Charles & Eddie - Duophonic (1992)

Charles & Eddie were an American soul music duo known principally for the single "Would I Lie to You", taken from their 1992 debut album, Duophonic. "Would I Lie to You?" won three Ivor Novello Awards in 1993 (for Best Contemporary Song, Best Selling Song and International Hit of the Year).
Charles Pettigrew and Eddie Chacon met on the New York subway. Chacon had grown up in Hayward and Castro Valley, California, where he had started his first band at age 12 with neighborhood friends Cliff Burton (Metallica) and Mike Bordin (Faith No More). Later Chacon moved to Los Angeles, Miami, London and Copenhagen where his career moved more into songwriting and production. He wrote several hit songs, mostly in Europe.
Pettigrew, meanwhile, was raised in Philadelphia, and went on to study jazz vocals at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston, while also singing with the Boston favorite, Down Avenue.
Around the time of Charles' death he was recording with Tom Tom Club (Chris Franz and Tina Weymouth).
Duophonic is their debut album, released in 1992. It includes the worldwide smash hit "Would I Lie to You?" along with two further singles; "N.Y.C." and "House Is Not a Home".
At a time when urban radio was obsessed with the hip-hop-minded new jack swing of Bell Biv DeVoe, Bobby Brown, and Guy (among others), Charles & Eddie turned to pre-1980 African-American music for inspiration. The male vocal duo's first album, Duophonic, owes a major debt to the classic Northern soul of the '60s and '70s.
This CD came out in 1992, but Duophonic is quite mindful of the days when Curtis Mayfield, the Spinners, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye soared to the top of the R&B charts. Duophonic, however, isn't hardcore soul, and no one will mistake this release for a Temptations album from 1970. Rather, Charles & Eddie show their appreciation of classic soul in a very pop-friendly way, and the obvious comparisons include Simply Red, Terence Trent d'Arby, and Culture Club. Charles & Eddie aren't R&B purists, which isn't to say that they aren't expressive only that soul and pop considerations are both a part of what they do.
Duophonic is a solid debut, and the duo shows a great deal of promise on smooth pop-soul offerings such as "Love Is a Beautiful Thing" and the hit single "Would I Lie to You." Most of the songs deal with romantic matters, although Duophonic detours into sociopolitical territory on "Father to Son" and "Unconditional." Both of these songs indicate that Charles & Eddie are well aware of the sociopolitical soul classics of the early '70s -- one gets the impression that both of them have spent a lot of time listening to Mayfield's Superfly soundtrack and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On album. Anyone who is a big fan of Simply Red, d'Arby, or Culture Club is advised to give Duophonic a close listen.

Track listing

01.  "House Is Not a Home"   (Eddie Chacon, Freed)  - 4:46
02.  "N.Y.C."   (Chacon, Freed)  - 5:45
03.  "Would I Lie to You?"   (Mick Leeson, Peter Vale)  - 4:38
04.  "Hurt No More"   (Chacon, Freed)  - 4:33
05.  "I Understand"   (Charles Pettigrew)  - 1:10
06.  "Unconditional"   (Chacon, Andy Dean, Ben Wolff)  - 4:40
07.  "Love Is a Beautiful Thing"   (Seth Swirsky)  - 4:45
08.  "Father to Son"   (Chacon, Dean, Wolff)  - 5:40
09.  "December 2"   (Chacon)  - 1:53
10.  "Be a Little Easy on Me"   (Diane Warren)  - 5:07
11.  "Vowel Song"   (Chacon, Dean, Wolff)  - 4:15
12.  "Where Do We Go from Here?"   (Chacon)  - 4:13
13. "Shine"   (Chacon, Freed, Hernandez)  - 5:15

Credits
Charles Pettigrew – vocals, backing vocals
Eddie Chacon – percussion, vocals, backing vocals
Jeff Anderson – bass
Jean-Paul Bourelly – guitar
Chris Bruce – guitar
Berry Carl – backing vocals
Michael Davis – trombone, horn
Josh Deutsch – guitar, programming, loops
Amp Fiddler – organ, piano, clavinet, Fender Rhodes, wurlitzer
Yossi Fine – bass
David Fiuczynski – guitar
Paul Gordon – organ, piano, keyboards
Paul Griffin – organ, keyboards
Lani Groves – backing vocals
Lonnie Hillyer – bass, guitar
Garry Hughes – percussion, strings, keyboards, programming, clavinet, sampling, loops, fender rhodes, keyboard programming
Gene Lake – drums
Daniel Sadownick – percussion
Greg Smith – programming
Kent Smith – trumpet, horn
Andy Snitzer – horn, saxophone
Laneese Thomas – backing vocals
Vaneese Thomas – backing vocals
Ed Tuton – programming, loops
Andrew Wyatt – backing vocals

Production
Janice Prendergast - project coordinator
Andy Dean, Ben Wolff, Josh Deutsch - producers
Art Smith - assistant producer
Engineers -  Michael Christopher, Bradshaw Leigh, Ed Tuton
Assistant Engineers - Shannon Carr, Suzanne Dyer, Phil Klum, Joe Warda
Mixing - Femi Jiya, Ed Tuton
Mastering - Howie Weinberg

Notes
Release date: August 31, 1992
Recorded: 1991–1992
Genre:  Neo-Soul
Length: 56:40
© 1992

Label - Capitol

Deadmau5 - 4x4=12 (2010)

4×4=12 (pronounced Four Times Four Equals Twelve) is the fifth album by Canadian electronic artist deadmau5 (his third mainstream album). It was released worldwide (except in the U.S.) on 6 December 2010 through Virgin Records. The album was released in the United States on 7 December 2010 through Ultra Records. The album's name references an incident on deadmau5's Ustream channel, where he mistakenly said that his live setup of four banks of four "equals twelve". On 30 November 2011, the album received a nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Dance/Electronica Album.
With the illuminated big head and all, Canadian producer Joel Zimmerman's Deadmau5 alias is a blast to see live, but you can also bring quite a bit of that tech-house-meets-slammin'-electro excitement home with 4x4=12. As bad as the masked one is at math, he's conversely just as good at making you dance, as this unmixed but almost non-stop set of big room tunes throbs and snaps with that Daft Punk sense of style. Rabid fans should be warned, though, that they've already heard the big highlights, as tracks like "Some Chords," "Sofi Needs a Ladder," the wicked "Animal Rights," and others had been previously released on 12"s, but the remaining cuts are hardly filler.
Unheard numbers such as the creepy "Cthulhu Sleeps" and the Wendy Carlos-like "Right This Second" help to turn a club-oriented set of tunes into a well-rounded album, and when the one-two punch of "Raise Your Weapon" and "One Trick Pony" introduce the Mau5's newfound love of dubstep, you've got just enough variety. Miss Sofi (Sofia Toufa) and Greta Svabo Bech contribute vocals, while producers Wolfgang Gartner and Michael Woods skillfully help with the knob twiddling.

Track listing

01.  "Some Chords"   (Joel Zimmerman)  - 7:24
02.  "Sofi Needs a Ladder" (featuring SOFI)  (Zimmerman, Sofia Toufa)  - 6:43
03.  "A City in Florida"   (Zimmerman)  - 5:40
04.  "Bad Selection"   (Zimmerman, Chester "DJ Aero" Deitz)  - 5:32
05.  "Animal Rights" (with Wolfgang Gartner)  (Zimmerman; Joey Youngman)  - 6:15
06.  "I Said" (Michael Woods Remix) (with Chris Lake)  (Zimmerman, Christopher Lak)  - 7:06
07.  "Cthulhu Sleeps"   (Zimmerman)  - 10:34
08.  "Right This Second"   (Zimmerman)  - 7:50
09.  "Raise Your Weapon" (featuring Greta Svabo Bech)  (Zimmerman, Cydney Sheffield, Sonny Moore)  - 8:22
10.  "One Trick Pony" (featuring SOFI)  (Zimmerman, Toufa)  - 3:59
11.  "Everything Before"   (Zimmerman)  - 6:36

Credits
Written-By, Producer, Arranged By – Joel Zimmerman, deadmau5

Notes
Release date: 6 December 2010
Genre:  Progressive House, Electro House
Length: 1:16:01
© 2010

Label - Mau5trap Recordings

Hatfield's End - Stonehenge 4 (2000)

De tekst is een lofzang op deze CD waarin naast een enthousiast verhaal over de 11 nummers die de CD telt ook diverse associaties worden gelegd. De anonieme (!) auteur legt verbanden naar de jaren ’70 en de uit die tijd stammende groepen en muziekvormen. In deze sfeer zou Hatfield’s End werken. Dus wordt het tijd wat relikwieen uit die tijd voor de dag te halen en de sfeer in de luisterruimte eens goed aan te passen. Een goede verduistering, wierook en patchouli zorgen voor het begin. Een lekker ruim zittend India hemd en dito broek en uiteraard wat ‘natuurlijke geneugten’ en een fraaie chilum.
Voordat de CD geladen wordt eerst maar eens de installatie – buizen he goed laten opwarmen met de muziek waaraan gerefereerd wordt in het extra tekstboekje. Dus een stukje Tubular Bells, The Snow Goose en Meddle. De verleiding ontstaat om ook een stapje verder te gaan omdat de anonieme schrijver een link legt naar Klatuu. Daarvan staat niets in de kast, maar om nu de Beatles te gaan draaien? (Lang werd gedacht dat de mensen achter Klaatu de Beatles waren.) Dan maar Ash Ra Temple.
Hierna Stonehenge 4 in de speler, vanwege de waarschuwing dat er nogal wat bas in de opname zit – graflaag noemt de schrijver het het TacT Room Control System op een pleisterwerk-vriendelijke stand gezet en de versterker zo dat op de luisterplek 86dB terecht komt.
En dan, de eerste klanken, meerdere synths leggen een basis waartegen een andere syntheziser melodien houdt. Het wachten is op een opbouw van de spanning maar helaas blijft die uit. Wel telkens de linkerhand op ‘violen’ maar de melodielijn verschilt enkel in klank – panfluit, woodblock, gitaar ala Pink Floyd. Na 8 minuten komt het volgende nummer. Dat opent met veel ‘viool’ uit het keyboard en een drumcomputer. En vooral dat laatste slaat eigenlijk het hele nummer dood en de melodie neuzelt wat door zonder spanning.
De chilum maar even de chilum gelaten en wat meer licht gemaakt om het bijbehorende engelstalige boekje te lezen. De muziek is nu achtergrond muziek geworden. Dit boekwerkje levert niet veel meer informatie op dan dat de titel van de CD wordt verklaard en waarschijnlijk de opnames in Hannover House in Zuid Engeland(?) zijn gemaakt en het geheel een productie is van Terrapin Music. Hatfield’s End heeft het concept verzonnen en geschreven plus de fotos verzorgt.
Het wordt tijd het Internet eens te raadplegen, dus de iBook op schoot genomen terwijl het derde nummer van de CD, een dance track, speelt. De favoriete zoekmachine, Google, komt hoopvol met een aantal resultaten. Maar helaas, enkel aankondigingen van de platenhandel en een verwijzing naar HiFi.nl waar de CD onderdeel was van een actie samen met NAD. Dus geen informatie over wie of wat Hatfield’s End is.
De vierde track van de CD speelt nu en is prima als begeleiding van het internetten. Op de website van Pias is ook niets te vinden over Hatfield’s End. De laatste hoop is de productie maatschappij Terrapin Music. Terrapin? Dus en verwijzing naar Pink Floyd? Immers, oprichter Sid Barrett van de Floyd, heeft het nummer Terrapin op zijn solo album ‘The Madcap Laughs’ gezet en is de naam van het fanclub blad van Barrett. Dus naar Terrapinmusic.com. Helaas ook hier geen geluk want de site is niet opengezet.
Blijft dus de muziek over. Onderhand speelt nummer 6 waarin een groot applaus overgaat in orgelklanken gevolgd door stevig ritme uit de drumdoos. Maar dan nummer 7, Midwinter Sunset, over de nu al iets te bekende synthesizer klanken speelt een echte (!) akoestische gitaar een stuk dat ‘Mason Williams speelt The Moody Blues’ zo kunnen heten. Eindelijk een interessante melodiestructuur van twee hoofdlijnen die tegen elkaar in lopen. Op repeat dus.
De volgende stukken op de CD zijn weer een beetje van hetzelfde met weinig spannends of het moet het klaterende water in ‘Sun and Moon’ zijn dat een sterke werking op de blaas teweeg brengt. Het laatste nummer is wel weer spannend met een duet tussen echte gitaar en keyboard wat overgaat in pijporgelklanken. Dan volgt een aantal knetterende onweerslagen alvorens het duet weer terugkomt. Ja gaat je met dit geweld afvragen hoe Walter/Wendy Carlos zou klinken als hij/zij deze opname apparatuur voor ‘Sonic Seasonings’ had kunnen gebruiken; dan was je echt nat geworden in de onweersbui.
Stonehenge is zeker niet onaardig maar maakt de belofte van de Nederlandse inlay niet echt waar. De inspiratie ligt overduidelijk bij de muziek uit 1972-1975 alleen de vonk uit die tijd is niet meegekomen. Muziekliefhebbers die de originele periode niet hebben meegemaakt worden misschien wel nieuwsgierig naar de bronnen van Hatfield’s End en willen dat mysterie wel ontrafelen. http://www.bing.com/translator

Track listing

01. "Enter The Ceremonial Tribal Meeting Place" - 8:16 
02. "Long Journey Home" - 7:54 
03. "The Arrival Of The Bluestones" - 6:49 
04. "Lost In The Sarsen Stone Circle" - 7:21 
05. "The Mystery Of Aubrey Holes" - 5:50 
06. "Show Of Hands A:The Slaughter Stone B: The Heel Stone" - 14:21 
07. "Midwinter Sunset" - 2:56 
08. "Voices Of The Druids" - 5:30 
09. "Midsummer Sunrise" - 4:20 
10. "Sun And Moon" - 5:48 
11. "Ruins Of Time" - 5:48 

Credits
Concept By, Written-By – Hatfield's End

Notes
Release date:  November 2000
Genre:  Electronic, Classical, Ambient
Length:  1:14:49
© 1982

Label - PIAS

The Rolling Stones - Some Girls: Live In Texas '78 (2011)

Some Girls: Live in Texas '78 is a live concert film by The Rolling Stones released in 2011. It was filmed in 16 mm during the US Tour 1978. This live performance was recorded and filmed during one show at the Will Rogers Auditorium in Fort Worth, Texas 18 July 1978 during their US Tour 1978 in support of their album Some Girls. The concert film was released on DVD/Blu-ray Disc, Combo (DVD & CD set) and (Blu-ray Disc & CD set) on 15 November 2011. The CD was exclusive to the combo sets, and was not released individually.
Hidden away in the archives for 33 years, this record of the Stones' "Some Girls in Texas" concert is an absolute gem. Playing with a sense of conviction, power, and recklessness that essentially captures the mood of the just released "Some Girls" album, the band is in fine form. Mick's vocals are strong, Keith and relative newcomer Ronnie Wood are in their prime, and Charlie Watts demonstrates once again why he may be the most underrated drummer in rock. Listening to Bill Wyman play bass confirms what I've felt for some time now...the bass lines simply don't sound the same since Daryl Jones took his spot. Bill is unassuming as ever yet his contribution to the Stones' signature sound cannot be overlooked or dismissed.
In contrast to recent Stones' tours, there's plenty of interaction between the band members...particularly Mick and Ronnie...and the stripped-down 1978 edition means a lot of shared-mike vocals with Mick, Keith, and Ronnie occasionally trying to outdo one another. The boys are clearly enjoying themselves yet I couldn't help but get the feeling they were genuinely committed to delivering a great performance.
Ronnie's playing deserves special mention here since we hardly see him cut loose with as many solos anymore. For whatever reason, and there are plenty that come to mind, Mick and Keith seem to keep him under wraps these days and it's a real shame. His style is totally different from Mick Taylor's but Ronnie's lead work on the 1975 and 1978 Tours stand on their own merit.
Plenty of variety here...a couple of Chuck Berry covers, some well-known Stones' classics, eight cuts from the "Some Girls" release, which encompasses quite a few musical genres on its' own...the concert is fast, furious, and in-your-face. I'm looking forward to picking up the DVD when it becomes available when I'll be the one to decide just how loud it should be played!

Track listing

01.  "Let It Rock"  (Chuck Berry) - 2:!2
02.  "All Down The Line" - 3:56
03.  "Honky Tonk Women" - 3:38
04.  "Star Star" - 3:47
05.  "When The Whip Comes Down" - 5:13
06.  "Beast of Burden" - 6:28
07.  "Miss You" - 8:35
08.  "Just My Imagination"  (Whitfield/Strong) - 6:40
09.  "Shattered" - 4:45
10.  "Respectable" - 3:23
11.  "Far Away Eyes" - 5:51
12.  "Love in Vain"  (Robert Johnson) - 4:53
13.  "Tumbling Dice" - 4:38
14.  "Happy" - 3:12
15.  "Sweet Little Sixteen"  (Chuck Berry) - 3:11
16.  "Brown Sugar" - 3:14
17.  "Jumpin' Jack Flash" - 6:15

All songs by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards except where noted

The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger - lead vocals, guitar, electric piano
Keith Richards - lead and backing vocals, guitars
Ronnie Wood - backing vocals, guitars, pedal steel guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass guitar

Additional personnel
Ian Stewart – piano
Ian McLagan – acoustic and electric pianos, organ, synthesizer
Doug Kershaw – violin on "Far Away Eyes"
Original 1978 production crew
Jerry Carraway
Live sound recording by BJ Schiller
24 track recording by Michael Garvey
Produced by Jack Calmes
Directed by Lynn Lenau Calmes
Lead Cameraman Phillip Thomas
Camera Operator Jerry Calloway
Camera Operator Richard Kooris
Camera Operator Philip Pheiffer
Film Loader Bob Hall
Assistant Camera Michael McClary
Assistant Camera Wes Dempster
Audio mix by Bob Clearmountain
Director of film production Phil Davey

Notes
Release date: 15 November 2011
Recorded: 18 July 1978, Will Rogers Auditorium, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Genre:  Rock
Length: 79:58
© 2011

Label - Eagle Rock Entertainment

George Michael - Songs From The Last Century (1999)

Songs from the Last Century is the fourth album by singer George Michael, released on 13 December 1999. Co-produced by Phil Ramone, it was his first album of cover versions. It consists mainly of old jazz standards, plus new interpretations of more recent popular songs, such as "Roxanne" (originally by The Police) and "Miss Sarajevo" (originally by U2 with Luciano Pavarotti). "Roxanne" was released as a single in other countries except the United Kingdom.
Unlike many covers albums, Songs From the Last Century is a cohesive, enjoyable diversion. With the help of co-producer Phil Ramone, George Michael has crafted a warm, intimate album built around a small combo of piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Orchestras, big bands, harps, and on one occasion, a rock band augment the basic combo, yet the flourishes never change the essential, close-knit nature of the group.
For the first time ever, Michael sounds relaxed. He's lying back, singing songs he loves, not worrying about chart success, and the end result is quite fetching, even if it isn't perfect. The main flaw with Songs From the Last Century is that it's so smooth, it's occasionally a little sleepy, a trait that's emphasized by Michael's fairly predictable taste in covers "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," "My Baby Just Cares for Me," and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," among others. Nevertheless, he does bring style and sophistication to these standards, even such often-covered yet still difficult tunes as "Wild as the Wind." When his selections are idiosyncratic whether it's a jazzy reading of "Roxanne," the brassy "Secret Love," the little-remembered "I Remember You," or a revelatory reading of "Miss Sarajevo," a song commonly dismissed as a U2 side project the album is delightful. Certainly, Songs From the Last Century isn't a major work; it's a way for Michael to decompress and have some fun, and the diehards who stuck with him through the turbulent '90s are likely to be charmed.

Track listing

01. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"  (E.Y. Harburg, Jay Gorney)  - 4:22
02. "Roxanne"  (Sting)  - 4:11
03. "You've Changed"  (Bill Carey, Carl Fischer)  - 4:25
04. "My Baby Just Cares for Me"  (Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson)  - 1:45
05. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"   (E. Maccoll)  - 5:19
06. "Miss Sarajevo"  (Clayton, Eno, Evans, Mullen, Hewson)  - 5:11
07. "I Remember You"  (John H. Mercer, Victor Schertzinger)  - 4:12
08. "Secret Love"  (Paul Webster, Sunny Fain)  - 2:39
09. "Wild Is the Wind"  (Dimitri Tiomkine, Ned Washington)  - 4:02
10. "Where or When"  (R.Rodgers, L. Hart) / "It's All Right with Me" (Instrumental)  (Cole Porter)  - 7:00  (Hidden track)

Credits
Vocals - George Michael
Acoustic Bass - David Finck
Bass - David Finck , Jacqui Danilow, Judy Sugarman, Marji Danilow, Tim Cobb
Bassoon - Kim Laskowski
Cello - Caryl Paisner, Diane Barere, Ellen Westerman, Jeanne LeBlanc, Mark Shuman, Richard Locker
Clarinet - Alan Kay, John Moses, Todd Levy, Virgil Blackwell
Clarinet [Bass] - Jim Ognibene, Virgil Blackwell
Concertmaster - Barry Filipetti, Elena Barere
Drums - Lewis Nash, Shawn Pelton
English Horn - Rich Dallesio
Flute - Karen Griffen, Katherine Fink, Pamela Sklar, Sheryl Henze, Trudy Kane
French Horn - Bob Carlisle, Chris Komer, Jeff Lang, John Clark
Guitar - Jeff Mironov
Harp - Stacey Shames
Oboe - Diane Lesser
Piano - Rob Mathes, Rob Mounsey
Trombone [Bass] - Dave Taylor, Herb Besson
Trombone [Tenor] - Jim Pugh , Mike Davis
Trumpet - Byron Stripling, Jeff Kievit, Jim Hynes, Tony Kadleck
Tuba - Marcus Rojas
Viola - Carol Landon, Crystal Garner, Judy Witmer, Juliet Haffner, Maryhelen Brennard, Sue Pray
Violin - Abe Appleman, Ann Leathers, Avril Brown, Barry Finclair, Carol Webb, Donna Tecco, Elena Barere, Liz Lim-Dutton, Enrico Dicecco, Jan Mullen , Jean Ingraham , Jonathan Dinklage, Joyce Hammann, Laura Hamilton, Laura McGinniss, Laura Oatts, Marti Sweet, Maura Giannini, Nancy McAlhaney, Regis Iandiorio, Ricky Sortomme, Yuri Vodovos
Woodwind - Andy Snitzer, Charlie Pillow, David Tofani, Dave Mann, Ken Hitchcock, Lawrence Feldman, Roger Rosenberg, Tim Ries
Mastered By - Ted Jenson
Mixed By [Assistant] - Jason Stasium, Steve Mazur
Mixed By, Recorded By – Frank Filipetti
Engineer [Assistant] – Scott Parker, Steve Mazur
Design - George Michael, Greg Jakobek
Arranged By, Conductor - Rob Mathes, Torrie Zito
Other [Management] - Andy Stephens
Other [Production Manager And Contractor] - Jill Dell'abate
Photography By - Andrew MacPherson 
Producer - George Michael, Phil Ramone

Companies, etc.
Record Company - Virgin Records America, Inc.
Recorded At - Right Track Recording
Mixed At - Right Track Recording
Mastered At - Sterling Sound

Notes
Release date: 13 December 1999
Recorded and mixed at: Right Track Studios, NYC 1999
Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City, New York
Genre:  Pop Jazz
Length:  43:11
© 1999

Label - Virgin

Smashing Pumpkins - Monuments To An Elegy (2014)

Monuments to an Elegy is the ninth studio album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on December 5, 2014. Band leader Billy Corgan has noted that similar to the band's previous release, Oceania the album is a part of the ongoing project, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, but sold poorly compared to the band's previous albums, peaking at number 33 in the U.S. and number 59 in the U.K., thus making it their lowest charting album in the both regions since their debut, Gish (1991).
As he set to work on Monuments to an Elegy, the second "album within an album" within the larger Teargarden by Kaleidyscope project, Billy Corgan slowly whittled down Smashing Pumpkins to himself and guitarist Jeff Schroeder. This narrowing of the group the duo is supported by the hired hand of Mötley Crüe's drummer Tommy Lee  ultimately doesn't matter much because ever since the Pumpkins' 2007 comeback, the secret of Corgan's complete control of the group was out in the open. More than either Zeitgeist or Oceania, both of which traded in the surging six-strings of Siamese Dream, Monuments to an Elegy feels like a Corgan solo project and not just because this percolates with analog synthesizers straight out of The Future Embrace. Monuments stitches together all of Corgan's obsessions  thick sheets of guitars, 4AD space rock, delicate acoustica, Commodore 64 synthesizers, a fondness for both noise and beauty but there is an ease to the album that not only feels self-reflective but also rather mature.
Usually, when Corgan covers this much ground it was with the express intent to dazzle, but here his attitude is almost casual as he slides from the volcanic "One and All" to the exquisitely sculpted new wave of "Dorian," stopping for a respite of disco on "Anaise!" The breadth impresses and it resonates stronger because he's funneled all these sounds and textures into a tight nine-song album that lasts barely over a half-hour. For an artist who has fervently believed more is indeed more, this restraint is thoroughly appealing and helps showcase his craft in surprising  and, yes, sometimes dazzling ways.

Track listing

01. "Tiberius"  - 3:02
02. "Being Beige"  - 3:39
03. "Anaise!"  - 3:33
04. "One and All (We Are)"  - 3:44
05. "Run2me"  - 4:08
06. "Drum + Fife"  - 3:54
07. "Monuments"  - 3:30
08. "Dorian"  - 3:45
09. "Anti-Hero"  - 3:20

all songs are written by Billy Corgan.

The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and synthesizers
Jeff Schroeder - guitar

Additional personnel
David Bottrill - mixing
Tommy Lee - drums
Howie Weinberg - mastering
Producer - Billy Corgan, Howard Willing, Jeff Schroeder

Notes
Released date: December 5, 2014
Recorded: March-July 2014
Genre:  Alternative Rock, Gaze
Length:  32:35
© 2014

Label - Martha's Music/BMG

Boston - Life, Love & Hope (2013)

Life, Love & Hope is the sixth studio album by American rock band Boston. It was released on December 3, 2013 by Frontiers Records, making it their first studio album in eleven years. It is the first album released following the death of Brad Delp and is the final one to include him on vocals.^[3] Delp recorded vocals on the songs "Didn't Mean to Fall in Love", "Sail Away", "Someone", and "Te Quiero Mia", the last of which being a re-arrangement of "I Had a Good Time", from Corporate America.
Thanks to the meticulous approach Tom Scholz takes when recording Boston albums, every album since their second one, 1978's Don't Look Back, has taken nearly a decade to see the light of day. It's no different with 2013's Life Love & Hope, which follows cold on the heels of 2002's Corporate America. Using a crew of vocalists including longtime collaborator Brad Delp (who tragically committed suicide in 2007) and cleanly processed layers of guitars, keys, and drums much the same way he always has, a majority of the album plays like vintage Boston especially the tracks that feature Delp, like the aching love song "Didn't Mean to Fall in Love," which borrows heavily from "More Than a Feeling," and a new version of Corporate America's "Someone." Another male vocalist on the album, David Victor, sounds a lot like Delp and does a fine job filling his shoes on the album's best song, "Heaven on Earth." When these songs click, it's almost like a time machine trip back to the late '70s.
Sometimes they don't click, though, and that brings the record down quite a few notches. Some of the songwriting is clichéd and a little trite lyrically, the vocals a little overwrought, and most damningly the overall sound isn't as full and rich as a '70s Boston album, with the drums sounding curiously tinny and the mix oddly unbalanced. The guitars mostly sound amazing and exactly like one would expect Boston guitars to sound, but quite often the vocals are too far out front, the drums are buried, and the mix feels slapped together.
The album sounds more like a GarageBand demo than it does a studio album that someone spent ten years slaving over. Even though it fell short of being a good Boston album, at least Corporate America sounded like a finished product. Life Love & Hope doesn't, and hearing it might lead a devoted Boston follower to believe that, despite the few moments when things come together nicely, maybe Scholz has finally lost his touch. Check back in another decade for further developments.

Track listing

01. "Heaven on Earth"  (David Victor with Louis St. August)  - 3:37
       (All instruments, harmony & backing vocals: Tom Scholz)
02. "Didn't Mean to Fall in Love"  (Scholz, Curly Smith, Janet Minto Brad Delp)  - 5:13
       (Remastered version from Corporate America)
03. "Last Day of School" (Instrumental performed by Tom Scholz  - 2:02
04. "Sail Away"   (Delp, Kimberley Dahme)  - 3:42
05. "Life Love and Hope"   (Tommy DeCarlo)  - 3:57
06. "If You Were in Love"   (Dahme)  - 4:10
07. "Someday"   (DeCarlo and Scholz with Jude Nejmanowski)  - 3:44
08. "Love Got Away"  (Tom Scholz)  - 4:28
      (All Instruments: Tom Scholz; Harmony Vocals: Tom Scholz, Gary Phil)
09. "Someone (2.0)"  (Delp)  - 4:00
      (Rearranged and re-recorded)
10. "You Gave Up on Love (2.0)"  (Dahme, DeCarlo, Scholz)  - 4:05
      (Rearranged and re-recorded / Flute: Dahme / Harmony Vocals: Beth Cohen)
11. "Te Quiero Mia"  (Delp)  - 3:38
       Best Buy & LP bonus track)
12. "The Way You Look Tonight"  (DeCarlo)  - 3:52
13. "O Canada"  - 1:28
      (LP bonus track)

All songs written and composed by Tom Scholz, except as noted.

Credits
Tom Scholz - guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums, vocals
Brad Delp - vocals
Gary Pihl - vocals, guitar
Kimberley Dahme - vocals, flute
Tommy DeCarlo - vocals
Curly Smith - harmonica
David Victor - vocals
Louis St. August - vocals
Jeff Neal - vocals
Jude Nejmanowski - vocals
Beth Cohen - vocals

Notes
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Recorded: 1998–2013
Genre:  Hard Rock
Length:  42:52
© 2013

Label - Frontiers Records

Metallica - Garage Inc. (1998)

Garage Inc. is a cover/compilation album by the American thrash metal band Metallica. It was released on November 23, 1998 through Elektra Records. Over 2.5 million copies have been sold in the U.S. as certified by the RIAA. It includes cover songs, B-side covers, and the The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited, which had gone out of print since its original release in 1987.
The title is a combination of Garage Days Revisited and their song "Damage, Inc." The album features songs by artists that have influenced Metallica, including many bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, hardcore punk bands and popular songs.
For many years, Metallica's 1987 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited was the most sought-after item in their catalog; it was constantly bootlegged in the '90s, and often supplemented by a host of covers Metallica had released on singles and compilations throughout the years. By 1998, the band had understandably grown frustrated with this situation and decided to confront the problem head-on by reissuing all these rarities. Savvy businessmen that they are, they also realized they needed to give hardcore fans who already owned all the covers a reason to purchase the new set hence, the expansion of the Garage Days EP to the double-disc blowout Garage, Inc. The second disc's rarities are balanced by the first disc's new covers, the bulk of which were recorded following the Reload tour. It shouldn't come as a surprise that these covers recall the blooze 'n' boogie heavy rock of the Loads, but what is a surprise is that Metallica seems to have found their footing in this style through other people's songs.
Whether it's Bob Seger, Blue Öyster Cult, Thin Lizzy, Nick Cave, or the all-star jam on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone," the band effortlessly makes the songs seem like their own, through a bizarre mix of respect and ballsy irreverence. Sure, it may not be nearly as raw as early Metallica, but it is a better listen than either of the Load records. And if raw is what you want, the equally diverse disc two provides all the thrills you could hope for. At one time, it might have seemed a little odd that Metallica would cover Budgie, Diamond Head, the Misfits, and Queen, but if Garage, Inc. proves anything, it's that the group's musical instincts, risks, and sense of humor have made them the greatest metal band of the '80s and '90s.
As of August 2013 the album has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

Disc one

These tracks were recorded in September–October 1998 for the Garage Inc. album.

01. "Free Speech for the Dumb"   (Garry Maloney, Kevin "Cal" Morris, Tony "Bones" Roberts, Roy "Rainy" Wainwright) - 2:36
       Original Artist: Discharge (1982)
02. "It's Electric"   (Sean Harris, Brian Tatler) - 3:34
       Original Artist: Diamond Head (1980)
03. "Sabbra Cadabra"   (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward) - 6:20
       Original Artist: Black Sabbath (1973)
04. "Turn the Page"   (Bob Seger) - 6:06
       Original Artist: Bob Seger (1973)
05. "Die, Die My Darling"   (Glenn Danzig) - 2:29
       Original Artist: (Misfits (1984)
06. "Loverman"   (Nick Cave) - 7:53
       Original Artist: Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds (1994)
07. "Mercyful Fate"   (King Diamond, Hank Shermann) - 11:11
       Original Artist: Mercyful Fate (1982/1983)
08. "Astronomy"   (Joe Bouchard, Albert Bouchard, Sandy Pearlman) - 6:37
       Original Artist: Blue Öyster Cult (1974
09. "Whiskey in the Jar"   (Traditional arr. Eric Bell, Brian Downey, Phil Lynott)  - 5:05
       Original Artist: Inspired by Thin Lizzy´s Version) (1972)
10. "Tuesday's Gone"   (Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins) - 9:06
       Original Artist: Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973
11. "The More I See"   (Maloney, Morris, Peter "Pooch" Purtill, Wainwright) - 4:49
       Original Artist: Discharge (1984)

Disc two

These tracks are a collection of B-sides from artists Metallica were inspired by, throughout the early years of the band.

