Kiss [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Kiss's self-titled debut manages to simultaneously represent what rock & roll in the 1970s was all about, and stand up as a classic recording without sounding dated. That's a rare trick, even for Kiss (whose efforts after, oh, 1977 didn't do much more than tread water), and one that should be appreciated even as listening to the album brings back misty-eyed visions of high school. (It doesn't matter if you were in high school in the '70s, something about this album just screams late adolescence.) Kiss is, of course, crammed full of songs that would become concert favorites (most of this album appears on Alive!) and classics--who hasn't heard "Strutter" or "Deuce"? It's a slab of pure, unadulterated rock & roll. While this isn't especially thought-provoking stuff, it's arguable that rock ever should be. --Genevieve Williams

Tracks:

Chocolate - Snow Patrol
Star Mile - Joshua Radin
Pain Killer - Turin Brakes
Warning Sign - Coldplay
Ride - Cary Brothers
El Salvador - Athlete
Hide And Seek - Imogen Heap
Reason Why - Rachael Yamagata
Hold You In My Arms - Ray LaMontagne
Prophecy - Remy Zero
Paper Bag - Fiona Apple
Today's The Day - Aimee Mann
Arms of a Woman - Amos Lee
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk (Reprise) - Rufus Wainwright
Paperweight - Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk

Amazon.com

Repeating the feat that accompanied his directorial debut, Garden State, Zach Braff has again put together a tastefully assembled compilation of music. The track listing reads like a cherry-picked bouquet of refined American singer-songwriters (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann, Rufus Wainwright, Ray Lamontagne), sprinkled with literate-yet-popular UK combos (Snow Patrol, Athlete, Turin Brakes) and the lone international megaband (Coldplay, already on Garden State). Based on the selection, Braff is the kind of guy who isn't afraid to show his sensitive side (that'd be the American songs, especially Apple's "Paper Bag" and Aimee Mann's "Today's the Day"), but who also likes to hang out at soft-rock clubs with his cool mates (that'd be the British songs, especially Snow Patrol's "Chocolate" and Turin Brakes' Simon & Garfunkel-like "Pain Killer"). Really, it's a win-win combination—except for those who prefer their rock more rocking, since the mood is, overall, really mellow. (Note that Michael Penn score isn't represented here.) --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Good music .......2007-06-11

I loved the music that i saw on the movie and had to have this cd. The soundtrack is very good. Songs from Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Carry Brothers, and Remy Zero are very good, along with some of the others. If you liked the music on the movie then you will love the soundtrack

Off the beaten path.......2007-05-27

Think Garden State soundtrack....if you loved that one - then you will love this. It actually feautures a lot of the same artists. I like this CD because it's an eclectic mix of bluesy, upbeat, downbeat somber songs.
It features Imogen Heap, Cary Brothers, Coldplay and more.
The music fits perfectly to the movie!
I like the cd because it exposes you to music you don't hear everyday- or sometimes ever...on the radio. It's an off the beaten path mix of songs that make you feel good.

Never received.......2007-05-25

It was funny how when I went through an independent seller I got my other items at the address I have on file and yet when I went through Amazon I never received this item along with all of what I ordered.

More great music from ZB!.......2007-05-07

Music is a hard thing to review because it is all a matter of taste. However, if you liked Garden State and the Scrubs soundtracks, you'll enjoy this, too!

Very good, but not like his first.......2007-03-30

Very good songs--mostly mellow. His first soundtrack of Garden State was much better, though. Some of these are already on the radio, where as the last album was more obscure songs. I really like the song Pain Killer. Overall, Braff picks cool songs. If you liked Garden State, then this will still be good, but just not quite as good.

Average customer rating:

FINALLY, KEER AND NIXON BOTH SING
The King and I--a distinguished, beautiful score laced with tenderness and sorrow
A fine King and I soundtrack reissue
great album
a classic

The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack)
Deborah Kerr , Yul Brynner , Marni Nixon , Rita Moreno , and Alfred Newman
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack)
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The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack)

ASIN: B00005A7XC
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Main Title - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
I Whistle A Happy Tune - Marni Nixon/Rex Thompson
My Lord And Master - Rita Moreno
The March Of The Siamese Children - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
Anna And The Royal Wives - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
Hello, Young Lovers - Marni Nixon
A Puzzlement - Yul Brynner
Getting To Know You - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon
Garden Rendezvous - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
We Kiss In A Shadow - Leona Gordon/Reuben Fuentes
I Have Dreamed - Leona Gordon/Reuben Fuentes
Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You? - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon
Something Wonderful - Terry Saunders
Prayer To Buddha - Yul Brynner
Waltz Of Anna And Sir Edward - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
The Small House Of Uncle Thomas - Rita Moreno
Song Of The King - Yul Brynner/Marni Nixon
Shall We Dance? - Deborah Kerr/Marni Nixon/Yul Brynner
The Letter - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
Something Wonderful (Finale) - Chorus/Alfred Newman
Overture (LP Version) - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman

Amazon.com essential recording

Compared with the Broadway cast recording, the 1956 soundtrack to the film version of The King and I wins hands down. Yul Brynner is the king (literally and figuratively) in both formats (how could anyone else own such a role?), but the movie's score has better sonics, Brynner's voice is stronger, and the tunes are more memorable (thanks to Alfred Newman's conducting and Ken Darby's scoring) than on any of the various cast recordings. Marni Nixon sings the role of Anna (played onscreen by Deborah Kerr), Brynner delivers his hallmark performance, and the best-loved tunes--"Hello, Young Lovers," "Getting to Know You," and "I Whistle a Happy Tune" are the versions we'll always remember. A classic. --James Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

FINALLY, KEER AND NIXON BOTH SING.......2007-05-26

WHAT A COMPLETE JOY TO HEAR MARNI NIXON AND
DEBORAH KERR BOTH SING. TRULY A COLLECTORS
ITEM WITH ALL THE NOSTALGIA, OUTSHINES ALL
OTHER ATTEMPTS TO RE-MASTER THIS MAGNIFICANT
MUSIC.

The King and I--a distinguished, beautiful score laced with tenderness and sorrow.......2007-04-08

The King And I soundtrack is presented magnificently on this excellent 76 minute CD. This CD offers us much music and vocals that were cut from the film as well as material that never made it to the record album release of the soundtrack back in 1956. We get stunning performances by giants including Yul Brynner, Terry Saunders and Marni Nixon. This CD is so complete and generous with it's treatment of the soundtrack that it must be considered as the definitive soundtrack edition of the music from The King And I.

The CD starts off with the music for the "main title" of the film; and this also serves as an appetizer to whet out appetites for what's to come. "I Whistle A Happy Tune" gives us Marni Nixon singing the vocals for Deborah Kerr; the melody is infectiously catchy; this song is one of the highlights of the CD. "My Lord And Master," performed by Leona Gordon who sang the vocals for Rita Moreno, is another masterpiece with a softness to it that belies the pain Rita's character Tuptim feels because she is separated from her one true love. "The March Of The Siamese Children" is performed by the 20th Century Fox Orchestra to perfection without a single superfluous note; the melody infuses this number with an Asian flavor as well.

