KEYS

Track Listings

1. Dew

2. Morning Sunrise

3. Prelude

4. Romance

5. Piano Fantasy

6. Midnight Solitude

Editorial Reviews
From the Artist
Favorites is a collection of instrumental compositions by positive music pioneer Don Robertson.

Robertson released his first album, Dawn, in 1969 on Mercury Records’ Limelight subsidiary. The title, Dawn, was a both play on Don Robertson’s name, and a reference to the ‘dawning of a new age,’ a popular theme of the optimistic 1960s. After a ten-year hiatus, Don released a series of albums in the 1980s beginning with Celestial Ascent in 1980 and ending with Castles in the Sun in 1988.

Favorites, released in 1998, is a collection of some of the most popular cuts from Don’s 1980 albums, plus a handful of some of his most significant unreleased tunes from the same period.

Don Robertson’s music is in a category of its own. In addition to being a classical composer throughout his life and one of the first new age musicians, Don has studied and played jazz, blues, gospel, and North Indian classical music. He counts as his major influences the nearly unknown 16th Century Spanish composer Tomas Luis de Victoria, plus 19th Century composers Richard Wagner and Cesar Franck as well as gypsy guitarist Django Rheinhardt and North Indian drummer Swapan Chaudhuri with whom he has studied for the past decade.

Don, in addition to producing albums of music, is the author of the popular and controversial website devoted to positive music.

Don’s music is featured on instrumental radio programs throughout the United States and his most current album, Keys, is also available in Amazon’s classical music section

Album Description
Dovesong International is a music label dedicated to providing the finest in positive music.

Tracks:

Just Got To Be
Your Touch
You're The One
Just A Little Heat
Give Your Heart Away
Strange Desire
Modern Times
The Flame
Goodbye Babylon
Black Door
Elevator

Amazon.com

All hail the riff king! The Black Keys' guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach has the meanest way with a hook since Jimmy Page. He adds to his arsenal on the band's fourth full-length release, on which each track pounds its way into your skull with fuzzy, swampy fury. Less is very definitely more in Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney's world as the stripped-down guitar/drums attack smolders, burns, and then ignites without shifting into heavy-metal overdrive. But even with the occasional ballad such as "You're the One" slowing the momentum, this is an intoxicating blast of raw, thudding blues power. The duo impressively control the dynamics, raising and lowering the tension in a yin-yang struggle of ominous, greasy, heavy blues-rock that never sounds forced. With the exception of a few subtle but effective overdubs, this is the sound Auerbach and Carney heard in the drummer's basement studio where the music was recorded. Like the best rock and roll, the disc exudes a dark, cramped claustrophobia and foreboding sense of danger, just like wandering through a haunted house, unaware of what is behind the next corner. It's the main ingredient in the band's deceptively simple yet potent formula that creates this addictive, compelling, and often intense album. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

Magic Potion, the Black Keys' fourth album, is a spectacularly stripped-down set of sneakily melodic blues-besotted rock concocted in the Akron, Ohio basement studio of drummer Patrick Carney. Guitarist-singer Dan Auerbach is possessed of a compelling, hurt-beyond-his-years voice and an approach to lead guitar that is both wildly expressive and utterly succinct. The self-taught Carney, who anchors these tracks, may force writers to return

Customer Reviews:

An air guitarist's dream.......2007-05-07

Great rock that one can listen straight through - 'One I love' is a slow haunting ballad, so emotional and loving that the guitars weep.

Two guys, lots of talent........2007-03-08

I was introduced to the Black Keys a year or so before they hit the mainstream. I was blown away by the amount of different sounds that can come from just one guy on a guitar and one guy on drums. If you don't believe what you're hearing, see them live. It is definitely worth it. This is an excellent album and I highly recommend having is in your cd library.

The real thing!.......2007-02-25

I am 32 with somewhat young parents. So I grew up with my parents blaring Journey, Led Zepplin, Steve Miller Band, and Cat Stevens. I know what good rock is and these guys are IT.

Hearing all the greats growing up, I recognize many of their styles in the Black Keys music and none of it comes off as a cheap copy-cat sound like so many bands tend to. These two guys have talent of their own and they play music that just plain sounds good.

It's the kind of music you want to hear when you go out drinking beer with the guys or when you're driving in your car, or when you want to go out and hear a damn good live show.

I can't seem to take this CD out of rotation - it's really damn good!

good all-around CD.......2007-01-29

No song really sticks out to me, but it's a good cd all the way through

cool is as cool does.......2007-01-25

These guys are just plan cool.The music they put out is hard blues and rock.It's Perfect for the crap thats put out in todays so called music seen,and there even ten times better live. If you like real raw music this CD is for you.If not then why put them down because it's not what you expected.If you want some watered down music it's out there waiting for you.I'll stick to this because it's as close to the real deal as your gonna get in this day and age.

Average customer rating:

How A Woman Should Talk To A Man
Essential R&B
she's a beautiful female..
The Diary of Alicia Keys
I love this album

The Diary of Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Manufacturer: J-Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Songs in A Minor
Unplugged
Confessions
Dangerously in Love
The Emancipation of Mimi

ASIN: B0000DD7LC
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Tracks:

Harlem's Nocturne
Karma
Heartburn
Medley: If I Was Your Woman/Walk on By
You Don't Know My Name
If I Ain't Got You
Diary
Dragon Days
Wake Up
So Simple
When You Really Love Someone
Feeling U, Feeling Me (Interlude)
Slow Down
Samsonite Man
Nobody Not Really (Interlude)

Amazon.com

Alicia Keys has more than lived up to the promise of her formidable debut Songs in A Minor, pushing beyond her flirtation with old-school soul and venturing into the modern world, even hiring Timbaland to guide her through the shoals of anthemic hip-hop on the breathless and funkified "Heartburn." Sounding like a hyperthyroid cheerleader, Keys unleashes a quirky sense of humor that no one even suspected she possessed. Her effortless singing on the beat-driven "Karma" is a wonder of sonics on this uplifting piece of pop philosophy, giving countless anxious woman hope that everything will work out as it's meant to, or on "Samsonite Man," where it won't. But despite her edgy styling and jazzy vocal posturing, Keys hasn't abandoned her love for old R&B and travels back in time, giving Gladys Knight's "If I Was Your Woman" a face lift it may not have needed, then turns around and recasts the song as the winsome and dramatic "You Don't Know My Name." But at its heart, The Diary of Alicia Keys is a gross misnomer. After listening to the disc, fans will know little more about the elusive diva than they did before, her lyrical style consistently more narrative than confessional. In fact, the title track doesn't delve into the singer's inner life, but instead is about a long-distance love affair, with Keys promising the object of her affection that: "I won't tell your secrets/Your secrets are safe with me/I will keep your secrets/Just think of me as the pages in your diary."--Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

How A Woman Should Talk To A Man.......2007-06-15

After hearing "You Don't Know My Name", it was like being transported back to the days of classic R&B, and a good example of what a woman should say, when she approaches a man she's interested in. Though I'm still not sure how she got his phone number? Then into the relationship, don't be afraid to tell him how you really feel about him, like her "If I Ain't Got You". Men like to hear that too. But "Diary" is the most melodic and moving song for me, it's all about the trust someone should feel they have in the one they are committed to. Alicia's in a world of her own when it comes to upholding traditional R&B.

Essential R&B.......2007-01-19

Most of these tracks are excellent, and evoke memories of earlier R&B that contrast sharply with her youth. Songs such as "If I Aint Got You" are prime examples of her continued success and growth as a songwriter and performer. In an era of the "one-hit" or "one-album" wonder, Alicia Keys is emerging as a consistent (yet, not stagnant) artiste. I hope the trend continues.

she's a beautiful female.........2007-01-11

I know this CD came out a while back, but it just seems to get better and better in time.

I always slap this CD on whenever I'm feelin' down, havin' a bad day at work, or just stuck in traffic.

From a guy's perspective, you get that feeling like she is talking/singing to you. I love that about her.

Oh, and "If I was your woman" should have been her next single.

The Diary of Alicia Keys.......2007-01-10

This is a wonderful CD,a must have for your collection.

I love this album.......2007-01-01

The first time I got it, I wasn't thrilled with it the way I was with songs in a minor. It sounded a little too polished even though alicia was expressing her talent beautifully. But overtime I begin to love the album and I consider it an r&b classic now. Her piano playing has improved and is much more mature, and alicia pays tribute to music of the 70's combined with piano and modern day r&b vocals. Definitely worth purchasing.

Average customer rating:

nice blues set
A beautiful album
Bluesy garage rock with a punch
Wow, hard to believe!
Rock Out

Rubber Factory
The Black Keys
Manufacturer: Fat Possum
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Thickfreakness
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Chulahoma
The Black Keys Live

ASIN: B0002O06N0
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Tracks:

When The Lights Go Out
10 A.M. Automatic
Just Couldn't Tie Me Down
All Hands Against His Own
The Desperate Man
Girl Is On My Mind
The Lengths
Grown So Ugly
Stack Shot Billy
Act Nice and Gentle
Aeroplane Blues
Keep Me
Till I Get My Way

Amazon.com

The third low-tech, high-impact recording from the Akron, Ohio, duo is once again a loud and lively confirmation that passion, not precision, is what the blues is all about. With Dan Auerbach's insistent, abrasive guitar tone and drummer Patrick Carney's violent percussion workouts, the Black Keys' sound thrashes about with industrial-strength garage-band energy, but it also connects directly to the core sensibilities of the original blues creators with its primal expressions of pain and pride. With Auerbach shouting out the vocals the duo rocks hard in its stripped-down, ragged glory mode on Hendrix-influenced shredders like "10 A.M. Automatic" and "The Desperate Man," the fuzzed-out "Till I Get My Way," and the surprisingly swinging "Just Couldn't Tie Me Down." But it also delivers the same emotional intensity in a less frantic form on the moody mini-masterpiece "The Lengths." And, for all the justifiable fascination with the out-of-control excitement of the duo's punkish instrumental approach, the group continues to excel at songcraft, a talent expressed both in its own material and in its ability to recognize and expand the disguised merits of lesser-known cover songs. It follows a previous Beatles rarity recording with a nod to the Kinks this time via a personalized cover of "Act Nice and Gentle," probably the last thing the Black Keys would ever be accused of being. --Michael Point

Customer Reviews:

nice blues set.......2007-03-19

Recordings on this album doesn't sound as well as Chulahoma, but the set is very good overall.

A beautiful album.......2007-01-16

If you like any old school bluesy rock this album will find its place in your heart. Seriously it's one of the best albums I've heard from any new band well any band that's relatively new. by far their best album to date. it's just hard hitting and makes you want to rock out!!! you'll love it it rocks. it's very gritty and the songs are all memorable! check it out. I've suggested it to all of my friends and they all get addicted to it as well. you won't be disappointed. cheers

Bluesy garage rock with a punch.......2006-12-15

Imagine the Rolling Stones up to and including Let It Bleed mixed with the White Stripes but with a soulfull lead singer that channels late sixties, early seventies rock vocal stylings. Now add some fuzzed out bluesy guitar and slide and you'd have an approximation of the Black Keys' sound. They have just the right amount of "slop" to their sound, ie any more and they would stink, any less and they wouldn't be as charming. But really the best thing about these guys is the songwriting which is emotional and melodic with a good amount of bluesy grit and feel. This is rock before it was called "classic". The only thing that mars the cd is the crappy, er, "lo-fi" recording, but what do you want from two guys from Ohio who recorded in a rubber factory? This is the first recording I've heard by these guys and I'm convinced, good stuff.

Wow, hard to believe!.......2006-12-09

Hello World,
I seen the cover and the images in the CD case and thought this should be a total dump!!! These two guys look like they design pocket protectors! Man, was I wrong. Totally wrong! Singer/guitarist sounds like a real down an out 40 year old delta bluesman and the drummer redifines high hat work. All from Ohio for Gods sake, I never would have believed it myself. Very blues but very fresh blues, yes? Sooooo smooth. The only good thing from the movie Rest Stop was the discovery of this band. "Keep me clean, keep me warm, keep my soul away from harm." Rock on world!!!

Rock Out.......2006-08-14

This is the only Black Keys CD I have listened to, though it will not be the last. It was great on my latest road trip. It rocks with a fresh, raw sound from start to finish. 70's blues rock meets White Stripes ~ Rolling Stones from the 70's. There are so many "alternative" sounding bands, it is nice to hear some unbridled bluesy emotion in music. Create some space in your living room and get out your air guitar for this one.

Average customer rating:

A strong force in the music world
Doesn't get any better than THIS!!!
Songs Of A Classic!
Very listenable
nice CD

Songs in A Minor
Alicia Keys
Manufacturer: J-Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Diary of Alicia Keys
Unplugged
Dangerously in Love
The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
Confessions

ASIN: B00005JXS6
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Tracks:

Piano & 1 (intro)
Girlfriend
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?
Fallin'
Troubles
Rock Wit U
A Woman's Worth
Jane Doe
Goodbye
The Life
Mr. Man (featuring Jimmy Cozier)
Never Felt This Way (interlude)
Butterflies
Why Do I Feel So Sad
Caged Bird (outro)

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

She may be beautiful, but Alicia Keys is a musician first and foremost. She plants herself firmly behind the piano keys on her debut, unlike many of the booty-waggin' junior divas who are crowding the R&B videoscape these days. Though many of the tracks on Songs in A Minor are embellished with adolescent angst, this 20-year-old's substantial, gorgeously soul-drenched alto putties the cracks between notes with astonishing ease. "Fallin'," the album's first single, showcases Keys at her best. She wails plaintively and passionately over rolling blues chords, in the tradition of the greats that this young talent clearly wants to align herself with--Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Aretha Franklin. She swoops and soars over the spicy, flamenco-fueled melody that opens "Mr. Mann," one of the many winning tracks gathered here. And she digs deep into a remake of the beloved Prince B-side, "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" packing more heat into her melismatic wails than most singers twice her age. --Sylvia W. Chan

Customer Reviews:

A strong force in the music world.......2007-06-01

Alicia Keys, asside from her somewhat corny change of name, is a very giften vocalist, songwriter and pianist. She will most certainly be around the popular music scene for a long time.

Doesn't get any better than THIS!!!.......2007-01-31

The beautiful,heart wrenching,ballad"Goodbye"ALONE,makes this album,worth its' weight,in,DIAMONDS'!!!The lyrics'have the ability,to,HURL you backwards'through,TIME,to the moment,of your very FIRST,heartbreak!! Alicia does,an,UNSURPASSED,job,of making you see(and FEEL)this,through the eyes'of a(young,innocent) individual,who's,encountered this(DISCONCERTING)life,experience,for the FIRST time!!!Nostalgic lyrics such as"Is,THIS,the END???Are you SURE??How should you KNOW,when you've NEVER been,in love,BEFORE?!?(followed by)It's so HARD,to just LET GO,And this is the one and ONLY,love,I've EVER,known!!!the begging line,is CLASSIC(and true!!)How do you LOVE,someone,that's HURT,you oh so bad??With intentions' "good"was all he,EVER had..But how do,I let go,when I,loved him for so,LONG,and,I've,given him ALL,that,I,COULD!!! Summed up,with,HOW,do you find the,WORDS',to say...To say"Goodbye"...Find,the words'to say"Goodbye"...."When your heart,DON'T,have the HEART,to say...To say"Goodbye"!!!(other chilling lyrics'include:"Maybe,love,was,our whole(????)Giving up,what seems' your,LIFETIME,what,went wrong,with something,ONCE,so GOOD??!!? Ican't leave,out her brave confession:"I know,NOW,I was naive',never knew,where this would lead"...(ANTI,man bashing warning)And,I'm NOT,trying,to take away...From,the GOOD,man that he IS(not was)!!Alicia,turns'it personal,when she belts' out:"MY,heart,dont have,the heart,to say"Goodbye"This song,hits' VERY,close to home,with me also,because,a few years ago(which seems'like yesterday,to me)I had to,break off,my longest relationship(5 years')with a woman,that,I was still DEEPLY,in love with,because,after half,a DECADE,of recieving,not,an,IOTA,of,affection,I came,to the(VERY LATE)conclusion,that,if,she wasn't giving ME,any "natural"affection,then she MUST'VE,been giving,it to someone else!! Understand:sex,was NO problem,however,if,I desired,a hug,or just a loving kiss,and,some cuddling...NOTHIN' HAPPENING!! Wasn't my first time "at the pplate"but,nonetheless,it was the HARDEST,decision,I had,to make in my 35 years' of,existence!!!Alicias'SUPERB,song,then,as well as,NOW,soothed/soothes'the,pain associated,with that,tormentous,time in my life!!!BIG-UPS'to Alicia,for that MASTERPIECE!!! I,reccomend this album,as STRONGLY,as,I recommend,wearing,WARM clothes'in Michigan,after August,to EVERYONE,who might have had,a similiar situation,occur in their,life!!!

Songs Of A Classic!.......2006-10-28

Considering the fact that I heard her sophomore album "The Diary Of Alicia Keys" before hearing "Songs In A Minor", the multi-platinum, critically-acclaimed album from singer/songwriter/pianist/musician Alicia Keys, I had high expectations of this album. Surprisingly, this album is just as good as its successor, showcasing all of Alicia Keys' talents to the fullest degree. Although this album is a lot more ballad-heavy and slightly lacks the diversity of her sophomore album, that doesn't mean that this album is any less soulful, emotional or stellar.

"Fallin'", the classic R&B/Soul #1 U.S. smash hit piano ballad that solidified Alicia Keys as a force to be reckoned with, tells the story of a woman indecisively caught up between leaving or staying with her man, and with a combination of ethereal choir background vocals and moody violins towards the end of the song, it's definitely one of the best tracks on the album ; "A Woman's Worth", another masterfully arranged classic R&B/Soul where piano keys and wah wah guitar strings (amongst other instruments) are used in all the right places, finds Alicia Keys soulfully singing about how a real relationship is nothing without respect and how materialistic offerings won't always make the cut ; "Troubles", with its true-to-life lyrics and darkly moody instrumental arrangements, sounds both depressing and uplifting at the same time ; "How Come You Don't Call Me", a self-explanatory piano ballad written by none other than the Purple man himself Prince, finds Alicia Keys effortlessly pushing her powerful vocals to extraordinary heights with emotion and passion ; the huge assortment of instruments on the production of "Rock Wit You" is downright amazing if not a bit too lengthy ; "Mr Man", one of my album favourites, is a classy duet violin ballad with forgotten R&B/Soul singer Jimmy Cozier (the album's only guest artist) ; "The Life", another piano-driven ballad, finds Alicia talking about life (obviously) ; and the Hip-Hop-lite production from Jermaine Dupri supports Alicia Keys' feelings of envy and jealousy against another woman on "Girlfriend".

Alicia Keys, being the multi-talented songstress she is, has managed to create a wonderful debut that has "classic" written all over it. Perhaps the album's only weak points lie in the following two songs - "Butterflyz" & "Caged Bird". The former track lacks the lyrical complexity and genuinely captivating realness of the other tracks, while "Caged Bird" falters with its overly mellow production. However, such flaws can be excused because Alicia Key's vocals are so vibrantly soulful and hypnotic that such flaws fly past with little to no notice. Definitely 5 stars!

5 Best Tracks:
"Fallin'"
"A Woman's Worth"
"Troubles"
"How Come You Don't Call Me"
"Girlfriend"

Album Favourite:
"Mr. Man (feat. Jimmy Cozier)"

Honourable Mentions:
"The Life"
"Rock Wit You"

Very listenable.......2006-10-23

This is the first CD I bought by Alicia Keys, and I really love this CD. It's one of the few CDs that I still listen to reguarly months after I bought it (usually I listen to it a lot during the 1st month, then the CD start collecting dust). First, she writes and performs her own songs, something I feel should be prerequisit but not common enough among the popular musicic stars. Second, the second half of the CDs are not fillers. They're wonderful songs that stand up to repeated listening. Third, even though every piece is wonderful, it still feels like an album, with themes connecting the pieces. Also, I like her voice - very sultry.
Lastly, I just want to address a comment made by previous reviewer: I think most people recongize the beginning of the Piano & I comes from Moonlight Sonata. Brahms didn't credit Beethoven either when he wrote Symphony no.1 either - but who care? Everybody already knew. The fact she used a segment from Beethoven does not mean lack of originality.
Anyways, I know some of the reason I like this CD is like duh! But it's really impossible to put music preference into words anyway, so just listen and enjoy the CD!

nice CD.......2006-08-20

this CD has some nice r&b tunes with piano hooks but in the end it was all about marketing. These songs aer no different from other r&b artists, she was just marketed as a piano player and all that. She's talented don't get me wrong but she's like the girl next door. I also found it weird how inside the cover it says "all songs written by alicia keys" followed by a "except where mentioned" and it turns out that though she's co wrote many of the songs, only about 4 of them were written all by herself with no co-writers and these were: Fallin, Butterflyz, Caged Bird and the bonus track at the end. Those songs are actually really pleasant to listen to. Also the Prince remake how come you don't call me was well done; songs like rock with you, the life and jane doe had some good piano licks; woman's worth had some pretty lyrics and music; and girlfriend was a hip hop song produced by no other than jermaine dupri who's worked with everyone anyways. Anyways check out this album but don't fall for the marketing hype.

Average customer rating:

Doesn't rock
Great Mix of Tunes
Overall, pretty good.
One of the best soundtracks ever
Rescue Me

Rescue Me
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rescue Me - The Complete Second Season
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Powder Burns
Denis Leary

ASIN: B000F3UQZG
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Tracks:

Cmon Cmon The Von Bondies (Rescue Me title song)
Devil Stereophonics
Ill Be Your Man The Black Keys
Bonnie Brae The Twilight Singers
All The Wild Horses Ray LaMontagne
Shine A Light Wolf Parade
Karaoke Soul Tom McRae
Love Is Blindness The Devlins feat. Sharon Corrs
Fell On Bad Days Rubyhorse
Wipe That Smile Off Your Face Our Lady Peace
Open Heart Surgery The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Oh Yeah The Subways
Pussywillow Greg Dulli
Just A Dream Griffin House

Amazon.com

Denis Leary's firefighter series, Rescue Me, is characterized by its delicate balance of brawn and sentiment. This CD, which collects tunes that have appeared in the first three seasons, reflects that balance, careening from the full-on rock & roll of the Von Bondies (their "C'mon C'mon" is the show's theme) and the Subways ("Oh Yeah") to the pensive, rootsy vibe of Ray Lamontagne ("All the Wild Horses") and the Devlins ("Love Is Blindness"). In his informative liner notes, Leary (who coproduces and cowrites the show in addition to starring in it) explains how he and his crew pick the songs they use. He doesn't really talk about how the songs reflect the show's take on masculinity, but the selections speak for themselves: There may be wives, girlfriends, or daughters, but Rescue Me is essentially about men. Which is perfectly fine, though it may explain why those who like to hear female voices once in a while (the Subways' bassist, Charlotte Cooper, does pipe up) are advised to look elsewhere (at one of the L Word soundtracks maybe?). --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Doesn't rock.......2007-03-09

Outside of the main title (C'mon, C'mon), this CD is nothing but slow whiny depressing stuff. Was expecting a little more aggressive music. Oh, well, guess that's why IPODs sell great.

Great Mix of Tunes.......2007-01-05

Loved the TV series and always made notes of the music. Now the soundtrack is
out with a superb choice of songs. It's in my car; great traveling music!

Overall, pretty good........2007-01-03

I gotta say, just about every song on this CD is catchy. I loved hearing most of these songs on the show, but getting to hear them in their full length is even better. Whoever picked these tracks has a good ear for what fits with the mood of the show. That said, this is one of those CDs that's good to pick up and play now and again, but can get old pretty fast. Still worth the money though.

One of the best soundtracks ever.......2006-11-10

I love the show, and the soundtrack is just as good. Like the show, the music is a little dark, but great.

Rescue Me.......2006-11-06

I'm normally not an indie rock fan, but I've always been a fan of the music on the show. This soundtrack is awesome--it's eclectic and powerful and I honestly couldn't stop listening to it for over a week in the car.

Average customer rating:

Undiscoverd gem
The Big Pay Back
Love It: The reviews are right on the money
Reinvigorating
Good band...decent recording.

Chulahoma
The Black Keys
Manufacturer: Fat Possum [Old]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Garage Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Magic Potion
Rubber Factory
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The Moan

ASIN: B000F2C87Q
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

Keep Your Hands Off Her
Have Mercy On Me
Work Me
Meet Me In The City
Nobody But You
My Mind is Ramblin'

Amazon.com

For their latest, Akron, Ohio duo The Black Keys have brought forth an EP of six songs by Junior Kimbrough. This is no mere dalliance; the late elder Mississippi blues musician was a powerful influence on guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. Their three previous albums, full of dusty grooves and simple but impassioned dynamics, would have found strong rapport with Kimbrough, who unfortunately died before they could ever meet. However, his widow, Mildred gives her passionate endorsement for these performances in the form of a short phone message that appears at the end of the disc. Among the highpoints is "Meet Me in the City," which positively shimmers as the plaintive vocal soars over a virato-ed guitar. The Black Keys, besides paying their heartfelt respects, also demonstrate the breadth and durability of Kimbrough's music. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Undiscoverd gem.......2007-06-24

I heard about this on, of all places, NPR radio music review. I had never heard of the black keys before but decided to take a chance and I'm glad I did. I can't believe the sound just 'two' guys put out, it's awesome.

The Big Pay Back.......2007-01-04

I'm very proud of the boys for putting this one out. It's a fitting tribute. Dan's love of Junior is real, and the result is a perfect blending of Junior and the Black Keys. If you ever spent a night at Junior's Juke Joint, in Chulahoma, then you know the meaning of psychadelic soul; and the boys captured that feeling perfectly. The music is primitive, hypnotic and sexual. If you want the same old, worn out 12 bar blues, don't buy this cd. If you want honest, raw and deeply felt blues, buy this cd, and another one by Junior himself. This music comes with the seal of approval from Junior's widow, Mildred. You can't get any higher praise than that. I have strong feelings about this one. I wish more musicians would try to pay back the elders who inspired them. Hat's off to Dan and Pat!!

Love It: The reviews are right on the money.......2006-11-30

A nod to the insight of two other reviewers:

A) Ball and Biscuit is indeed far and away my favorite White Stripes song and I understand why the other reviewer makes that point in relation to the Black Keys.

B) In linking this intense-blues-groover to the Rolling Stones in their heyday, I would specifically point to I Just Want To See His Face, the fragmentary gospel-blues-from-the-jungle groove near the end of Exile On Main Street.

I have just started exploring the Black Keys lately on the recommendation of a friend and up to now, have very much liked but not fallen in love with this band. However, Chulahoma stopped me dead in my tracks and just knocked me out. This is such intense, grooving blues, elastic without being jammy, can't say enough about it. The vocals are mixed evenly with guitar and drums giving the effect of an album of near-insturmentals. This is a good thing.

If you are coming at this record from a rock and roll fan perspective, it will naturally lead you to the deep-blues of Junior Kimbrough. Thank you Black Keys and Thank you Junior Kimbrough.

Reinvigorating.......2006-11-26

I would consider this relaxing. Not in the ambient, electronic sort of way; this is very much blues. It's a different kind of blues; trance blues, which is Junior Kimborough's (all of these are covers) stamp on the blues. My words can not begin to describe how much this EP means to me. It's study music, it's driving music, it's music to make love to.

Just get it.

Good band...decent recording........2006-10-01

OK, well I don't normally write Amazon reviews but this one needs it. OK, first off I am a Black Keys fan, although I only own their debut The Big Come Up. I really enjoy that album. This one seemed to me to be a similar endeavor to their aforementioned album. Needless to say I thought it would be a nice little addition to my music collection...

Well, I pop it in to discover that the first 3 songs I can barely make out Dan's lyrics. The last 3 songs are a little better in that regard but it put a damper on the whole album.

Another thing which is more of a pet peeve of mine is "blues" music that isn't 12 bar blues, much like this albums songs. The songs presented here just seem like a never-ending riff, and there doesn't seem to be any structure to them. Maybe that's the way Junior did it, I'm not familiar with his work. Anyway, I wouldn't recommend this album, however I would recommend The Big Come Up if you don't already have it and are wondering what The Black Keys are all about.

Average customer rating:

Another Solid Winner For Alicia Keys, Despite Her Faults!
3-1/2 stars -- Alicia comes alive
Great Alicia Live
Talent from her bones
Great Album.

Unplugged
Alicia Keys
Manufacturer: J-Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
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The Breakthrough
The Diary of Alicia Keys
So Amazing...An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross
Songs in A Minor
A Time To Love

ASIN: B000B5IPLK
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Intro A Cappella
Karma
Heartburn
A Womans Worth
Unbreakable
How Come You Dont Call Me
If I Was Your Woman
If I Aint Got You
Every Little Bit Hurts
Streets Of New York
Wild Horses (Feat. Adam Levine)
Diary
You Dont Know My Name
Stolen Moments
Fallin
Love It Or Leave It Alone (Feat. Mos Def & Common) / Welcome To Jamrock (Feat. Damian Marley, Mos Def, Common & Friends)

Amazon.com

With MTV's decision to revive its much-missed "Unplugged" series came a certain obligation: Whoever was going to kick the shows off needed to have the means to deliver serious heat, Grammy-vote garnering heat. The "powers that be" couldn't have chosen better than Alicia Keys. Throughout this consistent set, marked by warmth, sincerity and a powerful lack of inhibition, Keys convinces that if she's not the new Aretha Franklin, she's a force of equal might and measure. All the favorites are here, the danceable "Karma" carries into the funky "Heartburn" and the give-it-up glory of "Unbreakable." "Fallin'," "If I Ain't Got You," and "You Don't Know My Name" come later, but interspersed are enough pleasant surprises to make even fanatical Keys followers forget the signature songs. Prince's "How Come You Don't Call Me," for instance, gets a playful work-up, complete with audience-aimed banter and an unbroken promise to "take it to the bridge," and a duet that on paper seems misguided works surprisingly well, as Keys resists any instinct to clobber Maroon 5's Adam Levine vocally. Yowling, piano pounding, hip-hop tics (the ubiquitous, emphatic "unh"), and even a spot of theatrical poetry all have their places here, but Keys manages them with a master's sense of what's song-appropriate. Her band is spot-on, her arrangements soar, and her guests--count Mos Def and Common among them--complement the proceedings without even momentarily carrying them. The best "Unplugged" discs leave a listener wishing artists would kick the amps altogether; this is one of them. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Another Solid Winner For Alicia Keys, Despite Her Faults!.......2006-12-14

Although I've already seen Alicia Keys at an unforgettable 2004 music concert, I decided to buy her third album, "Alicia Keys: Unplugged", simply because I'm a big fan of hers. Hell, just to hear her vibrantly soulful vocals further enliven R&B/Soul classics like "Fallin'", "You Don't Know My Name" & "If I Ain't Got You" was well worth the money I forked out to purchase this album. "Alicia Keys: Unplugged", which temporarily revives MTV's long-gone "Unplugged" series, further testifies to Alicia Keys' immense talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. Unfortunately, this album does not live up to the greatness of its two predecessors ("Songs In A Minor" - 2001, "The Diary Of Alicia Keys" - 2004).

That doesn't necessarily mean that this album is terrible because it's anything but. Alicia Keys consistently sounds as soulful, powerful, emotional and captivating as she's always been -especially on "Fallin'", "If I Ain't Got You" & "A Woman's Worth"- but I was hoping that she'd apply some more creativity and/or effort into the musical and/or instrumental arrangements. Apart from the "the stripped-down "You Don't Know My Name" and the insightful soul ballad "Diary", which chucks in a laid-back flute, the songs hardly sound any different from their original forms. I guess she preferred to stick to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory this time `round.

Another thing that I disliked about this album was its lack of new material. Yes, lead single "Unbreakable" is a beautiful R&B/Soul tune, but with all the name-dropping going on in the lyrics, I find it hard to find out what she's really talking about. The only other solid new tune on this 16-track-long disc is "Stolen Moments", another beautiful R&B/Soul ballad where Alicia Keys ponders on the beginnings of her loving relationship and grandly urges to her lover "lets get away" over a beautiful assortment of horns, flute and percussion. Apart from hits and songs from her past, as well as a guest-festive celebration with Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley & others on the album-closing tracks "Love It Leave It Alone" & Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock", the rest of the songs consist of covers (Branda Holloway's piano-driven "Every Little Bit Hurts" & "Prince's "You Don't Know My Name"). However, there's no denying the sheer sublimeness and brilliance of her piano-driven duet with Maroon 5's Adam Levine on their cover of the Rolling Stone's "Wild Horses", which beautifully converts a Rock song into a spiritually exploratory R&B/Soul classic. Ditto in terms of brilliance for "Streets If New York (City Life)", a stunning piece of deeply thought-provoking poetry over a beautifully arranged melange of moody instrumentals.

The final problem I had with this album was with her lacklustre performances of "Heartburn" & "Karma". It's a shame that she started off a great show on the wrong foot by turning two beautiful songs into vocal trainwrecks, especially after beautifully opening the show with "Alicia's Prayer (Acapella Intro)".

Nonetheless, this is a great CD and is well worth the purchase, despite its flaws. It's solid proof of Alicia Keys' raw talent to the haters and misinformed individuals who believe otherwise. 4 stars!

3-1/2 stars -- Alicia comes alive.......2006-12-01

I guess the executives over at MTV decided that the station was in a rut, so they needed to do something to fill up their programming schedule. The decision was ultimately to restart their Unplugged series, with the likes of Kanye West and Alicia Keys. Alicia's edition came on last year on MTV2 (not on regular MTV; God forbid they'd actually show a VIDEO nowadays), and though I never got to see it, I still picked up the audio version.

This album is a lot better than I thought it would be. I'm not questioning Alicia's talent, but I just never could get into the sole new track, "Unbreakable". For one thing, it just seems like a Game-esque name-dropping affair that goes nowhere; also, she's really going off key in every pre-chorus. Speaking of that, she tends to go off-key on a number of tracks, especially at the end of "Fallin'" and "You Don't Know My Name". And "Heartburn" is pretty off-key all the way through (but I was never too crazy about the album version of that song either).

Thankfully, Alicia redeems herself on selections like "A Woman's Worth" and especially "If I Ain't Got You" (but on the former, is it really necessary for the album to denote that the song is live? Aren't ALL the songs live?). Another highlight is "Streets of New York", which I never liked before, but it works better now because it's spoken word instead of a song. One thing I noticed, though, is that Alicia seems to do a better job on songs that aren't hers, like Prince's "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore", The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" (featuring Adam Levine) and Brenda Holloway's "Every Little Bit Hurts".

But every urban artist's Unplugged session seems to turn into someone else's show at some point. Remember when Jay-Z's "Can't Knock the Hustle" turned into Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair"? Well, the final track is a medley featuring Mos Def, Common and Damian Marley among others, and it's listed as "Love It or Leave It Alone/Welcome to Jamrock". What it really feels like is a blatant live version of "Welcome to Jamrock" only, and it sounds like Alicia is featured on it rather than starring on it. Oh, well; this isn't the best live album I've ever heard, but if you already like Alicia Keys, you shouldn't mind picking it up.

Anthony Rupert

Great Alicia Live.......2006-09-05

So soulful and so much better than her pop-like studio albums

Intro A Cappella 9
Karma 9.5
Heartburn 10
A Woman's Worth 10
Unbreakable 10
How Come You Don't Call Me 9.5
If I Was Your Woman 9.5
If I Ain't Got You 10
Every Little Bit Hurts 10
Streets Of New York 10
Wild Horses 10
Diary 2005 9
You Don't Know My Name 10
Stolen Moments 10
Fallin' 10
Love It Or Leave It Alone 10

Talent from her bones.......2006-07-26

There is nothing else i can say other than Alica keys is a born Talent. God put her on this earth to perform.

Great Album........2006-06-06

I attended the recording of this cd. In my opinion, her style is suited for just this kind of treatment. For that person who said that she was offended by that line in "Unbreakable", I think you are taking it waaay to seriously. Truth is, they did fight. Tina dealth with it as long as she could and then said, "enough". Anyway, my favorite track, has to be, "Stolen Moments". When she performed it that night, my jaw just dropped. She is the Carol King, Janis Ian, and Roberta Flack for the new generation....

Average customer rating:

Wow
I'm digging this heavy hard R & B revival!
This has a dangerous groove!!
Amazed
HOW COME I NEVER HEARD OF THESE GUYS TIL NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thickfreakness
The Black Keys
Manufacturer: Fat Possum
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Garage Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Rubber Factory
Big Come Up
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Chulahoma
The Black Keys Live

ASIN: B00008O31H
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Thickfreakness
Hard Row
Set You Free
Midnight
Have Love Will Travel
Hurt Like Mine
Everywhere I Go
No Trust
If You See Me
Hold Me In Your Arms
I Cry Alone

Amazon.com

Akron, Ohio's Black Keys offer crunchy, riff-heavy blues-rock that is remarkably rich and textured, particularly when one considers that they are merely a duo. Continuing in the vein of their 2002 debut, The Big Come Up, this sophomore CD leavens their garage blues with enough innovation to keep things interesting, taking full advantage of Dan Auerbach's full-throated growl. Particularly appealing are "Hard Row," which lurks somewhere between Cream and punk rock, the strong stomp of "Everywhere I Go," and the irresistible guitar riff that graces "If You See Me." The Black Keys might be covering familiar territory, but they do it so well--and with so much invention--that one is inclined to yield it to them and see what they do with it. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

Wow.......2007-05-06

This is a super offering by the Black Keys. I like their latest, "Magic Potion" a little better, but both are so good that you should own them if you are a fan of blues guitar.

I'm digging this heavy hard R & B revival! .......2006-09-27

A buddy/coworker threw this disk at me and told me I had to listen to it. Being a huge White Stripes fan, both for their adherence to blues licks and for their "medium-fi" level of sound and performance quality, he figured I'd dig it, and in fact, I did. It seemed that although Jack & Meg White often pay homage to Page and Plant, Auerbach and Carney seem to salute Clapton and Baker. Man! Heavy hard licks, gritty "just rolling into Chicago on Highway 61"-style blues. Got the newest on order to see if the Keys have developed some more distinctive riffs (the hardest task in Rock n' Roll!). The Black Keys have it down!

This has a dangerous groove!!.......2006-08-16

This appears to be a new direction for the Blues. Any young fans seeing this duo live may not really comprehend that their sound is vintage. These young guys must've listened hard to their parents Blues records and they've put together a funky combo that reminds me of everybody from Fred McDowell to Canned Heat. Obviously the Jr. Kimbrough/RL Burnside influence is strong on all of their CD's. Their sound is a fitting tribute to all the Blues legends. Simple but effective riffs to their songs.Some of the songs also will remind you of Hendrix, JL Hooker or Blind Willie Johnson. "Set You Free" recalls the raw punkiness of 60's bands like the Sir Douglas Quintet or The Kingsmens "Louie, Louie". The title track has that dirty, swamp feel of some of CCR's hits. Whatever their influences they've made the sound their own and they are a fiiting addition to the inspirational Fat Possum label.
It's all wonderfully raw!! I think this is the way Blues should be played.. stripped down with no over production.
The lead singer, Dan Auerbach, sounds at times like a distorted Bob Hite, other times like Lowell George...his voice is stunning, reminiscent of Mississipi Hill musicians and belies his young age.
Every one of their CD's is worth purchasing as there are great tracks on all of them. For just the two of them they make a BIG sound.
A great example of what can happen when youngsters go "backwards' to vintage blues in order to go forward with a re-packaged sound for the 21st century.

Amazed.......2006-06-05

A friend of mine got me hooked on this Band. At 1st I was hesitant at 1st,,, I had a mixed reaction. I listened to The Black Keys 1st disc and was amazed by the blend of music they had. I was just a little upset that the songs were so short. I receieved the other 2 for my birthday and am totally hooked. All the music is addicting and seems like you need to repeat it over and over. I think I need to get a multi-disc player for my truck.

HOW COME I NEVER HEARD OF THESE GUYS TIL NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-05-16

This is without question the best CD I have bought in years!!! I have had it for 48 hours and have listened to it over a dozen times and turned at least 6 other people into fans!!Buy this CD and try to play it only once. These songs will stay with you for hours after listening, that is if you can go hours without cranking it back up. If you like any form of the Blues this is a MUST have CD. I will sum it up with Raw, Nasty ,Grimy and powerful a 2 man band should not make this much sound!!!! Buy IT Now!!!

Average customer rating:

Meet me at the bottom.
Bruised Blues
Welcome Addition To Your Blues Collection
stripped down rock
Their best

Big Come Up
Black Keys
Manufacturer: Alive Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Thickfreakness
Rubber Factory
Chulahoma
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The Moan

ASIN: B000063WDH
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

Busted
Do The Rump
I'll Be Your Man
Countdown
The Breaks
Run Me Down
Leavin' Trunk
Heavy Soul
She Said, She Said
Them Eyes
Yearnin'
Brooklyn Bound
240 Years Before Your Time

Customer Reviews:

Meet me at the bottom........2006-10-12

This CD has one of the best versions of Sleepy John Estes classic "Leavin' Trunk". My goodness, the song is almost tailor made for Dan Auerbachs tormented, distorted vocals.
This is one of the most talented young bands around. They've succeeded with a sound that's all their own and with minimal equipment. I wish them every success.

Bruised Blues.......2006-05-07

Pragmatically getting the job done of equal parts rockin and bluesin, yet somehow managing to reinturpret some of the oldest sounds in the book and make it sound hip to indie ears is a hard feat indeed. Few bands play with such lack of pretense and irony that it is utterly refreshing in it's sincerety to here these guys do what they do. There is a definite repetition of sound that can bog the disc down, but that self-less raw-ness always seems to kill the monotony, especially on those few hard hitting songs with insanely delicious riffs in all their tonal simplicity.

Welcome Addition To Your Blues Collection.......2006-03-12

I found these guys listening to Pandora online one day. Had no clue who they were or what they were about. Who knew some awesome blues could come from two skinny fellas from Akron, Ohio recording in a basement!!!??? First song I heard was Brooklyn Bound - great super dirty gritty blues sound that I love. Came to Amazon to listen to more clips and bought on the spot! All three albums carry through this great sound...I honestly can't pick a favorite album. Here are my top three fav songs on their three albums released to date...

Off The Big Come Up
Busted
Do The Rump
Brooklyn Bound

Off Thickfreakness
Title track - Thickfreakness
Have Love Will Travel
Hurt Like Mine

Off Rubber Factory
Just Couldn't Tie Me Down
Grown So Ugly
Keep Me

Really good stuff if you are into thick, gritty, full sounding blues style music.

stripped down rock.......2006-02-23

Butt shaking music. If you like bluesy rock you'll love this. Not as refined as there 3rd Cd, much more primitive. Drums and guitar. Play it loud.

Their best.......2006-01-26

This is a great album by a great band. The best thing to come out of Akron Ohio. This two piece band takes blues-rock to another level, with vocals that will surprise anyone listening that its a white guy. The soul of Dan A.'s voice is one that i havent heard yet. Surprisingly, like the Stripes in less ways than one would think, and in many ways better. A truely powerful debut by an amazing band.

Average customer rating:

They've Still Got It!
correction
3.75 stars- Better than some of the albums that came before
Moody Blues/Keys of the Kingdom
The Moodies' Kingdom

Keys of the Kingdom
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Mca Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Sur La Mer
The Present
Strange Times
Long Distance Voyager
Octave

ASIN: B000001G1P
Release Date: 1991-06-25

Tracks:

Say It With Love
Bless The Wings (That Bring You Back)
Is This Heaven?
Say What You Mean (Parts I & II)
Lean On Me (Tonight)
Hope And Pray
Shadows On The Wall
Once Is Enough
Celtic Sonant
Magic
Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain

Customer Reviews:

They've Still Got It!.......2007-06-07

The Moody Blues have been very successful and much loved for over 40 years and with good reason- they're exceptional at what they do. These talented men were born to sing, play and write great music. This album is proof that as of 1991 they still had "it" in spades. Of the 11 tracks on this offering, there is only one that was a "skipper-over" for me. I will briefly comment on the songs that really touched me, though all but the one were good.

Justin Hayward's semi-autobiographical 'Say it with Love' speaks very eloquently the message of love the Moodies have been preaching for four decades. 'Bless the Wings' is as pretty as anything Hayward has ever penned. This tale of separated lovers really speaks to the heart. 'Is this Heaven' is a catchy, sweet, love song with great harmonies. It sounds like it came from a simpler time- circa 50's or early 60's. I'm really not wanting to end Justin's review on a sour note but his song 'Say What You Mean' is the one track that I could have done without. I'll just simply state that nothing about it resonated with me on any level. But overall Hayward is as good a singer and lyricist as he's ever been.

Ray Thomas just shines with his simply stunning 'Celtic Sonant'. The lyrics and music are just gorgeous. The man's baritone voice is such a pleasure to listen to. His talents and contributions to the MB's are so underappreciated, IMO. We love and miss you Ray and wish you well.

I can always depend on my favorite Moody, John Lodge, to touch me emotionally or to just plain rock me. He does both on this album. His unique, almost ethereal voice is especially good on 'Magic'. The catchy, fast beat shows he can still rock it. In the chorus Lodge sings "baby work your magic on me". He's been doing that to me and countless other Lodgie lovers for decades now. The beautiful 'Lean On Me' is now a concert favorite of John's fans. It is one of my favorite ballads of his. I'm sure he was thinking of his long-time wife wheh he wrote this one. When he sings it live, his face is so animated with love and joy. The orchestration works very well for this song as well. The bittersweet 'Shadows On the Wall' sounds so very comforting somehow to my ears. I love the "airy" quality of his voice on this one. Yes, I'm biased when it comes to John Lodge. I readily and unashamedly admit it- lol!

I highly recommend 'Keys of the Kingdom'. To my heart and ears the Moody Blues are still great. I hope they bless us with many more years of their musical magic. I know this is is corny but I'm gonna say it anyway: I know to all their fans, the Moodies have had the 'Keys' to our hearts for years.

correction.......2007-02-13

A reviewer below states that John Lodge handles the backing vocals pn 'never blame the rainbows...', and Ray Thomas is absent. This is untrue. The backing multi layered vocals are indeed by Ray you can undoubtebly hear his voice.

3.75 stars- Better than some of the albums that came before.......2006-11-14

I just listened to this for the first time on my car stereo and it doesn't sound half bad and the sound quality is very very good. None of the songs sound like big time hits or anything but it still sounded pretty good for a first listen. This sounds a little bit better to me than the album SUR LA MER did, and as a whole, better than THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE did. I might have to give it a couple more spins to know how much I like it, so I might be back to knock it up to four stars sometime.

Moody Blues/Keys of the Kingdom.......2006-10-03

I was in the middle of a department store shopping, when this song came on and i stopped right there because i immediately knew it was the Moody Blues, but it was a new song! I fell in love with all the songs on the tape. Out of all the MB tapes, Keys/Kingdom turned out to be my favorite!

The Moodies' Kingdom .......2006-05-22

Looking at the other reviews, it seems that the Moody Blues' 1991 release, "Keys Of The Kingdom," is sorely underappreciated (to say the least). Well, I say too bad for the other reviewers. I've always liked "Keys Of The Kingdom"! Despite the addition of session players and smaller contributions from keyboardist Patrick Moraz (in his final album with the band) and drummer Graeme Edge, "Keys" is an excellent, solid Moody Blues album with many wonderful songs. Highlights: Justin Hayward's "Say It With Love" and "Bless The Wings (That Bring You Back)" are both strong numbers (and the band still play them live to this day), as well as the excellent pop of "Hope And Pray" and the atmospheric "Say What You Mean," John Lodge's breezy "Lean On Me Tonight" and the exuberant pop-rocker "Magic," and Ray Thomas' lovely return to recording with the group (after being absent for two albums) with "Celtic Sonant." Now, if you really, truly believe that "Seventh Sojourn" was the last great Moody Blues album, then you may as well move on. But if you're a diehard Moodies fan who knows better than that, then you will find *plenty* to enjoy on "Keys Of The Kingdom." It's a great, uplifting, feel-good Moody Blues album. So please ignore those silly naysayers and add this fine Moodies disc to your collection.

Music Track: