The Rising (Special Packaging) [Limited Edition] [Special Edition]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Although it seemed the Boss had put writing rock anthems behind him after Born in the U.S.A., his longtime fans knew if any artist could write anthems addressing September 11, 2001, and not make them sound jingoistic, it would be Bruce Springsteen. The numerous anthems on his much-anticipated first full-length album with the E Street Band in 18 years are subtler than those of the Born to Run era. But the elements are all there: the joyous rocking strains of "Countin' on a Miracle," "Mary's Place," and "Waitin' on a Sunny Day"; the dark overtones of "Further on Up the Road"; the stunning guitar solo that closes "Worlds Apart," a dramatic Arabic-tinged piece detailing star-crossed love between a Muslim and an "infidel." Although most of these songs deal with death and tragedy, they still inspire. But while the lyrics are intriguing, what's more remarkable is how well The Rising works as epic rock & roll as it draws from rockabilly, soul, doo-wop hard rock, country, and even industrial. To skewer a cliché, when The Rising is good, it's great. And even when it's not great, it's still awfully good. --Bill Holdship

Album Description
Special limited edition deluxe package includes the CD in a hardcover book with a 40 page, full color booklet filled with extra photos, handwritten lyrics and more.

Customer Reviews:

Dark driving doom that does not destroy my eardrums.......2007-07-08

This review will be just of this album as it is the first album I have reviewed of this band, so I cannot compare or use critical analysis of any kind when comparing this album release to albums from the band's past discography.

I have to say "progressive sludge metal" has taken some time to grow on me. In the past few years I could not really get to excited with other bands of this genre, mostly because the constant growl style of vocals and what I felt too often was uncreative noise from the guitars and percussion was not something that appealed to me. With Neurosis I find that their musicianship as well as a strong mesh between the vocalist and the rest of the band makes for a very strong album. Dark moods that cascade down over and over again within an ever-flowing journey of some great beats coupled with the excellent song structure throughout the album lend many imaginative and varying tracks. I won't detail every song but instead thought I would just try to paint a general picture of what I have experienced in listening to this album.

The track "Water is not enough" has a fabulous grinding guitar piece throughout and overall the song is simply haunting. Although I mentioned before I was never a fan of this particular vocal style, these guys have it down to an art form and with stellar songwriting you can actually soak up the message as opposed to trying better to understand it for lack of clarity. The album's soft cover has great artwork and inside the lyric booklet is also adorned with sinister landscape and images throughout. I'm still trying to understand why there are so many different genres of metal, including the popular "post-metal" label that often seems to be applied to this album. Overall a strong effort of what I used to call "Doom Metal" that has enough variance in theme and changeups to make this album a keeper in my collection. I look forward to going back and checking out past albums by this band, and encourage any long time Neurosis fans to add a comment to recommend any of their own personal favorites of the band to check out!

Neurosis in Prime Form as Always.......2007-06-25

Given To The Rising is a sonic slab that blasts it's way out of the speakers and into the minds of those who shall listen to it. This is by far one of the heavier albums Neurosis has ever made. Harkening back to bits of "Souls At Zero", but with newer feeling like "A Sun That Never Sets". Steve Albini has mixed an excellent album with Neurosis, and I hope that this combination continues for another 22 years. The Limited Edition is in a Digipack Sleve, ten tracks, booklet and lyric sheet. Neurosis also limited DVD Documentary on the making of this album available also, a must have for a collector, great to see the band give their thoughts on what they produced. Check this album out, a must own, and great intro for newcomers also.

As scary as ever.......2007-06-20

Perhaps no band has rendered the sound of the apocalypse better than Neurosis, and their most recent effort, Given to the Rising, delivers the sort of sensory carpet bombing that fans have come to know and love. Their previous release, 2004's The Eye of Every Storm, was an excellent effort, but didn't really feel to this reviewer's ears like a "true" Neurosis album, as the eerie minimalism that had always been part of the band's sound occupied the forefront much more than on previous releases. Fortunately, the buzzsaw riffs that introduce the title track serve convincing notice that the Neurosis that released such imperious classics as Times of Grace and Through Silver in Blood is still very much in existence. That's certainly not to say the band has abandoned the textured atmospherics entirely--Nine sounds like something Tom Waits would do in one of his more avant-garde moments, and much of Origin sounds like Tool minus the pseudo-intellectualism--but most of Given to the Rising ranges from slow, twisted, and ugly to mid-tempo, twisted and ugly. The guitars are simply amazing here, piling on layer after layer of momentous, hellish riffage that drives home the claustrophobic heaviness of the music like a railroad spike, a sharp contrast to the more spacious soundscapes that made of much of the previous album. More important than any stylistic concerns, though, is the simple fact that from front to back Given to the Rising is one of Neurosis's best written efforts, and anyone familiar with their catalogue will know that's saying something. As is par for the Neurosis course, songs typically stretch into 8-10 minute territory, but even at half that length the band's brilliant use of hypnotic repetition and bowel-rattling rhythms would lend them a distinctly epic feel. Even at their darkest and most punishing, Neurosis show a skillful grasp of dynamics and progressions--witness Fear and Sickness's sudden transition from an ominous tribal chug to a harrowing midsection filled with searing guitar noise and tortured howls, or the way At the End of the Road builds from a creepy, Godflesh-style crawl to a gut-wrenchingly heavy and cavernous conclusion. For all fans who like their metal on the dark and frightening side, Given to the Rising, like most every Neurosis release, is absolutely essential.

maybe Neurosis chef d'oeuvre.......2007-06-19

These guys prove that metal can be a form of art when played by talented people with artistic integrity and who are free to play the music they want. The kind of musical landscape they create is perfectly illustrated by the beautiful artwork of the CD. As usual with Neurosis, it may take some time and several listenings to fully appreciate the music, but it is a rewarding effort.

every atom of sound in magnificent glow.......2007-06-18

Neurosis have been defining post-metal for two decades, and here they continue to show us what it really means to be heavy. Heaviness is not non-stop groaning and bashing and screaming, like you get from every two-bit nu/extreme metal hack who's currently polluting the market. Instead, true heaviness comes from nuance, intelligence, and dynamics, and Neurosis continue to elevate metal to its deepest potential. This album is a masterpiece of sonic landscaping, with gutbucket riffs and insistent rhythms sharing space with atmospheric keyboards and chaotic noise. The Neurosis strategies of tightly coiled aggression and relentless aural design result in music that is somehow both terrifying and illuminating. The bludgeoning opener "Given to the Rising" is a perfect indicator of the full Neurosis assault, while the introspection-to-aggression dynamic is most evident in "To the Wind," which even starts with a little incisive balladry. This album peaks with the one-two-three punch of controlled violence in "Hidden Faces," "Water is Not Enough," and "Distill (Watching the Swarm)." Metal that's not afraid to slow down, focus its aggression, and control its attack will have the fullest impact with the thinking listener. Neurosis have helped define that attack throughout their history, and they continue to perfect it here. [~doomsdayer520~]

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JIMI'S FINAL ALBUM, FINALLY RELEASED HIS WAY !
Cry Of Love
A must-have. It's as simple as that
Wonderful Treasure
Jimi's Version

First Rays of the New Rising Sun
Jimi Hendrix
Manufacturer: Experience Hendrix
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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South Saturn Delta
Axis: Bold As Love
Electric Ladyland
Blues
Are You Experienced

ASIN: B000002P5R
Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

Freedom
Izabella
Night Bird Flying
Angel
Room Full Of Mirrors
Dolly Dagger
Ezy Ryder
Drifting
Beginnings
Stepping Stone
My Friend
Straight Ahead
Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)
Earth Blues
Astro Man
In From The Storm
Belly Button Window

Amazon.com

The guy was damn ingenious with a guitar, but not half as industrious as the folks who've packaged and repackaged his posthumous material. First Rays of the New Rising Sun, however, is an attractive assortment of "spiritual, very earthy" late recordings that surfaced in the '70s via The Cry of Love, Crash Landing, Rainbow Bridge, and War Heroes. Hendrix appeared to be in transition between flamboyant showman and serious musician personas at the time (meaning his work, had he lived, might have been twice as meritorious and half as fun), and that makes many of these tracks all the more interesting. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

JIMI'S FINAL ALBUM, FINALLY RELEASED HIS WAY !.......2007-03-20

After guitar god Jimi Hendrix died, he released more albums than he did when he was still alive. Control of Jimi's music fell into the hands of attorneys who saw the opportunity to turn a fast buck, and quickly released this excellant music chopped up into several different albums (Rainbow Bridge, Cry of Love, War Heroes, etc.,etc.). After much litigation and several years, control of Jimi's music was given to Jimi's father and sister. They formed the Experience Hendrix record label and went to work. The first task at hand was to put together First Rays of the New Rising Sun, Jimi's title to the double-album he was putting the finishing touches on when he died. Through interviews with the producer, engineers, and musicians who worked on the project, they finished the album according to Jimi's specifications. The music on the album is sophisticated, energetic, and precise. Hendrix fans will recognize most of these songs. Freedom, Angel, Dolly Dagger, Roomful of Mirrors, Isabella, Hey Baby(New Rising Sun), and the beautiful Drifting are all highlights. Like The Beatles leaving behind the cute mop-top Beatlemania era with Rubber Soul and Revolver, Jimi seemed to be breaking away from the psycadelic wild-man theatrics of his early days, and getting down to the business of creating serious music with a conscious. You will find some of Jimi's best songs, vocals, and guitar playing on the aptly titled First Rays of the New Rising Sun. No Jimi Hendrix fan should be without it.

Cry Of Love.......2007-02-16

Back in the 70's I wore out my vinyl copy of Hendrix's Cry Of Love Album. Songs like, Drifting and My Friend have been floating around in my head for all these years and I had tried to find a copy of CRY Of Love on cd several times with no luck. Well, here it is under a different name and with some additional songs ! These are some of the best cuts Jimi Hendrix ever recorded and the music sounds as good today as it did when I was a kid. Absolutely great stuff.

A must-have. It's as simple as that.......2006-12-20

This is the geniune article, folks: The tapes that Jimi was working on before his untimely death. Seventeen songs, and all but two (Beginnings and Stepping Stone) are must-haves for any serious Hendrix fan. Of course, it's got the lovely, oft-covered ballad Angel, which has quickly become a Hendrix standard and is one of his best songs, perfect lyrics, perfect melody, perfect instrumentation... it's all there. A masterpiece. And it's not even the best song on the disc - I'd go with either the title track or Drifting, a low-key ballad that is one of Hendrix's more underrated. Rockers In From the Storm; Freedom; Izabella and Roomfull of Mirrors are perfectly complimented by the ballads (Night Bird Flying; the aforementioned Angel; Drifting) and the funk songs (Ezy Rider, another favorite; Dolly Dagger). And then there's the hilarious, wah-wah'ed Belly Button Window. Hendrix's last recordings have been repackaged several times, but this is the one to go to - it's probably what Hendrix would've approved of, unlike the Allen Douglass releases. Hendrix's music was taking an interesting turn before his premature death. If you're curious as to how a fourth studio album would've turned out (and really, who isn't?), this should satisfy you.

Wonderful Treasure.......2006-07-17

This is a treasure chest full of early unreleased Jimi. These songs really show the heart and soul of Jimi Hendrix as a thoughtful songwriter. As always, the guitar is wonderful and amazing; but there's something peaceful in even the most scorching of solos on this disc. Enjoy this wonderful collection of songs that illustrates Jimi's command of the blues and how he was able to stay true to it's roots or help it blossom into a rock 'n' roll explosion.

Jimi's Version.......2006-05-13

"In 1994, Hendrix's own handwritten track selection for First Ray surfaced and was reprinted in the french magazine Folk & Rock (November 1994). Surprisingly it was never used when attempts were made to complete the unfinished project in the years that followed. Hendrix only completed a song list for three sides of the double LP, and wasn't sure where to place the track "Night Bird Flying". With a darker-colored pen, he seemed to indicate that it should be the second song on side A. Hendrix's track selection for First Ray of the New Rising Sun was:

Side A: Dolly Dagger, Night Bird Flying, Room Full of Mirrors, Belly Button Window, Freedom.

Side B: Easy Rider, Astro Man, Drifting, Straight Ahead.

Side C: Drifter's Escape, Comin' Down Hard On Me, Beginnings, Cherokee Mist, Angel."

The above and any other quotes in this post are taken from the book, "Black Gold the Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix" by Steven Roby.

The album is refered to above as First Ray instead of First Rays because Jimi at first was going to call it First Ray of the New Rising Sun. Another quote from Black Gold:

"Billy Cox worked on the unfinished album, and recalled the time when Hendrix asked him about the correct wording: "He asked me, 'Is it the first ray, or the rays?' I said, 'I don't know. He said, 'What do you see when you get up in the morning? When you look over the horizon do you see one ray or rays?' I said, 'I'd have to check that out.'

Hendrix would seem to have had a cover for the album in mind too...another quote:

"There is also evidence that Hendrix may have had a cover in mind for the release. On September 17th, 1970, he sketched out various faces to form the shape of a cross, with his own face in the middle. The right arm of the cross had faces of white people, including J.F.K. and Hitler and two women and a baby. On the left arm of the cross was Martin Luther King, Jr., a black woman with a crown, an African woman, and a baby. On the bottom shaft, Crazy Horse, Geronimo, Cochise, two women and a baby represented Native Americans. Above Hendrix's head, the top shaft of the cross showed Buddha, Genghis Khan, a Japanese woman, and a Chinese baby, representing the Asian Peoples."

I like this CD and gave it 4/5 stars. But knowing that there are existing track listings by Hendrix out there I tend to wish they had tried to stay closer to the song orders he had chosen (Of course Jimi might have made many changes to those song orders before the album was completed).

Since these days most people can make their own CDs I would probably arrange a version (for my own listening pleasure) to look something like this:

Dolly Dagger
Night Bird Flying
Room Full of Mirrors
Belly Button Window
Freedom
Easy Rider
Astro Man
Drifting
Straight Ahead
Drifter's Escape (Can be found on the CD South Saturn Delta)
Comin' Down Hard On Me (Can be found on the Hendrix box set)
Beginnings
Here He Comes (Lover Man) (Can be found on South Saturn Delta)
Angel
Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)
Stepping Stone
Izabella
Earth Blues
In From The Storm

Approximate CD time = 79 minutes

Since the only version of Cherokee Mist I have heard is on the Box Set and has simliar patterns to that of In From The Storm I left it off. I left off My Friend since it was a leftover track from 1968. For those who are into having an instrumental open the album there is a spacey guitar instrumental called The New Rising Sun on the now deleted Hendrix CD compilation Voodoo Soup...I just wasn't sure how to fit it in due to space limitations. Pali Gap is also a track that could have been on the album as it was recorded during the same time period. Of course everyone's version of this album would probably be different (including Jimi's).

I could go on and on about this but I guess the bottom line is I like the music on this album very much I just wish it could have somehow stayed closer to Jimi's vision...

Average customer rating:

3 feet high
Rap for Sentient Beings
Definition Of The Word "Awesome" (Rating: 10 out of 10- -5 stars)
De La changed the game and paved the way for ATCQ
One of hip hop's most original and important albums

3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Low End Theory
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Midnight Marauders
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)

ASIN: B000000HHE
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Tracks:

Intro
The Magic Number
Change In Speak
Cool Breeze On The Rocks
Can U Keep A Secret
Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)
Ghetto Thang
Transmitting Live From Mars
Eye Know
Take It Off
A Little Bit Of Soap
Tread Water
Potholes In My Lawn
Say No Go
Do As De La Does
Plug Tunin' (Last Chance To Comprehend)
De La Orgee
Buddy (With Jungle Brothers And Q-Tip From A Tribe Called Quest)
Description
Me Myself and I
This Is A Recording 4 Living In A Fulltime Era (L. I. F. E.)
I Can Do Anything (Delacratic)
D .A. I. S. Y. Age
Plug Tunin' (Original 12' Version)

Amazon.com essential recording

De La's debut represented a new path for hip-hop, a reaction to conventions that had turned into clichés. It was friendly and playful enough to cross over to a pop audience (thanks to Prince Paul's production, which found the funk hiding inside Steely Dan and "Schoolhouse Rock"), but complicated and tough enough to be hugely influential in the hip-hop world. Cryptic but ecstatic, and sometimes sexy (especially the ingenious double-entendre "Buddy"), Trugoy and Posdnuos's lyrics invented a "new style of speak," dense with self-invented slang and metaphors. The hits, including "Say No Go" and "Me Myself And I," are delightful, but the little sketches and sound-experiments between them make the whole disc flow effortlessly. --Douglas Wolk

Album Description

Import edition of the alternative rapper's seminal and groundbreaking 1989 debut. Currently available domestically on cassette only! Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered. Includes a Limited Edition Bonus CD with 15 Additional Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

3 feet high.......2007-06-24

for a long time I felt this was their best album. Now, I must own it in CD, (for my iPod & personal library). This is a classic!

Rap for Sentient Beings.......2007-04-15

You know the typical gangsta/hardcore listener? A 15-year-old white boy from the 'burbs who wants to be a man but his mom won't let him have a really loud car? The kind who writes reviews like "u got 2 get dis its da shiz"? They'll hate this album.

Now, you know the musically adventurous, intelligent listener who avoids rap because they think it's all gangsta/hardcore? The kind of sentient being who can handle the concept of chords and knows the difference between *your* and *you're*? This is the person you should buy this album for.

Even if you don't think you'll like rap, this is an album worth checking out. It's not the stereotypical inmate-screaming-over-a-background-of-falling-skillets [c]rap everyone's sick of. This is smooth, clever, funny, creative spoken-word music. That's the key; it's *musical.* There are breezy melodic hooks under witty, deft vocals with just enough punch to be classed as rap.

Sure, it's Old School, but Old School's never gotten old, while a lot of the other genres have become derivative, repetitive, and stale. You'll like this CD from the beginning, and you'll keep listening to it, because it's inventive and creative. Whether you're new to rap or a fan looking for something new and interesting, this is a great buy.

Definition Of The Word "Awesome" (Rating: 10 out of 10- -5 stars).......2007-01-26

De La Soul's (consisting of Posdnuos, Maceo, and Trugoy)1989 debut "3 Feet High And Rising" is considered one of the most important debuts in music history. I have to agree with that statement. Me, this album is nothing but music to have fun while listening to. A lot of their albums are remerable to come across. There is not much I can say here that hasn't already have been said here.

This album has a lot of remerable tracks on here. I would say their biggest one would be "Me Myself And I", and it sounds so fresh today as if I were listening to it back in '89. A lot of their tracks that they made, people thought they were hippies, but that would be addressed throughout this album. Most of their music is just to make you laugh and have fun, like on one of the interludes "Can You Keep A Secret".

This album is completely produced by Prince Paul (one of the most underrated producers). The song "Eye Know" has one of the most fantastic beats that I heard in a while, especially when it comes to me listening to albums from the 80's. "The Magic Number" is also a great beat to enjoy.

And if you purchased this after 2001, you receive a bonus disc. The bonus disc contains eight tracks that were either remixes or pulled off of soundtracks. A great addition towards this album if you ask me.

As for anything to have any problems about, I have only one. I'm kinda mad that the remix of "Buddy" is not on here, nor on the bonus disc. That is a small dissapointment, but I will learn to live with it. Other than that, this is an album that you will enjoy time and time again. De La Soul debut is sort of like party music, but at the same time, make you daydream. This is one album that is highly recommend to any music listener from any genre. I'm not sure if this album is out of print, but if you see it for a reasonable price, go ahead and get it.

Lyrics: A+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A+
Overall: A+

Favorite Tracks: Magic Number, Can You Keep A Secret, Jenifa Taught Me, Eye Know, Pot Holes In My Lawn, Plug Tunin, Buddy, Me Myself And I, D.A.I.S.Y. Age

Peace Everyone!!!

De La changed the game and paved the way for ATCQ.......2006-12-25

De La Soul was ill prepared for the success they would achieve on 3 Feet High and Rising. They were immediately tagged hip hop hippies due to their daisy age fascination and found themselves in a public identity crisis. In 2006, groups would love to have that type of exposure no matter what people peg them as. Anyways that's the past. 3 Feet is a classic due to it's unconventional sampling, rhymes and just straight left field approach.

Top Joints:
Eye Know (My personal favorite, with the Steeley Dan "Peg" sample)
Potholes in my Lawn
Say No Go
Buddy (Classic)
Me Myself and I (Classic)

One of hip hop's most original and important albums.......2006-12-12

The Long Island trio De La Soul's debut "3 Feet High and Rising" is one of the most original, different rap albums you will ever hear. It's so creative and humorous and is just so great in so many ways. The album ushered in a new movement of thought in rap music. De La Soul took a very light and humorous approach to hip hop at a time where the angry, hard rappers seemed to be all there was. Posdnous and Trugoy are still truly talented and intelligent MCs, though, and they cover some relevant social topics despite their constant humor. Musically this album is also great, the sampling and horns are so catchy and always keep my head bobbing when I listen to this. This sound would be imitated a lot throughout the nineties, and for good reason. This album was also among the first to do the whole skit/interlude concept on a rap album, with an intro and outro and interludes throughout the disc. There are a lot of short songs here, contributing to the albums 24 song tracklist. Along with Jungle Brothers, this was among the first of the Native Tongues movement, and it was a trendsetter and a pioneer. This album is really funny and has a lot of replay value, it's one of the most original and important rap albums and one I recommend to all.

After the games show-themed intro, the album begins with "The Magic Number," an immensely fun and catchy song that sets the mood well. "Change in Speak" has great horns and a jazzy, funky beat with good raps. "Can U Keep a Secret?" is one of the short songs that I mentioned that is just really funny, it always makes me laugh. "Jenifa Taught Me" tells an awkward story of high school, like always it is well produced and humorous. The excellent "Ghetto Thang" and one of my favorite old school songs ever, "Eye Know," follow. "Eye Know" has a beautiful beat, with an inescapably catchy whistle and instrumental as well as a great hook, the raps are laidback and happy and the song is just great. The short "Take It Off" and "A Little Bit of Soap" precede "Tread Water," a relevant metaphorical track that chronicles conversations the rappers had with animals in the jungle. "Potholes in My Lawn" is more vintage De La, as are "Say No Go" and "Plug Tunin'." "Buddy" introduced A Tribe Called Quest to the world, and "Me Myself and I" is undoubtedly one of hip hop music's finest tracks. The encouraging lyrics are one of a kind, and the horns and chorus are still widely known even almost twenty years later, this track is so catchy and well produced. The album ends with four more tracks that really hold their weight and end the album on a great note, including "This Is a Recording 4 L.I.F.E.," "D.A.I.S.Y. Age," and another mix of "Plug Tunin'."

I think "3 Feet High and Rising" is a classic on the level of some of the east coast's best, and even though today it might be a little dated and often overlooked it's still really fun to listen to. This album showed better than any other that hip hop music could just be plain fun. I recommend it to anyone with taste for older and creative hip hop music, it's a great addition for any collection.

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Everything you've heard is true...this is "THE" Rainbow album
THE HEAVIEST ALBUM YOU CAN TAKE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION!!!
The Best of Rainbow.
Way Ahead Of It's Time
Heavy metal gets re-defined... 4.5 stars

Rising
Rainbow
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
On Stage
Straight Between the Eyes
Down to Earth

ASIN: B00000IMTF
Release Date: 1999-04-27

Tracks:

Tarot Woman
Run With The Wolf
Starstruck
Do You Close Your Eyes
Stargazer
A Light In The Black

Customer Reviews:

Everything you've heard is true...this is "THE" Rainbow album.......2007-07-15

Yeah, the first one had its moments. MORE than moments, actually..."Man On The Silver Mountain" was as good as any truly "greatest hit" from Deep Purple and it opened the debut album with a bang. Killer trademark Blackmore riff, and DON'T tell me you haven't driven along in your car with this in the CD player as you sang "Come and make me holy AGAIN..."

You HAVE! ADMIT it and don't be ashamed of it! I HAVE!

But "Rising"...wow. Probably the single greatest non-Purple album Ritchie's cranked out in his career. Ronnie James Dio deserves equal credit. I strongly recommend the recent "Live In Munich 1977" CD & DVD for a closer look at the power this band served up in its prime. YES, there are a few technical difficulties...like Dio's mike cutting out during "Do You Close Your Eyes"...but you'll see prime footage of Blackmore, just LOOKING for the right spot on that stage to EXPLODE. You'll see Dio as a confident frontman, a full year before Diamond Dave ushered in a renaissance of no-nonsense rock & roll with Van Halen. I seriously doubt that R.J.D. will EVER receive proper credit for his Rainbow / Sabbath work. Black Sabbath recently released "The Dio Years," and Rainbow owes him the same respect (Although, to be fair, disc one of "Catch The Rainbow: The Anthology" basically IS "The Best Of The Dio Years")...

