Touch You There

1. Love Stays on My Mind

2. If You Need a Friend

3. Wrapped Up

4. Want to Be Loved

5. Touch You There

6. Be Strong

7. Lady

8. Would You Like to Go

9. I'm Leaving

Touch You There,Bruce Saunders,RCA,Hip-Hop,R&B,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Urban

Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)
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A Splendid Souvenir to Remember a Spectacular Performance!

god moves in a peculiar way.........i am god......

Orpheus in the Underworld

Excerpts

Highlights or total Opera?

Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Jay Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:

Offenbach: Gaite Parisienne; Orpheus in the Underworld; Voyage to the Moon

Offenbach - Orphée aux Enfers / Dessay, Naouri, Fouchécourt, Beuron, Podles, Petibon, Smith, Gens, Cole, Minkowski

Gluck - Orphée & Eurydice (Berlioz version) / von Otter, Barbara Hendricks, Fournier, Gardiner

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Gluck: Orphée et Eurydice (Berlioz version) / Larmore, Upshaw, Hagley, Runnicles

ASIN: B00001O2XK
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Orpheus In The Underworld: Prelude
Orpheus In The Underworld: Hello, I'm Public Opinion
Orpheus In The Underworld: Eurydice Is All A-flutter!
Orpheus In The Underworld: So That's The Game
Orpheus In The Underworld: I Feel A Cool Intoxication
Orpheus In The Underworld: We, The Watchdog Of The People
Orpheus In The Underworld: Tzing, Tzing, Tzing, Tzing!
Orpheus In The Underworld: A Night On The Town
Orpheus In The Underworld: Remember What You Did To Leda
Orpheus In The Underworld: Look Out, Look Out, Move Over There!
Orpheus In The Underworld: He Is Coming, Oh, How Boring
Orpheus In The Underworld: Oh, Oh, Look At That Look He's Giving Me
Orpheus In The Underworld: Though I Was King Of All Beotia
Orpheus In The Underworld: We Can Tell She's In Hell
Orpheus In The Underworld: My Little Spies Uncover
Orpheus In The Underworld: There You Are, You Look So Neat
Orpheus In The Underworld: It's Strange, But A Touch Seemed To Wake...
Orpheus In The Underworld: Do Not Look Back Or All Will Be Lost
Orpheus In The Underworld: ...He Is The Only God
Orpheus In The Underworld: Infernal Gallop

Customer Reviews:

A Splendid Souvenir to Remember a Spectacular Performance!.......2003-10-30

Having been fortunate to have seen the English National Opera's production in 1988 of "Orpheus" with Wilson and Pountney's outrageously naughty English text, this highlight CD serves as an audio souvenir. Too bad the ENO didn't have the foresight to film the production-would have made a great DVD. The CD booklet does have a few photos of the sets designed by Gerald Scarfe (who also designed Pink Floyd's "The Wall" album artwork) so you get a taste, combined with the CD selections, of what the production was like.

god moves in a peculiar way.........i am god.............2002-01-17

Offenbach is great anyhow, but this recording is riotous. The translation into English is first-rate, really funny stuff, and the singing is pretty good, too. Very worthwhile.

Orpheus in the Underworld.......2000-03-17

The rewritten lyrics, in English, are some of the wittiest and wicked in operetta. Wilson and Pountney have recaptured the spirit of naughtiness, not a small accomplishment in our licentious times. Though delighted to have the highlights, I wished a CD set or video of the full production were available.

Excerpts.......1999-12-23

This is a collection of excerpts. It is in English and is quite good. The performance of the entire operetta has been discontinued and it is a pity.

Highlights or total Opera?.......1999-11-01

I would like to know if this is highlights from the opera or the total opera.

Bells Are Ringing (2001 Revival Broadway Cast)

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1956 recording still wins over 2001
a fine revival
Good only if you saw the show.
Have "Faith" in These Bells
SORRY, WRONG NUMBER!

Bells Are Ringing (2001 Revival Broadway Cast)
Faith Prince , Betty Comden , Adolph Green , Jule Styne , Tina Landau , Marc Kudisch , and David Garrison
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bells Are Ringing (1956 Original Broadway Cast)
Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)
Bells Are Ringing
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ASIN: B00005LNGT
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Tracks:

Overture
Bells Are ringing
It's A Perfect Relationship
Independent
It's A Simple Little System
Better Than A Dream
Hello, Hello There
I Met A Girl
Is It A Crime?
Long Before I Knew You
Mu-Cha-Cha
Just In Time
Drop That Name
The Party's Over
Salzberg
The Midas Touch
Long Before I Knew You (reprise)
I'm Going Back
Just In Time (reprise)/Finale
The Music And Lyrics Of Dr. Kitchell

Amazon.com

Although she's not averse to doing new material (she appeared in William Finn's Falsettoland, for instance, and let's not forget that brilliant bomb called Nick and Nora), Faith Prince is a living embodiment of Broadway's golden age. From her star-making turn as Miss Adelaide in the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls to superb performances in the recent revivals of Little Me and The King and I, Prince always is perfectly attuned to classic material. In this short-lived revival of the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing (directed by Tina Landau, whose previous musical-directing experience was on Floyd Collins), the singer reprises a role created by Judy Holliday and once again proves her versatility. The duet with Marc Kadisch on "Just in Time" is particularly delicious, doing full justice to that beloved song. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

1956 recording still wins over 2001.......2006-08-11

I have always loved the 1956 Original Broadway Cast recording. The orchestrations and singers' musical talent and vocal inflections are brilliant. I was thrilled to see that there was a 2001 revival of this play, and looked forward to hearing the score captured with 2001 recording technology. Unfortunately, where the 1956 cast and orchestra shine, the 2001 version is completely without a soul. The 2001 orchestra sounds as though it must have been one of those "orchestra machines" they are using now in some productions-- there is no warmth or artistic interpretation to the music-- just notes being mechanically played off a page (or computer code I guess).

I also didn't understand, as I did in the Broadway Cast recording, why the female lead would have any attraction for the male lead. In the 2001 recording, answering-service girl Ella Peterson works for Jeff Moss's answering service. The short amount of dialog during the song (changed from the 1950's wording) sounds like he is having her cover for him while he juggles his various girlfriends. He sounds patronizing in his delivery. Then she sings a song about how she's fallen in love with this guy? Then later when pursuing her, he just sounds needy and annoyingly shrill instead of the genuine and confident interpretation by Sydney Chaplin in the 1956 recording.

If you want the soundtrack to this wonderful play, I recommend the Original 1956 Cast Recording with Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin (more genuine then the movie's Dean Martin in my opinion) playing the two leads. After hearing the 2001 version, the 1956 CD sounds surprisingly rich and stereophonic.

a fine revival.......2003-01-04

BELLS ARE RINGING was brought back to Broadway in 2001, in an ill-fated revival that only lasted a couple of months due to lukewarm notices.

Tony-winner Faith Prince (GUYS AND DOLLS) gives her all in the lead role of hopeless romantic Ella Peterson. The role is virtually owned by the late Judy Holliday, who starred in the original Broadway run and later the under-rated movie version. Prince gives us a fresh new look at Ella, with glowing readings of "It's a Perfect Relationship", "Just in Time" and the still-delicious "The Party's Over".

Marc Kudisch, in the decidedly-wooden role of Jeff Moss, sings wonderfully in his songs including the frenetic "I Met a Girl" and "Long Before I Knew You".

This cast also includes Beth Fowler as Sue and Martin Moran as Sandor, who share the comical duet "Salzburg".

Most of the criticism in this revival was aimed at Tina Landau's direction, and the age of the book which seemed too old-fashioned for 'modern' theatregoers. Still, a great musical and a great recording for fans.

Highly-recommended

Good only if you saw the show........2002-07-18

I loved the revival of the musical. It's classic! It's so funny and charming and unpretentious. But unfortuneately this album displays the musical as dull and lifeless. Faith Prince comes off as overplayed and "kitschy" and Mark Kudisch comes off as bored. When I saw the show neither seemed that way at all. The song "I'm Going Back" brought the house down on Broadway, but I often skip that track when I listen to the cd, I'm sorry to say. Luckily, the big hit from the show "The Party's Over" is still as beautiful as the first time it was written-- and Thank God. It's a good play... a good cast... and has good music! It just comes off as very poor and dull...

Have "Faith" in These Bells.......2002-06-29

Let's face it..."Bells Are Ringing" is hardly a substantive Broadway classic. It's theme is dated, as are its notions of the male/female relationship, and many of its references remain staunchly in the 1950s conventionailty of its genesis. But you know what? These shortcomings are equally some of this shows definite charms. "Bells..." is a quintessential example of the Broadway musical's prime years of the 50s and 60s. It's light, entertaining, funny, hummable, and just plain fun. There's none of the "sterm-and-drang" that would come post-Viet Nam. This new recording, quite frankly, is a vast improvement over the original for one simple reason: the two leads can actually sing. Judy Holliday was a marvel of an actress, and this show was tailored to her abilities, but her raspy voice actually detracted from the cleverness of these songs. And Sidney Chaplin, poor soul, was a hapless singer even at the best of times. This time out, Faith Prince reinvents the role as her own and displays both the musical and comedic flair that make her such a unique presence on the legit stage. If only she received more roles of this stature. Can somebody please tailor a new vehicle worthy of her talents? Mark Kudisch brings a pleasing baritone and an effortless energy to his role, and the two play off one another beautifully on this recording. Although some of these songs have dated somewhat, it's still a thrill to hear them delivered as if they were just composed. Of course, "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over" have justifiable reputations, but there are more goodies behind the hits. "It's a Perfect Relationship", "Hello, Hello There", "Drop a Name" and I'm Going Back" are all lively and delicious musical cotton candy, funny and fun to hear with these performers. What makes this CD so good is that it's one of the best produced original cast recordings in years. The singers sound like they're right next to you, adding to the intimacy and personable nature of their characters. There's none of the bobast and canyon-like distance so typical of the post-Lloyd Webber age. Here, you feel like you're listening to a couple of old chums and you're just aching for them to find each other. Of course, you know they will, but their musical journey is still a hoot. This "Bells Are Ringing" is a simple, direct, joyously ebullient lark from start to finish. It's a great addition to any Broadway collection, and a reminder of why those simple musical-comedy shows were such a treat in their heydey. Enjoy.

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER!.......2002-01-25

Ringing? More like clunking. Way back in '56, Comden and Green sat down and wrote a musical for their chum Judy Holliday. With Jule Stein's help, this trio concocted the classic Bells Are Ringing---a musical marvel about a telephone answering service in New York City. The original recording---recently reissued with bonus tracks by Sony Legacy---is also a classic, and belongs in every show music library. This recording of the recently deceased Broadway revival does not. The music and lyrics are still wonderful and moving and funny, but star Faith Prince is cloying and charmless. Sorry, wrong number.

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A Rose By Any Other Name...
"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!
Free at last!
I Love This Recording
The Goodall Ring - 1975 - Restored and Remastered

Wagner: The Rhinegold
English National Opera
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Wagner: The Valkyrie

ASIN: B00005B550
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Customer Reviews:

A Rose By Any Other Name..........2007-07-02

The figure of speach may not be completely correct in this instance, but, well, I hope you get the point. In any case, for a Dutch speaking person, like I, to hear 'The Ring' in a language other than the original German feels - almost shockingly(?) - natural. Certainly, this modern English translation, to me, is as least immediate, and probably even more immediate, than the original (archaic) German text. And in music drama, immediacy is essential. Maybe it is also the wonderfully natural translation, I don't know, but it works for me, the Ring in English.
But most of the credit has to go to the music, the singers, and the recording as such. I believe that this (originally analogue) remastered recording has one of the best recorded sounds and acoustics of any Ring, studio or 'live'. It is wonderfully clear but warm, kind of velvety (very unlike Solti), with beautifully natural balaces between voices and orchestra. Audience noises can be heard (including a delightful little ripple of laughter) but never really obtrusively so, thankfully. And I love the thunderclap-sound effect when Donner strikes his hammer against the rocks - very tastefully done, and lending extra power to the scene.
All the time one reads in reviews everywhere of the very slow speads at which the music is conducted by Sir Reginald Goodall. Well, that may be so, but I, for one, am certainly endeared to Sir Reginald Goodalls 'caressing' of the music, as a result of which wich the Leitmotifs come out more clearly than ever. The slow - but nonetheless very concentrated, and always involved - playing has, to me, an almost mesmerizing effect. Certainly, compared to many other recordings, the music may sound stretched almost beyond breaking point. But in the end, I think it is really just that: a matter of speed, no more. The concentration never falters and the dramatic arc never saggs. There is live 'music magic' going on here, I feel, even if the English National Opera Orchestra may not be (as precise or as diciplined as) a Wiener Philharmoniker or a Bayreuther Festspielorchester. Certainly, Sir Reginald Goodall must have loved this music and these opera's: one feels a slowly beating but constant loving pulse that energizes the drama and the music.
But we also have the singers. And what a great singers! While the best may be yet to come (with Alberto Remedios as Siegmund and Siegfried, and Rita Hunter as Brunnhilde), we here, in The Rhinegold, already have one of the most commanding of Wotans (Norman Bailey, with wonderful burnished timbre). Also, Emile Belcourt stands out as a wonderfully sleek but full-voiced Loge. Derek Hammond-Stroud's Alberich may not be as black as Gunther von Kannen's (for Barenboim), for example, but there is enough anguish, frustration and anger to lend his character a convincing reality and depth. And the giants too, are a winning pair. Especially Fafner (Clifford Grant) is as imposing and powerful as one may ever wish.
With all the rave reviews, here and elsewhere I can't wait to hear The Valkyrie, (especially) Siegfried and Twilight of the Gods. This certainly is a winning 'Ring', to be kept alongside any other 'great' recorded 'Ring' out there, IMHO. To me, it can hold its own alongside any other favorite recordings.
Please, sample this Ring (try for example the Chandos website for fragments of all of the music) and decide for yourself. Highly recommended.

"Thus I salute the stronghold, safe from dread and dismay!.......2007-06-12

Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Goodall, Boulez, Janowski, Levine, Haitink, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:

TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Boulez's Ring: 13 hours, 40 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Haitink's Ring: 14 hours, 10 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes

CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.

Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.

Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.

Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: nothing is faster than andante. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.

Boulez: Here it is, folks - the controversial Centennial Ring. To fit the Ring Cycle in the industrial age, Boulez gives it a very Schoenbergian, Bartokian atmosphere. Much of his tempi are very quick, very Bohm-like, though they're still not as fast as Bohm. Keep in mind, though, this live Ring works only if you hear AND see it (the DVD's work best).

Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".

Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.

Haitink: This might be seen as a disappointment. If you want great conducting, then this is for you. If you want a persuasive array of singers, look somewhere else. Haitink's conducting saves this work from being a total flop. There is nothing quite like his Rheingold & Gotterdammerung ("Siegfried's Rhine Journey" is a bit forced, but magnificent nonetheless).

Sawallisch: I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.

ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.

Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.

Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.

Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act Two Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.

Boulez's Bayreuth Festival: While it doesn't really pack the same punches as Bohm's Bayreuth, it still delivers a stunning performance. Orchestral interaction between characters (Ex. Siegfried's motifs mixed in with Mime's motifs) fares better than Berlin's and English National's. Rhine maiden motifs are given more wit, while the Dragon motifs are played with less eeriness. Beauty makes up for the irritatingly quick "Wotan's Farewell".

Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Boulez's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are heard clear in this Ring. The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.

Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.

Haitink's Bavarian Radio Symphony: This may very well be like Metropolitan, only this sounds much more poignant. The strings sound better and the percussion sound clearer. The leitmotivs are almost never screwed up. First scene of Rheingold will take one's breath away.

Sawallisch's Bavarian State: Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.

SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).

Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.

Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".

Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.

Boulez: If you watch Donald McIntyre on the Centennial Ring production, then you can tell that he's a fine "industrial" Wotan. If you just hear him on CD, then you'll be disappointed. His diction is weak, his emotions are forced, and his voice sounds robotic. The DVD's will do.

Levine and Haitink: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's and Haitink's Ring.

Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.

-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.

Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).

Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."

Boulez: How can anyone not be impressed by the Brunnhilde of Gwyneth Jones? One can almost feel her excitement during Siegfried Act Three, and her fear in Walkure Act Three. Her weakest point is probably during her Gotterdammerung Prologue (a bit too stressed).

Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.

Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).

Haitink: Hmph. I was hoping that Eva Marton would do well here. I was seriously let down by her strained singing. She does okay in "Annunciation of Death", but she is at her worst in "Immolation".

-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm, Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Peter Hoffman for Boulez, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, Reiner Goldberg for Haitink, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jeanine Altmeyer for Boulez, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, Cheryl Studer for Haitink, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Three exceptions, though: Goldberg and Schunk don't sound heroic enough, and Norman for Levine doesn't sound young and innocent enough.

-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.

Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.

Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.

Boulez: Is Manfred Jung a good tenor? Yes. Is he a good Heldentenor? NO. He doesn't have that heroic voice like Windgassen and Remedios. Again, the DVD's are your safest bet.

Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.

Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. Levine should've chose Kollo or Jerusalem when he recorded his studio Ring.

Haitink: Have you ever seen Siegfried Jerusalem on the Levine/Metropolitan DVD? Well, here he is again, and this time, he sings with more valor and enthusiasm. Bravo!

-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").

Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.

Boulez: What we have here is the weak Alberich of Hermann Becht. When he's in Nibelheim, the authority isn't there. When he's in the Neid-Hohle forest, the creepiness isn't there. And when he's near the Gibich house, the misery isn't there. Even on DVD he's unsatisfactory.

Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.

Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.

Haitink: No offense, but Theo Adam as Alberich? Come on . . .

-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.

Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.

Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.

Boulez and Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent Mime, VERY fun to listen to. There is much humor and eccentricity in his voice, and that's what makes his dwarf much more compelling than Dempsey's dwarf. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.

Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. He is equal to Zednik when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.

Haitink: Peter Haage sounds like he's entertaining young kids. His version of Mime is a bit childish, and the dark humor that the dwarf brings out sounds-over-the-top here. Nonetheless, he is still entertaining to listen to ("Wer halfe mir?" has never sounded better).

Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.

-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on during the Trilogy.

Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Again, another Loge that's marred by lack of cunning.

Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. He has the wit, the craftiness, and the untrustworthiness that the character deserves. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.

Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.

Boulez and Haitink: I can summon Heinz Zednik's performance in just three words: Brilliant Beyond Belief!

Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt and Zednik depend only on vengeance and deviousness, Stolze only imagination and deviousness, Windgassen and Svanholm only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.

Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.

Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.

-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings. Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). Anja Silja is the most memorable Freia (Bohm), while Kurt Moll makes the most fabulous Hunding yet (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm, Goodall, and Boulez. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.

CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation, Neuhold's Badische version, and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss, etc.), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the industrialized Boulez, the truthful Janowski, the unhurried Levine, the abnormal Haitink, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.

The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
-The Valkyrie (Part 2): Wagner: The Valkyrie
-Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
-Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)

Free at last!.......2004-09-18

I've enjoyed listening to the Ring cycles by Solti, Bohm, and Furtwangler, but my pleasure has always been dampened by the necessity to follow the dramas with a German/English libretto. This performance freed me from that burden and allowed me to listen to the Ring with my ears alone for the first time. And what a delightful experience it was! I found I could understand about half the words the first time through. but that was enough for me to understand what the characters were saying and concentrate on Wagner's great music. Some of the characters (Loge and Alberich, for example) are almost perfectly comprehensible, while others (Fricka in particular) might as well be singing in German. The sound itself is superb, with perfect balances between orchestra and voices. Goodall's conducting is famously slow (about half an hour longer than usual), but he is never slack and he reveals a wealth of detail in the orchestration. The singers are a mixed lot, with Loge, Alberich, and Mime particularly effective. Bailey is hardly the grandest of Wotans, but he is solid and convincing. In any event, for us non-German listeners, this recording is a real treat. I would not recommend it as a first Ring (Bohm is a good choice, though some of his tempi are rather hectic), but as a supplement to a recoding in the original language, it is hard to beat. Give it a try! As for me, I'm ready to go on to "Die Walkure" (pardon me, "The Valkyrie").

I Love This Recording.......2002-04-05

I was a little suspicious when approaching this English-language version of Das Rhinegold. I was considering assembling this as my third RING set (behind Solti and Levine) and had listened to THE VALKYRIE (Die Walkure) with a little initial disappointment. Although the live sound quality was very interesting, the tempo was much slower than I was used to and thus a little disconcerting, and the English words were harder to understand than I had hoped. Nevertheless, I persevered and listended to THE RHINEGOLD (probably my favorite of the four RING operas, although I know this puts me in a minority) and was amazed. Best of all, after listening to this album I revisited the Goodall VALKYRIE and discovered a new appreciation! Now the Goodall set ranks as one of the best I've heard. It just needed to get under my skin a bit.

What's so good about it? Three things stand out for me: First, the slow tempi that were a litle rough at first actually allow, upon repeated listenings, a new discovery and understanding of Wagner's unfathomable genius. Every nuance is slowed down just enough to be fully accessible. Second, the modern English translation really does make this a different experience...my initial mistake was thinking that English lyrics could allow me to listen to this as background music, and that's not the case. However, if one devotes the same attention to this as a German recording, the time wil be richly rewarded. Finally, the smaller orchestra creates an almost chamber music-esque setting, which compliments the music in an undefinable way. Despite being in English, this is almost more Germanic than original-language recordings.

I still probably wouldn't get this as the first foray into Wagner's RING (I still think Solti or Levine are the choices for that). But for someone who already has some familiarity with the work, this will provide a lifetime's enjoyment. Cudos to Chandos for resurrecting these recordings!

The Goodall Ring - 1975 - Restored and Remastered.......2001-06-08

I have been curious about this for years. When I saw the packaging, I wondered whether this was the same Ring that has been kicking around for a couple of decades from the Sadler's Wells performances of the mid-70s. News flash: It's the same. However, the box says that it's been re-mastered with something called 24-bit digital mastering. Since I never heard the old records, I have no idea if this is better. Judged on its own, the sound is terrific. This live recording really places the listener in the theater with clarity and authentic spaciousness. So often, a live recording will capture the audience up close, then the orchestra, then the singers, cataloguing every throat being cleared and every bow being tapped. Somewhere in the distance, the singers voices follow their heavy tread over the stage. Not here. There is an intimacy to the sound here that approximates sitting in about the tenth row back in a large hall. It doesn't sound like the opera's being played in your room; it sounds as though your room has been transformed into a medium sized theater. I found it uncanny.

As to the experience of the drama in English, that too is remarkable, at least for someone like me whose home-tongue is English. The drama takes on an immediacy that I have never experienced before. This factor alone is why you should explore this Ring. I can't overemphasize the impact on me that this recording had on me because it was in English and because it was well-acted. Surely this is what Wagner meant, at least dramaturgically (obviously allowing that you can't actually see the action).

Overall, the singing is competent, and in some places, it's excellent. None of the cast really stands out musically. Norman Bailey's wobbly Wotan could have certainly benefitted from a deeper, richer tone. Still, and perhaps more importantly, he creates a god who is clearly unsure of where the moral highground is, even when he's standing on "an open space on a mountain summit." Everyone, for that matter, is dramatically convincing, especially Emile Belcourt (Loge) and Derek Hammond-Stroud (Alberich) and Robert Lloyd (Fasolt), all of whom, by the way, have excellent diction. And speaking of diction, I almost could have done without the libretto when the men were singing. Not so with the women, whose diction was uniformly wanting.

Goodall's pace is notoriously glacial. Still, it's interesting to hear it parsed in this way, and I never had the feeling that I was going to fall off the world. Which is to say that the tempos were deliberate, not affected. This was definitely a labor of love for RG and the English National Opera. The orchestra is a little thin sounding, and perhaps, not entirely up to the score. Occasionally a horn mis-blew and a cello creaked. This is unavoidable in live performances, I suppose. Still, there is a surprising sense of smallness to the ensemble, even though there's never a moment when the balance between singers and players is lost. As a result, the overall effect is a balance of clarity and urgency that is clearly the upside of Goodall's idiosyncratic "vision" of the score. Not a huge or "erotic" sound, but always committed, intelligent, and sometimes impassioned.

Tracks:

Can I Touch You . . . There?
Ain't Got Nothing If You Ain't Got Love

Customer Reviews:

Just excellent!!!.......2004-09-01

This song is a must have to any person that likes love songs! "Can I Touch You .....There?" its fabulous and is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. This song must be heard!

Average customer rating:

"early beginnings from the vaults ~ Percy Faith"

Delicado

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0001EMM2Y
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Amor [From Broadway Rhythm]
Negra Consentida
Embraceable You
Baia (Ne Baixe de Sapateiro) [from The Three Caballeros)
If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You
Tico-Tico [From Bathing Beauty]
Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year [From Christmas Holiday]
Bem Te VI Atrevido
I Love You
Capullito de Aleli
Long Ago (And Far Away) [From Cover Girl]
Cumparsita
Stardust
Stars in Your Eyes
Bim Bam Boom
I'll Close My Eyes - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Hildegarde
There's No Holding Me - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Hildegarde
Dancing in the Dark
That Old Black Magic [from Star-Spangled Rhythm)
All Through the Night
Begin the Beguine
Touch of Your Hand
Tia Juana
Temptation [From Going Hollywood]
Noche Caribe (Caribbean Night) [From Starlift]

Tracks:

Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 19: Midsummer Vigil
Body and Soul
Du - Ray Charles Singers, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
Deep Purple
Fiddle Derby
My Dream Concerto - Ray Charles, , Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Chorus
Dizzy Fingers - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Magic Voices
I Got Rhythm
Flight 33 1/3
Solitude
Nervous Gavotte - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Lou Stein
Mosquitoes' Parade - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Chorus
Mer (Beyond the Sea)
Kitten on the Keys - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Stan Freeman, Bernie Leighton, Chorus
Whirlwind
Cumbanchero [From Cuban Pete]
Goodbye John - Ray Charles Singers, Percy Faith & His Orchestra
Perpetual Notion
They Can't Take That Away from Me [From Shall We Dance?] - Percy Faith & His Orchestra, Chorus
Soft Lights and Sweet Music
Oodles of Noodles
Would You?
Cumana
Delicado
Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart?)

Customer Reviews:

"early beginnings from the vaults ~ Percy Faith".......2005-02-15

Living Era presents "Delicado", fifty original mono recordings from 1944 to 1955 featuring Maestro Percy Faith who was churning out some of the best releases with top notch arrangements...each song had an upbeat and faraway tone to it...beautiful ballads from composers Harold Arlen, Waldir Azevedo, Irving Berlin, Nacio Herb Brown, Hoagy Carmichael, Zez Confrey, Peter De Rose, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Rafael Hernandez, Johnny Green, Jerome Kern, Frank Loesser, Cole Porter, Arthur Schwartz ...beautifully recorded representing Faith's limitless talent at crafting musical arrangements to fit an evolving music scene.

Now for the real treat...songs composed by Percy Faith with his unmistakable arranging "NOCHE CARIBE " (Caribbean Night), recorded in New York 1947..."DA DU", with Ray Charles Singers recorded 3/04/1952..."FIDDLE DERBY", recorded in New York 1951..."FLIGHT 33 1/3", after Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble-Bee, recorded New York 5/11/1950..."NERVOUS GAVOTTE", with Lou Stein on piano recorded New York 5/22/1951..."PERPETUAL NOTION", recorded New York 6/02/1949...Percy's arrangements comes from the heart and weaving a magic spell over the listener...compilation goodies on two compact discs for all the Faith Fans!

Sweeping and gliding strings, beautiful renditions of all time favorite Faith arrangements, such a statement of string counter melodies within the orchestration...many were favorites of my parents when they were dating...these songs represent some of the best arrangements in my Faith collection...when you put this collection on, you're in for a magic carpet ride sprinkled with the "Percy Faith Touch"...every arrangement has the signature of his pen and baton, two totally different tempos and rhythms surface within the boundaries of his genius...no doubt he was a master at his craft, they'll never be another like 'em, they only pass this way once...thank you Living Era for sharing these rare gems with the fans that encountered Maestro Percy Faith!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Living Era 278 ~ (6/29/2004)

BOB MARLEY - NATURAL MYSTIC / 16 SONG CD ENGLAND IMPORT / PLAYING TIME 50 MIN. SONG LIST: TRENCH TOWN ROCK, ALL IN ONE, SOUL REBEL, TRY ME, IT'S ALRIGHT, NO SYMPATHY, REACTION, RAINBOW COUNTRY, NATURAL MYSTIC, THERE SHE GOES, MELLOW MOOD, TREAT YOU RIGHT, CHANCES ARE, HAMMER, TOUCH ME,

Average customer rating:

BOB MARLEY - NATURAL MYSTIC / 16 SONG CD ENGLAND IMPORT / PLAYING TIME 50 MIN. SONG LIST: TRENCH TOWN ROCK, ALL IN ONE, SOUL REBEL, TRY ME, IT'S ALRIGHT, NO SYMPATHY, REACTION, RAINBOW COUNTRY, NATURAL MYSTIC, THERE SHE GOES, MELLOW MOOD, TREAT YOU RIGHT, CHANCES ARE, HAMMER, TOUCH ME,
BOB MARLEY
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NVGZTG

Product Description

Average customer rating:

You're Always There
Noah & Irene Carver
Manufacturer: Noah & Irene Carver
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA9KNQ
Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

This Heart of Mine
Gospel Ship
Old Shep
I Can Still Remember
Tramp on the Street
You're Always There
River Town
Just Being with You
Ladies' Man Came Courting
John Riley
Sale-Ing (Garage Sale-Ing)

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Album
exceptional fun listening
Wonderful
Mistress Bawd - Touch of Renaissance
The name says it all!

A Touch of Renaissance
Mistress Bawd
Manufacturer: Hotsprings Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

International Folk | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003L9LG
Release Date: 1999-05-05

Tracks:

Renaissance Theme
Roll your Leg Over
Over the Water to Charlie
Blow the Candle Out
The Chandler's Shop
Scarborough Fair
Today
Whistle Daughter Whistle
The Sergent
Peggy O
Sex and the Single Girl

Album Description

Renaissance Fair Music

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Album.......2001-06-06

Mistress Bawd's "A Touch Of Renaissance" offers a range of music from sweet to bawdy. With a powerful yet charming voice, Mistress Bawd gives the listener a treat, and is especially outstanding when layering her own voice on as a harmony voice.

The song "Renaissance Theme" provides an excellent introduction to the feel of a Renaissance Festival, as well as giving a bit of insight into the character, "Mistress Bawd." "Blow The Candle Out" is an excellent up-tempo song. My personal favorite, "Today," is an excellent studio recreation of Mistress Bawd's live performance, however I would have preferred that she had done the layered harmony on this one as a studio version. I often find myself singing in harmony along to "Peggy O."

The album is positive and up-tempo, and while there's a bit of bawdy content, it's very tame and will go right over the heads of most young children.

Definitely a top-flight album.

exceptional fun listening.......2000-01-15

Susan's wonderful voice combined with classical period and original tunes, makes this a must own cd! There is a nice varity of songs. It is hard to pick a favorite.

Wonderful.......2000-01-10

This artist is unique in their message of re-aquainting the audiences to a different time a slower and melodical time. The whisper of magic in the air as a listener closes their eyes to envision dancing in circles with either their pheasant dresses or leotards on. I prefer envisioning the magic of (for one moment): being in a slower time, stoking the fire, talking in an English accent and humming along (without the English accent). She is indeed one of the finest artist to paint visions in our heads and the rich colors of the day. Terry Jordan

Mistress Bawd - Touch of Renaissance.......2000-01-06

Susan a.k.a. Mistress Bawd has now made it possible to bring more of the 'fun' home from the Renaissance Festival. The bawdy songs are fun to listen to on the way to work and intimate family gatherings. :)

The name says it all!.......2000-01-05

Hearing Susan's delightful, strong, lusty voice brings the Renaissance Festival home with you. The songs will make you laugh, dance or cry, depending on which song it is. The "Renaissance Theme" that she wrote is truly a work of art. My favorite song is "Today". Just thinking about how she sings it brings tears to my eyes and makes you want to hold your loved ones close! It would be wonderful to have her sing it at a wedding. This is an album that you will play over and over, never tiring of it!