It has become common to dismiss contemporary Nashville country as suburban lite rock aimed at middle-aged housewives. And now we have Lorrie Morgan's 10th record, a set where that aim is most overt. On the opening "The Things We Do," she laments a life filled with pressed shirts, brushed teeth, mowed yards, and wound watches, and instead she hopes to "kiss some guy that I don't know ... parasail and learn to fly." On the title track, she complains that her life needs "a lot less charge account and more Wile E. Coyote" before she blasts both Diet Coke and remote control. On "Maybe Not Tonight," her duet with Sammy Kershaw, she is hurt by a man who never says "I love you" and just sits behind his paper, but she hasn't the nerve to leave because he's "still the only one." Attention Mrs. Jones of Overland Park, Kansas: put the kids to bed and draw a bath--your album is waiting. --Marc Greilsamer
My Heart,Lorrie Morgan,Bna Entertainment,Contemporary Country,Country,Country & Western,Neo-Traditionalist Country,Pop
Average customer rating:
|
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Various Artists Manufacturer: Integrity/INO ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000BF0DK6 Release Date: 2005-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Open The Eyes Of My Heart
- Word Of God Speak
- God Of Wonders
- Lord I Lift Your Name On High
- Here I Am To Worship
- Trading My Sorrows
- Come, Now Is The Time To Worship
- My Redeemer Lives
- I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
- Amazing Love (You Are My King)
- Redeemer
Tracks:
- Glory Defined
- Agnus Dei
- Friend Of God
- Everyday
- You Are God Alone
- Blessed Be Your Name
- How Deep The Fathers Love For Us
- We Delight
- Grace Like Rain
- Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble
- Great Light Of The World
Product Description
This follow-up to the gold-selling "I Can Only Imagine" showcases the ultimate worship anthems of the church today. These songs are born from a generation that speaks through a passionate desire to worship God. Carefully selected from the top songs of the church and artists today, this album is a unique blend of top worship songs performed by today's top artists.Customer Reviews:
Three good songs.......2007-05-17
Open the Eyes of My Heart Various Artists.......2007-05-17
Christian music.......2007-03-08
Speaks to your heart.......2007-01-18
Godliness.......2007-01-10
Average customer rating:
|
Odyssey
Hayley Westenra Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000AXWHPI Release Date: 2005-10-18 |
Tracks:
- Prayer
- Both Sides Now
- Never Saw Blue
- Dell' Amore Non Si Sa
- What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You)
- May It Be
- Quanta Qualia
- You Are Water
- She Moves Through the Fair
- My Heart Belongs To You - Hayley Westenra
- Ave Maria
- I Say Grace
Album Description
Hayley Westenra's new album Odyssey was always going to be a different proposition to Pure, the record-breaking 2003 collection which marked her international debut. A lot has happened to the young New Zealander over the past two or three years--and those changes are clearly reflected by a record which encapsulates her growth from a budding teenage prodigy into a mature young woman. Now, at 18, Hayley is ready to show the world how much she has grown up, both as an artist and as an individual. Fans of Pure will be pleasantly surprised by her new album. Her wonderful voice retains its crystal-clear purity, but Westenra's singing is now richer and more rounded than before. Touring the world and singing in some of its greatest concert venues, such as the Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, and Carnegie Hall, has worked wonders for her confidence. Suitably emboldened, she has embraced an even wider range of musical styles including classical, hymns, folk and pop. "I was happy with Pure at the time, but I've moved on so much," says Hayley. "It's really exciting to have something new out there for people to listen to. I wanted to make a record that represented me as a person. And I think I've improved as a vocalist." Variety is certainly one of the keywords with Hayley's new album. When she first entered a recording studio in New Zealand as a 12-year-old, Westenra restricted herself to classical pieces and show tunes. Now, in addition to impressive takes on classical works, Hayley uses her new album to perform an inspired cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and has arranged and written much of the material. "I like to push myself, and I'm now confident enough to try different things. I have been much more involved behind the scenes with this album--I wanted to put my individual stamp on each song." With her career stretching out promisingly before her, Hayley is also keen to continue experimenting. She is still primarily a classical crossover artist but she also wants to keep broadening those musical horizons. Three years after her international debut CD, Hayley Westenra is still pure: she exudes pure quality and she remains pure class--but her musical journey continues with her new album Odyssey.Customer Reviews:
Wonderful melodies.......2007-06-08
Hayley Westenra - Odyssey.......2007-06-08
Very soothing.......2007-05-14
I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested. Quanta Qualia and Ave Maria are my most favourite tracks. Quanta Qualia is pure magic! I really feel as if I'm flying in Heaven when I listen to it.
