Steps

Like the previous reviewer we've especially enjoyed this cd on long drives, although I thought the final piece went on a big too long, like an SNL skit run amok. The rest is so perfect it doesn't matter a bit. The take off on Stairway to Heaven is especially amazing, and the Huckabee song set to Let It Be hijacks your brain. My husband found himself humming "who would Jesus vote for? Huckabee, Huckabee." The surprise? My kids, ages 7 and 9, loved it too. They responded to the catchy show tunes rather than satire, but who cares? Bliss.

The Capitol Steps continue their incisive political satire in this CD. It's a great CD to listen to on a long drive - especially the concluding piece with transposed letters.

I got this to listen to in the car and it's a real hoot. The songs are familiar tunes with witty new lyrics about current events. Some of the singers are really quite good, and the songs are hilarious!

Howlingly witty! I can't get enough of this hilarious cd. The songs are brilliantly written parodies of well-known music. Sometimes irreverent and edgy, the lyrics poke fun at the political circus that is often found in Washington. There is nothing lost in the rewriting; the timing and beat of the original songs are respected with these new comical lyrics. The highlights include "Aint No Rumsfeld" and the finale: a political spoonerism you will not soon forget. I recommend this cd to all fans of political satire and/or parodies.

It's coming across albums like this that seem to make it all worthwhile.The harmonies,the lyrics,the instrumentation;everything is perfect.Just when you think you've come across most of the Best of the Best music their will always be artists like these who cross your path and blow your mind.Which is fine by me.Their is not a bad song on this album,though my favorite is probably "Prisoner".Beautiful song with great harmonies and just when you think you've heard all the places the song will go it goes with a totally diffirent yet fitting change before coming to an end.When You listen to this music it might take you back to a diffirent time when music was made for just the love of music.I wish I could have been around when albums like this just came out,and you got to check out the newest tunes goin on.That's beside the point though,for someone who has just discovered them they are new tunes and I am glad I came across this album.I've been playing it every day since I got it.If you want to soothe your ears buy this album.

Why the violently high price? It's simple. Absolutely NOBODY who has grown up with this album would dream of ever parting with it. Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman wrote and sang intimate folk with wit and a quiet beauty I now see resurfacing in artists like Allison Krauss (no kidding--listen to her "Goodbye Is All We Have" from a couple of years ago...she didn't write it, but the guitars and dreamy sadness in it are "Highway Song").

With Aztec Two-Step, you could put on this album and just dream. Baking and Strangers have tunes and lyrics that positively throb with happiness--the guitars, Rex and Neal's perfectly blended voices, the pleasure of being pleased, if you will. And yet "Highway Song" was as pretty and faraway sad as anything Buffalo Springfield wrote.

It's the QUIETNESS of this record--its confidence, its smooth tunes unpretentiously played--that gets me every time. And it's criminal more people didn't know about them. If they did, they'd clamour for a rerelease of this classic of Boston folk. Good luck finding a copy--ya ain't gettin' mine!

Like those reviewers before me, I also had worn out the grooves of the album that I had in college. And when I found their web site, I too ordered a copy of this masterpiece album, now on CD. No scratches when listening to the song, Strangers, with the intro of those chirping crickets. Just a beautiful song!! Every song on this is just great. So many different styles, from bluegrass to ballads, and just 2 great musicians strumming their acoustic hearts out, and singing lights out harmonies. The last song, Highway Song, is an ending to a fantastic disk. Go to their web site, and you can get this copy for a lot less. Also, sign on to their web site. You'll love there monthly newsletter.

JLMankin

I went online to shout about Aztec Two STep..and the reviewers above have said it all. One of the great albums of my college years AND it holds up now. Baking is a classic; hell, they all are. Get this CD ASAP.

This album is amazing but honestly if you want to buy it go to the bands website where it only costs $15

While others may argue the point, I would think that the Capitol Steps have a harder time coming up with songs these days because they don't have as rich a source of material with W. as they did with Slick Willie. Unfortunately, they still have plenty to work with and they do a pretty good job with the materials at hand. The house and senate help of course, as do the foibles of business and personalities.

Like all Capitol Steps releases, this one is dated as soon as it is produced. The parodies reflect items that are still in the news at the time that the song is written. That will not harm the enjoyment of anyone who is a political junkie but I have found it to leave some wondering "what was that all about?"

This is not their best but it is certainly worthy.

I was given this CD as a Christmas gift, and can't stop laughing over such numbers as "God Bless My SUV". I've shared this wonderful collection of political satire and parody with many folks, and have bought a few copies to give as gifts as well. I am sure that my friends in Ireland - who closely follow US politics - will chuckle as well, as these clever artists poke fun at our government and its foibles in such inventive ways.

It was a gift for my husband so my rating is based on 2nd hand information: He loved it and will listen to it again

I saw the capitol steps perform at my college last year and i can't tell you how hard I laughed. The capitol steps are trully a great group and this cd is no expection. Pretty much every song on here is excellent and laugh-out-loud funny. No politican is spared, from bush to gore, or rather gush to bore. They are hilarious in their relentless attack on politicans. I highly recomend this Cd, especially if you have any knowledge in the American politics and have a good sense of humor.

Nothing is sacred on this CD. The Capitol Steps have put new lyrics to well-known songs. All are satirical send-ups of current politicians and issues. Check out the last track "Lirty Dies." All you have to do is switch the first consonant of each word in a pair to understand exactly what they are saying. It is really the most creative thing on the CD.

This is a long-lost favorite rediscovered after a couple of decades, and found to be even better than remembered, to huge surprise. Just wow -- such rare optimistic fearless jazz, Brecker on the EWI, just gives you goosebumps. Brecker, Maineri, Erskine, Victor Bailey on bass, and assorted monster players are united in a fleeting musical era -- electric jazz fusion like this only existed for a short while, sadly. To my way of thinking, this is truly Fusion jazz (as opposed to bland "Smooth Jazz"), some of it hard jazz, some slightly formulaic at first, but not for long. It's hard-driving way-electric JAZZ and definitely colors outside the lines. Yes, that's possible to do with jazz. Steps Ahead did it a lot. Unique sound, positive sound. Inspiring and uplifting. Highly recommended.

I've been waiting for this recording to be available on cd (and under $30) for a long time, and I finally got it. I know this genre is "off the beaten path' for some Steps Ahead fans, but there was something about this recording (when it was released in 1986) that just connected with me.

Brecker has some of his traditional nasty phrases (Trains, Magnetic) along with the beginning stage of a including solo piece (Sentimental Mood, albeit on EWI) that he would include in many performances and subsequent recordings. As in all of his recordings, his solos just seem so effortless, a beautiful blend of supreme technical mastery and creative musical exploration. Mainieri and Victor Bailey are terrific, and you will never go wrong with Peter Erskine.

All in all, a great pick up for me. Glad it was available.

From the first time I heard this album I was amazed. It is a complete departure from the original Steps albums, which were purely acoustic. You knew they were taking the electronic route after the album previous to this, but this was vastly improved.

Michael Brecker proves once again why he was and still is one of the most in demand musicians in the world. His playing on the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) actually makes the instrument sound musical, a difficult feat at best.

All of the other musicians on this record also rise to the challenge of making electronic jazz truly intense.

I had this record on vinyl, then on CD, then someone took it, and I looked for another copy for years when I finally got one again.

This is NOT smooth jazz. Imagine Spyro Gyra and the Yellowjackets on steroids and uppers, while still maintaing their cool. You'll never hear this stuff on the smooth jazz station; it's FAR too hip!

Don't let my comment of Contemporary Jazz throw you. This is not your standard pleasant "happy" music.

Here we have a collection of superlative musicians such as Michael Brecker, Mike Manieri, Hiram Bullock, Peter Erskine and others playing and improvising well over a diverse set of pieces.

These pieces vary from one of my favorite "Trains" which moves along with at the propulsion and yes, the combustion of a train. Michael Brecker takes a strong dynamic solo followed by a rip snortin' guitar solo by Hiram Bullock which builds in intensity, at the end of which Hiram creates the effect of a jet to close it out, which was actually quite clever. This piece is a highpoint.

"Berut" features Mike Manieri on a modified synth-vibe and Michael Brecker on Steinerphone EWI. Both solos are clever, dynamic and impressive. The unsung hero of this piece though is Peter Erskine's ingenious, clever, colorful and funky drumming on this piece. The piece while having a rather odd melody has you moving and tapping your feet.

"Cajun" is another pieces that combines a rather futuristic approach with a country melody. Very original.

"Something I Said" is a pretty ballad with Michael Brecker showing why he is so engaging on ballads. He takes his time and embellishes the melody.

"Magnetic Love" is a vehicle for Dianne Reeves and Michael Brecker. Contemporary and intense. Michael's solo show why so many contemporary artists call upon him to appear on recordings.

I have this recording on vinyl but wish that someone somewhere would have the good sense to re-release this recording on CD. It's decidedly better and more rhythmic than "Modern Times" I would run to the store at the risk of a charlie horse and a stitch in my ribs to get this one.

Had this cd quite a time before my car's cd decided to play it (by some strange mechanisms, it does that with many of my cds).

First of all is a lively modern melodic jazz much in the category of Spyrogyra, though it has a lot of smooth jazz I would consider it a bit more lively and much more exploring. It probes into new territory with consistency and melody. Can be liseed in the morning or late at night. The main instrument is the saxophone.

Despite dull production, curious instrumentation and exploratory melodics win over the confined recording. Occasionally strange keyboard-heavy undertones, which actually contribute much to this album's individual greatness, seem to veer this progressive jazz a little heavily onto the showy side, manifesting something akin to futuristic schmaltz. But with constant ear-turning time and note changes abound which really do some welcomed damage on keen listeners, it remains an interesting find.

