Heaven & Hell: Best of [Enhanced] [Import]

1. Hard To Be Human
2. Ghosts Of American Astronauts
3. Where Were You?
4. Hello Cruel World
5. Millionare
6. Chivalry
7. Memphis Egypt
8. Oblivion
9. Work All Week
10. Olde Trip To Jerusalem
11. (Sometimes I Feel Like) Christian Fletcher
12. Hate Is The New Love
13. Neglect
14. Last Dance
15. Curse
16. Big Zoombie
17. He Beat Up
18. His Boyfriend
19. One Horse Dub
20. Snow
See all 31 tracks on this disc

Tracks:

Neon Knights
Lady Evil
Heaven & Hell
Die Young
Lonely Is The Word
The Mob Rules
Turn Up The Night
Voodoo
Falling Off The Edge Of The World
After All (The Dead)
TV Crimes
I
Children Of The Sea (Live)
The Devil Cried
Shadow Of the Wind
Ear In The Wall

Amazon.com

The idea of Black Sabbath without Ozzy Osbourne was a form of metal sacrilege in 1980, at least until people heard Ronnie James Dio belt out "Oh no, here it comes again..." to open the reformed band's Heaven and Hell. Dio's low-growl had a yowl, squaring frightfully with Tony Iommi's more reined-in crunch. And Sabbath was reborn, playing faster than they had with Ozzy and drawing crowds. Five tracks from Heaven make it to this set, where four from successor, Mob Rules, show up. The winners from each: "Neon Nights" and "Turn Up the Night," both quick, hefty wailers, steamrolling on sheer riffing tonnage. Dehumanizer rekindled the Sabbath/Dio marriage in 1992, showing speed metal's intervening influence--and the band holds up well, racing atop Vinnie Appice's iron-armed drums and Iommi's relentless, intentionally range-limited riffs. Then there are the three new tracks, all benefiting from 2006's richer low-end production and metal's return to a slower grind--where Iommi is more thrilling doling out sludge, as on "Shadow of the Wind," where chords sound slo-mo and blessedly narrow in range. Yes, "Ear on the Wall" closes the set in a hurried, fast- (not speed-) metal vibe, but at best the band is deliberately mid-tempo, making a raucous noise you're happy for after all these years. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

Honoring the time Ronnie Dio spent with the band, Black Sabbath's hits "Neon Knights," "Lady Evil," and "Die Young" are featured on this compilation spanning 1980-2006. David Ling contributes liner notes and live versions of "Children of the Sea" and "Country Girl" are showcased.

Customer Reviews:

The "Greatest" From Black Sabbath.......2007-07-18

The "Dio Years" is the essential hits album from Black Sabbath. I have always liked Dio/Sabbath over Ozzy/Sabbath and this disc backs my point. The tracks picked from their respective albums are the best and the three new tracks are real solid. The three new tracks are better than the new tracks that were released on Sabbath's "Reunion" disc a few years back. All in all, this is what would be expected from the "Dio Years".

Great Album Idea, But Missing Favorites.......2007-07-15

This is an awesome idea to put the best of Dio's years with Sabbath together on a collection, with addition of some unheard material. But unfortunetely, this is missing a few great songs, and in my mind, that really makes it or breaks it in a 'hits collection'. This should have expanded as a double disc set, or better yet a small box set with all the Dio/Sabbath material. This is a nice disc to have though, but honestly, it might be just better to buy the albums Sabbath and Dio were together on to encompass it all.

The best yet.......2007-07-08

Until I heard it I wouldn't have believed it. Ronnie James Dio stepped into Ozzy's boots in very big way. This is one their best.

The "Missing" Sign of the Southern Cross.......2007-07-02

How can it be possible that "The Sign of the Southern Cross" is not included on this album!!!

Nice reminder of the'old days' -- but new stuff falls short.......2007-06-09

Like I said-- nice reminder of the days when Sabbath came back from the end of the Ozzy days with a vengeance. The set list is good, and yes, yes, there could have been a few more, but I think the live version of 'Children of the Sea' (from Live Evil) adequately makes up for what may be missing. (Sign of the Southern Cross, etc.)
The new tracks leave me a little... what-- unsatisfied? The question is, have I gotten too old? Or has My Lord Iommi's creativity dried up? (I'm going to Hell just for saying that.) The riffs sound like a rehash of His warm ups--at best. Or like a Sabbath cover band trying come up with something 'original.' (I'm from the Bay Area, and I've heard a thousand bands that took the first three albums, put em' in a blender, and called them 'original' stuff-- the writer included.) For me, the new tracks come up a little short, but it's still great to hear the Sabs rippin it up in the studio again.
Yeah, if you're a Die Hard, or a new 'Keeper of the Sign', this CD is good enough for the 10 bucks, but you're probably better off getting all the originals to truly appreciate that post Ozzy sound that was given unto the world in 1980....

Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven

Average customer rating:

a masterpiece
Long drifting soundscape
As close to divinity as possible...
Greatness, interrupted.
Masterpiece

Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
Godspeed You Black Emperor
Manufacturer: Kranky
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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f#a# (infinity symbol)
Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada
Ágætis Byrjun
Takk...
Finally We Are No One

ASIN: B00004ZD69
Release Date: 2007-01-08

Tracks:

Storm
Static

Tracks:

Sleep
Antennas to Heaven

Amazon.com

Canada's Godspeed You Black Emperor raise the ante on their already ambitious orchestral rock by releasing a double CD of material as their second full-length album. The group combines the drums and guitar of typical rock-band instrumentation with horns and strings to create a music built around drones and slowly evolving melodic figures. It rises and falls from delicate introductory passages to unabashed grand climaxes. Their juxtaposition of drums with violins and lush romantic tonality brings to mind Rachel's, but their compositional scale and the pounding repetitive intensity of their dynamic peaks evoke Glenn Branca's The Ascension. Although the two discs are indexed at only two 21-minute tracks each, the package includes a handy road map to the movements into which each is subdivided. The opening piece starts with five minutes of a 15-beat circular melodic pattern that is gradually embellished as the volume swells to an ecstatic roar. The release drops down to a pastoral drone that rebuilds to support an acid-etched guitar solo, which in turn yields to a unified 4/4 kraut rock pound that eventually explodes, leaving behind field recordings of public announcements mingled with wandering late-night Swell Maps piano. The other pieces use a similar set of sonic building blocks to take the listener on comparable journeys. Fans of Godspeed's previous work will be very happy, and the curious might want to hop on board as well. --Bob Bannister

Customer Reviews:

a masterpiece.......2007-06-16

GYBE are probably the best live band I have ever seen and this is their masterpiece. A very ambitious record that succeeds in making you close your eyes and just listen to the music.

Long drifting soundscape.......2007-05-07

(please ignore number rating, I don't generally find them meaningful)

"Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven" by Godspeed You Black Emperor is a long sequence of shifting soundscapes, mainly instrumental, but with some recorded speech and other effects. Rather like walking along a beach where the buildings and so forth on the shoreline change every few miles, (I mean it's structured that way, not that it has any seashore sounds). Its the sort of thing I might have playing in the background that requires little concentration. I didn't find it rythmically, melodically or harmonically interesting ... but I guess the point is the whole sonic sequence, which you might like.

As close to divinity as possible..........2007-04-15

I don't know how anyone can give this record a bad review. From the second I heard the first note, I could tell I was in for a ride...just how deep and magical a ride was unknown.

This album as stated before, is best listened to all at once...no interuptions, no lights...just you and the music. People have also talked about 'God' in the same breath as Godspeed's music. This is not far off. I am not a religious person and don't believe in the traditional God, yet this music has a mystical and spiritual feel to it that is completely divine in nature.

Let it be said that this is not for everybody. A lot of people will feel bored with some of it and feel it's too long. These people have obviously been brought up on verse chorus, cookie cutter music for far too long and can't appriciate the amazing progression that is necessary for the music.

I know it is one piece of music, but my favorite track is 'Sleep'. That piece just has a grip on me and wont let go. Please do yourself a favor and BUY this record. OFF.

Greatness, interrupted........2007-01-06

I held off for years before buying this intriguing piece of music, only to discover that I had made a big mistake ... not in waiting so long, but in buying it whatsoever.

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., once submitted this two word review of Joseph Heller's novel Something Happened: "Nothing does." After reading one flattering review after another of this disc and this band, I placed disc one in my player with great anticipation of the layer upon layer of swelling musical ideas that would build up to powerful summit after powerful summit. Alas, what I hear is Hearts-of-Space-ish chord washes and minimalist instrument progressions that -- just when the drums kick in and the guitar gets a little noisy and a slight bit of hummable melody introduces itself -- sadly, slithers back into ten more minutes of aimless droning.

So many other musicians do longform musical ideas so much better -- seek out live Praxis, or even At War With Self and the Gordian Knot discs. Godspeed You Black Emperor may be sexy on paper, but in the reality of my headphones it is a veritable plain Jane.

Masterpiece.......2006-11-04

Music like this is so rare. Music so mapped out, so layered, so etheral... This album is an experience. It isn't a collection of songs. It's a series of movements that form an orchestral piece. When listening to it you feel as if you're in another world; a barren landscape plagued by destruction and an impending apocolypse. Yet, despite this, there are still areas of light and hope.

When listening to this album, do it all at once. Don't start on track 2 of disc 1 or track 1 of disc 2... Play it all in succession. This is the best way to fully appreciate what you're listening to.

Also, this album may take a little while to sink in. But when it does, it will be one of the greatest things you've ever heard.

Average customer rating:

Haunting
better than the film
Amazing Music from Harry-Gregson Williams
Awesome music!
"Borrows" from the late Jerry Goldsmith's "The 13th Warrior"

Kingdom of Heaven
Iestyn Davies (connter-tenor) , Catherine Bott (soprano) , and Harry Gregson-Williams
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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King Arthur
Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut (Four-Disc Special Edition)
The Last Samurai
Batman Begins
Gladiator: Music from the Motion Picture

ASIN: B00080EUN0
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Burning the Past
Crusaders- Harry Gregson-Williams
Swordplay
A New World
To Jerusalem
Sibylla
Ibelin
Rise a Knight
The King
The Battle of Kerak
Terms
Better Man
Coronation
An Understanding
Wall Breached
The Pilgrim Road
Saladin
Path to Heaven
Light of Life (Ibelin Reprise)- Harry Gregson-Williams

Amazon.com

Filmmaker Ridley Scott has long been intrigued by historical events and their contemporary echoes, a fascination that evinces itself again here in the violent tale of Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom), a Jerusalem blacksmith who rallies his people against foreign invaders during the Crusades of the 12th century. Breaking with a successful modern collaboration with Hans Zimmer that yielded such eclectic riches as Gladiator, Hannibal, Black Hawk Down, and Matchstick Men, Scott turned here to fellow Englishman/former Zimmer associate Harry Gregson-Williams for his new film's music. The composer, perhaps weary of the electronica-suffused action film cliches he's so often been associated with, rises admirably to the occasion with a sweeping orchestral score that masterfully trades on a wealth of disparate historical and stylistic influences. Gregson-Williams echoes the film's religious and cultural conflicts via the tense musical axis at the soundtrack's core, one that sets the invading Church's medieval choral ecclesiastics on a collision course with the ancient Arabic modalities of the film's hero. The resulting score may occasionally trade on hoary Hollywood romantic traditions, but the composer infuses them with such bracing doses of historical/ethnic antecedents—and his own decidedly contemporary instincts—as to create a compelling new whole. Even the obligatory, pop-oriented version of Ibellin's Theme ("Light of Life") by Natacha Atlas shimmers with Middle Eastern-inflected enticement. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Haunting.......2007-06-12

Plain and simple this is a haunting score from start to finish. Something about that choir church voice that haunts the mind and soul. That's not a bad thing, that's a very good thing! What's great about the score is that it's easily recognizable to scenes from the movie. Now there was one that was left out and I do believe it's the funeral scene for King Baldwin which was great. That song would've made this album complete for me. Regardless of that minor mistake by the producers of the album, it is still a great listen for those who are enchanted by great epics and great monumental scores that accompany them. There's perfect balance in this score that really sets the mood and you do not get bored. Just don't cross into that realm of half-sleep and half awakeness while listening. You will eventually get startled.

better than the film.......2007-05-24

the music was the best thing about the film. But when you listen to it i can't recall anything from the film at all. Oh well.

