Flavour Country [CD-single] [Import]

1. Exercise

2. I Can't Believe Its Over (2nd Version)

3. Waters Deep (2nd Version)

4. Baby Of The Year

5. Continute?

Tracks:

TOSCA: Act I: Opening-Ah! Here In Safety
TOSCA: Act I: I Don't Believe It...
TOSCA: Act I: Give Me My Palette!
TOSCA: Act I: Mario! Mario! Mario!
TOSCA: Act I: Our Little House In The Country
TOSCA: Act I: What Eyes In All The Wide World
TOSCA: Act I: All The Choir In Here At Once!
TOSCA: Act I: You Make The Church A Fairground
TOSCA: Act I: Mario?! Mario?!
TOSCA: Act I: Three Agents, Go In A Carriage...

Tracks:

TOSCA: Act II: Tosca, My Falcon
TOSCA: Act II: Richer Far Is The Flavour
TOSCA: Act II: It Seemed Wise To Arrest Him...
TOSCA: Act II: Now You And I Can Talk
TOSCA: Act II: Enough. Tosca, Your Answer
TOSCA: Act II: Floria!
TOSCA: Act II: How Much?
TOSCA: Act II: Life Has Taught Me Singing And Loving
TOSCA: Act II: Which Route Have You Chosen?
TOSCA: Act III: No Words Can Cheer Me
TOSCA: Act III: All The Stars Shone In Heaven
TOSCA: Act III: Oh, Hands Of Mercy
TOSCA: Act III: What A Time They Are Taking!

Amazon.com

Do we really need another Tosca in English? Forget the question, because if you think we do, you'll want this set regardless of its qualities or flaws. But if you're skeptical, you should give this a listen anyway. Jane Eaglen's Tosca is wonderfully sung (and surprisingly well enunciated). While she certainly doesn't move us the way Callas does, she's far better than Dame Kiri (but then again, so are most of my great-aunts). Eaglen won't vulgarize by pushing dramatic moments into her chest voice, although sometimes you wish that she would. Dennis O'Neill is such a dedicated artist that I wish I liked his voice better. He offers a nuanced Cavaradossi that turns somewhat unpleasant at forte above the staff, but one could mistake that for drama. Gregory Yurisich's Scarpia is nicely snarling--just about every nasty word he sings can be understood. Conductor David Parry seems a bit out of his element--he leads a sleepy performance, even if it is a well-played sleepy performance. This is for Eaglen fans and those who prefer "All the stars shone in heaven" to "E lucevan le stelle." And you know who you are. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

One of the better Chandos recordings.......2005-10-17

Again opera in English. Most of it has left me cold, but not because of uninvolved singers or orchestra or chorus, just because the diction is usually simply horrible. This recording, however, is much better. It could be because the published translation is used (what is known as a "singable translation" rather than a literal translation). Because of this fact, vowels that are much too hard to sing on higher notes in English are not sung. Rather, words are used so that vowels more workable to high notes are sung.

As for the singers themselves, unlike some think, I think Jane Eaglen is wonderful. I really enjoy how Chandos captures the voices of their singers. They do such a masterful job, and we are able to really enjoy the sound, and it is a more natural sound. Eaglen now has the incredible sound one hears in the theatre, filled with warmth, and with just the correct amount of ring to it. That hollow empty sound one gets in her Sony recordings is gone (and we are all the more thankful for that, but then, I am not that impressed with Sony and their recording balance anyway). As to her interpretation, I find it stunning. No, she is not Maria Callas, and I am glad she is not trying to be. I love Callas in the role (in both her studio recordings and in a few live performances I have -- though in life, her voice is much smaller than it appears in studio recordings). Yet, I love to hear what other singers bring to this role when they are not trying to copy Callas. Eaglen is very vital in the role. We are hearing an "opera singer" and she is very believable. Her jealousy is very touching in the first act, not raving as some portray it (and which is actually overdoing it), but poignant. We feel a woman, a woman who is very lacking in confidence, not in her talent, but in her ability to capture the heart of the man she loves. Tosca's jealousy is not because her lover has strayed or been unfaithful in any way, it is because she fears she cannot keep him interested in herself. That aspect of her character is seldom captured, yet, Eaglen does capture that vulnerability. Scarpia uses that vulnerability to plant seeds of ever-growing doubt in her (so she leads him to Cavaradossi).

Her desperate plea to God in Visi d'arte (sung in English, obviously) is tender and subdued, as it is supposed to be. It is a prayer, not something for Scarpia to hear. Her heart-break at being "so poorly treated after such devotion" is deeply felt.

Sadly, her Cavaradossi is not so well served. O'Neil is a good tenor, and he must have had a super voice at one time. He certainly feels the drama of the music. He is just past his prime and the voice wobbles annoyingly too often. I find that takes a great deal from this performance. It often abscures what he is trying to do (and which he often does achieve), and I had to repeatedly listen to parts of the recording to discover what it was he was offering me. He is a great interpretor of music and of drama, he just is not as steady in production as he once was.

The singer who sang Scarpia didn't do a thing for me. He sang serviceably enough, but he just lacked that "je ne sais quoi" that Scarpia so desperately needs. He is a super evil man, but he has style, he has pinache, he has class. He is the type of man who could torture someone to death while prunning in front of the mirrow, calmly assessing his appearance. He is a clever manipulating man, and he knows how to get what he wants (and he manipulates Tosca as much as he can, until she can take no more and kills him).

All that seemed lacking to me. The man was evil, yes, he was powerful and dangerous, yes, but the subtleties of the character seemed to be totally missing. However, this said, I did still enjoy the performance and I could understand his words.

The rest of the characters just fade away to me, and not just in this recording, in most of them. They are there to move things forward, to announce some event, and that is about all. The shepherd boy didn't impress me at all, but since I really care less about that part of the actual drama, it really didn't both me that much.

Now to the conducting. I really love the conductors that conduct the works Chandos records in English. I really find their skills in working the orchestra amazing. I see where they are going with a work and they hold it together incredibly well. The details are all there, but nothing is forced to stand out too much. They know how to support the singers, and they do it extremely well, like they really like singers (something one is forced to wonder about many conductors).

The choral work in this opera is simply the finale of Act one, and the off stage cantata of Act 2. The Te Deum of act one is superb. Truly one must admit that English choirs are incredibly good and very accurate in what they do. However, what really impressed me was the off stage cantata. Usually it can sound like a lot of yells and squeeks (with Tosca sort of yelling above it). In this recording it is actually extremely musical and Eaglen's voice rides along with the chorus, not the usual fighting against it. This little touch is wonderful.

The real drama does not really develop until the second act, but then, that is when the real drama does develop. All things before that are nothing more than "prelude" to the real meat of the opera.

The end of the opera was great, but could have been a bit more intense for me. I really think this is the other place (the murder of Scarpia being the other) where this "shabby little shocker" is meant to really shock us. I just wasn't shocked quite enough.

I rated it only a four star because of the small flaws that sort of ruined some parts of the whole, but have to say, I truly enjoyed this recording (and that for me is extremely rare when listening to opera in English; the other Chandos recording that really blows my mind is Mozarts Idomeneo; this recording is incredible!). I would recommend it to anyone, even those who think opera must be sung only in the original language. This shows that sometimes it can be sung very effectively in the language of the people.

Uninvolving performance.......2003-10-23

This is a mediocre recording. The title role, in particular, is poorly serviced by Jane Eaglen, whose performance is dramatically uninvoling and vocally forgettable. There're much better versions of this popular opera in the catalogues.

A Bit Too British for Me.......2002-09-27

I'm intrigued by opera in English because when done well, the immediacy of the words really hit me with more impact than in the original language. But most operas seem to work better in the vernacular they were written in. Eaglen sings an excellent Tosca. She's more at home in the role than I expected. But I really had to give this recording * for Eaglen. It's well recorded, conducted effectively but the general effect seems to lack power. The other soloists do an adequate job. This is not recording I would go back to very often and even sold off my copy.

Awesome find.......2000-10-29

Being a fan of Jane Eaglen, I must admit that I was swept away with her in this recording. This is probably the best performance one can find of her, at this point. Part of a series of Operas sung in English, Tosca is a good recording. All were understandble most of the time, but when it comes to opera, I'm finding it's not whether or not one can understand what one is singing, but how well they sing it. Did not expect it to be as well done. Many people would turn their nose to the language change. Who care! Ms. Eaglen is marvelous here as she is in other venures. Particularly in the second half. Highly recommended!!

Jane Eaglen is the perfect Tosca!.......2000-04-28

Vocally Eaglen is the perfect Tosca. She matches beatiful tone with dramatic power. O'Neil is ok, the role seems to be to dramatic for him, and his voice often wobbles under strain. The Scarpia is not impressive either, but is better than the O'Neil. I hope that one day soon I will be able to buy a Tosca sung in Italian, which features Eaglen, with a comperable Scarpia, and Mario Cavaradossi. Until then, this recording will do nicely. I also much prefer the new cover featuring a great picture of the diva, to the old which feautered a painting of a young woman (presumably Tosca.)

Average customer rating:

Merry Christmas from the Waffle Ranch
Anne Minnery
Manufacturer: Minnery International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B0001B9Z5Y
Release Date: 2003-12-30

Tracks:

It's Christmas Time Once Again
Blue Christmas
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Pretty Paper
Merry Christmas and Thank You for Coming

Average customer rating:

You Go Girl!

Manufacturer: Bernadette
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA2IIA
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Average customer rating:

Fiddle with Flavour
Art Burd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FTBA1Y
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Tracks:

Shuffle for VI.. (Art Burd) 2:39
Dilly-Dal Polka... (Art Burd) 2:00
Sammy-Jo Waltz... (Art Burd) 2:52
Rooster on the Fence... (Art Burd) 1:50
Almost Texas... (Art Burd) 2:54
Cross Creek*/Acornhill*/Bigbill*.. (Arr. By Art Burd) 3:26
Dill Picke Rag*.. (Arr. By Art Burd) 2:35
Shade of Times.. (Art Burd) 3:17
Whiskey Before Breakfast*/Red River Jig*.. (Arr. By Art Burd) 3:15
Devil and the Tailor*.. (Arr. By Art Burd) 1:33

Average customer rating:

Wood and Stone
Kent Hodgin
Manufacturer: Kent Hodgin
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA3CH6
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Tracks:

Miracle Ride
This Golden Band
Greatest Sacrifice
Forever More
Temptation
Wood and Stone
Now She's Gone
Give in to Jesus
Way Home
Amazing Grace

Average customer rating:

Epileptic Couture

Manufacturer: Collekt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00068V3UW

Product Description

Once a reactionary grind/hardcore outfit, SoIhadToShootHim's unpredictable live performances and eccentric releases generated small renown in the NJ underground scene, influencing troupes of nay-sayers in their future musical endeavors. As time elapsed, the members spread out over the globe, absorbing information and amassing intelligence to form a solution. The problem? Music. Languishing in either brilliant obscurity or asinine celebrity, SoIhadToShootHim anticipated that a crossroads was being approached: a specific point in time in which sheer talent and artistic panache could seamlessly merge and consequently quench the collective appetite of a parched audience starving for originality and innovation. Utilizing elements from a constellation of musical genres, SoIhadToShootHim has skillfully resharpened their sound, thus forging a uniquely balanced, infectiously schizophrenic equilibrium of thrash, blues, doom metal, and rock with a dancy, noir edge. In the process of revamping the overall aesthetic of their sound, SoIhadToShootHim has bravely razed the foundation upon which their music was originally erected into an ash-heap of smoldering rubble. Upon surveying the wreckage, SoIhadToShootHim craved a more comprehensive musical upgrade. As a result, the band opted to swing a wrecking ball through the remaining ruins and set the demolished debris ablaze. Around the world, SoIhadToShootHim lusts to open minds, release repressed libidos, and unclasp the shackles of love. SoIhadToShootHim is an adrenaline shot thrust into the murmuring heart of rock and roll, a savage wakeup slap in the face of conventional music.

Average customer rating:

The Personal Pleasure Album
King Orba
Manufacturer: King Orba
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAJSSI
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

Catfish Lou
Margaret Anne McNallie
Millennium Seekers
Ms. Medusa
Sterling Roses
Hooked on Time
Marta's Song
Natural Obsessions
Goodbye Tuesday
China
Sweet Pickle
My Am Radio

Average customer rating:

Old Stones

Manufacturer: Wahoo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA6TVM
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Average customer rating:

It's worth a try

Flavour Country
Bent
Manufacturer: Open / Mosr
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Ambient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Later: Compiled and Mixed by Bent
Ariels
Programmed to Love
Fabriclive.11
The Everlasting Blink

ASIN: B0006LY0QI
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Tracks:

Exercise
I Can't Believe Its Over
Waters Deep
Baby of the Year
Continute?

Customer Reviews:

It's worth a try.......2005-06-27

I just got this album yesterday, I feel this EP is more likely an average Bent CD....Now I can remember 2nd Version is better than the original, but the Waters Deep 2nd Version is just so so, and the two new track are very classic Bent...

Generally this CD is worthy if you're not overall satisfied with their lastest album Ariels