International music reviews

To talk about this album is like running out of positive adjectives. Alberto Plaza has been our favorite singer/songwriter since his first album. He is finally available in the U.S. and we are very glad to find him at Amazon.com. It is hard to choose "the" best song. Alberto combines different rhythms and a wide variety of topics to give his new audience a magnificent sample of what he's been doing for years: writing and singing to Love, Peace, Hope, Humankind... We are waiting for his other albums to be released in this country for everybody to enjoy his music. Great job, Alberto!

Alberto Plaza, llego a mi corazon con su musica en 1999, cuando por primera vez escuche "Polvo de Estrellas". La primera vez que oi su musica, fue tanto el sentimiento y la emocion que me transmitio que llore. Desde Entonces el cantautor chileno se convirtio en mi artista preferido, le dio a la balada un significado diferente al que yo conocia. Cuando llegue a los Estados Unidos estuve mucho tiempo buscando su musica y sus discos, pero desafortunadamente todavia no habia incursionado en este mercado, asi que como a muchas otras personas me toco recurrir a complicados medios para adquirir sus discos. Finalmente Alberto Plaza, ha lanzado un excelente disco en Estados Unidos, "Alberto Plaza", es una produccion que recopila algunos de sus mejores exitos. Es una produccion que mezcla desde la balada de amor, que tanto lo caracteriza, hasta animados himnos a la vida que contienen ritmos musicales latinos. Es un excelente disco y le da al consumidor una idea precisa de lo bella y unicaque es su musica.

Alberto Plaza, llego a mi corazon con su musica en 1999, cuando por primera vez escuche "Polvo de Estrellas". La primera vez que oi su musica, fue tanto el sentimiento y la emocion que me transmitio que llore. Desde Entonces el cantautor chileno se convirtio en mi artista preferido, le dio a la balada un significado diferente al que yo conocia. Cuando llegue a los Estados Unidos estuve mucho tiempo buscando su musica y sus discos, pero desafortunadamente todavia no habia incursionado en este mercado, asi que como a muchas otras personas me toco recurrir a complicados medios para adquirir sus discos. Finalmente Alberto Plaza, ha lanzado un excelente disco en Estados Unidos, "Alberto Plaza", es una produccion que recopila algunos de sus mejores exitos. Es una produccion que mezcla desde la balada de amor, que tanto lo caracteriza, hasta animados himnos a la vida que contienen ritmos musicales latinos. Es un excelente disco y le da al consumidor una idea precisa de lo bella y unica que es su musica.

I first remember hearing the song, "Thank You for Being a Friend," when it was the theme of the TV show, "Golden Girls." Hearing that theme I had the idea the composer must be ab old lady, and then hearing the theme of "MAD ABOUT YOU" with Helen Hunt, the dj said that ANDREW GOLD was the writer. Soon enough I picked up some of my father's old records by Gold, and I was in for a treat. I think that ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO is my favorite of the 4 70s LPs. Though some say that Linda Ronstadt's early 70s LPs are almost as much by Andrew Gold as they are by her. I still don't understand how he managed to play all the insruments and sing too. His father was the eminent film composer Ernest Gold who wrote the music not only for EXODUS but for many of the Stanley Kramer films. I wonder if the two, father and son, ever collaborated.

His mother was Marni Nixon, the voice of many of Hollywood's "golden girls" such as Natalie Wood and Audrey Hepburn. From two such musical parents it is no wonder that Andrew was so talented at writing. The love songs on this LP, including "Oh, Urania," are as good as the ones Paul McCartney was writing around the same time.

This is THE underated pop album of the 70s - while some got into pomp-rock, some rebelled with punk and some just played dreadful bubblegum, Andrew Gold wrote and mostly performed all the instruments on this catchy-yet-intelligent collection of songs that are a joy to listen to individually, but also make up an album that is greater than the sum of its parts. The one mystery is WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO GET HOLD OF?!?!? Why is it not available on CD? I've seen second hand copies going for up to $100 - that should tell you something about what a charming, thoroughly enjoyable album this is. If you know anyone with a spare copy, please, please let me know.

Once upon a time there was music on vinyl and it was good, for its time. I found this album in a cut out bin. Cut out bins are where they put albumns that didn't sell quickly. As a matter of fact, most of my favorites have come from cut out bins. Years later I was searching for this album on CD and at the time all I could find was Andrew Gold's Greatest hits. The funny part is, Andrew Gold's hits were not his best songs. Take one listen to this disc and you will not be sorry. Excellent songwriting and singing. The playing is also beyond compare. Every song is a gem.

This is a great cd. It's mainly Turkish folk songs given a new spin. They are performed all acoustically (I think) with heavy, heavy string emphasis and no vocals (except some artsy background audience babble). The pieces are energetic and like they say - great for dancing. They're mainly fast-paced with a couple of slower ones.

The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is that the pieces seemed to be very stylistically the same. Heavy string emphasis and the dynamics had the same punch it/back off/punch it/back off interpretation in almost all of the pieces.

This CD is terrific, buy it! Buy it now! All around great, and great drumming too! I was ready for the next CD to come out the minute I finished listening to this one. Also check out the Turku/Ghawazee video in the video section.

The first two tracks are particularly good for dancing - I have seen the second track performed in a dance and it was spectacular. Nice balance, very well performed. Recommended for anyone who is into or wants to learn more about middle eastern music.

Paul Anka and Amigos is one of the best Spanish-English language collaborations available today. I have heard him sing in French, Spanish, Italian and German. Paul Anka truly understands that music is an international language and has no borders. The current CD album first came to my attention at a Professional Singles dance when one of its songs was played. It was so fresh and original that I made efforts to find it. Unfortunately, it had had only limited release in Canada and I had to order it from Europe for a premium price. The list of collaborators is a virtual who's who of the world music community even including Celine Dion. I have been so inspired by these songs that I have even bought albums by some of the collaborators: Myriam Hernandez, Lucero and Julio Iglesias. Exceptionally fine songs from my perspective are: A Mi Manera(My Way) with Julio Iglesias, Mi Pueblo(My Town) with Juan Gabriel and Pun tu Cabeza en mi Hombro with Myriam Hernandez . However, the best (lo mejor) song of the album is Yo te Amo (Do I Love You) by Paul Anka and his daughter Anthea which also features Barry Gibb in the background. The haunting harmony between the Anka's is memorable and in my opinion redefines this song forever more. This album is special not only because it honours Paul Anka whose music had a great influence on the Spanish speaking world but also to the Spanish speaking artists who began by singing his music in translation and have now come into their own with homegrown music of their own. So if you like Paul Anka and Spanish music you cannot possibly lose by owning this album.

I initially purchased this CD for one reason: Barry Gibb is a guest artist, I love the Bee Gees and saw it mentioned on a chat site. But wow, all of the guests and songs are really great. All the songs are sung in half Spanish, half English. Some beautiful music here! I also bought a copy for a friend for his birthday. He looked a little surprised at first but has come to really enjoy it too. It's just another great CD that unfortunately never caught the eyes and ears of radio programmers who are too busy playing the same "safe" songs over and over. A beautifully crafted CD-well worth the money!

I RECEIVED THIS AS A GIFT. HAVE LOANED IT TO AT LEAST 5 OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY FLIPPED OVER IT. THEY ARE NOW INTERESTED IN GETTING ONE OF THEIR OWN. MR. ANKA SEEMS TO PUT OUT QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANITY. HE ONLY GETS BETTER WITH AGE. AS GREAT AS HIS CD'S ARE HE'S EVEN BETTER LIVE.

These ex-Steps members have stuck close to the Steps sound with songs like "DJ" and "Half a Heart" but have also incorporated more American-ized pop music as illustrated in "Centre of My Heart", "You're a Love Song", and "Too Close to Tears". Of course, they have to carry on their tradition of covering some old songs like "Beauty and the Beast" and the title track "Another You Another Me" written by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (actually, it's not really a cover, but it was written back in 1985 and ABBA never recorded it). Some of the songs seem really generic American pop, but seeing that pop has faded from the musical scene, this album was very refreshing to listen to.

Former Stpes stars H&Claire (Ian "H" Watkins, and Claire Richards) are incrdible. H and Claire almost carried Steps as it was, when the great group decided to go their own ways it's only natural that some would want to continue in the industry - and they definately are worth it!! Lisa Scott-Lee, and Faye Tozer have made singles, but H&Cliare are the only ones who had any sort of success.
This album is great from start to finish! Dont forget there are some singles with remixes as well as more great songs (I believe they recorded a total of 20)
Highlighs are album title song Another You, Another Me - Half a Heart - All Out of Love - No Turning Back and tons more!!!
If you liked Steps you will LOVE H&Claire

This CD mesmerized me from the first song, which is also the best song.
H and Claire have definately come into their own here.

My best picks from all their b-sides and singles and album tracks are:

All out of love
You're a love song
Another you, another me
Too close to tears
and Nothing at all(I know the song lacks but I still like it)

It's a great compilation of a great band.
In addition of their best music you will find special Edits and remixes not available anywhere else. If that's not all, the album seems to be out of print in most major markets. This is a great opportunity to have this CD as part of your collection before it's gone forever.

Ya viene la fuerza! La Voz de los Ochenta!

Este es, con serena seguridad, el mejor grupo latinoamericano de los a�os 80 y seguramente mucho tiempo despu�s. Poco sofisticados y pese a todo de una riqueza y variedad musicales enormes; honestidad, espontaneidad por aqu� al fin. Sus letras son las m�s originales, expresivas que he escuhado. Probablemente sean hasta Babas�nicos o Todos Tus Muertos el �nico grupo sudaca que "dice algo". Escucharlos es adem�s imperativo para cualquier latinoamericano que aspire a una buena propia cognici�n y a la soberan�a cultural. MUERA CHILE pero mueran TAMBIEN BOLIVIA y todas nuestras banderitas de porquer�a. El CD doble �ste es excelente especialmente para quienes est�n conociendo al grupo.

Esto es el disco mejor si tu tienes ganas de rock chileno! Todas las canciones son muy bien, y estan haciendo Los Prisioneros uno de los grupos favoritos del generacion nuevo. Obten esto disco hoy! Tambien, a ver a El Otro Yo y Lucybell, quien tienen influidos de Los Prisioneros.

From the opening vamp, Djavan soars, struts and grins before an adoring audience in Rio in July 1999. A killer performance by Brazil's greatest living tunebox. If you buy the CD, you will cough up cash for the DVD to prove what your ears demand you see. What a band. What a songbook. What a love affair. Beautifully recorded.

To see Djavan play the opening chord of Flor de lis, and the entire audience begin to sing along will send shivers thru the most resistant heart. A must-have for any fan of contemporary Brazilian pop. Djavan's very hot night in Rio: cheap at twice the price.

djavan esta entre los gandes de la musica del brasil. Ha compuestoe interpretado algunas de las mas bellas canciones brasileras. En este cd , en vivo, la performance, el sonido, la calidez del publico, la seleccion de temas configuran un album excepcional, que nos permite tener una muy buena vision de su extensa y rica trayectoria. recomendado para los que quieran conocerlo ,tanto como para los que poseen aun estas mismas canciones en sus versiones originales. la unica salvedad,me gusta mas la anterior version de sina en vivo o aun la efectuada en estudio. Un cd imperdible para los amantes de la buena musica, en especial latina

If anyone wants to get aquainted with the music of Djavan I think this album fits the bill perfectly. The only way to describe his music is to get this album. Fantastic!

I was pleased to find "Archive" after searching for a "Best Of" album of Jimmy Webb songs for so long. As with any of these compilations, one can quibble with the inclusion of some songs and exclusion of other favorites. This CD would have been strengthened by the inclusion of "If You See Me Getting Smaller" from the "El Mirage" album and "Cloudman" from the great "Land's End" album, even if it involved excluding tunes like "Three Songs." But, frankly, most of this material is so strong that additions instead of subtractions should have been the order of business. Webb has a solid collection of fans who have appreciated his lyrics and performances for decades. It has always been sad to me that more people who have been touched by his work performed by other artists either do not know who he is or appreciate his contribution to pop music. It's obvious from the many artists who have covered Webb's songs that those in the industry appreciate his talents. Webb is a fabulous artist and musician who has moved and frustrated me for years. He writes lyrics of pure poetry (see "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress" or "Asleep on the Wind") but can dumbfound you with a song like "MacArthur Park," which combines remarkable lyrics with one of the weirdest choruses ever (the dreadful "cake in the rain" metaphor). Or he'll create a remarkable and unique song like "Scissors Cut" and include a [bad] line like "We all eat it once in a while." But that's Jimmy Webb. Fortunately, these few stumbles do not prevent us from appreciating his insight into our lives and his ability to produce songs that perfectly capture feelings we have had (anyone who grew up in the 50s or 60s who hears "In Cars" knows exactly what I mean). I am thankful in many ways for Webb and his artistry, and grateful to those who finally produced this "Archive" CD that attempts to pull together a remarkable body of work.

'Archive', pretty much, has everything of Webb's on it that I wish to hear. From 'Words & Music' there's the sensational'Let it be Me' medley and the paen to P.F Sloan(author of "The Eve of Destruction", whose recorded career, judging from the disc I once owned, was unsurprisingly brief inspite of Jimmy's lament) and exerpts from my favourite albumns,'Letters', and 'Land's End.' In fact, I purchased 'Archiive' because 'Land's End was unavailable' on CD (until a Japanese re-release in 1998). 'Just One More Time', and the achingly beautiful 'Land's End/Asleep On The Wind' are stunning songs requiring this full orchestral treatment with Ringo belting the bejesus out of the skins. Webb isn't a strong singer. There's not a lot of tone in his voice as evidenced in the more recent 'Ten Easy Pieces'. Nowhere are his vocal shortcomings more apparent than on his doppelganger,'McCarthur's Park'. This piece of obscurist poetry really needs the baroque lushness that Richard Harris's theatrics first brought to it. I can't pin just what it is that saves Webb's writing from being sentimental. So many of his songs verge on it, and this shows in the readings of some of his interpreters. Not in Glenn Campbell though; a performer I've never followed other than for the Webb connection. Campbell's 'Reunion' disc is well worth seeking out, to experience just how these songs can be liberated.

