Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

An American Master Crosses All Musical Boundaries, 28 Aug 2008
As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.


YAW DROPPING!, 27 Aug 2008
Is there nothing Eva Cassidy can't sing? I don't think I've heard such a complete vocal masterclass in one album before, simply breathtaking. Anyone into music will LOVE this album.

absolutely incredible!! where did they find this stuff????, 27 Aug 2008
This is an incredible album, I've only had it a few days but it's already one of my absolute favourites. I can't believe these tracks haven't been released before, they are so good! It's also extremely varied, more so than any previous Eva album. Bold Young Farmer and Red Red Rose are just about equal to anything on Songbird and Won't Be Long gives anything on Live At Blues Alley a run for its money. The songs which feature new instrument recordings are also great, especially Chain of Fools which sounds seriously funky and up-to-date. My favourite track has to be Somewhere which finishes the album, it's like nothing I've ever heard before, very powerful and moving. I would strongly recommend this album to all Eva Cassidy fans, enjoy!

Remarkably Home Before Dark is the first US chart topping album of Neil Diamond's forty year career. It appears to repeat the formula behind 2006's acclaimed 12 Songs--relatively understated arrangements and a subtle Rick Rubin production. But Diamond, though sixty-seven years old and the oldest recipient of a Number One so far, is no Johnny Cash, turning his unique voice to some well chosen contemporary material. Instead Home Before Dark is a collection of new Diamond songs, and though they might not match the boomers in his back catalogue they are hardly stripped back. These are songs designed to fill large venues alongside the showstoppers in Diamond's still energetic live show. "Pretty Amazing Grace" is in the great tradition of Diamond songs that defy their corniness with sheer catchiness, as is "One More Bite of the Apple" while "Don't Go There" features bracing backing vocals and a delightfully dated wobbly guitar hook. The duet with Natalie Maines, "Another Day (That Time Forgot)", would fit comfortably on American country radio while "The Power of Two" sounds like another hit in waiting. In fact this is more a conventional Diamond collection than a Rick Rubin production, dominated by lightly understated country rock arrangements played by a crack team including Smokey Hormel, Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell and the usually experimental Matt Sweeney. This is a charming and consistently solid set, though Home Before Dark does lack the unexpected intensity that made 12 Songs stand out so. -—Steve Jelbert

Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

An American Master Crosses All Musical Boundaries, 28 Aug 2008
As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.


YAW DROPPING!, 27 Aug 2008
Is there nothing Eva Cassidy can't sing? I don't think I've heard such a complete vocal masterclass in one album before, simply breathtaking. Anyone into music will LOVE this album.

absolutely incredible!! where did they find this stuff????, 27 Aug 2008
This is an incredible album, I've only had it a few days but it's already one of my absolute favourites. I can't believe these tracks haven't been released before, they are so good! It's also extremely varied, more so than any previous Eva album. Bold Young Farmer and Red Red Rose are just about equal to anything on Songbird and Won't Be Long gives anything on Live At Blues Alley a run for its money. The songs which feature new instrument recordings are also great, especially Chain of Fools which sounds seriously funky and up-to-date. My favourite track has to be Somewhere which finishes the album, it's like nothing I've ever heard before, very powerful and moving. I would strongly recommend this album to all Eva Cassidy fans, enjoy!

Diamond Gold, 20 Aug 2008
It is not hard to see why Neil stopped making music for so many years, I mean let's face it, any new material he puts out will be compared with his humungous back catalogue of popular songs. The previous offereing '12 Songs' for instance was nice enough, but after playing it quite a bit at first, there wasn't anything to keep me coming back for more, so it's been collecting dust for the last year or so.

'Home Before Dark' however, is quite a different proposition. The album was being promoted with 'Pretty Amazing Grace', a wholesome and instantly appealing God song, that prompted my wife, (who likes that sort of thing) to chuck a copy in the shopping trolly; I'm so glad she did - even though I'd have saved a couple of quid at Amazon - because I may not have bothered this time. Like all great albums this takes a few plays before you can fully appreciate it, but it's worth the effort.

What emerges here is an artist desperate to remain relevant and make music that people will still want to hear. Listen to 'If I Don't See You Again', a clear message to his fans, as is 'One More Bite of the Apple'. And listen also to the words of 'Forgotten'; it tells the tale of where I put '12 Songs', "high on a shelf all by myself, under a sign that reads forgotten".

But it is the enchanting title track that really rakes up the dirt. 'Home Before Dark' uses darkness at the end of the day as a metaphor for the end of relevance, stardom, whatever. It is about the fear of death in the artistic sense. On this track, as with many tracks on the album, Neil bares his soul and reveals a depth of desperation and honesty rarely known among the breed, I felt almost privilaged to listen.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Neil's voice sounds the same as it ever did, but then he sounded sixty when he was twenty seven. I can't wait for the next album but if this turns out to be his swansong, it will never be forgotten in my house.

Nothing like as strong as 12 Songs, 12 Jul 2008
Another new release, another raft (?) of 5 star Amazon customer reviews.

Is it only me that feels that the majority of reviews on Amazon are given by die-hard fans who would give a 5 star review for a CD of their beloved artist breaking wind for 2 hours. The trouble is that this makes a mockery of the whole review process and ends up hindering rather than helping the average purchaser separating the Tom Waits CDs from the Robbie Williams CDs. The only solution I find is to look at all reviews by a given person before taking any notice of a given rating in an attempt to see if they have good taste, well, similar taste to yourself anyway.

Anyway, back to the new CD. I thought 12 Songs was a phenomenal album, a stark, emotional affair full of powerful, melodic songs. By contrast the music on Home Before Dark is more laid back, rhythmic and ephemeral; something to have on quietly in the background while you work. The exception is the opening track If I Don't See You Again which would have felt quite at home in 12 Songs. From that point on the music loses it's intensity and edge and becomes, well, for me anyway, largely unremarkable; an easy listening experience. Too add to this many of the songs feel overlong and outstay their welcome lacking the brevity and tightness that made 12 Songs so good. This is not to say that Home Before Dark is a bad album, it isn't, it's just a little bit, well, of a let down compared to the previous CD.

It's also extremely annoying to find that the CD/DVD contains two bonus songs (a fact I missed until after I had purchased the regular CD) one of which, Without Her, is one of the strongest tracks on the album in my opinion. Hey ho.

Abolutely brilliant, 12 Jul 2008
Words you can actually hear and sentiments you can appreciate.

Unlike most performers of Neil Diamond's age and beyond, who constantly, it seems, have a wish to show just how far past their 'sell-by-date' they are, this is as good as it gets.

Anyone who saw his performance at this years Glastonbury Festival, live if they were lucky, will agree that he still has what it takes - in spades.

I'm a rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 04 Jul 2008
I'm going to ruin the end of this cd for everybody without a care in the world... The last track is called ''Home Before dark''. There I did it. Oh no he didn't, oh yes he did.

Diamond Stories, 23 Jun 2008
I was going to start with the cliche "a return to form", but frankly this offering is so far beyond Neil Diamond's previous achievements for a studio album that the phrase doesn't fit. A collection of lyrical, thoughtful, poignant songs musing on life, lost love, faith, hope and fear, it well deserves its number 1 slots. None of the real anthems of the past, in favour of solid vocals and sharp backings, with a few melodic gems including "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Don't Go There", these songs have stories to tell and do so beautifully. Far from being too long, the six minute opener "If I Don't See You Again" is worth every second. "Act Like a Man", "The Power of Two" are other highlights and the superb title track, "Home Before Dark" is one to make you want to start all over again. Have a glass or two of Mr Diamond's red wine and let these beautiful songs wash over you...

Songbird cherry-picks tracks from the three locally released albums of Eva Cassidy, whose hauntingly beautiful vocals went virtually unheard outside her native Washington, D.C., during her short 33 years with us. Lost to melanoma in 1996, Cassidy sang with an unaffected purity and an astonishing ability to make both classic and contemporary songs sound like they were written just for her. Sting's "Fields Of Gold" finally lives up to its title through the alchemy of Cassidy's transcendent rendition, while other tracks on this anthology showcase her ease in the realms of pop (Christine McVie's "Songbird"), soul ("People Get Ready"), gospel ("Wade On The Water") and traditional standards ("Autumn Leaves" and "Over The Rainbow"). Framed by understated jazz and pop arrangements, Cassidy's clear, soulful voice and exquisite phrasing make her that rarest of vocalists whose interpretations are a complement to any song. A fine introduction to a true talent. --Billy Grenier

Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

An American Master Crosses All Musical Boundaries, 28 Aug 2008
As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.


YAW DROPPING!, 27 Aug 2008
Is there nothing Eva Cassidy can't sing? I don't think I've heard such a complete vocal masterclass in one album before, simply breathtaking. Anyone into music will LOVE this album.

absolutely incredible!! where did they find this stuff????, 27 Aug 2008
This is an incredible album, I've only had it a few days but it's already one of my absolute favourites. I can't believe these tracks haven't been released before, they are so good! It's also extremely varied, more so than any previous Eva album. Bold Young Farmer and Red Red Rose are just about equal to anything on Songbird and Won't Be Long gives anything on Live At Blues Alley a run for its money. The songs which feature new instrument recordings are also great, especially Chain of Fools which sounds seriously funky and up-to-date. My favourite track has to be Somewhere which finishes the album, it's like nothing I've ever heard before, very powerful and moving. I would strongly recommend this album to all Eva Cassidy fans, enjoy!

Diamond Gold, 20 Aug 2008
It is not hard to see why Neil stopped making music for so many years, I mean let's face it, any new material he puts out will be compared with his humungous back catalogue of popular songs. The previous offereing '12 Songs' for instance was nice enough, but after playing it quite a bit at first, there wasn't anything to keep me coming back for more, so it's been collecting dust for the last year or so.

'Home Before Dark' however, is quite a different proposition. The album was being promoted with 'Pretty Amazing Grace', a wholesome and instantly appealing God song, that prompted my wife, (who likes that sort of thing) to chuck a copy in the shopping trolly; I'm so glad she did - even though I'd have saved a couple of quid at Amazon - because I may not have bothered this time. Like all great albums this takes a few plays before you can fully appreciate it, but it's worth the effort.

What emerges here is an artist desperate to remain relevant and make music that people will still want to hear. Listen to 'If I Don't See You Again', a clear message to his fans, as is 'One More Bite of the Apple'. And listen also to the words of 'Forgotten'; it tells the tale of where I put '12 Songs', "high on a shelf all by myself, under a sign that reads forgotten".

But it is the enchanting title track that really rakes up the dirt. 'Home Before Dark' uses darkness at the end of the day as a metaphor for the end of relevance, stardom, whatever. It is about the fear of death in the artistic sense. On this track, as with many tracks on the album, Neil bares his soul and reveals a depth of desperation and honesty rarely known among the breed, I felt almost privilaged to listen.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Neil's voice sounds the same as it ever did, but then he sounded sixty when he was twenty seven. I can't wait for the next album but if this turns out to be his swansong, it will never be forgotten in my house.

Nothing like as strong as 12 Songs, 12 Jul 2008
Another new release, another raft (?) of 5 star Amazon customer reviews.

Is it only me that feels that the majority of reviews on Amazon are given by die-hard fans who would give a 5 star review for a CD of their beloved artist breaking wind for 2 hours. The trouble is that this makes a mockery of the whole review process and ends up hindering rather than helping the average purchaser separating the Tom Waits CDs from the Robbie Williams CDs. The only solution I find is to look at all reviews by a given person before taking any notice of a given rating in an attempt to see if they have good taste, well, similar taste to yourself anyway.

Anyway, back to the new CD. I thought 12 Songs was a phenomenal album, a stark, emotional affair full of powerful, melodic songs. By contrast the music on Home Before Dark is more laid back, rhythmic and ephemeral; something to have on quietly in the background while you work. The exception is the opening track If I Don't See You Again which would have felt quite at home in 12 Songs. From that point on the music loses it's intensity and edge and becomes, well, for me anyway, largely unremarkable; an easy listening experience. Too add to this many of the songs feel overlong and outstay their welcome lacking the brevity and tightness that made 12 Songs so good. This is not to say that Home Before Dark is a bad album, it isn't, it's just a little bit, well, of a let down compared to the previous CD.

It's also extremely annoying to find that the CD/DVD contains two bonus songs (a fact I missed until after I had purchased the regular CD) one of which, Without Her, is one of the strongest tracks on the album in my opinion. Hey ho.

Abolutely brilliant, 12 Jul 2008
Words you can actually hear and sentiments you can appreciate.

Unlike most performers of Neil Diamond's age and beyond, who constantly, it seems, have a wish to show just how far past their 'sell-by-date' they are, this is as good as it gets.

Anyone who saw his performance at this years Glastonbury Festival, live if they were lucky, will agree that he still has what it takes - in spades.

I'm a rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 04 Jul 2008
I'm going to ruin the end of this cd for everybody without a care in the world... The last track is called ''Home Before dark''. There I did it. Oh no he didn't, oh yes he did.

Diamond Stories, 23 Jun 2008
I was going to start with the cliche "a return to form", but frankly this offering is so far beyond Neil Diamond's previous achievements for a studio album that the phrase doesn't fit. A collection of lyrical, thoughtful, poignant songs musing on life, lost love, faith, hope and fear, it well deserves its number 1 slots. None of the real anthems of the past, in favour of solid vocals and sharp backings, with a few melodic gems including "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Don't Go There", these songs have stories to tell and do so beautifully. Far from being too long, the six minute opener "If I Don't See You Again" is worth every second. "Act Like a Man", "The Power of Two" are other highlights and the superb title track, "Home Before Dark" is one to make you want to start all over again. Have a glass or two of Mr Diamond's red wine and let these beautiful songs wash over you...

Stunning.., 27 Feb 2008
..is the only word for this album. I have never heard such a pure voice - you may have heard the songs before but you have never heard them sung like this. Eva's voice was unique - how very sad that the only video in existence of her singing is some amatuer footage taken at Blues Alley - where some of these tracks were recorded. If you can listen to "Autumn Leaves" without a lump in your throat - then you have no soul my friend.

I love this album, 28 Dec 2007
This is a wonderful collection of Eva Cassidy tracks. Standout songs for me are Fields of Gold and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Both songs (along with many others) send a shiver down my spine. Sung with such great tencity and emotion, it's such a shame Eva is no longer with us. A great listen.

Goosebumps!, 16 Dec 2007
No words can describe just how amazing this cd is. Sit back, relax and lose yourself

Goosebumps, 16 Nov 2007
I bought this years ago. When it came on the radio I had to stop the car and grab pen and paper to note who this was. I have never heard such a pure and moving voice. Few people can make "Somewhere over the rainbow" there own and make people want to buy their version.

A great artist if you like pin drop performances that bring a tear to the eye. This is her best CD some of the others are not in the league of this one.

A sad loss

So beautiful ..., 07 Feb 2007
This is such a wonderful album ... but how could it really be anything but wonderful when it features the most beautiful talent of the late Eva Cassidy. The mix of tracks is perfect as is her interpretation of every song.

This is just so beautiful, so evocative, so haunting that, if you're anything like me, it will be likely to bring tears to your eyes - tears of joy that we have such wonderful music in the world and of sadness that Eva can no longer provide us with more of hers.

Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

An American Master Crosses All Musical Boundaries, 28 Aug 2008
As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.


YAW DROPPING!, 27 Aug 2008
Is there nothing Eva Cassidy can't sing? I don't think I've heard such a complete vocal masterclass in one album before, simply breathtaking. Anyone into music will LOVE this album.

absolutely incredible!! where did they find this stuff????, 27 Aug 2008
This is an incredible album, I've only had it a few days but it's already one of my absolute favourites. I can't believe these tracks haven't been released before, they are so good! It's also extremely varied, more so than any previous Eva album. Bold Young Farmer and Red Red Rose are just about equal to anything on Songbird and Won't Be Long gives anything on Live At Blues Alley a run for its money. The songs which feature new instrument recordings are also great, especially Chain of Fools which sounds seriously funky and up-to-date. My favourite track has to be Somewhere which finishes the album, it's like nothing I've ever heard before, very powerful and moving. I would strongly recommend this album to all Eva Cassidy fans, enjoy!

Diamond Gold, 20 Aug 2008
It is not hard to see why Neil stopped making music for so many years, I mean let's face it, any new material he puts out will be compared with his humungous back catalogue of popular songs. The previous offereing '12 Songs' for instance was nice enough, but after playing it quite a bit at first, there wasn't anything to keep me coming back for more, so it's been collecting dust for the last year or so.

'Home Before Dark' however, is quite a different proposition. The album was being promoted with 'Pretty Amazing Grace', a wholesome and instantly appealing God song, that prompted my wife, (who likes that sort of thing) to chuck a copy in the shopping trolly; I'm so glad she did - even though I'd have saved a couple of quid at Amazon - because I may not have bothered this time. Like all great albums this takes a few plays before you can fully appreciate it, but it's worth the effort.

What emerges here is an artist desperate to remain relevant and make music that people will still want to hear. Listen to 'If I Don't See You Again', a clear message to his fans, as is 'One More Bite of the Apple'. And listen also to the words of 'Forgotten'; it tells the tale of where I put '12 Songs', "high on a shelf all by myself, under a sign that reads forgotten".

But it is the enchanting title track that really rakes up the dirt. 'Home Before Dark' uses darkness at the end of the day as a metaphor for the end of relevance, stardom, whatever. It is about the fear of death in the artistic sense. On this track, as with many tracks on the album, Neil bares his soul and reveals a depth of desperation and honesty rarely known among the breed, I felt almost privilaged to listen.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Neil's voice sounds the same as it ever did, but then he sounded sixty when he was twenty seven. I can't wait for the next album but if this turns out to be his swansong, it will never be forgotten in my house.

Nothing like as strong as 12 Songs, 12 Jul 2008
Another new release, another raft (?) of 5 star Amazon customer reviews.

Is it only me that feels that the majority of reviews on Amazon are given by die-hard fans who would give a 5 star review for a CD of their beloved artist breaking wind for 2 hours. The trouble is that this makes a mockery of the whole review process and ends up hindering rather than helping the average purchaser separating the Tom Waits CDs from the Robbie Williams CDs. The only solution I find is to look at all reviews by a given person before taking any notice of a given rating in an attempt to see if they have good taste, well, similar taste to yourself anyway.

Anyway, back to the new CD. I thought 12 Songs was a phenomenal album, a stark, emotional affair full of powerful, melodic songs. By contrast the music on Home Before Dark is more laid back, rhythmic and ephemeral; something to have on quietly in the background while you work. The exception is the opening track If I Don't See You Again which would have felt quite at home in 12 Songs. From that point on the music loses it's intensity and edge and becomes, well, for me anyway, largely unremarkable; an easy listening experience. Too add to this many of the songs feel overlong and outstay their welcome lacking the brevity and tightness that made 12 Songs so good. This is not to say that Home Before Dark is a bad album, it isn't, it's just a little bit, well, of a let down compared to the previous CD.

It's also extremely annoying to find that the CD/DVD contains two bonus songs (a fact I missed until after I had purchased the regular CD) one of which, Without Her, is one of the strongest tracks on the album in my opinion. Hey ho.

Abolutely brilliant, 12 Jul 2008
Words you can actually hear and sentiments you can appreciate.

