Through the Trees

Amazon.com
For their second album, Brett and Rennie Sparks take a more serious approach, eschewing the jokier elements of their debut and concentrating on writing country music with an urban sensibility and a post-graduate degree. It's doubtful that any previous country album included songs in praise of Cologne Cathedral or Lake Michigan, but backed by the Sparks' austere songs--often just guitar, autoharp, and drum machine--with occasional help by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, the music has an almost Appalachian simplicity and newfound depth of feeling. Like coming across a brownstone in the mountains, the Handsome Family's music is simultaneously disconcerting and strangely beautiful. --Steven Mirkin

Entertainment Weekly
Rennie and Brett Sparks write songs that defy easy labeling. . . . [Through The Trees's] best tracks are at once lilting and dangerous, like shiny toys with sharp edges. . . .

Through the Trees,The Handsome Family,Carrot Top Records,Alternative Country,Country,Indie Rock,Neo-Traditional Folk,Pop,Popular Music,Rock

Average customer rating: A lovely album featuring several utterly gorgeous, haunting songs Hits ya where ya live and die Try 'em At Least Once If this is country music... I love it. A CD I cant live without

Through the Trees The Handsome Family Manufacturer: Carrot Top Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Alternative Folk | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Folk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Contemporary Folk | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Twilight In the Air Singing Bones Milk and Scissors Last Days of Wonder ASIN: B0000061O4 Release Date: 1998-01-26

Tracks:

1. My Ghost

Amazon.com

For their second album, Brett and Rennie Sparks take a more serious approach, eschewing the jokier elements of their debut and concentrating on writing country music with an urban sensibility and a post-graduate degree. It's doubtful that any previous country album included songs in praise of Cologne Cathedral or Lake Michigan, but backed by the Sparks' austere songs--often just guitar, autoharp, and drum machine--with occasional help by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, the music has an almost Appalachian simplicity and newfound depth of feeling. Like coming across a brownstone in the mountains, the Handsome Family's music is simultaneously disconcerting and strangely beautiful. --Steven Mirkin

Customer Reviews:

A lovely album featuring several utterly gorgeous, haunting songs.......2006-08-17

This is rightfully celebrated as the Handsome Family's finest album. It isn't perfect--several of the songs are a couple of notches in quality below the best efforts--but there are several songs that are absolutely unforgettable. People have debated whether it is country, neo-traditional, folk, or whatever, but while the form of the music would make it some kind of alt-country effort, the lyrics send it off into its own unique genre. These songs are STRANGE. If this is country, name me another country song that in any way resembles "The Woman Down the Stairs" or any folk song that bears any resemblance to "My Sister's Tiny Hands." I have trouble putting the Handsome Family into any kind of country genre for a simple reason: in most country songs, people's lives are broken while the world is essentially OK. But the Handsome Family's songs are metaphysical; they describe a broken world, so broken that the people are by necessity lost, bereft, doomed. It is music that is Gothic in the sense that Nathaniel Hawthorne was Gothic, not Marilyn Manson. Better, their songs could be compared with the work of Ray Bradbury. Although he is mistakenly thought to be a Sci-fi writer, it is more accurate to describe him as a master of the Weird Fiction genre. The songs of the Handsome Family shares more than a few qualities with this genre.

About a third of the songs on this album are masterpieces, another third very good, and a third just sorta drab. If the weakest songs had been replaced, this would have been one of the great American albums ever. Even as it is, this is essential. "Weightless Again" is just stunning, built around a simple, lovely, forlorn melody, but essentially a meditation on why people do some of the more extreme, self-destructive things they do to themselves. "My Sister's Tiny Hands" is an almost equally beautiful gem about losing a twin sister. "Last Night I Went Out Walking" is not as strong melodically, but it contains heartbreaking and deceptively simple lyrics about a rebuked lover tempted to commit suicide by drowning. But "The Woman Downstairs" almost makes that song sound like a lark with its multiple horrific images concerning a woman who starved herself to death.

