Art [Import]

art [import]

Track Listings

1. Happiness

2. Ghost

3. Freshmint!

4. Strange Human Being

5. I Wanna Be a Nudist

6. I Like Repetitive Music

7. Art

8. Feels Alright!

9. I Love Tommy Mottola

10. Are U Being Served

11. Obtusian

12. Lonely Guy

13. Virtual Life

14. Everybody Sleeps [*]

15. Shark [*]

16. Kill Your TV [*]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese Version featuring Three Bonus Tracks: Everybody Sleeps, the Shark, and Kill Your TV.

Art,Regurgitator,Wea Japan,Funk Metal,Pop,Rock

Art [Import]

Average customer rating:

Technical Flaws
Forty-one tracks for your pleasure. Are you sitting comfortably?
Good Sounding Moody Blues Stuff!!
Historic stuff
A Christmas Gift Long Overdue!

Live at the BBC: 1967-1970
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000N4S8SY
Release Date: 2007-05-28

Tracks:

Fly Me High
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Love and Beauty
Leave This Man Alone
Peak Hour
Nights in White Satin
Fly Me High
Twilight Time (Evening)
Dr. Livingston, I Presume
Voices in the Sky
Ride My See-Saw
Best Way to Travel
Voices in the Sky
Dr. Livingston, I Presume
Peak Hour
Tuesday Afternoon
Ride My See-Saw
Lovely to See You
Never Comes the Day
To Share Our Love
Send Me No Wine
So Deep Within You
Lovely to See You

Tracks:

Nights in White Satin
Morning: Another Morning
Ride My See-Saw
Dr. Livingston, I Presume
House of Four Doors
Voices in the Sky
Best Way to Travel
Visions of Paradise
Actor
Gypsy
Sun Set
Never Comes the Day
Are You Sitting Comfortably
Poem: The Dream
Have You Heard
Nights in White Satin
Legend of a Mind
Question

Album Details

2007 Issue at Long Last of the Transcriptions of Early Moody Blues Performances on the BBC! the Band Changed their Musical Direction in 1967 by Attempting to Create a Rock Version of Dvorak's "New World Symphony". The First Fruit of the Vision was the "Days of Future Passed" Album, One of the Most Celebrated in Rock Music (And their Discography). Followed Up by "in Search of the Lost Chord", "to Our Children's Children" and "a Question of Balance", the Band Carved a Niche in the Pop Music World that was Imitated and Emulated by Others. Like Many Other Groups of the Era, They Recorded Sessions at the BBC for Various Radio and TV Broadcasts and Those Sessions Are Presented on this Double CD Set. Cd1 Has all their Stunning Live-in-the-studio Radio Transmissions While Cd2 Includes the Audio from TV Show Tapings, Including an Appearance on "The Tom Jones Show" that was Misplaced for Many Years.

Customer Reviews:

Technical Flaws.......2007-07-04

Always nice to hear the Moodies. It's just so dissapointing to hear songs recorded ,what I would call, unprofessionally. Tracks ending abruptly. Fading in or out at the wrong places. Canned music,blended in, is not exciting. But, It's got a lot of great moments and brings back good memories. Voices aren't always great but I guess there wasn't a lot of material to choose from.

Forty-one tracks for your pleasure. Are you sitting comfortably? .......2007-06-19

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

They earned the title "Magnificent Moodies" early on. The assemblage of the BBC tracks only further solidifies the reward. While the double package is called "Live At The BBC 67-70" there is more! The second disc is audio from TV tapings.

If you are a collector of must have Moody Blues recordings this entered the list the second it left the factory. For those that purchased some of their material in the past it will give you another side of the band. The track listings couldn't be a better representation of the collective genius from the group. Not only are the hits and radio tracks available for your enjoyment but some of the more esoteric and underrated tunes ("Best Way To Travel", "Visions Of Paradise, and "The Actor"). "Best Way To Travel" has never received the acclaim it deserves. While previously tracks were available as a bonus on special SACD pressings, this gives it to you in the full and proper dose.

Before we check out some of their superlative versions of their own material it must be written how great the cover of the Animals hit "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" was constructed.

The back-to-back combination of "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Ride My See-Saw" offers enough exquisite beauty to enthrall the harshest critic but "Lovely To See You (With the acoustic guitar sounding as if it is in your living room) could accelerate the pulse of the most docile individual.

As you sample the choice cuts don't forget to digest the short version of "Nights In White Satin" clocking in a shade over three minutes."

Could you ever get enough versions of "Gypsy"? Its inclusion here only solidifies it's golden splendor.

Forty-one tracks for your pleasure. Are you sitting comfortably?

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Good Sounding Moody Blues Stuff!!.......2007-06-12

I was waiting for this 2 cd set to come out for a long, long, time. The sound is pretty good and the song selection is excellent for the time it was recorded. At least on this BBC recording, unlike other BBC live recordings, it doe not have an announcer before each song with on occasion, a one question interview with a band member. I find that part unnecessary and am glad its not on this set. The only problem I have with this set is the editing. Moody Blues songs usually have great endings to their songs but on this release the endings are cut off and an audience applause in put in rather bluntly at times which cheapens the recordings. The sound is great for a BBC live set-average stereo but the songs seem cut off and shortened in places--- I guess to save room for other songs. This results in the whole song version not heard at times. That is probably the only thing wrong with this 2 cd set. It ought to be re-edited and the songs presented the way they were played--take out a few if you have to but lets keep the original song in. Despite this problem, I recommend this set highly. Do not let it get away. Enjoy Moody fans!!!!!!!!!! Good linear notes and pictures also.

Historic stuff.......2007-06-01

If you have the new SACD special editions of the "core 7" original albums you've already heard most of these tracks. They were added as "special material" to those releases. However, as the other poster mentioned if you didn't want to spring the big money for albums you already own here they are, collected on two discs. The quality is no great shakes for the most part - mostly mid-range and brittle highs, but these date from over thirty years ago, and for radio to boot. The performances in many cases are a bit suspect as well; in some cases the instrumental sections sound identical to the studio versions with live vocals added. I think the Moodies did occasionally do this, considering how dense their studio recordings were it's no wonder. Other tracks however are totally live . . . they're ragged compared to the studio counterparts but have a wonderful energy that makes them a treasure on their own terms.

The studio albums are definitely the best way to acquaint one's self with these songs if you haven't already, but for the hardcore fan this is a very worthwhile release to add to the library.

A Christmas Gift Long Overdue!.......2007-05-26

Just as I was about to post a scathing review criticising the way the BBC material was spread out among the new deluxe editions, I saw this upcoming release and smiled. It's like waking up one morning and finding a gift from some Christmas long ago that you knew was there but couldn't find. For years I have been wondering why the Moodies haven't released their BBC sessions like artists such as Hendrix, Cream, Jack Bruce, The Who, The Beatles, Zeppelin, and even Kaleidoscope have done. Then I saw that they were releasing the material but you have to buy the original albums (which most of us have done more than once)again to get it all. Finally, in one complete volume, is everything that was salvaged from the vaults. It's like the Moodies reunited completely, jumped in a time machine, and made a new album for a new millenium. I am giddy in expectation of this collection!

Average customer rating:

every good boy deserves favour
Excellent! Great! Beautiful! Delightful! Fantastic! ~ Deluxe Edition!:)
INTENSE re-mastering...
Quadraphonic realized!
There's More...(We Hope) !!

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Seventh Sojourn
Live at the BBC: 1967-1970
Question of Balance
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ASIN: B000MGVCFO
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

Procession
Story in Your Eyes
Our Guessing Game
Emily's Song
After You Came
One More Time to Live
Nice to Be Here
You Can Never Go Home
My Song
Story in Your Eyes [Original Version][#][*][Version]
Dreamer [#][*]

Customer Reviews:

every good boy deserves favour.......2007-07-10

in the 1960's and early 1970's the moody blues were in a league of there own for inspired, inticate and creative popular music. This album continued the high standard of there earlier albums. This album in SACD is superb and the standard of production is stunning and lends itself brilliantly to this remastering technology. It sounds as if the band is present and performing in front of you.

Excellent! Great! Beautiful! Delightful! Fantastic! ~ Deluxe Edition!:).......2007-06-28

*The following comments are in regard to the bonus tracks on this release. To read my opinions on the original content of this album, check out my review under:
"Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered

Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...

"The Story in Your Eyes" (Original version):
Either this was a slightly slowed-down version of the final version or the final version was speeded up a tad ... Either way, a nice job on the heavy mellotrons on the choruses. The vocals made the song sound like a BBC remake, featuring the original instrumental track. At the end of the track, you can hear a voice that sounds like Denny Laine chanting in falsetto (Ala "From The Bottom Of My Heart, I Love You" from "The Magnificent Moodies"), but it's hard to tell who's voice it really is! A really catchy version of this rockin' Justin Hayward classic. :)

"The Dreamer:"
This composition, featuring Ray Thomas on vocals, would have fitted nicely on his "Hopes, Wishes, And Dreams" album, as the music style sounds closer to his solo effort than a Moody Blues song ... Still, it's an impressive haunting and driving tune, and makes for a nice "Thomas Trilogy" on this release, along with his two "E.G.B.D.F." compositions, all unique in sound, but all fantastic in their own way. :)

*Something I forgot to add to my original review of this album was that the opening chant of "DESOLATION," from "Procession," would make for an amusing ring tone for a cell phone, if there isn't already a sound file of this available! Imagine hearing this on somebody's phone while waiting on line at the bank or grocery store?! :)

Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

INTENSE re-mastering..........2007-04-24

This review is based on the CD portion of the disc only.

If you are hoping these "deluxe editions" will sound even better than the re-mastered discs of `97 you will be disappointed. The old re-masters sound much more pleasant to the ears than these "deluxe" discs. Doing a side by side comparison, using top of the line monitors, these "deluxe" versions don't come close to the last round of re-masters which breath much better. The "deluxe" versions have been once again aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the middle to later stages of the album (depending on the album), you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix, which is a sign of over compressing. Has the music industry gone compression mad? Or, were the Moodies worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) lacked musical muscle, and super charging it with heavy compression is the answer? Or even both?

The bonus tracks were interesting to hear, but not really important unless you are a Moodies fanatic. The booklet's in this "deluxe" series were all a little redundant, you'll be reading a lot of the same text from booklet to booklet, and the picture selection was a bit lacking in imagination in my opinion. Also, it states in the booklet, there's a track 12 which wasn't to be found on my disc.

In conclusion, after hearing all of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still look and sound great. Perhaps the other two layers of these "deluxe editions" will be rewarding, but if you still haven't bought any of these yet, you are way ahead of the game.

Quadraphonic realized!.......2007-04-21

This gem from 1971 includes some of the Moody Blues best works. The stand-out cut for this hybrid SACD is the amazing, "Procession", in which the Moodies attempted to document the progression of music through the years. In stereo, it was always a revelation, but in surround sound the original quadraphonic mix is reproduced with exquisite clarity and definition. The song literally dances around the room. The entire album exudes new life through this new mix - however, the center speaker does not emit sound; only the four individual speakers (left and right front and left and right rear), plus the subwoofer. The unreleased bonus tracks are a welcome surprise, with the original version of, "The Story In Your Eyes" at an extra half minute added. It's more of a `free' mix towards the end sounding more like a tight `jam'. The Hayward/Thomas addition of "The Dreamer" is a pleasant song and this is the first time it has been available. Note that the bonus tracks are in stereo only; an unexplained mystery on an album mixed for multi-channels. Also note that the bonus song, "After you Came" listed on the booklet does not exist on the CD - a major faux-paus!

Please note that all Moody Blues Hybrid SACD's do not reproduce the front central channel - a result of the original quadraphonic tape mixing

There's More...(We Hope) !!.......2007-04-14

I love this recording, and it's (at least) twice as good in Quadraphonic ! Thank you, Polygram ! If you're a Moodies fan, BUY IT ! 'Nuf said-you know you're getting a gem here...But you might not know this---- Where's the SACD re-issue in 5.1 of "Blue Jays" by Justin Hayward and John Lodge ? Still to come ? and soon (I hope) ? We need to make some noise, fellow fans...BECAUSE-It was briefly available as a Quadraphonic 4 channel reel-to-reel tape, just as all the Moody Blues albums through "Seventh Sojourn" except "Magnificent Moodies" (1st LP) and "In Search of the Lost Chord" (3rd LP) were. Well, ALL the Moody multi-channels have been re-issued as SACDs, so where's the re-issue in 5.1 of "Blue Jays" ? THIS ALBUM WAS THE BEST MULTI-CHANNEL RELEASE by ANY artist I'VE EVER HEARD ! Also, Ray Thomas' "From Mighty Oaks" was a matrix-encoded Quadraphonic LP record release, so there should be some discrete master tapes of that in the vaults, too...Let's hope we see SACD re-issues of both of these wonderful 'solo' releases, as well !