Amazing Music from Harry-Gregson Williams.......2007-03-12

There is too much to say concerning this score, so I will keep my review rather curt. This is one of the best action/epic film scores ever written. Williams wrote the music for the Chronicles of Narnia in the same year as Kingdom of Heaven, and although the Narnia score was excellent, it cannot compare to the wonderfully artful music delivered in Kingdom of Heaven. I own over 200 film soundtracks and this is one that spins in my CD changer most often.

Awesome music!.......2007-01-06

My 13 year old daughter took this from me, and now has loaded it in her ipod. she loves it, and I hear it coming from her earphones all the time. (That makes me happy considering some of the junk out there) I personally love it too! The music brings back the memories of the wonderful movie, but it is beautiful to listen to regardless. I definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys beautiful music.

"Borrows" from the late Jerry Goldsmith's "The 13th Warrior".......2006-12-27

I am an avid collector of film scores (Over 160 thus far) and many are VERY rare/valuable. I personally do not own this Gregson-Williams score (I've seen the movie) but it works quite well in the film. There is only one thing I want readers to know: Just as the final, climactic battle sequence is beginning, Orlando Bloom is giving a speech to his brothers in arms....listen to the music at that moment. If you're an avid collector such as I am, you'll notice that the music playing is actually the piece entitled "Valhalla/Viking Victory" from Jerry Goldsmith's "The 13th Warrior". I don't know how Gregson-Williams got permission to use excerpts from that piece in this film, considering Goldsmith passed away in 2004 (Before Kingdom of Heaven was released). Anyway, not EVERYTHING heard in the film is original Gregson-Williams music. I do not know if the piece is also heard on the CD.

Average customer rating:

This should never have worked at all
A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS
Chess
One of my favorites!
Concepts get better with practice

Chess
Bjorn Ulvaeus , and Tim Rice
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Chess (1988 Original Broadway Cast)
Miss Saigon (Original 1989 London Cast)
Evita (1978 Original Broadway Cast)
A Little Night Music (1973 Original Broadway Cast)
Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)

ASIN: B000002GLR
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

Merano - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Murray Head
The Russian And Molokov/ Where I Want To Be - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley
Opening Ceremony - The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas/Bjorn Skifs
Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg/Denis Quilley/Bjorn Skifs
The American And Florence/Nobody's Side - Elaine Paige/Murray Head
Chess - LSO/Anders Eljas
Mountian Duet - Elaine Paige/Tommy Korberg
Florence Quits - Elaine Paige/Murray Head
Embassy Lament - Tommy Korberg/The Ambrosia Singers/Anders Eljas
Anthem - Tommy Korberg

Tracks:

Bangkok
One Night In Bangkok
Heaven Help My Heart
Argument
I Know Him So Well
The Deal (No Deal)
Pity The Child
Endgame
Epilogue: You And I / The Story Of Chess

Amazon.com

Chess is a musical that sounds like it shouldn't work but instead succeeds surprisingly well. This is the original concept album that was recorded before the musical was staged in London. Chess is the story of a love triangle told against the backdrop of an international chess tournament during the height of the cold war. The composers are Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (the Bs in ABBA) and the lyrics are by Tim Rice, who supplied the words for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, as well as Disney's Aladdin (with Howard Ashman), The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. The six-member cast does a beautiful job with the songs, which are a combination of ballads, rock, and operatic choruses. Murray Head's version of "One Night in Bangkok" became a surprise hit in the mid-'80s and it still turns up on the turntables in dance clubs around the world. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

This should never have worked at all.......2007-06-18

And on that basis alone, you've got to cut it some slack. Fortunately, not all that much slack turns out to be necessary.

While "Chess" may be a document of an era that no longer exists, there's a lot more going on than the surface metaphor. It holds up very well indeed. When it aims for humor, it generally succeeds, and likewise when it aims to devastate. What more can you ask for?

A GREAT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED MUSICAL FROM THE 80-IS.......2007-03-04

`Chess' is a musical that should be counted among the best of what the 1980-is had produced: side by side with `Cats', `The Phantom of the Opera', `Les Miserables' or `Miss Saigon'. The score as heard on this concept album, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (formerly of ABBA) and with the exceptional lyrics written by Tim Rice, stand proof to this. And yet, due to various reasons, like the changing of the director half way through London staging; a heavy rewrite for Broadway and a pan review from Frank Ritch (a.k.a. `The Butcher of Broadway'), `Chess' seems to be unjustly neglected.

This concept album is the main reason why the show has so many ardent fans until this day. Tim Rice wanted to write the show with the main plot revolving around chess for years and after his long time partner Andrew Lloyd Webber remained uninterested, he found the new collaborators in Ulvaeus and Andersson. The subject matter follows two international chess players in a championship, a Russian (Tommy Körberg) and an American (Murray Head) and a woman called Florence (Elaine Paige) who is a manager to the American but falls in love with the Russian. The story also draws a parallel between the game of chess and the cold war/real life situations.

