Prelude: Bach Cello Suite #1 in G-Major - Bach, Johann Sebast
Magic in the Air - Gough, Damon
Lonesome Whistle - Davis
Babylon - Gray, David [1]
Never the Same - Sakurai, Ramin
August Day Song - Franck, Chris
Healing Hands of Time - Nelson, Willie
Driftwood - Healey, Fran
Throw Your Arms Around Me - Archer, John
Goodnight Moon - McVinnie, Duke
Going, Going, Gone - Campbell, Torquil
Country Leaver - Taylor, Courtney
Wing - Smith, Pamela [1]
Energy Flow - Sakamoto, Ryuichi
KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic program has always managed to capture some of music's most talented voices, some of them just young bands with a cult following, others who are seasoned vets returning to the beloved Cali... more »fornia radio station that gave them their first live broadcast. The latest series is yet another winsome venture, encompassing folk and pop performances so delicate and fresh, it's hard to believe no retouching was performed (KCRW's disclaimer swears it wasn't). Beck tips his hat with a baritone cover of the country classic "Lonesome Whistle," which segues nicely into David Gray's tender performance of his Triple-A hit, "Babylon." Travis's "Driftwood" single benefits greatly from its production-free moment, allowing singer Fran Healy's charming brogue to shine; likewise, Badly Drawn Boy (a.k.a. Damon Gough) steps up to the mic with "Magic in the Air," a pre-summer ballad that serves as a great pitch for the Brit performer's offbeat charm. Bebel Gilberto's lustrous "August Day Song" and Yo-Yo Ma's Bach prelude widen the album's scope, proving KCRW's "eclectic" banner is not a gimmick, but a philosophy that has made Nic Harcourt's program a necessary refuge for experimental listeners. --Kristy Martin« less
KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic program has always managed to capture some of music's most talented voices, some of them just young bands with a cult following, others who are seasoned vets returning to the beloved California radio station that gave them their first live broadcast. The latest series is yet another winsome venture, encompassing folk and pop performances so delicate and fresh, it's hard to believe no retouching was performed (KCRW's disclaimer swears it wasn't). Beck tips his hat with a baritone cover of the country classic "Lonesome Whistle," which segues nicely into David Gray's tender performance of his Triple-A hit, "Babylon." Travis's "Driftwood" single benefits greatly from its production-free moment, allowing singer Fran Healy's charming brogue to shine; likewise, Badly Drawn Boy (a.k.a. Damon Gough) steps up to the mic with "Magic in the Air," a pre-summer ballad that serves as a great pitch for the Brit performer's offbeat charm. Bebel Gilberto's lustrous "August Day Song" and Yo-Yo Ma's Bach prelude widen the album's scope, proving KCRW's "eclectic" banner is not a gimmick, but a philosophy that has made Nic Harcourt's program a necessary refuge for experimental listeners. --Kristy Martin
Roger I. Camara Lemarroy | monterrey, nuevo leon Mexico | 04/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ill have to say this has been one of the best buys ive made lately. You get exclusive recordings from great artists, performing great songs beautifully. Its a shame there isnt a second volume or that this isnt a double cd. Its starts out with a beautifully and impressive performance by YO-YO Ma on cello doing bach. Which could be considered one of the greatest and weirdest opening songs on a compilation cd. Then you get Beck doing a wonderful song: lonesome whistle... his voice sounds so pure and true, i didnt know he could sing that way... The supreme beings of leisure play an awsome track and Neil Finn plays Throw your arms around me... this is one of the best covers of the song that ive heard... his voice fits almost perfectly... patti smith, dandy warhols, willie nelson... man... this is one of the best compilations i own and it has given me a reason to believe that compilations can be awsome again!!"
Great Intro to a Range of REAL Alternative Music
januarygrl | Los Angeles, CA USA | 04/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a KCRW fan since my move back to LA, and what's so great about the music programs on KCRW is that it's such a wonderful break from the standard 6-song rotation of overplayed bubble-gum pop or teenage-angst punk the other LA radio stations are playing. I always look forward to the KCRW compilations because I see it as a great opportunity to sample some of the other talents that don't get airtime with the top-40 radio stations. And this CD does not disappoint: with Yo-Yo Ma beginning the CD with a movement of the Bach Cello Suite to the beautifully delicate ending by Ryuichi Sakamoto, it's really hard to ask for a more "eclectic" range of music. And, like any other CD some songs stand out more in the beginning than others, but they each take their time to emerge, and the entire CD really does grow on you. Right now I'm completely addicted to Shivaree's "Goodnight Moon" - it's so damn catchy! - and I already went and got myself a copy of the Travis CD because of "Driftwood." It's refreshing to know that there is something out there that introduces us to something that is (quite) a bit less airheaded and yet still get our toes tapping. Highly Recommended."
Best compilation since the Pulp Fiction soundtrack
I. Lamont | Boston | 12/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of those rare, skillful compilations that contains not a single clunker. The production is great, and the track list includes several brilliant songs by more obscure artists such as Supreme Beings of Leisure and Bebel Gilberto. My only issue is putting Yo Yo Ma in the first track; while it is a great classical recording I think it may falsely lead newcomers to think the rest of the compilation follows in the same vein."
GOOD
Dsc | New York City | 09/18/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Solid. Tasteful. Nice. It's everything you'd expect from a KCRW compilation - a nice break from all the low brow intelligence of Eminem or Destiny's Child and N'Sync."
Wonderful mix
Michael matlock | los angeles, ca United States | 04/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this CD as a thank you for becoming a KCRW member, and was skeptical. I wasn't a big fan of sounds eclectic, but this CD has changed my mind. It's a wonderful collection of all genres of music, and for that reason you never get bored listening to it. It's wonderful background music when you're reading, and equally appealing while driving through traffic. Highly recommended."