Appalachia Waltz
Appalachia Waltz
Customer Review: Blend of Celtic and classical styles
Although classical music evolved from folk music many centuries ago, it is so far removed from its ancestor now that the idea of bringing the two together seems incredible. This album achieves that, blending folk music (of the Celtic variety) with classical music to produce something that traditionalists will be horrified at, but which those of us with broad minds can appreciate.
Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and Edgar Meyer (double bass) were already established classical musicians when they teamed up with Mark O’Connor. Mark’s background was very different from theirs - he grew up with an interest in Texas fiddle music, later becoming a top Nashville session musician. Mark’s name could be found in the list of credits of hundreds of country music albums released in the eighties. Such was his reputation that Mark could have spent the rest of his working life making a good living that way, but he wanted to make an impact with his own music. He certainly achieved that with this album, where he usually plays the fiddle but he plays the violin (same instrument with a different playing technique) on two tracks and the mandolin (different instrument) on another.
This album is entirely instrumental (the sequel, Appalachian journey, which I’ve already reviewed, contains some vocals provided by guest singers) and the tunes are either traditional (usually of Irish origin) or composed by members of the trio.
The music on this album and Appalachian journey is very different from anything else I’ve come across. Of the two, I slightly prefer Appalachian journey, but that may be because it has more of a country influence. Nevertheless, both of them are masterpieces that have a special place in my CD collection.
Customer Review: Appalacian Waltz
I particularly like instrumental music as opposed to a mix with vocal, and, being a native Texan, tend to like a country flavour. This CD fits my taste, and deserves a four star rating in my opinion, with the title track being particularly enjoyable. Not an excessive amount of the “well known folks in the classical world crossing over to other genres” syndrome. Another really good CD in this genre is “Hop, Wobble, and Skip”.
Dr. J D Stevenson
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In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country
In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country
Customer Review: 7../
A legendary EP to many, and perhaps understandably so when you factor in the immense following the previous album has gained over the years. Released two years later, In a Beautiful Place out in the Country is Michael & Marcus Sandison at their most streamlined and condensed. By getting rid of the shorter tracks they definitely lose something crucial, but it’s quite refreshing to hear an EP this focused yet still managing to contain the magic that gained them their reputation in the first place.
Customer Review: A beautiful place to be
Sometimes overlooked in the BoC canon alongside their flagship full-length albums, this EP is a corker. After the sublime ‘Music Has The Right…’ it took me a little while to give it serious headspace, but it’s really just as good.
One reviewer dismisses closing cut ‘Zoetrope’ as a throwaway, but I’d say it’s the apex of this lovely, lovely little record.
Another BoC high water mark before things slid into predictability with later releases.
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Country Ghetto
Country Ghetto
Within the soul-drenched music of northern Florida’s JJ Grey and band, the roots run as deep as the influences are indelible. “War” and “By My Side” sound like Southern-fried Sly and the Family Stone. “Turpentine” recalls the swamp funk of Tony Joe White. Both “A Woman” and “The Sun Is Shining Down” suggest long-lost Otis Redding sessions in Muscle Shoals, while “Mississippi” takes Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” on a trip down to the delta. From the harmonica-laced country blues of the title track to the gospel piano and choir of “On Palestine,” Grey’s music compensates with conviction for what it lacks in originality. –Don McLeese
Customer Review: Well worth a listen
How to best describe this album…? Bluesy, rootsy, groovy, funky, soulful, thoughtful.. These would all be good words. JJ Grey’s vocal’s are superb throughout, equally adept at slower soulful numbers and low down and dirty numbers. His harp playing, guitar playing and keyboard playing are also great and the band are just knockout - with perhaps a special mention to Adam Score on Hammond Organ. There are a number of stand-out tracks on this album - although “By My Side” just edges it in my opinion. Production is a bit smoother than the previous albums “Lochloosa” and “Blackwater”, and I would argue the songs are slightly better-crafted. Fans of the earlier stuff need not worry though, there’s plenty of good stuff to enjoy on this album. One of my picks of 2007 without a doubt.
