A Little Faith

Chris Spear - London Beat Magazine
The songs contained herein reflect the true meaning of the word "rock and roll."

Product Description
The fifth and latest album from Vision

A Little Faith

A Little Faith,Vision

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Average customer rating: Heavenly Have a Little Faith Seasoned chanteuse ... Ms. Mavis Staples is spiritually and musically convicted pure enjoyment

Have A Little Faith Mavis Staples Manufacturer: Alligator Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Alligator Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: We'll Never Turn Back The Best of the Staple Singers Blues to the Bone Mavis Staples/Only for the Lonely Freedom Highway ASIN: B0002A5R6A Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

1. Step Into The Light
2. Pop's Recipe
3. Have A Little Faith
4. God Is Not Sleeping
5. A Dying Man's Plea
6. Ain't No Better Than You
7. I Wanna Thank You
8. I Still Believe In You
9. At The End of the Day
10. There's A Devil On The Loose
11. In Times Like These
12. Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Amazon.com

As the lead female voice of family gospel band the Staple Singers, Mavis Staples has shown more than a little faith across four decades, using her voice as a powerful instrument in the battle for civil rights and the eternal struggle for salvation (as well as pop hits). Here, on her first CD of new material since 1993's Prince-produced The Voice, the 64-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer seems relaxed. That's why acoustic treatments of tunes like "Step Into the Light" and the Blind Lemon Jefferson tribute "A Dying Man's Plea" sound so good wrapped around her warm honey-and-grits tones, with slide guitars and fiddles following the easy flow of her melodies. Nonetheless, there's a simmering intensity to her performances, though she eases for sweet recollections in the uplifting biography of her late father Roebuck, "Pop's Recipe." Yet Staples always remains strong enough to render the disc's overabundance of lite-funk arrangements irrelevant. --Ted Drozdowski

Album Description

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH is a stirring collection of uplifting, gospel-rooted songs deeply-seated in Staples'faith and spirituality. Produced by Jim Tullio and Staples, the album features the strongest collection of material—both originals and interpretations—Mavis has ever assembled. With help from the Dixie Hummingbirds, HAVE A LITTLE FAITH takes listeners deep into the heart of the singer Vibe magazine called "one of pop's most distinctive voices."

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly.......2007-07-20

Mavis is at the topof her game and in fine form. You can feel the Spirit right through your speakers!

Have a Little Faith.......2006-08-29

She had it Then...She has it Now...One Word, One Name, Synonymous with Soul..."Mavis"

Seasoned chanteuse ... Ms. Mavis.......2006-04-12

I first heard this cd on a blues radio station in Houston, Texas (KPFT) and 'A Dying Man's Last Plea' was what sent shivers down my spine. I like the entire cd but this song is the one I play over and over.

Staples is spiritually and musically convicted.......2006-04-02

Mavis Staples
Have A Little Faith Alligator

On her first album of new material since 1993, Mavis Staples proves to be, spiritually and musically, convicted. She still has her instantly recognizable and dynamic voice. It distinctively features throughout 12 songs on her Alligator debut. All are uplifting and contain encouraging messages about being the best you can be, equal rights, helping each other, spirituality in God, believing in your dreams, and keeping the faith. Her unheralded backing band, features her sister, Yvonne, on background vocals. The production is very polished.

"Pops Recipe" is rather funky and is an homage to Mavis' father. He had 13 siblings, dropped out of school to pick cotton yet became a gospel and soul legend. Pops taught his children to ("Accept responsibility / don't subscribe to bigotry, hypocrisy, duplicity.") "Ain't No Better Than You" contains equally strong lyrics such as ("Change will come but not overnight / it's the waiting / that's so frustrating.") The slow and deeply moving, "God Is Not Sleeping", is beautiful and brilliant. Several numbers mix gospel with R&B such as "I Still Believe In You" and "There's A Devil On The Loose". The latter describes the evil that is brought to individuals and society. The Chicago Music Community Choir's gospel backing vocals are astounding on "In Times Like These".

The meaningful lyrics to these inspirational songs are a stark reminder of the strife's and struggles that many have to endure. Yet, this is healing music -- designed to help our hurting and deeply suffering world. Like an open door, Staples' powerful voice and contemporary musical arrangements are welcoming so that you don't miss out on a lost opportunity. For 51 minutes, she instills faith in the deepest cynic and provides hope for the broken-hearted.

-- Tim Holek

pure enjoyment.......2005-09-02

There's a reason Mavis and this CD won four W.C. Handy Awards...it is a terrific disc. The songs are uplifting and inspiring. The production is immaculate. The background musicianship is superb. And, of course, there is that strong, angelic voice. No reason to look further...buy this CD.

Average customer rating: Two tracks I really like Quantity Over Quality Mediocre One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Pretty close to original recordings

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Manufacturer: Silva America ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Television Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: All-Time Top 100 TV Themes TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes NBC: A Soundtrack of Must See TV Best of TV Quiz & Game Show Themes ASIN: B00005Y49F Release Date: 2002-08-27

Tracks:

1. The A-Team - Nic Raine
2. The Addams Family - Nic Raine
3. The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - Nic Raine
4. Airwolf - Derek Wadsworth
5. The Avengers - Mike Townend
6. Barnaby Jones - Jerry Goldsmith
7. Batman - Nic Raine
8. Battlestar Galactica - Nic Raine
9. Baywatch - Derek Wadsworth
10. Beverly Hills 90210 - Derek Wadsworth
11. Bewitched - Nic Raine
12. Between The Lines - Mark Ayres
13. The Bill - Nic Raine
14. Bonanza - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. Brideshead Revisited - Derek Wadsworth
16. Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Nic Raine
17. Burke's Law - Derek Wadsworth
18. Cagney And Lacey - Derek Wadsworth
19. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Mark Ayres
20. Casualty - Mark Ayres
21. Cheers - Mark Ayres
22. Dallas - Nic Raine
23. Dangerman (Secret Agent) - Mike Townend
24. Doctor Who - Mark Ayres
25. Doctor Kildare - Jerry Goldsmith

Tracks:

1. Doogie Howser, M.D. - Derek Wadsworth
2. Dynasty - Nic Raine
3. The Equalizer - Derek Wadsworth
4. Falcon Crest - Derek Wadsworth
5. Fireball XL-5 - Derek Wadsworth
6. The Fugitive - Nic Raine
7. Hawaii 5-0 - Mike Townend
8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Nic Raine
9. The High Chaparral - Nic Raine
10. Highway To Heaven - Derek Wadsworth
11. Hill Street Blues - Derek Wadsworth
12. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - Mark Ayres
13. The Incredible Hulk - Derek Wadsworth
14. Jason King - Mike Townend
15. Jesus Of Nazareth - Paul Bateman
16. Joe 90 - Derek Wadsworth
17. Johnny Staccato - Derek Wadsworth
18. Knight Rider - Derek Wadsworth
19. Kojak - Mike Townend
20. L.A. Law - Derek Wadsworth
21. Land Of The Giants - Nic Raine
22. Little House On The Prairie - Derek Wadsworth
23. Lonesome Dove - Nic Raine
24. Lost In Space - Nic Raine
25. Lou Grant - Derek Wadsworth

Tracks:

1. Magnum, P.I. - Derek Wadsworth
2. A Man Called Ironside - Mike Townend
3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - Derek Wadsworth
4. M*A*S*H - Nic Raine
5. Miami Vice - Mark Ayres
6. Mike Hammer - Derek Wadsworth
7. Mission Impossible - Mike Townend
8. Monty Python's Flying Circus - Nic Raine
9. The Munsters - Derek Wadsworth
10. Murder She Wrote - Derek Wadsworth
11. Newhart - Derek Wadsworth
12. North And South - Derek Wadsworth
13. Northern Exposure - Derek Wadsworth
14. NYPD Blue - Mark Ayres
15. The Outer Limits - Nic Raine
16. Perry Mason - Mike Townend
17. The Persuaders - Mark Ayres
18. Peter Gunn - Mike Townend
19. Police Squad - Nic Raine
20. The Prisoner - Mike Townend
21. Quantum Leap - Derek Wadsworth
22. Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) - Mike Townend
23. Red Dwarf - Mark Lambert
24. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
25. Roseanne - Dan Foliart

Tracks:

1. The Saint - Mike Townend
2. Seaquest DSV - Nic Raine
3. Space 1999 - Derek Wadsworth
4. Star Trek - Mike Townend
5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Derek Wadsworth
6. Star Trek: Voyager - Nic Raine
7. St. Elsewhere - Derek Wadsworth
8. The Streets Of San Francisco - Nic Raine
9. Stingray - Barry Gray
10. Taxi - Derek Wadsworth
11. Thunderbirds - Derek Wadsworth
12. Thirty Something - Derek Wadsworth
13. The Time Tunnel - Nic Raine
14. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - The Philharmonia Orchestra
15. The Twighlight Zone - Nic Raine
16. Twin Peaks - Derek Wadsworth
17. U.F.O. - Derek Wadsworth
18. The Virginian - Nic Raine
19. Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea - Nic Raine
20. Wagon Train - Paul Bateman
21. The Waltons - Jerry Goldsmith
22. The Wild Wild West - Derek Wadsworth
23. Young Riders - John Debney
24. Xena: The Warrior Princess - Paul Bateman
25. The X-Files - Mark Ayres

Customer Reviews:

Two tracks I really like.......2007-07-21

The Mission Impossible theme is performed well.
The Fireball theme is actually much improved on this version. I prefer the orchestra and the vocals over the original.

Quantity Over Quality.......2007-01-15

As a musician myself, I know too well that one of the most important ingredients in ANY performance (live or recorded) is passion. The recordings here generally lack the same passion and sheer drama of the originals. Much of the instrumentation has been reduced to a cheezy, thin, plastic synthesized replica. The performances are simply a watered-down lackluster version of the classic originals. If it were not for the sheer volume of tracks compiled here, I would have rated the comp only "one star".

Mediocre.......2006-05-17

The sound quality for this collection isn't much better than the samples offered by Amazon.

One Hundred Greatest TV Themes.......2005-08-06

I have watched almost all the shows that are on these 4 cd's. Many were made before I started watching TV. Most I've seen once or twice before.

Pretty close to original recordings.......2005-07-24

Definitely not as good as the originals. You'll probably notice the slight differences since it's stuff you saw and listened to every week or everyday in reruns growing up, but it's still an amazing collection.

Average customer rating: I like this amazing fruition

Have a Little Faith The BellRays Manufacturer: Cheap Lullaby ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Red, White and Black Grand Fury Chulahoma Raw Collection Magic Potion ASIN: B000EZ912Y Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

1. Tell The Lie
2. Time Is Gone
3. Chainsong
4. Pay The Cobra
5. Snotgun
6. Have A Litte Faith In Me
7. Change The World
8. Detroit Breakdown
9. Lost Disciples
10. Everyday I Think Of You
11. Maniac Blues
12. Third Time's The Charm
13. Beginning From The End

Amazon.com

When the BellRays [sic] singer Lisa Kekaula made her tour de force guest appearance on the Basement Jaxx's Kish Kash, it led some to wonder why she even bothered to stay with her own band. Sounding closer to Aretha Franklin than Kathleen Hanna, Kekaula's soulful pipes often seemed at odds with the three-chord punk fury of the BellRays, but the aptly named Have A Little Faith offers salvation for this long-running L.A.-area quartet. The band doesn't abandon punk rock so much as balance the old roar with new sounds like the horn-driven soul of "Third Time's The Charm," the bluesy synthesizer of the title cut, and the moody Middle Eastern rhythms of "Lost Disciples." Those yearning for the more in-your-face side of the band will get an earful from the terse "Shotgun" and several others. Proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks, this album will be a welcome double take for anyone who thought they knew the band and a soul-stirring introduction for new converts. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

I like this.......2006-06-11

The Bellrays are a cool band that is getting some attention. They are a little more musical than most bands. A little more like Curtis Mayfield than Electric Six. Lisa Kekaluah is a cool singer. These songs are their strongest yet. I look forward to seeing the Bellrays. I like "Chainsong" and "Detroit Breakdown" a lot. This is cool music. Michael Dutcher is their manager. Piper Ferguson took the photo. This is a band on the rise.

amazing fruition .......2006-05-12

I remember the bellrays being an exciting but not quite formed in their sound band having purchased a few singles and an early album but i discovered this album on emusic and delved in wow !
Its like the greatest rock n roll mixed with atlantic soul brilliant vocals great riffs horns sax what more could you want half the songs sound like soul standards only they're all originals and the rockier sound rocks like the proverbial rocking thing
if you like real music if you have a craving for some real soul music not whats described as r n b these days buy this cd you wont regret it
now if they could just tour the uk

Average customer rating: Christmas Songs Christmas Is - Percy Faith One of the greatest C.D.'s ever!! Christmas Is...A Percy Faith Classic! Good Songs But They Should Have Digitally Remastered Them! The Sound Is Just A Little Off!

Christmas Is... Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Vocal Pop | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Vocal Pop | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music $7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music 4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Music of Christmas Ray Conniff - We Wish You A Merry Christlmas Christmas with Conniff Christmas Caroling Here We Come A-Caroling ASIN: B0000024T8 Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Christmas Is...
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas
3. The Little Drummer Boy
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
5. We Need A Little Christmas (From 'Mame')
6. Silver Bells
7. White Christmas
8. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
9. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An ....)
10. Do You Hear What I Hear?
11. Happy Holiday

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Songs.......2007-01-28

Very enjoyable,and delivered well before the date indicated.

Christmas Is - Percy Faith.......2007-01-19

For when you need a little christmas ... right this very minute!

One of the greatest C.D.'s ever!!.......2006-01-20

I wasn't into christmas that much because of all the mad rush at christmas, but since I bought this c.d. everything changed. I love christmas now and I am still playing that c.d. and it is already January. this is a great C.D. It is my favorite. I wish I would have owned it years ago. I just bought it this year.

Christmas Is...A Percy Faith Classic!.......2005-12-27

It's been about 40 years since this Christmas album by Percy Faith was released. To this day it's a pleasure to listen to with its rich instrumental selections and voices. The title tune says it all! You will enjoy this for many Christmases to come!

Good Songs But They Should Have Digitally Remastered Them! The Sound Is Just A Little Off!.......2005-12-21

I too had the cassette tape of this Percy Faith Christmas album and updated to this CD and I love all of the songs and my favorite is We Need a Little Christmas. I do have one complaint and that is that the sound doesn't seem to have been remastered and seems kind of low. It's as though they didn't digitally remaster the original mono recordings.

Average customer rating: Have a Little Faith - Bill Frisell Wow! Bill Does It Again! To Begin With... This is NOT Bill This is very simple.

Have a Little Faith Bill Frisell Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Nashville Gone, Just Like a Train Good Dog, Happy Man This Land Where in the World? ASIN: B000005J1S Release Date: 1993-02-23

Tracks:

1. The Open Prairie
2. Street Scene In A Frontier Town
3. Mexican Dance And Finale
4. Prairie Night (Card Game At Night), Gun Battle
5. Celebration After Billy's Capture
6. Billy In Prison
7. The Open Prairie Again
8. The 'Saint-Gaudens' In Boston Common: 'Col. Shaw And His Colored Regiment' (Excerpt #1)
9. Just A Woman
10. I Can't Be Satisfied
11. Live To Tell
12. The 'Saint-Gaudens' In Boston Common: 'Col. Shaw And His Colored Regiment' (Excerpt #2)
13. No Moe
14. Washington Post March
15. When I Fall In Love
16. Little Jenny Dow
17. Have A Little Faith In Me
18. Billy Boy

Amazon.com essential recording

Have a Little Faith guitarist Bill Frisell italicized his stature as a composer and arranger within a combo setting that achieves a perfect balance of form and free-wheeling interpretive intensity. Frisell's core working section of the time (drummer Joey Barron and bassist Kermit Driscoll) are augmented by clarinet innovator Don Byron and a very fine accordionist, Guy Klucevsek , which gives this music chamber-like tonal colors, while allowing Frisell to elicit expansive big band gestures through a repertoire of material that is never hectic, just blithely eclectic-staking a claim for Frisell in the pantheon of great American composers and songwriters with whom he allies himself here. Thus there's a blissfully funky reading of blues giant McKinley "Muddy Waters" Morganfield's "I Can't Be Satisfied" and--from the other side of the universe--a loveably raucous take on John Phillip Sousa's "Washington Post March." Elsewhere, Frisell navigates the waters of such enigmatic modernists as Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, Sonny Rollins, Bob Dylan, and John Hiatt with equal affection and grace. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews:

Have a Little Faith - Bill Frisell.......2005-03-19

I really admire Bill Frisell for being such a bold musician. Taking a piece of music like Aaron Copland's 'Billy the Kid' and arranging it for a small ensemble could have been a recipe for disater. Instead, Frisell pulls off a beautiful arrangment of the piece. Just for a study on instrumentation this album is worth buying, this is not even going into the the 'second half' of the album. The perfomances of all musicians are really incredible. Joey Baron, as always, really shines and there are some very special moments for him.Guy Kluvesek is a stellar performer as well and really adds to the tone and atmosphere of the record. But that said everyone has some special moments; both Don Byron and Kermit Driscoll are pure magic.Frisell in the more pop related music really shows a sensitivity to the emotion of each song. It really takes a great guitarist to keep the lyrism of a singer without sacrificing the tamber of the guitar. Bill Frisell again has shown that his abilties stretch far and wide. Another album highlight is the Sonny Rollins tune 'No Moe' in which Frisell really digs into that hard bop feel while maintaining a really strong contemporary feel. I would say "get this album" without any hesitation. Although it may be a difficult place to start from if you have never been into Frisell before, but even then dive in and see what happens - you might be pleasantly surprised!

Wow! Bill Does It Again!.......2004-09-01

For those who aren't familiar with Bill Frisell, he is an amazingly talented guitarist and composer. He is labeled as "jazz," but he does more than play "jazz." He plays music that trenscends genres. I have 12 of Bill's albums and all are VERY different and this album is most definitely different.

"Have A Little Faith" is Bill's cover album for lack of a better term. He performs songs by composer Aaron Copeland, Madonna, and Bob Dylan to name a few. The way he arranged the music is incredible and the musicians he chose for this outing was perfect. The music on this album is so vast it's hard to some in paragraph, but I'll try. He does the entire "Billy the Kid" suite on this album and I was just floored by his interpretation of this classical piece. I'm not going to go through all the songs, but I will say that with repeated listenings (of course because it's Bill Frisell) that this album is one of his best albums to date.