Jimmy Webb's music is like ambrosia, a sound that can soothe the spirit and stir the soul. Alas, it is a great shame that he was not also recognized as equally accomplished as a vocalist. The emotions that he can wrench with a slight tremble in the voice are amazing.

I also liked Jimmy the rocker that is not included in this selection. Songs like "Jerusalem," "Laspitch" and "Pocketful of Keys" fly like lightning bolts of anger. So while this set nods more toward the lush romantic side of Webb, the songs and performances are so classic that it is a blessing to have these digitally remastered versions on CD. They sound great.

The brief notes Jimmy includes are interesting such as "When Can Brown Begin" was written for Sammy Davis Jr. and "Where the Universes Are" was written for Ringo. Jimmy's sense of melody as a songwriter is unparalleled with "All My Love's Laughter" and "If Ships Were Made to Sail" being excellent examples. He can also stir the emotions with a full epic sound like "Just This One Time" and "The Highwayman." His midtempo rock sound produced great gems like "Crying in My Sleep" and "Feet in the Sunshine." I also tune into the wistful, somewhat sentimental sound such as the gorgeous "Piano" that has long been a favorite of mine. Of his best-known songs, "Galveston" is a revelation, hearing the power and emotion he conveys as a vocalist so different than Glen Campbell's pop version. Also, "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" that Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker and Judy Collins did is wonderful. So while I will continue to pull out my old LPs which are worth their weight in gold, I'm so pleased to be able to throw "Archive" in the changer as I drive down the highway. It's an excellent collection from one of the most underrated singers. Don't miss this one! Enjoy!

If you like Bachata music, turn to Alex Bueno. I like him as well as Junior y Jorge, and they are tremendous.

"Bachata a su tiempo" is Alex Bueno's bachata debut and what a powerful display of talent it is by one of the most versatile tropical music artists of today. This album has eleven well sung rhythmical bachatas that can captivate any listener who is fond of this genre of music that is spreading rapidly outside of the DR and gaining fans all over the world. Alex, a very sentimental singer gave these bachatas an element that sets this bachata apart from the styles sung by other artists. Although soft and delicate in nature this bachata is extremely danceable with a very dominate sound of the guitar. There are many hits in this album and surely enough when you listen to it you will have your own favourites but I will gladly share my mine with you. They are: "Ese hombre soy yo", "Si vinieras hoy", "Gotas de pena", "Un poco de ti" and " Lo que siento por ti". I reiterate this a tremendous album that will gain the recognition of many loyal and new fans of bachata music.

The very best of Alex Bueno thus far and some of the very best bachatas recorded to date by any artist. Although listed songs are my favorites, all eleven songs are excellent. I most highly recommend this CD/Album to anyone who enjoys good music. Sal

Shlomo has become the heart and soul of Jewish music, even in the synagogue. His melodies are now 'davvaned' in places which once cursed him.
He was without question a musical genius whose depth of soul is reflected in every note and word he sings. In this early music one can already hear that longing, that love which so touches the listener. His voice is not great, but the feeling it conveys goes well beyond what is ordinarily given in most singing. He has the holy in him, the nearness to and longing for G-d. And he conveys that to us, so sweetly, so beautifully.
Oy heilegen Shlomo what would we do without your music?

I like this cd very much. Songs are simple but very beautiful.
Athmospehere is emotional and real. Songs come from singers heart, really.

This is an upgrade from a vinyl LP to a CD. The record is warp and scratchy so buying this CD and hearing the music without distortion was wonderful. This has been a favorite for a very long time, the songs old friends. I bought a record player last year so that I could listen to my LP but there's nothing like a CD. I like to get up in the morning and start my day with a spiritual twist. I sing along and know the songs well since I have been enjoying Village Gate for a long time. My very favorite track is #8, V'Zocher because I feel the soul of Shlomo's voice. I like the voice range of this song and the tambourine sounds. Sholmo is happy and bouncy, if I'm allowed to say a Lubavitch Rebbi can be bouncy. Yeah! he definitely has kavanah and his music makes it possible for me to start the day in a joyous frame of mind. The music on this CD is happy, fun and spiritual.