Average customer rating:

ABSOLUTELY SUPERB EDITION

Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Alan Parsons
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000OFP8O4
Release Date: 2007-05-07

Tracks:

Dream Within a Dream [Instrumental]
Raven
Tell-Tale Heart
Cask of Amontillado
(The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether
Fall of the House of Usher: Prelude [Instrumental]
Fall of the House of Usher: Arrival [Instrumental]
Fall of the House of Usher: Intermezzo [Instrumental]
Fall of the House of Usher: Pavane [Instrumental]
Fall of the House of Usher: Fall [Instrumental]
To One in Paradise
Raven [Original Demo][*]
Edgar [Demo of an Unreleased Track] [*]
Orson Welles Radio Spot [*]
Interview with Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson [1976][*]

Tracks:

Dream Within a Dream [1987 Remix][Instrumental]
Raven [1987 Remix]
Tell-Tale Heart [1987 Remix]
Cask of Amontillado [1987 Remix]
(The System Of) Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether [1987 Remix]
Fall of the House of Usher: Prelude [1987 Remix]
Fall of the House of Usher: Arrival [1987 Remix]
Fall of the House of Usher: Intermezzo [1987 Remix]
Fall of the House of Usher: Pavane [1987 Remix]
Fall of the House of Usher: Fall [1987 Remix]
To One in Paradise [1987 Remix]
Eric's Guide Vocal Medley [*]
Orson Welles Dialogue [*]
Sea Lions in the Departure Lounge: Sound Effects and Experiments [*]
GBH Mix: Unreleased Experiments [#][*]

Album Description

2007 digitally remastered two CD Deluxe Edition of the debut album from the Alan Parsons Project. featuring the original 1976 mix of the album, the 1987 remix and eight previously unreleased bonus tracks! Recorded at Abbey Road in 1975 and released in 1976, the idea for the Project came from manager and writer Eric Woolfson, who saw his role as an auteur, bringing together some of the greatest talents in music to bring to life Poe's sinister, gothic tales. Enlisting the white-hot production whiz-kid Alan Parsons, fresh from his work with Wings and Pink Floyd, the duo set about making dreams reality. The album remains a singular, compelling work and can be seen as a bridge between Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon and Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds. Universal.

Album Details

2007 Digitally Remastered Double CD Deluxe Edition of the Album Classic that Remastered by Alan Parsons Himself and Partner Eric Woolfson. This Special Package Includes the Remastered Original 1976 Edition, the 1987 Remix (Which Incorporated Dialogue by Orson Welles!) and Eight Previously Unreleased Tracks. Recorded at Abbey Road in 1975 and Released in 1976, the Idea for the Alan Parsons Project Came from Manager and Writer Eric Woolfson, who Saw his Role as an Auteur, Bringing Together Some of the Greatest Talents in Music to Bring to Life to Edgar Allan Poe's Sinister, Gothic Tales. Woolfson Enlisted the White-hot Production Whiz-kid, Fresh from his Work with Wings and Pink Floyd, to Set About Making Dreams Reality. This Spectacular Debut Recording Remains a Singular, Compelling Rock Musical Work that was a Clearly Logical Step for Parsons to Take on his Own after the Accolades of "Dark Side of the Moon".

Customer Reviews:

ABSOLUTELY SUPERB EDITION.......2007-07-02

This set caps the re-release of the first four AP-supervised remastered titles (three more to follow in September '07, and the final three in December).

For this edition, for the first time on CD, we finally get the original 1976 mix of the album that started it all. While I definitely prefer the '87 remix, there are passages in the original I also enjoy, so it's great to finally be able to compare the two, especially in glorious, remastered form.

In the additional material, there are two excellent spoken-word pieces: One, Orson Welles' entire original recitation, sans music/effects, and also a very enjoyable 1976 radio interview with AP and EW.

The booklet is a wonderful, detailed labor of love, with a great essay.

If you're an APP fan, this is an absolute must-own.

Average customer rating:

Their Best Album
Mike Pinder's Lost World
"Seventh Heaven," Deluxe Edition! :)
CD vs. SACD...some people just don't get it...
INTENSE re-mastering...

Seventh Sojourn
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Live at the BBC: 1967-1970
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Question of Balance
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ASIN: B000MGVCFY
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

Lost in a Lost World
New Horizons
For My Lady
Isn't Life Strange
You and Me
Land of Make Believe
When You're a Free Man
I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
Isn't Life Strange [Original Version][#][*]
You and Me [Beckthorns Backing Track][#][*]
Lost in a Lost World [Instrumental Demo][#][*]
Island [#][*]

Customer Reviews:

Their Best Album.......2007-06-06

If you ever want to try out a album by The Moody Blues. Get this one, this is & forever will be the best album ever released by the band. If you want to go one step further, get the SACD version containing bonus tracks. Every track is a classic. Search Judemac Forever on msn

Mike Pinder's Lost World.......2007-05-25

If anything, this final CD reissue of the Moody Blues initial seven records will remind the listener how vital Mike Pinder was to the Moody Blues. On each track of Seventh Sojourn, his arrangements come to fore, his stamp is on each track. The wispy figure in "New Horizons", the swirls in "You and me" and "Singer in a rock and roll band", the thick flute sounds of "My Lady". These are some of Pinders most imaginative moments in Moody Blues history.
He also provides the much-needed edge on this release, compensating for the rather sedate predecessor "Every Good Boy". On Seventh Pinder uses a Chamberlain to great effect, producing a cleaner, brighter, less murky sound than the mellotron used on subsequent recordings. Pinder also opts for one of the few bona-fide Justin Hayward guitar solo's (and a memorable one) on his composition "When You're a Free Man".
"Seventh" was recorded during a period of band fatigue. Like the Beatles, they had spent most of the early adult life together. The liner notes detail the unusual length of time (for the Moodies) spent in 1972 on completing this eight song album.
Fans will not want to miss the 4 bonus tracks. The never before released 8 minute version of "Life Strange' is the first highlight- opening with a piano count in omitted in the standard release. The clarity of this version is better, one can hear the pump organ breathing and wheezing through the track. . However, the big surprise is when after the oboe fade sequence Pinder's Chamberlain swoops in to begin a 2 minute instrumental section. As is, it seems to have been left unfinished-to these ears, it seems to have been laid down as the background for a big guitar solo. It's assumed the band decided to leave this section off the track before atempting overdubs.
The "Lost World" instrumental demo is another revelation and the highlight of this release. It opens quite differently than the released version with a prominent, ominous guitar riff, and has a slight 70s soul sound to it. (Not too surprising, considering Pinders r&b roots.) The drumming also has more of a soul feel to it, and it really stands as a track on its on-it would fit nicely into a soundtrack.
"Island" appears to be an abandoned track with a scratch vocal, the chorus is not developed, (Justin Hayward scats this section) and what remains is a basic backing track with a neat ascending Chamberlain figure that repeats in intensity until the end of the track. What is also interesting about this track is that the band recorded this as early as Feb 1973- only a few months after "Seventh Sojourn" had hit the top of the charts. The liner notes make no mention of any other recording attempts after "Island" and after a long lull of seeming inactivity the band embarked on a world tour (perhaps obliged by contractual reasons) in Sept. 1973 ending in Feb. 74 in San Francisco.
One hopes a live concert from one of the 74 concerts is eventually released. The song selection was challenging (the concert opened with "Higher and Higher" which morphed into "Out and In", and numbers such as "Eternity Road", "One More Time to Live","Watching and Wating" and an extended "Legend of a Mind" were performed.)

"Seventh Heaven," Deluxe Edition! :).......2007-05-20

*The following comments are in regard to the bonus tracks on this release. To read my opinions on the original content of this album, check out my review under:
"Seventh Sojourn" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered

Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...

"Isn't Life Strange" (Original Version):
The piano "count in" was a surprise, as I don't believe a piano was anywhere to be heard on the final version of the song! The instrumental break, that was edited out of the final version, was beautifully executed and reminded me of "The Voyage" from "On The Threshold Of A Dream" (In certain places) and "The Word (Mellotron mix)" from the Deluxe Edition of "In Search Of The Lost Chord," in true Mike Pinder mellotron style! The fadeout is extended a little further, so we can hear The Moodies singing a tad more than on the final version of the song. :)

"You and Me" (Beckthorns Backing Track):
This version of the song blew me away with the keyboard tracks in place of the vocals ... To me, the instrumentation sounded similar to the mellotrons heard on "The World Today," from Mike Pinder's 1994 release, "Among The Stars." The extra instrumentation, that was edited out of the finished product, was a treat, as well! Sounds like background music that could be used during a Moody Blues radio interview. :)

"Lost in a Lost World" (Instrumental Demo):
The haunting electric guitars, in place of the vocals, really grabbed my attention on this version of the song ... This riff sounds more like David Gilmour's style (Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason," in places) than Justin Hayward's! What a wickedly beautiful sound! :)

"Island:"
Until this reissue came along, this amazing unreleased gem would have made a fine bonus track to Justin Hayward's "Songwriter." The tune also reminds me of something Justin would have come up with for "A Question Of Balance," had The Moodies created the song at that time. More magnificent mellotron/Chamberlain playing from Mike Pinder, yet again! "Island" definitely has that "'Classic 7' Moody Blues" feel to it. :)

Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "Seventh Sojourn," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

CD vs. SACD...some people just don't get it..........2007-04-26

The focus of this review is sound quality only; as such, it is restricted to the SACD version/disc on this two-disc package. The only reason to pay the cost of these reissues (I suspect most true fans have already bought the five albums released last year) is the high resolution available via the SACD format. If we take for granted that you have the necessary hardware to properly decode/playback this format, then these reissues are well worth the extra cost, as they reveal greater dynamic range, increased resolution and 'air', and a far deeper and wider soundstage (even through two channels). By the way, these are NOT 5.1, but 4.1 (they were sourced from the quad mixes, remember?). Some of the very minor audio drawbacks that plagued the DVD-A 'Perceptions' box-set by the Doors (see my review there for more details) are also present here, but overall, this SACD offers sound quality that comes about as close to the warmth of fine analog as the digital format currently allows. Remember, these recordings (these comments can be extended to include the SACD version of 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favor') are 35+ years old. By the way, the only "compression" I noticed was when I wore my headphones too tight, so I'm at a loss to explain the observation expressed elsewhere; perhaps Home-Theatre-In-A-Box strikes again, who knows?

INTENSE re-mastering..........2007-04-24

This review is based on the CD portion of the disc only.

If you are hoping these "deluxe editions" will sound even better than the re-mastered discs of `97 you will be disappointed. The old re-masters sound much more pleasant to the ears than these "deluxe" discs. Doing a side by side comparison, using top of the line monitors, these "deluxe" versions don't come close to the last round of re-masters which breath much better. The "deluxe" versions have been once again aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the middle to later stages of the album (depending on the album), you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix, which is a sign of over compressing. For example, the song "For My Lady" seems to have lost all it's relaxed nature and Ray's vocals were lost in the mix! Has the music industry gone compression mad? Or, were the Moodies worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) lacked musical muscle, and super charging it with heavy compression is the answer? Or both?

The bonus tracks were very interesting to hear, but not really important unless you are a Moodies fanatic. The booklet's in this "deluxe" series are all a little redundant, you'll be reading a lot of the same text from booklet to booklet. The picture selection was a bit lacking in imagination. It appears that the people responsible for the booklets went with one photo session. Is that lazy or boring?

In conclusion, after hearing all of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still sound great. Perhaps the other two layers of these "deluxe editions" will be rewarding, but if you still haven't bought any of these yet, you are way ahead of the game.

Average customer rating:

Simply amazing!
hallelujah! finally, this masterpiece gets the remastering it deserved.
The best this landmark classic has sounded on CD!!! This great remastered Sony/BMG 2-CD Set is Out-Bloody-Rageous!!!