As far as guitar players are concerned, he's probably one of the best I have heard. His playing is characterized by volume swells, dissonance, harp-like harmonics, beautifully constructed lead melodies, and odd chordal voicings. I rank Frisell right up there with Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, and John Scofield. He is definitely in the same ranks as those guys, but for some reason his playing has a certain haunting or dark quality that makes me always want to investigate further.

Without a doubt in my mind, this album is brilliantly done. My hats are off to Mr. Frisell!

To Begin With..........2003-01-31

We come to CDs in various ways - friends, favorite artist's latest, reviews, radio/TV, store displays, et al. I came to this because of the title. Being a big John Hiatt fan, the title grabbed me (and the cover photo sucked me in next).
But was I in for a ride....guitar artistry meets almost every form of music and succeeds!! From Copeland to Muddy to Dylan (I must admit that only after reading the other reviews did I realize that there was a Madonna song - more power to Mr. Frisell!) And the title tune is done masterfully!
This was my introduction to Bill Frisell...and I have been a huge fan every since...and he continues to amaze me with his diversity, courage and style! Thank you!

This is NOT Bill.......2003-01-23

I'm sorry to say it but I dont think this is a very good Bill Frisell album. It sounds a bit over-pretentious to make covers of orchestral music and it doesnt come out very well in my opinion. Besides anything that contains a song by Madonna, by definition cannot be good, right? These songs are all cover stuff that might be "interesting", if you like these songs in their original format, but for jazz-people: obviously there was a reason why we chose to listen to jazz and NOT to pop. Instead I would highly recommend listening to Ghost Town, Good Dog Happy Man, Nashville or Sound of Summer Running to get some real fresh genuine samples of Bill's harmonic world and abilities as a composer.

This is very simple........2003-01-18

If you want to know who this guy Bill Frisell is, why his guitar sound is utterly unique, this is the album you start with. No. I'll go further. You start with one track, the centerpiece of the album, 10 amazing minutes of Madonna's "Live to Tell." Beauty, dissonance, power, passion, kick-ass. THIS is Bill Frisell. The common thread of these selections is American Music, from Ives to Dylan, from John Hiatt to Charlie Parker, from "Billy Boy" to "Billy the Kid." PLUS a version of John Phillip Sousa's "Washington Post March" that is so rousing and enthusiastic I wished there was a whole album of this band covering Sousa marches. This is one of my rescue-from-a-fire discs, and for Frisell neophytes, you cannot do better than this one.

Average customer rating: Precise, pointed and peerless !!! the "Fair Lady" in London... My Fair Lady again? Broadway vs London vs Movie It's good but,..

My Fair Lady (1959 Original London Cast) Alan Jay Lerner Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast) South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack) The Sound of Music (1965 Film Soundtrack - 40th Anniversary Special Edition) ASIN: B000007OHU Release Date: 1998-06-02

Tracks:

1. Act I: Overture
2. Act I: Why Can't The English?
3. Act I: Wouldn't It Be Loverly
4. Act I: With A Little Bit Of Luck
5. Act I: I'm An Ordinary Man
6. Act I: Just You Wait
7. Act I: The Rain In Spain
8. Act I: I Could Have Danced All Night
9. Act I: Ascot Gavotte
10. Act I: On The Street Where You Live
11. Act II: You Did It
12. Act II: Show Me
13. Act II: Get Me To The Church On Time
14. Act II: A Hymn To Him
15. Act II: Without You
16. Act II: I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
17. The Embassy Waltz

Amazon.com

My Fair Lady is without question one of the greatest shows ever created for the musical theater. It's a charming, hilarious, and touching adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, pitting flower girl Eliza Doolittle against Prof. Henry Higgins, the self-absorbed and ill-tempered linguist who bets that he can turn her into a lady by improving her diction. Lerner and Loewe's score includes some of the best-loved songs in the canon: "Why Can't the English," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "The Rain in Spain," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "Get Me to the Church on Time," and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," among others. The 1959 London-cast stereo recording is generally held in lower regard than its Broadway counterpart, recorded three years earlier in mono. But why quibble? The principals are all the same--Rex Harrison as Higgins, Julie Andrews as Eliza, Stanley Holloway as her dad, and Robert Coote as Col. Pickering (Leonard Weir replaced Michael King as Freddy Einsford-Hill)--and it's still a classic recording in its own right that you'll treasure for years. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Precise, pointed and peerless !!!.......2007-01-03

One listen to the London original cast recording of My Fair Lady and you know why this CD still sells. Despite the decades, the recording sounds fresh, clear and crisp. There is no background noise on this CD! Moreover, the songs by Lerner and Loewe are brilliantly composed and the lyrics are clever, witty and poignant. This CD proves it.

The CD opens with the overture to the musical stage play and then goes right into the first song entitled "Why Can't The English?" More spoken than sung by Rex Harrison, "Why Can't The English" fleshes out his character's lament that too many British people don't speak English well. The melody is catchy and the lyrics are funny at times even if some of the humor is dated.

The lesser educated British have their say in the next number, "Wouldn't It Be Loverly." In this song, sung by Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle with male backup singers and a chorus of whistlers, demonstrates how these persons really do want to lead a much more sophisticated life with more luxuries.

Other great songs on this CD include the rousing "Get Me To The Church On Time" sung by the memorable Stanley Holloway; the beautiful love ballad "On The Street Where You Live" performed by Leonard Weir; "I Could Have Danced All Night" which is performed flawlessly by Julie Andrews who belts out those incredibly high notes; and "The Rain In Spain" delivered by Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison and Robert Coote. Excellent!

One especially amusing song is entitled "A Hymn To Him" performed mostly by Rex Harrison with some assistance from Robert Coote. The violins at the beginning of this number are beautiful in the musical arrangement.

The CD concludes with a extra bonus monophonic track of the waltz music for the scene in which Henry Higgins takes Eliza Doolittle to the Embassy ball. "The Embassy Waltz," conducted by Percy Faith, offers a beautiful musical arrangement that leaves you wanting more--so don't be surprised if you get the urge to play the CD all over again from the very beginning and enjoy it once more.

The musical arrangements are carefully planned and executed throughout; only Lerner and Loewe were capable of producing such a fine score to go with this stage play. The tempo of the score is faster overall than it was for the original Broadway production; this is especially evident in the opening notes of the overture. Nevertheless, it all works brilliantly.

The liner notes boast terrific black and white photos of the actors in the stage play along with a special color photo of Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. Didier C. Deutsch contributes a lengthy essay about the history and production of My Fair Lady as well.

The music and lyrics to the original London cast recording of My Fair Lady are timeless. Even today, more than four decades later, the soundtrack still sells well. The musical is one with which many people can identify as it illustrates through words and music the blossoming love affair between Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Indeed, the story and the music add to the enchantment as we realize that even Higgins and Doolittle themselves are unaware of the full power of their mutual attraction until the very end of the stage play. My Fair Lady will remain a classic musical; and the score to the stage play on this album is priceless. May you enjoy this soundtrack as much as I did!

the "Fair Lady" in London..........2006-09-23

In 1956, Lerner and Loewe's MY FAIR LADY swept into Broadway and quickly captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike, the perfect transformation of George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion" into the world of the musical theatre. Both Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews played the show for two years on Broadway before yielding to replacements (Edward Mulhare and Sally Ann Howes), and in 1959 traveled across the pond to headline the London company. The show opened at the Drury Lane Theatre in April 1959, and ran for 2,281 performances.

While both Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison had laid down their definitive performances as Eliza Doolittle and Prof. Henry Higgins for the 1956 original Broadway cast album of MY FAIR LADY, the subsequent 1959 London production allowed them to record another album, in the brand-new stereophonic format.

Despite this 1959 recording having a sweeter sound than the earlier 1956 mono album, this sadly remains the lesser of the two, because a lot of the energy and flash had disappeared from Julie Andrews' voice in the years she had performed the role. On the Broadway album, Andrews gives a rich performance that runs the gamut from cockney guttersnipe to regal high society, but comparing the two albums directly, she does not sound at her optimal best on the London set. Andrews has acknowledged that she found the role of Eliza both physically and vocally exhausting, even more so because of the lack of body-mikes, and the projection must have been gruelling at times. No wonder that so much of the bloom in Andrews' voice had vanished by the time she reprised her role in London. Despite Andrews, the album does have a few merits including breezy orchestrations under the direction of Cyril Ornadel (the Overture is given a much faster tempo than is heard on the Broadway set).

The supporting cast includes Stanley Holloway (also reprising his Broadway role) as Eliza's dustman father Alfie. The role of Freddy is played by Leonard Weir (his "On the Street Where You Live" is very charming), and Robert Coote also repeats his Broadway role as Colonel Pickering.

The 1959 London cast of MY FAIR LADY, just like the 1956 Broadway album, has never been out of the catalogue, though the confusion between the two albums still exists, despite the fact that the London album sports a gold-brown cover and the Broadway album is white. Sony Broadway Masterworks' edition features a bonus track of the "Embassy Waltz", a mono recording from 1956.

My Fair Lady again?.......2005-06-04

I have heard the Columbia Masterworks recording of this show as it was produced in Isreal. Same orchestrations, different lyrics! In Hebrew of course. I wish it were still available.

Broadway vs London vs Movie.......2003-10-02

Let's begin by comparing both the Broadway and London scores to the 1964 movie soundtrack-- actually there is no comparison! Both Broadway and London surpass the movie recording by far, only demonstrating the HUGE mistake Hollywood made by not casting Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle. Andrews' purely delightful soprano voice and perfect diction cannot even be compared to Marni Nixon's voice dubbing in the film. In addition, Andrews is British, which is critical to this play, unlike Nixon's purely American accent heard in the film.

As far as Broadway vs London MFL recordings, I would have to agree with the others who are in favor of the "white" Broadway album. While both are very good, the Broadway album does appear to be less "forced" than the London album due, most likely, to the fact that it was recorded before the cast had exhausted themselves singing the score after a few years on the stage. Both Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews appear to be more "natural" in the Broadway album, and Andrews does definitely lose a bit of the innocence in her voice in this recording.

All in all, I would recommend that any MFL collector invest in both the Broadway and London cast recordings to make your own opinions. Yet, for someone looking to buy only one album, I would stick with the Broadway version. In all situations, save yourself some money and skip buying the film soundtrack.

It's good but,.........2003-07-26

If I had never heard the 1956 recording I would have thought this one was great....but to me, compared to its mono counterpart, this performance sounds more like a Wednesday matinee in the middle of a long run. The performers are all still wonderful, but it's very relaxed and and lacks the vivid characterizations found in the original. Any fan of "My Fair Lady," however, will want to have them both and decide for themselves!

Average customer rating: "TOO COOL FOR WORDS" ~ COCKER TOUR-DE-FORCE!!! The best album of JC's fantastic career! One of his best...

Have a Little Faith Joe Cocker Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: One Night of Sin Respect Yourself Unchain My Heart Organic Night Calls ASIN: B000002AT4 Release Date: 1994-09-06

Tracks:

1. Let The Healing Begin
2. Have A Little Faith In Me
3. The Simple Things
4. Summer In The City
5. The Great Divide
6. Highway Highway
7. Too Cool
8. Soul Time
9. Out Of The Blue
10. Angeline
11. Standing Knee Deep In A River
12. Take Me Home

Amazon.com

John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me" is a terrific R&B ballad, but the author just doesn't have the pipes to do it justice. Joe Cocker has pipes to spare, and the British veteran makes the Hiatt song the centerpiece of this album. Chris Stainton, the singer's old pal from the "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" days, bangs out the hypnotic gospel piano chords, and Cocker builds the romantic hymn from a weary, whispery pleading to raspy, desperate wailing in a tour de force performance. In an era of singer-songwriters who are too often one or the other but not both, Have a Little Faith is a welcome testament to the place of the interpretive singer. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

"TOO COOL FOR WORDS" ~ COCKER TOUR-DE-FORCE!!!.......2005-04-01

Truly an overlooked MASTERPIECE, this awesome collection of peerless soulful performances starts with a haunting and masterful classic "LET THE HEALING BEGIN" which starts this amazing journey that covers all musical bases with incredible brilliance..."HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME" is a riveting gospel infused masterpiece that is deeply moving and one listening and experiencing this athem would hope that along the way this classic won a deserved GRAMMY AWARD..."THE SIMPLE THINGS" is another passionate athem that is exciting and exhurberant and this collection has to be one of the greatest ever from any male vocalist...no Joe Cocker set would be complete without a cooking rocker and "SUMMER IN THE CITY" is given a new twist that clearly makes this the definitive version and in concert at THE WILTERN THEATRE IN MARCH OF 2005 this hot rocker had everyone out of their seats...a deeply soulful and heartfelt vocal makes "THE GREAT DIVIDE" another great standout in a collection full of unbelievably great heartfelt vocals that are peerless and beyond compare...this guy can sing unlike anyone alive today and "HIGHWAY HIGHWAY" is full of longing and emotional depth that is nowhere found in music today except for what is here in this brilliant collection of incredibly moving performances that catch a brilliant singer at his absolute emotional and artistic peak..."TOO COOL" is a performance that is guaranteed to wear out the repeat mode as this is a truly amazing performance that could have been the title song of this masterful set of soul-deep performances, and "TOO COOL" will thrill anyone who loves a GREAT singer at the peak of his remarkable powers..."SOUL TIME" is another great rocker and "OUT OF THE BLUE" is a gorgeous and deeply moving ballad that contains another superb vocal. Back to his rocking roots, "ANGELINE" is a hot rocker that cooks and contains another great Joe Cocker vocal that is one of his best ever!!! "STANDING KNEE DEEP IN A RIVER" is CLASSIC Joe giving a moving performance that is one of his deepest and most heartfelt...and "TAKE ME HOME" is another great Cocker vocal that gets so inside of the lyrics that they come to life and move the listener in a way that is rare...this classic set is a must have for anyone who loves a great singer in peak form...THANK YOU JOE COCKER for the musical experience of a lifetime and DO NOT MISS this stunning collection!

The best album of JC's fantastic career!.......2002-08-21

The year is 1994. A great year for Joe. He sings with more passion, intensity and feeling on this album than any other. With all the great stuff he has made, this album is simply in a class of it's own. I had the opportunity to see him live in the fall of that year, and it was one of the best nights of my life. Joe was completely overcome with emotion by the end of the night he could only breath "God bless you" into the mike as the place (Brabanthalle, Den Bosch, Holland) went absolutely crazy. It was moving beyond belief. When Joe did his traditional jump at the end of With a little help..., the whole building shook as he landed on the stage again.
But back to the album...I have kept coming back to this album since it's release. I loved it then and I love it now. Even more. Definitely Top 5 deserted-island material. Here's a song-by-song review:
1)Let the healing begin- let the magic start. "I've kept it inside much too long". You get the feeling JC is making the album he wanted to make his whole career, and he is serious about it too. The stage is set for what is too follow.
2)Have a Little Faith in Me- THE definitive version of this song. Unfortunately, not the one we get to hear on the radio time and time again.
3)The Simple Things- "Happiness, joy and love in my life" ...so very simple indeed. A code to live by. The first verse is so powerful. Twisting and turning... wanting more...caught up in the race...about losing one's soul due to all these unimportant things. Until one find's that the best things in life are the simple things.
4)Summer in the City- Don't matter where you are. New York, Melbourne, Amsterdam, Vancouver, Honolulu, Frankfurt...there ain't nothing like summer nights in the city. A feel-good song. Pure joy and adrenaline. Joe's scream WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH at the end says it all. Again, the definitive version.
5)The Great Divide- Joe growls his way through another masterpiece. Great keyboard work from longtime bud/collaborator Chris Stainton.
6)Highway Highway - So powerful. Joe is almost crying in this one. It sounds personal..."Give me wings to fly....."
7)Too Cool- I remember distinctly Joe singing this one live. It got a great reaction, especially after the solo when he came back just in time to sing "I'm all right...I'll soon be better"
Gives me spine-tingles just thinking of it.
8)Soul Time- Song about keeping the fires burning in a long term
relationship. Again the albums' theme comes through loud & clear: "Let's love life and live it, stop fighting and crying....reaching and trying this time."
9)Out of the Blue- Again, I know it sounds repetitive, but this songs takes one to places the original couldn't come close to doing. (much as I love The Band/R.Robertson)
10)Angeline- What would a Joe album be like without a true rocker. Great guitar here.
11)Hell or High Water - Another classic, in true Cocker-rocker fashion. Humour as well: me and an ex-colleague used to laugh about the "sometimes I don't feel right" scream.
12)Standing Knee Deep in a River- The calm after the storm. Now it gets right down to the heart of the matter. Friends and sweethearts that have come and gone. The ways he sings "now where they are I wish I knew..." is tear-jerking, and makes me shudder with realization. I guess we never learn....
13)Take Me Home- The Grand Finale. And what a way to go. One of the most moving and rousing singalongs I can remember. "There's a bridge over the water. I can see it like a rainbow. If you love me, I'll be waiting. Take me home to the Other Side". JC completes the mission be indeed taking you to the other side.
This unbelievable piece of work will never be forgotten. It will be with me till my last day, as guide and companion.
Thank you Joe.

One of his best..........1999-10-03

The song "Have a little faith" is so inspiring to me and it means holding on and keep kicking.

Average customer rating: Family tradition A Christmas Classic Recommended for those who love Orcastrated Music Love this CD A Christmas Classic!!!

Music of Christmas Percy Faith and His Orchestra , Adolphe Adam , Franz Xaver Gruber , George Frideric Handel , Felix Mendelssohn , Christmas Traditional , John Francis Wade , and Richard Storrs Willis Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Holiday Music | Miscellaneous | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Vocal Pop | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Vocal Pop | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music $7 - $10 | Today's Deals | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music 4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Christmas Is... Ray Conniff - We Wish You A Merry Christlmas A Christmas Festival Here We Come A-Caroling Joy to the World - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra ASIN: B0000025SN Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Joy To The World
2. Silent Night, Holy Night
3. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
4. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
5. Good King Wenceslas
6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
7. The First Noel
8. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming/O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. O Holy Night
10. The Holly And The Ivy/Here We Go A-Caroling
11. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
12. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)

Customer Reviews:

Family tradition.......2007-04-02

I grew up listening to this album on vinyl every Christmas. It was a staple in our family and I'm happy to have it on CD now to share for years to come.

