Wishes (Holiday Album)

Amazon.com
Kenny G's 1999 Faith album was an unexpected triumph of content and creativity. The album was largely driven by the long "Millennium Mix" buried at the end of the CD--an inspired soundbyte tour of the last century's historical triumphs and tragedies, with the alto sax man playing "Auld Lang Syne" underneath, it's emotionally moving and timely. The Kenny G of Wishes lacks the vision he displayed with Faith. Among the 10 tracks, two secular medleys ("Frosty the Snowman"/"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Deck the Halls"/"The Twelve Days of Christmas") are matched by the sacred medley of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful," all marred by predictable arrangements. Finally, KG awkwardly revives "Millennium Mix" as "Auld Lang Syne (The Freedom Mix)"by simply adding some 2000 election, 9/11, and New Year celebration bits. --Martin Keller

Wishes (Holiday Album),Kenny G.,Kenny G,Arista,Adult Contemporary,Christmas / Chanukkah,Crossover Jazz,Holiday,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Popular Music,Smooth Jazz,Xmas Vocal

Average customer rating: Music well done SUPER!!! The Rescuers remains neglected! I didn't like the new renditions

Wishes! ~ Walt Disney Presents Barbra Streisand , Sting , Olivia Newton-John , Elton John , Kenny Loggins , Bette Midler , and Phil Collins Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Children's Music | Styles | Music Disney | Children's Music | Styles | Music Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music Disney Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Guilty Pleasures Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth Julie Andrews Selects Her Favorite Disney Songs The Disney Songbook ASIN: B00092ZLLC Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

1. A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) - Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
2. Someday My Prince Will Come - Barbra Streisand
3. Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John
4. Your Heart Will Lead You Home - Kenny Loggins
5. You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins
6. When You Wish Upon A Star - Jesse McCartney
7. A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes - Linda Ronstadt
8. The Bare Necessities - Tony Bennett
9. Baby Mine - Bette Midler
10. You've Got a Friend in Me - Randy Newman
11. If You Can Dream - Disney Princesses
12. My Funny Friend and Me - Sting
13. Part of Your World - Olivia Newton John
14. Make a Wish - Kevin Sharp
15. Wishes - Peabo Bryson and Kimberley Locke

Album Description

A musical partnership between Disney and the Make-A-Wish Foundation launched with the first official wish, which included a trip to Disneyland for 7-year-old Bobsy. This year we will celebrate the 50,000th Disney theme park visit for a Make-A-Wish child. In celebration of this landmark wish, Disney and Make-A-Wish have joined forces to create a compilation record themed around music of hope, friendship and dreams coming true. Each song is a timeless classic, which will instantly evoke the message of love and hope. Wishes! showcases leading artists, from Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Tony Bennett and many more, singing specially-selected Disney songs about the power of making wishes come true. Great artists, great songs and a great cause, brought together on one CD.

Customer Reviews:

Music.......2007-04-12

This is a wonderful Cd of music with talented singers. It is going to a wonderful organization for children fighting disease. A "must get" for any music lover of childrens movie titled songs.

well done.......2007-01-10

This is one of the better Disney albums....The Tony Bennett "Bare Necessities" and the Streisand "Someday My Prince Will Come" make it worth it, but the Kenny Loggins "Your Heart Will Lead You Home" is wonderful too.

SUPER!!!.......2006-07-06

Wishes was not only what I was looking for but even better, Great for a disney song collectot.

The Rescuers remains neglected!.......2006-01-20

One of the most fit songs to appear in this CD comes from Disney's 1977 feature, The Rescuers, and that was Someone's Waiting for You, which's original recording was beautifully performed by Shelby Flint, but why isn't in here? Once again, I wonder why the film's been neglected from appearing in any music CD ever.

I didn't like the new renditions.......2005-12-20

Others may prefer that this isn't just a 'greatest hits' album from Disney and has new folks singing the old songs, but to my ear they just didn't have the charm of the originals and not what I want to listen to.

Average customer rating: A soundtrack as wonderful as the movie! Why is this soundtrack so hard to find? The Legend of Bagger Vance This soundtrack was worthy of an oscar. This is my favorite CD

The Legend of Bagger Vance: Music from the Motion Picture (2000 Film) Manufacturer: Chapter III Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Cider House Rules: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture The Legend of Bagger Vance Only You: Music From The Motion Picture Emma: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture End Your Carpal Tunnel Pain Without Surgery: A Daily 15-Minute Program to Prevent & Treat Repetitive Strain Injury of the Arm, Wrist, and Hand ASIN: B0000508VR Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. My Best Wishes - Fats Waller
2. The Legend Of Bagger Vance
3. Savannah Needs A Hero
4. Bagger Offers To Caddy For Junuh
5. Bagger & Hardy Measure The Course At Night
6. The Day Of The Match Dawns
7. Birdie
8. Junuh Sees The Field
9. Hole In One
10. Junuh Comes Out Of The Woods
11. Bagger Leaves
12. Old Hardy Joins Bagger By The Sea
13. Bluin' The Blues - Muggsy Spanier
14. Mood Indigo - Duke Ellington

Amazon.com

Robert Redford's fable of a cynical, young, white war veteran (Matt Damon) learning the perfect golf swing--and the meanings of life--from a mysterious black caddy (Will Smith) is typically rich in subtexts, from racial discrimination to armchair existential philosophy. As she did for the period dramaThe Cider House Rules, English composer Rachel Portman imbues Vance with an American sense of time and place. Bookended by the bluesy jazz of Fats Waller, Mugsy Spanier, and Duke Ellington, Portman's elegant orchestral score is rich in powerful brass and string-driven melody and emotional nuances. Portman once again displays a strong affinity for the plaintive resolve and emotionally longing colors of Aaron Copland's most familiar works, and there are moments here that subtly evoke passages of that composer's Lincoln Portrait. It's a fine irony of modern film that one of Copland's spiritual heirs and most effective practitioners of his essentially male American musical ethos is a soft-spoken Englishwoman. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A soundtrack as wonderful as the movie!.......2005-08-17

When I first saw the picture, the music was one of the two bigger impacts it had on me (cinematography being the other). I had one of those experiences where as soon as the credits were finished I was already planning on purchasing the soundtrack. Problem is the average CD store did not hold it. Lucky for all of us there is Amazon.com!
The music composed by Rachel Portman is nothing short of wonderful! Very American in its orchestration and has often reminded me of the score to JFK (John Williams) & The Natural (Randy Newman/ironically another Redford film). From the scenes where Damon's on the golf course and the camera performs its classic Hitchcock maneuver, to the humorous driving sound as Theron's character takes on the city councilmen, this score proves to be one that must be cherished by all movie music goers.
This is a soundtrack that can inspire people with imagination and heighten the experience of outdoor activities. I myself have played this score while hiking back home and it has performed beautifully. When I play this in my free time it has allowed me to drift away from troubles and distress.
As for the tracks that aren't Portman's composition, they are equally enjoyable. The sound of Muggsy Spanier, Ellington, & Fats Waller are just pure boogie, woogie, oogie know what I mean? Makes you wanna swing.
It's a good soundtrack, one that I am lucky to have in my horde. If you can get it, I highly recommend it.

Why is this soundtrack so hard to find?.......2004-02-18

It goes without saying that a good score can either brilliantly enhance or possibly downright destroy a movie. With the film "The Legend of Bagger Vance" you have a beautiful story accented by beautiful scenery and beautiful period sets and costumes. Anything less than a beautiful score could lessen the appeal and, ultimately, the certain quality that could make this good movie great. Rachel Portman has developed a reputation for making okay movies unforgettable. Any less of a score could have ruined "The Cider House Rules" or even more so "Chocolat". Ms. Portman's score is a perfect example of how image and sound should come together to create something beautiful. In addition to the evocative and nostalgic opening fanfare-like theme, Ms. Portman welds together at least three other prominent themes, as well as a virtual abundance of recurring motifs. But, unlike her recent score CD for "The Human Stain", this album contains a much more varied mix of music that, most times, leaves the listener simply wanting more, but at the same time feeling totally satisfied. Unfortunately, if this review has successfully whet your appetite for this album, all you have to do now is find a copy for a reasonable amount of money. This soundtrack is highly reccommended, but good luck finding it.

The Legend of Bagger Vance.......2003-02-20

Great soundtrack, very relaxing and emotional. Very pleased with the cd music, but disappointed in what I had to pay for it. Also, the seller represented it as NEW and it was not. It had been resealed!

This soundtrack was worthy of an oscar........2002-11-07

When I saw this film I remember thinking, "what an extraordinary soundtrack" and I immediately went out and got the cd. And now a few years later it almost always is in my cd player. I love, love, love soundtracks and this is a homerun to me. I don't remember what the competititon was for the oscars that year but I wish it would have won. I don't even remember if it got a nomination. If you like Randy Newman's work, Aaron Copeland and maybe Hans Zimmer, you will like this cd. She did a really wonderful job. I wish I knew more about the composer.

This is my favorite CD.......2001-11-04

I purchased this CD to find a music selection for my daughter's skating routine. I had previously purchased "Cider House Rules" soundtrack and thoroughly enjoyed it, so we purchased this after listening to the samples on Amazon.com. This soundtrack has to be the best one I have heard! I watched the movie after I had listened to the CD, and I must say that Rachel Portman's music brings the movie to a whole new emotional level. I, too, wonder why this was not nominated for an Oscar. Rachel Portman has that special gift to communicate through her music. I look forward to purchasing more of her works.

Average customer rating: MY FAVORITE - but the title is "Dreams are nuthin' more than wishes..." (spelling on the original album) Light, Airy & Curiously Refreshing Cassidy's Masterpiece just great HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THIS ONE

Dreams Are Nothin' More Than Wishes David Cassidy Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Teen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Bubblegum | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Greatest Hits Live Rock Me Baby Daydreamer Touch of Blue Cherish ASIN: B0006SLD2A Release Date: 2005-02-07

Tracks:

1. Daydream
2. Sing Me
3. Bali Ha'i
4. Mae
5. Fever
6. Summer Days
7. Puppy Song
8. Daydreamer
9. Some Old Woman
10. Can't Go Home Again
11. Preyin' on My Mind
12. Hold on Me

Album Details

24 Bit Remastered Japan Only First-ever CD Reissue of his 1973 Album.

Customer Reviews:

MY FAVORITE - but the title is "Dreams are nuthin' more than wishes..." (spelling on the original album).......2006-09-20

This has always been my favorite Cassidy album! I made my own CD from the vinyl album years ago... I can't wait to hear it without that vinyl noise...

This is one of those albums I can listen to over and over again. It definitely shows the most vocal talent of his albums. My favorite song is - I can't pick!!! I LOVE IT ALL!

Light, Airy & Curiously Refreshing.......2006-09-10

A few weeks ago I was watching TV with friends, and a soda ad came on. One of them commented, "What a happy commercial!" Being a renowned smarty-pants I informed her, "Why that's David Cassidy, when he went by the alias the Partridge Family" To which she replied, "But David Cassidy is sooo white, and that guy is not." Since know-it-all people are never wrong, I proved my point by finding a clip on this web site. That inevitably led me to purchase a few albums, including this one. As you can tell by the 5 star rating, I recommend you buy this album. My words will justifiably elicit the response, "Why the hell should I believe you?" I have no defense, other than to say that this album is good enough to make me write a review, and after all, I am a know-it-all. Since there are no clips for you to hear this music you are left to rely on your own instincts in the matter. With a $40 price point you'd have to either be a risk taker or compulsive shopper to simply buy this album without sampling a few tracks. I'll leave it for you to decide which category I fall in.

Either way, I feel like I'm coming out of the musical closet by recommending this album. There is a stigma associated with the music of teen idols and rightfully so, since most can not sing.(What a surprise.) David Cassidy is the exception. This is not so much of a surprise, since soda ads are never wrong. This album is a good place for you to discover the voice behind the former teen idol. I am by no means a musical expert, but I own a few albums that have what I call a "summer breeze" effect. These albums are light, airy and curiously refreshing at the same time.(no mints included) "Dreams are Nuthin' More Than Wishes" is one of those "summer breeze" albums. The music of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole has this same affect on me.

Listening to this album and selected songs on his others Partridge era albums, I notice Cassidy can sing different styles of music and not sound the same. Apparently he can sound un-white, which is code for - he has a soulful voice. The songs in this album are suited to that voice. Sometimes performances can be ruined by bad arrangements, intrusive background singers and lousy sound quality. On one of his other Partridge albums, I found a song that made him sound like he was channeling Cher. However, this album, much like Mary Poppins, is "practically perfect in every way". The only exception is the song "Fever", which I loathe no matter who sings it. My apologizes to fan dancers and strippers everywhere.

With the recently onslaught of performers covering "classic jazz" music, I wish David Cassidy would take on the music of that era. He would do a great job on the songs of Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Tony Bennett or the music of writer Cole Porter. Please keep the arrangements simple, and lose the Vegas style scoobie-doobie effect. Only Sinatra could pull that off. It's always better to sound like an original anyway. How can I state all of the above with such conviction? Smarty-pants people are never wrong - or at least we never admit it.

Cassidy's Masterpiece.......2006-07-06

Having been a David Cassidy fan practically from Day 1, this album in my opinion is his crown jewel. Never was so much heart and soul put into one of his albums as this one. This is the CD, I have been waiting for since the dawn of CD's began. Every track is sheer joy, every lyric touching, and his voice never sounded better. I've always been proud to be his fan, but never more so, than when this album first hit the record stores. David was always conveniently dismissed as a serious singer because of his pop status and association with The Partridge Family, but this album, even today, 33 years after it's initial release, should prove to even the most skeptical, that he was indeed a truly talented singer. Thank God someone had the good sense to finally believe enough in this album to release it on CD. Kudos to you and David!!!!!

just great.......2005-10-04

actually, if i'm being honest, i don't remember this whole album, i was born in '72. but my sister had it, and i used to play it, i guess that would have been approaching the 80's by that time. i never knew the partridge family, and i never knew david cassidy before this, but parts of this album i adored, the tracks i remembered are... preyin' on my mind, the puppy song, daydreamer, some old woman, hold on me & can't go home again, the last of which being a personal favourite. i, like many others, travelled 100's of miles and set up home far away from my place of birth & growth, and that song just mesmerises me in thought, the words ring so true, you just can't go home again, coz it is no longer home. well done DC, 20 odd years on, and these songs still mean so much and are still amongst my most listened to. a classic, a true classic.

HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THIS ONE.......2005-09-24

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FAN OF DAVID CASSIDY. WHAT A BUM RAP THIS GUY GOT FROM PLAYING KEITH PARTIDGE. THIS GUY HAS LOADS OF TALENT AND MOST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IT. I BOUGHT HIS "CHERISH, AND "ROCK ME BABY" ALBUMS WAY BACK WHEN (IN THE EARLY 1970'S). I REALLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOOD ALBUMS. A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE PARTRIDGE TUNES. HOWEVER, AS I GOT A LITTLE OLDER, I RETIRED MY PARTRIDGE FAMILY, AND MY DAVID CASSIDY ALBUMS. SIMPLY BECAUSE MY MUSIC INTEREST WAS CHANGING. AT 16 AND BEING A MALE IT JUST WASN'T COOL TO LIKE DC AND THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY.
AS I GOT OLDER I DECIDED TO GIVE THE MUSIC ANOTHER LISTEN AS THEY WERE RERELEASING PARTRIDGE TUNES ON CD. AND FRANKLY AS YOU GET OLDER YOU REALLY DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOUR MUSICAL INTEREST. PLUS I HAD NEVER FORGOTTEN DAVID CASSIDY AND HOW MUCH I REALLY ENJOYED LISTENING TO HIS RECORDINGS, AND BEING A HUGE MUSIC COLLECTOR I HAD TO ADD THEM TO MY COLLECTION. AFTER SOME CAREFUL LISTENING I HAVE TO ADMIT THIS IS DAMN GOOD MUSIC, AND I REALLY MISSED IT! HOW DAVID COULD HAVE HATED THIS MUSIC IS BEYOND ME. ALTHOUGH, I HAVE NOTICED HE HAS RERECORDED A BUNCH OF THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY TUNES ON HIS MOST RECENT CD'S. SO, I GUESS MAYBE HE DIDN'T HATE THE TUNES AS MUCH AS HE THOUGHT HE DID. AND WHY SHOULD HE HAVE? THIS IS SOME OF DAVID'S BEST WORK. I NEVER KNEW THAT THIS ALBUM EVEN EXISTED "DREAMS ARE NOTHIN MORE THAN WISHES" FROM THE 1970'S. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DAVID'S THIRD SOLO ALBUM. AND I THINK I LOST INTEREST BEFORE IT'S RELEASE. I WAS SCANNING THE INTERNET WHEN I FOUND THIS TITLE AND WAS NOT SURE IF I SHOULD GIVE IT A TRY. HOWEVER, I DECIDED TO CLOSE MY EYES AND CLICK ON THE ORDER BUTTON JUST TO FORCE MYSELF TO GIVE IT A LISTEN. THANK GOD I DID!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS ALBUM. IT IS ONE OF DAVID'S BEST! OLD AND NEW CAN'T COMPARE. HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THIS ONE. IF YOU ARE A DAVID CASSIDY FAN AND YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS ALBUM/CD DO YOURSELF A FAVOR DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS LITTLE GEM IT IS TRULY ONE OF DAVID'S BEST

Average customer rating: Wishes

Wishes [Audio CD] A Magical Gathering Of Disney Dreams Walt Disney World Manufacturer: Buena Vista Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Children's Music | Styles | Music Similar Items: Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth Wishes! ~ Walt Disney Presents Walt Disney World Resort in Florida Disney's Greatest, Vol. 2 Disney's Greatest 3 ASIN: B000MTV5DA

Product Description

"Wishes", Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom Fireworks Display opened on October 9, 2005 and has been thrilling guests nightly ever since. Bursting with color, sound and emotion, "Wishes" is the biggest fireworks spectacular ever presented at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. This CD is dedicated to "Wishes", and continues to bring joy and happiness to thousands on a daily basis.

Customer Reviews:

Wishes.......2007-04-05

Plain and simple - this CD is the soundtrack to the "Wishes" fireworks show at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. I bought it for the memories, and because we like the arrangment. You should know what this is before you buy it.

Average customer rating: If Any Album Is "Essential" This Is On The List Keeping my kid happy in the car. Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas If THIS doesn't jingle your bells, nothing will !!! Ella Swings Through Christams And Takes You Along For The Ride

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas [Remastered] Ella Fitzgerald Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: The Spirit of Christmas Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection The Christmas Song Christmas with the Rat Pack White Christmas ASIN: B00006WL1Q Release Date: 2002-10-29

Tracks:

1. Jingle Bells
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
5. Sleigh Ride
6. The Christmas Song
7. Good Morning Blues
8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
11. Frosty The Snowman
12. White Christmas
13. The Secret Of Christmas
14. Medley: We Three Kings Of Orient Are/O Little Town Of Bethlehem
15. Christmas Island
16. The Christmas Song
17. White Christmas (Alternative Take)
18. Frosty The Snowman (Alternative Take)

Amazon.com

It'd be hard to imagine a happier wish than the one this jazz vocal legend offers her listeners on this urbane-yet-homey collection of holiday favorites. The First Lady of Song recorded these tunes in 1960, at the peak of her interpretive powers. As such, she puts her singular stamp on everything from a sultry vamp like "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" to the sweet and cozy "The Christmas Song." Even potentially shopworn standards like "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" sound fresher when they're coming from Ella Fitzgerald. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews:

If Any Album Is "Essential" This Is On The List.......2007-07-15

There isn't much I can add to the other reviews except to say that all of the superlatives mentioned there are true. The only thing I can't figure out is why that one reviewer went only to 4 stars, although upon reading it it seems as though it might have been misplaced as it appears to describe her 1967 Capitol album entitled Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas in which the entire contents are traditional carols, accompanied by Ralph Carmichael's orchestra and chorus..

I recall having the original vinyl LP of this Verve release way back when, all of the contents of which are reproduced here along with several other "alternate take" cuts. The sound quality is excellent and with it you get an insert with two pages of background liner notes written in 2002 by noted music author Will Friedwald and one page giving "a brief history of the Verve Music Group." There is another nice photo of Ella as well as one of Frank DeVol, whose orchestra accompanies her on all but one track (The Secret Of Christmas which clearly has minimal accompaniement). Another page proves the Master Number and Take for each selection.

If, when the season rolls around, you like throwing on Christmas CDs either at home or in the car, this HAS to be one of those you reach for most often. Truly a gem.

Keeping my kid happy in the car........2007-01-17

I love this cd.... My 2 1/2 year old can't get enough of Ella and her christmas carols. Not a big fan of the slow songs so this was perfect. My daughter is still singing them and christmas is over.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas .......2007-01-16

This CD is a must have if you are an Ella fan. I am a big fan of Christmas music and own approximately 20 holiday CD's from various artists. I usually rotate listening to the CD's throughout the holiday season. I purchased this one to add to my collection. This CD was the only one that I listened to this year. I absolutely could not stop listening to it!

If THIS doesn't jingle your bells, nothing will !!!.......2006-12-06

Ella Fitzgerald puts her own stamp on classic Christmas songs on this CD. The songs have a distinctly jazzy feel to them and Ella's voice is strong, vibrant and full of energy as she swings through each song. When the CD ends you want more because every note from Ella is flawless. The musical arrangements are also nicely done.

The CD starts with a jazzy version of "Jingle Bells." "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is performed by Ella in a happier style than the way this song is usually performed; and Ella's touching and poignant rendition of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is sure to move even the hardest of hearts. Awesome!

Other joyful songs on this CD include "Sleigh Ride;" "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!;" and "Frosty The Snowman." Ella is ably assisted by a choir on several tracks including "Frosty The Snowman;" "Christmas Island" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."

The LP version of this CD ends with the timeless and melancholy "White Christmas." However, Ella performs this song in a manner that is so singularly beautiful that you just can't help but feel optimistic instead of blue. Bravo, Ella!

The CD version of this album offers much more. "The Secret Of Christmas" is a reflective ballad about celebrating friendships; Ella sings this one song with Russ Garcia and his band. "Christmas Island" is a swinging song about celebrating the holiday on a tropical island in the Caribbean or the Pacific. The backup choir again enhances this song and they back up Ella very smoothly.

There are even three alternate takes of songs on this CD that are released here for the first time. We get unused takes of "The Christmas Song;" "White Christmas" and "Frosty The Snowman." This is a great bonus.

The liner notes include an extensive essay by Will Friedwald; the original artwork for the back cover of the record album jacket; song credits and another short essay about the history of the Verve Music Group.

I highly recommend this CD for Ella's fans as well as anyone who enjoys Christmas music. There is an undeniably jazzy flavor to this album that sets it apart from the rest; jazz enthusiasts will have a blast listening to this CD at holiday time. Frank DeVol does a great job with his orchestra and this also adds a big band flavor to these recordings. You can't go wrong with this timeless CD by Ella Fitzgerald; the Christmas songs are all classics performed with great sensitivity and even the lesser known ballads are exquisite. Get this CD, turn up the volume and enjoy!

Ella Swings Through Christams And Takes You Along For The Ride.......2005-10-05

Ella is once again in great form for this set of Holiday tunes. Norman Granz, her long-time manager definitely knew what he was doing pairing Ella's outstanding vocals with great orchestrations of some very well known Christmas songs. The result was a hit from the get-go!

Even though the recordings that this CD was compiled from are over 25 years old, they stand the test of time and sound as rich and vibrant as they did when they were originally recorded. The remastering of the of the collection to 24 bit digital format was well worth the effort.

With that said, it was inevitable that Ella would get her hands on the material and make some of these songs her own. Most notably is, what Are You Doing New Years Eve, for which her version is the one most played by radio stations during the holidays year after year.

Ella's rendition of Jingle Bells is superb and injects new life into the song. I love the fast pace and the swinging overdrive towards the end of the song.
Ella also turns in some great versions of The Christmas Song, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty The Snowman.

An additional pleasure on this CD are the alternate takes included of The Christmas Song, White Christmas and Frosty The Snowman. Ellas has fun with these takes and it shows.

All in all , when it comes to getting a textbook interpretation of how a song writer intended a song to be sung, no one comes close to Ella. She is the benchmark from which others model themselves and does not disappoint on this CD.

I cannot imagine the holidays without having this CD in my CD player since I bought the CD.

Average customer rating:

7 Wishes Night Ranger Manufacturer: Sanctuary ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Midnight Madness Dawn Patrol Big Life Man in Motion Seven ASIN: B000GIW8WE Release Date: 2006-10-02

Tracks:

1. Seven Wishes
2. Faces
3. Four in the Morning
4. I Need a Woman
5. Sentimental Street
6. This Boy Needs to Rock
7. I Will Follow You
8. Interstate Love Affair
9. Night Machine
10. Goodbye

Album Description

2006 digitally remastered reissue of this Top Ten album, originally released in 1988. 10 tracks including 'Sentimental Street', 'Four In The Morning', 'Goodbye' and 'The Boy Needs To Rock'. Standard jewel box within a slipcase featuring new liner notes. BGO.

Album Details

2006 Issued Digitally Remastered Edition of the Top 10 USA Hit Album Originally Released in 1988 that features the Hits "Sentimental Street", "Four in the Morning" and "Goodbye".

Average customer rating: The Skinny on Horsedrawn Wishes Total genius smoke damage Sonic Masterpeice! ! ! ! Crash Bang Pow

Horsedrawn Wishes Rollerskate Skinny Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Shoulder Voices Dead City Sunbeams Chokin' on the Jokes Bait & Switch Dope Box ASIN: B000002MZJ Release Date: 1996-02-27

Tracks:

1. Swingboat Yawning
2. Cradle Burns
3. One Thousand Couples
4. Swab The Temples
5. Speed To My Side
6. All Morning Break
7. Man Under Glass
8. Shimmer Son Like A Star
9. Angela Starling
10. Ribbon Fat
11. Thirsty European
12. Bell Jars Away

Amazon.com

One for that rainy-day, difficult-but-rewarding pile. This Dublin trio whips up dense stormclouds of guitar and electronic "orchestration" which singer Ken Griffin seeds with evocative streams of lyric fragments. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

The Skinny on Horsedrawn Wishes.......2007-07-01

Horsedrawn Wishes...What can I say, this is a mini-masterpiece of neo-psychadelia, shoegazer and dream pop.
Too bad not a whole lot of people has heard of this, at least nobody I know has. I need to get the word out and make a few burns.
After listening to it a few times it really is a shiny gem!
I just recently discovered this band, that is Rollerskate Skinny, and I got to tell you it is one of the best albums I have heard all year.
Sadly though, Rollerskate Skinny only released two albums.
'Shoulder Voices' came out in 1994 and 2 years later (96) 'Horsedrawn Wishes' was released. I still need to purchase the former.
Filled with complex lyrics, and layered shoegazin' glory- the whole album really sets it's listener up on a Musical journey!
On the song "All Morning Break" - Ken Griffin sings in a more lazy-rainy day type of voice, more relaxed and distant. Then, the next track is back to a more upbeat heavy blast of pop bliss on "Man Under Glass" singing: "Your Mind is Racing like Cars..."

Although you may have never heard of this Irish band, 'Horsedrawn Wishes' was a resounding success.
Vivid and imaginative. Get ready to dream away the day. Take a ride with Rollerskate Skinny. So far, I have taken many and it's a glorious trip everytime. 4 1/2 stars.

Total genius.......2006-04-04

That's how i'd describe this album, plain and simple. How this album is always overlooked (it was only voted 14th in the greatest Irish albums of all time in 2005) simply astounds me. Huge walls of layered guitar, fantastic drumming, effects, samples...brilliant. If every band in the world sounded like Rollerskate Skinny, the world would be a better place.

Also buy Dead City Sunbeams by Kid Silver (Ken Griffen) and Kindness by The Radio (Stevie M).

I think Ken's in a band now in New York called "Favourite Sons". And i'd say they're brilliant too.

smoke damage.......2005-05-24

Horsedrawn Wishes is one of my favorite albums of all time. That said, when I first listened to it, I hated it. I kind of heard it as a mix of other pop and progressive excesses that I distrusted.

Gradually I understood Horsedrawn Wishes as a collection of impressions. This music is the closest you will come to a voice inside your head, recycling all kinds of found motifs, riffs, harmonies, sounds and swirling chaos into something that's referential without being clever, except in the way that the subconscious is clever - punning stupidly but with hidden import and intimacy. There is so much tension and so little resolution on this record. Everything just keeps winding up. When the resolution comes, it crashes down on you like crying your eyes out.

The only problem with this record is that the production is a little bit muddy. In a perfect world, this record would get remastered and rereleased. In this world, you can still find it in cutouts for a few dollars. That's a pretty good situation for the poor music fan, not so good for Ken Griffen, whose marvelous Kid Silver suffered a similar fate.

Sonic Masterpeice! ! ! ! .......2005-03-17

One of the most overlooked albums of the 90s ,I remember wanting to buy it the date of release and found it in the bargain bin a week later (how Fu*ked is that ?) Its a classic that will one day be fully realised ,this is the next SGT Peppers ! , Rollerskate Skinny were too ahead of their time . Do your ears a favor and listen to this sonic masterpiece at full volume .

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(the above reviews are all incorrect )
Jimi Shields left in 1993 [he is now in Lotus Crown] and nowhere on this album [thank god]
Ken Griffin is [Kid Silver]
Steve .M & Ger Griffin (no relation to Ken) are in [Walker]
Steve M. is now in [The Radio]

Crash Bang Pow.......2004-01-06

'Horsedrawn Wishes' is a cocophonous mish-mash of sounds, and just like his brother in My Bloody Valentine, Jimi Shields is pushing the limits of rock experimentalism. On the surface is an unconventionally produced 'shoegaze meets Krautrock' combination. Powerful, tense and surreal. The albums strength is in combining opposites: crashing waves of guitars and clanking industrial noises to dreamy vocals, trilling synths, and soothing instrumentals. Overall the sound is as tight as a wound-up ball of musical rubberbands, yet underneath it all, lies some brilliant arranging/mixing. Bittersweet elements that somehow found it's way to harmoniously co-exist with each other. A carnival cavalcade of sounds, and just like any carnival, it's about admiring the lights in the haze, discovering the beauty amidst the chaos.

Average customer rating: A Wish Come True... Great Music Wonderful voice wish there was more Fabulous!

Wishes Lari White Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Don't Fence Me In Lead Me Not Stepping Stone The Best of Lari White Just Between You and Me ASIN: B000002WPY Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

1. That's My Baby
2. Somebody's Fool
3. Wishes
4. Now I Know
5. If I'm Not Already Crazy
6. That's How You Know (When You're In Love)
7. When It Rains
8. Go On
9. It's Love
10. If You Only Knew

Customer Reviews:

A Wish Come True..........2002-08-30

I Picked Up This Cd After Hearing The Title Track Featured In The Movie "Big Eden"!! That Song Was Worth Every Penny I Paid For This Cd, The Rest Of The Cd Is Just As Magical!! I Also Checked Out Lari New Cd "Green Eyed Soul". This Cd Is A Big Change, But OH SOOO AWESOME! If You Have Ever Heard Lisa Stansfield You Will Love Lari's New Sound! No Matter What She Sings- SHE SINGS!

Great Music.......2002-05-24

White wrote or co-wrote many of the songs. She has a beautiful, clear, full voice. Some of the songs were big country hits in the mid-1990's: That's My Baby & Now I Know. These songs are excellent songs, but my fave is Wishes. Lari is also a natual actress as anyone who has seen Cast Away knows. She played the artist at the beginning and end of the in the film. Lari's newest CD is available only from lariwhite.com...it's called Green Eyed Soul and it's excellent too!

Wonderful voice.......2001-10-11

The lady's quite a singer. I snapped up this CD soon after hearing the lovely title song, which is featured prominently in the great movie 'Big Eden.' White's pure, clear voice reminds me of Dolly Parton. The album contains terrific ballads as well as catchy, foot-tapping tunes. By the way, remember the sculptress whom Tom Hanks meets on a country road at the end of 'Cast Away'? This is her.

wish there was more.......2000-05-02

This lady can sing the blues with the best of them.her ballads are sultry and soulful.She is far more than your ordinary country star. She is much under-appreciated. Wish she had more music available. Don't miss the duet with Travis on his geatest hits album. A winner!

Fabulous!.......1998-08-09

This is one of my favorites. Every song is enjoyable and several will really get you hooked listening to Lari's music.

Average customer rating: Island music musianship at the highest level A review of Spyro Gyra's Three Wishes. Real Smooth-Maybe Their Best FAR BEYOND THE TYPICAL SPYRO GYRATION!!!!

Three Wishes Spyro Gyra Manufacturer: Grp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Dreams Beyond Control 20/20 Heart of the Night Fast Forward Love & Other Obsessions ASIN: B0000001S5 Release Date: 1992-05-12

Tracks:

1. Pipo's Song
2. Introduction To Breathless
3. Breathless
4. Introduction To Real Time
5. Real Time
6. Jennifer's Lullaby
7. Whitewater
8. Inside Your Love
9. Nothing To Lose
10. Three Wishes
11. Gliding
12. Cabana Carioca
13. Rollercoaster
14. Three Wishes Reprise

Customer Reviews:

Island music.......2007-04-19

Quite possibly one of their best recordings, "Three Wishes" features the signature sound of Spyro Gyra that is polished, robust, laid-back smooth jazz. From the early nineties, this disc has Dave Samuels contributing effectively on vibes and marimbas to give their music that island feel. The music on this disc , in retrospect is like something you might here for an ad on visting some exotic tropical island. Spyro Gyra was always able to balance smooth jazz and jazz in a tasteful manner, incorporating both elements while infusing funk. The SG classic song "Breathless" is featured here with it's acoustic piano opening followed by Beckenstein's horn , funky bass and the alluring vibes of Samuels. Another standout song is the title track "Three Wishes " that features some very inspirational vibe work by Samuels that echoes Cal Tjader. All in all this is a good disc for some early Spyro Gyra. Very cool stuff after all these years. What is amazing is that they are stil making music and according to some reviews at the top of their game. Recommended for smooth jazz lovers or when you are, planning, dreaming or visiting some exotic beach.

musianship at the highest level.......2006-10-28

You cannot go wrong with this album, this is for the serious listener, its an album to enjoy and live it though. It had to be from the GRP label. Not very easy to find, so get it while its available.

A wonderful surprise about this album, try it with your teen son7daughter, my boy just loves it, and this comes as a surprise to me

A review of Spyro Gyra's Three Wishes........2003-05-31

Three wishes is not a very good Spyro Gyra album. It was released in 1992. Back then, there music was good, but I don't know what happened on this cd. Most of the tracks sound repetitive, and it places wat too much emphasis on the piano. Plus some of the songs can actually put you to sleep. A few tracks are very slow and sound very similar to each other. Other songs are ridiculously short in time duration. This isn't typical Spyro Gyra. The jazz is too 'smooth'. There are some exceptions on this record, however.

My top 3 favorite songs from this cd would be tracks 7,9, and 11. Whitewater is a good upbeat song with a good tempo and playing by the musicians. Nothing To Lose is the best song on this whole album. It has a great title and solos in it. Most notably, the guitat part. Gliding has a powerful melody and is a nice addition to this cd, with a terrific keyboard part. There are also a couple of other good songs on it.

Three Wishes would have to be my least favorite Spyro Gyra album that I have listened to so far. I am experienced in Spyro Gyra, as well. You should only obtain a copy of this cd if you are a die hard Spyro Gyra fan, like me. If not, look for something better. Thank you for taking the time and generosity to read my review.

Real Smooth-Maybe Their Best.......2002-09-27

This Spyro Gyra CD features the band at peak performance. Each band member makes his presence felt as guitars, marimbas, bass, drums, keys, and brass are all on equal ground here. And oh what lovely tones.

Some fast and some slow but all are good. Pipo's Song, Jennifer's Lullaby, and Breathless are just some of the many highlights. Grooves galore and spunky melodies by the score. This one will make my wish list and you should add it too.

FAR BEYOND THE TYPICAL SPYRO GYRATION!!!!.......2000-08-16

This album is a phenomenal piece of articulate jazz and latin blends. I own most of this band's music, but this one blew me away. The songs on this record vary in attitude and feel. The rhythm is tighter and more fluid than ever, and seems as if the band really put their heads and hearts together!!!! I could best describe this album as slightly moody and dark with hints of bright upbeat chordal drifts.....VERY UNLIKE THEIR CURRENT SMOOTH AND BLAND "OUT OF A CAN" VERSION OF JAZZ!! I still love these guys and they are multi-talented, but I SURELY WISH THEY WOULD "FIND THE MAGIC" OF THIS SWEET RELEASE.

AND BY THE WAY.....WHY IS IT EVERY NEW JAZZ SONG, TODAY, SOUNDS THE SAME---HAVE THE CORPORATE RECORD "BIZ" PIGS FOUND A NEW HOME TO MANIPULATE?? LIKE THEY DID TO COMTEMPORARY HIT MUSIC IN THE 1990'S????!!!!!

Average customer rating: If wishes were horses... Harry Braff I Wish More Than A Holy War Jon Butcher - Soundtrack to our current Gulf War

Wishes Jon Butcher Axis Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Pictures from the Front 2 (Barefoot Servants) ASIN: B00000DQUA Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Goodbye Saving Grace
2. Living for Tomorrow
3. Holy War
4. Wishes
5. Churinga [Instrumental]
6. Long Way Home
7. Show Me Some Emotion
8. Little Bit of Magic
9. Angel Dressed in Blue
10. Partners in Crime
11. Prisoners of the Silver Chain

Customer Reviews:

If wishes were horses..........2007-05-19

...then dreamers would ride.

Released in 1987, Wishes was the fourth studio album by singer/guitarist/songwriter Jon Butcher, who had previously recorded under the name Jon Butcher Axis.

It seems like such a cop-out to compare Jon Butcher to Jimi Hendrix, but at the same time I think it's the most appropriate comparison, and not just for the obvious "black rock guitarist" reason. Both guitarists are/were extremely proficient, even if their styles seem worlds apart at times, and both had very smooth voices that made for some memorable rock music. Compare Hendrix's "Little Wing" or "the Wind Cries Mary" to the title track on this album and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Musically, Wishes is very much a product of its time. It's a rock album, but there are plenty of AOR elements, including the kinds of melodies and keyboards that were so prevalent in the 1980's. It's hard to find another group comparable to Jon Butcher's sound. You hear bits of Asia and Survivor, as well as Bad Company and Thin Lizzy. Butcher plays tug of war with his audience, pulling focus from his powerful emotional vocal performance to his compelling and elegant blues-inspired guitar work and back again. To top it all off, Butcher's lyrics on this album are very powerful, emotional, personal, and relevant, something you definitely didn't see on a lot of other 80's AOR albums.

Wishes is one of the decades best (yet tragically overlooked) albums from an artist that deserved to become a household name. If you're a fan of 80's rock, or just good rock & roll in general, you owe it to yourself to check out Jon Butcher.

Harry Braff.......2007-03-15

I bought this cd after having listened to the first couple of Jon Butcher Axis albums. I was at a Record show in central Pennsylvania and came across a radio station copy of this. It seems few bought it. What a mistake. Much like the Axis cd's this is solid from beginning to end. This guy is no Jimi Hendrix copy. He's the real thing. This cd to this point is his most solid solo, and I own them all. If wishes were horses.................

I Wish.......2005-07-11

Holy War gets the attention, but Wishes has great vocals, guitar riffs and a true heart-felt feel to it. You can feel the emotion in Butcher's voice and you know that the song is inspired by something that has happened in his life. This song is on all my "make-out" tapes and CDs because of the effects his voice has on women.
I first heard this compilation on cassette and wore the tape out. I am glad to see that it has made the conversion to CD. It's a shame that this group never had the commerical success it deserves. But those of us that have had the good fortune to hear their work, will always have a place for them in our hearts.

More Than A Holy War.......2003-10-29

Jon Butcher Is Not Fighting A Holy War And You Are Invited. The First Jon Butcher Of Any Kind (Record, Tape, Or Cd) That I Ever Owned. With Great Songs, Great Writing, Great Playing, And Great Production. (Any One Who Senses A Theme Is Corect). Best Song On This Is Prisoners Of The Silver Chain. The Only War Jon butcher Is Fighting, Is For Recognition. Keep Fighting The Good Fight Jon. You Will Win This War!!!!

Jon Butcher - Soundtrack to our current Gulf War.......2003-04-04

Give a listen to this - Holy War Rocks! Must listen to at full volume

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