Sweet Temptation

Amazon.com
Although Ricky Skaggs had already made an impact on the country and bluegrass worlds, this 1979 record was actually his debut as a solo leader. In many ways, Sweet Temptation serves as a worthwhile companion piece to Emmylou Harris's delightful Roses in the Snow. (Skaggs was a member of Harris's Hot Band at the time, and Emmylou even joins in here with harmony vocals.) Recorded with much the same supporting cast and at roughly the same time, Sweet Temptation alternates between traditional country and bluegrass: Steel master Buddy Emmons and electric-guitar blazer Albert Lee boost the country- leaning numbers while Tony Rice, Bobby Hicks, Jerry Douglas, and Marc Pruett guide the bluegrass material. Skaggs's sugary voice is the common thread. --Marc Greilsamer

Sweet Temptation,Ricky Skaggs,Sugarhill [Country],Country,Country & Western,Pop,Progressive Bluegrass,Progressive Country

Average customer rating: A mixed bag of romantic offerings The best tenor ever The greatest singer of all time!

Be My Love Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | 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 Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lanza, Mario | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Brodszky, Nicholas | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Kern, Jerome | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hardelot, Guy d' | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Herbert, Victor | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | 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: You'll Never Walk Alone Lanza: Greatest Hits Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince & The Desert Song / Romberg Christmas with Mario Lanza For the First Time/Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites ASIN: B000003F3C Release Date: 1991-01-18

Tracks:

1. Be My Love (The Toast Of New Orleans)
2. Serenade (The Student Prince)
3. Temptation (Going Hollywood)
4. Wanting You (The New Moon)
5. I'll Be Seeing You (The Royal Palm Revue)
6. With A Song In My Heart (Spring Is Here)
7. Without A Song (Great Day)
8. Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
9. My Wild Irish Rose
10. And This Is My Beloved (Kismet)
11. Because
12. Only A Rose (The Vagabond King)
13. Funiculi, Funicula
14. Come Back To Sorrento
15. Maria Mari'
16. O Sole Mio
17. Neapolitan Love Song
18. Arriverderci, Roma
19. Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life (Naughty Marietta)
20. Look For The Silver Lining (Sally)
21. Memories
22. The Song Is You (Music In The Air)
23. Ave Maria
24. You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel)

Customer Reviews:

A mixed bag of romantic offerings.......2001-12-17

BMG's Lanza collections are usually a mixed bag, and this album of love songs is no exception. Interspersed with some magnificent performances are an assortment of the good, the bad, and the mediocre. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that BMG simply doesn't appreciate what treasures it has buried in its recording vaults. It's enough to bring back Lanza from the grave, swearing in High C (as Time Magazine once tut-tutted) at the injustice of it all.

Lanza, in fairness to BMG, was an inconsistent performer. In the earlier part of his brief career, he had a tendency to sing sharp, and at times his approach to various arias and songs lacked sensitivity. That's not to say he couldn't get it right. At his best he was extraordinary, combining one of the most powerful voices on record with just the right degree of melting mezza voce and a dazzling array of vocal colours. His sense of phrasing was, as Enrico Caruso Jr noted, "instinctively right", and his ability to get into the heart of a song was unquestionable. Even at his roughest, his singing was usually compelling, and one could never label any of his performances "boring".

The bad recordings generally fall into three periods of his life: the Coca-Cola Radio shows of 1951-52, the disastrous Lanza on Broadway album of 1956, and the illness-affected stereo remakes of his Christmas Carols and Student Prince albums, both recorded in 1959, the year of his death. The present CD includes material from the first two periods.

The "Coke" shows, as I've opined in a number of other reviews, produced some amazing performances of both arias and love songs. Unfortunately, however, lack of rehearsal time coupled with poor arrangements often led to the kind of wild, unrestrained singing that Lanza's detractors love to attack (while at the same time overlooking his great performances). On this CD, a number of Coke recordings were released for the first time: Danny Boy; My Wild Irish Rose; Neapolitan Love Song; and Torna a Surriento. The first two are lovely, notwithstanding a poor ending on Danny Boy and some uncertain moments in the tenor's lower register in this song. Victor Herbert's Neapolitan Song contains some piercingly sharp singing, a rough ending and some agreeable mezza voce. Torna a Surriento is too fast, too unpolished and not a patch on the piano accompaniment-only version that Lanza recorded three years later for the movie Serenade.

Among the other Coke selections is the sublime Memories, and the alternately touching and thrilling I'll Be Seeing You, with a B Flat climax that will knock your socks off. Wanting You is rough and exciting in equal measure - ditto the powerhouse Ah Sweet Mystery of Life with its ridiculously fast tempo.

Two songs from the ill-fated Lanza on Broadway album have been inexplicably included, though it must be said that at least these represent the better moments from this dreadful session. You'll Never Walk Alone contains more sharp singing, uneven rhythm and a certain bleariness, while the Borodin-adapted And This Is My Beloved is alternately belted and seductive. Incidentally, Lanza recorded a superior version of You'll Never Walk Alone for his Coke Shows; this is featured on the CD of the same name.

The real highlights for me are the immortal Serenade from The Student Prince; a thrilling Only a Rose (recorded three months after the Lanza on Broadway session and featuring a completely different voice); the aforementioned My Wild Irish Rose & I'll Be Seeing You and a mature rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria. Fans will also enjoy Arrivederci, Roma, and the ubiquitous Be My Love.

All in all an enjoyable hour, but if only more thought had been put into some of the selections...

The best tenor ever.......2001-03-01

Mario Lanza is indeed my favourite of all tenors either living or not. I must have almost everything he ever recorded. This album has a whopping 24 tracks including 5 previously unreleased recordings, which make this a must for any true fan of Lanza. This album has some of his most romantic songs, mostly from stage and film. You won't find any opera here, which is fine, there's plenty of his other albums that have that. These are songs that are guaranteed to stir your heart and soul while Mario's voice will melt them. This is a must-have and at this price there's no reason not to have it.

The greatest singer of all time!.......2000-06-29

This is one of the greatest compilations of Tenor Mario Lanza, The Voice of the Century, ever made. Mario Lanza had such a broad, well focused voice and he is represented to good measure here on songs like "Wanting You", "Neapolitan Love Song", and "Without a Song". On these selections one hears how the Lanza voice had a largeness, depth, and warmth from the bottom all the way to the very top. One will never hear songs like "O Danny Boy", "My Wild Irish Rose", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Torna Surriento", "O Solo Mio", and "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" sung any better or with more feeling. My favorite on this CD, "And this is my Beloved" from Kismet displays the full Lanza Range. This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest single recordings ever made. Here Mario sings the most melting pianissimo and builds to an exciting, full bodied, heart stopping fortissimo High B flat. What passion! The particular recording of "Only a Rose" on this album has been regrettably absent from the catalogs for quite some time. It is a shame too, because Lanza makes this Vagabond King selection sound free and effortless like only Mario Lanza could. Lanza takes the listener through a guided tour, so speak, of truly the greatest singing the world has ever heard. After hearing the final selection, "You'll Never Walk Alone", there won't be a dry eye in the house. This, along with the "Don't Forget Me" Lanza CD, is one of the greatest single CD collections ever put together of Mario, or anyone else for that matter. Lanza was the greatest singer of all time and this is a must have album. The sooner you own this one, the better.

Average customer rating: Good compilation of a Country Giant

The Best of Merle Travis: Sweet Temptation 1946-1953 Merle Travis Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Western Swing | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Pachuco Boogie Folk Songs of the Hills (Back Home/Songs of the Coal Miners) The Merle Travis Story: 24 Greatest Hits Midniters - Greatest Hits Strictly Guitar ASIN: B00004SBUY Release Date: 2000-04-18

Tracks:

1. Cincinnati Lou
2. No Vacancy
3. Divorce Me C.O.D.
4. So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed
5. Sixteen Tons
6. Steel Guitar Rag
7. Blue Yodel No. 1 (T For Texas)
8. Any Old Time
9. Three Times Seven
10. Kentucky Means Paradise
11. Sweet Temptation
12. Fat Gal
13. Dry Bread
14. Cannon Ball Rag
15. Lawdy, What A Gal
16. Guitar Rag
17. Deep South
18. Re-Enlistment Blues
19. Kinfolks In Carolina
20. I'll See You In My Dreams

Amazon.com

Merle Travis made everything he did sound so effortless that it's easy to overlook his considerable gifts. Travis is best remembered today for the distinctive finger-picking-guitar style that often bears his name: "Travis picking," learned initially from the home folks in Kentucky, allows players to accompany their lead lines (picked with the index finger) with their own bass support (provided by the thumb). And while Travis certainly impressed with this technique, he was also a droll and resourceful songwriter and an easy-going and appealing singer. The combination of his talents resulted in a spry musical style that fused appealing pop melodies with touches of jazz improvisation and early honky-tonk. Travis had a hand in writing 15 of the 20 tracks here (exceptions include two Jimmie Rodgers covers, the traditional blues "Dry Bread," and a guitar showcase on the standard "I'll See You in My Dreams"), and most of the originals conform to this jovial formula, often featuring trumpet and accordion. He's supported along the way by many of Southern California's finest players of the day such as steel guitarists Speedy West, Joaquin Murphey, and Noel Boggs, and six-stringers Joe Maphis, Roy Lanham, and Johnny Weis. His most famous composition, however, remains the coal-miner's lament "Sixteen Tons," a tune that many assume is a traditional folk song but is in fact a Travis creation, heard here in a solo-acoustic performance. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Good compilation of a Country Giant.......2000-05-26

"Travis-pickin" is what is was called and it was a style of guitarplaying that Merle Travis popularized that influenced every Country picker from Chet Atkins to Scotty Moore and even Jerry Reed. This fine CD spotlights this overlooked giant. It's sad that Merle Travis never gets mentioned with the greats of Country Music but this CD is a sturdy reminder that he was indeed a great one. While it is his guitar playing that often gets Merle Travis mentioned in Country history books he was also a consistent chart topper during the period that this CD covers. His songs had a sense of humor ("Fat Girl"), addressed issues of the day ("No Vacancy" about the lack of housing Veterans faced when they returned from World War II, and he also wrote "Sixteen Tons". This CD is basically a replacement for Rhino's Best of from 1990 which is now out-of-print. While that CD had 18 songs this has 20 (with 13 of Rhino's appearing here, also). But the sound is better on this CD. With one glaring omission: the absence of Merle's classic coal miner anthem: "Dark as a Dungeon" (how could they skip that song!). You can find "Dungeon" on Folk Songs of the Hills, which is in print. If you haven't added Merle Travis to your CD collection this is the one to own. It's a good place to get to know a forgotten Country great.

Average customer rating: Ricky Skaggs: An inch away from Country Superstardom Outstanding first effort

Sweet Temptation Ricky Skaggs Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Contemporary Country | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Waitin' for the Sun to Shine/Highways & Heartaches Highways & Heartaches One Way Track Family & Friends Skaggs & Rice ASIN: B000000EYM Release Date: 1993-10-08

Tracks:

1. I'll Take The Blame
2. Little Cabin Home On The Hill
3. Baby I'm In Love With You
4. I'll Stay Around
5. Could You Love Me One More Time
6. Sweet Temptation
7. Put It Off Until Tomorrow
8. Baby Girl
9. Forgive Me
10. I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome

Amazon.com

Although Ricky Skaggs had already made an impact on the country and bluegrass worlds, this 1979 record was actually his debut as a solo leader. In many ways, Sweet Temptation serves as a worthwhile companion piece to Emmylou Harris's delightful Roses in the Snow. (Skaggs was a member of Harris's Hot Band at the time, and Emmylou even joins in here with harmony vocals.) Recorded with much the same supporting cast and at roughly the same time, Sweet Temptation alternates between traditional country and bluegrass: Steel master Buddy Emmons and electric-guitar blazer Albert Lee boost the country- leaning numbers while Tony Rice, Bobby Hicks, Jerry Douglas, and Marc Pruett guide the bluegrass material. Skaggs's sugary voice is the common thread. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Ricky Skaggs: An inch away from Country Superstardom.......2001-12-09

Ricky was already a Bluegrass GIANT, and a mainstay in Emmylou Harris' "Hot Band". His next solo project made him a Country Superstar. This album is a logical transition piece - accompanied by Bluegrass friends and masters like Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas and Bobby Hicks and country gunslingers like Albert Lee and his "boss" at the time - Ms Harris. The Bluegrass cuts are classics - I'll Stay Around, I Know What It Means to be Lonesome. The country cuts, such as the title cut "Sweet Temptation" are vibrant and accompanied by his wife and in-laws, The Whites. I love this album, and if you like Bluegrass or Country or Ricky Skaggs, I predict you will as well.

Outstanding first effort.......1998-09-04

This was Ricky Skaggs' first solo effort after leaving Emmylou Harris, released on vinyl in 1979. An outstanding collection, mainly bluegrass, and with his old boss, Harris, singing backup. My personal favorite is "Little Cabin Home on the Hill" but every cut is worth a listen.

Average customer rating: The Greatest Tenor THE GREAT MARIO SINGS BEAUTIFULY! The good and the bad in one collection New Fan Another CD from the best!

Artists of the Century Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Film Scores | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | 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 Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lanza, Mario | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cardillo, Salvatore | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Kern, Jerome | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hardelot, Guy d' | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Herbert, Victor | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Lara, Agustin | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Brodszky, Nicholas | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | 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 ASIN: B00000J915 Release Date: 1999-06-15

Tracks:

1. Be My Love
2. Drink, Drink, Drink
3. Rigoletto: Act IV: La Donna E Mobile
4. Danny Boy
5. Granada
6. Because You're Mine
7. Ave Maria
8. Valencia
9. The Loveliest Night Of The Year
10. Song Of India
11. Because
12. O Sole Mio
13. The Donkey Serenade
14. I Paggliacci: Act I: Vesti La Giubba
15. Serenade
16. Funiculi, Funicula
17. Golden Days
18. Arrivederci Roma
19. You'll Never Walk Alone
20. Beloved
21. Come Prima
22. Tosca: Act III: E Lucevan Le Stelle
23. Santa Lucia
24. I'll Walk With God

Tracks:

1. And This Is My Beloved
2. Cielo E Mar (La Gioconda)
3. If I Loved You
4. Deep In My Heart
5. Core 'Ngrato
6. Una Furtiva Lagrima (L' Elisir D'Amore)
7. Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life
8. Canta Pe' Me
9. Santa Lucia Luntana
10. Memories
11. With A Song In My Heart
12. O Paradiso! (L' Africana)
13. Temptation
14. Aida: Act I: Celeste Aida
15. Feneste Che Lucive
16. A Night To Remember
17. Non Ti Scordar Di Me
18. Somewhere A Voice Is Calling
19. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
20. All The Things You Are
21. Passione
22. One Night Of Love
23. La Danza

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest Tenor.......2004-05-25

I'm more a fan of classic popular standards than of classical music, but as the classical numbers give Mario Lanza a little more opportunity to show off his glorious voice, I find myself enjoying these fully as much as the popular selections.

His approach to popular song is admittedly on the operatic side, and it's fascinating to hear how well such pieces translate into a more classical orchestration. And Lanza's versions stand as equals alongside the popular versions (by such greats as Perry Como, Frankie Laine, Kate Smith, Georgia Gibbs, Dean Martin, Vic Damone and Vaughn Monroe) that have been among my favorites for many years.

The spoken introductions on the selections from his show are an added bonus, and (contrary to one of the reviews below) these songs are beautifully done. The fact that they are live and only minimally rehearsed only makes them all the more amazing.

The 2-cd set consists of high quality recordings of 47 songs and is a real bargain at the price.

THE GREAT MARIO SINGS BEAUTIFULY!.......2002-03-03

THIS IS A WINNER THE MUSIC GREAT! THIS IS A REALY GREAT CD! HE SINGS SO WELL IN ALL THE MUSIC. I GAVE IT 4 STARS. ENJOY!

The good and the bad in one collection.......2001-09-02

This is (unintentionally, I'm sure) a warts-and-all illustration of Mario Lanza. True, there are magnificent recordings scattered throughout (Serenade, Beloved, E Lucevan Le Stelle, Passione, etc) but the overall impression one is left with is of a sloppy and undisciplined singer who just happened to possess a great voice. The fault lies squarely with BMG and their predilection for selecting the very worst of Lanza, and placing it next to the best. Many of the inferior choices come from Lanza's Coca-Cola radio show, recorded between 1951 and 1952, and featuring prominently on Disc Two. (Disc One is a more consistent selection, and repeats the same tracks from the British one-CD set "The Ultimate Collection", reviewed elsewhere on this site.)

The "Coke" shows were generally under-rehearsed, and represent what in many respects was the most chaotic period of Lanza's short life. Thus it's not surprising that the tenor often sounds unfamiliar with his material, is sometimes off-key, and also makes numerous stylistic lapses. Never intended to be heard beyond their initial broadcast, these supposedly "one-off affairs" nevertheless did produce the occasional gem, but one needs to look elsewhere for examples of those. The three exceptions on this set are the gloriously romantic If I Loved You, One Night of Love, and the poignant Memories. Danny Boy also deserves honorable mention, although the ending should have been remade.

O Paradiso, Somewhere a Voice is Calling, Core 'Ngrato, Deep in My Heart, and With a Song in My Heart represent low points from the Coke Shows. Other poor choices include And This is My Beloved, from the disastrous Lanza on Broadway LP; a rough-as-old-boots Una Furtiva Lagrima; and an off-pitch Cielo E Mar (ironically the one studio recording on this set that *is* inferior to Lanza's Coke Show rendition).

Mario Lanza was blessed with the most spectacular natural tenor voice of the 20th century. Is it too much to expect for BMG to honor his memory more selectively? Where are Lanza's sublime recordings of Che Gelida Manina from "La Boheme", his M'appari, the Improvviso from Andrea Chenier and his unsurpassed Otello Monologue? Or the fabulous Some Day, the gorgeous 'A Vucchella and Lanza's own favorite recording, the haunting Voce E Notte? For the very best of Mario Lanza, buyers will need to look elsewhere.

New Fan.......2000-08-27

I am an 18-year old student. I bought this album after I heard a few of Lanza's songs in the Peter Jackson film, "Heavenly Creatures" and I must say that it is one of the best albums I have ever bought. Lanza was a master of his vocal instrument, drawing every ounce of feeling and energy from the notes and words to create a masterpiece of every song. The resulting pieces in this album combine to make up a beautiful and varied work, with something for every mood you may be in. The classics (such as "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life"), are obviously appealing, but the lesser-known pieces (my favourite: "Una Furtiva Lagrima") make this a wonderfully enlightening experience. This is a truly Great album.

Another CD from the best!.......2000-03-18

When I heard that Mario Lanza had died so many years ago, I was a college student who already owned five or six LP's of his songs. I was truly brokenhearted We had lost such a fine singer at such an early age. This CD is one of the best because of the diversity of songs, all marvelous.A fine addition to any collection.

Average customer rating:

Temptation Sweet F.A. Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stick to Your Guns Tear the House Down Doin' the Nasty Rockhead Fuel for Your Soul ASIN: B000008LBG Release Date: 1991-10-22

Tracks:

1. Bad Boy
2. Temptation
3. Sexuality
4. Your Love
5. Storm Is Movin' In
6. Vices
7. Please Oh Please
8. Paralyzed by You
9. Liquid Emotion
10. 1800 Ta Kill Ya Sunrise
11. Indiana Heart
12. Reckless
13. Mama Told Me (Not to Come) [*]

Average customer rating: "early beginnings from the vaults ~ Percy Faith"

Delicado Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | 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 All Works by Wilder | Wilder, Alec | ( W ) | 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 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 | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Koga Melodies/Ryoichi Hatori Melodies ASIN: B0001EMM2Y Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

1. Amor [From Broadway Rhythm]
2. Negra Consentida
3. Embraceable You
4. Baia (Ne Baixe de Sapateiro) [from The Three Caballeros)
5. If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You
6. Tico-Tico [From Bathing Beauty]
7. Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year [From Christmas Holiday]
8. Bem Te VI Atrevido
9. I Love You
10. Capullito de Aleli
11. Long Ago (And Far Away) [From Cover Girl]
12. Cumparsita
13. Stardust
14. Stars in Your Eyes
15. Bim Bam Boom
16. I'll Close My Eyes - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Hildegarde
17. There's No Holding Me - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Hildegarde
18. Dancing in the Dark
19. That Old Black Magic [from Star-Spangled Rhythm)
20. All Through the Night
21. Begin the Beguine
22. Touch of Your Hand
23. Tia Juana
24. Temptation [From Going Hollywood]
25. Noche Caribe (Caribbean Night) [From Starlift]

Tracks:

1. Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 19: Midsummer Vigil
2. Body and Soul
3. Du - Ray Charles Singers, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
4. Deep Purple
5. Fiddle Derby
6. My Dream Concerto - Ray Charles, , Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Chorus
7. Dizzy Fingers - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Magic Voices
8. I Got Rhythm
9. Flight 33 1/3
10. Solitude
11. Nervous Gavotte - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Lou Stein
12. Mosquitoes' Parade - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Chorus
13. Mer (Beyond the Sea)
14. Kitten on the Keys - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Stan Freeman, Bernie Leighton, Chorus
15. Whirlwind
16. Cumbanchero [From Cuban Pete]
17. Goodbye John - Ray Charles Singers, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
18. Perpetual Notion
19. They Can't Take That Away from Me [From Shall We Dance?] - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Chorus
20. Soft Lights and Sweet Music
21. Oodles of Noodles
22. Would You?
23. Cumana
24. Delicado
25. Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart?)

Customer Reviews:

"early beginnings from the vaults ~ Percy Faith".......2005-02-15

Living Era presents "Delicado", fifty original mono recordings from 1944 to 1955 featuring Maestro Percy Faith who was churning out some of the best releases with top notch arrangements...each song had an upbeat and faraway tone to it...beautiful ballads from composers Harold Arlen, Waldir Azevedo, Irving Berlin, Nacio Herb Brown, Hoagy Carmichael, Zez Confrey, Peter De Rose, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Rafael Hernandez, Johnny Green, Jerome Kern, Frank Loesser, Cole Porter, Arthur Schwartz ...beautifully recorded representing Faith's limitless talent at crafting musical arrangements to fit an evolving music scene.

Now for the real treat...songs composed by Percy Faith with his unmistakable arranging "NOCHE CARIBE " (Caribbean Night), recorded in New York 1947..."DA DU", with Ray Charles Singers recorded 3/04/1952..."FIDDLE DERBY", recorded in New York 1951..."FLIGHT 33 1/3", after Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble-Bee, recorded New York 5/11/1950..."NERVOUS GAVOTTE", with Lou Stein on piano recorded New York 5/22/1951..."PERPETUAL NOTION", recorded New York 6/02/1949...Percy's arrangements comes from the heart and weaving a magic spell over the listener...compilation goodies on two compact discs for all the Faith Fans!

Sweeping and gliding strings, beautiful renditions of all time favorite Faith arrangements, such a statement of string counter melodies within the orchestration...many were favorites of my parents when they were dating...these songs represent some of the best arrangements in my Faith collection...when you put this collection on, you're in for a magic carpet ride sprinkled with the "Percy Faith Touch"...every arrangement has the signature of his pen and baton, two totally different tempos and rhythms surface within the boundaries of his genius...no doubt he was a master at his craft, they'll never be another like 'em, they only pass this way once...thank you Living Era for sharing these rare gems with the fans that encountered Maestro Percy Faith!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Living Era 278 ~ (6/29/2004)

Average customer rating: The people who promote Jewel are dumb! LOVE STAY STILL

2 Become 1/Sweet Temptation Jewel Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00011D168 Release Date: 2003-12-16

Tracks:

1. 2 Become 1
2. Sweet Temptation

Customer Reviews:

The people who promote Jewel are dumb!.......2005-09-23

I just don't get the lack of promotion for Jewel! 0304 had so much potential but the promoters ignored it in the beginning stages of promoting Stand.

As for the third single 2 Become 1- It's one of the weakest on the album! I don't get why they'd choose it as a single.

SWEET TEMPTATION should have been the third single and they make it out to be a B side which makes no sense. This rocking song could of had an awesome video and been a huge hit. It disappoints me so much when I see an album like 0304 overlooked so much.

Here's to hoping her next album, slated for release early next year, gets the promotion it deserves!

LOVE STAY STILL.......2004-10-08

I don't get who's in charge of the promotion team of ATLANTIC RECORDS, but the surely understimate the power of Jewel's album 0304, that album was crowded with HIT singles, that with the right promotion would have taken off. 2 BECOME 1 is a nice melancolic song, but, shockin enough, I agree it wasn't the best choice as a thrid single, sure it was close to the old sounding Jewel, but if 0304 was praised about something it was Jewel's boldness to don't be affraid and try something new, SWEET TEMPTAION included here was a far better choice as a single, but not the one, I have chose, listen to HAUNTED on 0304, it's really something different, although is Jewel goin' Amos route, but it's deep, dark and strong, a nice tune. Either way the video for 2 become 1 was simple, the song was nice, but close to fall into average Adult top 40 tracks, Jewel had much more to offer from her brilliant 0304 album, sure to be one of my favorite albums of all time. This is what artist are truly made of, confidence, eclectic and evolution, nic egoin' Jewel.

Average customer rating:

Singers of Imperial Russia, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glinka | Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russia | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B000000WMM Release Date: 1993-11-15

Tracks:

1. Farlaf's Rondo With Orchestra [Ruslan and Ljudmila] - Vladimir Kastorsky
2. No Sleep, No Rest [Prince Igor, Act 2] - Vladimir Kastorsky
3. Queen of Spades: Darling Maidens (Act 1) - Vladimir Kastorsky
4. O Child, Beneath Thy Window - Vladimir Kastorsky
5. In My Blood the Fire of Desire Burns - Andrej Labinsky
6. O Give Me Oblivion [Dubrovsky] - Andrej Labinsky
7. Eugene Onegin: Whither, Whither (Act 2) - Andrej Labinsky
8. Eugene Onegin: I Love You, Olga (Act 1) - Andrej Labinsky
9. At Every Age Sweet Love Is Master [Eugene Onegin]
10. Nonnes, Qui Reposez [Robert le Diable]
11. Voyevode
12. Beiden Grenadiere
13. They Guess the Truth [Life for the Tsar]
14. Holofernes' War Song [Judith] - Vasilij Sharonov
15. She Laughed - Vasilij Sharonov
16. Threatening Cloud Has Passed Away [Tsar's Bride] - Gavriil Morskoj
17. Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond [Die Walkure] - Gavriil Morskoj
18. O You Dark Forest [Sadko] - Gavriil Morskoj
19. Play, Dulimers! And as High as Heaven [Sadko] - Gavriil Morskoj
20. No Sleep, No Rest [Prince Igor, Act 2] - Oskar Kamionsky
21. Der Asra - Oskar Kamionsky
22. Vieni - Oskar Kamionsky
23. Occhi Di Fata - Oskar Kamionsky
24. O'er the Airy Ocean [Demon, Act 2] - Polikarp Orlov
25. Ruslan and Ljudmila: O Field, Field (Act 2) - Polikarp Orlov

Tracks:

1. Fra Diavolo: Young Agnes (Act 2) - David Juzhin
2. Donna Mobile [Rigoletto] - David Juzhin
3. Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba (Act 2) - David Juzhin
4. Halka: The Wind Wails in the Hills (Act 4) - David Juzhin
5. Pour Berthe Moi Je Soupire [Proph: Act 1] - David Juzhin
6. Plus Blanche Que la Blanche Hermine [Les Huguenots, Act 1] - David Juzhin
7. Eugene Onegin: Whither, Whither (Act 2) - David Juzhin
8. Trovator: Di Quella Pira (Act 3) - David Juzhin
9. With the Sweet Scent of Lilacs - David Juzhin
10. Daylight Is Fading [Prince Igor, Act 2] - David Juzhin
11. May Night: Sleep, My Beauty, Act 3 - David Juzhin
12. A: Celeste A (Act 1) - David Juzhin
13. Gioconda: Cielo E Mar (Act 2) - David Juzhin
14. A: Qui RadamVerr. O Patria Mia (Act 3)
15. A: Pur Ti Riveggo... Fuggiam Gli Ardori (Act 3) - David Juzhin
16. Judith: I Shall Don My Robe of Byssus (Act 1)
17. Norma: Casta Diva...Ah, Bello, a Me Ritorna Act 1
18. Enchantress: Looking Down from Nizhni (Act 1)
19. Mme Butterfly: un Bel Di Vedremo (Act 2)
20. Derfliegende Hollander: Senta's Ballad (Act 2)
21. Little Nightingale [Guardsman, Act 1]
22. Queen of Spades: Dear Friends (Act 1) - Antonina Panina
23. Queen of Spades: Je Crains de Lui Parler la Nuit (Act 2) - Antonina Panina
24. LakmSoul le Dais de Jasmin (Act 1) - Maria Michailova, Antonina Panina

