The Best I've Ever Been

Amazon.com
It's no surprise that Porter Wagoner, the rhinestone-spangled Grand Ole Opry legend of the '50s and '60s, is remembered in 2000 as Dolly Parton's discoverer and more recently as an Opryland greeter. In his heyday, his voice was never as much the key as his heartfelt delivery. Part of the last generation of truly rural singers, Wagoner wore his emotions on his sleeve as he sang of love, small town dramas, or madness ("The Rubber Room" is a classic of the genre). At 72, the voice is rougher, yet his emotive genius stands undaunted as he mines this elegiac collection of songs by Damon Black for every last ounce of pathos. The subjects are timeless: failing farms, doomed May-December relationships, long-gone youth, distant rural memories, romantic desperation, and old-style values. "Fiddle and the Bow" represents the type of story-song he took to the Top 10 decades ago. Such earthy simplicity is surely beyond the comprehension of today's marketing-obsessed Music Row zealots. For Wagoner's sake, it's probably just as well. --Rich Kienzle

The Best I've Ever Been,Porter Wagoner,Shell Point,Country,Country & Western,Pop,Traditional Country

Average customer rating: Some Enchanted Evening is enchanting!

Best of Broadway: Some Enchanted Evening Manufacturer: Reader's Digest 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 Rodgers, Richard | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | 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 General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Best of Broadway: The Impossible Dream Best of Broadway: Anything Goes Best of Broadway: There's No Business Best of Broadway: Till There Was You Best of Broadway: Give My Regards To Broadway ASIN: B00006314M Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

1. South Pacific: Some Enchanted Evening - Eric Hammerstein
2. Thumbs Up: Autumn In New York - Larry Dalton And His Orchestra
3. My Fair Lady: On The Street Where You Live - Eric Hammerstein
4. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever): On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) - The Romantic Strings Orchestra
5. Camelot: If Ever I Would Leave You - The Romantic Strings Orchestra
6. Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Eric Hammerstein
7. The Fantasticks: Try To Remember - Jo Stafford
8. How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying: I Believe In You - Jo Stafford
9. West Side Story: Maria - Eric Hammerstein
10. Guys And Dolls: Medley: A Bushel And A Peck/I'll Know/More I Cannot Wish You/I've Never Been In Love Before - London Promenade Orchestra
11. Annie Get Your Gun: The Girl That I Marry - London Promenade Orchestra
12. Annie Get Your Gun: They Say It's Wonderful - London Promenade Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Some Enchanted Evening is enchanting!.......2002-07-26

This album takes you on a stroll down memory lane, enchanting all the way. It is relaxing and soothing listening, and will be great background music for a candlelit dinner for two, an evening party with a mix of ages and backgrounds, or just to sing with while you get some work done. The orchestration is excellent and the performances wonderfully smooth. A hit for everyone!

Average customer rating: Still Great at 70 Porter Wagoner's Back & Critics Agree Among Porter's Best Work

The Best I've Ever Been Porter Wagoner Manufacturer: Shell Point ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rubber Room: The Haunting Poetic Songs of Porter Wagoner 1966-1977 ASIN: B00004TXT4 Release Date: 2000-07-04

Tracks:

1. Brewster's Farm
2. I Knew This Day Would Come
3. Dusty Delta Memories
4. Daddy's Ole Sayins, Mama's Beliefs
5. House on Mulberry Street
6. Watching Eagles Fly
7. I'd Like to Make That Same Mistake Again
8. Broken Hearts Beat On
9. 'Til the Right One Comes Along
10. Fiddle and the Bow
11. When the Silver Eagle Meets the Great Speckled Bird [*]

Amazon.com

It's no surprise that Porter Wagoner, the rhinestone-spangled Grand Ole Opry legend of the '50s and '60s, is remembered in 2000 as Dolly Parton's discoverer and more recently as an Opryland greeter. In his heyday, his voice was never as much the key as his heartfelt delivery. Part of the last generation of truly rural singers, Wagoner wore his emotions on his sleeve as he sang of love, small town dramas, or madness ("The Rubber Room" is a classic of the genre). At 72, the voice is rougher, yet his emotive genius stands undaunted as he mines this elegiac collection of songs by Damon Black for every last ounce of pathos. The subjects are timeless: failing farms, doomed May-December relationships, long-gone youth, distant rural memories, romantic desperation, and old-style values. "Fiddle and the Bow" represents the type of story-song he took to the Top 10 decades ago. Such earthy simplicity is surely beyond the comprehension of today's marketing-obsessed Music Row zealots. For Wagoner's sake, it's probably just as well. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews:

Still Great at 70.......2001-09-29

Though Porter is in his 70's this is one of the best albums he has made. The selections tell timeless stories of family, of love gone wrong, and love he'd like to have again. In other words, just good old country music. His delivery is still great and the music ain't bad. If you like Porter, or just classic country, buy this album.

Porter Wagoner's Back & Critics Agree.......2000-12-19

"If this isn't the best Wagoner has ever been, it's certainly close." -THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

"If the counry crowd is looking for a new hero, they need look no further than this 70-plus years-young elder statesman." -SONICNET.COM

"At 73, Porter Wagoner holds court at the Grand Ole Opry with classic songs and time-worn war stories. But this new record proves his past magic still has a place in country music's present." -NO DEPRESSION MAGAZINE

Among Porter's Best Work.......2000-08-21

Perhaps his genial, rhinestone-encrusted image obscures the broad impact Porter Wagoner has had on country music; for every lighthearted "Company's Comin'" or "Y'all Come," there's been a meaty "Skid Row Joe" or "The Carroll County Accident." The Best I've Ever Been triumphantly covers the universal themes and rural life slices Wagoner did in his heyday, and if he were age 35 instead of in his 70s they'd be calling this a comeback album. The songs, all written by Damon Black, showcase Wagoner the chronicler whose singing and speaking draw pictures of ordinary life and go straight to the emotional heart of a matter. "Daddy`s Ole Sayins, Mama's Beliefs" recalls a character father and devout mother, the type of parents many rural folks had. The unraveling of a May-December love stabs at the heart in "I Knew This Day Would Come." He sings of love on the way out in "Watching Eagles Fly," puts you right inside the hard scrabble Mississippi childhood of "Dusty Delta Memories," takes shots at the government and business conglomerates in "Brewster's Farm," and makes you feel the ongoing desolation of "Broken Hearts Beat On." "I'd Like To Make That Same Mistake Again" and "Till The Right One Comes Along" are infectious stone country. Wagoner proves here that George Jones ain't the only over-60 country singer that's still on his game.

Average customer rating: all Christmas,all the Time Title makes a big claim, but it absolutely delivers... Its time to be seasonal

The Best Carols in the World...Ever! Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols 50 Most Loved Christmas Carols Christmas Night: Carols of the Nativity Carols from Trinity A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale ASIN: B00002438U Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Angels We Have Heard Ye On High - Sir David Willcocks
2. I Saw Three Ships - Sir David Willcocks
3. The First Nowell - Philip Ledger
4. God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Sir David Willcocks
5. While Shepherds Watched - Sir David Willcocks
6. A Virgin Unspotted - Andrew Parrott
7. Once In A Royal David's City - John Rutter
8. In The Bleak Midwinter - Sir David Willcocks
9. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - David Bell
10. In Dulci Jubilo - John Rutter
11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Philip Ledger
12. Past Three O'Clock - Sir David Willcocks
13. The Coventry Carol - Mediaeval Baebes
14. Away In A Manger - Sir George Thalben-Ball
15. Nativity Carol - John Rutter
16. Unto Us Is Born A Son - David Bell
17. Silent Night - Sir David Willcocks
18. Ding Dong Merrily On High - Sir David Willcocks
19. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Sir David Willcocks
20. The Lord At First Did Adam Make - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
21. Up! Good Christen Folk And Listen - Sir David Willcocks
22. Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - John Rutter
23. O Little One Sweet - Sir David Willcocks
24. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - David Bell
25. The Twelve Days Of Christmas - John Rutter

Tracks:

