History Of Violence, A - Various Artists

Advantages: Fantastic
Disadvantages: There are none

...A History of Jazz just has got to be one of the most comprehensive programmes on the history of jazz that I have ever come across. It is subtitled Bluesland A portrait In American Music. It shows the very heavy Blues influence on the original forms of jazz. The first section is called: Everybody got the Blues. It starts with a haunting Blues refrain, as the camera look along some railroad tracks to some plaintive blues music. The camera then shows some typical scenes of life in the south of America. A steam train, black people working on the farms and playing and singing the blues. Then, comes the introduction to the programme, proper, by the host, Keith David, with Albert Murray and Robert Palmer. Keith David points out that everyone gets the blues, and that everyone develops methods of coping with the blues. His favourite... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Many different types of rock and fantstic artists - the best of 2006 and 2007
Disadvantages: Could have more hardrock artists in and and second CD hasn't as much good artists in

...A fantastic CD with lot's of different kinds of rock. The best bands of 2006 and 2007 put in one CD. Artists like Snow Patrol, Razorlight, The Fratellies, The Arctic Monkeys, Automatic, The Ordinary Boys, The Killers, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, The Kooks and the list goes on. Has two CD's and has 40 tracks, 20 on each CD. Has new up coming artist such as Wolfmother. has many artists winners from the Brits: The Killers who won best national CD and best national band, The Arctic Monkeys won best British CD and best British band. The Fratellis won an award too and many more Brit award winning artists. A fantastic purchase well worth its money. A great buy. I recommend definitely to people anywhere between 8 and 100 if they enjoy that kind of music. It even has some live performing artists such as 'The Arctic Monkeys' on tour... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: In depth, some fabulous, essential tracks
Disadvantages: Some tracks even the purists won't have heard of

...An eclectic mix, unjustifiably called a history of Hip Hop but entertaining anyway. Tracks seem to be categorised, with raps such as "It was a Good Day" and "Regulate"; hip hop classics such as "Rappers' Delight"; 80s hip hop such as "Humpty Dance", and relatively modern hip hop, seen in "OPP". However, some tracks are real head scratchers, fillers to make the album seem more dense. However, several surprised me, having never heard them before, namely "Wild Thing" and this made listening to the album a worthwhile experience. There seems to be no real progression of tracks, which is slightly disappointing, although for the tracks themselves, there is little left to quiblle with. Overall, this comprehensive album is a good buy for lovers of the genre on the whole, and at 50 tracks, under £20 ain't bad value... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful