Private Room

Amazon.com
His style lodged somewhere between neo-soul revivalism and the ongoing tradition of love-man blandishment, Avant makes a good showing on his third album, Private Room. Recalling Marvin Gaye in lush style, a nod to "Sexual Healing" (the whispers on "Heaven"), and even by name in one lyric ("Hooked"), he posits a derivative but pleasing stance. Most surprising is "Have Some Fun," which backs its affirmative message with an inventive, piano-led track, a snaking melody line, and a stack of vocals that tease the ear. Not everything here rises to that immaculate level, but never does the music rest on anything less than imaginative craft. Avant’s love for sound and emotion show throughout this hour-long performance--one that R&B lovers won’t regret picking up. --Rickey Wright

Private Room,Avant,Geffen Records,Contemporary R&B,Pop,R&B,Soul/R & B,Urban

The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music

Average customer rating:

Very disappointing, considering what it could have been
Always a pleaser
JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music
Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia
John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music

The Music of John Williams: 40 Years of Film Music

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969 - 1999
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Summon the Heroes

ASIN: B0000C6K09
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

The Sugarland Express-Main Theme
Jaws-Main Theme
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind-Suite
Raiders Of The Lost Ark-March
Raiders Of The Lost Arc-The Map Room:Dawn
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrail-Adventures On Earth
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-Mine Car Chase
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom-End Credits
Empire Of The Sun-Exsultate Justi
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-Indy's First Adventure

Tracks:

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade-End Credits
Always-Follow Me/Dorinda's Solo Flight
Hook-Main Themes
Jurassic Park-Main Themes
Schindler's List-Main Theme
Amistad-Dry Your Tears, Afrika
Saving Private Ryan-Hymn To The Fallen
A.I. Artificial Intelligence-Where Dreams Are Made
Minority Report
Catch Me If You Can

Tracks:

The Rare Breed-Suite (Universal Emblem/Hilary's Plight/Scottish Romeo/The Hunt)
Jane Eyre-Suite: The Jane Eyre Theme
Jane Eyre-Suite: To Thornfield
Jane Eyre-Suite: Restoration
The Cowboys-Overture
The Poseidon Adventure-Prelude
The Towering Inferno-Main Titles
Family Plot-End Titles
The Fury-Main Titles
Superman-Main Theme
Dracula-Main Titles & Storm
The River-Main Theme & Love Theme
The Witches Of Eastwick- Dance Of The Witches

Tracks:

Born On The Fourth Of July-End Credits
Presumed Innocent-End Titles
JFK-Arlington/End Titles
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone-Hedwig's Theme
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets-Fawkes The Phoenix
Star Wars: A New Hope- Main Theme
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-Hans Solo And The Princess
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back-The Imperial March
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace- Anakin's Theme
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-The Flag Parade
Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones-Across The Stars
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace-Duel Of The Fates

Customer Reviews:

Very disappointing, considering what it could have been.......2007-04-20

Take a look at the running times:

Disc 1: 60 minutes
Disc 2: 50 minutes
Disc 3: 61 minutes
Disc 4: 58 minutes

What gives Silva? There is *MUCH* more John Williams in the silva screen back catalogue by the Prague Philharmonic than what is in this set, and thats not including their entire discs devoted to Star Wars Films, Indiana Jones Trilogy etc. Why isn't Hook "When You're Alone" included on Disc 2? There's room. Why isn't 1941 on Disc 1? There's room. Why isn't Earthquake on Disc 3? There's room. Why isn't Far and Away on disc 4? There's room. Where's the other ten minutes of the Rare Breed suite on disc 3? Why isn't Midway on disc 1? Where are the Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel and Lots In Space tv themes? Etc. Etc. Etc.

C'mon Silva, most of these 4 disc mega boxes released in the past few years are packed to the brim, but not this one, and with new recordings made after this was released (the terminal, munich, geisha, war of the worlds, star wars ep 3, harry potter 3), it only makes sense for a "re-do" in the next couple of years.

Further, with Silva releasing the 100 Greatest Film Themes on six discs in a couple of months, it's only a matter of time before we see the ultimate six disc john williams set.

This isn't a BAD set to own, but it could have been much better and when compared to the Jerry Goldsmith and John Barry sets in this same series, this one is a major letdown.

Always a pleaser.......2007-03-31

I listen to music all day with patients in my dental chair. This one is a winner with everyone. Patients always comment on how they recognize a song. Who doesn't love John Williams? His music transcends time.

JOHN WILLIAMS 40 Years of Film Music.......2007-01-10

This 4 cd pack is an anthology of all John Williams works. From his earlier works "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Jaws" right through "Indiana Jones" and the most recent"Star Wars" prequel movies are included. Williams work in thriller and horror are also included. If you are into soundtracks and love movie music this is an essential buy. The quality of the music is excellent. With ten or more tracks on each cd it's well worth the money.

Movie Music Magic & Memorabilia.......2006-12-13

This four CD set expands on the previously released John Williams Greatest Hits. It's a grand collection of nearly four hours of famous music scores from over forty years. There are many songs never before available in any collection. The short liner notes tell a great tale of musical movie history and include all of his numerous award nominations and wins. Each song (oddly enough) mentions the actors and the director, so fond are John Williams's memories of his work with these people. All of the conductors are mentioned along with specific orchestras, choirs, arrangement and orchestration specialists and even the publishers (contractual, I am sure). The only things missing are his early television scores, such as those for "Lost In Space" (by Johnny Williams back then). But with four discs, one has nothing to complain about and everything to enjoy!

John Williams: 40 Years of Outstanding Film Music.......2006-11-28

I have been a huge fan of John Williams and I have known about his music for years. However, I never actually bought any of his music on CD. I was rather skeptical about purchasing this CD but when it arrived I knew I had made the right choice. The sound quality of the compilation is outstanding. The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra do a great job under the direction of Paul Bateman. The original London Symphony Orchestra CDs of John Williams' Star Wars Trilogy CDs are marginally better but this is still a great CD compilation. If you love ET, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, you will love this compilation soundtrack. Buy it, listen to these CDs in the car and enjoy every minute of the collection!!!

Average customer rating:

Redemed Himself
CHANGED OUR LIVES
Liked album but the Steve Huff sound's running out of steam
Avant what happened? Buy Avant's "Avant" self titled cd instead!
V.I.P.

Private Room
Avant
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ecstasy
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And Then...

ASIN: B0000DZDTI
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Tracks:

Private Room Intro
Av
Read Your Mind
Heaven
Don't Take Your Love Away
Have Some Fun
Hooked
Phone Sex (That's What's Up)
Feast
Seems to Be
You Got Me
Wanna Be Close
Everything About You
You
Read Your Mind, Pt. 2 the Remix
Flickin

Amazon.com

His style lodged somewhere between neo-soul revivalism and the ongoing tradition of love-man blandishment, Avant makes a good showing on his third album, Private Room. Recalling Marvin Gaye in lush style, a nod to "Sexual Healing" (the whispers on "Heaven"), and even by name in one lyric ("Hooked"), he posits a derivative but pleasing stance. Most surprising is "Have Some Fun," which backs its affirmative message with an inventive, piano-led track, a snaking melody line, and a stack of vocals that tease the ear. Not everything here rises to that immaculate level, but never does the music rest on anything less than imaginative craft. Avant's love for sound and emotion show throughout this hour-long performance--one that R&B lovers won't regret picking up. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Redemed Himself .......2006-02-23

After the weak, Ecasty CD Avant returned with a venagance with his Private Room CD.Avant is a man with one thing on his mind, and it's the sort of thing that's best appreciated in a Privtae Room. On the lead single "Read Your Mind," for instance, at a key point in the song, everything stops while Avant lets out one of the loudest, lustiest sighs in the history of recorded music. The follow up single Don't Take Your Love Away was just as strong. Most of the tracks on PRIVATE ROOM are in the time-tested slow-jam vein, giving Avant plenty of room for whispering, cajoling, cooing, and otherwise working his musical wiles. Nevertheless, "Heaven" has an almost 1970s-sounding melodic pop flavor, and "You" is carried along by a driving hip-hop beat. Things get pretty hot in Avant's PRIVATE ROOM, but his simmering, romantic style makes sure that they never overheat like that damn R.Kelly

CHANGED OUR LIVES.......2006-01-20

I can't really explain the title of my review without giving you our history. I won't do that, but I will say we're engaged now. Avant's lyrics helped us realize what we wanted. This will forever go down in history as one of my favorite albums of all time. I can't listen to Don't take your love away and You got me without getting all sentimental. If you knew what we've been through, you'd know why, just take my word. It's special to us. LOVE YOU AVANT.

Liked album but the Steve Huff sound's running out of steam.......2006-01-01

Avant's third album is good, but some of the songs lack the punch of his other two. The Steve Huff signature sound, where Huff produced entire albums for Avant, is running out of steam. The songs are becoming monotonous with some of that same thump-thump-thump sound. Some of the ballads are becoming blander. Avant needs to find some other producers, musicians and writers to do his next one. Luckily, his upcoming album in January of 2006 has some new people on it and the aformentioned Huff.

Avant what happened? Buy Avant's "Avant" self titled cd instead!.......2005-08-12

I know music, been writing music for years now. Music is my life; I also write music professionally.

So here is The Run Down:

Avant's Private Room, needs to remain in a private room where very few people will go because they would leave almost immediately. Ok its not that bad, but its bad enough to say DO NOT BUY. I originally found out about Avant by accident, one day i was listening to music samples on Yahoo! Music and typed in a song and got Avant as a result instead. I decided to listen to it and was like WOW he's good. So I went out and bought his self titled cd AVANT; which I loved! I seriously enjoyed almost every song, which is rare. So I figure most likely he was consistent with his other cds so I bought Private Room and Ecstasy both which are mediocre.

The ONLY good Avant cd is his self titled cd AVANT buy that one instead. Dont get me wrong, there are a FEW good songs on this cd but not many, I only have 4 songs from this cd on my mp3 player because the others ones in "my opinion" are NOT good or worth while.

BE ADVISED!!!

--------------------
My Rating System is based on Amazon's:
* = Hate It
** = I Don't Like It
*** = It's Ok
**** = I Like It
***** = I LOVE IT!
--------------------

V.I.P........2005-07-10

Avant's Private Room is inhibited with sex and love with a touch of "Heaven". "AV" a signature song that led the album with the high expectations. The lead single quickly plays the back but both versions of "Read Your Mind" are sexier with the total package. A resemblance of R. Kelly with "Phone Sex (That's What's Up)" is a great addition for his voice and style. What keeps this from being classic material is the lyrics and or a signature style as the mediocre "Have Some Fun". Yet, songs like "Hooked" and the old school style fetish "Feast" are pleasers as well.

Average customer rating:

Good Previn Great Korngold
MAGIC FORMULA
Suffocated in marzipan?
Great Music, but a Mediocre Performance
Film Scores By Korngold

Korngold: The Sea Hawk
Erich Wolfgang Korngold , London Symphony Orchestra , and Andre Previn
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005UW3Z
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