very good pop singer voice.......2007-05-13
Voice & level head deserve high marks .......2007-04-20
Average customer rating:
|
Viva Italia! Festive Italian Classics
Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002WXS Release Date: 1996-07-02 |
Tracks:
- Mattinata - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Mala Femmena - Frankie Fanelli
- Canto D'Amore - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Guaglione - Carlo Savina And His Orchestra
- Lary Mary(Luna Mezza Mare) - Lou Monte
- Anema E Core - Perry Como
- Funiculi Funicula - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Soldi, Soldi, Soldi(From 'Boccaccio '70') - Sophia Loren
- Santa Lucia - Gino Del Vescovo And His Mandolins
- Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu) - Lou Monte
- Come Back To Sorrento - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Volare(nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno
- A Man Without Love(Quando M'Innamore) - Sergio Franchi
- O Sole Mio - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Forget Domani(From 'The Yellow Rolls Royce') - Perry Como
- Mama - Lou Monte
- O Mio Bambino Caro - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Non Dimenticar(Don't Forget) - Lou Monte
- Al Di La(From 'Rome Adventure') - Frankie Fanelli
- Arrivederci Roma(Goodbye To Rome) - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Customer Reviews:
ITALIAN LISTENER.......2007-07-16
Terrific!.......2007-05-30
So-So CD.......2007-04-06
Great dinner background music.
This CD will put you to sleep.......2007-02-26
While Perry Como and others have melodic voices (and very wisely sing in English because they don't know Italian), these are '50s versions of the songs, for the most part. While you have to appreciate them, they are really old and reflect the '50s type of instrumention and style. Would have loved to have heard all these songs done in a fresh and original way. Soldi Soldi was our favorite by far, and that is why we gave the CD two stars.
Could have gone to the library for this one.
Thanks for letting me voice our opinion. We are a big Italian family and just spent hundreds of dollars buying every CD out there for our daughter's wedding and figured we would share our opinion with others.
Mi piace davvero!.......2007-02-20
Average customer rating:
|
Rapture: Opera's Most Heavenly Moments
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006L3K2 Release Date: 2002-10-08 |
Tracks:
- Casta Diva - Renee Fleming
- Barcarolle - Edita Gruberova
- Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Maria Chiara
- Intermezzo - Herbert Von Karajan
- Letter Duet - Edith Mathis
- Che Faro Senza Euridice - Grace Bumbry
- Va Pensiero - Giuseppe Sinopoli
- Una Furtiva Lagrima - Gosta Winbergh
- Porgi Amor - Gundula Janowitz
- Humming Chorus - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
- Soave Sia Il Vento - Kiri Te Kanawa
- Overture (Excerpt) - Philharmonia Orchestra
- Un'aura Amorosa - Hans-Peter Blochwitz
- Un Bel Di - Mirella Freni
- Depuis Le Jour - Montserrat Caballe
- La Ci Darem La Mano - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
- Quando Le Sere Al Placido - Placido Domingo
- Mir Ist So Wunderbar - Lucia Popp
Tracks:
- Flower Duet - Joan Sutherland
- The Pearl Fishers Duet - Bryn Terfel
- Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Kiri Te Kanawa
- Prelude - Bayerisches Staatsorchestra
- O Silver Moon - Renee Fleming
- When I Am Laid In Earth - Tatiana Troyanos
- Miserere - Placido Domingo
- Vissi D'arte - Mirella Freni
- Intermezzo - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
- Softly Awakes My Heart - Grace Bumbry
- Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) - Bryn Terfel
- Pilgrim's Chorus - Chorus Of The Bayreuth Festival
- Ruhe Sanft - Kiri Te Kanawa
- Flower Duet - Teresa Berganza
- Entr'acte - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
- Mira O Norma - Marilyn Horne
- Hochsten Heiles Wunder - Chorus Of The German Opera Berlin
Customer Reviews:
Opera for Aficianados as well as Newbies.......2007-06-11
superb! .......2007-05-12
beatiful music.......2007-02-23
I listen to the CD everyday and it is always soothing, uplifting and inspiring. I wish I could find another as wonderful.
Best Opera CD ever.......2007-02-16
Most were phantastish but this one is the best.
I listen so often to this CD that it should have grooves.
I never get tired of it.
I recommend this CD highly.
Roswitha
Rapture.......2007-01-24
This compilation of Opera's finest moments is positively wonderful!!!!Unquestionably the best buy I have made in Opera Music..No kidding,I have trays full of CDs covering every facet of Opera,but none as beautiful...A full 2 1/2 hours of the best of the best....Heavenly Moments says it ALL...I vote 6 stars!!!!!
Average customer rating:
|
Paul McCartney: Ecce Cor Meum
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000HC2NL0 Release Date: 2006-09-26 |
Tracks:
- Spiritus
- Gratia
- Interlude (Lament)
- Musica
- Ecce Cor Meum
Amazon.com
Paul McCartney's new "classical" oratorio is called Ecce Cor Meum, which translates as "Behold My Heart." The idealistic texts, also by McCartney, are meditations on goodness, spirituality, peace, and love, and are well served by the pretty, Romantic melodies; the long choral and orchestral sections flow one into the next. The Interlude (composed after the death of his wife, Linda), with its lovely oboe solo, is simple and moving. The music builds throughout to an emotional climax and the entrance of the organ later in the work--beautifully played and handsomely recorded--is quite remarkable. This is a far more advanced work than 1991's Liverpool Oratorio: better orchestrated, more through-composed. No, it's not the last word in compositional sophistication, but it has many beautiful moments, and McCartney's legions of fans will need to own it. --Robert LevineCustomer Reviews:
"Ecce" Misses the Mark.......2007-06-12
In the case of "serious" music, though, it is like any work of art. It is done by understanding the medium and understanding the progress of the art itself.
McCartney's attempt at a serious work falls short in most every respect. It is dull and colorless with occasional tender moments. An extended passage involving the oboe was particularly poignant. Otherwise the repetitiveness of the work makes for rather difficult sustained listening.
In his program notes, the composer seemed to think that lack of formal training in music, even with notation, was an asset rather than a liability. We beg to differ. The understanding of the dynamics of harmony, rhythm and melody in the course of a large work is as important to the composer as color and its use is to a painter.
Having to write 40-45 minutes of orchestral and choral music is a whole lot different than 32 bars of, say, "Michelle" or "Will You Still Love Me When I'm 64?" (Which of course we always will, Paul!)
Even a master composer like George Gershwin was limited, albeit much more successful, in his attempts at larger works. That said, there is hope of McCartney. I'd like to see more from his pen.
Music of the Angels.......2007-02-25
Disappointing.......2007-02-08
Not the Beatles!.......2007-01-16
Ecce Cor Meum.......2007-01-12
Average customer rating:
|
Beethoven for Babies
Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000009OU6 Release Date: 1998-08-11 |
Tracks:
- Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: The Cottage Maid (Welsh)
- Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: The Last Rose Of Summer (Irish)
- Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: Chiling O'Guirg (Irish)
- Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: English Bulls (Irish)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: St. Patrick's Day (Irish)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: O Mary, At The Window Be (Scottish)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Oh, Thou Are The Lad Of My Heart (Scottish)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Fur Elise
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor ('Pathetique') - Adagio cantabile
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: String Quartet No. 13 In B-Flat - Alla Danza Tedesca. Allegro assai
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 7 In D - Menuetto (Allegro)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: The Creatures Of Prometheus - Finale. Allegretto
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 18 In E-Flat - Menuetto (Moderato e grazioso)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 20 In G - Tempo di menuetto
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 8 In F - Allegro scherzando
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor ('Choral') - Ode To Joy
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 15 In D ('Pastoral') - Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
- Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 6 In F ('Pastoral') - Hymn Of Thanksgiving
Amazon.com
For the parent looking to ease their child into a familiarity with classical music, this is a very well chosen set of Beethoven works. It begins with a generous selection of airs composed late in the composer's life. The presence of the flute as the lead instrument on these selections has a soothing quality that moves the ear in an ideally subtle way, especially as it gives way to the more excited piano sonata pieces. Zoltán Kocsis's reading of "Pathétique" is followed by Claudio Arrau's take on the 7th, 15th, and 18th sonatas and Sviatoslav Richter's lyrical take on the 20th ("Pastoral"). Programmed amidst the piano pieces, which are great studies in dynamics and musical spacing, are some fine orchestral snippets, none longer than five minutes. The collection does a fine balancing act, condensing works that don't inherently lend themselves to shortened renditions and carefully managing moods, entry, and egress to each segment. This is fine anthology work. --Andrew BartlettCustomer Reviews:
Beethoven for Babies.......2007-05-21
Nicest classical CD I have found for my baby (& me).......2005-09-01
Ode To Beethoven.......2005-05-13
Pseudoscientific crap, but some of the music is good here.......2004-05-27
That having been said, if you are stupid enough to believe any of this "Mozart Effect" horse manure --- which continues to have no support in any sort of controlled test environment --- then your babies will probably inherit your limited intellectual capacities & no amount of Beethoven & Mozart will ever be able to help them.
If, on the other hand, you are introducing Junior to classical music, you could do worse --- but you could also do better. Go get Arrau's complete Beethoven sonatas & concerti, get the Berg Quartett's complete Beethoven quartet cycle, and get John Eliot Gardiner's complete Beethoven symphonies --- just for a start. Also, don't stop with Beethoven & Mozart. My 9-month old daughter gets a diverse exposure to a thousand years of music, and very little is off limits. She got acquainted with the Bartok Quartets within her first couple of months, and it doesn't look like we have created an axe murderer or anything like that.
Anyway, if you want to create a classical music lover, do it right and go the distance, rather than doing it piecemeal with CDs like this. Your baby may still be a moron, but at least will be a moron with exquisite taste.
Nicest classical music CD I've found for my baby (& me).......2003-11-23
Average customer rating:
|
The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II
Gabriel Faure , Frederic Chopin , Antonio Vivaldi , Gustav Mahler , Claude Debussy , Sir Neville Marriner , Maris Jansons , Lorin Maazel , Sir Adrian Boult , Miklos Rozsa , Riccardo Muti , Stephen Cleobury , Sir John Barbirolli , New Philharmonia Orchestra , Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus , Academy of St. Martin in the Fields , and Berlin Philharmonic Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00002439O Release Date: 2003-03-11 |
Tracks:
- Sheep May Safely Graze - Sir Neville Marriner
- Serenade In G 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' - Sir Neville Marriner
- Violin Concerto No.1 In G Minor, Op.26 - II. Adagio - Yedudi Menuhin
- Nocturne No.2 In E Flat Op.9 No.2 - John Ogdon
- Miserere Mei, Deus - Stephen Cleobury
- Schindler's List - Tasmin Little
- Traumerei - Dame Moura Lympany
- Dance Of The Sylphs - Sir Neville Marriner
- Water Music - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
- Symphony No.9: II. Largo - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
- Jean De Florette - Toots Thielemans
- Concerto For Lute And Two Violins - II. Largo - Anthony Bailes
- Cello Concerto In E Minor Op.85 - III. Adagio - Jacqueline De Pre
- Waltz No.15 In A Flat - Dame Moura Lympany
- Romance - Piers Lane
- Pavane - Maurice Handford
- Woodbrook - Micheal O Suilleabhain
- Time To Say Goodbye - Orchestra
Tracks:
- The Four Seasons - Concerto No.1 In E 'Spring' - Yehundi Menuhin
- Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - New Philharmonia Orchestra
- Double Violin Concerto In D Minor - II. Largo Ma Non Tanto - Yehudi Menuhin
- Prelude No.7 In A Op.28 No.7 - Tzimon Barto
- Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
- The Lark Ascending - Hugh Bean
- 'Pathetique Sonata Op.13 - II. Adagio Cantabile - Leonard Pennario
- Pie Jesu - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
- Salut D'Amour - Richard Hickox
- La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin (The Girl With Flaxen Hair) - Dame Moura Lympany
- The Coventry Carol - Medeval Babes
- Pavane For A Dead Princess - New Philharmonia Orchestra
- Liebestraum No.3 In A Flat - John Ogdon
- Panis Angelicus - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
- Piano Concerto No.2 In F Op.102 - II. Andante - Dmitri Alexeev
- Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
- Symphony No.5 In C Sharp Minor - IV. Adagietto - New Philharmonia Orchestra
- My Heart Will Go On - Orchestra
Customer Reviews:
The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Eveer, Volume II.......2006-08-28
Great music listein to while you read in bed.......2005-08-21
A must buy for the non-snobbish classical music fan........2004-10-22
A bliss of spirit........2004-09-18
Joy, Tears, Love.
Good LUCK!
Boring.......2004-05-11
Average customer rating:
|
Monsoon Wedding (Score)
Manufacturer: Milan Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005UKLV Release Date: 2002-03-05 |
Tracks:
- Feels Like Rain
- Aaj Mera Jee Kardaa (Today My Heart Desires)
- Baraat
- Aaj Mausam Bada Beimann Hai (Today The Weather Plays Tricks On Me)
- Your Good Name
- delhi.com
- Fuse Box
- Mehndi/Madhorama Pencha
- Banished
- Good Indian Girls
- Fabric/Aaja Savariya (Come To Me, My Beloved)
- Allah Hoo
- Hold Me, I'm Falling
- Love And Marigolds
- Chunari Chunari
- Aaja Nachle (Come On Dance!)
- Aaj Mera Jee Kardaa (Zimpala Remix)
- Fuse Box (Alexkid's Dub Remix)
- Fuse Box (Julio Black Remix)
Amazon.com
Monsoon Wedding is Mychael Danna's second collaboration with film director Mira Nair, (Kama Sutra was the first), and he has again compiled a winning soundtrack. Danna explores a wide range of emotions, from solemn to celebratory, through different generations of Indian culture. The contemplative "Good Indian Girls" and "Hold Me, I'm Falling" feature Danna's trademark piano ambience over traditional Indian instrumentation, and the vivacious "Baraat" sounds like a Punjabi variation on Dixieland, while "Delhi.com" ventures into dreamy ethno-techno territory. Sukhwinder Singh's "Today My Heart Desires" serves up lively bhangra rock, and Laxmikant Pyarelal's "Today the Weather Plays Tricks on Me" (performed by Mohammed Rafi) swoons with strings and male vocals. In all, the soundtrack's pleasing variety of Eastern music mirrors the film's old and new worlds living within a singular culture. --Bryan ReesmanCustomer Reviews:
Monsoon Wedding Soundtrack is Terrific.......2007-05-18
Loved it!.......2007-03-24
I just saw the movie MONSOON WEDDING and I absolutely loved it! Of course, I just HAD to have the soundtrack, so I bought the Cd recently and loved it too! WOW!
The Cd will leave you in a happy mood... Wonderful up-beat songs, many are so danceable and hipnotic. I've been playing this Cd all week ...I just wish it were longer because I would love to have more Cds like this in my Cd collection.
Just as fabulous as the movie!.......2007-01-31
Love It, Love It, Love It.......2007-01-21
I'd recommend seeing the movie too. As well, I'd check out Danna's music for another Mira Nair movie, "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love."
Culture-Happy-Dance-Reflect-Appreciate-Savor-Relax-Laugh.......2006-11-06
It is very Culture rich and soaked in Indian flavor. It's colorful and makes you happy with a laugh or two; as it seeks to portray the traditional music typical of a Punjabi wedding in Delhi, India.
You want to dance with most songs and sit quietly to reflect with others. I listed appreciate because we often don't sit back to appreciate the richness that other cultures provide. My 2 year old appreciates this music in her broken wanna be Hindi mimic.
She dances as does my 6 year old to this music. It's really a great CD but I would recommend seeing the movie first.
Average customer rating:
|
Chess
Bjorn Ulvaeus , and Tim Rice Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002GLR Release Date: 1996-07-23 |
Tracks:
- Merano - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Murray Head
- The Russian And Molokov/ Where I Want To Be - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley
- Opening Ceremony - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Bjorn Skifs
- Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley/Bjorn Skifs
- The American And Florence/Nobody's Side - Elaine Paige/Murray Head
- Chess - LSO/Anders Eljas
- Mountian Duet - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg
- Florence Quits - Elaine Paige/Murray Head
- Embassy Lament - Tommy Korberg/The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas
- Anthem - Tommy Korberg
Tracks:
- Bangkok
- One Night In Bangkok
- Heaven Help My Heart
- Argument
- I Know Him So Well
- The Deal (No Deal)
- Pity The Child
- Endgame
- Epilogue: You And I / The Story Of Chess
Amazon.com
Chess is a musical that sounds like it shouldn't work but instead succeeds surprisingly well. This is the original concept album that was recorded before the musical was staged in London. Chess is the story of a love triangle told against the backdrop of an international chess tournament during the height of the cold war. The composers are Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the Bs in ABBA) and the lyrics are by Tim Rice, who supplied the words for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, as well as Disney's Aladdin (with Howard Ashman), The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. The six-member cast does a beautiful job with the songs, which are a combination of ballads, rock, and operatic choruses. Murray Head's version of "One Night in Bangkok" became a surprise hit in the mid-'80s and it still turns up on the turntables in dance clubs around the world. --Michael SimmonsCustomer Reviews:
This should never have worked at all.......2007-06-18
While "Chess" may be a document of an era that no longer exists, there's a lot more going on than the surface metaphor. It holds up very well indeed. When it aims for humor, it generally succeeds, and likewise when it aims to devastate. What more can you ask for?
A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS.......2007-03-04
This concept album is the main reason why the show has so many ardent fans until this day. Tim Rice wanted to write the show with the main plot revolving around chess for years and after his long time partner Andrew Lloyd Webber remained uninterested, he found the new collaborators in Ulvaeus and Andersson. The subject matter follows two international chess players in a championship, a Russian (Tommy Körberg) and an American (Murray Head) and a woman called Florence (Elaine Paige) who is a manager to the American but falls in love with the Russian. The story also draws a parallel between the game of chess and the cold war/real life situations.
This concept album was recorded in 1984, two years before the original London production took place. As the authors noted in the accompanying booklet, it was a work in progress and thusly the story is not quite readable here from the musical numbers alone. Despite that fact (which is amended by the synopsis included in the booklet), this album remains a winner. The score (played here by the London Symphonic Orchestra) itself makes an intriguing bland of the famous ABBA sound, the classical; the rock and the pop enhanced by the orchestral solo passages and the strong choral parts. The lush orchestrations add an epic touch to it and on the whole it is melodic and hummable, packed with great tunes. Some of the songs achieved huge success outside the musical: `I know him so well', a duet between Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, held the number one spot on the UK singles charts for 4 weeks in February 1985 and won Ivor Novello Award as the Best Selling Single; Murray Head's `One night in Bangkok' became one of the biggest dance hits of its time, often heard today. Some other notable tunes include `The Anthem' (Russian's deliberation on his homeland); the soaring rock songs `Where I want to be' and `Pity the child' (in the former, the Russian reflects upon his life under the spotlight; in the latter, the American ponders about his own unhappy childhood) or the gentle `Heaven help my heart' (in which Florence weighs up her relationship with the Russian).
A special reference must be made to Tim Rice's excellent lyrics. With `Chess' he managed to keep up to the high standards he set himself in `Jesus Christ Superstar' and Evita'. Again in this case he shows he is a lyrical wizard, with his familiar cynical touch. `The story of chess', in which he gives a history of the game in a couple of crafty verses, is a pure masterpiece. The same can be said of the song `I know him so well', where the two women reexamine their relationship with the same man. As a whole, `Chess' owes a lot of its appeal to Tim Rice's written word.
The cast on this album ranks the high standard of the material. The principal parts (sung by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head) are delivered in a strong and impeccable fashion.
This 2-disc edition comes with a booklet containing a note from the authors, a text about chess, a full synopsis and a libretto, together with the photos of the principal singers.
Anyone interested in the modern musical theatre should find `Chess' to be a great score with great lyrics, which should be enough to satisfy any aficionado.
Chess.......2007-01-15
One of my favorites!.......2007-01-12
Concepts get better with practice.......2006-11-27
With most Broadway musicals, the musical numbers tell the basic story of the show. If you listen to the recordings of Phantom, Mama Mia, Beauty and the Beast, you can discern the basic storyline of the show. Listening to this particular recording of Chess, though, will leave you wondering "What was that?" The Broadway arrival of Chess saw a much needed reworking of the storyline and arrangement of the musical numbers. This recording seems too much like a mish-mash of songs that don't really relate to each other.
For musical fanatics (like myself), I say "yes, you should have this recording in your collection", if only to understand how much work went into the show before it opened on Broadway.
If you are only buying the album because of "One Night In Bangkok", purchase the Broadway recording instead; you'll be much happier with the performance by Phillip Casnoff rather than Murray Head.
Average customer rating:
|
Let Yourself Go
Kristin Chenoweth , Jule Styne , George Gershwin , Richard Rodgers , Jeanine Tesori , Kurt Weill , Jerome Kern , Vincent Youmans , Ricky Ian Gordon , Richard Dworsky , Lawrence Ellington Duke / Brown , Harry Warren , Bobby Troup , Jason Alexander , Irving Berlin , Rob Fisher , and The Coffee Club Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000059T4T Release Date: 2001-05-29 |
Tracks:
- Let Yourself Go
- If
- How Long Has This Been Going On?
- My Funny Valentine
- Hanging Around with You (with Jason Alexander)
- The Girl in 14G
- I'll Tell the Man in the Street
- I'm a Stranger Here Myself
- Nobody Else But Me
- Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me/Why Can't I?
- Should I Be Sweet?
- He's Just an Ordinary Guy
- Going to the Dance with You
- On a Turquoise Cloud
- You'll Never Know
- Daddy
Amazon.com
Kristin Chenoweth won a Tony for the supporting role of Sally Brown in the 1999 revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, made a memorably vampy Lily in the 1999 television film of Annie, and had an NBC sitcom created for her, Kristin! Now she grabs the spotlight in Let Yourself Go, her first solo recording. She mixes torchy standards ("My Funny Valentine," "How Long Has This Been Going On?") with Faith Prince-style sauciness ("If"), gets to show off her operatic and scat chops in the miniplay "The Girl in 14G," and shares a light duet with Jason Alexander (reviving his musical theater career post-Seinfeld). Perhaps her "Stranger Here Myself" isn't the weightiest you've ever heard, but this is an enjoyable album with a good deal of old-fashioned class, expertly accompanied by Rob Fisher and the Coffee Club Orchestra. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
One of the best ever!.......2007-04-24
Kristen Chenowith.......2007-02-26
Has its moments.......2007-02-19
Great CD!.......2007-01-19
As with any full-length CD, there are a couple of songs I am not as crazy about, but that has to do with the songs themselves, not Ms. Chenoweth's vocal performance. Overall, I love this album and have listened to it several times now, since receiving it as a Christmas gift last month.
This woman has what it takes, and then some..........2007-01-12
Music Album:
