title: Five Stars

text: A work of beauty. An uplifting experience in an increasingly dreary world.


title: Great CD

text: Great CD Collection


title: Punch after emotional punch

text: CD arrived quickly and was exactly as described. The music is absolutely beautiful. I made the mistake of listening to it in the car on the way to work and showed up all teary-eyed. This is an excellent track list and a great arrangement.


title: Pablo Abraira one of the best singers of all time.

text:
This is one of the most unrated singers, that I know of. I have no idea of the reasons he does not, get the publicity that he deserves. Perhaps is because he is Spaniard, or he must have said something he should not have about a certain politician.

Nevertheless listen to his music, and you will be the judge of this. He not only has an excellent voice, but he also is a good song writer. The other songs were written by the great Juan Carlos Calderon. You will be delighted to listen to him.


title: One of her better albums

text: i have been a fan of Amuro since "Queen of hip pop" and the music she has released on this album is just perfection. It is as if she had been searching for a sound for two albums and on this third attempt she nailed it; this album represents the perfect mix of pop-urban american pop-edm-dance-europop  it is amazing.


title: Sounds great

text: Sounds great


title: Most extensive and comprehensive nostalgic compilation of Christmas classics

text: This 3-disc set is the most extensive and comprehensive nostalgic compilation of old time Christmas classics that you can find these days anywhere outside of YouTube.


title: Good cd

text: Had a song that I have looked for unsuccessfully in the past


title: The packaging & delivery schedule were phenominal.

text: Of course no one knows what they are saying however the variety of instrumentals from different countries is captivating.  So much music on two CD's.


title: A Rocker from start to finish

text: The CD is a rocker from start to finish.  Every song is excellent instrumentally and lyrically.  By far the best of “The Cross” or Roger Taylor’s solo work.  Did not receive a lot of promotion due to its release date close to Freddy Mercury’s passing.  You won’t be disappointed if you like Roger Taylor’s voice❣


title: The Maine Always Delivers

text: Love the music and the message that the band brings to the table with each record.


title: Great 5.1 mix

text: Very enjoyable 5.1 mix in Hi-Rez. Not gonna lie, gives me flashbacks of watching Bulls games back in the day.


title: Nice but short.

text: After buying the Hooponopono CD, which I loved, I also bought this one with the same interpreter. The music is beautiful and I like to use it in my office as a background. However, it only lasts about 10 minutes, which is a pity, because after that I have to change it or start over again.


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent! The price, the Shipping! Just excellent!


title: Something Different

text: Very good album! Saw this band in Portland Or several years ago and fell in love. I didn't know about this album until recently, but ordered it as soon as I saw it. I hope they didn't disband.


title: Very 80s Very techno

text: I heard this years ago - lost the CD - recently found the product offering and bought it. Basically very techno dance sounding POP Greek music.


title: All-Time Favorite

text: This is possibly my favorite album of all time. I listen to being a sense of peace.


title: Terrible sound quality

text: Let me start by saying that I am an avid Bill Evans fan. I have at least 30 of his CDs and I have over 350 CDs in total. My sound system is valued around $15,000 so I know sound quality. Having said that let me say that this is the worst quality CD I have ever listened to. The recording is terrible and there is so much distortion it actually sounds like a warped record. I have listened to hundreds if not thousands of CDs and have never heard anything this bad. The sad part is because I bought it at such a cheap price it is not worth my time to return it so I guess I will just throw it in the trash. Save your money… Don't buy the CD. There are lots of other excellent Bill Evans CDs out there. If I could give it less than one star I would.


title: Lot's of Fun

text: Great, original music.  At once clever, funny and fun.


title: A forgotten gem from the 90's

text:
Back in the 1990's I had the good fortune to be a teenager in Australia. That decade saw an explosion in indie/alternative rock bands in this country. Radio stations like Triple J and TV shows like Recovery helped expose ordinary suburban kids like myself to bands that would normally be consigned to hipster ghettos in the inner city. Most of these bands toured the country extensively and did a lot of all ages gigs making it possible for a kid like me to go see  the coolest bands in the country live.
It was a flood of great bands and i'm glad I got to live through it.
Pollyanna was part of that time. They never made it as big as other bands of the time like Powderfinger, Jebediah and Grinspoon but they made quality indie pop/rock tunes with melodies that most guitarists would sell their souls for.
The band was lead by Matt Handley who played guitar,  sang and wrote most of the songs. He was supported by Rayke Stapleton, a cool redhead chick who I think was actually his girlfriend for a while, she played bass and did backing vocals and they had a couple of different drummers I think.
This album came out in 1997 and I remember seeing them play at the Grosvenor hotel in Perth when they toured for it. They also made numerous appearances in Recovery most of which have been uploaded to Youtube for posterity.
The songs here are all quality and this album should be remembered as an Australian classic instead of languishing in obscurity like it is. I've been trying to find it for years now so big thanks to the seller for stocking it.
If you remember the great flood of Australian guitar bands in the 90's then you'll want this album for nostalgia reasons. If you just love quality indie rock tunes then this is a perfect example of the genre.
One day it would be great to see all of Pollyanna's discography reissued.


title: I waited until like a couple weeks ago to buy this....I feel like a dolt now for waiting.

text:
Been a pumpkins fan since 1991 but the music since Zeitgeist has usually left me still wanting. I mean Billy and co work their bums off but the stuff just has not jelled with me.

But Cyr has really grown on me. Its been my constant back to back listen for a couple weeks now. I am really liking it :D

However, Wet Legs debut album just came in...and its GOOD!


So fricking pretty!!!


title: Perfect!

text: It looks great! ❤ Huge fan of Day6 and never disappointed 😁


title: Five Stars

text: perfect condition and there is so much in it!! JYP doesn't disappoint


title: Excellent CD

text: A cd dedicated to social and environmental justice with amazing musicians and fearless lyrics...


title: Ok

text: Ok


title: Fast shipping!

text: Excellent condition


title: A must for J. D. Blackfoot fans and those who live storytellers

text: A great live album. You can hear how his voice has grown over the years. If you have the live album from Saint Louis you'll still want this album, as the first disc contains many other songs, and J. D. Blackfoot, is the master, Storyteller.


title: service great - but no kids singing on the CD

text: Finding and receiving the CD was excellent.  However, I was expecting children to be singing along with Larry Mitchell.  It is just Larry Mitchell's voice.  It is fine, for hearing the music, but it would be even better with children singing along, as I know Larry Mitchell organized many times in his music education career.


title: Excellent Album!

text: This is one of my all time favorites!  Didn't ever expect to see this for sale again.  Yay!


title: And is as amazing as ever

text: It's JEFF LYNNE....for all of you 60/70s Rockers!  And is as amazing as ever.  Great CD!


title: ... it sooner than what it said and it looks beautiful.

text: I received it sooner than what it said and it looks beautiful.


title: Don't know waht to ut

text: Just what i wanted


title: LOVE LINDAS MUSIC!

text: LOVE!


title: Five Stars

text: Very good sound as I Expected.


title: Haunting and lovely violin like you've never heard it before

text: With a mother who taught violin, trust me when I say I've heard a lot of violin in my years. Yet neither my mother nor I had heard anything like Swil Kanim. There's some serious sorrow in his bow, and you'll hear it when he plays. Yet he makes it beautiful. If you want to know the full range of what the violin can communicate, emotionally, you have to listen to this CD. If you don't, you'll never know what that wooden box has to say, particularly from the perspective of this unique individual who brings his experience as an Indigenous American (Lummi) to an instrument that traveled across an ocean to hear (and tell) his tale.


title: Five Stars

text: yes it did


title: Still one of the best voices in the recording industry

text: The 4 original Osmond Brothers (sans Donny) released two country LPs in the 1980's. I'm not sure why they never released a third, as there was plenty of material (e.g. several 45's, including this one, that didn't appear on either of their albums). Merrill, in particular, was blessed with a fabulous singing voice. Suppose that's why they chose him to be the lead singer. I can't say the same for some of today's recording artists. If you're an Osmond Brothers fan, or even if you're just a country music fan, I guarantee you'll enjoy this song (the same song is on both the A and B sides).


title: Puts you back in the movie!

text:
I really enjoy the relationship between Luc Besson (director/producer) and Eric Serra--music soundtrack director/originator.

The movies they have produced all have a great driving, punchy theme.  I love it.  The soundtracks almost make your heart pound in anticipation and do a GREAT JOB of setting the stage for the visual fulfillment.
Lots of drive, gripping emotion and great timing.

The Professional (Leon), The Fifth Element, Lucy, Anna +, +.  Great Soundtracks!!


title: Great memories

text: Great memories come back listening to Milissa and her great stories!! Highly recommended for your kids. A collection of beautiful stories beatifully told. It is indeed a set of the Most beautiful stories


title: Gipfelsturmer is yet another sincere, beautiful body of work.

text:
Unheilig 'meaning free of all.'  Unheilig has so much beautiful music.  It's unlike anything I've ever heard, especially living in the states.  The melody of the music and Der Graf's voice is nothing short of enchanting.  It's like he was sent here to remind us of the meaning of life and what's important and the universal way to do that, is through music.  If you don't understand German, you'll have to look up the English translations.  Many of the lyrics are heart breaking and I'm glad I understand very little German so I don't often think about the meaning when I listen, other wise, I'd be emo all the time :'(  This review is really for all of their albums.  A track off Gipfelsturmer, 'Alles Hat Seine Zeit,' Everything Has it's Time, is a message that this will sadly be, the last offering from Unheilig.

I like how Der Graf was confident in his own voice and took very little voice lessons, how he never felt the need to constantly change his image like others do, how he never used his personal life to get attention and how he was shy to sing in front of people but found the strength to do it.


title: But I DO NOT LIKE THIS SERIES Of It

text: Got This CD,  But I DO NOT LIKE THIS SERIES Of It.  Hey;  What Can I Say:>  It Isn't What I Would LOVE To Hear;  So I Gave It To A Friend Of Mine.  CD Is TRASHY Too Me Personally...!


title: Best Record So Far in 2006?

text: Phenomenally soothing, sexy and sophisticated new French pop that blends many influences into a perfectly cool, addictivly original auditive magic. They deserve great acclaim and should be far better known. There are more signs that great creative music has long since shifted from the anglophone world and has started emerging even in small countries like Iceland. It's good to see and hear that the young French are also contributing something new and original! Bravo!


title: Not as good as Herrmann's own recording

text: This 'Battle of Neretva' is probably the weakest of William Stromberg's great Moscow Symphony Orchestra re-recordings of Bernard Herrmann's movie scores. It certainly comes second to Herrmann's own incredibly-powerful, bombastic London Philharmonic recording of the film, or even Charles Gerhardt's great recording of the section, 'Death Hunt,' which is attributed to the film 'On Dangerous Ground' with the National Philharmonic on the disc, 'Citizen Kane: The Classic Film Scores of Bernard Herrmann.' Herrmann partly derived 'Neretva' from 'On Dangerous Ground.' Again, Herrmann's own London Phil recording of 'Neretva,' which is on CD from Southern Cross Records, is clearly superior. The great thing about this Stromberg re-recording is that, for the first time on disc, it contains the entire recording of 'Neretva,' and also for the first time 'The Naked and the Dead,' though the tempi are a little slow. For someone looking for a complete collection of Bernard Herrmann music discs, this is the reason to buy it. Stromberg-Moscow Symphony does great recordings other than this one, every one of them top-notch! Stromberg's 'Fahrenheit 451/Walking Distance' and 'Mysterious Island,' etc., all prove that Stromberg can do exciting work. His Tribute Film Classics discs are really a worthwhile series.


title: Ed Murrow Comes 'Out of the Past'

text:
Ed Murrow Comes From 'Out of the Past'

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

  At the 1960 conventions on CBS, Murrow, Erik Sevaraid, Charles Collingwood and others would gather in a dark room off the convention floor and analyze events. Wreaths of smoke curled overhead, half blinding the audience. Everyone smoked during those post-convention sessions.

  Good Night and Good Luck has Ed Murrow smoking during the famous Joe McCarthy documentary on See It Now. The real Ed may have used a cigarette as a prop interviewing Marilyn Monroe but never on See It Now, his serious show.

  George Clooney co-wrote, directed and appears as Murrow's producer Fred Friendly. I've read twelve books about Murrow, McCarthy and McCarthy Counsel Roy Cohn, but I thought Jeff Daniels was playing CBS President Frank Stanton, not CBS News President Sig Mickelson, until the credits rolled.

  Straithern must have dieted seriously for Good Night and Good Luck. He is seriously thin in the movie. Murrow's gauntness emphasizes the stress he endures and foreshadows the cancer he will die of eleven years later. David Strathairn has never looked as old and frail in a film as he does here.

  Strathairn's performance is difficult to accept for those of us who remember Murrow. Strathairn doesn't want to do a straight imitation, he wants to act the part. When he says good night and good luck he turns away as he says good luck. Ed would never have done that. Strathairn is being pinched by the many constraints of the role.

  In the film Murrow smokes incessantly. Murrow to Fred Friendly: "Freddie, every time you light my cigarette, I know you're lying to me."

  The movie opens with the Murrow staff at CBS in Manhattan preparing to canonize an Air Force Sergeant who has been tossed out of the Service because his father reads subversive magazines.

  Already CBS Chairman Bill Paley is feeling stomach pains and Friendly and Murrow haven't mentioned the McCarthy show.

  The audience needs to stretch its legs in this one, but Clooney keeps the action mostly confined to the studio.

  Robert Downey Junior has little to do here as a member of the Murrow Documentary team. Patricia Clarkson plays his wife and colleague at CBS. Clarkson registers as a bright spot among the shadowy, Noirish filmmakers. She lifts the energy of Murrow's Raiders each time she appears. The film brightens too.

  Jeff Daniels is cynical as Mickelson the news chief, Paley's henchman overseeing the Murrow crew. But Frank Langella's CBS Chairman Bill Paley is more chilling than the Dracula Langella played twenty years ago.

  Clooney is average as Murrow Producer Fred Friendly, though he must have put on 60 pounds to play the part.

  Clarkson, Daniels and Langella have to make way for Ray Wise, who plays WCBS anchorman Don Hollenbeck. Hollenbeck comes under siege from newspaper columnist Jack O'Brien. Wise, who has mostly played showy characters in low budget films, manages a brilliant performance with little screen time.

  There are fabulous ironies buried in the film. Murrow is smoking himself to death while one of his sponsors shows a spot on his program saying Kent cigarettes have filters on them that make them safe. I saw that commercial when I was an impressionable nine. I finally was able to stop nine years ago.

  Alcoa sponsors See It Now. Its cornball commercials run unremarked upon by Murrow and his men. Liberace is interviewed on the popular but lightweight Person to Person Ed hosts to balance the books at CBS for losses on See It Now. He asks a youngish Liberace when he is likely to get married, another irony since everyone knows now the flamboyant piano player was gay.

  The film uses the real McCarthy from film clips, and the real Liberace. Only once did I hear the real Ed's voice on the track. Assistant Defense Counsel Bobby Kennedy could be seen in clips along with Arkansas Senator John McClellan and Missouri Senator Stuart Symington. Archive film integrates smoothly with acted material.

  Murrow colleague Eric Sevaraid said that Ed was late going after McCarthy. Clooney uses a less dramatic part of Army Counsel Joseph Welch's attack on McCarthy to make it appear it was Murrow who slew Joe and not Welch at the McCarthy Hearings.

  But it was neither Murrow nor Welch who finished Joe. McCarthy Committee Chief Counsel Roy Cohn and Private David Schine earlier toured Embassies and US Information Agency stations in Europe with the press in tow. The two censored and replaced books like a couple of disciples of Joseph Goebbels. The Press had a field day mocking them. McCarthy backed up Schine and Cohn with an investigation of the Army after it balked at letting Schine be relieved from duty to serve on Joe's staff. It would have been the moral equivalent of the Army assigning PFC Elvis Presley to serve as assistant to Sun Records Producer Sam Phillips.

  One day during the three months of the McCarthy hearing Welch needled Cohn and McCarthy with an absurd conversation about 'pixies,' a sly attempt at unmasking Cohn's homosexuality to hip viewers, while subtly informing McCarthy that Welch had sharks teeth too.

  Welch's dramatic condemnation of Joe for revealing Welch colleague Fred Fisher as a member of a Communist Party Front was left on Clooney's cutting room floor. That missing footage was powerful enough to get Welch a role as Judge in the film Anatomy of a Murder.

  McCarthy was censured by the Senate and died three years later of acute cirrhosis. A decade later Poet Alan Ginsberg came to Appleton, Wisconsin for a poetry reading and afterward danced on Joe's grave.

  Good Night and Good Luck is a movie for cynics. A film for people who lived during the era and cracked wise. Even the New York Times couldn't resist a wise guy tout for the film: "SEE IT NOW!"


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent


title: Música

text: Lo devolví porque yo lo que quería era la música y ésto es historia.


title: Great Product

text: I love running to these cadence tapes. This one plays in my car when I have a rough day and want to yell along with something. Great stress relief!


title: I love the cadence

text: The Cadence itself is fantastic and wonderful to run to. My particular tape has a spot where it stops playing for about 30 seconds, but this is a used tape and I'm pretty sure they haven't made this format in years. Get a CD player in your car and buy the CD version and you'll be happy!


title: pleased

text: very pleased


title: Smother's Brothers

text: Exactly as I remember the album.  Funny.


title: a must for any fan

text: a must for any fan


title: HEAVENLY

text: I love this cd.


title: Five Stars

text: absolutely love it


title: Five Stars

text: music is great but so thin it won't play or come out of a Bose radio


title: Great

text: My sister loved it. Now, I have a random man (I know who he is) staring at me at night 😭.

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title: Fabulous music

text: Yas has done a great job with this album. Merged with Mirwais who is a talented musician. This Lebanese techno music is awesome. Yasmin is from Lebanon so I used that adjective. I am not sure what language she speaks. Anyway it is good music. Anyone after a new style of music check this out.


title: Love this music

text: This music is sick. The band is clever and they are awesome. I wonder why they stopped making music. I love this!<br />I have to of their albums, I wanna buy more!


title: TIMELESS CLASSIC

text: IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT....A TIMELESS CLASSIC...I HAVE LISTENED TO THIS ALBUM OVER 1000 TIMES AND HAVE NEVER OVERCOME THE EMOTION THAT THE ALBUM PROVIDES EACH AND EVERY TIME I HEAR IT!


title: RIP OFF EMPTY CD CASE!

text: When I opened package there was NO NO  cd  in the case!!!! Seriously an empty case! Please advise


title: Five Stars

text: My favorite Kendrick Lamar album. Been listening to it daily since I bought it last year.


My favorite CD's while raising my four kids. I now have bought 2 more copies this year for my daughter's so they can enjoy these scripture songs while raising their own kids. My two year grandson gets all excited when he hears the intro to his favorite songs. It brings such joy to hear my 18 yrs old still singing along with his nephew. The tunes stick with you as an adult. My 24 year old told me that when she leaves work in the dark, alone she sings "when I am afraid, I will trust in you" as she walks to her car. These songs continue to reach and remind our young children who God is. Thank you Steve Green. The CD arrived in excellent condition and on time.


title: Five Stars

text: Great CD...love Pink Floyd ...5 star product .


title: Five Stars

text: I love this cd and I am still listening to it!!


title: Five Stars

text: Love "Uptown Funk".


title: Great cd

text: Everything Sting produces is amazing. Makes a great gift.


title: Five Stars

text: Was pleased with all items.


title: Beautiful, very mello.

text: Great music but don't listen to it if you are down or depressed as it can make it worse.


title: Outstanding reissue of this gem

text: Been listening to this regularly since it arrived a couple of months ago, it's all great but tracks 13 & 19 & 20 are simply incredible. The remastering is terrific with excellent dynamics, the disc is beautifully packaged, and the extra/expanded tracks are a treat. This CD release of The Time Machine is worth it all the way.


title: Outstanding!

text: I have loved this album ever since first hearing it in about 1961 when I was in the Navy stationed on Adak, Alaska.  It is a little on the bawdy side but there is Oscar Brand's humor throughout this very entertaining effort.  Too bad it isn't available on CD.


title: Fantastic CD

text: Great CD,  fast shipping, great price!


title: bad quality

text: i have had two of these cd's and both were defective. i loved it but some parts of it played so badly it was impossible to listen too.


title: Great relaxation CD

text: Super relaxation music!!. I always listen to the CD before going to sleep. It helps me in meditation and allows me to sleep through the night


title: Great cd along with great service from seller

text: Love the Blues then this is CD is just for you


title: Candy for the ears

text: I especially liked “Over the Rainbow”. It’s the best arrangement I’ve ever heard.


title: Elvis at his personal best.

text: The side of the King we seldom saw, but knew was there all along.  The King may be dead - but his music lives on!


title: but she is EXCELLENT live! However

text: Not a whole lot of Katy Perry songs on this one, but she is EXCELLENT live! However, I found it left me wanting more! Not to mention she's absolutely gorgeous and sexy as all get out! I am very pleased with this CD/DVD combo.


title: One of European Best!

text: I saw him in Madrid and he blew me away, the man is a master up there with Pastorius in the realm of Jazz improve.


title: Disappointed

text: Sorry I don’t hear any of the famous voices this album boasts. As you can see inside sleeve gives them no credit either .🤷♀And doesn’t even deserve 1 ⭐


title: Four Stars

text: Great Product and Service


title: ABBAS best

text: Love, love, love their music! A great deal!!


title: Great Cd

text: Love this CD music is great would recommend to all fans of Tony Bennett. A++ from me


title: john anderson

text: I like all his songs. These songs on  this disc remind me of the year's when country songs were very popular.


title: Happy and enjoyment for driving

text: I do a lot of driving and this music is a must for all season,It is clear and very well played on the production. It is almost like living in the times.


title: Delight

text: I find new delight in the music from other countries


title: Enjoyed this cd very much .

text: I will buy more music from kingdom


title: Packed with hits

text: It was good to have all his great hits in a 2-cd collection.  However, it seems like they were all re-recorded at one time by him and has a "sameness" quality about the sound and his voice.  I have quite a few of his cd's and the original recording sound better.  I've purchased cd's from other greats that have re-recorded their hits later in their careers and they sometimes sound better than the original recordings!  Not so with this collection of Merle's great hits.


title: Five Stars

text: All great songs sung by a very talented singer with a superb and sultry voice.


title: This cd is a compilation of songs that have already ...

text: This cd is a compilation of songs that have already been produced. I thought that there was going to be something unique about the songs but there wasn't.


title: Five Stars

text: excellent compilation of his performances;it's neat to see how his performances evolve through the years


title: You can’t go wrong with the Beatles.

text: I’m building up my music collection.  I’m not into digital music, I want to have and hold mine.


title: A fun, down to earth record

text: Simple pleasures. A fun, down to earth record.


title: Great for a newbie

text: The information in this audio was for precise and clear, l learned a lot of things in the presentation very helpful.


title: Ok.

text: Looks in Great but has a few skips thought the album. Great LP though.


title: Even though the quality of sound leaves a little to ...

text: Even though the quality of sound leaves a little to be desired especially in the live broadcasts in Australia, they are incredible performances. The Chopin Bb minor Sonata has almost a foreboding quality....at times it reaches a level of lost control that is thrilling to listen to. Slow mvt of the Chopin B minor sonata is heart wrenching in its beauty.


title: A high adventure of the search for gold . . . and more.

text:
Orlando "Lando" Sackett is a new and different hero from L'Amour's most famous clan.  The son of Falcon Sackett, Lando is short and has no talent for the fast draw or gunplay.  His mother is dead and he's been separated from his father since he was a child, and we see how much that has cost him.  When the itinerant gypsy known as the Tinker warns Lando that his own uncles are coming to kill him for his father's gold, Lando goes in search of the gold, in search of his father, and, most importantly, in search of the Sackett within himself.

Lando is not the best of L'Amour's Sackett novels; Sackett, Jubal Sackett, and The Daybreakers are better.  But Lando may well be the novel that succeeds best AS a Sackett story.  In Sackett, Jubal Sackett, and The Daybreakers, L'Amour could have plunked a leading man who had nothing to do with the Sackett family into the leading role, and each book would have been just as good.  Not so in Lando.  Orlando's palpable need to reconnect with his father and his clan is central to the whole story; he depends from start to finish on the friends the Sackett family has made over the years, and while the gods have stinted him the height, the fast gun hand, and the wit that they so generously doled out to other Sacketts, they gave him a double helping of another famous Sackett trait: toughness.

Stylistically, this is one of L'Amour's best written novels; the scenes of the Natchez Trace, Texas, and Mexico are beautifully rendered.  The Tinker, mentioned in passing in many of L'Amours Sackett novels, gets center stage here and shines.  L'Amour sometimes had difficulty coming up with villains to match his heroes, but here he has produced a whole slew of juicy baddies, including a female one.  When a pretty girl in a L'Amour novel has a fixation on her father, look out: the dame's up to no good.  L'Amour also tries his hand at rendering an eerie atmosphere, and succeeds rousingly.  Unfortunately, Josh Hamilton's narration, while good enough for most of the scenes, does not give these spine-tingling passages the hushed tone they need; thus, I would recommend reading the hardcopy instead of listening to Hamilton.

What's not to love about Lando?  Two things.  One, when John Miller wrote that too many of L'Amour's plots rely on coincidence, he was probably thinking of Lando first.  The Texas Rangers, Cullen Baker, and other useful folks show up with suspiciously perfect timing throughout the book.  Two, the conclusion is a bit of a letdown, as happens all too often in L'Amour's stories.  L'Amour tries hard to give us a rousing finish, but the villains' behavior at the end is simultaneously so brazen and so ineffective that it's more laughable than thrilling.  It is regrettable that the cover matter gives away key plot points, but that's not L'Amour's fault.  If by any chance you read this review before reading the novel, I urge you not to read anything on the book's back cover.

Lando is probably the touchstone of where you are as a L'Amour reader.  If you like it, the Sacketts are for you; if you don't, just skip the rest of the Sacketts and read L'Amour's stand alone novels instead, especially Hondo, High Lonesome, and Kiowa Trail.


title: It was perfect and delivered promptly

text: this is the second set I ordered.  It was perfect and delivered promptly!


title: Perfect

text: Someone stole my original cd so I’m grateful this was still avail so many years later !!!


title: Awesome!

text: You will LOVE Molly's very soothing voice. This CD is excellent for escaping the stresses of everyday life, as well as for use in groups for a guided meditation or your own quiet time.<br /> I highly recommend it!


title: Nuts

text: A collision between the Hawkwind-era track and some frentic jazz-funk. No way it can work but it does. Can't imagine what Lemmy thinks of it....


title: Scathing look at Canadian economics.

text: Musically, nothing has ever come out of Canada.  It's interesting to get a peek inside this previously unexplored aspect of Canadians.  The best song on the CD is probably "Just Like a Robot Mountie" which exposes the inner workings of that corrupt "police force."  One of their singles, "Less than Zero Degrees," is very misleading.  A song about the weather quickly turns in to straight moose pornography.  Overall, I give this album 5 stars for its bold stance on removing the "French" from French-Canadian.


title: Love Engelbert ❤

text: A musical must-have for your library! His voice still gives me goosebumps. DVD is beautifully done. (RIP Patricia).


title: Five Stars

text: Very happy with my purchase!


title: Beautiful Nostalgic Music

text: I love how this album walks through the beloved story of the Velveteen Rabbit and puts music to the magic of childhood and the longings of each human to be known and loved and understood. Love listening to this on my commute to work! Highly recommend if you're looking for a bit of magic and hope.


I am very impressed with the vocal workouts on this cd. I also bought the Vocal Coach Complete Warm-Up cd and so far it's been great.


title: Mom loves it!

text: It has a lot of old songs she enjoys.


title: Angelica cd review

text: Very good CD. Dennis Cameron is a talented guitar player.


title: Five Stars

text: This group is great combination of traditional and comtemporary.  This is great CD.


title: Good Music

text: Old but sounds really good.


title: Very good CD

text: Very good CD.


title: Happy with purchase!

text: Great packaging instead of the hard to open thick casing.  Great getting my Beatles collection in CD.  Thank you!


title: Helps children memorize Scripture!

text: We listened to these on cassette with our children years ago when they first came out.  It helped our children commit Scripture to memory.  And, the songs are pleasant to listen to.  We are now expecting our first grandchild, and I ordered them in CD form so that our daughter can play them for our grandson.


title: So happy!

text: Packaged so sweetly thank you!


title: the CD quality is excellent, no scratches or other visible defects in the ...

text:
the CD quality is excellent, no scratches or other visible defects in the case or the disc.
the sales staff were very friendly and shipping was faster than anticipated.
I highly recommend purchasing your next music selection from them.


title: Came as described! Beautiful album and photos!

text: I was worried when I bought this but there was no need. The album arrived promptly and just as described!<br />Beautiful songs, so many beautiful photos and a beautiful photocard (I got Namjoon's! :3)


title: Hashem's Language to Enjoy

text:
A review stated the readings were done with background music, bit disappointed,
But the readings do grow on you the more one listens it them,
There is some music with one or two tracks, This is an uplifting CD.
Thank You for releasing it !


title: A must-have for Big Star fanatics with a cassette deck

text: I was skeptical about the quality of this box set, and purchased it thinking that if it didn't sound good, at least it would be an attractive addition to my Big Star collection. To be frank, a lot of modern cassette reissues sound like crap, and Burger Records does not have the best reputation in that regard. Suffice to say I was beyond "pleasantly surprised" that all three tapes sound great! And the packaging is VERY nice. The box looks very stylish, and each tape has a well-done J-card, printed on quality paper, with the photos from the original album sleeves looking very sharp. If you're a Big Star fan, and you have a decent tape deck, and if Amazon gets this back in stock (the run of this set is limited to 500 copies), then buy it while you can!


title: Meh...

text: Not as good as some of the other collections of radio broadcasts by Dylan. Some unique covers here: "Shake," "Thank God," "Answer Me, My Love," and "Shake, Rattle and Roll." But nothing here is particularly illuminating. The two best tracks are "Maggie's Farm" from Farm Aid '85 with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They rock it better than anyone else has. The other is "All along the Watchtower" with Phil Manzanera and Richard Thompson trading some very tasty lead guitar licks. Both are tracks are good--neither could be considered essential. Since these broadcasts are taken from different sources on an unofficial release, one would expect that the sound quality varies between performances...and it does. It's a one-or-two listen CD before filing it away in the archive.


title: Night Of The Living Dregs

text:
Don’t confuse this CD with their third release with the same title. The official Night Of The Living Dregs is fantastic. It was the original Dregs line-up too. This looks to be a bootleg. The cover photo shows the much newer Dregs Line-up. I don’t know which show this was and where. It’s difficult to give it an accurate rating, not knowing much about it.

