Sweet Talk & Good Lies

Amazon.com
A critics' darling before alt-country existed, Heather Myles released her debut album in 1992, and in the 10 years since, she's cemented her place as the West Coast's distaff Dwight Yoakam, down to the posed photos and ripped jeans. She records with his sidemen and, on this album, duets with the man himself. Her talents, however, stand on their own. The catch in her throaty voice, as subtle as a neon sign, infuses each number (all but two here are originals) with passion and immediacy, be it a glib throwaway like "Big Cars" or the acerbic "Nashville's Gone Hollywood." Myles, always framed by rock-ribbed twang, avoids pretense, yet "The Love You Left Behind" deftly exposes her softer, more nuanced side. Her inspired covers of Glen Campbell's hit "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and Julie London's 1950s torch song "Cry Me a River" only underscore her passion for excellence. Sadly, she has yet to find a broader audience and this, her finest effort to date, only drives home that injustice. --Rich Kienzle

Sweet Talk & Good Lies,Heather Myles,Rounder / Pgd,Americana,Country,Country & Western,Honky Tonk,Neo-Traditionalist Country,Pop

Spirituals in Concert
Average customer rating:

"Lord, How Come Me Here"

WOW!

uhm......yeah right!!

scadalise my name

Broadway takes on the spiritual ...

Spirituals in Concert

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Amazing Grace: Jessye Norman

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So Many Stars

ASIN: B000001GDC
Release Date: 1991-03-08

Tracks:

In That Great Getting Up Morning
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass
Over My Head/ Lil' David
Oh, What A Beautiful City
Lord, How Come Me Here
I Believe I'll Go Back Home-Lordy, Won't You Help Me
Ride On, King Jesus
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot-Ride Up In The Chariot
You Can Tell The World
Scandalize My Name
Great Day
Oh, Glory
Calvary-They Crucified My Lord
Talk About A Child
Gospel Train
My God Is So High
There Is A Balm In Gilead
He's Got The Whole World In His Hand

Customer Reviews:

"Lord, How Come Me Here".......2007-06-18

I must add, to the praises above, that Kathleen Battle's "Lord, How Come Me Here" is the best "quick" explanation of the long-lasting effects of slavery that I can think of. The line, "They sold my children away," says it all.

And the VERY funny "Scandelize My Name" is also worth the price of the total album!

Alinde O'Malley

WOW!.......2007-03-22

You know, after owning both the CD and VHS of this performance, and having been coached by Sylvia Olden Lee herself, it is no wonder why spiritual mean so much to me. And these two ladies bare their souls and bring these masterpieces to life! WOW!!!

uhm......yeah right!!.......2006-06-21

Clearly you are mistaken. I don't know who that guy is-the person below recommended-but there is NO COMPARISON to JESSYE NORMAN AND KATHLEEN BATTLE!!!! Jessye Norman herself has *30* HONARY DOCTRATES from places like Harvard, Juliard, Yale, Cambridge....I mean HELLO!!!! That guy had no where near the ease, the musicality or even the breath support as these two veterans show!! It is a beautiful CD though it came out in 1991 and I HIGHLY recommend it.

scadalise my name.......2004-10-29

this isn't that good specially after hearing William Warfeild sing it. You can find him at www.wlym.com

Broadway takes on the spiritual ..........2004-01-29

... takes it on and puts it on the canvas by the end of the first round.

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here: thank goodness I signed this disk out of the public library 'cause I'm sure not going to listen to it twice.

There is nothing wrong with the performances. Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle sing beautifully, and there's no problem with the pick-up orchestra under James Levine.

The problem, and it's huge, is the conception of the show and the musical arrangements. To make the video marketable, I suppose, the producers decided that the concert had to be big: big names, big arrangements, big effects. So we have eighteen spirituals given the musical theatre treatment, with a philharmonic chorus providing chain-gang sound effects, big brass, and big percussion -- including a chinese gong. A chinese gong in a spiritual??? Spare me! Almost every track turns out sounding like either a curtain-raiser or a big, end-of-act production number with cute and predictable modulations between some of the stanzas and the sort of curly-cue orchestral ornamentation typical of Broadway shows.

And you know what? It all kills the spirituals stone dead. The spiritual is one of those musical forms where less is more and very little is best of all. That's how they started, after all. That's how and why they worked for their original audiences, and that's why they were powerful enough to make the transition from folk song to art song. If you want to hear Battle sing spirituals that are irresistible, listen to the set on her Salzburg recital CD, also with Levine (ASIN B00000E31B). There, the music speaks for itself and speaks with a strength and a beauty that the tracks on this disk never approach.

Greatest Songs from the Musicals
Average customer rating:

You'll be disappointed

Pretty good musical mix

Greatest Songs from the Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Soho
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best Of Broadway Musicals

Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need

Ultimate Broadway

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ASIN: B000077JS0
Release Date: 2002-10-21

Tracks:

Aquarius [From Hair] - Steve Brooker, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
If I Can't Love Her [From Beauty and the Beast] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Could Have Danced All Night [From My Fair Lady] - Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? [From The Lion King] - John Barrowman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
What I Did for Love [from a Chorus Line] - National Symphony Orchestra, Catherine Porter, Martin Yates
This Is the Moment [From Jekyll and Hyde] - Gary Mauer, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
All That Jazz [From Chicago] - Paulette Ivory, Julian Kelly, Katrina Murphy, National Symphony Orchestra, Sally Ann Triplett
Impossible Dream [From Man of La Mancha] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
America [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
Written in the Stars [From Aida] - Simon Bowman, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
Mame [From Mame] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Some Enchanted Evening [From South Pacific] - Thomas Allen, John Owen Edwards, Philharmonic Orchestra
I Am What I Am [From LA Cage aux Follies] - Janet Glazener, Leslie Uggams
One Song Glory [From Rent] - Sean McDermott, Martin Yates

Tracks:

Phantom of the Opera [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Ethan Freeman, Claire Moore, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Dreamed a Dream [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Jacqui Scott, Martin Yates
Bui Doi [From Miss Saigon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
As Long as He Needs Me [From Oliver!] - National Symphony Orchestra,
Time Warp [From the Rocky Horror Picture Show] - Anita Dobson, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates,
Memory [From Cats] - Kim Criswell, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Why God Why [From Miss Saigon] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
I Know Him So Well [From Chess] - Katrina Murphy, NSO Ensemble, Sally Ann Triplett, Martin Yates
One Day More [From Les Miserables] - National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Peggy Sue [From Buddy Holly Story] - Dominic Curtis
Empty Charis at Empty Tables [From Les Miserables] - Graham Bickley, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Dancing Queen [From Mamma Mia!] - Julian Kelly, NSO Ensemble, , Caroline O'Connor
All I Ask of You [From The Phantom of the Opera] - Andrew Halliday, , National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
We Will Rock You [From We Will Rock You] - Martin Yates

Tracks:

It's a Grand Night for Singing [From State Fair] - National Symphony Orchestra
If I Were a Rich Man [From Fiddler on the Roof] - Jerry Lanning, National Symphony Orchestra
I Talk to the Trees [From Paint Your Wagon] - Ethan Freeman, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Over the Rainbow [From The Wizard of Oz] - Gillian Bevan, , John Owen Edwards, , Royal Shakespeare Company
Bless Yore Beautiful Hide [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Hal Fowler, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Grease [From Grease] - John Barrowman, NSO Ensemble, Martin Yates
Woman in Love [From Guys and Dolls] - Gregg Edelman, , Emily Loesser, National Symphony Orchestra
Secret Love [From Calamity Jane] - Debbie Gravitte, National Symphony Orchestra
Quintet [From West Side Story] - National Symphony Orchestra
I Will Always Love You [From the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas] - Salena Jones, John Pearce
Money, Money [From "Caberet"] - Maria Friedman, National Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Pryce
If My Friends Could See Me Now (Sweet Charity) - Jacqueline Dankworth, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Thank Heaven for Little Girls [From Gigi] - Ron Moody, National Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates
Singin' in the Rain [From Singin' in the Rain] - Craig Barna, National Symphony Orchestra, Paul Robinson

Customer Reviews:

You'll be disappointed.......2006-09-02

Not the original artists. Very weak versions of beloved songs by marginal to downright bad vocalists.

Pretty good musical mix.......2006-03-10

Lots of great and clear vocals. I was looking for a musical mix and this has a nice sampling of many major songs but also some more recent stuff. I haven't purchased an import before but I would do it again if the opportunity presented itself. It is somewhat annoying to have three cds when I think it could have fit onto two. Still, more than I have complaints, I have compliments about it.

Average customer rating:

Kathy Rocks Ever!
A wide presentation of the work of an amazing artist
A Great Coloratura Soprano
Great compilation of Kathleen Battle's work
Beautiful Voice

The Best of Kathleen Battle

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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So Many Stars
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ASIN: B00068CVF8
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Summertime
I loves you, Porgy
Porgi amor
Welche Wonne, welche Lust
S'altro che lagrime
Una donna a quindici anni
Depuis le jour
E pur cosi / Piangeri la sorte mia
Oui! pour ce soir... Je suis Titania
Ah! tardai troppo... O luce di quest'anima
4. Pie Jesu (Sopran)
Voices of Spring, Op.410 (Frohlingsstimmen) - vocal version
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot / Ride Up in the Chariot
Witness "Oh, Lord, what manner of man is dis?"
Talk About a Child
He's got the whole world in His hands

Customer Reviews:

Kathy Rocks Ever!.......2006-01-01

Oh,yeah!Also here in Brazil she commanded,complained,got her tantrums as well but,she is Kathy;highly gifted,charmingly glamourous,her elegant golden singing beautifully soaring over brazilian audiences and so on.About this cd,I would prefer a completely new one.However,this is a gorgeous compilation,just perfect to Battle beginners or her fans,especially these spirituals that belongs incontestablely to her heavenly throat.I hope much more from Miss Battle just 'cause she is a great performer,in fact nobody or nothing couldn't denies that no matter she's doing backstage.Cowardly,poisonous "kid's rewiews" show us solely how empty is this quarrel.I hope a DG reissue of her beloved,out of print Schubert recital as well.

A wide presentation of the work of an amazing artist.......2005-12-23

This CD provides a sampling of Kathleen Battle's voice and interpretive abilities from coloratura virtuousity (Voices of Spring) to the simple, heartfelt spiritual (Talk about a child).

First of all, there's THAT voice. You hear a voice that is uniquely angelic and capable of expressing a wide range of moods. You hear a voice that glitters like a diamond, skips happily and effortlessly (and in impeccable tune) from note to note like it's nobody's business, one that that reminds you of moonbeams and early morning dew on pink rose petals. You've simply got to her it to believe it.

On this CD, the listener is provided with the the works/composers for which she's well known: Handel Opera (E pur cosi / piangero la sorte mia), Mozart Opera (S'altro che lagrime), Bel Canto Opera (Ah, tardai troppo...), French Opera (Depuis le jour), spirituals, and a few popular songs for sopranos such as Gershwin's Summertime and Faure's Pie Jesu

If you're just popping the CD in, try: (1) Ah, tardai troppo, (2) Voices of Spring, (3) Talk about a child, (4) I loves you, Porgy, and (5) Pie Jesu.

I suppose if you are a fan of heavy, dramatic voices, Kathleen Battle may not be to your liking. But I suspect that if you listen to her, you still might be amazed...

A Great Coloratura Soprano .......2005-04-03

Coloratura sopranos are a dying breed today. The era of Lily Pons and Beverly Sills is long gone and opera audiences favor a more "heavy" coloratura sound- or at least a full lyric one, such as the voice types of Kiri Te Kenawa, Carol Vanness and Renee Fleming. Kathleen Battle was in many ways an artist who payed homage to the coloratura queens of olden days. Only Natalie Dessay, of late, represents that kind of singer. much This album showcases her best work, and she is in fine voice, bringing a luminous and sunny quality to her interpretations, while keeping the dramatic appeal of the text. She was at best a Handel/Mozart/Strauss/Gounod singer, and never fared well in the more dramatic reperotoire of Verdi or Puccini heroines. She never sang Madame Butterfly, which if she had gone through training, she could have nailed, especially because her dramatic aspirations coupled with her soft, vulnerable sound would have suited her as Ciao Ciao San, in the way that Ying Huang interpreted the role. Verdi opera must have frightened her and she could never dream of taking on the roles that Leontyne Price performed, surely an influence in her student days made all the more credible because Leontyne Price was a "sister" African-American. So Leonora, Aida and Suor Angelica were out of her reach. While she sang with Jessie Norman in concert and recitals (like the Spirituals Concert), she must have been secretly or overtly ? jealous of the fact that Jessye Norman had a voice that could swallow the world!! A big, beautiful voice such as Ms. Norman's is closer to the true goddesses of operas in the tradition of Maria Callas, while Battle is more of the "tiny, bright, canary" voice. She ranks among the best of the lighter sopranos- Beverly Sills, and like Sumi Jo today. Her fellow co-artists used to call her the "Singing Mosquito". But she is marvelous in singing Handel oratorio(the only times I've heard her sing live), Mozart- Sussannah, Zerlina, the Countess in Figaro, Gounod- Juliette, Bizet- Micaela, but could never truly master the more difficult Mozart heroines- Dona Ana in Don Giovanni or Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte or even Konstanza in Die Entfurung, though try she did. In Strauss operas, she made a fine Zerbinetta, though she always oozed a confidence that made it seem as if these difficult pieces were a piece of cake for her. Some arias in this collection appear that way too.

Kathleen Battle has long since disappeared from the opera world, singing off and on. Her last singing engagement was for the soundtrack to the Japanese action saga "House of Flying Daggers" in which she sings in a very Japanese/poetic style. Before that she sang in Mythodea opposite Jessie Norman in a massive choral work by Vangelis, and also in Disney's Fantasia 2000. Her constant bitchiness, diva antics and disrespect to conductors and singers became too much and finally Joseph Volpe fired her from the Met. She had stayed there for so long because James Levine took a shine to her. As a singer, she was a perfectionist and in her body of work it shows. But she displayed a nasty diva temperament that does not sit well today. In the 80's, she would come to rehearsals late, would criticize everyone from conductor to costuma makers and even once disrespected the much older and experienced Rosalind Elias, a beloved mezzo at the Met. While I think that Volpe did the right thin in firing Battle, I think that Battle's voice is glorious and would buy her albums, even if she mostly poses as if she were in Vogue cover shots.

Great compilation of Kathleen Battle's work.......2005-03-26

This is a great compilation CD of recordings made by Battle, which are currently deleted by Universal Music.
The selections are first rate and capture the artistry of Kathleen Battle perfectly, a shimmering, silvery, clean and clear voice which has captivated millions of people worldwide

Beautiful Voice.......2005-02-24

I find it hard to give anything under 5 stars for any work including Miss Battle. Her technique and mastery of the female voice is quite remarkable. I am a HUGE fan of the soprano voice and I have found no one who posses the talents, skills, and interpretations of Battle. I would like to have seen more variety in this compilation CD. Her Rosina, Zerbinetta, Semele, other such roles were obviously ignored in the making of this CD. I think anyone will be hard pressed to find any lyric/coloratura soprano who amounts to the skill level of Miss Battle. Talent is talent, and she's got plenty of it. A person's attitude has nothing to do with their abilities as a performer, and I am tired of people knocking Miss Battle because of the stigma with which she is attached. Personally, she has never done anything to me nor the number of others who criticize her for her actions which took place over a decade ago. You cannot say that this woman does not posses mad skills. She is a lovely woman who has accomplished great things. I would gladly buy any CD that carries the name "Kathleen Battle".

Average customer rating:

The best female country singer there is
Nothing short of perfection.....
Heather Myles boots do the walkin'
A refreshing change - some real country at last!
'Big Cars' Big Song!

Sweet Talk & Good Lies
Heather Myles
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000068G8I
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Tracks:

Sweet Talk & Good Lies
Nashville's Gone Hollywood
Never Had a Broken Heart
One Man Woman Again
Little Chapel Duet with Dwight Yoakam
By the Time I Get to Phoenix
One and Only Lover
Big Cars
The Love You Left Behind
If the Truth Hurts
Homewrecker Blues
Sweet Little Dangerous
Cry Me a River

Amazon.com

A critics' darling before alt-country existed, Heather Myles released her debut album in 1992, and in the 10 years since, she's cemented her place as the West Coast's distaff Dwight Yoakam, down to the posed photos and ripped jeans. She records with his sidemen and, on this album, duets with the man himself. Her talents, however, stand on their own. The catch in her throaty voice, as subtle as a neon sign, infuses each number (all but two here are originals) with passion and immediacy, be it a glib throwaway like "Big Cars" or the acerbic "Nashville's Gone Hollywood." Myles, always framed by rock-ribbed twang, avoids pretense, yet "The Love You Left Behind" deftly exposes her softer, more nuanced side. Her inspired covers of Glen Campbell's hit "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and Julie London's 1950s torch song "Cry Me a River" only underscore her passion for excellence. Sadly, she has yet to find a broader audience and this, her finest effort to date, only drives home that injustice. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

The best female country singer there is.......2006-10-12

Heather Myles is the best female country singer in the business, although the unheralded Amber Digby and the seemingly vanished Danni Leigh are just about her equals. Heather is the real thing--there is no hint here of the pop crap that characterizes just about every other woman who claims to sing country. She's like a female Dwight Yoakam (with whom she sings a duet on this CD). And this CD is her masterpiece. It's been too long since her last release.

Nothing short of perfection............2006-03-13

Another fine Heather Myles album. Where would country music be today without the likes of Heather Myles? This is a 13 song CD that is hardcore country from start to finish; all blessed with the finest modern female voice in Country Music. Included is her tribute to the Nashville crap being sold today under the guise of country music, "Nashville's Gone Hollywood". There's also the Dwight Yoakam duet on "Little Chapel", and a fine rendition of Glen Campbell's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"....actually, I'd put Heather's version well above the original. This album has the usual recipe of Heather's straight forward, no apologies, music, and is best seen in: "Homewrecker Blues", and "Sweet Little Dangerous". I have no doubt that Heather Myles would enjoy the acceptance and promotional backing of mainstream Nashville, but I'm thankful she's staying the course. It's almost impossible to find music like this anymore. A+

Heather Myles boots do the walkin' .......2004-12-24

At some point in their lives music fans come to a realization that there are only two kinds of music: good music and bad music. When this epiphany strikes vast catalogues and hidden genres open. In the mid-80's, with the seemingly simultaneous debut releases by Dwight Yoakum, Randy Travis and Steve Earle, I began to discover country music.

Before we get too carried away I feel the need to distance "good" country music from the pig-noise feeding the death knell of today's country radio music. In the remarkable but unheard category of great country artists are Kim Richey and Heather Myles.

While her third (though first nationally distributed) album, Highways & Honky Tonks, was stunning, 'Sweet Talk and Good Lies' by Heather Myles (2000) is destine to become a classic country album: a defining moment in the course of country music's future.

Duets with Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakum stamp "approved" on Myle's. Her covers of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Cry Me a River," and "Chapel of Love" allow first time listeners easy access to Myles recordings, but it is her own songs that exemplify how significant this relative unknown will be. As is required of any pertinent female country music singer, Myles is easy on the eyes but this time it's her music that draws you in and keeps you reaching for her music.

Rolling Stone writer Chet Flippo wrote, "Myles has more brass than a hardware store." Myles is a musical force that will continue to attract attention and move the course of country music.

A refreshing change - some real country at last!.......2004-07-12

Finally, after the onslaught of pop in country clothing, something that is actually what it claims to be. Being based in the UK, we don't get to hear much "hardcore" country, and I only by chance heard the title track of this album on a specialist satellite radio station. Amazingly I saw it in a branch of HMV whilst on my travels and bought it on the strength of that song.

I wasn't disappointed, and even shouted "Hear hear!" on hearing the second track "Nashville's Gone Hollywood" - much to the amusement of my future mother-in-law in the passenger's seat (it had its first playing in the car)!

Weak points? Well, I always hated "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", and this hasn't changed (it's the song, not the singer though). And "Cry Me A River"... not really my thing either (although I'd rather listen to this than Justin Timberlake's namesake track any day!).

Only 4 stars? Well on the whole the album is rather heavy going - if you want something a bit easier try "Highways & Honky-Tonks", but I don't regret buying this (or even paying UK prices for it).

'Big Cars' Big Song!.......2004-03-14

Another outstanding album by an obviously under-appreciated stellar talent. (Her long trips overseas certainly don't allow her time to make an impact in the US--but I guess it keeps her in guitar strings!) Heather's "Big Cars" is arguably one of the Greatest 100 Country Songs of All Times, and it is infuriating that she's not heard much more across country-land.
Heather: Shmooze it up with established names and start doing more touring along with them in these United States. (I just saw Martina McBride with Alan Jackson, and with all due respect, Martina isn't up to your musicality and versatility and would have certainly enjoyed your singing far more than her screaming.)

Average customer rating:

One of my Favorites
A Great Breakout Album
Great CD!
Austin Rocks

Sweet Talk
Reneé Austin
Manufacturer: Blind Pig
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000CABJF
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

Not Alone
Pretend We Never Met
When Something Is Wrong
Pour The Sugar Slowly
Bottom Of A Heart
Fool Moon
Bury The Hatchet
Unraveling
Bitter Water
Ain't Nobody
Black Pearl

Amazon.com

There's a new female singer on the roots music scene as Renee Austin breaks out of blues semi-obscurity with an impressively evocative and eclectic collection of songs sung straight from the heart. The California-born, Texas-bred, and Minnesota-based singer/songwriter---seven of the 11 tunes are Austin originals---has a big, dramatic voice capable of handling almost any type of tune. And that's exactly what she does on Sweet Talk, a wide-ranging sampler of her singing that is not so much blues as blues-based. Austin kicks off things with "Not Alone," creating a harder-edged Staple Singers-style groove, complete with background vocals. "Pretend We Never Met" successfully pairs Austin with Delbert McClinton on a soulful, radio-ready duet, and the funk grinder "Pour the Sugar Slowly" takes the music in yet another direction. Austin romps through the boogie blues of "Bury the Hatchet" with convincing energy but more effectively showcases her vocal abilities in more relaxed numbers, such as the gospel roller "Bottom of a Heart," the piano-driven ballad "Fool Moon," and the jazz-tinged "Unraveling" with its tasteful trumpet work by Dave Jensen. And when the accompaniment is stripped down to a single piano on "Ain't Nobody" Austin is at her expressive best. Too much production and too much of an effort to touch all stylistic bases prevents Sweet Talk from reaching its full potential but as an introduction to the depth and diversity of Austin's virtuoso vocalizing it more than serves its purpose. --Michael Point

Customer Reviews:

One of my Favorites.......2007-04-03

I do recommend this CD. If you like the Blues, this is a must have.

A Great Breakout Album.......2003-12-28

Renee Austin is well-known in the Twin Cities club scene, having refined her gospel-tinged vocal blues through countless performances for appreciative local audiences... With this album, she is poised to widen her fan base nationally and internationally. The album, her first for Blind Pig, showcases her various influences, including blues, gospel, and R&B. Austin is ably backed by several other staples of the thriving Twin Cities music scene, including Bruce McCabe... An outstanding new album, highly recommended.

Great CD!.......2003-09-30

Last August on a trip to Minneapolis, I had the pleasure of hearing Reneé Austin sing. She's a dynamic performer gifted with a "wow" voice that permits her to sing anything she chooses to. She also writes most of her songs. Now I have her new CD and am enjoying her performance all over again.

So far, she's proved herself as a regional phenomenon, but I believe she is a rising star in the music business and soon will be gaining national recognition. For example, in the past year she won three Minnesota Music Awards, including Best Female Vocalist and Best CD (Dancin' with Mr. Blue), was signed by Blind Pig Records, released a brand new CD (Sweet Talk) on Sept 23, and joined Piedmont Talent for representation. If you buy her CD, I'm confident you won't be disappointed. BTW, I have no financial interest whatever in Reneé's work -- I just love her singing.

Austin Rocks.......2003-09-25

If you like soul, gospel, jazz, rock and blues, you will love this CD. Reneé pours her heart into every song and will have you jamming with her after just one listen. I'll be keeping this one in the CD player until I know every word!

Average customer rating:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Saint/Secret Agent
In Like Flint / Our Man Flint: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season End Title
Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
Iowa-Scuba Affair
Shark Affair
Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
Meet Mr. Solo
Giuoco Piano Affair
King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
First Season Main Title [Revised]
Deadly Decoy Affair
Spy With My Face
Second Season Main Title
Alexander the Greater Affair
Ultimate Computer Affair
Very Important Zombie Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Seadly Goddess Afair
Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

One of Our Spies Is Missing
Third Season Main Title
Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
Galatea Affair
Pop Art Affair
Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
Off-Broadway Affair
Concrete Overcoat Affair
Napoleon's Tomb Affair
Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
Fourth Season (End Title)
Test Tube Killer Affair
Prince of Darkness Affair
Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Average customer rating:

Oscar Hammerstein Legacy: Musicals

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B0000520X7
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

State Fair: It's A Grand Night For Singing - Dick Haymes
Show Boat: Why Do I Love You? - Tony Martin/Frances Langford
Show Boat: Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man - Ella Fitzgerald And Her Famous Orchestra
Show Boat: Ol' Man River - Frank Sinatra
Show Boat: I Still Suits Me - Paul Robeson/Elizabeth Welch
High, Wide And Handsome: The Folks Who Live On The Hill - Bing Crosby
State Fair: It Might As Well Be Spring - Dick Haymes
Centennial Summer: All Through The Day - Doris Day
Carousel: If I Loved You - Perry Como
Oklahoma: People Will Say We're In Love - Frank Sinatra
Show Boat: Make Believe - Tony Martin
South Pacific: I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy - Mary Martin
South Pacific: Bali Ha'i - Juanita Hall
South Pacific: Some Enchanted Evening - Frank Sinatra
High, Wide And Handsome: Can I Forget You? - Bing Crosby
Roberta: I Won't Dance - Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians
Show Boat: Bill - Helen Forrest
Sunny: Who? - Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra
Oklahoma: Oh, What A Beautiful Morning - Frank Sinatra
South Pacific: Happy Talk - Juanita Hall
Sweet Adeline: Why Was I Born? - Vic Damone
Very Warm For May: All The Things You Are - Tony Martin
Carousel: You'll Never Walk Alone - Judy Garland

Average customer rating:

Here's Something Good
masterpiece
Sweet !

Sweet Talk
Eric Marienthal
Manufacturer: Peak Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Turn Up the Heat
Got You Covered
Collection
One Touch
Street Dance

ASIN: B0000C2397
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

Uptown
Secrets
All I Am
Moonlight
Tell Me Something Good
Sweet Talk
Mist Trail
Caprichosa
Nickel Plated
Like A River
Laguna

Customer Reviews:

Here's Something Good.......2006-04-07

Eric Marienthal's CD titled Sweet Talk is definitely something good in the realm of beautiful smooth jazz. Comprised of 11 tracks totaling almost 47 minutes in length, this CD is filled with some sweet highlights that are worth every minute of exposure to its charm.

Eric kicks off the album on alto sax with "Uptown," an outstanding collaboration with Jeff Lorber who contributes his best on keyboards and drum programming. "Secrets" continues the hand-in-glove Marienthal/Lorber collaboration; this song could be imagined on one of Jeff's album's, but Eric takes a mellow approach with his wonderfully melodic touch on romantic jazz sax.

"All I Am," written by Dave Kochanski (formerly of the Rippingtons) is an up-tempo number featuring Kochanski on keyboards and Gene Lake on drum kit; this song will have you toe tapping, and it features Eric playing a duet with Jeff Mironov on guitar. Eric covers the outstanding Stevie Wonder song "Tell Me Something Good" arranged by Marienthal and Lorber. This tune features little known Cassandra Reed delivering a soulful performance on vocals.

The outstanding title track "Sweet Talk" is buried in the middle of the album. It's a lyrical tune that engages the listener on a musical and emotional level. Co-composed by Eric and his son Robert, Scott Breadman came over from the Rippingtons to lend percussive talent while bassist Melvin Lee Davis over-delivers on 7 string contra bass guitar. Eric vocalizes on his alto sax while Davis provides an oh-so-fine scat vocal and Gannin Arnold supplies melodic accents on acoustic and electric guitars.

"Caprichosa" (meaning whimsical, fanciful, impulsive), the longest song on the CD at 5:15, is a ballad written by Brazilian composers Ivan Lins and Fatima Guedes. Lins sings vocals in Portuguese and Marienthal beguiles on soprano sax; it's fairly evident that Eric wanted this to be a memorable standout tune and it is. "Laguna" features the same lineup of musicians as "Caprichosa" but with Marienthal playing an earthy alto sax that brings this smorgasbord of music to its close.

Sweet Talk is an album that deserves to be experienced if you appreciate talented saxophonists; Eric Marienthal delivers something good on this CD produced by Jason Miles (Luther Vandross, Miles Davis).

Enjoy life to the nth degree!

masterpiece.......2004-04-01

this is by far one of the best jazz albums ever!! the title track "sweet talk" is one of those songs you just sit back and relax on. so refreshing. I will be buying this album soon!!!

Sweet !.......2004-02-08

Eric gets out of his comfort zone in L.A. and ventures forth to the Big Apple to record this infectious,hook laden set of smooth jazz tunes.

Jason Miles, a well known New York producer (Gato Barbieri, To Grover with Love) contributes his talents. One holdover from previous recordings is longtime collaborator Jeff Lorber co-writing 3 songs, including the radio favorite "Uptown" featuring a funky upbeat melody & rhythm track; "Secrets" with its hook-filled chord changes and the guitar call and response of Sypra Gyra's Julio Fernandez; and "Nickel Plated" reminiscent of that David Sanborn influenced soulful uptown New York vibe.

Former longtime Rippingtons keyboardist Dave Kochanski contributes a kick-ass tune "All I Am" and the funky-jazzy gem
"Mist Trail."

Music for the those romantic moments include the title track "Sweet Talk" co-written by Eric and his 13 year-old son
Robert, featuring a Brazilian style vocalese by Melvin Davis, a pretty melody. Keeping it in the family the cover photo features Eric's wife Lee Ann. The smooth "Moonlight" from guitarist Chuck Loeb and a love song from famed Brazilian composer and singer Ivan Lins, "Caprichosa" with lyrics by Fatima Guedes; rounding out the mellow tracks is "Laguna."

The New York studio cats such as Steely Dan bassist Tom Barney, Gene Lake on drums (David Sanborn, Brecker Brothers), Will Lee on bass (Letterman show), Jeff Mironov and Dean Brown on guitar contribute a uptown vibe to this recording. Overall one of the
best collections offered in a long time from an A-list contemporary jazz artist.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
Average customer rating:
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Spy With My Face: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Movies

Honey West

ASIN: B0006SSQ8O
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

First Season Main Title [Revised/Extended]
Jerry Goldsmith Medley: The Deadly Games Affair/The Vulcan ...
Quadripartite Affair
Double Affair, Suite No. 2
Belly Laughs
Finny Foot Affair
Fiddlesticks Affair, Suite No. 2
Yellow Scarf Affair
Meet Mr. Solo
Spy With My Face
Discotheque Affair, Suite No. 2
Nowhere Affair
U.N.C.L.E. A Go Go
Bat Cave Affair
One of Our Spies Is Missing
Monks of St. Thomas Affair, Suite No. 2
Spy in the Green Hat
Gerald Fried Medley: The Foreign Legion Affair/The Apple a Day Affair
Karate Killers
Richard Shores Medley: The Summit-Five Affair/The "J" for Judas Affair

Tracks:

Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Main Title
Dog-Gone Affair
Prisoner of Zalamar Affair
Mother Muffin Affair
Mata Hari Affair
Montori Device Affair
Horns-of-the-Dilemma Affair
Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (End Title)
Deadly Quest Affair: Teaser
Deadly Quest Affair: Act 1
Deadly Quest Affair: Act 2
Deadly Quest Affair: Act 3
Deadly Quest Affair: Act 4

Average customer rating:

A REAL SINGER
Every Thing I feel
D'Atra Hicks unpromoted by record companies
Strong Voice, No Promotion = Star should have been heard.
The album is good

D'Atra Hicks
D'atra Hicks
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008GJX
Release Date: 1989-07-14

Tracks:

Sweet Talk
You Make Me Want to Give It Up
Something About You
Palm of Your Hand - Peabo Bryson, D'Atra Hicks
Until Forever - D'Atra Hicks, Evan Rogers
Love and Happiness
Heart of Gold
I Wanna Be Loved
If My Heart Could Lie
Wait
One Touch (Leads to Another)
Everything I Feel
Sweet Talk [Extended Mix]

Customer Reviews:

A REAL SINGER.......2006-10-04

I have LOVED this "Tape" from way back in the days. I just found it again, even though some of the songs were not that great, her voice is WONDERFUL. Been a fan since the "Mama I Want To Sing Days"

Every Thing I feel.......2004-07-14

I love Everything I feel, I remember back in the days when the Drag Queens would do that song at the club on show nights

D'Atra Hicks unpromoted by record companies.......2003-11-08

Whether Hicks sings Gospel or R&B she possess a voice that soars with the best. A showcase that demonstrates the great qualities of Hicks's voice are her vocals on Richard Elliot's "Soul Embrace," track 5, "Promises" (January 1993). I would enjoy and purchase more jazz and pop jazz that feature D'Atra Hick's incredible voice and her interpretations of lyrics on their tracks.

Strong Voice, No Promotion = Star should have been heard........2003-09-08

This uneven lp did little for this talented vocalist's career. She now can be seen in gospel plays across the country. The lead single "Sweet Talk" gave her a top 20 r&b hit, but nothing else really caught the public's attention.

"Everything i feel" is a hidden gem of a song. Anyone who has gone through any type of heartbreak can feel her on this one. This song is worth the purchase alone. It is simply a show-stopper. To bad the record company wasnt behind this project enough to release it as a single. It could have made her a star. Anyone who has heard it will tell you no different. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on this song or even download it as it is out of print you'll be grateful.

"Palm of your hand" (a duet with PEABO BRYSON) is also a song of note as is the sexy "You make me want to give it up". D'atra Hicks is a powerhouse vocalist and should have gotten more play. The release was produced by 80's hard hitters like Narrada Michael Walden and Nick Martinelli. The note worthy tracks are so strong that you forget the filler that is on this release.

The album is good.......2003-07-23

I really enjoyed the album. D'Atra Hicks has a phenomenal voice. But based on the type of songs written, the album sounds like it should have been released in 1986 not 1989. Regardless of the release date, the album is good.

Music Album:

Music Album