Category: CD Reviews

CD Reviews

CD Review: Paul Simon

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Paul Simon
Graceland : 25th Anniversary Edition
Legacy
By David Chiu

Nowadays, Paul Simon’s album Graceland is considered an undisputed classic, and South Africa’s policy of apartheid is ancient history. But it was a much different world back when the album was first released back in 1986. As highlighted in the wonderful new documentary Paul Simon’s Graceland Journey: Under African Skies, the record was initially met with much controversy amid the facts that Simon went to and recorded in South Africa at the time of the UN cultural boycott. Continue reading “CD Review: Paul Simon”

CD Reviews

CD Review: David Bowie

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David Bowie
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: 40th Anniversary Edition
Virgin/EMI
By David Chiu

Coming off of the artistic breakthrough of Hunky Dory the year before, David Bowie’s follow-up record, 1972’s Ziggy Stardust, unleashed one of the greatest and memorable characters in rock and roll history. Continue reading “CD Review: David Bowie”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Heart

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Heart
Strange Euphoria
Epic/Legacy
By David Chiu

Heart’s new boxed set isn’t so much an exhaustive retrospective crammed with the familiar hits, although some of them are present. Rather, it goes for something far deeper through previously unreleased early demos, live recordings, side projects and album tracks/non-singles to offer a broad overview of Ann and Nancy Wilson’s extraordinary career. Continue reading “CD Review: Heart”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Thin Lizzy

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Thin Lizzy
Nightlife
Fighting
Mercury/UME

Two of Thin Lizzy’s early albums, which were recently reissued in expanded form, rank alongside 1976’s Jailbreak as some of their best work. Both records showcase the elements that defined Thin Lizzy’s sound: legendary front man Phil Lynott’s soulful yet yearning vocals; powerful guitar playing; and the relentless ‘take-no-prisoners’ and everyman sentiments in the lyrics. Continue reading “CD Review: Thin Lizzy”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Janis Joplin

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Janis Joplin
The Pearl Sessions
Columbia/Legacy
By David Chiu

Whether it could be considered fate or destiny, Janis Joplin’s last album, Pearl, recorded before her death, ultimately became a poignant tribute to the emotive, blues-influenced singer. The songs on this 1971 release encompass all what she was about: attitude, fragility and tenderness. Continue reading “CD Review: Janis Joplin”

CD Reviews

CD Review: Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd
The Wall (Immersion Edition)
Capitol/EMI
By David Chiu

Although they were part of the progressive rock movement by the time The Wall was released in 1979, Pink Floyd—particularly Roger Waters—crafted something that is arguably  punk in attitude and spirit. The Wall conveys the themes of isolation and detachment with both venom and poignancy. Continue reading “CD Review: Pink Floyd”