Music Reviews

The ClubHouse: Archives: Music Reviews

Oregonfire

Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 01:35 pm Click here to edit this post
Inspired by a discussion in another thread, I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread devoted just to music. Sure, we've touched on favorite songs or bands in other threads, but I'd like to hear about music you've bought or downloaded recently, or even old favorites.

I'll start with what I bought yesterday: Three CDs, a rare purchase for me these days. Inevitably, my CD purchases usually follow the "One's great, the other Two Suck" Rule. Luckily this time, only one of them kinda sucks.

Simon Shaheen and Quantara: Blue Flame. A great CD, definitely a success. Shaheen is a world class Arabian musican (the oud and violin), and here he mixes Arabic influences with jazz fusion. BTW, Shaheen and Quantara performed with Sting at the 1998 Grammys on "Desert Rose." I first heard one of their songs on NPR's Afropop program. I'd say the CD would appeal to just about anyone.

Lamb: What Sound. I first heard "Fly" by Lamb on the Musicmatch Jukebox Trip Hop Station. "Fly" is an amazing song, but is not on this album. Lamb has kinda of a trance/electronica vibe going on, with a moderatedy effective female lead singer. The CD's pretty hit or miss. If I could save time in a bottle, I definitely would've keep the cork in this one.

System of a Down: (self-Titled) 1998. This is one of those anarchy-loving punk bands a la Fugazi, I'd say. The back cover of the CD goes on about chaos and political oppression and whatnot. Regardless of their politics, they're an amazingly talented band. I've seen their videos on Hard Times, the local late nite Saturday hard rock video program, which ironically competes with the Christian youth church sermon on another channel at the same time (I like to flip back and forth for fun). Only for the hard core at heart.

So that sums up this weeks music reviews. I don't plan to buy any more CDs until, like, six months from now--this was a special ocassion. However, you may hear from me about an especially engaging MP3 now and then.

Aussiedeb

Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 08:43 am Click here to edit this post
Thought I would jump in here.

My daughter in Australia is having her birthday this month, and I got her a portable cd player, she gave me a list of cds she wanted.

Enrique's cd Escape. I loved it and so does hubby, we burnt a copy for us. :)

Pink's Mizunderstood.. I loved that one too, another one we copied hehe.

Now she also wanted Uncle Krackers Double Wide, but on doing some investigation, I deemed it unsuitable for a 9year old. Luckily I didnt buy , but came home and went online and looked at the songs and lyrics.Oh boy was I in for a shock.I found out she really only likes the one song "Follow Me" so I went to a music store and got her Totally Hits 2001, that is a cool cd. And yep we copied it too..

Oregonfire

Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 09:04 am Click here to edit this post
Thanks for playing, AussieDeb! I didn't think anyone was going to take the bait. Keep coming by folks...I want to hear your recommendations!

Weinermr

Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 10:32 am Click here to edit this post
If you want to hear classical music CD reviews and recommendations, I've got a million of them. My reviews of rock, pop, jazz, etc. CD's would be much more limited.

Egbok

Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:05 am Click here to edit this post
Weinermr, I'd like your take on classical music CD's.

Also, anyone into those relaxing type of CD's that are used while getting the spa treatment?

Thanks!

Oregonfire

Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:13 am Click here to edit this post
Anything...I like everything, and actually know very little about classical music. I do like Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven. I like especially cello and piano works. There is one piece of classical music I heard on the radio about three years ago. It was a piano solo, absolutely stunning. The DJ said it was Greig's "Moods." Never have I been able to find it anywhere. (no--it's not "Morning Moods" from "Peer Gynt," thought that is nice. This was much more melancholy and brooding.)

Plus this thread is not just for me, I hope. I'm just curious because I hate buying CDs "blind," and also like having something to type in when I download MP3s. It just seems like we have a category for everything else...why not music too! :)

Weinermr

Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:35 am Click here to edit this post
Egbok,

Any particular composer, period, style, etc.?

Egbok

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 08:58 pm Click here to edit this post
Hi Weinermr,

You're dealing with a "Classical Music for Dummies" fan here. I like waltzs and anything romantic with violins and piano. I realize this is probably too broad but any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated. I love listening to "Moonlight Sonata" by Mozart - at least I think it's by Mozart.

Weinermr

Monday, March 04, 2002 - 10:54 pm Click here to edit this post
Hi Egbok, the Moonlight Sonata was written by Beethoven, and it's beautiful. I'll see what I can find for you.

Tess

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 01:02 am Click here to edit this post
Eg, the Pathetique by Beethoven is also quite lovely, one of my favorites. You also might like some of the Chopin Etudes or Nocturnes.

