In keeping with the title, Love Songs captures Miles Davis at his romantic best. These cuts were culled from classic studio dates (and one concert) recorded between 1957 and 1964, and the intimate sound of Davis's trumpet unifies the nine poignant ballads chosen for this loving compilation. Whether leading one of his many quintets or performing in front of a jazz orchestra, Miles was the master of confidential moods. The 15-minute version of "My Funny Valentine" is so hushed and pensive that one almost forgets that it was recorded live at Philharmonic Hall. On "My Ship" and George Gershwin's "I Loves You, Porgy," Miles's musings are surrounded by the luxurious arrangements of Gil Evans. With tasteful accompaniment and wonderful compositions, this Miles Davis collection is straight from the heart. --Mitch Myers
Product Description
Australian Version features Two Bonus Tracks: 'time after Time' and 'human Nature'. A Must for Collectors. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Love Songs,Miles Davis,Sony,Bop,Cool,Hard Bop,Jazz,Jazz Music,Modal Music,Pop
Average customer rating:
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Facing Future
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Manufacturer: Mountain Apple Company ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000JFG3 Release Date: 1993-09-01 |
Tracks:
- Hawai'i '78 introduction
- Ka Huila Wai
- 'Ama'ama
- Panini Pua Kea
- Take Me Home Country Road
- Kuhio Bay
- Ka Pua U'i
- White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i
- Henehene Kou 'Aka
- La 'Elima
- Pili Me Ka'u Manu
- Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man
- Kaulana Kawaihae
- Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World
- Hawai'i '78
Amazon.com
To gauge the magnitude of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's popularity in his native Hawaii, consider this: following his death in 1997 (at age 38, attributed to his profound obesity), Kamakawiwo'ole's body lay in state in the state capitol, only the second person to receive such an honor. Kamakawiwo'ole's appeal lies in his love for prestatehood, precondominium Hawaii and the expressiveness of his gently passionate voice, which can float through higher registers with an ease that brings Johnny Mathis to mind. Several selections ("Ka Pua U'i," "White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i," the sun-kissed "La 'Elima") feature Kamakawiwo'ole in a traditional mood, using only his ukulele to adorn the charm of his native lyricism. Others, such as the Jimmy Buffett-like "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man" add playful contemporary touches that suit Kamakawiwo'ole's style. Most touching are the string-backed laments that open and close the album, "Hawai'i '78 Introduction" and "Hawai'i '78," initially a reflection on his father's death, later on the passing of Hawaii's native culture. Best known is his medley "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which played over the closing credits of the film Meet Joe Black. --Terry WoodAlbum Description
There's a smart balance of traditional Hawaiiana and contemporary tunes on this CD. There's heart-tugging warmth along with unexpected chuckles. The end result is a candid, honest reinforcement of his vocal breadth.Customer Reviews:
facing future.......2007-07-14
Great CD my Dad just loved it!.......2007-07-12
A Beautiful Voice...A Beautiful man.......2007-07-12
Lovely.......2007-07-04
BEAUTIFUL!!!.......2007-06-27
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Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin Manufacturer: Hickory Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000N60HD6 Release Date: 2007-03-20 |
Tracks:
- Movin On
- Wait For You
- Find a Way
- One Word
- You Are the One
- I'm the Man
- Trainwreck
- Free
- Alright
- Take My Breath Away
- A Song For You
Amazon.com
Elliott Yamin's debut is so agreeable and well-executed it may well convert hardened R&B experts--the kind who'd normally distance themselves from a disc with a TV pedigree. With sincerity and a voice that vaults itself to places no talent-show contestant should be able to go, Yamin bares his soul here in a way that would do his hero, Donny Hathaway, proud. Tracks like "Take My Breath Away" and "You Are the One" find him twisting a wrench around love-stained lyrics; "I'm the Man" and "Find A Way" flow with hat-in-hand grace (and, in the case of the latter, a scat worthy of a vintage jazz stage); and opener "Movin' On" immortalizes the season five judges'-table words of Paula Abdul: Ellliott Yamin is "one funky white boy." As he proves with this five-star album, he is also among the most gifted artists ever to a turn a stint on the show into a recording career. --Tammy La GorceCustomer Reviews:
An exceptional debut that grows on you.......2007-07-20
Indeed when I first bought the album and upon the initial listens, I couldn't help but be disappointed that such a great talent had put out a CD that in my opinion was very forgettable, granted I did like a few songs at first, such as the first single "Wait For You" and "Movin On". Thankfully I refused to give up on the album, and after making myself listen to the tracks multiple times I soon realized my initial impressions of the album were pretty off. No this is not a 5 star album or a classic in my opinion (but then again how many debut albums are?), but I now regard it as a very solid r&b/pop album. The tracks on this album really do grow on you, so I just want to stress to fans of Yamin that if they're not crazy about the album at first give it a chance before making your final judgments.
