Live: Across America

Live: Across America

Live: Across America

ASIN: B000060OXI

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Russ Freeman has written some of smooth jazz's more enduring melodies for his Rippingtons. Years ago, however, the band had little identity live, and their leader rarely strayed far from recorded versions. Through persistent touring, Freeman has become a confident performer and improviser, and has built his band into something to see and hear. On this high-octane release, the group demonstrates why every summer they are now one of the top-drawing acts in smooth jazz. This is a feel-good summertime kind of record that not only highlights Freeman's compositional prowess on smooth-jazz chestnuts like "Welcome to the St. James Club" and the classic "She Likes to Watch," from the very first Rippingtons album, Moonlighting, but also those stirring Latin pieces like "Avenida del Mar" and "South Beach Mambo" that show off his soloing ability. Two different versions of the band make up this recording, and they both have well-known saxophonists out front blowing Freeman's lines. One is Eric Marienthal, and the other is Paul Taylor, who has some of his best solos ever on this record, particularly on "She Likes to Watch," "Jewel Thieves," and the appropriately titled "Summer Lovers." --Mark Ruffin

Live: Across America,Rippingtons,Peak Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop
Banger for Breakfast
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • No Rest For the Wicked!!!!!!!
  • My kids are hooked on this band!
  • live and raw
  • Banger for Breakfast
  • Awesome music!
 Banger for Breakfast
Wicked Tinkers
Manufacturer: Celtic America Llc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

BritainBritain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
ScotlandScotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Celtic | International | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
International FolkInternational Folk | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
PopPop | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Loud
  2. Whisky Supper
  3. Trip
  4. Wicked Tinkers
  5. Hammered

ASIN: B0000A1QMJ
Release Date: 2003-06-19

Tracks:

  1. HUGH ROSS - Bellingham, WA
  2. JIGS & REELS - Enumclaw, WA
  3. THOSE MARCHING O'NEILLS - Enumclaw, WA
  4. CABAR FEIDH - Enumclaw, WA
  5. DANNY BOY - St. Paul, MN
  6. WICKED TINKERS - COMPULSIVE! Banter
  7. BELLY DANCE & HORNPIPES/MAZURKA - Woodland, CA
  8. JUST SOME JIGS - Woodland, CA
  9. HARRY'S HORNPIPES- Antioch, CA
  10. ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS - St. Paul, MN
  11. SLIP JIG SET - Fresno, CA
  12. SEAL SET - Enumclaw, WA
  13. PIPERS LUNG Rant
  14. HORNPIPE/JIG SET - Enumclaw, WA
  15. AMAZING GRACE, SCOTLAND THE BRAVE, & BLACK BEAR HORNPIPE - Fresno, CA
  16. RED HOT METAL Blether
  17. HAMMERED - St. Paul , MN
  18. JAM WITH MEN OF WORTH - Enumclaw, WA
  19. SORTING HAT Patter
  20. THE PUMPKIN'S FANCY - Fresno, CA
  21. WALLOP THE CAT - Antioch, CA
  22. BOG - Woodland, CA

Album Description

"BANGER* FOR BREAKFAST", is Wicked Tinker's fourth attempt at music recording. It's live and raw - like you'll usually find us at the Scottish Highland Games. "Banger" originally started out with 60 hours of music recorded live across the country. We whittled it down to a couple hours of our greatest hits. This first of two CDs, is a bunch of favorites snatched from our three previous releases, with ten new tunes thrown in to boot. All this in one tribal-thumping CD. You'll find your body moving against your consent.

*Bang•er: (bang´er) n. Chiefly Brit. 1. making bang. 2. A short little greasy British sausage. 3. A noisy old car.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars No Rest For the Wicked!!!!!!!.......2007-04-10

This disk give the listener a great idea of what it's like to be at a Wicked Tinkers performance.

Considering the quality of the concert performances that the Tinkers do in their live shows and considering that this CD is a compilation of several live shows, you get more than your money's worth with this disk.

A great representation of the Wicked Tinker's music!

May the music gods continue to smile upon the Wicked Tinkers!

5 out of 5 stars My kids are hooked on this band!.......2006-09-06

My family saw this band play live at the Pleasanton Highland Games, where they were incredibly energetic and fun to watch. Something like a bagpipe jazz combo. This CD does a good job of capturing some of that energy (though you should try to catch them in the flesh if they ever play in your neighborhood!). My kids are simply hooked on this music. They can't stop twirling and stomping to it, and my older one has declared that she wants to learn the bagpipes! Beware - this music needs to be played LOUD. You may scare the neighbors. Just fab.

5 out of 5 stars live and raw.......2006-03-19

This is another great live CD, recorded in many sessions and locations, and brought together in a "best-of" format. Track 3 has an excellent drum feature, and track 5 (Danny Boy) is well done, as is the Amazing Grace Plus in track 15. One item to note is the brief explanation of the roots of the bagpipes in track 6, which leads into an unusual Middle Eastern special song in track 7. This CD, like their Whisky Supper album, contains several moments of conversations with the crowd and among the bandmates of Wicked Tinkers. This lends it a cozier listen than just a "dry" album, or a concert arena sound. With the combination of tracks available on other CDs, plus new ones makes this a great starter CD, especially for fans of Celtic music, bagpipes in particular. The addition of their "trademark" didgeridoo (explained in and featured on track 22) makes this a must-have, unusual collection of traditional songs with new takes, and uniquely varied material. You can't miss with this one!

5 out of 5 stars Banger for Breakfast.......2006-03-18

I don't think there's another band like the Wicked Tinkers in existence. Super-high-energy, with a huge bagpipe/drums/sometimes didgeridoo sound, they reinfuse life into a subgenre of traditional folk music that sometimes lacks energy and innovation. It's impossible to sit still while listening to this. I saw a clip of the band at a Scottish Faire in Northern California on TV and was immediately hooked (well done of one of the band members to have a T-shirt on with the band's name, otherwise I would never have known who they were).

I've loved all of the Tinkers' albums and this one is no exception.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome music!.......2006-03-01

I read an online review about this cd,and took a chance.Gosh I was in heaven today listening to this awesome group.
Much better than other groups who play this kind of music!
Live! Across America
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Enjoyable Instrumental Pop Disc
  • The Rippingtons ~ [Rippin'] Live Across America!
  • A review of The Rippingtons Live Across America.
  • The Live Jazz Inferno!!
  • Someone should be doing detention hall for this mess
 Live! Across America
The Rippingtons
Manufacturer: Peak Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music
Orchestral PopOrchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Live in L.A.
  2. 20th Anniversary
  3. Let It Ripp
  4. Wild Card
  5. Brave New World

ASIN: B000060OXI
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

  1. Road Warriors
  2. Summer Lovers
  3. Welcome To The St. James Club
  4. Hideaway
  5. Black Diamond
  6. South Beach Mambo
  7. She Likes To Watch
  8. Jewel Thieves
  9. Rain
  10. Avenida Del Mar
  11. Purple Haze
  12. Fire
  13. Star Spangled Banner
  14. Are We There Yet

Amazon.com

Russ Freeman has written some of smooth jazz's more enduring melodies for his Rippingtons. Years ago, however, the band had little identity live, and their leader rarely strayed far from recorded versions. Through persistent touring, Freeman has become a confident performer and improviser, and has built his band into something to see and hear. On this high-octane release, the group demonstrates why every summer they are now one of the top-drawing acts in smooth jazz. This is a feel-good summertime kind of record that not only highlights Freeman's compositional prowess on smooth-jazz chestnuts like "Welcome to the St. James Club" and the classic "She Likes to Watch," from the very first Rippingtons album, Moonlighting, but also those stirring Latin pieces like "Avenida del Mar" and "South Beach Mambo" that show off his soloing ability. Two different versions of the band make up this recording, and they both have well-known saxophonists out front blowing Freeman's lines. One is Eric Marienthal, and the other is Paul Taylor, who has some of his best solos ever on this record, particularly on "She Likes to Watch," "Jewel Thieves," and the appropriately titled "Summer Lovers." --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Instrumental Pop Disc.......2005-09-25

This is a real nice collection of Instrumental Pop Classics showcased by the legendary Rippingtons.
The band surely concentrates more on the improvisational aspect of their music when they play their music live, which makes this effort a real joy. Paul Taylor on sax ( "Summer Lovers") and Kim Stone on bass ( "Jewel Thieves"), as well as Russ Freeman take great, jamming solos.

Let down of this recording is the unbelievebal cliche on some of the tunes. Russ Freeman tries to sound and write like Santana on "South Beach Mambo" and "Purple Haze" is a poor pseudo-take on Hendrix's music. It sounds cold and like a show band just trying to copy a cliche.

Anyway, "Jewel Thieves", "Rain", "She likes to watch" and "Are we there yet" make this Cd a real joy for any Instrumental Pop ( Smoth Jazz) fan. Great live thang!

5 out of 5 stars The Rippingtons ~ [Rippin'] Live Across America!.......2004-11-19

I have listened to many traditional and contemporary jazz artists, but none inspire me like The Rippingtons.

I bought this after seeing it on the shelves and listening to music samples. All of the tracks are performed live, with 9 of them being remixes of some of their previously recorded work, 3 of them being remixes of well-known songs by other artists, and 2 being altogether new, never-been-heard before songs.

And it is for the one song, "Road Warriors," that I bought this CD. The electric guitar, and just the whole arrangement of the song, is just so POWERFUL and MOVING. "Are We There Yet?" the second new song on the disc, simply sounds like a more mellow version of "Road Warriors," following the same melody.

Sure, the other performances were good, but nothing special if you've already heard them before on their previous CDs; they're just done with that much better instrumentation this time around.

4 out of 5 stars A review of The Rippingtons Live Across America........2003-06-12

Live Across America is a pretty good live album by The Rippingtons. It was released in 2002. It's a pretty recent record. Most of the songs on here are good. However, a couple can be a bit too lengthy. Jewel Thieves is the exception. The cd cover is cool/interesting, as is every album produced by The Rippingtons.

My top 3 favorite tracks from this live album are 1,8, and 11. Road Warriors has a great melody and title. It has a fascinating guitar solo in it. Jewel Thieves is a nice contemporary jazz piece. It features a smashing introduction and a great bass solo by Kim Stone. The background 'vocals' can get annoying. They should have taken that flaw out. Purple Haze is a good, short pice with an awesome electric guitar part featured throught the whole song. Good job at playing that piece by the master, Jimi Hendrix.

In all, this is a pretty good live album. Not all of the songs are spectacular, though. There are also some spontaneous announcements after particular tracks on here. Worth the purchase. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

5 out of 5 stars The Live Jazz Inferno!!.......2002-06-21

I have been a jazz fan since the early 90's, and have seen many groups (like the Rippingtons), and soloists (such as Richard Elliott). Ever since my first live experience at Coachman Park in beautiful Clearwater, FL., I have been absolutely hooked on smooth jazz. With that in mind, let me tell you that after the thousands of hours of playing music from the smooth jazz genre, this is the one CD I will always treasure!! It only helps when I see that it is the Rippingtons as the group's name on it.. my absolute favorite group/solo artist in ANY genre. Anybody that has ever been to one of the Rippinton's concerts should absolutely, positively buy this CD! Trust a born enthusiast such as me... you will NOT be disappointed! For those that have never seen, heard of, or been able to go to one of the Rippington's concerts, this CD will definitely blow you away. Gees, I can't wait to get this August's Russ Freeman release!

1 out of 5 stars Someone should be doing detention hall for this mess.......2002-06-06

I have been a jazz devotee for years, I have enjoyed a full spectrum of jazz from Earl Garner to Chick Corea from Jimmy smith
to George Duke and many others from different generations and different styles of jazz and I can't believe that I bought this Rippington's CD from a recommendation of an Amazon.com customer. I have to tell y'all that This cd should be titled, "The Rip Off Across America".
I have heard better jazz from a high school marching band, minus the majorettes.
Admittedly, I must take responsibility for trusting the advice of a stranger but I thought that anyone that would give a recommendation on jazz would know what jazz is.
I gave the cd a one star rating, I'm telling you that the one star I gave it is three stars too high.
If you enjoyed this tripe then you have "Johnjinklemyer Shlitz"(...however it is spelled.)playing on the jukebox of your mind.
I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!
DF 05 LiVE
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • stellar performance
  • Beautiful, pure, and real
  • Another Gem from SONiA
 DF 05 LiVE
SONiA , and disappear fear
Manufacturer: disappear records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional FolkTraditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
ContemporaryContemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. No Bomb Is Smart
  2. "Me, Too"
  3. Not Too Late

ASIN: B000BGQWHI
Release Date: 2005-10-16

Tracks:

  1. Other Man
  2. Is There Anybody Here
  3. BYOG
  4. Be The One
  5. Ride This Ride
  6. Washington Work Song
  7. No Bomb Is Smart Intro
  8. No Bomb Is Smart
  9. Won't Let Go Intro
  10. Won't Let Go
  11. Rio's Home
  12. Fix My Life
  13. Opinion 33
  14. Obviously
  15. Fallin
  16. Me'Too
  17. Biggest Baddest Heart
  18. Sexual Telepathy
  19. Dalis Intro
  20. Play The Music

Product Description

With the intensity of a new band DF 05 LiVE takes you with them on their first cross country tour. This Live album shows you why people have been lining up to get tickets to thri shows.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars stellar performance.......2006-04-28

Even if I were not the photographer who contributed the cover photos I would rate this album as a ten. For this release, SONiA has cooked up a band of incredible talent and passion which drives her songs to a whole new level of glory. An added bonus is sister CiNDY's vocals on the Kerrville tracks which connect this recording to the past of disappear fear. This new incarnation of disappear fear rocks and its sound can only go up from here. It is as spontaneous and as fixed in time as SONiA's smile on the cover. Gotta love this one.

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful, pure, and real.......2006-02-15

I saw Disappear Fear at the High Sierra Music Fest in Quincy and we even had the honor of jamming with them and sharing ideas. Disappear Fear Live 05 is a wonderful and enlightening work of art. I was entranced twice by their song and bass!

5 out of 5 stars Another Gem from SONiA.......2005-11-15

Several years ago, I attended a Phil Ochs Tribute night in Greenwich Village, and was treated to an eclectic group of folk legends (including Dave Van Ronk and John Wesley Harding) and unknown (to me, anyway) acts performing some of my all-time favorite songs. One singer, however, stole the stage that night: a young woman named SONiA of disappear fear (that's how she capitalizes her name and group, and no I don't know why), who performed Phil's "Is There Anybody Here?" and had the audience actually holding our collective breath in awe of her rendition. It was one of the most electric live performances I'd ever seen, and when the concert ended I marched right down the street to Tower Records and bought every disappear fear CD I could find.

I'm a child of the '70s; growing up my musical idols were three stars who were certainly timeless, but whose stars had shone brightest in earlier decades: Phil, Buddy Holly, John Lennon. In SONiA, I found a contemporary artist with Lennon's way with a phrase, Phil's dedication to social justice, and Holly's sense of fun. From that night until this, she's been my favorite singer/songwriter, and I've enjoyed each new album from her the way a soldier enjoys a letter from home.

SONiA Rutstein is from Baltimore, where she formed disappear fear with her sister Cindy in the late 1980s. A decade later, Cindy retired from the road to raise a family and SONiA pushed on a solo act. She currently tours with a new disappear fear, a self-styled "power trio". SONiA's website (soniadf.com) accurately describes their sound as "part intelligent folk singer-songwriter, part sweaty rock-and-roll and part whimsical pop." They tour incessantly, and their new CD is terrific.

It's an absolutely sterling collection of most of her best songs, including the down-home rip-snorter "Ride This Ride" ("Remember three years ago... I was buckin' to be free, and as I recall you were happy just to be buckin' me"), "No Bomb is Smart", "Bring Your Own God", and "Sexual Telepathy". It also includes the title track from her 2004 Grammy and Out nominated album, ME, TOO. The new CD is a gem that carries our Highest Recommendation.
The Kingsmen...Live Across America
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Kingsmen...Live Across America
    The Kingsmen Quartet
    Manufacturer: Riverside World
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Christian RockChristian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    Live RecordingsLive Recordings | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Old Time Way
    2. Gospel Dynamite
    3. Ridin' High
    4. Beyond the Clouds
    5. I Will

    ASIN: B00000E7FN
    Release Date: 1994-03-01
    Southern Gospel Live Across America
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Southern Gospel Live Across America
      Various Artists
      Manufacturer: Daywind Music Group
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
      GospelGospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
      Live RecordingsLive Recordings | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B00006J415
      Release Date: 2002-09-17

      Tracks:

      1. He'd Still Been God - Greater Vision
      2. So Much God - Greater Vision
      3. On The Road To Emmaus - Steeles
      4. Another Way Out - Steeles
      5. Are You Ready? - Gold City
      6. Get Up, Get Ready - Gold City
      7. He's Already Climbed That Mountain - Perrys
      8. Praise God, It's Settled, I'm Saved - Perrys
      9. There's A Brighter Day - Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet
      10. It Has Always Been The Soldier - Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet
      11. God Delivers Again - Paynes
      12. Still Standing After The Storm - Paynes
      13. There'll Come A Day - Brian Free & Assurance
      14. Lovin' This Livin' For The Lord - Brian Free & Assurance
      15. The Angels Were Singing - Southern Brothers
      16. They're Holding Up The Ladder - Lewis Family
      17. The Gloryland Way - Lewis Family
      Live
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Live
        David M. Bailey
        Manufacturer: David M. Bailey
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B000062TUD
        Release Date: 2001-07-21

        Tracks:

        1. Live Forever Intro
        2. Live Forever
        3. Love the Time Intro
        4. Love the Time
        5. Big Joe Intro
        6. Big Joe
        7. When it Rains
        8. Head of Staff Intro
        9. Head of Staff
        10. Colorblind
        11. Rome Intro
        12. Rome
        13. Gettysburg Intro
        14. Gettysburg
        15. Painter and the Poet Intro
        16. Painter and the Poet
        17. The Word Intro
        18. The Word

        Tracks:

        1. Feels Like Home Intro
        2. Feels Like Home
        3. Dogwood Days
        4. Life Intro
        5. Life
        6. Hey Intro
        7. Hey
        8. Get Up and Go
        9. On a Day Like Today
        10. If I Had Another Intro
        11. If I Had Another
        12. Only Love
        13. Already Intro
        14. Already
        15. One More Day Intro
        16. One More Day
        17. Angola By the Bay
        18. Benediction

        Album Description

        david's long-awaited live concert double disc album was 2 years in the making and is a compilation of performances from across the nation. This is david at his best - alone on stage with his guitar along with the wit, wisdom and narrative that make his concerts so compelling. It starts with the story of a headache and ends with a blessing. In between is a night full of unique insights on life as seen through the eyes of a true survivor.
        Live Across America
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Live Across America
          Rodney Branigan
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B000FTAQGO
          Release Date: 2005-11-29
          Live! Across America
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Live! Across America
            The Rippingtons
            Manufacturer: Windham Hill
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
            Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
            Orchestral PopOrchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B000060NLL
            Release Date: 2002-03-21

            Tracks:

            1. Road Warriors [#]
            2. Summer Lovers
            3. Welcome to the St. James Clu
            4. Hideaway
            5. Black Diamond
            6. South Beach Mambo
            7. She Likes to Watch
            8. Jewel Thieves
            9. Rain
            10. Avenida del Mar
            11. Purple Haze/Fire Medley [#]
            12. Fire
            13. Star Spangled Banner
            14. Are We There Yet?

            Album Details

            Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'are We There Yet'
            Live Across America
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Live Across America

              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
              ASIN: B000GIWDGK
              Release Date: 2006-05-30
              Live! Across America
              Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
              • Enjoyable Instrumental Pop Disc
              • The Rippingtons ~ [Rippin'] Live Across America!
              • A review of The Rippingtons Live Across America.
              • The Live Jazz Inferno!!
              • Someone should be doing detention hall for this mess
              		 Live! Across America
              The Rippingtons
              Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
              Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music
              Orchestral PopOrchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
              Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
              Similar Items:
              1. Live in L.A.
              2. 20th Anniversary
              3. Let It Ripp
              4. Wild Card
              5. Brave New World

              ASIN: B00004T0UO
              Release Date: 2002-01-01

              Tracks:

              1. Road Warriors [#]
              2. Summer Lovers
              3. Welcome to the St. James Clu
              4. Hideaway
              5. Black Diamond
              6. South Beach Mambo
              7. She Likes to Watch
              8. Jewel Thieves
              9. Rain
              10. Avenida del Mar
              11. Purple Haze/Fire Medley [#]
              12. Fire
              13. Star Spangled Banner
              14. Are We There Yet?

              Amazon.com

              Russ Freeman has written some of smooth jazz's more enduring melodies for his Rippingtons. Years ago, however, the band had little identity live, and their leader rarely strayed far from recorded versions. Through persistent touring, Freeman has become a confident performer and improviser, and has built his band into something to see and hear. On this high-octane release, the group demonstrates why every summer they are now one of the top-drawing acts in smooth jazz. This is a feel-good summertime kind of record that not only highlights Freeman's compositional prowess on smooth-jazz chestnuts like "Welcome to the St. James Club" and the classic "She Likes to Watch," from the very first Rippingtons album, Moonlighting, but also those stirring Latin pieces like "Avenida del Mar" and "South Beach Mambo" that show off his soloing ability. Two different versions of the band make up this recording, and they both have well-known saxophonists out front blowing Freeman's lines. One is Eric Marienthal, and the other is Paul Taylor, who has some of his best solos ever on this record, particularly on "She Likes to Watch," "Jewel Thieves," and the appropriately titled "Summer Lovers." --Mark Ruffin

              Customer Reviews:

              4 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Instrumental Pop Disc.......2005-09-25

              This is a real nice collection of Instrumental Pop Classics showcased by the legendary Rippingtons.
              The band surely concentrates more on the improvisational aspect of their music when they play their music live, which makes this effort a real joy. Paul Taylor on sax ( "Summer Lovers") and Kim Stone on bass ( "Jewel Thieves"), as well as Russ Freeman take great, jamming solos.

              Let down of this recording is the unbelievebal cliche on some of the tunes. Russ Freeman tries to sound and write like Santana on "South Beach Mambo" and "Purple Haze" is a poor pseudo-take on Hendrix's music. It sounds cold and like a show band just trying to copy a cliche.

              Anyway, "Jewel Thieves", "Rain", "She likes to watch" and "Are we there yet" make this Cd a real joy for any Instrumental Pop ( Smoth Jazz) fan. Great live thang!

              5 out of 5 stars The Rippingtons ~ [Rippin'] Live Across America!.......2004-11-19

              I have listened to many traditional and contemporary jazz artists, but none inspire me like The Rippingtons.

