| “ | This CD is an album that falls into a niche category of productions. Those familiar with the band's history will recognize the main title of this album, as it is the same as their debut album from 1972. The subtitle, “The Complete Works”, indicates that this isn't merely a reissue, of course. It is not a reissue with added bonus tracks or in other manners issued in an extended version either. Instead, this is a remake of their first album. New recordings of their old album, extended with additional tracks, and when I compare the track list of this 2014 edition with the original album, it appears that the album has been rearranged fairly extensively too. Some compositions are shorter, other are longer, some appear to be missing altogether, at least as far as track titles go. It is, in short, a new album, a brand new version of their debut album from 1972. | ” |
| “ | On Yes' first two albums, Yes (1969) and Time and a Word (1970), the quintet was mostly searching for a sound on which they could build, losing one of their original members -- guitarist Peter Banks -- in the process. Their third time out proved the charm -- The Yes Album constituted a de facto second debut, introducing the sound that would carry them forward across the next decade or more... | ” |
| “ | Riset Bak Speilet, the second album from Norweigan group Tusmørke, is strong and creative in many ways. It combines a unique style with vintage instrumentation and production, a toothsome treat for any progressive music fan. If the album has an obvious flaw, though, it’s the bland rehashing of a few musical ideas — or the lack of a few more original ideas to explore. I’m reminded of a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, where Bilbo tells Gandalf, “I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.” I feel that this is an EP that got spread out into a full length album, and it unfortunately diminishes the efforts of an immensely gifted band. | ” |
| “ | This is a fine CD of Blues Brothers material, featuring the original Blues Brothers Band and frontman Larry Thurston, performing at Montreux Jazz Festival on July 12, 1989. From the late '80s through the early 90's, the Blues Brothers Band was a popular touring act throughout Europe, with Mr. Thurston doing a fine job on lead vocals. None of the other 90's Blues Brothers frontmen (Dan Ackroyd, John Goodman, Jim Belushi) appear on this CD or in this Line-Up. Not exactly "essential", but a good performance of the tour band during this period of the band's history. | ” |
| “ | AOR's 10th album "The Colors Of L.A" is a pure Melodic Rock gem featuring some of the greatest musicians in the Westcoast / AOR world! AOR’s 10th Release, is the perfect mix between melodic rock & westcoast music. The sound is heavier this time in the vein of Toto, Foreigner or Survivor. Great Melodies, Fabulous solos and brand new recorded versions of favorites like « Teach Me How To Love You Again » or « You’re My Obsession ». « The Colors Of L.A » contains all the elements of a classic. Pure AOR bliss! | ” |
| “ | If Definitely Maybe was an unintentional concept album about wanting to be a rock & roll star, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? is what happens after the dreams come true. Oasis turns in a relatively introspective second record, filled with big, gorgeous ballads instead of ripping rockers. Unlike Definitely Maybe, the production on Morning Glory is varied enough to handle the range in emotions; instead of drowning everything with amplifiers turned up to 12, there are strings, keyboards, and harmonicas. This expanded production helps give Noel Gallagher's sweeping melodies an emotional resonance that he occasionally can't convey lyrically. However, that is far from a fatal flaw; Gallagher's lyrics work best in fragments, where the images catch in your mind and grow, thanks to the music. | ” |
| “ | Dutch rock group. Formed in 1967 by former Motions, The guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen, joined by Cor van der Beek (drums), Klaasje van der Wal (bass) and Fred de Wilde (vocals). Their first single hit the Dutch Top 40 in 1968. Shortly thereafter, Mariska Veres replaced de Wilde as their lead vocalist. In 1969 and 1970, the group enjoyed a worldwide chart success with “Venus”, followed by several other hit singles... | ” |
| “ | Trixter is the self-titled debut album of the band Trixter. It attained gold status, reaching #28 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album did spawn three minor hit singles, "Give It to Me Good" (#65), "Surrender" (#72), and "One in a Million" (#75). | ” |
| “ | Máquina! is maybe the very first underground rock group to have recorded in Franco's Spain, their first single dating back to early 69, and the following year, their first LP was out with a striking artwork depicting a clock coming out from a croissant meaning that it was time to wake-up (and have breakfast) in Spain. The album was called Why? and it was clearly so rebellious under a dictature that fellow group Tapiman (and Barcelona crosstown rivals/friends) answered them with a track Don't Ask Why. The five-piece group developed a high-energy Hammond-driven psych/prog rock with two lead guitarists, with many extraordinary musical moments given the context of those years... | ” |
