Reviews (4)

Some good, some bad and some ugly
Like most volumes in the "Have A Nice Day" series, Volume 23 is uneven, mixing good songs and not-so-good songs with some utter dreck to avoid at all costs. Examples of the "good" category include "I've Got The Music In Me," "Love Me," "Back When My Hair Was Short" (Some people might disagree with me on this one, but I've always liked this song's tongue-in-cheek nostalgia) and "Amie". Rhino has taken some flak for including an edited version of "Amie" on this set, but this is the exact same edit people got when they bought the 45. "Oldies" radio only plays the full-length album version nowadays, which exacerbates the problem.

In the "not-so-good" category, we have "Hocus Pocus" (surely, one of the most bizarre songs ever to crack the top-10), "Never My Love" (okay on its own terms, but an embarrassment when compared to the Association's version), "Love Really Hurts Without You" (a lackluster early Billy Ocean effort) and "Tubular Bells". I really like the full-length version of "Tubular Bells," which clocks in at 25 minutes and could never be included here, but the version Rhino HAS included here suffers from some very choppy editing and, unfortunately, is not the TRUE 45 version.

In the "utter dreck" category, we have a good argument in favor of keeping actors FAR away from recording studios: "Let Her In," as sung (?) by John Travolta. Frankly, I'd rather listen to "Feelings" on a continuous loop than have to listen to this song once.

Good Fun
Super Hits of the 70's, Volume 23 is an excellent collection made up of some fun songs. The album opens with two instrumentals, the goofy "Hocus Pocus" by Focus that has some strangle yodeling on it and the super creepy "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield which served as the theme for The Exorcist. The Kiki Dee Band's "I've Got The Music In Me" shows off Ms. Dee's impressive pipes, Blue Swede do a credible cover of The Association's "Never My Love", Pure Prairie League's "Amie" is one of the best country-rock songs of all-time, The Sweet's "Fox On The Run" is a great glam-rocker, John Travolta scored a top ten hit with his easy moving "Let Her In", Yvonne Elliman's pre-Saturday Night Fever "Love Me" is a nice surprise and Billy Ocean's first hit in America "Love Really Hurts Without You" doesn't really show the catchiness of 80's hits.

One of the worst "must have" albums in existence
The entire "Have a Nice Day" series is comprised essentially of one hit wonders. With the butcher job done on "Amie", this disc is a one-hit wonder as well, but what a one. The hair-raising, eerie sounds of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" (theme from The Exorcist) have never been duplicated, and that one cut makes this disc worth having. Yvonne Elliman's "Love Me" adds a little support, but that's about it.

Rhino was definitely on the downhill slope with Volume 23, but it's still a decent value and worth the purchase price.

Hits and Misses
An awfully edited version of the classic "Amie" by Pure Prairie League is a blot on this CD that taints the rest of the collection. "Back When My Hair Was Short," a Weird Al soundalike by Gunhill Road, barely made the top 40, and Billy Ocean's first American hit "Love Really Hurts Without You" is out of place. Many of the hits here can be found elsewhere. All original versions. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Freedom Songs that were the life blood of the Movement
This double-CD reissue of "The Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Black American Freedom Songs 1960-1966" documents the importance of songs in the Civil Rights Movement. Teachers covering this tumultuous time in American History in their class can certainly give students a better sense for the time by not only showing videos of the peaceful demonstrations and police brutality, but by playing them some of the songs from this album. Many of these freedom songs were recorded live in mass meetings held in churches. These are not just spirituals and gospel songs, but draw upon rhythm and blues, football chants, blues, and calypso for their beauty and energy. The first disc features songs from mass meetings, where a singer or core of singers leads the people in the singing of the songs, while the second focuses on ensemble works by the SNCC Freedom Singers and other groups. The accompanying booklet written by Bernice Johnson Reagon combines historic photographs with insights into each song, providing an excellent education in the meaning of the music. Reagon not only explains how these songs were song, but also which songs were prominent for the Selma-to-Montgomery March ("Governor Wallace"), "Freedom Train" for the vigil for the Mississippi Democratic Party elections, and so on.

Chances are that unless you were involved in the Civil Rights Movement you will not especially recognize many of these songs, with "This Little Light of Mine," "Go Tell It On the Mountain," and "We Shall Overcome" being the obvious exceptions. But you will be surprised at some of the popular songs that were appropriate for the cause, such as "Calypso Freedom," based on Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song," and "Get Your Rights, Jack," based on the Ray Charles hit "Hit the Road, Jack." For me the song that stood out was "In the Mississippi River," written by Marshall Jones after the disappearance of three Civil Rights workers in Mississippi during the summer of 1964. As local rivers were dragged in search of the men, many other bodies were discovered, a chilling fact that certainly needs to be more than a historic footnote to that tragic event. There is also a lengthy segment from a sermon by Rev. Lawrence Campbell, which illustrates the song-sermons that were an integral part of the movement and its traditions. The result is a historical document of immense value to teachers and their students.

Folkways Records was founded by Moses Asch and Marian Distler in 1948 to document music and spoken word from around the world. The Smithsonian Institution acquired Folkways from the Asch estate and has succeeded in preserving the best of the label's 2,200 albums. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued this grand tradition. I have checked out a half-dozen of their offerings and their are uniformly superb, especially in terms of providing the historical context by which we can best appreciate these songs from another place and another time.

emmotionally charged and historically valuable document
For any one interested in the freedom struggle in the sixties this is essential listening. The first disc of recordings made in the South during the mid sixties captures the importance of music at the mass meetings.

The second disc with ensemble recordings shows the skill of the SNCC singing groups.

The cd is accompanied by extensive liner notes by Bernice Johnson Reagan, herself a member of a SNCC ssinging group and founder of "Sweet Honey in the Rock". She draws out not only the historical references in the songs, but also the different African American musical influences at play. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Some of T.K.'s lesser-known disco hits.
Based in Miami, T.K. Records was one of the most important disco labels from 1975-81. The Miami disco sound was more energetic and robust than that of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles (it also had a more tropical feel). This is a great party CD- disco, however, was a type of music that more often than not lacked soul, emotion and substance and most of these songs are no exception.

less well-known disco classics
A nice collection of tracks for anyone who's looking for the not so obvious disco of the 70's. The cd contains funky disco like 'Blackwater Gold', more 'cheesy' stuff like 'Come Into My Heart', and tracks as 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat', that nowadays are mostly known by its breaks used in hiphop. More than enough to keep you locked in the groove. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautifully Sung Gospel music
For anyone who likes the mix of country and hymns ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Just As I Remembered It -- But Better!
Well, it's just as I remembered it from my old cassette version, but now I don't need to wind the tape or flip it over! Otherwise, it's the same as the tape: great Berlin songs, brought to life by some of the most famous voices...Fred Astaire does his best version of "Cheek to Cheek", Dinah Shore for me *defines* the number "Doin' What Comes Naturally", and I much prefer Barbara Streisand's rendition of "What'll I Do"...this isn't some definitive collection, but it's a rock-solid introduction to one of America's most beloved classic composers! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

No "So Much in Love????"
Terrible album without the best hit of 1963. "So Much in Love " by the tymes. A terrible error to leave this out. I wish Amazon would include all hits on their discs so that one could examine them before buying.

Girl Groups and Surfer Boys waiting for the British Invasion
The year is 1963 and the Beatles spearhead of the British Invasion is still a year away from appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and the Billboard charts (at least as represented by this collection) are dominated by Girl Groups and Surfers. For the former you have the Chiffons, the ultimate Girl Group, with "He's So Fine" while the Angels warn everybody "My Boyfriend's Back." Toss into this side of the equation Lesley Gore reminding us all that "It's My Party" and that is three pretty good songs right there. However, they sure all sound more like Rock & Roll from the Fifties than from the Sixties. The other half of the formula is delineated by Jan & Dean singing about "Surf City" and the Beach Boys taking a larger perspective with "Surfin' U.S.A." Add to the mix "Louie Louis," the ultimate party song for those who never stop short of having way too much to drink, and there are clearly more good songs than bad on this 10 song album. However, if you look at your music library do you not already have all of the songs you want from this one? Nice collection, but if you are looking for hard to find singles from 1963, this CD is probably not going to meet your needs.

fun sounds
well these are all the big hits that year and they still play them all on oldies stations today.
they are just catchy pop songs that stay with you and give a happy upbeat sound that todays pop songs don't have
Louie,Louie the frat song of all time
It's my party, Easier said than done -like a typewriter beat
Surf City the original surf sound listen for the various edits throughout the song & Surfin USA (which sounds like a copy of the chuck berry song of sweet little sixteen,which ended up in a lawsuit)
Sugar Shack (before there was a love shack B52s)has a great bass line for an early '60's sound,backup band the Fireballs who had great guitar instrumental hits
Walk Like a Man-great Frankie Vallie & Four Seasons falsetto harmony

My Boyfriends Back -girl group sound
Fingertips-stevie wonder made himself known

Big, Big Hits
Ten big pop hits, eight of them #1s. You can't beat it. All original versions. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Here is somethin' good.
This is a good album. It is worth listening to over and over. Here is the track list for it:

Track List:

1. Video- India Arie
2. Fallin'- Alicia Keys
3. Ms. Jackson- Outkast
4. Drops Of Jupiter- Train
5. Walk On- U2
6. Honest With Me- Bob Dylan
7. I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow- The Soggy Bottom Boys
8. I'm Like A Bird- Nelly Furtado
9. Babylon (LIVE)- David Gray
10. Fill Me In- Craig David
11. You Rock My World- Michael Jackson
12. I Want Love (ALBUM VERSION)- Elton John
13. Still- Brian McKnight
14. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight- James Taylor
15. Shape Of My Heart- Backstreet Boys
16. Superman (It's Not Easy)- Five For Fighting
17. Imitation Of Life- R.E.M.

So what are ya waitin' for. Go ad get it now or today. Thanks guys!

"Hear the majority of them if you switch on your radio"
Like the Oscars, many argue that the Grammy's are nothing more than a marketing tool to help out manufactured bands gain recognition in the field of music, with bands like The Spice Girls, N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys frequently receiving nods for fields like Best Artist of The Year, despite the fact that no-one can really tell the difference between any of their music. However, the past few years have seen unknown and superb talent receiving the props they deserve, with '70s giant Carlos Santana running away with the majority of the awards two years ago, and U2 grabbing Record and Song of the Year in 2001. This year sees an eclectic mix of hit-and-miss tunes from the Grammy judges (read: old farts), with U2 getting nominated again, and Bob Dylan, Elton John, R.E.M. Alicia Keys and fictional band Soggy Bottom Boys all receiving well-deserved nods. But as soon as we see Michael Jackson's inclusion on this compilation, we know there're going to be some horrible misjudgments - and there are: Craig David, Brian McKnight, Backstreet Boy, Five For Fighting and Nelly Furtado are all integrated into the awards. And, as always, will probably garner undeserved prizes for their useless music, yet again ditching the great bands like the Strokes - chosen as Best Album Of 2001 by Time, NME, Entertainment Weekly and yours truly at HK Magazine, but not even seeing one nomination. As for the tunes on the CD themselves, their pretty much even, a great tune like "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" is followed by MJ's "You Rock My World", with that format dominating the whole collection as the album goes on. Pick it up if you're a fan of excellent mainstream music, but you can probably hear the majority of them if you switch on your radio

Acceptable
Not as good as other Grammy albums, but that is to be expected in a year of not so good music. India.Arie, Outkast, David Gray, and Nelly Furtado offer decent songs. Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, and Elton John fall short of the mark. However, U2 Five for Fighting and BSB fall flat on their faces.

Time to change the tea bag.
Most of the grammy nominees this year didn't score big hits,wheren't popular,and didn't sing well. The only good songs were Fallin,Ms.Jackson,Drops Of Jupiter,Walk On,and I'm Like A Bird.

The people and their songs who diserved to be nominatted for Grammy Nominees 2002 were

Destiny's Child-Survivor
Janet Jackson-All For You
Mandy Moore-Crush
Jennifer Lopez-Play
Britney Spears-Stronger
*Nsync-Pop

Now doesn't that sound more like grammy nominees!
I think so. I recommend to either burn your on Grammy Nominees 2002 with your nominees if you have a cd burner,buy Grammy Nominees 2001,or buy Grammy Nominees 2002 and skip through the cd or maybe you like the songs on the cd.

Overall,don't buy this cd.

I hope this helped.

Good Mix
For a change there are actually some decent tunes on a Grammy CD. Most of the songs on the CD are more pop than rock, but that's okay. The live version of "Babylon" by David Gray is the best cut in my opinion, along with "Superman" by Five For Fighting and "Drops Of Jupiter" by Train. Even "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" from the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou is a nice change of pace. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The most consistently enticing disc in the Rock Instrumental Classics series, this is both a great party and driving record and a window on the rhythms that powered soul music in the '60s (and early '70s, in two cases). In addition to some obvious choices (the four Booker T. & the MG's tracks, the Mar-Keys' "Last Night"), it also offers some left-field picks, such as the varied approaches to Latin music offered by Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, and El Chicano. The stock of virtuoso performances here is all but endless: the bass-and-drums breakdown on Cliff Nobles and Co.'s "The Horse," the glinting guitar solo on the Bar-Kays' "Soul Finger," Hugh Masekela's questing trumpet on "Grazing in the Grass." --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Nothing special, but worth having for some of the selections
I've never been much of a soul fan, with or without words, so this album is a ho-hum for me. But finding "Last Night", "The In Crowd", "The Horse", and 4 Booker T & Mg's all on one album makes is worth having. The rest of it is junk. But....that's just my opinion. Listen to the snipits above and make up your own mind.

This Rhino Collection is Solid!
Rhino Records is one of the most consistent producers of quality oldies collections. This, the fourth volume in their "rock" instrumental series is no exception. One of the distinctive qualities of Rhino collections is that they combine familiar hits with great rare sides. Although called "Soul," this volume really should be called the second part of the 1960's volume, like "The '60's: Soul."

Predictably, this volume starts off with arguably the most enduring instrumental from the early 1960's, "Green Onions" by Booker T. & the MG's. Also included in the volume are three other fine tracks by them: "Hang 'Em High," "Hip Hug-Her," and "Time is Tight." I was particularly happy about the inclusion of the latter track, because it is noticeably excluded from Atlantic Records R&B box set. Interestingly enough, a good number of the tracks in this volume were also in Atlantic's collection, clearly demonstrating their dominance in 1960's soul music.

Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass" (from his great "Promise of a Future" album) was my favorite recording as a kid and was also my first taste of so called "world music." Hugh Masekela's trumpet is absolutely captivating. I can never get enough of this recording.

Other familiar gems from this volume are "Soulful Strut" (Young-Holt Unlimited), "Viva Tirado" (El Chicano), and "Last Night" (Mar-Keys). There aren't too many "classics" missing in this collection.

This volume also introduced me to some rare gems including "The Horse" (Cliff Nobles & Co.) and "Twine Time" (Alvin Cash & the Crawlers). The latter rivals the Bar-Kay's "Soul Finger" (also included in this volume) as a great party record. I can just hear people shouting "Ooh! Aah!" much in the same way as people would shout "Soul finger" on the Bar-Kay's record.

Although I think this is a great collection and worthy of five stars, I have two admittedly minor criticisms. The first one is the inclusion of "El Watusi" by Ray Barretto y su Charanga Moderna. While the track is not without appeal, it is extremely repetitive almost to the point of being monotonous. Another is the fact that with the exception of "Soul Makossa" (Manu Dibango) and "Viva Tirado," all of the tracks on this volume are from the 1960's. The collection would have been better served by having the "Soul" volume split into two parts -- one for the 1960's and one for the 1970's (perhaps also including the 1980's). That way such stellar cuts such as "Always There" (Ronnie Laws & Pressure), "Solar Flight - Opus 1" (Mandre) and "Machine Gun" (The Commodores) could also been included. The 1950's R&B instrumentals are well represented in "The '50's" volume of the collection.

Nit-picking aside, this is a fine volume from Rhino's instrumental series. If you love soul music and instrumentals, this volume is definitely a must have. Even if you're not sure, check out the volume anyway, it's bound to make you a believer.

Get In With the In Crowd!
It's sixties soul, distilled on one disc that you'll play again and again. From the expected -- "Green Onions" and "In Crowd" -- to the more recherche "Twine Time" and "Watermelon Man," there's not a bad one in this crowd. I missed a couple of my own favorites -- "Tighten It Up," for one -- but's who's complaining? Not me. I'm too busy ponying to the beat!

The one place to find a bunch of classics
Other than on a Booker T and the MG's Greatest Hits album, one would be hard pressed to find these hits, near hits, and obscure classics elsewhere. Where else will you find Manu Dibangu's heavily saxed "Soul Makossa", or Cannonball Adderley's "Mercy Mercy Mercy"?

No bait-and-switch here. This is a fantastic grouping of classic soul instrumentals. Heavilly influenced by the MG's (I would have loved to see Billy Preston's "Outa Space" traded for "Green Onions", for example), it is still worth every penny.

As Dobie Gray's vocal version of "The In Crowd" so aptly proclaims: "Other guys immitate us, but the originals are still the greatest"! All original, most great.

Throw This CD On and Everyone Will Think You're Cool
The best of the five instrumental CD's. Not a wack track in the stack. All right, a few are silly (it's hard not to laugh at Alvin Cash's announcement that "It's TWINE...time!"), but they'll all keep you and your party moving. Four tracks by Booker T & the MG's might have been slight overkill, but you can't argue with the results. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

THE HEYDAY OF DISCO
The year saw the culmination of the disco era; in the next decade dance music became Hi-NRG and lost some of its melodic appeal and variety. Born To Be Alive by Patrick Hernandez is a brilliant piece of passionate disco with lots of hooks and a great tune, while Anita Ward's Ring My Bell introduced the syndrum to great effect, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor is a powerful anthem and the Hot Stuff/Bad Girls mix is an ageless classic, a devastating dance piece containing two of Donna Summer's greatest hits from the year when she dominated the Billboard charts with at least four hits from her brilliant Bad Girls album. At one stage during that year, these songs occupied the No. 1 and 2 positions on the Billboard Hot 100 for a couple of weeks. Both Hot Stuff and Bad Girls featured heavy rock guitar, representing a dramatic break from Summer's earlier synth and strings sound. The other songs have aged surprisingly well although they don't quite have the status of classics. This album is ideal for parties but also offers great listening enjoyment.

Excellent!
The songs in this collection are amazing! Donna Summer, Cher,and Diana Ross are just some of the divas that are included in this collection. Hot Stuff and Bad Girls are in here in an extended version, longer than that of the album version. Diana Ross' "No one gets the prize/ the boss" are mixed nicely together. Overall, I recommend this CD. It has great sound and it is a nice way to get acquainted with Disco's greatest stars. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A pretty nice album to listen to
I was about 18 years old when Wolf came to Europe to tour and make recordings like this one. I remember the excitement at the time, though I didn't get to see the great man in person. This album is a fine record of that epoch.

An excellent album that I have had for several years and still play regularly, especially in the car. You have the Wolf on vocals with the Rolling Stones rhythm section and Eric Clapton playing some nice stuff on lead guitar. with Stevie Winwood in there somewhere too.

I have heard better versions of Wang Dang Doodle, but the rest of the songs are excellent.

A unique album that showcases Howlin' Wolf, the like of whom we will not see again. However, I am not sure that this is his very best work, as I have a Live In Europe album from a 1964 concert in Bremen that has Hubert Sumlin on guitar and that wonderful pianist Sunnyland Slim in the band, along with Willie Dixon on bass, and to be honest, the somewhat younger Wolf sounds vocally stronger, as he really stretches out with a great band in a live performance. But this London album is still a nice listen and gets three stars from me.

As I have posted a number of reviews, here is what I mean by my star ratings:

* A really worthless CD
** A CD that has some good stuff, but some major defects.
*** An OK CD that will please fans of the artist in question.
**** An excellent CD that represents the best work of the artist in question and can be bought with confidence.
***** An absolute classic that is the best, or among the best, of its genre. Your collection should start here.

An American Howlin' Wolf in London
Some collaborations of "superstar" musicians and Blues Legends just don't work out. This one certainly does, though. The impressive list of musicians includes Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's lead guitarist is also present, although Clapton takes the lead role here. And on this record, all the musicians demonstrate they know how to play blues. They provide fine backing for Wolf, who never sounded better, and their playing is always loyal to the original recordings. Eric Clapton is particularly impressive, and should be proud he was part of this album. The songs are all re-workings of Wolf classics. "What a Woman" has a thunderous riff - play it loud. "Little Red Rooster" is also outstanding - A rehearsal of this song is also included.

This is an excellent album - essential for fans of Howlin' Wolf, also a good introduction to someone to hasn't heard him before. It was recorded in 1971, five years before Howlin' Wolf's death.

pretty darn good
I've read reviews of this that have called it a turkey, blues purists SEEM to hate it. After all, these are white english kids, for cripes sake! Well, a lot of these white english kids helped a lot of American kids learn about stuff they had never heard of.

I bought this album when it first came out. I knew who Clapton was, I knew who Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts were, I knew who Stevie Winwood was. I did NOT know who Howlin Wolf was. So, as a result of this album I learned who Howlin Wolf was and eventually bought more of his albums.

But regardless, this is an album that I enjoy listening too! I believe that the musicianship of the guys playing on this is much better than it's credited as being. Yeah, the Red Rooster intro is one that probably should have been left out. I've never been able to figure out why they left that in.

I've read that Clapton has disparaged this album and his involvement in it. I've never actually heard/read his words on this. It makes me sad. I've heard of lot of other stuff that has been released with the blessing of artists that truly sucks.

Anyway, don't pass on this because some music critic panned it. It's a darn good album.

nice quality of recording
underrated(2-3 stars)in all music books

Absolutely amazing
When you take Howlin' Wolf-one of the greatest Chicago bluesmen ever-and put him together with Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and Steve Winwood, what do you get? You get one exciting blues album. I read somewhere that blues purists don't like this album, but I know from listening to it that this is pure, electric, energetic, rockin' blues.

The album starts off strong; the first thing you hear is Clapton's beautiful slide guitar riff on "Rockin' Daddy." On this track, we have Phil Upchurch on bass, Winwood on piano, The Wolf's long time lead guitarist Hubert Sumlin on rhythm guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, and The Wolf himself singing the vocals in his famous growling stlyle. We hear a wonderful solo from Clapton, who plays off the melody of the tune beautifully.

Ringo plays drums on "I Ain't Superstitious" and the results are awesome. With a horn section (Joe Miller, Jordan Sandke, Dennis Lansing) holding the roots of the chords, and Clapton playing a slide riff to back The Wolf's vocals, we get a truly great jam.

The rest of the album is as exciting has the first two songs. We hear Jeffrey M. Carp's soulful harp on "Sittin' On Top Of The World," and The Wolf's vocals are just as astounding. Clapton adds another creative solo, again playing off the beautiful melody of the song. Later in the album, we hear the amusing Willie Dixon tune "Built For Comfort" in which the horn section mentioned before adds its unique touch. "Highway 49" is one of the highlights of the album, with classic guitar riffs and The Wolf's soulful, bluesy singing. You get the feeling that no one could sing this song like The Wolf. Basically, when buying blues, you can't go wrong with Howlin' Wolf. Overall, this album is excellent. It is a beautiful display of classic blues performed by an all-star cast. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

+ 1/2 stars...Big Hits and a Handful of Clunkers
As Rhino has done throughout its Have A Nice Day series, this is an interesting look at the Seventies as presented by artists of the era whose fame was short-lived. The compilers at Rhino assume you already have Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Chicago and Paul McCartney in your music library. So they have filled in the gaps with a collection of mostly one-and two-hit wonders. [Only Gilbert O'Sullivan and Charlie Daniels reached the Top 10 more than once!]

Not that there aren't plenty of big hits here. Five of these songs were million-sellers: The lightweight pop smash "Playground in My Mind," the POSEIDON ADVENTURE theme "Morning After," the country-crossover "Funny Face," the usually maudlin Gilbert O'Sullivan gets funky with "Get Down" and the banjo-guitar duet from DELIVERANCE "Dueling Banjos."

For me, the treats of volume 11 are the topical humor of Charlie Daniels' hilarious "Uneasy Rider" and the melancholy of Jud Strunk's "Daisy a Day. [Strunk is probably best remembered as a former cast member of "Laugh-In."]

Several of these tracks, however, weaken the overall impact of the collection. "Big City Miss Ruth Ann" was Gallery's last gasp in the Top 40 before becoming candidates for "Where are they now?" trivia. El Chicano's "Tell Her She's Lovely" spent one week at No. 40 before dropping off the chart entirely. Still, that was a better chart performance than Albert Hammond's "Free Electric Band." Songs like these didn't enter the American musical conscience thirty years ago, why bring them back now? It would have made more sense to include such 1973 hits as Sweet's "Little Willy," Billy Preston's "Space Race," or Loggins & Messina's "Your Mama Don't Dance."

Overall, there's enough big hits here to make the set interesting, but enough duds to keep this from being truly essential.

A Little Bit Of Everything - And More Than Enough Of It!
The songs featured here range from No. 1 smashes ("The Morning After") to an entry that neglected to even crack the Top 40 ("The Free Electric Band"); from country ("Funny Face") to novelty ("Uneasy Rider"); from pop with attitude ("Big City Miss Ruth Ann") to death-pop ("Daisy A Day"). The Hot 100 was sure a mixed bag in 1973, and this edition conveys the essence of that almost perfectly. The finale could have been better - nothing terribly wrong with "Tell Her She's Lovely," except for the fact that chances are, if you grew up on the East Coast this will be the first time you have ever heard it. Would have been six stars if Keith Hampshire's "Big Time Operator" had closed out this disc instead!

A swiss cheese of a disc. . . .
Unfortunately, I must disagree with previous reviewers of this disc. Volume 11 of the "Have a Nice Day" series is terribly inconsistent. When four of twelve cuts are marginal at best, you have a bit of a quality problem.

Volume 11 is a study in contrasts. There are two instrumental tracks; the superb "Dueling Banjos" and the overlong, overplayed Deodato version of "Also Sprach Zarathustra." Gilbert O'Sullivan and Clint Holmes add a light touch with "Get Down" and "Playground in My Mind", and Maureen McGovern's beautiful "Morning After" provides a bigband-ish angst ballad.

There is a strong country-influence in Donna Fargo's silly but successful "Funny Face" and the much better Charlie Daniel's Band debut offering, "Uneasy Rider."

There is some very good music on this disc, but many of the tracks seem very out of place on a collection whose primary title is "SuperHits of the 70s."

Like so many other compilations on the market, Volume 11 is a take it or leave it proposition based solely on the purchaser's individual taste.

THIS IS AN AWESOME CD!!!!
If you like 60's music..I really reccomend that you buy this cd! It is great! There is NO bad song on it! Its A MUST GET CD!!!!

Mostly Big Hits of the 70s
All original versions of some big hits make this a fantastic entry in the "Have a Nice Day" series by Rhino Records. Only one curiosity, "Tell Her She's Lovely," by El Chicano, is out of place. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

i want to have more songs from the film
the songs in the film are very good, so touching. i really want to know what are the names of other songs from the movie that is not included in the soundtrack??

Good, but not what you're probably expecting...
A lot of people went out and bought this cd after watching the movie, but probably not because of Percy Sledge. Unfortunately, that's about all you get. The orchestral pieces are great background music, but are strangely prioritized for the soundtrack in the place of Michael Stipe and Rickie Lee Jones. For everyone going crazy trying to find out what songs are missing from the soundtrack, I hope this helps:

"Running From Mercy" by Rickie Lee Jones
"I'm a Good Man" by Robert Cray

"Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.
"Stewart's Coat" by Rickie Lee Jones

short, but very sweet
This has been my favorite CD ever since I've owned it. My only gripe is that it is way too short. I am in search of other wonderful works by Zbigniew Preisner. The "When a Man Loves a Woman" soundtrack is relaxing and powerful.
Enjoy.

Not a great CD - But not THAT bad!
This is not a great CD, but it is better than most reviewers seem to rate it. If you saw the movie - and liked it as I did, you will notice several pieces in the movie missing from the CD. Why? I don't know...

BUT - Percy Sledge brings memories with When A Man Loves A Woman - again and again. And Brian Kennedy's Crazy Love never wears old.

The rest of the album, although mostly just instrumental variations on a simple theme - is still good!

Although not a great CD, it is one that you can put on in the background, hit the repeat button, and not feel rushed to change.

Give it a try - I think you will enjoy it...

REM
REM sings "Everybody Hurts". It's a great song and it's a shame that it's not on this album, since it's part of a defining moment in the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Seminal work
This is arguably the all-time best steel-string fingerstyle guitar record ever produced. It paved the way for Michael Hedges and more recent solo acoustic fingerstyle players, and the current acoustic instrumental music boom (if it's loud enough to be called that...;-)

Worth listening to, again and again and again.

Up, up and away...
What Piccard and Jones did with a balloon in '99, Kottke, Lang & Fahey did way back in '74 with a guitar. They took centuries old technology and redefined its capabilities by applying innovation, vision and courage. For the unenlightened that thought the guitar was limited to either ear splitting rock riffs and/or, campfire strum-alongs, this trio lifts the listener far above the peaks of expected performance and shows them the light.

A must have for fingerstyle guitar enthusiasts? Certainly, but more importantly, a must have for anyone who has no idea what fingerstyle guitar is. These are the guitar-tists that changed the guitar-picker paradigm and defined the fingerstyle genre.

A Must-Have for Fingerstyle Guitar Fanatics
I first encountered this album when I purchased it on vinyl in the late seventies after a co-worker turned me on to Leo Kottke. This in turn introduced me to the master--John Fahey--and the relatively unknown Peter Lang.

Like Kottke after his first album on Takoma, Lang branched out to include session musicians and even the occasional vocal. It didn't work for him, mostly due to poorly chosen material. But Lang's guitar playing shines on the four cuts here. [And if you can find it, his only Takoma album "The Thing at the Nursery Room Window" is remarkable.]

As far as Kottke's and Fahey's contributions, they are as always superb. But other than this being the ONLY way to still hear anything by Peter Lang, this album serves as little more than a sampler for the twin pillars of finger-picking guitarists. It is, of course, all wonderful, but it will leave you wanting more...the next place to go is Kottke's "Six and Twelve String Guitar" and Fahey's "The Legend of Blind Joe Death." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The best guitar work ever recorded.
It's about time this was released on a CD. I've worn my album out. This is the best of Kottke. Lang was a wonderful surprise. When Kings Come Home is an amazing song. As for Fahey, there is no one better on a 12 string and this selection of songs proves it.

Outstanding American primitive guitar
I bought this album after seeing John Fahey at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C. in the 1970s. I've been a Fahey fan since. However, the neglected artist of the three is Peter Lang. I cherish my vinyl copy of "The Thing at the Nursary Window" and welcome its eventual release in CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This exemplary collection is full of music as ravishing as In the Wee Small Hours or Kind of Blue. Mixing radio staples (the Flamingos' definitive version of "I Only Have Eyes for You") with less-heard classics (the Cadillacs' "Gloria," the Velvetones' "Glory of Love"), Doo Wop Ballads brings the sound of the street corner home to the quiet corners of romance. Essential to the development of later decades' soul music, the sounds herein are also a reminder that these '50s teenagers and young adults indeed laid a claim on our hearts as unyielding as those of Frank or Miles. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (6)

I remember...
This is a great CD. It features all the best known doo wop ballads, plus a few that aren't so well known. There are tons of great vocals here. If you are a fan of vocal harmony, you should definitely get this CD.

GOING, GOING, GONE
This is the first doo wop CD I've heard that includes the songs I remember listing to when they weren't oldies. It is nice to hear them with out radio personality Jerry Blavat interupting. Buy it, this CD is a home run.

doo=wap
those oldies but goodies remind me of you. oh what a time it was, fast cars women and young girls and releaae from our parents and the early fifties, sexual revoloution love and rock and roll. oh wahat a time in musical history. we had it all

Standing Under The Streetlights
I absolutely love doo wop music. There was no room for error. All the singers--the bass, the baritone, the tenors--had to have it together. Perfect for playing on those romantic nights. I was pleased to find that this includes "A Thousand Miles Away", and the answer song, "Daddy's Home", both doo wop classics. Great tunes: "Teardrops", "Since I Don't Have You", "16 Candles", "My True Story", and all the rest.

This is Great Singing
This is a Classic Disc.Doo Wop is a Lost Art.cuz Most Artists today don't have any harmony.the Groups don't have Solid Pipes Like you Hear here.The Flamingos Classic I Only Have Eyes For You is a Timeless Classic.Oh What A Nite By The Dells is a Gem.These Voices are The Real Deal. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

music for a rainy day
I loved this CD after hearing my friend's copy of it, so I immediately went on Amazon and bought it. It is the perfect music to listen to when you're feeling down and blue. It makes me feel lke I'm in a smoky, dark jazz club in the 20's. The best track is the first: "Cry Me A River," by Julie London. The only one I didn't like is the MArlene Dietrich one- she has a very weird voice-not a good one like the liner notes said. Of course, one doesn't need to be depressed to enjoy it. Listen to "At Last" by Etta James when you're in love. It will bring joy to your heart.

So So Sirens
I appreciate good jazz vocals; but, these are just ok jazz vocals, with big name singers. I guess I had expected the songs to be cleaned up a bit - you know digitally perfect. While there are a lot of wonderful songs here, by most of the original performers, that does not make them the best versions of the songs. Unfortunately the feel of the songs gradually goes from lounge jazz (good) to early Doo-whop (just ok). Still, if you're in the mood for some historic / nostalgic performances by the first first ladies of music, there is a place in your collection for this disk. I personally enjoyed Judy Garland's: But Not For Me.

The one other thing about the CD I didn't care for was the marketing technique used. It is an honorable thing to support shelters for battered women; however, it is not necessary to employ subtle, emotional male-bashing in the liner notes. Our two genders will never achieve equality, if they can't treat each other with respect and consideration.

Soft . . . Soulful . . . Sighing . . . or Sad .
This review relates to the musical CD, "Sirens of Song:
Classic Torch Singers." Rhino: R2 72514. 1997.
The atmosphere, locale, and tone of these songs
and presentations is close, soft, intimate, jazzy blue,
and easily accessible.
The songs and singers are: "Cry Me A River", Julie
London; "Black Coffee", Sarah Vaughan; "Stormy
Blues", Billie Holiday; "I'm Getting Sentimental Over
You", Ella Fitzgerald; "But Not For Me", Judy Garland;
"Stormy Weather", Lena Horne; "Come Rain or Come Shine",
Marlene Dietrich; "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", Eartha Kitt;
"La Vie En Rose" (in English), Edith Piaf; "At Last";
Etta James; "Since I Fell For You", Nina Simone; "What A
Difference A Day Makes", Dinah Washington; "I Got It Bad
And That Ain't Good", Carmen McRae; "Soul On Fire",
LaVern Baker; "I'll Wait For You", Ruth Brown.
What really fascinates and pleases on this disc are
the distinctive tonalities, stylings, and intimate
involvement with the songs which each of these ladies
presents. As each voice comes on with its own song
of love-lorn experience and "wisdom" gained, it is
instantly recognizable as belonging to the particular
lady who sings it. There is pathos in these songs,
but scarely any pitiful whining. And, strangely,
although the subject matter is about sadness and
loss, the presentations are soft and soulful, very
restful and in a way, comforting. That's the way
of the world -- it happens to us all -- life is
not just laughter and blase glitz, it's also
cold experience and pain, but at some point there
has to be soulful, restful assessment and release.
For me, the slight irritation in some of the orchestrations,
is the "intrusion" of the jazzy, muted trumpets as if
inserting a bit of razzing worldly smart-aleck
comment. The other possible irritation for some
may be the inclusion of Marlene Dietrich among these
stylish ladies of song -- hers seems more like a
"campy" inclusion, with even a talking portion in
the song.
The personal standouts for me are Billie Holiday,
Ella Fitzgerald (stylish sophistication personified),
Eartha Kitt, Edith Piaf, Etta James, Dinah Washington
(what a special sound her voice has!), Carmen McRae
(another special sound).
The booklet included has excellent photographs of
Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald,
Judy Garland, Julie London, Eartha Kitt, Marlene
Dietrich, Etta James, and LaVern Baker.
The purpose is: "The lives of the women who pour their
hearts out on -Sirens of Song: Classic Torch Singers-
read like a litany of heartache, hardship, seesaws of
rejection and adoration, and deaths that came too soon.
Emotion and upheaval make for 'good torch.' Technically,
a torch song is about unrequited love. Here we have
broadened the definition to include all aspects of
love -- good, bad, and uncontrollable -- for that
special, or ultimately not-so-special someone." --
Norma Campbell Edwards. "Happy" listening.
-----------------------------
-- Robert Kilgore.

Listen once and you're hooked
I used to work part-time at Tower Records. Every day when you work at Tower, you get to play a CD sometime during the course of your shift. Whenever I played this CD, customers would flock up to the front counter wanting to know what it was and where in the store they could find it (the first time the copy I was playing was the only copy in the store -- the first customer who asked me for it got to buy it right off the CD player and I had to special-order it for a bunch of other people). It got so popular in the store that the manager ordered a bunch and put the CD on one of the preview-play stations.

Emotional Time Worp
It is wonderful! All of the songs bring one to a place of deep blue emotion. Soothing and Sassy, these torch singers will set soul ablaze with their mezmarizing lyrics and melodies. You'll love it and so will your Mother, Father , Sister , Brother, Spouse...You get now, so get it already! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Worth the money for "Just Got Lucky" and "Emotion"
Volume 11 of the New Wave Dance Hits series is an excellent collection of great 80's rock mixing some of the biggest new wave hits with other lesser known but still strong tracks. The tracks "99 Luftballons", "True", "Talking In Your Sleep", and "One Thing Leads To Another" were all Top 5 singles in the early 80's. Of these tracks, only "One Thing..." has stood the test of time as it still gets regular airplay on modern rock radio.

As with many of the albums in this series, it's the lesser known tracks that truly stand out. Some of these include the driving "In A Big Country", the moody "Send Me An Angel", the excellent pop of "Black Coffee In Bed", and the hyperactive track "The Fanatic." But the best tracks here, and the reason to pick up this album, are the tracks "Just Got Lucky", quite simply an excellent pop song that should have made JoBoxers huge, and "Emotion", a track by DFX2 which sounds reminiscent of Greg Kihn Band but is more danceable with its killer bass line. Other solid tracks include "Change", "Jukebox (Don't Put Another Dime)", and "Shiny Shiny." The rest of the album is pretty decent too. A great compliation. Highly recommended.

VERY Shiny
It automatically gets 5 stars just for including Haysi Fantayzee! It never leaves my carousel, except maybe for a trip on the subway in my discman.

Another Cool Collection from Rhino !
Another strong collection in Rhino's New Wave Hits series. Great stuff like Jo Boxers' "Just Got Lucky" and the super cool "Fanactic" by Felony. Add some classic cuts from Squeeze, The Fixx and Big Country and it all adds up to a very worthy collection. Overall, great fun stuff from a time when music was catchy, clever and optimistic. If you grew up in the 80's, chances are you'll dig this CD as well as the others in this great series.

real life rocks
this is a great disc......

HAS SOME GOOD SONGS ON IT
I first bought this cd just for Big Country and Nena, but I found myself enjoying Tears for Fears and The fixx and and Joe Boxer and some other songs that I didn't know I new until i heard it on the Cd. I jock 80's music though so i appreciate any music from that era. good cd overall ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Big Chill
If I can't buy the cd with ALL THE SONGS that were played in the movie then I won't buy it. I know one cd could cover the entire movie so why can't this be done? Does it concern copy rights and releases?

A CD I Can Leave On
Now THAT's an ultimate complement. The CD's you can let play, and you don't have to flip to any particular song, because, guess what, they're ALL fantastic! In addition, the movie was fantastic, so I think remembering the movie kind of helps me along when I'm listening. However, seen the movie or not, this is a great soundtrack and it's fun to listen to, while you're cleaning, lying around, or even throwing a party. I highly recommend; enjoy!

Where are the other missing songs?
I have seen the movie and I know that there are more songs than even these. What happened to Gimme Some Lovin and You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones. Just to name a few songs that are missing. I wish it could have been a complete soundtrack it owuld have worth spending the money.

Great 60's music!
I bought this many years ago when it came out. What's not to love about "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "What's Going On"? The rest are okay, too. This is a good compilation of 60's music, possibly better than the first Big Chill soundtrack. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

WOW!
Apologies to the second reviewer, but the reason it contains no David Porter is because it is the first of three chronological sets, going from 1959 to 1968. Porter had no single sides during that time, so why would you expect him to be on this compilation? This set is GREAT!!! And I doubt there is a better document of gritty southern soul. Price may seem steep, but divide it by the 9 CDs which all have about 70 to 75 minutes of music (and music of exceedingly high claiber) and you'll see that it's actually an amazing bargain. Can't imagine that any fan of R&B or 60s music worth his or her salt doesn't own this box.

A Labor of Love!!!!
If you're going to shell out money for this baby, then be prepared to go all the way. The listening will both elate you and exhaust you as you hear innumerable songs (probably for the first time) that make you go "WOW!" I stopped counting after awhile, but the quality factor here is way over 90%, not bad for a 9 CD set. The one constant here is the GROOVE, engineered by Booker T. and the MG's. If God has a house band, you know it's gotta be these guys (or will be when the other 3 make it there). The late Al Jackson Jr. had a pulse like no other drummer you will ever hear, and if you only listen to this set for the drumming, then it's still the wisest investment you'll ever make. Go to your bank if you have to, but get ahold of this monument to great music. Your soul will thank you!!!

AN EDUCATION IN SOUL MUSIC 101
I bought this set originally as individual CD's but thankfully was able to trade them in once I found out it had been boxed and got it with the Atlantic 8 CD box. They complement each other quite well with very minimal repition between the two sets. Originally this Stax/Volt set was released as a LP Sized box set with an appropriately sized booklet, so my review is based on that format. This set contains all of the Stax/Volt single "A" sides and key "B" sides to boot between the years 1959 and 1968 when Stax/Volt & Atlantic parted ways. The book is extremely informative, with great colour photos of original labels and the artists in question. I'm assuming it has maintained the same level of thoroughness in it's smaller format judging by the photo above. Like the Atlantic box this is an essential collection that serious music collectors should have and an incredible education on the roots of black soul music. Being Australian I hadn't heard 95% of this or the Atlantic stuff before with the odd Otis Redding, Booket T. & The MG's & Sam And Dave tracks reaching the airwaves or record shelves here. It's only with adult hindsight that I was able to delve backwards to investigate further.. I was in "Time Warp" mode back in the late 80's/Early 90's thanks to a similarly named Record store here in Sydney. This set is lovingly compiled and most of the tracks reveal a gritiness missing from today's so-called version of R & B (don't start me on that!) There isn't a lot I can add that my fellow reviewers haven't already stated. From one stand point this music is probably very personal to those who grew up listening to it (like the Beatles for me). But I love soul music too and to hear the grooves put out by that Stax/Volt house band puts so many others to shame for sheer quality and toughness. There are probably those who don't understand the difference between Motown & Stax/Volt/Atlantic. From an Aussie view, it's like comparing the Beatles & the Stones.. The Beatles would be Motown (slick & professional, great sounding records but tough when need be - they were fans of and influenced partly by that label) while the Stones would Stax/Volt/Atlantic (not as slick in appearance, rough on the edges but bluesy & gritty - most of their influences came from the deep south & Chicago blues). I hope that make sense. I've wanted to get the other 2 Stax sets for a while and maybe down the track I will..it's on my 5 year wishlist plan! That said buy this set for some thoroughly great music and an insight into a great label's massive but very important legacy.

Whew!
Probably the greatest box set there is. Out of all the tracks there are only two out and out duds - the Nick Charles ones. What is so amazing about this set is the incredible continuity of quality. Booker T. and the MG's....this truly is their legacy. What fabulous musicians...the tastiest that ever scratched their sound into vinyl. All of the Stax classics are here (Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Bookert T.,Albert King, Bar Kays, etc.) but the real treat are the ones that I was never aware of (William Bell, Mable John, The Astors, Gorgeous George). This is maybe the only huge box seat that is worth the dough.

BASIC SOUL GROOVES
If you are interested in exploring the true origins of the groove you must here this songs.
The most interesting thing, for me, is Al Jackson's and Duck Dunn's use of space in their grooves. They demonstrate that the question is not how quick you play or how many notes you can play, but the real sense of the song, it's musical potential.
Almost all the songs in this compilation are timeless and beautifull.
When you hear this tunes, you can feel that musicians are enjoying while playing, that's the most valuable evidence that it's good. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

10 Stars Actually
One of the Wiiickidest songs ever to come from a Jamaican, the lyrics to Bam Bam are once again remade by another. The tune is wickiiiiiid. You need to buy this CD just for that tune. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Shame on the KID who put this one together
This is one BAD example of the music of this decade. First, the 60s started on JAN.one but I guess that dosen't count!
If your looking to get a handle on where R+R (all) comes from this turkey an't it.

not worth getting . . .
(revised 8/2/2002)
sorry ...

hooray for summer in the city, and for jefferson airplane/somebody to love, but theres no Music Explosion/little bit o soul/sunshine games, no the letter by The Box Tops, no good country like Games People Play by Joe South, no Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Riley, no haunting, deep classic like Ode to Billy Joe (which has just grown in my memory over the years), no Candles in the Rain/melanie, no Journey to the Center of the Mind/amboy dukes, no Jennifer Tomkin, no Carrie Ann/hollies, no Animals/when I was young, no"stop,hey,what's that sound--"... get my meaning?

. . .in short , no classics good enough to turn on a young 90s person to how good 60s pop music, outside of the Beatles, Stones, Led Zep and the Beach Boys, actually was . . .

Too bad. A no taker . . .

Definitely one of the best Sixties music collections around
Yes, the definition of "Rock & Roll" is pretty broad when you have songs by the Tokens, B. J. Thomas and the Mamas & the Papas, but for my money what makes this a great collection is the more eclectic offerings such as "All Day and All of the Night" by the Kinks and "Five O'Clock World" by the Vogues. "I Love Rock & Roll: Hits of the '60s, Vol. 2" also does a nice job of covering the entire decade, from "Chapel of Love" and "Louie Louie" at the top to "Somebody to Love" and "Born to Be Wild." The number of tracks you might want to skip while listening to this one are few and far between, and, frankly, not worth the effort. You will get a true feel for the music of the Sixties from this excellent collection. Yes, it would nice if you could add the Beatles, the Stones and their kind to a collection like this, but it is never going to happen, so this might be as good as it gets. Be sure to check out their other offerings as well if you are looking to pick up more memorable hits from days of future passed.

I know all of the songs!
I hate compilation CD's that are supposed to be the best of something but manage to be the best of whatever singles the producer had lying around in the backseat of his car. This CD, however, is what it claims to be. I've never seen a compilation album with so many hits and so many recognizeable tunes. All of these songs are fun to listen to and the few songs you may not recognize are catchy 60-ish sounding riffs anyway. This is, by far, the most versatile CD I own.

A gorgeous CD
Hello. It's a real nice collection most of all because it includes some artist i thought I never heard again. Some of them as The Kinks, The Vogues or Jan and Dean aren't easy to find in some other collections. The sound is excelent and the artists are well selected. Congratulations. ... Read more