Complete Co & Ce/Roulette Recordings, The - Lou Christie

Advantages: superb sound, superb performances
Disadvantages: a couple of songs drag a bit

...could easily accomodate Lou's changes of mood. Nowhere is the skill of band more apparent than on this album. The opening is a blast - Lou lights a cigarette and speaks directly to the listener. "Hello, sorry we were late, but we were just tuning" then the live recording kicks in with the rowdy and excitable audience at The Bottom Line in New York whooping and applauding Lou's every word. The Stereo Binaural recording deserves a mention. This short lived enhanced stereo recording method places the listener right in the centre of the action. You feel like the crowd ae all around you and when the band gets going you can hear everything, again all around your head. It's a terrific sound, and is perfect for live recordings, really making you feel like you are actually there. After a bit of banter one of the best ever versions of "Sweet... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Unparalleled playing, Unbelievably good bargain for 6 CDs!
Disadvantages: Um, paper sleeves? No, seriously, it's great

...This box set comprises recordings from 1985-89, when Horowitz was 81 years old! In 1986 Horowitz returned to Russia after 60 years away to give his monumental Moscow recital of which the live recording is included in this set. I personally find this performance of Liszt's Sonetto 104 del Petrarca to be the finest ever recorded. Alongside this is Scarlatti, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Schumann, Chopin, Moszkowski, and Schubert. Accompanying this recital is 5 other discs of outstandingly unique playing. As he got older, Horowitz's playing became a sort of caricature of itself in the nicest possible way. By this I mean, his dynamics became more extreme, he became more expressive than ever, and his sense of style was heightened to new levels. Horowitz's Mozart playing has been criticized for being too free and not in Mozart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Totally original
Disadvantages: none

...Tracklisting 1. Berlin 2. Lady Day 3. Men Of Good Fortune 4. Caroline Says I 5. How Do You Think It Feels 6. Oh, Jim 7. Caroline Says II 8. Kids, The 9. Bed, The 10. Sad Song I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone who has just bought Transformer because they like Perfect day or Walk on the Wild Side or anyone with just a passing interest in the man. This is not an easy listen - its Lou Reeds concept album about the breakdown of a marriage between Jim & Caroline and the mental collapse that follows. It was produced by Bob Ezrin - a legendary producer who has worked with everyone from Lou to Pink Floyd to Janes Addiction - and the album sounds like it was recorded in Reeds head. Opening song Berlin sets the tone with its creepy opening bars and its sparse lyrics about how they met by the Berlin Wall... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful