Essential

Amazon.com
Based on his subtle playing on Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale," no one expected Robin Trower to become an arena-rock guitar god in the '70s--a guitarist, in fact, that some pundits compared to Jimi Hendrix. Trower certainly was very much influenced by Hendrix; he loved throwing atonal fireworks into his blues-based rock, as all 16 tracks here demonstrate. Essential is the best U.S. compilation available, with tracks from all eight of his Chrysalis LPs. The only problem is that '70s and '80s FM staple "Day of the Eagle" is absent. Which is a little like calling an album Essential Hendrix and excluding "All Along the Watchtower." --Bill Holdship

Essential,Robin Trower,Capitol,Blues-Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Essential

Average customer rating: great compilation - particularly for a car trip Sweet and Simple Paul Simon Redux

The Essential Paul Simon (2 CD/DVD) Paul Simon Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3 Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD) The Police (2CD Anthology) Live In Dublin Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur ASIN: B000Q677EA Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Mother And Child Reunion
2. Loves Me Like A Rock
3. Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
4. Duncan
5. Kodachrome
6. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
7. Slip Slidin' Away
8. Gone At Last
9. Something So Right
10. Late In The Evening
11. Hearts And Bones
12. Take Me To The Mardi Gras
13. That Was Your Mother
14. American Tune
15. Peace Like A River
16. Stranded In A Limousine
17. Train In The Distance
18. The Late Great Johnny Ace
19. Still Crazy After All These Years

Tracks:

1. Graceland
2. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
3. The Boy In The Bubble
4. You Can Call Me Al
5. Under African Skies
6. The Obvious Child
7. Born At The Right Time
8. The Coo, Cool River
9. Spirit Voices
10. Adios Hermanos
11. Born In Puerto Rico
12. Quality
13. Darling Lorraine
14. Hurricane Eye
15. Father And Daughter
16. Outrageous
17. Wartime Prayers

Album Description

In celebration of Paul Simon's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress, The Essential Paul Simon brings together all of his hits and favorite tracks in the most expansive, solo career-spanning compilation issued for the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Customer Reviews:

great compilation - particularly for a car trip.......2007-07-14

I have a lot of Paul Simon CD's so you could say I didn't really need this two CD set. However, I make a 3 hour car trip a couple of times a year and when I saw this I immediately thought how great it would be to have these two CD's in the changer in the trunk for my next road trip. Its sort of a "greatest hits" but with some songs I've never heard before as well. It covers a long span of years and my only complaint is that it does not include the incredible song "Homeless".

Sweet and Simple.......2007-07-03

When it comes to music right now, there just really isn't anything that is actually exciting. While there are so many acts that just seem to get by on gloss like Beyonce', Britney Spears, and Usher, there just really isn'y anything anymore about songs and artists that just comes from the simplistic words themselves. There have been acts that have made great records, they just missed the cut when it comes to sales last year from Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Paul Simon. Although Paul has been recognized with great acheivements in music on his own, as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, he has truly made the music of our times, and this collection shows it.

The 2007 Essential Paul Simon is a double album reflection of what made Paul Simon's solo career so dynamic and universal. This was made in honor of his recent inagural Gershwin Award for Song, as well as his 35th anniverasry as a acclaimed solo artist. This collection follows in suit very nicely, and expands the effort delightfully that was made so well on his last solo hits package, 2002's On My Way. The songs here flow very nicely, and have all been remastered very well. All of his classics are highlighted here including the guilty pleasures 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, You Can Call Me Al, The Boy In The Bubble, as well as down to Earth gems like Mother and Child Reunion, and his Oscar-nominated Father and Daughter from the Nickelodeon animated film The Wild Thornberries Movie, and his recently overlooked track Outrageous from his overshadowed 2006 album Surprise. This version also add in on the fun, by including some great music videos of his work and craftsmanship in songwriting like Diamonds On The Souls Of Her Shoes, and a rendidtion of the Simon & Garfunkel gem, Mrs. Robinson from the classic 70's The Dick Cavett Show.

All in all, The Essential Paul Simon really captures a delightful reflection on a career that has acclaimed for so many years, and also does a wonderful job at reintroducing one of the most legendary artists of the past five decades. If you haven't heard any of Paul Simon's music, than you really don't know what you've missed from a great icon like Paul. I absolutely recommend this hits collection a whole lot. You can still call him Al, but just call him a legend.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: A-

Price: A-

Remastering: A-

DVD: B 1/2+

Overall: B+

Paul Simon Redux.......2007-06-29

This is Paul simon cut right to the bone with no filler whatsoever! I enjoy everything on this collection and The Capeman stuff is good to finally have on cd! I compare this to the Traveling Wilbury's Collection that was recently released also w/ a DVD!! It's all very familiar but worth revisiting over and over again!

Average customer rating: Great collection All of the favorites! Perfect Intro to Johnny Cash! Best Cash CD Compilation The Essential Johnny Cash

The Essential Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Country | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: At Folsom Prison Walk the Line The Essential Willie Nelson At San Quentin Walk the Line (Widescreen Edition) ASIN: B00005Y1M2 Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

1. Hey Porter
2. Cry, Cry, Cry
3. I Walk The Line
4. Get Rhythm
5. There You Go
6. Ballad Of A Teenage Queen
7. Big River
8. Guess Things Happen That Way
9. All Over Again
10. Don't Take Your Guns To Town
11. Five Feet High And Rising
12. The Rebel-Johnny Yuma
13. Tennessee Flat-Top Box
14. I Still Miss Someone
15. Ring Of Fire
16. The Ballad Of Ira Hayes
17. Orange Blossom Special
18. Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)

Tracks:

1. It Ain't Me, Babe (w/ June Carter Cash)
2. The One On The Right Is On The Left
3. Jackson (w/ June Carter Cash)
4. Folsom Prison Blues (Live)
5. Daddy Sang Bass
6. Girl From The North Country (w/ Bob Dylan)
7. A Boy Named Sue (Live)
8. If I Were A Carpenter
9. Sunday Morning Coming Down
10. Flesh And Blood
11. Man In Black
12. Ragged Old Flag
13. One Piece At A Time
14. (Ghost) Riders In The Sky
15. Song Of The Patriot (w/ Marty Robbins)
16. Highwayman (w/ Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson)
17. The Night Hank Williams Came To Town (w/ Waylon Jennings)
18. The Wanderer (w/ U2)

Amazon.com

It's a great and perhaps impossible challenge to encapsulate the highlights of Johnny Cash's vast musical catalog in a two-CD, 36-song collection like this. Yet, though it barely scratches the surface, 2002's The Essential Johnny Cash--part of a series of compilations and reissues celebrating Cash's 70th birthday--does present three-dozen satisfying and balanced snapshots of some of the Man in Black's most memorable work for the Sun, Columbia, and Mercury labels. Above all else, these 36 selections are wonderful reminders of Cash's rustic eclecticism. Cuts range from '50s Sun rockabilly classics like "Hey Porter" and "I Walk the Line" to '60s country-folk gems like "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" and Cash's memorable duet with Bob Dylan on Dylan's "Girl from the North Country." Also included are more recent samplings of Cash's celebrated collaborations, including "Highwayman," which he recorded in 1984 with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson as part of the on-again, off-again supergroup the Highwaymen, and "The Wanderer," a fervent gospel collaboration with U2 that appeared on the band's 1993 album, Zooropa. --Bob Allen

Customer Reviews:

Great collection.......2007-07-13

The Essential Johnny Cash, while far from being the only Cash CD you'll ever need, is nonetheless a great collection of his biggest hits. Drawing mainly from his early years, this set features nearly all of my personal favorites, and even a few lesser-known hits that usually get lost in the cracks of other albums.

Like I said--this isn't the only Johnny Cash CD you'll ever need, but this, along with the Folsom and San Quentin concerts, is a good way to start your collection. Highly recommended.

All of the favorites!.......2007-05-17

This is a great 2-CD set if you are a Johnny Cash fan and want as many hits as you can get without buying the box set! I got the Essential Johnny Cash for my Dad at Christmas last year and listened to it on a trip with him. I loved the movie Walk the Line and this CD made me go out and buy the box set for myself. I admit I like this CD better thna the box set as I find myself switching CD's too much with the box set. There are 4 CD's with the box set where this one has two. the boxed set also has a lot of gospel song by Johnny Cash, which I didn't like as much. But the Essential Johnny Cash did have a couple of the gospel songs that I did like. So if you are a Johnny Cash fan, or think you are becoming one, I highly recommend The Essential Johnny Cash 2-CD set. It has all the songs you'll need and love! Like me, you may even discover some you never knew you'd love.

Perfect Intro to Johnny Cash!.......2007-05-14

What can you say? It's Johnny Cash and he's great. What I like most about this CD is that it introduced me to songs of his that I had never heard of such as 'Hey Porter'. You can hear Cash's personality and humor in his music. Buy it, you'll like it.

Best Cash CD Compilation.......2007-05-12

If you are going to have 1 Johnny Cash CD Set.. this is it. Period..

The Essential Johnny Cash.......2007-05-02

The cd The Essential Johnny Cash is based on his songs and music like Ring of Fire and A Boy Named Sue. The instrument that plays in Ring Of Fire is a trumphet that is high brass and for A Boy Named Sue is a giutar that is loud. The thing that brings out the songs is that he`s a musician and talented. His attidude was bad sometimes because of drugs he was taking. Like always Johnny Cash will always be sensation as a true good, sensation singer known as the Man in Black and for his music.

Average customer rating: magnificent songwriter My Favorite Canadian It is just that Music For the Heart A lesson for what really music is

Essential Leonard Cohen Leonard Cohen Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man Grace Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man Ten New Songs Dear Heather ASIN: B00006NSH8 Release Date: 2002-10-22

Tracks:

1. Suzanne
2. The Stranger Song
3. Sisters of Mercy
4. Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbyen
5. So Long, Marianne
6. Bird on a Wire
7. The Partisan
8. Famous Blue Raincoat
9. Chelsea Hotel No. 2
10. Take This Longing
11. Who by Fire
12. The Guests
13. Hallelujah
14. If It Be Your Will
15. Night Comes On
16. I'm Your Man
17. Everybody Knows
18. Tower of Song

Tracks:

1. Ain't No Cure for Love
2. Take This Waltz
3. First We Take Manhattan
4. Dance Me to the End of Love (live)
5. The Future
6. Democracy
7. Waiting for the Miracle
8. Closing Time
9. Anthem
10. In My Secret Life
11. Alexandra Leaving
12. A Thousand Kisses Deep
13. Love Itself

