REVIEWS

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield is best known for his and Virgin Records’ 1973 debut album, Tubular Bells, which served as part of the haunting soundtrack to The Exorcist.

A similar melody reveals itself throughout his latest work, Music of the Spheres, but more than anything it is a sweeping symphonic composition with all the emotional hills and valleys expected of a motion picture soundscape.

Oldfield describes the album as his compositional interpretation of the theory that every celestial body has an inner music inaudible to the human ear. The lushness of the arrangements certainly makes Spheres more earthly than, say, the extreme desolation of Mars. 

Oldfield recorded this album with a full orchestra at Abbey Road studios. Special guest musicians included classical pianist Lang Lang. The audio production is impressive. 

Over the years, Mike Oldfield has skillfully weaved elements of prog rock, pop, classical and folk music and made use of a wide array of instrumentation.

Various Artists, Conquer the World: The Lost Soul of Philadelphia International Records ( Legacy/Philadelphia International)

You may recall some of the big names to record on Philadelphia International Records – The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – but these classic soul artists from the early 1970s aren’t included on this compilation CD. In fact, most, if not all of the 16 lost-and-found are completely unknown to music fans because these are the artists who were rarely heard beyond the city limits of Philadelphia.

For music enthusiasts, this disc is a true gem. The obscure singles include the seriously rhythmic self-titled track from Yellow Sunshine, “Stop Taking My Love” from The Mellow Moods, and Carolyn Crawford’s “Good and Plenty.”

Where “Hard Workin’ Man” from Pat & The Blenders is a mix of Motown and Sly Stone, the uplifting duet between Bunny Sigler and Dee Dee Sharp on “Conquer the World Together” is full of energy and melody.

Not to miss songs include Soul Devalents’ “Grasshopper” and the passionate vocal performance of Ruth McFadden on “Ghetto Woman (Parts 1 & 2).”

Heart, Dreamboat Annie Live (Shout Factory)

People who know me well have often heard me say classic rock bands need to stop touring the “greatest hits” for the millionth time and instead perform a legendary album start to finish in its entirety. Wouldn’t that be more interesting, especially for a generation raised on Album Oriented Rock format radio on the FM dial?

In April of this year, Heart performed its landmark 1976 debut, “Dreamboat Annie,” at the Orpheum Theatre in LA. Captured on this CD, the music comes across fresh and energetic; singer Ann Wilson and guitarist Nancy Wilson rekindle the passion that captivated audiences three decades ago.

“Magic Man” and “Crazy on You,” two of their signature hits, are certainly highlights, but, so, too, are deep cuts such as the gritty “White Lighting & Wine” and the epic “Soul of the Sea.” “Sing Child” was bolstered in dramatic fashion by the Stockholm Strings.

Following the 10 album cuts, the Wilson sisters indulge with an encore of cover songs including Led Zep numbers “Misty Mountain Hop” and “Black Dog” as well as The Who’s “Love, Reign O’er Me.”

It’s not often that fans are given a chance to directly influence the track selection of a recording artist’s career retrospective release, but in this age of focus groups, who could be surprised, right?

Through the Web site dylan07.com, the opinions of Dylan enthusiasts were taken into account for this collection, which is available as a single 18-song disc and as a 3 CD digipak(cq) and box set containing 51 songs.

For anyone under the age of 30, I’d suggest the all-encompassing 3 disc set because it is in chronological order and allows the listener to hear the changes in Dylan’s songwriting and voice over the years.

Classics such as “Blowin’ In the Wind,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” and “All Along the Watchtower” are included as are newer works like “Not Dark Yet,” “”When the Deal Goes Down,” and “Things Have Changed,” a song from the movie “Wonder Boys” for which he received a Golden Globe and Academy Award.

Songs to download: “Blind Willie McTell,” “Masters of War,” “Subterranean Homesick Blues.”

Dylan fans love to complain, but this retrospective oughta serve everyone just fine. – Jeff Maisey

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the original members of Asia – guitarist Steve Howe, bassist/singer John Wetton, drummer Carl Palmer, and keyboardist Geoff Downes – reunited for a commemorative tour, which began in March 2007 in Tokyo. The performance was captured on film and released in this DVD format with post-show interviews with the band as a 40-minute bonus feature.

Asia was considered a supergroup at the time of its debut. The quartet was comprised of stellar musicians from Yes, ELP, The Boggles, and King Crimson. The passage of time hasn’t diminished their individual musicality. In fact, as you’ll see on this video production, Howe appears as a tenured university music professor, giving a masters level course in guitar work.

The 18 songs performed focus appropriately on Asia’s first album. The band opens in dramatic form with “Time Again” and follows with “Wildest Dreams” and “One Step Closer.” The deep cuts “Without You” and “Cutting It Fine” are especially pleasing as they showcase the abilities of the band members.

Speaking of members, each musician chose a selection from their other bands for the group to include in the setlist. Where “Fanfare for the Common Man,” made famous by ELP, and “In The Court of the Crimson King” were excellent recreations, the Yes hit “Roundabout” and “Video Killed the Radio Star” were slightly off because of Wetton’s tonality.

Asia saved its best for last in “Heat of the Moment.”

What’s most appealing about this 3-CD set isn’t the inclusion of such eternal radio-played hits as “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John or Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” it is the all-but-forgotten gems like Mungo Jerry’s “In the Summertime” and “Ride Captain Ride” from Blues Image.

This ode to the pop hits of the 1970s is another fun-filled return trip down memory lane paved by Shout Factory, a label that earlier this year released a similar set from the ‘60s British beat.

A colorful book-form insert features a synopsis of the decade and numerous photographs that include Redbone, Climax, The Commodores, Blues Image, and Leo Sayer.

Everything from the shock rock of Alice Cooper (“School’s Out”) and balladry of Bread (“Make It With You”) to the quirkiness of Stealers Wheel (“Stuck in the Middle With You”) and the disco groove of Gloria Gaynor (“I Will Survive”) can be found.

Other highlights amongst the 57 tracks: Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting,” the one-hit-wonder Looking Glass tune “Brandy,” Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle,” and a party anthem from KC & the Sunshine Band, “That’s The Way (I Like It).”

The days of AM hit radio are rekindled ‘70s style. – Jeff Maisey

Yes, Live at Montreux 2003 (Eagle Records)

Numerous Jethro Tull compilations and live recordings have been released over the years, and fans thirsting for slight variations and rearrangements of the classics quite eagerly rejoice in each.

This 2-disc set was recorded at the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and finds singer/flautist Ian Anderson and the lads in topnotch form.

The first half focuses on the acoustic side of Tull. Where “With You There to Help Me” is embellished with an Italian-esque mandolin style of musicianship, an instrumental version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” should whet the appetite for Tull’s upcoming December concert at the Ferguson Center.

The second disc includes such live staples as “Living in the Past,” “Locomotive Breath,” and the obligatory “Aqualung,” but it is the extended version of “Budapest” clocking in at over 11 minutes that really spotlights the instrumental prowess of Anderson and guitarist Martin Barre.

Fresh on the heels of ELP's 1973 studio album Brain Salad Surgery, hailed as their masterpiece, Welcome Back My Friends gave an accurate account of the prog rock giant's live performance. Or at least sonically. Originally released as a 3-album set in 1974, this live album was also ELP's highest charting LP, ranked at #4 on Billboard. Today it has been remastered and re-released as a 2-CD product.

Above all else, the album displays the trio's virtuoso playing abilities. To pull the complicated arrangements and compositions off live with no overdubs or back up musicians really says it all.

Not surprisingly, most of Brain Salad Surgery is included and exceptionally executed. Also featured is the Tarkus Medley, a "Jeremy Bender/The Sheriff" medley, and "Take A Pebble," which included purely acoustic versions of "Still...You Turn Me On" and "Lucky Man."

The album finishes strong with "Karn Evil 9," clocking in at 35:58.

If Love at First Sting made you head-over-heels in lust with the Scorpions’ passionate metal back in 1984, Humanity Hour 1 rekindles their timeless magic.

The 12-song disc features all new material, most of which overtly flirts with the German band’s classic ‘80s sound.

Where the hard and heavy “321” rocks like a category 5 hurricane, “The Future Never Dies” eclipses such past power ballads as “Wind of Change” and “Still Loving You.”

The remainder of the album maintains the successful formula where soaring, melodic ballads, like “Love Will Keep Us Alive,” are scattered between blitzkrieg-paced headbangers such as “Hour 1” and “We Were Born to Fly.”

Singer Klaus Meine’s voice is noticeably strong throughout, though to hear his exceptional performance you’ll either have to purchase it or seek it out online.

Like other high quality new releases from aging rock bands, it is unfortunate “classic rock” formatted commercial radio stations around the country aren’t flexible enough to air the current songs from the very same bands they play daily.

Great album. – Jeff Maisey

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