If you like string quartets, Vivaldi has some beautiful music for string quartets. I hired a quartet for our wedding and made only 2 requests and then just let them play...one request was Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughn Williams, and the other was that they play any Vivaldi of their choice. It was heaven. I'll bet Weinermr can help with any of these.

tess

Aussiedeb

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 08:15 am Click here to edit this post
Egbok.. I have a few of those relaxing cds. I had probs sleeping a while back and hubby went and got some for me.

I have thundering skies, a native american one, the ocean, and rainforest. I love listening to them. Now if only I could get a trip to a day spa I would be in heaven :)

Marysafan

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 10:14 am Click here to edit this post
I have a rather eclectic taste in music, I'll admit. I am an old "folkie" from way back...but also love a lot of contemporary music.

I went to an Arlo Guthrie concert way back in the mid 1980's ....liked his opening act so much I became a huge fan...John Prine. I saw where John Prine was going to be on PBS's "Austin City Limits" ...I tuned in...he was followed by a young man who knocked my socks off! Todd Snider is for sure an "All Right Guy". I have all four of his cd's. Too country to be rock and roll and too rock and roll to be country...and his last acoustic cd is the best yet.

Then my daughter passed along "Backbone" by Annie Gallup. She is the most amzing singer-songwriter...and tells these really neat off beat tales. I especially like that "Max has a small telelscope".

and then...sometimes in life..you find the most amazing treasures. I got on a plane to fly to Philly last fall ..just 2 weeks after 9-11. Passengers were very uneasy...and checking out their seat mates carefully. I got put next to this "young little snot". She was stuffing the overhead bins with packages (we were supposed to have limited carry ons). Then she got out a blanket and a pillow and proceeded to make herself comfortable in the aisle seat...I had to disturb her to get in my window seat...so she wasn't exactly thrilled with me either.

However, when she pulled out a book..I had to ask her about it...we started talking...she learned that my daughter was a deejay...and I learned that she was a singer who had been touring the midwest and was now returning home to NYC to face the aftermath of 9-11.

Before the flight was over, we exchanged email addy's and she promised to send me two cd's which I paid her for in spite of her protests.

Her name is Bari Koral. I found that I not only liked...but LOVED her music. She has a new Cd coming out now...I can't wait to get my hands on it. Also she has this really neat website including a journal that she is keeping while on the road. Catch her if you can...she is a gem!

Barikoral.com

Crazydog

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 10:39 am Click here to edit this post
As far as those "relaxing CDs", I find the ones of just a bubbling brook or a rainstorm a little boring. I don't even like some of the ones with music. But one series that I have really enjoyed is the one called "Solitudes". They are very common at National Parks, LOL, the first one I bought was in Rocky Mountain National Park and then the next time I saw one was in Alaska and then I bought one at Niagara Falls! I think they are becoming more common now and you can get them on Amazon or maybe even stores like Bed Bath and Beyond. The ones that I have are the ones with familiar classical pieces. My favorite is "Bach by the Sea", but "The Classics" is also good. These are very relaxing. I play them at work whenever I get stressed out. The Pachebel one particularly is so relaxing that I have fallen asleep at work to it!

Tess

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 11:43 am Click here to edit this post
Crazydog, I think they sell those at Target also. I've gotten a couple of the ones you've mentioned for my mom and she said she loved them. My husband has the Pachebel one and plays it in his office also. I'll have to ask him if he's been sleeping on the job!

Kady

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 04:05 pm Click here to edit this post
My son's teacher plays classical music during class. He has developed a fondness for it at the tender age of 10. He also has about 6 of those relaxing CD's. He listens to them every night at bedtime. He also plays them while reading.

I have a tanning salon and also play those sometimes while my customers are laying in the tanning bed. :) :)

Egbok

Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 07:58 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks Wienermr, Tess, Aussiedeb, Crazydog & Kady and everyone else!

I've printed out this thread to take to Best Buys or Target so that I can look for some of these CD's. Pachebel sounds great but I know I'd fall asleep for sure at work - I'll get it for home use!!

I've been to a Spa (a Valentine's gift from hubby) and I just get into the aroma therapy and the relaxing music while they give me my facial and backrub...aaahhhhh. Since I can't afford to go there but once a year, listening to some soothing music will bring back nice Spa memories!

Wienermr, I look forward to your suggestions and I'll try to remember that Beethoven did the Moonlight Sonata.

Tess, your wedding music sounded very romantic and I'm going to look into your suggestions for sure!! Thanks again everyone.

Jbean

Friday, March 08, 2002 - 07:54 pm Click here to edit this post
i bought the martina mcbride greatest hits cd tonight. i love it. i think she has an awesome voice.

also about a month ago, i saw trick pony in concert at a local club. they won a grammy for best new vocal group last year, i believe. anyway, they were really good, and i don't have the cd, but i plan on getting it, because i thought they were great.