[BobM]

I'm hoping that this concept/thread will grow up and possibly become a sticky some day. Here's a place for everyone/anyone to post a short review of a single album. Something more than "these guys are great" and something less than a 5 page encyclopedia entry would be appropriate. Just tell us the following:

- album and artist name
- cover picture, if you can link to one (not essential)
- genre and year (if you know it)
- list of artists/participants
- your impressions, good or bad
- any comparisons to previous albums by this artist
- comparisons to and recommendations of similar artists/albums to check out if you like this one
- a link to Amazon.com, or somewhere else where the disk can be purchased and other reviews read

[BobM]

Transatlantic: Bridge Across Forever



Genre: Progressive Rock (2001)
Artists:
- Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) - guitars/keyboards/vocals
- Neal Morse (Spock's Beard) - keyboards/vocals
- Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre) - drums/vocals
- Pete Trewavas (Marillion) - bass/vocals

This is one of several disks put out by these contemporary prog-rock superstars. The overall flavor is definitely a composite of their respective "home" bands, mostly Flower Kings and older Spock's Beard in style. Great chops are displayed but great songwriting and hooks are also prevalent. But this isn't a shredders record, and that's a good thing.

There are only 4 songs, so it's pretty obvious that, in typical prog-rock fashion, epic length song showcases prevail here. There's a lot going on on this disk - each member contributes a lot and there isn't one voice that prevails, either in terms of the songwriting or the lead vocals. They all take a turn.

If you're new to prog-rock, or into neo-prog but haven't heard this disk or these artists then you own it to yourself to check this disk out. The group recently re-formed and put out a new double CD called "The Whirlwind". Yup, it has one whole CD devoted to a single song (in 12 parts). The second disk has a few other cover songs by Genesis, Procol Harum, America and Santana. It's a nice disk also (made a lot of people's top 5 disks of 2009 lists), but not quite up to the epic standard of Bridge Across Forever.

Highly recommended for lovers of the progressive genre, especially Flower Kings and older Spock's Beard.

[lonewolfny42]

A Sample link....is aways helpful....

[BobM]

Ray Brown - Soular Energy (on vinyl)



Genre: Jazz (1984)
Artists:
- Ray Brown (Bass)
- Gene Harris (Piano)
- Gerryck King, drums
- Red Holloway, tenor sax
- Emily Remler, guitar

This album is so much more than just a piano-bass duo jamming away. Aside from being a true reference recording (on vinyl at least) the musicianship and invention are second to none. There are all sorts of songs here, from slow soft ballads to funky uptempo pieces to true blues. The interplay and interaction between these two musicians is wonderous to hear, and it never gets old and repetative. There are also other guests on the record for various songs and they don't disappoint either.

2 disks worth of songs (only 1 on CD). The best part of this record is the music, but the glorious reference quality of the sound will truly make your vinly playback sing. The bass is close miked and lesser cartridge/arm combo's might have trouble tracking in some places.

Highly recommended for vinyl afficianado's and lovers of piano blues.

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PALP002BLK
http://www.amazon.com/Soular-Energy-Brown-featuring-Harris/dp/B0000006FC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263303888&sr=1-3

[BobM]

Pat Metheny - Secret Story


Genre: Jazz (1992)
Artists:
- Pat Metheny (just about everything, it is his solo album ya' know)
- lots of guests all over the place

This was a very ambitions project back in 1992. Pat's songs here diverged from what he was doing witth the Pat Metheny Group at the time, but the seeds of future ventures are all here. The songs range from beautiful acoustic guitar ballads, to electronic experimentations and slamming guitar pieces. In my opinion, some of his most memorable songs are on this disk, and that's saying a lot.

There are a few pieces involving orchestra, but Pat relies heavily on very tasteful use of the Synclavier for a lot of new sounds. It is truly an emotional work spanning many genre's, so don't look for any common themes musically. It is an epic, intelligent work of limitless imagination - but then we've come to expect nothing less from Metheny over the years.

Oh yeah, the sound quality is pretty fine also. One of my personal favorites of his, and I own most of them.

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Story-Pat-Metheny/dp/B000000OSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263392698&sr=1-1

[BobM]

Come on people ... don't make me do this by myself. I'm looking for recommendations from others also.

[jsaliga]

It won't be easy to get others to contribute on a regular basis.  I tried something similar in the Omega Circle a few years ago here...

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=54712.0

Initially there was a lot of enthusiasm and some good responses, but as you can see after a time it was mostly me making submissions.  I still post to the thread from time to time but have no expectations about others contributing content.  If they do that's great and if they don't then life goes on.

I'll try to come up with a contribution for this thread a little later today.

