Lucy 1997-2000 [Import]

1. Japanese

2. Sunny

3. Bambi

4. Nico

5. Red Bicycle

6. Japanese

7. Japanese

8. So

9. Hello Mate

10. Today

11. Japanese

12. Japanese

13. Japanese

14. How Do You Feel

15. Fizz Pop

16. Solaris Milky Way Re- Mix

Have A Good Journey,Advantage Lucy,EMI,World Music

Average customer rating: That first tune... A generally solid addition to Lucy's output Well crafted Grows on you. Lucy shares her stories and heart with us

Over the Hills Lucy Kaplansky Manufacturer: Red House ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Alternative Folk | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Calling West south of delia A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection Not Too Late ASIN: B000MM1F3C Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

1. Manhattan Moon
2. Amelia
3. More Than This
4. Ring of Fire
5. Swimming Song
6. Today's The Day
7. Over The Hills
8. Somewhere Trouble Don't Go
9. Someday Soon
10. The Gift

Amazon.com

Though the strength of her songwriting has distinguished previous releases by folk troubadour Lucy Kaplansky, here she covers a wide range of material, from "More Than This" by Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry and Johnny Cash's classic "Ring of Fire" (written by his wife June) to Loudon Wainwright III's idyllic "The Swimming Song" and Ian Tyson's "Someday Soon" (a '60s hit for Judy Collins). What's as surprising as the song choices is that Kaplansky makes so much of the material sound so much the same, as if she isn't as emotionally invested in it as she is in her own writing. An exception is her duet with Buddy Miller on "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go," written by Buddy's wife, Julie. Kaplansky receives stellar support from Larry Campbell (formerly with Bob Dylan) on slide and steel guitars, and harmonies from Jonatha Brooke, Eliza Gilkyson, and Richard Shindell. Yet "Today's the Day," a song about the death of Kaplansky's father, with minimal musical backing, is the most compelling performance here. --Don McLeese

Album Description

Over the Hills is the most personal recording to date by New York City singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky and certainly the most accomplished and realized album in her remarkable catalog. Rediscovering her musical roots, Lucy returns to a more acoustic sound that is influenced by the music she first fell in love with--folk and classic country.

The release contains a stunning range of material, from stories about family--those that have gone before and follow after, of lives lived and roads traveled--to a compelling collection of classic songs by other writers, performed with Lucy's distinctive interpretive sensibility. Over the Hills is Lucy's story and her reflection upon her times, connecting to universal themes of love, joy, loss and dreams for the future.

With two major losses in her life this past year--her father Irving Kaplansky and mentor Red House president Bob Feldman--Lucy (along with co-writer/husband Richard Litvin) was inspired to write title track "Over the Hills." Encompassing the themes of the album, it reflects upon the connections between generations and the journey we all make beyond the world of our parents. From the album's opening song "Manhattan Moon" about her joy in motherhood to "Today's the Day" about saying goodbye to her dying father, Lucy's new songs are utterly personal and deeply moving.

Produced by Ben Wittman (Roseanne Cash, Paul Simon), Over the Hills features a world class band of Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan Band, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris), Jon Herington (Steely Dan), Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter), and noted jazz bassist Stephan Crump. Lucy is also joined by a parade of friends, who lend their vocal harmonies--Eliza Gilkyson, Buddy Miller, Richard Shindell and Jonathan Brooke.

From the New York skyline to the hills beyond, Over The Hills is pure Americana, wonderfully raw and rich with heartache and hope.

Customer Reviews:

That first tune..........2007-07-07

The first tune is the banner for the whole work...other songs are solid, some good, but that first one is fantastic!

A generally solid addition to Lucy's output.......2007-06-06

While not quite as compelling overall as The Red Thread, Over The Hills is a solid album. As others have said, there are too many cover songs here, and while Lucy never fails to find the value in any song, she could easily have skipped a couple of these. It's her original songs that make this an album to cherish. In particular, the two songs inspired by her father's death (especially the title track) and The Gift, about how her musical gift runs directly back to her grandfather, are beautifully crafted and overwhelmingly moving. (I can't listen to them without fighting back tears.) Amelia is also excellent. These songs are just as good as anything on her earlier records... and that's pretty darn good!

Well crafted.......2007-05-07

An excellent album and well worth the money and time. I have been a fan for some years and she did not disappoint me.

Grows on you........2007-05-07

I originally felt lukewarm about this album. Lucy seemed more laid back and less invested in the music. and her singing less emotional, than in other albums. I felt and still feel her rendition of the famous Johnny Cash/June Carter tune 'Ring of Fire' is emotionless and essentially 'mailed in.'

However, there are two songs on the album that make me cry no matter where I am--this is sometimes dangerous while driving--but the song she wrote about her father's death and it being the time she finally let go of all the things he was not to her, and one about a poverty stricken grandfather from the old country who passed down only his voice, are so powerful and psychologically sensitive and incisive that this has slowly become a favorite album--when I have access to some tissues...

Lucy shares her stories and heart with us.......2007-04-03

Several friends and I went to a recent concert of hers. By the end, two of my friends had tears in their eyes. Her songs are beautiful, personal, and authentic. Her voice is very distinctive and expressive. She tells her stories and those of her family in a way that resonates with the experiences of her audience. The emotions and the music are hers, but we are all richer for the gift she gives us.

Average customer rating: Secret Garden is Fantastic Wonderful soundtrack! MARVELOUS MUSICAL, MASTERFULLY PERFORMED . . . . . THE SECRET GARDEN Is Alive With Genius fantastic CD

The Secret Garden (1991 Original Broadway Cast) Lucy Simon , Marsha Norman , Rebecca Luker , and Daisy Eagan Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Secret Garden: Vocal Selections The Secret Garden: Based on the Novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett : Musical Book and Lyrics Little Women The Musical (2005 Original Broadway Cast) The Scarlet Pimpernel: The New Musical Adventure - Original Broadway Cast Recording The Secret Garden ASIN: B000002862 Release Date: 1991-12-10

Tracks:

1. Opening
2. Scene: India
3. There's A Girl
4. Scene: The Library At Misselthwaite Manor
5. Scene: A Train Platform In Yorkshire/The House Upon The Hill
6. I Heard Someone Crying
7. Scene: Mary's Sitting Room/If I Had A Fine White Horse
8. A Girl In The Valley
9. Scene: The Ballroom
10. It's A Maze
11. Scene: The Greenhouse
12. Winter's On The Wing
13. Scene: The Edge Of The Moor
14. Show Me The Key
15. Scene: Archibald's Library/A Bit Of Earth
16. Storm I
17. Lily's Eyes
18. Storm II
19. Scene: Colin's Room
20. Round-Shouldered Man
21. Final Storm
22. The Girl I Mean To Be
23. The House Upon The Hill-Transition/Scene: Archibald's Dressing Room
24. Quartet/There's A Man-Transition
25. Race You To The Top Of The Morning
26. Wick
27. Scene: Colin's Room
28. Come To My Garden/Lift Me Up
29. Come Spirit, Come Charm
30. A Bit Of Earth-Reprise
31. Scene: The Library/Scene: Mary's Room
32. Hold On
33. Letter Song
34. Where In The World
35. How Could I Ever Know
36. Finale

Amazon.com

Inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel of the same name, The Secret Garden was set apart from the beginning by the composition of its creative team. Not many Broadway shows can boast a female composer (Lucy Simon), director (Susan H. Schulman), librettist/lyricist (Marsha Norman), and producer/set designer (Heidi Landesman)--not to mention an 11-year old (Daisy Eagan) in the lead. This story of a little girl who helps her grieving uncle and sickly cousin regain a taste for life is a delicate, lovely achievement. Steeped in moody Victoriana, it should enchant those who enjoy a more understated style of musical theater. The great cast includes Mandy Patinkin, Rebecca Luker as his dead wife Lily's ghost, and the perenially underrated Alison Fraser. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Secret Garden is Fantastic.......2007-07-15

This musical is one of my very favourites and I highly reccommend this recording both to lovers of the show or anyone looking to enjoy a new musical. The song selection provides a good picture of the story, with several bits of scenes and libretto. Beautiful cd.

Wonderful soundtrack!.......2007-05-31

I recently read the book (The Secret Garden) to my 7-year-old daughter prior to taking her to see the musical. She enjoyed the play very much so I ordered the soundtrack. She has been listening to it daily while dancing and singing along. The performances are very good and the music is lovely.

MARVELOUS MUSICAL, MASTERFULLY PERFORMED . . . . ........2007-05-24

With 82 customer reviews already in place, it's difficult to add anything new except BUY THIS WONDERFUL RECORDING BEFORE SONY/BMG SENDS IT TO THE DUST BIN!!!!! Personally, I was enchanted by Lucy Simon's music, especially by "Lilly's Eyes" and "How Could I Ever Know?" Rebecca Luker (Lilly's Ghost) and Robert Westenberg (Dr. Craven) are in especially fine voice, and - gratefully - Mandy Patinkin isn't nearly as irritating as he so often has become. But the show rests on the shoulders of twelve-year-old Daisy Eagan, the 1991 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and she carries it very well, indeed.

Although not the stuff of which big, splashy mega-hits are made, and in spite of fairly negative reviews (I direct you to Frank Rich's "New York Times" review on theater2.nytimes.com), THE SECRET GARDEN enjoyed a modest run of 709 performances. With its gloomy story line, brooding characters, and soaring, Verdi-esque melodies, perhaps it's better suited to an opera house than to the Broadway stage. And with a few revisions, I wouldn't be surprised if THE SECRET GARDEN joins CANDIDE in opera company repertoires.

Incidentally, in case your're interested: Lucy Simon and her song writer/singer sister Carly recorded a couple of folk albums back in the 60s - "The Simon Sisters" & "Cuddlebug." Now availble on one CD entitled "Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod," those 25 songs are guaranteed to delight and enchant you, as Lucy's melodies and Marsha Norman's lyrics for THE SECRET GARDEN also delight and enchant. Better order "W,B,& N" right away. In this age of bottom-line-means-everything, who knows how long it will remain availble.

Highly Recommended.

THE SECRET GARDEN Is Alive With Genius.......2007-03-28

An Original Cast Recording of any Broadway Musical has many obstacles to overcome from the outset: not only do the music and lyrics have to be enjoyable, and the arrangements must be intriguing, but the recording also must somehow impart the feel of actually BEING in the audience of the Broadway show. Most Cast Recordings fall miserably short of these requirements. Happily, THE SECRET GARDEN, succeeds where most others fail. THE SECRET GARDEN, with music by Lucy Simon and lyrics by Marsha Norman, is a lush, magnificent recording filled with some of the most beautiful and soaring operatic music I have ever heard on or off the Broadway stage. In the classic style of Broadway genius Stephen Sondheim, there are no "puff pieces" on this CD...each song is necessary to advance the story, and once the listener has enjoyed the CD, they will, without doubt, feel they had a front row seat for this lovely bouquet of a show. Since there are 36 different cuts on this CD (after all, most of the dialogue is sung, in true operatta form) it is extremely difficult to choose the musical standouts. The opening of the CD, which sets the tone of this story, is nothing short of brilliant, as it packs a lot of information so effortlessly into song. "Lilly's Eyes" as sung by Mandy Patinkin, who's character is lamenting the death of his wife, is chillingly beautiful, as is the haunting duet "Come To My Garden". The CD's show stopper is a rousing rendition of an inspirational song called "Hold On", and is sure to become a Broadway classic. The show's cast, including Daisy Eagen as the little girl around whom most of the action takes place, Mandy Patinkin as her Uncle, John Babcock, Alison Fraser, and Rebecca Luker have some of the finest operatic voices ever heard on ANY stage. This is a show with a true heart, a brilliant soul, and is, in short a soaring celebration of the Broadway theatre at its finest! Run...don't walk...to buy this CD. I can't recommend it highly enough.

fantastic CD.......2007-03-22

Even though this is a cast recording from the 90's,
it's absolutely wonderful. I love it and play it a lot.
After I bought mine, I lent it to my sister who asked me if I
could order 2 for her, because she wants to give one as a gift.
I highly recommend it to everyone.

Average customer rating: good memories for me and fun "new" songs for my children memories TV Theme Songs TV themes Deja Vu

TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs Cyndi Grecco , and Jones, Jack Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Purists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes All-Time Top 100 TV Themes Classic TV Game Show Themes One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Toon Tunes: Funny Bone Favorites ASIN: B00006EXIL Release Date: 2002-08-20

Tracks:

1. I Love Lucy Theme - Wilbur Hatch
2. Dragnet - Ray Anthony
3. The Twilight Zone - Rod Open
4. Bonanza - Al Caiola & His Orchestra
5. The Andy Griffith Theme - Earle Hagen
6. The Ballad Of Jed Clampett - Earl Scruggs
7. The Addams Family (Main Theme) - Vic Mizzy
8. Munsters Theme - Jack Marshall
9. The Ballad Of Gilligan's Isle - Morton Stevens
10. Green Acres - Eddie Albert
11. Jeannie - Hugo Montenegro
12. Batman Theme - Neal Hefti
13. (Theme From) The Monkees - The Monkees
14. Star Trek (Main Title & Closing Theme) - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
15. Mannix - Lalo Schifrin
16. Hawaii Five-O - Mort Stevens & His Orchestra
17. Theme From The Brady Bunch - The Brady Bunch
18. Come On Get Happy - The Partridge Family
19. Those Were The Days - Carroll O'Connor
20. And Then There's Maude - Donny Hathaway
21. Good Times - Jim Gilstrap
22. Movin' On Up - Oren Waters
23. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
24. Them From S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage
25. Happy Days - Pratt & McClain
26. Making Our Dreams Come True - Cyndi Grecco
27. Chico And The Man - Jose Feliciano
28. Welcome Back - John Sebastian
29. What's Happening!! - Henry Mancini
30. Barney Miller - Jack Elliott
31. Charlie's Angels - Jack Elliott
32. Love Boat Theme - Jack Jones
33. Angela (Theme From 'Taxi') - Bob James
34. It Takes Diff'rent Strokes - Gloria Loring
35. Theme From Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys) - Waylon
36. Theme From Magnum, P.I. - Mike Post
37. The Theme From Hill Street Blues - Mike Post
38. Theme From Dynasty - Bill Conti
39. Theme From 'Greatest American Hero' (Believe It Or Not) - Joey Scarbury
40. Thank You For Being A Friend - Cynthia Fee

Album Description

TV Land brings you 40 of your favorite evening show theme songs. Highlights include 'Happy Days', 'The Greatest American Hero', 'Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)', 'Laverne & Shirley', 'I Dream Of Jeanie', 'I Love Lucy', 'Welcome Back, Kotter', 'The Love Boat', 'Hawaii Five-O', 'The Golden Girls' and many, many more. 2002. Rhino.

Customer Reviews:

good memories for me and fun "new" songs for my children.......2007-06-27

We had ordered this for "The Dukes of Hazzard" theme song for our 4yr old and our whole family has fallen in love with the cd. It makes me want to share some of the old fun and simple shows with my children. I forgot about some of those shows. It brings back good memories for my husband and me and the songs are new and exciting for our children. It's a nice change from children's cd's, but our children still think it's fun. The sound quality is good and the songs included on the cd are a great mix. I would definately recommend this one.

memories.......2007-02-22

This cd is excellent it has a lot of very good music and true to the original sound, Am getting a lot of enjoyment,highly recomended

TV Theme Songs.......2007-01-13

This is a great CD for people who watch a lot of TV -especially TV LAND and reruns of old shows when shows had actual theme songs. I took the CD to work and everyone loved trying to figure out what show the songs were from.

TV themes.......2006-07-05

Not all what I expected, not all of the tunes are the original recordings you remember as the TV themes.

Deja Vu.......2006-02-17

Listening to these familiar themes as performed by the original artists certainly brings back wonderful memories! I was particularly pleased, not only with the quality of the pieces, but with the actual performances themselves, just as we remembered them!

Average customer rating: Can't recommend it a voice teacher and early music fan Without peer....! Best Tenor Handel Singing Ever

As Steals the Morn: Handel Arias & Scenes for Tenor Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Haendel: Il Duello Amoroso Handel - Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno Great Handel Handel: Floridante Angelika Kirchschlager Handel arias ASIN: B000N6U1B4 Release Date: 2007-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Can't recommend it.......2007-07-03

I can't recommend this recording unreservedly. Mr. Padmore's voice seems hard pressed and tremulous in some of the arias, and his Italian is un-idiomatic. His diction is superb, in both the English and Italian arias, and the choice of repertoire is adventurous, but I will stick to Robert White.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-06-23

PADMORE HAS ARRIVED!!!!!Gramophone writes: "Mark Padmore uses his extraordinary diction and whispering chamber-like intimacy to remind us that the most exalted tenor arias from the operas and oratorios can achieve true potency even out of context..." To which I heartily agree. This is truly a wondrous portrayal of the many and varied moods of Handels' works. The tenor roles on this disc stretch between Handel's first and last oratorios, and most of them share a philosophy that implies that the dire consequences of personal pride, emotional selfishness, political ambition and sexual lust are amended by virtue and reason.

Padmore has always excelled with his velvet-toned tenderness, such as is displayed on this disc in "Where'er You Walk" from Semele and Jephtha's seraphic "Waft Her Angels". However, in this album he shows that he has acquired a stength and Italian vibrancy in his tone quality as he sings Jeptha's victory aria: "His Mighty Arm" and Bajazet's magnificent death aria :"Figlia mia-Tu spietato" from Tamerlano. I have never heard this death aria sung as well by anyone!!!!And, of course , the lovely melody, so beautifully performed by Padmore and Lucy Crowe is the 'crown' on this album: 'As Steals the Morn'.
Mark Padmore can be listed with the best of the present day tenors. And Andrew Manze with his sensively implemented accompaniment; just perfect!!!I would be remiss if I did not mention the very attractive packaging of the disc as well as the accompanying information; very superior.

Without peer....!.......2007-06-14

I fully agree with the listener above, this is some of the most beautiful and expressive Handel singing in a very long time. I sat in rapture between my two B&W's. Mark Padmore has just raised the bar and Andrew Manze and the English Concert support with playing of stunning virtousity....warm enveloping engineering and you most certainly have a disc to treasure. Please don't hesitate if you love Handel!!

Best Tenor Handel Singing Ever.......2007-06-13

We are in a Golden Age of Handel singing with Andreas Scholl, Daniel Taylor, Vivica Genaux, Ewa Podles and others making baroque music popular again. If you don't own any Lorraine Hunt Lieberson singing Handel (especially with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra) buy some today. But buy it alongside this disc. "As Steals the Morn" stole my heart. This is without a doubt the best tenor disc of Handel arias ever. WIth the women and the countertenors great versions of almost everything that Handel wrote abound. Padmore is in a class by himself among tenors singing this music. The singing is beautiful and heartfelt. This would join my Callas Tosca and Scotto Butterfly on a desert island.

Average customer rating: Can't beat MoTab

Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood Manufacturer: Mormon Tabernacle Choir ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Mormon Tabernacle Choir | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Greatest Hits: 22 Best-Loved Favorites Love Is Spoken Here More Greatest Hits: 18 Best Loved Favorites The Essential Mormon Tabernacle Choir Peace Like a River ASIN: B000LV639A Release Date: 2007-02-01

Tracks:

1. When You Wish Upon A Star
2. Who Will Buy?
3. Where Is Love?
4. Not While I'm Around
5. Sunrise, Sunset
6. Bring Him Home
7. Hymn To The Fallen
8. You'll Never Walk Alone
9. Never Never Land
10. Come To My Garden
11. Over The Rainbow
12. Fill The World With Love
13. The Impossible Dream
14. In Dreams
15. Circle Of Life

Customer Reviews:

Can't beat MoTab.......2007-03-26

When I looked through the song list on the CD I knew that I had to have it. The songs on the album are classics and anything done by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is great. The music is so peaceful. If you like The mormon Tabernacle Choir or just the songs on the CD I would highly recomend it.

Average customer rating: utterly beautiful One of the best damn albums ever! A must have for any fan of folk music "supergroups" Folk rock at its best Competent, if pedestrian folk album

Cry Cry Cry Manufacturer: Razor & Tie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Red Thread Mortal City My Better Self The Honesty Room The Beauty of the Rain ASIN: B00000D9WD Release Date: 1998-10-13

Tracks:

1. Fall On Me
2. Cold Missouri Waters
3. Speaking With The Angel
4. The Kid
5. Shades Of Gray
6. Lord, I Have Made You A Place In My Heart
7. By Way Of Sorrow
8. Memphis
9. Northern Cross
10. Down By The Water
11. I Know What Kind Of Love This Is
12. The Ballad Of Mary Magdalen

Amazon.com

When three of our finest singer/songwriters join together in a musical ménage à trois, the least they could do is sing their own material. Yet Richard Shindell, Dar Williams, and Lucy Kaplansky have pulled off a perfect, perverse triumph on Cry Cry Cry, a tribute to fellow tunesmiths from Robert Earl Keen to Greg Brown to Julie Miller. Though the disc begins with a bona fide chart buster, R.E.M.'s "Fall on Me" (with ringing guitars and astonishingly audible lyrics no less), most of the cuts come from such unsung artists as James Keelaghan (a dark, brilliant ballad inspired by Norman MacLean's Young Men and Fire) and Jim Armenti. All three members of this folk music dream team are in excellent voice, alternating ensemble pieces with honed call-and-response. Yet these polished, hush-inducing performances never lose their edge and urgency--this is really what they mean by harmonic convergence. --Kerry Fried

Customer Reviews:

utterly beautiful.......2007-07-02

All the praise for this CD that you read here is well warranted. This is a stupendous record, fantastic choice of songs but then, of course, Richard Shindell is great at writing them and covering them-check out his recent South of Delia. So the songs are great and the vocal arrangements simply stunning. I've seldom listened to a record that is so moving-great songs like Cold Missouri Waters, The Kid-simply beautiful, sweet harmony singing and beautiful words, a fantastic song-By way of Sorrow and the best version of Richard's Ballad of Mary Magdalen. But it's all great and really is one of the best albums I have. Buy it before you can't!

One of the best damn albums ever!.......2007-04-06

Everything works perfectly when Dar Wiliams, Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky come together. You will never stop listening to this recording, I guarantee.

A must have for any fan of folk music "supergroups".......2007-02-17

Honestly, my pursuit of Lucy Kaplansky's music brought me to Cry, Cry, Cry - but Dar Williams and Richard Shindell are huge folk "modern legends" in their own way.

I would call this a Folk Supergroup. As with any Supergroup, the music will cater to the fan base of all members of the Supergroup, and this is no different. This CD takes it a step farther by recording covers of other successful folk songs, and blending the essence of the song into their style. Confusing? Yeah, that's the way the CD plays... a confusing mix of wonderful and potential-for-wonderful.

There are standouts - "The Ballad of Mary Magdalen" (the only original song on the CD, written by Richard Shindell) is a wonderful frame piece for Dar Williams - she has a voice that reminds me of children on a playground (in a good way) and she embraces the song as it was meant to be.

Richard Shindell reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot with a twist of Randy Travis on "Cold Missouri Waters". The song is a story, and Richard really communicates the emotion of the event.

Lucy Kaplansky's feature piece is "By Way of Sorrow" - she dances through the song with a vocal hook that is signature to her solo work.

Vocal harmonies and background work lift the collection of songs to a new level. But that is to be expected with this trio.

It's worth noting that out of the 12 songs, about half are above average, another two or three are average, and the rest just miss the mark (REM's "Fall On Me" is an example.)

If you are fan of any of the three artists, this is a must have to complete your collection. If you appreciate the art of a well-written song or are a fan of any of the original songs you will appreciate this too. The casual listener of folk music... this is not the best introduction of the genre or the best representation of any of the three artists.

Folk rock at its best.......2007-01-14

"Cry, Cry, Cry" is an album Dar put out with Kaplansky and Shidell as a folk super group. The song "The Ballad of Mary Magdalene" is how I actually discovered Dar Williams. After reading Margaret Starbird's books, I sought out everything Mary Magdalene related. Dar's song is the only one I found that captures the essence of the bride of Christ. "The Ballad" plays off of the traditional children's song, "Jesus Loves Me," by having Mary Magdalene sing the song from her perspective.

Other great songs on the album include the catchy "Fall on Me" with REM front man Michael Stipe. "Speaking With the Angels" is slow, but has a very sweet melody. "Shades of Gray" is very poetic. "By Way of Sorrow" is actually not a sad song. Overall, it's a true modern folk album.

Competent, if pedestrian folk album.......2006-11-14

After reading all the glowing reviews, I purchased this disc. After listening to it a few times, I feel the need to offer a tempered endorsement. If you LOVE quiet introspective folk, you will probably love this collection of three folk stars performing other people's songs. If you are simply a general music fan, this set might leave you disappointed.

The instrumental playing on the disc is somewhat pedestrian, and there is little in the way of backing instruments. The singing is first-rate, but there seems to be little emotional involvement on the part of the singers. The album flows gently by, but when it's done, you hardly notice that it was there to begin with. No melodies stick in your head, and most of the tracks are performed at the same tempo, so there's little to discern between the songs.

Parties who are interested in this type of music would be far better off to pick up Greg Brown's "Dream Cafe", Gillian Welch's "Revival", or Lucinda Williams' "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road". Those three folk (Lucinda's bordering on rock) CDs will leave you impressed with melodies that linger. "Cry, Cry, Cry", is fine, but much like any Windham Hill folk sampler, drifts by without grabbing your attention. This disc emulates good folk, but not GREAT folk music.

