Western Clothes – Tack & More

Reviews

This brief hand full of songs clocks in at about 45 minutes but will leave you wanting way more. Cozy beats and an off kilter alt-country vibe awaits you in many of the cuts. But what a great way to celebrate there odds and ends. Nothing feels second rate about this collection of flip sides and hard-to-find songs. Left me wanting to search out everything they have done, and that's what a fine CD should do.

When I first listened to this recording, I was not familiar with either Iron & Wine or Calexico. I've since listened to albums from each band on their own, but wind up coming back to this collaboration more often. I like much of the indie/alternative scene, but after a while I get tired of the "we-are-too-clever-and-ironic-for-our-own-good-wink-wink" poses a lot of those bands strike. Not so with these guys: I find myself disarmed by their honesty & straightforward songwriting. The songs are simple but moving, and contain as much pathos as the best poems/novels/stories/etc I've ever read. I know what you're probably thinking: pathos is not a word that gets thrown around a lot in rock music--if ever! But "Dead Man's Will" and "16, Maybe Less" are songs that are so poignant that they feel like they're hitting me right in the gut. Not many songs can do that to this jaded reviewer! An album that can hit me with a one-two punch like that deserves my highest recommendation--and I rarely give 5 stars to anything.

I'm pretty selective in my music purchases. I try to listen to samples. I read reviews. I follow bands I know well and have deep apreciations for. All that being said this cd is a huge disappointment AND I feel deeply mislead by Amazon with these particular reviews. What are you trying to do? Move some product? Your rating system and selected reviews have me quite leery now. Believe me, before I purchase anything else from you I will do A LOT more research. Amazon....I don't trust you anymore.

Two of my favorite artists over the last few years have been Sam beam's Iron and Wine and the Tucson, AZ band Calexico. On IN THE REINS they team up to make some great music that dovetails the strengths of the two artists, while covering their weaker aspects. Calexico has made some breathtaking music by combining eclectic influences such as mariachi music and jazz into their folk-rock stew. Their music resembles the Southwest where they live with a wide open sound. Their cinematic music has a broad enough palette to move in several directions and still retain their distinct personality. If their music has a fault, it's that their lyrics can sometimes fall short of the high standard of their instrumental work. Iron & Wine on the other hand features the great songwriting of Sam Beam. At this point in his career, he delivered his sublime songs in a whispered acoustic manner that reminds one of Nick Drake or early Elliott Smith. If his early work has a fault, it's that it sometimes needs more dramatic arrangements to differentiate one song from the next. By collaborating here, both bands mesh their strengths together. The opening track HE LAYS IN THE REINS gives the full Calexico treatment including a dramatic Flamenco vocal that definitely wakes the listener up. From there, it's highlight after highlight with Beam's delicate songs getting just the right amount of instrumental support to make them shine. Elements of Latin, country and jazz wrap onto the bluesy folk rock songs like a custom velvet glove. I'm sure that the experience of this recording encouraged Iron and Wine to tear down its musical boundaries on the excellent THE SHEPHERD'S DOG which was recorded after this in 2007. This is a definite highlight of both artists' careers; the only drawback is that it's an EP, not a full length release. One can only hope that their paths will cross again.

It really suprised me when I did a generic 'Iron & Wine' search and saw that this album has the same overall rating as most of his others (4.5 stars). I think this is misleading. I suppose it depends on why you like Iron & Wine, because this album is fun and enjoyable to listen to. And I love Calexico so I was excited for the pairing. I DO think they pull off nice melodies and that the album has good range. But what I love so much about Iron & Wine is Sam Beam's lyrics. There is an overload of good musicians these days, but few, if any, touch Beam when it comes to lyrics. I think he easily belongs in a category with Dylan and Cohen. So, with that preface in mind, this album is very lyrically disappointing. The only song, in my opinion, that shows off Beam's lyric aptitude as we've come to expect it is "A History of Lovers." Otherwise I think it's a very dissapointing collection of Beam's writing. If you're looking for a short, relatively good collection from two great bands or if you're looking to complete your Iron & Wine collection, then this album is probably worth it. But, if you're looking to be blown away by lyrics, skip ahead to The Shepherd's Dog, where Beam is back on par.

Reviews

I love this recording. It's beautifully played, interpreted, and recorded. It is also a reminder that Solti's programming in Chicago was very conservative overall, and that Solti had a great deal more in him than just the bombastic orchestral showpieces. Here we have an excellent choice of vocal soloists as well some excellent solo work within the orchestra. The Chicago Symphony Chorus is wonderfully polished and clear. In all respects, this one of a handful of truly excellent recordings of this work. Enjoy.

A number of years ago, maybe 17, I had two seats at the Chicago Symphony with Sir Georg Solti the resident conductor emiritus and 2 floor seats to see Michael Jordon, Scottie Pippen and John Paxson at the Bulls. It was a heady season and I probably saw more of Jordon but only because I had more tickets. Sir Georg was an institution, like Mazur and Bernstein. He lacked the flamboyance of the latter, and of course Kurt Mazur would on occassion address the orchestra pit with neither podium nor music sheets nor baton. That was pretty impressive too the first time I saw him (Fantasy Overture, NYP). But it seems to me that Matthew Passion brings a need for unison between the conductor and the musicians and the chorus dare I say slightly more than other efforts and repeatedly, it seems that Solti's brilliance elevates him over others. In the "Come, ye daughters" beginning we are both caught and mesmerized and anything else that could absorb our attention is discarded. And of course Kiri is as always, magnificent. The tenor, Mr. Johnson is equal to Bach's criteria. Like other reviewers, I love this work and the beautiful timing between all. 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury

Johann Sebastian Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," one of his great choral works, is a meditation on the death of Christ. Here, Sit Georg Solti works with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to produce a superb rendition of the arias and choruses of this rich and contemplative work. On the opening piece, "Kommt, ihr Tochter, helft mir klagen" ("Come, ye daughters, share my mourning"), the chorus perfectly captures the combination of knowingness, sadness, and dazed disbelief regarding the crucifixion. The strings are especially fine here, providing a delicate, almost spiderweb-like underpinning for the choral verses. The tenor aria "Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen" ("I would beside my Lord be watching"), the chorus backs up tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson's supple, unshowy singing with an ghostly, almost otherworldly tone. The soprano/alto duet of "So ist mein Jesu non gefangen" ("Behold, my Savior now is taken") features Kiri Te Kanawa and Anne Sophie van Otter, who are matched seamlessly in terms of volume, technique, and crystalline purity of tone. Their weary litany of sadnesses is punctuated vigorously with the choral vereses of "Last ihn, haltet, bindet nicht!" (Loose him, leave him, bind him not!"). It's a thrilling piece, especially when it transforms itself into the thundering waterfall of sound that forms "Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken vershwunden" ("Have lightnings and thunders their fury forgotten?"). The power in this piece alone is absolutely awe-inspiring.I can't recommend this CD highly enough. It truly is a superlative recording of the "St. Matthew Passion" highlights, featuring as it does these great soloists, this talented conductor, and this amazingly on-the-ball chorus and symphony.

There is no ideal "St. Matthew Passion." But this one ranks with the best of 'em. "Solti?," you ask? That's right: Solti. I've heard all of the other ones except for Klemperer's, and this one satisfies on a consistent level. Some of the others I only listen to one disc at a time; this one, all the way through. Not too fast, not too slow, not too solemn, not too sprightly. I guess Solti isn't known as a "Bach specialist," but the "Bach specialists" whose CDs I own could learn a thing or two about making a satisfying recording like this one.

Reviews

First, I will agree that it is disappointing that the organ used in the recording is electronic rather than a pipe organ. As it was recorded in Symphony Hall, where there isn't one, it just has to do. While it does make that opening chord a little less powerful, Shaw and company make up for it in seconds. The combined choirs (see CD for the list) and the Atlanta Symphony take this piece to another level. Everything is clear and powerful. It is a very impressive display of sheer power that one would want from a Mahler symphony in general, let alone the 8th. While it is true that this was the only Mahler symphony Shaw ever recorded, it is proof that anything that Shaw touched was magic. One of my favorite moments is toward the end when the soprano representing Mary sings for the first and only time. Her voice sounds distant and magical, and the way it is captured in comparison to the rest of the ensemble is brilliant. You simply cannot go wrong with this recording. It is a top-notch performance of a truly powerful masterpiece. 5 stars almost don't seem enough...

While this is my first recording of "Mahler 8th" it is certainly a good way to start. I had heard other recordings of this symphony and was not impressed, but Shaw leading the Atlanta Symphony is certainly one to recommend. Great Sound too!

I couldn't say it any better, i prefer this to the other recording i have (Solti), this sounds much more authentic and might i say at a bargain price. start your exploration of Mahler's 8'th here.

OK, OK, So, I've become a Mahler fanatic! Of the Symphony of a Thousand I have 6 versions: Chailly/Decca; Gielen/Hanssler; Sinopoli/ DG; Shaw/Telarc; Solti/Decca and Wit/Naxos. I would give all a 5 for performance, but for sound I would give all but the Solti a 5 as well. The Solti I would give a 4.5 to for sound. Hey, after all, it's a 1972 analog recording and to a slight degree the sound is beginning to show it's age. The one I turn to most frequently is this, the Shaw/Telarc. I can't say the performance is any better than the others, however the sound is up to Telarc's high standards and it's all on one disc. One thing I've noticed lately about older Telarc recordings is that although when new they may have retailed for around $17 or $18 many of their finest, including this CD, have been reduced to below $10. So, it's a real steal. Likewise the same is true of the Solti. Although the Wit/Naxos is on 2 cd's it too is at a low price. Of course, you have to remember that Naxos is a budget label, but note this: Wit and the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus always get first-class sound and give first-class performances of anything they do. As far as I know the Sinopoli, another favorite of mine on 2 discs is nla (I just did a search on Amazon and actually found it listed! It's not coupled with the adagio from the Symphony no. 10, run a search under: Mahler 8 Sinopoli). This leaves the Chailly/Decca & Gielen/Hanssler. Both are great performances although the Chailly has a fair amount of reverb in it, which many find slightly objectionable. I recommend it none-the-less. The Gielen has the advantage of Hanssler's fantastic sound plus a filler. Now, my feeling is that when this great symphony appears on 2 discs, Part 1 should be on the first disc and Part 2 on the second. So, where does the filler (Schonberg's "Jacob's Ladder") go? Right where it belongs, as the first track on disc 1. That way you can either listen to disc 1 all the way through, starting with the Schonberg and then the Mahler, or just listen to Part 1 and when over give a few minutes break as you put on disc 2 for the final section of Goethe's "Faust". Next point: If you have no Mahler is your collection complete? Well, if you like the Romantic period of music then the answer is, "No". I probably have more music from this period of composition than any other (Baroque, Classical, etc.) and with my next order to Amazon I will have more Mahler than any other composer. Yes, I'm a fanatic! If you're new to Mahler I would say start with either the 1st or 4th. Both are good entry points into Mahler's sound world with the fourth probably being his sunniest work. If you want to enter whole hog and get all his symphonies in a box set I would go for the Gielen on Hanssler. ClassicsToday gives the complete boxed set their highest rating of 10/10 for sound and performance. I have Gielen's 1st, 2nd "Resurrection", 3rd, 7th, 8th "Symphony of a Thousand" and the Derek Cooke performing version of the 10th. Back to the 8th. Part 1 is based on the Latin hymn, "Veni Creator Spiritus" while Part 2 is a musical representation of the final section of Goethe's Faust. Does it all work? Heck yes, Mahler's genius makes all the complexities sound like child's play. If you look at Amazon's price for the Shaw/Telarc it's now in the budget range, and is in fact the least expensive of all the versions I mention here at $9.98 for the single CD. Now, I do get some criticism for liking the Shaw. There are those who feel that Shaw just isn't as good a conductor of the more serious classical music as the other conductors I mention. To that I say, "Oh Fuddy Duddy!" The only Mahler Symphony I have a problem with is the 6th, the "Tragic". I think that's because it does have a depressing or tragic feeling to it that I, being bipolar, just don't need! But, heck, shucky darns, that doesn't keep me from giving it a run through at least once a month if not more often (I'm determined to keep listening to it until I finally get the hang of it). In this house Mahler probably gets the old platter spinning more than any other composer. Well, I'm just about finished here with the 8th. While enjoying this great work think of how difficult it must have been for the producers & engineers to record a work with such large scale forces: an orchestra of over 100, various choruses totaling almost 900 people (although most recordings scale it down a good deal, but manage to make it seem like there are still a huge number in the various choruses) plus 8 soloists. No matter how you look at it it's a monstrous undertaking. How did Gustav ever create this is beyond me. To those of you, who like me, love classical music just think of how far the recording industry has come in giving us, what today is a tremendous classical output in all genres and forms just in the past 50 years. Think of all the composers who today are, among we lovers of good music, are household names, which 50 years ago were virtually unknown. I believe it was Vivaldi's Four Seasons that wasn't either known or recorded until the 1940's and just look here on Amazon to see a listing they have for this one work. All I can say to Amazon is, "Keep up the good work and great service!" we appreciate it even if we don't say so. Anyway, if this review in anyway seems a bit disjointed it's because I've been battling a bad headache since around 1pm yesterday and didn't get it under control until just a few hours ago (around 3am). Heck, I need some sleep! Mark Zimmerman, the Bipolar Bear! PS: Don't forget to check out the other recordings I mentioned earlier in the review. All are great!

