Glimmer

Amazon.com
Kim Richey's first two albums fit, one way or another, into that vague sound called alternative country, but like many other acts in the genre (Old 97's, Wilco), Richey has mostly chosen to leave country behind for the sound of pure pop. Glimmer sounds less like a poppy Steve Earle and more like a barely twangy Fleetwood Mac or Sam Phillips, which would be wonderful except she doesn't pull it off. The problem's not the absence of twang; it's the absence of any pop appeal to do her songs justice. Throughout, producer Hugh Padgham fashions similar arrangements that bury Richey's rich voice and subtle hooks in atmospheric washes: strings that never soar, keyboards that noodle, guitars that jangle prettily--the album seems textureless. Consequently, even gripping songs like "Didn't I," "Hello Old Friend," and "The Way It Never Was" come off disappointingly flat. There are glimmers of insight in these cuts, but they deserved to shine. --David Cantwell

Glimmer,Kim Richey,Mercury Nashville,Country,Country & Western,Pop

Average customer rating: Love it I'm taken A Hidden Gem Mellow pop rock from under-rated Kim Her best CD!

Glimmer Kim Richey Manufacturer: Mercury Nashville ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bitter Sweet Rise Kim Richey The Collection Chinese Boxes ASIN: B00000JNNO Release Date: 1999-08-03

Tracks:

1. Can't Lose Them All
2. Other Side Of Town
3. Come Around
4. Lay It Down
5. Hello Old Friend
6. Way It Never Was, The
7. Good At Secrets
8. Keep Me
9. If You Don't Mind
10. So It Goes
11. Long Way Back
12. Didn't I
13. I Will Be the Strength In You
14. Gravity

Amazon.com

Kim Richey's first two albums fit, one way or another, into that vague sound called alternative country, but like many other acts in the genre (Old 97's, Wilco), Richey has mostly chosen to leave country behind for the sound of pure pop. Glimmer sounds less like a poppy Steve Earle and more like a barely twangy Fleetwood Mac or Sam Phillips, which would be wonderful except she doesn't pull it off. The problem's not the absence of twang; it's the absence of any pop appeal to do her songs justice. Throughout, producer Hugh Padgham fashions similar arrangements that bury Richey's rich voice and subtle hooks in atmospheric washes: strings that never soar, keyboards that noodle, guitars that jangle prettily--the album seems textureless. Consequently, even gripping songs like "Didn't I," "Hello Old Friend," and "The Way It Never Was" come off disappointingly flat. There are glimmers of insight in these cuts, but they deserved to shine. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

Love it.......2007-01-08

I love Kim Richey's music and have seen her live at the Bluebird in Nashville. This is the second of her albums that I've owned. (note - lost Glimmer and Bitter Sweet in Hurricane Katrina, I have replace both and recently ordered Rise and Kim Richey!). To me this album is more produced and has more of a pop sound than Bitter Sweet, What I'd really like to hear is all acoutic version of the really good songs from all her albums. The first two tracks on this CD are great. But, "Didn't I" by itself is worth the price of the album! Every song is a gem, but there are four really good compositions on this record; Gravity, Didn't I, Can't Lose Them All, and Other Side Of Town.

I'm taken.......2005-11-03

in by this release. I first tried "Bittersweet", but found nothing that grabbed me, nothing memorable. "Glimmer" however, while more of a pop sound, is lyrically sharper and musically more diverse.
The opener, "Can't Lose Them All", along with "Other Side of Town", "Lay it Down", "The Way it Never Was", "Good at Secrets" and "Keep Me" all are standout tracks. The others, while not as strong, measure up to anything from the "Bittersweet" release.
I say hats off to Kim for not getting stuck in a single genre and spreading her creative wings.

A Hidden Gem.......2005-04-27

It seems that many want to place Kim Richey in a box and she just doesn't seem to fit in one. Like Shawn Colvin, she is someone who just has her own category. This is actually my favorite of all the Kim Richey I own, followed by "Bitter Sweet" and "Rise". My favorite song on "Glimmer" is "Didn't I" and the title song is great as well. Give this one a try and enjoy.

Mellow pop rock from under-rated Kim.......2004-06-11

Kim Richey has a wonderful voice and writes equally wonderful songs. She could me a major star but it seems that she doesn't record the kind of music most people want. This album is not easily categorized but I would describe it as mellow pop rock. Evidence of Kim's country roots is hard to find (a mandolin appears among the credits but identifying it might be challenging) although some people will classify this as an alt-country album. The album requires playing a few times to really be appreciated - a characteristic shared by many predominately mellow albums. So in some ways I can understand the mixed reviews this album gets but as far as I'm concerned this is brilliant.

Hugh Padgham, a noted pop-rock producer who has worked with Sting and Phil Collins among others, produced the album using a variety of musicians. The instruments credited (some several times) include drums, percussion, bass, acoustic bass, moog bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, Hammond b-3, piano, accordion, harmonica, cello, violin, viola and that mandolin I mentioned earlier. Personally, I think the album would have worked equally well with far fewer instruments, but Hugh did a great job and he still remembered that Kim's voice is the most important instrument of all.

The songs include Can't lose them all (a song of hope), Other side of town (about hiding from familiar people), Come around (wanting to rekindle an old flame) and many other great songs too numerous to mention in detail.

If you are able to give this album the repeated plays it deserves, you will surely come to appreciate a truly great singer-songwriter. On the other hand, if you want instant gratification, look for something more suitable.

Her best CD!.......2004-05-15

I stumbled across this fine artist a year ago or so. Since then I've managed to get all the albums together. This is by far the best. It has sweet songs like "hello old friend" and bitter(-sweet) songs like "didn't I". This shows how much talent for songwriting she has. Melodies that stay for you for days or lyrics that make you think, smile. I can only recommend it to anyone who likes modern country music at its best!

Average customer rating: The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording Incredible, even if only highlights Highlights From The Classic Live Performance Good introduction to the Ring; good value. Fire! Fire!

Wagner: The Best of the Ring Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Panorama (Highlights from der fliegende Hollander, Lohengrin, Tannhauser, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Parsifal, Tristan und Isolde) Wagner: Extracts from the operas Highlights from Der Ring des Nibelungen An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser ASIN: B0000041EJ Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

1. Das Rheingold: Prelude
2. Das Rheingold - Scene One: Weia! Waga! Woge, du Welle!
3. Das Rheingold - Scene One: Garstig glatter glitschriger Glimmer
4. Das Rheingold - Scene One: Wallala! Lalaleia! Leialei!
5. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Bin ich nun frei?
6. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Schwules Gedunst schwebt In der Luft
7. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Zur Burg Fuhrt die Brucke
8. Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Rheingold! Rheingold!
9. Die Walkure - Act One: Prelude
10. Die Walkure - Act One, Scene 3: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
11. Die Walkure - Act One, Scene Three: Wehwalt heisst du furwahr? Siegmund heiss ich
12. Die Walkure - Act II: Prelude to Act II
13. Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Siegmund! sieh auf mich!
14. Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Du sahest der Walkure sehrenden Blick
15. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene One: Hojotoho! Heiaha!

Tracks:

1. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene Three: Leb wohl, du k herrliches Kind!
2. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Loge, hLausche hieher!
3. Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
4. Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Den der Bruder schuf, den schimmernden Reif!
5. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Aber, wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
6. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Du holdes Vin! Dich hort' ich noch nie
7. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Es schweigt und lauscht
8. Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Siegfrieds Horn-call
9. Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
10. Gotterdammerung - Prologue: Orchestral Interlude
11. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Brde, heilige Braut
12. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Orchestral Interlude: Funeral March
13. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
14. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Mein Erbe nun nehm ich zu eigen
15. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegr
16. Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Zurm Ring

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording.......2006-03-23

CAST: DAS RHEINGOLD:
Gustav Neidlinger (baritone, Alberich) Theo Adam (baritone, Wotan) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor, Loge) Annelies Burmeister (mezzo-soprano, Fricka) Hermin Esser (soprano Froh) Ruth Hesse (soprano Flosshilde) Helga Dernesch (soprano Wellgunde) Dorothea Siebert (soprano, Woglinde)

DIE WALKURE: James King (tenor, Siegmund) Leonie Rysanek (soprano, Sieglende) Theo Adam (Wotan) Birgit Nilsson (soprano, Brunhilde) Danica Mastilovic (soprano, Fricka) Sieglende Wagner (soprano, Schwertleite) Liane Synek (soprano, Helmwige) and the Valkyries Elisabeth Schartel (Grimgerde) and Anneliese Burmister (Siegrunde)

SIEGFRIED: Wolgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Erwin Wohlfahrt (Mime)

GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Josef Greindl (bass-baritone, Hagen)...* Conductor Karl Bohm, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

If you're already an opera fan but have not yet discovered Wagner and wish to be introduced to his biggest most famous opera cycle- Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs) then this CD is one you should definately own. From live performances at Bayreuth on July of 1967, these same operas are available on seperate CD's and on a box set from the Phillips label. With a cast of brilliant, experienced Wagnerian singers such as baritone Theo Adam (Odin) soprano Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) and tenor Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) you can't go wrong with this set. These singers represent a style of Wagnerian singing that no singer alive today can measure up to. Powerful, invective yet lyrical, passionate voices are equally in balance with dramatic acting. They lived their roles so that everytime I hear the Ring operas, I can't think of a greater Brunhilde than the unbeatable Birgit Nilsson or a greater Odin than that of Theo Adam. Maestro Karl Bohm was a prominent Wagner conductor and a Bayreuth icon in the 60's. He allowed enough natural "fresh air" for his singers, and the orchestra never truly drowns out their voices nor becomes overpowering. Nevertheless, Bohm provides the score, layered with dozens of leitmotifs, with spirituality, grandeur, nobility and the typical Wagnerian fatalism. Bohm understood Wagner more than any other conductor of his time. Although the George Solti studio Ring set is largely considered the greatest, I think this set is possibly better. There is more of a sense of tradition in this recording, since, after all, these are Bayreuth performances. The music and singingremains true to Wagner's original concept and this is not a "conductor's Ring" it is truly Wagner's Ring. The Ring of the Nibelung can become a complex, overanalyzed work of music but beneath its many layers it is an epic panorama of heroes, gods and villains. Its theme is the folly of man in his greedy lust for power, as represented by the titular ring.

Das Rheingold: The first opera deals with the greedy, deformed dwarf Alberich, who foresaking any chance of ever finding love, steals the Gold of the Rhine River from the Rhinemaidens. Baritone Gustav Neidlinger is possibly the greatest interpretor of Albrecht. This is a baritone role that is not in any way meant to be sung beautifully. Neidlinger sounds harsh and ugly, he is in full character. The music for Alberich is equally ugly and dissonant. In contrast, the Rhinemaidens are sung by beautiful, lyric sopranos who must evoke youthfulness, playfulness and a slight sexual flirtation. Their music is at first playful and flirty but after the gold is stolen, their song becomes a lament and remains melancholy in consequent motifs even up to Gotterdammerung when they reappear to reclaim their stolen gold from "the ashes of Brunhilde's Immolation". Donner, the Bridge Keeper of Valhalla, is a high bass who must step up to the exclamations of "Heda! Heda Hedo!", one of the great scenes in this opera, in which the gods enter the newly built glittering palace called Valhalla. But Odin, king of the gods, and suposed god of oaths, has broken his own oath (he promised the spring goddess Freya to the Giants who built Valhalla but didn't keep his word) And the tragedy is set in motion......

Die Walkure: In tenor and soprano James King and Leonie Rysanek, we get the most dramatic and golden Siegmund and Sieglende. More than others who have sung this romantic pair, King and Rysanek become involved, even lost in the music of their characters and are by far the most passionate interpretors. First of all, James King was endowed with a huge, heroic voice so perfect for Wagner. He is also featured in the Solti studio Ring recording but here, he is in better shape and sings with intensity, vocal heft and dramatic prowess. Also, his Siegmund is romantically sung, as if he could just as easily be a Verdi hero. His German diction never falters and he has command of the voice and melodic line. He passed away recently and left behind numerous recordings, including a Parsifal he recorded late in his career, which is still quite amazing. Leonie Rysanek actually screams out during the Love Duet in which Siegmund shows her his great sword Nothung. She was made famous not only for that hair-raising scream but for her powerful, dramatic voice and her first-rate performances as Strauss' Salome (also under Karl Bohm) Elektra and Verdi's Lady Macbeth which she first sang as a replacement to an ill and indisposed Maria Callas. Rysanek died of cancer in the mid 90's, and she was still singing then. In Die Walkure, we are first introduced to Odin's daughter, the lead Valkyrie goddess Brunhilde (she's the gal in the winged helmet, wielding a spear and flying on a horse). Birgit Nilsson owned this role, no doubt about it. Long after she had retired, she could still belt out the Hojo-to-hos (Valkyrie War Cries). She identified with Brunhilde's Nordic roots (Nilsson was born in Sweden) and she understood Wagner and dramatic German opera. All her huge successes were in German opera- Salome, Elektra most notably. She is also the Brunhilde of Solti's ring but here she is singing a hell of a lot better and she isn't overpowered by the Vienna Phil and its gargantuan musical forces. At the end of the opera, Odin punishes Brunhilde for sympathizing with the lovers Siegmund and Sieglende and saving Sieglende (pregnant with Siegfried). She is to sleep inside a ring of fire on a mountain or rock and only a great hero can awaken her and claim her as his bride. Theo Adam as Wotan is by far the best. He has a huge voice and is able to stir our emotions as he bids his daughter farewell in that great final scene.

Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The son of Siegmund and Sieglende, he grows up not knowing his heritage as a hero. He discovers Nothung, his father's sword, kills Mime, yet another greedy, power-hungry dwarf and slays the dragon Fafner. He is now able to communicate and bond with nature as one of his special powers. He confronts Odin himself and saves Brunhilde from her nearly eternal sleep. Wolfgang Windgassen sang in the old-school Wagnerian tenor style which meant he had the "Bayreuth bark". He could throw his voice high above the big Wagnerian orchestra but it was a voice that was in no way attractive or emotional. It was cold and at times too harsh. But he is the only tenor to truly master the difficult role of Siegfried. Nowadays, some tenors can either sing the Siegfried of Siegfried or the Siegfried in Gotterdammerung, but rarely can they sing both like Windgassen. In addition, Windgassen achieved success in other Wagner heroic roles like Tristan and Tannhauser. In Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods), Wagner's music has never been more fatalistic. Siegfried bids farewell to Brunhilde and sets out on an adventure down the Rhine river. He is captured by the vindictive and evil Gibechung giants, drugged and forced to wed Gutrune. And it gets worse. The Gibechungs also kidnap Brunhilde and force her to marry one of the giants. Eventually, Siegfried is slain by the cruel giant Hagen. The last minutes of singing are left to Brunhilde (it aint over till the fat lady sings). And what great singing it is. In the Immolation Scene, Brunhilde orders for a funeral pyre to be made for Siegfried. She curses the gods for breaking their oaths, declares that the end is near and summons Grane her old Valkyrie horse. Straddling him, she leaps into the funeral pyre and brings about the Ragnarok- the end of the gods. Valhalla is consumed by a firestorm, the Rhine overfloods and the world of man is destroyed. Birgit Nilsson's high, heroic voice has never sounded better in this scene.

Affordable price, great music, great singing. Please don't hesitate to get this recording if you are interested in hearing The Ring the way it should be sung and if you wish to get only chunks and pieces from an otherwise long 4 opera cycle. Enjoy!!

