GoodFlower, Author at Lossless Music Archives

Donovan – Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976 (1992)

Donovan - Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976 (1992)

While by no means a complete retrospective, this two-disc compilation contains a healthy sampling from Donovan’s first dozen years as a formidable musical figure. His chameleon-like sensibilities not only adapted to, but likewise defined the ’60s folk, pop, acid rock and the scene of swingin’ London. As well as hitting some of the more obvious high points, Donovan — who personally oversaw the project — included a couple of unissued demos (“London Town”/”Codine”), alternate versions (“Museum”/”Superlungs”/”Riki Tiki Tavi”) and previously unearthed titles (“Breezes Of Patchulie”/”Age Of Treason”/”What The Soul Desires”) Continue reading “Donovan – Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976 (1992)”

Deep Purple – Live In Long Beach 1971 (2015)

Deep Purple - Live In Long Beach 1971 (2015)

Welcome to Long Beach 1971, the latest album in earMUSIC s Deep Purple reissue series that, over the last two years, has seen the release of rare live material from the band, including Stockholm 1970 , Paris 1975 and Graz 1975 . Continue reading “Deep Purple – Live In Long Beach 1971 (2015)”

Rick Wakeman – Rick Wakeman’s Greatest Hits (1994)

Rick Wakeman - Rick Wakeman's Greatest Hits (1994)

This Greatest Hits double-disc release is both utterly deceiving and painfully disappointing, since its tracks are made up of fabricated instrumental pieces of Rick Wakeman’s album cuts. Played by Wakeman, the songs are glossed-over remakes that may be true to their original note form, but are not the actual tracks from their previously released albums. Coming off like synthesized Muzak, popular favorites such as “Merlin the Magician,” “The Journey,” and Yes’ “Starship Trooper” lack depth, color, or energy, with only their familiar rhythms and melodies remaining Continue reading “Rick Wakeman – Rick Wakeman’s Greatest Hits (1994)”

Papa Roach – F.E.A.R. (2015) [Japanese SHM-CD Edition]

Papa Roach - F.E.A.R. (2015) [Japanese SHM-CD Edition]

The ninth studio album from California’s Papa Roach, 2015’s F.E.A.R. finds the journeyman hard rock outfit delivering more of its bombastic, high-energy sound. F.E.A.R. was produced by Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch) with assistance from his son Kane Churko, and the album’s title is an acronym that stands for “Face Everything And Rise.” The dark, aggressive irony behind this sentiment remains Continue reading “Papa Roach – F.E.A.R. (2015) [Japanese SHM-CD Edition]”

The Cars – Original Album Series (2012) [Box Set]

The Cars - Original Album Series (2012) [Box Set]

Five CD box set containing a quintet of original albums from the New Wave outfit: The Cars, Candy-O, Heartbeat City, Shake It Up and Panorama Continue reading “The Cars – Original Album Series (2012) [Box Set]”

Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977) [2012, Japanese SHM-CD]

Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols (1977) [2012, Japanese SHM-CD]

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols is the first and only studio album by English punk rock group Sex Pistols, released on 27 October 1977, through Virgin Records. Fans and critics alike generally regard it as one of the most important albums in the history of rock music, citing the lasting influence it has had on subsequent punk rock musicians, as well as other musical genres that were influenced by such punk rock artists Continue reading “Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977) [2012, Japanese SHM-CD]”

Suzi Quatro – The Best Of Suzi Quatro (1996)

Suzi Quatro - The Best Of Suzi Quatro (1996)

Suzi Quatro was hardly the first Tough Girl in rock & roll — there were plenty of precursors, from Wanda Jackson and the Shangri-Las to Grace Slick and Janis Joplin — but Quatro codified a type of rock & roll woman who didn’t exist before she took the stage, one who looked as tough as the guys and wasn’t merely a singer but also an instrumentalist, the leader of the band who made the noise right Continue reading “Suzi Quatro – The Best Of Suzi Quatro (1996)”

Various Artists – Music From The Movies: Featuring British Movies 1937-57 (2008)

Various Artists - Music From The Movies: Featuring British Movies 1937-57 (2008)

This release celebrates the wonderful music written for British films during the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s by composers better-known for their works in the classical realm and for the concert hall. Vaughan Williams’ rousing music from the films The Loves of Joanna Godden and The 49th Parallel is heard, as is Walton’s famous Spitfire Fugue from The First of the Few. Continue reading “Various Artists – Music From The Movies: Featuring British Movies 1937-57 (2008)”

Various Artists – No.1 Hits Of The ’50s (2013) [3CD-Set]

Various Artists - No.1 Hits Of The '50s (2013) [3CD-Set]

Including Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Connie Francis, Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, Frankie Avalon, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Anka, The Teddy Bears, Bill Haley & The Comets, Andy Williams, The Fleetwoods, Dean Martin, Shirley Bassey, Frank Sinatra, Guy Mitchell and many more Continue reading “Various Artists – No.1 Hits Of The ’50s (2013) [3CD-Set]”

VA – The London American Story: Rarities (2011)

VA - The London American Story: Rarities (2011)

The London record label was founded in 1947 as an offshoot of the Decca Label. two years later it began buying the UK distribution rights to American independent labels such as Imperial, Chess, Dot, Atlantic, Specialty and Sun as well as (much later) the first releases from Motown. Coincidentally, the 45rpm seven-inch single format was first introduced in 1949 by RCA Victor. Continue reading “VA – The London American Story: Rarities (2011)”

Various Artists – Disco Giants Volume 1-10 (2013)

Various Artists - Disco Giants Volume 1-10 (2013)

Limited 20 CD set containing all 10 double CD sets released in the Disco Giants compilation series. Contains 200 Disco tracks of the ’80s. Not the commercial tracks which you will find on any ordinary Disco compilation but the rare and hard to find 80’s Disco floor fillers (mainly the long version) Continue reading “Various Artists – Disco Giants Volume 1-10 (2013)”

Tesla – Gold (2008)

Tesla - Gold (2008)

Tesla fans looking for something a little more fulfilling than 1995’s Time’s Makin Changes: The Best of Tesla or 2001’s 12-track 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Tesla will find Geffen’s two-disc 2008 Gold compilation to be an aptly titled career summary, especially considering the fact that it’s the first anthology Continue reading “Tesla – Gold (2008)”

Whitesnake – Flesh & Blood (2019) [Deluxe Edition, CD + DVD]

Whitesnake - Flesh & Blood (2019) [Deluxe Edition, CD + DVD]

Fresh off celebrating their 40th anniversary, rock legends Whitesnake return with their latest studio album, “Flesh & Blood”. This album follows the 2011 critically acclaimed studio album “Forevermore” and 2015’s “The Purple Album”, a reimagining of Deep Purple classics from Whitesnake mastermind’s David Coverdale’s time in that band. The 13 original, visceral tracks on “Flesh & Blood”, the band’s 13th studio album, are, luckily for you dear reader, “all killer, no filler”, as the saying goes. Continue reading “Whitesnake – Flesh & Blood (2019) [Deluxe Edition, CD + DVD]”

Connie Francis – Gold (2005)

Connie Francis - Gold (2005)

In the late ’50s and early ’60s, there were few bigger stars in the world of music than Connie Francis. Able to sing many different styles convincingly, from rock & roll to country, from lush adult ballads to Italian love songs and girl group sounds, Francis had hits galore and created a very impressive body of work. 2005’s Gold rounds up 50 of her singles recorded between 1957 and 1969 on two discs and becomes the best Francis collection Continue reading “Connie Francis – Gold (2005)”

The Platters – The Platters (Compilation) (2007)

The Platters - The Platters (Compilation) (2007)