Empty House

Amazon.com
This Kansas City quintet, together since 1997, long ago established their flair for honky-tonk minimalism delivered with finesse and free of campy, self-conscious imitation. On their fourth album, 11 numbers--all but one originals--are concise and tailored to fit Hobart's tense George Jones/Johnny Paycheck phrasing as he explores the nooks and crannies of romantic strife. He warns on "Don't Make Me Break Your Heart," and captures sorrow morphing to anger on a 1960s Paycheck cover, "It Won't Be Long (And I'll Be Hating You)." Paycheck's particular style of angst lives on in "I Don't Like That Mirror's" thoughtful, reflective bitterness. The subtly humorous "The Tear I Left Behind" effectively detours into shuffle-swing, and the album ends with "Black Iron Bridge," an abbreviated blockbuster of a suicide number. The Misery Boys share Hobart's sense of economy. T.C. Dobbs and Blackjack Snow are a solid rhythm section; guitarist J.B. Morris and steel guitarist Solomon Hofer shine by knowing when not to play. If there's one real-life tragedy, it's that the mainstream hasn't yet discovered these guys. --Rich Kienzle

Empty House,Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys,Bloodshot Records,Alternative Country-Rock,Americana,Country,Honky Tonk,Indie Rock,Pop,United States of America

Average customer rating: BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER Time well spent. Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs Buy the full version, please Argh Matey!

Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast) Alain Boublil , Claude-Michel Schonberg , and Colm Wilkinson Manufacturer: Decca U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast) Selections From Cats (1982 Original Broadway Cast) Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast - Highlights) The Best Of Rent: Highlights From The Original Cast Album (1996 Original Broadway Cast) The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection ASIN: B000084TRM Release Date: 2003-01-28

Tracks:

1. Overture/Work Song
2. I Dreamed a Dream
3. Who Am I?
4. Castle on a Cloud
5. Master of the House
6. Stars
7. Do You Hear the People Sing?
8. A Heart Full of Love
9. One Day More
10. On My Own
11. A Little Fall of Rain
12. Drink with Me
13. Bring Him Home
14. Javert's Suicide
15. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
16. Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast
17. Finale

Amazon.com

While not overly generous at 55 minutes, the highlights album of the 1987 original Broadway cast recording of Les Miserables is intelligently selected and likely to prove satisfying to most fans. It includes the best-loved numbers of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score, beautiful ballads ("Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream") and rousing anthems ("One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?") alike, but eliminates some choral numbers ("Lovely Ladies"), redundancies ("Red and Black"), and connective tissue that propels the plot along ("Valjean Arrested," "Come to Me (Fantine's Death)"). Sure, a more perfect selection could have lasted longer than half of the two-disc set's 104 minutes by adding "At the End of the Day" and "In My Life," among others, but it's still a good representation on a convenient single disc. Of course, those who always want to re-create the theatrical experience will never be satisfied with a highlights album.

Re-creating their roles from the London production, Colm Wilkinson plays the heroic Valjean and Frances Ruffelle is the despondent Eponine. Randy Graff (Fantine), Terrence Mann (Javert), David Bryant (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Michael Maguire (Enjolras), and Leo Burmester and Jennifer Butt (the Thénardiers) fill out the cast. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

BEST OPERA MUSIC EVER.......2006-11-03

This is the BEST!! I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes this kind of music!

Time well spent........2005-09-14

Each member of the Les Miserables cast stands to deliver this musical to its audience. Within moments we are transported to France during their Restoration. We experience sadness, laughter and, indeed, want to join in their crusade. The music and deliverance, in my opinion, is excellent.

Great Score, But Highlights Missing Critical Songs.......2005-08-05

Composers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score for "Les Miserables" is simply brilliant and the spectacular Broadway cast, led by Colm Wilkinson, Randy Graff, Terrence Mann, and Frances Ruffelle, help bring this incredible music to life!

While I normally enjoy "highlight" cds, this one clocks in at a mere 55 minutes and could have easily included a couple of additional tunes (thus losing one star). Most notably missing: "At The End Of The Day", "Come To Me", "Red And Black", and "In My Life". The show's most memorable songs, however, are included.

Best tracks:

I Dreamed A Dream
Master Of The House
Stars
Do You Hear The People Sing
On My Own
A Little Fall Of Rain
Bring Him Home
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables

Great cast, great score ... even a good buy. But I would suggest the full double-disc score instead.

Buy the full version, please.......2005-01-20

Highlights are never worth it. You will never get the little in-between songs which make a show complete, montages will be cut together badly instead of being full songs as they should be...so much is left out. This is a fantastic show and deserves to be heard in full.

Argh Matey!.......2004-11-22

"Highlights" albums are not the full show, blah blah blah... THIS TAKES UP ONLY ONE SPACE IN YOUR CD RACK INSTEAD OF TWO LIKE THE FULL RECORDING. I rest my case.

Average customer rating: A good value The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann Good mix of film music A mixed collection of movie music Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Elfman, Danny | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Holdridge, Lee | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kamen | Kamen, Michael | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Waxman | Waxman, Franz | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores In Session: Film Music Celebration The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music Music In Film (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium) ASIN: B00008WI90 Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. The Man from Snowy River (Bruce Rowland)
2. The Winds of War (Bob Cobert)
3. Blue Velvet (Angelo Badalamenti)
4. Witness (Maurice Jarre)
5. Raising Arizona (Carter Burwell)
6. Pee Wees Big Adventure (Danny Elfman)
7. Halloween (John Carpenter)
8. A Nightmare On Elm Street (Charles Bernstein)
9. The Fly (Howard Shore)
10. RoboCop (Basil Poledouris)
11. The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams)
12. The Right Stuff (Bill Conti)
13. The Final Conflict (Jerry Goldsmith)
14. The Abyss (Alan Silvestri)
15. Brainstorm (James Horner)
16. Peggy Sue Got Married (John Barry)
17. My Left Foot (Elmer Bernstein)
18. The Dead (Alex North)
19. Stanley & Iris (John Williams)
20. The Milagro Beanfield War (Dave Grusin)
21. Driving Miss Daisy (Hans Zimmer)

Tracks:

1. Steel Magnolias (Georges Delerue)
2. Unforgiven (Lennie Niehaus and Clint Eastwood)
3. Raggedy Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
4. The Grifters (Elmer Bernstein)
5. Green Card (Hans Zimmer)
6. City Slickers (Marc Shaiman)
7. Father Of The Bride (Alan Silvestri)
8. While You Were Sleeping (Randy Edelman)
9. Babe (Nigel Westlake)
10. The Adventures Of The Great Mouse Detective (Henry Mancini)
11. The Adventures of Robin Hood (Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
12. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (Laurence Rosenthal)
13. The Secret Garden (Zbigniew Preisner)
14. A Little Princess (Patrick Doyle)
15. Rudy (Jerry Goldsmith)
16. Iron Will (Joel McNeely)
17. Memphis Belle (George Fenton)
18. Eye Of The Needle (Mikl)
19. Total Recall (Jerry Goldsmith)
20. Back To The Future Part III (Alan Silvestri)

Tracks:

1. To Die For (Danny Elfman)
2. The Player (Thomas Newman)
3. Black Robe (Georges Delerue)
4. Medicine Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
5. 2001 (Alex North)
6. Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire (Joel McNeely)
7. The Crow (Graeme Revell)
8. Blade (Mark Isham)
9. The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith)
10. Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann)
11. Scream (Marco Beltrami)
12. The Sixth Sense (James Newton Howard)
13. Xena: Warrior Princess (Joseph LoDuca)
14. Air Force One (Jerry Goldsmith)
15. Starship Troopers (Basil Poledouris)
16. The Matrix (Don Davis)
17. The Iron Giant (Michael Kamen)
18. Youve Got Mail (George Fenton)
19. A Little Romance (Georges Delerue)
20. Pleasantville (Randy Newman)

Tracks:

1. Sunset Boulevard (Franz Waxman)
2. L.A. Confidential (Jerry Goldsmith)
3. Rounders (Christopher Young)
4. The Score (Howard Shore)
5. The Replacements (John Debney)
6. Gone In 60 Seconds (Trevor Rabin)
7. The Bourne Identity (John Powell)
8. Rush Hour 2 (Lalo Schifrin)
9. XXX (Randy Edelman)
10. Die Hard (Michael Kamen)
11. The Last of the Mohicans (Trevor Jones)
12. Moby Dick (Christopher Gordon)
13. The Mists Of Avalon (Lee Holdridge)
14. Cleopatra (Alex North)
15. Life As A House (Mark Isham)
16. Emma (Rachel Portman)
17. In The Bedroom (Thomas Newman)
18. Cast Away (Alan Silvestri)
19. One True Thing (Cliff Eidelman)
20. Unfaithful (Jan A.P. Kaczmarek)
21. Far From Heaven (Elmer Bernstein)
22. Ice Age (David Newman)
23. Shrek (Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell)

Customer Reviews:

A good value.......2007-05-17

I wasn't expecting to have 4 discs for this price, and the music is a quality selection of film music, giving a good scope of the genre, and a very listenable transfer.

The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann.......2006-07-25

This collection is bound to capture your heart and evoke a tin ear on successive tracks. I found much to like and some duds - easy to skip over.
Very good value.

Good mix of film music.......2006-07-02

Good mix of films!
I'm a big fan of this soundtrack music and will be looking for more CD's like this.

A mixed collection of movie music.......2006-02-23

For the price, this CD is a great bargain. The musical selections, as you might expect, are mixed in quality ranging from extraordinary to so so, the balance being worthwhile and interesting. Sonically the CD is excellent.

Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens.......2006-01-06

I have been listening to great scores for many years and this collection is truly inspirational in so far as the choice of different scores takes you on a journey of listening pleasure matched by only a few collections.The price is incredibly reasonable for hours of listening pleasure. Don't pass this one up

Average customer rating: Beautiful Voice, Brilliant Beats Easy Streets Superb CD Enjoyable album

Empty Streets Late Night Alumni Manufacturer: Hed Kandi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Here and Now Love Mysterious Tri-State Cherry House of Om: Kaskade ASIN: B000AJIANU Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

1. Seemingly Sleepy
2. Rainy Days
3. Empty Streets
4. Rest of You
5. Sunrise Comes Too Soon
6. Eros
7. Keep Up With Me
8. Heaven
9. Beautiful
10. Meant to Be
11. All for Nothing
12. Nothing Left to Say

Album Description

Kaskade legends team up with sultry vocalist Becky Williams to create deep house and dreamy beat heaven with their Late Night Alumni project, which came about when Finn heard Becky sing on a local Salt Lake City Christmas compilation, and impressed by what he heard, tracked her down to provide some vocals on a song he had written. The first single from the album, also entitled Empty Streets, boasts a remix by Kaskade themselves among others. It's textured deep house and distinctive vocals are themes reflected in several other tracks on the album, with standouts including 'Heaven' and 'Nothing Left To Say'. 12 total tracks. Hed Kandi. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Voice, Brilliant Beats.......2006-11-16

"Empty Streets" and "Beautiful" popped up in a few mixes and compilations, and are immediate standout songs. Becky's voice is like a loving massage, breathy, full of underlying emotion, and technically superb. The production quality is excellent, the electronic elements are masterfully executed, at least as well done as other Kaskade favorites. Excellent "the whole package" album.

With Ministry of Sound bringing Hed Kandi into their fold, I expect the next release to get the right distribution. I listen to a lot of electronica, and when these guys get the audience they deserve, they can make it to the top of the genre.

Easy Streets.......2006-06-25

The music is much better than I expected. Great lounge type music for dinner parties, group gatherings, or just chilling out.

Superb CD.......2006-01-05

I bought this cd well-knowing what to expect after hearing the group's tracks on Hed Kandi compilation releases. Tracks like "Seemingly Sleepy," "Empty Streets," "All For Nothing," and "Nothing Left To Say" were all personal favorites.

Being a down-tempo fan, I was surprised to find that such tracks like "Rainy Days," "Eros" and "Sunrise Comes Too Soon" were also very good. Think soft, whispery-vocals that slightly resemble Björk, except with a soft & smooth jazzy style that mixes Kaskade's best house music and Naked Music down-tempo (e.g. Aya, Carte Blanche).

Kaskade, being one of the members of this solid group, dosen't fail to disappoint. If you are a fan of Hed Kandi, Kaskade or Miguel Migs, you'll be very pleased with this purchase.

Enjoyable album.......2005-10-26

I've always enjoyed Late Night Alumni. My introduction to them was through the inclusion of their songs on Hed Kandi compilations. I rushed out to find this cd as soon as it was released. I am not disapointed in the least. It's a nice relaxing album to listen to anytime, morning or night. It's very chillout with a hint of electronica thrown in. Highlights include the title track, "Seemingly Sleepy", "Beautiful", "Meant To Be", "Nothing Left to Say" and the latin influenced "The Rest of You". Check it out!

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites Manufacturer: Castle Pulse ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | 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 Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | 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 General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Favourite Welsh Choirs Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome Traditional Songs of Wales ASIN: B0009SOFXG Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

1. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
2. Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
3. Dies Irae
4. Men of Harlech
5. You'll Never Walk Alone
6. Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
7. Old Folks at Home
8. Il Liza Jane
9. Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
10. Vergine Degli Angeli
11. Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
12. My Hero
13. God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
14. German Mass/Gloria
15. German Mass/Sanctus
16. Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
17. All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
18. Arwelfa
19. Invictus
20. Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

1. Diolch l'R L
2. Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
3. Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
4. Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
5. Memories of Martha
6. I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
9. Creation's Hymn
10. In the Spirit!
11. Shall We Gather at the River
12. Nos a Bore
13. Very Best Time of Year
14. Soon Ah Will Be Done
15. Thanks Be to God
16. Flower That Shattered the Stone
17. Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
18. Where Shall I Be?
19. Bywyd y Bugail
20. Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
3. She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
4. Cymru Fach
5. Nidaros
6. Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Watching the Wheat
8. Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
9. Misbles/Stars
10. Rachie
11. Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
12. There Is a Balm in Gilead
13. Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
14. My Lord, What a Mornin'
15. Bryn Myrddin
16. Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
17. Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
18. Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
19. Ride the Chariot
20. Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

1. Y Nefoedd
2. Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
3. Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
4. By Babylon's Wave
5. I'm Gonna Sing
6. Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
7. Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
9. Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
10. That's All I Want from You
11. Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
12. Give Me Jesus
13. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
14. My Wish for You
15. Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
16. Mose in Egitto/Prayer
17. Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
18. God's Choir in the Sky
19. Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
20. Smilin' Through

Tracks:

1. Calon Lan
2. True Love
3. Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
4. Aberystwyth
5. Comrades in Arms
6. Cats/Memory
7. They Led My Lord Away
8. State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
9. When I Fall in Love
10. Let's Face the Music and Dance
11. Windmills of Your Mind
12. How Soon
13. Non Nobis Domine
14. Rhythm of Life
15. Kalinka
16. Sound an Alarm
17. Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
18. Turandot/Nessun Dorma
19. Christus Redemptor
20. Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Average customer rating: Loved this CD I LOVE this CD! Costello Partners with Hubris and Yields Variable Results what's so funny about peace, love, and understanding? No life in her (pop) art

For the Stars Anne Sofie von Otter , and Elvis Costello Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Anne Sofie von Otter - Speak Low ~ Songs by Kurt Weill / Gardiner North The Juliet Letters Deep Dead Blue, Live at Meltdown When I Was Cruel ASIN: B00005A46I Release Date: 2001-04-10

Tracks:

1. No Wonder
2. Baby Plays Around
3. Go Leave
4. Rope
5. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
6. Broken Bicycles / Junk
7. The Other Woman
8. Like An Angel Passing Through My Room
9. Green Song
10. April After All
11. You Still Believe In Me
12. I Want To Vanish
13. For No One
14. Shamed Into Love
15. Just A Curio
16. This House Is Empty Now
17. Take It With Me
18. For The Stars

Amazon.com

At a time when popular music has been micro-marketed to the far side of ad nauseam, Declan MacManus, a.k.a. Elvis Costello, has traded on his reputation as the brightest songwriter to emerge from the new wave era to foster any number of delightful, cross-genre/generation musical surprises, including soundtracks and collaborations with the Brodsky Quartet, Paul McCartney, jazz artist Roy Nathanson, and songwriting legend Burt Bacharach. The latest fruit of that generous, insatiably curious artistic spirit is this elegant partnership with Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne-Sofie von Otter. Though an admitted pop novice, Otter couldn't have picked a better confederate than Costello, an artist whose taste in songs has seldom been tainted by trend.

Together, they weave material from disparate sources--including a slate of compelling Costello material, a pair of Brian Wilson's evocative "Pet Sounds" confessionals, a Tom Waits song from Francis Ford Coppola's One from the Heart (oddly, though effectively, coupled in medley with McCartney's "Junk"), an Abba song, and the Beatles' "For No One"--into a musical tapestry of stately power and grace. Costello sparingly uses his voice as seasoning throughout, though his masterful touch is everywhere. Otter's novice pop singing reveals an easy knack for jazz phrasing that should tempt further explorations and a warmth that belies the rigidity that's so often a byproduct of classical training. Most gratifying of all, this album ultimately achieves what's become one of the loftiest plateaus in Pop music: common ground. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Loved this CD .......2006-06-13

Who would pair Costello and an opera singer?? Elvis, and somehow it works. I really love the tone and moodiness of it and lyrics that talk about love and life, failure and success. It's soulful, in a contemplative way, music for those tucked away, rainy days .

I LOVE this CD!.......2005-09-01

Finally, an opera singer who knows how to channel her Classical training into a sound that is, as one critic aptly described it, "what pop singers would sound like if they could actually sing"! Although Elvis Costello does not join Ms. von Otter very often in the vocals, when he does they harmonize beautifully. With great melodies (some beautiful, some catchy) and sensitive (but not sappy) lyrics, this album makes a fine addition to any CD collection.

Costello Partners with Hubris and Yields Variable Results.......2005-05-08

Having just heard Elvis Costello's masterful collaboration with Burt Bacharach, "Painted from Memory", for the first time this past month, I had high hopes for this equally unusual partnership with mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter released in 2001. This time, however, Costello acts as arranger and producer, and it is von Otter who is front and center on vocals. She is among the most revered of singers on the opera and recital stages, and she has impressed me in the past, in particular, with her Dejanira in the 2002 Marc Minkowski-led performance of Handel's "Hercules", among many other roles she has embodied. Here she is called upon to be a pop chanteuse, and while the beauty of her voice is inarguable in any setting, her ability to interpret the diverse lyrics in these songs is far more debatable. This is where a Marianne Faithfull, a Blossom Dearie or even a Joni Mitchell could capture more of the underlying feeling with a fraction of the vocal power von Otter can provide but with twice the nuance. There is a rather sterile sameness to the performances here, somewhat jazz-inflected in a cocktail lounge manner at times and at other times, rather morose and dirge-like.

Take, for example, her rendition of Brian Wilson's "Don't Ask (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)" from the legendary "Pet Sounds" album. It moves so glacially that it actually extricates the romantic subtext almost surgically. The same can be said for Jessie Mae Robinson's "The Other Woman", which has at least Magnus Persson's vibraphone to provide relief from the tedium. She's better on the other "Pet Sounds" classic, "You Still Believe in Me", where she cannily soars with the chorus, though Costello damages it by adding some odd, muffled rapping in the background. Ironically, it is on the Costello compositions where the recording most noticeably flails. The opener "No Wonder" starts as a "Greensleeves"-like madrigal and then turns into Beatlesque pop; "Baby Plays Around" seems to suffer from exhaustion by all parties; the two Fleshquartet collaborations, "Rope" and "Just a Curio", sound somewhat like extraterrestrial hymns done in a series of minor keys; and the closing title track, "For the Stars" includes peppy, Beach Boys-sounding harmonies which escape her grasp. In fact, "Just a Curio" would have been a more appropriate title for this entire recording.

On the other hand, the Gallic flavor of Benny Andersson's accordion effectively informs her rendition of Tom Waits' "Broken Bicycles", which melds perfectly with Costello's vocal on Paul McCartney's "Junk". Speaking of Andersson, a fellow Scandinavian, von Otter admirably covers a piano-led ABBA ballad, "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room". She also displays a meticulously casual bounce on Lennon-McCartney's "For No One", though it stops rather abruptly. Von Otter acquits herself surprisingly well on the jazzy "Shamed into Love", written by another unlikely duo, Costello and Rubén Blades, and performed as almost a smokier variation of Bacharach's "Alfie". And speaking of Bacharach, she does a nice turn on the lovely "This House Is Empty Now" from the 1998 Bacharach-Costello disc. Costello and von Otter are masters of their craft, but I think some of the collaborations reflect simply irreconcilable differences. While Costello seems to have an insatiable desire to expand musically, his hubris here appears to constrain the often preternatural vocal skill von Otter displays on the opera and recital stage. Consequently, what we have here is a nice album, a generous one with eighteen tracks, that doesn't seem to capitalize on either contributor's talent fully.

what's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?.......2004-04-22

Nothing's funny about this boring duo. I picked this up FREE at my library and it didn't take me too many tracks to see why it was donated. The musical arrangements are hapless and dull, and her voice is Dion without the Vegas power finale. Come to think of it, the lyrics remind me of Dion; they are as saccharine as anything Dion has ever sung. I wasted a blank CD on this limp, sleepy pairing of two otherwise good artists.

No life in her (pop) art.......2004-03-15

I am a big fan of both artists and wanted very much for this combination to work. It avoids the traditional trap of "oversinging" the pop material. But a few years after its release, in these American Idol era, is that really such a terror for pop music any more? So-called oversinging seems pretty popular these days!

The big problem is that von Otter has not found a way to communicate any emotion in this scaled-down form of singing. All her classical techniques are stripped away, and there's nothing to replace them. Sure, her voice is gorgeous, but it sounds exactly the same no matter what the lyrical content. The songs could have been made up of nonsense syllables for all the emotional life she communicates.

Deeply disappointing - but someone, somewhere, will figure out how to bring classically trained singers to the wonderful pop song repertoire that has been composed over the past 50 years. Elvis may very well be the person to do it, but not on this album.

Average customer rating: Great, definitely go with this and TAC Awesome Bought it used - thank God! magnificent! Mixed Feelings

Les Miserables - The Complete Symphonic Recording Claude-Michel Schonberg Manufacturer: Relativity ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Low-Carb Cookbook: The Complete Guide to the Healthy Low-Carbohydrate Lifestyle with over 250 Delicious Recipes Target Costing: The Next Frontier in Strategic Cost Management Sapphire and Steel - The Complete Series Understanding Variation: The Key to Managing Chaos (2nd Edition) Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000003BVK Release Date: 1990-05-22

Tracks:

1. Prologue
2. Valjean's Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)
3. At The End Of The Day
4. I Dreamed A Dream
5. Lovely Ladies
6. Fantine's Arrest
7. The Runaway Cart
8. Who Am I?-The Trial
9. Fantine's Death
10. The Confrontation
11. Castle On A Cloud
12. Master Of The House

Tracks:

1. The Bargain-The Waltz Of Treachery
2. Look Down
3. The Robbery-Javert's Intervention (Another Brawl)
4. Stars
5. Eponine's Errand
6. The ABC Cafe-Red And Black
7. Do You Hear The People Sing?
8. Rue Plumet-In My LIfe
9. A Heart Full Of Love
10. The Attack On Rue Plumet
11. One Day More!
12. At The Barricade (Upon These Stones)
13. On My Own
14. Building The Barricade
15. Javert's Arrival
16. Little People
17. A Little Fall Of Rain
18. Night Of Anguish
19. First Attack

Tracks:

1. Drink With Me
2. Bring Him Home
3. Dawn Of Anguish
4. The Second Attack (Death Of Gavroche)
5. The Final Battle
6. The Sewers-Dog Eats Dog
7. Javert's Suicide
8. Turning
9. Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
10. Every Day (Marius And Cosette)
11. Valjean's Confession
12. The Wedding Chorale- Beggars At The Feast
13. Epilogue (Finale)
14. Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Great, definitely go with this and TAC.......2005-08-31

Right now, there are four official English-language versions of Les Miserables: the Original London Cast Recording, the Original Broadway Cast Recording, the Complete Symphonic Recording, and the 10th Anniversary Concert Recording. Les Mis' addicts are best served by purchasing all recordings, as they showcase different stages (as in the OLC and the OBC) of the development of this mega-musical, as well as the interesting variations in presentation and performances by the different casts and orchestras.

If you're the average musical-theater listener who can't afford to buy all available English-language recordings, however, my advice would be to get the CSR (due to the fact that it's "complete") and the TAC recording (due to the fact that performer- and performance-wise, it's leaps and bounds better than all of the other recordings). You deserve no less.

Awesome.......2005-07-03

I can't believe all the negative comments about Gary Morris. He is so much better in the role than Colm Wilkinson. I've seen Gary perform the part three times and there is NO better Jean ValJean (seen the play 14 times). It's an international cast and some of the accents do take time getting used to. But the power of the music supercedes it all. Listen with your heart people. It's so incredible.

Bought it used - thank God!.......2005-06-17

"Les Miserables" is a marvelous musical; a stunningly faithful interpretation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece, with an inspiring storyline and unforgettable characters. There are 2 reasons for buying a Les Mis CD - (1) you've seen a performance and want ONE CD to remind you of it or (2) you've become a les Mis junkie (like me) and want multiple versions so you too can hold forth on the rival merits of Andy Warlow vs Michael Maguire, Patty LuPone vs Ruthie Henshaw, Frances Ruffelle vs Kaho Shimada vs Lea Solonga. If you are in the first category, you really want the Tenth Anniversary Concert. The TAC has the complete storyline (albeit slightly abridged), it was recorded live (so there's an unique intensity and chemistry between performers), and from top to bottom it has by far the best cast.

However, if you're a serious Les Mis fan, you should buy this CD (in addition), simply because it does have the complete score. (The trouble with THAT is that it includes practically the only misstep in the whole script - if Jean Valjean has his number branded on his chest, then how is it credible that someone else will be convicted in his place?) I bought it for that reason and to hear other interpretations of the roles (in particular Andy Warlow's). I have all 4 versions, and they have all have their pluses and minuses, but frankly, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for this one. This version has a rather weak cast in general, but that does add to the fun arguing about it. On the plus side, it has Philip Quast ( THE BEST Javert, but he's even better on the TAC), Michael Ball (THE BEST Marius, also on the OLC and TAC versions), and Andy Warlow (a stirring Enjorlas for sure, but not THAT much better than Michael Maguire on the OBC and TAC). The scenes at the barricade are the best part of the CD. Kaho Shimada is an uneven Eponine, OK sometimes, less so at others. Debbie Byrne (Fantine) is OK, but I don't find her as moving as Patty LuPone (OLC) or Ruthie Henshaw (TAC). Tracy Shayne (Cosette) is irratating, not nearly as sweet as Judy Kuhn (OLB and TAC) or even Rebecca Caine (OLC). I find Barry James and especially Gay Soper (M. and Mme. Thenardier) grating as well.

I really miss Colm Wilkinson (OLC, OBC and TAC). OK, he has a unique singing style, but such heart. Not always perfect, but so powerful and emotional. All his solos and "Confrontation" just stop me dead in my tracks. The sweetness and purity of his "Bring Him Home" and "Epilogue" move me to tears. But really, there must be someone else who can do at least an adequate job or the show wouldn't have run so long in so many venues. I am willing to listen to another interpretation, but not this one. This is the central role in the play, it really can't survive without a good performance here. Gary Morris is horrible as Jean Valjean, cringe-provoking at times, merely weak at others. He's totally overmatched by Quast in "Confrontation" and by everyone in "One Day More" and "Epilogue". I haven't tried the recommendation of one reviewer of listening while squinting and shaking my head hard, but I don't see how that will help. Morris's "What have I done?", "Bring Him Home" and "Valjean's Confession" make me cover my ears or send me running for the fast forward button, although "Who am I?" isn't so bad. (I just tried the head shaking trick, it didn't help.)

magnificent!.......2005-06-15

Ok, I admit it. I have long been a fan of musicals, but I was only exposed to Les Mis a few months ago. My roommate loaned me this recording, and I fell in love. I played nothing but this soundtrack for the next several weeks.

As this is the only recording I've heard fully, I cannot give any comparisons between the performers here and those on other versions, but I do wish to give my general impression of the cast.

*Gary Morris (Valjean) - he has a strong, clear voice with which it is hard to find fault. He sings with emotion and passion, and I cannot imagine ever tiring of hearing him as Jean Valjean. If I had to give a complaint, it would be that I could imagine a voice with a little more distinct character...something a little riskier for the part of someone so complex.

*Philip Quast (Javert) - wow, I love deep voices, and his is so rich! I love when he hits the low note near the beginning of "Confrontation" ...I've seriously replayed that part over and over again just because it sends shivers through me...haha, I think you get the idea. This guy is good.

*Debbie Byrne (Fantine) - her voice took some getting used to because at first it seemed to me a little uncontrolled, almost like she could capture the fullness of the sound but not quite hit the notes. However, the more I listen to her, the more I enjoy her. Her voice has a wonderful texture, something you totally miss when listening to the super-clear, trilling sopranos that seem to be found all over most other musicals.

*Kaho Shimada (Eponine) - her voice took a little getting used to as well. I was a little confused until I realized she was Japanese, for though I wouldn't say you hear an accent, her voice does have a very different quality to it. Still, I enjoyed her performance very much. Her voice is trembling with emotion the entire time, almost like she can hardly control it...it is quite moving.

*Tracy Shayne (Cosette) - wow. I'm sorry, is Cosette supposed to be this shrill? Turn it off! While I'm impressed at some of the notes she hits, I don't think it's supposed to make you want to cover your ears.

*Michael Ball (Marius) -Ball makes Marius, a rather annoying character if you ask me, into someone actually likable, if not lovable. He's passionate and romantic, but not vapid. Probably my favorite vocal performance.

*Gay Soper and Barry James (the Thernardiers) - their voices are rather grating, but that's the point, right? Very entertaining performances...particularly in "Master of the House" (which, it's true, somehow manages to be stuck in your head all day).

*Anthony Warlow (Enjorolas) - very appropriate voice...manly and vibrant. If he doesn't make you want to go out and fight, then there's no help for you!


Overall, the performances were wonderful. I highly recommend this CD. A great recording of a great musical!

Mixed Feelings.......2005-04-20

I bought this recently, and it was an object lesson in why I ought to research an item before purchasing it.

For me, it's truly a toss-up as to whether this is a recording worth purchasing. The main benefit-a far from insignificant one-is that it is a complete recording full of much more materiel than can be found on the London or Broadway cast recordings. Basically, I was far from satisfied. The liner notes are error ridden, and the casting was not as good as possible. Gary Morris struck me as too young for the part, and Gay Soper (Mme. Thenardier) has a voice akin to the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. But, in the absence of a complete Broadway recording, this still may be the best version available to buy. Be sure, however, to supplement it with another version. (The Tenth Anniversary recording might be the best.)

Average customer rating: Another Great Recording from Hobart and the Gang! "Gloom, despair & agony on me..." Forget the mainstream. Enjoy the real thing.

Empty House Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys Manufacturer: Bloodshot 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 Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Spectacular Sadness of Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys Your Favorite Fool Forever Always Ends From the Cradle to the Grave Straight to Hell ASIN: B00076PZSY Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

1. The Good Ain't Gone
2. Every Night I Leave You In My Mind
3. Don't Make Me Break Your Heart
4. It Won't Be Long (And I'll Be Hating You)
5. I Just Lost My Mind
6. I Don't Like That Mirror
7. The Tear I Left Behind
8. Empty House Dawn And Twilight
9. Let's Leave Me
10. Heartache To Hide
11. Black Iron Bridge

Amazon.com

This Kansas City quintet, together since 1997, long ago established their flair for honky-tonk minimalism delivered with finesse and free of campy, self-conscious imitation. On their fourth album, 11 numbers--all but one originals--are concise and tailored to fit Hobart's tense George Jones/Johnny Paycheck phrasing as he explores the nooks and crannies of romantic strife. He warns on "Don't Make Me Break Your Heart," and captures sorrow morphing to anger on a 1960s Paycheck cover, "It Won't Be Long (And I'll Be Hating You)." Paycheck's particular style of angst lives on in "I Don't Like That Mirror's" thoughtful, reflective bitterness. The subtly humorous "The Tear I Left Behind" effectively detours into shuffle-swing, and the album ends with "Black Iron Bridge," an abbreviated blockbuster of a suicide number. The Misery Boys share Hobart's sense of economy. T.C. Dobbs and Blackjack Snow are a solid rhythm section; guitarist J.B. Morris and steel guitarist Solomon Hofer shine by knowing when not to play. If there's one real-life tragedy, it's that the mainstream hasn't yet discovered these guys. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Another Great Recording from Hobart and the Gang!.......2006-02-19

It has been a real pleasure watching this band develop over the last 8 or 9 years. I recall early shows in Kansas City with Hobart dressed in an absurd orange cowboy 'suit'. Apparently channeling James Brown and George Jones simultaneously, they came as close to being a novelty act as you can get without actually being a novelty act. But with each album, the song writing has grown in maturity and complexity. Now, with the album 'Empty House', Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys have acheived a sort of honky tonk apotheosis. It is certainly their most interesting release to date.

"Gloom, despair & agony on me...".......2005-06-30

"...Deep, dark depression, excessive misery..."

Rex Hobart doesn't cover that old "Hee-Haw" tune on this album ('cause then he'd have to crack a smile...) but the message is pretty much the same. This record, a concept album if I'm not mistaken, kicks off with four mercilessly dark songs that chart the utter destruction of a love affair, and after our hero moves out and starts hittin' the bars, things really start to get bad. There are the late night phone calls, the suggestion of make-up and/or sympathy sex, and the long hours spent staring in the mirror, not liking what you see. Yeah, Hobart lays it on pretty thick, but this is hick music that's still got some bite. I'll take this over anything Kenny Chesney has to offer, any day.

Forget the mainstream. Enjoy the real thing........2005-03-14

This, to my knowledge, is the fourth release by Rex Hobart and The Misery Boys. The first, "Forever Always Ends," has a demo quality but does contain some promising songwriting. "The Spectacular Sadness Of...." is a well-rounded effort if a bit too tame. On their third, "Your Favorite Fool," Rex Hobart And The Misery Boys really hit their stride. This is nothing short of a hillbily magnum opus, full of kick-ass riffs and alternately heartbreaking and hilarious lyrics and singing that miraculously avoid caricature. "Your Favorite Fool" is a totally over the top piece of honky-tonk skronk.

The new one, "Empty House," is a more textured and focused collection that displays a relaxed, confident maturity. Rex Hobart's songwriting is solidly creative and The Misery Boys have become a powerful, sympathetic band. Their brand of country music resonates with influences from Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck and Gary Stewart (check out "I've Got A Heartache To Hide"). Who know, perhaps these guys will transcend their status as critics' darlings. I, for one, certainly hope so. This talent deserves widespread exposure. In a more just world, pop country bufoons like Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith would be hanging their heads in shame after listening to Rex Hobart And The Misery Boys.

Max Raines, aging raconteur/flat earth theorist

Average customer rating: Just ok. loved the two cuts from the doobie bros albums but.......... excellent but extremely hard to find, unfortunately!

Playing to an Empty House Tiran Porter Manufacturer: Thunderbird ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000005YH8 Release Date: 1995-08-15

Customer Reviews:

Just ok........2006-05-05

The 3 songs that he wrote when he was in the Doobie Brothers were wonderful, but I don't know what happened here. This album sounds mostly experimental. I was kinda hoping that he would go in more of a soul/fusion direction. At the same time, he's a hell of a musician. Your fellow bassman, Mike Hoelen.

loved the two cuts from the doobie bros albums but.................2002-08-03

I was hoping tha Tiran porter would come up with some more songs when he was with the doobie brothers. He wrote two songs that were amazing.so when I heard he had a cd out I ordered one that same day hoping to recapture some of that magic that was on takin it to the streets album. but with the exception of the first song I was dissipointed. I guess that when you are sorrounded with such talented people like tommy Johnston and Patrick simmons the blend on tiran is just somthing the cant be recreated without them. You dont know me but Iam still your bro ti.....later

excellent but extremely hard to find, unfortunately!.......1999-04-15

We know Tiran from the Doobie Bros. Saw him play with Peter Lewis in L.A. I am trying to find a CD. Help! Anyone who knows how to obtain a copy please E-mail me at steroid@mscomm.com Thanks....

Average customer rating: Early Eighties Greatness! It was Fiction, now It's History

(Do The) Empty House The Comsat Angels Manufacturer: Rpm Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music | Vinyl Records | American Punk | British Punk | Emo | Garage Punk | Hardcore | Post Hardcore | Proto Punk | Punk | Punk Revival | Punk-Pop | Riot Grrl | Ska Punk | Straight Edge Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000006XQP Release Date: 2000-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Early Eighties Greatness!.......1999-12-27

It has been 5 days since I got this album on a hunch, and it is fabulous! It is very similar to a lot of my favorite bands of the 80's - Tears For Fears, Depeche Mode, Talk Talk. I don't know anything about the Comsat Angels, really. To me, they sound like Joy Division with a melody and good singer. It is quite simply great new wave music... in fact it is so great that it is timeless! Dated, but still VERY effective. FICTION is the best album I have purchased in a while. An excellent choice for anyone seeking that early 80's-new wave-gothic-depressed sound so idolized by many 90's artists.

It was Fiction, now It's History.......1998-08-10

They were loved by the critics (at least for a while) and by a few other people, but the Sheffield-based Comsat Angels never made the big time. And why? God knows. They had the talent, the songs, the drive and they were there when they were most needed. 'Fiction', their theird Polydor-album, released in 1982, maybe had them at their best, with composer/singer and guitarist Stephen Follows working his way through 'classics' like 'After The Rain', 'It's History' and 'Now I Know'. This wasn't new wave, this was another wave, sound and solid, melancholy and strong, and thank God, now available on CD.

Average customer rating:

The Stripper/Nick Quarry Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Wild Rovers ASIN: B0006SSQPM Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

1. Main
2. Execution
3. Sunday Dinner
4. Empty Room
5. Lila and Helen
6. Party Boy
7. Mother's Worry
8. Job Hunting
9. Classroom
10. Dancing Lesson/Should I
11. Birthday Present
12. Lila's Confession
13. New Job
14. Comfort for Lila
15. Change of Heart
16. Lila's Advice
17. End Title
18. Give Me the Simple Life
19. Twistin' Baby
20. Rock and Roll Blues
21. Ababel
22. Gas Station Source
23. Stripper Blues
24. Dixieland Source
25. Rock and Roll Retch
26. Romance
27. Something's Gotta Give
28. You've Gotta See Mama Every Night
29. Frankie and Johnny
30. You've Gotta See Mama Every Night (Reprise)
31. Empty Room (Alt.) [*]
32. End Title (Mono)
33. Meet Nick Quarry
34. Body Art/Don't Move/Pool Bit
35. House Call
36. Quarry Cornered

Music Album:

1. Endless Line
2. Gift Horse
3. Gold [Original recording remastered]
4. Gretchen Wilson: Redneck Woman/Here for the Party
5. Hai Ku
6. Hallelujah In My Heart
7. Health & Happiness Shows [Live]
8. Here's Your Sign
9. Homesick Heroes
10. I Don't Need All That

Music Album