Amazon.com

This two-disc retrospective traces the Canadian bard's musical maturity from poet and novelist who sang a little to multidimensional artist whose oracular vocals and increasingly rich arrangements are every bit as compelling as his verse. Even when Cohen came to prominence through the 1960s songcraft of "Suzanne" and "Bird on a Wire," the "folksinger" tag never really fit. Later highlights ranging from the deadpan drollery of "Tower of Song" and "Everybody Knows" to the apocalyptic anthemry of "First We Take Manhattan" and "Democracy" suggest that other labels might be more appropriate: cabaret surrealist, spiritual gadfly, sensual prophet, agent provocateur. Cohen chose the selections, drawing more than half of the 31 tracks from three landmark albums--his 1967 debut Songs of Leonard Cohen, 1988's I'm Your Man, and 1992's The Future--along with four from 2001's Ten New Songs. The collection justifies its title as deep as it goes, though it's a shame that Cohen's commercial profile couldn't justify the more elaborate box set his artistry warrants (one that would at least include lyrics and musician credits). Those who sample the consistently inspired music here might come to the conclusion that everything Cohen records is essential. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

magnificent songwriter.......2007-02-18

I won't be able to explain Leonard Cohen the way he can explain himself. His words lay out a wonderful,descriptive picture that you just have to hear to believe. I just recently started listening to him after getting the "I'm Your Man" soundtrack. I am a little disappointed I didn't listen before.
Granted Mr. Cohen isn't the best singer, but like Bob Dylan, you look past that into the brilliance of the music.

My Favorite Canadian.......2007-02-16

How many ways can we amature reviewers write phrases that mean: He's a genius, he's talented, the songs are great! If you can think of any other acclamations, print out this review and pencil in the idiom for yourself. It will be true. bg

It is just that.......2007-02-09

For me, this is an "essential" CD. It is a really good compilation of his body of work--thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

Music For the Heart.......2007-02-04

Leonard Cohen's music touches my heart. The deep vibrations of his voice sooth me. This C.D pleases me to no end.

A lesson for what really music is.......2007-02-03

There's nothing missing from this collection. Not the quality, not the deep, truthful voice, not the fully poetic and inspirational lyrics, nothing. My boyfriend bought this CD and we can't get enough of it- especially DISC 2.
Cohen is and will remain unique in this industry, mainly because he has something solid yet so delicate to say, because he is a musician, because he possesses the gift to sing stories instead of 'telling a song'. Great music, great lyrics, great singer.

Average customer rating: This is the best cd Dean Martin "The Essential Dean Martin" Dean - One of a kind Many Songs great sound Omit One

Dino: The Essential Dean Martin Dean Martin Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Classic Sinatra The Very Best of Frank Sinatra Sinatra Reprise: The Very Good Years The Very Best of Perry Como Italian Love Songs ASIN: B00021LPIS Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

1. Ain't That a Kick in the Head
2. That's Amore
3. Memories Are Made of This
4. Just In Time
5. Sway
6. I'd Cry Like A Baby
7. Volare
8. Under The Bridges Of Paris
9. Love Me, Love Me
10. If
11. Mambo Italiano
12. Let Me Go Lover
13. Standing On The Corner
14. You Belong to Me
15. Powder Your Face With Sunshine
16. Innamorata (Sweetheart)
17. I'll Always Love You
18. Kiss
19. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
20. Return to Me (Ritorna-Me)
21. The Door Is Still Open to My Heart
22. Houston
23. Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
24. Everybody Loves Somebody
25. In the Chapel in the Moonlight
26. I Will
27. Little Old Wine Drinker Me
28. Somewhere There's a Someone
29. In The Misty Moonlight
30. Gentle On My Mind

Amazon.com

The revisionist take on the Rat Pack's razor-witted King of Cool reveals a Dean Martin who was considerably more complex than the Titan of Tipplers legend; a man who would just as soon retire to his room with a tumbler of milk to watch a TV Western than prowl the Strip with his famous cohorts. That sublime, preternatural indifference is both underscored and belied with dizzying regularity on this good 30-track overview of Martin's singing career. The breezy hits "That's Amore" and "Volare" underscored his public staying power when many counted him out in the face of a surging 1950s youth market. He repeated the feat again with trademark effortlessness a decade later to knock no less than the Beatles off the top of the charts with the unlikely, if inviting schmaltz of "Everybody Loves Somebody." Ever informed by his warm, deceptive vocal ease, Martin's rich signature tunes are well-represented here. But the collection also spans enough lovable kitsch ("Mambo Italiano," "Little Old Wine Drinker Me") and unabashed romantic yearning ("Innamorata," "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On") to deepen the compelling mystery of one of pop music's most enduring ciphers. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

This is the best cd.......2007-05-14

I love this cd it is one of my favorites. It just puts you in a great place and I love singing all the songs. The sound of his voice is like melting butter and I could listen to this cd over and over and never get tired of it. If you only own one cd in your life I recomend this one. I bought one for my grandfather after I listened to it and he loves it to.

Dean Martin "The Essential Dean Martin".......2007-05-10

Another wonderful CD of Dean Martin. This one also arrived very quickly.

Dean - One of a kind.......2007-03-26

For any fan of Dean Martin, this Cd is must. Every song brings back to a time when music was great and had meaning.

Many Songs great sound.......2007-03-23

All the best songs and a bunch on the CD. Really Great
Happy with buy

Omit One.......2007-03-13

There is no song worse to me than "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" and that one dud spoiled it for me. I hate that song so much.