I am a huge fan of Robert Shaw, and Mahler VIII was no exception. I bought this as a learning tool because of a chorus I am in, and I was not disappointed. Not only is it an amazing piece of music, but I was in awe of how precise the entire score was. If you are a Mahler fan, this is a must have.

Reviews

You cannot take a movie like this very seriously of course... it is only about sex and pretty young people, and abandons any pretense of being about anything else. More movies should go this route, instead of posing with a brittle artsy front like the recent French film, "The Dreamers", that could have been oh-so-sexy, but digressed into insipid melodrama with the neurotic lead female and her brother. This film is just fun, following the sexual shenanigans that take place at a rural French country estate. Expect very attractive young ladies and a naughty script that dares to go almost everywhere. Do not expect wit or anything profound or moving. This is probably more of a "guy" movie. Uncork a bottle of French wine, press Play and enjoy.

A teenage boy is left on a farm during the war when all the men have gone. There are females of every age who are desiring a male's company-any male. The boy finds himself much desired. However, he has a crush on an older teen girl who doesn't seem to like him too much. He has difficulty dealing with this, and all the other attention that comes this way. Since this is a David Hamilton work, there is nudity, but not as much sensuality as his other movies.

This VHS version is dubbed into english, and the quality of the recording is not the best. I would recommend getting Tender Cousins instead (same film but in french with english subtitles).I first saw the french version of this film on cable when I was 15. I was glued to the set - The beautiful young ladies, fantastic cinematography, and wonderful scenery from the french countryside in 1939.The plot is a little thin, namely that Julien, a young maturing lad has just returned home at the family farm, and he starts discovering the ladies, or more appropriately that they start discovering him. However his heart desires his beautiful cousin, and alas she doesn't seem too interested in him, at least not at first.There is quite a bit of nudity in this film, but it is tasteful, albeit often gratuitous. I definitely would give the film 5 of 5 stars, but I gave it 4 because the dubbed voices aren't the best - you'd think that with a french title it would have been in french, but it's dubbed in english.Also, female viewers will probably think the film is stupid because of the gratuitous nudity, whereas most heterosexual men will probably appreciate the film as an art form.

Yes, it is kind of slow and a bit 'corny' in parts but the topic and the videography are sure to please. I wish he'd put this title on DVD. For those with DVD players, I recommend 'Rituals of Summer' DVD available thru Amazon.

The story line was slow and held no surprises. Just a kid becoming a man. Well its more like a kid in a candy store after he finds he has the key to the store.

Reviews

Oringinally I watched and taped the program as originally aired on T.V. because I was already interested in all things mystical. I found that I really enjoyed the show. Very disappointed when it was cancelled after only eight episodes. When it came out on video I bought it and finally now own the dvd collection. I kept hoping that they would ressurrect the show, until I read that Mark Frankel had died. I loved his portrayal as Julian Luna and I had thought that he along with Channon Roe (Cash) were hot. Glad that I still have the collection to sit and enjoy.

I'm a huge fan of many vampire legends and retellings. I'm also a hug fan of the Vampire the Masqueraqde universe and still run games in that world every summer. Kindred the Embraced may use much of the jargon and ideas from the game system but it is clear the television producers wanted something more, vampires that were a bit more human and in some ways more powerful. Honestly they could have stuck to the rules and done fine. If you aren't obsessed with the story system though and you can just deal with the new television rules, its good entertainment with a touch of the erotic tossed in for good measure. I really miss ghouls not being a bigger part of the world though. They are so underappreciated.

I recently bought Kindred: The Embraced in regards to remembering a few years back of how fond I was of the mini-series. Watching the series now is kind of funny, because I remember it to be a lot more serious. However, it was a great buy, interesting characters, and they did a great job with working the PC Game. I am sad to see the episodes ending the way it did, and it would have been great if the series continued, because each character had amazing potential, and the stories were just beginning. I hesitated quite a bit thinking if I really wanted to buy. But all in all a great collection, don't think twice to buy...enjoy!

I'm at a loss with words. English is not my native language so just read between the lines.The film is all you can dream of: a capturing plot, action which keeps you from turning your eyes from the screen, the idea itself is fascinating!And actors.The best of all Mark Frankel. He's unbelievable.Demonic Stacy Haiduk. Brigid Brannagh (Welsh). Jeff Kober - my favorite man of the film, can't believe anyone could picture his character so vividly. I don't name others only because don't have much time. And even C. Thomas Howell is not bad. I think tha character himself is not right but not the guy (Howell) himself. After "The hitcher" (with Rutger Hauer) I know what's this man worth. He's incredible.By all means see the film. See and love it! you won't be able not to!

I saw the series when it came out and was sad when it did not come back. I just bought the DVD to watch it again, and what a shame this show had everything, backstabbing, blood suckers and love triangles. To me it was well written. After watching it again I wanted some more...The shows out there don't compare to this one ever, but I still watch them.

Reviews

Highlander: the series (television series) shares the name of the movies and the same general concept, (adventures of immortals) but all similarities end there. The television series offers something for everyone. There is plenty of action in the form of sword fights, martial arts, and general derring-do to appeal to action movie fans without showing blood and guts. The series also intelligently and successfully handles ethical, moral, spiritual, etc. issues very well, with no insult to the viewers, often delving into the kinds of ethical and/or moral quandries that people have always faced. For example, one of the shows deals with the dilemma of killing/assassinating a military leader (Hitler) in order to save lives. All sides of this issue are pondered, discussed, and agonized over. The series accomplishes this by frequent use of flashbacks to previous incidents in Duncan's 400 years (and sometimes other immortals' lives) to explore what he did, whether he succeeded or not, and what he learned from it. I also liked very much that the producers and writers did not turn this into Forrest Gump the series by having the main characters go through their lives meeting famous people and experiencing or witnessing famous events in history. More often than not, the series deals with the ordinary people who have sometimes lived through extraordinary and often ordinary events, and this lends creedence to the series. Many people live their entire lives without meeting royalty, politicians, and other celebrities! On the whole, I enjoyed the shows in seasons 3 and 4-6 much more than the earlier ones. I enjoyed the development of Duncan's friendship with Joe, the introduction of Methos (definitely NOT a sidekick but an important character in his own right) and the purpose he serves, and, of course, Duncan's on-again, off-again romance with the sometimes ethically-challenged immortal Amanda. There is also plenty of humor in the series, both obvious and subtle. In one instance, a little knowledge of Latin would help the viewer understand the jest! The characters are fully-developed, and it is really nice to have a main character who is a moral person, yet still understands the difficulties faced by everyone at one time or another. The series is very well-done all around, with a great blend of intelligence, action, romance, and humor. Highly recommended.

At the time of this writing, someone is trying to sell a USED copy of the VHS edition for 144 bucks... thats outrageous. You can buy a brand new copy of the VHS set for 99 or the DVD edition for 129 on the official Highlander website.. This was a great series, but dont get ripped off.[Check out the official website]

I am a big highlander fan I own the whole set of highlander with adrian paul my honey and I have one and two of highlander with christopher lambert and sean connery but I need highlander the fortress can somebody help me find it thank you Skoozy2@yahoo.com