Style [Clean]

Product Description
Rereleased with Revamped Packaging and Two Bonus Mixes- 'muscles (Club 69 Future Mix)'& 'much Better (Boris'funky Grov)'.

Style,Club 69,Mca,Club/Dance,Dance Music,House,Pop

Average customer rating: Absolutely amazing, as expected Joe saw the world; made a timeless record Someday Joe will be remembered for more than the Clash Classic Joe Everything Strummer touches is gold

Rock Art and the X-Ray Style Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros Manufacturer: Hellcat Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Global a Go-Go Streetcore Walker Elgin Avenue Breakdown Revisited Let's Rock Again ASIN: B00001X51J Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

1. Tony Adams
2. Sandpaper Blues
3. X-Ray Style
4. Techno D-Day
5. The Road To Rock 'N' Roll
6. Diggin' The New
7. Nitcomb
8. Forbidden City
9. Yalla Yalla
10. Willesden To Cricklewood

Amazon.com

The Clash made their splash playing raucous punk rock earmarked by a twin chainsaw guitar attack and Joe Strummer's strained vocal barks, so it's easy to forget that they could create some lovely music. See Sandinista!'s "Rebel Waltz" and "Charlie Don't Surf," London Calling's "Death or Glory," and Combat Rock's "Straight to Hell." The boy who used to scream "White Riot!" realized there are other ways to be heard than shouting fire in a crowded theater, and there is no denying that the Clash wanted to be heard. It's a lesson Joe Strummer has carried on as he's gone from angry young man to wizened elder, and with his new album, Rock Art and the X-Ray Style, and new band, the Mescaleros, he trades in the snip and snarl of punk for a loose yet powerful amalgam of blues, country, and reggae grooves. It provides a perfect canvas for Strummer's still potent messages of social insight and political critique, painted with his warm but ravaged vocal chords. Aside from the misstep of the second track, "Sandpaper Blues," Rock Art bristles with outstanding songs. On "Tony Adams," Strummer rants atop a rocking reggae shuffle, "I am waiting for the rays of the morning sun / Somebody tell me clearly--has the New World begun?" On "Techno D-Day" (as close to a Clash City Rocker as you'll find these days) he reinvigorates rock with a revolutionary agenda. The album's best cut, however, is the lovely closer, "Willesden to Cricklewood," a wonderful, wispy tune that finds Strummer waxing poetic on an afternoon whiled away with friends and family in a small town. It's a far cry from the apocalyptic vision in the Clash's "London's Burning," but no less powerful. --Tod Nelson

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely amazing, as expected.......2007-03-20

This is one of those albums you just let spin--- no need to skip a thing. Wait-- I take it back-- there are some tracks worth playing a couple times now and then. Great for all moods and locales.
Joe Strummer will forever be so very missed. His legacy is critical to more than just rock. What an amazing person. His lyrics read like a book. "Forbidden City" is brilliant-- but then again-- so is this entire album.
Without a doubt-- a must-buy.

Joe saw the world; made a timeless record.......2006-11-03

There is beautiful music on this disk. It is one of my favorite records, praise I would not hand out frivolously. Joe's music here is rich, textured, subtle, worldly, gentle, introspective... but it is also catchy, energetic and charged. Like the Clash catalog, this album is a progression forward with musical exploration. Clash records didn't always strike gold, but you can't accuse Joe of recording the same album twice. The music on X-Ray achieves power without over using the typical "punk" techniques of loud volume, machine-gun drums (sorry Topper) or excessive angst. It's like sitting down with an older wise man and letting his experience and insightfulness dazzle you gently without explosions or exaggeration to hold your attention. There is a toned muscular confidence on this album that keeps the listener there. The music is solid. There is no shortage of ideas or over used ones like the case with Sandinista. Each song has it's own clear identity. This is the 80's album Robert Plant wishes he could have made when he was pretentiously toiling in World music and coming up dull and duller.

Put this disk in the car stereo and go for a drive. By the time "Diggin' the New" and "Forbidden City" kick in, you will already be in a great state of mind.

Someday Joe will be remembered for more than the Clash.......2006-07-17

This may not the be the best piece of music Joe Strummer has ever created--London Calling will forever be remembered as one of the most important records ever produced, and the other two Mescaleros albums are just as good--but this is my favorite.

I began as a Clash fan. They were my favorite band and London Calling was my favorite album for years. I own everything they ever made except Combat Rock, which, at first, I didn't buy because I thought it was a "sell-out" album, and by the time I realized how stupid that was I didn't really care anymore. But if I can blaspheme for a moment, I like everything the Mescaleros have done better than anything by the Clash. In fact, I like it A LOT better. That's partly because my tastes have mellowed out some, but, regardless, this is a fantastic album, as are Global A Go-Go and Streetcore.

Once you get past the opener "Tony Adams," which almost sounds like a natural next step for the clash, with its yelling Joe on vocals, the first thing you'll be shocked by is the African/world-beat sounds of "Sandpaper Blues" and really the whole album. The second thing you'll notice, especially towards the end of the album, is how much Joe softened as he aged. Songs like "Nitcomb" and "Willesden to Cricklewood" are much mellower than any Clash creation. Of course, Rock Art still has plenty of fury, which the later Mescaleros albums have a little less of, on tracks like "Tony Adams" and "Techno D-Day."

Really, Rock Art has a little of everything. It's at points angry, introspective, furious, soft, and always eclectic and always entertaining. Highly reccomended.

Classic Joe.......2006-06-29

Fans of The Clash will not be disappointed with this effort from Joe and the boys. I bought the CD on the strength of Tony Adams & Yalla Yallah downloaded a while back and the rest of the tracks are equally good :o)

Everything Strummer touches is gold.......2005-07-20

OK, I could go on and on about the man and his music but I just wanted to second the one reviewer's opinion about the title track, "X-Ray Style". I must have listened to this one about 200 times and never once felt the urge to skip it. The guy's right, I think it might be the most beautiful song Joe ever wrote, and that is saying something.

Oh yeah, the rest of the album ain't too bad either! But why are you wasting time reading this? Add it to your cart already!

OK, now back to that song again...
"I need some rock art / That don't come in no phial..."

Average customer rating: Love listening to the oldies...Neicy style! You'll Love Niecy's Style! A come back! Welcome Back To Soul Music Niecy! You Go Girl!!!!!!!

Love, Niecy Style Deniece Williams Manufacturer: Shanachie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music $8.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Distant Lover Feel the Fire Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth Wind & Fire Pillow Talk Love Lives Forever ASIN: B000N3TZBY Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

1. That's How Heartaches Are Made
2. Love's Holiday
3. This Time I'll Be Sweeter
4. If You Really Love Me
5. Someday We'll All Be Free
6. Cherish
7. Lady Love Me
8. The Only Thing Missing
9. Never Too Much
10. Cause You Love Me Baby

Customer Reviews:

Love listening to the oldies...Neicy style!.......2007-07-06

This CD is very easy to listen to, I missed listening to Deniece Williams and this album is a great way to reacquaint herself with her fans.

You'll Love Niecy's Style!.......2007-06-26

The songstress that brought you smash hits like "Silly" and "Let's Hear It For The Boy" resurfaces into the R&B world after having a number of years devoted to gospel music. Deniece Williams' new album Love, Niecy Style is a collection of reworked classics and an entirely new track to prove she's still got what it takes to belt out a jammin' track. She starts off with her rendition of Baby Washington's "That's How Heartaches Are Made" with help from Stevie Wonder on harmonica to bring it all together. Philip Bailey lends an assist by doing his signature background ad-libs for her interpretation of the Earth Wind and Fire classic "Love's Holiday." Deniece shines on "This Time I'll Be Sweeter," her tribute to the late Gwen Guthrie who originally wrote the song. She then sings her heart out on the Stevie Wonder tune "If You Really Love Me" and Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" before doing a knockout performance of "Cherish" by Kool And The Gang. George Benson joins her for her version of his song "Lady Love Me (One More Time)." She closes out the album strong with the brand new ballad "The Only Thing Missing Is You," a stellar rendition of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much," and a re-recorded version of her own song "Cause You Love Me, Baby." Fans will enjoy the mix of songs as well as the arrangement of the tracks on this album. After listening to Love, Niecy Style, there will be no doubt in anyone's mind that Deniece Williams can still throw down when it comes to singing R&B

A come back!.......2007-06-01

It's nice to have Deniece Williams back on the R&B scene again. I think she should have done new material. She still has that golden voice of hers for sure! This album could have been a little longer, but maybe this is a warm up for her. It's been over 30 years since the release of her "This Is Niecy" album (1976), and she's trying to get back in sync. You go girl!!!!!

Welcome Back To Soul Music Niecy!.......2007-05-28

Initially, I was hesitant about getting YET ANOTHER 'Remake/Covers' CD, but Deniece WIlliams hasn't recorded SOUL MUSIC in so long, it was worth a shot. After she scored many R&B hits, Niecy released 'Let's Hear It For The Boy' in 1984, and it went to the top of the Pop charts! Needless to say, CBS wanted her to record MORE & MORE of that Pop trash (songs produced by Brad Westering!), and her original R&B fanbase was left out. CBS dropped Niecy during 1989, and she soon returned to her Gospel roots. Fast forward almost 20 years, and Deniece Williams has returned to US...lovers of Soul/R&B Music, and this is cause for celebration, even for a remake CD.
'Love, Niecy Style' gave Ms.Williams a chance to record some of her favorite soul tracks, and put her spin on the classics. This works well for Niecy because her voice hasn't really diminished, and some of her A-list friends were enlisted to spice up things (unlike other Shanachie CDs which mainly employed a tired house band of unknowns!). Niecy couldn't lose with friends like Stevie Wonder, Philip Bailey, and George Duke on board. Here's a few words about each of the 10 tracks...
1. That's How Heartaches Are Made - Nice way to start the CD with Stevie Wonder's distinctive harmonica! The midtempo arrangement works quite well, and Niecy sounds very good on this remake.
2. Love's Holiday - Great! Niecy remakes a classic Earth Wind & Fire track with Philip Bailey providing smooth background vocals (just like he did 30 years ago on the original!). I knew Niecy would cover an EWF track, and she does the song much justice.
3. This Time I'll Be Sweeter - Wow, Niecy did a great job on her version of the Gwen Guthrie/Angela Bofill classic. It's a different feel this time with Niecy's strong Soprano on display as opposed to Bofill's trademark vocal. Niecy does the original some justice.
4. If You Really Love Me - Niecy remakes a Stevie Wonder classic and it sounds like she went back to her old 'Wonderlove' days.
5. Someday We'll All Be Free - Wow, I understand why Niecy cried while recording this track. Donny Hathaway's classic is an emotional song, and Niecy has the vocal chops to interpret the timeless lyrics. Donny would be proud.
6. Cherish - Look, I NEVER LIKED the original version (by Kool & The Gang), and this is my least favorite song on the CD. Sappy SUGARY Pop songs like this have no soul, but Niecy made it a lil' easier to stomach.
7. Lady Love Me - VERY Interesting remake of Gerge Benson's hit. First the title, while perfect for a male singer, isn't good for a woman unless....At any rate, Niecy sounds very engaged here, and I'm happy to say the lyrics are CHANGED to 'Baby Love Me (One More Time)'.
8. The Only Thing Missing - The only original recording on this CD sounds great, and Niecy should've done this type of music a decade ago. It takes me back to her soulful slow jam 'Waiting' (1981), and hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Niecy.
9. Never Too Much - A Luther remake...wow! This is good stuff and I applaud Niecy for covering this classic from 1981. Overall, the arrangement hasn't been changed, but Niecy breathes fresh air into the jam. Luther is smiling down on her!
10. Cause You Love Me Baby - Niecy Sings Niecy!! Yes, our girl flips the script on all these OTHER remake CDs, and decides to cover one of HER CLASSICS from her 1976 debut. Hearing this version illustrates how GREAT of a job Maurice White & Charles Stepney did producing Niecy 31 years ago. Deniece sounds 'very good' here, but the musicians can't touch the job that EWF did back in the day. Nice remake though.

