Amazon.com

The last time Bruce Springsteen ventured West for inspiration, the result was the desolate Nebraska and its tales of serial killers and used cars. On his first record in three years, Springsteen navigates barren deserts and Old West war fields for a dozen forlorn songs that co-star the artist and his acoustic guitar. Though he's always had a knack for carving out the hooks and melodies that make each journey memorable, this time around Springsteen relies on the lyrics to carry the tune-desperate tales of tragedy, heartbreak, and lust with a Latino twist, like the boxer coming home ("The Hitter"), a distressing border-crossing incident ("Matamoros Banks"), and the Nevada hooker with good intentions ("Reno," which led to the warning sticker Adult Imagery). With no E Street Band in the mix, the album is decorated with horns and strings and Springsteen’s novel falsetto on two his best efforts: "Maria’s Bed," where the narrator comes home to his woman after 40 nights on the road, and the fast-picking "All I’m Thinkin’ About," where he has more than Carolina on his mind. A decade from now this will be an underrated record in the Springsteen chronicles. --Scott Holter

TheWild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle(1973)
Aftera folk-rockish debut album that bubbled with ideas and dense lyrical play, thisis where Springsteen began to find his voice as a rocker and as a songwriter.The prisoner-of-love romanticism of "Rosalita" and "Incident on 57th Street"hinted at what was coming, and this early version of the E Street Band--jazzierand more spare than later versions, thanks largely to David Sancious's piano--soundsgreat, if a little ragged, these many years later.

Bornto Run (1975) and Darknesson the Edge of Town (1978)
These two records, which belong on any compilation of the top 100 rock albumsof all time, sketched the themes that he would spend his whole career chasing,and defined the expectations fans would bring to his records ever after. Thefirst chords of "Born to Run" sounded like freedom itself the first time I heardthem on the radio, and the album lived up to them. "Thunder Road" is still thegreatest rock & roll love song anyone's ever written. The record soundedso big and impassioned and propulsive it was easy to miss the dread runningunderneath it. Darkness... put the dread front and center. There aremore of his best songs here than anywhere else, even if the sound is muddy andleaden at times.

Nebraska(1982)
AfterThe River (the best record that didn't make this list) and the ensuingtour answered his rock & roll prayers--he was a big star now, not just aperennial critics' favorite--Springsteen holed up in a rented house on the Jerseyshore, where he wrote these songs and sang them into a four-track recorder inhis living room. The tape was supposed to be a demo for the band, but afterseveral false tries he concluded that the tape he'd been carrying around inhis pocket was the record. Quiet and bleak, Nebraska nonetheless grabbedyou by the collar and made you listen as surely as his rock & roll recordsever had.

Tunnelof Love (1987)
Theglare and hubbub surrounding the Born in the USA tour (the tour wasgreat--the record itself overrated) made him pull back again, this time to writea cycle of songs about love and fear and self-doubt. After this, Springsteen'sfirst marriage broke up, and he started a family with Patti Scialfa, disappearingfor the better part of 10 years, notwithstanding the pair of not bad, just disappointingalbums he released in 1992, Human Touch and Lucky Town.

TheGhost of Tom Joad (1995)
Some call it Nebraska II, but his second acoustic album was not a repeatof his first--the characters and settings had changed, and their circumstanceswere more expressly desperate, and social--though it did share the same interestin what happens to people whose isolation or marginal status renders them invisible.

TheRising (2002)
Everybody--including Springsteen himself--seemed to think it was a record about 9/11, but the subjectwas broader: death and loss as seen from more than halfway down life's road.Dave Marsh nailed it: "A middle-aged man confronts death and chooses life."Brendan O'Brien's production sounds great.

Reviews (173)

Unfortunately for Bruce's fans- it's over...
I have not bought this cd but have heard several tracks from it and will save myself some money. I honestly don't know how anyone can give this cd 5 stars...what are they smoking?? Bruce has NO voice left...in its place is some kind of forced muttering from someone who sounds like they ingested a large amount of rat poisen. The lyrics are uncreative and boring...nothing resembling his past brilliance. And the music...all I can do is shake my head and feel sorry for a great artist that has overstayed his welcome among the musical elite.I have loved Bruce's music and genius my whole life which makes it really hard to see him tarnish such a great career with such a woeful attempt at singing and songwriting.Please give it up Bruce- this is one fan who will never buy another one of your albums but instead will break out something from many years ago that will stay great forever.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen
This is one of Bruce's best! Pared down.
It takes several listens beforeyou can fully appreciate some songs - Read the Lyrics. You will appreciate his songwriting abilities even more.

Out'neath the arms of Cassiopeia
One of Springsteen's finest albums, "Devils and Dust" shows that as an artist Springsteen continues to grow. "Devils and Dust" sounds terrific on this dual sided CD/DVD. The CD side has all 12 songs. The DVD side has all 12 songs with lyrics displayed on the screen in time to the song. There's also a number of strong video performances from the album including "Devils and Dust", "Long Time Comin'", "Reno", "All I'm Thinkin' About" and "Matamoros Banks". The rustic home its shot in capture the feeling of the album perfectly. One could argue that Springsteen is "putting on airs" since he's a rich man shooting in this rural home that consist of performances about people that are far from wealthy. However, like a lot of artists Springsteen is trying to capture the anguish, despair and distant sense of hope that frequently occupies the lives of the downtrodden and desperate. It's a dark album as Springsteen notes, these are the stories of people in danger or down on their luck due to circumstance.

The video portion features Springsteen primarily performing the songs in their original incarnation; as acoustic tunes with just guitar and harmonica complimenting his singing. Just a note about the DVD--you can listen to the 5.1 Surround in 2.0 and it will sound fine if you set up your DVD player or receiver to play it back that way. Springsteen does an introduction for each song discussing a bit about his past as a performer and a bit about each song prior to performing them. I don't have a 5.1 set up on my computer and wanted to watch the performances as well as listen to the album while I was working. Unlike, say, the DVD releases of Crowded House's first album or Richard Thompson's DVD release on Capitol, it sounds just fine in the 2.0 format.

Just a warning for parents that listen to Springsteen with their kids around--"Reno" has some adult content in it (and it's noted on the DVD/CD as well). I was concerned after Springsteen's fine album "The Rising" that we might have seen a one-shot return to form due to the subject matter. I'm happy to be proven wrong. This is one of my favorite albums by Springsteen. I particularly like the way his voice has matured over the years and listening to him sing the material is a real highlight here particularly on the title tune and "Long Time Comin'". An excellent album.

Subdued, broken down, haunting
I admit I really didn't like this album much when I got it on impulse figuring 'surely the boss can't give us dross'. But on repeated listenings it's really a grower. Nebraska style, acoustic tracks about all manner of subjects, with a huge deal of lyrical integrity. It's not gonna be to everyone's tastes that's for sure, but don't give up on it. To be honest I would pay the money for 'Reno' alone. Such an astounding song, lie back close your eyes and let it wash over you, nothing's ever captured something so beautifully and hauntingly.

Sad sequel to a great career!
A longtime fan painfully admits: THIS IS FRIGHTFULLY BAD MUSIC. Bruce...you gotta know when to fold 'em. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like a human infusion of chamomile tea, hearing Van Morrison's voice has the ability to instantly to soothe even the most stressed listener. That said, some of his releases have been so sedentary that they muted the '60s soul influences that had been a part of Van's joyful appeal. Not so with Magic Time, a wonderful balance of groove and smoothness, with a "live off the floor" feel evident throughout the disc. Right off the top, "Stranded" shows Van at his crooner best; relaxed, present, and joyful. "Celtic New Year" comes next, with a very Astral Weeks feel, leading one to believe that this disc might be sedentary through and through…until "Keep Mediocrity at Bay" kicks in, a feisty blues romp that shows that in his sixties, Morrison still has the sass of his best previous days. Van's cover of Sinatra's brassy "This Love of Mine" and Perry Como's "I'm Confessin'" are full of his cheek and charm. Morrison, as producer, has chosen stellar horn sections that elevates the music from good to great and comes from an obvious deep love of classic blues and soul. He's a lover and a fighter (the disc has two references to his disdain of the music industry ("They Sold Me Out" and "Carry On Regardless")), but ultimately true to his own musical vision. This destined-to-be-classic release will please a wide variety of his fans. --Denise Sheppard

Essential Van Morrison

Astral Weeks	Moondance	It's Too Late to Stop Now [LIVE]
Tupelo Honey	Into the Music	Saint Dominic's Preview

... Read more

Reviews (15)

vanthe man ( and the voice?)
stranded, celtic new year, just like greta, the lion this time, and gipsy in my soul are five masterpiece of the most emotional voice of the popular music. van is back on top again.

Waiting For The Man
I keep hoping very hard that the real Van Morrison will someday stand up again. I have been hoping for this for about the last 6 or 7 Van albums. As for Magic Time....well, where is the magic? I don't hear it or feel it coming from this recording either. I won't give up waiting though and even if Van never delivers the shivers again, I still have a vast treasure of older masterpeices to plug into. So for now, I will just keep my ears on the horizon searching and hoping for a possible full force gale.

I tip my top hat to you YA!
The best part of this album is the picture of fred estaire and ginger rogers wannabes on the cover, high-stepping, kicking out, and kick boxing.Morrisson moves into the realm of would-be, could-be (has been?) crooner/swooner Rod Stewart, with an easy transition into standards, jazz, and gangsta-rap.

Did you folks know I wear a top hat?

It's All Here
I have everything Van Morrison has ever recorded.Of course it's not all consistently great.Great artists who have longevity hit creative and performing peaks at different times and in different ways over an extended period of time.Some of the work on this album ranks up there with some of Morrison's best.It also brings together through different songs each of the major themes that underlie and run through his body of work as a whole.The Celtic mysticism, the incredible melodies, his bows to influences in R&B, jazz, and even popular song.His unique excellence has always (or at least since the early days with Them) been his capacity to weave it all together in a sound uniquely his.

Several of his more recent albums have more exclusively mined just one of these veins (not always that successfully), or seemed to have been more half-hearted efforts.However, to these ears, Magic Time, is an album which I believe is in line with some of his stronger work from the 80's and early 90's.

In the context of the range of music available - 5 stars.In the context of his own absolute best - 4 stars.If you like Van in the full range of his styles and influences, this is an album for you.If you favor only one or two of those personae, as seems to be the case with a couple reviewers, you will still find the few songs or more that grab you.

Van Morrison Has A Great Musical History!
This man has really made many classic albums!

Listen to Astral Weeks, Moondance and Irish Heartbeat which are must-buy for all Van Morrison fans.
This man is a very skillful player, compositor and performer!
Unfornately, Magic Time is the worst record this man has ever cut. Maybe he his losing his creativity and he should soon stop his awesome musical career. Every artist has their own house of holy and Van Morrison has made his own! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the weeks leading up to this album's release, Robert Plant was the unlikely hit at the South By Southwest music festival, delivering such a scorching set with his band the Strange Sensation rockers a quarter of his age simply got back on their planes and went home without playing a note. This can most likely be attributed to the fact that, unlike most his classic rock peers, Plant has rarely settled since moving on from the Led Zeppelin behemoth. Over the course of eight solo albums, he's experimented with doo-wop, synth-pop and even drum'n' bass. But it's only at 56 that the Golden God is hitting his stride. On "Tin Pan Valley," he sings, "My peers may flirt with cabaret/ Some fake the rebel yell/ Me, I'm moving up higher ground/ I must escape their hell." Mighty Rearranger draws out the best qualities of his otherworldly voice, surrounding it with rich Middle Eastern textures, soft blues accents and gorgeous psychedelic swooshes. It's in keeping with the spirit of 2002's exotic and lush Dreamland, only it sounds more refined. The quiet bits are quieter and the loud bits are timely reminders that Plant was once a man possessed by a dozen dead wolverines. He's not kidding when on "Shine It All Around," he sings, "These are the days of my life/ Bright, strong and golden." --Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (39)

WOW
Stuck in the past? Don't bother. This is an album by Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation. There are 6 talented musicians involved and it is a good thing. I bought my first Zep album in 1970, but I have since tossed the lavalite and damned if I can find my mood ring.

This album is absolutely brilliant. Great work guys, thank you for it. I'll see you 7/15. You'll know me , I'll be the fat middle aged guy with graying hair wearing the Stewie 'you suck' t-shirt. Hmmm, upon further consideration good luck picking me out.

Surprisingly Refreshing
Every new album for Robert Plant is a bold new adventure.Or so the man likes to declare.He hates to retread past hooks and keeps pushing on restlessly for a new sound.Well it looks like he's finally found his peace.His last album Dreamland was too slow and quiet for me - like a spring fountain.This album is more like a hot geyser, flowing with great ideas.

With Mighty Rearranger, Plant has managed at last, to leverage years of sounds and experience and distill it into a unique sounding rock album which pleases the ear and yet doesn't sound hackneyed.Past albums were either too minimalist or tried too hard.Mighty Rearranger manages to find that balance and is a very well produced album.

Diverse and mature, Plant compares this effort to Zep's Physical Graffiti.What really works is the band - the drums are excellent and make you sit up and listen.The atmosphere is there and Plant's voice does the job just right.He may be evolving and getting older, but this is worth listening to.

I Must Escape Their Hell.
It's no surprise that Robert Plant would emerge as one of the last and finest rock singers from the ashes of his time. Anyone like myself who owns all eight Zeppelin albums can tell you that he (and the band) was ahead of their time. Plant's solo work has never really failed either (with maybe the exception of 1985's "Shaken 'N' Stirred"). So "Mighty Rearranger" is once again another solid entry in his repertoire.

It seems that Plant revisits early Zeppelin here, with a great deal of the songs leaning into rocking blues pieces. I wish Plant had jumped on board with the DualDisc format and done this album in 5.1 surround sound. I think it would have been a great listen. I preferred the first five tracks over the rest of the album. I particularly enjoyed the opening "Another Tribe" and "Freedom Fries". "Shine It All Around" is an okay first single, but I think he should have released a different track first. "Tin Pan Alley" is great with its quiet menacing tones and Plants obvious jabs at Rod Stewart for doing cabaret (how many more standards albums will he release!!!) "All The Kings Horses" is a very nice acoustic track with Robert's vocals coming to the front to nice effect.

It's around the sixth track, "The Enchanter" where things become a little boring--but only slightly. On the second half of the disc I enjoyed "Dancing In Heaven" and "Mighty Rearranger" best. The hidden track following the short tribute to Ray Charles "Brother Ray" is a drum 'n' bass version of "Shine It All Around". It's amusing at first, but it doesn't really fit with the rest of the album and I think at nearly eight minutes, it could have just been left as a b-side or something else.

If you bought your copy at Target, like I did, then you get a bonus of an extra track you can access from the internet only. I downloaded it, but it didn't do much for me.

Bottom Line: If you like Zeppelin and Plant's solo work, this is for you (like me), and even if you are not familiar with all the back catalogue, this is certainly more refreshing than most of the garbage on the radio right now.

my new guilty pleasure
IMHO, this work stands on its own and shouldn't be compared with anything else... not like anything else out there.innovative, intuitive, original, resilient, intriguing, diverse, passionate, depth, maturity, spiritual.
true to the band's name, this is a bevy of instrumental effects and sensations.national treasure!world-class.
mystic. can music be captured?can he be captured?Robert Strange Sensation Plant. (just teasing)
I think the music has equalled his enigmatic lyrics! in the nicest way.I like him wherever he's at. one song into the next comes in mighty waves.
A.T.: wonder-ful. rolling percussion underpinning set against his contrasting nuance lightened voice. great start!
SIAA: mesmerizing. heartbeat rythmn. powerful. flawless. (strikes a chord in me...what I say everyday: 'I live in and expand my Lovelight to all, and to All That Is.')
F.F.: rock on!ageless voice.effective use of his voice as an additional instrument in the band.
TPA: strange sensation!lesson: never take Robert (or the band) for granted.lyrics taught me not to rest on my laurels...keep moving along...there's stories to be told.music as a vehicle for message. like a train pacing itself against the breaks in the steel rails. click clack. very nice.leave it to Robert to come up with the new and (this story's) the strangely beautiful!
ATKH: nice acoustic.Grrr has an engaging lilting way of ending notes...walking on air. returning to innocence as we're getting older.
T. E.: eclectic collision. the music sways. enchanting. spacey trip. metaphysical. a hint of eastern influence.now where did I put that bubbly lava lamp? a musical picture unfettered by a gold filigree frame.
Tak.: nice guitar that talks.all the shades of heavy rock.satisfying.
D.I.H.: beautiful combination of voice, acoustic and steel guitars.crystal voice reflecting the sensations of the band and vice versa.his inner beauty is showing.this one turned me on strangely enough *:)ha ha! Whatever 'it' is...he's still got 'it'.(and in all 12 tracks, not one word of "Baby"!! and I didn't even miss it with this cd.)
S.K.: primitive drum beat. exotic. goosebumps. under his spell. bluesy. taking music to the wild side. shows his range.
LTFWB:nice heartbeat. churning undertow (a little like American Natives' music I think).the wind (the band) compels you through their forward momentum.
M.R.: everyone really poured themselves into this one!nice to dance to.fate. "...If you're troubled, send your mind out on vacation, let it wander..."...great line, empty yr mind, aim high and roam free.lyrics also strike a chord.
B.R.: sounds like a (slap stick) jam session. fun ending...and, in the second part...surround panning effect (can't wait to get my new headphones!)...they took me somewhere I wasn't prepared for...couldn't resist. woowhee! LoLIMPO, this song would make excellent (imagine a twisty, turny, loopy) rollercoaster music (that's a compliment *:)

People say the test of quality is when something keeps you coming back for more...and that's why I give it 5 stars. (Master Listener - that's me)...I'm goin' around again.Can't wait to hear them do this live July 6/05, Toronto.
IMPO, message? to me:always keep your sense of wonder!(and in music too!),
from my poem:
"Robert, address you 'Baby' a moment of your time?
Adlib Baby, would you recitative-talk for us again? (as in HMMTimes)
Just 'cause we're selfish and want to hear your voice emphatic!
Actor in you, we relish your flair for the dramatic!"

J+@ (Lyrica)

Robert Plant..."The Mighty Rearranger" spread it all around
Mighty Rearranger--Robert Plant

Upon first listen you will be taken aback if you were
expecting straight forward rock n roll. What you get is a
rich tapestry of woven pieces and nuances. What you don't
realize is that a seed is planted in your mind. From then
on you hear certain parts and pieces of the songs melody and
as you hear the songs again the seed starts to grow.

In the layers of the music, you hear the Zepplinesque sound
fused with tribal earthy beats with techno electronica
thrown in the mix to produce something truly unique. The
listener
gets transported through the rich textures. Images form, in
ones mind, of landscapes of open wideness, heat, dust, sun,
a desert. Images of the open frontier, where the cowboy
would ride by day and in the evening build a campfire.

There are western guitar sounds filtered with tribal exotic
undertones. You can almost hear the call of the old blues
fusing with the hypnotic tribal beat producing something
totally new.

Robert's voice front and center of the recording, makes
things sound intimate. He sings from a soft whisper to the
un-leasing of his famous monstrous wails. His lyrics are
from the heart, having a mystical, magical quality.

This CD is not for the headbanger, who wants screaming
guitars and the usual let's rock lyrics, but for the
listener who wants something unique and intriguing.

Best Tracks:

Enchanter
Another Tribe
Shine it All Around
Tin Pan Valley
All the Kings Horses
Let The Four Winds Blow
Takamba
Dancing in Heaven
Mighty Rearranger
*hidden track after Brother Ray, Techno version of Shine it

all Around*

Vilma~
http://www.mysticrock.net

... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The Beatles' last days as a band were as productive as any major pop phenomenon that was about to split. After recording the ragged-but-right Let It Be, the group held on for this ambitious effort, an album that was to become their best-selling. Though all four contribute to the first side's writing, John Lennon's hard-rocking, "Come Together" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" make the strongest impression. A series of song fragments edited together in suite form dominates side two; its portentous, touching, official close ("Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/"The End") is nicely undercut, in typical Beatles fashion, by Paul McCartney's cheeky "Her Majesty," which follows. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (747)

Abbey Road
...By the time 1969 rolled around the Beatles were in ruins. Their previous effort involved extreme experimentation on each band member's part, and the band began to drift apart. The project earlier that year that was supposed to bring them back together only made things worse. For their next album, the band wanted to bring back record producer George Martin, but he said he'd only produce if every band member was in the studio, just like the good old days. The band accepted, and the band began recording Abbey Road, what would ultimately be their final recording as a fully-functional unit.

Once again, we get an album of mostly Lennon/McCartney material. Harrison contributes two songs, and Starkey one. Come Together kicks off the album. Basically it's a mid-tempo rocker with various words thrown together that make no sense. I Am The Walrus showed us that the band could achieve enormous success doing this, and here they do it again! Track two is the first of George's songs to appear here - Something. This is a very melodic ballad with some of the finest guitar playing in rock and roll history. As another review stated, Frank Sinatra once called this "the greatest romance song of all time." Number three is another of the band's "joke" songs, Maxwell's Silver Hammer. It's a very "happy" song, despite its content about a boy murdering two college professors and a judge. Most people don't think too highly of the joke songs, but I think this is the band's best one. Oh Darling comes next, and here the band was going for a "fifties" sound. They pull it off nicely. The next track featured here is Ringo's only featured song here. Basically it's a cheerful tune about living under the sea, almost a children's song. Despite that comment, this track is nothing short of excellent. George's second track featured on this album is the acoustic ballad, Here Comes The Sun. This is a GREAT track, arguably the finest one he ever released with the band. You Never Give Me Your Money kicks off the B-Side of the album, which contains several tracks that fade into one another. I like to call them the "Abbey Road Medley." This is a a track that starts with a slow and melodic sound, but soon becomes a rocker that is very true to the band's style. It fades into Sun King, a very weird song featuring passages in various languages. Don't worry, it's not NEARLY as weird as Revolution 9. Soon enough, it fades into Mean Mr. Mustard. Despite the fact that the track is about a mean old man, it's one of the band's most cheerful songs. It fades into a song about the title character's sister, Polythene Pam. Here the band delivers an excellent fast and frantic rocker about a woman who is "so good looking but she looks like a man." Does that make any sense at all? Oh well, it doesn't matter. The song itself is very good. It fades into yet another track, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window. This is a very basic rocker, but it's an excellent one nonetheless. Eventually we reach The End (that's the name of a track.) This one kicks off with an awesome instrumental session, and soon enough becomes a brief melodic session you can't help but love. The final track is the often overlooked Her Majesty. It's just a short (twenty-three seconds) song about the queen. It's not the masterpiece the rest of the album is, but it's still a good song. Abbey Road is one of the greatest rock albums of all time, period. If you like rock and roll and you don't own this album, you're contradicting yourself.

EPILOGUE: Following the release of this album, the band finally split up, and each member went onto a solo career. Just after they split up, the Let It Be album was finally released. John Lennon proved to be an excellent solo musician, and even co-wrote a song entitled Fame for David Bowie. Sadly, he was assassinated in December of 1980 by a deranged fan. Rest in peace, John. Likewise, George Harrison obtained enormous success in his solo career. His first release as a solo artist, All Things Must Pass, demonstrated this well. He continued releasing excellent songs, and even played on Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down. Sadly, an illness clamed his life in late November of 2001. Ringo Starr also became a successful solo artist, and recently put together his All-Starr band. He still tours. Likewise, Paul McCartney ALSO became a successful solo artist, and he still tours. The Beatles may be long gone, but their spirit will always live on.

Greatest album ever made
Abbey Road is quite simply the strongest album ever made. Side one kicks off with "Come Together" which is a mean little romp through Lennon's perspective on his own life, and quickly leads into a beautiful love song by George, "Something." This song leaves you thinking that even though this guy's madly in love, something's just not wuite right in the relationship. Next come two fun tunes, "Octopus's Garden" and "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" (only the Beatles could pull off either of these songs sucessfully) split by McCartney's vocal tour de force "Oh Darling." A guitar jam follows (I Want You) and leaves your adreneline pupmed for what is to follow. Side two is a roller coaster ride of textures, melodies and jams woven together in a magical tapestry with hints of themes sticking with you just barely. When you think you've got hold of one song you're on to another. You can listen to this CD in the worst of moods and when you're done you'll be in a good mood. I promise.

Simply The BEST BEATLES ALBUM
I was 11 when this album came out, and have loved it since. The Fab four were rockin' on all cylinders when they bade farewell with this one. The vocal harmonies were at their best, and Paul's power was right on in OH Darling. Paul's fancy bass work was never more evident than in "I Want You". This will always be my favorite album, so much so, that in my will I have stated that if I should "go out" naturally, that this album should be played at the time I reach Golden Slumbers. Not kidding........Miss you guys!

good but still lacking
Take out the songs that you can't even listen to such as /She So Heavy/Sun King/Because/- these are songs which lack creativity and rhythm. And why put in You never give me your money, it has the same rhythm as Carry that Weight. Why did they end in the ridiculous Her Majesty, and why is this overrated?...It is mere lyrics with simple beat. The Golden Slumbers lullaby is a brilliant ending. Come Together is an amazing beginning. Octopus' Garden and Maxwells silver hammer are very creative and essential to the Beatles culture. Mean Mr Mustard- what is the purpose of this song, Poythene Pam is humourous- (for whoever can understand the humour. The album needs editing, its needs filtering. It needs to be more concise in terms of style. Mixing good songs with crappy songs will produce a moderate album- which is exactly what Abbey Road is!

I read some revues from people who say this is good.
I read some revues from people who say this is good.
You know what I say to that?

(...)

OF COURSE THIS IS NOT GOOD. IT IS STUPID AND BORING AND A DULL TREAT. BUT I HEARD ALL HIPPY BANDS ARE LIKE THAT.

IT SHOULD REALLY ALL BE FORGOTTEN FOR IT IS MEANINGLESS NOISE ONLY THERE TO CONPHUSE PEOPLE. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Dark Side of the Moon, originally released in 1973, is one of those albums that is discovered anew by each generation of rock listeners. This complex, often psychedelic music works very well because Pink Floyd doesn't rush anything; the songs are mainly slow to mid-tempo, with attention paid throughout to musical texture and mood. The sound effects on songs like "On the Run," "Time" and especially "Money" (with sampled sounds of clinking coins and cash registers turned into rhythmic accompaniment) are impressive, especially when we remember that 1973 was before the advent of digital recording techniques. This is probably Pink Floyd's best-known work, and it's an excellent place to start if you're new to the band. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (900)

Sheer musical brilliance; Pink Floyd's first masterpiece
Who hasn't heard of Pink Floyd? And then, who hasn't heard of "Dark Side of the Moon"? Chances are, not many people. "Dark Side of the Moon" is a landmark in musical entertainment, arguably the most popular album ever released. Although it was released over 30 years ago, "Dark Side of the Moon" hasn't aged a bit. Now it is just as popular as it was in 1973 when it was first released - and it's clear why. Pink Floyd makes music like no one else.

The album begins with Pink Floyd's frequent dialogue-filled, nostalgic-sounding opening - "Speak to Me" - and then moves in to a calm piece, "Breathe in the Air". It then seeps in to fast-paced, techno-sounding "On the Run" (don't you love those P.F. transistions?), followed by one of my favorite P.F. songs, a nearly poetic piece called "Time". Then there's one of Pink Floyd's best songs, "The Great Gig in the Sky". Then the album goes in a slightly different-sounding direction with "Money", which sounds like something you'd here playing at some late-night club in London. Pink Floyd comes down a little for "Us and Them", and then goes psychedelic on "Any Colour You Like". The album closes with two of P.F.'s best, "Brain Damage" and my favorite song of the album, "Eclipse".

Pink Floyd is timelessly outstanding, and it was first in "Dark Side of the Moon" that the band's brilliance began to show. "Dark Side" is an essential album for anyone and everyone, and if you've never heard it, you obviously have no idea what you're missing.

Possibly the best of all-time!
I just started listening to Pink Floyd about a year ago, and already I consider them one of my top 3 favorite bands of all-time. "Dark Side of the Moon" was the first album I purchased and I was immediately hooked. To me, "Dark Side.." is classic Floyd! I can't believe the sound effects that were used in this album, considering the equipment that was available in 1972-73. The listener is drawn in with the sound effects that precede "Speak to Me/Breathe", cash registers, jackhammers, old Englishmen talking, etc. "On the Run" offers more sound effects, and it mezmerizes you. "Time" in my mind is the second best track on the CD, I just love David Gilmour's guitar solo in the middle. "Money" is a masterpiece, as well as "Us & Them." Without a doubt though, my favorite track on "Dark Side.." is "Brain Damage." This song is just so great, and the lyrics are magic, "the lunatic is on the grass..." More sound effects on this one with a roadie laughing when Roger Waters says, "the lunatic is in my head." The album finishes off with "Eclipse" which sort of sums up human life as we know it, "all that you touch....all that buy, beg, borrow, or steal..." I would have to say that "Dark Side of the Moon" is probably one of the top 5 albums of all-time. Period.

Their Break-through
By condensing the sonic explorations of Meddle to actual songs and adding a lush, immaculate production to their trippiest instrumental sections, Pink Floyd inadvertently designed their commercial breakthrough with Dark Side of the Moon. The primary revelation of Dark Side of the Moon is what a little focus does for the band. Roger Waters wrote a series of songs about mundane, everyday details which aren't that impressive by themselves, but when given the sonic backdrop of Floyd's slow, atmospheric soundscapes and carefully placed sound effects, they achieve an emotional resonance. But what gives the album true power is the subtly textured music, which evolves from ponderous, neo-psychedelic art rock to jazz fusion and blues-rock before turning back to psychedelia. It's dense with detail, but leisurely paced, creating its own dark, haunting world. no other record defines them as well as this one.the album set the all time record for longevity on the billboard charts.....stayed on the top 200 until the late 1980's (over 700 weeks), if you doubt it, look it up.

simply amazing
this cd is not only a cd that everyone should own, but it's one that everyone should tell their children about. pink floyd is not my favorite band, and dark side is not my favorite cd, but it is the one i could listen to the most. after numerous listenings it will never get old, you only appreciate it on deeper and deeper levels.

Dark Side of the Moon
Dark Side of the Moon is one of if not the best produced albums ever, with the songs blending into each other. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

R.I.P. Steve Clark!
I was really disappointed with Vault and the import of Best Of not having Switch 625 which is done by the legendary guitarist, Steve Clark!Steve Clark is one of the best guitarists in history and I do miss him!Out of all the instrumental songs I've heard I must say that Switch 625 is my all time favorite because Steve Clark really shows talent and I am so thrilled to have a greatest hits with this masterpiece!

Def Leppard is my favorite band of all time and they were also the first metal/hard rock band that I got into in the very early 90's.The very first song that got me into them was Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad and now it's my 2nd favorite rock ballad of all time next to Love Bites.Def Leppard are such a unique band and no album of theirs sounds exactly alike.Even between Hysteria and Euphoria, you can hear differences.My all time favorite song from them is Pour Some Sugar On Me and I always find myself dancing and singing along to it, it's so awesome!I love both versions of the song, the video edit and the album version, it would have been so cool if for this greatest hits 2 CD set for the Leps to have both intros from both versions before the actual song began.Like you would hear "Step Inside, Walk This Way, You And Me Babe, Hey Hey" and then right after hear that part in the intro to the video edit and then the song would begin.I know it would take some editing but it would be cool to have a special version of the song but of course the "Step Inside" part would have to be first!But the video version which is on this CD is awesome and since I own almost all the Leps CD's including Hysteria, I'll live.

I have heard every single song from this CD, and there's not one song that I don't like.There are a few like Slang which I might not like as much but I still like it.This is the ultimate collection of Def Leppard songs you could ever want, especially because of Steve Clark's masterpiece, Switch 625!I love that song so much that I'll put it on repeat and listen to it over and over again.Now don't get me wrong, I do like Vivian Campbell as well but I got to admit, I hear a lot more uniqueness in the songs with Steve Clark.Another favorite of mine is Women, I totally love the way Joe Elliott sings in this song!!I just totally love Joe's vocals!I know he's not an opera singer but I love his voice and I will be honest, he's got the best voice out of all the rock/metal vocalists ever!!!His voice is so sexy, another reason Def Leppard is my favorite!!

Another thing that I love about every greatest hits compilation they have put out is they don't put the songs in any particular order and I love it that way!I find that when they're all mixed up, it's a surprise as to what song comes next, you never know what's coming!And I love the album cover with the U.K. flag on it, gotta love those Brits!This whole collection is awesome and any true Def Leppard fan or rock fan should not leave this masterpiece out of their collection!

Finally somebody got it right -- about TIME!
Like many long time Leppard fans, I was thrilled when they were scheduled to release 'Vault' as their greatest hits album many years ago (gee, has it been almost a decade already??), but when I finally saw it, I was profoundly disappointed.It was more like a 'Hysteria' tribute than anything else.Nothing against that particular album...it WAS enormously popular, and I believe was the 2nd best selling record of the 80's (behind 'Thriller') but c'MON!The absolute stupidity of ignoring their entire first album??!!What the heck...?I am happy to know I was not the only person who felt this way.

Jump ahead a few years, when the recording trend seems to be centered around How many versions of Greatest Hits by bands can we come up with?After several different incarnations of Def Leppard's Best Of stuff, we finally see a TWO record set that seems to (for the most part) give a decent, well-rounded view of this monumentally successful and horribly underrated band.First off they finally focused some attention to their first record, 'On Through The Night' by including 'Wasted' and 'Rock Brigade' but even though I enjoy both of these songs, it probably would have been a better choice to add 'Hello America' rather than Wasted.Either way, a pretty decent addition, and nice to see their first album recognized.

High & Dry has always been my personal favorite record by this band.Ignored by so many (so called) fans and once again, under-appreciated, this is Leppard at their creative and rocking best.I don't believe any of their records matches this one for it's sheer rocking dominance and incredibly catchy hooks and driving songs.Finally adding 'Switch 625' to the end of 'Bringing On the Heartbreak' was a natural which SHOULD have been done on ALL previous editions of their so-called Best Of releases.I could squabble over the addition of some songs over others, but without including almost every single track, nobody would ever be truly satisfied, so I felt they did right with this selection.

Pyromania certainly was the record that put Def Leppard on the map (at least in America).I was surprised to read in the liner notes how it wasn't until Hysteria that they finally made it big in their own country.A surprise to be sure.I was familiar with the band since before Pyromania hit the shelves in the States, so I wasn't surprised at ALL when this record went through the roof after the release of 'Photograph' (one of my least favorite of their bigger hits).But overall I felt they gave a great rendition of what this record had to offer.

Hysteria is really the record which re-defined Pop/Metal in America, and also put Leppard on the map in England.I still recall hearing 'Animal' for the first time in San Diego and without even being told who sang it, I just KNEW who it was.That perfect Leppard sound is quite unique in the world of music.Once again, nobody will be 100% satisfied with every selection from this album because somebody will ALWAYS believe they sacrificed one song for the addition of another, but after thinking about it, they DID include all the major popular hits.I would have been thrilled if they dropped 'Rocket' (their most popular 'bad' song) and added 'Excitable' instead, but lets not complain.

Adrenalize was another under-appreciated record which I found to be almost as good as Pyromania, and definitely gave us some great rockin' songs.The notable absence of 'Make Love Like A Man' is probably the biggest omission on this entire compilation.But again, only a minor complaint.

Almost everything after Adrenalize has been an odd mixture of experimentation and sometimes it paid off (Euphoria was pretty good overall) and sometimes the fans reacted with an almost snubbing of 'Slang' and 'Retro Active'.Both records were not appreciated for what the band were trying to accomplish (at least this is MY opinion) and the dismal record sales sent a pretty clear message to the band:STOP EXPERIMENTING AND GET BACK TO YOUR ROCKIN' ROOTS.Unfortunately they continued the trend and gave us 'X' which was a full record of nothing but semi-lame Power Ballads, none of which were radio-friendly (I should know since I've been in radio 15+ years).I was SO looking forward to this album, and I was SO disappointed when they added absolutely NO hard-driving songs at all.I am still mystified by this odd decision.Again, the fans (which are quite diverse and many) for the most part virtually ignored this record because sales-wise, it was quite a disappointment to the Record Execs, and rightly so.Us fans have come to expect a few things from this band, and songs with heavy guitars and BIG sound is what we want and usually get, but with 'X' we were let down in a BIG way.I understand there are many who feel strongly that this record was and IS great and entirely upset at how the so-called Core Leppard Fans snubbed it.Oh well.I'm not going to like an album just because somebody ELSE liked it.I consider myself an honest-to-goodness hard-core LONG TIME Def Leppard fan (since 1981, PRE Pyromania) and I felt the record stunk to high heaven.I don't like to say that about my favorite band, but like it or not, that is MY opinion.But I am happy to say that by and large, if I were to choose my personal own Best Of album of Leppard tunes, it would be pretty dang close to what Rock Of Ages ended up being.All things considered, as I said earlier, Finally, somebody got it right.Leppard Fans world-wide REJOICE!

Def Leppard's great overview best of
Def Leppard's latest best of Rock of Ages is a 2-disc overview to the band.
Def Leppard started out with lead singer Joe Elliott, bass player Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis and over the course of 25 years Willis would be canned and replaced by Phil Collen. Then Allen would lose his arm in a violent car crash. Finally, Clark died and was replaced by ex-Dio axe-slinger Vivian Campbell. Musically, DL were one of the many bands to come from the NWOBHM(New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) which also spawned Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Motorhead among others but grew with time. Is this best of worth it or an avoid, read on.
There was the 1995 hits collection Vault, which saw some Def Leppard fans purchase it and others who didn't(I fell in the latter dept).
Disc One is an updated remastered version of 1995's Vault (which means, unfortunately, both Pour Some Sugar on Me and Rocket are once again edited). When Love And Hate Collide which was at the time new recoridng from Vault and is rightfully included here. Other tracks include are Photograph, Love Bites, Let's Get Rocked, Two Steps Behind, Foolin', Armageddon It, Have You Needed Someone So Bad, Rock of Ages, Hysteria, Miss You In a Heartbeat and Bringin on the Heartbreak. In addition to the Vault album, there are two additional tracks that have been included. First is Heaven Is from 1992's chart-topping album Adrenalize and is a solid midtempo rocker. Lastly, Switch 625 is the instrumental that Bringin' On The Heartbreak fades into on the band's 1981 High 'n' Dry album. It's great to have those two tracks back together again.
Disc Two is where virtually all of the band's key album cuts and later singles come into play featuring two tracks from 1980's On Through the Night being Rock Brigade and Wasted. 1981's High 'n' Dry includes Let it Go, Another Hit and Run, the title cut and Mirror Mirror. 1983's #2 charting Pyromania is represented by Rock Rock (Till You Drop), Too Late for Love, Die Hard the Hunter and the closing Billy's Got a Gun(without the drum solo at the end). The addition from 1987's chart-topper Hysteria is the first single Women which is a great rocker. Added from 1992's chart-topper Adrenalize is Stand Up(Kick Love Into Motion). The 1996 dud Slang is represented by its title cut and Work it Out. From 1999's Euphoria we get Promises and Paper Sun from an album which was to have brought DL back to the top but those rotten Chili Peppers came back! The 2002 flop X is represented by Now which was a flop for a single. Also included is a new trackwhich is a remake of Badfinger's 1970 hit No Matter What which will appear on an upcoming covers album. It's really a good song.
The liner notes and photos in the book are excellent, with the band members vididly recounting each song. This album is without a must have for all fans of hard rock. AVOID Vault and get this as a proper intro to DL so then you can buy the first five albums after this.

"Do You Wanna Rokced...?" Listen To Def Leppard!
One of the finest hard rock bands was, without a doubt, Def Leppard. From "Photograph" to "Pour Some Sugar On Me" to "Armageddon It" to "Let's Get Rocked", they crafted some of the best rock and roll music since Led Zeppellin, and also created two of the finest rock albums ever made ("Pyromania" and "Hysteria").

When I got the 1995 hits collection "Vault", I was immediately a Def Leppard fan. I immediately loved every song (though I didn't really like "Pour Some Sugar On Me" at first, but that is now my favorite) and immediately craved more. Since I'm not the guy who likes to spend hismoney on every single album one band released, I was hoping a two disc best of would be released. Well, all my hopes were realized with "Rock Of Ages: The Definitive Collection", a two disc, 35 song collection of Def's best.

Disc One is where the hits are, containing all 15 songs from "Vault" (which means, unfortunately, "Rocket" is once again edited and, if I did my math correctly, there was just enough room to accomodate the whole song). I'm glad they included "When love And Hate Collide", the at the time new recoridng from "Vault". Usually, when a band puts a new song on their first best of album, this song is virtually ignored on all others. But they didn't do that here. "When Love And Hate Collide" is a great song amd I'm glad it's here. In addition to the "Vault" tracks, two other songs have been included. "Heaven Is" from 1991's "Adrenaline" is a solid midtempo rocker that I like. And "Switch 625" is the instrumental that "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" fades into. It's great to have those two tracks back together again.

Disc Two is where virtually all of the band's key album cuts come in, including "Rock Rock (Till You Drop", the intense "Another Hit And Run", "Die Hrad The Hunter", "Billy's Got A Gun", "Women" (the forgotten "Hysteria" single), "High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)" and many, many others. Also included is a new track, a version of Badfinger's "No Matter What" from their upcoming covers album. It's really a good song. The only song I wish was here is their cover of Sweet's "Action".

The liner notes are excellent, with the band members vididly recounting each song. This album is without a must have for all fans of hard rock.

this Retrospctive best covers there Career for me
I liked a few Def Leppard cuts but I was never all that much into them.they were a Huge arena Rock act back in the day without really leaving much timeless music.but some of the cuts here are good to listen to in reflecting upon another musical time period.but this covers all you will ever need from this Band. ... Read more

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It's a little hard to take Rod Stewart seriously when, on the first track of this third installment in his Great American Songbook series, he sings ruefully about his love life being "lean" ("Embraceable You"). But otherwise, Stardust...Volume III is as note-for-note solid as its predecessors--a cozy-up-to-the-fire treat that's also a pleasant reminder of these songs' staying power. "S'Wonderful" settles on the ears winningly, and Stewart's scratch-a-thon voice scalpels the cobwebs off of "Isn't It Romantic" in a way that compels the average listener to reconsider thinking it dopey. In addition, the parade of high-wattage pals recruited to pitch in continues here, resulting in a couple of must-hear combinations. Eric Clapton delivers a rather un-Clapton-like guitar solo on "Blue Moon" and Stevie Wonder blows harp like he means it on "What a Wonderful World," but it is the duets--"Baby It's Cold Outside" with the unsinkable Dolly Parton and "Manhattan" with the indomitable Bette Midler--that dazzle most. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Wish You Were Here is a song cycle dedicated to Pink Floyd's original frontman, Syd Barrett, who'd flamed out years before: two grimly funny songs about the evils of the music business ("By the way, which one's Pink?"), and two long, touching ones about the band's vanished friend. The real star of the show, though, is the production: sparkling, convoluted, designed to sound deeply oh-wow under the influence--and pretty great sober too, with David Gilmour getting lots of space for his most lyrical guitar playing ever. And, though the album is big and ambitious, even bombastic, it somehow dodges being pretentious--the Barrett tributes are honest and heartfelt, beneath all the grand gestures and stereophonic trickery. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (446)

Mott the Dog thinks this is great.
After the Amazingly successful "Dark Side of the Moon" Pink Floyd released their follow up album "Wish You Were Here" in 1975. Still, David Gilmour, Pink Floyd lead guitarist vocalist and present leader's favorite all time Pink Floyd album. Containing 5 songs, 2 laments for the departed Syd Barret, 2 cynical but funny swipes at the music business (how can you resist the line "Oh by the way which ones Pink?). "Have a Cigar" was actually sung on the record by long time friend of Pink Floyd Roy Harper and the beautiful acoustic ballad "Wish You Were Here", with its mournful lyrics. The Real Star of the show though is the production, which the band did between themselves. The wonderful musicianship of David Gilmour and Richard Wright carries you right through the journey and though the album is big, ambitious, even bombastic, it somehow dodges being pretentious. The Barret tributes are honest and heartfelt, and the cynical swipes at the music industry, signs of what was to come on Pink Floyd's next album "The Wall". "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" are still firm favorites in the Pink Floyd road show, and the CD still nestles in the Billboard Top 350 sellers after 25 years. Mott the Dog

Simply perfect
Even though it may only contain 5 tracks, "Wish You Were Here" lasts a whopping 44 minutes and 28 seconds. No one besides Pink Floyd could pull of something like that. For me, this is tied with "Dark Side of the Moon" as the best Pink Floyd album of all-time. Just about everyone has heard all the songs on this album. From the extremely long 2 parts of "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" to the classic title track and the instantly recognizable "Have a Cigar" and "Welcome to the Machine," 'Wish You Were Here' is an overall familiar and comfortable experience. Once again, Pink Floyd go with a concept on this one, which is about Syd Barrett's drug problems and his exiting of the band. The sound quality is another thing to be noted. This technology is way ahead of it's time. I have CD's from the early 90's that don't sound half as good as this one (it sure beats a lot of the Black Sabbath remasters). Any music fan should own this album. It is definetly one not to be missed and not to be forgotten.

Shine on you crazy Diamond
Although it only contains 5 songs, it will take you on an amazing and haunting ride. Shine on you crazy Diamond is 2 part "gem" of this album. The song is a true sonic adventure that always seems to put me into a complete relaxed mood. Especially haunting is "Welcome to the machine" a brilliant song that really makes Roger's feelings about Syd Barret clear.
Wish you were here although more mainstream is still very cool. Have a cigar seems a little out of place but it's still a great song. I suggest this album to anyone interested in Pink Floyd, Don't let the fact that it only has 5 songs get you not to buy it. Because it packs a a nice punch.

One of the best
This review has more to do with the review system on amazon, then it does the album itself (which I love).

In my humble opinion, Amazon needs to stop taking reviews from anonymous sources. It allows one person to screw up the ratings for a product, and get away with it. This album should not have a half star deducted because some one guy decided he didn't like it, and would post multiple reviews along the same rant.

I'm not suggesting that all bad reviews should be done away with, but I don't think people should be posting reviews with the cowardly anonymity they currently are.

James :/

A brilliant sonic experience.
An indescribable sort of passion fills the air, a minute suggestion that becomes a gentle roar. More than anything, Wish You Were Here is a progression, a slow and laboured rise from a dim electronic hum to an epic, symphonic blast of impassioned rock music. It, like most Floyd albums, is not a collection of songs but a single work, and to look at it as anything else would be to completely miss out on what Pink Floyd was trying to do in the first place.
Think of the saxophone at the end of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond pt. 1." It sounds beautiful, alive, tuneful, lilting, free, a bird perched on a mile-high gust of wind. And suddenly, behind it, there is the deep, ominous, downright horrific hum that signals the beginning of "Welcome to the Machine," and suddenly, the sax sounds weak and pitiful against it, and slowly fades away into the distance, and all you're left with is that hum, and "Welcome to the Machine" begins, in all its cynical, deep seated, and world-weary glory. "Welcome to the Machine" Is a song about growing up, how the world can destroy your youthful ideals, take your big dreams and shatter them. Or, it could be interpreted as a song about former bandleader Syd Barret's descent into madness. That's the great thing about Floyd's lyrics, deep seated double meanings, the fractured view it creates.
"Have A Cigar" is a grimly funny song about a smooth-talking record producer, with that immortal line: "And by the way, which one's Pink?"
The title track is a sweet ballad of regret, a story of one man's lonliness after the loss of a dear friend. It also happens to be my favorite track on the album, so rich and textured, with a beautiful acoustic guitar and Roger Waters' best lyrics ("We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year.")
These three tracks are bookended by the album's two epics, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" parts 1 and 2. These are, by any strech of imagination, some of the best work that Pink Floyd has ever done. Part 1 starts of slow and tuneful, with someexcillent guitar work on David Gilmour's part. It's first eight minutes are a haunting instrumental, with echoey guitars, crashing symbols, and a slow, rythmic bass line. The after the instrumental portion, Waters begins to sing, a sad, mournful tribute to Syd Barett (The entire concept of Wish You Were Here is that it is a tribute to Barett).
Part 2 is faster, with a more rock edge, but closely resembles its prediscesor. It has a darker edge to it, but still retains a kind of beauty.
All in all, WYW is a beautiful, symphonic listening experience, on par with Dark Side of the Moon and Wall. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash created this pop super trio in 1968 after their splits from the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Hollies, respectively, it would have been a pipedream that a hits package released 37 years later would sound as eternal and essential as this one. The 19 songs straddle the four-album, landscape-altered timeframe between 1969’s post-Woodstock debut Crosby, Stills & Nash and 1982’s Daylight Again, which helped inaugurate the MTV era. Unbalanced sequencing--which randomly bounces 12 years ahead and five years back--is rescued by the superb harmonies, unique songwriting and divergent personalities of the three members. With politics and culture always at the forefront, Stills bookends the band’s trademark canon with "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Southern Cross," Nash incorporates Eastern influences to "Marrakesh Express" and folk timber to "Just a Song Before I Go" and "Teach Your Children," and the ever-capricious Crosby leads the way lyrically with the lingering "Delta" to the Robert Kennedy tribute "Long Time Gone." Sure, the collection is missing any songs by ("Ohio") or contributions from ("Woodstock") the fourth name on the marquee (Neil Young). Here’s hoping that’s for another Greatest Hits. --Scott Holter ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Good compilation, could have been great
The Greatest Hits (2005.) A Crosby, Stills, and Nash hits compilation.

In the late sixties and on through the seventies, one of the finest pop-rock groups was Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The group combined the talents of David Crosby (The Byrds), Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield), and Graham Nash (The Hollies.) Later on the group incorporated Stephen Stills' old Buffalo Sprinfield bandmate Neil Young, and the group became even better than before. Despite a scattershot line-up that often lacked Young and continual disbandings/reunions, the band released many an excellent pop-rock track. And in 2005 the group even got a new hits compilation! Read on for my review of The Greatest Hits.

There really isn't much to say here - it's a Crosby, Stills, and Nash hits compilation. If you're a casual fan of the group and you're just seeking their big hits, this compilation should strike your fancy. Wooden Ships, Carry On, Marrakesh Express, Just A Song Before I Go, and plenty of other hits from this era can all be found here. Furthermore, the band does you one better and includes many of their underrated songs from their albums. Unfortunately, there is a huge problem that ultimately ruins this compilation - THERE ARE NO NEIL YOUNG TRACKS! No, I am not making that up. Because of that you miss out on some of the group's biggest hits, including the 1974 smash Ohio. Neil Young released his own greatest hits a few months before this, so it makes me wonder if that had anything to do with the exclusion of his material from this package. Whether it did or not, his absence in this collection strikes a fatal blow that knocks it down a few notches. This IS the best CSN compilation out there and you get more bang for your buck than you do with others, and even though I recommend it over all other compilations, the lack of Young's material is unforgivable. That said, I can only give this three stars out of a possible five.

Since this is a new compilation it is readily available in all stores, including the ones who usually have a dismal CD collection. If you want to buy it, you're not gonna have too hard of a time finding it.

Really, that's about all that can be said here. If you're gonna make a hits compilation for an artist, go the extra mile to make it excellent. The compiler here didn't do that, and omitted all those Neil Young tracks. Even if the record label didn't have the rights to them, they should have tried to get them, because no compilation from these guys is complete without those songs. This IS the best CSN compilation to date, it's just disappointing what it lacks. Get it if you're a casual fan who just wants the big hits. Otherwise, stick with the albums.

Some hits and some album cuts
This is a nice collection, but not really a "Greatest Hits" album.It would be better titled "Some Hits and Album Cuts" because it leaves off so many of their charting singles and includes many songs from their albums that were never released as singles.I would have liked to have seen a few songs from their later albums.While they may not have been their strongest efforts, they contained at least a few songs that were strong enough to include here.Who knows, maybe they are saving some of those songs and hits to release on a "Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young's Greatest Hits" in a year or two.

Just correcting some misstatements......
Sorry, Nick at Yagur's Farm, you have to get your facts straight too: Neil does not play or sing on "Teach", Our House" or "Carry On".Those were straight CSN sessions that foreshadowed the come-and-go nature of Neil's uncommittment to CSNY of the last 35 years.But it is a great collection nevertheless @ $14.

Classic seventies rock group
David Crosby (ex-Byrds), Stephen Stills (ex-Buffalo Springfield) and Graham Nash (ex-Hollies) joined forces in 1968 and together created some of the finest rock music of their generation, sometimes with the help of Neil Young (ex-Buffalo Springfield). Tracks featuring Neil are not included here even though there are three tracks here from Déjà vu, an album that featured Neil.

The set opens with Stephen Stills' tribute to Judy Collins (Suite: Judy blue eyes) and ends with Daylight again, which features Art Garfunkel (a most welcome guest). In between these two great tracks are seventeen others of comparable brilliance including Marrakesh Express (their only UK hit), Long time gone (about Bobby Kennedy), Wooden ships (a thought-provoking song) and Wasted on the way (an American top ten hit).

Superb singing and great musicianship were the hallmarks of Crosby Stills and Nash, with or without Young. Fans will always argue about what should have been included, but this CD is full-length (no room for any more) and all nineteen tracks justify their inclusion. As an introduction to their music, this is brilliant. Buy a Neil Young compilation, or the Déjà vu album, to hear Neil Young's contribution to the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Incomplete Greatest Hits
As a CSN fan, I was glad that there is finally a compilation with the material from CSN and DAYLIGHT AGAIN.I am not even disappointed that Neil Young's material is excluded.After all, if you want "Ohio," you can always get Neil Young's GREATEST HITS.While I like "See The Changes," and "Delta," I am not quite sure that those songs rise to the level of "Greatest Hits."Also, is CSN helped define the "Woodstock" generation, how can you leave "Woodstock" off this disc?With all that said, I would still recommend this as along as it came with NY's GREATEST HITS. ... Read more

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The cynical may question just how many Beach Boys greatest hits albums are enough. Non-cynics, however, will appreciate what makes Sounds of Summer unique. This is the first single-disc collection to feature such a large cross selection of hits from the group's entire career, spanning 1962's "Surfin' Safari" through 1988's "Kokomo." All 30 tracks, spanning several label changes, were Billboard Top 40 hits and are probably now as identifiable as the national anthem to anyone with radio or TV access. The fact that the tracks aren’t in chronological order helps make for a fresh listening experience, as does the crisp digital sound. And yet these songs--even those that are more than four decades old--always sound strangely fresh and will likely remain so as long as there are beaches, young people, and that symbolic season of freedom and dreams. Which is to say that the title here passes "the truth in advertising" test. Perfect for those casual fans not yet ready to spring for the individual albums, Sounds of Summer is, in many ways, a better representation of this legendary band's art than Elvis' 30 No. 1 Hits and The Beatles 1 were of the King and the Fab Four. --Bill Holdship ... Read more

Reviews (54)

The best BEACH BOYS compilation ever!
This is a very comprehensive compilation of Beach Boys' top 40 hits and it's a much more generous collection than any previous single disc BB "best of" package. 30 tracks are packed onto this one disc equaling to 75 minutes of non-stop Beach Boys classics! No one will feel that this collection is perfect (I would've preferred "Caroline, No" to "Do You Wanna Dance?" and "It's OK" to "Good Timin'") but how can you argue with 30 top 40 hits? In addition to the great track selection there are several first time stereo mixes to make this disc an even more interesting buy. "California Girls", "Shut Down", "Dance Dance Dance" and "Heroes and Villains" are all mixed to stereo for this disc. The songs from "Pet Sounds" are also included in their stereo versions. Plus the single versions of "Help Me Rhonda" and "Be True to Your School" are used instead of the inferior LP versions that were featured on the earlier "20 Good Vibrations" CD. All in all, an exceptional collection. Just once Beach Boys classic after another.

Best Collection of Their Classic Hits on One CD
Many reviews focus on the plethora of best-of compilations that have been foisted on the record-buying public. And they make a valid point. However, don't let that obscure the fact that this is the best single-disc collection of Beach Boys music currently available. [And with many stores selling it at $10 or less, it's far and away the best bargain as well!]

This album has 30 of their 33 Top 40 hits. The only missing singles are 1965's non-LP single "The Little Girl I Once Knew," 1966's "Caroline No" from PET SOUNDS, and 1976's "It's O.K." from 15 BIG ONES. With a running time of 75:58, it's unforgivable that at least one of these songs wasn't also added, but there was no way you could include them all.

The only problem I have with the CD is its sequencing. "California Girls" is a classic Beach Boys song and a great lead-off track, but it was their 15th hit, not their first. And while "Good Vibrations" is unquestionably their crowning achievement and closes the album on a high note, elsewhere it's a bit awkward to go from a by-the-book cover of "Rock and Roll Music" from 1976 and then follow it up with a trio of tracks from their classic mid-Sixties period.

With that kvetching aside, this is a very enjoyable collection. The 20-page booklet has some terrific photos and serviceable liner notes. The CD has the original yellow-and-orange 45 rpm label. And the music has never sounded better. ESSENTIAL

It doesn't get much better than this!
I can't think of a better compilation of a single band's work than this!

I've always been of two minds regarding the Beach Boys. On one hand they can provide fuel for cynics by producing songs with trite lyrics that look silly beyond belief on the printed page. But when you listen to the music and their harmonies, you quickly fall under the spell of fantastic musicianship. They can be crass and commercial in the extreme, with concerts that are formulaic and multiple "Best of..." collections that only exploit the show business maxim of "always leave them wanting more." But there is nothing to criticize here... nothing at all.