The others are okay, but this one dud - that is the one song I never want to hear nor would I ever inflict it on anybody. It's heinous.

Average customer rating: It's good, but! ALMOST ESSENTIAL The Best Best of Heart SONY MUSIC producing defective HEART cds Great, but it's missing a few songs.

Essential Heart Heart Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Greatest Hits The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac Foreigner - Complete Greatest Hits Dreamboat Annie Blondie - Greatest Hits ASIN: B00007E8W2 Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

1. Crazy On You
2. Magic Man
3. Dreamboat Annie
4. Barracuda
5. Little Queen
6. Kick It Out
7. Love Alive
8. Heartless
9. Straight On
10. Dog & Butterfly
11. Silver Wheels
12. Even It Up
13. Rock & Roll
14. Tell It Like It Is
15. Unchained Melody (Live)
16. This Man Is Mine
17. How Can I Refuse
18. Allies

Tracks:

1. What About Love?
2. Never
3. These Dreams
4. Nothin' At All
5. If Looks Could Kill
6. Alone
7. Who Will You Run To
8. There's The Girl
9. I Want You So Bad
10. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You
11. Wild Child
12. I Didn't Want to Need You
13. Stranded
14. Secret
15. You're The Voice (Live)
16. Will You Be There (In The Morning)
17. Black On Black ll
18. Ring Them Bells
19. The Road Home

Customer Reviews:

It's good, but! .......2007-05-12

As with all greatest hits packages theirs a lot of the radio friendly stuff and not enough of the really good stuff. Heart are a great band period. Their early stuff is simply fantastic and truly stands the test of time. The reinvented 80's heart was also very good, even if it's not quite as good as the early releases were. Their latest release, Jupiter's Child was a back to the basics what got us noticed in the first place release and it was another gem.

Ann and Nancy and supporting cast should be very proud of what they've accomplished in their careers. They have given us some true classics to look back on with fond memories and they have given us some newer releases that are every bit as good and even fresh sounding in a world of corporate crap.

I really wish Heart would go back and re-master all their releases and give us the listener a Sabbath style Black Box release and that would truly be a greatest hits package.

This collection of tunes is very good, but any true heart fan will be disappointed as it's just missing to much good stuff!!

I give it a 4 because it's Heart and because it rocks from start to finish, but I want more!!!!!

ALMOST ESSENTIAL.......2007-01-31

I do give this release a big thumbs up but I would change a few things.

DISC ONE

Crazy On You
Magic Man
Dreamboat Annie
How Deep It Goes
Barracuda
Little Queen
Kick It Out
Love Alive
Sylvan Song
Dream Of The Archer
Heartless
Devil Delight
Magazine
Straight On
Dog & Butterfly
Mistral Wind
Hit Single
Rock & Roll

DISC TWO

City's Burning
Bebe Le Strange
Even It Up
How Can I Refuse
Allies
What About Love
If Looks Could Kill
These Dreams
Alone
Who Will You Run To
Wait For An Answer
All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You
Under The Sky
Fallen From Grace
Black On Black II
Back To Avalon
(Up On) Cherry Blossom Road
The Road Home

The Best Best of Heart.......2007-01-12

This compilation from the Capitol Epic label is the best available over- view of the female operated hard rock band Heart. It has all the great songs from their early, middle and late periods. The early period features hard rock with incredible guitar performances, the middle period (after their lead guitarist was fired for drug burn-out) features fine rock arrangements and great songs. The late period has beautiful arrangements of beautiful songs beautifully sung. For someone wanting to find out what Heart is all about, this is the double CD to buy. My only beefs are the few live performances here are not their best and you only get the reprise of "Dreamboat Annie," one of their best songs.

SONY MUSIC producing defective HEART cds.......2006-12-09

I bought the "Essential Heart" cd from Tower Rercords this weekend.
I just tried listening to it but Track #17 SKIPS and shuts down my media player.

The store (TOWER) is closing down & they refuse to even EXCHANGE IT!
They told me to contact the ones who release this album. All the info. & links on the back of the cd are no longer valid. I went to SonyMusic and even their links to this cd are defunct. I was able to find [...]which links back to SonyMusic - but when I call the two "QUALITY MANAGMENT" phone numbers they have, both are defunct and refer me back to the store I bought it from.

I am extremely angry and want my $15 back! No wonder Tower is going out of business with such bad customer service. All I'm going to be more careful before I buy a Sony/CapitolRecords cd!

Great, but it's missing a few songs........2006-11-10

I would have given this compilation a 5-star review except that there were four great songs that were ommited: 1. "Strong, Strong Wind" 2. "Surrender to Me" 3. "Tall, Dark, Handsome Stranger" 4. "Back to Avalon". Other than that, this is a wonderful 2-CD package from an awesome group.

Average customer rating: The Essential Bob Dylan is essential Essential To American Culture Complete Dylan Like The Old Days, Only Better "She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind" from Not Dark Yet.

Essential Bob Dylan Bob Dylan Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Modern Times Greatest Hits Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix The Best of Simon & Garfunkel The Who: The Ultimate Collection ASIN: B000050HTO Release Date: 2000-10-31

Tracks:

1. Blowin' In The Wind
2. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
3. The Times They Are A-Changin'
4. It Ain't Me, Babe
5. Maggie's Farm
6. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
7. Mr. Tambourine Man
8. Subterranean Homesick Blues
9. Like A Rolling Stone
10. Positively 4th Street
11. Just Like A Woman
12. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
13. All Along The Watchtower
14. Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
15. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

Tracks:

1. Lay, Lady, Lay
2. If Not For You
3. I Shall Be Released
4. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
5. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
6. Forever Young
7. Tangled Up In Blue
8. Shelter From The Storm
9. Hurricane
10. Gotta Serve Somebody
11. Jokerman
12. Silvio
13. Everything Is Broken
14. Not Dark Yet
15. Things Have Changed

Amazon.com

Two discs of music don't exactly provide for a thorough overview of four decades of recording, particularly if the subject of the retrospective is one of the most important and prolific performers of his time. So The Essential Bob Dylan definitely skates over the leagues-deep oeuvre of Dylan, summarizing his monumental first half-dozen years in disc one and skirting over the following 34 years in disc two. Delving into Columbia's three Dylan greatest-hits packages (though curiously purging "I Want You," a genuine hit single in its day), Essential offers only a few surprises, opting for The Basement Tapes version of "Quinn the Eskimo" over the Self Portrait remake that made it onto Greatest Hits Volume II and tossing in "Things Have Changed" from the Wonder Boys soundtrack for completists. But this 30-track overview is designed with newcomers, not Dylanologists, in mind. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Bob Dylan is essential.......2007-03-01

Glad I bought this. I'm trying to replace the old vinyl albums I once had and this is a good start to my new collection of Dylan CDs. It satisfies the immediate need until I can afford all of the replacements.

Essential To American Culture.......2007-02-23

Bob Dylan is the greatest living American composer. As essential to his generation as Irving Berlin and Cole Porter were to theirs and sure to be remembered with the same reverence. This is a great collection of most of his finest work -- all remastered. An avid Dylan fan, I can't help but notice the absence of some of my favorites, like Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You, from Nashville Skyline and One More Cup Of Coffee, from Desire. I guess I would have liked to see a three disk Essential -- he certainly deserves one. That said, it is hard to argue with the song selections. For example, other than the original Greatest Hits collection, which was originally released in the '60's, this is the only other place you can find Positively 4th Street -- his follow-up single to Like A Rolling Stone.

If you want to purchase one disk for your CD collection that best represents Bob Dylan's body of work, this is the one to get.

Complete Dylan.......2007-01-16

This is the most complete of all the Dylan recordings I have and that dates back to the 60's.

Like The Old Days, Only Better.......2006-12-03

This is an excellent collection for those who were Dylan fans back in the sixties. Those of us in the room the first time I played these CDs could sing along with every single song. There isn't a bum tune in the bunch. But unlike those old records I have boxed up in the garage, all cuts sound clean.

I don't have anything profoud to say. I just want to recommend this collection to any old Dylan fans who want to hear it all again -- without the scratches.

"She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind" from Not Dark Yet........2006-09-15

I'm new to Bob Dylan's music and I must say I really loved this cd. I was unsure about listening to it since I wasn't all that enamoured with Dylan's voice but when you listen to music it just clicks into place. Dylan is a master at lyrics and mood. Each song has a unique mood or message that he conveys in what seems like an effortless manner. I fell in love with some of his songs of heartbreak and change.

This compilation is broken into two disks. disk one covers music originally recorded from 1962-1967 and disk two covers music originally recorded from 1969-1999. Bob Dylan life time of music is rather prolific so creating a compilation of his music into two disks must have been a huge undertaking but from a novice Dylan fan I think a great job was done.

I can say with out a doubt that disk one, which covers `62-67, is my favorite from the two although I loved both but I find myself listening to disk one over and over. I have been very moved by his deep emotion on unrealized love with "Don't think twice, It's all Right" and his reflection on every day struggles with "Subterranean Homesick Blues". So many of the songs on the first disc most people have heard recorded by other artists like "Mr. Tambourine Man", "All Along the Watchtower", and "Quinn The Eskimo" which speaks to his wonderful writing and appeal to other musical artists.

Disk two brought more great songs but they have a different feel to them, some how more impassioned and sensual with a touch of humility on life. You see the sensual side in "Lay Lady Lay" and impassioned views on justice with "Hurricane". There is even a little sadness in the second disc, you have to wonder how difficult the 1970's were for Dylan to be able to write so many songs that echoed in the hearts of others. Maybe that's why I like disc one.....less sad. I have to give a big shout out for songs like "I Shall be Released", "Tangled Up In Blue", and "Jokerman".

As I said before, I'm new to Bob Dylan's music but I can also say I am now a huge fan. I'd also like to mention the song "Not Dark Yet" from the second disc, it speaks of a soulful reflective Bob Dylan that I find quite nice.

Great writing, great feeling, great music.

girldiver:)

Average customer rating: This will do--til I can buy every CD he's done Absolute must have! How sweet! The Essential Willie Nelson The Grand Old Man

The Essential Willie Nelson Willie Nelson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Country | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Essential Johnny Cash Ultimate Waylon Jennings Stardust Red Headed Stranger 40 #1 Hits ASIN: B00008BXK3 Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

1. Night Life
2. Hello Walls
3. Crazy
4. Funny How Time Slips Away
5. I Never Cared for You
6. The Party's Over
7. Good Times
8. Me And Paul
9. Shotgun Willie
10. Bloody Mary Morning
11. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
12. Good Hearted Woman (with Waylon Jennings)
13. If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time
14. Uncloudy Day
15. Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (with Waylon Jennings)
16. Georgia on My Mind
17. Blue Skies
18. All of Me
19. Heartbreak Hotel (with Leon Russell)
20. Help Me Make It Through the Night
21. Whiskey River (live)
22. Stay a Little Longer (live)

Tracks:

1. My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
2. Faded Love (with Ray Price)
3. On the Road Again
4. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
5. Always on My Mind
6. Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning
7. Pancho & Lefty (with Merle Haggard)
8. To All the Girls I've Loved Before (with Julio Iglesias)
9. City of New Orleans
10. Seven Spanish Angels (with Ray Charles)
11. Forgiving You Was Easy
12. Highwayman
13. Living in the Promiseland
14. Nothing I Can Do About It Now
15. Graceland
16. Everywhere I Go (with Emmylou Harris)
17. Slow Dancing (U2 featuring Willie Nelson, Mickey Raphael on harmonica)
18. Mendocino County Line (with Lee Ann Womack)
19. One Time Too Many (with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith) (previously unreleased)

Amazon.com

With 41 tracks drawn from nine record labels, the two-disc Essential Willie Nelson is impressive in its breadth. Disc one is simply superb; it begins with 1961's "Night Life," recorded for the obscure Bellaire label, and moves on to several of Nelson's early 1960s Liberty recordings, an overlooked gem recorded for Monument in 1964 ("I Never Cared for You"), a cherry-picked selection of his RCA and Atlantic sides, and finally his mid-1970s hits for Columbia (where he found his greatest chart success, beginning, in 1975, with the No. 1 single "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain"). Disc two, however, is hit-or-miss. Classics like "On the Road Again," "Pancho & Lefty," and "Nothing I Can Do About It Now" are offset by such lesser material as "To All The Girls I've Loved Before" (recorded with Latin pop star Julio Iglesias), the phoned-in "City of New Orleans," and the sounds-better-on-paper "Highwayman" collaboration with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. (Just because they all made it to No. 1 doesn't make them "essential.") Nelson's two best albums of the 1990s, Across the Borderline and Teatro, are represented by a paltry two songs. The disc ends with collaborations with U2, Lee Ann Womack, and Steven Tyler and Aerosmith (the previously unreleased "One Time Too Many"). None is particularly worthy of a best-of collection. Still, while it doesn't quite live up to its billing, the Essential Willie Nelson offers an excellent career overview of one of country music's true legends. --David Hill

Customer Reviews:

This will do--til I can buy every CD he's done.......2007-07-06

I didn't like Willie Nelson til I moved to Austin. You can't live there, hear all the good things he's done, and then listen to him and not start liking him. Someone has a problem, there's a storm, a fire--whatever, Willie's there playing and singing his heart out and getting as many of his fellow musicians out doing the same. Now, I want the whole collection because the B-sides are as good as some other folks' A's.

Absolute must have!.......2007-06-28

Great collection of Willie's best. Note though that the songs on the label of the 2nd CD are not the actual order they are recorded on the CD.

How sweet!.......2007-06-15

I am really disappointed with most of the cuts in this collection. For example, I had never heard "Pancho and Lefty" with violins and chorus. Not the Willie I want to hear.

The Essential Willie Nelson.......2007-06-08

I absolutely love this CD. If you are a Willie Nelson fan then you need to add this one to your collection

The Grand Old Man.......2007-04-18

Hard to imagine a world without Willie Nelson's music. This might be the only album you need on a desert island.

Average customer rating: Girls just wanna have fun listening to this CD Some of her best tunes somewhat disappointed Cyndi at her finest So so

The Essential Cyndi Lauper Cyndi Lauper Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: At Last The Body Acoustic The Bangles - Greatest Hits Belinda Carlisle - Her Greatest Hits Blondie - Greatest Hits ASIN: B00008PX8X Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

1. Girls Just Want To Have Fun
2. Money Changes Everything
3. Who Let In The Rain
4. She Bop
5. Time After Time
6. I Drove All Night
7. Hat Full Of Stars
8. Change Of Heart
9. Sisters Of Avalon
10. All Through The Night
11. When You Were Mine
12. True Colors
13. Unhook The Stars
14. The Goonies 'R' Good Enough

Customer Reviews:

Girls just wanna have fun listening to this CD.......2007-07-05

Actually, the person who wanted this was my spouse, but it's really an enjoyable CD. I'm glad to see the Goonies music on here--that was one of my favorite songs from a hard to find soundtrack. I'd never heard "Sisters of Avalon" before and that's definitely a song that intrigued me.

Some of her best tunes.......2007-04-15

This album is a great "best of" for anyone wanting to add some Cyndi to their music library. She is such an underappreciated talent.

somewhat disappointed.......2007-03-25

I waited a long time to purchase any of Cyndi Lauper's music and this was the first purchase. It was good, but I guess I expected it to be great after all these years. Not a bad purchase; just disappointing.

Cyndi at her finest.......2007-02-23

The week or so before.. I came back from a concert.. that I was amazed at.

To take in a cd like this.. is fantastic. There are no words.

So so .......2007-02-11

I bought this cd for the Girls just wanna have fun track. Of course its great. There are others that are good as well but for some reason the cd seems to be lacking something....oomph....its still good just not incredible....if you grew up on cyndi get it. Its still worth the price. Im not sad that I own it, just wish it were a little better.