Average customer rating: Bleck! Voice of an Angel!! fun cd Good? Yes. Great? No. Over-rated? HECK YES! Enchantment Indeed!

Enchantment Richard Rodgers , Michel Legrand , Leo Delibes , American Traditional , Erik Satie , British Isles Traditional , Jerome Kern , Johann II Strauss , Lucy Simon , David Foster , Sian Edwards , John Clark , Eric Rigler , Frank Ricotti , John Parricelli , Mark Hammond , Paul Keogh , and Michael Thompson Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Satie | Satie, Erik | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | 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 | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Church, Charlotte | ( C ) | 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church Voice of an Angel Charlotte Church Dream a Dream Tissues and Issues ASIN: B00005OWEJ Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

1. Tonight
2. Carrickfergus
3. Habanera
4. Bali Ha'i
5. Papa Can You Hear Me?
6. The Flower Duet
7. The Little Horses
8. From My First Moment
9. The Water Is Wide
10. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
11. The Laughing Song
12. If I Loved You
13. A Bit Of Earth
14. Somewhere
15. The Prayer

Amazon.com

Of course, we couldn't expect time to freeze its relentless path and forever preserve the Welsh sensation Charlotte Church in a chrysalis of precocious youth. And yet, at 15 and now taking bolder steps into expanding her repertory on Enchantment, the soprano remains a marvel of a prodigy. Here, she scours a wider range of sources than on her previous albums. Church moves with breathtaking ease from classic Broadway (West Side Story, Show Boat, South Pacific) to traditional Celtic, film ballads, and even a couple of high-operatic numbers. Church's straightforward approach to the melody of "La Habanera" may not exactly be what Bizet had in mind for his Carmen, but fans will get double pleasure out of the singer's exquisite duet with herself on the haunting "Flower Duet" from Delibes's Lakmé. What's more, there's a greater freedom of expression and sense of how to shape a phrase in many of these tracks--notice how much there is to savor, for instance, in "The Water Is Wide" and "Carrickfergus." It all adds up to a widely varied course, demonstrating the continued growth of a singularly gifted young artist. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

Bleck!.......2007-05-30

Charlotte has a producing voice, not quite mature, but it's bearable. I don't really appreciate opera unless your name is Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra or Holly Stell. Carrickfergus and Somewhere are decent for her voice, but "The Prayer" and "The Water is Wide" is very damaging to my ears due to the fact, her Italian sucks, her range is not wide enough in "Water".

Voice of an Angel!!.......2007-02-05

I enjoy listening to this cd by Charlotte Church! She has such a lovely voice. I especially love listening to Habañera and The Flower Duet as both are sung beautifully by Ms. Church!!

fun cd.......2006-12-29

I love this cd and have had it quite a while. I was just enjoying it again today and thought I'd write a review because I do enjoy it so much. It's just a fun, enjoyable album. Pretty orchestration, a lovely voice, nice to sing along with. Especially at the top of my lungs in the car (alone when no one can hear me!)
I really don't know why one would NOT enjoy this cd.

Good? Yes. Great? No. Over-rated? HECK YES!.......2006-12-15

I bought this CD when I was still in high school, singing soprano I & II in choir. It's not bad but she does much better than even some older kids attempting soprano. I think due to the popularity she gained this poor girl has endured much harsh criticism. True, we can't cut her slack JUST because she is a little girl but on the other hand for someone to sing opera at that age her work IS superb. Whether she's a prodigy or victim of over-ambitious parents & media, she deserves credit where it's due. At least she DID break out as some-what of a mainstream artist & exposed this type of music to those who stereotyped it as fat ladies w/powder-white make-up belting out notes that would shatter glass. Some say the same for Josh Groban who broke into the scene as a mainstream tenor/baritone vocalist. As far as skills & talent, he not the greatest either but many people adore his music. The same credit should go to Charlotte Church.

As far as feedback on the quality...
It's VERY hard to believe the deliverance of her performance. A 15-year-old (even younger on her debut cd) singing songs about love & being able to see the world seems silly. Cracking voice? Yeah, you can really tell she had a difficult time hitting the high note in The Laughing Song because it got all air-y. Honestly, some trained sopranos over-shoot their high notes too & get extremely SHARP so I didn't mind her air-i-ness. I think she did a great job on The Flower Duet though. It still has the same relaxing quality as some other versions I've heard from various movie soundtracks. But compare this to the likes of professionals - real professionals - she's merely tolerable. Try Sarah Brightman if you want to listen to some nice musical sopranos. She even has some pretty remakes of modern songs.

Enchantment Indeed!.......2006-08-20

This CD is simply amazing! However, I am sick and tired of people pressuring her to be someone that she's not! Trying to fit into today's popular music scene, Charlotte has turned to pop, and her career isn't flying well because of it! Her voice is simply amazing for opera, and I will not hear another insulting word about her!

Anyways, the CD is genius! Tonight from "West Side Story" is beautifully sung. Carrickfergus, Habanera, and Bali Ha'i are sung with a hypnotizing beauty. Papa, Can you Hear Me and The Flower Duet are amazing as well!

However, on The Flower Duet, Church's vocals seem strained a bit. The Little Horses is a decent piece, a remake of the standard English folk song. I prefer it straight instead of a varied beat, so that Church's voice could soar on and on.

From my First Moment is a fairly nice song, but The Water is Wide is simply amazing! Her vocals are soaring and mezmerizing!

Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man is NOT the song for her, because she puts a weird accent on the song, like she's trying to sound like a hoodlum! The Laughing Song is something that SHOULD NOT be tried by children, because the vocals are so strained! If I Loved You is a simple yet wonderful piece!

A Bit of Earth and Somewhere are both beautiful pieces, with excellent work from the orchestra.

Overall, this CD is very beautiful! BUY IT!

Average customer rating: Mad about Baroque The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes Brilliant Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames). Brilliant Purcell Disc

Essential Purcell Henry Purcell , New College Choir Oxford , King's Consort , Robert King , Roy Goodman , Charles Daniels , John Mark Ainsley , James Bowman , Peter Buckoke , Jane Coe , Rogers Covey-Crump , Gillian Fisher , Michael George , Miles Golding , Jane Norman , Barbara Bonney , Mark Caudle , William Carter , King's Consort Choir , Helen Gough , Paul Nicholson , Angela East , Barry Guy , Tessa Bonner , Jerome Finnis , Rupert Bawden , Lucy Howard , Richard Campbell , Susan Addison , James O'Donnell , and Stephen Saunders Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bonney, Barbara | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bonney, Barbara | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort Purcell: The Fairy Queen Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx Purcell: Full Anthems & Organ Music ASIN: B000002ZDU Release Date: 1995-04-10

Tracks:

1. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 5: Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn. Symphony And Opening Chorus
2. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 3: Be Welcome Then, Great Sir
3. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: Oh, Fair Cedaria
4. The Choir Of The King's Consort: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
5. Great Baroque Arias: When I Am Laid In Earth ('Dido's Lament')
6. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.1: Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears (Part 1)
7. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.4: The Sparrow And The Gentle Dove
8. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: If Music Be The Food Of Love (First Setting)
9. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.5: Rejoice In The Lord Always ('The Bell Anthem')
10. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Hosanna To The Highest
11. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.7: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts
12. Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures: Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling
13. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.6: Mark, How Readily Each Pliant String
14. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: Sound The Trumpet
15. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.3: She Loves And She Confesses Too
16. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: O How Blest Is The Isle
17. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences
18. Complete Anthems And Services Vol. 11: An Evening Hymn
19. Complete Church Music Vol.2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day
20. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.2: With Rapture Of Delight... Hail Bright Cecilia

Amazon.com essential recording

The "Essential" Purcell? Well, you could get a bunch of critics to argue about that for a few days, but in the meantime, here is a sampler of highlights from the King's Consort's three admirable Purcell series: the Complete Odes and Welcome Songs, Complete Anthems and Services, and Complete Secular Solo Songs. There are, of course, some of Purcell's most-performed pieces (which probably are "essential"): Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, "Sound the trumpet" from Come, ye sons of Art, Rejoice in the Lord alway (the "Bell Anthem," named for the string figure at the opening that sounds like pealing bells), the gently patriotic "Fairest isle, all isles excelling" (sung by a miscast James Bowman), and a selection from the funeral music for Queen Mary. There are also some delightful surprises--particularly among the little-known secular songs and church music. The plaintive "O fair Cedaria" gets a lovely performance by Barbara Bonney (a singer not usually associated with Purcell); tenor Rogers Covey-Crump (possibly the ideal high tenor for Purcell) sings the enchanting "If music be the food of love"; the church anthems "Let mine eyes run down with tears" and "Remember not, O Lord, our offences" have some startling harmonies as daring as any Monteverdi ever wrote. If you're unfamiliar with Purcell, this reasonably priced disc is a good place to start exploring without a big initial investment. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Mad about Baroque.......2007-02-12

This is a terrific CD. The music is breathtaking. Just buy IT !!!!!

The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes.......2002-08-21

Absolutely beautiful baroque music! The arrangament, singing and instrumentation is superb. It is too bad that Henry Purcell is not as widely known as Bach, because he should be recognized equally well."The Sparrow and the Gentle dove" is alone worth the price of the album! I can not stop playing it!

Brilliant.......2001-10-31

Like in his renditions of Handel's oratorios, Robert King manages to bring a freshness and strenght to Purcell's music that I had seldom heard before. This CD also features some of the best performers of early music in the world. My favourite tracks are Oh, Fair Cedaria, sung by the multi-talented Barbara Bonney; Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher; She Loves and she Confesses too, sung by the wonderful Susan Gritton; and Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn, sung by Rogers Covey-Crump. The only track I didn't find absolutely wonderful is Fairest Isle, sung here by James Bowman. Don't get me wrong, I generally love Mr Bowman, I think that his performance in Mr Purcell's Most Admirable Composures (also conducted by Robert King) makes it another essential Purcell recording; but I find that Fairest Isle was much better done elsewhere, particularly by Christopher Hogwood and Barbara Bonney.

These songs aren't only beautiful, they're also poignant, sweet and unpretentious. I think that it will be very clear to anyone who listens to this recording that Mr Purcell was one of the finest composers that ever lived.

Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames)........2001-10-20

If anyone has benefitted from the reversion in the last three or so decades to period instruments and historical reconstruction, it is Henry Purcell. Before, he was merely great, the peerless word-setter in the English language, a virtuoso of boundless range, a professional composer whose offical commissions were always imbued with personality and invention. But period instrumentation has added to this a greater depth, an other-worldly texture of sound. With his intricate, multi-part vocal writing, his preference for low, rumbling instruments such as the bass viol and the strange and remarkable theorbo, as well as his often sombre and low-key subject matter and treatment, Purcell creates a round, glowing, humming sound as pregnantly full as dub reggae.

This has an extraordinary effect on the listener. Whereas Bach, with his mathematical abstractions, sounds universal and timeless, Purcell's music takes the listener back 300 years, back to different ways of thinking about, feeling about and addressing things we still think etc. about today - death, love, friendship. The emotion is timeless, but the music's beauty is alien, THEIRS, hence its preciousness.

A lot of intelligence has gone into the unity of this compilation, beginning with two Welcomes (to the dawn and to the listener, in this case a King), and ending with thoughts of evening, death and a Baroque 'Thank you for the music'. These are bright, fanfare-like works, but the predominant mood is slow, ruminative, quiet. The selection covers the wide range of Purcell's oeuvre, from opera and funeral marches to secular songs and odes, and includes his most famous vocal works - Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher, and never more evocative of pagan loss and death; the massive 'Bell Anthem', with its ingenious opening symphony and joyful antiphon; and a miraculously serene 'Evening Hymn', Dido's opposite, death indicating hope, the treble voice swirling over the heavy ground bass like the soul released from the inert body.

it might seem quixotic to choose highlights from an exemplary collection of highlights, but the entry of the strings washing over the serene repetition of 'Be Welcome then, great Sir' always makes my heart stop still, while the musical picture of 'Bold Honour', the 'noisy Nothing, stalking shade', blocking the poet's amorous intentions in 'She loves and confesses too', adds a chilling hint of life's transience to a bouyantly bawdy song.

Brilliant Purcell Disc .......2000-11-30

With this album director and Purcell expert Robert King provides the listener with an excellent introduction to the composer's vocal works. The pieces presented here were taken from Mr. King's recordings of 'The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs', 'The Complete Anthems and Services', 'The Complete Secular Solo Songs' and diverse anthology discs. King, his wonderful soloists and musicians do the brilliance of Purcell's music fully justice. Whether he was commissioned by royalty, the church or theatre, Purcell shone in all areas. This disc certainly demonstrates the variety and originality of his craft, not to speak of his uncanny ability of setting words to music.

An outstanding Purcell offering. With a beautiful perfomance by Barbara Bonney of 'Oh, fair Cedaria'. Susan Gritton is equally captivating in 'She loves and she confesses too'. Gillian Fisher's rendition of the famous 'Dido's Lament' is haunting and poignant. Further an intelligent and brilliant 'Hosanna to the highest' by Michael George. James Bowman and Michael Chance sparkle in the countertenor duet 'Sound the trumpet' (from 'Come Ye sons of Art away'). And I should not forget to mention the joyous, luminous performance of the beautiful 'Bell Anthem'. To name but a few favourites, only James Bowman's 'Fairest Isle' was a disappointment.

Those who are familiar with Purcell's music will get an excellent disc with some of his most beloved works. If you are new to Purcell, this is, as already said a great introduction. Which might be the incentive to further explorations of Purcell.

by stardustraven

Average customer rating: Old CD THEY NEED TO GET BACK TOGETHER AGAIN NOW!!! 3.5 stars, really 3.5 stars, really New School Old School

Lucy Pearl Lucy Pearl Manufacturer: Beyond Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Instant Vintage Sons of Soul House of Music All Hits at the House of Blues Mars/Venus ASIN: B00004T1I1 Release Date: 2000-05-23

Tracks:

1. Lucy Pearl's Way
2. Trippin'
3. Dance Tonight
4. Lala
5. Everyday
6. Can't Stand Your Mother
7. Good Love
8. Without You
9. Don't Mess With My Man
10. Hollywood
11. Remember The Times
12. They Can't
13. Do It For The People
14. You
15. Lucy Pearl Tells

Amazon.com

While its songs aren't always as memorable as those of Tony Toni Toné--the million-selling but still underappreciated band that spawned singer Raphael Saadiq--the debut of R&B trio Lucy Pearl does flash some of the same smart, unpredictable spirit. Along with ex-En Voguer Dawn Robinson and former Tribe Called Quest beatmaster Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Saddiq brings his trademark eye for detail to the funky party anthem "Dance Tonight," the school-days nostalgia of "Remember the Times," and the self-explanatory rager "Can't Stand Your Mother." Guests Q-Tip and Snoop Dogg are slyly affectionate on the love-jones celebration "You." Finally, it's certain that Lucy Pearl will be remembered as 2000's only neo-soul album to include both a hard-rock workout ("Hollywood") and a college marching band. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Old CD.......2007-03-22

I had the CD before but it was stolen and I thought I had to forget about it and then I remembered Amazon has everything and for an unbeatable price and a few days, I was reunited with one of my most favorite CDs, ever.

THEY NEED TO GET BACK TOGETHER AGAIN NOW!!!.......2006-06-12

Lucy Pearl had potiental to be bigger than all three groups they were cut from (Tony Toni Tone, EnVogue, Tribe Called Quest). They also had that alternative sound to even cross over into alternative rock music. And get this, they were just as big over here in EUROPE!!!

I wish Ralph and Dawn would resolve their differences and get this baddass group back together. Lucy Pearl had too much of a beautiful chemistry, to just do one album (CD).

3.5 stars, really.......2006-02-28

While the power trio format's been pervasive in rock for a long time (think the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Cream), Lucy Pearl is probably the closest thing to an R&B version. All three members bring impressive pedigrees to the project: Raphael Saadiq pioneered funky pop-soul as part of Tony Toni Toné, Dawn Robinson brought back the all-girl group as one of the New Jack divas of En Vogue and Ali Shaheed Muhammed helped revolutionize hip-hop with the jazz-rap sound of A Tribe Called Quest. After such groundbreaking work, you'd think the three together would somehow not live up to expectations.

To their credit, while the trio's sound oftentimes recalls their old outfits (Robinson and Saddiq particularly), they're not resting on their laurels. Lucy Pearl builds upon their previous musical forays. "Ask of You" has Tony Toni Toni's unmistakable stamp on it overlayed, however, with slinky, sinewy, sexy harmonies. "Don't Mess With My Man" could've been an En Vogue hit with Robinson's powerful vocals, but it's got a funkier, Chic-esque danceable groove. There's not much ATCQ here, but the funky-pop "You" (which features guest vocals by Q-Tip and Snoop Dog) very nicely bridges the gap between R&B and hip-hop, though there's not much hip-hop on the album at all. Rather, it's more of a catchy old-school jam, and the single "Dance Tonight," with it's mellow, classic 1970s soul groove, is a perfect example.

There's quite a bit of that `70s sound on the album, recalling Sly and the Family Stone, Chic, and even a nod to Rick James ("LaLa") and Prince ("Good Love"). But where Lucy Pearl falls flat is in its too blatant imitations such as "Remember the Times," which comes across as an Everlast carbon-copy. And whereas most of the tracks are successful when they keep to the soul-funk grooves, their experiment with rock-funk in "Hollywood" completely fails. Also, it would've been nice to see a bit more on the production side from Muhammed (this album comes across as all-Saddiq) and more of ATCQ's jazzy-rap flavor.

If you're looking for groundbreaking, genre-defying sounds, you won't find that here -- Lucy Pearl isn't pushing any creative envelopes. But they skillfully work with what they've got, blending pre-existing genres to produce stylish music that fuses funk and urban soul with a splash of hip-hop.

3.5 stars, really.......2006-02-28

While the power trio format's been pervasive in rock for a long time (think the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Cream), Lucy Pearl is probably the closest thing to an R&B version. All three members bring impressive pedigrees to the project: Raphael Saadiq pioneered funky pop-soul as part of Tony Toni Toné, Dawn Robinson brought back the all-girl group as one of the New Jack divas of En Vogue and Ali Shaheed Muhammed helped revolutionize hip-hop with the jazz-rap sound of A Tribe Called Quest. After such groundbreaking work, you'd think the three together would somehow not live up to expectations.

To their credit, while the trio's sound oftentimes recalls their old outfits (Robinson and Saddiq particularly), they're not resting on their laurels. Lucy Pearl builds upon their previous musical forays. "Ask of You" has Tony Toni Toni's unmistakable stamp on it overlayed, however, with slinky, sinewy, sexy harmonies. "Don't Mess With My Man" could've been an En Vogue hit with Robinson's powerful vocals, but it's got a funkier, Chic-esque danceable groove. There's not much ATCQ here, but the funky-pop "You" (which features guest vocals by Q-Tip and Snoop Dog) very nicely bridges the gap between R&B and hip-hop, though there's not much hip-hop on the album at all. Rather, it's more of a catchy old-school jam, and the single "Dance Tonight," with it's mellow, classic 1970s soul groove, is a perfect example.

There's quite a bit of that `70s sound on the album, recalling Sly and the Family Stone, Chic, and even a nod to Rick James ("LaLa") and Prince ("Good Love"). But where Lucy Pearl falls flat is in its too blatant imitations such as "Remember the Times," which comes across as an Everlast carbon-copy. And whereas most of the tracks are successful when they keep to the soul-funk grooves, their experiment with rock-funk in "Hollywood" completely fails. Also, it would've been nice to see a bit more on the production side from Muhammed (this album comes across as all-Saddiq) and more of ATCQ's jazzy-rap flavor.

If you're looking for groundbreaking, genre-defying sounds, you won't find that here -- Lucy Pearl isn't pushing any creative envelopes. But they skillfully work with what they've got, blending pre-existing genres to produce stylish music that fuses funk and urban soul with a splash of hip-hop.

New School Old School.......2004-07-09

A stellar schowcase of contemporary R&B. The strengths of this project far outshine the shortcomings. Saadiq's imprint is all over this music, and the production value is excellent, especially on the hits "Dance Tonight" and "Don't Mess With My Man" (which also had a kick-ass video).

It's a shame that this supergroup didn't last, because with a little more cohesion they truly could have become something great. How about releasing at least two (or maybe even three!) albums before deciding to throw in the towel?

Average customer rating: Miserere Power of the Human Voice in Concert: Hope for Brotherhood Bumps, Crashes and Beautiful music purest music of all A triumph and yet a pity

Górecki: Miserere Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Henryk Gorecki: Symphony 3 "Sorrowful Songs" Henryk Górecki: Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62) (1988) / Quasi una Fantasia (String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64) (1990-91) - Kronos Quartet Górecki: Beatus Vir / Symphony No. 2 Górecki: Symphony No. 3 ("Symphony of Sorrowful Songs"); Three Olden Style Pieces Arvo Part: Te Deum / Kaljuste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir ASIN: B000005J2Z Release Date: 1994-11-15

Tracks:

1. Miserere - Opus 44
2. Opus 35
3. Euntes Ibant Et Flebant - Opus 32
4. Wislo Moja, Wislo Szara (My Vistula, Grey Vistula) - Opus 46
5. Szeroka Woda (Broad Waters) - Opus 39 - Lento Malinconico
6. Szeroka Woda - Non Troppo
7. Szeroka Woda - Molto Lento - Dolce Cantabile
8. Szeroka Woda - Lento Sostenuto
9. Szeroka Woda - Maestoso Espressivo

Customer Reviews:

Miserere.......2006-03-11

Although the CD tends toward the somber, there is a majestic quality to Gorecki's music. The harmonies in Broad Waters are especially stunning.

Power of the Human Voice in Concert: Hope for Brotherhood.......2005-02-24

Henryk Gorecki is able to achieve so much power and transcendence with so very little that his music for unaccompanied chorus stands as a metaphor for we as the global community cold achieve if we believed in the motivation that soars through this selection of music.

MISERERE is a stunning work, a response to the political upheaval in Poland that surrounded the United Peasant Party in 1981 when members of the Rural Solidarity were slaughtered by the militia. In response to this Gorecki immediately composed this work for large unaccompanied chorus which for the first thirty minutes intones the words 'Domine Deus Noster' (Lord our God), first by massive male voices intoning, plea-like, then joined by women's voices in agitation and ultimate reverence, adding only are the very end the words 'Miserere nobis' (have mercy on us). If any listener fails to be moved by this quiet, urgent, sonorous plea for peace, then we as a universal people have much work to do!

Appropriately, MISERERE is followed by a performance of Gorecki's AMEN. Again, this work does not change key, uses only the single word 'Amen' as text, but packs so much power and finally closes with the choral forces closing the 'n' in sustained echo. Following the simplicity of this six-minute work is Gorecki's first work composed for unaccompanied voices - the Psalms setting titled EUTES IBANT ET FLEBANT and is reminiscent of the mood of his now famous "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs". And dating back to the year of MISERERE is his setting of 'My Vistula, Grey Vistula', a brief but compelling setting of the folk music of Poland.

The final work on this very fine recording is a secular setting of Polish folksongs SZEROKA WODA, charming in its simplicity and unfettered by complicated messages or writing.

The Chigago Symphony Chorus and the Chicago Lyric Opera Chorus are impeccably conducted by John Nelson for the first four works and the Polish Folksongs are performed by the Lira Chamber Chorus conducted by Lucy Ding. The sound of the recording is resonant and rich and I must admit that the music speaks so strongly on this recording that I was not hampered by the extraneous sounds mentioned by other reviewers. And there may be a message there about priorities and responses... Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, February 2005

Bumps, Crashes and Beautiful music.......2004-07-02

Beautiful singing. It's unfortunate that some poor guy was made to fold chairs in the room throughout the entire recording. I only wish this was an exaggeration. Listening in the car may alleviate some of the problem . . .

purest music of all.......2000-09-08

'domine, deus noster' (Lord, our God). These words are repeated for almost half an hour in Miserere. I know this can sound boring, it is certainly not the case. The words never sound the same, the music is always evolving. And then, at the end, quietly, the choir sings 'miserere nobis' (save us), creating maybe the purest, most emotional moment in music history I ever heard. It simply is breath-taking.

A triumph and yet a pity.......1999-07-29

On this disc, the Chicago Symphony and Opera Choruses explore three powerful sacred works by this remarkably tranquil composer whilst the Lira Chamber Chorus looks at secular works in his native language. As far as the singing and direction goes, this is a brilliant performance- attuned to the passion and the detail in the music. Although these works are not without their problems- "Miserere" is half an hour long, and "Amen" and "Euntes ibant" both feature harmonies that are (to say the least) harrowing on the ear and on the mind- they are a fine selection indeed. However, if I were Gorecki I would be ready to throttle the producers: the recording is cluttered with background noise such as a door slamming, a heavy vehicle passing (to say nothing about the constant 'dripping' sound that comes through the music particularly early on). Were it not for this, this disc would have my highest recommendation. Nonetheless, I will say that for those who can 'digest' it, this is pure and austere music that is simply written and sensitively performed. In particular, I find "Wislo Moja, Wislo Szara" to be wonderfully haunting and very reflective of the troubled country from which it originates.

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1. Mani Giunte [CD-single] [Import]
2. Metrô Linha 743 [Import]
3. Mi Volki [Import]
4. Millennium [Import]
5. MTV Ao Vivo [Live] [Import]
6. MTV Ao Vivo [Live] [Import]
7. Musica Magica Grandes Flautista [Import]
8. New Paradise [CD-single] [Import]
9. O Melhor De Peninha: Grandes Sucessos [Import]
10. O Melhor De Rap [Import]

Pop Music