2000mustangs - The Classic Rock Blog

ponedjeljak, 30.11.2009.

Led Zeppelin - BBC Sessions (2CD-Remaster Edit 1997)

LED ZEPPELIN's BBC sessions were among the most popular bootleg items of the rock & roll era, appearing on a myriad of illegal records and CDs. They were all the more popular because of the lack of official Led Zeppelin live albums, especially since The Song Remains the Same failed to capture the essence of the band. For anyone who hadn't heard the recordings, the mystique of Zeppelin's BBC sessions was somewhat mystifying, but the official 1997 release of the double-disc BBC Sessions offered revelations for any fan who hadn't yet heard this music. While some collectors will be dismayed by the slight trimming on the "Whole Lotta Love Medley," almost all of the group's sessions are included here, and they prove why live Zeppelin was the stuff of legend. The 1969 sessions, recorded shortly after the release of the first album, are fiery and dynamic, outstripping the studio record for sheer power. Early versions of "You Shook Me," "Communication Breakdown," "What Is and What Should Never Be," and "Whole Lotta Love" hit harder than their recorded counterparts, while covers of Sleepy John Estes' "The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair," Robert Johnson's "Travelling Riverside Blues," and Eddie Cochran's "Something Else" are welcome additions to the Zeppelin catalog, confirming their folk, blues, and rockabilly roots as well as their sense of vision. Zeppelin's grand vision comes into sharper relief on the second disc, which is comprised of their 1971 sessions. They still have their primal energy, but they're more adventurous, branching out into folk, twisted psychedelia, and weird blues-funk. Certainly, BBC Sessions is the kind of album that will only appeal to fans, but anyone who's ever doubted Zeppelin's power or vision will be set straight with this record. ..S. T. Erlewine

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: ca. 350 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01. You Shook Me (5:14)
02. I Can't Quit You Baby (4:22)
03. Communication Breakdown (3:12)
04. Dazed And Confused (6:39)
05. The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair (3:00)
06. What Is And What Should Never Be (4:20)
07. Communication Breakdown (2:40)
08. Travelling Riverside Blues (5:12)
09. Whole Lotta Love (6:09)
10. Somethin' Else (2:06)
11. Communication Breakdown (3:05)
12. I Can't Quit You Baby (6:21)
13. You Shook Me (10:19)
14. How Many More Times (11:51)

CD 2

01. Immigrant Song (3:20)
02. Heartbreaker (5:16)
03. Since I've Been Loving You (6:56)
04. Black Dog (5:17)
05. Dazed And Confused (18:36)
06. Stairway To Heaven (8:49)
07. Going To California (3:54)
08. That's The Way (5:43)
09. Whole Lotta Love (Medley): Boogie Chillun' / Fixin' To Die / That's Alright Mama / A Mess Of Blues (13:45)
10. Thank You (6:37)

nedjelja, 29.11.2009.

Brian Wilson - What I Really Want For Christmas (2005) (2008)

As he proved when guiding the Beach Boys through their classic Christmas album some four decades back, Brian Wilson has a wonderful feel for the holiday -- not just the sounds but the sense of wonder that bubbles up when one lets down one's guard. This collection is awash in that guileless feeling, expressed equally in the warm, mellifluous versions of familiar hymns like "Silent Night" and "The First Noel" (the latter wrapped in a music-box melody that imparts a homespun feel so palpable that you can almost smell the eggnog) and in a brace of lively new compositions. The title track, one of the more poignant songs to come out of the Wilson camp in some time, is awash in hopeful spirituality -- think Lennon's "Happy Xmas" transliterated to the new millennium -- and arcing melodies. "Christmasey," co-written by Jimmy Webb, conveys a similar mood, thanks to ornate vocal arrangements and a lyric that captures the count-down-the-minutes enthusiasm that shepherds the holiday season into the lives of young 'uns. The most purely entertaining interludes, though, are those that find Brian recapturing the sound and spirit of his earliest days on the scene -- notably re-recordings of "Little Saint Nick" and "The Man with All the Toys," two anchors from the aforementioned Beach Boys classic. A charming soundtrack to any holiday party, for sure, and a way to extend the spirit well past the 12 days...David Sprague

A new Brian Wilson record is always cause for celebration, even if it turns out to be an album of Christmas music, his third such venture in 40 years. What I Really Want for Christmas features Wilson and the crack band he employed on Smile putting their spin on 10 traditional favorites, plus new versions of the Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick" and "The Man With All the Toys" and two originals cowritten with Bernie Taupin and Jimmy Webb. Though they don't rise to the level of his best work (admittedly the tallest of orders), the title track and "Christmasey" prove Wilson can still turn out a catchy melody when he wants to, and the disc as a whole shows his arranging chops are as strong as ever, if no longer as innovative. Like Smile, What I Really Want for Christmas sometimes suffers in comparison to the Beach Boys--Wilson dedicates it to his "beloved brothers Carl and Dennis who I miss singing carols with" (as do we)--but occasionally, as on "O Holy Night," one feels the old soul and spirit shining through. Though it may not merit a spot next to The Beach Boys' Christmas Album and A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector as a classic of the genre, it's still a joy to hear Wilson singing the songs he's loved since childhood. If this is your kind of music, this is your kind of album...-Benjamin Bluemken

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 105 MB
Genre : Pop
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. The Man with All the Toys 3:00
02. What I Really Want for Christmas 3:51
03. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 3:28
04. O Holy Night 4:29
05. We Wish You a Merry Christams 2:39
06. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 3:35
07. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 3:10
08. The First Noel 4:48
09. Christmasey 4:09
10. Little Saint Nick 2:13
11. Deck the Halls 2:37
12. Auld Lang Syne 1:35
13. On Christmas Day Bonus Track 3:24
14. Joy to the World Bonus Track 2:09
15. Silent Night Bonus Track 0:49

Billy Idol - Happy Holidays (2006)

A Very Special Christmas Album

Billy Idol is a legend, even at Christmas. What we have here is a jovial, laid back set of Christmas classics performed with Billy's trademark tongue-in-cheek good humour and unmistakable vocals. You get the feeling that he has all the best intentions with this release and simply wants to entertain everyone as only he can at Christmas. Highly recommended festive fun!

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: ca. 88 MB
Genre : Christmas Pop
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01.Frosty the snowman 02:28
02.Silver bells 02:42
03.Happy holiday 02:04
04.Merry christmas baby 04:08
05.White christmas 02:33
06.Here comes santa claus 02:02
07.God rest ye, merry gentlemen 02:57
08.Santa claus is back in town 03:21
09.Let it snow 02:28
10.Winter wonderland 02:20
11.Run rudolph run 03:02
12.Blue christmas 02:27
13.Jingle bell rock 02:03
14.Christmas love 04:00
15.O' christmas tree 04:33
16.Silent night 02:18
17.Auld lang syne 01:21

Diana Krall - Christmas Songs (2005)

Jazz musicians are lucky when it comes to recording holiday music. When Christmas rolls around they have the chance to dig into such classic, beautifully constructed songs as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “White Christmas,” not to mention Mel Tormé’s perennial “Christmas Song.” Add in gems like “Christmas Time Is Here” (of Charlie Brown fame), “Let It Snow,” and Frank Loesser’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” and you have the makings of a terrific album, which is just what Diana Krall finds herself with as she dips into this repertoire on her aptly titled Christmas Songs. Backed by the swinging Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and aided by arrangements from Johnny Mandel and others, Krall turns in joyful and affecting performances, relishing the high quality of the material. This isn’t heart-on-your-sleeve singing -- Krall is much too subtle for that -- but neither is it emotionally distant. Sweetly playful at times, inwardly expressive at others, Krall consistently demonstrates the superior vocal skills that have made her a modern crossover icon. In an era of stentorian pop divas, she knocks ‘em dead with a whisper. This delightful project can stand next to the very best jazz holiday recordings...William Pearl

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: ca. 101 MB
Genre : Christmas Bar Jazz
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Jingle Bells 3:25
02. Let It Snow 4:01
03. The Christmas Song 4:23
04. Winter Wonderland 3:14
05. I'll Be Home for Christmas 3:07
06. Christmas Time Is Here 3:34
07. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 2:53
08. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:19
09. White Christmas 4:31
10. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve 4:09
11. Sleigh Ride 3:26
12. Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep 3:40

subota, 28.11.2009.

The Troggs - Cellophane (1967) (Digipak Remaster 2003)

Cellophane, the Troggs' third British LP, was never issued in the U.S., where most of the tracks were unavailable for more than 20 years (eight of the 12 cuts did eventually show up on the Archeology collection). For that reason, it was one of the more sought-after collector's items of the late '60s, but the record itself isn't that great. The group followed a more subdued, soft rock and folk-psychedelic path than they had on their earlier recordings, which wasn't necessarily a bad idea, as the hit single "Love Is All Around" (included here) proved. But the songs just weren't that good, and the band sounded kind of half-hearted. As it's done on its reissues of all three of the Troggs' erratic U.K.-issued '60s albums, Repertoire at least does collectors a big service by adding a heap of bonus tracks from singles, some of them infrequently or even never reissued on CD; the 1970 B-sides "Give Me Something" and "You" seem to be making their CD debut here. Still, the four 1969-1970 singles here are far from their best, though the finest of them (1970's delicate "Easy Loving") does at least come close to "Love Is All Around" as one of their best florid ballads. Even rarer than those singles are the final four tracks on the disc, the 1969 Ronnie Bond solo 45 "Carolyn"/"Anything for You" and the 1969 solo Reg Presley single "Lucinda Lee"/"Wichita Lineman." Unfortunately, there's a reason few have heard those efforts -- Bond's disc mixed bad vaudeville rock on the A-side with mediocre orchestrated pop on the flip, and Presley's "Lucinda Lee" also seemed to be a stab toward the middle of the road, while his strained stab at "Wichita Lineman" was nothing less than preposterous...R.Unterberger

Reg Presley's Song "Love is all Around", Memorably Featured in the Hit Movie "Four Weddings and a Funeral", is One of the Highlights of this CD. First Released in 1967, the Album Brings Back Memories of One of the Best Loved British Pop Groups of the Swinging 60s. Presley and the Troggs Roar Through a Dozen Rocking Numbers, Including "Little Red Donkey", "Her Emotion" and "my Lady" which Demonstrates their Songwriting Skill as Well as their Ability to Play with Fire. Added Are Eight Bonus Tracks, Comprising Selected a and B Sides from 1969-70 plus Four Special Bonus Cuts featuring Both Sides of Solo Singles from Troggs Drummer Ronnie Bond and Leader Reg Presley. All of These Rare Items have Been Carefully Restored and Remastered for this Release...D. Jellinc

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 145 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Little Red Donkey 2:14
02 Too Much of a Good Thing 2:48
03 Butterflies and Bees 1:56
04 All of the Time 2:10
05 Seventeen 2:40
06 Somewhere My Girl Is Waiting 2:51
07 It's Showing 2:56
08 Her Emotion 2:30
09 When Will the Rain Come 2:41
10 My Lady 2:59
11 Come the Day 1:54
12 Love Is All Around 3:00
13 That's What You Get Girl Bonus Track / Mono Version 2:01
14 I Don't Know Why Bonus Track / Mono Version 2:52
15 Easy Loving Bonus Track / Mono Version 3:00
16 Give Me Something Bonus Track / Mono Version 3:27
17 Lover Bonus Track 2:26
18 Come Now Bonus Track 2:20
19 The Raver Bonus Track 2:48
20 You Bonus Track 2:34
21 Carolyn Bonus Track / Mono Version 2:33
22 Anything for You Bonus Track / Mono Version 2:37
23 Lucinda Lee Bonus Track / Mono Version 3:07
24 Wichita Lineman Bonus Track / Mono Version 3:05

Rod Stewart - Never a Dull Moment (1972) (Audio Fidelity Remaster)

US only 24 kt gold-disc pressing. Limited and numbered edition!

