title: Fantastic orchestra, superb recording, fine conductor.

text: The Maazel/VPO and the Haitink/CGB Mahler sets give the best combination of transparent, detailed sound, meticulous but not overwrought conducting, and last but not least, fantastic orchestral playing.


title: Listen before buying

text: Buy this CD if you know what you're doing, because if you expect Mozart's violin sonatas to sound pretty, this sure is not the product for you. Kuijken and Devos seem utterly determined to cure listeners of any such notions. It may perhaps be historically correct (although the definition of historically correct has certainly changed dramatically during five decades of "authentic" performances), but this must surely be one of the least attractive of all HIP (Historically informed performance) albums, the musicians sounding like people who are doing really hard and unpleasant work, with seriously inferior tools. PS, I love eg M. Hugget's Mozart concertos, Pinnock's Brandenburgs etc etc. and I feel strongly that the HIP movement has brought incredible new values and fresh perspectives to the world of classical music. (two stars because I respect Kuijken and I am sure that he seriously believes (or believed at the time) in what he achieves here)


title: cassette nostalgia

text: The set this tape comes from features a recommended symphony cycle with the RPO and René Leibowitz. Recorded in the 1960s, good sound, cassettes from 1983, ditto, and although Dolby NR is not stated, a compatible system may have been used since the tapes sound fine with Dolby B employed. If the tapes are what you are looking for, you'll not be disappointed if they have been decently stored.


title: cassette nostalgia

text: The set this tape comes from features a recommended symphony cycle with the RPO and René Leibowitz. Recorded in the 1960s, good sound, cassettes from 1983, ditto, and although Dolby NR is not stated, a compatible system may have been used since the tapes sound fine with Dolby B employed. If the tapes are what you are looking for, you'll not be disappointed if they have been decently stored. For more detailed reviews, check the CD version on Amazon.


title: Great Soundtrack to a Fun Film

text:
Craig Safan's "Main Title" to 1984's "The Last Starfighter" is a memorable march that I add to the likes of Stu Phillip's "Battlestar Galactica" Theme.

I fell in love with this movie when it came out. What teen wouldn't love a "Holy Grail" story where the sword is actually a video game? The effects were "photo-realistic" when compared to Tron's Video Game-y CGI. If you want an excellent review of the film, check out Oliver Harper's Retrospective on his You Tube Channel.

This album gives you 22 Tracks with several being very short (queues). If you are a fan of 80's science fiction movies, then this is a must to add to your collection.


title: Promo Item Amounts to a Mini Best Of

text:
This is a rather odd promotional release, put out by Virgin Records in 1989 to promote NRBQ's latest, "Wild Weekend". It consists of 8 of "Wild Weekend's" 12 tracks, plus adds another 6 tracks that amount to a mini "Greatest Hits" sampler.

NRBQ fans currently have limited options in terms of decent compilations of the band's best material. The ideal option is the 2-CD set "Peek-A-Boo - The Best of 1969-1989", but it's out of print, and copies on the secondary market are typically not cheap. Other NRBQ compilations are generally limited to only a very small, unrepresentative slice of the band's recording history. So this promo item might actually be a good place to start for someone looking to get a taste of what this band is all about, if a copy can be found at a decent price. And luckily, copies of this often CAN be found at a decent price.

The 6 tracks from the "best of" portion of the programming, ranging from 1977 - 1987, are: Me & the Boys, Ridin' in my Car, Rain at the Drive-In, I Want You Bad, Crazy Like a Fox, and Green Lights. These truly do represent some of NRBQ's best work. And the Wild Weekend material includes the absolute gem Little Floater, as well as solid tracks like Boy's Life and If I Don't Have You.

So it's a solid collection of material, and while it's obviously tilted towards one album that was pretty good but not one of NRBQ's best, and thus is a weak substitute as a best of collection for "Peek-A-Boo", the lower price may make it a good option from a beginner looking to discover this fine band.


title: Letter to Neil

text: I want to say first that this review is only for the Time Fades Away part of the cd.With that said I love this album.The album cover is classic. I absolutely love it!Neil I am sure you don't read reviews and this is an old cd.If you do ..please remaster this and rerelease it.Maybe just as an  MP3 download.This represents everything I love about music.I have read about the circumstances surrounding the making of this music and the tour and that you don't care for it,that it brings back bad memories.But for me as a listener it only seems to make it more honest.When I first bought the album years ago it confused me cause I didn't know any of the songs.But I really liked them.They seem so real! They seem so honest! I can really feeeeel them.I mean what a risk to release a live album of songs that the fans don't know the songs instead of the "hits".Sometimes going through a bad cituation can shake things up and you come out the other side a better person.People make their own decisions.Don't be denied!These songs really inspire me to be a better person.Isn't that what music is all about?To make you feel something.Journey through the past is so real I can almost feel the rain poring down.The reason for the redo would be so that we don't have to pay soo much for a copy of it.The copy I have sounds great.Also if you wanted to add more shows it would be cool.I would not mix it with the other ( buffalo roam) soundtrack.That should be seperate.Also the song L.A is awesome..don't you wish that you could be here too...city in the smog ..L.A uptight .mountains errupt and the valleys are sucked up into the cracks in the earth.For me music is personal..and this album delivers it all.Thank you Neil Young for continuing to take risks :)


title: excellent

text:
I've had seven other copies of Beethoven's 5th (including the famous DG version with Kleiber and the VPO, von Karajan '62, Weller with the CBSO, Bernstein with the NYPO, , Szell with the Cle O and a couple of others) so really didn't need this one for the symphony, but couldn't resist it on sale with the Egmont overture and incidental music as the coupling for the symphony. Most of this commentary is related to Egmont, but this is also an excellent version of Beethoven's 5th symphony.

Beethoven's Symphony No 5 is extremely well played by the NYPO, with excellent direction from Masur. The tempos are apt and sound excellent, full and realistic. Repeats are observed. This is a most recommendable version of this symphony-to the extent it makes me wonder if I've heard the same version as some of the other reviewers. (Unlike one reviewer, my version had Masur on the cover, but the markings make it appear to be a 1993 release of the 1992 recordings.)

Egmont was a 1788 play set in 1568 when the Netherlands was under the rule of the King of Spain. The main characters were Lamoral, Count of Egmont (1522-1568) and his love Klarchen. Egmont was executed for his activities against the Spanish King. In the play Klarchen takes her own life. Beethoven composed an overture and incidental music for a revival of the play in 1810. The overture is a well-known staple of the classical repertoire, heard (and recorded) far more than the incidental music.

The singer on this disk, American soprano Sylvia McNair, has a pure voice and even one who doesn't understand German can thoroughly enjoy the vocal parts. Ms. McNair began university as a violinist, went on to singing as an orchestral soloist while taking her Masters degree in voice, and has enjoyed success in opera, musical theatre and jazz. She's been quoted (see [...], as it reads as of April 6, 2013) as saying "Because I'm still an instrumentalist at heart, I tend to respond most strongly to singing that sounds like brilliant instrumental playing." That certainly is the case here-even one who doesn't normally enjoy opera singers can thoroughly enjoy Ms. McNair's voice as a fine musical instrument.

There is some narration, in its original German but with translation in the notes. The narration is fairly brief, surrounded by some enjoyable music and I didn't find listening to narration I didn't understand at all annoying. The intermezzos as is perhaps usually the case are less dynamic than the songs, overture or ending, but are still enjoyable.


title: The cd is very solid and I really enjoyed it!

text: There is very little on the cd not to like. Many sides are excellent and you will be very happy you made the purchase. A must for anyone cd collection and very soulful arrangement.


title: Perfect Conditions

text: Arrived in perfect condition. No cracks. Listened to every song immediately. No skips. Would purchase from this company again!


Jose Carreras is a masterful tenor with a voice that conveys power and emotion.  Mario Lanza would be proud I am sure to enjoy this marvelous tribute,


title: At the very top of Bruckner's discography

text: My love for Bruckner started in the early sixties with his fourth symphony. Soon I discovered the sixth symphony in Klemperer's recording for EMI; later a budget recording with the unasuming Westphalian Symphony under Hubert Reichert gave me a different view of the work. Recordings started piling up: Jochum, Haitink, Karajan, Barenboim,Wand,none of them seemed quite adequate; either they were too slow, to bombastic, or missed many fine details in the score. Joseph Keilbert a figure of cult in Germany in the early years of the post war era,with a reputation of authority in the german repertoire and the opera house, managed somehow to overcome Karajan's firm control of his orchestra and record in 1963 Bruckner's A major symphony with the Berlin Philharmonic for Telefunken records, now Teldec. The result was spectacular. I admit that there are some brassy moments on the shrill side but the concept is a magical heartfelt performance with the right tempi and a fine grasp of the more subtle points in the score that in my mind is at the very top of the list in Bruckner's discography. If you are a Bruckner fan you must have this record. There is however another sixth that is considered to be even better than Keilberth's reading and that is the one by Heinz Bongartz and the Dresden Philharmonic in Collins records,only the price is prohibitive from sellers at over $80 USD but can be downloaded from Amazon at a reasonable price. Two underrated conductors at the top of any experts list of true bucknerians, imagine that.


title: Once in a lifetime performance

text: So called 'serious' conductors still scoff at the notion of a Tchaikovsky seventh symphony and won't have anything to do with it. No room here to comment on the Bogatyryev reconstruction of the score, but don't let anyone fool you it's not Tchaikovsky..IT IS! Ormandy's memorable 1962 recording is still unsurpassed and having lived with the LP for many years I'm happy to say that this cd digital transfer is not an audio dissapointment, the sound is every bit as exciting as the original analog. The only two other recordings I know of: LPO/Jarvi, Chandos 1993; Moscow Phil/Kyun Soo Won, Hallmark Classics,1994, are not up to the task. Jarvi comes close but self destroys with unwarranted bombastic mannerisms. Here you can sense the joy of the discovery of this marvelous score by the philadelphians having the time of their lives, virtuoso string playing of the highest order, great brass (specially horns) and woodwinds, and powerfull yet restrained percussion. Ormandy, who to my mind was a fine conductor but not always creative, manages here the performance of a lifetime. If you are a true Tchaikovsky fan you can't ignore this cd that has the additional benefit of the great Leonard Rose playing the Rococo cello variations, although in the discredited Fitzenhagen performing version. For some reason the cost of this single cd is too high but it's worth it. Hurry up! because they wont last long and enjoy.


