Best General
An aptly named album if ever there was one, Not for Kids Only combines the talents of two legendary performers, the late Jerry Garcia, singer-guitarist of the Grateful Dead , and David Grisman, mandolinist and father of "dawg music," a melding of bluegrass, jazz, swing, Latin, and Jewish klezmer sounds. On this 1993 recording, the two devoted friends make seemingly effortless music, adapting traditional and old-time folk into a personalized sound so "homemade" (with jew's-harp and tambourine) as to inspire any child, young or old, to pick up whatever's at hand to play along.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Thinking of buying two for gifts........... Purchase during July when everyone else is at the beach - and get a steal of price.. on Amazon or ebay .... sometimes better prices on Amazon and better selection of sellers."
"This is now our favorite kids music album."
"Great for parents who know other less enjoyable kids songs by heart, but want to listen to something they enjoy."
"Unlike a lot of children's albums, this offers music that won't drive parents batty."
"Gift for neighbor kids."
"Everyone loves this album, such beautiful music."
"If you are tired of listening to Barney or the Wiggles, or any other obnoxious children's CD in the car with your kids, buy this CD."
"Got it for the Teddy Bears Picnic."
On the first song on this collection of duets, he plunges valiantly into "(We're Not) The Jet Set," singing the part made famous by George Jones , the Caruso of country music. Here he's penned only the hysterically coarse title track, opting instead to coo a slew of classic lovin'-and-losin' country tunes with Iris DeMent , Lucinda Williams , Emmylou Harris , Connie Smith , Trisha Yearwood , Melba Montgomery , Patty Loveless , Fiona Prine, and Dolores Keane .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"With that said “In Spite of Ourselves” is a great album and his collaboration on the album with Emmylou Harris and Iris DeMent are extremely good but the harmonization with some of the other contributing artists doesn’t quite jell at times, but the continuity of the album as a whole is very good, definitely a keeper, and highly recommended."
"Prine has long been one of our great song writers."
"The big surprise here comes from Fiona Prine, whose duet with her husband is sheerly lovely, the single most moving performance here."
"The Iris Dement and Emmylou Harris duets are the highlights for me on this CD."
"This album does have a handful of really good duets but I mainly like the album for its down home country sound."
"We first got the album when I was 23 and fell in love with the good, wholesome music it offered."
"This duets only album of covers (with the exception of the hilarious title cut), is not what Prine fans expected for sure, given that he is considered by his fans as one of the greatest songwriters of his age (or anybody else's for that matter), but this disc is simply charming from begining to end. This disc is much more than just a stopgap however, it is wonderful entertainment featuring great talent and great timeless songs, and please, if for nothing else, get it for the lone Prine original "In Spite Of Ourselves", an uproarious duet with Iris, "sniffing my undies!!"
On other gems--like "That's Why I'm Here," a heartfelt tribute to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program that topped the charts a while back; "Baptism," a great duet with Randy Travis ; and his fine rerecording of "Tin Man," the song that launched his career in the mid '90s--Chesney even manages to attain an ephemeral but utterly moving transcendence over his vocal limitations and sometimes questionable song choices.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My Kindle Fire was excited when I downloaded this. LOL I have many CD's and for some reason or another, I can't download them via Amazon."
"He's one of my favorites so I love the album."
"Great collection of songs."
Best Bluegrass
An aptly named album if ever there was one, Not for Kids Only combines the talents of two legendary performers, the late Jerry Garcia, singer-guitarist of the Grateful Dead , and David Grisman, mandolinist and father of "dawg music," a melding of bluegrass, jazz, swing, Latin, and Jewish klezmer sounds. On this 1993 recording, the two devoted friends make seemingly effortless music, adapting traditional and old-time folk into a personalized sound so "homemade" (with jew's-harp and tambourine) as to inspire any child, young or old, to pick up whatever's at hand to play along.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Thinking of buying two for gifts........... Purchase during July when everyone else is at the beach - and get a steal of price.. on Amazon or ebay .... sometimes better prices on Amazon and better selection of sellers."
"This is now our favorite kids music album."
"Great for parents who know other less enjoyable kids songs by heart, but want to listen to something they enjoy."
"Unlike a lot of children's albums, this offers music that won't drive parents batty."
"Gift for neighbor kids."
"Everyone loves this album, such beautiful music."
"If you are tired of listening to Barney or the Wiggles, or any other obnoxious children's CD in the car with your kids, buy this CD."
"Got it for the Teddy Bears Picnic."
Best Contemporary Folk
On their Alison Krauss-produced debut, they serve up a lilting, ethereal fusion of bluegrass, Celtic, modern folk, and even classical influences, offering exquisite harmonies that would be more at home at a Crosby, Stills & Nash tribute than at a musical salute to the late Bill Monroe . The three prodigies (joined by Thile's dad, Scott, on bass) really strut their eclectic hot licks on a few soaring, skittering instrumentals, but even more impressive are Nickel Creek's graceful, heartfelt harmonies on the many lovely ballads.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love their youthful exuberance and awesome musicality."
"great item Fast Delivery as described."
"This group is one of the best!"
"The unique blending of Bluegrass, Celtic, & country tones lends this album an almost cozy at home feeling. Chris Thile really invites the passion of the past with his mandolin, his vocals, & his toe tapping "go get 'em" manner in the way he plays & sings! With this trio of musicians singing their love of life into their songs how can we not understand the drive that keeps them putting out music."
"I am a fan of folk music, classic rock, and some blue grass, but mostly a classical music fan (as well as classical musician) and would surely never consider myself a fan of country."
"My favorites are The Fox (fun and footapping), When You Come Back Down (gorgeous lyrics sung beautifully), Afton (lyrical and lush), The Lighthouse's Tale (beautiful and sad), and Out of the Woods (hopeful and a pleasure to listen to with blended vocals)."
Best Country Gospel
Holy Bible: New Testament.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I lost my first copy in a car wreck and ordered this even before replacing the car."
"As with the cd of the old testament, I love this."
"Want to remember Bible stories to retain and learn from, these CD's and MP3's are the best to use!"
"One of the best albums this group produced."
"I bought this for my Aunt and she loves it."
Best Honky-Tonk
That success, scored in the wake of the Kingston Trio's Tom Dooley , prompted the Atkins-Arnold team to prepare an album of folk-based saga songs, Thereby Hangs A Tale .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My husband is really into the old time country music and has several favorite singers."
"The best, IMO, collection of real western songs and ballads by anyone."
"If you like the cowboy era, this CD is certainly one to add to your collection of Western music."
"Mostly I love Eddy Arnold's Cattle Call .. that's why I bought this CD."
"If you like Eddy Arnold, It's an oldie & a GOODY!"
"This was a gift for my father in-law and he was delightfully surprised by the musical gift."
"It takes me back to the old days when things were much simpler and life was easier."
"Very good album-As described-fast shipment7 very well packed-VERY satisfied-Thank you."
Best Contemporary Country
This nicely priced 2-CD set marks the first time that John's hits from his Warner Bros, RCA and Mercury LPs have all been available in one package!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"he is a greatly underrated true country artist - this compilation has all of his sings I wanted and a few I didn't know."
"Classic John Anderson - it don't get no better than this - I could listen all day!"
"I really enjoy John Anderson and have seen him in concert with his band."
"Great CD and love his voice and songs."
"Great recordings by one of the legends."
Best General
Oscar Peterson and his six-piece combo are all business on Peterson's 1995 Christmas recording, extolling the virtues of Peterson's intelligent and seductive keyboard work as well as those of his knowing sidemen. Peterson can be as sentimental as anyone , for example, on "White Christmas," while also slowing a down-tempo melody even more to create an intoxicating vista.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love to listen to Oscar Peterson and his band."
"This is the best swing'n Christmas Music I have heard in quite a few years, You cant help but be in the Christmas mood with MR. Anoscar Peterson bring'n in the best for the Christmas spirit."
"What better way to spend Christmas for jazz fans than with the Oscar Peterson Quartet, augmented by guest artists Jack Schantz on flugelhorn and Dave samuels on vibes."
"This CD has been out so long it seems pointless to write a review, but having just "discovered" it I wanted to mention what many already know: this is an instrumental jazz Christmas classic by one of the greats."
"This is an absolutely sensational Christmas CD by one of jazz music's most talented and beloved artists."
"This album is swingin`,and reverant, and perfect for those of us who love the old Christmas tunes."
"Especially if you are an Oscar Peterson fan, this is a nice seasonal addition to anyone's condition."
"Wonderful holiday CD by Oscar Peterson one of my favorite pianist."
Best General
Revival In Belfast captures the passionate worship of Robin Mark and the Christian Fellowship Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY ROBINS WORK, I OFTEN WOULD USE THESE SONGS IN MY CONCERTS AND THE FOLKS WOULD SING WITH ME. I MADE IT VERY CLEAR, THE WERE NOT SPECTATORS AT A RELIGIOUS CONCERT, BUT PARTICIPATORS IN A WORSHIP SESSION FOR JESUS CHRIST OUR KING, HIGH AND LIFTED UP."
"5 stars are not enough!"
"But add the message of Jesus to the simple, singable nature of much Irish song, and you have a mix that can't be beaten. "Garments of Praise," "Shout to the North," and Revival, the first 3 tracks, all have hooks I catch myself singing sometimes on my daily walk to work."
"If you love Christian music, you deserve to own this album."
"Every piece is a statement and a prayer for the people, the land, and revival. This particular album was used in prison ministry in Fort Worth, Texas, and proved to be invaluable."
"This is a unique, uplifting, utterly brilliant worship album. The message in the songs is uplifting and spiritual, and the music itself is wonderful."
"Beautiful & soul inspiring!"
"It is a lovely blend of the Celtic sound of pipes and violins with the beat and words of the best praise music."
Best Gospel
This album is where it all started!.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He couldn't stop talking about it, I told him that was my dad's favorite gospel group and he loved all the songs on it."
"All gospel quartets and gospel music lovers this is the DVD YOU MUST HAVE!!"
"The Canton Spirituals will continue to be one of my favorite groups of all time. As a true Canton Spirituals fan, this DVD will make you feel like "Jeremiah"."
"Great classical gospel; no bells, no whistles."
"I didn't order this for myself but for someone else but they were very pleased with it!"
"Canton Spirituals have always been number one quartet group."
Best Karaoke
Karaoke Songs: Track #1: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town | Popularized by: Christmas. Track #2: Joy To The World | Popularized by: Christmas. Track #3: Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire | Popularized by: Christmas. Track #4: Jingle Bells | Popularized by: Christmas. Track #5: Hark!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It has music and voices on most songs."
"This is a great karaoke cd for holiday parties."
"My childrens favorite Christmas songs."
"Half the songs not worth it."
Best Western Swing
Merry Texas Christmas Y' All by Asleep At The Wheel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Wonderful and a fun album!"
"The set opens with a great version of Feliz Navidad, on which Ray Benson is joined by Tish Hinojosa (a brilliant but vastly under-rated singer) continuing with an amusing look at Christmas in jail and maintaining a light-hearted approach throughout."
"Fantastic Western swing Christmas songs."
"Great item, great price and very quick delivery."
"It's Asleep at the Wheel, and it's Christmas."
"We had been looking for this for two years."
Best Traditional Country
NEW Combo BLUWAVS CD and FLAC FILE.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've never enjoyed the western cowboy genre before, but this album changed it for me.Ian Tyson writes quite poetic lyrics for some of the songs on this cd."
"It's a great CD with over 70 minutes of cowboy songs."
"Great cd."
"Although I already have several Ian Tyson CDs, I really like having a majority of my favorites on this CD."
"Classic Ian Tyson in the unique Canadian western cowboy laments like: Spring Time in Alberta; The Wonder of It All; Barrel Racing Angel; Navajo Rug; and for nostalgic humor "Magpie"."
"If you're wanting to give someone thoughtful a thoughtful gift, something that might challenge their overly civilized sensibilities but not leave their ears twanging, then this is a great introduction to great lyrics and good, memorable music, celebrating really good lives."
"This is the album that led me to loving this guy's music."
"Ian's music simply reminds us of the real Western US, reliving the themes like Lonesome Dove and Centennial."