I received my copy of the Audio Fidelity remaster of Rod Stewart's 'Never a Dull Moment' today. I give this item only 2 stars due to the poor packaging. Normally, this is not something I care too much about. But, in this case, I feel that it does have an impact. The CD itself is in a slimline case with the spindle on the front, rather than the back side. The disc it put in backwards to make the title visible. The actual cover is separate and is over sized in the respect that it would not fit into any jewel case, let alone the backwards slimline provided. While the idea may have been to reproduce the original album packaging (can't say, since I never owned the original vinyl), I don't feel it adds any value. Overall, it looks like perhaps this is some kind of packaging experiment that gave no consideration to practicality. I prefer to be able to store my discs with their packaging and with the disc right-side up and on the right side of the case when it is a single disc. The cover does have a pocket that may be intended as storage for the disc, I don't really know. I do know that I'm not going to store this kind of disc in such a way as to invite damage. As to the remaster, it's not bad, but nothing to write home about either (as I have found with many of the Audio Fidelity titles). Like others I have purchased, it requires a bit more volume to really bring the low end out. So, two stars from this customer. A passable remaster and, in my opinion, some unfortunate packaging decisions...D. Frye

Essentially a harder-rocking reprise of Every Picture Tells a Story, Never a Dull Moment never quite reaches the heights of its predecessor, but it's a wonderful, multi-faceted record in its own right. Opening with the touching, autobiographical rocker "True Blue," which finds Rod Stewart trying to come to grips with his newfound stardom but concluding that he'd "rather be back home," the record is the last of Stewart's series of epic fusions of hard rock and folk. It's possible to hear Stewart go for superstardom with the hard-rocking kick and fat electric guitars of the album, but the songs still cut to the core. "You Wear It Well" is a "Maggie May" rewrite on the surface, but it develops into a touching song about being emotionally inarticulate. Similarly, "Lost Paraguayos" is funny, driving folk-rock, and it's hard not to be swept away when the Stonesy hard rocker "Italian Girls" soars into a mandolin-driven coda. The covers -- whether a soulful reading of Jimi Hendrix's "Angel," an empathetic version of Dylan's "Mama, You Been on My Mind," or a stunning interpretation of Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind" -- are equally effective, making Never a Dull Moment a masterful record. He never got quite this good ever again...S.Erlewine

Rod Stewart - Never a Dull Moment (1972) (Audio Fidelity Remaster 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 78 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 True Blue 3:35
02 Lost Paraguayos 3:59
03 Mama, You Been on My Mind 4:29
04 Italian Girls 4:57
05 Angel 4:06
06 Interludings 0:40
07 You Wear It Well 4:26
08 I'd Rather Go Blind 3:53
09 Twistin' the Night Away 3:13

petak, 27.11.2009.

Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains The Same (1976) (Remaster DeLuxe Edit 2007)

Led Zeppelin s sold-out concert tours became rituals of high-energy rock and roll theater. The SONG REMAINS THE SAME...attests to the group s powerful and somewhat saturnalian appeal at the height of their popularity. - from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame s web page on the band s 1995 inductionThe Hall of Fame s assessment of the legendary band also states, Led Zeppelin redefined rock in the Seventies and for all time. They were as influential in that decade as the Beatles were in the prior one...Then and now, Led Zeppelin looms larger than life on the rock landscape as a band for the ages withmore… an almost mystical power to evoke primal passions. That power is communicated full-force in the updated, 2CD reissue of the soundtrack to their concert film THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME. First released in 76, the recording captures a celebrated three-night stand at NYC s Madison Square Garden in July 1973. The newly updated edition now contains six songs not featured on the original release, and the entire project was remixed and remastered with the band members direct oversight. Featuring liner notes by Oscar-winning director and former Rolling Stone editor Cameron Crowe, the set will be released simultaneously by Warner Home Video with the new, expanded DVD edition of the film.

Long acknowledged as one of the most formidable concert acts on the rock & roll arena circuit, Led Zeppelin finally bit the grenade and in 1976 released this, the only live album of their career. The companion to a same-named full-length feature film combing concert footage and oblique "personal" visual statements by each member, this collection still stands up as a souvenir of Zeppelin's winning stage combination of fire and fury. A sort of live greatest hits disc, the album features good versions of "Rock and Roll", "Dazed and Confused" (complete with violin-bowed guitar, of course), "Wholemore… Lotta Love" and the inevitably climactic "Stairway to Heaven". --Billy Altman

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 302 MB
Genre : Hard Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01. Rock and Roll - 3:56
02. Celebration Day - 3:49
03. Black Dog (Previously Unreleased) - 3:46
04. Over The Hills And Far Away (Previously Unreleased) - (6:11)
05. Misty Mountain Hop - 4:43
06. Since I've Been Loving You (Previously Unreleased) - 8:23
07. No Quarter - 10:38
08. The Song Remains the Same - 5:39
09. The Rain Song - 8:20
10. The Ocean (Previously Unreleased) - 5:13

CD 2

01. Dazed and Confused - 29:18
02. Stairway to Heaven - 10:52
03. Moby Dick - 11:02
04. Heartbreaker (Previously Unreleased) - 6:19
08. Whole Lotta Love - 13:51

četvrtak, 26.11.2009.

Def Leppard - Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection (2CD Remaster Edit 2005)

The 2005 double-disc set Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection is the second Def Leppard compilation to be released in the U.S. The first, Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits, appeared ten years earlier, and while the band was active in the decade separating the two albums, charting fairly consistently, it didn't have any major hits during that time, so the chief appeal of Rock of Ages versus Vault is that it covers more ground. Vault had 15 songs. Rock of Ages has 35, including all of the songs on Vault. Actually, the first disc of Rock of Ages functions as an expanded version of that earlier comp, adding two cuts. The second disc skips around their career, wisely concentrating on their early-'80s albums, which were somewhat under-represented on Vault, and adding a new song for good measure (a cover of Badfinger's "No Matter What," which is from their "forthcoming covers album"). While this may be too much Def Leppard for some casual fans -- for those listeners, the 2004 import-only collection Best of Def Leppard is a good choice, since it expands on Vault -- it nevertheless is the best overview of the group's career yet assembled, since it has not only the hits, but the sleek, glammy pop-metal that earned them the reputation as one of the biggest and best bands of the '80s...S. T. Erlewine

While many of their peers were abandoning '70s metal and arena rock to hop the punk/new wave bandwagon, Def Leppard smartly stripped the earlier era's music of its excesses, bolstered it with energetic, pop-savvy hooks and quickly found itself the vanguard of the UK's new metal revival and one of the '80s most spectacularly successful rock acts. The first disc of this 35-track, two-and-a-half hour double-disc retrospective focuses on the familiar hits of their early MTV, platinum-selling prime, though the inclusion of the video edit/remixes of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rocket" attempts to cast them in a more club-friendly contemporary groove. But the grittier second disc showcases some of the early, overlooked roots of On Through the Night and High 'N' Dry, as well as underappreciated later gems like '99's "Promises" and a power-pop-perfect take on Badfinger's "No Matter What" from an upcoming covers project...J.McCulley

Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size ca.: 355 MB
Genre : Arena Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01 Pour Some Sugar on Me Historia Video Edit 4:52
02 Photograph 4:08
03 Love Bites 5:47
04 Let's Get Rocked 4:55
05 Two Steps Behind Acoustic Version 4:19
06 Animal 4:03
07 Heaven Is 3:34
08 Foolin' 4:33
09 Rocket Visualize Video Edit 4:07
10 When Love & Hate Collide 4:17
11 Armageddon It 5:22
12 Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad 5:19
13 Rock of Ages 4:08
14 Hysteria 5:56
15 Miss You in a Heartbeat 4:04
16 Bringin' on the Heartbreak 4:33
17 Switch 625 3:04

CD 2

01 Rock Rock (Till You Drop) 3:55
02 Let It Go 4:44
03 High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night) 3:28
04 Too Late for Love 4:29
05 No Matter What 2:53
06 Promises 3:59
07 Mirror, Mirror (Look into My Eyes) 4:07
08 Women 5:42
09 Another Hit and Run 4:59
10 Slang 2:38
11 Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion) 4:33
12 Rock Brigade 3:08
13 Now 3:58
14 Paper Sun 5:27
15 Work It Out 4:49
16 Die Hard the Hunter 6:17
17 Wasted 3:44
18 Billy's Got a Gun 5:00

srijeda, 25.11.2009.

Kim Wilde - Select (1982)

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of the 1982 sophomore album from the British Pop songstress including five bonus tracks. Available again on CD for the first time in over 20 years, this was follow-up to her sensational debut, containing the hits 'Cambodia', 'View From A Bridge' and 'Child Come Away'. The five bonus tracks include the ultra rare 'Bitter Is Better'. The package comes complete with booklet containing the original LP artwork and in-depth liner notes overseen and approved by the Official Fan Club/Website and Kim herself! 13 tracks. Cherry Pop. 2009.

Kim Wilde's second album didn't score any hits on the level of the debut's "Kids in America," although the dramatic "Cambodia" was a sort of cult favorite in some circles. That said, it's a far better album than the patchy debut; the songs, again by brother Rikki Wilde with occasional collaborations by father Marty Wilde, don't have the bubblegum tinge that colored much of 1981's Kim Wilde. The arrangements are more synth-oriented, at times approaching the dark atmospherics of Japan or Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The occasionally melodramatic lyrics cover topics like police brutality and paranoia -- unsurprisingly, new insights aren't much in evidence -- and even the love songs, like the delicate "View from a Bridge," aren't exactly happy. The overall vibe of this album is so chilly that the one basically upbeat song, "Can You Come Over," sounds really out of place, but overall, it works. Wilde sings with a clinical detachment here that suits her voice quite well; whenever Wilde tries to emote musically, the results sound forced and melodramatic, but her icy edge on this album is surprisingly appealing. [Cherry Pop's 2009 edition added five bonus tracks including the single version of "Cambodia."]...S. Mason

Kim Wilde - Select (1982) (15-track Remaster Edit 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 135 MB
Genre : Rock. Power pop, New wsve
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Ego 4:10
02 Words Fell Down 3:31
03 Action City 3:21
04 View from a Bridge 3:30
05 Just a Feeling 4:08
06 Chaos at the Airport 3:18
07 Take Me Tonight 3:52
08 Can You Come Over 3:35
09 Wendy Sadd 3:47
10 Cambodia + Reprise 7:14
11 Watching for Shapes Bonus 3:42
12 Cambodia Bonus / Single Version 3:57
13 Child Come Away Bonus 4:05
14 Just Another Guy Bonus 3:19
15 Bitter Is Better Bonus 3:43

utorak, 24.11.2009.

Smokie - Light A Candle (The Christmas Album) (2003)

Originally formed in Yorkshire, England, in 1966, Smokie hit the British pop charts several times during the late '70s with updated psychedelic pop, influenced by the band's stay on Mickie Most's Rak Records as well as the writers of most of the band's hit material, Rak's Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Vocalist Chris Norman, guitarist Terry Utley, and bassist Alan Silson had played in the Elizabethans, but formed the band Kindness in 1968, with the addition of drummer Pete Spencer. The quartet recorded many singles during the late '60s and early '70s, but failed to show any chart activity until 1975. That year, signed to Rak Records and billed as Smokey, the band hit number three in the U.K. with "If You Think You Know How to Love Me." After another Top Ten hit, "Don't Play Your Rock 'N Roll to Me," Smokey became Smokie; during 1976, the group scored with three Top 20 hits, including the number-five "Living Next Door to Alice." Smokie hit number five both in 1977 ("It's Your Life") and 1978 ("Oh Carol"), but the band's chart run ended by early 1980, and following 1982's Midnight Delight, they disbanded. Both Spencer and Norman continued to work at Rak during the '80s, writing hits for several groups; they reformed Smokie in 1988, resurfacing with the LP My Heart Is True. Two more albums, All Fired Up and Greatest Hits Live, followed a year later, with the group remaining active throughout the 1990s, issuing new material as well as a number of hits collections...John Bush

Light A Candle

It's here again
It's that time of year
We're so far apart
That it's breaking my heart
Just to know you won't be here
But I won't cry
I didn't ask why

So just light a candle for me
On New Years Eve
All on my own
You're so far away
A year further on
And the feeling's still strong
How I wish you'd wanted to stay
But I'd be strong
Cause it won't be long
So just light a candle for me
On Christmas Eve

And when the bells are ringing
And Christmas is bringing
A magic that fills the air
You'll be a wonderful sight
On a cold christmas night
And I know
I'll be there
with you, with you
Christmas with you

Thinking of you
As I walk through the snow
I remember your kiss
And just how much I miss
Your smile, I won't let go
But I'll be strong
No, it won't be long
So just light a candle for me
On New Years Eve

And when the bells are ringing
And Christmas is bringing
A magic that fills the air
You'll be a wonderful sight
On a cold christmas night
And I know
I'll be there
with you, with you
Christmas with you

But I'll be strong
It won't be long
So just light a candle for me
On Christmas Eve

And when the bells are ringing
And Christmas is bringing
A magic that fills the air
You'll be a wonderful sight
On a cold christmas night
And I know
I'll be there
with you, with you
Christmas with you
With You

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 131 MB
Genre : Pop
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. It Won't Be Christmas 3:44
02. Mary's Boychild 3:51
03. Light a Candle 3:57
04. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:36
05. A Spaceman Came Travelling 4:48
06. Silent Night 4:17
07. A Winters Tale 4:17
08. When a Child Is Born 4:28
09. O Little Town of Bethlehem 3:40
10. O Holy Night 4:06
11. White Christmas 3:44
12. Away in a Manger 3:11
13. O' Christmas Tree (O'tannenbaum) 3:50
14. Christmas Isn't Just for Children 5:27

Enya - Amarantine - Special Christmas Edition (2006)