Other gems on this CD--and that would, quite honestly, include every single track--include "Hello, Young Lovers" sung by Marni Nixon as Deborah Kerr's character Anna Leonowens laments a love gone awry back in England; the touching and heartrending "We Kiss In A Shadow;" Terry Saunders as Lady Thiang performing "Something Wonderful" with exceptional sensitivity and "Shall We Dance?" which is performed by Deborah Kerr, Marni Nixon and Yul Brynner. As you listen to numbers like "Shall We Dance?" that calls for Anna, played by Deborah Kerr, to speak and then sing, you will have a hard time discerning where Deborah Kerr leaves off speaking and Marni Nixon starts singing. It's THAT good.

As long as I include the words "Something Wonderful" when writing this review I must add that the extras you get are stupendous. As I stated above, the CD boasts much that the record album soundtrack never included. Indeed, we get music that didn't even make it to the final cut of the movie! I loved the beautiful and sensitive rendition of "The Small House Of Uncle Thomas" which was previously unreleased and "Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You" is a marvelous song--cut from the final edited edition of the film--that highlights Anna's contempt for the King's backward ways.

The CD package offers more still. Along with the CD comes a generous 32 page booklet with an extensive essay by Charles L. Granata that tells the history of both the stage play and the making of the stage play into a major motion picture at Fox. In addition, you get the song credits and there are rarely seen photographs as well.

The quality of the sound shines like solid gold. These performances reflect great sensitivity to the emotions each character felt. It is a special treat to listen to Yul Brynner's songs; he infuses each song and even every word with just the right emotions so that the listener experiences exactly what his character feels at every turn.

This CD is one of the very few that truly remind me of the old MGM logo which boasted of having "more stars than there are in the heavens." Indeed, five stars are nowhere near enough for this treasure. I highly recommend this CD for people who truly loved and appreciated The King And I both in its several onstage productions as well as on the big screen; and fans of show tunes will delight in this CD soundtrack with its' diamonds scattered broadly in all directions.

A fine King and I soundtrack reissue.......2007-02-10

Of the three recent EMI-Angel R&H film soundtrack reissues, I find that this reissue of the King & I soundtrack is the best-executed. The King and I shows a new maturing of the R&H element and this superb 1956 film adaptation more than certainly does it justice. The superb soundtrack presented here includes the complete score, along with some of Alfred Newman's underscoring, and boasts splendid performances by Marni Nixon and Yul Brynner. And of course the orchestra is sumptuous and properly lush, enveloping us in sweltering renditions of some of Rodgers' most heartfelt melodies.

I won't reiterate the critic-proof performances here. Other reviewers have covered them elsewhere. Nixon as a voice-dubber is in her element as Anna, and portrays her characterfully. Brynner is in his element as the King, as firm, commanding and authoritative as we've always known him to be. This performance shows him at his best, ripe, fresh and mature. Leona Gordon and Reuben Fuentes shine as the star-crossed lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha, bringing a melancholic quality to their brief numbers. It's really a treat to hear their renditions of the omitted songs My Lord and Master and I Have Dreamed. Rita Moreno as the real Tuptim acquits herself well when narrating the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet sequence, presented for the first time on an official soundtrack recording. It's good to also hear Terry Saunders as Lady Thiang, in a heartfelt, humane and imploring rendition of Something Wonderful, and she is the icing on the cake of this superb soundtrack recording.

This EMI-Angel R&H soundtrack offers an extra benefit in addition to the extra musical sequences. Unlike the companion CDs of Oklahoma and Carousel, it presents the extra material from the original unmixed studio vault masters, except for the Prayer to Buddha and the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet. This means that this reissue is blessedly free of the extraneous sound effects that plague the Oklahoma and Carousel CDs. I know that the sound effects and little snippets of dialogue drown out the music, but at least these reissues are a start in presenting comprehensive R&H soundtracks worthy of their films. What a pity that none of these R&H soundtrack reissues aren't 2-CD sets, otherwise we would have been able to hear the underscore.

In short, this is a superb presentation of a fine R&H film soundtrack.

great album.......2006-07-15

Great songs for kids to learn to sing along, instead of bubble gum fluff.

a classic.......2006-06-05

A true musical theater classic. Wonderful melodies that will last for years to come.
Other classics not to forget about are:
Mary Poppins
My Fair Lady
The Wizard of Oz
Chitty Chitty Bang Band
The first Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Sound of Music
Oliver
West Side Story
Fiddler on the Roof
Singing in the Rain
The Wiz
Little Mermaid
Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast
Grease
The King and I
Oklahoma
The Music Man
South Pacific

My Voice Students are always asking me for recommendations so I though I'd post it for all! We can't forget about these great musicals!

French Kiss: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

Fun Soundtrack from a Fun Movie
Translation of " Les yeux Ouverts"
FRENCH KISS
Worth its weight in French
ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!!

French Kiss: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001EFZ
Release Date: 1995-05-09

Tracks:

Someone Like You - Van Morrison
La Vie En Rose - Louis Armstrong
Les Yeux Ouverts - Beautiful South
Via Con Me - Paolo Conte
I Love Paris - James Newton Howard
Feels Like A Woman - Zucchero
I Love Paris - Ella Fitzgerald
Verlaine - Charles Trenet
C'est Trop Beau - Tino Rossi
La Mer - Kevin Kline
I Want You - James Newton Howard
Les Yeux De Ton Pere - Les Negresses Vertes

Customer Reviews:

Fun Soundtrack from a Fun Movie.......2007-07-12

I return again and again to this CD. The whole CD is excellent. Even Kevin Kline's version of La Mer is a kick. And the professional singers are above and beyond what I expect from one soundtrack.

Translation of " Les yeux Ouverts".......2007-06-21

ia m a huge fan of the movie, and that songs Les yeux ouverts (eyes open) is my favourite! and i do speak and understand French very fluently and i am very glad to translate it for everybody. i know how when u love a song in another language you really wanna know what it means! Hope you enjoy it!

This memory I'm giving back to you.
These memories, you know I have so many.
Since we dreamed of passing days
No need to change too much.

This memory I'm taking from you.
Memories like that happen to me all the time.
If life mistakenly sets us apart,
I'll get it from my drawer.

I dream with my eyes open.
It feels good.
It does not go any farther.
I don't look back
Since I feel good.
I wish tomorrow would come quick.

A last glass of sherry.
Sherry, my love, when I feel sad.
All days look alike to me now.
I miss you so terribly.

FRENCH KISS .......2007-04-11

I used this music at a french themed bridal shower for my neice and it provided the perfect touch for the event.

Worth its weight in French.......2007-03-09

Francophiles will appreciate the collection of French/American songs. Not to mention Kevin Klein's amazing French accent. And, to anyone that has not been aforementioned, there is always the association with Meg Ryan in the blue dress charged to Antoine. This soundtrack is a $10 ticket to Paris. Enjoi. Merci.

ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!!.......2007-02-28

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CD'S....I'M ACTUALLY ON MY SECOND CD, I'VE WORN OUT THE FIRST ONE. ITS A MUST HAVE.

Average customer rating:

Let Your CD Player Kiss This
a good place to start...
Another pointless review...
The Best of the Best of KISS
Explicit Lyrics?!! WTF?

The Very Best of Kiss
Kiss
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Destroyer

ASIN: B00006GFAB
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

Strutter
Deuce
Got To Choose
Hotter Than Hell
C'Mon And Love Me
Rock And Roll All Nite (live)
Detroit Rock City
Shout It Out Loud
Beth
I Want You
Calling Dr. Love
Hard Luck Woman
I Stole Your Love
Christine Sixteen
Love Gun
New York Groove
I Was Made For Loving You
I Love It Loud
Lick It Up
Forever
God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II

Amazon.com

Sure, Detroit had the MC5 and the Stooges, but Long Island's Kiss threw down their own gauntlet. Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss cleaved a spot between glam, punk, waning Woodstock rock, and adult-oriented pop and became a phenomenon in the process. Kiss kept their music simple and, of course, sexual, with the likes of "Hotter than Hell," "Love Gun," and "Calling Dr. Love," paving the way for the waves of pop-metal sexpot wannabes and winning fans in such quantities that they launched the so-called Kiss Army. Their magnetism permeates this 21-song set, with Criss sounding so lonesome he could cry on "Beth," and the fire-breathing, blood-spitting Simmons unfailingly serving up a comical mix of menace and lasciviousness. The version of "Rock & Roll All Nite" comes from 1975's crowd-noise drenched Alive!, cut at the time when live albums were de rigueur. This collection was made smartly enough that only four songs come from the band's post-Dynasty period, making The Very Best of Kiss an essential primer on 1970s rock grandeur. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Let Your CD Player Kiss This.......2007-07-09

This KISS compilation is a good record, but not a great one. KISS was a big band in the mid-70s thru early 80s, and this CD gives a good overview of their stuff. Something that keeps this album back is that a lot of the songs, especially in the first half of the disc, sound so much alike, almost just like variants of one song. The good tunes amount to solid rock. Here they are:

Strutter
Detroit Rock City
Calling Dr. Love
Hard Luck Woman - an actual sensitive, acoustic tune from KISS
Christine 16
New York Groove
I Was Made for Lovin You - great song, really moves, lyrics stick in head
Love it Loud - kinda cheesy lyrics, but tune is catchy
Lick it Up - ditto
Forever - ballad from 1990 that's pretty good coming from hard rockers

This album gets stronger toward the end, in large part due to more song variation

a good place to start..........2007-06-04

I generally try to avoid compilations like the plague b/c you will no doubt not get EVERY good song from the band on one disc, however, if i were to own one kiss album and/or was looking for a good place to start to get into the band this is the album i would start with. all the big hits are here that have been played on the radio countless times over the years...strutter, beth, dr love (my fav) detroit rock city, rock n roll all nite, forever, lick it up, hard luck woman, etc. if you like this album then i would venture out a little and see what else is available such as the album creatures of the night (best song war machine) and crazy nights (best song crazy nights) as those songs are not included here.

Another pointless review..........2007-05-19

We need another review of this CD like we need another KISS compilation, i.e. a hole in the head. However, I'll put my two cents worth in (and I'm probably being generous in my monetary evaluation...)
I'm not a "KISS Army" sized KISS fan but I think they have a lot of great songs in their catalog and to compile the best onto a single CD is a task that is certain to miss the mark by most fans' standards. I can see where most of these KISS comps serve a purpose though. DOUBLE PLATINUM is the original KISS "best of" and will never be duplicated or bettered simply because it contains the best loved songs from the band's original incarnation. It's pre-disco, pre-Elder, pre-band member changes, pre-taking off the make-up, pre-Michael Bolton power ballads.
SMASHES, THRASHES & HITS is in another (lower) class all by itself. It attempted to cover the band's entire career by including DOUBLE PLATINUM-era classics, more recent material, some remixes, a re-recording, and some new material. It crashed and burned in all of these areas leaving everyone who was showing any interest completely unsatisfied. The experience of listening to SMASHES, THRASHES & HITS was akin to a groupie making her way to Gene Simmons' dressing room for some serious oral action, only to find Christopher Cross waiting for her inside.
YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST was a collection of their best live recordings.
GOLD and the MILLENIUM COLLECTION are just further entries into the record company's ongoing marketing campaign to put visually identical "best of's" in the stores of virtually every artist that ever produced a hit record of any consequence.
So THE VERY BEST OF KISS is the first level headed attempt at a single disc career spanning compilation of KISS' most popular material (including studio and live cuts) and not containing any weird edits, remixes or rerecordings.
Okay, so we've got 21 cuts of hot KISS action.
Does it hit all the high marks? Everyone can probably agree that it doesn't. Seriously, how could it?
What's on here that doesn't belong? What's not on here that is indespensable? Everyone will have their own answers to those last two questions, but I think the compilers did a fairly decent job of cramming one disc chock full of KISS classics.
What's not on here that I would like to see? "Black Diamond", "Do You Love Me", "Shandi", "Sure Know Something", "A World Without Heroes", "I", "Heaven's On Fire", "Tears Are Falling" and Gene Simmons' "Radioactive". But my list has two songs from THE ELDER so I probably deserve to have the KISS Army give me a serious beating.
As far as the greed argument goes, any record company is going to throw out compilations like this (particularly around Christmas time) to capitalize once again on a hit artists' ongoing popularity. It's usually the record company's greed that's evident, not the recording artists'.
So what exactly is the purpose that is being served by THE VERY BEST OF KISS? It replaces SMASHES, THRASHES & HITS which contained an inferior rerecording of "Beth", some awful remixes (whose lame idea was it to tone down the drums on "I Love It Loud"??!!) and new material that should have gone unreleased at the time. (The reviewers here that are bemoaning this compilation's lack of any new material might want to be reminded of "Let's Put The X In Sex", one of the worst songs ever recorded by anyone.) The original hits that weren't remixed for that collection are hampered by inferior remastering (probably not from the original tapes) resulting in poor sound quality.
At any rate, I think there's room for one more KISS collection and this is a pretty darn good one.
Oh, wait. I forgot about GREATEST KISS. Where does that one fit in?
Oh well, never mind.

The Best of the Best of KISS.......2007-03-23

There are certainly a bunch of greatest hits albums by KISS floating around out there, but this one is the BEST of the bunch.

Greatest hits albums aren't made with the die-hard fan in mind, so for those who don't have much or any KISS in their collection, this is a perfect starter CD.

For those of us who are long-time fans, we always feel like every greatest hits CD is missing something we think belongs on there. But when you look over this 21-song set, it's hard to think that there's anything on here that doesn't belong. On top of that, the album flows really well due to the chronological song ordering.

While The Very Best of KISS contains the essential hits like "Detroit Rock City", "Beth", "Shout It Out Loud", "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "I Was Made For Lovin' You", it also manages to cover a the entire career of the band better than other existing compilations. Songs like "I Love It Loud", "New York Groove", "I Stole Your Love" and "God Gave Rock and Roll" are true KISS staples that are often lacking on their other hits CDs.

If a KISS newbie is willing to spend up to $40, you could truly get the very best of KISS by picking up 3 CDs: "KISS Gold", "20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kiss, Vol. 2", and "Revenge". These 3 CDs contain every essential KISS song from 1974 thru 1992 -- including everything found on here.

But for this low price and great song selection, it's really hard to go wrong with The Very Best of KISS.

Explicit Lyrics?!! WTF?.......2007-02-01

What are you people, nuns!? This is a Kiss collection, not Limp Bizkit or Lamb of God, there probably isn't even an a-word mentioned in any of these songs! Stop smoking the weed Amazon!

Good collection, but there is too much 70's and not enough 80's or 90's. Feel greedy, Paul and Gene? Well then make a 2-disc greatest hits, one with their 70's through early 80's and the other with a compilation of their greatest post-Dynasty hits.