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The Country Roads Collection
The Country Roads Collection
Massive and impressively comprehensive, the Country Roads Box Collection is classic John Denver. Spanning four discs, the collection not only draws upon the obvious highlights of Denver’s career, but also includes fan favourites that might not have received the same airplay as their more popular counterparts. Listening to Country Roads, the finesse with which Denver balanced his folk rock tendencies with his country leanings emerges as testament to his talent. As a box set, the collection would be remiss if it didn’t include “Leaving on a Jet Plane”, “Annie’s Song”, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”, or “Rocky Mountain High”–and, of course, the box set’s namesake is here. Later hits like “Calypso”, with its sea-shanty yodelling, portray Denver’s ability to ease himself into the role of balladeer, regardless of the genre. Novelty duets with Placido Domingo and Emmylou Harris were intended to rekindle what seemed to be lagging popularity, but Country Roads establishes John Denver’s contributions as timeless, nonetheless. –Steve Gdula
Customer Review: Country Roads Collection
This is a superb collection of the best of John Denver, a must have for all true JD fans, in a beautifully presented 4 set album, starting at the beginning of his career and working through to the end,a total of 79 songs. It includes information and photographs of JD and is in my opinion great value for money.
Customer Review: Excellent retrospective
You have to enjoy John’s music a lot to want this box, but you don’t have to be a fanatic. This set provides a comprehensive overview of his career from his years at RCA (which are really the only ones that matter to most people).
The first CD is interesting. It is made up entirely of tracks from Rhymes and reasons, Take me to tomorrow, Poems prayers and promises and Aerie. These were his first, second, fourth and fifth albums. The third album (Who’s garden was this?) is mentioned in the accompanying booklet, but is not represented here at all. The collection starts with Leaving on a jet plane, which John wrote before he was famous. It became a huge international hit for Peter Paul and Mary. The most famous track is Take me home country roads, but there are many other great songs here. I would like to have seen his cover of Buddy Holly’s Everyday and something from that third album included, but I have no complaints about what has been included.
The second CD is compiled from the next four original albums - Rocky mountain high, Farewell Andromeda, Back home again and Windsong. This was the period when John’s popularity was at its peak. Many of his famous songs are on this CD, including Annie’s song, Back home again, Sweet surrender, I’m sorry and Rocky mountain high. Thank God I’m a country boy, originally a track on Back home again, was later recorded live and that recording became another huge hit. It is that version which is included here, not the original studio recording.
The third CD begins with one last track from Windsong - Calypso, a tribute to Jacques Cousteau. During the period covered by this CD, John recorded two Christmas albums including one with the Muppets. Neither of these are represented here. So, the remainder of this CD contains tracks from Spirit, I want to live, John Denver (no other title) and Autograph. Although less successful than his earlier music, this was mainly due to changing public taste. The songs are brilliant.
There are some great moments on the final CD, although lacking consistency. It was a decade of experimentation and change, but it yielded two superb duets - Perhaps love (with Placido Domingo) and Wild Montana skies (with Emmylou Harris). The albums represented on this CD are Some days are diamonds, Seasons of the heart, It’s about time, Dreamland express and One world.
This comprehensive collection contains many tracks not otherwise available on CD and is fitting tribute to a unique singer.
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101 Country and Western Greats
101 Country and Western Greats
Customer Review: Country Con Trick
Should be called 101 Country Greats LIVE. This must be the worst country music box set ever released onto the unsuspecting music fan. Nearly all the tracks are pretty poor live versions of some great country songs! The artists appear to be the original people but not the original versions. There is no warning on the box or discs that the music is live or on Amazons description. I don’t get fooled very often buying music online but I was by this load of rubbish. Be warned!!!!!!!!!!!!
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