Evgeny Kissin: Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert

Advantages: many
Disadvantages: not so many

...MoscowThis is the first album from the current and longest lasting line up in Heep's storied history. It is also one of the most important live recordings in Rock history for the concerts that this album is taken from were the first ever concerts by a Western rock band in the old Soviet Union. Over ten nights, Heep played to 180,000 Russians! (for more details, read the reissue liner notes). I remember when I first found this on cassette and listened in the car for the first time. It blew me away how well Bernie could handle David Byron's old songs. After listening to this and Spellbinder, I'm convinced that Bernie performs the Byron-era songs better than any other Heep vocalist since David. The band also plays very well, especially Trevor and Lee, who play off each other almost instinctively. The harmony vocals are very tight, some... Read review

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Advantages: Argerich's clarity of melodic line, striking colors and moods; thrilling, chilling, enchanting, arresting performances.
Disadvantages: Her Fantasiestucke may strike some as too rushed, less nuanced--or so I'm told.

...and stirring interpretations. Her playing isn't note-perfect (in the Fantasiestücke and Gaspard de la Nuit), but so what? Such highly spirited performances can only be dreamed of by lesser mortals. Besides, it also implies an endearing imperfection in this god-like pianist. (Incidentally, Vladimir Horowitz was accused of the same crime.) That Martha possesses absolute mastery over every work is clear. I often wonder if she has a secret hotline to the spirits of these fellows long dead, as they seem to speak through her. Others may disagree (and vehemently so) with my impressions here. While I'm neither a professional musician nor even a decent amateur one, I just know which performers move me at a profound level. (Just an aside here. On hearing Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin's interpretation of Frederic Chopin's Barcarolle [in F sharp major, opus... Read review

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Advantages: Earliest tracks by Alien Sex Fiend
Disadvantages: Some tracks should have not been included

...This is the earliest recordings that you will find legally on compact disc by this well known & loved band from London. These are original demos recorded in July & August 1982. These songs are the very beginning of Alien Sex Fiend. They came before any gigs indeed before anything and they are the very first ever recordings. They led Alien Sex Fiend to playing the legendary Batcave club and they were used as backing tracks to 1930`s horror movies showing in the Batcave`s cinema room . They are the songs that Alien Sex Fiend played at the early shows & on the UK Batcave tour . I tend to listen to this compact disc when I want to have a flashback to my earlier & wild days as a real punk rocker. Alien Sex Fiend are a great theatrical band & they have been around over 20 years , or if you want to be exact 24 years. Wardance... Read review

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