| “ | All new 14 track 2014 studio album from the master guitarist. This is his 15th solo album. Hank Brian Marvin, also known as Hank B. Marvin, is an English multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and song writer. He is best known as the lead guitarist for the Shadows, the group, which primarily performed instrumentals and was the backing band for Cliff Richard. Marvin uses a clean guitar sound with a Vox amplifier, and often uses an echo also known as delay for songs like Apache and Wonderful Land He also developed a distinctive way of using the guitars vibrato giving a "dreamy feel" to his playing. Many famous guitarists such as Brian May and David Gilmour cite Marvin as a major influence. | ” |
| “ | The Boat Of Thoughts was Octopus debut album - a German band formed in Frankfurt around 1973 by guitarrist Pit Hensel and bassist Claus D. Kniemeyer - and nowadays it is often regarded as the best out of the four studio works produced by the band. Octopus was one of many bands which belonged to the second wave of progressive rock in general in Germany, lasting from mid to late 70s. It was a peculiar band not only for featuring Jennifer Hensel as vocalist but also for setting up a solid and unique identity already on their debut album, which by the way was one of the very first SKY Records products, responsable for sheltering many new progressive bands back then. Highly recommended especially for symphonic progressive fans. | ” |
| “ | Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge is the first solo album by Finnish songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, best known for his work in the symphonic metal band Nightwish. The album is based on the Walt Disney graphic novel "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" written and illustrated by Don Rosa, who illustrated the cover artwork. It was released on April 11, 2014, with the first single "A Lifetime of Adventure" being released on February 5, 2014 along with a music video directed by Ville Lipiäinen. It features several vocalists including Johanna Kurkela, Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica and narration by Alan Reid, with lyrics in English and Scottish Gaelic. It also features the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the choir group Metro Voices, and several guest musicians including fellow Nightwish member Troy Donockley. Limited Edition includes bonus CD, which contains the entire album as instrumentals. | ” |
| “ | DICE fans can look forward to six new long tracks that combine with the usual tricky rhythms, catchy melodies and catchy choruses even with the brilliant guitar work from Peter Viertel as trademarks. Saxophonist / flutist Jens Lübeck finished the songs with his imaginative play. On their 17. Band album since founding in 1974, DICE songs flow - DICE songs groove. They again have compositions beyond the 10-minute limit. | ” |
| “ | Compilation of Captain Beefheart's known/surviving television appearances from 1974 (and one from 1973). The quality is very good (well, excellent given the age, sources and relative obscurity of the material). The bulk of the disc is provided from a French TV concert, with the rest all from UK/continental shows - nothing from his native country... | ” |
| “ | In 1992, Warner Bros. figured that lightning could strike twice at a time when oodles of (mostly horribly bad) funk-metal acts were following in Faith No More and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' footsteps. They sent the former into the studio, where they went in, recorded, and released a bizarro masterpiece... | ” |
| “ | In the summer/fall of 1967 The Churls were the house band at The Penny Farthing and were playing gigs at The Strawberry Patch, Charlie Brown's and The Rock Pile. The group was discovered by the EVERLY BROTHERS who were in Toronto playing at the KING EDWARD HOTEL. The duo sent up a scout from PIE Productions in New York, and The Churls were soon signed to BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS' managentent company Glotzer and Katz in the winter of 1967. Their first gig in New York was at the infamous CAFÉ A GO-GO on Bleeker Street in the East Village. They went on to play regularly at THE SCENE on 42nd and 8th Streets. Regular gigs in Hollywood, California followed and included The Whisky A-GO-GO, The Experience and The Electric Circus. Their 1968 debut album featured future Leigh Ashford keyboardist Newton Garwood. Garwood was also featured keyboardist and writer/arranger on The Churls' second album 'Send Me No Flowers', which was recorded at A&M Records Studios in Hollywood, California. | ” |
