Freedom Rock

freedom rock

Track Listings

1. Golden Experience

2. Project Famous

3. Golden Experience Two

4. More Difficult

5. Head of a Dragon

6. Vampires

7. Punisher

8. Tell Her I Don't Care

9. Placement in the Basement

10. Everything Opened Up

11. No Girls Allowed

12. Protest Kids

13. Freedom Rock

14. Figure It Out

15. Fighting of Fights

16. Retarded Future

Freedom Rock,Stars as Eyes,Tigerbeat6,Experimental Techno,Minimal Techno,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Freedom Rock

Average customer rating:

Mellencamp's Return to Greatness!
Surprisingly good! Good show!
Best American Album...
... it's more than a cd, nearly two !
Still rockin on Freedom's Road

Freedom's Road
John Mellencamp
Manufacturer: Universal Republic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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West
Not Too Late
10 Days Out (Blues from the Backroads)/ (CD/DVD)
Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
Van Morrison At The Movies: Soundtrack Hits

ASIN: B000KGGZXA
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Tracks:

Someday
Ghost Towns Along The Highway
The Americans
Forgiveness
Freedom's Road
Jim Crow
Our Country
Rural Route
My Aeroplane
Heaven Is A Lonely Place

Amazon.com

The heartland rocker's first album of all-new material in more than five years finds John Mellencamp in full anthem mode. This is his State of the Union address, with guitars that chime like the Byrds heralding sentiments that recall the socially-conscious 1960s, yet sound all the more pertinent today. Balancing the desolate landscape of "Ghost Towns Along the Highway," the hell-on-earth of "Rural Route," and the tolls demanded on the title track's "Freedom's Road" are the embrace of brotherhood on "Someday," the Everyman populism of "The Americans," and the soaring transcendence of "My Aeroplane." Within the context of the album's song cycle, the "Our Country" centerpiece sounds richer and more powerful than it has as a truck commercial--like a roots-rocking sequel to Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land." Mellencamp enlists Joan Baez for a duet on the protest ballad "Jim Crow," while saving his most blistering political commentary for the unlisted bonus track, "Rodeo Clown." --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Mellencamp's Return to Greatness!.......2007-07-03

Finally returning to the music that made him great, John Mellencamp nails it with this CD. Although not a Scarecrow or Jubilee, this is a solid CD which definitely harkens back to these other works. We've definitely missed him and his music. Although fans will always buy whatever he puts out, it was clear that he was trying new musical paths that didn't completely work for him until he woke up with this effort! Thanks John! You didn't forget your roots after all.

Surprisingly good! Good show!.......2007-06-27

After the all-cover TROUBLE NO MORE and the decent but weak-in-the-second-half CUTTIN' HEADS, I thought perhaps Mellencamp's muse had left for greener passages; at 56, who would've expected such a comeback? I bought this cd, thought it was pretty decent, but it hung with me; I keep coming back to it week after week (it hasn't left my car for 2 months!), and I'm listening to it constantly. The production on this record is incredible; it has a haunting sound unlike any of his other records, and the sonic quality the guys come up with are terrific, particularly with the guitar parts and the harmonies. The songs themselves are good; if he doesn't tread a lot of new ground, he doesn't sound burnt out at all; "Someday," "Freedom's Road," "My Aeroplane" and "Rural Route" are as good as anything he's done, sonically and performance wise. "Our Country" has created a lot of backlash, and if I watched tv more maybe it would annoy me too, but it would've been a top 10 single back in the day and sits quite nicely in the sequencing towards the end of the cd. This is definitely one of the best rock records of recent memory.

Best American Album..........2007-06-18

since Neil Young's Freedom back in 1989. Great music, terrific lyrics!
If you miss this one, there may not be another for years to come...
and that comes from one who not a big John Mellencamp fan.

... it's more than a cd, nearly two !.......2007-05-14

it was my first purchase with Amazon and I was impatient to ear it. unfortunately the shipment has been lost and I had to wait for another one. But it was impossible to resist to Mellencamp and I bought the cd in a music shop in the nearby town. Now I have two copies of it.

Still rockin on Freedom's Road.......2007-05-13

John Mellencamp proves he's still got the ability to evolve musically and with success. Some really interesting instrumentals and lyrics, even a couple of dark songs--if you are a Mellencamp fan, this won't disappoint you!

Average customer rating:

If I had to take but one CD to an island...
Truly fantastic, timeless music
Talk about music
Uneven with hints at what's to come
Perfect CD

40 Oz. to Freedom
Sublime
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sublime
Robbin' the Hood
Second Hand Smoke
Sublime Acoustic: Bradley Nowell & Friends
Stand by Your Van

ASIN: B000002P22
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

Waiting For My Ruca
40oz. To Freedom
Smoke Two Joints
We're Only Gonna Die For Our Arrogance
Don't Push
5446 That's My Number/Ball And Chain
Badfish
Let's Go Get Stoned
New Thrash
Scarlet Begonias
Live At E's
D.J.s
Chica Me Tipo
Right Back
What Happened
New Song
Ebin
Date Rape
Hope
KRS-One
Rivers of Babylon
Thanx

Amazon.com

Ska music has been deeply ingrained in the punk rock culture since the Clash adopted their rude boy stance near the end of the British punk invasion and the 2-Tone label put ska on the map. Suddenly, punks stopped kicking the crap out of each other long enough to dance. The debut release by Orange County, California's Sublime is a positively infectious record that marries varied styles of dub, reggae, rap, sampling, scratching, and badass dancehall ska with old-school punk overtones. Musicianship on this record is exceptionally tight, featuring Brad Nowell's innovative guitar work and bright, soulful voice. Packed with 40 oz. of rock (21 tracks) including the ultimate pot-smoking anthem "Smoke Two Joints" and the novelty hit "Date Rape." --Gail Worley

Customer Reviews:

If I had to take but one CD to an island..........2007-06-12

This would be the CD. Not only does it rock, but it just makes you want to go to the beach and chill. My favorite tracks are "Waiting For My Ruca", "40 oz. To Freedom" and "We're Only Gonna Die For Our Arrogance" (Bad Religion cover).