Most of the time, I am against repackaging..but this was done so tastefully that I couldn't resist. The CD comes with the slipcover and on the inside, the CD looks like the regular Amarantine CD with the Christmas songs on a second disc (I believe one disc is red, the other blue) If you don't have the four new Christmas songs, this would be the best way to get them. It's the best way to get Amarantine if you don't have the entire album as well. Enya fans, even if you have the Amarantine album, this is still worth a purchase. As for the songs, look no further for Christmas music, this is it..her version of Adeste Fideles is one, if not the best and The Magic of the Night is an upbeat tune. Christmas Secrets is a heartfelt song, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas is definitely the best I've heard, she takes that song, makes it her own, and nails it. As for the Amarantine album, I believe she did a nice job with it, her experimentation with Loxian may not be for everyone, but if you really know her music, you'll know it's heartfelt no matter what language it's in...Mo Deora

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 123 MB
Genre : New Age
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01. Less Than A Pearl 3.44
02. Amarantine 3.12
03. It's In The Rain 4.08
04. If I Could Be Where You Are 4.00
05. The River Sings 2.49
06. Long Long Journey 3.17
07. Sumiregusa 4.42
08. Someone Said Goodbye 4.02
09. A Moment Lost 3.08
10. Drifting 4.11
11. Amid The Falling Snow 3.38
12. Water Shows The Hidden Heart 4.39

CD 2

01. Adeste, Fideles 4.00
02. The Magic Of The Night 3.32
03. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 3.42
04. Christmas Secrets 3.44

Al Di Meola - Christmas: Winter Nights (1999)

Al di Meola's first so-called Christmas album is a relaxed, flowing, intensely musical affair that jazzers, world music buffs, and new agers will feel equally comfortable with. Mostly, he steers away from the often-cracked chestnuts, composing several nice tunes of his own ("Zima," the leadoff cut, is especially inviting), playing acoustic guitar and a battery of percussion instruments and keyboards in a graceful one-man band, thanks to multi-track tape. Other tracks feature duets between di Meola (with overdubbed additional instruments) and Roman Hrynkiv, who plays a Ukrainian zither-like instrument called the bandura. For the die-hard consumer who must have those carols, there are intricate renditions of "The First Noel," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Carol of the Bells."..Manfred Mandel

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: ca. 117 MB
Genre : Fusion Jazz
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Zima (4:05)
02. Carol of the Bells (4:11)
03. Winterlude Duet No. 1 (1:27)
04. Greensleeves (2:46)
05. Mercy Street (4:52)
06. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (4:32)
07. Winterlude No. 2 (:51)
08. Midwinter Nights (4:50)
09. Scarborough Fair (4:36)
10. Winterlude No. 3 (:47)
11. First Noel (3:13)
12. Inverno (5:38)
13. First Snow (2:43)
14. Winterlude No. 4 (1:31)
15. Ave Maria (4:51)

REO Speedwagon - Not So Silent Night

REO Speedwagon may prepare listeners for a dose of noisy rock & roll on the title of Not So Silent Night, their first-ever Christmas album, but the 13-track seasonal record isn't all that loud. The group turns the nominal title track into a power ballad, treats "Winter Wonderland" as a boogie, recasts "Deck the Halls" as a deeply silly rocker, Spectorizes "Little Drummer Boy," tears it up on "Children Go Where I Send Thee," and reworks "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" into a weird piece of prog (complete with Kevin Cronin calling out "oh you funky gentlemen" during a breakdown), but there's an amiable politeness to the performances, so it never sounds too raucous. It does, however, sound like REO Speedwagon, so anybody looking for classic carols, both traditional and contemporary, given a full-on arena rock treatment should be satisfied with this cheerful little record...S. Erlewine

REO Speedwagon - Not So Silent Night (2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 110 MB
Genre : Xmas Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 The First Noel 0:58
02 Winter Wonderland 3:02
03 Silent Night 3:42
04 Deck the Halls 3:24
05 Little Drummer Boy 3:49
06 The White Snows of Winter 2:55
07 Angels We Have Heard on High (Gloria) 4:16
08 Children Go Where I Send Thee 4:03
09 I'll Be Home for Christmas 3:46
10 God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen 3:51
11 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 4:22
12 Blue Christmas 3:57
13 Joy to the World 3:43

nedjelja, 22.11.2009.

The Isley Brothers - I'll Be Home For Christmas (2007)

The Isley Brothers' I'll Be Home for Christmas, like Patti LaBelle's Miss Patti's Christmas, was released on Def Soul Classics and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The two albums are both ten songs in length, feature many of the same musicians, and are based mostly on interpretations -- so they go hand-in-hand, whether the intention was there or not. Sleigh bells excepted, "I'm in Love" could be mistaken for an Isley Brothers song on a normal studio album, and it sounds like it wants to break into "Harvest for the World." The other original, "What Can I Buy You," won't be threatening to replace regularly played Christmas classics anytime soon, but it doesn't seem to out of place next to the likes of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland." There's a good balance between secular and spiritual material, so the disc should appeal to just about any Isley Brothers fan who doesn't want to hear the same tired holiday music year in, year out...A. Kellman

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 95 MB
Genre : R&B Xmas
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Winter Wonderland / Ronald Isley 2:40
02 I'll Be Home for Christmas / Ronald Isley 3:04
03 I'm in Love / Ronald Isley 4:10
04 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / Ronald Isley 4:27
05 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town / Ronald Isley 4:01
06 Isley Christmas Medley: The First Noel/What Child Is This?/Gloria in Ex / 0Ronald Isley 5:51
07 What Can I Buy You? / Ronald Isley 4:26
08 The Christmas Song / Ronald Isley 4:27
09 White Christmas / Ronald Isley 3:33
10 Silent Night / Ronald Isley 4:12

Sheryl Crow - Home For Christmas

Sheryl Crow's first Christmas album... I've been listening to this CD for over a week now and it just gets better and better. Been hoping for a Christmas album by Sheryl for years and this one was worth the wait. The CD features an original song Crow wrote called "There Is a Star That Shines Tonight" as well as nine other tracks she personally chose to record. The CD is being sold exclusively through Hallmark Gold Crown stores through the end of December...M. Mandell

Sheryl Crow - Home For Christmas (2008)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 86 MB
Genre : Pop
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Go Tell it on The Mountain 3:08
02. The Christmas Song 3:23
03. White Christmas 3:31
04. I'll Be Home For Christmas 3:42
05. Merry Christmas, Baby 3:15
06. The Bells of St. Marys 4:33
07. Blue Christmas 3:25
08. O Holy Night 3:40
09. There is a Star That Shines Tonight 3:59
10. All Through the Night 5:14

Hall And Oates - Home For Christmas (2006)

As one of the biggest-selling duos in pop music history, it makes perfect sense for Daryl Hall and John Oates to make a Christmas album: any artist with such enduring popularity certainly has an audience waiting to hear them singing seasonal songs, and they made one of the greatest Christmas videos of early MTV with their cheerfully silly "Jingle Bell Rock." That kind of built-in audience is one of the reasons musicians play it safe when they make holiday albums, but fortunately Hall & Oates don't fall into that trap on 2006's Home for Christmas. There certainly are a fair share of familiar songs here -- this opens with "The First Noel" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and closes with "The Christmas Song," "Oh Holy Night" and a revival of "Jingle Bell Rock" -- and the album has smooth, slick veneer that's friendly and comforting. But within the conventions of a holiday album, Hall & Oates actually cover a lot of ground, touching on their early folky roots on their arrangement of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," covering Robbie Robertson's quite wonderful "Christmas Must Be Tonight," unearthing William Bell and Booker T. Jones' excellent "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday," singing spirited gospel on "Children Go Where I Send Thee" and contributing two very good originals in Oates' soulful "No Child Should Ever Cry on Christmas" and Hall's title track (which was also co-written by T-Bone Wolk and Greg Bieck, who also produced the album with Hall). The result is the rare holiday album that feels familiar yet fresh, and there's enough variety here to make this a Christmas record that will hold up well over the years...S. T. Erlewine

Call it a masterpiece, a labor of love or the beginning of a new tradition, Daryl
Hall & John Oates released "Home for Christmas" on October 3rd, a beautifully recorded and heartfelt Holiday album. Released on their own label -Watch/DKE Records and distributed by ICON Music Entertainment Services, the album, with a portion of proceeds donated to the U.S. Marine Corps charity Toys for Tots, is available exclusively at all Trans World Entertainment outlets, including F.Y.E., Sam Goody, Strawberries Music, Wherehouse Entertainment, Suncoast, Spec's, Second Spin, and Coconuts Music and Movies. The duo will also serve as spokesmen for the 2006 Toys For Tots fundraising campaign. "We wanted to do an album that expressed the true spirit of Christmas, that of peace, traditions, family and friends coming together," says Daryl Hall. "The songs, some familiar, but adapted to our style, others more obscure, along with two originals, are about ecstasy, grace, poignancy, love and, of course, soul.".. D. Duach

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 115 MB
Genre : Xmas Pop
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Overture/The First Noel 6:50
02. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 4:16
03. No Child Should Ever Cry on Christmas 4:03
04. Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday 4:38
05. Home for Christmas 5:09
06. Christmas Must Be Tonight 4:26
07. Children Go Where I Send Thee 4:29
08. Mary Had a Baby 5:03
09. The Christmas Song 4:23
10. Jingle Bell Rock 2:09
11. Oh Holy Night 5:27

38 Special - A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night (2001)

If the goal at your Christmas party is to get people up and moving on the dance floor, this album is a must! Though there are great high-powered covers of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Santa Claus Is Back In Town", the core of the album's charm lies in the band's original compositions - the smokin' "A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night", the anthem-like "Hallelujah! It's Christmas", the slow-dancin' "It's Christmas and I Miss You", and even the sentimental "That Old Rockin' Chair". If you try to stay still while listening to this collection you'll hurt yourself!..S. Truckee

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 84 MB
Genre : Southern Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Jingle Bell Rock 2:20
02. Here Comes Santa Claus 2:17
03. Little Drummer Boy 3:52
04. Hallelujah! It's Christmas 4:02
05. It's Christmas and I Miss You 4:03
06. A Wild-eyed Christmas Night 4:03
07. That Old Rockin Chair 4:01
08. Santa Claus Is Back in Town 3:37
09. O' Holy Night 5:28
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 2:52

subota, 21.11.2009.

The Moody Blues - December (2003)

It was inevitable that The Moody Blues would produce a Christmas record. Why it took this long is the mystery. The group's classical music underpinnings have always been ripe for the Christmas canon and on December they add to it with their own contributions. "Don’t Need A Reindeer" is a remarkably sweet little pop song that proves Justin Hayward can still write what sounds like a hit. A fair amount of orchestration shades the rest of the CD, as the band arranges and adds lyrics to a Bach piece (here called "In the Quiet of Christmas Morning") while also taking on "In the Bleak Midwinter," "When A Child Is Born," "White Christmas," and the John Lennon/Yoko Ono classic, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." In the same vein, though less cheerful, John Lodge pens a melancholy meditation on the horrors of the Mideast in 2003. While he’s no John Lennon and December is uneven at best, for Moody Blues fans it will be like finding the lost chord...Martin Keller

I normally don't listen to Christmas music too early in the season for fear of tiring of it too soon. I adore The Moody Blues, but was reluctant to go right out and purchase this CD as I've done with their music in the past. A friend of mine surprised me by sending a copy in the mail as a gift. The words that come to mind upon first listen are "refreshing" and "sincere." "Don't Need A Reindeer" is such a catchy, bouncy opener that has several hooks that just play through your head all day. "December Snow" is another favorite of mine, showcasing Justin Hayward's mind-blowing talent for writing such poignant ballads. Though the remaining Moody Blues can handle the harmonies quite well, I do miss Ray Thomas' full, rich baritone that I've loved all these years. As for the flute-playing, Norda Mullen does a marvelous job on this recording, and in concert for the last year. I echo the sentiments of those who regretted there not being more original tunes on the CD. I've read an interview where Justin stated that adding more "covers" was the idea of the record company rather than their own. I also agree that this is a CD that is not exclusive of the holiday season. I think this is a positive thing, though. I'm going to enjoy listening to this great offering from my favorite band well into the new year!..D. Johnson

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 97 MB
Genre : Symphonic Xmas Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Don't Need A Reindeer 4.01
02. December Snow 5.11
03. In The Quiet Of Christmas Morning (Bach 147) 2.51
04. On This Christmas Day 3.40
05. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) 2.37
06. A Winters Tale 4.28
07. The Spirit Of Christmas 4.53
08. Yes I Believe 4.21
09. When A Child Is Born 3.34
10. White Christmas 3.08
11. In The Bleak Midwinter 3.27

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Christmas Time Again (2000)