The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987)
01. "Helpless"   (Harris, Tatler) - 6:38
       Original Artist: Diamond Head (1980)
02. "The Small Hours"   (John Mortimer, John McCullim, Bryan Bartley, Ron Levine) - 6:43
       Original Artist: Holocaust (1983)
03. "The Wait"   (Jaz Coleman, Kevin "Geordie" Walker, Martin "Youth" Glover, Paul Ferguson) - 4:55
       Original Artist: Killing Joke (1980)
04. "Crash Course in Brain Surgery"   (Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge, Ray Phillips) - 3:10
       Original Artist: Budgie (1971)
05. "Last Caress/Green Hell"   (Glenn Danzig) - 3:30
       Original Artist: Misfits (1980/1983)

Garage Days Revisited ("Creeping Death" B-Sides) (1984)
06. "Am I Evil?"   (Harris, Tatler) - 7:50
       Original Artist: Diamond Head (1980) 
07. "Blitzkrieg"   (Ian Jones, Jim Sirotto, Brian Ross) - 3:37
       Original Artist: Blitzkrieg (1981)

B-Sides & One-Offs (1988–1991)
08. "Breadfan"   (Bourge, Phillips, Shelley) - 5:41
       Original Artist: Budgie (1973)
09. "The Prince"   (Harris, Tatler) - 4:26
       Original Artist: Diamond Head (1980) 
10. "Stone Cold Crazy"   (Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon) - 2:19
       Original Artist: Queen (1974)
11. "So What"   (Nick "Animal" Kulmer, Chris "Magoo" Exall, Clive "Winston" Blake) - 3:09
       Original Artist: Anti-Nowhere League (1981)
12. "Killing Time"   (Vivian Campbell, Trevor Fleming, Raymond Haller, Davy Bates) - 3:04
       Original Artist: Sweet Savage (1981)

Motörheadache ("Hero of the Day Limited Edition CD single" B-Sides) (1995)
13. "Overkill"   (Eddie Clarke, Ian Kilmister, Phil Taylor) - 4:05
       Original Artist: Motörhead (1979)
14. "Damage Case"   (Clarke, Kilmister, Taylor, Mick Farren) - 3:40
       Original Artist: Motörhead (1979)
15. "Stone Dead Forever"   (Clarke, Kilmister, Taylor) - 4:52
       Original Artist: Motörhead (1979)
16. "Too Late Too Late"   (Clarke, Kilmister, Taylor) - 3:!2
       Original Artist: Motörhead (1979)

Metallica
James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
Cliff Burton – bass (on "Am I Evil?" and "Blitzkrieg")
Lars Ulrich – drums
Jason Newsted – bass, backing vocals

Guest musicians on "Tuesday's Gone"
Pepper Keenan – co-lead vocals
Jerry Cantrell – guitar
Sean Kinney – additional percussion
Jim Martin – guitar
John Popper – harmonica
Gary Rossington – additional guitar
Les Claypool – banjo

Technical personnel
Bob Rock – producer
James Hetfield – producer
Lars Ulrich – producer
Mike Clink – engineer
Brian Dobbs – engineer
Jeffrey Norman – engineer
Csaba Petocz – engineer
Randy Staub – engineer
Toby Wright – engineer
Leff Lefferts – assistant engineers
Chris Manning – assistant engineers
Kent Matcke – assistant engineers
Mike Fraser – mixing
Flemming Rasmussen – mixing
Randy Staub – mixing
George Marino – mastering, remastering
Paul DeCarli – digital editing
Mike Gillies – digital editing
Andie Airfix – design
Ross Halfin – cover design, photography
Anton Corbijn – photography
Mark Leialoha – photography
David Fricke – liner notes

Notes
Release date: November 23, 1998
Recorded at: New cover songs recorded & mixed from September 14–October 1, 1998 at The Plant Studios, Sausalito, California. Other songs recorded at various locations from 1984 to 1995.
Genre: Heavy metal, thrash metal
Length: 136:38
© 1998

Label - Elektra, Sony Music, Vertigo

Pete Townshend - White City: A Novel (1985)

White City: A Novel is a solo concept album by Pete Townshend of The Who.
After the experimental All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, Pete Townshend returned to a more traditional form of concept album with White City: A Novel. Built around a loose narrative concerning urban despair, the album doesn't work very well conceptually, yet a handful of the individual songs are among his finest solo work, including the punchy "Face the Face" and the anthemic "Give Blood."
The title refers to a story (called a "novel" in the album title) that accompanies the album, and which takes place in a low-income housing estate in the West London area of White City, near where Townshend had grown up. The story tells of cultural conflict, racial tension and youthful hopes and dreams in the 1960s  a world of "prostituted children", "roads leading to darkness, leading home" and despairing residents living in "cells" with views of "dustbins and a Ford Cortina". The song "White City Fighting", which features David Gilmour's guitar work, tells listeners that the White City was "a black, violent place" where "battles were won, and battles were blown, at the height of the White City fighting". The album opens with crashing guitar chords that capture a feeling of urban chaos, leading into "Give Blood", a song with Townshend's trademark, moral lyrics demanding listeners to "give blood, but you may find that blood is not enough".

Track listing

01.  "Give Blood"  - 5:44
02.  "Brilliant Blues"  - 3:06
03.  "Face the Face"  - 5:51
04.  "Hiding Out"  - 3:00
05.  "Secondhand Love"  - 4:12
06.  "Crashing By Design"  - 3:14
07.  "I Am Secure"  - 4:00
08.  "White City Fighting" (David Gilmour, Townshend)  - 4:40
09.  "Come to Mama"  - 4:40

Bonus Tracks (2006 Hip-O USA Release)
10.  "Night School"  - 3:23
11.  "Save It for Later" (Roger Charlery, Andy Cox, Everett Morton, David Steele, Dave Wakeling) - 4:58
12.  "Hiding Out (12" mix)" (Previously released on 12" single)  - 5:50

All songs written by Pete Townshend except as noted.

Credits
Pete Townshend – vocals, guitar
Steve Barnacle – bass guitar
Mark Brzezicki – drums
John "Rabbit" Bundrick – keyboards

Additional personnel
Clem Burke – drums
Tony Butler – bass guitar
Phil Chen – bass guitar
David Gilmour – guitar
Peter Hope-Evans – harmonica
Kick Horns: Simon Clarke, Roddy Lorimer, Tim Sanders, Peter Thoms
Chucho Merchan – bass guitar
Pino Palladino – bass guitar
Simon Phillips – drums
Ewan Stewart – voice (spoken word)
Jackie Challenor, Mae McKenna, Lorenza Johnson, Emma Townshend, Justine Frischmann (in "Night School" – backing vocals
Richard Evans album cover desig
Producer - Chris Thomas

Notes
Release date: 11 November 1985
Recorded at: Studio Eel Pie Studio, Twickenham; Eel Pie Studio, Soho, London; A.I.R. Studios, London
Genre:  Rock
Length:  38:27
© 1985

Label - Atco/Hip-O (Reissue)

Colbie Caillat - Coco (Deluxe Edition) (2008)

Colbie Marie Caillat (born May 28, 1985) is an American pop singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist from Malibu, California. She debuted in 2007 with Coco, which included hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize".
Caillat's debut album, Coco was released in 2007. Her debut single "Bubbly" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Pop 100. Two other singles followed, "Realize" (number 20, Hot 100) and "The Little Things" (number 94, Pop 100).
Sweetness rules on Colbie Caillat's debut, Coco, which is perhaps only appropriate for an album bearing that name. The record doesn't play like a toasty mug of chocolate on a winter's day, though; it's a sugary lemonade on a breezy summer afternoon. It's light and comforting, a familiar blend of sunny pop and singer/songwriter tropes that flirt with cliché but never sound hackneyed -- a lighter, brighter spin on Norah Jones that sounds like an ideal soundtrack to a few hours in a cozy coffeehouse or a montage on Grey's Anatomy, whatever comes first.
If that gives the impression that Caillat is a little calculated and if her music-biz heritage (her dad co-produced Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Tusk) gives the sense that she may have had a silver spoon, and if her celebrated MySpace popularity is also initially suspect then as an album Coco shows no crassness or coldness: it flows easily and, yes, sweetly, filled with gently ingratiating melodies and delivered with warmth and a casual charisma that proves to be quite endearing by the end of the record. Caillat doesn't attempt anything approaching a major statement the album is filled with songs about love and life but that's her appeal: she sings about simple, everyday things in an unassuming manner, letting her melodies and girl-next-door charm carry the day, and they do so winningly on this nicely mellow debut.
On the 2008 Deluxe Version on her Universal Republic debut, the songs mirror Caillat's low-key, refreshing style. Armed with her acoustic guitar and her dusky vocals, she evokes the same gentle, yet spirited style of her musical influences John Mayer, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and The Weepies.
After touring with The Goo Goo Dolls and Lifehouse in 2007, she was the supporting act for John Mayer on his 2008 Summer Tour.

Track listing

01.  "Oxygen"   (Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves) - 3:51
02.  "The Little Things"   (Caillat, Reeves) - 3:46
03.  "One Fine Wire"   (Mikal Blue, Caillat, Reeves) - 3:37
04.  "Bubbly"   (Caillat, Reeves) - 3:17
05. "Feelings Show"   (Blue, Caillat, Reeves) - 3:10
06.  "Midnight Bottle"   (Caillat, Reeves) - 3:41
07.  "Realize"   (Blue, Caillat, Reeves) - 4:05
08.  "Battle"   (Blue, Caillat) - 4:03
09.  "Tailor Made"   (Caillat, Reeves) - 4:30
10.  "Magic"   (Caillat, Reeves) - 3:25
11.  "Tied Down"   (Caillat, Reeves) - 3:07
12.  "Capri"   (Caillat) - 3:04

Deluxe Edition
13.  "Tell Him"   (Lauryn Hill) - 4:53
14.  "Brand New Me"   (Theresa Bell, Jerry Butler, Kenneth Gamble) - 3:21
15.  "Somethin' Special" (Beijing Olympic Mix)  (Blue, Caillat) - 3:06
16.  "Circles"   (Blue, Caillat) - 3:53
17.  "Hoy Me Voy" (featuring Juanes)  (Caillat, García DeEnterria, Juanes, Emmanuel Lehmann) - 3:25
18.  "Turn Your Lights Down Low"  (live) - 5:57
19.  "Magic"  (piano version) - 3:20
20 . "Bubbly"  (acoustic version) - 3:33

Credits
Colbie Caillat - acoustic guitar
Jaco Caraco - electric guitar
Dave Marotta, Yukihide Takiyama - bass guitar
Tim Fagan - guitar
Jason Reeves - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, piano
Mikal Blue - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, bass guitar
Stevie Blacke - violin, viola, cello
Brian Carr - strings, piano
Mark Levang - grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano
Dylan Charbeneau - Fender Rhodes piano
Michael Baker, Victor Indrizzo - drums
Cecil "Censi" Francis - steel drum
Luis Conte - percussion
Executive-Producer, Mixed By, Producer [Additional] – Ken Caillat
Photography By – Andrew Southam, Meredith Ward
Producer [Additional], Photography By – Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves
Producer - Mikal Blue, Ken Caillat, Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves

Notes
European Special Edition
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Genre: Folk Pop
Length: 43:36
© 2008

Label - Universal Republic 

Foreigner - Agent Provocateur (1984)

Agent Provocateur is the fifth studio album by American/British rock band Foreigner, released on December 7, 1984.
It took Foreigner three years to release a follow-up to its 1981 blockbuster, 4. Perhaps that wait wasn't long enough, because Agent Provocateur is a prime example of the best and worst traits of AOR: a handful of remarkable songs padded by toothless filler. Despite contributing a few killer riffs to Foreigner's '70s canon, guitarist/keyboardist Mick Jones isn't known for his six-string abilities. His biggest strength is his knack for melody as a songwriter, keyboardist, and producer, and all these qualities are evident on Agent Provocateur. Of course, vocalist/songwriter Lou Gramm is indispensable as the band's golden-throated frontman. Jones largely guided things behind the studio console, but a co-producer usually helped, such as Alex Sadkin on this album. "I Want to Know What Love Is" became Foreigner's first and only number one single, and it's not hard to see why. Its dreamy, hypnotic feel is due in part to Gramm's soulful lead vocals and the New Jersey Mass Choir's background vocals.
Jennifer Holliday and the Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey help out as well. "That Was Yesterday," a terrific hit single, features a catchy chorus and a nifty synthesizer lick. "Reaction to Action" and "Down on Love" were both minor hits, but there's a huge difference in quality between the two; the former is the epitome of bland, formulaic AOR, while the latter includes a pleasant chorus and a warm keyboard melody. "A Love in Vain" and "Growing Up the Hard Way" have a few good moments too.

Track listing

01. "Tooth and Nail"   (Lou Gramm, Mick Jones)  - 3:54
02. "That Was Yesterday"   (Jones, Gramm)  - 3:46
03. "I Want to Know What Love Is"   (Jones)  - 4:58
04. "Growing Up the Hard Way"   (Jones, Gramm)  - 4:18
05. "Reaction to Action"   (Jones, Gramm)  - 3:57
06. "Stranger in My Own House"   (Jones)  - 4:54
07. "A Love in Vain"   (Jones, Gramm)  - 4:12
08. "Down on Love"   (Jones, Gramm)  - 4:08
09. "Two Different Worlds"   (Gramm)  - 4:28
10. "She's Too Tough"   (Jones, Gramm)  - 3:07

Foreigner
Dennis Elliott – drums, vocals
Lou Gramm – percussion, vocals
Mick Jones – guitar, keyboards, background vocals, multiple instruments
Rick Wills – bass, background vocals

Additional personnel
Wally Badarou – analog synthesizer, digital synthesizer
Tom Bailey – vocals
Brian Eddolls – synthesizer
Larry Fast – synthesizer
Don Harper – vocals
Jennifer Holliday – vocals
Dave Lebolt – synthesizer
Ian Lloyd – vocals, background vocals
Bob Mayo – synthesizer, piano, background vocals
New Jersey Mass Choir of the GMWA - background vocals
Mark Rivera – saxophone, background vocals
Jack Waldman – synthesizer
Thompson Twins - background vocals

Production
Producers: Mick Jones, Alex Sadkin
Engineers: Josh Abbey, Larry Alexander, Joe Ferla, Frank Filipetti, Howie Lindeman
Assistant engineers: Bobby Cohen, Tim Crich, Scott Mabuchi
Original mastering, digital remastering: Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC
Art direction: Bob Defrin
Design: Bob Defrin

Notes
Release date: December 7, 1984
Recorded: 1984
Genre: Rock
Length: 41:42
© 1984

Label - Atlantic 

Justin Hayward & Mike Batt with London Philharmonic Orchestra - Classic Blue (1989)

Justin David Hayward (born 14 October 1946) is an English musician, best known as songwriter, lead singer and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.
Classic Blue is the fourth solo studio album by The Moody Blues front-man Justin Hayward. Classic Blue was released in 1989 by Trax Records (later re-released on Castle Music Records in 1994), and features Mike Batt, who also produced the album, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
The album includes cover versions of many hit songs, such as The Beatles' "Blackbird", and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven." It also includes a re-recorded version of "Forever Autumn," a song from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, in which Hayward originally sang lead vocals.
This album is a compilation of personal fovourites from Justin and Mike, both incredible gifted musicians themselves. You'll find cover versions of Richard Harris' "MacArthur Park", the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". Hayward hit the right tone most of the time and the orchestration of Batt is solid but it's not what you'd expect. It's not sparkling like some of Justin's Moody Blues work or surprising like most of Mike's solo work does. What you get is flawless redemptions of evergreens.

Track listing

01.  "The Tracks of My Tears"  (William Robinson, Marv Tarplin, Warren Moore)  - 3:23
02.  "MacArthur Park"  (Jimmy Webb)  - 7:16
03.  "Blackbird"  (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)  - 2:31
04.  "Vincent"  (Don McLean)  - 4:53
05.  "God Only Knows"  (Brian Wilson, Tony Asher)  - 3:34
06.  "Bright Eyes"  (Mike Batt)  - 3:53
07.  "A Whiter Shade of Pale"  (Keith Reid, Gary Brooker)  - 4:28
08.  "Scarborough Fair"  (Trad., Arr. Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel)  - 4:18
09.  "Railway Hotel"  (Mike Batt)  - 3:23
10.  "Man of the World"  (Peter Green)  - 3:29
11.  "Forever Autumn"  (A. Vigrass, A. Osborne, Jeff Wayne)  - 5:15
12.  "As Long As the Moon Can Shine"  (Mike Batt)  - 4:20
13.  "Stairway to Heaven"  (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant)  - 7:42

Credits
Engineer – Haydn Bendall
Engineer [Assistant] – Garth Cousins
Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Mike Batt

Notes
Release date: October 4, 1989
Recorded: 1988 - 1989 Abbey Road Studios, London
Genre: Symphonic rock
Length: 58:29
© 1989

Label - Trax Records, Castle Music

Soundtrack - The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012)

The Broken Circle Breakdown is a 2012 Belgian drama film directed by Felix Van Groeningen. Based on the play written by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels, its main characters are Didier, played by Heldenbergh, and Elise, played by actress/singer Veerle Baetens. Young newcomer Nell Cattrysse is their ill daughter Maybelle.
The film was selected as the Belgian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards, and was on the nominated shortlist. It was the winner of the 2013 LUX Prize.
The bluegrass soundtrack includes traditional songs as well as music composed for the film by Bjorn Eriksson. All the music in the band scenes is performed by the actors.
Hooked into it on the back of the Belgian film which this is the soundtrack from The Broken Circle Breakdown. I headed over to buy this pretty instantly, worn out by having to go to YouTube, again and again, in order to play trailers to hear tracks again.
The music is merrily (and heartbreakingly) playing, and dissociated from those stunning performances in the film where the tracks are in a different, progressive order and each track is telling the story of what is happening for Elise and Didier.
Within the film itself my focus was on vocal performance from Veerle Baetens and Johan Heldenbergh. Baetens has a sweet, fragile voice working particularly well on the stick a knife into the heart tracks, though there is a lovely openhearted freshness in her rendition of bouncier numbers like Country In My Genes, whilst Heldenbergh has more textures in his voice, rich, full, even a little rough and burly on the Bruce Springsteen number Further On Up the Road,and lighter, more tender, without the grit in his duets and accompanying numbers with Baetens, as befits the way the music is used to explore their relationship as individuals who sing love songs with each other.
Divorced from the film, it is the quality and texture of the marvellous musicians that I'm now drawn to engage with: the weavings, the riding a horse trot and bounciness of the rhythms of the faster numbers, trotting, cantering galloping Yeeeee ----Haaar! so that sitting to listen is hard, the listener forced to toe tap, arm shake and finally give in and jig and skip. Finally (because of the different order of tracks in film and CD) you are allowed to rest, catch your breath and and hear how tender and soulful Bjorn Eriksson's guitar, and the viols or mandolines of Geeart Waegeman and Nils de Caster can get.
The purely instrumental tracks are a wonder and delight of flying, flirty weavings, call and response, back-chat and breathless virtuosity
Within the film itself the movement of the music is one of steady darkening, the fizz and ebullient, show-off daredevil champagne tracks occurring earlier, and the steadily painful tracks of loss and despair and loneliness inevitably charting the sad journey of the film.

Track listing

01. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" - 2:08
02. "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn" - 4:21
03. "Dusty Mixed Feelings" - 0:56
04. "Wayfraring Stranger" - 2:51
05. "Rueben's Train" - 3:20
06. "Country In The Genes" - 3:32
07. "Further On Up The Road" - 3:42
08. "Where Are You Heading, Tumbleweed?" - 1:50
09. "Over In The Gloryland" - 1:55
10. "Cowboy Man" - 2:31
11. "If I Needed You" - 3:04
12. "Carved Tree Inn" - 1:01
13. "Sand Mountain" - 3:20
14. "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" - 3:15
15. "Blackberry Blossom" - 2:24

Notes
Genre:  Soundtrack, Bluegrass
Length: 40:27
© 2012

Label - Universal