CD-Charts Position 181
Average Rating:

The Best of Pete Townshend: Coolwalkingsmoothtalkingstraightsmokingfirestoking

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Pete Townshend

Release Date April 23, 1996
Townshend, of course, is the main man behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time, The Who. Along with his work with The Who Townshend has also pursued a vibrant solo career that found him much success in the 80's and 90's. This compilation album is a nice overview of his solo stuff and includes all of his hits and several cool album cuts up to the mid - 90's. As in any single disc compilation there are many songs that could have been included here that are not, but overall this is a pretty decent overview. If anything the album points out the inconsistency of Townshend's solo stuff. At times he is nothing but brilliant especially on songs like "Rough Boys", "Give Blood", "English Boy", "Slit Skirts", and "A Little I Enough". Other ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 182
Average Rating:

A Quiet Normal Life: The Best of Warren Zevon

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Warren Zevon

Release Date October 25, 1990
The one problem with 'A Quiet, Normal Life' isn't the selection of songs. No, every song on the album is fantastic for the beginning Zevon listener.

It is the song order which is so mystifying. It is totally front-loaded with great, quirky songs. 'Werewolves of London', 'Excitable Boy', 'Play It All Night Long', and 'Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner' start the album, and other than 'Lawyers, Guns, and Money' the latter part of the record is relatively tame. I guess they were thinking, If you can handle this, you can handle ANY of his works!

Not that the other songs aren't good. 'Desperadoes Under the Eaves', especially, is a great tune. It's just that the album would have been best served by stretching these songs over the course ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 183
Average Rating:

Gringo Honeymoon

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Jr. Robert Earl Keen

Release Date July 26, 1994
I had never heard anything by David earl Keen, and when I heard the Christmas song featured on this disc on country radio, I went searching for the song and found this CD. There are really good songs here, and REK shows that he has songwriting skills. Some of my favorite REK tunes are here. I would recommend this disc highly

CD-Charts Position 184
Average Rating:

It's a Mystery

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

Release Date October 24, 1995
I do not understand the negative reviews. Personally, I have never really liked typical 80's music, but I never really thought that Bob Seeger fit into that stereotype--the make-up, the tight plastic pants, the weird "do." His music reminded me of many different things I listened to when I was young in the 60's, and I like this CD. And I do not regret owning it.

Some of the reviews speak about earlier CD's like they represent Bob's "Golden Age," but I do not see it. A few of the older CD's--in my opinion--do not hold up as well as this one, although I enjoy listening to them as well.

Again, in my opinion it is sad that the recording is no longer available.
It is well worth a listen if you can find it.

CD-Charts Position 185
Average Rating:

Mutineer

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Warren Zevon

Release Date May 23, 1995
I really love this CD. Zevon has always had his romantic contemplative side and this is the CD where in my opinion that side shines. I love Similar to Rain, Piano Fighter, Something Bad happened to a Clown and Mutineer. To my mind Seminola Bingo and Rotweiler Blues are the weaker cuts. Monkey Wash Donkey Rinse absolutely cracks me up.

CD-Charts Position 186
Average Rating:

The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: George Harrison

Release Date February 24, 2004
George Harrison had probably one of the most disappointing Beatle solo careers, especially when you consider just how FABULOUS and AWESOME his debut 3 record set All things Must Pass was.

This compilation unfortunately highlights more of the blandness and flaws of George's solo career by leaving off the Living in the Material World and Extra Texture stuff entirely and starting with the music on his Dark Horse label/era.

Overall there are some very good songs spread throughout all (but Gone Troppo which along with George's Dark Horse LP (not in this set) are one of the worst records in the history of rock and roll). Many of these albums have a few decent songs whose impact gets hidden with all the blandness and repetiiveness that surrounds them.....they ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 187
Average Rating:

The Hard Way

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Steve Earle & the Dukes

Release Date February 06, 1996
The first Earle cd i ever bought...and still my favorite. Forget Springsteen, Earle is...was...the true champion of the common man. the downtrodden,the guy caught up in a bad situation whether his own fault or not. He started to change his style after this, and i started losing interest. This is Steve and the Dukes,at times, bordering on Country/Metal...and as a Harley rider, his lyrics strike a chord with me...NOWADAYS I GOT ME TWO GOOD WHEELS,I SEEK REFUGE IN ALUMINUM AND STEEL,YEAH IT TAKES ME OUT THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND THE YEARS ROLL AWAY WITH EVERY MILE. And Hard Way boasts the absolute best lineup of songs he's ever put together..Billy Austin,Justice in Ontario,Regular Guy,and Promise You Anything with Stacey Earle harmonizing.An overlooked masterpiece. Really makes me wonder at peoples ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 188
Average Rating:

Pete Townshend Live: A Benefit for Maryville Academy

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: Pete Townshend

Release Date September 21, 1999
Pete Townshend is one of the great pioneers of rock music. He's witnessed fads come and go, genres rise and fall yet he's been pretty consistent in putting forth music that is a chip off the ol' block of things the Who. Let's face it, people regard certain groups like the Beatles, the Stones, Zeppelin as THE standards for haiving influenced rock music. However the people I know probably have the greatest regard for the Who. I have a recording of the Who from the Fillmore East in 1968, before Tommy, Who's Next et al, and it is a blazing testament to the greatness of that band.
So here is this Townshend album, a benefit show recorded in Chicago circa 1997. First I think Pete turned in an amazing show for a charitable organization he admires. I can't get over how good his guitar playing is (he has ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 189
Average Rating:

Stolen Moments

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: John Hiatt

Release Date June 19, 1990
I often wonder why Hiatt isn't heralded as one of the best musicians ever. It seems like he has a solid, respectable fan base, but still not mainstream acknowledgement. Now, I'm sure Hiatt doesn't care about being mainstream (his music proves it), but I wish he was given more credit and acknowledgement for his work. Stolen Moments is one of his finest offerings. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

CD-Charts Position 190
Average Rating:

Big Daddy

CD-Charts > Music > Singer-Songwriters
by: John Mellencamp

Release Date May 24, 2005
Americana, frankly, at its best. Thats what I feel when listening to a John Mellencamp record. JM is at a minimum, truly an equal to any of the greatest writer/ singers, if not the greatest, in my opinion. Comparisons are really not relevant, as music is subjective anyway.

Big Daddy is the album that brought me back to JM after a few years of trendy listening. "Theo and Weird Henry" specifically, for whatever reason, resonate in my soul, and always make me want to break out in a deadhead style solo dance around the house. The opening chords, like an explosion of foreboding, just MOVE me. John's expressed sympathies, his sincerity, are for me, expressions of desire for real American values; the kind called for in our declaration of Independence. Inalienable rights, humanist values, truly independent thought. ... Read More: