Balance

1. Prelude to Balance

2. Balance

3. Hypocrite

4. Hand That Rocks the Cradle

5. Remind My Soul

6. Feedback - Akrobatik,

7. Wreck Dem - Akrobatik, Mr. Lif

8. Bonecrusher

9. Woman Pt. II

10. Always Bet on Ak

11. Limelight

12. Time

13. Here and Now

Balance,Akrobatik,Coup D'etat,Alternative Rap,East Coast Rap,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Underground Rap

Average customer rating: Marvelous! Great! Delicious joyous and warm enfolding beauty! What a find ! Great Album

Balancê Sara Tavares Manufacturer: Times Square Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Portugal | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Similar Items: Seven Angels on a Bicycle La Cantina Funnel Cloud CéU Grand Slam ASIN: B000E6ESSU Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

1. Balance
2. Bom Feeling
3. Lisboa Kuya
4. Ess Amor
5. One Love
6. Poka Terra
7. Amore E
8. Dam Bo
9. Guisa
10. Planeta Sukri
11. Novidadi
12. Muna Xeia
13. De Nua

Amazon.com

First there was Cesaria Evora, Then Lura, and now, the Portuguese/Cape Verdean singer/composer/guitarist Sara Tavares. The title of this CD (pronounced bal-on-SAY) refers to the equilibrium necessary for balancing her mixed, Crioulo culture that stretches from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Blessed with an angelic voice, and a knack for writing accessible compositions that are global, yet ancestral, Tavares is closer to Les Nubians than to Evora, as the title track makes clear. She's more about adapting her homeland's musical conceptions to include Angolan sembe Afrobeats on "Poka Terra," with rapper Melo D, reggae, and Cape Verdean coladeira rhythms on "Planeta Sukri," co-starring vocalist Boy Ge Mendes. Fadista Ana Moura helps Tavares tell her soulful story on "De Nua." With this heartfelt, autobiographical work, Sara Tavares emerges as a new dark and lovely diva for this decade. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Marvelous!.......2007-07-06

This music is mellow, yet enlivening, calm, yet catchy. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat.

Great!.......2007-06-29

In Portugal this singer is very famous, you can see her face everywhere, is the star of the edge of Europe, this second album is the best this singer had made, happiness and energy, this artist is great!

Delicious joyous and warm enfolding beauty!.......2007-03-02

Cape Verde gives us a great gift in Sara Tavares! I saw a video without sound on an airplane for Balance - I was trying to guess the tempo or the style of music, but I got caught up in watching the dancers. Then I listened to a sample online, and was sold! After I bought this album, I listened to it 7 times in a row that first day. It is lush and varied and her voice is delicate and strong. The complex rhythms and instrumentations, the gorgeous Portugese language, and the general buoyancy of this record are addictive. I listen to it at least once a day and I have had now for about a month. Support this artist and buy her work, don't download!

What a find !.......2007-02-12

......I first heard Sara T on a local Public TV program, and of course she played Balance' ! I just fell in love with it, and went to listen to her at our "World Music Festival" in Chicago last October.....again I was blown away ! I finally got hold of the CD as a Christmas present ...and immediatly bought another copy for a friend of mine who lives in Wuhan, China...unfortunately, the Chinese censors allowed the CD "wrapper" to go through, but removed the CD itself. :-( ......I really like every track on this one !

Great Album.......2007-02-09

I have followed Sara Tavares from the beginning of her career and I must say that her music is getting better with time. I recently saw her in a concert in Boston, MA and was moved to tears. Her voice is absolutly beautiful and you feel the love that she has for her country in the songs that she sings. This is an album that you will never be tired of listening to. I promise!!!

Average customer rating: Just Slightly Off-balance Don't Question This Classic Collection! :) the Flash, then the Dud The Perfect Balance Between Prog and Rock My least favorite of the Classic 7

Question of Balance The Moody Blues Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Every Good Boy Deserves Favour In Search of the Lost Chord On the Threshold of a Dream To Our Children's Children's Children Seventh Sojourn ASIN: B000002GQJ Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

1. Question
2. How Is It (We Are Here)
3. And The Tide Rushes In
4. Don't You Feel Small
5. Tortoise And The Hare
6. It's Up To You
7. Minstrel's Song
8. Dawning Is The Day
9. Melancholy Man
10. The Balance

Customer Reviews:

Just Slightly Off-balance .......2007-06-07

I hesitate to even write this because I know I am going to feel guilty for speaking ill of my beloved Moodies. In posting, it will be evident that I am not so biased in my love for Hayward and Lodge that I can't give a critical assessment, contrary to what some of my other glowing reviews might lead one to believe. I did give AQOB 3 out of 5 stars so I didn't think it was ALL bad: my all-time favorite Justin Hayward song (written/sung by him for the MB'S) is on this CD.

The Hayward-penned 'Question' is reason enough to own this album. This is the BEST of his Moodies songs, bar none. It should be the one Justin is remembered and lauded for, not NIWS. This brilliant song is superior to 'Nights' in every way possible- arrangement, melody, tempo, lyrics- not to mention the way JH absolutely sings the living daylights out of it. The fact that the song was an "accident" just shows the depths of this man's awesome talents. He tells the story of how he needed a song at the last minute for a recording session and didn't have one ready. He did have 2 songs that were both unfinished AND in the same key. He decided to just go to the studio and fake it, as he put it. The result is just pure brilliance! Unfortunately nothing else Justin contributed to on this album appealed to me at all, save his great backing and harmony vocals on Lodge's 'Tortoise and the Hare'.

Speaking of my dear Lodgie and 'Tortoise': this is a rocking, fun, little song that for some reason has been sadly over-looked. I love the unique way JL re-tells the classic story. The words, music, beat and tempo are great, not to mention the great harmonies from J&J. John's other offering, 'Minstrel's Song' has taken me some time to warm to it, though I don't quite know why. Perhaps this song is a reflection of how John sees himself: as a simple minstrel traveling around singing his songs for the people. Both Graeme's percussion work and Justin's guitar riffs are outstanding on this song, and John's voice is so strong and pure. I have to say though, that I am liking 'Minstrel' better and better every time I hear it. Maybe it's one of those songs you have to listen to several times to fully appreciate how good it actually is.

Ray Thomas' 'And the Tide Rushes In' is a breathtakingly beautiful song and Ray sings it to utter perfection.

Apart from the one song from Justin, one from Ray, and the two from John, this album really just didn't "do it" for me, sorry. Nevertheless, it's still infinitely better than 99% of the drivel that's passed off as music today.

Don't Question This Classic Collection! :).......2007-06-02

To start off, what a topnotch remastering job on this splendid release! :)

Here is where my favorite mix of "Question" can be found (I prefer this mix over the mixes featured on the "This Is The Moody Blues" and "Voices In The Sky" collections, because I was first introduced to the album mix). The loud and energetic introduction, with the crashing drums, mellotrons, and chanting vocal, really gets me psyched, whenever I hear it! Good for the 1996 compilation, "The Best Of The Moody Blues" (And 1998's "Moody Blues Anthology") featuring the album mix of this Justin Hayward hit, I might add. :)

"How Is It (We Are Here)" features outstanding mellotrons, making me think back to the mellotron-driven sound of "To Our Children's Children's Children" ... This Mike Pinder track sounds more like a track from "Children's," more than any other on "A Question Of Balance." The instrumental break is out of this world, featuring the electric guitar (sounding like a prelude to the "bee buzz" electric guitar heard on "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" and onward) blending in with the mellotrons, as well as the super-cool high "squeaking" synthesizer effects, giving the song an otherworldly sound.

"And The Tide Rushes In" makes for a calm and beautiful tune, and the instrumentation creates the setting of a tranquil seashore with waves "rushing in," in the distance. :)

"Don't You Feel Small" sounds a bit on the eerie side, with the whispered voice accompanying the singing (You can hear the same style of vocal overdubbing on The Doors' hit, "Riders On The Storm"). Ray Thomas plays the flute in a similar fashion to the solo heard in the middle of "Legend of A Mind," from "In Search Of The Lost Chord," and it sounds superb! You can also hear some deep haunting sounds from the mellotrons, near the end of the song, reminiscent of the mellotrons heard on the "Children's" track, "Eternity Road." This is an unusual but cool sounding Moody Blues' track. :)

The percussion sounds excellent on John Lodge's "Tortoise and the Hare," and so do the rockin' double-tracked lead guitars, during the instrumental break ... Also, notice that John Lodge's voice is double-tracked (And also separated, slightly, from one another, in the stereo field, as heard through headphones), as he sings in two octaves during the "While you were sleeping" parts of the song.

"It's Up To You" reminds me of "Lovely To See You," from "On The Threshold Of A Dream," only slightly more mellow. The double-tracked electric guitars sound wonderful, once again, and I like the "wave-like" effects from the drums during the "If they knew that we have got nothing to lose" parts of the song. :)

"Minstrel's Song," much like "Every Good Boy's" track "Nice To Be Here," is an upbeat, cheerful tune, and the flutes and percussion really stand out, on this track. Justin Hayward's brief solo, "Listen to the One ... Who sings of love," near the end of the song, is sung with perfection, and right on the beat!

"Dawning Is The Day" reminds me of "Tuesday Afternoon," from "Days Of Future Passed," when listening to the combination of the flute, mellotron, and piano. Notice how, near the end of the song, the Moodies chant, "Listen, we think we have found you," repeatedly, but right before the song fades into "Melancholy Man," the lyrics switch over to "Listen, we think we can see you" ... How sneaky! :)

Similar to the "Caught Live +5" track, "What Am I Doing Here?," "Melancholy Man" makes for a beautifully dramatic dark Moody Blues' composition ... Just like "How Is It (We Are Here)," loads of interesting sounds and keyboard elements are featured on this particular Pinder tune. The combination of the wind (or "whirlwind") effects and the intense synthesizer sound, in the middle of the song, puts the "icing on the cake," when it comes to following through with the theme of the song! Nice job with the backing vocals on the choruses, mainly from Justin and Ray.

"The Balance" made for the perfect poetic finale to the album ... The chorus is catchy and the instrumentation is arranged beautifully. Also, the individual band members' voices are heard, near the end of the song, as they take turns singing lines like, "Do you realize?," "Yeah, yeah...," and "Just open your heart." Also, is that John singing in falsetto behind Mike's narration? :)

In conclusion, ask no "questions" about adding this classic Moody Blues release to your audio library! Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

the Flash, then the Dud.......2007-04-14

The Moody Blues were for my generation the Powerhouse Band that fused hard rock with classical to create dreamscapes. Their signature sound enthralled millions!

Yet they started to slip from their pedestals, beginning with this album.

The Song "Question" was by far one of their most powerful, beautiful and brilliant pieces ever created. Yet the other songs and ballads on this album are, in my opinion, mediocre.

The blues resurfaced and climbed their pedestal once again with "Seventh Sojurn." From then on, they have never been as creative as they were on "To Our Children's Children's Children."

The best way to buy this album is to get on an online MP3 service and purchase only the song: "Question."

The Perfect Balance Between Prog and Rock.......2007-01-30

The best set of songs and most hardrocking set by the Moodies. Good album.
They tried to get away from overdubbing here so they could do it live.

My least favorite of the Classic 7.......2006-11-23

But still, when it works, it's great. By now, the MBs world view is incorporating environmentalism (we'll spoil the seas with the rivers we've lost, concrete caves with iron doors), give-and-take with relationships (the tide rushes in), and sobriety (the overall feel of the album is certainly less spacey). Especially for Pinder's contributions, their familiar themes are for the first time sounding a bit weary, like the interminable "Melancholy Man" and the sappy "Minstrel's Song", and the more-preachy-than-protest "How Is It". Justin Hayward's songs are top-notch, "Question" I find a bit disjointed but the two parts that comprise it are brilliant. "Dawning is the Day" is a beautiful song, brimming with optimism and Ray Thomas's best flute break (if you can call it that). "It's Up To You" is a fine, uptempo rocker with very nice guitar/bass interplay. John Lodge's "Tortoise and Hare" has a mesmerising 12/8 beat (but you don't have to know that to like the song, which is a hard rocking musical version of the old fable), and "Minstrel Song", once you get past the sappiness, has beautiful melodies and harmonies. Graeme Edge makes his songwriting debut here with "Don't You Feel Small", and it's actually a very effective song. Ray Thomas's only song is a bit lightweight (Tide Rushes In) but inoffensive, and the song he co-writes with Edge, "The Balance", shows admirable restraint, given that it is widely seen as a standard pompous portentious philosophic statement that is supposed to end this particular opus.

Average customer rating: Hear It. This CD is ridiculous Hottest House mix of the year! Funk.... groove... soul... House...

Balance 011 Manufacturer: EQ Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Big Beat | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Germany | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: One + One Renaissance Presents the Masters Series, Pt. 9: Satoshi Tomiie Global Underground: Taipei (GU31) Balance 010 Global Underground: Mexico City ASIN: B000NI3F1U Release Date: 2007-04-24

Tracks:

1. Voom Voom - Vampire Song
2. Rich Medina ft. Sy Smith - Can't Hold Back (King Britt Instrumental mix)
3. Bioground - Late Summer Nights
4. Wamdue Project - Home Planet
5. Hypnos - Red Light
6. Mitsu - Serene
7. Acca - Rain (Gravity Dub)
8. Delgui - Highlights (Charles Webster mix)
9. Julien Jabre - War
10. Tiger Stripes - Amphytrion
11. Kinka - Burnin'
12. Robag Wruhme - KTB (Ruhig Brauner mix)
13. Vernell Long & Hebegebe - I Go Now (Awaaz mix)
14. David Holmes - 69 Police (New Alluminists Soixants-Neuf Dub)
15. Heroes For Hire - Our House Music
16. Nightriders - Getaway
17. Tom Novy - Unexpected (Instrumental Edit)

Tracks:

1. Alexander Kowalski ft. Joris Voorn - She's Worth It
2. Francois K - Time And Space
3. Tamara's World - Trampoline (Akabu mix)
4. Timewriter - Booty Song (Ian Pooley mix)
5. Dusk and Prayd - Playing With Fire (Elextroworld mix)
6. Elektrochemie LK - Lay Here
7. KLMNT - Zouin (Tiger Stripes mix)
8. Schwab - DJs In A Row (Tom Middleton mix)
9. Lissat and Voltax - Footlovers (Da Fresh mix)
10. 16 Bit Lolitas - Difficult If Not Impossible
11. Jordan Rivera and Ferry Nice - Africando (Shik Stylko mix)
12. Klement Bonelli - Ethna (D'Malicious mix)
13. Marnix - Fire (Jamie Anderson mix)
14. Subtech - A Beat Like This
15. Michell - Need To Know
16. Humate - Curious

Album Description

EQ Recordings continues the tradition of premium quality electronic music with its next edition of the Balance series, a top choice for discerning music lovers who have a taste for cutting-edge music mixed by the world's best, but not always recognized, DJs. On Balance 011, Canadian DJ/producer Luke Fair works his magic, grabbing listeners with his diverse music and taking us on a funky, tripped-out journey featuring tracks and remixes from Charles Webster, Humate, Timewriter, Francois K, Ian Pooley, Joey Negro and more. Fair has carved quite a reputation as a producer and passionately experimental DJ. His music can be described as groovy, funky, housey and techy all at the same time.

Customer Reviews:

Hear It........2007-06-14

Very few times i think in my head "I'm gonna love this" just by hearing the first 10 min. of a set; but a little of these few times i say,"I really love it" in the last 10 min. of it. With this release It happened.
Incredibly there's more than one style of house music in this one, but it still sounded like a whole (You would say this is the job of any dj, but it doesn't always happens this way). The upgrades made to the tracks and layered sounds fit flawlessly. For the sake of your electronic Knowledge. Don't Think it, just hear it.

This CD is ridiculous.......2007-04-28

This CD is absolutely ridiculous. The compilation really brings the fun back into house music. Luke's programming and mixing are top quality...definitely the best mix CD of 2007 thus far in my ever so humble opinion.

Hottest House mix of the year!.......2007-04-25

The quality Australian EQ label has released their 11th in the Balance series, and it may very well be the best yet. It is certainly the most consistent line-up of tracks through both discs. Luke starts off with a few progressive house tracks early on, then takes us on a groovy journey through deep house on disc 1, and into some higher energy electro vibes for disc 2. There isn't a dull moment on either disc, even from the first listen. No warming up, no second listen to enjoy, this one hits you right from the start. Amazing melodic tracks on both discs, this is a true house gem. A must own mix this year.

Funk.... groove... soul... House..........2007-04-24

"Balance" keeps its musical see-saw at equilibrium with equal doses of quality progressive trance and progressive house. The better of the trancey Balance acts include James Holden and Anthony Pappa; Luke Fair, however, places precisely the correct amount of weight on the other side of the proverbial see-saw, creating a thumping house music journey whose merits outshine even the likes of Desyn Masiello's Balance 008. In fact, words from the man himself speak volumes: "Hey all...finished my Balance CD last week. The mood of this mix will capture the sound of an entire night at a club, a full set from open to close. Every track will be heavily edited to personalize the mix a bit more, with lots of layering to make the whole thing as colorful as possible." ~Luke Fair

He could not have preached a truth more profound had his hand been on a Bible when he made the statement.

This is the most colorful house release I have heard in quite a while; possibly ever. Disc one begins with sensible track sequences like Voom Voom's "Vampire Song," Rich Medina Feat. Sy Smith's "Can't Hold Back (King Britt Mix)" & Bioground's "Smooth Summer Nights"; with this three-song-sequence, I found what is rare in most EDM sets -the instantaneous feeling that the mix is liable to outshine others of its kind with ease. Luke Fair spins an airy, funky and wholly danceable first set with the delectable influence of jazz. Sounding nothing like his "electro-disco fiasco" on OS_3, the aura brings to mind images of radiant multi-colored disco balls spinning from the ceiling of a vibrant night club. Though the whole first disc is enticingly consistent, Luke seems to have developed a knack for inserting absolutely perfect three-track sequences which segue into different styles of house, while still maintaining the mix's deep and saturated color. Further examples are found in Julien Jabre's "War," Tiger Stripes' "Amphytrion" & Kinka's "Burnin'." The mood thus far has been so consistently uplifting and beat-reliant that this section of tracks was a surprise... a pleasant one, because the last section of disc one contains arguably the best selection of tracks on the first disc. To cite examples, David Holmes' "69 Police" and Heroes for Hire's "Our House Music" shine like sapphire gems. My favorite track on the disc is the sixteenth track, "Gateway" by Nightriders, whose shimmering saxophone chords bring undeserved pleasure to my ears. Closing with Tom Novy's "Unexpected" (a fitting title, for this track deviates from the melody set forth by Nightriders in many ways), I cannot help but suggest that disc one of Balance 011 achieves the status of the most addictive and most superb house album I have ever heard.

That is not to say that disc two bears no merit by comparison. On the contrary, it should be argued that the second disc is just as good as the first; such a statement may be too bold in lieu of the first disc's astonishing composition, though. The second disc ups the ante with a sense of housey "grittiness," which is in sync with Luke Fair's personal description of the album: "The mood of this mix will capture the sound of an entire night at a club, a full set from open to close." Beginning with the same eerie and sexy bass grooves as did "Vampire Song", "She's Worth It" slyly breaks through the initial ambient barriers into infectiously throbbing house. Luke finally nails the electro-house vibe he went for with earlier releases that ended up falling short when the adds Francois K.'s "Time and Space." Undulating synthesizers ensnare the headspace of the listener; by the second track of disc two, there simply is no going back, folks.

The drop of Timewriter's "Booty Song" illustrates the late-night club atmosphere being fully realized. The liveliest moments of disc two can be found between tracks four and twelve; some particular highlights include "Playing with Fire," "DJ's In a Row," "Footlover" by Lissat & Voltax, yet another astounding 16 Bit Lolitas track "Difficult If Not Impossible," and finally Klement Bonelli's "Ethna (12th Floor Mix)." And with such a provocative title, one would expect Marnix's "FIRE!" to continue the uptempo set forth by so many of the mid-disc tracks; in actuality, it marks the beginning of the slide into downtempo and piano layered tracks suitable for catching one's breath after such an intense ride into previously unexplored dimensions of house grandeur. "Need To Know"'s wailing synths mourn the closure of this fantastic set; it is a jubilant mourning - the final recognition of what has transpired during this sonic journey. Humate's "Curious" is precisely that; a curiously uptempo song at first, finally relenting to the early morning hours with surprisingly articulate and enjoyable piano chords.

Within the last forty seconds, the echoic female vocals usher out the second disc of what is perhaps the liveliest, most colorful, most purposeful and most addictive progressive House release in YEARS. Luke Fair's name has arisen in other locations in the world of EDM; he commandeered the third installment of Bedrock's Original Series (a marginal success at best) and decently collaborated with Desyn Masiello on Yoshitoshi's "In House We Trust Volume 3." Even his superb live set with James Zabiela at the WMC Delta Heavy Boat Party in 2004 firmly cemented his name in the scene. In my mind, however, Balance 011 is undeniably Luke's best effort yet and will likely go down as the best house release of 2007, despite being so early into the year. To say that Luke Fair fares well would be a gross understatement. I challenge anyone to drop the headphones or mute the subwoofers in the midst of this incredible album. Perhaps the best (house) Balance release to date, Luke Fair is one disco ball doesn't stop spinning until the brilliant colors have blinded the listener with the ecstasy of genuinely sensational house music that connects the world.

Average customer rating: Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material! Beginner or Expert Very Informative and Enjoyable Frank's view Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra

Instruments of the Orchestra Various Artists Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra | ( M ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op34; Simple Symphony Op4 The Mahler Symphonies: An Owner's Manual (includes 1 CD) The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Book & CD) Study of Orchestration, Third Edition What to Listen for in Music ASIN: B00006O0NT Release Date: 2002-12-03

Tracks:

1. Overture To 'Tannhauser'
2. Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
3. We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
4. Hungarian Dance No.7
5. The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
6. Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
7. But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
8. The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
9. The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
10. Csardas Music
11. The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
12. The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
13. Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
14. The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
15. Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
16. Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
17. The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
18. Tzigane
19. Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
20. Caprice No.24
21. The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
22. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
23. Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
24. Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
25. Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
26. The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
27. The Violin Muted
28. Clair De Lune
29. The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
30. Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
31. The Pizzicato Violin
32. Pizzicato Polka
33. In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
34. Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
35. Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
36. The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
37. The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
38. Hungarian Dance No.4
39. Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
40. The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
41. Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
42. Bolero
43. Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
44. Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
45. Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
46. Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
47. Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
48. Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
49. And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
50. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
51. The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
52. Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
53. The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
54. Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
55. Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
56. The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
57. Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
58. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
59. Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
60. The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
61. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
62. Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
63. Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
64. Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
65. Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
66. To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
67. Elfenreigen

Tracks:

1. Introduction To The Viola
2. Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
3. Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
4. Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
5. Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
6. Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
7. The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
8. Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
9. The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
10. Cypresses (No.9)
11. The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
12. Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
13. The 'Period' Viola In Bach
14. Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
15. The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
16. Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
17. Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
18. Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
19. Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
20. Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
21. In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
22. Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
23. But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
24. Elfentanz, Op.39
25. Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
26. The Protecting Veil (Opening)
27. A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
28. Flamenco
29. Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
30. Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
31. It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
32. Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
33. It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
34. Symphony No.9 (Finale)
35. Introduction To The Double-Bass
36. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
37. But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
38. Elegy No.1 In D Major
39. The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
40. Capriccio Di Bravura
41. Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
42. The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
43. Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds

Tracks:

1. The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
2. Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
3. The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
4. Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
5. The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
6. Sa'Dawi
7. Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
8. Chamber Music No.II
9. The Piccolo - Aptly Named
10. La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
11. From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
12. Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
13. A Variety Of Techniques
14. Chamber Music No.II
15. Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
16. The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
17. From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
18. Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
19. An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
20. Naelden, Naelden
21. The Bachian Oboe
22. Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
23. Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
24. Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
25. The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
26. The Swan Of Tuonela
27. The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
28. Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
29. Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
30. Bolero
31. The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
32. Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
33. As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
34. Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
35. The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
36. The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
37. The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
38. ...And Quite Low.
39. Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
40. The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
41. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
42. But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
43. Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
44. Introduction To The Saxophone
45. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
46. The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
47. L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
48. The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
49. Bolero
50. The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
51. Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
52. The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
53. Sax-O-Phun
54. The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
55. Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
56. The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
57. Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
58. Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
59. And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
60. Bolero
61. The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
62. Symphony No.3 (Opening)
63. The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
64. The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
65. Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
66. The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
67. The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
68. Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
69. The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
70. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
71. The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
72. Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
73. Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
74. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
75. The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
76. Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)

Tracks:

1. The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
2. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
3. The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
4. Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
5. The Ceremonial Trumpet
6. Fanfare For The Common Man
7. Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
8. Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
9. The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
10. Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
11. The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
12. Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
13. The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
14. Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
15. The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
16. Billy The Kid
17. The Trumpet As Character Actor
18. Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
19. The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
20. Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
21. The Birth Of The Trombone
22. Aenmerckt Nu Hier
23. The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
24. Canzon 12 In Double Echo
25. The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
26. Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
27. The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
28. Hosannah
29. The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
30. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
31. The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
32. The Trombone As Caricaturist
33. Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
34. The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
35. The Horn And The Hunt
36. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
37. The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
38. Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
39. The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
40. Walter Music (Minuet 1)
41. The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
42. Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
43. Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
44. The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
45. Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
46. The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
47. Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
48. The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
49. Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
50. The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
51. Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)

Tracks:

1. Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
2. Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
3. At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
4. Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
5. Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
6. Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
7. The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
8. The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
9. Den Hoboecken Dans
10. Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
11. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
12. No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
13. Gymnopedie No.2
14. The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
15. Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
16. More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
17. Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
18. Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
19. Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
20. A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
21. Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
22. The Birth Of The Bongo
23. Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
24. From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
25. Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
26. From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
27. Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
28. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
29. But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
30. Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
31. Taking Advantage Of Tunability
32. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
33. The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
34. Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
35. Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
36. The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
37. Ravel And The Xylophone
38. Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
39. Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
40. Introducing The Vibraphone
41. The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
42. The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
43. Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
44. Folk Dances
45. The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
46. Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
47. Introducing The Tubular Bells
48. Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
49. A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
50. Carmen Suite (Introduction)
51. But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
52. Introducing The Celeste
53. The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
54. Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
55. Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
56. Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
57. A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
58. The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
59. Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
60. The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
61. Petrushka (Russian Dance)
62. The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
63. Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)

Tracks:

1. Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
2. Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
3. But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
4. Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
5. The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
6. An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
7. Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
8. Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
9. Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
10. Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
11. Mahler's Sleighbells
12. Symphony No.4 (Opening)
13. A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
14. Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
15. Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
16. Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
17. National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
18. And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
19. And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
20. The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
21. The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
22. The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
23. The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
24. The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
25. The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
26. The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
27. The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
28. There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
29. The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
30. Nocturnes
31. Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
32. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
33. The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
34. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
35. The Oboe As Duck
36. Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
37. The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
38. The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
39. The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
40. Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
41. Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
42. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
43. Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
44. The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
45. A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
46. Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
47. A Thunderstorm In A Million
48. Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
49. the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
50. The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
51. Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
52. The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)

Tracks:

1. The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
2. Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
3. A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
4. Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
5. Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
6. String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
7. The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
8. String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
9. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
10. String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
11. The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
12. String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
13. The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
14. String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
15. The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
16. Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
17. Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
18. String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
19. The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
20. Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
21. Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
22. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
23. In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
24. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
25. In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
26. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
27. In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
28. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
29. Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
30. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
31. And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
32. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
33. The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
34. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
35. Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
36. Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
37. A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
38. Octet In F (Mvt 3)
39. The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
40. Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
41. Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
42. Canzon 28
43. Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
44. Symphony No.5 (Finale)
45. From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
46. Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
47. Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
48. The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
49. Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
50. When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
51. Images (Gigues)
52. A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
53. Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
54. The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
55. Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
56. Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
57. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
58. A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')

Customer Reviews:

Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04

This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!

Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12

This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!

Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20

Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!

Frank's view.......2006-08-19

This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.

Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.

The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!

I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.

The one complaint I have is the last CD. This deals with the orchestra. I wanted more of a tour of how the orchestra has been used through history up to the present. Instead, it was a tour of how different groups of instruments sound. I thought it could have been better. The other 6 CDs are excellent.

Average customer rating: A Great Album Disappointment/Unbalanced Inbalance Rhytmical Van Halen Perfect balance of sound and substance

Balance Van Halen Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge OU812 5150 Van Halen III Diver Down ASIN: B000002MUQ Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

1. The Seventh Seal
2. Can't Stop Lovin' You
3. Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
4. Amsterdam
5. Big Fat Money
6. Strung Out
7. Not Enough
8. Aftershock
9. Doin' TIme
10. Baluchitherium
11. Take Me Back (Deja Vu)
12. Feelin'

Amazon.com

No numeric or anagrammatic puns in the title of album #11, a sure sign that a new chapter is opening for these monsters of '80s rock. The band's formula has been polished to a blinding gleam here by producer Bruce Fairbairn, and there's a formidable mix of radio cuts (the first single "Don't Tell Me," "Can't Stop Lovin' You"), boneheaded rawk numbers ("Amsterdam," "Big Fat Money") and towering, cinematic epics ("The Seventh Seal," "Feelin'"). --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

A Great Album.......2007-06-23

This is another great album by one of the greatest bands to hit the hard rock scene, Van Halen. Eddie's guitar sounds amazing as do Alex's drums.
1: The Seventh Seal: Awesome riff by eddie and a fun song to listen to.
2: Cant Stop Lovin You: A nice bass line in the background and a great love song.
3: Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do): Argueably one of the greatest riffs I have heard, you can hear the mean, growl of Eddie's Guitar along with a classic EVH solo. A heavy song that is one of the best on the album.
4: Amstersdam: A fun song with a great tone of Eddie's Guitar and an awesome solo. Another great song.
5; Big Fat Money: Another fun song with really good solo work and just makes you wanna jump up and dance the ngith away ;)
6: Eddie Van Halen gettign creative with forks on a piano and inside it, should be used in a horror secene of a movie, it's creepy.
7: Not Enough; A sweet and easy-going song with nice piano work.
8 Aftershock: One of the best on the album, A great riff and a really good song with classic EVH soloing.
9: Alex's Van Halen mastery over the drums.
10: Balichutherium: An excellent instrumental song with deadly EVH guitar tone. Probably the best tone I've ever heard from a guitar. At the end, u can hear what EVH can do with a guitar and the different noises that he can make with a guitar.
11: A good song that always amke me think of the old days for me.
12: Feelin' :A slower song but really good with one of the fastest solos I've heard since eruption. Just shows you EVH's mastery over the guitar.

Overall, I'd rate this album 9/10. It's a great album and never gets old to me. If you are a VH fan, it's a must own. Even if you are just a hard-rock fan, you should own this.

Disappointment/Unbalanced.......2007-03-30

I wanted to like this album. I really did. I'm a big Van Halen fan, and a big Van Hagar fan as well.

It's just too trite. Many of the songs feel like they threw a bunch of good elements in a hat (low chorused guitar riff/harmonics/big beat/primal scream/crazy solo/resolving of tension with soaring melodic guitar) and pulled them out in combinations to create songs. Some of these elements work for a few bars, but ultimately they all disappoint.

Honestly, there isn't a single song on this album that is really complete and interesting. Sorry guys. I tried.

Inbalance.......2007-02-12

Almost released as an instrumental album after Hagar walked out near the end of the sessions. The VH boys are weaker here and running out of ideas. Sure, Amsterdam is the hash capitol of the world, but did we really need an anthem for the city written by a 50 year old rocker.

Rhytmical Van Halen.......2006-04-03

Well, that's last full studio album with Hagar up to date.
Bruce Fairbairn, who produced this album, made it sound quite different than other VH albums. But I wouldn't say it's too polished like some people think. Few ballads are really in pop style, but thats the way Bruce was doing it.I think Ed and Bruce efforts were to do good riffs and Eddie was thinking more about rhythm guitar than soloing on this album. Now about the tracks:
1 The Seventh Seal - It's good mid-tempo rocker with nice oriental intro and with no solo, nice, strong drums. - 8/10
2 Can't stop loving you - it's very warm ballad with radio-friendly chorus, it has a lot of Ed's trademark guitar tricks in the background. 7/10
3 Don't tell me(...) - well, very strong riff, song is sung very rhytmical. Two guitar solos, chorus little bit more gentle than rest of the song. 9/10
4 Amsterdam - song about smokin :) Eddie's solo is something like immitating helicopter's propeller(it refers to "brain shake" when you are stoned?) 9/10
5 Big fat money - it's very fast straightforward track, funny rocker. It's mix of hard rock, punk, and classic rock in the style of 60?(chorus) 10/10
6 Strung out - it's Eddie playing piano with... knife and fork, he also is digging inside the piano - ?/10
7 Not Enough - Beautiful ballad, with guitar-piano duo. 7/10
8 Aftershock - this is my favorite on this album, good rocker with great vocals and one of the most impressing of Eddie's guitar solos ever (it's the second one, at the very end of the track) of course 10/10
9 Doing Time - drum solo(who likes drum solos???) 5/10
10 Baluchiterium - guitar - synth instrumental with Ed (at the end) immitating ducks, elephants, dogs etc. 8/10
11 Take me back - not impressing ballad, with english spelled "deja vu"(I prefer french, original version) 5/10
12 Feelin - great ballad, very monumental thing, everything is on it's place there. 9/10
Japanese edition cd has also "Crossing Over", nice semi-ballad(?)with beautiful intro which reminds guitar from "Cathedral".
Tensions between Ed and Sam led to band split some time after "balance' tour finished. Among other problems there were alcohol problems and, of course, different opinions about where VH music should go to.

Perfect balance of sound and substance.......2006-03-14

Balance...according to me the best post-David Lee Roth Van Halen effort. I would even go to say that this is their best record on 3 days out of a week, the other competitior being their self-titled debut album.

Edie Van Halen as usual, is the linchpin in this enormous effort from a band that became extremely popular in the late 70's and early 80's. Edie Van Halen is proabably every new guitarist's idol and every semi-seasoned guitarists worst nightmare! Pioneering a different kind of sound, with his blazing fast solos and trademark two-handed finger tapping, Edie Van Halen undoubetdly is one of the most talented guitarists around, still rocking hard as ever; a lot of guitarists nevertheless having tried (and some shamelessly succeeding to a certain extent) to copy his style and endorsing it as their own. Rumour has it that Edie was so bothered by this, that whenever he had to play a lead, he would turn his back to the crowd, lest anyone see how he was playing!

Van Halen as a band, has over the years transformed from a fun-loving college-girl-boy pleasing outfit to a more serious and mature band. Although 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' still showed slight strains of happy-go-lucky (still superb rock) endorsements, 'Balance' comes across as a more serious effort...and the resulting sound is a clear cut above contemporary hard rock...a lot of it courtesy Edie's guitar playing sklls.

Balance contains some of the finest riffs Edie has ever come up with, although songs like 'Ain't talkin' 'bout love', 'Panama', 'Jump' and the famous and path-breaking 'Eruption' have memorable leads and patches, that are still considered second to none.

The first track, 'The Seventh Seal' has a riff almost like a sonic boomerang. A sound and tone effect never heard before, Edie sets agenda for a different kind of guitaring, one that is quite different from his accomplished style of pelting out riffs.
Similar gargantuan riff sections follow in 'Don't tell me what love can do' and 'Aftershock', all powerful numbers that can easily rock an entire stadium.
The piece de resistance of Edie's guitaring is unearthed in the absolutely amazing 'Feelin', which features a blazing fast solo and some sizzling finger tapping combined with beating riffs.
A taste of the broken style riff of 'Ain't talkin' 'bout love' can be heard on 'Amsterdam', another super riff-based track, which towards the end, is as much as a sonic kaleidoscope. The heaviest, or rather fastest Van Halen song ever, would have to undeniably be 'Big Fat Money'. And what a way to start the song, absolutely head banging stuff with definitive Edie riffing. Super rocking song.

A couple of love and soft rock songs come in the form of 'Can't stop loving you', 'Not Enough' and 'Take me back(deja vu), the latter having some beautiful acoustic accompaniment.
Instrumental manifestations appear in the form of the stringy 'Strung Out', which is a lot of fretwork I think, the royal 'Baluchitherium' (almost sounds like a Satch creation) and the percussion oriented 'Doin' Time'.

Die hard David Lee Roth fans might have to get used to the harsh vocals of Sammy Hagar, which is a far cry from the ways of Roth. Still, Sammy does a decent enough job, maybe sounding a bit too harsh sometimes, but nevertheless nothing incongruent to the music of the band as a whole. Anyways it won't take long to realise why this album rocks big time...and you'll have to thank Edie for that. Nothign Erupts like 'Ain't talkin' 'bout love, but there's pretty a punch to leave you with a feelin' of after shock.

Top Picks: (In case you're making a best of collection)
Seventh Seal, Aftershock, Amsterdam, Don't tell me, Baluchitherium, Big Fat Money, Deja Vu and Feelin'.

Average customer rating: Liquid mind is what you are looking for ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Numb Resemblance Liquid Mind III: Balance A superb work

Liquid Mind III: Balance Liquid Mind Manufacturer: Real Music / Chuck Wild Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Liquid Mind IV : Unity Liquid Mind V:Serenity Liquid Mind VI: Spirit Liquid Mind VII: Reflection Liquid Mind VIII: Sleep ASIN: B00000I57B Release Date: 1999-03-02

Tracks:

1. Lullaby For Grownups (5:20)
2. Laguna Indigo (18:27)
3. Timeless and Tender (11:50)
4. Dream Messenger (13:45)
5. Balance (6:41)

Album Description

Liquid Mind III: Balance, the third in Liquid Mind's elegant series of slow stress-relief music albums, transports the listener to a place of inner peace and deep calm. Like the prior albums (Slow World and Ambience Minimus), Liquid Mind III: Balance is serene and lush, electronic and elegant, and floats the listener along in a gentle healing stream of sound.

Customer Reviews:

Liquid mind is what you are looking for.......2007-05-25

Liquid mind albums are just what you are looking for if you need a cd for sleep, meditation, or napping. This album is difficult to stay awake to. Synth sounds glide in and out like clouds; you can't focus on one too long as it will pass by and you will find another sound-cloud to float on. No rhythm, no melody, no beat; there is enough change to keep you from being able to predict what is going to happen next but not so much that you stay alert. Very good for this purpose.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.......2007-03-10

This is one incredible compact disc. It is so good, I can't wait to get home, hop in bed and throw the headphones on. The synthesizers are soooo soothing, they put me in a state of cosmic euphoria. I feel the stress of the day, just being pulled out of my body, and a soothing clam that follows. It is one of 3 that I have purchased which provide the same sense of tranquility that I require at the end of the day. If your daily life is filled with stress, (and who's isn't). This CD is highly recommended.....

Numb Resemblance.......2006-11-30

Balance is a mirror of Chuck Wild's first project (Ambience Minimus) 3 years earlier. Unfortunately there is no forward progress in the Liquid Mind series. There is more warmth than it's predacesor "Slow World", but that ethereal "Ambience Minimus" tone is lacking. Here the tone tends to be outlaid rather than uprisen. Yes it dose maintain that flowing monochromatic state and it's planes dissolve well with some interesting soundshifting. But that is not enough to make this project appealing.

Liquid Mind III: Balance.......2006-08-20

I use this product for massage background music. All Liquid mind CD work well. After purchasing the entire series, I realized you really only need 1 or 2 of this style.

A superb work.......2005-05-14

In my opinion, this is Liquid Mind's best work. If you haven't listened to this type of music before it is quite different. There is no beat, no melody, but drifting synthesizers that rise and dance on a theme of inspiration and grace. If you're looking for Yanni type New Age music you won't like this. If you're looking for something that plays well in the background as you do your work or meditate, this just might be the cd for you. One of my favorites.

I gave it to my father who leads a meditation healing group at his church. They play this cd during their session and people really find it promotes an atmosphere of quiet positivity.

Average customer rating: "Don't Question This Classic Collection," Deluxe Edition! :) HEADACHE A Question Of Mix INTENSE re-mastering... Beautiful Sounds

Question of Balance Moody Blues Manufacturer: Ume Imports ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: On the Threshold of a Dream To Our Children's Children's Children In Search of the Lost Chord Days of Future Passed Every Good Boy Deserves Favour ASIN: B000EHQ57Q Release Date: 2006-04-18

Album Description

UK SACD Deluxe Edition. Features five bonus tracks, Question - Alternate Version (Bonus Track), Minstrel's Song - Original Mix (Bonus Track), It's Up To You - Original Mix (Bonus Track), Don't You Feel Small - Original Mix (Bonus Track) and Dawning Is The Day - Full Original Mix (Bonus Track). Universal. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

"Don't Question This Classic Collection," Deluxe Edition! :).......2007-06-02

*The following comments are in regard to the bonus tracks on this release. To read my opinions on the original content of this album, check out my review under:
"A Question of Balance" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered

Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...

"Mike's Number One:"
An upbeat and beautiful spiritual sounding Mike Pinder tune ... Based on the lyrics, this song could have been titled, "A Happening," "Do You Know?," or "See The Glory." The track definitely has that "A Question Of Balance" sound to it, but it also would have made a fine addition to Mike's 1976 solo release, "The Promise," or could have made a possible bonus track for that CD release. :)

"Question" (alternate version):
This mix is like an extended version of the single mix of the song ... The sound quality is outstanding on this mix, especially on the louder elements of the song. The track also comes to a full ending with somewhat of a Spanish-flavored guitar style, at the very end. :)

"Minstrel's Song" (original mix):
This is probably the least interesting of the bonus cuts, because the song fades in, on this occasion, with very faint vocals heard in the intro. The song also fades out in the exact same spot as the album mix, because while the final version fades into "Dawning Is The Day," we can still hear The Moodies chanting "Around, around," one last time, very faintly, at the beginning of "D.I.T.D." The only positive side to this mix is that it is not cross-faded with the tracks that surround the song, on the final version.

"It's Up To You" (original mix):
Much like the single and "Best Of" (Ex: "The Best Of The Moody Blues," "Gold") mixes of "The Story In Your Eyes," from "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," this version of "It's Up To You" is similar to the original album version, but the instrumentation near the end of the track is carried on a little bit further, before the fadeout ... It's good "ear candy" which listeners haven't heard before. :)

"Don't You Feel Small" (original mix):
This version has an extended beginning AND ending to it! The instrumental lead-in, at the beginning, is awesome, and sounds similar to the instrumental fadeout, near the end of the song ... Nice job on the guitars, mellotrons, and percussion, all at the same time! :)

"Dawning Is The Day" (full original mix):
Same format as the previous mix (above), and the deleted material sounds just as great! :)

In addition, the CD booklet, that accompanies this release, provides readers with the details on the controversial album cover to this LP (rear sleeve) ... Check out this release to get the full story (Page 13). Fans who own both this CD release and the 1997 CD remaster will notice that this version features the artwork that was changed while the 1997 version features the original artwork.

Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "A Question of Balance," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

HEADACHE.......2007-04-08

I love the Moody Blues. I love this album. Alas, I am no audiophile. I dont have a turntable that is aligned with the axis of the earth OR a surround sound system or SACD--you get the picture. I got the disc for the bonus tracks (I paid 30 bones--buyer beware)....But the album itself on this disc sounds terrible! Its like they threw all the levels in the red (I just got done listening to it and my ears feel terrible!) and compressed the ever living life out of it! All levels red with no compression works for Iggy and the Stooges (thank goodness) but not the Moody Blues.....

the other discs in the European SACD series have sounded spectacular even on a regular player but this one is horrible! Im not trying to be negative....This is the first disc I have owned to give me a HEADACHE! Im serious! LET IT BREATHE!

A Question Of Mix.......2007-01-13

Okay, let's start off by addressing some of the complaints that most people have. As far as the bass being mixed too low on this release I have to say after owning this in every lp and cd edition that the bass was always a bit lower on this album than on some of the other Moodies albums. The mix itself is from the original quad lp versions done by producer Tony Clarke in early 1972. The quad mixes were different in order to take advantage of the four way split instead of the regular stereo two way split. This meant mixing the album differently from a conventional stereo album. Many of the "effects" that are in the backgroud of the stereo version are turned up here changing the overall "balanced" sound of the album in order to give the best quad sound. As far as the music itself, this album has a much more basic feel than the band's last, To Our Children's Children's Children which might have had in part something to do with the fact that it wasn't the big hit the band wanted at the time it was released. That was the first released for their label Threshold. The opening song Question had been released on single a few months before this album's release and had become a big hit for the band. This album includes many Moodies classics and doesn't have a bad song on the release. Songs like Question, Melencholy Man, And The Tide Rushes In, and It's Up To You sound just as well today as they did back when this album was released. If you like the Moodies, you'll love this album.

INTENSE re-mastering..........2006-07-15

Well shame on the people involved in this "SACD Deluxe Edition" project. Oh, maybe that's a little harsh.
First off, as another Amazon reviewer noted, the sound has been aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the later stages of the album, you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix. Another sign of over compressing. It seemed to help at least a couple songs "The Balance," where the bottom end was a lot more in control and "Never Comes The Day," which sounded really clear and focused. But, overall, has the whole music industry gone "compression" crazy? Or, are the Moody Blues worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) was lacking musical muscle, and are super charging it with heavy compression?

Also, another reviewer talked about the bass being too quiet for the surround sound mix, but I felt the bass wasn't as strong on the "regular" mix, as it is on the other "SACD Deluxe Editions." It's reasonable, but not as breathtakingly boosted as the others in this deluxe series.

Another thing about aggressive compression, this also happened about a year ago when I bought the EMI "re-master" of Deep Purple's 1973 album "Who Do We Think We Are." By the time I got towards the end, my ears were tired. So, recently I bought the gold disc version which avoids over compression, and it not only sounded better, but my ears weren't tired by the end. But, since the Moodies don't play as loud, it shouldn't be a problem. Now that I got that off my chest...

Secondly, the "SACD Deluxe Edition" bonus track enticement, just ticks me off to no end. Sure, there's a good rare track here, from keyboardist Mike Pinder, but the rest is nothing special.

Thirdly, as another Amazon reviewer noted, the great cover artwork has been ruined by the people in charge of reproducing the cover! The cover images have been reproduced way too light so that nearly all the detail has been faded. But, the booklet is great with lots of color photos, stories and studio information.

In conclusion, after hearing a number of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still look and sound great. So now I'll have two versions of each album. Just what I needed?!

Beautiful Sounds.......2006-07-14

The Moody Blues albums have always been famous for their sophisticated production and engeneering (in the vynil era at least)but the CD transfers up ' til now were absolutely disastrous sounding.
These SACD re-issues finally seem to make things right.
I have only listened to "Question" but was amazed at the clarity and power of this remastering.
I have not heard the 5.1 suround mix because although i have a Sony dvd player with SACD capability you also have to have a receiver with the proper connections wich is not the usual optical one used for getting surround from movies and such.
Anyway,the stereo remastering has been supervised by Justin Hayward and it shows in the care that was put in this project.
Truly beautiful sound that finally matches the quality of the original recording and does justice to a great album.


Ah yes ! It sounds very good on an ordinary cd player too.

Average customer rating: Their Best Still One Of The Best ELO CD (Monkees886@aol.com) Nice addition to your ELO collection EL-Oh... great music, from a modern leader in pop and classic music

Balance of Power Electric Light Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Out of the Blue Out of the Blue Secret Messages A New World Record On the Third Day ASIN: B000LE0TGK Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

1. Heaven Only Knows
2. So Serious
3. Getting To The Point
4. Secret Lives
5. Is It Alright
6. Sorrow About To Fall
7. Without Someone
8. Calling America
9. Endless Lies
10. Send It
11. Opening
12. Heaven Only Knows
13. In For The Kill
14. Secret Lives
15. Sorrow About To Fall
16. Caught In A Trap
17. Destination Unknown

Album Details

This was the Last Studio Album from Elo (Before the Comeback Zoom), Issued in 1986. The Original 10 Track Album Includes Three Tracks that were Originally Issued as Singles, and of the Seven Bonus Tracks Five Are Previously Unreleased and the Other Two were Issued as UK Only B-sides.

Customer Reviews:

Their Best.......2007-06-15

I know I'm in the minority of ELO fans that would call this their best CD, but it is. It came toward the end of the run of their original line up, but the songwriting and catchy keyboarding was top-notch here.

Still One Of The Best ELO CD (Monkees886@aol.com).......2007-05-19

This is the Last ELO cd. Sad to say but true. But this cd has left some good tunes for everyone to enjoy. The nice thing about it, Its Remastered.

Nice addition to your ELO collection.......2007-05-14

I have always liked this album and having the new remaster just adds to the enjoyment. Sound quality is really good.

EL-Oh..........2007-05-14

Not the greatest album they did, I read others reviews of this and hoped it would be a great on, I have listened to it a few times and find it not to be on my list for the futute fave category.

great music, from a modern leader in pop and classic music.......2007-04-11

This is just another fine example of great music revisited with added tracks that add even more fun to an already great release from ELO! I can't express my pleasure it is to hear this again and again, and whish there is more to come! This kind of talent is a gift that has to be heard over and over. GOD Bless all!

Average customer rating: One of Modern Day Metal's Finest Average Shadows Fall I Wrote This Back In 2002 Not As Good As The War Within Real metal spawned within the last decade? It's true!

The Art of Balance Shadows Fall Manufacturer: Century Media ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: War Within Of One Blood Fallout from the War Somber Eyes to the Sky Threads of Life ASIN: B00006IQLG Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

1. Idle Hands
2. Thoughts Without Words
3. Destroyer Of Senses
4. Casting Shade
5. Stepping Outside The Circle
6. The Art Of Balance
7. Mystery Of One Spirit
8. The Idiot Box
9. Prelude To Disaster
10. A Fire In Babylon
11. Welcome To The Machine

Album Description

2002 album, band toured with Unearth Scissorfight, Lamb Of God and Darkest Hour as part of The White Trash Thrash Metal Comeback Tour.

Customer Reviews:

One of Modern Day Metal's Finest.......2007-05-29

My friend had been telling me about these guys for awhile, but I never really listened to them or looked 'em up. Man was I missing out. If you want pure, American, no bull, heavy/speed/thrash metal, look no further. These guys can shred like no other. They are leading the forefront of NWOAM for a reason. They ROCK! They're complex and intricate arrangements should leave any metalhead in satisfaction and wanting more. I sure did after hearing this. This album greatly mixes melody with brutality and aggression. They show off their acoustic skills on the two instrumentals- Casting Shade and Prelude To Disaster. The later sounds like there is a crackling fire in the background (quite soothing).

There are also clean vocals on many of the choruses which sound excellent. Most notably would be on Thought Without Words and Stepping Outside The Circle with Matt Bachand screaming and Brian Fair cleanly singing. It makes for an excellent mix. The title track is mostly acousticly oriented, but gets heavier as it goes on. Favorites would include Thoughts Without Words, Mystery Of One Spirit, and A Fire In Babylon, which is the only epic on here and a great one. I love every song on here, but if I had to choose least favs. I would say The Idiot Box and the Pink Floyd cover- Welcome To The Machine. I think A Fire In Babylon would have been a much better way to end the album off on. All things considered, I see this as being a modern day classic, along with the likes of Lamb of God's Ashes of the Wake.

Shadows Fall are one of this day and ages bands that keep true metal alive. If you want some good modern day thrash esque speed metal, go with The Art of Balance.

Average Shadows Fall.......2007-04-20

This album is usually heralded as Shadows Fall's best (actually Of One Blood) and most complete (actually The War Within), but this falls short in that it sounds like a thrash compilation. There are too many influences dominating this album to make it exciting or cohesive. There are some great songs (The Mystery of One Spirit, A Fire in Babylon, Stepping Outside the Circle), but overall it seems like at an attempt at greatness that just does not get there. Of One Blood was that acheivement, and the follow-up to greatness is found in The War Within.

I Wrote This Back In 2002.......2007-02-18

Once upon a time there was a band named Metallica who found inspiration in the NWOBHM and created a new genre, becoming legends in the process. Ever since they forgot what they learned and began writing for radio, fans and critics alike have hoped for Metallica's second coming. Not only have they arrived in my opinion, but they've been here for years. They are called Shadows Fall and the albums that have made a believer out of me are Of One Blood and their latest, The Art Of Balance.

"Idle Hands", the galloping mid-tempo mauler of an opener, instantly made it clear to me just how important this band can and should become. As with Metallica's early work, the magic and efficiency of the NWOBHM can be heard, but instead of filtering it through Motorhead, Shadows Fall burn it to a blackened crisp. The Art Of Balance is a Rainbow Bridge that links the metal of the early 80's to the metal of the 90's and beyond. "Mystery Of One Spirit" which plays In Flames' hand only to trump them by invoking Iron Maiden and Accept halfway through, exemplifies this band's mission.

New classics jump out from around nearly every corner. "Thoughts Without Words" absorbs the infectious, funky misery of Down towards the middle and expunges it via the cold machinery of Meshuggah. "Destroyer Of Senses" absolutely shatters with its nasty, reverberating riffage, and the stirring penultimate track "A Fire In Babylon" succeeds as a philosophical and timely epic that Rush might have thought of had they formed in Britain circa 1980.

However, The Art Of Balance is a slightly flawed gem to me. I would have preferred the songs to be entirely done with the clean vocals which recall James Hetfield. The rough vocals don't really detract much, but I get the vague feeling the record would have levelled the joint even more without them. I also felt that the reworked version of "Stepping Outside The Circle" was ever so slightly inferior to the version found on the band's Deadworld EP. One other minor problem I had was with the band's merely serviceable cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome To The Machine". I would have preferred and expected a band as inspired as Shadows Fall to pay homage to their fiercely metallic roots instead of remaking a song which has been well worn by rock radio.

But those missteps aside, I am thoroughly enjoying The Art Of Balance for its craftsmanship, its intelligent songwriting, its marvelous guitar work, its thoughtful lyrics, its modern yet vintage riffery, and for the fact that it truly lives up to its title. Crusades have begun with lesser works than these. Here's hoping that Shadows Fall never stray from the path.

Not As Good As The War Within.......2006-09-06

I gave The War Within 5 stars. I was disappointed with The Art of Balance. War Within had more of what I was looking for, for instance, good riffs and more melody. The Art of Balance strikes me as being a little weak compared to The War Within. I gave TAOB 3 stars because the Pink Floyd cover (Welcome to the Machine) was very good. Other than that TAOB has few redeeming qualities in my opinion.

Real metal spawned within the last decade? It's true!.......2006-09-01

I picked up this one on a recommendation from a friend of mine. He is a true metalhead, and for the most part, he can't stand "metal" that had come about in the last 10 or more years and neither can I. So when he recommended Shadows Fall and told me that they were one of the few modern metal bands that he really likes I had to check them out. I am defintely impressed.
What immeditately hooked me was the riffing. The guitars have that classic 80s style metal vibe with all the great hooks and melodies that I love about thrash metal. It maintains what classic metal is all about without sounding like a cover band, but also manages to be new and innovative without going into "Nu" territory.
The vocals are one of the most interesting things about this band. The songs go from melodic vocals to thrash metal vocals to death metal vocals and it all sounds awesome. I know that the guitarists contribute to the vox as well as the lead singer, so I am not sure who contributes the different styles, but it's all great.
If you haven't heard Shadows Fall and you like thrash metal, you should definitely check them out. Standout tracks are "Stepping Outside the Circle," "Idiot Box" and "A Fire in Babylon."

Average customer rating: No this is how metal prog should be done! Metal Delight pyramaze a nice surprise Solid progressive melodic power-metal... Amazing debut!

Melancholy Beast Pyramaze Manufacturer: Nightmare Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Legend of the Bone CARVER The 1st Chapter Redivivus Imagine From the Depths of Time ASIN: B0002IQK5Y Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Sleepy Hollow
2. Forsaken Kingdom
3. Melancholy Beast
4. The Journey
5. Until We Fade Away
6. Legend
7. Mighty Abyss
8. The Nature Of Triumph
9. Power Of Imagination
10. The Wizard (bonus track) (only on Japanese Version)

Album Description

MASSIVE MELODIC PROG-POWER METAL DEBUT!

Pyramaze remind me of a more progressive and rock influenced version of STRATOVARIOUS meets KAMELOT but there is so much more in here. The diverse musical tastes of the band members come to life fully in these nine songs, sounds of the mighty IRON MAIDEN, and ICED EARTH ring through too. Michael Kammeyer has written a masterpiece.

Lance King's Vocals are the best ever and Morten Gade's (Wuthering Hights) Drumming is outstanding ! This album actually brings something new to the Prog-Power metal realms where things have gotten a bit stale as of late. "Melancholy Beast" is a wonderful display of how good progressive power metal can sound when performed by those who master the genre. Pyramaze is an oustanding Metal unit with a bright future. "Melancholy Beast" is an absolutely highly recommended Prog-Power Metal album, Lance's vocals cut through flesh and bone (as usual) perfectly in line with the piercing guitar riffs / solo's and the great sonic production of this album. Fantastic release, no doubt about it!

Customer Reviews:

No this is how metal prog should be done!.......2007-05-17

If you like Dream Theather and Queensryche, you'll love this cd.

The band is solid and the tunes are great. Production is very good and the cd jacket is also very informative.

At times during the listening of this cd you'd swear Geoff Tate from Queensryche was singing it as the voice is quite similar to Lance King the vocalist for Pyramaze. The guitars, bass and keys are great and the drumming is solid and driving. These guys have it together and this release is a very nice surprise. It just goes to prove that yet again good music can be found, you just have to looking for it.

Buy this cd!

Metal Delight.......2007-05-02

I think i nutted after hearing track 3. I have longed for a metal effort that had some reminisce of 80's metal (not talking hair band B.S.). This album combines the 80's metal effort with a later proggressive sound. Lance Kings vocals and style bring to mind QueensRyche G. Tate. The riffs throught out the album are bone crunching and the solo's are amazing. I not one that cares for keyboards but they are incorprated perfectly within the music. If your a fan of Queensryche, Iron Maiden...ect you won't be disappointed.

pyramaze a nice surprise.......2007-03-09

i read the reviews they were all good and they were right
you cant go wrong with this one vocals,guitar,drums its all
there. buy it, it rocks

Solid progressive melodic power-metal..........2007-02-04

'Melancholy Beast' is the first release from this Danish / American band and a pretty solid debut album if I might add. As stated in the title of the review, this band throws in progressive touches from time to time that add depth to their songs. Musicianship is top notch, and their vocalist ( through the first 2 albums, he has since departed ) deserves mentioning here as well, as his great vocals play an intricate role in the sound of Pyramaze. Fans of melodic power metal look no further!

Amazing debut!.......2007-01-21

When I first heard "Mighty Abyss" on Internet radio, I was immediately impressed after just one listen and knew that I had to have the album that it was on. I was not disappointed in the least! After listening to Melancholy Beast, Pyramaze became one of my favorite bands. I love the vocal melodies and harmonies, and the music is fantastic too! Other favorite songs of mine are the title track, "Sleepy Hollow," and "The Journey." Highly recommended!

Dance Music:

1. Big N Bashy (Enhanced) [CD-single] [Import]
2. Blackout! [Import]
3. Blazin' Through TX [Explicit Lyrics]
4. Blueprint 2.1 [Import]
5. Bomb Shelter Poetry
6. Booty 101: The Forbidden Dances [Explicit Lyrics]
7. Booty Summer Party 2003 [Explicit Lyrics]
8. California Slim [Explicit Lyrics]
9. Candy Shop Pt.2 [CD-single] [Import]
10. Certified [Explicit Lyrics]

Dance Music

dance music

Dance Music

Hero [CD-single] [Import]

Ponchielli: La Gioconda [Box set]

Moon

Faith: A Holiday Album

Love on the Airwaves [Import]