The Dark Tower Set

Although it isn't the revelation or surprising, extraordinary achievement that his 2010 record Praise & Blame was, Spirit in the Room is another solid, very welcome set of stripped-back interpretations from Tom Jones, produced once again by Ethan Johns, making those comparisons to Johnny Cash's late-period recordings with Rick Rubin all the more fitting. Know that the songbook has changed from classic (spirituals, blues, and traditional numbers) to more contemporary (Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, the Low Anthem, and others) and that Jones and Johns are both in top form and you've got the picture, along with that same frustration that no matter how fun "What's New Pussycat?" and "Sex Bomb" were, a couple more albums like this along the way would have been rich and rewarding.

“Welcome to the unique, enduring phenomenon of the Grateful Dead in New York City, a mutual devotion, forged in concert, that ran for nearly as long as the band itself—from June 1, 1967, a free show in Tompkins Square Park on the Lower East Side (ahead of the band’s official, local bow at the Cafe Au Go Go), to the Dead’s last Garden run, six nights in October 1994… the Dead’s affinity for New York City… was instant and arguably their most profound with any city aside from San Francisco.” - David Fricke

David Eddings was born in Washington State in 1931 and grew up near Seattle. He graduated from the University of Washington and went on to serve in the US Army. Subsequently, he worked as a buyer for the Boeing Aircraft Company and taught college-level English. His career as a fantasy writer, with his wife Leigh, has been spectacular.

Now this is a totally amazing box set… Iimagine following Steve HACKETT and his band of merry men as they trek thru the 70's , 80's and 90's!. This box set contains 3 of Steve's personal most memorable shows. The first 2 CD's are devoted to a complete show from 1978 at Hammersmith Odeon drawing on material from "Spectral Mornings", "Please Don't Touch", "Voyage Of The Acolyte" and even some small GENESIS ditties. Overall the recording is quite sweet considering the age of the archive and was nicely preserved in its entirity, complete with all cheering and encores… basically untouched in its beautiful entirity. Next step is the dark ages of the 80's with an absolute ripper of an evening in Rome Italy. This 3rd CD draws more from "Defector" and "Cured" with drumming by MARILLION's Ian Mosely. Once again Steve's guitar and band sound stunning… My only negative comment is the lack lustre recording on this 80's show… although not badly recorded it does sound slighly less full than the other CD's… The 4th CD is from London's Grand Theatre in 1993 featuring the music and tour of "Guitar Noir" (which I was able to see in Toronto a few years back now!). This is a superbly well recorded live show which captures some of Steve's most wonderful guitar playing and singing you will hear… Overall a great box set and it also comes with a little book full of wonderful pictures and nive penmanship of our artist in question… ladies and gentlemen… Steve HACKETT…

Grateful Dead - The Arista Years (1996) {2CD Set Arista ‎07822-18934-2 rec 1977-1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.00 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 361 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 39 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977-90, 1996 Grateful Dead / Arista ‎Records | 07822-18934-2
Rock / Classic Rock / Psychedelic / Folk Rock / Jam Band

This well-chosen compilation makes the best of the eight albums (five studio LPs and three live collections) the Grateful Dead released on Arista Records between 1977 and 1990. The first three studio albums are not well regarded, but by focusing on the stronger compositions, such as "Estimated Prophet," "Terrapin Station," "Fire on the Mountain," "I Need a Miracle," and "Saint of Circumstance," the compilers have made them seem better than they did when they were released.