Folk Music

This album is one of my favorite albums of all time. Leonard Cohen shines amazingly on this album. the lyrics/sound/vocals are all in sync perfectly. This is a winner in every sence.

Excellent! But, the best pieces are also on "More Best of Leonard Cohen." If you can only purchase one CD, buy "More Best ..."

Its an old one but a good one with lyrics that are as good today as when he wrote them

The Future being Cohens 1992 release is nothing short of a stroke of genius. It starts out with a bang with the track The future. Cohen is such a talented lyrcist that I consider it to be the perfect mix between poetry and music. His vocals are as solid as ever before. The book-let is very interesting. On the cover we have a bird, a heart and a pair of handcuffs. It contains both lyrics and also a list of who played and what instruments they used. Sharon Robinson once again is collaborating with Cohen and as I written before I think this is a such an amazing combination. Waiting for the Miracle is my favorite track. This track is pure gold!

For those of you who are concerned about the drift of America over the last several decades, this album is the soundtrack of our country's descent. When Cohen sings, "I have seen the future. It is murder," he is talking about the arc through which we are falling. The poet says what the rest of us somehow sense but can't quite verbalize. Imagine Cohen in 1930s Germany. Except he is talking about us here in America, now, where we are and where we are going. "I have seen the future. It is murder." The rest of the album is pretty good too. "Charlie Manson, the white man dancing." All the way to the White House.

This is one of the all-time best albums, and one of my all-time favorites (there IS a difference!). This re-release is excellent for the inclusion of a couple of extra tracks. Great stuff.

ts it, if it doesnt work, thats as good as it gets.I rated it in stars, I entered a title for the review, and I typed a review. So whats this OOPS???? I hate when this happens.

This is an absolutely perfect CD. You cant help but envision scenes from the "Graduate" while listening to it!

I have always declared myself as a non Simon and Garfunkel fan. Meaning, for the most part, they do nothing for me. But I won't say that there isn't a time and place for everything. Sometimes Simon and Garfunkel are just whats needed. If so, then I would have to make this Simon and Garfunkel album the one. The Sounds Of Silence.

That title track has always put me on hold when I hear it. For the two minute duration, I freeze. Even when I was really young, I could see the beauty in this song.

Now every so often I go visit some friends of mine in the city. Usually when I do this (I gotta take two trains to get there)I end up spending the night, because navigating my way back becomes way too much of a process. These friends of mine never seem to be able to keep up with my pace of steady beer drinking until the sun comes up, and at some point in the night, I will find myself alone in the living room, still drinking whats left of my beers, and rummaging through the records. On a particularly drunken evening, I threw this album on the turntable and cranked it... I realized that the title track is only the beggining. Just about every song is just as, if not more so, beautiful than the first.

There is a fine mix of style here, and really (in my opinion of course), the best showcase of the Simon and Garfunkel talents with rich accompianment and solid harmonies. I can smell the attic dust on the record cover just thinking about it but you will love it if you are at least fifteen beers deep on those dank nights.

This album lacked the self-aggrandazing bombast of 'Bridge Over Trouble Water' (which I hold was a little too comfortable with its brilliance, although with a touch more humility than the Beatles Sgt. Pepper), but more importantly, I don't see it as a rawer sketch of Bridge Over Troubled Water of the work Simon and Garfunkel produced in between, but I believe this IS their definitive statement, their magnum opus. What I like most is Simon's atatention to melody and music AS well as the lyrics. It did not revel in its own lyrical cleverness like Dylan, yet the lyric messages were poignant and well developed and despite the simplicity never lacked thematic depth. So redolent of the times, this was a coherently brilliantly album that shoots through the mush of drab 'folk rock' clones like a flashlight in the dark.

A great collection of John's varied writings. The sound mix was 80's and sounded like it. Too bad it wasn't 'remixed' for the price.

great set of music from one of America's greatest troubadors. He was a dedicated crossover artist who refused to be pigeonholed into the safe conformity of country music. Amazing to learn that RCA actually rejected his Perhaps Love album of 82 for not being country enough.
Even though the radio stations began ignoring his new music after 83, good songs kept coming, even beyond the scope of this collection. Denver's music recorded between 88 and 91 is just as good and well worth buying.

Always love John Denver's music. This collection is wonderful it spands several decades of his music. Good listening and sing along songs. Also came with pictures and information about John Denver and how many of the songs came to be. 5+ Star - would recommend to anyone who loves his music.

Country Roads Collection

We listen to these CDs nearly every evening. They are a relaxing way to end the day. John Denver's songs are lovely.

As soon as I started playing the first disc I thought to myself "something sounds different from what I remembered". I took out my old cassette tapes of his Greatest Hits album and compared each song. Sure enough, the instrumentals from the greatest hits album were much fuller sounding. Looking back through these reviews I see I'm not the only one to notice this. Very disappointed! Buy his "John Denver's Greatest Hits" rather than this collection.

Great revamped performances by Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Crosby, Stills and Nash and many more. The improved audio brings the ultimate hippie experience to life and Joe Cocker's performance of A Little Help From My Friends is truly electrifying. Awesome DVD!

It's great to see them finaly treat Woodstock with some respect and put this out in a collectors DVD. Those this is a cool set, this is a not the ultimate version of this DVD. Search out the numbered limited edtion version from Target. You not only get the 4th disc like Amazon is giving and all the other goodies, but you also get a woodstock tamborine. The movie comes in a cool looking Woodstock can. Limited to only 25,000

Just received today and wish I read the other comments before ordering.
I had the 1994 VHS cd, before it got lost and the video quality was better that this one.

As I have seen this many times since it first came out on in the theater and then on VHS, to DVD and now Blu-Ray, I now just fast-forward chapters to the music, enjoying my favorite performances in this epic documentary of the most famous rock concert of all time.

There is a lot to enjoy, including the stuff between the music if you have never seen this before. It certainly captures the wildness of the late 1960s, the good and the bad. It really brings you back to a unique time in American history. For someone who was part of that time, things that were "cool" back then now look and sound a little stupid and naive now, but it's still fun to watch. Not only do you get a ton of music, but you see a half million people weathering storms, the mess, drugs, port-o-johns, drugs, dancing, skinny-dipping, drugs, eating. You get the idea.

Music-wise, everyone has their favorites so I'll put a plug or two in for the artists I've always enjoyed watching the most in this movie: Ten Years After; Sly And The Family Stone; Canned Heat, The Who, Richie Havens, Santana, Sha Na Na, Country Joe And The Fish, The Jefferson Airplane and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

At almost four hours, you can choose from a variety of music acts, enough to give you at least an enjoyable couple of hours of that alone, if you wish. This is a must- have for music fans of that era.

I'm going to be as down to the point as I possibly can with this review because ultimately that's what you, the reader, are going to want to know. So here it goes:

PROS OF THIS NEW DVD SET:

1. The picture and sound quality have never looked or sounded better!
2. Great bonus disc with many great, ROCKING, unreleased performances!
3. Amazon offers a second bonus disc with three more performances!
4. The extra features on all three discs are informative about the festival!
5. The package design is inventive and fun! The Life magazine reprint is awesome!

CONS OF THIS NEW DVD SET:

1. Not too crazy about the "boxing" on the full screen sections of the film!
2. THERE WAS 100% NO NEED FOR A LOUSY 30+ MINUTE JAM FROM THE GRATEFUL DEAD! I love The Dead, but this is just a freaking bore!
3. No extras of Janis, Sly, The Band, Ten Years After, Arlo Guthrie, and no first time seen performances of Bert Sommer, Quill, or Incredible String Band.
4. The Amazon and Target exclusive bonus discs contain two separate sets of performances.
5. I WANNA SEE MORE SHA NA NA!

So there ya go! That's my take on the new remastered DVD set of "Woodstock." Do you find this helpful?

I really like this CD. The songs are a nice selection. Some of the songs the music isn't my forte but it is still a great CD to honor our country.

THIS IS A SOMEWHAT BETTER THAN OTHER PATRIOTIC MUSIC SELECTIONS.
I ONLY TURNED UP AND BLASTED ONCE! I AM LOOKING FOR SELECTIONS THAT PEOPLE FEEL GOOD ABOUT AND STAND UP PROUD. THIS WAS FOR 9-11 AND PERHAPS THAT IS WHY THE SELECTIONS WERE SOMBER.
QUICK SHIPMENT BY THE COMPANY!

I am not a Celine Dion fan normally, but stumbled onto this mix for many of the other titles on this CD. The brief download does not give her version of God Bless America justice. This arrangement builds slowly, eliciting "what the heck are you listening to?" comments and grows until anyone in listening range has goose bumps. I played it while stopped for hours on the freeway in front of Moore Park College where the long lines formed for Ronald Reagan's casket review and people on the side of the road actually gathered around the car and asked me to replay it. A must for any fan of patriotic music.

This compilation was made soon after the 9/11 in a wake of patriotic feelings among Americans. It comprises songs of different genres, from rock ballads ("Peaceful World" by John Mellencamp, "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers) to ballads ("Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon&Garfunkel), to big Americana hits ("God Bless America" by Celine Dion, "America the Beautiful" by Frank Sinatra, "This Land Is Your Land" by Pete Seeger, "We Shall Overcome" by Mahalia Jackson) to the National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, plus "Hero" by Mariah Carey, "There's a Hero" by Billy Gilman, and a few more.

This CD is a good compilation of songs that may lift the spirits of the nation, as well as some truly inspirational melodies. Performances by Tramaine Hawkins ("Amazing Grace"), Billy Gilman, Celine Dion, Simon&Garfunkel, Bill Withers are the gems of this CD. The same can be said about the National Anthem, though you might find some acappella version (by Lee Ann Rimes, for example) not less appealing.

Personally I bought this CD because of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". But this turned out to be the worst track. It is probably some remix. Almost nothing is left from the original version, neither its marching touch, nor the integrity that left your skin covered with goosebumps, inspired you and made you realise the true spirit of American patriotism. The version from this CD is more on the jazz, relaxed side, which is killing for such a song.

On the whole, this CD deserves your attention if you need a compilation of Americana music, or at least a flavour of it.

This is a very nice patriotic CD with some great songs. My favorites are God Bless America, sung by Celine Dion. America The Beautful, sung by Frank Sinatra. This Land Is Your Land, sung by Peter Seeger. Peaceful World, sung by John Mellencamp. Blowin' In The Wind, sung by Bob Dylan. Bridge Oer Troubled Water, sung by Simon & Garfunkel. Good Bless The U.S.A, sung by Lee Greenwood. And The Star-Spangled Banner, sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The songs are all beautiful and uplifting!

This is one great Paul Simon collection!!! Much better than Negotiations and Love Songs(but keep your copy because Have A Good Time and St. Judy's Comet are not here on this collection),which was a great collection until this 2 cd set came along!!! Great sound and timeless music!!! 36 great aul Simon songs in all!!! The ommision of the couple songs from Negotiations are very minor quibble!!! Still highly recommended! A+

I'm not the type to critically review music. I listen to music because I like it and don't worry if there's to much bass or treble or whatever going on with a recording. I really like this album. I turn up "You can call me Al" real loud and me and the grandson chase each other around the house to the music. He really likes the trumpets (and so does grandpa). If you have kids or grandkids buy this, turn it up loud and watch em go.

The quoted section of this review was originally written by me about Simon's previous greatest hits compilation ("The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin'") in 2003:

"Since going solo about 1970, Paul Simon has released (maybe) 7 albums of new material.

"And about a dozen greatest hits or live packages.

"(Live Rhymin', Greatest Hits Etc, Negotiations & Love Songs, Concert in Central Park, Shining Like a National Guitar, + a box set & at least 5 Simon & Garfunkel repackages, for those who doubt me.)

"Listen, I love Paul's music, but Graceland was recorded before Avril Lavigne was born, and only the die-hard Simon fans can rhyme off anything significant he has released since then."

"If they were going to release yet another GH package, why didn't Columbia follow the recent tradition of the 2-CD "The Essential" series, and at least "Keep The Customer Satisfied". That way they could have filled 1.5 CDs with tracks from his first album, Still Crazy, Rhymin' Simon, and Graceland, and still had 40 minutes for more recent works that, frankly, fewer people care for."

"Or maybe that's in the works for his 13th repackage. In about 2 years, at the current rate.
-- End of old review quote.

Other than my timing being off by 2 years, that's exactly what has happened. Columbia seems to have listened to me.

The 13th reshuffling of Paul Simon hits is, thankfully, the best. Add in the Simon & Garfunkel Old Friends boxset and you've got his career nicely covered.

Maybe the Essential Paul Simon Collection should hve been titled, The Definitive Paul Simon since it is the most definitive collection of all his single and double C.D. collections. All previous collections either completely omit the songs, Duncan and American Tune (both radio hits) or else substitute them for live versions. In fact, this collection presents these two songs (and all others) in their original, album-length, studio versions. Also included here are the minor hits, Gone At Last (with Phoebe Snow) and Stranded In A Limosine, both largely ignored songs on other P.S. compilations. It is interesting that one of the P.S. "fan favorites." Take Me To The Mardi Gras, was released as a U.K. single, simultaneously with the U.S. single, Kodachrome. Both became top ten hits in their respective countries. It is nice to see all the single A-sides from the seventies included here.

One caveat is that Paul Simon songs from the early eighties are sparsely represented here. Only one of the three singles from One Trick Pony is represented (Late In The Evening, of course). And strangely, NO singles from the 1983 album, Hearts And Bones were included, despite the fact that Allergies was a moderate, radio hit. Hearts And Bones was originally intended to be a Simon and Garfunkel reunion album but that conception of the album never materialized. However, three key tracks from H & B are included: Train In A Distance (one of my favorite P.S. songs and is still played in malls across America), the title track (another favorite) and The Late Great Johnny Ace (a tribute to rock and roll legends with a coda performed by Philip Glass). There was ample room on disc one to have included another song, perhaps One Trick Pony, Think Too Much (b) or Rene and Georgette Magritte....

On the other hand, songs from the albums Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints are well represented in the collection. And of course, it was the Graceland album that drew attention to the African musical group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (their Shaka Zulu album is very fine, especially if you like Graceland).

Paul Simon's diverse, musical influences are very apparent in the song selections. These musical styles range from reggae (Mother And Child Reunion),to Gospel ( Loves Me Like A Rock), to Latin-American (Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and Late In The Evening), to zydeco (That Was Your Mother) to South African (Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes), ro rockabilly (Graceland). Even with all his diversity of musical styles, my preference leans toward his pop ballads, especially from the seventies and early eighties.

While the sound quality of this C.D. is not crisp in its detail, it does have a warm, clean and natural sound. This C.D. was released in celebration of Paul Simon's acceptance of the First-ever Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, from the Library of Congress. I highly recommend this collection!

The Essential Paul Simon contains nearly every Paul Simon track you could ever want, but it does omit the minor hits "Allergies" and "(What A) Wonderful World". This is truly a fitting collection to one of popular music's greatest songwriters.

Tracy Chapman has yet to deliver a bad album although some have been disappointing. Happily that's not the case with Our Bright Future. It starts with the infectious 'Sing For You' and from there only gets better with the exception of, in this reviewers opinion, 'Saves us All' (never have been comfortable with preachy songs and in this one Chapman declares her faith in Jesus and states 'don't know about you').

That aside it does take a few listens to really appreciate this album as it treads much of the same ground as all her albums. Chapman's warm vocals and the counting in on a few tracks make for a very intimate listening experience indeed.

'A Theory' and 'Conditional' appear in the latter half of the CD and are probably the best two tracks but not by much as 'First Person on Earth' comes mighty close. The feeling throughout is of an artist who knows where she came from and knows where she's going, comfortable in her own skin and enjoying making her music her way.

All-in-all a great addition to the Chapman catalogue and one which will be revisited in the more reflective moments.

Have been waiting for a "new" Tracy Chapman CD for many years...I'm still waiting! This one is such a repeat of what she's done before, some melodies are almost exactly the same as her first release -- just with somewhat different words. Very disappointing, wasted money.

I am a Tracy Chapman fan. I have every cd she has released and I read the reviews before purchasing this cd. i didn't know what to expect. I have to say, the second song, "I Did It All" is probably, for me, the most annoying song she has ever written- I must fast forward through it every time. I definitely do agree it's very melodic without much shift in tempo throughout the cd. I played it several times in my car just to see if some songs stuck. There are definitely some good songs and some great choruses in the cd. It definitely does not compare to some of her cds from the past but this is a good cd. There are reviews that say it's too religious. Tracy has always put religion and respect for the Earth and our surroundings in every cd but i wouldn't say it's more than "Before Easter" for example. So in the end I just recommend having it in your collection if you are a true Tracy Chapman fan.

OK, so Tracy hasn't written like this in YEARS, if EVER.

the songs are mature, catchy, and DIFFERENT!

she questions, she years, she praises and she sings loud and proud.

the first 3 tracks are my favorite, and the whole record is the most listenable full on record from her since her first one!

This is not as much a protest song as previous songs, but I like the direction she has taken with this latest album. As usual, vey inventive and intelligent.

Great CD, company sent another item, but gave immediate reply, immediate refund and even a prepaid shipping label for the return. I call that a good seller. Thank you

Buffalo Springfield...what can I say? I have searched record stores throughout Australia with no luck. I strike Amazon...and low and behold - I've got access to music I haven't seen since I was a school boy. Tremendous!!
For those that love the folk-rock - buy it. For those looking to experience the early days of this embryonic genre - listen to it. You will be an instant convert.

When you play this album - I am speaking of the version with the mono original release and the revisionist stereo version containing "For What It's Worth," you have to consciously fight saying things that you know are absolutely wrong...things such as:

Gosh, this is a really good Poco album

Gee, I never heard these Eagles songs before; are they demos?

South-Hillman-Furay Band, right?

It's not "Sweetheart of the Rodeo," is it?

Because, if you're over the age of 30, you know damn good and well that this good/great but no earth-shattering country rock came from Buffalo Springfield in 1966/1967. Beyond that, this band was also the epitome of the Big Bang Theory in that musical genre because its five members ended up in some of those bands - as well as many others - and thusly influenced the directing of West Coast country rock from then on.

But, it is important to remember that records and bands are not rated here on the basis of influence. That is - allegedly, at least - the mission of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So, after a fortune on clothes and plumbers; filing absentee ballots for ? and the Mysterians and asking myself who wrote the questions I asked; I decidedly to rate this album as a three.

Curiously, the original stereo version of "Baby Don't Scold Me" has never been included in a CD issue. It was available on the first stereo vinyl LP issue in 1966, but only the mono version of the track is here and on the box set. Curious!

Buffalo Springfield was neither the first vehicle for nor the first group to record and release works by founding members Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young. Rather, it was a sounding board and a starting point for a new direction in rock and the beginning of stardom for its aforementioned members (and even later, Jim Messina of Loggins and Messina fame). Stephen Stills would emerge as the group's main songwriter but, as with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, he would soon be surpassed for quality of work by peer and colleague Neil Young. The dynamics between the two are simultaneously famous and infamous, yet the mutual admiration and inspiration is evident on this and all future Stills-Young projects.

Emerging at a time when The Beatles had led the British rock brigade into America, and the US had replied with the Dylan-inspired folk rock of The Byrds and The Mamas and The Papas, The Buffalo Springfield would introduce more of a country flavor to the spectrum (a la The Band, latter-day Byrds, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Flying Burrito Brothers). Like The Band, Springfield would include both Americans and Canadians, just as CSNY would add an Englishman and former Hollie to the mix. Not necessarily making this a melting pot, it does bring to the fore different cultural elements and an innovative blend of ideas.

This release serves as an appropriate crash course to the form, both in its advantages and disadvantages, and as an excellent introduction to the musical careers of Stephen Stills and Neil Young (Furay's light not shining quite as brightly even though he would achieve some standard of success with Poco). As the saying goes, "the best is yet to come!"

The first thing that strikes me about this disc is at the tender age of 19, his age at the time this was recorded, is the beautiful, raw voice of an old soul. A combination of Van Morrisson (early stuff) and Dylan, Deer Tick makes his own mark with soul filled stories and lyric. Baltimore Blues,No. 1 was an instant winner for me. Ashamed and Dirty Dishes are also among my choices. The mark of a great song writer is that each listener will have different favorite choices on the same disc. This is that type of disc. It is a bit early to tag the word writing genius to this artist, but it is clearly within reach.

There are songs that you get to know, and songs that grow on you, but Standing at the Threshold hits you right away. It's as simple as that.

If you believe in old souls, then John McAuley, who was 21 when he recorded this album, must be one or else he's lived more in that short time than I care to imagine. Most of the songs clock in at less than 3 minutes but they develop an emotional resonance from longing, to regret, to a hopeful persistence, all without a single note wasted. My favorites are "Art Isn't Real," "Diamond Rings 2007," and especially "These Old Shoes" about the different means of transportation he'll take to see his girl, ending in, you guessed it, his old shoes. The entire album will stick with you after just a couple listens, but I wouldn't call it country even though that's how it showed up on my IPod. Maybe lo-fi, Americana, or alternative better fits the bill for this great band.

How wonderful that this CD was finally rereleased! Maybe it can finally get the exposure it deserves.
I have to say, along the lines of not judging a book by its cover, that if you are considering this CD, PLEASE pay NO attention to the CD cover. I am perplexed - this is a guy with a unique, world-weary voice who made a folksy/alt-country record that's the most original thing I've heard since In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, and the CD cover is totally incongruous with the music, to my mind.
But enough about the cover. It's what's inside that counts, and what's inside is truly incredible. If you didn't know better, you'd swear you were listening to a guy in his fifties who'd been drinking hard and chain smoking for most of his really tough life and recorded a musical autobiography as a form of catharsis. I was blown away by the rawness of voice and lyrics and the incredible maturity of the music.
I'm anxiously awaiting his sophomore effort.

This album didn't grab hold of me first listen, but once it did, it still won't let go. Each song on this genre-defying work of art is incredibly catchy, meaningful, and musically delightful. Listening to it makes you feel like life is a lot simpler than we make it sometimes. It reminds me of sort of folk/southern rock/homestyle music, but it isn't exactly like any of those. It is just rocknroll. This is now one of my all-time favorite albums and I think I will still be listening to it in 10, 20, or more years. If you enjoy music, buy this album.

I got this CD because I liked the song from the movie, "Unfaithful". I like a couple of other tunes also..very unique CD..and love the guitar.

I absolutely LOVE this music! I first heard it in the movie "Unfaithful" and FINALLY tracked it down and found out the song I wanted wasnt even on the movie soundtrack, it was on another CD. I ordered it and figured I would only listen to that one song----WRONG----I love the entire CD! Its great! I think its called "African Jazz", but whatever it is, its sultry, sexy, and I could dance to it all night long. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

As a fan of the Tuareg group "Tinariwen', I couldn't resist buying this CD when I saw that another famous native of their region hooked up with Ry Cooder. If you've ever listened to Ry's soundtrack works or his wonderful stuff on 'A Meeting by the River' or "The Buena Vista Social Club' then you'll know why he is such a great match for a veteran like Mr. Toure. Ry's son , Joachim, is a good addition with his drum work too!

Both of these men share a love of guitar music and it shows in every track of this CD. Similar to the effect generated with listening to 'Tinariwen', Talking Timbuktu transports me to the barren- but beautiful- expanses of the Saharan regions. It doesn't matter if its Mali, Niger or Algeria- the effect is the same. If you are familiar with the region, you'll get my meaning. Its haunting and mesemerizing at the same time.

This is an absolutely gorgeous CD. It also makes for fantastic 'road music' for when I take road trips. Trust me, its a good companion when the long trails of New Mexico and Arizona beckon and you want music for along the way. BTW- there's a good hour's worth of music here. This is no short trip! ;)

Talking Timbuktu definitely TALKS to me! It is not a waste of money at all!

I bought this CD because of Ry Cooder. I've loved his music since first hearing on the soundtrack for "Paris Texas." I'm also very much into indigenous and ethnic music and am happy to have discovered Ali Farka Toure in this CD. Sometimes slow, sensual, hypnotic, and bluesy like the songs Amandria (my favorite) and Ai Du, and sometimes more rhythmic with a strong beat that you want to get up and dance to, the music on this CD grabs you every which way. Ali Farka Toure's rich voice also adds another dimension to the quality of this CD, on top of the music itself. And every song is top notch. It's rare for me to like every song on a CD, but I love every song. It doesn't disappoint on any level.

"Talking Timbuktu" is one of those CDs where you have an aha moment. Oh yes, you have heard this music before and yet, not quite. Ry Cooder and Ali Farka Toure play beautifully together and truly bring the Mali's music straight to us. This is an extremely listenable CD and well worth the price.