Average customer rating: Paul Simon - King of Recycling The Definitive Collection Nearly flawless Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al

The Essential Paul Simon Paul Simon Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3 Memory Almost Full The Best of Simon & Garfunkel The Essential Paul Simon (2 CD/DVD) Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 & 2 ASIN: B000Q677E0 Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Mother And Child Reunion
2. Loves Me Like a Rock
3. Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
4. Duncan
5. Kodachrome
6. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
7. Slip Slidin' Away
8. Gone At Last
9. Something So Right
10. Late In the Evening
11. Hearts And Bones
12. Take Me To the Mardi Gras
13. That Was Your Mother
14. American Tune
15. Peace Like a River
16. Stranded In a Limousine
17. Train In the Distance
18. The Late Great Johnny Ace
19. Still Crazy After All These Years

Tracks:

1. Graceland
2. Diamonds On the Soles Of Her Shoes
3. The Boy In the Bubble
4. You Can Call Me Al
5. Under African Skies
6. The Obvious Child
7. Born At the Right Time
8. The Coo, Cool River
9. Spirit Voices
10. Adios Hermanos
11. Born In Puerto Rico
12. Quality
13. Darling Lorraine
14. Hurricane Eye
15. Father And Daughter
16. Outrageous
17. Wartime Prayers

Album Description

In celebration of Paul Simon's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress, The Essential Paul Simon brings together all of his hits and favorite tracks in the most expansive, solo career-spanning compilation issued for the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Customer Reviews:

Paul Simon - King of Recycling.......2007-07-03

The quoted section of this review was originally written by me about Simon's previous greatest hits compilation ("The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin'") in 2003:

"Since going solo about 1970, Paul Simon has released (maybe) 7 albums of new material.

"And about a dozen greatest hits or live packages.

"(Live Rhymin', Greatest Hits Etc, Negotiations & Love Songs, Concert in Central Park, Shining Like a National Guitar, + a box set & at least 5 Simon & Garfunkel repackages, for those who doubt me.)

"Listen, I love Paul's music, but Graceland was recorded before Avril Lavigne was born, and only the die-hard Simon fans can rhyme off anything significant he has released since then."

"If they were going to release yet another GH package, why didn't Columbia follow the recent tradition of the 2-CD "The Essential" series, and at least "Keep The Customer Satisfied". That way they could have filled 1.5 CDs with tracks from his first album, Still Crazy, Rhymin' Simon, and Graceland, and still had 40 minutes for more recent works that, frankly, fewer people care for."

"Or maybe that's in the works for his 13th repackage. In about 2 years, at the current rate.
-- End of old review quote.

Other than my timing being off by 2 years, that's exactly what has happened. Columbia seems to have listened to me.

The 13th reshuffling of Paul Simon hits is, thankfully, the best. Add in the Simon & Garfunkel Old Friends boxset and you've got his career nicely covered.

The Definitive Collection.......2007-06-28

Maybe the Essential Paul Simon Collection should hve been titled, The Definitive Paul Simon since it is the most definitive collection of all his single and double C.D. collections. All previous collections either completely omit the songs, Duncan and American Tune (both radio hits) or else substitute them for live versions. In fact, this collection presents these two songs (and all others) in their original, album-length, studio versions. Also included here are the minor hits, Gone At Last (with Phoebe Snow) and Stranded In A Limosine, both largely ignored songs on other P.S. compilations. It is interesting that one of the P.S. "fan favorites." Take Me To The Mardi Gras, was released as a U.K. single, simultaneously with the U.S. single, Kodachrome. Both became top ten hits in their respective countries. It is nice to see all the single A-sides from the seventies included here.

One caveat is that Paul Simon songs from the early eighties are sparsely represented here. Only one of the three singles from One Trick Pony is represented (Late In The Evening, of course). And strangely, NO singles from the 1983 album, Hearts And Bones were included, despite the fact that Allergies was a moderate, radio hit. Hearts And Bones was originally intended to be a Simon and Garfunkel reunion album but that conception of the album never materialized. However, three key tracks from H & B are included: Train In A Distance (one of my favorite P.S. songs and is still played in malls across America), the title track (another favorite) and The Late Great Johnny Ace (a tribute to rock and roll legends with a coda performed by Philip Glass). There was ample room on disc one to have included another song, perhaps One Trick Pony, Think Too Much (b) or Rene and Georgette Magritte....

On the other hand, songs from the albums Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints are well represented in the collection. And of course, it was the Graceland album that drew attention to the African musical group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (their Shaka Zulu album is very fine, especially if you like Graceland).

Paul Simon's diverse, musical influences are very apparent in the song selections. These musical styles range from reggae (Mother And Child Reunion),to Gospel ( Loves Me Like A Rock), to Latin-American (Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and Late In The Evening), to zydeco (That Was Your Mother) to South African (Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes), ro rockabilly (Graceland). Even with all his diversity of musical styles, my preference leans toward his pop ballads, especially from the seventies and early eighties.

While the sound quality of this C.D. is not crisp in its detail, it does have a warm, clean and natural sound. This C.D. was released in celebration of Paul Simon's acceptance of the First-ever Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, from the Library of Congress. I highly recommend this collection!

Nearly flawless.......2007-06-26

The Essential Paul Simon contains nearly every Paul Simon track you could ever want, but it does omit the minor hits "Allergies" and "(What A) Wonderful World". This is truly a fitting collection to one of popular music's greatest songwriters.

Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al.......2007-06-26

WIth the past few years, we really haven't seen much in the way of great sales from older acts like Elton John, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne. Although they've made great albums, people would rather seem more interested in acts that are more about hype like Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Usher, and the sleezy socialite who really has no career, Paris Hilton. That hasn't left much in the way of great performers like Paul Simon. Spanning nearly 6 decades of great music, Paul's music is more meaningful, and still remains straight from the heart. Recently, he celebrated his 35th anniversary as a solo act, and won the honorable 1st ever Gershwin Prize for Song for his melodic style, we are often forgetful about his real talent of songwriting and craftsmanship, and this hits record shows that trail well.

The 2007 Essential Paul Simon, is a double album that expands very well from his previous single disc album On My Way, and brilliantly shows his era as one of the best songwriters of our times. The collection includes tracks from his first hits from the 1970's, all the way to his recent record, Surprise. The songs in the collection are remastered very well, and reflect on his career nicely. The album includes great classics including Me & Julio Down By The School Yard, his guilty pleasure gem You Can Call Me Al, the driven-styled Graceland, Slip Slidin' Away, as well as recent tunes like Outrageous, and his Oscar-nominated surprise hit Father And Daughter from the 2004 animated Nickelodeon film The Wild Thornberries Movie. The collection really does feel like a walk down memory lane, and reminds people of true songwriting that isn't about looks or selling yourself out in endorsements, it is about heart.

Although the album doesn't at all reflect on any memories as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, it is all about Paul and his solo efforts on this album, and it works very nicely. If you haven't heard any of his albums like Graceland, or Still Crazy After All These Years, you missed a really wonderful era of great music. The Essential Paul Simon is a must buy for nostalgia buffs, and new listeners alike to Paul Simon's genius. I absolutely recommend this greatest hits album as it is one of the best records released this year.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: B 1/2-

Remastering: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

Average customer rating: ELO's finest! electric light orchestra; the essestial electric light orchestra Trans-generational awesomeness ELO CD It's a Living Thing

The Essential Electric Light Orchestra Electric Light Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] The Very Best Of Supertramp ELO's Greatest Hits Boston - Greatest Hits Cars - Complete Greatest Hits ASIN: B00008PX8W Release Date: 2006-04-10

Tracks:

1. Evil Woman
2. Do Ya
3. Can't Get It Out Of My Head
4. Mr. Blue Sky
5. Strange Magic
6. Livin' Thing
7. Turn To Stone
8. Sweet Talkin' Woman
9. Telephone Line
10. Shine A Little Love
11. Hold On Tight
12. Calling America
13. Rock And Roll Is King
14. Don't Bring Me Down
15. Roll Over Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

ELO's finest!.......2007-07-18

This is a great collection of ELO songs. I had this on an album (dating myself) and had to get it on a CD.

electric light orchestra; the essestial electric light orchestra.......2007-05-14

They have always been great! Most of the songs are hits.

Trans-generational awesomeness.......2007-05-11

I thank CSI for using Mr. Bluesky in one of their recent episodes. It led to this Amazon purchase.

ELO CD.......2007-04-02

Great CD !! All of their greatest hits on one cd !! I listen to it all of the time !!

It's a Living Thing.......2007-03-28

Jeff Lynne has got to be one of the most underrated pop geniuses of the seventies and eighties. While the world of prog-rockers was bombasting themselves with side-long double album extravaganzas (Yes, I am talking about Yes...), Jeff Lynne and his mates in Electric Light Orchestra decided that "I Am The Walrus" and "Good Vibrations" were all the inspiration they needed.

The end result is a body of work that sounds even better to these aging ears than they did in 1975. From their orchestral rave-up on Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" to the "bama-lama-lama" chorus on the rockabilly "Rock and Roll Is King," Lynne mastered styles effortlessly for three decades. (Even if "Zoom" is not represented here.) Despite the fact that ELO had pretty much abandoned the "orchestra" part of their name by "Time," the 'pocket-symphony' concept stayed with them till the last hit on this CD, "Calling America." Songs like "Rock and Roll Is King" hint at the production chops Lynne would eventually bring to the likes of Tom Petty, Travelling Wilburys, George Harrison and Dave Edmunds.

I chose this "Essential ELO" CD to be in my collection over "All Over The World" primarily because this set includes "Do Ya." "All Over The World" does have a few choice classic-rock cuts ("Ma Ma Belle" and "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" to name two), but if you're looking to get the sugar coated buzz of the 70's singles, this is the collection to own. My rating is held to four stars because of ommissions like "Four Little Diamonds," "10538 Overture" or "Showdown." (This should have been a double set, ala "Strange Magic.") Now that all the albums are back out in pristine remasters, you can pick and choose the classic ELO to fit your whims.

Rap Music:

1. Fill Your Head With Rock [Import]
2. Gaslight [Import]
3. Hagnesta Hill [Import]
4. Hamburger Concerto [Original recording remastered] [Import] [Live]
5. High Dive
6. Hopes and Fears [Import]
7. I Paralyze
8. Images At Twilight [Enhanced] [Original recording remastered]
9. Islands: 30th Anniversary Edition
10. Just Believe It [Import]

Rap Music

rap music

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The Rock: Original Motion Picture Score [Soundtrack]

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Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976

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Turron De Chocolate [CD-single] [Import]

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