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Amerikaner
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- Review count7
- Helpfulness votes9
- First reviewOctober 10, 2007
- Last reviewOctober 20, 2007
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.9
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Amerikaner's Reviews
![Shangri-La [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6816/6816332_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Knopfler is a great guitarist & storyteller
on October 20, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
Mark Knopfler has been regarded as a skilled guitarist and vocalist for many years, since back in his days with Dire Straits, and his solo albums of more recent years. His guitar methods are unique and recognizable (very skilled with BOTH hands) and his songwriting is often in the form of storytelling... about pop cultural icons or reflecting on the human condition and interaction. Anyway, all this makes for some great songs that keep drawing you back. To me, this is one of his best CDs.
What's great about it: A variety of songs here... a very good listen.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Achtung Baby [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/0457/0457035_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Truly a masterpiece, by a masterful band.
on October 18, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
Achtung Baby just gets better with time. It still sounds like a very relevant group of songs to me. There is not one bad song on this entire CD... really. The lyrics and the music are each amazing, and they combine for artistic perfection. I would describe it as an incredibly inventive, engaging, beautiful, energetic recording made during the post-cold-war "zeitgeist", reflecting such themes as anticipation and passion, while also giving a bit of a "reality check". I don't mean to intellectualize it too much... the bottom line is it's very enjoyable to listen to. I agree with the other reviewer... Achtung Baby and The Joshua Tree are U2's two best CDs. It is safe to say they are 2 of the top 5 albums of the last 25 years or so (and in my opinion, two of the very best EVER). They are quite different from each other, but both are masterpieces. Really, I can't imagine anyone not having them both in their collection.
What's great about it: Each of these songs is excellent, and they go well together.
What's not so great: Absolutely none... not even a hint. Perfection.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
![Zooropa [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1434/1434567_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Continuing the Achtung Baby & "Zoo TV" party!
on October 17, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
Zooropa was the follow-up to what many U2 fans consider their masterpiece... Achtung Baby (what I would describe as an incredibly inventive, engaging, beautiful, energetic recording made during the post-cold-war "zeitgeist", reflecting themes of anticipation and passion, while also giving a bit of a "reality check". It still sounds like a very relevant group of songs to me.) Being familiar with Achtung Baby should make the listening of Zooropa more understandable and enjoyable. To me, Zooropa's best songs are Lemon and Stay, with several other keepers, and a few that are a bit weak for U2's standards. Overall, it doesn't rank up there with Achtung Baby and The Joshua Tree (two of the top 5 albums of the last 25 years, in my opinion) but it's definitely worthwhile.
What's great about it: If you liked their Achtung Baby CD, you'll like most of this too.
What's not so great: A few of the songs seem like "filler" material, but still a good CD.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
![Munich [WS] [DVD] [2005]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7758/7758063_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Interesting historical-based suspense thriller.
on October 16, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
This DVD is definitely worth watching, although I would not rely solely on it as far as getting a complete and accurate historical understanding of the aftermath of the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. I don't say this as a criticism, really, because how much can be covered in a single movie? Besides, it's a complex multi-year subject in which not all the facts are yet known (probably never will be, since there are some conflicting details in accounts given by those who were involved directly or indirectly). There are a few documentaries out there that might add to a fuller understanding, but a viewer does not need to be into historical completeness in order to enjoy this movie. Not recommended for kids because of the graphic violence, etc., and they might lose interest because it's about an hour longer than the average movie. Overall, I'd give it 4.5 stars, and recommend it for the good acting, direction, production values, and engaging subject matter.
What's great about it: Several talented actors, directed by Spielberg.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Kind of Blue [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/3083/3083978_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Only the BEST jazz recording ever...
on October 13, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
Well, what can one say about arguably the best jazz recording in history? If I remember correctly from the liner notes, most of these tunes were recorded in one take. Now ordinarily with many other types of music, this would not necessarily be considered good at all, but given the generally higher abilities of JAZZ musicians to IMPROVISE, and specifically the "tour de force" that was this particular group of musicians... well, let's just say they were all "in the zone" during these sessions. What I said above in "Cons" regarding the alt. take of Flamenco Sketches being unnecessary, it's not that I wish it were not on this newer remastered edition, it's just that in my opinion the originally-selected version is better, and to double-up on that theme at the end is maybe too much of a good thing, so to speak. But that's only a tiny complaint. Kind of Blue is an absolutely essential CD for the collection of ANY music fan, not just jazz aficionados. If you've never heard it, try this: read the liner notes in the CD booklet, then listen to the songs in a quiet room, and it will change your life... for the better.
What's great about it: Still VERY relevant... always will be. Masterful.
What's not so great: The alternate take of Flamenco Sketches is unnecessary.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
![The Miles Davis Story [DVD] [2001]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4977/4977109_sa.jpg)
This documentary on the life and career of the legendary jazz artist Miles Davis comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. There are neither subtitles nor closed-captions on this release. Supplemental materials include a text biography of the man, and profiles of many of his albums. Although short on extras, the program contains so much information and so many performances that this disc is worthwhile for any Davis fan, or jazz enthusiast.
Customer Rating
5
Insightful look into Miles' life and music
on October 11, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
The Miles Davis Story DVD is over two hours, full of lots of interview clips of Miles, family, friends, and many other great jazz musicians. It also includes lots of footage, some of it rare, including some performing... ALL of it entertaining. This enigmatic innovator could play with the best of them, but realized that sometimes less is more. He was often of the "been there, done than" state of mind, which drove him to push the envelope and innovate and open new jazz avenues and types. For decades he was usually the leader of the pack in jazz, and certainly led an interesting life, which this DVD shows well. If you like jazz, even casually, I highly recommend this DVD.
What's great about it: lots of rare interviews and footage, well assembled
What's not so great: none really
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Sade: Lovers Live [DVD] [2002]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4520/4520334_sa.jpg)
This DVD documents the 2001 world tour of the chanteuse Sade. This disc contains more than 20 performances of her greatest hits. Included are such familiar numbers as "Smooth Operator," "It's Only Love That Gets You Through," and "Your Love Is King." Fans of Sade's distinctive sound will certainly enjoy this disc that offers intimate backstage footage of the singer preparing for the show.
Customer Rating
5
Sade... THE queen of musical style
on October 10, 2007
Posted by: Amerikaner
from Las Vegas
Simply the best concert DVD I own, or have ever seen. I saw Sade and her band live in Las Vegas summer 2001 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (completely sold out, of course). This DVD allows me to re-live the concert, AND it includes some nice extras, such as some backstage footage that Sade fans will definitely find interesting. For those who have not seen her in concert, for heaven sakes, buy this and you will understand why she and her band have such a devoted fan base around the world, having given us so many hits over the years. It's amazing how almost every song from all their CDs still sounds fresh and relevant. My only complaint (I should say "wish") is that they would record and tour more often. But I know they have other things going on too, and it's apparent they are into quality more than quantity. Although categorization is subjective, I would describe their music as soulful-jazzy-r&b with pop elements... themes of love... in terms of romance, longing, and the beauty of human interaction. There are surely other words that could be used, but this is what it means to me, and I love and thank them for sharing their artistry. Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend this DVD and any (all) of Sade's CDs. Great for romantic occasions, but definitely can be listened to anytime. ;-)
What's great about it: Such engaging & amazing songs, performed so well!
What's not so great: absolutely none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
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