Leavin' [CD-single] [Import]

Product Description:
The first single from 'I Am Shelby Lynne', the critically acclaimed 2000 album from singer/ guitarist Lynne, a crossover from her country roots into the world of pop that yielded even greater financial success & a bigger fanbase to both Shania Twain & Fai

Leavin',Shelby Lynne,Polygram Int'l,5"CD Singles,Pop,Rock

Average customer rating: For play , and play and play do they stop ? Most likely their best effort to date Get This In Your CD Player Easy on your ears.

X Fourplay Manufacturer: RCA Victor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Shine Smoke 'N' Mirrors Playin' Favorites 20th Anniversary Givin' It Up ASIN: B000GG4XCE Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

1. Turnabout
2. Cinnamon Sugar
3. Eastern Sky
4. Kid Zero
5. My Love's Leavin'
6. Screenplay
7. Twilight Touch
8. Be My Lover
9. Sunday Morning

Customer Reviews:

For play , and play and play.......2007-07-12

I have been a fan of Bob James for decades now. I hear his old records today as if they were just produced . The same will happen with this one. A gem in all aspects.

do they stop ?.......2007-05-20

These guys have a combined age of over 200 and still they continue to write such great tunes . Eastern sky will shock even the hard 4play fans

Most likely their best effort to date.......2007-03-27

With each subsequent CD, it seems like Fourplay gets better and better. 'Turnabout' brings back memories of the first few CDs they released when they had Lee Ritenour on guitar. Even Steve Winwood would have to admit that Michael McDonald gives new texture to 'My Love's Leavin'. This band has been making great music since 1991. If this is your first Fourplay purchase, it will make you want to buy each of the previous nine CDs; even the offering of Christmas music!

Get This In Your CD Player .......2007-03-27

Any person that knows smooth jazz will tell you that these four guys by themselves are major forces on their own. But when they combine their incredible talents for a project..well here is the result.. "X"
This is pure listening enjoyment. Not one bad song is on this one. Whether you are in your car or sitting at home with a glass of Scotch(my favorite!) this is one that will not disappoint. Larry Carlton shines on guitar as always and the keyboard work of Bob James just sets it off. Nathan East adds his class on bass and the drum work of Harvey Mason is what makes these songs just flow together like a perfect day. Incredible sounds that will only have leave you saying at the end why did they only put nine songs on this.

Easy on your ears........2007-03-25

Fourplay return with their tenth set that oozes the quality and accomplished playing you would expect.
Cuts like Bob James' "Turnabout" and the breezy "Eastern Sky" epitomize what Fourplay is about.
Michael McDonald adds his distinctive vocals to the dramatic ballad "My Love's Leavin".
Check the flowing Jazz jaunt "Screenplay" on which James' playing is particularly expressive.
The band's trademark light touch and melodic focus characterise this set that is their finest for many years.

Average customer rating: Absolutely peerless once-in-a-lifetime greatness We love this album Simply great Porgy and Bess

Porgy & Bess Ella Fitzgerald , and Louis Armstrong Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Porgy and Bess Gershwin: Porgy & Bess [With Members of the Original Cast] Porgy & Bess: High Performance George Gershwin - Porgy & Bess / Trevor Nunn · Sir Simon Rattle · W. White · C. Haymon · Glyndebourne Opera Ella & Louis Again (Dig) ASIN: B0000046Z5 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Summertime
3. I Wants To Stay Here
4. My Man's Gone Now
5. I Got Plenty O'Nuttin'
6. Buzzard Song
7. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
8. It Ain't Necessarily So
9. What You Want Wild Bess?
10. A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
11. Oh, Doctor Jesus
12. Medley: Here Come De Honey Man/Crab Man/Oh, Deh's So Fresh And Fine (Strawberry Woman)
13. There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
14. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
15. Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way

Amazon.com

Getting the two most personable voices in jazz to sing an hour's worth of George Gershwin's opera Porgy & Bess (Ella doing all the female parts, Satchmo all the male) was a good idea, but not quite as great as it sounded. Armstrong savors the down-and-dirty Charlestonisms that inspired the cadences of the music and lyrics, and they fit his happy rasp like an old shoe; Fitzgerald, conversely, sounds almost prissy every time she has to sing the word "ain't," though her melodic genius gets Gershwin's bold, supple tunes over. The arrangements are full-throttle Broadway, with a few leaps into Dixieland (including some fine Armstrong trumpet solos), but the disc works best when the vocalists break character and let their jazz side out. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely peerless.......2006-11-17

"Porgy and Bess" has just opened (with some controversy) in London's West End, though as a musical and not as an opera as it was originally conceived. Reviews have been promising and I aim to go down and see it soon. I decided to listen to this CD to put myself in the mood. I hadn't listened to it for years and I'd completely forgotten how good it actually is. Ella's voice blends with Louis' perfectly and Russell Garcia's orchestration gives them a dreamy landscape to perform against. I have one or two other CDs by Louis and Ella but this one is by far my favourite. The CD opens with "Overture" and its orchestral performance of classics like "Summertime", "I Wants To Stay Here", "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'" and "It Ain't Neccessarily So" set the tone nicely, leaving one ever so keen for the vocal versions. Louis Armstong has a very rough tone to his voice but the emotion he packs with it is moving, most especially on the mournful "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" And we get all this and Louis' wonderful trumpet playing too?

