IPhone 3G used's review (Disney... With Elegance) 『When it comes to making and recording songs for Disney films, they can often bring gigantic drives to so many people. That was the case in 1994 and 1995, with the Oscar-winning triumph of The Lion King for Elton John&Tim Rice, and it happened with Pocahontas for Vanessa Williams. She proved to have the midas touch when it came to Adult Contemporary tracks throughout the 90's, and she scored it here. Colors Of The Wind is a very graceful and loving song that not just matches any Disney Ballad we see today, but it is truly one of the most elegant Disney tracks that has ever made it onto the big screen. Still, I feel very dissapointed that many people don't give respect to Vanessa Williams these days in the music industry, thanks to Manufactred acts that are out, but she still has a voice that is just breath-taking. I just hope that the former Miss America can come back to the charts with a song like this. The music that is out there now, is just lonely without her.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Heavily overrated) 『Living Color weren't a bad band - well, they weren't exactly a good band either, but their real problem was that no band could support the weight of expectation that was dumped on them. They were supposed to be funky, rocky, metallic, sexy, full of attitude and yet also saying something really intelligent about the condition of being black in America. Nobody could live up to all that, and sure enough, they didn't. Unfortunately, less intelligent white bands (such as Guns&Roses, on their first album) made better music, simply because they didn't have to represent as much ephemeral politico-musical hee-haw as Living Color were being asked to.
It doesn't help that Vernon Reid is not nearly so exciting or even interesting a guitarist as his many supporters seem to think, and that Corey Glover is a one-dimensional and joyless singer with a boring line in lyric-writing. Apart from the edgy and genuinely menacing 'Middle Man' this album sounds like Van Halen with the fun taken out, and when you take the fun out of Van Halen there isn't a lot left.
They made another album which lacks even more lustre. It's a mystery to me why Living Color got so much hype based on so little achievement, while the truly great, majestic, inspirational and hellacious black rock band of the 1980s - Bad Brains - was allowed to languish in indie hell for the whole decade.
』
(What can you say....ROCK&ROLL!!!) 『Living Colour came storming onto the scene playing heavy hitting rock and roll with a dash of funk. Vernon Reid can outright melt the strings off of a guitar. I bet he drove his guitar techs crazy trying to keep his axes in tune during concerts. In short, this is a classic recording of a non-typical band that can belt out powerful music that makes it impossible to sit still.』
(Birthing black consciousness through funk and rock) 『Living Colour may very well be the defining band from my youth. Growing up in vanilla suburbia, this was a band that charted songs that made an impact in my school's music scene. "Glamour Boys" was the single that made it to my high school and the bass player from a band I was in covered it. That led me and others to pick up the album. "Vivid" is one of the most successful fusions of rock with political consciousness in history, and may be the best poltically conscious album by a black or post '70s band. All the musicians are virtuosos, the songwriting is strong, and rock fans see a cathartic band at work.
Looking back, there are a few things that strike me as revealing about *how* Living Colour approached making rock music from a politically black consciousness.
Living Colour embraced sampling. "Cult of Personality"'s use of samples is a creative device that hammers home the message of the song. It begins with a sample of Malcolm X and uses soundbites from Kennedy and FDR. The restricted use of samples is something that hurts Living Colour on their recent comeback work, much like De La Soul was hampered creatively after sampling was greatly restricted.
Secondly, Living Colour was not afraid to include to make some bridges to black america in their work. In a lot of ways, they came towards Public Enemy from the opposite direction. "Funny Vibe" includes a brief cameo from Chuck D and Flavor Flav or Public Enemy. Why did Public Enemy collaborate with Anthrax instead of Living Colour? Ego? Artistic differences? Desire to crossover and broaden markets? Don't know why, but I think it's a tragedy for both groups.
Lastly, many people forget how Living Colour could have been a killer funk band if they had wanted to. This is more explicit on tracks like "Elvis is Dead" on the next album, "Time's Up", but it's present on "Vivid" with tracks like "Funny Vibe" and "What's your Favorite Colour?"
Living Colour was an outstanding band that set the table for me to really examine my history and develop a far more culturally grounded agenda as a musician and an intellectual. I owe them big time for the way they went about their music. I hope more people will discover their music through their currently active reunion work.
5+ stars
--SD』
(Saw them play last night - still amazing) 『I literally wore out this cassette and have nearly worn out the CD. Every musician in this band is phenomenal and their particular mix of soul and hard rock was really a breakthrough when they came out and hasn't been done as well by anyone else. These guys had bottles thrown at them when opening for the Stones in arenas and not because they were playing too loud - who says mainstream music can't be radical?
They shredded El Corazon in Seattle last night - what a great show. So glad they are back :)』
(Some great songs) 『I fast forward thru this album between 'Cult of Personality' and 'Open Letter (To a Landlord)'. I do not care for most of the songs on this album, sorry, but the superior songs on this album are among the best of the 80's. 'Open Letter' is special, I play it when I play the music I really love, and I don't play music much.』 『Living Colour's exceptional debut is strong all the way through; there simply isn't any weak material on this album. Generally classified as hard rock,Vividalso contains touches of funk and even jazz, which keeps things interesting. Living Colour were also one of the few bands to succeed in writing socio-politically conscious songs that never sound preachy; they take on politicians ("Cult of Personality"), slumlords ("Open Letter (To a Landlord)"), modern life ("Desperate People" and "Glamour Boys"), and the gap between rich and poor in America ("Which Way to America?"). Outstanding music, skilled lyric-writing, and Corey Glover's strong singing make these songs entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time, something most bands never manage to do. --Genevieve Williams』
Kakaku：1698 saved$16.98
New Earth Records
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Emotionaly addictive to the senses.) 『I really appreciate a person who knows how to make profound and astonishing music! James Asher definately deserves a compliment in my opinion for these very majestic and well engineered works of art. Some songs are slower than others, see thats his imagination trying to interpret the colors of tance, even the slower songs have their own dynamics. A very nice flowing and crisp sound that puts it in a class of its own. Some of the songs I dance to and tear the house apart while getting ready to party. A must for any serious person with any taste at all for trance/hip-hop/meditative music with its unique twist of soulfulness and spiritfulness.』 『Produced by James Asher, Colors of Trance features an acoustic concert harp played with the lilt and poetry of Ireland's Madeleine Doherty. Asher's masterful keyboards team with a dynamic mix of percussion including Japanese taiko drum, Indian tablas, congas, and didgeridoo. This album expands the boundaries of trance with styles ranging from foot-stomping dance to lyrical and haunting tone poems.』
Kakaku：1599 saved$15.99
Kimbo
Usually ships in 24 hours 『Colorful songs and singable shapes make learning easy! Colors and shapes are two of the earliest concepts children need to learn. These zany, singable songs teach kids to recognize both, and associate them with their everyday world. Take all nine colors, mix them up, and you have a rainbow of fun and funny songs about the colors of foods, feelings - any more! Seven upbeat songs about shapes can be even more valuable and fun if you take foam in various colors and make shapes kids can touch, feel, and move with. These songs and activities will tap into many learning styles -- including tactile, visual, kinesthetic and musical. Guide included.』
Kakaku：699 saved$6.99
Sbme Special Mkts.
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days IPhone 3G used's review (Classic Cyndi Collection) 『I've been a big fan of Cyndi Lauper since her first hit in the 1980s. I guess you could say that I grew-up on her. I like the CD album because it has many (but not all) of her classic hits, as well as, a few new covers. The album will take you back in time. Always so delightfully enjoyable as Cyndi Lauper can be.』
(i luv it) 『not as much as She's So Unusual, but it's still fun to listen to!』
(True Colors) 『I got this CD for my son who always like Cyndi Lauper and with this CD I also got him concert tickets to see the True Colors Tour. So he was quite pleased.』
(Awesome) 『I've been looking for the songs on this cd for a very long time. When I ordered the cd, I never looked at what songs it had on it, I just got it cause I like Cyndi Lauper and the song True Colors. But it had more than just that song, it had even more great songs that I didn't know that Cyndi even sang. The cd is a classic and must have for anyone that loved music from the '80's and is a Cyndi Lauper fan.』
(A Good Follow up) 『After you heard the greatness of "She's So Unusual" you were tempted to check out its follow up, right? Well as most people were I was also and sampled some songs liked what I heard got the album. Overall the songs are a lot more mature and show a grown up Cyndi Lauper. Don't expect the wacky Cyndi from "SSU" it has a different approch. Here is a track by track run down;
1. Change of Heart 10/10
This track is a great opener for the album it really gets you up and makes you dance. This is Cyndi's finest moment on the album as far as I'm concerned. It's With a drum and guitar that just won't quit. This song makes the album worth it by its self. It was the second single.
2. Maybe He'll Know 8/10
While I wasn't to fond of this track at first listen it definatly grew on me. This is a remake of the track Cyndi did w/ Blue Angel. It has kind of a 50's pop sound. It became a fifth single in Holland only.
3. Boy Blue 9/10
A nice underrated gem of Cyndi's from the album it is mid-tempo and has a warm breezy sound to it. It became the fourth single from the album and Cyndi's first flop single at least in the U.S. peaking at #71.
4. True Colors 7/10
Hard to believe that the title track of the album, a soft and slow song was written by the same writers that wrote Madonna's "Like a Virgin" two years before. Although the song isn't my fav on the album I do have a soft spot for it. It became a #1 hit and the first single off the album.
5. Calm Inside the Storm 9/10
What a cool light-hearted song. It is a fun up-beat track that you can't resist. The chorus is killer and makes the song.
6. What's Going On? 8/10
A remake of the classic Marvin Gaye song, although a lot of people dislike Cyndi's remake and some call it mediocre I do happen to like it quite a bit. Cyndi holds her own and makes it her own. This was the third single from the album.
7. Iko Iko 6/10
This two minute ditty is a African cultured track that you can sing at the campfire. It isn't a stand out but it's alright...
8. The Faraway Nearby 7.5/10
It starts out kind of silly but gets better as it goes on is not half bad.
9. 911 9/10
I really like this one it makes you get in a happy mood and has you singing along. But kind of seems like it's trying too hard to be wild like the She's So Unusual days of Cyndi. Also Pee-Wee Herman has a cameo voice as a 911 operator in the last 10 seconds.
10. One Track Mind 5/10
Definatly a obvious filler track. The title, the idea and the amazing instrumental backround has all the potential in the world but the underwelming vocals and the amazing backround that almost grows repedative ruins the song quite a bit. A weak ending to a good album.
OVERALL AVERAGE SCORE: B-
It went on to become Double-Platinum while not following the monster success to She's So Unusual it is worth being in your collection. It holds its own and is definatly worth a listen and for some a second listen as it has some growers.』
Kakaku：500 saved$5.00
Walt Disney Video
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Best Bear There Is!) 『We have a few of the "Bear" DVD's and I think this one is the best. I really like the songs and the subjects. My son also likes this one the best as well. If you want to try out this series or add one to you collection this is the excellent choice.』
(My Toddler Loves Bear) 『I bought this DVD because my toddler loves Bear in the Big Blue House, but it is no longer played on the Disney Channel. He sits throught the entire DVD with a smile on his face&laughing...especially when Bear "sniffs" him. After watching this DVD for the first time, my toddler started pointing out triangles&circles during other activities. A great buy!』
(Bear Rocks) 『Bear does it again teaching children the shapes, sounds,&colors while entertaining at the same time. This is a good way to keep you child busy while they learn. Bear teaches values and helpful information such as seasons, shapes, colors, potty training, brushing teeth, bathing, sharing, friendship, and alot more.』
(Excellent Learning Tool) 『I bought this for my son because he just loves Bear in the Big Blue House. Since he is so fascinated with Bear, I bought this video to help him learn his shapes and colors. He is only 1 1/2 but learns quick. Great DVD to help children learn.』
(Henson's Done It Again!) 『My son, Daniel, saw Bear for the first time when he was 13 months and we took a trip to Disney World (Playhouse Disney at Disney / MGM). Instantly, he was in love. We started recording Bear in the Big Blue House on our TiVo as soon as we got home and, once we realized he really loved the show, bought a couple of DVDs (since we were getting tired of watching the same 4 episodes over and over again). This is a GREAT series that, while explaining things to kids isn't talking down to them so parents aren't sickened by the sweetness quality. My husband and I enjoy watching these almost as much as Daniel.
Thank you Henson Productions for bringing yet another family-friendly series into our lives!』 『Give preschoolers their best start with BEAR IN THE BIG BLUE HOUSE! This award-winning series provides your child with valuable tools for growth in key areas of music, social skill development, and cognitive learning through integrated programs combining music, movement, and exploration. Get in shape with Bear(TM) and his buddies in three colorful tales, featuring four sing-along songs -- while teaching pattern recognition, listening, and creative self-expression! Prepare to be dazzled when Bear's friends turn his red wagon into a true work of art in "A Wagon Of A Different Color." Have fun with Ojo(TM), Pip(TM)&Pop(TM) as they watch their world take shape in "Shape Of A Bear," and "Listen Up" With Bear for the sounds of the great outdoors in three delightful stories sure to set your creativity free!』
Kakaku：3098 saved$30.98
Wea Japan
Usually ships in 1 to 2 days IPhone 3G used's review (SUPERIOR-SOUNDING JAPAN 2008 REMASTER NOW AVAILABLE) 『 In 2008, WEA Japan released the entire WB Tower Of Power catalog in remastered form. All of the albums benefit from new mastering, and are worthwhile acquisitions for fans. Even this live album sounds better than the US CD, which is just an old, LP-EQ'd master transfered to CD, as are all of the TOP WB albums.
I found all of the remastered material to be superior to the Rhino 2CD "What Is Hip?" 1999 compilation set, except, surprisingly, for the material from the 3rd album, which sounds better on the Rhino.
Amazon does a haphazard job of stocking these remasters, so you may have to seek them from Japan-based retailers. Also, Amazon's prices are at least a third higher than buying direct from Japan, although shipping costs will cut into that percentage.
Here are the links for the `08 remasters:
East Bay Grease Bump City Tower Of Power Back To Oakland Urban Renewal In The Slot Live And In Living Color
Again, it's sad that American consumers have to obtain better sounding CD's from another country. WEA, and now WMG, have long maintained a corporate policy of not upgrading their catalog under the "they're-gonna-buy-it-anyway-so-why-waste-profits" philosophy, no matter that rival Sony has made a lucative business model out of remastering nearly the entire Columbia records catalog. Although this internal policy was mandated by the WEA regimes of the past, Edgar Bronfman, the current WMG chief, has maintained the status quo.
So, Tower Of Power now joins fellow WEA artists Jackson Browne, Ry Cooder, The Doobie Brothers, Tower Of Power, Neil Young, Van Dyke Parks, Little Feat, Van Morrison, America, Annie Haslam, Everything But The Girl, Roberta Flack, Todd Rundgren, Cold Blood and Paul Butterfield, just to name a few, whose catalogs either partially or wholly exist in better audio in Japan than here in the U.S.
It's a pathetic and frustrating situation.』
(ANOTHER WARNING ON MP3 DOWNLOAD!!!) 『I also purchased the mp3 download and it is NOT THE ORIGINAL VERSIONS OF 2 SONGS!! Sparkling in the Sand and Knock Yourself Out are from the "East Bay Grease" CD. They are NOT EVEN LIVE VERSIONS, no less from Live and in Living Color. These certainly ought to be pulled from the site for purchase, or fix the horrid error.』
(BE WARNED MP3 VERSION IS NOT SAME!!!) 『The track "Knock Yourself Out", a classic by the way, is 23:08 in the CD version... I downloaded the MP3 version from Amazon downloads and the "Knock Yourself Out" track is a different version, not as good, and only 7:12 in length...I dunno why, but BE WARNED!』
(It doesn't get much better than this...) 『Raised on rock, I played guitar in a metal band for a while. After hearing this, I was amazed. There is something missing in today's music, and that's the ability to groove. These guys have it mastered. Highly suggested for any real music lover. Great stuff.』
(My favorite CD) 『This CD is AWESOME! Tower of power is the best live band. I've seen them live, and they are awesome. Lenny Pickett's 10 minute solo is amazing! I think this is Tower of Power's best CD.』
Kakaku：99 saved$0.99
Chop Shop Records
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (More than Music....the sound of the future) 『My first exposure to The Republic Tigers was on the Letterman show (a friend texted me to check them out). They were playing their hit, "Buildings and Mountians." I was immediately hooked to this new multi-layered sound, with lyrics to match. Music is part of my daily life, and I'm a typical music shuffler, but for the last week I've only had 1 group on repeat, The Republic Tigers. I have highly recommended this group to my friends, and have only heard great feedback. Keep up the good work boys, and keep those songs coming Kenny.』
(good stuff) 『This is a great new purchase for me. I've been looking for something new but now so new. I think I hear a little bit of New Order and maybe Psychedelic Firs in there. I just listened to this one twice and plan on listening many more times. I like it. It's good stuff! I don't think anyone would regret buying it.』
(The Republic Tigers rock!) 『I was chasing Nada Surf around on their tour recently when I got a lucky chance to hear and meet the guys from the Republic Tigers. Their CD took a few spins to get used to, but I cant get the songs out of my head now. Their live show is stellar too. The energy and interweaving of guitars bass and drums melt like butter with singer Kenns voice and the backup vocals. The guys have a passion for music and it shows in their awesome debut CD and their killer live performace. "Buildings and Mountains" is an anthemic tune, and the song "the nerve" is so dynamic that i had to put on headphones to make sure I was getting the full effect. Wow! Good luck on the rest of the tour guys! ~Jon』
(Captivating, enjoyable music) 『Eminently listenable, this cd has been on high rotation in my music collection since I purchased it. It is quite a mellow, but very magnetic release and it's catchy without being typical or a cliche. Its one of cd's I can play no matter my mood. The first track 'Buildings and Mountains' has been featured on Grey's Anatomy and Letterman, and is a brilliant introduction into the mood and style of The Republic Tigers.
Totally enjoyable, this is an enthralling cd from a band that deserves a lot more attention in the future.』
(Vote Democrat, but listen to The Republican Tigers) 『I'm not really in a position to rate this album, I'm listening to the samples. But watching LETTERMAN the other nite I was thunderstruck, spellbound&flabbergasted as these guys were just starting "BUILDINGS&MOUNTAINS". If that ain't the Song of the Year? I thot for sure these cats were from Great Britain, as the song with it's drum and tambrerine and guitar march seemed right out of HOUSEMARTINS (or BEATIFUL SOUTH).
A little SHINS in there too, maybe. At least B&M hit me the way "NEW SLANG" knocked me off my feet, first listen. I won't say The REPUBLICAN TIGERS will change your life...but they will certainly improve your listening pleasure. Very original sound.
They are indeed from the mid-western USA.
Very good, and the samples, while not all as stromg as single I heard "Bulidings&Mountians" they are are strong.
Bright future?』 『Epic yet intimate, tracks like "Feelin' The Future" and the towering "Buildings&Mountains" see the Kansas City-based quintet weaving future folk, euphoric psychedelia, and exuberant symphonic pop with intricately crafted electronic textures and uncommon emotional depth. The result is a bold and beautiful collection of strikingly human music that holds an aural mirror to our ever more technologically integrated society. "It's a sound that's half organic and half synthetic, kind of like how all of our lives are now," says singer Kenn Jankowski. "It's the common theme throughout all our songs and we tried to approach it audibly as well."』
IPhone 3G used's review (Superb) 『Those reviews complaining that the tv themes are too short are correct, but most are the original recordings like heard from the shows themselves. If you are looking for or want the full version of these songs, look elsewhere, or maybe try iTunes. Some might be/maybe outdated, so take what you can get at this point in time. Don't worry, be happy! 』
(WARNING: Be sure you get the volume with 65 songs,) 『Although most of the songs on this CD are worth the purchase price, and great memories, the version I received only has 59 songs, not the 65 listed on Amazon.com For the record the missing "Tunes" (Bar code 6 10535-68032 7) are, Stingray, Thunderbirds,Chico and the Man, Tom Jones Show, (Its not unusual) and Happening 68. Not enough to return it, but certainly somthing you should know.
I had purchased the CD for such themes as Emergency, High Chaparral, Night Gallery and Felony squad. I cannot tell after the all the years if these are originals or copies, but they are good enough to bring back memories.
If you are purchasing the CD for liner notes which tell you about the music, forget it. It does list artist for some, Author for some, but the scant notes are a one paragraph note about the show. A bit dissapointing.』
(Where is the disclaimer that these are NOT originals?) 『Most of these are re-renditions of the originals. Many people upon hearing these recordings are going to be very disappointed if they remember the original theme.
This CD deserves zero stars. OR, at least a disclaimer somewhere that these are not original pieces. 』
(Fan-rific!) 『This CD features 65 more theme songs from old TV shows. Most of the best known shows were already featured on previous volumes, so there are many shows here that aren't that well known. So, since there are several themes here for shows I have never seen, it doesn't have as much nostalgia value for me as the older volumes have. However, unlike the earlier albums, which featured rerecordings of most of the themes, almost all of the themes here are the original versions. (The only rerecordings here are "Family Affair", "Let's Make a Deal", "Gentle Ben", "The High Chaparral", "The Big Valley" and "Masterpiece Theatre".) Fans of old TV shows should enjoy this CD.』
("The Men from Shiloh"? Now, that's a rarity!) 『For those that don't know, the last year of NBC's long-running western was reworked becoming "The Men from Shiloh", new ranch owner, a few new faces, and a dynamic theme by Ennio Morricone that replaced the more familiar one by Percy Faith.
If you know that little bit of fluff, as well as remember "This is Tom Jones" or "Judd for the Defense" or "Superchicken", then this is the disc for you.
If you don't, then give it to your 40-something uncle!』
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
