El Niño [Explicit Lyrics]

Amazon.com
In the late 1990s so many rappers are appearing on each other's records that it becomes easy to forget just whose album it is. On El Niño, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon, and Redman--all lethal MCs--took the next logical step and joined forces. The result? Chemistry class is in session. What cannot be understated is how reenergized the trio sound together. They appear invigorated with a sense of focus and duty: "Full Cooperation" is pure park-after-dark rhyming; "The Game" is the trio at its freshest, freely trading four bars each over classic cuts, breaks, and beats; and then there's "Ride wit Us," with one of the most surreal exchanges on the album, when guest rapper Too Short passes the mic to Murray over a Sermon beat. Juice Crew veteran Biz Markie also adds some old-school spice to a cover of "Rhymin' with Biz" that pairs the original hook with James Brown's "Payback" guitar. --Todd Inoue

Vibe
The WDEF radio format that strings this collection together doesn't work because it's been done to death and it's just not funny--especially when you have to fast- forward every five minutes.... [B]ut for the most part, Keith Murray and Redman hold it down on the lyrical tip. It's not that El Nino is a total washout; it just doesn't slam like you expect it to.

El Niño [Explicit Lyrics]

El Niño,Def Squad,Def Jam,East Coast Rap,Gangsta Rap,Hardcore Rap,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Average customer rating: Gabriela Montero CDs Non-professional Review Absolutely Magnificent! Improvisations Unbelievable! A beautiful breath of fresh air!

Gabriela Montero plays Chopin, Falla, Ginestera, etc. [Includes Bonus CD] Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Falla | Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ginastera | Ginastera, Alberto | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Scriabin, Alexander | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Scriabin, Alexander | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Falla, Manuel de | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ginastera, Alberto | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Scriabin, Alexander | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach & Beyond - Gabriela Montero Gabriela Montero en Concert à Montréal Bach & Beyond [United Kingdom] The Carnegie Hall Concert Martha Argerich Plays Chopin: The Legendary 1965 Recording ASIN: B0009VK0LO Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Moment Musical In E Mino Op. 12 No. 4
2. Prelude In G Op.32 No.5
3. Etude-Tableau In D Op.39 No.9
4. Prelude in D Flat Op.17 No.3
5. Prelude In E Flat Minor Op.16 No.4
6. Prelude In G Op.13 No.3
7. Etude in C Sharp Minor Op.42 No.5
8. La Vida Breve: First Spanish Dance - Manuel De Falla
9. Goyescas: Quejas O La Maya Y El Ruisenor
10. Danza Del Viejo Boyero
11. Danza De La Moza Donosa
12. Danza Del Gaucho Matrero
13. Nocturne In D Flat Op.27 No.2
14. Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor Op.66
15. Mephisto Waltz No.1

Tracks:

1. On Rachmaniov: Vocalise
2. On The Theme From Bach 'Goldberg Variations'
3. On Chopin: Nocturne In D Flat
4. On Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2
5. Inspired By Scriabin
6. On Duermete Mi Nino
7. In The Style Of Tango
8. On Granados: 'Quejas O La Maya El Ruisenor'
9. In The Style Of Bach
10. On Chopin: Prelude In A
11. 'Improvisation in Blue (Gabriela Montero)'
12. 'Song for Natalia and Isabella (Gabriela Montero)'

Customer Reviews:

Gabriela Montero CDs.......2007-06-12

Excellent service -- speedy, just as described, well-packaged. I'd definitely buy from this seller again.

Non-professional Review.......2007-03-27

Okay, I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I do so simply for the pleasure and nothing more. I cannot tell you about Gabriela Montero's technique, and, when she improvises, I have no ability to judge the music's intrinsic value, authenticity, or whatever. I can only tell you this: while I own many dozens of albums, running the full spectrum of the classical genre, I value none of them above Montero's Bach and Beyond and her Piano Recital. Pure listening joy!

Absolutely Magnificent!.......2007-03-09

I first saw Gabriela Montero on 60 Minutes a few months ago and was taken by her playing ability as well as her ability to improvise on the classics. Ms. Montero's fingers fly over the keyboard, playing Rachmaninoff more dramatically and key-perfect than I've heard in a long time. I decided to purchase this CD and have not been disappointed.

Improvisations Unbelievable!.......2007-01-26

Gabriela Montero is a tremendous talent, both in standard classical repertoire, and improvisation. I have know her since she was a young girl, and she was by far the best pianist around, even then. She is an undersung pianist of our age, and should rise to the top very soon!

A beautiful breath of fresh air!.......2007-01-20

What a sheer delight hearing her play. I've never heard anyone quite like her. A phenomenally gifted player, and it's a rare treat to hear someone who defies pigeonholing. I had heard her on the radio, and knew I was onto something when her improvisation on a very simple theme gave me the chills. I love both CD's in this collection.

It's interesting hearing the negative response coming from some classical musicians and fans. At times it can seem to roughly follow the stages of grief as proposed by Kubler-Ross. I'm a professional guitarist, and it's funny because it's almost identical to how guitarists react to hearing another guitarist, but with an big class-conscious overlay (all very civilized, of course). Think of the "guitarist screwing in a lightbulb" joke. To paraphrase and extrapolate on what someone might say upon hearing her improvisation:

1. Shock: Wow, he's good. Oh, and it's a woman!? And you say it's improvisation??

2. Denial: That can't possibly be improvisation. Classical musicians don't engage in that untidy process. What she's playing must be written out, and I can tell! Don't ask, I just know it.

3. Anger: This stuff is no good. Only permanent music is of value through the ages, and that's why classical music (and only the European kind) is better than any other music. Besides, I can't improvise, so I reject it - and only THOSE people engage in improvisation.

4. Depression: She can play all the classical music, and seemingly can improvise, or at least pass her stuff off as such. Not only that, she's getting attention and money, and we're not. Why is the world unfair?

5. Acceptance: (sort of) Well, I guess she's selling CD's, and is becoming successful. She is, I hate to admit it, a great player. Even if she is a faker. Of course, they're begging my Muffy to become artist-in-residence in Spoleto....

The other reviewer has a point when he says that she may be viewed as a curiosity. Because she's crossing genres, people may not know what to make of it, and this often causes reflexive hostility. As an improvisor, I would agree that it's hard to say that something is 100% improvised - players tend to have pet phrases and favorite general ideas they return to. But to me, Gabriela's playing is at the highest level of skill, beauty, and feeling, whether improvising or playing written pieces.

Average customer rating: an exotic, exceptional tribute album Pure Magic !

Paz El Nino Josele Manufacturer: Sony International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music Flamenco | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live at the Village Vanguard Junjo Bill Evans Trio: The Oslo Concerts Kids: Duets Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Live at Birdland ASIN: B000HD1OI2 Release Date: 2007-04-17

Tracks:

1. Peace Piece
2. Waltz for Debby
3. Peacocks
4. I Do It for Your Love
5. My Foolish Heart
6. Dolphin
7. Hullo Bolinas
8. Minha
9. Never Let Me Go
10. Turn out the Stars
11. When I Fall in Love

Customer Reviews:

an exotic, exceptional tribute album.......2007-07-19

After many listenings over several months, this cd remains fresh. Nino ("the kid") Josele crosses over from flamenco to the jazz mainstream with apparent ease. He adapts some classic Bill Evans compositions (Peace Piece, Waltz for Debby, Turn Out the Stars) to his acoustic guitar; he also plays several ballads associated with Evans, and adds several surprises that I didn't know Evans had recorded (The Peacocks, The Dolphin, Hullo Bolinas, Minha). Marc Johnson is featured in duets on several tracks; Joe Lovano, Tom Harrell, and Jerry Gonzales are also heard to subtle effect. Estrella Morente is heard on "Minha," and Freddy Cole sings Leonard Cohen's "I Do It For Your Love." Extraordinary variety in the music; it's aesthetically unified but never monotonous.

Pure Magic ! .......2007-05-08

Maybe the best cd of 2007 ! Nino Josele is a master in interpreting the music of Bill Evans . Flamenco lover or not , Bill Evans lover or not , everyone will love this cd . What a touch , what a sound , it feel like Bill is so close to you on that cd !

just get it !

Average customer rating: One of Savall's finest Nearly every night for 6 months! Diáspora sefardí / Hespèrion XXI

Diáspora Sefardí Manufacturer: Alia Vox Spain ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Orient - Occident Lux Feminae Villancicos y Danzas Criollas Isabel I: Reina de Castilla El Cant de la Sibil-la, Mallorca & València, 1400-1560 ASIN: B00004RBWV Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

1. El Moro De Antequera
2. Levantose El Conde Nino
3. El Rey De Francia
4. Por Alli Paso Un Cavallero
5. Por Que Llorax Blanca Nina
6. La Guirnalda De Rosas
7. Nani Nani
8. El Rey Que Tanto Madruga

Tracks:

1. Las Estrellas De Los Cielos
2. En La Santa Helena
3. A La Una Yo Naci
4. Improvisacion
5. Paxarico Tu Te Llamas
6. Yo Era Nina De Casa Alta
7. Longe De Mi Tu Estaras
8. Hermoza Muchachica
9. Axerico De Quinze Anos
10. Improvisacion Sobre 'Axerico'

Amazon.com essential recording

The Sephardic Jews, scattered through the world after their expulsion from Spain in 1492, kept alive for centuries not only their language, Ladino, but an extraordinary repertory of "folk" songs, many of them quite sophisticated. As Ladino culture began to slowly fade away over the course of the 20th century, musicologists collected and transcribed these melodies from Ladino-speaking communities in Sarajevo, Sofia, Salonika, Smyrna, Jerusalem, and other cities. Beginning in the 1970s, these extraordinary songs were revived (to considerable excitement) for concert audiences--a revival sparked in large part by a 1976 recording by Hesperion XX. This now-legendary early music ensemble, renamed Hesperion XXI for the new century, has returned to the music of the Sephardic Diaspora with this beautifully produced and packaged release. Disc 1 contains eight songs performed lovingly by the magnetic Montserrat Figueras (who sings with an appropriately unstudied tone). The second disc includes eight more melodies performed instrumentally; the choice of instruments reflects the influence of the Muslim-ruled areas where the Sephardim settled with the oud, rebab, and qanun (Middle Eastern equivalents of the lute, fiddle, and dulcimer) performing alongside harps, lutes, flutes, and frame drums. (Inexplicably, however, the final track of this second CD--an improvisation for the sarod and tabla--sounds nice but feels completely foreign to the theme of this release.) It may have been more effective programming to mingle the vocal and instrumental tracks across the two CDs rather than segregating them. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

One of Savall's finest.......2004-05-19

Hespérion XXI (formerly Hespérion XX, but renamed to honour the new century) is one of the most accomplished ensembles specialising in the early music of the Iberian peninsula. It is one of the ongoing collectives led by the formidable Jordi Savall, renowned for his interpretations on the viol da gamba. The members are always changing, which makes the ensemble simply a name for a grouping of artists and interpreters of this immensely rich musical heritage, yet always under Savall's masterful direction. Diaspora Sefardi is a double-CD of music of the Sephardic Jews, a diverse culture originating in Spain and later settling in countries around the Mediterranean after their expulsion from most of Spain in 1492. Never losing sight of their basic identity as Jews or their awareness of their Spanish origins, the Sephardic culture gradually incorporated numerous influences from the peoples among whom it evolved: from the Arab culture of north Africa, from the Turks, Greeks, Bulgarians, Rumanians, Serbocroats, etc. In short, Sephardic music is an amazing blend of all these influences, immediately recognisable for its unique manifestation of this diversity.

Led by the impeccable soprano Montserrat Figueras, a generous collection of sephardic romances resides on disc one, and ten instrumental pieces are found on disc two. Savall (performing on lira, viola and rebab) is joined by some virtuoso players here: Pedro Estevan on percussions, Yair Dalal on oud, Andrew Lawrence-King on arpa doppia, Pedro Memelsdorff on flutes, and a handful of others on psaltry, qanun, laud, sarod and medieval harp. This recording differs in kind from other interpretations (by Savall or by countless other interpreters of this music) in that it employs a more diverse instrumentation that lies beyond the standard western European grouping of percussion, viol, flutes and harps, and rather embraces the instrumentations of eastern influences of this music (oud, qanun, sarod, etc.).

Disc one, subtitled "Por que llorax blanca nina" (Why do you weep fair child?) is a selection of beautiful songs, mostly from 16th and 17th century documents, though all of them look back much earlier to a very old tradition of songs. Montserrat Figueras is full of vitality, her breathtaking voice and accomplished techniques show her complete mastery of this challenging material.

Disc two, "Las estrellas de los cielos" (The stars in the sky), is a diverse collection of instrumental pieces, interpreted and performed to perfection by this ensemble. This second disc is the real jewel here. Even in the complexity of rhythms, fostered by Pedro Estevan's challenging techniques, the rhythms are extremely accessible, allowing the listener to move around within the multifaceted and subtle instrumentations. Some are traditional dance pieces, while others more meditative reflections and variations on the music of the popular romances.

Listening to this music is always a rewarding enterprise. Full of surprises, it never provokes the same response twice. This release comes highly recommended for the curious listener. It comes beautifully packaged with lyrics and an informative essay by Paloma Diaz-Mas.

Nearly every night for 6 months!.......2003-05-01

After owning this CD for about 4 years, when my newborn daughter needed bedtime soothing I grabbed this (the 2nd CD). We listen to it nearly every night and I am never bored with it. It only bothers me a little when I find it getting stuck in my head during the day. I still enjoy sitting in the dark listening to it after 6 months. Beautiful moving music.

Diáspora sefardí / Hespèrion XXI.......2000-11-13

En este disco Jordi Savall y su grupo retoman el trabajo que emprendieron en discos anteriores sobre la música de origen judío ("Secular music from christian and jewish Spain" y los dedicados a la Sibila). El primer disco está compuesto por obras vocales que pertenecen a distintas expresiones de la diáspora judía a través de Europa, pero todas en ladino (lengua de los sefarditas o judíos españoles), interpretadas con una gran variedad de instrumentos (percusiones, flauta dulce, salterio, arpa, laúdes, etc.) sobre las que se alza la voz de Monserrat Figueras, que maneja bastante bien el estilo y el dramatismo requeridos, a pesar de que a mi juicio su interpretación es poco variada, y no se distingue tanto de sus versiones de música barroca italiana, por ej. El segundo disco trae sólo obras instrumentales, en las que se da un mayor espacio a la improvisación y la ornamentación, lo que considero bastante pertinente pare este tipo de música, y que realmente está muy bien lograda en este caso, permitiendo trabajar toda suerte de matices (el uso del aire por parte del flautista Pedro Memmelsdorff, por ejemplo). En todo caso, es necesario señalar que éste es un disco muy fresco, donde realmente se percibe un compromiso emotivo de los músicos con las obras, que pertenecen a un repertorio bastante poco trabajado en el campo de la música antigua, y sobre el cual todavía debe quedar mucho por investigar.

Average customer rating: Pure Christmas Christmas magic a voice teacher and early music fan Simply beautiful It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!

Sing We Christmas Chanticleer Manufacturer: Teldec ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Praetorius, Hieronymus | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Praetorius | Praetorius, Michael | ( P ) | 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 | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chanticleer | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Christmas with Chanticleer (Featuring Dawn Upshaw) Songs of Angels - Christmas Hymns and Carols Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music Chanticleer: Magnificat (A Capella Works by Josquin, Palestrina, Titov, Victoria, and Others) ASIN: B000000SNL Release Date: 1995-09-19

Tracks:

1. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
2. O magnum mysterium
3. In dulci iubilo
4. O virgo virginum
5. O Jesulein s Jesulein mild
6. Hodie Christus natus est
7. Marabile mysterium
8. Verbum caro factum est: Y la Virgen le dezia
9. A un nilorando
10. Here Is The Little Door
11. Noel canon
12. Quelle est cette odeur agrle
13. El Noi de la Mare
14. A Christmas Carol
15. A virgin unspotted
16. In the bleak mid-winter
17. Glory to the newborn King
18. Stille nacht - Douce nuit - Silent night

Amazon.com

Christmas is the season for whipping out those holiday-specific standard recordings. This splendid gift by Chanticleer should top the list, for one will never tire of this a cappella choir's interpretations. With selections spanning the last five centuries of Latin, German, English, Spanish, and French festive fare, this recording exemplifies the sacrifice of the ego to the higher form of choral sound. Jacob Handl's "Mirabile Mysterium" takes you on a trip into the chromatic wonderlands, where you temporarily lose tonal balance. Victoria's eerie and dissonant "O Magnum Mysterium" treats us to rich voices swelling out of one organic whole. The phenomenal blend and perfect intonation elevate this recording above others in its category. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

Pure Christmas.......2007-01-16

If you are looking for traditional madrigal sounding holiday music, this CD is for you. I have purchased this CD several times because I just keep giving them away. Everyone I've ever introduced it to has loved it. This finely polished group has a pure sound matched by no other. If you weren't looking at the CD notes you would never know this is only a group of 12 men.

Christmas magic.......2007-01-10

A CD evocative of Christmas past and present. Beautiful harmonies both wistful and ringing with joy. Buy it for next Christmas!

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-12-02

Chanticleer, the U.S. equivalent of the British King's Singers, is a full-time classical vocal ensemble named for the rooster in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'. It was founded in 1978 by Louis Botto, a tenor, and for a while was its artistic director. They have achieved critical acclaim all over the world and their repertoire is very extensive and varied. Just commenting on a few of the selections on this disc:
'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen' is a hymn that originated in western Germany around 1500, and is best known in the harmonization by Michael Praetorious published around 1609. The poem used biblical imagery that pictures the newborn Christ growing forth from the "stem of Jesse'(the father of King David), as foretold in Isiah 11. The metaphorical writings of the Middle Ages depict the patriarchal figure of Jesse as a rose bush.
'O Magnum mysterium',Victoria's most famous motet, uses a subline text from the Christmas Vespers. This is incredibly beautiful with its interweaving polyphony which leads to a hushed choral declamation at the words "O beata Virgo"(O Blessed Virgin) ending with a Alleulia Section.
'Here is the Little Door' is from a set of three "carol anthems", dating from 1918-1920. Herbert Howells was revered as one of the 20th century's most distinguished Choral composers, and I recently discovered him thru the album " by the Corydon Singers conducted by Matthew Best. It includes Howells Requiem in addition to the Vaughan Williams Mass in G Minor. It is the most heavenly somewhat exotic choral music I think I have heard in many years of listening; I highly recommend it.
'Glory to the newborn King'. Joseph Jennings, Georgia native and present musical director of Chanticleer, has often drawn upon his roots to create special gospel and spiritual arrangements of familiar songs. 'Glory to the newborn King' features four traditional songs combined to showcase Chanticleer's unique choral virtuosity!
This is an excellent group of carols,and it is always refreshing to hear 'new' melodies, arrangements; a joy for the ear!!!!

Simply beautiful.......2006-02-20

The title and artist' name says it all - Christmas with clear (pure) singing. Glorious in all respects.

It's that time of year...for Chanticleer!.......2005-12-20

Walking the busy malls to the multichannel Muzak of every old Christmas song interpreted in hiphop, jazz, idiosyncratic 'rethinkings' by famous soloists as well as replays of Gene Autry, Bing Crosby etc., it is a relief to return home (or if fortunate, to the concert hall) and hear the more uplifting music of the season through the ages. And despite reliance on some old favorite Messiah recordings, and carols by Kings College Choir, the one CD that seems to reign supreme is this Chanticleer release SING WE CHRISTMAS from 1995!

These twelve male voices create an ambience that can only be labeled 'spiritual', so resonant and exquisitely performed are each of the generous works on this recording. The moods pass through Praetorius, Victoria, Bach and traditional carols of unknown authorship to works by Ives, Billings, Holst, Guerrero, Howells and Sametz. The repertoire is both familiar and rarely heard and the result of combining all these forms is the truest form of Christmas spirit on record: this is music to cleanse the Muzak blitz! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

Average customer rating: Excellent music and musician great composer what a beautiful melodies Lauro is! Holzman plays Lauro beautifully The finest CD in my collection

Lauro: Venezuelan Waltzes for Guitar Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Villa-Lobos: Complete Music for Solo Guitar Barrios: Guitar Music, Vol. 1 Leo Brouwer: Guitar Music, Vol. 1 Agustín Barrios: Guitar Music, Vol. 2 El Diablo Suelto - Guitar Music of Venezuela ASIN: B00004NK2H Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

1. Seis Por Derecho: Joropo
2. Maria Carolina
3. El Marabino
4. Maria Luisa
5. Angostura
6. Adios A Ocumare
7. Papelon
8. Nelly
9. Suite Venezolana: I. Registro (Preludio)
10. Suite Venezolana: II. Danza Negra
11. Suite Venezolana: III. Cancion
12. Suite Venezolana: IV. Vals
13. Suite Venezolana: El Nino
14. 4 Valses Venezolanos: Vals No.1
15. 4 Valses Venezolanos: Vals No.2
16. 4 Valses Venezolanos: Vals No.3 (Vals Criollo)
17. 4 Valses Venezolanos: Vals No.4 (Yacambu)
18. 4 Valses Venezolanos: El Negrito
19. 4 Valses Venezolanos: La Gatica
20. Triptico: 1. Armida
21. Triptico: 2. Madrugada
22. Triptico: 3. La Negra
23. Variations Sobre Una Cancion Infantil Venezolana
24. Zulay
25. Carora

Customer Reviews:

Excellent music and musician.......2007-07-17

This is, indeed, Venezuelan music, masterfully executed by a master guitarist. Flawlessly executed it stands as a tribute to one of Venezuela's outstanding composers. ¡Cinco estrellas!

great composer.......2006-07-31

Antonio Lauro pieces are very melodic, not long, repetitive but beautiful, his music speaks directly to me and nobody really introduced me to it, i am familiar with many tunes through midi songs and some recordings. i will buy this cd because he comes up time and again as influential instrumentalist to me with interesting structures

i am going to pay cd and nylon string guitar soon too i feel.

what a beautiful melodies Lauro is!.......2004-05-25

I am a guitarist and listen to guitar sounds CD everyday. Especaily I listen to modern time guitar songs, A.York or R.Dyense etc, on the other hand, I listen to south and mid american songs. This Lauro's CD have my both wish, the unique sentimental and beautiful sounds of modern and south american.

Their songs is not long scale songs, though they are small songs, include many unique melodies with alpegio picking style.

It is very difficult to select his best songs because there are a lot of wondeful songs. I love Nataria and Angostuna especially. I think that he is genious in the point that make the songs with minor chords. In addition to that, his songs do not exist bad songs, all the songs is more that good.

Thank you for reading my poor English.

Holzman plays Lauro beautifully.......2003-03-07

A very nice collection of pieces from an important guitar composer. There are other fine performances of Antonio Lauro's works by John Williams and David Burgess, for instance, but this CD certainly does honor to Lauro's musical contributions.

The finest CD in my collection.......2002-11-10

This is currently my favorite guitar recording. The sound is powerful and the playing is unbelievable. I immediately bought every Adam Holtzman CD I could find and they are wonderful too.

Average customer rating: Very nice introduction to the work of a great soprano The very best performance by Victoria de los Angeles In Memoriam: A Tribute To The Late Victoria the genius of de los angeles A n angelic voice

The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles Victoria De Los Angeles Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Very Best of The Very Best of Lucia Popp Very Best of The Very Best of Janet Baker The Very Best of Franco Corelli ASIN: B000083GOE Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. O Mio Babbino Caro
2. Un Bel Di Vedremo
3. Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Jussi Bjorling
4. Senza Mamma
5. Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma
6. Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo!... Hui! Stridono Lassu
7. Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
8. Nacqui All'Affano...Non Piu Mesta
9. Una Voce Poco Fa
10. E Strano!... Ah, Fors' E Lui...Sempre Libera
11. Porgi, Amor
12. Dich, Teure Halle
13. Einsam In Truben Tagen
14. Je Ne Suis Que Faiblesse...Adieu, Notre Petite Table
15. Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris
16. Quand Je Vous Aimerai?...L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle

Tracks:

1. Auf Flugein Des Gesanges
2. Ich Liebe Dich
3. Wiegenlied
4. Les Filles De Cadiz
5. Cuba Dentro De Un Piano
6. Chevre
7. Punto De Habanera
8. Cancion De Cuna Para Dormir A Un Negrito
9. Canto Negro
10. De Espana Vengo
11. Cancion Del Amor Dolido
12. Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo
13. La Pastoura Als Camps
14. Bailero
15. Chut, Chut
16. Uno Jionto Postouro
17. Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre
18. An Die Musik
19. Dein Blaues Auge
20. Vergebliches Standchen - Gerald Moore
21. L'Invitation Au Voyage
22. La Flute Enchantee
23. Chanson Espagnole
24. Chanson Francaise
25. Chanson Italienne
26. Clavelitos!
27. Malaguena - Gerald Moore
28. Granadina - Gerald Moore
29. Adios, Granada
30. Zapateado (La Tarantula E Un Bicho Mu Malo) - Alicia De Larrocha

Customer Reviews:

Very nice introduction to the work of a great soprano.......2007-07-13

This 2 CD set is a terrific introduction to the body of work of Victoria de los Angeles. As the "liner notes" point out: "She was an artist who brought individuality and a sense of joy to everything she performed. . . ." And this is not hyperbole. She was a top soprano in the middle part of the twentieth century.

Some cuts exemplify her art:

"Un bel di" is a ravishing version of this well known aria. She demonstrates a rich voice with fine musicality. This is a ravishing version of this aria. The singer displays good vocal control. There are nice transitions across the registers.

"Si, mi chiamano Mimi" is another well known work for sopranos. Again, nicely done. She appears (to me anyhow) to catch the spirit of Mimi very nicely indeed.

From "La Traviata," she essays "E strano. . .Sempre Libera." This is an affecting version. She does not have the coloratura armamentarium that some have brought to bear on this aria, but she does a fine job nonetheless. She seems to capture the desperate spirit of Violetta in "Sempre Libera."

Rossini's "Una voce poco fa" is a nice tour de force for sopranos. De los Angeles does a nice job here. This is a work from the Bel canto repertoire, but she does well. She shows vocal agility and captures the spirit of the work. This is an affecting, charming version. There is some occasional vocal harshness, but not a serious issue.

From "Carmen," "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle." Richly and nicely sung.

Her range on this CD is worth noting: from Puccini and Verdi to Wagner to Rossini to Gounod.

And then another of her specialties--songs. She does a nice turn with the Spanish song "Malaguena." Then, in a nice twist, she accompanies herself on guitar in "Adios Granada." I'm not normally so excited about songs, but in this case I found her work enchanting.

So, if you want to get a sense of the artistry of Victoria de los Angeles, this is an excellent starting point. Highly recommended!

The very best performance by Victoria de los Angeles.......2006-09-13

Is the recording on Allegro records of her performance of Madame Butterfly in New Orleans in 1954, not the Rome recording. She is simply radiant, perfect, a voice truly that is a victory for the angels. Unbelievably marvelous.

In Memoriam: A Tribute To The Late Victoria.......2005-02-01

Victoria De Los Angeles died Saturday of heart failure at the age of 83 in Barcelona, Spain. The world of opera mourns her loss. She was a gifted soprano and a wonderful human being. On stage, she was able to directly speak to her audience and communicate with them in a very special and rare way that is not always seen today. She never hid herself behind a facade nor distanced herself from fans and audiences. She was born to sing opera. It was in her blood. This album showcases De Los Angeles in her most memorable and successful roles. Victoria De Los Angeles was one of the first singers from Spain to win worldwide acclaim. Others would follow- Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballe. De Los Angeles is showcased in this album which may also serve as a tribute to the now late soprano.

Her voice was essentially full lyric with some spinto. Hearing her renditions of "O Mio Babbini Caro"- a signature soprano role, as well as "Ebben Ne Andro Lontana" from La Wally and her performances as Mimi, one is clearly treated to the truest form of a pure lyric soprano. Her voice is spunned gold, with sweet, warm, feminine textures. Her reperotire remained in the Italian and French. Of course, being Spanish, she was a leading singer in Spanish Lieder and romantic ballads. Her Art Songs in Spanish are full of elegance and grace. A champion of obscure composers, she sang and recorded recitals that featured the works of lesser known composers, though strictly Lieder and Folk/Art Song.

Victoria De Los Angeles is fortunately a well-documented artist. Some film footage exist of her performances. I seem to recall that there exists a taped performance of her Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata. She excelled in the lyric roles of Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme, Marguerite in Gounod's Faust. Her Madame Butterfly is a pure lyric rendition, with less of the dramatic intensity other singers have given the role- i.e. Leontine Price, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, etc. But her Butterfly is actually the way the role ought to be sung. It's a voice of grace, naivete and above all romance that must colorize Butterfly. The dramatic intensity only makes her sound older and madly passionate. She is only a fifteen year old girl who has been deceived and betrayed. She must remain youthful sounding. De Los Angeles does justice to the truest form of Butterfly. She was thrilling in French and Italian operas and her Spanish songs were briliant and beautiful.

Victoria will always be remembered. She was a unique and talented artist of the lyric repertoire. Her pure, lovely voice was like an angel's. There will never be another Victoria De Los Angeles. With her death, the end of an era also passes. In particular, I will always remember one reported incident. She was about to make her first recital in America but she had no accompanist- pianist/guitarist etc. When asked how she would handle this, she remarked: "Well I brought my guitar with me". And she proceeded to accompany herself with the guitar.

the genius of de los angeles.......2004-02-14

the incomparable de los angeles combines exquisite sound and nuance to the world of superb singing. her mastery of a variety of styles is astounding and yet it always sounds natural.her magic will live forever.

A n angelic voice.......2004-02-06

De los Angeles' ability to sing with elegance and style has rarely been equalled and never been surpassed. She's the greatest Charlotte in "Werther", the most tender Santuzza in "Cavalleria Rusticana" and the most sumptuos Nedda in "I Pagliacci". Her Lieder-Recordings are legendary, my favourites are the Spanish ones of course. What a piano-culture and what a velvet sound! Get this set, it's cheap and it has GREAT singing!

Average customer rating: One of he greatest voice ever! overall Beautiful

Zarzuela Arias & Duets Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Caballé, Montserrat | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Spanish & Portugese | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Caballé, Montserrat | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Preludes & Choruses From Zarzuelas Romanzas de Zarzuelas Zarzuela: Spanish Operetta On the Wings Of Song and Zarzuela Arias - Victoria de los Angeles Gitano ASIN: B000003FW6 Release Date: 1995-09-04

Tracks:

1. El Rey que rabi?: Mi t?o se figura
2. El Caser?o: Bueno d?as
3. La Canci?n del olvido: Marinela, Marinela
4. El Cabo primero: Yo quiero a un hombre
5. La Leyenda Del Beso: Amor, mi raza sabe conquistar
6. Bohemios: No quiero que sepa que aqu? vengo yo
7. La generala: Mi dulce sueno de adolescente
8. MARINA: Pensar en ?l
9. La Dolores: !Dolores m ... ! Aquu!
10. El Nino jud?o: De Espana vengo
11. Luisa Fernanda: Caballero del alto plumero
12. La Rosa del Azafr?n: No me duele que se vaya
13. Don Gil de AlcalBendita cruz
14. El D?o de la Africana: Comprende lo grave de mi situaci?n

Customer Reviews:

One of he greatest voice ever!.......2007-01-10

A privilege to hear this wonderful voice in these native, for her, works.

overall.......2006-03-16

Great recording
Great music selection, Great orchestration

Every thing is what I was looking for.
I wish you had the same subjects in DVD
Thank you

Beautiful.......2001-09-29

This is a must have if you are not familiar with zarzuela (Madrid's response to Vienna's operetta). It's a nice combination of arias sung by Caballe in beautiful voice and joined by her husband tenor Bernabe Marti for the duets. The CD comes with translations for non Spanish speaking which will greatly improve your satisfaction.
Caballe is in as beautful voice as ever and feels at home with this non very taxing repertoire. She doesn't overindulge in her other times frequent "floatiness" and is very expressive throughout. Thogh sometimes when some coloratura is needed she tends to drop the consonants blurring her enunciation of the words. We are used to this from her opera recordings though she's not as bad as Sutherland.
Marti is a nice tenor but is not in the same league as Caballe. That's why he never got star recognition though he made a few recordings whith his wife, like Bellini's "Il Pirata". His is a lyrical tenor, a little throaty but with nice projection of the sound. He sounds a little strained over the "passagio" but hits all the notes. More importantly, he compensates for his lack of vocal lustre with burning impersonations of his characters. Passionate and burning in some, tender and caressing in others. In this respect is better than his wife who is a little more doll like hidding behind her vocal resources. So I specially enjoyed the many and varied duets in this recording.
Strongly recommended.

Average customer rating: Wonderful, sensitive playing.... John Bayless is awesome The One CD in My Collection I Never Tire of Listening To Gorgeous arrangements. Very dramatic and melodic.

The Movie Album Classical Pictures; John Bayless John Bayless , Luis Enrique Bacalov , Giacomo Puccini , Michel Legrand , Joaquin Rodrigo , Nino Rota , John Williams , James Horner , Sergey Rachmaninov , and Harold Arlen Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Albinoni | Albinoni, Tomaso | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rota, Nino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Romantica The Puccini Album: Arias for Piano Christmas Rhapsody Bach Meets the Beatles: Revisited Bayless Meets Bernstein: West Side Story Variations ASIN: B000002SLY Release Date: 1996-11-19

Tracks:

1. Il Postino, From The Postman - Visi d'Arte, From Tosca
2. El Canto de Ensarria - The Summer Knows, From Summer Of '42 - Concierto de Aranjuez, 2nd Movement
3. A Time For Us, Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet- Adagio In G Minor
4. Theme From Schindler's List - Prelude In C-Sharp Minor - Hatikva (Interlude)
5. Somewhere Out There, From An American Tail - Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini Variations No.18
6. When I fall In Love, From Sleepless In Seattle - Liebestraume
7. Moon River, From Breakfast At Tiffany's - Piano Concerto No.2, 1st Movement
8. Beauty And The Beast, From Beauty And The Beast - Prayer From Hansel And Gretel
9. Over The Rainbow, From The Wizard Of Oz - Legends

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, sensitive playing...........2003-11-02

Ah, reader, consider this album. I have been listening to Bayless music for years, from Bach Meets the Beatles to his crazy happy birthday album in a dozen styles (Stravinsky's Rite of Birthday, a favorite), but this one has something special going on. The playing is so beautifully, and sensitively played that one is really swept away by the original movie tune, interwound with a classical piece, so seamless and amazing. One of my all-time favorite albums.

John Bayless is awesome.......2003-10-13

He's such a great talent, I was lucky enough to meet him almost 2 years ago. I got this CD autographed! :) He was such a nice person and performed so well on the stage. Buy this album, it's really awesome!

The One CD in My Collection I Never Tire of Listening To.......2001-03-24

John Bayless had a vision for this album---to combine the most beautiful classical pieces along with the most romantic and engaging movie themes of all time. The arrangements and the way in which he weaves the varous pieces together, sometimes playing both themes simultaneously, are incredible. They lift you up and carry you away. The various instrumental additions (such as the guitar in track 2, drums in track 6, strings in track 5, the sound of the wind in track 4) add just the right touch---lightly sprinkled in when needed. As a professional pianist myself, I also appreciate his considerable technique and the emotion with which he infuses his music. Anyone who likes classical music and movies should own this CD. Anyone who has friends who like classical music and movies should purchase this CD for them. They will love you for it. It is my favorite CD. I never tire of listening to it.

Gorgeous arrangements. Very dramatic and melodic........1999-11-16

Don't be scared off by the "clown-like" picture on the cover. This album, by a true piano virtuoso/arranger, blends familiar movie and light classical melodies together into unique arrangements. Every time it's been on while I have guests, someone always asks "What's that beautiful music?"

Average customer rating: El Nino Adams oratorio completely renews an old genre for our times John Adams El Nino Revisiting El niño An American Masterpiece

John Adams - El Nino / Hunt-Lieberson, Upshaw, W. White, Nagano Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Adams | Adams, John | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs Handel - Theodora / Peter Sellars · William Christie · Upshaw, Hunt, Daniels, Croft · Glyndebourne Opera Bach - Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook (highlights) / Hunt-Liberson, McGegan Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias ASIN: B00005NHNU Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

1. I Sing Of A Maiden
2. Hail, Mary, Gracious!
3. La Anunciacion
4. For With God No Thing Shall Be Impossible
5. The Babe Leaped In Her Womb
6. Magnificat
7. Now She Was Sixteen Years Old
8. Joseph's Dream
9. Shake The Heavens
10. Se Habla De Gabriel
11. The Christmas Star

Tracks:

1. Pues Mi Dios Ha Nacido A Penar
2. When Herod Heard
3. Woe Unto Them That Call Evil Good
4. And The Star Went Before Them
5. The Three Kings
6. And When They Were Departed
7. Dawn Air
8. And He Slew All The Children
9. Memorial De Tiatelolco
10. In The Day Of The great Slaughter
11. Pues Esta Tritando
12. Jesus And The Dragons
13. A Palm Tree

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

To clear up one thing first: this is not about the El Niño weather system that hits the western Pacific every few years. Instead, this is a rather beautifully done Nativity Oratorio by John Adams, filled with his trademark dancing minimalist rhythms and tuneful melodies. The text is in Spanish, English, and Latin, and comes from both New World and Old World sources, all centering on the birth of Christ. Particular kudos must go to the three principals: Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, mezzo-soprano; Dawn Upshaw, soprano; and Willard White, baritone. Even though there are moments when White's baritone threatens to dominate, they aren't significant enough to forestall any pleasure in the overall work. And while there are moments of drama here, they aren't nearly as spooky as those in The Death of Klinghoffer, Adams's other clear masterpiece. But El Niño is definitely a masterpiece and a must for anyone's collection of contemporary music. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

El Nino.......2007-01-13

What I love about John Adams is how he is able to write melodies that get stuck in your head yet, aren't so poppy that a classically trained vocalist will sound retarded singing them. El Nino as a whole is an extremely effective piece of music. It is both for the casual listener and then critical listener because it is deep but is very appreciable on the surface level too. I would recommend El Nino to anyone who likes John Adams or legit art music of any kind.

Adams oratorio completely renews an old genre for our times.......2006-12-10

Having just witnessed El Niño performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra I have to say that it is truly astounding how well Adams succeeds in creating a true twenty-first century oratorio. He has said that he wanted to write his own Messiah, because he love Handel's so much. I wonder how many listeners are aware how deftly he has transformed the difficult, narrative recitatives of baroque practice into the haunting "greek chorus" of three countertenor voices? Or how he pays tribute to Handel's famous manner of illustrating the imagery in the text with the vocal writing? Or how brillantly like Bach he tempers the holy rejoicing with deeply personal expressions of terrible pain and terror?

I'm sure the Sellars staging in the original was impressive but I was glad to have an opportunity to experience the music only, which sustains the listeners' attention as surely as does Handel's oratorio.

This recording is to be prized for another reason. The truly great Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, one of the most electrifying stage presences in classical music in our times, died of cancer last summer. And now the news that Dawn Upshaw, the other, spectacular lead female singer, is battling the same disease. They would both have been featured in this Boston production, but one is gone and the other has cancelled her season while she battles the disease. Here they are on this beautiful recording, as they will not be heard together again.

John Adams El Nino.......2006-08-14

How can one lose with a cast like this? Adams' El Nino is what the Florentine Camerata would have produced in 1698 if film projection had been available! Unfortunately, Peter Sellars' staging, with film, can't be shared here, but it can be imagined because of the music--relentless on the one hand, soul-fully lyrical on the other--inspired by literary sources drawn from a wide variety of sources. Not opera. Not oratorio. But exciting and unique.

Revisiting El niño.......2005-12-20

Having first experienced John Adams' 'El niño' a couple of years ago fully staged by Peter Sellars and heard/seen more as a spectacle of video and quasi-choreography with the performers on the stage and the orchestra in the pit, this listener came away humming the visuals of bonfires on the beach with a Latino Holy Family: impressive evening but filler for a seemingly slight musical work. So why buy the CD set? Because I am a strong admirer of John Adams' work and felt I should give it more of a chance than a casual witness to a Christmas spectacle.

Now a few years later and with the CD studied, the next exposure to the work was in concert form and surprisingly 'El niño' works better without the distractions! The admixture of Spanish, Latin and English texts, using some wondrous poetry, the clarity of the vocal lines as sung to perfection by Upshaw, Hunt Lieberson and White, and above all the chance to really hear the brilliant orchestral details result in an oratorio that begins to work some magic. Adams creates a universality of message about birth and brotherhood that will help this rather overlong work sustain. The recording is quite fine and fortunately does not bear the stigmata of Adams' insistence of using mikes for the singers during live performance. Knowing this is one of his 'traits' forces devotees of his music to accept amplification as an instrument: even in his newest work 'Doctor Atomic' the singers are miked when they are all completely capable of filling a large house with their well-supported voices.

But ah, this is the 21st century and amplification is too much with us everywhere we go. So one can only shrug and say 'get over it.' It looks like 'El niño' has staying power: give it a chance. Not Adams' greatest work, but it ages well. Grady Harp, December 05

An American Masterpiece.......2002-10-04

John Adams' modern Nativity oratorio is not only the best thing he's written since "Nixon in China," it may be the best thing he's written. Filled with his usual driving rhythms and supple vocal lines, as well as more unusual features like a trio of countertenor angels, acoustic guitar, and settings of contemporary Latin American poetry, "El Niño" is big, bold and powerful without sounding busy or pretentious. The vocal performances are all heartfelt and perfectly nuanced, bringing out an emotional dimension in the Biblical characters rarely seen in more traditional approaches. It is a work that dares to be something both honest and majestic, and succeeds on every level. This is what new American music should be; and it deserves hearing by more than just fans of classical music.

Average customer rating: slightly boring... OK DEF SQUAD BABY Classic, amazing album. Don't agree? Then y'all ain't ready Collaboration

El Niño Def Squad Manufacturer: Def Jam ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World Double or Nothing Insomnia: Erick Sermon Compilation No Pressure ASIN: B000007QCA Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

1. Shower (Intro)
2. Check N' Me Out
3. Countdown
4. Full Cooperation
5. Ride Wit' Us
6. Lay 'Em Down (Skit)
7. Rhymin' Wit' Biz
8. The Game (Freestyle)
9. World Announcement (Skit)
10. Can U Dig It?
11. You Do, I Do
12. Ya'll Niggas Ain't Ready
13. Say Word!
14. No Guest List
15. Babies Father Committee (Skit)
16. Def Squad Delite

Amazon.com

In the late 1990s so many rappers are appearing on each other's records that it becomes easy to forget just whose album it is. On El Niño, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon, and Redman--all lethal MCs--took the next logical step and joined forces. The result? Chemistry class is in session. What cannot be understated is how reenergized the trio sound together. They appear invigorated with a sense of focus and duty: "Full Cooperation" is pure park-after-dark rhyming; "The Game" is the trio at its freshest, freely trading four bars each over classic cuts, breaks, and beats; and then there's "Ride wit Us," with one of the most surreal exchanges on the album, when guest rapper Too Short passes the mic to Murray over a Sermon beat. Juice Crew veteran Biz Markie also adds some old-school spice to a cover of "Rhymin' with Biz" that pairs the original hook with James Brown's "Payback" guitar. --Todd Inoue

Customer Reviews:

slightly boring..........2006-02-26

It seems like after Keith Murray's second album, all of Eric Sermon's beats just became 2 bass notes and a medium drumbeat. check Meth and Redman's BlackOut, and Redman's Doc's Da Name 2000 for more evidence. Eric Sermon is one of the best and most influential producers ever, but this isn't an example of why. All the emceeing is on point, but without the beats that's like saying you have a top of the range set of speakers, but a 4 watt system to use them on. Everything needs to be good for an album like this to be a classic.

OK.......2005-11-26

I like Countdown , Full Cooperation and Yall N**gazz aint ready but thats it I thought this would be 5 stars but it is just like about any other posse album just not as good as the solos

DEF SQUAD BABY.......2004-08-02

I HAVE TO HONESTLY SAY THESE GUYS ROCK FOR A RAP TRIO I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ARENT THEY RELEASING ANOTHER ALBUM BECAUSE THIS ONE DEFINATELY KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A GOOD LISTENER LISTEN. IM A HUGE REDMAN FAN I THINK THESE GUYS DESERVE A GOLD TROPHY FOR THIS ALBUM MY FAVORITE JOINT IS TRACK 5 THE SONG FEAT TOO SHORT,RIDE WITH US, I AGAIN WISH TO SEE ICARUS AND SOC JOIN DEF SQUAD THE COMBINATION WOULD BE UNSTOPPABLE.FUNK DOC HIT SQUAD IS SERIOUSLY IN THE HOUSE

Classic, amazing album. Don't agree? Then y'all ain't ready.......2004-03-06

This album is not one of my favorites...but I truly love it to death, for a number of reasons:

I have been following the careers of "The Funk-Lord / MC Grand Royal / Green-Eyed Bandit" Erick Sermon, "The Philles Blunt King" Keith Murray & "Funk Doctor Spot" Redman under a microscope from day one. Each brings a unique style & attitude to the mic, but there is and will never be, another trio as great as this one. With E-Double producing the entire album (execpt "You Do, I Do" by Red), the entire LP is bursting at the seams with funky-ass beats.

Erick Sermon, as we all know (or at least all should know), started his hip-hop tenure paired w/ Parrish Smith (PMD) in the classic & hugely influential duo, EPMD. Everyone knows that Sermon had all the talent, as it was evident in his production and superior rhymes w/ his classic lisp. As soon as the duo temporarily broke apart in 1992, Sermon simply blew up but didn't go pop. He took understudies, Redman & Keith Murray and turned them each into Hip-Hop icons, via practically producing and guiding both of their entire careers. He also released two solo albums, "No Pressure" in 1993 & "Double or Nothing" in 1995, both are amazing.

The first time the world heard Redman on the mic was on EPMD's 1992 LP, "Business as Usual" on the tracks, "Headbanger" & "Brothers on my Jock." Soon after, Redman released his debut album "Whut? Thee Album," later that year (entirely produced by E-Dub) and it went gold. Ever since then, Redman has become a huge staple in east-coast hip-hop. Sermon and Redman were good buddies and Sermon (I'm guessing) just figured that Red could rap over his beats, and it'd be ill. I have a feeling (not officialy confirmed) that Sermon's growing friendship with Redman & Murray played a part in EPMD's break-up.

Keith Murray is a completely different story, sort of. He was brought to Sermon's legendary basement one night by fellow "Hit Squad" member, K-Solo. Murray was homeless and broke, but he could rap like nobody had ever heard, (it's true I read this in an interview w/ Murray). The hip-hop world was first introduced to Keith Murray on Sermon's first solo album, "No Pressure" in 1993 on the tracks "Hostile" & "Swing it Over Here." The latter is to my expert knowledge, the first track the trio ever collaborated on, and it's dope. The next year in 1994, Murray released his debut LP "The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World," produced entirely by Sermon, and everybody loved it.

Dating from 1993, up to "El Nino" in 1998, each member of Def Squad had released at least 2 albums apiece. The beauty of it is, each solo album had at least one track that featured all three members. This is why I love this album so much...for years I had been getting tastes of what Sermon, Redman & Murray sound like when they all surround a mic, and I could never get enough. This album is a full 16 tracks (minus interludes and intros) of all three members. It's truly a beautiful thing that serious hip-hop heads had been waiting for, for years.

Now, don't expect much from this album by means of insight, emotion or even tracks that make you think. That's not their style. What these three heavyweights represent is pure funky, sh*t-talking hip-hop. It's all in good fun. They rhyme to entertain - not change lives. What's funny about Def Squad, is that not one of the tracks on the album have anything that seperates one from another. They all just rhyme about how dope they are, but the beats change from track to track and it couldn't sound better. My friends and I always joke that this album is like one big track. It's perfect, if that's what you're in the mood for.

Bottom Line: Those of us who know, know that this album was a long time coming. In an odd way, it's history in the making. The beats are incredible and the rhymes suit them perfectly. This is the perfect definition of a fun album. Any fan of Erick Sermon, EPMD, Redman, or Keith Murray will love this. 5 funky stars. Peace.

Collaboration.......2003-12-10

All that is needed to be said about this album is the collaboration that took place in the late 1990's. Keith Murray, Eric Sermon (a common and great duo) along with a more commercial rapper in redman. The collaboration was smart and needed.

Dance Music:

1. Far from Yours [CD-single]
2. Ghetto Life [Explicit Lyrics]
3. God Bless America [Explicit Lyrics]
4. Hand on the Torch
5. Hanni Cap Circus [Import]
6. Hate It or Love It [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
7. Interview With a Killa
8. Introduction [CD-single]
9. Jealous One's Envy [Explicit Lyrics]
10. Jewelz [Explicit Lyrics]

Dance Music

dance music

Dance Music

Retreat Ep [Import]

Very Best of Classical: Mozart

Waiting for Lit

The Best of the Season

What a Difference [Import]

Ventana de Vida

The Very Best of Carlos Gardel

Urgency

Wake Me/Xtreme Machine [Import]

The Protecting Veil / Wake Up ... And Die

Void Touching Faster Victuals [EP]

Ultra Selection [Import]

Super Pistas a la Manera de Vicente Fernandez, Vol. 1 [Import]

Jessye Norman - Christmastide

Wood