| 1. Rock and Roll Is Dead |
| 2. Circus |
| 3. Beyond the 7th Sky |
| 4. Tunnel Vision |
| 5. Can't Get You off My Mind |
| 6. Magdalene |
| 7. God Is Love |
| 8. Thin Ice |
| 9. Don't Go and Put a Bullet in Your Head |
| 10. In My Life Today |
| 11. Resurrection |
Editorial Reviews
On the opening cut of Lenny Kravitz's latest album, Circus, the rock star falls just short of completely writing off his own existence. The song: "Rock and Roll Is Dead," a standard indictment of the fabled rock and roll lifestyle ("You're living for an image...you got five hundred women in your bed"). It's ironic, though, that Kravitz himself has always played rock star to the hilt--not in any gross display of decadence, but rather through his pronounced narcissism and pretentiousness. If rock and roll really is dead, surely the Lenny Kravitzes of the world would have slunk their way into extinction by now.
Kravitz's continued adherence to his ridiculous, often-parodied rock star stance is what makes him--even more than his decidedly retrograde music-- an anachronism. And while bands like Urge Overkill get away with Kravitz-like stud rock because they riff with their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks, Kravitz is all the more difficult to stomach because he's so lacking in irony.
If it's possible to separate the music from the silly rock star that created it (or if you actually dig Kravitz's pose), Circus turns out to be a better-than-average classic rock record. "Magdalene" bursts with as much melody and enthusiasm as Matthew Sweet power-pop; the mid-tempo "Can't Get You Off My Mind" sways like the country-flavored rock of the '70s; and "Don't Go and Put a Bullet in Your Head" is driven by a surprisingly nonretro drum machine beat.
Circus is interesting as well for its heavy religious content. Though Kravitz's hippified vision of world harmony goes back to his first single, 1989's "Let Love Rule," never has he sounded more overtly Christian than here on songs like "God Is Love" and "The Resurrection." Traditional Christians might find his mix of sexuality with religion offensive, and secular rock fans might find his beatitudes creepy. Still, if gangster rap or left-wing folk music are valid themes for pop music, there's certainly room as well for Kravitz's religious convictions and positive vibe. --Roni Sarig
Circus,Lenny Kravitz,Virgin Records,Album Rock,American Trad Rock,Neo-Psychedelia,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock & Roll
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Circus Diablo
Circus Diablo Manufacturer: Koch Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000R56PEI Release Date: 2007-07-03 |
Tracks:
- Loaded
- So Fine
- Restless
- Shine
- Mad Parade
- Red Sun Rising
- Commercial Break
- Hello, Goodbye
- Ants Invasion
- Rollercoaster
- Dignified
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Under the Big Top: 100 Years of Circus Music
Great American Main Street Band , and Traditional/various Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002SKA Release Date: 1993-01-19 |
Tracks:
- Entry Of The Gladiators
- Memphis The Majestic March
- Caesar's Triumphal March
- Miss Trombone (A Slippery Rag)
- The Cantonians March
- Broadway One-Step
- Wedding Of The Winds (Waltz)
- Honey Boys On Parade (March)
- Kentucky Sunrise (Two-Step)
- Jungle Queen (Oriental Two-Step)
- The Big Cage (Circus Galop)
- Trombone Blues
- Royal Decree (March)
- The Booster (An American Absurdity Rag)
- Russian Circus March
- Olympia Hippodrome March
- Clownette (Novelty)
- The Circus King (March)
- Walking Frog (Two-Step)
- A Night In June (Serenade)
- Stop It! (One-Step)
- Folies Berg (Marach And Two-Step)
- Fan-Tan (Chinese March Characteristique)
- Copa Cabana (Samba)
- Crimson Petal (Valse Caprice)
- Circus Echoes (Galop)
- Storming Of El Caney
- Barnum & Bailey's Favorite (March)
Customer Reviews:
perfect circus party music.......2007-05-19
Memories of Happy Times.......2007-04-11
Perfect!!!.......2006-11-18
Great cd!.......2006-02-26
just like being there.......2005-09-27
What a treasure of old style, authentic Americana this music presents. If you haven't been to this smaller type of circus in person, you've certainly seen it in the movies. And this puts you right in the front row. The liner notes are great, as you can picture the sequence of the performers; from their grand entrance, to the finale, with the clowns slipping in here and there.
Wonderful music. I am very happy that I now own it. And I become happier each time I listen to it!
Average customer rating:
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The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
The Rolling Stones Manufacturer: Abkco ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003BD3 Release Date: 1996-10-15 |
Tracks:
- MickJagger's Introduction Of Rock And Roll Circus - Mick Jagger
- Entry Of The Gladiators - Julius Fucik
- Mick Jagger's Introduction Of Jethro Tull - Mick Jagger
- Song For Jeffrey - Jethro Tull
- Keith Richard's Introduction Of The Who - Keith Richard
- A Quick One While He's Away - The Who
- Over The Waves - Juventino Rosas
- Ain't That A Lot A Love - Taj Mahal
- Charlie Watt's Introduction Of Marianne Faithfull - Charlie Watts
- Something Better - Marianne Faithfull
- Mick Jagger's And John Lennon's Introduction Of The Dirty Mac - Mick Jagger And John Letter
- Yer Blues - The Dirty Mac
- Whole Lotta Yoko - Yoko Ono And Ivry Gitlis With The Dirty Mac
- John Lennon's Introduction Of The Rolling Stones/ Jumping Jack Flash - John Lennon/ The Rolling Stones
- Parachute Woman - The Rolling Stones
- No Expectations - The Rolling Stones
- You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones
- Sympathy For The Devil - The Rolling Stones
- Salt Of The Earth - The Rolling Stones
Amazon.com
Conceived in late-'60s London, this literal three-ring would-be "television spectacular" featuring the Stones and a select cadre of friends and associates became (along with the Beach Boys' Smile album and Bob Dylan's Albert Hall concert) one of the era's greatest unreleased projects. When it finally surfaced in the late '90s, those overinflated expectations all but guaranteed it a tepid response. Legend has it that the Stones originally nixed it because they felt overshadowed by the Who, but it's likely the shelving had more to do with the band's then-unsettled state of affairs. The Stones' raw, powerful set here both bridges the first Stones era with what was essentially the swan song of band's ill-fated cofounder Brian Jones, who would be fired for ongoing substance-abuse problems. (That really took some doing in a band that also featured Keith Richards!) Also notable is the one-time-only teaming of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Richards, and Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell (as "The Dirty Mac") for a long, loud, and lugubrious workout of Lennon's "White Album" standout "Yer Blues." --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
Advertise DVD and get CD ??.......2007-05-06
as if anyone wouldn't love this..........2007-03-18
great view of the sixties.......2006-08-13
No Polished Diamond, but Surely a Jem!.......2005-11-02
One has to look below the surface of this light-hearted production to appreciate its magic. Tony Iommi, the left-handed guitarist, later to become the driving force behind Black Sabbath seemingly goes unnoticed as Jethro Tull's side man in "Song For Jeffrey." The falsetto harmonies of the Who's quiet bassist John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, barely able to contain himself, highlight Pete Townsend's "A Quick One While He's Away. "Ain't That A Lot of Love" and some extra performances resurrect the nearly forgotten blues group Taj Mahal.
Girlfriends and wives also got in on the act, and contributed performances. Marianne Faithful, then Mick Jagger's main squeeze, delivers a cutesie virbrato rendition of "Something Better." Yoko Ono (with classic violinist Ivry Gitlis) reminds all within memory just how horribly wretched her dying animal, no talent voice passed off as art, can be on "Whole Lotta Yoko."
Dirty Mac, an all-star garage band featuring the late John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richard on bass, and Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell, resurrect a lost art: the Jam. Lennon's powerful vocals leads the ensemble through a rendition of "Yer Blues," while a youthful Clapton gently caresses a beautiful red Gibson ES-335. Richard, surprisingly competent on bass, provides a solid foundation along with the ever meticulous Mitchell. A lose ending nearly spoils a perfect performance, but hap-hazard endings have always been a Rolling Stones trademark anyway.
Predictably, the Stones highlight the show with six exceedingly rare performances. The late Brian Jones, an original founding member, who would be fired by Jagger & Co., then mysteriously drown shortly thereafter is seen here in this unique footage. The Stones remain true to the studio version of the now classic "Jumping Jack Flash," as the crowd needs no cue to come alive. Richards launches the band into the slow blues "Parachute Woman." Mick's harmonica and the honky-tonk piano of the late Nicky Hopkins fill the gaps nicely. Jone's hauntingly beautiful slide guitar, Richards' acoustic rhythm, Hopkins' pounding fills, and Jagger's intoxicating vocals nail "No Expectations." The Stones increase the tempo with yet another classic, "You Can't Always Get What You Want," then launch into the sinister "Sympathy For The Devil." Charlie Watts' rim work coupled with guest conga man, Rocky Dijon lend a raw authenticity, later lost in stadium venues. Ever the front-man, Jagger's voodoo screams are climaxed by him kneeling submissively, peeling off his shirt, like a slave about to be whipped, only to reveal some devilish, if temporary body tattoos. An audience participation finale of "Salt of the Earth" highlight Jagger and Richards vocal harmonies quite nicely.
Despite the few legitimate circus acts interlaced with humorous, if sometimes ridiculous witticisms by Jagger, Lennon, and others, this nicely arranged package is a must for any die-hard Stones fan, or afictionado of classic rock history.
HMMMMMMMM....... YEAH.......2005-09-08
VH-1 pulled this out of the vaults about six or seven years ago and I can remember loving the special on TV. There is a DVD out now which I haven't seen so I don't know if theres anything new on it.
The music is live but in front of a selected audience in an atmosphere made up to look like an actual circus.
The cuts don't sound live, but for the most part are actually EDGIER than their actual studio cuts.
BEST EXAMPLES ARE:
JETHRO TULL: SONG FOR JEFFREY, I remember this because, this was the first time I ever heard this song. I went out and found it on TULL's THIS WAS album and I was extremely pissed. Actually the reason I purchased this disc was solely for the version of this song WHICH ROCKS!
THE WHO's: QUICK ONE, this one sounds as if it were written just for this performance. Way better than the studio.
THE DIRTY MAC: YER BLUES, in case you don't know THE MAC was compiled of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The Beatles album was brand new but since they were the biggest coveted thing on the planet, they weren't ever gonna be on this show.The Mac version is way full of sound. It's to bad this faux rock band only played together this one time.
Then you got TAJ MAHALL and MARIANNE FAITHFUL doing some cool tracks and all THE STONES stuff at the end.
Even though there is a lot of bogus clown music involved between tracks the cuts are so good that I will give it 5 stars.
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Mirrormask
Iain Ballamy , Stuart Hall , Martin Sharp , Matthew Sharp , Burt Bacharach , Dave McKean , Martin France , John Parricelli , Neil Percy , Iain Bellamy , Ashley Slater , Arve Henriksen , Chris Batchelor , David Powell , Josefine Cronholm , and Neil Gaiman Manufacturer: La-La Land Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007RTARU Release Date: 2005-09-20 |
Tracks:
- Sock Puppets / Flyover
- Circus Overture
- Spanish Web
- Gorillas!
- Running For The Bus
- Abandoned Hall
- Leaving The City
- Arresting Helena
- The White Queen Sleeps / The White Palace
- Rabbit Band
- The Library
- The Myth Of Creation
- Fish Street
- Looking Through The Window
- Giants Orbiting
- Outside Bagwell's
- Mrs. Bagwell's Rhumba
- Meeting The Sphinx
- Monkeybirds
- Dream Park / Meeting In A Dream
- Conjuring A Dome
- In The Dark Forest
- Betrayed!
- Close To You
- A New Life
- A Rather Tense Dinner Party
- Butterfingers
- Discoveries / Fight Or Flight? / Goodbye Evil Helena
- My Waltz For Newk
- If I Apologised
Customer Reviews:
Great movie, better soundtrack.......2007-05-19
great collection of unusual music.......2007-05-07
Supurb.......2007-03-08
Amazing!.......2007-02-24
excellent.......2007-01-17
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The Rocketeer: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000000OAW Release Date: 1996-03-12 |
Tracks:
- Main Title/Takeoff
- The Flying Circus
- Jenny
- Begin The Beguine
- Neville Sinclair's House
- Jenny's Rescue
- Rendezvous At Griffith Park Observatory
- When Your Lover Has Gone
- The Zeppelin
- Rocketeer To The Rescue/End Title
Customer Reviews:
A Music Score Benchmark.......2006-07-15
Good sound, but themes are redundant.......2005-08-06
On a different note, the Cole Porter songs are wonderful for anyone who enjoys his music, and the singer has a sultry voice that's perfect for the selection.
Heroic images.......2004-10-16
Excellent Score! One of Horner's best........2004-10-09
The Rocketeer: Another great James Horner score.......2003-08-02
My favourite track is "The Flying Circus", a fantastic action cue. (The bass-trombone is great!!)
The track "Jenny" is very beautiful, and one of Horner's best love-themes ever.
There are also two jazzy songs on the album. I think they are very good.
If you are a fan of James Horner, or you like Star Trek II, you might enjoy this cd very much.
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KÀ
Cirque du Soleil Manufacturer: Cirque Du Soleil ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000BC8SMO Release Date: 2005-10-18 |
Tracks:
- O MAKUNDE
- PAGEANT
- KOUDAMARE
- STORM
- DEEP
- SHADOWPLAY
- PURSUIT
- FOREST
- FLIGHT
- THREAT
- LOVE DANCE
- BATTLEFIELD
- AFTERMATH
- IF I COULD REACH YOUR HEART
- WEVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG
- REACH FOR ME NOW
Album Description
The soundtrack of the show KÀ is the most ambitious musical project produced by Cirque du Soleil to date. While remaining firmly rooted in Cirque du Soleil musical tradition, the recording features a symphony orchestra and a 40-member choir, as such creating a unique musical universe both epic and lyrical.The powerful percussion and distinctive sound invites comparisons with classic movie soundtracks creating "a rich soundtrack that lives up to the overarching eye-candy on display", says Variety. To create this sound, KÀ was recorded at the renowned Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in Montreal, where Cirque du Soleil is based. Hollywood veteran Simon Leclerc, the conductor for Star Trek: Voyager and Enterprise and the play Les Misérables, conducted the orchestra in Los Angeles.
Composer René Dupéré has been part of Cirque du Soleil since the very beginning. KÀ is the first work Dupéré has composed for Cirque du Soleil since 1994's Alegría, the best-selling Cirque du Soleil recording to date. "We pulled out all the stops in the making of this album, and the result is, I believe, a record of the highest quality," says Dupéré. The album KÀ is worthy of the show that Time magazine called "bigger than Vegas."
Both the stage production and the soundtrack called for highly innovative use of musical technology. Says Martin Lord-Ferguson, co-producer of the recording: "Technological innovation, artistic audacity and technical prowess are all features of KÀ that the soundtrack had to reflect."
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic!!!.......2007-05-22
Can't wait for the chance to go Vegas to attend the show....!!
Ka- Fabulous!!.......2007-05-07
Strong and refresh music.......2007-04-12
KA is good as well, but I just don't like that last few pieces, specifically, my ears just don't do well with that female singer's voice. Nothing against her personally, just don't feel right to hear her voice.
The choir is great, music is great, if you can listen with good sound system, you should be able to feel the battle field.
It has the 5-star potential if they have different female singer.
Made me a true Cirque fan.......2007-04-01
>>> It's very rare that I do this, but I also recently discovered the most thought provoking Instrumentals by MEHDl (Pronounced meddie). I was absolutely blown away by the sheer beauty of this music, (a true GEM). Full samples are at S00THINGMUSIC.C0M (type url in lower case)...JUST LISTEN. I have a feeling that you'll be glad you did!
An admirable soundtrack.......2007-03-29
Out of the thousands of CDs I have, all but a handful are classical music. This handful includes the live CD of Mystere and this studio recording of KA. I do not quite know why I like this CD so much. Perhaps because it reminds me of some of the visuals of the show, but sometimes I don't quite remember what those visuals were. (Although I remember "Flight," with that staggering many-sailed ship "sailing" across the air.) The soundtrack is extremely coherent, themes emerging, disappearing, and reemerging later in altered form. And yet, the music is quite varied. The playing and sound quality are excellent as well. The mood is, overall, rather dark, as another reviewer said, but then the show was dark. I would have to listen carefully many times to do a decent job of figuring out the classical music influences here, but the effect of various requiems (e.g., from Britten, Berlioz, and Verdi) can be heard. Yes, that will darken things.
To the person who complained about KA the show (I think he gave a review here of one star), you are supposed to be reviewing the music, not the show. However, at the show, there was a combination of live and recorded music. While I, too, prefer 100% live music, the size of these orchestral forces makes this just impossible given a realistic performance space for the show. The musicians couldn't be in an orchestra pit -- that's where the complex stage machinery was. Where would the choir be? Hanging from the rafters? All 40 of them? (Cirque would and has done something like this for a handful.) I think your criticism (of the show) did not take into account that live performance imposes its own constraints.
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Circus Music from the Big Top
Merle Evans Circus Band Manufacturer: Legacy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002NRK Release Date: 1994-07-05 |
Tracks:
- Triumphal March (The Grand Entry)
- The Walking Frog (Used For Performing Seals)
- Embossing The Emblem (Performers On The Trampoline)
- The Booster (Music Accompanying The Unforgettable Clowns)
- International Vaudeville (The Acrobats On The High Pole)
- Dusty Trombone (Music At The Intermission)
- Gallito (Three Rings For The Horses)
- Thunder And Lighting (Acrobats With Feats If Strength)
- Siamese Parade (The jugglers Perform)
- Valse Bleue (The Flying Trapeze Acts)
- The Southerner (The Tent Is Made A Fairyland Of Clowns)
- Walsenburg Galop (The Grand Exit With Chariots Galloping Around The Big Top)
Customer Reviews:
Nice collection, but..........2002-09-21
Should Legacy International ever locate the master tapes and produce a cleaner version of "Circus Music from the Big Top," I will be first in line to buy. Frankly, Merle Evans deserves better--much better.
If you are adding to a collection of circus music, you do need these arrangements. However, if you are just beginning a circus music library, your first purchase should be "Screamers" from Frederick Fennell. It delivers over an hour of expertly performed circus marches recorded with precision.
Merle at his best.......1998-08-24
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Set This Circus Down
Tim McGraw Manufacturer: Curb Special Markets ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000059S87 Release Date: 2001-04-24 |
Tracks:
- Cowboy In Me
- Telluride
- You Get Used To Somebody
- Unbroken
- Things Change
- Angel Boy
- Forget About Us
- Take Me Away From Here
- Smilin'
- Set This Circus Down
- Angry All the Time
- Let Me Love You
- Grown Men Don't Cry
- Why We Said Goodbye
Amazon.com
As a singer who has parlayed boyish charm and modest talent into a multiplatinum career, Tim McGraw seems like the guy next door who got incredibly lucky--and not just with his marriage to Faith Hill. This easy-listening collection features a generous 14 cuts, heavy on power ballads ("You Get Used to Somebody," "Take Me Away from Here," "Why We Said Goodbye") with soaring choruses and frothy sentiments, but light on soulful substance. For variety, McGraw proves a dead-on Springsteen mimic with "Forget About You," dubiously links himself to Hank Williams and Elvis with "Things Change," and crosses over toward Ricky Martin territory on the Spanish-tinged "Let Me Love You." Hill joins hubby on background vocals for the comparatively subtle "Angry All the Time." --Don McLeeseCustomer Reviews:
Great Album.......2007-04-02
A SUPERSTAR WHO IS GOOD!.......2006-04-26
BEST TIM MCGRAW ALBUM!.......2005-06-19
BEST TIM ALBUM TO DATE!!.......2005-04-06
When He shot the video for "The Cowboy in Me" I was at the concert, and you can see me in the video. I am holding this flashing red light that says "Tim McGraw - Bud Light" and they kept it in the video so I am also a fan of that song just for that!! J
things change.......2005-04-02
"The cowboy in me" is rockier than his usual music, and has strong guitar themes throughout it, yet the voice is still pure country, as are the lyrics. The lyrics are song, and it's either a song you get or you don't. It either will strike a chord in you, and make you sit up and realise "Hey I get that. I get what he means by the cowboy in me" or you won't.
"Teluride" talks about a young boys innocence fading, and the bittersweet remembrance of young love.
You get used to somebody is the traditional love song that appears on McGraw's album, with strong poignant lyrics such as "I never dreamed when i was letting you go that i would wake up and miss you this much" that touch even the coldest of hearts.
"Unbroken" borders on as pop country as perhaps McGraw gets, and has a great beat to it.
"Things change" is a must listen to song, and it looks at how music has changed throughout the years, and it's something a music lover who knows their music can listen to and relate to. it talks about the perjudice, and how much music has changed over the years from Elvis Presley to now. With strong guitar, and strong vocals this song is a pure winner.
The line that really touches deep is "they say it's too country, it's too rock n roll but it's only music if you can feel it in your soul." Pure magic.
I think one of the biggest gems on this album is the song "Angry all the time" which talks about the breakup of a relationship, and what made it disintegrate. the lyrics are powerful, strong, and touch deeply.
Right throughout the album the lyrics are strong, the vocals of Mcgraw goes from strength to strength.
His relationship with his group The dancehall doctors is strong, and it shows throughout the whole album.
An album worth having in the collection, and it's understandable why Mcgraw keeps on winning with his music.
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Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000657XY Release Date: 2002-05-07 |
Tracks:
- Superstar - Murray Head w/ the Trinidad Singers (Jesus Christ Superstar)
- As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand (Sunset Boulevard)
- The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford (The Phantom Of The Opera)
- You Must Love Me - Madonna (Evita)
- Any Dream Will Do-Donny Osmond (Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
- Memory - Betty Buckley (Cats)
- Pie Jesus - Charlotte Church (Requiem)
- The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford (The Phantom Of The Opera)
- I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman (Jesus Christ Superstar)
- Don't Cry For Me Argentina -Patti Lupone (Evita)
- Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball (Aspects Of Love)
- All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman (The Phantom Of The Opera)
- The Perfect Year - Glenn Close & Alan Campbell (Sunset Boulevard)
- The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones & Sounds Of Blackness (Whistle Down The Wind)
- No Matter What - Boyzone (Whistle Down The Wind)
- Oh What A Circus - Mandy Patinkin (Evita)
- Whistle Down The Wind - Sarah Brightman (Whistle Down The Wind)
- Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman & Jose Carrerras (1992 Olympics Theme)
Amazon.com
The critical debate over Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical legacy will no doubt rage for decades. Is he the shrewd populist composer who almost single-handedly revived the moribund stage musical--or a crass, Barnum-esque showman (who almost single-handedly revived the moribund stage musical)? This 18-track anthology chronicles the high points of Sir Andrew's enduring songcraft and the irrefutable impact it's made across a remarkably disparate swath of tastes and genres, from Broadway to Top 40 radio and even the classical repertoire.If some have accused Lloyd Webber's songs--like "The Music of the Night" (from Phantom of the Opera) and the title tune from Whistle Down the Wind, included here--of having all the melodic and lyrical sophistication of a children's lullaby, that's likely the very element that's made them so appealing to a mass audience. If nothing else, it's a compelling argument for that old notion about it being "the singer, not the song." Indeed, there are few contemporary composers whose music could entice divas from Streisand ("As If We'd Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Blvd.) to Madonna (Evita's "You Must Love Me") and Charlotte Church ("Pie Jesu" from Requiem) to cover it, let alone forge the very careers of artists like Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. And if there's any substance to that other criticism of Lloyd Webber lifting the melodic ideas of composers from Verdi to John Williams (we swear that's the theme to Jurassic Park bubbling up in Tom Jones's camped-up take on Whistle's "The Vaults of Heaven"), at least, like virtually every major composer, he's stolen--er, borrowed--from the best. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews:
Andrew LLoyd Webber - Gold Hits.......2007-07-13
The Gold By Andrew.......2007-04-23
But besides that this cd is very good. With manye nice and difficult songs (I've sung some of the myself in siningclass).
So if you like Andrew's music this most sertanly is a most have.
The best of Webber.......2005-09-12
Some examples: this version contains Memory sung by Betty Buckley while the Elaine Page version is light years better. Then it contains Patti Lupone's version of Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Even though Madonna wasn't the best Evita, she definitely sung Argentina in a way no-one could before or will ever. Whistle Down The Wind is represented with 3 songs - the place of the Tom Jones song is not here (the same could be said of Tina Arena's song o the European edition). Instead of the TJ song they could have included Take That Look Off Your Face by Marti Webb - one of the best songs by Webber. Pie Jesu from the Requiem is much better sung by Sarah Brightman. These are the faults.
What about the rest? Pure joy and material worth of 6 stars. Superstar, Phantom Of The Opera, Music Of The Night, I Don't Know How To Love Him, All I Ask Of You, No Matter What, Oh What A Circus - wonderful songs and wonderful performers. My all-time favorite from Webber will always be Music Of The Night and the version included here is the mesmerizing adaptation of Michael Crawford.
I don't advise anyone not to buy this album - it's good material, however it's far from being perfect.
THE BEST OF LLOYD WEBBER MADE FOR THE AMERICAN AUDIENCES.......2005-01-31
So here are my thoughts about the tracks in this one:
1. "Superstar" and "I don't know how to love him" are both from the concept album of "Jesus Christ Superstar". They sound wonderful as ever, although the orchestrations may seem a bit dated by now.
2. "Sunset Boulevard" is marked here with two songs. Barbra Streisand's powerful voice shines all the way through in "As if we never said goodbye"; it's a shame she never played Norma Desmond on Broadway, since Patti LuPone wasn't allowed to take her Norma to New York, and Glenn Close butchered the role. Her limited vocal abilities were hardly suited for the material, as it is shown by the second Sunset song, "The perfect year", performed by Close and Alan Campbell. They both lack a decent singing voice, so this is the one song I skip regularly. The song itself sounds much better in its single version with pops orchestration, as can be heard on the European version of this compilation, where it is performed by Dina Carroll. This version here can hardly be considered a gold one.
3. "The Phantom of the Opera" is represented by three songs. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman performance in the song of the same title is amazing. They were both born to play their roles in this show and their voices fit together perfectly. Sarah can hit the high notes in the end like no other Christine. Cliff Richard and Sarah sing the lovely ballad "All I ask of you" with passion, and Cliff has a wonderful warmth in his voice. Finally, Michael Crawford gives his unique and mesmerising interpretation in "The music of the night".
4. The 1996 movie version of "Evita" is Madonna's best role to date and it brought an Academy Award for Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who wrote "You must love me" especially for the big screen. This is another wonderful ballad with the haunting cello and piano solo. It just proves that Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were the best collaborators. They really should do another musical together.
5. "The Joseph and his amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was Webber's first musical and the signature song "Any dream will do" is performed here by Donny Osmond, who also appeared in the video version. I find his rendition even better than London's Jason Donovan, since Donny isn't strictly bound by the notes and so sings it more casually. A wonderful pop piece.
6."Memory" from "Cats" is probably the most famous of all Webber's songs, recorded by numerous artists. This version is sung by Betty Buckley, who was Broadway's Grizabella. Although Betty's performance can't be considered bad, I prefer Elaine Paige, who sung the song first, in the London production. Elaine has a note of sorrow in her at times husky voice, which I found very intriguing. Her performance can be considered definite, as heard on "Cats" DVD or in her latest two-disc compilation, "Centre stage: The very best of Elaine Paige", issued in May 2004. Still, those who prefer Ms. Buckley or who saw her on stage in this role won't be disappointed.
7. "Pie Jesu" is the best known song from Webber's "Requiem", written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. I'm not too keen on the version included here, performed by Charlotte Church, because her voice isn't as pretty as Sarah Brightman's on the original recording and the tempo is somewhat faster here.
8. "Don't cry for me Argentina" is among my all-time Lloyd Webber's favourites. I like all the ladies who performed "Evita" on the stage and on the screen (Julie Covington, Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone and Madonna), but on this disc is the version I am most satisfied with, since it is sung by Patti LuPone. Ms. LuPone has a very powerful voice with an amazing range and she deserved her Tony Award for this role. She was able to sound both vulnerable and decisive while singing this, whereas the other leading ladies emphasized one or the other in their interpretation. Mandy Patinkin's "Oh what a circus" is not the best, the orchestration is a little bit weak and his voice sounds thin to me. David Essex on the London cast recording is more suitable.
9. "Aspects of love" boast here with its top song, "Love changes everything", performed wonderfully by Michael Ball. It was his #1 hit and is probably one of the most beautiful love anthems ever written.
10. Three songs come from "Whistle down the wind". The studio release of the same title is one of the reasons I bought this compilation, although I already have the European one. It is performed by Sarah Brightman with Lloyd Webber playing the piano and a symphonic orchestra who nicely takes the lead of the main melody. Sarah voice is angelic; she sings it like a little bird. Very charming. Boyzone's "No matter what" was a huge pop hit in the charts. Again, we have a song with the suitable orchestrations and vocals. And lastly, Tom Jones' deep voice in combination with the back vocals of "The Sounds of Blackness" gives a rocking rendition of the church hymn "The vaults of heaven". It can't be found on the European version and Tom's voice shows it hasn't aged. Way to go.
11. For the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Webber wrote, together with his long-time lyricist Don Black, this last song, "Amigos para siempre or Friends for life". It's a nice duet between Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras, their voices sore when bound together. The melody itself is neat, especially when the orchestra takes the lead.
Besides the fact that some of the performers here were not the best for my taste, there is also the fact that some of Lloyd Webber's shows are omitted in this version, most notably, "Tell me on a Sunday". Also, unlike its European counterpart, this compilation isn't aligned chronologically, so we have 1970 Superstar being the first song, 1993 Sunset Blvd comes the second, followed by The Phantom from 1986 and so on. None the less, this CD is excellent as an introduction to Lloyd Webber's music and one can continue with his cast recordings from there. It's also very handy as a single disc compilation for the American fans.
Super good CD.......2004-12-31
Average customer rating:
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Jojo's Circus: Songs from Under the Big Top!
Original Soundtrack Manufacturer: Disney ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000C4BAYE Release Date: 2005-12-20 |
Tracks:
- Jo Jo's Circus Theme Song
- Brush Your Teeth
- The Stretching Song
- Walk Like An Elephant
- Pat Your Tummy And Rub Your Nose
- Rum Tum Tum
- Monkey See Monkey Do
- Jump For Joy
- Flap Quack
- Balance And Pedal
- Tap On Somebody's Shoulder
- Gum Drop Song
- Stuck To You
- 'Spotlight Moment' Theme Song
- Cannonball Jo Jo
- Take A Bow
- Stop Drop And Roll
- Statue
- The Rainbow Dance
- Wash Your Hair
- Roar
- Hamstercize
- MirrorMittor
- Pop The Ballons
- Hoop Jump
- Laugh And Clap
- Messy Mess
- Jump Swish Shimmy
- Bathtime
- Go To Sleep
Customer Reviews:
Great CD.......2007-01-08
Great fun for JoJo fans.......2006-03-16
The songs are all very short - none more than a minute and a half - but with 30 songs, that still makes for a decent length CD. I would have liked the "Spotlight Moment" song to be the last track on the CD, but am glad it's on there at all.
Great gift for any JoJo fan!
Another Fun Collection of Songs.......2006-01-26
"Songs From Under the Big Top!" has thirty songs from the show. Finally included is a vocal version of the "Spotlight Moment" Theme Song, heard when JoJo is carted up on stage to tell everyone what she learned. Personal favorites on this CD include the extremely fun "Jump For Joy," "Wash Your Hair," "Roar," "Hoop Jump," "Bathtime" and "Go To Sleep." The songs are in all sorts of styles that will keep listeners engaged and entertained. The album artwork and insert artwork is great, although there are no included song lyrics. There is a coupon included for $2 off certain other Playhouse Disney CDs, however, though that offer may be expired by the time you read this review.
The main disappointment with this album is that a fair number of the songs on it were also on the original "JoJo's Circus" album. These are still great tracks, but I don't see the point of recycling material when there are still so many other songs from the show they could have included. It's not enough to keep this from being a great CD, though.
Rock Music:
- Crossing Guard [Import]
- Culturefrenia [Import]
- Da Vinci Mood [Import]
- Dead Cheap Fierce Panda Sampler [Import]
- Denied
- Derek Dick & His Amazing Electric Bear [Live] [Original recording remastered]
- Dosage [Import] [Extra tracks]
- Faintly Blowing [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]
- For Whom the Bells Toll
- Fullton Hill [Import]
