We Can [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Product Description:
Taken from the 2003 soundtrack, 'Legally Blonde 2'. The title track is backed with four non-LP tracks, 'We Can' (Wildfire Radio Edit, Tees Freeze Radio Edit, Bronleewe & Bose Radio Edit, & Video). Warner.

We Can,Leann Rimes,Wea/Warner,5"CD Singles,Country/Bluegrass

Average customer rating: I want to make one thing perfectly clear Good Album Wow Overexposed The 5 star ratings here are a bit much

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? The Cranberries Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: No Need to Argue To the Faithful Departed Bury The Hatchet [Explicit Cover] Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Stars: The Best of the Cranberries, 1992-2002 ASIN: B000001DXL Release Date: 1993-04-20

Tracks:

1. I Still Do
2. Dreams
3. Sunday
4. Pretty
5. Waltzing Back
6. Not Sorry
7. Linger
8. Wanted
9. Still Can't...
10. I Will Always
11. How
12. Put Me Down

Product Description

Practically BRAND NEW condition, never played, includes original CD, case, and paperwork, First class shipped, ask me for my CD List! :)

Amazon.com

Their first full-length shows a band fully formed, with faint debts to the Sundays and the Smiths, but turning out more-than-tuneful pop behind the gorgeous lilt of Dolores O'Riordan. "Dreams" and "Linger" both seem to weave magic spells that remain even after the tracks pass, and there is a glorious freshness to the performances that's impossible to resist. It remains their most satisfying outing. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

I want to make one thing perfectly clear.......2006-08-14

Despite your album title not everybody was trying to imitate 10,000 Maniacs in 1993, and so therefore the title doesn't apply to you. If you wanted to just say you were recording an album then that's fine, but don't say you are doing this because everyone else is SO THERE!!!!!! Now that my venting over the title is over now onto serious business: "Linger" is my first introduction of the Cranberries, and let's just say that it was as bad as getting a manly handshake from a woman. The melody is despicable, and the lyrics are too, and it was one of the bad memories of the first months in FL. That's where I was first introduced to this, so I feel that if everyone was rocketing to the moon in their underpants would you?

Good Album.......2006-08-04

I think this is a good album in the whole. Most of the songs are well written and well performed. The lead vocals do sound a bit the same after a while, but she has a nice voice so I don't mind hearing it over and over. I think this album still sounds good, it's better than most of the stuff out today.

Wow.......2006-08-01

In lieu of all of the recent negative reviews I've read, I feel this weird need to defend The Cranberries, and I don't know why.

So The Cranberries were a 90s band, sorry to all of you who think it's cool to rebel against gen x and hate the 90s. This cd doesn't sound dated really, just take a look at any given current 'indie' band, and you'll get pretty much a similar, softer sound to it. And even if one were able to identify this as a 90s band, this isn't horribly dependant on the age in which it was written like oh so many 80s pop/synth/rock acts.

I don't think anyone is going to accuse The Cranberries of being the most innovative, intelligent band ever, but they weren't trying to be. They made pop tunes and actually put a little heart into them, and thats a rare thing, I think. This is a very gorgeous, yet subtle cd; nothing is really going to jump out at you, and it may take more than one listen to really appreciate it.

So songs to listen to:
Dreams
Waltzing Back
Linger
Still Can't...
How

If you like the sound of these songs, then you won't be disappointed in the least. If they're not your cup of tea, then don't bother.

Overexposed.......2006-02-22

I originally purchased this album over nine years ago and, although I liked the songs and Dolores O'Riordan's voice, I find myself rarely listening to it now. For me, the excessive radio airplay of the songs "Dreams" and "Linger" killed the longevity of the album as a whole. It seemed as though throughout most of the nineties a person couldn't listen to the radio, walk around in a shopping mall, or watch TV without hearing "Dreams" or "Linger" at least once, if not more than once. I must have heard those songs a hundred times at least. Now I groan internally whenever I hear them. To me, this album will always sound like the nineties, and, unfortunately, the nineties haven't been gone long enough to make me want to reminisce. The Cranberries were a great band and it is a shame that much of their subsequent output wasn't as good. This is not a terrible album by any means, it has just been, to use a photographic term, overexposed.

The 5 star ratings here are a bit much.......2006-02-04

Yes, Dolores O'Riordan has a beautiful voice. Yes, many of the tunes here waft delicately and create a slightly melancholy ambiance.

The problem is that the songs rest TOO heavily on her voice without the songwriting to carry it. Too few of these tunes have solid bankable hooks that draw you back to them again and again and that counts against the longevity of this in the end.

In addition, the lilting quality of O'Riordan's voice takes on a near yodel affectation at times that means her singing style may take some getting used to. That's not to say this album is "bad"..just that much of it possesses a tendency to bleed into the background.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Driving drums and shimering guitar made "Dreams" a big hit as was the string-kissed "Linger". Outside of those, "Still Can't.." and "How" with its "Never before and never again" chorus settle in with repeated listening. It closes on a nice note with the otherworldly soaring backing vocals on "Put Me Down".

LOWS:
"I Still Do" is a prime example of a tune that I just can't recall once it stops playing and it was allowed to set the stage for the disc. While that's truth in advertising at its most extreme, it certainly doesn't start the CD to best advantage.

BOTTOM LINE:
A great voice can't carry songs on its own and this album is hit and miss but the best bits are majestic. Definitely one I'd borrow from a friend first before buying, though.

Average customer rating: Other wordly

We Can Create Maps Manufacturer: Mute U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Electronic Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Kurr Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters The Reminder Our Love to Admire Sound of Silver ASIN: B000PKG7MU Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

1. So Low, So High
2. You Don't Know Her Name
3. Elouise
4. It Will Find You
5. Glory Verse
6. Liquid Sugar
7. To The Sky
8. Back And Forth
9. Lost My Soul
10. Don't Fear
11. When You Leave

Album Description

Recorded on a 16-track in James Chapman's tiny bedroom, MAPS' debut album WE CAN CREATE is a hugely ambitious, widescreen and epic record that recalls everything from far away electronics and skewed songwriting to euphoric sound-scapes. A work of heartstopping extremes, the album's eleven tracks run the full length of the transmission spectrum, from dreamy space-rock to folksy, downtempo whisperings and clattering, thudding noise- pop. A bedroom genius in the truest of senses, the other-worldly atmospherics of MAPS are even more amazing for the fact he recorded the whole album without computers, preferring the painstaking process of splicing sounds together.

Album Description

UK-only double vinyl LP pressing of their 2007 album. 11 tracks. Mute.

Customer Reviews:

Other wordly.......2007-07-06

Best album of the year. The songs have an ethereal, dreamlike quality, while at the same time being catchy and upbeat. This is something most artists never achieve.

Average customer rating: Just what I wanted I Want to be a producer Spring Time for "The Producers" Mel Brooks = Brilliant it won 11 (if im correct) TONY awards for a reason!

The Producers (2001 Original Broadway Cast) Mel Brooks , Matthew Broderick , Nathan Lane , Roger Bart , Gary Beach , Cady Huffman , Jesse Levy , and Grace Paradise, Jennifer Smith Tony Kadleck Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | 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 Movie Scores | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Monty Python's Spamalot (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast) Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast) The Producers (2005 Movie Soundtrack) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00005AY6I Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Opening Night
3. The King of Broadway
4. We Can Do It
5. Unhappy
6. I Wanna Be a Producer
7. In Old Bavaria
8. Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop
9. Keep It Gay
10. When You Got It, Flaunt It
11. Along Came Bialy
12. That Face
13. Have You Ever Heard the German Band?
14. It's Bad Luck to Say Good Luck on Op'ning Night
15. Springtime for hitler
16. Where Did We Go Right?
17. Betrayed
18. 'Til Him
19. Prisoners Of Love (Leo & Max)
20. Goodbye!

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The Producers was the vehicle that first proclaimed Mel Brooks's decidedly singular comic vision as a film director in 1968. At the time, the world may not have been entirely ready for the depth charges of hilarity he unleashed; but more than three decades later, it seemed almost foreordained that the film's retooling as a full-fledged musical--directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman--would become the smash hit of the 2000-2001 Broadway season (even before opening at the St. James Theatre in April). Brooks is, of course, no stranger to the Broadway musical genre or to songwriting, but skeptics might find themselves taken by surprise at just how outrageously well all the threads come together for the new show.

The film's absurd core vignette--the infamous "Springtime for Hitler"--if anything gains a few notches in hilarity when framed by a character-rich musical that comes off as both parody and valentine in its mimicry of Broadway's "golden age." Brooks (with the help of idiomatically expert arrangements by Glen Kelly) has cooked up a variety of numbers constituting a virtual primer of old-fashioned American musical comedy styles (there's even a toying with Cabaret-style decadence), but they're always coated with an extra layer of zaniness. In fact, the whole show becomes a Chinese box of parodies within parodies. But what really gets the whole mix working is a surefire cast headed by Nathan Lane playing Max Bialystock and Matthew Broderick doing a delightfully nebbish turn with delusions of misplaced glory as his sidekick, Leo Bloom.

From his first big number (musically winking at Fiddler on the Roof), Lane hungrily lays claim to the role, undaunted by his formidable predecessor, Zero Mostel. Even on disc, you can visualize his over-the-top mugging as a dethroned "king of Broadway" who was "the first producer ever to do summer stock in the winter." Comedy, as they say, is all about timing, and that's exactly what Lane gets right. His interactions with Bloom, Franz Liebkind (Brad Oscar), and Roger de Bris (Gary Beach) are priceless, even when only in sound. As for the tunes, Brooks crafts a number of truly memorable ones--don't be surprised to find yourself horrified as you hum along with "Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop" and, of course, "Springtime for Hitler." --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Just what I wanted.......2006-11-06

I saw the making of the CD on TV. The cast does a great job. I have the CD in my car stereo and listen to it often.

I Want to be a producer.......2006-03-06

This recording is great! I saw the play in november and loved the music. I bought the CD a little later and i am still listing to it. The cast are all great singers and did a great job. The songs are witty and catchy and never get old. You should listin to this.(Warning:See the movie or the play before you listin to this, you might hate it if you've have not.)

Spring Time for "The Producers".......2005-12-13

While I'll abmit that Nazi regemes and Hitler are probably some of the least funny thing in the world...i have to admit that the words to Springtime for Hitler are hilarious, just like the rest of the songs on this cast recording.

While "The Producers" Is not as musically complex or mature as other "Best Musical" scores of recent years (Spamalot, Avenue Q, Hairspray,) It is funnier than all of those put together. Nathan lane And Matthew Broderick Are perfectly cast in their roles and Caddy Hoffman is great, and when Ulla belt, she Belts!
the rest of the cast is amazing.

As for the song I can't think of one that I don't like, They are all great!

I would hope that the fact that the show makes light of Hitler doesn't turn you off, because you would be missing somthing great.

Mel Brooks = Brilliant.......2005-12-12

My theatre group went to New York two years ago, adn we did a marathon 4 shows in 3 days. Each show got progressively better, finally culminating in seeing Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick's final performance of "The Producers." I have been a fan of Brooks' since I saw "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" 5 years ago. Naturally, I was beyond excited to see the show he made of his most brilliant film.

I was not disappointed. It was funny, racy, and downright fabulous. I bought the soundtrack at intermission and have been listening to it ever since. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves musicals. Lane and Broderick play off each other perfectly, Cady Huffman has one of the best belting voices I've heard in ages, and the songs are actually FUNNY.

Aside from raving about one of my favorite shows, I would like to address the comments made about the show downplaying Hitler and being racist towards Germans. In no way does this show downplay Hitler's terrible deeds. Bialystock and Bloom make several comments about how disgusted they are about the play- the fact that it is so insulting to our sensibilities is the reason why it was chosen in the first place. I am Jewish and have studied the Holocaust and WWII for years. I was not offended in the least, nor did I feel the Brooks was promoting or trivializing Hitler's war crimes. Brooks himself is Jewish for god's sake.

Second, I see nothing in the show that is racist towards Germans. Yes there is a Nazi in it who is German. How is that racist? The Nazis went all over the world after WWII- it is possible that several ended up in New York City. And no one will argue that some Nazi's were German. You might as well say that the show is discriminatory towards Swedes, or gay directors, or producers, or the countless number of things made fun of in the show.

it won 11 (if im correct) TONY awards for a reason!.......2005-12-08

This is by far the funniest thing I have ever seen. I got the chance to see it on broadway with Lane (unfortunatly not Broderick) and most of the original cast. For some reason, certain people seem to think this play is racist. First off, the whole thing is pure 100% SATIRE. I'm 15 and I can realize that. Also, are you aware that Mel Brooks is jewish? Yeah, so lighten up. I realize what Hitler did, and it will never be forgotten. But my God, get a sense of humor. In case you never saw the play, the Bavarian guy breaks his leg (making "It's bad luck to say good luck on opening night funny) and is replaced by the gay director for the song "Springtime for Hitler". ITS HILARIOUS! BROOKS MADE HITLER A GAY GUY! And why do you think he did that? Geeze... just lighten up!

So about the CD...awesome. I love these songs, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the movie version of the musical coming out in late December! GO SEE IT!

Average customer rating: They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!! One of the best cds I ever bought. Never Sounded Better Somewhere Over The Rainbow "Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us"

Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals Various Artists Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ultimate Broadway Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology) Greatest Hits: Broadway That's Entertainment!: The Best Of The M-G-M Musicals - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology ASIN: B000066RO5 Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

1. Singin In The Rain - Gene Kelly
2. Theres No Business Like Show Business - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern
3. 'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary
4. Thats Entertainment! - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant
5. Stranger In Paradise - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone
6. Easter Parade - Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
7. Lullaby Of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell & Chorus
8. Get Happy - Judy Garland
9. Night And Day - Fred Astaire
10. True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
11. Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne w/ Benny Carter & His Orchestra
12. They Cant Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
13. Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker & The M-G-M Studio Chorus w/ Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
14. Baby, Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban
15. For Me And My Gal - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
16. Puttin On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
17. Hallelujah! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs & Co.
18. Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
19. Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
20. As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson w/ Elliot Carpenter (Bonus Track)
21. Laras Theme (Main Title) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

1. Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
2. Its A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
3. Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
4. Cant Help Lovin Dat Man - Ava Gardner
5. Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
6. The Trolley Song - Judy Garland, The M-G-M Studio Chorus
7. Gigi - Louis Jourdan
8. I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney & Co.
9. Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter & M-G-M Studio Chorus
10. The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
11. The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson & Peter Lawford
12. Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
13. A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
14. Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day & The Page Cavanaugh Trio
15. If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
16. Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
17. Lets Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
18. Be A Clown - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
19. Embraceable You - Connie Francis
20. On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
21. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

Amazon.com

The "Golden Age" referred to here spans The Jazz Singer and the advent of the talkies to the death throes of the old studio system in the 1960s. So vast was the era's musical landscape that even this 42-track, double-disc anthology can't encompass all its peaks. Not surprisingly, the bulk of this collection originated with the Tiffany's of the screen musical, M-G-M, a body of work whose riches here encompass both pop-cultural bedrock ("Over the Rainbow," "Singin' in the Rain," "There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.) and some less familiar, if equally delightful star turns: Clark Gable gamely "Puttin' On the Ritz"; the sassy, 1948 original of "The Lady Is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; and a loopy duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Fred Astaire's elegant, epochal reign at RKO and M-G-M is represented by "Night and Day," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and three others, while Metro mainstays Gene Kelly and Judy Garland share equal time and billing. It's not perfect--Cagney's "Yankee Doodle Boy" and/or some Sinatra seem more logical choices than the odd "bonus" duet of Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago that close out disc one--but it's a stunning, surprisingly comprehensive primer on the Hollywood film musical nonetheless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!.......2006-11-18

Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything
Anything can go....

The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!

The lights on the lady in tights
Or the bride with the guy on the side
Or the ball where she gives him her all
That's entertainment!

The plot and the hot simply teeming with $ex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father
And causes a lot of bother

The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt

The world is a stage,
The stage is a world of entertainment!

This two CD set amply proves that the musical melodies and lyrics from the golden age of the Hollywood musical remain unsurpassed to this day. This generous two CD set offers 42 incredible songs from Hollywood classic musicals. Most of these fine numbers are indeed from MGM, as Amazon correctly notes; but there are some RKO numbers and even a little from Warner Brothers. Thank goodness, though, that most of these songs came from MGM movies; MGM was the only studio that could boast that it truly had "more stars than there are in the heavens."

I love so many songs on these two CDs. Of course, there's the unforgettable classic "Over The Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland; she also performs "Easter Parade" and "Get Happy" on this two CD set and she carries most of the tune for "I Got Rhythm" even though Mickey Rooney helps her a little. I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for its' romantic overtones; and Lena Horne's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is flawless! We also get a rare chance to hear Clark Gable sing in "Puttin' On The Ritz;" and Bing Crosby's "Going Hollywood" may be brief but it's a fun song anyway.

There are two "bonus" tracks on the first CD: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca and "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago. "As Time Goes By" is a good choice; it is another unsurpassed classic song that brings back memories and touches even the hardest of hearts. "Lara's Theme," however, is from the mid 1960s and I don't consider this period to be part of the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.

The liner notes are excellent and they offer wonderful photos of the stars as well. The cover art is well done and the reverse cover art tells which movie each song is from and who is performing each song. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent especially when you consider that these numbers were recorded quite a few decades ago.

In short, this superlative two CD highlights the glory of the Hollywood musical when a certain type of sophistication dominated professional movie production. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Hollywood musicals, classic pop vocals and fans of the artists and actors who perform on this two CD set.

One of the best cds I ever bought. .......2006-06-07

What an amazon collection of songs! This is bar none my favorite cd just because of the variety and the quality of songs on it. I love music from this era, and this cd is the perfect companion to my life. Love it! Buy it, you won't regret it for a moment!

Never Sounded Better.......2006-03-16

Apart from the great selection of soundtracks, what really makes this compilation top value is the quality of the sound processing. Executed with finesse, these tracks sound better than when first issued and many are unedited, fuller versions: like "Singing In The Rain", for example. Throw in the great price, and this double disc set is a "must have" for all lovers of classic movie music.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow.......2006-02-24

A Sensational CD with Lots of Showtunes that Keep You Happy and makes You Want To Sing Along With!!!

"Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us".......2005-07-13

Rhino Records and Turner Classic Movies Music present - "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS", some of the long ago musicals and stars that will never be forgotten...a 2-CD-Set covering several decades from 1935-1965 with many of the show stoppers of that time...some rare moments from entertainers that you haven't heard or thought of in sometime.

The lineup is fantastic and gives the listener a variety of what musicals were all about in the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musicals"
June Allyson, Kay Armen, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Ann Blyth, Jack Buchanan, Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Doris Day, Nanette Fabray, Connie Francis, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Kathyrn Grayson, Georges Guetary, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Louis Jourdan, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Peter Lawford, Oscar Levant, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Debbie Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Nancy Walker, Ethel Waters, Esther Williams, Dooley Williams and Keenan Wynn.

On Disc One 21 Classic Songs from great musicals with songs in alphabetical order:
AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson with Elliot Carpenter, pianist (1942)
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban (1949)
BLESS, YORE BEAUTIFUL HIDE - Howard Keel (1954)
EASTER PARADE - Fred Astaire & Judy Garland (1948)
FOR ME AND MY GAL - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland (1942)
GET HAPPY - Judy Garland (1950)
HALLELUJAH! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs (for Russ Tamblyn) (1955)
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Lena Horne with Benny Carter & His Orchestra (1943)
LARA'S THEME (MAIN TITLE) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra (1965)
LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Winifred Shaw & Dick Powell (1935)
MILKMAN, KEEP THOSE BOTTLES QUIET - Nancy Walker with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1944)
NIGHT AND DAY - Fred Astaire (1934)
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Clark Gable & Company (1939)
'S WONDERFUL - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary (1951)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - Gene Kelly (1951)
STRANGER IN PARADISE - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone (1955)
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (1943)
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant (1953)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern (1950)
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME - Fred Astaire (1949)
TRUE LOVE - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956)

On Disc Two more memorable performances from the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals:
A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON - Louis Armstrong (1951)
ABA DABA HONEYMOON - Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter (1950)
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE - Gene Kelly (1954)
BE A CLOWN - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly (1948)
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - June Allyson & Peter Lawford (1947)
CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT MAN - Ava Gardner (beautiful woman, who my youngest grandaughter is named after...Avalon) (1951)
CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire (1935)
EMBRACEABLE YOU - Connie Francis (1965)
GIGI - Louis Jourdan (1958)
GOING HOLLYWOOD - Bing Crosby (1933)
I GOT RHYTHM - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney (1943)
IF SWING GOES, I GO TOO - Fred Astaire (1946)
IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY - Jane Powell (1948)
LADY IS A TRAMP - Lena Horne (1948)
LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE - Fred Astaire (1936)
ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Judy Garland & Company (1946)
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) - Fred Astaire (1943)
OVER THE RAINBOW - Judy Garland (became her theme song for the rest of her life) (1939)
PUT 'EM IN A BOX - Doris Day & the Page Cavanaugh Trio (1948)
THE TROLLEY SONG - Judy Garland & MGM Studio Chorus (1944)
WUNDERBAR - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel (two of MGM's favorite singing duos) (1953)

It was once said by the songwriters of that era - "There are two artists you want perform your songs on the big screen, they are Fred Astaire and Judy Garland they sing it just the way we wrote it, for which you will have a guaranteed hit on your hands"...well, this collections certainly has some merit to that statement...because with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing seven songs each, there must be something to it.

This collection of musicals still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years...but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten...hats off to Rhino Records, George Feltenstein (producer) and Doug Schwartz (engineer) and Turner Classic Movies for sharing those 42 selections from 42 films...celebrating decades of the tunes and artists that gave it their all...from what it commonly called "The Hollywood Dream Factory"...The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals is still among us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Rhino Records 78323 ~ (6/02/2002)

Average customer rating: The Who Classic Masterpiece AS YOU NEVER HEARD BEFORE A Landmark Classic Now Made Even Better. A Milestone of Early Rock! I Love it ! The Who's classic rock opera gets a 35th birthday celebration fit for a king!

Tommy Manufacturer: Geffen Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Who's Next (Deluxe Edition) Live At Leeds [Deluxe Edition] My Generation (Dlx) (Dig) Avalon Quick One (Happy Jack) ASIN: B0000DJZAH Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. It's A Boy
3. 1921
4. Amazing Journey
5. Sparks
6. Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)
7. Christmas
8. Cousin Kevin
9. The Acid Queen
10. Underture
11. Do You Think It's Alright
12. Fiddle About
13. Pinball Wizard
14. There's A Doctor
15. Go To The Mirror!
16. Tommy Can You Hear Me?
17. Smash The Mirror
18. Sensation
19. Miracle Cure
20. Sally Simpson
21. I'm Free
22. Welcome
23. Tommy's Holiday Camp
24. We're Not Gonna Take It
25. See Me Feel Me/Listening To You

Tracks:

1. I Was
2. Christmas (Out-Take 3)
3. Cousin Kevin Model Child
4. Young Man Blues (Version 1)
5. Tommy Can You Hear Me? (Alternate Version)
6. Trying To Get Through
7. Sally Simpson (Out-Takes)
8. Miss Simpson
9. Welcome (Take 2)
10. Tommy's Holiday Camp (Band's Version)
11. We're Not Gonna Take It (Alternate Version)
12. Dogs (Part 2)
13. It's A Boy
14. Amazing Journey
15. Christmas
16. Do You Think It's Alright?
17. Pinball Wizard

Customer Reviews:

The Who Classic Masterpiece AS YOU NEVER HEARD BEFORE.......2007-06-12

The Album is a masterpiece of all time rock n roll, even if this is "the less Who album" of the Who... but nevermind!
The Sound in both Stereo (from the original master tape discovered in the vault of UMG) and 5.1 (mixed by Pete Townshend himself) is great...
As you put the disc in your player you'll hear the great differences from the 1996 reissue even if you have only a "simple" CD player..
If You're a great Who fan and you a have SACD player buy ABSOLUTELY this album and enjoy it 'til the laser of your player won't work anymore...
The second disc is clearly for fans only but the quality of some track even if are demos or outtakes is very very good!!

A Landmark Classic Now Made Even Better........2006-12-26

One of the most important, groundbreaking amd influential albums in the history of rock and roll, The Who's 1969 magnum opus "Tommy", a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball, is now better than ever thanks to the brilliance of SACD and DSD remastering techniques.

Every song on the cd sounds like it was recorded just yesterday. It is 100 % crystal clear, perfectly remixed and remastered. It gives you a clearer view of the story as well as a more pleasurable than ever listening experience. Pete Townshend and the people involved in this truly put their hearts into making "Tommy" better than ever.

The bonus disc is also worth it. A lot of awesome raritis. The liner notes are an interesting read, and the album itself is of course a masterpiece nobody should be without.

A Milestone of Early Rock!.......2006-09-29

"Tommy" is beyond question one of the big milestones of early rock. Musically the band were at the peak of their creativity.

All band members were obviously extremely talented musicians and both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend were/are great singers. Apart from few exceptions like "Cousin Kevin" all songs are outstanding; and it's really great to have the whole story on one CD - compared to the old double vinyl album.

Though the storyline may seem a little weird today ( to me it always did ), there is so much great music on this album.

The second bonus CD gives a very interesting insight in the developement of some of the songs. Though the sound quality is exellent CD 2 will mainly be of interest to hard-core Who fans. None of these alternate versions are better than the ones chosen for the album, though a few come close. The studio version of "Young Man Blues" which did not appear on the original album is a nice addition too!

I Love it !.......2006-09-06

I was so blind-sided by this reissue - really. I have looked at this for a few years now, but I never picked it up. My impression of this was that it had some very good music along with some dated sounding tracks, so it wasn't a high priority. I'd been having very good luck buying hybrid SACD's even though I don't own a SACD player; the CD layers benefit greatly from the DSD mastering, making them stand head and shoulders above the latest PCM remasters (there are a few exceptions), so I decided to take the plunge.

The CD layer is stunning. I must have been sitting there with my mouth open after "Overture" began. I experienced emotion that wasn't there on previous listens to this on CD and vinyl. Yes, some of the tracks still sound dated, but most of this album is very good indeed, and this remaster is so incredible. If you own a great stereo rig, I highly recommend buying this - in fact, even if you don't have a great rig, I recommend it!

The Who's classic rock opera gets a 35th birthday celebration fit for a king!.......2006-08-13

The Who's fourth studio(and fifth overall) album Tommy was released in May of 1969.
The Tommy album by The Who was the make or break for the group because if Tommy had failed, The Who would have probably disbanded due to lack of funds despite their concerts selling out based on Pete Townshend's guitar smashing and Keith Moon's drum kit demolishing at the end of each gig.
Guitarist Pete Townshend, under the gun after I Can See For Miles failed as a single in the UK(although it was their biggest ever hit here in the US) came up with a rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid named Tommy whom becomes those aforementioned things after witnessing an event as a child that traumatized him(his father killing his step-father whom he considered his father).
Originally considered to be a single length album, the band felt it didn't make sense so they expanded it into a double album and the result is one of rock's Top 10 greatest double studio albums in history(alongside other classic double albums like the then-already released Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland and The Beatles' White album and would help pave the way for more classics like The Rolling Stones' 1972 masterwork Exile on Main Street, The Who's 1973 release Quadrophenia, Elton John's 1973 classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Genesis' 1974 masterwork The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Led Zeppelin's 1975 classic Physical Graffiti, Pink Floyd's 1979 masterpiece The Wall and Bruce Springsteen's 1980 classic The River among many others).
Alot of classics appear on this album like the Overture, the classic Top 20 hit Pinball Wizard, Amazing Journey, the Underture(best instrumental on here which is basically a repeat of the album's other instrumental Sparks), Go to the Mirror, I'm Free, Cousin Kevin(one of bass player John Entwistle's greatest compositions), Fiddle About(about the perverted Uncle Ernie), Tommy's Holiday Camp(another excellent ditty written by drummer Keith Moon whom did an excellent rendition in the film version of Tommy in 1975) and the classic finale We're Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me.
The other tracks on the album It's a Boy, 1921(You Didn't Hear It), Eyesight to the Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Do You Think It's Alright, There's a Doctor I've Found, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash the Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson and Welcome are all great pieces as well though tend to be overlooked.
The album made The Who legends for good and peaked at #4 on the Billboard chart and was their first Gold seller(eventually Platinum).
In 1996, the album was re-released as a remastered CD but used different masters for the remixed reissue.
In October of 2003(just in time for Tommy's 35th Anniversary), Geffen Records(formerly known as MCA) re-released the album as a 2-disc Hybrid SACD with the original mix on the CD layer and a killer 5.1 mix on the SACD layer and this version uses the very original tapes that were found in Universal's vault after being said that the original tapes were destroyed by Kit Lambert in a fire. As a result of the discovery of the original tapes, the sound quality is amazing on here.
Disc two has great outtakes and demos like I Was, The Who trying to record Sally Simpson with hilarious results and instrumental versions of Tommy Can You Hear Me and Tommy's Holiday Camp among many other rarities plus a cool booklet with rare photos.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating: High quality music Stellar Kart surprised me! by BJ Big Blast of Positive Energy I love it! Good Music, Positive Message

We Can't Stand Sitting Down Stellar Kart Manufacturer: Word Entertainment ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Alternative | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: All Gas. No Brake. Smile, It's the End of the World Five Score and Seven Years Ago The Face of Love Critically Ashamed ASIN: B000G1ALN4 Release Date: 2006-07-25

Tracks:

1. Procrastinating
2. Activate
3. Me And Jesus
4. Lose Control
5. Hold On
6. Always Waiting
7. Only Wanted
8. Finding Out
9. Wishes And Dreams
10. I'm Pretty Good
11. I Wanna Live
12. Angels In Chorus

Album Description

We Can't Stand Sitting Down, Stellar Kart's sophomore album, is sure to be an amazing follow-up after the band received Dove Award nominations for 2006's New Artist Of The Year and Rock Album Of The Year for their first release.

Customer Reviews:

High quality music.......2007-05-18

Stellar Kart has produced yet another good cd.
This is a great cd to add to the casual music lovers collection.

It has some very catchy tunes and it has good lyrics with a postive message.
If you listen to it to much it will wear itself out though.

Activate, Me and Jesus, Always Waiting, and I Wanna Live are my favorite tracks.

Buy this cd-it has been a great addition to my collection.

Stellar Kart surprised me! by BJ.......2007-03-30

I was VERY surprised when I first heard this album. When I bought it, at first I had thought I had wasted my money on something that wasn't any good. Usually I don't buy a CD until I've heard more than two songs off the CD ("Me And Jesus" and "Hold On", both of which I first heard on the radio), but I bought it, anyway. And today, I HAVE NO REGRETS AT ALL! Every song is catchy, especially the songs mentioned above. This has turned out to be one of the best groups I have, along with Avalon. LOVED IT, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!:)

Big Blast of Positive Energy.......2007-03-09

Five stars, yes, and nothing totally mind-blowing or exceptional on the disc. Seriously, this is just a good listen from start to finish, with no dull moments and plenty of tunes that get into your head and hum along with them. It rocks at times, goes to some ballads, then rocks out some more, with a real pop-punk vibe, although more pop than punk, still rocks harder than groups like Relient K and Motion City Soundtrack. Slightly similar to EleventySeven's CD. There are a lot of songs on this CD, which makes it a better purchase than "All Gas No Brake" due to the amount of music you get for your money. There is never a dull moment, and these guys don't re-invent the wheel or anything but heck, with energy like this, they have done just fine. REAL POSITIVE MUSIC, great message. Imagine a poppy version of Allister's "Last Stop Suburbia" and that's what you have here.

I love it!.......2007-03-09

Stellar Kart is a great band. Their style is awesome. The band members themselves are funny and personable. Their music is great, and I love how they wear their faith. I'm so disappointed with many bands such as Relient K and Hawk Nelson, although they're very similar, they do not praise our creator! I even heard somewhere that one of them said that using God's name is tacky! I'm always proud to support a band that boldly expresses their faith. Unfortunately, Hawk Nelson is one of those bands that you have to sift through all the other stuff to find God, and Relient K is a "crossover" band. Stellar Kart keeps their music directed towards God, in their own funky and fun style.

My favorites on this CD are Activate, Me and Jesus, I'm Pretty Good, and Procrastinating. I love this CD, and I know you will too.

Good Music, Positive Message.......2007-01-06

This is a good album with a couple of very good songs.

Stellar Kart has a sound that appeals to teenagers. They have a positive message. They are a Christian band and their lyrics reflect it. They are not afraid to use the name 'Jesus' in their music as so many others are. Their sound is pretty light, but very pleasant. The song 'Me And Jesus' is a standout here.

If you want a good album to get a teenager and you don't want to have to worry about awful lyrics, this would be a good choice.

Average customer rating: The best and maybe the last CD of this great musical. Beautiful remastering of historic original cast recording the peerless original cast Who Put The Shake In Shakespeare? TIMELESS BROADWAY SHOW

Kiss Me, Kate (1948 Original Broadway Cast) Cole Porter , Alfred Drake , and Patricia Morison Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classic Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | 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 Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast) South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) Guys & Dolls: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1950 Original Broadway Cast) Gypsy - A Musical Fable (1959 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000007OHT Release Date: 1998-06-02

Tracks:

1. Act I: Overture
2. Act I: Another Op'nin', Another Show
3. Act I: Why Can't You Behave?
4. Act I: Wunderbar
5. Act I: So In Love
6. Act I: We Open In Venice
7. Act I: Tom, Dick Or Harry
8. Act I: I've Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua
9. Act I: I Hate Men
10. Act I: Were Thine That Special Face
11. Act II: Too Darn Hot
12. Act II: Where Is The Life That Late I Led?
13. Act II: Always True To You (In My Fashion)
14. Act II: Bianca
15. Act II: So In Love (Reprise)
16. Act II: Brush Up Your Shakespeare
17. Act II: I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple
18. Act II: Finale: Kiss Me, Kate
19. Kiss Me, Kate Overture

Amazon.com

Opening at the tail end of 1948, Kiss Me, Kate became an instant classic--and amazingly didn't receive a full-scale revival until 1999. All the more reason to revel in its original version. With its cunning play-within-a-play premise (a musical update of The Taming of the Shrew reverberates in backstage feuds), brilliant mix of high and low comedy, and of course some of Cole Porter's better-known songs--"So in Love," "I Hate Men," Too Darn Hot," "Always True to You (In My Fashion)"--Kiss Me, Kate remains a funny, zesty hall of mirrors. Hard as you may try to find a fly in the ointment, there's no fault with the cast either--Patricia Morison, for instance, is a perfectly petulant Lilli Vanessi. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

The best and maybe the last CD of this great musical........2006-02-20

Now is the perfect time to buy the CD of this.

Sony's transfer engineers used state-of-the-art restoration software to remove the roughness and surface noise from the originals, but (thankfully) they resisted the urge to tart-up the sound with artificial reverb, faux stereo, and thundering bass. This is by far the best-sounding CD of this ever released, and it may be the last.

The age of music ownership in America could be drawing to a close. Five years from now, this music may only be available by download, you might only be "borrowing" it, and it probably won't come with the the authentic cover art or the 26-page booklet.

(See also the original broadway CD of Out of This World.)

Beautiful remastering of historic original cast recording.......2004-05-24

Recorded in January 1949, this album of KISS ME KATE has remained in print adn a steady best-seller for over 50 years now.

The sound on this newly remastered CD is crisp and clear and easily surpasses all previous issues. Sony even uses the original artwork from the very first LP release.

The performances remain as fresh as ever. Alfred Drake was Broadway's top leading man and sounds just glorious. Pat Morrison had less of a career but sounds just perfect as Lilli. Lisa Kirk is wonderful as Lois, and Harold Lang makes the most of his few moments on the record as her boyfriend, Bill. In an unusual move these peopel reunited 10 years later to re-record the score for Capitol in true stereo. They still sound great on that recording (on CD as part of the Broadway Angel series) but the performances are fresher on this recording made just 2 weeks after KIS ME KATE had opened on Broadway to rave reviews.

The CD booklet has good info about the show, though curiously, no synopsis. There are, however, a half dozen pictures of the original production. This edition featureds longer takes of "We Open in Venice", "I Hate Men" and "Too Darn Hot" though the total extra music adds but a minute to the album's running time. A bonus track of the Overture dates from a 1958 stereo recording by Lehman Engle.

KISS ME KATE was the first Tony Award winner for Best Musical (1949). The 1999 revival won a Tony for Best Revival.

the peerless original cast.......2004-03-04

KISS ME KATE is still regarded as Cole Porter's greatest musical; a charming backstage story detailing feuding ex-spouses Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham as they star in a musical version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew".

Very rarely has the score been bettered than the original 1949 cast album, reissued here on the Columbia Broadway Masterworks label. Patricia Morison plays Lilli, with Alfred Drake (OKLAHOMA!, KISMET, GIGI) as Fred, the feuding, ego-ridden leads. Lisa Kirk (ALLEGRO, MACK AND MABEL) is the sexy young starlet Lois, with Harold Lang (PAL JOEY) as her caddish boyfriend Bill.

KISS ME KATE opened at the New Century Theatre on Broadway in 1949, making history in its run of over 1000 performances. Patricia Morison is perfectly-suited to the role of Lilli. She offers a glowing rendition of "So in Love", whilst her duet with Alfred Drake in the tongue-in-cheek "Wunderbar" is sublime. Lisa Kirk gets three of the big showstoppers ("Why Can't You Behave?", "Tom Dick or Harry" and "Always True to You in My Fashion"), and nails each and every one. Harold Lang was a better dancer than he ever was as a singer, but is quite good on this disc.

A must-own.

Who Put The Shake In Shakespeare?.......2001-04-11

Who put the 'shake' in 'Shakespeare'? Cole Porter, of course! Kiss Me Kate is the best of his musicals, and this recording is the best of the recordings! The original Broadway cast performs with much old-style, vaudeville jazz!

The story is set in a Baltimore theatre where a divorced couple, Fred Graham and Lilli Vannessi, are in the two leading roles of a musical version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Fred currently dates a colorful light-heart named Lois Lane, while Lilli is about to head off to get maried in the south. Lois, by the way, will 'always be true' to her boyfriend, the gambling player Bill Calhoun. The story takes off from there!

The show originaly opened on Broadway in 1948. It's timelessness has still not worn off after so many years. The classic script by Bela and Sam Spewack, and the best music of Cole Porter, we cannot fail! The show has been performed since then in many many countries, and has been performed in many languages! It has only recently been revived on Broadway.

Kiss Me Kate has become a staple of classic Broadway, and this is the cast that will not be outdone. Patricia Morrison is a perfect, operatic, Lilli Vanesi. She is strong, yet thoughtful. Her voice fills the CD with a lively 'Wunderbar' and the raging 'I Hate Men.' Alfred Drake is a manly and appealing Fred Graham who will have you laughing out loud! His 'Where Is the Live...?' is yet to be surpassed. Harold Lang is a sexy, and hypnotic Bill Calhoun. He takes the role for himself, and his 'Bianca' is done to the point of perfection! His voice is misty and self-confident, and has the qualities all Bill Calhoun's should. And of course, there will be no one as good as Lisa Kirk for the role of Lois Lane! Her tongue-in-cheek performance on this CD is flawless! She is teasing, sympathetic, funny, and has the right voice to win her part! I can't imagine anyone who can do what she has done with 'Alway True to You' and 'Why Can't You Behave.' The classic character songs are very nice! The balladic, and melodic 'So In Love' will ring in your head. 'We Open In Venice' will make you dance! And 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'(performed with much humor by Jack Diamond and Harry Clark) will give you a laugh the next time you read 'Romeo.' You won't be disapointed!

The nostalgic quality of the 40's is alive and well in this recording. Columbia has done a great job restoring the work, and the scratching that were a part of the original releases. The sound quality is crisp and clear, and the music sounds wonderful! The magic hasn't worn out yet!

There have been a few more recordings of the work, including a complete London recording, and the new Broadway revival cast. None can do as well as the original recording, however. In the revival recordng, however, they come close. Brian Stokes Mitchell has the voice for Fred, but runs through his lines a bit fast, and without much enthusiasm. And the orchestrations for the new recording are a bit overdone, and they sound more like PBS's Jazz, than Broadway.

Altogether, this is great recording. I was very pleased with my buy, and hope that you will add it to your collection right away! It's time to Brush Up Your Shakespeare!

TIMELESS BROADWAY SHOW.......2001-01-11

COLE PORTER'S most famous musical play hasn't lost none of it's power over the years;it's one of those few shows in which all the elements clicks:cast,songs,libretto, to make a great entertainment product.Without getting to cynical,KISS ME KATE has enough good songs to fill 3 BROADWAY shows of today ,and i am not kidding,it's a fact.While the revival is also of interest,it's always a delight to hear the original with PATRICIA MORRISSON and ALFRED DRAKE, both terrific in their parts.I can assure you that you'll play this record more than twice.It's not only WUNDERBAR ,it's WONDERFUL!You can't actually single out one number because they are all good.All right, if we have to choose one, it's SO IN LOVE.

Average customer rating: A mild hallucinogen; take liberally with homework and repeat as necessary They can't dance, but they sure know how to make great music! Genesis reinvent themselves again Genesis - Phil Collins Swan Song A strong comeback after the mediocre Invisible Touch...

We Can't Dance Genesis Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Invisible Touch Genesis Abacab But Seriously Genesis Live: The Way We Walk, Vol. 1 (The Shorts) ASIN: B000002IST Release Date: 1991-11-12

Tracks:

1. No Son Of Mine
2. Jesus He Knows Me
3. Driving The Last Spike
4. I Can't Dance
5. Never A Time
6. Dreaming While You Sleep
7. Tell Me Why
8. Living Forever
9. Hold On My Heart
10. Way Of The World
11. Since I Lost You
12. Fading Lights

Amazon.com

The final Genesis studio album to feature Phil Collins finds the increasingly pop-oriented singer/drummer more firmly in the driver's seat than on We Can't Dance's predecessor, Invisible Touch. However, We Can't Dance has little of its predecessor's exuberance and freshness. Inspiration and ideas are spread too thinly over the 70-minute length of the album, resulting in flabby arrangements and lyrics. There are moments throughout when the carefully crafted choruses and smoothly integrated sound of later Genesis prove winning. "Hold on My Heart," for one, proves that Collins can still produce real emotion. Still, it's not surprising that this was this bunch's last recording together. --James Swift

Customer Reviews:

A mild hallucinogen; take liberally with homework and repeat as necessary.......2007-06-26

We Can't Dance is, by virtue of being Genesis' "last" album, always going to be controversial. But I got heavy into Genesis in high school and I find it hard to say much bad about them to this day and age -- even as they were selling out, they were still playing with the formula, from the willful weirdness of "Lamb" and "Trick of the Tail", oddities like "And Then There Were Three" and "Duke" (an album I find, to put it charitably, unapproachable, though "Heathaze" was a surprising favorite), and then the clear musical progression from prog to slamming synth-rock embodied in "Abacab", "Genesis", and "Invisible Touch". And then came We Can't Dance, which, well, just sort of was. And there was I, passed out on the living room floor in the midst of my trig homework, listening to the new Genesis album. And it was good.

The album has its strong parts -- "No Son of Mine" is a gut check on the subject of child abuse and family harmony; "Jesus He Knows Me" is more topical than ever fifteen years later; "Dreaming While You Sleep" is creepy, claustrophobic, and an all-around excellent song; "Fading Lights" is an instrumental tour-de-force that just happens to have lyrics. It has its weak points too. "Living Forever" sounds like a reject from the "Living Years" sessions from Mike + the Mechanics, cleaned up and progified; "Never a Time" and "Tell Me Why" are trite and dull, and should have been left off the album; "Hold On My Heart", a favorite of my days of making mix tapes for girls who would never date me (yes, I was That Guy), has not aged well and makes me stabby. The remainder: "Driving the Last Spike" never quite lives up to its potential, coming off as a bit stoned, but is otherwise an excellent song; "Since I Lost You" is not bad but is very out of place; "Way of the World" is just mediocre.

On the whole, it's a good album, but it sometimes sounds a bit dated, mostly from the heavy emphasis on synthesizers that was already on the way out by the time this album went into production. It's also a very long album, a mistake Bruce Springsteen would make nearly a decade later with "The Rising", also an otherwise good album that simply had too much stuff in it for a person to listen to in a sitting. But, and this is a big but, it's not going to appeal to everyone. Someone who is primarily a fan of Gabriel-era Genesis would probably find it flabby and a bit toothless, while a fan of Collins-era Genesis might wonder what happened to the hyper-edgy synthpop sound of "Genesis" and "Invisible Touch". Ultimately, it's not for all tastes, and really, that's fine. But I liked it, and I still like it now.

They can't dance, but they sure know how to make great music!.......2007-06-10

Genesis's 1991 album We Can't Dance is one of the most memorable records released over the past 20 years. It was the first time Phil Collins collaborated with Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford in nearly 6 years, and the last time he would ever record with them, that is up until their most recent reunion.

We Can't Dance combines plenty of humor, as the title infers, great music, serious issues, and instant classics. The album features some of Genesis's best songs to date: No Son Of Mine, a song about family problems, the funny Jesus He Knows Me, a song about decieving evangelists, and I Can't Dance (both songs spawned equally funny and entertaining music videos), the warm ballads Hold On My Heart and Never A Time, the progressive Driving The Last Spike and Dreaming While You Sleep (both songs paying homage to Genesis's early back catalogue when Peter Gabriel was at the helm), and Tell Me Why, a typical Phil Collins song about world poverty.

Dance might not be as great as previous albums, but it is an outstanding collection of Genesis songs that any fan can't go without!

Recommended

B+

Genesis reinvent themselves again.......2007-06-02

It is the perfect lounge music - before lounging became popular. Phil Collins had become successful as a solo artist and still blended with keyboard virtuoso Banks and Guitar player Rutherford. Chapeau !

Genesis - Phil Collins Swan Song.......2007-04-11

5 years elapsed between the release of "Invisible Touch" in 1986 and "We Can't Dance" in 1991. In between Phil Collins continued to milk his outlandishly successful solo career and Mike Rutherford had platinum success with Mike and The Mechanics. "We Can't Dance" ended up being another huge commercial success for the band and covered the most variety of musical ground in their career. The material varies greatly with pop, ballads, rockers, and progressive rock all being represented. For me there are moments of greatness on this album, but also moments of extreme mediocrity. Collins and company have their share of sappy ballads and lesser pop songs that are not necessarily bad, but not up to Genesis past high standards either. Songs fitting into this category would include "I Can't Dance", "Never A Time", "Tell Me Why", "Hold On My Heart" and "Since I Lost You". In the middle are several songs that although not classics, are good solid tunes including "No Son Of Mine", and "Way Of The World". The really good stuff tends to be the ones that play to Genesis strengths as instrumentalists, and are generally the longer tracks on the album. "Dreaming While You Sleep" is a good one as is "Living Forever" with it's extended instrumental section. "Driving The Last Spike" is an epic about railway workers in England. I very rarely hear this song mentioned by Genesis fans as a classic, but I think it ranks up with the very best that the band has done. Musically, lyrically, and vocally it is a top notch cut, and for me the highlight of the album. The album closer "Fading Lights" is also very good and can be seen as a metaphor for the band's career at the time. Instrumentally this is another highlight with Banks, Rutherford, and Collins all turning in fine performances. Collins would leave the band after this album to concentrate on his solo career not returning until the reunion tour this year (2007). Overall I really like about 2/3rds of this disc, and it is worth owning for "Driving The Last Spike", "Living Forever", and "Fading Lights" alone.

A strong comeback after the mediocre Invisible Touch..........2007-03-01

I think Genesis needed the 5-year break. They really came back a lot stronger after that break for this album. It has about twice as many good songs as Invisible Touch! There are actual SOLOS, REAL DRUMS, and lots of other features that make this an album worth buying for any fan. It's not as great as some of their previous works like Duke and A Trick of the Tail, but what have you got to lose for a total of $2.60 used on Amazon? Time for track-by-track:

1. No Son Of Mine - 10/10 - Great song. Driving, and very good lyrics.

2. Jesus, He Knows Me - 8/10- Not as bad as its reputation. Just a silly song. Not the greatest, though.

3. Driving The Last Spike - 10/10 - Awesome. I love the guitar parts, the drums, the vocals, everything. It's just a very good extended song.

4. I Can't Dance - 9/10 - Silly. Good riff.

5. Never A Time - 4/10 - Don't like it. Sorta sappy.

6. Dreaming While You Sleep - 10/10 - I hear new things in this one every time. Somewhat reminiscent of the full version of Tonight, Tonight, Tonight, but much more detailed. The vocals and lyrics are equally moving.

7. Tell Me Why - 6/10 - Listenable, but not that good. I don't know why, I just don't like it.

8. Living Forever - 10/10!! - That's the ticket. This is the type of song that makes me enjoy their less prog days. Irresistible guitar riff, an instrumental break with a nice keyboard solo... Just a great song for the times and musically.

9. Hold On My Heart - 0/10 - Yucky, sappy, un-Genesis-y.

10. Since I Lost You - NA - I'm not sure how to rate it. I like it lyrically, but I don't like how it's presented musically. I think it could've been great, but it was sort of presented as a love ballad, but it wasn't.

11. Fading Lights - 10/10 - What Since I Lost You could've been. Great, heartfelt songs with a very nice instrumental break. It's really a great swan song to the "Phil Collins Era".

OVERALL: If you have an open mind, I'd definitely recommend getting it. It's strong, but don't expect another Lamb Lies Down. That's not what they went for on this album.

Average customer rating: Fabulous for any Broadway-lover Top Shelf TERRIFIC CD'S Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs Great Compilation!

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( 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 | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Broadway: The American Musical Broadway: The American Musical Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals ASIN: B00064ADMK Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

1. Give My Regards To Broadway- Joel Grey
2. Swanee- Al Jolson
3. When The Moon Shines On The Moonshine- Bert Williams
4. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody- John Steel
5. My Man- Fanny Brice
6. Fascinating Rhythm- Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire
7. If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)- 78rpm Version Eddie Cantor
8. Someone To Watch Over Me- Gertrude Lawrence
9. Bill- 78 rpm Version Helen Morgan
10. Ol' Man River- Paul Robeson
11. Ain't Misbehavin'- Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra
12. Ten Cents A Dance- Ruth Etting
13. Body And Soul- Libby Holman
14. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime- Bing Crosby
15. Night And Day- Fred Astaire
16. Heat Wave- Ethel Waters
17. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Tamara
18. You're The Top- Ethel Merman
19. Summertime- Anne Brown
20. September Song- Walter Huston
21. My Heart Belongs To Daddy- Mary Martin
22. It Never Entered My Mind- Shirley Ross
23. Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered- Vivienne Segal
24. Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning- Irving Berlin
25. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'- Alfred Drake

Tracks:

1. New York, New York- Cris Alexander,Adolph Green,John Reardon
2. If I Loved You- John Raitt,Jan Clayton
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine- Ruby Hill,Harold Nicholas
4. There's No Business Like Show Business- Ensemble
5. How Are Things In Glocca Morra? From "Finian's Rainbow"- Ella Logan
6. Once In Love With Amy- Ray Bolger
7. Wunderbar- Alfred Drake,Patricia Morison
8. Some Enchanted Evening- Ezio Pinza
9. Lost In The Stars- Todd Duncan
10. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend- Carol Channing
11. Luck Be A Lady- Robert Alda,Guys
12. Getting To Know You- Gertrude Lawrence
13. Who Cares?- Jack Carson,Betty Oakes
14. Stranger In Paradise- from " Kismet" Doretta Morrow,Richard Kiley
15. Ballad Of Mack The Knife- Gerald Price
16. Hey There- from "The Pajama Game" John Raitt
17. Whatever Lola Wants- Gwen Verdon
18. I Could Have Danced All Night- Julie Andrews
19. Standing On The Corner- from "The Most Happy Fella, 1956" Shorty Long,John Henson,Alan Gilbert
20. The Party's Over- Judy Holliday
21. Glitter And Be Gay- Barbara Cook
22. Tonight- Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence

Tracks:

1. Seventy-Six Trombones- Robert Preston
2. I Enjoy Being A Girl- from "Flower Drum Song, 1958" Pat Suzuki
3. Everything's Coming Up Roses- Ethel Merman
4. My Favorite Things- from "The Sound Of Music" Mary Martin
5. Put On A Happy Face- from "Bye Bye Birdie" Dick Van Dyke
6. Try To Remember- Jerry Orbach
7. Camelot- from "Camelot" Richard Burton
8. Love Makes The World Go 'Round- Anna Maria Alberghetti
9. I Believe In You- Robert Morse And Co.
10. The Sweetest Sounds- Diahann Carroll,Richard Kiley
11. Comedy Tonight- Zero Mostel
12. What Kind Of Fool Am I?- Anthony Newley
13. As Long As He Needs Me- Georgia Brown
14. Hello, Dolly!- Carol Channing,Cast
15. People- Barbra Streisand
16. Anyone Can Whistle- from "Anyone Can Whistle" Lee Remick
17. If I Were A Rich Man- Zero Mostel
18. Night Song- Sammy Davis, Jr.
19. The Impossible Dream- Richard Kiley
20. If My Friends Could See Me Now- Gwen Verdon
21. Open a New Window- from Mame Voice

Tracks:

1. Willkommen- from "Cabaret" Joel Grey
2. Let The Sunshine In- James Rado,Lynn Kellogg,Melba Moore,Cast
3. I'll Never Fall In Love Again- Jill O'Hara,Jerry Orbach
4. The Ladies Who Lunch- from "Company" Elaine Stritch
5. Tea For Two- Roger Rathburn,Susan Watson
6. I'm Still Here- Yvonne De Carlo
7. I Don't Know How To Love Him- Yvonne Elliman
8. We Go Together- Adrienne Barbeau,Barry Bostwick,Walter Bobbie,Cast
9. Corner Of The Sky- John Rubinstein
10. Send In The Clowns- Glynis Johns
11. Ease On Down The Road- Stephanie Mills,Tiger Haynes,Ted Ross,Hinton
12. One- from "A Chorus Line" Cast
13. All That Jazz- Chita Rivera,Ensemble
14. Tomorrow- Andrea Mcardle
15. Don't Cry For Me Argentina- Patti Lupone
16. Come Follow The Band
17. Lullaby Of Broadway- Jerry Orbach
18. And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going- Jennifer Holliday
19. The Bells Of St. Sebastian- Raul Julia

Tracks:

1. Memory- Betty Buckley
2. I Am What I Am- George Hearn
3. Move On- Bernadette Peters,Mandy Patinkin
4. Do You Hear The People Sing?- Michael Maguire,Cast
5. The Music Of The Night- Michael Crawford
6. You're Nothing Without Me- James Naughton,Gregg Edelman
7. The American Dream- Jonathan Pryce,Cast
8. Doctor Jazz- Gregory Hines,Company
9. With One Look- Glenn Close
10. On Broadway- Adrian Bailey,Frederick B. Owens,Ken Ard,Victor Trent Cook
11. Le Jazz Hot- Julie Andrews,Ensemble
12. Seasons Of Love-
13. Hakuna Matata- Max Casella,Tom Alan Robbins,Scott Irby-Ranniar,Jason Raize
14. I Wanna Be A Producer- Matthew Broderick,Ensemble
15. Dancing Queen- Louise Plowright,Jenny Galloway
16. Good Morning Baltimore- Marissa Jaret Winokur
17. Movin' Out- Michael Cavanaugh,Band
18. I Go To Rio- Hugh Jackman,Company
19. Defying Gravity- Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous for any Broadway-lover.......2007-01-30

Packs into 5 CD's a sampling of Broadway tunes from the 20's thru (almost) today, mostly from original cast recordings. Includes not just well-known hits, but also some lesser-known gems. Sound quality is first rate, booklet is informative too. Have given this as a gift to several friends with rave reviews.

Top Shelf.......2007-01-04

This is THE definitive collection of Broadway hits. I have other collections, and none of them measure up. A great deal of care was obviously taken in compiling and presenting this box set. It covers a lot of ground, starting with some long-forgotten but still very enjoyable hits from the days of yore, and finishing with present-day favorites. To the best of my knowledge, the recordings are by those who made them famous. You won't be disappointed.

TERRIFIC CD'S.......2006-03-23

THESE BROADWAY MUSICALS CD'S ARE A BROADWAY LOVERS DREAM. WITH EACH SONG, MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK. BOTH THE FAMILIAR AND THE FORGOTTEN SONGS ARE A TRUE LISTENING PLEASURE. IF YOU LIKE BROADWAY, YOU'LL LOVE THIS SET.

Great Collection of Broadways greatest Songs .......2005-06-14

This Collection was perfectly made it has almost all the most famous Broadway songs on this 5 cd set. The Music is great and has Broadways greatest treasures like "Memory""People""With One Look""Give my regards Too Broadway" just to name a few of this numerous cd set with over 100 songs. This is a great buy if you like musicals or The music of Broadway

Great Compilation!.......2005-01-17

If you are a fan of the Broadway Musicals, this is a collection that you should purchase. Since I got the 5 disc set I've enjoyed listening to it. The majority of the songs are done by the original singers. The collection is priceless considering that you will have over 100 songs from popular musicals since the beginning of Broadway

Average customer rating: Angst, Anger and Love Close to my heart A Classic Album! Timely & in GOOD condition! real cranberries

Everybody Else is Doing It So Why Can't We? (The Complete Sessions 1991-1993) Cranberries Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: No Need to Argue: Comp Sessions Wake Up and Smell the Coffee To Faithful Departed: Comp Sessions No Need to Argue Stars: The Best of the Cranberries, 1992-2002 ASIN: B000068VHP Release Date: 2002-07-30

Tracks:

1. I Still Do
2. Dreams
3. Sunday
4. Pretty
5. Waltzing Back
6. Not Sorry
7. Linger
8. Wanted
9. Still Can't...
10. I Will Always
11. How
12. Put Me Down
13. Reason
14. Them
15. What You Were
16. Liar - (Pret A Porter Movie remix)
17. How - (Radical mix)

Customer Reviews:

Angst, Anger and Love.......2006-06-24

This CD was the Cranberries' first, and was refreshing even though they deviated little from middle of the road pop. Dolores O'Riordan's lovely Irish voice, delivered periodically in a grunge style, made this debut album fun to hear. In general the music here is safe, though the lyrics sometimes are not. The Cranberries have a history of choosing sometimes distressing topics for their music. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to confront their world, which seems to be tainted by despair and a variety of angst.

"I Still Do" is an angst-ridden track, heavy on mellow bass, about someone who is in love, and wants to break it off, even though that person is still in love. The reason for breaking it off is not clear, and it need not be. This song is the generic break up song when you have mixed feelings about the relationship but realize that it is in at least one person's best interests to end the relationship.

We go from the angst of a possibly impossible relationship to the dream relationship in "Dreams," which was featured in "You've Got Mail." A pretty, fast-paced, song, Dolores tells her significant other that she has given herself to him, and he now has her heart, so please don't hurt her. She also says that she is amazed by his mind and how caring and understanding he is. The ethereal music with a rock beat I personally find to be very satisfying.

We go back to angst again with "Sunday." This time the singer cares for or loves someone, but can't seem to make the connection. This situation has happened to me, and I'll bet it's happened to many of you. Dolores starts singing this one is a grunge style, slowly. Then the pace picks up and the song attains a solid pop beat. Seems like anything Dolores sings is pretty.

"Pretty" has throwaway lyrics to vaguely blues-sounding music with heavy bass. Dolores gets to trill her voice in that endearing way. My guess is that the intent of the lyrics is to be there for the sound more than for the meaning. It works!
"Waltzing Back" is an angry song. How did these people come back into your life? They are going to take you away from me. It's not fair. In the end, there's nothing she can do about it; it's your life. It doesn't mean she has to be happy about it.

I like the next song. The style of "Sorry" makes solid use of Dolores's ability to hit high notes. This song is combination anger and angst; she's upset and angry, but at the same time you sense that she wanted it to work out. She still misses him, but is still angry too. The rock beat in the background punctuates her anger with heavy bass and percussion, and a fast beat. There is a good contrast musically between her bluesy angst laments and her anger.

The Cranberries love angst about love. "Linger" tells how she saw her significant other with someone else, and communicates the hurt she feels. She wonders why he can't just go with her instead of letting her believe that they have any hope of a relationship. This song is all string laments; solid angst.

And the angst just keeps on rolling with "Wanted." A fast-paced song, here Dolores sings about the communication gap between two people, and their ability to understand each other's needs. Just what is it you want, what are you trying to say?

"Still Can't..." starts acoustically, and then takes off with bass and backing drums. Dolores' sultry voice expresses her anger that her significant other is telling lies about the situation between her and him. He won't apologize, he's laughing about the situation behind her back. I don't think I'd want to be the other person in this song.

"I Will Always" expresses the simple thought that she gives everything of herself to him. He needs to do whatever he will do, and she'll be there. The music here is slow and mellow, Dolores sings very slowly, mournfully. She still manages to hit the high notes with a grunge flavor, even though it's not really a grunge song. Grunge blues maybe.

I get the feeling that "How" is the Cranberries version of "You're so Vain," which was sung by Carly Simon. The words express how he is self-centered, and he left her alone, at least emotionally, if not physically. Dolores was looking for a closeness that he isn't providing. There is a heavy drum beat in this relatively fast-paced song.

"Put Me Down" again makes such wonderful use of Dolores's voice, sultry to start and then going for the high notes. The topic of the song is pretty much like the title says: she keeps getting put down; she keeps trying, but keeps getting treated like a second-class person; this was a lovely song to finish off the original CD.

There are several versions of this CD. This version has five tracks added to the original release. I am a little mixed on the value of these tracks. I like the Cranberries a lot, and so the bonus tracks are nice to have. However, are they worth the extra money this CD costs over the previous version? That depends on how much you like the Cranberries. If you are a huge fan, the extra tracks are nice to have. Otherwise, if you have the original version, this CD did not have any improvement over the previous version that I could tell.

This CD is full of heavily orchestrated music, very well played. Dolores has an incredible vocal range, and her Irish accent adds something to these songs. There are so many influences that it is hard to categorize the music. I call it lovely and mellow, and my favorite Cranberries CD. I give this CD five stars plus.

Close to my heart.......2006-04-05

From start to finish, one of the most emotionally honest albums ever made, and one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time. It's 1993 and I'm 18 every time I listen to this CD. Love it.

A Classic Album!.......2005-12-11

When I first heard this album it was many years ago, but even now its still sounds fresh and beautiful. Doris's voice has a natural beauty about it which shines throughout the entire album and reminds you of a better, more innocent time. Great production, good lyrics and strong support from the other members. On this album, they transcended to a place reserved only for a choice few. A great piece of Art and Music.

Timely & in GOOD condition!.......2005-10-23

The item arrived quickly & was in good condition. Thank you!!

real cranberries.......2005-01-05

I just can say i love this album for the simple reason it is the first one and never equaled in sound, elegance, quality, essence, delicate sadness and youth. It is incomparable and it deserves to be listen by good and pacient tastes in post XX century pop music.

I do recomended.

(...)

Music Album:

1. Wings to Fly & a Place to Be: An Introduction [Import]
2. 15th Anniversary Celebration [Live]
3. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Don Williams, Vol. 1
4. 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Joe Ely [Original recording remastered]
5. 4 Runner
6. Acoustic
7. An Introduction to Steve Earle [Import]
8. At Folsom Prison & San Quentin [Live]
9. Autumn Song
10. Barnyard Gone Wrong [Live]

Music Album