I’ve been a hardcore Dixie Dregs fan for decades now. I know their material.


title: The Book of Secrets.

text: Beautiful. Touching. Music from the soul, for the soul.


title: Great Ari Hest EP!

text: Ari Hest could sing from the phone book and I would still listen! Love the originals and the cover of "Little Lies" is really special!


title: Will NOT be disappointed!

text: From start to finish this CD will have you rolling on the floor with laughter! Just as you think he can't get any funnier he hits you with another outrageously funny joke! You will NOT be disappointed with this purchase, it will keep you wanting more. As funny as it is to hear, nothing beats being present for a show so spread the word and check him out!


title: AMAZING!

text: This is a wonderful CD! I listen to it all the time. Great country music renditions of these beloved classic hymns!


title: Great Sounds

text: A new age type sound, interesting electronic and acoustic sounds. The violin is beautiful, the melodies catchy, just what I love in instrumental electronic sounds, great for reading, just listening. If you love nature cds such as Nicholus Gunns Grand Canyon, or Carlos Nakai or Vangelis, you will love this.


title: Kim Feel is great!

text: Kim Feel is an amazing. This is a wonderful collection of songs.


title: Not What It Seems.

text: Not what it's touted to be. I expected something better than my 1988 UK made copy.


title: Do not mix up order with "Live at the BBC" (No Volume designation)

text: Sound quality good.


title: Five Stars

text: Exactly what I wanted


title: A very deep dig.

text: I wish they weren't packaged in 3 different cd cases. A total waste of plastic. The set list is a deep dive in 80's music. I was born in '72 and still didn't know half the songs. Not that they were bad. However, if you want party tunes everybody knows, this might not be the best collection.


title: The Title Says It All

text: The singer’s renditions are a “Gift Of Every Song” sung on this lovely album!


title: nothing

text: I like it.


title: Music

text: Not satisfied that explicit content was removed. That's why I don't buy CD from other stores. And knowing this I will not buy cd's anymore from Amazon


title: Terrific.

text: Great transaction...fabulous CDs...


title: Great concert!

text: This is more than just another McCartney concert video. This concert features Paul singing his classic songs accompanied by a string symphony. Songs like Eleanor Rigby and Live And Let Die really shine with the extra musical assistance. Paul's voice, although noticebly struggles through some songs, is often strong and flawless! Highlights are Magical Mystery Tour, Flaming Pie, I'll Follow The Sun,Eleanor Rigby, House of Wax and Live and Let Die.


title: Marcia Ball's early band is a blast

text:
Freda and the Firedogs is a long defunct Texan band that featured a young Marcia Ball as a vocalist and piano player. Their music was mainly country rock, with strong blues influences. Legendary producer Jerry Wexler, then in his Tex-Wex days with Doug Sahm and Willie Nelson, sought to sign them to Atlanic Records. For a variety of reasons, the band hesitated; by the time they did so, Atlantic's Tex-Wex days were largely over. Although Wexler produced a record, it was not released for three decades. When it finally appear, an entity called "Plug Music," rather than Atlantic, issued the 12-song set.

The self-titled "Freda and the Firedogs" is a pleasant set of originals and, for the most part, covers of country and folky-blues tunes. The latter songs, such as "Make Me a Pallet" and "EZ Rider" appeal more to my tastes than their renditions of "Jambalaya" and "Today I Started Loving You Again." Your tastes might differ. What is clear is that the album would have likely served as a starting point from which the band, if it had stayed together, would have continued to grow in confidence and skill as songwriters and performers. Fortunately, Marcia Ball's talents ultimately were not denied, and we are blessed by her many excellent albums.

The "Plug" edition of the album contains highly informative liner notes and interesting photos and reproductions of posters. Overall, the album is recommended, particularly for fans of early country rock and of Marcia Ball.


title: Overlooked but Worthwhile Album by Mike Bloomfield and Friends

text:
"Try It Before You Buy It" is a great lost album by Mike Bloomfield and Friends. It was originally slated to be released in the mid-1970s, but Columbia/CBS decided against it. In many ways, if one looked at Bloomfield's commercial potential at the time, one can understand the decision. His first solo offering for Columbia, "It's Not Killing Me," had been an absolute disaster, critically and commercially. And the public and critics were right: "It's Not Killing Me" was characterized by poor material, uninspired playing, and lousy vocals. Other Bloomfield efforts for the label had been disappointments as well: "Live at Fillmore West", Nick Gravenites' "My Labors", and the "Live Adventures of Bloomfield and Kooper" had disappointing sales, and at the time their music failed to gain strong critical support. Projects at other labels were similarly troubled. Bloomfield's playing on the "Fathers and Sons" LP with Muddy Waters had been strangely undistinguished, and Atlantic Records' early 1970s revival of The Electric Flag failed to generate much excitement. Only "Super Session" from 1968 had achieved financial and critical acclaim for Bloomfield, but by the mid-1970s that seemed ancient history.

Sadly, Columbia/CBS made a bad decision in refusing to release the album, as Mike Bloomfield and Friends put together a first-rate effort. This CD-version contains the album as originally conceived by Bloomfield and colleagues. Many of the performances were eventually released in the late 1970s on albums that Bloomfield and Norman Dayron issued on smaller labels, such as Takoma. It is a revelation to hear them in their original setting. The album opens with a fine rendition of "Been Treated Wrong" (issued as "Orphan Blues" on later releases), which includes some spirited vocals and great guitar playing by Bloomfield. "When It All Comes Down" is a mellow song with vocals by Nick Gravenites and excellent, if somewhat rushed, Spanish-influenced guitar by Bloomfield. With more skillful production, the song probably could have been a commercial hit. "Lights Out" again contains effective lead vocals by Bloomfield, as well as rocking drumming by George Rains and some lively horns. "Baby Come On," featuring another vocal by Bloomfield, is probably the weakest song on the album. It is not terrible, just slight. A more worthy substitute would have been "Woodyard Street," recorded at the same time but not issued until the "Bloomfield" anthology by CBS in 1983. The next two songs -- "Shine On Love" & the gospel-oriented "When I Get Home" feature the strong, passionate vocals of Roger 'Jellyroll' Troy, who also played bass. Troy's outstanding vocals are also heard on three other songs: "Midnight on the Radio," "Your Friends," and "Let Them Talk." For those who got to see Mike Bloomfield and Friends perform live in the early to mid-1970s, Troy's singing and bass playing were often highlights of the concerts. Mark Naftalin and Barry Goldberg also provide solid support on keyboards throughout the entire album. George Stallings, a fine saxophone player, sings the lead on the funky, if now dated sounding "Try It Before You Buy It." "Tomorrow Night" features Bloomfield's wispy vocals. It should be noted that Bloomfield wrote much of the material, and that on songs such as "Tomorrow Night" he was clearly trying to move beyond blues into the sort of musical space occupied by eclectic writers such as Randy Newman. This ambition is also apparent on his Takoma and other albums of the late 1970s, and a source of controversy between those who favored him as a blues/rock guitarist and those who were willing to see where Bloomfield wanted to go.

Overall, this is a fine recording by Bloomfield and Friends. It deserves better than its past history. Hopefully it will be re-issued one of these days soon.


title: very strange, yet oddly impressive

text:
Yes, this is weird music.  It's atonal, complicated, and difficult to follow.  Yet Zappa's musical ideas and gestures carry such strength and force that you can't help but admire them (for as much as you'll have trouble understanding them).  Boulez and his outstanding French new music ensemble, the Ensemble InterContemporain, offer readings of spirited enthusiasm and unfaltering skill... a necessity for these difficult scores.

The album won't be to the taste of very many, but if you're interested in Zappa or in aggressive Modernism, it's certainly compelling.


title: warmly recommended

text:
First, the bad news.  Heiligmesse is the weak link of this album.  While certainly written to a high standard of craftsmanship, it's just one big chorus after another (save two or three movements that feature what is essentially an SSATBB chamber choir: not all that much of a contrast, in other words).  Haydn wrote the Heiligmesse after his first residency at London, where he was introduced to the Handel oratorios.  Haydn learned a good deal from studying Handel's masterful choral writing, and again, the Heiligmesse's choruses are excellent; but JUST choruses becomes rather monotonous.  The texture, orchestration, and mood remain constant and unvaried throughout.

The good news, then, is that despite not measuring up to the other works here the Heiligmesse is still worth being acquainted with, and the Paukenmesse and the motet, "Insanae et Vanae Curae," are masterworks.  Paukenmesse deserves comparison to the Mozart C minor Mass of 1781; it's that good.  It contains majestic choruses as in the Heiligmesse, along with dynamic orchestral writing and intimate, moving arias.  And the motet, "Insanae et Vanae Curae," a lesser-known rarity, has a tragic dramatic impact the equivalent of Mozart's D-minor piano concerto or even, perhaps, passages of Don Giovanni.

As for the performances, they are above criticism.  Gardiner seems never to miss!  He will be remembered as perhaps THE great conductor of his generation.


title: Beautiful

text: Such wonderful music by a fantastic orchestra


title: 'Acoustics and Electronics Blended Perfectly'

text: Chris Karrer, Amon Duul founder and all world multi-instrumentalist. This is his 3rd solo album recorded mostly from '94-'96 released in '96. Backing muscians: Christen Buchard, Peter Paul Keun, Mostafa Rafaat, Marika Falk, Yulius Golombeck, Rafael Caro jr., Saam, Michael Wehmayer, Christen Philippi, Rai Zimzik, Edgar Hofmann. Eleven tracks plus one unlisted track with a total time of 53:33. Song titles are: Down At The Casbah...Tritonus Andaluz...La Bruja Santa...Taqsim Supreme...Al Risha...Visions Of Suleika...El Khahira El Kebria...Barbate...Lamento Del Moro...Barzah...Hicaz Oyun Havasi. The unlisted track is placed 7th and is short 3:16. Track 3 is from 1991 and 9 is from 1982, the latter features the only vocals on this disc. Each song is completely different, mostly acoustic mid-eastern instruments complimented with P.P. Keuns' outstanding magic sound-carpets as Karrer refers to them. This guy knows what sounds cool and your ears will be delighted. The disc has awesome sound as it was recorded mostly at the same studio 'Nada Moonshine #' was recorded at, if your familiar, if not trust me this disc is sweet to the ear. Track 9 recorded in '82 in noticeably different though cool none the less, the song set is arranged perfectly, I would'nt change a thing, just press play and bump up the volume. The instruments are played with intense controlled emotion and blend warmly with the keyboard sounds. Give me a hooka-pipe and a harem girl with swift feet to free my gypsy soul...that's where this music is at. Track 6 has a nice dance beat, I'd like to see some world class dancers burn the floor up to this one. Other songs are more meditative, everything has a mid-eastern flavor. Barzah @ 2:14 is the only track thats not critical, Karrer does'nt play on that song as he gives the nod to Yulius Golombeck who plays oud (fretless lute) and nay (oriental bamboo flute). I got way lucky and bought my pristine copy for $12.99 plus shipping, I wish you the same luck...serendipity, ya' gotta' love it. PS the CD booklet includes an intro. written by Roman Bunka, plus a write up for each musician, photos for some. A track by track listing of who plays what...also a Chris Karrer disography of 32 records and soundtracks from 1967-1996 with Amon Duul 2, Embryo, Popol Vuh and several other groups. If you want gypsy/sufi music look no further. May your days be cool and your feelings be warm.


title: Sublime world-class rendition

text: With grace and subtlety, Robert Shaw and his Chorale have produced an outstanding album here (one of many, to be sure) which achieves a kind of sublime level of purity.  This is truly a "world-class" album, and it has stood the test of time.  The standout song to me is "I Want to be Ready" -- but "This Old Hammer" is also precious. I've never heard any other performer present the Spirituals in quite the same way.

user_id: AGIJAXPBPVRGZCHQCIPQGBACWQBQ


title: Beautiful version. As well as "My Way

text: I don't understand the reason Kiyohiko Ozaki wasn't more famous globally...I guess in his prime the world just wasn't ready for an Asian Tom Jones. Gotta hand it to whomever gave him the opportunity to sing & record "The Godfather," Theme song...Beautiful version. As well as "My Way,""Love Me With All Your Heart," "Unchained Melodies," "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," "Till," "To Russia with Love,"  "The End,"& many more standards...Too bad he wasn't recognized for he was really talented...I prefer him to Tom Jones or any crooner.


title: Five Stars

text: great taste


title: Great Modern Take on Traditional Jazz

text: This band has an excellent sound.  Most of the members have been playing together for quite some time (several were in the now-defunct New Orleans Jazz Vipers), and they have a strong rapport that allows them to play nice, tight arrangements while maintaining a very relaxed, swinging groove.  The instrumental solos are the main attraction here, but the vocals are surprisingly good; several band members sing, and they take a refreshingly straightforward approach, eschewing the corny histrionics and affectations that younger singers sometimes indulge in when performing traditional jazz.  This CD is also recorded just perfectly -- it's wonderfully balanced, and all the instruments are clear and distinct, with great warmth and presence.  This is one of my favorite recent releases by any New Orleans jazz band, and I'm really hoping they'll record a follow-up soon.


title: Music is good. Not so good production

text: Music is good.<br />Not so good production.


title: Love all the songs.

text: Takes me back to my younger years.


title: Natasa Theodoridou - Great CD at a good price!

text: Arrived ahead of time in impeccable condition. Thanks!!


title: Music

text: love leon


title: let down

text: Not original..SOUND TRACK


title: Five Stars

text: great.


title: Real Love

text:
This Anthology represents the Beatles beginning their experimental phase!

Like Anthology 1, this CD begins with a John Lennon solo song performed by John with additional music provided by Paul, George, and Ringo. Probably because this is a more complete song, the concept works a little better than on "Free as a Bird".

Beyond that, you get a grabbag of demos, alternative takes, and live tracks from 1965 to early 1968. "Yes It Is" begins the set. Interesting is some of the studio banter like in "I'm Down" (with Paul saying in a pseudo-American accent: "Let's hope this one turns out pretty darn good... Plastic soul, man!") and "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" (glass shatters and John mumbles: "Paul's broken a glass broke a glass Paul broke."). There are also never before released songs like "If You've Got Trouble", "That Means a Lot", and "12 Bar Original" (a fun jam in the mold of "Green Onions").

Live performances include television performances of "Yesterday" (with George introducing Paul) and "Help!", "Everybody's Got to Be My Baby" (from the legendary Shea Stadium concert) and "Rock & Roll Music" and "She's a Woman" (from their final 1966 tour). You can hear the Beatles slowly go through the motions in the end on stage as their studio recordings became more complex...

There are only a few outtakes from Rubber Soul, including the heavily sitar drenched "Norwegian Wood" and "...Looking Through You" in its early stage (with a hand clapping intro). The Revolver selections are more generous, with "Tomorrow Never Knows" (which even without all the tape effects sounds bizarre!), "Taxman" with the line "Anybody gotta bitta money" in place of "Uh uh Mr. Wilson... uh uh Mr. Heath", and a mellower slowed down take of "Got to Get You Into...". There are instrumental takes of "Eleanor Rigby" and "...Only Sleeping" (with a vibraphone). It's fun to hear Paul and John giggling while attempting to sing harmonies on "And Your Bird Can Sing"!

CD2 begins with an early demo of "Strawberry Fields", followed by an unused take, then the take which would begin the master we all know (played in its entirety) with Ringo's drum part at the end. "Penny Lane" features an oboe instead of a piccolo trumpet after the 2nd verse and features the closing horn riff which was previously only available on radio promo copies! "A Day In the Life" features John mumbling "sugar plumb fairy" and begins as a simple folk song up to its buildup (you can hear Mal Evans counting down the seconds until the alarm clock), then Paul goofs on the vocals and cusses, and it all concludes with the orchestral buildup. "Good Morning" sounds more rocking than the original. The instrumental take of "Within You Without You" sounds more ethereal than with George's vocals. You also get the complete stereo version of "You Know My Name...". The Magical Mystery Tour outtakes are interesting with Ringo playing a march beat on "Your Mother Should Know". "I Am the Walrus" and "Hello Goodbye" sound different without orchestration. The set concludes with "Lady Madonna" and one of the best takes of "Across the Universe".

Also recommended is the hard-to-find "Real Love" CD single with outtakes of "Yellow Submarine" (featuring a spoken intro by Ringo), "Here, There and Everywhere" and "Baby's In Black" (from a 1965 Hollywood Bowl performance).


title: Free As A Bird

text:
"Free as a Bird" is a pleasant reunion between John and the 3 surviving Beatles (I agree with one of the reviewers below who said we're lucky to have that). The song was allegedly written about the freedom Lennon felt after his deportation threats and "Lost Weekend".

On with the rest of the album. It features interviews with John, Paul, and Brian Epstein. We have possibly the 1st Quarreymen recording: a 1958 scratchy recording of "That'll Be The Day" and an original "In Spite of All the Danger". There are more demos of this sort- Ray Charles' "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "You'll Be Mine" and the instrumental "Cayenne". We have Tony Sheridan's fair sounding vocals on "My Bonnie" before the Beatles take over (with Pete Best, the original drummer) on "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow". George sings lead on "3 Cool Cats" and Paul sings lead on "Besame Mucho". Also included is Pete Best drumming on "Love Me Do" before Ringo replaces Best on "How Do You Do It" (I prefer theirs better than Gerry and the Pacemakers'). An early (and superior) version of "One After 909" finds its way here. There's a more raucous demo of "Can't Buy Me Love" and the Beatles experimenting with harmonies on "8 Days A Week", with an electric 12-string on "And I Love Her", and with tempo changes on "I'll Be Back" (which was originally going to be a waltz). Great songs you never heard from the Beatles (until now) include "You Know What to Do" (George's 2nd song) and "Leave My Kitten Alone." And the Beatles really did sound well live, as witnessed by the 1963 recordings (most humorous is "Moonlight Bay" with Morecambre and Wise!)

Also recommended is the CD single which includes demos of "This Boy", "I Saw Her Standing There", and the 1967 "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)".


title: "She had a halo right from the start & the glow of heavenly light"

text: Not to be confused with another musician with the same 1st 2 names (albiet with Stephen at the front and the Curtis following it), Curtis Stephan (spelled with an "A") has proven to be one of the most gifted and entertaining Christian musicians of the time.  He can do rockers like "Brand New Day" and "Spin Me Round" and ballads like "Though I'm Not Worthy" and "Love Goes On" and even throws in some jazz on "Lullaby for Alice," a song which is dedicated in the memory of his sister Alice.  "The Othe Side" is both introspective and catchy.  "No Ordinary Day" would be a good song to start the day, whereas "The Peace and Love of God" would be a good song to end it (or just a good song to listen to if you're going through a hard time).  He can play keyboards, guitar and trumpet.  I saw him last night in concert and it was like having a friend tell you what's going on in his life with a guitar in his hand.  I brought my wife and 2 good friends and they loved his music and message as well.  And of course, many of the young teens who enjoy him as a youth director at their church were there!  There's also a bonus cut "Age Old Friend of Mine," but don't search for it on the lyric sheet.


title: awesome jazz singer

text: This is an amazing tour de force by a great jazz singer who deserves wider recognition.


title: ty

text: ty


title: Great buy

text: Very peaceful to listen to.


title: Good product

text: Good quality and packaging, arrived quickly


title: Whoever owns this shop just know I love you !!!!

text: THIS SELLER IS AWESOME!!! Of course the product itself is top tier, but they truly went above and beyond to make me feel, as a costumer, that I am appreciated. The freebies are amazing, the package came exactly as described and no damage at all. It also came very quickly. I WILL buy from this shop again.


title: Great singer

text: Love Nat King Cole music


title: Utterly exquisite recording

text: This is coming from a devoted “fan” of Scriabin’s piano and orchestral works. OMG. I stumbled on this CD after listening to a piano transcription of Symphony 3 and Divine Poem, wondering whether a comparable piano recording had been made of Prometheus. This recording is not “comparable.” It is spectacular.


title: Not if you are looking for harmony

text: Most of the songs are not sung in harmony. The individual tenors sing most. It is like buying a cd of the Four Lads, and each lad sings separatelyl.


title: Five Stars

text: Great, happy music!


title: A.R.M.S. Concert

text: I wonder why this is not an official release as it just rocks. Clapton, Beck, Page and Winwood - Great to have them all together. The audio on this album is excellent as well as the song selection. Clapton and Winwood are great as always but Jeff Beck steals the show with his guitar work. Jimmy Page is alright but it's not one of his best efforts. This one is a keeper so grab one before there gone!


title: I always love the voice of Randy Travis.

text: Great selection of Travis's hits


title: Great tones & melodies

text: I am a life-long guitar player and my musical preference leans toward guitar instrumentals. I have always been a sucker for a good melody and this album has many - as well as catchy rhythms and excellent production values. Highly recommended.


title: Sound quality great quality

text: Ed Sheeran always great! Sound was terrific. No skips (hate that). Will enjoy over and over. 😉


title: Excelente

text: El maestro Joaquín Sabina


title: Maestro

text: Excelente


title: Love it.

text: Love it... Nice to find an "unknown" Pink Floyd disc.. At least to me, I thought I had them all.  I miss this band! I wish he rumored one-more-album reunification session would happen! All in all, this a fine "last" album... a little different, but that's Pink Floyd for you.


title: Five Stars

text: Magnificent singer and songs!


title: a good cd of live concert

text: it is a great cd of a early Johnny Van Zant singing, just wish it had FreeBird but I think it was recorded before he started singing it at the shows.


title: 80s pop!

text: All 80s all the best time


title: Great dance mix

text: Liked all the music


title: This is the second of the same cd I ordered ...

text: This is the second of the same cd I ordered for a gift and both came in with the case damaged on both the outside and inside. Getting too late to order another (probably broken case) so I will replace the case with one of my own


title: True Worship

text: Best worship album I've ever heard. Brought me to tears of the beauty of the God we worship.


title: ok, potenial, but fell short.

text: I was impressed with a lot of solo John Jorgensen performances I found, but this album did not meet my expectations. Keep in mind I am very, very  hard to impress when it comes to music.


title: The College Town Sounds of 1993

text: An excellent cross-section of the music scene in Lawrence, and specifically at the Bottleneck, in those interesting days of 1993. It's a mixture of power pop, grunge, bluegrass, soul and whatever else. That's essentially what Lawrence, Kansas is.


title: Five Stars

text: It sounds great! It came in as expected, and in perfect condition.


title: Yodel-riffic

text: I bought this for a road trip but have found myself and my 9yr old having a ton of fun with it.


title: Different

text: Different Christmas cd


title: Five Stars

text: Excelent!!!


title: Excellent!

text: Great music!


title: Wow four CDs and this is worth is iam glad I bought it saw a song I liked and ...

text: Wow four CDs and this is worth is iam glad I bought it saw a song I liked and made purchased yet that song wasn't on here no problem this cd is a mix of really nice songs ply them and have a nonstop party I bought mines for unders a few bucks now it Close too 30 bucks. Buy it any way you will say yes now dance your azz off and enjoy your life.  Party baby


title: ... sell it too someone now mind you he has good music yet this cd isn't what I expected some ...

text: I buy for one song this cd is all over the place  it's ok yet not one I'd keep playing daily I will sell it too someone now mind you he has good music yet this cd isn't what I expected some one else may like it I buy it for one song I liked


title: Five Stars

text: Order two by mistake one was scratched the other wasn't so it worked out Fo r me


title: Five Stars

text: Niceeee


title: This is a nice cd yet I have a double disc with many ...

text: This is a nice cd yet I have a double disc with many of the same songs it's ok. Though.  I have. Out of Cielo CDs great stuff for a party atmosphere.


title: Five Stars

text: Nice.  Play. Loud. And turn. The lights low and relax.


title: Five Stars

text: Yes


title: Massive the whole cd is a must have and this ...

text: Massive the whole cd  is a must have and this is my first cd by her ... i have mostly all midnite cds... this sister  is COSMIC


i bought this many years back in nyc  on st marks at a now closed place called KIMS ..  I PLAYED IT BEFORE YET TODAY I REALLY PLAYED IT AND LISTEN AND ITS SO MELLOW AND COOL...  I PLAY IT LOW AND ITS LIKE A GOOD CUP OF  COCOA FROM GHANA..... MELLOW AND SO COOL .... WHEN ID GO TOO ST MARKS IN THE VILLAGE NYC ID TAKE MY CD PLAYER AND THEY WOULD LET YOU LISTEN TOO THE MUSIC BEFORE YOU BUY.. THAT WAS SO COOL... THEM DAYS ARE NOW GONE.... SO NOW I LISTEN AT HOME ON MY JVC 460 WATT RARE VINTAGE SYSTEM... ORB  OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!


title: ... the cd came on a friday and iam so happy..

text: listening now and guess what the cd came on a friday and iam so happy....... midnite is my fav.....


title: Brilliant for Python fans

text: Python fans obtain insight into the formation and journey of the group through the 70's, as well as the progress of MP's career and matters of family during this same period.  I found it very interesting; remarks about MP "sticking to his day job" appear to have been written by people looking for the history of Python, not the history of one of the group's most prolific contributors and the man that most would agree shouldered a heavier part of the load than his fellow Pythons.  I went through the Diaries in about three weeks; will probably go through them again in a few months' time as they are enjoyable light reading.


title: Three Stars

text: Not as good as their other albums, but does have some good outtakes.


title: Gift

text: Gift


title: Stays with you

text:
I find myself listening to this 14 year old disc more than just about any other collection I own. Amazing Grace, all by itself, is worth the $2 this will cost you.

Don't hesitate.


title: The long version of " Americanos"

text: If you like the so much the song that you feel sad because it only lasts 3 or 4 minuts, here is the solution!


title: Nicely done!

text: Nicely done - mics are a little too far away. Nicely done - mics are a little too far away.


title: Katherine is the real deal

text: I went to school with Katherine years ago, and she is the real deal. She was a good friend to me when I needed one. I bought her CD when I was in college, when she recorded it.  Years later, in the darkest moments of my life, I listen to her words that I know came straight from her heart, from her faith, from the tough moments in her own life, and "regardless of the circumstance," I remember that peace can come. That song still means something to me now, 20 years later. Her music is pure and authentic.  There isn't much like it in Christian music today.  She's still a rare gem.  Timeless.


One of my partners and I were talking recently. We decided that Brian Tracy could very well be our generation's Napoleon Hill. Enough said? Go graduate from Brian Tracy University. Your diploma will read: "Goals met. Success Unlimited."


title: Beautiful worship music

text: Beautiful worship music by an awesome band of Christ followers


title: Two Stars

text: waste of $


title: Five Stars

text: Excellent CD to remind one of those 1970's years. Great mix for romance. Enough said. Enjoy.


title: A Rare Recording Worth The Price

text: The first time I listened to this recording, it was the highlights version, and I had borrowed it from the library. When I was looking online to purchase it, Amazon was the only place I could find it for under $50. I'm glad I was able to get it at the price given before it went out of stock. It arrived 3 days early, and to my amazement, it's the full recording of the entire show! I love hearing it and singing along to it. Great product, and great service! ^_^


title: A Student and His Teacher

text:
Possibly the first composer of the Classical era to support himself solely by teaching and writing, Jan Vanhal (1739-1813) counted Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) among his many students. Both penned hundreds of works and were the toast of Vienna during their lifetimes. Upon their deaths however, each faded into obscurity, overshadowed by the giants of their time – Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Based in Pleyel’s birthplace of Ruppersthal, the Ignaz Pleyel Society here presents volume 2 following the same pairing as they did in the initial issue, combining a symphony by Vanhal with two symphonies of Pleyel's. All three are in the familiar four movement pattern, with a pair of faster outer sections bracketing a more leisurely movement and a minuet, although Pleyel creates a more complex arrangement in two of them.

Likely written in the mid 1760's, the C Minor Symphony listed as Bryan c2 begins with a triple metered 'Allegro moderato' that employs horns and tympani to supply added punch. Vanhal shows his flair for writing immensely appealing melodies in this engaging opening movement. A sorrowful 'Andante' follows. Penned for strings only, it is full of delicate pauses and moments of silence, giving the section a breathy, almost sighing quality. Rolling tympani introduce the surprisingly graceful 'Minuetto' while flutes carry the feathery contrasting trio. Agitated strings power the finale, a vivid 'Allegro molto' that forms a terrific ending.

Published in 1784, Pleyel's symphony in D Major, Ben 126 opens the triple metered 'Allegro assai' with a stirring unison phrase which yields to the elegant strains of a genteel dance. Paired oboes weave through the section, balancing the flowing strings. Initially in F Major, the compound 2nd movement starts with a fragile 'Andante' in duple meter before sliding into a mournful passage in minor. After a smooth shift into triple meter, a bright 'Allegro' emerges with horns briefly joining the fun before the return to the gentle 'Andante' and the final notes.

Leaping intervals give the 'Minuetto' a humorously ponderous feel that contrasts with the pizzicato spiked trio and its smoother melodic contours. Zesty with a wonderful urgency in the bass line, the closing 'Rondo allegro' features an invigorating variety of orchestral textures.

Confusion swirls around the E Flat Symphony listed as Ben 152. Rita Benton in her catalogue Ignace Pleyel: A Thematic Catalogue of His Compositions (Thematic Catalogues) dates the work from 1801, but the Pleyel society research suggests that it was written much earlier, possibly in 1792 during the composer's time in London. Whichever date is correct, the compound 1st movement is a gem. Of his approximately 41 symphonies, Pleyel composed 11 that open with an adagio, and the E Flat is one. A mellow horn call begins, the music broadening through a darker passage in minor before the winds engage in a delightful series of exchanges as it bounces into a zippy 'Allegro molto'. Particularly droll is a whimsical interplay between a solo flute and a pair of energetic bassoons. Staccato precision drives this movement as oboes, horns, a trombone and two clarino trumpets add to the symphonic palette.

Sober reflection characterizes the minor keyed 'Andante'. As the upper winds color the beginning passages, a single violin appears as the flowing 2nd movement slides into C Major. Waddling bassoons support a soaring flute during the shift back to minor and the concluding bars. Heavy downbeats from the tympani make for a lumbering 'Minuetto' while the flute and paired bassoons create a charming contrasting trio. Marked 'Allegro vivace', the final rondo brings the work to an effervescent close.

Released in 2008, the recording by Ars Produktion is excellent, crisp and clear without being brittle. Under the vigorous baton of Christian Birnbaum, the Wiener Concert-Verein delivers an enthusiastic reading of these fine Classical era symphonies. As of the date of this review, 17 volumes of Pleyel's compositions have been issued by the Society. Each has something to recommend it and this disc is no different.


title: Never a Dull Note

text:
As Joseph Haydn’s favorite student, Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) was widely assumed to be the composer most likely to take his place. Mozart certainly thought so when he wrote his father in 1782 “Pleyel should replace Haydn for us”. Among his 850 works are 41 symphonies, 17 string quintets, dozens of assorted trios and duets, at least 70 string quartets, and various concertos. The late Dieter Klocker has unearthed 3 here and adapted them for the clarinet, the last being a double concerto masquerading as a sinfonia concertante.

Confusion exists whether Pleyel originally wrote Concerto No.1, Ben 106 for a flute, a cello or a clarinet. Published in 1799 in C Major, it appeared simultaneously in all three versions. The current edition is transcribed for B Flat, and opens the expansive ‘Allegro’ with an elegant orchestral intro. With just enough shading in minor to lend contrast, the writing offers a wide ranging exploration of the clarinet’s register and tonal palette, a stunning display that Klocker handles with almost casual aplomb. An unexpected pleasure is a brief duet with a single oboe that teeters on the verge of becoming morose, but Pleyel’s underlying cheerfulness is seldom hidden for long.

Relaxed and fragile, a triple metered ‘Adagio’ follows. Chromatic tinges from the solo wind bring a nuanced depth of emotion while the finale is a perky ’Rondo’. Written in 6/8 time, it allows the soloist ample opportunity to exhibit his formidable technique and a sly sense of humor.

Likely written in 1788-89, the 2nd concerto Ben 104 is also composed in B Flat. A regal ‘Allegro vivace’ opens the work with broad dramatic symphonic strokes that complement spiraling melodic lines from the clarinet, as well as an impressive cadenza that bristles with dazzling brilliance. Long sustained notes hovering over the orchestral support was a favorite device of Mozart, and Pleyel employs it to stunning effect on the triple metered ‘Adagio’, which is actually penned in E Flat.

The concluding ‘Rondo’ begins with the clarinet presenting the sunny theme in the very first measures. Using a variable tempo, the single wind slides through the initial solo section which evolves into an intimate conversation between the soloist and the symphonic voices. Accelerating through an appealing minor keyed interlude into a 2nd solo, the bright rondo melody re-emerges as the finale hurtles to the rousing finish.

Titled Sinfonia Concertante No.2 in B Flat of 1791, Ben 112, the original scoring was for a violin and viola, and the solo parts reflect a dominance accorded the lead voice. The 2nd clarinet is often relegated to playing a third below, sometimes following in tandem, sometimes in a call and answer format, but always as a subordinate to the principal. A joyous orchestral intro starts the bouncy ‘Allegro’ with important contributions from the symphonic winds, horns shining in the opening and paired oboes in the section following the initial solos. Pleyel’s playful writing tends toward the clarinets’ lower register, and features a particular engaging final cadenza with the solo winds swirling around each other.

Nominally listed as a single movement, the finale is really in two sections, a ‘Rondo moderato’ with a charming and somewhat rustic theme and a triple metered ‘Allegro assai’. With the lead clarinet even more prominent and the 2nd voice acting as a foil, the writing lacks the interest of the initial ‘Allegro’. At the 5:30 mark, the paired clarinets slide smoothly into the rollicking conclusion, picking up speed and appeal as the music careens toward the closing notes.

Did Dieter Klocker ever make a bad recording? His warm inviting tone and his spectacular technique saturate this fine disc. Under the sensitive direction of Sebastian Tewinkel, the Southwest German Chamber Orchestra of Pforzheim supplies admirable support without overshadowing Klocker, while the 2007 recording by CPO is first rate. If Dieter Klocker ever did record a dull note, it’s not on this excellent CD.


title: Haydn's Student

text:
Son of a schoolteacher from the wine growing region of Austria, Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) may have studied with Jan Vanhal before becoming Joseph Haydn’s student. He learned well, composing in a wide variety of musical forms before founding a publishing company and a piano manufacturer. Among his works are 41 symphonies, 70 string quartets, 17 quintets, 48 trios, 64 duets, operas, and concertos. After Haydn's retirement, Pleyel may have been the most popular composer in Europe.

Following Haydn’s model, these 3 piano trios bracket a leisurely middle movement by two faster outer sections. The first two works from part of a set published in 1788 as op.16. Dark and dramatic, the solo piano begins the ‘Allegro molto’ of the E Minor Trio, No.5 with a memorable melody. The strings join in the second statement of the phrase with the violin engaging the keyboard in series of jousting exchanges. All of the melodic responsibility rests with the upper voices as the cello is employed exclusively as accompanimental support, and often simply doubles the left hand of the piano.

A singing violin opens the following ‘Andante’, a triple metered excursion that is by turns shy and hesitant, and at others sweetly lyrical. Anticipating the passion of Beethoven, the final ‘Rondo Allegro’ starts with a stormy unison motif that alternates with piano led passages of great delicacy.

Written in G Major, the first trio of the op.16 set begins with a thoroughly charming ‘Allegro’. Briefly dipping into minor for gypsy tinged sections, it also pays homage to Haydn with several false endings. Over plucked support in the bass line, an intensely sorrowful violin holds forth in the somber, minor keyed ‘Adagio’. The slow, deliberate pace and extensive use of rubato enhances the solemn tone. Frantic finger runs from the keyboard opens the 3rd movement, a lively ‘Rondo’ marked ‘Allegro molto’ that develops into a wild country dance by the closing bars.

Published in 1797, the trio in D Major, Op.26 starts with a playful ‘Allegro’ that finds the upper voices joining in good natured banter that advances into outright dueling passages. While this later composition offers a broader, more expansive scope, the cello is still relegated to supplying a sturdy underpinning while more technical skill is required from the violin. Composed in G Major, the triple metered ‘Andante’ is warmly lyrical and features an expressive violin soaring high on the E string. Also in triple meter, the final ‘Rondo Allegro’ is a lightly dancing delight. Brimming with good cheer, it accelerates into a surprising double time passage for a joyful close.

The 2011 recording by Dynamic is excellent, crisp and clear. With emotional sensitivity and obvious enthusiasm, the Joachim Trio presents these Haydn inspired works in the best possible light. Of particular note is the exquisitely pure tone displayed by the violinist, Suela Mullaj, which is most apparent in the adagios.

While they may not push the boundaries of established forms as Beethoven might, these 3 piano trios by Pleyel build upon the foundation his teacher laid, and are a wonderful example of the late Classical era.


title: More Coronation Quartets

text:
When the cello playing Frederick Wihelm II ascended to the throne of Prussia, a number of famous composers wrote string quartets to commemorate his coronation in 1787. Popularly known as the “Prussian” quartets, Mozart wrote three as a gift to the successor to Frederick the Great. Haydn doubled that number with the six of his Op.50, Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) topped them both with an unheard of set of 12. Not only did he exceed the number offered by any other composer, but he also presented them before anyone else. The three quartets on this recording are the third trio of the set, although they were the first group issued by CPO in 2008.

Despite being a student of Haydn, Pleyel went his own way with his quartets. Rather than offering extensive thematic or motivic development, he preferred to present a revolving array of lyrical melodic ideas with experimentation in interior structure and finely sculpted harmonic detail. Being based in Paris for much of his life influenced Pleyel as his style resembled the “quatours concertante” preferred by the French audience. Instead of a conversation among 4 equals, that particular approach employed an alternating solo voice supported by the other three instruments, often with an emphasis on the 1st violin.

Unlike the previous six quartets which followed a familiar ‘fast-slow-fast’ pattern, only the first of the three included here does that. Written in D Major, Ben 337 opens with lightly skipping ‘Allegro’ in a 6/8 time signature. Flurries of notes from the 1st violin are followed first by the viola, then by the 2nd violin and finally by the cello, typical of the concertante style and which requires an elevated level of technical excellence. Possibly to appeal to the royal dedicatee, the writing for the bass instrument in particular stretches from high on the A string down the lowest register.

Marked ‘Amoroso’, the 2nd movement is a gentle respite with frequent excursions into minor, which lend dramatic color and a wistful quality. Enhancing that softer, more fragile characteristic is Pleyel’s additional notation of ‘con sordini’, which indicates that mutes are to be used to dampen the vibration of the strings. With staccato precision, a playful ‘Presto’ concludes the work.

Pleyel pushes the boundary of the concertante approach in the jaunty ‘Allegro moderato’ that begins the F Major Quartet, Ben 338. Exploring the timbral possibilities by varying the accompanimental support with ever changing variety, he links the violins together when one of the lower strings has the melodic focus, pairing the first violin with the viola when the cello occupies the spotlight and joining the 2nd violin with the lowest string during viola solos. And by using tonal surprises and unexpected harmonic twists, he creates a fascinating sonic landscape. Concluding the 2 movement quartet is a vaguely pastoral ‘Varizione moderato’. Penned in a leisurely 6/8 and featuring long spiraling melodic phrases, it allows all four voices ample opportunity to stretch out and display the lyric sensitivity that Pleyel favored.

Nominally in three movements, the quartet in G Minor, Ben 339 is superb. Starting with a memorably catchy tune in the lead voice, the opening ‘Allegro’ develops a rhythmic subtlety by setting the lower strings into the offbeat of the violin and bolsters that interest by startling tonal shifts. A gentle triple lullaby in the brighter key of E Flat, the following ‘Adagio non troppo’ again is marked ‘con sordini’, employing that delicacy to good effect. Although led by the first violin, the lower strings spend nearly as much time fronting the ensemble especially when the music turns darker and slips into minor. Maintaining that somber tone, the voices linger in their lower registers as the section meanders through extended phrasing to the tender conclusion.

The finale is a stunner. Returning to G Minor, the unruly ‘Allegro moderato’ starts with a frantic theme in duple meter with notes leaping and skittering all over the scale. Initially presented by the 1st violin, the melody is taken by each voice in turn, that boundless energy never flagging with the blistering cello solo especially appealing. Relaxed and fluid, an elegant ‘Minuetto cantabile’ in F Major suddenly emerges, employing grace notes and a supple gliding melody to create a completely different mood. Slipping back into G Minor but retaining the graceful triple meter, the contrasting trio proves to be a transient section before the quick jagged lines of the ‘Allegro’ return with the same manic urgency of the opening.

With crisp detail and excellent depth, the CPO recording is outstanding. With the sparkling violin of Ingeborg Scheerer in the lead, the Pleyel Quartett Koln is terrific, offering a persuasive argument for placing the group’s namesake among the brightest and best of Classical Era masters. I eagerly await the remaining trio of coronation quartets.


title: The Dark Knight Returns

text:
Little is known about Ernst von Gemmingen (1759-1813). Born in Lower Saxony, he grew up in Heilbronn, located in the southwestern area of the Germany. From an aristocratic and wealthy family that included a long line of knights, he too received that formal designation in 1795. However, apart from a brief notation in a family chronicle about his talent on the violin, we have no information as to his early musical training, or that he even composed music. It was not until 1993 that 4 mature violin concertos were discovered among his papers in the Hornberg castle, which had been purchased by an ancestor in 1612 and is still owned by his descendants today. No other works have ever been found.

Since the 4th concerto bears the date of 1802, they must have been written some time before. On this recording, the final 2 works of Gemmingen's output reveal even more depth and assurance than do his earlier concertos while continuing the strikingly creative melodic lines with a distinctly Italian influence. As with his pair of compositions, these two are also penned in major keys. But Gemmingen demonstrates a particular affinity to passages in minor so that they permeate his writing and create dark shadows throughout these seemingly bright concertos.

Written in D Major, the third concerto opens with a broad orchestral intro to the cheerful 'Allegro moderato' that stretches past the 2½ minute mark. Exhibiting a fondness for the upper reaches of the E string, Gemmingen tests the skill of the soloist with showy pyrotechnics and a dramatic flair that rivals any of more well-known his contemporaries. Extensive double stopping and rapid string crossings permeate the solo sections that frequently dip into minor, while a pastoral interlude in F Major led by the flute and backed by a pair of hunting horns offers a delightful respite.

Shifting into a dark D Minor, the 2nd movement is labeled 'Romance' and is crafted for strings only. With a relaxed pace, the intimate 'Adagio' allows the violin to display impressive emotional intensity as the passages drift into a slightly sunnier major key before resuming the somber minor tones. Light and perky, and with lightning fast fingerings, the single violin sets the attitude for the lively 'Rondo' that closes the work in a burst of rustic charm.

More ambitious than his other concertos, the A Major Concerto begins with a multi-leveled 'Allegro' that shows extensive symphonic gestures before the entrance of the solo string. With a virtuosity that anticipates Paganini, the writing for the violin pushes into a pre Romantic sensibility, especially in the bittersweet 2nd solo in F Sharp Minor that shows a gypsy influence. In C Major, the softly pulsing accompaniment of the delicate 'Adagio' provides a supple background for the exquisitely expressive violin. After a surprising horn solo, a journey of unexpected harmonic shifts takes this outstanding middle movement through E Flat, A Major, F Sharp Minor, and finally back to C Major.

A triple metered romp, the concluding 'Rondo' follows an unusual structure by inserting a D Major polonaise in duple meter as the 2nd episode. Further stretching the boundaries, the violin leads a series of modulations beginning in B Minor, progressing through F Major to D Minor before returning to the original key of A Major and resuming the swaying dancelike time signature. Fiendishly difficult passage work contributes to what is a stunning finale.

Including a symphony published 40 years earlier by Belgium born Francois Joseph Gossec (1734-1829) is a curious decision on the part of CPO. Using a different conductor only compounds the puzzle. His D Major Symphony from the Op.6 set is a fine work, exhibiting a deft use of horns and oboes in the spirited 'Allegro' that forms the second section of the 1st movement. After a leisurely 'Largo' that employs marching pizzicato accompaniment to good effect, the sweeping triple metered 'Allegro poco presto' makes for a joyous conclusion. Under the able baton of Sebastian Weigle, the Munich Radio Orchestra offers a fine reading of the Parisian based Gossec's .

Issued in 2014, CPO's recording is finely etched and sharp enough to pick up the inhale of the wind section that precedes the relaxed 'Adagio' of the concerto in D Major. But the real spotlight shines deservedly on the violin of Kolja Lessing. Not only does he bring a superb technique and depth of emotion to these demanding concertos, but also contributed the solo cadenzas for both, seamlessly blending his writing with that of Gemmingen. Ulf Shirmer directs the Munich orchestra with aplomb and grace, and helps the soloist bring out the best of these world premieres. If you'd like to explore the Classical Era violin concerto after Mozart and before Paganini, this 2nd volume of Gemmingen is an excellent place to start.


title: Unearthed in Skara

text:
Hidden deep in the dense forests of southwest Sweden sits the ancient town of Skara, supposedly founded in AD 988. With a population under 20,000, it is an unlikely location for an extensive collection of 18th century music, but it contains a dazzling array of works. The 4 string quartets on this recording are merely a sampling of its riches.

Trained by the Italian virtuoso Giuseppe Tartini, Bohemian born Antonin Kammel (1730-1784) moved to London and joined the circle of musician-composers who formed the Bach-Abel Concerts begun in 1765. His output consisted almost entirely of violin focused chamber music, including at least 18 string quartets. Listed as No.2 on this disc, his E Flat Quartet is the second of six from his Op.4 set.

Engaging and carefree, the opening 'Allegro ma non tanto' is a triple metered romp. Although dominated by the first violin, all four voices contribute to the general gaiety with the lower strings particularly evident. Also in triple meter, the sweetly lyrical 'Andante' is penned in B Flat except for a charming interlude in G Minor led by the sturdy cello. Resembling a lighthearted country dance, the jaunty 'Allegro non molto' is notable for a striking section in dramatic C Minor.

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) is probably the best known composer in this group. Although his quartet in G Minor is marked here as No.2, it is actually No.4 from the Op.8 group of six and further identified as G.168. A biting attack from the lead violin and vigorous support in the bass line characterizes the energetic 'Allegro'. Hushed dynamics add to the tension that is only relieved when the 2nd movement begins. In a brighter E Flat, the leisurely 'Grave' features fine solo work, especially stunning is the cello passage, placed high in the upper register. A brisk cut time signature powers the finale, a vivid 'Allegro' that continues to gather steam until the ending unison chords.

Born in Kothen and a student of J.S. Bach, Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787) relocated to London where he organized the concert series with Bach's son, Johann Christian. Known for working in a variety of styles, his A Major Quartet is No.5 from Op.8. Full of rhythmic whimsy, the genial 'Un poco vivace' places most of the melodic responsibility with the upper voices leaving the bass line as a mere support in sharp contrast to the more imaginative writing for the cello in the two preceding quartets. After an expressive 'Adagio ma non tanto' in E Flat, the sprightly 'Allegro assai' closes the quartet in a lilting 3/8 time signature as the paired violins engage in a good natured jousting match.

Easily the best work on the recording, the quartet in G Minor by Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831) is listed as No.9. Composed to celebrate the ascension of Frederick Wilhelm II to the throne of Prussia in 1787, it the ninth of a set of 12, also known Ben 339. Memorable melodic lines in the lead violin are balanced by assured writing for the cello as the middle voices add depth and harmonic color. A fair of degree of virtuosic technique is required as Pleyel sends the 1st violin soaring high on the E string with rapid passage work. Shifting to E Flat, the dance like rhythm of the triple meter is barely discernable as the pace of the relaxed 'Adagio non troppo' ebbs and flows. Amid pulsing accompaniment from the other voices, the solo from the viola is impressive but the spotlight clearly focuses on the lead violin.

Driven by a perpetual motion melodic theme passed among all the voices, the compound finale is spectacular. After the energetic 'Allegro moderato', a light and graceful 'Minuetto cantabile' emerges in the cheery key of G Major. With genteel elegance, the contrasting trio slips briefly back into G Minor before concluding the triple metered interlude in G Major. When the allegro theme returns in the original minor key, it bursts from the sudden silence after the minuet with renewed force and barrels toward a terrific buzzing conclusion.

Issued in 1994 by Proprius Musik, the recording lacks some of the clarity that characterizes more modern releases. The interior voices are somewhat recessed leaving the bass line and the first violin more prominent. Led by the splendid violin of Staffan Schien, the Swedish based Schein Quartet is first rate. While Boccherini and Pleyel may have more name recognition, the works of Kammel and Abel are not to be overlooked, and this fine recording from the unexpected interior of Sweden is just the place to find them.


title: Coronation Quartets Continued

text:
A number of famous composers wrote string quartets to commemorate the coronation of Frederick Wilhelm II when he ascended to the throne of Prussia. Mozart and Haydn each honored the king with a set, Haydn’s were his Op.50, but the first to present his gift to the successor to Frederick the Great was Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831). And it wasn’t a measly set of three, or even 6 string quartets. It was an unheard of set of 12. The second 3 of those twelve are presented here.

All are in three movements, and follow the traditional ‘fast-slow-fast’ pattern. Despite being a student of Haydn, Pleyel went his own way with his quartets. Rather than offering thematic or motivic development, he preferred to present a revolving series of new melodic ideas with interior structural experimentation and finely crafted harmonic detail. Being based in Paris for much of his life influenced Pleyel as his style resembled the “quatours concertant” favored by the French audience. Instead of a conversation among 4 equals, that particular style employed an alternating solo voice supported by the other three instruments, often with an emphasis on the 1st violin.

Written in C Major, the initial quartet begins with a lighthearted ‘Allegro con spirito’. With the lead violin in charge, a sequence of playful call and answer exchanges unfolds. Dotted with silences, sudden accents and just a hint of malice, this impressive first movement shifts vividly into minor just before the final coda. In a mournful C Minor, the following ‘Adagio cantabile’ is one of the highlights of the recording. Echoed in the cello, the solo violin shines in a stunning display of deeply felt pathos with minimal support from the middle voices. Smoothly transitioning from the somberness of the preceding section, a subdued ‘Allegro’ opens the finale before a lively county dance evolves, concluding with a surge of joyous unison.

Elastic phrasing creates a shy hesitation in the ‘Allegro non troppo’ of the A Major Quartet. Rushing triplets in the 1st violin balances that with spontaneous bursts of energetic enthusiasm as all four voices advance the musical ideas. Penned in E Major, a dreamy ‘Romance cantabile’ follows, a showcase for the lead violin. Amid plucked accents in the bass line, the gorgeous 2nd movement slips into minor as the middle instruments assume the melodic responsibility and the top voice soars overhead in obbligato. Colored by unexpected harmonic shifts, a frisky ‘Rondo Allegro’ closes the work.

Featuring extended solos from all 4 instruments, the bright ‘Allegro’ that opens the quartet in E Flat is most striking with the cello and the first violin in the lead. Dramatic descents into minor keyed passages and full stops in the musical flow are among the superb effects of this splendid first movement. The compound section that concludes the quartet begins with a ‘Menuetto’ structured as a theme and variation. Again, the four voices share in the spotlight. While there are bravura flourishes in the solo passages, these works were composed for gifted amateurs and the technical demands are made with that limitation in mind. Brimming with syncopated good humor, a sprightly ‘Presto’ brings the quartet to a delightful end, but not before a witty coda that is a nod to his famous teacher.

Recorded in 2009 but not issued until 2012, the recording by CPO is first rate, with excellent detail and more than adequate depth. Skillfully led by the brilliant violin of Ingeborg Scheerer and supported by the sturdy cello of Nicolas Selo, Pleyel Quartett Koln presents this second set of the coronation quartets in a terrific light. Judging from these works, Pleyel deserves consideration in the pantheon of Classical Era masters.