9th & 13th

The Guardian
"Jonathan Coe's [writing is] witty, politically angry, fantastically plotted and quietly moving...with personal themes of transformation and confusion."

Product Description
'9th and 13th' reaches the rare crossroads between spoken word and refined lounge – definitely a modern classic. Jonathan Coe is a wonderful author, a typically British satirist of modern life. For his first album, he has collaborated with one of the cleverest French pop songwriters, Louis Philippe. Coe delivers his poetry and extracts of his novels on top of the sweet symphonic songs of Ravel pop genius Philippe. The result is a brilliant concept album mixing soft orchestra atmospheres with the stunning readings of this talented novelist.

9th & 13th,Jonathan Coe,Tricatel,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Got it for free on a promo and would have paid for it had I known how good it was! Even Better In Concert new Shawn Mullins Pretty Good Not his usual fare, but great stuff...

9th Ward Pickin' Parlor Shawn Mullins Manufacturer: Vanguard Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Shawn Mullins Soul's Core All the Roadrunning Beneath The Velvet Sun Eye To The Telescope ASIN: B000CSTKCO Release Date: 2006-02-14

Tracks:

1. Blue As You
2. Beautiful Wreck
3. Cold Black Heart
4. Faith
5. Homemade Wine
6. Talkin' Goin' To Alaska Blues
7. We Could Go And Start Again
8. Kelly's Song
9. Find Love
10. All Fall Down
11. Lay Down Your Sword, Boys
12. Solitaire
13. House Of the Rising Sun

Customer Reviews:

Got it for free on a promo and would have paid for it had I known how good it was! .......2007-05-25

I hadn't heard of Mullins before the CD was offered as a free promo. I picked the CD because the title intrigued me. I put the CD in my computer to rip it to my iTunes and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the music. It's a bluesy mix of country and pop. So far, "Beautiful Wreck" is my pick of the bunch, but I'll certainly be listening to the CD more than once.

Even Better In Concert.......2007-05-11

We recently saw Shawn Mullins in concert and of all concerts I've been to, this one blew my mind. He is an amazingly talented performer and musician and one of the few these days who sounds better in person than recorded. This CD is great and is one of those that grows on you the more you listen to it. The tracks are ecclectic, as some reviewers note, but they show a range of talent and aren't just fillers. In the age of itunes, I rarely like a CD enough to buy ALL the songs, but this was an exception to the rule.

new Shawn Mullins.......2007-02-21

This album is a musical journey through almost every human emotion. As Beautiful Wreck continues to climb the charts (as it should) watch out for Find Love to be a potential follow up. Find Love is tender, heartwarming, and takes you through Mullins' entire vocal range. It is a masterpiece, as are most of the songs on this record.

-Bryan Evans

Pretty Good.......2007-01-03

I bought this album for the song 'Cold Black Heart', but the rest of the albumn slowly grew on me. While 'Cold Black Heart' reminded me more of an Irish Reel, the rest of the songs were more folk/country, which I don't always prefer. But after a while those songs ended up being better than the track 3 for why I had purchased this. Songs like "All Fall Down" and 'Homemade Wine" with it's lyrics, makes this whole albumn worth listening to many times over.

Not his usual fare, but great stuff..........2006-09-24

I agree with the other reviewers that if you're expecting another "soul's core", you will be disappointed. Personally, I respect Shawn's ability to create; to change and develop himself musically. It's art, people.

If you like any of Shawn's stuff and haven't listened to Eggshells, please do so. It's worth the original version of "Shimmer" alone. It's my personal favorite of his albums.

If you haven't seen him live, please do so! His voice is absolutely amazing...

Average customer rating: Prisoner 6 double-five 3-2-1 Kubrick At His Best Good soundtrack Easier to experience than the movie! Horrorshow Lomticks of Music to do the old Ultra-Violence By.

Stanley Kubrick's Clockwork Orange (1971 Film) Various Artists , Ludwig van Beethoven , Edward Elgar , Terry Tucker , Erika Eigen , Nacio Herb Brown , and Gene Kelly Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music 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 Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1970s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Clockwork Orange: Wendy Carlos's Complete Original Score 2001: A Space Odyssey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996 Reissue) A Clockwork Orange Switched-On Boxed Set Switched-On Bach ASIN: B000002KDU Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Title Music From A Clockwork Orange - Walter Carlos
2. The Thieving Magpie (Abridged) - A Clockwork Orange ST
3. Theme from A Clockwork Orange (Beethoviana) - Walter Carlos
4. Ninth Symphony, Second Movement (Abridged) - A Clockwork Orange ST D
5. March From A Clockwork Orange (Ninth Symphony, Fourth Movement, Abridged) - Walter Carlos
6. William Tell Overture (Abridged) - Walter Carlos
7. Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 - Stanley Kubrick
8. Pomp And Circumstance March No.4 (Abridged) - Stanley Kubrick
9. Timesteps (Excerpt) - Walter Carlos
10. Overture To The Sun - Terry Tucker
11. I Want To Marry A Lighthouse Keeper - Ericka Eigen
12. William Tell Overture (Abridged) - A Clockwork Orange ST
13. Suicide Scherzo (Ninth Symphony, Second Movement, Abridged) - Walter Carlos
14. Ninth Symphony, Fourth Movement (Abridged) - A Clockwork Orange ST
15. Singin' in the Rain - Gene Kelly

Amazon.com

Stanley Kubrick's demanding perfectionism in all aspects of the filmmaking process has led to some of the most memorable soundtracks of the modern era. Kubrick's taste for the classics led to his scrapping Alex North's original score for 2001: A Space Odyssey in lieu of the "temporary" tracks he had used for editing, turning Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra into an unlikely 20th-century pop icon. For his 1971 adaptation of Anthony Burgess's cautionary future-shocker, Kubrick once again turned to the classics. Malcolm McDowell's protagonist Droog Alex's taste for Beethoven is given a nice tweaking by Moog pioneer Walter (now Wendy) Carlos's synthesized take on the glorious Ninth Symphony. Some have complained that the now-primitive electronics involved give it a dated feel. Disturbingly--and effectively--other-worldly is more like it. Kubrick also imbues repertory standards by Rossini and Elgar with dark, frequently hilarious irony, and makes Gene Kelly's sunny reading of "Singin' In The Rain" the underscore to an all-too-accurate prediction of societal nightmares to come. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Prisoner 6 double-five 3-2-1.......2007-03-16

The soundtrack album of CLOCKWORK ORANGE, even with it's simple (and supposedly) outdated Wendy Carlos recordings, holds up far better than the actual film has over these 36 years. This story takes place in the 1990s, and we all know that today's world is nothing like Anthony Burgess' dismal and nightmarish vision . . . don't we?

Most of the CLOCKWORK ORANGE soundtrack's classical selections are by Herbert Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. These spirited Beethoven and Rossini interpretations remain some of the very best ever recorded.

The excerpt of Wendy's "Timesteps" is the most compelling piece here. In the film, this stark aural collage is background to Alex's behavior modification. In order to shorten his prison sentence, the violent sociopath is made chemically ill while forced to view scenes of rapine and bloodshed. His sickness can only be arrested by replacing his natural criminal urges with passive thoughts.

It's hard to listen to "Overture To The Sun" without recalling the spotlighted naked girl who tempts an on-exhibit Alex into a state of unwellness that he likens to "wanting to snuff it." His freedom to choose brutality has been taken from him forcefully, through violent reprogramming. The subsequent events that precipitate Alex's restoration into a fully non-functional member of society beset him in a fashion ironically similar to the chaos he once left in his violent wake.

The stark images and perversities of this movie tend to stay with a person. Perhaps watching Kubrick's CLOCKWORK ORANGE has in some way "programmed" the viewer, too, by desensitizing us to the madness that is all around. Maybe this film holds up better than I thought. I must have a glass of choko moloko and reconsider . . .

Kubrick At His Best.......2007-01-11

This is a fantastic Kubrick movie. Based on a novel of equal respect, this movie details troubled youth, violence, and sex in a modern-yet-more-so world. The slang of the young men in the movie is a mixture of British and Russian slang terminology created by the book's author. A must-see for the Kubrick fan out there.

Good soundtrack.......2006-02-20

I own this on vinyl and yes an exellent soundtrack from an exellent movie

Easier to experience than the movie!.......2005-08-17

Having purchased this soundtrack along with its respective CD score (by Wendy Carlos), it is a wonderful installment to any soundtrack fan/buff. The awesome sound of classical music, contained in the CDs, in which director Stanley Kubrick chose for the picture, is so juxtaposing it is brilliant. Even if one does not know a lick of classical music, one can easily suggest this soundtrack as a useful introduction into the genre. Though the film may not be as easy to experience as the music contained inside, the soundtrack stands as a milestone for music in film perhaps only beaten by the director's previous work in '2001 A Space Odyssey'.

Horrorshow Lomticks of Music to do the old Ultra-Violence By. .......2005-07-28

Bolshi Yarblockos, my droggies. Viddy thou this incredible soundtrack from the film A Clockwork Orange. Cued from the novel by Anthony Burgess, the musical selections mainly focus on the Beethoven obsession of the main character Alex, however Carlos's deep knowledge of the classical repetoire and Kubrick's neurotic perfectionism combine to fill out this album. I love most of the tracks here, and have listened to them since 1972.

My personal favorite is the title music of the film, Henry Purcell's "Funeral Music for Queen Mary," a piece so appropriate to the film that Purcell must have been channelling the future when he wrote it in the late 17th century. Carlos's interpretation of this Purcell piece is astounding in its forboding textures and alientating timbres. Electronic tympani have never sounded better - and were never used like this before. Ring modualtions, filter sweeps, phased sawtooth angel trumpets and resonate devil trombones - oh bliss!

I also liked the strange music Kubrick chose - "I want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper," and "Anthem to the Sun," both obscure and perfect.

Carlos's avant-garde composition "Timesteps" appears in abbreviated form here, and for most listeners this abridgement is enough.

The concluding ironic use of "Singing in the Rain," is wonderful, and after an album (and film) full of electronics, classical music, and weirdness, a standard is shocking enough.

There is a new version of the soundtrack put out by Carlos herself, which includes only her work. Some tracks composed but not used in the film appear here, as do some track used, but not appearing on the OST as well. Timesteps in its 13:37 form is also on this album.

For those fans of Prog rock: Viddy the film when Alex visits a record store: Notice the Vertigo swirl above the main desk, also in the wrecked foyer of Alex's highrise, one of the figures on the vandalised mural has "Suck it and see" written on it, also the name of a Vertigo music sampler of the same era.

Average customer rating: Its like.... 9th Wonder Stikes Again, This Time With Murs (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars) Unbelievable Murs is jealous of white MCs. good

Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition Murs Manufacturer: Definitive Jux ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: End of the Beginning Connected Spirit of 94 Version 9.0 A Tribute to Lisa Bonet Sleepers ASIN: B0001KL4ZY Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Bad Man!
3. 3:16
4. The Pain
5. Trevor An' Them
6. Freak These Tales
7. H-U-S-T-L-E
8. Walk Like A Man
9. And This is For?
10. The Animal

Customer Reviews:

Its like...........2007-07-16

People just LOOK & LOOK for holes!!! This is a great album, from a great artist. Thats it no more no less, just good hip hop. The writting is deep but not depressing. The delivery is on time but not too quantisized!!!The production is there & its all pretty much done by him, I think...? Great album WELL worth the asking price!!!
[...]

9th Wonder Stikes Again, This Time With Murs (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars).......2007-05-20

Back in '04 Little Brother was buzy. While Pooh did a solo album, and Phonte was doing the Foreign Exchange album, 9th was doing some beats for some people. He would produce an album for a guy named Murs titled "Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition". Like most people, I never heard of Murs, or Living Legends, until I heard this album. Murs is a dope artist, in my opinion. I found many tracks on this album to be enjoyable. Some of the standouts were when he rhymes about the opposite sex, both good ("Freak These Tales"), and bad ("The Pain"...hop in line buddy). Murs can tell some good stories over some good 9th beats. Like "Trevor An' Them" in a 7 Eleven during a robery, as well as "Walk Like A Man" when he rhymes about a friend of his being shot. Only one song has a guest appearance, which is Phonte who appears on the last song "The Animal". Both lay down dope verses.

Where the album missteps is mostly in the beginning. I wasn't feeling "Bad Man" because it's annoying vocal sample. In fact, I never felt 9th when he used samples of voices, because it never flows with his beats (the beat to "The Rain" was starting to become annoying after a good minute.) Also the repetative of 9th drums was starting to show on this album as well. And also 10 tracks is kind of short in my opinion. Some people may not have a problem with it, but it felt like this album was going back to track 1 in a little over 30 minutes. But this album overall is dope. Murs and 9th do have chemestry when it comes to this album. The next album Murray's Revenge isn't as good as this here, but it is also worth checking out. Fans of both Murs and Little Brother should check out this, if they haven't already. This isn't THE best of 2004, like everyone is saying. There are a few missteps on here that I found, but this album is a good addition to your library. Peace.

If this album resembles "Illmatic" in any way, it's only because there is only 10 tracks, and the same artist rhymes throughout the album. All similarites end there.

Lyrics: A-
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: B

Unbelievable.......2007-03-16

I'm sitting here reading all these reviews comparing this album to Illmatic, and I just cannot fathom how there is actually a group of people out there that exists who feel and think this way. What is it that these people lack in their everyday lives to put music that is so mediocre on such a high pedastool? Murs is good. The beats are average at best. That's it. There's nothing that you'll here on this record that will blow you away. Maybe these followers are just clouded by their own bias because they geninunely like Murs as a person. Whatever the mystery may be, there's a reason why this record has stayed underground. Not to be a hater, this is just my God honest opinion. Murs definitely has alot more talent and should have been smart enough to use better beats when releasing a CD. If you want to hear a true underground classic, pick up either Nature CD, Sauce Money, Sticky Fingaz, The Black Rob Report, Jaz-O, or Masta Ace - Disposable Arts. These records have that longevity quality that will have you putting them back in your CD deck 20 years from now......I'll put that on my life. Little Brother is off the chain though!

Murs is jealous of white MCs........2006-12-01

I've been to several Atmosphere shows, a couple where Murs made a guest appearance and performed material from 3:16 and other albums, and Murs made the claim that the reason more people weren't dancing for him was because he isn't white like Slug. I find this pretty pathetic and if Murs were a better MC he wouldn't need to make claims like this. This material is mediocre hip hop at best. You want good hip hop? OK, check out Brother Ali, I Self Divine, 7l & Esoteric, Virtuoso, Apathy, Celph Titled, Babbletron, Jean Grae, Block McCloud, Blahzay Blahzay, Cage, Chief Kamachi, Emanon, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Illogic, Jemini, Kankick, Lyrics Born, Macklemore...well you get the idea. It's funny that Brother Ali is friends with this guy because he's 10x the MC.

good .......2006-08-21

i really like this album but i think the murs revenge is more consitant than this,anyway mur is great and knowin damn well only 9th can do this.9th you got it

Average customer rating: Baroque music like you've never heard it... Stunning, simply stunning Fabulous recording by gifted musicians Vibrant and inventive Sergio & Odair Assad play Rameau, Scarlatti etc,

Sergio & Odair Assad Play Rameau, Scarlatti, Couperin, Bach Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Couperin, François | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rameau | Rameau, Jean Philippe | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Domenico Scarlatti | Scarlatti, Domenico | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sérgio & Odair Assad Play Piazzolla A Brazilian Songbook Music for Two Guitars Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Sergio and Odair Assad L.A. Guitar Quartet: Evening In Granada ASIN: B000005J1N Release Date: 1993-05-18

Tracks:

1. Sonata In C Major, L.305, K.251
2. Pieces de Clavecin: Allemande
3. Pieces de Clavecin: Gigues 1 & 2
4. Pieces de Clavecin: Rigaudon
5. Pieces de Clavecin: Musette en Rondeau
6. Pieces de Clavecin: Le Rappel des Oiseaux
7. Pieces de Clavecin: Le Lardon
8. Pieces de Clavecin: La Follette
9. Pieces de Clavecin: Les tendres plaintes
10. Pieces de Clavecin: Les Cyclopes
11. Le Bavolet Flottant
12. Le Carillon de Cythere
13. The Well Tempered Clavier Book 1: Prelude And Fugue No.3 in C Major
14. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In E Major L.21 - K.162
15. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In F Major L.118 - K.466
16. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In E Major L.430 - K.531
17. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In A Minor L. 241 - K.54
18. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In D Minor L.413 - K.9 In D Minor ('Pastorale')
19. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In G Major L.288 - K.432
20. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In D Major L.465 - K.96
21. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In D Major L.107 - K.140
22. Nine Sonatas: Sonata In D Minor L.422 - K.141 (Toccata)

Customer Reviews:

Baroque music like you've never heard it..........2007-05-01

"The guitar is not the piano and not the harpsichord. It's right in the middle. The harpsichord is too rigid. You can do more on the piano. But this is really music for the harpsichord, so what the combination of two guitars gives to the music is the range of the piano and the sound of the harpsichord. These sonatas have been played by many guitarists, but they're difficult to transcribe for one guitar. With two guitars, anything is possible."
- Sergio Assad (in the liner notes for Ramaeu, Scarlatti, Couperin, Bach)

I could not agree more with Sergio's assessment of the guitar duo in relation to baroque keyboard music, and I've never enjoyed the genre more than I do listening to this album. The harpsichord and guitar are not as different as one might initially think; the two both use plucked strings, unlike the piano, which uses hammered strings. But the guitar has a much more expressive quality to it than the harpsichord, with a greater range of timbral possibilities. It's only drawback is the difficulty of arranging contrapuntal keyboard music, which generally features multiple simultaneous melodies, for the guitar. Adding a second guitar fixes this problem.
With any other guitarists, the performances might sound disjointed and lose the uniformity that a solo performer brings to the music; but the Assad brothers might as well be one person. They know each other's playing well enough that every dynamic and rhythmic nuance of the music is perfectly synchronized, with an expressiveness generally lacking from other performances. The only downside: after hearing this album, the harpsichord will never sound good enough again.

Stunning, simply stunning.......2007-04-22

I heard the "Cyclops" section of Rameau's inventive suite on XM classics, and I absolutely had to have this CD. I like Rameau and Scarlatti anyway, but I was unprepared for how the Assad duo could sound like one guitar, like a harpsichord but better. This music was originally for keyboard, but it sounds incredible on guitar.

The delicacy of the Assad technique is unequalled by any other guitarists I've heard. How they make this music, I'll never know. But it's one of my favorite cd's and so restful and refreshing. There is a lot of music on this cd and it's all wonderful.

Fabulous recording by gifted musicians.......2006-12-02

Let me start by saying that I am not a musician or even a particularly well-trained listener, but I do have a sizable collection of baroque music and guitar music in general. I know what I like, and I absolutely love this recording. The music is beautiful, just beautiful; and the musicianship is, near as I can tell, flawless and expressive. Scarlatti and Bach, sure they are wonderful, but I have become a fan of Ramaeu since buying this CD.

My suggestion: Click on the links to sample the sort of music on this CD. The sound quality will not be very good, of course, but if these songs sound anything close to the sort of music that you like, then buy the CD. Oh, and get the best sound system you can afford. This recording merits being played on the best. Enjoy!

Vibrant and inventive.......2005-10-07

This is a wonderful recording of classical guitar. One of the interesting (and perhaps ironic) bits is that all of the compositions on this CD were originally done for harpsichord, such as Bach's well known compositions for the Well-Tempered Clavier. The composers here - Domenico Scarlatti, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Francios Couperin, and Johann Sebastian Bach - are all masters of the keyboard composition, here adapated by the Assad brothers, Sergio and Odair.

From their official biography, 'As children, the Assads' mandolinist father guided their discovery of Brazilian music. Their uncanny ability to play guitar together soon evidenced itself, and seven years of study with the classical guitarist and lutenist Monina Tavora (a disciple and former pupil of Andrés Segovia) followed. The Assads' American career began in 1969, under the "Youth for Understanding" aegis. A major prize at the "Rostrom of Young Interpreters" in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, launched their European career. They also achieved victory in the 1973 Brazilian Symphonic Orchestra competition for young soloists. They have performed in recital and with orchestra throughout France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Australia, Great Britain, the Far East, Argentina, and their native Brazil.'

Their sensitivity to string instrument is well founded, and when they turned their attention to compositions for the keyboard, they found that with two guitars, there was a richness that is missing from the more simple 'monochromatic' performance of the keyboard.

As Sarah Cahill states in her introduction to this CD, there is a reason why these pieces sound natural being played on the guitar - harpsichord strings are plucked in similar ways to guitar strings, unlike piano strings which are struck by hammers. Scarlatti wrote for the Queen of Spain, among others. Couperin served in the French court, composing music for lute in addition to harpsichord. Rameau, an organist and composer, also comes from the French school, and J.S. Bach needs no introduction as the pinnacle of composing power in Germany of the eighteenth century.

Sergio and Odair Assad have spent a good deal of time developing a Baroque manner to playing these pieces on their guitars, as to be more faithful to the types of compositions. This CD is a true pleasure to behold, the textures and energy of the music being very vibrant and inventive in many ways.

Sergio & Odair Assad play Rameau, Scarlatti etc,.......2005-07-28

This is probably the best classical guitar CD recording I have ever heard.These two brothers are just amazing.

Average customer rating: MURS-9TH DID IT AGAIN! CLASSIC!!! Wasn't feeling it....3.5 My Second Favorite LP Of All Time Not that good.

Murray's Revenge Murs , and 9th Wonder Manufacturer: Record Collection ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition Fishscale Donuts Beat Konducta, Vols. 1-2 Game Theory ASIN: B000E6GBUI Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

1. Murs Day
2. Murray's Law
3. Silly Girl
4. Barbershop
5. Yesterday & Today
6. Dreamchaser
7. L.A.
8. Love & Appreciate
9. D.S.W.G. (Dark Skinned White Girls)
10. Murray's Revenge

Album Description

Murs is a famous rapper. A prominent figure in the hip-hop community for over a decade with his group, Living Legends, Murs has also released three solo projects and recorded albums with Slug of Atmosphere and 9th Wonder (Little Brother). This is his latest solo offering, an inspiring and action-packed release continuing the successful collaboration with longtime friend and famed producer 9th Wonder. "Murs hooks grimy battle rhymes and urban realism to arty West Coast crunk" - Spin.

Customer Reviews:

MURS-9TH DID IT AGAIN!.......2007-05-20

3:16 WAS ONE OF THE MOST LOVELY HIPHOP ALBUMS IVE LISTENED TO IN A WHILE. MURS VOICE IS CRAZZZZZZY. I COULD LISTEN TO MURS RHYME OVER THE RIGHT BEATS FOR DAYS AND 9TH WONDER SUPPLY'S THE PERFECT BEATS FOR MURS. 9TH IS KILLIN IT NOW A DAYS. THE ONLY THING IS THE END OF THE CD HAS U WANTING MORE AND MORE AND MORE. I WISH THE CD DIDNT CUT OFF CAUSE I WAS LOVIN IT. 9TH WONDER HAS MADE MURS NAME ALOT MORE KNOWN IN THE HIPHOP INDUSTRY AND I CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT. KEEP UP THE CLASSIC'S YALL CAUSE ILL BE BUYING THEM. PEACEE!

CLASSIC!!!.......2007-04-15

3:16 OR MURRAY'S REVENGE. I JUST CAN'T DECIDE WHICH ONE I LIKE BETTER. 9TH AND MURS ARE PERFECT TOGETHER. A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT OVER MURS-SLUG BEATS. MURS ON THE MIC HAS ONE OF THE ILLEST VOICE'S HEARD, COMBINED WITH MAD-DOPE STORY TELLING ABILITY THAN DONT GET OUTSHINED BY THE ILL BEAT HE'S RHYMING OVER. ALOT OF 9TH WONDER ARTISTS GET OUTSHINED BY HIS AMAZING PRODUCTION BUT MURS HOLDS HIS OWN. PEOPLE TRYING TO HATE ON MURS ON THIS SITE, MAYBE CAUSE HE AINT GIVE THEM A AUTOGRAPH OR SOMETHING. MURS PLUS 9TH WONDER = CLASSIC ONCE AGAINNNN!

Wasn't feeling it....3.5.......2006-11-06

Im a fan of Murs, and the Liv.Leg. Crew, but i ended up just skipping tracks until the album ended, nothing bad about the guy, Murs is off the chain, but i felt like i wasted 10 yucks, for instance the song about white girls acting black, i just couldnt listen....peace to you..

My Second Favorite LP Of All Time.......2006-10-11

This is one of the greatest hip hop albums I've ever listened to. In my opinion, Murs has never sounded so good. His flows are vivid and realistic and the production fitted them to the Tee. I thought every song was extremely dope. I highly recommend this in your collection. I know this review will not make me popular w/many but I have to write it how I honestly feel. Save the negative remarks for someone who cares. I know Murs is not the best MC of all time. I'm not sayin that. He's far from it. I'm sayin this is my 2nd favorite album of all time simply for the overall feelings I get from it every time I put it on. I'm sure if you want some heart-felt/feel-good Hip Hop music this will suit you. Peace

Not that good........2006-10-11

Murs just isn't a good as he thinks he is, at least not on this album, or his last one. At one point on the album he says "...that's why 3:16 was genius". Sorry, but 3:16 was mediocre. Murs sounds better when he's rhyming over Ant's beats alongside Slug. 9th Wonder's production comes off as amateurish when compared to the stuff on the Felt albums. Murs should drop 9th Wonder and get somebody else to produce his albums for him. Get RJD2 or something.

Average customer rating: Greatest Ninth Ever? Well, Is It? Totally run of the mill Beethoven This Recording & One Other are BEST TWO for Egmont Overture A stalwart, not very memorable Ninth--not one of the greats Excellent sound and performance

Beethoven: Symphony No.9 'choral', 'egmont' Overture Fricsay , and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Symphony no 9 / Furtwangler, Schwarzkopf Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 "Pastorale" ASIN: B000056TKC Release Date: 2001-01-02

Tracks:

1. Egmont Overture Op.84
2. Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso
3. Molto Vivace
4. Adagio Molto E Cantabile
5. Presto
6. Presto -O Freunde, Nicht Diese Tone !-Allegro Assai

Album Details

This is Simply One of the Greatest, Most Deservedly Legendary Recordings of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony Ever Offered to the Public. Tempos and Dynamics Vary Widely, with Fricsay Always Considerate of the Works Many Thematic Challenges. His Handling of the Subtle Rhythmic Gradations of the Molto Vivace is Peerless and Prepare Yourself for One of the Most Exhilarating Allegro Assai Finales this Side of Toscanini. With a Line Up of Soloists Including Irmgard Seefried, Maureen Forrester, Ernst Haefliger, and Dietrich Fischer-dieskau all in their Vocal Prime as Well, it Simply Doesn't Get Any Better Than This. Deutsche Grammophon's Rich Well-balanced Sound is Very Good for It's Vintage. No Matter How Many Performances of this Frequently Recorded Masterpiece You May Already Own, Don't Miss Fricsay's!

Customer Reviews:

Greatest Ninth Ever? Well, Is It?.......2007-07-10

I've read about it for years; so many people saying it's the greatest ever, but I always said: "Ach, I already have too many Beethoven Ninths". Well, I finally broke down and bought it.

Some random thoughts and things that caught my ear to which I found singular to this performance/recording:

-First off, the recording is fine remastered late-'50s stereo, but cannot be mistaken for modern digital. Strings and highs might seem a bit steely, but that didn't bother me. All orchestral sections are vividly portrayed. Fortissimos are crisp and distinct, pianissimos well-distinguishable. Recording perspective puts one on the podium with what sounds like a multi-mike arrangement; i.e., typical Deutsche Grammophon. However, the winds, brass, and tympani are treated as equals to the strings, unlike later with Karajan.

-The first movement pianissimo string tremolos are barely audible beneath that marvelous opening motif, as well as later when repeated. I'm used to hearing the tremolos more pronounced and would probably prefer it that way.

-The first movement builds and ebbs with great aplomb and the crescendos culminate with tympani blazing in the same fashion as Furtwängler/'42, though not quite as overwhelming as to drown the proceedings and rock the foundations, but you definitely know the tympani are there!

-The scherzo second movement offers a tempo which I'd describe as conventional, certainly slower that Karajan and perhaps faster than Böhm/'72. No problems there.

-I had never heard the cellos as pronounced in the second movement as on this recording. Loved it!

-The adagio third movement is beautifully and slowly rendered; the notes say 18:00. It's not nearly as expansive as Furtwängler/'42's 20:00, but certainly just as rapturous with instrumental details aplenty! Böhm/'72 took it faster, but not as memorably or affectedly. In Fricsay's third movement, the soft pizzicato strings are distinct and the sudden bursts of brass cut right to the soul. This movement is often problematic for me, but not here. Beautiful!

-The dissonant beginning of the fourth movement sounds kind of wimpy, as if a chunk of the orchestration was excised. In fact, it's probably as wimpy as I ever remember hearing it in a non-HIP recording. No big deal, however.

-The beginning of the "O freude, nicht diese Töne" is very powerful. The soloists are definitely highlighted, up-front, and "in your face" -- they are the stars of this show! The chorus is appropriately recessed, but recorded with powerful presence. It seems as if the chorus moved slightly forward in the sound picture as the movement progressed, then receded slightly again behind the soloists. No complaints here; it was so subtle that it might be a product of Fricsay's balancing from the podium and not engineering derring-do. The orchestra did seem to vie with the chorus for prominence, but so what, right?

-The soloists are so distinct that one can hear many fine individual flourishes in their ensemble singing -- loved it!

-The tempo of the choral movement shifts from foursquare forward, to almost a dead stop, then ignites again, driving to a coda that's brought home powerfully and convincingly. Everything is beautifully under control and not hell-bent-for-leather, so to speak.

My favorites over the years have been:
Schmidt-Isserstedt/Vienna Phil./London (Outstanding soloists!)
Böhm ('72)/Vienna Phil./DG (A magnificent, high calorie performance and grand sense of occasion!)
Karajan ('77)/Berlin Phil./DG (Better recording than his '63, but near equally great performance!)
Leibowitz/Royal Phil./Chesky (They put the "JOY" into Ode To Joy!)

Sure, I can add Fricsay to the list. I was never "overly" enamored with Szell, Toscanini, Wand, Muti, Klemperer, Bernstein, Dohnányi, Norrington, Goodman, and a few others, though they're all seemingly well-regarded by some and certainly have their fine points. I've yet to hear Reiner's or Solti's recordings, both with the Chicago Symphony and both with their fervent fans. Nor have I heard the renown Gardiner, Abbado, and Barenboim. I don't have to hear the Zinman/Tonhalle, not after hearing samples.

I've also yet to hear Furtwängler's famous '51 live performance at the post-war re-opening of the Bayreuth Festival which some people simply swear by. I tend to take event-driven hyberbole with a grain of salt, especially after hearing Bernstein's "Fall of the Wall" recording. Furtwängler's equally famous and harrowing '42 wartime recording simply must be placed in a special category on account of its comparatively wretched sound quality, if for no other reason than for the benefit of novice listeners. However, I would also join those who suggest it's a performance that thoroughly demands to be heard.

The Fricsay is certainly a great recorded performance of the Ninth. The greatest ever? Hell, I don't know! I would definitely say it's worth the purchase. Whether it's worth the import price, however, is up to the individual. I purchased mine used for about $10 plus S&H.

I should probably also mention that the CD opens with one of the most expansive performances of the Egmont Overture I've ever heard.

Totally run of the mill Beethoven.......2007-06-26

After reading the incredibly positive reviews here I rushed to get this recording. What did I find? Absolutely run of mill, very good, but nothing special Beethoven! The recording quality is fantastic and this is a great first recording for someone unfamiliar with Beethoven's Ninth along with the other run of the mill, moderate, good recordings such as George Szell and Cleveland, Fritz Reiner and Chicago, or a number of others. Dont' get me wrong, I cherish these recordings but they're.....well....medium. I prefer big, emotional, subjective interpretations (objectivity, even if it were possible, which it isn't, isn't desirable. It takes the humanity out of the most human of the arts: music!). The greatest conductor of Beethoven or any other composer, is, of course, without a doubt Wilhelm Furtwangler. The worst are all these so-called "historical" robots who don't make music but rather try to re-create elderly performances of music like Gardiner, Norrington, and, to a lesser degree Harnoncourt. Toscanini too but he always tried to re-create HIS old performances!! Karajan has the distintion of being the worst conductor of all time because he was totally un-musical. His performances were all bland beauty with no Truth, no emotion, no humanity, no nothing. Beauty last five minutes, dazzling technique last ten, Truth lasts forever. Of course, it's also subjective so Truth is different depending on your perspective. How confusing is that? Oh well. Furtwangler is the best. Start with the 1951 Bayreuth performance, then the WWII and 1954 Lucerne performances. Leonard Bernstein, and Bruno Walter are also great! Fricsay was a dictator to orchestras and I'm surprised how alike he is to the other dictators Szell, Reiner, etc. A little too firm and controlled, music should never be controlled!! It should grow and bloom naturally from the composer through the mind and soul of the conductor and orchestra to US!!! If you're new to Beethoven get Fricsay, then graduate to the others. Enjoy the music!!

This Recording & One Other are BEST TWO for Egmont Overture.......2007-01-30

Yes, I will speak only about the Egmont overture.

I have listened closely to at least six others. This recording shares the top prize with one other ("#1 Beethoven Album" by DECCA). Don't let the 1958 date scare you! The sound quality is amazing -- not "for 1958", just amazing period. The sound quality blows away all the other recordings. The strings are not far away and distant. The sound is not thin. The brass doesn't blare obnoxiuously and out-of-control and hurt your ears. But the brass is nuanced and close -- just like the strings. Nuance abounds -- in EVERY instrument. Balance is superb. Timbre is superb. Now for the musical interpretation...

Musically, Fricsay did absolute wonders. There is profundity in EVERY PHRASE of the Egmont. Whereas others give the feeling of "let's do this phrase so we can then get to the good stuff", Fricsay shows you how it is ALL good stuff. It is all profound. Every phrase of Egmont has profundity! You didn't know that with other recordings; you do here (and hear). Fricsay also shows that there are contrasts in kinds of profundity. So the Egmont has more differentiation of mood that others give it. Sure some think there is only trivial stuff and the good stuff, but even my 2nd favorite recording (below) keeps only a single mood. Not so Fricsay. His masterful recording cannot be surpassed: profundity abounds, contrasts in KINDS OF profundity are abundant, musicianship is impeccable. Yes, Fricsay is slow. But do not let that scare you! The profundity and nuance and musicianship guarantee that slow is not boring! And remember: the sound quality is stupendous! Really!! The "original bitmap... blah blah blah" is not some marketing hype at all. All classical on CD should sound at least close to this good.

If you must have a less slow-paced recording, your best choice is "#1 Beethoven Album" by DECCA. (A second choice is Beethoven: Complete incidental music to Egmont, Op.84, and The Ruins of Athens, Op.113 whose liner notes are the best to be found anywhere. The Egmont & Ruins recording does not trivialize any of Egmont overture, but the profudity is of one type and does not show mood contrasts.)

What NOT to get: do NOT get Karajan. Slow without any profundity. Seems rather foolish really. Bad distant thin sound quality too.

Do NOT get: Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Conductor: Kurt Masur
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Audio CD (February 19, 2002) Label: Teldec ASIN: B00005MO9N. Atocious!!! Thin, distant, overly BBLLAARREE when brass comes in, zilch for profundity; perfunctory is more like it. This recording is absolutely atrocious despite the NY Philharmonic on PBS in 2006 being outstandingly good. This CD was actually recorded in 1992, by the way.

Do NOT get: Daniel Harding, and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie The Egmont is too light-weight here. Delicacy does not befit Beethoven or Egmont. But the last two minutes (of the 7½) is rather nice. There is one incredibly nifty thing here, so if you must hear it for yourself get this CD for this reason: you will never in your life hear a sforzando like Harding makes his violinists do. It's like an athletic feat or shooting billiards or something: How lightly can you bow the string and still make it make a sound immediately after having really wacked the bleep out of the string on the same note? ZZZZZZZZHHHHHHHUUUMMMM m (the last lower case 'm' is meant to be a note played ultra-mega pianissimo a millisecond or two after wacking the string for ZZZZZZHHHHHHMMMMM). This contrast doesn't hurt your ears, but it is just so immensely exaggerated that it becomes an [athletic?] effect rather than music. Cool, but not serving Egmont because of its over-done-ness being a distraction.

You want the most magnificent Egmont, the most respectful Egmont, the biggest Egmont, the most profound Egmont, the most moodful Egmont, the best sound quality in Classical recording? Get the FRICSAY recording. Or, for a very very close second at not such a very slow pace as FRICSAY, get the "#1 Beethoven Album" by DECCA. That Egmont is probably optimal paced with good profundity and variation in mood -- and good sound quality too.

A stalwart, not very memorable Ninth--not one of the greats.......2006-09-27

I chose the words "stalwart" and "not very memorable" as a quote from The Gramopone review of this 1957 Beethoven Ninth under Fricsay. I admire him and own a dozen recordings of his, but d I can't understand the rapture his Ninth has prompted here, goodd as it is. The first movement is rather foursquare and stoic. Fricsay's forward-moving tempo carries us along, yet mystery and depth are both lacking.

The Scherzo is brisk and lively, as one would expect from this always alert musician. At 18 min., the Adagio is taken broadly, in the traditional mode. The Berlin Phil. hadn't yet been fully developed by Karajan, its new conductor, so we don't get the polish and depth of his Ninth, to be recorded five years later. But Fricsay has a lovely, gentle way with the melodic line--he was never one to stretch for profundities. The great climax lacks something in intensity, however.

The finale begins with a fairly tame outburst, not the wild discordancy one expects, then the famous tune is beautifully shaped. At the start of the vocal part, Fischer-Dieskau, a baritone, is not the sonorous bass that Beethoven calls for, but his artistry makes up for that. In fact, the whole vocal quartet is highly energized, which helps to make the finale the most vital movement. Suddenly we get a surge of energy, and the excellent St. Hedwig's choir is up to the task. Last impressions are important, and the vibrancy of Fricsay's finale arouses one's ethusiasm.

But one of the great Beethoven Ninths? I can't agree.

Excellent sound and performance.......2006-03-26

A wonderful recording! As regards the technical issues I think it equals the best of recordings. The sound is intense, dynamic, you really hear the symphonic sound - the different characters of the instruments. Musically is it intense, architectural, titanic in strength and power. Build up from the misty chords opening the symphony to the concluding manic happiness, hope and joy in the last movement. Conductor Fricsay really created music created by the great Beethoven. Fischer-Dieskau is fantastic in his opening of the vocal part in the last movement. The only complain I can have is the bit strained voice of Irmgard Seefried on certain top-notes. - This is a VERY great recording!

Average customer rating: Bringin the essence back to Hip Hop 9TH BRINGS THE BEST OUT OF PEOPLE Sleeper......... This album is hot!! Kaze and 9th keep it real

Spirit of 94 Version 9.0 Kaze & 9th Wonder Manufacturer: Brick ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sleepers National Mayhem Connected Present Cloud 9: The 3 Day High The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 ASIN: B00080EVLG Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

1. For the Record
2. Locked in Chains
3. So/So Amp
4. Should've Been Here
5. Spirit of '94
6. Soul Dojo [Essence of Life Mix]
7. Stay a Customer
8. Waiting to Exhale - 9th Wonder, , The Kaze, Kaze
9. What's Good?
10. Last Laugh
11. Soul Dojo [Enemy of the State Mix]
12. On [*]
13. Move Over [*] - 9th Wonder, The Kaze, Kaze,

Customer Reviews:

Bringin the essence back to Hip Hop.......2006-08-24

Big ups to Kaze & 9th!!! Finally a new MC (new to most) with great skills keepin the music alive with a stellar LP. If you love hip hop music this will for sure make you feel good. A++

9TH BRINGS THE BEST OUT OF PEOPLE.......2006-06-05

i bought this joint on the strength that it was produced by 9th wonder,and wasn't disappointed at all.kaze exhibits what the south has to offer lyricaly,but gets overlooked & overshadowed by crunk and the rest of that nonsense.kaze talks about more than diamonds and candypaint,his words have substance.subjects range from dealing with shady women to his deceased mother.only drawback to this album is that it's mad short plus it has like 3 versions to "soul dojo". if you want a break from the mainstream go copp this.

Sleeper................2006-02-04

This album is really great. It has the deep- meaningful lyrics you have come to expect from Justus League and some dope beats from 9th Wonder. This guy "Kaze" is great on the mic. I never heard of this guy. Best believe I will be keeping an eye out for his next CD. This is just a fantastic CD to listen to when you get tired of the radio flavored emcees. the soulful production and lyrics make this a perfect Cd to purchase.

This album is hot!!.......2005-11-25

After getting hold of the Little Brother albums, Murs's 3:16, and the Buckshot and 9th Wonder album, i really fell in love with 9THs skills. This album is now my favorite out of the lot, and all of them are superb...

The reason this 1 sits at the top of my pedi stool is Kaze. This guy can spit fire, yet keep his lyrical content inspirational and spiritual. His word play and flow can be stunning at times. Put this together with some of the best beats and sampling 9th has come out with, and you have an album worthy of any hip hop library. From the heartfilled and soulful "Should've Been Here", to the base filled, head knocking "Stay a Customer", Kaze and 9th pump liquid ear candy that would get any true hip hop lover wet.

After truly despising the MTV money grown M.C's like 50 on heavy radio and T.V rotation, it truly keeps my faith in Hip Hop when finding diamonds in the rough like this. Who said Hip Hop is getting old.....

Kaze and 9th keep it real.......2005-11-04

9th Wonder is the best producer and Kaze is a true-spoken cat from Chapel Hill. This album slaps and represents real hip-hop.

Average customer rating: Nice A Resounding Success A Voice Feast from the Middle Ages

Leonin, Perotin: Sacred Music from Notre-Dame Cathedral Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dunstable: Sweet Harmony - Masses and Motets Machaut: La Messe de Nostre Dame; Songs from Le Voir Dit Perotin / The Hilliard Ensemble Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli, Missa Aeterna Josquin Desprez: Motets & Chansons ASIN: B0009SQC8W Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

1. Beata Viscera
2. Viderunt Omnes
3. Viderunt Omnes
4. (Plainchant) ... Fines Terre Salutare Dei ...
5. (2-Part Organum) ... Notum Fecit ...
6. ... Dominus ...
7. ... Salutare Suum Ante Conspectum ...
8. (Plainchant) ... Justitiam Suam
9. (2-Part Organum) ...Viderunt Omnes ...
10. (Plainchant) ... Fines Terre Salutare Dei ...
11. (2-Part Organum) ... Notum Fecit ...
12. ... Dominus ...
13. (Plainchant) ... Justitiam Suam
14. (2-Part Organum) ...Viderunt Omnes ...
15. (Plainchant) ... Fines Terre Salutare Dei ...
16. (2-Part Clausula): ... Dominus ...
17. (2-Part Clausula): ... Dominus ...
18. (2-Part Clausula): ... Dominus ...
19. (2-Part Clausula): ... Dominus ...
20. (2-Part Clausula): ... Dominus ...
21. (2-Part Clausula): ... Dominus ...
22. (2-Part Motet): Factum Est Salutare/
23. (4-Part Organum): Viderunt Omnes ...
24. (Plainchant) ... Fines Terre Salutare Dei ...
25. (4-Part Organum): Notum Fecit ...
26. ... Dominus ...
27. .... Salutare Suum Ante Conspectum ...
28. (Plainchant) ... Justitiam Suam
29. (Plainchant): Viderunt Omnes ...
30. (Organum After 9th-Century Scolica Enchiriadis)...
31. (4-Part Organum): Sederunt Principes
32. (4-Part Conductus): Vetus Abit Littera

Customer Reviews:

Nice.......2006-11-04

This is a very good example of Polyphony as practiced in Notre Dame .....

A Resounding Success .......2005-12-27

If one read the album notes but failed to read the fine print on the rear of the jacket, one would likely assume that this recording was made in Notre Dame Cathedral, which it was not. It was recorded at Chancelade Abbey, Dordogne, France. (http://chapaq.free.fr/Congregations/Chancelade.htm)

The notes mention the fact that both Leonin and Perotin worked at Notre Dame and were both responsible for the Organum. Organum is Polyphony used in liturgical music from the late 9th century to c. 1250.

I bring this up because few people, even musicologists, understand the vital roles that acoustics and harmonics(overtones)played in the composition of sacred music until about the Seventeenth Century.

The musicologist, Thurston Dart, summarizes the influence that reverberation has on composers:

"But even a superficial study shows that early composers were very aware of the effect on their music of the surroundings in which it was to be performed, and that they deliberately shaped their music accordingly. Musical acoustics can be roughly divided into resonant, room and outdoor. Plainsong is resonant music; so is the harmonic style of Leonin and Perotin .. Perotin's music, in fact, is perfectly adapted to the acoustics of the highly resonant cathedral (Notre Dame Paris) for which it was written...."
(Thurston Dart, musicologist, "The interpretation of Music",Hutchinson, London pp56-57 (1954).

I think, like most 'moderns', Mr. Dart has got it backwards -- these composers were mostly aware of the effect of the surroundings upon their music. Composers like Leonin and Perotin and others, notably Allegri (composer of the famous "Miserere"), were more interested on the effect that the music, augmented by the acoustics, had on the congregation, in terms of literally uplifting their spirits and assisting them in participating directly in what was called the "Communion of Saints".


E. Power Biggs said: "An organist will take al the reverberation time he is given, and then ask for a bit more.... Many of Bach's organ works are designed .... to explore reverberation. Consider the pause that follows the ornamented proclamation that opens the famous Toccata in D minor. Obviously this is for the enjoyment of the notes as they remain suspended in the air". Church music sounds wrong when performed in a small non-reverberant space with a lot of acoustic absorbent such as curtains and carpets."
(http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/acoustics_world/concert_hall_acoustics/acoustics_music.html)

E. Power Biggs and the pundits at Salford University, assume that Bach and his predecessors valued acoustics and resonance primarily from the standpoint of aesthetics. In other words, they chose reverberant halls because their music sounded better when performed in them. I believe that they too are missing the point. Acoustic Archeologists, like John Reid and Paul Devereux are beginning to discover that ancient holy places, such as Stonehenge and also the Gothic Cathedrals, like Notre Dame de Paris, were actually tuned to resonate certain specific pitches or sound frequencies. They are or contain what are called "resonant chambers".

A resonant chamber essentially reflects and amplifies or "empowers" certain specific frequencies, particularly when they are sung by a chorus (or congregation) of "pure voices" in unison. These frequencies and the harmonies reproduced by the reverberations elicited certain specific emotional responses, such as awe and reverence, from the assembly. I'm sure that Leonin and Perotin were well aware of the marvelous acoustics of Notre Dame and structured their music to take full advantage of it.

After the invention of the printing press, increasingly more emphasis was placed on the written and spoken word. Music was no longer spontaneously created or improvised and less and more reverberant acoustics only served to muddle the words of the preacher or celebrant.

I'm guessing that the reason why the producer, Jeremy Summerly, chose not to record this music in its original home is because it now uses a P.A. or electronic audio system, which is more appropriate for the modern mostly-spoken Mass. Masses are undoubtedly still sung there but the voices are likely amplified and filtered by electronics. The addition of modern furnishings can also affect the acoustics.

Speaking of electronics -- it is now possible to accurately reproduce the acoustics of a particular space, like Notre Dame Cathedral, electronically. The acoustics of Notre Dame have already been captured and digitally reproduced, I believe, by the Japanese Yamaha Company. Unfortunately, I did not have that particular software program ("algorhythm") but, using other software, I was able to create my own semi-cavernous cathedral space.

What an awesome experience!

Even without the virtual cathedral enhancement, the sound is marvelous and the performance is excellent.

One more technical consideration -- this recording was recorded and edited at 24-bit resolution. Unlike recordings made at a lower bit-rate, the sound, particularly in the higher registers, is smooth and clean. I wish that Jeremy Summerly would record Allegri's "Miserere" in a space that is acoustically similar to the Sistine Chapel, using the same technology. I haven't heard a recording of this work where the vital higher harmonics are not badly distorted.

Tim O'Hanlon

A Voice Feast from the Middle Ages.......2005-07-23

Recorded and edited in 24 bit resolution, this Naxos recording is a joy to the ears. The performing voices are solid and the direction of Antony Pitts has a sometimes dramatic, majestic, tempo. The only reason I did not concede full 5 stars is because in the Middle Ages female voices for Lithurgy were almost unknown, and in this record there are two sopranos and an Alto. If you enjoy Early Music you will need this record, if you are a beginner this is an intelligent way to introduce you to Polyphony, a cornerstone of Western music.

Average customer rating: A Great HipHop Cd From Now And Forever!!!!! GOLDEN CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Extremely Overrated (Rating: 5 out of 10- -2.5 stars) That Classic NYC Dope Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Present Cloud 9: The 3 Day High Skyzoo , and 9th Wonder Manufacturer: Traffic Ent./Custom Made Ent. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Here Starr Status Spirit of 94 Version 9.0 The Healing National Mayhem ASIN: B000HOJEPG Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

1. 1 Extreme Measures
2. Way To Go
3. A Day In The Life
4. Stop Fooling Yourself
5. Come Back
6. I'm On It
7. Bodega
8. You & Me
9. Live & Direct
10. The Spirit
11. Mirror Mirror

Product Description

Finally theres an answer for Hip Hop fans yearning for an MC that could bring them back to the genres golden era in New York City and beyond. His name is Skyzoo. Get familiar. At an eager, observant age of just nine, Skyzoo penned his first song about the urban inner city life he witnessed from the window of his 18th floor apartment in Ebbets Field Projects. Fourteen years, five independent mixtapes, 100 songs and countless shows later, the 23-year-old Skyzoo has matured into a legitimate full-fledged artist. The loyal Brooklynite, who has already received accolades from Jay-Z, Nas, Buckshot, Sean Price and EPMD for his street-heavy, sharp narrating style and wit, understands a Hip Hop fans mentality and is prepared to customize music for their eyes and ears. Yes, music for their eyes and ears. "If they lend me their ears, they lend me their eyes," says an assuring Skyzoo, who prides himself in the art of storytelling with a street swagger. "I promise you when you hear my music...I promise you, you're going to not only hear something that you've never heard, but see something you've never seen. It's that real. My lyrical style and sound is what Hip Hop used to be. Some may remember Skyzoo for battling Jin on BETs 106 & Park, while others may have heard his tracks playing at Madison Square Garden during a Knicks game. In addition, although unsigned and actively grinding for a deal, one would never know it by peeping a live Skyzoo show. More than 800 people crowded into the Star Club, a New York City venue which is meant to host a max of 600, on December 22, 2005 just to see Skyzoo tear it down. The attendees included New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who witnessed the show and told Skyzoo hes the real deal. Respected artists and producers in the game have already taken notice at the sheer talent that Skyzoo brings to the table as well. The Brooklyn MC has already recorded with Little Brother, Khrysis, E-Ness from Bad Boy, EPMD, Sean Price, Needlz, Jay Dilla and Hi-Tek, just to name a few. Skyzoo is already off to a quick start in 2006. He has recorded The Way You Get Down, a club banger which industry heads are already dubbing the 06 In Da Club. In addition, Skyzoo has also completed a project with super producer 9th Wonder entitled "Cloud 9: The 3 Day High". The two completed the 12 song disc in 3 days; which is unheard of in modern day Hip Hop. The buzz surrounding this LP has skyrocketed through the net, and the response and anticipation is beyond belief. Along with that, Skyzoo is enjoying a massive following overseas and is reaching out to his fans with his own site and most recently via MySpace (www.myspace.com/skyzoo). With Skyzoo as the torch bearer, Hip Hops future is fluorescent bright.

Album Description

Finally there's an answer for Hip Hop fans yearning for an MC that could bring them back to the genre's golden era in New York City and beyond. His name is Skyzoo. At an eager, observant age of just nine, Skyzoo penned his first song about the urban inner city life he witnessed from the window of his 18th floor apartment in Ebbets Field Projects. Fourteen years, five independent mixtapes, 100 songs and countless shows later, the 23-year-old Skyzoo has matured into a legitimate full-fledged artist. The loyal Brooklynite, who has already received accolades from Jay-Z, Nas, Buckshot, Sean Price and EPMD for his street-heavy, sharp narrating style and wit, understands a Hip Hop fan's mentality and is prepared to customize music for their eyes and ears. The Brooklyn MC has already recorded with Little Brother, Khrysis, E-Ness from Bad Boy, EPMD, Sean Price, Needlz, Jay Dilla and Hi-Tek, just to name a few. Skyzoo has just completed a project with super producer 9th Wonder entitled Cloud 9: The 3 Day High.

Customer Reviews:

A Great HipHop Cd From Now And Forever!!!!!.......2007-05-20

This CD Sounds Great, Flows Amazing, Vibes Perfectly, has Illmatic Production, Plays Flawlessly and Equals a 2006 Superior Classic Hiphop LP. For All the TRue HiphopHeads who loved Marley Marl, DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Large Professor, this Album is a Must Buy for you to put in your Collection. Its Has a Cool Hiphop Vibe thats Musically Genius. Skyzoo Rhymes with a Voice different than any other rapper uve ever Heard before and 9th Wonder Beats are Pure Genius as Always. In 3 Days Skyzoo Made a Hiphop Album so Flawless that its gonna be Remembered for next 30 years. Skyzoo First Solo Released Album is HIs first Classic. Can he Keep this up with his 2nd album? We'll see, but so far he HIT a Grand Slam Home Run with this One. Lyrics = A, Beats = A++++++, Musical Vibe = A+, Overall Grade 5 Stars out of 5 and well DERSERVED!!!!! Do your Thing SKY, cause without cats like you HIPHOP Is Really Dead. Keep Us Alive Sky, Total 5 STAR HIP HOP ALBUM AND A MUST BUY, U WONT REGRET IT!!!!!!!!!

GOLDEN CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-05-20

9TH WONDERS PRODUCTION IS FLAWLESS ON THIS ONE AND SKZYOO COMES WITH GREAT RHYMES. THIS IS THE CD OF THE YEAR. IMMACULATE PRODUCTION WITH THE BEST BEATS U EVER HEARD IN YOUR LIFE AND A DOPE MC WHO ROCKS THE MICROPHONE WITH REAL HIPHOP RHYMES. A MUST BY CLASSIC FOR ANY TRUE HIPHOP LISTENER.

Extremely Overrated (Rating: 5 out of 10- -2.5 stars).......2007-05-14

This album is nowhere near perfect, dope, or brilliant. Like Norfeest and crtx mentioned, Skyzoo sounds like Jay-Z both vocally and lyrically. Infact I was in my car and a friend of mine thought this was a Jay-Z mixtape of some kind that was just released. Thats how close to Jay he sounds (don't worry, this is a common NY trend nowadays). I understand that this was made within a 72 hour period, but there is a saying that "perfection shouldn't be rushed". This album is an example of that saying. The songs "I'm On It" and "Come Back" is an example of what I'm saying. "The Bodega" is your average 'I'm gotta get paid' track (another up north trend), thats been done and by much better people. And I just bust out laughing everytime when he spells his name out. And he contridicts the heck out of his style on the song "Mirror Mirror". Skyzoo should have spent more hours bringing a more of an origonal style to his skills instead of relying on what he is doing now, nor relying on 9th Wonder's production. Speaking of which, thats also another common trend: 9th Wonder producing an entire album, or a high number of tracks for their album. Hey, I love 9th just as much as the next person, but his production is no different than any other album he produced (Little Brother, Murs, Kaze, etc.). In fact, I myself getting tired of his repetative production. And if the beats on here aren't something you're used to, they're aren't that good. "I'm On It" isn't an appealing beat from 9th. And party/upbeat sounding "Live and Direct" is nothing astounding as well.

There are some good songs on here though. And when I say good, I mean good not great. "You And Me" is a good song about him getting a female and is backed by a good 9th beat. I would say that it's the best track on the album.

Overall, this album is average and overrated. People are probably loving this album because it's one of those "something different from the radio" albums, and the fact that 9th Wonder's name is one this album. Just because you have one of the most known producers of the moment on your album doesn't mean you're album is dope. Skyzoo's flow is average and nothing brillant whatsoever. There is a reason why people take their time when recording an album, and don't make it in 3 days. If Skyzoo would have put more time into his album, this album would have been much better. At the end of the album, he says "Imagine if we had 3 months...". Maybe he sould have taken that into consideration. Peace.

Lyrics: C
Production: B-
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: C

That Classic NYC Dope .......2007-03-15

Straight out the lyrical flow-lines of NYC. Solid beats and rhymes as you would expect from anyone claiming da Apple!

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-03-08

I Rarely Use the Word "Beautiful" with HipHop Albums Anymore but This 9th Wonder/Skyzoo Album is Absolutely Beautiful To Listen Too. 9th Wonder Steps It up With the Beats with Amazing Samples and Backround Bass that Will have any True HipHop Listener saying this guy is Sick. Skyzoo Comes Perfectly with a nice Smooth Flow and Deep voice (totally different from jay-z's high pitched voice). The Album Starts off with a Beautiful Hiphop tune "Bare Witness" with sick piano sounds in the backround and a nice chopped up Sample. The best TRack on the Album is "Way To Go". This TRack has an unbelievable Catchy Sample that will have u Singing along for days. 9th Wonder Came Off with Some of his Best work on this Album.

Any True School Hiphop Fan who didnt enjoy this album really shouldnt be Listening to Hiphop Cd's anymore because u probably just lost your taste for REAL HIPHOP and should take up listening to other Music Genres other than Hiphop Music. Anyone who Gaves this Album Less than 5 or 4 stars are either Writing Reviews for Attention or Really is just too Young or DumbedDown or Doesnt understand Real Hiphop Sounds anymore and those people should go Somewhereelse. CLOUD 9 is a near perfect album (I wish there was 2 or 3 more tracks) But any True School Hiphop fan will LOVE IT. 9th's BEST Work Here as Usual. REAL HIPHOP FOREVER!!!!.

Average customer rating: it's fantastic... Real Headz Wreckonize accurate chemistry No chemistry Ludacris88 - Completely Right - 4.5 stars

Chemistry Buckshot & 9th Wonder Manufacturer: Duck Down Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Spirit of 94 Version 9.0 Sleepers The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 Connected The Minstrel Show ASIN: B0009OL91Q Release Date: 2005-07-12

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Chemistry 101
3. He's Back
4. Now A Dayz (That's What's Up)
5. Slippin
6. Side Talk
7. The Ghetto
8. Food For Thought
9. No Comparison
10. Birdz (Fly The Coup)
11. U Wonderin
12. Out Of Town
13. I Don't Know Why
14. Money Makes The World Go Round

Customer Reviews:

it's fantastic..........2007-06-05

had jaydee not passed, it would've been nice to see buckshot push it all the way to the both of them collaborating...his flow on a few of these beats are remniscent of slum v...i hope he brings it around and get madlib or doom to create with him - that would be so dope.

Real Headz Wreckonize.......2006-11-07

Money who gave this album 2 starz is totally insane. I'm so excited just to hear some real hip hop comin back around. This is one of the first projects I can honestly say I would have rpepresented back before '97 (the bad years). If you're a BCC fan get it, if you are a young buck tryna catch that feelin from the golden era-scoop this. My man has Enta'd da Stage all over again.

accurate chemistry.......2006-08-21

9th is awesome and rapping was also good .this the best buck i have ever heard.all i can say go get it i you don t have .this album is classic.great producer + great mc =dynamite album

No chemistry.......2006-06-12

as much as I have been a lifelong fan of black moon and buckshot in general this album just lacked the ironically titled "chemistry"between buckshot and 9th Wonder. The beats were a bit lackluster and boring and rides that razor thin line of boring and laid back with most of the beats raiding the boredom zone. they are working on a part two so I hope they take their times to create something permament rather than something disposable as this album was.

Ludacris88 - Completely Right - 4.5 stars.......2006-01-03

Firstly, i would just like to say that Ludacris88 has hit the nail on the metaphorical head. Exactly what they said i was thinking. I don't feel any need at all to copy ou twhat they wrote or what i thought, coz they would be the exact same.

But these are my personal favourite songs (in order):-

1. Side Talk

2. Money Makes The World Go Round

3. U Wonderin

4. The Ghetto

5. Now A Dayz (That's Whats Up)

Rock Music:

1. Afirmation
2. All Things Mod [Import]
3. All Will Break [CD-single]
4. All Women-the Best Lady Singers [Import]
5. Along Came a Guitar
6. Antique Glow [Import]
7. Archive & Live [Import]
8. Arkadelphia
9. As the Cry Flows [Import]
10. Au Coeur De Tricatel

Rock Music