The Sea Hawk: Main Title
The Sea Hawk: Reunion
The Sea Hawk: The Albatross
The Sea Hawk: The Throne Room
The Sea Hawk: The Orchid
The Sea Hawk: Gold Caravan
The Sea Hawk: Duel Part I
The Sea Hawk: Duel Continued
The Sea Hawk: Freedom
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Main Title
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Essex' Victory March
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: The Chess Game
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Lady Penelope
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Elizabeth the Queen
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Defeat In Ireland
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Darling (Love Scene)
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex: Finale
Captain Blood: I. Main Title
Captain Blood: II. Sold Into Slavery
Captain Blood: III. Meeting On The Ocean
Captain Blood: V. Peter And Arabella
Captain Blood: VI. Finale
The Prince And The Pauper: I. Main Title
The Prince And The Pauper: II. Tom
The Prince And The Pauper: III. The Prince
The Prince And The Pauper: IV. The Boys Go To Play
The Prince And The Pauper: V. Riot
The Prince And The Pauper: VI. Flirtation Waltz
The Prince And The Pauper: VII. Duel
The Prince And The Pauper: VIII. The Seal
The Prince And The Pauper: IX. Epilogue And Finale

Customer Reviews:

Good Previn Great Korngold.......2006-12-23

I was never too enamored with Andre Previn as a film composer or a conductor. However, I found this recording to be rather exhilarating. Previn gives Charles Gerhardt a run for his money with the performances here of Korngold's music. If you have seen the films the recordings take on a new life. I recently viewed "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" and I enjoy those selections even more.

MAGIC FORMULA.......2005-12-17

This disc provides four sets of selections from Korngold's legendary film scores. That suits me for one better than the scores in their entirety, and I like the way the production has been done, with each set of extracts played without intermissions (although there are separate tracks for the individual episodes). Korngold's film music is all about effect so far as I'm concerned, and enough of a good thing is enough, especially when the transitions between the separate extracts are arranged as skilfully and smoothly as they are here. Korngold's style fitted the epics of the 30's and 40's to perfection - it was his natural style, he didn't adapt that as William Alwyn did, and he didn't follow models but was the model himself, starting with Captain Blood in 1935. It was as if someone had invented a glove because he liked the shape of it, and found out that it was perfectly suited to being worn on the hand.

The liner-notes that come with the disc are admirable. Previn contributes a short and lucid introduction giving us his general view of Korngold and of film music. The majority of the material is from the authoritative source of Brendan G. Carroll, providing a more detailed commentary on the four film scores separately. These are given in the chronological order of the films, whereas the scores are not, in case anyone needs to know that. Previn suits me down to the ground as an interpreter of music like this. He had an exceptionally adept touch with scores that are thick-textured and lyrical, something I found many years ago in his Brahms readings, and which you will find in his recording of the German Requiem from 2000, one year prior to the present disc. The way he does it is just right for me, with plenty of body and fullness to it, but showing real mastery in keeping the texture clear at the same time. He and the LSO are long acquainted of course. Their relationship had its stormy episodes, but in my own opinion it was one of the most successful such partnerships in the entire 20th century. There is a sense of consistency here, which might seem unsurprising given that this is Korngold whose idiom is not exactly varied, but it does great credit to the various orchestrators, of whom I count five. Korngold simply was not given time to go through the hard slog of writing out his scores in full, but he knew the kind of sound he wanted and I would guess he supervised his assistants pretty closely.

The recording seems exemplary to me as well. It suits Korngold, it suits the LSO, it suits Previn's special approach. The packaging is a new kind that I was also given by DG for a set of Lutoslawski concertos. It is in soft board, with a fold-over cover forming an envelope containing the liner. Extracting the latter can be like coaxing an unwilling dog out of its kennel sometimes, but I have no objection to this new format. In my filing system this disc will be separated by only one other from my disc of Ketelbey, another composer for the masses during the same era. The two make an interesting contrast. Ketelbey wrote for the radio, specifically for the BBC Light Programme and was listened to by an audience of impoverished British housewives in pinnies as in the film Vera Drake, and by the husbands and sons of these in flat caps. Korngold sang of romantic adventure and - more to the point - of romantic opulence. Where I come from, and for my age-bracket, this is the music of escapism, and it is a pleasure to escape down memory lane again.

Suffocated in marzipan?.......2005-11-05

For anyone too young to remember, Charles Gerhardt single-handedly revived the movie scores of Korngold in the late Sixties with swashbuckling performances on RCA. Korngold wasn't just forgotten--he had been crushed by a famous review that said his serious music needed "less corn and more gold." Gerhardt worked dilligently to bring both serious and popcorn scores back into circulation.

This 2001 CD from Previn and the LSO is about ten shades less luxurious and shmaltzy than those earlier sets. Here Previn aims to keep the sweetness below the saccharine level. Is that even possible? I think he succeeds a lot of hte time, despite the loss of visceral excitement that goes along with it. One big dose of Korngold per lifetime is a great thrill; too much leads to insulin shock.

So, at this stage of life I welcome these less excitable readings (in gorgeous sound) and can enjoy them without feeling that someone is suffocating me in marzipan.

Great Music, but a Mediocre Performance.......2005-11-05

Korngold was indubitably one of the greatest film-score composers in the history of cinema if not the singularly greatest one. Both his innovations in the syntactical procedures involved in the production of film music and his highly individual expressiveness have seeped into the work of nearly all the composers in the genre in the generations since. What Korngold did for the art for which he is best remembered may be likened to what Monteverdi did for the opera or what Haydn did for the symphony. It was thus with great enthusiasm that I greeted the release of this album from the preeminent Andre Previn and the equally illustrious LSO.

While it is already granted that what is being played is both brilliantly constructed and enjoyable to listen to, I was disappointed in the playing itself, especially given the reputations of the players. In this recording, the LSO is uncharacteristically lethargic, and their sound is a bit on the bellowing, turgid side, lacking in an articulation adequate enough to highlight the many breathtaking orchestral details which are typical of Korngold's intricate style. I also find it disconcerting that this recording continues the trend of committing to disc only truncated suites of the scores. If we are ever to appreciate these great pieces of music, one must first play them in their entirety. Two-hour tone poems operatic in their scope cannot be done justice when they are turned into fleeting musical interludes.

Film Scores By Korngold.......2003-05-03

I have been collecting film scores for over fifty years. One
of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's great film scores is for the film
that made President Ronald Regan a major film star "King's Row"
with Claude Rains, Robert Cummings, Ann Sheridan, Charles Coburn
and a host of very fine film actors of the period - 1942. I have
often though that the film could be remade for a new, younger
audience, but no one could duplicate the outstanding film music
composed by Korngold, along with Max Steiner,and Sir Malcom
Arnold, a favourite of mine.

A Room With a View: Complete Recordings, Vol.1

Average customer rating:

The style is the man--and the song

A Room With a View: Complete Recordings, Vol.1

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mad Dogs & Englishmen: Complete Recordings, Vol. 2
Mad About the Boy: Complete Recordings, Vol. 3

ASIN: B000054BF6
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

This Year Of Grace: Dance, Little Lady
This Year Of Grace: A Room With A View
This Year Of Grace: Mary Make-Believe
This Year Of Grace: Try To Learn To Love
This Year Of Grace: Lorelei
A Dream Of Youth (The Dream Is Over)
Bitter Sweet: Zigeuner
This Year Of Grace: World Weary
Private Lives, Act 1, Love Scene: Someday I'll Find You
Private Lives, Act 2, Scene: I Never Realised/If You Were The Only Girl In The World
Half-Caste Woman
Any Little Fish
Cavalcade: Lover Of My Dreams (Mirabelle Valse)
Cavalcade Vocal Medley: Soldiers Of The Queen/Goodbye Dolly Gray/Lover Of My Dreams/I Do Like To...
Cavalcade, Epilogue: Toast To England
Noel Coward Medley: Parisian Pierrot/Poor Little Rich Girl/A Room With A View/Dance Little Lady...

Customer Reviews:

The style is the man--and the song.......2001-05-02

Many composers have chosen to perform their own material and commit it to discs, with mixed results. Only with Noel Coward do we feel that a good deal of the charm of his numbers lies in the very way he performs them. For proof, we now have the Naxos Nostalgia (8.120529), which dishes up 16 tracks of the ultra-refined son of W. S.Gilbert, giving us six selections from "This Year of Grace," one from "Bittersweet," a medley of treasures from his "Cavalcade," another from his other works, and a few other trifles that are better than most of what is written today.

Add to all this two classical scenes with Coward and co-star Gertrude Lawrence from his "Private Lives," incredibly valuable for those local drama groups who butcher this work in that this CD can teach them the tone and rhythms that are essential in making this classic succeed.

The subtitle of this set is "The Complete Recordings, Volume 1: 1928-1932." So we can look forward to future offerings featuring this fascinating composer-lyricist-performer. Thank you, Naxos, yet again.

Noel Coward Songbook
Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan

Mad dogs and an Englishman called Ian

Coward the Composer, Quite Charming without the Camp

COWARD'S THEATRE SONGS

Noel Coward Songbook
Ian Bostridge
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006HM8Z
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

I Travel Alone
Parisian Pierrot
Poor Little Rich Girl
World Weary
Mary Make-Believe
A Room With A View
Dance, Little Lady
If You Could Only Come With Me
I'll See You Again
Zigeuner
The Dream Is Over
Any Little Fish
Twentieth Century Blues
Mad Dogs And Englishmen
Let's Say Good-bye
Something To Do With Spring
The Party's Over Now
Someday I'll Find You
Never Again

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-03-25

I have always admired the nonchalant and somewhat dry humor of Noel Coward lyrics, not to mention the interesting twists and turns that his music often takes, I admire Ian Bostridge for attempting his songs and doing a "bang-up" job of it! A quote from Ian Bostridge prior to making this recording:"My first concern while contemplating a disc of Noel Corward songs was finding a voice for them,,,,,,We need to remember that, in Coward, we have not only a formidable playwright and screenwriter, but also the English equivalent of Irving Berlin or Cole Porter". After I heard this from Bostridge (on an interview on ABC) I began to appreciate the songs much more than previously.There is much philosophising going on as in "I Travel Alone" and some are quite humorous as in "Mad Dogs and Englishmen". One has to listen more than once to get it all, but it's worth the time. And I definately think that Ian found the voice to sing them.Do I prefer Bostridge singing classical??Of course!!!!!But I still enjoy a break now and then and I'll take this disc for that reason.

Mad dogs and an Englishman called Ian .......2005-09-02

I must say that I approached this album as a fan of Ian rather than Noel Coward (and admittedly still don't really have a good idea of who the man is). So in terms of Ian's singing, I like it a lot. He has a wonderfully dextrous voice and a clear tone, complemented by Jeffrey Tate on the piano and the soprano Sophie Daneman for several numbers.

Generally I find myself unable to appreciate the work of classical singers who do crossover albums, but Ian is an exception. It has been said elsewhere that he may lack a robustness in his voice, but here in fact, one would not wish for an overpowering tenor. He isn't at all overblown, unlike many other singers in crossovers. The lightness of his voice lends a kind of intimacy to these recordings, as if he were singing in a café or an at-home musical evening.

The material is, of course, a departure from Schubert, &c., but he handles it well. However, I do think that he has a better emotional feel for the 19th century German romanticists and the 20th century British classical composers (i.e. Britten). This recording is pleasant but it seems to me to lack the emotional depth of Ian's Schumann in particular - a perceived deficiency that might lie with the composer Coward rather than the performer.

I like to listen to this CD when I want to listen to Ian sing, but am not in the mood for his more serious/depressing recordings (a la Schubert & Britten). The lyrics are pretty inane, the same goes for the songs themselves - melodically speaking - but Ian makes them special. So four stars.

Coward the Composer, Quite Charming without the Camp.......2002-11-18

I love this CD. I have a collection of Noel Coward performing his major songs, and I found it entertaining, but frankly I was never much drawn to it after the initial novelty wore off. I never really appreciated Coward as a composer because his campy persona and limited vocal talents got in the way. I bought this CD as a gift for a big Coward fan, and I am ashamed that I have not yet given it to him because I enjoy it so much. Bostridge is a really fine tenor. The beauty and subtlety of his voice bring out the beauty of Coward's melodies and the wit of his lyrics without overwhelming them with a heavy and mannered "classical" style, which is the bane of most such "crossover" CDs. The CD is also beautifully recorded. Outstanding songs include "I Travel Alone," "Parisian Pierrot," "World Weary," and "A Room with a View." Bostridge also has just the right touch with the goofier songs like "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," "Something to do with Spring," and "Any Little Fish." I highly recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys witty cabaret songs in general and Coward in particular. It really did give me a new and greater appreciation of Coward's considerable talents as a composer.

COWARD'S THEATRE SONGS.......2002-09-30

Sometimes musical artists should NOT attempt cross-over albums. I am a huge fan of Jessye Norman, Leontyne Price and Joan Sutherland, but their ventures into "popular" music were, at best, misguided and, at worst, heavy-handed and pretentious. Although Ian Bostridge does not embarrass himself, there is no question that he should stick to more "serious" music and leave musical comedy to other singers.

The theatre songs of Noel Coward take a very different kind of approach than Bostridge gives them. They need an actor who happens to be singing. Except for a very few of the songs on this CD (written by Coward for operettas instead of musical comedies) Bostridge's approach is absolutely without any character. All of these numbers are impeccably sung by Bostridge, but none of them are ever really acted. Coward's songs MUST be acted whether they were written in a comic or sentimental vein. The result is another misfired cross-over album in what otherwise is a splendid career.

Music from the Films of Steven Spielberg
Average customer rating:

mediocre mess, nonetheless worth having for some

28 tracks from "Duel" to "The Terminal" ~ Steven Spielberg

Music from the Films of Steven Spielberg

Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00080Z69M
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (March)
Duel (The Cafe/Truck Attack)
The Sugarland Express (Main Title)
Jaws (Main Title)
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (Suite)
1941 (March)
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (The Map Room)
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (The Basket Game)
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (Adventures On Earth)
Poltergeist (Main Theme)
Twilight Zone: The Movie (Suite)
The Color Purple (Finale)
Empire Of The Sun (Exsultate Justi)
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (Finale)

Tracks:

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (Mine Car Chase)
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (Indy's First Adventure)
Always (Follow Me/Dorinda's Solo Flight
Hook (Main Themes)
Hook (When You're Alone)
Jurassic Park (Main Themes)
Schindler's List (Main Theme)
Amistad (Dry Your Tears Afrika)
Saving Private Ryan (Hymn To The Fallen)
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Where Dreams Are Born)
Minority Report
Catch Me If You Can
The Terminal (The Tale Of Viktor Navorski)
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (End Credits Suite)

Album Description

This 28-track collection highlights the astounding career as director and producer of Steven Spielberg, whose films are inexorably linked with the symphonic beauty of John Williams' scores. With five Oscar(r) wins and 41 nominations, Williams is a master of his art. The set also features other Spielberg collaborations including Quincy Jones, Jerry Goldsmith, and Billy Goldenberg. From "Duel" (a premiere recording) to "The Terminal," this release is a journey through movie magic.

Customer Reviews:

mediocre mess, nonetheless worth having for some.......2005-07-07

If you've never purchased one of these Silva Screen best-of score CDs, let me first say this: unless you're a true film-score nut (like me), don't do it. Just don't. They really aren't terribly good. This one, like most, is played by The city of Prague Philharmonic, and it's not a terribly talented orchestra. They play very flatly, they miss notes, their orchestrator makes odd changes to composers' music. The end result of all this is that if you're familiar with the film versions of the pieces of music they're playing, it can be, frankly, a bit difficult to listen to.

That said, there is one decent -- decent, mind you -- reason to buy this CD. That's for the five-minute track of music from Spielberg's "Duel." It isn't great music, by any means, but if you're a Spielberg fanatic, this is the only release there has ever been (to my knowledge, at least) of music from that movie.

To be fair, not all of the tracks here are poorly done. "Hymn to the Fallen" comes off fairly well, and so does the music from "A.I." and "The Terminal" -- and the "Minority Report" theme is actually quite good. But much of the rest just doesn't sound right, so if you're looking for a quick way to assemble a quality overview of Spielberg music, this isn't the way to go.

That brings me to my final complaint, which is that "The Lost World" is omitted entirely! There were several good themes done for that movie; it was no mere rehash of "Jurassic Park."

For the seriously devoted only.

28 tracks from "Duel" to "The Terminal" ~ Steven Spielberg.......2005-05-11

Silva Screen Classics celebrates the career of one of the most popular directors in cinema history...with this anthology of the music that hits the mark everytime for all the fans of "Music from the Films of STEVEN SPIELBERG"...these indelible musical impressions appear courtesy of the most renowned film scores composers of our time and long time Spielberg friend, John Williams...plus Jerry Goldsmith, Billy Goldenberg, Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, J. Rosenbaum and Rod Temperton...released in several categories from Action, Adventure, Drama and Sci-Fi sharing moments from powerful classic filming to a lighter side with some of the most familiar and recognizable themes ever written.

Anyone who has ever read my reviews knows that I'm a complete "film-score-buff" nut...Silva Screen Classics has come up with the best of the best in the category of soundtracks/scores...just take a peek with their latest release featuring a 2-CD-Set with inclusive 28 cues of unforgettable scores from the leading composers of the past three decades...the quality of sound, texture and substance is a film score collectors dream...each and every track is a self culture unto its own, bringing countries, worlds and universes under one umbrella.

This is one not to be missed...so many highlights and stand outs...from one spectrum of comedy, romance, drama, suspense, action, adventure...to the other of horror, war, thrillers and classics that linger from decade to decade...many have sold millions in Soundtracks, but here in this collection they all appear compliments of conductors Paul Bateman, James Fitzpatrick, Mario Klemens and Nic Raines...conducting The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus...though different arrangements in some cases, still a very good representation in tribute of this legendary director and icon.

A must have for "film-score-buff" collectors, including music lovers and anyone who enjoys a little nostalgia now and then...thank you James Fitzpatrick(producer), Reynold da Silva(executive producer) and Silva Screen Classics...it's amazing when one thinks about just how much a part of filmmaking history that Steven Spielberg has been over the last 30 some odd years...listening to this collection will bring back wonderful memories of some of those highlights and then your imagination sets in...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time 2-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1182 ~ (5/10/2005)

Average customer rating:

F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!
At LAST the complete series ORIGINAL soundtrack, the wait is over!

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
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Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Saint/Secret Agent

ASIN: B0006SSQ8E
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season Main Title
Vulcan Affair
Deadly Games Affair
Double Affair
Project Strigas Affair
King of Knaves Affair
Fiddlesticks Affair
Meet Mr. Solo
First Season End Title
Second Season End Title
Alexander the Greater Affair

Tracks:

Foxes and Hounds Affair
Discotheque Affair
Re-Collectors Affair
Arabian Affair
Tigers Are Coming Affair
Cherry Blossom Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Third Season End Title
Her Master's Voice Affair
Monks of St. Thomas Affair
Pop Art Affair
Fourth Season (Main Title)
Summit-Five Affair
"J" for Judas Affair

Customer Reviews:

F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C.!.......2006-02-02

I've got the original music (including v2 and v3), the books (the best is Heitland's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book; still in print);
the 22 VHS tapes issued in the early 1990's (a haphazard collection issued in no particular order of episodes that boasted famous guest stars). Can I please get the whole series on DVD? I have not seen Mother Fear toying with Illya (The Children's Day Affair) in over 40 years.

At LAST the complete series ORIGINAL soundtrack, the wait is over!.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.