This is another album that I just don't want to "talk it to death." It's just simply, purely a fantastic, immaculate jazz album! Michael Brecker on sax, Mike Mainieri (sorry if I spelled his name wrong) on vibes...leading a great band (with piano, bass, drums) through a fantastic set of beautiful, melodic jazz! Great jams where there needs to be great jams, impeccable performances by everyone. This is a great cruising down the highway album. Of course, there is one tune "Radio Active" where the drummer puts a synth-echo on the drums, and the entire song takes a turn toward neo-fusion. And, I love that kind of stuff. But, this album is mostly just real fine jazz. Being more of a fusion fan, I rarely give 5 stars to this kind of straight-forward jazz....but this album so definitely deserves 5 stars! All the songs are melodic and memorable. Sometimes they are fast-paced. Sometimes they are slower and more instrumental ballad-like. The second song, "Oops" kind of breaks the melody-toned trend, to give it a bit more of a sporatic, abstract feel. But, that greatly enhances the overall album by adding a certain welcome variety. Somehow, everything just all comes together in a gorgeously entertaining package. There is just no way for a jazz fan to find this album deserving of anything less than 5 stars!

As a long time fan of Steps Ahead, this is the best compilation of music and artists that defines the group.

I had the good fortune of seeing this band at the Bottom Line club in New York City twice, once with Peter Erskine on drums and another time with Steve Smith on drums and they were nothing short of excellent. The show with Erskine stands out for me although the show with Smith was by no means shabby!

They performed a few tracks from this CD and I was just in awe of the incredible sound put out by the band and the fantastic compositions, allowing each musician to stretch out. Master musicians at work. I originally had this on vinyl but recently got the CD version and it has stood the test of time for me.
Although she is not on this CD, this is the band that introduced me to the great Eliane Elias.

It's astonishing that this album is as old as it is, because it still sounds so fresh. Steps was arguably at their peak here. This album was what made me want to get serious about jazz.

This is one of the funniest comedy albums I've ever heard! I listen to it repeatedly. My favorite tracks are: #1."Unzippin' My Doo-Dah," #22."Golden State Chokers," #25."Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Like The Cowboys," and #26."Ol' Man Zipper." Anyone who can listen to even one track on this CD without laughing, is not of this Earth!!

I have never laughed harder in my life. If you have even a small clue sbout what's going on in the nation's capitol you will love this. If you follow the news dailythen your sides will split. My favorite is To Steer a Mir. However, ythere all hilarious

This is the funniest CD you will ever listen to about politics. I have never laughed harder. A must.

I'm still young and everything about this Cd is hilarious and understandable for me at my age. Capital Steps makes all my favorite songs better and more comical.

I got this CD for my birthday and I just love it to death! I particularly enjoyed Green Green Grass at Home, Help Rwanda, Ain't No Surplus, Now It's Gone, I Want A Guy, Cows Gone Mad, and Lirdy Dies. The best part is, this isn't a bunch of liberals makeing fun of Republicans, or vice versa. They take shots at both sides. All they need is Lewis Black for the comedy bits. Buy this today!!!!!

I thought this CD was pretty good! I have to say I'm a huge fan of Nekromantix, and might not be as used to American-style psychobilly. From my point of view, they're a lot more punk and a lot less surf, but if that's what you like, then check them out! They remind me a lot of a less intense / scary version of the Misfits with a psychobilly twist, but the vocals sound like Tiger Army or even Rancid in some songs. Some songs are slow, and others are super-fast. Whatever your taste, there will probably be something on here you'll like!

To be honest, when I first heard of this band, I went onto amazon and listened to some clips. They didn't sound very special to me, and I think they clipped the worst parts of songs. Anyhow, I later downloaded some full version and I came to like them very much. So, I guess they sort of grew on me. They do remind me of AFI, but I think these guys may even be more talented. This is definitely a great cd, and not a track I don't like.

This CD really cooks man! The best song hands down is "When the banshees wail". The rebels are one of the best Psychobilly bands in the US. Jakob Insane's voice is smooth as silk and Hamburgler Nate slaps that bass like a demon. You should also check out their split with Graveyard Shift. Some of the song on that CD are on this CD but in a different version. This band is essential to all Psychobilly CD collections!

The Psycho scene may not be as lively here, nor nerely that many of bands, but with stand-out bands you don't need to flood the market. 12 Step Rebels join the ranks of other American psycho bands whose originality and song-writing abilities take the scene to far exceeding standards. The entirety of the album is pure genious, if at all similar to any band, vocally it would sound a bit like Nick 13 from Tiger Army, or slightly like Davey Havok of AFI... even so it's a sound all there own... highly recommended album, and a favorite of mine

This album just straight-up rocks. Sounding a bit like Tiger Army (but better), this album impressed me right from the start, all the way through. The guitars are a bit dirtier for psychobilly in parts, but it fits the sounds perfectly. "Skinwalkers" and "Sometimes They Roam" are stand-out tracks. This album is highly worth the buy - you won't be dissapointed.