The album is definitely very R&Bish / soulful (who says white men can't have soul right?), but there are also pop influences present on the album. Almost every song is well written, especially such ones as "Find a Way", a modern R&B track about the unfairness of the world, and how love has to find a way in order to cope with it all. "Free" is another lyrical highlight about how we have the freedom to be able to make our dreams realities if we put our mind to it, although it's not one of my favorite songs melody-wise.
Some of my favorite melodies on the album are the mid tempo first single "Wait For You" which mixes R&B and pop, and the soft and soothing "You Are The One", a straight up love ballad. "Train Wreck" is a pure R&B song, and a favorite of mine, where Yamin's voice is in top form as he sings about a relationship thats heading for a "train wreck", and I love the hook of the song. On the other end, I love the upbeat rhythms of "Movin On", which boasts a hand clapping beat that accompanies lyrics about getting tired of waiting for his significant other to decide what she wants, and "movin on" with his life. "Alright" is another upbeat track, that wouldn't feel out of place in a club, the song definitely has a hip/hop vibe to it and to me sounds similar to something Usher would record. It's a great change of pace and I another favorite of mine.
Thats another good thing about the album, there really is a variety of appeal on here, "Wait For You" and "You Are the One" for example would be perfect for ac radio or even pop, whereas I could see songs like "Movin On" and "Alright" fitting in on current R&B/Hip Hop stations, the album really has a range of appeal from old to young, Adult Contemporary to R&B. Even commercially the album has potential, "Wait For You" has so far become a top 20 hit on the Billbaord Hot 100, and I don't thik its the only song on here capable of making it into that tier of the charts.
But perhaps the best thing about this album, is Yamin's voice itself. Even when I wasn't too into the songs yet, I still loved listening to Yamin's strong soulful voice, which shines on pretty much every track here, and fans of Yamin should enjoy the "A Song For You" cover, which is definitely a showcase for Yamins vocals. Even the tracks I don't really care for such as "I'm the Man" and "Take My Breath Away" are made much better by the voice thats singing them.
So overall I'm pleased with Elliott's debut, it took some time, but the album is one that I'm pleased with. If Yamin can improve upon his debut and grow more as an artist, he should have a long, bright career ahead. 4/5 stars
My Top 5:
1. Train Wreck
2. Wait For You
3. Alright
4. Find A Way
5. Movin On
Elliott Yamin does not need synthesizer.......2007-07-16
Elliott sounds really good. .......2007-07-14
OK, so I was wrong. This CD is better than I thought!.......2007-07-14
Wait For You - 8
Find A Way - 9
One Word - 6
You Are The One - 7
I'm The Man - 6
Train Wreck - 7
Free - 8
Alright - 9
Take My Breath Away - 7
A Song For You - 9
This CD starts on a good note with Movin' On and ends nicely with Donnie Hathaway's A Song For You. Elliot co-wrote Movin' On, Find A Way, You Are The One, Train Wreck and Alright. And this is just his debut!
84/11=7.636363636
That equals 3 stars and then some.
3.8 stars
A great CD!.......2007-07-13
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Mamma Mia! The Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1999 London Cast)
Benny Andersson , Julian Poole , Jenny Galloway , Nicolas Colicos , Paul Clarkson , Bjorn Ulvaeus , Lisa Stokke , Eliza Lumley , Melissa Gibson , Siobhan McCarthy , Louise Plowright , Jenny Galloway , Bjorn Ulvaeus , and Stig Anderson Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000031WEN Release Date: 2000-10-17 |
Tracks:
- Overture/Prologue
- Honey, Honey
- Money, Money, Money
- Thank You For The Music
- Mamma Mia
- Chiquitita
- Dancing Queen
- Lay All Your Love On Me
- Super Trouper
- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
- The Name Of The Game
- Voulez-Vous
- Entr'acte
- Under Attack
- One Of Us
- S.O.S.
- Does Your Mother Know
- Knowing Me, Knowing You
- Our Last Summer
- Slipping Through My Fingers
- The Winner Takes It All
- Take A Chance On Me
- I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
- I Have A Dream
Amazon.com
Put together by Abba's own Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! manages to cram over 20 of the Swedish supergroup's songs into a threadbare plot. It goes a little like this: Young Sophie is getting married and she's trying to identify which of three men is her father. That's about it. Wisely, the musical doesn't mess around with the songs, save for the insertion of some dialogue or for having some of them performed by a man (it works amazingly well). Abba fans will jump on this import of the London production, but traditional fans of musical theater should consider it as well. After all, Andersson and Ulvaeus's songs have always felt as if they were more than isolated pop gems and actually belonged to a longer narrative. --Elisabeth VincentelliCustomer Reviews:
Mamma Mia.......2007-03-22
Mamma Mia Musical CD.......2007-03-21
JUST GREAT MUSIC.......2007-03-08
Mamma Mia.......2007-01-29
Not good at all.......2007-01-09
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Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek and the Dominos Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002G87 Release Date: 1996-08-20 |
Tracks:
- I Looked Away
- Bell Bottom Blues
- Keep On Growing
- Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
- I Am Yours
- Anyday
- Key To The Highway
- Tell The Truth
- Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?
- Have You Ever Loved A Woman
- Little Wing
- It's Too Late
- Layla
- Thorn Tree In The Garden
Amazon.com essential recording
Layla stands as one of a handful of pillars of classic rock. The short-lived ensemble that was the Dominos provided an outlet for Eric Clapton to vent his then unrequited (and secret) passion for the wife of his best friend, George Harrison. Romantic anguish inspired Clapton to write and collect an embroiling and interconnected song cycle. Meanwhile, latecomer Duane Allman prodded Clapton to tear it up on guitar, so as not to be overwhelmed by his even more talented foil. Of course, Clapton eventually won the hand of his lady love. And then he divorced her. Sometimes real life messes up a good plot line. --Steve StolderCustomer Reviews:
25 years, 1000+ CD's, and this is my favorite ..........2007-05-25
It occured to me recently, that out of all the music I own, this is my favorite. I have listened to it countless times, yet it still moves me. So many other reviews have detailed what's so great about this music, that I won't repeat, but somthing magic happened during these sessions.
The studio was on fire........2007-05-08
The greatest album ever recorded.......2007-03-02
Everything builds to the end of the title cut where Clapton invokes Robert Johnson, "Please don't say we'll never find a way, And tell me all my love's in vain." Then the piano coda, and the quietly resigned "Thorn Tree." Perfect, never matched, never surpassed.
EC & Skydog in the Miami Heat.......2007-02-19
THE TESTAMENT AND CONFESSIONS IN THE LIFE OF MR. ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON........2007-02-12
MR. ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON is known the world over as "God." CLAPTON has achieved and accomplished everything beyond every great guitarist's dreams and more. This fact makes you wonder just how much more can CLAPTON push the limits of his expertise and knowledge in revolutionizing the sounds the guitar is really capable of producing and how it would be played. With this in mind, you will hear the real ERIC CLAPTON at his absolute best when he is playing the Blues. It is in the Blues that you will see and feel the true emotions of CLAPTON flowing through his guitar. This natural talent and passion is what makes CLAPTON the legendary guitarist he really is which defines what the real stuff of legend should consist of. In all due respects, "LAYLA" also represents the true testament and confessions of the legendary guitarist. "LAYLA" would contain one of the greatest songs ever recorded. "LAYLA" would also carry one of the many true tales of Rock legend. At the end of the roaring sixties, CLAPTON would already established himself with the reputation as being one of the greatest guitarists of all-time. It was also well documented and publicized during this time period that CLAPTON fancied and fell in love with his best friends wife. CLAPTON'S best friend was EX-BEATLE GEORGE HARRISON, the wife he would steal and later marry is PATTI BOYD HARRISON. What's sad and tragic about this story is that CLAPTON'S love for BOYD HARRISON would often turn to guilt resulting in beginning CLAPTON'S heroin addiction and seclusion. What's also tragic is that CLAPTON'S marriage to BOYD would be short lived and end in divorce. On a good note, believe it or not, CLAPTON'S friendship with HARRISON survived and both remained best friends till the day HARRISON died in December 2001. Everything that happened during this period in the late sixties would inspire CLAPTON to record an album under a different disguised name and proclaim his love for the anonymous woman of his dreams through his music. "LAYLA" is the result of what happened in CLAPTON'S life during that period which discloses and exposes his testament and confessions that he kept bottled up secretly inside him. In reality, PATTI BOYD HARRISON is the real life LAYLA. In my opinion, this time period would be one of the very few that would bring out the best in CLAPTON. In my opinion, "LAYLA" is a well recorded album that is a true testament of a sheer genius and a superb tribute to the legendary guitarist that has been called the greatest guitarist in the world.
But before CLAPTON would record his masterpiece album "LAYLA," CLAPTON would need to find passionate and dedicated musicians that shared his same interests, tastes and visions in music. When CLAPTON recruited fellow music legends BOBBY WHITLOCK, JIM GORDON, CARL RADLE and DUANE ALLMAN, DEREK AND THE DOMINOES would be born and Blues Rock with a mixture of Southern Rock would be taken to the next level and phase.
I will list and briefly review certain songs that are vital and relevant during the recording of this album. If you want to hear vintage CLAPTON playing guitar at his absolute best, listen to the breathtaking song tracks "I Looked Away," "Bell Bottom Blues," "Keep On Growing," "Anyday," "Tell The Truth," "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad," the legendary Hendrix classic "Little Wing," and the legendary song that would inspire and begin the recordings for this album, "LAYLA." CLAPTON plays his guitar with such emotion and passion not heard from him before. In my opinion, the song "Layla" is one of CLAPTON'S all-time greatest achievements and one of Rock's all-time greatest contributions to popular music.
If you want to hear vintage CLAPTON playing the Blues at his very best, listen to the Blues songs "Nobody knows You When You're Down And Out," "Key To The Highway," the emotional confession classic "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" and "It's Too Late."
You will also hear beautiful ballads on this album such as "I Am Yours" and the beautiful acoustic "Thorn Tree In The Garden."
Overall, this is one of the greatest albums ever recorded by anybody. Listening to this album, you can actually feel the pure heart and emotion flowing through CLAPTON'S guitar. All of this passion would rub off on the other musicians which would effect the heart and soul of the music. The album "LAYLA" is the story of life and is actually regarded as a love manual.
I would like to highly recommend that everyone purchase this legendary album to own as a valuable and important part of their own personal music collection. This legendary album has definitely proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many more years to come, NOW AND FOREVER.
In closing, ERIC CLAPTON has continued to bless and grace us with his unique blend and style of guitar playing to this very day. CLAPTON is still regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all-time. Besides HENDRIX, CLAPTON has accomplished so much in Rock n' Roll and Blues music history that CLAPTON doesn't really have anything left to prove. CLAPTON'S place in Rock and Blues history is well secured and will never ever be forgotten. So here's to you ERIC. Keep Persevering. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my reviews in the near future when time permits. CLAPTON RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever In Rock, John L.
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Love Songs of the '70s
Donny Osmond Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000MNOXIU Release Date: 2007-04-24 |
Tracks:
- I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
- Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill
- Let's Stay Together - Al Green
- Laughter In The Rain - Neil Sedeka
- When I Need You - Leo Sayer
- How Long - Ace
- Mandy - Barry Manilow
- You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
- Will It Go Round In Circles - Billy Preston
- How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
- Alone Again Naturally - Gilbert O'Sullivan
- If - Bread
Amazon.com
Musically speaking, children of the '70s subscribe to a tribe mentality: At first glance, former Stooges fanatics may have little in common with onetime discomaniacs, but get them together and odds are they'll bond over a mutual belief that Cliff Richard's "We Don't Talk Anymore" was, for its time, one hot track. Which is why Donny Osmond did himself a favor by recording this batch of retreads--what he loses in nostalgia points for making a disc without Marie (all these years later, there's still an element that prefers a little bit of country with its little bit of rock'n'roll), he makes up for in timeless material that, not incidentally, is very well sung. It's possible to hear Dan Hill's ever-tender "Sometimes When We Touch" here without missing Hill for a second, for instance. And because Donny's nice-guy reputation precedes him by decades, he's a natural at putting his own sunshiny spin on Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." If Love Songs disappoints even a sliver, it's because the title limits the song selection to disallow tracks that could have formed an equally enjoyable record: Goofy Songs of the 70s. Suffice it to say that Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" leaves a listener with a deep hankering to hear Donny's rendition of "You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'," too. --Tammy La Gorce More Donny Osmond
The Singles |
What I Meant to Say |
Greatest Hits |
Album Description
There were some nights during his triumphant starring run as the villainous Gaston in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast when Donny Osmond's mind was racing. No, he wasn't trying to remember his next line; rather, he was thinking about the album he was in the process of recording. Backstage. In his dressing room. "It was totally bizarre" he laughs. "I would perform my role onstage, and then I would run back to my dressing room and fix a vocal I didn't like. Sometimes it was just a word; other times it was an entire verse or chorus.The album is called Love Songs of the 70s, and once you hear it, you'll know why. Donny gave it his all -- he could perform vocals to completed musical tracks in his dressing room whenever he liked, a ritual he followed each afternoon -- and, as it so happened, some nights as well. Describing himself as a "Type-A perfectionist," Donny admits his that work habits might have confounded his co-stars. "But when a record means as much as this one, you do whatever it takes to make it special."
True to its title, Love Songs of the 70s is a collection of some of the most memorable romantic pop and R&B ballads of a golden, multi-platinum era. Just a casual glance at some of the songs will transport listeners back to a special place in their lives: "Laughter in the Rain," "Oh, Girl," "If," "Let's Stay Together," "How Deep Is Your Love," "You Are So Beautiful," -- these are some of the priceless selections Donny has chosen for this remarkable set. "That's what's so amazing about these songs," says Donny. "They're time capsules, capable of moving you in so many powerful ways. What's more, if a song is truly a classic, as these certainly are, their importance grows through the decades because of what you, the listener, bring to them. I've always loved hearing these songs, and I especially love singing them."
Customer Reviews:
Donny.......2007-07-15
It is Donny however, because I love him, I will still listen to it.
Back to my teenage.......2007-07-12
An underappreciated voice!.......2007-07-05
"Laughter in the Rain" is a song that does not sound dated, and Donny's vocals have a nice, warm feeling that illicit memories of walking "hand-in-hand with the one I love." I wish it would be released as a single because the song is much better than some of the crap that "adult contemporary" radio stations are playing these days. I suspect because of his former teen idol image, many radio stations don't play Donny's new songs and that is a shame as he is an underappreciated singer with a soulful voice. Maybe if he quits doing TV game shows and the like, he will be taken more seriously by the radio industry.
Check out, "Will It Go Round in Circle," a funky remake of the Billy Preston hit; Osmond gives it a nice funky flair with a different tone to his voice. Many would be surprised to hear this song because of Donny's former image, but he works the r & b, funk groove well and needs to do more songs like this one instead of so many ballads. Yeah, "Play That Funky Music White Boy!"
A 70's icon visits some 70's favourites.......2007-07-05
Like a fine wine.................2007-06-27
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The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
Johann Sebastian Bach , Léo Delibes , Gabriel Fauré , Erik Satie , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Edvard Grieg , Johann Pachelbel , Claude Debussy , Felix Mendelssohn , Camille Saint-Saens , Henryk Gorecki , Antonio Vivaldi , Edward Elgar , Jocelyn Pook , Sergey Rachmaninov , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Luigi Boccherini , Jules Massenet , Ludwig van Beethoven , Jacques Offenbach , Pietro Mascagni , Antonin Dvorak , Giacomo Puccini , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Alexander Borodin , Joaquin Rodrigo , and Samuel Barber Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000I93Z Release Date: 1999-03-30 |
Tracks:
- Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- II. Andante - Stephen Hough
- Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
- In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
- Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
- II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
- The Swan - Osian Ellis
- II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
- II. Andantino - James Galway
- II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
- Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
- Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
- Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
- Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris
Tracks:
- Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
- Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
- Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
- I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
- Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
- II. Andante - Nigel North
- II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
- Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
- I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
- O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
- Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
- II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
- Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
- II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
- Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
- Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France
Amazon.com
You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward GarabedianCustomer Reviews:
Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04
Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17
Too much opera.......2007-01-10
Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15
That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.
Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.
To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.
Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)
So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.
TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!
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Love Songs
Nat King Cole Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007LTI5 Release Date: 2003-02-11 |
Tracks:
- When I Fall In Love
- Unforgettable
- The Very Thought Of You
- Too Young
- Let's Fall In Love
- The More I See You
- Stay As Sweet As You Are
- Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
- You're My Everything
- Because You're Mine
- Around The World
- A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
- It's All In The Game
- You Made Me Love You
- For All We Know
- There Goes My Heart
- Love Letters
- Answer Me
- Stardust
- Autumn Leaves
- These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
- You'll Never Know
- Let There Be Love
- More
Customer Reviews:
Relaxing.......2007-03-08
Nat King Cole - Love Songs .......2007-03-08
to on my drive back and forth between home and work.
Remebering my youth.......2007-01-15
Touches The Heart.......2007-01-11
Unforgettable!.......2006-12-21
The first two songs, "When I Fall in Love" and "Unforgettable," set the tone, and the entire CD just melts your aches away!
Nat King Cole is known for his velvety voice, and this CD accentuates it to the maximum potential. This CD is the perfect background music for a romantic dinner or just a relaxing visit in your living room!
Average customer rating:
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Hymn to Love: All Her Greatest Songs in English
Edith Piaf Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000C8WYE Release Date: 2004-02-24 |
Tracks:
- Hymn To Love
- One Little Man
- La Vie En Rose (Version Anglaise)
- Chante Moi (Version Anglaise)
- Simply A Waltz
- My God
- Don't Cry
- Autumn Leaves
- I Shouldn't Care
- The Three Bells
- 'Cause I Love You
- My Lost Melody
- Heaven Have A Mercy
- No Regrets
- Lovers For A Day (Live)
- Heureuse (Live)
Amazon.com
Frankly, it feels a bit weird to listen to Edith Piaf perform in English. There aren't many singers so associated with a country as Piaf is with France. And yet she did record some of her hits in English in an attempt to facilitate her career in the United States. While newcomers to the singer's oeuvre should start with her French albums, this CD is fascinating for advanced Piaf listeners. Most of the sides were cut 1950 and show Piaf in fine vocal form on tracks such as "La vie en rose" (she switched from English to French for the title) and "Autumn Leaves" ("Les feuilles mortes"), a strangely compelling hybrid that alternates between French and English. Piaf was certainly more at ease singing in French, but her charismatic sense of drama could break through in just about any language. --Elisabeth VincentelliAlbum Details
Digitally Remastered Collection of the "Little Songbird's" Hits that She Re-recorded in English.Customer Reviews:
Huge surprise!.......2007-05-12
Better in French.......2007-01-06
Handy reference for lyric meanings in English.......2005-12-13
Average customer rating:
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Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs
Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000JU8HJ2 Release Date: 2006-12-19 |
Tracks:
- Si no fuera porque tus ojos tienen color de luna
- Amor, amor, las nubes a la torre del cielo
- No estes lejos de mi un solo dia, porque como
- Ya eres mia. Reposa con tu sueno en mi sueno.
- Amor mio, si muero y tu no mueres
Amazon.com
This beautiful, touching cycle of five love songs on poems by Pablo Neruda was composed by Peter Lieberson for his wife, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. They were first presented in Los Angeles in May, 2005. This recording, coming as it does just months after Hunt Lieberson's untimely death, is a fitting tribute to her art. The songs are as arrestingly lovely and moving as are her performances of them. It will be a long time before another singer dares undertake a performance that might try to bring something new to the music. Scored for mezzo-soprano and a bevy of instruments (not all of which ever play at once--flutes, oboe, English horn, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, various percussion, harp, piano and strings--the songs are all "approachable" modern music, filled with both drama and a distinctively Spanish flavor. The songs range from a sensual appreciation of the beloved and a fear of separation to a peaceful but very sad evocation: "My love, if I die and you don't." Lieberson clearly composed them with great love for his wife; we the listeners benefit from that love in the direct, candid music and performances. This cycle may just be the Four Last Songs of the 21st century. A must. --Robert LevineAlbum Description
This album serves as a profoundly moving tribute to the artistry of mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, who passed away on July 3rd, 2006 after a long bout with cancer, at the age of 52. It is also a testament to the remarkable personal and musical relationship the singer cultivated with her composer husband Peter Lieberson, who adapted five sonnets from Chilean poet Pablo Neruda for this work, jointly commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony.Customer Reviews:
Extraordinarily Moving Music in Extraordinarily Moving Performances.......2007-05-14
One must add that there are two other similarly nonpareil recordings -- eerily enough with singers who were either mezzo-soprano or contralto -- that are classics at least partly because they were made just before the singers died: Jan de Gaetani's recording of her husband's chamber orchestrations of songs by Mahler and Berlioz (including a heartbreaking 'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen') Jan DeGaetani Sings Berlioz, Mahler and, of course, Kathleen Ferrier's 'Das Lied von der Erde' Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde / Bruno Walter with the touching dying-away of her last words 'Ewig ... ewig ... ewig'.
One can only hope that Hunt Lieberson, Ferrier and de Gaetani are singing together in Heaven. Ave atque vale.
Scott Morrison
A fFinal Tribute.......2007-04-04
and mind in perfect unity. Her many recordings attest to that fact. This
recording of her husbands composition is a glowing account of there love
for each other and a lasting tribute to their artistry.
neruda songs just right.......2007-03-26
A soulful monument.......2007-03-22
Only one complaint: the CD is mighty short, not much over 30 minutes or so. But I can't think of what might have been a companion piece unless it had been the Rilke Songs which, however, are already on another CD (also recommended).
Wonderful Music.......2007-03-14
Average customer rating:
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Love Songs
Etta James Manufacturer: Chess ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000056PPZ Release Date: 2001-01-23 |
Tracks:
- At Last
- A Sunday Kind Of Love
- My Dearest Darling
- Trust In Me
- If I Can't Have You
- How Do You Speak To An Angel?
- Someone To Watch Over Me
- Again
- I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)
- Lovin' Arms
- Lovin' You More Every Day
- The Love Of My Man
- It Must Be Your Love
- Never My Love
Amazon.com
She's no stranger to the towering highs and lows of the heart, and Etta James's soaring, gospel-tinged pipes match up well with the rigors of unabashed bliss. Happily, the good people at Chess Records recognize this, and they have thoughtfully collected some of the best examples into one tidy record. Kicking off with her classic treatment of "At Last," the collection moves through the lilting strings of "My Dearest Darling" on into the expressive tones of "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)" with grace and emotional candor. James can be simultaneously tender and deeply honest and her ability to express the desperate joy that is the soul of love remains one of life's marvelous pleasures. --Matthew CookeCustomer Reviews:
THE LADY CAN SING.......2007-07-15
New Edge to "Old" Love Songs.......2007-07-07
She's been through many years of problems and heartache, but then, here she still is, with a voice that is even better (if that's possible!) than when she was a sweet young thing performing with Louie Armstrong, Ray Charles, BB King and all the great band leaders and blues singers. She even has a new thin physique!
A couple of the tunes are ones she had in her regular repertoire forty-five years ago and others are contemporary hits from other artists. Each one is "pure Etta." I seem to play this one over and over and over. I can't get enough. I even have it on my computer so I can listen to it when I am doing other work!
This CD is a great example of what the blue are and the influence it can have on all kinds of music. Some of the tunes one will hardly recognize at first. And--the best part of this recording is that you don't have to be in love to enjoy it! (though it wouldn't be bad that way, too)
Etta.......2007-05-30
Gets better each time.......2007-04-02
Love Songs CD.......2007-03-15
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