It's a long way from Jacksonville, Florida, to the North Pole, but first generation Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd put antifreeze in the old touring van and set a course for Santa's workshop with this seasonal outing. The band, which now consists of three founders and a handful of later recruits, mix Yule warhorses ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Greensleeves") and more recent fare ("Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'," "Run Run Rudolph," Eddie C. Campbell's customized-for-Christmas take on "Messin' with the Kid") with a smattering of originals. Guests Charlie Daniels and .38 Special check in with one song apiece, giving the whole project a kind of TV variety-show feel--that is, if you can picture a bearded Perry Como with a stack of Marshall amps at his back...Steven Stolder

Ya it's a different Skynyrd, ya there's no Ronnie, ya every song on this tape isn't done by Skynyrd, but that doesn't change the fact that as far as Christmas tapes go...this one can't be beat. The only two songs that Skynyrd doesn't do are : Santa Clause is coming to Town, which Charlie Daniels does and Hallelujah It's Christmas which is done by .38 Special. Lynyrd Skynyrd has become one of my favorite bands, and I'd say that this cd is essential for anyone who loves Skynyrd new...or the Skynyrd of old...A. Custo

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 83 MB
Genre : Southern Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Santa's Messin' With The Kid 3.15
02. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 2.31
03. Christmas Time Again 4.34
04. Greensleeves 2.18
05. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 3.08
06. Run Run Rudolph 3.34
07. Mama's Song 3.53
08. Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin' 3.38
09. Classical Christmas 2.09
10. Hallelujah, It's Christmas 4.01
11. Skynyrd Family 3.00

Jethro Tull - The Jethro Tull Christmas Album (2003)

The holidays have gotten even brighter with Jethro Tull's marvelous offering for this time of year, "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album." Ian Anderson & company serve up a hearty yuletide blend of new Tull Christmas originals, including the terrific "Birthday Card At Christmas," "Last Man At The Party," and "First Snow On Brooklyn," as well as new re-recordings of old holiday-themed Tull favorites like "A Christmas Song," "Another Christmas Song," "Ring Out Solstice Bells," and the signature Tull tune, "Bouree." Along with that classic instrumental, the band give us some more wonderful instrumental tracks, like the brilliant jazz take on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Pavane," "Greensleeved," and the beautiful closer, "A Winter Snowscape." The band play brilliantly, and Anderson's voice and flute are still in pristine form. "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album" is a magnificent gift from one of rock's most enduring acts. Happy holidays from Jethro Tull!..A. Caylow

For a band that remained relatively consistent (with a few minor exceptions) in their approach to rock & roll since 1968, Jethro Tull also possessed a sound that was uniquely '70s-oriented during their most successful period between 1971-1978. Avid fans have been yearning for the group's return to the style which made them one of the most successful of the guitar-based, mainstream prog outfits -- albums like Broadsword and the Beast and J-Tull.Com touched on their former glory, but they didn't fully satisfy. Christmas Album could be the recording that those fans have been waiting for, and they shouldn't let its title or overt seasonal orientation dissuade them -- with their liberal use of classic English folk music and overall orientation toward England's past (even in their name), Jethro Tull is also the one prog rock/hard rock band of their generation that could issue a Christmas album that folds so easily into the rest of their output; it transcends its purpose and focus, mostly through the quiet boldness of its music and playing and the surprising excitement that laces most of the 16 songs. With a mixture of re-recorded old songs, Christmas standards and new originals, songwriter/singer Ian Anderson, in a roundabout manner, captures the tradition, warmth, and bittersweet feelings that are inextricably linked to the holiday season; at the same time, Anderson, longtime collaborator/lead guitarist Martin Barre, and the rest of the group's 2003 lineup recapture the musical intensity of three decades' past, and build on the classic Tull mood of sardonic humor, wry irony, and fierce passions that permeated all of their work from Stand Up to Songs From the Wood. All of this material, in its content and execution, recalls the group's prime early-'70s years and levels of musical complexity not presented so successfully by this band in at least 25 years. With a generous use of unamplified instruments like mandolin, acoustic guitar, flute, and accordion, this album resembles the production found on Songs From the Wood and Heavy Horses. In fact, three tracks from those two albums were reworked for this release; "Fire at Midnight," "Ring Out Solstice Bells" and "Weathercock." Only "Ring Out Solstice Bells" appeared to be the obvious choice for a Christmas album, but given Anderson's offbeat perspective of things, the other two tracks assimilate nicely. In addition, "Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow" sounds like it could have emanated from those 1977 and 1978 recordings, as could "Last Man at the Party" from 1974's War Child sessions. Among the re-recordings, pieces such as "A Christmas Song," that originally had orchestral accompaniment, are redone without it, in new arrangements, while others that were done without orchestra get dressed up with strings. From the traditional side of Christmas, Tull gives "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" a jazzy adaptation reminiscent of "Bouree" from Stand Up (which is also revisited on this recording) and "We Five Kings" sounds rhythmically similar to "Living in the Past," particularly the bass guitar line. In addition to Bach's "Bouree," the majestic Gabriel Fauré piece "Pavane" is included, which features guitarist Martin Barre's exceptional acoustic playing. And Barre himself gets a rare solo composition as the album closer (a Christmas gift from Anderson?), the deeply evocative tone-painting "A Winter Snowscape," which takes some gratifying turns away from the most obvious melodic direction. The album's overall mix of folk, jazz, pop, rock, and classical elements carries it beyond the holiday listening for which it was intended, and is all woven together so skillfully as to make this an essential Tull album, their first in almost three decades and their most musically rewarding. And although this Christmas album doesn't necessarily conjure up images of Santa and the Savior, it does create a mood and feeling reflective of the holiday season. More importantly, it is perhaps the most satisfying Tull releases in 25 years. [Reissued in late 2004 in a limited-edition version with a bonus DVD containing three performance videos of material going back to "That Sunday Feeling"]...Dave Sleger & Bruce Eder

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: ca. 144 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Birthday Card at Christmas 3:35
02. Holly Herald [instrumental] 4:15
03. A Christmas Song 2:47
04. Another Christmas Song 3:30
05. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen [instrumental] 4:33
06. Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow 3:35
07. Last Man at the Party 4:47
08. Weathercock 4:17
09. Pavane [instrumental] 4:18
10. First Snow on Brooklyn 4:55
11. Greensleeved [instrumental] 2:39
12. Fire at Midnight 2:24
13. We Five Kings [instrumental] 3:14
14. Ring Out Solstice Bells 4:03
15. Bourée [instrumental] 4:23
16. A Winter Snowscape [instrumental] 4:54

Chicago - Christmas: What's It Gonna Be, Santa (2003)

I've pulled this CD out for my vehicle every holiday season since its release. The band gives each of the songs a new and spirited lift - the horn and rhythm arrangements are stunning. With the sorry state of rock and music in general these days - this "oldies" group still delivers the punch and swing...Manfred Mandel

I have always liked Chicago. I didn't buy this CD when it 1st came out as Chicago 25 but had planned to. With the extra songs included, I'm glad I waited until now to get it. The original brass and woodwind section of James Pankow, Lee Loughnane and Walt Parasaider are all here.
Lee Loughnane, original trumpet player for Chicago, comes out more on lead vocals than he has on the past, singing lead on "Let It Snow!" (this rendition became a big hit for Chicago)and "Sleigh Ride." Jason Scheff, bass player, sings lead on "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "O Come All Ye Faithful" (Walt Parasaider does a fine job on woodwinds) and "This Christmas" (Jason's singing sounds a little like Peter Cetera's). Bill Champlin, keyboardist and guitarist, sings lead on "Little Drummer Boy" (Tris Imboden, Chicago's drummer, did a fine job on drums here), "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "What Child Is This?" and a song he wrote himself called "Bethlehem." Keith Howland, guitarist, sings lead on the rockin' version of "Jolly Old St Nicholas" (I like the alternative band lyrics "Walter wants a saxophone, Jimmy a trombone..." with Keith himself begging Santa for a new guitar!). Robert Lamm, original keyboardist, sings lead on "Winter Wonderland" (I like the alternative chord changes on this which only Chicago could have come up with), "Christmastime Is Here" (from a Charlie Brown Christmas), "The Christmas Song," "Feliz Navidad" and closes the CD with "White Christmas." With all the personell changes, it's hard to imagine a Chicago CD without him! Many of Chicago's children (and Roy Bittan's) are featured on lead vocals with "Child's Prayer" (which Lee wrote) and "One Little Candle" (this one features none of the members of Chicago, since they were busy taking pictures of their children; I guess I'd be the same way if it were one of my kids!).
James Pankow, Chicago's trombonist, does a fine job with the brass arrangements and Roy Bittan from the E Street Band produced this album and helped out with keyboards on many songs. David Milman's liner notes explain the making of this and the addition of new songs. The band originally recorded this in March of 1998 in California, complete with Christmas decorations in the studio!..W. Langan

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 170 MB
Genre : Xmas Brass Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Winter Wonderland 4:19
02. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 3:28
03. Jolly Old St. Nicholas 3:35
04. The Little Drummer Boy 4:05
05. This Christmas 4:03
06. Feliz Navidad 4:15
07. Bethlehem 4:07
08. The Christmas Song 3:36
09. O Come All Ye Faithful 4:45
10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 3:44
11 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4:01
12. Sleigh Ride 3:55
13. Silent Night 3:18
14. What Child Is This? 4:38
15. Christmas Time Is Here 3:46
16. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 3:23
17. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 3:56
18. Child's Prayer 3:23
19. One Little Candle 1:24
20. White Christmas 2:28

petak, 20.11.2009.

Canned Heat - Christmas Album (2007)

Over the years, just about every major performer has recorded a set of his or her own Christmas favorites.
Canned Heat's first attempt at a Christmas recording came about when I met Ross Bagdasarian at Liberty Records in 1968. Canned Heat was riding the charts with "On The Road Again" and I thought it might be interesting if we combined The Chipmunks and Canned Heat in a remake of The Chipmunk Song that had been a hit ten years earlier. If you didn't know about this track's existence, this artist combination might come as a shock. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) featured The Chipmunks & David Seville. The Chipmunks were named after the top three executives at Liberty Records (Alvin, Theodore and Simon). David Seville was another name that Ross used for recording (The Witch Doctor, in 1956 went to #1). The Canned Heat/Chipmunk single received a lot of airplay during the Holidays in 1968, but never gained too much chart success. The "B" side of the single was quickly put together in the studio with Fito de la Parra playing a bluesy ballad on piano and the rest of the band joining in. Meanwhile, I tried to write a lyric that conveyed the blues of not being with the one you loved during the Holidays, but hoping that things would be different next year. The song "Christmas Blues" was born and thirty-five years later, was picked by Heineken Beer for their TV commercial that ran for three Holiday seasons. A second, slowed-down version of "Christmas Blues" features an old friend of the band, Mac Rebennack, better known as "Dr. John" on piano and a third version has been added as a "bonus track." It was recorded in 1998, at the Special Olympics Charity Concert in Washington D.C. It features John Popper from Blues Traveler on vocals and harmonica and Eric Clapton on guitar. After putting out a few CDs together during the past few years, Len Fico, President of Fuel 2000 Records, suggested that the band put together a Christmas album. He had seen a few other classic groups have success with Holiday CDs and thought that the Heat might have similar success. So, in 2006, the current Canned Heat lineup, along with another old friend, Jay Spell, recorded their renditions and adaptations of some traditional Christmas songs to combine with some of their older Holiday recordings. "Jingle Bells" dates from 1857 and was originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh" by composer James S. Pierpont. It soon became more widely known by the opening line of its chorus and has been "Jingle Bells" ever since. Just about every parent has warned their kids that "you better watch out" and "you better be good" because "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"! J. Coots and HavenGillespie composed their friendly seasonal admonition in 1934...Skip Taylor

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 103 MB
Genre : Xmas Blues
2000mustangs

Line-up

Robert Lucas (vocals, guitar, harmonica)
Greg Kage (vocals, bass guitar)
Barry Levenson (guitar)
Adolfo 'Fito' De La Parra (drums)
Alan 'Blind Owl' Wilson
Henry 'Sunflower' Vestine
Larry 'The Mole' Taylor
Bob 'The Bear' Hite

Tracklist:

01. Deck the Halls 4:02
02. The Christmas Song / The Chipmunks 2:50
03. Christmas Blues 2:36
04. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 3:24
05. I Won't Be Home for Christmas 4:16
06. Christmas Boogie 4:11
07. Santa Clause Is Back in Town 3:38
08. Jingle Bells 4:35
09. Christmas Blues (Featuring Dr. John) 7:35
10. Boogie Boy (Little Drummer Boy) 4:27
11. Christmas Blues (Featuring Eric Clapton / John Popper) 3:42