Third
Soft Machine
Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fourth
Fifth
Six
Seven
Fish Rising

ASIN: B000H8RWCE
Release Date: 2007-03-05

Tracks:

Facelift [Live]
Slightly All the Time
Moon in June
Out-Bloody-Rageous

Tracks:

Out-Bloody-Rageous [Live][*]
Facelift [Live][*]
Esther's Nose Job: Pig/Orange Skin Food/A Door Opens and Closes/Pigling

Album Details

Includes the Remastered Four Track Original Album plus a Bonus Disc of a a BBC Live Session from the Royal Albert Hall.

Customer Reviews:

Simply amazing!.......2007-04-01

While always a big fan of the first two Soft Machine albums (as well as the early recordings issued as 'Jet Propelled Photographs'), they started to lose me as the rock became jazz. Time moves on, however, and I am now fully in love with 'Third'! It grew on me over the years, but with this amazing new remaster, it now sits alongside those first two as an equal yet very different animal. 'Moon In June' is still the tops here featuring the genius of Robert Wyatt, while 'Out Bloody Rageous' is simply breathtaking. The sound on this re-issue is just fantastic--so clear and sharp! The bonus disc of BBC recordings is a wonderful addition and a very nice booklet too. Highly recommended!!

hallelujah! finally, this masterpiece gets the remastering it deserved........2007-03-19

one of the first scribblings i ever put out on amazon was a cry for somebody to remaster this great album. the original cd version had about as bad a sound quality to it that you can get. now that egregious error has been corrected. this masterpiece is finally available in a rich wonderful sound. and you even get liner notes and a bonus disc of a live performance done at a classic music festival broadcast on bbc 3 in 1970, the same year this album was recorded. soft machine took their name from a william burroughs novel, and nowhere else in their discography does that seem more appropriate than on this recording. the sounds here (which are an energetic fusion of avante-garde jazz and wildly creative rock) are completely iconoclastic in spirit, just as mr burroughs novels are in the world of literature. there is a pure vibrant joy of self-expression that blasts forth from this music. i can listen to it again and again and it always sounds new and fresh. soft machine made several excellent albums, but this is their best. a true masterpiece of cutting edge art.

The best this landmark classic has sounded on CD!!! This great remastered Sony/BMG 2-CD Set is Out-Bloody-Rageous!!!.......2007-03-11

This is the best that Soft Machine's "Third" album has ever sounded on CD!!!This great import 2-CD set from Sony/BMG includes the landmark classic double album on Disc 1(all four classic side long compositions!) , And a bonus live concert Recorded At The Royal Albert Hall on Disc 2(originally released as "Live at the Proms on the Reckless label")!!! This release puts other CD editions of "Third" to shame!!! It sounds that good!!! For example,you can hear the sqeak of Robert Wyatt's bass drum petal on his composition "Moon In June" and Hugh Hopper's "Facelift" has much improved sonics,stuff like that!!! Every one of these side long classics sounds awesome!!! And the bonus live CD is the icing on the cake!!! Also includes a cool booklet full of great photos and detailed liner notes!!! The sound is much more fuller and full of detail,thanks 24-bit remastering from the original tapes!!! An awesome release!!! Two thumbs up!!! Way up!!! A+

Average customer rating:

culture
Superlative Remastering

Vulture Culture
Alan Parsons Project
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Eye in the Sky
I Robot
Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Ammonia Avenue
Eve

ASIN: B000JLQSWE
Release Date: 2007-03-12

Tracks:

Let's Talk About Me
Seperate Lives
Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)
Sooner or Later
Vulture Culture
Hawkeye
Somebody out There
Same Old Sun
No Answers Only Questions [Final Version][*]
Separate Lives [Alternative Mix][*]
Hawkeye [*][Demo Version]
Naked Vulture [*]
No Answers Only Questions [The First Attempt][*]

Album Details

2007 Digitally Remastered and Expanded Edition of the Alan Parsons Classic Album that was Originally Released in 1985. Originally Meant to Be the Second Disc of "Ammonia Avenue", this Album Ended Up Being Released a Year after that Opus. "Sooner Or Later" was to Be the Single to Market Via Top 40 Radio, but Things Didn't Turn Out that Way. This Edition Adds Five Tracks to the Original Nine with Demo and Alternate Versions to Maximize Use of the Compact Disc Format.

Customer Reviews:

culture.......2007-05-23

Long after the Alan Parson Project has disbanded, I have
discovered Vulture Culture. Wonderful, meaningful lyrics.
A must have.

Superlative Remastering.......2007-03-31

The sonics on this remastered disc are a little better than the newly remastered "Eye in the Sky". Probably because this LP came out a few years later, and I believe this is an import from Germany. Hawkeye is the cherry of the set. Clean, crisp, full sounding. I only wish this would come out in hi-rez 5.1 multichannel sound. All songs by Alan Parsons should be experienced in surround.

Average customer rating:

Great Album
INTERESTING ALBUM
A great buy for any lover of this band
a perfect album
Soundtrack for a Quest - A review for those new to Camel

The Snow Goose
Camel
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Mirage
Moonmadness
Camel
Rain Dances
In the Land of Grey and Pink

ASIN: B00005V1B2
Release Date: 2002-06-10

Tracks:

The Great Marsh
Rhayader
Rhayader Goes To Town
Sanctuary
Fritha
The Snow Goose
Friendship
Migration
Rhayader Alone
Flight Of The Snow Goose
Preparation
Dunkirk
Epitaph
Fritha Alone
La Princesse Perdue
The Great Marsh
Flight Of The Snow Goose (Single Edit)
Rhayader (Single Edit)
Flight Of The Snow Goose (Alternate Single Edit)
Rhayader Goes To Town
The Snow Goose/Freefall

Album Description

UK reissue of 1975 album, remastered from the original tapes & includes 5 previously unreleased bonus tracks 'Flight of the Snow Goose' (single edit), 'Rhayader' (single edit), 'Flight of the Snow Goose' (alternate single edit), 'Rhayader Goes To Town' (recorded live at The Marquee Club) & 'The Snow Goose/Freefall' (recorded live at The Marquee Club). 2002.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered and Restored Edition of the Progressive Rock Classic and Camel's Best Selling Album Ever. The Regular Tracks of the Album Are Now Augmented with Three Studio Rarities and Two Songs Recorded Live at the Marquee Club in London.

Customer Reviews:

Great Album.......2007-06-29

Why don't they make albums like this any more? It is a fantastic achievement. I have listened to this so many times and I still hear things I never heard before. The is a complexity that is very listenable - a great combination. Highly recommended for someone that likes to really listen to an album.

INTERESTING ALBUM.......2007-06-13

The flutes are nice, the rythm is hypnotic, it's overall a good CD. I give it four instead of five, 'cause I try to give artists incentive to make THE BEST MUSIC POSSIBLE and if the artist just so happens to be reading this, hopefully they won't be coddled into thinking they've made some kind of masterpiece...this album is not a masterpiece. I bought it 'cause I liked the idea of a fully instrumental prog rock album, and for what it is, it's not at all bad. It's a little more laid back then I would like, but it's not boring or whatever...

A great buy for any lover of this band.......2007-06-13

A great buy for any lover of this band

a perfect album.......2007-06-06

I totally agree with the reviewer below- anyone who has played the Legend of Zelda, or any RPG video game for their Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft consoles will probably love this album. I grew up a BIG Zelda fan and absolutely think this album is great. About four years ago I recommended this album to a huge Zelda fan and she said "the music was pretty".

In fact, everything Camel did in the 70's is incredible. They are a band that really means something to me on a personal level. I don't know what it is- something about the way the band members make sure every musical instrument they play is perfectly in tone, and the way everything comes across so beautifully every time really shows me just how talented they are. Whether it's the flutes, keyboards, organs, guitars, mellotrons, bass or drums, everything sounds as perfect as can possibly be. What a band.

The Snow Goose is just one of many great Camel albums. They really are a band that's impossible to hate. I seriously mean that. You CANNOT hate them. It doesn't matter if you hate progressive rock, or hate rock and roll as a whole- you will like this album. Try to pick up the version with the bonus tracks.

My only complaint is that they opted not to put on a live version of "Dunkirk" that is TOTALLY awesome. It makes me think about giant castle doors closing shut (you know, those bridge things that are connected to castles that pull up and slam shut- think Bugs Bunny!)

Anyway, pick up this album right away. It's worth it. You will agree with me and all the other reviewers. We're praising the album because it really is THAT good. I guarantee it.

Soundtrack for a Quest - A review for those new to Camel.......2007-05-06

I'm not a music reviewer, and I don't pretend to be. This CD was my introduction to Camel. I gave the samples on this page a listen because Amazon recommended Camel based on all my King Crimson purchases (and oh, how I love KC). Amazon got it right this time.

As a disaffected teenager I would have said a "rock" album (and I use the term loosely with this album) without words was boring, but I learned better when I discovered progressive rock. Yes, there are no words on this album, but it is PERFECT without words. Not many bands can pull this off. This is the kind of music that when you hear it, a smile comes to your lips. I am so genuinely happy listening to some of the songs on this album (try "Rhayader" and "Rhayader Goes to Town" first). Even the "darker songs" without the flute melody make me smile, they are just that amazing. No amount of rearrangement could make them any better.

When I listen to this album, my mind goes back to being a 10-year-old playing the Legend of Zelda, Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy, or Quest for Glory all summer long. You can imagine running through fields with your sword and shield, ready to fight off the monsters, on a quest to save the princess ("La Princesse Perdue"). If there was a soundtrack for an adventure, this would be it. Yes, there is a story behind the album, but you don't need to know it to genuinely enjoy these songs.

A note to the wise: Listen to the album all the way though. I honestly can't put my finger on which song I like best because they fit together so nicely - I feel like I'm ruining it trying to take it apart. A story is not as good when you only read one page (unless it was badly written to begin with).

What I wanted to get across in this review was, if you are a fan of talented musicians, progressive rock, folk, and adventure games, you WILL enjoy this album. Even friends who never even heard of prog-rock liked it, although they were less happy about the lack of lyrics. But who cares? Please, give this album a shot. It is *amazing* and you won't regret it.

Light Years: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra

Average customer rating:

AN AMAZING REMASTERED ELO COLLECTION...........
THE BEST ELO GREATEST HITS COLLECTION
Catchy pop with classical touches
A GREAT Album, but........
Entrancing stuff

Light Years: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Very Best Of Supertramp
The Definitive Collection
Retrospectacle: The Supertramp Anthology
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Kinks (The Ultimate Collection)

ASIN: B000007VFD
Release Date: 1997-11-17

Tracks:

Turn to Stone
Evil Woman
Livin' Thing
Twilight
Telephone Line
Four Little Diamonds
Xanadu
Last Train to London
Strange Magic
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Confusion
Rock & Roll Is King
Way Life's Meant to Be
Can't Get It Out of My Head
Secret Messages
Calling America
Don't Walk Away
Don't Bring Me Down
Mr. Blue Sky

Tracks:

Sweet Talkin' Woman
I'm Alive
Shine a Little Love
Ticket to the Moon
Illusions in G Major
So Serious
Nightrider
All Over the World
Here Is the News
Diary of Horace Wimp
Across the Border
Showdown
Hold on Tight
Wild West Hero
Do Ya
10538 Overture
Getting to the Point
Rockaria!
Roll Over Beethoven

Album Description

1997 compilation on Epic in a double slimline jewel case. Features 38 tracks, including all 20 U.S. top 40 hits: 7in edits of 'Strange Magic' & 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head',7inversions of the other 18, plus 'Secret Messages' (Special Version from the LP), 'Across The Border' (EP Version) and 7in edits of 'Ma Ma Ma Belle','Nightrider', '10538 Overture'and 'Roll Over Beethoven'. The full title is 'Lightyears: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra'.

Album Details

Nice Price Double CD. 38 Tracks Including Evil Woman, Xanadu, Sweet Talkin Woman, Livin Thing and More.

Customer Reviews:

AN AMAZING REMASTERED ELO COLLECTION..................2006-11-25

This cd collection of Elo greatest hits is not in chronological order, but it really does'nt matter.There are some edited versions of songs but I really believe Jeff Lynn put alot of care into this remastered gem. These two cds sounds so awesome that the edits really don't take alot out of this collection. Jeff Lynn believed each Elo song should be treated like a single, each single given the time and effort and care to make each single song stand out in it's own way,weather you love or hate the song, Jeff Lynn had that philosophy. This Elo collection defines that Jeff Lynn philosophy. I listen to this collection and I am just amazed at the skill and craftmanship of Jeff Lynn and Elo. Jeff truly is one of Englands greatest single hit makers. This collection is better than the Elo box sets that have been released in the last 16 or so years. the sound quality of these cds is incredibly pristine. This music may sound like gooey 1970s bubblegum music to some, but to me it is amazingly creative structured music that is catchy with rythm and spiritual form. I have to admit when I hear some of these Elo songs I have to crack a smile. Jeff Lynn and the rest of Elo put alot of pride into each song they ever created, this collection shows that. A true must have for Elo fans and music fans in general. The remastering on this cd set is incredible. Note: Jeff Lynn in 1994-1995 engineered for the three remaining Beatles at the time with "Free as a bird" and "True Love", this shows you the respect even the remaining Beatles had for Jeffs amazing talent.............

THE BEST ELO GREATEST HITS COLLECTION.......2006-05-26

This collection is well worth it. I Highly recommend "LIGHT YEARS" to any fan of the Electric Light Orchestra.The amount of songs compaired to other compilations is hard to beat.

Catchy pop with classical touches.......2004-10-29

Electric Light Orchestra was one of the UK's most consistent and successful bands of the 1970s. They had a long string of hits throughout that decade and the first part of the next one. Their sound was characterised by plush harmonies, loads of strings and catchy tunes. These 38 tracks include the overwhelming majority of their hits from the 1970s and the early 1980s plus some great album tracks. My favourites include Livin' Thing with its captivating fiddle, the addictive Sweet Talkin' Woman, the rousing Turn To Stone and others like Wild West Hero Don't Bring Me Down, Mr Blue Sky and 10538 Overture. It may sound like lightweight pop, but it is a skilfully honed, intelligent and cleverly produced style with classical flourishes that always remained accessible. If you like catchy pop with a touch of the orchestral, this album's for you.

A GREAT Album, but...............2004-01-08

Again this is one of ELO's best, with ALOT of their best songs on it, but if you paid the " outragious " price here that Amazon is charging you, then you've been royally ripped off.....sorry.FYE's is selling this same album for $24.00 and change.It is a good album though.

Entrancing stuff.......2001-08-12

My,my,what a diverse taste in music I have.Part of it extends to this heavily enjoyable assortion of superb musical numbers.Particular favourites include the funky,fusion noted number Evil Woman,the jolty,unforgettable Mr.Blue Sky,the brilliant Last Train to London and the heavy bass number Confusion.Born,bred and based in Birmingham myself,it makes me proud such musical talent could emerge from my home city.Definitely one of the best bands of the '70's,and significantly make us remember the decade.I thoroughly recommend this product.

Average customer rating:

Best of Art Garfunkel
Superb voice, brilliant compilation
Second Avenue?
Art- He`s Simply the Best
Simply the Best, Indeed!

The Best of Art Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Some Enchanted Evening
Angel Clare
Watermark
Breakaway
Garfunkel

ASIN: B00000JZY4
Release Date: 1998-09-28

Tracks:

Bright Eyes
Break Away
I Believe(When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)
Disney Girls
Miss You Nights
She Moved Through The Fair
Scissors Cut
Since I Don't Have You
Watermark
Wonderful World(What A)
When A Man Loves A Woman
Looking For The Right One
I Only Have Eyes For You
Crying In The Rain(Duet With James Taylor)
Another Lullaby
99 Miles From L.A.
A Heart In New York
Saturday Suit
Why Worry
Crying In My Sleep

Album Description

20 of his finest solo recordings, including 'Bright Eyes' &the U.S. chart hits 'Since I Don't Have You', 'Break Away','A Heart In New York', 'I Only Have Eyes For You' and '(WhatA) Wonderful World' with James Taylor & Paul Simon. Slimlinejewel case. 1998 Sony release.

Album Details

20 track budget collection that spans his career. Not available in USA.

Customer Reviews:

Best of Art Garfunkel.......2006-07-31

A strong set, all his best. Simon could not have made it without Garfunkel's voice.

Superb voice, brilliant compilation.......2005-02-28

Art's musical partnership with Paul Simon broke up partly because Art wanted to focus more on acting, although it may be that Paul (who wrote their songs) was jealous of the attention given to Art (whose voice was superior to Paul's) for singing classics such as Bridge over troubled water. Whatever the causes of the split, Art spent much less time in the recording studio after the split than Paul did. Thus, this compilation draws on far fewer albums than a corresponding compilation of Paul's music. Still, there's plenty of quality in the music here.

Originally written in the thirties, I only have eyes for you had been revived very successfully in the fifties by the Flamingos, who had a major American hit with it. Their version didn't chart in the UK but Art took the song to the UK number one spot in 1975. Bright eyes (from Watership down) replaced Gloria Gaynor's anthemic I will survive as UK number one in 1979 and spent six weeks at the top. Art only had one other UK hit as a solo artist (Since I don't have you) - it was the follow-up to Bright eyes, but it was only a minor hit.

Elsewhere on this compilation you can find Art's excellent interpretations of other classic songs. What a wonderful world, which features Paul Simon and James Taylor, caused some to speculate on a reunion with Paul, but although there have been occasional reunions since, this recording was a one-off at the time. Break away, a top ten UK hit for its writers (Gallagher and Lyle) was a hit for Art in some other countries.

There are many other excellent tracks here - some original, some covers, although All I want (a top ten American hit) is not included. It didn't chart in Britain but with only three UK hits, it could easily have been included.

As an overview of Art's solo music, this is excellent for Brits and expatriate Brits but I suspect that Americans will opt for a different compilation - one that includes All I want.

Second Avenue?.......2002-08-14

Any recording of Art's magnificent voice is worth a listen and probably a purchase. This is a good collection of the obvious 'hits' plus a few others. My only complaint is where is the 1974 single "Second Avenue?" For serious Art fans, this is a challenging piece to track down. It's on the U. S. "Garfunkel" collection (circa 1988) in a slightly altered (shorter) form than the single. "Best of..." would have been a natural venue to include the original single, but no such luck.