This concept album was recorded in 1984, two years before the original London production took place. As the authors noted in the accompanying booklet, it was a work in progress and thusly the story is not quite readable here from the musical numbers alone. Despite that fact (which is amended by the synopsis included in the booklet), this album remains a winner. The score (played here by the London Symphonic Orchestra) itself makes an intriguing bland of the famous ABBA sound, the classical; the rock and the pop enhanced by the orchestral solo passages and the strong choral parts. The lush orchestrations add an epic touch to it and on the whole it is melodic and hummable, packed with great tunes. Some of the songs achieved huge success outside the musical: `I know him so well', a duet between Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson, held the number one spot on the UK singles charts for 4 weeks in February 1985 and won Ivor Novello Award as the Best Selling Single; Murray Head's `One night in Bangkok' became one of the biggest dance hits of its time, often heard today. Some other notable tunes include `The Anthem' (Russian's deliberation on his homeland); the soaring rock songs `Where I want to be' and `Pity the child' (in the former, the Russian reflects upon his life under the spotlight; in the latter, the American ponders about his own unhappy childhood) or the gentle `Heaven help my heart' (in which Florence weighs up her relationship with the Russian).

A special reference must be made to Tim Rice's excellent lyrics. With `Chess' he managed to keep up to the high standards he set himself in `Jesus Christ Superstar' and Evita'. Again in this case he shows he is a lyrical wizard, with his familiar cynical touch. `The story of chess', in which he gives a history of the game in a couple of crafty verses, is a pure masterpiece. The same can be said of the song `I know him so well', where the two women reexamine their relationship with the same man. As a whole, `Chess' owes a lot of its appeal to Tim Rice's written word.

The cast on this album ranks the high standard of the material. The principal parts (sung by Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg and Murray Head) are delivered in a strong and impeccable fashion.

This 2-disc edition comes with a booklet containing a note from the authors, a text about chess, a full synopsis and a libretto, together with the photos of the principal singers.

Anyone interested in the modern musical theatre should find `Chess' to be a great score with great lyrics, which should be enough to satisfy any aficionado.

Chess.......2007-01-15

A magnificent musical, i have enjoyed the music since i first heard it and read the storyline. Had been unable to find it in our local music stores.Very pleased to find it on your site.

One of my favorites!.......2007-01-12

I love "Chess"! I still remember the first time I heard the single "One Night in Bangkok" on my car radio. I thought it was so unusual and so very cool, so I tracked down the album and bought it. Then I taped it onto a cassette, which is what I've been listening to for years, so I finally broke down and got it on CD. Of course, it's on my iPod now. I've seen the musical, and I loved that, too.

Concepts get better with practice.......2006-11-27

I love this show! That said, I do not care for this version of it. The inclusion of the word "concept" in the title means it is just that. This was, thankfully, not the final version of the show that would later spawn the hit song, "One Night In Bangkok".

With most Broadway musicals, the musical numbers tell the basic story of the show. If you listen to the recordings of Phantom, Mama Mia, Beauty and the Beast, you can discern the basic storyline of the show. Listening to this particular recording of Chess, though, will leave you wondering "What was that?" The Broadway arrival of Chess saw a much needed reworking of the storyline and arrangement of the musical numbers. This recording seems too much like a mish-mash of songs that don't really relate to each other.

For musical fanatics (like myself), I say "yes, you should have this recording in your collection", if only to understand how much work went into the show before it opened on Broadway.

If you are only buying the album because of "One Night In Bangkok", purchase the Broadway recording instead; you'll be much happier with the performance by Phillip Casnoff rather than Murray Head.

Average customer rating:

Another Best of Mehdi
Delightful, Relaxing, Wonderful !
Nice, but not the best I've ever heard.
Musical Nirvana - Where sound quality, artistry and composition come together.
Gorgeous sound !

Instrumental Paradise Volume 8
Mehdi
Manufacturer: SoothingMusic.Com
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000PGQEIG
Release Date: 2007-04-30

Tracks:

Steps To Paradise
Eternal Bliss
Guiding Light
Heavens Rain
Utopian Dance
Sacred Gathering
Blossoming Flowers
Connecting Prayer
Trees In The Breeze
Prayers Answered

Product Description

Have you ever heard music so beautiful that it captivated you, lifted you up and opened your heart and mind? As comfortable as a relaxing day on the beach or as fresh as a warm spring breeze, these rich multicultural soundscapes are the soundtrack to your dreams. It's the feeling of bliss that you wish would never end. This is the music of Mehdi. We call it, "Music that sounds the way life should feel".>>> Contemporary Instrumental: Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Violin, Cello, Flute, Live Orchestral Strings, Electric Guitar, Persian Oud, Sitar, Santoor, Hammered Dulcimer with Rhythmic Hand Percussion, Drum Kit all Placed in Lush Orchestral Arrangements.

Customer Reviews:

Another Best of Mehdi .......2007-07-06

"Every album should be called Best of Mehdi," another reviewer once said.
Amen. It's everything everyone says it is. And it was absolutely worth the wait.
Yes, good cover choice; love the white horse.

Where's our DVD, Concertmaster?

Delightful, Relaxing, Wonderful !.......2007-06-29

I also purchased this CD based on the reviews and I'm truly glad that I did. This is Mehdi at his best. I've only listened to it a a few times since I received it, but I know I'll be playing it often. It's especially nice in the car, because it brings the surrounding natural scenery to life. Recommended !

Nice, but not the best I've ever heard........2007-06-29

I bought this based on other review I read on Amazon cold-turkey. It's nice, but not up to the calibur of other albums I have in the same genra.

I wouldn't not recommend it, but I wouldn' rave over it either.

Musical Nirvana - Where sound quality, artistry and composition come together........2007-06-25

Power up the stereo. Turn the lights down low. Don the headphones and energize the CD player. Relax. It's time to enter a world of virtuoso musicianship, of soundscapes that take you to another world. Close your eyes and listen. You're no longer alone but surrounded by beauty and floating into Paradise. You move seamlessly between this world and the next, the music weaving a tapestry that transcends the distance and the times.

Mehdi's Instrumental Paradise is a special recording in that it captures the soul and essence of one of the great musical visionaries in our time.

Mehdi has been playing the piano since he could reach the keys and has composed music for many feature films prior to embarking on his Instrumental musical journey in the mid-90's. Mehdi's music (a mixture of Middle Eastern, Celtic, Greek, Southern European and Spanish or at times Moorish set to neo classical and more modern influences) defies the current practice of cataloging each artist into a standard category. Above all else, this is music for the adventurer in each of us.

Mehdi is the feature artist showcasing his wide-ranging Piano and mesmerizing original compositions. But this is by no means a one-person show. Flutist Dan Jenks, Violinist Tony Ragetti, Percussionist Yoshi Masayuki,Cellist Jesse Von Unwerth,Persian Oudist John Bilezikjian,Guitarist Michael Barbieri,Sitarist Daniel J Gupta are just a few of the virtuoso musicians on this master piece.
They add their tremendous musical talents to a recording that truly is more than the sum of its individual parts. Each of these musicians are talented masters in their own right and have recorded with Mehdi as well as other respected and diverse musicians ranging from Loreena Mckinnett to Yanni.

The sound quality of this recording is beyond reproach. The dynamics and spatial imaging of the recording deserve special mention. This truly is a recording without fault: Over 59 minutes of timeless excellence in sound.

Mehdi's spirituality seems to be as little understood as his music. He is a musical and spiritual adventurer. Each recording contains compositions that deal with a wide range of influences ranging from Christianity to Mysticism to Islam and other faiths. One should be careful in not labeling his beliefs as well as his music. Just listen, learn and enjoy.

If you enjoy artists such as Secret Garden, Loreena Mckinnett,Enya, David Lanz, Phil Coulter, Yanni, classical, Celtic and other world music, or if you are intrigued by a musical adventure, Mehdi's extraordinary Instrumentals should be on your short list of future musical purchases.

Gorgeous sound !.......2007-06-25

A DJ here in Austin insists on calling Mehdi, "The Jewel of public television." While many of his fans are probably jealous that there's actually a station here that gives him airtime (KGSR, 107.1 -- a near identical twin of KBCO Boulder, 97.3), I've patiently combed public TV listings for months, and never seen his name once. Woe is me!

Ever since some cognoscenti used a snippet of his "Wedding Song" as background on an episode of "Northern Exposure," I've been hooked on Mehdi's compelling blend of inspiring melodies and middle eastern rhythms. The California Native and his bandmates are wizards with their instruments. Volume 8 Instrumental Paradise is a must for any fan of Mehdi's music; and I can think of no better way for someone unfamiliar with his sound to become acquainted.

Average customer rating:

Black Sabbath Inspired.
genius
The best of the rest....4.5 stars
Black Sabbath is reborn; 4.5 stars
Very good pure Rock album

Heaven And Hell
Black Sabbath
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Mob Rules
Dehumanizer
Holy Diver
The Last in Line
The Mob Rules

ASIN: B000002KKS
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Neon Knights
Children Of The Sea
Lady Evil
Heaven And Hell
Wishing Well
Die Young
Walk Away
Lonely Is The Word

Amazon.com

After kicking vocalist Ozzy Osbourne out of the band in 1978, Black Sabbath knew they would have to strike back with a powerful record if they were to retain their credibility. They recruited Elf vocalist Ronnie James Dio, whose melodramatic vibrato shuddered with menace, and in 1980, they released Heaven and Hell, their most potent offering since Master of Reality. Faster and more theatrical than Sabbath's earlier oeuvre, Heaven and Hell features the dynamic seven-minute title track, which builds from a lazy throb to a high-octane roar, and the dynamic "Die Young," which segues from an uptempo saunter to a flamboyant midsection strangely reminiscent of Queen. Although the album helped build Sabbath a younger, more enthusiastic fan base, Dio only remained with the band for one more studio album, after which Sabbath's star slowly began to fade. --Jon Wiederhorn

Album Description

1996 reissue on Castle of their top 30 1980 album for WarnerBrothers, remastered from the original master tapes and withfaithfully restored artwork. Eight tracks, including 'Neon Knights', 'Lady Evil' and 'Heaven And Hell'.

Album Details

Black Sabbath's 1980 Album Highlighting Rainbow's Ronnie James Dio on Vocals. Digitally Remastered and Reissued in 1996. Includes Original Art, Liner Notes and Track Sequence. Is Home to the Standout Tracks "Neon Knights", "Children of the Sea" plus Six More. Also Includes an Essay by Hugh Gilmour.

Customer Reviews:

Black Sabbath Inspired........2007-05-23

Tony Iommi plays great on this album. It was the last album before he changed his tone & style to now using a wah wah on every solo... to bad.
Drummer Bill Ward finally has a big bass drum sound & Geezer Butler plays bass excellent as always.
Thanks to Martin Birch for his excellent production in capturing this inspired band. Ronnie James Dio sings excellent as well.

genius.......2007-05-18

This album is pure genius, and, despite its age (it's now 27 years old!) it hasn't dated at all, which is unusual for a heavy rock album. If the album was released today, it couldn't sound any fresher.

The introduction of RJ Dio took 'the worst band in the world' and made them tight, with actually 'catchy' songs that people could listen to, something Osbourne has yet to accomplish.

This album would be included in any 'Top 100 Albums of All Time' if it were done by Deep Purple, Queen, or Led Zeppelin. The fact that it's not means that it never will. This is a shame.

The best of the rest....4.5 stars .......2007-05-17

I usually don't bother with post-Ozzy Sabbath, but when the fans stopped giving Dio the finger long enough to listen to this in 1980, they realized they had a masterpeice on their hands. Unlike it's successor, the overblown "Mob Rules", Heaven and Hell still had a good amount of '70's hard rock style to keep it out of the '80's excess department. That's not to say the songs are just average. Indeed, these are classics in their own right and go down with the best Ozzy and company had to offer in the '70's. Dio is in top form, and provided a fresh new sound for the rest of the band to use as a springboard to launch these new songs. Later releases would build on and recycle "Heaven and Hell", but ultimately Sabbath would never be this good again.

Black Sabbath is reborn; 4.5 stars.......2007-05-12

This could easily have been the last gasp for Black Sabbath. Following the artistic and commercial failure of their previous two releases (both of which were abysmal) and the ousting of Ozzy Osbourne (the group's most identifiable member from a media perspective) it seemed that Sabbath was on the skids with no way out. Ronnie James Dio was chosen as Osbourne's successor, having recently parted company with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. The little man with the big voice almost single-handedly pulled Sabbath's career out of the gutter, and in 1980 the mighty Sabs released Heaven And Hell, one of the all-time heavy metal classics.

Anybody who expects this to sound like early Sabbath classics like Paranoid or Masters Of Reality might as well not spend their money. Certainly there are echoes of early Sabbath here, but the addition of RJD to the songwriting team gave the band a much-overdue makeover. There tend to be more up-tempo tunes on a Dio-era Sabbath album, and Dio's sword-and-sorcery lyrical approach is quite a change as well. Another major difference is that while Osbourne would usually follow Tony Iommi's guitar riffs and call them vocal melodies Dio prefers to sing a melody that counterpoints the riff rather than doubling it. The fresh approach seems to rejuvenate the band and Geezer butler (bass), Bill Ward (drums), and Tony Iommi (guitars) deliver performances that are head and shoulders above the tired-sounding musicmanship on the previous two releases. Dio also seems to take inspiration from his new compatriots, singing with an edginess that was never quite there in Rainbow and would be his trademark sound for years to come. Rainbow's old producer Martin Birch was called in to oversee the process, resulting in a crisp, vital sounding recording.

Many of the songs here are timeless classics that are still regular features of Dio's concert performances and were for Sabbath as well until the ill-advised reunion with Osbourne. Some high points include the fast-paced opener "Neon Knights", the light-yet-heavy "Children Of The Sea", the hard-rocking "Die Young", and the slow, mournful "Lonely Is The Word". Then there's the title track, which is one of those tunes that really has to be heard to be believed. An epic in the best sense of the word; when it's over you can't believe that seven minutes have passed. I subtracted half a star because there is a little bit of filler here. Lady Evil is interesting but in no way does it stand up to most of the other songs on the album, and Walk Away is just fluff. But the rest of the album is so unbelievably great that it's pretty easy to ignore.

If you're a metal fan and don't have this album you need to rectify the situation immediately. Add to cart NOW!

Very good pure Rock album.......2007-05-05

From the beginning to the end, this album is very good !
This is a great Rock album and I like every minute of it.
If you're a real Rock music fan, this one is for you !

Average customer rating:

I'll never forget this album
EXCELLENT CD
Social Distortion At Their Best!
FROM A DEEP HEART
Their best record, no doubt

Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Social Distortion
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Social Distortion
White Light, White Heat, White Trash
...And Out Come The Wolves
Walk Among Us
Stranger Than Fiction

ASIN: B0000027SR
Release Date: 1992-02-11

Tracks:

Cold Feelings
Bad Luck
Making Believe
Born To Lose
Bye Bye Baby
When She Begins
99 To Life
King Of Fools
Sometimes I Do
This Time Darlin'
Ghost Town Blues

Customer Reviews:

I'll never forget this album.......2007-06-09

April, 1992. This ablum blends in with the fabric of my memories for that time. I remember it was a beautiful spring that year, and I was looking out over a field of desert wildflowers, with these songs in my head. I remember making love that night to my then girlfriend behind a bush in the park. I remember learning many of these songs and playing them with my friends in bedrooms and garages. Every time I hear "Bad luck" kick in today, I still am filled with the most awsome feeling inside.
This is great, honest, no-frills rock. One of the things I like most about it is the somewhat limited vocal capabilities of the songwriter--he's one of those that has a great song but can only sing it "the best he can", which is great because it keeps things honest, real, and full of true feeling

EXCELLENT CD.......2007-05-12

BOUGHT THIS CD FOR THE SONG BAD LUCK AND WOUND UP ENJOYING THE WHOLE CD.

Social Distortion At Their Best!.......2007-03-29

This album perfects the rockabilly sound that the band began with "Prison Bound" and "Social Distortion". It is definately the most country influenced album that they have ever released but it still holds on to their punk roots. Still, it is an incredible difference from "Mommy's Little Monster". If you are a fan of that album, this is a bit of a 180.

I would agree that this is their most "complete" album. This album contains little to no filler material. It can easily be listened to from front to back. The real standout songs on this album are...

-Cold Feelings
-Bad Luck
-Making Believe
-Born To Lose
-When She Begins
-King of Fools
-This Time Darlin'

FROM A DEEP HEART.......2007-01-03

Lightlly naive in some lyrics but musically admirable, this SD CD is the best frontal entrance gate to one of the finest musical cocktails prepared with a mixture of blues, rockabilly, seventies punk and even some gospel. Lovelly violent and charming.

Their best record, no doubt.......2006-11-09

This is easily their best record--others will argue that it's the self-titled, or "white light..," but this is it. All of the promise found on Prison Bound and the self-titled is realized here. Unlike the earlier records, there's no filler (Drug Train anyone?) to be found here at all. It's just a solid rock album. Yeah, this is easily their best. It's just a solid, mature record all the way through, and the groovy bonus track makes it even better. I love the distorted vocals on that last tune....

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, memorable singing.
Nice and relaxing
A display of God's gifts
SOUTH AFRICAN HARMONY AT ITS FINEST
Tribal, Caribbean, old-school gospel, and much in between

Voices from Heaven
The Soweto Gospel Choir
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Blessed
African Spirit
Soweto Gospel Choir - Blessed Live in Concert
Exotic Voices from Africa: 30 of the Best African Vocal Groups
The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

ASIN: B0006TRO6I
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Jikela Emaweni
Vuma
Thina Simnqobile
Zanele
Paradise Road
Ahuna Ya Tswanag Le Jesu / Kammatla
Many Rivers to Cross / Going Down Jordan / Amen (Medley)
Amazing Grace
Thula Baba
Sikulandile
Malaika
Hlanganani
Bayete
Jerusalem
Holy City / Bayete (Medley)
African Dream

Amazon.com

South African choral music is renowned for passionate singing and soul-stirring harmonies. The Soweto Gospel Choir is made up of top talent from throughout that hard-scrabble yet celebrated Township. All sixteen tracks were seemingly recorded studio-live with no overdubbing or after-the-fact prettying-up. Paradise Road is led by a powerful pair of female voices who sing in English about walking hand-in-hand toward a place where there will be no more pain. It is almost unbearably poignant. A ceremonial yet ecstatic version of "Amazing Grace" renews the power and grandeur of a seriously hackneyed hymn. The selections are either sung a cappella or accompanied by a guitar-led mbaqanga combo, plus drums, hand-clapping, stamping, exhortations, whistling ,and high-pitched ululations. There is even a taste of sacred R&B and hip-hop! The lord being praised here is obviously a robust but loving realist; the voices are redolent of humanity in all its fragile, undying splendor. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Soweto Gospel Choir's Shanachie debut, Voices From Heaven, is a stunning recording that delivers the full range of the choir's talent. The sheer aural beauty of the voices, both in powerful solo segments and lush choral harmonies, makes a memorable impact. But there also is an unquantifiable quotient of spirit—the heartfelt, sincere joyousness that cannot be taught or simulated—that infuses the Choir's performances. It is this quality that enables them to make even very familiar material such as "Amazing Grace" or Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers To Cross" sound fresh. The Choir moves easily from the traditional a capella Mbube, popularized internationally by Ladysmith Black Mambazo to straightforward church hymns to rollicking "township jive"-inflected numbers with band backing. The most universal, direct and powerful instrument is the human voice and on Voices From Heaven Soweto Gospel Choir revels in this "first instrument" as the essence of human musical expression.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, memorable singing........2007-07-06

This album really displays the energy and distinction of this group. Great singing, great arrangements, hugely energetic and dynamic. Highly recommended for anyone with an eclectic taste in music.

Nice and relaxing.......2007-03-13

I found that this CD was very, very enjoyable to listen to, the music when in English was accessible, when it was not, just purely relaxing and in no short order, helped me feel the spirit. There are no chants and songs with lyrics that are repeated over and over and over again here. Just simple music that would serve to uplift the mind and the spirit.

A display of God's gifts.......2007-02-12

I not only bought the CD i was blessed to watch them live on their current tour of the United States. When the concert was over it was obvious that everyone wanted more and i could hear a little voice behind me saying "encore". What a refreshing sound from such a small group and they sing with such passion and joy! I recommend this album to everyone who wants to hear real voices sing. An amazing display of God's gift to man.

SOUTH AFRICAN HARMONY AT ITS FINEST.......2006-11-03

Purchased Voices From Heaven,after seeing a live
performance of "Blessed." While the audio only album
cannot fully describe the songs on this album,the way
a live video can,it was still very enjoyabloe.The harmony
was at times "soul wrenching." The presentation,
captivating!

My favorite songs were: "Ahuna Ya Twanag Le Jesu" (Nobody
Like Jesus,)The classic South African Lullabye "Thula Baba"
and the Johnny Clegg standard "My African Dream." This was
an outstanding performance.I wish I had seen it live.

Tribal, Caribbean, old-school gospel, and much in between.......2006-03-23

High quality and excitement throughout. Most are easy to recognize as gospel music, even when the specific form is unfamiliar. Songs vary in approach and language. Some are distinctly tribal in origin; others sound Caribbean, some are clearly American, old-school soul in origin. And much in between. But they tend to certain attributes. The core of each song is a steady, communal, simple chant. Songs feel like they are blocked out, and the chorus works through each song in blocks. Some have complex harmonies or even layers of separate parts of the chorus. Others seek the sacred in simplicity. One or two solo voices sing above the chorus in a much more individual, excited, complex, fervent spirit. Solos are mainly female; a few male voices. Individual leads effectively voice their wild devotion over the rock-solid steadiness of the community. Drums typically appear, usually in sparse, syncopated role, and always supporting the voices. Simple but stinging electric guitar accompanies a few pieces. Stand-outs: tr 3-Thina Simnqobile (Close, steady communal chant. Deep female voice above. Quick, light, syncopated drums. Precise clapping in complex rhythms. Ululating.) [56:33]

Average customer rating:

Of course it's good it's old school metal from SLAYER!
Slayer slows but
slayer rocks!
for my husband
2nd to only Reign In Blood

South of Heaven
Slayer
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Seasons in the Abyss
Reign in Blood
Hell Awaits
Show No Mercy
Christ Illusion

ASIN: B000062YB3
Release Date: 2007-04-23

Tracks:

South Of Heaven
Silent Scream
Live Undead
Behind The Crooked Cross
Mandatory Suicide
Ghosts Of War
Read Between The Lies
Cleanse The Soul
Dissident Aggressor
Spill The Blood

Customer Reviews:

Of course it's good it's old school metal from SLAYER!.......2007-05-19

The title of the reveiw says it all. This is Slayer's 5th album (only one more album left until nu metalville). It's a totally awesome album and imo it's the best out of Slayer's entire discography, only one bad song off of it. Sure Reign In Blood is the 2nd most popular metal album ever made (1st being Master Of Puppets) but imo this album beats Reign In Blood. South Of Heaven is a metal masterpiece. It's much slower than anything Slayer's ever done yet the way the guitars sound like are completely unique, old school sounding, amazing, and great! The drummer comes off as really awesome also. I really can't say much about the album except it's great and I definitly recommend it!

Favorites: Silent Scream(favorite and my favorite thrash metal song), Live Undead, Ghosts Of War, and Spill The Blood.

Least Favorites: Dissident Aggressor, Read Between The Lies, Cleanse The Soul. All of the songs are good in fact the only real bad song off the album is Dissident Aggressor. The rest fail to disapoint (including Cleanse The Soul and Read Between The Lies)!!!

Slayer slows but.......2007-04-15

Slayer is the greatest metal band in history, and this cd just proves they can do something different. The songs are a bit slowed down but still are brutal. Silent Scream has probably the best scream Tom has ever done, and Mandatory Suicide is one of my faviorte Slayer songs of all time. A must have for metal fans.

slayer rocks!.......2007-03-08

i heard bad things about this album. i have to disagree its great.

for my husband.......2007-03-08

I purchased this album for my husband. He is a big fan of this album. He has listened to this so many times since I got it for him. It was a Valentine gift and he thinks it is the best one made from this band.

2nd to only Reign In Blood.......2007-02-26

In My opinion, Slayer's first five albums are all easily 5 star thrash metal classics that should without a doubt be in every metalheads catalog. There is somthing about this album that just really drew me in. One thing was definitely the darker, haunting tones they went for on the album. It is definitely slower than Slayer's previous albums, but it has a darker, more unique style to it. The guitars really seem heavier than ever on this album, almost like sludge/doom metal still with all the thrash elements, including insane double bass drumming as always from Mr. Lombardo. Tom Araya's voice is much clearer on "South" and he doesn't sing nearly as fast like on previous efforts when it is sometimes incredibly hard to make out what he is saying. He definitely adds more melody and structure to his voice. Also, there is not quite as much talk about demons, satan, and violence. Of course, there is still quite a bit of it. Come on, this is Slayer we're talkin' about here. You have to expect some of that. Slayer's songs are still pretty short. The title track being the longest and clocking in at just under 5 minutes.

My personal favorites on here are of course the classics- South Of Heaven, Mandatory Suicide, and also Spill The Blood and Behind The Crooked Cross. Spill The Blood was really something new for Slayer. It has a haunting/dark acoustic intro. which I absolutely love. It is extremely unique, especially for Slayer. Araya started writing the majority of the lyrics also for this album, and as always axe slingers, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman wrote the musical parts. No mediocre tracks appear on here, but if I had to choose I would say the Judas Priest cover song, Dissident Aggressor and Cleanse The Soul would be my least favorites. The whole album flows very smoothly together. Every song has it's place and no songs are out of place on here. Everthing goes together just right.

So if you'd like to hear Slayer with a bit darker, sludgier tone to it, pick up South Of Heaven. This would be the 2nd to last album with their incredible/classic lineup until Dave Lombardo would leave and be replaced with the exceptional Paul Bostaph. If you don't have a Slayer album or haven't heard much of them, I reccomend this, Reign In Blood, or Seasons In The Abyss.

Average customer rating:

John Rutter Collection
Typically gorgeous Rutter
Wonderful!
To sample Rutter's best music, this is the one.
The Best

John Rutter Collection
Rutter , Cambridge Singers , and London Sinfonia
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The John Rutter Christmas Album
Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers
Be Thou My Vision
Distant Land: The Orchestra Collection
Gloria: The Sacred Music of John Rutter

ASIN: B00006LIEZ
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Tracks:

For The Beauty Of The Earth
The Lord Is My Shepherd
All Things Bright And Beautiful
Shepherd's Pipe Carol
The Lord Bless You And Keep You
Open Thou Mine Eyes
My True Love Hath My Heart (From Birthday Madrigals)
Esurientes (From Magnificat)
Gloria Patri (From Magnificat)
Out Of The Deep (From Requiem)
Pie Jesu (From Requiem)
What Sweeter Music
A Choral Fanfare
A Prayer Of St. Patrick
O Be Joyful In The Lord
Behold, The Tabernacle Of God
O Praise The Lord Of Heaven
A Gaelic Blessing
Angel's Carol
Matthew, Mark, Luke And John (From Five Childhood Lyrics)
Sing A Song Of Sixpence (From Five Childhood Lyrics)
Go Forth Into The World In Peace

Customer Reviews:

John Rutter Collection.......2007-02-19

This CD is one of several that features Rutter directing his own choir. It has a good cross section of the John Rutter compositions, and is a good starting place for someone who has not heard Rutter's music before. I think you will be "hooked" if you really love choral music.

Typically gorgeous Rutter.......2005-12-20

I love John Rutter's music. Especially the "For the Beauty of the Earth" that is on this CD. Rutter is not the most inventive or varied composer of modern music, but if you have a taste for traditional choral writing with some angelic children's chorus singing, then you will probably share my enjoyment of Rutter's writing. Unfortunately I cannot give this CD 5 stars when it seems there is a drum set tapping annoyingly away on several of the songs. I do not understand this at all and am bothered by it every time I listen to those songs. It's a shame, because otherwise I love the music, and think it is lushly written, and simply but beautifully performed. I would highly suggest listening to sample track 3 before purchasing -- you can hear what sounds like a ride-cymbal right at the very end of the sample. This sound occurs in several of the songs on this recording.

Wonderful!.......2005-12-03

I am a huge John Rutter fan. The lilting melodies, the poignant lyrics and the lush orchestrations make his music not only accessable but also uplifting. This compilation, although drawing from many other previous recordings, is a great composite of his wirk. The sound is exquisite. Even if you own other recordings of this music, this is worthwhile.

To sample Rutter's best music, this is the one........2005-06-30

I purchased this CD as an introduction to the music of John Rutter and went on to purchase many more of his compositions. Still, this remains my favorite collection. It is choral music at its absolute finest. Far from "just church music", this CD has songs of faith, a few Christmas carols, a Celtic song for lovers, and even a child's tune or two. While most of the pieces are peaceful, warm, and thought-provoking, a few are up-tempo and lively. In my opinion, it is a perfectly balanced collection in which one song flows beautifully into the next with no sense of a jarring change of pace. If you have any interest in choral music, begin with the best...John Rutter... and this superb arrangement. Highly recommended.

The Best.......2005-04-29

The John Rutter Collection in my opinion is one of the finest and most perfect works I've ever heard. The Cambridge Singers demonstrates the best vocal discipline and style of any vocal group in the world.

Sidney Vaught

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