Stand By Me (The Ultimate Collection) - Ben E. King

Advantages: Good rock and roll
Disadvantages: None

...8 tracks of classic Led Zeppelin recorded between 1970 and 1978. This will top off the collection of any Led Zeppelin fan. Includes yet another version of the Willie Dixon blues anthem "I can`t quit you babe", recorded during a sound check at the Royal Albert Hall, London in 1970, a cover of Ben E Kings "Were gonna groove" also recorded at the Royal Albert Hall earlier in 1970 and a thundering solo effort from John Bonham called "Bonzo`s Montreux" with its steel drum section recorded at Montreux in 1976, hence the title. Other tracks include "Walters Walk" an upbeat track with heavy emphasis on fuzz guitar and another dominant John Bonham drumbeat, recorded in 1972. The acoustic "Poor Tom", recorded in 1970 with a drumbeat that works the song through to the end and three tracks recorded in 1978 nearing the end of the Zeppelin era... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Brilliant covers, stunning lyrics as ever, excellent music
Disadvantages: Not much new for those who bought the EPs

...break from the clever lyricism, which is followed by one of the album highlights ‘There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You’. A stomping bass introduction sees a more rousing side of the album shine through, with the pointed lyrics ‘Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall/But there’s always someone cooler than you’ . Following is the Elton John-esque ‘Learn to Live with What You Are’, with string backing and syncopated rhythms, adding a classically-tinged side to the album. The third cover on the LP, Dr. Dre’s misogynistic ‘Bitches Ain’t Shit’ is a refreshing change from the clean-mouthed and sensible style one becomes accustomed to when listening to Ben Folds. It is the stand-out track on the album. A rap set to music, with lyrics too full of expletives to repeat, sounds almost comical when placed alongside Folds’ beautifully structured... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Ben Folds is the best live performer today, and this CD is proof
Disadvantages: Minimalist setup may not be to everyone's tastes

...Ben Folds is becoming something of a stalwart in the music scene. If he isn't producing his own work, he's helping other acts with theirs (including helping Amanda Palmer write her debut solo album, due next spring. Oh good lord yes). He's been performing under various guises since 1988, but he is best known for his solo work since 2001's "Rockin' the Suburbs", and the work he did with Ben Folds Five between 1995 and 1999. This collection was released shortly after Ben Folds' debut solo album, and so the majority of tracks on it are from the glory days of Ben Folds Five, who were known for playing (according to Folds), "punk rock for sissies". Any music with Ben Folds name on it has a tradition of being geeky and unpretentious - it's music for the UNCOOL uncool kids, the bottom of the barrel stuff. The uncool kids with goth bags... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful