Renaissance

Amazon.com
On Renaissance, Lionel Richie proves that, even after more than 30 years in the business, he's still got it. With tracks produced by some of the leading producers in R&B, Latin, and dance music, Renaissance plays like a sampler of contemporary popular music. Richie is at his romantic best on "Don't You Ever Go Away," an intoxicatingly soulful ballad that leaves anyone within earshot rocking to its hypnotic beat. With its bass-heavy production and complex vocal patterns, "Wasted Time" (a song about a love affair gone sour) is a melodic testament to Richie's vocal ability. He traveled to London to work with dance music producers Rawling and Taylor on "Angel," a love song with serious party potential. What is most impressive about Renaissance is not that Richie has kept his ear to the street, but rather that he has taken the contemporary and made it his own. So the songs are updated and Richie's voice is as flawless as it was 20 years ago. --Felicia A. Wilks

Renaissance,Lionel Richie,Island,Adult Contemporary,Pop,Quiet Storm,R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Urban

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Average customer rating: So very beautiful! Gorgeous Great Premiere from Stile Antico! Music for Compline

Music for Compline Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi USA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Byrd, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sheppard | Sheppard, John | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tallis | Tallis, Thomas | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by White | White, Robert | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Lighten our Darkness William Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis Gloryland And On Earth Peace: A Chanticleer Mass Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) ASIN: B000LPRNSG Release Date: 2007-01-16

Tracks:

1. Libera nos. I & II (John Sheppard)
2. Salva nos, Domine (plainchant)
3. Christe, qui lux es et dies (William Byrd)
4. In pace in idipsum (John Sheppard)
5. In manus tuas (Thomas Tallis)
6. Jesu, salvator saeculi, verbum (John Sheppard)
7. In manus tuas I (John Sheppard)
8. In manus tuas II (John Sheppard)
9. Miserere mihi, Domine (plainchant)
10. Miserere nostri, Domine (Thomas Tallis0
11. Misere mihi, Domine (William Byrd)
12. In pace in idipsum (Thomas Tallis)
13. Christe, qui lux es et dies (Robert White)
14. Veni, Domine (plainchant)
15. Nunc dimittis Gradulia I (William Byrd)
16. Te lucis ante terminum festal (Thomas Tallis)
17. Gaude, virgo mater Christi (Hugh Aston)

From the label:

On its spectacular debut recording, the exciting young British vocal group stile antico presents a program of English Renaissance music associated with the office of Compline, the service that ends the monastic liturgical day. A who's-who of 16th-century British composers--including Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, and John Sheppard--is represented here by hymns, antiphons, responsories, motets, and psalms: the occasion not only for music of intimacy, elegance, and reflection, but for flights of breathtaking canonic and contrapuntal invention and harmonic daring.

Stile Antico is an ensemble of young British singers, fast gaining recognition as one of the most original and exciting new voices in its field. In 2005 the group won the inaugural Audience Prize at the Early Music Network International Young Artists' Competition, drawing critical praise for its `wonderfully vivid singing' and `perfectly focused and ideally balanced voices.' Since this success, Stile Antico has appeared throughout the UK, including at the City of London, Lake District Summer Music and Beverley and East Riding Festivals; engagements for 2007 include the York Early Music Festival. The group has also collaborated with Sting on tour in his project Songs from the Labyrinth, performing lute songs by John Dowland.

Working without a conductor, the members of Stile Antico rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing artistically to the musical result. Their repertoire ranges from the glorious legacy of the English Tudor composers to the works of the Flemish and Spanish schools and the music of the early Baroque. They are passionate about the need to communicate with their audiences, combining thoughtful programming with direct, expressive performances. They are also committed to developing their educational work, for which they have received generous funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Customer Reviews:

So very beautiful!.......2007-07-11

I'm not a student of fine music and had no idea what a "compline" was but I bought this CD after hearing a review on NPR.
I can't tell you how much I love this!
It is pure and moving; I can turn off my thinking and let my mind soak in the beauty.
I regret that it is such a high-class work, as I fear that many will miss it, expecting it to be over their heads. I hope that more of my fellow low-brows will somehow stumble upon it and have a chance to experience these most-excellent moments.

Gorgeous.......2007-03-05

The English Tudor choral composers such as Byrd and Tallis composed some glorious music. Sit and listen in a darkened room and you will be transported back to another time and place. Wonderfully atmospheric and moving. The masters of this repertoire are Peter Phillips's Tallis Scholars, but this CD makes me think that they have some serious competition.

Great Premiere from Stile Antico!.......2007-02-27

I got an e-mail from amazon recently to the effect of, "We've noticed that you've rated so-and-so, so we thought you'd be interested in the new release Music for Compline." I usually ignore such e-mails, but I thought I'd check it out. I was intrigued by the audio samples and so downloaded the album on iTunes.

I don't know how a group of young upstarts from Britain without a conductor were able to produce such a sound, but they did. "Music for Compline" focuses on music from composers in England during the transition from Catholicism to Protestantism- Byrd, Sheppard, Tallis, etc.- and as the title implies, it's music that would have been used during a compline service at the time. Compline, for those of you not familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours, is the last prayer service in the liturgical day. As such, the music is serene, contemplative, and prayerful.

The way Stile Antico has gelled as a group is amazing, especially considering they have no conductor. (Although they surely have at least a de-facto rehearsal leader) Their sound is clear and beautiful, and they display exquisite musicianship without being overly technical or icy. They are able to share their fresh (though informed) perspectives on early music with each other to create an organic sound, so not having a conductor actually turns out to be an asset for these young musicians.

Fans of the Tallis Scholars will love this CD. Arguably, Stile Antico is better than the Tallis Scholars in some ways. To elaborate, the Tallis Scholars, as good as they are, can come across as technical and icy, whereas Stile Antico never does, at least not to my ears. On the contrary, they have a warm, authentic sound. Not that I have anything against the Tallis Scholars.

In conclusion, for everyone who loves sacred choral music, or beautiful music in general, "Music for Compline" is a must-have. The musical serenity will be a refuge from stress, and will uplift your spirits.

Music for Compline.......2007-02-05

One is somewhat spoilt for choice these days when it comes to recordings of specialist 'early music' vocal ensembles. In Britain alone, 'brand' names such as 'The Sixteen' and 'The Tallis Scholars', however different their respective approach, have become equally synonymous with excellence in ensemble, intonation, balance and blend. On this basis alone, one might be forgiven for mistaking this CD for another release from one of these fine, long-established choirs. However, this debut recording from 'Stile Antico' has something rather distinctive and individual to offer the listener. Working as a vocal consort without conductor, these are performances born out of an internal commitment and universal understanding within the group, together with an obvious love for this repertoire which they perform so admirably. It is deeply refreshing, in a professional environment where 'time is money', to hear an ensemble who have so noticeably spent a great deal of time 'living' with the music, no doubt both as individuals and collectively as a group. This crucial element of music-making, so often over-looked, is perhaps above all what makes this recording stand out. In fairness, the result is not necessarily superior to that of a conducted ensemble, where a different style of direction in the performances can be attained. But whatever one's preferences - 'Stile Antico' have certainly achieved a winning combination - communicative performances which are simultaneously meditative and emotionally uplifting.

Impeccable ensemble is evident throughout the disc, and this is especially impressive when accomplished within various well-judged slow tempi. Highlights in this regard include a wonderfully ethereal and sonorous performance of Tallis' rarely heard seven-part 'Miserere nostri', and Sheppard's intoxicating 'Libera nos I & II' whose marvellous longing dissonances are given just the right amount of time to register. Byrd's 'Miserere mihi' also receives a fine performance, and the same composer's exquisite homophonic setting of 'Christe lux es et dies' serves to demonstrate these singers' aptitude for naturally shaped phrasing and beautifully paced cadences.

The programming is cohesive throughout, combining familiar, celebrated settings with some rare gems, notably Hugh Aston's giant antiphon 'Gaude, virgo mater Christi', of which this is the first recording made available on CD.

Congratulations are also due to Harmonia Mundi for their superb recording quality, which captures splendidly not only the clarity of the voices, but also the magnificent acoustics of All Hallow's, Gospel Oak. Beautiful packaging together with intelligent, informative programme notes completes this excellent debut release.

Average customer rating: great CD Very disappointing *sigh* Elizabethan Music Vibe shift

Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Instruments | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Not Too Late An Ancient Muse Wintersong James Taylor at Christmas Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994 ASIN: B000HXDESU Release Date: 2006-10-10

Tracks:

1. Walsingham
2. Can she excuse my wrongs?
3. Ryght honorable: as I have bin most bounde unto your honor …
4. Flow my tears
5. Have you seen the bright lily grow
6. Then in time passing on Mr. Johnson died…
7. The Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark
8. The lowest trees have tops
9. And accordinge as I desired ther cam a letter…
10. Fine knacks for ladies
11. From thenc I went to the Landgrave of Hessen…
12. Fantasy
13. Come, heavy sleep
14. Forlorn Hope Fancy
15. And from thence I had great desire to see Italy…
16. Come again
17. Wilt thou unkind thus reave me
18. After my departure I caled to mynde our conference…
19. Weep you no more, sad fountains
20. My Lord Willoughby’s Welcome Home
21. Clear or cloudy
22. Men say that the Kinge of Spain is making gret preparation…
23. In darkness let me dwell

Amazon.com

In choosing to cover the music of John Dowland (1563-1626), who is known as the "melancholy madrigalist" from his output of cheerful ditties like "Flow My Tears," Police bandleader Sting has entered into a whole new realm of austere eeriness. Originally inspired by the gift of a lute, the rock superstar and activist sings the songs, deliciously sweet and tender or spirited by turn, accompanying himself, with Edin Karamazov sitting on lute and archlute. For listeners accustomed to hearing material of this period interpreted by rigorously trained early music stylists, especially countertenors and the like, Sting's sometimes tight-jawed, chest-heavy vocals may seem amateurish. It's undeniable that in four-part harmonies, the singer, tightly overdubbed, comes across like a combination of the Swingle Singers and Queen (meaning Freddy Mercury and crew, NOT the first Elizabeth). But it's important to remember that music of this period was routinely heard as a casual diversion in private homes, even more often than at Court. It was considered a crucial social skill to be able to join in with an adequate degree of skill, but not everyone was able to negotiate the perilous melodic twists and turns typical of the era's music. With this in mind, the overall effect is of a candle-lit, postprandial entertainment in the home of an English gentleman. Muttered readings from Dowland's letters and brief snippets of sampled birdsong aside, it is a courageous effort, displaying heartfelt admiration for the composer and a considerable degree of earnest charm. --Christina Roden

Album Description

StingÂ's Songs From The Labyrinth is an album of 17th century music composed by John Dowland and performed on the lute, an ancient acoustic guitar. After being given a lute nearly two years ago as a gift, Sting became fascinated and immersed himself with the instrument and the history of lute music. Reminded of his almost 25 year long enthrallment with the works of John Dowland, the Elizabethan composer who wrote songs for the lute, Sting has recorded a new album of vocal and lute music. All songs were composed by Dowland in the 17th century, but have been given new life in these fresh new recordings by Sting. Sting not only sings all the songs (accompanied by leading lutenist Edin Karamasov, who appears on two Andreas Scholl albums), but also plays lute on two instrumental duets with Edin and reads short extracts from a fascinating autobiographical letter by Dowland. Sting has also written a brilliant account of the album's genesis, along with notes on the individual tracks, which serves as the CD booklet.

Customer Reviews:

great CD.......2007-07-23

As usual, this is a great STING's cd. Wonderful music and interpretation. Its amazin these songs were written on the 16 century.
I will completely recomend anyone this CD.

Very disappointing.......2007-07-19

As we all know, the music of John Dowland is lovely. When played by Paul Odette or Julian Bream it is exquisite. However, this production is almost depressing. Sting's gravelly voice finally grated on me and I probably won't play this again. The lute performance is mediocre also. The best song is that which they use to promote the album. Pass on this one.

*sigh*.......2007-07-16

I am a lutenist myself, who had experience as both a rock guitarist and a classically trained clarinetist before also picking up the lute. I have a great love for Dowland that comes from years of playing his songs myself as well as hearing great musicians (like Paul O'Dette) play them. And this CD makes me sad.

In a way, it doesn't surprise me that Sting would do this. For years now he's been trying to gain cred in the classical music world (I have a 1988 recording of him doing Stravinsky's A Soldier Tale that delighted me when I was 16 and musically ignorant, but now makes my eyes roll into the back of my head). What upsets me is he had to do something that's initimately important to me as a musician. The is problem is that when it comes this kind of music, as others have said, he IS an amatuer, and all his heavy-handed, juvenile earnesty and clumsy, misplaced intensity just drains out all the joy I would normally experience from these songs. Moreover, he's voice isn't merely "untrained" - it's *shot* from years of strain caused by bad "rock" vocal technique. It's just pitiful to listen to in such an exposed context. If you think this is how these songs ought to be intrepreted, you're sadly mistaken.

There are people who would call Sting a "pop genius, " laud him and hand him all sort of impressive looking awards and honors, but this is the music of a real genius, someone who knew not just how to write lyrics that hit home with his audience, but as how to compose songs with unparallel grace, form and sophistication in an idiosyncratic style that bridged convention and innovation. And Sting simply cannot do Dowland's music justice. He just doesn't have the chops or the insight. It's great he's supposedly "studied" this music and that he wrote lengthy, flowery liner notes, but did he really need to record this CD for any reason that his own self-satisfaction? It's far too obvious he hasn't done the same level of groundwork of countless Early Music musicians who don't do this a hobby or avocation from political causes or high-profile celebrity, but as their sole passion. Why couldn't he simply support those musicians, without trying to grab some spotlight for himself? Having a decent lutenist as a sidekick just isn't enough to pull him up from his amatuerly, self-important bog, either. Frankly, he just doesn't get it, and at this stage, I don't think he will.

Early music lovers don't need someone like Sting to bring this music to us - we've been doing just fine without him because we have so many other, really wonderful musicians around to keep this music alive. Someone else recommended Nigel Rogers and Paul O'Dette, and I would gladly recommend them over this celebrity-fuel nonsense as well. Yes these are both musicians with academic backgrounda, but that doesn't mean they are academic musicians - far from it. They just have to hold down teaching positions and do master classes because they don't have a pop career to play the bills. Musicially and professionally, they're what Early Music musicians ought to be - dedicated, educated, passionate and yet they don't have any need to take themselves this deathly seriously.

Elizabethan Music.......2007-07-12

This is the audio component of an hour long video made by Sting on the work of Elizabethan composer John Dowland. (The video does adds greatly to the value as it places the music against the background and age (16th C) for which it was written.) Sting's voice is light tenor and right for these poems set to music about everlasting human concerns that persist to our day. But you'll not see those wonderful lutes that accompany the words, so complex to play with a beauty of sound not heard today. Between his music Sting gives an excellent spoken commentary to complete an attractive presentation of esoteric classical music with a modern undertone.

Vibe shift.......2007-07-10

Why bother? Still would like to say i love the 'shift' it takes to get into this music and how i (and my home) feel when i've enter this rather rarified realm of listening.

Average customer rating: Surprisingly enjoyable.... The Journey & The Labyrinth To buy or not to buy, that is the question Enchanting, visually stunning The Journey & The Labyrinth: ---A real Journey

The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD) Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) In Perugia My Funny Valentine: Sting at the Movies The Police - Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994 ASIN: B000MGBTHA Release Date: 2007-02-13

Tracks:

1. Flow My Tears (Lachrimae)
2. The Lowest Trees Have Tops
3. Fantasy
4. Come Again
5. Have You Seen The Bright Lilly Grow
6. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
7. Hell Hound On My Trail
8. Message In A Bottle

Tracks:

1. 'Come Again'
2. Project Origin
3. 'Can She Excuse My Wrongs'
4. The Lute And The Labyrinth
5. 'The Lowest Trees Have Tops'
6. 'Flow My Tears'
7. Dowland's Exile
8. 'Clear Or Cloudy'
9. Political Intrigue
10. 'Have You Seen The Bright Lily Grow'
11. 'Weep You No More Sad Foutain'
12. 'Le Rossignol'
13. Religion
14. Sting And The Lute
15. 'Come, Heavy Sleep'
16. 'In Darkness Let Me dwell'
17. Choir Rehersal
18. 'Fine Knacks For Ladies'
19. 'Can She Excuse My Wrongs'

Amazon.com

Recorded at St. Luke's Cathedral in London, The Journey and the Labyrinth continues Sting and lute player Edin Karamazov's exploration of the music of John Dowland. The bulk of this material first appeared on 2006's Songs from the Labyrinth. Performed live and placed in a setting concurrent with the life of the 16th-century composer, the songs feel tied to their origins in profound ways. The grand room's ambiance is made apparent with the reverberating applause at the close of each selection. The closing two numbers show how this 400-year-old music has aspects very much in sync with relatively contemporary works. Both Robert Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail" and Sting's own Police hit "Message in a Bottle" utilize crisply delineated melodies and spare but robust accompaniment. A DVD is included in the set, as well. Elegantly produced, it not only offers the live performance featured on the CD, but also provides Sting's own thoughtfully articulated connections to this still vibrantly romantic music. --David Greenberger

Album Description

On the heels of his acclaimed recording, Songs from the Labyrinth, Sting furthers his fascination with Elizabethan composer John Dowland (1563-1626) on The Journey and the Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland. This new DVD/CD package includes an extended version of Sting's first-ever PBS special from Thirteen/WNET New York's Great Performances (airing February 26th, 2007), as well as a live bonus audio CD.

Sting recently released the striking CD Songs from the Labyrinth, which introduced audiences to his passion for Dowland. With an astounding thirteen weeks and counting as Billboard's #1 Traditional Classical album, the record, called "vivid and romantic" by the Wall Street Journal, has resonated with Sting and Dowland aficionados alike. The album also captured the top spot on the classical charts not only in the U.S. but also in England, Canada, France and Germany.

The Journey and the Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland, directed and produced by the Emmy-award winning team Jim Gable and Ann Kim of Graying & Balding, Inc., delves deeper into Sting's relationship with the sixteenth-century figure, who has captivated generations with his songs composed primarily for lute, which Sting tackles along with esteemed lutenist Edin Karamazov. Filmed appropriately at Lake House, Sting's 16-century manor house in Wiltshire, and in the ancient gardens of Il Palagio, his home in Italy, the DVD also features the performers before a live audience at St. Luke's Church in London.

Interspersed between performances of such timeless Dowland songs such as "Can She Excuse My Wrongs," "Come Again," and "Flow My Tears," are discussions with musicologists David Pinto and Anthony Rooley of the composer's place in music history and his relevance today, plus recitations by Sting from Dowland's personal correspondence.

In a rare live appearance performing Dowland's music, Sting and Karamazov's concert at St. Luke's Church in London was also captured as a live audio recording and serves as the bonus CD included in the package. Featuring selections from Labyrinth, the CD also contains the consummate hit "Message in a Bottle" arranged for lute, as well as a rendition of the Robert Johnson blues classic, "Hell Hound."

More Sting

Fields of Gold

The Dream of the Blue Turtles

Songs from the Labyrinth

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly enjoyable...........2007-05-21

I have been a Sting/Police fan since my youth, and I have to admit - I was very skeptical when I first heard about this latest venture from Sting. After hearing some of the tracks, the disc began to grow on me. The DVD is the highlight here. Beautifully photographed, and intelligently produced. The performances in and around Sting's Tuscan villa are breathtaking. The live performances are nice as well. Very little was known about this John Dowland man, but he seems to have been quite the character. I'm glad I added this to my collection.

The Journey & The Labyrinth.......2007-05-13

The album was just fantastic! Very different from Sting's usual music. He should do more of it.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question.......2007-04-24

When I was younger, I went on a wine-appreciation course. The first thing I was told was: "Don't let snobs dictate your taste to you: if you like chilled red wine with fish, *drink* chilled red wine with fish!"

Over the years, I have found this to be good advice, and not just about wine.

70 years ago, Andrés Segovia played the Bach Chaconne for the first time in Paris. He said "I could measure my success by the rage of the violinists." But the guitarists didn't care. Nowadays Bach on the guitar is commonplace.

50 years ago, lutenists criticised Julian Bream for playing their instrument like a guitar. He said "It's my job to blow the dust off these things."

It always miffs insiders when an outsider comes along and brings their speciality to a new audience, even though they may publicly applaud him for doing so: it will be a lucky outsider who doesn't get stick for not doing things the "correct" way.

So the Amazon (and other) reviewers of "Songs from the Labyrinth" fall (for the most part) into two camps: Early Music buffs, and Sting fans. As I joined the Lute Society in 1973, and reviewed Early Music for several years, I suppose I must be considered to fall more into the former category than the latter.

But, it seems to me that all the discussion of "authenticity", impassioned and learnèd though it may be, is irrelevant. The only important questions are: Has the performer made a serious attempt to understand what's going on in the music? and Does he bring something fresh to it?

In Sting's case, the answer is clearly Yes to both. And that said, the only other thing of importance is whether you like the result.

I do like it, and I'm glad to see I'm not alone, even among us old fogeys. And with music samples and now video samples available on-line, you don't have to play guessing games to know whether you will too.

The DVD
======

Over and above the value of the music, the DVD is very well put together. There are songs, lute music, anecdotes and historical discussions, all skilfully and entertainly intercut, and each complete in itself but not so long that the attention of the newcomer will start to wander. You can see Edin trying not to laugh when Tony Rooley and David Pinto almost get into an argument. And the whole thing is visually gorgeous. My favourite bit is where Sting fissions into four and sings a quartet with himself, sitting around a table.

By the way, there are a couple of "in" jokes that may go over the heads of those new to this music:

Sting ribs Edin about giving him the hard part in the anonymous lute duet "Le Rossignol"; in fact, the two parts are virtually identical, one being an echo of the other, merely four bars "out of phase".

More subtle is the somewhat unexpected appearance of "Hellhound on my Trail", which is of course by the noted blues singer Robert Johnson murdered in 1938 (but somehow copyright 1990, it says here). Another Robert Johnson, also a lutenist (and son of that John Johnson whose vacated position Dowland failed to secure at the court of Elizabeth I), was one of Dowland's colleagues at the court of James I. He was the composer of "Have You Seen the Bright Lily Grow", so the DVD contains works by two different Robert Johnsons.

Lutenists will be interested to note that Edin Karamazov plays (right hand) thumb under, although Dowland himself switched in mid-life from thumb-under to thumb-over -- presumably for what seemed to him to be good reasons. He is clearly a fine player with a great deal of facility, but I feel obliged to say that his Dowland Fantasy (P. 6, for those that are interested) seems to me a bit of a mess. Don't take my word for it; you already know Anthony Rooley, and his version is on Renaissance Fantasias. It's also on disc 8 of his mammoth 12-disc set, with his wife (the famous singer Emma Kirkby) and The Consort of Musicke: Dowland -- The Collected Works. Here are some more versions for comparison:

Christopher Wilson: Rosa
Julian Bream: Lute Music from the Royal Courts of Europe
Jakob Lindberg: Dowland -- Complete Solo Lute Music


Where to go from here
================

The person who spearheaded the revival of interest in Dowland, and the lute in general, was Julian Bream. No one ever breathed more life into this music, and if you're new to the lute, you can't go wrong with his recordings, many of which are still available.

On the other hand, if Sting is your thing, Bream's Dowland songs with Sir Peter Pears are unlikely to be. Nevertheless, you can hear them on Heavenly Love, Earthly Joy.

Of Bream's successors, one of his personal favourites certainly seems to be Nigel North: you can read Sir Julian's glowing tribute on Nigel's website. Only two volumes of Dowland's music by Nigel have so far appeared, though: (Vol. 1) & (Vol. 2).

The complete lute music is available from Jakob Lindberg (mentioned above) and from Paul O'Dette (Complete Lute Works -- also as individual discs), two of my personal favourite players. If you liked "Le Rossignol", you will certainly enjoy them together on English Lute Duets.

The acknowledged authority on Dowland in her day was the late Diana Poulton. She is the author of the standard biography (Faber & Faber, ISBN 0-520-04687-0), and also editor of the Collected Lute Music (Faber Music, ISBN 0-571-10024-4).

The Lute
======

Lute sales have quadrupled, says the Lute Society. If you're thinking "well, I can play the guitar: how hard can the lute be?", think again. By all means take it up, but it's a *very* different instrument!

The British and American Lute Societies can both be found on line.

And now my 1,000 words are up. Good hunting!

Enchanting, visually stunning.......2007-04-18

It seems at first like Sting really stretched on this one, but if you're a dedicated fan, you'll see that his career has been leading here all along. Think of "St. Agnes and the Burning Train" on his "Soul Cages" CD. The four-hundred-year-old music of John Dowland is haunting, and Sting brings it to vibrant life with reverence and enthusiasm. Listen, and you'll be drawn into an older world that at times feels surprisingly familiar, a world of love with all it's faces, melencholy, religious persecution, and career ambition. The DVD was filmed at Sting's personal residences, and if you love atmosphere, it's all here. I recommend the DVD over the CD alone, because the images of Sting singing in those beautiful surroundings help overcome the cultural difference for those who have never heard music like this before. Also, you'll get to hear "Message in a bottle," arranged for the lute on this one, recorded on the companion CD.

The Journey & The Labyrinth: ---A real Journey.......2007-04-10

this was an awesome work. The music was great, and the documentary...really interesting.

if you love music or you are an artist, this is inspirational and entertaining.

this project was a wonderful surprise!!

Average customer rating: Sound Invention Powerful, ecumenical, moving.

And On Earth Peace: A Chanticleer Mass Manufacturer: Warner Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gabrieli | Gabrieli, Andrea | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gesualdo | Gesualdo, Carlo | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Chanticleer | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music Wondrous Love: A World Folk Song Collection Sound in Spirit Jubilation Music for a Hidden Chapel ASIN: B000OCY6BS Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

1. Da pacem Dominae
2. Deus, Deus meus, respice in me -- Andrea Gabrieli
3. Da pacem Domine -- Carlo Gesualdo
4. Kyrie -- Douglas J. Cuomo
5. Gloria (Everywhere) -- Kamran Ince
6. vos omnes -- Carlo Gesualdo
7. Aestimatus sum cum descendentibus -- Carlo Gesualdo
8. Credo/Ani Ma'amin -- Shulamit Ran
9. Peccantem me quotidian -- Carlo Gesualdo
10. Ravenna Sanctus -- Ivan Moody
11. salutaris hostia -- Andrea Gabrieli
12. Agnus Dei -- Michael McGlynn
13. Da pacem Domine
14. Da pacem Domine -- Giles Binchois
15. Da pacem Domine -- Arvo Part

Amazon.com

This mass, commissioned and performed by the superb 12-man American group Chanticleer, begins and ends with Plainsong, and is comprised of five movements by five different composers interspersed with shorter pieces by Carlo and Andrea Gabrieli and Carlo Gesualdo. Douglas J. Cuomo's Kyrie features the extreme ends of the men's vocal ranges and plays plainsong against tonal clusters; the Turkish composer Kamran Ince's Gloria is sung to a Sufi text and radiates peace; Shulamit Ran's Credo, in her native Hebrew and English, begins in a stunning martial outburst about the belief in one God and uses texts that relate to the Holocaust (occasionally spoken) to make her dramatic points; London-born Ivan Moody contributes a ravishing, medieval-tinged Sanctus, as ethereally lovely - and at points as stunningly wild - as his compositions for Trio Mediaeval; and the Irish composer Michael McGlynn's Agnus Dei begins as a solo in Gaelic, which is then underpinned with a drone in the darker voices and it ends, with grace, at a whisper. Perhaps the boldest music here is the Gesualdo, whose bizarre harmonies and discordances still can shock and awe, but the Chanticleer Mass, while not an overwhelming new work, is nonetheless, fascinating, and, as one might imagine, beautifully performed. --Robert Levine

Album Description

With its seamless blend of twelve male voices, ranging from countertenor to bass, the San Francisco-based ensemble Chanticleer, celebrates the life of their foudner Louis I. Botto on the 10th anniversary of his death. Five composers create a mass that evolves organically, as if written by one hand and the ensemble brings it to life.

Customer Reviews:

Sound Invention.......2007-07-03

As always, Chanticleer are the best mens chorus around today. They seem to be spending much of their time on experimenting with sound and doing it very well. This recording is more of that experimentation, so if you are looking for the usual gregorian chant, this is not what you want, but it is Chanticleer at their experimental best.

Powerful, ecumenical, moving........2007-06-02

After reading a positive article in the Wall Street Journal in May 2007 I was particularly interested in hearing this Mass, and didn't know Chanticleer had recorded it until a friend offered to lend me her brand-new copy after a three-for-two spending spree at the local brick&mortar bookstore.

This is an awesome recording, and I use this adjective without hesitation even though it's over-used and teen-speak. I'm surprised at the number of used copies available - perhaps buyers think that this is a warm & meditative piece and reject it when they discover it's not. It is most definitely not meditative - but it is instead a powerful discourse with God from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions. The liturgical setting unites it with traditional Mass settings and the music and text raise 21st-century - but also eternal - questions of faith, doubts - and hope. Five stars - no hesitation.

Average customer rating:

Music for Compline [Hybrid SACD] Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Byrd, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sheppard | Sheppard, John | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tallis | Tallis, Thomas | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by White | White, Robert | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: William Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; Poulenc: Organ Concerto; Barber: Toccata Festiva Music for Compline Combattimento (W/Dvd) Lighten our Darkness ASIN: B000LXSS5K Release Date: 2007-02-13

From the label:

On its spectacular debut recording, the exciting young British vocal group stile antico presents a program of English Renaissance music associated with the office of Compline, the service that ends the monastic liturgical day. A who's-who of 16th-century British composers--including Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, and John Sheppard--is represented here by hymns, antiphons, responsories, motets, and psalms: the occasion not only for music of intimacy, elegance, and reflection, but for flights of breathtaking canonic and contrapuntal invention and harmonic daring.

Stile Antico is an ensemble of young British singers, fast gaining recognition as one of the most original and exciting new voices in its field. In 2005 the group won the inaugural Audience Prize at the Early Music Network International Young Artists' Competition, drawing critical praise for its `wonderfully vivid singing' and `perfectly focused and ideally balanced voices.' Since this success, Stile Antico has appeared throughout the UK, including at the City of London, Lake District Summer Music and Beverley and East Riding Festivals; engagements for 2007 include the York Early Music Festival. The group has also collaborated with Sting on tour in his project Songs from the Labyrinth, performing lute songs by John Dowland.

Working without a conductor, the members of Stile Antico rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing artistically to the musical result. Their repertoire ranges from the glorious legacy of the English Tudor composers to the works of the Flemish and Spanish schools and the music of the early Baroque. They are passionate about the need to communicate with their audiences, combining thoughtful programming with direct, expressive performances. They are also committed to developing their educational work, for which they have received generous funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Average customer rating: I left planet Earth. Programmed to Perfection!! Ellegant Music Fancy a game of chess?

Renaissance Presents the Masters Series, Pt. 9: Satoshi Tomiie Various Artists Manufacturer: Renaissance Dance UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Euro Dance | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Balance 011 Global Underground: Taipei (GU31) Global Underground 030: Paris Global Underground: Mexico City One + One ASIN: B000N3TYKG Release Date: 2007-03-19

Tracks:

1. Farra - Ripperton
2. The 16th Machine - Bot'ox Meets Showgirls
3. Air Moves - Photogenic
4. Don't Push It - Jimpster
5. Welcome To Zion - King Roc
6. Don't Be Lonely - Vernon
7. The Right Wing - Nick Chacona
8. Darkroomboot - Opus Ink
9. So That's What Happens - Herlihy & Torrance
10. Alienation 3/Beyond the Forest - King Britt
11. I Go Deep - Jim Rivers
12. Praise - Art Of Tones
13. Aura - Motorcitysoul

Tracks:

1. Ahh - Thugfucker
2. I Need - Marc Romboy Vs. Robert Owens
3. Serotone - Matt O'Brien
4. Lose Control - Lance De Sardi
5. It's Your Time - Planet Funk
6. Moods - Shlomi Aber
7. Celofans - Pabo Akaros
8. Flick It - D'Julz
9. Sleeping In the Bass Box - Guy Gerber
10. Crop Duster - Shlomi Aber
11. Driven - Estroe

Album Details

Satoshi Tomiie Returns to Renaissance for the Ninth Edition of "The Masters", Fresh from the Success of the 2006 Launch of the Sister 3D Series. He Delivers a Contemporary, Two Disc Ride Through Worldwide Dance Culture, Marrying Undiscovered Gems with Future Classics. Tomiie's Wide Crossover Appeal (Reflected in this Tracklist) Draws on his Soulful House Roots Through to the Contemporary Electronic Sound of Europe. Upfront Tracklist Draws on Some of the Hottest Production Talent from Round the World

Customer Reviews:

I left planet Earth........2007-07-25

This album takes you to a different world. Each track is perfectly mixed, carrying you on to the next. This music sends you on a ride, trust me. For me, the album really picked up at "Welcome to Zion" for it's there that the dark beats come into play. The second disc is no exception. In the first track of the second disc, it sticks with some simple loops and then dives right into the second track and the ride starts again. Satoshi Tomiie absolutely mastered this CD, it does far more than his other Renaissance contemplations.

Programmed to Perfection!!.......2007-05-13

Satoshi Tomiie blows me away again with his superbly mixed compilation album. His attention to detail and ear for music give way to a set of forward-thinking house music that defies the boundaries of any particular genre. Tech-funk and soulful melodies contribute to the joy I feel when I listen to this album. His impeccable timing and engineering skills make the set flow "just right." He beat-mixes the songs in key for extended periods of time, which really adds a subtle element of flawlessness to the journey he creates through his set. He adjusts the dynamics just right to master a normally flat-sounding track into an enhanced 3D soundscape! Of course, his choice in content is the foundation for the album's greatness (in my opinion). My favorite track is Jim Rivers "I Go Deep." When I listen to this track, I feel like I am having a deep, spiritual (personal) experience with my inner self. I actually cried as I was driving home late one night as this track was mixed in. Overall, I have a passion for progressive house music that is funky and has soul. This definitely fits the bill! My mixes are free podcasts that I upload every month and can be heard at [...]. Hope you enjoy!!

Ellegant Music.......2007-05-12

The music that this melodic cd contains it's very ellegant and unique, without loosing the ELECTRO style, because as we all know, electro it's changing the world of electronic music and it's the genre all people want to hear, so I must say A+.

Fancy a game of chess?.......2007-03-22

The last several installments of Renaissance's "Master's Series" have shown a remarkable trend in "progressive" styles; Dave Seaman's electro-house production took long-time fans by surprise, and Sandy Rivera's Renaissance debut resembled Sharam's vocal-house that, when released by Renaissance, seems to come out of left field. Satoshi Tomiie continues forging the treacherous path towards dance music of the future with what is perhaps the most complex and engaging "Masters" release since Hernan Cattaneo's Volume 2; from the very beginning, Satoshi is dropping hints that this is no ordinary progressive mix and is a far cry from a return to the darker tribal trance that made NuBreed 006 the biggest success of his recent career. Satoshi utilizes instead a smooth, sensual and cerebral progression of excellent tracks that is quite unlike anything I have heard before - both from Satoshi himself and the EDM community as an entity.

On the first disc, Satoshi displays the type of mechanical precision found in car assembly lines; the product, however, is far less stable; what this really means is that the style is less predictable and therefore more exciting. "Farra" begins very slowly with xylophonic chords - giving the introduction to this disc a spacious atmosphere. As a result I always find myself in a complacent headspace that is soon shattered as the music unfolds. The feather-light sounds that weave over and under the melody effortlessly capture and calm the ear - until, that is, a wickedly cool and funky bass-driven groove gives "Air Moves" and "Don't Push It" the collective momentum needed to propel the first mix closer to its peak. The cool and delicate atmospheric consistency never gives way to anything too overpowering. Interrupting (and it is hardly a rude one!) the ambience is "Darkroomboot" by Opus Ink, an alias representing the collaborative efforts of Satoshi himself with the rapidly-rising European duo Audiofly. The tempo quickens, the melody gains definition, and the rest of the album explodes with a restrained energy that I found to be decadently suitable for cocktails and good conversation prior to entering thunderous dance floors. Arguably the sickest beat on the first mix appears in "So That's What Happens", which is surrounded by electro-robotic harmony. The beat is momentarily interrupted by silence, save the churning of electric turbines; it returns, seconds later, with the same latent ferocity as before. The timbre of DJ Yellow & King Britt's "Alienation 3/Beyond the Forest" reflects the track title so well. Haunting synths cascade over a cooler and slower foundation and remind me of the feeling one would experience if one were to gaze upwards in the center of an unknown forest, touched simultaneously by fear and spiritual awe. And how fitting it is that Jim Rivers' "I Go Deep" follows! Its deep and eclectic rhythm flows like water in a brook, slowly removing one's head from the forest and placing it, gently, back into the pre-club environment. "Praise" and "Aura" end the first disc with an upbeat, mid-tempo jazziness that is quite enjoyable.

Satoshi breaks disc two down immediately, hinting at the raw energy-to-come with the uniquely staccato "chopstick" percussion of Thugf*cker's "Ahh", later dropping into a hard bass drum. I will admit that I'm not crazy about the admittedly creepy male spoken-word vocals in "I Need", but they are quickly and quietly overlooked as the cowbell-driven pace of Matt O'Brien's increasingly popular "Serotone" kick in neatly alongside the first identifiably "dark" grooves of any track mixed on either disc. It would be wise to heed the title "Lose Control", because from this point onwards the aural journey becomes bumpier, wilder and more "Satoshi" than has been shown on the album thus far. I felt that the upbeat and bouncy atmosphere shoots like an arrow straight through the heart of the second disc. The next several tracks continue the cerebral-dance theme, and "Moods" drops a particularly body-moving rhythm that warrants mention. The peak of disc two is reached with a great pairing of tracks by Satoshi; in this case, D'Julz's "Flick It" (Original Mix) and Guy Gerber & Patrik K's "Sleeping in the Bass Box". I think the combination works perfectly; the smooth and respectable build up of "Flick It"s electro-energy erupts with a mean bass line that drives the melody as much as acting as a segue between "Flick It" and "Sleeping in the Bass Box". Take note of the latter title, because that's precisely the impression this track left me feeling I'd experienced. "Cropduster" and "Driven" polish off this fine piece of work, and end disc two with a far better fade-out than was given on disc one, where "Aura" seems to arbitrarily disappear.

The complexity of Satoshi Tomiie's latest (and, dare I say, greatest?) achievement is hard to swallow at first. Only after four sessions of listening to both discs straight through was I able to realize the insight Satoshi projects. I would have to say that this album is tied for my favorite amongst the "Masters" series with Cattaneo's Part 5. Satoshi Tomiie manages to create the most outstanding aural chess match I have ever heard - and although it is Satoshi who moves the pieces, it is the listener who ultimately wins the match.

~Lex

Average customer rating: ravishing... Marvelous

Lighten our Darkness Manufacturer: Collegium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Byrd, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lassus | Lassus, Orlando di(Lasso) | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rheinberger, Joseph | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sheppard | Sheppard, John | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tallis | Tallis, Thomas | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sacred & Religious | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Music for Compline Allegri Miserere-Tenebrae Morten Lauridsen: Nocturnes Pilgrimage to Santiago William Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis ASIN: B000I2IS5Y Release Date: 2006-10-17

Tracks:

1. In Pace
2. Libera Nos, Salva Nos
3. Justorum Animae
4. Pater Noster
5. O Lord, The Maker Of All Thing
6. Visita, Quaesumus Domine
7. Abendlied
8. O Christ Who Are The Light And Day
9. O Gladsome Light
10. Te Lucis Ante Terminum
11. Alma Redemptoris Mater
12. Ave Regina Caelorum
13. Regina Caeli Laetare
14. Salve Regina
15. Ave Maria
16. Bogoroditsye Dyevo
17. In Manus Tuas
18. In Manus Tuas

Tracks:

1. Opening Sentences And Responses
2. Psalm 91
3. Lesson: Come Unto Me
4. Respond: Into Thy Hands
5. Hymn: Before The Ending Of The Day
6. Keep Me As The Apple Of An Eye And Nunc Dimmittis
7. The Apostles' Creed And Lord's Prayer
8. Verscicles And Responses
9. Confession And Absolution
10. Responses And Collects
11. We Will Lay Us Down In Peace
12. Closing Responsies And Blessing

Customer Reviews:

ravishing..........2007-07-02

if this recording is not on your short list of things to hear/do, it should be.
the Byrd setting of "Oh Christ who art our light and day" is one of the loveliest things that I have ever heard.
I play it ever day at the same, appointed hour; so comforting, so beautifully well-sung.
the Compline setting on Disc 2 is pretty memorable, too.
a strong rec.

Marvelous.......2007-01-19

This is superb a capella singing. Each note, each syllable, is just right. John Rutter has a genius for writing and, as is the case here, performing religious choral music. The sound is gorgeous. Highest recommendation.

Average customer rating: nice to remember It is amazing!!! The best Latin music I've heard 60's and the Latin Mass Latinlover

Catholic Latin Classics Manufacturer: Gia Publications ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Allegri | Allegri, Gregorio | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cherubini, Luigi | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Haydn | Haydn, Michael | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rheinberger, Joseph | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Salve Regina: Gregorian Chant Treasured Hymns of the Church/ Catholic Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants, Vol. 1 Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants ASIN: B00004YRAW Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. O Salutaris Hostia
3. Panis Angelicus - John Eskola
4. Tantum Ergo
5. Ave Maria - Lorelei McDermott
6. O Sanctissima
7. O Bone Jesu
8. Ave Verum Corpus
9. Jubilate Deo
10. Confirma Hoc Deus
11. Adoro Te, O Panis
12. O Esca Viatorum
13. Veni, Jesu, Amor Mi
14. Emitte Spiritum Tuum
15. Adoremus In Aeternum - William Combs
16. Ave Maris Stella
17. Regina Caeli Laetare
18. Adoramus Te, Christe - The Cathedral Singers/Richard Proulx T
19. Tantum Ergo
20. Ecce Sacerdos Magnus

Customer Reviews:

nice to remember.......2007-01-04

Takes my husband & I back to the 60s........not a bad memory......

It is amazing!!!.......2006-11-10

I am very happy with my purchase. This item is better than what I was expecting. It was amazing how fast I received my order, I highly recommend it and hope that more people order it.

The best Latin music I've heard.......2006-04-18

The music in this CD is done beautifully! If features "Panis Angelicus", which if you like Charlotte Church singing it, you will like this- with a man's voice! There is no goofy revisions and modernization done to the music that I can tell. (I only say that in case some smart 15th century music history scholar comes around and disagrees!) It is very peaceful and will help anyone to calm down and give thanks to God. I think because the music is in Latin you will not grow tired of it as easily, and not to mention the fact that this music will continue to inspire you and put you in the presence of Christ better. OHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! How I wish we were singing this sort of Latin music instead of "All our Welcome" and "Sing a new Church"! Let's keep the same Church Christ established thank you! And let's keep the Latin!!!!!!!

60's and the Latin Mass.......2006-03-15

I am one of those 60s people. We did not throw out the Latin mass. Why would we? We liked it. I served most of the high masses of the holidays. It was a small cabal of newly ordained priests and bishops in the Vatican II committees who threw it out. They wanted to be more like their Protestant bretheren; have the congregation face them instead of God. Read the book MISSING MARY while you are listening to this CD. They threw her out at the same time; no women in high places - their answer to the feminists of the 60s.

Latinlover.......2005-12-18

As a devoted lover of Catholic Latin hymns, I was disappointed at the enemic presentation of these beautiful hymns to God. I believe that the singers had the best of intentions but I would suggest to look for other versions of these wonderful songs to heaven.

Average customer rating: Don't Overpay for this Collection!!! Fantastic Collection! Sleepin' With The Radio Still On 15 years dreaming! Comprehensive retrospective of excellent pop country singer

Anthology Charly McClain Manufacturer: Renaissance ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cowboy | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Anthology Pure Country Anthology Janie Frickie - Greatest Hits The Forester Sisters - Greatest Hits ASIN: B00000I9KF Release Date: 1999-03-16

Tracks:

1. Men
2. Sleepin' With The Radio On
3. Surround Me With Your Love
4. The Very Best Is You
5. Radio Heart
6. When It's Down To Me And You
7. Paradise Tonight
8. Don't Touch Me There
9. With Just One Look In Your Eyes
10. The Right Stuff
11. Fly Into Love
12. Take Me Back
13. You're A Part Of Me
14. I Hate The Way I Love It
15. Let's Put Our Love In Motion
16. Make The World Go Away
17. Lay Down

Tracks:

1. Who's Cheatin' Who
2. That's What You Do To Me
3. Women Get Lonely
4. When Love Ain't Right
5. So This Is Love
6. Sentimental O'l You
7. With You
8. Dancing You Memory Away
9. Band Of Gold
10. Candy Man
11. You Are My Music You Are My Song
12. Let Me Be Your Baby
13. Some Hearts Get All The Breaks
14. Lay Something On My Bed Besides A Blanket
15. It's Too Late To Love Me Now
16. And Then Some
17. Still I Say

Album Description

1999 two CD compilation by this country singer who had 37 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 charts between 1976 and 1988, 14 of them in the top 10! Includes 'Who's Cheatin' Who', her first number one plus duets with Mickey Gilley, Wayne Massey and Johnny Rodriquez. 34 tracks total. Double slimline jewel case. 1999 release.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Overpay for this Collection!!!.......2007-05-19

This is a great set, but don't pay $75.00 for something that is readily available on eBay. Renaissance Records (the label that issued this anthology) has set up shop at eBay and you can buy this and many other great classic country collections at very reasonable prices. I am in no way affiliated with Renaissance Records. I'm just a music a fan that hates to see people laying down their good, hard-earned money for something that's extremely overpriced. You'd think some of these sellers were owned by Exxon or Citgo with the prices they've set on some of these CDs.

Fantastic Collection!.......2007-01-12

What can I say about her voice,an Angel easy to listen, natural, pure, one of a kind.
Sit back put the CD in your player and go back to a wonderful time in music with this very talented lady.
All of the hits I remember are all here in one collection.
This is truly a "rare find".
If you have a chance to pick this collection up do it NOW...........

Sleepin' With The Radio Still On.......2006-02-25

Charly McClain, born Charlotte Denise McClain, March 26th, 1956, is one of my all time favorite country/pop artist!! There isn't one song sung by Ms. McClain that I don't like. I have her Anthology cd collection, and I love it!! Every song on the collection I remember today as it were yesterday on the radio. Having such a beautiful and talented voice which came to an end in the late 1980's, was and is such a shame. Charly McClain is a beautiful and multi talented woman!! Charly was and always will be a great asset to country/pop music and should still be performing today!! Charly McClain, you and your VERY talented voice are truly missed!!

15 years dreaming!.......2004-04-29

I once listened to Radio Heart & With Just One Look In Your Eyes from a country compilation tape. I couldn't help falling in love with this beautiful voice after the first listen! I'm a Chinese. It's not easy to get the original CD by American country singer. So, having a compilation CD like this has been my long-time dream! The dream has never been realized until today!
Thanks to the person in Renaissance, and Amazon too!

Comprehensive retrospective of excellent pop country singer.......2003-04-13

Charly is one of many singers poorly represented on CD, but this 34-track compilation went some way to compensating for that.

It begins with Men, a song that highlights the dilemma that women face - they like some things about men, but not others - but it does so in a slightly humorous way, so it should not offend anybody.

Perhaps the best known song here is Who's cheating who, which begins the second CD. It was her first country number one and was later covered by Alan Jackson, who took the song back to the country top ten in the mid-nineties. Charly was a consistent country hit-maker in the early eighties, with such fine songs as Dancing your memory away, Sentimental old you, Radio heart and Women get lonely, to name just a few.

Charly recorded duets with Mickey Gilley, including Candy man (a Roy Orbison cover), Paradise tonight and The right stuff. She also recorded duets with Wayne Massey (her husband) including With just one look in your eyes and You are my music you are my song. Those duets can all be found here, together with I hate the way I love it, a duet with Johnny Rodriguez.

Charly did not record many covers, but the ones she did were excellent. Apart from the previously mentioned Candy man, you will also find Charly's versions of Make the world go away (the Eddy Arnold classic) and Band of gold (the Freda Payne classic) in this collection.

Some of the best songs here can be found on Pure country, the only compilation currently available, but it's only a substitute for this, which I fortunately bought while it was available.

Given that Charly appears to have faded into obscurity, it is likely that this compilation will remain the best compilation of her music available on CD. Buy it if you like eighties pop country music - if you can find it.

Average customer rating: Rennaissance music at it's finest! a voice teacher and early music fan A good sampler of New London Consort's work Excellent renditions of lively 'old music'. A Treasure of the Time Period

Sinners & Saints: The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Music for a Medieval Banquet English Renaissance Music Music Of The Crusades Codex Faenza: Instrumental Music of the Early 15th Century Panorama: Dances of the Renaissance ASIN: B00000428D Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

1. Dum pater familias
2. La Bouree
3. The Sylvan And Oceanic Delights Of Posilipo: Gagliarda
4. Quen a Virgen ben servira
5. Bransles de Villages
6. Carmina Burana: Katerine collaudemus
7. The Sylvan And Oceanic Delights Of Posilipo: La scesa de' Pastori dal Monte
8. Orientis partibus
9. Volte
10. Llibre Vermell: Stella Splendens
11. Carmina Burana: Tempus est iocundum
12. The Sylvan And Oceanic Delights Of Posilipo: Ballo de Cigni
13. Carmina Burana: Bache, bene venies
14. Lux optata claruit
15. Ballet Incerti
16. Non e gran causa
17. Passo e mezzo - Saltarello Giorgio

Customer Reviews:

Rennaissance music at it's finest!.......2007-06-29

This was my first Renaissance music album and the broad styles of several composers were very well represented, especially Michael Pretorius, probably the most well-known composer of his time. The tonal quality sparkles and the latin language comes alive (along with English translation in the included booklet); be prepared for an aural "feast" of some of the more eclectic music from the Renaissance period!

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-04

To quote from the accompanying booklet seems to be in order to start this review: "This collection attempts to wipe the dust from some old ideas and restore music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to its roots deep in the human soul.........What you're listening to on this disc is not the domain of museums, but the music of the people,born of faith and the love of song and dance".
This is a varied group of works, some dances, some strictly instrumental and some accompanied vocal.
The role of dancing, as you might suspect, was enormously important in this era. 'Le Bouree' showcases the dance music of the composer Michael Praetorius. The 'Bransles de Villages' is of French origin and features 2 violins, 2 violas, a cello, a great bass viol, hurdy-gurdy and 2 lutes. 'La scesa de Pastori dal Monte' is an Italian dance by Andrea Ansalone. Another dance written by Michael Praetorious was the 'Volte' which actually involved 4 short dances. It was considered not respectable because of the close contact between the dancers.
The strictly instrumental songs are : 'Dum pater familias' is called a pilgrim song, and it was religious in nature. And, of course, all the dance songs are instrumental.
The vocally oriented songs are: 'Quen a Virgin ben servira' is a song taken from a collection of songs about the miracles attributed to the Virgin Mary.-Three of the songs are from the famous 'Carmina Burana' manuscript.- 'Orientis partibus' is from the 'Feast of fools'which was a feast held by the church itself in which the status of the church herarchy was reversed as inferior clergy assumed the role of their superiors.-'Stella Splendours' is another pilgrim song; this song was sung by pilgrims who went to worship as the Shrine of the Virgin at Montserrat.

I always trust the quality of a CD when Philip Pickett and the New London Consort are involved. This album is very interesting, but I would hope that this would be classified as the more "pop" type music of the period. Also, I don't think that I personally would call it early music, as is indicated in the accompanying booklet. Today that term brings to mind Monteverdi, Cavalli, Palestrina, the Scarlatti's, up to and including Handel and Bach etc.. Just a personal reaction on my part. This is a very well put together disc.

A good sampler of New London Consort's work.......2006-12-20

Although there's nothing special about this disc as a compilation, it does provide a value-priced sampling of 17 tracks from the New London Consort's excellent recorded work. Given that so many of their recordings are difficult to find on CD at a reasonable price, and that one of my personal favorites ("Bache bene venies", from their masterful 4-CD recording of the Carmina Burana) is included here, I'd recommend this CD as a great place to start while you search for the original releases.

Excellent renditions of lively 'old music'........2005-11-23

'Sinners & Saints' by Philip Pickett and the New London Consort is just a bit too ambitious with their subtitle, 'The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection' as I find it hard to believe that 70 minutes can be the ultimate anything on 500 years of history. This is especially true since they seem to focus a lot more on the sinners than the saints, as there is virtually no liturgical music here. But, since there are so many good recordings of medieval liturgies, we aren't missing much.

This is really the sort of thing you would expect to hear from a travelling troupe of minstrals, but not from a solo artist, as practically every performance involves several instruments and voices.

Some tracks will sound especially familiar, as they are very similar to Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana', inspired by medieval texts.

Compared to many recordings of music from Shakespeare's time, this collection is superior and well worth the investment.

A Treasure of the Time Period.......2005-08-11

I bought this CD with a children's history class in mind. We are studying the Dark Ages to the Rennaisance. I was delighted to hear the variety of selections which span the spectrum of genres during this period of history. My children and I have been listening to it in the car as well as at home for the simple enjoyment of the music. It will be exciting to present these pieces to my class as I feel it is a very accurate display of the cultures, instrumentation, languages, and styles of the Middle Ages. I am a proffesional musician and thoroughly enjoy most types of music so it wasn't hard to get me interested but I was surprised to hear my eight-year-old and five-year-old sons asking to hear this CD. The former child said it made him feel "important" to listen!!

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