Music Review: Cher and Sunny and Cher: Greatest Hits

Cher and Sonny and Cher appears to have been released in 1998 as a compendium of their music after the death of Sonny Bono.  It includes many of there hit songs, and misses a few.  "I got You Babe" is their anthem and a concert version concluded the C.D.  I would have preferred a studio version because the concert antics got in the way of the song.  The two big hits of Cher were included, "Half-Breed" in which Cher talks about her Cherokee ancestry and "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" which has a very catching beat.  "Crystal Clear/Muddy Waters has a very nice message, one upon which I have reflected in my life.  It is the torrent that clears the muddy waters and sometimes in life it is the fire that heals.  "United We Stand" is also very nice with a relatable theme.  

A couple things missing.  I use to love seeing Cher sing VAMP on the Sonny and Cher show.  Also the son "The Beat Goes On" is missing.  

Music Review: A Children's Celebration of Music

 A Children's Celebration of Music, various artists, AllMusic, 1992

This is a delightful collection of children's songs by the original artisits, some as long as 50 years ago.  Some are classic American Folk songs such as "This Old Man" by Pete Seeger and "Skip to my Lou" by John McCutcheon.  Peter Paul and Mary sing "Puff the Magic Dragon" and Loggins and Mesina sing "House on Pooh Corner."  There is also "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland.  A beautiful song is "Garden Song" sung by Maria Muldaur.  There is even "The Ugly Duckling" by Danny Kay and Gordon Jenkins.  Other artists include Paul Simon, Anne Murray, James Taylor, Burl Ives and the Doobie Brothers.  There are fifteen songs in total and all are enjoyable.  

Music Review: Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection

This is a collection of fourteen musical numbers with a Thanksgiving theme.  I prefer the songs I recognize; "We Gather Together, "Simple Gifts," "Amazing Grace" and "Allejah."  This is good music for the background, but this music isn't the kind to get your blood boiling.

Christmas Music Review: The Joy of Christmas

This is an anthology of Christmas music with several performers.  This is volume 2.  It looks to have been produced in 1995.
For me the crowning number is Julie Andrews singing "Deck the Halls."  Her's is a voice that is very appealing and I enjoy listening to her.  It makes me smile to listen to her.  Other noteworthy numbers include Harry Belafonte and "Silent Night." His rendition is very spiritual and very simple with guitar  and violin accompaniment.  His voicePerry Como sings "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and John Gary "The Christmas Song."  There is also "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano and "Jingle Bells" with Glen Miller and his Orchestra.  These two songs really pick up the pace.

Now 48: That's What I Call Music (2013)

If this is an example of where music is headed, I am disappointed.  So lets start with the good.  Katy Perry does a great job with "Roar."  This song will be played over and over.  There is another number one, "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke.  I did not care for this as much.  "Everything Has Changed" by Taylor Swift is also acceptable.  however the rest comes off to me as noise.  It is interested how music has changed.  As for Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus I just don't get them.  Miley Cyrus sings "It's my body and I'll do what I want to."  She sounds like a spoiled two-year-old.

Music Review: Broadway 1981-1992: The British Invasion

It is impossible to have the entirety of the music in an anthology, and this is just a small sample.  I don't understand the "British" invasion thing as only the first two songs come from British musicals, "Phantom of the Opera" and "Memory" form Cats.  In fact the song I most enjoyed as an American Jazz number, "Dr. Jazz" from Jelly's Last Jam.  The one I most disliked was "American Dream" form Miss Saigon.  I would not select this song as a representation of this musical.  This song is tolerated only.

Music Review: Hits of the 60s: Then He Kissed Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu6lwJxQ7Tg
This CD is an anthology of 20 hits from the 60s.  This is an interesting time in music.  Music was changing from a pop feel to a harder rock.  It was also a time when we were moving pass the segregation in music, but still there were songs recorded by both African-American singers and white singers.  Some of these songs are very catchy.  I particularly like "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels.  This is storytelling at its best.  "You better watch out because by boyfriend's back."  "Hats Off to Larry" by Del Shannon is a song about your girlfriend who left you for Larry, not getting hers when Larry leaves her.  "It's your tune to cry, cry, cry."  "Ferry Cross the Mercy" is a precursor to the British invasion.  This is Gerry and the Pacemakers making a statement for leaving the confines of your broken heart.  Marmalade hit a very nice melody in "Ob-la-di ob-la-da" but I can't say much for their lyrics except they do proclaim "life goes on."  "He's So Fine" by the Chiffons was written by their manager.  This song hits the mark with a doo-lang, doo-lang, doo-lang in the background.  This album has "If I Were a Carpenter" by Bobby Darin.  I prefer The Johnny Cash version.  "(Dance With) the Guitar Man" has some great guitar playing.  This song was recorded by Duane Eddy.  The Troggs hit "Love is All Around" is made by the guitar as well.  The base starts out with a very catchy low melody.  Marvin Gaye intones the classic "I Heard it Through the Grapevine."  This is a very energetic song and moves the blood. 

"Leader of the Pack" is performed by The Shangri-Las.  This is also very good story telling, with father saying you can't be with him.  Her breaking up, and then he crashing in the rain and killing himself.  This is classic story telling.
As an overall package, this album has plenty of dancing music and story telling music and classics.  I enjoyed it. 

Music review: The Greatest Hits, 1971, Entertainment Weekly

This is a compendium of twelve hits from 1971.  This was about the time my parent bought me a radio for Christmas when I was growing up.  I would listen to music as I went to bed, and these were some of the songs that would be playing.  “Knock Three Times” Dawn, “Indian Reservation” The Raiders, “Put Your Hand in the Hand” Ocean and “Brand New Key” Melanie all brought back pleasant memories. 

This set of songs his highlighted by “Maggie May” Rod Stewart. Rod Stewart's grainy voice and the guitar playing in this song are wonderful.  The parts with just music are as enjoyable as the singing.  At one point they effectively add a ukulele which is very nice, especially when the vocal comes back in over the top of it. 

Another song worthy of mention is “Mr Bojangles” The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  I had not realized they played this song, thinking it was a Sammy Davis Jr. song.  I guess this song has been sung by many artists.  It actually predates this version by several years.  Although the author denies that is was about Bill Bojangles Robinson, the similarity with his story is striking. 

The Temptations sing “Just my Imagination” which is a very beautiful and peaceful song.  I enjoy its tone.

There are a couple of songs from this group that just I just don’t care for.  I never understood “Spanish Harlem” and still don’t.  Similarly I don’t care for Marvin Gaye “What’s going On.”