Long Distance

On this CD:

1. Arien IV (solo music for guitar) for classic guitar
Composed by Sidney Corbett
Performed by Seth Josel

2. Water on the Mountain. . . Fire in Heaven
Composed by James Tenney
Performed by Seth Josel

3. Bag O'Tells (An Archeology of the Mandolin)
Composed by Martin Bresnick
Performed by Seth Josel

4. Greaseball for electric guitar and tape
Composed by Eric Lyon
Performed by Seth Josel

5. Suite in Three Parts for Classical Guitar Ciacona
Composed by Aaron Jay Kernis
Performed by Seth Josel

Tracks:

The Voice
Talking Out Of Turn
Gemini Dream
In My World
MeanWhile
22,000 Days
Nervous
Painted Smile
Reflective Smile
Veteran Cosmic Rocker

Amazon.com

A regular fixture on the pop charts throughout the '70s, the Moody Blues roared into the '80s with this tremendously successful record. In fact, the album sounds only slightly different than its predecessors; the synthesizer textures are heavier (thanks to former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz), but the band's flair for catchy, melodic compositions is still very much in evidence. In retrospect, songs like "The Voice," "Talking Out of Turn" and "In My World," while solid, don't exactly measure up to such all-time Moodies classics like "Ride My See-Saw" or "Tuesday Afternoon." Still, this is probably the last truly consistent album the band ever made. --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews:

My intro to the Magical Moodies.......2007-06-07

This really isn't a review, just me wanting to briefly share my sentimental feelings about the Moodies and this particular album.

Having been born in 1964 into a household that did not allow rock music, I didn't discover The Moody Blues until the Summer of 1981. I can remember so very clearly lying on the floor on a hot day and hearing 'Gemini Dream' on the radio. I was instantly in love with the sounds of the music, lyrics, and what I was to later learn, John Lodge's unique voice. I was ecstatic when a few months later I got another delicious taste of the Moodies with 'The Voice'. I have been smitten by them ever since. Before LDV, I had never even heard of the Moodies and had certainly never heard anything sounding remotely like them. Since that time I have discovered the earlier works of this great band. They never cease to amaze, enthrall and delight me. Every time I listen to a Moodies song, they take up a little bit more space in my heart, where this album holds a very, very special place.

Now that I know them, I cannot imagine a world without the beautiful music and words of these talented and wonderful men who call themselves The Moody Blues.

Cover art trivia.......2007-03-30

Something I noticed years ago was the satellite passing through the sky on the album cover, an interesting anachronism made all the more poignant in its subtlety. Also, it's not just any satellite, but a "Voyager" that was launched in the 70s and is currently speeding out of our solar system. Indeed, a "Long Distance Voyager." It's a nice reminder of the Moodies cosmic roots and harkens back to "To Our Children's Children's Children."

The Moody Blues' second, and to date last, US chart topper is still excellent 25 years on.......2007-03-18

The Moody Blues' tenth studio album entitled Long Distance Voyager was released in May of 1981.
The Moody Blues, by 1981, had not put out any studio work since 1978's Platinum selling Octave (which was the last album with founding keyboard player Mike Pinder). Then in the spring of 1981 saw the return of The Moody Blues, which now consisted of guitarist/singer/songwriter Justin Hayward, bass player/singer/songwriter John Lodge (bass, vocals), flute player/singer/songwriter Ray Thomas, drummer Graeme Edge and one time Yes keyboard player Patrick Moraz (whom Yes fans remember for his stellar work on their 1974 album Relayer). Many people were disappointed with Octave and called it disjointed but Long Distance Voyager saw The Moody Blues return in a MAJOR WAY!
First, the band jettisoned producer Tony Clarke and replaced him with Pip Williams. Then the band recorded in England for the first time since 1972's Seventh Sojourn at Threshold Studios in Northamptonshire, England in late 1980/early 1981. Finally, the mellotrons were gone and synthesizers were now here in its place.
The album opend with the Top 20 hit "The Voice" which its synthesizer intro showcaed Moraz' synthesizer work. The track, penned by Hayward, is a great song and worthy of hit status. Next is "Talking Out of Turn", a ballad penned and sung by Lodge. A great song. Next was the album's other big hit, the Top 20 charting "Gemini Dream", which was penned and sung by by Lodge and Hayward and proclaiming they were back, and they were. In My World is next and was the last song on the first side. The Hayward penned number is almost country-ish in sound but a beautiful track and featured excellent steel guitar work by B.J. Cole.
"Meanwhile" starts the second half of the album and was penned and sung by Hayward and is a fantastic number about love slipping through the character's fingers. Next is the Graeme Edge penned number "22,000 Days" which is about life and making the most of it and a stellar track. we follow with another Lodge penned number called "Nervous" and is another classic number. The album's last 3 tracks is a mini-suite penned and sung by Ray Thomas. The three tracks in question are "Painted Smile", "Reflective Smile" and "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" compares the music and entertainment world to the circus. This mini-suite of three songs is a great way to close a classic album.
Long Distance Voyager upon its release became The Moody Blues' second, and to date, last US chart-topper hitting #1 in July of 1981 and staying there for three weeks and was the second Moody Blues album to hit the Platinum mark in the US (meaning it sold a million or more in copies) and rightfully so because the album is flawless and saw The Moody Blues come back from a clunker to bring one of the best albums of their career.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Welcome Back, Moody Blues.......2006-11-16

Forget the plodding, Octave. THIS is the Mooody Blues comeback album.

Most of the songs here are fantastic. The band is re-energized by the arrival of Patrick Moraz. "Talking Out Of Turn." is the best John Lodge solo vocal on any Moody Blues album from any era. "In My World" is a worthy addition to the Justin Hayward ballad catalogue. The only criticism is the Ray Thomas songs are not on par with his classic work, and, consequently, are the weakest songs on the album.

The Moody Blues' best album of the 80's.......2006-11-10

THE BAND: Justin Hayward (guitars, vocals), John Lodge (bass, vocals), Patrick Moraz (keyboards), Ray Thomas (flute, harmonica, vocals), Graeme Edge (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1981) 10 tracks clocking in approximately 47 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing song titles/time/credits, song lyrics, and misc info. Recorded at Threshold Studios in Northamptonshire, England. A hard-to-find gold/remastered edition released in 1997. Label - Decca Records / Threshold.

COMMENTS: I was too young to be 'into' the Moody Blues when they were big for the 1st time (late 1960's into the early 70's). "Long Distance Voyager" (LDV) was my first album of theirs... it hooked me in and eventually made me go backwards to buy much of their earlier material. Where it's debatable what album might be the best of the 60's and again in the 70's, I feel "LDV" is clearly their best album of the 80's. The thrust of their musical direction had changed since their first 7-8 albums. Leaning now toward main stream rock/pop, with less orchestration and space rock feel. "LDV" became the band's 2nd #1 album on the Billboard chart (with 2 huge hits - #15 "The Voice" and #12 "Gemini Dream"). This album also saw the departure of long time keyboardist Mike Pinder, and the entrance of ex-Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz. "The Voice" is a great song and worthy of hit status. I was never a huge fan of the very pop-oriented "Gemini Dream"... to me, outside of the vocals, it really doesn't even sound like the band. The gems on the album though are the non-hits. "Meanwhile" is a great melody about love slipping through the character's fingers; "22,000 Days" (my all-time favorite Graeme Edge song) is a great song about life and making the most of it; and the last 3 tracks pertaining to the entertainers of the world... "Painted Smile" through "Veteran Cosmic Rocker". The album really closes with a bang. If you want to own any of the Moody Blues' many studio albums, "Long Distance Voyager" should be one of them (5 stars).

Average customer rating:

I'm afraid if I breathe it will disappear...
Ivy
Their best album even without "The Best Thing"
Long Distance did not come short
Trippy, Spacious and Inviting

Long Distance
Ivy
Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In the Clear
Apartment Life
Lately
Realistic
Realistic

ASIN: B00005LMX1
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Undertow
Disappointed
Edge Of The Ocean
Blame It On Yourself
While We're In Love
Lucy Doesn't Love You
Worry About You
Let's Stay Inside
Midnight Sun
I Think Of You
Hideaway
One More Last Kiss
Digging Your Scene

Amazon.com

After years of postmodern pop posturing from dozens of would-be Portisheads and Bjorks, it's something more than a relief to see Ivy's third album, Long Distance, get a U.S. release. The New York-based trio's languid but richly emotional meld of trip-hop, classic French-pop touches (singer Dominique Durand is a Paris native), and indie adventurousness shine here, even while displaying the outfit's deepest melancholic vibe. Few singer-songwriters could put across a sentiment like that of "Disappointed"--Durand explains that she's bound to leave a guy--without coming off defensive or taunting. "While We're in Love" offers a similarly bleak, if enticing, future. Long Distance never burrows so far into its own melancholy as to render the effect merely selfish or cold; even if your situation is hunky-dory, you'll be hard pressed not to revel in the subtle empathy of these numbers. The sole nonoriginal, the Blow Monkeys' 1986 single "Digging Your Scene," demonstrates Ivy's ability to render a late-summer dayscape replete with slowly pushed merry-go-round and intimation of oncoming loss, all with a wink. --Rickey Wright

Album Description

Long Distance finds Ivy continuing to move away from its beginning as straightforward guitar band, exploring in greater depth the types of slinky rhythms and sounds that were hinted at on 1997's Apartment Life. Also featured on the record are James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Jon Skibic (Gigolo Aunts) and Brian Young (Fountains Of Wayne/Posies). 13 tracks, including a Blow Monkey's cover 'Digging Your Scene'. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

I'm afraid if I breathe it will disappear..........2007-06-06

Can you be haunted by an album...listen to it more than a dozen times and never tire of it, feel that it has helped you through bad times and good times, improved your heart rate and your dreams?

If you don't think so or you're not sure, you should give Ivy's LONG DISTANCE a try. I kid you not when I say it will never be away from your music player for very long. Repeated listens never dull the album, but instead enrich it.

The album is beauty in slow motion, a perfect production that is every bit as natural as breathing and it's so wonderful you might think you imagined it.

Track by track, LONG DISTANCE never disconnects. There are the vulnerable dreamboat songs like "Edge of the Ocean," "Let's Stay Inside," "Midnight Sun" and "One More Last Kiss" (this is where I almost gasp it's so wonderful. I picture myself at the beach, utterly at peace, the sky blue, the breeze a friendly tease.)

Then Dominique Durand walks on air with more uptempo (but equally relaxing) songs like "Blame it On Yourself" (very catchy!!), "Lucy Doesn't Love You" and "I Think of You."

I'm not saving the best for last (everything here is "best for last"!!)so much as I'm saving the most devastating for last...the songs that should scorch your heart with sadness, but somehow don't because Ivy reminds us that even when things are bad, there's still loveliness in life.

One example of this is the brilliantly ironic (but not cynical) "While We're in Love." In the wrong hands, this ballad could be mean-spirited, but here it is utterly beguiling and heart-wrenching with its sincere, realistic look at the fleeting happiness of relationships. It's also very mystical and alluring, two qualities familiar to any Ivy fan.

There is no poison to be found in Ivy's music, just lots of time for reverie...It even ends on a playful note with the sweet "Digging Your Scene."

How I adore this album...it's hard to explain just how transforming the listening experience can be! My review could never do it justice...All I can do is ask you to listen and then, THEN you'll hear for yourself.

