Traditional Pop Music

It was not what I had thought it would be, I thought that it had more of the old gospel singers and songs.

For those whose sole exposure to Gospel is via watching a rerun of The Blues Brothers, let me just tell ya! This is the real deal!! Soul-shaking, hip and elbow kiltering, knee-bending, speaking in tied tongue shimmy shamming breakthrough stuff!! Get down in the aisle and shout me a hallelujah!! Can I get a move!! Can I get an AMEN!
If you enjoy really well done contemporary Gospel, such as Sacred Steel, or old timers such as Troman and Willie Eason, The Campbell Bros, Lee Trent, etc, then this one will seal the deal for you my friends!

BEK

If there is anything better than a Leonard Cohen song, it's a Leonard Cohen song performed Live by the man himself. Great cd.

This album happens to be in the Honorable Mention section of my Deserted Island Music site, where I submit:

"One of the great songwriters. Sometimes, I think, the greatest. Get COHEN LIVE, where you'll hear a backup band and singers giving the best possible support. Maybe I like this album best because one of the shows (on Austin City Limits) that makes up half the album had held me enthralled from just a small TV screen. Maybe because Cohen no longer sounds like an unwrinkled youth but a wise old man. Go to the original studio recordings of decades ago to catch the lyrics, but to this set of live recordings to catch a chill."

Cohen has recently started touring again. The San Antonio Express-News has a good review of his Austin concert in early April 2009. Thankfully, the magic's still there.

Cohen Live is in my opinion Leaonard Cohen's best. It captures the emotion that only comes through in a live performance. I wish I had the $$$$ to go hear him in person this fall in London or Paris and hope he performs a little closer to home next year.

This is a wonderful Leonard Cohen CD. If you don't know the artist, this is a good introduction. If you are familiar with Leonard Cohen, then this is a must-have for your collection. Well done and classic.

There are many Leonard Cohen albums. Most are good.There are two that are great. "Leonard Cohen's Songs" and this work. His voice is corroded but beautiful, his range is limited but all that it should be. No one writes better lyrics. the musical arrangements on this album are superb.

I really like Leon Redbone and all of the songs on this album were representative of him.

As usual Leon delivers. I've enjoyed every bit of his music for years and this is no exception!!

I have always enjoyed Leon Redbone and bought this to replace what I lost in august 2005. Fantastic music!

Leon Redbone is Blind Blake's son.Just listen to "Champagne Charlie" or "big bad Bill is sweet William now" to be sure.THis is another great record by the martian.On three tunes,Leon has a special guest star : Sammy Price and Little Brother Montgomery. Once again,he pays tribute to Jelly Roll Morton ("I hate a man like you").And plays marvelous versions of old standards,"please don't talk about me when I'm gone","sweet Sue".As estimable as any of Leon's recordings,and surely one of the three Leon's records to buy in priority.

His music is entertaining, but this is the Leon Redbone album that stands above the others. You get a good mix of mellow old tunes like "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone," to the upbeat "Champagne Charlie" and "Alabama Jubilee."

I especially enjoyed his almost solemn tone in "Sweet Sue" and "Big Bad Bill." "Big Bad Bill" is a silly and endearing song about a burly Terror of the Town who is humbled and tamed by his wife, and only Redbone could bring out the humor by singing it at such a snail-pace.

As much as I enjoyed several other Leon Redbone CDs, the tracks tend to blend into one another after awhile, and I found this album to be such a dramatic exception. I don't think I could ever hate a Leon Redbone album, but "Champagne Charlie" is the only one of his releases I would rave about.

Willie Nelson's albums are great to follow a theme, I love albums that don't jump around with a hodgepodge of different kinds of music. This album tells a story of love lost without any curve balls thrown. I'd definitely call this one a "keeper".

Ive been a fan of willies for years, he has a particularly warm voice, a unique way of phrasing his words, hes sophisticated and a rebel, an artist, clever and sensitive.There are too many mediocre compilations around, but this is one of his absolute best, Ive played it umpteen times and continue to enjoy it as much as the first time I listened to it.A must!

Just so you know where I'm coming from, the previous CD I was playing in my car was "By The Way" by Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the only other time I'd ever purchased any country music was a Garth Brooks cassette back around 1991 or so. I came across this CD entirely by accident while searching for Daniel Lanois-produced music (I came up with Teatro, which will be my next & probably last country CD), and happened to see this 4.5 star-rated CD on allmusic.com. This is such a powerful and moving CD with such an appealing instrumentation, that as long as you recognize good music, you don't need to be a country fan to enjoy this. You just need an open mind.

Willie has stated that this is his favorite release in his history and he's pretty near right by my estimation. This is one of my top three favorite Willie releases.

Willie Nelson's discography spans several decades with a variety of favorites that range in different styles and direction. With the 1996 release of "Spirit", Willie gets back to what I think he does best, and that is simply telling a story. What sets this CD apart from so many other of his releases is that it is in fact, all acoustic and does not jump into the team play style of co-contributors that many of his albums had done up to this point.

If you like the sound of "Spanish Guitar" you can't go wrong with this CD. The vocals are clearer and in my own opinion this CD does in fact rival everyone's seeming favorite "Red Headed Stranger". It is a concept album that portrays a story but does not, in fact, have every song be about some guy who lost his dog and his wife on the same day. The fact is that Willie Nelson's music never really was about that; it was about people and their feelings, experiences and journeys in life. Sure, the subject here is about a man whose wife abandons him, but the lyrics and tones that emit throughout these songs are not sorrowful dronings of self pity, but instead reflections of past experiences up to that point and how they affected him. In closing, Spirit is a true keeper from the Willie Nelson discography, and is also a mainstay for country western fans who want their music to be sandy with the Southwestern breezes as opposed to strict, pop accessible tunes that cloud the radio today.

I'm sorry for giving only 4 stars on this album. From the viewpoint of outlaw beginners like me, some tunes are entertainment rather than spirit. Backed by the same Waylors, however, it's not supposed to be that way that Willie sing alone with karaoke. What difference did it make between rock (except boring ones) and outlaws was the schedule of releases. It was too thick for them, hardest working men in country music, to create songs full of freshness and originality. I also enjoy the duet and the solo tunes, but they're less impressing than the tunes in their hungry and thirsty years.

I had this on 8-Track many years ago and it is every bit as good now as it was then.

If I had to pick 10 albums to take on that island way out in the wild blue yonder this would be one of the ten without question. Just a fantastic album! One the the best ever! Enough said

This was a great purchase, I'm very pleased. I used to have this one on vinyl! Shipped quickly, no problems what so ever!

Yep, this album is a classic. What makes an album a classic? Pure and simple greatness. That, and it sold quite a few copies--but sales aside, this album's greatest gem is the pairing of two musical geniuses. Waylon Jennings, the guy who established the outlaw movement and made it what it was; and Willie Nelson, the guy who took songwriting to a whole new level, and showed us that less is more. Waymore and the Red-Headed Stranger...two musical icons.

Enough praise aside--you know how great and important these two men were to music. Let's look at the songs. If you've never heard "Mamma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" (in any of its incantations, though this is the best), then you need to turn your radio on every once in a while. And you just haven't lived until you've heard these two lamenting on Kris Kristofferson's witty "Don't Cuss the Fiddle." And "The Wurlitzer Prize," a Waylon solo effort, stands as one of the defining songs of country music.

Oh, there is much more to this album--but I'm gonna leave you with a few surprises. Whether they're dueting or going it alone, Waylon and Willie have crafted one of the single best albums ever made. WAYLON & WILLIE has withstood the test of time, and will continue to do so for generations to come.

This is an amazing recording of remasterd greats. A real treat for any jazz lover's Ipod! If you are new to big band jazz, this is a recording that is full of big band standards. Kenton was never more alive then when he was seated at a piano directing his band. This album takes you from the begining when Kenton was playing the popular Cuban style jazz with such greats as "Aristry in Rhythm" to the very progressive sound that Kenton became known for. "Malaguena" is my personal fav! Having been able to see Kenton for myself just adds to the nostalgia of this great recording!

Excellent! It contains all of his major contributions. It is definetly a keeper. The man was a genius to say the least.

A PRETTY GOOD CD, however, most of the songs are from 1945 to 47, and the renditions are not as good as the Kenton works of
the 1950's, e.g., The Peanut Vendor, etc.

David

I figured that after almost 40 years listening to Jazz and Jazz-related music I should have at least a Best of Kenton...so I got it. And I don't get it. I mean, the playing is awesome. The brass players are giants. The fact that it doesn't really swing isn't a problem. I love Nelson Riddle, Bernard Herrmann...all kinds of Exotica. But is this Exotica? Jazz? Easy Listening? Labels don't matter, but this music seems like an only OK example of each thing that it hints at. For fans of low trombone writing this disc is way up there - faint praise, perhaps. But that's probably the main reason I'll keep it! Kenton fans, it's good you still have each other. But this has the distinction of being one of the least-played discs in my collection.

Kenton at his finest. Good music to listen to. Not for everybody,but he helped the Four Freshman get started ,and Maynard Furgeson played with him. What a sound. Buy it.

A little brighter, more kinetic and perhaps even more inspired than the excellent Le Pas Du Chat Noir, which has the same line-up, but still with that characteristic moody, contemplative atmosphere. Deliciously exotic and relaxing.

Here's another hour of near-minimalist relaxation with Anouar Brahem, now one of the great international names in jazz. This latest album is every bit as atmospheric as his last several; the trio format (with Brahem on oud, and the others on piano and accordion) is well suited to the music, though for an appreciable portion of the program there is actually only one (or two) of the instruments playing. The music itself is jazz, but a version of jazz such as Arvo Part might create: sparse and mysterious, with additional atmospheric hints of French cabaret, North African caravans, and Middle Eastern opium dens. There is actually not a good deal of range of mood to Brahem's music, whatever he titles his albums, but this is never an issue, as the man seems unable to create anything incapable of touching one's deep interior places.

Though i find it interesting and nice music it surprises me that the song 'e la nave va' is to my personal opinion simply stolen from philip Glass (Glassworks) a classical 'minimal music' icon from a few decades ago, it is the same rhytmical structure and chord progression, strange people get away with this

This is really an amazing CD. You feel transported, even inspired, even though the music has a deep melanchonic feel, there is a subtle awe that comes from it. I played it at my work, with colleagues who have a wide range of musical taste (all very good tastes, though), and it became an instant unanimous favorite. Highly recommend.

Tunisian Anouar Brahem's "Le Voyage de Sahar" finds him in the same company- pianist Francis Courturier and accordionist Jean-Louis Martinier- as 2002's highly acclaimed "Le pas du chat noir."
Having toured in support of that CD, the trio developed into a true group, something that Brahem accentuates to great effect on this program of new compositions and three favorites that are recast with the new ensemble.
With "Voyage" Brahem continues a trend of creating music that is not as overtly "jazzy" as some of his earlier outings.
Nonetheless, he remains a master a crafting deliciously vivid, richly evocative compositions that distill Arabic music and European jazz sensibilities with a warm, sonorous chamber music vibe.
Among the ports of call on this "Voyage" are "Zarabanda," whose elegant lope recalls the French Riviera.
Elsewhere the title track exudes mysticism tempered with intrigue, while "Cordoba" and "Ete Andalous" are meditative pieces with a decidedly cinematic scope. The gentle bounce of "Nuba" and introspection of "Les Jardins de Ziryab" both include uncredited but effective passages of voice.
Rarely do you hear music this gorgeous.

There are times when one wants to listen to something and nothing modern will do. Times when you need something easy on the ears and just plain old-fashioned lovely. This is definitely such an album, and I believe Jay Ungar's finest. Molly Mason and Mr. Ungar balance each other beautifully in this musical pas de deux, and the result is an extremely romantic (in the best sense of the word), light and delightful collection of tunes that provide enough variety in style to keep from being monotonous. "There's Honey On The Moon Tonight" is a very fine version of an old Fats Waller swing tune, and while there aren't many vocals on this album, the vocals they have are well done and you'll find yourself singing along with this one for sure. Excellent liner notes and a little story included by Jennifer Ditsler explaining the feeling and storys behind each tune make this cd an excellent gift, especially a wedding or anniversary gift, and a must-have for any music collector.

I have several of Jay Ungar's cds and this one is one of the best. Beautiful music and great talent

I bought this CD for one song, The Lover's Waltz duet, and love to listen to the whole CD. It is very calming but not elevator music. Jay and Molly are definately masters of their music!

I had the privilage of playing on stage with Jay and Molly for one short tune and it was one of the highlights of my life. This album called, "The Lover's Waltz" is now the best in my collection. Very professionally and tastefully done. I don't know how two people can have such a wide scope of music types on one album. They are very personable people and it's easy to see their love for each other as they perform.

The Lover`s Waltz is a beautiful CD of Americana music that difinately lingers on your mind. It is gentle,sweet,yet full of imagery that invokes strong memories of first love,dancing,and lingering love. The jaunty tune, There`s Honey on the Moon Tonight,adds that bit of backpourch fun that all ages will enjoy.Anyone from Louisiana will certainly believe Louisiana Wedding Bells was written for them.This is not all wedding music though. It is more about the belief of love,weddings,and sometimes lost loves.Jay Unger And Molly Mason are to be commended for the lovely memories the beautiful colaboration has produced.

I thoroughly enjoy this album. It has been a while since I purchased a CD of Nanci. I was not disappointed. The selections were excellent.

Not one of Nanci's best, but the fan will want to have it in their collection. Caution...never attend one of her live concerts unless you like to hear her liberal drivel. Why entertainers think they are so intelligent about things other than music is beyond me.

Nanci Griffith walks a find line on her politically oriented "Hearts in Mind." She is, like so many entertainers, struck by the events of and since 9/11, and she intertwines her songs about "every soldier and every civilian lost to the horrors of war" (the album's dedication) with songs about the joy of ongoing life. Instead of throwing the gauntlet of Iraq center stage, she colors with the memories of Viet Nam. It gets the point across during "Heart Of Indochine" in a subtle manner. As does the CD opener, "Simple Life."

"I don't want your wars to take my children,
I want a simple life while I am here."

Julie Gold's "Mountain of Sorrow" is just as remarkably subtle, as Gold reflects on waking up in New York City September 11th, 2001 to knocking at her door of a grief stricken neighbor. "Easy come, easy go...anything but easy, though." Griffith delivers the line as she once did for Gold's call for peace, "From A Distance." (Funny how it's another song for peace written under another Bush Gulf conflict.)

"Hearts in Mind" is balanced by several songs dealing with family and pride. "Beautiful" is Nanci's tribute to her grandfather and finds her indulging in some jazzy singing. Jimmy Buffet chimes in on the silly "I Love This Town" (why wasn't this a hit?) to add some levity, and old friend Mac MacAnally joins Nanci on "Rise To The Occasion." Both the serious and the cheery roll off the CD at an easy pace. If you are a fan of Nanci's or the likes of Patty Griffin, Casey Chambers of The Dixie Chicks, you'll find a lot to enjoy with Nanci's "Hearts In Mind."

If you are old enough to remember the Vietnam War, in which I served, this CD will haunt you. Her songs and her voice make this my favorite CD by Nanci, and I have all of them. Terrific CD at a great price.

A Great Album, That Almost Comes To The Very Top. Still Very Good.

All Robeson fans know and revere this record. Probably his his greatest along with Old Man River. It will make anyone proud to be an American upon listening to it.

This is a tour de force of the late Paul Robeson's remarkable and dazzling talent, as well as a peek into his Communist sensibilities and politics. How ironic is it that he could sing so beautifully about American democracy, as in Ballad for Americans, even while totally toeing the Stanlist line and remaining an apologist for one of the most murderous regimes in human history? He led a tragic life in many ways but gave us a wonderful gift of his brilliant music and powerful presence.

This was my introduction to both Mr. Robeson and "Ballad for Americans" many years ago. One of the most joyful, fervent patriotic ballads of all times, sung by a great patriot.

I have no interest in Paul Robeson's politics. But I have never heard a singer I loved more; to hear him is like hearing a mountain sing, and sing beautifully. There may be imperfections due to the age of the original recordings; but once Robeson starts singing, I really don't notice anything other than his voice and the words he sings.

If I had a few billion dollars and a time machine, I'd bring Paul Robeson to the present just long enough to stick him in a modern recording studio and have him record several CD's...

Other admirers of Robeson should enjoy this rich and varied CD.

As a tremendous fan of Paul Robeson - I regard him as the greatest singer of all time - I have to say that whilst this CD gives some idea of his wonderful voice, it is by no means the best. In fact, my giving it 4 stars is too generous based upon the songs on the disk. If it were possible, I'd make it three-and-a-half stars, and still feel a little generous, when comparing Ballad for Americans with, "Green Pastures," "Big Fella," "Paul Robeson" (the CD), and "The Voice of the Mississippi," all of which really do merit 5 stars.