When all is said and done, it's about the music, and the music of the Beach Boys is something special! Listening to this collection of thirty hits (with nary a clinker among them), you can almost wear yourself out just tapping your foot and moving with the music.

Ask any group of fans for their favorite Beach Boys classic, and you'll likely get a different answer from each; my vote would be for Sloop John B. But I'd be willing to bet that 99% of the population will fine their own "my favorite Beach Boys" song on this CD. And they will sing/hum/dance or drum along with every cut on this fantastic body of work!

Best Single - Disc Beach Boys Collection Ever
Countless Beach Boys hits collections have been thrown around like trash over the years. Most of them are not good. 2003's 30 - song "Sounds Of Summer" is the exception. It features all the big hits plus a few less recgonized tracks.

All the Beach Boys classics are here. Whether you enjoy "Surfin' USA", "Fun, Fun, Fun", "California Girls" or "Good Vibrations", it's unlikely that your favorite Beach Boys song isn't here. But there's more than a few unrecognizable songs hear that make this collection even more worthwhile: the latter - day singles "Wild Honey", "Darlin'", "Do It Again", "I Can Hear Music", "Good Timin'", "Come Go With Me" and "Getcha Back" are just as good as anything from their peak period.

As usual, there is a fair amount of hits missing, even with 30 songs. There are too many to list here, so I'll just list the ones that reached the Billboard top 40. They are:

"Little Saint Nick" (numner 6)
"The Warmth Of The Sun" (number 13)
"The Man With All The Toys" (number 3)
"Caroline No" (number 32)
"It's Ok" (number 29)

But overall, this a very worthwhile collection of classic music, perfect for this time of year. Also, get the boxed set "Thirty Years Of Good Vibrations".

The Beach Boys Are Cool.
I don't think there is a single American child over the age of three that hasn't heard a Beach Boys song. They are still a significant part of our culture and a glimpse into the teen culture of our past (which isn't that different from today's). People loved them and still love them, that's why they are, perhaps, the greatest American band of all time. I don't think I can say that about many other artists, only R.E.M. and Talking Heads come to mind.

The compilation contains thirty of their Top 40 hits and spans their entire career. If you're already a fan, you know all the songs and hold them dear to your heart. If you're a new fan, this is a great CD for you to begin your Beach Boys experience. There are a few splendid stereo mixes of songs that were only found in mono or poor stereo versions. "Heroes and Villians" is a major highlight, as well as "Good Vibrations." ... Read more

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Few bands of the 1960s retained as much a sense of the roots of rock and roll as did Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their music is rife with country, rockabilly, and R&B influences, a combination that produced several hit singles--most of which are present on this collection. These include "I Heard It through the Grapevine," "Lodi," "Up Around the B ," "Who'll Stop the Rain," and of course "Bad Moon Rising." This is an excellent greatest-hits collection, and a perfect introduction to the music of a band that has been enduringly influential. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (152)

Essential singles and album tracks
No anthology can really do justice to CCR. Like The Beatles, Stones, Who or any other band from that era, CCR is best appreciated by a quartet of classic albums; Bayou Country, Green River, Willie & The Poorboys and Cosmos' Factory. Still, this is a great overviw of the band's essential singles and album tracks. What's missing are some important songs (Effigy, the scorching version of Good Golly Miss Molly and It's Just a Thought among many others) but hardly essential for the novice or casual CCR fan.

This fine collection's flaw is the sound quality. The original mastertapes sound like they weren't used on some of these tracks. The entire CCR catalog (with the exception of Live Europe which is available as part of the boxed set)has been remastered with stunning results. The sound quality here is tinny and flat by comparison. The "sound" of any CCR recording is as essential as the song itself and, in that regard, this collection is definitely lacking.

John Fogerty's songs have stood the test of time. Born on The Bayou, Down on the Corner, Who'll Stop The Rain and many of his other songs still retain the freshness they had decades ago. Hopefully Fantasy will remaster this collection. I'd recommend purchasing the quartet of albums mentioned previously. Additionally, Fogerty's first solo album (entitled John Fogerty)and available as an import has a number of moments equal to his best CCR songs. In fact, most of Fogerty's solo recordings although not as essential as CCR, are important and strong albums (the exception is the misguided Eye of the Zombie).

An excellent compilation
Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) was one of the finest rock groups of the late sixties/early seventies. It's no surprise they still get oldies and classic rock airplay. Needless to say, over the years, a number of compilations have been released for these guys. How does this one measure up? Read on and find out.

PROS:
-If you're the casual CCR fan who just wants to get the big hits on a single disc, most of them are here for your listening pleasure. Among these are Up Around The Bend, Lodi, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, and Run Through The Jungle.
-There are a plethora of underrated masterpieces here as well.

CONS:
-One of the band's biggest hits, Born On The Bayou, is missing in action. It's actually on Chronicle Vol. 2, but I'm fairly confident they had enough room to fit it on here!

OVERALL:
If you're a casual fan of CCR than this compilation is highly recommended. I also recommend getting Chronicle Vol. 2 if you get this, so that you'll have ALL of the big hits.

Fortunate One
This, ladies and gentlemen, is what a greatest hits album should be. Not one weak track, all the hits accounted for (well, except maybe 1 or 2), and as a whole - it perfectly represents the band's short career. Unless you are a die hard CCR fan, this is all you need, folks. 20 classics from one of the greatest American bands of the late sixties. From the moment Fogerty howls "Oh Suzie Q...", you won't want to skip around or turn this one off. Great stuff.

How Deep Is Your Love?
Creedence Clearwater Revival logged 15 Top 40 songs, so it's a bit of a stretch to label a compilation such as this as their "20 Greatest Hits". In addition to the 15 charting songs, what we have are several b-sides that received considerable airplay. I suppose those songs survived the gauntlet and were chosen as the most salable product to complement the a-side, but they aren't necessarily Creedence's best efforts, and this collection could be better had Fantasy Records taken the risk of putting together a 'very best' compilation instead, using their hearts rather than their heads.

That being said, it is hard to criticize most of the selections. Creedence may have logged more number two songs than any other band (they never hit number one), registering five: 'Bad Moon Rising', 'Green River', 'Proud Mary', 'Lookin' Out My Back Door', and 'Travelin' Band'. Other Top 10 hits for the band included 'Down On the Corner' (#3), 'Have You Ever Seen the Rain' (#8), 'Sweet Hitchhiker (#6), 'Up Around the Bend' (#4), and 'Who'll Stop the Rain' (#9). All are obviously deserving of inclusion on the disc.

Two of Creedence's best songs, 'Suzie Q' (#11) and 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' (#43) undoubtedly would have fared better on the charts except fans acquired the extended album versions. Purchasers of this disc should be aware that while the entire 11 minute version of 'Grapevine' is included, only the single version of 'Suzie Q' appears. You can certainly question the marketing logic of that one.

Other Top 40 songs of unquestioned merit include 'Fortunate Son' (#14) and 'Commotion' (#30). After this, the choices get a little hairy. Since 'Someday Never Comes' reached number 25 on the charts, I suppose it's inclusion was a given, and it does add a second selection from the weak 'Mardi Gras' LP. But is this song comparable to 'Born On the Bayou' or 'Good Golly Miss Molly' from the 'Bayou Country' LP, which claims only one song on 'Chronicles' ('Proud Mary')?

Other questionable selections include the flip side of 'Lookin' Out My Back Door', the album closer for 'Cosmo's Factory', 'Long As I Can See the Light', and the flip side of 'Up Around the Bend', 'Run Through the Jungle'. While 'Run Through the Jungle' received considerable airplay, does 'Long As I Can See the Light' compare with 'It Came Out of the Sky' or 'The Midnight Special'? I've always enjoyed 'Hey Tonight', but that song also did not chart for Creedence, and may have been selected as a second nod to the weak 'Pendulum' LP.

Two selections I won't argue with are 'Lodi', which rose to only number 52 as a single, and 'I Put a Spell On You', which was a number 80 hit for the Alan Price Set in 1966, but never a hit for Creedence. Both songs are excellent, and 'I Put a Spell On You' adds a second selection from the band's debut LP.

Creedence is one of those bands that did so much good work that it's hard to arrive at their 20 best songs. Fantasy didn't do a bad job despite the above criticisms. I've settled for compilations that I had similar complaints with, such as the Beach Boy's 'Made In USA' disc simply because I wasn't a big enough fan to make the effort to collect all their essential work. So I can understand people opting for this compilation, but if you're a more serious CCR buff, you'll want to skip this collection and start compiling the 4 classic CD's Creedence produced: 'Creedence Clearwater Revival', 'Bayou Country', 'Green River', and 'Willy and the Poor Boys'. 'Mardi Gras' and 'Pendulum' are only necessary for completists.

An anthological band
Credence Clearwater revival is now part of a living legend.
His innovative pieces were loaded with deep conviction , and above all commitment .
They created a sound based in the beat , and not in the virtuosity aspect . If they made Proud Mary as the most known theme , they translated to Lodi , a summer song or the rock and roll themes like Fortunate son or Travelling band , or well they turned to incredible pieces such as Born on the Payou or the ballad Have you ever seen the rain? They knew how to engage every different market target , and that was the secret of their sucess .
In this age one wonders in silent voice how they are missed and why are not there bands actually with such creativity and beating sound ? .
A unforgettable style that will never let you dissapointed. Buy this one.
A must in your private collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Better known as the "White Album," this was meant to be the record that brought them back to earth after three years of studio experimentation. Instead, it took them all over the place, continuing to burst the envelope of pop music. Lennon and McCartney were still at the height of their powers, with Lennon in particular growing into one of rock's towering figures. But even McCartney could still rock, and the amazement on "Helter Skelter" was that he had vocal cords at the end. From Beach Boys knock-offs to reggae and to the unknown ("Revolution #9"), this has it all. Some records have legend written all over them; this is one. --Chris Nickson ... Read more

Reviews (738)

BEST BEATLES ALBUM!
Perhaps the most written about rock album of all time, the White Album is a masterpiece. Released in 1968, this was supposed to be a return to their old sound after getting involved in psychedelia. Instead of a drug- induced title, they choose a self-titled name. Instead of a wildly colorful album cover, they choose a stark white cover. The music shoots all over the map-there's pop, ska, metal, 30s music, avant-garde, blues, folk-rock, country, doo wop, straight up rock and roll and much more.

The album kicks off with Back in the USSR, a great Beach Boys parody in the middle,Paul plays drums here. Dear Prudence is my favorite John ballad, very sad and emotional. Glass Onion is a sarcastic John tune which scorns people who overanaylaze his lyrics. Very good. Next is Paul's ska inflected Ob-la-di Ob-lo-da, which gets annoying fast. Wild Honey Pie is cool little experimental tune, very short. The Continuning Story of Bungalow Bill is a campfire sing-along type song, also a little annoying. While my Guitar Gently Weeps is a George masterpiece which features his close friend Eric Clapton on guitar. Happiness is a Warm Gun is 3 songs in one-a slow ballad,a pyschedilic hard rock song, and a 50s style song. very cool but lyrics make no sense.
Martha My Dear is a Macca ballad about his dog, short. nice piano. I'm So Tired is a good pop song (sorta.)Blackbird is a great song about the civil rights, just Paul and his acoustic guitar. Piggies is a political commentary from George,complete with pig sound effects. Rocky Racoon is a mock country style song, nice old time harp and piano make it sound authentic. Dont Pass Me By is a Ringo tune with some nice fiddle but gets annoying. Why Don't We Do it in the Road? is a short hard rock song from Paul. I Will is a ballad that gets kinda dull. Julia is just John and his acoustic, pretty song, a tribute to his mother who died when he was young. Birthday is a straight up rock and roll song with good guitar riffs. Yer Blues is a bluesy hard rock type song, with John yelling sucicidal comments over the pounding music. Mother Nature's Son is a collobaration from Paul and John and is good acoustic music. Nice lyrics about the union between nature and man. Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except me and My Monkey is a hard rock song with catchy lyrics and guitar riffs. Sexy sadie is a mellow John song about his total dissatisfaction the with Mahareshi. Helter Skelter is the hardest rocking Beatles song ever and is a great proto-metal song. Horribly, however, this along with another song, inspired Charles Manson to kill. Long, Long, Long is George song about coming to terms with God. It is an emotional powerhouse. Revolution 1 is a watered down doo wop take on the hard rocking single version. Honey Pie is a 30s type song that Paul wrote as a tribute to his father, who played this type of music. When he says i like this kind of music, it is a direct jab at Lennon, who hated Paul's music-hall romps. Savoy Truffle is cool George song about sweets written as a playful tribute to Eric Clapton, who was a chocohalocic. George found a choclate box at Clapon's house and most of the names in that song were real-life choclates. It has a sort of psychedlic Motown beat. Cry Baby Cry is a great John ballad with it's fairy tale lyrics and gentle melody. Revolution 9 is the most hated Beatles song, but i think it's pretty cool. It sounds like a soundtrack of a man's descent into insanity. To end the album is the schmatlzy Good Night, which features Ringo and an Orchestra. A nice end to an amazing album. BOTTOM LINE-buy it. better then srg pepper or revolver or any othe beatle. but their still great. This is definetly one of the 10 greatest rock albums of all time.

The Greatest Album In Rock And Roll History
In the history of Rock and Roll music, no other band or individual has ever released a collection of songs with as much diversity as the Beatles did with the White Album in the Fall of 1968. With 30 tracks and a running time of about 94 minutes, the Beatles White Album is a brilliant reminder that no rock and roll act has ever been as good, past or present. By 1968, the Beatles could write music in literally any musical genre that they wanted to and pull it off with often amazing results. From folk leanings on this record there is Blackbird, Mother Natures Son, Rocky Raccoon, and Julia. When the Beatles attempted hard rock the results were, Helter Skelter, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey. With Pop music the White Album offers Obladi-Obladi, Martha My Dear, and Sexy Sadie. With classic rock, this records offers Birthday, Dear Prudence, I'm So Tired, Back in the USSR and Happiness is a Warm Gun. With country music the Beatles try and succeed with Don't Pass Me Bye. When its ballads, the Beatles treat the listener to the lush Good Night and when the Beatles take a turn at writing an old school show tune the result is the entertaining Honey Pie. Also, let's not forget the blues with the slow version of Revolution contained here and the classic Yer Blues. Good luck in trying to find another musical act that can deliver this kind of diversity that is around today. This album is why we record music and sell it to people folks, to preserve greatness. Buy this album!

