Don't Think You Know

Editorial Reviews
Sean Edgar, The (OU) Post, May 27, 2004
Assuming this music to be too quiet or lackluster for Generation Y would be an underestimation.

Mae Klingler, The Athens News, 6/10/2004
Bob Stewart's album possesses all of the ingredients necessary for a satisfying listening experience and a terrific release.

Album Description
Bob Stewart’s "Don’t Think You Know" album is an amalgamation of folk, soft rock and ballad. The album is simultaneously charming and subtle with its understated melodies and rich instrumentation that features pedal and lap steel, mandolin, cello and acoustic guitar. In songs like "Fare Thee Well," the production quality allows for subtle nuances to show through. The mid-song introduction of a melancholy cello line adds depth and echoes the natural movement of Stewart’s voice. Musically and stylistically, the album is strung together in a refreshing balance of consistency and variation. The highlight of the album comes close to the end. "One Last Day to Cry," ironically the most upbeat of the songs but with the most melancholy lyrics, surprises the listener with a dynamic flow and engaging experience, while "Summer Song" deals with a touching tribute to inevitable exit. In general, "Fare Thee Well" and "Summer Song" embrace the gentle aesthetic of the album, highlighting Stewart’s colorful arpeggios and voice. Stewart’s affinity and admiration for James Taylor’s "Sweet Baby James" comes across strong in the album, and while this flavor holds the record together, Stewart is not afraid to include varying genres. The first track, titled "All Over Again," leans heavily on Taylor’s "Fire and Rain," while "That’s Not What Dancin’s For" carries a mandolin-heavy, virtually bossanova beat. Stewart’s instrumental abilities have unquestionably been honed and sharpened extensively. A gorgeous instrumental — "Penny from Heaven" — offers a needed showcase of Stewart’s technical prowess and knack for emotionally gripping progressions. Especially noteworthy is the ending melody that relies exclusively on harmonics. "Don’t Think You Know" shows a concerted effort toward light production, with heavy emphasis on the intricacies of Stewart’s voice. The album's mature talent provides 45 minutes of masterful folk. [comments are a compilation of reviews and press release.]

Don't Think You Know

Tracks:

Takin A Ride
Shiftless When Idle
Kids Don't Follow
Color Me Impressed
Within Your Reach
I Will Dare
Answering Machine
Unsatisfied
Here Comes A Regular
Kiss Me On The Bus
Bastards Of Young
Left Of The Dial
Alex Chilton
Skyway
Can't Hardly Wait
Achin' To Be
I'll Be You
Merry Go Round
Message To The Boys (New Recording)
Pool & Dive (New Recording)

Amazon.com

Chronicling The Replacements' gloriously tempestuous decade on a single disc ostensibly seems akin to reading Cliff's Notes for the New Testament: No sooner do you grow fond of the protagonist than they've nailed him up. And if that comparison sounds a tad sacrilegious, perhaps you underestimate the Mats' hallowed place in modern rock history--and the hearts of their ardent fans. Yet somehow even this condensed format focuses the songs of Paul Westerberg and playing of bandmates Bob and Tommy Stinson and drummer Chris Mars into a dramatic arc that can't be denied. The initial tracks of this 20-track collection display a band joyously besotted by nascent punk thrash, yet one not so different from the scores of similar bands tearing up local clubs in the '80s.

But by the time of Hootenanny's "Color Me Impressed" and "Within Your Reach," something magical was clearly happening within Westerberg's songwriting and the band at large, even if it was largely inspired by terminal boredom, perpetual discontent, no small amount of alcohol--and an indifference to success that was one of their greatest charms. Within two years they'd produce one of the decade's--and perhaps rock history's--most compelling albums with Let It Be and the indie movement's first grassroots anthem in "Unsatisfied." They followed it up with Tim, a collection where Westerberg seemed able to conjure similar generational marching orders ("Here Comes a Regular," "Bastards of Young," "Left of the Dial") with preternatural ease; enraptured rock critics probably thought harder about his music than he ever did. Though highlighted by such gems as "Alex Chilton," "Skyway" and such pop-smart swan songs as "I'll Be You" and "Merry Go Round," the Mats' third act dissolved into the expected, if equally star-crossed solo career for Westerberg and the tragic death of Bob Stinson, events which can't help but cast a melancholy shadow over the unexpectedly gritty new old stock recordings "Message to the Boys" and "Pool & Dive." --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

The ragged and glorious alt-rock of The Replacements made them one of the greatest and most iconic American bands of the 1980s, and inspired countless groups to come. Fronted by lead singer, pianist/guitarist, and principal songwriter Paul Westerberg, these heroes of post-punk/pre-grunge rock `n' roll fused garage band greatness with powerful pop beauty. Fueled by both thrashing energy and a lyrical and emotive sonic flow, The Replacements' kamikaze live shows and richly textured albums made them music legends.

Customer Reviews:

Love from Minneapolis.......2007-03-25

How can anyone who lives in the muck of a society that prizes commerce, populism, media savvy, and dumbed-down entertainment above all else be surprised how little popular success or money or fame the Replacements achieved in their career? But our same American culture of mass-produced cr*p-by-committee fertilized their existence, out of which sprang this wondrous musical art, an art that is nevertheless woefully underrepresented in this single CD.

Not to bleat too much, but how does Rhino justify the omission of Androgynous and Swingin' Party, which, in all of their weird, surreal, organic, raw, sloppy beauty, epitomized the immediacy that helped make Let It Be and Tim the greatest back-to-back albums by any artist in the 1980s? These songs only get better with repeated listening, unlike the Mats' pre-Let It Be punk efforts that sound like the kind of speed metal that gives skateboarding fanboys hard-ons but grows increasingly tiresome with age.

It is funny to me that as their music matured and became more melodic and interesting, many of these same fanboys accused the Mats of selling out. That instinct to keep bands stuck in perpetual adolescence always drags down great music, but thankfully, Westerberg and Co. resisted, although at the unfortunate loss of a bandmate.

Despite missing some vital tunes, I still give this album five stars for Rhino's good sense to include Answering Machine and Here Comes a Regular, and because it is still the Replacements, who even at their worst could puke out better music than the soulless, high-polish, overproduced dreck that wins Grammy awards. If there is any justice, the Mats will be fast-tracked into the RnR Hall, thus affording them the opportunity to give the middle finger to industry tastemakers who overlooked them in their prime.

What, yet another Mats compilation album?.......2007-01-16

Yeah, Yeah, this has the Twin Tone recordings that All For Nothing did not have. Sure, that makes this a better compilation of hits (what hits?) album. However, where All For Nothing had a disc of rairities, this one hopes to entice Mats fans with two new recordings. Uhh, correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Paul released like four (at least) solo albums since leaving the Mats (one could argue that the last Mats album was a Paul solo album)? I guess, Paul's solo works are different when he attaches the Mats name to it? So, uhhh, why exactly should you buy this CD? Well, if you are a fan and already have all of their stuff, there is no reason to buy this CD. I mean, come on. Chris was so indifferent about this project that he did not even bother playing drums on the two new cuts and Bob is dead. What, did you really miss hearing Tommy's bass-playing that much? Listen to some GnR for crying out loud. LOL

A Great Best-of.......2007-01-11

I'm going to keep this short and sweet: The Replacements are a "glorious footnote" in the history of rock music, a band that didn't sell enough to make an impact when they were together (at least on the superficial charts of the Eighties), but I guarentee every indie band that followed had a record or two and practiced "Can't Hardly Wait" or "Kiss Me on The Bus" to learn their instruments.

So if you're wondering what all the fuss is about, pick up this disc. I owned Hootenanny for a while back in the day, but foolishly let it slip out of my hands. So when I saw this disc, I had to get it. You can't understand alternative rock without the Replacements, REM, Joy Division, and Mission of Burma.

Do yourself a favor and get this, you won't regret it.

One Historic CD.......2006-12-19

For a compilation, this CD is awesome. It follows the Replacements from their punk rock roots to their more polished sound (lyrics and music). One of the best aspects of the Replacements was their refusal to apologize for not being famous rock stars. Sure, the critics loved them, and LET IT BE is on many top spots of top rock and roll albums of all time (as well it should be). Still, they never found the ultra-glamorous rock star lifestyle that so many seek. And their music is better for it.

The best way to listen to this is on a long, autumn drive on backroads, with the windows down and the volume loud. If you still have one of those archaic tape recorders, record a compilation tape and throw in some greats from this album. It only gets better with age.

And to address my own review title, I wish this had been two CDs. Or three.

Great one disc Best of, Excellent with 2 new songs, but so short........2006-12-05

This ablum is the cream of the Replacements catalog, but its hard not to want all of their music on this. It does not hit their twintone years, which I am suprised has not been done yet (the did it for soul asylum). But, this covers their sire years well, and is greatly complimented by the best of Paul Westerberg CD. A good starter CD, but also check out the "all for nothing/nothing for all" greatest hits released years ago, 2 cds of music with the second disc being B sides and rare recordings. You'll want all the replacements Albums after you get this one anyway, their addicting.

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Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000B8I93Q
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
Summertime
I Could Write a Book
It Never Entered My Mind
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Erich Kunzel - Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) / Cincinnati Pops Orchestra

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Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals

Erich Kunzel - Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) / Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Andrew Lloyd Webber , Erich Kunzel , Ernest [organ] Hoffman , Randolph Bowman , Timothy Berens , and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Manufacturer: Telarc
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The Big Picture

ASIN: B000003D18
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

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Think Of Me
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
All I Ask Of You
Angel Of Music
As If We Never Said Goodbye
The Greatest Star of All
With One Look
Memory
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)
King Herod's Song
Don't Cry For Me, Argentina
Starlight Express
Any Dream Will Do

Customer Reviews:

Kunzel's different perspective on ALW's musicals.......2005-11-06

Kunzel's offering of Andrew Lloyd Webber suites is a worthwhile tribute to this modern-day titan of globalised musicals. Although this album has a different feel from the original cast albums, Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops still perform these affectionate arrangements of Lord Lloyd Webber's musicals expertly, superbly and voluptiously. The creative arrangements by Crafton Beck and Steven Reineke are tastefully and, for the most part, faithfully done, and allow Kunzel to offer a fresh perspective to these musicals in their orchestral settings. And as always Telarc provides its trademark audiophile-quality recording - surround sound quality with a sumptuous spatialiser such that you might be overwhelmed by the Phantom's laughter in the Phantom suite.

Kunzel contrasts the dramatic and lyrical sides of the PHANTOM and SUNSET BOULEVARD suites as if they were written for the Pops. The Phantom suite gains from a breathtaking organ introduction of the Phantom's theme, and from the contrasts in Music of the Night that match the lyrics perfectly, even without the cast album. The tender arrangement of Think of Me cleverly weaves the Angel of Music melody as a counterpoint, while All I Ask of You, complete with some of the details of the original orchestrations, makes a calming answer to Christine's Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. The JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR suite depicts the contrasting and conflicting moods of this groundbreaking rock opera, from the contrasts in I Don't Know How to Love Him to the sheer anguish in Gethsemene (I Only Want to Say).

There are some interesting arrangements on this ALW offering, especially the arrangement of Don't Cry for Me Argentina from EVITA. Although some listeners might be offended when it transmorphs itself into the Ravel Bolero after doing an about-turn from its lush, Spanish feel, it still depicts Evita's rise to power and her manipulative trait in her character, well-suiting an orchestral concert arrangement of the tune and fitting in with the spirit of the musical. Another interesting arrangement is the rousing theme-and-variation finale of Any Dream Will Do from JOSEPH, which incorporates many different musical styles throughout the variations, from ballroom waltzing to jazz, movie music (Magnificent Seven) and circus-style music. I know some listeners might be offended, but in their own inimitable and creative way, Kunzel and the Pops still pay tribute to this early ALW musical by evoking the myriad of colours on the coat and the diversity of musical styles in the original JOSEPH musical. This arrangement certainly fits the trademark style of the Pops perfectly.

The only fault with this collection is in the arrangement of Memory from CATS. Here, this song is treated as a flat-out romantic ballad, rather than as the haunting anthem for respect that Grizabella sings. Nevertheless, the arrangement by Tommy Newsom (who wrote this arrangement for a Doc Severinson album) is innofensive to this well-loved ALW melody (this is the only arrangement that Crafton Beck or Steven Reineke didn't write for this album). Also, I wish that Kunzel had included Love Changes Everything and Whistle Down the Wind, but given the fact that this was a 1996 recording, ALW hadn't written Whistle down the Wind as yet. But these are minor caveats, since Kunzel offers much to savour in these infectuous and spirited performances.

Yet I still feel that Kunzel's ALW offering is a winner in its lush orchestral suite arrangements of his well-loved and great musicals, far superior to any shopping-mall synthesised arrangement. This would surely count towards another feather in Kunzel's cap and stand pride of place with his rousing offering of Rodgers & Hammerstein. I'm sure Lord Lloyd Webber would have been proud.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Broadway's Best Musicals, Vol. 1

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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Broadway's Best Musicals, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Koch Records
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Broadway's Best Musicals, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00009IB3S
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Music Of The Night from Phantom Of The Opera
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Don't Cry For Me Argentina from Evita
I Don't Know How To Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar
Think Of Me from Phantom Of The Opera
Sunset Boulevard from Sunset Boulevard
Superstar from Jesus Christ Superstar
Next Time You Fal In Love from Starlight Express
Seeing Is Believing from Aspects Of Love
Another Suitcase In Another Hall from Evita
Memory from Cats

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Pianoforte Opus 5: Broadway Delight!
Music that is great to accompany any quiet project or event.

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One Hand, One Heart/Somewhere from 'West Side Story'
Memory from 'Cats'
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Customer Reviews:

Pianoforte Opus 5: Broadway Delight!.......2007-03-20

Christopher Peacock is an extremely talented pianist. This CD is both exciting and soothing. I play it in my office as background music and use the auto reverse mode! I am planing to purchase additional CDs of his.

Music that is great to accompany any quiet project or event........1998-09-27

This CD is my favorite when I work on my computer especially after a long day at work. The music is current and liked by teens as well as adults. My niece asked her parents to buy a copy after hearing it during Easter dinner at our house. The music simply makes me feel good.

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Great Musicals

Manufacturer: Rajon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2004-11-15

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Oklahoma Suite: Oklahoma!/Oh, What a Beautiful Morning/The Surrey With
My Fair Lady Suite: Ascot Gavotte/Wouldn't It Be Loverly?/With a ...
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Album Description

Australian exclusive 3-CD set from the Rajon label's 'Great Series'. 2004.

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A NEW FORM FOR ALW'S LASTING MELODIES
Spectacular
"music of the night or any other time ~ The Choral Album"

The Choral Album

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000C0FBE
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

Phantom Of The Opera
Music Of The Night
Wishing You Were Somehow Here
Think Of Me
All I Ask Of You
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Another Suitcase In Another Hall
Memory
Close Every Door
Tell Me On A Sunday
I Don't Know How To Love Him
Pie Jesu
Love Changes Everything
Next Time You Fall In Love
With One Look

Amazon.com

A title like The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Choral Album could mean either of two things. It could focus on the various pieces the British superstar composer has written for vocal groups in his musicals. Or it could take his most famous melodies and set them to SATB on the principle that the human voice is the most beautiful instrument, and therefore a group of voices singing together can't be beaten. The Crouch End Festival Chorus takes the second approach, so we have a medley of five songs from The Phantom of the Opera, yet no "Masquerade." We have songs from Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar, but no "Requiem for Evita," "Go Go Go Joseph," or "Superstar." (They do sing the "Pie Jesu" from Lloyd Webber's requiem.) Not that this is a bad thing. The chorus sings with heart and style, and their backing of well-known soloists such as Lesley Garrett offers a haunting backdrop. Yes, it is ironic that the group sings "Another Suitcase In Another Hall," "Memory," "Close Every Door," "Tell Me on a Sunday," and "I Don't Know How To Love Him," which in dramatic context are some of the loneliest songs of the Lloyd Webber canon. But again, it's better to take these songs simply as lovely pieces of music, sung by the very pleasant vehicle of a choral ensemble. If you enjoy your local community chorale's spring pops concert, then you'll enjoy this too. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

A NEW FORM FOR ALW'S LASTING MELODIES.......2006-08-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of both Broadway and the West End. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging. Not many contemporary musical theatre composers could claim such success, let alone a steady fan base.

Through the years not only have numerous compilations of his music been issued, but also more than one orchestra played his well known numbers in form of instrumental pieces. This album represents yet another attempt to spread the artistic boundaries of ALW's work, this time, through the beauty of the choral singing, backed by the impeccable sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As this CD shows, the result is wonderful. The melodies blend with the soaring voices of the male, female and mixed choirs to make a deep and a profound impact on one's ears. What comes as an interesting fact is that some of the songs include solo parts, sung by the artists from both the opera and musical theatre world, which also emphasises the meaning of ALW's music in bringing these borders seem a lot closer.

The Royal Philharmonics Orchestra makes all these familiar melodies to sound fresh and lush, while the richness of the choir voices seems to match the fine texture of ALW's music. But to be totally frank, when one has as its material such fine gems as `The phantom of the opera', `Don't cry for me Argentina', `With one look', `Memory' or `Love changes everything', one needs not to overdo it with praise: the way these tunes are appreciated by so many people all over the world for so long is the best of recommendations. This album proves another important point: art can take many forms without loosing its original appeal.

No matter if you are an ALW fan or simply have a thing for a good choral tune; in both cases, this album is for you.

Spectacular.......2004-03-09

I have owned this CD for about a month now - having bought it from Amazon for a birthday gift for someone else, and subsequently purchasing it for myself. It absolutely sweeps you away. All of the music is just breathtaking.

"music of the night or any other time ~ The Choral Album".......2003-09-23

Listening to this album will bring back moments from Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musicals. Silva America has released "The Choral Album", featuring some of the best cues from Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoast, Tell Me On A Sunday, Jesus Christ Superstar, Requeim, Aspects of Love, Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard ~ everyone a WINNER!

Believe this is an essential recording to enjoy now and in the following years. Sample the incredibly beautiful, unique, uplifting and warm performances from the Crouch End Festival Chorus with David Temple (choir master), The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Bateman (conductor), with the London Stage featuring Lesley Garrett, Tito Beltran, Sharon Campbell and Mary Carewe. Also enjoy The City of Prague Philharmonic featuring Robin Stapleton (conductor) performing "PIE JESUS", from Requiem is one of the many highlights of this classic release. The love, sadness, desperation of musical compositions that leave a lasting impression.

Once again, hats off to James Fitzpatrick (producer) ~ just keeps grinding out culture for all the music collectors of the world. Music that pops into your head even when you're not looking. There's a certain amount of receptiveness that Silva brings to the forefront. If you keep listening to this album, the more and more you love it. Each cue is a great piece of music to have in your collection, this time all Choral works. You'll be glad that you added this one to your ever growing vast collection...gotta love it!