CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Mavis Staples

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Mavis Staples

Release Date December 20, 1995
I had a negative reaction in mind the first time I heard this album as I was expecting some warm, soulful gospel like the Staples Singers. I was a little taken aback by the style of this as I don't like a lot of 80's music much at all and also don't generally like this kind of thing either. Anyway, it's weird, but I gave this another try and it grows on you. Mavis is such a wonderful singer and the songs seem greater than the sum of their parts. I think it's actually really good music, though I lack understanding and familiarity with the style.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Mavis Staples

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Mavis Staples

Release Date December 20, 1995
I had a negative reaction in mind the first time I heard this album as I was expecting some warm, soulful gospel like the Staples Singers. I was a little taken aback by the style of this as I don't like a lot of 80's music much at all and also don't generally like this kind of thing either. Anyway, it's weird, but I gave this another try and it grows on you. Mavis is such a wonderful singer and the songs seem greater than the sum of their parts. I think it's actually really good music, though I lack understanding and familiarity with the style.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Burnin' Down the House: Live at the House of Blues

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Etta James

Release Date May 07, 2002
RECORDED AT L.A.'S HOUSE OF BLUES IN 2001, THIS IS A GREAT LIVE ETTA JAMES CD. SHE IS AT THE TOP OF HER GAME ON THIS ONE, AND WHEN SHE'S ON, NOBODY CAN TOUCH HER. HER BACKUP BAND, "THE ROOTS BAND", KICKS SOME SERIOUS YOU KNOW WHAT AS WELL, AND FEATURES A VERY, VERY FAT HORN SECTION. ETTA JAMES' SINGING REALLY TURNED BACK THE CLOCK ON THIS RECORDING. I LOVE THE SECOND CUT, "I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU" WHICH THEN SEGUES INTO "BORN TO BE WILD" (THE OLD STEPPENWOLF SONG). HER VERSION OF "ALL THE WAY DOWN" ON THIS CD HAS A "CURTIS MAYFIELD-SUPERFLY" KIND OF A SOUND TO IT, VERY FUNKY. AND HER RENDITION OF "AT LAST" COULD VERY EASILY BECOME MY ALLTIME FAVORITE SLOW DANCING SONG OF ALL TIME. "YOUR GOOD THING IS ABOUT TO END" IS A GREAT TORCH ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Walking Happy

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Christian Nova

Release Date September 23, 1997
This CD is beautiful. Christian Nova is a fantastic artist. His voice is amazing and I recommend him to everyone who enjoys good music in the style of good old musicals like jerome kern and george gershwin. I could listen to Christian sing all day. =)

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

The Eye of Every Storm

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Neurosis

Release Date June 29, 2004
I've had The Eye Of Every Storm ever since it first came out, and I'm sorry I'm just now posting a review for it. I am a HUGE music fan, and my taste in music covers a wide range of artists and styles of music. This recording is one of the VERY BEST I've ever purchased period. It's actually my favorite cd of all time. This is a brilliant record, an instant classic that should be placed among the ranks of Dark Side of the Moon, but will probably never get the recognition it truly deserves. Everything about the album/cd from it's packaging, to of course the music itself sets a mood and pace that is both relaxing and somber, and keeps the listener at that level for the entire recording without any deviation what so ever. Every song is equally ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

The Eye of Every Storm

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Neurosis

Release Date January 13, 2008
I've had The Eye Of Every Storm ever since it first came out, and I'm sorry I'm just now posting a review for it. I am a HUGE music fan, and my taste in music covers a wide range of artists and styles of music. This recording is one of the VERY BEST I've ever purchased period. It's actually my favorite cd of all time. This is a brilliant record, an instant classic that should be placed among the ranks of Dark Side of the Moon, but will probably never get the recognition it truly deserves. Everything about the album/cd from it's packaging, to of course the music itself sets a mood and pace that is both relaxing and somber, and keeps the listener at that level for the entire recording without any deviation what so ever. Every song is equally superb, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

The Eye of Every Storm

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Neurosis

Release Date July 27, 2004
I've had The Eye Of Every Storm ever since it first came out, and I'm sorry I'm just now posting a review for it. I am a HUGE music fan, and my taste in music covers a wide range of artists and styles of music. This recording is one of the VERY BEST I've ever purchased period. It's actually my favorite cd of all time. This is a brilliant record, an instant classic that should be placed among the ranks of Dark Side of the Moon, but will probably never get the recognition it truly deserves. Everything about the album/cd from it's packaging, to of course the music itself sets a mood and pace that is both relaxing and somber, and keeps the listener at that level for the entire recording without any deviation what so ever. Every song is equally superb, perfectly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Gum Tree Canoe

Search: Take Me To The River
by: John Hartford

Release Date August 28, 2001
After a four year recording hiatus, our hero returns with yet another wonderfully soulful, gentle album, with material ranging from rock covers to super-sentimental oldies such as "Lorena", a sentimental tearjerker that dates back to the Civil War. Every tune is effective and stirring in Hartford's hands -- he has a way of sitting back and letting the melody pass by him, then sort of calling out and saying "hey" with the lyrics, it's such a minutely flawed delivery that you believe in the humanity of the singer every single time... Even on rock covers such as the Stones' "No Expectations" or the Janis Joplin oldie, "Take A Piece Of My Heart," his read is so original that he completely avoids the usual "novelty cover" pigeonhole ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Son of America

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Spirit

Release Date August 08, 2005
How ironic that so much of the musical genius of Randy California (RC) is revealed to us after his untimely death in Jan. 1997.
Evidenced here (and in several other posthumous releases) RC recorded a substantial number of original, alternative versions, and experimental music dispite little to no Corporate support.
Certain tracks discovered in these "vaults" by long time friend and compiler Mick Skidmore boast over 17 versions and 20+ mixes! RC's desire for artistic excellence is revelatory and wether you are a completist, archivist, collector, fan or just someone keen on making a discovery that augments your cd collection and raises your personal awareness to the etherial...look no further.

Skidmore has done a magnificent job of culling the best from these vaults. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Tetanus Shot

Search: Take Me To The River
by: Tommy Tetanus and the Monkey Brains

Release Date December 06, 2005
If you haven't seen this band live you haven't lived. This is as good as it gets.