Free [EP]

1. Free [Brick City Remix]

2. Free [Oscar G's Space Afterhours Remix]

3. Free [Jason Nevins Remix]

4. Time of Our Lives [Stonebridge Anthem Mix] - Gerry DeVeaux, Ultra Naté

5. Free [Toolhouse Remix]

6. Free [Junior Sanchez Remix]

7. Feel Love [Liquid People Remix]

8. Free [Craig C.'s Strange Bedfellows Mix]

9. Brass in Pocket [DJ Karizma Club Mix]

10. It's Over Now [Live] - Kenny "The Human Orchestra" Muhammed, Ultra Naté

Tracks:

Acknowledgement
Resolution
Pursuance
Psalm

Amazon.com

A Love Supreme is a suite about redemption, a work of pure spirit and song, that encapsulates all the struggles and aspirations of the 1960s. Following hard on the heels of the lyrical, swinging Crescent, A Love Supreme heralded Coltrane's search for spiritual and musical freedom, as expressed through polyrhythms, modalities, and purely vertical forms that seemed strange to some jazz purists, but which captivated more adventurous listeners (and rock fellow travelers such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, and the Byrds), while initiating a series of volatile, unruly prayer offerings, including Kulu Su Mama, Ascension, Om, Meditations, Expression, Interstellar Space. From the urgent speech-like timbre of his tenor, to the serpentine textures and earthy groove of Elvin Jones's drumming, Coltrane's suite proceeds with escalating intensity, conveying a hard-fought wisdom and a beckoning serenity in the prayer-like drones of "Psalm," where Jones rolls and rumbles like thunder as Garrison and Tyner toll away suggestively--all the while Coltrane searches for that one climactic note worthy of the love he wants to share. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews:

One of Coltrane's greatest masterpieces.......2007-07-29

When John Coltrane recorded this album in 1964, he intended it to be a tribte to God; the record is an epic four-part suite, with each of its sections representing a stage in the struggle for spiritual unity with the supreme being. The music is full of passion and power, bulging with internal conflict and meditative grace. 'Trane's playing here is incredible- it's as lyrical as anything Miles Davis ever did, a virtuoso display of emotional resonance and controlled chaos. The rest of the players aren't so shabby themselves: The rhythm section of bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones lend the proceedings a surging, driving intensity, while pianist McCoy Tyner radiates angelic slabs of pure melody.

Just listen to the band moving through those four sections! "Acknowledgement" wastes no time in setting the tone for the rest of the suite. It's a mini-masterpiece in and of itself, boiling over with passion and intensity. There's pain in Coltrane's playing, but there's also hope and power- he shoots forth whirlwinds of pure, goreous sound, filling the room with pure electricified magic. "Resolution" builds on the template set by "Acknowledgement," which sees the band improvising on a rugged, bluesy theme. This section has an almost film-noir feel to it, thanks to the heavy tension in Coltrane's playing. Next up is the harrowing "Pursuance," which features a volcanic drum solo from Jones. The heavenly, meditative "Psalm" is an ideal conlusion to the record.

Simply put, this is one of the greatest albums (jazz or otherwise) ever recorded. No collection is complete without it.

Masterpiece.......2007-06-26

There is nothing I can add to what has already been said about this recording. Simply amazing and will always withstand the test of time.

Coltrane does it again!.......2007-06-11

This is one of the top 5 albums of all time. Coltrane is on fire, McCoy is on fire, Jimmy Garrison is on fire, and Elvin is murderous. Out of all of tunes, my fav is Pursuance. It's passionate, has a hard bopish-avantgarde feel and yet it still swings. Out of the park!

Rookie Coltrane Listener.......2007-05-26

For years my very good friend who prides himself on being a music aficionado and "snob", much like Jack Black's character in High Fidelity, has been raving about John Coltrane and a "Love Supreme". I however, have been firmly encamped in the classic rock, blues and pop of the 50's, 60's & 70's. I always felt the jazz style that Coltrane and others of that genre played, was way above my head. Though I appreciated the musicianship to the degree I could, I didn't particularly care for it. I didn't "get it".

But now as I reach the half-way point in my fifties, I wanted to force my self to listen and try to see just what it is about Coltrane that so many folks find extrodinary. So my friend recommended A Love Supreme. I listened and listened and virtually immersed my self in the recording until passages became familiar. Now I have a glimmer, an embryonic appreciation of the man's gift. I put it on for my 17 year old daughter and she loves it! It grows on you and I think maybe for the first time I'm experiencing what that type of jazz can do for you. Live & learn!

Deeply moving..........2007-04-20

This is a deeply spiritual album. It never ceases to move me in some way everytime I hear it. It feels so real and authentic that if you're not careful, you may shed a tear of joy or two. It's just one long suite, made by Coltrane after he kicked his heroin habit and found his soul and God again. It's not often one describes a jazz album as moving (Miles's Sketches of Spain is the only one who comes to mind), but there's really no other way to describe this wonderful, transcendent, beguiling album.

Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free

Average customer rating:

RBF going back to what they are great at
Please enter a title for your review
Good Album
They Just Came To Party Down
It's a good time

Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free
Reel Big Fish
Manufacturer: Rock Ridge Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Third Wave Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album
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Paper Walls

ASIN: B000QGE7OI
Release Date: 2007-07-10

Tracks:

Party Down
Another F.U. Song
Live Your Dream
My Imaginary Friend
Slow Down
The New Version Of You
Will the Revolution Come?
Another Day In Paradise
Everybody's Drunk
Please Don't Tell Her I Have a Girlfriend
Way Back
Hate You
Call You
Why Do All Girls Think They're Fat
I'm Her Man
Til I Hit the Ground
Cannibal

Album Details

After More Than 15 Years of Conveying Negative Vibes, Warning Listeners About the Dangers of Being in a Band and Lamenting their Time in the Music Industry (Case in Point: The Band's Radio Hit, "Sell Out"), the Members of Southern California Ska-punk Stalwarts Reel Big Fish Want to Let the World Know of a Big Change: They're Finally Happy. The Self-produced Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free is Reel Big Fish's First Independent Studio Album Since Leaving their Former Label and it Finds the Members of Reel Big Fish Doing Things their Way. In Fact, it features Material Done their Way, from Quite a Long Ways Back.

Customer Reviews:

RBF going back to what they are great at.......2007-07-23

First off, I have been a RBF fan since my high school days (late 90s) and still love them -- so take this review for what its worth. Also I am not a music expert, just someone who appreciates ska & RBF.

RBF comes back with a really solid SKA cd that reminds me why I love these guys. Most of the songs are good with a few that I didn't care for (Cannibal, Party Down, & Everybody's Drunk).

The good ones are the traditional fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, ska/rock that RBF is known for. I'd put "Another F.U. Song", "My Imaginary Friend", & "Why do all Girls Think they're Fat" in this category. Really good songs; very happy, lots of horns, things that RBF do well.

In my opinion, RBFs' true talent can be heard in songs like "Slow Down", "Will the Revolution Come", "Way Back", & "Another Day in Paradise". They are just really great, what I would call, "traditional" ska songs with much less rock/punk influence (if that makes any sense). I always come back to RBF after every new release because of their ability to create excellent ska music. After hearing "A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way" on their previous release, I hoped this next album would sound more like that. In my opinion there wasn't enough "traditional ska" which is why it only got a 4 out of 5 stars.

So after all that, this is a really good cd & definitely worth your money. If you are a RBF fan, buy it. If you are new to ska/RBF - get Turn the Radio Off first. After you hear that one, you'll be hooked & end up buying this cd anyway...that is in addition to all their other ones (with the possible exception of Cheer Up).

Please enter a title for your review.......2007-07-22

I haven't followed this band very hard so I didn't really notice the gaps between albums, and I doubt this one is going to replace Cheer Up in my sporadic rotation, it doesn't party as hard, but it's refreshing to hear something new from these guys that I can actually get into. The one thing this album does have in common with We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy is that the title is the best thing about it, although a lot of kids might not recognize the absurd Dire Straits reference.
The chord progressions are often bland, the guitar tone is too bassy and lacking in gain, the riffs never really rock and the melodies rarely pop as much as they could, but it's hooky enough most of the time with the funny lyrics and energetic vocals picking up the slack, and the band are at their best on the slower reggaeish tracks Slow Down and Will The Revolution Come and the guitar soloing outro to the album which is reminiscent of the outro jam on Why Do They Rock So Hard. The only dud tracks for me are Live Your Dream and Everybody's Drunk.
The bonus DVD, which was a purchasing incentive for me, is 20 minutes of footage of the band in the studio which I found pretty disappointing.
I'd probably rather watch a sitcom Aaron wrote than listen to his songwriting at this point but I do rank this as one of the top 20 albums of the year so far.

Good Album.......2007-07-16

just bought the album and i like it, i dont think it is their best work, but seriously its great.

They Just Came To Party Down.......2007-07-13

Reel Big Fish couldn't have picked a better mission statement for new album "Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free" than lead track "Party Down." In addition to boldly stating that "[Reel Big Fish] just came to party down," the hyperactive romp offers a smorgasbord of musical styles from disco to country to glam rock. Casual RBF fans may identify this diversity only with the band's practice of playing their many versions of "S.R." live, but it's really been a hallmark of their studio work since "Why Do They Rock So Hard."

This album's best moments continue in Reel Big Fish's tradition of mixing ska energy with other musical conventions and interesting arrangements, from "My Imaginary Friend" - which sounds like the theme song from a children's show about atheism - to "Please Don't Tell Her I Have A Girlfriend," where the band sounds like They Might Be Giants and Billy Joel teaming up to sing a sweet drinking sway about infidelity (from the cheater's point of view, of course). It's also hard not to crack a smile during the hair metal guitar solo on "Drunk Tonight" (And, if not during the solo, at least during the hilarious Twisted Sister breakdown). Album closer "Cannibal" is another standout, as Reel Big Fish unleashes their inner Oingo Boingo for about three-and-a-half minutes before launching into an epic heavy metal epilogue.

RBF has a strong contingent of fans who (for whatever reason) profess only to like the band's first two albums. These traditionalists will enjoy the more straightforward ska-punk of "Another F.U. Song," "Live Your Dream," and "The New Version of You," not to mention a cover of Phil Collins's "Another Day in Paradise," danceable tracks that hearken back to the band's roots in the 1990s ska explosion.

Though the mood on this CD is lighter than other RBF efforts, lead singer Aaron Barrett still exudes some of his trademark pessimism. Not only does he ponder life in a godless universe, but he also notes in "Will the Revolution Come?" that "each generation's mess is bigger than the one before them has made."

MFNATCFF also includes re-recordings of old songs reaching as far back as "Everything Sucks," and even a pre-"Everything Sucks" demo. "Hate You," "Call You," "I'm Her Man," and "'Til I Hit The Ground" all sound ten times better on this disc, aided largely by the addition of Scott Klopfestein's excellent backing vocals, which have been one of RBF's best features since "Turn the Radio Off." It doesn't hurt that they've been re-recorded on such a clean-sounding album, which is a refreshing change from "We're Not Happy...," a disc whose vocals could have been recorded in a port-a-potty using an iBook's onboard microphone. Highly recommended!

It's a good time.......2007-07-13

This album is nothing less of a good, fun, energetic ska album. However, it's barely more. The new songs that were written for this album are fun to sing along to and make us longtime Reel Big Fish fans happy because of the abundance of upstrokes and horns, but after a few listens, the songs start to get boring. When I first heard this album, I was putting it right up there with Why Do They Rock So Hard? and Turn the Radio Off, but then a week or two later I started to realize how generic some of these songs are.

However, in the end this album is saved by the last few tracks which include mostly re-recorded songs off of Everything Sucks, and they sound amazing, and completely original because they were written when Reel Big Fish hadn't run out of material to write about. But don't take this review and my negativity the wrong way. It's a very good album, and there are some amazing songs on here, re-recorded and new, but it's apparent how little time they spent on it which was said to be just around a few months.

Overall, I loved to see that Reel Big Fish has made a full return to their ska roots, and the only thing this album is short of is just a pinch of originality and it'd be a 5 star album no doubt. Definitely check this one out!

Average customer rating:

Okay but definately 70's sounding
Oldie but a Goodie
I still remember all the words
Still fresh and new
Still great after all these years!

Free to Be You and Me
Marlo Thomas
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Educational | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Stories | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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Free to Be You and Me
Free to Be You and Me
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ASIN: B000F2CC0E
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

Free To Be You And Me - The New Seekers
Boy Meets Girl - Mel Brooks and Marlo Thomas
When We Grow Up - Diana Ross
Don't Dress Your Cat In An Apron - Billy De Wolfe
Parents Are People - Harry Belafonte and Marlo Thomas
Housework - Carol Channing
Helping - Tom Smothers
Ladies First - Marlo Thomas
Dudley Pippin And The Principal - Billy De Wolfe, Marko Thomas, Bobby Morse
It's All Right To Cry - Rosey Grier
Sisters And Brothers - Sisters and Brothers
My Dog Is A Plumber - Dick Cavett
William's Doll - Alan Alda and Marlo Thomas
Atlanta - Alan Alda and Marlo Thomas
Grandma - Diana Sands
Girl Land - Jack Cassidy and Shirley Jones
Dudley Pippin And His No-Friend - Bobby Morse and Marlo Thomas
Glad To Have A Friend Like You - Marlo Thomas
Free To Be...You And Me - The New Seekers

Amazon.com

There are thousands upon thousands of children's albums out there, but the one that quietly left its mark with more '70s children than perhaps any other album was this disc. Free to Be...You and Me was a pet project of proud feminist Marlo Thomas (a.k.a. "That Girl"), and it was born--according to the liner notes--by the desire to provide her niece with music "to celebrate who she was and who she could be." Harry Belafonte sings "Parents Are People," ex-football great Rosie Grier offers an incredible, touching melody titled "It's All Right to Cry," and Diana Ross waxes future-positive on "When We Grow Up." A great hour of brain food for young--and not-so-young--children. --Denise Sheppard

Customer Reviews:

Okay but definately 70's sounding.......2007-07-10

I remembered this from childhood so I bought it. It's okay but you don't want to listen to it over & over, the songs and skits get irksome after the first run through. Not actually all songs, some short skits - a lot to do with gender equality wich is good but not alltogether entertaining... I prefer Billy Jonas - What Kind of Cat Are You!!!

Oldie but a Goodie.......2007-06-27

This title was great when my children were children; now they're adults with children of their own, and it's still great. We keep it in the player in the car for when the grandkids ride with us along with Peter, Paul and Mommy and Peter, Paul, and Mommy Too. The grandkids enjoy it just as much as our kids did.

I still remember all the words.......2007-05-24

Every time I hear these songs, it takes me back to my very first Fisher Price record player! I can still sing along with every song. My husband thinks the collection is a bit cheesey, and he is probably right. But that never stopped me from loving the best memories of my childhood. We are buying the collection for our children for sure!

Still fresh and new.......2007-05-12

Not literally fresh and new, perhaps, but thirty years ago when I was first listening to this on vinyl, I never would have imagined that the message would still be essential in the 21st century. I've been buying copies for the kids of all my friends and relatives, because I hope that the more people listen to this growing up, the more likely that eventually we'll live in a world where this CD isn't needed.

Still great after all these years! .......2007-03-14

An early birthday gift for my daughter (to be nine in April '07) - she can't get enough of this CD! After one listen, she was quoting bits and bites and getting up to hit "repeat" on the CD player. Cool.

My sister and I loved it as kids and though it's a teeny bit dated, the messages are sound, clear, and still 'work' today. The comedy is great for all ages(who can beat Mel Brooks and Alan Alda?)
So, my review says: get it! Listen ofen! And give it to someone you love!

Average customer rating:

I'm Addicted to this New Group
Wonderful
a little story of the little puppies who could.
More Sick Puppies!
Not a bad buy...

Dressed Up As Life
Sick Puppies
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Sick Puppies
Southern Weather
Vena Sera
Lies for the Liars
Carnavas

ASIN: B000NJL502
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

My World
Pitiful
Cancer
What Are You Looking For
Deliverance
All The Same
Too Many Words
Howard's Tale
Asshole Father
Issues
Anywhere But Here
The Bottom

Customer Reviews:

I'm Addicted to this New Group.......2007-07-28

I am a 45 year old Mom and just found this Group! I love it and my adult kids Love that I love it! I love the Base and the Vocals! Well I Love the deep Drums too! I call this my "Get your YA YA's Out" music. I walk to it and it really makes me want to move. I can't wait for MORE of these guys!

Wonderful.......2007-06-28

I am in love with this CD... it is almost aways in my CD player

a little story of the little puppies who could........2007-05-19

few people into the sick puppies outside australia would know that dressed up as life is actually the bands second LP. they're first LP was called 'welcome to the realworld' and released on transistor records who dropped the band after the cd wasn't a breakout hit like it should of been.

i've been into the pups since they we're discovered on Triple J with the song nothing really matters. (JJJ is OZ's largest and best youth radio station.) that first album and the follow up EP 'FLY' are both awesome and ironically no longer in print which is a shame. although since i own original copies of both means they are probly worth alot now that the puppies have been shot to stardom thanks to youtube and a little song called 'all the same'.

anyway that earlier work was brilliantly layered songwriting. it was alot more angrier and beautiful than D.U.A.L but completely ignored and unpopular. this was mainly due to the bands sound being to heavy and full of swearing - a big no-no for commercial radio (case in point google the lyrics for 'rock kids')

they were soon dropped by the label and fell into obscurity. i genuinly thought it would be the last of the pups but i heard rumours they had moved to LA to colaborate with muso's. several years later a free hugs campaign filmed by singer/guitarist shimon to the bands song 'all the same' hit you tube and was an overnight success.

this was my first taste of the sick puppies new songs and sound which was completely noticible straight away to me. i want to make it clear that i really like the bands new album (hence the 4 stars) and am excited this little aussie 3 piece could crack the hard international market. and all they had to do was keep the same great songwriting, just tone down the language and up the ballads. the lyrics in D.U.A.L are ok but some are lame and slightly emo (i'm sure gerard way could of written the lyrics for pitiful.) regardless this album has some great songs and is completely solid, personal favourites include my world, what are you looking for, all the same, too many words and cancer.

anyway congratulations sick puppies, i'm proud. and cheers 4 reading.

More Sick Puppies!.......2007-05-18

Excellent..I enjoyed every cut. Not going to compare them to anyone tho a couple of other indie bands spring to mind. Looking forward to hearing more from down-under.

Not a bad buy..........2007-05-16

A quality album with a few top notch songs. In a nutshell, however, most of the songs aren't as great as "All The Same" -- which is probably what brought the album to your attention in the first place. That being said, at least a couple other tracks such as "World" and "Deliverance" make it well worth the buy. I wouldn't hesitate to see them live and still recommend the album.

Average customer rating:

this is really cheesy music...
One of my favorites EVER!
Good music!
Ageless Sounds
All surface

The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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The Carnegie Hall Concert
The Melody At Night, With You
Paris Concert
La Scala
Vienna Concert

ASIN: B0000262WI
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Part I
Part II a
Part II b
Part II c

Amazon.com essential recording

A musical chameleon, pianist Keith Jarrett was at his finest when he recorded these sustained solo improvisations in a German concert hall in 1975, the first lasting 26 minutes, the second 40. Melodies and rhythmic figures arise fluidly from his fingers as he moves from one idea to another, while his strong left hand is often used for repeated motifs that generate a rolling hypnotic power. This couples with strongly consonant harmonies to impart the flavor of gospel music at times, dance musics and Debussy at others. Above all, it's Jarrett's ability to knit all of his moods and wanderings into an almost seamless tapestry of warm and tuneful ideas that gives this music its enduring appeal. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

this is really cheesy music..........2007-06-23

...and it's as pure piano playing it's absolutely awful. Nothing but ENDLESSLY repeated riffs overlaid with harmonically elementary noodling. No harmonic tension, no structure, no imagination, no technique. It might make decent background music at an all you can eat buffet, however. Pure kitsch from beginning to end.

One of my favorites EVER!.......2007-04-23

I first heard this in the late 70s and thought it was nice, but a bit boring. Then I heard it again and liked it more. Gradually I have fallen completely in love with it. I am captivated by the way the different tracks build and grow and fall back again, but mostly it's the emotional energy you feel from Jarret himself. I also have "La Scala" and some other things he has done, but nothing quite matches this for me. I don't know how many times I have given it to people or recommended it.

Good music!.......2007-03-19

I like the consert and its variations of sound. It is rare to hear musicans reaction to his work.

Ageless Sounds.......2007-02-18

The Koln Concert's improvisations highlight Jarrett's skills and passion. Truly ageless music that continues to provide pleasure to the lovers of jazz piano.

All surface.......2007-01-15

The playing on this album is pretentiousness masquerading as profundity. Jarrett can set a nice groove, but then he simply falls in love with it, and self-indulgently persists to a point where I want to scream "Get off of it!" He tosses in some pretty decorations along ther way, and a few shouts and grunts now and then to show us how moved he is by this music, but it all adds up to an immensely forgettable experience.

Average customer rating:

Actually, this is pretty good
"Giant Steps" "Equinox" and "My Favorite Things" are enough for 10 stars alone.
The Very Best of John Coltrane -- Not To Be Missed!
All The High Points of the Atlantic Years
Outstanding Compilation

The Very Best of John Coltrane
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000046PVI
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

Giant Steps
Cousin Mary
Naima
Like Sonny
My Shining Hour
My Favorite Things
Central Park West
Summertime
Mr. Syms
Equinox
Body And Soul

Amazon.com

With his inexhaustible technique, trademark sound, and limitless imagination, tenor and soprano saxophonist John Coltrane was one of jazz's most dominant musicians. This collection covers his important Atlantic Records sessions recorded from 1959 to 1960 (chronicled in their entirety on Heavyweight Champion). The tunes signal an important transitional phase from Trane's stints with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk to his emergence as a leader in his own right. "Giant Steps" "Naima," and "Cousin Mary"--featuring pianist Tommy Flanagan and drummer Art Taylor--crystallized Trane's supersonic "sheets of sound" style. "Like Sonny," an Afro-Latin dedication to his friend and contemporary Sonny Rollins with Wynton Kelly on piano, reveals Trane's stylistic debts to Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins. His historic renditions of "My Shining Hour," "Body and Soul," "Summertime," and "My Favorite Things" highlight Coltrane's ability to remake a song into his own image, as well as introduce his influential sound on the soprano sax. These landmark recordings show the development of Coltrane's "great" quartet as well as forecast his iconoclastic excursions into the outer limits of rhythm and tonality, which grew during until his death in 1967. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Actually, this is pretty good.......2007-07-17

It's tempting to laugh at a John Coltrane compilation, simply because so many of the man's albums are essential. However, even though this neglects Trane's awesome Impulse! albums, focusing instead on his Atlantic years, it's a great introduction to Trane before he revolutionized free jazz and turned himself into one of the jazz world's most controversial musicians as a result. Material from five albums is featured here: Giant Steps (a must-have album), My Favorite Things (ditto), Coltrane Plays the Blues (very solid album), Coltrane Jazz (right in the middle) and Coltrane's Sound (his weakest studio album, though it has its moments - all of them are found here). And the only questionable song on the album is Summertime, a standard I'm pretty well tired of: the Coltrane version is okay, but by far the weakest song on My Favorite Things (I'd rather either Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye or If Not For Me). Other than that one dud, my only complaint about this album is its rather limited scope: The Ole Coltrane album is entirely ignored, which is a shame because its title track (Well, semi-title track) would definitely qualify as "very best", and the fact is you can't get an idea of what Coltrane's like just by listening to his Atlantic recordings: you need the Impulse! ones too if you want the full picture. Still, as a summary of the Atlantic recordings, it's hard to go wrong with this one: you get a few of his most widely known originals (Equinox; Giant Steps; Naima; Cousin Mary; Like Sonny; Central Park West), and a couple superb covers (My Favorite Things; My Shining Hour; Body and Soul - hard to ruin a song with such a beautiful melody!!), as well as a dark horse that's got my blessing, Mr. Syms. And this does for the most part offer the peak of the man's Atlantic recordings.

