CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

God Bless America: The Ultimate Patriotic Album

from: Decca

Release Date June 11, 2002
This collection has all the standards, and a few "hard-to-find" ones. These are all well done. I used them recently during our church's senior adult program to honor our vets.

Enjoy.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

American Spirit

by: Mannheim Steamroller

Release Date May 20, 2003
This review is on the recent release from founder and frontman of the progressive band,The Hoax.As ex-drummer lyricist and vocalist of this band it prompts me to give my opinion of what think of it.First of all, feel that ever since The Stream,The Hoax has been like an elastic band,being pulled by the talented chemistry in the band.Even if The Stream was not considered as one of my favorites,at least it had moments of true spirit of art.The musical strings in the band have been pulled too far apart for reconciliation,thus I find myself performing in a band as a drummer and a SOLO artist.

The Hoax 2008,as it is prelimanarily called ,has reached the point where Ranbone always wanted,melodic,still and sappy.Over-orchertrated and too ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

A Go Go

by: John Scofield

Release Date April 07, 1998
This is a good album, though a few of the tracks are fairly uninspired. Not sure why it's so highly praised. I think MMW freaks are more into it than Sco freaks. I'm a Sco freak, and to my ears, he's recorded much better albums. (Hand Jive, Groove Elation, Uberjam, Up All Night, Bump). MMW's music is a bit too diffuse for me; I don't have the patience to wait around for them to get inspired. Scofield's music is much more focused and disciplined, even when he's "jamming." Neither his writing nor his playing on this album are up to his usual standards.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Progressions: 100 Years of Jazz Guitar

from: Sony

Release Date September 27, 2005
Part of the fun of these kinds of anthologies is the grumbling over who was left out, what doesn't belong, etc. Taken as a whole however, this is a pretty compelling set of tunes.

I love disc one with some really good finds - like the hysterical Minnehaha by Sam Koki - maybe not the best playing but very fun. But, since these old tunes are so short shouldn't we have gotten more than one Django and Charlie Christian? Disc 2-3 have some nice tracks by players I've kinda ignored: Johnny Smith, Jimmy Raney, Lenny Breau for example. And Grant Green, who I had enjoyed on the old Blue Notes but had seen as a sort of Kenny Burrell lite, is surprising, fresh and swinging here. Good choices of tunes in almost all cases - Wes Montgomery, Hank Garland ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Hand Jive

by: John Scofield

Release Date August 09, 1994
Very funky recording, a soul-jazz throwback to the music of saxophonist Eddie Harris -- who as a guest star on the CD makes the connection even more obvious. The organ/guitar grooves are terrific!

Not just for jazz fans, I've had friends who don't like jazz say they like this CD. Even more accessible is the CD Scofield a la Go Go with Medeski Martin & Wood. This CD is funkier, that one more poppy.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

This Meets That

by: John Scofield

Release Date September 18, 2007
John Scofield has gone up the ladder 1 step at a time to reach this new album. "This meets that" marks Scofield finally reaching the top of the Ladder. Yes after all these years JS is releasing a superb album. Creative, tight and extremely satisfying; choose the right moment to hear this album; probably after a long day of work; pour yourself a Glass of Whisky, sit back, listen and enjoy. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Überjam

by: The John Scofield Band

Release Date January 29, 2002
established JOHN deciding to work with this trio of brilliant young musicians (AVI , JESSE and ADAM) was a tremendous idea . i saw them play at the clearwater jazz festival . what a group . what a project . how vital . a must have . totally different and truly jammin' . there's really nothing i can equate their sound with . it's very trippy but very much in the pocket . if you liked SCOs sound with MADESKI , MARTIN AND WOOD . this may well appeal to you . read about it on ALLMUSIC.COM and take the plunge . gets better with every listen for me .

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Gary Burton & Friends - Departure

from: Concord Records

Release Date March 04, 1997
Vibes player Gary Burton is one of my all-time favourite jazz musicians but a couple of things mark this particular 1997 project apart. First, there's the very thrilling cast Burton pulled together for it; no doubt the inspiration for the "& Friends" part of the billing: Peter Erskine on drums, John Patitucci on bass, Fred Hersch on piano and, as I was particularly gleeful to see, John Scofield on guitar.

The second thing is the choice of songs; a departure that probably inspired the album title. For the first time in (reportedly) about 50-odd albums, apart from one song by Chick Corea, "Japanese Waltz", and another by Bruce Miller & Daryl Phinessee, "Tossed Salads And Scrambled Eggs" (the theme from the hit sitcom "Frasier"), Burton has decided ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Mormon Tabernacle Choir: The Sound of Glory-Battle Hymn of the Republic

from: Telarc

Release Date October 23, 2001
I listen to this CD most Sundays and sometimes other days if I'm at home and never tire of listening to it. My favorites are "Arise, O God, and Shine" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful". The arrangements are beautiful and I feel the Spirit as this music plays. It is peaceful and uplifting. The CD includes a booklet with lyrics and information about the choir and conducter. Another winner for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Favourite Welsh Choirs

from: EMI Gold Imports

Release Date July 10, 2000
I have been some of the churches in Wales where the voices of the choirs and organ rang throught the rafters and ceiling of the church, this collection brought back old memories of those majesties versus some Donnie and Marie type strumming on a guitar and selling their own CDs.