Amazon.com

While her debut's been promoted through a glitzy high-fashion photo package and items in trendy magazines, South Carolina native Roberts, who has the looks for such hype, also delivers the goods. Her smoky, beguiling voice echoes Bonnie Raitt and a young Tanya Tucker. She and producer/guitarist Brent Rowan shun the blaring arena rock or folk-flavored pretense that plagues many debuts. This one emphasizes solid, quality commercial fare in an Americana-based setting heavy on acoustic guitars and rhythm. Roberts sets the tone with Jamie O'Hara's fetchingly acerbic "You Ain't Down Home." The winsome "Unlove Me" and let-it-rip "Just 'Cause We Can" each pack a wallop; so does the witty morning-after chronicle "Wake Up Older" and the dark, evocative "No Way Out." No overdone power ballads here. Understatement drives her elegant, heartbreaking interpretation of Julie Miller's "I Can't Get Over You." In the end, Roberts remembers an axiom many on Music Row long ago forgot: a powerful voice, simple, honest storytelling, and no-frills music are still what country's about. --Rich Kienzle ... Read more

Reviews (35)

julie roberts
the first cd from julie roberts is certainly one every country fan will want to add to their collection.it contains 11 songs and every one could be a single.julie is the best new artist to come out since CDJ.break down here is my favorite but every song julie sings is with emotion and she sings from her heart.she will go far and in the future will win many awards.you will not be disapointed with this cd,it is a must have for every country music fan.

She's great!
Julie Roberts is a wonderful singer with her deep voice and great looks! She makes country hip cool and interesting. Every song on the cd is great, I especially like "Rain on a tin roof", I think thats a very pretty song. She is so soulful and she puts her heart into every song. I hope she's around for many years to come, so go out and buy Julie Roberts new cd today. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!
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Awesome
By far the best cd I have ever bought. Every song is awesome. Beautiful album. A must have.

Enjoyed it!
After seeing a CMT special on Roberts recently, I had to buy the CD and am not at all disappointed. She's beautiful but also has the voice to go along with it. The music/lyrics I enjoyed very much. I found that I was playing the CD on repeat quite a bit. I think she'll go a long way.

Beautiful Voice...
I first heard Julie's song "Break Down Here", and I couldn't get it out of my head. Then I saw her perform on CMT's "Greatest Love Songs" concert. She sang "Sweet Dreams" by Patsy Cline. Her voice was amazing. I immediately decided to buy the cd to hear more of her. I listened to the whole thing from beginning to end in one sitting. Her voice sounds wonderful but some of the songs just didn't work for me. And most of the songs seemed so short. "Break Down Here", "Unlove Me", "If You Had Called Yesterday", "I Can't Get Over You", and "Rain on a Tin Roof" are all wonderful. The rest are all okay, just nothing that stayed with me. The only song that I could not stand to listen to was "No Way Out". Overall, a wonderful REAL country cd by a young woman that should have a long career ahead of her. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's telling that Richard Marx broke into the music business singing backup vocals for Lionel Richie and writing songs with Kenny Rogers and Chicago, for he kept to the straightforward, middle-of-the-road approach of those acts once he became a recording artist in his own right--not that there's anything wrong with that. A dependable hitmaker throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Marx scored with rockers ("Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better"), and ballads ("Right Here Waiting," "Endless Summer Nights") alike. Greatest Hits collects those songs as well as the lion's share of his high-end chart action--of which there was plenty, proving that a devotion to craft sometimes pays off better than fickle inspiration. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (63)

A Greatest Hits that really is worthy of the notorious title
It's a known fact that the majority of Greatest Hits albums have at least one or two of that artist's best songs missing, leaving the fans to wonder why. Richard Marx's Greatest Hits album is a major exception. Every single one of his biggest hits are included on this 17-track compilation that is more than worthy of the name "greatest hits".

Richard Marx is one of the best artists of all time when it comes to the art of love songs, or ballads. From gems like "Now and Forever", "Angelia", to his signature song, "Right Here Waiting," he really knows how to write and perform ballads with the greatest of ease.

Not only are all of his great ballads included in Greatest Hits, but there are also upbeat rockers ("Should've Known Better" and "Satisfied") and other lyrical journeys ("Don't Mean Nothing", "Take This Heart", and "Hazard").

All of the songs have one thing in common: all of them are great to listen to time and time again. My favorites are: "Satisfied", "Endless Summer Nights", "Hazard", "Should've Known Better", and "Right Here Waiting".

As if the songs themselves aren't enough, inside the cd's booklet, Richard tells his personal stories about each song. For example, it's interesting to learn that "Hazard" and "Right Here Waiting" almost never got released, and that "Endless Summer Nights" was turned down by several record companies, before becoming a #2 hit a couple of years later after Marx's big breakthrough.

If you're a Richard Marx fan, or just a fan of great rock 'n roll, especially ballads, THIS Greatest Hits is a must have!

Satisfied.
There was a time when "Richard Marx" could do no wrong. He put out "rockers" for the guys, and ballads for the girls. His songs were played at a thousand school dances, and in as many car tape-decks. This is as good as a collection from him could be. I can't think of one song missing. As much as "Don't Mean Nothin'" and "Right Here Waiting" take you back to the late 80's, I actually like some of his later stuff more. "Keep Coming Back" is a very smooth and mature song from him, and my favorite song is probably "Hazard". That songs story is just an excellent and moving piece of music. In short, this is THE cd of his to have for those "Endless Summer Nights".

The Cream Of The Crop from Richard Marx!!
Richard Marx was one of the most enduring singer/songwriters of the late 1980's and early 1990's. This 1997 "Greatest Hits" compilation truly lives up to its title as it includes nearly every big hit Marx had during his successful heyday.
Mellow rock classics such as "Endless Summer Nights", "Now and Forever", "Hazard", "Angelia" and Marx's signature ballad "Right Here Waiting" are included here alongside the more aggressive hits "Don't Mean Nothing", "Take This Heart", "Satisfied" and "Should've Known Better".
While it contains most of his hits, Richard Marx's "Greatest Hits" is missing a few tracks that were worthy of inclusion. Both 1994's "Nothing Left Behind Us" and 1991's hit ballad "Chains Around My Heart" are not on this compilation but their ommission was probably due to lack of space that can fit onto one disc. Regardless of these two missing tracks, this "Greatest Hits" compilation offers the cream of the crop of Richard Marx's most successful output along with some great songwriting and dynamic vocals.
This disc is truly a trip down memory lane and is a definite must for the die-hard Marx fan and for fans of the '80s, period. If you don't own this one yet, buy it. You'll be glad you did.

On a personal note, Richard Marx's songs were an influence on my own songwriting in the early '90s. So from me to Mr. Marx, thanks for the great music and for being a continued influence.

Love this cd!
I just recently got this cd cuz a friend recommended it to me. I am only 19 so a lot of the songs i never heard previously. I do remember Don't mean nothing, Should've known better, Right here waiting, Hold on to the nights, and Endless summer nights though. Those are my favorite songs. Richard Marx has such a great voice! This is one cd i will listen to often.

Pop/rock for the serious music fan!
I knock pop music all the time. I'm not gonna appologize for that here. However, I can tell you that Richard Marx mixes his pop music with just enough rock to give it a flavor that distinguishes it from all that radio-friendly crap (although his music is not stranger to the top of the charts, either).

This was the first CD I purchased by Marx (I've since bought a couple others). It remains one of my favorite CD's I've listened to. Marx may have appeal to women (...) but this GUY is here to tell you that his music is for men, too; especially those who love good music.

Marx certainly knows how to write. Such rockers as "Don't Mean Nothing," "Take This Heart," and "Satisfied" are superb entertainment delights; tender ballads, such as "Right Here Waiting" and "Now and Forever" hold your attention riveted.

I must say, his best music is his power ballads. Such numbers as "Endless Summer Nights," "Should've Known Better," "Angelia," and "Hold on to the Nights" are powerful and moving. Others fit more diversely into a category. (...) "Hazard" is a beautiful story song about a man suspected of murdering his lover--probably my favorite Marx song to date. "The Way She Loves Me" is a groovy number featuring Lionel Ritche and Luther Vandross.

Not all of these songs are standouts, of course. "Angel's Lullaby," written for Marx's kids, is a bit too personal for anyone other than a parent to grasp. "Until I Find You Again" lacks something the other power ballads have. "Keep Coming Back" just can't keep your attentioin; and "Children of the Night" is basically a cliched charity song--good intentions, but not great music.

Other than that, Richard Marx's GREATEST HITS is quite an acheivement--an album of great songs that meld pop and rock into a groove that Marx's raspy voice cleary identifies with. In a world where "alternative" music is considered the only music of value, it's nice to hear someone doing something different with pop music. Making the ordinary extraordinary, you could say. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This debut album by Australian John Butler's energetic jam-band phenom sold platinum in their native country and spawned numerous stateside club gigs as well as an opening slot for the Dave Matthews Band. Fueled by Butler's distinctive, earthy slide and finger-picked guitar, and vocals that recall Matthews at his most urgent, the trio (Rory Quirk on bass and Jason McGann on drum round out the outfit) breathes some welcome fire into the jam-band formula on the 10 cuts here. Butler's gritty muse is by turns Delta savvy and Outback exotic (with the haunting, ringing tones of his open-tuned fretwork occasionally seasoned by didgeridoo), often building into powerful soundquakes that stand the hippie-blues ethos of the genre firmly on its head. Butler's forceful guitar tones underscore his romantic dedication ("Betterman"), commitment to antiviolence ("Attitude"), environmental concerns ("Earthbound Child"), and general outrage at the modern world ("Money," "Media") with equal fervor, building a compelling argument that one of the most powerful forces in rock remains a world-wise guitarist with talent in his fingers and fire in his belly. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Just buy it
The music one person likes is music that another person can't stand, so how to know whether you'll find the John Butler Trio to be one of the best guitar-based bands around? You could listen to the short excepts Amazon has, but 30 seconds doesn't give you much of a taste of songs that average around 7 minutes each.

So, if you like unique rock, featuring 11 and 12 string guitars, great bass and drums -- with a lead singer with a unique voice that compares favorably to Eddie Vedder's of Pearl Jam -- buy this. Some of the lyrics could be more mature (e.g., no need to use swear words in a song), but others are amazing in the simplicity and strength of their message (e.g., "Attitude").

Since I bought this, I have no interest in other new disks, including Springsteen, Beth Orton, Linda Thompson, etc. So, what do you have to lose besides [$$]? Try it!

This is what they mean when they say Music
I have a strange relationship with this album...I think it is amazing of course...however I can only listen to it while in the company of others. I think this may have something to do with seeing the band live (albiet only twice). The cd can sustain you between shows but if you see merely one group this year, you must see JBT. The sounds that Butler is able to draw from his guitar is amazing (ie. Livid 2001 where it went from sounding electric, to acoustic to a sitar all in a single song). Despite the fact that the bassist has changed three times in the last year and a half, the shows are still amazing. And after seeing JBT at the Splendour in the Grass festival and seeing the new bassist playing double bass with a bow, i think they're onto a good thing. It is a shame the instumental track foundation is missing from the US release (i have the sneaking suspicion it is due to the 14:47 length of it). I guess that means you'll all have to go see them live.

This is a band which is willing to make a strong political statement as well in their intelligent and powerful lyrics.

I also recomend that the first time you listen to this you are lying on a blanket under the stars (well at least that's how I did it). Cheers.

These guys rip!
John Butler Trio-
Blazing acoustic guitar! Just hoping they someday tour Hawaii!
Jack Johnson and Ben Harper sold out here, JBT would do the same!

Rock the way it should be
John Butler, from Perth, Australia, is a master on both the slide and regular guitars, and the other two members of the band carry his tunes with impeccable rhythm and melody. His voice reminds me of the lead singer of Days of the New, and the bulk of the guitar is blues acoustic.

This album does not have one bad track on it (other than possibly the last track, Foundation, which is basically a lengthy instrumental) and contains the song Take, which in itself is just amazing. Starting with an energetic buildup, the song takes up for just under 4 minutes, then drops to a rhythm section which builds up steadily over a period of time to reach the real crescendo of the song. Other highlights are Betterman, which was huge on Australian alternative radio, and Life Ain't What It Seems.

Something with substance
I first heard of JBT when they opened for John Mayer in Berkley, CA. I was floored. Before they started playing I was hoping their set would be short - rarely am I impressed by an opening act. When they left the stage I was wishing their set was longer, much longer. I wanted more. I bought Three at the concert and found it satisfying, but not nearly as moving as their live show. Catch their live shows whenever you can and buy the album to show some support for a band with a lot of potential! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The Anti-Christ of Christian Pop
While it be too early to call Sufjan Stevens 'the next Nick Drake', 'Seven Swans', his stripped down follow-up to 2003's excellent 'Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lake State', makes such a declaration awfully tempting. Of course, there are significant differences between the two. Whereas it's difficult to separate Drake's music from the thought of his eventual suicide, Sufjan Stevens balances his whispered nostalgia with an underlying hopefulness. Billed largely as a collection of b-sides from the Michigan sessions, 'Seven Swans' arrived without much fanfare, aiming to serve as a musical appetitizer to Stevens' next entry into his ambitious '50 States' project. Yet, despite the humility with which it arrived, 'Seven Swans' finds Stevens surpassing his prior work with stronger songwriting and a more intimate, banjo-driven approach. For much of the album, Sufjan Stevens reflects on spirituality and his faith, exploring Christianity with honesty and love. Whereas most Christian pop condescends to its listeners with melodramatic 'shalls' and 'thous', Stevens sings about his faith without preaching. While the 'switch baby with Jesus' strategy of Christian pop is at work here at times, Sufjan pulls this off in a good way, capturing the intimacy of a great love song to integrate into his pious musings. In a sense, it's the Anti-Christ of Christian pop: a thoughtful, delicate album that evokes the quiet joy of the faithful. On 'In The Devil's Territory', Sufjan softly sings 'I'm not afraid to die, to see you... at last' as if he were singing to a lover, leaving out the self-righteousness that characterizes the megalomaniacal zealots of most Christian music. The best tracks, however, are saved for last. 'Seven Swans' is a haunting, metaphorical depiction of the coming of the apocalypse, in which Sufjan gives his only warning to the unfaithful, crying out: 'He will take you. If you run, he will chase you. Because he is the Lord.' The last track, 'The Transfiguration', is probably his best song to date. The perfect fusion of folk, faith, and pop, it brings a flawless conclusion to a truly blessed work.

Another great album from Sufjan!
Wow - I was really happy upon listening to this album - I of course had high expectations after "Michigan" - and though I would not say this album surpasses that one, it is certainly quite good - very good indeed. The instrumentation is lovely - acoustic almost exclusively with banjo and guitar - the songs are great and Sufjan's singing is very hushed and sweet - like he's whispering us secrets - reminding sometimes of Iron and Wine...highlights include "the dress looks nice on you", "to be alone with you" - which a had hoped would be a Dylan cover, but it wasn't - but it was a very well, maybe superior song with the same title...also, "he woke me up again" is excellent. Highly recomended - as well as "Michigan". "A sun came" is good too, but Sufjan has certainly honed his skills and become more consistently good since that debut...sorry for rambling, enjoy!

Wonderfully fragile
The strong presence of Christian imagery on this album shouldn't really surprise anyone familiar with 'Michigan' (close attention to the lyrics of 'Vito's Ordination Song', in particular, reveals an allegorical undercurrent). Stevens' lyrics are more overtly Biblical on this record, but no less affecting, because he never grandstands or resorts to proselytizing. These are simply snapshots of a personal faith. His delivery of lines such as 'Take instead the ram/Until Jesus comes' is wisely low-key where lesser singers would try to imbue them with stilted drama.

Appropriately, since the scale of the subject matter has moved further inward from the Everyman scope of 'Michigan', the music itself has become more sparse and minimal, in terms of both instrumentation and songwriting. The backing vocals on the first track, All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands, repeat the same wordless melody ad nauseum in a way that is reminiscent of Philip Glass. (Incidentally, the title of the song is a reference from Isaiah 55:12 that may be lost on some: 'For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.') The banjo and guitar on 'In The Devil's Territory' repeat polyphonic fragments of melody, slowly shifting and letting the song breathe. In fact, the entire affair has a cool, airy feeling to it, like Stevens is playing in a field on a mild afternoon. He coaxes some gorgeous sounds out of fairly standard folk instruments.

The only flaw this album has is its slightly below-par middle third: it's still gorgeous music, but the material preceding it is so good that the slightly more rote folk songs pale in comparison. This is a minor quibble, though; think of that 5-star rating as a 4 1/2, rounded up.

Breathtaking
I too had high expectations of this anticipated follow-up to "Greetings From Michigan." Seven Swans is softer. It also deals more heavily with Biblical references (ex. Abraham, Transfiguration) but isn't overbearing or preachy. Seven Swans is filled with lush soundscapes and thoughtful lyrics. This one's not to be missed.

Kickass
At one of our power meetings at Free Williamsburg at the beginning of this year we were throwing around names of people who might be good people to interview or review. Sufjan Stevens came up. I had never heard of him let alone spell his name. It is detailed folk music. He is famous for the banjo work. Songs like "In The Devil's Territory" evokes the past and looks to the future. Sufjan worked with Daniel Smith of Danielson Famile to get this multi-layered sound. It's good that someone is obsessed with beauty in music. This record is strong and complex. It is not easy reading. The religious themes are an interesting shade. It is a vision of death and despair. It comes off sounding like something Badly Drawn Boy or Elliot Smith cooked up. Stevens may be the heir to Elliot Smith's legacy. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

After laboring in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil Young finally hit perfect pitch--if his endearing off-center whine can be called "perfect"--with his third album. He's equally passionate with trippy riddles (has anybody figured out what "We've got mother nature on the run" means in the title track?) and pointed protest (after 30 years of rock-radio overplay, "Southern Man" still rings with truth about redneck racism). His creaky ensemble, including pianist Jack Nitzsche and rotating members of Crazy Horse, transforms ramshackle country and folk songs into soulful hippie hymns. --Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (78)

A PERIOD PIECE BUT ALSO A GREAT SINGER SONGWRITER ALBUM!
I'm gonna get this off my chest first. To be honest I have never been a huge Neil Young fan. Don't get wrong he has done some great stuff throughout his musical career but so have his peers like Stephen Stills and Graham Nash etc; (sometimes they've done better things) and for whatever reason they do not get as much recognition. However I felt I hadn't really given Neil a chance. So I decided to pick up two of Neil's most critically acclaimed albums: 'Harvest' and of course 'After The Gold Rush'.

Fresh of the success of Deja Vu, Neil Young decide to conquer more ground in 1970 on his own. 'After The Goldrush' was recorded and released to a 'any type of material from CSN&Y' hungry public. The album was a monster sky rocketing Neil into new levels of super stardom.

It wasn't just hype either. 'After The Goldrush' has some great music on it.The first four tracks are truly gold. Opening with TELL ME WHY; a nice charming acoustic piece. The title track AFTER THE GOLDRUSH has some awesome lyrics. ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART is beautiful and of course everyone knows the classic rocker SOUTHERN MAN which rocketed up the charts that year. TILL THE MORNING COMES is a short ditty that is pleasing but could have made way for an actual song. OH, LONESOME ME is a slow paced country piece. It's beautful but a tad depressing for me. DON'T LET IT BRING YOU DOWN is another classic here. BIRDS is another beautiful piano piece with excellent vocals. WHEN YOU DANCE YOU CAN REALLY LOVE is another great rocker. While I BELIEVE IN YOU is a laid back country rocker with some good guitar and lyrics. The final track CRIPPLE CREEK FERRY is another short yet pleasing ditty. However like I said with TILL THE MORNING COMES, it could have made way for actual songs.

Overall 'After The Goldrush' is a classic. If you want to go back to 1970 this is a good CD to take you there. At first I didn't really like this album. However after a few more listens I realized the excellence this album possessed. The lyrics are wonderful. Neil Young could really write some good music! He knew how to do a beautiful country ballad and he defiently knew how to rock! Highly recommend!

Striking Gold
Neil Young had recently had scored a number one hit as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with Deja Vu when he released After The Gold Rush. The album is a brilliant collection of songs that have a strong sense of social commentary as well of heartbreak. "Southern Man" is a strong condemnation of the redneck ideals of the South. The song has a stinging guitar that perfectly complements the angry lyrics that are dripping with venom. Songs like "Tell Me Why", "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", the sprightly "Til The Morning Comes" and the Don Gibson cover "Oh, Lonesome Me" deal with longing, loss and heartache. The title track is a hauntingly, beautiful yet cautionary tale. Mr. Young, singing over just a piano, lays out a song that turned out to eerily prophetic in the wake of what would occur in the 1970's. The album was a triumph on every level and became his first solo top ten hit peaking at number 8 in late 1970.

Truly one of Neil Young's classics
I don't exactly consider myself a big Neil Young fan, I'm not the kind of person who would buy every album with his name on it (especially many of the albums he done in the 1980s, such as Landing on Water), but After the Gold Rush, his third album (second with Crazy Horse) is truly deserving of classic status. This album has been with me most of my life, thanks to my parents owning a copy. This album also premiered a certain 17 year old by the name of Nils Lofgren, on piano. This album has many different styles from acoustic ballads, to rockers, to short singalongs. The album starts off with "Tell Me Why", which is a truly great acoustic piece. The title track is a piano-oriented ballad with an enviromental theme concerning the new decade (the 1970s, that is). "Only Love Can Break Your Heat" is not a cover of the Gene Pitney song, but another Neil Young original, in this case, a piano-oriented ballad. I don't think I need to mention the epic "Southern Man" as it's the song that receives plenty of FM radio airplay. The song obviously gave Lynyrd Skynyrd their response song four years later (1974) with "Sweet Home Alabama". Side one of the old vinyl ends with a nice, short, singalong cut called "Till the Morning Comes". Side two (of the LP) features a cover of Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me", plus another nice ballad with "Don't Let It Bring You Down", plus a totally overlooked, but great rocker with "When You Dance You Can Really Love". There are two songs that don't seem to do a lot for me, that is "Birds" and "I Believe in You". The album closes off with another great singalong with "Cripple Creek Ferry", which is very much in the vein of "Till the Morning Comes". This album really takes me back to that bygone era of 1970 (even though I wasn't alive then). This album is a no brainer, if you're a Neil Young fan, get this album.

neil's best album
This is one of the best albums in the rock history.
It contains some "normal" songs and some masterworks
"Southern man" is among the ten best songs of rock and contains one of the five best riffs, such as "fire" of Hendrix or "brown sugar" of the stones.

Nothing tops this
The song "After the Goldrush" was 1st introduced to my ears while listening to the radio in my dad's pickup truck when I was 9 years old. Twelve years later my feelings for that album have not wavered. I have seen reviews by Rolling Stone magazine that say that this album was released prematurely. Upon reading Neil Young's biography and listening to many of his other albums, you will discover that whatever Neil releases is EXACTLY what he wants people to hear.
After the Goldrush is an album with mixed emotions. I am not a professional reviewer, but I know that the album brings out emotions of both reflection and love. It's an album of great contrast as well. Some songs like "Tell Me Why" and "Cripple Creek Ferry" are sort of light hearted and uplifting while the songs "Don't Let It Bring You Down" and "Oh Lonesome Me"...I think the names speak for themselves.
Do yourself a favor and get this album. You will never forget it. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Johnny Cash had been breaking new ground for a decade when At Folsom Prison suddenly made the world at large take notice. The interaction of a volatile prison population starved for entertainment and a desperately on-form Johnny Cash was electrifying. His somber machismo finally found a home. The songs, which included every prison song Cash knew ("I Got Stripes," "The Wall," "25 Minutes to Go," "Cocaine Blues," plus his own "Folsom Prison Blues") were tailored to galvanize the crowd. This set is all about atmosphere. Live at the Grand Ole Opry this ain't. The 1999 version drops the San Quentin portion of the original CD reissue, instead adding three cuts to complete the full and uncensored Folsom show. --Colin Escott ... Read more

Reviews (63)

An essential live album
I'm not much of a country music fan, but I've always had an affinity for the late, great John R. Cash. And this 1968 concert album is one of his very best records, combining the resignation and worldweariness of country with the bluntness of folk music and the roughness and rebelliousness of rock n' roll.

Johnny Cash takes full advantage of the unusual circumstances, drawing energy from the literally captive audience, and creating an intense atmosphere which results in one of the most raw and stimulating performances you'll ever hear.
("This show is being recorded for an album released on Columbia Records", Cash says, "-so you can't say hell or sh*t or anything like that!")

Country weepers like "I Still Miss Someone" and "Green, Green Grass Of Home" may have seemed smaltzy if performed by an artist with less panache, but the imposing Johnny Cash imbues every song with dignity and sincerity.

Almost all of the nineteen songs performed has do to with death, prison, violence, drugs, loneliness, loss and regret, but "Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison" never becomes morose; Cash delivers songs like "Cocaine Blues", "Folsom Prison Blues", "The Wall" and "25 Minutes To Go" with conviction and a singular mix of seriousness and dark, acerbic humor, making this album a sublime concert album, one which truly couldn't have been recorded in the studio. One of the finest records of the 60s, and a must-have for anyone even remotely interested in the music of Johnny Cash.

Egg Suckin' Dog
I am definitely not a country music fan, but Johnny Cash goes way beyond the country music spectrum. With songs about boozin', druggin', and killin', Johnny Cash blows away most rock artists. Nothing proves that more than "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison". Recorded live in 1968, in front of 2000 inmates, this is a really rockin' concert. Cash relates to the prisoners' lives with songs like "Folsom Prison Blues", "Cocaine Blues", and even some humorous tunes like "Dirty old egg-suckin' dog". The band, including Carl Perkins on Electric guitar, keeps a clanky, driving, two-beat rhythm that makes this more of a rock-a-billy album than a country album. The CD includes photos of the concert and honest, heart-felt linear notes of the show, written by Cash himself in June of 1999.

After reading these memoirs, you start to realize how much of an event this show must have been, not just to the inmates, but to Cash himself, who apparently is no stranger to Folsom Prison himself.

Johnny Cash is Badass, so if your thinking about picking up that new Creed CD, (not that you would be) DON'T! Pick this up instead.

How do you please 2000 high-security convicts?
Give 'em Johnny Cash!

From the opener "Folsom Prison Blues," through the addictive (no pun intended) "Cocaine Blues" and the epitomy of gallows humor ("25 Minutes to Go"), this CD is a pure classic. Through such classics as "Orange Blossom Special" and the powerful adultery/murder song "Long Black Veil," you'll wonder how the CD could get any better. When the humorous tunes "Dirty Ol Egg Suckin Dog" and "Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart" meet your ears, you'll think you're in heaven. When June Carter lets loose her growled vocals on "Jackson," you'll know your beyond heaven. The pounding "John Henry" will hammer it in that you're listening to PURE COUNTRY MUSIC, while the closing "Greystone Chapel" (written by one of the inmates present at the concert) reminds you what this album is all about.

Wow. That was a lot of words right there--but not enough. You know who Johnny Cash is. You've probably heard of this album before. JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON is an album that you need--whether you're a fan of country, rock, disco, hip-hop, what have you. Cash trascends typical musical genres. Cash is a legend who will be sorely missed. AT FOLSOM PRISON is just a small piece of his legacy--but it's a damn good piece.

WOW!! This album quickly grows on you.
I am Definitely NOT a country music fan. Never have been, never will be (I think so?). I am into alternative, indie music like White Stripes, PJ Harvey, U2 etc. But this album blew me away and I had to buy it as soon as I heard half of track 1, while the CD was playing in a Used CD store. Cash was a true bad-ass and has such a magnetic personality and I wish I was a kid back in his prime in the 1960's. Since I'm 27, I missed most of his career though not before he covered the song 'Hurt' in the excellent Video from 2 years ago. This CD is so powerful and really attests to the charisma of Cash. I love his interaction with the Prison crowd as the inmates take a quick liking to one who was in their shows for a while.-------------------One of the Top 10 CD's I own!!-------Its THE BEST!!

Five stars, nothing less
This CD is one of those rare experiences which seem to encompass so much.

Cash is in roaring form here, delivering a wonderful mix of humour, sadness, joy, rebellion, comedy and spirituality on one short disc. The atmosphere is as other reviewers have hinted at - electric. You can hear howlsd of approval as the folk hero bad boy sings Cocaine blues and the howls of laughter through his comic tunes in the middle of the show. As an agnostic I can truly say I can still tap the power of belief when I hear 'Greystone chapel.'

Cash's talent as a performer extends beyond just the ability to sing the songs, but to really make you listen. Cash is the real deal, in his life his failures and succeses were laid before all. The outlaw, the comdedian and the christian, were not characters of Johnny Cash but aspects of him.

The quality of the performance is almost universally excellent (bar his excessive banter between songs) with the band delvering a resounding backing and June singing superbly.

And lets not forget this has THE definitive recording of Folsom prison Blues (many Cash compilations have this instead of the downtempo original recording) - after all the concert is at Folsom prison. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Single Disc Jennings Overview
Amid his flurry of reissues, Ultimate Waylon Jennings presents 22 top-10 country hits including 14 number ones. It starts with '68's "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line," recorded before he wrestled the then-revolutionary right to produce his own records with his own band. It ends with 1987's "Rose In Paradise," along the way showing braggadocio ("I'm A Rambling Man," "Are You Ready For The Country"), wounded vulnerability ("Just To Satisfy You," a duet with Willie Nelson) and even a laugh at the oeuvre he pioneered ("Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand"). A protégé of Buddy Holly, he was rooted in the Southwest - which had fewer musical boundaries than Nashville - and he knew that country music (or, at least, his country music) could use rock and roll attitude. As for his voice - that soulful baritone overflowing with sincerity - he sang with an aura of truth.

Best "Greatest Hits" to Date
Of all of Waylon's so-called "greatest hits" collections out there, this one comes closest to living up to its name. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Dixie Chicks aren't old enough to remember when radio programmed pop records next to country, rock, folk, and beyond, but their Texas DNA tells them that's the way music was meant to be heard. On Home, which they coproduced in Austin with Lloyd Maines, the father of lead singer Natalie Maines, they strip off the star-making gloss of Nashville and get down to the meat of the matter, turning out an acoustic record that gives a big Texas howdy to bluegrass. But that's only the framework they use to salute all their influences, from the raggedy rock of Little Feat (on Darrell Scott's irresistible "Long Time Gone") to the pained ballads of Stevie Nicks (covering her melancholy "Landslide") to the confessional Texassinger-songwriters who straddle the country-folk line (Patty Griffin, Bruce Robison). Maines's raw, irrepressible soprano remains a thing of wonder, as do the threesome's exquisite harmonies, which seem tighter and more organic than ever before. Still, the jaw-dropping thrills come from the passionate and masterful picking of Emily Robison on banjo, bluegrass guitarist Bryan Sutton, and Adam Steffey, whose fluid mandolin does Bill Monroe proud. Home, the Chicks' first release on their own record label, puts the front porch back into mainstream music, whatever the genre. And not a minute too soon. --Alanna Nash ... Read more

Reviews (284)

Not a country music fan at all BUT...
...I am a huge Dixie Chicks fan. What an amazing album! I loved Fly and I don't own Wide Open Spaces (a mistake I plan to rectify soon). The Chicks did not disappoint here. I have seen some nay-sayers complain that it's not classic Chicks or it's too boring but I have to say that the departure is wonderful and different. This is an album where the ladies get to really show off their sent-from-heaven talents. IMHO, you have to be REALLY good to pull off a good accoustic album and the Chicks are THAT good.

Long Time Gone is a toe-tappin' great tune, Landslide is totally soulful, Travelin' Soldier is a heart-string puller (my favorite), White Trash Wedding is hilarious, Martie and Emily rock the house on Lil Jack Slade, I'm teary-eyed at I Believe in Love (I remember them singing it on the 9/11 tribute) and I think of my own child when I hear Godspeed. I have already worn out the cd after I FINALLY got it (1/2 star to you Amazon for your not-so-speedy delivery).

I don't usually gush like this but this is a gush-worthy cd. BUY IT!!!

Spectacular!!!
I've been a fan of the Dixie Chicks since their beginnings, and being a resident of Dallas they were a household name long before they went mainstream. As others have mentioned, I was slightly shocked when I gave this album a listen and realized the grand departure from polished, upbeat, radio-candy...but having said that, I LOVE this album! The Chicks have always given their listeners a taste of their traditional bluegrass roots but "Home" lets everything out of the gate in full force. Natalie's voice has never sounded more powerful or haunting, the acoustic sound really showcases the ladies' instrumental talents, and you can tell that they put their heart and soul into this album like no other.

All of the songs are winners, but my personal favorites are "Truth No. 2", one of the few upbeat tunes, "A Home" which really showcases the power and emotion of Natalie Maines's voice, "Lil' Jack Slade", a breathtaking, toe-tapping bluegrass instrumental, and my personal favorite, "Top of the World", an ode to the loss of dreams and so powerfully sung and orchestrated that it brought tears to my eyes.

The Dixie Chicks have established themselves as one of the most powerful, talented, and "real" bands in country music (and music in general). "Home" serves to solidify their place as truly great artists and a band that is true to their love of great music, whether or not it fits with a current norm.

The "Home" of the brave, the sound of the free
[...] "Home" is a glossier effort than "Fly" or "Wide Open Spaces," yet at the same time, probably their most earthy. Only a very few artists have been able to walk this kind of fine line, and they would number the kind of musicians and songwriters that appear on "Home" with the Dixie Chicks or as artists in their own right. I'm thinking of people like Marty Stuart, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Scaggs or Emmylou Harris. That's the kind of vibe that "Home" gives off.

The Dixie Chicks understand that there's a small amount of space between Fleetwood Mac and "Travelin' Soldier." By not allowing the factory mentality of most Nashville recordings to interfere with the music (we won't mention the slickslop of a certain "Angry American") and carting their production/recording off to Austin Texas, "Home" neatly avoids sounding like the typical inbred clone of what Music City churns out on a weekly basis. The Dixie Chicks use instruments here that don't require amplifiers and they give the songs room to breathe, even more so when they allow the voices to just take over. No amount of studio trickery can mask the vocal talent that opens "White Trash Wedding," or that Natalie Maines has become a woman of incredible emotional range, as the CD's final two selections "Godspeed" and "Top of the World" prove. This is the kind of music represents my country to me. I just can't recommend the Dixie Chicks enough. They are the sound of the free.

Four and a half stars.

Feels Like Home
I am not a country fan, as a black man in the inner city country CD's are the last youd expect to find but in my 330+ collection of CD's you find (2) Shania Twain Faith Hill Leann Womack and the Dixie Chicks. Home. If you pull this CD off the shelf youll notice the disc is missing. It's because I actually travel with this one. This is the one of the few disc I own I can listen to from top to bottom. This is absolutely amazing yet simple. Heartfelt yet Enjoyable. It starts with Long Time Gone which has infectious vocals and great lyrics. Landslide though is the charmer here. On a personal note this song has allowed me to reflect on a lot of personal relationships and friendships. Awesome Awesome Awesome and doesn't matter if its the live version the album version or the Sheryl Crow remix . I listen to this song a lot on Sundays or when i'm sad or reflecting and ready to work on my novel. This song is picture perfect and they are to be commended for it. Traveling Soldier is an awesome song that tells a story and as the Dixie Chicks narrate it I swear i can close my eyes and visualize it like a movie. I Believe in Love is perfect perfect perfect perfect perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of my favorites on the album definitely. More love is great. Godspeed is awesome and i let that song rock me to sleep many nights. Top of the World is a great song (i hate to sound like a broken record but all of teh acoustic slow songs are great). This album minus the country sounds very Jewel (Acoustic)/Sheryl Crow very very very very pleased and surprised once i got it after seeing the video for Landslide.

This CD is so awesome I've scratched it and need a new one.

I've also since purchased the Live CD Top of The World

Need I say more

I've now gotten myself into the cowboy hat
I am not a country fan. I do not come from the south and I usually don't associate with people who like country, which I generally think of as a bunch of people whining when they could be out learning rock. But, I'll fess up and tell you that this album has changed my mind, partly anyways. I finnaly gave in to the nagging of my best friend and bought the cd. At first it was fifteen bucks down the drain, but it eventually grew on me. It's very impressing and rare to see people with such musical talent from vocals to the instruments themselves. The songs "Landslide," and "Top of the World" show off the perfect voice of Natalie Maines, even though she didn't write the songs herself. Group composed "Lil Jack Slade" made my jaw drop at the instrumental talent of Emily Robinson and Martie Maguire.
All of the songs are great, the chicks do a great job of bringing many aspects of emotion through to their music. My personal favorites are Landslide, I believe in Love, Tortured Tangled Hearts, Lil' Jack Slade, and Top of the World.
I highly doubt there are any anti-country fans out there reading this, but if you apprecitate good music and amasing talent, go and get it, for this will most definately not be fifteen bucks wasted. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

I loved this CD
Elvis Presley is a legend and has a marvelous voice but when he sings gospel music, no one can top him. When Elvis sings these songs, you can feel every word and emotion he is singing about. From his recording of Amazing Grace (which is a classic), Peace in the Valley, to How Great Thou Art, all the songs are wonderful. I highly recommend this double CD and feel that no one would be disappointed in purchasing it.

All his essential gospel music
This collection is made up of all the tracks from the Peace in the valley EP and three LP's (His hand in mine, How great thou art and He touched me) plus various other tracks that didn't appear on any of those, together with some live cuts. If this sounds like a bit of a mixed bag, it isn't. For whatever reason, Elvis seemed to enjoy recording gospel music, so these recordings are as good as anything else he recorded.

Crying in the chapel was a massive hit for Elvis in Britain (where it was a number one) and America, but there are many other famous songs here. These include Amazing grace, You'll never walk alone, Swing low sweet chariot, I believe, How great thou art, Farther along and Peace in the valley. Even people who are not interested in gospel music are familiar with most, if not all, of these songs. Of the other songs here, A thing called love was a big hit for Johnny Cash but I'm not clear why Elvis included it on He touched me -its not really a gospel song, but Elvis sings it superbly. He is my everything is an adaptation of There goes my everything.

Elvis clearly took his religion seriously. It shows in these wonderful recordings, which no Elvis fan should ignore.

The King of Gospel
Oustanding performances throughout this 2 CD set! Very powerful performances and of course Elvis' voice is unmatched. He was made to sing Gospel. He won two Grammy's for his Gospel recordings, which are featured here. An excellent collection. Highly recommended!

Awesome Collection of Songs!
What a collection of songs! While I have listened little to Elvis' other cds, I have often enjoyed his gospel cd. His deep, rich voice, will move the listener through several songs.

I particularly enjoyed: I Believe, There Will Be Peace in the Valley for Me (my favorite), It Is No Secret What God Can Do, I Believe in the Man in the Sky, and Joshua Fit the Battle.

Buy and enjoy! Highly recommended - you will not be disappointed!

Get Ready...
Regardless of your preferred musical genre you will find it (and every other one worth knowing) in this collection. Here, you WILL find it all.

You will find gospel (old church and young church alike), soul, country, rock .... and a booming bonus: Something so very special that you and I cannot name it.

I ordered this collection to hear just a couple of my favorites: "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." However, this CD changed everything.

If you're not knocked to your knees hearing "If That Isn't Love;" if you're not shouting through the rooftop at hearing the live version of "How Great Thou Art;" or, if you don't find yourself giving your best Elvis impersonation hearing "Only Believe" or "Seeing Is Believing," says only that your speakers went out with last week's trash or, sadly, that you're already gone!

This Pink Floyd-Willie Nelson-Van Morrison-Bellamy Brothers-Elvis-Rolling Stones-Bob Seger- Johnny Rivers- George Jones- Aretha Franklin-Matchbox Twenty-Platters-Jimmy Buffett- Tchaikovsky-Merle Haggard-Elton John-Otis Redding-Wilson Pickett-Strauss-Dwight Yoakam-The Who- loving fan says:

You'll find it all, and CRANK IT UP! ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the many Nashville-based singer-songwriters whose respected stature among critics and fellow artists stands in stark contrast to his rather meager commercial acclaim, Greg Trooper has quietly built a catalog of superbly crafted albums. On his second release for the Sugar Hill label (his eighth overall), Trooper teams up with legendary songwriter/producer Dan Penn for a collaboration so natural, it's a wonder it hadn't happened before.

Trooper's music already combines strains of R&B, country, and folk, which Penn acknowledges by infusing a subtle yet palpable tenderness into these songs. Sung in a honeyed, gritty voice that combines the tough, yet resigned style of Guy Clark and longtime friend Buddy Miller with the vulnerability of Paul Simon, Trooper's songs straddle the dusty roads between Austin soul and Nashville twang--both of which cities he has called home. The lyrically provocative "When I Think of You My Friends" is one example of a typical Trooper setup where the protagonists are "out of luck, out of work, never out of dreams." Yet he won't settle for weepy sentimentality in either his words or stirring melodies. These twelve tracks flaunt the soul in the singer's emotionally rousing tunes and show him as one of the most talented contemporary acts on the roots scene. Credit also goes to Penn, whose warm, sympathetic production allows Trooper the room he needs to shine. --Hal Horowitz ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whether recording under his own name, collaborating with wife Julie, or contributing guitar work for a range of other artists, Buddy Miller has always put forth a resonant, earthy, even spiritual bearing. So it seems only natural that Miller would turn his focus to the gospel tradition. The songs here celebrate the innate goodness in even the most lost and perplexed among us, keeping sights on the unblinking light of hope at the end of the tunnel. This is still a rootsy affair, though the set is imbued with the social concerns that unite us all. Nondenominational in terms of religious affiliation, this album uses our common language of honest singing and playing, soulful grooves, and top-flight songs to make its points. --David Greenberger ... Read more

Amazon.com

After the roaring success of Wide Open Spaces--a blend of turn-of-the-century pop and country traditionalism--what do you do for an encore? Rather than deliver more of the same, the Chicks have chosen instead to up the ante in country radio with a follow-up that's both poppier and twangier than its predecessor, and just plain better too. Some of it we've heard before: "Hello Mr. Heartache," for example, adheres pretty closely to the honky-tonk model of "Tonight the Heartache's On Me." Mostly, though, the record lights out for new territories. "Without You" is driven by an in-your-face string arrangement that's downright fierce, and the rootsy "Sin Wagon" may rock harder--and with more solos--than any mainstream country since Buck Owens held forth. That's not to say Fly's perfect. A couple of songs miss the mark, particularly "Goodbye Earl," an abusive-husband murder song that's sure to get criticized (wrongly) for being anti-male but actually fails because it can't decide if it's a moral lesson, a horror movie, or a joke. Still, even in this failure, the Chicks are bravely pushing the envelope. If they push hard enough, maybe Young Country radio will open up some wider spaces. --David Cantwell ... Read more

Reviews (458)

FLY On
The thing about the Dixie Chicks is that though they are marketed as a country band, their sounds suggests a lot of different influences. Their 1999 album FLY is a case in point.

After having proven that they had the goods with 1998's WIDE OPEN SPACES, the Chicks--Natalie Maines; Emily Robison; and Martie Seidel--sought to boost their sound with a continued emphasis on traditional country instrumentation, but also a pronounced 1970s rock and roll attitude thrown in for good measure. Judging from the sales of FLY, over ten million and going nowhere but up, they accomplished their goals and then some. Their diversity ranges from the Irish/Celtic influences of "Ready To Run", to the strings-and-Dobro arrangement on "Without You", the jet-black humor of the largely misunderstood "Goodbye Earl", and the pile-driving "Sin Wagon."

Natalie's voice shows the influences of a lot of different female artists, especially with that growl she uses on "Sin Wagon", which suggests the influence of Pat Benatar and Linda Ronstadt. Martie and Emily are not only great harmony singers in their own right but also among the most adroit instrumentalists anywhere in American pop music these days. Martie's sizzling fiddle work on "Ready To Run" and "Sin Wagon" is particularly impressive. And Emily is no slouch either, with her sympathetic Dobro playing on "Without You" and her ferocious banjo work on "Sin Wagon." All of this comes together on FLY.

Regardless of Natalie's recent "Bushwhacking" comments in London or the misread black humor of this album's "Goodbye Earl", the Dixie Chicks have the greatest amount of staying power of any country outfit around because their audience goes way beyond the confines of country music. Their sound encompasses honky-tonk, hard rock, bluegrass, and 1970s folk-rock, but it never sounds like a meandering jumble. They are the real deal, and look to stay that way. Strongly recommended!

A Rare Treasure
I've owned this cd for quite awhile, and I must say that it is one of the most played in my collection. I love every song on the cd. I swear I do not skip any of the tracks on it. That is really rare to find a cd that every song is excellent. The Dixie Chicks are #1.

1. Ready To Run- 5 stars- This is such a fun sing along song.
2. If I Fall You're Going Down With Me- 4 stars- Excellent song
3. Cowboy Take Me Away- 5 stars- This was the song that made me buy the Fly cd. This is such a beautiful song
4. Cold Day In July- 4 stars- Great song
5. Goodbye Earl- 5 stars- I LOVE this song. Another sing along tune
6. Hello Mr. Heartache- 5 stars- Another song that I defines numerous situations in my life.
7. Don't Waste Your Heart- 5 stars- Another song that touches the heart
8. Sin Wagon- 5 stars- This song rocks!!!...
9. Without You- 5 stars- Another song that defines situations in my life.
10. Some Days You Gotta Dance- 4 Stars- another great party tune
11. Hole In My Head- 5 stars- This one is loud and a perfect party tune
12. Heartbreak Town- 5 stars- Wonderful song!
13. Let Him Fly- 5 stars- This is such a meaningful song for me. It really touches my heart.

As you can see from my guide, most of the songs are 5 star's with only a couple that I thought deserved 4 songs. Go out and buy it! You won't be disappointed.

Traditional country with a contemporary edge
I first came across the Dixie Chicks via their album, Little old cowgirl, in the early nineties and I remember thinking how un-commercial it was. I was therefore surprised when their first major label album, Wide open spaces, became such a huge success, not only in America but internationally. In order to achieve that success, their sound - and their line-up - had changed substantially, but the quality was still there. Martie and Emily were always part of the group, but the two main singers had left and were replaced by Natalie. This album, their second on a major label but their fifth in total, shows further changes.

The group have had more than their share of controversy. Goodbye Earl is a song about domestic violence in which two women get their revenge by poisoning his food, killing him. In a footnote following the lyrics, the ladies say they do not advocate premeditated murder but love getting even. Nevertheless, they lost some fans and gained others because of the controversy.

Despite that song, this is generally an upbeat album, which was clearly a lot of fun to record if the goofy pictures are any indication. While their previous album contain a few covers, this contains just one - Cold day in July, first recorded by Joy White (now calling herself Joy Lynn White) and later covered by Suzy Bogguss. It is a great song and I'm glad it finally appeared on a top selling album although I still prefer Joy's version.

Elsewhere, the album is filled with exciting up-tempo songs, superb ballads and some great mid-tempo songs. Every track is brilliant but of those I haven't mentioned, my favorites are Ready to run, Hello Mr Heartache, Sin wagon, Without you and Some days you gotta dance.

Except for a few die-hards who insist that this isn't country, this should appeal to the vast majority of country fans. At a time when country music was getting ever further removed from its roots, the Dixie Chicks came along to prove that it is possible to sell country music in huge quantities while still sounding country. Long may they continue.

fantastic albumn
The chicks have done it again. This is a soulful and fun albumn. There are many fun songs on the albumn that only the Dixie Chicks can get away with. Goodbye Earl is a fun song about a very serious subject--physical abuse. 2 friends take matters into their own hands when Wanda's husband beats her and puts her in intensive care despite a restraining order. Her friend Mary Ann conspires with her to poison Earl, the wife beater, as it seems to be the only way out since the law is no help. They succeed and thrive. They have done what no other artist attempted to do--talk about a very serious subject. Most people would rather put on blinders and pretend things like this do not happen, but they do. The guys who wrote the song also do a great job at this song. Other songs like If I fall, Sin Wagon and others are just as fun. Songs like Cowboy take me away, Let Him Fly and Heartbreak town, show the more serious side of the Chicks. All songs on this albumn are great. There is not one that I do not like.

The Dixie Chicks take to the sky
It's hard to fathom the amount of improvement that "Fly" has over its predecessor, but the Dixie Chicks just grabbed the baton and ran with it. There are moments here that are downright funky in their joy, and transcendent in their emotional reach. With so few artists in Nash Vegas willing to play anything but what the dictators in ten gallon hats demand of them, the risk taking here was nothing short of phenomenal. Even a run of the mill ballad like "Cowboy Take Me Away" sounds bold in context.

Natalie Maines' voice gained in confidence here, and along with it, so did her partners in Chick-dom (Martie Seidel and Emily Robison). Listen to the obvious relish she injects into the good-riddence-too-bad-rubbish humor of "Good-bye Earl" and the line "That Earl had to DIE!" Or the full steam engine locomotive bluegrass that drives "Sin Wagon." Quite frankly, "Sin Wagon" is one of the most fun and rollicking songs I've heard on a country CD since Dolly Parton began challenging the boundaries of country, bluegrass, and pop.

Just to make sure you don't think "Fly" is little more than a country lark, be prepared for the title song. Patty Griffin's "Let Him Fly" gets inside your heart without being a formula country weepy. It's testament to the Chicks' song selection that - like on "Wide Open Spaces" - their taste in song writers is impeccable. (No pun intended.) In turn, it makes their run of fresh sounding originals sound all the better. "Fly" took plenty of risks and still produced hits. That the Dixie Chicks had to enter into a legal battle to get more freedom makes me love them more, especially considering they followed it up with their best work yet, "Home." You should have both. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Lloyd If You'll Start Us Off
That is how he stated it in his live albumn years ago now. And Lloyd Greene on his pedal steel guitar layed down some of the finest steel work ever when you listen to, "I Know One." Joe Talbert also worked with Charley and the heavy steel influence was so evident, and so good. Listen, Charley Pride was no fluke. I have a flyer that was tacked to a light pole in Texas, when he first appeared at the "Cowtown Ballroom" in Ft. Worth. You all should hear the live albumn to appreciate the fact many people did not know that Charley was not the typical country music performer. But a hush fell on that crowd, and when he sang, "Just Between You and Me." They were all made believers. So will you.

Remember past summers?,gentlier times?, and country music?
Then you will remember Charlie Pride's 24 greatest hits. Remember? - crystal chandalier? burgers and fries? missing you? roll on mississippi and many more? great cd! get this one and - also from amazon - rca country legends charlie pride collection - and you will have the greatest and the best of all that charlie pride has to offer. and through amazon you will get the best prices and the best quality products available on-line anywhere. thanks. R.H.

Just what I expected
I really enjoyed Charlie's rendition of "Mountain of Love". It's almost as good as Johnny Rivers. Charlie's smooth voice is great to listen to after a hard day at the office. I recommend this one.

Great, but...
Being a big fan of Charley Pride, I truly enjoyed this CD. But, It seems that most (if not all) of the recordings are not the original releases. It's definitely Charley Pride, they are definitely classic songs, he sounds great, but it is disappointing to be "duped" this way. Not even on the CD cover does it mention that these are "re-recordings". If you are looking for a "greatest hits" collection of the original recordings, look elsewhere.

a great artist
this man is very talented and has been steady making great music for years and years.kiss an angel good morning is one of my favorite country songs of all-time.i enjoy listening to this record. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Performance
I am a great fan of Daniel O'Donnell, having collected all of his CDs and DVDs, but this performance at Branson would now be the number 1 of my collection. His uncomplicated style and rendition of some old evergreens makes for wonderful listening and enjoyment. I also want to thank DPTV Media for its initiative in releasing both the DVD of the concert and the CDs. Now I can listen to Daniel not only in the comfort of my lounge at home but also in the car on the road. I hope that there will be further DVD releases of Daniel's USA concerts.

DANIEL O'DONNELLLIVE FROM BRANSON
IF YOU LIKE DANIEL O'DONNELL THEN YOU MUST GET THIS PROGRAM.
IT'S A HAFTA HAVE!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Most artists who appeal to adult listeners tend to settle into a comfortable niche, but Lucinda Williams refuses to play it safe. Instead, her music stings like an open wound, as she continues to strip away the protective layers from her art's emotional core. Though Williams has long been prized for the naked honesty of her music, this collection is even rawer than its predecessors. From the down-and-dirty bar-band blues of "Atonement" to the Rolling Stones-style swagger of "Bleeding Fingers" to the tricky balance of debasement and transcendence in "Ventura," Williams leaves the nerve endings of her music exposed. With the band opting for first-take immediacy rather than polish, some of the most powerful material is also the neediest, as the singer addresses lovers who have disrespected her ("Righteously") or abandoned her ("Those Three Days," "Minneapolis"). Though her attempts at rap on "Sweet Side" and "American Dream" might cause diehard fans to wince, her willingness to take creative chances reaffirms her position at the vanguard of a rootsy progressivism that transcends musical category. Simply put, there's more Patti Smith in her than there is Patsy Cline. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Maybe a bit too honest for some¿
Yikes! Lucinda really split herself wide open on this one. As a huge fan of her self-titled and "Car Wheels..." releases, I struggled with the nakedness of "Essence" and grew to love it. Again, with this release, I had a hard time getting through it the first time, but it gets easier with each listen. The lyrics are sheer poetry, albeit dark, painful, poetry. And Lucinda's delivery makes them darker and even more painful. I think a first-time listener might be turned off if this were their first Lucinda Williams experience.

My favorite song on this release is "Righteously". As I've played it, several people have stopped by my cubicle and asked, "What are you listening to? That song rocks!" Almost stripped down musically, it has a wailing guitar and strong bass line that moves the song along. The last line is my favorite - - "Be my lover don't play no game, Just play me John Coltrane".

"Ventura" has a beautiful steel-guitar, wavy-feeling kind of sound. "Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings" (great title!) sounds very Neil Young-ish to me. "Overtime" is classic heartbreak, almost Patsy Cline-ish...the simple drum work and the verby guitar along with the simple lyrics work beautifully well together.

In most of her songs, Lucinda doesn't subscribe to the pop structure of songwriting - - stanza, chorus, stanza, repeat chorus, etc. Instead the songs are more like poems with wonderful music accentuating them. I can never decide if Lucinda's vocals are a strength or a weakness...they are often rough and "hick-ish", but they do add a substantial amount of depth to the words. While I can imagine a "better" singer singing them, I realize the song would lose so much of its impact if it were slick and smooth.

I think Lucinda has come to terms with never hearing her music played on commercial radio stations across the country. Still, and admirably so, she refuses to sell out her themes and her musical style for the spoon-fed masses, and instead brings out a different kind of honesty, a different kind of love, a different kind of relationship, those not usually revealed or acknowledged in the mainstream. We're talking about abusive and drug-addicted, twisted and unhealthy relationships here. There's not very much warm and fuzzy going on. Proof that angst is a wonderful catalyst for art.

Damn Baby! - A True Cajun Angel
There's a reason why Time Magazine called Lucinda "America's Best Songwriter". She's honest,tortured and their is something sexy and dark about her voice and song writing. She's the girl your mom warned you about - but you couldn't help but following her down the road to ruin (then she'd write a song about you!). This album is not filled with the sugarcoated things on a Phil Collins or Micheal Bolton record. She talks about herion addiction, poverty, child abuse and love lost.

After the first cut, "Fruits of my Labor", I thought this is pretty good. Then, when Rightously kicked in, I said "Damn Baby!!". It's an incredible song, you feel jealous for the person it's written to! You gotta love a song that talks about John Coltrane. Real live Bleeding Fingers is another great track - the guitar work is very reminisant of Kieth Richards on "Exile on Mainstreet". "Those Three Days" is perfectly phrased. One of my favorite cuts is "Minneapolis", you can hear her pain. Lucinda maybe an acquired taste, like scotch, but pour me a glass - straight - and leave me the bottle. She's a poet, writing about real life. Like Dylan or Springsteen, just more honest and a sweet Lake Charles drawl. Buy the albums and don't miss her live!

Another TOP notch CD
Lucinda can do no wrong. With each album, Lucinda gets better and better. It makes my heart warm to see how wide Lucinda's following continues to grow. I miss you Lucy :) Remember B.Dalton in L.A.? LOL

Lucinda's great style mixed with a new sound
Everyone like to try new things, explore new interests and get out of the rut sometimes. Lucinda does that a bit on this CD. There are some Williams fans who may enjoy hearing her explore a new sound. I did not think it was "her". Like Johnny Cash singing Rap or Gene Simmons trying Gospel.

This music deals with anger, disallusionment, heartbreak and disappointment. I like that, oddly enough. What did not appeal to me was the style change for four songs - Righteously, Atonement , Sweet Side, American Dream. Just not the Lucinda Williams I have come to enjoy.

Still, she is free to try new things. If you want to see Lucinda explore new areas, you may like this work. I have always liked her more for her twangy blues sound and wish she had put forth her songs in that style.

I did enjoy the remaining songs.

This is still a good CD, just not her best.

Not her best
When they collect Lucinda's best work, there will be a few songs from this album. "Righteously," "Those Three Days," and "Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings" all belong on a compilation. But Williams overreaches, and it can be painful at times. "Atonement" can be kindly called ill-a