Aerosmith "Big Ones"

Ok so I bought this Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD at Tower Records in 2001 (seven years after it was released). The reason I purchased it in 2001 is because that was something of a stellar year for Aerosmith. After being inactive and reclusive for nearly four years, with the exception of the hit "Armageddon" theme song "I don't wanna miss a thing," they reappeared like gangbusters in 2001. Aerosmith were everywhere: they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Performed at the Super Bowl Half Time Show, Appeared on MTV and various TV shows almost constantly, VH1 showed Aerosmith videos 24/7, they released the album "Just Push Play" with the hit single "Jaded," and the guy who sat next to me in my Chemistry class was praising Aerosmith daily and even made me a copy of "Just Push Play."

I guess what I am saying is that I caught Aerosmith fever and I ran out to Tower Records and picked up "Big Ones." The CD actually only collects hits from Aerosmith's years at the Geffen record company when they had their late 1980s rebirth till the mid 1990s. So early hits like "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk this Way" are not included. Some of the best Aerosmith songs "Janie's Got a Gun," "Dude (Looks like a Lady)" and my favorite "Love in an Elevator" are here. There are a number of songs that fit in here but are not terribly excellent such as "Walk on Water," "Blind Man" and "Deuces are Wild." In truth I have never been a big fan of Aerosmith they have a number of catchy pop oriented rock songs but I have never really sought out their music. If a song came on the radio or someone is playing them I would not turn away, but I don't crave Aerosmith like many of their fans. While this is a good hits compilation they have released a few others since that are better and honestly I can say I have not listened to this CD since 2001. All I can say is Aerosmith fever got me but it passed, yet the band is still going strong more power to you Aerosmith.

New Start & Ryan Adams "Gold"

After a kind of long and unintentional hiatus I am returning after purchasing a bunch of new albums and with a new game plan. I am going to go through my album collection alphabetically and give my thoughts on each of the albums. So it begins...

The first album is Ryan Adams' "Gold." His best album, if I am concerned. At the time Adams was touted as the next big thing in music and while he never really lived up to that title and at times purposefully avoided it this is still a solid recording. Released just a few weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks the album gained popularity because the first single and lead off track was coincidentally titled "New York, New York." Which is an excellent catchy Stephen Stills style number that propelled the sales with its chorus of "Hell, I still love you New York."

I originally purchased the album because I really liked the "New York, New York" song but I found a number of other great tracks. Upon first listen I only really liked a few songs but something about the sound made me want to listen again and I slowly found that most of the songs are winners. There are, however, three songs right at the album's center that should have been left off: "Enemy Fire" is terrible, "SYLVIA PLATH" is largely forgettable, and the nine minute long "Nobody Girl" is simply average. Other than that the album is pretty solid, Adams stays largely in the Alt-Country style that gained him fame as part of Whiskeytown but here he mixes it with 70s style rock/pop and 90s sounds. While Adams did not live up to the promise of this album, he would not make another consistent album until 2005's "Cold Roses," "Gold" is a fine album and so far Adams' best.

Kalapana's Best

"Kalapana puts spin on the traditional Hits Compilation"

Kalapana were one of the most popular bands in Hawaii during the 1970s, second only to Cecilio & Kapono. They have released two hits compilations and their most recent release is packaged like a compilation but it really is not. The group has collected twelve of their most popular songs and rerecorded them. Hawaiian artist have been doing this for quite some time Kalapana started in 1990, with "Back in your Heart Again," they included a few of their older hits on each of their new albums often in rerecorded versions.

Brother Noland used this idea as well on his best album "Mystical Fish" taking a number of his best old songs and formed them with new material into an excellent album.

Anyway back to Kalapana's album "Many Classics Kalapana Plays Their Best." While the songs are excellent these new renditions are not better or drastically different from the original recordings. Malani Bilyeu's voice is also losing a lot of its power as time is moving on. So while the album is not bad it probably will not be worth getting if you already have the older albums. It is uncertain who the intended audience for this album is, the fans already have these songs in the original versions and the uninitiated would do better to pick up "Best of Vol. 1" Yet if you just want all their biggest hits in one place, there is no other single CD that holds all these songs, regardless of the version this CD is for you.

4 Way Street

"4 Way Street" excellent if uneven Live album.

This live album captures Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on stage during their 1970s heyday and like their actually shows the album is split into two halves featuring acoustic music (disc one) and the other being all electric (disc 2).

Disc one of the album does not really showcase the four members working as a whole as they do on their albums. The four only perform together on "Love the One You're With," "Teach Your Children" and the brief excerpt from "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." As the liner note pictures indicate all four were on stage, but on most of the songs one member takes the spotlight and the rest either sit quietly or are simply back up. In this set up Young actually is given the most time and the album sadly ends just as Stills takes the spotlight with only two songs. There are four bonus tracks that again showcase each member individually, I personally wish they had given the full live version of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" but I guess it was not to be. Of the bonus tracks Young's is the longest containing three of his biggest hits.

Disc two sparkles with electric guitar jams and CSNY playing together, "Ohio" is spectacular, and while "Southern Man" and "Carry On" go on a bit long, both are nearly 15 minutes, they are still great performances. It would have been interesting if the liner notes gave information about the tour and individual shows, since this album is compiled from several concerts during a two year long tour, but all it gives are lyrics and a few archival pictures. Overall though this is a very good album and a fine showcase of the group live, far better than their other three live albums, a must for fans of the group as it contains two Graham Nash songs that do not appear on other albums and many of the live version differ from the studio ones. Recommended.

Hawaiian Style Band

"Hawaiian Style Band's Hits Compilation is all one needs from the innovative Group."

The Hawaiian Style Band were one of the most popular Hawaiian groups of the 1990s. The group consisted of Wade Cambern, Bryan Kessler and, then unknown, Robi Kahakalau. The group, however, was set up to feature local talent so various guest constantly appeared on their albums such as, The Ka'au Crater Boys, IZ, Fiji, and The Pahinui Brothers just to name a few. The group took the Jawaiian style music (a mix of Hawaiian and Reggae) that was popularized by Brother Noland to the top of the charts. They also reestablished popular interest in Hawaiian Language music, after the rather bland 1980s, with exciting versions of "No Ke Ano Ahiahi" and "Kaimana Hila."

Hawaiian Style Band Released only three albums, "Vanishing Treasures," Rhythm of the Ocean" and "Ohana," during their career but had eleven big hits. All the hits are excellently collected here on "The Best of the Hawaiian Style Band." Unlike other compilation from Hawaiian Musicians, which try to collect only a handful of songs forcing listeners to purchase the individual albums as well, Hawaiian Style Band have put together all their best work in one place. The group's best songs always were the hits and when listening to the individual albums these eleven songs are really all any listener will need from the group. Wonderful tracks like "Live a Little," "Love & Honesty" and "Happy 2 B w/U" are all collected in all their glory. The liner notes are informative if a bit short but why carp. This is an excellent compilation.

Holiday Spirit

"Hapa Holidays" Is a fun yet refreshing blend of old and new.

Innovative as always, Hapa's 1995 Christmas album "Hapa Holidays" is an inventive mix of old and new Christmas tunes. Instead of focusing solely on Christmas songs the pair have decided to focus on the spirit of the season with a larger theme of Love. So while half the songs are strictly about Christmas the other half are simply love songs or biblical songs that are very well chosen to fit in the spirit of the album. Such as "Love is the Reason to Believe," "House of Gold," and a song from Santa to Mrs. Claus in the cover of "Lady in Red."

The familiar songs that are here such as "Joy to the World" and "Mele Kalikimaka" are performed as well arranged instrumentals which set them apart from the many other renditions.

For listeners looking for a departure from the very familiar Christmas recordings but with out losing that Holiday feeling, this album for you. But this is a very good album whether it is Christmas time or not.

Reichel's interesting first compilation

Keali'i Reichel's first best of collection "Kamahiwa Collection One" is an interesting selection.

Keali'i Reichel was one of the most popular Hawaiian Musicians of the 1990s. He released four albums throughout the decade and all were big hits containing a number of hit songs on each album. His output has lessened since the start of the new millennium with only one new album and a Christmas record. He is still a revered Artist in the Hawaiian Music world.

In 2005 he released his first compilation "Kamahiwa Collection One." There are a lot of interesting things about the collection however. First off it is a double disc, something Hawaiian Music CDs are generally not because it is more profitable to make two separate CDs instead of one double disc. Second the majority of the songs are not hits, however big songs like "Kawaipunahele" and "Maunaleo" are included. Yet "The Road that Never Ends" is the only English language song and hits like "Wanting Memories" are absent. Third the second disc is comprised entirely of Hawaiian Language chants.

As the liner notes point out this Collection is designed to explore Reichel's perpetuation of the Hawaiian poetic arts and be simply a greatest hits compilation. The notes also suggest that the listener not simply enjoy the sounds but delve into the meanings of the lyrics and songs.

These are not criticisms but simply interesting choices for his first compilation. The Collection is excellently packaged with full lyrics and English translations, fine liner notes and a few words, written by Reichel, about each song. "Kamahiwa" achieves its goal of showcasing Reichel's perpetuation of Hawaiian Song, yet listeners looking for a Greatest Hits collection may be disappointed. Reichel later released a companion CD "Kamalei Collection Two" which contained more hits but again is not a straight forward hits compilation. Those seeking a full view of Reichel as an artist will be interested in seeking out both Collections.