Melissa Etheridge - A New Thought For Christmas

What if someone made a Christmas album for everybody else? That's exactly what Melissa Etheridge has done. Working alongside her producer David Cole, Melissa's songs celebrate a spiritual time of year where people can rejoice in their traditional, or non-traditional ways, and celebrate a winter solstice filled with love and peace. This ten song album has newly composed songs such as "Ring The Bells," "Light A Light," and "It's Christmas Time" interspersed with traditional holiday standards such as "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Blue Christmas." This album begs the question, "If we're all talking about peace on earth, what if we all concentrated on peace on earth and made it happen?"
Melissa Etheridge has been a core Island Records artist since the release of her critically-acclaimed eponymous debut, which led to an invitation to sing on the 1989 Grammy Awards broadcast. For several years, Melissa's popularity built around such memorable songs as "Bring Me Some Water" (from her debut), "No Souvenirs" (from 1989's Brave And Crazy) and "Ain't It Heavy" (from 1992's Never Enough), for which she won her first Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal.
Melissa hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, 1993's Yes I Am, featuring the massive hits "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window," a searing song of longing that brought her second Best Female Rock Grammy. The album went six times platinum and spent more than two and a half years on the album chart. In 1995, she issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret (#6 on the Billboard Top 200), which included the hit single, "I Want to Come Over." Her astounding success led Melissa to receive the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.
Melissa continued to write, record, and tour throughout the '90s and into the new millennium. In 2006, she was approached by Al Gore to write a song for his documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth. The result was "I Need To Wake Up" and in February 2007, she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Melissa's Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled was repackaged to include the OSCAR® winning song. In April 2007, Melissa Etheridge received the distinguished ASCAP Founders Award honoring the anthemic power, compassion, and generosity of spirit of her music, and her enduring status as one of the greatest all-time female rock icons. In September 2007, she released The Awakening, which was selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as #20 on its Top 50 albums of 2007...Dhar Jellinc

Melissa Etheridge - A New Thought For Christmas (2008)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 100 MB
Genre : Xmas Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Blue Christmas 2:45
02. Glorious 3:38
03. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 2:41
04. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 4:23
05. Ring The Bells 6:05
06. Merry Christmas Baby 3:47
07. Christmas In America 4:21
08. Light A Light 5:10
09. It's Christmas Time 4:22
10. O Night Divine 6:58

The Temptations - Give Love At Christmas (1980) (2000)

This is one of the most classic R&B Christmas albums ever recorded; the Temptations come steppin' in prime form. With a chiming introduction, "Give Love on Christmas Day" is an uplifting jingle showcasing Glenn Leonard's unwavering falsetto on lead. "Everything for Christmas" has mellifluous background vocals, with string and horn arrangements rounded out by Richard Street's indelible delivery. "The Christmas Song" and "Silent Night" are two incomparable selections featuring various members on lead, including Melvin Franklin's admirable bass exhibition. Dennis Edwards shines on the jubilant "This Christmas," which also features a spirited musical interlude. In minimal words, this collection of Christmas carols ranks among the best...C. Lytle

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 80 MB
Genre : R&B Xmas
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Give Love on Christmas Day 3:37
02 The Christmas Song 5:11
03 Love Comes With Christmas 3:46
04 The Little Drummer Boy 4:14
05 This Christmas 4:26
06 Everything for Christmas 4:14
07 Christmas Everyday 2:53
08 Silent Night 6:04

četvrtak, 19.11.2009.

Patti LaBelle - Miss Patti's Christmas (2007)

Legendary singer Patti LaBelle soulfully ushers in the holiday season with Miss Patti's Christmas, produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and featuring a mix of original songs and Christmas classics...D. Jellinc

This CD is absolutely phenomenal. You can play it all year round!!! It has remakes of songs by The Emotions and Luther Vandross, timeless classics with a spin that only Miss Patti could do, and original songs that are sure to be new classics. You'll definitely want 3 copies. One for home, one for the car, and one for work. Happy Listening!!..R. Dodson

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 98 MB
Genre : Xmas
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Christmas Jam 4:18
02 It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 3:08
03 What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas? 4:07
04 Holidays Mean More to Me 4:38
05 It's Going to Be a Merry Christmas 4:34
06 Do You Hear What I Hear? 5:01
07 Nativity 3:47
08 Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child / The Original Soul Seekers 4:04
09 Every Year, Every Christmas 5:24
10 Away in a Manger 3:48

Slade - The Party Album (1985) (1999)

The Christmas Party Album was an album by the British glam/hardrock group Slade. It was first released November 1985 and reached number 34 in the UK charts. It contained a load of hits that had been re-recorded, and tracks that had been hits for other bands. Also having two singles released from it helped push sales too.

More of a 'covers' album than a proper studio album, Slade tried to create an LP that had a party atmosphere to it and was value for money. They succeeded, and this album has had numerous re-issues and re-releases over the years under various names. Its 1999 re-release as "The Party Album!" was supposed to coincide with the Millennium. Its current CD incarnation on the Salvo label was released in 2006 and bears the title Crackers: The Rockin' Party Album!.

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 123 MB
Genre : Glam Rock, Hard Rock
2000mustangs

Line-up:

Noddy Holder - Vocals / Guitars / Bass Guitar
Dave Hill - Guitars / Vocals / Bass Guitar
Jim Lea - Bass Guitar / Vocals / Keyboards / Violin / Guitars
Don Powell - Drums / Percussion

Tracklist:

01. Merry Xmas Everybody 3:25
02. Let's Dance 2:35
03. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 2:38
04. When I'm Dancin I Ain't Fighting 3:36
05. We'll Bring the House Down 3:32
06. Cum on Feel the Noize 4:26
07. All Join Hands 4:16
08. Do You Believe in Miracles 4:16
09. Let's Have a Party 1:47
10. Get Down and Get With It 3:50
11. My Oh My 4:12
12. Run Runaway 4:59
13. Mama Weer All Crazee Now 3:42
14. Okey Cokey 3:26
15. Here's to the New Year 3:10
16. Auld Lang Syne / You'll Never Walk Alone 3:27

srijeda, 18.11.2009.

Sting - If On A Winter's Night

It's no secret that Sting is a serious man, so it's only logical that his holiday album -- his first new music since the Police reunion, not that it really matters -- is a serious endeavor, thank you. No niceties for him, no comforts of carols; he favors formal over familiar, writing madrigals, not ditties. The austerity here is genuine, not affected, and the cerebral nature of the album is gently fascinating. ..S. Erlewine

If on a Winter's Night presents an arc of songs that conjure the season of spirits, the eerie silences of the snow; days of solitude and reflection for some, a time of re-birth and celebration for many. With traditional music of the British Isles as their starting point, Sting and his guest musicians draw the listener in through a collection of songs, carols, and lullabies spanning the centuries - such as The Snow it Melts the Soonest (traditional Newcastle ballad), Soul Cake (traditional English "begging" song) Gabriel's Message (14th century carol), as well as two of Sting's own compositions - Lullaby for an Anxious Child and The Hounds of Winter. Also featured on the album is Hurdy Gurdy Man - a musical reworking and English translation (by Sting) of Der Leiermann from Schubert's classic winter song-cycle Winterreise. For this exploration of the themes and emotions of winter Sting is joined by friend and long time colleague, guitarist Dominic Miller - and an ensemble of three remarkable musicians from Northern England and Scotland: Kathryn Tickell (fiddle and Northumbrian pipes) Julian Sutton (melodian) and Mary MacMaster (metal string Scottish harp). Additional guest artists include Vincent Ségal (cello), Daniel Hope (violin), Chris Botti (trumpet), Ibrahim Maalouf (trumpet), Stile Antico (vocal ensemble), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Bijan Chemirani (percussion) and the Webb Sisters (vocals). Together they've created an album with a wonderful, warm, and unique ensemble sound - an acoustic meditation on winter.

Sting - If On A Winter's Night (17-track Deluxe Edit 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 131 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Gabriel's Message 2:34
02 Soul Cake 3:29
03 There Is No Rose of Such Virtue 4:04
04 The Snow It Melts the Soonest 3:44
05 Christmas at Sea 4:38
06 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming 2:42
07 Cold Song 3:16
08 The Burning Babe 2:45
09 Now Winter Comes Slowly 3:06
10 The Hounds of Winter 5:51
11 Balulalow 3:10
12 Cherry Tree Carol 3:12
13 Lullaby for an Anxious Child 2:50
14 The Hurdy-Gurdy Man 2:51
15 You Only Cross My Mind in Winter 2:35
16. Bethlehem Down (Bonus) 2:53
17. Blake's Cradle Song (Bonus) 3:29

utorak, 17.11.2009.

Grand Funk - Shinin' On (1974) (10-track Remaster 2003)

The #5 chart topper from 1973 featuring 'The Loco-Motion', here reissued and 24-bit digitally remastered with the b-side 'Destitute and 'Losin' and a 2002 remix of 'Shinin'. Capitol Records. 2003.

After racking up its biggest success to date with We're an American Band, Grand Funk Railroad decided to keep a good thing going by retaining Todd Rundgren as its producer and continuing to push its sound in a pop/rock direction. The end result has its moments but is not as strong as We're an American Band. Although the songs are tight and benefit from a strong performance by the group, the material simply isn't as inspired this time out: songs like "Please Me" and "Getting Over You" are energetic but lack the infectious hooks and clever arrangement touches that would make them stick in the listener's memory. Shinin' On's best songs are the ones that became its single releases: the title track infuses its hard-driving, spacy rock groove with some surprisingly ethereal vocal harmonies and the cover of "The Loco Motion" turns this dance classic on its ear with a stomping beat and a screeching guitar lead from Mark Farner. Other tracks make up for their lack of hooks by experimenting with the group's sound in interesting ways: "Mr. Pretty Boy" is a creepy, slow blues song that features an atmospheric Mellotron backing, and "To Get Back In" is a full-fledged soul song built on a thick combination of organ and horns. In the end, Shinin' On is too unfocused and uneven to win over non-fans, but Grand Funk Railroad fans will find plenty to enjoy on this album...D. Guarisco

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 108 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Shinin' On 5:58
02 To Get Back In 3:55
03 The Loco-Motion 2:45
04 Carry Me Through 5:31
05 Please Me 3:37
06 Mr. Pretty Boy 3:08
07 Gettin' Over You 3:58
08 Little Johnny Hooker 5:10
09 Destitute and Losin' Bonus 7:03
10 Shinin' On Bonus / 2003 Remix 6:10

ponedjeljak, 16.11.2009.

George Thorogood - The Dirty Dozen

A unique collection of 6 new blues-rock tracks in classic Thorogood style, combined with 6 "fan favorites" that have been out-of-print and hard to find on CD.

After more than a decade of recording for other labels, George Thorogood & the Destroyers moved back to EMI/Capitol for the release of 2009's The Dirty Dozen. Split into two sides (just like a vinyl album!) and consisting of covers of classic blues songs, some bar band favorites, and a couple of lesser-known tracks, the album showcases the current sound of the band and digs back into the archives to uncover some buried tracks from the '80s and '90s. What's uncanny is that apart from the tinny sound of the recordings from the late '80s/early '90s, the band and Thorogood sound exactly the same almost two decades later. Just as they sound virtually unchanged from the first time they stepped into a recording studio. George still has the same ferocious slide technique, his growling vocals have barely aged, and the band still has the feel of skilled musicians who know how to play it simple. In other words, GT & the Destroyers still rock, and if you were ever a fan, you still should be. The only real problem with this record is that as cool as it is to hear the band's 1991 take on "Six Days on the Road" or their tumble through Howlin' Wolf's "Howlin' for My Baby," it'd be better to hear more of the new tracks. They have a more immediate feel and the group sounds like they're playing for fun rather than chasing commercial success. There's a fire in "Born Lover" and a bounce in "Run Myself Out of Town" that the old, muffled production can't reproduce. Not that the old tracks are bad by any means, and longtime fans of GT will be glad to have them. Just as they will be glad that he and the Destroyers are still around and still rocking out...T. Sendra

George Thorogood - The Dirty Dozen (2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 112 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Tail Dragger (3:41)
02. Drop Down Mama (4:20)
03. Run Myself Out Of Town (3:03)
04. Born Lover (4:12)
05. Twenty Dollar Gig (3:16)
06. Let Me Pass (3:40)
07. Howlin' For My Baby (5:13)
08. Highway 49 (5:47)
09. Six Days On The Road (4:23)
10. Treat Her Right (2:59)
11. Hello Little Girl (3:47)
12. Blue Highway (4:43)

nedjelja, 15.11.2009.

Def Leppard - Adrenalize (1992) (2CD Deluxe Remaster)

Adrenalize, Def Leppards fifth studio album from 1992 cemented the band as the dominant arena rock band. The album was recorded following the tragic death of guitarist Steve Clark - with Phil Collen recording all guitar parts - and dedicated to his memory. The album featured huge singles such as "Let's Get rocked" and "make Love Like a man" and debuted at no. 1 in both the UK and USA (and went on to sell over 7-million copies worldwide).
The Deluxe Edition features a remastered version of the originalalbum with a bonus disc of rare, live, acoustic and demo versions.

Def Leppard's 1992 Follow-Up To The Over Amazing, Extraordinary "HYSTERIA" was no simple task to complete, Def Leppard has faced another major setback, the death of there fellow guitar player and a major contributor to the music of Def Leppard: "Steve Clark". Steve, Had already written/recorded a lot of the songs featured on "Adrenalize", so with that already said, after his passing, Def Leppard had to either stop or go and they decided to go, Phil Collen had the job of picking up where Steve left off and re-recording everything Steve had almost finished. Adrenalize is a great, rocking album and although not "HYSTERIA", is still a great sequel.
Now, on to this Remaster. It's Great, The Remaster Does It Justice and Yea, It Makes The Total Difference Compared To The Original Disc Released in 1992. The Volumes Have Been Put Up On All The Cylinders, The Guitars Are Much Clearer and Cleaner...Overall This Remaster Rocks!
Disc-2, Contains A Lot Of Live Tracks From The Adrenalize Tour and You'll Find The Rare-Gem Of The Demo Version Of "Tonight" which Is Awesome!
I Highly Recommend This Deluxe Edition, The Sleek Package and The Music That Awaits You On The Inside Will Blow You Away!...A. Cordoba

Def Leppard - Adrenalize (1992) (2CD Deluxe Remaster 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 254 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01 Let's Get Rocked 4:56
02 Heaven Is 3:33
03 Make Love Like a Man 4:15
04 Tonight 4:03
05 White Lightning 7:03
06 Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion) 4:32
07 Personal Property 4:21
08 Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad 5:24
09 I Wanna Touch U 3:37
10 Tear It Down 3:39

CD 2

01 Hysteria Live 7:17
02 Photograph Live 4:44
03 Pour Some Sugar on Me Live 5:09
04 Let's Get Rocked Live 5:46
05 You Can't Always Get What You Want / Hothouse Flowers 7:43
06 Little Wing / Hothouse Flowers 3:40
07 Tonight Demo Version 4:24
08 Now I'm Here / Brian May Live 6:03
09 Two Steps Behind Acoustic 4:11
10 Tonight Acoustic - Sun Studios Version 4:16
11 Too Late for Love Live 6:01
12 Women Live 6:34

petak, 13.11.2009.

Rihanna

The wait is ova - for one of the most hotly anticipated new albums in recent history, as multi-platinum, award-winning Def Jam recording artist Rihanna announces the completion of her fourth original studio album, Rated R, scheduled to arrive in the physical and digital marketplace on Monday, November 23rd. The "Russian Roulette" video, directed by Anthony Mandler, will premiere in prime-time on ABC. "Russian Roulette" was written and produced by fellow Def Jam artist Ne-Yo, whose long track record with Rihanna includes the #1 hit "Unfaithful" (2006, from A Girl Like Me), their Top 10 duet "Hate That I Love You" (2007, from Good Girl Gone Bad), and #1 pop/ #1 R&B "Take A Bow" (2008, from Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded). In addition to Ne-Yo, other producers and writers on Rihanna's new album include the team of The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, Chase & Status, Stargate, Justin Timberlake and more. Rated R is the long-awaited follow-up to Good Girl Gone Bad (May 2007), which contained the non-stop string of hit singles that began with the MTV VMA and Grammy Award-winning global #1 hit "Umbrella" (featuring Jay-Z), then "Shut Up and Drive," "Hate That I Love You" (featurˇing Ne-Yo), and "Don't Stop the Music." Good Girl Gone Bad spent 98 total weeks on the Soundscan chart, earned cumulative sales of more than 36-times platinum in at least 20 territories around the world, and spun off the CD+DVD package Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (January 2009) - which continued the string of hits with the #1 "Take A Bow," and the #1 "Disturbia." Good Girl Gone Bad was the third album release in less than two years by the 21-year old Barbados native Rihanna. It followed-up 2006's RIAA platinum A Girl Like Me, which contained the back-to-back hits, "S.O.S." and "Unfaithful"; and her RIAA gold debut from 2005, Music Of the Sun, featuring the world-wide smash,
"Pon De Replay."

Rihanna - Rated R (2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 118 MB
Genre : R&B
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Mad House 1:34
02. Wait Your Turn 3:46
03. Hard (featuring Jeezy 4:10
04. Stupid In Love 4:01
05. Rockstar 101 (featuring Slash) 3:58
06. Russian Roulette 3:47
07. Fire Bomb 4:17
08. Rude Boy 3:42
09. Photographs (featuring Will.i.am) 4:46
10.G4L 3:59
11.Te Amo 3:28
12.Cold Case Love 6:04
13.The Last Song 4:16

četvrtak, 12.11.2009.

AC/DC - Backtracks (2CD)

As handsome as this package is -- or in the case of the super limited edition, housed in a working guitar amp, as ridiculous -- Backtracks is essentially just a clearinghouse for AC/DC rarities, rounding up all the released tracks and videos that have yet to appear on a collection, throwing in a full-length DVD of 2003 for good measure. In other words, it's a set designed for the kind of diehard who would purchase a box set housed in a working amplifier, but its pleasures aren't limited to the dedicated, particularly when it comes to early AC/DC. Prior to 1979's Highway to Hell, all the band's LPs differed in their Australian and international incarnations (one, 1975's TNT, was just cannibalized for other albums), so there are quite a few stray tracks -- a full 12, ranging from the priceless boogie "R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)" to the throwaway instrumental "Fling Thing," plus alternate takes of "High Voltage," "It's a Long Way to the Top," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," and "Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)" (only available on the deluxe, giving another good reason to opt for the big set). The studio disc is rounded out by some OK latter-day tracks, highlighted by "Big Gun" from the Last Action Hero soundtrack and the nifty little rocker "Cyberspace," and it's quite nice to have all these cuts rounded up. If the live tracks aren't quite as noteworthy, it's largely because there have already been several live releases -- proper albums, box sets, and home videos alike -- but the quality of the two CDs is quite high, opening with a clutch of Bon Scott cuts before settling into a stretch from a dynamite set from Detroit's Joe Louis Arena in 1983, then finding the group trotting around the globe on the third disc. This is supplemented by a DVD dubbed Family Jewels 3, a disc that rounds up all the videos not on the original double-disc collection, including a pair of clips from 2008's Black Ice ("Rock N Roll Train," "Anything Goes"), and alternate takes of seven videos featured on the original compilation. Finally, Backtracks ends with that 2003 show, finding AC/DC in a relatively small venue in Munich, tearing through a concert that relies heavily on early classics. It's a set list that could pretty much be called a hardcore fan's dream, which makes it a fitting close to this box, because if this is anything, it's one for the fans, the ones who have stuck with the band though 35 years of unrelenting rock & roll...S. Erlewine

AC/DC - Backtracks (2CD 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 286 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD1 [STUDIO RARITIES]

01 Stick Around 4:39
02 Love Song 5:15
03 Fling Thing 2:00
04 R.I.P. (Rock in Peace) 3:35
05 Carry Me Home 3:57
06 Crabsody in Blue 4:43
07 Cold Hearted Man 3:36
08 Snake Eye 3:17
09 Borrowed Time 3:45
10 Down on the Borderline 4:14
11 Big Gun DVD 4:20
12 Cyberspace 2:55

CD 2 [LIVE RARITIES]

01 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 5:10
02 Dog Eat Dog 4:30
03 Live Wire 5:06
04 Shot Down in Flames 3:28
05 Back in Black 4:19
06 T.N.T. 3:53
07 Let There Be Rock 7:30
08 Guns for Hire 5:23
09 Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution 4:11
10 This House Is on Fire 3:22
11 You Shook Me All Night Long 3:27
12 Jailbreak 13:21
13 Highway to Hell 3:59
14 For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) 6:55
15 Safe in New York City 3:54

srijeda, 11.11.2009.

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) (Digipak Remaster)

Elton John's most extravagant creation is a 17-song workout of seamless '70s pop rock. Despite its ambition and breadth, the album is unpretentious and endearing, as John and lyricist-partner Bernie Taupin seemingly aim to provide nothing but pleasure for their listeners. You can thrill to the grand synth washes of "Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding)"; croon to ballads like "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Candle in the Wind," and "Harmony"; rock to stunners like "Bennie and the Jets" and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"; and, yes, scratch your head over the lyrical excesses of "Grey Seal" ("Your roots were formed by twisted roots/Your roots were twisted then"). Pure pop at its finest. B. Wyman

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was where Elton John's personality began to gather more attention than his music, as it topped the American charts for eight straight weeks. In many ways, the double album was a recap of all the styles and sounds that made John a star. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is all over the map, beginning with the prog rock epic "Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding)" and immediately careening into the balladry of "Candle in the Wind." For the rest of the album, John leaps between popcraft ("Bennie and the Jets"), ballads ("Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"), hard rock ("Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"), novelties ("Jamaica Jerk-Off"), Bernie Taupin's literary pretensions ("The Ballad of Danny Bailey"), and everything in between. Though its diversity is impressive, the album doesn't hold together very well. Even so, its individual moments are spectacular and the glitzy, crowd-pleasing showmanship that fuels the album pretty much defines what made Elton John a superstar in the early '70s...S. Thomas

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) (Digipak Remaster 2008)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 168 MB
Genre : Power pop, Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding) 11:08
02 Candle in the Wind 3:50
03 Bennie And The Jets 5:23
04 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 3:14
05 This Song Has No Title 2:23
06 Grey Seal 3:58
07 Jamaica Jerk Off 3:39
08 I've Seen That Movie Too 5:59
09 Sweet Painted Lady 3:52
10 The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-1934) 4:24
11 Dirty Little Girl 5:01
12 All the Girls Love Alice 5:08
13 Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n Roll) 2:42
14 Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting 4:54
15 Roy Rogers 4:08
16 Social Disease 3:44
17 Harmony 2:45

utorak, 10.11.2009.

Kim Wilde - Catch As Catch Can (1983) (Remaster Edit)

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of the British Pop vocalist's 1983 album including five bonus tracks. Catch As Catch Can was Kim's third album and includes the UK hit singles 'Love Blonde' and 'Dancing In The Dark'. Bonus tracks include remixes of those singles plus the non-album 'Back Seat Driver'. Comes with a detailed booklet featuring original LP artwork, in-depth liner notes and all relevant picture sleeves. Cherry Pop. 2009.

Kim Wilde's third album was never released in the U.S. -- EMI America had dropped the singer after 1982's career high point, Select, didn't spawn any hits -- which is a shame since this admittedly uneven album is a key transition point in her career. Catch as Catch Can is probably Wilde's most experimental album, a continuation of the dark-hued synth rock feel of Select with hints of the more commercial dance-pop sound that would characterize the rest of her career. Certainly the first single, the gimmicky, campy strut "Love Blonde," is the oddest single of Wilde's career. Elsewhere, the genuinely beautiful ballad "Can You Hear It" (probably the prettiest song Wilde ever recorded), "Sparks," and the quirky "Dream Sequence" have an atmospheric, nearly psychedelic tinge, thanks to hazy backing vocals and diffused, dreamy arrangements. However, other songs like the opening "House of Salome" and the stuttering "Back Street Joe" point toward the purely electronic Hi-NRG disco sound that would characterize 1984's Teases & Dares, and indeed pretty much every Kim Wilde release thereafter. [The 2009 edition added five bonus tracks including a remix of "Dancing in the Dark" by Nile Rodgers.]...S. Mason

Kim Wilde - Catch As Catch Can (1983) (Remaster Edit 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 143 MB
Genre : Rock. Power pop. New wave
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Hosue of Salome 3:34
02 Back Street Joe 4:27
03 Stay Awhile 3:39
04 Love Blonde 4:05
05 Dream Sequence 6:04
06 Dancing in the Dark 3:43
07 Shoot to Disable 3:36
08 Can You Hear It 4:24
09 Sparks 4:09
10 Sing It out for Love 3:33
11 Love Blonde 7" Version Bonus 3:32
12 Back Street Driver Bonus 3:32
13 Love Blonde 12" Version Bonus 5:00
14 Dancing in the Dark Nile Rodgers Re-Mix Bonus 5:25
15 Dancing in the Dark Bonus / Instrumenta 3:38

ponedjeljak, 09.11.2009.

The James Gang - 15 Greatest Hits (1973) (1990)

This older hits package has the version of "The Bomber" that only has "Closet Queen" and "Cast Your Fate To The Wind". That is a PLUS to me because I don't like the newer remastered versions of this song that contain Ravel's "Bolero" between these two other parts of the medley. The crescendo achieved at the end of "Closet Queen" that transitions into "Cast Your Fate" is remarkable and for me is THE BEST James Gang moment EVER. The addition of "Bolero" only slows this down to almost a dirge. I know this is how it was originally recorded but IMO this is a case where I think the shorter medley works better. Only trouble is, this is on an older generation CD and the sound quality is a little muddier and volume is certainly lower that the remastered CDs. Doubt if we will ever get a remastered version of this song without "Bolero" however. ..J. Anslay

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 162 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Walk Away
02. Funk #49
03. Midnight Man
04. Bomber: Closet Queen/Cast Your Fate to the Wind
05. Stop
06. Thanks
07. White Man/Black Man
08. Woman
09. Again
10. Take a Look Around
11. Funk #48
12. Tend My Garden
13. There I Go Again
14. Ashes, the Rain and I
15. Collage

Elton John - Elton John (1970) (2CD Deluxe Edi)

2008 digitally remastered deluxe two CD edition of Elton's self titled album featuring an additional eight bonus tracks on the first disc plus a second CD containing 12 additional bonus tracks. Originally released in 1970, Elton John was his second album which spawned the classics 'Your Song', 'Take Me To The Pilot' and 'Border Song' and launched his musical career into the stratosphere. This deluxe edition features piano demos of eight of the album's tracks plus piano demos for five tracks that never made the album. Also included are non-album cuts, BBC sessions and more. Universal.

Elton John - Elton John (1970) (2CD Deluxe Edit 2008)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 250 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01 Your Song 4:04
02 I Need You to Turn To 2:33
03 Take Me to the Pilot 3:46
04 No Shoes Strings on Louise 3:31
05 First Episode at Hienton 4:47
06 Sixty Years On 4:35
07 Border Song 3:21
08 The Greatest Discovery 4:12
09 The Cage 3:27
10 The King Must Die 5:07

CD 2

01 Your Song prev. unreleased / Bonus / Demo Version 3:35
02 I Need You to Turn To prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 2:12
03 Take Me to the Pilot prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 2:36
04 No Shoes Strings on Louise prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:33
05 Sixty Years On prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 4:21
06 The Greatest Discovery prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:58
07 The Cage prev. unreleased / Bonus / Demo Version 3:21
08 The King Must Die prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 5:24
09 Rock and Roll Madonna prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:11
10 Thank You Mama prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:20
11 All the Way Down to El Paso prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 2:49
12 I'm Going Home prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:05
13 Grey Seal Bonus / Piano Demo 3:19
14 Rock and Roll Madonna - Incomplete Band Demo 2:55
15 Bad Side of the Moon Bonus 3:13
16 Grey Seal Bonus 3:36
17 Rock and Roll Madonna Bonus 4:18
18 Border Song / Hookfoot prev. unreleased / Bonus / BBC Session 3:21
19 Your Song previously unreleased / Bonus / BBC Session 4:01
20 Take Me to the Pilot previously unreleased / Bonus / BBC Session 3:33

subota, 07.11.2009.

Arthur Brown - The Crazy World Of... (1968) (Remaster Edit 1998)

1998 reissue of the 1968 debut by the theatrical rock singer's band, featuring both mono and stereo versions of five tracks, including the #2 smash 'Fire'. 15 tracks

An Excellent album from the most unsung singer in musical history (If you'll excuse the pun). One of the best albums of the 60's especially from the progressive side of music. On the first side we have a conceptual rock record that is concerned with damnation, hell-fire and the soul. Then on side two their are more standard but still brilliant covers with some excellent psychedelia. Rather unusually for a record in my collection this album features very little guitar instead the lead instrument is Vincent Crane's (later of Atomic Rooster) excellent organ. The vocals here are of course some of the best ever as Arthur sings with a range and emotion that few can match. So if your interested in great music from the 60's give this a try.

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 133 MB
Genre : Psychedelic rock, Rock and roll, Shock rock
2000mustangs

Line-up

Arthur Brown - Vocals
Vincent Crane - Keyboards
Drachen Theaker - Drums

Teacklist:

01 Prelude - Nightmare 3:28
02 Fanfare - Fire Poem 1:51
03 Fire 2:54
04 Come and Buy 5:40
05 Time / Confusion 5:11
06 I Put a Spell on you 3:41
07 Spontaneous Apple Creation 2:54
08 Rest Cure 2:44
09 I've Got Money 3:09
10 Child of My Kingdom 7:01
11 Prelude - Nightmare [Mono Version] 3:49
12 Fanfare - Fire Poem [Mono Version] 2:01
13 Fire [Mono Version] 3:01
14 Come and Buy [Mono Version] 5:05
15 Time / Confusion [Mono Version] 4:57

Kiss - Sonic Boom (2CD Deluxe Edit)

2009 album from the Rock legends. After a nine year wait, Kiss release the studio album Sonic Boom. Featuring 11 brand new Kiss anthems, Sonic Boom is an emphatic statement from one of Rock's most iconic bands. Says guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley: "The purpose of this album isn't to let people know that we're still around - it's to let people know we can still knock out anybody who's out there!"

Deluxe Edit includes 2nd cd of 15 Kiss Classix. After a 9-year wait, Rock superstars KISS release a brand new studio in 'Sonic Boom'. Featuring 11 brand new KISS anthems, Sonic Boom is an emphatic statement from one of rock's most iconic bands. Says guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley: "The purpose of this album isn't to let people know that we're still around - it's to let people know we can still knock out anybody who's out there!"

Kiss - Sonic Boom (2CD Deluxe Edit 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 221 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01. Modern Day Deliah 3.37
02. Russian Roulette 4.32
03. Never Enough 3.26
04. Yes I Know (Nobody´s Perfect) 3.02
05. Stand 4.50
06. Hot And Cold 3.36
07. All The Glory 3.49
08. Danger Us 4.22
09. I´m An Animal 3.47
10. When Lightning Strikes 3.45
11. Say Yeah 4.27

CD 2

01. Deuce 3.07
02. Detroit Rock City 3.56
03. Shout It Out Loud 2.53
04. Hotter Than Hell 3.09
05. Calling Dr. Love 3.25
06. Love Gun 3.14
07. I Was Made For Lovin' You 4.41
08. Heaven's On Fire 3.23
09. Lick It Up 3.56
10. I Love It Loud 4.08
11. Forever 3.52
12. Christine Sixteen 2.59
13. Do You Love Me? 3.38
14. Black Diamond 4.19
15. Rock And Roll All Nite 2.48

petak, 06.11.2009.

Norah Jones - The Fall

The Fall" is the new studio album by American singer-songwriter Norah Jones that will be released in November 17, 2009.

Norah has taken a new direction on the The Fall, experimenting with different sounds and a new set of collaborators, including Jacquire King, a noted producer and engineer who has worked with Kings of Leon, Tom Waits and Modest Mouse. Jones enlisted several songwriting collaborators, including Ryan Adams and Okkervil River's Will Sheff, as well as her frequent partners Jesse Harris & Richard Julian. Musicians include drummers Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.) and James Gadson (Bill Withers), keyboardist James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Al Green), and guitarists Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello) and Smokey Hormel (Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer).

Norah Jones - The Fall (2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 103 MB
Genre : Blues
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Chasing Pirates 2:40
02 Even Though 3:52
03 Light as a Feather 3:52
04 Young Blood 3:38
05 I Wouldn't Need You 3:30
06 Waiting 3:31
07 It's Gonna Be 3:11
08 You've Ruined Me 2:45
09 Back to Manhattan 4:09
10 Stuck 5:15
11 December 3:05
12 Tell Your Mama 3:25
13 Man of the Hour 2:56

mirror

četvrtak, 05.11.2009.

Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1971) (Japan Mini LP 2006)

Japanese reissue of 1971 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve. Includes the same 2 bonus tracks as the U.S. version.

Instead of repeating the formula that made Elton John a success, John and Bernie Taupin attempted their most ambitious record to date for the follow-up to their breakthrough. A loose concept album about the American West, Tumbleweed Connection emphasized the pretensions that always lay beneath their songcraft. Half of the songs don't follow conventional pop song structures; instead, they flow between verses and vague choruses. These experiments are remarkably successful, primarily because Taupin's lyrics are evocative and John's melodic sense is at its best. As should be expected for a concept album about the Wild West, the music draws from country and blues in equal measures, ranging from the bluesy choruses of "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" and the modified country of "Country Comfort" to the gospel-inflected "Burn Down the Mission" and the rolling, soulful "Amoreena." Paul Buckmaster manages to write dramatic but appropriate string arrangements that accentuate the cinematic feel of the album. Stephen Thomas

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 137 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun 4:59
02 Come Down in Time 3:26
03 Country Comfort 5:07
04 Son of Your Father 3:48
05 My Father's Gun 6:20
06 Where to Now St. Peter? 4:12
07 Love Song 3:41
08 Amoreena 4:59
09 Talking Old Soldiers 4:08
10 Burn Down the Mission 6:37
11 Into the Old Man's Shoes 4:04
12 Madman Across the Water Original Version 8:56

Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1971) (2CD Deluxe Edit)

2008 digitally remastered deluxe two CD edition of Elton's hit album featuring a bonus CD containing 13 additional tracks including previously unreleased cuts, demos and more. Originally released in 1971, Tumbleweed Connection featured EJ classics like 'Burn Down The Mission', 'Love Song' and 'Country Comfort'. This deluxe edition features piano demos of many of the album's tracks plus BBC sessions and more. 23 tracks total. Universal.

Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1971) (2CD Deluxe Edit 2008)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 248 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01 Ballad of a Well-Known Gun 4:59
02 Come Down in Time 3:25
03 Country Comfort 5:06
04 Son of Your Father 3:48
05 My Father's Gun 6:20
06 Where to Now St. Peter? 4:11
07 Love Song 3:41
08 Amoreena 5:00
09 Talking Old Soldiers 4:06
10 Burn Down the Mission 6:21

CD 2

01 There Goes a Well-Known Gun prev. unreleased / Bonus 3:27
02 Come Down in Time prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:21
03 Country Comfort prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 4:12
04 Son of Your Father prev. unreleased / Bonus / Version 4:12
05 Talking Old Soldiers prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 4:13
06 Into the Old Man's Shoes prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 3:40
07 Sisters of the Cross prev. unreleased / Bonus / Piano Demo 4:38
08 Madman Across the Water Bonus / Original Version 8:51
09 Into the Old Man's Shoes Bonus 4:02
10 My Father's Gun Bonus / BBC Session 3:43
11 Ballad of a Well-Known Gun prev. unreleased / Bonus / BBC Session 4:36
12 Burn Down the Mission prev. unreleased / Bonus / BBC Session 6:52
13 Amoreena prev. unreleased / Bonus / BBC Session 5:12

srijeda, 04.11.2009.

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland (1968)(Japan SHM CD)

Japanese reissue on SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan. Polycarbonate plastic with improved transparency is used for the disc surface for enhanced audio quality. *Plays on regular CD players. Written and produced by Jimi Hendrix, the album is seen as the peak of Hendrix's mastery of the electric guitar, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It is not only the last of his albums released as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, but also the last of Hendrix's studio albums to be professionally produced under his own supervision. After Electric Ladyland, Hendrix spent the remaining two years of his life attempting to organize a new band and recording a breadth of new songs. Released as a double album, Electric Ladyland is a cross-section of Hendrix's wide range of musical talent. It includes samples of several genres and styles of music, including the psychedelia of "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" (previously a UK single in the summer of 1967), the bluesy guitar jam "Voodoo Chile", the New Orleans-style rock and roll of "Come On", the epic studio production of "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)", and the social commentary of "House Burning Down". The album also features a cover version of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" that was widely praised by many, including Dylan himself, as well as "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", a staple of both radio and guitar repertoire. ”

Jimi Hendrix's third and final album with the original Experience found him taking his funk and psychedelic sounds to the absolute limit. The result was not only one of the best rock albums of the era, but also Hendrix's original musical vision at its absolute apex. When revisionist rock critics refer to him as the maker of a generation's mightiest dope music, this is the album they're referring to. But Electric Ladyland is so much more than just background music for chemical intake. Kudos to engineer Eddie Kramer (who supervised the remastering of the original two-track stereo masters for this 1997 reissue on MCA) for taking Hendrix's visions of a soundscape behind his music and giving it all context, experimenting with odd mic techniques, echo, backward tape, flanging, and chorusing, all new techniques at the time, at least the way they're used here. What Hendrix sonically achieved on this record expanded the concept of what could be gotten out of a modern recording studio in much the same manner as Phil Spector had done a decade before with his Wall of Sound. As an album this influential (and as far as influencing a generation of players and beyond, this was his ultimate statement for many), the highlights speak for themselves: "Crosstown Traffic," his reinterpretation of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," "Burning of the Midnight Lamp," the spacy "1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)," and "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)," a landmark in Hendrix's playing. With this double set (now on one compact disc), Hendrix once again pushed the concept album to new horizons...C. Koda

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland (1968)(Japan SHM CD 2008)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 172 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 ...And the Gods Made Love 1:21
02 Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland) 2:12
03 Crosstown Traffic 2:25
04 Voodoo Chile 15:05
05 Little Miss Strange 2:50
06 Long Hot Summer Night 3:30
07 Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) 4:10
08 Gypsy Eyes 3:46
09 Burning of the Midnight Lamp 3:44
10 Rainy Day, Dream Away 3:43
11 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be) 13:46
12 Moon, Turn the Tides...Gently Gently Away 1:01
13 Still Raining, Still Dreaming 4:24
14 House Burning Down 4:35
15 All Along the Watchtower 4:01
16 Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 5:14

Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears (1991) (Remaster 2002)

This is Ozzy's second album to be certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.

Having been cleared earlier in the year in another lawsuit concerning the supposedly suicide-inducing subject matter of his music, Ozzy Osbourne reinvigorated his sound and expanded his following with his sixth studio album, No More Tears, in the fall of 1991. Finding more sympathetic producers in Duane Baron and John Purdell to replace Roy Thomas Baker (who had helmed his last effort, 1988's No Rest for the Wicked), collaborating with Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead on four songs, and retaining the services of guitarist Zakk Wylde, Osbourne brought his music into the 1990s. Songs like "Desire" and "S.I.N." had an energetic, contemporary metal sound, and Osbourne effectively changed gears to turn out gentle ballads like "Mama, I'm Coming Home," which gave him his first U.S. Top 40 hit on his own. Not cowed by his court cases, he wrote songs about child abuse ("Mr. Tinkertrain") and serial murder ("No More Tears") from the point of view of the criminals. But he also considered his own place in the general scheme of things in the tribute to the rock & roll lifestyle "Hellraiser" and the reflective "Road to Nowhere." It all made for an unusually broad range of material, and the album returned him to the Top Ten and multi-platinum status. The 2002 reissue adds two appropriate bonus tracks, "Don't Blame Me," which was the non-LP B-side to "Mama, I'm Coming Home," and "Party With the Animals," which appeared on the 1992 soundtrack to the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Both are powerful rockers, and they make the album an even stronger collection...W. Ruhlmann

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 151 MB
Genre : Heavy Metal
2000mustangs

Line-up

Ozzy Osbourne - vocals
Zakk Wylde - guitar
Bob Daisley - bass
Randy Castillo - drums
John Sinclair - keyboards

Tracklist:

01 Mr. Tinkertrain 5:56
02 I Don't Want to Change the World 4:05
03 Mama, I'm Coming Home 4:11
04 Desire 5:45
05 No More Tears 7:24
06 S.I.N. 4:47
07 Hellraiser 4:52
08 Time After Time 4:20
09 Zombie Stomp 6:13
10 A.V.H. 4:12
11 Road to Nowhere 5:12
12 Don't Blame Me Bonus 5:06
13 Party With the Animals Bonus 4:17

utorak, 03.11.2009.

Pretty Things - S.F. Sorrow 1968) (Digipak Remaster 2002)

Who could ever have thought, going back to the Pretty Things' first recording session in 1965 — which started out so disastrously that their original producer quit in frustration — that it would come to this? The Pretty Things' early history in the studio featured the band with its amps seemingly turned up to 11, but for much of S.F. Sorrow the band is turned down to seven or four, or even two, or not amplified at all (except for Wally Allen's bass — natch), and they're doing all kinds of folkish things here that are still bluesy enough so you never forget who they are, amid weird little digressions on percussion and chorus; harmony vocals that are spooky, trippy, strange, and delightful; sitars included in the array of stringed instruments; and an organ trying hard to sound like a Mellotron. Sometimes one gets an echo of Pink Floyd's Piper at the Gates of Dawn or A Saucerful of Secrets, and it all straddles the worlds of British blues and British psychedelia better than almost any record you can name. The album, for those unfamiliar, tells the story of "S.F. Sorrow," a sort of British Everyman — think of a working-class, luckless equivalent to the Kinks' Arthur, from cradle to grave. The tale and the songs are a bit downbeat and no amount of scrutiny can disguise the fact that the rock opera S.F. Sorrow is ultimately a bit of a confusing effort — these boys were musicians, not authors or dramatists. Although it may have helped inspire Tommy, it is, simply, not nearly as good. That said, it was first and has quite a few nifty ideas and production touches. And it does show a pathway between blues and psychedelia that the Rolling Stones, somewhere between Satanic Majesties, "We Love You," "Child of the Moon," and Beggars Banquet, missed entirely. [This CD reissue on Snapper adds four valuable songs from their 1967-1968 singles ("Defecting Grey," "Mr. Evasion," "Talkin' About the Good Times," and "Walking Through My Dreams"). This version of "Defecting Grey" is the original, long, uncut five-minute rendition, and not of trivial importance; it's superior to the shorter one used on the official single.]...B. Eder

1968's S.F. Sorrow is arguably the first concept album ever recorded (although depending on what your definition of a concept is, that point can be debated). It traces the story of a man called Sebastian Sorrow from birth to his eventual demise across a largely dark journey, as one could probably determine when a song title called 'Death' turns up halfway through. Musically though, this is also a landmark album featuring some great psychedelic moments on, in particular the intense riff that propels 'Balloon Burning' and the maddening, effects-laden spiral that concludes 'Baron Saturday' bookending the despair on 'Death' where Phil May's vocals stink of dislocation and regret; somehow one gets the feeling that this story doesn't have a happy ending. Along with 'Odessey And Oracle' by The Zombies this is one of those lost great rock albums which has only been appreciated retrospectively; it would quite feasibly be hailed as a masterpiece if it was released today. This reissue adds four valuable songs from their 1967-1968 singles ("Defecting Grey," "Mr. Evasion," "Talkin' About the Good Times," and "Walking Through My Dreams"). This version of "Defecting Grey" is the original, long, uncut five-minute rendition, and not of trivial importance; it's superior to the shorter one used on the official single...Bob Hope

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size ca.: 158 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. S.F. Sorrow Is Born 3.08
02. Bracelets Of Fingers 3.39
03. She Says Good Morning 3.19
04. Private Sorrow 3.50
05. Balloon Burning 3.47
06. Death 3.05
07. Baron Saturday 3.58
08. The Journey 2.45
09. I See You 3.56
10. Well Of Destiny 1.45
11. Trust 2.45
12. Old Man Going 3.07
13. Loneliest Person 1.26
14. Defecting Grey (Bonus Track) 4.28
15. Mr. Evasion (Bonus Track) 3.28
16. Talkin' About The Good Times 3.43
17. Walking Through My Dreams (Bonus Track) 3.36
18. Private Sorrow (Bonus Track) 3.52
19. Balloon Burning (Bonus Track) 3.47
20. Defecting Grey (Bonus Track) 5.10

Pretty Things - Parachute (1970) (Digipak Remaster 2002)

The Pretty Things. What a dreadful, career-in-the-dumper name for a group. Even shortened (the "Pretties", anyone?) it's a nonsense. I know it's ironic, but it's also terrible.The album cover. One of the worst sixth-form paste-and-scissors photomontage crimes ever committed in the name of "art".So; rubbish name, rubbish cover. And yes, these things matter. So does kicking off the album with a "challenging" (ie dissonant, dreary) opening track. Anyone unfamiliar with this wonderful album is most likely not going to get past these three hurdles. Tough on them, and tough on the "Things", too, becausemore… it is one of the few albums that define rock music, as opposed to pop, or whatever, as an art form in itself. Don't sneer. This is art. This is beautiful, and this is timeless. It also sounds fantastic. If it was released today, by some bunch of unknowns, it would effortlessly go to number one. No question. Ther's nothing dated or embarrassing about a single note of it; you don't have to excuse anything. What you won't find; humour, singalong nursery-rhymes, boogie, timewasting. What you will find; the best harmony singing ever recorded by a British band (hearing people SING is just such a treat, isn't it? As opposed to people who think they can?), the best ensemble playing ever recorded by a British band (yes, there are great guitar solos, but this isn't an exercise in nostril-hair guitar histrionics, and everybody's listening to everybody else), and quite possibly, the best rock album ever recorded. There are others as great (Dark Side of the Moon, f'rinstance, and maybe the first Mighty Baby album, and -add your favourite here-) but it really doesn't get any better than this. There's music here so beautiful, so deep, so strong, so subtle ... ahhh ... I'm going to shut up. Really, for once, the cult is right, and what people say about this album has a real basis in the groove. Get this before you get SF Sorrow, if you have nothing yet. Then get their last album (Rage ...). These guys are, incredibly, still out there and still making fine music.Look at it this way. It's a few quid you'd spend without noticing it somewhere else. Help get this album to number one in the charts, because it deserves the view. What it doesn't deserve is to remain a cult pleasure.

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size ca.: 140 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01. Scene One 1.50
02. The Good Mr. Square 1.26
03. She Was Tall, She Was High 1.34
04. In The Square 1.54
05. The Letter 3.47
06. Rain 0.19
07. Miss Fay Regrets 3.26
08. Cries From The Midnight Circus 6.25
09. Grass 4.20
10. Sickle Clowns 6.34
11. She's A Lover 3.28
12. What's The Use 1.42
13. Parachute 3.48
14. Blue Serge Blues (Bonus Track) 3.52
15. October 26 (Bonus Track) 4.53
16. Cold Stone (Bonus Track) 3.09
17. Stone-Hearted Mama (Bonus Track) 3.26
18. Summer Time (Bonus Track) 4.29
19. Circus Mind (Bonus Track) 1.59

ponedjeljak, 02.11.2009.

Camel - Moonmadness (1976) (2 Disc SHM-CD)

Digitally remastered and expanded two CD edition of the British Prog band's classic fourth album from 1976. Disc One features the original album plus the single version of 'Another Night', a demo version of 'Spirit of Water' and a live version of 'Lunar Sea'. Disc Two contains eight songs recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon in April, 1976. The enhanced packaging contains many rare and previously unseen photographs and sleevenotes by Mark Powell. Universal.

Abandoning the lovely soundscapes of Snow Goose, Camel delved into layered guitar and synthesizers similar to those of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here on the impressive Moonmadness. Part of the reason behind the shift in musical direction was the label's insistence that Camel venture into more commercial territory after the experimental Snow Goose, and it is true that the music on Moonmadness is more akin to traditional English progressive rock, even though it does occasionally dip into jazz-fusion territory with syncopated rhythms and shimmering keyboards. Furthermore, the songs are a little more concise and accessible than those of its predecessor. That doesn't mean Camel has abandoned art. Moonmadness is indeed a concept album, based loosely on the personalities of each member -- "Chord Change" is Peter Bardens, "Air Born" is Andy Latimer, "Lunar Sea" is Andy Ward and "Another Night" is Doug Ferguson. Certainly, it's a concept that is considerably less defined than that of Snow Goose, and the music isn't quite as challenging, yet that doesn't mean that Moonmadness is devoid of pleasure. In fact, with its long stretches of atmospheric instrumentals and spacy solos, it's quite rewarding. [The 2009 Deluxe Edition included three bonus tracks and a bonus disc made up of a live set from 1976.]...D. Jehnzen

Camel - Moonmadness (1976) (2 Disc SHM-CD 2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 294 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

CD 1

01 Aristillus 1:57
02 Song Within a Song 7:14
03 Chord Change 6:43
04 Spirit of the Water 2:07
05 Another Night 6:54
06 Air Born 5:02
07 Lunar Sea 9:12
08 Another Night Bonus 3:24
09 Spirit of the Water Bonus / Demo Version 2:14
10 Lunar Sea Live / Bonus 9:50

CD 2 - Live At Hammersmith Odeon

01 Song Within a Song 7:38
02 Excerpts from the Snow Goose 11:03
03 Air Born 5:12
04 Chord Change 6:58
05 The White Rider 9:10
06 Preparation/Dunkirk 10:17
07 Another Night 7:25
08 Lady Fantasy 16:05

Nirvana - Live at Reading 1992

NIRVANA'S LEGENDARY NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED 1992 READING CONCERT Ranked #1 in Kerrang Magazine's "100 Gigs That Shook The World" and voted as "Nirvana's #1 Greatest Moment" by fans in an NME poll, Nirvana's historic August 30, 1992 headlining appearance at the UK's Reading Festival is one of the most bootlegged concerts in the annals of rock n roll. Now, fans will have an opportunity to own a pristine copy of that entire performance -- color-corrected video from the original film with 5.1 audio sourced from the original multi-track masters. Nirvana Live At Reading will be issued in a limited edition CD+DVD Deluxe Edition as well as DVD-only, CD-only configurations on November 3, 2009.

Nirvana - Live at Reading 1992 (2009)

Codec: mp3
Bitrate: 320 kB/s
Size: 178 MB
Genre : Rock
2000mustangs

Tracklist:

01 Breed 3:12
02 Drain You 3:38
03 Aneurysm 4:35
04 School 2:43
05 Sliver 2:06
06 In Bloom 4:36
07 Come as You Are 3:36
08 Lithium 4:21
09 About a Girl 2:51
10 Tourette's 1:50
11 Polly 2:48
12 Lounge Act 2:36
13 Smells Like Teen Spirit 4:45
14 On a Plain 3:00
15 Negative Creep 2:52
16 Been a Son 2:13
17 All Apologies 3:09
18 Blew 3:19
19 Dumb 2:32
20 Stay Away 3:32
21 Spank Thru 3:06
22 The Money Will Roll Right In 2:16
23 D-7 3:43
24 Territorial Pissings 4:29