This review is from: You Make Me Feel... (Feat. Sabi) (MP3 Download)
Cobra Starship have certainly come a long way since their 'Snakes On a Plane' days. They broke mainstream with 'Good Girls Go Bad', a massive hit aided by the talented Leighton Meester. That was a shiny piece of music, more pop than punk, and seemed to both lose a lot of older fans while earning droves of less dedicated new ones.
'You Make Me Feel...' is a shameless copy of that song, this time featuring a lesser known artist, Sabi. This feels just like every other dance pop song on the radio, with nothing truly setting it apart. The lyrics aren't particularly well-written, and the personality that once infected Cobra's albums with tongue-in-cheek joy is completely absent.
But do these things matter? For right now, not at all. 'You Make Me Feel...' is impeccably produced and drives with a hook that sinks deep. Sabi's vocals lend to the 'Na Na Na Na Na' bit with perfection, and while the band seems to have little purpose amongst the synths, they sound better than... Read more
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From \Your Song"""""" to """"""""The Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore"""
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This is the first attempt to consolidate all of Sir Elton's hit singles, from three labels, in one collection. It once would've required at least four CDs to own the best stuff here. Many think the legendary performer was at his best in the early to mid-'70s, and the incredible string of singles that ran from 1970's "Your Song" through 1977's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" remains mighty impressive. But in retrospect, as they're presented here, '80s hits like "I'm Still Standing" and "Sad Songs" add much to an already amazing legacy. Three Disney tunes, the lush "The One," and two from Songs from the West Coast, which was hailed as a return to those '70s golden days, represent the later years. Collectively, these tracks reinforce the notion that, despite Michael Jackson's later proclamations, John was once the closest thing post-'60s music had to a genuine king of pop, respected by hipsters and the mainstream alike. --Bill Holdship
This review is from: Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002 (Audio CD)
It's impossible to fit all of Elton John's hits from 1970-2002 into a two-disc compilation, even with the addition of a third bonus disc. During the seventies, the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin had the Midas touch. Wisely, the first disc of this collection covers their heyday from 1970-1976. The song selection is superb, balancing hit singles with essential album tracks. "Your Song" was Elton's first hit and the obvious choice for starting this collection. "Tiny Dancer" peaked at number 41 and, amazingly, "Candle In The Wind" wasn't even released as a single. Being among two of Elton's best and most recognizable songs, they rightly appear on the first disc. "Island Girl" is a lightweight song that is not well remembered, but was included because it hit number one on the charts! On the other hand, Elton's excellent version of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" hit number one, but must have been excluded because... Read more
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This review is from: Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002 (Audio CD)
Yes I realize there is always considerable consternation among collectors about the plethora of "Best of" and "Greatest Hits" packages that are put on the market every year. Some artists simply don't warrant a "Greatest Hits" collection while the music of more important and prolific performers is constantly being repackaged. But if you are someone like me "Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002" is a fine value. This collection replaces 3 previous vinyl "Greatest Hits" albums I now own. I will be keeping those vinyl LP's for the tunes that were not included in this particular package. I must say that Universal has done an outstanding job with the series of anthologies they have released in the past couple of years. This collection offers up 34 of Elton Johns' biggest and best. There is no doubt that everyone will probably quibble about a few of the tracks that were included as well as those that failed to make the cut. But... Read more
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This review is from: Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002 (Audio CD)
There's not many artists that have as much as success or that have lasted as long as Elton John has. While not perfect, this album, Greatest Hits 1970-2002, isn't far from it.
The thick booklet contains many pictures of the artist himself and a nice biography of Elton John's music career. Included in this biography are such things as what many of the songs mean and how he and his songwriter, Bernie Taupin, met and bonded through the years musically.
As good as the booklet is, it's not half as great as the music that is encaptured on the two discs in this collection. From the first song of disc one to the last song of disc two, the songs are all in chronological order, all the way from the beginning of the 70's to the ones from recent times. The first disc is as classic as classic can be. From the love songs such as "Your Song", "Tiny Dancer", and "Candle In The Wind", to upbeat rockers like "Crocodile Rock" and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", to just... Read more
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In November of 1970 James Taylor and Carole King first performed together at the Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. Taylor had just released his debut album for the Beatles' newly formed Apple Records and King was finding her way as a first time solo performer even though by then she was a famous songwriter with a string of hits for other artists. When they returned to the club for a two-week co-headlining run in 1971 their lives were somewhat different. That summer Taylor's "Fire and Rain" was topping the charts and King's landmark Tapestry was on its way to making her a music superstar. Thirty-six years later, in November 2007, James Taylor, Carole King and members of their renowned original band "The Section" (featuring guitarist Danny Kortchmar, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russell Kunkel) returned to the Troubadour for a three-night, six-show run to celebrate the venue's 50th anniversary. Those historic shows are documented in Live at the Troubadour, a special 2-disc CD/DVD. This remarkable recording, culled from these unforgettable shows, features 15 songs and 75 minutes of pristine video and audio including stunning performances of the pair's most beloved hits such as Carole King's "So Far Away," "It's Too Late," and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" as well as James Taylor's "Carolina in My Mind," "Sweet Baby James," and "Fire and Rain," to name just a few.
The return to the intimate Troubadour--the fertile ground that served as the unofficial home to a some of the era's defining musicians such as the Eagles, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell--rekindled King's and Taylor's love for making music together. Variety enthused at the time, "Taylor and King reminded us about the intensity of the song, that the artistically-rich and commercially-viable are not mutually exclusive and how one tiny club continues to be a birthing room for some of this city's most memorable music." The experience was deeply felt by everyone, the musicians on stage, and the fans in attendance as well as the project's technical crew: audio producer Peter Asher (an instrumental figure throughout Taylor's career) and Emmy-winning video director, Martyn Atkins. Live at the Troubadour is captured in sterling 5.1 stereo and state-of-the-art high definition video.
In the album's liner notes, Taylor states: "The Troubadour in 1971 wasn't the beginning, but it was a big step into the light for both of us. When we reunited for the Troubadour's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2007, it felt like yesterday. It was, and still is, all about the music and the celebration of performing together." King adds, "What's even more remarkable is that James's and my musical connection and friendship continue to transcend time and place. Whenever we're together, there we are. I feel a tremendous gratitude to be able to share this experience with James, with this fine band, and most of all, with the fans."
TAYLOR JAMES & CAROLE KING LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR (CD+DVD)
This review is from: Live At The Troubadour (CD +DVD) (Audio CD)
Blossom, smile some sunshine down my way Lately, I've been lonesome Blossom, it's been much too long a day Seems my dreams have frozen Melt my cares away...
It's not my favorite James Taylor song. Really, I barely remember it. But it's the first song on the DVD and CD package of Carole King & James Taylor: Live at the Troubadour, and just hearing that mellow guitar and moonshine voice pretty much unhinged me --- my face flushed, my eyes glistened, and there I was, face-planted into my past.
I'm not the only one of a certain age who will watch this intimate concert --- or see King and Taylor on their tour --- and have this reaction. Their music is mostly quiet, but it plays loud in memory; it's what we were listening to in that dump of a decade, the `70s. It's all those memories: Roe v. Wade. Kent State. Ms. Magazine. That endless war in Vietnam.
And, set against that, the soothing and consoling music of two crooners. In terms of... Read more
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This review is from: Live At The Troubadour (CD +DVD) (Audio CD)
Watching the DVD and listening to this music brings back a lot of memories of great music. The music of Carole King and James Taylor is timeless. I have never had the chance to see them perform at the Troubadour in Hollywood, but watching this CD and DVD combo is the next best thing. Their voices compliment each other well on the song "Up On The Roof". This is my favorite track because it really shows that they enjoy performing together. Carole King still has the ability to touch me emotionally on the song "So Far Away". This song can still bring tears to my eyes. "Smackwater Jack" and "I Feel The Earth Move" are two classic songs that sound as fresh and groovy as they did forty years ago. Danny Kortchmar lends his talents playing the guitar on the song "Machine Gun Kelly". Danny gives this song an energetic kick with his playing. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" is the perfect love song. Their voices sound perfect on this song together. "Blossom" is a song that puts my mind at... Read more
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This review is from: Live At The Troubadour (CD +DVD) (Audio CD)
This is not the current (2010) Carol King/James Taylor concert. This combo CD/DVD is from the November 2007 Los Angeles Troubadour concert. But no mind. The magic is there. The music is there. And the love is there.
As James Taylor said during the concert, Carol and James are pitching and the intimate Troubadour audience is catching. Backed by guitarist Danny Kortchmar, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russell Kunkel--all stars in their own right--everyone has fun. Even with those oh-so-familar songs, no one phones it in.
The high point for me is the point and counter point between King and Taylor on "Up On The Roof." Both artists had hits with this Goffin-King song and both take turns singing verses in their own style. They both eventually join together for the song's climax. The arrangement is brilliant and very cool.
The camera work on the DVD is shaky at times and has focus problems. On the upside, the audio is encoded in both Dolby Digital and... Read more
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...Like Dancing, 