With all things considered, I'm rating 'Love, Niecy Style' 4 stars!!
The CD loses a star because it's ONLY 10 tracks long, failure to include more pictures of Niecy, and including that pop song 'Cherish'.
I recommend 'Love, Niecy Style' to the many fans of Deniece Williams, and let's pray that she returns with a full CD in the near future.
Peace, Sean D
(of 'Chakasworld')

You Go Girl!!!!!!!.......2007-05-28

I really love this new C.D. by Deniece Williams and I can agree with you guys when you say she took the songs and made them her own. She did a remarkable job! I'm sure that the original artist who are still with us are proud of her and those that are not, would be proud.

I highly recommend "ALL" Deniece Williams fans to pick up this C.D. You will not be disappointed.

Deniece has a lot of respect in all she do, think, speak and sing.
She has an incredible voice, Style, beauty, and, intellect with little to just about no limit to what she can do and no matter what genre she sing from, God's light still shines through her. So "Niecy" if you read this review, All your true fans want you to "Keep Up The Good Work" don't listen to the HATERS because they don't know good music when they hear it.

Thank you for the Mother's Day gifts.

Average customer rating: Marvellous! The best violinist ever!

Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Perlman, Itzhak | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits Itzhak Perlman - Greatest Hits ~ "Carmen" Fantasy · Havanaise · Poème · and more Cinema Serenade Itzhak Perlman - A la carte / Lawrence Foster Cinema Serenade II: The Golden Age ASIN: B00004XST2 Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Chanson Sans Paroles
2. Polonaise De Concert No.1, Op.4
3. It's Peaceful Here, Op.21 No.7
4. Chanson Russe
5. Liebesleid
6. Slavonic Dance In E Minor, Op.46, No.2
7. Tempo Di Minuetto (In The Style Of Pugnani)
8. Romanza Andaluza, Op.22
9. Melodie
10. Serenade Espagnole
11. Serenade (Frasquita)
12. La Capricieuse, Op.17
13. Sicilienne
14. Molly On The Shore
15. Andantino (In The Style Of Martini)
16. Marguerite (Daisies), Op.38, No.3
17. Melodie, Op.42 No.3
18. Estrellita
19. Spanish Dance No.5
20. Berceuse Sfaradite
21. Caprice In A Minor

Customer Reviews:

Marvellous!.......2005-11-26

I don't play violin, and I can't even read music, but as a classical music amateur I find this CD outstanding. Even an incompetent like myself can easily understand why Perlman is regarded as one of the greates violinists ever. This is a marvellous collection of pieces. The rendition of "Chanson Russe" by itself is, in my opinion, worth more than the price of the CD. If you listen to the audio samples on Amazon's pages and you like violin you will surely understand why I like this CD so much. I am grateful to People like Perlman, who make this world a better place to live in.

The best violinist ever!.......2001-01-26

All I can say to this CD is it's the best I've ever heard. In this CD, Itzhak Perlman truly demonstrates his best performances of the past years. I have always been a great admirer of Perlman, but since I own this CD, it's all I've listened to for the past three months. I myself play the violin and Perlman has become an inspiration to me, almost a musical idol. For any of those violinists out there, especially young musicians, who don't feel any excitement about playing the violin, listen to this CD and I promise you, you will strive to being able to play like this man does. He is truly the best musician I've ever known.

Average customer rating: beautiful ,beautiful Great Recording

Violin Favourites & Virtuoso Showpieces Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bloch | Bloch, Ernest | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Paganini, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sarasate | Sarasate, Pablo de | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Bell, Joshua | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Voice of the Violin Romance of the Violin The Essential Joshua Bell Tchaikovsky, Wienawski, Brahms, Schumann: Violin Concertos Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto [Hybrid SACD] ASIN: B0007WQHVW Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. Variations on an original theme, Op.15
2. Romance, Op.78, No.2
3. Mazurka, Op.81, No.1
4. Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor-Transcr. Joseph Joachim
5. Cantabile, Op.17
6. Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op.16
7. Nigun (Improvisation)
8. Perpetuum mobile
9. The Prophet Bird
10. Spanish Dance No.1
11. Waves at play (Wellenspiel)
12. Carmen Fantasy, Op.25 - Arr. Waxman

Tracks:

1. Praeludium and Allegro
2. Schosmarin
3. Tambourin chinois
4. Caprice viennois op.2
5. La Preuse (in the style of Louis Couperin)
6. Liebesfreud
7. Liebesleid
8. La Gitana
9. Berceuse Romantique (Caprice)
10. Polichinelle (Snade)
11. Rondino on a Theme by Beethoven
12. Tempo di menuetto (in the style of Pugnani)
13. Toy Soldiers' March
14. Allegretto (in the style of Boccherini)
15. Marche miniature viennoise
16. Aucassin and Nicolette (canzonetta medievale)
17. Menuet (in the style of Porpora)
18. Sicilienne and Rigaudon (in the style of Francois Francoeur)
19. Syncopation

Customer Reviews:

beautiful ,beautiful.......2007-05-27

I am not a music critic nor do I "know" much about music but if you love lovely violin music you will love this.

Great Recording.......2007-01-04

The Kreisler pieces are played exceptionally well. The one disc alone is worth the price of the double disc collection. Great playing.

Average customer rating: Gabriela Montero CDs Non-professional Review Absolutely Magnificent! Improvisations Unbelievable! A beautiful breath of fresh air!

Gabriela Montero plays Chopin, Falla, Ginestera, etc. [Includes Bonus CD] Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ginastera | Ginastera, Alberto | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Scriabin, Alexander | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Scriabin, Alexander | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ginastera, Alberto | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Scriabin, Alexander | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach & Beyond - Gabriela Montero Gabriela Montero en Concert à Montréal Bach & Beyond [United Kingdom] The Carnegie Hall Concert Martha Argerich Plays Chopin: The Legendary 1965 Recording ASIN: B0009VK0LO Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Moment Musical In E Mino Op. 12 No. 4
2. Prelude In G Op.32 No.5
3. Etude-Tableau In D Op.39 No.9
4. Prelude in D Flat Op.17 No.3
5. Prelude In E Flat Minor Op.16 No.4
6. Prelude In G Op.13 No.3
7. Etude in C Sharp Minor Op.42 No.5
8. La Vida Breve: First Spanish Dance - Manuel De Falla
9. Goyescas: Quejas O La Maya Y El Ruisenor
10. Danza Del Viejo Boyero
11. Danza De La Moza Donosa
12. Danza Del Gaucho Matrero
13. Nocturne In D Flat Op.27 No.2
14. Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor Op.66
15. Mephisto Waltz No.1

Tracks:

1. On Rachmaniov: Vocalise
2. On The Theme From Bach 'Goldberg Variations'
3. On Chopin: Nocturne In D Flat
4. On Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2
5. Inspired By Scriabin
6. On Duermete Mi Nino
7. In The Style Of Tango
8. On Granados: 'Quejas O La Maya El Ruisenor'
9. In The Style Of Bach
10. On Chopin: Prelude In A
11. 'Improvisation in Blue (Gabriela Montero)'
12. 'Song for Natalia and Isabella (Gabriela Montero)'

Customer Reviews:

Gabriela Montero CDs.......2007-06-12

Excellent service -- speedy, just as described, well-packaged. I'd definitely buy from this seller again.

Non-professional Review.......2007-03-27

Okay, I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I do so simply for the pleasure and nothing more. I cannot tell you about Gabriela Montero's technique, and, when she improvises, I have no ability to judge the music's intrinsic value, authenticity, or whatever. I can only tell you this: while I own many dozens of albums, running the full spectrum of the classical genre, I value none of them above Montero's Bach and Beyond and her Piano Recital. Pure listening joy!

Absolutely Magnificent!.......2007-03-09

I first saw Gabriela Montero on 60 Minutes a few months ago and was taken by her playing ability as well as her ability to improvise on the classics. Ms. Montero's fingers fly over the keyboard, playing Rachmaninoff more dramatically and key-perfect than I've heard in a long time. I decided to purchase this CD and have not been disappointed.

Improvisations Unbelievable!.......2007-01-26

Gabriela Montero is a tremendous talent, both in standard classical repertoire, and improvisation. I have know her since she was a young girl, and she was by far the best pianist around, even then. She is an undersung pianist of our age, and should rise to the top very soon!

A beautiful breath of fresh air!.......2007-01-20

What a sheer delight hearing her play. I've never heard anyone quite like her. A phenomenally gifted player, and it's a rare treat to hear someone who defies pigeonholing. I had heard her on the radio, and knew I was onto something when her improvisation on a very simple theme gave me the chills. I love both CD's in this collection.

It's interesting hearing the negative response coming from some classical musicians and fans. At times it can seem to roughly follow the stages of grief as proposed by Kubler-Ross. I'm a professional guitarist, and it's funny because it's almost identical to how guitarists react to hearing another guitarist, but with an big class-conscious overlay (all very civilized, of course). Think of the "guitarist screwing in a lightbulb" joke. To paraphrase and extrapolate on what someone might say upon hearing her improvisation:

1. Shock: Wow, he's good. Oh, and it's a woman!? And you say it's improvisation??

2. Denial: That can't possibly be improvisation. Classical musicians don't engage in that untidy process. What she's playing must be written out, and I can tell! Don't ask, I just know it.

3. Anger: This stuff is no good. Only permanent music is of value through the ages, and that's why classical music (and only the European kind) is better than any other music. Besides, I can't improvise, so I reject it - and only THOSE people engage in improvisation.

4. Depression: She can play all the classical music, and seemingly can improvise, or at least pass her stuff off as such. Not only that, she's getting attention and money, and we're not. Why is the world unfair?

5. Acceptance: (sort of) Well, I guess she's selling CD's, and is becoming successful. She is, I hate to admit it, a great player. Even if she is a faker. Of course, they're begging my Muffy to become artist-in-residence in Spoleto....

The other reviewer has a point when he says that she may be viewed as a curiosity. Because she's crossing genres, people may not know what to make of it, and this often causes reflexive hostility. As an improvisor, I would agree that it's hard to say that something is 100% improvised - players tend to have pet phrases and favorite general ideas they return to. But to me, Gabriela's playing is at the highest level of skill, beauty, and feeling, whether improvising or playing written pieces.

Average customer rating: MF2 is a Must Own Strange pairing, but well worth having MF Horn 2 & The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson Nobody does it better MF2 / Ballad Style

M.F.Horn 2 & The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson Maynard Ferguson Manufacturer: Dutton Vocalion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: M.F. Horn, Vol. 1 M.F Horn 4 & 5 - Live at Jimmy's M.F. Horn 3 Maynard Ferguson Wow! The Formative Years ASIN: B000FOQHFI Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

1. Give It One
2. Country Road
3. Theme From 'Shaft'
4. The Summer Knows
5. Mother
6. Spinning Wheel
7. Free Wheeler
8. Hey Jude
9. Born Free
10. Girl Talk
11. If He Walked Into My Life
12. The Fool On The Hill
13. The Impossible Dream
14. Somewhere
15. Maria
16. As Long As He Needs Me
17. Hushabye Mountain
18. The Sound Of Silence
19. You Only Live Twice

Customer Reviews:

MF2 is a Must Own.......2007-07-30

As noted by virtually everyone, the pairing of MF2 and "Ballad style..." is bizarre. Columbia had the brains to reissue MF's 1 & 2 on vinyl in the mid-seventies; that would have made a heck of a lot more sense.

But in a sense, it doesn't really matter. If MF2 were backed up with "Maynard reads the phone book" it would still be a must-have for every collection.

The MF albums made band geeks explode in paroxysms of glee, and it made band geeks out of people who thought big band music was for our grandparents.

Maynard's career went through several stages. This stage began with the explosion of the MF band on the scene, band of absolute awesome power, the band that ended every performance with "Hey Jude", just so loud and powerful and anarchic and raw and, well, loud. This was the band that made Kenton sound rather tame and conservative. MF2 and Chameleon were the two peak album of the periods, and while the studio albums never completely captured the MF band's live awesomeness, it's as good as you can get.

The end of this period saw the sudden emergence of Disco Maynard, when he hit it big with his cover of "Gonna Fly Now." Concerts no longer ended with "Hey Jude," and the anarchy had its hair slicked back and buttoned down, though at times it would still peek through.

Strange pairing, but well worth having.......2007-07-09

Other than the fact that the two albums on this CD were recorded in the same era of Maynard's career (just three years apart), they have nothing in common, so they make a strange pair for this re-issue. Still, they represent two sides of Maynard's playing that all of his fans should be exposed to.
M.F. Horn 2 really turned the corner for Maynard's wider appeal to a younger 1970s-era audience. He used much of this material in concert appearances for years to come. As someone who attended many of those concerts, I can confirm that "Give It One" is an exciting way to open a concert, and the track belongs on every MF playlist. "Country Road," "Theme from Shaft," and "Spinning Wheel" became popular arrangements for high school and college jazz ensembles with high aspirations and a desire to pay homage to MF. Some reviewers have given high praise to the album's version of "Hey Jude," but personally, I never cared much for this tune, even for the Beatles' original version. The real magic of Maynard's rendition can only be duplicated in concert, where the whole trumpet section would move out into the audience and scream the repeated chorus like Maynard clones in the midst of the frenzied crowd.
And now for something completely different: The Ballad Style. Many jazz artists of that era did "easy listening" albums in a attempt to broaden their audience and sell more records. Fortunately, Maynard was among those who could flourish in this setting as well. Some things are a bit over the top (such as the intro to the opening track "Born Free"), but Maynard fans may find this endearing even if the uninitiated find it tasteless. But the man was capable of great beauty as well. Check out "If He Walked Into My Life," "The Impossible Dream," "As Long As He Needs Me," "Somewhere," and "Maria." (Essentially the same arrangement of "Maria," written for big band instead of orchestra, appears on the Two Big Bands CD. I prefer that recording of this tune.) There's even a pretty respectable arrangement of the James Bond theme "You Only Live Twice." I must admit, however, that it seems odd, even humorous, to contemplate Maynard playing tunes with names like "Hushabye Mountain" and "The Sound of Silence." Think about it.
For those who like variety in their Maynard assortment, this CD is a good deal.

MF Horn 2 & The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson.......2007-05-07

M.F.Horn 2 has better sound quality than the orginal album and is still a fantastic big band jazz "gots to have" selection. The Ballad collection is a treat and is great to share with young up and coming band members. An excellent purchase.

Nobody does it better.......2007-03-28

Maynard, you are the best of the best. A true gigster. A man born to play that horn. What a gift! Wow!

MF2 / Ballad Style.......2007-03-16

I have to reluctantly agree with other reviewers that this collection is not the best representation of Ferguson's work. While those of us that grew up listening to MF2 have a sentimental attachment to it, it is firmly a product of its time. Only two of the eight cuts are original compositions and, in my opinion, they have aged better than the other six covers of pop tunes of the day. For those unfamiliar with Ferguson's early 70's work, the first MF Horn album, or the MF 3/4/5 collection would be a better starting point. For those looking for first introduction to Maynard, his 1950's recordings are recommended, such as: "Wow - The Formative Years", "Verve Jazz Masters 52", the Birdland Dreamband CDs or any of the things he did with Kenton.

But unlike some other reviewers, I would suggest that the "Ballad Style" half of the CD is, in some ways, more interesting than MF2. Ferguson rarely recorded with strings and it's nice to hear him in a large ensemble context. While the MF Horn albums stayed in print well into the 80s, the Ballad Style album apparently came and went fairly quickly and may represent previously unheard material even to those who followed Maynard closely. That being said, with the exception of the two fairly good West Side Story cuts (which he also recorded on other albums with different arrangements), the song selection is tepid late-60's pop or show tunes and Maynard does not seem terribly comfortable with the material or the orchestrations. But it can be very interesting and instructive to hear how a performer deals with adversity and those with a deep interest in Maynard should definitely hear these tracks, at least once.

The sound quality of MF2 is pretty good, and although I don't know how it compares with the Wounded Bird CD of the same material, it's on par with the vinyl versions in my closet. On the other hand, the sound quality of the "Ballad Style" cuts is cloudy, although it's hard to know whether that is because of the quality of the original recordings (probable), the condition of the master tapes (that probably sat untouched for 35 years), or the decisions of the mastering engineer (unlikely).

A comment was made about a mastering problem with a few seconds cut off the beginning of "Country Road". It's an amorphous improvised electric piano introduction and unless you are intimately familiar with the cut as it was originally released, you probably won't notice the missing seconds.

Average customer rating:

Satchmo in Style Louis Armstrong Manufacturer: Umvd Labels ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music New Orleans Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music New Orleans & Dixieland Jazz | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music Dixieland | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Louis and the Angels I've Got the World on a String/Louis Under the Stars Satchmo - A Musical Autobiography Louis and the Good Book ASIN: B00005CDMF Release Date: 2001-06-19

Tracks:

1. Blueberry Hill
2. It's All In The Game
3. Jeannine (I Dream Of Lilac Time)
4. Chloe (Song Of The Swamp)
5. Indian Love Call
6. Listen To The Mocking Bird
7. That Lucky Old Sun
8. The Whiffenpoof Song
9. Trees
10. Bye And Bye
11. Spooks!
12. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
13. You're Just In Love
14. If
15. I Want A Big Butter And Egg Man
16. When It's Sleepy Time Down South (Alternative Lyrics)

Average customer rating: Not Your Typical SRV Brothers Rock the House Duet CD A Sad But Pleasant End to Stevie's Career FAMILY STYLE - VAUGHAN BROTHERS The Brothers At Their Best

Family Style Vaughan Brothers Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Sky Is Crying Soul to Soul In Step Live at Carnegie Hall In the Beginning ASIN: B00000275B Release Date: 1990-09-07

Tracks:

1. Hard To Be
2. White Boots
3. D/FW
4. Good Texan
5. Hillbillies From Outerspace
6. Long Way From Home
7. Tick Tock
8. Telephone Song
9. Baboom/Mama Said
10. Brothers

Amazon.com essential recording

Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, just as the first single from this CD, the beautiful Motown/soul-inspired workout "Tick Tock," was about to climb the charts and make the blues-rock hero an international superstar. Thankfully, he was able to make this delightful and laid-back album with his brother. For Jimmie and Stevie Ray, it was a kind of spiritual reunion. Jimmie had followed Stevie down the path to sobriety. These New York City sessions were a spirited celebration intended to mark the beginning of their musical partnership. While some tunes sound like the result of mere jamming, "Telephone Song" is one of Stevie's best numbers: an elegant blues shout with screaming guitar breaks. And Jimmie's B-3 organ-like textures on steel guitar astound. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews:

Not Your Typical SRV .......2007-07-12

As a SRV fan, I was a bit disappointed with this CD, partly because I expected to hear a little more of his incendiary guitar playing and soulful vocals. While it's apparent the Vaughan Brothers are having fun collaborating on songs that range in style from Texas Swing, R&B, Country (and yes, even a little Funk), I can't help but feel that SRV underplayed in this one.

I did love the prophetic and beautiful "Tick-Tock" and the R&B-infused "Telephone Song," two songs that give you a glimpse of what might have been in SRV's musical future. In addition, Jimmie and Stevie's work on the instrumental D/FW (a hometown tribute) is exceptional and is a great "car tune."

While I don't regret purchasing this CD--the aforementioned songs are well worth the price of admission--I was a bit surprised by the corny voiceovers and sound effects sprinkled throughout. Nevertheless, if you love SRV and Jimmie, you will forgive them and add this to your collection.

Brothers Rock the House.......2007-05-26

It doesn't get any better than Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughn on the same cd. Both, Austin, Texas legends performing their unique brand of blues, rock music. A fine tribute to the Vaughn brothers. Excellent choice.

Duet CD A Sad But Pleasant End to Stevie's Career.......2007-04-06

It still hurts to listen to some music. Hurts because you know that the person that made it is gone, won't make any more music on this side of the veil, and definitely left too soon.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was just beginning to garner the widespread
acclaim that he so richly deserved before his death in a helicopter crash in 1990. Family Style was his last studio release before his death, and he probably would have been pleased that on his last release that he was joined by his brother Jimmie Ray, at the time lead guitarist for the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

From Hard To Be to Baboom/Mama Said, this is just a fun, whimsical record that allows the brothers to play and have fun without taking too much too seriously, except for Tick Tock, the only serious song on the record and a very good message song.

Family Style is a great CD and a poignant reminder of talent lost to us much too soon.

FAMILY STYLE - VAUGHAN BROTHERS.......2006-07-06

This is one of the last of Stevie Ray Vaughan's' albums. It is very fitting that he made it a family affair. This album is exceptional and would be a great addition to anyone's collection.

The Brothers At Their Best.......2004-05-09

Family Style is perhaps Stevie Ray Vaughan's last record before his tragic death in 1990. I love Family Style for so many reason's mainly due to Stevie Ray Vaughan who was expanding his guitar vocabulary further than he had the previous year. Jimmie Vaughan was also at the peek of his career both of the brothers were a good mix between texas blues. I think for the most part the musicians were all different it added a new flavor to Stevie Ray's style. My very favorite song is Long Way From Home, and Brothers. Family Style would reach 7 on the charts becoming Stevie Ray Vaughan's most succesful album. I personally think this is a must have album for any die hard fans of the guitar. Buy this!

Average customer rating: Fantastic! Next to no Winners Here Nice but incomplete greatest hits not quite Fallin' In Love and Winners And Losers

Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds - Greatest Hits Joe Frank & Reynolds Hamilton Manufacturer: Mca Special Products ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music | Dance Pop | Easy Listening | General | Oldies | Traditional Vocalists General | Rock | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Classic Masters The Playboy Years The Very Best of England Dan & John Ford Coley Golden Classics Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) ASIN: B000002QLP Release Date: 1995-01-03

Tracks:

1. Don't Pull Your Love (Out)
2. One Good Woman
3. Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)
4. Daisy Mae
5. It Takes The Best
6. Annabella
7. Hallway Symphony
8. Sweet Pain
9. On The Other Hand
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water/You've Got A Friend (Medley)

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2007-03-09

I ordered it for my mom- she has been wanting the cd, and she loves it!

Next to no Winners Here.......2005-12-17

With the exception of "Don't Pull Your Love" this release is a dud. Weather Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds or Dennison, two of their three biggest hits aren't even on the album. What would Dick Clark say, since whoever the group was at the time was featured on American Bandstand playing those tunes. And we all know what those two songs were! And as far as I know most of the rest of these cuts weren't even hits, much less singles. Maybe I'll do a review on Emerson, Lake and Palmer...or Powell. Tomatoe, Tomato.

Nice but incomplete.......2004-07-20

What's here is good, but it is woefully incomplete. As has been pointed out before, this "Greatest Hits" album is missing their later hits "Fallin In Love", and "Winners and Losers." Despite what a previous review said, these songs were released under the "Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds" name in 1975, despite the fact that Reynolds had left the band and been replaced by Dennison earlier. They did not change the name of the group to "Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Dennison" until their next album, which flopped (maybe they shouldn't have messed with success).

greatest hits not quite.......2004-07-17

this cd is a great sample of what these guys sounded like and is a must for any fan of theres who wants to have there music on cd but for it to be a greatest hits youd have to have i think the entire fallen in love album added to it then youd have to add dennison to the credits because he replaced reynolds on falling in love this lp is a must for any fan of this type of music and they dont get none of the credit they deserve i remember when they were on the radio and they were as good as anybody else at the time i cant understand why nobody will release the entire falling in love lp on cd its a great lp and together youd have theyre greatest hits buy this one for now though its all youre gonna get thanks

Fallin' In Love and Winners And Losers.......2004-01-31

I'm going to purchase this CD because of the many great fan reviews. Don't Pull Your Love was a great tune and is a little tough to find on CD. I look forward to any possible gems that might be tucked inside this disc. Also, I would hope that all the banter on these reviews would wake up who's ever got access to the Playboy master recordings and please consider us hopeful fans and re-release them! Who could pull it off? Mike Curb? Razor & Tie? Bill Buster? Hughie himself? Ha! Sometimes unearthing these old albums to CD isn't as easy as the casual fan would hope. The song Fallin' In Love does appear on Rhino's Have A Nice Day Vol 15. I have not seen Winners And Losers show up on any CD. The Fallin' In Love LP I have is still in pretty good playable shape, despite the worn jacket. Great cover artwork. Shows the three of them standing there in their white tuxes in a shroud of scarlet rose and lush deep purple; so awesomely retro and reminiscent of the time!(1975). I'll enjoy! - Mike

Average customer rating: Beautiful music! Among the greatest Classical compositions Dark poetry; tragic exuberance! Sorrow wrapped in radiance When sorrow becomes exquisite beauty...

Górecki: Symphony No. 3 ("Symphony of Sorrowful Songs"); Three Olden Style Pieces Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Górecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Górecki: Beatus Vir / Symphony No. 2 Górecki: Miserere Henryk Górecki: Already It Is Dusk (String Quartet No. 1, Op. 62) (1988) / Quasi una Fantasia (String Quartet No. 2, Op. 64) (1990-91) - Kronos Quartet Henryk Gorecki: Symphony 3 "Sorrowful Songs" Arvo Pärt Sanctuary ASIN: B0000013YW Release Date: 1994-06-28

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 (Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs): Lento - Sostenuto tranquillo ma cantabile
2. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 (Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs): Lento e largo - Tranquillisimo
3. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 (Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs): Lento - Cantabile semplice
4. 3 Olden Style Pieces: I
5. 3 Olden Style Pieces: II
6. 3 Olden Style Pieces: III

Amazon.com

The current Schwann catalog lists nine versions of Górecki's phenomenally popular Symphony 3 (Sorrowful Songs) composed in 1976. During his early career, Górecki embraced serialism and concentrated on instrumental sonorities in the vein of Messiaen. But in Symphony 3, his atonality disappears into a strategy of gently mounting thematic pitches, taking the strings through all possible registers. All three movements are marked lento, rare for any symphony. The Elektra Nonesuch recording has tended to be the bestseller, but give this Naxos release a try--it's just as good. The sound is excellent and the performances are above reproach. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music!.......2007-05-19

"Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" is one of the most beautiful music pieces ever composed! If you can listen carefully, and let yourself be swept up by the piece, you will be very effected! While listening to the music, my heart started racing at one point, and I felt flushed from the reaction to the music! Beautiful!

Among the greatest Classical compositions.......2006-12-07

It is rare when a composition has consistent appeal from beginning to end and one with such quality makes Gorecki's Symphony #3 a very rare find.
The beginning is unusually understated. For those with home theaters or a bass speaker, it will heighten the beauty of the string instruments. At a moderate volume, the introduction can vibrate the house. The first movement has a slow crescendo that cumulates to a very profound point. The second and third movements have such emotional beauty that I can justifiably claim that the vocal soloist is seraphic and sublime and it is as close to angelic singing that mortals can achieve. As one who does not care for opera, I want to stress that this music is not like opera in any way . For those who enjoy Beethoven's 9th, Ode to Joy, or In Trutina from Carmina Burana, this symphony can't disappoint.

Dark poetry; tragic exuberance!.......2005-12-20

Poland has been always a land of courageous and untamed spirit; stubborn to any single bit of domination. This territory has given sublime artists. Gorecki is one of the last exponents; even he was born just in the final of the WW2.

His famous Third Symphony is widely known all around the world and constituted definitively a mass phenomena, its consecration and full acceptation. Gorecki employed an admirable sense of the musical texture inviting us to imagine an enormous birch's forest with astonishing austerity of means economy in what orchestration concerns. This music suggests me the kaleidoscopic awakening of slept centuries under the history 's carpet. Ancestral sorrows, delirious visions with that contemplative gaze in the mirror 's memory. In this Christmas, it is a magnificent chance to listen it once more.

This is possibly the most idiomatic version recorded until this date. Wit made no concessions of any kind. The reading is marvelous and heartfelt; emotion and epic have been magnificently blended and besides, supported by an inspired ensemble. Zofia Kilanowicz is simply bewitching as Soprano. The Second Movement is perfect.

Go for this spelling recording.

Sorrow wrapped in radiance.......2005-11-26

I can't waste time comparing versions, as I have only heard the other bargain version with the same soprano, which lacks the lusciousness of this CD in my humble opinion. I see no reason to look beyond this version anyway, which is a sublime offering from artists clearly steeped in the emotional heartland it surveys.

Others have said it all, this is music (and indeed a performance) that elicits tears on almost every listen. To a Buddhist as myself, who can see unresolved suffering and sorrow even on the faces of those encountering temporal happiness, this music is a vivid portrayal through sound of our human birthright of disquiet and dissatisfaction, which can be transformed only through connection with our divine nature. Compassion, which can only be generated through our encounters with suffering - how can we hope to wish others to be free of it if we have never met it face-to-face? - radiates from this CD from opening note to close.

The review below that gave this album 5 stars, but only because of the performance, rather than the music itself, is one of the most pathetic offerings I have seen among Amazon reviews. How can any performance be divorced from the piece itself? To compare this glorious piece of music with a relaxation tape merely highlights the ignorance of the reviewer. Did you actually LISTEN to this album? I doubt it!

THERE ARE FEW 'CLASSICAL' OFFERINGS THAT OFFER THE EMOTIONAL RANGE OF THIS CD. IT STANDS AS A LANDMARK OF BOTH 20TH CENTURY COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE - A MUST BUY!

When sorrow becomes exquisite beauty..........2005-11-18

I own several other recordings of the haunting "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs", a masterpiece which doesn't need the explanatory "modern" in front of it. Górecki's works have aroused intense criticism from some music critics who feel that modern music must eschew lyricism, cease to be enslaved to the major/minor tonality of the "past", and tread bravely into the waters of atonality, arhythmicality, and a-beauty.

But music is primarily audio rather than intellectual. It is there to be listened to, which means that AT LEAST one of the criteria for music ought to be how it sounds. It's all very well creating an incredibly clever tone row and patting oneself on the back for writing a concerto for a gravedigger's spade, an electric blender and a toilet being flushed, but who is going to listen to such a work, over and over? A hundred years from now, it will probably be rightly regarded as a curiosity rather than anything else.

Górecki has composed some works which are so extraordinary that the listener is spellbound, mesmerised by the almost elegaic quality of it. Is it non-intellectual? By no means! It is a strange point of view which considers intellectual quality to be discerned only as the inverse of listenability.

There are, of course, several recordings of this remarkable work currently available. All of them are good. But this one... well, it's beyond good, because the singer, soprano Zofia Kilanowicz, is so immersed in the words, and immerses the listener so completely into the words, that the heartbreak becomes our own. We feel as never before the terrible pity of it - Mary in front of the cross; the words of the young girl written on the wall; the woman looking for the body of her son fallen in battle. It is no shame to weep in listening to this recording, because the sorrow transcends the personal, although it never becomes LESS than personal. But it reaches out to touch the core of human understanding. This is a lament for all loss, all death, all grief, all injustice. It is simply... heartbreaking... and very, very beautiful.

That a listener is able to come away with a sense of hope as well as intense grief is due to the music, which shimmers and shines in the dark places of the heart.

Other versions of this work, while lovely, do not have the same plangent quality as this. I was surprised that I did not feel more intensely when listening to the Susan Gritton recording of this, as I consider her a superb singer with a wonderfully expressive quality, but strangely she did not quite achieve the colour of tears that the work requires. The Yvonne Kenny recording is lovely, but it's more about sound than meaning. I can feel Yvonne Kenny being careful about making the right sounds - I DON'T feel her twisting my heart with the meaning. The Dawn Upshaw recording is lovely but bland in comparison, as well.

In every respect - the incredibly cheap price, the exquisite orchestral playing, the wonderful singing - this is the version to have.

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Gilberto Gil Ao Vivo [Live] [Original recording remastered] [Import]

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