Unlike most performers of Neil Diamond's age and beyond, who constantly, it seems, have a wish to show just how far past their 'sell-by-date' they are, this is as good as it gets.

Anyone who saw his performance at this years Glastonbury Festival, live if they were lucky, will agree that he still has what it takes - in spades.

I'm a rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 04 Jul 2008
I'm going to ruin the end of this cd for everybody without a care in the world... The last track is called ''Home Before dark''. There I did it. Oh no he didn't, oh yes he did.

Diamond Stories, 23 Jun 2008
I was going to start with the cliche "a return to form", but frankly this offering is so far beyond Neil Diamond's previous achievements for a studio album that the phrase doesn't fit. A collection of lyrical, thoughtful, poignant songs musing on life, lost love, faith, hope and fear, it well deserves its number 1 slots. None of the real anthems of the past, in favour of solid vocals and sharp backings, with a few melodic gems including "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Don't Go There", these songs have stories to tell and do so beautifully. Far from being too long, the six minute opener "If I Don't See You Again" is worth every second. "Act Like a Man", "The Power of Two" are other highlights and the superb title track, "Home Before Dark" is one to make you want to start all over again. Have a glass or two of Mr Diamond's red wine and let these beautiful songs wash over you...

Stunning.., 27 Feb 2008
..is the only word for this album. I have never heard such a pure voice - you may have heard the songs before but you have never heard them sung like this. Eva's voice was unique - how very sad that the only video in existence of her singing is some amatuer footage taken at Blues Alley - where some of these tracks were recorded. If you can listen to "Autumn Leaves" without a lump in your throat - then you have no soul my friend.

I love this album, 28 Dec 2007
This is a wonderful collection of Eva Cassidy tracks. Standout songs for me are Fields of Gold and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Both songs (along with many others) send a shiver down my spine. Sung with such great tencity and emotion, it's such a shame Eva is no longer with us. A great listen.

Goosebumps!, 16 Dec 2007
No words can describe just how amazing this cd is. Sit back, relax and lose yourself

Goosebumps, 16 Nov 2007
I bought this years ago. When it came on the radio I had to stop the car and grab pen and paper to note who this was. I have never heard such a pure and moving voice. Few people can make "Somewhere over the rainbow" there own and make people want to buy their version.

A great artist if you like pin drop performances that bring a tear to the eye. This is her best CD some of the others are not in the league of this one.

A sad loss

So beautiful ..., 07 Feb 2007
This is such a wonderful album ... but how could it really be anything but wonderful when it features the most beautiful talent of the late Eva Cassidy. The mix of tracks is perfect as is her interpretation of every song.

This is just so beautiful, so evocative, so haunting that, if you're anything like me, it will be likely to bring tears to your eyes - tears of joy that we have such wonderful music in the world and of sadness that Eva can no longer provide us with more of hers.

Fabulous bedtime CD..., 14 Aug 2008
I have a quite a few baby lullaby/nursery rhyme cd's and this is by far the best, it's so soothing and gentle and it's the perfect bedtime music, I cannot recommend it enough, the voices are not irritating and in fact quite the opposite. My 15 month old has listened to this cd since he was tiny, and as soon as the first notes from Twinkle Twinkle come on, he knows it's bedtime...

Just perfect, 17 Jul 2008
Our little girl first went to sleep on her own in the evening at a tender age of 2 months while listening to this CD. The combination of Sophie Barker's perfect-for-the-purpose voice and simple baby-friendly music arrangement is just what the doctor ordered. I now buy this CD as a gift for all my friends having babies, and it never fails.

Never fails to settle my daughter to sleep, 15 Jul 2008
When it's been a long day and my toddler is overtired and fighting sleep this cd never fails to settle her. If she is really resisting we can sometimes get as far as track 17- Row your boat, which is so soothing it almost sends me off to sleep too. I highly recommend this cd to all parents with babies and toddlers and especially the ones that have trouble getting there litte ones off to the land of nod ;o)

Fabulous, 29 Jun 2008
I love this CD and my daughter loves it too! I play it every evening as part of the bedtime routine. The music is wonderful(in my opinion).

My lifesaver!, 26 Jun 2008
This is a truly wonderful collection of peacefully sung well known songs. We stuggled to get our daughter into a night time routine as a baby (don't most first time parents!) and, based on reviews, chose this CD to give us some help. Now, nearly two, our daughter still goes to sleep listening to Sophie Barker's soothing melodies. She has even been known to quietly sing along to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star before heading for the land of nod! It has also proved a life saver when routines have been disturbed (teething, late nights, travelling, temperatures - we've all been there!) A short cuddle and a few of these lullabies always seems to soothe and calm our daughter back to sleep. A worthy buy!

Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

An American Master Crosses All Musical Boundaries, 28 Aug 2008
As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.


YAW DROPPING!, 27 Aug 2008
Is there nothing Eva Cassidy can't sing? I don't think I've heard such a complete vocal masterclass in one album before, simply breathtaking. Anyone into music will LOVE this album.

absolutely incredible!! where did they find this stuff????, 27 Aug 2008
This is an incredible album, I've only had it a few days but it's already one of my absolute favourites. I can't believe these tracks haven't been released before, they are so good! It's also extremely varied, more so than any previous Eva album. Bold Young Farmer and Red Red Rose are just about equal to anything on Songbird and Won't Be Long gives anything on Live At Blues Alley a run for its money. The songs which feature new instrument recordings are also great, especially Chain of Fools which sounds seriously funky and up-to-date. My favourite track has to be Somewhere which finishes the album, it's like nothing I've ever heard before, very powerful and moving. I would strongly recommend this album to all Eva Cassidy fans, enjoy!

Diamond Gold, 20 Aug 2008
It is not hard to see why Neil stopped making music for so many years, I mean let's face it, any new material he puts out will be compared with his humungous back catalogue of popular songs. The previous offereing '12 Songs' for instance was nice enough, but after playing it quite a bit at first, there wasn't anything to keep me coming back for more, so it's been collecting dust for the last year or so.

'Home Before Dark' however, is quite a different proposition. The album was being promoted with 'Pretty Amazing Grace', a wholesome and instantly appealing God song, that prompted my wife, (who likes that sort of thing) to chuck a copy in the shopping trolly; I'm so glad she did - even though I'd have saved a couple of quid at Amazon - because I may not have bothered this time. Like all great albums this takes a few plays before you can fully appreciate it, but it's worth the effort.

What emerges here is an artist desperate to remain relevant and make music that people will still want to hear. Listen to 'If I Don't See You Again', a clear message to his fans, as is 'One More Bite of the Apple'. And listen also to the words of 'Forgotten'; it tells the tale of where I put '12 Songs', "high on a shelf all by myself, under a sign that reads forgotten".

But it is the enchanting title track that really rakes up the dirt. 'Home Before Dark' uses darkness at the end of the day as a metaphor for the end of relevance, stardom, whatever. It is about the fear of death in the artistic sense. On this track, as with many tracks on the album, Neil bares his soul and reveals a depth of desperation and honesty rarely known among the breed, I felt almost privilaged to listen.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Neil's voice sounds the same as it ever did, but then he sounded sixty when he was twenty seven. I can't wait for the next album but if this turns out to be his swansong, it will never be forgotten in my house.

Nothing like as strong as 12 Songs, 12 Jul 2008
Another new release, another raft (?) of 5 star Amazon customer reviews.

Is it only me that feels that the majority of reviews on Amazon are given by die-hard fans who would give a 5 star review for a CD of their beloved artist breaking wind for 2 hours. The trouble is that this makes a mockery of the whole review process and ends up hindering rather than helping the average purchaser separating the Tom Waits CDs from the Robbie Williams CDs. The only solution I find is to look at all reviews by a given person before taking any notice of a given rating in an attempt to see if they have good taste, well, similar taste to yourself anyway.

Anyway, back to the new CD. I thought 12 Songs was a phenomenal album, a stark, emotional affair full of powerful, melodic songs. By contrast the music on Home Before Dark is more laid back, rhythmic and ephemeral; something to have on quietly in the background while you work. The exception is the opening track If I Don't See You Again which would have felt quite at home in 12 Songs. From that point on the music loses it's intensity and edge and becomes, well, for me anyway, largely unremarkable; an easy listening experience. Too add to this many of the songs feel overlong and outstay their welcome lacking the brevity and tightness that made 12 Songs so good. This is not to say that Home Before Dark is a bad album, it isn't, it's just a little bit, well, of a let down compared to the previous CD.

It's also extremely annoying to find that the CD/DVD contains two bonus songs (a fact I missed until after I had purchased the regular CD) one of which, Without Her, is one of the strongest tracks on the album in my opinion. Hey ho.

Abolutely brilliant, 12 Jul 2008
Words you can actually hear and sentiments you can appreciate.

Unlike most performers of Neil Diamond's age and beyond, who constantly, it seems, have a wish to show just how far past their 'sell-by-date' they are, this is as good as it gets.

Anyone who saw his performance at this years Glastonbury Festival, live if they were lucky, will agree that he still has what it takes - in spades.

I'm a rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 04 Jul 2008
I'm going to ruin the end of this cd for everybody without a care in the world... The last track is called ''Home Before dark''. There I did it. Oh no he didn't, oh yes he did.

Diamond Stories, 23 Jun 2008
I was going to start with the cliche "a return to form", but frankly this offering is so far beyond Neil Diamond's previous achievements for a studio album that the phrase doesn't fit. A collection of lyrical, thoughtful, poignant songs musing on life, lost love, faith, hope and fear, it well deserves its number 1 slots. None of the real anthems of the past, in favour of solid vocals and sharp backings, with a few melodic gems including "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Don't Go There", these songs have stories to tell and do so beautifully. Far from being too long, the six minute opener "If I Don't See You Again" is worth every second. "Act Like a Man", "The Power of Two" are other highlights and the superb title track, "Home Before Dark" is one to make you want to start all over again. Have a glass or two of Mr Diamond's red wine and let these beautiful songs wash over you...

Stunning.., 27 Feb 2008
..is the only word for this album. I have never heard such a pure voice - you may have heard the songs before but you have never heard them sung like this. Eva's voice was unique - how very sad that the only video in existence of her singing is some amatuer footage taken at Blues Alley - where some of these tracks were recorded. If you can listen to "Autumn Leaves" without a lump in your throat - then you have no soul my friend.

I love this album, 28 Dec 2007
This is a wonderful collection of Eva Cassidy tracks. Standout songs for me are Fields of Gold and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Both songs (along with many others) send a shiver down my spine. Sung with such great tencity and emotion, it's such a shame Eva is no longer with us. A great listen.

Goosebumps!, 16 Dec 2007
No words can describe just how amazing this cd is. Sit back, relax and lose yourself

Goosebumps, 16 Nov 2007
I bought this years ago. When it came on the radio I had to stop the car and grab pen and paper to note who this was. I have never heard such a pure and moving voice. Few people can make "Somewhere over the rainbow" there own and make people want to buy their version.

A great artist if you like pin drop performances that bring a tear to the eye. This is her best CD some of the others are not in the league of this one.

A sad loss

So beautiful ..., 07 Feb 2007
This is such a wonderful album ... but how could it really be anything but wonderful when it features the most beautiful talent of the late Eva Cassidy. The mix of tracks is perfect as is her interpretation of every song.

This is just so beautiful, so evocative, so haunting that, if you're anything like me, it will be likely to bring tears to your eyes - tears of joy that we have such wonderful music in the world and of sadness that Eva can no longer provide us with more of hers.

Fabulous bedtime CD..., 14 Aug 2008
I have a quite a few baby lullaby/nursery rhyme cd's and this is by far the best, it's so soothing and gentle and it's the perfect bedtime music, I cannot recommend it enough, the voices are not irritating and in fact quite the opposite. My 15 month old has listened to this cd since he was tiny, and as soon as the first notes from Twinkle Twinkle come on, he knows it's bedtime...

Just perfect, 17 Jul 2008
Our little girl first went to sleep on her own in the evening at a tender age of 2 months while listening to this CD. The combination of Sophie Barker's perfect-for-the-purpose voice and simple baby-friendly music arrangement is just what the doctor ordered. I now buy this CD as a gift for all my friends having babies, and it never fails.

Never fails to settle my daughter to sleep, 15 Jul 2008
When it's been a long day and my toddler is overtired and fighting sleep this cd never fails to settle her. If she is really resisting we can sometimes get as far as track 17- Row your boat, which is so soothing it almost sends me off to sleep too. I highly recommend this cd to all parents with babies and toddlers and especially the ones that have trouble getting there litte ones off to the land of nod ;o)

Fabulous, 29 Jun 2008
I love this CD and my daughter loves it too! I play it every evening as part of the bedtime routine. The music is wonderful(in my opinion).

My lifesaver!, 26 Jun 2008
This is a truly wonderful collection of peacefully sung well known songs. We stuggled to get our daughter into a night time routine as a baby (don't most first time parents!) and, based on reviews, chose this CD to give us some help. Now, nearly two, our daughter still goes to sleep listening to Sophie Barker's soothing melodies. She has even been known to quietly sing along to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star before heading for the land of nod! It has also proved a life saver when routines have been disturbed (teething, late nights, travelling, temperatures - we've all been there!) A short cuddle and a few of these lullabies always seems to soothe and calm our daughter back to sleep. A worthy buy!

