A's, B's & Rarities [Import]

Product Description
A tremendous 20-track collection of Hot Chocolate A's & B's released between 1969 and 1975. THis album opens with their first single, a reggae version of John Lennon's 'Give Peace A Chance' and closes with 'You Sexy Thing', this is not the hit single version, this alternate version was the B-side to 'Blue Night'. EMI. 2004

A's, B's & Rarities,Hot Chocolate,EMI Int'l,Disco,England,Funk,Pop,Pop/Rock,R&B,R&B/Soul,Rock/Pop,Soul

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Average customer rating: What I always wanted oldies to sound like. Something Very Different Great CD Refreshing!! If you like winehouse

Back to Black Amy Winehouse Manufacturer: Republic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Introducing Joss Stone Alright, Still Corinne Bailey Rae The Reminder Icky Thump ASIN: B000N2G3RY Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

1. Rehab
2. You Know I'm No Good
3. Me & Mr. Jones
4. Just Friends
5. Back To Black
6. Love Is A Losing Game
7. Tears Dry On Their Own
8. Wake Up Alone
9. Some Unholy War
10. He Can Only Hold Her
11. Bonus Track 1

From Amazon.co.uk

Amy Winehouse's second album, Back to Black, is one of the finest soul albums, British or otherwise, to come out for years. Frank, her first album, was a sparse and stripped-down affair; Back to Black, meanwhile, is neither of these things. This time around, she's taken her inspiration from some of the classic 1960's girl groups like the Supremes and the Shangri-Las, a sound particularly suited to her textured vocal delivery, while adding a contemporary songwriting sensibility. With the help of producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, "Rehab" becomes a gospel-tinged stomp, while the title track (and album highlight) is a heartbreaking musical tribute to Phil Spector, with it's echoey bass drum, rhythmic piano, chimes, saxophone and close harmonies. Best of all, though, is the fact that Back to Black bucks the current trend in R&B by being unabashedly grown-up in both style and content. Winehouse's lyrics deal with relationships from a grown-up perspective, and are honest, direct and, often, complicated: on "You Know I'm No Good", she's unapologetic about her unfaithfulness. But she can also be witty, as on "Me & Mrs Jones" when she berates a boyfriend with "You made me miss the Slick Rick gig". Back to Black is a refreshingly mature soul album, the best of its kind for years. --Ted Kord

Album Description

Hailed by Newsweek Magazine as a cross between Billie Holiday and Lauryn Hill, British soul singer Amy Winehouse's U.S. debut, Back To Black hits the US amid a flurry of accolades, radio and TV buzz unprecedented in recent years for a young siren.

Her brassy mix of emotive vocals tinged with 60's girl-group stylings, sly funk, and anguished jazz, sparked the New York Daily News to crown Back To Black a "marvelous debut that would do Etta James proud" while New Yorker Magazine called her "a fierce English performer whose voice combines the smoky depths of a jazz chanteuse with the heated passion of a soul singer," and Spin Magazine affirming "there's never been A British star quite like her."

Back To Black smolders with a bristling fusion of old school doo-wop/soul inflected uprisings, (the charismatic singer/songwriter wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album) brewing instant classics such as the Shirley Ellis influenced "Rehab," the Supremes tinged title song "Back To Black," the aching "Wake Up Alone," and the album's closer, "Addicted."

Album Details

Ivor Novello Award Winner, Mercury Music Prize and Triple Brit Nominee Amy Winehouse, Follows the Release of her New Single "rehab" and Recent Sell-out Mini-uk Tour, with the Hugely Anticipated Release on October 30th of her New Album "back to Black". On "back to Black", the Follow-up to her Platinum Debut "frank" which Established her as One of the Most Exciting and Challenging Artists in Pop Music, Amy Confirms, Beyond Any Reasonable Or Unreasonable Doubt, What a Truly Remarkable Talent She Is.

Customer Reviews:

What I always wanted oldies to sound like........2007-07-31

Amy Winehouse has realized something that had always been in the back of my mind--I've always liked the sound of 60s R&B, but thought that it was a dead form that would never catch up with harder, contemporary sensibilities--at least without spoofing or just outright covering old songs. She's done it, and done it right--staying true to the sound rather than staying at an arm's length for irony's sake. Is it possible to make a wholly modern record from a retro sound while staying sincere and not mocking the source? Back to Black is proof that you can.

Something Very Different.......2007-07-29

I was in San Francisco , in a cd store of all places..go figure , and they were playing this cd.
At first i thought it was a very old re issue from the 50's Motown era, but when the guy at the counter said it was new and a hot seller i decided to listen.
First i heard Rehab , a pretty fun and amusing way to talk about bad habits..should be Lindsay Lohan's theme song.
Then came You Know I'm No Good, which i totally related to...lol.
Needless to say i went back home to boring Connecticut , and ordered it from Amazon, at half the price!
I have to say while Ms Winehouse is very young, she has a nice singing style that makes you think of 50's Motown and Jazz..and once more she does it pretty well!
Some of the songs have strong lyrics, but are not clearly noticed unless you really listen hard to the track , many are just plain fun , and have a good beat.
My very favorite song on this cd is when Amy slows it way down to do a torchy type ballad called Love Is A Losing Game.. This song is awesome! and Amy's vocals make you melt with feeling!
This young woman is clearly destined for much greater things.
The funny thing is she sounds like a black diva yet she is from the UK, and i was told is quite Jewish!
More power to her i say!
In fact Amy is quite pretty if you can get a glimpse of her without the rats nest hairpiece, gaudy makeup, and one too many tats.
I in no way insult her , but know she would clean up very well as she starts to mature and get beyond the youth oriented market i am sure her label has her set on.
This cd is pretty good and Amy's distinctive style is surely worth a listen!

Great CD.......2007-07-28

Love the music, very blues sounding. Some of the music sounds like it came from other songs, but it's a great make you smile CD.

Refreshing!!.......2007-07-27

Wow, what a refreshing blast bursts from the speakers when you hit play on Amy Winehouse's second disc. Her wonderfully strong, smoke-tinged, Ronnie Spector-channelling voice jumps out at you from the open musical arrangements that frame it. And it's not a contradiction in terms to describe those arrangements as both loose and tight. They are. Like many of those 60s classics, there's an honest organic quality to them but they never feel sloppy. In fact, the whole thing is wonderfully evocative of the classic 60s r'n'b girl groups but Winehouse's lyrical concerns and some of the electronic percussion place it firmly in the here and now. My favorites are You Know I'm No Good and the sensational title track, and Rehab is an irresistible singalong. But the whole thing is a breath of fresh air in the current musical climate.

If you like winehouse.......2007-07-26

You have to like her type of music to like the CD obviously but Id say the best songs on here are the ones youll hear on the radio. The rest of the CD is a little lack luster but good enough to bop along to. Unless you really LOVE winehouse youd probably be better off downloading (legally, ha) "rehab" and "back to black". The remix at the end is pretty cool though.

Average customer rating: Disappointed :( Superb Got a mind full of good intentions and a mouth full of Raisinets be careful with your expectations....... Prince being Prince

Planet Earth Prince Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: S.S.T./Brand New Orleans Libertad 3121 Absolute Garbage Zeitgeist ASIN: B000RMC7H0 Release Date: 2007-07-24

Tracks:

1. Planet Earth
2. Guitar
3. Somewhere Here On Earth
4. The One U Wanna C
5. Future Baby Mama
6. Mr. Goodnight
7. All The Midnights In The World
8. Chelsea Rodgers
9. Lion Of Judah
10. Resolution

Amazon.com

Because it would be un-Prince-like to release a new studio album without kicking up a little controversy first, the Artist Formerly Known As a Cool-Looking Symbol gave away copies of Planet Earth with a British news tabloid weeks before its U.S. release. Among the reasons he shouldn't have: nobody who catches wind of the peerless funk-rock-soul he lays out on these 10 tracks--least of all longtime fans--would think twice about shelling out for it. A big chunk of the appeal is that Prince finds his way back to his guitar here. The title track, a politically right-on-time environmental rant, steers him back toward "Purple Rain" territory, as does "Lion of Judah" ("Guitar," oddly, doesn't--it's more of a straight-up, shout-it-out modern rocker). And the flirty numbers are seriously flammable: "Somewhere Here on Earth" seduces with a crackly jazz vibe, while "Mr. Goodnight" gets friendly with a refined slip of rap. Coolest of all are two tracks at cross purposes-- "Chelsea Rodgers" fuses funk with disco until it's so far off the hook it's in a heap on the floor, and "All the Midnights in the World" paints a picture of artistic maturity through piano and lyrics that lean hard on positivity. There's an elegance to it that Prince fans, no strangers to pop music that's truly sublime, won't fail to appreciate. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Simply put, Planet Earth is the album longtime Prince fans have been waiting for. Several cuts on this album revisit some of the classic Prince sound the captured fans all over the world and helped deem him an incomparable music icon. Superstar and legendary musician prince kicked off 2007 with a show stopping Super Bowls Half-time performance. Prince pulled out all the stops during the second most-watched super bowl broadcast ever. With an estimated 93.2 million viewers to entertain, Prince wasted no time showing off his stages powers and irrefutable guitar skills. He masterfully captured the attention and respect of music fans in general, while sending a message to long time Prince fans that he was ready to once again reign supreme.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed :(.......2007-07-31

Like another reviewer mentioned, due to critical praises I expected a lot more from Prince's latest CD, but was let down. I like a couple of the songs, but I'm not crazy about them, which for a crazy Prince fan like me, is a big downer. Oh well, thankfully I have all his previous other great stuff to listen to (which I'm doing right now).

Superb.......2007-07-30

This is the best over-all album I've heard of Prince since his ground-breaking 'Purple Rain' quite a few years ago. From the title of the album, I thought it would be an earth theme package but it's anything but - although the title song is a great piece of work in itself. Something on this album for everyone. Some ballads, others racier tunes. Extreme good orchestra rifts with piano, guitars and sax. Any of these selections could be a hit and almost made for FM radio. My favorite album of the year so far.

Got a mind full of good intentions and a mouth full of Raisinets.......2007-07-30

Prior to "Planet Earth," the last Prince album I can say I liked was "Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic." The last two ("3121" and "Musicology") - though obviously both commercial comebacks - did next to nothing for me. They were just more additions to the growing list of disjointed, thrown-together sub-par works that Prince began releasing back in '94 with "Come" (though not including every album after that, just that the good ones were less and less frequent). I distinctly remember how distressing it was for an artist who was responsible for such a long line of carefully crafted albums to expect record buyers to be satisfied with willful sloppiness. Yeah, with "Come" (and others) he was hurrying to get out of his Warner's contract - but all these years after the fact, what matters is the music and not his fued with the label. I continue to maintain that he hasn't released a truly great album since 1992's 'Symbol' album (and even that one was flawed, i.e. Tony M was still on board). And I still say that "The Truth" (i.e. disc 4 of "Crystal Ball") is the closest he's come to that greatness in the years since.

All that said, I'll reiterate: I like this new album. It turned out to be a nice surprise - not a major return to form, but a mostly consistently enjoyable collection of new songs. Are they all new? It's hard to say - I do have trouble believing all the musicians who are credited in the album's sparse (nearly non-existant, truth be told) liner notes turned up for recent sessions. Some of this music was quite possibly in the can for many years - the wildly varying tone, and overall sound, throughout the album supports this idea. Before delving into a song-by-song look, I'll summarize my overall feelings. The focus here seems to be tight, concise pop songwriting. Prince used to break boundaries and take chances with song form, but since those days seem long gone I'm satisfied to hear relatively straightforward songs containing strong melodies and memorable hooks. It's far preferable to the aimlessness of recent sludge like "3121" and "Musicology." I also like hearing so many guitar solos - much more than anything since "Chaos and Disorder" way back in 1995. Throughout "Planet Earth," there are lots of little musical surprises and quirks - unexpected chord changes, unpredictable melodic twists, unusual backing vocal arrangements. No, it's not "Lovesexy" revisited by any means, but it keeps the listener from being bored to tears (like the last couple of albums did).

To be more specific, take the opening - and also title - track. On a musical level, "Planet Earth" sounds very much to me like the Prince of old. The plaintive - though highly dramatic - verses that give way to swelling choruses, ultimately climaxing with a passionate guitar solo: it's a full-fledged epic Prince track (bold move to open the record with what sounds like a big finish). The piano/synth/backing-vocals section midway through sounds the vintage late-80s era. Lyrically, I'm less enthusiastic. Prince didn't used to be so literal when tackling "big issues." Here - not surprisingly, given the title - he deals mainly with the fragility of our ecosystem. Sorry, but no celebrity can escape the hypocrisy charge when lamenting the mistreatment of the atmosphere while simultaneously boasting of private jets traveling the four corners of the globe. Prince, how big is your carbon footprint? In the final verse, he sings about sending off young soldiers to fight a war, asking "If they're blessed to make it home, will they still be poor?" I'm not exactly sure what he's implying about the financial status of the armed forces, but I am a bit confused about something: in this song, and later in the album, the lyrics do get a tad bit political. I was under the impression that Jehovah's Witnesses remain strictly apolitical. How can he include this type of subject matter without violating that belief? I'm not taking any shots at his religion, I'm just genuinely curious about this seeming contradiction.

"Guitar" takes us back to mid-90s NPG, "Undertaker" style. I wouldn't be surprised if that's Michael B kicking it on this rock track. Many have mentioned it - and 'I will follow' their lead (get it?) - the main riff sounds like a certain early U2 song. Once you accept that, the song is a fun rocker with some good solos and a light-hearted lyric (what a relief after the pretentions of the first song's message).

"Somewhere Here On Earth" starts off with a hokey 'scratchy record' sound, apparently signaling it's 'old school' balladry. There's also a bit of cringe-worthiness in the lyric, "In this digital age, you could just page me/I know it's the rage." Um, really? I don't know many people who still carry around pagers - but I guess "You could just text me" didn't rhyme as well. Or it could suggest this song's been in the vault for a few years. That wouldn't be a stretch, as it sounds like it could've been on just about any album from "Around the World In a Day" onward - which I mean in the best way: it's a very good falsetto ballad in the classic Prince mold. A tad overlong, though, at nearly 6 minutes, as no new ideas are introduced to justify the length.

Things get even better with "The One U Wanna C" - a straight-ahead pop tune with a subtle, yet comfortable, countryish twang. Again, this sounds so unlike anything Prince has done in years I can't help but wonder if he pulled it out of the vault. As lightweight as it is, I love everything about it - except for the line "I ain't trying to be a hater" (which is the first of several instances of Prince forcing some 'modern' slang into his lyrics). I do like that he sings "I come like thunder" and "If u wanna get creamy" because it proves that the JW's didn't shut down the innuendo completely.

Uh-oh -- Prince gets all lover-man in "Future Baby Mama" -- and there's another (obvious) example of that 'modern' slang. Building a song around the phrase "baby mama" wasn't a great idea, even if he did break out the Linn for this one (which isn't all that exciting anyway - he was trying to evoke the old days in the exact same way back on "Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic" back in '99!). Still, it ain't an entirely unpleasant sounding song, but it feels very out of place in context of the four songs that preceded it. Maybe the course will be corrected shortly...

...in a word, no. "Mr. Goodnight" sounds like it could've been on ANY "Emancipation"-onward album. It's a sort-of rap song, and I hoped he was done with that kind of thing. Suddenly the vibe of the album has been completely altered, and necessarily in a good way. Not that I don't love the funky R&B that has been Prince's bread and butter his entire career - I most certainly do. But this generic-sounding stuff evokes "New Power Soul" more than "Sign O the Times"...or even "Diamonds & Pearls" for that matter. In fact, songs like "Come On" and "Shoo-Be-Do" from that 1998 disappointment KILL this "Mr. Goodnight" bit of indulgence. Oh well, at least it DOES have the funniest food reference in a Prince song since the immortal "Cap'n Crunch with soy milk."

"All the Midnights In the World" - short, but oh so sweet. My favorite track, and it clocks in at just 2 minutes, 21 seconds. THIS is classic Prince pop: idiosyncratic lyrics, melodically inventive, captivating vocal performance. Can this possibly be a new song? Or is this some lost "Dream Factory"-era track? It's so fantastic I can't really explain it. Who but Prince would include a reference to Zuzu's pedals from "It's a Wonderful Life"? "Amethyst and rubies, crystals and black pearls/I'd trade them all just to spend with you/All the midnights in the world." I don't usually use words like splendiferous, but it truly applies to this gem of a song.

Nowhere to go but down, I guess, after such a natural high - but "Chelsea Rogers" is actually a pretty entertaining dance track nonetheless. It's a funky disco-style song, sung along with a husky-voiced woman (reminded me of Mavis right at the beginning). It doesn't really DO all that much in nearly 6 minutes (one of only three tracks that push past 5 minutes). It's about the same length as the title track, yet unlike that well-structured epic, it wears out it's welcome after the halfway point. I haven't really bothered to figure out if the lyrics, which apparently concern a real-life fashion model, tell a coherent story.

"Lion Of Judah" brings it back to guitar-oriented rock. It's grown on me over repeated listenings, though I'm not sure what he's getting at in the lyrics. Sure sounds like something was on his mind though. A failed relationship, it would seem - one that he didn't want to end, and felt ended in the midst of miscommunication...leaving him seeking some sort of revenge? I don't know really, but I like the guitar playing.

"Resolution" - bouncy up-tempo pop, kinda like a less corny "Graffiti Bridge." Also kinda like the opening track: I like it musically, I'm less wild about the lyrics. It's actually a good bookend - both songs tackle "big issues," albeit in a clumsy way. I really like the melody, the simple arrangement, and especially the backing vocals. But spelling out the world's problems in less than four minutes is a tough order for anyone. Actually, in the final verse ("Love is like a circle, no beginning and no end..") he has the right idea - keep it a bit vague, rather than trying to specifically explain the "main problem" with war (that no one ever wins) and with people (that they never do what they say). In fact, his reasoning is incorrect in both cases, so why bother trying to cover so much ground in one song? Anyway, the lyrics are just too dopey-hippy for me to take seriously - I still enjoy the heck out of the song on a musical/performance level.

I've been listening to the album as I write this. I really have to say: the highest praise I can offer is that every time it ends, I feel like starting it up and listening all over again. I haven't felt that way about a Prince album in far too long. Not because it stands as a truly classic Prince album, but because it's the most tuneful and entertaining album he has released in ten years. And, of course, there's that track 7 that brings joy everytime it rolls around.

be careful with your expectations..............2007-07-30

I made the mistake of reading a few reviews (Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, etc.) prior to buying this CD. I was very excited that the reviews called it a "return to form" and compared it to "Purple Rain" and "Parade" era Prince. Add to this the fact that Wendy and Lisa are part of the band here, and I was definitely looking forward to hearing "Planet Earth." Well now that I have listened to it for several days...there is certainly his usual genius on a few songs, but way too many ballads/slow jams (his most recent CDs seem to have TERRIBLE pacing...i.e., the sequencing of songs sucks)...there is no doubt that "Guitar" is a cool single and that there's a few good funky tunes here, but again, to me I found about half of it to be filler. His crappy songs are still better than most people's gold, but this is not Purple Rain the sequel, or the successor to Parade or Sign o' the Times, etc. Oh well, I will keep holding out hope...and enjoying a few of the songs on here.

Prince being Prince.......2007-07-29

It really is unfair for me to write a review on Prince. I am a long time fan. Critics say it harkens backto his 80's sound. Well, maybe. But it sounds like Price being prince. He lets us know that he still rocks! Planet Earth the title track shows this. His guitar liks can't be beat (as he showed on both the Super Bowl half time show and the jam session on his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame). He gets mellow and shows that he still owns the dance floor on other cuts. Prince does what he wants when he wants as shown by giving the cd away. So people, stop tripping. He's the Purple One!

Average customer rating: L. Frank Baum should be rolling over... Mystical Wickedly disappointing Defying Gravity and all expecations... The Wicked Witch of the West is misunderstood.

Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast) Stephen Schwartz , Kristin Chenoweth , and Idina Menzel Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West Monty Python's Spamalot (2005 Original Broadway Cast) WICKED: THE GRIMMERIE, A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL Avenue Q (2003 Original Broadway Cast) Wicked - Piano/Vocal Arrangement ASIN: B0000TB01Y Release Date: 2003-12-16

Tracks:

1. No One Mourns the Wicked - Cristy Candler
2. Dear Old Shiz
3. The Wizard and I - Idina Menzel
4. What Is This Feeling? - Kristin Chenoweth
5. Something Bad - William Youmans
6. Dancing Through Life - Michelle Federer
7. Popular - Kristin Chenoweth
8. I'm Not That Girl - Idina Menzel
9. One Short Day - Kristin Chenoweth
10. A Sentimental Man - Joel Grey
11. Defying Gravity - Idina Menzel
12. Thank Goodness - Kristin Chenoweth
13. Wonderful - Idina Menzel
14. I'm Not That Girl (Reprise) - Kristin Chenoweth
15. As Long as You're Mine - Norbert Leo Butz
16. No Good Deed - Idina Menzel
17. March of the Witch Hunters
18. For Good - Kristin Chenoweth
19. Finale - Kristin Chenoweth

Amazon.com

One of the most common complaints about musicals is that the books are flimsy pretexts from which to hang numbers. Wicked runs into the opposite problem: it has a great plot, but too often the songs just get in the way. Based on Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name, Wicked tells us what happened between Glinda the Good and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, before Dorothy showed up in Oz. And the show is lucky to boast a pair of ace leading women in the main roles. As Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth delivers a sensational star turn, displaying a crystal-pure voice and sharp comic timing; Idina Menzel lends her powerful pipes to the tricky role of Elphaba. Unfortunately, you wish they had better material to work with. Stephen Schwartz's pop score is often dragged down by overly synthetic orchestrations and sentimental lyrics (think Chicken Soup for the Witch). Still, at its best Wicked is a seductive slice of popular entertainment that could well give a younger audience a lasting taste for musical theater. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

L. Frank Baum should be rolling over..........2007-07-30

A hint for those who love classic storytelling: Any time you see a synopsis starting "In this Postmodern, Feminist retelling of...", run for the hills. I saw the musical Wicked at LA's Pantages theater with my family. While my girls (ages 11 and 13) thought it was OK, and I loved the Victorian sci-fi settings, costumes and such, the story about how the Wicked Witch of the West was really just a brilliant, misunderstood animal rights activist persecuted by the Evil George W. Bu... er, Wizard of Oz, who is using her imaginary "terror" as a pretext for turning Oz into a police state, had me grinding my teeth throughout. That said, the performances were generally great or at least good (except for the guy who played Fiyero, who couldn't carry a tune), in some cases superior to those on the official cast CD. My girls have had the CD in the car stereo on and off for the last few days, prompting this review. As a general observation, the music and lyrics are sub-par for a hit musical, with very few memorable melodies or lyrical turns of phrase. Virtually every number has a long, meandering preamble that morphs into the "song" in precisely the same way. The standouts for me were "Popular," a cute take on High School-College social climbing that has a nice, syncopated feel, and "I'm Not That Girl," a beautifully restrained and meloncholy meditation on life and love. "Defying Gravity," the big set-piece number, has a soaring chorus, but I defy anyone to hum, or even identify the verse melody. The rest of the tunes have a Broadway by-the-numbers feel that leaves me cold.

Mystical.......2007-07-23

Like the book and the play, the Wicked soundtrack is mystical and magical. The cast is amazing and Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth are enchanting. I recommend the soundtrack to anyone and everyone who loves a great musical fantasy. This is one soundtrack that truly sends you back to OZ. I never liked a whole album of music before Wicked. It is one CD I completely love.

Wickedly disappointing.......2007-07-20

Actually, I'd give it no stars. But Amazon is too charitable. Couldn't the house have fallen on the Wicked Witch in the first scene. "Wicked" is disappointing. It's as if the pyrotechnics, a la "Starlight Express," can make up for the lack of songwriting and original score. It's derivative. It's laughable in non-comedic sense. Its an incredible money machine for some reason. At least I feel for the actors who deserve the continuing paychecks. But I need a few magic monkies to fly in and pickup some of the teenies in the audience who always manage to use their cells they are so bored. Wave your magic wand! Make it all disappear. "Mommie, Mommie, rescue me." "Sorry, babe, Glendora told you to turn off your cells!."

Defying Gravity and all expecations..........2007-07-16

As someone who loves Broadway musicals-- this soundtrack/songs include some of the best out there- the original cast soundtrack is amazing with songs you will eventually memorize and sing along too-
The CD comes with the lyrics as well as the other important information for each song (producer, etc). If you haven't already seen Wicked, you may have trouble following what the show is about just from listening to the soundtrack-- you will get a feel for it but reading the Grimmerie (the Wicked book- also sold on Amazon) or seeing Wicked either on or off Broadway will make you fall in love faster with this soundtrack-

The Wicked Witch of the West is misunderstood........2007-07-14

I have tickets to see the play in Philadelphia this August. I purchased the Music CD, the original Wicked book, and the Grimmeri, a well designed book about the Broadway play, its history, costumes, and character profiles with full color pictures and stories, a great trio. The book tells a story, so unexpected, when I got to the last page, I sighed and smiled. I was totally satisfied. Even more I had already been listening to the music, which is totally fabulous, I listened again and again, some of the songs are happily stuck in my head, and then my reading the book made the music make total sense, it brought the story to life in the songs. I can't wait to see the play.
My sisters refuse to read the book they are afraid it will take away from the show. I say they are dead wrong and the book and music reviewed ahead of time will definitely enhance the theater experience. You decide, either way it's a great read, 5 stars for the generation who grew up with the Wizard of OZ classic.

Average customer rating: Evolution of Robin Thicke Get caught up in the thicke of things Robin Thicke- Greatest CD ever Love it! GREAT MUSIC FROM A GREAT ARTIST

Evolution of Robin Thicke Robin Thicke Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Beautiful World Collaborations Once Again Luvanmusiq Introducing Joss Stone ASIN: B000M8NMV4 Release Date: 2007-02-09

Tracks:

1. Got 2 Be Down
2. Complicated
3. Would That Make U Love Me
4. Lost Without U
5. Ask Myself
6. All Night Long
7. Everything I Can't Have
8. Teach U A Lesson
9. I Need Love
10. Wanna Love U Girl
11. Can U Believe
12. Shooter - Lil' Wayne
13. Cocaine
14. 2 The Sky
15. Lonely World
16. Angels

Amazon.com

R&B with tempo: Justin Timberlake resurrected it, and it's proving way more influential than that other lost commodity--sexy--he claimed to be bringing back in 2006 on FutureSex/LoveSounds. Timberlake is to Robin Thicke what 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys were to a band like O-Town, in fact: he pretty much made it all possible. But even though it took one blue-eyed soulster with a hot look and an achy falsetto to bang down the door for another, Thicke presents a convincing case here that he had the goods to get us grooving all along: Evolution is a classy disc that tiptoes up to its listeners, first with an elegant duet with Faith Evans ("Got 2 Be Down"), next with a slick lament that wouldn't sound out of place on a Boyz II Men disc ("Complicated"), and then with a sweet plea that commands a finger-snap ("Would That Make U Love Me"). By the time we reach the long, sweeping lullaby that is the final track, "Angels," we've also had a taste of Thicke's swaggering side ("I Need Love," "Cocaine"), his hip-hop loving side ("All Night Long" and "Shooter," both with Lil Wayne), and the side that fantasizes about 1950s Latin ballrooms ("Everything I Can't Have," a hot tamale of a number that commands a visual if ever there was one: it's impossible to hear this song without imagining a raven-haired woman with a red rose between her teeth). Despite the range of moods on display, they're all in service to Thicke's inner R&B smoothie, and they all brush up against the ear with something like affection. Hard as it will be for listeners of a certain age to get past knowing that Thicke is the son of Alan Thicke, the actor who did his part to cheese up 1980s TV with the sitcom Growing Pains, they're going to have to: with his fan base swelling by the second, the evolution of Robin Thicke is going to be a deservedly loud one. --Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

NOTE: This deluxe edition features a ringtone of "Lost Without U," an autographed poster, and cell-phone wallpaper.

The Evolution of Robin Thicke is the second solo album from the critically acclaimed, Grammy award winning songwriter and producer of records for such artists as Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera. The album is a timeless work of art. With a voice of purity, passion and soulfulness, Robin brings to life the stories and emotions of the last two years of his life.

The album is filled with incandescent magic. It is an album that tells the tales of love, loss, temptation, redemption and finding hope when all the odds are against you. "My greatest desire with this album was to write songs that were completely honest and sing them with the emotion I was feeling when I wrote them, so that whoever listens to my music is brought as close to my experiences and life as possible."

Reflective, redemptive, passionate and etched with a soulfulness that is undeniable, The Evolution of Robin Thicke is an imaginative and heart-felt album that you cannot help but be moved by, bob your head to and smile throughout.

FEATURING GUEST APPEARANCES BY Faith Evans, Pharrell, and Lil' Wayne PRODUCTION BY The Neptunes

Customer Reviews:

Evolution of Robin Thicke.......2007-07-30

Arrived when promised and in excellent condition. Best music I have heard in a long time.

Get caught up in the thicke of things.......2007-07-27

Rarely do you find a cd that has every cut worth listening too, worth singing too, worth repeating over and over again.....it is excellent.

Robin Thicke- Greatest CD ever.......2007-07-25

If you haven't purchased this c.d., you're definitely missing out. This is one of those c.d.s that come along every blue moon where you can listen to every track and enjoy it without skipping to the next. His voice is a voice you will definitely fall in love with. He made a great choice by collaborating with Lil' Wayne and Mary J. Blige on a few of the tracks. What I really enjoyed about the c.d. were the tracks with the bass guitar. I've recommended this c.d. to all my friends, and they love it as well. I recently purchased his first album- "A Beautiful World" and it's great as well. Get it now!!!!!!!!

Love it!.......2007-07-20

Well I just received this CD in the mail from Amazon and bought it because I saw Robin Thicke on Good Morning America where he sang "Lost Without You" which I love. The rest of the CD in most cases is excellent - with the exception of one or two songs on it I think it deserves to do very well. I also like the fact that he doesn't only sing falsetto, and he sings in very different styles which really shows his versatility.

GREAT MUSIC FROM A GREAT ARTIST.......2007-07-20

I have been a Robin Thicke fan since I saw the once long haired singer belting out "When I Get You Alone". Another early song to fall in love with is "Stupid Things". I have to admit that when I heard "Shooter" with Lil Wayne, I was not even thinking about getting this CD. I HATE THAT SONG!! But once I heard "Can U Believe", I ordered it, and have been listening to the entire CD everyday now. You won't be dissapointed!! I hope the rest of world learns to love him like I have been doing for a while now.

Average customer rating: Surprisingly good. New Look + New Sound = Alright Music This is why it's HOT!! GO RIHANNA!!! Okay, for what it is

Good Girl Gone Bad Rihanna Manufacturer: Island / Def-Jam ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: My December It Won't Be Soon Before Long Because Of You Double Up Back to Black ASIN: B000OZ2CZW Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

1. Umbrella feat. JAY-Z
2. Push Up On Me
3. Don't Stop The Music
4. Breakin' Dishes
5. Shut Up and Drive
6. Hate That I Love You feat. Ne-Yo
7. Say It
8. Sell Me Candy
9. Lemme Get That
10. Rehab
11. Question Existing
12. Good Girl Gone Bad

Amazon.com

There's a cool new development in summer singles: they no longer need to be sunny. In fact, the wetter the better. "Umbrella," the first single off Rihanna's ragingly good third album, may be her strongest ditty yet, and that's saying something considering her run of past summer chartbusters. More stylish than "S.O.S." (from A Girl Like Me) and more interesting than "Pon de Replay" (from Music of the Sun), "Umbrella" barrels forward with big, brawny drums and a hot but haunted-sounding vocal. From there, the upbeat numbers chug forth like chilled pina colada mix into a blender: "Breakin' Dishes" trades skillfully on a recent vogue for man-directed venom, and "Shut Up and Drive" borrows "S.O.S."-style from the '80s New Order song "Blue Monday." Both are irresistible. So, too, are a couple of late tracks. "Rehab" and "Lemme Get That," both produced by Timbaland, prove that being an island girl is no barrier to holding one's own amid a sizzling stew of urban beats. In fact, it's a boon--one that'll register with pop music fans instantly. -Tammy La Gorce

Album Description

Multi-platinum, award-winning SRP/Def Jam recording artist -and CoverGirl spokesperson - Rihanna has taken over the charts with her # 1 smash single "Umbrella" (featuring JAY-Z) and her chart topping album GOOD GIRL GONE BAD. Rihanna's third album release in less than two years, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD is the follow-up to 2006's platinum A Girl Like Me, with the back-to-back #1 hits, "S.O.S." and "Unfaithful"; and her gold debut from 2005, Music Of the Sun, featuring the worldwide smash, "Pon De Replay." GOOD GIRL GONE BAD boasts the production skills of Timabland, C. "Tricky" Stewart, Stargate, and the team of Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken (responsible for "S.O.S." and "Pon De Replay"), as well as songwriting contributions from Justin Timberlake and Ne-Yo, among others.

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly good........2007-07-30

Rihanna's last two albums were hit and miss and sounded incredibly rushed. Her second, A Girl Like Me, managed to go platinum and produced two successful singles. Still, she did not go down in my book as a name to look out for. But with this album, Good Girl Gone Bad, she demands our attention. She has stepped out with a bold hairstyle, fashionable clothes, a somewhat "rebellious" attitude and a new confidence that we have yet to see from her before. This album, although not flawless, is a huge improvement from her previous efforts.

The good: First, Rihanna's voice has improved tremendously. The annoying nasal quality, present on her last two discs, has almost completely disappeared. Also, her delivery is much more emotionally charge and she finally sounds connected to the music. The production on this album is mostly top notch. Of course the first single, "Umbrella," is excellent, although is may be a little over-produced. "Push Up On Me" is an undeniably catchy piece of 80's-tinged pop. But "Breakin' Dishes" has to be the highlight track, for me at least. The fierce track opens with Rihanna fuming, "I don't know who you think I am!" It is entertaining to hear Rihanna angry and the tongue-in-cheek lyrics are quite humorous. The Timbaland-produced "Sell Me Candy" and "Lemme Get That" are amazingly catchy. "Say It" is a sweet trach with great harmonies, "Question Existing" is touching, and the title track is a great way to end.

The bad: At times, it feels like Rihanna is trying too hard to be different and too much of a people pleaser (i.e. genre hopping, more pop-sounding, unconventional packaging). "Don't Stop the Music" was a terrible choice for a third single and I find the techno-pop track to be rather irritating. "Shut Up and Drive," is a nice rock influenced track, but the lyrics are a bit trashy. However, "Hate That I Love You" with Ne-Yo would have to be the hands down worst track on the album. The song is a lazy carbon copy of the featured artists' hit, "So Sick." It even uses the same shuffling drumbeat. (Also, I'm no huge fan of Ne-Yo and I think his voice is nasally.) I heard a rumor that this will be the fourth single. Um... not a good idea. Lastly, Rihanna tends to sound like Nivea at times. (Not a surprise since Nivea's husband contributed, in some way or another, to four of the album's tracks.)

Although this album is not without flaws like some people claim, the good far outweighs the bad and I'm quite impressed. Good Girl Gone Bad is a huge improvement from Rihanna's past works in many aspects. Now if only they could choose the right singles to release this album could be a big success.

New Look + New Sound = Alright Music.......2007-07-20

Rihanna definitely made the effort to step up to a more mature sound on this album. The new sound is not half bad either. However, alot of the tracks sound rushed and like no effort was put into them. The beats are solid and there are some memorable lyrics as well. Overall, Id say this cd is worth lending an ear to. Her other 2 are better, though. Hot Tracks: Umbrella, Rehab, Good Girl Gone Bad

This is why it's HOT!!.......2007-07-16

This CD is fresh and energeitic all the way through. It's truly made for those who want to dance. R&B artist take note, Rihanna has tapped a flavor of music that's rocking the spot.

GO RIHANNA!!!.......2007-07-10

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF HER BEST ALBUMS. SHE REALLY SHOWS HER VERSITILITY ON THIS ONE. I CAN LISTEN TO ALMOST THE ENTIRE ALBUM AND WHEN YOU CAN DO THAT YOU KNOW ITS WORTH GETTING

Okay, for what it is.......2007-07-09

I listened to this at work and heard it quite a few times over the course of around 5 days. It annoyed some of my workmates and others didn't mind it - I quite enjoyed some of the music on this album, which is undoubtedly well produced. I imagine that it would sound quite good played up loud at a party or in a club.

Some of the song lyrics struck me as being a little silly, but that didn't bother me too much.

I don't think I'd listen to this album very often, but if I had a lot of guests over for a party, I'd consider playing it if people looked like they may want to dance.

Average customer rating: A Sure Fire Hit!! Fergies Troubles good What a surprise... Guilty Pleasure

The Dutchess Fergie Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | R&B | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: FutureSex / LoveSounds The Sweet Escape Loose B'day Back to Basics ASIN: B000H4VV52 Release Date: 2006-09-19

Tracks:

1. Fergalicious (Featuring Will.I.Am)
2. Clumsy
3. All That I Got (The Make Up Song) Featuring Will.I.Am
4. London Bridge
5. Pedestal
6. Voodoo Doll
7. Glamorous (Featuring Ludacris)
8. Here I Come
9. Velvet
10. Big Girls DonÂ’t Cry
11. Mary Jane Shoes (Featuring Rita Marley & The I-ThreeÂ’S)
12. Losing My Ground
13. Finally

Amazon.com

If you thought Black Eyed Pea-sized bites of Fergie might be all you could handle--that a full plate of Fergie is possibly too much for any discerning musical palate--The Dutchess might change your mind. For here the lumpen lady throws caution to the wind and threads her pop needle with an ambitious ribbon of yet-to-be-conquered genres: reggae and ska on "Mary Jane Shoes," with Rita Marley; vintage soul on "Here I Come"; '80s hip-hop on "Fergalicious"; and sophisticated R&B on the John Legend-assisted "Finally." It's a tremendous and unpredictable expenditure of effort that mostly pays off--echoes of more talented vocalists like Pink, Beyoncé, and Christina Aguilera poke through in places. But while unbridled messing about can pay handsome artistic dividends (here, the guitar-propelled rock-like track "Big Girls Don't Cry" coughs them up), ultimately it's when Fergie's at her Peas-iest that she's most lovable; cases in point are the raunchily irresistible "London Bridge," which earned every week of its chart-topping success, and the will.i.am-assisted "Clumsy," a girl-group-styled bump-a-thon that showcases Fergie's coolest and most distinctive asset--her personality--to winning effect. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

A Sure Fire Hit!!.......2007-07-26

This is one of the best "chick" CD's ever!!!! I bought it six weeks ago from Amazon and I haven't listened to anything else since it came in the mail!!! It's terrific and fresh sounding and Fergie is a real artist!

