Newest CD/Album Reviews

Music From Party Of Five (1994- Television Series)
Music From Party Of Five (1994- Television Series)
Review by: Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep). - 12/19/2024 4:24 PM


"I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not. Track Listings: 1. BoDeans - "Closer To Free" 2. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - "Cruel Spell" 3. Laurie Sargent - "Without Letting Go" 4. BT Featuring Tori Amos - "Blue Skies" 5. Chaka Khan - "Love Me Still" 6. Joe Jackson - "Stranger Than Fiction" 7. Syd Straw - "People Of Earth" 8. Stevie Nicks - "Free Fallin'" 9. Holly Palmer - "All I Really Want To Do" 10. Howard Jones - "If You Love" 11. Rickie Lee Jones - "Sunshine Superman" 12. Nanci Griffith - "It's A Hard Life Wherever You Go" 13. Rusted Root - "Send Me On My Way" 14. Shawn Colvin - "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)" 15. BoDeans - "Heart Of A Miracle""

Van Dyke Parks Presents the Esso Trinidad Steel Band
Esso Trinidad Steel Band
Van Dyke Parks Presents the Esso Trinidad Steel Band
Label: Minky Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 8/25/2009
Review by: ROLAND C. (RockinRoland). - 12/14/2024 5:25 PM


"WOW! The first pan album that i ever bought and the same guys that I saw in The Bahamas in the late 70s. Can't believe that it's actually out on CD!!! Would love to get the DVD too, but I'd love to replace my worn-out vinyl, lol...."

Peaceful Planet
Various Artists
Peaceful Planet
Label: Relaxation
Original Release Date: 6/6/2000
Release Date: 6/6/2000
Review by: IC B.. - 12/14/2024 1:57 AM


"This was certainly a nice surprise. Far from being standard-issue "relaxation music", "Peaceful Planet" presents the music of four accomplished "traditional" musicians from four regions of the world. Each segment is lovely. Tracks 1-3 ("Spain") are original compositions by classical guitarist Cesar Fornes Berlanga. These are light, gentle pieces with a spontaneous, improvisational feel, paired subtly with the sounds of natural birdsong. Tracks 4-7 ("South America") are presented by South Amercian musician Jorge Alfano, playing traditional instruments from the Altiplano. Tracks 8-10 ("Zimbabwe") are musical explorations on mbira, by master player Erica Azim. The sound is like chiming layers of small, tuned bells. Track 11 ("India") is by well-known North Indian musician G.S. Sachdev, who plays a raga in teental rhythm, pairing flute and tabla. The booklet incuded is both respectful of each region's musical traditions and sufficiently detailed to provide the listener with a sense of what inspires each perfomer. I liked the balance found on this disc of well-chosen, diverse music, as well as acknowledgement of the skill, individuality and inspirations behind each of the four musicians. A very nice project, done tastefully."

Monster
Rem
Monster
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Original Release Date: 1/1/1994
Re-Release Date: 1/16/1998
Review by: David K.. - 12/13/2024 12:08 PM


"Simply putâ¦a must have for your collection. Full of great tracks!"

Behind the Mask
Fleetwood Mac
Behind the Mask
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Original Release Date: 4/10/1990
Re-Release Date: 3/29/1990
Review by: David K.. - 12/13/2024 12:05 PM


"I like this album a lot, but without Lindsey Buckingham, it almost seems like a different band other than Fleetwood Mac. Always great to hear Stevie and Christine, but there's not enough of them. Again, I do like itâ¦although it sounds like I don't ð. Overall, I do recommend it to other FM fans."

Family Style
The Vaughan Brothers
Family Style
Label: Epic Japan/Zoom
Release Date: 6/2/2009
Review by: William H.. - 12/12/2024 4:53 PM


"Vaughan Brothers, Nuff said."

Live Lunch
Juggernauts
Live Lunch
Release Date: 11/29/2005
Review by: IC B.. - 12/9/2024 6:27 PM


"Everything but the Shel Siverstein track at the end was recorded live in 2005 at WFPK in Louisville, Kentucky -- the "live" feel really makes this a fun record. The Juggernauts are a jug band, but not too trad, as you will figure out soon enough --! Tracklisting: Intro to the Juggernauts (by Scott Mullins) San Francisco Bay Blues Intro to Jug Band Music Jug Band Music (Memphis Jug Band) (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 The Sheik of Araby Intro - People are Strange (yep - the Doors) Into to Lydia the Tattooed Lady Lydia the Tattooed Lady (yep - Groucho Marx by way of Arlen & Harburg) Banjoreno Foldin' Bed Chicken Pie Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens Intro to Who Walks In When I Walk Out Who Walks In When I Walk Out You Gotta Have Skin Gimme Three Steps Closing Credits Plastic ("Special surplus bonus track!") I'd love to give credit to the musicians here, but all I can tell you is this....the disc is dedicated to former member "Big Daddy T" from his old bandmates "Fish", "Roscoe" and "Smiley". How can a band with guys named Fish, Roscoe, Smiley and Big Daddy be anything but great?? Enjoy!"

Timeless Favorites - What the World Needs Now Is...Bacharach & David (CD)
Timeless Favorites - What the World Needs Now Is...Bacharach & David (CD)
Label: Reader's Digest Music
Review by: IC B.. - 12/6/2024 11:41 PM


"Tracklisting: *Jerry Whitman / Perry Botkin, Jr., and his Orchestra - Raindrops Keep Falling My Head *Perry Botkin, Jr., and his Orchestra - I Say A Little Prayer *Francis Goya, and his Guitar And Orchestra - Magic Moments *Joe Reisman, his Chorus And Orchestra - (They Long To Be) Close To You *Benny Goodman and his Orchestra - I'll Never Fall In Love Again *Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra - The Look Of Love *Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers / Paul Weston and his Orchestra - What The World Needs Now Is Love *Norman Percival and his Orchestra - Alfie *Arthur Greenslade and his Orchestra - Casino Royale *Les Reid and his Orchestra - The Guy's In Love With You *David Firman and his Orchestra - There's Always Something There To Remind Me *Beverly Kelly and The Young World Singers / Alan Copeland and his Orchestra - One Less Bell To Answer *Billy May and his Orchestra - Walk On By *Joe Reisman and his Orchestra - Do You Know The Way To San Jose? *Alan Copeland, His Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra - Wives And Lovers *Arthur Greenslade and his Orchestra - Reach Out For Me *David Whitaker and his Orchestra - The Windows Of The World *The Nick Ingman Orchestra - Anyone Who Has A Heart *Louis Nunley / Hank Levine and his Orchestra - Twenty-four Hours From Tulsa *Ken Thorne and his Orchestra - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself"

Christmas with Branson's Stars
Various
Christmas with Branson's Stars
Label: Krb Music
Release Date: 9/30/2008
Review by: John M.. - 11/22/2024 8:39 PM


"Tracks 1. JOY TO THE WORLD - MICKEY GILLEY 2. DECK THE HALLS - BOXCAR WILLIE 3. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (DEAR IS YOU) - LOUISE MANDRELL 4. O CHRISTMAS TREE - TOM T. HALL 5. O HOLY NIGHT - LARRY GATLIN 6. O LITTLE TOEN OF BETHLEHEM - MICKEY GILLEY 7. UP ON THE HOUSETOP - BOXCAR WILLIE 8. JOLLY OLD SAINT NICHOLAS - TOM T. HALL 9. I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY - LARRY GATLIN 10. SILENT NIGHT - LOUISE MANDRELL WITH PEDRO THOMAS"

Together for Christmas: Rosemary Clooney and Other Legends
Together for Christmas: Rosemary Clooney and Other Legends
Review by: John M.. - 11/15/2024 9:34 PM


"Tracks are all original recordings for a vintage sound. 1. Silent Night Jo Stafford 2 Holy Night Mario Lanza 3 Jingle Bells Perry Como 4 The First Noel (Instrumental) The Three Suns 5 Away in a Manger Mahalia Jackson 6 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Bing Crosby 7 Winter Wonderland Benny Goodman & Orchestra 8 All Around the Christmas Tree Sammy Kaye 9 An Old-Fashioned Tree Guy Lombardo & Royal Canadians 10 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Rosemary Clooney 11 Silver Bells Bing Crosby & Carol Richards 12 Auld Lang Syne Guy Lombardo & Royal Canadians"

Himalayan Passage
David Arkenstone
Himalayan Passage
Label: Uni/Northsound
Release Date: 10/20/1998
Review by: Roger L. (lonrog). - 11/14/2024 9:00 PM


"Outstanding music which is the norm for the superb music artist David Arkenstone. Arkenstone is one of those artists who can be depended on for excellent music."

Romantic Christmas
Richard Clayderman
Romantic Christmas
Label: Sony
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: John M.. - 11/14/2024 8:16 PM


"Great CD â makes a great playlist with âmellowâ Kenny G Christmas tracks and Manhattan Strings."

