All I "$%*@*#" Know

1. Singers

2. Put Your Mouth on Me

3. Doo-Doo/Christmas Gifts

4. Buckwheat

5. TV

6. With All I Know

7. Politics, Racism

8. Ice Cream Man/Shoe Throwin' Mothers

9. Boogie in Your Butt

10. Till the Money's Gone

All I "$%*@*#" Know,Eddie Murphy,Sony,Comedy,Dance-Pop,Sketch Comedy,Soul,Standup Comedy

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Average customer rating: Mamma Mia Mamma Mia Musical CD JUST GREAT MUSIC Mamma Mia Not good at all

Mamma Mia! The Musical Based on the Songs of ABBA: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1999 London Cast) Benny Andersson , Julian Poole , Jenny Galloway , Nicolas Colicos , Paul Clarkson , Bjorn Ulvaeus , Lisa Stokke , Eliza Lumley , Melissa Gibson , Siobhan McCarthy , Louise Plowright , Jenny Galloway , Bjorn Ulvaeus , and Stig Anderson Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Swedish Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: ABBA - Gold: Greatest Hits Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast) Movin' Out (Based on the Songs and Music of Billy Joel) (2002 Original Broadway Cast) Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast) Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000031WEN Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

1. Overture/Prologue
2. Honey, Honey
3. Money, Money, Money
4. Thank You For The Music
5. Mamma Mia
6. Chiquitita
7. Dancing Queen
8. Lay All Your Love On Me
9. Super Trouper
10. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
11. The Name Of The Game
12. Voulez-Vous
13. Entr'acte
14. Under Attack
15. One Of Us
16. S.O.S.
17. Does Your Mother Know
18. Knowing Me, Knowing You
19. Our Last Summer
20. Slipping Through My Fingers
21. The Winner Takes It All
22. Take A Chance On Me
23. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
24. I Have A Dream

Amazon.com

Put together by Abba's own Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia! manages to cram over 20 of the Swedish supergroup's songs into a threadbare plot. It goes a little like this: Young Sophie is getting married and she's trying to identify which of three men is her father. That's about it. Wisely, the musical doesn't mess around with the songs, save for the insertion of some dialogue or for having some of them performed by a man (it works amazingly well). Abba fans will jump on this import of the London production, but traditional fans of musical theater should consider it as well. After all, Andersson and Ulvaeus's songs have always felt as if they were more than isolated pop gems and actually belonged to a longer narrative. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Mamma Mia.......2007-03-22

I have not stopped playing this cd. It is just great! It makes any trip in my car most enjoyable Happy I bought it!

Mamma Mia Musical CD.......2007-03-21

This is a grand list of songs from the original musical when it was first introduced in England. The songs from ABBA are very recognizable even if you haven't seen the show. But, making a trip to NY to see the Broadway production is a plus. ENJOY!

JUST GREAT MUSIC.......2007-03-08

I RECENTLY SAW THE SHOW MAMMA MIA IN LAS VEGAS. ALWAYS LIKES THE MUSIC OF ABBA, AND THOUGH THE PLOT WAS THIN, THE MUSIC WAS WELL PERFORMED. IN THIS PARTICULAR ALBUM, THE ENGLISH ACCENTS WERE A BIT MUCH, BUT THE SONGS WERE GREAT. ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, ABBA.

Mamma Mia.......2007-01-29

Every time I hear the music and songs it brings back memories of seeing the Broadway Show

Not good at all.......2007-01-09

This is not what we wanted. The British accents throw it was off. We just saw it in NY and this is not what we were looking for.

Average customer rating: Never Disappointed A Romantic CD to Listen With a Loved One... Getting In The Mood just sit back and enjoy As good as ever

I'm in the Mood For Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time Kenny G Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Kenny G At the Movies At Last...The Duets Album The Greatest Holiday Classics The Romance Of Kenny G ASIN: B000IOM1QY Release Date: 2006-11-14

Tracks:

1. You're Beautiful
2. The Way We Were
3. Yesterday
4. I'm In The Mood For Love
5. If
6. The Way You Look Tonight
7. If I Ain't Got You
8. Love Theme From "Romeo & Juliet"
9. It Had To Be You
10. The Shadow Of Your Smile
11. Fly Me To The Moon / You Make Me Feel So Young
12. As Time Goes By
13. You Raise Me Up

Amazon.com

I'm in the Mood for Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time is Kenny G's twist on the trend that's found artists, from Rod Stewart to Gladys Knight to Barry Manilow, repurposing classics for modern consumption. Or is it? A scan of the track selection is as likely to get listeners wondering whether he's covered these songs before as it is to drum up curiosity about how they'll sound spiraling out of his signature sax. For instance: silky as "The Way We Were," the Barbra Streisand chestnut, comes across, it stirs a sense of déjà vu as much as wonderment; as does the Sinatra medley "Fly Me to the Moon/You Make Me Feel So Young." Such familiarity is without doubt the product of impeccable taste and a seasoned ear--somebody, whether it's Kenny G or a behind-the-scenes studio type, knows what works for the curly-topped jazzman and what's better left un-saxed. Still, such scrutiny can make for a disc that's aurally matchy-match; a stab at an out-there number--Etta James' "At Last" or U2's "With or Without You"--might have worked, too. That said, hats off to the G-man for pronouncing a couple of recent hits among the most romantic of all time: Alicia Keys "If I Ain't Got You" deserves it especially, and is mesmerizing here. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Never Disappointed.......2007-07-27

I have always enjoyed the artistry of Kenny G. This album is no exception.

A Romantic CD to Listen With a Loved One..........2007-05-29

For me, Kenny G's albums are a hit or miss. This is a hit. Here we got 13 songs, ranging from standards to torch songs. Kenny G also plays tenor saxophone a bit more than his previous recordings.

Highlights include "You're Beautiful", "Yesterday", "I'm in the Mood for Love", The Way You Look Tonight, & an interesting version of Alicia Keys's "If I Aint Got You" (however alto saxman Eric Darius's version is better).

The surprise tracks however is "The Shadow of Your Smile" & "Fly Me to the Moon/You Make Me Feel So Young". The former has a bossa nova favor to it while the latter is done behind a big band.

This album will not appear to everyone; most purists & anti-Kenny G people won't touch this with a 39 1/2 foot pole. For the rest of us, this is great for those nights with that special someone.

Getting In The Mood.......2007-05-29

Everyone gets in the mood for love every now and then.So when that mood hits you it"s so nice to have Kenny G"s "I"m In The Mood For Love" comming to your rescue.Along with that someone special in your life.Compiling a list of great romantic melodies is no easy task.With so many great romantic melodies to choose from.But Kenny G does manage to put together a good list of songs.Kenny G mixes some old songs in with some not so old songs.And the end result is a wonderful melody of sound.All design to get and keep you in that special mood for love.Now all these songs have been recorded before.But on this album Keeny G gives us his very own romantic interpertations of classics like "I"m In The Mood For Love","If" and "The Way We Were".The album gets off to a good start with James Blunt "You"re Beautiful" very nicey done by Mr G.And he takes it soft and easy on the songs "Yesterday" and "The Shadow Of Your Smile".He picks it up a bit on the songs "Fly Me To The Moon" and "You Make Me Feel So Young".These two songs bring back memories of Frank Sinatra.And the song I like the most on the album "The Way You Look Tonight" I think this song as a great feeling to it.I ready like this album but like so many other Kenny G fans.I can"t wait until he does his next album of original music.But until then just sit back with a cool glass of wine and enjoy this music by yourself or with someone you love.

just sit back and enjoy.......2007-05-26

This latest cd by Kenny G is one that will make you just sit back and enjoy. That special someone and a glass of wine helps to add to the mood that is set when listening to this cd. This cd might just bring back some of those special memories. Can't go wrong with this one. True romantics will love this cd.

As good as ever.......2007-02-11

If you have always liked Kenny G's music, you will like this album. He has taken a long break from new studio recordings, but this album proves he hasn't ignored his instrument during his hiatus! Everyone is doing standards these days, and they lend themselves well to Kenny G's style. Recommended!

Average customer rating: Okalahoma MacRae and Jones head a superb and O.K. adaptation Broadway in a movie setting at it's very best! Wonderful Beauiful

Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack) Jay Blackton , Charlotte Greenwood , Shirley Jones , Gene Nelson , Gloria Grahame , Rod Steiger , James Whitmore , and Gordon MacRae Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack) The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack) Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack) The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack) My Fair Lady (1964 Film Soundtrack) ASIN: B00005A7XB Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

1. Overture - Rodgers & Hammerstein
2. Main Title - Rodgers & Hammerstein
3. Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - Gordon MacRae
4. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top - Gordon MacRae/Shirley Jones/Charlotte Greenwood
5. Kansas City - Gene Nelson/Charlotte Greenwood/Men's Chorus
6. Kansas City Ballet - Rodgers & Hammerstein
7. I Cain't Say No - Gloria Grahame
8. Many A New Day - Shirley Jones/Girls' Chorus
9. Many A New Day Ballet - Rodgers & Hammerstein
10. People Will Say We're In Love - Gordon McaRae/Shirley Jones
11. Pore Jud Is Daid - Gordon MacRae/Rod Steiger
12. Out Of My Dreams - Shirley Jones/Girls' Chorus
13. Out Of My Dreams Ballet - Rodgers & Hammerstein
14. Entr' Acte - Rodgers & Hammerstein
15. The Farmer And The Cowman - Gordon MacRae/Charlotte Greenwood/Gene Nelson/J.C. Flippen/James Whitmore/Gloria Grahame...
16. The Farmer And The Cowman Ballet - Rodgers & Hammerstein
17. All Er Nuthin' - Gloria Grahame/Gene Nelson
18. All Er Nuthin' Ballet - Rodgers & Hammerstein
19. People Will Say We're In Love - Gordon MacRae/Shirley Jones
20. Oklahoma - Gordon MacRae/Shirley Jones/Charlotte Greenwood/Gloria Grahame/Gene Nelson/Rod Steiger...
21. Finale: Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' - Gordon MacRae/Shirley Jones/Charlotte Greenwood/Gloria Grahame/Gene Nelson/Rod Steiger...
22. Overture (LP Version) - Rodgers & Hammerstein

Customer Reviews:

Okalahoma.......2007-07-17

Very good quality reproduction, and enjoyable to listen to the full length movie soundtrack again.

MacRae and Jones head a superb and O.K. adaptation.......2007-03-16

The film adaptation of Oklahoma heralded a technological breakthrough in widescreen cinema just as the original stage musical ushered in the integrated book musical. As such this film adaptation was treated as a special occasion, well-supervised by the creators themselves. The soundtrack, featured here, boasts sterling performances from MacRae and Jones making the most of their portrayals of Curly and Laurey, backed by a charismatic cast and superb orchestrations. And of course let's not forget the enveloping stereo sound that holds up well even today.

Despite being a Hollywood star, Gordon MacRae performs the part of Curly as if he was born to play it even on the stage. He shines vocally in his renditions of Oh, what a Beautiful Mornin' and Surrey with the Fringe on Top. He is well-partnered by Shirley Jones as a fresh and pert Laurey, lending her beautiful voice to the part. Although we don't hear much of her on this soundtrack, her partnering MacRae in People Will Say We're in Love exudes a masterful chemistry, as if they were setting sparks off at each other in their rendition of the song. Gene Nelson makes a dashing Will Parker and is equally well-matched by Gloria Grahame as Ado Annie. Grahame renders I Cain't Say No splendidly and partners Nelson in All er Nothin'. The supporting cast is filled out by Charlotte Greenwood's suitably caustic Aunt Eller and Rod Steiger's Jud. It's a pity that the film cut the song Lonely Room, otherwise Steiger would have better demonstrated the dark hues of the character of Jud. Yet it all adds up to a wonderful renditionh of this classic musical, enough to elicit a spontaneous YEOW! during this year of the Oklahoma centenary.

This EMI-Angel reissue offers one the advantage of the dance music and the main titles. This means that the listener gets the Kansas City and Farmer and the Cowman dance sequences, as well as the extended Dream Ballet. The only downside is the extraneous sound effects lifted from a DVD copy of the movie. Yes I share many of your sentiments that these sound effects tend to grate, and long for Didier Deutsch to have used the original untainted studio vault versions. However, let's at least be thankful that the CD producers have offered us a more comprehensive version of the Oklahoma soundtrack that we could only have dreamt of in the past.

In short, this is a wonderful and valuable addition to the R&H discography, and is an equally celebrated rendition of the score like the original Broadway cast recording. Warmly recommended to those who seek even their first version of Oklahoma.

Broadway in a movie setting at it's very best!.......2007-03-06

I have the original Broadway version, but prefer this movie selection.
The CD is flawless and, in my opinion, there's nothing better than a Rodgers
and Hammerstein musical for music, lyrics and pure joy! This is the best!

Wonderful.......2007-01-30

A great way to introduce oneself to the world of the nearly extinct Hollywood musical.

Beauiful.......2006-06-05

A true musical theater classic. Wonderful melodies that will last for years to come.
Other classics not to forget about are:
Mary Poppins
My Fair Lady
The Wizard of Oz
Chitty Chitty Bang Band
The first Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Sound of Music
Oliver
West Side Story
Fiddler on the Roof
Singing in the Rain
The Wiz
Little Mermaid
Aladdin
Beauty and the Beast
Grease
The King and I
Oklahoma
The Music Man
South Pacific

My Voice Students are always asking me for recommendations so I though I'd post it for all! We can't forget about these great musicals!

