Forever Changes [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]

Amazon.com
One of rock's most overlooked masterpieces, this third album by the L.A. folk-rock outfit led by inscrutable singer-songwriter Arthur Lee sounds as fresh and innovative today as it did upon its original release in 1968. With David Angel's atmospheric string and horn arrangements giving the work a conceptual underpinning, Lee explores mainstream America's penchant for paranoia ("The Red Telephone") and violence ("A House Is Not a Motel") with songs that are as sonically subtle and lilting as they are lyrically blunt and harrowing. Add two gems by Love's secret weapon, second guitarist Bryan MacLean ("Alone Again Or" and "Old Man"), and you've got one of the truly perfect albums in rock history. Rhino's deluxe reissue serves up seven bonus tracks, including outtakes, alternates, and the "Your Mind and We Belong Together"/"Laughing Stock" single. --Billy Altman

Forever Changes,Love,Elektra / Wea,Baroque Pop,Folk-Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Psychedelic,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Forever Changes [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]

Average customer rating: The Summer of Love, inverted A Classic! LOVE's apex Highest Recommendation Forever Changes forever!

Forever Changes Love Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Purists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: Love The Best of Love The Velvet Underground & Nico The Piper at the Gates of Dawn Four Sail ASIN: B000058983 Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

1. Alone Again Or
2. A House Is Not A Motel
3. Andmoreagain
4. The Daily Planet
5. Old Man
6. The Red Telephone
7. Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale
8. Live And Let Live
9. The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This
10. Bummer In The Summer
11. You Set The Scene
12. Hummingbirds (Demo)
13. Wonder People (I Do Wonder) (Outtake)
14. Alone Again Or (Alternate Mix)
15. You Set The Scene (Alternate Mix)
16. Your Mind And We Belong Together (Tracking Sessions Highlights)
17. Your Mind And We Belong Together
18. Laughing Stock

Amazon.com

One of rock's most overlooked masterpieces, this third album by the L.A. folk-rock outfit led by inscrutable singer-songwriter Arthur Lee sounds as fresh and innovative today as it did upon its original release in 1968. With David Angel's atmospheric string and horn arrangements giving the work a conceptual underpinning, Lee explores mainstream America's penchant for paranoia ("The Red Telephone") and violence ("A House Is Not a Motel") with songs that are as sonically subtle and lilting as they are lyrically blunt and harrowing. Add two gems by Love's secret weapon, second guitarist Bryan MacLean ("Alone Again Or" and "Old Man"), and you've got one of the truly perfect albums in rock history. Rhino's deluxe reissue serves up seven bonus tracks, including outtakes, alternates, and the "Your Mind and We Belong Together"/"Laughing Stock" single. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

The Summer of Love, inverted.......2007-07-24

One of the great, inexplicably overlooked masterpieces of the 60s, Forever Changes is a collection of dreamy, ethereal pop songs with a dark, foreboding undercurrent. The music is lush and moody, soaked in atmosphere and dripping with dark color. The lyrics are pure hallucinogenic poetry, full of striking images and verbal mind games. The instrumrntation, although mostly accoustic, is as vibrant and nuanced as any Jimi Hendrix guitar solo. The arrangements include light orchestration, but the swirling violins and ominous horns don't sound out of place or pretentious. They mesh wonderfully with the songs, creating a series of dense, textured soundscapes that sound more and more engrossing with each listen. The end result is something akin to walking through a gorgeous and dreamlike meadow where the grass screams in agony whenever you step on it. In other words, this is a darkly beautiful classic, a unique and brilliant colection of songs that belongs in the posession of anyone who is even halfway concerned with collecting good rock music.

As far as highlights go, I've always loved the low-key catchiness and irrepressable menace of "A House Is Not A Motel," as well as the icy, bittersweet "Andmoreagain." "Alone Again Or" is a haunting portrait of loneliness, and an enticing soundscape that incorporates dazzling flameno guitars and a tense, ominous string section. There's also the stark, apocalyptic beauty of "The Red Telephone" and "The Good Humor Man Sees Everything Like This," as well as the hazy, hifting textures of "You Set the Scene." But really, every song here has something to reccomend it. From start to finish, Forever Changes is a truly great album, and one that you'd do well to pick up as soon as possible.

A Classic!.......2007-07-12

A classic album that needs to be part of your collection. Could'nt revive my plastic. Don't miss out.

LOVE's apex.......2007-07-04

"Forever Changes" has appeared on the "top 100 album lists" of many major rock reviewers. Why? There are elements of other great bands in this album, which raises the old "which came first?" conundrum. The simplist and safest resolution to this argument is to say that these bands (THE DOORS, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, etc,) were all influenced by, worked in, and contributed to the "melting pot" (no pun intended) that was the LA music scene at that time. In addition, there are even a few "touches" of British influence here, but those were also evident on their first album. Overall, this is an album that is unique enough to have withstood the test of time and continues to provide aural pleasures to new listeners. It has been suggested that drug use may have contributed to the oblique lyrics on this album and, yes, the breakup of the original (and best) incarnation of this band. Beyond this explanation, however, is the poetic aspects of the lyrics which allow us to impose and fill in our own intrepretations of the songs. That quality has contributed to their lasting appeal and is at the base of much good art. Like all great artists (whether it is Picasso or the Beatles) it was their ability to combine old things in new ways that made them unique and transcend the obvious and mundane. You either tell a great and universal story that everyone can relate to or you create an environment in/on which people can superimpose their own experiences. LOVE could certainly tell a straightforward rock and roll tale, but it stood out for its ability to do the latter.