Fergies Troubles .......2007-07-25

While this CD has a lotta hip/hop R/B and pop music on it there is also some songs that seem to dig into her insecure/darker years.The ever famous "Fergalicious" "London Bridge" are fun songs to dance to as is the anonymous "Here I come". "Glamourous" Is a laid-back luxurious kind-of song. It makes me want to lay out in a raft in my pool with a chocolate martini in hand. "Pedestal" Talks about the papparazzi invading her privacy and online gossip sites pertaining to celebs."Vooodoo doll" Seems to talk about dealing with dark magic. Probably, about a bad decision she made(what i was getting at in the title)"Clumsy" about the downfalls of falling in love."All that I got" Confidently talks about her lover seeing through her MAC n Maybelline and into her heart and soul. "Velvet" One of the best songs on the CD in my opinion, is about her being in love basically. It's really romantic to put it bluntly."Big girls dont cry" I was really starting to get annoyed by this song cuz they played it on Kiss 108 like every week-day morning. But anyways it's about leaving a love that made her feel safe n' sound, which I'm sure we can all realate to."Mary jane shoes" Actually talks about the shoes and how she has like "childhood adventures" when she puts them on. "Losing my ground" Is about problems in her life that she cant run away from. "Finally" Talks about how she FINALLY achieved her dream of being a star and how she never thought she would. I find that it inspires me since I dream of being a singer someday.Well, that's about it I think. But if you are a parent skeptical of buying this for your child I would highly recommend doing so!Fergie is soo talented!And I think a great role-model. Just make sure to get the edited version. ;)
-K.F.

good.......2007-07-24

It is okay but i was hoping for more dance tunes and less slow jams

What a surprise..........2007-07-23

Okay, so I admit to being a bit naive when it comes to buying music. I saw the explicit lyrics warning but couldn't figure out why it was there, I'd heard the CD and it seemed okay to me. I looked through all the reviews, no one said there was a "clean" version. Well, now I have a CD that I can't really listen to with kids around and will probably have to list it on eBay to get rid of it.

When there are 2 versions of a CD (explicit vs. clean) it should be listed somewhere that there are 2. I like the CD. The music is upbeat and Fergie has a terrific voice but unless I'm by myself there is no way I can play this with a carfull of kids.

Guilty Pleasure.......2007-07-17

Fergie could have been just some great eye candy and no substance artist, but she is far from getting that label.

If you are the person who turns your nose up at tracks like Fergalicious and London Bridge then you don't deserve this outstanding album. This album is solid from top to bottom, and beginning to end.

First, Fergie really can sing. She moves from rap to ballards with a smooth ease that makes we want to see what she does next. Second, Ms. Stacy Ferguson doesn't lip sync when on TV shows, and the confidence she has in her voice is displayed in the album. Finally, in my opinion this is the MUST HAVE pop record for 2006/2007.

Average customer rating: So Much Better Than Expected What Happened? omigod i love it!! Nonstop Fun! A surprisingly great score

Legally Blonde (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Manufacturer: Ghostlight ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) The Pirate Queen (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture) 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000R7I3NW Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. Omigod You Guys
2. Serious
3. What You Want
4. The Harvard Variations
5. Blood In the Water
6. Positive
7. Ireland
8. Ireland
9. Serious
10. Chip On My Shoulder
11. So Much Better
12. Whipped Into Shape
13. Take It Like a Man
14. Bend And Snap
15. There! Right There!
16. Legally Blonde
17. Legally Blonde
18. Medley: Find My Way/Finale

Amazon.com

Like Wicked, this show is a girl-friendly extravaganza; the main difference--and it's a big one--is that the score of Legally Blonde is better. Based on the hit Reese Witherspoon movie, the zippy, frothy show tells the story of SoCal, pink-loving sorority girl Elle Woods, who enrolls at Harvard Law and goes on to prove that appearances can be deceiving. The opening number, "Omigod You Guys," gives an idea of what the Broadway-pop score by Laurence O'Keefe (Bat Boy--The Musical) and Nell Benjamin is up to, embracing its over-the-top cheer with goofily infectious energy. Sure, a couple of numbers feel a bit derivative (the show with the witches has "Popular," this one has "Positive"), and the Celtic detour ("Ireland") is rather puzzling, but overall the songs are firing on all cylinders. Just check out the use of a marching band on "What You Want" for instance. Laura Bell Bundy (Amber von Tussle in Hairspray) is a charming Elle, and she delivers numbers such as "So Much Better" with the requisite elan. But this is not a one-woman show, and Bundy is surrounded by a crack team, including the endearing Christian Borle as Elle's love interest Emmett, power-piped Orfeh as hairdresser Paulette and up-and-comer Leslie Kritzer as Delta Nu's Serena. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

So Much Better Than Expected.......2007-07-31

This 2007 musical version of the Reese Witherspoon film is energetic, light-hearted & fun.

While I enjoyed seeing the production (starring the terrific Laura Bell Bundy), the score seemed somewhat unmemorable - until I got the cd. Some of the songs work better on stage (ie. "Bend and Snap"), but after a few listens, several of the songs emerged as favorites:

Omigod You Guys
Ireland
So Much Better
Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde Remix

This is not meant to be a thought-provoking show - just one to smile.

What Happened?.......2007-07-30

When I saw the show in the San Francisco previews, I thought it was one of the best shows I had ever seen. It was so good that I saw it twice (would have gone a third time, but ran out of time). The show is one of the most uplifting shows out there. The very first number in the show, "Omigod You Guys", starts on a very high energy level, and remained that way throughout the entire show. So, as you can probably tell, I was eager for the cast recording to come out. I purchased this album the moment it came out. I was so ecstatic. But to my dismay, this cast recording just did not do this amazing show justice. Instead of the songs having all the energy of the show, they became so mellow and down right boring. Not to mention that they took out one of the better songs, "Love and War", and replaced it with a much mellower song, "Positive". On top of it all, the actual music does not sound like it was done by and orchestra, but rather a cheap synthesizer. I had such high expectations for this cast recording because of how amazing the show was in San Francisco, but was extremely disappointed. The only reason I listen to this is because it is better than having to find some cheap and illegal recording someone did in the audience.

omigod i love it!!.......2007-07-30

best show ever practically!! LBB shines along w/ Orfeh & Nikki Snelson!!
Christian Borle was meant to play Emmet alng with Miachel Rupert as Callahan!!

Nonstop Fun!.......2007-07-28

I saw this show while it was in previews in San Francisco. I was not disappointed. The show is fabulous, everything a musical comedy should be: upbeat, entertaining and fun. Plus, the music is great too. I play this cd in my car over and over again, and I'm still not sick of any of it. I don't agree that the score is better than Wicked, but like Wicked, all the songs are good. "Ireland" and "There! Right There!" are a little random, but Orfeh nails Paulette and I can't help laughing everytime when she says "Celtic Moods!" Laura Bell Bundy brings her own personality to Elle and it works. Trust me, you won't be able to get "Omigod you guys" and "So Much Better" out of your head! Buy it!

A surprisingly great score.......2007-07-27

I heard some time ago that Legally Blonde was in the works for Broadway, and I won't mince words: I had no hopes for the show. But on a whim I decided to give the score a listen, and boy, was I surprised. Let's be clear here: I am not a female, nor am I a teenager. I'm ambivalent about the 2001 movie. I hardly fit the target audience. But, inexplicably, I love it.

The composing team behind Bat Boy: The Musical are back, and they've brought their skills to the next level. True, Legally Blond is all bubblegum pop. But it's cleverly constructed, constantly energetic, and just plain catchy as hell. The title song, "Omigod You Guys" sticks in your head like crazy. But that's a good thing -- if you're willing to laugh a little. Sometimes musicals are too serious for their own good. Who says we can't have a little fun?

With a few minor exceptions, the songs are very well-crafted. It takes a few times through before you catch all the lyrics -- they come at you fast! -- so there's a lot to enjoy. And just when you think the composers are following the melodic pattern you expect, they change it -- for the better. True, you have to be paying attention to catch those moments, but they're there if you do. As a composer myself, I was surprised at how intricate the pop melodies actually are if you know what you're listening for.

If you have a sense of humor and like good catchy music -- if you hated Wicked, leave now -- you'll definitely love Legally Blonde.

Average customer rating: We'll never turn back Mavis Staples rules quafable but not transcendent Yes and no Passion and soul

We'll Never Turn Back Mavis Staples Manufacturer: Anti ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: West My Name Is Buddy Twelve The Sermon On Exposition Blvd. [Deluxe Limited Edition --- includes 5.1 SACD version and 40 minute DVD of making the record] Sky Blue Sky ASIN: B000MR8SZU Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

1. Down In Mississippi
2. Eyes On The Prize
3. We Shall Not Be Moved
4. In The Mississippi River
5. On My Way
6. This Little Light
7. 99 And 1/2
8. My Own Eyes
9. Turn Me Around
10. We'Ll Never Turn Back
11. I'Ll Be Rested
12. Jesus Is On The Main Line

Amazon.com

As musical activists in the 1960s civil rights movement, the Staple Singers were powerful voices for equality and change. And more than 40 years after Pops's daughter Mavis spent a night in a West Memphis, Arkansas, jail at the behest of a racist cop, she still remembers the terror of the experience, as well as the counsel of Dr. Martin Luther King. That episode is at the centerpiece of "My Own Eyes," one of the most moving offerings on this collection of songs of racial struggle in the '50s and '60s, produced by guitarist Ry Cooder and featuring backing from the original Freedom Singers and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Throughout, the album proves both emotionally chilling and spiritually uplifting. On J.B. Lenoir's "Down in Mississippi" and Marshall Jones's "In the Mississippi River," for example, Cooder makes fine use of pounding percussion and snaky electric guitar to capture the danger and fear inherent in the Deep South at the time, while the title song and "Jesus Is on the Main Line" draw on gospel and the traditional framework of church hymns to promise positive solutions. Staples, who adlibs on several cuts, connecting the injustice of yesterday to the continuing marginalization of blacks in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, remains a remarkable performer, employing a throaty sensuality that rises from a deep well of tremulous emotion. If her album is musically uneven at times, her artistry and strength continue to shine as undimmed beacons. --Alanna Nash

More from Mavis and the Staple Singers

Have a Little Faith	A Piece of the Action	Only for the Lonely
The Best of the Staple Singers	Great Day	The Staple Singers: Greatest Hits

Album Description

From the liner notes, by John Lewis:

When I listen to this music, it takes me back. It takes me back to the red clay hills of Georgia, to the Black Belt of Alabama, and the Delta of Mississippi. It takes me back to the moans and groans and pains of an oppressed people yearning for freedom. It takes me back to the time when hundreds and thousands of us decided we were "sick and tired of being sick and tired," as Fannie Lou Hamer said. It takes me back to the days when ordinary people inspired by a dream decided to quench our hunger and thirst for justice in the fountains of mercy and love.

Back then, some people thought legalized segregation in America would never come to an end. But those of us in the Civil Rights Movement were inspired by a higher calling. And even if it cost us our very lives, "we weren't gone to let nobody turn us `round". We believed that the action of peace, the way of non-violence, and the power of love could overcome our oppression and remind our oppressors of their own humanity. Through the power of this faith our nation witnessed a non-violent revolution of values, a revolution of ideas that changed America forever.

The music you are listening to right now was the soul of that revolution. It was this music that gave us hope when it seemed like all hope was gone. It was the heartbeat of this music and its steady, reassuring message that bound us together as one solid force. So when we were beaten, arrested and jailed; when we stood together on picket lines or marched through the streets of the Deep South; when we faced the guns drawn, the billy clubs and the bullwhips raised; when we were teargassed, trampled by horses, or scattered by fire hoses, it was these songs that lifted us and pushed us to a higher place.

It is my hope that when you hear Mavis Staples, when you hear the Freedom Singers, and the other artists on this CD, that you too will be inspired. I hope this music will help you find the courage to stand up, speak up, and speak out and answer the call of your own conscience. It is my hope that this music will help you see what ordinary people with extraordinary vision can do when they decide they will never turn back.

Rep. John Lewis

Customer Reviews:

We'll never turn back.......2007-07-05

I enjoyed this cd very much. I had listened to the Staples singers years ago and was glad to see Mavis recording again.

Mavis Staples rules.......2007-06-28

This is one fantastic recording. Mavis has a magnificent voice . . . perfect for the songs and full of depth and determination. The musicians notably ry cooder and back up singers are up to the task as well. Mavis let her light shine brightly!!

quafable but not transcendent.......2007-06-27

This is a solid album, similar in tone to the recent retreads by the Blind Boys of Alabama and John Hammond. The historical and emotional baggage it carries help one to listen with a sympathetic ear, and perhaps lend it more pathos than is earned strictly on aesthetic merits.

Yes and no.......2007-06-27

A tribute to the legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the Staple Singers themselves. Doesn't really live up to the hype, though. Mavis has still got the drive and passion, but her voice doesn't have the range and nuance.

Passion and soul.......2007-06-26

Mavis Staples sings with passion and true soul the songs of the Civil Rights movement on "We'll Never Turn Back". The CD has all the sounds of a great Ry Cooder CD too because he did arrangements of many of the songs and he plays on them too. This CD's version of "This Little Light of Mine" shows what can be done respectfully to bring a whole new sound to an old song. This CD really deserves 5 stars.

Average customer rating: Jersey Boys Jersey Boys relived Jersey Boys-original broadway cast recording Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Ronald Melrose , Ken Dow , Anik Oulianine , Stephanie Cummins , Deborah Hurwitz , Kevin Dow , Joe Payne , Larry Saltzman , Dave Spier , Bill Hayes , Randall Andos , Bob Milikan , Debra Shufelt , Maxine Roach , Belinda Whitney , Cenovia Cummins , Eric de Gioia , Louise Owen , Robin Zeh , Sarah Schwartz , Shinwon Kim , Christian Hoff , Daniel Reichard , Donnie Kehr , Erica Piccininni , J. Robert Spencer , Jennifer Naimo , John Lloyd Young , Sara Schmidt , Tituss Burgess , Steve Orich , and Bob Gaudio Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Color Purple (2005 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000BFH2QY Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. Ces Soirees la'
2. Early Years Medley
3. Cry For Me
4. Backups Medley
5. Sherry
6. Big Girls Don't Cry
7. Walk Like A Man
8. December, 1963
9. My Boyfriend's Back
10. My Eyes Adored You
11. Dawn (Go Away)
12. Big Man In Town
13. Dialog: A Little Trouble
14. Beggin'
15. Dialog: See How You Handle It
16. Medley Listen Listen
17. c'mon marianne
18. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
19. Working My Way Back To You
20. Fallen Angel

Amazon.com

Although it squarely falls in the "jukebox musical" category, Jersey Boys doesn¹t try to integrate its songs in an artificial plotline. The show tells the story of the early-1960s group the Four Seasons, and the musical numbers tend to be introduced in context, as when songwriter Bob Gaudio comes up with a tune, or the quartet performs a show. This allows Jersey Boys to flow better than some of ill-fated peers, and the actors can shine without having to bend backward to accommodate an inane book. The show's most (only) daring move is to start with a hip-hop-tinged French-language version of "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)," an actual hit in France in 2000. After that it's all VH1-biopic territory, but it's done with so much flair, taste and energy that the ride's a fun one. The Four Seasons had enough hits ("Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," etc.) to easily fill an evening at the theater, so it's left to the cast to do right by them. And it does, particularly John Lloyd Young as the band¹s star lead, Frankie Valli. Young hits all the falsetto notes and brings real freshness to the part. His "Can¹t Take My Eyes Off You," a second-act peak, is signed, sealed and delivered with a star's acumen. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Recounting the rich history and reliving the timeless sounds of the phenomenal Frankie Vallie & The 4 Seasons, the new Broadway musical Jersey Boys answers the musical-and philosophical question, "How did four would-be wise guys from Newark, NJ, become one of the greatest chart-topping successes in pop music history?" Jersey Boys celebrates legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi who, as the 4 seasons, wrote their own songs, invented their own identity, and sold 175 million records worldwide-all before they were 30.

Customer Reviews:

Jersey Boys.......2007-07-30

This is one of the best CDs I have ever purchased. The cast of Jersey Boys gave an outstanding performance. They were just as good as the original Four Seasons. I relive many happy memories when I listen to this CD.

Jersey Boys relived.......2007-07-28

This is a great way to re-live the musical. And even if you haven't seen it, it's a great way to be introduced to the songs of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons. Wow! It's amazing all of the songs you recognize that have been re-done over the years. But the originals are always the best. Check it out!

Jersey Boys-original broadway cast recording.......2007-07-26

Fabulous! I loved that they included much of the dialog from the show and the music was impeccable.

Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast).......2007-07-19

Singers doesn't try to make the same sound the same original. The music sounds like the voices don't care about what they are doing. I was kinda disappointed.

Jersey Boys.......2007-07-08

Purchased CD prior to seeing the show when visiting USA in '06. A fun lively show - the CD now captivates those fond memories of not only the foot tapping music & show but also our special time in New York.

Average customer rating: Spring Awakens Surprisingly Moving and Original What's all the hype????? Spring Awakennings? I don't think so!!! One of the best musical soundtracks ever!

Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Duncan Sheik , Steven Sater , Skylar Astin , Lilli Cooper , John Gallagher Jr. , Gideon Glick , Jonathan Groff , Brian Johnson , Lea Michele , and Lauren Pritchard Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast) The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) A Chorus Line - The New Broadway Cast Recording (2006 Broadway Revival Cast) ASIN: B000J3FBFC Release Date: 2006-12-12

Tracks:

1. Mamma Who Bore Me
2. Mamma Who Bore Me (Reprise)
3. All That's Known
4. The B*tch of Living
5. My Junk
6. Touch Me
7. The Word of Your Body
8. The Dark I Know Well
9. And Then There Were None
10. The Mirror-Blue Night
11. I Believe
12. Don't Do Sadness
13. Blue Wind
14. The Guilty Ones
15. Left Behind
16. Totally F*ucked
17. The Word of Your Body (Reprise)
18. Whispering
19. Those You've Known
20. The Song of Purple Summer

Amazon.com

Who would have thought that Duncan Sheik would succeed where Paul Simon and Randy Newman failed, successfully transitioning from the pop-rock world to the Broadway stage? With Spring Awakening, Sheik and book writer/lyricist Steven Slater (who had already worked on Sheik's 2001 album Phantom Moon) have created a thoroughly exciting show that incorporates a contemporary art-indie idiom (including a small rock band instead of an orchestra) into a dramatic musical-theater context. The unlikely setting is that of a Frank Wedekind adaptation, but as it turns out, teenage angst is perennial, whether it's in contemporary America or in a 1891 German boarding school. Songs such as "The Bitch of Living" ("with nothing going on, asking just what went wrong"), "The Word of Your Body," "I Don't Do Sadness," and "Totally Fucked" ("You're fucked if you speak your mind and you know you will") resonate with the rage, frustration, confusion, excitement, joy, anger, and of course budding lust of those hormone-driven years. The show is greatly enhanced by its youthful cast members (they're all pretty close in age to their characters), who sing their hearts out. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Decca Broadway presents the cast recording for the acclaimed new Broadway production, SPRING AWAKENING. Written by pop music composer Duncan Sheik and playwright/lyricist Steven Sater, the musical explores emotional earthquakes in the lives of teenagers.

SPRING AWAKENING is based on Frank Wedekind's controversial 1891 drama, which was scandalous in its day for addressing sex violence and suicide. The story, dialogue and costumes suggest the 19th Century, and are perfectly wedded to a beautiful alternative pop music score by Grammy® nominated singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik. The creative team also includes Tony® Award Winning director Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and legendary choreographer Bill T. Jones.

Customer Reviews:

Spring Awakens.......2007-07-30

This new musical by Duncan Sheik is pretty damn amazing! The singers are backed up by a minimal orchestra of violins, guitars and a few other instruments. This helps you really get a grasp on the emotional vocals that these young teens are producing. Spring Awakening is a fresh, new musical that takes an outlook on the pains of growing up and the pressure that one is put through when going through puberty. I love this musical and being a musical theatre student i feel that it is essiental for every musical theatre lover! To put it plainly----this musical ROCKS!!!

Surprisingly Moving and Original.......2007-07-27

I've heard so much buzz about Spring Awakening, so it was a little difficult to believe all the the rave reviews before I bought the album. All those reviews are right though! It should be a discordant mixture - a 19th century German setting and a pop-rock musical score, but Sheik pulled it off perfectly. Spring Awakening has a soundtrack that will hold both angst-ridden MTV watchers and hardened Broadway buffs enthralled. It is slightly reminiscent of previous musicals, such as Rent and Bare, but it has a spirit and vibrancy all its own. I strongly recommend this! Definitely a highlight of the last few years of Broadway cast recordings!

What's all the hype?????.......2007-07-23

This one totally escaped me...I can't believe it won so many Tony Awards. Most of the music sounds the same ...without a real melody to be found. A Rent wannabe that falls way short.

Spring Awakennings? I don't think so!!!.......2007-07-23

Having seen the musical of Spring Awakennings at the beginning of this year I would strongly reconsider purchasing this broadway cast recording. I am a theatre goer (at the age of 29) and have seen the majority of the lastest musicals for example, Grey Gardens, and The Pirate Queen. Anyway I was discusted with the musical of Spring Awakennings; why is it cool to show a couple simulating sex and watching a ploke pretending to toss off? constant swearing etc... - How sick is that!!!!... and you call this a musical worthy of nominations (of the year awards)! What is the world coming to! and what drugs are these so called critics taking?

In my opinion buy something else with your money such as 'The Pirate Queen' which has no longer showing.

One of the best musical soundtracks ever!.......2007-07-22

My favorite tracks are "Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind", "The Song of Purple Summer", "The Dark I Know Well", "My Junk" and "Totally F*ucked".

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1. Adventures in Afropea, Vol. 1
2. All for Love
3. Back II Basics [DualDisc]
4. Bedroom Stories [Enhanced]
5. Big Hits and Remixes [Import]
6. Blax-Plosion [Import]
7. Call Me
8. Caught Up, Pt. 1 [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
9. Comin' Atcha
10. Control

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