Two.bits.1995.

Lumpy Gravy, Frank Zappa's first solo album, was released months before the Mothers of Invention's third LP (even though its back cover asked the question: "Is this phase two of We're Only in It for the Money?") and both were conceptualized and recorded at the same time. We're Only in It for the Money became a song-oriented anti-flower power album with one contemporary/musique concrète/sound collage hybrid piece by way of conclusion. Lumpy Gravy collaged bits of orchestral music, sonic manipulations, spoken words, and occasional pop ditties into two lumps of 16 minutes each. This album presents Zappa's first recordings with a decent orchestra, the 50-piece Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra. His symphonic writing was very much influenced by Stravinsky and Varèse…

Consisting of one disc recorded from a Boston radio broadcast in 1979 and the other from a large concert hall in Atlanta in 1983, Live! demonstrates the evolution of the Police's sound while showing off their ability to perform onstage. Aside from the track listings (although several of the same tracks are found on both discs), there are notable differences between the two concerts. The production is the most obvious. The 1979 recording, sounding raw like a well-done bootleg, is mixed for a punk band, which the Police largely were at the time. The Atlanta recording is slick and professional, perfect for the world-famous pop stars they had become. The second major difference is the performances themselves. In the Boston concert, because they had less material to fill an entire show, the band extended the songs by improvising on themes and progressions (while at the same time frequently lead-footing the tempos). In contrast, the Atlanta show featured a denser mix. Three backup singers doubled the number of people onstage, while the songs were moody and atmospheric. Again the band expanded on its arrangements. You won't hear your favorite licks from many of these songs, but the fair exchange is getting to hear drummer Stewart Copeland's inspired improvised fills; Andy Summers's cautious, delicate guitar textures; and Sting's rasta chants. Aside from being a transcendent live album, this collection makes it very clear that the Police were so much more than just Sting and "two other guys." Quite the opposite is true. It testifies not only to the strength of the songwriting but, more important, to the band's musicianship. The Police were a perfect musical trinity, each member an indispensable and inseparable part of the whole. –Beth Massa, Amazon.com.

The Police: Every Breath You Take - The Classics! Digitally Remastered From Original Source Tapes For Superior Sound Quality! A&M / BMG Direct Issue! Similar to the 1992's Greatest Hits collection this compilation included the 1986 remake of 'Don't Stand So Close To Me', and a 1995 'New Classic Rock Mix' of 'Message in a Bottle'. TRACKS: 1. Roxanne; 2. Can't Stand Losing You; 3. Message in a Bottle; 4. Walking on the Moon; 5. Don't Stand So Close to Me; 6. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da; 7. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic; 8. Invisible Sun; 9. Spirits in the Material World; 10. Every Breath You Take; 11. King of Pain; 12. Wrapped Around Your Finger; 13. Don't Stand Too Close to Me '86; & 14. Message in a Bottle (New Classic Rock Mix).