Sweet Old World

Amazon.com essential recording
Granted, Sweet Old World isn't the masterpiece that 1988's Lucinda Williams is. The too-simple explanations of "He Never Got Enough Love" aren't up to Williams's mile-high standards, and the arrangements throughout are often so similar to that previous release's that the melodic differences here aren't as clear as they might've been. But when she raises her vulnerable cry to sing the three, pained perspectives on suicide that are at the heart of this album--the title track, "Little Angel, Little Brother," and "Pineola"--Williams's very humanity provides its own proof that, while this world can indeed be cruel, it can also be oh so sweet. --David Cantwell

Sweet Old World,Lucinda Williams,Chameleon / Wea,Alternative Country-Rock,Alternative Folk,Americana,Contemporary Folk,Folk-Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: Typical Williams - extremely strong Poignant Excellent as Usual Such Sweet Sorrow A notch down from "Car Wheels," but still worth the ride

Sweet Old World Lucinda Williams Manufacturer: Chameleon / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Alternative Folk | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Heroes | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: Essence Happy Woman Blues Ramblin' West World Without Tears ASIN: B000001A3J Release Date: 1992-08-25

Tracks:

1. Six Blocks Away
2. Something About What Happens When We Talk
3. He Never Got Enough Love
4. Sweet Old World
5. Little Angel, Little Brother
6. Pineola
7. Lines Around Your Eyes
8. Prove My Love
9. Sidewalks Of The City
10. Memphis Pearl
11. Hot Blood
12. Which Will

Amazon.com essential recording

Granted, Sweet Old World isn't the masterpiece that 1988's Lucinda Williams is. The too-simple explanations of "He Never Got Enough Love" aren't up to Williams's mile-high standards, and the arrangements throughout are often so similar to that previous release's that the melodic differences here aren't as clear as they might've been. But when she raises her vulnerable cry to sing the three, pained perspectives on suicide that are at the heart of this album--the title track, "Little Angel, Little Brother," and "Pineola"--Williams's very humanity provides its own proof that, while this world can indeed be cruel, it can also be oh so sweet. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews:

Typical Williams - extremely strong.......2005-12-30

Disclaimer: I'm a grey hair, so this review will be age biased.

Lucinda Williams has an amazing vocal ability to weave a melody that carries you. Her voice sometimes sounds strained, but she always manages to complete the note - and leave you spellbound.

The weakest song on the album I think is "He never got enough love". Would that other musicians could create something this good, but it simply isn't indicative of the quality that I have come to associate with Lucinda. Personal bias only.

The strongest? I personally liked "Which Will" and "Sweet Old World". I am not usually a slow tunes fan, but these spoke to me.

Do you need to own Lucinda Williams? No, not if you listen only to one music genre. But if your tastes transcend boundaries, or you like the folk-country-rockish music think of Lucinda. You won't be disappointed.

Poignant.......2003-11-22

This was my first Lucinda Williams CD and my favorite in many ways. Ten years ago it seemed as consistent as her first album, and I admit on re-listening today that it isn't. The instrumentation has become dated, and between that and the New And Improved production on her later releases, I can see how others may have skipped this one or may want to. It would be a loss, though, not to have this CD that speaks so poignantly to loss.

If I had to pick a single favorite Lucinda Williams song, the title track would be tempting. This song about suicide is her masterpiece, and you're not human if you aren't moved by it. It takes a poet to succeed with such a song. "Something About What Happens When We Talk" was the first of her songs I ever heard and remains a particular favorite. On hearing it I began my arguments with myself over whether her simple lyrics were trite or minimalistic. I eventually decided on the latter, and this song is so very intelligent and evocative, like so many here. The theme of suicide and loss from "He Never Got Enough Love" (those songs about men with abusive childhoods haven't stopped or become more subtle from here to "Sweet Side") through "Pineola" is perfectly realized. I don't have Lucinda's gift with words, but hers is used to remarkable effect in this series of songs.

There are lighter pleasures here, from touching story songs ("Six Blocks Away", "Sidewalks of the City") to a fun, sweet love song like "Lines Around Your Eyes". Even before I had those lines I thought this was a great song, and now that we live in a culture that worships youth like never before, you can't beat the sentiment. "Hot Blood" is often a great song live, but unfortunately wasn't recorded in a way that captured the heat. Still, it's a must-have for any fan.

There are weaker moments. Some of the lyrics on "Prove My Love" seem trite, though others are moving, and it's very country. I find "Memphis Pearl a bit maudlin, but not bad. And the cover of "Which Will" is nice enough, but dispensable.