1. Good King Wenceslas - David Bell
2. Cherry Tree Carol - Sir David Willcocks
3. Joy To The World - David Bell
4. Here We Come A-Wassailing - John Rutter
5. See Amid The Winter's Snow - Sir David Willcocks
6. Gaudete - Mediaeval Baebes
7. The Holly And The Ivy - Sir David Willcocks
8. We've Been A While A-Wandering - Sir David Willcocks
9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are - David Bell
10. Shepherd's Pipe Carol - John Rutter
11. Masters In This Hall - Sir David Willcocks
12. The Babe Of Bethlehem - Andrew Parrott
13. A Spotless Rose - Philip Ledger
14. Angel Tidings - John Rutter
15. When An Angel Host Entuned - Sir David Willcocks
16. As With Gladness Men Of Old - David Bell
17. Adam Lay Ibounden - Mediaeval Baebes
18. The Coming Of Our King - John Rutter
19. Christ Was Born On Christmas Day - Sir George Thalben-Ball
20. A Christmas Carol - Sir David Willcocks
21. Sans Day Carol - John Rutter
22. Gabriel's Message - Sir David Willcocks
23. The Chester Carol - Robert Tear
24. Rocking - Sir David Willcocks
25. Methinks I See An Heav'nly Host - Andrew Parrott
26. Angels From The Realms Of Glory - David Bell
27. O Come, All Ye Faithful - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge

Customer Reviews:

all Christmas,all the Time.......2007-01-10

This two cd offering has almost all my favorites.the classics, not the Rudolph ones. Can't recommend enough.Listen and read Dickens...That's enough Christmas for anyone.

Title makes a big claim, but it absolutely delivers..........2006-12-02

This album provides 2.5 hours of excellent carols, from excellent choirs and soloists, and with great sound. I was worried that a compilation this large, and with such an extravagent title, would be B-side offerings, but that's not the case at all.

This isn't an album if you are looking for something "fresh and new." The arrangements are traditional, and even newer carols are done in a fairly conservative style. But that said, some of the pieces provide the best orchestration and voice arrangement I have ever heard. This is like the pinnacle of the classic English Christmas carol; clean, precise, glorious and celebratory.

Its time to be seasonal.......2005-12-16

This album contains traditional carols performed in a traditional way at the best quality. It is an excellent album to ensure the spirit of christmas is present and to bring the true meaning of christmas back. The double CD selection has all the golden favourites as well as not so wellknown carols to complete a very good christmas album. Merry Christmas to you all!

Average customer rating: You're the reason why I stay cool Excellent first album from then Maynard's T-bonist

A-List Reggie Watkins Manufacturer: JiveFam Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAKD82 Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

1. Three Girls on Two Chairs
2. Weight for Six
3. You Don't Know What Love Is
4. Molero
5. Sittin' Here in My Room
6. Whisper Not
7. December Twentieth
8. Two Colors
9. Ask Me Now
10. Star Jive

Customer Reviews:

You're the reason why I stay cool.......2007-02-07

I picked up this CD at a Maynard concert a few years ago at the school across town from mine, after hearing Reggie Watkins perform Weight For Six during the intermission. Every song on this album, from start to finish, is top-notch. This isn't lightning-fast big-band-style swing or jazz, and it isn't slow smooth stuff either - it falls right into a comfortable, mellow groove that I've loved listening to over and over again.

The musicianship is excellent; obviously the highlight is the trombone playing, which is absolutely wonderful. The arrangements and accompaniment greatly compliment Watkins' playing, and the two vocal tracks are beautiful and filled with emotion. This is a wonderful disc which is, without a doubt, worth getting.

Excellent first album from then Maynard's T-bonist.......2006-12-22

Reggie Watkins recorded this 2003 album while trombonist and musical director for Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau band. He co-produced it in part with Maynard's tour manager Ed Sargent, and wrote most of the tunes on the album. The same versatile flare he showed as arranger for Maynard ("Ain't No Sunshine") is evident on these tracks. The musicians are extraordinary, including MF lead trumpeter Patrick Hession who is prominently featured soaring on three of the tracks. The jazz concepts are solid yet fresh. There's even a couple of vocal numbers that lend an additional emotional color to the palette, but the brush strokes within the instrumentals are what carry this album. Reggie may be the 2nd best jazz rock trombonist I've ever heard live - you have to crown James Pankow as king. But Reggie's greater contribution on this project is his writing talent, and to that end he's holding court with his own here, and he's no jester.

Average customer rating:

Best of Broadway Manufacturer: Intersound Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | 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 Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000DUNW Release Date: 1996-03-04

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