A Christmas Classic.......2007-01-28

My father bought this album on reel-to-reel back in the '50's and it has been a part of my Christmas ambience ever since. I absolutely love it, can't have Christmas without it.

Recommended for those who love Orcastrated Music.......2007-01-09

This is a classic CD for those who love orcastrated music. It brings the spirit of Christmas in their homes. It takes you back of the Christmases long ago when it was more relaxed without the hussel and bussel, and without people being so angry. I give this 5 stars and will pass the CD down for future generations!

Love this CD.......2006-12-31

This is an album I grew up with. It holds great memories..Percy Faith IS Christmas in my home. The strings are beautiful.

A Christmas Classic!!!.......2006-03-16

This is my all-time favorite Christmas album. Some like the schmaltzy sounds of Johnny Mathis and Bing Crosby for Christmas, which is fine. But Percy Faith has a pristine ambient beauty of the wordless choir which soars to emotional heights beyond any other Christmas album.

Average customer rating: This CD is Nice..... But I like Jane Austen Companion Better Beautiful vocal music

Jane Austen's Songbook Manufacturer: Albany Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jane Austen Companion English Country Dances Pride and Prejudice: The Original Soundtrack from the A&E Special Presentation English Country Dances from Playford's Dancing Master 1651-1703 - The Broadside Band Pride & Prejudice ASIN: B0006OR15C Release Date: 2004-12-28

Tracks:

1. 'Tis in Vain, Alcanzor
2. William
3. Oh Nancy
4. The Irishman
5. The Joys of the Country
6. Go, and on my Truth
7. Plus ne veux jamais
8. Her Hair is Like
9. Sweet Transports
10. Airs de Ballets de la Caravane
11. Of Plighted Faith
12. The Soldier's Adieu
13. Je croyais ma belle
14. Sous un Berceau
15. From Night till Morn
16. Filles Charmantes
17. Catch: Joan said to John
18. La Danse
19. My Phillida
20. Chanson Bnoise
21. Thy Fatal Shafts
22. Lucky Escape
23. Think your tawny Moor
24. The Wedding Day
25. The Marseillaise March
26. Arietta Veneziano
27. Somebody
28. The Heaving of the Lead
29. Captivity
30. Queen Mary's Lamentation
31. The Poor little Gypsy
32. When the hollow Drum
33. Faint and Wearily
34. Collin's Ode
35. Begone, dull care
36. The Mansion of Peace
37. The Match Girl

Album Description

Julianne Baird writes: "Music and the social status it expressed was an integral part of Jane Austen's life. Her novels are replete with details of domestic musical activities. Accounts of public concerts and private balls as well as music programs with hired musicians fill her letters. A dedicated amateur herself, Austen ordinarily played at the pianoforte at least an hour a day before breakfast from the 8-book music collection now preserved in her home at Chawton. For nieces and nephews she practiced 'country dances,' a number of which appear in her collections. Austen painstakingly copied and bound music that especially interested her. Two books are in her own hand - one of piano pieces and the other (Book III), of vocal music, recorded here in its entirety. Some pieces contain her own suggestions for ornamentation. Prominent themes are naval affairs, country life, drinking songs, love, Turkish and Moorish motifs, female character pieces, and the French Revolution. The novels of Jane Austen reveal her as a keen observer of early 19th century English society. Now, through her Songbook, she herself springs to life: her special likes and dislikes, her boisterous sense of humor, her passions, the way she amused herself and what she was like relaxing with her family and friends." This is a very special album indeed.

Customer Reviews:

This CD is Nice..... But I like Jane Austen Companion Better.......2007-01-16

This CD is nice but not one that I will listen to often.
The fact that you get to hear what music Jane Austen liked is quite amazing. When you think I'm listening to music that Jane Austen listened to over 200 years ago.
However I'm not a great fan of Opera Music and that is probably why this CD is not one that I will listen to often.
But if you like listening to Opera Music. You will like this CD.

Beautiful vocal music.......2005-10-17

This collection is wonderful and gives us an opportunity to experience some of Austen's favorite music.

Average customer rating: 1956 recording still wins over 2001 a fine revival Good only if you saw the show. Have "Faith" in These Bells SORRY, WRONG NUMBER!

Bells Are Ringing (2001 Revival Broadway Cast) Faith Prince , Betty Comden , Adolph Green , Jule Styne , Tina Landau , Marc Kudisch , and David Garrison Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Revivals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bells Are Ringing (1956 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Bells Are Ringing The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00005LNGT Release Date: 2001-06-26

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Bells Are ringing
3. It's A Perfect Relationship
4. Independent
5. It's A Simple Little System
6. Better Than A Dream
7. Hello, Hello There
8. I Met A Girl
9. Is It A Crime?
10. Long Before I Knew You
11. Mu-Cha-Cha
12. Just In Time
13. Drop That Name
14. The Party's Over
15. Salzberg
16. The Midas Touch
17. Long Before I Knew You (reprise)
18. I'm Going Back
19. Just In Time (reprise)/Finale
20. The Music And Lyrics Of Dr. Kitchell

Amazon.com

Although she's not averse to doing new material (she appeared in William Finn's Falsettoland, for instance, and let's not forget that brilliant bomb called Nick and Nora), Faith Prince is a living embodiment of Broadway's golden age. From her star-making turn as Miss Adelaide in the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls to superb performances in the recent revivals of Little Me and The King and I, Prince always is perfectly attuned to classic material. In this short-lived revival of the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing (directed by Tina Landau, whose previous musical-directing experience was on Floyd Collins), the singer reprises a role created by Judy Holliday and once again proves her versatility. The duet with Marc Kadisch on "Just in Time" is particularly delicious, doing full justice to that beloved song. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

1956 recording still wins over 2001.......2006-08-11

I have always loved the 1956 Original Broadway Cast recording. The orchestrations and singers' musical talent and vocal inflections are brilliant. I was thrilled to see that there was a 2001 revival of this play, and looked forward to hearing the score captured with 2001 recording technology. Unfortunately, where the 1956 cast and orchestra shine, the 2001 version is completely without a soul. The 2001 orchestra sounds as though it must have been one of those "orchestra machines" they are using now in some productions-- there is no warmth or artistic interpretation to the music-- just notes being mechanically played off a page (or computer code I guess).

I also didn't understand, as I did in the Broadway Cast recording, why the female lead would have any attraction for the male lead. In the 2001 recording, answering-service girl Ella Peterson works for Jeff Moss's answering service. The short amount of dialog during the song (changed from the 1950's wording) sounds like he is having her cover for him while he juggles his various girlfriends. He sounds patronizing in his delivery. Then she sings a song about how she's fallen in love with this guy? Then later when pursuing her, he just sounds needy and annoyingly shrill instead of the genuine and confident interpretation by Sydney Chaplin in the 1956 recording.

If you want the soundtrack to this wonderful play, I recommend the Original 1956 Cast Recording with Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin (more genuine then the movie's Dean Martin in my opinion) playing the two leads. After hearing the 2001 version, the 1956 CD sounds surprisingly rich and stereophonic.

a fine revival.......2003-01-04

BELLS ARE RINGING was brought back to Broadway in 2001, in an ill-fated revival that only lasted a couple of months due to lukewarm notices.

Tony-winner Faith Prince (GUYS AND DOLLS) gives her all in the lead role of hopeless romantic Ella Peterson. The role is virtually owned by the late Judy Holliday, who starred in the original Broadway run and later the under-rated movie version. Prince gives us a fresh new look at Ella, with glowing readings of "It's a Perfect Relationship", "Just in Time" and the still-delicious "The Party's Over".

Marc Kudisch, in the decidedly-wooden role of Jeff Moss, sings wonderfully in his songs including the frenetic "I Met a Girl" and "Long Before I Knew You".

This cast also includes Beth Fowler as Sue and Martin Moran as Sandor, who share the comical duet "Salzburg".

Most of the criticism in this revival was aimed at Tina Landau's direction, and the age of the book which seemed too old-fashioned for 'modern' theatregoers. Still, a great musical and a great recording for fans.

Highly-recommended

Good only if you saw the show........2002-07-18

I loved the revival of the musical. It's classic! It's so funny and charming and unpretentious. But unfortuneately this album displays the musical as dull and lifeless. Faith Prince comes off as overplayed and "kitschy" and Mark Kudisch comes off as bored. When I saw the show neither seemed that way at all. The song "I'm Going Back" brought the house down on Broadway, but I often skip that track when I listen to the cd, I'm sorry to say. Luckily, the big hit from the show "The Party's Over" is still as beautiful as the first time it was written-- and Thank God. It's a good play... a good cast... and has good music! It just comes off as very poor and dull...

Have "Faith" in These Bells.......2002-06-29

Let's face it..."Bells Are Ringing" is hardly a substantive Broadway classic. It's theme is dated, as are its notions of the male/female relationship, and many of its references remain staunchly in the 1950s conventionailty of its genesis. But you know what? These shortcomings are equally some of this shows definite charms. "Bells..." is a quintessential example of the Broadway musical's prime years of the 50s and 60s. It's light, entertaining, funny, hummable, and just plain fun. There's none of the "sterm-and-drang" that would come post-Viet Nam. This new recording, quite frankly, is a vast improvement over the original for one simple reason: the two leads can actually sing. Judy Holliday was a marvel of an actress, and this show was tailored to her abilities, but her raspy voice actually detracted from the cleverness of these songs. And Sidney Chaplin, poor soul, was a hapless singer even at the best of times. This time out, Faith Prince reinvents the role as her own and displays both the musical and comedic flair that make her such a unique presence on the legit stage. If only she received more roles of this stature. Can somebody please tailor a new vehicle worthy of her talents? Mark Kudisch brings a pleasing baritone and an effortless energy to his role, and the two play off one another beautifully on this recording. Although some of these songs have dated somewhat, it's still a thrill to hear them delivered as if they were just composed. Of course, "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over" have justifiable reputations, but there are more goodies behind the hits. "It's a Perfect Relationship", "Hello, Hello There", "Drop a Name" and I'm Going Back" are all lively and delicious musical cotton candy, funny and fun to hear with these performers. What makes this CD so good is that it's one of the best produced original cast recordings in years. The singers sound like they're right next to you, adding to the intimacy and personable nature of their characters. There's none of the bobast and canyon-like distance so typical of the post-Lloyd Webber age. Here, you feel like you're listening to a couple of old chums and you're just aching for them to find each other. Of course, you know they will, but their musical journey is still a hoot. This "Bells Are Ringing" is a simple, direct, joyously ebullient lark from start to finish. It's a great addition to any Broadway collection, and a reminder of why those simple musical-comedy shows were such a treat in their heydey. Enjoy.

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER!.......2002-01-25

Ringing? More like clunking. Way back in '56, Comden and Green sat down and wrote a musical for their chum Judy Holliday. With Jule Stein's help, this trio concocted the classic Bells Are Ringing---a musical marvel about a telephone answering service in New York City. The original recording---recently reissued with bonus tracks by Sony Legacy---is also a classic, and belongs in every show music library. This recording of the recently deceased Broadway revival does not. The music and lyrics are still wonderful and moving and funny, but star Faith Prince is cloying and charmless. Sorry, wrong number.

Christian Music:

1. Bounce All Night
2. Breathe
3. Bury the Ghost
4. Candy Pt.2 [CD-single] [Import]
5. Complicated
6. Crash & Burn [Import] [CD-single]
7. Crossing Generations
8. Denise Levasseur
9. Dignity
10. Encapsulation

Christian Music

christian music

Christian Music

All That I've Got [CD-single] [Import]

The Romance of Spain

Transcriptions for Chromatic Harmonica (French Compositions)

Music CD: Corazon De Oro

Till the Clouds Roll By [Soundtrack] [Import]

The Ultimate Sin [Original recording remastered]

Traffic [Gold CD]

Tigermilk

Trance Planet, Vol. 1

The Splendour of King's - Organ Favourites

The Doble Gigante: The Latin Jazz Sides [Import]

Tamborazos De Amor

The Devil Made Me Do It [Explicit Lyrics]

Rózsa: Complete Works for Solo Piano

Different Perspectives