--Jerome

[ecramer]

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - F♯A♯∞ "F-sharp, A-sharp, Infinity") 1998



From the first somber note to the voice over "The car's on fire and there's no driver at the wheel, and the sewers are all muddied with a thousand lonely suicides, and a dark wind blows." This album is a dark brooding trip through an  ambient  landscape.  Depending on whos taking this 9 to 11+ member band produced a album consisting of 3 songs. A Dark tour de force through a dead city with a slow but steady building of  momentum as layers of texture are added to each tune.

The Dead Flag Blues   16:27      
East Hastings           17:58      
Providence                   29:02   

Godspeed You Black Emperor - The Dead Flag Blues   

 
This was a breakout album for me and led me to many album's in the darker side of ambient.

[BobM]

Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior


Genre: Jazz Fusion (1976)
Artists:
- Chic Corea
- Lenny White
- Al De Meola
- Stanley Clark

This is one of those albums that you will either love or hate. It is probably one of the most well know poster children for the 70's progressive jazz fusion movement. If you know jazz at all you will definitely have heard of all 4 of these guys. They are certainly in the superstar category and this style of playing was copied by many a band of the day.

This album definitely has that 70's sound, with the synthesizers and rock-like jazz drumming and chops laden compositions. There are a few acoustic songs on this album, but you will almost forget that when listening to them. The solo's may be some of the best recorded by this group. The songs are epic in scope and style, becoming a little bombastic and dramatic at moments (well, maybe more than a little).

This was a musical melting pot, involving so many musical ideas it makes the head spin. Each member was strong in revolving lead parts, equally strong in supporting roles. It all added up to a recording that is a must-have for any fusion collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Romantic-Warrior-Return-Forever/dp/B00004HYLF/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263579824&sr=1-1

[BobM]

Dave Matthews - Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King


Genre: rock (2009)

This is the latest release from the band and probably one of their best. OK, maybe you can compare it side by side with Crash, but that's about it. The inspiration for some of the songs, and the title, is the death of their long standing sax sideman, Leroi Moore, who's nickname is in the album title.

This is a great comeback album for a band that's been around for a while and certainly doesn't cater to the over produced psycophants in the music industry. The quirkiness is all still there, but the melodies and playing are definitely some of the best the band has produced. It will be a hard one to follow and should definitely be owned by any fan of the band. If you haven't heard their music then pick it up, perhaps with Crash as a double buy. You won't be disappointed.

Sonically they are both a little compressed and show some signs of digital distortion on some pushed passages. So they aren't sonic marvels, although they sound good overall.

http://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-GrooGrux-King-Dave-Matthews/dp/B001ULAUFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1263927150&sr=8-1

[BobM]

I was really hoping some other people would help pick up and review and album or two. Oh well ... I tried.

I've already covered 5 of the 10 CD's that I own, and none of the rest are worth a damn. So if you have something to share, please post it.

Thanks

[Mag]

Touch of Evil 'Live' 2009- Judas Priest, songs from World Tour 2005-2008

Rob Halford- vocals
Glen Tipton- guitars
KK Downing- guitars
Ian Hill- Bass guitars
Scott Travis- drums

genre- heavy metal

Want to test the bass of your stereo? Then this is the cd to get, if you think it is up to the task, without frying a speaker/s. I suppose there is rap as well but that's not music. Well this might not be considered music either unless you're a headbanger.

If you're not familiar with JP, their music is heavy on the drums with lots of guitar riffs and vocals. Lyrics are usually about death,hell,satan, etc., but that just marketing.

This album however deviates from previous albums in that it uses what I would describe as synthesized bass, which goes pretty low and sounds powerful. The vocals also don't follow the typical rythmic pattern of previous albums.
First impressions on the first spin played at around 92 db which was normal volume for me. It was like my ears shut down initially as I wasn't prepared for the synthesized bass guitar assault. Once having adjusted to the new sound, I thought the imaging effect it had on the room was awesome.
With the new vocal style to songs I was quite familiar with from previous albums, I felt like they had butchered the whole song album.
On the second spin knowing what to expect, my ears still shut down momentarily. I cranked the volume a few decibels louder for the effect. The vocals style was more palatible this time and I actually managed to listen to the whole cd in one sitting. Perhaps with a few more spins I'll like the new JP sound.
The album that comes closest to this new sound is Nastrodamus. The vocals however were rythymic in that album. The bass being heavier than previous album, is rather tame compared to Touch of Evil. 

[timind]

This is a good concept for sure but writing up a worthwhile review does take some effort. I will make a contribution shortly but need to think about it and give a listen to the album in consideration.
In the meantime, I am ordering the Ray Brown selection you reviewed above.

[gross]

It won't be easy to get others to contribute on a regular basis.  I tried something similar in the Omega Circle a few years ago here...

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=54712.0

Initially there was a lot of enthusiasm and some good responses, but as you can see after a time it was mostly me making submissions.  I still post to the thread from time to time but have no expectations about others contributing content.  If they do that's great and if they don't then life goes on.