Surprise Surprise [Import]

1. Suprise

2. Garden Party

3. Gzing at the Clouds

4. Early Autumn

5. Action Man

6. Funk Suite No-1

7. Easy Jack

8. Fusion Blues

9. Old Neighborhood

10. Suprise (Reprise)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Their Fourth Album from the Longtime Icelandic Band was Released in 1983 to Great Acclaim and Broke them to Popularity in Continental Europe and Asia.

Tracks:

How Can You Live In the Northeast
Everything About It Is A Love Song
Outrageous
Sure Don't Feel Like Love
Wartime Prayers
Beautiful
I Don't Believe
Another Galaxy
Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean
That's Me
Father And Daughter

Amazon.com

Since severing his epochal partnership with Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon's solo career been characterized by restless reinvention. But while it's easy to see such disparate, cross-cultural collaborations as Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints as Simon's quest for new creative partnerships, beneath them lies a more crucial willingness to continually challenge the very assumptions and craft of his own songwriting. Six years after his sublime, underappreciated You're the One Simon has pushed that sensibility into a rewarding, if equally unlikely, partnership with Brian Eno. Yet the former Roxy Music texturalist cum contemporary producer/sound conjurer supreme (aided by such stellar sidemen as Bill Frisell, Herbie Hancock and Steve Gadd) offers barely half the "surprises" here.

The playful "Sure Don't Feel Like Love" argues Simon can still beckon his more traditional pop muse at will. Yet some of his best work here turns as much on hypnotic, if no less politically pointed, quasi-spoken word pieces (like "Wartime Prayers" and the gripping, post 9/11 rumination "How Can You Live in the Northeast?") as traditional songcraft. Eno is credited with providing "Sonic Landscape" to Simon's production, but also co-wrote three tracks, infusing "Another Galaxy" with contrasting doses of bracing energy and ethereal elegance, while seasoning the more traditional folk musings of "Once Upon a Time There Was An Ocean" with infectious electro-funk rhythms. "Outrageous," their best full collaboration, suggests that while Eno and Simon may approach world music - and indeed most pop forms - from polar extremes, the common ground they find is truly elevated. In an era when many of his peers are content to craft mere artistic comebacks, Simon's re-emergence here is a bold, compelling step forward. --Jerry McCulley

Recommended Paul Simon

The Studio Recordings 1972-2000 [BOX SET]

The Rhythm of the Saints

There Goes Rhymin' Simon

Graceland

Negotiations and Love Songs 1971-1986

Still Crazy After All These Years

Album Description

Among the most popular artists and greatest songwriters of our time, Paul Simon returns with his first album in six years—and the album titled Surprise is exactly that. First, three songs were co-written with electronic music guru Brian Eno; second, the other songs are straightforward, wonderfully American pop. Surprise is a pleasant surprise for Simon fans.

Customer Reviews:

A thoroughly enjoyable CD.......2007-07-18

I am 55 years old, and have enjoyed Paul Simon since I can remember. This album is some of his finest work. It demonstrates his great poetic skills as well as strong composition and vocals that are powerful, understated, evocative and poignant all at once.

Opening with How Can You Live in the Northeast, you immediately are involved in the profound thought process this man brings to his music. It asks rhetorical questions of all, and answers (to the degree allowed), with "names and religion come just after date of birth." The real puzzle to me is the last line about wearing his father's old coat. I suspect this is a metaphor, which leaves me guessing as I expect was his intent.

Everything About it is a Lovesong is a beautiful melody which seems to be a bit of an introspect of Paul himself. "Make a wish and close your eyes: surprise, surprise, surprise."

Outrageous is a rant that becomes a touching redemption.

Sure Don't Feel Like Love is interesting, but I'm not sure of the overall meaning. The part about "wrong again", though, will certainly ring a bell with most of us.

Wartime Prayers is a deeply moving hymn-like piece. In it, there is a line that has moved me like perhaps no other line in my experience. "Because you cannot walk with the holy if you're just a halfway decent man." Oh my, that's one to remember!

Beautiful is, well, beautiful. It really showcases Paul's voice and humor, and his love of family.

I Don't Believe is another very powerful number suggesting that we should follow the Golden Rule in our everyday lives.

Another Galaxy examines the difficulty of changing roads in life. It reminds me of the sentiment of the Beatle's "She's Leaving Home".

Once Upon a Time There Was an Ocean is interesting and well done. The overiding theme seems to be that no matter how much things change, it's still all the same.

That's Me might have been the finale (as it seems to be a personal summary), but I believe Paul saved one other song for that honor:

Father and Daughter is a touching tribute to the special love therin. There is some beautiful backup vocal on this song listed as Adrian Simon (my guess is this would be Paul's lovely daughter)

Notice in the booklet of lyrics that every word which has to do with water is bold.

Every time I listen to this CD, I am moved. Very well done piece indeed.

Every song is real in this new creation.......2007-06-18

Meet the new Paul Simon of the new millenium. This is the man's best work since "You're The One". Yes, that was his last studio release, but he's just that good. Like Midas, everything he touches turns to gold. But this time its a different layer of Paul Simon, a totally new, unexpected sound completely different from anything he has ever done. For a long time I avoided this album because of that new sound. It just wasn't the good old Paul Simon that I knew so well. What actually got me into this CD was my Dad, a fellow Paul Simon listener. He checked it out a couple of times from our library, and after I heard the music in the background a few times, I began to really like it and found myself wanting to hear it as soon as it was over. One of those CDs that sticks around in your head until you buy it. So buy it I did, and I've had a lot of good listening from it since. Its just all in how you look at it. If you're searching for the old Paul Simon you won't appreciate it at first listen. But if you can embrace it for being something new and give it a chance, it will rapidly grow on you.

Beginning with "How Can You Live In the Northeast?", Simon sets the new tone. If you look close enough you can see that the underlying note here is 9/11. Simon claims in an interview a year ago that he was profoundly affected by those tragic events, as were we all, and found it difficult to write anything 'real' as he described since. This explains his long absence since "You're the One". So he decided to write what he deemed as 'the truth', and certainly these song communicate as more heartfelt. In this song Simon simply poses the question, "How can you live in the Northeast?". Next is one of the best songs on the entire album. "Everything About It Is a Love Song" begins with two simple guitar chordes and builds to a very nice beat, with even better lyrics, which is this songs biggest strength. "We don't mean to mess things up but mess them up we do" Simon lyricises truthfully. Continuing with the trend, the songs get even better here with "Outrageous", the particular song that really hooked me onto this album. And believe me when I say that this is one of Paul Simon's all time best songs ever. Like a shock of cold water this song immediately grabs your attention, and again Simon writes it so truthfully, the theme being "Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?". I saw the live version of this one that he sang on The David Letterman Show which was absolutely great. Check it out. "Sure Don't Feel Like Love" and "Beautiful" stand out as the best of the next four tracks, and then we come to "Another Galaxy". Brian Eno saves his best magic for this one as the sound is amazing. Throw in Simon's stellar guitar chordes and you've got yourself another masterpiece. The second best song on here.
To end on a really wonderful note, this last song continues with the pledge of genuinity where Simon crones about his love for his daughter, while his son sings backup vocals in this one. Unlike corny versions of father-child tracks sung by lesser artists, this one is sophisticated. It doesn't try to be something it's not. It is simply honest. Refreshing and very well written. I think Adrian might have inherited Simon's singing qualities too.

So there you have it. A fresh new coat of Paul Simon called "Surprise". One of the best albums of the year. Be sure to check it out more than I did. You just might be surprised.

Its good to have you back Paul!

Genius!.......2007-06-07

Fabulous! Paul Simon has done it again. His ability to create NEW music while maintaining his compelling style (lyrics and sound combinations). This guy is 'the-bomb'! I would never hesitate to buy his music. I like the way he thinks (his perspective), then in turn, how he makes me think.

I'm sittng here enjoying this disc and just had to share how much I'm loving it!

I'll write a PROPER review later..........2007-06-05

I haven't "lived with" this one long enough to give this an absolute star ranking but I found it to be "edgier" than Simon's been in years musically and it was probably the most exciting thing from him since The Rhythm of the Saints. (I thought YOU'RE THE ONE was kind of bland)

As such, I'll give an unqualified recommendation that you borrow this one from a friend or your local library if you have any Simon in your library outside of anthologies. It's certainly worth hearing and I'm likely to be adding it to my own collection.

If good lyrics means repeating the same line over and over, then yes, Paul Simon's new album is genius........2007-05-27

There are a few nice little melodies here and there, but overall this cd stinks. It's like a more watered down version of Nickleback. They sing a verse and then basically just repeat it for two or three minutes until they get tired of singing the same verse over and over again. Paul Simon, he makes it seem not as random as Nickleback does, but it's still pretty bad. It sounds better then Nickleback, but that's still not good.

How do you live in the Northeast is a horribe song. I understood what it was trying to say, I don't think anyone wouldn't get it if they listened to it. It was a pointless, political song that just kept asking the same questions over and over again. "Outrageous" was a good song. It was funny, but it was plagued with the same repetition that most of the tracks seem to suffer from.

It's nice and smooth and it goes down easy, but old Paul Simon beats this new stuff anyday.

Average customer rating:

Great for young children. Many Thanks!
EXCELLENT CD to introduce kids (& adults) to classical music!
Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer, declares my [...].
Truly fun AND educational
My kids' hands-down favorite classical CD

Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies
Beethoven's Wig
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music
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Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies
Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies
Philadelphia Chickens
Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Mozart's Magnificent Voyage

ASIN: B000060OLA
Release Date: 2002-03-05

Tracks:

Beethoven's Wig (5th Symphony, Beethoven)
Franz Liszt the Famous Pianist (Hungarian Rhapsody #2, Liszt)
Please Don't Play Your Violin at Night (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart)
Can You Can Can? (Can Can, Offenbach)
Just For Elise (Fur Elise, Beethoven)
Haydn's Great Surprise (Surprise Symphony, Haydn)
Kings and Queens of England (Trumpet Tune, Purcell)
Drip, Drip, Drip (Pizzicato from Sylvia, Delibes)
Harmony (The Merry Peasant, Schumann)
Hey Guitar Teacher (Bouree, Bach)
Tchaikovsky's Cannonball (1812 Overture, Tchaikovsky)

Product Description

GENERAL FEATURES: Beethoven's Wig Sing Along Symphonies are zany stick-in-your-head lyrics set to the greatest hits of classical music. Filled with fact and fancy about the world's most notable composers and their masterpieces, each Sing Along Symphony opens the door to "serious music" in a way that's fun. As a bonus, the orchestral performance of each classical piece is included without lyrics. Educational entertainment for all ages.

Amazon.com

Inspired and wildly imaginative, Beethoven's Wig is one of the best introductions to classical music you could give to your children. Featuring snippets of 11 classical music staples--Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, et al.--the disc and its creators, Richard Perlmutter and friends, pour on the silly lyrics the first time around to familiarize young ears to the old masters. Then in the last half of the record, the orchestra plays the same "serious" music pieces instrumentally. You might cheerfully recall Alan Sherman's popular spoofs of old classical works in Wig and you'll again chuckle at pieces like "Drip, Drip, Drip," which adapts Delibes's "Pizzicato from Sylvia." You'll also marvel at the expertise throughout the CD, with all the pieces well played yet thoroughly fun. Beethoven's Wig is an orchestral treasure with a sense of humor as old or as new as its listeners (and the fun questions that run throughout the CD's liner notes are almost as entertaining as the zany musical interludes). Highly recommended. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Great for young children. Many Thanks!.......2007-07-16

I bought this one for my son since he was 2. We listen to it from time to time. Now at 3-1/2 he recognizes the music and melody. We dance, sing, and play with his toys or little instrument. We loves every songs especially Can Can, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and Hungarian Rhapsody #2 which is also in "Cat Concerto" Tom & Jerry. It is a great way for every kids & parents to enjoy classical music. Thanks for making this CD happened.

EXCELLENT CD to introduce kids (& adults) to classical music!.......2007-07-08

This CD is a must for every child. It is so important for children to appreciate the great composers. This CD is a wonderful introduction and a fun way for children to learn the facts and names to go along with the tunes. The selection of pieces for this disk are also wonderful. It is nice that the songs are also to where you can listen to them without the lyrics. My children love it and my husband loves to hear just the music (& he is more of a oldies rock n roll & country music man).

Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer, declares my [...]........2007-06-15

We originally received Beethoven's wig from a friend. My two year old and eight year old loved it so much that I had to buy #2 from www.amazon.com and got the third one used on www.ebay.com. Now I have them all on a playlist on my Ipod, and we play them non-stop in the car, and at home. (putting all three on my Ipod makes it more bearable since it is not always the same songs). Too bad www.Itunes.com hasn't caught on yet.

The best part was when my daughter told her Music Camp teacher, " Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer!" I thought she was going to faint.

Truly fun AND educational.......2007-06-01

We play this probably once a day in our home and my kids (one is almost 5, and 2 yr old twins) all enjoy it! Definitely appealing to kids, but also not offensive to the adult ear. I even find myself humming the words when I hear these classical pieces at other times of the day. I recommend for any household with small kids - it introduces classical music in a very fun, upbeat way.

My kids' hands-down favorite classical CD.......2007-05-18

My kids take piano lessons, and I was hoping that listening to classical music would help them enjoy their lessons a bit more, since many of their lesson pieces are variations of classical melodies, and, for whatever reason, they don't naturally enjoy classical music.

I had heard rave reviews about the Classical Kids series of CDs (where a story is set to a composer's music), and, while my children enjoyed them, they didn't really want to hear the stories repeatedly, so the melodies didn't stick.

We got this CD from the library, and the minute they heard the first line of this CD, they were in hysterics. They just LOVED the silly lyrics, and they've listened to the CD repeatedly. They begged me to buy our own copy and to get the 2nd and 3rd CDs in this series. They ask questions about the music and the lyrics, trying to figure out what play on words and reality the creator of the CD was thinking about. They remember the music and who composed it. And they are much more interested in playing the pieces they know on the piano!

So, for our purposes, this CD has been perfect.

And yes, I put my money where my mouth is and purchased all three CDs in this set :) This one is still our favorite.

Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music

Average customer rating:

Awesome CD
He started dancing as soon as we put it on!
Better than baby einstein
great music at a great price
A Wonderful CD for all ages

Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music

Manufacturer: Ent. Media Partners
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Educational | Children's Music | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Children's Favorites
Classics for Kids
Bernstein Favorites: Children's Classics
Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy-My Favourite Opera For Children
David Bowie Narrates Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"

ASIN: B000002XE8
Release Date: 1997-10-24

Tracks:

Clair de Lune
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance: Andante
Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sestonuto
Minute Waltz
On The Beautiful Blue Danube
The Nutcracker Suite: Russian Dance
El Amor Brujo: Danca del Terror
Grand Valse Brillante, Waltz No. 1 op. 18
Scenes Of Childhood Op. 15: Knight Of The Rocking Horse; Important Event
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Symphony No. 94: Menuetto: Allegro molto
The Nutcracker Suite: March
Sonata In C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile

Customer Reviews:

Awesome CD.......2007-05-11

Have enjoyed this CD immensely with our four-year old. Great price for the quality. Thank you.

He started dancing as soon as we put it on!.......2007-01-09

My 12 month old loves this CD and happily bops away to the music (in the car he sometimes even starts singing!). We like it too and not being very well versed in Classical music, it is a nice mix for us.

Better than baby einstein.......2006-02-26

This is a great CD, with great music, at a great price. Everyone seems to love Baby Einstein, but I don't like the plinking music on those CD's, I like real orchestral pieces to stimulate my child. This is exactly what parents need, at a good price!

great music at a great price.......2006-02-02

I got this cd to use as background when putting my 18 month old to sleep and for car rides. So far it has not made it out of the car. The cd is wonderful. The first song is the Luftansa airline comercial song (that is what my husband calls it) and is beautiful. I didn't think my husband would enjoy the cd at all but he doesn't mind one bit listening to it, he actually will put it on himself when we get in the car. My daughter loves it and will often start nodding her head back and forth to songs. I actually listen to it even when my daughter is not in the car. The music is soft and relaxing but not boring. It is also one of the only cd's that my in laws don't mind listening to when they are in the car with us.

I only paid like $4 here on amazon for it and I gladdly would of paid more for such a great cd. Its a great cd for such a great price!

A Wonderful CD for all ages.......2002-11-03

My whole family has enjoyed this CD. It is very upbeat and easy to listen to. I think there is something for everyone on this one.

Average customer rating:

Great Choice Picks! - The True Side Of Steve
A Dying Cubs Fan
What Happened to the Dance and the Coat?
Grossly inadequate tribute to an exemplary musician
steve goodman anthology

No Big Surprise: Anthology
Steve Goodman
Manufacturer: Red Pajamas
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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A Tribute to Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman - Live from Austin City Limits and More
Live at the Earl of Old Town
Great Days: The John Prine Anthology
Somebody Else's Troubles

ASIN: B000000DM7
Release Date: 1994-09-15

Tracks:

Between The Lines
Take Me Out To The Ballgame
Go Cubs Go
City Of New Orleans
Would You Like to Learn To Dance?
Souvenirs
Red Ball Jets
The One That Got Away
Talk Backwards
If She Were You
Danger
You Better Get It While You Can (The Ballad Of...)
Yellow Coat
Banana Republics
California Promises
Bobby Don't Stop
My Old Man
This Hotel Room
Where's The Party
I Just Keep Falling In Love
Watchin' Joey Glow
The Dutchman
In Real Life

Tracks:

Chicken Cordon Bleus
The I Don't Know Where I'm Goin', But I'm Goin'...
Is It True What They Say About Dixie?
Turnpike Tom
Elvis Imitators
Lincoln Park Pirates
Wonderful World Of Sex
Vegematic
A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
Men Who Love Women Who Love Men
The Auctioneer
The Broken String Song
Just Lucky I Guess
I'll Fly Away
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
Medley: Born To Be Wild/Teen Angel/Tell...
You Never Even Call Me By My Name
Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
As Time Goes By

Amazon.com

Still best remembered for his evocative "City Of New Orleans," which brought Arlo Guthrie his long single hit, the late Steve Goodman was a gifted songwriter, affecting singer, and spirited acoustic guitarist who forged a link between the urban troubadors of the '60s and the "sensitive" singer-songwriters of the '70s. The elfin Chicagoan could tug heart strings as well as the latter camp (try his version of "The Dutchman," or fine originals like "Banana Republics" and "Yellow Coat"), but Goodman was never content to brood over mere heartbreak. His recordings and solo live performances were ripe with humor, from lively updates of old rags and Tin Pan Alley tunes ("It's A Sin To Tell A Lie") to topical parodies ("Lincoln Park Pirates," "Chicken Cordon Bleus," and the ultimate country song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name," written with John Prine), and this generous two CD anthology captures it all, culling studio and stage tracks from throughout his career. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Great Choice Picks! - The True Side Of Steve.......2007-03-01

I appreciate this set more as a BIG fan and have ALL of Steve's albums and cd's and a few tapes etc... BUT this has just what a fan with all the albums needs. More unreleased Steve Goodman!!!
I for one am glad they left off tracks already on other releases and chose to place alternate versions here where I can experience their other side.

There really needs to be a huge box set of unreleased everything.
Man that would be nice

thanks Steve for the songs
thanks to his family for releasing these rarities

Support Steve Goodman and Family
BUY ALL of the albums - they're great!

A Dying Cubs Fan.......2007-02-04

Got this CD because it had two songs specifically written for all of us Cub fans. Haven't been to Wrigley Field since I was in high school but have remained a die-hard Cub fan and like Ernie always says, "Let's Play Two"! Never heard of Steve Goodman until someone sent me an email version of his song, "A Dying Cubs Fan Last Request".............wish I'd heard of him earlier as he was one of those early story tellers and ballad singer/songwriter (like Harry Chapin and Jim Croce)........songs were fun and he entertained his fans. I'm going to have to get some of his other CDs, just to hear more of his stories!

What Happened to the Dance and the Coat? .......2007-01-21

I had the great fortune of seeing this artist in a small college concert in Nebraska in the early 70's and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I loved this guy's music and humor and was heartsick when I heard he passed at such a young age. He had a special way of singing touching ballads without being too sappy, sentimental or over the top with emotion. And yet, they would just rip your heart out.

This 2-CD set is good and I do appreciate 2 songs about the Cubs and the very funny live medley! Also, both CD's are nice and long (CD1 is 75 and CD2 is 73 minutes). But there are a few things that really bother me about this anthology.

First, while Goodman had a great live act, I agree with a previous reviewer that many of the live versions here seem rushed through and there is too much crowd noise. I'd have deleted some of the live songs and added a few more studio versions to start off CD2. I wish they would have included studio recordings of "Donald and Lydia", "Mind Your Own Business" and "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." Both the studio and live versions of this last song should be on this 2-CD set.

The biggest disappointment for me though is this: The MAIN reason I bought this CD was to get one of my favorite songs of all time, "Would You Like to Learn To Dance." I asked my best man to play this song at my wedding! I had the 1972 LP with this song on it and couldn't wait to hear the clean CD version. So I was more than irritated to find that the version of this song on this anthology was NOT the same version that is on the 1972 album.

I have the same complaint about "Yellow Coat" - another incredibly poignant ballad and probably my second favorite Goodman song. This song was also on the 1972 LP. The studio versions of both these songs on this anthology are not, in my opinion, nearly as good as they are on the 1972 album. So I had to go out and buy the CD of Goodman's 1972 album anyway.

In the end I give this great artist 10 stars and wish to God he was still with us. I always wanted him to record a song with John Mellencamp or maybe John Lennon! But this compilation gets only 3 stars for messin' with Dance and Coat.

Grossly inadequate tribute to an exemplary musician.......2006-05-02

I really, really wanted to like this compilation. Steve Goodman's music has affected me for three decades: his lyrics, his humor, his consummate musicianship...why one star? Briefly, the first disc (studio recordings) doesn't have some of his best stuff, and the second disc (the "live" stuff) is indifferently recorded and (even worse) sometimes indifferently performed.

I'm not prejudiced against live recordings: many are excellent, such as "The Weavers at Carnegie Hall" or "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison". This live disc sounds like it was recorded in a small bar with a small circle of yahoos whose whoops and hollers get really annoying after a while. Now if you were one of those yahoos present, you'd like this CD as a souvenir; for the rest of us, it's fairly tedious. It also shows Goodman singing some of his stuff in a fairly bored I-gotta-finish-this fashion or in a cynical style ("As Time Goes By" is almost unlistenable). Several of of his more popular songs are on the live disc: "Chicken Cordon Bleus", "Turnpike Tom", "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" (another indifferent performance), "Men who Love Women Who Love Men"--they just aren't up to the standards of his studio recordings. I can't believe his estate approved this release.

I was fortunate to see Goodman twice in the seventies. At one huge outdoor Country Music festival that had big names like Willie Nelson, he got up on stage in front of 20,000 people with just his guitar--that takes guts--and wowed 'em. Then he sang a song about a Vietnam War widow ("The Ballad of Penny Evans")--sang it a capella, no less--and brought those 20,000 people to a standing ovation. Steve Goodman live was an incredible experience--an experience which this disc (sadly) does not capture at all.

The one saving grace of this compilation is the notes in the booklet, which has a bunch of his old pals reminiscing about him. Interesting stuff, but doesn't make up for the fact that if you want a good introduction to his music you really ought to look elsewhere. Try the original Buddah recording, "Steve Goodman" and then maybe move on to "Words we Can Dance To" and "Jessie's Jig and other Favorites". His pals got together some years back and made "A Tribute to Steve Goodman", which is excellent.

Pet Peeves department: How could any decent compilation leave out the aforementioned "Ballad of Penny Evans"? Not to mention his fine cover of Big Bill Broonzy's "The Glory of Love". And how about the one he wrote with Jimmy Buffett, "Door Number Three"?

I've enjoyed the notes on this album far more than the album itself. If it's the only introduction to Steve Goodman available to you, enjoy it with the understanding that there's a lot more to Steve and his music than this sloppy compilation delivers.

steve goodman anthology.......2006-03-30

way cool, especially the live disc, reminded me of seeing his concerts many years back. Steve is gone, but his music will allways live on!

Average customer rating:

Do Not Mess with Messina
Surprise by Jo Dee
Great Girl Power Album!
Jo Dee's most personal album!!
Two Good Songs

Delicious Surprise
Jo Dee Messina
Manufacturer: Curb Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music

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Greatest Hits
Twice the Speed of Life
I'm Alright
Honkytonk University
Burn

ASIN: B0007XT86W
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Not Going Down
Someone Else's Life
Delicious Surprise (I Believe It)
It Gets Better
Who's Crying Now
My Give A Damn's Busted
It's Too Late To Worry
Life Is Good
Love Is Not Enough
Where Were You
I Wear My Life
You Were Just Here

Amazon.com

On her fourth studio album, Messina, country's queen of hope and empowerment, roars back after a four-year hiatus, during which she went public with a stint at rehab and broke off a nine-year relationship with her fiancé. Those events stand at the center of two of the best ballads on the album ("It Gets Better" and "Sometimes Love Is Just Not Enough"), and please not only because Messina wrote (or cowrote) them from real-life struggles, but because the songs soften the numbing bombast that producers Byron Gallimore and Mark Bright bring to the rest of her repertoire. The singer--big-voiced, expansive, and as comforting as an old friend--is always a welcome presence on the radio, as she is on the album's first single, the upbeat and attitudinal kiss-off "My Give a Damn's Busted." What she needs is more songs like this that break her out of her usual mold (in addition to the aforementioned tracks that showcase her quieter side) and allow her to deliver a surprise or two. The ones offered here aren't quite as "delicious" as the album title promises, but even the most casual listener senses that Messina has so much spunk and grit that she'll gather them yet, her myopic producers be damned. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews:

Do Not Mess with Messina.......2007-07-17

Good to see Jo Dee come back onto the charts with a very strong album, Delicious Surprise. I guess her absence was due to working out personal stuff, a bunch of which comes out on this record. It's definitely about empowerment and moving on to a significant degree. The songs have good, unapologetic lyrics, and Jo Dee sings with force and attitude. The song mix is good too. The album gets a little slower toward the end, but doesn't become tiresome. Good to have Jo Dee BAck. The really good songs on this one are:

Who's Crying Now
My Give a Damn's Busted

Surprise by Jo Dee.......2006-03-17

I found this CD to be one of her best. I am thoroughly enjoying it - never get sick of it. Well done Jo Dee.
Pam

Great Girl Power Album!.......2006-03-09

I bought this because I heard such good things about it from people I knew and now I know that they weren't wrong! This CD is outstanding. It is from start to finish the catchiest album I have heard in a long time. JoDee makes you feel what she is singing, not just hear it. That is the way a song is supposed to be! Great work!

Jo Dee's most personal album!!.......2006-01-29

I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM THINKING IT WOULD BE LIKE HER OTHER LPS. BOY, WAS I WRONG! THIS CD IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE FIRST ALBUMS ,BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE THIS A BAD ALBUM. MOST PEOPLE ARE REVEIWING THIS ALBUM BY COMPARING IT TO ALL HER OTHER THREE. BUT THATS NOT THE WAY TO LOOK AT IT. IT IS VERY GOOD. BELOW IS MY REVIEW OF THE ALBUM.

1. NOT GOING DOWN 5/5
2. SOMEONE ELSES LIFE 3/5
3. DELICIOUS SURPRISE 4/5
4. IT GETS BETTER 5/5
5. WHOS CRYING NOW 5/5
6. MY GIVE A DAMNS BUSTED 5/5
7. TOO LATE TO WORRY 3/5
8. LIFE IS GOOD 5/5
9. LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH 5/5
10. WHERE WERE YOU 5/5
11. I WEAR MY LIFE 5/5
12. YOU WERE JUST HERE 5/5

ALL IN ALL THIS IS AN AWSOME ALBUM. BUT DON'T ASK ME, LISTEN TO IT.

Two Good Songs.......2006-01-24

I have been listening to country music for probably 8 or 9 years, ever since I was really little and listening to Crystal Gayle. So i'm not just typing nonsense. This CD is not like any other Jo Dee Messina's songs and past albums, the songs have no tune or melody instead she just hollars, She is not a bad singer, and a REALLY good performer. Just these songs have no country swing. The only two good songs on the CD are
Delicious Surprise
and My Give a Damn's Busted
Of corse this is0 only my opinion, and I don't think it was a good bye, and wish I knew how the music was before I bought it.

Average customer rating:

The Story Of Haydn

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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The Story of Beethoven
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ASIN: B000001KD1
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Menuetto - Allegro
Harpsicord Concerto In D Major: Vivace
Symphony No. 100 In G Major 'Miltary': Allegretto
Mass No. 2 In E- Flat Major: Great Organ Mass
Symphony No. 82 In C Major 'The Bear': Vivace assai
Keyboard Sonata No. 48 In C Major: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': Allegro assai
Violin Concerto No. 1 In C Major: Allegro moderato
Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Allegro
Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Andante
Baryton Divertimento No. 107 In D Major: Minuet and Trio
Music Clock
Trumpet Concerto In E-Flat Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': Adagio
Symphony No. 82 In C Major 'The Bear': Vivace
Symphony No.11 In G Major 'Miltary': Excerpts
Philemon And Baucis: Tenor Aria 'Nemo'
Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Allegro spiritoso
Horn Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 101 In D Major 'Clock': Presto; Menuetto (Allegretto)
Symphony No. 94 In G Major 'Surprise': Andante
Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Vivace assai
Symphony No. 101 In D Major 'Clock': Andante
Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Andante
Mass in D-flat Major: Gloria
String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3 Emperor
The Creation: Chrous: 'The Heavens are Telling'
Austrian National Anthem
Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Moderato
Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Adagio
Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Allegro molto

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

Comparison - Jochum's Set vs. Colin Davis'
Haydn's London Symphonies
Excellent, but beware of Davis' groaning
GOOD, BUT!
Grand, Warm, Rich, Mature Symphony

Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

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ASIN: B0000041AR
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Tracks:

Symphony In D: Adagio - Allegro assai - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In D: Largo cantabile - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In D: Menuetto. Allegro - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In D: Finale. Presto ma non troppo - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In E Flat: Adagio -- Vivace assai - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In E Flat: Adagio - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In E Flat: Menuetto. Allegretto - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In E Flat: Finale. Vivace - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In G: Adagio - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In G: Andante - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In G: Menuetto - Joseph Haydn
Symphony In G: Finale - Joseph Haydn

Tracks:

Symphony In G: 1. Adagio - J. Haydn
Symphony In G: 2. Andante - J. Haydn
Symphony In G: 3. Menuetto - J. Haydn
Symphony In G: 4. Finale - J. Haydn
Symphony In C: 1. Adagio - Vivace - J. Haydn
Symphony In C: 2. Adagio ma non troppo - J. Haydn
Symphony In C: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto - J. Haydn
Symphony In C: 4. Finale. Presto assai - J. Haydn
Symphony In D: 1. Adagio - J. Haydn
Symphony In D: 2. Andante - J. Haydn
Symphony In D: 3. Menuetto - J. Haydn
Symphony In D: 4. Finale - J. Haydn

Amazon.com

Someone once commented on the "sulphurous devilishness" of Haydn's surprises in the London symphonies. But it should come as no surprise that one of the best recordings of these works is from Sir Colin Davis, whose accounts with the Concertgebouw Orchestra stand among the most exalted phonographic accomplishments of recent years. There is a Beechamesque quality to these readings, and when it comes to Haydn, that is praise indeed. They are exceptionally personable, characterful, likable interpretations, with wit, warmth, and life in every measure. All 12 symphonies are wonderfully played and very well recorded. At full price, these recordings would be a top choice; as midprice offerings, three symphonies to a disc (averaging more than 75 minutes of music each), they're a steal. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Comparison - Jochum's Set vs. Colin Davis'.......2006-02-23

Jochum and London Phil deliver the highest level of Haydn playing just like Colin Davis and Concertgebow do. I own both and tried to compare between two.

Jochum adds plenty of personal touches that decidedly grab your attention. You hear poignant romanticism or Beethoven-like roar in many places. Colin Davis, by comparison, lets the music flow naturally and makes it sound more balanced. Colin Davis sure gets a lot of help from the gorgeous Concertgebow band - silky but vivacious strings, show-stopping woodwinds, bright brass section, etc. In his set, you hear more of the orchestra than Colin Davis. I think it's the other way around in Jochum set. Concergebow's sound is more transparent and charmingly light-footed while London Phil sounds fuller and creamier without losing crispness. You get more agility and refinement from Davis set. You get more expressiveness and warmth from Jochum's.
Let me emphasize that all of the good qualities I attributed to either of the sets actually exist in both (they are inherently in Haydn's writing). It's just that some qualities are more apparent in one than the other.
As to the recording, Colin Davis set has more sparkle and vividness. It sounds more modern. Jochum's has a typical old-fashioned analogue sound in a very good way. It has plenty of natural ambience but doesn't sound muddy.
I recommend you buy both of these delightful and affordable sets. I never regretted doing so :-)

Haydn's London Symphonies.......2005-12-21

I have been listening to many of Haydn's earlier symphonies on the ongoing cycle of the complete series on Naxos. But for the final set of twelve, Haydn's masterpieces in the form, I wanted Sir Colin Davis conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Davis has recorded the twelve London symphonies on two mid-priced Phillips "duo" CDs. The performances are outstanding and filled with ebullience. They will make a good introduction to Haydn for those new to his music and will delight long-term lovers of Haydn.

Beginning when he was about 25, Haydn composed for the wealthy and music-loving Esterhazy family. His fame gradually spread throughout Europe and, with the "Paris" symphonies, Haydn began to write works for a public broader than his aristocratic patron. With the death of Nicholas Esterhazy in 1790, Haydn received an invitation to visit London. He visited twice, in 1791-1792 and again from 1794-1795. His twelve "London" symphonies are the result. These are full-scaled symphonic creations showing the consummate mastery Haydn had acquired over the years. The works are joyous and lively and were immediately welcomed by Haydn's London audiences. They are also highly sophisticated and endlessly creative works of art which will reward careful listening and study. For those listeners wanting a more detailed, yet non-technical overview of the twelve London symphonies than that found on liner notes, I suggest consulting their treatment in Michael Steinberg's valuable work, "The Symphony: A Listener's Guide."

This two-CD set includes six of the London symphonies: nos. 93, 94, 97, 99, 100, and 101. Let me mention a few features of each.

Haydn's most famous symphony is probably the 94th in G major, the "Surprise". The theme of the second movement, with the large "bang" at the end of the repetition of the opening phrase is one of the best-known moments of music, familiar to children. This remains an excellent work to introduce young people to music. The "surprise" movement proceeds with a lovely set of variations, and there is much to get to know, including more surprises, in the remaining three movements as well.

Symphony no. 100 is also in G major and is known as the "Military" for the martial tone of the second movement, replete with drums, cymbals, and triangle. In addition to the "Military" movement, this symphony features a vicacious finale replete with timpani, a contrapuntal section, and some soft moments of reflection hidden within the lively theme.

The "Clock" symphony, no 101 in D major is named for the tick-tock accompaniment figure in the second movement which is forever endearing. This movement gradually rises to a moment of passion as it develops. The work also features a lively opening movement, a lengthy minuet, and an outstanding finale that works from an inocuous opening to complex counterpoint.

The symphonies with nicknames are the easiest way to introduce the London set, but the symphonies without these names are on the same high plane. The first of the London set is symphony no. 93, also in D major. A memorable moment of this work is the opening of the second movement, which Haydn scores for a string quartet. The movement becomes rather introspective as it proceeds, but Haydn brings it back to earth with a toot on the bassoon at the close. The symphony opens with a slow. detailed introduction followed by an opening movement that develops two lively and lyrical themes.

The 97th symphony is the last of twenty Haydn symphonies in C major, a key he used for regal, ceremonial effect. The work opens with a surprisingly quiet slow introduction followed by an opening movement that develops broadly from many repetitions of the basic chord of C major.

The 99th symphony in E-flat major is the first in which Haydn used clarinets and, from the opening chord, clarinets play a major role in the texture of this work. This is one of the more complex symphonies of the London set, with a harmonically adventurous slow introduction followed by a movement that emphasizes the second of its two major themes. The slow movement is deeply intense and also stresses the second of the two primary themes on which it is based. After a lyrical, restrained opening, the movement turns to the minor key in a dramatic section before returning to the opening material, substantially embellished. The minuet combines elements of both courtliness and earthiness while the finale is rapid and culminates in a fugal passage. The 99th is one of the finest symphonies of an outstanding series.

This set, and its companion recording of the remaining six London symphonies, make a wonderful introduction to a great composer.

Robin Friedman

Excellent, but beware of Davis' groaning.......2005-02-23

Excellent recordings in general, as pointed out by others.

But Davis' groaning is very audible and ANNOYING in places. He does the same on most of his more recent LSO recordings.

Why do conductors groan/grunt away and spoil their recordings so often?

Jochum/DG is another great set of the London symphonies, and doesn't have conductor noises!

GOOD, BUT!.......2004-07-15

This set is good of course, but if you are looking for great performances for EACH of Haydn's 12 London symphony, you may want to buy individual discs. Here is my collection of the 12 'London' Masterpieces.
Symphony 93: Goodman/Hanover Band (Hyperion 66532)
Symphony 94: Monteux/Vienna Phil (Decca 452893-2)
Symphony 95: Britten/ECO (BBC 8008)
Symphony 96: Harnoncourt/Concg. Orchestra (Teldec/Warner 21337-2)
Symphony 97: Szell/Cleveland (Sony 67175)
Symphony 98: Jochum/LPO (DG 437 201-2)
Symphony 99: Davis/Concg. Orchestra (Phillips 442 614-2)
Symphony 100: Walter/Columbia (Sony 64485)
Symphony 101: Mackerras/St. Luke's (Telarc)
Symphony 102: Dorati/Philharmonia Hungarica (Decca 452 259-2)
Symphony 103: Kuijken/La Petite Bande (DHM 77362)
Symphony 104: Hickox/Collegium Musicum 90 (Chandos 0655)

Grand, Warm, Rich, Mature Symphony.......2003-05-07

Culmination of a marvelous life in composition are these London Symphonies.

Here, in one of the highest rated collections Sir Colin Davis leads the Royalo Concertgebouw Orchestra in over 150 minutes of some of the premier symphonic sounds of all times. There is style and substance in their treatment and the crisp, clean recording is marvelous at any price, but even better at this mid-range bargain.

I especially have fond of No. 93 and of course, No. 102 with its melodic richness and inventive harmony. His element of surpirse is always robust and mysterious, as here the third note spells departure.

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