Dance With My Father [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
Given Luther Vandross's precarious state of health at the time of its release, Dance With My Father’s title track--a tale of yearning for a lost loved one--takes on added poignancy. It’s something of a centerpiece on an album that moves in several directions, reaching for varied constituencies, while ultimately staying focused on Vandross’s trademark buttery vocals. In addition to "Dance," there’s more adult-contemporary balladry ("Buy Me a Rose"), lightly sassy soul ("If I Didn’t Know Better"), and a number of collaborations with hip-hoppers that often work surprisingly well. While suspending disbelief is hard when considering Luther and Foxy Brown as a couple ("If It Ain’t One Thing"), remakes of soft-R&B classics with Beyonce Knowles and Busta Rhymes prove to be highlights. With the Destiny’s Child singer, Vandross actually improves on the familiar Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway take of "The Closer I Get to You," turning in a cut that recalls his slow-burning signature reworking of "A House is Not a Home." A languid turn at "Lovely Day," with a purring Busta, works almost as well. (The "Part II" remix is superfluous, however.) Otherwise, Dance is in the vein of post-‘80s Vandross discs, and guaranteed to please fans. --Rickey Wright

Dance With My Father,Luther Vandross,J-Records,Adult Contemporary,Pop,R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Urban

Average customer rating:

Wowo's Review
Luther's Last Gift To Us
Very enjoyable listening experience
Dance with My Father is by far the greatest CD
A Few Bright Moments

Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross
Manufacturer: J-Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000099J41
Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

If I Didn't Know Better
Think About You
If It Ain't One Thing... (featuring Foxy Brown)
Buy Me A Rose
The Closer I Get To You
Lovely Day (featuring Busta Rhymes)
Dance With My Father
She Saw You
Apologize
Hit It Again (featuring Queen Latifah)
Right In The Middle
Once Were Lovers
Lovely Day (remix)
They Said You Needed Me

Amazon.com

Given Luther Vandross's precarious state of health at the time of its release, Dance With My Father's title track--a tale of yearning for a lost loved one--takes on added poignancy. It's something of a centerpiece on an album that moves in several directions, reaching for varied constituencies, while ultimately staying focused on Vandross's trademark buttery vocals. In addition to "Dance," there's more adult-contemporary balladry ("Buy Me a Rose"), lightly sassy soul ("If I Didn't Know Better"), and a number of collaborations with hip-hoppers that often work surprisingly well. While suspending disbelief is hard when considering Luther and Foxy Brown as a couple ("If It Ain't One Thing"), remakes of soft-R&B classics with Beyonce Knowles and Busta Rhymes prove to be highlights. With the Destiny's Child singer, Vandross actually improves on the familiar Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway take of "The Closer I Get to You," turning in a cut that recalls his slow-burning signature reworking of "A House is Not a Home." A languid turn at "Lovely Day," with a purring Busta, works almost as well. (The "Part II" remix is superfluous, however.) Otherwise, Dance is in the vein of post-`80s Vandross discs, and guaranteed to please fans. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Wowo's Review.......2007-01-17

If you are a great fan of Luther, you MUST have this CD...his last project before he left us! Listen to his career song - Dance with my father and you would definitely cry!

Luther's Last Gift To Us.......2007-01-10

"DANCE WITH MY FATHER" is Luther's last gift to us. It is an extraorinary CD. Some of the songs have awesome lyrics i.e. "Buy Me A Rose". The multi-facited CD features a number of artists including: Foxy Brown, Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah and a duet with Beyonce. The insert is wonderfully detailed and includes all the song lyrics. If you are a collector of Luther, then "DANCE WITH MY FATHER" (2003) is the album to finish off your collection as this is the final album recorded by Luther Ronzoni Vandross.

Very enjoyable listening experience.......2006-09-25

I liked this CD a lot. I especially liked "Dance With My Father" & "The Closer I Get to You". Since this was Luther's last cd, it was especially poignant to hear all these songs. I'd recommend this to every Luther fan, although I suspect all his die hard fans already have it, if only for sentimental reasons.

Dance with My Father is by far the greatest CD .......2006-07-02

Ultimately Amazing. Luther showed the world that not only is he a talented singer but a talented songwriter as well.I would have paid full price for just the 1st cut alone! "If I Didn't Know Better" is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes, I wondered if I would get to the rest of the CD. When I did, I knew I had to do something that I've never done! That was this! This CD is worth the time it takes to log on and write a review, Luther deserves phrase for this masterpiece!

The people who appear on this CD are inspirational and come across in ways that never caught my attention before. Beyonce is a treasure and has never sounded better to me, than when her voice blends so perfectly with Luther's voice. What they did with," The Closer I Get To You" is mind blowing!!! I never thought that song could be better than the original version! The bass was a great touch. If you never purchased a Luther Vandross CD before, don't miss this one!

A Few Bright Moments.......2006-03-03

This album was Luther Vandross's last original album prior to his death in 2005. This album has moments where it reaches for something special. The rest of the album is okay, but just average.

The best songs on this album are "If It Ain't One Thing" with guest singer Foxy Brown, "Buy Me a Rose," "The Closer I get to You" with guest singer Beyonce Knowles, "Lovely Day" with guest singer Busta Rhymes, which may be the best song on this CD, "Dance with My Father," "Hit It Again" with Queen Latifah, and "They Said You Needed Me." These are only seven of the fourteen songs. Of these seven songs, four have featured artists. The problem I have with this album is that the rest of the music is average and unremarkable.

Luther managed to put enough power into the song "Dance with My Father" to gain the 2004 Grammy for "Song of the Year," deservedly so. This album also gained Vandross his fourth and final Best Male R&B Vocal Performance Grammy in 2004. This album was also Vandross's first to reach number one on the Billboard chart. This recognition is for the powerful music on this CD.

Luther Vandross has always been a crooner with an incredible ability to appeal to female listeners. I suspect that the better songs on this album will provide appeal to Luther Vandross's traditional fans and many casual fans. However, Luther Vandross failed to put himself into many of these songs, and the lack of inspiration shows. I recommend you borrow a copy of this album or listen to samples before buying it. Good luck!

Average customer rating:

Wonderful entainment
Beyond words ...
Magnificent voices, songs and arrangements
Not their best album
Excellent !!

Sacred
Irish Anonymous , Joe / Sprague, Billy / Carroll, Bruce Beck , Nicholas Brodszky , Gregorian Chant , Henri F. Hemy , Chuck / Shamblin, Allen Jones , Charlie Landsborough , John Newton , Stuart Townsend , Traditional , Irish Traditional , Shaker Traditional , Stevie Wonder , Arnie Roth , Orchestr Ceská Filharmonie , Anthony Kearns , Finbar Wright , and Irish Tenors
Manufacturer: Razor & Tie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ronan

ASIN: B000A2GP2K
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Deus Meus
Be Thou My Vision
Morning Has Broken
My Love
If I Can Help Somebody
My Forever Friend
Shelter Me
Amazing Grace
To Do Your Will
Hail Glorious St. Patrick
How Deep The Father's Love
Lord Of The Dance
There's No Cross
I'll Walk With God
Salve Regina

From the Label

Sacred marks John McDermott's first recording with the Irish Tenors since rejoining fellow original member Anthony Kearns and Finbar Wright (who actually replaced McDermott in 2000). The Irish Tenors live up to their reputation as "gifted interpreters" with this collection, covering a wide range of spiritual material. Sacred was produced by the Irish Tenors' long-time musical director, Arnie Roth, who has also worked with Charlotte Church, Diana Ross, and Art Garfunkel. The album was produced in Prague at the Rudlofinum and ICN Studios.

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Customer Reviews:

Wonderful entainment.......2007-07-25

We love the Irish Tenors. They are so great. We saw them in person and enjoyed the evening

Beyond words ..........2007-03-22

Having only recently discovered The Irish Tenors, nothing here was a repeat to me. And, even if it was, I can't imagine being disappointed.

If you are open to the idea that music can be a vehicle for a moment of sublime and sacred ecstacy, that may help convey what I find difficult to put into words.

While I live continuously and constantly in Our Father's presence, a music album such as this can certainly heighten the moment with Him.

Magnificent voices, songs and arrangements.......2006-06-17

This is an extraordinary collection. The songs are irresistible, the voices incredibly powerful and filled with appropriate emotion, and the orchestra is very simply great. You'll want to buy this album for others. Simply beautiful. A pure joy.

Not their best album.......2006-02-27

For the most part this is an enjoyable collections of sacred music. However the inclussion of "Lord of the Dance" and other modern tunes are dreary no matter who sings them.

Excellent !!.......2005-10-26

I recently went to a concert to hear The Irish Tenors. They did several songs from this CD and it was great. If you like John McDermott as much I do then you must have this CD. This is a triple good CD with 3 top tenors.

The Complete Gilbert & Sullivan (Box Set)

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Don't underestimate those "unknown" Operettas!!
A few details
Wonderful set, if a little inconsistent at times.

The Complete Gilbert & Sullivan (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Eric Idle, Lesley Garrett, Richard Van Allan, Felicity Palmer, Richard Angas, Bonaventura Bottone, Susan Bullock, English National Opera

ASIN: B00008LJEO
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Customer Reviews:

Don't underestimate those "unknown" Operettas!!.......2005-07-07

This is, as far as I know - the only way of buying the "official" recordings of "The Grand Duke" and "Utopia" - which seem to be otherwise out of print!! Several of the others are not that easy to get either.

In any case - most people getting this set will already have the Mikado, and very probably Pirates and Pinafore for that matter, so you're really getting it for the others.

So just for the record - someone has to say this!

The Mikado is (of course) a wonderful piece, but it enjoys its long running status as the most successful of all the G&S operettas very largely for "extra-musical" reasons. It is visually so wonderful, with all those great authentic costumes, and the whole idea of satirising English institutions by pretending they are Japanese is of course brilliantly funny.

Again, Pirates and Pinafore enjoy a lot of their acclaim simply because we have heard them so often. And at least part of the initial success of these (admittedly very funny and entertaining) pieces was the vogue for "nautical drama" on the popular Victorian stage.

Iolanthe, Ruddigore, and Yoemen are all MUCH stronger musically than any of what another reviewer here keeps calling the "trilogy". Patience, Princess Ida, and the Gondoliers all excel either "nautical" operetta, at least musically, although not, perhaps, the Mikado. And I have had a lot of fun listening to my recording of the Sorcerer - although I think most at least of the other G&S operettas are even more interesting.

As for "Trial by Jury" it is really another thing altogether - but in its kind the most perfect thing either Gilbert or Sullivan had anything to do with!

This leaves Utopia and the Grand Duke.

Both of these were produced after the long running friendship between G&S had soured, and they have been sadly neglected ever since. Utopia is none the less both musically beautiful and very funny, and well worth taking an effort to come to grips with. The main point of the satire (which many commentators and reviewers seem to miss) is the way that the English language and British (especially English) institutions were being adopted, often rather uncritically, by countries around the world (most, but not all, of them members of the British Empire, of course). India is perhaps the country Gilbert had most in mind, but you could set it in any of a dozen other countries. The residual problems this has left in the post-colonial world ensure that this work is still far from dated. In some ways this operetta is about globalisation! What could possibly be LESS dated than that!

The Grand Duke, on the other hand, is a bit of an odd man out - I suppose you still have to say it is the weakest of all the G&S efforts. It's the ONLY one that didn't score a very respectable run on its first outing. Surprisingly, however, if an attempt is made to duplicate the musical and (especially) dialogue cuts that G&S would have done themselves if they had not by this time been at each other's throats all the time, a very entertaining piece can be made of it. I was very agreeably surprised by the Ohio Light Opera recording, which does just that - and I am coming round to the idea that the only thing really wrong with the Duke is that it is too long.

ANYWAY:

For all people (especially callow youth) who remain convinced that G&S only wrote three operettas worth listening to - all I can say is, buy this set, and give the lesser known ones a chance. Make sure you have a libretto in your hands as you listen, of course. It may even just need a single hearing in some cases, but otherwise, be patient. In the meantime, you really cannot have any conception of what you are missing.

A few details.......2004-03-28

This 24-CD album consists of 12 plastic cases, each with a thin booklet giving background and plot summaries for the works on its 2 enclosed CD's. Most of the album consists of 15 operettas, 2 of which (Cox and Box, The Zoo) have texts not by Gilbert and 7 of which (The Sorcerer, Princess Ida, The Mikado, Ruddigore, Yeomen of the Guard, Utopia Limited, The Grand Duke) omit most of the spoken dialogue. Before listening to any of these operettas that you don't know well, you'll want to obtain a copy of its text so you can read along and not miss any of the words or the wit.

Wonderful set, if a little inconsistent at times........2003-07-07

If you thought that the Sargent set of G&S opera recordings was gargantum enough, then this D'Oyly Carte cycle is even more gargantum. Although it is more expensive (because of the four extra operas that the Sargent cycle did not include), this complete 24-CD set is like a joy to behold. There is a debate as to whether this is better than the Sargent cycle, but I like to think that this is a delight from first disc to last, because of the idiomatic sense of polish that these recordings seem to have, and are given a life that makes them able to breathe well. This is all thanks to Isidore Godfrey and Royston Nash's conducting. I know that the performances may not be entirely consistent (this is evident when you compare the performance and recording quality of Mikado and Pirates with those of Gondoliers and Pinafore), but this is only a matter of personal preference. The 1960s performances were given more sumptuous and well-detailed recordings than the 1970s recordings, made when the performing style was not so fresh. But anyway, I still think that this is definitely a good buy for anyone who loves G&S. Even with the consistency of Sargent's cheaper EMI set, I would still say: do go ahead to invest in the set because of the liveliness and style in this complete G&S cycle that Sargent never (hardly ever) tackles. The only thing is: I would also like to suggest complementing it with the 1957 Decca D'Oyly Carte recordings of Mikado and Pirates, recently released by the Sounds on CD label, so that these recordings can do justice to the enormous spirit of these operas.

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THE SORT OF MUSIC THAT BOSTRIDGE'S VOICE WAS MADE FOR
Artistry beyond measure
Perfectly Enjoyable
Do Not Be Deceived By His Look Of Innocence
One of the best English-Song CD's available

Ian Bostridge - The English Songbook

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ian Bostridge - Songs of Faure, Debussy & Poulenc
Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II
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Ian Bostridge - Liederkreis Op. 24, Dichterliebe Op. 48 & 7 Lieder

ASIN: B00002CF0T
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

La Belle Bame sans Merci
Sleep
I Will Go With My Father A-Ploughing
The Cloths of Heaven
To Gratiana Dancing and Singing
To Lucasta, On Going To The Wars
Twilight Fancies
Orpheus With His Lute
Jillian of Berry
Cradle Song
The Dance Continued
Linden Lea
Silent Noon
My Love's An Arbutus
The Death of Queen Jane
No Longer Mourn For Me
Since We Loved
The Sally Gardens
Rest, Sweet Nymphs
Come Away, Death
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
Bold William Taylor
Brigg Fair
The Little Turtle Dove

Customer Reviews:

THE SORT OF MUSIC THAT BOSTRIDGE'S VOICE WAS MADE FOR.......2002-10-09

Ian Bostridge has one of the most beautiful voices on record, and he has consistently shown courage and wisdom in selecting material that will extend and develop his gifts. Not all of this material has been a perfect match for his young and soaring tenor voice, notably some of Schubert's more dramatic "lieder". In contrast, nothing could be more perfectly suited to his voice than this generous and beautiful collection of traditional English poetic settings by Britten, Finzi, Grainger, Warlock and others.

Bostridge brings more than just a beautiful tone and a subtle musical phrasing to these songs. The challenge any intepreter of English songs has to face is that, in contrast with the pure syllables of most continental languages, the complex vowels of "Southern British English" are formidably difficult to render attractively in song. It's not just a question of singing them prettily. Think how accurately the pronunciation of a word like "house" or "bath" can betray someone's geographical and social background; our vowels are a caste-mark as well as a means of communication. But somehow Bostridge himself, in his fruitful partnership with Julius Drake, manages to transcend our socio-linguistic divisions and deliver these songs in a way that places no barrier between the listener and the music.

The material is wonderful in its own right - a collection of lilting pastoral airs and occasional boisterous ditties. They are at one and the same time ancient and modern, embracing at once the mutual cross-fertilisation between classical and "pop" sensibilities that has always underpinned the best of English music. Even the most trivial of these songs (e.g. "Jillian of Berry") are memorable, and some of them (notably Sir Charles Stanford's chilling musical setting of the Keats' poem, "La Belle Dame Sans Merci") would not have been beneath Schubert himself.

It has been fashionable over the generations to belittle British classic music. "The land without song" England was dubbed, as the sleeve notes poignantly remind us. This CD is a healthy reminder that the global success of English popular music in the latter four decades of the 20th century did not appear out of nowhere; it was built on a solid foundation of past accomplishment that it was for too long fashionable to dismiss. Highly recommended.

Artistry beyond measure.......2002-09-20

This disk is a wonderful treasure. "To Gratiana Dancing and Singing" is an exquisite song that you should not go another day without hearing. I am speaking literally.

Mr. Bostridge's interpretation of Browne's song is amazingly compelling. His ability to express goes beyond that of most other singers - even some great ones. He notes the problems in singing in English (the "extra" vowels, the English vs. German approach to word painting, etc.) and I have to say he triumphs on this disk.

As he also notes, this is NOT a recording of a recital program nor are the songs "English" in nationality - the songs are just set to texts in the English language. I had not heard of some of these composers, but I am enthusiastic in saying that every song on this disk has something very nice to recommend it - at least at the voice and hands of Ian Bostridge and Julian Drake.

I must say a few words about Mr. Drake's playing. Overall he is simply incredible. He has a beauty of tone and a singing style that is not in anyway mere accompaniment. It really isn't even a partnership. It is a unity of artistry that creates this single entity, a song. There aren't many that can pull this off and Mr. Drake should be treasured for this ability. Just amazing artistry.

Please get every disk that Mr. Bostridge and Mr. Drake have done together. You will thank me for recommending this if you didn't know this already. Feel free to email me with your thoughts on this disk or any comments you have about Bostridge and Drake.

Perfectly Enjoyable.......2002-02-09

I already liked Ian Bostridge, but I thought "English songs" would be rather light and without substance. But I have fallen in love with this CD and never tire of it! I was already an admirer of Vaughan Williams, Britten, Finzi, Warlock and Delius, and I'm glad for this introduction to other composers as well. Also, much beautiful poetry is chosen, from Shakespeare, Yeats, Rossetti, Keats, and others, and each is treated with careful consideration by the composer, *partnering* music with poetry rather than simply enhancing or overshadowing the lyric. Bostridge seems to have the perfect voice for this music, light and charming when appropriate, heart-breaking at other times, always an engaging storyteller. He obviously understands intimately each word and note that he sings. The listener can hear his facial expressions and body language! The English Songbook is a beautiful collection of excellent craftsmanship, and one of the best CDs I have.

Do Not Be Deceived By His Look Of Innocence.......2001-10-14

Just look at Ian on the cover photo of this CD. He's sitting there looking coy, playing with his finger, hair a little mussed, with a very cute boyish smile, as if to say, "I didn't do anything wrong mommy, honest." Well he has done it this time.

This CD was my first exposure to Ian Bostridge. I bought it because I was very surprised to know that one of my favorite poems, the Cloths of Heaven by Yeats, was set to music. I spent 17 bucks for one song, and ended up cashing in on 23 others.

To Gratiana Dancing and Singing quickly became a favorite, as did Bold William Taylor. This last one was my first realization of Ian's gift of storytelling. Somehow he is able to make his voice sound like a woman, namely Sally Gray, and the narrator, and the macho Captain, all in the same song. The multiple personalities come out to play similarly in The Death of Queen Jane. I am lulled into quiet reflection and relaxation when Ian sings the Cradle Song.

Check out his CDs of Schubert Lieder, also accompanied by Julius Drake. Ian may be even more at home in German than he is in his native English! Julius is at home with Schubert, especially the water songs, and we are at home listening to this wonderfully weird, warm voice paired with masterful piano playing.

One of the best English-Song CD's available.......2001-09-12

Unlike the reviewer "A music fan from California, USA" I realize that this is not a recital program of music (as even noted in the liner). This is though, an unequaled collection of some of the most beautiful English Songs ever. Ian is on top of his game and J Drake plays, well, I don't have the words. He never fails to impress with his skills. Each key under each finger sings! Back to Ian. As a professional tenor, I am in awe of his voice. It is tender, moving, all the things you want in a good recitalist, and (unlike any of the opera tenors I can think of) it is note perfect. Yes, there are times when his voice seems a little light for the song he may be performing, but it is passionate and caries the pathos of each note/word he sings. BUY THIS CD - you will love it for ever!

Average customer rating:

Songs My Father Taught Me
Paul Dresser , Frank Lambert , Graham Peel , J. Airlie Dix , Ivor Novello , Oscar Rasbach , Sir Frederick O'Connor , Eric Coates , Alan Murray , and Malcolm Martineau
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005Y0N9
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Amazon.com

Sir Thomas Allen makes the point in a note with this delightful collection of 25 ballads that he rates it beside his many recordings of music heavyweights like Wagner and Verdi. There is no need to justify his enthusiasm, for it is clear from the outset that he treats the music with the sort of complete respect that has made him one of our most-loved singers. It is too easy to be dismissive of this repertoire, but when it is taken at its own value and sung and played with honesty, as it is here, the results are heartwarming. Allen recalls hearing the songs in the family home following the two world wars, "a time when there seemed a need for reassurance." Perhaps that time is with us again, and these performances strike a chord. There are many old friends here and perhaps some new discoveries. Who can resist the beautifully constructed "Love, could I only tell thee" or that old potboiler "The Lost Chord", especially when given with such warmth? A picture shows Allen and family in full vocal spate. At the piano is his father, to whose memory he dedicates the disc. --Keith Clarke

Glorious Splendor: Christmas With the Washington Chorus

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Glorious Splendor: Christmas With the Washington Chorus

Manufacturer: Gothic Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B00016W7YU
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming
Welcome All Wonders
Magnificat
Torches
Of the Father's Love Begotten
Der Tag, Der Ist So Freudenreich [Organ Solo]
Ubi Caritas
Jesu, As Thou Art Our Saviour
Prelude: Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance? [Organ Solo]
What Sweeter Music
Magnificat
Ave Maria [Soprano Solo]
Pastoral Dance on "On Christmas Night" [Organ Solo]
Joy to the World

Album Description

Christmas carols and tunes of the season by composers from Bach to Britten, including works for voices, brass, percussion, and organ. Booklet includes complete texts of the carols.

Tracks:

Today, today is my own time
The Coming Day
Rose of Sharon
In this pleasant place I will go
The Earth Is Renewed
I've a spiritual garden to weed
Lord give me of Thy living bread
Redeeming Love
Good Brethren will you receive my love
Round Dance
Compassion
Toil On, Pray On
As Stars and Diamonds
Receive a Father's love
Pearl of Great Price
In love and peace we will increase
Simple Gift
With the lamb on Mt. Zion
The Charms of My Mother
"Great I" Medley: Dismission of Great I
Love Is Little
Harmony of Angels
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
Mother's Chair
Let us grow up strength in Zion
My Mother's way's the way for me
Let us sow to the spirit of love
May I see as I am seen
Wake Up
I love to sing and worship God
Move on with the gift
How pretty 'tis to see
Good Elder, dear Brethren and Sisters, I love you
Grateful Remembrance
Learned of Angel
God Is Infinitely Able
God's Blessing
Farewell, farewell our dear gospel friends
Prayer for the Nations

Album Description

Shaker music is a unique body of American sacred folk music, created by eighteen American Shaker communities over a period of one hundred and forty years (1780-1920). This rich tradition of song continues to serve the Shaker community in the twenty-first century because it embodies their history, records the testimony of Shakers "who have gone before," articulates the religious principles on which Shakerism is founded, and reflects the faith of the contemporary community. Shaker music was created and nurtured in communities that prized isolation from worldly ways. Shaker melodies, although related to the larger tradition of Anglo-American folk songs, are not bound by their form, tonality, melodic or rhythmic structure.

The Enfield Shaker singers are a vocal ensemble of adults and children devoted to the study and performance of Shaker music. The group is open to all without audition, and is made up of both trained musicians and amateur singers. We draw heavily on the repertoire received or composed in the two societies that were the New Hampshire Bishopric—Canterbury and Enfield. Since the New Hampshire societies enriched their repertoire with songs from all the other Shaker communities, they also sing songs of the New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio and Kentucky Shakers.

The Enfield Shaker Singers are drawn to Shaker spirituals that illuminate Shaker communal values and broaden our definitions of the sacred. The songs included on this recording illustrate some of the many ways music served Shaker communities. Most Shaker song texts are theologically direct, emotionally honest, and expressive of our shared humanity.

On this recording we offer thirty-nine songs we have come to love. Some have special meaning for individuals. We associate others with a particular singer in the group, or an occasion when it was sung. Each song offers us slightly different insights into Shaker aspiration, and Shaker faith. We hope that, through this recording, others will also come to love and sing them too. —Mary Ann Haagen, from the liner notes

Customer Reviews:

Religious music from the 19th century.......2007-07-07

If one likes the songs of the Shakers written in the late 18th and early 19 century that were without musical instruments, then you may like this CD. I found 8 songs out of the 30 or more on the CD that I liked, the others I did not care for much. This is no fault of the creators of the Cd, it is simply the style of the Shakers of the past.

A wonderful listening treat.......2005-01-11

This CD is a delight! The simple melodies, surprising harmonies, and clarity of the voices makes you want to sing along. Listening makes one smile, regardless of one's religious persuasion. Thank you for giving us these songs and preserving the tradition of this music.

Average customer rating:

The Soul Ascends

Manufacturer: Prism Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005AU76
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Average customer rating:

the sentiment is tight,but not the song itself

Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

CD Singles | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000DIGKV
Release Date: 2003-12-30

Tracks:

Dance With My Father (Album Version)
Take You Out (Allstar Mix)
Never Too Much Love (Live)

Album Description

Taken from the 2003 album of the same name. The title track, (Album Version), is backed with two non-LP tracks, 'Take You Out' (Allstar Mix) & 'Never Too Much' (Live). Arista.

Album Details

The Hit Single from Vandross' Album of the Same Name Includes a Remix of "Take You Out" and a Live Rendition of his Classic Hit "Never Too Much".

Customer Reviews:

the sentiment is tight,but not the song itself.......2004-07-04

all prayers to Luther Vandross for a Full Recovery&also He is One of the Best Vocalists over the past 25 years easily.anyway the sentiment of the Song is felt but the song itself leaves me kinda empty.