"Giant Steps" "Equinox" and "My Favorite Things" are enough for 10 stars alone........2007-05-18

This is a good intro to Coltrane, he has too much amazing stuff to put into a single CD but this is a great place to start off. You'll get a little sample of all his sounds from this CD. And for those of us who own more than 10 Coltrane Albums, it's still nice to have all these excellent songs on one high quality CD.

The Very Best of John Coltrane -- Not To Be Missed!.......2007-01-03

In this recording of John Coltrane, there are several songs that stand out in my mind as I write this: The incredibly complex "Giant Steps", the child-like version of "My Favorite Things", the on-again/off-again sad to happy blues song "Equinox", and the business day blues of "Mr. Syms".

Each of these standout songs is different and unique among the other songs on the recording, but it is to these I want to draw your attention as those that captured mine when I listened to the CD.

I am a guitarist who wants to learn Coltrane's interval and melodic technique, but I am always perplexed by his ever changing exploration of the note, in and around the note, wrenching it of its juice like a squeezed lemon, until there is no more; and then Coltrane changes his melodic structure and has another entire lemon to work with.

Please don't misunderstand this illustration as to make it sound like his music is sour like the lemon, although that's what you may be thinking!

Coltrane's unique use of intervals has always what has been his hallmark, some slow and bluesy, others as in the changes of "Giant Steps" blindingly fast and complex.

There are other songs I would have liked to have seen appear on this recording, but as advertised as "The Very Best of John Coltrane", this CD doesn't fall that short.

If you are new to Coltrane's work, this is an excellent place to start. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because of the fact there should be other more recognizable songs of his on this recording, and I would have gladly paid for a 2-CD set if "The Very Best of John Coltrane" delved more into his vast repertiore of work.

All that being said, the songs on "The Very Best of John Coltrane" will not disappoint or denegrate the recording in its entirety. Again, the CD should be taken for its whole, not just the standout songs I mentioned above.

Classic Jazz enthusiasts already know Coltrane, and this is a welcome addition to my collection, almost always in rotation on my CD carousel if not uploaded to my iTunes.

All The High Points of the Atlantic Years.......2006-12-24

This is an excellent introduction to John Coltrane. The music is very accessible for even a casual listener. If you listen to this and Coltrane's vibe gets to you then you're going to be picking up the actual releases that this best of was drawn from. Personally, I actually favor Coltrane's work on the Impulse label, but this Atlantic collection is great. I purchased it because, though I'm an avid jazz collector and listener, I am embarrassed to admit that I do not own a copy of Giant Steps or My Favorite Things, two of Trane's landmark releases. The Very Best of John Coltrane has all the high points of those Atlantic years including the incredible Giant Steps that sent Sonny Rollins back out to the Brooklyn Bridge for more late night practicing and My Favorite Things which brought Trane legions of ,albeit temporary, fans and great commercial success. Naima has always been a favorite and it's included here along with all the other wonderful stuff from those Atlantic releases. Actually there just are not any dull tracks on this CD, it's all great though more laid-back than the Impulse stuff. My actually wife lets me play this one in the house (ha ha). Nice packaging too, the booklet includes a discography of Coltrane's Atlantic releases and an essay by the famous jazz critic and writer Nat Hentoff. There's really nothing else that can be said about this CD. This release perfectly captures Coltrane in his groundbreaking, transitional years, perfecting his "sheets of sound" approach to playing.

You know, listening to Coltrane is actually very much like riding on a real train. The stuff on this CD could be compared to having left the station a few miles back but not yet up to full speed. Things start picking up around the time that "Live at the Village Vanguard" was released, and full speed is achieved right at and immediately after "A Love Supreme". Some people don't care for the train ride at full speed. I love it. It's really quite amazing to compare the music on this CD to a release such as Sun Ship (December 1966) and realize there is only about 7 years time that passed between these sessions. So this is really a great place to start if you've been hearing Coltrane's name (from your musician friends perhaps) and don't know where to start.

Buy

Outstanding Compilation.......2006-11-08

After many years of listening to Ken Burns and Smithsonian collections, I have started buying individual artist compilations (with a view to buy more of the artists I enjoy). Some have been erratic and disappointing; this one is amazing. This "best of" CD contains nothing but jewels that show exactly where Coletrain fell on the jazz evolutionary scale. In other words, this CD gives a great sense of what came before Coletrain, how he built on it, and how others then built on his work. He had a combination of virtuosity and artistry that earned him an uncontested place at the top. If you want to get to know the giants of jazz, this is a perfect introduction to one of them.

Average customer rating:

harem
New to Sarah Brightman
Stranger in Paradise - More Like Stranger in a Lost Cause
No voice like hers in the world
Brilliant Brightman, Her best CD.

Harem
Sarah Brightman , and Frank Peterson
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Eden (US Release - 16 tracks)
La Luna
Time to Say Goodbye
Sarah Brightman Classics
Dive

ASIN: B00008W2QZ
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

Harem
What A Wonderful World
It's A Beautiful Day
What You Never Know
The Journey Home
Free
Mysterious Days
The War Is Over
Misere Mei
Beautiful
Arabian Nights
Stranger In Paradise
Until The End Of Time
You Take My Breathe Away

Amazon.com

If one's notion of "world music" promises a touch of the exotic and indigenous, often overlooked is the fact that the influence of western pop music has seeped into every corner of the globe, creating a hybrid that's often more than merely the sum of its influences. Theater vet Brightman steps into that pan-cultural hall of mirrors here, wedding her fascination with the music and rhythms of the "forbidden places" (the title's Arabic meaning) of the Middle East to her own oft ethereal vocal charms and rock-solid sense of drama. And if the diva's equally sound crossover sensibilities (and that of longtime producer Frank Peterson) sometimes mire it in familiar world-beat pastiche, Brightman's charmed muse manages some transcendent moments nonetheless. Her musical borrowings (Borodin for the title track; Puccini's *Madame Butterfly* for "It's a Beautiful Day") are as compelling as her choice of collaborators: classical violin star Nigel Kennedy and Iraqi vocalist Kadim Al Sahir add compelling touches to the weary timeliness of "The War is Over." The musical influences range from Europe across the Mediterranean and as far East as the Indian roots of "Bollywood" composer A.R. Rahman's "The Journey Home" and Brightman's own "You Take My Breath Away" to evocative recastings of the emblematic standards "Stranger in Paradise" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World," while ex-Killing Joke keyboardist Jaz Coleman provides the savory East-meets-West orchestrations that ensure Brightman's star turns the seamless foundations they deserve. --Jerry McCulley

Amazon.com

Sarah Brightman Photos

More from Sarah Brightman

Time to Say Goodbye
Diva: The Singles Collection
Eden

Diva: The Video Collection
Live from Las Vegas
La Luna (Live in Concert)

Customer Reviews:

harem .......2007-05-28

As usual a quick and effecient service ,especially for people who live abroad.Keep up the excellent work John Williams.

New to Sarah Brightman.......2007-03-12

I'm very new to Sarah brightman's music and I enjoy this CD. I think she has an amazing voice. Very talented young woman and this cd was very relaxing and joyful to listen to. I like to learn and heard more from Sarah Brightman.

Stranger in Paradise - More Like Stranger in a Lost Cause.......2006-12-30

I'm not throughly pleased with this album! This CD is only good if you know how to dance in a Middle-Easters fashion. About half of each track is dominated by all orchestrations and no Sarah. Plus, Pop-Sarah isn't really for me. I much prefer the Classical-Sarah. Some of the tracks are okay, like "Harem", "The Journey Home", "Beautiful", and "Stranger in Paradise". Really, this is a good CD for your collection, but I wouldn't listen to it on a 24/7 basis.

No voice like hers in the world.......2006-10-01

I own this cd. I saw her in person at the "Harem" concert. Never had I heard or seen any voice like this. What a performer, best concert I'd ever seen. Beautiful voice, I can never get enough of Sarah Brightman's music. It is so comforting at times. I have all her music and this cd makes you wonder, how can she top this? Thank you Sarah Brightman for giving us your beautiful gift of music.

Brilliant Brightman, Her best CD........2006-09-18

Sarah is just the best, she can hit any note and her individuality shines on this CD. She sings "The Journey Home" from the musical Bombay Dreams and her voice just soars. "Harem", "Mysterious Ways" and "You Take My Breah Away" are songs that take me to dreamland. Amazing! A master piece!

Average customer rating:

What Is Free to a Good Home
Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton
Manufacturer: Last Gang Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000RW3YK4
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

Rowboat
Bank
Telethon
Bottom of the World
Sprig
Mostly Waving [Todork Remix]

Average customer rating:

Good Old Boy
Good stuff
hard hard and even harder core country!!!
Aged to perfection
Love it!

The Truth Will Set You Free
James Hand
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Whiskey or God
Tulsa
You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker
Straight to Hell
All the Roadrunning

ASIN: B000E5N652
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

Banks Of The Brazos
Baby, Baby, Don't Tell Me That
Here Lies A Good Old Boy
I've Got A Lot Of Hiding To Do
If I Live Long Enough To Heal
In The Corner, At The Table, By The Jukebox
Leave The Lonely Alone
Little Bitty Slip
Just An Old Man With An Old Song
Shadows Where The Magic Was
The Truth Will Set You Free
When You Stopped Loving Me, So Did I

Customer Reviews:

Good Old Boy.......2007-07-24

I was at a Dale Watson show in Newcastle, Australia and Dale mentioned James hand as a great singer/songwriter. I took note and ordered this album. Once received, it has NOT been off my CD player/s since; and I got it at the end of April 07!!!!! This album is probably one of the finest honky-tonk albums ever to be released. And to think James wrote all the material!! I would put this right up there with anything Hank Williams has done and that's saying something. Before you scoff at that, give this album a good listen and then tell me I'm wrong.

The production and playing on this record are first rate. It was produced by Ray Benson (of AATW) and Lloyd Maines with Red Volkaart and Lloyd playing superb guitar and steel respectively. But it's James' voice and songwritng which makes this an absolutely essential country album. His voice cracks slightly now and again as though his heart is about to break and it will send shivers down your spine. His songs are quite personal and show a life of hard times, lost love, heavy drinking and broken hearts; all classic country music fare but James does it better than just about anyone.

Just get this album, play it to death and you'll be in Honky Tonk heaven.

Good stuff.......2007-05-19

My husband had the opportunity to see James Hand...and talk with him...at a small bar in Richmond. We since then have purchased his CD for other people also.Good Stuff!!! I am not a big country music fan...but I really like his voice...this is real country music.

hard hard and even harder core country!!!.......2007-05-13

There should be a caution label on this cd much like the rappers have on they're cds warning you. If you have been listening to what nashville puts out as country these days and thats all you know James Hand will destroy your mind lol. A celebration of hard core Texas honky tonk and of course its all wonderful. He's much like these extreme hot sauces that can put you in the hospital if your not careful, but once handled you got to go even hotter a pure addiction this brother is James Hand!! Testify!!! Hell this would be too heavy for 1967 country figure it out for 2007 lol. This ol boy aint retro or playing a part hes pure country and thats a fact. Fantastic.

Aged to perfection.......2007-03-03

Now here is one of the best "new" voices to come down the pike. I bought this one on a whim, after reading a few of the earlier reviews; and I'm glad I did. I really cannot do this man justice with a few written words, so you'll just have to buy the CD and enjoy it. James Hand picks up where the great Vernon Oxford left off. True, James continues much in the same vein as Hank Williams and Frankie Miller, but he's also adopted the modern shuffle and rhythm that Vernon Oxford did in his early years. In other words, this is great honky-tonk music. Maybe not quite up to the standards of Charlie Walker, but given time, I think James Hand will put his brand on "bar-room country"....actually, I think he had the potential to rule that sadly-shrinking genre we call Honky-Tonk. He is to Hank Williams, what Justin Trevino is to Johnny Bush, or Dale Watson is to Merle; and most importantly, James is not a mere imitator. There are 12 numbers here, and they're all excellent. Personal favorites include "Little Bitty Slip", "Baby, Baby,.....", and "In the Corner.....". If you've become disheartened (or just plain pissed-off) at the crap being pushed as country music today, then get this one; it will restore your faith. A+++++++++++++++++++++

Love it!.......2007-02-23

I am not a country music fan, but I heard this one played and reviewed on NPR, and ordered it. I may not be a country music fan, but I AM a James Hand fan.

Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals

Average customer rating:

They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!
One of the best cds I ever bought.
Never Sounded Better
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
"Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us"

Somewhere over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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That's Entertainment!: The Best Of The M-G-M Musicals - Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology

ASIN: B000066RO5
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

Singin In The Rain - Gene Kelly
Theres No Business Like Show Business - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern
'S Wonderful - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary
Thats Entertainment! - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant
Stranger In Paradise - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone
Easter Parade - Judy Garland & Fred Astaire
Lullaby Of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell & Chorus
Get Happy - Judy Garland
Night And Day - Fred Astaire
True Love - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
Honeysuckle Rose - Lena Horne w/ Benny Carter & His Orchestra
They Cant Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire
Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet - Nancy Walker & The M-G-M Studio Chorus w/ Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Baby, Its Cold Outside - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban
For Me And My Gal - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
Puttin On The Ritz - Clark Gable & Co.
Hallelujah! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs & Co.
Bless Yore Beautiful Hide - Howard Keel
Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson w/ Elliot Carpenter (Bonus Track)
Laras Theme (Main Title) - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
Its A Most Unusual Day - Jane Powell
Wunderbar - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel
Cant Help Lovin Dat Man - Ava Gardner
Going Hollywood - Bing Crosby
The Trolley Song - Judy Garland, The M-G-M Studio Chorus
Gigi - Louis Jourdan
I Got Rhythm - Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney & Co.
Aba Daba Honeymoon - Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter & M-G-M Studio Chorus
The Lady Is A Tramp - Lena Horne
The Best Things In Life Are Free - June Allyson & Peter Lawford
Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire
A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Louis Armstrong
Put 'Em In A Box - Doris Day & The Page Cavanaugh Trio
If Swing Goes, I Go Too - Fred Astaire
Almost Like Being In Love - Gene Kelly
Lets Face The Music And Dance - Fred Astaire
Be A Clown - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
Embraceable You - Connie Francis
On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe - Judy Garland & Co.
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Fred Astaire

Amazon.com

The "Golden Age" referred to here spans The Jazz Singer and the advent of the talkies to the death throes of the old studio system in the 1960s. So vast was the era's musical landscape that even this 42-track, double-disc anthology can't encompass all its peaks. Not surprisingly, the bulk of this collection originated with the Tiffany's of the screen musical, M-G-M, a body of work whose riches here encompass both pop-cultural bedrock ("Over the Rainbow," "Singin' in the Rain," "There's No Business Like Show Business," etc.) and some less familiar, if equally delightful star turns: Clark Gable gamely "Puttin' On the Ritz"; the sassy, 1948 original of "The Lady Is a Tramp" by Lena Horne; and a loopy duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. Fred Astaire's elegant, epochal reign at RKO and M-G-M is represented by "Night and Day," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and three others, while Metro mainstays Gene Kelly and Judy Garland share equal time and billing. It's not perfect--Cagney's "Yankee Doodle Boy" and/or some Sinatra seem more logical choices than the odd "bonus" duet of Casablanca's "As Time Goes By" and "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago that close out disc one--but it's a stunning, surprisingly comprehensive primer on the Hollywood film musical nonetheless. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

They were right--there is NO business like the show business they did way back when !!!.......2006-11-18

Everything that happens in life
Can happen in a show
You can make 'em laugh
You can make 'em cry
Anything
Anything can go....

The clown with his pants falling down
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean
That's entertainment!

The lights on the lady in tights
Or the bride with the guy on the side
Or the ball where she gives him her all
That's entertainment!

The plot and the hot simply teeming with $ex
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father
And causes a lot of bother

The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt

The world is a stage,
The stage is a world of entertainment!

This two CD set amply proves that the musical melodies and lyrics from the golden age of the Hollywood musical remain unsurpassed to this day. This generous two CD set offers 42 incredible songs from Hollywood classic musicals. Most of these fine numbers are indeed from MGM, as Amazon correctly notes; but there are some RKO numbers and even a little from Warner Brothers. Thank goodness, though, that most of these songs came from MGM movies; MGM was the only studio that could boast that it truly had "more stars than there are in the heavens."

I love so many songs on these two CDs. Of course, there's the unforgettable classic "Over The Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland; she also performs "Easter Parade" and "Get Happy" on this two CD set and she carries most of the tune for "I Got Rhythm" even though Mickey Rooney helps her a little. I love "Baby, It's Cold Outside" for its' romantic overtones; and Lena Horne's "The Lady Is A Tramp" is flawless! We also get a rare chance to hear Clark Gable sing in "Puttin' On The Ritz;" and Bing Crosby's "Going Hollywood" may be brief but it's a fun song anyway.

There are two "bonus" tracks on the first CD: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca and "Lara's Theme" from Doctor Zhivago. "As Time Goes By" is a good choice; it is another unsurpassed classic song that brings back memories and touches even the hardest of hearts. "Lara's Theme," however, is from the mid 1960s and I don't consider this period to be part of the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.

The liner notes are excellent and they offer wonderful photos of the stars as well. The cover art is well done and the reverse cover art tells which movie each song is from and who is performing each song. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent especially when you consider that these numbers were recorded quite a few decades ago.

In short, this superlative two CD highlights the glory of the Hollywood musical when a certain type of sophistication dominated professional movie production. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Hollywood musicals, classic pop vocals and fans of the artists and actors who perform on this two CD set.

One of the best cds I ever bought. .......2006-06-07

What an amazon collection of songs! This is bar none my favorite cd just because of the variety and the quality of songs on it. I love music from this era, and this cd is the perfect companion to my life. Love it! Buy it, you won't regret it for a moment!

Never Sounded Better.......2006-03-16

Apart from the great selection of soundtracks, what really makes this compilation top value is the quality of the sound processing. Executed with finesse, these tracks sound better than when first issued and many are unedited, fuller versions: like "Singing In The Rain", for example. Throw in the great price, and this double disc set is a "must have" for all lovers of classic movie music.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow.......2006-02-24

A Sensational CD with Lots of Showtunes that Keep You Happy and makes You Want To Sing Along With!!!

"Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Age are still among us".......2005-07-13

Rhino Records and Turner Classic Movies Music present - "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS", some of the long ago musicals and stars that will never be forgotten...a 2-CD-Set covering several decades from 1935-1965 with many of the show stoppers of that time...some rare moments from entertainers that you haven't heard or thought of in sometime.

The lineup is fantastic and gives the listener a variety of what musicals were all about in the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musicals"
June Allyson, Kay Armen, Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Ann Blyth, Jack Buchanan, Louis Calhern, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Doris Day, Nanette Fabray, Connie Francis, Ava Gardner, Judy Garland, Kathyrn Grayson, Georges Guetary, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Louis Jourdan, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Peter Lawford, Oscar Levant, Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Debbie Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Nancy Walker, Ethel Waters, Esther Williams, Dooley Williams and Keenan Wynn.

On Disc One 21 Classic Songs from great musicals with songs in alphabetical order:
AS TIME GOES BY - Dooley Wilson with Elliot Carpenter, pianist (1942)
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban (1949)
BLESS, YORE BEAUTIFUL HIDE - Howard Keel (1954)
EASTER PARADE - Fred Astaire & Judy Garland (1948)
FOR ME AND MY GAL - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland (1942)
GET HAPPY - Judy Garland (1950)
HALLELUJAH! - Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Kay Armen, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Clark Burroughs (for Russ Tamblyn) (1955)
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE - Lena Horne with Benny Carter & His Orchestra (1943)
LARA'S THEME (MAIN TITLE) - M-G-M Studio Orchestra (1965)
LULLABY OF BROADWAY - Winifred Shaw & Dick Powell (1935)
MILKMAN, KEEP THOSE BOTTLES QUIET - Nancy Walker with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1944)
NIGHT AND DAY - Fred Astaire (1934)
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ - Clark Gable & Company (1939)
'S WONDERFUL - Gene Kelly & Georges Guetary (1951)
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN - Gene Kelly (1951)
STRANGER IN PARADISE - Ann Blyth & Vic Damone (1955)
TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE - Ethel Waters & Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (1943)
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray & Oscar Levant (1953)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS - Betty Hutton, Howard Keel, Keenan Wynn & Louis Calhern (1950)
THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME - Fred Astaire (1949)
TRUE LOVE - Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956)

On Disc Two more memorable performances from the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals:
A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON - Louis Armstrong (1951)
ABA DABA HONEYMOON - Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter (1950)
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE - Gene Kelly (1954)
BE A CLOWN - Judy Garland & Gene Kelly (1948)
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE - June Allyson & Peter Lawford (1947)
CAN'T HELP LOVIN' DAT MAN - Ava Gardner (beautiful woman, who my youngest grandaughter is named after...Avalon) (1951)
CHEEK TO CHEEK - Fred Astaire (1935)
EMBRACEABLE YOU - Connie Francis (1965)
GIGI - Louis Jourdan (1958)
GOING HOLLYWOOD - Bing Crosby (1933)
I GOT RHYTHM - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney (1943)
IF SWING GOES, I GO TOO - Fred Astaire (1946)
IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY - Jane Powell (1948)
LADY IS A TRAMP - Lena Horne (1948)
LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE - Fred Astaire (1936)
ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE - Judy Garland & Company (1946)
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) - Fred Astaire (1943)
OVER THE RAINBOW - Judy Garland (became her theme song for the rest of her life) (1939)
PUT 'EM IN A BOX - Doris Day & the Page Cavanaugh Trio (1948)
THE TROLLEY SONG - Judy Garland & MGM Studio Chorus (1944)
WUNDERBAR - Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel (two of MGM's favorite singing duos) (1953)

It was once said by the songwriters of that era - "There are two artists you want perform your songs on the big screen, they are Fred Astaire and Judy Garland they sing it just the way we wrote it, for which you will have a guaranteed hit on your hands"...well, this collections certainly has some merit to that statement...because with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing seven songs each, there must be something to it.

This collection of musicals still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years...but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten...hats off to Rhino Records, George Feltenstein (producer) and Doug Schwartz (engineer) and Turner Classic Movies for sharing those 42 selections from 42 films...celebrating decades of the tunes and artists that gave it their all...from what it commonly called "The Hollywood Dream Factory"...The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals is still among us...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Rhino Records 78323 ~ (6/02/2002)

Album Review: