Customer Reviews

Toy Matinee

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first heard the song "The Ballad of Jenny Ledge" on an AOR station about ten years ago or so. Immediately I called my local CD shop to have them special-order it. This disc is absolutely first-rate....pop? I guess you could call it pop, although it's much more adventurous than most pop. "Jenny Ledge", "Things She Said", and "Remember My Name" are absolutely magical songs, but there's not really a shoddy song in the whole bunch. I don't really know how to explain the music except to say that it's accessable enough to actually get FM airplay, yet contains alot of twisted harmony and really grabs your ears. Those die-hard ELP, old Yes, old King Crimson or bust folks probably wouldn't get into it, but if you want top-notch, heartfelt, and at times unbelievably clever songwriting, snatch this up before it goes out of print.

I am not going to comment on the quality of this CD or it's content. Read the other reviews for that. I just want to clarify to anyone who might buy this that this is NOT a DVD-Audio disc. There exists no encoding on this disc that you can access with a DVD-Audio player that you cannot access with a regular DVD player. In fact, this is technically not even a DVD. It has no menus, and the DVD remote has no effect other than play, FF, Rew, etc. This is an audio CD encoded in DTS 5.1. That's it. I have a Pioneer 578A which plays every type of disc there is, and it identifies it as such. When I insert a disc, it will say on the front panel, "DVD", "DVD-Audio", "CD", "VCD", "SVCD", "MP3", "SACD", etc. When I insert this disc, it says "CD". I even put it in my portable boombox, and while it obviously could not play it (it was all static), it did recognize the number of tracks and the total time of the CD when I inserted it.
So yes, a DVD player with DTS is required to play this disc, but it is NOT a DVD-Audio disc. It does play through my DVD 6-ch analog inputs (used for true DVD-Audio), but it is only playing what is already being encoded from the player itself.

First, I should say that this is indeed a DVD, not a CD. It is actually a DVD-Audio, which means that it is meant to be played on DVD-Audio players. It does play on a normal DVD player, it just sounds as good as the CD...unless you have DTS, then it really becomes something magical. This is the first DTS music DVD I have owned and I'm dying to try more. I DO NOT have a DVD-Audio player, but it still sounds great with just the normal DVD in DTS.

If you don't know about Toy Matinee, you're in for a real treat. Check out the reviews on the Toy Matinee CD and see how great everyone thinks it is. Kevin Gilbert was a tremendous talent and this is one of his and Patrick Leonard's finest examples of that. If you have a DVD with DTS, this is really a must have DVD. I can't think of a better way of demonstrating a great entertainment system then with one of the best CD's played in DTS! Make sure to try to find the rest of Kevin Gilbert's stuff. It's not easy to find most of it, but Thud is available here on Amazon.

The CD blew me away when I first heard it. I didn't think a DTS remaster could be THAT much better. Boy was I wrong. With the rythem parts coming from the rears as well as amny of the backing vocals, making good use of the center channel as well as much crisper, cleaner bass. Wow. Kevin Gilbert never sounded so good. Also of note, this CD is actually a DVD Audio disc. It has: DTS 5.1 and DOlby Digital 2.0 for regular DVD players, as well as an enahanced 5.1 for DVD Audio players.

If you have a DTS decoder in your home theater, this is a must own CD! Reminesant of Jars of Clay, but without religion. A true audio treat. Uplifting, powerful, precise, and melodic.

I was lucky enough to find this gem on the $... rack almost ten years ago, and nothing I've purchased before or since can even come close to measuring up to the polish, dedication and poetry I found on this album. Kevin Gilbert is in my opinion the best lyricist in the modern era - so if you enjoy this album, I'd recommend his solo album, Thud. It's a little bit darker and moodier than Toy Matinee, but it has it's poignant moments as well. Snag this album if you get the chance, you will not be disappointed.

this disc first blew me away when released in the early 90s, and the remix is like rediscovering this amazing recording!!

The production is pristine, and in particular the isolation of second and third guitar and keyboard parts in the rear channels is very cool brilliant remix of one of the best disks in the last 10 years

The sound is thick lush yet defined the spaciality of the mix will captivate it is this kind of recording and production for which DTS lives! I predict that it will be one of the most played discs in your collection, if not the one you use to show off your DTS rig! If you loved the disc the first time around, and/or if you are looking for a disc to take your DTS system to task in the most wonderful way.. order this one immediately!!

Kevin Gilbert was an absolutely masterful musician. This CD is filled with eclectic and sublime. Toy Matinee is a cornicopia of styles and sounds with astronomical highs and wrist slashing lows. I first bought it in 1991 after hearing "Last Plane Out" on WPLR in Connecticut,I have been hooked ever since. It is one of those CD's that you feel compelled to listen to from first song to last. I Once lent it to a friend of mine who is a Bass player, he immediately petitioned his band to do a cover of "Jenny Ledge". It is a sad state of affairs when a gem like this suffers in obscurity, while we are bombarded daily with some of the absolute embarrassments of today's radio hits. Buy this CD you won't be disapponted.

This disc was being demoed at a store when I first heard it. After hearing only 1 verse, I had to buy it. Now, every time I throw it on for a song, I end up listening to the entire recording. Although the original recording was done in 1990, you'll be astonished at the clarity, sound effects (multi-channels galore!) and the production. The music itself, in terms of songwriting and musicianship is unbelievable. Everything about this is absolutely brilliant!! If you have DTS and appreciate good music- this is a wonderful purchase. This DTS disc should rock your system and touch your soul. R.I.P. Kevin Gilbert!!!

I have owned this CD and DVD several times over. Unfortunately, it continues to be stolen or disappear from my collection. The first time I purchased this CD was in the early 90's when a friend of mine told me about the best CD he had ever heard.

The second time I lost this CD, I searched and searched for another copy and stumbled on the DVD at one of the big box retailers. It was discounted and discontinued. What a find!!! I snatched it up, took it home and immediately popped it into my DTS enabled sound system.

DTS was made for Toy Matinee. The best way that I can describe this album is that it swirls. I have several other DTS albums, but none compare. Toy Matinee engulfs the listener and takes them on a happy roller coaster ride of sound and imagination.

I have once again lost my Toy Matinee DVD and am searching for another copy. This album, especially in DTS, would be my #1 Desert Island Disc.