Laughter Tears & Rage [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Product Description
Digitally Remastered Expanded Edition of a Short Lived Project from Propaganda's Claudia Brucken and Thomas Leer. This Album Appeared after the Original Breakup of Propaganda.

Laughter Tears & Rage,Act,Ztt,Dance

Average customer rating: Don't buy Best of the seventies The title says it all. Masterpiece!

Laughter & Tears: The Best of Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Teen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Neil Sedaka Sings His Greatest Hits Laughter in the Rain: The Best of Neil Sedaka, 1974-1980 Gold: A 50th Anniversary Celebration Neil Sedaka - All-Time Greatest Hits The Definitive Collection ASIN: B000006X23 Release Date: 2000-05-23

Tracks:

1. Standing on the Inside
2. Love Will Keep Us Together
3. Solitaire
4. Other Side of Me
5. Little Lovin'
6. Lonely Night (Angel Face)
7. Brighton
8. (I'm a Song) Sing Me
9. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
10. Laughter in the Rain
11. Cardboard California
12. Bad Blood
13. Queen of 1964
14. Hungry Years
15. Betty Grable
16. Beautiful You
17. That's When the Music Takes Me
18. Our Last Song Together

Customer Reviews:

Don't buy.......2007-05-17

I only recognized about four songs on this CD. I like his more familiar songs.

Best of the seventies.......2003-10-19

Neil had more success as a songwriter than as a singer but he was a good singer too, as this collection of his seventies music shows.

Laughter in the rain is perhaps the most famous song here and it is typical of the kind of song that Neil was so good at - a bouncy pop song that seems lightweight but has something enduring about it. Another famous song here is Solitaire, which provided a hit for both the Carpenters and Andy Williams. It has also been covered by a lot of other singers and is surely the most-covered song of those here. Love will keep us together and Lonely night were both superbly covered by Captain and Tennille who took them both to number one in America, though they didn't do much in Britain. Breaking up is hard to do is a re-recording of one of Neil's sixties classics, taken at a much slower pace than his earlier version. Bad blood was an American number one hit for Neil.

Of the other songs, The other side of me, A little loving, Sing me, The hungry years, That's when the music takes me and Our last song together are all wonderful songs, some of which you've probably heard via covers even if you haven't heard the originals.

Special mention must be made of the song Betty Grable, a tribute to one of Hollywood's all-time greats written soon after she died, and The queen of 1964, a song with a story to tell. They may be among the more obscure songs here, but they are worth hearing.

There are many Neil Sedaka compilations on the market. Some cover his whole career while others focus on particular periods. As a collection of his seventies music, this is as good as you are likely to find.

The title says it all. Masterpiece!.......2003-04-06

The first Neil Sedaka CD that I bought - and became a fan - a huge fan!

Certainly one of Neil's best albums - very eclectic and the songs have a very sophisticated quality. The best of Neil Sedaka in the 70's is here: "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Laughter In The Rain", "Bad Blood (duet with Elton John)", "Our Last Song Together" and of course the slow version of "Breakign Up Is Hard To Do" which made Neil of of the very few artists to record and re-record a song and make both #1 hits.

Happy songs, sad songs, fast songs, slow songs - rock, ballad, jazz - it's all in here! It's a must for everyone who likes music.

Average customer rating: A Great Album..Claudia Brucken Rules!!! eighties oddity- claudia brucken meets late style council

Laughter, Tears and Rage Act Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Item A Secret Wish Another Language Outside World 1234 ASIN: B0000TCRY8 Release Date: 2004-01-26

Tracks:

1. Absolutely Immune
2. Chance
3. Laughter
4. I Can't Escape from You
5. Poison
6. Under the Nights of Germany
7. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
8. 3rd Planet
9. Gestures
10. Bloodrush
11. Friendly Warning
12. Certified
13. Where Love Lies Bleeding
14. Snobbery and Decay

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Expanded Edition of a Short Lived Project from Propaganda's Claudia Brucken and Thomas Leer. This Album Appeared after the Original Breakup of Propaganda.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Album..Claudia Brucken Rules!!!.......2005-06-23

A really great album. Claudia sounds wonderful as always and the bonus tracks are perfect.

eighties oddity- claudia brucken meets late style council.......2004-04-20

This previously impossible to find cd has been remastered and reissued from ztt records in 2003. 22 tracks and nearly 80 minutes worth of music. Post Propaganda project for german pop chantuese claudia brucken who carries the album over the once complex but now dated sounding late eighties electronic production from wizard partner thomas leer. Still its a great guilty pleasure and reminds me of a more electronic version of the style council-paul wellers allover the place popjazzsoul band that dabbled with house and syncopated eighties techno late in its career. Theres the same intelligent well written map explored by both- and claudia brucken is like an avantegarde new wave diva whose voice is unique-very german though the words ofcourse are in english. Theres hints of lounge-house-techno pop funk rock jazz-over the top at times but always interesting. Act shines where the style council failed late in its career-with synths and drum machines perfectly at home with bruckens past- it just seemed laughable behind the once angry guitar hero weller. This new version is worth the money for the original album plus all extra cuts including a very cool stab at white rabbit(grace slick classic). The other boxset version seems silly but i guess hardcore wants would want it all. For the newbie or old fan looking-this is perfect. Booklet is nice with history text and pictures of the beautiful brucken. A must for propaganda fans and fans of lost eighties classics and newwave alternative. Looking back a weller/brucken collaboration would have been a good idea. Also recommended is Claudias rare solo album love and a million other things cd and the style council collection import.

Average customer rating: Fantastic Great News Blending of old world sounds to perfection Something to Experience! Refreshing

Laughter Through Tears Oi Va Voi Manufacturer: Outcaste Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Spain | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music Gypsy | Eastern Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Klezmer | Folk | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Poison Sweet Madeira Oi Va Voi Barí Sarajevo Blues La Llorona ASIN: B0000C83XI Release Date: 2003-10-06

Tracks:

1. Refugee
2. Yesterday's Mistakes
3. Od Yeshoma
4. A Csitari Hegyek Alatt
5. Ladino Song
6. 7 Brothers
7. D'Ror Yikra
8. Gypsy
9. Hora
10. Pagamenska

Album Details

The English Group's Debut Album Finally Saw the Light of Disc after They Had Toiled Onstage for a Lengthened Period of Time, Garnering them Two Nominations Atr Bbc3's 2002 World Music Awards. The Group Fuses Klezmer with Modern Funky Dance Beats as Well as a Host of Middle Eastern Influences and Old World Influences...even Flamenco and Hungarian Folk! the Result is Some of the Most Exciting Music to Emerge on the World Scene in Quite a While.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-07-19

This is one of the best records I have purchased in years. Sophisticated sound, interesting modern beat with traditional Jewish klezmer music overtones. I had the CD for over a year now and I still cannot stop listening to it. I just purchased their new album as well. Can't tell you about it's quality yet.

Great News.......2005-12-25

I love listening to this CD, it has such a great mix of rhythm and cultures. People always ask about it. I am very excited to hear that Sophie Solomon is releasing a solo CD in January, that will be top of my list for the New Year.

Blending of old world sounds to perfection.......2005-04-13

Sephardic, Gypsy, Ashkenaz, Klezmer, Moorish, spanish all blend together nicely for an great album for active listening and relaxation. Makes one pine for the world and culture lost.

Something to Experience!.......2004-08-18

I've got to know this CD about one month ago, and from that moment on, I've not stopped to listen at it! It's incredible how Oi Va Voi mix different styles into a music that is completely different from any other thing I've listened till now.
It's jazz, electronic, ethnic, klezmer played as a "whole music" that makes you go far away and greatly breath!

Refreshing.......2004-02-13

Pure by chance I got across this CD. What makes this CD special for me is the mix of music styles it has. A first glance you might think it is just another group playing World Music. But by the third number I just stopped what I was doing and sat down to really listen. And every day I still play some part of the CD.
Strangly enough my favorit number at this time is the last number on the CD (no 10). It's not really a song but spoken text surrounded by music. And oh, there is a hidden number on the CD as well, after the last track just wait a minute or so.

Average customer rating:

Biggs: Songs of laughter, Love, and Tears; Gold: Songs of Love and Parting; Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Coplas Manufacturer: Crystal Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000003J4S Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

1. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: Prologue
2. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: When Thou Sigh'st
3. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: Patter Of The Animals
4. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: Interlude
5. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: Annabel Lee
6. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: The Curious Affection
7. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: I Shall Have A Sweetheart
8. Songs Of Laughter, Love, And Tears: Epilogue
9. Songs Of Love And Parting: Gifts
10. Songs Of Love And Parting: Shall I Compare Thee
11. Songs Of Love And Parting: A Red, Red Rose
12. Songs Of Love And Parting: Peace
13. Songs Of Love And Parting: Parting
14. Songs Of Love And Parting: Time Does Not Bring Relief
15. Songs Of Love And Parting: Music, When Soft Voices Die
16. Coplas: Senor Alcalde Mayor
17. Coplas: Manojito de alfiteres
18. Coplas: Gitano, porque vas preso?
19. Coplas: En medio de la mar hay
20. Coplas: Un estudiante tunante
21. Coplas: Hermosa blanca azucena
22. Coplas: Cuando el juez me demando
23. Coplas: Un rosal hace una rosa
24. Coplas: La mujer qu' engana un hombre
25. Coplas: Te pintare un cantar
26. Coplas: Dentro de mi pecho hay

Average customer rating:

Tears into Laughter Carol McComb Manufacturer: Kaleidoscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000008IAN Release Date: 1991-08-06

Tracks:

1. Idaho Sky
2. Forgive and Forget
3. Faded Dresden Blue
4. Tears into Laughter
5. Little More Love
6. Queen of Sorrow
7. Hazel's Song
8. Next to My Skin
9. Through Thick & Thin
10. Ice on Fire
11. Bird in the Wood

Average customer rating: No cosmetics, pure, pure music

Africa: Tears and Laughter Abdullah Ibrahim Manufacturer: Enja ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Islamic | Middle East | International | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Africa | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Africa | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Modern Post Bop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000005C6J Release Date: 2002-05-25

Tracks:

1. Tsakve
2. The Perfumed Forest Wet With Rain
3. Ishmael
4. Did You Hear Thar Sound
5. Liberation Dance (When Tarzan Met The African Freedom Fighter)
6. Imam
7. Tsakve

Customer Reviews:

No cosmetics, pure, pure music.......2004-03-15

I think, this is the first album after changing his name from Dollar Brand to Ibrahim. Alone the prayer Ishmael is worth to have this item, no matter if you are a Muslim or not(like me).
Sit down, close your eyes and relax - I garantee you will like to hear it again and again and again - time stands still.

Average customer rating: Absolutely The Best! Claudia Brucken Is The Diva Of Germany Winner! Fantastic boxset from a pretty good group

Laughter, Tears and Rage: The Anthology Act Manufacturer: Ztt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Item Outside World Outside World (CD+DVD)(Pal/Rc-2) Another Language The Scale of Ten ASIN: B0000W40GI Release Date: 2004-01-01

Tracks:

1. Absolutely Immune
2. Chance
3. Laughter
4. I Can't Escape from You
5. Short Story (Thinker)
6. Poison
7. Under the Night of Germany
8. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
9. 3rd Planet
10. Gestures
11. Bloodrush
12. Friendly Warning
13. Certified
14. Where Love Lies Bleeding
15. Laughter (Theme)
16. Snobbery and Decay
17. I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You
18. Snobbery and Decay (Theme)
19. Absolutely Immune [Seven Inch Mix]
20. White Rabbit
21. Dear Life
22. I Can't Escape from You (Theme)

Tracks:

1. Snobbery and Decay (That's Entertainment)
2. Absolutely Immune [Extended Version]
3. Chance [Throbbin' Mix]
4. Winner 88 [Extended]
5. I Can't Escape from You [Love and Hate]
6. Snobbery and Decay [Extended]
7. Strong Poison
8. Absolutely Immune 2 [Trevor's Twelve Inch Mix]
9. States of Logic
10. We Give You Another) Chance
11. Snobbery and Decay [The Naked Civil]

Tracks:

1. Laughter [Seven Inch Mix]
2. Chance [Seven Inch Mix]
3. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable [Lucky Skank's 2]
4. Absolutely Immune [Take 4]
5. Alternative Gestures)
6. Under the Nights of Germany [Trial Edit]
7. Body Electric
8. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable [Lucky's Skank 1]
9. Laughter [Seven Inch Mix][Instrumental]
10. Absolutetly Immune [Instrumental]
11. Certified [Instrumental]
12. Under the Nights of Germany [Instrumental]
13. Gestures [Instrumental]
14. I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You [Instrumental]
15. Winner '88 [Instrumental]
16. RD Planet [Altered]
17. Bloodrush [Silent]
18. Gestures (Improvised)

Album Description

2004 reissue of 1988 album from Act, a short-lived collaboration between synthmeister Thomas Leer & German pop diva Claudia Brucken, includes 37 bonus tracks, 'Laughter', 'I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You', 'Snobbery & Decay', 'Absolutely Immune' (7 Inch Mix), 'White Rabbit', 'Dear Life', 'I Can't Escape From You', 'Snobbery & Decay' (That's Entertainment), 'Absolutely Immune' (Extended Version), 'Chance' (Throbbin' Mix), 'Winner '88' (Extended Version), 'I Can't Escape From You' (Love & Hate), 'Snobbery & Decay' (Extended Version), 'Strong Poison', 'Absolutely Immune' (Trevor's 12 Inch Mix), 'States Of Logic', 'We Give You Another Chance', 'Snobbery & Decay' (The Naked Civil), 'Laughter' (7 Inch Mix), 'Chance' (7 Inch Mix), 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' (Lucky's Skank #2), 'Absolutely Immune' (Take 4), 'Gestures' (Alternative Mix), 'Under The Nights Of Germany' (Trial Edit), 'Body Electric', 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' (Lucky's Skank #1), 'Laughter' (Instrumental 7 Inch Mix), 'Absolutely Immune' (Instrumental), 'Certified' (Instrumental), 'Under The Nights Of Germany' (Instrumental), 'Gestures' (Instrumental), 'I'd Be Surprisingly Instrumental For You', 'Winner '88' (Instrumental), '3rd Planet' (Altered Mix), 'Bloodrush' (Silent Mix), & 'Gestures' (Improvised Mix). 51 tracks packaged in a four-panel digipak & housed in a slipcase. ZTT.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Expanded Edition of a Short Lived Project from Propaganda's Claudia Brucken and Thomas Leer. This Album Appeared after the Original Breakup of Propaganda.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely The Best!.......2005-09-20

If you like Propaganda, Art of Noise, or Trevor Horn, this is definitely a must have record. Originally, Act only produced one album entitled "Laughter, Tears and Rage", around 1990, which was largely overlooked and definitely under-rated. This Anthology contains many of the same tracks as the original Act album, but includes tons of remixes and extended versions of many of the songs. It also includes some previously unreleased tracks that you've probably never heard, as well as instrumental versions of some of my favorite Act songs.

My favorite song from Act has always been "Laughter", and to my delight this new album includes the instrumental version as well. Another favorite is the well done "Absolutely Immune", which in my opinion should have been a hit song, with its catchy melody; most exciting is that you get no less than 6 different versions of it here! "Snobbery and Decay" is another favorite included here with several remixes. "Body Electric" is a tune that I had never heard before, also included in the album.

In my opinion, Act and Propaganda were way too sophisticated for any kind of broad acceptance, especially in the United States. They were ahead of their time. In Act's case, one of the problems was a lack of promotion and exposure, but even with that I don't think the majority of music audiences were ready for them at that time.

This album has been limited to 5000 copies worldwide. In my opinion, Act is the best kept secret in music, even if they did only produce these 2 albums. In this world of copy-cat and "cookie cutter" music, "Laughter, Tears and Rage: The Anthology" is a complete delight, and a very original treat. I hope you enjoy it as I have.

Claudia Brucken Is The Diva Of Germany.......2005-04-20

Fantastic album. Not quite as fabulous as Propaganda's cds but a very awesome, very interesting group. But with Claudia Brucken's vocals how could it be anythng but wonderful.

Winner!.......2005-03-20

This box-set is really everything what you can expect from a good anthology of a band. (Nearly) Everything is on here (except 2 remixes that came out of S&D in the same period, but they were on a white label, so no official one!) and I think it's a good choice to do the album with bonus tracks on the 1st disc, the remixes on the 2nd and the rarities on the 3rd. The 1st one is still available in stores and has the booklet as the cover. All 3 CD's are full of music, so there was no space left for anything more (if there was any). It has the original ZTT-logo on the box-set (very cool) and if you want a copy of it, search on ebay or something, because it's not available anymore (limited). Don't be surprised if you must pay twice the price of the original box-set. Otherwise... buy the single disc, it's not limited.

Pick a number!, spin the wheel!, play the game of chance! ;-)

Fantastic boxset from a pretty good group.......2004-01-28

This 3 CD boxset is a really great documentation of the short lived, post Propaganda band Act. (Not to be confused with The Act, which had the guy from the Dream Academy in it). Act had several singles out at the height of the ZTT's labels heyday in the mid 80s. With post Frankie Goes to Hollywood cash, and based on the semi-success of Propaganda, ZTT poured money into Act with multiple singles and formats designed to push songs up the charts. The result were many 7 " singles, 12" singles, CD single and Cassingles, all with different tracks.

This set neatly collects all (most?) of these tracks plus the album, Laughter Tears and Rage into a neat 3 CD set. Music-wise consider act a slightly less aggressive Propaganda, and also slightly less interesting. I think as Propaganda Claudia Brucken and Co. made interesting, challenging posy modern pop. Act, well, Act made less interesting music, but still present well polished pop. "Snobbery and Decay" is a fave here, but "Absolutely Immune" and "Chance" are as good as anything Propaganda did.

So why not 5 stars? Well, aside from some brilliant moments, a lot of what is here sounds like the by-the-numbers stuff that would mare FGTH's "Liverpool" album. Lots of sequencer runs and funky basslines, big beats, but in the end not much there. And for goodness sake whoever though that their cover of "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" was a good idea should have been ashamed.

Fans will already have picked this set up (right? It is limited I hear!) Casual fans may want to stick with the single CD reissue also out.

Average customer rating: Music for Long Winter Nights and any time of day or season! Gorgeous Engaging listening for a long long winternight LEIF OVE ANDSNES : A PARAGON OF CULTURAL VIRTUE

Leif Ove Andsnes - The long, long winter night ~ Grieg · Tveitt · Johansen · Valen · Saeverud Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Andsnes, Leif Ove | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000630G Release Date: 1998-05-05

Tracks:

1. Calling The Cows, Op.66 No.1
2. Myllarguten's Gangar, Op.72 No.6
3. Kurt Lurasen's Halling I, Op.72 No.10
4. I Wander Deep In Thought, Op.66 No.18
5. Tomorrow You'll Marry Her, Op.66 No.10
6. Halling From The Fairy Hill, Op.72 No.4
7. Prillar From Os Parish. Leaping Dance, Op.72 No.5
8. Lullaby, Op. 66 No.17
9. Goblin's Bridal Procession At Vossevangen. Gangar, Op.72 No.14
10. 1. Welcome With Honour
11. 33. Tears And Laughter For A Boat
12. 3. A-Wooing
13. 9. The Most Beautiful Song On Earth
14. 27. Langeleik Tune
15. 38. The Father Of The Child
16. 37. The Long, Long Winter Night
17. 1. Portrait Of A Woman
18. 2. The Little Stone God
19. 3. Reindeer
20. 4. Towards The Mountains Of My Forefathers
21. Tema - Variasjoner I-XII - Coda
22. V Ballad Of Revolt, Op. 22 (Book)
23. IV The Cotton Grass Plays On A Moonbeam Fiddle, Op.24 (Book III)
24. V Thor And His Hammer, Op.24 (Book III)
25. IV Tone's Cradle Song, Op.25 (Book 4)
26. Hymn Against The Boyg, Op.28

Customer Reviews:

Music for Long Winter Nights and any time of day or season!.......2004-11-21

Leif Ove Andsnes is a fine musician who feels an affinity to his Scandinavian roots as he so ably demonstrates in this exquisite recording of Norwegian piano music. Yes, we all know the Grieg pieces and Andsnes plays them with shimmering intensity and flair. But it is the piano works of David Monrad Johansen, Geirr Tveitt, Fartein Valen, and Harald Saeverud that come as special surprises. Each of these composers lived well into the 20th Century and yet their music, while embracing forms of modern idiom, simply 'feels' Nordic. Here are some of the more ethereal melodies and folksong-inspired rhythms in the literature for the solo piano and Andsnes plays them to perfection.Another fine aspect of this generous recording is the engineering choices of allowing enough silence between pieces to allow the air to breathe around the one last performed and inhale, ready for the next. This is a very special album of new music that should encourage other pianists (and audiences) to pay closer attention to Norwegian composers. Recommended. Grady Harp, November 2004

Gorgeous.......2003-12-04

I read an article about Leif Ove Andsnes in "The Economist", of all places, which called him one of the "most interesting" pianists today. Now I know why. His performance of the nine pieces by Grieg on this CD is totally liquid, effortless, MORE perfect than snowfall. I've heard some fantastic Grieg performances, but this is the best by far.

The most interesting tracks on the disc, though, are actually Geirr Tveitt's "Fifty Folktunes from Hardanger". Tveitt based these songs on folk melodies he collected up in northern Norway (his native region) around the time of the German occupation, and they're full of some of the melancholy he must have felt during the war. They're also, as you would expect, full of snow-cloaked mountains, love, stars, dreams, the electric northern sky and, yes, "long, long winter nights". While Tveitt's distinctive idiom is avant-garde enough to be unique (unlike in a lot of settings of folktunes by other composers), it's a lot more accessible than some of Johansen, Valen, and Saeverud's pieces on this disc. I just heard an orchestrated version of the "Hardanger Tunes" on one of Naxos' CDs -- pretty impressive, but even more overpowering in the hands of Andsnes.

Engaging listening.......2002-02-19

A collection of works by Norwegian composers, including several worthy lesser-known works, performed with superlative musicianship by Leif Ove Andsnes. Rhythmic passages churn, fast passages sparkle, lyrical passages sing, to great emotional effect. Andsnes makes his technical proficiency a servant to the compositions. Every composer should be so lucky to have an artist such as this play his works.

for a long long winternight.......2000-11-27

This album shows that Scandinavien music is not only Grieg. Compositions in different styles are performed in a wonderful way by Leif Ove Andsnes. The atmosphere is the same in all pieces: as in a long, long winter night.

LEIF OVE ANDSNES : A PARAGON OF CULTURAL VIRTUE.......2000-01-28

To explore the culture of your homeland with the sophistication and dedication that Andsnes expresses on the album deserves a Nobel Prize. This dynamic young Norwegian pianist escews cultural imperialism and exploitation and gives pride to those who recognise the depth and value of the music that has evolved over time in this seemingly far far land. This collection of Norwegian music, echoing so often the dynamics of the landscape and psychological interrogation of the nature of time ~ long long winter nights, and by implication long long summer days. Andsnes bears witness to the craft and creativity of his forebearers with style beautifully expressing their ideas and ambitions. A wonderfully powerful cd. Enjoy!

Average customer rating: Laughter & Tears: A Jewish Saga

Laughter & Tears: A Jewish Saga Manufacturer: Centaur ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005LZQQ Release Date: 2001-06-26

Customer Reviews:

Laughter & Tears: A Jewish Saga.......2003-08-02

7/30/03

This is the first "review" of a CD I have ever written for posting on CD Now on Amazon, and I am moved to do so because of the special quality of "Laughter and Tears, a Jewish Saga," by The Wolford/Rosenblum Duo, Centaur CRC 2521.

The range of feeling exhibited by all the selections of music, both purely instrumental and with voice, is particularly evocative of the length and complexity of Jewish experience. The selections include stunning original compositions by pianist Ivan Rosenblum and rarely heard contemporary songs from Israel by composer Ben Haim. The delightful, humorous and previously unrecorded early Jewish vaudeville songs by Irving Berlin are wonderfully amusing and the presence of the ragtime idiom in them is a further indication of how much of the world's music has been absorbed into thematically "Jewish" compositions.

The section of the CD devoted or named Holocaust Remembrance, comprised of songs by Ellwood Derr, was haunting and poignant but I found even more touching somehow the eloquent instrumental rendition of the traditional prayer, Eli Eli. The performance had a wonderful equilibrium of sound and an appropriately timeless quality.

Klezmer music is always fun, but it is played here with clarity and verve. All in all, this is a rewarding smorgasbord of Jewish temperament expressed in highly professional and creative musicianship.

Average customer rating:

Laughter, Tears and Rage Act Manufacturer: ZTT ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Scale of Ten ASIN: B000056XVE Release Date: 1988-01-01

Tracks:

1. Absolutely Immune
2. Chance
3. Laughter
4. I Can't Escape from You
5. Poison
6. Under the Nights of Germany
7. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
8. 3rd Planet
9. Gestures
10. Bloodrush
11. Friendly Warning
12. Certified
13. Where Love Lies Bleeding
14. Snobbery and Decay

Album Review:

1. Let's Be Bad Tonight: Best of Foxy [Import] [Original recording remastered]
2. Live in Sydney 2005 [Import]
3. Lost in a Garden of Clouds [Import]
4. Mix, Vol. 2 [Enhanced]
5. Mota Atma
6. Noir: Smooth Female Trip-Hop
7. Northern Star
8. Octane [Soundtrack] [Import]
9. Ode to a Dying DJ [Import]
10. On the Floor at the Boutique [Explicit Lyrics]

Album Review

album review

Album Review

Feels Like I'm Flying [CD-single]

Lambert - Leçons de Ténèbres / Brett, Crook, Rime & Stutzmann

Mozart: Concerto pour clarinette

Music: Serie 20 Exitos

Little More Haven Hamilton Please [Import]

New Tattoo [Explicit Lyrics]

No Limit

I.O.U. Street [Explicit Lyrics]

Just One Thought of You

Hablando de Traiciones

Live at the Witch Trials [Live]

La Festa [Import]

Hits Fur Reiter [Import]

World Outside My Window

Civilized Evil