After more than 30 yars of waiting for an official live document of Daryl Hall and John Oates, the wait is finally over now that thei A & E "Live By Request" show has been released on dvd.

Hall and Oates sound better than ever on this dvd. Hall's voicE ages like fine wine. He turns in smooth gospel - like readings on "Sarah Smile", "Everytime You Go Away" (requested via phone by Carly Simon), and the cover of "Me And Mrs. Jones". He gives "Rich Girl" a nice, bluesy feel, and rocks out on "Maneater", "Private Eyes" and "You Make My Dreams". Oates contributes some great guitar work and harmony vocals, as well as a stunning duet with Hall on "She's Gone".

The 5 bonus songs provide an additonal thrill. First, there's an exhilerating version of "Family Man" that beats the studio version by a long shot with its eerie acoustic intro. Next comes two great songs from the "Do It For Love" album, "Life's Too Short" and "Getaway Car". "One On One" is dusted off and done nice and smooth. Finally, there's a blissful rendition of "Kiss On My List" with Hall's great keyboard florishes.

The extras are anothe gret part. There's a nice, indepth interview with the duo, with Hall taking up most of the screen time. There's also a phone call montage and a discography.

My only complaint is that, with the exception of the woman who requested "It's A Laugh", no hardcore fans called up. The songs selected are basically casual hits. You would expect someone to call u something like "Las Vegas Turnaround", "How Does It Feel To Be Back" or "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid". You know, something rarely heard. But other than that, this is really a great dvd that everybody will enjoy.

As a big Beach Boys fan, I found this dvd highly enjoyable. The boys from Hawthorne sound alive and well here (with the exception of Brian and Dennis Wilson, though they can be forgiven since they were battling personal demons at this point), and the overall song selection will not let you down.

"Good Timin' (Live At Knebworth England, 1980)" is from the band's last appearance in the U. K. with the original lineup, though they obviously did know it at time. The band does plauy with a fiery edge as though it was the last time they're performing them. They sound youthful and ibrant on the rockers especially "Help Me Rhonda", "I Get Around", "Surfin' USA", "Good Vibrations", "Barbara Ann" and "Fun Fun Fun". The slow songs are a mixed bag. The best is Carl Wilson's beautiful rendition of "God Only Knows". Al Jardine also turns in a great reading of "Lady Lynda", but Brian sounds whiny on "Surfer Girl" and Dennis' once sparkling voice is unheard on "You Are So Beautiful".

Despite its flaws, this is a really great dvd. It also comes with a nice Al Jardine introduction and song commentary. Here's hoping that the four remaining Beach Boys (Al Jardine, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and Brian Wilson) get back together soon, since the world needs them in this time of horrible music, courtesy of Britney, Christina and Eminem

Though he may be the most maligned singer in pop music history, Barry Manilow remains one of the most successful and popular solo male vocalists ever. His musical versatillity is matched only by a select group of artists, as is his success (he topped the AC charts 13 times).

If you're a casual or even a huge Manilow fan, it's hard to not to enjoy the songs here. Whether you prefer "Mandy", "I Write The Songs" or "Can't Smile Without You", the latter my personal favorite, it's unlikely that you won't find your favorite Manilow song here. Also included is a fare amount of lesser - known numbers like "Daybreak", "This One's For You" and the haunting "When October Goes". And while some people think that he peaked with the "Even Now" album and its four hit singles, his post - 1978 is among his best work; "Ships", "I Made It Through The Rain", "The Old Songs" (another personal favorite), "Somewhere Down The Road", and the haunting "When October Goes" are just as good as "Mandy", "I Write The Songs" or "Copacabana".

If there's one criticism I could make about his songs, it's this. Manilow's music has often been criticized for being overblown. I find this partly true. Some of his songs - namely "Ready To Take A Chance Again" (though this one is one of my favorites) and "Looks Like We Made It" - are great song but suffer from heavy orchestration instead letting them stay simple, piano - driven ballads. But most of Barry's hits rely on his powerful voice and simple arrangements. He also didn;t rely on entirely ballds. For instance, at first "Can't Smile Without You" may seem like a traditional Manilow ballad at first, but when listens to the whimsical whistling intro and the chugging melody, the song goes from a ballad to a delightfully melancholy romp. And when he's at his best, he can deter the listener from the hefty arrangement with his powerful vocal presence. This goes especially for "I Made It Through The Rain", "Ships" and "Somewhere In The Night". As with all greatest hits collections, there is an abundance of singles missing. Most of them are minor hits, but it would have been nice to have seen them included. They are:

"When I Wanted You" (number 20 in 1979, but number one Adult Contemporary)
"I Don't Want To Walk Without You" (number 36)
"Lonely Together" (number 45)
"Let's Hang On" (cover of the 4 Seasons hit) (number 32)
"Oh Julie" (number 38)
"Memory" (number 39)
"Some Kind Of Friend" (number 26)
"Read 'Em And Weep" (number 18 and number one for eight weeks on the Adult Contemporary charts)
"I'm Your Man" (number 86)
"Hey Mambo" (number 95)

So, as you can see, this could've have easily been a 2 - cd set.

Alas, these songs aren't among his most popular works, but their inclusion would have pleased hardcore fans who are dying to hear these songs again. Overall, a hugely worthwhile collection of classic songs that remain timelss Also worth picking up is 1978's "Even Now" and his 1977 live album.

Even though he only left the show two years ago, you still feel a tinge of nostalgia when you watch Will Ferrell on "Saturday Night Live". Perhaps it's because his versatillity evoked memories of such famed castmembers like John Belushi, Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman. Or maybe it was because he was just so damn funny.

"The Best Of Will Ferrell" tries its best to capture the best from Ferrell's 7 years on the show, and while it's far from definitive, it makes a vailiant effort. All the sketches here are hilarious. Whether he's Craig The Cheerleader, Robert Goulet or George W. Bush, Will will have you in sketches. Some sketches, namely the nude Art Class sketch, grow on you, but you'll learn to enjoy them. The best sketch by far is "Celebrity Jeopardy". In addition to Will's sidesplitting (if not entirely accurate) Alex Trebek, he gets additonal support from Jimmy Fallon as French Stewart, Norm MacDonald as Burt Reynolds, and Daryl Hammond's infamous Sean Connery. There's also the classic "Blue Oyster Cult" sketch, which is naturally to funny for words.

Everybody has one sketch not here that they would have loved to see. For me, it would be the Jeopardy sketch with "Chardonay". But other than that, this is a hilarious dvd. I also suggest watching Will's auditon tape, especially his hilarious Ted Kennedy impersoantion. Get this dvd today!

This cd's only flaw is that it's not done chronologically, as it would have helped new Carpenters fans find it easier to trace the group's legacy. But when one overlook that one major mistake, what's here is 2 great cds of timeless music from the greatest duo in pop music history (in my opinion).

Disc 1 is easily the more intriguing of the two discs. While it features a few big hits like "Superstar", "Rainy Days And Mondays" and "Top Of The World", it mostly features obscure tracks and previously unreleased material. Among the goodies are a 1967 recording of "California Dreamin' featuring a haunting vocal by Karen, the "Star Wars" - inspired "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day)", and the stirring "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore" (from the 1983 posthumous release "Voice Of The Heart"). My favorite song on this disc is the 1976 hit "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)". This version easily buries Herman's Hermits' original version. And am I the only one who tears up when I hear "We've Only Just Begun"?

Disc 2 contains all of the big hits. Here's where you'll find "Yesterday Once More", "Hurting Each Other", "Sing", "Goodbye To Love" and, of course, "(They Long To Be) Close To You". Also included a few more obscure numbers that I enjoyd just as much like "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song", "I Need To Be In Love" (Karen's favorite) and "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again" (their version buries the top 10 hit version by Barry Manilow, who had the lyrics altered for his recording). Also included the stirring instrumental "Karen's Theme", from the 1989 tv movie "The Karen Carpenter Story", as well as a track on his 1997 solo album "Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor". What's best about these cds is that aside from continuing show that Karen was the best female singer of her era, it shows that she was an amazing drummer, a talent of hers that remains underrated (that and her dazzling beauty).

This set leaves nothing out (there a are few low - charting latterday singles like "Goofus" and "Beachwood 4 - 195789" missing, but they are not that important). Also, Richard Carpenter provides For good, old - fashioned pop music that will surely brighten your day, pick this cd up today.

Finally, a single cd that contains all of Three Dog Night's 21 top 40 hit singles (all of which were in a row) has been released to the public, and my what a great collection of classics.

Between 1969 and 1975, Three Dog Night sold millions of albums with their trademark blend of rock, pop, and blues. Indeed, many of these songs rank among the most infectous singles ever written - ""One", "Celebrate", "Celebrate", "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)", "Joy To The World", "Black And White" and "Shamabala", to name a few. The key ingredients to these hits were their trademark vocals (lead by lead vocalists Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells) and intricate instrumental skills

As several reviewers already mentioned, the group had a knack or giving up - and - coming songwriters their big break by scoring big hits with their songs. They launched the careers of Randy Newman ("Mama Told Me (Not To Come)"), Paul Williams (An Old Fashioned Love Song"), and David Loggins ("Pieces Of April").

Special Note: Although it's not here, they also helped jumpstart the careers of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, who later became the most successful songwriting team of the mid 1970s', by recording their 1969 composition "Lady Samantha".

Overall, a highly wothwhile collection that belongs in everybody's cd collection. It is the most complete single - disc collection of Three Dog Night's hits (you could get the "Celebrate" boxed set, but it's quite pricey). If you want to hear great pop music, you could do little better than this cd.

One of the most succesful acts of the 1970s', The Eagles are the latest in aline of superstars from the same era to get their own 2 - disc greatest hits set, following Elton John and Fletwood Mac. And I think theirs is the best.

Disc 1 features all of their big hits. You can do no wrong with a disc that contains "Take It Easy", "Witchy Woman", "Best Of My Love", "One Of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes" and "Take It To The Limit". What sets this album apart from the other greatest hits albums I mentiond is that doesn't rely solely on hits singles. There are some excellent low - charting singles here: "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Tequila Sunrise", "Already Gone", "James Dean". In addition, there are some classic album tracks, like "Desperado, "Ol' 55", and the transcendent "Doolin- Dalton". And while other reviewers complain about the fact that "Hotel California" closes this disc, I think it's a great way to close it, since it leaves the fans craving for more.

Disc 2 begins with 5 more songs from the "Hotel California" album. First, there's the havy - hittinghard rock top 15 hit "Life In The Fast Lane". Then comes the pretty "Wasted Time", the punk rocker "Victim Of Love", and Don Henley's haunting American - Indian opus "The Last Resort". Finally, there's the album's other number 1 single "New Kid In Town". This has always been one of my faorite. I love the message this song conveys: enjoy your time at the top, because gonna come and knock you right off. Their Christmas hit "Please Come Home For Christmas" is an expertise yuletide number sing with great, bluesy gusto by Don Henley. "Heartache Tonight" is a nice romp that was their last number 1 hit. It makes for a great singalong. "The Sad Cafe" is a majestic ballad. "I Can't Tell You Why" and "The Long Run" are my two favorite Eagles songs. Timothy B. Schmidt's vocals on this one send shivers down my spine. And the song itself sounds like a Motown number. "The Long Run" glides along a carfree melody and Mephis - style horn vamps. "In The City" and "Thos Shoes' are also really good. "Sven Bridges Road" is a great live number with nice a capella breaks. In 1994, The eagles got back together and scored two top 40 hits, the pretty "Love Will Keep Us Alive" and the hard rocker "Get Over It". Finally, there's the stirring "Hole In The World". While I'm probably gonn catch a lotta flack for this, I think this is such a great song.

I suggest this cd. It is filled with timeless music that you will play for hours on end. Alao pick up "Desperado" and "Hotel California", their 2 masterpieces.

As one of the most successful musicians of all time, it was only a matter of time before Elton John would would get a 2 - disc hit s collection spanning his entire career. And while it does leave out quite a few key hits, it's the best collection of his hits so far.

Disc 1 contains all the hits from Elton's glory years, the years where everything he touched turned to gold and platinum. Indeed, you can't go wrong with a cd that features "Your Song", "Rocket Man", "Crocodile Rock", "Bennie And The Jets", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" and many other era - defining classics. In fact, if you take this cd and add a few more tracks by The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Olivia Newton - John, Barry Manilow, Bread, Rod Stewart, KC And The Sunshine Band, Donna Summer and The Rolling Stones, you'll have a virtual soundtrack to the 1970s'. There aren't really any surprises here, though I was a little shocked (though not all disappointed) that "Levon" and "Tiny Dancer" were included, since neither of them made the top 20 ("Tiny Dancer" didn't even make the top 40).

Disc 2 begins with the 1976 number 1 Kiki Duet "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", before drifting into the 1989s' with the whimsical ballad "Little Jeannie". The 1980s' were not as big as the 1970s'. Elton only had occasional success, but still scored with hits like "Nikita" and "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That", not to mention "I'm Still Standing", "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" and "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues". Also included is his criminally underrated ballad "Sacrifice". The 1990s' were considerably more successful. In 1992, he scored a top 10 hit with the lush title track from his 1992 album "The One". In 1994, he scored a huge hit with the "Lion King" number "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", which won him an Oscar for best song along with Time Rice. The film gave him an additional top 20 hit with the stirring "Circle Of Life". 1995's "Made In England" gave him two more top 40 hits, the haunting ode to love "Believe" and the mystical "Blessed". And in 1997, he recorded "Something About The Way You Look Tonight", which became one half of the biggest selling single of all time. After the bland Leann Rimes duet "Written In The Stars", he rebounded with "I Want Love" and "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" from the 2001 album "Songs From The West Coast".

The third bonus disc is a special treat. It starts off with the 1986 live version of "Candle In The Wind" from the "Live In Australia" album. While the 1973 version is the one that was a hit singl, peaking at number 6 in 1987. In 1992, Elton went all the way to number 1 with another live recording, duetting with George Michael on "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". This song and "Candle In The Wind" are also on disc 1 in their original studio version. "Live Like Horses" is a haunting duet with Lucianno Pavarotti that sends shivers down your spine. Track 4 is a new version of "Your Song" recordes by Alessandro Safina.

This collection is far from complete. There are some songs I would have loved to see here, such as his number 1 hit cover of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". Or 1979's surprise top 10 hit "Mama Can't Buy You Love". Or the two hit ballads he scored in 1982, "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) and "Blue Eyes". Or his great, underappreciated duble - sided 1976 hit "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own"/"I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)".
Some fans might complain that "Candle In The Wind 1997" has been excluded, but it was left off for obvious personal reasons. Still, this is the best Elton set yet. I highly suggest purchasing it.

Update: I just saw an import version of this cd at Sam Goody that has ll the songs plus adds "Blue Eyes", "Kiss The Bride" and "Song For Guy" to disc 2 and includes a 10 - song third disc including "Pinball Wizard", "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", and the new hits "Are Yo Ready For Love" and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", the latter featuring some artist named Blue. Get it if you can, as it's slightly more complete.

When it comes to underrated groups, The 5th Dimesnion are among the greatest. They created some of the most meorable songs in music history, but are ignored by everyone except "oldie" radio (and the xm Satellite Radio plays them often on the '60s and '70s stations). Finally, Arista has decided to give them that respect with this amazing 2 - disc, 36 - song collection.

The album features all the hits you'd expect - "Up, Up And Away", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In", "Wedding Bell Blues", "One Less Bell To Answer" and my personal favorite "(Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All". But there is more to the 5th than those hits. For example, there are many ignored album tracks that are excellent works. Among my favorites are "Dimension 5ive" (a real vocal showdown), "Black Patch" (with an otherwordly a capella intro and a shared lead vocal by all 5 members), and "Time And Love" (beats Barbara Streisand's version). Also, there a few great ignored singles. I especially adore their version of "Never My Love". It may not have been a top 10 hit like the versions by The Associaton in 1967 and Blue Swede in 1974, but it features a great orchestral arrangement and Marilyn McCoo's sincere vocal. And besides, it only missed the top 10 by a hair (it peaked at 12). I also enjoyed the bouncy "Paper Cup" and their version of "Worst That Could Happen" (their version was before the hit version by The Brooklyn Bridge and is better).

I really suggest this cd. I wish this muisc was still popular today. I think that rap music is bringing the music world to a long, slow decline that desperately needs fixing. Here's hoping the 5th get back soon and record a new studio album.