Sublime was one of the greatest bands of the ninties, if not the greatest ska band of all time.

Truly fantastic, timeless music.......2007-05-19

What an album!! An awesome debut from an explosive (and extremely short lived) band. This album stands the test of time. Regardless what time of the year it is when this cd comes to play my mood is instantly lifted. One of those rare albums where you don't pick and choose songs. You listen from front to back each time.

The variety of music from all out punk, to ska/reggae is fun and all are technically good. Bud and Eric keep the beat going and Brad (RIP!) comes through with some tasty riffs. When I purchased this album I was in grammar school and Sublime was just starting to get on the air. This is my benchmark album to this day. Honestly, I am huge fan of all their work and the self titled album is great. This album however just has soul. No other way to describe it. Be it cruising in my car or kicking back a couple of beers with my friends this album is often played and warmly receipted by everyone.

For anyone who does not own it or is on the fence; worry not. This album is great. I would go through my personal favorites on the album but, I think at some point and time nearly every song was my number one. Now over a decade later the songs I loved are still awesome and the songs I liked I love.

A must buy!!!

Talk about music.......2007-04-11

I can't ________ believe I waited so long to get this. I have liked Sublime, heard plenty of their songs, hits, and Date Rape, Smoke Two Joints and 40 Oz. To Freedom from this album. But these other songs are just as good. And I will admit, the lesser songs are actually better than thoss three songs (besides Date Rape).

Yeah, this is ________ music, and that's all. It has a lot for an album. Soul, rebellion, funkiness, rythem, alot. This is one of the best albums I have ever heard in a long time. Not as much as Bloodhound Gang, but this actually _________ exceeded my epectations (Cake failed bigtime).

There is not a bad song on this album, just a couple average songs and a crappy song. THe last track is kind of weak, New Trash more like noise (good thing it's only a minute long), and the Hope cover is _______ compared to the great song from The Descendants. Everything else gets two thumbs up.

OF course though, the musicans are what makes this band _______ awesome. Bud Gaugh's drumming plays second to Bradley Nowell in the music. Bradely Nowell is self explainitory, and his voice is awesome. He can actually sing. Eric has got to be one of the msot underrated bassist yet. Listen to his bass guitar on Date Rape.

If you don't have this album, check it out now. I just discovered it and I can't stop listening to it. Sorry, no new Bloodhound Gang either.

ANd cool cover.

Uneven with hints at what's to come.......2007-04-02

A fun, but uneven album. I hear hints of the great work to come on the self-titled album. Ruby Begonias is probably my highlight here. I really admire what Bradley could do when he was on his game, but I find things a little too rough for my tastes on most of this album.

Perfect CD.......2007-01-23

40 Oz. To Freedom is deftinely perfect. This is the best CD I own and I play it all the time. I am gonna keep it short here because I don't feel like typing a big reviw, but this is just amazing. Kicks off with the low Waiting For My Ruca which is abosulely great and dosen't slack off with hit songs like 40 Oz. To Freedom and Smoke Two Joints following up. Sublime just puts out amazing track after amazing track with songs like Don't Push, Date Rape, Scarlet Begonias, D.J.s, and Right Back just to name a few. Recomnedded to anyone.

Average customer rating:

My own personal epipiphany/revelation/awakening continues....
Just overrated
Bad Luck Or Bad Image Kept Them Underground,But They Are More Than A Footnote In Music History
Devo - 'Freedom Of Choice' (Warner Bros.) 4 1/2 stars
three and one-half stars

Freedom of Choice
Devo
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Duty Now for the Future
New Traditionalists
Oh, No! It's Devo
Wild Planet

ASIN: B000002KLC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Girl U Want
It's Not Right
Whip It
Snowball
Ton O' Luv
Freedom Of Choice
Gates Of Steel
Cold War
Don't You Know
That's pep!
Mr. B's Ballroom
Planet Earth

Amazon.com

While it was never determined whether those plastic things on their heads were flowerpots or collapsible drinking cups, the high-concept-minded Akron, Ohio, crew known as Devo had attracted mostly just the artsy new-wave crowd until this 1980 album brought them mass appeal. Way ahead of the video curve (they'd been making promo films since 1975), this band led by singer Mark Mothersbaugh and bassist Jerry Casale scored a huge hit with the jagged-rhythmed "Whip It," thanks in large part to a typically tongue-in-cheek video that MTV and dance clubs jumped on. The album also featured such cracked winners as "Girl U Want," "That's Pep," and the ever-caustic title track. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

My own personal epipiphany/revelation/awakening continues...........2007-07-03

....and it as clear as clarity can possibly be that my spuddies were, are and forever will be part of my journey here on Planet Earth. I have just received my very own, brand spankin' new copy of Freedom of Choice...and it's been, ooohhh...say 26 or so years since the spud that is currently engaging your overdeveloped and underutilized senses has had the pleasure of hearing the sweet, starchy musings of the brightest bunch of hominids ever to realize the benefits (and trappings) of the opposable thumb and advanced prefrontal cortex! Things have truly come full circle for myself, just the spud boy that I be...and the feeling is the closest sensation to 'euphoria' that I have ever experienced; real or imagined, artificial or genuine. Gratitude is not a big enough term...
For if Devo were a drink, I would drink it.
For if Devo were a food, I would eat it.
For Devo is an idea...and I will do all a spud can do to absorb it. So may the pores of the inquisitive be saturated and those of the ignorant be purged. For Devo supplies the tunes that the ganglia may dance.
Is this the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?
Is it Devolution or is it Derevolution?
What does it take...to do The Super Thing?
First one must open their eyes....

Let go the ego, and see the World for the first time...for all hope can never truly be lost, only misplaced.

'....Where pleasure follows pain
People go insane
Fly around in planes
Pray that it won't rain
Drive around in cars
Get drunk in local bars
Dream of being stars
For this I lived all my life on Planet Earth????????!!!!!!'

Just overrated.......2006-08-28

I own Devo's first four albums, and have heard some of 'Oh No it's Devo. Haven't really decided on that album, but of the first four, I believe 'freedom of choice' to be the worst. With poor sound quality on this CD aside, I find the production on the part of Robert Margoullef to be quite unpleasant, and at times annoying. The guitars are very quiet, while the synthesisers have an almost cyber-medieval sound. On the part of the vocals, Mark Mothersbaugh has a very limited range on this album, which is quite frustrating. I think that about half the album is enjoyable, such as 'Whip It', 'Planet Earth', 'Cold War', 'Don't you know' and 'Gates of steel'. On the other hand, the rest of the album ranges from mediocre to plain awful, the worst being 'Ton of luv', 'It's not right' and 'Girl u want'. This is a very popular album, and I just can't see why.

Bad Luck Or Bad Image Kept Them Underground,But They Are More Than A Footnote In Music History.......2006-03-12

My friends reaction to Devo the first time they saw them was that they were the wierdest band they ever saw. This was the Energy Dome stage. "Whip It" was cutting edge. Now it is a song for kids. The album was titled Freedom Of Choice and they seemed to champion this idea, to conform to the corporate image, yet the verses describe a situation where the subject goes crazy trying to make a decision. Maybe they wrote the song as a subtle message of determinism, that hid below the surface to disguise their subversive philosophy. The previous album had a song called "Triumph Of Will" to further confuse their stance. If they were really intellectual nerds they would recognize freedom of choice is an illusion so I am hoping my latter take holds the truth. After all Freud invented the term will and he was a determinist. Plus anyone that studies the human body, mainly the brain, knows free will is an illusion. There is no self initiating force in the human body. Every organ depends on outside stimulation. Even though freedom of choice seems to be common sense, when we really examine our behavior all our decisions are based on our genetic endowment, past experiences, and the current situation. I wish their lyrics championed this non-conformist truth as much as de-evolution, but their iconoclasm may be limited. This album seemed to take a step backward both lyrically and musically. It had the most filler of the first three. "Girl U Want", "Whip It", "It's Not Right", "That's Pep" and "Don't You Know" are all weak tracks in my opinion. It also contains many of their best tracks. "Gates of Steel" and "Freedom Of Choice" are classics, but the lyrics seem to reinforce them fitting into conformist society by espousing the concepts of free will. The rest has the best of both worlds. Evocative music and brilliant lyrics. "Ton U Love" and "Cold War" may be standard fare, but the music makes the lyrics stand out. I saved the best for last. Two of the finest songs ever written, "Mr. B's Ballroom" and "Planet Earth", make this a must own and help solidify Devo's catalog as one of the most exciting in recording history.

Devo - 'Freedom Of Choice' (Warner Bros.) 4 1/2 stars.......2006-03-09

Great 1980 'new wave' classic.About as good as their 'Are We Not Men...' effort(see my review).Noticed that 'Freedom...' seems to have a more polished sound to it.Sure miss Mark Mothersbaugh and crew,their live shows are certainly a fun event to attend.Most impressive cuts here are,without a doubt "Girl U Want",the video channel staple "Whip It",title track "Freedom Of Choice","Mr.B's Balloon" and "PLanet Earth".Everybody get out their power domes!Long live Devo!!

three and one-half stars.......2005-07-16

Known mostly for the mega-hit "whip It" Devo's 1980 effort "Freedom of Choice" is so much more. Actually the best song on the album is it's first, "Girl U Want" a crackling rocker with a decidedly Devo bent. Side two is also a real killer with the band knocking out two and one-half minute ditty's one after the other each one stopping short of being overly clever. Sonically the album's sound is very dated, but it's okay because it sounded weird back in 1980, but song arrangements are sharp, clean, and sound good at high volume. Overall high spots are the songs mentioned earlier plus "Cold War", "Don't You Know", "That's Pep". There are really no low spots, just a bit lesser songs.

Average customer rating:

Life "Fumbling" -- truly great
strong and true
A Masterpiece
The Freedom Sessions
lovely live feeling of early Sarah

The Freedom Sessions [EP] [ENHANCED CD]
Sarah McLachlan
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff
Touch
Solace
Live Acoustic
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

ASIN: B000002VP3
Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

Elsewhere
Plenty
Mary
Good Enough
Hold On
Ice Cream
Ice
Ol'55

Amazon.com

An off-the-cuff curio for McLachlan's growing legion of fans. Recorded late-night and live at Pierre Marchand's Studio Nomade in the Laurentians, these loose, acoustic versions of songs off Fumbling Towards Ecstasy bring the artist to the fore and--like P.J. Harvey's 8-Track Demos--often deliver a stronger emotional punch than the album counterparts. "Plenty," "Elsewhere," and "Hold On" are shivery standouts, while the cover of Tom Waits's "Ol' 55&qiot; is good, sloppy fun. Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Life "Fumbling" -- truly great.......2007-07-07

Sarah's vocal and acoustic clarity on this cd are wonderful and phenomenal.

I have all of her work, and this is a jewel in my collection.

strong and true.......2007-02-14

Do not get me wrong. This entire album is golden. To hear Sarah's songs the way Sarah wanted to play them, or to just mess around with them, is a gift. But I have not nor will I ever get over this version of Hold On. I first heard it as a freshman in high school and I was practically unable to breathe after hearing it. It is so beautiful, so quietly heartwrenching, that I just sat in silence after it was done and wanted to cry.
This album is fantastic. Hold On is beyond words.

A Masterpiece.......2005-04-14

I bought this CD when it was first released and for many years it was my favorite CD (and I do mean Number One) out of my music collection. Over the last 10 years, only a couple of other CDs have come close matching the number of times I have played this. I don't understand why this is called an "oddity" by some reviewers. This was Sarah the way Sarah wanted to do those songs. I think they are even more beautiful and more emotional than on "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy", on which the production was influenced by others (not that they did anything bad on that great companion CD). I can't imagine anyone looking at this web page not loving this CD. To me it will always be Sarah's masterpiece.

The Freedom Sessions.......2005-01-01

Typical Sarah Mclachlan-perfect in every way, size, shape, and form. Nothing could have been better. It's a lovely movement from Fumbling (though FTE was gorgeous), and these songs all have a different edge. As always, 5/5, 5/5, 5/5...and so on.

Elsewhere: My first impression was the funky version of both Sarah and Elsewhere, if you can picture that. Really different from the first, but totally and awesomely cool. "I believe this is heaven to no one else but me."

Plenty: Overlapped voices in the background give this Plenty a sort of freaky sound. Not many instruments, but the voices provide the base really well. "I looked into your eyes, they told me plenty I already knew."

Mary: The piano is a lot more in depth on this version. It's so soulful I was in tears by the end. So moving. "Take her hand, she will lead you through the fire. Oh, and give you back hope, and hope that you don't take too much."

Good Enough: Sarah's voice in this is at some of its best. Quiet, yet strong. This song pulls you in and won't let you out. "It's not the wind that cracked your shoulder and threw you to the ground."

Hold On: Gorgeous and intense as always, with an added part at the end. "Now you're sleeping peaceful, I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow..."

Ice Cream: Even more fun than normal. Sarah comments that she tried to make this more like her live performances. It makes you want to dance. "Your love is better than ice cream..."

Ice: This is the hard rock version of Ice. Really nice and intense. Ice takes on a whole new meaning after hearing this. "I don't like your tragic sighs, as if your god has passed you by."

Ol'55: A sit back and relax song that appeals to the memory. Sarah does this so well. "Well the sun's comin' up." It has a hidden version of Hold On which tends more towards groove. "... and love the light that brings a smile across your face."

Thank you, Sarah, for creating yet another CD I can't seem to stop listening to.

lovely live feeling of early Sarah.......2004-12-29

I've been doing a little nostalgic CD searching tonight and have returned to Sarah, who I discovered in the mid-90s. I loved her!!! And I still love her voice and sound; and will buy a recent release. I haven't listened to her much in the past few years. Occasionally popping in a CD or *gasp* tape during a drive and singing along. She's a beautiful singer, songwriter, artist. Her sound has improved over the years, especially her voice. But the early work is excellent!. I remember buying this CD in high school after seeing her live...I listened to it non-stop. While this is not a live album, it captures a quality of Sarah's voice, style, and a feeling. Pretty much Sarah with an instrument: piano, drums, or a simple layering effect. If you don't own her CDs start either with something very recent or an early release ("Fumbling" is great; "Touch" is nice to visit after that CD to see the growth; see other review for better suggestions) ...they are all beautiful. But if you know Sarah's music, or have ever seen her perform a version of "Ice Cream" live and love that song and "Plenty" takes your breath away, this pared-down CD is one for you.

On this version I prefer: "Plenty": "Good Enough" which I think have both a bare-bones haunting quality and a slight complex layer of vocals. Even on my old computers, it moves me emotionally. I also love "Ice Cream" since I saw her perform it 3 times live...back before and during "Lilith Fair."

Average customer rating:

One of my all-time favs
Michael W. Smith Triumphs with Fully Instrumental Album
Not your typical MWS music
Magnificent!
Absolutely Fantastic Album

Freedom
Michael W. Smith
Manufacturer: Reunion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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The Second Decade 1993-2003
I'll Lead You Home
Live the Life
Healing Rain
Worship Again

ASIN: B00005173R
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Tracks:

Freedom
The Offering
Carol Ann
The Giving
Hibernia
Letter To Sarah
Freedom Battle
Cry Of The Heart
Prayer For Taylor
The Call
Thy Word
Free Man

Amazon.com

One of Christian music's most celebrated artists, Michael W. Smith has thrown a surprise to the music industry with his 14th release, Freedom. After nearly two decades of awards, hit singles, and gold records, Smith set out to compose something that had been stirring within him for a long time: an instrumental album. Freedom's title track mixes the aggressiveness of a drum cadence, the innocence of a pennywhistle and the beauty of a soaring string section into a majestic and energized soundscape. Crested by a sensitive lead piano played by Michael himself, the majority of this disc is lushly endowed with stringed instruments that swoon with reminiscent sensation. These emotive textures also embrace a distinct British Isles influence that becomes danceable at times, and some classical orchestration that adds regality to the disc. The surprises within this endeavor are Smith's misty-eyed revisiting of the classic praise song "Thy Word," and the electronica-influenced "The Call," where Smith makes his only vocal appearance. We've had snapshots of Smith's instrumental gifts on albums past, but Freedom offers a deep long look into an aspect of Michael W. Smith's creativity that has until now been waiting to bloom fully. --Israel Button

Customer Reviews:

One of my all-time favs.......2007-01-10

My friend made me listen to this cd first w/o telling me who it was by so that the experience wouldn't be ruined. I loved it. I couldn't believe that it was Michael W. Smith. I count it as one of my all-time favorite cds. Great instrumental cd.

Michael W. Smith Triumphs with Fully Instrumental Album.......2006-10-05

I absolutely love this album! Of course, I love any music that Smitty writes; but this fully instrumental and beautifully written album truly shows what a talented musician and music writer he truly is. I could listen to him play the piano all day.

He has since moved on to also writing movie soundtracks for movies like "Joshua" and "The Second Chance". Both are wonderful movies with great messages and his music just adds another layer to the stories they tell.