This is probably not the first CD I would recommend for someone who wanted an introduction to Lucinda Williams. It's musically dated, not perfectly consistent, and that's less true of her first CD or of Car Wheels. Still, the sense of it being a theme album for the first half or so of the recording, and a series of truly great songs - "Something About What Happens", "Sweet Old World", "Little Angel", "Pineola" - and a few that are simple fun - "Lines Around Your Eyes" and "Hot Blood" - are essential for any serious Lucinda fan.

Excellent as Usual.......2003-05-25

I completely disagree with the tone of the editorial review. This is an amazing album, and Lucinda Williams is an amazing artist. "He Never Got Enough Love" is a great song...and completely up to par in my opinion. If you like Lucinda Williams, or you just appreciate great vocals and arrangements, buy it, you won't be dissapointed.

Such Sweet Sorrow.......2003-03-30

This beautiful album opens with the uptempo Six Blocks Away but soon turns sombre with songs like He Never Got Enough Love, the tender and poetic Sweet Old World (covered by Emmylou Harris on her Wrecking Ball album) and the painful Pineola, a harrowing story about a suicide and funeral. Little Angel, Little Brother is less sad, but gentle, perceptive and poetic too. The mood never seems to brighten after that, although Lines Around Your Eyes is a powerful love ballad and Prove My Love is a melodic, emotionally gripping country song. Sidewalks Of The City is a sad but hopeful Springsteenesque ballad, while Memphis Pearl reminds me of Emmylou's Red Dirt Girl or Joan Baez's version of Love Is Just A Four Letter Word in its theme and mood. Lucinda's sound is a perfect blend of rootsy country, folk and rock that fits her lyrics like a glove. This beautiful, sad and moving album ends, quite appropriately, with her cover of Nick Drake's elegiac Which Will.

A notch down from "Car Wheels," but still worth the ride.......2002-10-25

This CD sometimes gets lost in considerations of Williams's work, sandwiched as it is between the auspicious "Lucinda Williams" and the amazing "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road." It is true that the songs do not have the consistency that you get on either of those other CDs. But, when stacked up against the disappointing and, frankly, mediocre, "Essence", this one shines. The high points are certainly the title song,'Pineola' and 'Little Angel, Little Brother', the latter quite possibly the finest song she has written. There is still some distance between Williams and the truly great (Dylan, Joni Mitchell, the Band, Richard Thompson) though. We owe Williams thanks for allowing us to see that in a way that is internal to this CD. Her version of Nick Drake's 'Which Will' is affecting, but, put on "Pink Moon" and then I think we can all agree which one is 5 stars and which one isn't.

Average customer rating: not to great Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$ You get what you pay for. Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ...

100 Favorite Patriotic Songs Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by MacDowell | MacDowell, Edward | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | 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 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 | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: America's Favorite Patriotic Songs United We Stand: Songs for America American Pride: Sixteen Stirring Patriotic Themes America's Bugle Calls Patriotic Country ASIN: B0000A1HT8 Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

1. America the Beautiful
2. All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
3. Ballad of the Green Berets
4. On Top of Old Smokey
5. Coyote Warrior
6. Semper Fidelis
7. Breeze from Alabama
8. Onward Christian Soldiers
9. Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
10. Patriot
11. Sweet Betsy from Pike
12. Marines' Hymn
13. America Is
14. When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
15. Happy the Soldier
16. American Trilogy
17. Home Sweet Home
18. Washington Post March
19. Enraptured I Gaze
20. Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
21. Yellow Rose of Texas
22. Over There
23. Simple Gifts
24. Liberty Bell
25. Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

1. God Bless the USA
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy
3. Katy Cruel
4. I Vow to Thee My Country
5. King Cotton
6. Beautiful Dreamer
7. America
8. American Patrol
9. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
10. Mohican Dream
11. Red, White and Blue
12. Some Folks
13. Liberty Song
14. Pomp and Circumstance
15. Hail to the Chief
16. Bennington Rifles
17. Peace on the Battlefield
18. I've Been Working on the Railroad
19. Under the Double Eagle
20. Red River Valley
21. My Country 'Tis of Thee
22. Camptown Races
23. Wild Blue Yonder
24. Hands Across the Sea
25. Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

1. Stars and Stripes Forever
2. Living in America
3. Home on the Range
4. Old Colony Times
5. Clementine
6. Invincible Eagle
7. Ring Ring de Banjo
8. Yankee Doodle
9. Largo from "The New World"
10. To a Wild Rose
11. Hail Columbia
12. Alexander's Ragtime Band
13. Gettysburg
14. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
15. Capitan
16. Prairie Daughter
17. Little Brown Jug
18. Marching Through Georgia
19. Entertainer
20. Steamboat Around the Bend
21. Revolutionary Tea
22. Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
23. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
24. Amazing Grace
25. Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

1. God Bless America
2. National Emblem
3. Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
4. Anchors Away
5. Oh, Susannah
6. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
7. Toast
8. Dixie
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Appalachian Spring
11. Bonnie Blue Flag
12. Old Hundreth
13. Swanee River
14. Battle Cry of Freedom
15. U. S Field Artillery
16. Sidewalks of New York
17. Chester
18. Auld Lang Syne
19. Kingdom Come
20. My Old Kentucky Home
21. Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
22. Battle Hymn of the Republic
23. Shenandoah
24. Abraham's Daughter
25. This Land Is Your Land

Customer Reviews:

not to great.......2007-04-04

We were disappointed with this CD, but for the price I guess we can't expect much. I didn't care for the new style presentation of the songs. I like a more traditional rendering.

Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22

I red the comments of two other people who have bought this 4 CD BOX SET and it is not really so bad. I will even add that there are some excellent tunes. However, I must agree with the fact that few tunes seem to have been recorded 40 or 50 years ago, mainly when you hear the scratches of an old turntable but it is just 2 or 3 tunes. Furthermore, if you do not know American music, it is a good BOX SET to buy if you consider that you received 4 CD for 4$ including 100 tunes. On these 4 CD, I have heard some orchestration that I have never heard before and I consider that they are different but interesting. Any way, after hearing these 100 tunes, you will say to yourself that you like this tune, this other tune, this other tune and so on and you will be able to buy a more expensive CD with the tunes that you like. However, I have bought many CDs in the last few weeks and as you know, there are always some tunes that you like and some tunes that you do not like on every CD that you will buy. So, don't buy it at 25$ but at 4 or 5$ dollars, it is a very good choice for 100 tunes.

You get what you pay for........2004-07-04

You get what you pay for. The singers put their own spin on the singing of each song. If you didn't hear the words you would not recognize some of them. Even some of the music sounds like a bad recording of music played on a turntable. Definitely not worth the price.

Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04

I wish this review had been here when I was thinking of purchasing it. I guess you get what you pay for. If you are thinking of buying this, you are better off recording your own CDs (or at least buying one that you can listen to a sampling of the songs). This album includes songs that were mere recordings of the songs playing on an old record player. It's almost so unbelievable that it is funny.

Average customer rating:

Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005 Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Morton Gould | Gould, Morton | ( 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 Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Warmth of the Sun White Nights Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000B8I93Q Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

1. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
2. Summertime
3. I Could Write a Book
4. It Never Entered My Mind
5. I Can Cook Too
6. Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
7. If I Loved You
8. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
9. Thou Swell
10. I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
11. There's No Business Like Show Business
12. South American Way

Tracks:

1. Shall We Dance
2. Ohio
3. Luck Be a Lady
4. Mack the Knife
5. There's a Small Hotel
6. Once in Love with Amy
7. Yodel Blues
8. Lazy Afternoon
9. There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
10. You're Just in Love
11. Now Is the Time

Tracks:

1. Impossible Dream
2. Love Makes the World Go 'Round
3. Try to Remember
4. Put on a Happy Face
5. I Say Hello
6. Happiness
7. She Loves Me
8. What Kind of Fool Am I?
9. Shy
10. Consider Yourself
11. Poor Little Person

Tracks:

1. Magic to Do
2. They're Playing My Song
3. I Don't Know How to Love Him
4. I Won't Send Roses
5. Good Morning Starshine
6. Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
7. Hard Candy Christmas
8. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
9. Won't You Charleston with Me?
10. Applause

Tracks:

1. Phantom of the Opera
2. Memory
3. On My Own
4. Muddy Water
5. How Could I Ever Know
6. American Dream
7. I Know Him So Well
8. Dr. Jazz
9. Me and My Girl
10. Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

1. Mamma Mia!
2. Popular
3. Seasons of Love
4. Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
5. Whatever Lola Wants
6. Crazy
7. How Deep Is Your Love
8. Stars
9. People Like Us
10. I Go to Rio

Average customer rating: A different direction for Jessica- 4.5 An excellent follow-up CD

Chapter 2 Jessica Jacobs , and Jessica Riddle Manufacturer: Oarfin Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Key of a Minor Silence Counting Down the Days Right Up Your Face Jennifer Marks ASIN: B0000AQS0X Release Date: 2003-01-01

Tracks:

1. Gravity
2. Homewrecker
3. Karma in a Gun
4. Drown
5. Can't See
6. Would It Kill You
7. Undivided
8. Princess Bride
9. Blue
10. Hangin On
11. Deserve Me

Product Description

1. Gravity
2. Homewrecker
3. Karma in a Gun
4. Drown
5. Can't See
6. Would It Kill You
7. Undivided
8. Princess Bride
9. Blue
10. Hangin On
11. Deserve Me

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

A different direction for Jessica- 4.5.......2005-11-22

Her sound/Her music-In this CD it sounds like Jessica added lower notes to her vocal register but she still has a strong, smooth voice and stays in a range that works. This CD is basically singer-songwriter piano pop with guitar, as Jessica learned how to play the guitar too. Every song sings like a relationship diary; not a bad thing as Jessica makes it work, but there's a lot less variety of subject matter.

Her best songs-
3) Karma in a Gun-This is an interesting song that shows a new side of Jessica. She sings about a boyfriend who's not faithful to her, prompting her to fantasize about revenge. Believe it or not, this song is more perspective than it sounds, and the instrumentation is low but impressive.
4)Drown-Here Jessica is singing about a broken relationship and comparing it to taking a bath. In this case, drown is a metaphor for getting too deeply involved in the relationship. Her vocals are good; she starts by singing low and getting higher and louder as the song progresses. Her piano/guitar background music is upbeat, which makes this "sad" song more upbeat.
8)Princess Bride-This song is still about relationships, but interestingly enough it goes back to the sound of her first CD in instrumentation, lyrics, and vocals. She compares her real-life relationships to relationships in fairy tales and how she wishes hers were better. Her vocals are amazing here; she pushes herself to sing higher notes and she succeeds without sounding fake.

Final Recommendations-This CD is definitely different from Jessica's first CD, so people who really like the subject variety of that one may be disappointed, but I do recommend listening to this CD at least once. It is a change and it may take time to get used to, but in the long term it's worth it.

An excellent follow-up CD.......2003-08-21

I loved this CD. I have been waiting for it to come out since I hear Keys in a minor (under her maiden name Jessica Riddle) and I was not disappointed! My favorite song has to be Can't See and Drown, but all of them are excellent. The piano playing great and this is definelity worth your money!

Average customer rating: STEPHEN FOSTER'S AMERICA Keep shopping for Stephen Foster! Jimerson Not Half Bad Timeless and Beautiful Politally Correct or Stupid?

Stephen Foster's America Manufacturer: Amerimusic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | 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 General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Stephen Foster Songs: Parlor & Minstrel Songs, Dance Tunes & Instrumentals American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster; Thomas Hampson; Jay Unger; Molly Mason Songs by Stephen Foster, Vol. 1-2 Swanee: The Music of Stephen Foster Nelson Eddy Sings the Stephen Foster Songbook ASIN: B00000AEKT Release Date: 1998-09-08

Tracks:

1. Minstrel Songs Of Foster: Oh! Susanna
2. Minstrel Songs Of Foster: Massa's In De Cold Ground
3. Minstrel Songs Of Foster: Old Folks At Home
4. Minstrel Songs Of Foster: Camptown Races
5. Love Songs Of Foster: Beautiful Dreamer
6. Love Songs Of Foster: Nelly Bly
7. Love Songs Of Foster: Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
8. Love Songs Of Foster: Gentle Annie
9. Spiritual Songs Of Foster And Others: Hard Times Come Again No More
10. Spiritual Songs Of Foster And Others: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
11. Spiritual Songs Of Foster And Others: Deep River
12. Spiritual Songs Of Foster And Others: He's Got The Whole World In His Hand
13. Popular Foster Songs: If You've Only Got A Moustache
14. Popular Foster Songs: Old Dog Tray
15. Popular Foster Songs: Glendy Burk
16. Popular Foster Songs: My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night
17. Popular Foster Songs: Some Folks
18. Civil War Songs Of Foster: When This Dreadful War Is Ended
19. Civil War Songs Of Foster: Was My Brother In The Battle?
20. Civil War Songs Of Foster: Nothing But A Plain Old Soldier
21. Patriotic Songs Of The Nineteenth Century: Battle Hymn Of The Republic
22. Patriotic Songs Of The Nineteenth Century: America

Customer Reviews:

STEPHEN FOSTER'S AMERICA.......2006-12-06

I am so happy that I discovered this CD! These interpretations take me back to another place and time when parlor music dominated America's musical culture. In the 19th century, trained singers sang beautiful ballads by the family piano. Douglas Jimerson presents a time capsule with carefully crafted interpretations. By the way, the sound samples on amazon appear to be from an earlier release of the album, and the new recordings are more lovely than I expected.

Keep shopping for Stephen Foster!.......2002-06-05

If I may be blunt, I can't stand this album! Mr. Jimerson's voice is excellent. However, his operatic leanings undermine the spirit of Stephen Foster's music.

As for the arrangments, if Mr. Jimerson is going to keep the words "dere" (for "there") and "dat" (for "that") in the songs, then why exclude the word "darkies" in favor of "mama" and the like? My guess is that fans of Stephen Foster (who, when compared to other minstrel songwriters of his day, imbided the subjects of his songs with a great deal of dignity) are more interested in maintaining the purity of the songs than they are in achieving political correctness via 19th Century songs!

For my money, the Robert Shaw Chorale C.D. of Stephen Foster songs is much more enjoyable.

Jimerson Not Half Bad.......2002-02-08

These are earnest and heartfelt renditions of Stephen Foster songs that really deliver a period flavor, and nail Foster's emotions on the head. I can't believe that anyone could object to Mr. Jimerson's elision of currently offensive racial terms. There's a difference between "Massa's in de Cold, Cold Ground," which establishes a dramatic situation, take it or leave it, and race-specific epithets that might hurt somebody's feelings in the here and now. My only problem with Mr. Jimerson is that he tends throw these bizarre songs into the mix that have nothing to do with the themes of his albums -- like "He's Got the Whole World." Still, we should be grateful that this sensitive singer (and his fine, period-conscious musicians) are recording great 19th Century sentimental songs. I'd like to see him go even deeper into the literature of the time.

Timeless and Beautiful.......2001-08-01

Faithful renditons of great songs. Every American should know the words to at least half a dozen of these gems. I do not agree with reviewers who believe he should have included the original slurs....these "reviewers" should imagine themselves in Mr. Jimmerson's place, who was singing for a diverse crowd in our nation's capitol in 1990's America. Accuracy ("authenticity"?)is of course crucial, but it is absurd to demand that the performer sing these uncomfortable lines in this setting.

Politally Correct or Stupid?.......2001-02-28

The major thing wrong with this recording is the editing out of the word "darkies" which is like eliminating "cowboy" from western songs. If this guy is so sensitive, why include "Massa" which is a tribute to a slave master. Also, He's Got The Whole World In His Hand is generally attributed to the modern age.

If you want to hear a much better rendition of Foster, and other music of the period, try and find Thomas Hampson, "American Dreamer" and "An Old Song Re-Sung".

Average customer rating: Traditional songs of the sea.

Homeward Bound Revels Manufacturer: Revels Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00006JM8D Release Date: 2002-10-01

Tracks:

1. Roll Down
2. Can't You Dance The Polka?
3. Threescore And Ten
4. The Maid On The Shore
5. Ocean
6. The Leaving Of Liverpool
7. Here's A Health To The Company
8. Drake's Drum
9. Run Th eRiggin' Again
10. Noah's Ark
11. The Herring's Head
12. The Fush Of The Sea/Yea Ho, Little Fish
13. Dance Set
14. Euroclydon
15. Adieu, Sweet Lovely Nancy
16. Boston
17. Blood-Red Roses
18. Anchor Song
19. Lady Franklin's Lament
20. The Last Leviathan
21. Rolling Down To Old Maui
22. The Jamestown Homeward Bound
23. Rolling Home To Old New England

Customer Reviews:

Traditional songs of the sea........2007-07-07

If one likes traditional songs created during the days of the sail ship from the U.S. and England, then this is a good cd for that. I enjoyed it very much.

Average customer rating: easy listening

The Westminster Choir Sings Familiar American & British Folk Songs Manufacturer: Gothic Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | 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 General | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers Sea Shanties Songs Of The South/Songs Of The Sea Irish Folk Songs ASIN: B000003J87 Release Date: 1994-07-22

Tracks:

1. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Danny Boy
2. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
3. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Annie Laurie
4. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: O Waly, Waly
5. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Turtle Dove
6. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Alister McAlpine's Lament
7. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Ca' the Yowes
8. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: O Dear! What Can the Matter Be?
9. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Polly Wolly Doodle
10. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Old Folks at Home
11. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Beautiful Dreamer
12. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Comin' Through the Rye
13. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Loch Lomond
14. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Flow Gently, Sweet Afton
15. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Shenandoah
16. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: My Lord, What a Morning
17. 17 Familiar American And British Folk Songs: Great Day

Customer Reviews:

easy listening.......2001-06-12

a good combination of great songs. The choir's voices are sweet and melancholy. If you enjoy the old folk songs, you'll enjoy this cd.

Average customer rating: That's What I Call Sweet Music Too! Hear that music, isn't it sweet? Come on, baby, shake your feet! Deserted island status for me - expensive & WORTH it. A Phenomenal Compilation I need more stars to rate this one!

That's What I Call Sweet Music Robert Crumb Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Old-Time Country | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music New Orleans & Dixieland Jazz | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Ragtime | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Dixieland | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000JOAU Release Date: 1999-06-29

Tracks:

1. That's What I Call Sweet Music, played by Paul Specht and his Orchestra, recorded on Jan 14, 1929
2. Make My Cot Where The Cot-Cot-Cotton Grows, Red Nichols' Stompers, Oct 26, 1927
3. Be My Baby, Blue Steele and his Orchestra, Feb 8, 1928
4. I'm The Last Of The Red Hot Mammas, Herman Kenin and his Ambassador Hotel Orchestra, Apr 26, 1929
5. Hy Honey's Lovin' Arms, Ray Miller and his Orchestra, Oct 2, 1927
6. 'Leven-Thirty Saturday Night, Fess Williams and his Royal Flush Orchestra, Apr 18, 1930
7. I'm Bringing A Red, Red Rose, George Olsen and his Music, Dec 6, 1928
8. Do Something, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Apr 9, 1929
9. Wedding Bells, Fred Rich and his Orchestra, Feb 19, 1929
10. St. Louis Blues, Leroy Smith and his Orchestra, Feb 23, 1928
11. Sing Song Girl, Leroy Shield and the Victor Hollywood Orchestra, Sep 26, 1930
12. Sweet Ella May, Earl Hines and his Orchestra, Feb 13, 1929
13. The One That I Love Loves Me, Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees, Apr 1, 1929
14. Aristocratic Stomp, Paul Tremaine and his Aristocrats, Oct 2, 1929
15. Buy, Buy For Baby, Ben Pollack and his Park Central Orchestra, Oct 15, 1928
16. Hum And Strum, 'Doc' Cook and his 14 Doctors of Syncopation, Mar 30, 1928
17. Give Your Little Baby Lots Of Lovin', Anson Weeks and his Hotel Mark Hopkins Orchestra, Jan 28, 1929
18. That's What Puts The Sweet In Home Sweet Home, Jean Goldkette and his Orchestra, Nov 21, 1928
19. Singin' In The Rain, Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra, Apr 28, 1929
20. The Pay Off, California Ramblers, Feb 10, 1928
21. My Little Old Home Down In New Orleans, Tal Henry and his Orchestra, Dec 5, 1928
22. Oh, You Have No Idea! Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, May 23, 1928
23. She's A Great, Great Girl, Hal Kemp and his Orchestra, Mar 7, 1928
24. Happy Days And Lonely Nights, Charlie Fry and his Million Dollar Pier Orchestra, Jun 5, 1928

Amazon.com

The Songbook series of CDs from the U.K.--a label that asks several artists (everyone from Hunter S. Thompson to comix artist Peter Bagge) to compile discs of their favorite music--is a fascinating concept. What better way to pick the brain of your favorite author than to hear what he's currently spinning on the CD player? That's What I Call Sweet Music is underground comic legend Robert Crumb's chance to show off his rare shellac and it's one of the series' best efforts. This compilation of '20s American dance music features long-forgotten artists such as Paul Sprecht, Red Nichols's Stompers, Rudy Vallee, and others playing some truly infectious jazzy numbers that once comprised popular music in the U.S. Sure, some of the lyrics are corny, but the playing is consistently great (and the sound quality respectable). It's hard not to get nostalgic hearing these bygone numbers that blend big band, orchestral, and novelty music. As Crumb states in the gorgeously illustrated liner notes, "what you hear on this CD is the good-time, social music of a vanished urban civilization, a lost world of smokestack factories, clanging trolley cars--and everybody wore hats!" True enough. --Jason Verlinde

Album Description

Title from EMI's 1999 'Songbook Series', which brings together for the first time a selection of cult personalities, who have put together their very own compilations which they have illustrated with original artwork & literary pieces explaining their cho

Album Details

Part of EMI UK'S 'songbook Series'. A Unique Collection of Famous Authors Hand Picked Favorite Music which They have Illustrated with New and Rarely Seen Artwork. Housed in Hardcover Book Digipack.

Customer Reviews:

That's What I Call Sweet Music Too!.......2006-12-23

When I first heard about this CD being released by cartoonist R. Crumb several years ago, I knew that I had to get it. The main reason I bought this CD, was because of his film, "Crumb." When I sat back and watched the film, and learned of his passion for the early blues and jazz, [an era I am most fond of] I definetly wanted to purchase it. It's a good thing too, as the price right now is ridiculous. I taped the CD, as it was just too beautiful to play, and I did not want to ruin it. It is one of the best [if not the best] CD, I have ever seen. R. Crumb did not just give us some great music from his personal collection on this CD, he packaged it in a very tasteful and artistic way.

When I watched the film, I just loved the music in the biographical life of R. Crumb. Actually, I liked the music most of all. He really has a great taste in music. Most of the artist's I had never heard of before. I was surprised when I read in the magazine article he gave concerning this upcoming release [at the time] that he did not like the selections that EMI had in their collections. Therefore, he decided to use his own collection. Wow, what a collection of beautiful music he has. The CD is a compilation of rary [very rare] 20s dance music, of mostly forgotten and unknown artists. I was able to get this one, and another one of his other CDs, of him and his band. I hope that it is still available at a decent price [I still have it]. The music R. Crumb covers, is also the era of blues and jazz that I have always liked: I like anything from around 1923-1938. [Crumb mentioned in the article his period is from 1925-1935].

This entire CD is not only a work of art [rare today] but the music is fantastic. Most of the songs in the CD were recorded between the years 1927 to 1930. Although there are some well known [to some degree] artists, such as Rudy Vallee, and Earl Hines, most of the artists are not well known. At least not to me anyway. "Artistocratic Stomp" is one of my favorites on the CD, but I like them all. The amazon page has a listening sample for these wonderful songs, and I recommend you take a moment and hear some of these long gone, and for the most part, forgotten sounds of early America. And if you come across this CD, [at a reasonable price] grab it, because it truly is a gem, and the sounds are just fantastic. Highly recommend. [Stars: 5+]

Hear that music, isn't it sweet? Come on, baby, shake your feet!.......2006-07-07

This CD features music selected by "underground" cartoonist Robert Crumb, from his 78RPM record collection. All the music is by dance orchestras, and all songs were recorded between 1927 and 1930. It's actually quite enjoyable, and not as "corny" as you might expect. One thing that surprised me was how unimportant singers were to these bands. Nine of the tunes here are instrumentals, but even in the songs that do have singers, the singer doesn't usually play a major role. The singer will usually come in about a minute into the song, and sing for less than a minute. Of course, that's not true of the song here by Rudy Vallee. If you like "old time" music, you should enjoy this CD.

Deserted island status for me - expensive & WORTH it........2003-09-11

Anyone who is a fan of hot jazz, ancient Tin Pan alley & pure hokum from the 20's, you owe it to yourself to get this disc. In addition to the mindblowing selections (all hopelessly rare 78's) that Crumb made for this CD, it comes in a wonderful little book binding and every inch of it is illustrated and hand-worded by Crumb himself! This project was clearly a labor of love and the music is joyously innocent but swinging hard at every turn...

A Phenomenal Compilation.......2002-11-12

I have long been a fan of Robert Crumb as both an artist and a musician and so was immediately attracted to this recording as it might give me some insight into his eccentric interests and talents.
With "That's What I Call Sweet Music", Crumb has assembled a phenomenal compilation of worthy but mostly long-forgotten songs by 24 different mostly forgotten bands.
Some of the lyrics are corny, the music at times seems vaguely cartoonish, but the execution is virtuoso. Featured musicians like Earl Hines, Rudy Vallee, and Paul Whiteman are at least familiar to music lovers of eclectic tastes, but Crumb also introduces more obscure orchestra leaders like Fred Rich, Leroy Smith, Paul Tremaine, Anson Weeks, and many others to a wider audience.
The entire CD really jumps and swings. If you are not a dancer, you'll wish you were when you hear it for the first time! I like the whole CD, but my favorites are the title cut, the hilarious (and true) Wedding Bells, the Aristocratic Stomp, and the playful Buy, Buy For Baby.
Rediscover the music that helped the 20s become one of the "fun" decades of the last century and add this CD to your collection. You'll be glad you did and so will your grandparents.

I need more stars to rate this one!.......2002-07-22

Cartoonist R. Crumb has long had a sweet-tooth for old-time music; along with his duties as a countercultural icon, he's also spent decades obsessively collecting old blues and jazz 78s, and during the 1970s, '80s and '90s was a member in good standing of the old-timey revivalist stringband, the Cheap Suit Serenaders. In keeping with this passion, Crumb has put together this delightful -- ... -- collection of his favorite 1920s jazz 78s, highlighting the "sweet band" style that many jazz purists scorn as too pop-oriented. Rudy Vallee, Red Nichols and Paul Whiteman share disc space with more obscure acts such as Herman Kenin and His Ambassador Hotel Orchestra, and the bouncy, perky mix is irresistible. The CD also features plenty of swank R. Crumb drawings that his print-only fans should appreciate as well. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Monk, William Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | 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 Terfel, Bryn | ( T ) | 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 General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music ASIN: B0000B1JWJ Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

1. Toredor Song: "Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous le Rendre" [From Carmen]
2. Shenandoah
3. Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
4. Pearl Fisher's Duet: "C'ait le Soir"-"Au Fond du Temple Saint" [From
5. Lord Is My Shepherd
6. Danny Boy
7. Bella Notte [From Lady and the Tramp (1955)]
8. Goin' Home, After the Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" 2nd Movt.

Tracks:

1. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
2. Home Sweet Home
3. Ave Maria
4. Mio Cuore Va [From Titanic]
5. At the River
6. None But the Lonely Heart, Op. 6 No. 6
7. If I Can Help Somebody
8. Wiegenlied Lullaby-Bercuese (Op. 49 No. 4)
9. Abide with Me
10. Lazy Bones

Average customer rating: Give it 6 stars Excellent Dazzling Sound Not your generic Christmas album Bad performances, OK repertoire

Carols From the Old & New Worlds Daniel Read , Christmas Traditional , Charles Ives , George Frideric Handel , Jeremiah Ingalls , James E. Spilman , Supply Belcher , Felix Mendelssohn , Jean Sibelius , King of England Henry VIII , English Traditional , Gustav Holst , Paul Hillier , Anonymous , and Theatre of Voices Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | 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 | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Home to Thanksgiving Traditional & Modern Carols American Christmas Carols from Trinity Early American Choral Music, Vol. 2 ASIN: B0000007DK Release Date: 1994-10-18

Tracks:

1. While Sheperds Watched (SHERBURNE)
2. The Sheperd's Star
3. A Christmas Carol
4. Joy to the World!
5. The Apple Tree
6. Christmas Hymn: A Virgin Unspotted
7. Away In The Manger (AFTON WATER)
8. While shepherds watched their flocks by night
9. Hark! the herald angels sing (ELTHAM)
10. En etsi valtaa, loistoa
11. Still, O Himmel
12. Susser die Glocken
13. Weihnachtslied
14. Still, Still, Still
15. Gaudete, Christus est natus
16. Personent hodie
17. The Yorkshire Wassail Song
18. Green grow'th the holly
19. Here we come a-wassailing
20. The Cherry Tree Carol
21. In the bleak mid winter
22. There is no rose
23. A New Year's Gift (GREENSLEEVES)
24. A wassail, a wassail throughout this town!

Amazon.com

This is one of the most original and musically satisfying Christmas programs on disc. And it features some of the most characterful and proficient ensemble singing you'll find anywhere. It's not that the music is obscure--in fact, most of the texts and/or tunes are familiar. From early American settings of "While shepherds watched" and "The Apple Tree" to traditional Austrian and English carols such as "Still, still, still," and "Greensleeves" (sung to different-than-usual words), we're treated to outstanding arrangements (by Paul Hillier) and often surprising variations of tunes we thought we knew. In several cases--"While shepherds watched" and "Hark! The herald angels sing," for example--the familiar texts are sung to completely different melodies. Highlights include original carols by Charles Ives and Jean Sibelius, and a starkly beautiful setting of "There is no rose" by Hillier. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Give it 6 stars.......2005-10-27

This is a wonderful collection of Carols from around the world, beautifully performed by the Theater of Voices. I don't know what CD the first reviewer heard, because this one doesn't contain strident voices - the choir is very well blended, and the soloists are outstanding. I highly recommend it.
It is hard to choose best tracks, as they are so varied and well done, but my personal favorites are Gaudete, Personent Hodie and the four german tracks. The women's choir does especially well on Still, O Himmel, authentically capturing the sound of an Austrian choir.

Excellent.......2003-12-10

This is beautifully directed and performed. Some people truly have the gift of music, TOV is on the top of the list.

Dazzling Sound.......2003-10-25

A thrilling collection of carols, mostly new to me, and beautifully sung. Listen to the first sample, Read's "Shepherds," to see what I mean. This has my favorite rendition of "Personent Hodie" (from Piae Cantiones). I now watch for more recordings by Paul Hillier and his ensembles.

Not your generic Christmas album.......2002-12-01

This has become one of my favorite Christmas discs. An unusual selection of carols, lovely arrangements (Shepherd's Star is stunning!), and the human voice the only featured instrument. Well worth the purchase

Bad performances, OK repertoire.......2002-10-21

Most of the reviews of this CD focus on the diverse repertoire performed on this recording. The diversity of repertoire on this CD, unfortunately, does not make up for the absolutely HORRIBLE singing given by the choir.

The choir's sound is often very strident, vowels are sometimes strikingly spread, the sopranos sing the correct pitches sometimes, etc. The first thing I was struck with when I listened to the first CD track was how nasal sounding the choir's tone was and how they were not in tune with each other. The choir's lack of attention to tuning and balance is mostly illustrated in the faster, rhythmic pieces, when the choir barrels through each selection with about as much attention to musicality as a dog might at dinner time. Even the slower pieces, though, are significantly unbalanced, and sung with a shrill timbre.

This is one of the worst choral CDs in my collection...soon to be OUT of my collection.

Music Album:

1. Talk to My Heart
2. The Best of Country Gold [Box set]
3. The Best of Hank Snow [Import]
4. The Disciples of Merle and Doc
5. The Gentle Giant
6. The Legends Collection
7. The Legends Collection: The Willie Nelson Collection
8. The Tatters
9. Then and Now
10. This Country's Rockin'

Music Album