Oh so smooth sir, 15 May 2008
This is my favourite play at the moment, I guess that I am a little late in trying Mr Buble's music, but I am a convert. Think of a nicely warmed, quality single malt, good crystal glass, this is that smooth, just slides down, leaving a pleasant glow behind. Good in the car, great on the MP3 player, nice in the background during dinner with friends. This album has a great selection of tracks, well known classics of the genre, and others, new to me at least. Just try it!

Mmmm.............smooth as silk, 27 Mar 2008
This is a lovely album. Michael Buble has a voice to die for, style, class, charisma, and is cute too!! I love Lost, Home, and his version of Me and Mrs. Jones, pure perfection!! The production on this album is fabulous, and of course, Michael's voice is so smooth, so seductive, just pure silk. He ticks all the right boxes for me, I think he's wonderful, and I think this album is wonderful too.

Great album, but I feel cheated., 23 Dec 2007
Yes it is a great album and with an extra CD too. But, I asked my daughter to get me the new Micheal Buble album for Christmas and this it what I got. She said she was told this was the latest. I don't know what to do now because I had this CD for my birthday in November but without the extra CD. Should I tell her it's the same?
If there is a newer album I apologise.

Call Me Irresponsible Tour Edition, 04 Nov 2007
Well can I start by saying that Call Me Irresponsible is a great Buble album, one of his best and this Tour Edition was only bought out to promote his UK tour.

Now for that reason I was thinking should I buy this? And if you already own CMI then your probaly thinking the same. Well what do you get? Eight songs is the answer, two new studio recordings (however if you already own the internet edition of this album then you already have Orange Coloured Sky), 3 new mixes of his 'biggest hits' and 3 christmas songs.

Now are they any good? I thought Stuck In The Middle With You was great, a new Buble favourite of mine. Orange Coloured Sky was good but I didn't think he did as good as job as he did with Stuck in the miidle. The 3 new mixes i didn't really like and felt that they shouldn't have been put on the album. Now don't get me wrong I like Everything and Lost alot and Homes ok. But I just felt a bit cheated with this I already own these songs and the new mixes arn't great, this is the real problem with this edition of CMI. Lost dosn't sound much different just a bit shorter, the new intro to Home I didn't like and I just want to stop listeing to it after I hear that and the new Everything I thought wasn't as good as the original record. Still the actual songs are good it's just what the people who remixed did that makes me think there not great. And the Christmas song? Well again there OK but not great. Let It Snow I quite enjoyed and the other two just seemed a liitle average. Still Buble did recored them at the same time as his first album (there off his Christmas EP) and I think he's improved as a recording artist, I feel his voice has got alot better as is his treatment of a lyric, I still enjoyed his first album though.

Now should you buy this? If you don't already own CMI then yes because what you get is at a good price (the album, the second disc and the booklet now comes with some great linear notes). However if you do already own CMI then this is really for die hards only who want everything he's recorded. That said if you have the money for it, spare and there isn't really anything else you want then go for it! 'Cos it's undeniable true that Stuck In The Middle With You is great!

Cistercian chant, 11 Aug 2008
This Cistercian abbey has a continous history since its foundation. My only criticsm is that according to the Rule Cistercians should chant in the Ambrosian mode - very slow & ponderous, and this CD is a little too fast. One of the plus points is that Cistercians do not have choir boys so the overall effect is a deeper more inspiring chant.

chant, 16 Jul 2008
Beautifully haunting, played this cd for the 1st time on a car journey. My partner turned his nose up when it started to play but about 10 mins in he was changing his mind and by the end of play he said "I really enjoyed that".
Just sit back in your favourite chair put this on and let the stresses of work, family, whatever, just drift away.

Heaven Sent, 13 Jul 2008
I found this the most relaxing and complative music. I listened to this whilst recovering from a major operation and the medics noticed that whilst I was listening my blood pressure fell rapidly to normal. I find that when I can't sleep if I listen to this whilest in bed not only do I relax but it transports me to another more heavenly realm and I soon fall into a deep relxaing sleep. This is truly a wonderful sound; those who wrote this type of music so long ago certainly knew a thing or two about meditaion and its connection to humnan emotions.

Excellent, 09 Jul 2008
This was just what I hoped it would be, peaceful and relaxing.

I have never listened to anything like this before. I was very pleasantly surprised.

Helps to take the stress of the day away.

CD won't rip, 26 Jun 2008
CD won't play in my PC or rip to MP3, so beware.

It may or may not be enchanting etc but right now Universal have pulled a fast one by selling stuff I can't listen to.

Record companies need to grow up.

An American Master Crosses All Musical Boundaries, 28 Aug 2008
As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.


YAW DROPPING!, 27 Aug 2008
Is there nothing Eva Cassidy can't sing? I don't think I've heard such a complete vocal masterclass in one album before, simply breathtaking. Anyone into music will LOVE this album.

absolutely incredible!! where did they find this stuff????, 27 Aug 2008
This is an incredible album, I've only had it a few days but it's already one of my absolute favourites. I can't believe these tracks haven't been released before, they are so good! It's also extremely varied, more so than any previous Eva album. Bold Young Farmer and Red Red Rose are just about equal to anything on Songbird and Won't Be Long gives anything on Live At Blues Alley a run for its money. The songs which feature new instrument recordings are also great, especially Chain of Fools which sounds seriously funky and up-to-date. My favourite track has to be Somewhere which finishes the album, it's like nothing I've ever heard before, very powerful and moving. I would strongly recommend this album to all Eva Cassidy fans, enjoy!

Diamond Gold, 20 Aug 2008
It is not hard to see why Neil stopped making music for so many years, I mean let's face it, any new material he puts out will be compared with his humungous back catalogue of popular songs. The previous offereing '12 Songs' for instance was nice enough, but after playing it quite a bit at first, there wasn't anything to keep me coming back for more, so it's been collecting dust for the last year or so.

'Home Before Dark' however, is quite a different proposition. The album was being promoted with 'Pretty Amazing Grace', a wholesome and instantly appealing God song, that prompted my wife, (who likes that sort of thing) to chuck a copy in the shopping trolly; I'm so glad she did - even though I'd have saved a couple of quid at Amazon - because I may not have bothered this time. Like all great albums this takes a few plays before you can fully appreciate it, but it's worth the effort.

What emerges here is an artist desperate to remain relevant and make music that people will still want to hear. Listen to 'If I Don't See You Again', a clear message to his fans, as is 'One More Bite of the Apple'. And listen also to the words of 'Forgotten'; it tells the tale of where I put '12 Songs', "high on a shelf all by myself, under a sign that reads forgotten".

But it is the enchanting title track that really rakes up the dirt. 'Home Before Dark' uses darkness at the end of the day as a metaphor for the end of relevance, stardom, whatever. It is about the fear of death in the artistic sense. On this track, as with many tracks on the album, Neil bares his soul and reveals a depth of desperation and honesty rarely known among the breed, I felt almost privilaged to listen.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Neil's voice sounds the same as it ever did, but then he sounded sixty when he was twenty seven. I can't wait for the next album but if this turns out to be his swansong, it will never be forgotten in my house.

Nothing like as strong as 12 Songs, 12 Jul 2008
Another new release, another raft (?) of 5 star Amazon customer reviews.

Is it only me that feels that the majority of reviews on Amazon are given by die-hard fans who would give a 5 star review for a CD of their beloved artist breaking wind for 2 hours. The trouble is that this makes a mockery of the whole review process and ends up hindering rather than helping the average purchaser separating the Tom Waits CDs from the Robbie Williams CDs. The only solution I find is to look at all reviews by a given person before taking any notice of a given rating in an attempt to see if they have good taste, well, similar taste to yourself anyway.

Anyway, back to the new CD. I thought 12 Songs was a phenomenal album, a stark, emotional affair full of powerful, melodic songs. By contrast the music on Home Before Dark is more laid back, rhythmic and ephemeral; something to have on quietly in the background while you work. The exception is the opening track If I Don't See You Again which would have felt quite at home in 12 Songs. From that point on the music loses it's intensity and edge and becomes, well, for me anyway, largely unremarkable; an easy listening experience. Too add to this many of the songs feel overlong and outstay their welcome lacking the brevity and tightness that made 12 Songs so good. This is not to say that Home Before Dark is a bad album, it isn't, it's just a little bit, well, of a let down compared to the previous CD.

It's also extremely annoying to find that the CD/DVD contains two bonus songs (a fact I missed until after I had purchased the regular CD) one of which, Without Her, is one of the strongest tracks on the album in my opinion. Hey ho.

Abolutely brilliant, 12 Jul 2008
Words you can actually hear and sentiments you can appreciate.

Unlike most performers of Neil Diamond's age and beyond, who constantly, it seems, have a wish to show just how far past their 'sell-by-date' they are, this is as good as it gets.

Anyone who saw his performance at this years Glastonbury Festival, live if they were lucky, will agree that he still has what it takes - in spades.

I'm a rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, 04 Jul 2008
I'm going to ruin the end of this cd for everybody without a care in the world... The last track is called ''Home Before dark''. There I did it. Oh no he didn't, oh yes he did.

Diamond Stories, 23 Jun 2008
I was going to start with the cliche "a return to form", but frankly this offering is so far beyond Neil Diamond's previous achievements for a studio album that the phrase doesn't fit. A collection of lyrical, thoughtful, poignant songs musing on life, lost love, faith, hope and fear, it well deserves its number 1 slots. None of the real anthems of the past, in favour of solid vocals and sharp backings, with a few melodic gems including "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Don't Go There", these songs have stories to tell and do so beautifully. Far from being too long, the six minute opener "If I Don't See You Again" is worth every second. "Act Like a Man", "The Power of Two" are other highlights and the superb title track, "Home Before Dark" is one to make you want to start all over again. Have a glass or two of Mr Diamond's red wine and let these beautiful songs wash over you...

Stunning.., 27 Feb 2008
..is the only word for this album. I have never heard such a pure voice - you may have heard the songs before but you have never heard them sung like this. Eva's voice was unique - how very sad that the only video in existence of her singing is some amatuer footage taken at Blues Alley - where some of these tracks were recorded. If you can listen to "Autumn Leaves" without a lump in your throat - then you have no soul my friend.

I love this album, 28 Dec 2007
This is a wonderful collection of Eva Cassidy tracks. Standout songs for me are Fields of Gold and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Both songs (along with many others) send a shiver down my spine. Sung with such great tencity and emotion, it's such a shame Eva is no longer with us. A great listen.

Goosebumps!, 16 Dec 2007
No words can describe just how amazing this cd is. Sit back, relax and lose yourself

Goosebumps, 16 Nov 2007
I bought this years ago. When it came on the radio I had to stop the car and grab pen and paper to note who this was. I have never heard such a pure and moving voice. Few people can make "Somewhere over the rainbow" there own and make people want to buy their version.

A great artist if you like pin drop performances that bring a tear to the eye. This is her best CD some of the others are not in the league of this one.

A sad loss

So beautiful ..., 07 Feb 2007
This is such a wonderful album ... but how could it really be anything but wonderful when it features the most beautiful talent of the late Eva Cassidy. The mix of tracks is perfect as is her interpretation of every song.

This is just so beautiful, so evocative, so haunting that, if you're anything like me, it will be likely to bring tears to your eyes - tears of joy that we have such wonderful music in the world and of sadness that Eva can no longer provide us with more of hers.

Fabulous bedtime CD..., 14 Aug 2008
I have a quite a few baby lullaby/nursery rhyme cd's and this is by far the best, it's so soothing and gentle and it's the perfect bedtime music, I cannot recommend it enough, the voices are not irritating and in fact quite the opposite. My 15 month old has listened to this cd since he was tiny, and as soon as the first notes from Twinkle Twinkle come on, he knows it's bedtime...

Just perfect, 17 Jul 2008
Our little girl first went to sleep on her own in the evening at a tender age of 2 months while listening to this CD. The combination of Sophie Barker's perfect-for-the-purpose voice and simple baby-friendly music arrangement is just what the doctor ordered. I now buy this CD as a gift for all my friends having babies, and it never fails.

Never fails to settle my daughter to sleep, 15 Jul 2008
When it's been a long day and my toddler is overtired and fighting sleep this cd never fails to settle her. If she is really resisting we can sometimes get as far as track 17- Row your boat, which is so soothing it almost sends me off to sleep too. I highly recommend this cd to all parents with babies and toddlers and especially the ones that have trouble getting there litte ones off to the land of nod ;o)

Fabulous, 29 Jun 2008
I love this CD and my daughter loves it too! I play it every evening as part of the bedtime routine. The music is wonderful(in my opinion).

My lifesaver!, 26 Jun 2008
This is a truly wonderful collection of peacefully sung well known songs. We stuggled to get our daughter into a night time routine as a baby (don't most first time parents!) and, based on reviews, chose this CD to give us some help. Now, nearly two, our daughter still goes to sleep listening to Sophie Barker's soothing melodies. She has even been known to quietly sing along to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star before heading for the land of nod! It has also proved a life saver when routines have been disturbed (teething, late nights, travelling, temperatures - we've all been there!) A short cuddle and a few of these lullabies always seems to soothe and calm our daughter back to sleep. A worthy buy!

Oh so smooth sir, 15 May 2008
This is my favourite play at the moment, I guess that I am a little late in trying Mr Buble's music, but I am a convert. Think of a nicely warmed, quality single malt, good crystal glass, this is that smooth, just slides down, leaving a pleasant glow behind. Good in the car, great on the MP3 player, nice in the background during dinner with friends. This album has a great selection of tracks, well known classics of the genre, and others, new to me at least. Just try it!

Mmmm.............smooth as silk, 27 Mar 2008
This is a lovely album. Michael Buble has a voice to die for, style, class, charisma, and is cute too!! I love Lost, Home, and his version of Me and Mrs. Jones, pure perfection!! The production on this album is fabulous, and of course, Michael's voice is so smooth, so seductive, just pure silk. He ticks all the right boxes for me, I think he's wonderful, and I think this album is wonderful too.

Great album, but I feel cheated., 23 Dec 2007
Yes it is a great album and with an extra CD too. But, I asked my daughter to get me the new Micheal Buble album for Christmas and this it what I got. She said she was told this was the latest. I don't know what to do now because I had this CD for my birthday in November but without the extra CD. Should I tell her it's the same?
If there is a newer album I apologise.

Call Me Irresponsible Tour Edition, 04 Nov 2007
Well can I start by saying that Call Me Irresponsible is a great Buble album, one of his best and this Tour Edition was only bought out to promote his UK tour.

Now for that reason I was thinking should I buy this? And if you already own CMI then your probaly thinking the same. Well what do you get? Eight songs is the answer, two new studio recordings (however if you already own the internet edition of this album then you already have Orange Coloured Sky), 3 new mixes of his 'biggest hits' and 3 christmas songs.

Now are they any good? I thought Stuck In The Middle With You was great, a new Buble favourite of mine. Orange Coloured Sky was good but I didn't think he did as good as job as he did with Stuck in the miidle. The 3 new mixes i didn't really like and felt that they shouldn't have been put on the album. Now don't get me wrong I like Everything and Lost alot and Homes ok. But I just felt a bit cheated with this I already own these songs and the new mixes arn't great, this is the real problem with this edition of CMI. Lost dosn't sound much different just a bit shorter, the new intro to Home I didn't like and I just want to stop listeing to it after I hear that and the new Everything I thought wasn't as good as the original record. Still the actual songs are good it's just what the people who remixed did that makes me think there not great. And the Christmas song? Well again there OK but not great. Let It Snow I quite enjoyed and the other two just seemed a liitle average. Still Buble did recored them at the same time as his first album (there off his Christmas EP) and I think he's improved as a recording artist, I feel his voice has got alot better as is his treatment of a lyric, I still enjoyed his first album though.

Now should you buy this? If you don't already own CMI then yes because what you get is at a good price (the album, the second disc and the booklet now comes with some great linear notes). However if you do already own CMI then this is really for die hards only who want everything he's recorded. That said if you have the money for it, spare and there isn't really anything else you want then go for it! 'Cos it's undeniable true that Stuck In The Middle With You is great!

Happy Memories of some great songs..I Believe - Very Best Of The Bachelors, 24 Aug 2008
I've always loved the Bachelors and grew up listening to their music, dad was always playing them...of course I had a crush on them, after all they were two great looking blokes from Ireland with superb voices.
It's a great CD with all my favourite songs and makes for wonderful lazy Sunday morning listening. Just to sing along with none of the hissing and static that used to go with vinal records is a bonus as well.
If you are a fan of the Bachelors then buy this CD I can promise you won't be disappointed. Just listening to Marta...wonderful,hmmmm!!, happy memories.

Brothers in Harmony!, 23 Aug 2008
This CD is not the most comprehensive release of The Bachelors tracks (that honour belongs to the double CD ' The Bachelors - The Decca Years', also available from Amazon). However it does feature most of their best-known tracks, including the US no.1 'Diane' and of course the title track 'I Believe'. The brothers are celebrating their Golden anniversary in the music business, and one of the highlights of the CD are the excellent sleeve notes written by Dec Cluskey himself. The fantastic harmonies alone make it worth buying this CD, plus the big endings and seamless key changes. Not many groups last 50 years in showbiz, but this album makes it quite obvious why The Bachelors are the exception to the rule.

Original hits and something more, 21 Jul 2008
One of the risks associated with buying hit songs from the 60's is that you never know if you will get the real deal until you put the CD on!
The are a lot of re-recordings of Bachelors songs around, but the good news is, not on this new album from Decca/Universal. This package of 25 songs contains 23 original Decca singles, 17 of which made the top twenty.
All the massive songs are there, Diane, I Believe, Marie, No Arms Can Ever Hold You etc, but among the non-hits there are some classic and well crafted recordings of songs that suited 'the boys' perfectly. 'If Ever I Would Leave You' (from Camelot) is one such number. I well remember hearing them perform it live at The Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool; the audience went wild with a standing ovation! It should have been a hit record, so maybe now, as part of this CD it will be. The two remaining tracks are recent recordings by Con and Dec Cluskey (the three original members have not performed together since January 1984 - mores the pity).
'Gortnamona' bears witness to their Irish roots and 'Somewhere' is totally typical of the powerful ballads that Decca used to find for Con Cluskey to sing his heart out.

But, is it 'the very best of The Bachelors?' No. Of course, an album like this has to have all the big hits - that's why people loved them so much and still do. The group recorded over 350 songs with Decca over a ten year period alone and there are some amazing songs, beautifully recorded that have never seen the light of day on CD. 'Sally' (the Gracie fields song) 'Invisible Tears' 'Put your Head on My Shoulder' are just three that spring to mind. Come on Universal - let's have another compilation with their best album tracks!

If this CD charts (and I suspect thats likely), it will be a lasting testament to the tremendous vocal versatility of John Stokes (the one with the bass and supplier of those lovely soaring high harmonies)Dec Cluskey (lead guitar and low harmony) and Con Cluskey (rhythm guitar and lead vocal).

So....go out and buy this slice of 60's pop history. These fabulous recordings will have you hitting the replay button on your stereo for sure!