Creation

Howard Moscovitz, Electro-Music.com, March 20, 2004
This is very gentle and beautiful music, in what some might call the new age or space music styles.

Product Description
Creation is the 5th solo release and 3rd CD release from songwriter/producer Braden McDonald. Creation endeavors to musically describe the creation of the world in seven expansive tracks.

Creation

Creation,Braden McDonald,Independent release

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Average customer rating: Far and away, the best bet for Mac's solo career Paul still has it!!! Best Songwriting in Years What can I say? Nigel Godrich eats worms!

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard Paul McCartney Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative 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: A Bigger Bang Prairie Wind Back Home Souls Alike Wildflower ASIN: B000AL730O Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Fine Line
2. How Kind Of You
3. Jenny Wren
4. At The Mercy
5. Friends To Go
6. English Tea
7. Too Much Rain
8. A Certain Softness
9. Riding To Vanity Fair
10. Follow Me
11. Promise To You Girl
12. This Never Happened Before
13. Anyway

From Amazon.co.uk

Sir Paul is an elder statesman now, but Chaos and Creation in the Backyard finds him in considered and tastefully restrained form, penning songs worthy of his finest hour. McCartney crafts this collection of songs with exquisite balance, lining up haunting chimes and heartfelt lyrics ("Riding to Vanity Fair") alongside pounding "Hey Bulldog"-esque chords and eerily Beatles-ish multitracked vocals ("Promise to You Girl," "Fine Line") and, most impressively, distinctively new yet timeless gems of songcraft ("Anyway," "Jenny Wren"). Emotionally, Chaos and Creation manages to avoid being mired in oversentimentality, while retaining a powerful, understated sincerity. Poignant though it is, however, the record is essentially positive and hopeful: Sir Paul's playfulness beams through in his intonation, which picks up a line such as "It's not right/In your life/Too much rain" and breathes life and optimism into its words. "English Tea" completes the package, an unrepentantly twee serving of Anglo-nostalgia with recorder. Chaos and Creation in the Backyard displays the full range of McCartney's inimitable talent, presenting listeners with one of his finest solo albums. --Jonti Davies

More Paul McCartney

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Customer Reviews:

Far and away, the best bet for Mac's solo career.......2007-07-05

With producer Nigel Godrich (a frequent Radiohead collaborator) helping out, Paul's latest effort may seem to reek of a desperation to connect with the hip, young crowd. In fact, Godrich seems to be on hand to make sense of the rougher impulses in McCartney's solo oeuvre, streamlining the mess into cohesion. Chaos and Creation is Paul's best and most consistent album since...well, ever.

Granted, I've heard less McCartney records than ones I haven't, but the general consensus suggests that the ones I've heard were the better ones. Although Paul had the most successful music career of the Beatles after the break-up, he's never hovered in the same league as Lennon or Harrison. But with this album, he proves that he may have been capable of crafting true albums all along; all he had to do, it seems, is just get away from those silly love songs. Even the songs that ring of the alarms of filler warning ("English Tea" especially) are pleasant and catchy enough not to make one feel the itch to reach for the skip button. The gentle lilt of "A Certain Softness" is an obvious highlight, as are the drawn out sprawls of "How Kind of You" and "Riding to Vanity Fair," and the zippy leadoff, "Fine Line." The album's often spare beauty is its greatest asset; don't expect it to grip you immediately, but it has better replay value than anything McCartney's done since his Beatles days.

Best cuts: "A Certain Softness," "This Never Happened Before," "Fine Line," "Riding to Vanity Fair," "At the Mercy," "How Kind of You," "Jenny Wren," "Anyway," "Too Much Rain," "Promise to You Girl"

Paul still has it!!!.......2007-07-03

I first listened to this album when it came out in 2005. It took me til 2007 to really understand and appreciate this album. I had to listen to it a number of times before I started to like the songs. I had to understand that this Macca is not of Beatle fame already. One can't really detach him from the Beatles because they were such a famous group in the 60's.

Paul still writes with the poppy feel that he often used when he was still with the Beatles. The melodicism and the melancholy in past Beatle albums are still there.

Here are a few points that I have noticed:

Jenny Wren--- very Blackbird style
A Certain Softness---- still remember 'And I love her'?
English Tea--- flashes of Eleonor Rigby
This Never Happened Before--- basslines akin to basslines from Rubber Soul album and upward albums
Riding to Vanity Fair--- can pass for a track in Abbey Road

For me, to really appreciate Paul now is to not really look back with his past Beatlse work. We should understand that his inspirations change through time but his talent for writing songs is still there. I still like him now and I am thankful that he still writes today because there's way too much groups that churn out songs that can be passed for noise these days.

