At times, it was hard to figure out whether Berlin were an average synth pop band trying to carve out their own niche or just a mediocre rock band jumping on the new wave bandwagon. Sure, they had some good singles and radio hits, but as an album band, they left a lot to be desired. Terri Nunn was beautiful and sexy, but it seemed like Berlin wanted to be more than just a commercial band with a hot vocalist: they seemed to be striving for greatness but settled for "that'll do."

They never had a chance to really prove themselves, breaking up after their commercially disappointing Count Three & Pray album, released in 1986. Nunn has kept the Berlin name alive over the years, touring with a different group of musicians and playing all the hits while releasing the occasional studio or live album. With a recorded output that seems to dwindle in quality with every release, one might hope that All the Way In would deviate from the standard "live hits" collection and offer up something really special. Sadly, that's not entirely the case. All the Way In was recorded live at The House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. The HOB is located very near the heart of the OC music scene, where Berlin started more than two decades ago. This homecoming show promised much but delivered very little.

There are tracks on the CD that are not included on the DVD (and vice versa), but even though the DVD has a shorter running time, it's a far more enjoyable experience. So, get this for the DVD and do what you will with the CD. ~ Steve "Spaz" Schnee


  Live From The Inside CD
  by Brian Culbertson
Our Price: $18.24 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

Photographers: Kurt Weiss; Daniel Ray; Lisa Taylor.

Arranger: Brian Culbertson.
Personnel: Ray Parker, Jr., Sheldon Reynolds, Wayne Bruce (vocals, guitar); Eddie Miller (vocals, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); Dave Koz (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eric Marienthal (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Michael Lington (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eric Darius (tenor saxophone); Michael Stever (trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards); Jim Culbertson (trumpet); Nick Lane (trombone); Chris Miskel (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Scott Steiner; Bob Horn; Brian Culbertson.

  An An Evening With Il Divo: Live In Barcelona CD
  by Il Divo
Our Price: $15.17 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

A live performance available as either a BluRay or a DVD/CD set, Live in Barcelona captures Il Divo's April 3, 2009, performance at Palau Sant Jordi. The video portions contain the complete 24-track performance; the CD is a truncated ten-cut sampler, designed as a bonus rather than the main attraction.

That main attraction is the extravaganza captured on video, where the operatic quartet runs through all manners of pop standards -- "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Unbreak My Heart," "Nights in White Satin," "The Winner Takes It All," "My Way," "The Impossible Dream" -- sometimes translating the lyrics out of English so they feel more like opera. Naturally, this live set won't convince doubters, but those who have loved any of the group's five studio albums will find this a satisfying spectacle.

  Live CD
  by Alison Krauss
Our Price: $14.89 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

  Essential Montreux CD
  by Gary Moore
Our Price: $35.69 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

  Live Bootleg Series Volume 4 CD
  by Johnny Winter
Our Price: $12.85 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

Personnel: Johnny Winter (vocals, guitar); Jon Paris (bass instrument); Tom Compton (drums).

  Live Bootleg Series Volume 3 CD
  by Johnny Winter
Our Price: $12.85 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

Personnel: Johnny Winter (vocals, guitar); Jon Paris (harmonica).

  Live Bootleg Series Volume 2 CD
  by Johnny Winter
Our Price: $12.85 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

This second volume in Johnny Winter's self-produced Live Bootleg Series is in many ways superior to the first. The reason is simple: Winter relies far more on his electrifying -- sometimes just unbelievable -- guitar-slinging interpretation of the blues as it meets hard rock more than re-interpreting rock tunes for the blues. There are only six tunes here, only one of them under six minutes and the rest ranging from seven to 14 and change.

There are absolutely amazing readings of Mose Allison's "Parchman Farm," Robert Johnson's "Crossroads," and Jimi Hendrix's "Red House." The last one is key, because here is one master playing the work of another without being overly reverential. Winter's own "Black Cat Bone" opens the set, and it stands tall with all the other canonical classics here. Like its predecessor, this volume has some small sound issues, but none to keep the listener from hearing the full force of this guitar attack. Just get this and ask questions later. ~ Thom Jurek

  Live Bootleg Series Volume 1 CD
  by Johnny Winter
Our Price: $12.85 CD
Usually ships in 1-2 days

The most important thing to know about this Live Bootleg Series by Johnny Winter is that these are officially released tapes by him and he produced these recordings. These are not bootlegs in the sense of the word we have u sed it since the 1960s.

That said, on this first volume, Winter goes back into his personal archive and pulls out various performances from his long career, and these are from the early '70s when he was so deeply drawn to the power of rock & roll that he and his band -- both with and without Rick Derringer -- tear through roots rock classics like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash," as well as blistering versions of blues nuggets -- Muddy Waters' "Rollin' and Tumblin'" and Robert Johnson's "Come on in My Kitchen" among them. Sound quality varies a bit but is generally very good and will not cause the listener any difficulty at all.

These are great performances, and anyone remotely interested in the guy should check these out, perhaps above his studio albums. ~ Thom Jurek


  See all the Live Performances CD's Here
   Live Performaqnces linked by page-
  [Live Performance Page 1]  [Live Performance Page 2]  [Live Performance Page 3]