Seeds and Pandora.com Radio Stations - Recommended Artists

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Station: “Classic Jazz”

Glenn Miller, Ron Carter, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Smith, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong

Station “Blues, Art & Prog Rock”

The Allman Brothers Band, The Flower Kings, Steve Morse, Spock's Beard, Journey, America, Chicago, Grateful Dead, Gipsy Kings, Asia, Styx, Eric Clapton, Ozric Tentacles, Genesis, Yes, Eric Johnson, Gentle Giant, T-Bone Walker, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Santana, Platypus, Steven Wilson, Dave Matthews Band, Steve Lukather, Jethro Tull, Marillion, Phish, Frank Zappa, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Van Der Graaf Generator, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Transatlantic (Prog), King Crimson

Station “Class, Celt, Bluegrass”

The Klezmatics, Agustín Barrios-Mangoré, Lenny Breau, Paco De Lucia, Andrés Segovia, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Hartford,Flatt & Scruggs, Bonnie Rideout

Station: “Jam, Fusion, & Jazz”

Medeski, Martin & Wood, Soulive, Herbie Hancock, Niacin, Al Di Meola, Dixie Dregs, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Tal Farlow, Joe Pass, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Mike Stern, Bill Frisell, Kevin Eubanks, Allan Holdsworth, Dennis Chambers, Tribal Tech, Herb Ellis, John Scofield, Pat Metheny

Station “Prog & Power Metal”

Platypus, OSI, Steve Vai, Richie Kotzen, Gordian Knot, Rage Against The Machine, Metallica, Sanctuary, Skid Row, Ozzy Osbourne, Tesla, Cacophony, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Guns N' Roses, Terry Bozzio, Derek Sherinian, Jordan Rudess, Bon Jovi, Poison, Helloween, Judas Priest, The Jelly Jam, Edguy, Queensryche, Angra, Jag Panzer, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Masterplan, Fair Warning, Vision Divine, Labyrinth, Gamma Ray, Place Vendome, Pretty Maids, At Vance, Silent Force, Royal Hunt, Riverside, Shadow Gallery, Fates Warning, Enchant, Threshold, Wolverine, Andromeda, Spheric Universe Experience, Sieges Even, Pagan's Mind, Circus Maximus, Vanden Plas, Redemption, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Symphony X, Lenny Kravitz, Ayreon, Kamelot, Vinnie Moore, Tony Macalpine, Primus, Motley Crue, Soundgarden, Planet X, Porcupine Tree, Rollins Band, Dream Theater, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, King's X, Anthrax, DragonForce, Magellan, Blind Guardian, Savatage, Nevermore, Iced Earth, James Labrie 

Station “Slammin’”

Suffocation, Death (Metal), Morbid Angel, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Slayer, Meshuggah, Dark Tranquillity, Testament, Opeth

Get Revitalized Versions of When Dream & Day Unite Instead of The Original

This version of When Dream and Day Unite should be thought of as one of Dream Theater nonessential releases.  It is most definitely a good album, but these songs have been revitalized elsewhere in Dream Theater's catalogue.  Highlights include "Status Seeker," "A Fortune in Lies," "Afterlife," "The Killing Hand," and "Only a Matter of Time."  I recommend either the Official Bootleg version of WD&DU instead and/or "Live at the Marquee."

Five Stars, 1.  Dream Theater by Dream Theater

Five Stars, 2.  Awake

Five Stars, 3.  Octavarium

Five Stars, 4.  Images and Words

Five Stars, 5.  A Dramatic Turn of Events

Five Stars, 6.  Systematic Chaos

Five Stars, 7.  Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory

Five Stars, 8.  Train of Thought

Five Stars, 9.  Falling Into Infinity

Four Stars, 10.  When Dream and Day Unite (I recommend getting either the Official Bootleg of this live with James LaBrie, or Live at the Marquee)

Four Stars, 11.  Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Four Stars, 12.  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (I recommend the totally awesome 4 Degrees of Radio Edits, or Score instead)

Review of Falling Into Infinity by Dream Theater

Falling Into Infinity is a bit softer than the music on some of Dream Theater’s other albums, but it does get a little heavy on the song “Peruvian Skies.”  Other highlights include “Hollow Years,” “Lines in the Sand,” and” Take Away My Pain.”  Detractions include “You Not Me,” and “Burning My Soul.”  However, overall Falling Into Infinity is a tremendous album.

Rated in order:

Five Stars, 1.  Dream Theater by Dream Theater

Five Stars, 2.  Awake

Five Stars, 3.  Octavarium

Five Stars, 4.  Images and Words

Five Stars, 5.  A Dramatic Turn of Events

Five Stars, 6.  Systematic Chaos

Five Stars, 7.  Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory

Five Stars, 8.  Train of Thought

Five Stars, 9.  Falling Into Infinity

Four Stars, 10.  When Dream and Day Unite - Get the "Official Bootleg - When Dream and Day Unite."  It is far better.

Four Stars, 11.  Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Four Stars, 12.  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence - Get the totally awesome "4 Degrees of Radio Edits," and/or "Score" instead.

Craig Hamilton’s Favored Eclectic Mix of Guitar Heavy Albums in Time for Holiday Shopping

Kings of Damnation Era by Black Label Society           20^th Century Masters by B.B. King

Prime Cuts by Shadow Gallery                                     Alive in America by Steely Dan

Full House by Wes Mongomery                                    Live at Yoshi’s by Pat Martino

Tribute by Ozzy Osbourne                                Birds of Fire by the Mahavishnu Orchestra

The Perfect Element by Pain of Salvation                       the Best of Santan by Santana

Coda by Led Zeppelin                                                   Parallax by Greg Howe

School Days by Stanley Clarke                                   Maximum Security by Tony MacAlpine

Greatest Hits of the 20^th Century by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Now by Lenny Breau                                                      It Is What It Is by Mike Stern

Departure by Gary Burton & Friends                              Another Lifetime by Simon Philips

Self-titled by Niacin                                                   Then Best of Chick Corea (Blue Note)

…And Justice for All by Metallica                                   Ride the Lightning by Metallica

Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden                                  7^th Son of a 7^th Son by Iron Maiden

Secrets by Allan Holdsworth                                          Metal Fatigue by Allan Holdsworth

Virtuoso 2 by Joe Pass                                                   Virtuoso 3 by Joe3 Pass

Fire Garden by Steve Vai                                                Sex and Religion by Steve Vai

The Abbey Road EP by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Uplift MOFO Party Plan by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Rust in Peace by Megadeth                                        United Abominations by Megadeth

Into the Electric Castle by Ayreon                                    The Human Equation by Ayreon

III Sides to Every Story by Extreme                                 II Pornograffitti by Extreme

Outbreak by Dennis Chambers                                        Uncle Moe’s Space Ranch

Poets and Madmen by Savatage                                      Handful of Rain by Savatage

Works for Me by John Scofield                                      Up All Night by John Scofield

The Divine Wings of Tragedy by Symphony X                 The Odyssey by Symphony X

Twilight in Olympus by Symphony X

Ten by Pearl Jam                                                              Yield by Pearl Jam

No Code by Pearl Jam

Bill Frisell, Dave Holland, Elvin Jones                                Blues Dream by Bill Frisell

Live by Bill Frisell

Greatest Hits by Queensryche                                            Empire by Queensryche

Here in the Now Frontier by Queensryche

Stardust We Are by the Flower Kings                                Retropolis by the Flower Kings

Back In the World of Adventures by the Flower Kings

Space Revolver by the Flower Kings                           The Rainmaker by the Flower Kings

In Absentia by Porcupine Tree                                     Lightbulb Sun by Porcupine Tree

Deadwing by Porcupine Tree                                    Grace for Drowning by Steven Wilson

Islands by King Crimson                                       Lark’s Tongues In Aspic by King Crimson

Red by King Crimson                                             The Power to Believe by King Crimson

In the Wake of Poseidon by King Crimson

In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson

Secret Story by Pat Metheny                                               99 00 by the Pat Metheny Trio

Speaking of Now by the Pat Metheny Group         Imaginary Day by the Pat Metheny Group

I Can See Your House from Here by John Scofield & Pat Metheny

Question and Answer by Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes

Like Minds by Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland

What If by the Dixie Dregs                                         Dregs of Earth by the Dixie Dregs

Industry Standard by the Dixie Dregs                              Full Circle by the Dixie Dregs

Free Fall by the Dixie Dregs                                       Unsung Heroes by the Dixie Dregs

Coast to Coast by Steve Morse                                   High Tension Wires by Steve Morse

The Raven That Refused to Sing by Steven Wilson

Black Clouds and Silver Linings by Dream Theater         Train of Thought by Dream Theater

A Dramatic Turn of Events by Dream Theater                  Dream Theater by Dream Theater

Metropolis PT.2: Scenes from a Memory                    Falling into Infinity by Dream Theater

Octavarium by Dream Theater                                                Awake by Dream Theater

4 Degrees of Radio Edits by Dream Theater                  Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater

When Dream and Day Unite by Dream Theater               Notes on a Dream by Jordan Rudess
Score disc 1 by Dream Theater                                 Suspended Animation by John Petrucci 

100 Disc Changer - A Better Mix

This is early, but I felt it was necessary to have a mix of cds that I like better. Usually, I only update this twice a year, but I made some major changes, and thought I would share.