Best Songwriting in Years.......2007-07-02

Someone once said that Paul McCartney conveys his feelings, not through lyrics but through his use of melody. No where is that more apparent than on this album. I bought this cd during the divorce scandal, so maybe my impression is colored by hindsight, but the melodies and chord sequences on some of the songs are so sad, that it's almost hard to listen. Mind you I've been a fan for 37 years, and maybe this also colored my impression,but I can't listen to songs like 'Jenny Wren', 'Vanity Fair', and 'Friends to Go' without feeling a heavy, sadness. It doesn't matter what or who he's singing about,in fact the lyrics don't even matter. The melodies convey such sadness, that even on upbeat songs like, 'A Certain Softness', and 'English Tea', I still felt that heaviness. I get the same feeling when I listen to Paul's part of the long medly on Abbey Road,ie; 'You Never Give Me Your Money', 'Golden Slumbers',etc. This guy writes the sweetest melodies when he's going through s***. So I love this cd. Before I bought it, I hadn't owned a McCartney album since 'Band on the Run'. I had always been a Beatles fan, but after 'Band on the Run', (which I loved) I got away from Paul for many years because I just didn't like what he was doing anymore. 'Silly Love Songs?'.. yuk.. collaborations with Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder?...oh come on, what is he doing?, I thought. I concentrated on punk and new wave, alternative, and 60's music (especially British), and of course I never stopped loving the Beatles. Fast forward to 2006, and it's all over the news that my favorite bass player is going through a nasty divorce. I found out that his latest album contains many songs about what he was going through, and I was intrigued, so I bought it. On first listen, I didn't like it, and incidentally a lot of the reviewers who gave it less than 4 stars probably wrote their reviews after only one listen. But the second time I put it on, I was blind sided. Some cynical people who still live in the land of 'Silly Love Songs' and think that McCartney lost it after he lost the Beatles (I was one of those people),will not agree with what I'm about to say but I'll say it anyway...This cd contains some of the most beautiful music he's done in years and some of it is as good as anything he did in the Beatles. 'Jenny Wren' could have easily fit on the White Album, Abbey Road or even Revolver. It's just as good as Eleanor Rigby (ouch, can't believe I'm saying that). 'A Certain Softness' is as romantic and sexy as 'Here There and Everywhere', and that too would have fit nicely on Revolver. You really feel how much he loves the two women he's singing about, but he also seems to be singing about loss, which lends a sadness to this wonderful song. Critics have written off 'English Tea', saying it's trite, and one of the weaker songs. I guess they don't get the ironic humor of it, and they missed the gorgeous melody too...oh well their loss...don't listen to them. If 'English Tea' had been on the White Album, it would have stood up well to 'Martha My Dear'. Some people say 'Friends to Go' is about George Harrison. Did Paul actually say this? Whether he did or not, it does seem to be about a relationship that has been strained, and the author wants to make things right...(before it's too late?) 'Riding to Vanity Fair' is the most foreboding, bitter song I've ever heard from McCartney. Of course the "Vanity Fair" analogy seems to suggest it's about Ms. Mills-McCartney, and actually that's a pretty obvious metaphor. Who else could he possibly be singing about? Another reviewer said that it's about his daughter Heather, but I don't think that's right. I did an advance Google search of Heather Louise McCartney and a possible Vanity Fair article and nothing came up. But everyone remembers Heather Mills' Vanity Fair interview from 2002.

After buying this album, I came back to McCartney. I bought 'Driving Rain','Flowers in the Dirt','Ram' 'McCartney', a cd replacement of 'Band on the Run', and some of his live albums. I even bought his classical cd, 'Ecc Cor Meum'. I love all of them, and I can't believe what I was missing all these years. With 'Chaos and Creation' the great pop melodist is back. You will love this album. Even the cover photo is brilliant. A class act.

What can I say?.......2007-06-27

I love McCartney. Fav song on this CD, This Never Happened Before. Check it out on Lake House.

Nigel Godrich eats worms!.......2007-06-23

Get a copy of "Tug of War" before you start advising Paul McCartney on how to record an album, Nigel! This one has virtually ruined everything.

Average customer rating: Another turning point My favourite Airplane album I Don't Really See-Why Can't We Go On As Free? Doesn't Hold Up In the 2000's Thank God for Digital Re-Mastering

Crown of Creation Jefferson Airplane Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: After Bathing at Baxter's Volunteers Surrealistic Pillow Bless Its Pointed Little Head Jefferson Airplane Takes Off ASIN: B0000A0DRZ Release Date: 2003-08-19

Tracks:

1. Lather
2. In Time
3. Triad
4. Star Track
5. Share A Little Joke
6. Chushingura
7. If You Feel
8. Crown Of Creation
9. Ice Cream Phoenix
10. Greasy Heart
11. The House At Pooneil Corners
12. Bonus Tracks: Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum
13. Bonus Tracks: Would You Like A Snack
14. Bonus Tracks: Share A Little Joke (Mono Single Version)
15. Bonus Tracks: The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig (Previously Unreleased)

Album Description

Originally released in 1968, this RCA/BMG Heritage remastered reissue adds 4 bonus tracks 'Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum', 'Would You like A Snack', 'Share A Little Joke' (single version-mono) & 'The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig' (previously unreleased). Includes 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes, detailed track listing & rare photos. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Another turning point.......2007-05-29

Another of the albums that became a turning point in my life. The other reviews state everything about the album I could say. Let me just second the reviewer Pearl Drummer and say that Jack Casady is absolutely the BEST BASSIST ever, before or since (and completely underrated). His playing on the title track is so dense and complex that I never tire of hearing it. I wish I knew enough about engineering to separate it out so I could listen to it alone.

My favourite Airplane album.......2007-04-19

After the more experimental and overtly psychedelic After Bathing at Baxter's Crown of Creation marks a return to the shorter songs and more "commercial" (remember, everything is relative) sound of Surrealistic Pillow. It is my favourite Airplane record.

This LP is a perfect mix of eccentric slower-paced songs (Lather, Triad), plaintive Marty Balin (In Time, Shared a Little Joke), inspired Kaukonen (Star Track) and classic Airplane (Crown of Creation, Pooneil Corners). The only throwaway is the irritating Chushingura. And it is only1:16 in length. The remixed sound is a revelation. The newfound clarity and crispness really does enable us to fully appreciate the individual musical talents of the band. The bonus tracks on this re-release are eminently forgettable. No, they are more than that - they are positively annoying! However, on the basis of the songs from the original LP this is a five star effort.

I Don't Really See-Why Can't We Go On As Free?.......2007-01-15

Yes. I saw the review that Guido wrote and, needless to say, I was metamortified! Let me say people, it is very difficult having a guide that is a party animal. When we did talk, he admitted that he was very drunk at the time and that since my reviews had achieved a certain fame, he felt very left out. He apologized (which was feigned), promised never to do it again (an excuse designed to make me leave), and offered vast amounts of help in the future (never once moving from his comfortable barstool). I suggested counseling for him. He was not happy with that. But since I could do no more, I just let things be. Eventually I learned from my other guides that he blames me totally for ALL of his problems! We are talking about a serious case of denial here people! However, I have decided to let his review stand and be a testimony to my good heart and fair-minded forgiveness. The faithful will certainly appreciate and be awed by my irreverent behavior and follow all my reviews forthwith. Yes. And I have learned to lock my laptop when I'm away!
But, let's get to this fine psychedelic classic that beloved Airplane offered many Seer moons ago.
Well- it certainly seems like the Airplane wanted to make a huge IMPACT on us with this album. Why else put them in the atom bomb? (By and by-one of Metamorpho's favorite covers of all time!). But it seems that-with "Crown of Creation" they reeled in more control after the uncontrollable "Baxters". However, they moved the creativity forward and, in this, achieved a great mix of songs. And what is so moving in that is the fact that each composition is a totally unique entity. Never one sounding the same as another-they achieved artistic integrity. And that is due to the immense talent of all the individuals.
We begin with "Lather"- Grace Slick's ode to getting older. Not a rocker-it moves on insistently with a lullaby. How appropriate! But what totally makes this song are the "extras". The little effects they throw in to make the song so rich. The typewriter in the background; the cannon shot from a tank; the seagulls circling on a beach, the sound of Lather's hand; Jorma's "child crying", and Hari Kari as a game to play. This song is so classic and satisfying that they needn't have done more. But they did.
"In Time" is a psychedelic sexual fantasy. And Kantner does a good job on this. But here, and elsewhere, begins Grace's extended background vocal "glue" that binds the whole thing together. She is most noted for the Marty and Grace yin and yang, push and pull, of vocals. And, herein, lies alot of the reason that their sound was most alluring.
Ah. Then they do David Crosby's amazing "Triad". Grace's "come to me" vocals are exactly right for the message. Crosby, more or less, got kicked out of The Byrds for this. In Airplane's hands, they "fly" with it. Rebels will try "something new-if you're crazy too". And they do it so well.
Jorma's writing shines on "Star Track". And his lead is amazing. Ultimately, it is about not taking the world so seriously. "Push the world on by with your hand", or else you'll be like a rat in a cage-running to please the "establishment" and ruining yourself in the process. We then get to Marty's excellent "Share a Little Joke". This is a favorite of Metamorpho's. It is the exhubance of moving towards happiness. "The world around you, never catches up with you". But the joke is one from within. Pay close attention to Marty's vocals, especially the rise to the break-then the lead-and the drum beat back to the vocals again. Intense and wonderful, it provides the exclamation point to the song. (!!!!!!!!)
After Spencer's psychedelic aural auditory assault of "Chushingura" we then settle back to the tunes. And, just as a note here. In many groups of the time, I think it unusual that the drummer would have been given his own time to create. But, with the Airplane, they were willing to try it and with sometimes, amazing effect. That's creativity folks!
"If You Feel" is a Marty excursion of sorts. Again, it is about the freedom to do as you feel. Whatever brings you joy. But to overanalyze it is a mistake. The words don't have to make sense if the feeling is what you're after-and this holds true for this song.
"Crown of Creation" is the cornerstone and namesake of this album, and in it,makes a clear cut line into the generation gap. It is not one of my favorites-but one of Airplane's essential tunes for their legacy. But, interestingly enough, we become exposed to their concept of "change" in this song and how it "changes" with outlook and perspective. (I will get into this with Grace's "Greasy Heart). But, for now, it relates that if their is no change-within yourself-you will become a "fossil of our time". Meaning the older generation. Life is change. How very true.
"Ice Cream Phoenix" seems like a drug trip and one designed around many questions. But the major one is that if the world is apocalyptic-how we still go on-love-and leave-and not feel sad about it. An ode-again- of moving towards happiness.
Ah. We then get to Slick's tease of "Greasy Heart". A jaunty tune for sure. Nitty and gritty and real life- Grace's lyrics here are out in left field. Mechanical but moving. But now the "don't ever change people" comes into play. Interestingly enough-she says change in "Crown of Creation" but "don't change" here. But, in a strange way-it does make sense. Compared to an older generation one must change-or rather-not to follow in the same footsteps. But here she is saying that once you decide to change, do not decide to change-especially for the ones who are important to you. It is confusing-but perhaps- that when you do change decide not to change back. Now that I've confused you (and myself) in the process, I'll just move along.
In "House at Pooneil Corners" we have the apocalpse Airplane style. Listen to the music. It's disjointed-downright disturbing-set in a meter to grate on you. But, it is totally consistent with the theme. Again, an Airplane genius that shines through.
The extra tracks are interesting. And some from other releases and out-takes. But, the main body of work stands on the sheer, intriguing talent of this band.
In closing- I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incredible contribution of Jack Cassidy. Innovative and fresh bass lines that, when you listen, are all over the fret board. At first you may think his bass riffs make no sense- but they all do! Again- he uses the bass as part AND apart from what is going on elsewhere. And this, people, is years before Chris Squire from Yes. Jack Cassidy created it. Chris Squire ran with it. But that is the chain of influences so prevailent in music. Always happens-always will.
In closing- I did this review because: A) I love the music and B) I wanted to show Guido that there is still a spark of life in this old Seer. Now that it's all over- I may saunter over to The Fishnet to share a beer with that wayward guide. Don't worry-I'll leave early. Metamorpho needs his sleep in order to proffer his well-heralded reflections!
To all- A good night and a great life. Keep moving on!
Your own-----Metamorpho

Doesn't Hold Up In the 2000's.......2006-07-15

I start out by saying I was a huge Jefferson Airplane fan and saw them live twice. One of the better Bay Area's bands, and one of the best live shows ever.

Regretably, this album does not hold up well to modern standards. "Lather" is a wierd drug induced anti-war child becomes man theme without a melody or discernable beat. "Triad" is a nice song, better sampled by the Byrds in one of their outtake CD's currently available.

"If You Feel" is a nice Marty Balin song, which is throwback to the 1st two Jefferson Airplane albums, and a precursor to his excellent singing and songwriting career.

"Greasy Heart" is an excellent example of Grace Slick and Paul Kanter singing duets.

Other than these two tracks, which are five star songs, the album simply doesn't translate well into this milenium.

Thank God for Digital Re-Mastering.......2006-01-23

I was lucky enough to see the Jefferson Airplane at the Filmore East several times (I'm 56) during their heyday. Since I'm an accomplished drummer, I was eager to see/listen to what I thought was one of the best rhythm sections I had ever listened to in populer music. I was never let down. For, even to this day, Jack Casady remains one of the finest electric bass players that ever lived. Period. Just listen to his bass lines on "After Bathing at Baxter's" many inspired tracks. He was doing things with feedback, harmonics and counterpoint that were way ahead of the time. Why do you think Jimi Hendrix wanted him as his bassist? Now listen to "Crown of Creation". Jack's bass lines in "Lather" are magnificent! His tone is so subtle. For me, the absolute essence of the electric bass sound (and remember, this is BEFORE Jaco) is his playing on "Triad". His execution and fingering are perfect. His timing is sooooo in the pocket, and his overall "sound" is distinctive and unusual. But, always clean. Jack Casady spoiled me because as a drummer, I always wanted to gig with bass players that were that fluid and tonal. So, buy this CD and listen to some of the best rock music (60's or otherwise) that you'll ever hear.

Average customer rating: Great movie, better soundtrack great collection of unusual music Supurb Amazing! excellent

Mirrormask Iain Ballamy , Stuart Hall , Martin Sharp , Matthew Sharp , Burt Bacharach , Dave McKean , Martin France , John Parricelli , Neil Percy , Iain Bellamy , Ashley Slater , Arve Henriksen , Chris Batchelor , David Powell , Josefine Cronholm , and Neil Gaiman Manufacturer: La-La Land Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mirrormask The Alchemy of MirrorMask MirrorMask: The Illustrated Film Script of the Motion Picture from the Jim Henson Company Where's Neil When You Need Him? Mr. Punch ASIN: B0007RTARU Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

1. Sock Puppets / Flyover
2. Circus Overture
3. Spanish Web
4. Gorillas!
5. Running For The Bus
6. Abandoned Hall
7. Leaving The City
8. Arresting Helena
9. The White Queen Sleeps / The White Palace
10. Rabbit Band
11. The Library
12. The Myth Of Creation
13. Fish Street
14. Looking Through The Window
15. Giants Orbiting
16. Outside Bagwell's
17. Mrs. Bagwell's Rhumba
18. Meeting The Sphinx
19. Monkeybirds
20. Dream Park / Meeting In A Dream
21. Conjuring A Dome
22. In The Dark Forest
23. Betrayed!
24. Close To You
25. A New Life
26. A Rather Tense Dinner Party
27. Butterfingers
28. Discoveries / Fight Or Flight? / Goodbye Evil Helena
29. My Waltz For Newk
30. If I Apologised

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, better soundtrack.......2007-05-19

I just recently saw this movie and the only thing I could think about afterwards was that I had to get this soundtrack. I'm not usually a big fan of movie soundtracks, but this cd is unlike any other out there, soundtrack or not. The use of strings and carnaval type instruments is completely unique and makes this a must by for any fan of music.

great collection of unusual music.......2007-05-07

Rented the movie on reccomendation from Netflix, it was pretty good. But the music was the star of the show. The soundtrack follows the course of the movie pretty closely, it's kind of like listening to the movie. Each track brings to mind a specific scene in the movie. One of the highlights is the ecclectic treatment of Burt Bacharach's "Close to You". Most will remember the super-sweet Carpenter's version, but this interpretation was the main reason I bought the music. Unusual augmented chord progressions and almost minimalist format (complete with the mechanical background sounds made by the female jack-in-the-box-like, life-sized, mostly metal toy dressers) make the tune as captivating as in the movie when they 'convert' the trapped Helena into the black princess. Great music to play while relaxing, too.

Supurb.......2007-03-08

This soundtrack is truly a delight to listen to. It ranges from quirky circus music to deep and melodic mysterious tunes. It is a great CD to relax to and to use as background music for most any relaxing time hanging out with friends.

Amazing!.......2007-02-24

This is a very good soundtrack to a very good movie. The music is amazingly composed and is nice to listen to.

excellent.......2007-01-17

This CD is excellent! All the music from the movie in its entirety, all the songs are complete songs, and the songs are all top notch compositions.

Average customer rating:

Doomsday X Malevolent Creation Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ 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 Similar Items: Ithyphallic The Apostasy Shadows in the Light Rom 5:12 Icons of Evil ASIN: B000R7I2H4 Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. Cauterized
2. Culture of Doubt
3. Deliver My Enemy
4. Archaic
5. Buried in a Nameless Grave
6. Dawn of Defeat
7. Prelude to Doomsday
8. Upon Their Cross
9. Strength in Numbers
10. Hollowed
11. Unleash Hell
12. Bio-Terror

Average customer rating:

The Story Of Haydn Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Trumpet | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Baryton | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Story of Beethoven The Story Of Handel The Story of Mozart The Story of Bach The Story of Schubert ASIN: B000001KD1 Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Menuetto - Allegro
2. Harpsicord Concerto In D Major: Vivace
3. Symphony No. 100 In G Major 'Miltary': Allegretto
4. Mass No. 2 In E- Flat Major: Great Organ Mass
5. Symphony No. 82 In C Major 'The Bear': Vivace assai
6. Keyboard Sonata No. 48 In C Major: Allegro con brio
7. Symphony No. 45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': Allegro assai
8. Violin Concerto No. 1 In C Major: Allegro moderato
9. Allegro con spirito
10. Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Allegro
11. Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Andante
12. Baryton Divertimento No. 107 In D Major: Minuet and Trio
13. Music Clock
14. Trumpet Concerto In E-Flat Major: Adagio
15. Symphony No. 45 In F-Sharp Minor 'Farewell': Adagio
16. Symphony No. 82 In C Major 'The Bear': Vivace
17. Symphony No.11 In G Major 'Miltary': Excerpts
18. Philemon And Baucis: Tenor Aria 'Nemo'
19. Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Allegro spiritoso
20. Horn Concerto No. 2 In D Major: Allegro
21. Symphony No. 101 In D Major 'Clock': Presto; Menuetto (Allegretto)
22. Symphony No. 94 In G Major 'Surprise': Andante
23. Symphony No. 96 In D Major 'Miracle': Vivace assai
24. Symphony No. 101 In D Major 'Clock': Andante
25. Symphony No. 104 In D Major 'London': Andante
26. Mass in D-flat Major: Gloria
27. String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3 Emperor
28. The Creation: Chrous: 'The Heavens are Telling'
29. Austrian National Anthem
30. Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Moderato
31. Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Adagio
32. Cello Concerto In D Major, Hob. VIIb, No. 2: Allegro molto

Average customer rating: Outstanding The heavens are telling Uncle Abe rattles the house with this thing Sir Robert with ASO and Chorus at their Best! Celestial melodies

Choral Masterpieces Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics The #1 Choral Album O Magnum Mysterium Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony ASIN: B000003CTR Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Hallelujah
2. Ave Verum Corpus K.618
3. Kyrie Eleison
4. Passion Chorale
5. The Shepherds' Farewell
6. Lift Thine Eyes To The Mountains
7. He Watching Over Israel
8. Dona Nobis Pacem
9. Hallelujah
10. Worthy Is The Lamb
11. Sanctus
12. Bogoroditse Devo
13. Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen
14. The Heavens Are Telling
15. Rex Tremendae

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding.......2007-01-12

-gave this as a Christmas gift to my brother-in-law, a church musician. He has listened over & over & thinks it is really outstanding. Thank you!

