Bleak Night (2011)

One has to wonder why this box, Joni Mitchell's The Studio Albums 1968-1979, was issued only in the European market. During this period –and some would argue even after – Mitchell had one of most consistent quality runs in pop history. She is one of the most influential songwriters and recording artists of the 20th century…

Empyrium - Into the Pantheon (2013) {Prophecy Productions PRO 141CD}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 396 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 153 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 10 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2013 Prophecy Productions | PRO 141CD
Rock / Acoustic Folk / Dark Metal / Neofolk / Romance

This musical release form the metal band Empyrium captures a live performance by the group, recorded in Leipzig on November 6, 2011. Songs featured in the concert include "The Days Before the Fall," "Where AT Night the Wood Grouse Plays," and more.

Looking for a smart, never-out-of-style singer who turns in a perfectly solid collection of Christmas songs, including a few surprises? J.T. is your man on James Taylor at Christmas, which is nicely balanced between pop and jazz selections, with more stately hymn-like fare and balladry. Always fine in his charmingly understated voice, Taylor and company try out the old gospel standard "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and the memorable "Some Children See Him." He smoothly cuts through "Winter Wonderland" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" with a bit of jazz flavor, and reprises Joni Mitchell's increasingly popular Christmas song (even though it's about getting away from the holiday), "River." One of the album's most satisfying delights is Taylor's funky version of "Jingle Bells," sung in a kind of barroom stomp with the most intriguing phrasing since Barbra Streisand sang it in the '60s. Soulful and bright and moody as well (when Taylor sings "In the Bleak Midwinter," you believe it's indeed rough), there's barely a clinker here.

Known as a vocalist who – for the most part – specialized in religious and inspirational works, Aled Jones (born December 29, 1970 in Bangor, Wales) was also a familiar voice on U.K. classical radio as well as a contestant on a ballroom dancing competition reality show. Signed to a recording contract before his teens, Jones was best known – at least in the first part of his career – for his version of "Walking in the Air" from the 1982 animated film The Snowman.

Cyndi Lauper closed out her Epic Records contract with this holiday album, which consists mostly of original compositions. Lauper seeks the Christmas spirit in some snowless locales, giving a Cajun sound to "Early Christmas Morning" and an appropriately tropical feel to "Christmas Conga." She favors folkie arrangements and is heard playing dulcimer, recorder, and ukulele, among other instruments, which lend a homemade feel to the tracks. Merry Christmas…Have a Nice Life! is an unusual but ultimately winning collection, rendered with Lauper' s typical cockeyed conviction.