Search - Ben Sidran :: Free in America

Well worth the wait!

Lois | San Diego, CA | 10/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After wearing out TWO copies of this recording on LP, I am thrilled to finally have the opportunity to own this incredible recording on CD! Although it was recorded 25 years ago, the music is still fresh and exciting. The very first ever recording of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" is great as is J.J. Cale's "After Midnight", but my personal favorites are "Feel Your Groove", "Sunday Kind of Love", and the title song, "Free in America" which takes on a special meaning after 9/11/01. While Ben plays keyboards, he is backed by some other greats: James Cooke on guitar, Phil Upchurch and Gary Zappa on bass, Bill Meeker on drums, Henry Gibson on percussion, with sax solos by David "Fathead" Newman and Sonny Seals, and a trumpet solo by Woody Shaw. I like all of Ben's recordings but this one is my personal favorite!"

Stands the Test of Time!

Billinalaska | Alaska | 06/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first owned this LP in the 1970's and it took a long time to find it on disc. While the price is really obnoxious here (I would take two stars away if I were including that in my review!), the album is as great to listen to today, as it was when I was a young man and feeling Free in America myself! My favorite cut on this piece of art is "Sunday Kind of Love," but nearly every cut will capture you, if you listen closely. I wish Ben Sidran were more appreciated in the US. It's a statement about our own appreciation of our artists that the imported version I bought of "Free in America" had a plastic wrap with Japanese characters on it."