The Handsome Family is a family in fact: Brett Sparks sings most of their songs and writes the music while his wife is a fiction writer who here pens the lyrics for the songs and contributes Autoharp. Their first two albums--ODESSA and MILK AND SCISSORS--showed flashes of excellence but neither was consistently good throughout, and both featured songs that seemed stylistically out of phase with the rest of the album. But on THROUGH THE TREES they settled into a consistent style throughout, embracing a simple, understated sound. The result is one of the finest albums to come out of Chicago in the past decade. Whether it is alt-country, folk, neo-traditionalist, indie, or whatever really isn't important. What it mainly is, is good.

Hits ya where ya live and die.......2006-07-01

Such sublime and delicate lyrics - low groans, moans, twangs of lost and lonely folk in urban forests and decaying countryside. Reminds ya of how mad it is to be semi-aware. Absolutely adore this set of recordings - just wish they didn't get stuck in my noggin'

Try 'em At Least Once.......2003-11-25

At their frequent best, Handsome Family poke relentlessly into the dark, the obscure and the unknowable of private and collective life on this planet. It is one brave undertaking. You won't be buying this or any other HF CD solely for the music. Brett's baritone vocals drone; the simple loping arrangements (albeit with occasional offbeat instruments like the dobro, melodica, and autoharp) recall nothing so much as the Happy Trails-type theme songs that played during the credits on TV's early-60's Westerns. But that uncluttered ordinariness is the perfect showcase for Rennie's lyrical, often inconclusive, stories. The best of this CD includes a coffee break on a trip through the redwoods that inspires ruminations on a couple's growing estrangement and floating -- in water as learning, in air as suicide (Weightless Again). Cathedrals contrasts man's monumental achievements and his thin moment in time ("everyone of us is swept away like breadcrumbs"). On Stalled, a man stuck in snow (snow, like drinking, is a constant motif to the HF work) grows colder and colder, but never leaves his pickup. Lovers commit dual suicides because -- it seems -- their love is simply too big for life (Down in the Valley of Hollow Logs). My only reservation about the Family is that their bizarreness on occasion comes across as mannered, which -- of course -- makes it a pose, just another suit to try on. The Woman Downstairs is one of two or three songs here to suffer that weakness. That keeps Through the Trees from five star status, but hardly changes my view that there's nobody around quite like Handsome Family, and lucky we are to have them.

If this is country music... I love it........2003-08-04

What an incredible CD. Haunting. Beautiful. Evocative. Brilliant. Powerful. Disturbing. Melodic. Moody. This CD will make you an instant fan of The Handsome Family and you will have to buy all of their other titles as well. These songs will creep up on you before you know it, and take root deep in your subconcious where they will continue to haunt you like distant memories and old family photos.

A CD I cant live without.......2002-04-20

Originally turned on to the Handsome Family by their tie to Wilco's Jeff Tweedy I went ahead and bought a used copy of Milk and Scissors not expecting much. Not only was I wrong it quickly turned into my second favorite Cd of all time. As fast as I could I went ahead and ordered the rest of their catalog and what a find this was. This is now tied for my favorite CD with Pedro The Lion's Winners Never Quit. A solid CD from top to bottom with witty lyrics and beautiful harmonies. This band also really cares about its fans as evidence of a recent order I placed through their website. A Personal Thank You was sent from Rennie Sparks. I can't wait for their next CD

Average customer rating: Haunting_Beauty Modern Meets Ancient

Peru: A Musical Journey Various Artists Manufacturer: Inside Sounds ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Peru | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Flute, Guitar & Harp of the Andes Music of the Andes Flute Music of the Andes ASIN: B00000IKO0 Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

1. Viaje A La Montana
2. Andariego
3. Cholita Tania
4. Matices
5. Rio Amazonas
6. Kullakita
7. San Juanitos
8. El Condor Pasa
9. Jantu De Charajani
10. Mi Cambio

Album Description

Produced in conjunction with the 'Empires of Mystery' Cultural exhibition, this CD represents an exotic, mystical journey through the Andes. These songs are timeless and beautiful and begin with birdsong and the whistle of the wind in the trees...

Customer Reviews:

Haunting_Beauty.......2005-02-08

Andean Music is, to the American Apple-Pie rock-N-roll ear, an awakening. Much of it is played on what seems to be a guitar with a special sound--except that it is the Charango---and the Charanguista(s) on this album are highly talented. Our familiarity with guitar solos draws us to this alternative "guitar"--and opens us up to a whole new musical world.

No Andean music is complete without the Zamponia and the Kena---pan-pipe and end-blown flute respectively--and there is some superb playing on this album. These istruments, in my opinion, when well played, rival the expression of the best wooden flutes of Europe.

And a bonus is the fiddle playing and singing--so that while not a comprehensive anthology of traditional Andean sound, it is a cross-section which, at the bargain CD price, makes it an absolute must-have.

Modern Meets Ancient.......2004-11-17

 Not a true representation of Peru's many musical styles, perhaps; but a beautiful recording by a very talented group of musicians, with touches of the modern meeting the ancient - especially noticeable in the lovely song 'Mi Cambio' composed by Cesar Villalobos.

Average customer rating: The Nutcracker to end all Nutcrackers

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker/Francesca da Rimini Manufacturer: Eclipse Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B000002XF8 Release Date: 1997-10-23

Customer Reviews:

The Nutcracker to end all Nutcrackers.......1999-05-01

As you would expect, Mravinsky and his team locate a hundred times more passion and intensity in this music than any western orchestra. This is not the standard suite of movements, but Mravinsky's own selection of numbers,and all the more interesting for that. Francesca is an added bonus. If you don't love this CD, you can't love Tchaikovsky!

Average customer rating: What ?? Nice Voice, but not a nice person...(read on, pls.) A let down The definitive Paul Robeson compilation

The Essential Paul Robeson Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Robeson, Paul | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ballad for Americans Paul Robeson Live at Carnegie Hall Paul Robeson Sings "Ol' Man River" & Other Favorites Songs of Free Men/ A Paul Robeson Recital Ol' Man River: His 25 Greatest ASIN: B00005B15R Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

1. Ol' Man River
2. Steal Away
3. Joshua Fit De Battle Ob Jericho
4. Water Boy
5. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
6. Deep River
7. Lonesome Road
8. Mighty Lak' A Rose
9. Rockin' Chair
10. When It's Sleepy-time Down South
11. Mah Lindy Lou
12. My Curly Headed Baby
13. Carry Me Back To Green Pastures
14. Lazy Bones
15. St. Louis Blues
16. Congo Lullaby
17. Canoe Song
18. Shenandoah
19. I Still Suits Me
20. Summertime
21. It Ain't Necessarily So
22. Just A-Wearyin' For you
23. Song Of The Volga Boatmen
24. Little Man, You've Had A Busy Day

Tracks:

1. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child/Minstrel Man
2. Git On Board, Li'l Children/Dere's No Hidin' Place
3. Go Down, Moses
4. Bear De Burden/All God's Chillun Got Wings
5. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
6. Got The South In My Soul
7. Blue Prelude
8. Fat Li'l Feller Wid His Mammy's Eyes/Shortnin' Bread
9. Wagon Wheels
10. The Banjo Song
11. Love Song
12. Climbing Up (Mountain Song)
13. All Through The Night
14. Mood Indigo
15. At Dawning
16. An Eriskay Love Lilt
17. Trees
18. Jerusalem
19. The Cobbler's Song
20. A Perfect Day
21. Sylvia
22. Sea Fever
23. King Joe (The Joe Louis Blues)
24. The Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)
25. My Old Kentucky Home

Customer Reviews:

What ??.......2006-12-10

The idiot from Virginia thought it a bit strange that an American black man would give the communists a chance. Looking back from modern perspective is easier than what he had to go on in the thirtes. Gee, I wonder why a black man would do that after all that southern hospitality, segregation, and steady work you gave the "black folk". Not to mention all those nighttime campfires you had going in their honor.
While I might be from New York I certainly would not be called a bleeding heart liberal but I can certainly understand why the poor soul was looking elsewhere. You are either ignorant of history and its influences on people or you are a totally unsympathetic jackass!!

Nice Voice, but not a nice person...(read on, pls.).......2006-01-07

Paul Robeson, who was brainwashed into
beleiving Communist rhetoric (which is
strange as hell for an Amer-I-can black
man). A good singing voice but all cover
songs! Come on, Paul!

A let down.......2004-09-24

I own several Robeson recordings and purchased this one with high hopes as it has a great selection of tracks. Unfortunately given the excellent recording quality of "Songs for Free Men" and "The Paul Robeson Oddyssey", the remasters from what I assume are 78's and possibly radio are a let down and mar what could have been an excellent album.

The definitive Paul Robeson compilation.......2003-09-19

This 2 CD set of Paul Robeson is the definitive collection providing a decent overview of his work in 50 tracks all wonderfully restored from 78s as usual for ASV, with spirituals, show tunes, Shakespeare-like readings, and more done with a trademark bass voice and orchestration that backs up Paul perfectly and he would later be one of the first civil rights activists. The first disc is a reissue of the single disc "Ol' Man River-His 25 Greatest" on ASV containing "Ol' Man River," "Mighty Like a Rose," "Joshua Fit De Battle Ob Jericho," "Carry Me Back To Green Pastures," "Lazy Bones," and many more classics which is also available here at Amazon for those who only want a single disc of Paul's work and the 2nd disc contains 25 more classics including "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen," "The Old Folks At Home," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Wagon Wheels," "Git On Board, Little Children," and many more. In other words, all 50 of these tracks are essential to any early pop, folk, gospel, blues, etc. music fan and this is the set to introduce yourself to his work in a convenient 2 CD package with the usual great liner notes and details on the original 78s ASV provides with each CD released in their Living Era series.

Average customer rating: Encourage your brooders to set Consummate Artistry!

Down By the Salley Gardens Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Folk | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005MOC9 Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

1. The Jolly Miller
2. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
3. The Foggy, Foggy Dew
4. The Isle Of Cloy
5. The Trees They Grow So High
6. Died For Love
7. Lovely Mollie
8. I Love My Love
9. the Shooting Of His Dear
10. Down By The Salley Gardens
11. The Old Turn Fire
12. Ye Banks And Braes
13. Barb'ra Ellen
14. Barbara Allen
15. She Moved Thro' The Fair
16. The star Of The County Down
17. Sweet Nightengale
18. Blow The Wind Southerly
19. The British Waterside
20. The Pressgang
21. Little Sir William
22. Six Dukes Went A-Fishin'
23. Sweet Polly Oliver
24. Bold William Taylor
25. Charlie Is My Darling
26. O Waly, Waly

Customer Reviews:

Encourage your brooders to set.......2003-03-08

This album falls gracelessly between two stools: art song and folk song. Listening to it was like being stuck in an endless after-dinner recital when all I really wanted to do was drape the concert notes over my eyes and snooze.

I wanted to be polite. After all, I really loved the albums Benjamin Luxon cut with Bill Crofut, where many of this album's songs also appear, only sung in a very tuneful and endearing manner. I highly recommend their "Dance to Your Daddy," "Two Gentlemen Folk," and "Simple Gifts."

For that matter, I'd recommend this baritone's classical CDs to anyone. He sings a mean Bach.

This album? Well, I'm glad Amazon's two-star rating means 'not for me' instead of 'this recording is so incredibly one-dimensional and boring that I'm going to pipe it into my hen house to encourage the brooders to set.'

I know some people will love listening to Benjamin Luxon sing twenty-six English folk songs in what my untrained ear seemed to think was exactly the same manner, tempo, and volume, accompanied by what sounded like the same tune on the piano for all twenty-six tracks (maybe the pianist got sick after the first track and the album's producers thought no one would notice if they recycled his accompaniment twenty-five times). After all, the previous reviewer gave this album five stars and a very respectful evaluation.

I'm saying if you want to hear Benjamin Luxon sing 'Down by the Salley Gardens,' you will be better off with "Dance to Your Daddy" rather than this CD.

Consummate Artistry!.......2002-02-22

In the mid 1990's, Benjamin Luxon was forced to give up
a major international presence singing opera/oratorio/songs because
of his growing deafness. This wonderful reissue gives us a taste
of what we lost yet is a reminder of his consummate artistry.
Luxon and his accompanist, David Willison, give loving
and sometimes spirited interpretations of a wide crossection
of British Isle traditional and folk songs. Thank you, Chandos,
for this reminder of the excellent gifts that Benjamin Luxon shared with us.

Average customer rating:

A.E. Housman: A Shropshire Lad, Complete in verse and song Alan Bates , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , and Graham Johnson Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005S85Q Release Date: 2001-12-11

Average customer rating: Good performance of good music Tepid music, tepid performances

American Classics - MacDowell: Complete Songs / Tharp, Barbagallo Edward MacDowell , James Barbagallo , and Steven Tharp Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by MacDowell | MacDowell, Edward | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music MacDowell, Edward | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: English Song Series 1 MacDowell: Piano Music, Vol. 1 Meredith Willson: Symphony No. 1 in F minor; Symphony No. 2 in E minor Edward MacDowell: Piano Music, Vol. 3 ASIN: B00000IXIX Release Date: 1999-06-01

Tracks:

1. Two Songs, Op.34: Menie
2. Two Songs, Op.34: My Jean
3. Drei Lieder, Op.33: Bitte (A Request)
4. Drei Lieder, Op.33: Geistliches Wiegenlied (Cradle Hymn)
5. Drei Lieder, Op.33: Idylle (Idyll)
6. Three Songs, Op.60: Tyrant Love
7. Three Songs, Op.60: Fair Springtide
8. Three Songs, Op.60: To The Golden Rod
9. Six Love Songs, Op.40: Sweet Blue-Eyed Maid
10. Six Love Songs, Op.40: Sweetheart, Tell Me
11. Six Love Songs, Op.40: Thy Beaming Eyes
12. Six Love Songs, Op.40: For Sweet Love's Sake
13. Six Love Songs, Op.40: O, Lovely Rose
14. Six Love Songs, Op.40: I Ask But This
15. Drei Lieder, Op.11: My Love And I Sat Close Together
16. Drei Lieder, Op.11: You Love Me Not
17. Drei Lieder, Op.11: The Skies, Where The Stars Are Glowing
18. Zwei Lieder, Op.12: Night Song
19. Zwei Lieder, Op.12: The Band Of Roses
20. From An Old Garden, Op.26: The Pansy
21. From An Old Garden, Op.26: The Myrtle
22. From An Old Garden, Op.26: The Clover
23. From An Old Garden, Op.26: The Yellow Daisy
24. From An Old Garden, Op.26: The Bluebell
25. From An Old Garden, Op.26: The Mignonette
26. Eight Songs, Op.47: The Robin Sings In The Apple Tree
27. Eight Songs, Op.47: Midsummer Lullaby
28. Eight Songs, Op.47: Folksong
29. Eight Songs, Op.47: Confidence
30. Eight Songs, Op.47: The West Wind Croons In The Cedar Trees
31. Eight Songs, Op.47: In The Woods
32. Eight Songs, Op.47: The Sea
33. Eight Songs, Op.47: Through The Meadow
34. Two Old Songs, Op.9: Deserted
35. Two Old Songs, Op.9: Slumber Song
36. Four Songs, Op.56: Long Ago, Sweetheart Mine
37. Four Songs, Op.56: The Swan Bent Low To The Lily
38. Four Songs, Op.56: A Maid Sings Light
39. Four Songs, Op.56: As The Gloaming Shadows Creep
40. Three Songs, Op.58: Constancy
41. Three Songs, Op.58: Sunrise
42. Three Songs, Op.58: Merry Maiden Spring

Customer Reviews:

Good performance of good music.......2002-04-05

I find less to criticize than others in this music and performance. If you know MacDowell, you know the kinds of things to expect from these songs. Not great music, but still beautiful genteel songs. MacDowell lets the lyricism flow smoothly. Most of the songs float along in the 6/8 rhythm MacDowell used so often. Concentrating on the melodic line, some of the occasional awkwardly thorny harmonies you can find in his miniatures fade into the background. Indeed, some may think the piano is too far in the background here. Too bad, because the late James Barbagallo obviously had quite a gift for MacDowell interpretation. Check out his recordings of MacDowell's solo piano works. What of tenor Tharp? Some may find his voice a little too thin, with a bit too much vibrato. But I say the songs are well sung regardless. Maybe the problem is that the songs really required a woman's voice. But what's done is done. These complete songs needed to be recorded, and this performance quite adequate, reservations notwithstanding. Over all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this recording.

Tepid music, tepid performances.......2000-03-26

I'm sorry to have to say it, but this recording contains music that is undistinguished in performances that are competent only. The music is Grieg-and-water. The American tenor's voice is light-weight and charmless. The pianist is excellent. You can't beat the price, though, if you really want to hear this repertoire.

Average customer rating:

Voice of Romance Richard Tauber Manufacturer: Prism (UK) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B0000039ZB Release Date: 1998-08-18

Tracks:

1. Lover Come Back To Me
2. One Night Of Love
3. Roses Of Picardy
4. Bird Songs At Eventide
5. One Day When We Were Young
6. 'The Student Prince: Ser
7. Waltz Of My Heart
8. All The Things You Are
9. Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
10. Trees
11. Sylvia
12. Begin The Beguine
13. Love's Old Sweet Song
14. Sweethearts
15. Kiss Me Again
16. Will You Remember
17. Marcheta-A Love Song Of Old Mexico
18. You Are My Heart's Delight
19. Only A Rose
20. Waltz Song: The Merry Widow: Lippen Schweigen
21. A Sleepy Lagoon
22. One Alone
23. Because
24. Smilin' Through
25. Ich Liebe Dich

Average customer rating: Eastern Music for Western Listeners

Song of the Seashore & Other Melodies of Japan Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Galway, James | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | 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 Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Enchanted Forest: Melodies of Japan ASIN: B000003EMV Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Sunlight Shining Through the Trees (Introduction)/The Moon on the ...
2. Song of the Seashore
3. Lullaby
4. Sunlight Shining Through the Trees (Coda)
5. Red Dragonfly
6. Cherry Blossom Time
7. Evening Primrose
8. Song of the Seashell
9. My Homeland
10. Cherry Blossoms (Introduction)
11. Port of Habu
12. Coconut Shell
13. Misty Moon Night
14. Cherry Blossoms

Customer Reviews:

Eastern Music for Western Listeners.......2006-02-10

From a musicology perspective, this CD would probably not be considered a good representation of traditional Japanese music. On that same note (no pun intended), it's really hard to fault it's efforts. James Galway is a brilliantly trained classical flautist (or flutist, depending on whom you ask) who on occassion has delved into - shall we say, lesser? - forms of music, ie pop songs arranged for studio orchestra and his solo flute stylings, that can barely be considered one step up from salon or elevator music. No one can fault his musicianship, but occassionally, listening to him can be akin to listening to a rock star past his (or her) prime doing stuff they really shouldn't be anymore. In this case, however, he has selected a number of extremely accessible Japanese folk songs and had them arranged so any listener can appreciate them. There is nothing showy in his playing, the orchestra never over-powers or overshadows the material, and the whole CD rarely reaches forte, or even mezzo-forte. It is excellent music for a drive in the country (with the window open only part-way, that is), or a lazy summer afternoon out on the deck, or a low-key dinner party. In fact, I have used it several times in all such occassions. And after (literally) years of occassional listening, it never seems to get old. From a man who clearly wants to be something more than just "background music", he has done a damn fine job of creating some exceptionally relaxing music here. In case you're turned off by the prices of the available copies here on Amazon, you might want to check out his more recent Japanese-themed CD "The Enchanted Forest" which is just as relaxing as this one, but utilizes electronic accompaniment, and as a result is more unique and varied, and probably easier to find.

Average customer rating:

John Langstaff Sings Archival Folk Collection Manufacturer: Revels Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00068CUQS Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. O Waly, Waly/The Water Is Wide, I Cannot Get O'er
2. Carrion Crow
3. All 'Round My Had I Will Wear a Green Willow
4. Cruel Mother
5. Farmer's Curst Wife
6. Riddle Song/I Will Give My Love an Apple
7. Lord Rendal
8. Billy Boy
9. Croodin' Doo
10. John Barleycorn
11. Lover's Tasks
12. Green Wedding
13. She's Like the Swallow
14. John Riley

Tracks:

1. Bonnie Wee Thing
2. Pretty Sally
3. Two Brothers
4. Teh Deaf Woman's Courtship
5. At the Foot of Yonders Mountain
6. Rich Old Lady
7. There Was a Man in Our Town
8. Baby Bunting
9. When I Was a Little Boy
10. Rosey Boy, Posey Boy
11. Frog Went Courtin'
12. Dn Lover
13. Jockie to the Fair
14. Pretty Sally

Tracks:

1. False Knight Upon the Road
2. Little Turtle Dove
3. Seventeen Come Sunday
4. Sir Patrick Spens
5. Blow Away the Morning Dew
6. Trees They Do Grow High
7. Crawfish Man's Street City
8. She Moved Through the Fair
9. Golden Vanity
10. Rich Old Lady
11. Nottamun Town
12. John Barleycorn
13. Jolly Ploughboy
14. St. James Hospital
15. Brisk Young Widow
16. Six Dukes Went A-Fishing

Tracks:

1. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
2. Bingo
3. I Wish I Was a Child Again
4. Hares on the Mountain
5. Two Magicians
6. Trees They Do Grow High
7. Lady Maisry
8. Edward
9. As I Walked Through the Meadows
10. Lark in the Morn
11. Gypsy Laddie
12. Go and Tell Aunt Nancy
13. Soldier, Soldier, Won't You Marry Me?
14. Cripple Creek Girls
15. Tottenham Toad
16. Frog in the Well
17. Dance to Your Daddy
18. As I Was Going to Banbury
19. Swapping Song
20. Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron
21. O My Love, Will You Wear Red?
22. Frog and the Mouse
23. Cocky Robin
24. What'll We Do With the Baby?
25. Mocking Bird (Hush Up, Baby)
26. Bye, Bye Baby
27. Tiny Man
28. Weekdays and Sundays
29. Oh Jacky, Stand Still
30. Turn Round, Turn Round
31. Basket Full of Nuts
32. Our Baby Prince
33. All the Ducks
34. Polly Perkin
35. Follow the Leader
36. Poor Doggie
37. Baby's Song

Album Description

John Langstaff, now 83 years of age, is the founder and director emeritus of Revels, the non-profit performing arts company that produces Revels Records as well as 'The Christmas Revels' annual winter solstice celebrations in 12 cities across the country. This is the complete collection of Langstaff's disc, featuring all four acclaimed previously re-released CDs originally recorded in England. The recordings have been digitally re-mastered at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. Included are many traditional British and American folk songs and ballads, most with simple, art song settings. Legendary pianists Sir Gerald Moore, Sam Mason and John Powell, as well as guitarist Martin Best, are featured.

Music Album:

1. Trampoline
2. View From A Southern Porch
3. View from the Top
4. Way Out West
5. While You Weren't Looking
6. Whoever's in New England
7. Xmas With Buck
8. Yonder
9. Across the Borderline
10. Ain't Ever Satisfied: The Steve Earle Collection [Original recording remastered]

Music Album