Ivy.......2007-05-08

THis was a much better Cd than i thought it would be.
I only knew the song, edge of the ocean and I am really happy with nearly all the songs.
sometimes it is a gamble buying a CD from a new artist, but I don't regret spending the money on this one.

Their best album even without "The Best Thing".......2007-01-23

I first got into Ivy when a friend of mine put "The Best Thing" on a mixtape. I couldn't stop listening to it. That song is on "Apartment Life," the album before this one. "Long Distance" is a consistently stronger album -- the production is glossier and the songwriting has matured without sacrificing any pop catchiness. This is probably the group's most popular album: soon after its release I kept hearing "Edge of the Ocean" playing in car commercials and on tv shows like "Mysterious Ways" and "Roswell" (Where the band actually appeared and performed the song). Usually, when such media saturation happens (Blur's "Song 2" for instance), I'll stop listening to the group for a while. But I didn't seem to mind when it happened to Ivy. Perhaps, to my ears, "Long Distance" is beyond corruption.

Long Distance did not come short.......2007-01-14

I purchased this CD for one song, basically the title song for a Stephen King Tv Series. I found however that the entire Cd was worth listening to. Worth the purchase.

Trippy, Spacious and Inviting.......2007-01-04

If you've read the reviews, you know that this is a helluva CD. I had never heard of this group or it's French singer until someone gave me an MP3 transfer. In spite of the curtailed frequency response and other liabilities of MP3's, the emotional power and range comes through. The driving bottom end and mellow, languid singing reminds me of Massive Attack's Blue Lines CD. If you're not familiar with that CD, don't worry. Run, don't walk, and pick up a copy of this CD. You wont be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Night/Long Distance
A brilliant British (not LA) hard rock album
AVERAGE BAND W/ a COUPLE OF ABOVE AVERAGE SONGS

Night/Long Distance
Night
Manufacturer: Renaissance
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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If You Remember Me: Very Best of Chris Thompson

ASIN: B00022TSK4
Release Date: 2004-01-01

Tracks:

Hot Summer Nights
Cold Wind Across My Heart
If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
Ain't That Peculiar
Come Around (If You Want Me)
You Ain't Pretty Enough
Shocked
Love Message
Party Shuffle
Dr. Rock
Don't Break My Heart
Love on the Airwaves
Letter
Callin' Me Back
You Cried Wolf
Stealin'
Miss You (Like I Do)
Day After Day
Good to Be Back in Your Arms

Product Description

Both of Night's albums on 1 CD. Digitally remastered from the original masters. Featuring Manfred Mann's Earth Band vocalist Chris Thompson and including the chart hits "Hot Summer Nights" and "Love On The Airwaves".

Customer Reviews:

Night/Long Distance.......2007-06-08

I bought this for the song "Hot Summer Night" & I'm very happy with this purchase. My husband has been looking for this song for a long time.

A brilliant British (not LA) hard rock album.......2007-04-14

I think I must have listened to a different CD. First of all, "If You Remember Me" IS on this CD, as a bonus (and unlisted) Track 20. (It was originally a single, not on the LP.) The sound quality is great: the CD sounds just like the LPs sounded, which is exactly as it should be: good, loud, solid rock. As for getting the credits wrong, the CD booklet simply reproduces the LP covers. The previous reviewer is clearly attacking the CD company, not this CD, or this band, who he seems to know little or nothing about. He obviously didn't listen to the end, anyway!

To say "Night was comprised of some hot LA studio musicians (including Nicky Hopkins) whose lead vocals were handled by Stevie Lange and onetime Mannfred Mann Earth Band lead vocalist Chris Thompson" and to compare them with "the typical pedestrian LA pop of the era" is just plain silly. The frontline of the band were all British: founder and vocalist Chris Thompson, stunning vocalist Stevie Lange and brilliant guitarist Robbie McIntosh. So, in fact, was keyboard player Nicky Hopkins (the only person to have played with the Beatles, the Stones and the Who). And the great bassist Billy Kristian is from New Zealand. So yup, that's really one LA band!

Night were actually the second phase of a British rock band that had three incarnations. Chris Thompson founded them as a London pub band, Filthy McNasty, with Stevie Lange, McIntosh and Kristian. They went to LA to record an album, but producer Richard Perry insisted on changing some of the band's other personnel. That's when they changed their name to Night. Their second album kept the core members of Thompson, Lange, McIntosh and Kristian but used different sessionmen for keyboards and drums.

The third incarnation of the band, when they returned to London, was called Chris Thompson & The Islands. That's when I was lucky enough to see them, in the famous Half Moon pub in Putney - crowded, hot, sweaty, loud, the perfect venue to be blown away by Stevie Lange's magnificent vocals.

I can understand the comparison with Heart, at least on a couple of tracks, but the whole "LA pop" description is rubbish. A far better comparison is with British post-punk bands of the time like Any Trouble/the Clive Gregson Band and the Joe Jackson Band - i.e. musicians who weren't afraid to play loud, driving, exciting rock music, but could actually play their instruments (and that includes their voices). Night, under whatever name, were a superb live band, and this CD has some outstanding tracks, including "Hot Summer Nights", "If You've Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", "Shocked", "Love on the Airwaves" and "If You Remember Me". Buy it, turn the volume up, and roast!

AVERAGE BAND W/ a COUPLE OF ABOVE AVERAGE SONGS.......2006-10-23

Night was comprised of some hot LA studio musicians (including Nicky Hopkins) whose lead vocals were handled by Stevie Lange and onetime Mannfred Mann Earth Band lead vocalist Chris Thompson.
For the most part they did not live up to expectations but did land a couple of singles in the Top 20 from their debut LP. The first was the Walter Egan song "Hot Summer Nights" with Lange on the lead. She didn't sound like that other Stevie, more like Ann Wilson, and the Night take certainly does sound more than a little like a Heart wannabee. The other hit "If You Remember Me" was handled by Thompson, whose husky baritone was still very recognizable from "Blinded By The Light" a few years prior.
Beyond the two singles there's only a small scattering of songs that rise slightly above the typical pedestrian LA pop of the era.
Both of the aforementioned Top 20 songs are largely forgotten, never getting any oldie radio play, and to this day have never turned up on any other compilation whatsover.
If you're still interested be aware of this:
This double-on-one CD was released by the notorious label RENAISSANCE. They have butchered more re-releases than anyone and it's truly criminal that they continue to get away with their ineptness.
A short list of their transgressions include....
1. Horrible sonics
2. Inconsistant db levels
3. Dubbing from scratchy record albums while claiming "remastered" product
4. Dubbing those records at a slow speed(!) resulting in very noticeable drag.
5. Screwing up the times
6. Screwing up the credits

Some of the artists who have been victimized by Renaissance include U.K., LAKE, CHARLIE, and HAMILTON, JOE FRANK & REYNOLDS.

And yes they have wreaked their havoc on this release as well. It sounds muddy and was dubbed at old school low levels.
But the biggest gaffe of all was dropping "If You Remember Me" in order to fit both albums on the CD.
It's inconceivable that the song they chose to eliminate was the biggest hit that Night had!! (#17 Top 40, and Top 10 AC)
( FYI -This means that this is one of the few Top 20 hits left that has never seen the light of digital day )

>You have been warned: If it says Renaissance on the label....take a pass!

Average customer rating:

will not wear with time
unique!
The Work of Masters
A rich and rewarding album

Arabo-Andalusian Sufi Songs
Ensemble Ibn Arabi
Manufacturer: Long Distance France
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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3
B'ismillah: Fes Festival Of World Sacred Music
Hamdulillah: Fes Festival Of World Sacred Music, Vol. II

ASIN: B0000AKNHL
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Coalis(The Allies)
Je Crois en la Religion de l'Amour (I Believe in the Religion of Love)
Cet Amour N'est Pas Chose Facile (This Love Is No Easy Matter)
Amoureux a Acceptu'on le Prenne Pour un Fou (The Man in Love ...)
Taqsau Violon (Taqsim for Violin)
S'ils Comprenaient Les Secrets de l'Amour de Le (If Only They ...)
Le a Pris Ma Raison (Leila Has Robbed Me of My Reason)
Duo Oud - Quanoun (Duo'ud Qanun)
Ses Paroles Me Ressuscitent (Her Words Bring Me to Life Again)
Taqsau Qanoun (Taqsim on the Qanun)
Ne Te Tiens Pas oigne Moi (Don't Leave Me)
Taqsl'Oud (Taqsim for 'Ud)
Je T'Aime de Deux Amours (My Love for You Is Twofold)
Taqsau Ney (Taqsim for Nay)
Tasliya d'Ibn Arabi (Tasliya by Ibn Arabi)
Fer (Iron)

Customer Reviews:

will not wear with time.......2006-11-04

Owning many CDs of oud playing,(being an oud player for a Turkish chorus),and middle eastern music, this one stands out as exquisite. Most CDs bore me after a few playings but the richness of this one bears up under endless listening. One of the instruments played is silence. As a one time flamenco singer also, was fascinated to hear clearly where that style of singing came from.

unique!.......2006-09-04

I have listened to various sufi music and melodies but this one truly stands out. Exceptionally rich. You need not understand Arabic to appreciate and savor this art.

The Work of Masters.......2006-03-16

Among my dozens of Moroccan recordings and various other CDs of Middle Eastern and Inner Asian Sufi music, this one is special. While keeping the flavor of North African Andalusia with instrumentation and vocal style, the slower tempo and quiet passion reaches into the depths of the poetry, much like Turkish and Persian traditions. The ubiquitous Chemirani on percussion adds a further, timeless and more worldly dimension to the performance. The sound quality is excellent. There is wide variety in the selection of pieces, from ensemble to solos, set works and improvisations. You will not be disappointed.

A rich and rewarding album.......2004-01-21

While Sufi music is often known for its wild, ecstatic performances, this Moroccan ensemble plays with utmost restraint, building up melodies ever-so slowly and ever-so elegantly. Their repertoire is drawn from the half-lost Anadlusian strain of Sufi folklore that is still heard within the zaouia tradition of Tangiers. Many of these songs follow a pattern similar to some Indian classical performances, starting with slow, unaccompanied vocals, then adding a lightly plucked oud to further establish the melody, and finally bringing in percussion to fill in the sound. This is a gentle, contemplative album, one which may bring renewed rewards to repeat listenings. Recommended!

Average customer rating:

Incredible!
They'll have you dancing a jig, even if you don't know how!
Tom Kayser
Stunning...
Awesome

Long Distance: The Best of Runrig
Runrig
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Searchlight

ASIN: B0000073HR
Release Date: 1996-10-07

Tracks:

(Stepping Down The) Glory Road
Alba (Live)
The Greatest Flame
Rocket To The Moon (Live)
Abhainn An T-Sluaigh
Protect And Survive
Rhythm Of My Heart
Hearthammer
An Ubhal As Airde (The Highest Apple)
Wonderful
The Mighty Atlantic / Mara Theme (Orchestral Mix)
Flower Of The West
Every River (Single Version)
Siol Ghoraidh
Hearts Of Olden Glory
Skye (Live)
Loch Lomond (Live)

Album Description

17 track best of collection released in 1997. Tracks include 'Rhythm Of The Heart', 'Wonderful' & 'Hearts Of Golden Glory'. Plus the live tracks 'Skye' & 'Loch Lomond'.

Customer Reviews:

Incredible!.......2007-06-29

This has to be one of the most incredible celtic rock groups of all times! Thanks to the pen pal who turned me on to this music. It's truly amazing! Give these guys a listen. You WON'T be disappointed!

They'll have you dancing a jig, even if you don't know how!.......2007-06-04

A Scottish woman in a chatroom told me about Runrig, and I had to check them out. I found a few songs on the internet, and I was hooked! "Glory Road" and "The Greatest Flame" are such positive, upbeat songs that I can always depend on them to lift my spirits after a bad day. I have learned a lot more about this band and their music by chatting with other fans at their website. They do one thing that really got my respect, and I've never heard of another band doing it. Members of their fan club can show their membership cards to security after any concert and go to a "meet and greet" with the band. Unbelievable. One woman told me that a friend was unable to attend a concert with her because of a snowstorm. When she told the singer about it, he pulled out his cellphone and asked for her friend's number. He called her to say he was sorry she'd missed the show and that he hoped she'd be able to see them soon. Their hearts are as huge as their talents, and they deserve to have more fans here in the US!

Tom Kayser.......2007-05-08

If you've found this page and my review, here is my simple advice--just buy this CD, sit back in a dimly lit room, close your eyes and be taken on a musical journey like few others. Listen to it three or four more times, THEN come back to the Runrig section and start buying more of their CDs--all of which are terrific, fantastic, wonderful, beautiful, etc., etc.

Runrig is so underrated, undervalued, unhearalded, and undiscovered it is pathetic. A number of years ago, I bought a compilation CD of a bunch of unknown artists. The one Runrig track on that CD was "Beautiful Pain." I wore out that track. I also misread the group's name as "Big Rig" and went on Amazon, hunting for CDs. Of course I found, nothing with that song. Then, in searching iTunes for some songs, I stumbled on "Beautiful Pain" by RUNRIG!!!!!! On to Amazon for some purchases. Two weeks later--with 12 Runrig CDs and their DVD--the power of my CD collection was infinitely upgraded.

Runrig is a mixture of the Waterboys, early Van Morrison, and Big Country, with superb vocals, storytelling themes, and instrumental playing that is outstanding--YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. Just follow my advice in the first paragraph. Buy this CD first, then go from there!!!

Stunning..........2006-02-22

And I do mean it. There is quite a bit of Celtic folk-rock out there, and myself I think it's pretty darn good stuff. But I wasn't prepared for Runrig (and I just can't figure out why America hasn't caught on to them yet. A travesty, if you ask me). They're known for their passion, and for good reason. The people of Runrig are full of an extraordinary amount of life. They love it, they embrace the sad stuff and the strong stuff, both holding onto their strong Gaelic heritage and looking forward with, well, a lot of courage. One can't help but feel caught up in their sheer forcefulness.

As for the music, it's of the Scottish variety (the best), with pipes and other traditional instruments in addition to guitars and percussion. One characteristic of proper Celtic rock is the proliferation of good melody - there's not just sound, but sound with pattern and with strong grooves and chords. All in all, it makes one want to dance, and that's a better frame of mind than much of what I see today, I think.

This particular Runrig CD was largely compiled by fans, and thus is full of fan-favorites. There's not a track here that I wouldn't turn up the radio for, if radios played anything so good as this. The Glory Road sets the mood, and the final live tracks, Skye and Loch Lomond, end on pure thunder. You need to hear it. I feel a sense of sadness for everyone who hasn't heard Runrig, I truly do.

Awesome.......2005-09-02

The owner of a B&B on the Isle of Skye played this CD during breakfast early this August. On the second morning of hearing it, I had to know who it was. He told us where to pick one up, and we listened to it the rest of the time driving around Scotland. Now that I am home, even my kids are addicted to it. I have since bought other CD's and they are great as well. You don't find many groups with such quality material.

Average customer rating:

The Doudouk/Beyond Borders
Levon Minassian
Manufacturer: Long Distance France
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Alina - Arvo Part
An Ancient Muse

ASIN: B00004VC7G
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Hol Ara Y (Call of the Earth)
Der Vorghormia (Merciful Lord)
Yeraz (Rrie)
Horovel (Work Song)
Lousniag Kicher (Moonlight) - Levon Minassian,
Odjaroum (Come Home) - Gilles Andrieux, Levon Minassian, Roselyne Minassian, Haroun Teboul
Delaman (Love Song)
Im Yariss (For My Love) - Levon Minassian,
Siretzi Yares Daran (They Have Taken the One I Love)

Casey Kasem Presents: The Long Distance Dedications

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Casey Kasem Presents: The Long Distance Dedications
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Top Sail Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Casey Kasem Presents: America's Top Ten - The 90's Rock's Greatest Hits
Casey Kasem Presents: America's Top Ten - The 80s #1 Pop Hits
Casey Kasem Presents: America's Top Ten - The 60's Motown's Greatest Hits
Casey Kasem Presents: America's Top Ten - The 80's New Wave
Casey Kasem: America's Top 10 Through Years - The 80's

ASIN: B000LKAR7A
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Tracks:

Greatest Love Of All -- Whitney Houston
I Will Remember You -- Sarah McLachlan
You Are So Beautiful -- Joe Cocker
If I Could Turn Back Time -- Cher
I Hope You Dance -- Lee Ann Womack
Unchained Melody -- The Righteous Brothers
Endless Love -- Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Against All Odds -- Phil Collins
Daniel -- Elton John
Time In A Bottle -- Jim Croce
Somewhere Out There -- Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram
I Will Remember You -- Amy Grant
Right Here Waiting -- Richard Marx
The Living Years -- Mike & The Mechanics
What A Wonderful World -- Louis Armstrong
You're The Inspiration -- Chicago
I Honestly Love You -- Olivia Newton-John
Babe -- Styx
Three Times A Lady -- The Commodores
It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday -- Boyz II Men

Album Description

The long distance dedications are a signature part of Casey Kasem's countdown shows. This well-known and beloved portion of Casey's show has touched and inspired all of us. This CD includes 20 hits by big-name artists.

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a cd from above

Nusrat Forever
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Manufacturer: Long Distance
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pakistan | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000IGMM
Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

Haje Latha Naeyon Akhiah, Da Cha Toon Thori Dair, Hor Thair Ja
Azmate Shahe Wala Bari Cheez He
Mainoon Yaar Di Namaaz Parh Lain De
Rahway Wasdi Jhok Faridan Di

Customer Reviews:

a cd from above.......2003-05-23

superb,exellent 4 tracks
the first one haje lata nayoun akhian da cha
is alone worth buying this album for.
the second track is mindblowing.
and the third is from another planet
and the last track beautiful.
what are you waiting for buy this album now!!!!!!!!!!!
you will not get a better cd of nusrat with rahat
with superb lyrics and sound.

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Ah, the power of ethno-music!

Sultan of All Munshidin
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tuni
Manufacturer: Long Distance France
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004UFC2
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

The Hearts Of Lovers
The Original Word

Tracks:

God Is Love
The Name Of The Creator

Customer Reviews:

Ah, the power of ethno-music!.......2004-11-21

4 songs, each on average 30 minutes long. Although the first song is rather stagnant, each of the other tunes follows a call-and-response structure, and runs through various maqamat (middle-eastern "scales"). Although I just started learning Arabic, I'm completely clueless to what 70-year old Ahmed is singing about. But, in enjoying the music for its purity, it is irrelevant. He is the greatest munshid in Egypt, and sings with stifling accuracy for semi-tones. The vocals are accompanied by the Oud (Arabian fretless lute), Ney (Egyptian flute), Daf (large frame drum), tabla/darbukkah (Djembe-shaped drume), and Riq (tamborine). As each song usually goes through a process of picking up the tempo and intensity towards the end, it is easy to see how people succumb to a trance-like state induced by the hypnotic rhythm. I would strongly recommend this to anyone with a curiosity of North Africa/Egypt, and anyone who pursues a kind of music that in its purity and soul defies the commerciality and superficiality of music that is mainstream today.