I have the CD at home and the songs sound fabulous. I've heard the Houston Symphony's version of the Star Spangled Banner many times on TV as this anthem has been used at sign-off (when this was happening). It's as powerful a version you'll hear. Probably the finest patriotic music CD you can find out there.
I also was fortunate to see this concert tour. In fact it was my first experience with Zappa live (4 more times to follow). I remember beiing awestruck by the musicianship while laughing MAO at the lyrics and stage antics. I am a drummer so this album is particularly important because it contains the first recording of The Black Page, a notoriously difficult drumset arrangement and the piece that really put drummer Terry Bozzio on the map. The other high point for me on this recording is the astonshing brilliant vocals of Ray White on The Illonois Enema Bandit. It's something like a perverted gospel clasic.
I first bought the 90-minute cassette tape of this some years ago, and then bought the CD. I've discovered, from comparing the tape with the CD, that there are two pieces on the cassette tape that are missing from the CD (hence the 4-star rating, rather than a 5). The two missing pieces are: "Contemporary music for the tone-deaf singers: My Heart is Red", and "For the untrained singer: I Gave my Love a Cherry." Why the CD doesn't contain these two pieces is beyond me.
Other than that, it's a wonderful example of Anna Rusell at her best. Hopefully, you won't die laughing while listening to this, so that you can listen to it over and over again.
This is one funny fellow. People say that some of the material on this cd is found on other cds. Of course, this is true. It is like any other musical group or other genra, you just don't always have enough material to fill up a new album, so you fill it with some old stuff. If you want to laugh, and haven't heard this cd, this is one to buy.
11 great songs that transport us back to a time of innocence and mischief too. Track #2. Time Runs Wild is my favorite! It's a song of pure joy and so uplifting. Track #5. Into The Mystic is full of nostalgia and is another of my favorite songs in this album. The music was well chosen and it blends perfectly well with the movie. A great album that always brings back so many wonderful memories.
I own the entire set of the "Cruisin'" series. Most of the discs are entertaining, while a few are so poorly edited and full of replacement songs they're more aggravating than entertaining to listen to. From a production standpoint, "Cruisin'
1958" is the best this series has to offer. From beginning to the end, the presentation is seamless and flows beautifully. If any portion of this 35-minute segment was edited, I certainly couldn't hear it.
The program is great! Legendary personality Jack Carney of Wonderful WIL radio in St. Louis is your host for this Cruisin' installment. His smooth, friendly-sounding demeanor adds a lot to this pleasurable trip back to the summer of 1958.
The collection of songs on "Cruisin' 1958" is second to none: "At The Hop" - Danny and The Juniors; "Tequila" - The Champs; "Book Of Love" - The Monotones; "Rock And Roll Music" - Chuck Berry; "Short Shorts" - The Royal Teens; "Chantilly Lace" - The Big Bopper; "Get A Job" - The Silhouettes; "Rebel Rouser" - Duane Eddy; and a brand new song on WIL's Silver Dollar Survey, "Rockin' Robin" - Bobby Day. GREAT STUFF!
If you collect "Cruisin'" discs and have yet to purchase this one, what are you waiting for? If you're planning to start a "Cruisin'" collection, this is a good place to start!
Princess Diana died too young and tragically in 1997. She is one those iconic figures who young like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and others. If she had lived, she would be in her fifties and still looking fabulous. She had a terrific sense of humor that comes across, a love and compassion for humankind, and deep love for her sons, William and Harry. In response to her tragic loss, the stars came out in force to remember her. The Chicken Shed Theatre has children serenading the lost princess with "I am in Love with the World." The Chicken Shed Theatre is not as well know as it should be but it's one of the finest theatres in London. The other songs like "Pavane," sung by the divine British soprano, Lesley Garrett CBE, inspired me to buy one of her compilations and she's brilliant singer. There is Queen's classic, "Who Wants to Live Forever," as well as so many others like Pavarotti, Annie Lennox, Eric Clapton CBE OBE, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, and so many others. I hope the money for this collection goes directly to charity because that's probably Diana would have wanted in the first place.