A brilliant musical hodge-podge
The Beatles left very deep footprints, and, love them or hate them, they are a cultural force to be reckoned with. The White Album represents both the peak of their art and the nadir of their personal relationships within the group (only to be surpassed by the gruesome Let It Be sessions...). Less of a group effort, each of Fabs here showcase their individual songwriting and singing talents, using the others as session players. They decisively destroy the image of the four happy pop clones of 1964. It was a liberating move for the musicians, but it can also be a jarring experience for the listener. It is a massive, sprawling masterwork that occasionally verges on complete collapse. The Beatles were never afraid to push the envelope to breaking point and beyond: The White Album is a case-in-point. As a historical document, The White Album can be heard as the "come down" from the Summer of Love, a testament to the idealism and disillusion (and dissipation) of 1968 (the year that saw the murder of both Martin Luther King and the death of the dream of peace, both within the US and internationally with the escalation of the Vietnam War). The minimalist cover artwork can be seen as the inevitable antidote to the colorful and florid excesses of Flower Power fashion. The White Album is a historical moment preserved in song. Matching the anguish and uncertainty of the era is the anguish and schizophrenia of the Beatles music on this record.

Many (including producer George Martin) have complained that the album is too long and includes tracks of inferior quality, that it could have been boiled down to a single album of solid gold. Honestly, there is something here to offend everybody. While most people (including Paul McCartney) find Revolution #9 unlistenable, it was a major achievement of experimental electronica at the time, and it bears repeated listening (but not when you're in an Obla-di Obla-da mood!). You may find yourself consistently skipping over several tracks, like Why Don't We Do It in the Road?, Wild Honey Pie, Good Night, Don't Pass Me By because they're all put-ons.

I find myself skipping over some tracks, like Yer Blues, not because it's a poorly written tune, but because it's just too emotionally painful, which is actually an acknowledgement of Lennon's success as an artist. He was in pain, and he conveyed it all too clearly. Helter Skelter, on the other hand, is completely empty of meaning, yet is absolutely hair-raising, perhaps the most terrifying pop song ever (after I Am the Walrus). The frantic clanging of Everybody's Got Something to Hide matches perfectly with Lennon's manic mood and mystical mind at the time. He describes the most profound LSD and/or meditation experience - "Your outside is in/when your inside is out" - but the way he sings it, it sounds like he's being torn apart by the experience, making the song both inspiring and frightening. I'm So Tired is such an effective evocation of apathy, insomnia, and frustration that it also makes my hair stand on end, esp. when he screams "I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind!" That song has fit into the soundtrack of my life alarmingly well. In short, some people might be put off by The White Album because it is too emotionally charged and artistically adventurous. It wasn't designed as musical wallpaper and refuses to be reduced to that. You have to be prepared to listen to The White Album. When you are, it's an exhilirating experience. If not, it might make you want to puke.

The contrast in mood between the tracks is most jarring. Lennon snarls at his fans in Glass Onion, layers sarcasm on gun lovers in Happiness is a Warm Gun, pointedly berates the Left in Revolution #1, savagely attacks the Maharishi in Sexy Sadie, wails of suicide in Yer Blues. In contrast, McCarney offers some of his mildest, sweetest songs - I Will, Blackbird, and Mother Nature's Son, as well as the syrupy, music hall kitsch of Honey Pie, Martha My Dear, and Rocky Raccoon. None of McCartney's tracks here are "deep," but if you're in the mood for some tasty musical candies, these fit the bill quite nicely. Obladi Oblada is perhaps the best of the fluffy treats here. If this is your first exposure to the Beatles, you might well wonder how the group could contain such dramatic differences in temperament. (In fact, it couldn't, and would soon collapse because of those very differences in personality).

The classic tunes of this collection certainly more than justify the purchase of the two-disc set. John offers the stunning ode to his lost mother (and to Yoko) entitled Julia. George Harrison scores perhaps his greatest triumph with While My Guitar Gently Weeps (featuring Eric Clapton on lead guitar). Lennon's Dear Prudence is another touching masterpiece, written to order to induce Prudence Farrow to quit hiding out in her bungalow at Rishikesh. Ultimately, The White Album has something to delight everyone. If you prefer to avoid some tracks, you are among the majority of listeners. That's par for The White Album course. Once again, the inconsistency of the album accurately portrays the mind of each of the Beatles at the time as well as the larger cultural environment of 1968. It is required listening for anyone interested in 20th c. pop music. But be forewarned, it's not a smooth ride.

Great in every sense of the word
Most bands who attempt to follow up their most critically acclaimed album produce something mediocre at best. But not the Beatles. Nothing on this sounds like Sgt. Pepper. The variety of songs is breathtaking. Yes, it's obvious they were splintering but it doesn't take away from the fact that they still fed off of each other's creativity and were totally unafraid to take risks. It just may be the most adventurous musical offering of the 20th century. It is bold and thought-provoking while at the same time memorable and timeless. No collection is complete without it.

Ok, but not the best Beatles work
This album,known as "the White Album", is truly a turning point in the band's history. We can agree on that. What people can't agree on is whether this album is amazingly good, or mediocre. Well, the fact is, while this album has some good material on it, some of it just sucks. The band were too drugged up at the time of recording, and the tensions within the band were just escalating. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Before Sgt. Pepper, no one seriously thought of rock music as actual art. That all changed in 1967, though, when John, Paul, George and Ringo (with "A Little Help" from their friend, producer George Martin) created an undeniable work of art which remains, after 30-plus years, one of the most influential albums of all time. From Lennon's evocative word/sound pictures (the trippy "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," the carnival-like "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite") and McCartney's music hall-styled "When I'm 64," to Harrison's Eastern-leaning "Within You Without You," and the avant-garde mini-suite, "A Day in the Life," Sgt.Pepper was a milestone for both '60s music and popular culture.--Billy Altman ... Read more

Reviews (809)

A Classic
Sgt. Pepper is probably the most influencal rock album...ever. Starting with the impossibly catchy, rock friendly title track, which gices you the impression you are watching Sgt. Pepper preform live, Billy Shears (Ringo) is introduced and With A Little... starts. Ringo does a great job singing this pop clasic. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is an amazing song by John, which, allagedly, had nothing to do with LSD. As much as I hate to admit is, Getting Better sounds better in Phillips commercials. It still sounds good here though. Fixing A Hole is a strange song, by Paul I think, but not bad. She's Leaving Home is more of a classical song than a Rock Song, with mostly strings. Hard to dislike. Mr. Kite is an odd, slow circus song by John. Again, it's impossibly catchy. Within You... is a hypnotic Indian song by George. Paul sped up his voice for When I'm Sixty Four, a 1920's song that, ironically, looks at the future. Lovely Rita is an accoustic/electric rocker. Good Morning is an early (catchy) ska song with blasting horns. Sgt. Pepper (reprise) closes up the concert the same way it opened it(in other words, it the same as the first song). A Day In The Life is a schizofrenic ballad, for lack of a better word. I won't begin do describe this incredible song with it's epic srtings, and fast chorus. At the end, a dog whistle comes on as joke. Anyway BUY THIS ALBUM.

Mr. Noname, The Fat Guy

My Favorite By The Beatles!
I only just got into the Beatles this year (I am only 15). I first bought a greatest hits disc, then I went out and bought Abbey Road. I didn't see what all the fuss was about. Sgt. Peppers was my next purchase and I was floored. This CD is brilliant....especially when I think about how it was made over 40 years ago. BUY IT!

This is my reason
This album changed my life. If it weren't for this album I'd be trying to make it as a professional soccer player. Believe, I would never have had a shot. Thank God for the Beatles!

Rolling Stone says,the greatest album ever!!!
Ignore malcontents who are imposible to make happy,this album was voted the greatest ever by rolling stone magazine,and you know they can't be wrong!!!

Sgt. Pepper
"...they use so many instruments that no other artist of their era could think of?..." No one had ever played of a sitar? They were the first to use a symphonic orchestra? The statements made up by people regarding this album are incredible. There are three good songs on this release. At the going download rate of 99 cents per song, I might buy this if it were marked down to $2.97. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The Wall is less a collection of songs than a single work, which is sometimes frustrating; the plot lacks enough coherence to hold the snippets of music together. However, there are occasional flashes of brilliance on what ranks as Pink Floyd's most ambitious project. Most of these come from the fully developed songs, which have become classics in their own right. "Hey You," "Mother," and especially "Comfortably Numb" are subtle, incredible pieces of music. Though complex, they move at a relaxed pace, allowing the listener to absorb them slowly; this kind of pacing was something Pink Floyd excelled at. Also worth noting is the "Another Brick in the Wall/The Happiest Days of Our Lives" medley, which has become a staple of rock radio. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (684)

Mayhem and Madness With a Plot
The Wall was the very first Floyd album I ever listened to and I have always loved it, even though the band has better albums. Here's a rundown on the story- rock star begins to go crazy while thinking about his life- enough said.

Disc 1

In the Flesh?- A cool Floyd rocker with superb lyrics.

The Thin Ice- This song is a very weird one- I always see images in my head when I hear it.

Another Brick in the Wall (Part I)- The wall is coming up and so is the song quality. One of their best with great lyrics.

The Happiest Days of Our Lives- This sounds like the stories my parents used to tell me about their childhood. It only furthers the story.

Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)- One of the Floyd's all-time best hard rockers. It also has some of my favorite Floyd lyrics (I remember playing the song in my math class on a computer and my teacher walked in and said "What's that?").

Mother- A great acoustic piece. Definitely a strong set of lyrics with great music.

Goodbye Blue Sky- Guitar and lyrics only- what else- just another furthering of the story.

Empty Spaces- Eerie and trippy- but it still furthers the story.

Young Lust- Possibly the one Floyd song that had to do with love. Great tune and lyrics.

One of My Turns- Reminds me of the late Keith Moon and his hotel destruction. Great lyrics with a teeter on the edge of psychotic behavior.

Don't Leave Me Now- This works well as a help to the story and a song- you can feel what Pink feels in the song.

Another Brick in the Wall (Part III)- It just helps the story.

Goodbye Cruel World- This also helps the story.

Disc 2

Hey You- One of Waters' all-time best songs and one of my favorites.

Is There Anybody Out There?- This is one of the eerie bits of the album and it shows Pink's state of psychosis.

Nobody Home- A very personal song with great lyrics.

Vera- The worst song on the CD. It has absolutely no point with the narrative.

Bring the Boys Back Home- A story helper, nothing more.

Comfortably Numb- At last we have found the best song. This is one of the best Waters/Gilmour songs, with great lyrics and music.

The Show Must Go On- Another story helper.

In the Flesh- Listen to it for the lyrics- Waters has a great mind.

Run Like Hell- A cool song with great guitar work.

Waiting For the Worms- I don't know if this is a song or an attack on Nazi politics.

Stop- Not even a song- just a Waters poem.

The Trial- A great set piece for the album- almost like Gilbert and Sullivan.

Outside the Wall- The album is brought to a strange close.

The Wall is a great album with great tunes, but there are not enough great tunes to make up for the abundance of short pieces. But the engineering and mixing is some of the best to be heard- buy it.

Song Ratings
1. In The Flesh Pt. 1-Great Intro Grade-A 2. The Thin Ice-think Pigs On The Wing Grade-B 3. Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 1, 2, and 3-Songs Most People Associate With Pink Floyd, but not their best Grade-B 4. Happiest Days Of Our Lives-Intro to ABITW Pt. 2 Grade-B- 5. Mother-slow, acoustic gem-B 6. Goodbye Blue Sky-Nice little mini-song Grade-B+ 7. Empty Spaces-filler, why didn't they leave this out?????? Could've then fit the Wall On 1 CD Grade-D- 8. Young Lust-Excellent Parody Of AC/DC Grade-A 9. One Of My Turns-one of the best on CD, and thats saying a lot Grade-A+ 10. Don't Leave Me Now-extended part of one of my turns Grade-B- 11. Goodbye Cruel World-not a song, but fits with the mood Grade-B 12. Hey You-Best Song On CD, very underated Grade-A+ 13. Is There Anybody Out There?-pointless filler, worked well in movie though Grade-C- 14. Nobody Home-another acoustic song in form of Mother Grade-C+ 15. Vera-mini song Grade-B- 16. Bring The Boys Back Home-more filler Grade-D+ 17. Comfortably Numb-overated, but still classic Grade-B+ 18. Let The Show Go On-most pointless filler on CD Grade-F 19. In The Flesh Pt. 2-controversial lyrics but great song Grade-B+ 20. Run Like Hell-awesome song, what more can I say Grade-A 21. Waiting For The Worms-well done parody of British policemen, plus great song too Grade-B 22. Stop-30 second clip bridges Worms and Trial Grade-B- 23. The Trial-would have been great song if there was more guitars and he sang in a normal voice Grade-B- 24. Outside The Wall-closes out the album Grade-B

this album is art at its best
I'm amazed that this album has actually received bad reviews.

Has our culture become so banal that Spears/Jackson pop music is the base line? This is art folks. If you have any self awareness, this album will affect you. Damn it, it should make you, at the very least, teary eyed.

I admit that I blur the album and the film into one experience. The whole project is amazing - that includes the live DVD performance in Berlin.

War, insanity, drug use, fame, authority figures who don't give a damn, (that includes your precious, little mommy), self-absorption, and the desperate need for longing - come on folks, you got to be kidding when you trash this album.

How can one not feel when Pink calls home and his wife's lover answers the damn phone? Then again, maybe you've never been completely betrayed during a moment of adulterated innocence and weakness.

Sure, I have every Pink Floyd album and then some. The Wall isn't the typical psychadelic, experimental mastery that one might typically equate with this band. But, the apparent simplicity is the genius.

This is Pink Floyd. This is a masterpiece.

Centuries from now adolescents, and adults who can empathize with that angst of just being, will embrace this album.

Buy it...