Tracks:

1. O Fearful Crags [Sadko] - Lev Sibirjakov
2. Tsar's Bride: She Lay Asleep (Act 4) - Lev Sibirjakov
3. LakmLakmTon Doux Regard Se Voile (Act 2) - Lev Sibirjakov
4. Elegie - Lev Sibirjakov
5. Word of Farewell - Lev Sibirjakov
6. Black Clouds - Lev Sibirjakov
7. Temptation - Lev Sibirjakov
8. Pray - Lev Sibirjakov
9. Eugene Onegin: At Every Age Sweet Love Is Master (Act 3) - Lev Sibirjakov
10. Si la Riguer [Act 1] - Lev Sibirjakov
11. O God, If I Have Sinned [Iolanta] - Lev Sibirjakov
12. Barbiere Di Siviglia: La Calunnia (Act 1) - Lev Sibirjakov
13. Couplets of His Highness [Little Slippers] - Lev Sibirjakov
14. Leave Me! - Lev Sibirjakov
15. My Lips Are Silent - Lev Sibirjakov
16. Rusalka: Ah, You Young Girls Are All the Same (Act 1) - Lev Sibirjakov
17. I Hate a Dreary Life [Prince Igor, Act 1] - Lev Sibirjakov
18. Robert le Diable: Nonnes Qui Reposez (Act 3) - Lev Sibirjakov
19. Son Lo Spirito Che Nega [Mefistofele, Act 1] - Lev Sibirjakov
20. Vous Qui du Dieu Vivant [La Juive, Act 3] - Lev Sibirjakov
21. Seigneur, Rempart et Seul Soutien [Les Huguenots, Act 1] - Lev Sibirjakov
22. Life for the Tsar: They Guess the Truth (Act 4) - Lev Sibirjakov
23. Faust: Le Veau d'Or (Act 2) - Lev Sibirjakov
24. Ecco Il Mondo [Mefistofele, Act 2] - Lev Sibirjakov
25. Faust: Vous Qui Faites l'Endormie (Act 4) - Lev Sibirjakov
26. Faust: Il Etait Temps (Act 3) - Lev Sibirjakov

Average customer rating:

Temptation Sweet F.A. Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008FZQC Release Date: 1992-06-29

Tracks:

1. Bad Boy
2. Temptation
3. Sexuality
4. Your Love
5. Storm Is Movin' In
6. Vices
7. Please Oh Please
8. Paralyzed by You
9. Liquid Emotion
10. 1800 Ta Kill Ya Sunrise
11. Indiana Heart
12. Reckless
13. Mama Told Me (Not to Come) [*]

Average customer rating:

Sweet Temptation Manufacturer: Dave Britt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAD63Q Release Date: 2004-06-22

Tracks:

1. Livin' In Babylon
2. The Devil Made Me Do It
3. Over My Shoulder
4. Too Late
5. Fall Inside
6. The Sun Turned Into Wine
7. The Saddest Song
8. Northern Lights

Music Album:

1. The Best I've Ever Been
2. The Best of Love [Box set]
3. The Bluegrass Cardinals
4. The Mavericks
5. The Mercury Years [Import]
6. The World of Dolly Parton, Vol. 2
7. Through Her Eyes
8. Top Ten Country
9. Turner Nichols
10. Twentieth Century [ENHANCED CD] [Enhanced]

Music Album