Rorem: String Symphony; Sunday Morning; Eagles

Rorem: String Symphony; Sunday Morning; Eagles Review

Rorem made a splash when his Symphony 3 came out in 1958, fairly sealing Rorem's reputation as a major American composer. However, Rorem never pursued the image the public wanted of him, keeping instead to music in smaller settings--songs, choral settings. Here we have three works for orchestra that, if they lack ambition, are nonetheless fine examples of Rorem's ability to write coherent melodies. String Symphony (1985) is nothing short of a masterpiece. But where String Symphony is melodic, Sunday Morning, based on the famous Stevens poem, is more discordant. It's still a gem. -- Paul Cook

Soundtrack

Soundtrack Review

10 live recordings from when Jeff Lynne was leader of thegroup, including 'Showdown', 'Strange Magic', 'Evil Woman','Roll Over Beethoven', 'Fire On High' and 'Eldorado Suite(including 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head'). 1998 EagleRecords release.

Holes

Holes Review

The movie is about holes--specifically, a bunch of kids forced to dig them. Something else worth digging is the film's soundtrack. Few of the 15 ultra-accessible songs miss their mark. Big-name artists Shaggy, Moby, and the Eels keep the kids hopping, while a heap of lesser-known acts also make impressive contributions, most notably Pepe Deluxe (the from-Mars-sounding "Everybody Pass Me By") and the D-tent Boys (the irresistibly fun "Dig It"). It wouldn't be a Disney soundtrack without a wannabe or two, and for that we have a sprinkling of flimsy rock and country-folk. Still, title aside, here's a soundtrack stitched tight enough to avoid gaps in the fan base. --Tammy La Gorce

Smoke Out Festival Presents: DMX

Smoke Out Festival Presents: DMX Review

Making an appearance at the sixth annual Smokeout Festival in San Bernardino, California, was multi-platinum rap artist DMX. The only rap artist to have five consecutive platinum and number one albums simultaneously, DMX performs some of his most popular jams in this final performance before his decision to concentrate on his acting career. See the King of Rap perform his most powerful thug-life anthems, "Who We Be" and "Ya'll Gonna Make Me Lose My Mind," plus two of his biggest hits, "X Gonna Give It To Ya" and "Kaido." In this show, DMX ignites the live crowd like no other rapper can, and demonstrates how he became one of the prime forces behind mainstream Hip Hop's return to street realism during the late '90s.

Tracklisting:
1. We Right Here
2. Who We Be
3. Only I Can Stop The Rain
4. Where The Hood At
5. Ya'll Gonna Make Me Lose My Mind
6. X Gonna Give It To Ya
7. Kaido
8. Slippin and Fallin

Down The Tracks: The Music That Influenced Led Zeppelin

Down The Tracks: The Music That Influenced Led Zeppelin Review

LED ZEPPELIN/VARIOUS Down The Tracks: The Music That Influenced Led Zeppelin (2008 US NTSC DVD with a running time of 93 minutes. This DVD tells the story of the music and artists that have influenced the legendary British Rock pioneers and examines how the group created their mighty stadium rock sound that helped define the musical backdrop of the 70s influenced by the American blues tradition while influencing virtually every heavy metal rock band that came after them. Features wonderful archive performances in addition to interviews and documentary material with clips from songs performed by Son House Howlin Wolf Bukka White Muddy Waters Davey Graham And many more complete with picture sleeve)

Along for the Ride

Along for the Ride Review

2001 album for the British blues master, featuring an all-star cast including Peter Green, Mick Taylor, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Gary Moore, Chris Rea, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Andy Fairweather Low, Otis Rush, Jeff Healey, Steve Cropper, Billy Preston, Billy Gibbons, Jonny Lang, Steve Miller & Davey Graham. 13 tracks. 2001 release.

Then & Now

Then & Now Review

17 of the prog rock trio's finest tracks, all recorded live. Disc one's six cuts are from their 1974 California Jam show; the 11 that comprise disc two are from ELP's 1997-98 world tour. Includes 'Still You Turn Me On', 'Lucky Man', 'From The Beginning', 'Karn Evil 9', 'Fanfare For The Common Man', 'Hoedown' and 'Tiger In A Spotlight'. Double slimline jewel case. 1998 Eagle Records release.