title: Chamber Music from St. Martin-in-the-Fields

text:
01-19-14  This very nice CD from the Philips folks features  a string quartet from the famous Academy of St. Martin -in-the-Fields collaborating with principal winds of that splendid orchestra.  the soloists are Anthony Pay, Clanrinet,  Neil BLACK, OBOE AND TIMOTHY BROWN, FRENCH HORN.  THE TOTAL RECORDED TIME IS 68:24.  THE QUINTET FOR CLARINET ASND STRINGS IS THE LONGEST WORK HERE, BY A WIDE MARGIN, AND DEMONSTRATES MOZART'S INITIAL WORK FOR THEIS NEW INSTRUMENT, AS HE WOULD SOON WRITE HIS CLARINET CONCERTO.  BUT, FOR NOW, IT'S A chamber piece.
  The slow intro, unmarked in the instructions, opens the piece with a HAydnesque melody of beautiful melancholey, and dreaminess.  For unknown reasons, this entire movement is taken in andante, at best annd perhaps even "quasi adagio," but, this slower pace allows the evocative beauty of the clarinet to come out from behind and amongst the strings.  These musicians are some of the mosat accomplished in Europe and elsewhere and it is clear that they move and function as a single organism.  I am all for this approach, drawing ensembles from a common orchestra, nbot commonm in terms of talent, mind you, but in familiarity.  Then, select other lead chairs as soloists and bingo, you have a tight, cohesive and bloody delightful pewrformance.  No strangers here, and no inflated paychecks for the record companies, either.  ytrghthese works wereoriginally taped in Sept. of 1979 in London and remeastereds some time thereafter.  the 2nd movement Largetto begins with a lovely and evocative clarinet solo before the lead violin of Iona Brown enters to repeat the theme.  The rest of the group offer murmurring strings and the mood is truly pastoral and even a tad dark.  Dreamy melancholey is a mannerism Mozart handles well, as he is very effective at reflecting.  The stillness of the music rivets our attention to the musicians as we are enchanted and captivated by this beautifully mezmerizing music.  The 3rd movement Menuetto runs 7:40 and after the theme is presented twice, the instrumewnts break up into individual parts, and the conversation is on.  Gracefull and lilting, this waltz like piece makes it's rounds before a trio appears.  A subtle trio steps in around the 04:21 to 05:30 point as thisa music never speed up much.  The finale is a theme and variations , with the string quartet stating the theme and then beginning a few varations with the clarinet emerging from the striongs.  Again, evocative and colorful ideas are presented ion this concluding 9:50 section.  Wonderfully plaYED CLARINET QUINTET WITH GOOD 1979 SOUND.  A CLEARLY SUPERIOR PRERFORMANCE FROM THE ASMF COLLEGUES, AND I OFFER IT A HIGH 4.5 SRTAR RATING.  excellent, in everyway.

  The next work is a Quintet for French Horn and strings, K.407, it is in E-Flat and dates from _______  when the composer was a mere______ years old.  Running timein this work is half that of the clarinet composition, and tops out at 17:44.  unison playing opens the beginning AllegroWhereas the allegro of the Clar. Qn. was slower and stately, this Allegro suits the tempo marking better and displays more forward motion than it's predecessor.  In fact, this music sounds , to me, like a work that may have been a concerto sketch  as it has several concertante ideas.  Is Mozart thinking symphoniclly?  I think so, yes.  and the result is delightful in mood.  The horn maitains it's unobtrusive character as the balance here is exquisite.  The 3 movement quintet continues with a plaintive andante, gently unfolding in 7:27.  This is warm, loving and quite comforting music ..It is not the least bit passive as the horn weaves a delicate melody above trhe quartet of accompaning strings.  mozart, always at his best, is frequently even better in dreamy flowing music, and this movement is a perfect example of that very thing.  A quickstep allegro concludes this K.407, written in ____ at the age of ____.  Again, the ASMF players take the allegro slower than one would expect, but, again as in the first piece on this Philips CD, it works just fine.  I wonder what Mozart say.  I have no proof, mind ytouy, but I think he would be accepting of this approach.  A very fine recorded performance and another full 4.5 star award.

  The Oboe Quartet in F, K.370 wraps up this disk.  Oboist Neil Black and a string trioStephen Shingles, viola and cellist Anthony Jenkins are joined, most likely by ther ASMF's 1st chair Iona Brown, concertmistress and a frequent soloist in ASMFs recordings.  I thought the oboe could use a little more boost in volume as it is a bit faint, but the playing is, naturally, perfect as is everything this wonderful orchestra touches.  I would say the orchestra of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is the number one chamber orchestra in the world.  Certainly, the mostrecordedI am unable to name ANY corner of the repertoire they DON'T cover.  the 4:11 aDAGIO IS TRHE MOST BEAUTIFUL SLOW MOVEMENT ON THE CD, AND ONCE AGAIN IT IS WONDERFULLY MYSTERIOUS AND EVOCATIVE.  I DISLIKE BEING SO REPEATITIOUS, BUT,  how else to describe the virtuosity of these splendid musicians.  The ending Rondeau, in allegro, is a catchy little tune I've heard somewhere before but can't put my finger on it as of now.  Pure whimsy and smiles, is is gay, light and bouncey, with a tempo that works perfectly.
  Two final considerations, please.  Number one, this recording is abesolutely terrific in every way, as this music is played as well as on any other disk on the planet.  the second point is that I am all for chamber ensemble draw fvrom the "hgome orchestra" because of the individual musician's familiarity with each other.  this makes for a level of coperation that is unbeatable.  Big name instrumentalists, brougfht togather for a recording session, only to split up after the work is done, temps the "stars" to try and grab more of the spotlight, which I guess is natural, them being concertante soloists most tof the time.  As a native Chicagoan, I can recall several CSO concerts featuring first chair musicians as soloists, and because they work togather almost daily, their concerto roles are very fine indead.  Why, one of the best performance of the Brahms Concerto for violin and Cello, featuring front row violinist and cello was a highlight of our years at regular CSO concerts.  AND, I ALSO RECALL A SAN JOD\SE SYMPHONY TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLINC CONCERTO WITH THE TOP PRICED ITZAAK PERLMAN AS SOLOIST.  IT WAS SPECTACUALRLY ORDINARY AND HE EVEN REFUSED AN ENCORE, WHICH CREATED A DISCONTENTED BUZZ IN THE AUDIENCE.  OUR SEATS WERE IN THE CHEAPEST SECTION, BUT WE STILL HAD TO ANTI UP FOR $25.  I'LL NEVER paid fvor a name again, nor would I in the future.  I learned my lesson.  But, the lesson here is buy this disk, TODAY.  before it disappeares, add it to your library and enjoy wonderful ASMF musicians.  happy years of listening, best regards and God Bless you, all.  Tony.


title: SZELL THE PERFECTIONIST, AZGAIN

text:
01-20-14  Wee, Szell"s at it aGAIN1  HE NEVER CHANGES!! HERE HE IS DOING YET ANOTHER bang up job on a Beethoven work.  These are the symphonies numbers 2 aqnd 5, recorded in Severence Hall in October of 1964 and made availabvle on the discount Essential Classics labe of Columbia records.  As is c uxstomary from zzCOLUMBIA, THE PACKAGING IS SCANT AND THE NOTES USUALLY FAIRLY GOOD, BUT THE ATTRACTION. OF COURSE, IS SZELL, CLEVELAND AND BEETHOVEN.  'NUFF SAID.  The maestro plays through the 2md in routine time, 31:31 and the 5th in 31:34Taped kust a few days apart, the timings feel just right and the fleetness of the youthful 2nd is refreshing .
  Typically, a composer writes his first symphony at a young age, bursting with excitement and egerf to show what he can do.  Hence, he often makes some mistakes, tempi, nuNCES INSTRUMENT COMBINATIONS ETC., ETC.  SECOND SYMPHONIES ARE GENERALLY AN IMPROVEMENT AS THE COMPOSER HAS BENEFITTED, HOPEFULLY, FROM CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, Advice from friends and listeners and fellow musicians.  Brahms and Bruckner don't count when it comes to 1st symphonies, they were already in their Middle Ages when they debuted their first's for readsons we all know about.  Famous second symphonies include those by Brahms, Tchaikovsly, Sibelius, Nielsen, Rachmaninnoff, and, of course, Gustav Mahler.  The last being, operhaos, the most famous and most respected of the field.  Beethoven's 1st Symphony in  was already a jewel of the repertoire, though the contemporary populaace didn't quite get it.  Not really much reason for an "improvement-symphony", if you get my drift.  In fact, Number two could and does stnad all on it's own.
  Szell's choice of tempo, in Beethoven especially, usually seems to me to be on target.  I rarely feel as if he is too fast or too slow.  In fact, I've grown to believe his is the definative approach.  I can't quite put my foinger on it, but if I were asked to provide a selection of Beethoven Symphonies for the rookie, Szell's readings would be at or near the top of the rather long list of "recommended".  He hs several imitators, but no real rivals that I can think of.  The Bonn MAster often used trhe tempo marking of "Allegro con brio" in his works and Szell seems to have a monopoly on it, as here, in this recording, he proves his mastery and I suspect the composer is smiling at us, even now in Heaven.  To this day, orchestral musicians who played under Szell still wonder at his precision and detail, as well as his no fooling around attitudes with great music.  His work with the Cleveland was noble, refined and very praiseworthy.  He turned a provincial orchestra into a WORLD CLASS ENSEMNLE.  AND, HE DID IT WITH EVERYTHING HE TOUCHED.  No exceptions.  Not a one!  A colletion of all Beethoven symphonies, on these Essential Classic disks is a must, regardless of price.  Others are fine, too, but be not without this great conductor.  The "Largehetto" is just a wee bit quick, but certainly not rushed.  I can hear every utterance and every phrase, ALL the time and that is not what many conductors accomp[lish.  Try as the do, often one gets the notion that the session is too routine, and even boring for the artists performing this 2nd Symphony.  If I were an H.GH.Wells time traveler, I'd go bvack to Cleveland on October 23, 1964 an ask the meastro, "is number 2 as important as number 5?"  I believe he would say "yes," as far as recording, it is."The task at hand.  With George Szell it is always the "task at hand" that matters.  And, he is right, absolutely right!
  The short and very fleet of foot is the 3:37 "Scherzo. Allegro" 3rd movement.  Over the years of listening, reading and studying "the symphony" I ahve noticed the adjective most associated with the great Szell is "precision."  There are many others but precision id the talent he has becomemost revered honored for.  Thjis scherzo is a perfect example of precision.  Why, the trio runs from 01:44 to 02:42 aND IS SO CLEARLY IDENTIFYABLE EVEN A NOVICE LIKE MYSELF CAN FOLLOW IT.  MORE WORDS THAN  THESE WOULD ONLY BE REDUNDANT.
  The symphony closes with an "Allegro molto" of 6:16, and trhere is NO degridation of energy or brightness here.  He sees the work through to it's natural conclusion.  As I type these words, I find myself silently saying,"it all fitds, doesn't it?"  How wonderful and how fitting it all is.  Szell.Clevelad Beethoven, a recipie for delightful music making, and now on to number 5.
  The Symphony #5 in c-minor is , arguably, perhaps his most famous and most played masterpiece.  HOWEVER< I have an arguement.  I wiull begin by saying, it is not a crime to believe the 5th is NOT his finest work.  No, in fact, I reserve that praise for the 3rd, the "Eroica," whichj is the compsers best symphony and one of the three greatest symphonies of all-time.  The other two?  Well, here are some candidates:  Schubert's 8th,  Mopzart's 40thHaydn's "Suprise," and a few "dark horses," like the Brahm's d-minor 4th, the Schubert 9th in C-Major and, a REAL ark-horse, the Dvorak Symphony in G-Major, the number 8.  And, who is trhe conductor of the best 9th?  WHy, none other than George Szellhimslef, on EMI.  PLease comment, friends, as I'd like to hear your responses.  I could write a huge essay on the "Eroica," but not here and not now.  Sufice it to say, I do believe something ZI have never heard anyone else say, and that is this sentence, "I think Beethoven wrote himself out, after the 3rd Symphony."  Now, that is heresy, sheer heresy to even whisper this idea.  But, I DO believe this is true.
  Szell giv e the 5th Symphony the same high quality attention the 2nd gets, no mopre no less.  The weight of the motto theme's attacks is balanced and rational and I never got the impression that the 2nd Symphony is merely "filler" for thew 5th.  Not t all.  And, this is a key reason that explains the maestro's greatness, he is very democratic" in his view and execution of music.  I don't have his 4th Symphony in this series, yet, but whatever the "other" symphony that it is coupled with I am confident got the same fair treatment.  I have, over the years, pretty much memorized the entire cycle, but, I admit, I am less familiar with numbers 1, 2 and 4, so this CD is a learning tool for me, and if for no other reason, I admire these "Essential Classic" disks.  In hearing the first movement, I again notice the marking "Allegro con brio," and through sheer repitition, I drive it home to my brain the truth about this great work.  The instrumentation for the 2nd is the classic arrangement of 2 each of winds, horns and trumpets, timpani and strings.  The 5th adds a third trumpet, 3 trombones and a piccolo and a contrabassoon.  Both Symphonies cross the line at about the 31:30 mark but the sound and effect is quite diffewrent.  Most folks who say they love the 5th, can only hum out that 4 note motiff aND NOTHING ELSE.  YET, AS WE know, there is so much more music that just a few seconds.  The 5th was written between 1804-08 and the premiere did not fare as well as did the 2nd.  The reason?  Well, the December 22, 1808 Theater an der Wein premiere included the 6th Symphony, the concert aria "Ah, perfido," the 4th Piano Concerto, the Gloria," "Sanctus" and "Benedictus" from the Mass in C-Major, some piano improvisations by the composer/conductor aND ENDED WITH THE "CHORAL FANTASY."  THE LAST IS A WORK THAT REMINDS ONE OF THE EPIC 9TH, YET SOME YEARS IN THE FUTRE.The long program, the coldness of the hall and some tehcnical errors by the musicians added to the less than successful evening.  The concert was dedicated to his patron, Count Lichowsky and it was a "benefit concert" financially for Beethoven.  Such an event like this would be impossible today, although I would be first in line for tickets.
  The 2nd movement is an "Andante con moto," or "moderate with motion."  It is the heart of the Symphony, lasting 10:01 in Szell's hands.  The appearance of the trumpets and trombones are held nicely held in check by Maestro Szell, himself a master interpreter.  I snicker silently as I recall all the hype of this  noble work, and I wish people would give this entire composition all the attention that I try to do.  If listeners would make the effort, they would surely find that the real value of the Symphony in c-minor is, very much, the sum of all the different parts, and not just some catchy theme, used, as in the D-Day film "The Longest Day" where supposedly, this 4 note statement is rep[resented as a rallying caLL  fore thew attacking Allies, as "dot-dot-dot---dash."
  For me, the combined writting for the two remaining Allegros of 5:30 and 8:32 are the best parts of this symphony, much better than the "victory" motiff, at the works first few seconds.Szell's control as he descelerates from track 7 down tothe rising track 8 is a s fine as I have ever heard.  Simply marvelous.  The trension is almost unbearable and, even though we know what is coming, we marvel at it nonetheless.  this brilliant transition is the "acid-test" for this c-minor masterpiece and, for that matter, for all of Beethoven.  If you frec ognize, understand and deem this little detail as one should, then youy are well on youyr way of becoming a true admorerer of Ludwig von Beethgoven.  I started studying Beethoven in the early 1970's and I will now admit that this argument for this transition didn't become clear to me untill only about 10-15 years ago.  So, it's not as if I were some kind of authority on his music.  I simply began slowly piecing it all togather, aznd I realized that I had discovered something no one else knew.  How foolish I was but that is why music is such a blessing from God, we learn something wonderful each and eveyt day.  Marvelous perfformance and equally fine music.  The brightest 5 stars in the heavens, in God's sparkling night universe.  Highest recommendations and I only wish I could give it more praise than allowed by this site.  As for price---WHAT A DEAL< WHAT a STEAL.  get yous today.  With warmest regards, and wishing all of God's Blessings on you, Tony.


title: Good Things Come in Small Packages!!

text:
01-05-14  This review's title was never more azppropriate then in this case, the Violin  Saonati of Johannes Brahms written in three differncnt phases of his lifeback  Back in the mid-90's I suddenly and all of a sudden dcecided it was time I learned some chamber music because my only musical tastes were for Orchestral musicv and i thought I neeeded to explore the smaller gift of a composer.  Because of my love for and admiration of Brahms, he seemed lik e perfect place to start.  I made a cannon-ball run to the local Tower Records store up the peninsule towards San Francisco and returned home with his quartets, by the Alban Berg Quartet, and the 3 violin sonati in a live Sony disk with Stern and Bronfman, from ZMoscow.  They were poorply revorded, ,iced too close, but I got the musicv ok and liked very much what I was hearing.  Two very fine Jewish musicians with that sort of special gift of lyricism that it seems to me all jewish artists have.  No problem with ethnicity, just that this culture has a ton of great performers and many of them are househod names now.  And, RIGHTLY so.  My wife and I, Thelma, to whom I have been married to for 39 years this past Christmas Eve, heard Itzach Perlman play the Tchaikovsky violin concert with the San Jose Symphony, as a special one night only performance.  I bought tickets on the first day they ewwere qavai;lable.  They cost us $25.00 each and we sat in the top row of the 2 tier performing arts center, with fine acustics.  Perlamn's reading was quite ordinary but the audiance exzploded at the end, believing they were hearing , perhsps Joachim or Heifitz.  As the ovation turned rhythmic and stomping and chanting for MORE! Perlman failed to appear for what we thought for sure would be an encore, for jis adoring public.  Instead, he tossed a white towel onto the stage, to signify he was done.  This met with an uneast y.  The Csan Jose newspaper's music critic the nexst day implied in his column that Perlman's fee could of easily been around $^0,000, or so, and we bioth felt taken and somewhat betrayed.  At least Mr. Perlman could of given us moreAfter the concert there was a reception to meet the "great one" and , for a hefty price , enjoy cocktails with his "majesty."  We passed, as you could imagine.  And, I must say, my admiration level dropped a few notches that evewning.  It hasn't risen much since that event but, I have never questioned his enormous talent and numerous gifts.  It seems as trhough , there is nothing he cannot do, and do perfectly, except be gracious to a kind, courteous and devoted fan base.  If given the opportunity to do this again, I believe I would take a pass.  Too bad.
  The three sonati contained on this EMI CD werer recorded in March 20 thru 23 of 1983 for an Angel LP and remastered 1985.  The sound is warm, clean and properly spacious and, along with his close friend and collegue VLadimir Ashkenazy, piano play as one but always present their artistry as a two men  playing masterpieces for violin and piano.  With these pieces, they truly are violin AND piano, or piano AND violin.  I can't say, with the possible exception of Mozart or Beethoven, I've heard such exquisite writting for each instrumenmt, instead of  just a supporting role of average music.  Far from it.  So, let's give them a listen.
  The Sonata for violin and Piano in G #1 Op. 78 was written in Portschach in the summer of 1878-79.  It was known as the Rain" Sonata and was first performed by Brahms and Joseph Joachim  in 1879.  It runs, in this recording for a generous 27:02 .  The three movements are a "Vivace ma non troppo," an "Adagio," and a concluding "Allegro molto moderato."  The opening "Vivace,,,,," is played at a much more relaxed pace and is nothing like the instructions call for.  That would be way too fast, in fact  it sounds much more natural at the allegro ma non troppo that these artists employed.  I honestly thought it a misprint in the booklet, but checking other sources proves it to be so.  Gladly, Ashkenazy and Perlman, whom I'll abreviate to A/P (L.O.L.) if no one minds.  The rich main theme rolls out like an unfolding flower with grace and beauty.  While P strings a lovelt melody in a steady tempo, A fdlits allaround with piano arabesques in and out of the fore and background.  These fine artists quickly establish their personal domain but come togather in several places for delightful unison phrases.At about 3:33, Mr. P turns to plucked strings as Mr. A takes the mainm theme in his hands and carries it for a while.  This gentle music is soothing and restive in it's charm and sweetnessand the lyricism is intense but never haRSHLY SO.  Like a pair of birds they soar up into their own individsual orbits above our heads, but with each flight, they land togather on another branch of the tree of harmony.  It is easy to hear that the great, or I should say the GREATEST V IOLIN CONCERTO ever, the D-Major immediately preceded this divine 1st Sonata, and Joachim, with whom the composer gave this work it's premierewas fresh from the premiere of that treasure known as the Violin Concerto.  Oddly, I came to the appreciation of the Concerto late in life, and when I DID memorize it, I wonderd where it had been all trhose years.  I swore then, never to procrastinate over a Brahms piece again no matter how ling I lived.  I easily recall hiow taken I was with both oif the Piano Concerti, and for good reasons, for they too are the masterpieces they hav e alwasy been regarded to be.  The gorgeous Adagio 2nd movement is another rich, full 8:03 and it's rapturous harmony has us hanging on every note, almost with hypnitic effect.s.  If I were a composer, I should think myself very proud to have written such an exquisite work, and this is only ONE of the three violin sonati he did write..  In the 3-4 minute range or so, Brahms builds the drama up to a controlled and dignified beauty that is wonderfully touching in it's personal appeal.  Is he thinking of his dear departed Robnert Schumann or his lifelong love and devotion to his widow, the gentle and i,,ensely talented Clara?  Hard to say, but if I DID guess wrong, it could and should be overlooked because it makes perfectly good sense that this was the case.  The slow movement, I  think does end a tad too abruptly but this is a small quibble.  The concluding Allegro molto moderato is another fairly long movement of 8:15 and it displays the same flowing tunefulness of the opener.
  Now for a short digression, if you will.  In baseball, a batter who gets a hit 3 out of every 10 at bats, is a .soo hitter, which is considered quite good.  Do that over 20-25 years and even with good and bad years, you still average >300 every yearand you will likely end up in the hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.  This is the dream of nearly every American boy, since the beginnin g of this past Century, since the "Hal" ws founded in _______.  ALL the greats are there, Ruth ,Gerhig<, Di Maggio, Cobb, Aaron, Williams, Yastremski etc., etc., and so on.  Brahm perhaps wasn't successful on maybe 3 times per 10, but he DID get a hit, often a BIG one 7 out of 10 timeswhich is something impossible for any ballplayer of any era to even contemplate doing.  Using this analogy, even though it may sound as though it's coming out of "left field," may sound corney, yes, it is, it does shed some light on this whole idea about real greatness on men when it comesdown to numbers.  As we always say, "numbers don't lie," and if so, the num,bers Brahms put uyp are truly astounding, and beyond belief.  But don;t take my word for it, but prove it to yourself.  Get these sonati, with these gentrlemen and you decide.  I think you'll agree, perhsps with the analogy, perhsps not, but you WILL see the enormous quality of the composer's output.  I should like to, now, pose a theological question to you all, Will we ever see "another ZBrahms" in our lifetime.  We probably won't since it seem so fantastick , even to an idealist such as myself, but who knows?!  If God wishes it, It will happen, if He does not wich it, it shall not be.  But, just for a fleeting and tantilizing moment of fantasy, imagine we do get another Johannes Brahms in ouw midst, how wonderful it would be.  I think I'LL PRAY ON IT.  THSANK YOU, FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
  the second Sonata is in A, is Op. 100 and it's composition was interupted by the writting of the Concerto Op. 102 for violin and cello in d-minmor, one of the few works of the master I am cool on.  Perhsps I will come to appreciate it more as I age.  I hope some day to understand it more.  But, for now, I'llt take it as it is.  Time will tell, as it did with his Violin Concerto.  The opening movement is an "Allegro amabile," a strange marking meaning"fast and loveable".  What music of Brahms is NOT loveable?  Odd, for such a description, I  can't say I have seen this one before, but there it is.  Is it loveable? well, Iguess it is, hence I take the composer at his word.  The main theme has the same flowing smoothness as the G-major's beginning, so we should recall that music.  this materila is quiote lyrical and welcomingand smacks of a serenade with an added touch of personal appeal.  Brahms is speaking to each if us in this music and we should jus\t relax and let it flow into our hearts.  Don't try to analyze the daylight s out of it, just lean back and listen.  This is one oif the keys to enjoying Brahms, relax and simply listen, it will come and, like a ripe apple it will fall.  This music is a bit stronge rthan much of what we have alrady heard, but it is still of a very lyrical nature.
  TO BE CONTINUED.....................................................


title: awesome

text: LOVED it!  awesome!!


title: Great but missing one

text: This is a great collection of hits from the very well known Genesis front man and soloist Phill Collins, the only song that is missing and should have definitely been in here is Easy Lover with Phil Collins and Philip Bailey.


title: Awesome

text: I love this collection.  Even though I do not speak Hebrew it speaks to my soul.  Amazing musicians.


title: Five Stars

text: The great music and lirycs


title: Andrea Bocelli bombs the whole Requiem

text:
I'm giving this CD a 5-stars because Valery Gerviev interprets this work better than the Toscanini version that I owned. About Bocelli, hell who could've thought who's-who's in charge of the production were thinking? It's like casting Charlotte Church for Salome! I guess the reasont this CD gets poor reviews are simply because of ANDREA BOCELLI alone. Give this CD a spin and forget the Andrea Bocelli bias.
The whole Requeim is better than Toscanini's due to the fact that this performance is darker and has more of a melancholic feel than Toscanini's. I felt Toscanini's Requeim felt like a typical Verdi opera. Gerviev's vision along with Kirov Orchestra shaped up a genuinely "Requiem" feel of this work. I love "Quid Sum Miser" which is more Puccini than Verdi, along with Lacrimosa and Libera Me. Despite the fact I feared Fleming and Borodina might sound like another typical pop-artist like Bocelli, they had the depth and voice which supplimented this work over the glarious "flaw" of Bocelli's casting.
Finally, I'm not really a fan of Verdi's operas. If you're a true Verdi fan, you might want to stay away from this recording. This recording of Requeim has more inspiration of Shostakovich and Puccini than of Verdi.


title: Timeless

text: I recently played this cd after many years in storage and am sorry it has been hiding in plain sight for so long. Two masters effectually using the rag as a lift off to transcendence. These two found a kindred spirit in each other and performed and recorded together for decades. I was lucky enough to see them perform and this recording reminds me of that. The level of playing is astounding and being that many of Shivkumar’s recordings are becoming harder to find since his passing this is a great recording available at a good price. I think the negative comments here might not be familiar with the Santúr or else they are hearing something different within the Hindustani tradition. Rhythmically amazing as Shivkumar was originally a tabla player and he dedicated his life to bringing the Santúr into the Indian classical tradition, Zakir Husain needs no introduction as a leader in the tabla introducing it to different musical styles and genres.  I find the performance and  recording beautiful and you will too.


title: Brilliant!!!

text:
About time!  I have waited too long for Patrick Williams to record another big band album...and this one far exceeds every expectation!

Since viewing some "making of" videos, getting a chance to hear this great music from start to finish has paid off. There is NOT one standard in the bunch...all originals (that's the way I like it), and the lineup of superstar session mavens  can't be beat!

Patrick, how about "Aurora, Part 2"?


title: Beautiful

text: Very inspiring and calming.  One of the songs in particular needs to be sung at my funeral and I hope to be worthy of it.


title: Perfect CD!!

text: Very fast shipping, love this CD of the greatest singer on earth!!


title: Good music. I'm glad I found it again

text: Good music. I'm glad I found it again. My old copy wasn't working right. I'm glad I was able to get this as a replacement for my old copy.


title: Just buy this CD now!

text: Brilliant pianist and amazing recording.I am a Debussy fanatic and this CD is one of only 3 I would consider the very top discs to own.Along with Pascal Roge.


title: Love, love, love!

text: Love, love, love!


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent album. Love the collab song with Home Made Kazoku. Packaging was fine


title: Five Stars

text: great


title: Enigma Varations By Sir Edward Elgar

text: There are many versions of this Elgar work. However, it is my opinion, this is the best performance. The closing segment evokes a stirring sense of exileration. The shear power of the orchestra, the organ's gentle entrance, then growing to an enormous response to the orchestra, it brings goose bumps. I'd heard this work many times on an old radio station in the 70's from a tape recording. The clean vinyl presentation reveals a freshness to the performance. If you enjoy Elgar as I, then seek out this performance.


title: Beautiful Album!

text: I love this album.  After listening to the samples, I ordered it and was completely amazed.  I knew I would probably like it, but didn't know if I'd actually love it.  It is very captivating.  Most songs tell a story which the listener can easily relate to.  It flows creatively - harmonically and lyrically.  I really have found nothing quite like it.  It is pretty unique.  The melodies do not disappoint.  It has several elements that all work together effortlessly.  It is a little easy listening, a little rock, a little pop, a little electronic, a little classical, and a little mysterious.  You really just have to give it a listen.  I believe it transcends their previous album and I hope they continue expanding in this direction on their next.  I recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of great music, any genre.  It's that good!


title: very inspirational music

text: This cd was put together with much thought. All Americans need to be aware of the love many people of yesteryear had for their country. So many tried so hard to share their love of our nation.


title: RAGTIME REVIEW/REVUE

text: This item is a time piece item. In the style of old piano/jazz! For me personally it takes me back the old pizza parlors i use to go to with the nickelodeons and player pianos.Great music for everyone of any age!!


i was at this show and i'm very happy to get this cd . i made a mistake in my first review and hit just one star for the seller . their service was perfect .


title: borderline

text: These CDs are a re-release of recordings made in 1978-80 by the great Arthur Grumiaux,i.e. they were made just prior to the time it became generally accepted that Baroque music should be played in a Baroque style. This makes it a bit difficult to write a review now, as a recording made in the style of the 60s, it is very good, as a " baroque" interpretation, well it isn't one. It is very easy to listen to, and I don't mind too much that there is lots of vibrato, but I don't like the way that it is played as violin sonatas with harpsichord accompaniment, as the main works, BWV 1041 to 1019, are realy trios with the harpsichord's right hand playing the second melody, and its left the bass line. So as a 1978 recording it give it 4. If you are looking for a recording in the baroque style try the version by van Dael & van Asperan on Naxos.


title: The Phoenix Has Risen

text: Just when I thought Petra was over, they release this. It's great. The songs sound "new" with a heavier snare and more low end (you can really hear the bass guitar)than Petra recordings of the 80's. I found the musicianship and Greg's vocals to be in tip top shape. This is the best thing they done in a long time. How about a new CD with all new songs :-) Too bad that "so called" Christian radio won't play any of this real music. Way to go guys.


title: My best recommendation!

text: My best recommendation!


title: My best recommendation!!!

text: My best recommendation!!!


title: A hard to find tune, that was very catchy ...

text: A hard to find tune, that was very catchy when it came out............., and still is every time you hear it.


title: Francis Goya's great album

text: This Francis Goya's great music of the best hits played on guitar by this fantastic guitarist from Spain.<br />A must have CD for anyone who enjoys great music composed by the world's greatest talents.


title: Al Hirt's "Latin in the Horn" CD

text: Al Hirt was a great trumpet player and arranger of fantastic music of the sixties and into the seventies.  His albums always had great backup singers and full orchestration to enhance his talents in his horn.  Apart from his New Orleans style Dixieland Jazz music; Al Hirt played music the whole world recognized and enjoyed in his unique interpretations.<br />This CD is a must for all you lovers of great music and followers of one of America's best trumpet players.


title: A different perspective on opera

text: Most people discount opera music because they don't understand or enjoy the vocals. This record really showcases the masterful composition that goes into the orchestration. The music presented here, without the vocals, is truly outstanding. This record is a front runner for the title of my favorite classical album. This is nothing short of magnificent! The only downsides are, this was never released on CD, and there is a spot near the end of side 1 where there is a single stroke on what must be a 30" tympani that was quite strong on an earlier release of this album, but is sharply reduced on this release. While disappointing, this still is a fabulous recording.


title: Flute & Drums

text:
It is a very good album. Flute with drums and base.
Rhythmic patterns complement the smooth flute.
Some tracks imitate train travel.


title: Excellent playing by Brendel;  outstanding bargain!

text:
Albert Brendel is an outstanding pianist and excellent interpreter of Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert.  He is a complete master of these famous pieces by Schubert and he plays these pieces with such grace, delicate touch and refined tone.

I just heard Brendel in concert playing one of these Impromptus and he was letter perfect, with exceptional tone.  His playing is quite moving, bordering toward the sacred.

This CD collection by Philips is the one to own.  It includes all of Schubert's Impromptus and includes German Dances and Klavierstucke.  What an outstanding bargain!! This CD is an absolute must for fans of Schubert and piano music!


title: This is a soundtrack; not a score.

text:
And, yes, the songs do appear in the short stories, I personaly checked them out.
Based on how many of these short stories where peppered with electronica, I doubt that there would be a score out there.
If you liked the song you heard during the sword battle between the characters of "The Flight of the Osiris", or what you hear in the beggining of "Kid Story",then, this is the cd for you.
If you are looking for what you hear in "Program" or the pidgeon scene in "Beyond", you are not going to find it here.
Despite that minor flaw, if you love electronica, or want to explore this great musical style, this is the best compilation I had heard lately.


title: Five Stars

text: Great


title: WELL KNOWN SONGS TO TAKE YOU BACK IN TIME

text:
This single CD contains all the tracks of 2 separate albums, originally released in the 1970's on vinyl. This means you get great value for money and lots of decent tracks, all in stereo. Recording quality is overly bright, too much edgy treble and typical of all Motown in the 60's/70's, but apart from this quite good.
I bought it "used" for very little, my wife had the LP's years ago but lost them at a party, she was very surprised when I gave it her.
Makes pleasant listening in the evening, great for chilling out, recommended.


title: MARIO IN FINE VOICE ON A DOUBLE CD

text:
This CD is produced by a Spanish company which specialises in older rarer tracks.It is available on amazon.co.uk and amazon.com,here in 2 versions,one is the proper CD,the other,a cheaper option is a CDR burned to order by amazon.com.I bought the original Spanish one,from experience CDR's can loose information after some years,whereas factory made CD's usually are good for a long time,have only had one deteriorate after 20 years,yes Cd's do not last almost for ever,unlike records which do.

Now for the tracks,they are in groups as sung in some of his films,but not the actual sound tracks,"The Great Caruso","The Student Prince","Serenade","The Toast Of New Orleans","The Seven Hills Of Rome",followed by "sus grandes canciones",his great songs,according to googletranslate,so in all a very good selection os songs indeed,46 tracks over 2 CD's.Mario's singing is generally superb throughout.

Recording quality is very good,well above average and I will try to explain why.Many of Mario's CD's suffer from distortion,noise and his voice is sometimes set too far back and may have a boxy sound to it,or may sound as if he is singing down a tube/horn or long corridor.On this CD is voice is forward and in the main very clear and clean.In addition to this many of the digitally remastered CD's,although,clear and clean sounding,lose details,the subtleties,the higher harmonics which give beauty to the voice and instuments.Here they are present,in abundance,but,read on.......

Finally are there any weak points about this CD,yes ofcourse.The sound is a little on the bright or treble side,this is made more obvious as my own stereo is a touch bright and lively.In general tracks are also weak in the bass region,especially on CD1,even though my speakers are very big with plenty of low down punch.This is a pity,it's all down to the taste/ears of the engineers who did the remastering.

The next weak point is the booklet,it's written only in spanish,really,english is very universal,a few extra pages would not cost too much,surely.It has 24 pages,but 8 are adverts for other CD's,6 are nice pics,including posters from his films and a picture of the "Los Angelos Examiner" newspaper announcing his death.The track listings tell you only their length,how pointless,the player tells you this,the rest is written in spanish by a Dario Vico.
May I suggest you have a good listen to the mp3 samples and make up your own mind,especially as it is an expenive CD,however I do own it,indeed I am listening to it as I write and can certainly recommend it,do see my other recommeded Mario CD's too.


title: Superb

text: This CD is the real deal.  Superb singing and musicianship.


title: Five Stars

text: Superb music


title: Five Stars

text: Great service and great music


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent product and service


title: O Christmas Bush CD Review

text: Capitol Steps is a riot!  They're masters at political satire!  Former President George H.W. Bush enjoyed their skits!


title: Eclectic electric!

text: This is a case of where the soundtrack exceeds the film. Very eclectic and diverse. One of the best I've heard since "Pretty In Pink".


title: I can’t stop listening.

text: Steve Hackett has become my favorite guitarist of all time. The vocalist change up brings new life to these old songs. Recording, musicianship, and production are all 5 stars.


title: Very enjoyable

text: Love the style


title: Absolutely wonderful!

text: I absolutely LOOOOOOOVE it!!!" It's so beautiful to listen to, some of it almost makes you cry.


This is some very spacey jazz. I enjoyed listening to this Lp very much!!!


This is a good album by this German band, but it does have its moments where it's less than spectacular. But, overall it is worth having in your collection if you really dig the German prog scene.


For Yes fans this is a must !!! it has that Yes influence, but they don't wear it on their sleeves like so many other Yes clones bands do i.e. Starcastle to name just one. give this one a listen you will be pleasantly surprised.


title: Susan Jacks underrated

text: Had this album in the 70's as a teen and I wore it out..Susan Jacks' voice is a treasure..truly underrated as an artist...


title: Five Stars

text: Love the music of the Secret Garden. Beautiful!


title: Magic music!

text: Excellent as always! Would recommend to anyone who has a taste for eastern music.


title: 11 Track or 19 Track Version?

text:
If you are looking for a lagit original Big Wig 11-track release of Origin.. GOOD LUCK!  There where only 2500 or so made years ago.  It was never released as a retail CD. These sold on ebay for around $250 a few years back.  I've purchased 3 of the so called original 11-track versions since. Not a one where from the original 2500.  The 19-track EU versions I have come across have all been factory pressed and purchased from one of the largest distributors in Sweden.  Though many more of the 19 track version has been manufactured, it has become much harder to find. Now, everyone and there mother has been making and selling copies of the "original" 11-track Big Wig version. If you love the music, buy it or buy both as they are different with the EU version including a lot more material.  Don't spend a lot on an 11-track thinking you are going to get one of the originals.  Also I believe you can download the 11-track version from the bands site.

Below is the track list for the 19-track version.  Notice it includes 2 tracks that where cut from the original Origin, "Listen to the Rain" (a song Amy Lee wrote for her high school graduation which included her school's choir) and "Demise".  Also, I really do like their version of Nervana's Heart Shaped Box on this CD.

1. ORIGIN
2. WHISPER
3. IMAGINARY
4. MY IMMORTAL
5. WHERE WILL YOU GO
6. FIELD OF INNOCENCE
7. EVEN IN DEATH
8. ANYWHERE
9. WHERE WILL YOU GO (REPRISE)
10. LIES
11. AWAY FROM ME
12. ETERNAL
13. LISTEN TO THE RAIN
14. DEMISE
15. WASH IT ALL AWAY
16. BEFORE THE DAWN
17. BRING ME TO LIFE (MIXMAN MIKE'S CLUB MIX)
18. MISSING
19. HEART SHAPED BOX (LIVE ACOUSTIC NIRVANA COVER


title: Album Rocks!

text: Album Rocks!


title: Five Stars

text: Very good


title: Real Christmas Joy (& Mystery)

text: If you're looking for something beyond the usual saccrine holiday fare this is for you. Stunningly intimate & real you will be moved & restored. Something really happened some 2000 years ago, and it still matters. The production & singing is exceptional, heartfelt & joyous. Get it if Christmas still matters to you; you won't regret it


title: Do you know BTS?

text: Exactly as described!  Love it.  This is an earlier album and every Army should have it.


title: Five Stars

text: Love


title: The artist in Holmes

text:
Nice to see Amazon listing this one.  The second studio album by the FM is masterful.  Jeff Holmes, Scott Evans and Co. have such maturity and fire in their songs.  My favorites here are "The Fire Escape","Another Maybe Someday" a beautiful tale of losing hopes and dreams to the bottle, and the classic  "Idle Hours"  Holmes, at his poetic best, weaves poignant tidbits of life in mid-America. The stories of "A Married Man I and II are perfect examples.

The new FM album, "The Haunting" 13 tales of the ghosts that inhabit the mind of Holmes, is another masterpiece. Hopefully Amazon will pick that one up as well. One day the world will wake up to appreciate the beauty, power and passion of the Floating Men.  Bravo!!!


title: The Best Band in America

text: Holmes, Evans and Bishop have had a remarkable career, playing to devoted fans, making incredible albums and putting on amazing shows.  It is time for the world to notice them.  Hopefully the new album, "A Magnifient Man"  will get some attention.  It is truly brilliant.  Now to the matter at hand, Lemon Pie.  While not as consistently strong as their other albums, this one does contain a number of classics.  "Rocket to the Moon" has hit written all over it.  "Lemon Pie" is one of those Holmes' songs that gets you going.  "Georgia" is very strong. And the opener, "Beer, Deli, Ice, Diesel" is a smoker. If you are looking for a new band to get into and want to view their entire catalog of music, go to the Floating Men website, where all of the albums and "Bootlegs" are available.  For now, have a piece of Lemon Pie and relax.  This is great stuff.


title: Wonderful

text: This was one of my favorite albums when I was young.  I can still remember the songs.  Wonderufl and fun for any child to hear.


title: On time

text: An oldie but available


title: Some of my favorite COLD songs!

text: My favorite local band of all time.  The songs on this CD were some of my favorites, esp. "You Don't Look at Me" and "Hot Ride."  Miss dem ole dayz!  I will be listening to this music while I am stuck in my house for the next month.


title: Five Stars

text: great album


title: Five Stars

text: Love it. delivered on time.


title: Five Stars

text: How can you not love a Prince CD? great seller.


title: thanks

text: Thanks. Item was as advertised. I love it


title: Childhood Memories revisited

text: When I listen to this CD, it takes me back to when I was a child. The music of Johnny Douglas and Living Strings, Living Voices radiated throughout our house every Christmas Day morning. So very, very glad that this music has been remastered and put into CD format!


title: Maggie sounds so awesome.

text: I love Maggie's voice and songwriting so much!  This is a very cherished part of my collection now.  Play it, Maggie!


title: Five Stars

text: Waited nearly 30 years to get that album again.


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent


title: A#1 story teller

text: from the west a story teller like no other. he can twist a tale in way that keeps your mind working


title: Good album

text: I heard Dulce Matias on a Putamayo compiliation of Cape Verde music (excellent collection, btw, well worth purchasing) and was smitten with Ma Cumpadre Faustin (sorry about spelling!).  That's the best song on this album.  The other songs range from pretty good to very good.  A selection of more folky and ballad-y songs along with uptempo songs.  Her voice is fabulous regardless; the material is just not always up to snuff.  I've put a couple of the songs on my iPod, and will keep the disc around -- it will be good for casual parties.


title: Melancholic entry from U.K.

text: Engelbert Humperdick brought to this year Eurovision Contest a little bit of melancholy with his "Love will set you free". It felt like we were taken back in time to the 60's or 70's. Once, the contest was all music, text and VOICE. English song has all of that. I even voted for it. Unfortunately, I must have been one of few, since the song lost in the final. Shame!


title: A curiosity

text:
I had bought it on french Amazon (and just received).
This single contains two versions: french with vocals by Tyssem and english with vocals by Keri.
I longed to get this edition because of the mix with french chorus. Since I love this song anyway (and already have an european version of the single), it's a nice addition to my collection.
French music industry has already done a lot of "own" mixes like this one.
Check out Iglesias "Takin' back my love", Agnes "Realise me" or Mel C "First day of my life".

Last thing about the price. Search on french Amazon and you'll find this item in decent condition, which doesn't cost the earth.


title: Catchy

text:
One of the most surprising hits of 2011. Plus great comeback for Christina :)
This cd-single offers only two versions: basic and remix done by Soul Seekerz. Both of them extremely catchy. I wish there were more remixes added :(
Two thumbs up.


title: A beautiful eurovision ballad

text:
Michelle is one of the most popular "schlager" singers in Germany and Austria. In 2001 she got the chance to represent Germany during Eurovision Song Contest. Even though she didn't win then, she gave a memorable performance.
Her "problem" is her voice :) I mean, you cannot stay indifferent after first time you hear her singing. Either you like it or you hate it.
In my case it's the first option:)
There are two versions on this single:
- single version (just longer grand prix version)
- grand prix version
Both sound great.


title: As camp as an eurovision song can be :)

text:
Another german offer for Eurovision Song Contest. Not a winner, but "Let's get happy" is, as the title may suggest...happy:) It is a funny disco song, which makes you lift up your butt and dance :)
There are 6 versions available here.
The first and the last tracks are exactly the same, with the latter being a karaoke mix.
So called "AC Energy mix" takes its "energy" from vocoder - which, fortunately, doesn't sound ugly.
The next one is "Dance mix" which could have been called an extended original version and in my opinion is the best.
Well, a german dance single without a TYPICAL german hardcore mix? Das geht nichts! So, we get the track no.4 with heavy base and tempo that could kill some people on a dancefloor.
Here we come to the last and the worst mix - "Villa and Vernett...". I think the creators must have been carried away while making it. It is way too odd, there is way too many tricks used and I can hardly listen to it. It's sounds terrible.

Following the singer: Let's get happy and let's be gay!


title: Long live Eurovision!

text:
Gina G's Eurovision song still holds the title of being the last UK entry to be also no.1 single in this country.
Although she didn't win, "Ooh...aaah..." remains one of the most significant and popular eurovision songs ever.
The hit is as simple as "two+two=4", but it doesn't matter. It's disco, it's playful (just like her performance - check it out!).
This UK maxi single contains 5 remixes (any of them being the contest version). They are destined to discoteques and they fullfill this task perfectly.
Listen just a little bit and you won't get it out of your head :)


title: I wish it did better

text:
"No dream impossible" is one of underrated eurovision songs. At first I thought it was a bit too much of everything in it, but after I had seen her performing it on stage, I took to it at once.
Lindsday has got something that is not so common among participants in this contest - A VOICE. You can hear it on this maxi in the slower versions. It is really intense.
The first 3 tracks are great. Even the "orchestral version" rocks!
Unfortunately, the recording company decided to record acoustic mix as well. And it's the worst of all, dreadful.


title: No Angels and Eurovision Song Contest

text:
"Disappear" was to be a comeback hit single for the group and another eurovision no.1 for Germany a few years ago.
Well, any of that happened. Unfortunately.
The song climbed to no.4 in Germany and no.21 on Euro chart. And didn't even make top 20 during the contest :(
It is a pity, 'cause there is potential in it. What is even more significant, in contrary to many eurovison's offerings, this one is not kitchy, the girls can sing etc.
Versions available here:
- single
- yin yang remix (a beautiful ballad-kind-of mix)
- chartlab house (more dancefloor friendly)
- soundbomb house (the worst and the reason I give this release only 4 stars)

It is a decent example of europop song. Not only for the contest's fans.


title: So kitchy that it's hard to resist

text:
"Anton aus Tirol" became one of the biggest hits in German speaking countries (just to mention one of the achievements, it stayed more than 70 weeks in top 100 in Austria...). And at the same time it is one of the most hate-beloved songs ever.
There are a couple of versions of this song and this one is the less popular, but in my opinion is much better and funnier than the one sung by Dj Otzi. How amusing it is, the cover reveals... :)
Anyway, I bought it in Germany many years ago and everytime I just feel like jumping around I play it.
The language (dialekt) is so different to "HOCH DEUTSCH" that it is really difficult to understand the text. But, for all the fans they printed out the txt on the back of the cover - SO, LET'S SING ALONG THEN!


title: KYLIE RULEZZZZZZZZ IN ESPANOL :)

text:
I bought this vinyl because of one song and this is the spanish version of "All the lovers". It is amazing!
At first it was quite odd to hear Kylie singing in other language than english, but with very second listening we just fell in love with it:)

This item has a special place in our collection - Kylie, you are la reina!!!


title: Diana - a disco queen?

text:
The answer is YES.
"I will survive" is one of the most famous gay anthems and I guess this is the target audience of Diana's version (check the video).
Yet it doesn't effect the result. Diana has recorded one of the best covers of Gloria's hit. But, there is one difference between these two. The power. Diana's voice is much more delicate, thus her "I will survive" doesn't sound as strong as the original version. In my opinion it got more ephemeral feeling.
This release is a proper maxi, so we can enjoy two extra remixes:
- roger sanchez atmosphere mix (which sounds almost like an unplugged mix)
- motiv 8 radio mix (hardcore disco version - compared to the previous one) :) I wish it was a bit longer as it's the best one here.
Besides, the mixes created by motiv are always vivid and very dancefloor oriented (check GIna G's remixes "Oooh...Aaaah... Just a little bit").
The last here is a track called "Voice of the heart", coming from the same cd as the title song.
Worth to listen to.


title: Nice tunes from Alsou

text:
I recommend this cd to everybody who likes russian pop music. This is Alsou's 4th studio album and like previous ones contains very good songs. In my opinion the best tracks here are: "A u majej lubvi", "Dvoe na kacheljah", "Samoe glavnoe" and "Pozavi menja" (one of the few fast tempo songs here)
Big "+" for adding some mixes (something usual for Alsou). The tracks, that were remixed, got a nice vibe:)
My advice for other buyers: before you buy, check if the cd is original. It is well known, that there is a lot of illegal copies on russian market.
The right one should have got a silver label and contain full booklet. My version was released in digipack, with dvd.


title: French Songs Sung In English

text: I got this 3 CD set for a French Themed Gathering. It’s all the old French songs sung in English from Poupular Hits to Movie Themes!!! Perfict for my Party!!!


title: Five Stars

text: great music


title: Amchitka Greenpeace concert

text:
I was living in Vancouver and attended a rally earlier before the concert and had the privilege of meeting Irving Stowe.  I just found out about the CD today, so I have yet to hear it, but I paid $3.00 for the ticket to attend the concert and felt very proud to be part of the funding of the first Greenpeace venture.  Also at the concert besides Joni Mitchell and James Taylor were Chilliwack, Phil Ochs and during a medley at the end, Peter Asher.
I wrote this review earlier today and have since purchased it.  I will later post my opinion if it changes how I feel about this CD once I have heard the recording.

Feb. 4, 2015
I just received this CD yesterday and it is remarkable how terrific the audio is from this 1970 event.  Phil Ochs and James Taylor are on the first Disc and Joni is on the second.  Chilliwack who also performed were not on this recording.  It's an expensive purchase, but I am glad to have it for the memories alone.  The songs are all good and the voices were at their prime.


title: Very Helpful.

text: I am new to meditation and have studied several books and used more than a couple of CDs in my quest.  This CD was very helpful in attaining a solid and silent peace of mind and was a very useful meditative aide.


title: Four Stars

text: As expected - as advertised - delivered in a timely manner...


title: Five Stars

text: Just what i wanted for a Christmas gift and arrived when promised.


title: like music you might hear in a Haruki Murakame bar...

text: I really like Maki Asakawa's music.  I've heard her described as the kind of music one would expect to hear in one of the bars that Haruki Murakami describes in his books and to me that fits.  Sample on youtube first...


title: Excellent Mixed Christian Album

text: I acquired a taste for Christian music when I lived in Tampa, Florida. They have one of the best Christian Stations of anywhere called Spirit Fm and I realized that Christian music is not all Amy Grant and Micheal W. Smith (although they are great artists in their own right). Christian Music nowadays represents the rockers and the youth. This album has all the best artists on it like Nicole Nordeman and Shwan McDonald. ZoeGirl & Avalon are also amazing artists although not on this album, I would suggest that if you are in the market to find some good christian music, certainly check them out. The music is also not in your face religious outright, but more on a spiritual & inspirational level. I actually bought this album for the artist Andy Hunter, who I believe is a techno artist and the song on here, Wonderful really delivers. Enough can't be said about this album. A great sample of some very talented artists and will lift you up as well, making your day go better. How can you beat that??


title: Really captured Houdini's showmanship and enthusiasm

text: This edition of Dark Adventure Radio Theatre really captured the showmanship and enthusiasm of Houdini. A highly enjoyable show.


title: Old style radio theater for today's audience

text: These Dark Adventure Radio Theater productions keep getting better and better! The professionals at the HP Lovecraft Historical Society have created an entire series of old-style radio shows, complete with sound effects, a marvelous musical score, and excellent acting--and this installment is one of the best. I've read HP Lovecraft's short story "The Horror at Red Hook" many times, and have to say this was an entertaining, exciting, and faithful adaptation.


title: Another excellent radio adaptation of a superb Lovecraft horror tale

text: The HP Lovecraft Historical Society has done it again -- a splendid production of Lovecraft's The Dreams in the Witch House, complete with marvelous voice acting, a brilliant score, and creepy suspense from start to finish. The Dark Adventure Radio Theater productions are full-on radio adaptations of many of Lovecraft's most famous works, arranged, scripted, and performed by true professionals, and they are simply outstanding.


title: A top-notch radio play of one of HP Lovecraft's most famous works

text: I've purchased quite a few excellent items from the HP Lovecraft Historical Society over the years, and this may be the best one yet. All of the Dark Adventure Radio Theater CD's / podcasts are highly enjoyable, professional productions from the script to the players to the music to the art work, and The Call of Cthulhu is no exception. These folks really know how to tell a story, and their adaptations of Lovecraft's works demonstrate a true affection and respect for the original story. The Call of Cthulhu is one of my favorite Lovecraft stories, and I deeply enjoyed this adaptation of it. Check out the HP Lovecraft Historical Society's other fantastic merchandise, adaptations, and films (a silent version of The Call of Cthulhu and a black-and-white "talkie" of The Whisperer in Darkness) at their website.


title: Dark Adventure Radio Theatre and the HP Lovecraft Historical Society hit another home run!

text: I have always loved HP Lovecraft's tale "Herbert West - Reanimator" and the great folks at the HP Lovecraft Historical Society have a done a splendid job of bringing that story to life. This is a marvelous blend of great acting, amazing sound effects, and a first-class musical score. Get it now.


title: Bad, except for Paganini

text: Needless to say that Ricci is an outstanding violinist. Except for Paganini this CD is an embarrassment. Very bad recording, not in the sense of old limited range recordings, but almost impossible to listen to. Conducting is a joke, maybe less so in Sarasate. In Tchaikovsky Ricci sounds as trying not to embarrass the conductor. In Sibelius he is alone and the orchestra... what orchestra? Only out of deep respect and appreciation for Ricci I sat and listen to all. Now, Paganini is a gem. Ricci solo is Ricci.


title: Flat and uninspiring

text: In spite of great technical prowess and a few beautiful moments I find the set flat and uninspiring. As to the details, why should I repeat? Just read what Ravi wrote. He says it all and right.


title: Outstanding Album

text: THE BEST MUSIC OF 2010. Russian Composer, Igor Krutoy created 11 beautiful new songs with Lara Fabian (who wrote all the lyrics). "Tomorrow Is A Lie (English version of 'Demain N'existe Pas') and "Lubov Pohozhaya Na Son" are extra treats adding on to this melodic album featuring Pop & Power Ballads in French, Italian, Russian, and English. Excellent track to listen to is "Mademoiselle Hyde." MUST BUY!


title: THE BEST 2 Featuring New Version of «v'Morya Hodit Parahodi»!!!!

text:
Excellent Collection of "The Best - 2" with songs previously unreleased between 2004 and 2008 such as ...

IGOR KRUTOY "Sailboats In The Sea"
PHILIP KIRKOROV "1000 Years"
VIA SLIVKI & TIMATI "I Will Love"
ANJELICA VARUM "Where Are You?"
SERGEY LAZAREV "Ponoroshku"
& many more

Plus Greatest Hits such as...
ALLA PUGACHEVA "Game"
KRISTINA ORBAKAITE "Everyday With You"
AVRAAM RUSSO "How To Be"

and the biggest hit of them all...
ALEXANDER SEROV "You Love Me"


title: THIS IS THE BEST OF THE 3!!

text:
Igor keeps getting better and better with his instrumental work. A great way to return with an ATB styled Dance track called "Whole World Is Love." The hit single opens the album and brings it all to life. "Flight For Happiness" & "Cocktail Of Different Women" also give you the European Club vibe with a Krutoy twist! Unforgettable melodies like "Elegy" and "Evanescent" are featured here, as well as the power ballad "Angels' Gulf" plus the sequel to "Contrasts" from the 2004 CD, Volume 2, is "Metamorphases"!!
Krutoy continues making masterpieces with ...Without Words... Volume 3.

1. Whole World Is Love 10/10
2. Island Of Sun 9/10
3. Flight For Happiness 10/10
4. Angels' Gulf 10/10
5. Autumn Sonata 10/10
6. Only For You 10/10
7. Metamorphases 10/10
8. New Years Song for Sashenka 6/10
9. Evanescent 10/10
10. Mambo Of The Krutoys 9/10
11. Whisper of the Palm Leaves In The Warm Wind 9/10
12. Cocktail Of Different Women10/10
13. Elegy 10/10
14. Carnival of the Whole World 8/10
15. Theme Song from the movie, "Exchange Of Relatives" 9/10
16. Theme Song from the movie, "Long Road To The Dunes" (Written by Raimond Pauls 10/10


title: Bootleg Discs

text: This is not a real Igor Krutoy album. Disc 1 is exactly from his 2004 release "The Best", but Disc 2 is a collection of some of his hits from 2004 and other songs not written by him. This is a typical Russian bootleg mix.


title: Five Stars

text: b


title: Five Stars

text: nice


title: In Absence

text: M.'s record, "In Absentia", is a fusion of punk electronics and home-spun underground political and personal rock. It's youthful, intimate, and inventive and an artistic journey of cynicism and intelligence in a 13-track collection that paints a sometimes bleak world in each intentionally successive track. The music is nearly experimental in tracks like 10's, "Yr. 2001" and the spoken "A Streetcar Named Desire". The album opens with a rhythmic string bed and spoken word. The less than two minute tune moves into "Xenophobia 88" and in a musically punk tone that introduces the direction of the album - political, social, and with disillusion. Track 5, "Alien", chronicles the path of a convicted illegal immigrant who was jailed and deported. The song is spoken until the screaming perfect chorus, 'was i blind not to see that it wasn't meant for me, that it wasn't meant to be, or is it all in my mind". The artist describes being and feeling guilty of wanting the American dream. The track, along with the following, "Old Age", are two of the most personal and penetrating on the record. The dementia tracks include a stop in Spanish in track 8, "Carnaval". The tune establishes a bass groove that is painted with off-key horns and equally modal south-of-the-border vocals as the artist finds himself back 'home'. In one of the last tracks, "The Great Depression", we hear the artist inspired flavors of Waters as vocals are sent through a thin frequency on top of acoustic guitar and perculating beat, 'nothing but depression' sinks the tune into sadness. The final track, an instrumental full of tension never resolves and leaves the listener spent...and well worth the cost. Rarely are albums complete works anymore - moving with music to reveal a human odyssey. "In Absentia" is one of those rarities.<br />- EarBuzz


title: Amigos Invisibles

text:
Los Amigos Invisibles are a great live band. So it's good to see that they've released a live CD/DVD compilation.
The DVD shows them having a ball playing live and that's how it should be for anyone who makes music. Whether you're into dance music or introspective music just have fun! Otherwise there's no sense in doing music.
You could see Cheo having a great time playing guitar on the dvd as well as Chulius who has great stage persona enjoying himself. Armandito delivers great hooks on the keyboards and Catire is rockin' it on the bass. Maurimix and the drummer are both delivering true latin flava with the percussions.
All in all it's a great buy even though I prefer a best of compilation on CD of the studio versions than the live versions. It's just a personal preference.
Congrats to Los Amigos for their 15 years which isn't easy to accomplish especially nowadays in this crazy music world.

Un amigo invisible.


title: A slip??

text:
today i heard the slip one more time to give it a fair chance and boy what a slip it is. I mean yeah some of the songs are pretty tight but it's the same ol' same ol'.

I am so sorry to say that I find mr reznor predictable and lazy with the slip. He has nothing new to offer after all these years and instead of getting The Slip, I'd prefer a best of compilation as that would have better songs. What i don't get sometimes is how he'll chastise certain other artists but yet he doesn't realize that his best work is way far behind. He makes fun of the EMOS and i'm like "have you read your own lyrics on The Slip!?!?!". He feels nothing is progressive and yet he repeats the same formula and expects total adulation. and if he doesn't get it then the music industry is in the pits. K!

Please mr reznor MOVE ON and take a cue from coldplay cuz at least they are trying! oh and the world isn't such a bad place. we heard ENOUGH of how bad it is from u via NIN.


title: Her best effort!

text:
This is Diveana's best effort and brings back many memories for me. She was like the venezuelan britney spears for merengue pop. Only with the exception that Diveana is a better vocalist.

I think the whole album is tight and not one song falters.

Worth checking out.


title: This is GOOD!

text:
Peter Svensson's solo project is magnificent! He's the guitarist of the cardigans BTW.

This is just a cool laid back kindda album that leaves you wanting more.

The songs although sung in swedish seem to be well written and thought out.

This is one of my all time favorite albums I have to say.


title: A TRUE CLASSIC FROM THE 50'S

text: This is a true classic song from the late 50's. a record that should be in everyone's library especially if they enjoy vocal groups of the 50's.


title: COLLECTORS ITEM

text: a great box set containing 6 LP's of Sinatra's best on Capitol Records. The thing that I disliked was that some of the LP's  were abridged versions which was due to poor judgement of Capitol  Records when they released this box set.


Record was In good condition except for a little flaw. It was a little off center but that is the way the record was pressed which happened many times with 45rpm records.


title: Not all there

text: All tracks do not open.  Disappointed


title: Great

text: Just what I ordered.


title: Deeper into worship

text: Anointed- that is what this album should be subtitled. An amazing collection of songs that speak straight to your spirit. There is something quite incredible about 'Spirit Break Out'- I dare you to listen to this and not be moved, it has the power to break anything, apply it to situations in your life or community and see what happens. 'Still Believe' is so full of hope and healing power, for the addicted, for the depressed, for the suicidal, for the chronic pain, I believe this song will help you understand the healing power inherent in the presence of God. 'Alive' and 'The King is Here' are amazing in the joy it brings. All these songs have so much spiritual power packed into them, really takes you into another level of worship and understanding. May it bless you as it continually blesses me.


title: Four Stars

text: I bought this for my father. He loves it and is a die hard Hank fan since forever.


title: cd

text: great music


title: cd

text: okay cd


title: Wonderful Songs

text: The artist, Paul Overstreet, writes and sings the most wonderful songs.  I enjoy listening to this CD over and over again.<br />I also bought this for a friend's Christmas present and I can't wait for her to hear it.


title: I am pleased with the plant

text: I am pleased with the plant. It is small but it is already full of buds and leaves. It is exactly what I was wanting.


title: DVD material is just a plain video, as much ...

text: DVD material is just a plain video, as much as it is possible to do with simple camera, without highlighting notes or piano keys being played.


title: Jane Child - Surge

text: I've not received my copy yet, but after seeing that there was in fact a third album by Ms. Child, I was intrigued, until I saw the price...I don't think so...and MP3 download...not going to happen...with Computers crashing at any given time, I want the CD in hand...so I was thrilled to find that by going to Ms. Childs own Website...I could buy the CD for $13.99...done and on route....


title: A decent soundtrack for The Animatrix

text:
The Animatrix soundtrack was released by Warner Bros. Records on June 3, 2003.  The disc contains twelve tracks, all of which are electronic in nature.  However, nowhere in the credits for the CD does it say which short each song appears in.  Also, not all the songs that appear on the CD actually appear in The Animatrix; this is a little puzzling, because some songs that were actually in The Animatrix are not included on the soundtrack.  In my opinion, the best songs on the CD are Peace Orchestra's "Who Am I? [Animatrix Edit]," "Layo & Bushwacka!'s "Blind Tiger," Supreme Beings of Leisure's "Under the Gun," Photek's "Ren 2," Death in Vegas' "Hands Around My Throat," Overseer's "Supermoves [Animatrix Remix]," and Juno Reactor's "Conga Fury [Animatrix Mix]."

The final two tracks aren't in any of the shorts, and both include dialogue samples from two of The Matrix films.  The first of these is "Red Pill, Blue Pill" by Junkie XL, and the second is "The Real" by Tech Itch.  Of these two songs, I have to say that "Red Pill, Blue Pill" is the better one.

If you enjoy the music from The Animatrix, then this soundtrack is worth acquiring.  If you like electronic music, but haven't seen The Animatrix, you might also find enjoyment when listening to this soundtrack.


title: One of the most non-commercial NIN releases ever

text:
Ghosts I-IV is a 36 track instrumental collection, which was recorded over 10 weeks in the Fall of 2007.  It is totally made up of improv pieces performed by Trent and some friends.  This is definitely the most non-commercial release that Nine Inch Nails has ever put out.

This is the kind of release that you have to sit down and listen to in its entirety; you can't easily pick and choose which tracks to listen to.  None of the songs have actual titles, and at first, that can seem rather annoying.  However, after you listen to the work, you realize that titles wouldn't truly help you identify any of the songs.

The music on the release ranges from slow, piano-based pieces to some rather uptempo pieces.  You can hear some elements from the Pretty Hate Machine and The Downward Spiral eras, but that's not to say Trent Reznor is regressing musically.  When you listen to the music, you can hear the elements, but they're cast in a more "modern" style.  Most of the songs clock in between two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half minutes (only three or four of the 36 tracks clock in at over five minutes).

While this was an interesting listen, it's probably something I won't listen to very much.  Not because it's bad, but because right now, I simply don't have many opportunities to set aside two hours of my day to just sit down and listen to music.


title: good

text: as expected, no problems.


title: good

text: as expected.


title: good

text: no problems, as expected.


title: good

text: no problems.


title: Please consider releasing this to CD!

text:
This is a story I grew up with. Finnerty Flynn and his 101 things. While other Captain Kangaroo records have been released to both CD and MP3s, I have yet to see this one released to the same format.

My LP long wore out, I would love to own this again. Please contact the company that has this story, and ask them to release it again. If they re-released all the old Sesame Street LPs, consider this one, too. You would make at least one person very happy. ^_^

Update: It's been almost ten years since I made this review. I'm still waiting for this to be re-released to CD or MP3.


title: Just fantastic

text:
This EP is basically an introduction to it's later release "The best is yet to come: songs of Cy Colman 2009".

I find that the best songs are here. "the best is yet to come" is beautifully done by Patty and an oh so fantastic version of "why try to change me now" by Fiona Apple.

But as the tittle suggests, "Then was then and now is now" is definitely the gem of this 6 track EP. Ambrosia Parsley has the voice of an angel and with such innocence she still contributes a feeling to this song filled w/ pain and hope.

If you are interested in the product it might be wise to just check out the full 12 track album mentioned above. since most of the songs are quite good.

The actual product: this is a very basic cardboard casing. it has a very cute and simple cover to match the subtle amazingness that are these songs.


title: Not to be missed IF YOU CAN FIND IT!

text:
Shivaree is a fantastic band. It's a mix between pop/rock, lounge and country but dark and funny at the same time. Ambrosia's voice is very smokey and sounds as if she were a 20s singer. Similar to Gwen Stefani's voice but much more interesting and soothing. This is a band not to be missed.

About this EP (corrupt and immoral)... It features 2 live tracks w/ a sharpness and impeccable quality and talent that you could swear they are studio recording and only an acoustic version of their respected songs. It also has 2 tracks not included in their albums (scrub and my boy lollipop) that are magnificent.

This EP is very very limited and if you find it, GET IT!! you will not regret it. It can be expensive so i would recommend buying their actual albums and downloading the rare songs from the internet.

Shivaree is not a one-song band so make sure to buy "i oughtta give you a shot in the head", "rough dreams", "who's got trouble", "tainted love" and "breach". If you get those you'll pretty much have their songs with the exception of 4 tracks (two of which you find in this EP).

Good luck finding it.

attachment_type: IMAGE


title: Indifferent

text: I found this album,although very generous with 24 tracks,a bit disappointing.There are really no standout songs on it & one song seemingly merges into the next one, almost indistinguishable from one another.Timi Yuro's voice is as powerful as ever,but the choice of tunes is too much of the same.I mean no disrespect but in my view it just does not compare to 'The Best Of Timi Yuro',where every song is a huge hit.


title: Dagon Plus! Another HPLHS Triumph!

text:
If you are a fan of H.P. Lovecraft then you are well aware that his story, Dagon, is one of his earlier short compoisitions, comprising less than 4 pages. The Lovecraft lexicon has dozens of such writings which are usually statements penned in the first-person by fictional eye-witnesses to strange or frightening events. Often, these make interesting germs for longer stories and this has been attempted in film at least twice - unseccessfully if you ask me. The first was "From Beyond" in which 99% of the film is neither Lovecraftian or has anything to do with his idea. The made-for-television film treatment of "Dagon", by Syfi when they were still The Sci Fi Channel, was actually a poorly-realized version of "The Shadow Over Innesmouth" which is much longer and more exciting.
This radio play, from the HPLHS "Dark Adventure Radio Theater" series, expands on the original story in such a way that it seems much more appropriate than the film. The basic idea with all these HPLHS radio plays is to present a dramatization as it might have been created at the time the story was written. They hit on the idea to make a "War of the Worlds" sound-alike in the form of an ongoing broadcast from World WIde Wireless News (which fans of this series will remember particularly from "At The Mountains Of Madness"). The story "Dagon" appears much as it was originally written about half-way through the larger plot which is an original story but draws on elements and characters from "The Shadow Over Innesmouth" and the semi-historical novel "Lovecraft's Book". They also used characters created originally for the LARP version of the "Call of Cthulhu" Roleplaying Game).
The new story is very Lovecraftian in nature (after all it was written by people who are experts in all things Lovecraft with no corporate pressure) and the original story nests very nicely where they placed it as if it belonged there all along. One thing to keep in mind about this story: the Swastika symbol was not invented by the Nazis but appropriated by them from Eastern mysticism where it was used as a symbol to fight evil in much the same way as the two versions of Lovecraft's own Elder Sign were and it is used here as such. The basic plot begins with an attack on an old ferry in San Francisco Bay which grows to become part of a world-wide distraction to free the Marshes and their allies incarcerated after the events from "The Shadow Over Innesmouth". Though it is not necessary, I would recommend listening to the HPLHS adaptation of "Shadow" if only because it's just plain wonderful.
This recording is a must for any Lovecraft fan, especially those of us who love tales of the Deep Ones!


title: Five Stars

text: beautiful music invoking introspective moments


title: This was sent to our grand son for a paper ...

text: This was sent to our grand son for a paper he is writing on the Pa. Dutch.  He said it would help him with his paper..


title: Five Stars

text: great


title: the best!!!

text: Her voice is flawless like an angel and her gentle beautiful spirit just pours from her voice


title: The Beatles middle years

text: Great Beatles album.


title: Nostalgia

text: This CD gives an impression of the great Russian actor and singer (a favourite of Stalin).


title: Snap, Crackle, and Pop

text: Noisy surfaces, basically unlistenable.


title: No Mint Here

text: Record is far from mint as described: noisy surfaces, no bass and low volume, which I can only attribute to its being worn out from having been played many times with a low-quality cartridge.


title: Excellent Sound and Performance.

text: Excellent sound and excellent performance. Bought on Amazon. Lousy warped vinyl pressings with surface noise as usual for serious music.


What a lovely voice.  A great interpreter of lyrical modern music!


title: Five Stars

text: Very good for cross-country trip sing-alongs.


title: Part Three of SHEILA E's Missing Album Tracks: 'Sheila E.' (Self-titled 1987 album)

text:
A MUSICAL HEAVEN OF FUNK FROM SHEILA IN 1987....Prince. The musical mercurial scientist of Paisley Park Records continued his maddening evolution of producing artists on his roster during this creative period of 1987. Artists like Taja Sevelle with her self titled album which included the hit 'Love Is Contagious' and also the exquisite 'Wouldn't You Love To Love Me' (Written and Produced By Prince)/ Madhouse (Prince's Jazz sideband of which he is also a member of) debuted with their 1987 album entitled '8' which included the jazzfunk hit '6' and the brilliant jazz opener from the album entitled 'One'/ Jill Jones's self titled album which includes 'Mia Bocca' 'Violet Blue' 'All Day, All Night' 'For Love' 'My Man' / Prince also produced tracks for other artists on their albums including the album title track 'Telepathy' for Deborah Allen and a funkafied funk track entitled 'Baby Go-Go' under the pseudonym Joey Coco from the legendary Nona Hendryx's 1987 album, 'Female Trouble' and Prince himself with his classic 1987 double album 'Sign 'O' The Times' on his own Paisley Park label. Miss E's self titled album 'SHEILA E'. Her 'SHEILA E' album has Prince production splashes.

I also have Sheila's beautiful hot 24X36 1987 era poster which is the hot album cover shot. Her beautiful glowing face is bracketed with her right arm over her head as she is wearing gold chained earrings while her left arm with her fingers spreaded across the top of her left leg. Sheila is wearing a hot white 2 piece outfit showing plenty of skin, sensuality and sexuality of this album cover shot and is a precursor 2 the sensuality and sexuality of this hot 1987 album release from Miss Sheila Escovedo.

The opening high energy track, 'One Day (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)' is hot sexual female lust as Miss E.'s lustful attraction 2 a man that she is after with these lyrics: 'There he is/ He looks better everytime I see him'.......She looks at his eyes, his lips and then she knows that he wants her. His body drives her wild. Also in the song, he teases her with the teasing game of which she ?uestions as 2 why he's teasing her which leads her 2 want 2 use physical force on this man she's attracted 2 by sayin' 'Sometimes I wanna beat U up!' 'Is that what U want me 2 do?' She wants his body so bad, by declaring 'You're gonna kiss me!' 'You're gonna kiss me!' 'I think I'm gonna go mad/ 'I want that body so bad, so bad!' 'One Day I'm gonna make U mine!'......My statement about this female lustfilled funk track:
A woman's physical, lustful, love violence towards a man she desperately wants is what I call 'A PHYSICAL LOVE, LUST, LOCKDOWN!' The man cannot escape from her 'LOVE POTION' that gives 'EMOTION' 'TIL SHE GETS WHAT SHE WANTS'....Also joining Sheila on this lust filled funk track include Levi Seacer and Boni Boyer on backing vocals.( Her mentor Prince also can be heard uncredited in the background gleefully shouting jive language.) Her brother Juan Escovedo is performing on bongos on the track while the horn parts are performed by Matt Blistan and Eric Leeds.

'Wednesday Like A River' is a very unique song within itself. An interchanging mood of grooves with outstanding chord changing progressions that are a musical breath of beautiful heaven. This musical triple threat 3 part trajectory track starts off with a 6 part snap, hard beat drum fill. A stop 'n go rhythm mixed with splashes of folk, love ballad and moderate tempo themes. All 'n all this track is 3X TIMES 4 YOUR MUSICAL PLEASURE. This musical track that encompasses 3 different musical sounds as Sheila muses about passionate love detailing days of the week: 'Tuesday I surrender beneath the willow tree/ When I gave to you the key to my virginity/ Wednesday I remember, your physical poetry/ The passionate pretender, I'm a part of your history'......However the key chorus 2 this love trajectory classic as Sheila's sensual voice puts it in context: 'Wednesday's like a river - Thursday rivers are lakes - Friday finds me in the ocean - Sometimes love is hard to take'......This brilliantly crafted 3 spices - a variety of musical styles of 'Wednesday Like A River' was co - written by Sheila with Constance Guzman and guitarist Levi Seacer Jr.

'Hold Me' the beautiful soulful love ballad (which is co - written by Sheila, Constance Guzman and Eddie Mininfield) was the first single released from her self titled 1987 album. This sweet classic passionate track of pure soul is dripping with drops of sweet chocolate love as it is evident in Sheila's sugar caramel voice as she tries to erase the memory of a former male lover from her mind: 'I've tried so many times to erase your memory from my mind/ Yet it doesn't ever last for long/ Then I hear your voice - our love must be stronger than before/ Every time I see your eyes - touch me, hold me'....
Eddie Mininfield who helped Ms. E. co - write the track supported her with his cool backing vocals for this love ballad soul classic. The brilliant guitar solo is performed by Steph Birnbaum.

Connecting the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire's co - lead vocalist Phillip Bailey's 1984 funk of 'Photogenic Memory' to Sheila's 1987 funk of 'Faded Photographs' is my mind's musical connection 2 both tracks. Nonetheless, 'Photogenic Memory' is the topic of the hard driving funk of 'Faded Photographs' as Sheila travels back in time 2 'Memory Lane' ( My tribute nod 2 the sweet legendary Minnie Riperton's 1979 classic) of her male ex lover: 'The voice that drew me near to you and drew you near to me/ Has faded from the picture becoming clear to me/ All that's left are memories of how it used to be/ We can't erase the past, we can't change our destiny/ Faded Photographs, your eyes say a thousand words to me/ Faded Photographs shadows fill my lonely room'......Levi Seacer Jr. provides a blistering guitar solo midway thru this track while keyboard production is performed by Boni Boyer & Carl Wheeler. Percussion by Sheila's brother, Juan Escovedo and drums are of course by our own SHEILA ESCOVEDO. The track was co - written by Sheila E, Constance Guzman, Samuel Domingo and Boni Boyer.

'Koo Koo' the 2nd single release from Sheila's 1987 self titled album is hard funk on grease with a spicy congo, heavy drum beat and a bass rhythm 2 boot. The funk cut touches on societal ills in a world that has gone 'Koo Koo' wild insane! This track is a distant cousin 2 the moody, chaotic 1981 Prince classic 'Annie Christian' that detailed headline horrors of the societal wrongs of the early 1980s. 'Koo Koo' is a close side by side (My 1983 Earth, Wind & Fire reference) twin 2 Prince's classic track from 1987 'Sign 'O' The Times' which detailed the then current social issues and headlines of 1987. In Sheila's case in the late 1980s, Miss E. takes it 2 another angle pertaining 2 a mad krazy 'Koo Koo' gone mad society: 'Come and dig the Koo Koo war, rumour has it got started cause our leaders got bored/ New toys with a laser, teach our children to kill/ Who knows when they're older maybe they will - Koo Koo's the trip and death is the cost'.....Sheila then counter attacks war with an angered cure verse: 'Peace mother, brother peace of mind you got to love one another all the time/ What it is y'all you need a new plan - A new plan of attack everybody jam! We've got the knack let's party y'all! Let's party y'all! CAUSE A KISS ON THE LIPS IS BETTER THAN A KNIFE IN THE BACK!' This message of funk is all written and produced by Sheila....


title: IN HONOR OF MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY,MAY 19TH HIS LOVE FOR THE FUTURE QUEEN OF SOUL

text:
In honor of my dad's birthday which is today May 19th, he told me of when the first time he had heard the voice of Aretha Franklin. He was at a nightclub presumably in his birthplace hometown of Lexington, Kentucky in the early 1960s. My dad didn't specify whether it was from the radio or whether it was from the jukebox. The song was either 'Today I Sing The Blues' or 'Nobody Like You' which was recorded on Columbia records. Which ever song it was, my dad reacted in the nightclub by saying 'Who is that?' My dad was forever hooked by the sweet seductive sound by the future queen of soul. From there, my dad bought her 1962 Columbia vinyl album 'the tender, the moving, the swinging ARETHA FRANKLIN'. It was the first Aretha album I ever saw and heard when I was a 5 or 6 year old kid in the late 60s. It was through my dad that I also loved the sound of Aretha.

This is Aretha's 3rd album for Columbia Records which pre - dates her more successful stint at Atlantic Records by 4 or 5 years during the late 1960s. This album was produced, conducted and arranged by Robert Mersey with co - production by jazzman John Hammond. Franklin's beautiful soprano and piano skills demonstrate her versatility of blues and jazz. The opening cut, 'Don't Cry Baby' is a moderate blues number and is a lover's plea to her man to not cry after she treated him so mean as she begs to him to be her sweetheart. The tender 'Try A Little Tenderness' is sweet and beautifully sung by Aretha and is bathed lushly with a backing string section.

'I Apologize' has a soft drum beat with Aretha's sweet soprano voice in a 'please forgive me message to her man'. 'Without The One You Love' is the album's lone stand out track that is uniquely different from all the other tracks from this album because it is an Aretha Franklin love ballad original that she herself wrote. 'Look For The Silver Lining' finds the 20 year old singer singing with a maturity beyond her youthful brilliance as the track is beautifully laid back while 'Sitting On Top Of The World' is soft upbeat jazz along with 'Trouble In Mind' presumably an outtake that didn't make the cut of the original 1962 album release is the first bonus track of this new re-release of the original 1962 album has Aretha gliding with ease using her jazz vocal chops that enhances the music.

'Just For A Thrill' is the album's lone smooth jazz cut that touches on the subject of sex as Aretha's voice ooozes sensuality. Aretha puts a glossy shine on 'God Bless The Child' originally sung by blues and jazz legend Billie Holiday. 'I'm Wandering' originally written by Motown chairman Berry Gordy and performed by Jackie Wilson finds the Ms. Franklin remaking this classic in a laid back mid tempo r@b groove. Other tracks such as 'How Deep Is The Ocean', 'I Don't Know You Anymore' continue the jazz mood on this album while 'Lover Come Back To Me' speeds up the jazz at a considerable pace as Aretha's voice adapts to swing with the rhythm. It was the album's original album closer.

'It's So Heartbreakin' presumably is the 2nd and final outtake on the reissue of this 1962 Columbia album. It's early chord progressions are a prelude blueprint to an Aretha classic 8 years later in 1970 entitled, 'Don't Play That Song' which by then she'd already switched to Atlantic Records when her success skyrocketed. Thus, her 1962 Columbia album, 'the tender, the moving, the swinging ARETHA FRANKLIN' was released at the tender age of 20. A future legendary QUEEN OF SOUL in the making...


title: For As Long As We Live, And Are Blessed With Air On Earth To Breathe...

text:
Positively, Beautifully, Melancholy are the 3 words in describing Stevie Wonder's late 1990 social message themed single 'Keep Our Love Alive'. The social message ballad is directed at the wrongs of apartheid that Stevie touched on years earlier on angry political songs like 'It's Wrong (Apartheid)' from the 1985 album, 'IN SQUARE CIRCLE' and 'Dark 'n' Lovely' from the 1987 album, 'CHARACTERS'. Stevie wrote the song with Nelson Mandela in mind and was written on the night that Mandela was finally freed from prison on February 11, 1990. Mandela the revolutionary, was imprisoned for nearly 30 years dating back to 1962 for trying to overthrow a racist apartheid white police state government.

The beautiful African cover sleeve illustration for 'Keep Our Love Alive' was done by artist Cathie Bleck and the concept for the cover art is by Stephanie Andrews and Stevie Wonder. The track itself begins quietly with light tender percussion, Wonder's synthesizer magic and an ethereal exquisite string section. The song's deep message in the early lyrical lines of the song details man's selfishness and inhumanity to his own brethren, no love nor peace for humankind: 'Feeble is the mind that says they don't care/Selfish is the heart that won't give their share/Poor them, Poor we/Wasted is the mind that won't take a stand/Lieth the tongue that says they can't when they can/Poor him, Poor she/For as long as we live, And are blessed with air on earth to breathe/We all should live to keep our love alive'

Wonder is backed beautifully by heavenly choirs on the track featuring The West Angeles Cogic Sanctuary Choir, The Central Filipino Church Children's Choir and The New Providence Baptist Church Choir. The companion video opens with Stevie in a lone setting, inside a large living room with his synthesizer keyboard and brilliant voice. Parts of the video has a wavy underwater current effect, replete with African Dancers. The video montage includes newspaper clipping headlines for justice and photographic images of Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Malcolm X and more photographic images of men, women and children - young and old marching for justice@peace and the freeing of our imprisoned leaders. 'Keep Our Love Alive' was just a single release only never appeared on an album and was shockingly omitted from Stevie's massive 'AT THE CLOSE OF A CENTURY BOX SET' released in 1999.

The social message track was released in between the albums 'CHARACTERS'(1987) and Music To The Soundtrack 'Jungle Fever' (1991). 'Keep Our Love Alive' (1990) along with 'Feeding Off The Love Of The Land' (1991), never appeared on an album. 'Feeding Off The Love Of The Land' should've been included on the 'Jungle Fever' soundtrack album but it was omitted from the album and wound up being on the tail end of the film's movie credits. 'Feeding Off The Love Of The Land' appeared as the 'B' side to the 1991 funk track single 'Gotta Have You'

'Keep Our Love Alive' and 'Feeding Off The Love Of The Land' if they were to be together sequenced together back to back would've been a great finale ending to the 'Jungle Fever' movie soundtrack album and it's a crime that both of the social message slanted songs were omitted off the 'Jungle Fever' soundtrack album. One other note of fact: the 1984 song 'Lighting Up The Candles' a song that Stevie wrote in tribute to the late great Marvin Gaye was included in the 1991 'Jungle Fever' movie soundtrack and is deservingly so. So Stevie my message to you my brother is 4U2 do a remaster of the 'Jungle Fever' music soundtrack album and include the 2 missing songs from this album: 'Keep Our Love Alive' and 'Feeding Off The Love Of The Land'. I know you'll never do this but I did it myself anyway by adding the 2 missing songs 2 your brilliant soundtrack album to a blank CD to further enhance the listening experience 2 make the 'Jungle Fever' soundtrack a complete full soundtrack album.
STEVIE, YOUR MUSIC IS A POSITIVE VIBE for all of us earthlings on planet earth to 'KEEP OUR LOVE ALIVE'...