Incredible, even if only highlights.......2004-12-20

I have to say, usually I HATE highlights of anything, but in this case, I will say, I am impressed. It is so hard to choose what should be included, and often the things I want in highlights are the things that are NOT there (example is the highlights of Nabucco with Sintow, the really hard arias are gone; the same with her highlights of Macbeth, no sleepwalking scene). In this case, I was gladly surprised. Most all the really telling moments of the various operas are there. It is a great introduction for those who are just coming to Wagner's Ring. I would say like the Tolken books of Lord of the Rings (stories completely not related, though elements of this are in that), one has to prepare to enjoy them to get the full affect. Wagner is the same. His operas are extremely long, and there are long moments where nothing much is actually happening at all. To come to him unprepared can prove the end of even trying to understand his works at all. This highlight version is simply great. We are introduced to the Rhinemaidens right off and the drama begins. Just enough of each opera is there to give a really good feel for the works, and unlike most highlights with an aria or two, these are full scenes that are presented to us. I have to say, the editors did a masterful job at choosing the "exciting parts" to whet our desire for Wagner. Ending the entire set with the uncut version of the Immolation Scene is simply wonderful. So often when it is recorded as a highlight we begin only on the ending pronouncements where Brunhilde addresses her horse thus bringing the end to the opera. Here we are treated to the entire scene from beginning to end so we can follow the drama (interestingly, while singing the scene, stage actions are going on, for the pyre is prepared, Siegfried's body brought in, Brunhilde removes the ring, his body is put on the pyre, Grane, Brunhilde's horse is brought in -- well, in the score he is called for, but in most performances one has to imagine him being there, and if there, the singer never rides him into the fire as Wagner wanted; I think the only time that happened was with Marjorie Lawrence --- and the entire world is destroyed, including Valhalla, the Rhine overflows and the rhinemaidens get their ring/gold back).

This is a masterful choosing of highlights and they work to present the work as a whole in a wonderful way. When one then buys the entire ring, there are going to be many wonderful parts now fully appreciated and loved that will come up and the work will not seen as long.

For those of us who love Wagner, well, there are days we don't wish to get out all the CD's of each opera to listen to the few scenes we want to hear, and this highlight set is great to hear those moments that one would find exciting to hear when not in the mood to listen to the whole. The only scene I would have added, because it is exciting and good to listen to, is the oath scene (trio between Gunther, Hoggan, and Brunhilde) that ends Act 2 of Gotterdammerung. It is quite exciting and makes a wonderful contrast to the orchestra of the Rhine Journey that begins the Gotterdammerung highlights and the death of Siegfried which on the highlights follows the Rhine Journey. I know only so much can fit on a CD, but one could have begun that trio with the words "Siegfried's Todd" sung by Gunther and then the trio would not have been so long.

However, great introduction of a massive work.

Highlights From The Classic Live Performance.......2003-12-30

In the sixties, conductor Karl Bohm found himself treading on the ground that most conductors would think twice because of the huge risk factor - conducting Richard Wagner's The Ring Of the Nibelung (Das Ring Des Nibelungen) a series of four operas dealing with the ancient Norse saga of the legendary ring of power coveted by gods, mortals and giants. The myth also tells the love story of Siegfried and Brunhilde and the end of the world. For Wagner, this would be his ultimate masterpiece. These four opera cycle goes beyond everything he had ever composed musically and for the theatre. Only Tristan and Isolde and Parsifal reach such dramatic heights and is as musically masterful.

This classic recording has value, even if it is the highlights and excerpts from the operas. There is a full recording in its entirety with Karl Bohm conducting and with the same singers- Birgit Nilsson as Brunhilde, Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried, Leonie Rysanek as Sieglende, James King as Siegmund and Theo Adam as Wotan, king of the gods. These singers were regarded as the best interpretors of their day. Certainly, Birgit Nilsson was born to sing Brunhilde. She has all the drama just in her voice. The inflection is dramatic, her stage presence was commanding, and a voice that even Maria Callas would kill for. Maria Callas sang Brunhilde once in the 40's, but it was never good nor became her signature role. Callas was primarily an Italian singer and she had complications singing German. In Callas' day, Kirsten Flagstad was the reigning Brunhilde interpretor. But Birgit Nilsson's voice far surpasses even Flagstad. Birgit Nilsson has all the heigh notes, the passion, the fire and the Wagnerian touch to a fine art. Theo Adam makes a superb Wotan- imperious, commanding, greedy, regial. His voice was well-trained in German and in the art of Wagner music drama. The same applies to James King, a top-notch German heldentenor who made such roles as Siegfried and Theseus (from Strauss' Ariadne) his own.

To sing Wagner is no walk in the park. Only the best heldentenors and Wagnerian soprano divas are employed in this recording. Among them the diva Leonie Rysanek, whose vocals and theatrics on stage was always to her advantage. Here she sings the role of Sieglende- Siegfried's mother and wife of Siegmund. In her dramatic duet with Siegmund, Leonie Rysanek heightens the drama of the moment by actually SCREAMING. It's brilliant. It was well known that Rysanek would always scream her lines when warranted. She has sung other heavy German repertoire- such as Strauss' Salome.

Karl Bohm has been criticized for overemphasizing the music, for directing at lightning speed and making a "sloppy", disappointing score for Wagner's Ring. Most fans of the Ring favor George Solti, who was the first to produce the first studio recording of the Ring. Still others prefer Furtwangler, who was a native German and who knew the music so well because for a long time he had been associated with Wagner's descendant family who operate the Bayreuth Festival Opera House. But Karl Bohm, despite his failure in some portions, has his moments. His strength lies in conducting Gotterdammerung's final scene- the Immolation and end of the world. Brunhilde, the last bearer of the cursed ring, has lost her beloved Siegfried to death by traitorous murderer- giants, curses the gods and commits suicide by throwing herself into Siegfrie'ds funeral pyre. The curse of the ring is lifted, the palace of the gods in Vallhalla is consumed in a devastating fire and the world is flooded by the overflowing Rhine river.

The theme of the Ring is not too complicated to understand. In much the same vein as J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels, and the recent film adaptations, the curse of a powerful ring is that of corrupted power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, in the words of philosopher John Locke. The ring, who entitled its beare to total power, was desired by everyone in the opera- from an ugly dwarf (Albrecht) who was willing to sacrifice sexual relations and love for possession of the ring. Albrecht is the instigator. Stealing the gold of the Rhine from the mermaid-like Rhinemaidens, he begins to build a mine and city under the earth. The gods of Valhalla have their own troubles- the giants who built Valhalla want to claim their promised reward- Wotan's wife, the goddess Freya. The powerful god Wotan will not accept the terms. This occurs in the first opera - Das Rhinegold (The Rhinegold). In the second installment, "Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) we are introduced to Siegmund and Sieglende. Because theirs is an illicit romance, Freya convinces Wotan to decree their deaths. But Brunhilde, Wotan's divine daughter opposes the decree and even saves the life of Sieglende who gives birth to the hero Siegfried. Brunhilde is the Valkyrie warrior woman (she is the stereotypical Wagner opera singer wearing a horned helmet , spear, shield, breast plate and battle costume. When Brunhilde's defiance is discovered, Wotan puts a spell over her. She is to sleep inside a ring of fire until the kiss of a demi-god hero awakens her. In this opera, the famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is featured, a dramatic music which has been used time and again in movies and television, most notably in the film "Apocalypse Now". In Siegfried, we follow the quest of Siegfried. He pulls his father's sword from a tree (like King Arthur does in Excalibur only Arthur pulls the sword from a stone and anvil). Siegfried, with the help of the mentor dwarf Mime, journeys into Albrecht's layer, defeats him and slays the vile dragon Falfner. Of course, he kisses Brunhilde and breaks the spell. In the last opera, Gotterdamerung or "Twilight of the Gods", the saga comes to an end when Siegfried is slain by the Gibechung giants. Brunhilde has her famous Immolation Scene and the world of mortals, and even the gods, die during the end of the world. The highlghts here include Siegfried's Rhine Jounrey and Siegfried's Funeral March (this March was used in John Boorman's Excalibur) and the concluding music.

Good introduction to the Ring; good value........2001-09-11

I'm recommending this 2-disc set because it's the best way I know of at the present time to get an inexpensive, manageable, accessible introduction to Wagner's masterpiece, Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly called the Ring. The Ring is a sequential cycle of four operas, Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, and Gotterdammerung. With the exception of Das Rheingold, they are all of great length (Wagner was a colossal egotist who seemed to believe that no opera could be too long if he was its composer). As a result, acquiring and getting familiar with the entire Ring is an expensive and time-consuming proposition (my choice among complete Ring recordings, the landmark Solti/Vienna Philharmonic set on Decca/London, is 14 CDs costing around $145-$160). Wagner purists will object to any attempt to excerpt "highlights" from the Ring, and they do have a point: unlike the standard Italian and French operas, which are readily divisible into recitatives, arias, duets, etc., the Wagner operas do not lend themselves to excerpting, with the result that "highlights" sets like this one are a collection of "bleeding chunks" torn from the body of the whole work.

Nevertheless there is a need for a way to approach the Ring, to be introduced to it and to get its flavor, and this generously filled (2 hours 28 minutes of music) 2-disc set fills that requirement reasonably well. These are excerpts from all four Ring operas from live 1966-67 performances (the second Wieland Wagner production) at Bayreuth, the famed Wagner Festspielhaus in Bavaria; they are not studio recordings. They are not great performances, but they are good, capable, workmanlike ones. The sound is not the equal of the better studio recordings (like the Solti and von Karajan cycles), but it is good enough: clear and never objectionable. The conductor, Karl Bohm, was not a great Wagnerian; he gives a competent reading, favoring brisk tempos, generally lacking repose, keeping things moving along in a business-like manner, but the result is that he seems more interested in moving on to the next scene than in shaping the scene at hand to realize its full potential. His performance overall is characterized by persistent, even relentless, forward pressure. Sometimes this works, sometimes not; if he can be accused of insensitivity, of failing to make the most of his opportunities, he can't be accused of lingering, melting, dawdling, going slack. He is certainly not in the class of Solti or Furtwangler as a Wagner conductor. The notes all get played, but there is little magic fire coming from the pit here.

Most of the singers are able and well suited to their roles, and they are all singers who actually sang their roles on the operatic stage (not just in the recording studio). Outstanding are Birgit Nilsson and James King. Here is a chance to hear Nilsson, the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the second half of the twentieth century, "live" in her most celebrated role, Brunnhilde (who figures in the last three Ring operas), and that is an opportunity not to be sneezed at. She offers ringing vocal power, amplitude, stamina, with a brillliant, secure top, an unusual combination that is rarely found in Wagnerian sopranos, and she has no competition in any of the other complete sets except the Solti, where she is competing with herself. When it comes to unleashing her huge voice and letting it soar out over the potent Wagner orchestra, she has no peer, and reminds us of what great Wagnerian singing, heroic singing, used to be all about. James King is the Siegmund in Die Walkure (as he is in the Solti set), and his bright, attractive tenor and musicianly singing are a treat after the ersatz, makeshift Heldentenorizing we've usually had to make do with in Wagner since Melchior retired in 1950. Compare his singing here with the dry, threadbare, underpowered Siegfried of Wolfgang Windgassen--whose creditable performance is a triumph of professional skill over lack of natural resources--and you will see what I mean. Theo Adam as Wotan knows his stuff (he was a well-regarded Wotan) but his vocal endowment is not prepossessing either; he too, like so many Wagner singers of the post-Flagstad-Traubel-Melchior era (i.e., after 1950), is underpowered for the role.

This 2-CD set has direct, head-on competition from a similar (and similarly priced) Deutsche Grammophon 2-CD set of highlights from the Ring. The DG set is from the Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic studio recordings of the Ring operas (1967-1970). Here's how I stack up their pros and cons: The Bohm set has generally superior, more involved singing, including Nilsson as Brunnhilde, by singers who sing the same roles throughout (no switching horses in midstream, as in the Karajan, which has two different Wotans, two different Brunnhildes, and two different Siegfrieds), and who actually sang their roles in the opera house, not just in the recording studio (this is a problem with the more "artificial" Karajan set). Also, since the performances are "live," there is a certain sense of vividness, immediacy, and excitement missing in a studio recording. On the other hand, the Karajan set offers generally superior conducting and orchestral playing; his studio recording can be more note-perfect (with its opportunities for re-takes); and the sound of Karajan's set is better than that of Bohm's live performances (although still not as good as Solti's Ring, or the best more recent opera recordings).

So, between the Karajan and Bohm 2-CD Ring highlights sets, there is not a clearcut winner. To make choosing more difficult, both are priced the same and both offer very generously filled CDs (both have about two and a half hours of music). I marginally prefer the Bohm "live" performances, but I couldn't argue with anyone who listened to them both and preferred the Karajan.

Fire! Fire!.......2000-08-23

Taken from live performances of "Der Ring des Nibelungen" at Bayreuth in 1967, this double-disc compilation of excerpts from Wagner's epic provides a generous selection for persons who want to explore the Ring beyond the usual "highlights" albums without taking on the entire cycle. Although not necessary for those familiar with the Ring, the liner notes contain a brief history of its development, historical and social context, and a synopsis. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's attitude towards Wagner's prose style), the notes do not provide translations of the excerpts for neophytes.

Renowned for his performances of Wagner, conductor Karl Bohm evokes fiery playing from the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Particularly at the climaxes, his tempi may seem too brisk for those wanting a more langorous Wagner. Nevertheless, Bohm manages to evoke the same white-hot intensity that make many of his other opera recordings riveting, with piercing horns and thunderous percussion. For opera lovers who already own other versions of Wagner's epic, this compilation may whet their appetites for buying the reasonably-priced complete set of Bohm's interpretation.

Average customer rating: WITHOUT QUESTION, ONE OF MY FAVORITE DISCS IN MY ENTIRE COLLECTION Still Waters It's a good thing CDs don't wear out The best investment of my life : buying this record This album is AMAZING

Beth Waters Beth Waters Manufacturer: Mermaid Mafia Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Freaky Little Story This Little Piggy Public Record Lady is a Pirate Right Up Your Face ASIN: B0000ACNCX Release Date: 2003-07-01

Tracks:

1. Sweaters
2. Spun Sugar
3. Philosophy
4. Down To Me
5. Blue and White
6. Mom
7. Slut Song
8. Edge of the Earth
9. Finding Me
10. Bells
11. Surrealistic
12. Dad

Album Description

Waters' sophomore album is a collection of twelve songs that truly emote her inner heart and soul. Combining her unique songwriting style, melodic piano hooks and angelic voice, Waters self-titled release is a defining album for her. With elements of pop, jazz, electronica and pure singer/songwriter emotion, Beth Waters new album is her best effort to date. Special guest drummer Ben Mize (Counting Crows) lends his impeccable drumming skills to Waters album.

Waters new album is considered in the Adult Alternative America (AAA) genre that crosses over to Pop, Adult Contemporary (AC) and Top 40.

Customer Reviews:

WITHOUT QUESTION, ONE OF MY FAVORITE DISCS IN MY ENTIRE COLLECTION.......2006-01-29

I am always looking for new female artists to listen to, as that is my favorite genre by far. I love the sounds of Tori, Sarah, and Alanis. I saw this on the shelf at a local Tower Records and made it a point to go back home and sample some cuts of Beth on the internet. I was taken in immediately with the first couple of 30-second cuts. So much so, that I ran right back out to Tower to by the disc.

Not many CDs blow me away right out of the wrapper, but to say this one did would be a huge understatement. This CD instantly became one of my favorite CDs out of my many hundreds of discs and I played it over an over (and still do). I liked every single song on the CD and started ordering copies for friends and family around the country that also like the same genre. Every single person I sent it to had a very similar reaction as mine. They were just amazed at everything Beth could do from her incredible piano, to her beautiful lyrics, to her superb voice. I even went to her website www.bethwaters.com to order a copy of her first CD "Over the Tide", which is also another wonderful CD.

Beth is actually a local performer here in the San Francisco Bay area and I have seen her several times. She is excellent in concert and, to me, it is just a matter of time until she is a famous musician/singer/songwriter. That is why I try to see her as often as I can, as there will come a time when many people will wish they had seen her in these intimate settings when they had the chance.

Well, I think I am running out of adjectives. All I can say is that if you like this genre of music, I find it just about impossible to think that you will not be completely amazed with this CD. And, if you live in the Bay area, I highly recommend monitoring her website regularly to find her upcoming local performances so you can see her close up, while you still can. Enjoy!!!

Still Waters.......2006-01-05

The world has no shortage of earnest young female singer/songwriters, and while I'm a fan of the genre I'd be the first to admit that a fair bit of it is self-indulgent or overly precious or even worse, just plain dull. Beth Waters though, has enough going for her as a songwriter that this self-titled release (her second album) never falls into those traps.

Waters' songs, which are mostly of the meditative, reflective variety, are based around poignant and interesting piano arrangements and have a warm, smooth sound that washes over you quite beautifully. Her voice though, is the real selling point, and as vocals go, Beth Waters are near perfect. It's a beautifully pure instrument - ethereal yet earthy and always a pleasure to listen to. Waters does the downtempo ballad thing well, but every now and then it's nice to hear her voice soar - as in the chorus of the powerful opening song 'Sweaters' or in the quite wonderful 'Spun Sugar', a song so good that Jewell would give her right arm for it. Another highlight is 'Down To Me' which has a nice sense of drama and tension to it.

With a little more range and originality in her material, Beth Waters could really go far, but for now, this is a solid, well produced collection of songs that will likely appeal to fans of Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos or Jewell.

It's a good thing CDs don't wear out.......2004-12-09

Cause I've been playing this album to death. There's something about the simple musical repetition, the sparseness at times and the beautifully and almost painful lyrics that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Most artists are reluctant to indulge in personal tragedy or heartbreaking memory and instead do the tried and true...love longs, breakup songs, poor poor me songs. Not Beth, she sounds sincere. There's mood, feeling and truth in this album.

Marc

The best investment of my life : buying this record.......2004-10-15

Oh my, Beth Waters has touched me like no other artist. I can't believe she isn't more well known. Her album is beautiful, tragic and surreal. Every minute of this album is gold.
Every track really is a standout but there are a couple that stick with you. The album ends with the tear jerker 'Dad' - it's extremely sad yet so beautiful. I also loved 'Philosophy', 'Down To Me', 'Blue and White', 'Mom', 'Slut Song' and 'Surrealistic'...though all the others are amazing too. This woman must be from another planet because these songs are too good to be real - her voice is soft, beautiful and a breath of fresh air compared to what we've been getting in 2004. A meaningful singer songwriter with a wonderful piano to accompany her vocals and lyrics.
People have said she's too similar to Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan - why? Because she has a piano? Jeez, what's with people thinking all female piano players are the same? Although I love both Tori and Sarah (Tori is my all time favourite), Beth is outstanding. I would recommend this album to anyone - if I had tons of money, I would buy a copy and give it out to random people. This kind of album comes out once in a blue moon:

One that can change your life. For the better -

Thank you, Beth.

This album is AMAZING.......2004-04-24

This album change my life. I love her words and singing voiice. She sound like million angels from on high. Very beautiful and poetic. I love the Beth Waters music.

Average customer rating:

Wagner: Les Introuvables du Ring Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B000005GQX Release Date: 1994-01-01

Tracks:

1. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 1- Prelude
2. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 1- Weia! Waga!
3. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 1 - He He !
4. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 1 - Garstig Glatter
5. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 1 - Lugt, Schwestern
6. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 1 - Bangt Euch Noch Nicht?
7. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Bein Ich Nun Frei?
8. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Weiche, Wotan, Weiche!
9. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Furchtbar Nun Erfing Ich Des Fluches Kraft
10. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 Schwules Gedunst Schwebt In Der Luft
11. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Zur Burg Fuhrt Die Brucke
12. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Abendich Straglt Der Sonne Auge
13. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Ihrem Ende Eilen Sie Zu
14. Les Introvables Du Ring: Das Rheingold - Scene 4 - Rheingold! Rheingold!
15. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act II- Scene 4 - Siegmund!
16. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act II- Scene 4 - Erdenluft Mass Sie Noch Atmen
17. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act II- Scene 4 - Weh! Weh! Sussestes Weib
18. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act II- Scene 4 - Zwei Leben Lachen Dir Hier
19. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III - Scene 3 - Leb Whol, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind!
20. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III - Scene 3 - Der Augen Leuchtendes Paar
21. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III - Scene 3 - Loge, Hor! Lausche Hieher!
22. Les Introvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III - Scene 3 - Incantation Du Feu - Magic Fire Music

Tracks:

1. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Prelude
2. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Wes Herd Dies Auch Sei, Hier Muss Ich Rasten
3. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Einen Unseligen Labtest Du
4. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Mu Am Herd Fand Ich Den Mann
5. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Friedmund Darf Ich Nicht Heissen
6. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Die So Leidig Los Dir Beschied
7. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Ich Weiss Ein Wildes Geschlecht
8. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Ein Schwert Verhiess Mir Der Vater
9. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Schlafst Du, Gast?
10. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1- Wintersurme Wichne Dem Wonnemond
11. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Du Bist Der Lenz
12. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - O Susseste Wonne!
13. Ls Intruvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act 1 - Siegmund Heiss Ich

Tracks:

1. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - War Es So Schmahlich, Was Ich Verbrach
2. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - Deinen Leichten Sinn Lass Dich Denn Leiten
3. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - Du Zeugtest Ein Edles Geschlect
4. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - Leb Wohl , Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind
5. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - Der Augen Leuchtendes Paar
6. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - Loge, Hor! Lausche Hieher
7. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Die Walkure - Act III Scene 3 - Incantation Du Feu
8. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - Heil Dir Sonne
9. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - So Starb Nicht Meine Mutter?
10. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - Dort Seh Ich Grane
11. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - Heilig Schied Sie Aus Walhall
12. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - Oh! Siegfried!
13. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - Wie Des Blutes Strome Sich Zunden
14. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Siegfried - Act III Scene 3 - Fahr Hin, Walhalls Leuchtende Welt!

Tracks:

1. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Prologue - Zu Meuen Taten Teurer Helde
2. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Prologue - Mehr Gabst Du Wunderfrau
3. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Prologue - O Heilige Gotter!
4. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Prologue - Voyage De Siegfried Sur Le Rhin
5. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Hier Sitz Ich Zur Wacht
6. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act II Scene 3
7. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act II Scene 4 - Helle Wehr! Heilige Waffe
8. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - March Funebre
9. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort
10. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - Wie Sonne Lauter Strahlt Mir Sein Licht
11. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - O ihr, Der Eide Ewige Huter!
12. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - Mein Erbe Nun Nehm Ich zu Eigen
13. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - Fliegt Heim, Ihr Raben!
14. Les Introuvables Du Ring: Gotterdammerung - Act III Scene 3 - Grane, Mein Ross Sei Mir Gegruss!

