International music reviews

Johnny Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie Van Zant (38 Special) joined forces and released the album "Brother to brother" in 1998. The musical approach is southern rock but it has a bit of a commercial touch to it. Songs like "Show me", "I'm a want you kinda man", and "Right side up" have the potential of becoming hits if they were included on the radio station's play lists. In "That was yesterday" you get a light feeling of Jack Blades (Night Ranger) and his way of writing songs, while "Black bottom road" reminds of Tony Joe White. Most of the time it's mid tempo songs, but the brothers had the good taste of including a real rocker by the name of "Downright and dangerous". There's also some ballads on this disc, but apart from "Can't say it loud enough" they are not thrilling, and neither "Brother to brother" or "Friend" stand out as something more than the ordinary. Over all, this is a melodic and attractive effort from the Van Zant brothers and the album is a good compliment to both Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special. But a warning may be raised; if you're way into southern rock of a harder kind you might find this album too soft.

This is an excellant CD! If you're a fan of Van Zant you already know how good they are, and if you haven't listened to them yet, then you're really missing out!

BROTHER TO BROTHER is a great project from Johnny and Donnie Van Zant. This album combines the influences of the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band, the Outlaws, and .38 Special. "Rage" and "Can't Say It Loud Enough" call on listeners not to sell themselves out to anyone, and are among the album's best songs, along with "Right Side Up", which is about a person waking up and smelling the coffee after nearly sabotaging their looks on alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and/or junk food; "Livin' A Lie", which is a wake-up call to someone about to self-destruct; and several other songs. There are a few songs that are not so great, but the Van Zants' belief that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia since 2005 for drug-smuggling was unjustly convicted makes BROTHER TO BROTHER an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

This is a fabulous CD. Although this music is not from my era (I'm 41), it brought tremendous memories of when my parents listen to that music. I loved it.

Eydie Gorme was touched by the hands of God in her vocals chords, one of those American musical treasures forever. Ms. Gorme's perfect Spanish is also a blessing.

Material in this CD comes from her two Columbia albums - 'Amor' and 'Mas Amor' - with Trio Los Panchos, a famous Mexican vocal trio with a guitar and percussion and with a peculiar sound.

Here you'll find the cream of a Latin music style called 'bolero', one of the most appreciated romantic Cuban rhythms that spread all over Latin America. In other words, material here is a kind of 'the best of' for bolero repertoire.

Unfortunately, Sony International has decided to cut 12 of all those 24 pearls in the original albums.

This album is an ALL TIME FAVORITE of mine but see my review in the AMOR/MORE AMOR the GL Music label same version of this album.

"La Gota Fria" (translated "The Cold Drop") was the drop that filled the bucket, back when Carlos Vives broke into the forefront of the Latin American radio airwaves. He busted in with a blend of Colombian folklore music (vallenato) with rock instruments that was not just original, but also sounded amazingly contagious. Within a few months, everyone knew who he was and the rest became history.

After this album, he had a stream of releases, all of which have been up to the public's expectation, maintaining a seamless combination of the genres with lyrics that get you off your feet, either to dance, to fall back laughing or to kiss your loved one. Carlos Vives knows how to do it, and he does it well.

Loved his CDs, love his music, love his voice...He never dissapoints you, a must buy!!!

Carlos Vives will probably be remembered as the man who globalized Colombian music and musicians.

Clasicos de la Provincia is where it started. Being a Colombian, I really like vallenato. Even though Carlos didn't use the pure original rhythm, this CD is wholly based on it, adding modern sounds such as guitars.

Most of the songs are old classics, and they're top quality by their own. Yet, Carlos Vives manages to create a powerful mixture and made them accesible to another audience. Great combination, great energy... overall, a must-have if you like this type of thing!!! 5 stars.

Djavan is simply great. Is THE modern composer from Brazil (at least from the ones I know, which are not few)and one of the most capables in the world! And when I say capable I mean that he is one of those that can create songs in any rithm or meter (even in the most strange ones) and they will still be pop songs, that you can't stop listening inside your mind after having heard them. If you listen songs in this CD, you will sing them all day long (if you can, because they are not as easy to sing as to listen to) and you will recomend this LP (and every CD recorded by him)to the people you apreciate.
Well, to end I'll tell you that really feel sorry for not being able to talk about the populariy and the value that the crowds give to Djavan. His personal search and view of music can be copared to artists like Sting, Peter Gabriel (even though I think his music has a greater development than the one from the guys I mentioned) and Luis Alberto Spinetta (a great composer from my country that is the only one I can compare in good taste, deepness and musical development to Djavan; adding to this that he is a poet too, have a listen to him, I strongly recomend it!)
Well, buy it, you won't be dissapointed!

A while ago trying to deeper my knowledge into the music field I started listening to Bossanova (one of Brazil's most famous and rich music styles), which helped a lot since I play guitar and it's very hard to play the chords used in that style. After dominating a bit of Bossanova I tried to give an even farther step towards my musical knowledge, that's when I found this guy named Djavan. I bought this cd and since then I just can't stop listening and playing his songs. This guy is a treasure that I wish everyone could find and listen to. His music is pure poetry and makes you simply fly away. I would recommend anyone to buy this cd or any other cd that have his name on. It's really worth it!!!!

I have loved Djavan's music since being introduced to it by some Brazilian friends nearly 18 years ago. Since then, I have collected most of his CDs and have seen him in concert twice and actually had a chance to meet and talk with him. His music is beautiful, soothing and captivating. This CD will give you the feeling of being at a live concert if you have not yet had the privilege and if you have, will awaken that magical feeling that you had when you saw him live. He is so underappreciated in this country by non Brazilians but his talent is tremendous. I don't care much for some of the CDs with English lyrics, so try avoiding those.

I bought this CD after owning Rant and Roar and Road Rage. I was also lucky enough to catch them live at The Bowery Ballroom in March 2002. This Cd captures their young energy mixed of course with their roots in tradition. This band draws the audience in with give and take singing. Everybody at the show, is in the show. They make everybody there wish they were from New Foundland!...

Their first album, but one of their best! It really shows you the raw talent that these guys began with, and all the musicality that they've developed. It's amazing to listen to- especially if you know their newer stuff. If you ever get a chance to see them in concert- GO!!! They are great. If you don't know anything about their music- it's a bit of Irish and Nautical mixed together. Lots of energy, upbeat songs, ballads, and tradition folk tunes. Go for it!

THIS IS JUST A VERY SHORT REVIEW FROM BRIAN BORU TRAPPED IN A 45 YEAR OLD NEW ENGLANDER'S BODY WHO KNOWS IN ANOTHER LIFE HE LISTENED & SANG THE SAME MUSIC THESE BOYS ARE PLAYING. I HAVEN'T BEEN THIS EXCITED ABOUT A BAND AND IT'S SOUND SINCE THE FIRST TIME I LISTENED TO THE CHIEFTANS 19 YEARS AGO. I'M READY TO GO TO SEA WHENEVER THESE BOY'S WANT TO GO!

I've never been the biggest fan of southern rock,as for a general rule.However,after just so many years,bands like ZZ Top,Molly Hatchet and .38 Special had REALLY began to 'grow' on me.I think one factor I respect about southern rockers is they seem to accept fans,followers and patrons from virtually all walks of life.Okay,I'll step off my soap box now.Saw .38 Special play a co-headline gig with Night Ranger a little while back and I was truly amazed at how many of their tunes I didn't PREVIOUSLY know by name.'Live At Sturgis' is a good live album.Tracks that are sure to live in my memory for sometime to come are "Rockin' Into The Night","Wild-Eyed Southern Boys",the band's semi-tear jerker(for some)"If I'd Been The One","Deja Voodoo","Fantasy Girl" and "Hold on Loosely".Plus,there's one new studio cut tagged on,"Just One Girl".Duration:66:50.Sure don't miss those double vinyl lp's,they tape up WAY too much room.Great to listen to on a Saturday night.

I've had the pleasure to see 38 Special a few times in concert and this is exactly how i remember the shows. Lots of energy and superb playing. Rebel To Rebel is the best song on the album. Put this disc in your cd player and kick back and enjoy!

this cd is probably the best live performance
I have ever heard from 38 special,its kind of
like the best of 38 live,I love rebel to rebel
and fantasy girl and all the rest of the hits,
this is a great one to buy.

mentiras piadosas fue mi primer contacto con el gran sabina, y con el tiempo transcurido desde ese momento ocupa un lugar de preferencia en mi coleccion de musica en espa�ol. El album es realmente muy bueno, en los temas y su interpretacion. Mentiras piadosas, medias negras, con la frente marchita, eclipse de mar, y si amanece por fin... para escucharlo entero y atesorarlo como una peque�a joyita de la musica hispana.

Este disco es uno de los mejores trabajos de Joaqu�n Sabina e incluye algunos de sus temas m�s conocidos. Eclipse de mar y Con la frente marchita son canciones geniales. La calidad de los arreglos y la grabaci�n es tambi�n excelente. En mi opini�n, Mentiras Piadosas, F�sica y Qu�mica y Esta Boca es M�a, son los tres mejores discos de Sabina.

Este disco es simple y sencillamente maravilloso. No me canso de escucharlo, asi como de citarlo entre los amigos... y los que no lo son. Voy a decirlo en pocas palabras: si tienes una coleccion de rock en espanol, y no tienes este disco, entonces no tienes coleccion que valga la pena, porque te falta EL disco... Joaquin Sabina es Dios!!

que extra?a edicion de este album. solo viene un CD y no trae la esencia del original. para los que no saben este disco se edito para mostrar canciones ineditas de los prisioneros, demos, lados B, etc. y junto a eso venian algunos hits. aca solo quedaron los hits. igual esta bien para conocer a esta gran banda de rock sudaca.

These Guys know how to rock. They come from Chile. I have known los prisioneros since only 2003 because I come from new York and here in the In the USA you do not hear there music on spanish radio satations. They are a very local group. This cd contains all their good music with some of the best songs like Sexo which is one of my faviotes to Muevan Los industrias which is another one of my faviotes. And this cd is a double cd which is better for the money than like the Grandes Extios. Which is one cd and has only 12 songs. This cd pack has a lot more to offer for the money. Grupo Los prisioneros formed in 1979 and they recorded their first cd a yaer before I was born in 1980. If you are looking for new rock music because you are just sick and tired of Grupo La Ley or Grupo Mana then Grupo Los prisioneros will float your boat.

ES LA RAJA! ESTAMOS DE STGO. ESCRIBIENDO UN ANECDOTICO PASATIEMPO ESPERANDO EL RECITAL QUE SE REALIZARA EN EL ESTADIO NACIONAL... LO QUE PUEDO DECIR DEL GRUPO DE UNA BANDA TAN TRANSCENDENTE COMO LOS PRISIONEROS ES Q LA DESPEDIDA DE ELLOS SERA UNA SENSACION DEL PASADO INYECTADO AL PRESENTE PARA PODER SENTIR LOS A�OS PASADEROS DEL CUAL BAILABAMOS Y CRITICABAMOS CON ESTE GRUPO "REVELDE" PERO INTELIGENTE...

OK...LET'S GET IT STRAIGHT,PEOPLE...I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M A MONICA'S FAN, REALLY...AND THAT THE REASON WHY I'M REALLY DISSAPOINTED WHIT THIS CD. SHE WASTED HER SCENT AND DIVA STYLE IN WEAKS SONGS WHICH SOUNDS REPETITIVES AND BORING...ANYWAY, SHE HAS THE VOICE, AND "SACRIFICIO","NO CAMBIES NUNCA" AND "VIVO EN TI" MAKES ME WANNA GIVE 2 STARS TO "chicas malas".

Being a long time fan of Monica Naranjo, I was looking forward to this release. I consider this one to be a better version than her second release palabra de mujer. Here you will find better ballads and better dance tracks in my opinion. Even her voice sounds more mature and better than ever. After her very introspective and dark release titled Minage *my personal favorite* she decided to come back to her roots sort of speak. In my opinion, her stand out tracks here are Chicas malas *the edgiest track on the album really*, de que me sirve ya, no puedo seguir, and lagrimas de escarcha. If you're a fan get it no matter what. If not, then maybe you should listen to the tracks before actually purchasing it. ;-)

Chicas Malas is a great album by a simply astonishing vocalist. It leans towards her disco tunes, but even if you don't do disco, her voice is beautiful on everything. Everyone with any sense of passion and wonder should get everything Monica Naranjo records. There is no one better, and I have been a music producer for 30 years.

I love Ray of Light Album first of all and it is my favorite album. Drowned World is a great remix and I wish she sang in it more. It talks about fame over love and and how much fame was more important to her than love until she had her first kid Lourdes! Sky Fits Heaven is a A++ song by itself and the remix is out of this world! It talks about spritualty, gospels, and wiseman, I love it!! I highley recommend this Maxi single to Madonna fans that do not have this won yet!!

I love this cd and Part 2. They are both great cds to add to your collection
1. Drowned World (Album Version): Version that appeared on Ray of Light
2. Drowned World (BT & Sasha's Bucklodge Remix): This remix is wonderful. The album version of the song is very mellow and slowed down, whereas this remix gives the song power and strength.
3. Sky Fits Heaven (Sasha Remix Edit): This is a shorter version of the remix that is on Drowned World pt 2. I personally like the longer the best, but this one is still good, for anyone who is not a fan of longer songs.

I do wish that there were more remixes of Drowned World, thoguh, but this cd is still great!

Drowned World has been one of my favorite song from the Ray of Light album. No wonder why she decided to start the Drowned World Tour with this song. The Sasha Remix of this ballad is truly a great one. It perfectly fits among unreleased club mixes of Love Don't live Here Anymore by Mark Pichiotti, and I Want You Remixes by Junior Vasquez. More remixes of this song would have been great too, at least an edit version. This song is a perfect one for a REMIX VIDEO!