Dreams Beyond Control

1. Walk the Walk

2. Patterns in the Rain

3. Breakfast at Igor's

4. Waltz for Isabel

5. South Beach

6. Send Me One Line

7. Bahia

8. Kindred Spirit

9. Birks Law

10. Same Difference

11. Delicate Prey

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is a product used to test the functionality of CDNow order processing. This is the Fourth product. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Dreams Beyond Control,Spyro Gyra,Grp Records,Crossover Jazz,Fusion,Instrumental Pop,Jazz,Jazz Music,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Smooth Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

Tracks:

Walk The Walk
Patterns In The Rain
Breakfast At Igor's
Waltz For Isabel
South Beach
Send Me One Line
Bahia
Kindred Spirit
Birks Law
Same Difference
The Delicate Prey

Product Description

This is a product used to test the functionality of CDNow order processing. This is the Fourth product.

Customer Reviews:

A Dream To Forget........2004-10-25

You know how most people will say either they don't dream (which, by the way, is NOT true) or else they can't remember them; well, this album is one dream you DON'T want to remember!

I totally discount ALL reviewers that have not intensely listened to the entire catolouge of the group they're reviewing (but, of course, there are exceptions). I own the entire Spyro Gyra (SG) catolouge; accordingly, my individual ratings are based on the recording at hand, considering the group's entire catologue, not just one or two other albums. How on earth can anyone say something is "the greatest" when they have an incomplete basis for making such a ridiculous claim!

Music is subjective. All opinions I assert are my honest evaluations based on my likes and dislikes, as well as the group's total output.

This being the case, this is not a very good album.

First: if you'd told me the group was gathering people like the Tower Of Power Horns, Will Lee, and Lani Groves--I'd have thought we'd be in for one terrific recording. Well, these folks are on this cd, and, to say the least, the way they are used here is TOTALLY disappointing! And while I generally love Alex Ligertwood's vocals (especially his work with Santana!), they just don't work here. In fact, both vocal inclusions seem silly and totally out of place.

Second: the recording seems to have no idea of what it wants to say or where it wants to go. Most songs are not written by Jay, and perhaps this has something to do with it.

Third: aimless, general tunes, out of place vocals, lame and silly Jamaican/Caribbean/Reggae-like numbers are completely out of charcater for SG, and they are a rather embarrassing inclusion here, IMHO.

On the brighter side--Birks Law (written by Jay) is a decent tune.

In conclusion, this is one of the weaker efforts by what I consider a great group. I have been an ardent fan and follower of the group since their inception. I have seen them live many times. I admire Jay and his work. I generally like most SG songs. But (and it hurts me to say this) this is just not a very good album. There are much better SG albums available, and I would advise staying away from this recording until, at least, you've sampled many other SG albums.

Thanks for reading my reivew!

Rock on!

Summer Sounds!!!!!.......2004-08-07

This cd is too much criticized for its singing. This is really a great album. One of the greatest Spyro Gyra releases you can get. This is there most jazz influenced album, mainly with the appearence of Birks Law. Back to the vocals. When you think of it, there's only vocals on two tracks, one of them, Patterns In The Rain, is actually a great song. Come On! You can't live with one bad track. On a cd, there's going to be at least 12 tracks. One of them is bound to be a clinker. Anyway, the opener, Walk The Walk is the total essence of Spyro Gyra. Who ever called this album smooth jazz? Give me a break! With Patterns In The Rain, and South Beach, this cd just reminds me of summer. Mainly because I first got this cd in the summer and played it all day long, while I was outside in the pool, you know, all those summer things. Waltz For Isabel is absolutely beautiful. I can't believe what a bad rap this cd has, this is real Spyro Gyra. As good as it gets! And I'm not on drugs.

A review of Spyro Gyra's Dreams Beyond Control........2003-06-04

Dreams Beyond Control is a pretty good album by Spyro Gyra. It was released in 1993.(The mid-90's didn't have that good of Spyro Gyra music, in my opinion). This cd does have good tracks on it and has many relaxing and well-played solos. It isn't their best work, however. Especially considering the addition of vocals in today's modern jazz, including a couple of songs off of this record. The first one is good, though. In my opinion, the addition of certain vocals in today's jazz has made a lot of the music sound the same and has placed a stereotype on the genre. But that's a whole different story.

My top 3 favorite songs off of this record would be 8,10, and 11. Kindred Spirit is a beautiful and powerful song with fantastic piano playing by Tom Schuman. Same Difference is a great song with an extraordinary beat and tempo. The Delicate Prey has very good bass, guitar, and keyboard parts in it and is a good song.

All around, this is a pretty good release. However, the songs that are featured in the middle of this recording aren't that good. I don't know what happened in the thick of this cd. It is worth the purchase. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

Stylish and Sophisticated.......2002-06-23

Spyro Gyra is one taletned band and Dreams Beyond Control is no exception. Some people may criticize the vocal songs but they are not bad by any means. Its just the band broadening their horizons and Alex Ligertwood sings both with much emotion.

Nonetheless, the instrumental prowess of this fine band stands tall on many cuts especially Waltz For Isabel and Kindred Spirit. The piano solos on the later just blow me away. The Marimba touches on South Beach and Bahla are also worth noting. After a while many of the songs become quite tuneful.

It certainly soothes my needs so why not give it a try?

Swan Song ?.......2001-04-16

I've been a Spyrogra fan since I got they're 1980 release "Carnaval", which I bought because I liked the artwork and the name of the band sounded interesting. When I put it on, I was amazed how good it was. Each song had it's own distinct sound. I went out and bought they're three previous albums and every album since. "Dreams Beyond Control" is the last album I have purchased by them. I gave it 4 stars because like another reviewer I am NOT a fan of vocal jazz. With the absence of vibist/marimbaist Dave Samuels I feel the band lost a very difinitive voice in the Spyrogyra "sound". Subsequent albums seem to exhibit the trend of so many instrument jazz groups today, towards the "Kenny G" style of jazz that has no feel, no heart,and no distinct sound of its own. The instrumental cuts on this album are first rate, as good as any of their previous stuff. "Kindred Spirit" is a wonderful ballad reminding me of " Innocent Soul" from their "Rites of Summer" CD. If you enjoy the classic Spyrogrya sound as I do, check out "Island Stories" and "New Horizons" by Dave Samuels current band,the Carribean Jazz Project. You will not be disappointed.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

jazz music