:-)

YES, it's a shame that "Long Live Rock & Roll" squeezed "Stargazer" out of the band's set list during the aforementioned 1977 tour, because it IS a jaw-dropper. It's Rainbow's "Starship Trooper" or "Roundabout" or "I've Seen All Good People"...a SIGNATURE song. There are a few other songs Ritchie could have kicked to the curb, but I doubt that he cared THEN, and I'm almost positive that he REALLY doesn't care NOW..."In the heat and the rain, with whips and chains?"...huh? "I see a rainbow rising"...YES, Ronnie, YES...I do TOO!

:-)

"Tarot Woman" opens the album with a weird little synth riff and then, at the 1:20 mark, Blackmore's riff comes in, followed by the rest of the band, and you're FLYING, baby.

"Starstruck"...chugs along like an out-of-control train, reminiscent of Uriah Heep's "Easy Livin'" but maybe a zillion times BETTER.

IF you're a fan of Ritchie Blackmore...and if you're not, why are you reading this..."Rising" is so essential that the word "essential" seems like a cop-out. There's GOT TO BE a better word.

IF you're a Ronnie James Dio fan...and if you're not, etc. etc. etc., THIS album is every bit as good as "Heaven And Hell" or "Holy Diver"...maybe BETTER. No, let me take that back...IT IS R.J.D.'s shining hour. Period.

Also...and I say this as a consummate Deep Purple fan..."Rising" proved that he could record a five-star album without the name "Ian Gillan" appearing in the credits.

I can't listen to "Down To Earth." Yes, I KNOW "Since You've Been Gone" was a hit, but I hated it the first time I heard it and each of the 999,999,999 times I heard it AFTER that. I'm pretty much ecstatic that Graham Bonnet has faded into the "Where Are They Now" ether. Irritating, generic, like a million nails scraped down a million blackboards. BUH-BYE. Schenker didn't keep him around EITHER.

The Joe Lynn Turner years? Blackmore trying to be Journey. Or maybe Loverboy. Or Glass Tiger. Or A-Ha. Or any one of a zillion MTV 80s bands I didn't care about THEN, and I don't care about NOW. Sorry, Joe, and YES...I WOULD like fries with that. You were Micky Thomas in search of Starship and you never really found it. The smartest thing Ritchie did after "Bent Out Of Shape" was head back to Deep Purple...until they couldn't stand his diva behavior anymore...but hey, "Perfect Strangers" is nothing to sneeze at.

:-)

But the Dio albums? ESPECIALLY "Rising?" They still sound vibrant and fresh and full of attitude. "Long Live Rock & Roll" INDEED. "Rising" is a triumph, a wonderful ALBUM..."all killer, no filler"...BUY IT already! Don't sweat the fact that it's only 33 minutes long. It's the best 33 minutes you'll ever spend.

THE HEAVIEST ALBUM YOU CAN TAKE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION!!!.......2007-05-17

This absolutely one of the best rock albums of all time for me! This my third copy of the album already. I've got the first copy way back in the late seventies. Played the LP almost every day so it got worn out until it came to a point where I don't like to play it anymore. I bought again the LP in the 80s. When I came to know of Amazon.com I bought it also in CD.
Songs like Stargazer, A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman and Do You Close Your Eyes are some of my favorites rock songs of all time too.
Listen to Ritchie Blackmore, RJD, Jimmy Bain, Tony Carey and Cozy Powell on this album! This is a master piece in rock!

The Best of Rainbow........2007-05-15

This is where Rainbow should've stayed at -- Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals with Ritchie Blackmore on lead guitar. The songs on this album are hard hitting and showcase Blackmore's neo-classical guitar style that predates the shredders of the 80's. And of course with Dio's voice and choice of lyrics you can't go wrong. "Run With The Wolf" and "Stargazer" are my favorites with the later's extended guitar soloing that showcases Blackmore's liking for exotic scales. One of the best guitar players out there with the best singer in metal/hard rock!!!

Way Ahead Of It's Time.......2007-05-12

Even after three decades, this CD still hold up as one of the best in the whole 'progressive metal' genre; Whether it's the stellar drumwork by Cozy Powell(one of the best drummers...like...ever...), the powerful vocals by Ronnie James Dio, or the masterful guitarwork by Blackmore, this is one of those CD's that is a milestone in just about every way. It represents 5 players at the top of their game, with all the right material, and everyone is allowed to shine. Where alot of Rainbow albums are spotty in terms of the compositions, this one gets them all right; 'Tarot Woman' still remains one of the best Rainbow songs ever, and while I have heard this 'album' over 300 times since it's release back in the mid '70's, I'm still impressed. Those looking to be introduced to Rainbow can do no wrong here; Truly a cornerstone in the genre, and certainly required listening. Sounds even better remastered!!

Heavy metal gets re-defined... 4.5 stars.......2007-05-11

For the follow-up to their superb debut, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and singer Ronnie James Dio recruited a group of world-class musicians to create the definitive lineup of Rainbow. With Cozy Powell on drums, Jimmy Bain on bass, and Tony Carey on keyboards they went into the studio and recorded Rising. This 1976 release is not only Rainbow's finest work but an album that redefined heavy rock in one fell swoop.

Firstly it has to be said that in terms of shear musicmanship this has got to be one of the finest rock bands ever to enter a recording studio. Powell's drumming has to be heard to be believed, and the most amazing thing is that no matter how furiously he bangs the skins it never seems to be overdone; the man never overplays. It's easy to see why he went on from Rainbow to become one of rock's most in-demand drummers. Inventive and solid bass from Jimmy Bain completes an amazing rhythm section, and keyboardist Tony Carey is a virtuoso who can play in any number of styles flawlessly and creatively. Playing with this stellar group seems to bring out the best in Blackmore, who delivers some of the best studio performances of his long career. The same can be said of the extraordinary Ronnie James Dio, who sings like a God all the way through. These killer performances are augmented magnificently by a stellar recording courtesy of veteran producer Martin Birch.

The songs are undeniably some of the best any of these men have ever recorded. Gems like "Tarot Woman" and "Run With The Wolves" rock hard without ever sacrificing melody, and the great stomp-rocker "Starstruck" with it's lyrics about a groupie is tremendously fun. There are also two eight-minute-plus epics here, the hard rocking "A Light In The Black" and the unbelievable "Stargazer", the latter of which is Rainbow's best song and one of the all-time great rock masterpieces. Lyrically this album is perhaps the best example of Dio's fantasy-fiction approach to writing.

The impact of this recording on heavy metal can hardly be over-stated. It wasn't a huge seller in it's day, but it's now acknowledged as a vital step in the evolution of the genre and many artists of the upcoming New Wave Of British Heavy Metal site this as a defining influence. Unfortunately it was released during a time when hard rock had been temporarily overtaken in the media by disco and punk music. It was also a little ahead of it's time, which is artistically laudible but not commercially viable.

If Amazon offered a 4.5 star rating that's what this would get. It's an incredible rock masterpiece but I took half a star for the utterly disposable "Do You Close Your Eyes", which sits awkwardly at best with the rest of the songs on this album. Don't let that stop you... this is an absolutely essential hard rock experience.