List of Artists:

Flower Kings, Dream Theater, Steven Wilson, Led Zeppelin, Dixie Dregs, Metallica, Megadeth, Queensryche, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, John Scofield, Joe Pass, Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Ozzy Osbourne, Extreme, Ayreon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Symphony X, Pearl Jam, Steve Vai, John Coltrane, Black Label Society, Tool, Bela Fleck, Wes Montgomery, The Who, Herbie Hancock, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Soulive, King Crimson, Stanely Clarke, Niacin, Testament, Shadow Gallery, Radiohead, Pat Martino, B.B. King, King’s X, Bill Frisell, Deep Purple, Savatage, Tony MacAlpine, Allan Holdsworth

List of cds:

Allan Holdsworth - Secrets

Tony MacAlpine – Maximum Security

Savatage – Edge of Thorns

Deep Purple – Machine Head

Bill Frisell – Live

King’s X – Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

B.B. King – 20th Century Masters

Pat Martino – Live at Yoshi’s

Radiohead – OK computer

Shadow Gallery – Prime Cuts

Testament – The Ritual

Niacin – self-titled

Stanley Clarke – School Days

King Crimson – The Power to Believe

Soulive – Doin’ Something

The Mahvishnu Orchestra – Birds of Fire

Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles

The Who – Who’s Better Who’s Best: This Is the Very Best of the Who

Wes Montgomery – Full House

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones – Greatest Hits of the 20th Century

Tool – Aenima

Black Label Society – Kings of Damnation Era

John Coltrane – Impressions

Steve Vai – Sex and Religion

Pearl Jam – Ten

Pearl Jam - Yield

Symphony X – The Odyssey

Symphony X – Twilight In Olympus

Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Uplift Mofo Party Plan

Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Abby Road EP

Ayreon – The Human Equation

Ayreon – Into the Electric Castle

Extreme – II Pornograffitti

Extreme – III Sides to Every Story

Ozzy Osbourne – Tribute

Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon

Iced Earth – Days of Purgatory

Iced Earth – The Blessed and the Damned

Iron Maiden – Fear of the Dark

Iron Maiden – 7th Son of a 7th Son

Joe Pass – Virtuoso No. 3

Joe Pass – Virtuoso No. 2

John Scofield – Works for Me

The John Scofield Band – Up All Night

John Scofield & Pat Metheny – I Can See Your House from Here

Gary Burton - Departure

Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes – Like Minds

Pat Metheny – Speaking of Now

Pat Metheny – Secret Story

Pat Metheny Trio – 99 00

Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes – Question and Answer

The Pat Metheny Group – Imaginary Day

Queensryche – Greatest Hits

Queensryche – Here in the Now Frontier

Queensryche – Empire

Megadeth – Youthanasia

Megadeth – So Far so Good

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business

Megadeth – United Abominations

Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction

Megadeth – Rust in Peace

Metallica – Ride the Lightning

Metallica - …And Justice for All

Metallica – black album

Metallica – Kill ‘Em All

Steve Morse – Coast to Coast

Steve Morse – High Tension Wires

Dixie Dregs – Full Circle

Dixie Dregs – What If

Dixie Dregs – Industry Standard

Dixie Dregs – Free Fall

Dixie Dregs – Unsung Heroes

Dixie Dregs – Dreg’s of Earth

Led Zeppelin – Coda

Led Zeppelin – In Through the Out Door

Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning disc 1&2

Porcupine Tree – In Absentia

Porcupine Tree – Deadwing

Porcupine Tree – Lightbulb Sun

Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet

Steven Wilson – The Raven That Refused to Sing

Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events

Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Lining

Dream Theater – Systematic Chaos

Dream Theater – Awake

Dream Theater – 4 Degrees of Radio Edits

Dream Theater – Octavarium

Dream Theater – Falling Into Infinity

Dream Theater – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory

Dream Theater – Self-Titled

Jordan Rudess – Notes on a Dream

Dream Theater – Score disc 1

James LaBrie – Winter Rose

Dream Theater – Train of Thought

Dream Theater – When Dream and Day Unite

Flower Kings – Back in the World of Adventures

Flower Kings – Stardust We Are

Flower Kings –The Rainmaker

Flower Kings – Space Revolver

Mostly Sophisticated Summer Music Mix 2014

This is a list of the cds I have in my 100 disc changer.  It is not a top 100 list, but it is all good music that I recommend.  Usually, I have posted this list every 6 months or so, such that normally this would have been posted in the beginning of June.  However, I haven’t been able to listen to cds much lately because on humid days, which are frequent, the amplifier’s “Protect” function shuts down the amplifier, supposedly to prevent damage.

Porcupine Tree – Deadwing (discs 1 and 2)

Porcupine Tree – In Absentia (discs 1 and 2)

Porcupine Tree – Lightbulb Sun

Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet

Porcupine Tree – Coma Divine

Steven Wilson – The Raven That Refused to Sing

Steven Wilson – Grace for Drowning (disc 1 and 2)

Flower Kings – Space Revolver

Flower Kings – Stardust We Are (disc 1 and 2)

Flower Kings – Retropolis

Flower Kings – Back in the World of Adventures

Flower Kings – The Rainmaker

Dream Theater – Dream Theater

Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events

Dream Theater – Systematic Chaos

Dream Theater – Score (disc 1)

Dream Theater – Master of Puppets

Jordan Rudess – Notes on a Dream

An Evening With Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci

James LaBrie’s Mullmuzzler – Keep It to Yourself

Led Zeppelin – In Through the Out Door

Mix cd of Tony MacAlpine and Led Zeppelin

Wes Montgomery – Full House

Wes Montgomery – Fusion

Fates Warning – Chasing Time

Ozzy Osbourne – Tribute

Ozzy Osbourne – Bark at the Moon

Alice In Chains – Dirt

The Mighty Mighty BossTones – Devil’s Night Out

Megadeth – Youthanasia

Megadeth – United Abominations

Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction

Ayreon – The Human Equation (disc 2)

Ayreon – Into the Electric Castle (disc 2)

John Coltrane – First Meditations

John Coltrane – Impressions

John Coltrane – Live at Birdland

Poison – Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986 – 1996

Symphony X – Twilight in Olympus

Symphony X – The Odyssey

Stryper – Seven

Extreme – II Pornograffitti

Extreme – III Sides to Every Story

The John Scofield Band – Up All Night

John Scofield – Pick Hits Live

The Who – Who’s Better Who’s Best: This is the very best of the Who

Amazing Journey – Disc 1

Metallica – Kill ‘Em All

Metallica – Ride the Lightning

Metallica – black album

Steve Morse – Coast to Coast

Dixie Dregs – Industry Standard

Dixie Dregs – What If

Dixie Dregs – Free Fall

Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland – Like Minds

Pat Metheny - Secret Story

Pat Metheny Trio – 99 00

Rollins Band – End of Silence

Stanley Clarke – School Days

King Crimson – The Power to Believe

Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Abbey Road EP

Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Uplift Mofo Party Plan

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Freaky Styley

Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble – Greatest Hits

Soulive – Doin’ Something

Pantera – Far Beyond Driven

Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power

Phish – A Picture of Nectar

Steve Vai – Sex & Religion

Gil Evans Play Jimi Hendrix

The Mahavishnu Orchestra – Birds of Fire

King’s X – Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

Radiohead – OK Computer

B.B. King – 20^th Century Masters

Joe Satriani – The Extremist

Bozzio, Levin, Stevens – Black Light Syndrone

Roy Hargrove – The Vibe

Herbie Hancock – Empyrean Isles

Green Day – Dookie

Niacin – Niacin

Testament – The Ritual

Transatlantic – smpte

Fear Factory – Transgression

Platypus – When Pus Comes to Shove

James LaBrie – Winter Rose

Death – Individual Thought Patterns

The Guitar Artistry of Charlie Byrd

Pearl Jam – Yield

Deep Purple – Machine Head

Joe Pass – Virtuoso 2

Gorilla Biscuits – Start Today

Queensyrche – Here in the Now Frontier

Tool – Aenima

Bill Frisell – Live

Black Label Society – Kings of Damnation Era

Savatage – The Wake of Magellan

Craig’s Picks: Dream Theater’s Studio Albums Rated as of June 2014

From Best to Least Best

Five Stars, 1.  Dream Theater by Dream Theater

Five Stars, 2.  Awake

Five Stars, 3.  Octavarium

Five Stars, 4.  Images and Words

Five Stars, 5.  A Dramatic Turn of Events

Five Stars, 6.  Systematic Chaos

Five Stars, 7.  Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory

Five Stars, 8.  Train of Thought

Five Stars, 9.  Falling Into Infinity

Five Stars, 10.  When Dream and Day Unite

Four Stars, 11.  Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Four Stars, 12.  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (I recommend the totally awesome 4 Degrees of Radio Edits, or Score instead)