Low reviewers do not appreciate this album
One of the greatest rock albums of all time, and is usually said to be so. however, people seem to have reviewed this album with anger and have given it low ratings. that is absurd. this is a great album, maybe the best.
1. in the flesh? - great start great tape effects and music composition 5/5
2. the thin ice - great song with awesome outro 5/5
3. ABITW Part I. - good song, drags on a bit 3/5
4. Happiest Days of our Lives - great outro good song 4/5
5. ABITW Part II. - awesome song, radio smash hit 5/5
6. Mother - best song on disc 1 5/5
7. Goodbye blue sky - great song, sweet with powerful lyrics 5/5
8. Empty Spaces - im not sure 3/5
9. young lust - great song 5/5
11. Don't Leave Me Now - good song 3/5
12. Another Brick In The Wall (Part III)- one brick too many 2/5
13. Goodbye Cruel World - alright 3/5

1. Hey You - great song good guitar solo 5/5
2. Is There Anybody Out There? good tape effects 3/5
3. Nobody Home- great lyrics 4/5
4. Vera - worst song on both discs 2/5
5. Bring the Boys Back Home- good intro to next song 3/5
6. Comfortably Numb - best song on entire album 5/5
7. The Show Must Go On alright 3/5
8. In The Flesh - another great way to breakup the album and reintroduce the story 4/5
9. Run Like Hell - great song good vocals 4/5
10. Waiting For The Worms ehh 3/5
11. Stop - eh again 3/5
12. The Trial- wierdly and oddly excellent 4/5
13. Outside The Wall - good way to end 4/5

GREAT ALBUM GO BUY IT DONT LISTEN TO THE ONE STAR REVIEWS<>PLEASE

Mind blowing!!! Best double album ever!
Defo one of my top 10 albums of all times. Beats Beatles - White Album as best double album. Also check out Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1981-82. Best live album ever aswell!!! Strongest tracks: Ermmm, all of them!!! ... Read more

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Mark Knopfler isn't afraid to drop names. The heavyweight Cassius Clay laid low, the man who made burgers and fries into big business, the kings of rock & roll and skiffle are among the motley assortment who pass through Knopfler's fourth solo album. Recorded in Malibu with a tight crew of steadfast Knopfler sidemen, Shangri-La (the title comes from the studio where the entire set was recorded) chronicles the foibles of the acclaimed and the adrift, all delivered with the nonchalant grace that has marked Knopfler's music since Dire Straits emerged in the late '70s. Seven of album's 14 originals clock in at between five and seven minutes. That's Knopfler in a nutshell--don't rush things, but don't loose the thread, either. As a songwriter, Knopfler has a storyteller's eye for minutiae, which he delivers with practiced nuance. He overreaches here and there ("Song for Sonny Liston" fails to capture the pathos of the menacing fighter), but also pulls off a few career highlights (the understated crime-drama opener "5.15 a.m."). --Steve Stolder ... Read more

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At least Rod Stewart is consistent. Long accused by critics of selling his considerable interpretative talents short and playing it safe for the trappings of fame, Stewart revisits the font of his latest career revival here. But while 2002's It Had To Be You at least turned on the novelty of hearing raspy Rod the Mod tackle a slate of American pop standards with a boozy, world-weary tone that sometimes reinforced the originals' intent with trans-generational flair, the British rock icon unfortunately reverted to form a year later on this 14-track sequel. Set against the laconic, cocktail-friendly productions of vets Richard Perry and Phil Ramone, Stewart's performances seem strangely detached throughout. Even when offered the chance at some real human interaction on a pair of ill-conceived duets with Cher (who at least attempts to bring some dramatic flair to "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered") and Queen Latifah (whose recent turn in Chicago informs the title track), Stewart seems almost blissfully unaware of their presence. These are songs that virtually demand to be acted out, not phoned in. Brilliant vocal performances often reinforce the notion of "the singer, not the song;" here that old adage sounds more like a suggestion of where to place the blame for this album's disappointments.--Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (121)

Old Songs, New Audience, Same Irresistible Rod Stewart.
Rod Stewart is truly a musical treasure. From the beginning he has been at the forefront of musical trends and this album is no exception. Who would have ever thought that a Rock & Roll legend like Rod Stewart would end up singing songs from the Great American Song Book? Well that is exactly what has happened, and I am very pleased with the result. With this follow up release to "It Had to Be You" Rod has firmly planted his feet as one of the main artists leading the way back to the wonderful tunes from the Great American Songbook.

I have been listening to "As Time Goes By...The Great American Songbook: Volume II" for several months now, and the more I listen the more I realize that Rod has a real gift for interpreting these gorgeous lyrics and melodies. His duets with Cher and Queen Latifah are exceptional, and Rod's version of "Time After Time" is my favorite. The musicians are truly wonderful and the production is first class. I applaud Rod Stewart for a fine effort, and thank him for helping to keep this great music from the past alive.

If you enjoy listening to crooners and Big Band Swing, I would also suggest Monte Procopio's "Swingin' With Style". His 13-piece band swings and Monte can really sing the standards.

Another Classic!
Rod took classic songs and made them his own and with an original sound.

Any one who likes swing type music from the 40's will love the new "spin" on this one.

Too much of a mediocre thing
It is one thing to hear one of these tunes occasionally on an adult contemporary radio station. Whenever I did my reaction was usually "Well, isn't that interesting!" It is quite another thing to listen to an entire album of this stuff. Given the dismal vocal performances on this one I'm afraid I would have to classify this latest offering from Rod Stewart to be just short of awful. Whose idea was this anyway? When I see heavy hitters like Richard Perry, Clive Davis and Phil Ramone producing this album I would certainly expect better. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these arrangements. The raspy and at times annoying voice of Rod Stewart simply does not cut it. Why in the world would anyone want to listen to Rod Stewart mess around with "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" when you could just as easily enjoy the great Al Hibbler belting this one out with the Duke Ellington Orchestra? And Stewart's rendition of "Smile" certainly makes one yearn for the soothing tones of the late Nat King Cole. This CD proves that new is not always necessarily better. I also found Rod's version of the Flamingos classic "I Only Have Eyes For You" to be just plain atrocious!! If there is a highlight on this disc it would have to be the duet with Queen Latifah. It is clearly Stewart's best vocal performance on this disc and Queen Latifah proves that she is more than capable of singing this kind of material. At the end of the day if you are in the mood to hear some classics from "The Great American Songbook" go find yourself some of the originals. And as for Rod Stewart what's next? Classic country?

A Mixed Bag
I didn't enjoy this collection quite as much as Volume One, but it does have its strengths. The title track, "As Time Goes By," sung as a duet with Queen Latifa, is probably the best rendition of this classic song that I have ever heard. On the other hand, the duet of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" (sung with Cher)is downright painful to listen to (and this is one of my favorite songs ever). I have long been a fan of both Rod Stewart AND the "Great American Songbook," but his particular style only works on about half of the songs--but when it does work, the result is often a fresh, innovative, soulful interpretation of an old classic. Like its predecessor, this collection has strengths and weaknesses, but, on balance, I would much rather listen to Rod Stewart sing these great songs than to Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole singing "Maggie May" or "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy."

Not Even A Good Copy
Sitting in a movie theater a while back, I heard Rod Stewart's first oldie album and I thought that this was very different from the Rod Stewart I saw perform at Big Surf, in Tempe Arizona many years ago. Then I realized he had simply stolen the concept and part of the track list, from Bryan Ferry's "At Time Goes By" album, which came out in late 1999.

With this sequel, Rod Stewart completes the caper by including more tracks from "As Time Goes By" and, well, the album title too. He teams up with Queen Latifa and Cher, perhaps because he needs to. The cover of the album shows Mr. Stewart looking kind of embarrassed. He should be.

If you want an album of romantic music from the 1930s, performed by talented musicians then don't buy this one. Take a look at "As Time Goes By" by Bryan Ferry. ... Read more

Reviews (257)

Now And Then;The Story of the Most Greatest Rock'n Roll Band
This is the party to celebrate forty years of history in the rock'n roll world. 40 immortal tracks coming out from records that have done the story of rock'n roll(remember the Rolling Stones played together for the first time in 1959!!): Rolling Stones nr. 1, Aftermath, Simpathy for the Devil, Exile on the Main Street, etc... (If you don't have just done it) you can enjoy songs like "Not Fade Away, "It's All Over Now"both of them recorded in 1964, as 1994's "Love Is Strong"(remember the super technological video) going through the arrogant "Street Fighting Man" (it sohappens that's the opener) and "Satisfaction" (i hope i don't have to tell anything about it) respectively written in 1968 and 1965. A pleasant surprise is that, this best contanins four brand-new tracks: "Don't Stop" (that's the single you've heard on the radio), the wonderful "Keys To Your Love","Stealing My Heart" in the odour of punk and the heartfelt Keith's execution on the yearning ballad "Losing My Touch". On the sleeve of the box they have decided to design the famous "lick" made expressly by Andy Warhol on the occasion of 1971 "Sticky Fingers" pubblications. The real art is made by stealing from different styles far and wide;the Rolling Stones created the way to be greatest artists.

It's Only Rock and Roll, But They Licked It
Holiday stockings will fill with career greatest hits collections in the wake of "Beatles 1"'s huge sales success two years ago. The Rolling Stones' 40-year story, told for the first time comprehensively on the 2CD "Forty Licks," is a more salacious saga with a more uneven soundtrack. The Stones' story told here is familiar, but conveniently packaged./

The first disc is sonically clean and cleverly sequenced, covering 20 songs from this legendary group's six years on Decca/London Records. It's a thrilling ride from slamming, fresh R&B and rock covers ("Not Fade Away," "It's All Over Now") to R&B and hard country adaptations ("Satisfaction," "The Last Time," "Honky Tonk Women") to experimentation into psychedelica light and dark ("She's A Rainbow," "Paint It Black," "You Can't Always get What You Want," the infamous "Sympathy for the Devil").

You sense America's cultural shift and shock as the suburban drug abuse of "Mother's Little Helper" slides into the acoustic/electric guitar brawl of "Street Fighting Man," to 1967's open invitation , "Let's Spend the Night Together." You again appreciate Keith Richards' and Brian Jones' interlocking guitar riffs and Charlie Watts' disciplined, aggressive drums, given their due thanks to remastering earlier this year. Some hit singles and key LP tracks are missed ("As Tears Go By," "Tell Me," "2000 Light Years from Home"). But these chart the Stones' cultural and musical progress running with the 60s seismic changes, not to mention Mick Jagger becoming a cultural icon and symbol of independence and rebellion.

The second disc, covering the group's last 31 years, is more uneven and problematic. Some of the Stones very best individual tracks are here; "Start Me Up" and "Brown Sugar" still rouse. The hits from "Some Girls" recall how Jagger and Richards easily poured the era's disco and punk rhythms back into their classic sound. But the rest of the disc finds the band drifting across convoluted styles, trying to recapture past glories in the studio but rarely (as with 1994's "Voodoo Lounge" tracks) succeeding. Four new tracks, including the popish "Don't Stop" and Richards' drowsy "Losing My Touch" are the Stones chasing their formidable shadow.

Even so, "Forty Licks" covers the peak points of the Rolling Stones' career, demonstrates their instrinsic knowledge of rock and roll, and effectively explains the sellout crowds for their renowned tours. From here, step back in time with "Singles Collection," "Aftermath," "Beggars Banquet," and others in the recently remastered 60s Stones catalogue, which by all accounts give the Rolling Stones best and rawest music its cleanest treatment yet.

Need 65 Licks +
40 Licks was released worldwide on October 1, 2002. Obviously, there are 40 tracks including 4 new ones (the single Don't Stop, Stealing My Heart, Keys To Your Love, and Keith's Losing My Touch). This one is the 22nd compilation album the Stones have released. It is the 19th compilation in the UK and the 9th in the US. There are lots of opinions about what should and should have been included/left off (there are *25* single releases that were not included). Remember, if anyone ever releases the entire Stones catalog as a box set it will have to be packaged in a trunk that comes with a dolly to get it out of the store. Since everybody knows the songs anyway, how about if I list what is on it from when for you?

These songs are the most popular from the Rolling Stones Records releases. Here are the original US and UK release dates of each song (US release and re-release dates were often different during this period):

3-6-64 Not Fade Away
7-24-64 It's All Over Now
3-12-65 The Last Time
6-4-65 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
9-24-65 Get Off Of My Cloud
2-11-66 19th Nervous Breakdown
5-6-66 Paint It, Black
7-1-66 Mother's Little Helper
7-1-66 Under My Thumb (not a single, from album Aftermath)
9-23-66 Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
1-13-67 Let's Spend The Night Together
1-13-67 Ruby Tuesday
12-22-67 She's A Rainbow
5-31-68 Jumpin' Jack Flash
8-30-68 Street Fighting Man
12-6-68 Sympathy For The Devil (not a single, from album Beggar's Banquet)
7-3-69 Honky Tonk Woman
12-5-69 Gimme Shelter (not a single, from album Let It Bleed)
12-5-69 You Can't Always Get What You Want (not a single, from album Let It Bleed)
4-16-71, 5-7-71, & 6-29-84 Brown Sugar
4-23-71 & 6-11-71 Wild Horses (on Sticky Fingers - not released as a single)
4-14-72 Tumbling Dice
5-12-72 Happy (on Exile On Main Street - not released as a single)
8-21-73 Angie
7-26-74 It's Only Rock 'n' Roll
4-16-78 Fool To Cry
11-28-78 Shattered
5-19-78 Miss You
8-29-78 & 6-1-82 Beast Of Burden
6-20-80 Emotional Rescue
8-14-81 & 2-11-83 Start Me Up
11-1-83 Undercover Of The Night
8-17-89 Mixed Emotions
7-5-94 Love Is Strong
9-94 You Got Me Rocking
97 Anybody Seen My Baby?
10-1-02 Don't Stop (new)
10-1-02 Stealing My Heart (new)
10-1-02 Keys To Your Love (new)
10-1-02 Losing My Touch (new)

Here are the *25* single releases that are NOT on the album: Saint Of Me, Out Of Contol, Like A Rolling Stone, I Go Wild, Out Of Tears, Sex Drive, Highwire, Terrifying, Almost Hear You Sigh,, One Hit (To The Body), She Was Hot, Time Is On My Side, Going To A Go Go, If I Was A Dancer, Out Of Time, I Don't Know Why, Sad Day, Hot Stuff, Respectable, Waiting On A Friend, Harlem Shuffle, Rock And A Hard Place, Heart Of Stone, As Tears Go By, Tell Me, Dandelion

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection.

Forty Licks
The Rolling Stones Forty Licks cover's years of greatest hits from their London Years to their latest songs, including a solo piece by Richard's Losing My Touch. The entire album is worth a buy for a begginer listener who is looking to here The Rolling Stones if your an experienced fan who ownes all of the stones albums then you dont need this one unless you want the four new tracks. I think this entire albums is a great one that is without a doubt the best. For any musical fan Forty Licks represents true meaning. It includes all of their hits if you like live recordings of the stones then Stripped, Get Your Ya Ya's Out, and No Security is for you!!!!!!!!!!

Forty Licks.
Not bad. Disc 1 is better than Disc 2. ... Read more

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Director Wes Anderson's jewel of a comic-character study revolves around the quirks and obsessions of Bill Murray's titular Cousteau-esque deep-sea adventurer and his motley crew of associates. As they did for the director's equally sublime Royal Tenenbaums, Anderson and music super Randall Poster stitch their eclectic source material into a warm, subtly focused new cinemusic whole. Mark Mothersbaugh's original Casio-baroque cues are the perfect complement for Australian film composer Sven Libaek's compelling slices of vintage exotica, while Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie largely provides the musical subtext, either directly or in earnest, through live acoustic renditions by Brazilian troubadour/film costar Seu Jorge. Seasoning the mix to near perfection are smart, vintage Britpop contributions by Scott Walker and the Zombies, Iggy and the Stooges thrashing "Search and Destroy," the evocative Iberian fire of Paco DeLucia, and Joan Baez's dramatic read of Morricone'sSacco & Vanzetti theme, "Here's to You." -- Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Staralfur?
What an amazing film, soundtrack. Bowie's words move the film from scene to scene through one voice or another. Amazing, truely. As to why the beautiful Icelandic ballad, Staralfur was relieved from being the final track on this masterpiece of a compilation, is beyond my knowledge and reason.Yet, Bowie maintain the true emotion and meaning held so tightly by this film and it's creators.5 stars none the less.

I couldn't help myself
Wes Anderson is amazing, his films are spectacular and hilarious and beautifull and akward and representing everything that is good in the world.His soundtracks never fail to amaze me in thier ability to weed out wonderfull songs compiled from what sounds like a garage full of cardboard boxes filled with an enormous collection of 60s/70s records, ranging from legendary to obscure, and random mixtapes from friends lying around in his bedroom.The result is a compilation of songs that are sometimes beautifull, sometimes fun, but always quirky and offbeat in arrangement with eachother.And as Wes fans know, quirky and offbeat is Anderson's expertice. I don't think that Sigur Ros' "Stellafurr" would have thrown off the flow of the soundtrack, because Wes' flow isn't suppose to be a steady even beat and "Stellafurr", as beautifull as it is, is fantastically out of tune within the context of the film and soundtrack.The songs always work out in his master plan, perfectly representing the rythm and mood of his films.Mark Mothersbaugh's score is as usual, strange and funny enough to make me grin a little, standing it's ground even without support from the film (although used to a hilarious effect in the overall story) and Wes, never settling for predictable, linked the whole film up in association with David Bowie's music, obviously suggesting it to be the general music of the film by always having a portuguese singer playing Bowie songs in Brazilian in the background for no apparent reason, but doesn't Seu Jorge just make the songs seem new again?He pulls a fast one on you, but you'll love his chilled-out renditions and view Bowie's music through a totally different perspective. If that doesn't prove to the world just how cool Wes is, then I don't know what will.So, in closing, "The Life Aquatic" is a brilliant energetic leap from the mellancolly (but still hilarious) "The Royal Tenenbaums"."Bottle Rocket" was Wes' fast-paced take on summer, "Rushmore" represented the moody shift of light to dark and coping with being pushed into fall, "Royal Tenenbaums", his sad and heartfelt Winter (no seriously, the seasons they take place in even), and "The Life Aquatic" is the redeeming breathe of Spring.I can't wait to see where his new film, "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" will take us next. Of course, Wes can do anything and everything and make it look good.

Sensible Music.
I really enjoyed THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU.As visual-appealing and emotional-moving the film is, one of it's best things about it is the soundtrack.About half the songs on the album are David Bowie songs.Most of those are re-imaginings performed by Brazilian musician, Seu Jorge.Seu Jorge's performances have become the key selling point of this delightful album, but has so much more to offer.As much as I enjoy the Seu Jorge songs, I actually like the instrumental pieces composed by Mark Mothersbaugh better.There's something addicting to the keyboard-filled tunes.In fact, my favorite song on the entire album is the instrumental "Ping Island/Lighting Strike Rescue Op".A close second is the album's closing piece by David Bowie, "Queen Bitch."Add in a tune by Devo, some shark attack music by Sven Libaek, and a famed piece by The Zombies and it adds up to one very quirky and original soundtrack. Overall, this is a delightful soundtrack from an endearing movie that's worth the price to own.

Another brilliant soundtrack for a Wes Anderson film
I am totally enchanted by the music in Wes Anderson's films.Somehow, the chosen music is able to elicit such an emotional response.I've never been a fan of Devo, but the song fits the film so well that I've listened to it again and again.Seu Jorge makes David Bowie's somewhat harsh music soothing and soulful.Mothersbaugh's electronic tracks would not have had the same impact had I heard them without seeing the film.My only complaint is the lack of "Space Oddity" and "Ziggy Stardust" from the soundtrack.I really enjoyed Jorge's renditions of those songs in the film, and they were sadly absent from the soundtrack.

Question
Does anyone know what song was playing at the very end of the movie when Steve has the boy on his shoulders? ... Read more

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Rod Stewart's mellowing years have neatly coincided with a commitment to smart ballad choices and a generally warmer musical persona. Rod the Mod liberated at last? Like many a pop singer, Stewart returns here to what's become generally known as the Great American Songbook, that evergreen body of mid-20th century songcraft that continues to inspire singers across oceans and generations. It's said that Stewart has been vocalizing many of these songs in private for years, and given the warm, human scale of most of the performances here, it's not hard to believe. Producer Phil Ramone's spare, unobtrusive arrangements inspire the singer to some of his most subtle and rewarding performances in years. Stewart's slightly weary vocal tack handsomely suggests the smoke, booze, and aching heart that lie at the best of these songs. Such back-to-the-future efforts can often sound like a last career gasp; here, they seem a refreshing breath of fresh air. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (305)

Mr. Stewart's Most Romantic CD
I'm forty-something and I grew up listening to these songs. My father was a music lover and collected numerous albums, tapes and CDs. When I heard Rod Stewart's version of "It Had To Be You" on the radio, I thought that I must have that CD. On my way home from work, I stopped by Tower Records to get me a copy, and found myself listening to it over and over again. I also ordered the VHS version on-line, and enjoyed watching the concert.

I salute Mr. Stewart for coming up with this romantic CD, he should have done it earlier! I had to burn another copy to keep in my car. Almost all the songs are my old time favorites, such as "You Go To My Head", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "It Had To Be You", "These Foolish Things", "That Old Feeling","That's All", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Moonglow", "The Nearness Of You" and "The Very Thought Of You". I specially loved his rendition of "THESE FOOLISH THINGS"..... "two lovers on the street who walk like dreamers...."

Part II will be released soon and I already pre-ordered a copy for me! It would have been nice if he will record some of the loveliest songs of all time such as "Moonlight Serenade", "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You", "My One & Only Love", "The Look Of Love", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "Night And Day", and "Stardust" to name a few.... Part III coming up?

Bravo Mr. Rod Stewart!!!

The BEST Love Songs Done By The Best Artist!
I met my now fiance in Sept 2002. The next Month Rod's "Great American Songbook I" came out. I bought us both a copy and it instantly became "Our CD" The music from this CD has taken us though many happy, romantic, and bumpy times.. even the death of my Mom who loved many of these songs from her past. We both Plan to have our first dance as man and wife to "Just the way you look tonight" played from the CD. I also just got us both Volume II. These CD's are worth more than gold! I wish I could tell Rod Stewart THANK YOU in person! I can't believe the folks that gave Rod poor reviews! This CD went DOUBLE PLATINUM! That in itself tells you what a GREAT CD this is. I Can't wait for Volume III! I just hope Rod will sing "Fly Me To The Moon" for my sweetie. The music lives on in our hearts and always will.

Kelly & soon to be Debbie Council

Pure Talent
With this album Rod Steward has captured and brought back life to these beautiful and well writhen songs from the past. My personal opinion is that he was made to sing this style of music.

Through the years.........
Times change, people change, and people change with time. There seems to be a new crop of music out their. New artists like Steve Tyrell, Norah Jones and Diana Krall. Just to name a few. Who've brought back a sound from a different part of time. Maybe songs our parents listened to when they were dating or just got out of high school. But Rod Stewart? We all remember the raspy sound of the throat busting rocker from his days of fame when we hear Maggie, Hot Legs, or a hit he released in the last decade like Forever Young. This is a different type of music though and from a different era. You have to like this kind of music to appreciate it. I find it to be a very refreshing turn in music being released compared to others today like RAP. If you like RAP, you won't like this. The other has nothing but a beat and lyrics of violence, crime and hate. This music has a soft, relaxing tone to it. A gentle guitar or saxaphone in the background. We all remember the names of that era where this music came from; Ella Fitgerald, Jo Stafford, Sinatra, Bennett, the list is endless. You could take one song from this CD and see it was done by more than a dozen differnt artists back then. This CD brings the music to a new generation that's never heard it. They probably don't know what a 12 inch vinal record is either. In fact I'll bet there's a few young folks out there that have listened to this a couple of times and told theirself, "You know, I like this music." This is a CD you'd like to put on when you invite that special someone over for dinner or just chat and sit out on the porch with each other and look at the moon and stars. I hope this trend of bringing old music back continues. We need more companionship in our life today. We certainly don't need more violence as this RAP suggests.

Just one last thought... from all the negative reviews I've read on Rod's latest CDs, I would guess that same crowd is to busy out there having sex to take the time to listen to it. Even more so, have never made love in their precious little life yet. What's that, you didn't know there was a difference between the two??

It is the material that you like
If you think that you like this CD, I suspect that you are not really familiar with the material. It isn't Rod Stewart that you like. It is the great American songbook. If you love the material, then you need to hear it performed by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Williams. Stewart is not even close. I dare anyone to compare Stewart's version of "The Way You Look Tonight" to Sinatra's. I dare anyone to compare Stewart's version of "That's All" (an absolute, unmitigated disaster) to Mel Torme's.

Don't like the "old guys"? Compare Stewart's version of "The Very Thought of You" to Steve Tyrell's interpretation on his CD, "A New Standard."

I could go on and on and on, comparing Stewart to Tony Bennett, Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., etc., etc. Even Al Martino does a better job with this material than Rod Stewart.

Shop around. If you like the songs, virtually any other recording of this material is bound to be better.

I tried to give this CD a "zero" rating, but they wouldn't let me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One need hear only the first notes of this collection--the Edge's ringing guitar notes ushering in "Pride (In the Name of Love)"-to be taken back to 1984: Ronald Reagan and Maggie Thatcher rule the Western world, the L.A. Olympics is the top sports story, and Ms. Pac-Man reigns at arcades. In rock & roll, there's U2 growing in stature with each new title. Even doubters of the Irish lads have to concede that together they formed the one '80s band with the skill and sense of scale to take over the airwaves and concert stages in a decade of diminished expectations. This 15-song '80s best-of assortment (stick around for the hidden track) spans the decade, reaching back to 1980's "I Will Follow," when Bono and company were peach-fuzzy and earnest as choirboys, and tracking their path through their most glaring misstep, 1988's overblown Rattle and Hum. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (196)

You can't give a "Greatest Hits" CD 5 stars...
I was introduced to U2 with their song, 'With or Without You', so I bought the Joshua Tree. I got "The Best of 1980-1990" for a Christmas present, and of course, it's a great album. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because, of course, this isn't anything new! If you have over five or six U2 CDs, don't buy this! It's common sense. You might as well buy the other albums, because full length albums are better than compilcations. If you know someone who really likes U2's 80s singles, get this as a gift. There's absoultely no reason to buy this if you already have a few U2 CDs.

Other than that, it's a great CD, that takes you through their early days of rage, through their experiments with sounds, and ending with their hard driving America Rock of "Rattle and Hum." There are some things missing here, however, such as 'Gloria,' 'Two Hearts Beat as One,' and 'In God's Country.'

So, overall, if you're a die hard U2 fan, don't buy this. For the rest of you, get this if you'd like U2's hits without getting all their albums.

A solid, although uneven, collection...
Although one could argue that this isn't a "Best Of" as much as it is a "Most Well Known" collection of U2's eighties work, as a fan, I couldn't help but pick it up if only for the remastered tracks and remade version of "Sweetest Thing", originally the b-side to "Where the Streets Have No Name" (if you can still find the version of this compilation with the b-side disc, it's definitely worth the inflated price). Most of their earlier work is neglected...Boy has one track present, October has none (sacrilege!), and War has two. I can understand the lack of their lesser known singles like "Fire" and "A Celebration," but the absence of "11 O'Clock Tick Tock," "Gloria," and "Two Hearts Beat As One" is downright blasphemous.

"The Unforgettable Fire" is well-represented, with not only the definitive U2 anthem "Pride" ringing in the album, but the title track and the live favorite "Bad," which is the only track on the collection that was not released as a single. The three obvious picks off "The Joshua Tree" are here as well, but are somewhat more skippable in this setting.

The track list is rather good, if you excuse that the four Rattle and Hum selections (and as much as I adore "Angel of Harlem" and "When Love Comes To Town," they're a bit unnecessary here) that were just thrown on the end of the disc. The entire section from "Bad" to "Sweetest Thing" works surprisingly well.

It's not a bad place to start if you're new to the band, although you may as well just pick up "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby," which are far more rewarding experiences. There is only one new track (the live versions of "Bad" and "Bullet the Blue Sky" that the Edge once said would make it didn't), so it's a little light, and the edited versions of "New Year's Day" and "Bad" are just plain annoying, but the track order makes it very listenable regardless.

A 15 year search completed!
Ok, I'm not a rock fan and I definitely don't like that goth, misogynist stuff that rock is ruined with. Then I heard "With or Without You" some 15 years ago while scanning the radio dial and was captured. The lyrics and that guitar haunted me forever and crept up on me when I least expected it - was it Slash or was it Clapton, you see I knew nothing.

It was only after years of listening to classic rock radio that I became somewhat skilled at figuring it out for myself (no thanks to those radio jocks who NEVER tell you the names of the songs they play).

My first rock purchase was this CD and yes I am a green rocker but this compilation, for me, has it all - powerful lyrics and haunting riffs. I've worn out two of them already. Now with online help - website playlists, discographies and MP3s - I'm on my way!

Good, but...
How did 'Sort of Homecoming' and 'Two Hearts Beat As One' (among others) get left off of this? Disappointing...

Purposeless compilation of played-out FM radio fodder
The beginning drum cracks of "Sunday Bloody Sunday"... the sight of Bono walking down Las Vegas' Main Street with that ridiculous hat... the white flag at Red Rocks... how much longer do citizens of this great nation have to be tortured with such images (and their associated sounds) so that we can pad these guys' bank accounts? Enough of karaoke-era U2.

Give me "A Celebration", in its entirety, on CD, for good, RIGHT NOW.

I mean it.

You do NOT need to buy this CD. ... Read more