Climbing!

1. Mississippi Queen

2. Theme for an Imaginary Western

3. Never in My Life

4. Silver Paper

5. For Yasgur's Farm

6. To My Friend

7. Laird

8. Sittin' on a Rainbow

9. Boys in the Band

Tracks:

Mississippi Queen
Theme From An Imaginary Western
Never In My Life
Silver Paper
For Yasgur's Farm
To My Friend
The Laird
Sittin' On A Rainbow
Boys In The Band
For Yasgur's Farm (Live)

Album Description

This 1970 release 'climbed' to #17 with the classics 'Mississippi Queen' and 'Theme from an Imaginary Western'. Also includes an unreleased live version of the Woodstock ode For 'Yasgur's Farm'! Digitally Remastered. Sony. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Live Classic.......2007-07-13

One of my favourite live rock albums featuring a blistering version of their classic tune Nantucket Sleighride featuring awesome guitar work from big Leslie and pulsating bass from Felix (who really had that Jack Bruce sound) and that reliable powerhouse drumming of Corky. Steve never had much of his keyboards heard over the other three belters but does give glimpses of the lighter side on most Mountain albums. Could have been longer, but great album that must be played LOUD!

THE Classic Rock 'n Roll Album!.......2007-05-24

Starting with the chart topping "Mississippi Queen", Mountain gained temporary monumental success! The song was so good, radio executives ignored the torrid lyrics. With nothing short of incredible lead and acoustic guitar playing, Leslie West shines on this collection with some of the most innovative guitar work of the period. Corky Lang's drums rivaled that of Jack Bruce of the time and Felix Pappalardi's vocals could be smoothly romantic "Theme From An Imaginary Western" or wild, as in, "Never In My Life". "For Yasgur's Farm" is a wonderful tribute to Woodstock, while "To My Friend" is an amazing solo work of acoustic picking. "Boys In The Band" is a grand finale to an all too short album that defined a period of rock and roll without overshadowing it. A must for any true rock fan.

la cumbre..desde aqui repetimos el camino....................2007-01-08

buen debut de una banda que lamentablemente no tuvo mas que decir....gran muestra de polenta y autenticidad, aunque en obras posteriores se halle poco de esto.....mountain no es cream, aunque lo intento ser. en esta placa se hallan los temas que inmortalizaron a mountain en woodstoock..nada mas.

Mountain...yeah, that just about describes this........2006-01-24

"Mountain". Big. High. Lofty. Rugged. Beautiful.

All those things describe this band, and I'm not just talking about the 400 pound singer-guitarist Leslie West. This band sounded big, sounded tough, and sounded thick. Leslie West had a massive guitar tone and voice, Felix Pappalardi's bass was fat and up-front, and Corky Laing attacked the drums as a powerhouse, not as a finesse drummer. Throw in Steve Knight on keyboards and you had a prototypical hard rock band from the late 60's/early 70's.

This band offered more, however. Beyond the huge, rough voice and thunderous guitar of West, Felix Pappalardi added his own mark on this band. His songs are much more thoughtful and lilting, with his higher voice setting a calmer, more emotional tone to his selections.

So, we are left with an album that starts with the pulverizing "Mississippi Queen" leading it off, power chords on top of the Felix/Corky rhythm section bludgeon. A song for the ages, it just blows you away with its intensity and ferocity. An FM staple, your kids will know the words to it when they get older, and will instantly know its coming when they hear Corky's cowbell intro. Who doesn't recognize this classic?

But, the next song is a much more introspective piece. Jack Bruce's "Theme From an Imaginary Western" features Knight's keyboards over Felix' vocals. A song about wagon trains! Rather than beat you over the head with crushing guitar heroics, it moves you along with the melody and thick production. A true, emotional classic as well.

The album continues like this. A West workout followed by a Pappalardi piece. And it works. Bi-polar power I called it in another review.

This is a GREAT album by a band almost forgotten today, except for "Mississippi Queen". There is not a bad song on it. This band was good in the studio, great in concert, and this, their first album, is their studio masterpiece. Not quite as polished as their later albums, this one just comes at you, raw and rough and bigger than life.

Definitely No Mountain Higher.......2006-01-13

This album is just amazing, just too bad it didn't have Nantucket Sleighride, I know that's their next album, but boy it would have fit perfectly with this set. But still this album is jam packed with the best rock and roll money can buy. Mississippi Queen, a classic always will be. I have to say though Theme For An Imaginary Western is a hell of alot better jam song though and gets no airplay on any regular classic rock station, boy what a shame there. Never In My Life packs the punch and as always loud as hell. To My Friend a good little acoustic number. But just like the CD says it was meant to be played LOUD, enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Truly Underrated-appreciated Group
the best and very good
Michael Jackson thought they were good.
Still Climbing..........5 Miles To Empty (yes)
Overlooked Classic R&B Album

Still Climbing
Brownstone
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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From the Bottom Up
Zhane Pronounced Ja-Nay
Saturday Night
Changing Faces
Jade to the Max

ASIN: B000002BGT
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

Let's Get It Started
5 Miles To Empty
Love Me Like You Do
In The Game Of Love
Foolish Pride
Kiss And Tell
Baby Love
Around You
Revenge
All I Do
You Give Good Love
If You Play Your Cards Right

Customer Reviews:

Truly Underrated-appreciated Group.......2007-06-12

Their first two Albums (this is the 2nd one) should be templates for how sistas should sing and present themselves. I guess they didn't get their just due because they didn't prostitute themselves, they just sang excellent songs and looked like classy women.

the best and very good.......2006-01-29

these gurls sing good together and sound very beautiful nothing like compared to todays music you don't get the good stuff no more like brownstone.i love the song 5 miles to empty my all time favorite.and you give good love and baby love.i like the song if you play your cards right.they are all good tracks the gurls did a good job herei wish they were still around,i even got one of their songs on my cell phone voicemail message can you tell which song it is?

Michael Jackson thought they were good........2005-08-23

This album is one of the best albums I have ever heard in life period. When I first heard their song "Pass the Lovin" from their last album I was waiting anxiously for it to come out. When I saw the video for "5 Miles to Empty" after they had been gone for a while I was thoroughly excited because I enjoyed their first CD and I was ready for more from them. They did not hesitate to impress me and excite me and take me through a journey even though they had a member change. This Cd is awesome and contains some of the most powerful vocals that you will every hear. Every song is good, "Baby Love" and "Kiss and Tell" are my faves, and it is just a shame that they are not together anymore and that the did not get the recognition that they deserved. Heck Michael Jackson thought that they were good, they were on his label.

Still Climbing..........5 Miles To Empty (yes).......2005-06-22

These ladies can sing their collective behinds off. Songs such as, In The Game of Love, 5 Miles To Empty, and Baby Love, are good Quiet Storm mood songs. "If you don't have a clue of what I'm speaking of, get this CD, grab that special person, explore the options".

Overlooked Classic R&B Album.......2005-06-16

I don't understnd why the masses don't take interest in good talent like Brownstone's talent. This cd is a great continuation from where the last album left off. This time around we get introduced to a new member of Brownstone named Kina Cosper. This made Brownstone a vocal powerhouse trio that no other group could touch. Only one single managed to make the airways at radio and the album went into exile. This cd would end the run of the group Brownstone. The ladies have gone their separate ways. Kina and Nicci both released solo albums in past few years, both of which managed to do poorly at retail even thought they were both good albums. So check those out if you can.

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury

Average customer rating:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan
Pure delight
Delicious G&S samplings abound here.
Fine Intro to G&S

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures

ASIN: B000003D1Y
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

A Wandering Minstrel I
Behold The Lord High Executioner!
Three Little Maids From School Are We
Braid The Raven Hair
The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
My Gallant Crew
When I Was A Lad
Things Are Seldom What They Seem
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Poor Wand'ring One
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
With Cat-Like Tread
Is Life A Boon?
I Have A Song To Sing, O!
Were I Thy Bride
Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
Oh, Joy Unbounded

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15

At the end of the 19th century (1870's, 80's and 90's) the compatible duo of librettist and composer Gilbert and Sullivan popularized the pre-Broadway entertainment of Savoy opera. These were light operas or operettas whose content was satire and comedy, full of bouncy melodies and beautiful singing, highly entertaining theatrical works staged at London's Savoy theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan did not always get along and in fact there was a time when they ended their professional relationship because personal conflicts surfaced. But they managed to create the world's most beloved light operas, over 40 of them. Their most famous are what I call the Big Three- The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado. Other works include their first hit Trial By Jury, The Yeomen Of The Guard, Princess Ida, The Gondoliers, Patience and several others. A standard signature of Gilbert and Sullivan was in the colorful cast- a comic actor with a special kind of baritone voice, a canary-like and sweet-voiced coloratura or lyric diva, a mezzo soprano with strong chest register and a lyric tenor as the romantic hero. On this album, English conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, a popular figure in the classical music scene and opera, guides the Chorus and Orchestra Of the Welsh National Opera in generally well-delivered performances of excerpts from the operas The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance, Yeomen Of The Guard and Trial By Jury. Although I feel that the recordings made by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, with Isodore Godfrey conducting and starring the best cast of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire- the singers of the 60's and 70's- tenor Phillip Potter, soprano Valerie Masterson, baritone John Reed, Donald Adams and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer. Their version of the Pirates Of Penzance and the Mikado far outshine the Welsh National Opera in technical mastery and vibrant tone color.

But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.

The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.

Pure delight.......2003-08-02

--Gilbert & Sullivan--
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.

--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.

--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).

--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.

--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.

--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.

--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.

Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06

The first thing I should be saying is "What an infectuous G&S CD." Indeed this is, with this fine sampling of the peppy and bright Mackerras series. I know I have praised its "Mercedes-Benz quality" elsewhere on these pages, but that doesn't stop me from saying that everyone is in fine voice. This generously filled CD may only focus on five operas, but at least you can savour a reasonable choice sampling of delights from each one. Of particular interest is Richard Suart's patter-baritone parts and the soaring lyric soprano of Rebecca Evans. The selection on this disc is filled with a mixture of familiar favourites and lesser-known gems such as the female choruses in Mikado and Pirates. Mackerras is a true G&S conductor, but one who always springs rhythms crisply, and adopts peppy tempo for the fast bits. The one drawback is that this selection is far too infectuous that you'll want to shell out money to buy the full 5-CD Mackerras cycle - an incredible bargain with most of the operas fitted onto one disc each. But still, this is at least a decent G&S sampling for beginners, capped with Steven Ledbetter's copious liner notes. It will leave you wanting to say "dammit I'm going to play it again."

Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30

This is the perfect CD for those who may not be familiar with G&S, or for the initiated who want a smattering but don't have the mother of all CD changers. The difficulty with any G&S Greatest Hits CD is determining which pieces to leave off; while one could easily point to any number equally good bits, it would be difficult to argue about the quality of the choices included. The only problem, such as it is, is that after listening to it I am usually induced to go back and listen to the whole opera anyway. The Mackerras recordings are uniformly excellent. I have read elsewhere the criticism that they are too 'operatic' for light opera. If by this it is meant that the singers are too good, then I leave it to the discretion of the listener when the singing becomes too good to be enjoyable.

Average customer rating:

Return to form
Their little heard swan song
One of biggest things that happened to rock music
Perfect album
Cinderella's "Still Climbing"

Still Climbing
Cinderella
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Heartbreak Station
Long Cold Winter
Night Songs
Once Upon A...
Live at The Keyclub

ASIN: B000001E6F
Release Date: 1994-11-08

Tracks:

Bad Attitude Shuffle
All Comes Down
Talk Is Cheap
Hard To Find The Words
Blood From A Stone
Still Climbing
Free Wheelin
Through The Rain
Easy Come Easy Go
The Road's Still Long
Hot And Bothered

Customer Reviews:

Return to form.......2007-03-07

The fact that Cinderella existed (+ still on a major) in 1994 was somewhat of a surprise to me. And perhaps to many in the genres fanbase. But I was game, so bought and IMHO;

This is pretty good. Gone (still) are the silly band pics showing a bunch of pretty boy wannabes. Also tossed out are the country rock stylings of Heartbreak Station. Instead we get a vastly more mature rock album. A whole bunch of these tunes sound like more considered versions of what they put on their first two discs - cases in point being Bad Attitude Shuffle, All Comes Down and Blood From A Stone.

There are still introspective tunes, done with far more aplomb than attempts at similar stuff by Poison or the Crue. This album also contains the track Hot & Bothered which was used on the Waynes World movie soundtrack.

This is the only Cinderella album I've given four stars to. A low four stars but four stars all the same due to the consistency of the tunes, the blend of slower numbers with the rockers and the honesty of the blues based rock as opposed to some of their peers whose links to the blues were far more tenuous and their attemps to embrace the blues laughable (yeah I'm lookin' at you Poison).

In fact outside of a best of this is probably the only Cinderella album I'd suggest for a newcomer as it's probably their most accomplished studio effort.

Their little heard swan song.......2005-07-09

At the time Cinderella released Still Climbing, grunge music was still riding high as bands like Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, and Soundgarden were topping the Billboard album charts. Hard rock or "hair metal" was dismissed as nearly every band of the genre except for its superstars (ex...Bon Jovi, Def Leppard) became extinct in the eyes of the general public. Which brings us to Cinderella, a band coming off 3 platinum albums, several Top 40 hits, and a sound more suited to traditional rockers Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones than hair metal bands Poison and White Lion. Sadly, they met the same fate as those latter bands despite their strong catalog of music.

Although it sold very little and barely made the charts, Still Climbing is a very strong release and their most consistent album since their debut album Night Songs. After the riff-rock of their debut, the band expanded their sound with each release and they reached their apex here. While many '80s hard rock bands would add horns and keyboards to spice up their sound, none of them did it as well as Cinderella as evidenced by the R&B horns on the killer tracks "All Comes Down" and "Talk Is Cheap" and the piano on the stellar title song. "Hard To Find The Words" is arguably their best ballad and in another time would have been a huge hit along the lines of "Don't Know What You Got (Til It's Gone)." The hard rockers "Blood From A Stone" and "Easy Come Easy Go" are great hard rock songs played with conviction even if they don't possess the catchy hooks of earlier hits "Gypsy Road" and "Shake Me." The killer opener "Bad Attitude Shuffle" and "Free Wheelin" rock even harder and are much stronger than the heaviest songs on their previous albums such as "Fire And Ice" and "Love Gone Bad." Other decent tracks include the introspective "The Road's Still Long" and "Hot & Bothered" which was originally released on the Wayne's World soundtrack. The only song that really doesn't work is the ballad "Through The Rain" which sounds forced compared to the rest of the set. However, this is a very strong album that all fans of the band and great hard rock music should check out.

One of biggest things that happened to rock music.......2005-04-19

Well, Cinderella is not my favorite band, but it's definitely one of rock's precious gems.
Cinderella, is a band of insanely talented musicians, they crafted some of most beautiful rock n' roll songs and ROCK BALLADS! But they never got the attention and exposure they deserved. Late 70's, 80's and early 90's had a baby boom in the world of rock n roll & metal. Some of them have grown up and aged to be rock legends, unfortunately some of the raw talent were left in the delivery room and weren't given the chance to prosper. Cinderella was one of the latter, it's those tie & suit people in highrise offices who literally killed dozens of talented bands, that was their fate, and here is the Album Still Climbing, songs of dissapointment, of what could have happened, of highs and lows of life. This is a very seriously thought album - precise picture of what Cinderella felt in their hearts. I own all Cinderella albums, this one is truly a heartfelt one.

Perfect album.......2004-11-02

This band just keepes getting better with every release, an amazing rock/metal album that would make any metalhead proud!

Cinderella's "Still Climbing".......2004-07-17

The band Cinderella which got a record deal thanks to Jon Bon Jovi have had four albums including "Still Climbing". This album includes the song "hard To Find The Words" which the lead singer and guitarist, Tom Keifer, wrote for his mother when she died. This album contains some of Cinderella's best songs. It has great music and lyrics. This is one of Cinderella's greatest albums. This is a great album to buy if you like any of their other albums such as "Night Songs" (1982), "Long Cold Winter" (1988), and "Heartbreak Station" (1990). Not only is Cinderella a great rock band, but they've also toured with other great bands such as AC/DC. They outlived most of the other hairbands which died in the 80's and stayed together until 1994 to complete "Still Climbing" which is one of my favourite hard rock albums. Tom Keifer's lyrics in most of the songs are powerful and meaningful compared to other bands. All and all, "Still Climbing" is a great album to buy if you love hard rock or you just want to rock all day long to great music from a great band. Hopefully Cinderella will have a new album soon and go on tour with another band which was once a hair band like Tesla or Scorpions.

Average customer rating:

One of the Best in Bluegrass Today
Sneaky Good!
One of the best
THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN!
A CD that you'll wear out...if that's even possible

Still Climbing Mountains
Blue Highway
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005NWLY
Release Date: 2001-09-11

Tracks:

Still Climbing Mountains
Monrobro
Mountain Of The Lord
Boulder City Dam
Riding The Danville Pike
Life Without You
Union Man
Only A Thought Away
Buck Hill
This Ain't The First Time I've Walked In These Shoes
Uncle Fred
The Seventh Angel (introduction)
The Seventh Angel
Goodbye For A While

Amazon.com

Enlisting Jerry Douglas as producer, Blue Highway produce a convincing, straight-ahead bluegrass stride. Unlike in previous recordings, the quintet turns in an all-original set, and even if only the beaming title track and the animated "Union Man" sound like future campfire classics, the songwriting, notably by guitarist Tim Stafford, is never stilted and always melodically memorable. But the lasting pleasures of the band's Rounder debut owe mostly to the members' versatile musicianship. On the playful, self-penned "Monrobro," Rob Ickes's Dobro licks have the tasteful unpredictability of those from masters such as Douglas, while the lucid harmonies on gospel numbers like "Mountain of the Lord" place Blue Highway near the forefront of contemporary bluegrass singing. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best in Bluegrass Today.......2006-12-23

During a visit to Seattle a few months ago, I was browsing in Holy Cow Records in the Pike Place Market and happened to come across this disc. At, first, I was attracted to the pretty cool album cover design, but as I looked through the liner notes I decided to give it a try. This record totally blew me away- I've been a longtime fan of Allison Krauss & US, John Hartford, etc. and Blue HIghway is certainly in the same league. Most suprising (as other reviewers have noted) is that "Still Climbing Mountains" is all original music and is proof that the members of Blue Highway are great songwriters as well as great musicians. Standout tracks are the title cut, "Only A Thought Away", and the impressive fiddle work on "Uncle Fred". This is by far one of the best blugrass recordings of the '00s.

Sneaky Good!.......2003-12-03

I had been a bluegrass fan for many years when a friend of mine bought this album for me. I was a little skeptical at first and really didn't give the album a chance. However, after listening to it several times I realized that I had a true classic on my hands.

Blue Highway is an excellent band vocally and musically with powerful original tunes on such terrific tracks as "Still Climbing Mountains", "Union Man", and "Riding the Danville Pike". They aren't as edgy as Del McCoury, but with their smooth vocals and lucid picking you'll find yourself enjoying high quality bluegrass with echoes of the great performers of the past. Don't get me wrong, they can play a burner every now and then too!

It's enough to make you wonder why country radio plays the standard studio musician plus big name vocalist formula anymore when there are bands this talented running around the United States.

One of the best.......2002-11-26

I just got to see these guys on 11-15-02 in Louisville, Ky. They were 2nd on the bill with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Blue Highway was the reason that I went to the concert, though. I had heard Midnight Storm and loved it! They performed several of the songs on Still Climbing Mountains at the concert and I bought the CD there that night listening to it on the way home. It's as good as, or better than, Midnight Storm and these guys are great. Unlike most bluegrass recordings, this CD's material is ALL ORIGINAL! Tim Stafford (guitar and vocals), Wayne Taylor (bass and vocals), and Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, and vocals), are among the best songwriters and singers in the business. So smooth and blending so well. The vocals, the playing, Rob Ickes and that dobro. Cut #2, Monrobro, written by Ickes, showcases his talent and writing ability on a tune dedicated to Bill Monroe. And don't overlook Jason Burleson and that driving banjo. Just listen to Riding the Danville Pike or Buck Hill, which was written by Jason, for a taste of his talent. There's also a couple of great gospel songs in Mountain of the Lord, by Stafford, and Seventh Angel, by Lane. The only thing I miss on this particular CD is that there's no "a cappela" numbers. This in no way, though, detracts from the greatness of this disk. Blue Highway is quite the Bluegrass band!!

THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN!.......2002-05-05

Once again Blue Highway has put out a very strong recording. Again and again these guys hit home with classic bluegrass material. This effort is a bit different because all of the songs were written by the band. And it stands side by side with their previous projects. Once again, above the bar of most bluegrass bands.

Song after song shows the bands virtuosity. Their harmonies are tight, their instrumentation and timing are right on. This is a band full of individuals who are all stars in their own right but realize that the sum of the band is greater than the indiviudal parts. They work together well and enjoy playing together (obvious if you see them on stage).

There are many outstanding songs on this album, one after another they provide listening enjoyment. But in my opinion they saved the best for last. It is very seldem that a song hits me deep enough to make my cry but "Goodbye For A While" hit a nerve deep inside me. Shawn Lane's voice, in my opinion, is one of the best in bluegrass and I love his vocals. Tim Stafford and Wayne Taylor are fine lead singers in their own right and all three are adept at harmonies.

If you want to know where bluegrass is at today and where it is heading. Pick up this Blue Highway CD.

A CD that you'll wear out...if that's even possible.......2002-02-11

I had never even listened to Blue Highway before buying this disc. I had bought everything Alison Krauss&Union Station mates had put out, and I was looking for something fresh and catchy...and boy did I find it! This album has not one song that you'll be skipping. Every song on the album is written by members of the band, and their excellent musicianship along with their tight harmonizing will surely hook you and make you call yourself a "Blue Highway Fan"...honestly.

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates Of Penzance

Average customer rating:

full description missing
Fine Excerpts At An Affordable Price
Excerpts And Highlights From The Pirates Of Penzance
Pirates Of Penzance Highlights At A Cheap Price !!
A reasonably good abridgement to this ever-popular G&S opera

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates Of Penzance

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Gilbert and Sullivan: H.M.S. Pinafore
Gilbert & Sullivan: HMS Pinafore Highlights
Sullivan: Mikado
Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Kline, Ronstadt, Smith, Routledge, Delacorte Theater (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Mozart: Requiem

ASIN: B00000420J
Release Date: 1993-05-11

Tracks:

Pirates Of Penzance: Overture
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Pour, Oh Pour The Pirate Sherry
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - When Fred'ric Was A Little Lad
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Oh, Better Far to Live and Die
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Oh, Sisters, Dear To Pity's Name, For Shame!
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Poor Wand'ring One!
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - How Beautifully Blue The Sky
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. I - I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Oh, Dry The Glist'ning Tear
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Then Frederic .. When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Stay, Fred'ric, Stay!
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - With Cat-Like Tread
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Hush! Hush! Not A Word
Pirates Of Penzance: Act. II - Sighing Softly To The River ... (Finale)

Customer Reviews:

full description missing.......2006-08-18

While the music that is on the CD is good, a several numbers are missing! It's not the full operetta

Fine Excerpts At An Affordable Price.......2004-02-07

Gilbert And Sullivan. Eternal names in the musical theatre scene. They were the 19th century British version of Rodgers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Loewe. And this was long before Broadway, when the Savoy was the vogue of musical comedy and the Savoyards were highly popular entertainers. William S. Gilbert provided the libretti and lyrics to the operettas, while Arthur Sullivan, who was a serious music composer in his own right, provided the music. The operettas or light operas they wrote were mostly up-beat social satires dressed up as comedy, very theatrical, historical, inventive, and very patriotic to Brittain. Their works borrowed the opera technique- choruses, arias, ensembles, but as far as plot and content their only serious work was The Yeomen Of The Guard. Other Gilbert And Sullivan hits include Trial By Jury, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, Princess Ida and The Gondoliers. Gilbert And Sullivan's manager/impresario was Richard D'Oyly Carte.

This recording is only highlights from a 1968 recording (also available on Amazon.com) with the D'Oyly Carte Opera, conductor Isidore Godfrey directs the Royal Philharmonic. In the role of Frederick, lyric tenor Phillip Potter, in the role of Mabel, soprano Valerie Masterson, John Reed as Major General Stanley, Donald Adams as The Pirate King,Owen Brannigan as the Sergeant Of Police, and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer as Nurse Ruth. These singers were at their vocal peaks, and they provide much comedic acting as well. Impressive scenes include the mezzo soprano vocals of Christine Palmer's Ruth as she describes how she mistook "Pilot" for "Pirate" when nursing Frederick (When Frederick Was A Little Lad"), Frederick's plea to the daughters of the Major General to accept him as husband (O Is There Not One Maiden Breast) Valerie Masterson, whose Mabel is the best, singing the coloratura showcase "Poor Wondering One" and her duet in "Stay Frederick Stay" John Reed singing "I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General" is hilarious and a display of virtuosity for this type of singing. The beautiful chorus "O Dry The Glistening Tear" the upbeat "With Cat Like Tread" and the finale are exceptional.

Excerpts And Highlights From The Pirates Of Penzance.......2004-02-04

This cd contains only highlights and excerpts from the 1968 recording by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. For a full recording, check it out on the Amazon.com catalog under Gilbert and Sullivan Pirates Of Penzance D'Oyl Carte Opera. This company was founded by the original impresario and manager of the Gilbert and Sullivan productions in the late 19th century, Richard D'Oyly Carte. Arthur Sullivan, who was a well-known composer, provided the music and William Gilbert wrote the libretti. Their partnership was a match made in heaven, as evident in the success of their many operettas, beginning with the smash hit "Trial By Jury" and even on to the more serious opera "The Yeomen Of The Guard". Nevertheless, Gilbert and Sullivan had different temperaments and did'nt always get along very well. They split up sometime in the 1890's. Other famous light operas of theirs include The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, Iolanthe, Princess Ida and The Gondoliers. Light opera or operetta was the vogue of the day, especially popular in the Savoy Theatre in London. Although it was not opera, it borrowed much of the opera techniques- namely arias and chorus. The entertainment of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas were very much like Broadway musicals. In fact, one could make the argument that the Savoy was the Broadway long before American Broadway theatre and Gilbert and Sullivan were like an early British form of Rodgers and Hammersteins or Lerner and Loewe.

The Pirate Of Penzance is a beautiful work of art. The sugary and sentimental story is about the exoneration of pirates, who are noble men who have "gone astray" by such authorities as the Major General,his daughters and the Sergeant of Police. Through the course of the opera, Frederick, who was nursed by Ruth and reared by the Pirate King and his roguish band of pirates. When the daughters of Major General Stanley reject his proposals of love, only Mabel consents to love him. But there's a catch. Frederick is in the hands of the pirates until he comes of age but he was born on a leap year and not until 1940 will he be released. The ending is happy and finds the pirates forgivened by the authorities and Mabel and Frederick are happily married.

The singers really deliver a great performance. In the role of the Major General Stanley is John Reed, who by the time of this recording was a veteran singer in the company. He comes off as fatherly, authoritive but cheerful. An especially skilled type of singer is needed for the master song "I am the Very Model Of A Modern Major General". In contrast, a lyric tenderness is required in the final song "Sighing Softly To The River". As mentioned, a lot of this light opera shines with chorus. The excellent choruses include the opening chorus "Pour The Pirate Sherry", "Oh Dry The Glistening Tear"- this one in particular is set to beautiful music and the daughters of the Major General sound heavenly when they sing in chorus, expressive also in their chorus when Frederick sings "O, Is There Not One Maiden Breast ?". Frederick is sung by Phillip Potter, whose tenor voice is lyric and romantic, and it sounds gorgeous when in duet with Valerie Masterson's Mabel, as in the duet that follows "Stay Frederick Stay". Valerie Masterson was the principal soprano of the company and performed in various other lead roles such as Princess Yum-Yum in The Mikado. A well-schooled lyric and coloratura diva, Valerie Masterson extended her repertoire into Broadway and opera- she has sung Violetta Valery of Verdi's La Traviata (in both Italian and in English versions), Adele in Die Fledermaus and even a part in an English version of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. Valerie has recordings out in stock and available in Amazon.com.

Pirates Of Penzance Highlights At A Cheap Price !!.......2003-12-27

For a very reasonable, inexpensive price (around 8 dollars) this cd is a must have for those who have recently taken up an interest in Gilbert and Sullivan. Gilbert and Sullivan were a team of composer and librettist, both Englishmen, from the late 19th century who composed operettas written in the English language and in the spirit of popular folk song of the Victorian period (roughly 1870's, 1880's and 1890's ) The light operas were equally as light in plot and mood- they were cheery, uncomplicated stories, a lot of them set on a naval vessel out at sea. They poked fun at the Victorian way of life, in much the same vein that Offenbach satirized the French of his day during the Second Empire (1860's). Gilbert and Sullivan composed many operettas that still remain popular today, especially The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore and in this case The Pirates Of Penzance. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company specialized exclusively in the art of Gilbert and Sullivan and have long been regarded as the finest interpreters of the style. In the 50's and 60's they performed live and made a variety of recordings, employing the talents of many outstanding English singers- among them lyric soprano Valerie Masterson.

In The Pirates Of Penzance, Mabel and Frederick are temporarily seperated lovers when Frederick is accused of a crime he did not commit. The plot involves pirates, among them the bass-baritone Pirate King. Light-hearted, bouncy tunes abound in what is considered the direct ancestor to Broadway musicals. The Overture makes use of the chorus "With Cat Like Tread" a march-like, jovial piece of music. The Highlights on this cd include "Pour O Pour The Pirate Sherry", "When Frederick Was A Lad", " Poor Wondering One", "I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General" and the uplifting finale. Valerie Masterson plays the role of Mabel. Her voice is fresh, agile, lyric and she has excellent command of coloratura when warranted, as she sings in "Poor Wondering One". This 1968 recording is in its entirety on the same label with the same singers on a different cd recording.

A reasonably good abridgement to this ever-popular G&S opera.......2001-03-08

This budget-priced abridgement of D'Oyly Carte's incomporable 1968 PIRATES is a reasonably good way for beginners to get started on the opera itself. The D'Oyly Carte's performance is top-notch and beyond reproach and Isidore Godfrey elicits delicate playing from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The 62-minute playing time gives exceptionl value for money, even though there are scenes I feel should hae been omitted such as Frederic's "Oh is there not one maiden breast" that hold up the action. It would have been ince to include the Act One finale because it reveals what is to come in the second act. To round off, some people think that this performance of PIRATES is far too operatic, but this is Sullivan's original arrangement and not others' work.

Average customer rating:

Score Another Bullseye for Rumon Gamba
The whole of Vaughan Williams' Scott film score at last

Film Music of Vaughan Williams 1
Vaughan Williams , BBC Philharmonic , and Gumba
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Vol. 2
The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Vol. 3
The Film Music of Clifton Parker
Film Music of Sir Malcolm Arnold, Vol. 1
The Film Music of Sir Arthur Bliss

ASIN: B00006JK96
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Scott Of The Antarctic: Main Titles
Scott Of The Antarctic: Prologue
Scott Of The Antarctic: Doom
Scott Of The Antarctic: Sculpture Scene
Scott Of The Antarctic: Ship's Departure
Scott Of The Antarctic: Ice Floes
Scott Of The Antarctic: Penguin Dance
Scott Of The Antarctic: Aurora
Scott Of The Antarctic: Pony March
Scott Of The Antarctic: Blizzard
Scott Of The Antarctic: Distant Glacier
Scott Of The Antarctic: Climbing The Glacier
Scott Of The Antarctic: Scott On The Glacier
Scott Of The Antarctic: Snow Plain
Scott Of The Antarctic: The Return
Scott Of The Antarctic: Descending The Glacier
Scott Of The Antarctic: The Deaths Of Evans And Oates
Scott Of The Antarctic: End Titles
Coastal Command Suite: Prelude
Coastal Command Suite: The Hebrides
Coastal Command Suite: U-Boat Alert
Coastal Command Suite: Taking-Off At Night
Coastal Command Suite: The Hudsons Take-Off From Iceland
Coastal Command Suite: Dawn Patrol (Quiet Determination)
Coastal Command Suite: Battle Of The Beauforts
Coastal Command Suite: Finale
The People's Land

Customer Reviews:

Score Another Bullseye for Rumon Gamba.......2004-02-25

What a fabulous recording!