title: Love the Covers

text: Can't wait to introduce all my Neighbors to the Best EDM the market has to offer.


title: A Tuneful, Easy-Listening Feast!

text:
The revival of interest in Moeran's music in recent decades has enriched the repertoire with beautiful and accessible works.  This disc gives us five, from the bracing Overture for a Masque to the lovely Rhapsodies, the third of which is for piano and orchestra.
Every piece has memorable tunes, apparently each of Moeran's invention except the folk tunes in the Second Rhapsody.  And what a tunesmith he was!  I sat there amazed, my ears drinking up one great melody after another, including the waltz music of the Third Rhapsody.
JoAnn Falletta directs the Ulster Orchestra in a wonderful, idiomatic performance, and Benjamin Frith is the excellent pianist.  The sound is exceptionally good.
If you love music like this, you won't want to miss it!


title: Exciting Performances with Liberties Taken

text:
These performances are fascinating.  Silvestri is strong both in terms of accurate ensemble and drama.  The finale of the Fourth Symphony is an example of both.  What a thrilling experience!  The lovely first theme of the Andante Cantabile of the Fifth shows the care he gives to moments of lyrical allure.  That he is working with an orchestra as fine as the Philharmonia is a major factor in securing such excellent performances.
There are odd things as well.  The theme that opens the Fourth is given a change in rhythm, and in the final movement of the Sixth, the second theme is sped up; I will have to hear it again to see how I  adjust to it.
The sound is excellent.  Woodwinds can be clearly heard when juxtaposed, very important in these works.  The violins have good volume and are not scratchy.  Percussion is just right.  And this is listening through headphones.
I wouldn't recommend this as your only set of these works, but without question it belongs as a supplement.


title: Wonderful Concert, Fine Class, Excellent Booklet

text:
This is an essential acquisition for Gigli fans.  The concert, in good sound, finds Gigli in much better voice than in his more familiar New York farewell performance later that year, when he had a cold.  The program contains a good variety of his usual repertoire, some selections accompanied by the Vienna Symphony under Dino Fedri, the rest by Fedri at the piano.  The tenor's golden soft tones are there, as are solid, steady top notes that one would never guess were being produced by a sixty-four year-old.
The class is conducted in Italian, and consists primarily of Gigli's answers to questions from students.  He only sings a few unaccompanied phrases, and there is no student singing.  A translator repeats each section in German.
But here is where I give Bongiovanni Records the highest mark:  the entire text of the class is printed in the CD booklet with an English translation!  As is common for historical issues, texts of the concert works are not included.
There are bonus tracks of live performances from the 1930's.  These are in poor sound.  I don't subtract a star for that, because the value of the rest of the disc.  The Aida tracks from 1937 are extremely difficult to listen to, and have multiple deletions.  By all means, however, do not miss what comes through of Mafalda Favero's lovely Manon on Track 11.


title: These Deserve Greater Exposure

text:
I purchased this CD after reading a review of it by Jim Svejda in the sixth edition of his book, The Insider's Guide to Classical Recordings.  I definitely share his enthusiasm.  The symphony is melodically enjoyable, with powerful moments as well as beautiful orchestration.
It is the Mass, however that makes the more stunning impression.  It is full of thrilling climaxes, so well realized by the performers.
The quiet choral singing at other times is very moving.  As in the symphony, Paray proves his worth as an orchestrator.  The sound is good.
Isn't it a delightful thing to discover a twentieth-century masterpiece that is easy to assimilate and enjoy?


title: Worthy Discoveries

text:
These first recordings of Stanford concertos come from early and late in his writing career.  The Cello Concerto of 1879-80 contains fine themes, composed with an already mature skill.  Alexander Baillie's technique and idiomatic playing allow us to hear it at its best, impressively supported by Braithwaite and the Royal Philharmonic.
The Third Piano Concerto was written four decades later, and was orchestrated by Geoffrey Bush, an excellent composer in his own right.  The themes are memorable, and Stanford drew on the knowledge of a lifetime to develop them.  Binns and Braithwaite are ideal for this work; there are moments in the first movement that are hypnotic under the softest touch of Binns's fingers, yet when they let go, as in other parts of the first movement and in the third, the performers give us fireworks with remarkable coordination.
The second movement is special.  The piano begins with a quiet, beautiful theme that later is played in a quicker tempo, followed by a slow section whose theme is hymn-like, with heartwarming harmonies.  This contains a passage of constant ascent for piano and orchestra which builds tension in one of those sequences where the power of music is beyond words.  And Stanford knew well how to descend from it in beauty.
These concertos, especially the one for piano, deserve to be in the active repertoire.


title: Wonderful Singer, Wonderful Songs

text:
Most listeners who buy this set possess something that I lack:  a knowledge of Russian.  So there is little reason for a Russian disc company to provide any notes, or even song titles, in English.  Because of the excellence of what is on these discs, my enjoyment is not dimmed by my ignorance.
While reading The Penguin Book of Russian Poetry, I read that Gamzatov's poem, "Cranes" was slightly revised and recorded as a song in 1969 by Mark Bernes.  This made me want to hear it, and I found it on this set (Disc 1, Track 3).  I later read that Bernes, aware that he was dying of lung cancer, was emotionally overcome when he first heard it, and recorded it only weeks before his death.  And a moving recording it is: it became one of the most popular songs in Russian history.
A Russian/English dictionary enabled me to translate most of the titles, and I located English translations of four of the song texts, including "Cranes" and the second song on the first disc, "Dark Night", on the Internet.  The other 48 songs are also lovely or catchy, all performed by a singer whose voice is unforced, often close to speech, enhancing the emotional impact through understatement.  The quality of the voice is at times hypnotic.  The various instrumental accompanying groups are fine partners in these songs, nearly all of which will be recognized as Russian by their harmony.
The remastering of songs recorded over many years is successful.  The latest tracks are in stereo.


title: Excellent Program, Splendidly Performed

text:
Pairing the Liszt and Schubert Bb sonatas was a worthy idea: the Liszt with its drama in one long movement, and the Schubert in the more traditional multi-movement form.
But in its own combination of ingredients, Schubert's last sonata is anything but traditional.  And Sofronitsky brings out the loveliness as well as the disturbing undercurrent of the first movement, and the depth and pathos of the second.  Softonitsky's expression of the sudden harmonic change toward the end of that movement is breathtaking. The final two movements are performed with the dash and brio they deserve, never deviating from Softonitsky's concept of the sonata as a whole.
The Liszt sonata is given a performance that is expert and frightening.  You will soon forget that the microphone is placed so close to the piano that Softronitsky's vocalizations are occasionally audible, and that notes meant to carry to the back of the hall are sometimes more prominent than they would have been in a studio recording.  I wouldn't trade the brasher moments in the sound for any less exciting version.  This is one of the greatest.
The two Schubert-Liszt song arrangements complement each other. "Litanei" is quiet and lyrical, though here the closeness of the microphone robs us of much of the perspective that would give the melody line more warmth.  I really prefer Alfred Cortot's performances of his own arrangement.
"Aufenthalt", though, is in Sofronitsky's hands powerful, dramatic, and a fitting conclusion to a remarkable disc.
The booklet text is entirely in Russian.  As this is strictly an instrumental recording, that was not a major disappointment.  Isn't it a happy thing that music is a universal language?


title: A Great Opera

text:
There is one reason only why I withheld a fifth star:  no libretto.  With so many  characters, who often sing at the same time, it would be, for this listener, impossible to determine what is going on, and who is singing what.  Fortunately, the libretto is available from the publisher, ECS, so I was able to obtain it.
The power of this work is overwhelming.  If inspired, as it is here, music can enhance a play and drive it home over an additional road to the senses.
Ward uses hymnody, dissonance, and romantic lyricism to expand a provacative, shocking text.  To increase the potency, Emerson Buckley conducts his orchestra with all the passion one could hope for.  The cast is ideal, and the sound is surprisingly brilliant for the age of the recording.
An unforgettable experience, which would have been a highly frustrating one if I hadn't spent extra money to order the libretto.


title: A Happy Discovery

text:
This 2-disc set of songs by Walter Donaldson is a very enjoyable listening experience.  It will probably be a surprise how many hit songs of the 1920's and 30's were written by the same composer.  His music blessed the careers of stars such as Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and Gene Austin with songs like "Carolina in the Morning", "Makin'
Whoopie!", and "My Blue Heaven", though the first two of those are represented in this set by Dean Martin and Dr. John.
Some of my favorite Donaldson songs are lesser-known ones such as "I've Had My Moments", sung here by Peggy Lee.  One of the outstanding features of this collection is the demonstration of how well Donaldson's music adapts to changing performance styles over the years.  The recordings are from many decades.  Some of the songs are represented by more than one interpretation, and the comparison is fascinating.  Mel Torme is the only one to sing two versions himself of the same song, "You're Driving Me Crazy".  They are quite different in style and instrumention, and both are great performances.
Two outstanding recordings are played by solo pianists, Jim Hession in "Changes" and Tom Fay in "Until the Stars Fall Down".  The former is virtuosic and thrilling, the latter a deeply moving conclusion to the entire set.
Enthusiastically recommended!


title: Bring Your Handkerchief and Enyoy It!

text:
Unlike most operettas, but like others of Lehar's late ones, Der Zarewitsch does not have a happy ending.  Instead,  the crown prince and his love must part after a short but blissful time in a southern land.  The music of the work ranges from ardent love songs to comedy tunes to the crown prince's beautiful first act song of loneliness, which is made even lovelier by the inclusion of balalaikas.  The score is laced with a Russian flavor.

All of the performers are excellent.  That the spoken rolls are taken by such actors as Hans Sohnker is a huge plus in a work like this, in which the dialog is important in appreciating the performance to the fullest.

The orchestra under Mattes plays expertly and idiomatically, and the sound is very good.  There is an easy-to-follow synopsis, but no text or translation, the absence of which is normal for EMI releases of operettas at this price level.

If you love this kind of music, don't hesitate!


title: A Top-Drawer Conclusion

text:
The last (unfortunately) of the Hofmann series on Marston.  Again, I am amazed at the fine work involved in remastering and presentation.  The documentation is extensive and very welcome.

Here we have a new source for the precious Moonlight Sonata performace, in better sound, plus some alternate takes of previously recorded items.  But the most valuable offering is the group of interviews of people who knew and worked with Hofmann.  These are an eye opener, almost like getting to know him personally.  Some are sad, as they shed light on his drinking and his death, while there is humor and much description of his style as a teacher.

For Hofmann lovers, an indispensable addition.

John Waring


title: A Fascinating Document in Sound

text:
This, the eighth set in the Complete Josef Hofmann series on Marston, is one of the most revealing.  There are examples of the artist's recorded playing at its best and its worst.  The former is heard in the Beethoven concerto, technically remarkable and  dynamically proportioned by that technique and by inner vision.  The Rubinstein concertos are also very well played, the third being especially welcome because recordings of it are rare.

Sadly, there are examples of his playing when things didn't go right -- the Chopin Berceuse comes to mind.  But to hear him as he was gives one a better idea of his life and challenges, and makes one appreciate the precision he had for decades, as well as all that it took to achieve and maintain it.

Ward Marston's remastering, as always, brings out the best possible sound.  Highly recommendable.


title: Complete sets of Beethoven bagatelles – Alfred Brendel at his most charming

text: Alfred Brendel and Ludwig van Beethoven suits each other in a fascinating manner. Far from profundity and scope of sonatas, Beethoven’s bagatelles convey in their terse texture a large gamut of moods and demand the soloist to get a subtle balance between technique and feeling. Exactitude and finesse of touch is needed of course, but the grace is that who takes the stage in performing these lovely miniatures. Despite their lightness and simplicity, for playing seductively these short pieces, the pianist must master a deeper understanding of Beethoven’s inner universe and be very attentive with nuances, with fine tuning and gauging the sound effects. These are quite the quality Brendel has a lifetime been praised for. This recording simply shows Brendel at his most charming. He simply amuses in playing this repertoire. And what a seductive result!


title: Alfred Brendel – live joyfulness and romantic mood in Schubert sonatas

text:
Schubert was central to Alfred Brendel’s repertoire since the early days of his longish and prestigious performing career. Year by year, the legendary Austrian pianist seemed to deepen his insights when it came to Schubert and refine his means by fresh inspiration to approach this wonderful musical realm. A well-balanced touch and deeply heart-felt way of playing entered the stage in Brendel’s Schubert recordings and his live performances. The latter unfolded in addition – due to their unitary conception and realization - a rich world of feelings and ideas conjured up on spot, much inspired in their mood and carefully chiseled on their sound side.

This twofer gathers four live recordings of Brendel comprising Schubert sonatas, achieved between 1997 and 1999 in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London and Aldeburgh. If A major (D 959), B flat major (D 960) and G major D 894) sonatas are here nothing but some valuable repeats, the B major one (D 575) is a new entry in his recorded repertory.

All in all, this release is a welcome pretext to celebrate and enjoy Brendel’s masterful craftsmanship in his dearest musical realm.


title: True Beethoven in Alfred Brendel’s hands

text:
I think there are no other composers dearer to his heart and more suitable to his style than Beethoven and Schubert. Maybe Haydn's humorous subtexts or Mozart's floating cantabiles could appeal Brendel's musical interests at a comparable extent as - and come close to - his fondness of serving Beethoven and Schubert. However, these four giants of the Viennese Classicism have long been his four aces so that Brendel's reputation owes them its most consistent part. Therefore it is not a surprise that he recorded the complete cycle of Beethoven sonatas no less than three times, each at a different age, in a constantly ascendant development as a performing artist.

An always-elegant touch and a very subtle insight helped Brendel - during a longish career, spanning 60 years on stage - give benchmark renditions of those giants' masterpieces to be cherished by his large number of admirers.  If one adds the flattering title of "thinker at the piano", earned from worldwide audiences and critics alike, this could explain the top position Alfred Brendel secured for himself among the contemporary pianists. His erudition overlapped his keen sensitivity and infallible musical intuitions, as to supply a seductively witty, serene, perfumed style of playing. So personal, though scrupulously rigorous with regard to the score.

This recorded cycle of complete Beethoven sonatas dates from Brendel's full maturity, being recorded and released in the first half of the 1990s, a period of great achievements in his artistic life. His legendary classical poise is nowhere better highlighted than here, in his last recorded traversal of Beethoven sonatas. Each of the 10 CD asserts for his conception. According to it a masterpiece should not be forced to mould the performer's obsessions or affinities - instead the performer has to find its essence and look for both the closest empathy with composer's intentions and the most natural re-thinking the score in its own terms. Otherwise, the masterpiece can well be considered betrayed. Any interpretation should remain within this ineffable contour and serve the truths of the piece. It is exactly what Brendel achieves here. In a magisterially refined manner!

Guided by Alfred Brendel, immersing in the all-embracing inner world of Beethoven becomes a pure delight!


title: Alfred Brendel’s legacy - live recordings at the crepuscule of an impressive performing career!

text:
All the pieces offered on this CD-twofer by legendary pianist Alfred Brendel can be found - some of them in two or even three different versions - on his previous studio recordings. However, the clue of this recent release is that it treasures a special moment in Brendel’s performing activity: the end-point of his 2008 farewell tour that culminated with his last ever solo recital (in Hannover, on 14 December) and his last ever concerto (in Vienna, on 18 December, accompanied by the renowned local Philharmonic, on that very occasion under the baton of Sir Charles Mackerras). How inspired the label ‘THINKER AT THE PIANO’ attached to Brendel! How lively and expressive his light finger-work in his recent years (including, of course, these valedictory concerts)! How serene his manner to deal with the beloved masterpieces of the Viennese Classicism! And how elegant to retire by choice from the international concert platform, aged 77, in full command of his technical skills, at the peak of his artistry!

Regarded as one of the most important artists of the XX and XXI centuries, Alfred Brendel remains for me the most interesting pianist I have ever had the chance to hear in live performances. What are the key features that allowed Brendel to be held in such esteem as the supreme master of the classical repertory?  What kind of insight does he employ in order to convey the deepest truths of the scores he interprets? Where does he get his inspiration from?

I dare suggest some answers. The magic of his renditions occurs due to his distinctive intellectual approach that supplies the tools for building sound musical structures and, consequently, to his “sixth sense” which makes him intuitively find the most proper accents for everything he wants to convey on the keyboard.  The respectful regard to whatever he performs and a lifelong devotion to the truth of the score ensure such a consistent approach - inspired in style and suitable in pianistic technique - that simply enraptures the listener, even now after sixty years of performing career. Poised and elegant, Brendel’s style seems to uphold on two verbs: ‘to feel’ and ‘to understand’. That is, the interpreter’s freedom works up to the borders that define the masterpiece, keeping a permanent touch with it from inside, understanding it, feeling it, but never crossing outside that border towards the territory of self-affirming or bombast interpretations. This was not achieved at once, but by accumulating step by step a huge stage-experience, a vast repertory and - most of all – by searching alone time and again in front of the score its deepest meanings and truths. The piece – in Brendel’s hands - is not a mere pretext, but the ESSENCE OF MUSIC itself. Brendel professes the faith to the composer’s intentions and tries to highlight them. He aims at entirely assuming the work before performing it, as a researcher looking for the magic formula of a certain new phenomenon. Once achieved, “the formula” remains for ever his.

That is the sign of artistic maturity so subtly sublimed in his poised artistry allowing him to install - in the core of the demanding Viennese classical repertory (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and especially Schubert) - as the supreme authoritative figure among living pianists. Enjoy this valedictory pronouncement of a great artist! Share with Alfred Brendel the youthful way of playing the “Jeunehomme” Concerto by Mozart or the exquisite melancholy and grace of the last Sonata by Schubert! Highly recommended!


title: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: a chamber approach with Janine Jansen and her colleagues

text:
The four violin concertos gathered by Vivaldi under the title The Four Seasons are indisputably some of the most beloved pieces for violin and orchestra in the history of music. The audiences around the world are happy to rediscover the pre-classical beauties inculcated by the Italian maestro in these melodic and rhythmic jewels of the concertante literature. Therefore, every violinist feels himself/herself entitled to tackle Vivaldi’s treasure and try to find his/her own way to recreate it.

The beautiful and talented young Dutch Janine Jansen says in the liner notes of this recording that for her the feeling and its intensity is the most important achievement of music making. I dare say that it is quite this feature that makes her recorded account of The Seasons so appealing. Mastering a flawless technique of the violin, convincingly betting on the feeling-transmission and knowing very well what a wealthy amount of musicality swarms these scores, Janine Jansen goes to the very essence of the music. The orchestra is reduced to a few chamber players, thus every compartment getting a higher importance. Along with her brother (Morten) and father (Jan), among the players we encounter Julian Rachlin (viola)!!!

The overall result is an enjoyable version of Vivaldi’s masterpiece in a minimal cast, but with maximal efficiency in musical terms.


title: Truls Mork and Bach cello suites – a match made in heaven

text: Only great artists – and Truls Mork is definitely one of them – can approach Bach’s works with that magic combination of austerity and warmth - yet, their relative proportion is something of a mystery – that makes his music so uniquely alive and expressive. Written as six distinct opuses, each conceived in six movements, the Suites for cello solo belong to the purest Baroque style and are cornerstones on the road of artistry for any cellist aiming to secure for himself/herself a place in the Music Olympus. Besides the technical ability in mastering the instrument, a special kind of sensitivity is required on the part of the interpreter in order to supply the ease of conveying the deepest meanings and the proper moods of each movement. The sober, imposing or intimate atmosphere in a certain suite is set from the very beginning. Each Prélude contains the seeds of the ensuing numbers Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and a dance – Menuet, Bourrée or Gavotte – to conclude with a Gigue. One can state that there are six different trajectories throbbing passionately under a very austere glaze with sharp edges and polyphony-suggesting textures. Mork’s vision of the six suites is seductive, as he knows how to differentiate each nuance, how to attack each phrase, how to stage each colour and timber to erect worlds of ethereal beauty. His involvement asserts for a keen personal conception. The exquisite result owes, of course, its noble shine mainly to Johann Sebastian, but maybe a quite equal amount of distinction is brought by Truls Mork’s deep empathy with such a great music and his wonderful instrument (a precious Montagnaga 1723).


title: Alfred Brendel - live joyfulness and romantic mood in Schubert sonatas

text:
Schubert was central to Alfred Brendel's repertoire since the early days of his longish and prestigious performing career. Year by year, the legendary Austrian pianist seemed to deepen his insights when it came to Schubert and refine his means by fresh inspiration to approach this wonderful musical realm. A well-balanced touch and deeply heart-felt way of playing entered the stage in Brendel's Schubert recordings and his live performances. The latter unfolded in addition - due to their unitary conception and realization - a rich world of feelings and ideas conjured up on spot, much inspired in their mood and carefully chiseled on their sound side.
This twofer gathers four live recordings of Brendel comprising Schubert sonatas, achieved between 1997 and 1999 in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London and Aldeburgh. If A major (D 959), B flat major (D 960) and G major D 894) sonatas are here nothing but some valuable repeats, the B major one (D 575) is a new entry in his recorded repertory.
All in all, this release is a welcome pretext to celebrate and enjoy Brendel's masterful craftsmanship in his dearest musical realm.


title: Alfred Brendel's insightful, vivid Bach

text:
Alfred Brendel recorded in 1976 a disc entirely devoted to Johann Sebastian Bach's music. The present release is a re-issue of that recording, now put proudly by Philips/DECCA under the title "Originals" to celebrate the art of an essential pianist of our age and to fix into contemporary consciences a highly valued achievement. It is well-known that Bach was for many years not a core repertory to Brendel. His career was dealing almost exclusively with classical Viennese repertory (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and especially Schubert). He himself admits that the approach to Bach was somehow lent and shy, among reasons invoking that he was overwhelmed by his teacher Edwin Fischer whose Bach seemed exquisite in epoch. (However, the entire interview with Brendel in the accompanying booklet is full of substance, insightful and illuminating.)

Though atypical for the Austrian pianist, this Bach album by Alfred Brendel deserves a first row place among his recordings. The finesse of his touch, the precision of his articulation, the naturalness of his phrasing and Brendel's huge musical expertise are the qualities that make these Baroque keyboard masterpieces so sound fresh, inspired and alive. Brendel belongs to that kind of intellectual pianists able to convey the magic of music simply daggering into the score, just seeking for the pace of the score, for its natural breath. It is the case here where Bach seems more vivid than ever and at the same time more classical and precise than one could expect.

I think there has to be a deep meaning that Brendel chose in his last concerts (in December 2008, before his definitive retiring from the international platform) to offer as an encore a sample of Bach (arr. Busoni) - "Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland", a piece included on this record too.

Enjoy Brendel's mastery in this wonderful repertory!


title: Golden triad Beethoven-Brendel-Rattle in Viennese atmosphere

text:
Alfred Brendel has no rival when it comes to classical Viennese repertoire. His acclaimed Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Haydn renditions made date, both on international stage and disc. His infallible insight combined with his scrupulous knowledge and study over scores seem the most appropriate approach to Beethoven sonatas, concertos, bagatelles, variations. Although Brendel's performances can be seen as rigorous and faithful to composer's intentions up to minute notation, neither the intellectual argument prevails, nor the sentimentality. A fine line in reading those masterpieces is ceaselessly followed. All he plays gains the simplicity of the truth.

This traversal of Beethoven concertos is the third recorded cycle signed Alfred Brendel. This time, it was achieved along with Vienna Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, in an efficient partnership for the Great Music. The sound quality is excellent, the match between soloist and conductor perfect, the dialogue with the orchestra realised with the balance principle in mind. Yet, if I would be urged no chose between his three complet cycles I would opt for his second realised live with Chicago Symphony under James Levine. The live emotion, the direct communication, the spontaneity of a reaction at spot enriched that version. Here the proceedings seem a little bit clinical, too rigorous and too prepared. The fingertip of Brendel, is however magisterially emphasized in these recordings. My note is four stars and a half.


title: The best Beethoven concerto cycle for the ages

text:
Although both recorded sets of complete Beethoven concertos the legendary Alfred Brendel achieved in his full maturity - the one with Chicago Symphony under James Levine and the one with Vienna Philharmonic under Simon Rattle - are my favourites compared to any others in the market, I must admit that when I am looking for the spontaneity, directness, and freshness in the soloist proceedings this very set I choose. The recording was made in 1983, so here Brendel is in his early fifties - a time of glory for any musician and especially for a refined one as the case is here. He addresses the core of the Beethovenian mood with all his knowledge and inspired insight, displaying a plethora of pianistic means to convey flamboyance and rigour, reflectiveness and exuberance, love and despair, passion and resignation. Every note gains its right nuance. The logical line is followed strictly, the required atmosphere surfaces the proceedings, yet within their margins what a superb personal point of view Brendel accredits. His approach favours both the drama and the soaring, in a perfect match with a sound-quality-oriented orchestra led supple by Levine. Brendel's approach is intellectual and passionate at the same time. His long expertise in classical Viennese composers helps here in making those masterpieces properly spark. Being captured live, these recordings also contain the immediacy and the fervour only a deep understanding and empathy can supply. What a marvellous Emperor or a gracefully lyrical Fourth! Lively and playful are the first concertos, and mighty in its grandeur the Third!

Top of the top!


title: Alfred Brendel's aristocratic version competing for "the best of the best" Schubert impromptus recording

text:
If I would be urged to choose the best of the best versions of Schubert's complete impromptus (available now in the CD market) my options would surely vacillate between two legendary renditions committed to disc in early 1970s by two of the greatest performers of the classical Viennese composer: Alfred Brendel and Radu Lupu. Each of the two versions shines and conquers you in its own right: Brendel's by a fresh and light playfulness simply inviting to soar, Lupu's by a lyrical introspection that thrills the listener giving rise to a delicate and romantic melancholy. Both betting on the beauty of this unmatched marvelous music...

Although Brendel relapsed to these wonderful impromptus in late 1980s digital recordings of the late Schubert's works (1822-1828), his previous version seems to me the definitive one, the most inspired and successful in getting the very essence of the Schubertian grace. There is an infallible joy in his playing, yet a permanent restrain controls the proceedings. Brendel's conception proves serene, imaginative, cordial and confessing. Neither too direct, nor too elaborated. But in permanent seek for the right nuance and proper mood of each note, for voicing the meaning of the deepest emotions. His technique aims to firmly touch the contours but never crossing them, never distorting them. His famous sense of narration in music stands here at its most seductive. Each particular phrase tells a story, suggests a history, unfolds instants of a destiny. I fond of Brendel's fondness of humbly mediate such an elegant and beautiful music. There are moments when I am tempted to make up my choice regarding the best of the best recorded Schubert impromptus...

Try this twofer and you won't be disappointed. After repeated listening to it, you will feel enticed to think of choosing the best of the best Schubert recorded impromptus too...


title: "Moonlight"...  in a fresh light

text:
Alfred Brendel gives a wondrous reading here of some Beethoven maturity-sonatas, including the celebrated "Moonlight". They are innovative and daring works of a composer in a tireless search for his proper way, tempting new forms, inaugurating new paths, merging together - for instance - sonata with fantasy or adapting traditional patterns to his inner musical needs.

Fresh inspiration, delicacy, keen approach, sense of narration - are the features that Brendel always displays generously in his accounts of the classical repertory!  They seem the awaited fruits of both a mighty musical insight and a longish stage experience, veritable tools Brendel relays on when conveying truths and beauties of the classical masterpieces. This legendary pianist confirms here once more - at the peak of his artistry in early `90s - his reputation as unmatched interpreter of the Viennese school. The finesse of his rendition is astonishing, stemming in his deep meditation on the scores. No casual chord, no phrase lacking its meaning, no emotion missing, but everything in its place. The logical line of each of these four superb sonatas (op.26, op.27 nos. 1 & 2, and op.49 no.1) is followed magisterially, though a jeweller care for details unfolds ceaselessly.  Brendel speaks about "structure" and "character" of the piece. Listening to his seductive accounts, one can easily understand these notions and witness them making sense and giving rise to vivid artistic emotions.

This CD belongs to a complete series of recordings - the third in his career - accomplished by Alfred Brendel at the beginning of his sixties. I consider it one of the most valuable pianistic accounts ever!


title: "Moonlight"...  in a fresh light

text:
Alfred Brendel gives a wondrous reading here of some Beethoven maturity-sonatas, including the celebrated "Moonlight". They are innovative and daring works of a composer in a tireless search for his proper way, tempting new forms, inaugurating new paths, merging together - for instance - sonata with fantasy or adapting traditional patterns to his inner musical needs.

Fresh inspiration, delicacy, keen approach, sense of narration - are the features that Brendel always displays generously in his accounts of the classical repertory!  They seem the awaited fruits of both a mighty musical insight and a longish stage experience, veritable tools Brendel relays on when conveying truths and beauties of the classical masterpieces. This legendary pianist confirms here once more - at the peak of his artistry in early `90s - his reputation as unmatched interpreter of the Viennese school. The finesse of his rendition is astonishing, stemming in his deep meditation on the scores. No casual chord, no phrase lacking its meaning, no emotion missing, but everything in its place. The logical line of each of these four superb sonatas (op.26, op.27 nos. 1 & 2, and op.49 no.1) is followed magisterially, though a jeweller care for details unfolds ceaselessly.  Brendel speaks about "structure" and "character" of the piece. Listening to his seductive accounts, one can easily understand these notions and witness them making sense and giving rise to vivid artistic emotions.

This CD belongs to a complete series of recordings - the third in his career - accomplished by Alfred Brendel at the beginning of his sixties. I consider his Beethoven traversal one of the most valuable pianistic accounts ever!


title: Mellow artistry in the youthful Mozartian playing of Alfred Brendel

text:
Alfred Brendel has exclusively recorded for Philips since early `70s, but only towards the end of his career - after 2000 - he dared to tackle the pinnacle of the solo keyboard repertoire which is represented by the Mozart's sonatas and entrusted to the disc his vision on them.*

And what a wondrous vision are we offered here! We can marvel at three of the most spectacular and sniffed by the music-lovers sonatas: K 332, K 333 and K 457. As a special encore, we are delighted also with the magic Adagio in B minor K 540.

We have come to expect now that all that Brendel decide to include in his repertory has to be touched by his inspired attitude of respecting at the highest degree the composer's will, annotated scrupulously in the score. What are then the liberties of the interpreter facing the tyranny of the score? Brendel explains us in a very logical - and appealing, after all - manner of playing: there is a borderline of each masterpiece to be found out properly by the interpreter, the latter being entitled to move relatively freely within that borderline but taking great care that moving outside it - by setting a new light on the piece or imposing a too personal view in contradiction with its own character - the piece itself gets falsified.