Highest Recommendation.......2007-05-26

The best acoustic guitar rock/pop album of all time. Sure, at times its sentimental, cheesy and sixtyish, but WTF, so am I. About the remastering job from Rhino, you're absolutely right, it should have been much better. Oh well. Peace

Forever Changes forever!.......2007-05-17

Greatest Album Ever! There's so many versions available these days though, I thought I'd chime in and recommend this one for the music. The sound is a great improvement over the first single CD release AND there's bonus tracks. Don't fall for the more recent 2007 release. No extra tracks and the print is so small you won't be able to read who did what witout a magnifying glass. If you've never bought this album, I suggest buying this CD version along with the Sundazed vinyl release. Sundazed puts out a killer re-issue with excellent art reproduction and quality vinyl. It's actally fun to play the vinyl and CD at the same time and switch back and forth to see if there's any difference. CDs are so intrenched in todays culture that people forget that a clean vinyl copy on a good turntable sounds just as good, and sometimes better. All this talk bout digital this and digital that also makes folks forget that speakers as well as human ears are, and always will be, analog!

Average customer rating: TRUE MAGIC Astonishing live CD----and not a retirement gimmick from an aging rocker! This is NOT the remastered original album, but a live performance by Arthur Lee and a new version of Love.

Forever Changes: Live Love Manufacturer: Snapper Classics UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Garage Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Forever Changes Concert Four Sail Forever Changes Love Da Capo ASIN: B0007ODLB4 Release Date: 2005-11-15

Tracks:

1. Alone Again Or
2. A House Is Not A Motel
3. Andmoreagain
4. The Daily Planet
5. Old Man
6. The Red Telephone
7. Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale
8. Live And Let Live
9. The Good Humor Man he Sees Everything Like This
10. Bummer In The Summer
11. You Set The Scene
12. 7 And 7 Is
13. Your Mind And We Belong Together
14. Orange Skies
15. She Comes In Colors
16. Listen To My Song
17. August

Product Description

1. Alone Again Or
2. A House Is Not A Motel
3. Andmoreagain
4. The Daily Planet
5. Old Man
6. The Red Telephone
7. Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale
8. Live And Let Live
9. The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This
10. Bummer In The Summer
11. You Set The Scene
12. Seven And Seven Is
13. Your Mind And We Belong Together
14. Orange Skies
15. She Comes In Colors
16. Listen To My Song
17. August


Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

TRUE MAGIC.......2006-10-10

When I was 10 years old I bought the Guess Who 45 "Hand me down world". I played it for anybody and everybody who would listen (my poor mom), it was magic to me. A quarter of a century later I buy the Forever Changes live DVD and that old "magic feeling" returned like a tsunami. The "Forever Changes" lp always had something special about it, incredibly this show multiplies whatever it is infinitely. Some people say it is "Arthur Lee", but I also give credit to whatever God aligned the planets when these musicians took stage that night. It REALLY is that special. And speaking of Arthur, God rest his soul, he is the reason I would buy the DVD first - he is so cool on stage - the world lost possibly its best frontman when he passed this year. It was definately the "bummer in my summer".

If you truly love music - buy this DVD (and CD) NOW! If your not moved by it, check your pulse, or put your Nickleback CD back in. PEACE!

Astonishing live CD----and not a retirement gimmick from an aging rocker!.......2006-07-07

Just a handful of years ago, I had never heard of Love or Forever Changes. Luckily for me, my wife had heard the album as a young woman and wanted the CD release for her birthday. I thought it was impenetrable and hated it on my first listen, yet the next day I found myself humming the incredibly hooky, if complex, melodies crafted by Arthur Lee, the genius behind Love. With repeat listenings, the literary quality of Lee's lyrics, evoking all the facets of tumultuous 1967, became readily apparent; lyrically, the album is up there with Dylan and Costello. It rapidly became one of my "desert island" CDs, and I recognized why many rock critics include this in their top 20 albums of all time lists.

This CD is not a remastered version of the studio album from 1967. Rather, it is a live performance of the entire album, recorded in London's Royal Albert Hall, 35 years after the album was released (and after Lee spent a six-year stint in prison for gun offenses).

And it smokes. Lee's voice is clear and strong, even when he provides higher-range vocals for the two songs originally sung by rhythm guitarist Bryan MacLean. His sense of humor and joy at playing these songs for such an appreciative audience are apparent in the sparse between-song banter. What really makes this album a winner, though, is the music itself. The band is tight, the sound is crisp, and these guys play their hearts out. Of particular note is Lee's guitar solo on "A House is Not a Motel": it is beyond scorching, beyond blistering, almost a third-degree burn of intensity. It definitely ranks among the best guitar work from Hendrix, Prince, or Funkadelic.

This is NOT the remastered original album, but a live performance by Arthur Lee and a new version of Love........2005-12-10

Ignore the album details as listed by CDNOW/Amazon above. This is a live recording from a performance at, I believe, the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. I do not own a copy yet, but I did listen to the album and the performance is wonderful. Of course the songs are wonderful to begin with so I give it 5 stars.

PS: There is also a DVD available. I can't wait to see that.

Average customer rating: I waited for this for five years Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT! A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever Various Artists Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection Evita (Original London Cast) Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masterpiece (Collector's Edition) (Bonus CD) ASIN: B00005R5UJ Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
2. Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
3. Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
4. Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
5. Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
6. Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
7. Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
8. Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
9. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
10. Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
11. Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
12. Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
13. Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
14. Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
15. Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
16. Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
17. Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
18. Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
19. Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
20. Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

1. Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
2. Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
3. Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
4. Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
5. Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
6. Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
7. Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
8. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
9. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
10. The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
11. The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
12. The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
13. The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
14. Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
15. Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
16. Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
17. Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
18. Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
19. Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

1. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
2. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
3. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
4. By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
5. By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
6. By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
7. Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
8. Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
9. Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
10. Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
11. Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
12. Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
13. Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
14. Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
15. Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
16. The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
17. The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
18. The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
19. The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
20. The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

1. Oh What A Circus - David Essex
2. Memory - Betty Buckley
3. The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
4. All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
5. Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
6. Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
7. Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
8. As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
9. The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
10. With One Look - Petula Clark
11. You Must Love Me - Madonna
12. The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
13. A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
14. Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
15. No Matter What - Boyzone
16. The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
17. Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
18. Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

1. Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
2. Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
3. I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
4. Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
5. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
6. Try It And See - Rita Pavone
7. Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
8. Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
9. John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
10. What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
11. Disillusion Me - Gary Band
12. The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
13. Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
14. It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
15. It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
16. Magdalena - Tony Christie
17. Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
18. Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
19. Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
20. I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
21. I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
22. Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.


Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Average customer rating: Beautiful, Beautiful Album and Now Released in mlps! Andmoreagain Repackageing. Changes forever, yeh. . . Arthur Lee's LA masterpiece Mini Lp Sleeve packaging at last!!

Forever Changes Love Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Marquee Moon American Beauty Fun House Blue Traveling Wilburys (2CD/1DVD, Deluxe Edition) ASIN: B000MTOKXW Release Date: 2007-03-06

Tracks:

1. Alone Again Or
2. A House Is Not A Motel
3. Andmoreagain
4. The Daily Planet
5. Old Man
6. The Red Telephone
7. Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale
8. Live And Let Live
9. The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This
10. Bummer In The Summer
11. You Set The Scene

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, Beautiful Album and Now Released in mlps!.......2007-05-20

Album content 5 stars, this version of the album 2 stars

Years ago when I picked up a book that ranked the best albums of all time, I had a great shock when I found this album at #1. Could it possibly be better than the #2 "Pet Sounds" or even the #3 "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"? Fueled by a combination of curiosity and utter disbelief, I decided to get the cd and lo and behold, I was blown away.

The music was unlike anything I had ever heard before and it was obvious from the start that this was a very original work of art and that Arthur Lee was a brilliant genius at work. It became clear to me as well that "Forever Changes" is very deserving of its lofty ranking. A simply beautiful album and probably as close as pop music has ever come to being high works of art.

Now this version has been released without any bonus tracks in a mini lp replica sleeve design which pretty accurately recreates the original lp design. Unfortunately, it hasn't been very well remastered and does not sound quite as good as the prior Rhino version. We also know that for years now, the Japanese have been the masters at mlps cds and they still have the edge over Rhino at least for now. The Japanese have the good sense to include a plastic sleeve for the cd to prevent dust and more importantly scratches from damaging the shiny side of the cd. When I received my cd from Amazon, there was already a couple of lines on my cd because there was no plastic sleeve protecting my disc from the paper sleeve which has two folds that what with movement during shipping and everything meant that I received a scratched cd. Otherwise, the outer cardboard sleeve is well done and is good quality unlike some of the other mlps versions I've seen out there that have flimsy or poor quality, thin cardboard covers. I don't actually mind the fact that the 7 bonus tracks on the prior Rhino release are missing as I guess most of the time, bonus tracks do not add to the enjoyment of the original album tracks and many a time actually spoils the listening enjoyment when they are countless outtakes or alternate takes of album tracks or worse interviews and obvious filler material.

Otherwise, if you don't mind the diminished sound quality as compared to the prior Rhino release and the propensity for the lack of proper plastic protection for the cd to result in scratches on the data/music side of your cd, then for lovers of the mlps format, this may be a worthwhile addition to your other Love albums. Overall, I like the whole Rhino Replica idea but I hope they'll take my comments seriously and seek to better protect the discs from damage and also seek to remaster and hence improve the sound quality of future releases. The following are just some of the albums I'd love to see as Rhino Replicas:

"Partners In Crime" - Rupert Holmes
"No Goodbyes" - Daryl Hall & John Oates
"Abandoned Luncheonette" - Daryl Hall & John Oates
"Not Fragile" - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
"Van Halen I & II" - Van Halen
"L.A. Woman" - The Doors
"Greatest Hits" - The Little River Band (original album and NOT what's currently out there which totally screwed up the track order)
"No Parlez" - Paul Young

(all remastered with plastic cd protecting sleeve in addition to the paper sleeve and please no bonus tracks)

Andmoreagain Repackageing........2007-05-17

First off, my Five Stars are for the music only. The highly touted reproduction of the album art here is practically actual size on my computer as shown on Amazon. That said, if it's a fresh, beautiful reproduction of the William S. Harvey album art you want, don't buy this one because you won't be able to even read his name it's so tiny. For the art, I recommend the gorgeous Sundazed VINYL re-release. It actually IS LP sized because it's actually an LP! I love vinyl and it's great to have if you only have a CD version right now. In my opinion, "Forever Changes" is the single greatest rock album ever recorded. So far I've bought this album SIX times since I discovered it in 1983. First as a vinyl reissue, then another copy soon after because I was wearing out the first one. A third time once I found a collectable mint condition 1967 original issue with the Elektra and Love logos. Then a fourth time when finally released on CD. A fifth time when released in its entirety as part of the "Love Story" 2 disc compilation and a SIXTH time when the single CD was re-released in 2001 with bonus tracks. All money gladly spent mind you, but here's where I draw the line! There's NO REASON to buy this for the sake of the "faithful, loving reproduction" of the original album art. IT'S CD SIZED, PEOPLE! Might as well be a postage stamp. I can only read the song titles and credits on the back because I know them by heart! A magnifying glass should come as standard issue. So buy the Sundazed vinyl version for the art, but for the music pick up the WEA 2001 release with the bonus tracks which actually contains song titles & album credits that are easier to read than this "new" version they put out mostly for the sake of the "packaging". The 2001 version contains the normal jewel case setup with identical cover art that is itself slid into a sleeve that ALSO has the art front and back. It even has the old style Elektra and Love logos printed on the disc. This latest 2007 version is a waste of money even for a fanatics fanatic such as myself! If you do buy it, make sure to peel off all those stickers teling you what a wonderful, loving reproduction they've produced with the art! It's funny to think now that I bought that second copy because I was afraid that it may go out of print forever.

Changes forever, yeh. . . Arthur Lee's LA masterpiece .......2007-04-03

One must be in the right frame of mind for LOVE's unique album Forever Changes. It's all breezy guitars, lush orchestrations, Tijuana brass, no real hard rock, and haunting tunes woven together into an eerie semi-arid urban tapestry that demands and requires your attention. I had special-ordered this legendary record decades ago on vinyl (it never went out of print). Listening to this LP at 18 or so, about 10 years after its release, I was not yet sophisticated enough to appreciate the musical depth. I was listening to the New Wave, and an old hand at 60s and 70s Rock, and at the time was bored by it. Now I realize Forever Changes is simply a beautifully realized personal statement (Arthur Lee's) including his comments upon being a black man in a largely "white" subculture - L.A.'s acid-rock, country-western, and psychedelic bands, particularly those bands playing at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go - plus his own passion for that city (he later said he felt the songs were about his expected impending death - he passed away decades later in 2006). A real summer night driving record, LOVE Forever Changes is a sultry delight, a relic and microcosm, a time capsule and breaking chrysalis . . . this is a great, tuneful record of happenstance, almost outsider-art for its lack of significant commercial success, and may possibly be one of your undiscovered loves.
Thank goodness for Elektra who not only discovered Detroit bands THE MC5, and THE STOOGES, but particularly Whiskey-A-Go-Go bands like THE DOORS and LOVE. Thank goodness for RHINO re-issuing Forever Changes with the bonus tracks (including "Hummingbird" and LOVE's last single "Your Mind And We Belong Together" b/w "Laughing Stock.")

Mini Lp Sleeve packaging at last!!.......2007-03-09

The music we know...but now Rhino has issued this timeless beauty in a mini Lp sleeve replica just as it was meant to from the beginning!Thanks!!

Average customer rating: Lives up to its reputation Forever Changes will forever be a great listen Too bad you can only give up to 5 stars... a unique record, very interesting My absolute favorite pop record

Forever Changes Love Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Da Capo Love In Search of the Lost Chord Electric Music for the Mind and Body Arthur - Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire ASIN: B000005ITX Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Alone Agian Or
2. A House Is Not A Motel
3. Andmoreagain
4. The Daily Planet
5. Old Man
6. The Red Telephone
7. Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between...
8. Live And Let Live
9. The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This
10. Bummer In The Summer
11. You Set The Scene

Amazon.com

One of rock's most overlooked masterpieces, this third album by the L.A. folk-rock outfit led by inscrutable singer/songwriter Arthur Lee sounds as fresh and innovative today as it did upon its original release in 1968. With David Angel's atmospheric string and horn arrangements giving the work a conceptual underpinning, Lee explores mainstream America's penchant for paranoia ("The Red Telephone") and violence ("A House is Not a Motel") with songs that are as sonically subtle and lilting as they are lyrically blunt and harrowing. Add two gems by Love's secret weapon, second guitarist Bryan Maclean ("Alone Again Or" and "Old Man") and you've got one of the truly perfect albums in rock history. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

Lives up to its reputation .......2005-04-02

Love's "Forever Changes" was an album that I had often read or heard about, but never listened to. Because of the hype and mystique surrounding the album, I decided to give it a try. After owning this CD for several months, all I can say is, "Forever Changes" really does live up to its' reputation as being one of the finest rock albums ever recorded. In terms of originality, song-writing, production, craft, and delivery, "Forever Changes" is easily as good as "Sgt. Pepper" or "Revolver." And although I liked this album instantly, it just gets better and better with repeated plays. Once everything sinks in and one fully grasps the complexity of the songs and their arrangements, one fully appreciates this album in all its glory.

Because Love was from L.A. and the band was an infuluece/rival of the Doors, I was expecting Love to sound something like The Doors. But this was not the case. Love's music actually encompassed several styles, so it would be hard to pigeonhole the band. They were a rock band, but their music also incorporated elements of folk, jazz, even classical.

You know how it is with a lot of albums; There are three or four good songs, a few okay ones, and a then some filler. But then there are those albums where every song is as good as the last, where the album is sort of like a best-of all by itself -- Like Nirvana's "Nevermind," Guns N' Roses "Appetite For Destruction," or the Beatles "Abby Road." Every song on "Forever Changes" is a highlight--every song is beautifully written and is a work of art.

The sound of the album is best described as folk-rock tinged with orchestration. But the music is never bogged down by the orchestration, like the Beatles "The Long and Winding Road." The orchestration is actually as light as a feather and serves to enhance everything and works in perfect synchronicity with the songs.

In the liner notes of the CD, Andrew Sandoval describes "Forever Changes" to be in a sense "the ultimate soundtrack to L.A.: the mariachi horns of the melting pot; the sirens and the accidents; the sweet strings and dissonant guitars. Arthur Lee and Love captured it all in a musical postcard." Love captured L.A. in the summer of love, warts and all, it was cynical and despairing, but also beautiful and majestic--and "Forever Changes" captures it all.

Arthur Lee is definitely one of, if not the most underrated songwriter of all-time. The first incarnation of Love was also the best. Arthur Lee and guitarist/songwriter Bryan MacLean had an incredible chemistry that sadly only lasted three albums.

If you're a fan of classic rock or are building a rock collection and want every classic recording, "Forever Changes" is a must have. It is simply that good and deserves to be heard.

Forever Changes will forever be a great listen.......2005-03-29

I bought Forever Changes the week it first came out as an album, when I was attending college, and it is as excellent today as it was when I was falling in love with it then. This is Arthur Lee's greatest work, and is also, perhaps, the best album of its genre to ever be recorded. Every time I played the album on my stereo in my college dorm, people would knock on my door and ask me what that amazing album was that I was listening to. There are no second rate songs on Forever Changes, and two of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard are Andmoreagain and Old Man. Forever Changes is an album that will never go out of style, and I expect that people will still be enjoying it long after I have grown old and passed on. If you have never heard Forever Changes, treat yourself; you will be very thankful that you did.

Too bad you can only give up to 5 stars..........2004-08-20

Where do I start? Maybe I should explain the title of this review. It really is tragic that only five stars can be given, because this album deserves a lot more than that. Simply put, the best album I have ever heard in my life, and my favorite of all time is "Forever Changes." 11 tracks that combine impeccable lyrics, smooth music, and an almost disturbing amount of beauty can be found on here. I bought this album the same day that I had the most devastating incident of my life, and it helped me profusely. It's funny that a band called Love could avoid the subject for the extreme majority of this LP.

Anyway, Arthur Lee believed that he was going to die at age 26, (He was only 22 at the time this was released, but that's not important.) and wanted this album to showcase his final words on Planet Earth. He's actually still alive today, but he still put out this flawless album while that fear of death loomed over him. The result is an enigmatic set of tracks that will completely captivate anyone with good taste in music (Sorry, Eminem fans, you aren't included.).

The album opens up with a beautiful stream of guitars providing us with the opening of "Alone Again Or," a Bryan McLean track, and one of the most simplistic on the album. The mariachi horns and 2-part harmonies play up to this tracks enjoyability level, and sets the stage for the beauty that is to follow.
Following that light-hearted track, instant darkness is acheived with the ominous-sounding introduction to "A House Is Not A Motel." This track is a lyrical showcase, probably having the most depth in that aspect of any of these songs. For proof I give you the final verse:

"By the time that I'm through singing the bells from the schools of wars will be ringing. More confusions, blood transfusions. The news today will be the movies for tomorrow, and the waters turned to blood, and if you don't thing so, go turn on your tub."

That verse rendered me speechless on first listen. Next, "Andmoreagain" brings us verses of romance and majesty to soften the apocalyptic images of the previous track. For most of my friends who have the album, this is their favorite track, and not without good reason. It's a beautiful love song, sure to sooth out any anger you may be holding.
"The Daily Planet" is an acoustic rocker, and is the hardest song on the album. Here, Lee used double-tracking in ways not utilized before, by singing two different things over each other. Another ingenious decision by an ingenious frontman.
Following that, the most simple song on the album "Old Man," gives us more romance to quell our confusion of the previous track. It is the second of two Bryan McLean tracks, and, like every song on here, is bursting with beauty.
Next comes a disturbing portrait of death and darkness in "The Red Telephone," featuring lyrics of lost hope, a droning harpsichord, and a greatly disturbing ending (They're locking them up today. They're throwing away the key. I wonder who it'll be tomorrow, you or me.)
Following that track another lighthearted recovery track is given (recurring theme) in "Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark & Hilldale." This song was the reason I bought the album, and it is one of the two best songs on the album.
Next, "Live And Let Live" transports us back to where 'The Red Telephone' left off. It's another dark track that you will grow to love even more on repeated playings.
Following its predecessors, "The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This" is another relief track, but by now you can't help but think, maybe this happiness is just a facade. Maybe there is no hope, and it's just here to draw us in. Anyway, it succeeds and things take a much lighter turn from here.
Now, most people would say that the first rap song is 'Rapture" by Blondie, but to those people I say "Be gone." This may sound a bit racist to some of you, but there is no way that rap was started by a white girl. Anyway, Lee recorded the next track, "Bummer In The Summer," over ten years before "Rapture" was released. Listening to this track, you will hear that this is in fact a rap song, and until I find a rap song released before 1967, I will regard this as the first rap song recorded.
Finally, the album closes with what will become your favorite track if you play the album enough, "You Set The Scene." It is the most revealing track, as Lee openly speaks of his prediction of death with a mature acceptance. The whole album builds up to the final half of this song, and it delivers right here. The perfect (yes, perfect) climax to a perfect album.

So, in review, if you want to hear the best album of all time, then purchase "Forever Changes." You shouldn't be disappointed, but if you are, get help.

a unique record, very interesting.......2004-04-22

Had to hear this after all the glowing reviews. I was a little nonplussed at first by the trumpet parts; it sounded vaguely like the Tijuana Brass. For a so-called psychedelic record there's not much messing around with the recording and the only bit that sounds psychedelic is a fine guitar break on "House is not a Motel".

On this record at least Arthur Lee was often a very strange, effete vocalist singing perhaps even stranger lyrics, usually without any rhythmic variation, like he'd been listening to baroque music or something. And on this set he takes the prize for most alienated songwriter I've heard on record, which may explain the critical cult. The music's rhythms resemble a lot of stuff the Moody Blues did later, perhaps under this record's influence, though I don't know that to be the case. Seems like maybe Bowie and U2 could have cribbed some ideas as well. The melodies are consistently counterintuitive so it takes a couple listens to digest. Greatest pop record of the 60's or the mid-60's or even 1967? Not for me because there's not much rock'n'roll. I think the Beatles, the Kinks, the Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield were all doing stuff that has aged better. But this is still worth the pittance you pay for it.

My absolute favorite pop record.......2004-04-14

"Forever Changes" is the best pop/rock album I have ever heard. What's more, I never tire of it as the songs sound fresh each time I listen. And it has no peer--it is a truly amazing work that is completely different in sound from any other rock music I've come across. Absolutely beautiful, absolutely wonderful, a fabulously trippy 1960s classic that does not sound dated. Buy this!

Average customer rating:

The Forever Changes Concert Love Manufacturer: Recall Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000QCQUHE Release Date: 2007-07-31

Average customer rating: JILL EICHENBERRY ASTOUNDS IN THIS VERY MUSICAL BROADWAY DISASTER . . . . Melodies for a change - Thank God!

Onward Victoria (1981 Original Cast Members) Book Charlotte Anker & Irene Rosenberg Manufacturer: Original Cast Record ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000004CPM Release Date: 2003-06-17

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. In New York the Only Sin Is Being Timid - Beth Austin, Jill Eikenberry
3. Magnetic Healing - Beth Austin, Jill Eikenberry, Lenny Wolpe
4. Taste of Forever - Jill Eikenberry
5. I Depend on You - Beth Austin, Jill Eikenberry
6. Onward Victoria - Beth Austin, Jill Eikenberry
7. Changes - Jill Eikenberry
8. Woman Like Beth - Michael Zaslow
9. Unescorted Women - Beth Austin, Jill Eikenberry, Lenny Wolpe
10. Love and Joy - Jill Eikenberry, Michael Zaslow
11. Everyday I Do a Little Something for the Lord
12. You Cannot Drown the Dream - Jill Eikenberry, Laura Waterbury
13. Respectable - Beth Austin
14. Another Life - Jill Eikenberry
15. Read It in the Weekly - Jill Eikenberry
16. Valentine for Beecher
17. Beecher's Defense - Jill Eikenberry
18. Finale - Beth Austin, Jill Eikenberry, Michael Zaslow

Customer Reviews:

JILL EICHENBERRY ASTOUNDS IN THIS VERY MUSICAL BROADWAY DISASTER . . . . .......2006-12-26

". . . appealing and gutsy . . . " (William Raidy, Newark Star-Ledger) ". . . An engaging musical . . . a musical with a message and a welcome surprise . . . " (Jeffrey Lyons, CBS Radio) ". . . the show casts a pall over the audience." (Frank Rich, New York Times) ". . . a lifeless score and humorless book . . . " (John Kendrick, [...]) "Considered by some to be one of the ten worst Broadway plays. " (Victoria Woodhull website)

After three weeks of previews, ONWARD VICTORIA opened (and closed) at the Martin Beck Theatre on December 14, 1980. Eight months later, members of the original cast gathered at RCA Studios in New York to record the show. I, for one, am extremely grateful that they did and am indebted to Original Cast Records for its remastered 1994 CD release. Usually in agreement with John Kendrick, I do not find the score "lifeless." Rather, I find it refreshing and inventive; an "old-fashioned" Broadway score in the very best sense of the term.

Economic reality has extracted a heavy toll from the Broadway musical, primarily in the number of singers and dancers employed and the size and quality of the orchestra. String sections have been replaced by synthesizers; a crack dance corps and a separate big-voiced chorus have given way to 16 or fewer singer/dancers who do neither as well as they did in the good old days; the overture has all but disappeared; excellence has been replaced by ordinary. Not the case with ONWARD VICTORIA.

Just give a listen to the excellent vocal writing and choral work in the opening number "In New York The Only Sin Is Being Timid" (listed as "The Age of Brass" on opening night), Victoria's campaign song "Onward Victoria" (or, "Victoria's Banner"), "You Cannot Drown the Dream," and the hymn-parody "A Valentine for Beecher;" and the stand-up-and-cheer second act finale. Incidentally, are those Bach-trumpets I hear in "Valentine?" Maybe the book was humorless, but catch the references to incest as per Sophocles in "Something for the Lord," artfully sung by Jim Jansen, and this line - and others - from "Beecher's Defense": "Plymouth Church should be proud to have a preacher so endowed." Not all the lyrics are as inspired as these ("Love and Joy" is a case in point), but even Oscar Hammerstein, II, penned a few clinkers. How about this gem from SOUND OF MUSIC: "You need someone older and wiser telling you what to do-ooh. I am 17 going on 18. I'll take care of you."

The cast is uniformly excellent, but Jill Eikenberry is a revelation! Known primarily as "Ann Kelsey" on TVs "LA Law" (153 episodes, 1986-1994), she reveals herself as a fine singer-actress in the role of Victoria Woodhull, a feminist who, decades before women won the right to vote, was the Equal Rights Party candidate for President, running against incumbent Ulysses S. Grant. In addition to her campaign-style numbers, Ms. Eikenberry gives us two lovely, character-building ballads, "I've Had a Taste of Forever" & "Another Life." Beth Austin, as Woodhull's sister Tennie Clafin, joins Victoria in "Magnetic Healing" & "I Depend on You" and gets her chance to shine in the big, brassy, show-stopping "Respectable." Lenny Wolpe (Feldzieg in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE), as restaurateur Charlie Delmonico, has a great time with "Unescorted Women;" Jim Jansen (Post Office prosecutor Anthony Comstock) gleefully reveals "Every Day I Do a Little Something for the Lord;" Michael Zaslow (Henry Ward Beecher, charismatic preacher of Brooklyn's Plymouth Church) explains away his wife's infidelity with "A Woman Like Beth" and joins Victoria in "Love and Joy," the only number that, in my opinion, doesn't succeed.

A "lifeless score?" I think not. Rather, a delightful score that transcends its appallingly bad book. (See also WHOOP-UP, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, et. al.) Without a complete rewrite of the book, it's doubtful that ONWARD VICTORIA will ever again find its way onto the stage, so let's be grateful that this fine recording, with members of the original Broadway cast, is here for us to enjoy.

Highly recommended.

Melodies for a change - Thank God!.......2002-12-13

I thoroughly enjoyed ONWARD VICTORIA'S lush score. I am unable, even after 2 weeks, to get Mr. Herrmann's melodies out of my head. It is unfortunate that the theatrical environment of today only encourages the big, garish, pop scores of the talent-less British wave of writers. I hope Mr. Herrmann keeps on doing what he is doing - Thank you Keith Herrmann!

Average customer rating: Finally LOVE is back Chillingly Good Lee Sets The Scene I was at first wary... A magic moment captured on tape!

The Forever Changes Concert Love Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Forever Changes Concert Four Sail Forever Changes Back on the Scene Love ASIN: B00009AQNP Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

1. Alone Again Or [DVD]
2. House Is Not a Motel [DVD]
3. Andmoreagain [DVD]
4. Daily Planet [DVD]
5. Old Man [DVD]
6. Red Telephone [DVD]
7. Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale [DVD]
8. Live and Let Live [DVD]
9. Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This [DVD]
10. Bummer in the Summer [DVD]
11. You Set the Scene [DVD]
12. 7 & 7 Is [DVD][*]
13. Orange Skies [DVD][*]
14. Listen to My Song [DVD][*]
15. She Comes in Colors [DVD][*]
16. Always See Your Face [DVD][*]
17. [DVD] [Bonus Material]

Album Description

The masterpiece performed at The Royal Festival Hall in London January 2003. Already being hailed by critics as matching the quality & importance of the original. Features 11 tracks on disc one & an enhanced bonus disc featuring concert footage of 'Alone Again Or' (taken from Love The Forever Changes Concert DVD), and four additional Love classics, '7 & 7 Is', 'Your Mind & We Belong Together', 'Signed DC' & 'My Little Red Book', along with extras (picture gallery & downloadable screensaver). Packaged in a double gatefold digipak. Snapper. 2003.

Album Details

This Two-disc Set features a Complete Live Recreation of Love's 1967 Album, "Forever Changes". The Set was Recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall on January 15th 2003 When Frontman Arthur Lee was Joined by a Full String and Brass Section. Disc Two features a Handful of Tracks which were Performed the Same Evening, Including a Version of 1969's "Singing Cowboy", featuring Former Blur Guitarist Graham Coxon.

Customer Reviews:

Finally LOVE is back.......2004-10-11

I'm not into Classic Rock or nostalgia. However LOVE is the one band that when they play live actually brings you as close to the Sixties excitement and all out vibe as possible. This performance seals it, the band made up of former members of Baby Lemonade are tremendous players. I will correct another review, someone stated that the current band is superior to the original lineup. First, they have had years to practice, we'll never know how good those guys were, its like comparing sports eras. Alone Again or should have been played on a an acoustic guitar, I agree, but the horns are awesome and bring the music alive. Old Man was well done, I think Arthur sang his heart out on it, and dedicated it to Bryan.
All in all an excellent Live album.

Chillingly Good.......2004-07-26

I just bought this today. I bought the original FC lp in the mid '80s and loved it. Listening to the live recording literally gave me goosebumps. My god, what a talent. With a brain this fork-bendingly creative, it's almost no wonder Mr. Lee has led a checkered life. Someone excessively picky might complain that the live versions are too true to the originals, but I think that what makes this album so special.

If you do not truly love, love, LOVE, good music, stay away from this one. You won't get it.

Lee Sets The Scene.......2004-03-05

It was the cover which caused me to give this CD a second glance. After all, I already own the original recording of Forever Changes, and though the colors and psychedelic style are similar to the original album cover, something was strangely different. On closer examination I discovered the happy news that the recently freed Arthur Lee is back on track with a grand new project.
OK, so I bought the DVD first and after viewing it, gave it my highest recommendation. So why did I buy this too? The extras made me open my wallet and as it turns out, the extras are well worth the additional money.
This CD features Lee and his new band in England performing music from the legendary sixties Forever Changes album. Often this sort of project flops. Not here. Lee's new band has learned the music inside out and plays it with astounding authority. Fans of the original should have no reservations about getting this. From the first notes of Alone Again Or to the fading sounds of You Set the Scene you will be mesmerized at the quality of this CD. The performance is inspired from start to finish.
My favorite cuts are A House Is Not A Motel, featuring some blistering guitar by Mike Randle;The Red Telephone, which energizes both the listener and the crowd; ...Between Clark and Hilldale, again with some great guitar work; the timeless Live and Let Live; and finally a command performance of You Set the Scene.
What about those extras? Well, a couple of the songs here are different from the extras that come with the DVD. The band's rendition of Signed DC alone makes it worth the extra cash. This is Lee's best take on a song he originally wrote back in 1965 and has reworked twice. The guitar and harmonica work on this arrangement are stupendous. There are some other extras that you can view on your computer, I have not yet sampled those.
You might think that with all these superlatives there would be at least one negative. If there is, I have not found it.
With his return to the stage, Arthur Lee has set the scene once again. Forever Changes In Concert is a recording that should one day attain the legendary status of its namesake. Get this one soon, you won't be sorry.

I was at first wary..........2003-12-28

of listening to this redone iconic 'classic' of an album ái hate the term-
How do you improve upon an uncalculated masterwork?
How do you project the imagery and the feelings of that exciting and frightening time in our history?
Will this be a tired retread from an aging cult star?
Will it be 'jazzed' up to hook the ADD-addled listeners of today?

How could the complex arrangements and delicate nuances be recreated in a live setting?

The piece we are talking about, LOVE: FOREVER CHANGES, set the mood, and reflected it- for the 1960s culture as much as any band-and the forerunners all had their part in that 1966-68 period.
Which saw the mood of the at-first, underground youth movement stray from what is mistakenly looked at as naive- "love and peace"-
to a mood and outlook that saw in despair, that this seemed no longer possible, and that a brewing storm of Apocalypse was fast approaching on the horizon....
This music captures that, the mood of hope and fear of the coming personal, socail and National sense of armageddon that nearly, and necessarily, tore this country apart.

L:FC got little radio play, and you had to be 'with it' to pick up on this LP, as it stayed largely an underground cult item for some time.

The original album is largely recreated, sometimes note-for-note-only occaisionally straying in form.
The magic of the strings, horns, bass, and Lee's vocal inflections are 95-100% duplicated here. Somehow, lightning struck twice in the same spot...
-with the added magic of more clarity and punch, because of modern recording and mixing techniques.
Sorely missed is the magic of the specifinc fingerings of Bryan Maccleans 12 string, his sharp strumming, and especailly his neo-classical flamenco picking on ALONE AGAIN OR...
If only the young of today could see that this music is as relevant today, to them in particular-maybe even more so, than it was in its time frame 35 years ago.

For again, there are dark clouds on the horizon.

A magic moment captured on tape!.......2003-12-16

If you like the "Forever Changes" album, you will definitely like this album. (It shines from start to finish, and this recording definitely captures Arthur Lee in one of his more sterling moments.) If you have never heard the "Forever Changes" album or Love, this album will be a good introduction for you. The "Forever Changes" album proper, though, is not to be missed.

Average customer rating:

The Forever Changes Concert Love Manufacturer: Madfish Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Garage Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Forever Changes ASIN: B00009PURA Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

1. Alone Again Or
2. House Is Not a Motel
3. Andmoreagain
4. Daily Planet
5. Old Man
6. Red Telephone
7. Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale
8. Live and Let Live
9. Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This
10. Bummer in the Summer
11. You Set the Scene

Tracks:

1. Seven & Seven Is
2. Your Mind and We Belong Together
3. Signed D.C.
4. My Little Red Book
5. Alone Again Or [Video Enhanced Track]

Rap Music:

1. Give It Up [Original recording remastered]
2. Greatest Love Songs 666 [Import]
3. Had to Cry Today
4. Heard It on the X
5. Hip Li'l Dreams
6. Hounds of Love [Original recording remastered] [Import]
7. If You Knew My Mind
8. James Taylor - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
9. Joe's Garage Acts 1-2-3 [Original recording remastered]
10. Linda Ronstadt: Greatest Hits

Rap Music

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