The world premiere recording of Vaughan Williams' famed score for "Scott of the Antarctic", at some 41 minutes, would be a full plate, in and of itself. However, it only constitutes a bit over half of this remarkable CD.

We are not only given the privelege of hearing, for the first time, Vaughan Williams complete score for "Scott", we are treated to his music for "Costal Command" and a score called "The People's Land", of which I was totally ignorant.

All are brilliantly realized, performed and recorded.

Those wonderful people at Chandos have performed a great service to the music world in general and to the legacy of this great composer in particular.

And the wonderful conductor, Rumon Gamba, simply MUST be singled out for, once again, providing us with music making of the most superior kind. This conductor, ladies and gentlemen, is a star on the rise.

One final note: we are intrigued by the title of this CD, "The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. 'VOLUME 1'".

Since this CD was released well over 1 1/2 years ago, I hope another, featuring the music of Vaughan Williams as conducted by Rumon Gamba, is on the horizon.

The whole of Vaughan Williams' Scott film score at last.......2002-12-04

Since 2001, there have been a number of recordings of `unknown' Vaughan Williams - the original version of A London Symphony the Norfolk Rhapsody No 2 (both from Chandos) and a 2 CD set of his early chamber works (Hyperion). On this CD we have the complete film music to Scott of the Antarctic, with ten `new' movements in addition to the eight usually presented, giving about 25 minutes of extra music. And if that was not enough, Chandos have recorded the music to `The People's Land', a film about the National Trust! This is a British organisation dedicated to preserving historic buildings and areas of outstanding beauty.! But documentary film music is not always routine stuff - Britten's `Night Mail' is a wonderful example of what can be done.

Vaughan Williams, always a man willing to help others, looked for ways to assist the war effort in any way he could (he was in his late 60s), and gave up the field adjoining his garden to allotments for the local people (keeping a plot for himself) and assisting with refugees. But in terms of his own special talents, film music seemed something he might do, and as one might expect from this very adaptable man, he did it very well, continuing after the war with Scott of the Antarctic.

The film makers used less than half of RVW's music for the film, `Scott of the Antarctic' and here it is restored to a score lasting over forty minutes. Commissioned in 1947, it is wonderful stuff, brilliantly descriptive of the icy landscape, penguins and horses in his use of new sonorities. It is intriguing to see how the composer took the music of Ice Floes and the various Glacier movements and built them into the massive Landscape movement of the Sinfonia Antartica of a few years later. Music that is wonderfully evocative in the film is build symphonically into one of the most shattering movements in all music. All in all, this is a wonderful film score - surely one of the best ever written. There is also quite a lot of music which is not found in the symphony at all.

`Coastal Command' (1942) was written for a documentary about the flying-boats which patrolled off Iceland and the North Sea looking for German shipping. `The Hebrides' is a short, beautiful and evocative piece and Dawn Patrol (Quiet Determination) begins lyrically, becoming more agitated.

The People's Land is a lovely piece built from the composer's beloved folksongs together with material to illustrate particular visual aspects of the film.

Tracks:

Stranger In The World
Used To Be Blind
Jesus I've Been Walking
Hill Climbing For Beginners
Start Of A Run
Song Of The Cross
I Have Seen The Lord

Album Description

UK only re-issue of their 1973 album. Radio Active. 2005.

Mountain Songs: A Cycle of American Folk Music

Average customer rating:

Mountain Songs Magic

Mountain Songs: A Cycle of American Folk Music

Manufacturer: Music Masters Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000FN1
Release Date: 1994-12-20

Tracks:

Barbara Allen
House Carpenter
He's Gone Away
Hush-You-Bye
Cindy
The Cuckoo
Fair And Tender Ladies
Quicksilver
Will-O'-The-Wisp
To A Wild Rose
A Deserted Farm
The Smile Of Contentment And Love
Jennie's Own Schottische
Beautiful Dreamer
If You Only Have A Moustache
Children's Song No.2
Orpheus And His Lute
Waltz
We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
Ll Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant

Amazon.com

Robert Beaser has arranged eight folksongs from the American South for flute and guitar--actually, for the performers who play them on this disc. His treatments vary from simple settings to more complex elaborations, but they are always done with the kind of respect for his material that stamps him as an American Bartók. This is a truly lovely cycle, supplemented on the CD by such congenial material as Stephen Foster songs and MacDowell Woodland Sketches, all arranged by Eliot Fisk. Paula Robison and Fisk are both outstanding virtuosi on their instruments, and they have played together enough so that their teamwork is impeccable. This disc isn't challenging listening but it is very satisfying. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Mountain Songs Magic.......2001-07-30

This is music for my soul. Paula and Eliot could not have changed a note or an inflection. I first heard these songs in the early 90's and have never forgotten. Flute and Guitar and 'American' music are right here. I am so happy to have found it on CD now that I search the net. As a flutist - I recognize technique and heart - and Paula has them. No one should miss this!

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English]

Average customer rating:

A touching English Butterfly

Puccini - Madam Butterfly / Cheryl Barker, PO, Yves Abel [in English]
Giacomo Puccini , Yves Abel , Cheryl Barker , Paul Charles Clarke , and Simon Birchall
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Turandot (Chandos Opera in English)
Puccini - La bohème / Haymon · O'Neill · Opie · McLaughlin · A. Miles · Dazeley · Shore · PO · Parry
Verdi: La Traviata
Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Te Kanawa · Hampson · Rosenshein · Gedda · Sir Charles Mackerras [in English]

ASIN: B00005QF3K
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Act I: Introduction - Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'So The Walls And The Ceiling...' - Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'I Think Your Honour's Smiling' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'It Can't Be Much Further Now!' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
Act I: The Whole World Over - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'Fate Can't Crush Him' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'Is The Bride Very Pretty?' - Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor
Act I: 'True Love Or Fancy' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'See Them! They're Climbing The Summit Of The Hill!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act I: 'We Are Honoured' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'The Imperial Commissioner' - Stuart Kale/Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Simon Birchall
Act I: 'Oh, Indeed, My Friend, You're Lucky!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Come, My Beloved' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'My Fate I Have To Follow' - Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Silence! Silence!' - Stuart Kale/Roland Wood/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Congratulations' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich/Frances Brett/Clive Bayley/Stuart Kale
Act I: 'Dearest, My Dearest, Weep No More' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act I: 'Evening Is Falling...' - Roland Wood/Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act I: 'Child, From Whose Eyes The Witchery Is Shining' - Ann Taylor/Cheryl Barker
Act I: 'Ah, Love Me A Little' - Cheryl Barker/Ann Taylor
Act II Part I: 'Izaghi Izanami' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'One Fine Day' - Cheryl Barker

Tracks:

Act II Part I: 'Come, Let's Enter' - Stuart Kale/Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Yamadori, And Has your Unrequited Love Not Yet Released You? - Cheryl Barker/D'Arcy Bleiker/Gregory Yurisich/Stuart Kale
Act II Part I: 'Now, At Last!' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Just Two Things I Could Do' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part I: 'This Child! This Child, Then!' - Cheryl Barker/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part I: 'Do You Know, My Darling' - Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'I Must Be Going' - Gregory Yurisich/Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part I: 'Ah! Ah!' - Stuart Kale/Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: 'Look, It's A Man-of-war!' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part I: Flower Duet: 'Shake The Cherry Tree' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part I: Humming Chorus - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
Act II Part 2: Prelude - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: Daybreak Over Nagasaki - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'It's Morning' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'Who Is It?...' - Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part 2: 'I Know For Such Misfortune There Is No Consolation' - Gregory Yurisich/Jean Rigby/Ann Taylor
Act II Part 2: 'Farewell, Oh Happy Home!' - Ann Taylor/Gregory Yurisich
Act II Part 2: 'Then Will You Tell Her?' - Ann Taylor/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'Suzuki, Where Are You?' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'You, Suzuki, You're Always So Faithful' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby
Act II Part 2: 'Viper! I Want You To Answer' - Cheryl Barker/Jean Rigby/Gregory Yurisich/Ann Taylor
Act II Part 2: 'Your Little Fluttering Heart Is Beating' - Jean Rigby/Cheryl Barker
Act II Part 2: 'Death With Honour Is Better Than Life With Dishonour' - Cheryl Barker

Amazon.com

This performance, the only one available in English, is problematic. Best is Yves Abel's leadership of the orchestra, which sounds wonderful, imbuing Puccini's lush score with just the right exoticism and emphasis. But aside from Gregory Yurisch's fine Sharpless, the singers don't please. Paul Charles Clarke as Pinkerton is lacking stylistically and vocally, and as Butterfly, Cheryl Barker sounds under strain and never pretty. While she has the power and feeling for the big second-act climax (the sighting of the ship), she never for a moment sounds fragile or girlish, not even in the all-important early scenes. English or not, this set isn't in the running. Stick with Callas or Scotto in Italian, and follow the libretto. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A touching English Butterfly.......2002-03-27

Anyone familiar with Cheryl Barker's Butterfly will be interested in hearing this recording. I have heard her in the role twice - in Auckland and London - and her voice has filled out as the years have gone on. She hasn't a large italianate soprano; the sound is too slender somehow. Yet there is the paradox - it has great carrying power and a decent cutting edge to make itself heard above the orchestral climaxes. What really impresses is the sense of vulnerability and moral strength she imparts, making sense of the big moments of the secong act. The sound in Act one is gorgeous (and a super D flat in theentrance aria) and she differentiates impressively between the child-bride and the embittered woman of the two acts.

She is surrounded by a mixed supporting cast. Jean Rigby is maternal, warm and affecting as Suzuki. Gregory Yurisich makes Sharpless' dilemma more understandable than usual, rather than being completely ineffectual. Paul Charles Clarke perhaps illustrates Pinkerton's arrogance with a degree of vocal swagger, but the sound is rough-hewn and unlovely save for some moments in the love duet. Stuart Kale's Goro is suitable ingratiating and oily.

Abel's conducting is the other chief draw of this set. That he has experience of the score in the theatre means that his pacing is really superb, and the lush orchestration is given its due, the potent intermezzo during the overnight vigil sounding suitably ominous.

This won't replace the classic Butterfly recordings, but in the absendce of any new ones recently, and for acceptable diction in an English version, it is certainly worth the (not very high) price. Recommended.

Rock Music:

Rock Music