Average customer rating: pleasant

Glimmer Glo-Worm Manufacturer: K. Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Twee Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Complete Recordings ASIN: B000003ROD Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

1. Travelogue
2. Useless
3. Change Of Heart
4. One Million Rainy Days
5. Wishing Well
6. April Street
7. Beyond The Sea
8. Friday I'm In Love
9. Holiday
10. Downtown
11. Tilt-A-Whirl
12. Stars Above
13. Crazy Town
14. I Will Remember You

Customer Reviews:

pleasant.......2005-10-18

a charming little album featuring breezy acoustic numbers with gentle female vocals. the covers of "Friday I'm In Love" (The Cure) and "Crazy Town" (Velocity Girl) are particularly nice. and the original "Travelogue" stands out as a great little song. "Glimmer" is recommended for fans of Belle & Sebastian or Magnetic Fields. although not as quirky or twee as either of those two bands, Glo-worm seems to share a common thread of pop charm that would appeal to their fans.

Average customer rating:

Glimmer Salem , and Kevin Manufacturer: Roadrunner ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000LXABUU

Average customer rating:

Serie Noire 2: Dark Pop and New Beat The Glimmer Twins Manufacturer: Eskimo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music | Vinyl Records | American Punk | British Punk | Emo | Garage Punk | Hardcore | Post Hardcore | Proto Punk | Punk | Punk Revival | Punk-Pop | Riot Grrl | Ska Punk | Straight Edge Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music | Ambient | Dance Pop | Disco | Drum & Bass | Electronica | Freestyle | Techno-House | Trance | Trip Hop House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000EWNME Release Date: 2004-04-06

Tracks:

1. Bryllant - Boytronic
2. My Heart Begins to Beat
3. Game Above My Head - Blancmange
4. Straight Ahead (Instr. Reprise) [Instrumental Reprise] - Nick Straker Band
5. Best - Green Fridge Music
6. Definition of a Track
7. No Way Back - Adonis
8. Flying Turns - Crash Course in Science
9. Coitus - Green Velvet
10. Strike to the Body [Lil Louis' Body Blow Mix] - Die Warzau
11. I'm Strong [Instrumental]
12. Peut Etre...Pas - Liaisons Dangereuses
13. Evolution [From Battlestar Galactica] - Giorgio Moroder
14. Fear - Easy Going
15. She Has a Way
16. Mind Your Own Business
17. Death Disco [Megga Mix]
18. Dreiklangsdimensionen
19. I'm in Love with a German Filmstar

Average customer rating: Strong! Interesting sampler The best CD

Bang on a Can - Cheating, Lying, Stealing Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Rzewski | Rzewski, Frederic | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000029OH Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

1. Cheating, Lying, Stealing
2. The Manufacture Of Tangled Ivory: Part 1
3. Part 2
4. The Manufacture Of Tangled Ivory: Tsmindao Ghmerto
5. Red Shift
6. Amalia's Secret: An Especially Fine Dress Rag
7. Amalia's Secret: Amalia, Hanging In A Painting
8. Amalia's Secret: Two Heads Sitting Together, Snapping The Dreams Of Your Sap
9. Amalia's Secret: Swallow The Neck Of The Guest Who Hisses When You Pass
10. Amalia's Secret: Amailia's Secret
11. Amalia's Secret: The Smallest Glimmer Disturbs Them
12. Amalia's Secret: A Weak Little Gentelmen, gazing, Too Dumb to Wonder
13. Amalia's Secret: The Letter Opened, The Bottle Broken
14. Amalia's Secret: Shamefaced Smiles And The Back Of Frailty
15. Amalia's Secret: All The Debts She OwedPaid, She'd Survive This Too
16. Piano Piece No. IV
17. Arapua

Customer Reviews:

Strong!.......2006-07-27

Seems a lot of folks find Golijov shallow and it's easy to qualify. One example: he goes to that ululated falling second degree business so often when he wants pathos that it becomes a cliche. That's calculation.
On the other hand, accusations of phoniness and pretension can hardly be qualified. It's just name-calling, like right-wing talk radio.

Interesting sampler.......2006-06-13

This cd offers a snapshot of the downtown New York classical scene of the early 90s, played by one of the great new music chamber groups, the Bang on a Can All-Stars.
I find the preceding comment about "phoniness" suspect in that such accusations have little to do with the music at hand, but rather are borne of some personal resentment. It says nothing. What exactly is it that you find phony? What do you think genuine is?

The best CD.......2001-12-14

thsi Cd is great to listen to, and is one of my fav's

Average customer rating:

The Glimmer Stars The Glimmer Stars Manufacturer: Candy Bang Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAKM2E Release Date: 2005-07-26

Average customer rating:

Baby Glimmer Manufacturer: Skinny Man ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0001EFG2M

Music Album:

1. Gospel Classics, Vol. 1
2. Hag//Let Me Tell You About a Song [Import]
3. Headed For The Hills
4. Heartsongs: Live from Home [Live]
5. Highway 377
6. Home for Christmas
7. I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal...But I'm Gonna Be A Diamond Someday
8. I Still Believe in You
9. If You See Her
10. It Won't Be Christmas Without You

Music Album