| 1. Way In |
| 2. Back Track |
| 3. Strollin On Sunday |
| 4. Trippin On The Moon |
| 5. Rendez-Vous |
| 6. Anybody Can Do Anything |
| 7. Supernature |
| 8. Stop On By |
| 9. Way Out |
8,Cerrone,Unidisc Records,Dance,Dance Music,Pop
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Liquid Mind VIII: Sleep
Liquid Mind Manufacturer: Real Music / Chuck Wild Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000ELJAW4 Release Date: 2006-03-14 |
Tracks:
- Night Light
- Moment of Grace
- Journey to Peace
- Breathe in Me
- Adagio for Sleep
- Touching Calm
Amazon.com
Music in the Liquid Mind series changes little from one recording to the next--good news for contented fans of the long-running bliss-out series created by keyboardist/composer Chuck Wild. The former Missing Persons keyboardist and studio colleague of famed producer Ken Scott (David Bowie, Supertramp) has evolved into a premier space-music specialist whose relaxing, gentle soundscapes artfully evoke the softer side of the cosmos. His eighth Liquid Mind installment, subtitled Sleep, is a lovely, slo-mo spacewalk through serene, gravity-free realms that consistently yields a sustained sense of well-being and calm. Deserving of a spot at the head table with ambient music's most sophisticated sound designers, Wild creates slowly unfolding, universe-at-rest textures using few of the supplemental sonic dimensions (space winds, angelic voices) often employed by fellow stargazers Jonn Serrie and Jon Jenkins. And he sidesteps the small dramas and mysterious fractals that sometimes add a hint of uncertainty to the otherwise like-minded works of Brian Eno or Harold Budd. Happily, you'll hear no new-agey crystal bowls or plucked harps, either; just a warm, resonant, faintly classical glow skillfully designed for relaxation and peace. Pull up a cloud, lie back, and enjoy. --Terry WoodAlbum Description
"Mr. Wild successfully creates a soothing and calming atmosphere which could be an excellent addition to one's nightly sleep regimen." William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D. Director of Sleep Disorders and Research Center Stanford University School of Medicine"The titles of the first seven Liquid Mind albums have honored values important to me on my life's journey. This eighth album honors the need in all of us for a healthy and regenerating rest each night. I hope you'll enjoy my music, and use it in good health." Chuck Wild
Customer Reviews:
Puts me to sleep........2007-07-22
Drift consciously into sleep without realizing it........2007-06-27
Perfect for napping.......2007-05-18
Really helps put me to sleep.......2007-05-07
Other than the obvious fact that the music is fairly nondescript and very soothing, I don't know why it works so well, but it does.
Highly recommended if you have problems falling asleep.
Definitely makes you drowsyzzz zzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......2007-04-21
I tried it (safely) at home. It has a warning; do not operate machinery or drive while listening to this cd. It does really work. I put it in the cd player in my alarm clock and put it on low before I went to bed. I think I fell asleep in 4 minutes.
The trick is the slow tempo. The music is almost complete phrases, no discernable tune but also not simply noises that sound spacey.
If you want something effective to calm yourself during yoga, to sleep to or to calm a fussy baby or put down the toddlers, this is it. Zzzzzz
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Glassworks
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000CD5GV Release Date: 2003-09-30 |
Tracks:
- Glassworks
- Glassworks
- Glassworks
- Glassworks
- Glassworks
- Glassworks
- In The Upper Room
- In The Upper Room
- In The Upper Room
- In The Upper Room
- In The Upper Room
Customer Reviews:
He works magic in film........2007-03-25
Glassworks is an amazing album.......2006-11-12
I subsequently purchased Glassworks and find the music to be extremely powerful. I recommend this album absolutely. I find most of the pieces on the album to be profoundly moving. The last movement from "The Upper Room" is especially powerful and significant.
Great experiment of questionable musical value.......2006-01-30
Let's start again... I absolutely love Opening. It's emotional, it's haunting, it's beautiful, and it's atmospheric. But what follows next... Really, Philip Glass could be a great etude composer. When I'm playing piano etudes, I'm always reminded of Glass' music. Some people say it's atmospheric, I say it's repetitive and boring. Hints of melody and style pierce the arpeggiated clouds on Island and Facades. But that's it.
If you want some good atmospheric minimalism, listen to Harold Budd or Brian Eno. If you want good post-modern influenced compositions, buy James Newton Howard's The Village score. You may want to buy Philip Glass' Glassworks if you can't live without the opening theme or want to find out what his music is about. I've found out. But right now I don't want to go any further...
Love - Hate Relationship.......2006-01-17
From my rating, I clearly fall into the first camp. However, the pleasure you will derive from this CD is undoubtedly personal and subjective, based upon both experience and taste. No doubt, the arguments on both side of the question are passionate and entrenched. I suggest, instead, that you listen to the tracks that Amazon provides. This will give you a sense as to whether you will love or hate the music.
As for my experience with the music, I agree with several fellow reviewers: Glass's methodology is wholeheartedly expressive, providing the composer with ample space to slowly build and play on different moods within the work, making the listener conscious of individual notes, instruments, and rhythms within the ensemble. The only thing I can think to compare this with is, perhaps, flavors. Either you can eat a piece of chocolate hurriedly and grasp the totality of its flavor; or you may calmly savor it and, perhaps, find a nice caramal center, unmask the interplay of various textures, and discover satisfaction in its simplicity.
Bear in mind, however, I approached Philip Glass after having a large exposure to Ravi Shankar and 'classical Indian' music. Some, not all, of the music is rhythmically repetitive. This experience, I think, predisposed me to liking Glass's compositions.
A Few Words on Glassworks.......2005-12-21
First of all people have to realize a few things about this music. Philip Glass did not intend on having this music being played in the background at your next dinner party. Leave that up to Bach and Mozart. What Glass did want with this piece was for mature listeners to realize what he has done with texture and simplicity. Also, Glass's works are not about melody. They are about texture and mood and atmosphere. Each piece has its own shape little additions keep the piece from becoming overly monotonous. I think that Glass has made a great musical statement with his set of pieces that should be carefully digested with an open mind.
For the most part, Glass's concept works. However, the second movement "Floe" could probably be axed or revised. This is the only movement that seems to get unbelivably monotonous. It's also a lot to digest at the beginning of the suite. If it came more towards the end before the closing as opposed to after the opening where it functions as more of a rhythmic pie in the face. Some of the movements could also stand to use a little more variation but for the most part, Glass keeps the pieces interesting.
I cannot say much about the other work, "In the Other Room" that appears on this album, because I own the original Glassworks album. I just wanted to clear up some of the misconceptions that many have about this different music. It's hard to say whether or not Glass's music will stand up to the same test of time as the music of the greats like Mozart's and Bach's, but things are not looking good for Glass, not because the music isn't good, but becuase too many ignorant people immediately dismiss it as garbage. It seems that if people openly knock this music like they do, the same people that put those parental advisory stickers on CDs might want to instigate a separate rating system. This one should be stickered with: "CDMA: Mature Audiences Only."
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The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Rick Wakeman Manufacturer: Fontana a&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002GBJ Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Catherine Of Aragon
- Anne Of Cleves
- Catherine Howard
- Jane Seymour
- Anne Boleyn 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord Hath Ended'
- Catherine Parr
Amazon.com
What is the exact connection with Henry VIII and his wives? Hard to say. Why does the track dedicated to Anne of Cleves resemble the Hollies' "Bus Stop?" Who knows. It sounds to me like Italian horror film soundtrack music. Here is Wakeman's solo debut in 1972 in all its glory: state-of-the-art keyboard technology running free in the dandelion-strewn meadow of the classical-rock pastiche. Did Wakeman directly or indirectly influence Spinal Tap's Viv Savage--listen and decide. Next stops: Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur. --David WolfCustomer Reviews:
Another Rick Wakeman Triumph.......2007-07-15
amazing.......2006-11-03
Rick's finest solo album.......2006-09-16
Rick plays no fewer than eight keyboard instruments on this album including a Steinway piano; Hammond C3 organ; pipe organ; RMI electric piano and harpsichord; mini moog synthesizer; A.R.P. synthesizer; and mellotron model 400-D. He is joined on this album by members of Yes (Alan White - drums; Bill Bruford; drums; Chris Squire - bass; and Steve Howe - guitar). Unfortunately these guys only play on a few tracks including the opening piece, although Bill only plays on Ann Boleyn. As you can imagine the opening track is my personal favorite and features Squire, White, and Howe. The remaining musicians include Strawbs members Chas. Cronk (bass) and Dave Cousins (electric banjo) along with several other bassists, drummers, percussionists, guitarists, and vocalists (a choir including female vocalists with more of a blues/gospel/soul style). If that last bit caused some panic don't worry - this album is 98% instrumental and the vocal parts work pretty well with the material. Speaking of which, the playing is excellent and there are some pretty exhilarating moments where Rick rips away on a majestic-sounding pipe organ (Jane Seymour).
The music is generally very good and for the most part, this is a great album that features some very classically influenced playing and supremely haunting and brooding melodies (especially on Catherine Howard). Rick's playing really shines on all of the tracks, although the album is not merely a vehicle for his remarkable skills. He works in a range of dynamics, moods, tempi, and playing styles, which makes for a very interesting and enjoyable listening experience. Furthermore, he does a great job integrating the properties of each keyboard into the pieces to accentuate certain moods, e.g. mellotron = sadness etc.
Overall this is Rick's finest solo album and is highly recommended to all proggers along with Criminal Record (1977) and all of Rick's work with Yes (yes, Tormato too!). For those of you that are interested, the band Trace seems to have based their entire approach to prog on The Six Wives... In fact, the albums Trace (1974) and Birds (1975) might prove enjoyable. By the way, Rick van der Linden (of Trace) is an incredible player and has the same style as Wakeman.
A great album.......2006-03-02
Thank you, Rick Wakeman.......2006-02-05
As the track begins, Catherine meets and marries her king, followed by passion and wedded bliss (0:20) as Catherine assumes the duties and perks of the Queen of England. Later, the youthful queen dances through the castle with her entourage as she leads them to a large wooden door, behind which King Henry is meeting with his advisors. Catherine bursts in playfully, interrupting her husband's business, for which he scolds her (1:20) and sends her away.
Catherine withdraws to her chambers (1:40), embarrassed by her public humiliation. A male member of the court, witnessing Catherine's dejection, secretly enters her room (1:50) and comforts his queen. Soon the two embrace in the throes of passion (2:04).
Suddenly, the chamber door opens and the king enters, discovering the infidelity (2:31). A great argument ensues, with the cuckolded king verbally lashing out at his wife. Catherine tries to defend herself against Henry's onslaught (2:58), but to no avail. The argument between husband and wife, which seems to go on forever, morphs into the subsequent trial of the queen, accused of both adultery and treason (3:55). Catherine's eyes dart around the courtroom, looking in vain for her lover... or anyone supportive of her... but only the grim, accusing faces of those loyal the king meet her gaze (4:10).
The next scene finds Catherine in a dark, dank cell in the Tower of London (4:24), where she quietly awaits her fate. Not surprisingly, the verdict is guilty (4:43), and Catherine collapses, crying.
The final scene is of the doomed queen, slowly ascending the steps of the wooden platform which has been constructed for her beheading (5:07). Catherine kneels before the executioner, forgives him for what he is about to do (5:25), and turns her eyes upward as she pleads to God for her own forgiveness. As she prays, the camera follows the executioner's upraised arms, focusing momentarily on the axe's blade before continuing its way skyward (5:48). A momentary glint fills the screen (6:11) as we imagine the falling of the axe, followed by a white dove that passes through the frame on its way to heaven.
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Instruments of the Orchestra
Various Artists Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006O0NT Release Date: 2002-12-03 |
Tracks:
- Overture To 'Tannhauser'
- Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
- We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
- Hungarian Dance No.7
- The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
- Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
- But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
- The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
- The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
- Csardas Music
- The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
- The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
- Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
- The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
- Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
- Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
- The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
- Tzigane
- Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
- Caprice No.24
- The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
- Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
- Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
- Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
- Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
- The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
- The Violin Muted
- Clair De Lune
- The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
- Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
- The Pizzicato Violin
- Pizzicato Polka
- In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
- Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
- Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
- The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
- The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
- Hungarian Dance No.4
- Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
- The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
- Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
- Bolero
- Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
- Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
- Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
- Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
- Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
- Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
- And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
- Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
- The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
- Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
- The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
- Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
- Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
- The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
- Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
- Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
- The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
- Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
- Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
- Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
- Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
- Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
- To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
- Elfenreigen
Tracks:
- Introduction To The Viola
- Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
- Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
- Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
- Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
- Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
- The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
- Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
- The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
- Cypresses (No.9)
- The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
- Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
- The 'Period' Viola In Bach
- Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
- The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
- Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
- Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
- Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
- Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
- Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
- In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
- Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
- But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
- Elfentanz, Op.39
- Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
- The Protecting Veil (Opening)
- A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
- Flamenco
- Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
- Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
- It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
- Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
- It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
- Symphony No.9 (Finale)
- Introduction To The Double-Bass
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
- But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
- Elegy No.1 In D Major
- The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
- Capriccio Di Bravura
- Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
- The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
- Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds
Tracks:
- The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
- Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
- The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
- Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
- The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
- Sa'Dawi
- Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
- Chamber Music No.II
- The Piccolo - Aptly Named
- La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
- From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
- Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
- A Variety Of Techniques
- Chamber Music No.II
- Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
- The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
- From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
- Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
- An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
- Naelden, Naelden
- The Bachian Oboe
- Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
- Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
- Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
- The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
- The Swan Of Tuonela
- The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
- Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
- Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
- Bolero
- The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
- Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
- As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
- Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
- The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
- The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
- The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
- ...And Quite Low.
- Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
- The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
- Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
- But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
- Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
- Introduction To The Saxophone
- Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
- The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
- L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
- The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
- Bolero
- The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
- Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
- The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
- Sax-O-Phun
- The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
- Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
- The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
- Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
- Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
- And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
- Bolero
- The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
- Symphony No.3 (Opening)
- The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
- The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
- Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
- The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
- The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
- Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
- The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
- The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
- Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
- Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
- The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
- Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)
Tracks:
- The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
- Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
- The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
- Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
- The Ceremonial Trumpet
- Fanfare For The Common Man
- Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
- Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
- The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
- Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
- The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
- Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
- The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
- Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
- The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
- Billy The Kid
- The Trumpet As Character Actor
- Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
- The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
- Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
- The Birth Of The Trombone
- Aenmerckt Nu Hier
- The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
- Canzon 12 In Double Echo
- The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
- Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
- The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
- Hosannah
- The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
- Symphony No.5 (Finale)
- The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
- The Trombone As Caricaturist
- Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
- The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
- The Horn And The Hunt
- Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
- The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
- Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
- The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
- Walter Music (Minuet 1)
- The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
- Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
- Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
- The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
- Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
- The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
- Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
- The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
- Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
- The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
- Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)
Tracks:
- Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
- Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
- At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
- Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
- Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
- Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
- The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
- The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
- Den Hoboecken Dans
- Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
- No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
- Gymnopedie No.2
- The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
- Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
- More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
- Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
- Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
- Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
- A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
- Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
- The Birth Of The Bongo
- Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
- From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
- Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
- From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
- Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
- Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
- But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
- Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
- Taking Advantage Of Tunability
- Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
- The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
- Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
- Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
- The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
- Ravel And The Xylophone
- Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
- Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
- Introducing The Vibraphone
- The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
- The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
- Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
- Folk Dances
- The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
- Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
- Introducing The Tubular Bells
- Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
- A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
- Carmen Suite (Introduction)
- But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
- Introducing The Celeste
- The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
- Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
- Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
- Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
- A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
- The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
- Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
- The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
- Petrushka (Russian Dance)
- The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
- Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)
Tracks:
- Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
- Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
- But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
- Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
- The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
- An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
- Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
- Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
- Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
- Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
- Mahler's Sleighbells
- Symphony No.4 (Opening)
- A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
- Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
- Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
- Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
- National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
- And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
- And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
- The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
- The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
- The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
- The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
- The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
- The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
- The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
- The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
- There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
- The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
- Nocturnes
- Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
- The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
- The Oboe As Duck
- Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
- The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
- The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
- The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
- Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
- Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
- Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
- Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
- The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
- A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
- Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
- A Thunderstorm In A Million
- Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
- the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
- The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
- Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
- The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)
Tracks:
- The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
- Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
- A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
- Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
- Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
- String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
- The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
- String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
- The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
- String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
- The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
- String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
- The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
- String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
- The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
- Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
- Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
- String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
- The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
- Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
- Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
- In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
- In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
- In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
- Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
- And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
- The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
- Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
- Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
- A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
- Octet In F (Mvt 3)
- The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
- Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
- Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
- Canzon 28
- Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
- Symphony No.5 (Finale)
- From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
- Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
- Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
- The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
- Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
- When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
- Images (Gigues)
- A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
- Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
- The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
- Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
- Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
- Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
- A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')
Customer Reviews:
Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04
Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12
Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20
Frank's view.......2006-08-19
Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08
The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!
I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.
The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.
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Signum
Manufacturer: Dancing Ferret ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0009IOS24 Release Date: 2007-07-16 |
Tracks:
- Al jorn - alonso
- A voi gente
- Trotto
- Audite
- Alle psallite
- Razon
- Owe war sint verswunden
- Sine nomine
- Al jorn - carceres
- Non e gran cousa
- Cry de la mort
- Quen na virgen
- Estampie VIII
- Non devemos
- Bona condit
- Al jorn - triana
Album Description
Authentic medieval languages, songs and over fifteen instruments take the listener on an hour-long journey back through time. Lush, beautiful female vocals, sometimes in contrast with choral arrangements, deliver a harmonious and warm feel throughout the album. This captivating yet comforting sound belies the often dark subject matter of the lyrics (all in Latin save one piece in medieval German), which focus primarily on medieval man's concept of the apocalypse.Customer Reviews:
Romantic Medieval Dancing / Festive Music.......2006-08-26
Estampie is a German medieval band named after a style of dance from the Middle Ages which involved lots of hopping and stomping of the feet. For those of you not familiar with this style of music, simply think of music you might associate with a castle (think Lord of the Rings). True to the name, Estampie provides joyful and energetic music that you'll want to skip to. Featuring an ensemble of talented musicians, with key members including Syrah (Sigrid Hausen) and Michael Popp of Qntal and Ernst Schwindl, Estampie can be characterized by their exclusive use of an extensive array of traditional instruments (no electronics) including harps, various pipes and flutes, an array of drums, and numerous stringed instruments.
About the Album:
Long before I bought Signum, I've heard Estampie on many middle ages (or mittlealters in German) compilations. The album is nearly a full hour in length and an absolute joy to listen to. Most of the tracks feature multiple vocalists, which though typical of heavenly voices and neo-medieval music, is always a treat. Various percussion instruments are used to establish a welcoming beat, while the pipes and/or stringed instruments used build out a romantic melody.
Recommended Tracks:
- A Voi Gente
- Alle Psallite
- Razon
- Al Jorn - Carceres
- Cry del la Mort
If you enjoy bagpipes, then you'll love Sine Nomine. Sometimes I've been able to talk DJs into playing Estampie at goth / industrial clubs, but I must point out that the band is appropriately named, as tracks like Sine Nomine are so fast that you will be tempted to dance estampie style (skip and hop). However, in contrast to the fast paced tracks, the Signum also features slower and calm choral tracks such as Al Jorn - Carceres (which tend to be my favorites).
Finally I must point out that Signum features both male and female vocals, often sung together. It is a rare treat to pull so many talented vocalists and musicians together in one period band.
Similar Artists:
- Corvus Corax
- Irfan
- Qntal
- Love Is Colder Than Death
- Moon Far Away
- Das Zeichen
Medieval.......2005-05-31
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Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack
ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000G6EYHS |
Product Description
Contains all the music included in the enormous hit video game "Final Fantasy VII." All tracks written by maestro Nobuo Uematsu. Box set contains 85 total tracks on 4 Discs.Customer Reviews:
Great souvenir of a fantastic game.......2007-02-16
This is not to say, however that it is not COMPOSED well, because in this department, it excels. More than any other Final Fantasy game since, you will hear fans continually praising the unforgettable themes that appeared in this adventure. Covering 4 discs, a lot of the emphasis is on industrial reactors, pollution, and war. Most of the music on disc one has a gritty, "battle alert" feel to it, with the actual random battle music itself being the best of all, a terrific rollercoaster of fanfares and urgent sounding riffs that make it still my favourite battle theme of the whole series. The music of the slums and the decaying towns continues for most of discs 1 and 2, although disc 2 begins with the famous world map theme, sometimes also listed as the "FF7 Main Theme". This is a great, airy, reflective track that really puts you right back in the game no matter how long it's been since you played it.
But when I play this album, I'm always in a hurry to get to disc 3 because it opens with one of my favourite tracks of all, which is "Valley of the Fallen Star". I think this slow moving, tribal beat-lead tune is the most evocative of all the game's location themes, it so aptly matches the setting that it accompanies, plus the reprise (used in the game when Red XIII discovers the truth about his father) underscores such an intensely emotional moment that it gives me goosebumps every time I play it. However, most fans of the game have been united in their vote for the most emotional track of all, and that is, of course, "Aeris' Theme" . Composer Nobuo Uematsu can surely be proud of himself in creating a piece of music that is imprinted on so many people minds. Of course, it accompanies the part of the game that EVERYONE always speaks about when they reminisce over it's impact, so that's of little surprise! This achingly sad composition has taken on almost legendary status now among fans, which threatens to swamp it's humble simplicity, but once you hear it you'll know why.
On to disc 4 then, and by the time you've battled your way up to the hardest parts of the game you'll have heard plenty of contrasting music, including the casino style "Gold Saucer" theme, the sunny calypso lilt of "Costa Del Sol" and the cartoonish cuteness of the Chocobo themes. Disc 4 contains the tracks that accompany the most challenging battles of all, and the final "point of no return" in the game leads you into a fantastic clutch of musical themes. There's only really one that has gone down in history though, and that's "One Winged Angel", the music to the last battle of all. Almost shocking in intensity when heard in the setting of playing the game, this doom-laden track has but one message in it's strident chords..."You are SOOOOOO Dead!". A demonic sounding theme for an apocalypse is how I would describe it...once heard never forgotten.
I only hope buyers of this CD have first heard the music it contains while playing the game. To experience "Aeris' Theme" or "One Winged Angel" on a CD player without knowing first what they mean as part of the game experience would be a tragedy. Although that said, they both do stand up as impressive compositions in their own right. Final Fantasy 7 fans are so fortunate to have a soundtrack of this quality available...it means revisiting the game can be done at any moment just by playing the music, and the excellence of Nobuo Uematsu's vision means this CD has been a firm favourite with fans around the world ever since.
Might be worse if you haven't played the game.......2006-08-13
At the time the game came out, this was Nobuo Uematsu's best work (now it is defeated by multiple other soundtracks of his). However, its impressive quality and sound remain excellent. All the tracks are midi-style (thus reducing their score), but are still very good. One problem with this soundtrack is that only half of the tracks are actually something you would want to actively listen to. The rest are boring or poorly written fillers. The good half, however, range from good to awesome. These are some of the best pieces of the soundtrack:
"One-Winged Angel": AWESOME! This is easily one of the greatest video-game pieces ever written (defeated mainly by its future variations), and one of the greatest pieces in general. Despite being synthesized, the instruments sound almost real, giving this orchestral/choral song much more impact than the others. Speaking of the choir, it sounds awesome and powerful. They proclaim the villain's name between the lines of latin; "Sephiroth!" they proclaim, "Sephiroth!" My heart started pounding and I could feel the power billowing up in me the first few times of hearing it (it was on surround-sound speakers at a pretty decent volume, but still. That's a queue for you to do the same!).
"Cid's Theme": It's the theme of a spitting, hairy, redneck; his good, emotional side, that is! It sounds cool, powerful, and emotional. Sort of orchestral and military-sounding.
"J-E-N-O-V-A": This piece is hard to fit into any category, but it sounds electronic, and sort of dramatic and desparate (sort of). It's just cool, trust me.
"Special Battle/Still More Fighting": Also hard to categorize, this piece has some VERY fast keyboard work, and an interesting upbeat, jazzy (a little) sound. A great, though different, battle piece.
"Credits": This wannabe orchestral piece combines multiple themes from the game to make a very epic and dramatic piece. Very well-written, and an excellent close to the game.
Though midis, this soundtrack is still cool, tearful, and powerful. Nobuo Uematsu proved himself as a professional musician with this work. Definitely worth the buy (though there are better things for less. "FFVII: Advent Children" soundtrack, "FFX Original Soundtrack," to name a couple)
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Chicago VIII
Chicago Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006LJ6Z Release Date: 2002-11-05 |
Tracks:
- Anyway You Want
- Brand New Love Affair - Part I & II
- Never Been In Love Before
- Hideaway
- Till We Meet Again
- Harry Truman
- Oh, Thank You Great Spirit
- Long Time No See
- Ain't It Blue?
- Old Days
- Sixth Sense (Rehearsal)
- Bright Eyes (Rehearsal)
- Satin Doll (Live, 1974)
Album Description
Expanded & Remastered features the original albums 10 more pop-oriented tracks, including the hits 'Old Days,' 'Harry Truman' and 'Brand New Love Affair.' Also includes 3 bonus tracks 'Sixth Sense' (rehearsal version), 'Bright Eyes' (rehearsal version) & 'Satin Doll' (live, 1974). Rhino. 2002.Customer Reviews:
CHCAGO V111.......2006-08-01
Eric J Mazzi
With Bonus Tracks, The Album Is Finally Complete.......2006-06-15
The production throughout is seamless - nearly perfect crafting. The problem is that it all just seems, well, flat. Chicago is a rock-jazz band. You must not follow VII with straight middle of the road rock-pop.
But the three bonus tunes fix that once and for all. And I love Satin Doll. Get over it, folks, and just enjoy it! With the bonuses, Chicago VIII can finally almost attain the heights of VII.
A word, too about the absence of horns. It always surprised me that the purists didn't get that Hideaway and TYGS are a look back to the classic power quartet songs that everybody loves so much from CTA thru Carnegie Hall. It definitely is Chicago!
Laudir is now a full member of the band. They continue to create amid the altitudes of the Rockies, and here, in the middle of their second era, the boys are doing nothing if not having fun. Don't be so serious, everybody! Drop in Chicago VIII, sit back, relax, and smile!
I recommend this album for all music lovers.
Better album than I remembered!!.......2006-06-10
It opens with the Peter Cetera rocker "Anyway You Want". There's nothing spectacular about this track, but it moves nicely and is an enjoyable listen. Next is one of the best tracks on the album, James Pankow's two-part "Brand New Love Affair". Here we begin to see the first signs of the production overtaking the band with the lush string arrangements, but it fits this track nicely. There's some nice jazzy chord changes, and Terry Kath's soulful vocal in the first part is one of his best. The second part rocks with Cetera's soaring vocals. A great track.
Next up is Robert Lamm's "Never Been In Love Before" which shows Lamm pulling out all the stops trying to craft a contemporary ballad. Here it works. A nice ballad with some great production touches throughout. The weakest track is Cetera's "Hideaway", a lame attempt at a hard rock song that is barely listenable. Side 1 (for those of us who remember the original LP) is ressurrected with Kath's sweet "Till We Meet Again"--a two minute ballad featuring nothing but his voice and accoustic guitars that is maybe the very best of these sort of ballads Kath had on nearly every album.
Side 2 opened up with "Harry Truman"--Robert Lamm's almost prerequisite political statement song and one that is more than a little inspired by Randy Newman. This was a Top 20 hit for the band at the time, but the political nature of it dates itself, and it's pretty clear the band doesn't think too much of it since it's never appeared on any of the numerous Greatest Hits albums (except for the boxed-sets) that they've released. It has little relevance today, but it's a nice nostaligia bit for those of us that remember the single.
The surprise of the album is Kath's "Oh, Thank You Great Spirit". I didn't really get this song when I had first bought the album when I was 14--it's seven-minutes long, has no hook, no horns, and just didn't feel like a Chicago song to me at the time. But this is a great track--one of Kath's very best--that clearly shows his Hendrix influence. In fact, this could have been from "Axis: Bold As Love" or "Electric Ladyland". It slowly builds for the full seven minutes and the rhythm section is just jamming and rocking by the end. For anyone that ever doubted that Chicago was a ROCK band---here's the proof.
Up next is Lamm's "Long Time No See". A bit of a throwaway, but miles above the filler that started to crop up on their next albums. After that is Lamm's "Ain't It Blue?", a great rocking track featuring Kath and Cetera trading-off lead vocals that could have easily been on Chicago II or III--it's as good as any of the best rockers on those albums. The album closes with Pankow's "Old Days"--one of the band's biggest hits and one I think best exemplifies the band at this period: on one hand, this is a great track--Pankow's chord changes, melodies and horn arrangements are all top-notch, Cetera's singing is great and it's a great catchy single. On the other hand, to a certain degree, the band is almost TOO good at this stuff by this point--things are starting to sound a bit too polished and insincere. This would be nearly the last big hit single to come from Pankow--from this point on, he began to dry up as a hit songwriter.
The CD offers 3 bonus tracks: "Sixth Sense", a Kath-penned tune that seems to have been dropped before the vocals were recorded or even written; "Bright Eyes" a rather dull Robert Lamm song that deserves to be a bonus track; and their live version of Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll" from the Dick Clark New Year's Rockin' Eve show of 1974. They're a bit loose on this one, but it's a nice track to hear and I'm glad they included it.
VIII.......2006-05-15
When you have an classic record like VII it's really tough, to follow it up.
"Brand new love affair pt 1 & 2" and "Oh, Thank you Great spirit", shows Terry at his very best. He was concidered the white Ray Charles. He shows that he not just an great guitarist he is also an excellent vocalist.
This was also the time when Peter started to take more active role in the group. "Never been in love Before" and "Old days" shows the talented vocalist Peter is.
Robert Lamn also shines in "Harry Truman", eventhough I find this to be one of weekest singles during that era.
Walt Parazaider shine in his flute solo in "Ain't it Blue".
My favorite part about this Cd is creative album cover. It's my favorite Chicago album cover.
This record has some really great songs and some not great songs. This is a lower mid-card Chicago record.
The Formula Has Spoiled.....................2006-04-14
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Lute Music, Vol. 2
Manufacturer: Hmf Classical Exp. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005MNIY Release Date: 2001-09-11 |
Customer Reviews:
Good, but not great.......2005-08-07
I think the music of Weiss (recorded by Robert Barto on Naxos) is a far better example of well played and truly well written lute music.
Pure Renaissance Lute Music Delight !.......2002-03-20
I strongly recommend this recording to everyone interested in lute music ! Enjoy it !
Pure Renaissance Delight.......2002-03-18
This true opus must be listened in a wide room, with the lights turned off. Just light a stick of opium incense, taste a hot cup of mint tea, and you'll travel in time. To that time when music wasn't played loud, 'cause it's essence relied upon it's delicacy and sweetness.
That's what this set of really pure early renaissance lute music brings to you, listener. Enjoy it !
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Nino Rota: Music For Film
Nino Rota , and Riccardo Muti Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000029ZF Release Date: 1998-01-13 |
Tracks:
- The Godfather: I. Sicilian Pastorale
- The Godfather: II. The Immigrant (The Godfather II)
- The Godfather: III. The Pickup
- The Godfather: IV. Kay (The Godfather II)
- The Godfather: V. Love Theme
- The Godfather: VI. A New Carpet (The Godfather II)
- The Godfather: VII. Godfather's Waltz
- The Godfather: VIII. End Title (The Godfather II)
- 8 1/2: La passerella di addio
- La Dolce Vita: La tromba di Polydor
- Prova D'Orchestra: I. Risatine Maliziose (Malinconiche)
- Prova D'Orchestra: II. I Gemelli allo Specchio
- Prova D'Orchestra: III. Valzerino No. 72
- Prova D'Orchestra: IV. Attesa
- Prova D'Orchestra: V. Galop
- Prova D'Orchestra: VI. Risatine Maliziose (Finale)
- Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: I. Titoli
- Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: II. Canzone Barese ('Paese mio')
- Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: III. Milano e Nadia
- Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: IV. Terra Lontana
- Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: V. Finale - Nadia
- IL GATTOPARDO: I. Titoli
- IL GATTOPARDO: II. (No.6) Viaggio a Donnafugata
- IL GATTOPARDO: III. (No.19) Angelica e Tancredi
- IL GATTOPARDO: IV. (No.11) Angelica e Tancredi
- IL GATTOPARDO: V. (No.7) I Sogni del Principe
- IL GATTOPARDO: VI. (No.3) Partenza di Tancredi
- IL GATTOPARDO: VII. (No.21) Amore e ambizione
- IL GATTOPARDO: VII. (No.22) Quasi in porto
- IL GATTOPARDO: IX. Finale
Customer Reviews:
You've never heard "The Godfather" like this.......2003-08-13
The melancholy themes from "The Godfather" have probably never been played so well. The famous opening trumpet solo, combining loneliness and menace in equal parts, is beautifully done, as are the relatively upbeat selections from "8-1/2" and "La Dolce Vita." Throughout the production, it is marvelous to hear these scores played with such passion and commitment, and the La Scala musicians sound sweepingly involved.
But for many listeners the highlight will be the dazzling and haunting waltzes from "The Leopard," with their melodic arcs echoing the grand scale of Visconti's masterpiece. This is truly evocative film writing.
An excellent introduction to Rota's music, played with suave intensity by one of the best conductors in the world. (For those interested, Muti and La Scala recorded another Rota CD with additional dances from "The Leopard," as well as music from "La Strada" and the "Concerto for Strings" -- also highly recommended.)
Italian Scala and Muti feels Rota!.......2001-07-25
Average customer rating:
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Music for the Spanish Kings
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000059LOK Release Date: 2001-06-05 |
Tracks:
- Zappay
- Viva, Viva Rey Ferrando
- De Tous Biens Plaine
- Donde Estas Que Non Te Veo
- Figlie Guilielmin
- Amor, Che T'o Fat Hio
- Puis Fortuna
- Qu'es Mi Vida Preguntays
- Collinetto
- Dindirindin
- O Dio Se Vede Chiaro
- Il Re Di Spagna
- Dezilde Al Caballero
- Diferencias Sobre El Canto Del Caballero
- Cingari Siamo Venit'a Giocare
- Fantasia I - Fantasia II 'Salve Regina'
- Ay Luna Que Reluzes
- Gallarda Napolitana
- Vecchie Letrose
Tracks:
- Himno XIX Pange Lingua IV
- Pour Un Plaisir
- Diferencias Sobre 'La Dama Le Demanda'
- Tiento II. Cuarto Tono
- Pavana Con Su Glosa
- Fabordones Del Sexto Tono
- Tiento VIII
- Quien Llamo Al Partir, Partir?
- Tres Sobre La Alta
- Un Gay Bergier
- Diferencias Sobre 'Las Vacas'
- Tiento IX. Quinto Tono
- Para Quien Crie Cabellos
- Tiento XIII. Fuga A Cuatro
- Tiento VII. Cuarto Tono
- Diferencias Sobre La Pavana Italiana
- Je Fille Quant Dieu Me Donne De Quoy
- Tiento III. Primer Tono
Customer Reviews:
Great Addition to My Collection.......2006-10-29
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