Country Music

I love Workingman's and American Beauty as much as any Deadhead....but this album is magic. "Mississippi Uptown" is a great track to start off this masterpiece and I've warmed up somewhat to the next track, Keith's "Let Me Sing...." but it is the only weak song on this release. Now the album really begins - "and I say Row, Jimmy, Row...." Jerry takes over on lead vocals and his guitar is so sweet on this track. Then the group slows it down even MORE, if this is possible, with "Stella Blue". More beautiful vocals by Jerry (probably his best vocals EVER were on this album) and by the end of the song you're in a trance with the endearing pedal steel solo. It's hard to follow that tune but the group continues with the lovely "Here Comes Sunshine". It's almost like the Dead were trying to come up with their own version of "Here Comes The Sun" and it succeeds on a joyful, upbeat tune. Then it happens....the best single song the group ever recorded, "Eyes Of The World". Of course Jerry sings it, the lyrics are beautiful, but the lead fills by Garcia are the main reason to love this band. Each solo is better than the last and Jerry's fingers are magical on this cut. If you ever want to turn someone on to the Grateful Dead, just cue up this song, works every time. After he plays every note he can get out of his guitar, Jerry merely hits 2 notes at the end of the tune while Phil solos on bass. Awesome, all-time cut. Bob Weir finally asserts himself with the long and epic "Weather Report Suite" and it's a great album closer. Each part is wonderful. I personally love the last section when Jerry sends notes cascading in all directions while the sax solo blazes on. The Dead never made an album like this before or after. It also was their first release on their new "Grateful Dead Records" company. The album cover itself is classic and timeless. I much prefer it to all of the skulls and lightning bolts. This is a 5 star album all the way and is in my top 10 desert island discs. The Dead catalog is a large treasure of musical genius but this release was the crowning jewel sitting on top. Break out the headphones and drift away..........

In 1973 the 60's had been over for a few years and for sure,the Grateful Dead were evolving musically-had been since the turn of the decade in fact. The elaborate psychedelia of the bands' "weird R&B" as Jerry Garcia himself once called it transformed into a bluesy country-rockish style on albums like Workingman's Dead and,I suppose to a greater degree American Beauty.In short you could say the Dead started to swim with the tide,in terms of style anyway.Even so they were still giving free concerts and their music was still true to it's values:basically long and uncommercial. After a pair of live albums (a forum many see as the bands strengh) they went back into the studio.And this was a celebrational time for them,they had their own self titled record label and a lot of new musicans,including the sweet female vocals of Donna Godchaux and a horn section-among them the blistering saxaphonist Martin Fierro. On this album the Grateful Dead present yet another example of their expanding musical journey.There's a more pronounced use of jazzy improvisation here,even as a lot of the music still has a pronounced folk-rock style with lots of slide guitars and such.The self explanatory bluesy sway of "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodledoo","Row Jimmy" and the gruffer and jammier tune sung in a rare lead vocal from Keith Godchaux."Stella Blue" is a very nice slow song actually,very moving and poetic.On "Here Comes The Sunshine" we have a jam that,for the first time for this band includes synthesizer;they are used very,very tastefully and really bring some pop to a very pleasant pop type tune."Eyes Of The World" is my favorite tune here.For a long time many listeners probably didn't notice the heavy R&B content of many of the Dead's songs because of their long lengh and embellishments.Here the band begin to explore funk with some great polyrhythmic breaks actually.Because they are a well established jam band funk is a music very suited to their style and would become very significant to the bands music in years to come."Weather Report Suite",a Bob Weir song is the long tune hear-kind of a folky jazz type of tune that builds into....a very funky type tune again by the end. Of the bonus cuts the live version of "Eyes Of The World" is most impressive;on a 17 minute jam the remainder turns into this rhodes driven fusion number with some great improvisations."China Doll",an outtake is presented here in the light of a mellow soul-type number. Overall this is an important transitional album whose only minor fault is the horrible sound.It might've been the way it was originally recorded but it sounds very flat and tinny. That doesn't however take away any from the fact that the early 70's sounds of funk,jazz and rhythmic R&B were creeping into the bands always jammy type sound and from this point on for the Dead there would be further exciting journeys into those vast musical worlds.

and stronger than 10 acres of onions. What more is there to say? It's the Dead, if you don't like 'em well why are you here? If you do, then get the expanded version of this with the Acoustic Weather Report. Strong.

At the time this album was released I believe it was generally underrated by many. It went to the "cut out bin" at my local record store in a matter of months.

Being strapped for cash and a price of $1.99 meant this lp joined my collection and got alot of play time back in the day.

This is all great material from Eyes of the World to Stella Blue. There isn't a bad cut on this album and its just as much of a listening joy for me now as it was over 30 years ago.

Add in the extra tracks (which are always a treat on a Dead CD) and you've got a wonderful addition to your inventory.

WAKE OF THE FLOOD is way up their with Dead classics WORKINGMAN'S DEAD and AMERICAN BEAUTY. People sometimes say they reached their peak with these two earlier albums and it was all downhill from there. Not so. The songs on WAKE OF THE FLOOD may not be as immediately catchy as "Truckin'" or "Uncle John's Band", but they have their own strange appeal and hold up to hundreds of listenings. I must single out the long Bob Weir-John Barlow song "Weather Report Suite" as my favorite track. It is one of the most unbelievably beautiful songs I have ever heard. If you already have the LP, you should get this CD just for the alternative solo demo of this song, with just Bob Weir singing and playing acoustic guitar in his unique style. It is literally worth the price of the whole CD (kind of cliche, I know, but when you hear it you'll agree!).

...I've been following Bearfoot for a while now, since first seeing them at an International Bluegrass Music Association showcase several years back, and I must say, it's great to see them continue to consolidate their strengths and make great artistic strides -- as they do on this new album. What first struck me was the fantastic vocal blend of the the band's three female singers...it is haunting and timeless in an old-fashioned bluegrass way, but also implied hints of swing and more ethereal pop. It was striking at the time, and it sings through loud and clear on "Doors and Windows."

"Doors and Windows" could be the big breakthrough for these guys, who have been working hard, traveling from one coast to the other, for years. The musicianship is finely honed, brilliantly balancing bluegrass soul and a more flexible, contemporary edge. The solo vocals are delicately heartbreaking (check out the cover of "Don't Let Me Down," which quietly obliterates every bluegrass-meets-the-Beatles cliche), and the band's original songwriting continues to mature, hitting new peaks of craft and clarity here.

If you're looking for the next big young roots act -- something along the lines of Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Crooked Still, King Wilkie, etc. -- you should give Bearfoot a good hard listen. It's subtle, organic stuff, beautiful and uplifting while gently heartbreaking. Highly recommended!

This is probably the greatest bluegrass band I have heard since Alison Krauss and Union Station. I've listened to "Doors and Windows" more times than I can count and I think I will probably wear the album out before it wears me out. :) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

I discovered Bearfoot after seeing them open up for The Saw Doctors this March & I am in completely in love with this band. They're all in their mid-20s, gorgeous, elusive, crazy-good pickers, & from Alaska. Nice to see Alaska produce something positive in 09. ;)

My favorite songs are "Oh My Love"(you can feel the water and taste the salt when Odessa (lead singer) sings the line "I will take you to the sea and wash away apart of me"), and their cover of The Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down". I know, I know - Beatles covers make me roll my eyes too, but give this one a shot. Promise - the way they lean into the vocals....you'll melt. Bearfoot's playing at Webster Hall in NYC on April 30 - come hang!

This is really a good album. Its fun and sad. I had only heard a few of Lukes songs but I took a shot on a country album. Like I said, so worth it!

Great cd. Music is fun and easy to sing along to. I think Luke Bryant will be around for a long time.

Every song is easy to follow and sing along. My four kids love to sing along to every tune, and toe tap, or finger snap to each selection. The songs put a smile on your face, and make you want to feel the music.

First off, I am not a modern country fan. In fact, most country music made in the last 10 years i cannot stand. Being from the south, I prefer traditional country music and not radio rock with a country accent. My step-brother went to georgia southern with luke and recommened that I check him out. I was impressed. It has a bit of modern soung to it but it still has old country roots. Some of the lyrics start to get a bit cliche for me at times, but overall I like his music.

I ordered this CD because I had heard a few of the songs on the radio and liked them. What I found when listening to the CD is that every track is easy to listen to and enjoyable through and through!

Martina's vocals are unbelievable. Her live concert performance, from beginning to end on this DVD leaves one wanting to rush out and see her live somewhere, anywhere. I keep this DVD in my player at all times and watch bits and pieces of it over and over again. A must buy for sure if you are a fan.

This is a great DVD of Martina live in concert. She is adorable how can anyone not love her? Not only do you get to watch her sing 20 songs live, but you also get to watch a bit of her fun and playful personality which you don't often get a chance to see.

The only downside to this, and the reason I gave this package deal four stars instead of five was due to the CD. There are only eight songs on the CD version, which is a bit disappointing. Had they put four or five more tracks on the Live CD it would have been superb. With only eight tracks it's just too short.

Even so, this is still a great chance to see Martina live concert with one of the best seats in the house. This DVD/CD package is highly recommended to not only die hard fans, but all people who want to see what Martina is really all about, or are just looking for something fun and entertaining to watch.

No matter what Martina can always be counted on to bring the house down with her stellar vocal performances, and this DVD shows she is still one of the best in the business. Don't hesitate to buy this DVD/CD package, all and all it's a fantastic deal!

I must admit that I've only heard a few of her hits prior to purchasing this CD/DVD. I had very little clue on what to expect from this. In overall, I felt that the performance was good but short of being phenomenal. Unlike some DVDs that I bought in the past, this didn't make me desire for more of her performances. Martina McBride, without a doubt is a great singer/artist. I believe she deserves a DVD that captures the mind blowing performances she deliver. This DVD just lack something.

That apart, the DVD could've been better if there was bonus content and so forth. Also, the CD has just a mere number of tracks, 7 to be particular. Could have done better by making it to at least 10 tracks.

I'm not a big Country fan, and only saw this program while flipping thru the TV stations. I hit on this concert when I got to PBS. It was "Great Performances". That was an under-statement! I may still not be a great Country fan, but I am a Martina McBride fan. What a voice, and her band is really something that needs to be heard, especially the leads. I went back into my computer to find who that was, and I purchased the DVD/CD on the spot. This is a Great Performance.

Nobody could ever cast stones at her voice -- probably the most powerful, double-octave voice in contemporary Country. In the past, her albums have often been uneven. With the exception of TIMELESS and GREATEST HITS, too many of her albums featured "B-sides." Whatever she performed, though, always sounded committed and passionate.

Here, in this mind-blowing two-disk set, Martina opens an entirely new phase of her career with an extended live performance recorded last year in the Quad Cities. The set list is beautiful, with cuts from WAKING UP LAUGHING and her very best material from the past 15 years or so. Her back-up band is stellar, as well as her stage art direction, lighting and video. Except for Springsteen and the Stones, I have never seen such passion and energy on a stage. While, at times, the voice breaks or slides off pitch, it doesn't matter, because her voice and delivery radiate conviction.

The opener is my favorite -- ANYWAY -- in which the singer encourages the audience to surmount fears and self doubt in life and love and go for their dreams "anyway." It's not an easy pitch in such a bleak world, but her songs are healing and uplifting. Her pace never flags; and while she often drives her voice to the edge, the edge works, and the audience is beyond captivated.

This affordable 2-disc set includes a CD of 8 live, audiophile-quality performances which at roughly 32 minutes -- are a little short on time. The DVD, however, includes her full GREAT PERFORMANCES broadcast, and it is worth the price of the set alone. You simply won't be able to hit the PAUSE button.

One final note, because neither men nor women will fail to notice it. The singer is quite beautiful, but in a wholesome way. In a prurient world such as ours, that's really refreshing. This powerhouse set proves that fewer releases with a greater concentration of top-rank material will help spread the word about Martina McBride to more music-lovers. Without question, this lady will be around for awhile, and we are lucky to have her.

Buy now.

Good collection or tribute album of Eagles hits. Particularly liked Lorrie Morgan's "Sad Cafe".

If you love Country Music and the Eagles, this is the CD to buy. All of the artist do a great job and some even sound like the original Eagles arrangements.

I had this CD as a cassette years ago, I love it. I use the cassette in my walkman as I am on the treadmill, I wanted the CD for my car. I listen to this all the time.

THE CD WORKED BUT I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE CD WAS PACKED. THE CD WAS PUT INSIDE THE PAPER COVER'S AND SHIPPED TO ME. OTHER THEN THE WAY IT WAS PACKED, I WAS HAPPY.

and I'm not. Too cool, too laid back, too SoCal. But also, less innocuously, they always had a consistently second-class citizen view of women -- when they are not doing the "boy" wrong, they are around only for and at the "boy"'s pleasure.

In any event, Common Thread has some of 1990's country's biggest names providing (mostly) note by note covers of the the Eagles often low-energy pop. With one exception, the best songs here are exactly the same as the best Eagles songs -- Lyin Eyes, Tequila Sunrise, and the always exuberant Take It Easy. They are sung by Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, and Travis Tritt respectively, but it's a mark of this CD, or maybe the songs themselves, that anybody on this collection could have sung those songs with exactly the same results. The single exception is Tanya Tucker's raucous, in-your-face version of Already Gone. (Check out how, for example, she makes the lyric "Just remember this, my boy, when you look up in the sky/You can see the stars and still not see the light--that's right." her own.) Less reverence and more such individual restyling could have made Common Thread a much better CD.

I happened to run across a Johnny Duncan song oand searched to get this album. I absolutely love it and play it often. Jamie Fricke has a wonderful voice and they blend so well together. I wish he had more albums and a wider variety of songs....

I GOT THIS FOR MY MOTHER FOR A BIRTHDAY PRESENT, AND SHE LISTENS TO IT OFTEN. SHE ENJOYS IT. THEY SAY "MOTHERS KNOW BEST"!!!!

First it was amazing to find such a detailed collection of Johnny Duncan's music.
I was not only a radio dj but a Huge Fan of this man.
To find this collection on CD in one place at one time is Great.
If you have never experienced the music this is a super way to be introduced.
Maybe in time we will have another installment of Johhny's music.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnny Duncan just passed away a couple days ago, and it made me think about this wonderful CD. My first love is hard-core honky tonk, but Johnny's smooth '70s country sound is fantastic. My first taste of his music came a couple decades ago with "Jo and the Cowboy"--a great song. Add "Thinkin' 'Bout a Rendesvous (sp)" and "It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" and "Come a Little Bit Closer" and you've got some amazing country songs. Sure, they're mellow, but sometimes that's just what a country fan needs.

There are not very many truly 5-star albums out there, but this is one. Johnny has a clean, clear voice and is just so easy to listen to. The pairing with Janie Frike on several duets is one of the best pairings in country music. (I am a bit biased because I love Janie Fricke.) It's surprising that Johnny did not make it much bigger for a longer time, but I think many times it's about having good songs. There are some really good songs here and they were Johnny's biggest hits. Other songs just didn't make it as big and maybe Johnny just wasn't able to churn out as many hits as quickly as other better known singers or maybe his stuff didn't get the airtime that others did. Who knows? In any case, I would grab this album. It's even a good first intro to Johnny Duncan. A wonderful album that you won't regret owning. Your country collection is incomplete without this outstanding artist.

The Very best of Ray Charles, This is a Great CD. I enjoy it very much.
All the song get my blood pumping.

If you like Ray Charles you will truly enjoy this CD. From "Shout" to "Born to Lose", it covers all aspects of Ray's talent and style as a singer and stylist. Just sit back and enjoy.

I was very pleased with the cd of Ray Charles and also with the delivery time.

Thank you

Carol Dodd

Rhino's Ray Charles collection brings together 18 tracks of classic Charles. From "I've Got A Woman" to the exuberant "Hallelujah I Love Her So" to "Georgia on My Mind" and "Unchain My Heart," Charles' music doesn't stop grabbing you. Ray had a distinctive vocal sound that made his records unlike anyone else's. "Hit the Road Jack" is such a great breakup song that it still puts a smile on my face. "I Can't Stop Loving You" is such a great classic. The sassy blues-flavored "(Night Time Is) The Right Time" bowls me over with Ray's willingness to follow the music across genres, "I want you to hold my hand tight as you can." However, Rhino doesn't do much as far as remastering and sprucing up the technical quality of the recordings. For that reason, this collection is a budget-friendly but still limited collection of one of the master musicians of the United States. Enjoy!

I would think that, after putting this together and then releasing it in 2000, the folks at Rhino likely wished they had come up with a better title like, say, "16 Of His Very Best." Because, quite frankly, I don't believe it's possible to squeeze the "very best" of Ray Charles into one 16-track CD.

After all, the man put 76 selections into the Billboard Pop Top/Hot 100 between 1957 and 1989, and from 1949 to 1993 added another 26 that scored only on the R&B Top 100 singles charts [most of the others charted on both]. And just for good measure, some 29 made the Adult Contemporary (AC) charts after their introduction in 1961, while 13 scored only on the Country charts, How's that for widespread appeal?

As another reviewer points out, there are far too many notable omissions which, by any definition, would have to be included in anything labeled his "very best." For example, while track 5 was a solid R&B hit in 1959 [# 5], but a low # 95 Hot 100, songs like You Don't Know Me [# 1 AC for 3 weeks/# 2 Hot 100/# 5 R&B in 1962], Take These Chains From My Heart [# 3 AC/# 7 R&B/# 8 Hot 100 in 1963, Crying Time [# 3 AC/# 5 R&B/# 6 Hot 100 in 1965], Here We Go Again [# 5 R&B/# 15 Hot 100/# 38 AC in 1967], and Yesterday [# 9 R&B/# 25 Hot 100 in 1967] were smash hits.

However, if you can get past the title and just accept these as 16 of his very best it is a welcome addition to any Ray Charles collection. Five pages of informative background notes written by Bill Dahl, and several more shots of Ray, are augmented by a complete discography of the contents showing label and chart details and the musicians involved on each track. The sound reproduction is flawless.

I guess you either love these guys or you hate them. My wife finds them incredibly annoying when she hears them on the radio.

Myself, I love them. Their accents are not off-putting to me, and I love how they laugh together.

What I've learned over time, though, is that the 'straight' answers they provide are actually pretty authoritative. They actually know what they're talking about, based not only on their extensive formal education but also based on their hands-on work with many, many cars.

If I personally found anything annoying, it's only their constant self-referencing which gets old. However, it's a part of their "shtick" which we would not want to do without...

These guys are something else. Yeah I know a lot of it is planned in advance, but it is none-the-less good for a good laugh. They are the only two I can think of who can laugh at their own jokes and have it all come out as real. Really a pleasure to listen to.

Car Talk's been on the air for a long time, and they must have plenty of great material for compilations like this. Unfortunately, what went on this edition, while funny enough, just isn't worth the high price. Save your money for blank cassettes and just record the regular show is my advice.

If you have either a car, a Dad or a family, then you will love this show! "Click & Clack" are always great on NPR, and this tape/CD compiles some of their best calls & rants loosely arranged around the themse of cars, Dad's & families. It's wonderful way to spend 90 minutes, especially if you're driving with your family (yes, Dad... you did that too... ;-). Enjoy!

This CD is the best example of Texas Swing at it's best! The best CD of this genre.

Never received the item, had to get in touch with customer service to resend the item. Other than the delay in getting the CD the process worked well.

Since the 70s, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel has kept the spirit of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys alive and well. This is a good representation of some of their favorites, including "Route 66", "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and "Take me Back to Tulsa". Because there have been quite a few personnel changes throughout the years, this collection could have used better annotation so listeners know who played what on what and when the songs were released. Otherwise, no complaints. The remastered CD sounds great and brings back a lot of memories.

Asleep at the Wheel has been around since 1975. Although the style is still pretty much the same, the size and sound of the band has matured and improved over time. If you want to hear your favorite songs as originally recorded, then buy this album. You'll get Ray Benson's slightly higher pitched voice and a bigger band on the early tunes. Fans might also notice that the lyrics have changed over time on "Take Me Back to Tulsa." This album uses the original lyrics Bob Wills recorded. But since those lyrics are not too PC, Ray Benson sings a more modern and even sexier version. If you want to hear that version, and new recordings of most of these same songs, then you want to buy the Very Best of Asleep at the Wheel, now available from Amazon.com, or one of the live albums recently recorded, such as Kings of the Texas Swing.

Thank goodness CDs have more room than vinyl. It's hard enough to restrict the collection to 20 songs. The collection has a nice diversity, with instrumentals, ballads, swing, and free-spirited fun. The band is in fine form throughout, with crisp playing in both studio and live numbers. Be prepared for some foot tapping and singing along.

Obviously AATW recorded many of these songs many times. Only "Route 66" came to mind as having a better version elsewhere, because the vocals here didn't have the style I prefer.

The other vocalists (mostly Ray and Chris) were right on target. Ray conveys such energy and fun in the rousing "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and the amusing "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette" and others, when he and the band let loose. His voice is not a classically great voice, but he seems so well-suited also to "Miles and Miles of Texas" and similar, more moderate tunes. Ray must believe in the old chestnut, "Know thyself".

This is not the album if you want to feature Chris' vocals. She leads on only three.

The liner notes could have used more retrospective. If the band wants this to be considered a key collection, now would have been a good time to provide some more text about the band and the specific songs. They ended up with a relatively sparse amount, in my opinion, and even had a couple of typos in the list of songs.

SON OF A SON OF A SAILOR is a great Jimmy Buffett CD. It's not quite as great as its immediate predecessor, CHANGES IN LATITUDES, CHANGES IN ATTITUDES, but only by a hair. This CD features the wonderful title track and "Cheeseburger In Paradise", both of which are as good as anything on the previous album. The rest of the album is quite impressive as well, but the follow-up, VOLCANO, despite a few good songs marked the beginning of a commercial and artistic downslide for Buffett, making this his last great studio album for many years. Buy this CD if you can.

By the time "Son of a Son" is released Buffett has become a huge star, headlining big arenas across the country and cultivating his legion of "parrot head" fans. His last album "Changes In Latitudes" was a lot to live up to, and although "Sailor" is not quite as good it does come very close. Buffett managed two more huge hits from this album, the title track and the novelty song "Cheeseburger In Paradise". The album charted in the top 10. Buffett writes every tune on this one and the results for the most part are very good. "Livingston Saturday Night" is an aggressive rocker that was also in the "Rancho Deluxe" and "FM" soundtracks. "Coast Of Marseilles" is a nice lost love song. "Cowboy In The Jungle" ranks right up there with Buffett's best with its parrothead philosophical chorus of "roll with the punches". "Fool Button" is a cool rocker. "Manana" is one of my all time favorite Buffett tracks and the album closer "African Friend" is another winner. The only song that really does not work for me is "The Last Line" which is a bit of a throwaway track. This album would find Jimmy at his commercial peak and things would start going downhill sales wise from here on out until his more recent big country comeback. "Son Of A Son" remains essential Buffett.

I like to refer to myself as the son of a son of a car dealer and see how many folks get the connection. It's sad to say, but not many do. The Coast of Marseilles is about as fine a lament for lost love that you will ever find. Cowboy in the Jungle is also great stuff. Can you really get shrimp skin boots? When he sings about being "alone on a midnight passage" he paints the picture perfectly. This is pre "neon Jimmy". Highly advised.

"Coast of Marseilles" is the best Jimmy song ever, I mean ever. He absolutely makes this Keith Sykes tune his own. I was a big "parrothead", but off fallen off the boat in recent years. When you play this CD, you know what "it" was all about when the mania was in the infant stages.

You have probably have already added "Songs You Know by Heart" and "Changes in ..." to your collection, now you should buy this one. Many great tunes followed this disc, but no one disc, song for song, hit grand slam after grand slam.

Before the restaurants and stores, this was really what the party was all about!

Buy this, and a 12 pack, and enjoy the tunes. It is a great place to begin or expand your Jimmy collection.

Although Jimmy Buffett is not one of my favorite musicians in general, I rank this CD as one the the best CD's EVER by any artist. Every track is is an emotional good time. Whether the emotion is upbeat (Cheeseburger In Paradise) or solemn and wise (Cowboy in the Jungle), this collection of music is a must have for anyone.