What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Guess this has to still go in pop, christian pop. This is the crooners first album after signing with religious based Word records. Still the great B.J. voice, just in a different setting. He had some hits back in the day, with that Raindrops thingy being the biggest. As of 1977, his 5 minutes were up, and B.J. had moved on to his true calling. Hard to believe this album went platinum, not because it's not good, but because of the religious theme scattered throughout. It is a good album, liking all tracks and loving the title track, which I am putting on my funeral mix. B.J. did end up back on a major label after some time with Word. His output then was geared towards the country crowd, and he never regained his popularity. Shows his last release as a Christmas album in 2007, so I guess the guy's still at it. Only 3 clips available, but I was surprised to find those.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Without A Doubt

Best Track - Home Where I Belong

They say that heavens pretty,
and living here is too.
But if they said that I would have to choose between the two.
I'd go home,
going home,
where I belong.
And sometimes when I'm dreaming,
it comes as no surprise.
That if you look and see the homesick feeling in my eyes.
I'm going home,
going home,
where I belong.
While I'm here I'll serve him gladly,
and sing him all my songs.
I'm here,
but not for long.
And when I'm feeling lonely,
and when I'm feeling blue.
It's such a joy to know that I am only passing through.
I'm headed home,
going home,
where I belong.
And one day I'll be sleeping,
when death knocks on my door.
And I'll awake and find that I'm not homesick anymore.
I'll be home,
going home,
where I belong.

1) Without A Doubt - **
2) You Were There To Catch Me - **
3) Storybook Realities - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hByxOBr115s
4) Common Ground - **
5) Down Isn't So Bad - **
6) Home Where I Belong - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlwon4AQJL4
7) Starving Sinner, Sleeping Saint - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVscdwL6XQk
8) Shine On - **
9) I Wanna Be Ready - **
10) Hallelujah - **

3's - 1
2's - 9
1's - 0

Grade - 2.1

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Have all the albums these songs are pulled from so not sure why I have this. Yet there it was just waiting to be spun. Double album set that contains all the hits to that point. Don't really think he had many after this. His star had begun to fall. Went triple platinum, so his fans were waiting for a best of. Filled with 14 hit singles plus 5 additional album cuts that the label deemed worthy, this was timed for the christmas buying crowd, and couldn't have worked out better. A nice little package with only 2 duds and plenty that I love making it extra hard for a fav track. Today I'll go with Weekend In New England, a Randy Edelman penned tune that he did on one of his albums, and was also a country hit for Reba McEntire. Barrys is the best. Great audience participation clip on track #6. Girl had to be scared to death, yet she pulled it off.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Jump Shout Boogie

Best Track - Weekend In New England

Last night I wave goodbye
Now its seems years
I'm back in the city
Where nothing is clear
But thoughts of me holding you
Bringing us near
And tell me

When will our eyes meet?
When can I touch you?
When will this strong yearning end
And when will I hold you again

Time in New England
Took me away
To long rocky beaches
And you by the bay
We started a story
Who's end must now wait
And tell me

When will our eyes meet?
When can I touch you?
When will this strong yearning end
And when will I hold you again

I feel the change coming
I feel the wind blow
I feel brave and daring
I feel my blood flow
With you I could bring out
All the love that I have
With you there's a heaven
So earth ain't so bad
And tell me

When will our eyes meet?
When can I touch you?
When will this strong yearning end
And when will I hold you again

1) Mandy - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK8-gZVkYsk
2) New York City Rhythm - *
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43qvkGExMOQ
3) Ready To Take A Chance Again - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN1nynLMRl8
4) Looks Like We Made It - **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc4TnopiuzQ
5) Daybreak - **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmxg9dr2xT8
6) Can't Smile Without You - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwDJ-hTnGoU
7) It's A Miracle - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-RBdt-QJM
8) Even Now - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g7-HQuMDj8
9) Bandstand Boogie - **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwniDZbUasY
10) Trying To Get The Feeling - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Hkp5Mn_ao
11) Could It Be Magic - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6BePHgXWLU
12) Somewhere In The Night - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuF-Yo-ar3U
13) Jump Shout Boogie - *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlxMl-rVRX8
14) Weekend In New England - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOoHuibwHGI
15) All The Time - **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1YRLf8LKEE
16) This One's For You - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLeNzA1OIcM
17) Copacabana - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEqXtkDT9uM
18) Beautiful Music - **
19) I Write The Songs - ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VH2SVes0E8

3's - 11
2's - 6
1's - 2

Grade - 2.5

[CRAZY-HORSE]

nice review MH, i love Barry's songs but for some reason i dont own a single album...have several singles floating around though. never heard his version of "weekend in england" until just now...lovely version,and you are correct sir, it is better than Reba's, but not by much.
now ive got to go and buy a best of set on the weekend...geez!, you cost me some money at times what with some of that 'southern rock' stuff, LC and now BM...i'll expect you to buy me a starbucks coffee for what i spend!!!!

[Music Head]

nice review MH, i love Barry's songs but for some reason i dont own a single album...have several singles floating around though. never heard his version of "weekend in england" until just now...lovely version,and you are correct sir, it is better than Reba's, but not by much.
now ive got to go and buy a best of set on the weekend...geez!, you cost me some money at times what with some of that 'southern rock' stuff, LC and now BM...i'll expect you to buy me a starbucks coffee for what i spend!!!!

no problem, will do

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Lead vocalist for the group Bread who had a few big hits prior to the split. This is David's third solo album, but half of it is actually songs from the first two albums. When the title track here became a hit, I guess they decided to take advantage. That hit was used in the film of the same name, and is the only thing that saves this album, to make it a like. David was born in Oklahoma where he started a band. After moving to tinsel town in the early 60's, he got a job at a local recording studio, probably doing gofer work until his talents were unveiled. Up in the ranks till he got to produce a Pat Boone album. Then some writing where his break came with the Monkees did one of his songs, Saturdays Child. From there to working with artists such as Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Merle Haggard and Brian Wilson in various capacities. Gates went on to form Bread in 1967 which lasted 8 years. His first solo album in 1973 was his highest charting. This one, even with the big hit, could only manage to reach #165 on Billboard. Without the film it wouldn't even have done that. Gates vocals remind me of Art Garfunkel.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - He Don't Know How To Love You

Best Track - Goodbye Girl

All your life you've waited for love to
come and stay
And now that I have found you, you must
not slip away
I know it's hard believin' the words you've
heard before
But darlin' you must trust them just once
more... 'cause baby
Goodbye doesn't mean forever
Let me tell you goodbye doesn't mean
we'll never be together again
If you wake up and I'm not there, I won't
be long away
'Cause the things you do my Goodbye Girl
Will bring me back to you.

I know you've been taken, afraid to hurt
again
You fight the love you feel for me instead
of givin' in
But I can wait forever, for helpin' you to see
That I was meant for you and you for me
...so remember

Goodbye doesn't mean forever
Let me tell you goodbye doesn't mean
we'll never be together again
Though we may be so far apart you still
will have my heart
So forget your past my Goodbye Girl
'Cause now you're home at last.

1) Goodbye Girl - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX8NC4ck3IY
2) Took The Last Train - *
3) Overnight Sensation - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6JtQxVaL0U
4) California Lady - *
5) Ann - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuLXsqF3kgQ
6) Drifter - **
7) He Don't Know How To Love You - *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dUANGmwqHg
8) Clouds Suite - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4pIyi3UtDU
9) Lorilee - *
10) Part-Time Love - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1kpEyVMcrc
11) Sunday Rider - *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCd6kDmhNYo
12) Never Let Her Go - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KVhtQFhXUY

3's - 1
2's - 6
1's - 5

Grade - 1.7

[CRAZY-HORSE]

THE BEAT "you just cant beat it-the best of" 2008. double cd

The Beat aka "the english beat" in the US and "the british beat" in Australia were a UK Ska band in the late 1970's and early 1980's.
their music was a fusion of pop,soul and reggae...and were very much a dance band, especially if you were a Rudeboy,Mod or Suedehead at the time.
their lyrics range from songs of love through social and political issues, they were always bridesmaids to The Specials/Special AKA and Madness in the charts. strangely enough all three bands disintegrated around the same time.
when The Beat disintegrated their main vocalist Rankin' Roger joined Mick Jones(formerly of The Clash) in his project Big Audio Dynamite, the rest of the band formed two popular bands, General Public and Fine Young Cannibals.
this double best of cd is basically an anthology of their career, containing all their singles(A sides and B sides) plus album tracks from their three albums, sure there's some dud tracks here but overall its a good mix of infectious psuedo-reggae tunes that are easily accessable for dance and pop fans alike. their best song here is the cover of the Motown classic "tears of a clown", which incidently was their debut single,
they never improved on this track,just remained a steady, enjoyable band.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM.

worst track:
best track: tears of a clown

tracks: disc 1.

1. tears of a clown*** #6 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Om-nZeSBUU live
2. rankin' full stop** #6 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0teIQ2fWB4 live with track 12
3. hands off...she's mine*** #9 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpnSIqju1FI live
4. twist and crawl***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkgwZIHsKIY live
5. mirror in the bathroom*** #4 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iykbFFDd3ZU live
6. jackpot**
7. stand down margaret* #22 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmnjL5GDb...re=related live
8. best friend** #22 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJPmVa4oaFE live
9. too nice to talk to*** #7 UK, #73 Aust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbtuXQadWwg live
10.rough rider**
11.click click*
12.big shot**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0teIQ2fWB4 live with track 2.
13.two swords*
14.noise of this world*
15.all out to get you** #22 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCaaxYKbAyY live
16.french toast*
17.drowning*** #22 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuzuUmuKqbY live
18.dream home in New Zealand**
19.the limits we set**

3s=6
2s=8
1s=5

rating: 2.0

[CRAZY-HORSE]

THE BEAT "you just cant beat it..the best of" 2008,cd

this, the second disc of the beat's anthology is less reggae sounding than the first disc, its more of a pop/soul mix, like the first disc, the best track is another cover version, "cant get used to losing you". its a shame that their two cover version singles are their best tracks considering they did make a lot of great original songs...but i guess UB40 were the same also!