The heavens are telling.......2005-10-21

This is a very great chorus, and one of Haydn's best as far as i am concerned. The pace, grandness and spirit of the piece all conjure in one's imagination the majesty of heaven, and God's throne. I cannot help but be moved to praise the God of the heavens and the earth.

kanmi ogundipe

Uncle Abe rattles the house with this thing.......2004-11-22

I came home from work one day when my uncle was visiting my wife and myself. He was recently retired from the ministry. He had heard a lot of choral music in his life. My aunt said he had the stereo ( power end of my stereo at the time was an Adcomm 555 amp. conservatively rated at 200 watts RMS per channel) up so loud it was rattling the whole house. I too have come to love this music. I mostly listen to rock and roll; but the way my uncle, and now I, play this thing, it is rock and roll from another era!!!

Sir Robert with ASO and Chorus at their Best!.......2003-11-16

After Mr Shaw spent many years in NYC and Cleveland with RCA Red Label,he came into Atlanta for a big change! Soon he switched to TELARC DIGITAL! I still Joyfully remember our Recording of the Christmas Nativity in Dec of 1975! Sir Robert, conducting with earphones encasing his head shouted: "Stop the taping, there is some Darn Sizzling noise in those Lights!" We may have not heard the word "Damn" lights, that he employed at times!

On both this newer release of TELARC and the older Recording of The Christmas Nativity, there are Bach's Chorale, Break Forth, Dona Nobis Pacem from the B-Minor Mass, Handel's Hallelujah! Plus the exquisite, Shepherds's Farewell to the Holy Family of Berlioz's The Infant Christ!

Those who may not be familiar with Berlioz from both recordings, will be richly rewarded by hearing them plus the Rex Tremendae from Berlioz''s Requiem and the other Kyrie from the Bach B-Minor! Absolutely, no other Christmas Music can ever approach these two splendid recordings, which are the basis of the ASO celebrating every Christmas with "Robert Shaw in the Spirit!"

Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

Celestial melodies.......2001-05-27

No matter what mood you are in, the gorgeous chorals will draft you through the paths of holiness, and you will find yourself situated in the Elysium, land of eternal joy, yet you are far from dead. The past grief, weariness, and worries will fade and torture your soul no more. You are set free.

Unfortunately, Nobody can be told what this heavenly experience is like. You have to listen to it yourself.

Average customer rating: I made my son listen to it !!! Wonderful choir music CD Best of American Choral Singing! A good album, but-- Awesome

The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics Robert Shaw Festival Singers , and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Duruflé, Maurice | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Choral Masterpieces Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration The #1 Choral Album Sea Shanties O Magnum Mysterium ASIN: B000003D10 Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

1. Dies Irae
2. Tuba Mirum
3. Pie Jesu
4. O Fortuna
5. Dies Irae
6. Rex Tremendae
7. Confutatis
8. Lacrimosa
9. Polovtsian Dances
10. Missa: Kyrie Eleison
11. Hallelujah Chorus
12. The Shepherd's Farewell
13. Sanctus
14. The Heavens Are Telling
15. 'Va, pensiero' (Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves)
16. Nyne Otpushchayeshi (Now Let Thy Servant Depart)
17. Dies Irae

Customer Reviews:

I made my son listen to it !!!.......2007-07-28

A wonderful album. I have several copies of Handel's Messiah, but the performance of the Hallelujah Chorus by Robert Shaw's singers is exceptional, outstanding. I was inspired to have my young son listen to this album: Verdi's "Dies Irae", Orff's "O Fortuna", and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus".

Notice that there are 3 versions of "Dies Irae" on this album. It's nice to hear others. I am not normally a fan of Requiems. I will say that I do like Bach's Mass in B Minor and the Kyrie Eleison excerpted here is beautiful.

Wonderful choir music CD.......2007-07-12

I just enjoy in it very much. The best of the choir music in very good performance.

Best of American Choral Singing!.......2003-02-08

This CD could be the cornerstone of your choral music library! Wonderful performances of all of the essential choral pieces give a wonderful introduction to choral music for someone new to it, and also give a nice sampler of the best pieces for someone already familiar with the music. Listening to each excerpt may inspire you to purchase the entire work!

As you would expect of performances by Robert Shaw's groups, these performances are really extraordinary and show the best of American choral singing.

A good album, but--.......2001-12-28

The three stars I have given this album are not for the performances, which are all tremendous and deserve five stars or more, but for the idea of releasing this sort of compilation. Every single one of these selections is part of a larger Shaw-recorded work already released by Telarc, and you are far better off seeking the complete recordings that all these pieces are from, than just buying a mere "sampler". (Shaw, however, never did get around to recording the complete " L' Enfance du Christ".) Of course, that can be very expensive for some people, and if one cannot afford all those recordings, I suppose this is the next best thing. One can't shake off the feeling, however, that because Shaw is no longer with us, Telarc is desperately trying to give the impression that "new" Shaw recordings are constantly being released by them, when the truth is that nearly all the new ones are mere recyclings. (The last complete Robert Shaw album released by Telarc was Dvorak's "Stabat Mater", a CD well worth buying.)

Awesome.......2000-04-04

This album is so up-lifting. As the music soars, so do your spirits.

Average customer rating: Best All the stars of the 20th century Fritz Wunderlich's Last Recording: Karajan's Greatest "Creation" Karajan live or Karajan studio? Wunderlich stars in this performance.

Haydn: The Creation / Herbert von Karajan Herbert von Karajan Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tenors | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Haydn: Missa in Angustiis "Nelson Mass" - Te Deum / Lott, Watkinson, M. Davies, Wilson-Johnson; Pinnock Beethoven - Missa Solemnis · Mozart - Coronation Mass / Karajan Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 76, Nos. 4, 5 and 6 Missa Solemnis in D major, op.123 Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000001GXN Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

1. Die Schopfung: 1a. Die Vorstellung Des Chaos
2. Die Schopfung: 1b. Rezitativ Mit Chor (Raphael, Uriel)
3. Die Schopfung: 2. Arie Mit Chor (Uriel)
4. Die Schopfung: 3. Rezitativ (Raphael)
5. Die Schopfung: 4. Chor Mit Sopransolo
6. Die Schopfung: Der Dritte Tag: 5. Rezitativ (Raphael)
7. Die Schopfung: 6. Arie (Raphael)
8. Die Schopfung: 7. Rezitativ (Gabriel)
9. Die Schopfung: 8. Arie (Gabriel)
10. Die Schopfung: 9. Rezitativ (Uriel)
11. Die Schopfung: 10. Chor
12. Die Schopfung: 11. Rezitativ (Uriel)
13. Die Schopfung: 9. Rezitativ (Uriel)
14. Die Schopfung: Chor Mit Soli (Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael)
15. Die Schopfung: 14. Rezitativ (Gabriel)
16. Die Schopfung: 15. Arie (Gabriel)
17. Die Schopfung: 9. Rezitativ (Raphael)
18. Die Schopfung: 17. Rezitativ (Raphael)
19. Die Schopfung: 18. Terzett (Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael)
20. Die Schopfung: 19. Chor Mit Soli (Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael)

Tracks:

1. Die Schopfung: 20: Rezitativ (Raphael)
2. Die Schopfung: 21: Rezitativ (Raphael)
3. Die Schopfung: 22: Arie (Raphael)
4. Die Schopfung: 23: Rezitativ (Uriel)
5. Die Schopfung: 24: Arie (Uriel)
6. Die Schopfung: 25: Rezitativ (Raphael)
7. Die Schopfung: 26: Chor No. 27: Terzett (G, U, R). No. 28: Chor
8. Die Schopfung: 29: Orchestereinleitung Und Rezitativ (Uriel)
9. Die Schopfung: 30: Duett Mit Chor (Eve And Adam)
10. Die Schopfung: 31: Recitative (Adam And Eve)
11. Die Schopfung: 32: Duett (Adam And Eve)
12. Die Schopfung: 33: Rezitatuv (Uriel)
13. Die Schopfung: 34: Schlusschor Mit Soli

Amazon.com essential recording

This classic performance of Haydn's greatest choral masterpiece was beloved tenor Fritz Wunderlich's last recording. He sings all of the arias, but he died before finishing the recitatives, which are here taken by Werner Krenn. The recording is, in addition, one of Herbert von Karajan's finest, vastly better than his later digital remake. His interpretation is straightforward and impressively large in scale, but never pompous or sanctimonious (which was Karajan's big problem in music of a religious character). The truth is, Haydn's consistently fresh and unpretentious invention acts as a positive anesthetic against bombast, and the composer himself once said that thinking of the Creator always made him irresistibly cheerful. With The Creation, Haydn returned the favor. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Best.......2007-06-26

This is a performance to die for. The pace of the music is what sets this appart. Every movement is set at just the right tempo so you can completely enjoy this cast of stars.

All the stars of the 20th century.......2006-03-23

This recording brings all the finest voices of the twentieth century together with one of the finest conductors and orchestras.The sound quality is quite good, however, the overall intonation is quite sharp--a problem we used to have to deal with with LPS. That might also have made the tempi a bit faster than they were at the original performances. Aside from the pitch, the recording serves to remind us of the highest caliber of music making, just one step away from the German romanticist performers of the 19th century.

Fritz Wunderlich's Last Recording: Karajan's Greatest "Creation".......2005-11-22

This stunning recording from Deutsche Grammophone is Karajan's greatest recording of Haydn's Creation (of the two he recorded). In his prime as a conductor, he is musically potent and does not succumb to his usual overly grandiose manner. The singers are doing a heck of a job in their solos and ensembles. Of particular interest is the renowned 40's and 50's German tenor Fritz Wunderlich as the angel Gabriel and as Adam. He is singing in his last studio recording before his tragic death of cancer. Soprano Gundula Janowitz sing with ravishing voice, lyrical and lush, the voice of an angel. Baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau is in his element. He totally fits the baritone part of the archangel Uriel- a big, dramatic but noble and beatiful, God-like voice. Dieskau is in his glorious prime and pulls out all the stops. Mezzo soprano star Christa Ludwig sings the role of Raphael, normally a part given to another tenor. But her dark lower register is enough to make her worthy of the role. Walter Barry is also featured in this recording and his baritone voice is also ingenious. The orchestra is colorful, bringing out all the mystery and religiousity without being overt. The opening Prelude, "Chaos" evokes the Big-Bang and the subsequent formation of suns, stars and planets!! The choruses are magnificent and well-trained. Each of these singes are German, or Austrian, and therefore know how to sing with native pride. For other superb recordings of Haydn's Creation, check out the recording with conductor Antal Dorati and starring the radiant soprano Lucia Popp and incredible baritone Kurt Moll.

Karajan live or Karajan studio?.......2005-10-10

Since no one has compared this studio recording from 1966 (patchwork being added up to 1969) with Karajan's live performance from Salzburg the year before, I thought I'd fill in the gap. This review is posted twice, both here and under the live recording, also on DG.

Sound: Both sets re in excellent sound, although only the studio one is in stereo. The Austrian Radio transcript from Salzburg in 1965 is clear, warm, and detailed mono. The orchestra is set further back than in the studio version, but the soloists often sound closer. In both cases the chorus was the large Vienna Singverein , and their enunciation is muddied compared to smaller choirs. No preference in this regard between live and studio. I did find the original pressing of the studio version a bit too bright and less open than the live broadcast, but that may have been corrected in the new "Originals" reissue.

Soloists: Gundula Janowitz is the ethereal soprano on both recordings and sings almost identically, although in the live recording she opens out to reach the audience, while in the studio she adds a bit more intimacy and nuance. (This is also true of the orchestra.) Fritz Wunderlich performs all the tenor arias and major ensembles in both versions( he died suddenly from a fall in Sept. 1966 before finishing all the recitatives, which are filled in for the studio recording by Werner Krenn). Wunderlich uses his plangent voice with more nuance in the studio, singing out more in the live performance, and I prefer that. The bass is Walter Berry in the studio recording, preferable to Kim Borg in the live one, although not by a huge margin. However, in the baritone role of Adam, the live Hermann Prey is ocnsierably more lyircal and natural than Fishcer-Dieskau in the studio. Christa Ludwig on the studio version sings only one solo in the last chorus. The fact that the live soloists rank ahead of the studio may be a tipping point for some--it was for me.

Conducting: Karajan specialized in this work, as witness his three recordings (I don't own his digital reading from 1982, generlaly acknowledged as inferior), and he could be uncannily similar from year to year (for example, in both these performances the first big Adam and Eve duet takes 10 min., 1 sec., despite the year separating the two). Karajan took a classical approach to Haydn, preferring proportion and balance over excitement, control over spontaneity. In the style he chose, nobody since has excelled these recordings, but there is another way, as shown by Bernstein's two versions, particularly the unmatched drama of the first one from New York on Sony.

In the end, both Karajan readings are so close to each other, even down to sound and soloists, that there isn't much to choose. One might expect the live performance to be more exciting, but in fact that's a split decision as well--quite often Karajan finds more drama and momentum in the studio recording. I pick the live performance mostly to hear Wunderlich in better form and to have Prey in place of Fishcer-Dieskau.

Wunderlich stars in this performance........2005-08-19

I offer a slightly dissenting voice: I do not think that this performance is a 5-star winner. Yes, Wunderlich sings the arias exquisitely well. I find that Fisher-Dieskau has already become mannered in his singing. Yes, this is far better than Von Karajan's later digital version. No, this is not THE recording to have. At last not in my book (as a music historian and teacher). There are more than thirty complete recordings of "The Creation." Much good can be said of many, perhaps most of them. I recommend the following as the best of the lot:

John Eliot Gardiner's performance of the German version on "period" instruments -- superb in every regard, even if his soloists are lesser known.

Eugen Jochum's 1966 stereo recording with the Bavarian State Radio Orchestra and Chorus -- beautifully nuanced, deeply spiritual, and quite a bargain as a Philips Duo. Also the German version.

Rafael Kubelik's recording, also with the Bavarian musicians, on Orfeo. Warmth and clarity, strength and tenderness. Again the German version.

The original English version either by Christopher Hogwood or Robert Shaw, two very different yet equally effective performances.

Whichever version you choose, Haydn will lead you into the depths of Creation at every level of the word's meaning.

Average customer rating: Building a better guitar A fantastic listen for the open-minded fan Surprisingly good Engines Not too shabby

Engines of Creation Joe Satriani Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Crystal Planet Strange Beautiful Music Joe Satriani Is There Love in Space? Flying in a Blue Dream ASIN: B00004RD24 Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

1. Devil's Slide
2. Flavor Crystal
3. Borg Sex
4. Until We Say Goodbye
5. Attack
6. Champagne?
7. Clouds Race Across The Sky
8. The Powder Cosmic 2000-Part I
9. The Powder Cosmic 2000-Part II
10. Slow And Easy
11. Engines Of Creation

Amazon.com

A little cynicism is to be expected when a veteran guitar virtuoso jumps on the electronica bandwagon. But Joe Satriani, who takes that route with Engines of Creation, remains head and shoulders above most guitar gods through sheer good taste. Most of Engines is very good, and Satriani deserves credit at the very least for daring and inventiveness. However, its appeal will likely be largely limited to Satriani fans; it's difficult to imagine hardcore electronica heads getting down to this sort of thing, although the final two tracks consist of great chill music. Satriani makes effective use of the flexibility inherent in the genre's repetitiveness: often, he just lets the backing tracks play and solos over them, coming up with some truly otherworldly sonic exploration. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

Building a better guitar.......2007-04-05

In the end of the 90s, some bands and guitar players decided to explore new grounds of music. Some of these attempts was successful, some were not. Good examples of artists that tried to sound modern was the German rock band Scorpions (EyeIIEye), Steve Vai (Sex & Religion), Jeff Beck (Who Else!, You Had it Coming, Jeff) and of course, Joe Satriani.

In a particular boarding, Mr. Satch saw the rising experiments from genius guitar player and inspiration Jeff Beck and decided to make an attempt into a more electronic kind of music. Now, the difference between Beck and Satch is that Satch was creative, bold and concise in his boarding, and Jeff, well, lost himself in the path.

Don't get me wrong, I love Jeff Beck from his Yardbirds/Tridents days to Beckology, he was truly a great genius, egomaniac, but genius, comparable only with Jimi Hendrix. But Jeff's techno sound is boring, noisy and truly out of place. He affirmed himself that his techno albums is among the worst ones ever produced by him.

Joe Satriani, in a kind of inspired mood and brilliance knew very well how to create his chops without sacrifice the music. He created a balance between him, his human band and the Pro-tools. He sounds fantastic in this release. Challenging, groundbreaking, powerful, beautiful and pleasant.

Rumor has that the title of the album was inspired in the molecular nanotechnology book "Engines of Creation", written by K. Eric Drexler in 1986. The book also have an interesting line that says that "what we can do depends on what we can built". I don't think that's a mere coincidence, considering the illustrations on the album's sleeves. Judging by that we can presume that we have a conceptual record in hands.

Of course, as an experiment, somethings goes very nice and somethings nor in such a way. "Devil's Slide" is a good example of a very cool, dynamic and inspired piece. "Borg Sex" is like imagining robots having sexual relations, and the song has a very nice mood. "Champagne?" is some kind of tribute to Jeff Beck, it's very similar to the sound that Jeff has been developing in his comeback album "Who Else!", by far, his best effort with techno rock. There's also beautiful electronic moments like "Clouds Race Across the Sky", witch is a nice soundscape song, and also human moments, like the wonderful ballad "Until We Say Goodbye" and the awesome closing title track. But the breathtaking moment of the album is the two-track song "The Power Cosmic 2000", witch is a nice improvement compared with it's version released as a single.

With this release, Joe got his foot into a modern and nice sound and continues to sound relevant. Of course, this is the "we don't need another one" kind of album. Joe knew it very well, since techno music sounds dated nowadays, and returned to his human sound in his next release. But as far as it went, it was a wonderful experiment and a very consistent work that still deliver us in a nice mood.

A fantastic listen for the open-minded fan.......2006-08-14

With Engines of Creation, Joe Satriani did what he has always done: make the most of the tools he chooses to use.

Only this time, he uses electronic beats and soundscapes as the canvas on which to express his skill with the guitar. It would be easy to give this one listen and wonder where the guy who wrote "Satch Boogie," "War" and "Flying in a Blue Dream" went.

Well, he's still here, only more than ever he's showing us his incredible command of his instrument by being able to create sounds that so perfecly reflect what they intend to convey.

I've never heard robots having sex, but I'm willing to be "Borg Sex" isn't far off. And although his calmly passing, sometimes noodling melodies appear to have little structure, that's kinda how you'd expect to see "Clouds Race Across the Sky." The 'chorus' to "Devil's Slide" sounds as sinister as its name suggests and "Attack" is as close to a musical sci-fi battle as I've ever heard.

To top it off, the album includes "Until We Say Goodbye," one of Satch's best ballads in his entire catalogue.

If you're willing to put a little more mental energy into appreciating the work Satch put into this album than just waiting for the album to rock your socks off Surfing With The Alien-style, you'll find that there's an incredible amount of depth -- and musicianship -- to be found.

It's not a Satriani masterpiece, but its a true testament to the man's enduring creativity.

Surprisingly good.......2006-05-24

Like many of the reviewers I was prepared to dismiss this as an unfortunate experiment and simply refused to buy something that mixed electronica with Satriani. This all changed when I purchased the Live in San Franciso DVD which featured Devil's Slide, the fantastic Borg Sex and the beautiful Until We Say Goodbye and I was left thinking what album are these songs are off.

Imagine my surprise when I find out it's Engines of Creation so I took the plunge and bought it and it's great. There are some misses but on the whole this is an awesome album. It's chock full of that unique Satriani mix of melody, technique and songcraft and simply packaged in a new format.

All of the songs on this album could be played in a live context "sans electronica" and perhaps that's what detractors of this album need first in order to tame their automatic cynicism (such as I had) towards electronica and be able to appreciated some of the magic moments strewn throughout the album.

Some off these magic moments apart from the songs mentioned above include the two parts to The Power Cosmic 2000, Attack and Engines of Creation. All have great melodies, instrument interplay and song parts as we've come to expect from Satch.

Engines.......2006-04-29

I was a bit taken aback when I first played this CD. I had to make sure there wasn't a packaging error. After a few late night listenings this work grew on me in a big way. Highly creative and experimental. This is what Joe is all about. If the starship Enterprise had a CD player this is what would be in it. The low ratings for this CD are once again by the type of people who cannot get past an artists earlier works. This is Joe. This is what he does; continually evolving and creating things with the guitar no one deemed possible. What sold me even more about this CD was that I got to see him on tour for it. He played a good chunk of this CD with a real drummer and bass player. No machines. It was phenominal. If you don't get what Joe was trying to do here, then you don't get Joe. Each album is different. That's what a genius does. You want the same album over and over again? Go listen to Metallica.

Not too shabby.......2006-04-13

Joe, if you're reading this, I like the cd alot. Perhaps make another one with Bill Leeb. :)

Average customer rating: How well do you like this kind of music? A Delightful Recording A great find--worth more than its price Interesting and Lovely Music this was our country's music c.30 decades ago!

Early American Choral Music, Vol. 1 His Majestie's Clerkes Manufacturer: Hmf Classical Exp. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Early American Choral Music, Vol. 2 Rivers of Delight (American Folk Hymns From the Sacred Harp Tradition) Wake Ev'ry Breath - Music of William Billings The Shapenote Album Sacred Harp Singing ASIN: B000059WLJ Release Date: 2001-05-08

Amazon.com

William Billings (1746-1800) was one of the first important composers born in America. A leather tanner by trade who taught himself composition, Billings left behind some lovely, unique music that contains early indications of American musical independence. It often doesn't sound like European models. Today, Billings's music survives mostly in Southern shape-note singing, with its exciting raw tone and rhythmic vitality. But as Paul Hillier's selection demonstrates, Billings shouldn't just be characterized as musical folk artist. The "Funeral Anthem: Samuel the Priest" has harmonies so poignant that they remind us of Bach, and the brief "David's Lamentation" is a superb piece of musical characterization, heartbreakingly effective. Despite the ensemble's name, it's thoroughly American. The performances find a good middle ground between sounding too folksy and sounding too cultivated, and the group's diction is clear enough that we can do without the texts, which came with the original edition. This is a lovely disc, which will come to most listeners as a revelation. It's also an outstanding bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

How well do you like this kind of music?.......2006-02-21

I ended up ordering this CD, as well as Vol. 2, and "Make A Joyful Noise: American Psalmody." I thought the quality was excellent on all three, but I wanted to say that if you're not sure how well you like this kind of music, I would recommend the American Psalmody CD instead of the two CD set. I found myself enjoying the music very much at first, but quickly losing interest as it all began to sound alike to me.

A Delightful Recording.......2005-07-25

Since buying this a week or so ago, it has rarely left my CD player, and is equally pleasurable at the start or end of the day. The performances are energetic and moving, and make me long for my former days with a cathedral choir, when #16 was one of our favorites. With each hearing, I find more to delight me. (While I agree that the diction is good enough that lyrics on the liner notes aren't strictly necessary, they would have been a nice addition.)

A great find--worth more than its price.......2004-09-03

This is all music by William Billings, one of the giant figures of early American church music. It is sung by a fine group that specializes in early music. The music is often hearty and pleasing, and the textual themes deal with early colonial life (e.g., harvest & the coming winter) and sometimes complex theology (e.g., pietistic interpretations of the Song of Solomon). The overall sound of the music is straightfoward, as it was no doubt to appeal to the common folk (new world Protestants). But don't let that fool you--there's high quality construction in these hymns that elevates them above folk music. Some of the songs really grab you & stay with you. This is a gift & an important part of our American heritage & culture.

Interesting and Lovely Music.......2004-02-25

This CD was issued originally as "A Land of Pure Delight" on the Harmonia Mundi label. Billings was the first major American composer, an apparently self taught composer with a distinctive and powerful style. A real American original, Billings' work has several interesting features. He did wonderful things writing for choirs and some of his work seems to sound like earlier, polyphonic music. This recording has features a selection of fine pieces. Lovely performances.

this was our country's music c.30 decades ago!.......2001-10-17

I am fairly new to this series, but I now own 3 cds in this series: Anna Mag. Bach Book, Festive barouque christmas and now this one. I have been looking for a cd with this kind of music, and now my search is done. I enjoy this cd very much, but the only down side is that this cd is too short.

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