/The Notorious BIG & Project Pat
2) Turn Up The Bump
3) Whatchu Gonna Do w/Pimp C
4) Get Low
5) Ridin' High

Honorable Mention:

Worldwide
Memphis w/Al Kapone
Cruzin' w/Three 6 Mafia & Slim of 112
Clap On w/Young Joc

Average customer rating:

Moxy Wears Their Infuences on this Album
Awesome Hard Rock!!!
GET BUZZED WITH MOXY....70'S HARD ROCK LEGENDS
moxy -hard rock fans opinion
Moxy's Best

Ridin' High
Moxy
Manufacturer: Unidisc Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Moxy
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Under the Lights

ASIN: B00000IXXY
Release Date: 1995-12-08

Tracks:

Nothin Comes Easy
Rock Baby
Sweet Reputation Symphony
I'll Set You On Fire
Ridin High
Young Legs
Another Time Another Place
Are You Ready
Reprise Nothin Comes Easy

Album Description

1995 reissue on Pacemaker of the hard rockin' Canadian quintet's third album. Originally released in 1977 on Mercury, it features nine tracks, including 'Nothin' Comes Easy', 'Sweet Reputation (Symphony For Margaret)', 'Young Legs' and 'Ridin' High'.

Customer Reviews:

Moxy Wears Their Infuences on this Album.......2006-08-11

4 Star = Classic

I first heard of Moxy in the mid 70's, & for a couple of years held off of buying anything, not because I didn't like them (I really didn't have an opinion), but I was to busy buying other artists I was much more familiar with. Then one day I picked up "Under the Lights." I was anxious to hear it because I'd thought so long to buy a Moxy album. Boy did I buy the wrong Moxy album!!! I think I spun it once or twice, & then wrote them off.

Around 1980 I was over at a friends house & spied Moxy ""Ridin' High." I was curious to hear how this album stacked up as compared to "Under the Lights." My friend put it on his turntable & I was very pleasantly surprised on how good "Ridin' High" was. I made a mental note to pick up this album, but soon it was in the back of my mind, & it was 25 years later that I finally got around to buying it!

When "Ridin' High" arrived in the mail I eagerly played it. The first thing that struck was how many of these songs I was familiar with. I really didn't think that these songs would have ingrained their selves in my mind after so many years, but they surely did! Second thing I noticed is how much Moxy sounded like different bands, but not quite the same. The biggest example of this was "Rock Baby" who's guitar riff intro sounded almost exactly like Ted Nugent "Stormtroopers," then it veered off in a different direction, but Ted's aura hung on thickly. The third thing I noticed is that even if many of these songs did not sound original, they were fueled with high energy, addicting riffs, good melodies & vocals. I especially liked "Long Legs" an early funk/metal song that sounded like a combination of Tommy Bolin's "Teaser" & any numerous Pat Travers funk/metal monsters. "Long Legs" is one smokin' track! "Nothing Comes Easy" is also very memorable, a true road warrior song with great hooks. This song also reminds me of someone else's work, Foghat's, "Fool for the City." Some of the vocal melody line is almost identical; example; "Nothing comes easy" = "Going to the city," from "Fool for the City." Yes, Moxy does sound like a multitude of bands, but they seemed always to manage to pull it off on "Ridin' High" with out direct plagiarism.

"Ridin' High" is a very enjoyable album. One that sinks its hooks into your brain, even though you feel like you might have been here before, they feel like an old friend your getting re-acquainted with after a long absence. "Ridin' High" has spurred me on to considering picking up their first two albums, which I understand are also very good. I just don't know if I got another 25 years to wait!

Awesome Hard Rock!!!.......2005-06-21

I'm so happy that there are a few other people alive who know about MOXY and love their 'Ridin' High' album. I first heard this album in the summer of 1977, cruising around with my friend looking for girls!! We played this constantly in his cassette deck. At the time my favorite bands were Kiss and Deep Purple, but Moxy had that extra hard edge that was pure ear candy to me. When my friend moved away that fall, I traded my Deep Purple/Burn album for 'Ridin' High'...best trade ever!!!

I know these songs, every one of them, so well that it's hard to pick a favorite - every track rocks and I love them all! I guess if I had to pick my favorite it would be the "slow" song, Another Time Another Place, which still has great lyrics/vocals, guitar and drums. The addition of a piano on this song adds a great touch. I always wanted to slow dance to this with my favorite sweetheart. A very close number two would be 'Are You Ready' - just don't get your DJ confused with the song of the same title by AC/DC! There is no filler, and this album is just pure great 70's hard rock!!

GET BUZZED WITH MOXY....70'S HARD ROCK LEGENDS.......2005-05-17

MOXY was one of those great bands that never got the recognition they deserved. Soundwise, MOXY was similar to Speranza-era RIOT but with heavier production values. "Ridin' High" from 1977 was MOXY's third album, following MOXY and MOXY II. Of the three, "Ridin' High" is the heaviest with tracks like 'Sweet Reputation','Ridin'High',and 'Rock Baby' edging into the realm of great early metal. Lead vocalist Buzz Shearman was a great frontman who unfortunately died far too young. His vocals on the first three MOXY albums are legendary. The guitar work on "Ridin' High" is excellent and sure to get you rocking out with your trusty air-guitar. MOXY is an essential band for fans of RIOT, LEGS DIAMOND, PAT TRAVERS, TEAZE, and even fans of bands like THIN LIZZY and UFO. In my opinion MOXY was the best band from Canada in the 70's, tied with MAX WEBSTER and followed by RUSH. Shell out a few bucks, buy "Ridin' High"(or one of the first two MOXY albums), get a little weed or coke, get comfortable, crank it up, and rock baby....with one of the best bands of the 70's, MOXY!!!!! Long live Buzz Shearman!!!!! GB.I.P.(Get Buzzed In Peace) you legend!!! Thanks for the classic tunes!!!

moxy -hard rock fans opinion.......2003-11-03

These guys are great! I've been around and seen over 76 concerts and listened to alot of want-a-be's and these guys are
really a great band. Why they didn't get the air play and recognition is beyond me. My friend introduced me to this band and I loved this album. Another time,another place and ridin high were my favorites. Buy it and enjoy a really good band.

Moxy's Best.......2003-04-14

RIDING HIGH is Moxy's best album ever. It features great hard rockers, hot guitar work, and a totally unique lead singer in Buzz Shearman. It's a shame these guys aren't better known. This is the first album you should get by this group.

Average customer rating:

Lots of Great Ethel Vocals
NOTHING CAN STOP THE GREAT MERMAN!!!
A CD that misses on every level

Merman Sings Merman/Ethel's Ridin' High
Ethel Merman
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Ethel Merman Collection
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ASIN: B0002F0MCO
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

You're the Top
I Got Rhythm
You're Just in Love
Alexander's Ragtime Band
I Got Lost in His Arms
Eadie Was a Lady
There's No Business Like Show Business
They Say It's Wonderful
It's d'-Lovely
I Get a Kick Out of You
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Blow, Gabriel, Blow
Gee, But It's Good to Be Here
Whispering
Some People/Intro: People
Sunrise, Sunset - Stanley Black, London Festival Orchestra, Ethel Merman
What Kind of Fool Am I?
Ridin' High
Someone to Warch Over Me
Impossible Dream
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Nothing Can Stop Me Now! [From the Roar of the Greasepaint- The ...]

Customer Reviews:

Lots of Great Ethel Vocals.......2004-09-20

What a treat to hear this CD, which is a combination of two studio albums the clarion-voiced Ms. M released in the early 1970's. The stereo sound is fantastic, and the orchestrations provide a high-energy, brassy background against which this Broadway legend's trademark vocals positively soar.

Standout selections are a wild and raucous "You're The Top", an incredible "It's Delovely" and the lesser known but comedic and dramatic story-song "Eadie Was A Lady".

While listening to this collection (and especially, less successful tracks such as "Whispering", "On A Clear Day") one can't help think that this album was recorded not a moment too soon. By the beginning of the 1970's, the almighty Merman's voice, known for both its power and control, was beginning to show the unavoidable signs of age and wear-and-tear. After all, this remarkable instrument, first called to duty in 1930, had been in constant demand for over forty years!

In these recordings, the dynamic power and range of this musical miracle of nature are undiminshed by time. However, the "Merm's" vocal control had lessened by this time, and her sometimes vibrato laden delivery, especially apparent on the down tempo numbers, is distracting and prevents this otherwise excellent performance from earning a full five star rating.

Caveats aside, this collection is a must-have addition for Merman fans everywhere. Those music fans who are new to Ethel's charms should also check out the original Broadway cast album from her greatest show "Gypsy". That album, recorded just a little over a decade before this collection, reveals Ethel at the peak of her powers.

NOTHING CAN STOP THE GREAT MERMAN!!!.......2004-08-29

Ethel Merman was a larger than life great singer/entertainer who was a classic live in concert and I was fortunate to be able to experience Merman's concerts a number of times in the 70's when these great albums were recorded!!! Merman is captured in peak form on these two great albums and never were any of her other recordings quite as thrilling as these are!! Great arrangements with full lively orchestrations that match her power also let her softer shadings come through such as a beautiful "I Got Lost In His Arms" and the gorgeous and touching "Sunrise,Sunset". "Everything's Comming Up Roses" and "Blow Gabriel, Blow" are like a wild ride on a roller coaster that you will want to get back on as soon as its over!!! These are thrilling and great performances and are two of my all time favorite vocal albums as Ethel belts them out here like nobody else can. "Nothing Can Stop Me Now" is another amazing performance that is nothing short of being a solid Ethel Merman masterpiece! Highly recommended!!!

A CD that misses on every level.......2004-08-02

One of the great theater thrills in my life was seeing Ethel Merman in "Gypsy," when she was at her peak. Sadly, Merman's voice was starting to shows its age when she recorded these two records in the early 1970s (packaged here in one CD). Merman Sings Merman contains her greatest hits. Ethel's Ridin' High has mostly songs that Merman is singing for the first time (the only reason to buy this CD). The musical arrangements are too busy, with a chorus spoiling many of the songs. The two albums were recorded in something called Phase 4 Stereo, perhaps that explains Merman's voice. She seems to have lost any ability to add shadings or nuaces and just belts (or more accurately yells many of the lyrics). I suspect the Phase 4 Stereo may be a large part of the problem, because Merman sounded like her former self in TV and concert appearances from the same period. The CD is probably worth the price for Merman's versions of "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Whispering," a song that shows Merman's sense of humor (she was a wonderful comic on stage).

Average customer rating:

Not the Maynard we knew and loved.
Read & Believe All the Reviews!
I heard the man say it himself
A Disturbing and Fascinating Album
A Nice Novelty Album To Have, But.....

Ridin' High
Maynard Ferguson
Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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It's My Time

ASIN: B00065TZCS
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

Rise and Fall of Seven
Light Green
Kundalini Woman
Sunny
Meet a Cheetah
Molecules
Wack-Wack
Stan Speaks
Alfie

Customer Reviews:

Not the Maynard we knew and loved........2007-01-30

From 1956 to 1964 Maynard Ferguson was arguably at his musical peak -- and what a peak it was. Anyone hearing this album -- and none other -- would be left wondering what in the world the fuss about Maynard was really all about. In a word, this album SUCKS. That's BIG TIME sucks.

If I were the lead trumpet on this recording it would clearly mark the high point of my entire trumpet playing career. But for Maynard Ferguson? Get real. This is only 20% of the real 100% Maynard. (In fairness, 20% of Maynard IS 100% of most other players... on their best days.)

I got the opportunity to speak with Maynard for a few minutes in the late '60s and asked him about this album. Then, I felt like a complete fool for doing so. After all, why use the rare opportunity of speaking with THE MAN to discuss the ONE album where his playing clearly wasn't getting it? What an idiot I was! In any case, he didn't really directly answer my query... and I'm glad he didn't.

Something was clearly wrong here and I'm not going to try to guess what that something was. But as a huge fan of this man's body of work, if I could wave a magic wand, I would order all extant copies of this recording confiscated and erased, burned, crunched, or nuked -- for HIS sake and enduring memory. But, like some of the other reviewers, I WOULD keep the album jacket and maybe even frame it (although my favorite MF album jacket is "Maynard 1969").

I wasn't any too thrilled with Maynard doing disco stuff or hanging out with Ravi Shankar and his sitar, but "Ridin High" is a turkey in a class by itself.

Happily, MF went on to do some of his very best work after this. God rest his soul. We love you man.

JP

Read & Believe All the Reviews!.......2005-10-04

Even though there are some fine musicians on this album, something went horribly wrong. The charts are mediocre, the band sounds awful, Maynard is really struggling. You will only listen to it once. For Maynard COLLECTORS only. Even then, you might think twice about your purchase.

Nice picture of Maynard on the motorcycle, though. Ridin' high???

Maybe Playin' "high"!

I heard the man say it himself.......2005-07-18

In 1969 or so I was a 17 year old Maynard fan in a small Kentucky town. Listening to late night air waves, I picked up an honest to God live interview with Maynard. Rodchester NY..a guy named Harry Abraham asked Maynard about this "album". I still remember his words " I must have been high on something to have let that album be released like that". That says it all. Nice cover!

A Disturbing and Fascinating Album.......2005-02-06

Released in 1966 with little fanfare on a long forgotten label, "Ridin' High" is symbolic of the nadir that big band jazz reached in mid-60's America. This was Maynard's last album with the vestiges of the Birdland Dream Band before he followed the throngs of great American jazz artists exiled to the more receptive climes of Europe. The band features some excellent musicians (Lew Tabakin, Pepper Adams, Slide Hamption) and arrangers (Don Sebesky, Slide Hampton).

However, the whole is less than the sum of the parts. Maynard was obviously dealing with some chops problems as his trademark high notes are either strained or non-existent and his midrange solos sometimes verge on the bizzare. I recall an interview where he mentioned having some dental problems after getting hit in the mouth by a drunk at a dance, and I suspect that is the issue here. I consulted Maynard's biography (MF Horn by William F. Lee) but the book is a puff piece that rarely addresses the low points in Maynard's life with much honesty and contains only passing reference to this album.

Many of the arrangements reflect a feeble attempt to create a more "contemporary" sound with rock-flavored head tunes that are surprisingly unsatisfying to 21st-century ears. A true fusion of jazz horns with rock sensibilities would have to wait for Chicago, BS&T and a new crop of arrangers that would gain attention only a few months later. Ironically, perhaps the most interesting arrangement is a pointillistic cover of "Alfie," but hearing Maynard struggle unsuccessfully to soar majestically is almost painful to hear. The sonic quality of the album is stunningly clear for a 39-year-old tape, but the discrete stereo separation and complete lack of reverb only enhance the warts in the playing.

For die-hard Maynard fans interested in a complete picture of the artist, this album should probably be heard. But for those seeking the fabled excitement of Maynard Ferguson and his piercing high notes, you would be better served by the first "Birdland Dream Band" album, "Verve Jazz Masters 52" (a collection from his 50's Mercury recordings), Columbia collections like "The Essense of Maynard Ferguson," or his commercial trumphs "Conquistador" and "New Vintage"

A Nice Novelty Album To Have, But............2005-01-18

This is a very poor album recording. It has poor sound quality. Probably because the origional LP is a MONO recording. The tracks are a little rough to listen to. Specifically the track called, "The Rise And Fall Of Seven". With this track, you can't really connect anything together. Not to mention Ferguson's Timothy Leary reference to the "Chicago Seven." The tempo shifts are a little awkard to listen to. It seems like the band just didn't mesh very well. "Sunny", "Satan Speaks", and "Alfie" are about the best tracks on the LP. "Meet A Cheetah" get honorable mention as well. I don't recommend this album to anyone just getting into Ferguson's material. Although it is a nice novelty piece to own in your collection. I would recommend something a little more tasty like "Verve Jazz Masters Vol#52." to get the real effect of Ferguson's playing.

Average customer rating:

His Best Studio Album
Essential Jerry Jeff, Part II
Ridin' High still rules
Ridin' High
Another slice of Texas ....and of life

Ridin' High
Jerry Jeff Walker
Manufacturer: Mca Nashville
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
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20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jerry Jeff Walker

ASIN: B000002NXB
Release Date: 1990-08-13

Tracks:

Public Domain
Pick Up The Tempo
Like A Coat From The Cold
I Love You
Night Rider's Lament
Goodbye Easy Street
Pot Can't Call The Kettle Black
Mississippi You're On My Mind
Jaded Lover
Pissin' In The Wind

Customer Reviews:

His Best Studio Album.......2004-10-24

This record has a live feel to it, and it is full of great songs that don't seem to get old. According to legend, Jerry Jeff came down to Austin in the very early seventies to check out the scene at the Armadillo World Headquarters and fell in love with the Austin music scene and the Hill Country. He joined and became the the central figure in the now legendary music that came out of Austin in the early and mid seventies. He also put out a couple of fine records before joining the Austin scene:
"Drifting Way of Life" and "Bein' Free". Highly recommended if you like Jerry Jeff and don't already have them. BTW: Michael Murphey's "Geronimo's Cadillac" and "Cosmic Cowboy Souvenir" are finally available on CD as an Australian import here on Amazon.

Essential Jerry Jeff, Part II.......2002-07-17

First you need to get Viva Terlingua, and be able - drunk, sober, or anywhere in between - to drawl "You're from down South, and when you open your mouth, you always seem to put your foot there" (London Homesick Blues - Home with the Armadillo) and give the component words to the MOTHER acronymn in Up Against the Wall.

Once you have passed Jerry Jeff 101, you need to proceed to "Ridin High." I cannot to this day hear or speak the proverb "the Pot can't call the Kettle black" without fighting the sometimes almost insurmountable urge to sing it.

And, in a song that rivals the pH of that song about vain folk who fly off to Nova Scotia in their Lear Jet to see a total eclipse of the sun, fire an acerbic shot at a soon-to-be-former lover:
"Well, don't get up, I can find my own way to the door.
Well I can see you are an angel,
Whose wings just won't unfold
Tune up your harp
Polish your old halo
Yeah, the only kind of man that you ever wanted
Was the one that you knew you'd never hold very long
Sitting there cryin' like I'm the first one to go."

In the ballad Night Rider's Lament, JJ responds to folks who accuse: "you must have gone crazy out there:" "they ain't never seen the Northern Lights, They never seen the hawk on the wing" He ain't crazy! He's an endearing and enduring music icon!

And of course, there's the piece de resistance, the Quixotic anthem to futility and performing necessary biological functions in the face of meteorological hindrances whence, much to our chagrin, it blows on all our friends.

Ridin' High still rules.......2002-06-24

If you own only one Jerry Jeff album, this should be it. I have been listening to it for over 25 years and have never, ever gotten tired of it. The songs are like old friends and take me back to my college days. It is one of those rare albums where you like every single song and love most of them. "Jaded Lover" is my favorite Jerry Jeff song. Listen to "Pissin' in the Wind" and you will always feel better.

Ridin' High.......2001-06-14

I think it's one of Jerry Jeff's best. I especially like Night Rider's Lament. I would recommend this one to all Jerry Jeff fans.

Another slice of Texas ....and of life.......2000-08-19

Jerry Jeff Walker does not disappoint. This CD continues to showcase the musical and songwriting talents of one of the founders of the progressive country scene. There is a little bit of everything on this CD, but it all fits together in a tight, pleasurable package. Outstanding tracks are Gus Clark's "Like A Coat From the Cold" along with " I Love You" and the upbeat "Pot Can't Call the Kettle Black". This is a rockin' CD. One of JJW's best.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely essential for bassists, especially Jamerson appreciators
Two late sixties albums
A great surprise!
Ridin' High, A New Low
Ridin' High, A New Low

Ridin' High/Sugar n' Spice
Martha & the Vandellas
Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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Natural Resources / Black Magic
Dance Party/Watchout!
Come and Get These Memories/Heat Wave
Silk & Soul/Nitty Gritty
Neither One of Us/All I Need Is Time

ASIN: B0000647GS
Release Date: 2002-04-29

Tracks:

I Promise to Wait My Love
Honey Chile
(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
Leave It in the Hands of Love
Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone
I'm in Love (And I Know It)
To Sir, With Love
Forget Me Not
(We've Got) Honey Love
I Say a Little Prayer
Without You
Show Me the Way
Taking My Love (And Leaving Me)
Shoe Leather Expressway
You're the Loser Now
I'm a Winner
What Now My Love
Soul Appeal
Loneliness Is a Lonely Feelin'
I Love the Man
It Ain't Like That
I Can't Get Along Without You
Heartless
I Hope That You Have Better Luck Than I Did
I Can't Dance to That Music You're Playin' [*]
Sweet Darlin' [Alternative Vocal Version][#][*]
I Promise to Wait My Love [Alternative Version][Alternate Take][#][*]

Album Description

UK two-on-one remastered reissue includes 'Ridin' High' (1968) & 'Sugar N' Spice' (1969) plus three bonus tracks, 'I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin'', 'Sweet Darlin'' (Alternate Vocal Version) & 'I Promise To Wait My Love' (Alternate Version). Slimline 2CD case housed in a slipcase with one CD.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Two Original Albums on a Single CD.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely essential for bassists, especially Jamerson appreciators.......2006-11-01

Unfortunately the Ridin' High part of this CD has sub par sound quality and the bass lines in particular tend to be hard to hear - definitely improved with aggressive use of bass tone control if you have it. For me the high point of Ridin' High is To Sir With Love with a memorable counterpoint bass part.

Now to Sugar n' Spice - the best original Motown album I've yet heard. The sound quality, songs, arrangements, playing and singing is wonderful in its variety and sophisticated funkiness. I also agree with a previous reviewer - the bonus track I Can't Dance to that Music You're Playing is excellent.

Bottom Lines:

1. If you love LOW, buy this CD and feast on the (often extraordinary) bass lines.

2. If you love Motown buy it for the wonderful music on Sugar'n'Spice, (to me the strongest album under the Martha & the Vandellas name). The good songs on Ridin' High are a bonus.

Two late sixties albums.......2003-08-17

By the time these albums were recorded in the late sixties, line-up changes were beginning to take their toll. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of good music here.

The first album, Riding high, featured Martha Reeves, Rosayln Ashford and Lois Reeves. Lois was new to the group, having just replaced Betty Kelley. The two biggest American hits were Honey chile (just missed the top ten) and Love bug leave my heart (top thirty). O promise to wait my love and We've got honey love were minor American hits. In the UK, none of those charted, but a remix of Forget me not just missed the top ten. Riding high also features fine covers of To sir with love (Lulu), I say a little prayer (Aretha Franklin) and Always something there to remind me (Sandie Shaw).

The next album featured yet another line-up change, with Sandra Tilley replacing Rosalyn Ashford. Only one American single was released - Taking my love, which didn't quite make the top 100. No British single was released - indeed, the album was not given a British release until 1970, although it was released in the USA in 1969. The best known song here is probably What now my love, a cover of a song first written and recorded in French by Gilbert Becaud, but which became popular in Britain and America after translation into English. The remaining songs appear to be originals, though I cannot be sure of that.

These are not the strongest two albums that Martha and the Vandellas recorded, but if you enjoy the other three twofers by them in the same series, you should enjoy this.

A great surprise!.......2002-08-19

I just received this CD on Friday and have been listening to it all weekend. Most people have given "Ridin High/Sugar & Spice" only mild reviews. "Ridin High" is generously packed with singles (Honey Chile, I Promise to Wait, Love Bug, Honey Love). To me, all of these songs are great! They have a nice sweet and funky feel to them. Also included are some excellent B sides. "Show Me The Way" and "I'm In Love" are both gems. The former is a hard driving dance tune while the latter is a jazzy, finger snapper written by Stevie Wonder. H-D-H's "Leave It in the Hands of Love" is a classic song which could have been a hit. Even the non-Motown covers sound good to me, especially "Say A Little Prayer."

"Sugar & Spice" was the real exciting surprise. Besides the single release, "Taking My Love", I had not heard any of the other selections. To me, this is a nice collection of songs from a variety of sources (HDH, Sylvia Moy, Deke Richards, Ashford & Simpson). From the great uptempo numbers (I'm A Winner, Shoe Leather Expressway, Heartless) to the ballads (the beautiful "You're the Loser Now" and the superb album closer "I Hope You Have Better Luck that I Did"), Martha Reeves really displays her vocal talents. I think she sounds just great on the standard "What Now My Love". Every song has something to offer, even the lesser numbers ("I Love the Man" & "Soul Appeal"). The single "Taking My Love" is a pleasant soul/pop number that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Supremes album. Also, the nicely arranged "Loneliness Is A Lonely Feeling" is a treat and should have been a single.

This CD also includes some bonus tracks including the excellent "I Can't Dance to that Music You're Playing" which was never included on a album until "Live Wire-The Singles".

Even though I already have the "Live Wire-Singles" collection, which contains many of the same singles as "Ridin High", I am still glad I have "Ridin High/Sugar & Spice." The singles especially have a nicer sound quality than they do on "Live Wire", probably due to better re-mastering. Also, "Live Wire" left off some classic B-sides ("I'm In Love" & "Without You") which I have been trying to find for years and finally have them on "Ridin High".

Anyway, I guess I'm in the minority with these two albums as I find them to be enjoyable listening experiences.

Ridin' High, A New Low.......2002-06-21

"Ridin' High" came after Motown released a Martha and the Vandellas Live album which, incredibly, had totally different performances on side A of the mono issue and side A of the stereo issue and was so badly miked it's incredible it was even released. "Ridin' High' was an attempt to move the Vandellas to a new, more sophisticated level, and Martha was given the opportunity to record important material from outside the Motown library, along with the usual tracks-that-didn't-make-single-status. The results are mixed as usual--you sort of get a real album and sort of don't--but throughout Martha sings her heart out. The hit singles here are terrific--Richard Morris proved a most sympatico producer who made records that didn't sound like typical Motown. The album did very well, and definitely benefitted from the attractive, non=-girl group cover. Everyone waiting for a great followup had to be disappointed when "Sugar and Spice" emerged. The cover was clever, though the girls were back in evening-gowned group uniform, but the album was strictly a random collection of sides not good enough for single release, with nothing on the album relating to anything else and one of Motown's strangest songs, "Shoe Leather Expressway" included (a song about walking as compared to driving--huh?). The single "Taking My Love and Leaving Me" was strictly B-side stuff, though as usual Martha makes the song sound miles above its true worth. This all was recorded over the period of several years and sounds totally aimless, with no sugar OR spice. What make it worthwile, as always, is Martha. She can take the most routine or lame lyric, toss it up in the air, and make it come down convincing and riveting. What a talent!

Ridin' High, A New Low.......2002-06-21

Average customer rating:

A nice collection of easy listening tunes
Great Interpretations of Great Songs
Robert Palmer Rides High With The Standards
A Jazz masterpiece!
A Jazz masterpiece!

Ridin' High
Robert Palmer
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000DRDU
Release Date: 1992-10-20

Tracks:

Love Me Or Leave Me
(Love Is) The Tender Trap
You're My Thrill
Want You More
Baby It's Cold Outside
Aeroplane
Witchcraft
What A Little Moonlight Can Do
Don't Explain
Chance
Goody Goody
Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
Honeysuckle Rose
No Not Much
Ridin' High
Hard Head

Customer Reviews:

A nice collection of easy listening tunes.......2006-10-26

This 1992 release features a great collection of easy listening tunes. Senior citizens who can't stand the sound of hard rock/heavy metal will love this collection. Afterall,many of the songs were hits during their younger days. The material is a lot like some of the songs on 1990's DON'T EXPLAIN. However on this album,there are either re-releases or alternate versions of DE and YOU'RE MY THRILL,also from DE. The late great Robert Palmer is so elegantly dressed in a tuxedo,surrounded by orchestra musicians in the cover photo. Palmer was a fan of easy listening artists like the late Nat King Cole,the late Billie Holliday and the late legendary Frank Sinatra. If you own all four volumes of Rod Stewart's THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK,you'll love this album. I dedicate this item to the memory of Palmer(January 19,1949-September 26,2003).

Great Interpretations of Great Songs.......2004-04-11

Pulled this CD out the other day for a listen--had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Palmer released this a long time before it was fashionable for rock singers to cut standards albums, and he did his with great class and style. It's not the usual collection of songs, and the arrangements are very fresh and unique. I highly recommend it to people who enjoy the classics. Not your run-of-the-mill lounge singer act.

Robert Palmer Rides High With The Standards.......2003-11-22

Ridin High is a 1992 album release by Robert Palmer that finds the singer diving headfirst into pre rock era jazz and romantic standards, completely abandoning the dance friendly hard rock and R&B blue eyed soul of his most famous recordings. Actually, Palmer grew up on this music and occassionally recorded songs in this vein on previous albums. Here, the singer stretches a bit too thin as he seems to struggle at times to capture the emotion and handle the vocal challenges of this type of music. Sinatra or Bennett he isn't, but at times Palmer shows he has the versatility vocally to do justice to these standards. Uptempo fare like "No, Not Much" and "Goody Goody" suit him well, but Palmer handles himself on slower standards like "Love Me Or Leave Me", "The Tender Trap", and beautiful haunting rendition of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain", possibly the album's highlight. Casual fans will distress the lack of rock oriented material.

A Jazz masterpiece!.......2003-08-24

Robert Palmer with the album shows us Jazz is his true love after flirting with pop music for most of his career.

A Jazz masterpiece!.......2003-08-24

Robert Palmer with the album shows us Jazz is his true love after flirting with pop music for most of his career.

A lovingly compilation of the most beautiful, haunting, and classic Jazz standards. His rendition of these is full of love and passion, even though others may have technically excelled him his love for the music is tangible in his every breath....Listen to "Don't Explain" where he gives fitting and beautiful homage to Billie Holiday's haunting classic. Track after track is a veritable feast of Palmer's wonderfully passion and his voice is irristible, and as if all this was not enough Palmer treats us to an original song of his, amongst all these classics. "Want you more" is nothing short of a masterpiece by Palmer. It earns its place alongside all those beautiful Jazz songs. I recommend anyone with even the slightest interest in Jazz to buy and listen to this album, Music in its truest and purest form shows us a glimpse of the inexhaustable human love and spirit, this album does this over and over again.

Ridin' High
Average customer rating:
Ridin' High
The Kingsmen Quartet
Manufacturer: Horizon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000021LJ
Release Date: 1995-03-07

Fennell Conducts Porter & Gershwin
Average customer rating:

The BEST Gershwin/Porter album

Glowing Coles of Porter...

Fennell Conducts Porter & Gershwin

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hanson Conducts Hanson

ASIN: B0000057LZ
Release Date: 1993-02-16

Tracks:

Blow, Gabriel, Blow
So In Love
It's All Right With Me
Ridin' High
In the Still of the Night
Begin the Beguine
Night and Day
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Anything Goes
I've Got You Under My Skin
It's De-lovely
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
I Got Rhythm
Love Is Sweeping The Country
Love Walked In
'S Wonderful
Bidin' My Time
Oh, Lady, Be Good
Fascinating Rhythm
Liza
Embraceable You
The Man I Love
Someone To Watch Over Me
But Not For Me

Customer Reviews:

The BEST Gershwin/Porter album.......2004-02-11

Perhaps I'm romanticizing, but this was THE cd I listened to in high school. The arrangements are absolutely captivating; building new material over the original themes while referencing them so purely. I couldn't imagine a better use of your money than purchasing this album, it will bring you years of joy!

Glowing Coles of Porter..........2004-01-15

I can only comment on the Porter half of this recording, as I own it on original vinyl. It's a mono copy, but you wouldn't know it. As usual, excellent engineering from Mercury, who set standards in the early 60's that still count (IMHO) as best practice.

Frederick Fennell is right at home in the warmth of these beautifully wrought Ray Wright orchestrations. As he should be; Wright's day job was orchestrating for Radio City Music Hall. The sound is lush, the dynamics amazing, the performance spot on. It gets four stars only because I can't justify five, not having heard the Gershwin half.

Tracks:

Twilight Time - One By One
I Wanna Be Around - One By One
Nature Boy - One By One O
Just One Kiss From You - One By One
I Want To Be With You - One By One
Answer Me, My Love - One By One
It's Not Unusual - One By One O
Without A Song - One By One
Falling In Love With You - One By One
My Prayer - One By One
Mona Lisa - One By One
Lonely Man - One By One
Ridin' High - Ridin' High
No One Else - Ridin' High
Gotta Get Away - Ridin' High
I Need To Belong To Someone - Ridin' High
Right On Time - Ridin' High R
I Need You - Ridin' High
Too Slow - Ridin' High
Man's Temptation - Ridin' High R
That's What Mama Say - Ridin' High
Let It Be Me - Ridin' High
I'm A Telling You - Ridin' High

Customer Reviews:

Something different, but still good stuff.......2004-10-03

In One by One, our heroes tackle standards from various crooners. This sounds a bit odd for the Soul trio, but it's an interesting experiment. Curtis' take on "I Wanna Be With You" is breathtakingly beautiful and their version of "Answer Me Oh My Love" is not bad at all. In "Ridin' High," they're back to their familiar format. Some good stuff there too, but my favorite is the amazingly sweet "I Need You," one of those "greatest songs you've never heard." Give it a try. Impressions fans will dig.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music