High Clouds

About the Artist
When you show up a contra dances every other Friday night at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield, MA, it is different from other dances around the country. Nobody takes your money at the door. There is an open fiddle case for your contribution. Short of cash? "Valley Currency" or barter is acceptable. If you are a budding contra musician, you are welcome to sit at the back of the stage out of range of the sound system and play along with the band. New dancers are greeted and drawn into the flow of the dance. The resulting ambiance is the work of the "Greenfield Dance Band" and its impresario, David Kaynor.

David was one of the four Kaynors in the "Fourgone Conclusions," a seminal early contra dance band. David started his own band at the Grange in 1980, and legendary Ralph Sweet was the first caller. After Ralph left that year, David took over calling responsibilities. A dancer and musician since his preteens, playing and calling contra music and dance were David's great passion. In 1983, bassist Stuart Kenney's ebbulience and hunger for musical growth invigorated the band and the scene. The folloiwng year, when Mary Cay Brass arrived, she pioneered a compelling piano style which wedded the chordal story lines, textures and moods of Celtic guitar to contra dancing's pulse and phrasing. David's fiddle harmonies, Mary Cay's rhythmic energy and melodic nuance and Stuart's bass playing met and bloomed in this fertile ground.

Starting in 1998, so did Peter Siegel's exuberant voices of mandolin, guitar, banjo, and musical feet.

Guest musicians are part of the GDB's signature. Thanks to their start with the band, many of these guests have become established figures on the contra scene. GDB has its own sound no matter the guests, and exciting surprises have become routine.

But a major influence on the music of the "Greenfield Dance Band" is the dancers. In contra, the dancers and musicians inspire each other. Look up and down a contra line on one of the band's Friday dances at the Guiding Star Grange Hall and you will see a lot of the finest people in the world. They are highly diverse in age, background, profession, lifestyle and social and political thinking. Yet they are snugly joined in fellowship with other dancers and the musicians at the Grange. Many discovered contra dancing there on the band's nights. When the "Greenfield Dance Band's" music fills the hall, the dancers' astonishment and delight are part of the mystique of the Guiding Star Grange.

Product Description:
David Kaynor's Greenfield Dance Band has been one of the strongest influences on the revolution in New England contra music over the last 25 years. Recorded here for the first time, the joy and vitality of their music reaches out to you, just as it does when you are on the dance floor.

High Clouds,Greenfield Dance Band

Average customer rating: The picture

100 Hymns & Songs of Inspiration Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Arne | Arne, Thomas Augustin | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Monk, William Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bruckner | Bruckner, Anton | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music | Contemporary Christian | Gospel Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Praise & Worship | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Heritage of Hymns: Classic Recordings of the Great Songs of Faith and Inspiration Abide with Me and other favourite hymns Best Loved Hymns Praise to the Lord - Hymns From St. Paul's Cathedral Hymns Triumphant 1 & 2 ASIN: B00008GEKT Release Date: 2003-04-14

Tracks:

1. Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
2. Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
3. Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
4. This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
5. Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
6. God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
7. Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
8. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
10. O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
11. Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
12. Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
13. All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
14. Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
15. There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
16. Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
17. Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
18. New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
19. Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
20. O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

Tracks:

1. Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
2. Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
3. In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
4. Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
5. Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
6. Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
7. At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
8. To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
9. Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
10. Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
11. Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
12. He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
13. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
14. Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
15. This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
16. How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
17. Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
18. Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
19. O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
20. Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

1. Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
2. Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
3. Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
4. Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
5. O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
6. O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
7. Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
8. We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
9. Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
10. Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
11. Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
12. O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
13. O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
14. O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
15. Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
16. O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
17. Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
18. God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
19. O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
20. Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

1. Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
2. All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
3. Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
4. God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
5. Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
6. Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
7. Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
8. Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
9. Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
10. God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
11. O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
12. Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
13. Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
14. For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
15. Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
16. Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
17. I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
18. Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
19. Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
20. Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Tracks:

1. Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
2. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
3. O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
4. O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
5. Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
6. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
7. First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
8. Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
9. Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
10. Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
11. On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
12. Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
13. O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
14. Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
15. O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
16. Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
17. Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
18. Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
19. Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
20. Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Album Description

Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

The picture.......2006-12-11

I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.

Average customer rating: Excellent Material for Ms. Upshaw. Keeps Getting Better The Barber alone is worth five stars Buy this disc...twice! Dawn Upshaw, vocal actress extraordinaire

Knoxville Summer of 1915 Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Menotti | Menotti, Gian Carlo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Upshaw, Dawn | ( U ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Barber, Samuel | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Upshaw, Dawn | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy Long Time Ago - Copland / Dawn Upshaw & Thomas Hampson Voices of Light Barber: Knoxville Summer of 1915/Dover Beach/Hermit Songs/Adromache's Farewell Angels Hide Their Faces: Dawn Upshaw Sings Bach and Purcell ASIN: B000005IZ3 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Knoxville: Summer Of 1915
2. The Old Maid And the Thief: Act I, Scene 6: What A Curse For A Woman Is A Timid Man
3. Mirabai Songs: I. It's True, I Went To The Market
4. Mirabai Songs: II. All I Was Doing Was Breathing
5. Mirabai Songs: III. Why Mira Can't Go Back To Her Old House
6. Mirabai Songs: IV. Where Did You Go?
7. Mirabai Songs: V. The Clouds
8. Mirabai Songs: VI. Don't Go, Don't Go
9. The Rake's Progress: Act I, Scene 3: No Word From Tom

Amazon.com essential recording

Barber's Knoxville, Summer of 1915 is a setting of a lovely chunk of prose text by James Agee describing an evening from his childhood. An accomplished singer himself, Barber's vocal writing is expert, and this work must rank as one of the finest examples of the art of word-setting in any language. Barber perfectly captures the conversational quality of the text, while at the same time clothing the words in an atmosphere of gentle nostalgia. It's a masterpiece that Dawn Upshaw sings with keen insight and lovely tone. The remainder of the program is creatively chosen as well, making this one of the finest vocal recitals available by an American singer. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Material for Ms. Upshaw........2006-04-26

'Knoxville: Summer of 1915' is a performance of a selection of operatic pieces by Americans such as Samuel Barber or Europeans transplanted to the United States, such as Igor Stravinsky. Ms. Upshaw shines with material, which is good for her, since she is just slightly out of her league with the material covered by the likes of Renee Flemming on the operatic front and Ute Lemper and Lotte Lenya on the Euro/American popular musical stage.

Like any good sampler, this recording's strongest draw is the fact that it makes one interested in tracking down the complete works by Barber, Menotti, Harbison, and Stravinsky. And, while the package includes all lyrics, everything is in perfectly clear English. A perfect addition to other American classics such as 'Porgy and Bess'.

Keeps Getting Better.......2005-03-02

I have had this disc for years, and I'm more impressed with it as the years roll by. I bought it for Barber's "Knoxville, Summer of 1915" which is a glorious piece of music caught here in a luminous performance. I didn't initially warm up to the Harbison songs, but they have grown on me over the years to the point that I listen to them far more often than the Barber now. I think it just took me a while to absorb Harbison's style and understand how deftly and ingeniously he uses it to take the listener into Mirabai's world. Not to be missed!

The Barber alone is worth five stars.......2004-01-16

People are always saying that they find a particular piece of music is "haunting." For me Barber's "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" is such a work. Dawn Upshaw's reading of this great American masterwork is the best I have yet heard. She won her first Grammy Award for this recording - and deservedly so. If you're a fan of either Upshaw or Barber you'll want to add this beautiful CD to your collection.

Buy this disc...twice!.......2002-07-20

Extraordinary!! This has got to be the definitive Knoxville--rich, touching, elegant and as close to perfect as it can probably ever be. Upshaw has the perfect voice for this work, and she gives it all the loving attention that it requires. This is a performance of Knoxville that will make you weak in the knees. For the Knoxville alone, buy this disc....twice! There is, however, just a little bit of downside here. The other works on this disc just aren't very captivating.

Dawn Upshaw, vocal actress extraordinaire.......2002-01-01

This is the CD that made me fall in love with Dawn Upshaw's singing. I had heard her before and admired her work, but this disc made me a real fan. As it's one of her early recordings, her voice is somewhat "fuller" than on later work; she later started moving the voice "forward," simplifying the sound. Either way, her immense talent for communicating the essence of the text is the outstanding aspect of all her work. It's amazing how she can sound angry, desperate, hopeful, melancholic, all while producing a beautiful sound and tackling all the vocal challenges of the music she's singing. She inhabits the characters, the narrators, of each of the pieces on this disc, and makes it more than just a collection of songs or arias.

I want to make special mention of the Harbison _Mirabai Songs_, as it seems to have been maligned somewhat in other reviews here. This was the work that most kept me coming back to this disc when I first bought it. I think it is a masterpiece, and one of Harbison's best and most important works. (Apparently I'm not alone in my admiration of the piece, because I've heard it on a number of live concerts in recent years, so it seems to be having a successful performance life.) Harbison's song cycle is by turns exciting, sensual, driving, longing, beautiful. The orchestration for the small ensemble is masterful (as Harbison's efforts at scoring always are), and Upshaw expresses all of Mirabai's complex emotions enchantingly.

The _Rake's Progress_ aria also deserves individual comment. In this engrossing example of Stravinsky's neoclassical style, Upshaw assumes Anne's air of fierce determination, and brings the disc to an absolutely thrilling climax on a concluding high C.

All of the music on this terrific CD is very accessible, and the performances are stellar. The recorded sound is very clear and immediate, as one would expect from Nonesuch. It's one of my favorite discs in my entire collection, and would probably be so for the Harbison and Stravinsky alone.

Average customer rating:

Life Upon the Wicked Stage Carole Cook , Jerome Kern , Grant Geissman , David Stout [trombone] , Dan Fornero , John Fumo , Brock Peters , James Anderson , Jane Lanier , Lauren Kennedy , Linda Michele , Marissa Jaret Winokur , Melissa Errico , Reece Holland , Robert Morse , Rod McKuen , Roger Rees , Ronnie Franklin , and Steve Orich Manufacturer: Lml Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocalists | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tap Your Troubles Away - The Words and Music of Jerry Herman (Historic All-Star Tribute) Kurt Weill: The Centennial ABC (Adler, Bock, Coleman) Over The Rainbow: The Music Of Harold Arlen (1995 Benefit Concert Cast) Dream: The Lyrics and Music of Johnny Mercer ASIN: B0000658H9 Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

1. The Song Is You - Jamie Anderson
2. How'd You like To Spoon With Me? - Jane Lanier
3. The Land Where The Good Songs Go - Pamela Myers
4. All The Things You Are - Alan Campbell
5. The Folks Who Live On The Hill - Lee Lessack
6. She Didn't Say Yes - Marissa Jaret Winokur
7. Pick Yourself Up - Street Sounds
8. You Couldn't Be Cuter - Marsha Kramer
9. Shimmy With Me - Lea Thompson
10. They All Look Alike - Bruce Vilanch
11. There It Is Again - David Holladay
12. Remind Me - Ron Rifkin
13. In Love In Vain - Melissa Errico
14. Make Believe - Linda Michele
15. Ol' Man River - Brock Peters
16. You Are Love - Dale Kristien
17. I Won't Dance - Bonnie Franklin

Tracks:

1. The Last Time I Saw Paris - Charles Busch
2. Long Ago (And Far Away) - Pam Dawber
3. They Didn't Believe Me - Pat Marshall
4. Look For The Silver Lining - Rod McKuen
5. A Fine Romance - Jane Carr
6. Sure Thing - Sally Kellerman
7. Don't Ever Leave Me/Why Was I Born - Joely Fisher
8. I'm Old Fashioned - Robert Morse
9. Yesterdays - Joan Ryan
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Dorian Harewood
11. In The Heart Of The Dark - Dale Kristien
12. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Valarie Pettiford
13. The Way You Look Tonight - Hugh Panaro
14. Life On The Wicked Stage - Carole Cook
15. I've Told Every Little Star - Carole Cook
16. Till The Clouds Roll By - The Company

Average customer rating: The BEST Gershwin/Porter album Glowing Coles of Porter...

Fennell Conducts Porter & Gershwin Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Hi-Fi A La Espanola/Popovers Liszt: Piano Concertos Mercury Living Presence - You Are There - The True Story of a Legendary Label British and American Band Classics Hanson Conducts Hanson ASIN: B0000057LZ Release Date: 1993-02-16

Tracks:

1. Blow, Gabriel, Blow
2. So In Love
3. It's All Right With Me
4. Ridin' High
5. In the Still of the Night
6. Begin the Beguine
7. Night and Day
8. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
9. Anything Goes
10. I've Got You Under My Skin
11. It's De-lovely
12. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
13. I Got Rhythm
14. Love Is Sweeping The Country
15. Love Walked In
16. 'S Wonderful
17. Bidin' My Time
18. Oh, Lady, Be Good
19. Fascinating Rhythm
20. Liza
21. Embraceable You
22. The Man I Love
23. Someone To Watch Over Me
24. But Not For Me

Customer Reviews:

The BEST Gershwin/Porter album.......2004-02-11

Perhaps I'm romanticizing, but this was THE cd I listened to in high school. The arrangements are absolutely captivating; building new material over the original themes while referencing them so purely. I couldn't imagine a better use of your money than purchasing this album, it will bring you years of joy!

Glowing Coles of Porter..........2004-01-15

I can only comment on the Porter half of this recording, as I own it on original vinyl. It's a mono copy, but you wouldn't know it. As usual, excellent engineering from Mercury, who set standards in the early 60's that still count (IMHO) as best practice.

Frederick Fennell is right at home in the warmth of these beautifully wrought Ray Wright orchestrations. As he should be; Wright's day job was orchestrating for Radio City Music Hall. The sound is lush, the dynamics amazing, the performance spot on. It gets four stars only because I can't justify five, not having heard the Gershwin half.

I suppose that if you can't find a nice copy to play on a good turntable with a warm amplifier, then this CD would do - but then, you miss the excitement of hearing sound you've been taught can only come from a CD, magically floating straight up from ancient vinyl.

Average customer rating: Broadway style performances in terrific sound!

The Musicality of Kern Manufacturer: Jay Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Musicality of Rodgers & Hammerstein Musicality of Lerner and Loewe The Musicality of Porter The Musicality of Rodgers & Hart The Musicality of Novello ASIN: B00006640U Release Date: 2002-06-11

Tracks:

1. Can't Help Singing ("Can't Help Singing") - Katrina Murphy
2. Till the Clouds Roll By ("Oh, Boy! ") - Graham Bickley / Katherine Evans
3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes ("Roberta") - Glory Crampton
4. Who? ("Sunny") - Matt Bogart / Jessica Boevers
5. They Didn't Believe Me ("The Girl from Utah") - Darryl Knock
6. Make Believe ("Showboat ") - Thomas Allen and Valerie Masterson
7. The Last Time I Saw Paris ("Lady Be Good") - George Dvorsky
8. Can I Forget You? ("High Wide and Handsome") - Elisabeth Welch
9. Look for the Silver Lining ("Sally") - Alexander Hanson / Catherine Port
10. I'm Old Fashioned ("You Were Never Lovelier") - Lorna Dallas
11. Dearly Beloved ("You Were Never Lovely") - Daniella Carson
12. Ol' Man River ("Showboat") - Willard White

Customer Reviews:

Broadway style performances in terrific sound!.......2006-07-11

These performances by British singers are all ones that Kern himself would have liked. No-nonsense singing and arranging so that what you hear is the song Kern wrote--not a performaner's special interpretation that is more about the performer than the song. Most sound as if they are right out of the show that generated the song in the first place. If you want top drawer musicality of performers that match the composer's, this is far better than the compilations of assorted pop singers. It's all about Kern's music.

Average customer rating:

Deep Water, High Clouds: Tones & Tales of Piano Manufacturer: Koch Schwann (Germ.) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Janácek, Leos | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001SX3 Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

1. Albumblatt (Album Leaf) Op. 117
2. Sonata In D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, 'The Tempest': Largo, Allegro
3. Sonata In D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, 'The Tempest': Adagio
4. Sonata In D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, 'The Tempest': Allegretto
5. Jeux d'eau (Fountains, Wasserspiele)
6. Preludes deuxieme livre: Ondine
7. Miroirs: Une barque sur l'ocean (A Boat On The Ocean)
8. In the Mist: Andante
9. In the Mist: Molto Adagio
10. In the Mist: Andantino
11. In the Mist: Presto
12. Prelude F Sharp Minor, Op. 23, No. 1
13. Prelude G Sharp Minor, Op. 32, No. 12

Average customer rating: Variations & Value Tone down the organ and I'd love it!

The Naxos Book of Carols Antony Pitts Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gibbons, Orlando | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music All Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Promise of Ages : A Christmas Collection Orlando Gibbons: Hymns and Songs of the Church Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) Wintersong James Taylor at Christmas ASIN: B0000EI9W9 Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

1. O come, o come, Emmanuel
2. Of the Fathers heart begotten
3. O quickly come
4. Verbum Patris umanatur, O, O
5. Lo! He comes
6. The holly and the ivy
7. Lo, there a Rose is blooming
8. Alleluya a new work
9. Ding! dong! merrily on high
10. While shepherds watched
11. The Song of Angels
12. Hark! the herald angels sing
13. Silent night
14. Away in a manger
15. Baby Jesus, hush! now sleep
16. O little town of Bethlehem
17. Jesu, the very thought is sweet
18. O come, all ye faithful
19. Personent hodie
20. In dulci jubilo
21. Good King Wenceslas
22. We three kings of Orient are
23. I saw three ships come sailing in
24. Hail to the Lords Anointed

Album Description

The Naxos Book of Carols is a collection of both the very old and very new. It is a selection of best-loved and newfound carols, drawing on centuries of tradition.The carols unfold in four narrative sequences each focusing on a different part of the Christmas Story - from The Hope of Advent to the announcements of The Message, the joy of the birth of The Baby and the celebration of the coming of The King of Kings. There are 24 carols, one for each day of advent.

Customer Reviews:

Variations & Value.......2005-12-02

This CD contains some wonderful variations of traditional Christmas carols. O Little Town of Bethlehem is hauntingly beautiful. The Holly and the Ivy is delightful. One of my favorite holiday songs, Personent Hodie, is particularly interesting and well done. And all of this at a true value price!

Tone down the organ and I'd love it!.......2003-12-23

Pitts's new tune for O Little Town of Bethlehem is very appealing, and the alternate tune for The Holly and the Ivy in some verses is beautiful. The arangements for O Come and Of the Father's Love Begotten are very striking.
The singers are good, whether as soloists or in chorus and their pronunciation is very clear. However, the organ is sometimes allowed to drown them out! And, at least for my taste, the organ ornamentation is very often far too discordant. Fortunately this does not happen in every song, and when it does occur, it is usually for one verse only.
Most of these arangements and settings I would love to hear again without the organ. Then I'd give it more stars!

Average customer rating:

Pandora (Music of Post-Byzantine High Society), Vol. 3 Manufacturer: Orata ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000009K64 Release Date: 1995-12-01

Tracks:

1. My Strenght Is Exhausted
2. Kratima in 4th Plagal Mode
3. When Patience Reaches Its Limit
4. He, Who Does Not Observe the Terms
5. Kratima in 2nd Plagal Mode
6. When There Is Lightning in the Clouds
7. Deep in My Heart
8. Beauty of the Face

Average customer rating:

Christmas Angels: A Thousand Voices in Lincoln Cathedral Manufacturer: Griffin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Arne | Arne, Thomas Augustin | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Charpentier | Charpentier, Marc-Antoine | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B000027R57 Release Date: 1994-01-01

Tracks:

1. Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen [Organ Solo] - Chris Hughes
2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Chris Hughes
3. This Is the Truth Sent from Above
4. Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending
5. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme [Organ Solo]
6. Once in Royal David's City
7. Ding Dong! Merrily on High
8. In Dulci Jubilo [Organ Solo]
9. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
10. No[Organ Solo] - Chris Hughes
11. O Little Town of Bethlehem
12. Gabriel's Message - Chris Hughes
13. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
14. Noen Musette [Organ Solo] - Chris Hughes
15. First Nowell
16. I Saw Three Ships - Chris Hughes
17. Christians Awake! Salute the Happy Morn
18. Christmas Cradle Song [Organ Solo] - Chris Hughes
19. O Come All Ye Faithful
20. We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
21. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
22. Fugue Sur la Th du Carillon des Heures de la Cathale de Soissons
23. Cathedral Bells Being Rung in Rounds

Average customer rating:

The High Pink Clouds The High Pink Clouds ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Lo-Fi | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000GBEKL8 Release Date: 2006-05-16

Tracks:

1. Martian Circus
2. Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo Aah
3. Play, Rewind, And Repeat Endlessly
4. Adolescent Machine
5. Sunset on Horn Island
6. Giger's Locomotive
7. We Are the High Pink Clouds
8. Australian Girl
9. Party in Room 602
10. When Lugosi Calls
11. Surf out 2006
12. Persistence of Liquid Desires
13. Half Space
14. Invisible They Dance Among Us
15. Lost Sleep
16. Transition

Music Album:

1. Hills & Heroes
2. Humble Beginnings [Box set] [Extra tracks] [Import]
3. I Will Not Be Sad in This World
4. If I Showed You
5. Italo Folk [Box set] [Import]
6. Jolly Roger Tailgunner
7. Leave Them a Flower [Import]
8. Legend: The Classic Recordings [Import]
9. Let The Wind Blow High
10. Libertango [Import]

Music Album