Newest CD/Album Reviews

Aluminum Overcast
Chas Smith
Aluminum Overcast
Label: Cold Blue Label
Release Date: 10/30/2001
Review by: IC B. (icberry). - 3/18/2024 1:31 PM


""Chas Smith builds metallic sculptures that are amplified and struck or bowed. The copper box, the bass tweed, the Guitarzilla, and the Dado are back, accompanied by the newcomers Mantis and Majestic, the latter a huge structure of 38 by ten feet. But impressive gear doesn't make impressive music: it's all in the ear. Smith hears beautiful overtones in his creations and he communicates them wonderfully. His soundscapes are engaging, shifting slowly and gaining ever more richness." Aluminum Overcast Review by Francois Couture"

Captain Yonder, Captain Yonder
Captain Yonder, Captain Yonder
Review by: Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep). - 3/18/2024 9:10 AM


"I'm including the track listings here since SwapaCD's information for this CD does not. Track Listings: 1. From the Leaves 2. Hey Away Ho 3. Look, the Oaks! 4. Crazy on the Hill 5. Soon I Will Sail 6. The Green Plains 7. White Day 8. The Barge Song"

A Mad and Faithful Telling
DeVotchKa
A Mad and Faithful Telling
Label: Anti
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 3/18/2008
Review by: IC B. (icberry). - 3/17/2024 12:19 PM


"A little about this much-Wish-listed record: "[DeVotchKa's] brand of indie rock draws primarily from Eastern European, Slavic, and Mariachi music. Album opener 'Basso Profundo' charges like a bull at the gates, if the bull were playing tuba and singing ghostly chants of 'Ooh's; The energy is relentless in this track, and the tension that is created as soon as everything slows down and builds up again is utterly magnificent." "Some of the album's highest points lie in its two instrumentals, 'Strizzalo' and 'Comrade Z.'; These are works strictly in the vein of traditional Slavic music, with hardly anything indie or rock about them.'Comrade Z'; in particular, showcases the band's skills as musicians and songwriters, composing and executing a brilliant and complex melody on strings and brass, with a tuba keeping the tempo up by bouncing along brightly. Another stunning point where the album's instrumental passages take over is during a break in 'Undone', where dark, slithering strings strike out with great fervor...." Courtesy of Denver based DeVotchKa, best known for scoring Little Miss Sunshine, releases a compact album of Slavic influences, danceable beats, and rock roots On Anti-Records, home of Tom Waits and Nick Cave. Samples at Bandcamp."

Ellen's I'm Gonna Make You Dance Jams
Various Artists
Ellen's I'm Gonna Make You Dance Jams
Label: Watertower Music
Release Date: 11/11/2013
Review by: Russell B. (Slim). - 2/28/2024 2:32 PM


"I wanted to keep MJ Dancing Machine but this version isn't what I remember."

Baroque for Dummies
Baroque for Dummies
Baroque for Dummies
Label: Angel Records
Release Date: 4/1/1997
Review by: Brian K. (Deposit). - 2/18/2024 8:13 PM


"Track list with composers: 1) Pachelbel: Canon and gigue, for 3 violins & continuo in D major, T. 337: Canon in D major 2) Bach: Cantata No. 147, 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,' BWV 147 (BC A174): Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring 3) Handel: Water Music Suite No.1 for orchestra in F major, HWV 348: Air 4) Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Melody), arrangement (from 'Orfeo ed Euridice') 5) Mouret: Rondeau, for brass, strings & timpani (from Suite of Symphonies No. 1; 'Masterpiece Theater' Theme) 6) Vivaldi: Violin Concerto, for violin, strings & continuo in E major ('La Primavera,' The Four Seasons; 'Il cimento' No. 1), Op.8/1, RV 269: Fi 7) Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, for orchestra, HWV 351: La R'jouissance 8) Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Allegro 9) Handel: Water Music Suite No.2 for orchestra in D major, HWV 349: Alla hornpipe 10) Albinoni (arr. Giazotto) Adagio, for violin, strings & organ in G minor, T. Mi 26 11) Coreilli: Concerto Grosso in G minor ('Christmas Concerto'), Op. 6/8: Pastorale 12) Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Air 13) Purceil: Abdelazer, or, the Moor's Revenge, incidental music, Z. 570: Rondeau 14) Handel: Solomon, oratorio, HWV 67: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba 15) Boccherini (arr. Woodhouse): Minuet in A major, arrangement (after String Quintet in E major, Op.11/5 [aka Op. 13/5], G. 275) This is a great introduction to those who do not know classical music and want to hear what was enjoyed 300 years ago. Included on this CD are the most popular Baroque music currently popular in the 1990s."

Poison - Flesh & Blood
Poison
Poison - Flesh & Blood
Label: BMG Direct
Review by: Jay N. (AtTheGates). - 2/11/2024 5:12 PM


"Great album. I love all the band photos inside the booklet. My favorite song is "Ride the Wind"."

The Cars - Greatest Hits
Cars
The Cars - Greatest Hits
Label: Elektra / Wea
Original Release Date: 1/1/1989
Re-Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep). - 2/9/2024 7:21 PM


"I have a fondness for exceptional and often shorter (typically fewer than 15 tracks) single-disc greatest hits collections, and this is one of the best. Just reading through the track listings gives my mood a little boost. I prefer this collection over their later Complete Greatest Hits, which isn't as catchy and is bogged down by filler. Some other examples of wonderful single-disc hits collections include Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House; Hall & Oates Greatest Hits: Rock 'n Soul, Part 1; History: America's Greatest Hits; and REO Speedwagon The Hits."

Wild Wild West
Escape Club
Wild Wild West
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: Mike W.. - 2/5/2024 2:04 PM


"I see numerous reviews for the Escape Club - Wild Wild West. Of course, "Wild Wild West" is the real standout song here that received mucho Radio / MTV play back in the day. However there are a couple of other really strong Escape Club songs on this album that I didn't see mentioned. "Shake For The Sheik" "Working For The Fatman""

The Joshua Tree [MFSL Audiophile Original Master Recording]
U2
The Joshua Tree [MFSL Audiophile Original Master Recording]
Label: Mobile Fidelity
Release Date: 11/12/1996
Review by: Brendon M. (brendonla). - 2/2/2024 2:57 PM


"Not sure what the CD description means about liner notes by Bill Flannigan as my MFSL issue of this album didn't include that -- but frankly, that's beside the point. This is the holy grail for U2 fans of "The Joshua Tree" as Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs remasters strive to recreate the recording at such fidelity that you feel like you're in the studio with the band -- and that is definitely the case here: I own the 2007 remaster (for the 20th Anniversary box set) and one other pressing (an old school BMG Music Club issue). This is the best sounding version I own: I can hear Edge's guitar more clearly, up front, in the mix. Deep bass and organ sounds ominous and then hopeful on "Where the Streets Have No Name" -- and throughout this entire re-issue the clarity is astounding due to the mastering and storing the ones and zeros with a 24K gold layer in the physical CD. Note that if you can find a copy, it won't be cheap as these MFSL re-issues were limited quantities to begin with -- I paid $50 USD for mine used, but it had a few cracks near the spindle. Given how rare this release is I bought it any way and applied foil stickers on both sides of the spindle area and it still sounds great in my home CD transport. All that said, I'm not sure I'd spend upwards of $600 USD new for this (go check eBay if you don't believe me) -- for that amount of cash I'd recommend getting the 2007 remaster - it's not this, but it sounds damn good."

The Hamilton Mixtape (Explicit)
Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton
The Hamilton Mixtape (Explicit)
Label: Atlantic
Release Date: 12/2/2016
Review by: Sandra M.. - 1/24/2024 7:11 PM


"Love this Cd! If you enjoyed the musical, you will remember it from all the songs! If you have never experienced it, you will be able to follow the story thru the songs! Either way, it's a masterpiece!"

Musica Alhambra
Juan Martin
Musica Alhambra
Label: Flamenco Vision
Release Date: 11/10/1998
Review by: IC B. (icberry). - 1/22/2024 7:48 PM


"Juan Martin's Arabe-Andaluz ensemble presents "Musica Alhambra", described on the cover as "An exploration into Moorish, Indian, gypsy and Flamenco musical styles, five Sephardic songs and culminating in contemporary Flamenco". This is an unusal recording that showcases the traditional Moorish, Arabic, Indian Hindu and Sephardic sounds that have influenced and formed the traditional music of Southern Spain. Musicians: Juan Martin - Flamenco Guitar Abdul Salam Kheir - Oud and vocals Chris Karan - Tabla Rony Barrak - Darabuka Stephen Dummer - Clarinet, Soprano saxophone Tracklisting: 1 La Pasion del Lamento/The Passion Of The Lament 2 Yamma Bada Ytathena/When She Starts To Sway (Pre-14th Century Andalusi) 3 La Feria/The Fair 4 5 Sephardic Songs: La Rosa Enflorece/The Rose Flowers In May; Ven Querida, Ven Amada/ Come My Dear, My Loved One 5 Adio Querida/Goodbye My Dear One 6 Ya Viene El Cativo/Here Comes The Prison Ship 7 Yo me enamore de un Aire/I Fell In Love With Her Spirit 8 Zouroni/Visit Me Once A Year, Not To Would Be Unsacred 9 El Bint al Shalabiya/The Beautiful Young Women 10 Evocation (From Damascus To Cordoba) 11 Taranta Hijaz/Improvisation Between Cultural Cousins 12 La Frontera/The Frontier of Al Andalus"

Once
Original Soundtrack
Once
Label: Columbia
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 5/22/2007
Review by: Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep). - 1/17/2024 6:59 PM


"The beautiful movie Once and its soundtrack are two of my favorite things. I wanted to shine a light on this particular UPC because the database's information or lack of it for this CD may make it difficult for members to find it (the artists are not listed). At the time of posting this review, one copy is available with both inserts. Another version of this CD which lists the artists has five members wishing for it. I like Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová a lot on their own, but when they are together, it is magic greater than the sum of its parts. There is some overlap between the soundtrack and the The Swell Season's self-titled CD--"Falling Slowly," "When Your Mind's Made Up," "Lies" and "Leave" are on both CDs. I have both releases and can't get enough of The Swell Season/Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard. Their voices and songwriting complement each other wonderfully. If you are spending time on SwapaCD, it's safe to assume that you love music. If you also like indie films, I think you are the perfect audience for the movie Once. There is currently one copy of the DVD available on SwapaDVD. The film is also streaming for free on The Roku Channel, but I recommend ordering the DVD, of course."

Redemption's Son
Joseph Arthur
Redemption's Son
Label: Umvd Labels
Release Date: 11/26/2002
Review by: Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep). - 1/11/2024 7:25 PM


"This is an often dark but always beautiful album. Released in 2002, it's been one of my favorites for more than twenty years. At the time of posting this review, two copies are available. I recommend previewing a few of my favorite tracks ("Honey and the Moon," "Dear Lord," "September Baby" and "You've Been Loved") and then ordering. It's difficult to even choose standout songs. Redemption's Son is a very consistent and cohesive album that flows well. I haven't listened to all of Joseph Arthur's albums (possibly a 2024 resolution), but of the ones I have, this is my favorite. Our Shadows Will Remain, which followed two years later, is also excellent."

Verdi: Aida; Il Trovatore
Verdi: Aida; Il Trovatore
Review by: Brian K. (Deposit). - 1/8/2024 6:06 PM


"Selected pieces from Giacomo Puccini: Manon Lescaut: 1) In Quelle trine morbide Tosca: 2) Vissi d'arte 3) E Lucevan le Stelle Madame Butterfly 4) Un bel di vedremo La Boheme 5)Si mi chiamano Mimi La Fnciulla del West 6) Ch'ella mi creda libero Gianni Schicchi 7) O mio babbino caro Turandot 8) Tu che di gel sei cinta Selected pieces from Giuseppe Verdi: Aida 9) Celeste Aida 10) Ritorna, vincitor 11) O patria mia Il Trovatore 12) All'erta, all'erta 13) Condotta ell'era in ceppi 14) Timor di me? La Forza Del Destino 15) Pace, pace Don Carlos 16) O don fatale Total running time 63:38"

1935-1939
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
1935-1939
Label: Giants of Jazz (Ita)
Release Date: 4/14/2007
Review by: Paul M. (pdmoore). - 1/8/2024 12:52 PM


"Booklet contains recording dates and personnel. Tracklisting is: Don't Be That Way King Porter Stomp Roll 'Em Down South Camp Meeting Goodbye Christopher Columbus One O' Clock Jump Bugle Call Rag Sing, Sing, Sing I Want To Be Happy Smoke House Rhythm Stompin' At The Savoy Topsy Sugar Foot Stomp The Kingdom Of Swing Bach Goes To Town Sent For You Yesterday And Here You Come Today He Ain't Got Rhythm Sing Me A Swing Song (And Let Me Dance)"

Are You Experienced
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Are You Experienced
Label: Experience Hendrix
Original Release Date: 1/1/1967
Re-Release Date: 4/22/1997
Review by: Kevin G. (kkg-ct). - 1/8/2024 10:26 AM


"Just to have a review written in this decade. It's all true, so much classic rock play of 2 or 3 of the cuts causes the true impact to get lost. 1967 was the year Rock went to albums, SgT Pepper, The Doors, and Jimi...Listen to if 6 were 9 and tell me about Beach Boys or Pet Sounds.....no I cant listen to beach music again .....killer , go deep cut get Electric Ladyland and Hendrix Blues and you need no more on the history and transitive power of the guitar....period"

The Gift: Acoustic Offerings for the Holiday Season
Eric Tingstad, Nancy Rumbel
The Gift: Acoustic Offerings for the Holiday Season
Label: Narada
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Review by: Jessica C.. - 1/8/2024 9:53 AM


"While old enough to be a classic, this album is a new friend to me! Its timeless use of acoustic guitar and woodwind instrumentation and gentle contemporary freedom in interpreting both well and lesser-known Christmas selections has captured my heart and secured a place as one of my favorites, soothing my soul and moving me to joyful tears at turns! The Gift is an elegant musical ornament for any home and a delightful treat for the inner child (especially when the chimes and ocarina appear!)."

The Gift: Acoustic Offerings for the Holiday Season
Eric Tingstad, Nancy Rumbel
The Gift: Acoustic Offerings for the Holiday Season
Label: Sona Gaia Narada
Review by: Jessica C.. - 1/8/2024 9:53 AM


"While old enough to be a classic, this album is a new friend to me! Its timeless use of acoustic guitar and woodwind instrumentation and gentle contemporary freedom in interpreting both well and lesser-known Christmas selections has captured my heart and secured a place as one of my favorites, soothing my soul and moving me to joyful tears at turns! The Gift is an elegant musical ornament for any home and a delightful treat for the inner child (especially when the chimes and ocarina appear!)."

Piano Jondo
Diego Amador
Piano Jondo
Label: Milestone
Release Date: 8/5/2003
Review by: IC B. (icberry). - 12/30/2023 6:19 PM


"Seville-based pianist Diego Amador Diego Gonzalez is a musician in the folkloric music traditions of southern Spain known as flamenco. The title of his work here is Piano Jondo -- "jondo" is a word that conveys the qualities in the deepest and most serious form of flamenco music, such as cante jondo / "deep song", meaning intensely emotional vocal music. Amador here uses the piano to bring percussive, rhymthmic and modally harmonic techniques as edgy and dramatic as this music demands. It is guitaristic at times: he is able to suggest traditional flamenco guitar techniques such as rasgueado (rhythmic strumming) and golpe (strikes to the guitar bridge), and uses the sound of of palmas (complex rhythmic clapping) and sharp changes of modal chords that happen at the downbeats. With several tracks ("Vivan los Gitanos," and Jaco Pastorius' "Continuum") you can hear upright bass, which suggests jazz influences, but overall, the feel and spirit of this music is flamenco, as if the piano has always been part of this uniquely Andalusian tradition. Very fresh and enjoyable."

Home for Christmas
Amy Grant
Home for Christmas
Label: A&M
Release Date: 10/6/1992
Review by: Braden M.. - 12/28/2023 3:29 PM


"Practically perfect Christmas album that has held up every year since I first heard it in 1992."

Joy to the World
Michael Bolton
Joy to the World
Label: Sony special product
Release Date: 6/1/2002
Review by: Braden M.. - 12/28/2023 3:27 PM


"Check the tracklisting as the title and cover of this compilation is very misleading. There are a few Christmas songs with the rest being very non-Christmas-y everyday Michael Bolton songs."

Bottom Line 1974
Neil Young
Bottom Line 1974
Label: Goldfish Records
Release Date: 4/7/2017
Review by: Otheriver W. (Otheriver). - 12/28/2023 12:48 PM


"Beware! This sounds more like an audience recording than a broadcast recording. The quality is not bad, but it's not up to broadcast or studio quality. Since its an intimate acoustic show in front of a small audience you can hear most everything with a minimum of distortion or talking. The last 2 songs aren't even from this show. "Citizen Kane Jr. Blues 1974 Live at The Bottom Line" is a recent official release of this show, but they use the same bootlegger's tape for it."

Life You're Living [CD]
Jesse Manibusan
Life You're Living [CD]
Review by: Brian K. (Deposit). - 11/30/2023 2:43 PM


"Jesse Manibusan is a musician who plays music playable for the Catholic faith. His music is played at St Ann Parish in Coppell, TX and other churchs."

The Kingston Trio - Greatest Hits [Top Ten]
Kingston Trio
The Kingston Trio - Greatest Hits [Top Ten]
Label: Special Music
Release Date: 3/30/1992
Review by: Jb M.. - 11/15/2023 12:23 PM


"big folk or folk rock band from the '50's and '60's, love them THE MTA WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? EARLY MORNING RAIN TIJUANA JAIL THIS TRAIN TOMORROW IS A LONG LONG TIME HARD TRAVELIN' I'M GOING HOME WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN GOODNIGHT IRENE GET AWAY JOHN THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT"

16 Most Requested Songs
Engelbert Humperdinck
16 Most Requested Songs
Original Release Date: 8/20/1996
Release Date: 8/20/1996
Review by: Jb M.. - 11/15/2023 12:14 PM


"Wonderful voice RELEASE ME STILL HEART DON'T FAIL ME NOW BEAUTIFUL BABY SPANISH EYES A MAN WITHOUT LOVE DON'T YOU LOVE ME ANYMORE? WINTER WORLD OF LOVE AM I THAT EASY TO FORGET? THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING LES BICYCLETTES DE BELSIZE MAYBE THIS TIME YELLOW MOON THE LAST WALTZ I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY GOODBY AFTER THE LOVIN'"