worst track:
best track: cant get used to losing you

tracks: disc 2

1. doors of your heart*** #33 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPoPaTzujYY live
2. save it for later*** #47 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZB_RIEbZ0 live
3. sole salvation**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BYgPi8h8mI audio
4. cant get used to losing you*** #3 UK, #77 Aust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXGlhGNeEAg live
5. get a job**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEo6NH13ODE live
6. walk away**
7. over and over**
8. cheated**
9. ackee 1-2-3*** #54 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80doZg5dCII live acoustic
10.monkey murders**
11.jeanette** #45 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzsPrTgbbi0 audio
12.i confess*** #54 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnAQRodZNp0 video
13.spar wid me**
14.sorry**
15.she's going**
16.pato and roger a go talk*
17.sugar and stress**
18.end of the party*

3s=5
2s=11
1s=2

rating: 2.2

average score over the double set is 2.1, which i think is pretty good for 37 tracks.

[Tiggi]

"Disco" music has plenty of detractors, and I'd largely agree with them.

This, however, is very different...

Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers' project lasted a while after their late 1970s inception, but Disco was short-lived, and they moved into production (Nile Rodgers co-produced Bowie's Let's Dance).

There are plenty of comps out there, but if anyone is looking for a Chic "Best of", this comes with a solid recommendation.

The grooves are gigantic, but still manage to sound precise, and very musical. You wouldn't look to Chic for lyrical insight, so it's all in the grooves, and they're very good indeed. Brilliantly recorded, also.


Not scored by AllMusic.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

MADONNA "ray of light" 1998, cd. #2 US, #1 UK, #1 Aust.

Madonna is more than a pop singer. She's an artist. This album proves that. As part of her ever-increasing canvas 'Ray Of Light' silenced her critics back in 1998. Talk of her being washed up and past it was completely silenced when a gothic video featuring a lady in black heralded The Return of the Queen. Trading fame for love was the best move Madonna ever made because through discovering unconditional love and enlightenment she allowed herself to be free and just sing and write about the things she wanted to. From soul-searching in 'Drowned World' to letting rip on 'Ray of Light', Madonna runs the full gammut of emotions on this album. Her voice sounds absolutely gorgeous on some of the tracks, especially 'Frozen' (which she can sing just as good live) and the opening line of 'Skin' (which will send shivers down your spine). This is her second best album after Like A Prayer, and beneath all the elctronica and vocal manipulations you'll find Madonna at her most intimate. Witness the haunting 'Mer Girl' which explores her fear of, and fascination with, death and transition. Listen to this song closely and don't be put off by the nightmarish imagery. It's one of the best things she's ever done. Even the songs that don't grab you are growers. There's not a bad song on this album. Yeah, it's not perfect. 'Swim' can be preachy. 'Shanti/Ashtangi' is completely out there. And the trilogy of 'Frozen', 'Power of Goodbye' and 'To Have And Not To Hold' repeat the same message, but you'll enjoy every minute. This album boasts some of her best songs in her 20 year career. You should also see them performed live, it adds a whole new perspective (especially 'Candy Perfume Girl' - much better when performed by the lady herself on electric guitar). If you want spirituality, thoughtfulness, catchy pop, something to make you dance, something to make you cry - you can find it all on one album.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

worst track: shanti/ashtangi
best track: frozen

from the album: "frozen"

[Verse:]

You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen
When your heart's not open

You're so consumed with how much you get
You waste your time with hate and regret
You're broken
When your heart's not open

[Chorus:]

Mmmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmmm, you hold the key

Now there's no point in placing the blame
And you should know I suffer the same
If I lose you
My heart will be broken

Love is a bird, she needs to fly
Let all the hurt inside of you die
You're frozen
When your heart's not open

[chorus]
[verse]
[chorus, repeat]

If I could melt your heart


tracks:

1. drowned love/substitute for love*** #10 UK, #16 Aust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZSPwKY75w live
2. swim**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC0U0laqoF0 audio
3. ray of light*** #5 US, #2 UK, #3 Aust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyBQ0MDDcCQ live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u80jv9j9AeA video
4. candy perfume girl**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv-NeTvSB4 live
5. skin**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtOCIHLLqz4 audio
6. nothing really matters** #93 US, #7 UK, #19 Aust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCSmBzfH3WY video
7. sky fits heaven**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfZ1gEKutOw audio
8. shanti/ashtangi**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEfZaiWv03E audio
9. frozen*** #2 US, #1 UK, #3 Aust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pAMOw0iGdw live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ufq_FUWPuU video
10.the power of good-bye** #11 US, #6 UK, #24 Aust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQR-v3-tDW0 live
11.to have and not to hold**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLPsi3hyvHU audio
12. little star*** #6 UK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ppsiKl6udI audio
13. mer girl**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjXJ-5S8Mbw audio

3s=4
2s=9
1s=0

rating: 2.3

[Music Head]

^^
excellent review
not sure I've heard any of this
although I don't like her as a person, I respect her accomplishments in music