Music

Average customer rating:

Mozart effective
Mozart is #1!
must have for ADHD

Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 4, Focus & Clarity

Manufacturer: Spring Hill
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 1, Strengthen the Mind
Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 3, Unlock the Creative Spirit
Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 5, Relax & Unwind
Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 2, Heal the Body
Tune Your Brain with Mozart

ASIN: B000050GA3
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

Focus & Activate The Mind: Vc Con No.3 in G, K 216: Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Sym No.13 in F, K 112: Andante - Nicholas Ward
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son in F, K 376: Allegro - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Sym No.8 in D, K 48: Andante - Nicholas Ward
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son No.11 in G, K 379: Andantino Cantabile - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son in B flat, K 379: Andantino Sostenuto E Cantabile - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Sym No.4 in D, K 19: Andante - Nicholas Ward
Focus & Activate The Mind: Vn Con No.5 in A, K 219: Tempo Di Menuetto - Takako Nishizaki
Focus & Activate The Mind: Son in D, K 448: Allegro Con Spirito - Nadine Palmier

Tracks:

Clarity & Restful Attention: Cassination in B flat, K 99: Andante - Harald Nerat
Clarity & Restful Attention: Sym No.27 in G, K 199/161b: Andante Grazioso - Capella Istropolitana
Clarity & Restful Attention: Ser in D, K 250: Andante - Capella Istropolitana
Clarity & Restful Attention: Qt No.23 in F, K 590: Andante (Allegretto) - Eder Quartet
Clarity & Restful Attention: Ser in D, K 250: Andante - Takako Nishizaki/Capella Istropolitana/Johannes Wildner
Clarity & Restful Attention: Con No.20 in d, K 466: Romance - Jeno Jando/Concentus Hungaricus/Andras Ligeti
Clarity & Restful Attention: Divert in D, K 131: Allgretto - Capella Istropolitana/Harald Nerat
Clarity & Restful Attention: Vn Son No.2 in E flat, K 302: Rondeau: Andante Grazioso - Takako Nishizaki/Jeno Jando

Customer Reviews:

Mozart effective.......2007-04-07

I love classical music, bought this for my child who has attention difficulties, he enjoys hearing it in the background as he completes his homework assignments.

Mozart is #1!.......2007-02-20

I tried this cd when I studied for math and physics to improve my grades and it sounds kind of crazy but the very first time I listened to this about a week before my trigonometry exam, I made the highest grade on it than ever before. There is something truley amazing with these volumes of the mozart effect, im going to get volumes 1-5 because it really helps me with math. I actually look forward to doing my math homework now..its brilliant! One of my favorite songs out all the albums is on this one..its song #3 on the focus cd,its awesome! Preview it and you will see what I mean.

must have for ADHD.......2006-03-09

I ordered this cd set for both my son and husband who have ADHD. It absolutely has a calming effect on both. My husband has the cd on his IPOD and sleeps through the night. My son listens to the cds while doing homework and to fall asleep.
If you have a child w/ADD/ADHD, this cd set is worth a try.

Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 2, Heal the Body

Average customer rating:

one 3rd of the greatest album of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Music for concentration and focus
good news, bad news

Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 2, Heal the Body

Manufacturer: Spring Hill
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 1, Strengthen the Mind
Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 3, Unlock the Creative Spirit
Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 5, Relax & Unwind
Music For The Mozart Effect, Volume 4, Focus & Clarity
The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit

ASIN: B000006Q4E
Release Date: 1998-04-28

Tracks:

Piano Concerto #21 In C Major, K 467: Andate
String Quartet #16 In Eb Major, K 428: Andate con moto
Concerto For Flute And Harp In C Major, K 299: Andantino From The Concerto For Flute And Harp In C Major, K 299
Flute Quartet In D Major, K 285: Adagio From The Flute Quartet In D Major, K 285
Violin Sonata In C Major, K 296: Andante sostenuto From The Violin Sonata In C Major, K 296
Piano Concerto #20 In D Minor, K 466: Romance
Clarinet Quintet In A Major, K 581: Larghetto From The Clarinet Quintet In A Major, K 581
'Posthorn' Serenade #9 In D Major, K.320: Concertante- Andante grazioso
Andante In C For Flute, K 315
Divertimento In D Major, K 205: Adagio
Sonate #1 For Organ And Orchestra In Eb Major, K 67

Customer Reviews:

one 3rd of the greatest album of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-08-18

this is the 1st ever musical geniuses slow collection.it was designed by a scientist who recognized musics power on the mind and harnessed it.this album has been proven to stimulate the same part of the brain that relaxes you.or for you brainy types,it gets your dopamine flowing.then theres the fact that this music is like pure ear sweetness.it will send all your nuerons off to dreamland and you will feel a dramatic physical change.my favorite song on this one is the violin concerto.extremely relaxing and great for the soul.everybody with anything from a cramp to cancer should put this one on.besides all that,its exquisitely beautiful youll fall instantly in love!an abselute tresure and blessing to music and the world!

Music for concentration and focus.......2001-05-14

I first read the research on the positive effects of classical music at 60 beats per minute many years ago. With no commercial options available then, I made my own tape from excerpts of world class recordings I own, largely of Mozart. I rarely tolerate background music while I work because it distracts and diffuses focus. The slow Mozart movements have an astonishingly opposite and positive effect, enhancing concentration and mental clarity. For listening pleasure, I prefer the complete works with all movements, as a prior reviewer noted. However, for calmed focus and concentration, by removing the alternate movements this recording serves that purpose with excellence.

There is sufficient variety to avoid monotony, and while the musicianship will not garner critical acclaim it is competent and acceptable for the purpose of this recording. I enjoy it immensely. It is one of the rare pieces I will play in the background while doing work that requires serious focus.

good news, bad news.......2000-07-23

Good news: contains famous works of Mozart for a very small cost. The music is eloquent and perhaps stimulates the brain with the Mozart effect. It is definitly good to listen while commuting and stuck an a traffic jam.

Bad news: These music are so well known that to many, it feels redundant. These are not world-class performers or conductors, so the music doesn't have a new intereptation or anything out of the ordinary. Also, I tend to like to have the entire three (or four) movements of the song, not just one movement. And practically all of these songs are the slow movement so it gets redundant.

I would recommend this to any beginning listeners but for more experienced listners, try investing in a slightly more expensive but better performed recordings.

Linda Ronstadt: Greatest Hits, Volume Two

Average customer rating:

Long time memories
Greatest songs of all time #2
Linda at her peak
Chopped off ...
Rock On, Miss Ronstadt!

Linda Ronstadt: Greatest Hits, Volume Two
Linda Ronstadt
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Linda Ronstadt: Greatest Hits
Heart Like a Wheel
The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt
The Best Of Linda Ronstadt: The Capitol Years
Simple Dreams

ASIN: B000002GX4
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

It's So Easy
I Can't Let Go
Hurt So Bad
Blue Bayou
How Do I Make You
Back In The U.S.A.
Ooh Baby Baby
Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Tumbling Dice
Just One Look
Someone To Lay Down Beside Me

Amazon.com essential recording

The latter part of the '70s found Ronstadt roughing up her image a bit, covering songs by the Rolling Stones and Warren Zevon and eventually taking inspiration from the burgeoning punk and new-wave scenes. All of this was a long way away from the laid-back country-rock sound that established her as one of the top female artists of the day. On the material collected here, Ronstadt remains as strong a singles artist as ever. Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 contains winners such as "It's So Easy," "Blue Bayou," and the Chuck Berry romp "Living in the U.S.A.," as well as edgier material such as the Stones' "Tumbling Dice" and Zevon's "Poor Poor Pitiful Me." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Long time memories.......2007-01-26

This is what I have been looking for,for the long time.I enjoy it very much especially the 4th track.
The product was very well handled.

Greatest songs of all time #2.......2006-09-09

Everything I said in my review about her Greatest Hits, Volume #1 goes double for this one. Nuff said. Thank you linda.

Linda at her peak.......2005-01-08

the first Greatest Hits (1976) for Linda Ronstadt caught her as she was still a rising star in the California sound. Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (1980) is the culmination of the peak years of Linda's popularity, 1977-1980.

When "Greatest Hits" was released, Linda was still pushing Hasten Down The Wind (also 1976). In early 1977, she had a surprise hit single with "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me", which is included here. The song was not one of Linda's biggest, but it's a powerful, memorable track.

In the fall of 1977, Linda released her biggest album ever, "Simple Dreams". The album contained no less than four major hit singles, two of which ("It's So Easy" and "Blue Bayou") were on Billboard's top 5 at the same time in late 1977. "Blue Bayou" showcases Linda at her best Patsy Cline vocal moment, "It's So Easy" is a classic country-rocker, "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" was a great and sarcastic Warren Zevon number, and her version of The Stone's "Tumbling Dice" shows just what a great female rocker Linda is.

The next year, Linda topped the charts again with "Living In The U.S.A.", in which three hits are culled. "Back In The U.S.A." is sadly one of the weakest hits of her catalog. The Chuck Berry version is classic, but Linda's version is rather aimless. However, all is made up by Linda's smash top 10 jazzy version of "Ooh Baby Baby". Another classic Ronstadt-style track is "Just One Look".

Even though "Living In The U.S.A." was another #1 platinum smash for Linda, it became obvious her formula was getting stale. So Linda decided to shake things up and returned in early 1980 with "Mad Love". Guarenteed to show the Benatar's and Harry's that she is still a force to be reckoned with, "Mad Love" became another huge hit, even if it missed #1. The hard-rocking "How Do I Make You" was the first single and it quickly went top 10, then Linda released a breathtaking remake of "Hurt So Bad" that became an even bigger hit. The third single culled from the album, "I Can't Let Go" harkens back to her Stone Poneys days, but updated to sound 80's.

"Greatest Hits Vol. 2" was released in late 1980 and was the culmination of this stellar hitmaking period in Ronstadt's career. One more rock album (1982's Get Closer) after this and then Linda settled into the world of standards, Adult Contemporary and Spanish music, all genres she has done well at too.

Chopped off ..........2004-09-16

This compilation covers Ronstadt's biggest hits from the late '70's/early '80's. Some lesser singles were excluded:

* "Rambler Gambler" (#42 Country) was the B-side of "How Do I Make You," but did not appear on the "Mad Love" album.

* "Lose Again" (#76 Pop) and the Country singles "Crazy" (#6), "I Never Will Marry" (#8) and "Love Me Tender" (#59) are also missing.

My biggest grievance, though, is with the edits of the songs. Many of the songs cut off 5-10 seconds too soon. As a result, the songs end rather abruptly. I don't know whether Asylum has or will correct this. For now, I suggest tracking down a used vinyl version of this album. The sound may not be as pristine, but the songs will at least be complete.

Rock On, Miss Ronstadt!.......2003-07-26

I remember first hearing Linda Ronstadt's amazing voice come crashing out of the radio sometime in the late sixties as the lead vocalist for the folk-rock group, the Stone Ponies. Her distinctive melodic scream of a vocal style is so distinctive it is hard not to compare with Roy Orbison, whose songs she sometimes recorded, as with "Blue Bayou", which is included here. This collection of her hit songs covers the decade or so before she went for the big band and "lush" sounds of her more recent work. It is hard to not appreciate a voice so singular and versatile, even if it is most usually delivered with a fevered wail. I once saw her in a small venue in Lenox, Massachusetts in a small amphitheater setting, with the audience sprawled over an expansive lawn that gradually rose above the covered stage area. She was so good with just her guitar and small group that it is difficult to describe her in words short of superlatives such as phenomenal.

Much of her seminal work is included here for you casual enjoyment, from "Hurt So Bad" to "Back In The USA", from "Poor. Poor Pitiful Me" to "It's So Easy", and all the others, including "Just One Look", "Tumbling Dice", "Oh, Baby, Baby", "Someone To lay Down beside Me", and several others. This album give us many of Linda's formidable hits, with a definitive play list that anyone would want to have to ensure an accurate representation of her volumes of work, from dozens of hit albums recorded and released over more than a decade of popular work. This is an essential album for your collection, and one I have both in the house and in the car. For easy listening as I zoom down the highway. Other than the Beach Boys, on the one hand, or Jackson Browne on the other, nobody articulates the southern California folk rock style as well or as consistently as Linda Ronstadt, the little woman with the big, big voice. Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Obsessions Volume Two

Manufacturer: Malicious Damage Records/Darla
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000QGE78E
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Album Description

2007 second volume of unreleased Orb treasures. Few artists have created such visionary and influential Electronic music as Alex Paterson and his various incarnations of The Orb. The Orb's blissed-out music helped define the emerging Ambient-Techno/House genres blending natural sounds, spoken-word, heavy dub bass lines and constantly shifting beats with a wry sense of humor, rolling rhythms and exhilarating samples to revolutionize UK dance clubs, '90s rave culture and influence a whole generation of artists now plying their trade in the 21st century. This second collection features collaborations with legendary German composer Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Thomas Fehlmann, Andy Hughes, Vincent "vin100" Crane and Alex's long-standing friend and musical accomplice Youth. Malicious Damage.

Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

Average customer rating:

Not ultimate- but wonderful, none-the-less
Very Nice Bream Collection
Not what I thought!
Ultimately Satisfying
Spectacular

Julian Bream: The Ultimate Guitar Collection-Volume 2

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ultimate Guitar Collection
Together/Julian Bream & John Williams
Baroque Guitar
Together Again/ Julian Bream & John Williams
300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces

ASIN: B00004UEH6
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

I: Allegretto
Capricho Arabe
A Fancy
Etude No. 5 In C
I. Allegretto
I. Allegretto
I. Allegro
The Wood So Wild
Adante; Molto Adagio; Adante
Fandango
Segovia, Op. 29
Fantasia XXII
II. Andante
Preludio
II. Andantino Grazioso
Fantasia
Bourree
Gigue
Polonaise, Op.2, No.2
Canario

Customer Reviews:

Not ultimate- but wonderful, none-the-less.......2007-04-14

As good a guitarist as Julian Bream is, one must begin by acknowledging that the title of this 2-CD set containing 32 admittedly seminal pieces written for hand-played strings ( primarily, the lute) is a tad hyperbolistic. An "Ultimate" collection of anything would have to be more complete, by definition, than any two CDs can be and, again, it almost goes without saying that no two people are apt to be in total agreement about what should or should not have been included in any such collection. All caveats considered and aside, this is, indeed, a thoughtfully selected and masterfully performed collection of what is, unarguably, some of the very best classical pieces ever written for the lute. Bream plays some of them on the guitar and others on a renaissance lute - the latter giving a somewhat truer indication of the stylings and musical nuances intended by the various composers. But, even the pieces he plays on the guitar - an instrument that, in it's current form, did not exist when many of the pieces were originally composed - are sensitive and lyrical interpretations that sound as if they MIGHT have been composed for the guitar.

Without spending space here reiterating the specific pieces, their titles and lengths, I will simply list the composers whose works Bream presents so nicely in this collection. They span a range of about five centuries beginning in the time of England's Elizabeth I and spanning the years through to the 20th Century's premier Spanish and Brazilian classical guitar composers. The list reads like a `Whose Who" of classical plucked-string instrument music and of composers whose keyboard compositions work particularly well on the strings of a lute or guitar, and includes;
- John Dowland
- Francis Cutting
- Antonio Vivaldi
- Gaspar Sanz (*)
- Mateo Albeniz (*)
- Manuel de Falla
- Enrique Granados (*)
- Hector Villa-Lobos, and
- Joaquin Rodrigo
(*) = Pieces originally written for keyboard play.

Every classical guitarist has his own recognizable style and approach to the instrument and the material. An experience listener would not confuse Bream's work with that of Andres Segovia, for example: but it is not that one is better than the other. Each, in his own distinctive way, is simply superb. Though the Spanish influence is clearly audible with both musicians, Bream's stylings have a more contemporary lilt and inflection than do those of Segovia; he makes each piece his own. One suspects that each time he plays a piece it comes out differently according to the moment, his mood, the instrument and God knows what else. Segovia, on the other hand, was well known for his constancy once he had found a version of each piece that fully suited his own ear and temperament.
While I am admittedly a Segovia fan, I find Bream's renditions to be noticeably fresher and each infused with an aura of presence in the here-and-now which I find especially enjoyable.

The collection is neither complete not `ultimate', but it is VERY good and well worth having in any collection of classical guitar music. In fact, for audiophiles not familiar with this genre, it is a fair place to begin to develop an ear for and a listener's knowledge of and experience with the classical guitar.

Very Nice Bream Collection.......2005-03-03

I have volumes one and two, but I prefer volume two because it contains later recordings, which are of a better sound quality than the tin-can reverb that predominates in volume one. I really like the inclusion of about a half dozen lute pieces in addition to the guitar. I wasn't a lute fan before, but after hearing Bream playing lute on this CD, I am a convert. Ditto with what one reviewer said about Sor's Andantino Grazioso--purely delightful.

Overall, this CD consists of a good variety of masterfully played music. I only wish most of Bream's recordings were recorded using later technology, which would make his playing shine even more.

Not what I thought!.......2004-11-08

Well, a bit of a "anti-climax"! I was expecting something totally different. Not at all the kind of guitar music I like but will make out a great unexpected gift (hopefully). The delivery time from order to delivery was excellant, 19days - internationally!

Ultimately Satisfying.......2004-02-03

A wonderful companion to the first set, this edition includes 20 beautifully recorded pieces by one of the master guitarists of the twentieth century. And Bream is at his best in these recordings, showing off his amazing technique, as well as his almost daunting emotional power. An amazing gift to guitarists and music lovers.

Spectacular.......2002-02-11

The brilliance of Breams guitar/lute shines through. If you love any of his work you will love this, I can never get tired of his work.Especially this one. Antantino grazioso is absolutely amazing.

Glenn Yarbrough - All Time Favorites, Volume Two

Average customer rating:

An American Classic Sings All Time Favorites
Not What I Remembered
great album
Remembering

Glenn Yarbrough - All Time Favorites, Volume Two
Glenn Yarborough
Manufacturer: Calabasas Record Company/Sumth
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Glenn Yarbrough - All Time Favorites, Vol. 1
Baby the Rain Must Fall/It's Gonna Be Fine
Come Share My Life
The Lonely Things
For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

ASIN: B00003Q07C
Release Date: 1995-03-01

Tracks:

To All The Girls I've Loved Before
Somewhere My Love
You'll Never Walk Alone
She Believes In Me
Help Me Make It Through The Night
The Impossible dream
Baby The Rain Must Fall
Some Enchanted Evening
Always On My Mind
Green Green Grass Of Home
Release Me
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

Album Description

More of Glenn Yarbrough's All Time Favorites.

Customer Reviews:

An American Classic Sings All Time Favorites.......2006-02-17

For his volume 2 of 'All Time Favorites' Glenn has chosen a selection of twelve songs much better suited for his classic tenor voice than he did for volume 1.

Along with the inclusion of his longtime signature song, 'Baby The Rain Must Fall', Glenn also scores high marks on his versions of 'Somewhere My Love', 'Always On My Mind', the beloved classic 'Green Green Grass Of Home' and 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain' in which he includes some of his wonderfully melodic whistling.

If you liked volume 1, you'll love volume 2!

Not What I Remembered.......2004-09-30

Love the voice, but the tempo of the songs was too quick for the type of songs on this album. As such, it didn't have the rich-
ness or I remembered or expected.

great album.......2004-06-19

I am an OLD Glenn Yarborough fan who had actually forgotten about his mellow and wonderful voice. I hadn't listened to his songs since the days of LP's --- that should tell you how long it has been. I became a fan in college in the 60's --- went to many of his concerts --- any time he was in Colorado. This album was a wonderful experience for me. It brought back wonderful memories of listening to him sing. No one can sing a love song like Glenn Yarborough. This was a treat, as he redid some songs I had not heard him do --- and all with his own incredible style. If you like Glenn, you will like this album.

Remembering.......2001-01-07

A mix of his "old songs" and a few newer ones added in made this cd a joy to own. Old songs bring bad memories and the words of many of them give me hope for a bright future. Listen and dream.

Live: The Way We Walk VOLUME TWO: THE LONGS

Average customer rating:

A great deception
A last glimpse into the greatness of Genesis
The Trio Hasn't Morphed Completely into a Pop Band
This Album
Loved it!

Live: The Way We Walk VOLUME TWO: THE LONGS
Genesis
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Genesis Live: The Way We Walk, Vol. 1 (The Shorts)
We Can't Dance
Invisible Touch
Seconds Out
Three Sides Live

ASIN: B000002IV2
Release Date: 1993-02-09

Tracks:

Old Medley: Dance On A Volcano-Lamb Lies down On Broadway...
Driving the Last Spike
Domino: Part I-In The Glow Of The Night Part II-The Last Domino
Fading Lights
Home By the Sea/Second Home By The Sea
Drum Duet

Amazon.com

This live set of 10-minute-plus epics will, for diehard fans, lay to rest the fantasy that these cagey old troupers can still evoke the mystery and drama of the Gabriel era. Competent, dry, and downright cadaverous. --Jeff Bateman

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing

Customer Reviews:

A great deception.......2007-02-18

What the hell is going on in the old medley...It start great with "Dance on a volcano" it is amazing in the "Firth of Fifth" extract and it finish with..."Follow you follow me and That's all" which totally ruins the whole medley. A real deception here. Next you have the best of Invisible touch (Domino), the best of We can't dance (Driving the last spike and Fading light) and the best of the "Genesis" album, which is Home by the sea-Seond home by the sea. Conclusion, not enought space for old stuff, and the only place it had is ruined by extracts of some songs that should have been on "The shorts"

A last glimpse into the greatness of Genesis.......2005-04-15

It was all downhill for the band after this album. After the tour during which it was recorded, Phil Collins would leave the band, they would record the infamous "Calling All Stations" and not too long after that, they split for good. But the "Longs" installment of this 2-volume set of live material was a glimpse into the greatness of Genesis.

The premise is pretty basic: six songs exceeding the 6-minute mark (in fact, five of them go over the 10-minute mark), showing off some of the band's most ellaborate work, to balance off volume one, which focused more on the singles and short songs. Starting off the album, standing tall at almost 20 minutes of duration, is a medley of reaaaaaaaly old Genesis, where 1975's "Dance on a Volcano", 1974's "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", 1971's "Musical Box" and 1973's "Firth of Fifth" and "I Know What I Like" all are brought back to life, if at least for minutes at a time each... reviving the spirit of one of the world's best progressive rock bands ever.

Following the opening track come two tracks from their "We Can Dance" production, along with the "Domino" bundle (from their "Invisible Touch" album) and the "Home By the Sea" bundle (from their self-titled 1983 album). Taking it all home is their classic Drum Duet, featuring Phil alongside Chester Thompson, delivering a massive drum discharge that will electrify you.

If you ask me, this last glimpse at their great work is a good as it gets... I am thankful I had an opportunity of catching them during this tour, back in Knebworth, in 1992. They don't do them like this any more. ;)

The Trio Hasn't Morphed Completely into a Pop Band.......2004-11-04

When it comes to the rock band, Genesis - I think this band is often unfarily criticized for going "commercial". Yes, the band did move into more of a pop-music direction in the 1980s, but I think they added a breath of fresh air to the pop music and paritcularly 80s landscape. As a result, Genesis picked up a lot of new fans - many of whom probably went on to appreciate many of their earlier works. The album, "The Way We Walk - Volume 2: The Longs" presents a collection of 6 "longer" live tracks of over 6 minutes long.

When I look at Genesis as band, I see four distinct phases the band has gone through. Phase 1 is the Peter Gabriel Era. This spans from 1969 ("From Genesis to Revelation") to 1974 ("The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"). It was during Phase 1 that Peter Gabriel was the lead vocalist and Genesis could easily be categorized as a progressive Rock band. Phase 2 is the Early Phil Collins Era spanning from 1976 ("A Trick of the Tail") to 1982 ("Three Sides Live"). In this era, Phil Collins took over as lead singer. The band was still very much a progressive rock band, but as the progressive rock landscape would change - so would Genesis. This might indirectly have led to Phase 3 which is the Late Phil Collins Era from 1983 ("Genesis") to 1993 ("The Way We Walk Volume 2: The Longs"). This is the commercial/pop era that I referred to earlier. At this point, there would be a lot less progressive rock flavor to Genesis' music. The fourth phase, Phase 4 is the Ray Wilson Era. This was when Ray Wilson took over as lead vocalist for Phil Collins. There would only be one album in this era - 1997's "Calling All Stations" and it seemed like Genesis tried to recapture some of their progressive rock roots - but 90s style. "Calling All Stations" would do poor commercially and Ray Wilson would take the fall and be asked to leave the band.

In Phase 3, Genesis would grow more and more successful commercially with each album release. Some of this probably would do to the fact that Phil Collins' solo career was also taking off. The last studio album that Phil Collins would do with Genesis was "We Can't Dance". It was a huge commercial success and resulted in a hugely successful World Tour. Naturally, the band decided to capitalize on the success of that World Tour by releasing a live album and video. Genesis had done live albums before ("Three Sides Live", "Seconds Out", "Genesis Live"). On each live album, the focus of the live material would on the studio releases that had not been done live up until that point. Genesis had not done a live release for Phase 3, thus "The Way We Walk" would have a focus on this material. For this live release, Genesis would employ a unique formula - they would release the material in a two volume set called "The Way We Walk". Volume 1 would focus on the shorter (normal) length songs. Volume 2 would focus on Genesis' trademark longer songs. This review focuses on Volume 2.

Normally when there is a live release, I prefer the album to be a live recording from a single concert performance. I prefer it to be delivered in the order in which the songs were actually delivered. By having things from a single night and in order - I feel there is continuity and the magic of the concert is captured perfectly. Since Genesis took this unique approach to the way they were presenting this live material, this was going to be very hard to do. However, the material was strong enough to overcome this. Yes, I still would have preferred a two volume CD that contained a night from the 1992 "We Can't Dance" Tour in its entirety, but I do like the unique two volume approach. I find it very convienient to listen to either the "short" songs or "long" songs (depending on my mood)".

Four of the six songs come from Phase 3. The first song is a 19+ minute medley of songs from Phases 1 and 2 called "Old Medley". A unique thing about "Old Medley" is that it features a medley within a medley - namely "I Know What I Like" also has a mini medley of "That's All", "Illegal Alien", and "Follow You Follow Me". This medley will help the new Genesis fan appreciate the older material. The band does a terrific job delivering emotional performances of the newer classics - "Domino" (from "Invisible Touch") and "Driving the Last Spike" (from "We Can't Dance"). There is a terrific version of "Home By the Sea" which includes "Second Home By the Sea". (I always prefer listening to "Home By the Sea" and Second Home By the Sea" together - so this works). "Fading Lights", a song from "We Can't Dance" is also included. I think this isn't the strongest Genesis tune, but the band does a nice instrumental which gives the song a boost. Finally there is a terrific "Drum Duet" featuring Phil Collins and Chester Thompson in a double drum "solo" performance. Because of the copyright date listed for "Drum Duet" (1989), I wonder if this was actually recorded on the "We Can't Dance" tour or if this was when it was written?

The liner notes are weak. There are no lyrics and nothing to provide insight into the Tour - or when and where these songs were recorded. The production credits are pretty light as well. There are some decent photos from the Tour included. There may be some "old-time" fans who don't like the newer material by Genesis, but these longer performances still show that Genesis hasn't completely morphed into a pop band. These performances will appeal to the old Genesis fan as well as the newer fan.

This Album.......2004-06-18

This album is the second best live Genesis album and should be gotten in leu of the albums most of its songs are on, Invisible Touch, Genesis, We Cant Dance. Clearly The Longs captures the best material from that whole period, the creative Prog Rockers and not the pop garbage. The only drawback is the weak Old Medley, the songs that the band touch on from the Gabrial era are much better handled by Gabrial singing then Phil but the rest of the albums great especially the drum duet which closes the album.

Loved it!.......2004-05-18

This is a very good live material released by Genesis, mixing their old school prog rock with their long compositions of the pop era albums. The result?? AWESOME SHOW!! The first track are a medley ("Old Medley") with their old songs, like the incredible "Dance on the Volcano", the wonderful "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", the beautiful and powerful "The Musical Box", the excelent "Firth Of Fith", the great "I Know What I Like(In Your Wardrobe)", all of them well executed and proving that Genesis didn't forgot their past; the medley ends up with a little bit of the great pop tunes like the good and catchy "That's All" and the touching "Follow You Follow Me". Very exciting first track, excelent set of songs!! Then we have one of their last long compositions, the awesome "Driving the Last Spike", from their last album with Phil Collins. But wait, we still have the outstanding "Domino", one of their best long compositions of the pop era! Once again they turn into their last work with Collins, with the beautiful "Fading Lights"! To finish the night in great style, the awesome and exciting tunes "Home By The Sea" and "Second Home By The Sea". In the end, we still have an amazing "Drum Duet" with Phil Collins to end the night! A little advice: buy this album! In my opinion, is one of the very best live shows that Genesis released, along with Seconds Out!

Mack The Knife - The Best Of Bobby Darin Volume Two

Average customer rating:

Darrin the best
Fabulous
SHARIN' DARIN
It has his swingers, but too many ballads, which Darrin
the PERFECT Darin collection

Mack The Knife - The Best Of Bobby Darin Volume Two
Bobby Darin
Manufacturer: Atco
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Splish Splash
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ASIN: B000002JOT
Release Date: 1991-11-12

Tracks:

Mack The Knife
Lazy River
That's The Way Love Is
Beyond The Sea
Was There A Call For Me
I Guess I'm Good For Nothing Blues
Don't Dream Of Anybody But Me
Guys And Dolls
Down With Love
Black Coffee
Pete Kelly's Blues
Clementine
Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home
Artificial Flowers
I Didn't Know What Time It Was
What A Difference A Day Made
Skylark
Just Friends
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
Christmas Auld Lang Syne

Amazon.com

Best known for his early rock hits such as "Splish Splash," by the early '60s Bobby Darrin had pretty much abandoned rock and recast himself as something of a finger poppin', tuxedo wearing, youth-camp version of Sinatra. Surprisingly, it worked. While he lacks Frank's chops, the swinging "By the Sea" and "Mack The Knife" are two of the best latter-day Sinatra imitations, and there's no denying his light touch on "Lazy River." He even had the guts to take on "Guys and Dolls," a song identified with the Chairman. As good as this album is, it only gives a fraction of Darrin's talents. For a broader picture (including his late 60's transformation into a jeans wearing folkie), check out Rhino's Darrin box, As Long As I'm Singing. --Steven Mirkin

Customer Reviews:

Darrin the best.......2005-09-07

Bobby Darrin was one of the best, Sinatra was the King, Darrin was the Prince , first in line to the throne , I was in the English Pub in NYC the day it came over the air that Darrin had died on the operating table, We knew he was sick, but not that sick, Sadly missed by all fan's of quality music throughout the world, This album is a Five Star recording, A must for the Darrin fan. Bobby's sitting on a cloud looking down, snapping his finger's in time and smiling.

Fabulous.......2005-02-18

This has become one of my alltime favorite albums, and the best of the five Darin albums I've got.

"Mack the Knife" is one of the greatest songs ever. Lots of people have done this, including Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, but no one touches Bobby Darin's version here. This song will live as long as bars have jukeboxes. "Lazy River" is strangely evocative; it somehow combines the hazy, lazy sense with his ferocious delivery. "Beyond the Sea" is right up there with "Mack the Knife." I believe it has undertones of being with the one you love, after death. It's one of the most romantic songs ever.

His "Guys and Dolls" just assassinates this song. It swings like crazy. All the blues numbers in here - "Was There A Call for Me" "I Guess I'm Good For Nothing But the Blues" "Black Coffee" and "Pete Kelly's Blues" - are fine. They draw vivid pictures in the imagination; Darin sells them completely.

"Clementine" is politically incorrect but true to the original and still wonderful; you wouldn't think a corny traditional song like that could be delivered with 10 tons of dynamite like he does. Ditto "Bill Bailey." (This was something he apparently excelled at, resuscitating traditional songs most vocalists wouldn't bother with and making them work.)

Darin wrote "Artificial Flowers" and shows that social consciousness wasn't the sole property of folk-singing pukes with acoustic guitars. At least two people I know cried when I first played this song for them.

"I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "Just Friends" make a pair on this album that has private meaning for me: My first foray into jazz in college involved Charlie Parker; the first Bird album I ever had also had versions of these two songs on it. This is the only other album I know that does both - I'd never heard the words before - and this says something about the versatility of both the standards songbook and Bobby Darin. Bebopper on the one hand, rock `n roller cum Vegas singer on the other hand.

"Skylark" - you can just see the bluest of skies when he sings this. "Christmas Auld Lang Syne" almost makes me want to celebrate Christmas. (I'm Jewish.) I think it speaks to Christmas as people imagine they'd like to have it.

SHARIN' DARIN.......2004-11-15

It strikes me that the individual human response to music is one of life's most intriguing mysteries. What is that unexplainable thing inside us that resonates to a certain combination of musical notes, or to the tonal quality of particular instruments, but not others? And why is this response not universal?

For me, the melody of MY FAVORITE THINGS is so pretty, so clever, so powerful that I can't hear it once without it bouncing around inside my skull for the next several hours. And yet I know people who are apathetic about it. How can that be? We even find this mystery taking place between people who inhabit the same musical orbit. The "King Of Rock 'N' Roll" might have two devoted fans; the first who loves SUSPICIOUS MINDS and MEMORIES, but is not overly thrilled by HOUND DOG and IN THE GHETTO. The second fan's opinion is the complete reversal.

Some might think that this is comparable to our myriad responses to food flavors, but in that example there is a physiological explanation - something to do with chemical reactions in the glands, the taste buds. With music it's entirely intangible; some "it" within the inner being that responds, makes the body move, the toes tap, the mind rejoice. . .or mourn.

That "it" within me loves Bobby Darin's music, but "it" is selective. "It" doesn't care for Darin's pop hits, of which only a few appear on this collection. And although "it" digs LAZY RIVER which has one of the greatest, most energetic vocal performances ever, we play this album for the fabulously moving standard ballads (some with big band arrangements.) WAS THERE A CALL FOR ME; I GUESS I'M GOOD FOR NOTHING BUT THE BLUES; DON'T DREAM OF ANYBODY BUT ME; WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE; BLACK COFFEE; SKYLARK; and even CHRISTMAS AULD LANG SYNE, these are the reasons you find me in this place. "It" likes 'em!

There is a certain something, a quality, in Darin's voice that can be discerned on his ballads; an innate melancholia that can't be taught, nor faked. I have found this in the voices of only two other singers: the jazz vocalist, Astrud Gilberto, and Karen Carpenter, who had it in spades! In fact, so much so that it sometimes bled through even on her uptempo numbers like TOP OF THE WORLD and SING. It's a kind of faint whisper of an intense inner aloneness, or a vague remembrance of something; a wistful yearning for what has passed and can't be retrieved, like a dream of something that glowed golden way back when, in the recesses of the mind. Hell, I don't know what it is, but "it" sure loves it! Anyway, that quality permeates so much of these recordings and that's why "it" makes me play them so often.

If you know what I'm yakking about here, and if it appeals to your "it" too, then also obtain a used copy of the "out-of-print", 'CLASSIC DARIN' if you can locate one at a reasonable price. This collection also contains many ballad tracks like WHERE LOVE HAS GONE; FLY ME TO THE MOON; A TASTE OF HONEY; SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU; and SOMEWHERE with Bobby's "blue" voice thang goin' on.

According to his 2004, July 14th review, it seems that The Big Dong, doesn't have this same "it" inside of him. You think maybe I should go see if his priest can exorcise my "it" too?

It has his swingers, but too many ballads, which Darrin.......2004-07-14

Daris was many things a 50's rock'n'roller teeny bopper, a rockon' cowboy, and a vegas swingin' lounger, but he COULD NOT sing ballads. He just doesn't do well with songs like Black Coffee, when he sings a 3 minute ballad it seems like 10 minutes of terror. This cd does however have his greatest swinger son one cd Artificial Flowers, Beyond The Sea, and Mack The Knife, with a few midtempos taht he handles well by rockin' and rollin' hsi way thru swing standards liek Bill Bailey, Down With Love and Clemintine. A good cd, if only there were no ballads and all swingers! Still a good disc!

the PERFECT Darin collection.......2004-03-04

OK. I finally found the PERFECT Darin collection! The range of genres, the hits, the misses--this has it all! A great companion to this all-studio collection is the 3-CD box set "Rock & Roll Legends," in which Darin has his own disc, featuring LIVE versions of "Splish Splash," "Plain Jane," "Dream Lover," and "Mack The Knife" (the ONLY song to overlap with "Best Of Bobby Darin Vol. 2"). Though "Best Of Bobby" gives you ALL the goodies, "Rock & Roll Legends" lets you hear how Darin laid on the spangle in his stage show; it's a heart-stealing, mood-changing ten-tracker that sits nicely beside the "Best."

Average customer rating:

The best vocal trance ever combine
The best in this series!
good intro to trance, but not much else
This is what trance is all about!
Extremely awesome!!

Trance Party (Volume Two)
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Robbins Ent. Llc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Trance Party, Vol. 1
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Best of Trance, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000068FVK
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Heaven - DJ Sammy & Yanou (featuring Do)
Something - Lasgo
Resurection - PPK
I See Right Through To You - DJ Encore (featuring Engelina)
Tremble - Marc Et Claude
Light A Rainbow - Tukan
Feel The Beat - Darude
The Sound Of Goodbye - Perpetuous Dreamer
Blinded - Hannah
In My Dreams - Noemi
Obscura - Out of Grace
Damaged - Plummet
Is This Love - Terra Skye
4 O'clock (In The Morning) - Lazard
Will I? - Ian Van Dahl
Forever - Dee Dee

Customer Reviews:

The best vocal trance ever combine.......2006-12-27

Extremly top on the line best vocal trance music ever put on the cd. wish the other volumes were the same but not. buy it its very good.

The best in this series!.......2006-11-16

I have all the Trance Party CDs up to Volume 5. And belive me, this one is best of them all!!! Buy it! You won't be disappointed. The rest of the Volumes are just House nothing else!

good intro to trance, but not much else.......2006-05-23

Ok, I wont lie, I love all the songs on this album. But to get down to it, most of the songs are pop trash by artists who really are more about putting out a massive summer club anthem. the best example would be the opener, "heaven". If you want to look into electronica, especialy trance, this would be a great startingg point as would the rest of the series, but if youve been around the scene for a while, i recomend getting one of Paul van Dyk's or Armin Van Burren's mix cds.

This is what trance is all about!.......2005-11-24

This is merely one of the greatest trance CDs of all time. Trance Party Vol.2 single handedly seized my interest in the trance/techno genre. The melodies are enrapturing and the transitions connect the tracks without any wasted movement. So if you're trying to coerce a friend or significant other into giving this genre a chance use Trance Party Vol.2 as the test dummy.

Extremely awesome!!.......2005-08-05

I love all the songs included in this cd. The remix is fantastic. It is a must have if you like trance music.

Bare Essentials: Volume Two [Regular Edition]

Average customer rating:

Mature House at its best
Just GOOD Music...
C.TORRES
wow!
Enjoyable, not essential deep house

Bare Essentials: Volume Two [Regular Edition]
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bare Essentials: Volume One
Vol. 3-Nude Dimensions
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Nude Dimensions: Naked Music, Vol. 1 - The Petalpusher Session Mixed By Miguel 'Migs'
Carte Blanche

ASIN: B00007L9OS
Release Date: 2003-02-10

Tracks:

Nowhere (Crazy P's Heatwave Mix) - Aquanote
Try (Fenomenon Remix) - Arvid feat. Ernestos
All I Need (Jimpster Remix) - Blue Six
Inside - Central Living
All I Need (CJ One Remix) - Andy Caldwell
Brighter Day (Quant Remix) - Kaskade
The Night (Andy's Love Bizarre Dub) - Miguel Migs
Weekenderstyle - Weekender
Visions - Central Living
Let It Ride (Jimpster Remix) - Lisa Shaw
Blow My Mind - Quant
Rely On Me (Jay's Bodega Vocal) - Petalpusher
All Over You (2B4U remix) - Aquanote

Amazon.com

This second volume of New York label Naked Music's Bare Essentials series continues where Volume 1 left off, showcasing the soft-edged house and blue-mood electronic music of artists like Aquanote, Blue 6, and Miguel Migs. Like other Ibiza-flavored downtempo compilations that have been released in the midst of the style's popularity, Essentials is dance music for beautiful, stylish hipsters who prefer a more bourgeois thump than club music usually provides. Songs like Andy Caldwell's "All I Need" (CJ One Remix) are awash in warm keyboards and an atmosphere of relaxed elegance, transporting even the most landlocked listeners to the imaginary tropical paradise of their choice. Volume 2 also provides a nice mix of old and new, putting tracks like Blue 6's "All I Need" (Jimpster Remix) alongside previously unreleased material, including a blissful track from Weekender ("Weekenderstyle") and two from rising stars Central Living. It's a compilation that appeals to our collective happy place, a land where the nights are warm, everyone is beautiful, and the daiquiris flow freely. --Matthew Cooke

Album Description

The second volume in Naked Music's 'best-of' series featuring rare mixes and unreleased songs from the label's best-known artists including Aquanote, Blue Six, Miguel Migs, Lisa Shaw and more. Slipcase. Astralwerks. 2003.

Album Details

"bare Essentials Volume 2" is an Unmixed Collection of Rare and Unreleased Tracks from the Label's Best Known Artrists.

Customer Reviews:

Mature House at its best.......2007-05-21

This collection takes you to the club. Downtempo, Deep House, Uplifting, relaxing, Mellow Vocals (Lisa Shaw ect.) These are words that best describes this CD. If Calgon takes you away, this is the Soundtrack.

Just GOOD Music..........2007-02-17

Yo, they mixed the hell out of this mix. Something told me to visit this used/new store in the mall tonight and LOW AND BEHOLD I find Bare Essentials 2. Something that's been sitting in my saved cart for a year. It didn't let me down either, Every song flows nicely into the next and the remixes and mixes are really grooveable.. Pick this up for a nice moonlight drive on the highway or through any city. Just that feel good after 12 CD right here!

C.TORRES.......2006-07-23

THIS ALBUM BLEW ME AWAY. COMING FROM NEW YORK CITY AND MOVING SOUTH,IT WAS HARD TO FIND MUSIC OF THIS CALIBER. THE MIX OF SENSUALITY AND CLUB IS UNBELIEVABLE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO EVERYONE WHO IS READY FOR THIS MUSIC. JUST BUY THE ALBUM AND SIT BACK AND RELAX, YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.

wow!.......2004-05-28

This CD is fantastic. Well worth any price! The sultry beats and exotic sounds are perfect for any mood. I am new to discover the "Naked Music" genre and I love it. The music on this CD has so much meaning. It conveys -at least to me- a sense of ultra modern luxury in sound. I finally have found my favorite genre of music and bare essentials it at the top.

I hope you get to enjoy this CD.

Enjoyable, not essential deep house.......2003-03-17

Bare Essentials Volume 2 follows up the initial 1999 release from Naked Music, home of delectable deep house and stylishly nude slip covers. With more artists in tow this time, BE2 offers a much broader mix of previously unreleased material and new tunes to tantalize, if a bit lacking in breakout hits.

Surprisingly, the bigger names folks are familiar with (Blue Six, Miguel Migs) supply auto-pilot efforts that belies their talent, while soulful staple Lisa Shaw hits ("Visions") and misses ("Let It Ride"). The standouts are Aquanote's "Nowhere," a mellowed Heatwave Mix pushing the guitar backed Zoe Ellis line "I can tell that our love is going nowhere without you" to somber near-classic status. Likewise, Arvid featuring Ernestos livens with jazz drums for a beautifully realized song, and Kaskade/Quant's festive "Brighter Day," breathy vocals by Josyln, add pep and beach house atmosphere. A stripped down Petappusher (Miguel Migs) offers a serene closer, with flute, on "Reply on Me."

Some Minor misses pop up, primarily Central Living's simplistic lyrics and uneasy (as in, what where they thinking) bass to the batch on "Inside." A shame too, that just one instrumental made the cut (Weekender).

Regardless, the efforts here are impeccably produced; this crew knows their way around a studio. Bare Essentials 2 spins a bit too smooth to gain your attention; call it enjoyable then, just not essential. 3/5

NOTE: Exclusive to Amazon.com is an eight track 45-minute bonus CD packaged in a cardboard sleeve. Dropping the mellow vibes for a welcome return to the dance floor, this mixed offering combines a few exclusives, material from other Naked comps, and older tracks given an umpteenth remix to spruce them up a bit. Far more than just a tossed-in freebie, this is a bopping lil' set in it's own right; Satin Soul adds sprightly keyboard with punchy drums on a welcome revisit to "Music & Wine," a tasty set-up to Kaskade/Quant's festive "Brighter Day," breathy vocals by Josyln. Add quality work from Gaelle via Bugs in the Attic, and energetic beats by Project 4 (a catchy gem that peaks the hour), for a disc that heartily upstages its companion. How's that for essential? 4/5

Music:

Music