Art- He`s Simply the Best.......2000-07-13

A great collection of Arts solo stuff, which include his 2 brillant chart no one`s "I Only Have Eyes For You" & "Bright Eyes." There is quite a few songs off "The Art Garfunkel Album" such as the romantic "I Believe When I Fall In Love It`ll Be For Ever" & "99 Miles From L.A." "Watermark" from the album from the same name. But surprisingly only a a couple of tracks, from the very well put together album "Fate For Breakfast." All in all it`s a great album, with a great selection of songs. So if you like chill out tunes, after a stressful day, buy this album. I can guantee, it will de-stress you.

Simply the Best, Indeed!.......2000-02-25

This Art Garfunkel "best of..." CD is far superior to the two compilations that Sony US has released ("Garfunkel" & "Up Til Now"). This generously filled package focuses on his two best solo LPs: "Breakaway", picking up 6 of the 10 tracks from that outing, and "Watermark", 5 tracks from there. There are 6 tracks pulled from his remaining LPs, which is fine as the remaining releases were uneven at best. There are also three tracks that were not from the original catalog including the excellent "Crying in the Rain", which is a wonderful duet with James Taylor, and "Why Worry" which showed up for the first time on the odd "Up Til Now" compilation, and "Another Lullaby".

The only odd thing is that Garfunkel's first solo LP, "Angel Clare", is not represented at all. It is his most "artistic" (?) album and the contrast with the "poppier" style of the rest of his material could have been a bit much. Still I think I would have at least included "All I Know" and possibly left off "When A Man Loves A Woman", the only questionable inclusion here, culled from his last and weakest effort "Lefty" (which understandably is not even available on CD.)

Tracks:

Hocus Pocus
Anonymus
House of the King
Focus [Instrumental]
Janis
Focus II
Tommy (Eruption)
Sylvia
Focus III
Harem Scarem
Mother Focus
Focus IV
Bennie Helder
Glider
Red Sky at Night
Hocus Pocus [US Single Version]

Album Description

Reissue of 1994 compilation for the Dutch progressive rock act best known for their 1973 hit single 'Hocus Pocus', featured here alongside 15 other tracks (16 in all) including the U.S. single version of 'Hocus Pocus'. 2001 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Digitally remastered compilation of their greatest hits.

Customer Reviews:

Focus - A Nice Overview Of The Band's Career.......2007-03-19

I came a bit late to the Focus bandwagon. Of course I had heard their one big US it "Hocus Pocus" which still gets classic rock airplay to this day, but I had never explored any of their albums. When we signed the band to play ProgDay 2004 I thought I should pick up a compilation and this is the one I picked. I was very pleasantly surprised. The album presents a nice overview of the band's career and the recordings have all been remasterd and sound top notch. There are two versions of "Hocus Pocus" the single which made it into the top 10 on the singles charts back in the 70's. Most of the band's other best known stuff is here too including "Sylvia", "House Of The King", "Harem Scarem" and "Focus III". The album is all instrumental with the exception of a few yodels and yelps from Thjis Van Leer. Both Van Leer and Jan Akkerman shine on their respective instruments throughout and the album switches between up tempo rockers and more mellow melodic fare. Overall this is a nice compilation and would serve as a decent into to the band's material.

Don't need anything else........2004-06-25

If you know of Focus, and are just a casual fan, then this is all you need. They definitely have more depth than just "Hocus Pocus" but in reality this is a good overview of their career.

ROCK'S MOST JAMMIN' SONG.....................PERIOD!!!!!!!!.......2004-06-23

If there exsists a more "jammin" "kick **s" "put the pedal to the metal" song out there.......I've never heard it!! Nothing comes close to this rock masterpiece. When you think they can't possibly "turn it up a another notch", they pull it off flawlessly, and never stop!!

Only "Hocus Pocus" is any good.......2004-06-08

...which is fine with me, because that was what I bought the disc for. But I just wanted to warn those who might expect a whole album of comparatively high-quality music that there's a good reason for which the group is only known for the one song. The remainder of the album alternates between attempts at ripping off Jethro Tull and ripping off Pink Floyd, but they never get anywhere near either band's skills in either the composing nor the performing sense.

"Hocus Pocus" is a fantastic hard rock song. There's nothing else in the world that's quite like it. The rest of the album never even approaches this level of hyperactive intensity. They're basically a very mellow group except during "Hocus Pocus," and thankfully, the long six-plus-minute version is the one featured, along with an odd shorter version at the end of the disc that's not mixed very well.

While there's a lot of instrumental music I love (Zappa, anyone?), I thought I should warn those expecting vocal rock that this is a completely instrumental album (unless you count the occasional "yeah" or yodel).

To sum up, then: Phenomenal title track, followed by an hour of filler.

Dutch Treat !.......2004-06-03

Has it really been over 30 years since this terrific group of musicians from Holland scored a huge success with their "Moving Waves" album, and the highly original signature tune, "Hocus Pocus" ? Time flies--but, in the case of Focus, time has been kind--their music still sounds fresh, melodic and exciting.

The band went through some personnel changes, but the key members were Thijs Van Leer ( keyboards, flute, vocals ), and guitar whiz, Jan Akkerman. I have fond memories of seeing them live in Montreal--an awesome concert.

This CD is an excellent retrospecive of their most memorable numbers. Their music was primarily instrumental,and "progressive" in the most positive sense. The "focus" here--if you'll pardon the pun--was on musicianship--these guys could really play. I suspect Akkerman and Van Leer might have had some classical training in their youth. All their well-known numbers are included--"Harem Scarem", "Sylvia", "Janis" and two different versions of "Hocus Pocus".

The 70s was an era where bands flourished who had only the most talented musicians. Later, progressive rock groups were often labelled pretentious--usually by critics who could only appreciate three-chord boogies ! Well--this "pretentious" music gave us some of the most incredible musicians rock has ever had--Steve Howe, Tony Banks, Keith Emerson, Dave Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Robert Fripp, Daryl Way and--yes--Jan Akkerman. When I hear some of the junk that is selling today, I don't know whether to laugh or cry !

OK--I'm off my soapbox ! Bottom line--Focus were easily one of the best 70s bands, and this CD is a worthy compilation. Recommended.

Music:

Music

music