Average customer rating:

I love love love this guy!
Seal it with a Kiss
"Greatest Hits" album could have been "greater"
essential seal
IT'S OKAY

Best: 1991-2004
Seal
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Seal IV
Seal
The Best of Sade
Seal
Hits

ASIN: B00063F8BC
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Crazy
Kiss From A Rose
Killer
Prayer for the Dying
Waiting For You
Don't Cry
My Vision
Love's Divine
Walk On By
Get It Together
Fly Like An Eagle
Human Beings
Future Love Paradise

Amazon.com

It's fair to assume that if you're a Seal fan, you prefer your pop shot through with substance. Using that as a guiding principle, you'll want to glide right into Best: 1991-2004 where you will encounter, throughout two discs and 27 songs, scarcely a second of musical fluff. All the expected goosebump-raisers come on disc one--"Don't Cry" follows "Prayer for the Dying" follows "Kiss from a Rose" follows "Crazy"--and they're interspersed with deeper cuts from Seal IV such as "Get It Together" and "Loves Divine" as well as a couple of covers that, in a lesser vocalist's hands, might have been catastrophic. Seal plays it subtle and sweet and Burt Bacharach's "Walk on By," sidestepping any instinct to belt, and the help he gets from Mikey Dread on Echo & the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar" settles the song into a snazzified reggae-pop celebration. (Also included is Seal's soaring cover of Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle," which proved his prowess as a cover artist with its chart success). Though "best" collections aren't normally upheld for their surprise elements--nobody likes a package that challenges with armloads of new stuff--disc two pulls off a neat stunt. It's a complete acoustic album, again encompassing the major radio hits but stretching to include tracks like the impossibly tender "Touch" and the meltingly gorgeous "Colour." Their unplugged presentation, with the artist on guitar, sets an up-close-and-personal tone that suits Seal. More to the point, it suits his fans, who'll take all the intimacy with the singer-slash-heartthrob they can get. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Multiplatinum selling, Grammy winning, critically acclaimed Seal unveils his first greatest hits collection with Seal Best 1991-2004. But there's even more-along with the single-CD edition, with original album versions of 12 of his hits and best-loved tracks plus a cover song newly recorded by Seal ("Walk on By"), a double-CD package adds a disc of newly recorded acoustic versions of nine of those cuts (and four others). For fans of the pop, dance, urban and adult contemporary, Seal Best 1991-2004 is the quintessential Seal experience.

Customer Reviews:

I love love love this guy! .......2007-03-16

This album is one I can play over and over and not get tired of. His music is fun, inspirational, romantic and just beautiful. Highly recommended for those who just want to relax and comtemplate things with a nice sound in background, or turned up loud, it makes you smile and want to dance.

Seal it with a Kiss.......2007-03-11

Nobody does it better. All of Seal's greatest hits in ONE CD. Does it get any better than that?

"Greatest Hits" album could have been "greater".......2007-03-08

I would consider myself among the top 31 (arbitrary number, of course) Seal fans in the known world, and this greatest hits album is dynamic because it's Seal, but could have been better with a few missing songs. "Newborn Friend" is a lesser known hit to those who may not be as well-versed in Seal, and it definitely should have been included. It's one of his finest works and a far cry from "Kiss from a Rose" or "Crazy", his two most well-known hits. Also, a track or two extra from "Human Beings" would have been nice. I'm not sure why Seal seems hell bent on ignoring this album, which I still prefer over Seal IV, for some reason. He doesn't even seem to perform off of it much in concert. I could have done without "Lips Like Sugar", too. It just seems like filler. For what it's worth, though, the acoustic album that comes with the special edition of the greatest hits disc is stellar and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Now how about Seal V?

essential seal.......2007-02-06

if you like Seal, this is a great compilation to add to your collection. always relaxing yet refreshing, I listen to this CD along with music by Sting, Sarah McLachlan, Phil Collins & Peter Gabriel for a nice afternoon of relaxation with my MMOs or RPGs like Sims2.

IT'S OKAY.......2006-09-21

My wife introduced me to seal a little while back. I liked the vocals so I decided to purchase this disc for the two of us to enjoy.

It does contain numerous hits, but I found that many of them (perhaps being done in their orginal studio version) were rather lackluster compared to the versions I was hearing played elsewhere. Are the latter versions remixes? Reissues?

I guess for the purist Seal fan this disc is right up their alley. But for me, I like the upbeat tempo and arrangements of many of these cuts.

Average customer rating:

I wanna hold you like a doll...
In response to SRS
Problematic
Overkill
Classic

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
The Cure
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Disintegration
Wish
The Head on the Door
Staring at the Sea: The Singles
Bloodflowers

ASIN: B000002H4Q
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Kiss
Catch
Torture
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Why Can't I Be You?
How Beautiful You Are
The Snakepit
Just Like Heaven
All I Want
Hot Hot Hot!!!
One More Time
Like Cockatoos
Icing Sugar
The Perfect Girl
A Thousand Hours
Shiver And Shake
Fight

Amazon.com

Released in 1987, at the height of the compact-disc revolution, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is the prototypical CD album. Cure architect Robert Smith knew that the newly popular format could handle almost twice as much music as records, and he wasn't about to waste the space. Unfortunately, many of Kiss Me's 17 tracks sound more like B-sides. The cream is certainly worth culling, however; "Catch," "How Beautiful You Are," and the alternative-rock staple "Just Like Heaven" are among the Cure's finest moments. "Hot Hot Hot!!!" and "Why Can't I Be You?" reveal that underneath all the dyed-black hair and glum stares lay a fervent dance band. Who knew? --Bill Crandall

Customer Reviews:

I wanna hold you like a doll..........2006-07-19

I followed the infectious scent of Just Like Heaven (the greatest pop song ever written) to this album, and found myself listening to one of the greatest records I've ever heard. A few of my favorite songs on this record are as follows:

Torture
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Why Can't I Be You
Just Like Heaven
All I Want
Shiver and Shake

There's just so much mood and euphoria in these songs. The greatness of Just Like Heaven spills over into all the other compositions. Love it! Always will.

In response to SRS.......2006-06-10

"Breathe" and "A Chain Of Flowers" are available on the Join The Dots boxset.

"Hey You!!!" will be released with all its brothers and sisters in August 2006 as the next reissue campaign from Rhino (US) and Fiction/Uni (UK) takes place. They are releasing the deluxe editions of The Top, The Head On The Door, and Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. They corrected the omission of "Hey You!!!" so we have the full album as it should be. Why it took them this long, I have no idea. Prince's 1999 cd suffered the same fate (Warners omitted "DMSR" to make the 74 min disc, but corrected it in 1991 when the capacity was increased).

OK, I should write a review...

KMKMKM came out the summer I moved from my childhood home. I remember the video of Robert Smith dressed like a bear or something in the video for "Why Can't I Be You?" and I recall falling in love with the song. I went out, bought the cassette, and the rest is history. This shows The Cure in all facets of their career...moody, gloomy, depressing, happy, poppy, dancey, quirky, rhythmic, tribal, etc. Take all of The Cure's works prior to 1987, mix it up onto a double album, and you have this one. Essential...even the filler is enjoyable if you are real Cure fan.

Problematic.......2006-05-06

Firstly, the CD is still missing Hey You, even though modern CD players can play 80 minute discs. Further, it's missing the songs Breathe and A Chain of Flowers, which are B-sides that should have been included since they're better than songs that made the cut like Torture, Fight, and The Perfect Girl.

This CD desperately needs to come out in remastered form (no clipping or compression in the remastering process, please) with Breathe, A Chain of Flowers, and Hey You.

Overkill.......2006-03-08

Double albums are usually the bane of artistry. Sure, it gives bands the opportunity to vent everything in their collective spleens at the moment it was recorded but all too often they succumb to indulgence. In this, the Cure are not immune. There are simply too many songs here that are just "OK" or mediocre and they bring down the album as a whole. Had the album been cut in size by half, this would be a much stronger collection.

HIGHLIGHTS:
For the most part, it's the singles that fare best here. "Catch" is a delicate ballad carried along on a modest string (or at least synth string) arrangement. "Why Can't I Be You?" is 3 minutes of dizzy ecstasy helped along by a zippy horn arrangement. ("Everything you do is simply delicate/Everything you do is quite angelicate/Why can't I be you?") "Just Like Heaven" is the Cure at its most erotic ("'Show me how you do that trick/The one that makes me scream' she said") while "Hot! Hot! Hot!" is a bit more coy with its passion. ("Hey hey hey!!/But I like it when that lightning comes/Hey hey hey!!/Yes I like it alot") "How Beautiful You Are" is Smith venting his disgust at a former (girl?)friend when she encountered impoverished gypsies in the street. ("How Beautiful" was the thoughts of the gypsies reflected in their eyes while her reaction was 'I hate these people staring/Make them go away from me!'")"The Perfect Girl" is probably the best of the album tracks, a could've been single with a great keyboard riff.

LOWS:
Sure the riffing is loud on "The Kiss" but the song just never really goes anywhere. "Shiver and Shake" later in the album is a much better distillation of Smith's anger. ("You're just three sick holes that run like sores") "Fight" DOES sound like the Cure's attempt at writing a "pump your fist" arena rocker and as such it's a poor fit for the band.

BOTTOM LINE:
Not essential. Most of the best tracks here are on GALORE or GREATEST HITS. Bigger Cure fans can get it and burn the best stuff (2,5,6,8,10,11,14,and 16) onto their own CD-R anthology.

Classic.......2006-01-09

Straight from the hearts, souls and nimble fingertips of The Cure comes Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, an eccentric album of joy, sorrow, anger, dizzy love, and outright insanity. This, The Cure's 8th studio album, is packed with goodies to suit every mood; from the classic, doom-ridden Goth that made the band famous, to the exceptional '80s synth pop that made them versatile, and everywhere in between. Every song is interesting, to say the least, and most are outright gems.

1. The Kiss

An interesting choice for the opening track on the album, The Kiss is tense, dramatic and eager. It follows the format of many previous Cure songs: long, Gothic intro, followed by a short set of lyrics and a fadeout.

The Kiss chronicles a bitter, sadistic connection, and a sexual relationship that is used to express hate and contempt, designed to hurt and maim, rather than the sharing of a beautiful, mutual love and respect.

It's an intense listen, but it effectively lets you know what to expect from the album; it tells you that Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me isn't just a collection of silly pop works.

2. Catch

A sure departure from the previous track, Catch is a sweet, sad tale of an unrequited crush. Robert Smith's voice is melodious and gentle, gliding reflectively along the innocent, cute lyrics. The smooth, easy guitar work, punchy percussion and bittersweet strings pull you into the mind of a man who is reminiscing about (and longing for) a strange, untouchable girl. A mellow pop ditty that you'll find yourself humming all day, this one was meant for the couple's skate at a roller rink.

3. Torture

What do you do when you know that someone is a poisonous creature who can do you know good, but is so infectious that you can't give them up?

Torture is a tale of spending one more night with such a person, and is delivered with just the sort of excellent, driving bass line and howling, provocative vocals that people have come to love and expect from The Cure. The momentum is great; you can feel the sweet torture for yourself.

4. If Only Tonight We Could Sleep

A crawling, crazed wish for peace and beauty in an ugly, dissatisfying world. With despairing instrumentals infused with Middle Eastern style, and vocals full of lament and sorrow, this experimental track will handily complement any reflective mood.

5. Why Can't I Be You?

Why Can't I Be You is the first really upbeat song on the album, and one of The Cure's most synthed-up works. The sound is magnificently big, making it almost impossible to keep from bopping around in your chair, and almost as difficult to keep yourself from jumping up and dancing.

The lyrics do a great job at telling of someone who is so incredibly beautiful and perfect that the singer and listener alike have to wonder what it would be like to be so grand.

6. How Beautiful You Are

Don't let the title throw you... this is no "Your Song". This track is about falling out of love.

The story follows a young couple walking hand in hand in Paris. When confronted by a poor family who admires the girl's beauty, she views them with disgust and contempt. How Beautiful You Are is a telling of how selfishness and disrespect can tear a couple apart.

The involved bass work, punky guitar stylings and generous sprinklings of classical violin, piano and accordion will pull you into a decaying Parisian street at sunset, and the passionate emotions behind the couple's interaction. Robert Smith's staccato vocals may throw you at first, but after a listen, you'll realize that they are needed to express the intense heartbreak and disappointment behind the lyrics.

Catch, Why Can't I Be You, Just Like Heaven and Hot Hot Hot where the four tracks from this album that were chosen to be made into singles. Though they are all excellent songs, How Beautiful You Are deserved to be in the mix. It is truly a masterpiece, and, though it's difficult for me to choose a song from the album to be my favorite, this might be it.

7. The Snakepit

Hisses, rattle and booms set the mood for this pensive anthem of dissatisfaction and contempt. The lyrics follow the realization that the storyteller is leading a hollow, empty life; an existence without meaning. Though he's surrounded by party animals and having a stereotypically "good time", he is drowned in the shallow pointlessness of it all.

This is a great listen for the days when you just need a breather.

8. Just Like Heaven

Pure magic. Just Like Heaven is a love song filled with ingenuity and wonder. By far the most atmospheric track on the album, The Cure brings you out into the open with this gorgeous work. A fresh, clear blend of acoustic guitar and rolling drums, sprinkled throughout with light synth work and simple piano, sets you atop a seaside cliff for a beautiful day with a loved one. Robert Smith's vocals on this track are the clearest and brightest on the album. Pure, clean and elegant, this spinning ode to amour will make you want to lock lips with the nearest person.

9. All I Want

Pure sexuality, expressed without profanity, is a rare thing to be found in modern music. But the band pulls it off in this soaring, aching track. All the storyteller wants is to be with the one person who makes him feel sane and complete.

The highlight of this song, is, without a doubt, the excellent, garage-inspired (or inspiring?) guitar work. A listen would suggest that this one sounds even better in an arena.

10. Hot Hot Hot!!!

An undeniably dance worthy funk work. Hot Hot Hot sounds almost like an inspiration for Red Hot Chili Peppers. The tight, punky guitar strumming, orchestra-inspired synthesizers and strong, domineering bass are the perfect sounds to complement this obscure song. Robert Smith's fevered, quavering vocals are meant to symbolize a man who has been struck by lightning, and, from what I can guess, they are apt. With lots of bounce and energy, this track parties down deliciously.

11. One More Time

An ode to child-like wonder, in true arena ballad fashion. With playful flute work, sparse, booming drums, and a soft guitar riff, this song is a strange break from the extreme pop, doom-ridden Goth and acoustic rock that comprises most of the album. It is an interesting, mellow, cute little tune, which might remind listeners of the soundtrack from Never Ending Story.

12. Like Cockatoos

Knocking, busy percussion, steady acoustic strumming and a sliding bass line help set the perfect "the end" mood for this rainy day break up song. In the dead of night, under a pouring rain, a man promises never to speak to his lover again. Though we're never told what she did to upset him, the city background noises and closing orchestral work somehow serve to make you glad he's leaving her.

13. Icing Sugar

Weird, man. The Cure glorifies urgent, girlish adolescent lust with furious drumbeats, screeching saxophone notes and a quick set of lyrics, delivered breathlessly. Hot, heavy, fast and naughty, you might need to take a few deep breaths after hearing this trippy ditty.

14. The Perfect Girl

She really is! Sweet strings and tinkling piano mix gorgeously with bopping drums and simple, steady guitar work, while a harpsichord further convinces us of The Cure's originality. Robert croons madly over a strange girl, whom he finds himself falling in love with. Strange looking, strange acting, and completely out of this world, she's a breath of fresh air, just like the song that was written for her. Beware of the power of this song: it has been know to cause silly dancing.

15. A Thousand Hours

Heartache drives every synth note, even piano strike and every lyric in this sweet, introspective cry of unrequited love. Every day seems to last a thousand lonely hours when you have devoted yourself to someone who doesn't care.

16. Shiver and Shake

With superior drumbeats that shimmy effortlessly, and fast, angsty guitar work, this is a worthy ode to fury. If you've ever met someone whom you wanted to kill, you can appreciate the curt, indignant lyrics and passionate animosity epitomized here.

17. Fight

The Cure's unprecedented venture in powerhouse rock begs you to never give up when the world turns on you. Robert Smith basically yells at the listener, but his reasons are justified. Stabbing, continuous synth notes, pushing lyrics and cutting guitar bring home a sense of resolution. Fight is a great closing track, with a great message. Never give in to pain and sorrow.

Though each track is unique, they seem to belong together, like a wonderfully dysfunctional family. Each song glides elegantly along our musical palates, as every work is relevant to what every person has felt at one point in time. Whether you choose to imbibe a few tracks at a time, or go for the gold and devour each song at once, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is a true anytime listen, and a sure new wave masterpiece.

Average customer rating:

These guys are great
Back to the blues
Rock 'n' roll is alive and well thanks to the Hold Steady, amen.
a unique band; in a bad way
Save your money

Separation Sunday
The Hold Steady
Manufacturer: French Kiss
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Almost Killed Me
Boys and Girls in America
Return to Cookie Mountain (with Bonus Tracks)
The Crane Wife
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

ASIN: B0008KLW2C
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

Hornets! Hornets!
Cattle And The Creeping Things
Your Little Hoodrat Friend
Banging Camp
Charlemagne In Sweatpants
Stevie Nix
Multitude Of Casualties
Don't Let Me Explode
Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night
Crucifixion Cruise
How A Resurrection Really Feels

Amazon.com

It's only natural that the Hold Steady singer Craig Finn receives all the attention. After all, he's the one with the big mouth. And while his odd and humorous rants are essentially compelling, they wouldn't be half as engrossing if his backing group, especially fellow ex-Minnesotan and Lifter Puller guitarist Tad Kubler, didn't smack up such a glorious din, scabrous punk rock swagger dolled up with classic hard rock power chords. "Separation Sunday" is the NYC-based group's second album and it's every bit as sassy and city wise as their 2004 debut "Almost Killed Me." Finn doesn't know the meaning of the phrase 'hold your tongue' and rudely shouts down the opposition on a number of romantic and religious matters, underscoring his contempt with touching moments of true pathos. Finn's surrounded by self-mutilators, abused lovers and deluded characters desperately chasing faith. It's a good thing he has such a crack band to keep them all in check. -- Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

These guys are great .......2007-03-13

Well I'm a late convert to the Hold Steady, having just bought the newest CD Boys and Girls in America about a month ago (and listening to it nonstop since then). This weekend I found a copy of Separation Sunday and grabbed it and I love it. This one's probably a little more raw and rough around the edges than Boys and Girls, which has more piano and more "catchy" tunes. However I gotta say---Separation Sunday has absolutely outstanding lyrics, albeit very focused on the subject of how to reconcile a life of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll with religious and spiritual belief. I find it all quite brilliant, and love the Replacements/Stones/E Street Band sound of the music. The only caveat is the singer's voice---it's not for everyone. But that never stopped me from loving the music of Warren Zevon, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, etc. etc. And I have to say, after 2 CD's, I love the Hold Steady and look forward to all of their future releases.

Back to the blues.......2007-01-30

I thought this album was decent, not the greatest of the year but it had a different feel than most of the rock and roll that was spewed out in the last couple of years. The Hold Steady remind me of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. I like the references to hoodrats and Christianity, two very different directions but the Hold Steady makes it work. The music definitely outweighs the talent of the singer. His range is very limited, and I think that hurts the band a little. His lyrics however are potent and worth listining to. All in all its a good blues album and worth your money.

Rock 'n' roll is alive and well thanks to the Hold Steady, amen........2007-01-21

This album is a must have for those who love to rock, and it just may hit you where it counts if you're lucky. I remember writing down all the words to Back In Black on a small piece of paper when I was 14, and then reading it over and over during Catholic mass until I had them memorized. My little brother asked me what I was reading. When I told him, he got all wide-eyed and said in a hushed voice, "That's bad." And that's the gist of this album--how do you reconcile your love for rock 'n' roll with the mores of the Christian Faith? Maybe not a question that needs to be answered, but the fact that this band decided to pose it within the context of a classic rock hook-laden album makes this disc more entertaining than 95% of the music that came out in 2005. This band is pretty much the thinking person's Cheap Trick.

a unique band; in a bad way.......2006-11-10

The style of the Hold Steady gets old really fast; the singer doesn't even sing, he only talks while guitar goes on in the background. That sounded fine to me on the first song, but then I listened further and soon was getting bored with the repetitive nature of the songs. THe only song that pulls off this style is "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head" by Gorillaz, which has narration more than singing. Cake also is kind of more narration than singing but only slightly. Anyway, the Hold Steady are an awful band who will probably fade into nothingness soon seeing that only 20 people have bothered to review it on Amazon.

Save your money.......2006-10-07

I bought that last cd and it SUCKED! The singer sings monotone the whole entire time and doesn't have any variations of tone. The music isn't half bad, it isn't great, but it certainly isn't so good that i can ignore the lame-o singer. its just terrible terrible terrible. if you listen to anything that i say hear this: do not buy this album, you will regret it for all of eternity!
-steve (music master)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Work
Excellent CD
Patty Griffin live - A Kiss In Time
Thanks United Airlines!
Live but Cooked

A Kiss in Time
Patty Griffin
Manufacturer: Ato Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Impossible Dream
1000 Kisses
Flaming Red
Patty Griffin Guitar Collection
These Four Walls

ASIN: B0000CC83O
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Long Ride Home
Goodbye
Christina
Peter Pan
Rain
Mad Mission
Be Careful
Tony
Mary
Fly
Nobody's Cryin'
10 Million Miles

Amazon.com

This live album documents a love affair, one between a singer-songwriter who attracted a whole new following with the release of 2002's 1000 Kisses and the devoted fans who flocked to her subsequent tour. The rapturous response at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, long the hallowed home of the Grand Ole Opry, makes it plain that Griffin is among friends for this concert recording, with kindred spirits Emmylou Harris and Julie and Buddy Miller joining her onstage to lend vocal support. Despite the setting, Griffin's music resists categorization as country (or folk or rock), with acoustic guitar, accordion, and piano providing exquisite settings for her expressively edgy vocals on a range of striking material--from the suicide of a tormented gay boy in "Tony" to the plight of an unhappy heiress in "Christina" (which Griffin explains to the crowd came to her in a dream about Christina Onassis) to the hint of ragtime in "Mad Mission." A bonus DVD of backstage scenes and videos completes the package, which lets fans feel they've gotten to know not only the music, but the artist. -- Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Work.......2007-05-24

Patty's voice is wonderful live, so this is a great collection of her intelligent writing and beautiful vocals. Many of the songs played live sound so much better esp the instruments backing her up. Hearing live drums verses drum kits on songs from Flaming Red, like Mary, Tony, etc makes them so much more rich and enjoyable to listen to. Highly recomend.

