Pearls & Yarn

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
An accessible ethno-classical delight...music that grabs you by the heart! These pieces originated in folk melodies, but since there are so many cultural crossovers in the region, you are likely to find all kinds of very different ethnic influences within. For some of the melodies, the sound of Greece or Turkey is a prevailing mood; the others have a more Eastern European flavor, and Bulgarian in particular; and finally, romances like "My Aching Heart," grown out of Russian and Hungarian Gypsy music, show yet another aspect of that inter-cultural communication.

A trio of imaginative and jaunty classically trained musicians has chosen to cultivate them, each one interpreting them through his own instrument and experience. In the end, you cannot put any particular label on this music: there is a soulful expression that is not soul, and a bit of blues specific to the area, passionate and dark.

An amazing story of Serbian survival, Milan Milosevic, clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone performer, was a member of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra from 1990-99. In 1995, as a member of the New Music Ensemble, he won a prize for interpretation at the International Tribune of Composers. Since then, he has performed and toured extensively with international orchestras and ensembles.

Tracks:

Bye, Bye Baby
Easy Rider
Intruder
Light Is Faster Than Sound
Call On Me
Women Is Losers
Blindman
Down On Me
Caterpillar
All Is Loneliness
Coo Coo (Single)
The Last Time (Single)
Call On Me (Alternate Take)
Bye, Bye Baby (Alternate Take)

Tracks:

Combination Of The Two
I Need A Man To Love
Summertime
Piece Of My Heart
Turtle Blues
Oh, Sweet Mary
Ball And Chain
Roadblock (Studio Outtake)
Flower In The Sun (Studio Outtake)
Catch Me Daddy (Live)
Magic Of Love (Live)

Tracks:

Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
Maybe
One Good Man
As Good As You've Been To This World
To Love Somebody
Kozmic Blues
Little Girl Blue
Work Me, Lord
Dear Landlord (Session Outtake)
Summertime (Live At Woodstock)
Piece Of My Heart (Live At Woodstock)

Tracks:

Move Over
Cry Baby
A Woman Left Lonely
Half Moon
Buried Alive In The Blues
My Baby
Me And Bobby McGee
Mercedes Benz
Trust Me
Get It While You Can
Tell Mama (Live)
Little Girl Blue (Live)
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live)
Cry Baby (Live)

Tracks:

It's A Deal (Studio Outtake)
Easy Once You Know How (Studio Outtake)
Maybe (Live)
Raise Your Hand (Live)
Bo Diddley (Live)

Customer Reviews:

Worth its weight in pearls.......2007-02-06

This is the consummate collection of all things Janis, the motherload of pearls. Anyone wondering what was so amazing about Janis, listen to this collection and you will understand. She was, and still is to this day, the integral part of all of her music. The raw emotion, the unique sound of her voice, she wove herself into the intricacy of each and every song. A true artist; a must have for any true Janis fan.

Average customer rating:

Touching
Pays music a complement. I love the classical pieces!
the Notebook soundtrack (Audio CD)
Very Nice
A sweeping, emotional standout!

The Notebook
Various Artists
Manufacturer: New Line Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Notebook (New Line Platinum Series)
The Notebook
Finding Neverland
A Walk to Remember
The Lake House

ASIN: B00023B1E4
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

Main Title
Overture
"I'll Be Seeing You" Performed by Billie Holiday
"Alabamy Home" Performed by Duke Ellington
Allie Returns
House Blues/The Porch Dance/The Proposal/The Carnival
Noah's Journey
"Always And Always" Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
"A String Of Pearls" Performed by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
On The Lake
"Diga Diga Doo" Performed by Rex Stewart And The Ellingtonians
"One O'Clock Jump" Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
"I'll Be Seeing You" Performed by Jimmy Durante
Noah's Last Letter
Our Love Can Do Miracles

Amazon.com

Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, director Nick Cassavetes film spins the bittersweet tale of a 60-year romance, as seen from the polar perspectives of its promising youth and the travails of an old age cursed by Alzheimer's. Its soundtrack effectively echoes those polar dramatic concerns, with composer Aaron Zigler's gentle orchestral score largely giving voice to the character's melancholy present, while a rich, well-chosen slate of vintage material by Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller imparts a restless energy to their youth. There's a certain schmaltz to much of Zigman's work here, yet cues like "House Blues/The Porch Dance.." and "Noah's Journey" argue he's achieved something more elusive than mere melodramatic wallpaper with the deceivingly difficult task at hand; it can't be easy to have your work seasoned with the likes of Ellington's sassy "Alabamy Home" and Goodman's still-vibrant "One O'Clock Jump." Sharply contrasting versions of "I'll Be Seeing You" by Holiday and Jimmy Durante bookend the soundtrack, perfectly evoking the story's alternating shades of hope and fading nostalgia and framing Zigman's understated work in the bargain. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Based on the best selling novel by Nicholas Sparks ("A Walk To Remember", "Message In A Bottle"), "The Notebook" is the story of Noah and Allie, teenage lovers torn apart by WWII and Allie's parents' demands to marry a respectable lawyer. After 14 years apart, they meet again and rekindle their true love. Starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, and Gena Rowlands. The soundtrack is a propelling force. In addition to classic WWII era pieces, Aaron Zigman's score suites enhance the record with beautifully dramatic themes. Score performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony.

Customer Reviews:

Touching.......2007-07-04

There isn't much I can say about this beautiful movie, except that it was so touching!
It say's go for the "true love", settle for nothing else no matter what may be in store, because love that is "true" and as beautiful as their's was, is a rare thing!
I absolutely loved the ending.
I also loved that a movie CAN be truly wonderful, beautiful and touching WITHOUT grafic "sex scenes!" Also sadly a rare thing in movies today.

Ever seen "Hanover Street?" Equally beautiful. No SEX scenes either!

Angelfish

Pays music a complement. I love the classical pieces!.......2007-05-27

I do not have the soundtrack to The Notebook, but I do have the movie itself. Having said that, every song is wonderful. Some music carries with it, a wealth of emotion and a sense of timelessness. I love all of the classical pieces , perhaps the best, in this particular movie. Classical has never been my speed when it comes down to music, but something about this movie's classical masterpieces struck a chord in me...made me smile and maybe even sniffle a bit. If you are a fan of the movie, I'm sure you would love its soundtrack too. Music like this is ideal for a romantic evening or just for pleasure listening. You don't know if you'll like something until you give it a chance! So give this a chance!!

the Notebook soundtrack (Audio CD).......2007-05-13

This is a beautiful collection of music from the movie, The Notebook. Most is instrumental, very relaxing, as well as lively at times. Two renditions of "I'll Be Seeing You" are included.

Very Nice.......2007-03-30

I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack, but I'm also a big fan of background music and this cd was great for both. Listening to the cd took me back to the movie and reminded me how much I enjoyed it, but I also put the cd on during a nice meal with friends and it worked out very well, they all enjoyed the music.

A sweeping, emotional standout!.......2007-01-11

The music from The Notebook brings you right back to the film, capturing your heart and soul. It's music will roll live waves through your soul and bring you from nostalgia to your own feelings of love and desire. The selections, arrangements and orchestrations are to be admired, and Mr. Zigman is to be praised. This soundtrack truly completes the legacy of "The Notebook".

Average customer rating:

Loves it!
High-Water Mark of NPG Phase
Prince lite
Diamonds and Pearls - A New Prince
Commercial succes, but uneventfull.

Diamonds and Pearls
Prince & the New Power Generation
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Prince & The New Power Generation
Graffiti Bridge
Batman
Come
Lovesexy

ASIN: B000002L8Z
Release Date: 1991-10-01

Tracks:

Thunder
Daddy Pop
Diamonds and pearls
Cream
Strollin'
Willing and Able
Gett Off
Walk Don't Walk
Jughead
Money Don't Matter 2 Night
Push
Insatiable
Live 4 Love

Amazon.com essential recording

At its best, Prince's biggest seller of the '90s is an archetype of seemingly casual inspiration, thanks mainly to the ease tracks such as "Cream," "Money Don't Matter 2 Night," and "Willing and Able" exude. Of course, he's working as hard as ever, whether in a mellow groove or an aggressively funky one ("Gett Off"). Compared with the masterpiece Sign o' the Times, Diamonds and Pearls is a minor creation, but it's one for the long haul. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Loves it!.......2007-05-23

This CD is fantastic! I mean it's Prince, what's not to love, right!

High-Water Mark of NPG Phase.......2007-04-07

The first half of the album is really tight.(I used to listen to "side A" repeatedly on road trips.) And it's a sexy album too, rivaling Madonna's "Erotica" as the best sex/dance album of the early 90s. (My vision of a perfect college party would be going into a dark basement and everyone is dancing to this album and making out.) The only weak spots here are where Prince lets his New Power Generation bandmates shine: "Push" and "Jughead" are especially forgettable. Still, if you like this dirty & danceable phase of Prince's career, this album is much better than the other New Power Generation-era albums, mostly because it's so concise you can listen to it in one sitting. And there are moments of real Marvin Gaye-esque pathos in "Insatiable" and "Money Don't Matter 2 Night".

Prince lite.......2006-04-05

In the early 90's, before the "alternative" music explosion, new jack swing and rap ruled the airwaves. And it's clear that, perhaps for the first time in his career, with "Diamonds and Pearls" Prince was catering at least somewhat to a mainstream audience. It's still a Prince album, to be sure, filled with the usual sexual bravado (on the slinky "Cream" and the throbbing, intoxicating "Gett Off") and mellow political criticism (on the somber "Money Don't Matter 2 Night", and the closer "Live 4 Love"). But the musical influences on the album never stray far from fairly conventional R&B. The album does take a slight detour with the jazzy "Strollin'", but it's a far cry from the sonic adventurousness of "Around the World in a Day", or even the preceeding "Graffiti Bridge". Just call it "Prince Lite".

Diamonds and Pearls - A New Prince.......2005-12-18

The Year was 1991, Prince had released 2 consecutive albums that weren't that good. The Batman soundtrack and Graffiti Bridge to his movie that flopped. This time around he had found a new band "The Power Generation" and had added a new more hip hop influented sound. Basically, the days of catchy pop-funk were gone and he had joined the hip hop revolution. Read on to find out the result.

Diamonds and Pearls is a new chapter of Prince music, although we already had seen hints of that on Graffiti Bridge in 1990, it fully came out here. A very hip hop influented album recorded with new band the Power Generation. It does have other infleunts aswell and some songs still sound like in the late 80's but it's difficult to not point of the sound of hip hop he's added here, almost like a re-born Prince. The album "Diamonds and Pearls" was a big hit, and not surprising with all the good songs it has. Although his top albums of the 80's where slighyly better this got enough good songs to be called "Near Masterpiece".

"Thunder" is a psychedelic-funk song where the hook "Thunder - all thru the night,Promise to see Jesus in the morning light,Take my hand, it'll be alright, C'mon save your soul tonight" is defenitely about religion. "Daddy Pop" got hip hop all over it. If You like songs like "Get Off" you'll this one too. The title track is magnificient. It's a sensual ballad and yet somehwat pompous and duet with Rosie Gaines. Not surprising it was a big hit. "Cream" is one of those trademarks songs about sex, this funky number was another hit single. "Strollin" is a slow and sensual retro-soulish song where Prince sings in falsetto. It got these jazzy infleunces too. "Willing and Able" got gospel choirs in the back and accoustic guitars. A very good song on it's own right.

"Gett Off", with it's hip hop influented sound and introduction of NPG doesn't need further presentation. A big hit and a funky hip hopish number with very explicit lyrics. "Walk Don't Talk" is funny, and it's extremly catchy and it adds sound fom cars. "JugHeads" is hip hop sounding with raps and cool sounds, but it's one of the weaker songs here, but Prince raps on here. "Money Don't Matter Tonight" is a wonderful romantic ballad, it takes up issues like gambling, finding partners for invetsment and killing kids in order to control oil supply. The message is clear though, it's far more important to have a soul then to have cash. "Push" is another hip hop sounding sound, and like the other simular one's it's catchy but lacks a good hook. "Insatiable" is a great erotic slow jam with horns. Lush and beautiful. "Live 4 Love" is another hip hop sounding song, starts with an original robotic countdown. This one also offers a psychedelic guitar solo and a rap. A beautiful closer to a near-masterpiece.

Conclusion, Diamonds and Pearls was a new chapter in Prince's music, he joined the hip hop revolution of the early 90's where basically all hip music had a flavour of hip hop. However, not all songs are hip hop sounding, many still sound like the old Prince of the mid 80's. As a result this album is very rich and is full of variety. Psychedelics, Hip Hop, Romantic Soul and Pop. Perhaps it sound a little unfocused but in the end it's a fantastic album where Prince shows all of his sides, also a big commerical hit. Must have.

Commercial succes, but uneventfull........2005-12-03

What Prince made so special in the 80ties was his abbillity to create innovative music and at the same time appeal to a big audience. Diamond and Pearls appealed to the crowd, considering the 2 million copies it saled, but there is nothing new or exiting to be found on it. Prince even becomes a trendfollower by introducing rap in his music (Jughead) And offcourse there is "Gett off", a nice funk tune, but like all tracks on this cd, very mainstream. Many of the singles that were pulled from this album became great hits (Diamonds and Pearls, Cream, Money Don't Matter 2Night), but they are also amoungst his most uneventfull songs. It shows that being a commercial hit does not equal quality. Only "Willing and Able" and "Strollin'" are showing a tiny glimpse of Prince's true talent and his willingness to experiment with his music. Prince made over 30 albums in his career (I'm proud owner of all of them) and I'm sorry to say this album belongs in the bottomhalf of his catalogue. It was one of his biggest commercial successes and the album sold millions of coppies, but it is also very "middle of the road". It misses spontanity and originality. What is left is a well produced R&B album (perhaps even overproduced), with a handfull of good songs. But non will leave a lasting impression or define Prince's talent. If you seek to be introduced to Prince music get Purple Rain, Sign Of The Times or Lovesexy instead.

Average customer rating:

A real pearl
Breathless by Sanborn
Little Jimmy Scott is on this session
A sax ' s colossus!
Very smooth, very relaxed = David's best (5 stars)

Pearls
David Sanborn
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Love Songs
Timeagain
The Best of David Sanborn
Closer
Songs from the Night Before

ASIN: B000002HHR
Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

Willow Weep For Me
Try A Little Tenderness
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Pearls
For All We Know
Come Rain Or Come Shine
This Masquerade
Everything Must Change
Superstar
Nobody Does It Better

Customer Reviews:

A real pearl.......2006-08-06

Sanborn's best. I own all his album and this one is my favorite by far.
Joined by an orchestra arranged by Johnny Mandel for a set of music dominated by melodic versions of standards.
His sound is very soulful and full of passion.
Highly recommended. Buy it and you will not regret it.

Breathless by Sanborn.......2006-07-21

I teach jazz sax. I and all my students are left breathless by Sanborn's brilliant treatment of these old standards. Every song IS a pearl, but the combination of so much emotion with such technical mastery, makes this entire album the highlight of my large collection. One student expressed it best when he said "Golly".

Little Jimmy Scott is on this session.......2006-01-21

Just a note - because no other reviewer has mentioned the fact - that the incredible Little Jimmy Scott is on "For All We Know" on this session. Maybe he is on some other cuts as well? Listen.

If you don't know Jimmy Scott's singing, you have one of the great treats ahead of you -- he's unique. Enjoy.

A sax ' s colossus!.......2006-01-07

Despite the fact in the Jazz Universe the Seventies had as soloist instrument the piano ( Bob James, Joe Sample, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Crusin), the Eighties were starred by the Sax (Groover Washington, El Gato Barbieri, the Golden Ages of Spyro Gyra) and the Nineties have bet for the guitar (Peter White, Chuck Loeb, Norman Brown. Craig Chaquico, Acoustic alchemy, Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour) , Sanborn has displayed a particular style incorporating a fresh sound in every one of his preceding entries. He has always had a very special about the current tendencies.

This album is an authentic romantic musical post card. He plays true gems of the Romantic repertoire of inestimable resonance in the musical memory. Try a little tenderness, Smoke gets in your eyes, For all we know, Masquerade, Superstar, Pearls or Nobody does it better are revealing gems of his seductive playing.

That 's why listening this album since the first time, you will realize, this album has a visible immortality touch, because there will be always a moonlight occasion to spent with your couple, just to dance, remember listen these traditional themes which will never get old, due its immortal character.

Buy it as soon as you can.

Very smooth, very relaxed = David's best (5 stars).......2005-05-10

I listen to this album on a daily basis incl. This Masquerade (which I luv a lot once done by George Benson), Willow Weep for Me, Nobody Does It Better, Everything Must Change, Superstar, I mean all the songs are great. Such a good CD that David put which won a Grammy 4 it around 1995 or '96. I was blessed that I bought this used 4 $7.99 @ CD Warehouse near Powder Springs in Marietta, GA. I'm happy I didn't get @ Borders nor Best Buy nor Circuit City. Find it right here for a low, low cheap price.

My most love for Sanborn is that he is all-of-a-time superstar that can play anything as long as he keep his feet into. He more better than any artists you can consider, can't even subscribe it. He sure put out some good stuff man. He sure is my all-time favorite alongside Kenny G, Norman Brown (my new favorite I dubbed last year), Patrice Rushen, Al Hirt, Maynard Ferguson, Herb Alpert, among others.

This is more like a jazz standards album or an R&B record which u suggest. This is a must if u wanna hear this or else into other different types of music (e.g. rock, pop, blues, R&B, classical, etc.), you gotta have this. PEARLS still remains my all-time favorite album on the Top 5, Top 10, Top 25, you name it. It's still good. Recommend AT LAST...THE DUETS ALBUM by Kenny G for a favor. But this time, don't get him wrong when he's putting out music.

African Pearls, Vol. 1: Rumba on the River

Average customer rating:

African Pearls, Vol. 1: Rumba on the River
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Syllart
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
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African Pearls, Vol. 2: Cultural Revolution
Nu Med
Urban Africa Club
Authenticite - The Syliphone Years: Orchestres Nationaux and Federaux 1965-1980
Bokoor Beats Afro Beat @ Highlife

ASIN: B000FIM2Y4
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Average customer rating:

Lost Pearls
Wishbone Ash
Manufacturer: Eagle Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

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Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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Live on XM Satellite Radio
Clan Destiny
In the Palace of the King
Snakes & Arrows
Distillation

ASIN: B000OCZ9QE
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Tracks:

Is Justice Done
Bells Chime
Hard on You
Out on a Limb
Where Have You Been
Halfway House [Martin Vocal]
Halfway House [Claire Vocal]
Football and Boxing
John Sherry Jam
Too Much Monkey Business [Live][Demo Version]
Night Hawker
Sheriff of Sherwood [Demo Version]

Average customer rating:

Cast Ye Not ........
Ode to Joy
Thank you!
A Mind Altering Experience

The Complete ESP-Disk Recordings
Pearls Before Swine
Manufacturer: Esp Disk Ltd.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Jewels Were the Stars
The Use of Ashes
The United States of America
A Journal of the Plague Year
The Wizard of Is

ASIN: B0009JPVAQ
Release Date: 2006-07-27

Tracks:

Another Time
Playmate
Ballad to an Amber Lady
(Oh Dear) Miss Morse
Drop Out!
Morning Song
Regions of May
Uncle John
I Shall Not Care
The Surrealist Waltz
Trumpeter Landfrey
Translucent Carriages
Images of April
There was a Man
I Saw the World
Guardian Angels
Suzanne
Lepers and Roses
Florence Nightingale
Ring Thing

Album Description

Tom Rapp, an 18 year-old draft resistor and college dropout living in Eaugallie, Florida, sent a small unsolicited reel of tape to ESP. Bernard Stollman invited him to bring his musicians to New York, where they recorded their acclaimed debut, One Nation Underground in 1967. Less than a year later, they released the equally strong follow-up, Balaklava. Classics of the genre, which certainly would have seen wider attention had ESP survived past 1968, these recordings are getting a well-deserved second chance, thanks to a thorough remastering, under the supervision of Tom Rapp.

Customer Reviews:

Cast Ye Not ........ .......2007-05-30

My Pearls Before Swine ESP-DISK arrived today. I hadn't heard them in roughly 40 years! I remember loving their music, lyrics, and Tom Rapp's voice. I highly recommend this 2 record compilation ("One Nation Underground" and "Balaklava") on one CD to anyone who was there in the 60s or who is curious about the music. I'm putting this one with my "Joy of Cooking", "13th Floor Elevators", "Grateful Dead", "Incredible String Band", and other CDs of genius groups from that time. Excuse me, I have to go now, I have some wonderful listening to do.

Ode to Joy.......2007-03-13

Tucked away in my record closet are vinyl copies of these two albums. They're so badly scratched from repeated playing that it's painful to listen to them now. But now I can listen to these wonderful songs in all their awesome glory. The pristine quality of this CD far exceeds what I heard on my old college stereo. Oh joy!

Thank you!.......2006-11-29

It's been almost 40 years since I first bought this album. The LP is long gone, along with Balaklava and The Use of Ashes. Thank you for making the first two available again, since I can't find them.
The songs are lovely and will carry you away, if you let them.
Be sure to de-code the chorus in Miss Morse. Yes, it does spell something.

A Mind Altering Experience.......2005-06-23

I had never heard Pearls Before Swine before this album, at all. I was able to get my hands on an advance copy and, after some dithering (after all, it's a band from the 60s I never heard of, how good could it be?), I finally put it into my player.

And rarely take it out.

This CD instantly became one of my precious favorites. Tom Rapp sings with a bit of a lisp which, at first, had me thinking something was messed up. Upon confirmation that this was how it's supposed to be, I gave it some more time and fell in love. This lisp of his adds a completely unique quality to his singing which you find in practically no one else in music. To me, it speaks of someone who is so into it, he doesn't care if people think it sounds odd, and that alone adds strength to the music.

His songs are at once silly ("(Oh Dear) Miss Morse"), fun ("Playmate"), sad and lonely ("There Was A Man"), insightful ("Guardian Angels") and more. The very final track, "Ring Thing", will make more than a few people chuckle once they understand what it is, especially considering a certain trilogy of blockbusters recently.

I have to say, as well, that the sound quality is simply mind boggling. It is totally clear, every tone comes out perfectly. There's no hiss or pop. I know I'm not an audio engineer, but I dare say this is a FLAWLESS album. A couple tracks have that typical static sound of rough LP recordings, but they're meant that way - the sound of an early 20th century recording, music and all. Considering the age of the originals, and the lack of work done on them over the past 35-plus years, Joe Phillips - re-release producer and re-mastering engineer - pulled a complete rabbit from his hat.

I, myself, am not a child of the 60s, having been born at the end of 1977, so a lot of music from the era has been lost to me. And hey, let's face it, if it's not still popular now, why care? This attitude is completely wrong for Pearls Before Swine. The loss of them over the past several decades is a tragedy.

My father, however, while not a hippy, did have PBS's second album, 'Balaklava', from 1968. One evening, I'm going on about PBS and he tells me it sounds familiar, so I play some tracks, and his eyes just light up. He starts telling me that he used to have it, and some of the stories he remembered from back then. About a week later, I was rifling through some old LPs that my folks had, from before they split, and sure enough, there's 'Balaklava' in its sleeve, a first pressing even, from 1968. In EXCELLENT condition, no less! Amazing!

So, when I saw when this album would be officially released, I got another copy and gave my dad the CD for Father's Day. He was so shocked and so happy, one of those rare times when a gift for someone really, really means something to them.

This album has come to mean so much for me. It's a view into the past, and it carries so much meaning and emotion, I just get taken back. When it's late at night, I get to feeling a little down and thinking about life, and listen to this, I long so badly for the years when these albums were originally out. This CD has the power to transport me to a generation I was never a part of, and never will be; to a time and a world I will never see.

"Did you find that the Universe/ Doesn't care at all? Did you find that if you don't care/ This whole wrong world will fall?" Yes, Tom; a whole lot of us have found that now, and only too late.

Average customer rating:

Great album, but what about the lyrics?
Casting Pearls
Casting Pearls - A Great New Band!!!

Casting Pearls
Casting Pearls
Manufacturer: Inpop
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Everything and More
Better Days Ahead
Well Meaning Fiction
Over the Rooftops
Daylight

ASIN: B000A8AX5Y
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Tracks:

Weighted
Alright
Wastin' Time
Whole World In His Hands
All About Love
Focus
Revolution
Close Your Eyes
Love's Done Something
You Alone

Customer Reviews:

Great album, but what about the lyrics?.......2006-08-03

Casting Pearls has been around for a long time. They released a couple albums before this release on Inpop records. This a great record; catchy melodies, guitar rifts, pounding percussion, and intense in-your-face vocals. The production is also incredible! The only thing I don't care for is the lyrics. In my opinion, they are a little too cheesy. I've listened to the album all the way through multiple times, and I can't help but get the impression that the lyrics communicate that Christianity is an easy walk through the park. This is just my opinion! Other than that, I love this album. That's why I gave it 4 stars.

Casting Pearls.......2005-08-18

Casting Pearls, self-titled, is the third record out by Casting Pearls, but the first released on inopop. They have been my favorite band for about a year, and this CD has only reinforced that. The lyrics are beautifully written, and appropriate for all ages. The words and music flow in and out of each other, accented by drums and bass that are pleasantly arranged, not to harsh, or so quiet as to be hidden. The range of songs is great for many tastes, and all moods. I highly recommend this CD.

Casting Pearls - A Great New Band!!!.......2005-08-17

Casting Pearls is a fairly new band that has recently released an excellent self-titled debut. While this is the band's first CD, guitarist/singer Bryan Olesen is no stranger to the business. Olesen has spent the past two years as the current guitarist from the Newsboys as well as fronting Pearls.
Casting Pearls' debut CD is full of catchy guitar-based pop tunes that highlight Olesen's distinct vocals that sound like a cross between Bono and DCTalk's Kevin Max. In addition to the riff-oriented rock that dominates most of the album, there are also some worshipful moments which are heard in the Coldplay-esque "Focus", the acoustic "You Alone" and the cover of Tim Hughes "Whole World In His Hands".
The album also comes with a full-length bonus DVD that features a 40-minute live performance of the band giving their all. Throughout the concert, the band is joined by various guests including Olesen's Newsboy bandmate Phil Joel, Audio Adrenaline's Tyler Burkum and brother Jason Burkum as well as a full youth choir (for "Whole World In His hands").
Casting Pearls definitely has a promising future ahead of them and have released a stellar debut. Their hard pop-oriented music as well as their direct Christ-centered lyrics are at the forefront as well as their great musicianship.
A Very Recommended Debut!!

Average customer rating:

A Lost Classic
OUR SONG IS BUT A CANDLE THAT WILL ONE DAY FADE AWAYý

The Use of Ashes
Pearls Before Swine
Manufacturer: Water
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

These Things Too
The Complete ESP-Disk Recordings
City of Gold
Beautiful Lies You Could Live
Stone the Crows

ASIN: B0000ZMH2Y
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

The Jeweler
From The Movie Of The Same Name
Rocket Man
God Save The Child
Song About A Rose
Tell Me Why
Margery
The Old Man
Riegal
When The War Began

Album Description

Their fourth album (second for Warner/Reprise) and released in 1970 features songs written by Tom Rapp while living in Holland. Subversive, tender, moving, goofy, maddening, and profound! 10 tracks including the song 'Rocket Man' which is based on a short story by Ray Bradbury. Water. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

A Lost Classic.......2005-06-08

The other comment on this album says most of what I could ever want to say about this album, but I'd like to add a few points.

First off, David Bowie's constantly referenced Pearls Before Swine as an influence on him, and his sound on the "Space Oddity" album is very much derived from the Pearls Before Swine sound. Obviously, big-time Bowie fans will have an interest in this--as my dad pointed out, Rapp's "Rocket Man" was one of a few wierd rock/pop takes on space travel (Bowie's "Space Oddity" and Elton John's "Rocket Man") that were out at essentially the same time.
Also, be sure to check out the stunning cover of "The Jeweller" on This Mortal Coil's second album, "Filigree and Shadow." It's a stunning re-work of the original that is a sincere tribute to Rapp's composition and lyricism.

OUR SONG IS BUT A CANDLE THAT WILL ONE DAY FADE AWAYý.......2004-01-21

...not these songs. They are, each and every one of them, jewels of the art - and they will endure. Tom Rapp refers to jewels in the lyrics of three of them - `The jeweler', `Rocket man' and `The old man' - and his compositions are indeed jewel-like, both lyrically and melodically so far ahead of their time that it's no surprise that he never achieved commercial success. His work was always critically acclaimed - but the albums released originally by Warner subsidiary Reprise (of which this was the second) were allowed, shamefully, to languish out-of-print for too many years. Released as a four-cd boxed set in 2003, they are available individually, as of today - to which I for one am most grateful to the San Francisco-based Water label. This album was one of my favorite recordings of the 70s - I remember wearing out more than one copy of the LP. It's been too many years since I've heard it - I've listened to it all the way through 3-4 times today, and it hasn't lost one iota of the charm with which it held me rapt (or should that be `Rapp'ed'...? [sorry...]) through so many listenings all those years ago.

The first track, `The jeweler', is one of the most beautifully poetic, moving lyrics I've ever heard. Rapp's portrait of the old man who, after closing his shop, sits up late in the dark, lovingly polishing old coins with `...spit and cloth and ashes' is a poignant one. His imagery is absolutely perfect and beautiful - `...he makes them shine with ashes, he knows the use of ashes, he worships God with ashes.' The booklet notes (by Edwin Pouncey) lean toward the interpretation that the implication is that the jeweler `...must suffer for the adoration of money' - the song seems to speak to me more of the old man's love for beautiful things, of his attempts to restore them to their former beauty. He can shine the coins, removing `the thumbprints from so many ages' - he cannot remove the scratches. Most of the time, he is conscious of this limitation - but all the same, he works on them into the night: `...both his hands will blister badly, they will open painfully, and the blood flows from his hands...he wishes he could cure the scars...when he forgets, he sometimes cries.'

Jewels are mentioned again in the third track, `Rocket man' (NOT the same as the song by the same title written by Elton John) - in this case, as a double image: the jewels of a mother's tears, the jewels of the father's imagination being the stars themselves. The song (inspired by a story by sci-fi great Ray Bradbury) is sung from the perspective of the son of a `rocket man', an astronaut. The boy and his mother are all too aware of the dangers inherent in the father's work - it seems that they do not speak of it, but rather acknowledge it silently: `...and on my mother's face, as lonely as the world in space, I could read the silent cry: that if my father fell into a star, we must not look upon that star again.' Thus, when the father's ship is swallowed by a solar flare, the mother and son go out when `...the sky was cloudy or the sun was blotted out, or to escape the pain we only went out when it rained.'

The quality of the songwriting is repeated in every track - even the short instrumental `From the movie of the same name' is quite lovely. Rapp addresses issues of the day: man's inhumanity to man (`Tell my why'), the horrors of war (`Margery', `Riegel', and `When the war began'), as well as love and loneliness (`God save the child', `Song about a rose') - and songs that are simply (an appropriate/inappropriate word here) about the human condition, and life (the two mentioned above, plus `The old man'). His songs, while dealing with issues and feelings that are modern, have a medieval mood to them - and this can be attributed to both his lyrics and his music. The use of orchestral instruments in the arrangements here (and in his other albums as well) enhances the mood of the pieces nicely, elevating them above the level of `pop music' - which is one reason, perhaps, that the Pearls Before Swine albums never realized a wider audience. It's a pity - but it's too often the case.

Tracks:

Flames Of Love
Same Ol' Way
Bittersweet
Ain't No Crime
Big Red Line
Liar's Dice Blues
Black Pearls
Sorow's Kitchen
Four Roses
Old Smyrna Road
Tenfold Trouble
Wicked Ways

Album Description

Asian edition of the blues rock act's 2003 live album includes two bonus tracks, 'Green Tea' & one unmarked, hidden track. Rock Empire.

Customer Reviews:

Don't own any of his music but............2006-11-22

Saw Eric open for Steve Vai in New Orleans a year ago, every song sounded the same, too busy, too fast, you can play fast and all over the place if you're clean: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, otherwise you need to space it out a bit. More notes doesn't mean better, see Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Don't get me wrong I like fast, love fast but not every song for an hour, mix it up show me something else.

I am a music fan so I may yet buy an album or two just to compare his recordings to the live experience.

p.s. Steve Vai's live Renditions of The Crying Machine and Dyin' Day were mezmorizing. Yes I'm still stuck on Fire Garden, his best album ever.

powerful guitar playing and vocals.......2006-08-29

Upon hearing Eric's music, I purchased this CD as well as his others immediately. Some fine guitar chops and raw vocals.

Only because..........2005-11-01

Eric's music is 10 times better live than it is on record (expecially vocals). Ive seen him enough, along with opening for steve vai in Houston, and he is an **INCREDIBLE** guitarist especially slide so be wary of the last reviewer. But I do have to agree his full potential isnt dealt forth in the album- not enough blues with a rock base, lacking power in voice, but look for Eric to fix his studio woes in his next album

Innovative yes, stunning guitar player NO.......2005-09-28

the fact is I keep hearing the words "blues" when people refer to this guy. this is rock people! Yes he plays a resonator guitar, yes he occasionally plays a blues tune. He is a Rock guy through and through. As far as being a great slide player, he is decent but there are a million guys that could burn him into the ground. Ry cooder, Johnny winter, Rory gallagher,Joe Bonamassa,Bill Perry, peter green, billy gibbons,etc. Slide players are a rare breed and most people see someone playing with a slide and because they never see it automatically say "this guy rocks!" I do think what he does is innovative and it is keeping great american resonator companies like National guitars in the spotlight where they belong, but what he does isnt all that different talent wise than a band like the white stripes. He deserves respect for playing resonator guitars and taking blues to the next level but get real, he isnt a guitar god by any means.

someone wrote on here that he opened for steve vai and that meant he must be good, steve vais carreer isnt exactly blooming right now.

i gave this CD 4 stars because even though it isnt blues it is still a solid musical experience. the band is solid and tight and I love the fact that he plays National Resonator guitars.

the fact is though if youa re looking for blues rock in the vein of guys like Stevie ray vaughn, joe bonamassa,clapton,etc. this is not by any means in that category. If you like the more modern and progressive sounds of blues influenced bands who take it just a step over the line into rock like the white stripes, black keys, even newer zz top material; then you may get into this stuff.

if you go into this CD expecting blues you will be let down.

The Future is NOW !!.......2005-05-17

"Blues Purists" be damned,,,,,,crawl back under your Rock with your scratchy old 78's.

Eric can play alongside the best of them.
You don't tour with Steve Vai unless you're one of the Best.

Eric is the Future of Modern Blues.

The latest cd is more Aggresive than the previous 2 offerings.
A little Harsh at times but the "Bluesy" undertones are there.

This cd is Highly Recommended.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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