And Reason Flew - 100 Watt Smile

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...Smile marks new and old territories for the Jayhawks. With the addition of a drum machines and scratchy guitar riffs on songs such as "Somewhere In Ohio" and "Queen of The World" the Jayhawks broaden their musical sound. At the same time they deliver their signature Americana melodies on "Break In The Clouds" and the touching "Mr. Wilson." The Jayhawks second album without co-founder Mark Olsen is bluntly more Pop then past efforts and may leave long-time fans scratching their heads in wonderment. But the quality song writing and production work by the legendary Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper) make the Smile a worthy addition to your CD collection.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Makes you feel like a viking god !
Disadvantages: You get arrested for breaking the speed limit ;-)

...Yngwie J Malmsteen is a virtuoso guitarist. Those who appreciate classical music may love what he has to offer - try Paganini at 100,000 watts! Pure classical genius and a real athlete on the guitar! Yngwie uses a style of playing originally meant for the violin that lends itself so well to the guitar. Paganini's violin playing was painstakingly worked out to push the violinist to the limits of physical endurance and concentration and gave forth such an aura of power that people thought he was in league with the devil! If you imagine this classical skill in the possession of someone with the spirit of a viking coupled with today's modern technology and a crowd that is "moved" to a state of trancendental appreciation - you have an Yngwie J Malmsteen concert. I like it - if you buy one album of his, make it this.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A real mixture of styles - and what a super backing group
Disadvantages: None

...Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane came together in two sessions in the winter of 1976/1977 to record this album. In terms of Who lineage it comes between “The Who By Numbers” (1974) and “Who Are You” (1978). It was at a time when the continued existence of The Who was being questioned. Pete had his own crisis of confidence issues and personal problems. Ronnie (of the band The Small Faces) was already ill with multiple sclerosis by the time of the album’s release; an illness from which he finally died in 1997. It is an interesting collection of songs, styles and arrangements: so much so that it defies easy classification. There are tracks that I like lot – others that I am not so keen on; but that is part of the overall charm and part of the reason why it may appeal to so many varied tastes. It is not The Who; it is certainly... Read review

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