Excellent CD.......2006-07-23

This CD was recorded on the tour for the "1,000 Kisses" album. Songs from "Flaming Red" and "Living with Ghosts" are also included. I am a huge fan of her work and I am normally wary of "live" recordings. "A Kiss in Time" is solid, start to finish. If you are a fan of her work, I highly recommend this CD. If you are unfamiliar with her work, this would be an excellent place to start appreciating her amazing talent.

Patty Griffin live - A Kiss In Time.......2006-02-23

Why Patti Griffin is not known to every adult in america is a mystery. Why I don't hear her on my radio is confounding. She is the Dylan of this age (her voice a delicate directed whisper one moment, and pealing the paint off the walls in another). Her devastating honesty and intensity confirm faith in the capacity for human expression to attain ethereal majesty. She exposes that inalienable connection we have to a universal truth in speaking directly to the soul. Her songs sear images into my being with a paintbrush of my own experience.
Buy this as an introduction to her other five cd's. You will very likely buy them all.

Thanks United Airlines!.......2004-07-22

Yes, I have to admit that I first heard this album while flying back and forth between NYC and San Francisco earlier this year, as part of United's in-air music programming. Well, let me say that somebody there is doing their job well.

I'd been curious about Patty Griffin's music before that, as I'd seen that she'd written some good songs used by the Dixie Chicks (FUTK), like "Let Him Fly" and "Truth No. 2." But I hadn't heard her own voice or playing until those flights, and am happy to say that I've not stopped listening to this album since.

This collection covers a lot of territory, presenting songs from most (if not all) of her albums, and has a very bittersweet tone overall. Griffin's humble personality is very apparent when she introduces some of the songs and expresses her gratitude to some special guest musicians. The production is one of the better I've heard on a live album in a while, and effectively seems to capture the feel of seeing the show inside the Ryman.

I'd recommend this as an excellent place to start for someone just getting into Patty Griffin's music. The accompanying DVD is also worth having, as it features a series of interviews with Griffin about her music and a couple of music videos.

Live but Cooked.......2004-06-20

I'm a big admirer of Patty Griffin but I liked the original versions of Tony, Mad Mission, and Rain much better than these live versions. The orginals are more personal and passionate. I used to listen to Mad Mission over and over and the live version has a very different emotional resonance. This live version of Tony is very different from the much older live version that you can hear on KCRW's program archives. One brings tears to my eyes and the other doesn't. The sweetness, agreeability and nostalgia which permeates this performance (not to mention the cloying album art and DVD) is much less appealing to me than the potent mixture of anger, sexuality, grief and passion I felt from the originals, and from much earlier live performances I saw in Texas. High volume vocals have a bootleg sound, with a penetrating extra dollop of high frequency resonance that always makes me reach for the volume control on my CD player.

Average customer rating:

Just Buy It!
Love it, Great Pack, Lots of Thought
...no strings attached...
Bought it for the 2000 concert.
WHY?

Alive! Box Set
Kiss
Manufacturer: Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hard Rock & Heavy Metal | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Kiss - Kissology - Volume 1 (1974-1977)
Live to Win
Gene Simmons - Family Jewels - Season One (Signature Series Collector's Set) (Amazon.com Exclusive)
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Gene Simmons - Family Jewels - Season One

ASIN: B000JJRIP2
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Deuce [Live]
Strutter [Live]
Got to Choose [Live]
Hotter Than Hell [Live]
Firehouse [Live]
Nothin' to Lose [Live]
C'mon and Love Me [Live]
Parasite [Live]
She [Live]
Watchin' You [Live]
100,000 Years [Live]
Black Diamond [Live]
Rock Bottom [Live]
Cold Gin [Live]
Rock and Roll All Nite [Live]
Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll [Live]

Tracks:

Detroit Rock City [Live]
King of the Night Time World [Live]
Ladies Room [Live]
Makin' Love [Live]
Love Gun [Live]
Calling Dr. Love [Live]
Christine Sixteen [Live]
Shock Me [Live]
Hard Luck Woman [Live]
Tomorrow and Tonight [Live]
I Stole Your Love [Live]
Beth [Live]
God of Thunder [Live]
I Want You [Live]
Shout It out Loud [Live]
All-American Man [Live]
Rockin' in the U.S.A. [Live]
Larger Than Life [Live]
Rocket Ride [Live]
Any Way You Want It [Live]
Rock and Roll All Nite [Single Version][Live][*]

Tracks:

Creatures of the Night [Live]
Deuce [Live]
I Just Wanna [Live]
Unholy [Live]
Heaven's on Fire [Live]
Watchin' You [Live]
Domino [Live]
I Was Made for Lovin' You [Live]
I Still Love You [Live]
Rock and Roll All Nite [Live]
Lick It Up [Live]
Forever [Live]
Take It Off [Live][*]
I Love It Loud [Live]
Detroit Rock City [Live]
God Gave Rock 'N' Roll to You II [Live]
Star Spangled Banner [Live]

Tracks:

Psycho Circus [#]
Shout It out Loud [#]
Deuce [#]
Heaven's on Fire [#]
Into the Void [#]
Firehouse [#]
Do You Love Me? [#]
Let Me Go Rock 'N' Roll [#]
I Love It Loud [#]
Lick It Up [#]
100,000 Years [#]
Love Gun [#]
Black Diamond [#]
Beth [#]
Rock and Roll All Nite

Amazon.com

There is no shortage of Kiss collections out there, but, as they used to say before Paul, Gene, Ace, and Peter took the stage, "You wanted the best and you got the best!" Spanning four discs, Alive! 1975-2000 makes a great time capsule for Kiss Army completists, packed with a quarter-century of pictures and band reminiscences. And then there's the music. Remastered and packaged together for the first time, the immortal hard-rock one-two punch of Alive! and Alive II together with 1993's makeup-free Alive III showcase the legendary band in their element: driving audiences wild with their thunderous riffs, bombastic ballads, and shameless showmanship. Previously unreleased, Alive: The Millennium Concert captures the reunited and remasked original lineup at the New Year's Eve 1999 stop on what appears to be a never-ending farewell tour. It's safe to say the definitive live Kiss experience is captured here--from Paul Stanley's barefaced buttering-up of the crowd ("This song is dedicated to you, 'cause this song is about people who know what rock 'n' roll is about") to Peter Criss's nearly-epic "God of Thunder" drum solo, and four, count 'em, four, versions of "Rock and Roll All Nite." Kiss was never a band likely to be accused of understatement, and Alive! 1975-2000 is an appropriately exalted celebration of their excess and excellence. --Ben Heege

Customer Reviews:

Just Buy It!.......2007-05-18

If you are looking at KISS cds on this website, you obviously like them. And if you like KISS, then this set is worth it. No Question.

Love it, Great Pack, Lots of Thought.......2007-05-14

Yes, I must Admit I did buy it for the so Called Millennium Concert. I am Happy that they did release some of that concert: anyone with tapes of that concert knows they could quite easily have done two discs since the entire show was fully recorded, so why only one song from Ace, and no solo? Anyway, I am happy for the Bits they gave on disc.
The Alive 1,2 and 3 are great discs, sounding superb in 5.1 systems; much improved. I must admit I did think that Gene ( or Someone, :-) redid the Bass work for the Live 1 and 2, but I guess with a Remaster that fixes all sounds.
Each of the discs reprises the Packaging of the original albums, as well as the disc bed, which has a reprise of the cover shots. The Booklet tops the memorable tour of the KISS past.
It really does bring home that KISS has material that is better than Good. Ace has said that the Reunion tour was DAT recorded. With a great selection of other songs, why can't they release more. Anyways, I more than Love what I got. Its a Great Buy, and I am more than happy with the great sound

...no strings attached..........2007-05-14

i give this box one star for one very simple reason...

"alive"...one of the greatest "sorta-live" albums ever...

but, with a clever box-set like this, getting all the 'alive' sets together, with the millenium concert, why would you leave out one of the 'alive' sets...

where is 'alive iv'...this makes no sense to omit this one, even if 'the millenium concert' was supposed to be the fourth 'alive' set...

that would make this even more interesting, with 'millenium' being 'alive 5'...

but great minds apparently don't think alike...

wait till they release a 'complete' set...then you can rock 'n' roll all nite...

Bought it for the 2000 concert........2007-04-28

Bought this for the 2000 concert, awesome show and the booklet is cool and extencive, plus the remasters sound great. nice little set of KISS ALIVE.

WHY?.......2007-03-06

Why do KISS fans keep buying regergitated material from Gene & Paul? There is absolutely no reason why they needed to release these live discs again. When are their fans going to realize they are just handing over thier hard earned money for the same albums they've already purchased several times over? If KISS really cared about the fans, and not their ever-growing pocket books, they would've released The Millenium Concert alone. But they didn't...simply because they knew they could clutch another $30 or so from the hands that feed. WAKE UP PEOPLE! Make KISS earn their money like they used to...by giving their fans something fresh and original! STOP BEING SUCKERS.

Average customer rating:

A truly surprising listen.
Finally...Jaw-Dropping Talent!!!
A Stone Groove!
Swingin', Sultry and Romantic
Sinatra reincarnated

Last First Kiss
Tony DeSare
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Want You
Not Too Late
Easy To Love
Surrender
Call Me Irresponsible

ASIN: B000LPR4OY
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Tracks:

Kiss
Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Let's Just Say It
Come On Strong
I'll Never Have Enough Of You
Oh Look At Me Now
How Deep Is The Ocean
Last First Kiss
They Can't Take That Away From Me
I Feel The Earth Move
There Will Never Be Another You
Lover's Lullabye

Amazon.com

It wasn't long ago that people were bemoaning a paucity of visible male jazz singers. Now, with the emergence of slick young vocalists like Michael Buble and Jamie Cullum and the continued success of more mature artists like Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, and Harry Connick, Jr., the field is getting a bit crowded. But there's still a shortage of men who have the depth and individual style of female counterparts including Diana Krall, Karrin Allyson, and Dianne Reeves. With his second album, 30-year-old Tony DeSare, yet another proficient Sinatra imitator, will likely gain listeners with his easy-swinging vocals and cocktail-smooth piano playing, spiked as it is with Erroll Garner effects. But for all its surface appeal, Last First Kiss fails to hold interest. A mix of standards by the likes of Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, pop tunes by Prince and Carole King and originals by DeSare, the album has a kind of American Idol-does-jazz feel. It's never lacking in energy or enthusiasm but rarely leaves you feeling any of it matters. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

A truly surprising listen........2007-05-09

As the labels try to get a new handle on the adult market, it's hard to be an up and coming pianist/crooner today.
Trying to break the current mold, DeSare veers from the current pack, also trying to break out, but ditching the classics and moving recent works into more of an MOR bag, whether covering Carole King, King Cole or Prince. Keeping the music out of elevators and dentist's offices,along with his own compositions, ( where he pleasantly showcases his knack for both classic jazz standard-influenced songcraft, as on the poignant "I'll Never Have Enough of You," as well as more contemporary rock-influenced writing ) , DeSare interprets Prince's "Kiss," Carole King's "I Feel The Earth Move" and the little-known Sammy Cahn/Jimmy Van Heusen "Come On Strong."
DeSare has a personality and puts it to good use, the defining thing that could separate him from the pack and let him make his move. He's got that thing soccer moms at Starbucks could relate to while impatiently waiting on her latte.
He is supported by a stellar backing enseble including bassist and co-writer Mike Lee, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen.
Best tracks : "Kiss", "I'll Never have Enough Of You" and "First Last Kiss".

Finally...Jaw-Dropping Talent!!!.......2007-04-29

I recently had the privilege of seeing Tony DeSare perform in the famed Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. This is where Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall got their big breaks. I can sum up the show with one word...wow. The entire audience felt the same. The applause and standing ovations from the typically reserved regulars showed deep appreciation for his extraordinary talent. Mr. DeSare's incredible delivery of standards and stellar originals seemingly teleports the listener to a warm, comfortable place in a simpler time. Resisting is futile as flavorful, beautiful tones bring a smile to the soul. Integral in his ability to deliver such an experience is his disarmingly pure charisma. The highly critical New York Times music reviewer Steven Holden seemed to agree; he printed a near rave review of the show in March. Tony DeSare is obviously destined for stardom. This is one very special human being. Last First Kiss and Want You are juicy, simply spectacular 'must have' albums. Give them as gifts and you'll hear 'thanks again- I love that guy' over and over. At least that's what I keep hearing.

A Stone Groove!.......2007-03-06

This is just what you need on a day where nothing seems to be going right. Listening to Tony at work makes even the work day go by quicker! I love him.

Swingin', Sultry and Romantic.......2007-03-05

DeSare emits a steamy and sexy vibe other singers of his genre have failed to generate. His voice is a fusion of the warm tones of Sinatra, the sensuality of early Connick and his own jazz style. The thing that sets him apart from the rest of the `Rat Pack' is his ability to write songs that blend seamlessly into his genre. To top it off, he is an amazing pianist whose skills mystify many of the other crooners on the charts today. Even vocalists who originated this contemporary jazz style were neither composers nor instrumentalists.

"Kiss" stands out as an album favorite. It is not only is it a great song, but it is a testament to the artist's ability to take a song that has been done well in the past and make it even better by giving it his own sensual twist. His heart-felt portrayal of his music distinguishes him from the "cheesy" stigma of the jazz vocalist. `Last First Kiss' is wonderful for dinner parties, a romantic evening or just for the pure joy of listening to an artist with genuine talent.

Sinatra reincarnated.......2007-02-23

I heard about Tony on NPR recently. I ordered his 2 albums for my dad's birthday -- he loves the old crooners. I also ordered his latest album for myself because his is such a nice departure from much of the pop music mush these days. After my initial listen: wow, this guy gets it. He sings in the old crooner style, but not in a contrived way. You can tell he's still his own man. I like that he's chosen less mainstream songs from the past.

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