Ring of Fire [Box set] [Import]

Product Description:
Budget-price box-set for the 'man in black' features a combination of live & broadcast recordings. 36 tracks.Goldies.

Ring of Fire,Johnny Cash,Goldies,Country,Country/Bluegrass

Average customer rating: New Johnny Cash Fan Better than ever ANY Johnny Cash is at LEAST 5 stars Love is a burning thing. Great collection of songs from the early 1960s

Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Country General | Country | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Country | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: At Folsom Prison At San Quentin Carryin' On With Johnny Cash & June Carter The Best of Johnny Cash The Fabulous Johnny Cash ASIN: B000002AZ0 Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

1. Ring Of Fire
2. I'd Still Be There
3. What Do I Care
4. I Still Miss Someone
5. Forty Shades Of Green
6. Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)
7. The Rebel - Johnny Yuma
8. Bonanza!
9. The Big Battle
10. Remember The Alamo
11. Tennessee Flat-Top Box
12. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)

Amazon.com

This 1963 release is not a greatest-hits package, as the subtitle would have you believe, although the title cut did top the country charts. Instead, it offers a worthy sampling of Cash's far-ranging moods--dramatic saga songs, gospel hymns, love songs, honky-tonk weepers, folk ballads. The steady Tennessee Two churn forms the musical foundation, but is at times embellished by everything from banjo to mariachi horns to string section to background chorus to the Carter Family. Cash's august vocal tone and torpid phrasing command attention regardless of song or surroundings. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

New Johnny Cash Fan.......2007-02-22

I bought this album because I loved the movie "Walk the Line". Except for the first song, "Hey Porter", which was one of his earliest, and "A Boy Named Sue", this is my new favortie album. His deep, soulful voice tells you that his heart is in everything he sings. He wrote most of the songs himself, but even with the ones he didn't you can tell that he understood completely what the composer was trying to say, (i.e."Ring of Fire" and "Sunday Morning Coming Down"). The instrumentation is brilliant (i.e. the Mexican horns in "Ring of Fire"). Johnny Cash was REAL. Had I paid attention many years ago I would have been a fan of his all along. This is Country and Western Soul.

Better than ever.......2006-03-19

I originally purchased this as an LP in the early 60's. To finally re-obtain it as a CD is wonderful. The quality is superior to the original in every way, and the songs themselves are timeless. Having seen Mr. Cash many times in person during the 60's, he's one of the few country/rock pioneers who's songs retained that original essence that modern country lacks through to the end of his life. The influence of the Carter Family is very present in many of the songs, and their background vocals, especially June's, can still bring a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye. My personal favorite on the album is Tennessee Flat-top Box. As a young guitarist, it was one of the first country pieces I learned. If you like old style country with bits of original rock-a-billy mixed in, you'll like this album

ANY Johnny Cash is at LEAST 5 stars.......2005-08-21

It is SO good to hear these beautiful songs. My favorite is FORTY SHADES OF GREEN. You can just picture yourself in Ireland. I do want to clarify something regarding an earlier post though...I agree that Johnny should have done more Irish songs because they would have been brilliant but to refer to this as an Irish song is not entirely correct. It is a song ABOUT Ireland. Johnny Cash WROTE the song. However, now it has pretty much become synonymous with Ireland and I think that is wonderful. His body of work can't be held to one country! I also love TENNESSEE FLAT TOP BOX (his daughter's version was just as good...love them both.)

This is not the BEST compilation but as I said above, any Johnny is GREAT.

Love is a burning thing........2005-08-03

This is not a Johnny Cash "Greatest Hits" album. Rather, it's a collection of singles (a-sides and b-sides), that had not already been on an album. So, some big hits like "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" were not included, because they had already been on an album. But, it is still a solid collection of songs. Johnny Cash's fans should enjoy it.

Great collection of songs from the early 1960s.......2004-12-01

This is a great collection of 12 songs from the early 1960s, and there isn't a weak track on the album. The songs run the gamut from gospel to Irish ballads to TV themes ("The Rebel - Johnny Yuma" and "Bonanza") all in the unique Cash style. I never tire of listening to this one.

Average customer rating: Ring of Fire: The best of June Carter Cash Great CD Moving

Ring of Fire: The Best of June Carter Cash June Carter Cash Manufacturer: Dualtone Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Carryin' On With Johnny Cash & June Carter At Folsom Prison 16 Biggest Hits Walk the Line Keep On the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music ASIN: B000AR9YLY Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. Ring Of Fire
2. Keep On The Sunnyside
3. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
4. Far Side Banks Of Jordan
5. Wildwood Flower
6. Hold Fast To The Right
7. Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?
8. Jackson
9. If I Were A Carpenter
10. Don't Forget This Song (Previously Unreleased)
11. Cuban Soldier (Previously Unreleased)
12. The Heel (Previously Unreleased)

Product Description

1. Ring Of Fire
2. Keep On The Sunnyside
3. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
4. Far Side Banks Of Jordan
5. Wildwood Flower
6. Hold Fast To The Right
7. Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone
8. Jackson
9. If I We're A Carpenter
10. Don’t Forget This Song*
11. Cuban Soldier*
12. The Heel*


Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Ring of Fire: The best of June Carter Cash.......2006-06-26

This was a fantastic find. I discovered June Carter Cash when I saw the film "Walk the Line". Reese and Joaquin do an admirable job at singing in the film but, to really hear the "heart" of June (and Johnny) listen to this CD. It was mostly recorded when June was older so it has an "older" voice to it but, it is so REAL. Highly recommend.

Great CD.......2006-03-16

I love this CD. JCC and Johnny Cash are my latest and favorite artist since I saw the movie WALK THE LINE. I couldn't wait to start collecting their cds and this was a great pic!

Moving.......2006-01-22

It is though you are transported through June's life in listening to this cd. Her voice is much older, wise. This took me back to listening to June and Johnny as a child with my dad. I thoroughly enjoyed this cd.

