Knowing You

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Inside the CD jacket for Knowing You, John Pizzarelli is pictured barefoot in a summery suit, his shirt untucked. The image nicely captures his unbuttoned approach to popular song. He doesn't have the strongest voice (his scat threatens to vaporize) and doesn't pin back your ears on guitar, but he gets inside the songs with such knowing ease and is so attuned to the demands of cabaret and jazz, he's difficult to resist. This time out, he goes beyond the constraints of his working group--which frequently includes his legendary father, rhythm guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli--to feature tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, clarinetist Ken Peplowski and pianist-organist Larry Goldings. Allen's Getzian solo helps transform the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" into a surprisingly effective vehicle. Pizzarelli and his wife, Broadway singer Jessica Molaskey, make Dave Frishberg's "Quality Time" a workaholic's delight. And there are first-rate renditions of Loesser and Kern, Cahn and Gershwin, making this one of Pizzarelli's best albums. --Lloyd Sachs

Tracks:

Overture/Prologue
Honey, Honey
Money, Money, Money
Thank You For The Music
Mamma Mia
Chiquitita
Dancing Queen
Lay All Your Love On Me
Super Trouper
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
The Name Of The Game
Voulez-Vous
Entr'acte
Under Attack
One Of Us
S.O.S.
Does Your Mother Know
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Our Last Summer
Slipping Through My Fingers
The Winner Takes It All
Take A Chance On Me
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
I Have A Dream

Amazon.com

Put together by Abba's own Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! manages to cram over 20 of the Swedish supergroup's songs into a threadbare plot. It goes a little like this: Young Sophie is getting married and she's trying to identify which of three men is her father. That's about it. Wisely, the musical doesn't mess around with the songs, save for the insertion of some dialogue or for having some of them performed by a man (it works amazingly well). Abba fans will jump on this import of the London production, but traditional fans of musical theater should consider it as well. After all, Andersson and Ulvaeus's songs have always felt as if they were more than isolated pop gems and actually belonged to a longer narrative. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Mamma Mia.......2007-03-22

I have not stopped playing this cd. It is just great! It makes any trip in my car most enjoyable Happy I bought it!

Mamma Mia Musical CD.......2007-03-21

This is a grand list of songs from the original musical when it was first introduced in England. The songs from ABBA are very recognizable even if you haven't seen the show. But, making a trip to NY to see the Broadway production is a plus. ENJOY!

JUST GREAT MUSIC.......2007-03-08

I RECENTLY SAW THE SHOW MAMMA MIA IN LAS VEGAS. ALWAYS LIKES THE MUSIC OF ABBA, AND THOUGH THE PLOT WAS THIN, THE MUSIC WAS WELL PERFORMED. IN THIS PARTICULAR ALBUM, THE ENGLISH ACCENTS WERE A BIT MUCH, BUT THE SONGS WERE GREAT. ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, ABBA.

Mamma Mia.......2007-01-29

Every time I hear the music and songs it brings back memories of seeing the Broadway Show

Not good at all.......2007-01-09

This is not what we wanted. The British accents throw it was off. We just saw it in NY and this is not what we were looking for.

American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason

Average customer rating:

It's Dreamy
My Favorite Composer of all time
An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears
OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!
It's simply lovely

American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason
Thomas Hampson , Jay Ungar , Molly Mason , Garrison Keillor , David Alpher , Mark Rust , Michael Parloff , Peter Ecklund , John Kirk , Arnold Kinsella , and Stephen Foster
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Song of Home
Song of America
Harvest Home
Civil War Classics
Stephen Foster Song Book

ASIN: B000002SK7
Release Date: 1992-10-20

Tracks:

Opening Solo Violin
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
Hard Times Come Again No More
The Voice Of Bygone Days
Foster Favorites Medley (Ring, Ring The Banjo (1851) Oh! Susanna (1848) Camptown Races (1850)
Open Thy Lattice, Love (1844)
Beautiful Dreamer (1864)
That's What's The Matter
Old Home Medley (Old Folks at Home (1851) My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night (1853)
Molly! Do You Love Me? (1850)
Sweetly She Sleeps, My Alice Fair (1851)
Comrades, Fill No Glass For Me (1855)
Dancing On The River (Nelly Bly (1850) The Glendy Burk (1860) Angelina Baker (1850)
My Wife Is A Most Knowing Woman (1863)
Gentle Annie (1856)
Linger In Blissful Repose (1858)
Ah! May The Red Rose Live Alway (1850)

Customer Reviews:

It's Dreamy.......2007-01-10

This is a very wonderful recording of Stephen Foster by a master singer.
Foster's songs are of a more innocent and naive time in the American psyche, a time that it would not hurt us to remember, given the wretched brutality of American culture today (something you'll appreciate after listening to this recording).

The songs are beautifully sung by Mr. Hamspon, and the musical accompaniment with piano, mandolin, tuba, banjo, etc. seems a perfect setting for this period music. I enjoyed the musical interludes of Foster songs (not sung by Mr. Hampson), such as "Oh, Suzanna", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Camptown Races." They are foot-stompin' and finger-snappin' good in a non-syncopated way.

Mr. Hampson's voice is so beautiful, and he has done such a wonderful job with these song's you'll just have to hear it, and when you do, tell me that you're not dreaming.

I remember reading a quote by John Phillip Sousa that decried the use of syncopation in American popular music. I never understood it until listening to this recording. The richness and intensity of American popular music (as experienced in the work of Stephen Foster) has been lost.
Everything has to be so cool today, thanks to syncopation, and "cool" really means no emotion.

If emotion is what you want, emotion is what you'll get with Stephen Foster's songs. It was a time when the death of loved ones (especially those who died in their youth) was experienced more often (see "I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair" and "Gentle Annie"). And we were not protected from the vicissitudes of fate by myriad government programs, modern medicine and universal prosperity (see "Hard Times").
Husbands and wives had their differences then, as today, (see the amusing song "My Wife is a Most Knowin' Woman") The passion of the Civil War (Foster was a Unionist),is reflected in a wonderful, fun song, "That's What's the Matter."

If you love good music, and you have heart which can be stirred, and you love your country, this is for you.

I love this recording. It has opened up the door to my "beautiful dreams," dreams of bygone days, lost love, and whatever else we pine for.

I wanted to buy several copies for my friends, but somehow I felt that the impact of this recording was so personal, that it could not be shared with others. Not that they couldn't enjoy it, but that I could not begin to share the intense emotion and reverie stirred in my heart by these beautiful songs.

My Favorite Composer of all time.......2006-08-20

Growing up playing his stuff on piano, I love the instrumentality of this CD..the violins give off that wail that he speaks of..I am not sure what it is about Stephen Foster but these verses..grab me like no other..there is so much sensitivity to it..

I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair
Born like a vapor on the summer air
I see her tripping where the bright streams play
Happy as the daisies that dance on her way
Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour

but the violins in this CD make this CD the best out there..
FYI should you be into astrology Stephen Foster is definition of Cancer...Sun and Moon conjunct in Cancer with mars in Scorpio..i love his lyrics..almost to the point of obsession..

An American classic from Hampson that brings smiles and tears.......2006-07-17

Stephen Foster was the greatest American composer of sentimental parlor ballads--he so perfectly imitated folk songs that his music wound up turning into them. In an age of home music-making and later of families sitting around the radio, Foster's songs were a staple, often performed by crossover artists from opera like Lawrence Tibbett. Those were plump, ripe styles of singing, highly flavored by church hymns.

In this 1992 collection of 17 Foster favorites, plus a few rareties, Hampson drops the platform manner and goes straight for heartfelt sincerity. His tone is plain yet sweet, his expression intimate. He is accompanied by instruments redolent of the Victorian drawing room (guitar, fiddle, upright piano), and the mood they create brings tears and smiles of remembrance. This music is embedded in America's genes, and it's wonderful to realize that every note is still alive and throbbing with feeling.

OMG!!! More than 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 stars, one of the best album in the world!!!.......2005-11-25

Simply one word, WOW!!!
Thomas Hampson's voice is simply fantasic. His voice is very different from regular operatic baritone voice, very sweet, and rich. I really cant believe an operatic baritone can sing folk song like THIS good, in my opinion he sounds even better than his opera works in this album. His voice and the background music matches perfectly, the outcome would move u to tears, and u can feel the origin of MUSIC. This album really shows what the word MUSIC means, and the songs simply just ALL beautiful. I like his "beautiful dreamer", "my life is well knowing woman", and "jeanie with the light brown hair" the most. When I listen the songs I would just imagine that I am in the world of past USA, and I can feel the life of the ppl in the past USA~ just like watching an old classic movie, it would touch ur heart and fall in love with this album.

It's simply lovely.......2004-12-14

I didn't know Stephen Foster (I thought): wrong: Oh Susanna, etc, I knew, but had no idea who the composer was.

This CD is a revelation. The melodies are so beautiful, as are the poems, and Thomas Hampson just brings them to life as wonderfully as ever. I especially love "Beautiful Dreamer" - it gives me butterflies - and "My wife is a most knowing woman" - the way he makes the voices and the indignation is just brilliant. If one needed reminding what a brilliant singer Mr Hampson is - this disk does it.

The Story Goes On: Liz Callaway On & Off Broadway

Average customer rating:

Y'all are crazy!
Liz Callaway Goes On...
Liz Callaway SOARS!
....Love this album too!
Unknown Talent Sings Unknown and Known Broadway Songs

The Story Goes On: Liz Callaway On & Off Broadway

Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Anywhere I Wander - Liz Callaway Sings Frank Loesser
The Beat Goes On
Sibling Revelry
Bring Back Romance
Ann Hampton Callaway

ASIN: B00005B176
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Tracks:

You There in the Back Row
I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair
Since You Stayed Here
Knowing When to Leave/Promises Promises
Where Is Love? (with Billy Porter)
Meadowlark
Sleepy Man
Our Time (with Ann Hampton Callaway)
I Got the Sun in the Morning
Stop, Time
One Boy
Marry Me a Little
The Story Goes On
A Place Called Home

Amazon.com

Broadway veteran Liz Callaway (most famous for her five-year stint as Grizabella in Cats on Broadway in the late '90s) fills her second solo album with lesser-known tunes, a number of them covering moments in her career. Her lovely soprano can break your heart with the ballad "Since You Stayed Here" then thrill you with the showstopper "The Story Goes On" from Baby (which earned her a Tony nomination). The emotional heart of the album is "Meadowlark," Stephen Schwartz's wondrous tale of risk and heartbreak that proves a particularly glorious marriage with Callaway's voice. In a savvy bit of programming, that peak is followed by the deliciously langorous "Sleepy Man." Callaway's sister, jazz/cabaret singer Ann Hampton Callaway, makes a guest appearance in Stephen Sondheim's powerful "Our Time," a teaser of the sisters' live collaboration. Of Varese Sarabande's many albums spotlighting Broadway singers, The Story Goes On is one of their absolute best. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Y'all are crazy!.......2006-11-03

The Billy Porter duet is one of the most unique and thrilling songs on the cd. What a fantastic re-invention of that song. And their voices by themselves and together are glorious. Its all personal taste and by no means is that the only good song. Its probably THE best solo cd by a broadway artist. Incredible!

Liz Callaway Goes On..........2006-05-02

Liz Callaway has one of the most enthralling voices around. Her voice is melodious and very soothing and especially shines in soft and subdued ballads. She doesn't have a big voice but she has an amazing range and sense of melody.

She opens the album with a strong rendition of "You There in the Back Row" a song I'm not familiar with but has grown to love. The next track "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair" lacks the spunk and bite that I think the song should have, and the arrangement felt out of place in the album.

She had a touching and moving rendition of `Since You Stayed Here". I'm not familiar with the musical Brownstone but this song made me want to check out the musical. It's about someone forced to become a stronger person after a breakup or some sort, that you wouldn't recognize it's the same person. I really love this song and Liz captured the strength as well as the sadness of the song.

Another standout is her now trademark version of "Meadowlark". The story of the meadowlark was a metaphor that convinced the character to the important decision she made in leaving her husband for another man. This is a really powerful song and truly Liz Callaway soared in this song. "Sleepy Man" was another notable track. This is probably the song that fits Liz Callaway's voice most perfectly. It was very sweet and really really soothing in the ears. This is one of my favorite tracks.

"Stop Time" is a song about the inexplicable combination of joy and sadness of watching your child grow up. It was a tender rendition that ends with a beautiful subdued last note. This woman knows how to end a song.

Once I got passed the cheesiness of the arrangement of "One Boy", I enjoyed it. It's old fashioned but it's still good. Liz then made an updated rendition of "The Story Goes On" from her show "Baby" This song was about a mother-to-be finally realizing the beauty and magic of carrying a child after she felt the child's first kick. I prefer the stronger arrangement of the song in this album compared to the Baby Cast Recording, but the innocence of that earlier rendition still resonates.

She ended the album with a beautiful rendition of "A Place Called Home". I first heard this song in one of Lea Salonga's concerts and I fell in love with this song. Her last note was very touching and melodiously and heartbreakingly romantic.

Grade= A

Liz Callaway SOARS!.......2005-06-27

Wow! I love this cd! I went to a camp in Decatur, Illinois called Showchoir Camps of America. One night, as our evening entertainment, she performed this entire album!! That afternoon Ms. Liz came for a question and answer session with Phil Reno. She is such a down to earth person and sooo very talented! At the concert, I started to cry! During one song, Ms. Liz forgot the words to a song ( actually, I forgot what the song was called!), so she just made up some words to it!! If you want a TRUELY talented performer, Liz Callaway is the one for you!

....Love this album too!.......2004-08-18

I love this album. There are a few songs I kinda skip, because it was just weird. That song being "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair", weird. I loved the duet "Where is Love" from the musical Oliver. "Stop,Time" from the musical BIG (grab your puffs!). I enjoyed the 50's sounding "One Boy!" from Bye,Bye Birdie. Liz has a wonderful range, and flattering childish tone to her voice, reaching notes that would take me years of training to ever reach again! She has complied all these exciting songs and ends the album with "A Place Called Home", from A Christmas Carol. I could never give her enough praise. If you like Strisand, and Sintra, you'll love her too! :-) Liz is always shinning when she sings! Enjoy!

Unknown Talent Sings Unknown and Known Broadway Songs.......2003-06-10

... I thought I recognized the voice but I couldn't quite place it. I finally realized that she was the singing voice of Anastacia in the animated movie. Meg Ryan was the speaking voice. Liz Callaway has one of the clearest voices I have ever heard and also a very strong voice. I love her rendition of Knowing When to Leave/Promises, Promises by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Great arrangements. Dionne Warwick, who I am also a fan of covered Promises, and the Carpenters sang a version of Knowing When to Leave. I'm also a Carpenters' fan. On this album all the songs are Broadway. Many I hadn't heard before but love now due to Liz. The first song, You There in the Backrow is a tribute to fans of shows. "Watch me sing my song for you" the words go. Liz makes you want to jump to your feet. Liz does a rendition of I' Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair from South Pacific, rock version. I can't say that's my favorite, but favorite to one of my friends. Since You Stayed Here, another unknown song to me, is quiet and hauntingly beautiful. Bette Midler does a version of this I think on her CD with From a Distance. She sings a duet with her sister, Ann Hampton Callaway who sings on Sibling Revelry with Liz. Ann wrote and sang the theme from The Nanny. The song Liz and Callaway and here sister does is Our Time. It's also on Sibling Revelry. Great duet. One of my favorites on the CD is Marry Me a Little by Stephen Sondheim. The words are a plea to marry me, a little. The song is an almost a desperate plea to marry me but you don't have to make promises you don't want to, an open marriage? Make a few demands a few that I'm able to fulfill. She sings I'm ready. We won't have to give up a thing, we'll stay who we are the words say. Someone I'm Ready. I would give this song 5 stars on its own. It makes me cry because she sounds like she will settle but at the same time she wants the love fully. The arrngements on this album are unique. She sings I've Got the Sun in the Morning from Annie Get Your Gun jazzy. Most of the other songs on the album are not known by most people. I can only say that Liz makes you want to see these shows and she pulls you in. I think I've become her biggest fan. I'm a singer too. I could see myself singing with her. I have her The Beat Goes On album too with sixties hits. I hope that people will get to know her because if you haven't heard this or her voice, you are going to be deprived of a remarkale clear strong voice. Buy this. I promise you won't be sorry! One more addition, Meadowlark. Spectacular! The story tells of someone hesitating because the time wasn't right and she learns from the story to live your life, climb every mtn.

Average customer rating:

Mixed bag
great songs!
Charming and Captivating: a Winner
So easy on the ears and heart, but what a kick!
The uptunes are sensational; however....

Knowing You
John Pizzarelli
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Dear Mr. Sinatra
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ASIN: B0007QJ1HU
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Coffee, Black
New Sun In The Sky
Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
The Shadow Of Your Smile
Pick Yourself Up
Knowing You
God Only Knows
Quality Time
Eastwood Lane
I Just Found Out About Love
Say It (Over And Over Again)
That Face
How Long Has This Been Going On?
The First Hint Of Autumn
If It's The Last Thing I Do

Amazon.com

Inside the CD jacket for Knowing You, John Pizzarelli is pictured barefoot in a summery suit, his shirt untucked. The image nicely captures his unbuttoned approach to popular song. He doesn't have the strongest voice (his scat threatens to vaporize) and doesn't pin back your ears on guitar, but he gets inside the songs with such knowing ease and is so attuned to the demands of cabaret and jazz, he's difficult to resist. This time out, he goes beyond the constraints of his working group--which frequently includes his legendary father, rhythm guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli--to feature tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, clarinetist Ken Peplowski and pianist-organist Larry Goldings. Allen's Getzian solo helps transform the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" into a surprisingly effective vehicle. Pizzarelli and his wife, Broadway singer Jessica Molaskey, make Dave Frishberg's "Quality Time" a workaholic's delight. And there are first-rate renditions of Loesser and Kern, Cahn and Gershwin, making this one of Pizzarelli's best albums. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

Mixed bag.......2007-03-28

Ok, I do enjoy Mr. Pizzarelli's music, his guitar playing is excellent and when he joins voice and guitar riffs, very nice. Coffe, black, New Sun, Pick yourself up very very nice - now, the other part of the bag though, the slow stuff, very thin and drags no emotion from me at all. And please Mr P, drop the wife from your discs, "Quality Time?" a better name for this tune should be "Painful Time" as her weak and whinny voice might be better suited to calling small dogs.....sorry Jessica, just my opinion.....

great songs!.......2007-02-08

this guy knows his material. its sooo clear on this cd. check it out.

Charming and Captivating: a Winner.......2006-05-21

Here's a most delightful vocal CD by John Pizzarelli consisting of fine interpretations of familiar and not so familiar tunes, all backed up with excellent accompaniment. Pizzarelli's somewhat nasal baritone is instantly recognizable, and all of the selections here except one feature his singing. (The one exception is an original of John's, a slow ballad, and very pretty.) Harry Allen's tenor sax can be found on a handful of the cuts, adding a decided jazz feel as well as his own brand of lyricism. AIN'T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD is a highlight of the CD - it's a cute Cahn-Van Heusen composition, the kind of song Pizzarelli is a specialist at; Harry takes a nice solo, too. COFFEE, BLACK is another snazzy tune with an interesting scat vocal by John that blends compellingly with his guitar playing. On QUALITY TIME he sings a duet with his wife, Jessica Molaskey, a singer who reminds me a little of Blossom Dearie. John takes on a very Chet Baker-like sound to his vocal on the slow ballad THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE. All in all, this is a very pleasant, handsomely produced CD, another one of the many excellent albums Pizzarelli has issued over the years.

So easy on the ears and heart, but what a kick!.......2005-09-03

If you've never heard John Pizzarelli's music, it's the ultimate mix of incredible musicianship performed in a way that sounds so easy, so stress-free, so happy. "Knowing You", as in other albums, has original tunes which reveal depth of feeling disguised in swing, scat, clever vocal duets ("Quality Time").
"God Only Knows" - done as a solo - does what is almost impossible: a song of absolute love and open need becomes even more intense than the original. The title song, an original, is clever, technically easier than the rest of the tracks, but oh such a pleasure to listen to! So easy on the ears, so warm for the heart. For the best kick, "Coffee, Black" is a roller coaster. As always, the instrumentals are absolute top notch, especially Ray Kennedy's fabulous piano.

The uptunes are sensational; however...........2005-06-21

I wanted to love this album; I really did. I have asked myself why I believe that the current crop of young women jazz singers are so much better than the current crop of young men jazz singers. I thought this one would prove me blessedly wrong.

But it didn't.

John Pizzarelli has a very light voice. I don't mean thin or weak; I mean light. But he's not "Caetano Veloso"-light. He's more like what Wayne Newton probably sounded like, when Mr. Newton was 15 (i.e., just post-"Danke Schoen").

And when he's singing an uptune, particularly while playing the guitar, he shows his lightness off to maximum advantage. "Coffee, Black", "New Sun in the Sky" and "Pick Yourself Up" are all terrific. Scatting is his strength.

I don't mean he can't do ballads as well; he can. The title track and the last track, "If It's the Last Thing I Do", both have a lazy swing-feel about them, and his voice well suits that style.

But what Mr. Pizzarelli doesn't have in his bag of chops, and the reason I'm not giving this 5 stars, is the ability to sing a dramatic ballad. "The Shadow of Your Smile", "Say It (Over and Over Again)" and "How Long Has This Been Going On" just don't work. Caetano Veloso, for his lightness, can sing a dramatic ballad. Ditto Mel Torme. John Pizzarelli just doesn't have that kind of flexibility in his voice, at least not yet.

What he does have, though, is a musical partner and spouse, Jessica Molaskey, with whom he ought to cut a whole album of duets. In her "Make Believe" of earlier this year, the strongest cut on the album was her duet with her husband, "Cloudburst/Not Geting Married Today". And on this album, the strongest cut is their duet, the tres witty "Quality Time." Not only do they enjoy each other's company, but their voices match. Ms. Molaskey can do the drama; Mr. Pizzarelli can do the lightness; and together they create a very effective vocal "yin-yang."

I look forward to an album of duets by them. I'm certain that, absent major production blunders, that will be a 5-star album. RC

Average customer rating:

very solid release
Hold on....Hold on
"I never asked for ordinary.."
Average
a very good, yet typical album from the underdogs of emo rock...

Better Than Knowing Where You Are
Spitalfield
Manufacturer: Victory Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Stop Doing Bad Things
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ASIN: B000HD1N10
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

Dare To...
The Only Thing That Matters
On The Floor
Secrets In Mirrors
Better Than Knowing Where You Are
Hold On
Won't Back Down
Curtain Call
Tell Me, Clarice
Lasting First Impression
Novocaine
...Listen

Customer Reviews:

very solid release.......2007-02-06

i had never heard spitalfield, just saw they were on victory records and heard some good things about them. after first listen, was mildly entertained, thought there were some good hooks...after 10th listen, am very impressed, think this may be one of the most underestimated releases of 2006, will surely be one that throughout time gets it's due...i have been listening to it non stop for about 3 days now, and each listen gets the album more ingrained in my head...well worth the $10 i spent...go check it out.

Hold on....Hold on.......2006-11-26

I definitely think, that after multiple listens of this cd, this is their best release to date. I was a little worried when their songs slowly filtered through onto the net, with the first single seemingly missing the final punch that most Spitalfield songs have. But even after listening to it again you appreciate it more in the context of the cd. There is definitely a louder guitar sound on many of the songs on the cd but I think it works brilliantly with the more melodic sounds spread throughout the cd. Dare to... starts out amazingly and almost leaves me wanting more until The Only Thing That Matters kicks into gear and is one of the standout tracks on the cd. The cd then goes into over-drive with heavy, fast guitars until again brilliantly placing (in my mind the best song on the cd & contender for song of the year) Hold On to contrast the previous songs. Hold On builds and builds on you and the more you play the song the louder you want to sing it. Another masterful song Won't Back Down follows and keeps going where Hold On finishes off and shows again the sweeter side of Spitalfield. The next few songs kick back into gear and provide a brilliant song in Tell Me, Clarice that keeps your heart pounding. Then another strength of the cd is the finish with Novacaine being the brilliantly delicate side of things to come from Spitalfield. Finally with ...Listen (second best song and highly underratted from what reviews I've read) it probably showcases the older instantly catchier rock of Spitalfield and re-introduces the words of Dare To... to show there is beautiful meaning to the lyrics. I think this is a standout cd of 2006 even though I have heard old fans complain. I think after multiple listens it will grow on any old fan (like myself) and is definitely up there with AFI, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Senses Fail, Moneen & The Early November for Alternative Rock of the Year!

"I never asked for ordinary..".......2006-10-08

So I've been a fan of Spitalfield since the release of "Remember Right Now" (which is one of my favorite albums ever). Spitalfield has come a long way, and every album they put out has a fresh sound. "Better Than Knowing Where You Are" falls somewhere between the catchy pop-punk sound of "Remember Right Now" and the more rock inspired "Stop Doing Bad Things". The album starts out with an Intro, and quickly starts off with the catchy verses of the song "The Only Thing That Matters", which clearly resembles any song off RRN. The entire album will be repeating in your head for weeks.

My Ratings:

"The Only Thing That Matters" 9/10 - Incredibly catchy ("why don't you step a little closer, closer...)

"On The Floor" 9.5/10 - Instrumentally awesome

"Secrets in Mirrors" 8/10 - First Single, one of the weaker tracks on this CD in my opinion

"Better Than Knowing Where You Are" 10/10 Incredibly catchy, has a great flow to it.

"Hold On" 9.5/10 Great Mellow Tune

"Won't Back Down" 10/10 My personal favorite

"Curtain Call" 8/10

"Tell Me Clarice" 8.5/10

"Lasting First Impression" 9/10

"Novacaine" 9.5/10 Very mellow, dreamy-like tune

"...Listen" 8.5/10

Spitalfield is one of the most underrated bands in their genre. If you are a Spitalfield fan, buy this right now! If you aren't, do yourself a huge favor and check them out. You won't regret it.

Average.......2006-10-04

I liked spitalfield's debut "remember right now" alot. I liked their follow-up "stop doing bad things" even better. So, in theory, "Better Than Knowing Where You Are" should be better still, right? Wrong. I had my doubts about this being a quality record after hearing the lackluster first single "secrets in mirrors" a month back, and those doubts became knowledge after listening to this CD front to back this morning. It isn't really a bad record, but it just feels so average. Nothing stands out or begs to be listened to again like on past Spitalfield releases. Every song is just, blah.

Hopefully it'll grow on me a bit in time, but I won't be holding my breath. Spitalfield and "Better Than Knowing Where You Are" join Underoath, Thursday, Billy Talent, Three Days Grace and New Found Glory in being one of this years most disappointing follow-up records.

a very good, yet typical album from the underdogs of emo rock..........2006-10-04

let's get this out of the way, first off. spitalfield are no doubt a talented band that are so underrated it makes me despise all the overrated bands getting recognition such as panic! at the disco, hawthorne heights, fall out boy, etc. even more. actually, fall out boy and panic! are pretty talented bands but spitalfield should be getting "a piece of the pie" (so to speak) that these and other bands are getting. the lyrics are great, songs are catchy, and the music quality is a lot better than most of the commercial bands. maybe it's a marketing problem? who knows?

i'm a huge fan of their two previous releases (especially "stop doing...") and i had high expectations for this release. when i first listened to it all the way through, i thought "okay, this is definitely spitalfield but what happened to the crunchy, loud guitars that made their last release so enjoyable. it seems they kind of went backwards instead of forward and it sounds more like "remember..." more than anything, except not as good or memorable.

the album is mediocre but still typical spitalfield for anyone who is a big fan of the band. i just expected more from them and i didn't get it. still, the album is still catchy and a fun album to listen to. tracks like "hold on" and "the only thing that matters" will be fan favorites quickly. bottomline, spitalfield fans will enjoy the album and i recommend it but if you're new to the name spitalfield, try one of their first two releases before you get this one.

Average customer rating:

The Tao of Cello

Manufacturer: Valley
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dark Wood
Cello
Musical Massage: Balance
Eight String Religion
Mudanin Kata

ASIN: B000088EH9
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Restraint Begins With Giving Up One's Own Ideas
Man Follows The Earth
When Men Lack A Sense Of Awe, There Will Be A Disaster
The Tao Of Heaven Is To Take Form Those Who Have Too Much And Give To Those Who Have To Little
Man Follows The Earth. Earth Follows Heaven. Heaven Follows The Tao. Tao Follows What It Natural
Knowing Others Is Wisdoms
The Further You Go, The Less You Know
It Is Not Wise To Rush About
Returning Is The Motion Of The Tao
See Simplicity In The Complicated
In Dealing With Others, Be Gentle And Kind
He Who Is Filled With Virtue Is Like A Newborn Child
Yield And Overcome
What Is Firmly Grasped Cannot Slip Away
Tao Follows The Earth
Become As A Child Once More
Sometimes One Is Up And Sometimes Down
Just Do What Needs To Be Done
That Is Why A Victory Must Be Observed Life A Funeral
All Men Will Come To Him Who Keeps To The One
The Valley Spirit Never Dies
Heaven And Earth Last Forever

Product Description

1. Restraint Begins With Giving Up One's Own Ideas
2. Man Follows The Earth
3. When Men Lack A Sense Of Awe, There Will Be A Disaster
4. The Tao Of Heaven Is To Take From Those Who Have Too Much And Give To Those Who Have Too Little
5. Man Follows The Earth, Earth Follows Heaven, Heaven Follows The Tao, Tao Follows What Is Natural
6. Knowing Others Is Wisdom
7. The Further You Go, The Less You Know
8. It Is Not Wise To Rush About
9. Returning Is The Motion Of The Tao
10. See Simplicity In The Complicated
11. In Dealing With Others, Be Gentle And Kind
12. He Who Is Filled With Virtue Is Like A Newborn Child
13. Yield And Overcome
14. What Is Finally Grapsed Cannot Slip Away
15. Tao Follows The Earth
16. Become As A Child Once More
17. Sometimes One Is Up And Sometimes Down
18. Just Do What Needs To Be Done
19. That Is Why A Victory Must Be Observed Like A Funeral
20. All Men Will Come To Him Who Keeps To The One
21. The Valley Spirit Never Dies
22. Heaven And Earth Last Forever (Improvisation On Bach Suite II, Praeluium)

Format: CD

Average customer rating:

Fresh and fiercely listenable

Not so hot.

A Rare Vein of Fine Songwriting

Snow on the Waves is OUTSTANDING in every way

Snow on the Waves is Awesome

Snow on the Waves
Meghan Hayes
Manufacturer: Cranky Heartburn Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000050682
Release Date: 2000-09-01

Tracks:

Snow on the Waves
Sepulveda
Twice as Long
Citadel
Get off on a Dare
Pay the Waterbill
Airborne
Sweet Go-Between
Debt to Love
Fight or Flight
Down the Shore
Count Your Blessings

Album Description

"Snow on the Waves" melds folk, rock, alt-country, and melodic pop into a musical crossbreed. Hayes' knowing lyrics and voice are the poetic strokes over the record's lilting grooves, propulsive rhythms, and haunting dirges. Many of Hayes' aching, twisting songs are reflections of her wanderings through the United States and the Czech Republic; themes of love and fear cast a constant shadow over the recording. In addition to writing, singing, and playing acoustic guitar on the twelve tracks, Hayes produced the record with David McKittrick.

Customer Reviews:

Fresh and fiercely listenable.......2003-08-18

I was lucky to have been introduced to Hayes' music at a college reunion. Despite the alumni connection, I confess that it took a few listens before I started to like the album (and I did come to like it a lot).

At first The lyrics seemed cryptic and overly abstract in their imagery: "You sing like a windchime /
Cut in half by the fine line"; and I felt Hayes was using a gritty singing and production style when I wanted to hear something like Sarah McLaghlin.

The lyrics are worth the time it takes to mull them over (the album really should come with a lyric sheet!), and the ones that don't quite make sense to me still ring true emotionally: "Oh City... ...If you'll be the one to wear the neon lights/
I'll be the one to hail the cab".

The music adds some balm to the often bleak subject matter, and keeps things up-tempo and flowing while staying enmeshed to the songs' emotional content.

All in all, if you've found yourself in a musical slump, half-heartedly listening to the same 5 or 6 sometime-favorite albums, Snow on the Waves might be just the thing to make it all fresh again.

Not so hot........2001-08-16

Monotonous and slow. Does not live up to the reviews given here.

A Rare Vein of Fine Songwriting.......2001-03-26

Snow on the Waves is all achingly-emotional vocals, unshakeable melodies and trenchant wordplay, served up with honest summer-porch charm. On lovely, honky-tonk-tempo ballads like "Twice As Long," "Citadel" and "Debt to Love," Hayes demonstrates a rare gift for enduring melodic hooks and evocative storytelling. Hayes' songs are populated with smalltown strivers and survivors, trying to find an edge in lives that just keep throwing them curves, lives that are "all rain/and no parade." Stuck in temporary accomodations, phoning from rest stops and passing lanes, they are stranded between thwarted expectations and fading memories, and Hayes mines the melancholy of their predicaments to wonderful musical effect. Her voice is gentle and expressive and neatly splits the difference between the manic homespun folkie charm of Danielle Howle and the ethereal delicacy of Sara McLachlan, while her desolate, dead-on imagery -- the "leather-shoe winter" of "Get Off On a Dare" -- provides the intellectual punctuation to the swell and sway of her musicians, an ensemble that provides immaculate settings for her songs without ever once upstaging or undermining her. To hear Snow on the Waves is to be in presence of a ripening, but already confident and compelling, new talent.

Snow on the Waves is OUTSTANDING in every way.......2001-03-24

I am blown away every time I listend to Snow on the Waves by Meghan Hayes. Her voice is truly beautiful. Her lyrics are deep and meaningful. I can listen to her CD over and over all day long. I am lucky enough to live in the DC area, so I have also been able to hear her live. If you live within a days drive of DC, I highly recommend making the trip to hear her perform.

Snow on the Waves is Awesome.......2001-03-23

This is a great debut album by an up and coming artist. It is one of those rare combinations of great lyrics, awesome music and Ms. Hayes' voice is angelic. It is no wonder the Washington Post named her one of the top ten new local artists to watch in 2001.