Average customer rating: Music of the Night???????? Great short version! A long time favorite The Best Recording of this Show Available Great CD

Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast) Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Brightman, Sarah | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast) The Phantom of the Opera (Two-Disc Special Edition) The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast) ASIN: B000001FLQ Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Think Of Me
3. Angel Of Music
4. The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
5. The Phantom Of The Opera
6. The Music Of The Night
7. Prima Donna
8. All I Ask Of You/Reprise
9. Entr'acte
10. Masquerade
11. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
12. The Point Of No Return
13. Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer

Amazon.com

Highlight versions of cast recordings are by definition a compromise, and this reduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera is no exception. Weighing in at 59 minutes, it's over 40 minutes shorter than the two-disc version, excising many musical scenes that convey the flow and impact of the show (which include, admittedly, a lot of patter and screaming). On the other hand, all the hits are here--"Think of Me," "Angel of Music," the title tune, "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Masquerade," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still on hand to make their distinctive contributions to the original London cast. So if you're looking for a convenient, inexpensive single disc that will let you enjoy Lloyd Webber's scrumptious melodies without having to immerse yourself in the action, this just might be for you. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Music of the Night????????.......2007-02-28

I really liked the idea of a highlights cd; however, The Music of the Night is not the same one that is on the original two-disc cd. The words aren't even the same. If you enjoy Music of the Night, skip this cd. Otherwise, this cd would be 5 stars.

Great short version!.......2006-12-06

If you only want to hear the songs from this musical, this one is for you. But if you want the full version, get the 4-disc version. I listen to this version in my car when I'm on the road, but I listen to the 4-disc version at home. Both versions are worth the purchase.

A long time favorite.......2006-08-26

This is one of my most treasured CDs. The voices of the cast are incredible! "Think of Me" and "All I Ask of You" are 2 of my favorites. If you enjoy the story behind Phantom, yu will like this soundtrack.

The Best Recording of this Show Available.......2006-04-21

I think that this is the best PHANTOM soundtrack out there:

1)It has the original Broadway cast, the best.
2)It cuts out the more risqu? parts of the show (believe me, there are some), making it "appropriate for the whole family."
3)The entire CD is on one disc, so you can go through the show w/o switching discs.
4)The only song that the movie soundtrack has on it that this doesn't is "Learn to Be Lonely," which appears in the credits, and isn't really a great song anyways.

Great CD.......2006-03-14

I bought this CD as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. We had misplaced the one that we had and needed a new one. This is one of our favorite cd's. Such beautiful music.

Average customer rating: Check out Other Versions. Don't be swayed by Others' Reviews. beautiful music for a haunting story..... Man of LaMancha As Good As Ever Don Quixote Magnificent voices

Man of La Mancha: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Album (Original 1965 Broadway Cast) Mitch Leigh , Joe Darion , Richard Kiley , and Joan Diener Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast) Man of La Mancha Fiddler on the Roof (1964 Original Broadway Cast) My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) The Music Man (1957 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B00005A8KE Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Man Of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)
3. It's All The Same
4. Dulcinea
5. I'm Only Thinking Of Him
6. I Really Like Him - Joan Diener
7. What Do You Want of Me - Joan Diener
8. Little Bird, Little Bird
9. Barber's Song/Golden Helmet
10. To Each His Dulcinea (To Every Man His Dulcinea)
11. The Impossible Dream
12. The Combat (Previously Unreleased Reissue Track)
13. Dubbing (Knight of the Woeful Countenance) - Joan Diener
14. The Abduction
15. Aldonza - Joan Diener
16. A Little Gossip
17. Dulcinea (Reprise) /The Impossible Dream (Reprise) /Man of Mancha (Repr - Joan Diener
18. Finale (The Impossible Dream) - Joan Diener

Amazon.com

Man of La Mancha, the show that introduced "The Impossible Dream" to the world (and lounge singers everywhere), was the hit of the 1965 Broadway season. Richard Kiley is magnificent in his career-defining performance as the deluded wannabe knight Don Quixote. His leading lad Joan Diener sings the role of the kitchen wench Aldonza with just the right balance of dignity and vulgarity. Irving Jacobson turns in a fine comic performance as the Don's faithful squire, Sancho Panza. The score, with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, was revolutionary in its time. The orchestra had no violins--just brass, woodwinds, percussion, and flamenco guitars. Man of La Mancha is one of Broadway's most inspiring musicals and it well deserves its high reputation. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Check out Other Versions. Don't be swayed by Others' Reviews........2007-06-09

I've never seen this show on stage and my first exposure to the music was the Sony CD Man of La Mancha featuring Placido Domingo, Pandy Patankin, and Julia Migenes-Johnson. Despite lackluster reviews of the disk, I enjoy it, and when I saw this version at a second hand book/music store, I decided check it out too. My initial impression was that the Sony version was the better disk but decided to compare both versions by setting up a playlist in Media Player, playing tracks from both version back-to-back.

After that test, I have to agree with the reviews here that Richard Kiley is the superior Don Quixote. Domingo's voice is, of course wonderful, but Kiley acts the role better on the CD and Domingo's accent is a major distraction.

In the role of Aldonza - no contest. Julia Mingenes-Johnson's singing and performance on the Sony version is far superior to Joan Diener's. I didn't have to hear the tracks back-to-back to realize that. Ms. Diener's performance just grated on my ears from the beginning.

Bucking the crowd, I prefer Mandy Patankin's Sancho (Sony version) to Irving Jacobson's. I may be biased, having had more exposure to the Sony version, but Patankin seemed to be trying to inject a bit more feeling into the character. Jacobson, singing in an annoying, scratchy voice, came across almost like a cartoon trying to fit in among live characters. It seems like most people either like Patankin or hate him. Guess I'm one of the former.

The Orchestration does seem brighter/clearer in this version compared to the Sony version, but, in general, the tempo on most tracks seems slower than the same tracks on the Sony version. I preferred the up-tempo, Sony versions of "The Barber Song", "Little Bird, Little Bird", "The Dubbing" and "A Little Gossip".

In Summary: For Kiley's Don Quixote, you'll probably want this version, but for tracks featuring Aldonza (and maybe Sancho) you'll want to check out the Sony version. Since I have both disks, I will probably come up with a mix of my favorite tracks, in general, favoring the Sony disk but substituting the tracks that feature Richard Kiley's Don Quixote where I can.

beautiful music for a haunting story............2007-06-07

I remember reading excerpts from Cervantes' DON QUIXOTE, as a Spanish student, way back in junior high school. The saga of the madman fighting windmills and pursuing his illusions [and delusions] was very sad, but very romantic at the same time. When the musical adaptation, MAN OF LA MANCHA, was brought to the stage in 1965, Richard Kiley (as the title character, Don Quixote) absolutely transfixed the audience with his sensitively heartfelt portrayal of the tragic madman. The plight of Don Quixote, who travels on horseback, with his faithful companion, Sancho Panza (Irving Jacobson), and absolutely lovestruck by kitched wench Aldonza (Joan Denier), is alternately pathetic and profound. Perhaps one of the best known (and most remade) songs in the repertoire from LA MANCHA, is "The Impossible Dream." Richard Kiley really make it his own, here, and after you hear his version, it's hard to listen to others' versions of it. It's just not the same. Though, this story is anything but joyful, the music will glide through your ears and carry you on a surrealistic journey through attempted triumph and (ultimately) tragedy.

Man of LaMancha As Good As Ever.......2007-05-07

Very pleased with ourchase of this item. Quality is great as was the price. Delivery was timely. Easy transaction! A++++++++

Don Quixote.......2006-09-14

Back in High School my band leader, Mr. DeYoung, decided (agianst much opposition from those of us in the band let me tell you) to have us perform select pieces from this musical

I hated the idea. But when we began to play, he even had us watch the musical, I fell in love with the melody. The many songs of a man who believes the best in the world. YOu find that in Dulcinea, The Impossible Dream, etc.

From one maginificently rendered song to another, you can be lost in its melodic elegance.

My favorite song is the initial rendition of 'Little Bird, Little Bird'. It's a soft song, sung as a love ballad. In the musical you discover it's being sung to a local whore by a bunch of randy men. Despite that, I still like it.

This along with others are among the great works of the stage!

Magnificent voices.......2006-07-05

Voices and music make a revival of this beautiful play. Full of passion.

Average customer rating: The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection Andrew Lloyd Webber The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection The Best You'll See from Sarah The Angel of Music

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Brightman, Sarah | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection, Vol. 2 Sarah Brightman Classics Time to Say Goodbye La Luna Harem ASIN: B00000I0XW Release Date: 1999-06-01

Tracks:

1. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera
2. Song & Dance: Unexpected Song
3. Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'enfance
4. The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You
5. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina
6. Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall
7. Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything
8. Friends For Life
9. Cats: Memory
10. Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat
11. Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely
12. Cats: Macavity: The Mystery Cat
13. Tell Me On A Sunday/Song & Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday
14. The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
15. Requiem: Pie Jesu
16. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night

Amazon.com essential recording

Sarah Brightman's career was launched by her success in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, so it's no surprise to hear the soprano paying homage to the composer on this disc. Really a Brightman best-of, the album includes the Phantom theme (a duet with Michael Crawford), the light-opera fare of "Chanson D'enfance" from Aspects of Love, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita, and numerous other Lloyd Webber classics. Throughout, Brightman's diminutive voice lends a fragility to these musical theater tunes that you'll either love or despise. On Evita's "Another Suitcase, Another Hall" and Cats' "Memory," she literally chirps through the vocal lines. No matter. The growing legion of Brightman fans wouldn't have it any other way. --Jason Verlinde

Album Details

Another Compilation of Stage Favourites - Some Tracks Are Hard to Find Elsewhere.

Customer Reviews:

The Andrew Lloyd Weber Collection.......2007-05-12

Sarah Brightman sings in good form classic songs and does a great job!!

Andrew Lloyd Webber .......2007-02-12

Excellent Broadway music--a true master. Sing along or just listen. First heard her on PBS.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection.......2007-01-05

Sarah Brightman has always been a favorite of mine, and this CD is outstanding. The duet with Jose Carreras (Friends for Life) is especially good--worth buying the CD for that song alone.

The Best You'll See from Sarah.......2006-09-09

This CD is - wow! I have so much to say about it and so little time! This album features three pieces from "The Phantom of the Opera" - Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, The Music of the Night, and The Phantom of the Opera theme. They're all beautiful. The second piece on the album is "Unexpected Song". It has beautiful octaves and orchastrations. Chanson d'Efance is an amazing French piece with vibrato - and then some. I forgot to mention that there is another piece from The Phantom of the Opera - All I Ask of You - except that the song is not sung by the original cast from the musical. The next few pieces are fairly decent, until you get to Memory from Cats. WOW - is it spectacular! Then we get to two other pieces from Cats - Gus: The Theater Cat and Macavity: The Mystery Cat. Gus is a song that just tells about a cat and his history. A man speaks the lines that Gus would say in the actual musical - and it makes the song interesting. Macavity is AWESOME! I know that I said that I didn't prefer this song for Brightman on her album "Surrender". I finally listened to it more carefully, and found that it's really interesting to listen to! My favorite song on the whole entire album - however - has to be "Tell Me on a Sunday". Beautiful lyrics, orchestrations, and overall spectacular voice talent ties the whole song together. Pie Jesu is a fairly nice piece from both Brightman and Paul Miles-Kingston - the 16 year old boy soprano. His voice is pure and straight with minimal vibrato. However, Brightman's voice shows a little bit TOO much vibrato! Overally, it's a good piece from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requium. THIS CD IS AMAZING! If you love Sarah from the Phantom of the Opera, then this collection of Lloyd Webber's work is just for you.

I also recommend Charlotte Church - (in her earlier career) - including Voice of an Angel and her self-titled album. I also recommend Love Changes Everything - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection Vol.2 - just another grouping of Webber's classics. I also recommend Andrea Boucelli - he's awesome!

The Angel of Music.......2006-03-13

This is the third copy of this I've purchased. I wear them out listening to them. Awesome, Awesome music. Sarah's range and depth is so powerful!

Average customer rating: Excellent!!! good memories for me and fun "new" songs for my children memories TV Theme Songs TV themes

TV Land Presents: Favorite TV Theme Songs Grecco, Cyndi , and Jones, Jack Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Trek | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Purists | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music Similar Items: TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes All-Time Top 100 TV Themes Classic TV Game Show Themes One Hundred Greatest TV Themes Toon Tunes: Funny Bone Favorites ASIN: B00006EXIL Release Date: 2002-08-20

Tracks:

1. I Love Lucy Theme - Wilbur Hatch
2. Dragnet - Ray Anthony
3. The Twilight Zone - Rod Open
4. Bonanza - Al Caiola & His Orchestra
5. The Andy Griffith Theme - Earle Hagen
6. The Ballad Of Jed Clampett - Earl Scruggs
7. The Addams Family (Main Theme) - Vic Mizzy
8. Munsters Theme - Jack Marshall
9. The Ballad Of Gilligan's Isle - Morton Stevens
10. Green Acres - Eddie Albert
11. Jeannie - Hugo Montenegro
12. Batman Theme - Neal Hefti
13. (Theme From) The Monkees - The Monkees
14. Star Trek (Main Title & Closing Theme) - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
15. Mannix - Lalo Schifrin
16. Hawaii Five-O - Mort Stevens & His Orchestra
17. Theme From The Brady Bunch - The Brady Bunch
18. Come On Get Happy - The Partridge Family
19. Those Were The Days - Carroll O'Connor
20. And Then There's Maude - Donny Hathaway
21. Good Times - Jim Gilstrap
22. Movin' On Up - Oren Waters
23. The Rockford Files - Mike Post
24. Them From S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage
25. Happy Days - Pratt & McClain
26. Making Our Dreams Come True - Cyndi Grecco
27. Chico And The Man - Jose Feliciano
28. Welcome Back - John Sebastian
29. What's Happening!! - Henry Mancini
30. Barney Miller - Jack Elliott
31. Charlie's Angels - Jack Elliott
32. Love Boat Theme - Jack Jones
33. Angela (Theme From 'Taxi') - Bob James
34. It Takes Diff'rent Strokes - Gloria Loring
35. Theme From Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys) - Waylon
36. Theme From Magnum, P.I. - Mike Post
37. The Theme From Hill Street Blues - Mike Post
38. Theme From Dynasty - Bill Conti
39. Theme From 'Greatest American Hero' (Believe It Or Not) - Joey Scarbury
40. Thank You For Being A Friend - Cynthia Fee

Album Description

TV Land brings you 40 of your favorite evening show theme songs. Highlights include 'Happy Days', 'The Greatest American Hero', 'Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)', 'Laverne & Shirley', 'I Dream Of Jeanie', 'I Love Lucy', 'Welcome Back, Kotter', 'The Love Boat', 'Hawaii Five-O', 'The Golden Girls' and many, many more. 2002. Rhino.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!!!.......2007-08-02

Excellent transaction. Would not hesitate to buy again from this seller. Product was delivered promptly and as described.

good memories for me and fun "new" songs for my children.......2007-06-27

We had ordered this for "The Dukes of Hazzard" theme song for our 4yr old and our whole family has fallen in love with the cd. It makes me want to share some of the old fun and simple shows with my children. I forgot about some of those shows. It brings back good memories for my husband and me and the songs are new and exciting for our children. It's a nice change from children's cd's, but our children still think it's fun. The sound quality is good and the songs included on the cd are a great mix. I would definately recommend this one.

memories.......2007-02-22

This cd is excellent it has a lot of very good music and true to the original sound, Am getting a lot of enjoyment,highly recomended

TV Theme Songs.......2007-01-13

This is a great CD for people who watch a lot of TV -especially TV LAND and reruns of old shows when shows had actual theme songs. I took the CD to work and everyone loved trying to figure out what show the songs were from.

TV themes.......2006-07-05

Not all what I expected, not all of the tunes are the original recordings you remember as the TV themes.

Average customer rating: AWESOME!! MacRae and Jones soar in this tragic R&H musical Great Music Response to David Pabian's review below Gummed up an Original

Carousel (1956 Film Soundtrack) Shirley Jones , Claramae Turner , Robert Rounseville , Cameron Mitchell , Barbara Ruick , Robert Rounseville , Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , and Gordon MacRae Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Similar Items: Oklahoma! (1955 Film Soundtrack) The King and I (1956 Film Soundtrack) South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack) Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast) The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack) ASIN: B00005A7XD Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

1. Introduction - Gordon MacRae/William Le Massena
2. Main Title: The Carousel Waltz - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
3. You're A Queer One, Julie Jordan - Barbara Ruick/Shirley Jones
4. When I Marry Mr. Snow - Barbara Ruick
5. If I Loved You - Shirley Jones/Gordon MacRae
6. June Is Bustin' Out All Over - Claramae Turner/Barbara Ruick
7. June Is Bustin' Out All Over Ballet - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
8. Soliloquy - Gordon MacRae
9. Blow High, Blow Low - Cameron Mitchell
10. When The Children Are Asleep - Robert Rounseville/Barbara Ruick
11. A Real Nice Clambake - Barbara Ruick/Claramae Turner/Robert Rounseville/Cameron Mitchell
12. Stonecutters Cut In On Stone - Cameron Mitchell
13. What's The Use Of Wond'rin - Shirley Jones
14. You'll Never Walk Alone - Shirley Jones/Claramae Turner
15. Ballet - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman
16. If I Loved You (Reprise) - Gordon MacRae
17. You'll Never Walk Alone (Finale) - Shirley Jones
18. Carousel Waltz (LP Version) - 20th Century-Fox Orchestra/Alfred Newman

Amazon.com

Richard Rodgers always considered Carousel his favorite score, even though it didn't generate the number of popular hits of some of the other shows he produced with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Their adaptation of the Ferenc Molnar play Liliom is marked by three especially sublime moments. "The Carousel Waltz," Rodgers's alternative to the traditional Broadway overture, serves as an orchestral backdrop to the opening scene and is one of the best miniatures ever written for the theater. "If I Loved You," which establishes the romance of carnival barker Billy Bigelow (Gordon MacRae, a late replacement for Frank Sinatra) and nice girl Julie Jordan (Shirley Jones), is a musical minidrama in which the pair's discussion of how they are not in love reveals just how much they are in love. "Soliloquy" is Billy's powerful solo that foreshadows the action to come in Act II. Add the inspirational anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone," and you have Rodgers and Hammerstein's most extraordinary, near-operatic score. On the soundtrack for the 1956 film, MacRae and Jones are in exceptional voice (following their success in 1955's Oklahoma) and the orchestra sounds glorious, but unfortunately some of the numbers were shortened, most notably "If I Loved You." Extensive production notes, an interview with Jones, and a synopsis are included. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME!!.......2007-05-12

LOVE SOUND TRACTS FROM OLD MOVIES - SING ALONGS AND THE BEST ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING AND CAN SING LOUD. IT IS A KEEPER

MacRae and Jones soar in this tragic R&H musical.......2007-02-11

This film adaptation of Carousel came shortly after the Oklahoma! film and reunited Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Although the film was not well-received at the box office, the soundtrack shows MacRae, Jones and the superb cast performing their roles to their heart's content. Their performance helps bring out the pathos in this tragic R&H musical, which Rodgers himself considered his favourite of all his works.