No such a danger with Brendel at the keyboard! In this third act of the Mozart series (comprising in 4 CDs no less than 12 sonatas and other solo works) the highlights are the late C minor Sonata K 457 and the voluptuous B minor Adagio K 540, two works unfolding a mellow Mozartian artistry, with unexpected iridescences pinpointing to a - yet hopeful - melancholy (Adagio K 540) or rhythmic outbursts (take for instance the first movement of K 457).

Alfred Brendel proves that Mozart can be youthfully played even when you are 70 with the only condition to be honestly and totally immersed in this brilliant music full of enchanting perspectives and burdensome premonitions. It is a commonplace that Mozart belongs to that super-class of composers who choose very severely the proper artists to perform his music.

But - fortunately - Alfred Brendel is one of them!

*The other side of the peak is represented by Beethoven sonatas, but in this case Brendel recorded the complete cycle three times during his career, the last traversal - and the most accomplished one, in my opinion - in the mid `90!


title: CD was fine. came w/ a scratch.

text: most of the songs in this album were good, definitely not her best one though.


title: Carlos Y jose CD

text: Not what I wanted, has many songs that are not original, plus the CD's are not a good quality. hope will no happen again.


title: Delighted with this find

text:
Delighted  with this find. love it. thanks for making it still available after so many years.
Dame Janet Baker , Elizabeth Harwood tears..a generation of singers should be played on the radio as well.
What a shame they have been put aside.
Elizabeth Klausli


title: Perfect as advesrtised

text: Everything is perfect with CCR!


title: Five Stars

text: ok


title: An outstanding box set from Kings of Leon

text:
This set includes the band's first three albums, plus an additional disc of rarities (one side is studio demos, and the other is live tracks).  You can hear the band develop as musicians  over the course of these albums.

A great deal of care went in to designing this set, and the production qualities show in the vinyl.  The discs sound very clear, and there is no distortion on any of the tracks.

I am not a fan of their later albums, because they lack the edge of the first three.  The first two albums are not as polished as the third, but even "Because of the Times" has a rawness that the band hasn't touched on since then.


title: Five Stars

text: great concert and performance. good sound quality as well.


title: Five Stars

text: I had this record when I was younger and listened to it all the time.


title: great music but poor delivery

text: Great music but I purchased new and the case was cracked and broken.  Not what you expect when you pay for a new item.


title: Poor placement of related pieces on three discs.

text: Musically, this album is an A+.  But the way the engineers split up the movements of the major works  is awful.  They should put all movements of the Brandenburg Concertos together on one disc; and the entire Orchestral Suites together on another disc, etc., etc.  But Oh no, it's like they shuffled a deck of cards and delt out three random hands.


title: Inspiring for children

text: This CD seems geared more toward corresponding with a child. Would not recommend it as a gift for an adult.


title: Of course it's available...

text: Just email me via Amazon and I'll provide you with Kevin's estate's website, where you can find most of his pre-death and post-death releases for $15 a piece.


title: Welcome Back!

text: It seems that everyone has forgotten the CD in between "The Subversive Sounds of Love" and "New Debut".  That would be the CD in honor of the death of Frisbie's lead singer at the time on a minimally released CD entitled "Period."  Somehow, somewhere these guys threw everything they used to know away and yet retained everything simultaneously.  In short, they figured out a sweet spot, minus Zack Kantor, and carried on -- so congratulations.  This is classic, classy pop music not to be missed by anyone with an interest in succinct pop songs that reap of harmony and melody and... well, the strength to carry on and reinvent when the universe tries to defy such efforts.  Welcome back, Frisbie.  [[ASIN:B00004W3YE The Subversive Sounds Of Love]]


title: Aural Candy!

text:
Having read several reviews of this cd, I approached purchasing it with apprehension.  You shouldn't.  You should click your mouse on your shopping cart icon right this very moment and open yourself to the epic revision  Green Gartside presents with this, his first cd in eleven years.
I'm  neither a fan of hip-hop or rap, but I have been a fan of Scritti Politti's  since the first time my stereo needle dropped on the first track of his  1982 "Songs to Remember".  Times have changed.  And Gartside,  silent for all these years, has as well.  For long-time Scritti Politti  fans, listeners will immediately be drawn to the ballads on this cd.  There  are four of them:  "First Goodbye," "Mystic Handyman,"  "Born to Be," and "Brushed with Oil, Dusted with  Powder."  Each sweeter than the last.  All steeped in melody,  multi-layered vocals, and the sharpest of production values.  They will  stun you.
Now the challenge (follow closely):  The remaining seven  songs are a hybrid free-for-all mix of hip-hop, rap, dance, funk, rock and  pop.  And, amazingly, it all works.  Every guitar riff, diverse sound and  guest artist vocal combine to create some of the most inventive, aural  candy your ears will hear this year.
Understand, my initial reaction to  this cd was to think that I would burn the four ballads onto a homespun  "best of" cd and forget about the rest.  But after a few spins on  my player, I'm here to say, "Anomie & Bonhomie" IS a best of  cd.  Every track is worthwhile.  From the propulsive "Smith 'n'  Slappy" to the funk of "Tinseltown to the Boogiedown", from  the slap of electric guitars that bounce throughout "Prince Among  Men" to the simple beauty of the final track "Brushed, etc."  I've played this cd so much in the past two weeks, I'm surprised it hasn't  melted in my player.
Yes, Gartside's breathy vocals sometimes compete  in the mix of all of this, but in the end, you'll still end up with a cd  that sounds like no other in your collection.  Enjoy!


title: Awesome

text: This CD came out of nowhere. I was surfing the net one night looking for some Greek music to listen too. I ran across Kalliopi's web site, downloaded some music and then stood mesmerized by her beauty and voice. I don't understand Greek, but this could very well be a starting point to learn the language. Closing your eyes, this music will take you to the ancient land of Greece on a journey to the birthplace of mythical heroes, historic battles and incredible temples carved of stone. My favorite tracks are number 12"Don't ask what I become of" and 15 "Apocalypse". This is one CD you could care less about understanding the words. Kalliopi's voice transcends verbal understanding and speaks to the human soul. This truly is a rare find in a CD and a must buy for anyone's collection.


title: informacion no es clara

text: la publicacion de este cd no es clara ya que en ninguna parte del cd dice que esta remasterizado, como coleccionista es muy importante estar seguro de este detalle, pero Amazon no permite contactar al vendedor


title: One of the best Ministry Of Sound

text: This album was a real throw back and an ultimate classic. I used to have it in high school and sadly it was lost or stolon :( When I saw this on Amazon surfing one day I had to have it, all the tracks are good by themselves but better yet the mix can be played back to back for easy background music to any occasion, from cooking to entertaining guest.


title: Excellent!

text: Love this EP, so good that bands are still releasing EP's and also, on Vinyl! (the way it should be). Great music by The Breeders, if you enjoy high quality audio + great unique music, then buy this, it's awesome!


Aeroplane Flies High is collection like no other, if only for the booklet that is included. If metaphorically we were to compare the album to a ruthless lover, then the album will be sure to do you solidly leave, moan for you to return, kick your teeth in and will not pay your cab fare. You will find yourself hitching a airplane you can't afford, and only if you can pretend you are the troubadour of ages past you will find yourself on another plane of existence, dead. Within you will find Mellon Collie singles and expanded melodic conversations of influence and process every album arguably delivers and emotively maybe more and share in the lust and break that was the pumpkins of yore.


title: The lost jewel...

text: Why this album is out-of-print in America is beyond comprehension. From what I had gathered, it is one of the most revered and formidable albums Blue Öyster Cult had ever produced. It's been heralded as one of the best  BÖC albums, and one of the best concept albums of all time. And yet, it's  next to impossible to find. Why is this so? Unimaginable, because when I  got my hands on a copy of this album, I was beyond impressed. This album  brought dignity back to the BÖC name in the eighties (although the bad rap  they got in the eighties for "Club Ninja" and "Revolution by  Night" is so undeserved in my opinion...sure they weren't as great as  the seventies albums, but they were still filled with great music).  Recalling the songwriting skills of the departed drummer Al Bouchard, this  album rocks with great anthems like "I Am the One You Warned Me  Of," and the band's namesake "Blue Öyster Cult." The title  track which closes the album is also a wonderful testament to the band's  ability to produce music that is subtly eerie, yet as hard-hitting as the  metal bands that they helped to inspire. Most notable on this album is the  bold reworking of their "Secret Treaties" classic  "Astronomy." Given a new sound, the new version lacks the  climactic buildup the original had, but it still screams with power and  still contains that warcry that made it a live spectacle. This version is  much cleaner in terms of production quality and playing, and I love it just  as much as the original. "Imaginos" is a brilliant epic that  truly deserves more recognition. To hell with commercial success, for  nothing can replace pure songwriting talent. Blue Öyster Cult are a band  for the ages, and may their name live on in the minds of true fans like  myself.


title: One of the most beautiful albums ever recorded

text:
On an Island ranks right up there with the very best Pink Floyd albums. I was in tears when I heard how beautiful it was. Like the good old days of early 70's Pink Floyd albums like Atom Heart Mother,  Meddle,  Obscured by Clouds. The albums that made me a die-hard fan and Pink Floyd my favorite band. Lots of Jazz, Progressive Rock and everything else I love about Pink Floyd.
It doesn't get any better than this!

My wife gave me this album when it first came out and I married her a few months after. I have been incredibly happy ever since and have good memories every time I listen to this album.


title: The horns are even better on SACD

text: The SACD itself is excellent. You think you know the songs. Listen and you know it better. I am happy to have this recording on this great media.


title: This was NOT the original 1972 recording with the full ...

text:
This was NOT the original 1972 recording with the full and moving Don Wrtzen orchestra accompaniment.
It was an amateurish choir with piano only.
What a dissapointment!


title: Five Stars

text: Son Life is a wonderful record and I was so excited to find it on Amazon


title: Really helpful, well oraganized!!

text: It is really helpful, well organized review and it also covers all the materials that will be on the test.


title: ONE OF TAYLOR’S  BEST ALBUMS!!!

text: [[VIDEOID:c3596afab03279b4260d33a20f47709c]] Can in on time, Really great Audio,condition, One Of Taylor’s Best Work today!

attachment_type: IMAGE


title: Obsessed

text: Love it


title: came with a crack

text: It came with a small crack on the back but it’s fine for usage


title: Impecable

text: En perfectas condiciones.


title: others are poor remakes. Bottom line

text: Also being sold under the title "The Official American Bandstand Library of Rock And Roll." Both are exactly the same, down to the re-recorded tracks "Worst That Could Happen," "White Rabbit," "The Twist" and several others. Some of the re-records are close to the original, others are poor remakes. Bottom line: There are better compilations out there with these tracks that are all the original versions and at a comparable or lower price. It's worth looking around before purchasing. I hear the "American Bandstand 50th Anniversary" Time Life 12CD/1DVD Box set is a solid and 100 percent original collection, although it can be a bit pricey.


title: A Solid Canadian Band -- They Hold Their Own Against Any American Southern Rock Group

text: Man, this album is worth it just for the power country rock version of John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy." This ain't your daddy's happy fiddle and handclapping version. By changing up the arrangement and melody, The Road Hammers have turned this light ditty into a hard country rock anthem. It works and it suits this band's sound. Every tune on this album is good. If you like Big And Rich, you'll enjoy The Road Hammers.


title: good!

text: like it. I bought all of taylor's album. good good good ! love her songs! the style gives you a peaceful adventure.


title: broken!!!

text: the cover of the album was broken. Taylor's face was peel off from the cover. since it is only $10, I do not want to return it anymore, just throw it away. No value of collection.


title: Great!

text: The first copy i ordered came damaged but I quickly got a replacement that is in perfect condition! Really satisfied with my new cd!


title: Amazing

text:
This is amazing
Forgot to write a review earlier lol
But I love this CD so much
Not only was it in perfect condition
The packaging was amazing


title: I love taylor and her tunes so of course I give 5 stars!

text: I love it


title: Perfect

text: [[VIDEOID:9cc348d4b441f091936ada3bd3c32d86]] Although there were no extra protection the cd and disc came in perfect condition with no cracks or scratches. Plays as should.


title: Cracked case

text: There was a 1.5 inch crack on the back. On the inside, more than half the plastic that holds the disc are just broken off. CD was scratch-less hence the 3 stars. But it doesn’t matter when you’re collecting.


title: Good buy

text: Gave it as a gift and that person loves it.


title: So glad i got this

text: This is a nice ep , i love the extra songs and loved the DVD content. It is nice to see filming of videos and see her mum and the band. The extra songs are really good and the sleeve turns into a poster. So worth it.


title: Disks don’t work

text: This is a replacement disk for the first disk that didn’t work… neither of the disks work!!


title: the quintessential rubber duckie

text:
If you were born after 1965, you might remember Sesame Street. I particularly remember Bert and Ernie, and the Rubber Duckie, Pigeons, the paper clip collection, and Ernie's fear of storms.

My faith in the sanctity of childhood was shattered by the video  "Bert and Ernie come out" purveyed by persons unknown...which I'd prefer not to discuss...

Anyway, this is a great record, and the 'b' side, "I love trash" by Oscar the Grouch is a bonus classic.
Enjoy.


title: This was o. k., but quite an ...

text: This was o.k., but quite an old recording, and not as exciting as the Youtube clip which introduced me to the group with the song "The Parting Glass".


title: Three Stars

text: nice!


title: Five Stars

text: fantastic


title: Excellent  CD

text: The CD was as advertised.  The songs on it were excellent.  My favourite was "Shine", which I bought the CD for.


title: Pistons World Champs CD

text: This CD was done after the Detroit Pistons won the 2004 NBA Title. Deee-Troit Basketball was the rally cry at games and at the Rallies at Hart Plaza and the Palace. This was an OK CD. It's just the radio version of the song, and the Dance mix and another mix of the song. It has clips of the games, the end of game 5 of the finals, and the rallies inserted in the song.


title: Keeping Thrash Alive!

text: Great thrash album. I have several of these albums but what makes this one so great is the production on this is top notch and the bonus tracks from the 1987 Vengeance Demo are worth the purchase alone. Thanks to Bill at Roxx Productions for keeping thrash l alive for me with all of great music that he is working hard to bring to the masses. NO LIFE TIL METAL!


title: Don't Miss the Last Train of Rock N' Roll!!!

text: This is absolutely one of my favorite albums of all time! This album brings back so many wonderful memories for me. Not only that, but  this is what the standard of "Christian" rock should be. Plain and simple, this just is an amazing rock n' roll album from start to finish. There is also a cover of The Rolling Stones song "Gimmie Shelter" which is better than the original in my opinion and if you're gonna do a cover song it better be as good or better than the original. Also "Dead End Drive's" intro has that "Kiss-Detroit Rock City" feel to it. Last Train is Holy Soldier's "Stairway to Heaven". Anytime I travel, have had to go to the hospital, or just drive to work, this album has been with me, unlike a "Fairweather Friend". Holy Soldier's album will drive the dark clouds of life away and bring much joy to the soul. All of this is without even mentioning Steven Patrick's vocals which are in my top 5 vocalists of all time, easy! He right up there with Michael Sweet (Stryper), Jamie Rowe (Guardian) and Nathan James (Inglorious) in my opinion. Do yourself a favor if you are a fan of great Rock N' Roll and buy this album. Don't miss this Last Train of rock that is this limited pressing of Holy Soldier's Last Train from Roxx Records by Roxx Productions. Thank God for Bill & Scott from Roxx for keeping rock & metal alive for me and countless others! NO LIFE TIL METAL!


title: Five Stars

text: I love finally having this amazing album on vinyl!


title: Marabilloso Cd/dvd

text: Great Cd/DVD


title: Magnifico Cd+Dvd

text: I highly recommend this Cd+Dvd.  it has some live preformances on video for the first time.  The Cd has a lot of her greatest hits.  It is a plus to buy it.  Muy bueno.  Caciones en vivo en video por primera vez.


title: Awesome CD

text: I bought this CD recently and cant believe how good it is! I already have Rockin and rollin so i knew it would be good. The live performance is incredible and only makes me wish i was there in person to see it. I enjoy his music and only wish i knew about it when i was younger. I am very happy i have it!


title: Quality of product with attention to detail.

text: Like the quality and attention to detail.


title: I Love to tell the Story

text: This is a must have for anyone who enjoys the 'old' time Gospel!! Many of the songs take me back to 'yesteryear' of when I was a child and growing up with WBAP out of Dallas, Texas. It also can make a great gift for anyone who enjoys the 'older' versions of Gospel! Enjoy!!


title: This is Buckingham and Nicks in Alabama completely unpolished- you've got to have been a fan

text: Buy the DVD Sound City for some pertinent Buckingham Nicks/ Fleetwood Mac history. The time frame is from the same time as the CD recording. This CD was completely unpolished. Go ahead and spend the money for the LP or CD,


title: Great Album

text: The album came on time and in perfect condition. It came with three extra photo cards, which was a very nice addition!


title: Unforgettable Brother John Michael Talbot

text: I chose this rating because it's the highest offered.  John Michael Talbot is a class act in everything he shares.  It was great to actually see him after listening to his Sacred music for many years.  It was not a surprise to me to see how naturally he related to his "people."  You almost felt like you were there, too, because he does include everyone in the world in his ministry, regardless of your own beliefs.  His love and sincerity and total honesty comes through, as well.  His musical ability in his singing and guitar playing and his song writing are multiple gifts all in one person.  I see him as a perfectionist in all that he does because it is reflected in his personality and his sense of humor, as well.  You can tell that he is comfortable with God and with himself in the wisdom that he has earned through the years of his own devotion.  Anyone would benefit from seeing this video because it's the best out there in this genre.


title: Nice surprise

text: I bought this item as a gift, and the person really enjoys it!  I recommend this cd for anyone who enjoys Earth Wind & Fire.


title: You already know

text: What's to say ITS THE ABSOLUTE BEST


title: Songs of Wellness and Wholeness

text: Excellent CD.  The songs usher you in to the presence of the Lord! It uplifts your spirits and songs are very easy to learn.


title: Five Stars

text: Great


title: Fun

text: Most of these songs I aleady had, this product is good because it offers some songs that are less well known and not as readily available.


title: Great CD

text: One of my favorite cds to listen to.  Love the originality and talent of this group.  I highly recommend it


title: The Controllers on Artifix Records

text: [[ASIN:B000SHN05C Al Hansen: Andrea Rosen Gallery.: An article from: Artforum International]]<br />Artifix Records presents the best The Controllers Cd's yet.  The Controllers were the house band at Brendan Mullen's the Masque in Hollywood 1977.  Dripping with sweat, they were the first and last band to play that venue of the early l.a. punk scene.  The Controllers were known for their girl drummers Charlie Trash in 1977 and Karla Duplantier in 78.  Both brought color and photographers to shows that could be fierce.  DOA Dan played his Vox Phantom bass.  Kid Spike and Johnny Stingray wrote songs that were sardonic and testosterone induced.  Lean and mean like Steve McQueen, The Controllers played at a superfast beat, the tempo most effective in Hollywood Punk77.  The Controllers were managed by the fluxus artist Al Hansen, known as the creator of 'happenings' and as the paratrooper who pushed a piano out a fifth story window in wartime Europe.


title: And abs are legitimate. I’d like to get more from them

text: Very good lp.


title: I just want to know why this CD costs $177.15?

text: Really, for the first time in my life I have decided not to buy a CD by a great band without even listening to it.  There is NO CD in the world that I would pay that much for.  I wonder how many of these they’ve sold?


title: Yes!

text: Love it! One of my favorite cds!


Other than Getting the actual cd very disappointed in these guys performance....they haven’t had a gold or “good” record since De Corazon Norteño maybe if the talent in the band were different with people that can write their own songs and produce......sad decend to being out of the spot light


title: Lots of good quality songs

text: I enjoy these songs.  Some are kind of a stretch to be Halloween songs.  The issue I have is the track 'Clap for the wolfman' is not the song that plays.


title: Barbershoppers Heaven

text: This was during the time my father was into barbershop music.  He directed choruses, wrote arrangements, and sang in his own quartet.  I love the sound of four-part harmony, and this record brings back some great memories.  The product arrived ahead of schedule and was in perfect condition.  Thanks.


title: Audio Illusions

text:
One advantage of living in Georgia is that Emile Pandolfi sometimes comes to Roswell (Georgia) to give a concert.  So far, I have attended three of his concerts.  During his first concert, Emile explained that he has endeavored to create an audio illusion of two hands playing the piano when - in fact - he would be using his left hand.
He then began playing "A Wish is a Dream Your Heart Makes" from the album "Once Upon a Romance".  True to his word, Emile played the first half of the number exclusively with his left hand.  At that performance, there was a large screen which showed the keyboard while Emile played.  From an audio standpoint - even watching his hand on the screen - I could almost swear he was using both hands.  And - watching his left hand at work - I was amazed to see that the fingers he used to carry the melody were quite unlike what you would usually expect to see when one is playing a tune at the keyboard.
Once Emile completed the first half of the number, he then went back to using both hands at the keyboard for the rest of the number.
When I attended the other two concerts, Emile played the same number at both performances - but - both times - he played the entire number exclusively with the left hand.  All I can say is "incredible".
In the album, "Once Upon a Romance", you will hear Emile perform the first half of the number exclusively with the left hand, the second half with both hands.
Also, in the first performance, Emile played a tape on that big screen, which showed him playing the piano.  During that number, suddenly, there were three hands simultaneously at the keyboard.  This nearly brought the house down in laughter, as Emile also creates the illusion of that many hands playing during most of the numbers he performs.
Emile is clearly in a class all by himself.  A pure joy to listen to, and even more so to watch in concert.


title: Relive the easy listening Hammond organ of the late great Lenny Dee.

text:
Relive the genius of HAMMOND organist LENNY DEE in this wonderful collection of easy listening songs.
Over many decades I collected all of Lenny's Vinyl releases and also his own issued cassettes which he used to sell at his gigs but the more recent CD collection including this one are a excellent addition for any Lenny fan or if you want to relive those great easy listening moments of probably the greatest organist playing a Hammond electronic Organ, these days referred to perhaps as keyboards.

On this twin CD you will hear his specially modified Hammond organs which he personally upgraded also featuring the Hammond Solovox mini keyboard.

10/10


title: A Gem

text: I do not understand  why is this album wasn't a big hit. Or even a minor hit; it's really good. Clear good vocals, Tasty production, simple and unpretentious. And it's lovely. Why did this fade and wher did these people go?


title: Underrated Gem of a show

text: Extremely underrated show perfect for kids and plenty of jokes in there for mom and dad to boot. I worked at a radio station that played this show during overnights and I when I was babysitting two stations I would find myself listening to this show most of the time. Intelligently written, sure its for kids but it doesn't cater to them.


title: Great Christmas Album

text: Great CD for kids. A nice mix of stories and somgs and it's all in German!!<br />Perfect for Christmas time!


title: Quality

text: Lots of scratches


title: Great item

text: Love this cd thank you to seller


title: Love it

text: I love Cybion, this record took several years to produce and you can notice the quality. It is not your generic metal album, it is a full fledged sci-fi story, with beginning and end. It makes you question life, love, and how could you live without listening to it. It's a must have for all metal fans.


title: I didn't know...

text: ...Mercury actually released a single. They never told me. They certainly never paid me anything if, in fact, any of these pressings ever sold. The songs are good; the arrangements are a little whacky. But the vinyl... ah, the vinyl!


title: The Sound is Marvelous

text: The music is legendary. I had some import transfers of Kaemfert's albums I purchased about 15 years ago.  The sound on this set is very comparable. Those CDs were $15 each. This CD set is about 1/2 that. So you get 8 LPs in STEREO with marvelous sound for 1/16th the price they would have been back then!  Such a deal, you'd better go out and grab it. Top Shelf Instrumental Magic!


title: Vintage Pourcel, Faithfully Recreated

text: This is one of the finer efforts from Michael Dutton and Vocalion. Magnifique is simply that. Achingly beautiful. The sweetest sound you will hear on CD. Dutton has a way with remastering. He makes his CDs sound supremely musical, faithfully rendering the original master tapes into the digital format. Femmes is equally stunning, just a notch below Magnifique. This is music worthy of any collector of traditional instrumental interpretation. Vocalion's earlier Pourcel release is now out of print and pricey. Don't let this one go out of print before you obtain a copy for yourself.


title: Sweet & Lovely Recording

text: Most CDs today are mastered "hot" with lots of digital processing to give the music "zing" and "pop". This usually means that string orchestras are bright and harsh to the ear. These recordings are sweet and melodic as they should be. This was a really treasured purchase, and highly recommended to all lovers of "beautiful music". A real winner!


title: happy with my purchase

text: Came in decent time and is brand new, happy with my purchase

user_id: AGXHUUIREQSCSECVYXWRUWLJHDTA


title: One of the best Die Schone Mullerins on record

text:
This recording, little-known and now some 25 years old, is one of the best tenor-sung versions of Die Schone Mullerin on record. It was greeted by a very positive review by Alan Blyth in The Gramophone when it first came out, but was often hard to find in the US.

Rainer Trost may be best know for his elegantly sung Ferrando in John Eliot Gardiner's Cosi fan Tutte (audio and DVD versions). Here he is in superb voice - with exceptionally attractive tone and a seamless legato line - as he gives one of the most impassioned and beautifully sung versions of this great song cycle. This is often a bold, dramatic, and vivid performance -- it has none of the fussiness or preciousness that passes for much lieder singing these days -- yet it also has moments of exquisite sensitivity and vocalism. This is one of the best performances in capturing the youthful longing - and the sense of desperation - in this great music.

I find it's a nice midway point between 2 classic German tenor versions - those of Fritz Wunderlich and Peter Schreier (who recorded this multiple times). On the one hand, Trost has Wunderlich's pleasing, honeyed tone (something lacking at times with Schreier), but he also has Schreier's verbal specificity and intensity (lacking at times with Wunderlich).

Highest recommendation - grab it before it disappears!


title: Legendary!!!

text: Kit Armstrong’s performance on this CD matches the transcendent spirituality of Dinu Lipatti’s last recital! … Yes folks, it’s true.


Of course, it's sung in Max Brod's famous german translation. But it's one of the best testimonies for both Trude Eipperle and Margarete Klose, in good sound considering the date. All these Relief opera edition are always carefully presented and edited. A must-to-have box.


title: A Truly Original Piano Recital

text: Typical exemple of interesting CD programm, carefully conceived and played, including lesser known - at least for Western audience - but important works, coming from what was East-Germany (Paul Dessau). Original, fascinating, significant.


title: A legendary Viennese quartett

text: A complete tradition in itself concerning viennese phrasing and bowing, a certain kind of color and expression. Last moment of this legendary group, on tour in Japan, but significative as ever.


title: A rare recording

text: An Interesting testimony about aborted salzburg collaboration between Strehler and Karajan: the huge Mozart cycle planned... stopped after this Zauberflöte. In any account, a more lively rendition of Mozart's score than the Berlin Philharmonic DG studio recording. Good sound for a live radio recording, well-balanced cast (Prey's epoch making Papageno, young Gruberova as Königin der Nacht..). Interesting also to compare this performance not to the official HMV/EMI recording, but to the other public viennese performance which marked in 1962 the reopening of the Theater an der Wien : a rare Movimento Musica edition, LP and CD, pretty average cast,, which deeply displeased Karajan...


title: From a Lennie-addict

text: The person who bought this collects Lennie's music and is completely biased, and absolutely loves this!! He would recommend this to everyone!


title: This is good! Took me back to the 60's and early ...

text: This is good!  Took me back to the 60's and early 70's. The CD is much better then my 45's.  You baby boomers know what I'm talking about. Sincerely, Gloria L., Athens, AL


title: Great

text: Like


title: The Forgotten Christian Rock Band

text:
This album was the next-to-last effort by Servant, and contains more solid songs than their others, a more unified theme.

Being, of course, focused on the Light, it has a very light sound, much less heavy than Servant's last album, "Swimming in a Human Ocean" but with a more mature sound than "Caught in the Act of Loving Him."

The top songs are "We Are the Light," "One at Heart," "Courage to Burn," and "Zero Minus One."  My sole regret, the only reason not to give this album 5 stars, is that "Wardance" is on this album.  Granted, Servant was a fairly hippie, anti-war band.  But the sound and sense doesn't really square with the rest of the album.  Maybe "World of Sand," which is a far more confrontational album.

Perhaps the best example of pre-85 non-heavy-metal Christian Rock (outside of Petra, of course).  After 85 was an explosion of artists, with another wave in 92 that completely altered the landscape, all older, non-CD-era bands now forgotten.


title: The best radio host of all time, IMHO.

text: Everything that Jurgen did deserves five stars from me. Great to be able to pretend like he is still here with discs like this. I really wish the CBC would do something more expansive with his 23 years of shows.


title: Love it

text: I love it


title: THE BEST OF JOSE JOSE

text: Love his music!!!


title: I recommend this.

text: Very interesting and helpful info- and I've done the scans twice. I recommend this.


title: The album came in perfect condition and the poster quality was good too (although ...

text: The album came in perfect condition and the poster quality was good too (although I wish it shipped in a tube) but it came with two random pieces of candy (a korean lifesaver, and mentos) which I thought was prettt weird so I didn't eat them. Other than that great purchase!


title: the best

text: I love this cd pack I have had it for ever it is the best music for anyone who likes to relax


title: It's back, ladies and gentleman

text:
Here is reissued the recording that got me to love Berlioz's music. For a long time now I have sought after this recording (before I had only borrowed it from the library), and finally here it is once again.
It contains two extraordinary Berlioz works. The first is, of course, the monumental Requiem. And here monumental is not merely an accolade, it is reality. What we have here sonically is an earth-shattering performance that makes you realize that Berlioz REALLY MEANT what he said. But the earth-shattering scenarios weren't Berlioz's only concern. His quiet moments are as dominent, such as the Quid sum miser, which Schumann says brought tears to his eyes.
The other great work on here is Berlioz's OTHER Symphonie F. The Grande Symphonie funebre et triomphale. It was written for French Military band, so if you find the pervasive mood to be 'marchful'...well yes, exactly. Wagner once said that to hear this symphony, one should feel proud to be a frenchman. Well yes, exactly.


title: Different

text:
There are now several "period instruement" versions of this symphony, the most lauded being John Eliot Gardiner's. While that version is interesting, it fails to be enjoyable.
Now consider this Norrington recording, who sets out to do more or less the same that Gardiner (later) did.
The last two movements are the most "different" that I have ever heard, in my experience with this symphony so far. His tempos are more deliberate, and he doesn't give you the "crash crash" that Michael Tilson Thomas does, or Beecham. This is a more measured reading...like Boulez's, with less opulence. I wouldn't recommend this as a first pick (go with the classic recommendations: Munch, Davis), but if you  find yourself wanting to hear a very interesting reading indeed, this is what you should get.


title: Glad I Found It.

text: I have loved this song for years.  I did not realize it was a B side.  Jerry Lee Lewis is the BEST!!!


title: Five Stars

text: Simply anointed!


title: a favorite artist

text: availability of spanish music


title: review of cd

text: The cd was as promised and delivery time was great.  I was very happy with the transaction. Will do business again.  Was super happy.


title: He will love it. Thanks

text: The record is everything described.  It is a gift for Frank Marocco's brother.  He will love it.  Thanks.


title: Safety first is most important

text: We purchased 3 of these, to add to one existing in our shower.  They were very easy to install and extremely sturdy.  Makes taking a shower much safer as we get older in age.


title: Day6 Is awesome

text: Day6 is my favorite Kpop group/band! I'm so happy to have been able to buy this as my first kpop album. The only thing I was disappointed about was that this album didn't come with a poster, but other than that I love the photocards, clear covers, and the cd works and sounds really well.


title: JJP Album

text: Everything came in great condition and reasonably priced.


title: MARIO'S BEST WORK

text: After I lost this same CD I was devastated because it was my absolute favorite of Mario's work. And since his passing I did not know how easy it was to get another CD. I'm so glad that Amazon had it!


title: Five Stars

text: Good suplier...


title: No sign of use

text: Perfect condition cd!


title: One Star

text: Yes.  I already had the CD and bought this one as a birthday gift for a friend


title: Fabulous songs by artist.

text: Received great cd songs along with photos of artist.  also provided words to songs however they were all in korean. They should print English translation of songs so we know the story the artist is trying to convey. Great package otherwise!!


title: True NJS Fan!

text: Oh my wow! What a club track for the new jacks amongst us....the lyrics match the outfits of the days gone by...straight crazy!  I still play this track all the time....am i stuck in the past? who cares, just do a quick warm up before you start shacking out to this one!


title: Great Movie Music

text: I have always loved this movie. The chemistry between Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant is magic and the rest of the cast are fantastic.  And not to mention the wonderful Paris setting.  This album goes to show just how music can enhance a movie rather than overwhelm it and Henry Mancini was one of the masters.  Listening to the music recalls so many wonderful moments in the movie.  I just love it.


title: Five Stars

text: ENJOY BRENDA LEE SING


title: Five Stars

text: This is such a great song.


title: gift

text: this was a Christmas gift for my husband.  He really liked the cd  and it arrived i plenty of time


title: Five Stars

text: great music


title: Four Stars

text: This is one of the best of its kind.


title: Thank you for being me Roy kims album ,And  beautiful as usual.  ☺☺

text: The best voice ever..


title: love the cd

text: great cd


title: Great

text: Awesome album. Slow, sludgy, blackened doom, mixed with 80's style deathrock. Fans of Christian Death and Dolorian are sure to enjoy this.


title: Amazing collection of tunes!

text: I love this album.


This album is deep.  You can listen 100 times and each time hear something new. Zemiros Choir takes you from the Shtibl to the house on Friday night, from summer to winter, from a hundred years ago to today, from newlyweds to an old married couple. There is a lot of great Jewish music being made, but Zemiros Choir is in their own league.


title: New to meditation

text: I am new to meditation.  I purchased this for the "Relax into Greatness" portion; however, I have been using all of the meditations on it.  Since I am new it has helped me to have the guide.  I definitely recommend this.


title: Perfect

text: Everything came in as expected


title: Percival: Reakcja PogaĹska [CD]

text: Exceeded expectations!


title: yippee ki yay!

text: Finally! Here's a CD recorded from the heart, (of the south).  I suggest this to anyone who is 100% southern born and bred.


title: Five Stars

text: Great


title: Oswald Himself Is Still A Mystery Decades After John Fitzgerald Kennedy's Assassination

text: A very rare insight LP interview about the communist views of alleged presidential assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. I am convinced Oswald disregarding the entire Warren Report instated by President Kennedy's successor to the presidency Lyndon B. Johnson was entirely flawed. The true story and real occurrences that happened on that fateful November day in 1963 is still known to higher ups that cannot be touched in our Slimy and crooked United States government decades after. I personally believe Oswald worked in the plot to assassinate Kennedy, and may have been one of the several gunmen in Dealey Plaza in Dallas that day. The facts may never come to light regarding these horrible events killing one of our most beloved leaders and the currently youngest man ever elected to that high and noble office. Oswald's movements and true thoughts will never be entirely known. I do believe higher ups hated the Kennedys and the same sinister forces that killed JFK also were in work to kill his youngr brother another for certain great presidential front runner Robert Francis Kennedy in 1968. Our nation lost it's true innocence the moment the final shot blasted apart President Kennedy's head. and in a more larger sense to this day decades later, we still haven't been completely able to pick up the bloody pieces of our country's shattered heart in place of JFK's final moments in Dallas. Oswald will always be infamous as the prime suspect that fired the shot or shots that took from all of us a great and brightest future. This rare album gives just a large glimpse into a twisted but intelligent mind of the man accused of killing America's heart along with very real henchmen fellow assassins that day so long ago. We've never recovered until the real truth finally does come out, but in truth and reality, never will. Lee Harvey Oswald's insecurities and wanting to be a famous individual from a nobody wanna be, still largely haunts the American landscape to this day from just listening to voice from so many decades ago.


title: CD was ok.

text: So so! I'm no longer a fan.


Five Stars


title: Beautiful

text: Amazing album


title: Truth

text: Even though I have read the Lord of the Rings I am considering purchasing the narrative. I am happy to ge the unedited version of The Hobbit that you typically get in movies.


title: On time and in good shape

text: Perfect


title: Perfect!

text: Arrive fast and in perfect condition! I love it, thank you!


title: we have a lot to learn and understand in order to love God and each other

text: To understand our weaknesses and how to cope with them day to day


title: Doesn't even sound like him.

text: The title says it, doesn't sound like him. It's in the trash.


title: Good Lord DON'T BUY THIS

text: You think you're getting the original artists but you are not. It's all cover tunes by pickup musicians. Amazon & the rest of you sellers, shame on you for not making that clear. Awful. Waste of money.


title: What I need

text: I was looking for a song called out of Control but iTunes didn't have it so I brought the cd


title: This is a very  good CD brings back many memories

text: Listening pleasure  on my long drives


title: Five Stars

text: amazing!!!  not explicit


title: Many old favorites.

text: Wish I could have been there


title: Great unplugged concert for your living room

text:
I can’t quite figure out where to start on this, so I’ll simply say I’m really liking it!  It’s the reasons for liking it that are complex.  First of all, after following Batdorf & Rodney in the 70s and John Batdorf’s “solo” career in this century, I’m pretty familiar with most of the songs (there are only a couple new compositions) because I’ve sung along with them for years.  But if you think this is a kind of “greatest hits” CD, then you would be wrong.  These songs have been rebuilt from the ground up, rearranged and rethought and put into a more modern context while retaining the wonderful freshness of the originals.  Secondly, while I like what John has done over the years, the thing I like best is the almost-pure acoustic guitar tunes that remind me of those great 70s acoustic songs and made me want to play guitar.  This entire album is like that: in most cases, just a couple of acoustic guitars with maybe a bass and percussion and a lead vocal with maybe some backing vocals in key spots and a touch of lead guitar to highlight and identify the tune.  I wouldn’t call it sparse, but it is far from some of the high-production songs you hear these days!  It’s like listening to a small acoustic group performing for you right in your living room.  And then, the singing and playing is great throughout this CD, some of John’s best stuff and you can appreciate it because the vocals and nuances of his guitar are up front and ready to be listened to unfettered by the “wall of sound” engineering you often hear.  John is a unique and talented guitar player who also happens to have a great voice and you get to admire both on this CD.  And finally, you get your money’s worth with seventeen songs.  I might be able to add a few from my wish-list to be included in the “Me and My Guitar II” CD, but you certainly get a full helping of John Batdorf on this one!

Now let’s hit some highlights, although there are too many to itemize them all.  So maybe I’ll simply point out the very brightest highlights.  Two great sing-along songs are here: “Wham-Bam” and “Is it Love?” – vastly different, but both songs that you can’t help but raise your own voice and try to match at least on the chorus.  The chills that “Somewhere in the Night” sends down your back in the closing moments of soaring vocals make it stand out.  Throughout the rest, the sweetness and emotion expressed cannot be denied, “She Made Me Smile” and “You Are a Song” and “Life Is You” are uplifting and poignant, “You Are the One” and “Me and My Guitar” guarantee toe-tapping pleasure, “Never See His Face Again” and “Working Man, Blind Man” and “Poor Man’s Dream” touch upon the true feelings of the average person.  I could go on, but you get the point that there are some great songs here no matter how you might feel, and even the pure musical enjoyment of “The Last Time” and others will have to returning to listen to these songs again and again for years.  I know that’s true because I’ve already been doing it on the original versions of most of these, and now I get a fresh approach to them so I can start over!

I don’t know where to end this review either except to say if any of this sounds interesting to you, then buy this CD and find out what the rest of us have known for years.


title: Top 5 Beach Boy Album!

text: Wow!  If you're a fan of Carl Wilson, Beach Boys, and a little Beatle guitar work thrown in....you're gonna love this!  These guys could fill in as Brian Wilson's band if the great Wondermints ever need a break.  This album is one of my all time favorite albums now.  Listen to samples and you'll be blown away.  Spiritual pop-rock.


title: One-of-a-kind recording, ethereal, educational

text: This is a very unusual recording. Seems like the reviews are either love it or hate it. Freya's voice and the chants and sounds are unexpected at first but I find them inspiring and even educational as I work to learn the runes and more about Norse mythology. I play portions of it while doing Runic Yoga and it helps clear my mind, prepare to focus for the day, and feel inspired. Don't be expecting a subtle musical experience; this is something to focus on and feel deep within you. It's unusual, unique, and powerful. If you're interested in getting to your northern European roots, contacting your Norse or Germanic heritage, then indulge in Freya's presentation and haunting vocals.


title: Simply Divine

text: Fantastic album.  Thrilled to get a signed copy.