The Great Wheel

1. Celebration

2. Jeunesse

3. Bagatelle

4. Morning Light

5. Mandarin Man

6. This Stillness

7. Into the Green

8. Great Wheel

The Great Wheel,James Asher,Silver Wave,Britain,Contemporary Instrumental,Electro-Acoustic,Jazz Music,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Average customer rating:

Good track, not life changing.
Favorite peaceful instumental
This work is pure auditory bliss.
THE ULTIMATE IN NEW AGE MUSIC.
The most glorious music I have ever heard!

The Great Wheel
James Asher
Manufacturer: Silver Wave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Globalarium
Dance of the Light/Rivers of Life
Colors of Trance
Feet in the Soil, Vol. 2
Shaman Drums

ASIN: B000000PMT
Release Date: 1993-10-08

Tracks:

Celebration
Jeunesse
Bagatelle
Morning Light
Mandarin Man
This Stillness
Into The Green
The Great Wheel

Customer Reviews:

Good track, not life changing........2004-07-26

The CD is OK, very synthetic and not natural sounding at all and is a little too bublegum 'new agey' for my liking. The last track is good and relatively pleasant (although sometimes repetitive), not great, I don't think it's going to change your life as the other reviews seemed to have implied. I had imagined an epic inner journey with natural sounds of drums etc. and that's not what this was about. I would give it 2 1/2 stars if possible, definately not five.

I would not pay full price for this CD.

Favorite peaceful instumental.......2002-06-21

This is one of my favorite albums. Is this the same James Asher who did the other James Asher albums listed under his name? I don't think so.

This work is pure auditory bliss........2002-01-01

I found this album in 1989 through a mail order catalog from the UK and fell in love with it. The title track "The Great Wheel", a 29 minute long epic, can evoke emotions of joy and ectasy that you never thought were possible. The sense of peace this albumn evokes is such that I had a terminally ill family member who would listen to this one song repeatedly while in hospital. This work is that powerful! Have some tissues nearby when you listen the first time! If you only own one CD this is the one to buy!

THE ULTIMATE IN NEW AGE MUSIC........1998-07-17

I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY OTHER PIECE OF NEW AGE MUSIC THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF THE GREAT WHEEL. I HAVE THE CASSETTE AND MUST HAVE THE CD. THE OTHER RECORDINGS ON THIS CD ARE ABSOLUTE CRAP, BUT THE GREAT WHEEL MAKES UP FOR THEM. SET THE CD PLAYER ON REPEAT AND LISTEN FOR HOURS. YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO A HIGHER PLANE.

The most glorious music I have ever heard!.......1998-07-17

I bought a CD of "The Great Wheel" five years ago, not knowing who James Asher was or ever hearing his music. The 28-minute title song, The Great Wheel, is so hauntingly beautiful that it still makes me cry, even after all these years. I listen while having a massage, while sitting in traffic, while meditating.I often open the sun-roof of my car while sitting in the Atlanta traffic and let the music escape into the ethers for all to enjoy! It is very special!!!

Average customer rating:

Oil and Water...
a little too wobbly for me
A replacement for Robert Shaw
The Best Recording by One of our Finest Choral Ensembles
Wonderful Ensemble

Deep River
Adam Reinwald , Alan Dunbar , Kelvin Chan , Timothy Takach , Harry T. (Henry) Burleigh , William Levi Dawson , Jester Hairston , John W. II Work , Albert Jordan , Brad Erbes , Brian Arreola , Michael Hanawalt , Peter Zvanovec , and Cantus Male Ensemble
Manufacturer: Cantus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Let Your Voice Be Heard
...Against the Dying of the Light
The Spirituals Of William L. Dawson (#2159)
Comfort and Joy: Volume One
Comfort & Joy: Volume Two

ASIN: B0000V8G1O
Release Date: 2003-10-01

Tracks:

Ezekiel Saw the Wheel: Harry T. Burleigh
Heaven, Heaven: Harry T. Burleigh
Poor Man Lazrus: Jester Hairston
King Jesus Is A-Listening: William Dawson
In His Care-O: William Dawson
This Ol' Hammer: John W. Work III
Great God A'mighty: Jester Hairston
Were You There?: Harry T. Burleigh
There is a Balm in Gilead: William Dawson
Deep River: Harry T. Burleigh
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: William Dawson
My Lord, What a Morning: Harry T. Burleigh
Steal Away: William Dawson
Soon ah-Will Be Done: William Dawson
Ain't a That Good News: William Dawson
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit: William Dawson
In That Great Getting' Up Morning: Jester Hairston

Album Description

Cantus proudly announces the release of "Deep River," a treasury of African-American Spirituals. The Spiritual represents the musical melting pot of America like no other type of song by at once revealing its African roots while reflecting the American experience with music that speaks of both hardship and hope. The album features some of the most beloved American folk songs such as "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel", "Were You There", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Soon-ah Will Be Done." "Deep River" also delves into the roots of American roots music by exclusively featuring music by the preeminent first and second generation African-American composers - Harry T. Burleigh, William Dawson, John W. Work and Jester Hairston - in both well known and long forgotten arrangements of these immortal songs. Recorded by Stereophile Magazine editor John Atkinson in 24 bit sound, "Deep River" is a treat for the ears and a balm for the soul.

Customer Reviews:

Oil and Water..........2005-10-05

Don't Get me wrong... Cantus is one of the finest male chamber choirs around right now. They do marvelous work and cover a wide variety. Unfortunately, spirituals are not exactly Cantus's strongest suit. The biggest hindrance to this recording is that Cantus does not effectively capture the "spirit" of a spiritual. The music almost sounds funny because the spirituals are sung with very traditional, very trained classical voices. I love hearing people sing who were trained very meticulously to sing well, but I don't want to hear someone sing "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel" like Pavoratti. It sounds really funny and doen't capture the character of the music.
Another issue that I have with this recording (and most of Cantus's other recordings at that) is that it was recorded so softly. I don't like to have to feel like I am cranking my speakers to hear the music effectively. Being an active listener, I like to listen to music loud just because I can hear more layers when its loud. The low recording volume on the CD really hinders the active listening experience, leaving the CD to lend itself to the purpose of background music and passive listening.
Also, the first 5 arrangements on the disc are fairly bland. They are lack variety and musicality. Only until "Great God Almighty" comes around does the listener truly become exposed to really good choral writing. Other standing out arrangements are "Where You There?" which is absolutely moving, "There Is A Balm In Gilead" which is very well written, "Deep River" which is so tranquil and relaxing, and "Soon Ah Will Be Done" and "In His Care-O" are great bouncy arrangements.
Essentially, Cantus and Spirituals are just oil and water: they don't mix so well. Aside from a hand full of bland arrangements and a very low mixing job the CD only has one real hindrance of a problem: Cantus doesn't make the distinction between Spirituals and Brahms.

a little too wobbly for me.......2005-03-03

I am familiar with this group and their origins with the world famous St. Olaf Choir of Northfield, MN. While the singers are obviously talented, I felt like I was listening to 11 "solo" singers, rather than a tight ensemble. Way too much individual vibrato even considering the free-flowing genre of the music. I don't want them to be as "tight" as San Francisco's "Chanticleer", but holy smoke, there has got to be something in the middle. Maybe an association with Dale Warland would help, because they obviously have great potential.

A replacement for Robert Shaw.......2004-12-03

Many years ago I had a vinyl record by the Robert Shaw Chorale the title of which was "Deep River." I've been waiting for it to be reissued on cd and have purchased many recordings of negro spirituals on cd hoping to find one where the performance could be compared favorably with the Robert Shaw recording. All of the tries were busts until I found this one. Wow!!! This is a super recoridng of those spirituals. The only thing it lacks is the female voices but thi group of males needs to make no apologies. I love this cd.

The Best Recording by One of our Finest Choral Ensembles.......2004-10-24

"Take this Hammer,' "Steal Away," and "My Lord What a Morning" are just three of the acappella treasures recorded in a warm, natural accoustic by these nine superb singers from Minnesota. The arrangements they've chosen are as complex and moving as their source lyrics and melodies, and the the 24-bit recording by John Atkinson is as good as you get.

It's not easy to make spirituals sound fresh, dynamic and viscerally affecting. But that's exactly what Cantus has done. This is choral singing of the highest order recorded by a master of recorded sound.

I do hope Cantus continues to record on this or another independent label. A big music conglomerate would just glitz it up.

These young men have accomplished so many splendid things on their own over the past nine years, and this release is their best by far.

Wonderful Ensemble.......2004-04-15

I bought "let Your Voice Be Heard" some time ago and really loved the interpretations, the virtuosity of the singing and the clarity of the recording. I'm a Stereophile subscriber and read the articles by Atkinson regarding the recording sessions - they take great care to do a good job and it shows.

This CD is compelling, if you like choral music you will love this disc. Listen to it a few times and you will go away singing.

Tracks:

Sonata No. 5 in a Major: The Spinning Wheel
Quartet in D Major: Night Song (Adagio)
G Major Sonata: Lively Dance
Work(s): Unspecified Sonata in F Major Arr. For 2 Flutes & ...
Sonata No. 5 in E Minor: Romantic Air
Concerto in D Major for Two Flutes and Strings
Concerto in D Major for Two Flutes and Strings
Concerto in D Major for Two Flutes and Strings

Customer Reviews:

Classical smooth jazz fusion?.......2004-09-19

Alexander Zonjic cannot be beaten when it comes to smooth jazz on the flute, where he is to the flute what Pete Fountain is to the clarinet. Mr. Zonjic used to play in the evenings at a restaurant near me (Murdock's), and we usually ate early, compared to when the music started. The result: on several occasion, we were treated to hearing Alexander Zonjic rehearse many different pieces, including most of those listed here. Good food and great music for no extra price! These classical titles are brought to life, and given a slightly different flavor, by this flautist, who knows exactly what he is trying to achieve, and achieves it well.

Average customer rating:

Beecham in best sound from 1947-49
Beecham Favorites in Astonishingly Good Sound.
The 'Inimitable Sir Thomas'- in great transfers!

Beecham: The RPO Legacy Vol.5

Manufacturer: Dutton Laboratories
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004S7QS
Release Date: 2000-06-13

Customer Reviews:

Beecham in best sound from 1947-49.......2006-03-16

Although the last item on CD 2 of this two-fer dates from 1951, the rest is from a very brief span (1947-49), and as the other reviewers say, it's all in amazingly good sound. Masters from the 78 era have surprising dynamic range and depth; bringing out their full potential requires good surviving sources and expert digital remastering. Dutton is fortunate to supply both here; in fact, these recordings consistently sound as good as Fifties mono.

I am not very sympathetic to Beecham's favored repertoire of light classics doled out in five-minute snippets. There are only a smattering of those here, and these generously filled CDs (75 min. and 76 min. respectively) have room for longer major works. For me the highlights begin with a sparkling Mendelssohn Fair Melusina Over., one of Beecham[s favorites, and a forceful and dramatic Golden Spinning Wheel, one of Dvorak's great late tone poems. This Berlioz King Lear Over. surpasses his live version on BBC Legends, both in sound and performance.

Then therre is his Haydn, one of this conductor's best composers. Although he recorded Haydn symphonies throughout his four-decade career, these readings bring together good sound and best performance. Sym. #40 was a rarity in the 78 era, not that it is common today, and Beecham's reading couldn't be more vivacious and alert. No fear of ponderous slow movements and plodding minuets here. Sym. #102 is much more familiar, of course, but Beecham doesn't seem as excited by it (he frequently appears bored in overly familiar music), so I'd call this second-best, good as it is.

Everything is played by the Royal Phil., newly founded by Beecham in 1947, which was to be his chief vehicle until his death. He recorded with them for little more than a decade, and it's astonishing to think that those years began with 78s and ended with stereo LPs. To be frank, Beecham recorded too many pieces and was over-praised for them, but Dutton has put together a collection that frequently shows Beecham off at his very best or close to it.

Beecham Favorites in Astonishingly Good Sound........2001-01-27

Older collectors will be drawn to this splendid Dutton release because it contains many Beecham recordings appearing for the first time on CD. Younger collectors need not hesitate. Familiar and unfamiliar works can be enjoyed here in astonishingly good sound.

Beecham was never far from insisting that music, first and foremost, had to sound good. He took enormous pains, when recording it, to ensure that the listener heard everything it contained to best advantage. The result sometimes seemed "over spiced", according to his contemporary Sir Adrian Boult. You will certainly savour everything done at the harp in Liszt's "Orpheus", and relish everything done in the percussion department at the beginning of "The Golden Spinning Wheel".

Beecham had loved and lavished care on many of these works for more than forty years when these recordings were made. He was a champion of Haydn symphonies, presenting them in the right spirit rather than the right letter. Listening to the 3rd movement of No 40, with Dennis Brain leading the horn players, you forget that Beecham prepared and conducted Haydn symphonies from old corrupted editions.

A curiosity is the Paisiello overture. You might think that a harmonic structure based almost entirely on only three chords would hold no interest for the listener. Beecham makes it seem enchanting - for six and a half minutes.

Lyndon Jenkins, with access to records of Beecham's concert and recording schedules, provides lively and informative program notes. I was delighted to order and receive this CD recently. [....]

The 'Inimitable Sir Thomas'- in great transfers!.......2000-09-09

When he was captivated by the music he performed, he conveyed that passion with astonishing clarity and elegance-and the music was frequently light or incidental!

The main works on the discs, Haydn Syms, 40 & 102, and the Dvorak Golden Spinning Wheel receive incomparably vibrant performances- The Dvorak ( in spite of a few cuts) is as sensitive as either the Talich or Kubelik performances, and also conveys tremendous enthusiasm from the orchestra. The sound on this piece is really spectacular for its time. The Haydn 102 is 'stately' and elegant, but what crispness of texture & articulation!

The Saint Saens was re-recorded with the RPO in 1957. The later performance is also sparkling and sounds much better. But the earlier one- almost one minute faster- exquisitely conveys the perpetual spinning wheel depicted in the work. It is this thread of sound, articulation, and texture that stays in mind after hearing these discs, and which made Beecham an especially successful recording conductor.

Tracks:

Ezekiel Saw de Wheel - Lawrence Brown, , Ann Sears
That Welcome Day - Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears
Night - Greg Brown, , Ann Sears
Sleep, Li'l Chile, Go Sleep! - Lawrence Brown, , Ann Sears
I'm A-Trav'ling to the Grave - Lawrence Brown, , Ann Sears
Sister Mary Had-A But One Child - Lawrence Brown, , Ann Sears
Po' Mo'ner Got a Home at Las' - Lawrence Brown, Hall Johnson, Ann Sears
Ride on, King Jesus - Lawrence Brown, , Ann Sears
Explanation - Lawrence Brown, Will Marion Cook, Ann Sears
Wid de Moon, Moon, Moon - Lawrence Brown, Will Marion Cook, Ann Sears
Whar Shill We Go When de Great Day Comes? - John Willie Boone, Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears
By the Pool of the Third Rosses - Lawrence Brown, , Ann Sears
Soliloquy - Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears, John Work,
Breath of a Rose - Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears, William Grant Still
Three Dream Portraits: Minstrel Man - Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears
Three Dream Portraits: Dream Variation - Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears
Three Dream Portraits: I, Too - Lawrence Brown, Ann Sears
Fi-Yer! (Fire!) - Lawrence Brown, Hall Johnson, Ann Sears