The Dean Martin Christmas Album
Dean Martin
The Dean Martin Christmas Album
Label: Legacy Recordings
Original Release Date: 8/4/2017
Release Date: 8/4/2017
Review by: John M.. - 11/14/2024 5:06 PM


"4.8 stars on Amazon. Tracks 1 White Christmas 2 Jingle Bells 3 I'll Be Home for Christmas 4 Blue Christmas 5 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 6 A Marshmallow World 7 Silver Bells 8 Winter Wonderland 9 The Things We Did Last Summer 10 Silent Night"

Peaceful Christmas
Various Artists
Peaceful Christmas
Label: Unison Records
Release Date: 7/29/1997
Review by: John M.. - 11/14/2024 4:54 PM


"A great instrumental Christmas Cd. 4.4 stars on Amazon."

Crooning & Swooning Christmas Hits
Crooning & Swooning Christmas Hits
Review by: John M.. - 11/13/2024 9:55 AM


"Great Cd. Tracks -- 01 Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby.wav 02 Ella Fitzgerald - Baby, It's Cold Outside.wav 03 Perry Como - 0 Come, All Ye Faithful.wav 04 Nelson Eddy - Good King Wenceslas.wav OS Mario Lanza - We Three Kings of Orient Are.wav 06 Mahalia Jackson - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.wav 07 McGuire Sisters, The - Christmas Alphabet.wav 08 Bing Crosby - Little Jack Frost Get Lost.wav 09 Vic Damone - It's a Marshmallow World.wav 10 Patti Page - Christmas Choir.wav 11 Bing Crosby - Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.wav 12 Gene Autry - Frosty the Snowman.wav"

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection (Reis)
Split Enz
20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection (Reis)
Label: A&M
Original Release Date: 1/1/1987
Re-Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep). - 11/11/2024 5:04 PM


"This is an excellent greatest hits collection that always improves my mood. "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" is my favorite song here, and somehow I don't think I had ever heard it until this collection. Now I don't know how I lived without it for so long. If you like Crowded House, Neil Finn and/or Tim Finn but haven't given Split Enz a chance, here's a great place to begin."

Classical Music for People who HATE Classical Music
Various
Classical Music for People who HATE Classical Music
Label: Direct Source Label
Release Date: 1/1/2003
Review by: Brian K. (Deposit). - 11/11/2024 2:28 PM


"A random selection of popular classical music pieces for those new to the genre. Track Listings (12) - Disc #1 Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: 1st Movement Die Zauberfl'te (The Magic Flute), opera, K. 620: Overtre Concerto for oboe (or violin), strings & continuo in G minor (reconstruction), BWV 1056R: Largo Album-Leaf: Andantino in E flat major, for piano, S. 163a/2 Suite for flute, harpsichord (or violin) & continuo in A minor (Concerts et Suites No. 5/11), TWV 42:a3: Air A L'Italian Canon and gigue, for 3 violins & continuo in D major, T. 337 Symphony No. 101 in D major ('Clock'), H. 1/101: Adagio Allegro Water Music Suite No.1 for orchestra in F major, HWV 348: Air String Quartet in F major: 2nd Movement The Sleeping Beauty, suite for orchestra, Op. 66a: Waltz Work(s): Violin Concerto in D Major. Last Movement Carmina Burana, scenic cantata for soloists, choruses & orchestra: Fortune-Empress of the World Track Listings (12) - Disc #2 Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Air on the G String (Orchestral) Music for the Royal Fireworks, for orchestra, HWV 351: La Rejouissance Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: 1st Movement Overture to La cenerentola (Cinderella) Prelude for piano No. 4 in E minor, Op. 28/4, CT. 169 Symphony No. 103 in E flat major ('Drumroll'), H. 1/103: 1st Movement Les Pr'ludes, symphonic poem for orchestra, S. 97 (LW G3): [Excerpt] Symphonie fantastique for orchestra ('Episode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties'), H.48 (Op. 14): A Ball Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: Finale Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Faur', for violin & piano Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201 (K. 186a): 4th Movement Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): [Excerpt] Track Listings (12) - Disc #3 Violin Concerto, for violin, strings & continuo in E major ('La Primavera,' The Four Seasons; 'Il cimento' No. 1), Op.8/1, RV 269: Al Violin Concerto, for violin, strings & continuo in E major ('La Primavera,' The Four Seasons; 'Il cimento' No. 1), Op.8/1, RV 269: La Violin Concerto, for violin, strings & continuo in E major ('La Primavera,' The Four Seasons; 'Il cimento' No. 1), Op.8/1, RV 269: Al Work(s): Song Without Words Concerto Grosso in F major, Op. 6/6: 1st Movement English Suite, for keyboard No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808 (BC L15) Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, K. 447: 1st Movement Album-Leaf: Poco adagio, for piano (after Beethoven op. 123), S. 167c Music for the Royal Fireworks, for orchestra, HWV 351: La Paix Intermezzo for piano in B flat minor, Op. 117/2 Symphony No. 94 in G major ('Surprise'/'The Drumstroke'/'Mit dem Paukenschlag'), H. 1/94: Adagio Allegro Work(s): Bagatelle"

Tourist
St Germain
Tourist
Label: EMI Europe Generic
Release Date: 12/21/2007
Review by: Mike W.. - 11/10/2024 5:12 PM


"I cannot recommend 'Tourist' by St Germain enough. This cutting edge Future Jazz, House, Downtempo CD dropped on Blue Note in 2000. It manages to sample everybody from John Coltrane to Miles Davis to John Lee Hooker. Still sounding vital in 2024. Get the French EU Digipak pressing for good sounds!"

Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles
Genius Loves Company
Label: Concord Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2004
Re-Release Date: 8/31/2004
Review by: Mike W.. - 11/2/2024 4:47 PM


"This CD is exceptionally well-recorded, with outstanding sound quality ; dare I say, truly audiophile-grade. Every detail is meticulously captured, offering a rich, immersive experience."

#7
George Strait
#7
Label: Mca Special Products
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: Russell B. (Slim). - 10/24/2024 11:10 AM


"some songs are ok, but I just needed the waltz "I'm Never gonna let you go"."

Class Reunion: Greatest Hits Of 1979
Various Artists
Class Reunion: Greatest Hits Of 1979
Label: Rebound Records
Release Date: 9/1/1995
Review by: Scott C. (scotso). - 10/19/2024 5:12 PM


"nothing ground breaking, all original versions. Many of these aren't often on 70's comps, so i ordered it. Sound is great, and all original recordings."

Goes to Hollywood
Mark Lowry
Goes to Hollywood
Label: Spring Hill / Emd
Original Release Date: 1/1/2005
Re-Release Date: 9/13/2005
Review by: Mike W.. - 10/15/2024 11:17 AM


"It's no Frankie Goes to Hollywood."

Hawaiian Slack Key Festivals Volume 1
Various Artists
Hawaiian Slack Key Festivals Volume 1
Review by: Scott C. (scotso). - 10/14/2024 4:38 PM


"1 Gary Haleamauâ Yodel Song 3:14 2 Michael Kaawaâ OpaiÊ»e 5:42 3 Brother Nolandâ Sassy 5:22 4 Ledward Kaapanaâ Punahou Special 1:52 5 Pekelo Cosmaâ KoÊ»ali 3:31 6 George Kuoâ Slack Key #1 3:16 7 Bla Pahinuiâ WaimÄnalo Blues 4:42 8 George Kahumoku, Jr.â Steamship HaleakalÄ 4:08 9 Ikaika Brownâ How'd Ya Do 2:40 10 Maunaluaâ Kealohalani 4:06 11 Raymond Kaneâ Wai O Ke Ani Ani 6:10 12 Dennis Kamakahiâ Kaloke O Maui 5:58 13 Dennis Pavaoâ Ua Mau KeÊ»ia O Ka Aina Ika Pono 3:49 14 Cyril Pahinuiâ Ka Makana KaÊ»ili Aloha 3:35 15 Makanaâ Portuguese Folorida Song 4:13 16 The Pahinui Bros.â HiÊ»ilawe 5:09 17 Native Hawaiian Bandâ Makee Ailana 4:20 Barcode: 656613916629"

John Denver's Greatest Hits
John Denver
John Denver's Greatest Hits
Label: RCA
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: Mark B. (mbryant111). - 10/1/2024 2:54 PM


"There are lots of compilations of greatest hits for John Denver and I own a lot of them. What makes this particular CD worth keeping? Leaving on a Jet Plane. John rerecorded it (and other songs) for this GH album and it is much better than the "poppy" version on Rhymes & Reasons. On the 4-disc Country Roads compilation, the R&R version of Jet Plane is present. I haven't found where these GH versions of his songs show up anywhere else than on this album."

World Gone Wrong by Roger Matura (2012-02-14)
World Gone Wrong by Roger Matura (2012-02-14)
Review by: IC B.. - 9/30/2024 11:41 AM


"Life broken, society fractured are the themes of "World Gone Wrong", Roger Matura's first vocal album after ten years. The singer and guitarist - son of a miner, and originally from Germany - left for the U.S. in 1978. He was a street musician before joining the folk scene there. His songs speak of love and freedom, his lyrics falling somewhere between themes of melancholy and political outrage. His voice is sometimes compared to that of Tom Waits, with that same quality of raw intensity and a lifetime's-worth of weatherbeaten weariness in it. "World Gone Wrong" (2011) is Matura's nineteenth album, on Ozella Songways. (With a nod to https://www.jazzthing.de/review/roger-matura-world-gone-wrong/)"