Average customer rating: Relive you movie experiences

The Ultimate Movie Music Collection Erich Kunzel Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Incredible Film Music Box Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores Simply the Best Movie Themes Hollywood's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 ASIN: B000BFH26Y Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

1. The Imperial March: The Empire Strikes Back
2. Main Theme: Jurassic Park
3. Main Title: Shakespeare In Love
4. Themes: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
5. Main Title: The Last Of The Mohicans
6. Theme: The Godfather
7. Unchained Melody: Ghost
8. Theme: Goldfinger
9. We're Losing Him: Somewhere In Time
10. Space Camp
11. Opening And Closing Titles: Henry V
12. Theme: The Thorn Birds
13. Suite: Moonwalker
14. The Time Of Your Life: A Bugs Life

Tracks:

1. Batman Theme: Batman
2. Bicycle Chase: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
3. Suite: Independance Day
4. Love Theme: Romeo & Juliet
5. Theme: Back To The Future
6. End Credits: Contact
7. Theme: Breakfast At Tiffany's
8. Main Theme: Star Trek
9. May It Be And Themes: Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Ring
10. Love Theme: Cousins
11. Sean's Theme: Minority Report
12. I Will Wait From You: The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg
13. Theme: Rocky
14. The Sand Volcano: The Mummy
15. The Raider's March: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Tracks:

1. Theme: Mission Impossible
2. Casablanca Suite
3. Book Of Days: Far And Away
4. Love Theme: Superman
5. Tara's Theme: Gone With The Wind
6. Don't Mess With: Z
7. Main Title: The Mask Of Zorro
8. Finale: Victor / Victoria
9. Carol Ann's Theme: Poltergeist
10. Love Theme: Star Wars: Episode ll: Attack Of The Clones
11. Main Theme: Willow
12. Main Title: Star Trek ll: The Wrath Of Kahn
13. MAin Theme: On Golden Pond
14. Theme: A Summer Place
15. Theme: Chariots Of Fire

Tracks:

1. Iceberg!
2. Back To Titanic
3. Main Themes: Hook
4. Theme: Pink Panther
5. Lara's: Doctor Zhivago
6. Theme: Love Story
7. Right Stuff
8. Theme: Jaws
9. When You Believe: The Prince Of Egypt
10. Smile: Modern Times
11. The Apollo 13 Mission
12. Re-Entry And Splashdown: Apollo 13
13. Main Title: Beetlejuice
14. War: Pearl Harbor
15. Cavatina: The Deer Hunter
16. Throne Room And End Title: Star Wars: Episode lV: A New Hope

Customer Reviews:

Relive you movie experiences.......2006-01-24

This collection of movie themes, will allow you to relive the chilling experiences from practically all (4 CDs)of the great movies. Great movies would not be great without great music. The Cincinnati Pop with Eric Kunzel are unbeatable recordings. Every minute is more beautiful and inspiring to the next. If you love Pops music, this is the begin all, end all.

Average customer rating: "cinema's main stay themes prevail ~ City of Prague"

Reel Chill: The Cinematic Chillout Album Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Albinoni | Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Morricone, Ennio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Nyman | Nyman, Michael | ( N ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rota, Nino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sakamoto, Ryuichi | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vangelis | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Reel Love: The Cinematic Romance Album Classical Chillout Classic Chillout, Vol. 2 Ultimate Movie Album Cinema Choral Classics ASIN: B0002IQGT4 Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. Sarabande [From Barry Lyndon]
2. Main Theme [From Midnight Cowboy]
3. Promenade Sentimentale [From Dive] - Mark Ayres
4. May It Be [From the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the]
5. Women of Ireland [From Barry Lyndon]
6. Adagio for Strings & Organ [From Gallipoli [
7. Romeo/Love Theme [From Romeo & Juliet)
8. Balcony Scene [From Romeo + Juliet]
9. Main Theme [From Chariots of Fire] - Mark Ayres
10. Main Theme [From Bilitis] - Mark Ayres
11. Main Theme [From Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence] - Mark Ayres
12. Main Theme [From Cinema Paradiso]
13. Main Theme [From Once Upon A Time in the West]
14. Deborah's Theme [From Once Upon A Time in America]
15. Suite: The Mission/Gabriel's Oboe/On Earth as It Is in Heaven ... - City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus

Tracks:

1. Suite: Mountains and Sunsets/The Wedding/You Only Live Twice [From You
2. Heart Asks Pleasure First [From The Piano]
3. Agnus Dei [From Platoon] - Crouch End Festival Chorus
4. Vide Cor Meum [From Hannibal]
5. Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 [From DeAth in Venice]
6. Any Other Name/Dead Already [from American Beauty] - Rick Clark,
7. Into the West [From the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King]
8. Where Dreams Are Made [From Artificial Intelligence]
9. Main Theme [From Somewhere in Time]
10. We Have All the Time in the World [From on Her Majesty's Secret ...]
11. Electronic Battlefield [From Patriot Games]
12. Now We Are Free [From Gladiator]
13. Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana [From Raging Bull]
14. Cavatina [From the DeErhunter]
15. Main Theme [From Out of Africa]

Customer Reviews:

"cinema's main stay themes prevail ~ City of Prague".......2004-08-15

What a crowning achievement to bring "Reel Chill:Cinematic Chillout Album", released by Silva America and featuring The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus ~ conductors are Mark Ayres, Paul Bateman, Rick Clark, James Fitzpatrick, Nic Raine and David Temple director of the chorus ~ one can only expect the highest quality of performances and quench the thirst of all "film-score-buffs".

Sit back and unleash the first disc with composers ~ Albinoni, Craig Armstrong, John Barry, Vladimir Cosma, Enya & Nicky Ryan, Handel, Francis Lai, Ennio Morricone, Sean O'Riorda, Nino Rota, Ryvichi Sakamoto and Vangelis ~ taking each film score cue "BILITIS", "CHARIOTS OF FIRE", "CINEMA PARADISO", "DIVA", "GALLIPOLI", "THE LORD OF THE RINGS:THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING", "BARRY LYNDON", "MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE", "MIDNIGHT COWBOY", "THE MISSION", "ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA", "ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST", "ROMEO & JULIET" and "ROMEO + JULIET", with arrangements that soar and then simmer into pure meditation of grandeur ~ classic film music prevails, as orchestration comes to the surface with pure originality ~ one masterpiece after another is long last presented as it should have been, is cause for celebration ~ each cue is a distinctive gift for striking modernism, touching on the transition of the period in this planets history.

Second disc is waiting in the wings are composers ~ Samuel Barber, John Barry, Patrick Cassidy, James Horner, Mahler, Mascagni, Stanley Myers, Thomas Newman, Michael Nyman, Howard Shore, John Williams and Hans Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard ~ take a musical ride with "AMERICAN BEAUTY", "A.I. ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE", "DEATH IN VENICE", "DEER HUNTER", "GLADIATOR", "HANNIBAL", "THE LORD OF THE RINGS:RETURN OF THE KING", "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE", "OUT OF AFRICA", "PATRIOT GAMES", "THE PIANO", "PLATOON", "RAGING BULL", "SOMEWHERE IN TIME" and "YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE" ~ our composers with passion and skill for exploring human emotions, coupled with a unique gift for striking exotic orchestral colors, make this with all it's splendor unforgettable ~ themes that ring with familiarity as each film comes to mind through music.

Silva America gives the collector a treasure of thirty film cues that any "film-score-buff" would die for ~ in the past James Fitzpatrick (producer), Reynold da Silva (executive producer), mastered by Rick Clark and David Stoner (release co-ordinator) have given us compilation with such expertise and this one is no exception ~ keep up the outstanding limited editions and deluxe package releases, with your signature tidbits for all film music fans that's in all of us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1161 ~ (8/10/2004)

Average customer rating: Country music's hidden angel Anita Carter has a beautiful voice!

Ring of Fire Anita Carter Manufacturer: Bear Family ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Old-Time Country | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sara & Maybelle Carter American V: A Hundred Highways Volume 2: 1935-1941 The Carter Family: 1927-1934 Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?: The Carter Family & Their Legacy in American Music ASIN: B0000282ZK Release Date: 2003-09-01

Tracks:

1. (Love's) Ring Of Fire
2. Fair And Tender Ladies
3. Satan's Child
4. Fly Pretty Swallow
5. As The Sparrow Goes
6. All My Trials
7. Voice Of The Bayou
8. Sour Grapes
9. Johnny, I Hardley Know You
10. My Love
11. A Few Short Years Ago
12. The Kentuckian Song
13. Brian
14. Running Back
15. Take Me Home
16. No, My Love, No
17. Farewell
18. This Life I'm Living
19. My Love Loves Me
20. John, John, John
21. John Hardy Was A Desparate Little Man
22. I Never Will Marry
23. In The Highways
24. Bury Me Beneath The Willow
25. Beautiful Isle O'er The Sea
26. The Wildwood Flower

Customer Reviews:

Country music's hidden angel.......2004-06-09

I just received this CD in the mail today, and I absolutely love it. Anita's clear soprano vocals seem to pierce through the emotions of the listener. I would seriously reccomend this to anyone, and I believe that Anita does not get the recognition she deserves as the amazing vocalist that she was. This album is just Anita, in all her glory. Also, if you're a Helen Carter fan like me, she's on here too helping Anita out on some of the songs. Buy it, it's great!

Anita Carter has a beautiful voice!.......2003-10-03

I was totally unfamiliar with Anita Carter, although being a fan of folk music I had certainly heard of the Carter Family (Anita's sister was married to Johnny Cash).

I heard Anita Carter singing "Ring of Fire" on NPR and realized that I preferred her version to Johnny Cash's. I ordered this CD and immediately fell in love with it -- it turns out that all those folk songs recorded by groups like Peter, Paul and Mary and the Kingston Trio were Anita Carter covers. The selection of songs is marvelous and Anita Carter has a lovely voice. These recordings were made some time ago (decades?) and yet are timeless. If you love folk music or the old time traditional country music, you will love this CD.

Average customer rating: Conversion Not to be missed Greatly improved sound, excellent performances Szell and Karajan were freinds!!! A classic Szell recording beautifully restored

Great Orchestral Highlights from The Ring of the Nibelungs / Szell, Cleveland Orchestra (SACD) Wagner , Cleveland Orchestra , and George Szell Manufacturer: Sony 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 Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | 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 Classical 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: Dvorák: The Slavonic Dances [SACD] Dvorak Symphony No. 7 & Carnival Overture & Smetana Die Moldau / Szell, Cleveland Orchestra (SACD) Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39 & 40; Exsultate, Jubilate [SACD] Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4; Midsummer Night's Dream; Hebrides [SACD] Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica"); Overtures [SACD] ASIN: B000044U19 Release Date: 2000-01-11

Customer Reviews:

Conversion .......2005-03-07

This is a very good recording of these works - all from Wagner's Nibelungen operas. Prior to purchasing this SACD, I did not totally agree with Szell's approach to Wagner. His approach, I thought, was too clear, too lacking on the bass line, and the accoustic at Severance Hall didn't help much. This SACD clarifies Szell in a very favorable way. Severance Hall doesn't sound nearly as bad of a place to record as I previously thought (though it's still debatable whether Szell's modifications to the hall in the late 50's were an improvement...) and the listener hears a much more balanced orchestral sonority, one which is without any congestion, clear as a bell, so to speak.

The performances themselves are top-flight - no question, by the late 1960's, the Cleveland Orchestra was the best orchestra in the U.S., outgunning everyone else. Szell lets the music speak for itself - no indulging in one's own self-centered interpretations here. Tempi are as specified and there are no orchestral rearrangements as there were in his Schumann recordings.

Now, if only Sony would release the rest of Szell's Wagner recordings on SACD, I'd be really happy to buy it.

Not to be missed.......2004-12-02

Hard to believe that these old Columbia/Epic LPs had this kind of sound in them. The sound stage is deep and wide and the string sound truly analogue. I find some of the ring excerpts not particularly to my liking musically, but the Tristan Prelude? A great recording by any measure. I was mesmerized by Szell's performance and have listened many, many times. SACD is so phenomenal. No ear fatigue and musically so involving. I haven't enjoyed listening so much since my LP days. This is the full measure of digital sound.

Greatly improved sound, excellent performances.......2004-09-17

I have been comparing this (non-hybrid, stereo-only) Sony SACD with the old Sony/CBS CD set - the 2 discs Maestro series from 1990, I've never heard a more recent Essential Classics CD incarnation coupled with some Ormandy Wagner. I suspect that was the same remastering.

The SACD replicates the second CD from that set (Ring excerpts plus the Tristan Prelude and Liebestod) and adds the Meistersinger Prelude, giving a total timing of 76'47.

I compared the tracks I know very well: the two Gotterdammerung excerpts. Unlike the other Szell SACD I have compared (Schumann Symphonies No 2 & 4, where the difference was discernible but slight), here the new disc sounds clearly different, and I think better.

On CD I always felt it was perhaps the slight aural 'edge' and hint of constriction that made these performances so thrilling (even though the sounds was rather flat in terms of front to back perspective), but this SACD removes that acerbity to some extent, to advantage I feel. There is much more depth to the sound and it is richer - and the orchestra sounds closer (perhaps even a tad smaller?) with greater detail. Strings sound more in focus. Maybe some of the ambience has changed, but perhaps this more realistically conveys the true acoustic of Severance Hall. Hearing the brief fanfare at 5'13ff in the Rhine Journey, here it is more rounded and realistic.

Tape hiss is absent from the SACD. In the Funeral March the advantage is clearer: the detail is much finer (the timpani strokes sound clearly at 2'55ff, whereas on CD they were blurred and the lighter ones inaudible).

For Wagnerians and Szell fans I think this SACD is worth getting as a supplement to the normal CD - I will of course retain the CDs as the SACD cannot be played elsewhere like the car changer.

Szell and Karajan were freinds!!!.......2004-06-07

In a recent bio on Karajan I was surprised to read the two were very good freinds and shared a alot in common. They also had similar approaches to orchestral sonority...

Suprisingly enough the approach to the Wagner here is very alike Herbert in some regards...I like the way Szell approaches the music in a more intense approach.

Karajan did get to do the Ring...but alas we may get to hear Szell with the Met from the 40s which some believe does exist in archive. As to the playing this is the finest Wagner record of exerpts out there.

It surpasses Herbert's any day!!!

The wonderful thing is how Cleveland is so transparent in it's textures...not as unlike Klemperer as one would think!!!

A classic Szell recording beautifully restored.......2002-01-25

There is very little to add to the excellent preceding review on this recording. I would just add an observation that the DSD transfer onto SACD brings a far greater level of realism and transparency as compared to the original LP or any subsequent CD transfer. We get as close as we likely ever will to hearing Szell's original intentions in the studio, which were obscured by Columbia's notoriously poor transfers of the original reel-to-reel master tape onto LP. In those days Columbia would artificially boost the mid-range on a recording to make it sound better on mediocre equipment -- not exactly an audiophile technique! This DSD transfer, by contrast, is untampered electronically, not even by noise reduction, which is also notorious for robbing analogue recordings from this vintage of their ambience and warmth. The result is a small amount of tape hiss, which I will gladly accept to be given the chance to hear what Szell and his fabulous Clevelanders actually recorded.

Average customer rating: A mix of old favorites and covers All the Cash You Need

Ring of Fire: The Legend of Johnny Cash Johnny Cash Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: American III: Solitary Man Unchained American IV: The Man Comes Around Jackass - Number Two (Unrated Widescreen Edition) Fallen ASIN: B000BW9UJY Release Date: 2006-02-27

Tracks:

1. Ring of Fire
2. I Walk the Line
3. Jackson
4. Folsom Prison Blues
5. Boy Name Sue [Live]
6. Big River
7. Get Rhythm
8. Cry! Cry! Cry!
9. Hey Porter
10. Thing Called Love
11. Guess Things Happen That Way
12. San Quentin [Live]
13. Man in Black
14. Highwayman
15. Wanderer - Johnny Cash, U2,
16. I've Been Everywhere
17. Rusty Cage
18. Personal Jesus
19. Give My Love to Rose
20. One
21. Hurt

Album Details

2005 Issued Digitally Remastered Cooperative Effort by Both Universal and Sony-bmg to Present a Concise Single Disc Collection of the Late, Great Country and Western Star's Very Best Recordings Shortly Following his Passing. While There was a Us Equivalent, this Version Includes his Cover of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus", "a Thing Called Love", "San Quentin (Live)" and his Rendition of U2's "One".

Customer Reviews:

A mix of old favorites and covers.......2007-03-25

I totally enjoy listening to some of the collections that have been put together around Cash's career. These albums not only give a variety of the many different types of music he recorded, but they seem to a flavor about them that separates him from any other artist. Three tracks on the disc that caught my attention were Rusty Cage, and his covers of Hurt and One. Both covers are without question phenomenal. Hands down; they are the best cuts on this disc and probably my two favorites from all of his work.

All the Cash You Need.......2007-03-05

A great collection of the 50's and 60's classics that spawned the career of the man in black. You will find most of your favourite, the well known and most impressively, some of his terrific late career covers and originals from the American Label. "Rusty Cage" "Hurt" and "One" which I personally rate 200 times better than the U2 original. Everyone should own a JC CD and this one is the one to get for a casual fan.

Average customer rating: Powerful orchestral interpretation of Wagner...

Wagner: Great Orchestral Music from "The Ring" Manufacturer: Sony 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 Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 Classical 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: Beethoven: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra ASIN: B00000DRXE Release Date: 1990-10-25

Customer Reviews:

Powerful orchestral interpretation of Wagner..........2007-05-25

The "Great Performance" series contained many great artists interpreted for the ages by some of the worlds best conductors. This compilation of some of Wagner's greatest is outstanding. Though the choral voices are missing, the power is not.

Every orchestral interpretation is presented with the gravitas and majesty that is Wagner. The "Ride of the Valkyries" and "Sigfried's Funeral" are powerful.

For those that are looking for great interpretations of Wagner, this is the one to start with.

Average customer rating: I play this CD more than all my others. AMG Review Gives the wrong impression Absolutely awe-inspiring and worth every cent Sad

Ring of Fire Anita Carter Manufacturer: Bear Family ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Old-Time Country | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Traditional Country | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wildwood Pickin' Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle With Chet Atkins Rounding up the Gals, Vol. 1: Great Female Country Chet Atkins with the Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle 1949 Sara & Maybelle Carter ASIN: B000001AVB Release Date: 1994-05-12

Tracks:

1. (Love's) Ring Of Fire
2. Fair And Tender Ladies
3. Satan's Child
4. Fly Pretty Swallow
5. As The Sparrow Goes
6. All My Trials
7. Voice Of The Bayou
8. Sour Grapes
9. Johnny, I Hardley Know You
10. My Love
11. A Few Short Years Ago
12. The Kentuckian Song
13. Brian
14. Running Back
15. Take Me Home
16. No, My Love, No
17. Farewell
18. This Life I'm Living
19. My Love Loves Me
20. John, John, John
21. John Hardy Was A Desparate Little Man
22. I Never Will Marry
23. In The Highways
24. Bury Me Beneath The Willow
25. Beautiful Isle O'er The Sea
26. The Wildwood Flower

Product Description

1. Ring Of Fire
2. Fair And Tender Ladies
3. Satan's Child
4. Fly Pretty Swallow
5. As The Sparrow Goes
6. All My Trials
7. Voice Of The Bayou
8. Sour Grapes
9. Johnny, I Hardly Knew You
10. My Love
11. A Few Short Years Ago
12. The Kentuckian Song
13. Brian
14. Running Back
15. Take Me Home
16. No, My Love, No
17. Farewell
18. This Life I'm Living
19. My Love Loves Me
20. John, John, John
21. John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man
22. I Never Will Marry
23. In The Highways
24. Bury Me Beneath The Willow
25. Beautiful Isle O'er The Sea
26. The Wildwood Flower


Format: Cassette

Customer Reviews:

I play this CD more than all my others........2007-02-15

First time I heard Anita Carter sing was with Johnny Cash, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord, haunting and beautiful sound. I play this CD alot and enjoy each and every song, there is wide variety in what she sings and each song is beautifully done, mood-lifting and inspiring. I think my favorite is A Few Short Years Ago.

AMG Review.......2004-07-12

It's been well documented that June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore wrote the song "Ring of Fire," which is about her early relationship with Johnny Cash. What's less well known is that it was her youngest sister, Anita, not Johnny Cash, who cut it first, accompanied only by a pair of acoustic guitars. Ring of Fire is the German Bear Family label's presentation of Anita Carter's 1962-1964 Mercury recordings. While Carter is also a daughter of Mother Maybelle, country music, at least in the early '60s, was not her forte -- folk music was. There are 25 tracks here, all of them stunning, some of them unknown, but all of them fine. Some of the cuts here are historic debuts of songs performed by folk and country artist later on. The initial recording of "Satan's Child," written by sister Helen and Danny Dill, Kilgore's "Sour Grapes," her own "All My Trials," and the cut she wrote with June and Kilgore, "As the Sparrow Goes," are all here, as well as readings of A.P. and Maybelle tunes such as her mother's "Fair and Tender Ladies" and "In the Highways," A.P.'s "John Hardy, Bury Me Beneath the Willow," and more. There are unreleased gems here too: a recording of Harlan Howard's "A Few Short Years Ago" and Irving Gordon's "The Kentuckian Song." But more than the cuts -- produced in Nashville and New York by Jerry Kennedy, Shelby Singelton, and Milt Okun -- this recording reveals that Carter's voice is one of the purest and most expressive vehicles either country or folk ever produced. Carter's own reticence is what held her back from superstardom. The music here, most of it with two acoustic guitars, some with a double bass, is simple, even ghostly in the way it frames a voice so seemingly plaintive, yet with a range that is awe-inspiring, given how pristine her singing was, and how she could take even the corniest song ("Voice of the Bayou") and make it a believable and true statement of passion, purpose, or poisonous emotion. By the time the record ends with "Wildwood Flower," the listener has been transported out of time and space and into the heart of Carter's mysterious, darkly inviting, and spiritually resilient vocal. This is one of the best single-volume compilations Bear Family has ever done. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Gives the wrong impression.......2003-09-12

Hey, your right, Anita Carter is THE female vocalist of all time. But I was disapointed with this release. A lot of people think that this is all of the solo recordings she made. Wrong!! She made a lot more, and they were a lot better than these.

Some of these songs are 5 star recordings, then some are Joan Baez style folk songs.

This cd would make an essential supplement to a reissue of her more country sounding recordings.

Pray that more of her recordings are released, along with the recordings of Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters. Those recordings do exist.

But until more is released, this will fill the void very nicely.

Absolutely awe-inspiring and worth every cent.......2003-06-18

I first heard Anita Carter's amazing voice on the Complete Hank Williams Sr. box set (she duets with him on "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" on Disc 10) and my jaw simply dropped. I couldn't believe a mere mortal human being could have such an amazingly pure, crystalline, clear voice. I immediately tracked down this CD and by now I must have listened to it 80 billion times. I have gotten chills listening to it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I cannot recommend this CD highly enough, ...This is absolutely essential listening that will stay in your collection for the rest of your life. Buy this now. ...

Sad.......2002-07-05

I'm sure this would be a great cd if it would play. I have tried playing it in three different cd players since I received it and none of them will play it. I checked the return policy and the way I read it you can only return unopened cds.I did not know it would not play until I opened it. Doesn't seem to be fair to me. Of course I should have read the return policy before I purchased this cd.I will think twice before I puchase anything in the future.