MacRae shines vocally as Billy Bigelow, bringing an open-hearted musicality and sincerity to his stout-hearted portrayal. MacRae stands out in Billy's pivotal Soliloquy, which some reviewers have considered one of the finest vocal performances of the 20th century. He is well-partnered by Shirley Jones, who lends her tender voice and personality to her portrayal as Julie. Listen to the chemistry they exude during the pivotal If I Loved You duet, as if they're overcoming their shyness and drawing sustenance from each other with their love. The supporting cast also gives its all in performing their roles. Claramae Turner's hearty Nettie brims with sincerity, warmth and tenderness, and she leads a rousing rendition of June is Bustin' Out All Over and renders You'll Never Walk Alone touchingly. Barbara Ruick and Robert Rounseville are superb as Carrie and Mr. Snow, although I admit I would have liked a little more humour. I also admit I would have liked Cameron Mitchell as Jigger to sound more sinister, like Fisher Stevens did in the 1994 Broadway revival recording. But even as it is, everyone sings gloriously and is given sumptuous backing from Alfred Newman's superb arrangements and the 20th-Century Fox Orchestra, when it shines out in the ballets.

If I'm adding to the praise of these critic-proof performance, you'll wonder, why am I giving only 4 stars? Well, it's because the extra sound effects from the unreleased sequences tend to jar after a while. I know some of you are complaining that the dance sequences are plagued by extraneous sound effects and noise. I share the same feelings too and also wish that the producers had utilised the original studio pre-recordings for a sumptuous listening experience. However, let us at least be grateful that Didier Deutsch and his production team have made these unreleased sequences available on a soundtrack CD reissue. At least it's a step in the right direction before the entire canon of R&H film soundtracks (yes, including South Pacific and The Sound of Music) gets its due as deluxe 2-CD sets, complete with underscore.

However, don't let this gripe dissuade you from buying this soundtrack. It offers a complete musical experience that one could only dream of in the previous CD reissues of the soundtrack. And it demonstrates the element that Rodgers & Hammerstein were discovering in their musicals.

Great Music.......2007-01-04

Rogers and Hammerstein were in a different league when it came to writing musicals. Their music, lyrics and story are never alike. These two partners were exceptional and their music shows it. Carousel is a tragic story but also shows that human nature can rise above adversity. The music is wonderful and the characters believable. A great movie.

Response to David Pabian's review below.......2004-06-30

Response to David Pabian's review:

My review was not in error, as Mr. Pabian expects. The review was for the original CD release, not this expanded version. Amazon lifted it out of that spot and dropped it here, which of course makes it anachronistic. Why they did it without reading it is certainly an inept decision.

Gummed up an Original.......2003-06-10

This overblown "completeitis" has got to stop. The original soundtrack album Carousel Waltz is now relegated to Appendix status, and terrible sonics accompany dancers' footstomping in the "new" expanded musical sequences, taken directly from the soundtrack rather than from still-existing musical tracks. There was a reason soundtrack recordings were studio performances. The proportions were right, the timings were correct for an overall BALANCED listening experience. These gawdawful expanded editions, often with dialogue thrown in, completely throw off those balances. An argument might be made for expanded sequences appropriate to a CDs longer playing time than the standard L.P. 45min., but possibly only if those sequences are from their original studio-recorded, pre release-print mix -- which could have easily been done in this case. A quick word on one of the above reviews: This is not the first time the complete Carousel Waltz is heard in stereo. There were two previous CD remasterings of the original soundtrack whereon it was included. And the reprise of "If I loved You" was part of every soundtrack release, mono and stereo.

Average customer rating: Great! Jack Wagner All I Need CD Sneak Attack! Great album and a shockingly great remaster

All I Need (Original Recording Remastered) Jack Wagner Manufacturer: Wea International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Alone In A Crowd Sooner or Later Just Me Best of Breathe Robbie Dupree ASIN: B000N3STPW Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

1. Premonition
2. What You Don't Know
3. Whenever Hearts Collide
4. Fighting The Nights
5. All I Need
6. Make Me Believe It
7. Sneak Attack
8. After The Fact
9. Tell Him ( That You Won't Go)
10. Lady Of My Heart

Album Description

Jack Wagner, the master musician, actor, professional golfer and soap opera hero has been making great music for over two decades. In 1984, he released his debut album on Quincy Jones' Qwest Records, and locked in a top of the charts smash with the title track "All I Need" For some odd reason, the album was never officially released on compact disc in North America, and to the dismay of his huge fan base, the album itself has been out of print for over a decade. That is until now!

The nice folks at Friday Music are finally issuing the fine "All I Need" album for the first time ever on compact disc in the good old U.S.A. This time around, you get a wonderful remastering by the award winning Joe Reagoso, as well as incredible new liner notes from the superstar producer/ songwriter and original co-producer of this album Glen Ballard ( Alanis Morissette, Chicago, Aerosmith)

This album is filled with 10 incredible performances from Jack including the #1 title track, the follow up smash " Lady Of My Heart", "Premonition", as well as radio favorites " Tell Him ( That You Won't Go) and " Fighting The Nights"

"All I Need" struck a chord with a lot of people back in the 80's. We think this new re-release will spark some good memories for a lot of his fans. "All I Need" is back....complete with wonderful new remastered sound, restored original artwork, a nice essay from Glen Ballard, and of most importance, the ten original songs that begun the successful career of this generations favorite all around renaissance man, Jack Wagner. Enjoy!

Customer Reviews:

Great!.......2007-07-02

I am so happy they have finally issued this on CD! This is still one of my favorite albums from that era. This music is hard to classify--pop with a touch of Van Halen maybe? The lyrics are fun, edgy and intelligent--and the album is as meaningful today as it was back then. I simply love it and will continue to listen to this often in the coming years.

Jack Wagner All I Need CD.......2007-05-07

It was about time that someone re-released this on CD. They were selling imports on EBAY for over 100.00. HELLO. Obviously this CD was in demand and has been for awhile. None of his other CDs even came close to this one. This CD was written, produced and sung perfectly.

Sneak Attack!.......2007-04-04

Not really, I knew this was one of my favorite CD's from the eighties that I waited for a re-issue. It is remastered and sounds good. I wish when these CD's were re-issued, they would include bonus material. Its good to relive my youth but it would be nice to know you got something a little extra after waiting for this release. Although, I cannot remember any of these songs being available as "extended play". I hope he re-releases his other material, as well. People should not be under the impression that you had to be a General Hospital fan to enjoy these CD's. Look at Rick Springfield!

Great album and a shockingly great remaster.......2007-03-16

I've always loved this album. I am sure many people think of it as mere fluff done by a TV actor. On the contrary, Jack Wagner has a very nice voice and Glen Ballard is a very good pop song writer and keyboardist. If you haven't listened to it before, it has the obvious title track which most everyone would recognize. The rest of the album moves in between fast paced songs like "Premonition" to the ballads of "Lady Of My Heart." It's not an album to be taken "seriously", but it is a sweet work that deals with the themes of love and loss. Much better in my opinion to the ilk of today.

Per the reissue, I have to say that I was shocked....SHOCKED by the remaster. Most people might listen to it and think it's "tinny" and "lifeless", devoid of any rap style bass. That's the reality of music production from then compared to now. Vinyl was never capable of producing the loudness a CD is. That's because CDs today are compressed beyond belief to the point they blow your ear drums out. The gentleman that did the remaster work, Joe Reagoso, is someone I have not heard of but he did an excellent job. He's not a hack who merely maximises the tracks so I lose my hearing. Again, some people might be turned off by the fact that the album does not have pounding bass like a modern one and are required to adjust the volume of their iPod. I have the Japanese reissue and it has the qualities of "loud" which sound good at first, but in actuality you loose any dynamic quality to the music. If you want loud, track down a copy of that. If you are looking for something faithful to the music, this is an excellent, very cheap, reissue.

Ballard's liner notes are brief but nice nonetheless. There are no bonus tracks and frankly I don't think there need to be. I'm not even sure there was anything to add as there were no B-sides as far as I can remember. All in all, an excellent buy for 11 dollars!

Average customer rating: All of a sudden I miss you EITS don't disappoint Holy Moly! not one of my favorites All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone Explosions in the Sky Manufacturer: Temporary Residence ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: You, You're a History in the Rust We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank Sound of Silver Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven New Magnetic Wonder ASIN: B000MCH54K Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

1. The Birth And Death Of The Day
2. Welcome, Ghosts
3. It's Natural To Be Afraid
4. What Do You Go Home To?
5. Catastrophe And The Cure
6. So Long, Lonesome

Amazon.com

Sometimes Explosions in the Sky start with a whisper and end with a scream, but on "Birth and Death of the Day", they begin with a scream and proceed into a symphonic odyssey that Aaron Copland might have composed if he'd played electric guitar. Like Copland, EITS are cinematic, but with more kinetic drive than any film--except maybe Koyaanisqatsi--could match. Compositions like "It's Natural to Be Afraid" take you on epic journeys that roar like a Harley Davidson one minute and slip into taut contemplation the next, using the slow-tension build that EITS have perfected. All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone was produced by John Congleton, who has worked with lo-fi groups like the Roots and the Mountain Goats. That might explain why the album lacks the atmosphere of EITS's monumental The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place and their Friday Night Lights soundtrack. Instead, they rely even more on the arc of their compositions and the integral twin lead guitar lines that never solo but always drive the songs. They can shift from power-chord aggression to the sound of plucked mandolins in an instant. This is progressive rock for people who weren't even born when prog reigned supreme. It's the sound of King Crimson, transmuted through punk and grunge aesthetics. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

All of a sudden I miss you.......2007-07-09

Explosions in the Sky specializes in sweeping, atmospheric prog/postrock/whatever. Call it constellation pop.

And in "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone," it sounds like they're creating the soundtrack to some epic, arty movie, kicking off with a bang and heading into more contemplative territory later on. Robust instrumentation and complex, swirling melodies keep it from ever getting dull or stagnant, despite no lyrics or vocals.

It opens with a bang -- the blaze of rumbly guitar like a car revving. But then it explodes into a ringing expanse of exquisite, soaring instrumentation that sounds like a post-rock orchestra... and quiets down into a gentle, rippling melody in the middle... only to blaze back into a determined, ringing melody, and sink back into a gentle rattling ballad.

It's an epic song, with more mood changes and more "highs" than most albums ever achieve in their entirety. And it segues seamlessly into the moody "Welcome Ghosts," with its blasts of percussion over a gentle melody, and into a string of other songs -- pretty acoustic balladry with explosive climaxes, gentle melodies that trickle like water.

It ends with both kinds of music: the tightly wound, upward-spiralling "Catastrophe and the Cure." And the finale is as intimate as the opener was epic, with a tinkly piano and dreamlike riffs smoothly lulling listeners right to the end.

Like any good post-rock album, "All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone" is just like an exploration sketched out through music -- it has rises and falls, exciting moments, lulling peaceful stretches. If they ever made silent movies again, this would be a brilliant soundtrack for some epic, exquisitely-shot movie.

And it's performed with a robust quality that much post-rock doesn't have, not to mention their variety. Despite the lack of pop rhythms, they stick to melodies that hang around in your mind, and vary between ethereality and expansiveness, gentleness and bombastity.

It's especially impressive, because they use only typical rock'n'roll instrumentation. They have some truly brilliant guitar work, with dreamlike stretches or ringing riffs, and explosive, grimy eruptions off bass. There's some solid, smashing percussion, and a few songs have trickles of gentle piano and keyboard under them.

"All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone" is another solid collection of spacey, epic post-rock, and Explosions in the Sky are only getting better. Definitely a good listen.

EITS don't disappoint.......2007-07-04

Instrumental post-rock has often been accused of being too lightweight and unobtrusive to function as anything but aural wallpaper, and a great deal of what the genre has produced has done little to rebut such an assertion. Explosions in the Sky, however, have (to this point in their career at least) managed to largely avoid such pitfalls, as their three-guitar assault produces lengthy, towering soundscapes that can be relaxing one moment and launch into full-bore sensory overload the next. It may frequently be all pretty and dreamy, but this stuff can still assault your eardrums, frequently building up a mellow atmosphere before rending it in the most dramatic manner possible with a daunting rush of noisy distortion and piercing leads. And while their most recent effort, this year's All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, doesn't mark much of a stylistic departure, at its best (which constitutes much of the album) it does see EITS honing their blend of power and grace to a razor-sharp edge.

This album doesn't take too long to hit its stride, with the opening The Birth and Death of the Day serving as a convincing statement of the band's mission. It starts with a relatively placid period of shoegazerish fuzz and fragile microtonalities, expertly building tension before giving way to a midtemp gallop of explosive riffs that hit the mark with devastating effect. The even-better following track, Welcome, Ghosts, is one of the most stirring and exhilirating compositions in the band's already impressive catalogue, with intricate layers of interwoven guitar lines underlain by a pummeling, martial drum performance from Chris Hransky. Taken together, these first two pieces are easily among the best one-two punches I've heard open an album recently, encapsulating all the incendiary songwriting and fearsomely virtuosic musicianship this band can muster.

From there, though, things do get a bit dicey, at least by EITS's lofty standards. It's Natural to Be Afraid, at over thirteen minutes, is the obligatory epic, and anyone who would expect a song that long to have some gratuitous moments would be correct, at least in this case. Granted, the stretches in the song's later going where all three guitarists lock in for a shimmering, Sonic-Youth-on-Steroids style freakout is worth the wait, but I could've done with a little more muscle-flexing and a little less buildup. Similarly, the piano-accented What Do You Go Home To? is a nice enough tune, but lacking in the dynamic range that makes to many EITS songs so memorable. It's stuck in a sort of in-between zone--too long for an interlude, but without enough meat to function as an independent piece.

Fortunately, Catastrophe and the Cure provides a welcome return to form, shifting in scintillating fashion from hard-driving and intense to, er, even more-hard driving and intense, occasionally hovering in minimalist stasis for a brief interlude before leaping back into the fray, with Hransky once again pushing the song further into the stratosphere with his enthusiastic demolition of his drumkit (just check out that ending). Not so fortunately, So Long, Lonesome, is another temperate, piano-driven mood piece that does provide a decent comedown to the sonic maelstrom that preceded it, but the end result is an album that fades away rather than burning out.

That said, while I would have liked a more exciting ending, it's hard to complain when so much quality material preceded it. Overall, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone is yet another excellent album from a band that anyone who gets high on music should check out posthaste if they haven't already. Let's just hope to see a little more progression the next time out.

Holy Moly!.......2007-06-26

Epic music that whether you're paying attention to it or not, you can still appreciate it. Warning though, sit down, lie down, stare at the ceiling or close your eyes and you will be blown away by the beautiful melodies of explosions in the sky. This is the type of cd that can make one appreciate the simple beauties in life. truly inspiring. Forget the post rock title that has been given to them by those who feel the need to label everything and everyone. Great music. Thanks.

Recommendations:

Mono (Japan)
Mogwai
Ovum (japan)
Sonograph
Godspeed you black emperor

not one of my favorites.......2007-06-16

Explosions in the sky are still better than 95% of the music that's out there but I was rather disappointed by this album after falling in love with their last one.
Unfortunately, none of the tunes were very memorable. I found the second cd (with remixes of the songs by artists like jesu and four tet among others) more engaging.
They're still a band with vast potential and I'm still waiting for their next release but I just wasn't pleased with this one.

All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.......2007-06-07

There was a moment during All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone that truly scared me. It came in the middle of the 13-and-a-half-minute "It's Natural to be Afraid," where two guitars quietly and comfortably meander in three-fourth time. Guitar One picks its way up as though climbing a ladder, while Guitar Two strums a countermelody an octave below. Soon, drums enter with a determined martial gallop as the instruments continue their ascent; there's the illusion of building toward a grand climax, but nothing really happens. There was something so eerily "post-rock"--indeed, something so Explosions in the Sky--about that moment that I thought I saw the death of the entire genre in front of me. At some point, it seems, the evolution of instrumental post-rock simply ceased.

But does a genre or a band need to grow in order to stay vital? It should seem so, since boredom is the enemy for most discerning listeners, but All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone finds the Texas quartet towering so highly above their peers that the lack of progression hardly matters. Six years after first breaking out, Explosions in the Sky remain on the A-list precisely because they haven't strayed from their patented formula, and why should they? In their self-contained universe, evolution doesn't occur over the course of multiple albums; it happens as we listen, and we return to their music because each song presents a drama in miniature, with meditative lows and exultant highs, and because the stories they tell tremble with emotion that never feels feigned or forced.

Finding differences between All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone and the group's previous two outings is tough, but they're there if you care to look. The sonic building blocks are much the same as on The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place--high-pitched, ringing guitars and stately drums with lots of snare--but this is a more tumultuous record, warding off criticism the band may have suffered for supposedly going soft. "The Birth and Death of the Day" sets the scene perfectly, beginning with a skyward scream before settling down and rising again in a march that feels custom-fitted for a film score. As the intensity builds and the band rocks out for the first time, one can easily picture--literally--explosions in the sky. At the same time, there are few outright surprises; while Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever knocked the blocks out from under our feet at any moment, we can see the climaxes on this album coming a mile away. It's a technique that had me yawning initially, then ultimately taking comfort in the familiarity of these lovely, well-spun tales.

So, then, what's it all about? Explosions in the Sky deal in cautious optimism in an era when most rock musicians think that anything optimistic is lame. The pre-Sept. 11 Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die was oblique and destructive; the post-Sept. 11 The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place was blindingly radiant and uplifting--understandable since, in 2003, many of us in America badly needed succor. If All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone has a message, it's that a little faith in humanity isn't going to save the world, but that's no reason to give up. "What Do You Go Home To?" and "Catastrophe and the Cure" begin with impending doom that, by the end, has vanished in favor of harmoniousness and redemption. "It's Natural to be Afraid" lays out its problems before blasting them away in a cloud of heavy, major-key guitar and crashing cymbals. That these "message tracks" are completely free of words testifies to how instrumental music can speak for itself when it's put into just the right hands.

With All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, I'm now more convinced than ever that the knee-jerk comparison to Godspeed You! Black Emperor isn't going to work anymore. Both bands specialize in tension-and-release instrumental rock, their songs often exceed 10 minutes and they exhibit a grandmother-upsetting range of volumes. But while Godspeed are open detractors of the United States government, there's something unabashedly American about Explosions in the Sky, in a national anthem sort of way. When they were asked to score Friday Night Lights (a film about a Texas high school football team), many fans took it as a slap in the face, believing that setting music to celluloid meant that it couldn't stand alone, but the pairing now makes perfect sense. Like an epic American film, this music sweeps us up with grand gestures and shows us hope amid destruction. We know exactly how it's going to end--the good guys will win and conflicts will be resolved--and that's just fine.

Mexican Music:

1. All I Want For Christmas Is A Tax Increase
2. Attack! Attack! Go!
3. Bicentennial Nigger
4. Black Ben the Blacksmith [Explicit Lyrics]
5. Black Pearls: The Poetry Of Maya Angelou
6. Boat Ride
7. Born This Way [Explicit Lyrics]
8. Brainwave Suite (w/booklet) [Box set]
9. Brainwave Symphony
10. Brainwave Symphony: Beta [Box set]

Mexican Music

mexican music

Mexican Music

Cover the Distance

Lars-Erik Larsson: Pastoral Suite; Söderman: Swedish Festival Music; Lundquist: Violin Concerto

Keepin' It Real

Music CD: World's Favorite Piano Love Songs, Vol. 1

Inspiracion

Herencia

electronicspartner.com Music: A Little Different

Musica Iconologos

Jean Ritchie And Doc Watson Live At Folk City [Live]

In a Mellow Tone

Landed [Original recording remastered] [Hybrid SACD]

Lennon & Mccartney Song Book: Rock [Import]

Kolväteserenader

Infinite Possibilities

Wave on Wave