Not your typical MWS music.......2006-06-08

Michael W. Smith does something different here. He doesn't do the normal pop music scores in this CD, but instead he dedicates a CD to one of his friends that has died. He creates beautiful, dramatic, and inspiring pieces that are sure to bring you to put this in the CD player more than once. I'm really definitely not a huge fan of Smith's earliest CDs, but this later one I can enjoy many times over. He uses some of his great piano talent, as well as there are orchestral sections. This is a must for anyone that enjoys beautiful and sometimes dramatic music with Christian overtones.

Magnificent!.......2005-12-14

Talk about a largely overlooked creative masterpiece! Michael W. Smith creates an entirely instrumental work in Freedom that is his best cd! Smith does not write the lyrics for his other cds, so this one is authenticly purely Michael. It will remind you of a full orchestral score for an epic movie. I have nothing else in my collection of music to compare it to. Yes, some of the softer pieces may remind you of Horner's work in the musical score of the movie Titanic, but nothing here is a steal from anyone else. Seldom do you find music that is completely original, and Michael is a composer who has that rare gift of really creating something new. This originality comes out in his many other albums, but no other album has made me cry like Freedom.If things had gone differently for Michael he possibly could have been a great composer of symphonies and movie musical scores. This cd will surprise Smith fans who are used to the original pop style of most of his other albums. If you buy any cd today, buy this one. It is a rare work of magnificent music.

Absolutely Fantastic Album.......2005-10-30

This is my favorite music album, surpassing all other vocal and instrumental CDs I've heard. I love full orchestral scores, and this one just blows me away with the richness, the longing, and the splendor heard in the songs. From the first song Freedom, a strong majestic and triumphant anthem to the last one, the album grips you and won't let go. The Offering is a slow haunting piece with plenty of wind instruments. The Call, a semi-contemporary song, is one of the most upbeat songs with supporting vocals (no words, though). My personal favorite is Prayer for Taylor, a soul wrenching song that forces you to close your eyes as the notes seem to soar, making you want stop breathing and do nothing but listen. Thy Word, a beautiful uplifting piece stirs up a joyful reaction. These 4 are my highlights; the other tracks are spectacular as well.

This CD is truly incredible; I wish I could listen nonstop. But I listen to it as a special occasion once a week as I jog. It lifts my spirit and keeps my pace in sync as I admire the stars, nature, and wind around me. The only downside to this album is I have to be careful that I don't close my eyes and jog out into the street or into a telephone pole when one of my favorite pieces comes on. I have bought the solo piano sheet music as well, and although I am by no means a good musician, I have promised myself I will learn all the songs. There is much more to say, but in short, this is an absolutely fantastic album.

Average customer rating:

Freedom
although there are some standout tracks. some parts are just an absolute yawn
I'd give it 5 stars
Neil Delivers Once Again
Don't Cry

Freedom
Neil Young
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Silver & Gold

ASIN: B000002LHM
Release Date: 1989-09-20

Tracks:

Rockin' In The Free World
Crime In The City (Sixty To Zero Part I)
Don't Cry
Hangin' On A Limb
Eldorado
The Ways Of Love
Someday
On Broadway
Wrecking Ball
No More
Too Far Gone
Rockin' In The Free World

Amazon.com

Freedom was Young's return to form after almost a decade of electronic experiments and mediocre novelty music. "Rockin' in the Free World," a howling anthem about homelessness, depression, and drug dealing, bookends the album--and, in 1989, proved the singer/songwriter hadn't completely dropped into obscurity. The romantic ballads ("The Ways of Love"), grunge-predicting guitar-rockers (a siren-screaming version of "On Broadway"), and one amazing, punk-like story-song ("Crime in the City [Sixty to Zero, Part I]") constitute Young's strongest writing in years. --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews:

Freedom.......2007-04-12

Freedom-Neil Young ***

Freedom, the return of the great Neil Young. Don't get me wrong, Neil did not really go anywhere he was still making albums close before this but they were not accepted by the public which Neil really did not care about because he liked them and to him they were art. Freedom however was his return to the mainstream and reall just his first hit album in quite a while. Though not with Crazy Horse this album works just fine. Great songs and powerful lyrics. Though strongly acoustic with a few electric moments this album still really rocks and managed to win over a lot of fans that had turned their backs on Young, not that I am sure you would really want those fans back but anyways moving on. Neils signature voice sounds great as ever and the harmonies on the album are some of the best and the strongest any of Neil's solo work has had. All of the songs are solid and fit in well on the album.

Neil even manages to do a cover on this album, 'On Broadway,' and old soul/motown classic is turned into a rocker by the only man that would dare to do that to 'On Broadway.' Remarkably he pulls it off, and does so very, very well. Now with some of the songs being quite long you would think that it would take away from them and wonder if the songs could carry the entire way through and amazingly they can. Songs like 'Crime In The City' which is almost nine minutes long and 'No More' which is over six do not lack at all. They are killer from start to finish.

That is not to say that the album is perfect because it has filler. 'Hangin On A Limb' is more then dull. 'Wrecking Ball' while it may have some great lyrics is extremly boring and with out emotion and sounds uninspired and contrived. Neil was clearly reaching for something that just was not their on those tracks.

Most of the album sonds very somber as if Neil was going through a tough time while he was recording this. But for those who have heard the man speak of the album or read about it know that Neil was very happy at the time and in a high point of his life. So with that in mind the album does come across as somewhat forced and fake.

When looking at the track listing for the album one might wonder as to why Neil put 'Rockin In The Free World' on the album twice. The opening track is acoustic and while being as if your looking at this album its because of the electric version then you might be thinking to yourself that might be less then the electric version. Wrong, while I am not saying it is better, I am saying that the acoustic version is very nice and provides good contrast to the electric. Now the electric version is single handedly responceable for jumpstarting Youngs career again. It is an instant classic.

While this album may be far from Youngs best album and even far from one of his best, for 'Rockin In The Free World' I would say it is worth the money and worth owning. But with the ability to download the song and not the entire album that may be the more logical choice and what is going to happen. But to any real fan of Youngs work then this is a great own, if you can find it.

although there are some standout tracks. some parts are just an absolute yawn.......2006-11-19

this gets three stars because 1. it's one of the first nyoung albums i purchased 2. there are some great, great tunes on here (check out the acoustic 'rockin in the free world, too far gone, crime in the city, and 'on broadway', also the electric 'rockin kicks butt too). The rest of the album is really a bit boring to me.

I'd give it 5 stars.......2006-01-01

I'd give this CD 5 stars. "Rocking in the Free World", is a hit, but more importantly, listen closely to the entire lyrics... There is a big message from an artist who has held on to his values. "Eldorado" is a great song; "Wrecking Ball" is a great song; "On Broadway" I really like, and "No More" has some great guitar licks. This is real Neil, and for him to have released this when he did - and still be the same guy - is remarkable.

Neil Delivers Once Again.......2005-08-27

Several nice tracks on this recording. The anthem/march version of "rockin in the Free World" is a Neil Young classic and displays the raw edge Mr. Young has turned into his trademark sound.
My favorite track on the recording is the cover of "On Broadway". I can almost see Neil laughing as he blasts through this tune that has been covered time and time agian. Unlike other, Young puts his signature on this song and provides the listener with a fresh rendition of a somewhat overdown song.

Don't Cry.......2004-12-27

It's worth it for 3 songs - "Don't Cry," "Someday" (a song about Erwin Rommel! Maybe he'd been reading one of those Time-LIfe WW II books or something...) and "Rocking in the Free World," of course.

Average customer rating:

"We're makin' a smokin' album up the road..."
Fallen Angel, can you hear me?
100 years after
Music I had 20 years ago
Amazing lyrics... and some of the best songwriting

On the Road to Freedom
Alvin Lee & Mylon LeFevre
Manufacturer: Repertoire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000056P9X
Release Date: 2003-04-07

Tracks:

On the Road to Freedom
World Is Changing (I Got a Woman Back in Georgia)
So Sad (No Love of His Own)
Fall Angel
Funny
We Will Shine
Carry My Load
Lay Me Back
Let 'Em Say What They Will
I Can't Take It
Riffin
Rockin' Til the Sun Goes Down
So Sad (No Love of His Own) [Single Version][*]

Album Description

German reissue of 1973 album, scheduled to include one bonus track TBA. Repertoire.

Album Details

The Legendary Rock Guitarist is Paired with the American Gospel Singer on this all Star 1973 Set that features George Harrison, Stevie Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Ronnie Wood.

Customer Reviews:

"We're makin' a smokin' album up the road...".......2007-06-08

Back in the mid-1980's, an interview appeared on NPR with Mylon LeFevre, (hough the interviewer was apparently from a Contemporary Christian Music media), where Mylon outlined some of his history in rock and gospel.

In the midst of it was a charming story he told, that goes like this. "Alvin (Lee) and I were working on this record, 'On the Road to Freedom', and took a break, and made our way to pub nearby. We weren't there long, when, of all things, in walks George Harrison. I told Alvin to introduce me, and he says, 'No - he's me neighbor and all, and I'll meet him someday, but..' 'Course, you know how the English are, all formal and all-that, so I just hopped up off my barstool, leaving Alvin behind, walked over, stuck out my hand, and said to George, 'Hi, I'm Mylon LeFevre, and I'm here with Alvin Lee, and we're makin' a smokin' album up the road; you wanna come by, hang out, play some, and do some blow...?' George grinned at me and said, 'Yeah, sure; great, man! No one ever asks me to play, 'cause of the Beatle thing..' So, he came over, and it was around the time he was writing stuff for Dark Horse, and I just loved his song 'So Sad', so we recorded it on '...Freedom'."

I did my best after that to scour used record stores for a copy of the album, all to no avail. Finally got a hold of a copy some 5 years later, and found it to be as extrordinary as everyone had been saying all these years.

Tasty, tasty, tasty....and as representative of the same devil-may-care attitude that brought Mylon off his barstool to greet George Harrison. What a great record!

Fallen Angel, can you hear me?.......2007-04-02

I got this album in late 72, when a friend of mine, who worked for
Columbia Records in New Jersey stole a couple of copies, and gave me
one. This when I was in my rip-off the rip-off phase. Since then
I've bought both the cassette, and the CD. Not to appease the Karma Gods,
but because this CD is that good, from the deceptively simple first prime
cut, "On the Road to Freedom", through the suffle boogie of "The world is
Changing", and the slide guitair slide of "So Sad", to the opening
dominant chord opening of "Fallen Angel", and the folksey "Funny", and
then going into Mylon LeFevere gospel roots of "We Will Shine", and
"Carry My Load", then the Alvin Lee rockers of "Let them Say What they
will", "I can't take it", and "Riffin", and the just pure guitair
forte of "Rockin till the sun goes down", the combination of Alvin Lee
and his fabulous talent, and that unmistakable voice of Mylon LeFevre
combined to make one album for the ages, I would strongly suggest that
you find a copy of this album, tape, or CD and listen to it, if not
outright purchase it.

100 years after.......2007-03-16

Better than any 10 Years After CD. Mylon has always been one of my faves as well. The quality of this CD was much better than my album.

Music I had 20 years ago.......2007-01-30

I had this on album 20 years ago. I have been looking for it on CD for may years also. Was glad to finally find it.

Amazing lyrics... and some of the best songwriting.......2006-11-20

I only have this album on vinyl right now

and i will soon pick up the cd..... but its worth it

amazing lyrics

Average customer rating:

Freedom - 12 Girls Band
Uplifting and Energizing Music
Freedom
Outstanding!!
Not so rich Music

Freedom
Twelve Girls Band
Manufacturer: V2 Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002YHD5Y
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

Freedom
S.D. Garden
Pronunciation of Love
Jasmine
Spring of Dream
Spirit Dance
Thanks For Living Years
Victorias Smile
Horse Racing
Life On Clouds

Tracks:

No Word
The Shades of City
Chase
Hi! Salute to Bach
Miracle
Take Five
The Song of Salina
I Cant Be Your Man
Toss
Appointing in Mongolian House

Customer Reviews:

Freedom - 12 Girls Band.......2007-03-08

This CD was far beyond exspectations. I loved every minute of it. The girls were great and very talented musicians.

Uplifting and Energizing Music.......2005-04-11

Something I can listen to while I am cleaning my place or washing dishes as it is as energizing as techno music.

Before 12 Girls Band landed the USA, it was very hot in Japan. It was, in fact, a Japanese music industry who brought them to the market. Whole Japan went crazy for the band a few years ago. It was fair to call it a 12 Girls Band fever. I saw it happening while I was visiting Japan.

Those Chinese traditional instruments can be soft and touchy to your heart as much as soothing. Purely insturumental with no voice at all. I like this as background music while I am doing something, like cleaning, cooking, reading, or painting, etc. Not the type of music I LISTEN to. It is rather music I play as I do something.

Freedom.......2004-11-02

The Twevle Girls Band is exqusite and beautiful! Their talent and versatility of music well take you on a magical journey. Girls don't stop playing, keep playing those extraordinary and historical instruments your music is wonderful. I can't wait too have the opportunity to see you girls live. This CD is must buy if you like the Twelve Girls Band.Or music with soul, devotion and body. The world is waiting to see and hear your music. The music is crisp, clean and refreshing. They Rock!

Outstanding!!.......2004-10-28

I don't usually post reviews but since there's only one other review posted here I thought I'd better give this one my five stars ASAP. I've only heared disc one, only because I have a stack of new CDS and DVDs that I've got on my to do list. However I really like what I've heared. This CD does show a somewhat different side of the 12 Girls Band but it's not that different. This CD has a couple of rockers on it but it also has some nice, romantic, ambient tunes and those are the type of songs I actually prefer from 12 Girls. But, hey, it's all good. If you like Eastern Energy I'd say go ahead and check this one out too. I'm very surprised the other reviewer didn't like it, but I'm not knocking the review. We're all entitled to our opinion and I respect that. I'm looking forward to hearing disc two and I may post a review of it unless more reviews start trickling in here. Peace.

Not so rich Music.......2004-10-20

I started hearing the disc 1. I got a little head ache,by the time when I was hearing the 9th song.

The music is not rich as the "Eastern energy". Too much usage of the minute shivering music ( nn ga nn ga nnga nnga nnga ) is a bit boring. This music is like a filler between the major tunes.

The tunes doesn't penetrate and are easy going.It islike a mix of child patterns as he plays the key board.

Except for the first song <Freedom>,which is already available in the eastern enery others don't inspire anything.

If you want to try the 12 girls band,Go for eastern energy. This is not the best choice to try.

I am yet to listen <Disc 2>. I will soon comeback with the review comments on that.

Average customer rating:

only worthwhile due to Paul Kantner's contribution
Not nearly as good as I remembered it.
BEST JEFFERSON STARSHIP ALBUM
Unleash The Guitars!
Jefferson Starship 2.0

Freedom at Point Zero
Jefferson Starship
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002WY2
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

Jane
Lightning Rose
Things To Come
Awakening
Girl With The Hungry Eyes
Just The Same
Rock Music
Fading Lady Night
Freedom At Point Zero

Customer Reviews:

only worthwhile due to Paul Kantner's contribution.......2007-04-11

Paul puts up a herculean effort here, almost saving this recording. Worht having just for his songs. With this recording, Craig had apparently gone to the dark side to try be a adolescent guitar god. The inclusion of Mickey Thomas to try to replace both Marty and Grace was devestating -- it sealed the sad fate of this band toward the worthless drivel it would produce in the future.

Not nearly as good as I remembered it. .......2006-10-16

This was the first new "Jefferson" album to come out after I discovered my love for the Airplane. At the time I was pretty excited about it, but hearing it again 25 years later was very disappointing. I do still like the Kantner anthems (particularly "Lightning Rose"), but musically it's pretty dull - really just a collection of power chord songs. If you like that kind of thing, it's well done, and the songs are reasonably well-written, but one after another after another gets dull pretty quickly.

Still, considerably better than what followed.

BEST JEFFERSON STARSHIP ALBUM.......2006-08-08

Wow! This album still floors me. The songwriting is top notch. All the wheels were turning during the writing and recording of this album. I do wish an official concert album of this tour would be released. Mickey Thomas had just joined the band and Paul Kantner wrote some brilliant songs. Most notable are The Awakening, Lightning Rose, Girl With the Hungry Eyes and the title track.

If you are a fan, don't hesitate. This album is great. Includes the hits, Jane and Rock Music. Big 5 stars!

Unleash The Guitars!.......2006-03-27

The Jefferson Starship made a big change in their sound towards hard rock in 1979 with the release of this album. Mickey Thomas from Elvin Bishop's band was hired to replace Marty Balin and Grace Slick on lead vocals and Aynsley Dunbar formerly of Journey was brought in as the new drummer. They created a new hard rocking sound with lead guitarist Craig Chaquico dominating the guitar driven sound with great electic guitar riffs and solos. The producer of this album was the well known 80's rock producer Ron Nevison. The only hit single was "Jane" which has turned into a staple on classic rock radio stations.Other standout songs include;"Alien","Just The Same","Rock Music",and "The Girl With The Hungry Eyes".

Jefferson Starship 2.0.......2006-01-28

After both Marty Balin & Grace Slick left the band, it seemed they were doomed. Surprisingly they came back with a better effort than the previously release Earth on 1979's Freedom At Point Zero. Paul Kanter was the sole remnant left from the Airplane days and he rises to the occasion with some solid tracks including the great "Girl With The Hungry Eyes". Former Elvin Bishop Group singer Mickey Thomas assumes the bulk of the lead vocals and his presence helped push the group towards the arena rock sounds of Foreigner & Journey. Mr. Thomas' vocal prowess is on display on the albums best track and hit single "Jane". The album peaked at number 10 and showed that the band were indeed survivors.