Average customer rating: A substantial overview of Karajan's Ring Where is Karajan's Ring on amazon? not an introduction to The Ring A wonderful introduction, or a new experience good introduction

Highlights from Der Ring des Nibelungen Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon 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 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | 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 Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Panorama (Highlights from der fliegende Hollander, Lohengrin, Tannhauser, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Parsifal, Tristan und Isolde) Wagner: The Compact Ring (Highlights from Der Ring des Nibelungen) / Levine; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Wagner: The Best of the Ring Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Round An Introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen ASIN: B00004XT2G Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

1. The Rhinegold: Lugt, Schwestern! Die Weckerin Lacht in Den Grund - Helen Donath/Edda Moser/Anna Reynolds/Zoltan Kelemen
2. The Rhinegold: Nur Wer Der Minne Macht Ensagt - Helen Donath/Edda Moser/Anna Reynolds
3. The Rhinegold: Der Welt Erbe Gewann Ich Zu Eigen Durch Dich - Zoltan Kelemen/Helen Donath/Edda Moser/Anna Reynolds
4. The Rhinegold: Haltet Den Rauber! - Helen Donath/Edda Moser/Anna Reynolds
5. The Rhinegold: Hor, Wotan, Der Harrenden Wort! - Karl Ridderbusch/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Martti Talvela/Simone Mangelsdorff
6. The Rhinegold: Schwester! Bruder! Rettet! Helft! - Simone Mangelsdorff/Donald Grobe/Robert Kerns/Gerhard Stolze/Josephine Veasey
7. The Rhinegold: Wotan, Gemahl, Unselger Mann! - Josephine Veasey/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Gerhard Stolze/Robert Kerns/Donald Grobe
8. The Rhinegold: (Transformation Music) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
9. The Rhinegold: Zur Burg Fuhrt Die Brucke - Donald Grobe
10. The Rhinegold: Abendlich Strahlt Der Sonne Auge - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
11. The Rhinegold: So Gruss Ich Die Burg - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Josephine Veasey/Gerhard Stolze
12. The Rhinegold: Rheingold! Rheingold! - Helen Donath/Edda Moser/Anna Reynolds/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Gerhard Stolze
13. The Valkyrie: Der Manner Sippe Sass Hier Im Saal - Gundula Janowitz/Jon Vickers
14. The Valkyrie: Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond - Jon Vickers
15. The Valkyrie: Du Bist Der Lenz - Gundula Janowitz
16. The Valkyrie: O Susseste Wonne! Seligstes Weib! - Jon Vickers/Gundula Janowitz
17. The Valkyrie: War Walse Dein Vater, Und Bist Du Ein Walsung - Gundula Janowitz/Jon Vickers
18. The Valkyrie: Siegmund, Den Walsung, Siehst Du, Weib! - Jon Vickers/Gundula Janowitz
19. The Valkyrie: (The Ride Of The Valkyries) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
20. The Valkyrie: Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind! - Thomas Stewart
21. The Valkyrie: Der Augen Leuchtendes Paar - Thomas Stewart
22. The Valkyrie: Loge, Hor! Lausche Hieher! - Thomas Stewart
23. The Valkyrie: (Magic Fire Music) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan

Tracks:

1. Siegfried: Dass Der Mein Vater Nicht Ist - Forest Murmurs - Jess Thomas
2. Siegfried: Nun Sing! Ich Lausche Dem Gesang! - Jess Thomas/Catherine Gayer
3. Siegfried: Prld To Act III. - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
4. Siegfried: Wache, Wala! Wala! Erwach! - Thomas Stewart
5. Siegfried: (Brunnhilde's Awakening: Intro) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
6. Siegfried: Heil Dir, Sonne! Heil Dir, Licht! - Helga Dernesch/Jess Thomas
7. Siegfried: Siegfried! Siegfried Seliger Held! - Helga Dernesch/Jess Thomas
8. Twilight Of The Gods: (Orchestral Interlude) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
9. Twilight Of The Gods: Zu Neuen Taten, Teurer Helde - Helga Dernesch
10. Twilight Of The Gods: Mehr Gabst Du, Wunderfrau, Als Ich Zu Wahren Weiss - Helge Brilioth/Helga Dernesch
11. Twilight Of The Gods: (Siegfried's Rhine Journey) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
12. Twilight Of The Gods: (Funeral Music) - BPO/Herbert Von Karajan
13. Twilight Of The Gods: Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort - Helga Dernesch
14. Twilight Of The Gods: Mein Erbe Nun Nehm Ich Zu Eigen - Helga Dernesch
15. Twilight Of The Gods: Fliegt Heim, Ihr Raben! - Helga Dernesch
16. Twilight Of The Gods: Conclusion 'Zuruck Vom Ring!' - Karl Ridderbusch

Customer Reviews:

A substantial overview of Karajan's Ring.......2007-07-11

One could debate for a brief eternity which conductor should be labeled "the best." Numerous magnanimous interpreters come to mind: Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, Otto Klemperer, Carlos Kleiber, Karl Böhm, Herbert von Karajan, Sir Georg Solti, Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez, Daniel Barenboim, Giuseppe Sinopoli, and James Levine are just a potpourri of renowned orchestral masters. Toscanini and Karajan were probably the most influential in redefining the nature in which one should approach a piece of music; both insisted that traditional conducting, in which a piece was essentially performed in the same manner continuously, was neither healthy nor appropriate for the music in question and, they laid the foundation for conductors to develop their own characteristic conducting and interpretative styles.

One now comes to Richard Wagner, often considered the master of Romantic music and one of the definitive composers to ever set foot on the soil of this planet. If one were to painstakingly evaluate the two conductors' collective Wagnerian works, one would most likely come to the conclusion that Hungarian-born Sir Georg Solti was a "more perfect" Wagnerian conductor than the Austrian musical megalomaniac Herbert von Karajan. Solti's style of conducting, which lent itself to the works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Mahler, and Richard Strauss, was obviously within the atmosphere of Wagner, and his John Culshaw-produced rendering of Der Ring des Nibelungen can easily be considered one of the greatest achievements in modern recorded sound. Nonetheless, Karajan's brilliance came not from his ability to conduct Wagner perfectly, as one might arguably suggest for Solti, but rather from his ability to approach every composer with a certain level of comfort and singularity while simultaneously retaining his format of interpretation. Karajan was just as comfortable with the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as he was with Jean Sibelius and Arnold Schoenberg, and his expertise transcended every medium, from choral works and masses to symphonies to operas to concerti. It was also his singular smoothness, his uncanny ability to gloss and refine the roughest and most vulgar of music (which, occasionally, in a work such as Carmen, had a derogatory effect) which made his Wagnerian music so spectacular a beacon and link within the chain mail of the musical world.

This is the reason why this recording of Der Ring des Nibelungen features what critics have called a "chamber music approach" to the Wagner score; Karajan dissected the music (as he did with everything he conducted) and took every measure to present, at all times, the beauty inherent in the music, even at the most violent and explosive instances. No fault is obvious in this, and with the operas of Rossini or Donizetti, no problem would have occurred; however, with Wagner, placing too burdensome an emphasis on beauty could, possibly, have an acidic effect on the overall drama of the work. This became an almost debilitating fault near the end of his illustrious career, but here the results are stunning. Karajan's interpretation is not sluggish (by the standards set by Solti, it is actually fairly brisk) and the orchestral performance from the imperial Berliner Philharmoniker is beyond betterment.

Thus, one must wonder why this recording of the Ring Cycle, with arguably the best conductor in the world leading one of the finest groups of musicians ever assembled, is frequently dogged by critics as weak and woefully idealistic. The answer lies in Karajan's casting which is, overall, inferior to Solti's. However, jewel-bedecked performances can be found in Karajan's cast with which Solti's cannot compete. Jon Vickers and Gundula Janowitz bring new definition to the twins Siegmund and Sieglinde. Operatic roles may have existed which Vickers did not perfect, but those which he performed (Peter Grimes, Samson, Tristan, Aeneas, Otello, Don José) were forever standardized by his interpretation. Siegmund is no exception, and though James King was a golden-toned, amorous youth on the Solti Die Walküre, Vickers is mightily Zarathustran and gloriously introspective during "Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond." Janowitz, who could make the harshest, most brutal German phrases drip with the smoothness and creamy elegance of French, brings radiance and gleaming simplicity to her Sieglinde which no other soprano could dare attempt. Their ecstatic, and eventually orgasmic, love duet ("Du bist der Lenz" ... "O süsseste Wonne! Seligstes Weib!" ... "Siegmund, den Wälsung, siehst du, Weib!") may be the greatest moment of Karajan's entire Ring Cycle.

The character of Wotan, the ruler of the gods, should, theoretically, be performed by a commanding, sonorous bass-baritone such as George London, Hans Hotter, Theo Adam, or James Morris, the most superb modern Wagnerian baritone. However, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, who was so praised for his vocal delicacy and aristocratic gentility, is surprisingly successful as the ambitious god whose ageless wisdom was blinded by his opulent rapaciousness in Das Rheingold. Fischer-Dieskau was often fussy and blusterous on the operatic stage, but brief instances of vocal waywardness are often excusable through Wagner, and he will have no difficulty pleasing the most caustic critic during his wondrous musing as the gods enter the celestial fortress of Valhalla ("Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge...So grüss ich die Burg"). Thomas Stewart, a severely under-recorded American baritone, excels as Wotan in Die Walküre and Siegfried. Wotan's eminent farewell to Brünnhilde in Die Walküre ("Leb wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind!...Der Augen leuchtendes Paar") could easily buckle many baritones; Stewart, however, sings with unfettered passion and mournful abandonment as the pained father. He is less thrilling (due to the context of the music, not his voice) in his conjuring of Erda in Siegfried ("Wache, Wala! Wala! Erwach!").

Gerhard Stolze, the consummate character singer, is not featured on this set of highlights as Mime, Alberich's toiling, gnomish brother, in Siegfried; his unique caricature of Loge in Das Rheingold is inserted instead. Loge, the mischievous demigod of fire, is a part usually performed by a heldentenor, such as Wolfgang Windgassen, Set Svanholm, or Siegfried Jerusalem, and for those strictly concerned with vocal beauty, these singers would be highly appropriate. However, for those seeking a more burlesque, stupendously acted performance (merely listen as he warns the gods not to enter Valhalla ["Ihrem Ende eilen sie zu"]), Stolze is perfectly idiomatic and certainly does not "bark" his lines, though he is occasionally criticized for doing so. Hungarian bass-baritone Zoltan Kélémén's career began, for the most part, with Karajan casting him as Alberich. The most inimitable interpreter of the dwarf fiend was Gustav Neidlinger; his Alberich was explosively, thunderously vindictive, a Caligulan nemesis. Kélémén's Alberich was a twisted, grisly deuce, and though he may have lacked the vocal robustness of Neidlinger (and the malignant guffaw), his retort against the mocking of the Rheintöchter ("Der Welt Erbe gewänn ich zu eigen duch dich") is a petrifying outburst. Helen Donath, Edda Moser, and Anna Reynolds are the most perfectly tuned Rheintöchter available on disc. No other trio can compare with their beguiling chatter in the first scene ("Lugt, Schwestern! Die Weckerin lacht in den Grund") nor with their wrathful longing in the finale ("Rheingold! Rheingold! Reines Gold!"). Liselotte Rebmann, Daniza Mastilovic, Ingrid Steger, Lilo Brockhaus, Carlotta Ordassy, Barbro Ericson, Cvetka Ahlin, and Helja Jenckel are similarly victorious during the Walkürnritt ("Hojotoho!"), which is sure to conjure an image of helicopters napalming seaside Vietnamese villages vis-à-vis Francis Ford Coppola or hellish, armed and armor-bedecked maidens soaring about on flying horses.

Josephine Veasey possessed an elegant, matronly tone which was perfectly suited for Fricka, Wotan's bickering wife, the goddess of marriage. Donald Grobe, a Karajan regular, is insipid but secure as Froh in his brief monologue ("Zur Burg führt die Brücke"). Martti Talvela and Karl Ridderbusch (another Karajan regular) shared the four main bass roles in the saga: Fasolt, Fafner, Hunding, and Hagen. Talvela is noted as one of the most sympathetic Fasolts on record; one must wonder how Talvela, the gargantuan Finnish bass, could not be suitable as a giant in any opera. His performance is woefully truncated here, alas. His Hunding, which was surely brutish and bovine, is not heard at all. The iniquitous villain Fafner's greatest moment comes not in Das Rheingold as the bellowing lummox but in Siegfried as the leering, yawning dragon; this is also left out of the collection. Ridderbusch's performance as Hagen, often heralded as one of his finest, is represented here by little more than his final outburst of "Zurück vom Ring!" After Dame Joan Sutherland's "cameo" appearance as the Waldwogel in Sir Georg Solti's Siegfried, all other performances are bound to fall short. Nonetheless, Catherine Gayer is notably lovely and chirpy.

Most criticism concerning the soloists is invested in insulting Jess Thomas, Helga Dernesch, and Helge Brilioth. Thomas, a regal Lohengrin and Tannhäuser in his youth, has forever been the recipient of spiteful banter reviling his performance as Siegfried in the third opera of the cycle. It is true that Windgassen owned the role in much the same way that Birgit Nilsson was the executor of Brünnhilde (after Flagstad and Varnay); however, their performances were sublime in the locality of their vocal precision and dramatic prowess, which were sublime. In the sector of vocal attractiveness (which is, one must concede, Karajan's principal area of focus), Windgassen fell short of the golden-throated Thomas, and Nilsson's steely voice, though it possessed its own rampageous eroticism, was also inferior to Helga Dernesch's richer and milder tone. As examples, Thomas is marvelous during the darkly impressionistic, meandering Waldweben ("Dass der mein Vater nicht ist"); Dernesch is ravishing in the Awakening Scene ("Heil dir, Sonne! Heil dir, Licht! ... Siegfried! Siegfried! Seliger Held!") and in the apocalyptic finale of Götterdämmerung ("Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort...Fliegt heim, ihr Raben!"). Poor Brilioth is often criticized for simply sounding dull and inadequate as Siegfried in Götterdämmerung, and one must concede that it would have been more prudent for Karajan to cast Windgassen. [Régine Crespin, who is not featured on this collection, performed Brünnhilde in Die Walkure. This had mixed results, for most held her performance as the Valkyrie in juxtaposition to her gorgeous interpretation of Sieglinde on the Solti recording. I, personally, found her Brunnhilde delightfully witty and humane.]

Perhaps the greatest fault of this collection of highlights is that it is what it is: a collection of excerpts. Der Ring des Nibelungen is an expansive masterpiece which is not suitable for a two-disc collection of noteworthy tracks. This compilation, nevertheless, is indeed superb (as are most Deutsche Grammophon/Panorama releases), as is the set of highpoints from Karl Böhm's Ring Cycle, released through Philips. One should, by all means, disregard the hateful criticism placed upon Karajan's work here. It is not his finest, but it is Karajan, and his worst level is a pinnacle of excellence which most conductors can only hope to achieve, particularly in a Wagnerian sphere.

Where is Karajan's Ring on amazon?.......2005-09-05

I can't find any of the four Ring operas here at amazon.com. This is very peculiar, but in case you, too, are looking for them, I can say that the Rheingold and Die Walkure are superb, but the Siegfried is vocally a catastrophe, beginning with the woeful Jess Thomas in the title role, and the Gotterdammerung is hampered by an inedequate Siegfried and a not veyr inspired dernesch as Brunnhilde. DG has remastered them all at mid-price, and the mid-Sixties analog sound was good to begin with.

not an introduction to The Ring.......2005-04-18

This is absolutely the best "highlight" collection out there -- no others come close to the range and depth of material provided. But beware, this is not an "introduction to The Ring", as some claim -- the notes are skimpy, the titles of the excerpts are untranslated, there is no libretto, no description of the excerpts -- their context or meaning -- so what you have is a great summary of the works -- one that is most useful if you already know them -- something to take along with you in the car or while jogging or walking the dog to remind you of the real thing. Bear in mind that whatever the deficiencies of this collection, the others have the same faults also.

A wonderful introduction, or a new experience.......2004-02-14

Admittedly, it is a daunting task to try to "get into" opera, and even more so with Wagner's Ring. This CD is perfect for the beginner and the more experienced listener for various reasons. First of all, it spoils you somewhat in presenting you with the best pieces of the various operas. These "bleeding chunks" certainly give you a wonderful introduction to the various motifs, and most importantly, are very long pieces. The CD manages to capture several of the different flavors present in Wagner's opera.

Secondly, the CD is worth its price mainly due to Karajan's conducting. After listening to Solti's version of the Ring (also wonderful), I was suprised by the subtle hints he seems to charge through. You can literally hear the galloping of the horse, or subtle musical hints which add a great appreciation and character to the opera. Thus, if you have experienced several other conductors, but have not had the pleasure of Karajan, it would be worth the price.

Unfortunatly, some of the singing is kinda weak. Again, after Solti's Valkyries, you will have a hard time getting into the singing. And again, Karajan's Brunhilde isn't as strong as Solti's, but she still holds her own. Loge, here, sounds like a trickster (though he does sing/speak his words), and the Wotan's are alright.

In conclusion, this is perfect if you want to add flavor to your Wagner listening experience, or just want to know what the big deal is. I, of course, suggest getting one of the DVD's to get the big picture of what is going on (Levine's MET is a good start). So buy and enjoy.

good introduction.......2002-06-11

this is a good way to see why it is worth getting the full Der Ring opera--all 15 CDs! having just the highlights shows you the power and majesty of Wagner's music, but skips the depth and true emotion you get out of listening to the whole opera.

Music Album:

1. Ruby & Other Bluegrass Specials
2. Shiflett, Karl / Big Country S
3. Singer/Songwriter
4. Singing With Emmylou 1
5. Somewhere in the Stars/Rhythm & Romance
6. That's the Way Love Goes
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8. The Bluegrass Sessions]
9. The Country Music Hall of Fame-Ernest Tubb
10. The Days In Between

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