Gershwin and Gershwin must be among the top composers of the last century and this opera showcases their talents more than anything I've heard. Ella and Louis are peerless as a vocal duo and though I doubt the West End performance will capture the magic in the same way they did, I still remain very keen to go see it. Is it opera or is it a jazz performance? I don't really know. I just know that I love it. And strongly recommend it.

once-in-a-lifetime greatness.......2006-10-06

Two thousand five hundred musicians have recorded "Summertime" --- it's a classic. (I bet most Americans can name Janis Joplin and no other singer.) As for "Porgy and Bess," the folk opera from which "Summertime" springs, it's such a classic that it's hard to believe anyone ever had a harsh word to say about it.

But after its premiere in 1935, no less than Duke Ellington said, "It has grand music and a swell play, but the two didn't go together. It does not use the Negro musical idiom --- the times are here to debunk Gershwin's lampblack Negroisms."

A quarter of a century later, the producers of the film version had trouble assembling a cast. Harry Belafonte rejected their offer to play Porgy. Sidney Poitier took the part --- and wished he hadn't. Poitier later wrote that the movie insulted black people; when he chose clips of his best performances for his tribute at the American Film Institute, he picked nothing from "Porgy and Bess."

And in 1985, when Grace Bumbry was a sensation as Bess in a Metropolitan Opera production, she slammed the opera: "I thought it beneath me, I felt I had worked far too hard, that we had come far too far to have to retrogress to 1935."

All that may be. All I know is that I have, in a long life, rarely been confronted with more genius than in the Fitzgerald/Armstrong recording of "Porgy & Bess." Set aside the achievement of George and Ira Gershwin in transforming DuBose Heyward's novel into a folk opera. Let's just focus on Armstrong and Fitzgerald, who were at the peak of their popularity when this record was made in 1957.

"Summertime" --- the first song --- sets the tone. A baleful horn figure, then violins. And then Armstrong's trumpet: slow, steady, dignified. But wait --- here comes a slurred note. And a cool little improvisation. Just enough of each. Very tasty.

Fitzgerald sings a verse. She is cool and formal. A lady. Not to be taken lightly. Now it's Armstrong's turn. Tender, but let's not kid ourselves --- this is not singing as others define it. This is melodic speech: rough, gutteral. And thus he is ideally cast: His Porgy may have his charms, but he'll have to stretch to keep Bess.

And so it goes throughout the CD. Trumpet mastery --- Armstrong has dazzling control. His tone is bright, but never shrill; there's a warmth in his playing no one else could produce. And Fitzgerald is just a study in inevitability; to hear her is to wonder how anyone could sing these songs any other way.

"I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'." "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing." "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York." "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" "Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way."

All brilliantly conceived, orchestrated and recorded.

The greatest trumpet player in this history of jazz.

The father of scat singing.

The queen of the jazz vocal.

There are no-brainers, and then there is this Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Armstrong collaboration --- music that imprints on your soul.

We love this album.......2006-08-22

We hope they will someday bring this beautiful story back to the stage

Simply great.......2006-03-04

The fusion between the great two voices and the orchestra is just brilliant. Very good brass and violins that accompany Fitzeralds and Armstrongs magic voices leaves you with your mouth open.

A must have for everyone!

Porgy and Bess.......2005-10-14

Could not find this anyway locally. It is a great recording

Average customer rating: A Very Poor Offering Sweet Time BRILLIANT VOCALS FROM A MASTER~BRAVO NATALIE!!! Big disappointment I'm Not "Leavin'" Natalie!

Leavin' Natalie Cole Manufacturer: Verve ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Verve | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Before Me Givin' It Up Duets: An American Classic Coming Home My Friends & Me ASIN: B000GPIPH4 Release Date: 2006-09-26

Tracks:

1. Criminal
2. Old Man
3. Day Dreaming
4. Leavin'
5. The More You Do It (The More I Like It Done)
6. Lovin' Arms
7. Love Letter
8. Man With The Child In His Eyes
9. 5 Minutes Away
10. Don't Say Goodnight (Ladies' Version Slow Grind)
11. You Gotta Be
12. If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

Amazon.com

With Leavin', her 20th studio album, Natalie Cole looks to be issuing a challenge to longtime listeners: if you're in, it's because you see stardust and are gripped by a warm sensation anytime her legendary voice eases through a speaker. If you're out, it's because you're not as musically adventurous as she is. Of the dozen songs here, only roughly a quarter could be cordoned off into classic R&B territory; the rest amount to an artful but decidedly pop-leaning hodgepodge. In addition to the opening track, a cover of Fiona Apple's "Criminal" that does away with the original's raw, angry edge in favor of flipness and sass, Cole gamely tackles Neil Young's classic "Old Man" and Kate Bush's "The Man With the Child in His Eyes." If those songs seem effortful, she finds more even footing on the title track, a Shelby Lynne original ready-made for a classic soul reworking, as well as on Aretha Franklin's "Day Dreaming," which benefits from producer Dallas Austin's addition of a hip hop-lite fringe. Unsurprisingly for an artist of Cole's depth and caliber, Leavin's sole original track, "5 Minutes Away," is its best. Here is Natalie as the world knows and loves her: a belter born to dose up the stirrings of her soul with unmatched tenderness and bottomless love. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

A Very Poor Offering.......2007-07-06

While there a couple of good tracks most are poor covers, if you want to hear a great version of Old Man buy Liz Wright version & the same goes for Desiree 'Gotta Be'.
Having seen Natalie Cole in concert performing a lack lusted show of some of her new album in London (concert lasted 75mins), it made me want to delete her albums from my ipod. Shame on you Miss Cole! You have lost a few fans from last night.

Sweet Time.......2007-03-04

Natalie Cole does a great job with this CD. The opener "Criminal" penned by Fiona Apple soulfully blasts with a hot trad R&B horn arrangement, "What I need is a good defense from feeling like a criminal." Her take on Neil Young's "Old Man" zoomed to the top of my personal top ten. Cole sounds thoroughly comfortable, accentuates and polishes the lovely melody, "Take a look in my eyes and you can tell that it's true." "The More You Do It" puts a smile on my face with Natalie's slow soulful swagger on a tune Ronnie Dyson sang. On the title track, Natalie wraps herself around a Shelby Lynne tune from the "I Am Shelby Lynne" CD. Cole recasts the song with a soulful organ-drenched arrangement, "Love ain't supposed to hurt, you've got to know your worth." Bonnie Raitt recorded "Love Letter" on her Grammy Award winning CD "Nick of Time." Natalie adapts it & swings it royally. "You Gotta Be" is a delightful cheer for positive thinking on Des'ree penned track, "Herald what your mother said, read the books your father read, try & solve the puzzles in your own sweet time, some may have more cash than you, some may have a different view." The set ends with Sting's "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" that he recorded on his 1993 "Ten Summoner's Tales" CD. Natalie freshens this tune with a great vocal arrangement and some delightful percussion by Dallas Austin. "Leavin'" is a great CD because Cole demonstrates her artistry by showing a broad knowledge of different types of music and pulling from different decades, styles and eras and blending it into a cohesive whole through her style. This is a stunning set. Bravo!

BRILLIANT VOCALS FROM A MASTER~BRAVO NATALIE!!!.......2007-03-01

Never has Natalie been better than in this masterful collection of great performances that must make all of the original singers green with envy as none come even close to "nailing" these songs like Natalie...this tremendous singer opens strong with a rocking and riveting "Criminal" and it is clear that Natalie has it all together in every since of the word and is clearly in peak form!!! Neil Young must have been really blown alway by this deeply soulful mesmerizing take on "Old Man" that is incredibly brilliant and the awesome musicians and their interplay with this wonderous singer is something wonderful to behold...what is wrong with our radio programming today that they pass on such great music? A sublime "Daydreaming" was acknowledged by The Grammy foundation but should have won Album Of The Year for the complete collection of classic performances that were unmatched by anything this year...greatness continues with "Leavin'" and this is a classic soul performance if ever I've heard one with Natalie going deep inside and taking the listener on a journey...flashback to the 70's with the exhuberant "The More You Do It (The More I Like It) and more greatness from the 70's continues with a heartfelt "Lovin' Arms" that is definitive and again Natalie goes deep inside this wonderful evergreen and makes it a timeless classic with her brilliantly illuminating performance. Given airplay this hot rocking version of "Love Letter" could easily go to the top of the charts and become a #1 mega-hit as it is wildly infectious and hot!!! Years ago Natalie sung "The Man With The Child In His Eyes" great but now with more life experience this stellar version shows how when a great artist matures performances deepen and vocals become richer and this is a magnificent performance that is haunting and a truly extraordinary listening experience...BRAVO NATALIE!!! A catchy original "5 Minutes Away" is winning while The Isleys "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love) becomes another true soul classic with Natalie at her best...these are some of the greatest performances ever from this legendary singer and in better musical times than in this sad time when true talent for some strange reason doesn't seem to be acknowledged, this collection would have been the huge success it should be...little wonder major music chains are closing when talent like this are held back from the masses who seem to accept any junk slung out at them on the airways! "You Gotta Be" is a great message song done in a unique and engrossing way while the finale "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" becomes a mesmerizing and unforgettable athem and BRAVO to Natalie and all the tremendous musicians who define what great music is all about!

Big disappointment.......2007-01-30

"Day Dreaming" is the only decent song on this compilation of uninspired songs that were better left sung by other artists. What a waste of time and talent-I've come to expect better from Natalie. I sure hope her record company prevents her from recording something like this in the future. Bring back the classy Natalie I know! Don't waste your money on this.

I'm Not "Leavin'" Natalie!.......2007-01-23

Natalie Cole has unfortunately ventured (and not by her own will by any means) into the territory where the verterans all venture sooner or later-- the demise of commercial, mainstream success. Natalie Cole had her "day in the sun", her "heyday". Unfortunately, no release by the diva will be appreciated by a new audience, only by those who loved her in her youth and those who possess the so penned "old soul". Me being a young man, I guess that I have that "old soul" as I have special place in my heart and an acquired appreciations for the veterans in classic soul, classic Rock, and classic jazz among other important genres that have ultimately shaped today's musical sound from their innovations. Natalie Cole in my mind is no doubt one of those innovators, particularly considering she has the vocal power of Patti LaBelle coupled with the jazz inflections and nuances of some of the very best, classiest jazz vocalists. Very few have been able to come close to emulating the greatness of "Inseperable" or the rangy-technically difficult vocal passages of the sassy, jazz-filled "This Will Be", Natalies signature anthem. I'm not lauding LEAVIN' as being Cole's strongest album, but it certainly unfair that a diva who still can sing a lot better than most of today's "new" R&B singers can't have a gold album. Sure Natalie's "heydey" or "peak" may have passed, but she sounds as strong and as soulful as ever on LEAVIN' which is a covers album for the most part.

"Criminal" is the very first surprise from the album, and proves to be very convincing. Who could tackle Fiona Apple but Apple herself? Somehow, being the veteran that she is, Cole pulls off "Criminal" very well with jazz-influenced rock production supporting her powerhouse vocals. Next, she tackles Neil Young's "Old Man" which isn't as succesful as "Criminal", but is surely worth a good number of listens as well. The true heat is brought on by heavy hitting Aretha cover "Day Dreaming", which fits perfectly in today's adult contemporary R&B. It is both soulful and jazzy with enough contemporary nature to be hip. What is most amazing is when Cole turns a country song penned by standout Shelby Lynne into a retro-soul hit. "Leavin'" single-handedly is one of Cole's very best performances ever, rivalling her very, VERY best. Cole's vocals are all in the right place making it truly shine in my eyes.

"The More You Do It (The More I Like It Done To Me)" does resurrect "the old school" as Natalie Cole states in the intro of the song and while it doesn't have the same star power of either "Day Dreamin'" or "Leaving", it certainly does remind you of vintage Cole singing "This Will Be" in certain respects. The acoustic strummed guitar and the lovely vocal harmonies of "Lovin' Arms" leave you once again breathless as Cole touches the song with her luminence. "Love Letter" and a surprising Kate Bush cover (who would've thunk?) of "The Man With The Child In His Eyes" are both worth listens, even if they aren't stellars as the very best of the album.

"5 Minutes Away" is the only original on LEAVIN', though it is truly a strong original, penned by Cole, R&B superstar producer Dallas Austin, and Marvin Chanz Parkman. It keeps the "old school feel flowing very vibrantly, as does Cole's cover of the Isley Brothers' tune "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)." "You Gotta Be" and "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" don't have the same steam as the very best of LEAVIN', but despite the less inspiring covers throughout some of the album, Cole's assertive and interesting vocals certainly make up for any slack in other places.

Overall, LEAVIN' isn't innovative in the since of being the next "milestone" in music, but it is a strong enough combination of contemporary jazz, contemporary R&B, retro-soul, and rock. It also showcases Cole's interests in ALL genres of music as opposed to being completely R&B. And while it isn't perfect, it comes off as a very solid, listenable, and enjoyable album by the diva.

Average customer rating: Classic PORGY & BESS but JAMAICA is missing something! Great music, average recording quality 2 cast albums for the price of 1! At Last!!!

Jamaica/ Porgy and Bess Lena and Belafonte, Harry Horne Manufacturer: Collectables ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | 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 Broadway & Vocalists | Indie Music | Stores | Music Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: At the Waldorf Astoria / At the Sands Stormy Weather (Dig) George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess House of Flowers (1954 Original Broadway Cast) Best Of Lena Horne: All Original Recordings ASIN: B00007JGTM Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

1. Savannah - Ricardo Mantalban
2. Savannah's Wedding - Adelaide Hall
3. Pretty To Walk With
4. Push The Button
5. Incompatibility - Ricardo Mantalban
6. Little Biscuit - Ossie Davis
7. Cocanut Sweet
8. Pity The Sunset
9. Take It Slow, Joe
10. Yankee Dollar - Josephine Premice
11. Monkey In The Mango Tree - Ricardo Montalban
12. Ain't It The Truth
13. What Good Does It Do - Ricardo Montalban
14. Leave The Atom Alone - Josephine Premice
15. Napoleon
16. For Every Fish - Adelaide Hall
17. I Don't Think I'll End It All Today
18. Savannah - Finale

Tracks:

1. A Woman Is A Sometime Thing - Harry Belafonte
2. Summertime
3. Oh, I Got Plenty Of Nothin - Harry Belafonte
4. I Wants To Stay Here
5. Bess, You Is My Woman
6. It Ain't Necessarily So
7. Street Calls: Strawberry Woman/The Honey Man/Crab Man - Harry Belafonte
8. My Man's Gone Now
9. Bess, Oh Where Is My Bess - Harry Belafonte
10. There's A Boat That's Leavin Soon For New York

Album Description

These original RCA recordings also feature Harry Belafonte, Ricardo Montalban and Ossie Davis. The Original Broadway Cast album Jamaica is from 1957, Porgy & Bess is from 1959. 28 tracks. Collectables. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Classic PORGY & BESS but JAMAICA is missing something!.......2004-05-24

The welcome CD reissue of the famous album of highlights from PORGY AND BESS by Lena Horne and Harry Belafonte will make collectors happy. While not a "theatrical" or cast recording, it offers some exciting performances that have been long out-of-print.

JAMAICA, on the other hand, is a true original cast recording. The 1957 musical was originally written for Belafonte, but when he left the project Ricardo Montalban took on the role and the show was re-written to showcase Lena Horne.

RCA Victor's original cast recording has had a curious history. It was made just as the labels were transitioning from mono to stereo recording. At that time it was not possible to fit as much material on a stereo 12-inch LP as on its mono counterpart. RCA Victor issued JAMAICA in mono as LOC 1036 containing all the show's songs but leaving out the Overture and editing out the introductions to "Savannah's Wedding Day" and "What Good Does it Do?" A few months late a Living Stereo release came out as LSO 1036 and including the Overture but dropping 4 songs ("Pity the Sunset", "What Good Does it Do?", "For Every Fish" and "Savannah (Finale)") These issues were deleted in 1961. In 1965 RCA Victor re-released JAMAICA in mono and stereo as LOC/LSO 1103. Now, LOC 1103 was a direct reissue of LOC 1036. BUT...are you following all this? ... LSO 1103 had all the songs, includng the extended versions of "Savannah's Wedding Day" and "What Good Does it Do?" but like its mono counterpart, left off the Overture. The 1995 RCA Victor CD release had the complete song program and the Overture. That CD, sadly is now in cut-out limbo. THIS edition (paired with PORGY AND BESS) reissues the program as heard on the 1965 stereo LP edition (LSO 1103) and is missing the Overture.

With or without the Overture, the score of JAMAICA is quite enjoyable, even more so on disc where you don't have to deal with the show's book! This is one case where the songs work better out of context. Mostly, the numbers offer a chance for Lena to take the spotlight and belt out the great Harold Arlen numbers: "Pretty to Walk With", "Push De Button", "Cocoanut Sweet", "Napoleon" and especially "Ain't it de Truth." The last song was originally written for Lena to sing in the film version of CABIN IN THE SKY. It was cut from the final release prints of the film (Censors objected to the number being staged so that she sang it in a bubble bath!) so Arlen recycled it into JAMAICA. THAT'S the kind of patchwork show JAMAICA was and although it was a minor hit (557 performances) it will never be revived and you don't hear fans of the score clamouring for a revival. It was all about Lena Horne.

Great music, average recording quality.......2003-11-20

I've owned this Porgy & Bess record for many years and purchased the cd as soon as it came out. Harry's and Lena's voices on "Bess, You is My Woman Now" just sends chills up and down my spine. Their voices together are fabulous. I love to hear Lena sing "Summertime". This cd is 36 minutes 52 seconds long. Four songs are song by Lena, and four by Harry. The remainder are duets.

The second CD, Jamaica, was new to me. The CD length is 51:49. Six songs are sung by Lena, three songs are sung by Ricardo Montelban, 3 songs are duets with both Lena and Ricardo. The remainder of the songs are sung by Adelaide Hall, Josephine Premice, Ossie Davis and Augustine Rios. Some of these songs are duets. Lena, as usual, is wonderful. I particularly enjoyed "For Every Fish", sung by Adelaide Hall.

I thoroughly enjoyed both of these cd's. At listening volumes, the cd quality is very acceptable. If I turned up the volume a little louder than normal, I could hear a very tiny buzz. Still, I highly recommend these CDs to any fan of Lena Horne, Porgy & Bess, Harry Belafonte, show tunes...

2 cast albums for the price of 1!.......2003-09-12

This great double-CD from the Collectables label includes two great cast albums: the original 1958 Broadway cast of JAMAICA and the 1959 studio cast of PORGY AND BESS, both starring the gorgeous Lena Horne.

In JAMAICA, one of the lovelier Broadway shows of the late 50s, Lena Horne stars as Savannah, and sings a gorgeous score written especially for her by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. The cast also includes Ricardo Montalban, Adelaide Hall, Josephine Premice and Ossie Davis.

I have absolutely fallen in love with this score, which features many beguiling numbers like "Cocoanut Sweet", "Pretty to Walk With", "Take it Slow, Joe", "Ain't it the Truth" (originally written for CABIN IN THE SKY), "Napoleon" and "Pity the Sunset".

PORGY AND BESS pairs Lena Horne with Harry Belafonte under the musical direction of Horne's husband Lennie Hayton. Horne is well-suited to the colorful score, and sings superb treatments of "I Wants to Stay Here" and "My Man's Gone Now". Harry Belafonte is wonderful singing "Oh, I Got Plenty of Nothin'" and "Bess, You is My Woman".

2 fabulous, long out-of-print cast albums, back and better than ever! Highly-recommended.

At Last!!!.......2003-02-16

I have been waiting for the Horne/Belefonte version of "P&B" to come out on CD since CD's were invented!! And here it is! Of all the versions of "P&B" I own,this is the one I love the most.I have worn out about 5 of the LP's,since I bought the first one in '59,when I was 11,and now I will be able to listen to it forever. Harry and Lena's voices mesh together so perfectly,it's audio-heaven.Especially on "Bess,You is My Woman." What a gorgeous duet.The arrangements and orchestras are wonderful,too.If you love Gershwin;love Harry;love Lena,get this CD.
I have not listened to "Jamaica" yet,as I am so into listening to this "old friend" I found so many years ago.So this review is based only on "P&B." I will say that the audio quality is perfect,though.And if you love Lena and Ricardo,I'm sure you won't go wrong.

Average customer rating: The Grass Roots This Grass Roots GEM finally makes it to CD... The GRASS ROOTS Pop Sound Kicks into High Gear!

Leavin' It All Behind The Grass Roots Manufacturer: Hip-O Select ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Let's Live for Today/Feelings Where Were You When I Needed You Traveling Underground Definitive Collection The Turtles - Happy Together ASIN: B000BQL1XS Release Date: 2006-12-01

Tracks:

1. I'm Livin' for You Girl
2. Back to Dreamin' Again
3. Out of This World
4. Melinda Love
5. Don't Remind Me
6. Take Him While You Can
7. Heaven Knows
8. Walking Through the Country
9. Something's Comin' Over Me
10. Truck Drivin' Man
11. Wait a Million Years

Product Description

For a brief period of time between (about 1966 and 1972, give or take), the Grass Roots were a hit machine: fourteen Top 40 hits, a handful of gold singles, including one tune (Lets Live For Today) that iconically captures its time as clearly as Buffalo Springfields For What Its Worth or Jefferson Airplanes White Rabbit. In the hands of producer Steve Barri, the Grass Roots had grown from a hastily assembled cover band to a full-fledged writing and performing force. Despite having lost lead guitarist Creed Bratton earlier in the year, the band gained keyboardist Dennis Provisor, who turned out to be a valuable addition to the lineup. The first single for the album came out before the rest of the album had been finished, and it was a smash: Id Wait A Million Years. When the record was finally finished, there was another Top 25 track lurking in the grooves: Heaven Knows. But dont overlook such underrated pop gems as Out Of This World and Melinda Love. The latter proves, if youll pardon the double negative, that theres no song that cant be improved with hand claps.

Customer Reviews:

The Grass Roots.......2006-06-19

Don't have the CD remaster but I have a very good vinyl copy of this album . This is definetly the best normal Grass Roots release . Really not a weak cut on it . highly reccomend this if you are a Grass Roots fan .

This Grass Roots GEM finally makes it to CD... .......2006-06-04

Finally, this GREAT LP by The Grass Roots is available on CD...
"Leaving It All Behind" is loaded with some great songs... not only 3 of The Grass Roots major hits, Wait A Million Years, Heaven Knows, and Walking Through The Country... but some of their best pop songs, like Out Of This World, I'm Living For You Girl, Melinda Love... This LP was also the start of Dennis Provisors history with the band... Dennis was the most prolific song writer of the band...
This CD is great and hopefully only the start of other GREAT Grass Roots lps being released on CD... like: "Move Along"
"More Golden Grass", "Lovin' Things", "Alotta Mileage" and "Golden Grass"...

The GRASS ROOTS Pop Sound Kicks into High Gear!.......2005-12-08

First time on CD! And it's a very limited run so obtain while you can.
We've been waiting forever for the non-compilation Grass Roots CD's to see the light of digital day (only 3 others so far) and Hip-O Select has done a great job with this one.
It was here on this album that the formerly folkie/pop group completed the transition to punchy pop. Given the full Jimmie Haskell horn treatment and radio friendly pop production fourishes, Steve Barri turns The Grass Roots into an irresistable hit making machine. And it's not just the 3 Top 40 hits that shine here.
(1. I'd Wait a Million Years 2. Heaven Knows 3. Walkin' Thru The Country)
There are other delights that could easily have been hits, like "Out Of This World" and "Back To Dreamin' Again." New keyboardist Dennis Provisor makes his debut and his contributions are noteworthy, although he would become more of a presence later. He's got 2 songs here but on the next project "More Golden Grass" he would write or co-write about half the album. Provisor's soulful pipes added a new dimension to the group on both lead and shadow vocals.

This group had 14 Top 40 hits and their Best Of compilations always sold well but their regular album releases were marginal sellers at best. And that's a shame because there is lots more to enjoy BEYOND THE HITS if you like 60s/70s feel good pop as "Leaving It All Behind" proves. This is a very satisfying listen from start to finish and there are 2 or 3 essentials here that didn't make the cut for the excellent Grass Roots "Anthology" on Rhino (now out of print).

Here's hoping that more of the Grass Roots catalog will come to CD. There are still several titles that are begging for release. Especially:
"Move Along" (probably their best album)
"More Golden Grass"
"Lovin' Things"

It would be nice to have the other two obscure albums as well,
("Alotta Mileage" and "Grass Roots") but don't hold your breath on that.

Average customer rating:

We Love New York Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Duke, Vernon | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | 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 Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocalists | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | 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: New York Songs New York New York Songs of New York ASIN: B00006FI86 Release Date: 2002-08-20

Tracks:

1. And The World Goes 'Round: Theme From New York, New York - Karen Mason
2. Jerome Robbins' Broadway: Times Square - New York, New York - Paul Gemignani
3. Follies In Concert: Broadway Baby - New York Philharmonic
4. Guys And Dolls: The Oldest, Established, Permanent Floating Crap Game In New York - Edward Strauss
5. 42nd Street: Lullaby Of Broadway - Company
6. 42nd Street: 42nd Street - Lee Roy Reams
7. The Garrick Gaieties: Manhattan - William Bolcom
8. Ain't Misbehavin': Lounging At The Waldorf - Luther Henderson
9. Thoroughly Modern Millie: Only In New York - Sheryl Lee Ralph
10. Strayhorn: Take The 'A' Train - Morgana King
11. Porgy And Bess: There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York - Skitch Henderson
12. Stompin' At The Savoy - The New Glenn Miller Orchestra
13. Spanish Harlem - Tommy Leonetti
14. Autumn In New York - Bobby Short
15. Native New Yorker - Odyssey
16. I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City - Harry Nilsson

Average customer rating:

A Salute to American Music Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Blitzstein | Blitzstein, Marc | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bolcom, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Griffes | Griffes, Charles T. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Menotti | Menotti, Gian Carlo | ( M ) | 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 All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomson | Thomson, Virgil | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000E6PJ Release Date: 1992-12-01

Average customer rating: Magnificent

Gershwin: Porgy And Bess/Blue Monday Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 ASIN: B000007OMA Release Date: 1998-05-26

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. 'Summertime'
3. 'A Woman Is A Sometime Thing'
4. 'Gone, Gone, Gone'
5. Overflow
6. 'My Man's Gone Now'
7. Leavin' For The Promise Lan'
8. 'I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
9. 'Bess, You Is My Woman Now'
10. 'Oh, I Can't Sit Down'
11. 'I Ain't Got No Shame'
12. 'It Ain't Necessarily So'
13. 'I Loves You, Porgy'
14. Opening Scene
15. Lonely Boy
16. 'Oh Bess, O Where's My Bess'
17. 'Oh, Lawd, I'm On My Way'
18. Blue Monday - CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY CHORUS

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent.......2002-02-21

If you have ever been, or think you might ever be, a fan of the music of George Gershwin, opera, musical theatre, jazz, powerful, triumphant singing by trained African-American voices, orchestral music, historical/cultural documents layered in innovative artistry, hearing the next generation of Opera Grand Dammes and Divos before the sun also rises on their already international careers...all of this and more is to be found on this CD. One might say I'm a little biased, as my ex-fiancee/best friend (Angela Brown, Soprano) and a number of friends of mine in the business are on this CD. But you don't have to know them to love them when they sound like this.

Angela, who has one of the most powerful voices in the industry (she recently covered AIDA at the Met for an all of a sudden slightly nervous and miraculously recovered from illness [upon hearing Angela warm up on stage] Debra Voigt), sings PORGY's "My Man's Gone Now" about as well as I've ever heard her--which is by definition (trust me) better than most of the sopranos of the last century, BAR NONE...the master Greg Baker, who has done Amonasaro and John The Baptist at the Met to incredibly deserved acclaim, performs excerpts from his signatue role Crown and Porgy at the top of his game...the rich tones of Marquita Lister, whose debut as Bess in the Goetz Friedrich production of PORGY in the Theatre Des Westens of Berlin in 1993 was a shot to all established divas heard 'round the world (now singing with her on that stage at that time was FUN, let me tell you), sounds like a ringy, milk chocolate/black velvet version of the milky, white velvet Rene Fleming...Diva Harolyn Blackwell, not to be outdone, rings and soars in everything she does...

This CD would be a treat even without the introduction of BLUE MONDAY, the DNA of PORGY AND BESS work that gives us a window into the creative mind of George Gershwin, and the embryonic existence of PORGY AND BESS itself. BLUE MONDAY gives us much of the thematic material and revolutionary artistic ideas that led to Gershwin triumphantly blurring the lines separating grand Musical Theatre in the tradition of Jerome Kern (think SHOWBOAT) from the high art of Wagnerian/Verdian/Russian Opera with PORGY; influencing everyone from Richard Rogers to Leonard Bernstein to Stephen Sondheim in American composition thereafter. BLUE MONDAY, in its simple, deceptive beauty (with parts sung immaculately by Angela and Marquita) gives you the clue to just how powerfully Gershwin planned to shake up the world with the debut of PORGY and BESS in 1935--and did.

And can you even imagine how it feels to hear the voice of Cab Calloway, linking every conceivable strand of High African-American music, American musical theatre, American opera and Jazz of the 20th century together with every word he says? Could there have been a better Sportin' Life? (Gershwin actually wrote the part of Sportin' Life in PORGY both for and based on the personality and artistry of Calloway--the friend of Ellington and biggest influence on the music and personality of Dizzy Gillespie--while he played in Harlem's Cotton Club in the 1930's.)

But this CD is not a Museum piece made for music academics or an excuse for me and others in the business to party with singer friends (I don't need this good an excuse for that!). This is absolutely beautiful music that will sweeten your home and soul on the first hearing.

This could easily be like Miles Davis' KIND OF BLUE for all enthusiasts of good music who (smartly) don't lay claim to liking, being an "expert" of or sticking to one particular style. Just as anyone who kind of likes any of the jazz they've heard loves KIND OF BLUE, if you have ever heard strong American music sung with powerful American voices over a tight orchestra, but had too much fun listening to it to call it "opera", you will love this CD.

Average customer rating: Nice performances "Gershwin and Loesser musical journeys ~ Percy Faith"

Porgy & Bess / Most Happy Fella Percy Faith Manufacturer: Collectables ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Easy Listening | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Lil Abner/Broadway Bouquet Subways Are for Sleeping / Do I Hear a Waltz Kismet/Music From Hollywood Great Folk Themes: American Serenade The Sound of Music/South Pacific ASIN: B000066JEO Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

1. Catfish Row
2. Summertime
3. A Woman Is A Sometime Thing
4. My Man's Gone Now
5. Leavin' For The Promised Land
6. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
7. The Buzzard Song
8. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
9. Oh I Can't Sit Down
10. It Ain't Necessarily So
11. The Strawberry Woman And The Crab Man
12. I Loves You, Porgy
13. There's A Boat That's Leavin' Soon For New York
14. Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
15. O Lawd I'm On My Way
16. The Most Happy Fella
17. Somebody Somewhere
18. Standing On The Corner
19. Joey, Joey, Joey
20. Abbondanza
21. Don't Cry
22. Sposalizio
23. How Beautiful The Days
24. Fresno Beauties
25. Warm All Over
26. Big D
27. My Heart Is So Full Of You

Album Description

Gershwin's "Porgy And Bess" and Frank Loesser's "The Most = Happy Fella" get the Percy Faith treatment on these two original albums = on one compact disc. Famed "Tonight Show" trumpeter "Doc" Severinsen = is the credited soloist on "Porgy And Bess."

Customer Reviews:

Nice performances.......2005-10-08

The music is very enjoyable. I especially liked Doc Severinsen's contribution on a few pieces. Percy Faith is always solid, and this collection is no exception. The Gershwin sounds much better than Most Happy Fella because of the stereo sound compared to mono.

"Gershwin and Loesser musical journeys ~ Percy Faith".......2003-06-04

The greatness of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess", can only amplify melody of music can exist without lyric ~ and our legendary composer/arranger performs his "Percy Faith Touch". Mr. Faith was chumping at the bit to do this project ~ with sweeping arrangements and full orchestration that leaves no stone unturned. Highlighting ~ "SUMMERTIME", "I GOT PLENTY O' NUTTIN'", "IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO", "I LOVES YOU, PORGY", "THERE'S A BOAT THAT'S LEAVIN' SOON" and my favorite of favorites "MY MAN'S GONE NOW", attentive haunting strings with echoing saxophones each musician reaching into the depths of their soul for this one ~ they were George Ockner (violin), Bernie Leighton (piano), "Doc" Severinsen (trumpet), Jimmie Abato (alto sax), Russ Banzer (tenor sax), Terry Snyder (drums), Phil Kraus (mallets), Lucien Schmidt (cello) and Harold Feldman (oboe).

Another well received show was Frank Loesser's "The Most Happy Fella", with some great musical selections that Mr. Faith has given his full attention and the arrangements are exuberant. Such as the opening tracks "THE MOST HAPPY FELLA", "STANDING ON THE CORNER", "ABBONDANZA", "SPOSALIZIO", "FRESNO BEAUTIES" and "BIG D", sure to please all fans of Musicals and Broadway Shows ~ this one has your name on it.

A must have for those rainy afternoons with a good book ~ entire album of twenty-seven selections is simply captivating and highly listenable. Percy Faith is still larger that life and his music will live through us his fans ~ and go on forever.

Total Time: 72:10 on 27 Tracks ~ Collectables COL-CD-7469 ~ (5/21/2002)

Average customer rating:

The Legendary Patsy Cline Manufacturer: Reader's Digest Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music ASIN: B000EFCIEW

Product Description

Enjoy 60 of Patsy's greatest pop and country classics, including 10 spellbinding performances live from the Grand Ole Opry: Crazy; She's Got You; I Fall to Pieces; Faded Love; I Love You So Much It Hurts; Blue Moon of Kentucky; Your Cheatin' Heart; Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You); Leavin' On Your Mind; Heartaches; Lonely Street; Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms); and Much More! Over 2-1/2 hours of music! 3 Compact Discs.

Music Album:

1. Legend Lives on [Import]
2. Light Years
3. Linda Lou
4. Little Bitta Love
5. Little Piece of Heaven
6. Live in Branson [Live]
7. Live With The Possum [Live]
8. Looking Back to See
9. Love's on the Way
10. Love Will Find It's Way to You

Music Album