Average customer rating:

Not typical Irish Punk Music
Their most original, and the best starting point
Power and Passion
A new breed of celtic-style music
Paddy's Got a Brand New Reel

Fire of Freedom
Black 47
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006N4R
Release Date: 1993-03-23

Tracks:

Livin' In America
Maria's Wedding
Rockin' The Bronx
Fanatic Heart
Funky Ceili
Fire Of Freedom
James Connolly
Livin' In America
Banks Of The Hudson
40 Shades Of Blue
New York, NY 10009
Sleep Tight In New York City/Her Dear Old Donegal
Black 47
Livin' In America

Customer Reviews:

Not typical Irish Punk Music.......2006-11-14

I am a big Dropkick Murphys fan. So, I was excecting something along those lines. Though, I do like Black 47 they are nothing like Dropkick. They remind me more of the eirly eighties bands.

Their most original, and the best starting point.......2006-09-19

All of Black 47's albums have their strong points, but Fire of Freedom has nothing but strong points. There aren't very many albums I've heard by any artist that sound terrific on the very first listen and stay that way for good. But this is one - from the day I bought it in 1993 (on cassette - remember those?!), every song was catchy and memorable in its own way then and still is now.

If I had to settle on one genre for Black 47, "Irish rock" would have to do. But that's a massive oversimplification, and these guys sound absolutely nothing like U2 or The Pogues. What do they sound like? A mishmash of funk, folk, punk, hip-hop, soul, reggae and straight up rock and roll that almost had to be either horrible or wonderful. Luckily for us, it's the latter. The band's unabashedly militant politics turn up in several of the songs, notably "James Connolly," the title track, and the rather enigmatic "Fanatic Heart." They're also not above co-opting old ballads with new words of their own in "40 Shades of Blue" and "Livin' In America" (set to supercharged arrangements of "Down By The Sally Gardens" and "The Foggy Dew" respectively); folk purists might not like these too much, but they're among my favorites. Most of the others are slice-of-life tales of the modern immigrant experience in various corners of New York, ranging from tragic to hilarious.

Nothing beats seeing these guys live, but this CD is a close runner-up to that.

Power and Passion.......2004-03-05

This is one of the decade's best albums. Every track is memorable, though "James Connolly" and "Fire of Freedom" are the ones that stick with me long after the music stops. This is Black 47 at the top of their game (or at least as good as they get in the studio: Nothing beats them live). A mixture of straight-on rock 'n' roll, with Celtic flavors on some tracks, and reggae beats or hip-hop thrown in occasionally. The musicianship here is incredible at times; the horn section blends with the pipes for some truly inspired sounds.

Look for a CD put out in 1995, called "Keep it Reel," with Seanchai (Chris Byrne from Black 47), Eileen Ivers, and Pat McGuire. Absolutely awesome live recording of Irish hip-hop, and several other genres fused together, with brilliant lyrics by Seanchai. Hard to find.

A new breed of celtic-style music.......2001-01-15

This album is a little tougher than one might expect from a celtic band. While you can't divorce the celtic influence it is definitely supported by an American twist.

This cd is fun as in the exuberant "Funky Ceili" (a great song, great story, in neo-celtic style,) "40 Shades of Blue" or "Rockin' the Bronx". More often however there is an edgy darkness here whether in detailing Irish history ("James Connolly" or "Black 47") or in the contemporary ("Banks of the Hudson"). Don't expect the Irish Tenors here or even the Chieftains. The beauty of those artists aren't here (although the artistry is). This is more thought-provoking, more raw, more contemporary (lyrically and vocally).

Paddy's Got a Brand New Reel.......2001-01-11

Larry Kirwan writes theatrical music both literally and figuratively. Sometimes the epic nature of the music comes close to bombast, sometimes the drama veers toward melodramatic, and sometimes his melodic reach exceeds his vocal grasp.

But what songs.

My criterion for 5 stars is that every track has to be memorable. This disk nails it. One is tempted to go track by track to describe the music. As others have indicated, this is a band with disparate roots and influences; its central tendency sounds something like what might have happened if Springsteen grew up in Wexford listening to traditional Irish music instead of R&R and R&B. Like Springsteen at his best, not everything is pedal-to-the-metal; Black 47's music encompasses a range of subject matter and emotion, but with a perspective rooted in Kirwan's immigrant alienation and political interests. "Banks of the Hudson" is what might happen if a traditional murder ballad crashed into Manhattan complete with Geoff Blythe doing his best Clarence Clemmons imitation; "Funky Ceili" is a joyful celebration of dissoluteness; "James Connolly" an anthemic celebration of the Irish Marxist revolutionary; the quiet "Fanatic Heart" is both plaintive and chilling; and "Living in America" is the band's piece de resistance -- an evocation of the slights and hopes of immigrant men and women in America. Like I said it is tempting to review each track.

It would be easy to fall flat on your face trying to pull this off -- the politics degenerating into sloganeering, the passion into cheap sentimentality, and the music into some kind of ersatz folk hydrid. Kirman's self-deprecating humor (I once saw him perform a song about his girlfriend leaving him "for another woman" while he was with the Major Thinkers, an earlier band) saves him lyrically, and relentless live performance has honed the band musically.

As a final note: "Fire of Freedom" is not Black 47's first CD. The band put out an eponymous CD two years earlier. Many of the songs are the same as "Fire of Freedom" though there are four that are not on subsequent disks. The production is more spare, and I actually prefer some of the performances to the more cluttered productions on "Fire of Freedom." If you like "Fire of Freedom" and you come across "Black 47", it could be worthwhile picking it up.

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