              I bought this after seeing it on the shelves and listening to music samples. All of the tracks are performed live, with 9 of them being remixes of some of their previously recorded work, 3 of them being remixes of well-known songs by other artists, and 2 being altogether new, never-been-heard before songs.

              And it is for the one song, "Road Warriors," that I bought this CD. The electric guitar, and just the whole arrangement of the song, is just so POWERFUL and MOVING. "Are We There Yet?" the second new song on the disc, simply sounds like a more mellow version of "Road Warriors," following the same melody.

              Sure, the other performances were good, but nothing special if you've already heard them before on their previous CDs; they're just done with that much better instrumentation this time around.

              4 out of 5 stars A review of The Rippingtons Live Across America........2003-06-12

              Live Across America is a pretty good live album by The Rippingtons. It was released in 2002. It's a pretty recent record. Most of the songs on here are good. However, a couple can be a bit too lengthy. Jewel Thieves is the exception. The cd cover is cool/interesting, as is every album produced by The Rippingtons.

              My top 3 favorite tracks from this live album are 1,8, and 11. Road Warriors has a great melody and title. It has a fascinating guitar solo in it. Jewel Thieves is a nice contemporary jazz piece. It features a smashing introduction and a great bass solo by Kim Stone. The background 'vocals' can get annoying. They should have taken that flaw out. Purple Haze is a good, short pice with an awesome electric guitar part featured throught the whole song. Good job at playing that piece by the master, Jimi Hendrix.

              In all, this is a pretty good live album. Not all of the songs are spectacular, though. There are also some spontaneous announcements after particular tracks on here. Worth the purchase. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

              5 out of 5 stars The Live Jazz Inferno!!.......2002-06-21

              I have been a jazz fan since the early 90's, and have seen many groups (like the Rippingtons), and soloists (such as Richard Elliott). Ever since my first live experience at Coachman Park in beautiful Clearwater, FL., I have been absolutely hooked on smooth jazz. With that in mind, let me tell you that after the thousands of hours of playing music from the smooth jazz genre, this is the one CD I will always treasure!! It only helps when I see that it is the Rippingtons as the group's name on it.. my absolute favorite group/solo artist in ANY genre. Anybody that has ever been to one of the Rippinton's concerts should absolutely, positively buy this CD! Trust a born enthusiast such as me... you will NOT be disappointed! For those that have never seen, heard of, or been able to go to one of the Rippington's concerts, this CD will definitely blow you away. Gees, I can't wait to get this August's Russ Freeman release!

              1 out of 5 stars Someone should be doing detention hall for this mess.......2002-06-06

              I have been a jazz devotee for years, I have enjoyed a full spectrum of jazz from Earl Garner to Chick Corea from Jimmy smith
              to George Duke and many others from different generations and different styles of jazz and I can't believe that I bought this Rippington's CD from a recommendation of an Amazon.com customer. I have to tell y'all that This cd should be titled, "The Rip Off Across America".
              I have heard better jazz from a high school marching band, minus the majorettes.
              Admittedly, I must take responsibility for trusting the advice of a stranger but I thought that anyone that would give a recommendation on jazz would know what jazz is.
              I gave the cd a one star rating, I'm telling you that the one star I gave it is three stars too high.
              If you enjoyed this tripe then you have "Johnjinklemyer Shlitz"(...however it is spelled.)playing on the jukebox of your mind.
              I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!

              Jazz Music:

              1. Live at the Jazz Standard [Live]
              2. Live [Import]
              3. Meets the Rhythm Section (20 Bit Mastering) [Original recording remastered]
              4. Music for a Bachelorette's Pad [Import]
              5. My New Old Friend
              6. No Substitutions: Live in Osaka [Live]
              7. On The Right Track: Beat, Ballad And Blues 1964-1971
              8. Playing by Heart (1998 Film)
              9. Plays Fats Waller
              10. Pure Desmond [Import]

              Jazz Music

              Jazz Music