Average customer rating:

No Linkin Park, but suprisingly good
linkinparkfreak_007
Almost, but not quite
Great CD
A Solid Hip-Hop Album That Emphasizes Commercial Rappers' Incompetence

The Rising Tied
Fort Minor
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000BKSISA
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

Introduction
Remember the Name
Right Now
Petrified
Feel Like Home
Where'd You Go
In Stereo
Back Home
Cigarettes
Believe Me
Get Me Gone
High Road
Kenji
Red to Black
Battle
Slip Out the Back

Amazon.com

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda steps out for a wall-to-wall hip-hop project on which he faces his critics ("High Road"), gets autobiographical ("Remember the Name"), shares family history ("Kenji") and emerges as a hip-hop reformist ("Cigarette"). Standing shoulder to shoulder with, among others, John Legend, members of The Roots and Styles of Beyond, The Rising Tied shines brightest in its earliest moments, where the beats and rhymes feel and sound freshest and where the positive message feels most sincere. A limited edition includes two documentary footage that follows the album's evolution, and Shinoda during the making of the video for "Petrified," all of which ultimately provides fans with interesting insights into the album and the artist himself. --Jedd Beaudoin

Album Description

Fort Minor, the side project and solo debut for Mike Shinoda of multiplatinum, Grammy-winning Linkin Park, returns the emcee to his roots-making hip-hop. The Rising Tied, produced by Shinoda, who wrote every track and played nearly every instrument was executive produced by Jay-Z. Featuring guest appearances from Common, the Roots Black Thought, John Legend, Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn, alt-funk rocker Kenna and two acts signed to Linkin Park's Machine Shop Recordings, Style of Beyond and Holly Brook, The Rising Tied raises the standard for unique, unadulterated hip-hop.

Customer Reviews:

No Linkin Park, but suprisingly good.......2007-05-27

No Linkin Park, but suprisingly good. Some really catchy songs.

linkinparkfreak_007.......2007-01-10

If I could give this CD less then a star I would. I can't believe I was foolish enough to buy this. I listened to some of the samples for this, but it is unfortunate that the samples where the best parts of this CD. I'm not going to downgrade this. But one of the few good songs of this album is "Kenji", "High Road", and "Where'd You Go?".

As for the rest it didn't hit me right. The music didn't really flow like the material from Linkin Park. Not like Shinoda was trying to achieve the same feeling like Linkin Park. In full honesty, his voice isn't really matured enough for this. I give him credit that it has since his days from Xero demos. Even then the music flowed and did not have a heavy bass drum in the background. Look at "Kenji", listen to it carefully, you still can here the drums but it's not as heavy as some of the other songs. I've listened to the CD and decided that Shinoda's voice is more of a singing/rap vocalist. You can hear how smooth his voice is. But having him thrown in this format doesn't really work.

Personally I do give him credit for trying. Maybe if he goes for a sophomore album I would recommend something soft rock/techno/rock. Something more like "Where'd You Go"ish.

Almost, but not quite.......2007-01-10

Being a fan of the Linkin Park group first caught my attention towards Mike Shinoda's Fort Minor CD "The Rising Tied". I figured that if the rock portion of the rock/rap hybrid was removed from the equation, the music would be still enjoyable. I was certainly glad that I was right.

From Fort Minor's first Single "Where'd you Go", I thought that the toke was brought down to below the potential of what could have been another great CD from one the the LP members. After hearing "Remember the Name", my opinion was suddenly reversed. And for good reason too.

I can whole heartedly admit that I am not a fan of the Rap genre, finding the music too bass oriented, lacking in terms of musical difference, and finally the lyrics; I personally don't like the generic rap image of getting the "Bling-Bling" or "Benjamins" ($100 denotation for the states).

That being said, I can say that this album turned my head slightly when it wasn't just about getting money, women, drugs, or mouthing off to their rivals. Songs like "Cigarette", "Kenji", and "Back Home" have that inspirational tinge to it.

But with every rap album, there always has to be one or two tracks that are rather obnoxious and get on my nerves. Those tracks being "Petrified" and "The Battle". I'm not proud to say it, but Mike, not needed.

Outside what has been said, this is a rather good album. I wouldn't put it up as chart topping, but easily top 20 to 30.

Great CD.......2006-12-29

Stlyes of Beyond: cool Mike Shinoda: cooler
Now I listen to rock and metal mainly, but this is one of my favorite CDs and I have 100+ The only other rappers I like are Eminem, Young Jeezy, Akon, and Lil' Jon. Not a single track is bad. I don't understand why "drugs" and "shot" are censored on the clean version, though.

The Best Songs: (No Order)
Remember the Name
Right Now
Cigarettes
Believe Me
High Road
Kenji
Red to Black
Slip Out The Back
That's 8 BEST songs! That's half the CD. All of them are awesome.
I suggest you buy this and I hope that Fort Minor will make many more albums and Linkin Park makes a "real" new CD, which hasn't happened since '02.

A Solid Hip-Hop Album That Emphasizes Commercial Rappers' Incompetence.......2006-12-24

I've never been the type of person who has enjoyed categorizing artists and individuals by the colour of their skin (i.e. "white" & "black"), but in order for me to get my opinion straight on the next paragraph, I shall have to do so.

As many people know, "white" rappers have to work a lot harder to earn their stripes in the world of Hip-Hop for supposably self-explanatory reasons. On the high end of the musical food chain is Eminem, an exceptionally talented individual who, after years of hard work and personal struggle, has become an almost-revolutionary rapper, naturally combining humour with rage into devastatingly strong, occasionally smart music. Unfortunately, there are also gangsta-wannabes like Britney Spear's ex-husband, Kevin Federline, who, with the release of his absurdly pathetic debut album "Playing With Fire", brought down almost every existent trace of credibility in the "white Hip-Hop" community in one fell swoop.

Thankfully, Fort Minor -also known as Mike Shinoda, the rapper of Rock group Linkin' Park- is far more credible and skilled than K-Fed. Unlike most of today's rappers -"black" and "white" alike- Fort Minor is the type of lesser-appreciated rapper who opts for music that digs deeper than clubs, rims, misogyny, cash, etc. (though he admittedly does indulge in gangster-esque posturing on eerie lead single "Petrified" & the heavy-hitting club anthem "In Stereo"). His rhymes are intelligent and complex and his delivery is full of passion and honesty, reminiscent of Eminem & Kanye West but nowhere near as hilarious or blatantly hateful and boastful as either. Nonetheless, "The Rising Tied" is a remarkably solid album that allows Fort Minor to flex his abilities as a rapper, lyricist and producer (yes people, he produced and arranged the beats in their entirety to downright perfection).

While the album is heavy with guest appearances, Fort Minor remains to be the album's main focus - singers Holly Brook & Jonah Matranga harmonize well on the chorus of "Where'd You Go", a darkly intimate, emotional portrayal of an individual suffering from loneliness without his or her significant other; John Legend lends his soulful vocals to the piano-driven anti-haters anthem "High Road" ; The Root's Black Thought & Hip-Hop group Styles Of Beyond demonstrate their abilities as complex, vivid storytellers alongside Fort Minor on the depressing "Right Now ; Styles Of Beyond, along with singers Kenna & Jonah Matranga, contribute to the haunting Hip-Hop/Rock gem "Red To Black" ; hook singer Bobo & Styles Of Beyond (again) lend their services to "Believe Me" ; Hip-Hop intellectualist Common & Styles Of Beyond (again!) appear on "Back Home", an introspective slice of old-school-inflected Hip-Hop that highlights the negatives and struggles of their hometowns ; Styles Of Beyond (again!!) make contributions to the musically raw "Feel Like Home" & the violin-driven "Remember The Name" ; "Slip Out The Back", another eerie slice of lyrical genius, features a barely-relevant Mr. Hahn ; and Celph Titled inhabits the entirety of the short-lived "The Battle" with a freestyle diss.

Thankfully, Fort Minor also knows how to shine without help from a talented guest list. As a matter of fact, some of the album's strongest and most personal moments come when he remains unassisted - "Cigarettes", backed up by a dark, minimalist beat and ethereal background choir vocals in the chorus, is Mike Shinoda's brutally honest ode to the superficiality, materialism and misogyny of Hip-Hop music; the sinisterly dark album standout "Kenji" focuses on the Japanese-American internees of World War II (thanks AMG for making it easier for me to phrase out); and the introspective "Get Me Gone" shows Fort Minor talking about his struggles in the music industry prior to his success with Linkin Park.

Without a doubt, "The Rising Tied" was one of the finest Hip-Hop albums to be released in 2005. Some people may scoff at the heavy guest appearances (some of whom are signed artists of Fort Minor's Machine Shop Records) or the lack of lyrical depth in "Petrified" & "In Studio", but this album is essentially brilliant and a positive step forward when it comes to the progression of "white Hip-Hop". Hell, even the album art is cool and original, which is just one of many positive reasons to buy or download this album. 5 STARS!

N.B.:
Since I bought the special edition version of this album, there's a chance that the lyrics to most (if not all) of the album's songs might not be within the booklet.

5 Favourite Tracks (In No Order):
"Cigarettes"
"Kenji"
"Right Now (feat. Black Thought & Styles Of Beyond)"
"Where'd You Go (feat. Holly Brook & Jonah Matranga)"
"Back Home (feat. Common & Styles Of Beyond)"

Average customer rating:

The return of the E Street Band
Some very hopeful anthems here
A Great Springsteen Album, Still A Bit Too Much Repetition
Five years later
The rising

The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000069HKH
Release Date: 2002-07-30

Tracks:

Lonesome Day
Into The Fire
Waitin' On A Sunny Day
Nothing Man
Countin' On A Miracle
Empty Sky
Worlds Apart
Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)
Further On (Up The Road)
The Fuse
Mary's Place
You're Missing
The Rising
Paradise
My City Of Ruins

Amazon.com

Although it seemed the Boss had put writing rock anthems behind him after Born in the U.S.A., his longtime fans knew if any artist could write anthems addressing September 11, 2001, and not make them sound jingoistic, it would be Bruce Springsteen. The numerous anthems on his much-anticipated first full-length album with the E Street Band in 18 years are subtler than those of the Born to Run era. But the elements are all there: the joyous rocking strains of "Countin' on a Miracle," "Mary's Place," and "Waitin' on a Sunny Day"; the dark overtones of "Further on Up the Road"; the stunning guitar solo that closes "Worlds Apart," a dramatic Arabic-tinged piece detailing star-crossed love between a Muslim and an "infidel." Although most of these songs deal with death and tragedy, they still inspire. But while the lyrics are intriguing, what's more remarkable is how well The Rising works as epic rock & roll as it draws from rockabilly, soul, doo-wop hard rock, country, and even industrial. To skewer a cliché, when The Rising is good, it's great. And even when it's not great, it's still awfully good. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

The return of the E Street Band.......2007-07-08

In 2002, Bruce Springsteen returned with his album "The Rising," his first studio album in almost eight years. But more importantly, it marked his first album with the E Street Band, his supporting cast from his 1970s and 80s classics, in eighteen years. A lot has changed in all this time, and this is reflected in many ways. Bruce certainly has a little commentary on post-9/11 life on "The Rising," but it doesn't dominate the subject matter. Musically, he shows a newfound influence of folk and even country music. But what's most refreshing is really how much things are the same. It was great to hear Springsteen singing rock n' roll songs with Clarence Clemmons, Stevie Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, and the rest of the band again. "The Rising" is fifteen tracks deep, and the music is pretty diverse. During the tracklist, a hard rocking band piece will be followed by a simple, musically subtle one (a la "Streets of Philadelphia"), which might be followed by a track heavy with violins and strings. But for the most part, "The Rising" is as musically fulfilling, catchy, and interesting as any past Springsteen project. He branches into new territory, but the experimental instrumentation and collaboration is quite welcome. The folk influence is most noticeable, with the frequent violins and simple yet inspirational lyricism in many songs. The production and songwriting is for the most part very high quality. And lyrically, Bruce occassionally shows a glimpse of the depressed narrator he was earlier in his career. "The Rising" is another winner in the incredible Springsteen catalog.

I only have a few complaints about the album. In spots, the songwriting's a little slack, and a few songs are very repetitive. A few songs might repeat the same hook endlessly for a bloated running time. Sometimes he crosses a little too far into the folk territory and comes off as a tad corny. On the whole though, the quality of "The Rising" is really impressive.

The album begins with my favorite track, the excellent "Lonesome Day." The band is at their finest here, constructing a melody that builds with strings and nice percussion. Bruce's lyrics are simple yet effective, and this song is very memorable. "Into the Fire" is an understated midtempo number, sparse and easy. "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" is a highlight, joyful and catchy. I absolutely love "Nothing Man," a beautiful somber song featuring an excellent performance from Bruce. "Countin' on a Miracle" and "Empty Sky" both are meant to be motivational, and musically are quite fulfilling. "Worlds Apart" takes influence from tribal music, and it's a very interesting approach. "Lets Be Friends (Skin to Skin)" and "Further On (Up the Road)" are both fine tracks by all means but not among the album's most memorable. The good "The Fuse" precedes the album's most unforgettable song, the anthem "Mary's Place." This six minute song features the band at their best, rocking on a gorgeous arrangement. "You're Missing" is a nice late-album track, and the title track builds into a pumped-up rock song. After the slow "Paradise," the album closes on a truly beautiful note, "My City of Ruins." In this song, Bruce takes an inspired look at his dilapidated hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey, and maybe even at his nation as a whole. In any event, this song is excellent and a perfect end to the album.

I think Bruce really accomplished everything that "The Rising" was meant to with this album. It's a very worthy addition to the Springsteen discography, and I highly recommend it.

Some very hopeful anthems here.......2007-07-03

"Into the Fire," "Waiting On A Sunny Day", "Counting on a Miracle" all of them are Springsteen's version of Prozac for fans. Yeah, the theme's pretty repetitive, but I'm certain when the next blue Monday rolls around, I'm going to find a lot of this album useful. It's not "Born in the USA" or "Asbury Park" but it's still Springsteen and it's still well above the crowd.

A Great Springsteen Album, Still A Bit Too Much Repetition.......2006-09-18

This album reallly grew on me with repeated listenings. I loved the rollicking optimism of "Waitin' On a Sunny Day" and "Countin' On a Miracle," the moving and introspective "Nothing Man" (which recalls Tunnel of Love's "Walk Like a Man"), and the driving melody propelling the listener "Further On (Up the Road)".

I was also impressed with "Mary's Place," which sounds like it could have been written for the Born to Run album. And the studio version of "My City of Ruins" will make the hair on your neck stand up, even though the song becomes mired down in endless repetitions of "Rise Up!"

The heavy lyrical repetition is also manifest in "Lonesome Day," and "Empty Sky." Otherwise, this is one of the best Springsteen albums because of the musical variety on the record, the fifties styled "Let's Be Friends,' the world music tinged "World's Apart," and the aforementioned Gospel inflected "My City of Ruins." Buy this CD!

Five years later.......2006-08-27

When I bought this CD, I had to wrestle with my sense that the sorrow of 9/11 ought not to be commercialized. But then I listened to the songs. I am not a Springsteen fan, but I wanted to thank him for this record. This is a decent and appropriate response to the grief and tragedy of 9/11. And I found a new appreciation for Springsteen as an artist in these songs.

I attended a Springsteen concert at Giant Stadium, not far from my home, after this CD was issued. On 9/11, people parked on the highway outside the stadium and watched the smoke from lower Manhattan as it drifted northward across the skyline. But as Bruce sang these songs, the mindless mass of indifferent concert-goers tossed beach balls and drank beer.

I tell the story because it points to something essential about this CD - that Springsteen here has achieved something fine with his art that most of his fans cannot appreciate. It is that good.

The rising.......2006-08-27

A very moving tribute to one of the worse days in recent US history.

Average customer rating:

Arlo Knocks This One Outta The Park!!!!!
Like a Dream in the Night
Glorious Music!
Another facet of a fabulous musician

In Times Like These
Arlo Guthrie
Manufacturer: Rising Son Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000S6BMZS
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

Concert begins
Darkest Hour
Last Trail
St. James Infirmary
If You Would Just Drop By
Last to Leave
Epilogue
In Times Like These
Patriots' Dream
City of New Orleans
You Are the Song
Good Night Irene
Can't Help Falling In Love (Bonus Track)

Product Description

Arlo Guthrie's latest release, In Times Like These finds him sharing the stage with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. The CD was recorded live March 10, 2006 at the Singletary Center for the Arts in Lexington, Kentucky. The cd features the newly written single, In Times Like These. "Arlo is an American classic, and the album shows off his gift as a singer. The orchestral arrangements are lush and beautifully played, and add so much to the testure. This is a wonderful album." Keith Lockhart

Customer Reviews:

Arlo Knocks This One Outta The Park!!!!!.......2007-07-17

I was in Lexington KY, March 10th 2006, 3rd row center. We sat in amazement as we witnessed the recording of this live CD! It was truly a magical night, to be unequaled, or so I thought! Today I listened for the first time, to Arlo's new CD "In Times Like These".
It was as if I was transported back in time to that magical night! This recording is well worth the wait. Now everyone can experience the magic that is "Arlo", focused, well oiled, sleeves rolled up (literally!) & on a mission!! And friends, I'm most happy to say, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! This CD exceeds all expectations. The intensity Arlo performed with that night comes through with chrystal clairity!
The "University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra" under the direction of John Nardolillo, is the perfect frame for the masterpiece they created with Arlo that night. At first, I missed the familiar "ramblings" of Arlo between songs on this CD. But I soon realized that this CD was to stand alone, souly on musical mastery that came togeather that night.....And friends, it does...Mr. Guthrie, for that, we thank you.......Michael K. Frazier

Like a Dream in the Night.......2007-07-16

About a year ago I had the pleasure of seeing Arlo perform with a local symphony orchestra in Springfield, MA. Since then I have been eagerly looking forward to the release of this CD. It has lived up to all my expectations and then some.
The more I listen to the CD the more difficult it becomes to choose a particular favorite(s). St. James Infirmiry and In Times Like These were both songs I was looking forward to and they have lived up to all my expectations. The more I listen to the CD the more songs I find myself adding to "my favorites among favorites."
Anyone who has heard Arlo perform with a symphony orchestra will already know why they want this CD. Those who haven't will soon find out what they have been missing.

Glorious Music!.......2007-07-15

This is an absolutely marvelous album. It opens with "Darkest Hour," one of Arlo Guthrie's most beautiful songs. The orchestration adds incredible depth to the piece. "Last Train" is up next: with the horns quietly weaving in and out of the melody it sounds like sacred music. "Last Train" and "Last to Leave" wouldn't sound out of place in a cathedral the way they're performed here. "Epilogue," "Patriots' Dream" and "In Times Like These" all address serious subjects, but the hope and faith in each piece shines through in the subtly understated arrangements. "You Are The Song" conveys genuine feeling where lesser compositions would sink into sentimentality.

And then there's "St. James Infirmary." No-one can even come close to Arlo Guthrie's performance of this song when it's just him and his guitar: with a full symphony orchestra backing him he's absolutely mind-blowing. This will be the definitive version of the song for a very long time if not forever.

This is one of the best albums Arlo Guthrie has ever put out. Buy two copies and keep one in the car.

Another facet of a fabulous musician.......2007-07-10

This Arlo Guthrie album represents a little-known side of an artist most known for popular tunes like "City of New Orleans." It may surprise folk purists, but it is really rich and every stringed instrument and distant french horn sound enhances the song, without being overbearing. He reveals his profound musical and songwriting skills as well as his ability to integrate his own style of music into an orchestra, without losing one bit of his true self. The newer "In Times Like These" and "Patriot's Dream" are extraordinary, especially in times like these. No kidding. The same warm and lovely disposition he presents at all his shows is here; you've just got to see him live to know what I'm talking about. See his "Live in Sydney" album to round out the live experience.

Average customer rating:

An opus for the patient fan

Water Rising
Lillian Axe
Manufacturer: Locomotive Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Unchain the Night
Stephen Pearcy: Anthology 1977-2007
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ASIN: B000RLK868
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

Water Rising
Antarctica
Become a Monster
Quarantine
I Have to Die, Goodbye
Fear of Time
Until the End of the World
Fields of Yesterday
Thirst
2nd of May
Deep in the Black
5

Customer Reviews:

An opus for the patient fan.......2007-07-17

Lillian Axe fans are a patient lot. Really. We religiously listen to the previously released albums, and we allow our heroes to record, mix and re-mix ... all the while chomping at the bit. Waters Rising is our reward for that patience.

With new lead singer, Derrick Lefevre, Steve Blaze and Company delivers 12 songs that satisfy the hungering soul that is the quintessential Lillian Axe fan. Many reviewers have commented on Lefevre's similarity to Ron Taylor (Axe's well-known lead singer, who took over the reigns from original vocalist Johnny Vines), but he truly stands on his own merits on this release. Coupled with crushing drums and a tight rhythm section ... this incarnation of Lillian is a force to be reckoned with.

My rating of 4 stars is based solely on the fact that three songs that have been released before on other CD's are on this disc (Become A Monster and Thirst from "Fields of Yesterday", and the instrumental "5" is from Blaze's solo CD.) With the lush backlog of unreleased demos that were written following Psychoschizophrenia ... i can only speculate on Blaze's reasoning on this. Many fans are quite familiar with many of the songs on this disc, with the demo versions of them having made the rounds on the trading circuit. That being said, it's good to finally hear these songs in all digital glory.

Waters Rising - The opening track is a new song, and i think Derrick truly makes this song his own. Though it could very well have found a home on "Psychoschizophrenia" ... this song has a heavy, catchy riff. 5/5

Antarctica - This very well could be the heaviest, and least Lillian Axe-ish tune on this disc. That is not to say that i don't like it ... it's a great tune. The lyrics are very cryptic, with (what i can guess) veiled references of faith. 4/5

Become a Monster - The first previously released song, re-recorded by Lefevre. This song simply didn't have to be on this album. Derrick does an amazing job on the vocals. 4/5

Quarantine - Steve tells of a sort of "germ phobia" from which he suffers, and this song is from that vantage point. A stellar performance from Eric, Sam and Ken on this one ... the music is just bigger than life on this one. 5/5

I Have to Die, Goodbye - A tale of love lost ... and of it's impending sadness. A song of love which has taken and yet not given back. Hauntingly stark in it's story, this song never fails to reach me. 5/5

Fear of Time - Don't we all fear death? While we all like to imagine that we are at peace with our Maker, and that we live up to ideals that we hope all decent people would espouse ... this song makes me reconsider so many bad choices. That clock never stops ticking, and we should waste no time in living life. 4.5/5

Until the End of the World - This song harkens back to "Fields of Yesterday", an album of older songs and demos that finally got to see the light of day. The chorus truly lets Lefevre show off his vocal abilities. 5/5

Fields of Yesterday - Though an album was released with this name, this song was not on it. Some have called this song Lillian Axe's "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Stairway to Heaven" ... i tend to shy away from such comparisons. The song's dark, brooding opening gives way to 8 1/2 minutes of ecstasy. Lyrics speak of lamenting and loss, but coupled with the swelling score ... this song is the gem in the crown. The section which is chanted is ethereal and otherworldly. "Goodbye cruel world ..." 5/5

Thirst - Another song previously recorded by Ron Taylor. Since it's a real favorite of mine, it's hard to be objective here. I do find Lefevre's treatment excellent on this recording, though! The vocals are excellent! 4/5

The 2nd of May - A story of child abduction. Sadly enough, this song is so relevant to recent news of several abduction of young girls. I always envisioned lovers separated by an abduction by a jealous lover when listening to this song. Hey, anything is open to interpretation, eh? 5/5

Deep in the Black - An opening featuring what sounds like a pipe organ joined by dark, mournful vocals sets the stage for this epic tune. I find the vocals sound a bit flat and unfinished on this one. 4/5

"5" - An instrumental featuring, according to Blaze, up to 80 different guitar tracks. This is the third "previously released" song on this disc. That being said, I'm not much for instrumentals, but the musicianship displayed here is beyond amazing. 4.5/5

OK ... so my overall is 4/5 ... and that, again, is simply because of three previously released songs on this disc. Now, these three songs are superb ... the fact still "irks" me. Overall, this is a disc that you should not miss!

Average customer rating:

SFTG for the ages
BEST EVER TO DATE
Heady Sonic Journey
Sounds always pleases
Phenomenal

High Rising
Sounds from the Ground
Manufacturer: Waveform
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000ICLRMU
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Tracks:

White City (2:31)
Rotorblade (6:43)
Slate Grey (8:54)
Viper Style (7:50)
Beautiful Feeling featuring Taz (9:31)
Modo (7:30)
Palmprint featuring Gaudi (7:31)
Blink (6:39)
Speedbumps (6:32)
Allsorts (7:17) Special Bonus Track

Album Description

With well over a decade of sonic seasoning under their belts, SFTG serves up more fresh sounding and widely acclaimed ambient, dub, trip hop and chilled back electronic musical styles. This is their fourth title in the growing Waveform catalog, HIGH RISING - a reflective and mesmerizing future classic and yet another elevated effort - this time more laid back, with welcomed guest contributions from long time supporter Taz as well as fellow UK recording artitst, Gaudi. Move up to the heady, good time vibes of HIGH RISING. Listen for some exceptional focus tracks, including, 'Rotorblade,' 'Slate Grey,' 'Viper Style' and 'Beautiful Feeling' featuring smooth, sensuous vocals from Taz.

Customer Reviews:

SFTG for the ages.......2007-07-06

I have been a huge fan since their debut on Two AD. They continue to put out quality music time and time again. Cool grooves and deep beats to ease the stresses of the day.

BEST EVER TO DATE.......2007-05-09

HOW CAN THEY POSSIBLY OUT-DO THIS CD....IT SIMPLY CAN'T BE DONE!THIS MUSIC WILL TAKE YOU PLACES ONLY YOUR IMAGINATION CAN TRAVEL.I LISTEN TO THIS CD CONSTANTLY AND EACH AND EVERY TIME GET SOMETHING "DIFFERENT" FROM EACH AND EVERY TRACK....IT'S VERY OBVIOUS THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT WITHOUT PARAMETERS....KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT INNOVATIVE 'SOUNDS'FROM THE GROUND!I LOVE THIS BAND!THEY KNOW HOW TO TRANSCEND YOU EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY! RANDAL

Heady Sonic Journey.......2007-03-13

At first spacious and melodic, High Rising soars into a sensual chillout mood with a sexy smooth appeal. "Slate Grey" is slightly more edgy at first, then warms and slips somewhere between a melodic hum and a static symphony of mind penetrating echoes that seems to melt into a flock of sonic birds rising from rolling waves of sound. Quite intriguing actually and this leads into a world fusion experience with soulful dub intoxication. The urban vibe is slightly exotic and inviting.

The audibly exciting "Beautiful Feeling" has a intimate hypnotic effect with vocals by Taz to create a mesmerizing crystalline ambience. "Modo" seems to capture some of the energy from "Beautiful Feeling" and "Slate Grey" but has a more rapid trajectory with ambient techno flourishes and barely audible vocals that lead into a trippy journey.

The echo and reverb in "Palmprint" is audibly intriguing and I liked the spontaneity of the electronic harmonica-like sounds in this track. "Blink" is more down to earth with drums and mixing perfection. "Speedbumps" is appropriately named because you are suddenly awaken from your sonic daze and propelled into a sophisticated electronica playground with sexy trajectories. "Allsorts" presents a mysterious conclusion that seduces you right back into listening to the album again. This is the type of album I dream about. High Rising is audibly delicious!

~The Rebecca Review

Sounds always pleases.......2007-01-10

Excellent as always. It's always nice to acquire a recording that has all very listenable tracks.

Phenomenal.......2007-01-03

If you like Chillout or any other music that inspires thought provoking emotional depth then buy this CD. Its mind blowing. I cant even describe it. My fave is Beautiful Feeling.

Average customer rating:

Shredding for Shredding Sake
This set a standard
OK, but not Malmsteen's best shredding
The one that blew down the doors for neoclassical metal!
One of the very few original masters

Rising Force
Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force
Manufacturer: Fontana Polydor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000001FDQ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Black Star
Far Beyond the Sun
Now Your Ships are Burned
Evil Eye
Icarus' Dream Suite op. 4
As Above, So Below
Little Savage
Farewell

Customer Reviews:

Shredding for Shredding Sake.......2007-05-05

When this record came out I am proud to say I already knew two things. 1. Who Yngwie Malmsteen was. 2. How to pronounce his name - at least I think I knew that - all because of the mid 80's radio show "Metal Shop". Rising Force is one of those albums that I am glad I am reviewing 20 + years later than right after I bought it. Mainly because my opinion has changed very little. This was killer back then and it remains so to this day. I never cared much for the two tracks with vocals but the instrumentals are phenomenal. This record is everything that was good about 80's metal - it is a fine example of the self-indulgence guitar style of the era but with remarkable musicianship.

This set a standard.......2007-03-17

There was not a guitar player on the face of the GLOBE that didn't sit up and take notice when this was released 20+ years ago . No other guitar player is this fast and this clean . His use of baroque chord structures had never been done before . If you think you are a good guitar player , try this . The only weak spot is the pedestrian ( even by heavy metal standards ) lyrics . This is a landmark release .

OK, but not Malmsteen's best shredding.......2007-02-13

I would consider myself a casual fan of Yngwie, and guitar shredders rarely make it into my CD collection at all. Rising Force contains some quality playing and interesting song structures, but I feel that it is artistically dated at this point. Yngwie became a much better player in later years, and seeing him in the G3 DVD was mind-blowing. Going from that to Rising Force made it easy to see his improvement. The album is a classic for guitarists, but the guitar work is clearly not up to par with Malmsteen's more recent material (which is really a good thing when you think about it). Also, the production seems rather mediocre and muffled, making the potentially exciting songs sound dead. Basically, if you're a big Yngwie fan, you'll want it, but if you just want to hear some amazing playing, go for his stuff at G3 instead.

The one that blew down the doors for neoclassical metal!.......2007-01-31

If you're a guitar nut, you should own this, PERIOD. It's the album that opened the door for a flood of characters like Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, and a host of others.

Nonetheless, I'd like to point out a difference between a "door opener" and an "influence." Many reviews here credit Yngwie as a major influence on guys like Satch, Vai, Gilbert, V. Moore, Macalpine, Petrucci, Becker, Friedman, etc... and from that list, I can give you relative youngsters like Becker and Friedman, but c'mon folks: everybody else on that list had already been honing their chops for years: their influences were the same as Yngwie's: Paganini, Mozart, Bach, etc... what Yngwie did for them is OPEN THE DOOR, and in some cases like Vai and Satch, their sound is more reminiscent of Van Halen than anything else, anyway: I'm not really certain YJM had much influence on them at all.

So... yes: this is the apotheosis of neo-classical shred guitar. Not only should you own it for posterity's sake, but also because "Black Star", "Far Beyond the Sun", and "Icarus Dream Suite op. 4" are all right up there with any neo-classical recordings ever made: at least one of them should be on your regular guitar-oriented playlist from here on out.

One of the very few original masters.......2007-01-14

It was 1984. Me and my friends were very into metal bands from USA at the time. We were following the glam bands mainly but we used to love bands like Metallica and Anthrax too. Those were the hair metal days! One of my friends one day told me "I heard an album from a great swedish rock guitarist is coming out and it will be ALL guitar solos". I perfectly remember that I said "what a bore this album should be, ALL guitar solos?!" Then Rising force came out and it was a shock. Because the very first time I put it on the intensity of the music, Yngwie's completly innovative musical personality and blazing virtuosity, his impressive musicality (that was something absolutly new and unique!) completly blew me away. At the time Yngwie exploded onto the scene and he became a huge star overnight. In those days Van Halen was the guy everyone tried to emulate in the rock context but Yngwie showed a completly different way of playing the guitar being as good as Eddie. He showed there was a way to sound different from Van Halen being at the same level! It was sensational! His classic minor runs, his classical music quotes, played with sincerity and attitude, his unbelievable blues-Hendrix chops, the epic flavour of his music made him unique and totally devastating! He was recognizable from the very first note (and still he is of course). One of the most difficult and important things for a musician! I can't forget that I completly fell in love with Yngwie, he seemed to me the most virtuosistic player ever! And I really loved his music! I listened to this album over and over, I did buy the VHS of his concert in Japan (if I remember well it was a japanese concert) and I played it a million times. It was amazing to see this guy from the old and dusty Europe coming out with something so fantastic, so fresh, so unique, with an attitude SO BAD and so proud of his european roots! An european who was able to be a serious pretender to the world's best guitarist crown! Wow! And this album was only the first! I thought "wow if this is only his first album what will he do in the future!?". And luckly Yngwie produced a lot of very good album in the years that followed, but not legendary as this one. This one to me is legendary as "Van Halen 1". It is completly different of course but it is equally beautiful and it is together with it, one of the most important guitar album of all time. ABSOLUTLY! No doubt about it. After this one Yngwie has been copied thousands of times by thousands of players all over the world. Now his music may sound repetitive, maybe he is out of ideas, but I don't forget that he is one of the most fantastic musicians this our instrument, the guitar, had the privilege to have in its team. With this album a force was really rising, it was Yngwie! Thank you for the inspiration Yngwie J. Malmsteen!

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