Porteno y Bailarin [Import]

1. Porteno Y Bailarin

2. Que No Sepan Las Estrellas

3. Un Tango ... Y Nada Mas

4. Vieja Luna

5. Marianito

6. Tus Labios Me Diran

7. Asi Era Mi Novia

8. Con Alma Y Vida

9. Hoy Al Recordarla

10. Germaine

11. Tu Intimo Secreto

12. Clavel Del Aire

13. Duelo Criollo

14. Otra Vez Carnaval

15. El Ingeniero

16. Whisky

17. Muriendome De Amor

18. Donde Estas ?

19. Acuerdate De Mi

20. El Pollito

Porteno y Bailarin,Carlos Di Sarli,Duran,Bmg Int'l,Argentina,Argentina / Tango,Int'l & World Music,Latin,Pop,Tango

Average customer rating: Worth Another Listen 3.5 stars - Falling (back) into Infinity Trapped Inside This Octavarium worst DT A Solid Album

Octavarium Dream Theater Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Train of Thought Images and Words Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory Awake ASIN: B0009A1AS2 Release Date: 2005-06-07

Tracks:

1. Root Of All Evil
2. Answer Lies Within
3. These Walls
4. I Walk Beside You
5. Panic Attack
6. Never Enough
7. Sacrificed Sons
8. Octavarium

Amazon.com

Octavarium opens with a lean and enthusiastic-sounding Dream Theater, one that continues to move forward without compromising its classic sound or its classic progressive metal appeal. Bassist John Myung propels album opener "The Root Of All Evil" with a weight equal to that of Mike Portnoy's forceful but finessed drumming and guitarist John Petrucci's masterful riffing which seems once more to widen the realm of possibilities available on the instrument. Keyboardist Jordan Rudess lends subtle and deft touches throughout helping further solidify the outfit's equally strong footing in the worlds of heavy and progressive rock. But the best evidence that Dream Theater remains alive and well rests perhaps in the final 34 minutes of the album. The 10-minute 9/11 meditation "Sacrificed Sons" finds vocalist James LaBrie giving one of his most convincing performances to date. The closing, 24-minute title track serves as the sound of a progressive rock orchestra delivering one more classic epic symphony, one more that lengthens this unit's ever-long prime. Both tracks stand as testament to the quintet's virtuosity, integrity and ingenuity and will fast become favorites. Further evidence of the group's diversity also exists here in the form of the unapologetically commercial (and U2-inflected) "I Walk Beside You," a song that seems destined to connect with a crossover audience--at least one up for an unforgettable adventure. --Jedd Beaudoin

Album Description

Dream Theater has maintained a rare combination of stellar musicianship and unwavering passion for over a decade, selling millions of albums and filling concert venues worldwide. The band once again confirms its status as progressive hard rock's standard-bearers on their latest studio epic, Octavarium.

Customer Reviews:

Worth Another Listen.......2007-07-07

Like many of you fans, I was also riding the "Train of Thought" when this album was released, and I expected more of the same. However, I was shocked and appalled to find that this was most definitely not the case. DT toned down from the bone-crushing riffs of "Honor Thy Father" to somber piano ballads like "The Answer Lies Within." The ripping, 32nd note solos of Rudess and Petrucci were replaced by the 'majesty' of whole notes and rests. After a few listens, I threw the album down in disgust. However, I soon picked it back up and played it over again. It took a long time, but, this album has finally grown on me. Once you appreciate the direction that DT went with Octavarium, you'll start to appreciate it for the multi-layered, progressive masterpiece it is. I think the only song I still can't listen to on this album is "I Walk Beside You," but that's just because it reminds me of U2, and I hate U2. People are waaay too hard on this album, when it's not too difficult to get into. "Panic Attack" has a great groove with a sweet bass line, and has very progressive tendencies. "The Root of All Evil" is more like classic DT, although not nearly as heavy as anything from Train of Thought, it's still pretty metal. "These Walls," though very 'mainstream-ish,' is very melodic and has its moments. "Never Enough" has a ripping synchronized keyboard and guitar solo. "Sacrificed Sons" has some great solo work and the bridge has got some awesome odd-meter riffs. "Octavarium" is just epic. If you don't enjoy that song, you shouldn't consider yourself a DT fan. Overall, if you've left Octavarium sitting on your shelf for a while and have neglected it even more since the release of Systematic Chaos, give it another chance. You may find something you like.

3.5 stars - Falling (back) into Infinity.......2007-06-29

I was riding a post-Train of Thought Dream Theater high when this album came out, and was expecting (as I always do) another great studio release from a band that never fails to impress. Unfortunately I came away from Octavarium less than impressed. Even after a couple of years this album still fails to resonate with me the way most Dream Theater albums do.

It certainly started off on the right foot, with The Root of All Evil, part 3 of Mike Portnoy's AA 12-step suite. This is a heavy and aggressive song that brings to mind The Glass Prison and pretty much all of Train of Thought. Unfortunately the mood was shattered with The Answer Lies Within, one of the most unenergetic songs I've ever heard from this band. Then comes These Walls, an instantly memorable "traditional" Dream Theater song, which started to restore my faith in the album. And while I thought they had given up on their attempts at radio hits after Falling Into Infinity, I Walk Beside You had top 40 written all over it (if, of course, any other artist had recorded it). It's closer to American Idol than Dream Theater, but I actually like the song quite a bit. Go figure. The super-aggressive Panic Attack and progressive Never Enough never really make much of an impression at all, and I have mixed feelings about Sacrificed Sons. Musicially it is a great example of Dream Theater's skills, but the 9-11 outrage lyrics seem more suited to an Iced Earth album. Besides, didn't they already cover this subject with Train of Thought's excellent In the Name of God?

Ultimately this album is going to be defined by its 24-minute title track, a sprawling, self-indulgent epic that name drops just about every one of the band's influences in the lyrics. I know everyone seems to consider this Dream Theater's greatest moment, but when you stack Octavarium up against A Change of Seasons, it's clear which is the better song. A Change of Seasons was powerful, epic, dramatic, and emotional. Octavarium comes across as a cold and clinical exercise of the band's considerable instrumental skills. Before you click the "no" button at the end of this review, play both songs back to back and ask yourself which one really captured both your heart and your head.

This album is so uneven and inconsistent that I had major Falling into Infinity déjà vu. It kept jerking me between fast and slow, technical and melodic, aggressive and tranquil. After an album as tight and focused (and yes, heavy) as Train of Thought, the pace of Octavarium is more than a little frustrating, leading to the feeling that this is a bunch of disconnected songs in search of a greater purpose. I can't give it the three stars it probably deserves, because that rating implies mediocrity and that's something no one can accuse Dream Theater of.

Trapped Inside This Octavarium.......2007-06-25

I have liked Dream Theater's music, especailly "Images And Words". I'm glad they are now back in that business. There's 8 great songs, and last of them, the title track, is 24 minutes. The total time of the album is under 80 minutes. Someone could thing that it's quite boring. Well, I say to you: No it's not! Dream Theater has managed to make some great melodies and riffs...and of course interesting lyrics. The songs like "The Root of All Evil" and "These Walls" really should satisfy the old fans...and also the slow ones "The Answer Lies Within" and "I Walk Beside You" should get radio time in rock radios. My personal favourites are "Panic Attack" and "Never Enough".
Stars: Panic Attack, Never Enough, The Root of All Evil, Octavarium

worst DT.......2007-04-28

I ordered the disc when it came out. Listened to it, and hated it. I put it away for a while, and pulled it out recently. It still sucks. This band has been going down since 6DOIT. I loved I&W and Awake. Both Amazing discs. When Awake came out, I couldn't stop playing it for months. This is just crap.

If you are a fan of the real DT, and you haven't already done so, get your hands on a copy of JP's Suspended Animation. Now that CD rocks.

A Solid Album.......2007-03-31

When I first ordered this, I was expecting "Train of Though" (the album previous to this one). That isn't what I got. Biased by this, I didn't really like the album at first, until I really started to listen to it. It really is a good CD, but it just isn't as heavy as I was expecting.

The first song, "The Root of All Evil," is heavy, has good lyrics...it was exactly what I would want from a Dream Theater song.

The second track, "The Answer Lies Within," is really a calm sort of song, and I usually skip it. It isn't a horrable song by any means, I just find it kind of boring.

The third song is one of my favorites. "These Walls" has some really nice drum work that is constantly moving, even when the rest of the instruments are silent.

"I Walk Beside You" seems to be the album's token "happy song." Oddly enough, it's got some nice guitar work, and I actually really like it.

"Never Enough" is a sort of dark song, and is one I had trouble getting into at first. I actually like it quite a bit, though.

The seventh song, "Sacrificed Sons" deals with some things around 9/11.
I hate it when country artists do this, and even though Dream Theater isn't using the tragedy to promote their music like country artists tend to, I have a bit of a bias against this song. It's not bad in all reality.

The final song on the CD, being over 20 minutes long, takes some patience to listen to all the way through. I've only ever done it once, and I was busy doing something else at the time. It didn't seem that bad, but it does take quite a while for the actual song to start up.

In conclusion, it's a good CD, but I enjoyed "Train of Though" quite a bit more. If you don't already have that one, you should probably get it first.

Average customer rating: VERY DISAPPOINTED Blown away A fantastic live recording 10 stars! Awesome!

Score: XOX - 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra Dream Theater Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dynasty | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra Systematic Chaos Gigantour Falling Into Infinity Systematic Chaos ASIN: B000G7PMD2 Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

1. The Root Of All Evil [Disc 1]
2. I Walk Beside You [Disc 1]
3. Another Won [Disc 1]
4. Afterlife [Disc 1]
5. Under A Glass Moon [Disc 1]
6. Innocence Faded [Disc 1]
7. Raise The Knife [Disc 1]
8. The Spirit Carries On [Disc 1]

Tracks:

1. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence: [Disc 2]
2. I. Overture [Disc 2]
3. II. About To Crash [Disc 2]
4. III. War Inside My Head [Disc 2]
5. IV. The Test That Stumped Them All [Disc 2]
6. V. Goodnight Kiss [Disc 2]
7. VI. Solitary Shell [Disc 2]
8. VII. About To Crash (reprise) [Disc 2]
9. VIII. Losing Time/Grand Finale [Disc 2]
10. Vacant [Disc 2]
11. The Answer Lies Within [Disc 2]
12. Sacrificed Sons [Disc 2]

Tracks:

1. Octavarium: [Disc 3]
2. Intro [Disc 3]
3. I. Someone Like Him [Disc 3]
4. II. Medicate Me [Disc 3]
5. III. Full Circle [Disc 3]
6. IV. Intervals [Disc 3]
7. V. Razor's Edge [Disc 3]
8. Encore: [Disc 3]
9. Metropolis [Disc 3]

Album Description

This album marks the grand finale of the 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra--a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of the members of Dream Theater meeting at Berklee School of Music. The recording was captured live at Radio City Music Hall on April 1st, 2006.

Customer Reviews:

VERY DISAPPOINTED.......2007-05-26

3 DISC SET..1 DECENT CD..2 CRAPPY CD'S..THEY COULD HAVE @ SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALOT BETTER !!!!!!!!!!!!

Blown away.......2007-04-29

This is the first Dream Theater record I ever heard and I couldn't believe how blown away I was with it. I popped the first CD in the car and listened to the first 2 songs and couldn't believe the quality of music so I went back and listened to the first 2 songs again. The same thing happened after I listened to 'Afterlife' (track 4) -- I went back to the beginning and listened to the first 4 songs again. It took about a week before I even got to the second CD.

The second CD is the 41 epic tune, 'six degrees of inner turbulence. A song about, well, the inner turbulence of life. There is a spot around the 15 minute mark where I find it too dissonant, and there is an instrument in the orchestra that is flat, but this is a very weak criticism for a absolute work of art including the fantastic 'solitary shell' and powerful climax.

The find the 3rd CD ok but not anywhere near the first 2. Octivarium takes too long to get going and 'Metropolis' starts out so promising but the wonderful keyboard riff that kicks off the song is drowned out in the dissonance.

The keys are great, the guitar playing is great, the percussion is great and the vocals are out of this world outstanding.

One of the top 3 live albums off all time on my list along with Iron Maiden's "Live after Death" and Rush's "All the Worlds a Stage."

A fantastic live recording.......2007-04-06

Simply put, this may be the best collaboration between a heavy metal rock band with an orchestra that has ever been recorded. Separation of sound is very difficult to achieve when you are dealing with high volume but here the engineers manage to pull it off exceedingly well. If you don't know about this group by now then this is as good an introduction as you will find. If you are a fan then you will appreciate the excitement that the live audience adds to the band's performances even if you know most of the songs by heart. If you can't appreciate how incredibly good these musicians are then you have my condolences.

10 stars!.......2007-04-03

Awsome, great set list. Performance Flawless!

The whole group do a great job (like always) and the orchestra does fantastic following the whole six degrees album (side 2) and octivarium and metropolis and more! They do their classics great! Buy this, and if you dont know about Dream Theater... Your world will change, proceed to buy all their albums :)

Awesome!.......2007-02-28

Awesome! That's all I need to say. I'm sure others will write a long detailed review.

Average customer rating: Very satisfying prog rock Greatly done A stunning tour de force debut from this prog supergroup! SKANK POWER!!!! Progressive "supergroup" shines

Stolt Morse Portnoy Trewavas Transatlantic Manufacturer: Metal Blade ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bridge Across Forever Snow ? V One ASIN: B00004RDJ1 Release Date: 2000-03-21

Tracks:

1. All Of The Above
2. We All Need Some Light
3. Mystery Train
4. My New World
5. In Held (Twas) In I

Amazon.com

Transatlantic, justly positing itself as an art-rock supergroup for the 21st century, comprises the guitarist Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings), the singer and multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), the drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), and the bassist Pete Trewavas (Marillion). The band's debut album, SMPTe, is named for its musicians and plays on the acronym for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, whose ubiquitous synchronization code facilitated this project-studio recording. The album offers five lengthy pieces of derivative but highly accessible rock. The players wield their progressive-rock chops with dexterity and fervor, turning on a dime from the psychedelic-jam musings of Procol Harum and Gentle Giant to the precision and symphonic-pop colors of Yes and Asia. Given the band's deep pool of playing and singing talent, it's no surprise that the album's weakest link is its lyrics, but for all of SMPTe's purple, freshman-English writing, an infectious, almost Beatlesque idealism pervades the record, buoying parts of its breathtaking 31-minute centerpiece, "All of the Above," and sweetening "My New World" with a playful melody and artful Mellotron accents. While SMPTe is by no means destined for the annals of progressive-rock greatness, the album nevertheless rewards repeated listening and represents a triumph of music and beauty over affectedness and gloom. --Michael Mikesell

Album Description

2000 release from progressive super group featuring members of Spock's Beard & Dream Theater. Metal Blade.

Customer Reviews:

Very satisfying prog rock.......2007-02-07

This first Transatlantic CD is better, I think, than the second one. The melodies and arrangements are stronger and there's more of a sense of the whole band participating--a good thing with Roine Stolt in the band. The arrangements are complex, but they seem to grow out of the basic song rather than being tacked on for trickiness sake, as so many modern prog bands seem to do. The lyrics are solid, too, which is definitely not always the case with modern prog. The real treat here is the full recreation of Procol Harum's "In Held 'Twas In I," one of the great recordings of the 60s and one that has been unjustly neglected. The band appears to be Mike Portnoy's brainchild, and I'm guessing that it was his choice to include this piece, since the original includes some of the very finest rock drumming ever committed to tape. It takes some courage, too, because Portnoy largely duplicates BJ Wilson's fills note for note--and by doing so demonstrates how large the gulf is between him and Wilson. Listen to Portnoy's drumming on this piece and observe how every note in any given fill is exactly the same volume as the others, and spaced perfectly evenly. From a technical standpoint that's admirable, but it conveys no feeling. Now put on Procol Harum's version of this piece and listen to BJ Wilson play those same fills. Each note is distinctive, and each is there for a reason. His fills are absolute perfection, both in conception and execution. They define the space and propel the music, while underscoring the music's structure. He creates a huge sense of space with just a few notes, and he plays with just a hint of swing that makes the time work. It's the same thing that made Mitch Mitchell such a towering figure in rock drumming (John Bonham, too, had that swing feel going on, even in his most gargantuan playing). But all this is pretty nit-picky. The fact is that Portnoy and company deserve credit for honoring this music--and for adding their own considerable contributions to the tradition.

Greatly done.......2007-02-03

This "supergroup" is made from member of Spock's Beard, The Flower Kings, Marillion and Dream Theatre. It is clear for me that this album is a great one and that the orientation of the sound and composition is more of Spock's Beard than any of the other. The three more long and complex songs "All of the above", My new world" and "In held" are top class composition. The other two act more like some filler to complete the album. Overall, greatly recommanded for any prog fan.

A stunning tour de force debut from this prog supergroup!.......2006-12-19

Transatlantic, for those not in the know, was a prog supergroup comprised of Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings) and Pete Trewavas (Marillion). This is their debut album and is simply staggering...a joyous prog album. I first heard of this project when I was getting heavily into Dream Theater and Spock's Beard and I'm glad I checked it out...it's amazing.

The album opens up with the 31-minute opus "All of the Above". I don't know what I can say about this song...it is one of the best prog songs I've ever heard, perfectly written and constructed. It sounds almost like it fell out of the sky like this, so to imagine Neal Morse wrote it and the band arranged it is mind-blowing. It moves from section to section seamlessly and feels far shorter than its half-our length. This is followed by two shorter but still excellent tunes, "We All Need Some Light", which is a quieter, more introspective song, and the upbeat "Mystery Train". The album is closed by two more epics, the 16-minute "My New World" and the 17-minute cover of Procol Harum's "In Held Twas In I". Both songs are excellent and again flow so well they seem far shorter than their length would suggest.

A lot of people criticize this album for having too much of a Neal Morse influence on it...he wrote all of the originals on this album (on Transatlantic's second album, they were all band collaborations). To that, I say, so what? The guy is super-talented, a musical genius, and this album is fantastic.

If Transatlantic weren't just a side-project for these guys, this easily could have been a huge prog band...they're that good and play that well together. Definitely an album worth checking out, and if you're a fan of Dream Theater or Spock's Beard (like I am), essential!

SKANK POWER!!!!.......2006-05-26

Released in March of 2000, this album was probably the first and only album in the 30+ years of progressive rock's existence to use the word "skank" in the lyrics. If that's not worth noting, I don't know what is.

Oh yeah, and the music's pretty darn good too.

Progressive "supergroup" shines.......2006-05-15

THE BAND: Neil Morse (lead vocals, keyboards/piano, acoustic & electric guitar), Roine Stolt (acoustic & electric guitars, mellotrons, percussion), Pete Trewavas (bass, moog pedals), Mike Portnoy (drums & percussion).

THE DISCS: (2000) Two versions available - the single disc version, or the double disc. The 2nd available disc is a 'bonus' disc of sorts featuring some alternate takes of the same songs, as well as a few studio "jams" of old classic tunes like the Beatles' "Oh Darling" and the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman". The 1st (studio) disc clocks in at approximately 77 minutes. The 2nd 'bonus' disc at approximately 37 minutes. Disc 2 also has a 6 minute 'behind the scenes' video of the band in the studio. My 2-disc set folds out like a hard-cover book. There are 32-pages of pictures, extensive band interviews, song lyrics/credits, and thank you's. Recorded at Millbrook Studios, Millbrook, NY. Label - Inside Out Music.

COMMENTS: Neil (Spock's Beard), Roine (Flower Kings), Pete (Marillion) and Mike (Dream Theater) have created a magnificent album here. Sure it's excessive and overblown... but that's what progressive rock tends to lean toward. This "SMPTe" is a modern day throw-back to the days of Yes, Genesis, King Crimson and ELP... a progressive era gone by. Morse's trademark Spock's Beard vocals. Lots of layered guitars dueling against gothic keyboards. Odd meters galore - up and down, slow and fast, hard and soft. Track 1 ("All Of The Above") starts the prog-fest off... all 31 minutes of it. Track 2-3 are great songs that lean toward the commercial side... and "Mystery Train" (tho short at 6+ minutes) is probably my favorite song on the album. "In Held (Twas I) In I" is a great 17 minute jam paying honor to the Procol Harem original. This is complex music at it's finest... best listened to with headphones so you can hear all the subtleties. A tremendous effort by 4 extremely talented musicians. This super group album gets 5 stars from me for music and disc presentation. *If you like this album, check out another 'supergroup' disc by OSI, Office of Strategic Influence (2003).

Average customer rating: Interesting Mike Portnoy's Prime Cuts The name guaranties perfection...The label no honor mike portnoy's prime cuts???

Prime Cuts Mike Portnoy Manufacturer: Magna Carta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra Systematic Chaos Prime Cuts Drum Nation, Vol. 2 Systematic Chaos ASIN: B0009UC7IY Release Date: 2005-06-28

Tracks:

1. Mad March
2. Freedom Of Speech
3. Acid Rain
4. Endless Enigma
5. Chris & Kevin's Excellent Adventure
6. Working Man
7. By-Tor And The Snow Dog
8. Another Dimension
9. Three Minute Warning Edit

Album Description

"Mad March", Mike Portnoy accompanies Dixie Dreg's bassist Andy West. The drummer comes up from underneath, firing off barrages of double bass drums in challenging patterns that seem to complexify and invert themselves, injecting urgency into the apocalyptic vision. We don't get far into Liquid Tension Experiment's "Freedom of Speech" before we're lighting up the wooden matches, especially as Petrucci's first guitar solo nears its peak! This is romance-epitomized and, for Mike Portnoy, his finest hour. His drumming is built for the arena. Rapid-fire sixteenth notes on closed hi-hats are the showers in "Acid Rain", the pitter-pattering echoed by Levin and Petrucci at various junctures. "Endless Enigma" alternates from gentle to chaotic. The church-like cadence around the 2:00 point is a clever device, providing sanctuary and calm. A drum roll sets us up for "Chris and Kevin's Excellent Adventure". Mike's rollicking half-time shuffle is the perfect jaunty groove to complement a light-hearted, whistling theme. "Working Man", from the Rush tribute album of the same name, is as heavy as heavy gets, a musical migraine spiked by Lee's seamless scintillating guitar. Portnoy chooses his spaces, filling them with double bass drum/tom clusters. All the while, he forges ahead with the heavy touch of his mentor. "By-Tor and the Snow Dog", another hats off to Rush, evolves into a screamer (at least once the vocal takes over) that is equal parts Geddy and Ozzy. Note the drum solos, ever increasing in intensity, interspersed between ensemble themes. "Another Dimension" is an effective Gage remix in which chattering snippets of instrument voices and atypical snare drum timbres provide a haunting backdrop. The Vapourspace remix introduces a steady stream of unusual undulating tones, then slowly pulls them back, dissolving them into a mist of white noise. "Three Minute Warning Edit" begins as a funky, organ laced jam, and graduates through various movements in the same key until it winds down—perhaps due to a warning that the two-inch tape is at the end of the reel! Portnoy's opening contribution is joyfully bouncy, while his handling of the various transitions is brilliant. Such freedom, such compositional latitude! It reminds us why Mike Portnoy is the envy of the working drummer who enjoys no such free reign.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting.......2007-07-05

Title says it all: "Interesting" ( takes a drummer to understand that statement typed about 'Prime Cuts' ) A keeper here though!! :-)

Mike Portnoy's Prime Cuts.......2005-08-03

Mike Portnoy shows his stuff on this album. Great collection of tunes, showing musicality and taste. I recommend to anyone!

The name guaranties perfection...The label no honor.......2005-07-23

When I first came across this CD, I was confused. If you do not know yet, Mike Porntoy, when recording his DVD, asked permission to include some LTE and Dream Theater songs in it. Elektra Ent. gladly said yes for DT, but Magna Carta (Prime Cuts label)told him he had to pay them royalties for Liquid Tension. Unbelievable! Portnoy said that Magna Carta would never make another penny with his name, but apparently, they managed to do so with this CD. I would also like to point out that in Porntoy's website, Prime Cuts is not in the discography.
Despite the fact that this label has no respect to such a drum god, the CD does fulfill expectations, the majority of songs being from Liquid Tension Experiment. The first song, which was a project of Andy West (Dixie Dregs) called Rama 1, was recorded when Porntoy was initiating to have issues with the label. Once the rivarly began, Mike told Andy not to include his name on the cd, thanks to MC.
The two Rush covers and one ELP is Portnoy at his best, respecting the work of the two legendary drummers, but giving it his special signature.
The rest of the songs of LTE are masterpieces, with unsurmountable performances from Portnoy, Petrucci, Rudess and Levin. Although the Another Dimension re-mix is horrible. The original song is a classic, but the mix is dull, you can barely understand what you're listening to. The only low-point of this album.
******Bottom Line******
-If you are interested to know this prodigy's work, buy it. It's a good place to start. Although I should recommend also buy the Liquid Tension cd's, and check out from Dream THeater Scenes From A Memory and Images and Words.
-If you are a die-hard fan, and are familiar with all his work, it's your call. You've probably heard most of what's here; nevertheless, I remind you that Magna Carta has no shame, no honor...they're only interested in making money for themselves, not even the musicians.

mike portnoy's prime cuts???.......2005-07-22

I give this cd 5 stars only because it's MIKE PORTNOY!!! A good mix of songs (original and covers) performed by top players in music.You might be better off making your own mix of Mike's performances instead of this one,but otherwise a decent purchase.Also,NOT ENDORSED BY MIKE HIMSELF.SHAME ON MAGNA CARTA!!!

Average customer rating: Everything you need to know Best to be found These lessons are about technique Could be for beginniers or advanced, but not both. . . Great tutorial.

Blues Harmonica Masterclass Jerry Portnoy Manufacturer: Jerry Portnoy's ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Harmonica Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Box Sets | Stores | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rock n' Blues Harmonica: A World of Harp Knowledge, Songs, Stories, Lessons, Riffs, Techniques and Audio Index for a New Generation of Harp Players (Includes ... book and 74 minute stereo CD Jamming Buddy) Mel Bay Blues Harmonica Jam Tracks & Soloing Concepts #1 Book/CD Set Blues Harmonica Collection Paul Butterfield - Blues Harmonica Master Class: Book/CD Pack Mel Bay Scales, Patterns & Bending Exercises #1, Level 2, Book/CD Set (Scales, Patterns, & Bending Exercises, 1) ASIN: B00005KJ36 Release Date: 2001-06-26

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Holding the Harmonica
3. Chord Rhythm
4. Tongue Blocking
5. Changeover Scale
6. Syncopating Chords
7. Back Rhythm
8. Octaves
9. Draw Octaves
10. Simple Songs
11. Pursed Lips
12. Lip Blocking
13. Bar Structure

Tracks:

1. Intro to Bending Notes
2. Bending Techniques
3. Bends With Syncopating Chords
4. Bending Exercises
5. Upper Register Blow Bends
6. Transitions
7. 2 Draw Vs. 3 Blow
8. Intro to Special Effects
9. Vibrato
10. Warbles
11. Flutters
12. Growls
13. Barks
14. Kiss Pops
15. Rips and Glisses
16. Double and Triple Tonguing
17. Turnaround Figure
18. Tongue Switching
19. Special Chords
20. Shaping Notes
21. Use of Hands

Tracks:

1. Breathing and Diaphragm Attack
2. Positions
3. "Saints" - 5 Positions
4. Boogies - 3 Positions
5. Mics, Amps, and Playing With a Band
6. Closing Remarks
7. E March With Harp
8. E March
9. E Shuffle With Harp
10. E Shuffle
11. E Blues With Harp
12. E Blues
13. March With Harp
14. March
15. Shuffle With Harp
16. Shuffle
17. Blues With Harp
18. Blues
19. B March With Harp
20. B March
21. B Shuffle With Harp
22. B Shuffle
23. B Minor Blues With Harp
24. B Minor Blues

Customer Reviews:

Everything you need to know.......2007-03-22

This book contains all you need to know about playing the harmonica. Jerry wastes no time diving into fun and useful techniques. He will show you how the blues monster get their big sound. Every chapter is important in its own way. You start with rhythmic exercises, then single notes, scales, special effects, modes. He doesn't repeat himself all that much, but he helps you develop your technique slowly. So make sure you don't skip through those chapters too fast. If it takes you 6 months before you get to the last chapter, i think it's just fine.
This set will benefit absolute beginners as well as advanced players. This set however targets people who are serious about learning. If you're willing to take it a step at a time and build up your skills, this is the right choice for you.
One thing Jerry doesn't show is licks, riffs, patterns. He suggests you get that by listening to artists you like. But he gives you the necessary tools to understand how riffs are played. This set is mostly about technique, he becomes your teacher for a couple hours. Creativity is left to you.
It ends with a nice selection of play-along blues tracks. You'll learn in various keys and at various tempos.
You will need an harmonica in A.
The CD set is a bit pricey, it certainly could be more affordable, but once you get it, you'll forget about the money. It's really worth it.
The presentation is excellent, the booklet is filled with artwork and fun photos - a nice complement to the audio. One thing I would suggest as an improvement: some of the written content is mostly the same as some of the audio content. I would have liked to see some analysis of his playing in the the play-along tracks.

Best to be found.......2006-07-20

Start here first. This is the best I have found. Excellent Box set. Goes far beyond my imagination!!!

These lessons are about technique.......2006-05-18

There are different styles of learning, and different interests in playing the harmonica. I got this set after all the raves I had heard, but was disappointed.

This Masterclass is all about learning playing techniques...not blues, not riffs. It covers it all, up to very advanced 'overblow' techniques, but ends up leaving the less musical and beginners frustrated (that's me).

If you want to learn about the blues (and the harmonica), get Gindick's Rocks and Blues Harmonica.
If you want hole-by-hole blues lessons, look at David Barrett's series (my favorite).
And if you are musical and can find your own way, then try Portnoy's Masterclass.

Could be for beginniers or advanced, but not both. . ........2006-02-18

I really had high hopes for this set. I had listened and learned from two other book/CD sets that I purchased and figured this might really help me take things up a notch.

On the one hand I was impressed. Jerry teaches many fundamentals witha very down-to-earth, easy to understand style. His descriptions of what is necessary to produce sounds that he is demonstrating are easy to understand. However, when he gives examples of riffs using what he has just taught, they tend to be very complex and very fast. I could not keep up and try to duplicate what he was doing. Yes he's a pro and I'm an amature, but I wish I would have had a snowball's chance of doing what he was.

On the other hand, if I were a bit more advanced and had not developed more than a single technique or two, I would have found this to be very helpful. His explanation of tongue blocking is very good.

The bottom line is that I felt like there were two audiences that would have benefited from this (beginners and advanced players), but neither is totally satisfying.

Finally, I could do without his comments at the end. They were lengthy and were all about his philosophies rather than teaching. Interesting, but not helpful.

Great tutorial........2004-03-18

I purchased this tutorial even though I already knew the basics. After listening and following the individual lessons, I was able to broaden my technique allowing solos to be unique from each other.

I still listen to it from time to time this day. It's fun to play with, and be taught by one of the harmonica's greats.

Jerry is a great teacher. If you always wanted to play blues-harp you won't be disappointed.

Average customer rating: Excellent Studio Covers! Excellent Musician's covering classic favorites Great Covers Collection from Neal Morse and friends.

Cover to Cover Neal Morse , Mike Portnoy , and Randy George Manufacturer: Metal Blade ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Spock's Beard Sola Scriptura Fear of a Blank Planet Milliontown Arriving Somewhere (2pc) ASIN: B000HLDESM Release Date: 2006-09-19

Tracks:

1. Pleasant Valley Sunday
2. Badge
3. Maybe I'm Amazed
4. Where Do The Children Play
5. I'm The Man
6. Feeling Stronger Everyday
7. Rock And Roll Suicide
8. Where The Streets Have No Name
9. Day After Day
10. What Is Life?
11. I'm Free/Sparks
12. Tuesday Afternoon
13. Find My Way Back Home

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Studio Covers!.......2007-04-11

Hey, this you will enjoy without a doubt. It's well recorded. It's simple, but it's got a "feel" for old rock classics!

Excellent Musician's covering classic favorites.......2007-02-06

If you are a fan of any of the members of Neal's solo projects, you'll enjoy this collection of cover songs that they recorded over the years. This really shows the range of Neal's vocal abilities and as always gives Mike Portnoy a chance to let us know how the drums should have been played.

I do recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys Spock's Beard, Dream Theater, Transatlantic, and obviously Neal Morse's solo work.

Great Covers Collection from Neal Morse and friends........2006-11-14

Throughout the recording sessions for Neal Morse's last three concept albums, he and sidekicks Randy George and Mike Portnoy would drop their serious musical side to play cover versions of their favorite songs. The "Cover To Cover" disc is the end result of what they did during their spare time in the studio.
Compiled from the "?", "One" and "Testimony" sessions, "Cover To Cover" is an absolute blast to listen to from beginning to end. While the feel is loose and spontaneous, it's never sloppy or slack. If anything, we are given another prime example of just how well Neal, Mike and Randy play off each other in these songs. You can tell just how much fun they were having especially in the versions of The Monkees "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and Joe Jackson's "I'm The Man". The take on Chicago's "Feeling Stronger Every Day" kicks rear end with a guest horn section and an extended jam outro. Christian rock legend and guitar extraordinaire Phil Keaggy joins the action for George Harrison's "What is Life?" which sounds uncanningly like a duet between Lennon and McCartney - Neal sounding like John Lennon, Phil sounding much like Paul McCartney. Mike Portnoy shows off his Keith Moon influence in The Who's "I'm Free/Sparks" while Neal's trademark progressive side is heard in the closing medley of The Moody Blues "Tuesday Afternoon" and Blind Faith's "Find My Way Back Home".
Guaranteed, this is a fantastic CD and is great music for driving the vehicle with. For fans of Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy, this is definitely a must. For the casual listener, this is a must for you as well.

Average customer rating: Down in the Mood Room Treat yourself. Harmonica Virtuoso Exceptional Stuff

Down in the Mood Room Jerry Portnoy Manufacturer: Tiny Town ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Harmonica Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Similar Items: Home Run Hitter Blues Harmonica Masterclass Feel Like Rockin' Inspiration: 22 Harmonica Performances Married to the Blues ASIN: B00005YD7G Release Date: 2002-02-19

Tracks:

1. Doodlin'
2. So Slow
3. You Rascal You
4. Canadian Sunset
5. Lullaby Of Birdland
6. Lazy
7. Jug Band Waltz
8. Once Too Often
9. Sentimental Journey
10. Money
11. Stormy Weather
12. Mood Room Boogie
13. Endless Road

Amazon.com

Harmonica hero Jerry Portnoy successfully takes his signature sound beyond the blues on the eclectic Down in the Mood Room. Portnoy leads the listener down several intriguing musical paths, the most fully realized being a selection of jazz standards reinvented and re-energized in a harmonica context. With horn reinforcement and a forceful yet flexible band led by Duke Robillard behind him, Portnoy digs deep into the classic jazz repertoire to deliver a lilting "Lullaby of Birdland," a marvelously moody "Stormy Weather," and a rumbling, lower-register "Sentimental Journey."

The sessions, which open with jazz pianist-composer Horace Silver's "Doodlin'," were produced by Robillard, who plays guitar throughout and sings on a couple of selections, including the vintage swinger "You Rascal You." His jazz-inflected guitar work sparkles in every situation, just as Portnoy's expansive expertise consistently surprises. The jazz mood may dominate, but Portnoy also gets folksy, bringing in fiddle and mandolin on "Jug Band Waltz." And he blows through some scorching blues, spiced by an excellent Robillard guitar solo, on "So Slow." Portnoy, best known for his extended employment with Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton, also sings on two songs, both originals, and provides a few more basic blues tunes. But it is his bold appropriation of jazz for the blues harmonica that makes this such a fascinating exercise in musical imagination. --Michael Point

Customer Reviews:

Down in the Mood Room.......2003-01-11

If you like Sonny Terry,Little Walter,Big Walter......if you are in to modern Jump or blues this is a good CD to check out...Nothing Jerry does is bad it's All good

Treat yourself........2002-04-29

Jerry Portnoy's harmonica playing is a national treasure.
His tone is liquid gold and should be enshrined somewhere inside the Smithsonian. This disk isn't about blues, jazz, or American standards; it is simply about fine, fine music.
Attention harp players! You must buy Down in the Mood Room but be prepared to listen with your mouth hangin open. If you love music - any kind - treat yourself and buy this CD now.

Harmonica Virtuoso.......2002-04-16

Woeful bad luck if you've not yet heard Jerry Portnoy! This is a master craftsman of not just blues harmonica, but of the hamonica as melodic paint brush. From the first cut, Doodlin' through the last soulful and somber self-inventory of Endless Road, you will not be able to stop listening, again and again.

Each cut consists of tasteful interplay between road-proven and well-honed sidemen and a harp wielded by an artist who crosses the spectrum from soft baby cries to laser sharp counterpointed perfect notes. My only advice for you is this: buy Down in the Mood Room and every other CD on which Jerry plays. You will not be disappointed!

Exceptional Stuff.......2002-04-05

If you are an amateur harmonica player, this is an important album for you. There is much to learn from this album in technique, licks, etc. I've purchased Jerry Portnoy's Blues Harmonica Masterclass instructional and it is the best I have ever come across. This album shows Portnoy in full form and is the perfect compliment to the instructional or vice versa.

For most of you (who are not harmonica players), this album is also great listening. Exceptional musicianship brings life and vitality to every track. Jerry Portnoy definitely holds his own against a solid horn section (which could prove difficult for many harp players) and every note is effortless and precise. Portnoy is a master of his instrument and knows how to push it just enough to create the maximum effect while not appearing excessive. This skill and musical know-how makes this collection of tracks pristine, fulfilling and simply timeless.

Along with great versions of classic songs, Portnoy does a good job on his originals and they seem to fit perfectly into the sound and mood of the album.

I sure hope that this is not the last solo album we'll see from Jerry.....thanks for this great collection of music Mr. Portnoy!

Average customer rating:

Home Run Hitter Jerry Portnoy & the Streamliners Manufacturer: Castle Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Harmonica Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Similar Items: Down in the Mood Room Blues Harmonica Masterclass Travelin' Mood Ain't Easy No More Blues for Mr. B ASIN: B0007TFHVQ Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

1. Home Run Hitter
2. Poison Kisses
3. Change It
4. Shoulda Coulda Woulda
5. Misty
6. One Chance
7. I Realize
8. She Makes Me
9. Real Gone Guy
10. Black Tear Drops
11. Can't Remember To Forget
12. You're So Smart
13. Runnin' With The Blues
14. Lookin' For My Baby
15. Blues In A Dream

Average customer rating:

Born in the Delta Pinetop Perkins , Tony O , Portnoy , and Vickers Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Piano | Blues | Styles | Music Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Back on Top Boogie Woogie King Live at 85 Heritage of the Blues: The Complete Hightone Sessions Ladies Man ASIN: B000003D5V Release Date: 1997-05-27

Tracks:

1. Everyday I Have The Blues
2. For You My Love
3. Look On Yonder Wall
4. Blues After Hours
5. Murmur Low
6. How Long, How Long Blues
7. Baby, What You Want Me To Do?
8. Blues Oh Blues

Amazon.com

In the space of eight short years (1910-'18) in the Mississippi Delta, history's most important generation of bluesmen was born. Howlin' Wolf, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Elmore James are all gone now, and, by 1997, Pinetop Perkins was almost the last of that fabled generation still playing.

Perkins was born in the Delta, as the title of his new album states, and he still reflects the rhythmic intensity of that place and time. In his 80s, his voice has lost much of its old power and range and he's now content to recycle old standards, but his boogie-blues piano playing is as spirited as ever and his vocal and keyboard phrasing has become more succinct and telling with each passing year. In 1980, Perkins, drummer Willie Smith, and harmonica player Jerry Portnoy left the Muddy Waters Band and co-founded the Legendary Blues Band. These three have reunited on Born in the Delta with help from guitarist Tony O and bassist Brad Vickers. The songs are familiar chestnuts such as Elmore James's "Look on Yonder Wall," Memphis Slim's "Everyday I Have the Blues," and Jimmy Reed's "Baby, What You Want Me To Do," but Perkins's quintet give them a stripped-down elegance that's a pleasure to hear, even if the Waters alumni are long past their peak performances. On Paul Gayten's "For You My Love," the five musicians play the syncopated New Orleans rhythms with such tight-knit rapport that they might as well be five fingers on one hand. --Geoffrey Himes

Average customer rating: A Great Album for Driving With the Windows Down Only for die hard fans A great album....and I usually hate covers! Maybe I'm Amazed Again Near miss....

Cover to Cover Neal Morse , Mike Portnoy , and Randy George Manufacturer: Inside Out ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sola Scriptura Fear of a Blank Planet Score: XOX - 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra ? Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra ASIN: B000GPI39O Release Date: 2006-09-04

Tracks:

1. Pleasant Valley Sunday
2. Badge
3. Maybe I'm Amazed
4. Where Do the Children Play
5. I'm the Man
6. Feeling Stronger Everyday
7. Rock and Roll Suicide
8. Where the Streets Have No Name
9. Day After Day
10. What Is Life?
11. I'm Free/Sparks
12. Tuesday Afternoon
13. Find My Way Back Home

Album Description

2006 album from the former vocalist for Spock's Beard. Features Neil tackling cover versions of songs by Paul McCartney ('Maybe I'm Amazed'), Cream ('Badge'), The Monkees ('Pleasant Valley Sunday'), U2 ('Where The Streets Have No Name'), The Moody Blues ('Tuesday Afternoon') and others. Inside Out.

Album Details

Neal Morse is Still One of the Most Important Protagonists in Prog Rock. After Six Really Successful Records (Including the Top 30 Chart Album "Snow") which were all Strongly Shaped by Neal Morse and after Morse Has Left Spock´s Beard, He Started a Solo Career. During the Studio Sessions for the Three Mentioned Albums Morse and his Friends Recorded a Couple of Cover Versions from Different Artists. On 'cover to Cover' You Will Get Seven Complete Unreleased Tracks Like the Wonderful 'where Do the Children Play' from Cat Stevens and the Monkees Classic 'pleasant Valley Sunday', Written by Carol King. Also Cover Songs Featured from Artists Like Blind Faith, the Moody Blues, the Who, George Harrison, Badfinger, U2, David Bowie, Chicago, Joe Jackson, Paul Mccartney Und Cream.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Album for Driving With the Windows Down.......2007-03-11

I wasn't familiar with these musicians, but I knew all of these songs, so I took a chance. I was happy I did - the artists do a great job at covering these (mostly) very-well known songs. Their versions of "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Stronger Every Day" are terrific. The other songs are all really good. This is the perfect album to put on in the car when you go out driving along on a sunny Saturday afternoon with the windows down. Get it !!!

Only for die hard fans.......2007-02-24

Ok, maybe not. I am a die hard fan of these guys, but I only really like a couple of tracks on this CD - Pleasant Valley Sunday and Maybe I'm Amazed (which Neal sings the heck out of). And I've only listened to the CD a few times and it gets put on the shelf.
These are cover tracks that were likely done to "warm up" at the start of the day or "wind down" at the end of the day in the studio sessions.
What acts do covers and who likes covers anyway? Its one thing for a prog band to do a cover of a 20 minute song (like Transatlantic) and add its own flavor and twists to the song. It's another thing when the songs are pop songs. You can't add much unique to a pop song.
My friend and I argue about this all the time. We both play guitar in a band. He refuses to play covers (not even to warm up) and won't even listen to prog cover songs. His logic is that "if you are going to take the time to record a cover, just make a unique prog song that is in the similar style instead". Otherwise it is just a novelty.
I can only recommend this for fanboys.

A great album....and I usually hate covers!.......2007-02-07

I usually hate cover albums but this one is great. I'm a huge fan of Mike Portnoy's work with Dream Theater, Transatlantic, and Neal's solo albums, and a huge fan of Neal's work with Spock's Beard, solo, and Transatlantic, which is the only reason I bothered with this cover disc. But man, was I surprised. This version of Maybe I'm Amazed is nearly as good as Paul's original, and the covers of some of my favorite classic tracks, like Badge, What is Life, Find My Way Home, and I'm Free are killer. Even the lesser known covers on here are excellent. The playing is top-notch and Neal's voice...my God, is it just incredible. Even if you don't like covers (like me), this is worth it!

Maybe I'm Amazed Again.......2006-12-27

Well I'm biased for good music and this fits the bill.I also have all the side projects,OSI,LTE,TRANS,YELLOWCUSTARD,LED,RUSH,WHO,BEATLES TRIBUTES.Neils voice is amazing with Lennon's grittyness and Paul's high notes.Playing is topnotch and the sound is pretty good too.You know they are having fun while working.This is not notefornote but played with passion to the ones that paved the way before.In my teens I was a hardrocker with Led,Black,Deep but now I realize genius takes all forms from pop to jazz to country. My point is these or great songs by great bands.How Neil changes his voice from Bowie to Cat Stevens is a mystery? Neil is a one manband that lets his friends play and us listen. Look at the tracklist and if you like those songs Buy now!!!!

Near miss...........2006-09-28

Ugh...faithful renditions of every song instrumentally...sometimes "too" faithful. Don't get me wrong, I love a good cover and there have been a lot of good ones. However, as much as I respect Neal...I don't like his voice on the majority of these covers. One begins to wonder about an artist that feels the need to do a recording of nothing but covers (if I walk into a store again and hear Rod Stewart crooning a remake of an old torch song, it'll be too soon!). Keep the covers to the occassional odd extra song on a new material release or in concert...nuff said!

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