For President [Explicit Lyrics]

1. First Black President

2. Super Macho Fucker

3. Hung Prick

4. Blowfly for President

5. Blowfly's ABC's

6. Fuck Wars

7. Lip Smackin' Love

8. X Rated Pussy

9. Pop the Cherry

10. Pussy Whipped [*]

11. Burnin' Pussy [*]

12. T.W.B.N. (The World's Baddest Nigger) [*]

For President,Blowfly,Pandisc Records,Blaxploitation,Funk,Pop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Spoken / Comedy / Radio Shows

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Average customer rating: Intelligent and musical fun.- The Genius of Anna Russell If you enjoy laughing.. Anna Russell strikes again! Anna Russell is a SCREAM!

The Anna Russell Album Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | 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 Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Encore? Anna Russell Again? Anna Russell Takes On... Nabucco & The Magic Flute Anna Russell - The (First) Farewell Concert Anna Russell - Crown Princess of Musical Parody: Her Television Appearances 1964, 1976, 1977 ASIN: B0000027JD Release Date: 1991-07-26

Tracks:

1. Introduction To The Concert (By the Women's Club President)
2. How to Write Your Own Gilbert And Sullivan Opera
3. Coloratura Aria 'Canto Dolciamente Pipo'
4. British - Pure But Dull: 'I Love The Spring'
5. Russian Folk Song: 'Da, Nyet, Da, Nyet'
6. For Loud Singers With No Brains: 'Ah, Lover!'
7. For Singers With Tremendous Artistry But No Voice: 'Schlumph; Je N'ai Pas La Plume De Ma Tante'
8. For The Dramatic Soprano: 'Schreechenrauf'
9. The Ring Of The Nibellungs (An Analysis)

Amazon.com

This set of Anna Russell's inspired satirical monologues should be labeled with a warning notice. Why? Because after listening to her whirlwind explication of Wagner's Ring Cycle, even the most confirmed Wagnerite will be unable to listen to the Ring for weeks to come. Just listening to Russell declare in an incredulous voice: "I'm not making this up, y'know" is enough to induce you to shed bucketloads of laughter-induced tears. Gilbert and Sullivan fans will find their heroes savaged in her concoction of a typical G&S product, complete with a soprano lead who "loves below her station." Other targets include "the nymphs and shepherds" style of quavery English singing, complete with "hey-nonny-nonny's," coloratura mad scenes, and much else, including Russian folk songs, like her "Da, nyet, da, nyet." This disc is packed with laughs, chuckles, smiles, and everything. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Intelligent and musical fun.-.......2007-01-13

Due to the recent passing away of the legenday Anna Russell I bought this record and certainly did not regret it.- Inspite of having been originally recorded in 1952 and 1953 the sound is very good.- Ms. Russell combines a great sense of humour with profound musical knowledge, a wonderful timing of her jokes, and the talent of a gifted and very musical singer.- She captures the essence of the German lied, the French mélodie, the efforts of a dramatic soprano to make herself heard over the huge Wagnerian orchestra, culminating in her famous, already classic, 22 minutes long analysis of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelungs.- I listened to this recording three times in a row and had great fun.- Only Victor Borge can be compared to her with respect to this rare combination of deep musicianship with a real gift for comedy.- If you don't know yet these numbers, don't hesitate - buy the record, you will not be sorry.-

The Genius of Anna Russell.......2006-03-15

If you love music, but are happy to see the funny side of even the great composers, then this album is for you. Anna Russell is a singer of note but a comedian of greatness. She finds the pivotal styles of composers and caricatures them to great effect. The explanations she gives of the basics of Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas and the way she dissects Wagners Ring Cycle bring tears to the eyes with laughter. I recommend this album to all music lovers with a twinkle in their eyes. Truly a great comic experience.

If you enjoy laughing.........2006-02-23

I love opera, but I also enjoy spoofs of opera. Anna Russell was a classic "spoofer" of operatic stories and conventions. Nobody does it better. My favorite on this album is her take-off on Wagner's "Ring."

This CD can probably also be enjoyed by those who have only a nodding acquaintance with opera, but may not be enjoyed by those who take opera with 100% seriousness.

Anna Russell strikes again!.......2005-10-14

I have heard all of these Anna Russell selections at one time or another, but having them all together in one place, and on a CD, is a real plus. She is absolutely riotously funny. I teach a course in "Introduction to opera" and use her segments on Gilbert and Sullivan and on the Ring Cycle in class, just to lighten things up a bit for the students.

Anna Russell is a SCREAM!.......2005-08-05

I've had the vinyl of this album for over 20 years; the CD purchase was to update my system. For anyone who loves classical vocal music, and in particular the Wagner Ring Cycle and Gilbert and Sullivan, this album is a MUST. You will split your sides laughing; Ms. Russell is so very accurate in her comedy. Also, truth to tell, her Ring synopsis gave me, a newcomer to Wagner (years ago) a solid understanding of the musical plot and story line.

Average customer rating: A Song Of Home A little too slick and a little too much Galway Very Compelling Classy Classical Appalachian Is it the music or the musicians? A National Treasure

Song of Home James Galway , Jay Ungar , and Molly Mason Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Harvest Home The Lovers' Waltz Civil War Classics Waltzing With You James Galway ~ Meditations ASIN: B00006IGQ0 Release Date: 2002-09-24

Tracks:

1. My Cape Breton Home
2. Foster's Ladies
3. Presidential Hornpipes
4. A Roving On A Winter's Night
5. The West Texas Waltz
6. Oh Shenandoah/Shenandoah Falls
7. The Lovers' Waltz
8. Bound For California
9. Heart Of The Heartland
10. Pretty Saro
11. The Mountain Ranger
12. Themes From 'Harvest Home Suite'
13. Amazing Grace

Customer Reviews:

A Song Of Home.......2005-07-09

You can feel his pride in his heritage in the way he plays on this CD

A little too slick and a little too much Galway.......2004-01-16

Based on the reviews I read about this album, I had high expectations. I am sorry to say that the album leaves me a little cold. The performances are superb, but unspontaneous. Another difficulty is with the orchestrations. In most cases on this album I think the flute just doesn't work. A case in point is Lover's Waltz, which is near perfect in the original Ungar/Mason version. Galway's flute just doesn't exude the same warmth. Another disappointment is Heart of the Heartland, which could have been an interesting conversation between Galway's flute and Ostroushko's mandolin. Instead we get another showcase for Galway with Ostroushko relegated to backup musician--what a shame! The only track I think that works well on this album is The West Texas Waltz, where we get a taste of how a really collaborative album might have sounded. I guess this album makes good easy listening, but it is certainly not the engaging album I would have expected of these folks.

After a year or two of owning this album, I have to say that the performances are even more stale that when I first reviewed it. I wish they'd let me take a star back.

Good for folks who like "easy listening". I like musicians who aren't afraid to challenge each other and themselves. This album had that potential, but falls flat.........

Very Compelling Classy Classical Appalachian.......2003-02-08

I get home from a hard day at the office and put on my headphones and am transported to heaven. If I had only two hours left of life on earth, I would want to listen to this album for one of them and we won't discuss the other hour please! Galway, Ungar, and Mason are superb. My wife and I were already of fan of Galway. Garrison Keillor's recommendation of "Waltzing with You" by Ungar and Mason (Sony) turned me on to Jay and Molly. Then on to "The Lover's Waltz" and "Harvest Home". The subtle blending and play between Galway's Flute, Jay's Fiddle, and Molly's Guitar . . . . God, there is nothing like it. If you buy this CD and don't like, I'll buy it off you and give it to a friend! ... Thanks Sir James, Jay and Molly.

Is it the music or the musicians?.......2002-12-07

During the many times I have listened to this album, I have posed myself the same question: is it the music I like best or the musicians that perform it? The music is compellingly rich for sure, music that makes the home a resonant place to live in the same way that a dancing wood fire speaks to the eyes of the soul. But the music sings with a penetrating warmth because of the seasoned artistry of the musicians who perform it. I have to give the tilt to the musicians who will forever haunt me with the flickering flames of their performance.

A National Treasure.......2002-10-20

This meeting of musical minds was a stroke of creative matchmaking by RCA. James Galway, the renowned flutist blends but does not blur with two of American folk music's more deeply rooted musical thinkers -- Jay Ungar & Molly Mason. Right from the start, "My Cape Breton Home," the art and craftsmanship, the painstaking selection and arrangement is evident. And this CD continues to delight the mind with an hour of the most beautiful music. All tunes, whether old favorites, like Stephen Foster's "Gentle Annie," or new and original, like "West Texas Waltz" by Jay Ungar, come together as naturally as the confluence of many streams. It seems as if you know these songs so well, which in my case is surprising, but perhaps not so surprising from a CD with Jay Ungar on it, composer of the evocative song for all time, "Ashokan Farewell." This piece has become a de facto theme for millions of people who heard it played again and again in the Ken Burns documentary on The Civil War.

The instrumentation, as you might expect, is the main feature of the CD. Flute, fiddle, piano, mandolin, guitar. But at what seems to be exactly the right time, Molly Mason and Ruth Ungar (Jay's daughter) voices sing out in harmony. And there is a deep understanding of the music here too, and therefore, much beauty in the sound. The rendering of "Pretty Saro" could stand alone as a classic, but when you hear it in order and against the background meticulously prepared by these musicians, it has a presence that is truly haunting.

I think anyone with a taste for the roots of American folk music will enjoy this CD. It has deepened my appreciation of the folk music of America and even the rural environment where I live in America. The art and craft are impeccable. "A Song of Home" is from beginning to end, thoroughly enjoyable, much to think about, a heritage to keep.

Average customer rating: How Can You Be So Deft and Clumsy at the Same Time? Part 2 The Guardsmen branch out..... Life beyond Snoopy.

The Return of the Red Baron/Snoopy for President The Royal Guardsmen Manufacturer: Collectables ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Bubblegum | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Novelty Music | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron/Snoopy & His Friends The Best of the Royal Guardsmen Ballads of the Green Berets Hits from Outer Space Anthology ASIN: B00005J9U2 Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

1. Airplane Song (My Airplane)
2. I'm A Man
3. Any Wednesday
4. Shot Down
5. I'm Not Gonna Stay
6. So You Want To Be A Rock 'N Roll Star
7. The Return Of The Red Baron
8. Gimme Some Lovin'
9. Om
10. Searchin' For The Good Times
11. I Need You Girl
12. Leaving Me
13. Snoopy For President
14. Cry Like A Baby
15. Bonnie & Clyde
16. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
17. Bottle Of Wine
18. Biplane 'Evermore'
19. Come On Down To My Boat
20. Simon Says
21. Honey
22. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy

Customer Reviews:

How Can You Be So Deft and Clumsy at the Same Time? Part 2.......2006-08-23

My review title is a paraphrase of Charlie Brown's comment about Snoopy being so deft that he could catch a soap bubble in his mouth without popping it and so clumsy that he then tripped and fell on his face; however, I am asking this of those who produced this CD. How could you go to all the trouble to restore and re-release these long lost classics and then make so many stupid, annoying, incompetent mistakes in the process?

First, why did you put albums 2 and 4 on this CD and albums 1 and 3 on the other CD Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron/Snoopy & His Friends? It cannot be album length; each album is almost exactly 30 minutes long and a standard CD can hold about 80 minutes of audio. Besides the annoyance of having to switch CD's 3 times in order to listen to the albums chronologically, this also results in what is in fact a copy of the same recording of "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" appearing twice on the other CD Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron/Snoopy & His Friends. Simply putting albums 3 and 4 on this CD and 1 and 2 on the other CD would have prevented any duplicate tracks.

Second, why didn't you add the two singles not included on any of the 4 original albums, "Mother, Where's Your Daughter?" and especially the last Snoopy song, "Smallest Astronaut" while you had the chance? It's more than a little annoying to have to purchase a third CD, either the now OOP Anthology or the essentially identical The Best of the Royal Guardsmen in order to acquire these 2 songs along with 18 songs duplicated on the 2 album re-release CD's. With barely an hour's worth of music on each CD there was plenty of room even if you arranged the albums chronologically. Putting "Mother, Where's Your Daughter?" on the other CD and "Smallest Astronaut" on this CD along with arranging the albums chronologically would also have nicely placed a copy of all of the Snoopy pieces on this CD so that Snoopy-only fans would need to buy only this CD. Was it as simple as that? Was it pure greed on your part?

However, I DO have to give you credit for putting out an unmangled track of "Snoopy for President". All other CD releases have the edited version, which cuts out the words "in '68", destroying the meter of the first line in a pathetic attempt to make the song appear less dated. Thank you for THAT at least.

This SHOULD have been a 5-star review, but the collective stupidity displayed in assembling these two CD's cost a star, and I'm being fairly generous at that!

The Guardsmen branch out............2005-11-08

I'm only 26 in years, but I grew up with music like this thanks to the family collection of LPs and 45s. Most of today's 'pop' is just plain awful (my opinion of course). Back in this era, even during such turbulant times that the late 1960s are known for, the Royal Guardsmen made their music FUN!

On this disc, you get their second and fourth LP's ("Snoopy Vs The Red Baron, and "Snoopy & His Friends", LPs 1 and 3 respectively, are on another CD sold here...with more good stuff). There is no 'remastering' done here...these will sound like they were ripped straight from the masters with no EQing done to them, just as you remember them on LP. This doesn't matter though...at least not to me. Not when the music is enjoyable and puts you in a good mood.

I noticed no edits or omissions on this CD. The only thing that is missing from the Guardsmen catalog after buying this and the aformentioned first 'twofer' CD, are a couple of tracks that were only released as singles. Those can be found on the "Best of" compilation, if you must have every single last track the Guardsmen committed to tape.

These two albums are more mature, more varied in their music styles. There's a couple ballads, the obligatory cover tunes, and a few pop numbers, but otherwise, these two LPs find the boys branching out into rock, R&B, psychadelic, and other formats.

"Return of the Red Baron" is clearly a stronger set of tracks, with a scorching take on Steve Winwood's "Gimme Some Lovin'" among the set.

"Snoopy for President", unfortunately, shows the Guardsmen starting to weaken stylistically. Half of the songs here are a bit 'too' sweet, succumbing to what the guys in the black suits wanted. (pop hits = money..you know how it goes).

This is not to say "Snoopy for President" is not enjoyable. It is, and it boasts some of the best production out of the four albums in terms of sound quality. Most of the songs may be sappy, but these are well-produced and well sung tunes, good for those times when one wants something relaxing on their CD or MP3 player.

After one more Snoopy single "The Smallest Astronaut", and the 1968 single re-release "Baby Let's Wait" from their first LP (their only non-Snoopy hit in the top 40 charts), the Guardsmen called it a day.

Kudos to Collectibles for even bothering to put out old (but good) stuff like this. The dogfight between Snoopy and the Red Baron will continue for generations to come thanks to their catalog being reissued.

Noteable cuts:
- The Return of the Red Baron
(That blasted Baron strikes again! Sounds better with the story that links this song. "Snoopy Vs the Red Baron" and "Snoopy's Christmas" on the Guardsmen's third LP, "Snoopy & His Friends")
- Airplane Song (My Airplane) (This was one of Michael Martin Murphy's (who would hit it big with "Wildfire" in 1975) earliest writings, given to the Guardsmen to perform. Although the second LP is where this song originally was released, to me it sounds better grouped with the other pop/rock tracks (I Say Love, So Right (To Be In Love), et al) on 'Snoopy & His Friends")
- Gimme Some Lovin' (The Guardsmen's take on this classic Steve Winwood song. They let it all go on this one, and sound like they're having a good time.).
- Cry Like a Baby / The Letter (A Box Tops medley. It's good, but I like the Box Tops takes of these songs seperately over this medley.)

Life beyond Snoopy........2002-11-14

Whereas the first pair of Royal Guardsmen albums ("Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron / Snoopy & His Friends") had mostly cute singalong songs for preteens, this second pair of albums was much more focused on bubblegum cover tunes from the 1967-1968 era. Their albums became a bit more serious at this point: along with remakes of cheerful bubblegum hits like "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy," there was an original song with distorted guitars ("Leaving Me"), a sad ballad ("Honey"), and intense dance music more appropriate for adults ("Gimme Some Lovin'"). The band seemed to be going through an identity crisis here. Until now they had been the de facto official Snoopy songs band, but the Snoopy theme must have been starting to get old. "Snoopy For President" here was a (very) minor hit in 1968, and every album still had a Snoopy song and Snoopy reference in the title, but the references seem more like an acknowledgement of their roots rather than a primary theme. It looks as if the band never found its niche after the Snoopy theme wore out; the band broke up not long after releasing these two albums. From listening to these songs, one can see why: there was too much emphasis on copying other bands' hits *exactly*, right down to the exact guitar riffs of the Yardbirds' "I'm A Man" and the riff and dubbed fanfare of the Byrds' "So You Want To Be A Rock 'N Roll Star." Such lack of creativity doesn't go over well in the competetive pop/rock world. Despite this lack of originality, these songs still sound quite good: "Come On Down To My Boat" (originally by Every Mothers Son, 1967) is a great song that sounds good no matter who does it, "Airplane Song" was a minor hit for the Royal Guardsmen in 1967 (though it sounds suspiciously like the Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" to me), "Biplane 'Evermore'" is a cute original song, "Gimme Some Lovin'" adds a cowbell and sounds great, and so on. Note that "Airplane Song" and "The Return Of The Red Baron" on this album also appeared on their previous album, totally unchanged. I suppose this was done to perpetuate the Snoopy theme and to give each album a guaranteed hit, but it's an odd practice that reminds me of the earliest Donovan albums. In summary: It's a decent CD, just different in style than from their Snoopy era.

Average customer rating: Another great trip down the MFU memory lane The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3 Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Saint/Secret Agent Honey West ASIN: B0006SSQ7U Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

1. First Season End Title
2. Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
3. Iowa-Scuba Affair
4. Shark Affair
5. Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
6. Meet Mr. Solo
7. Giuoco Piano Affair
8. King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
9. First Season Main Title [Revised]
10. Deadly Decoy Affair
11. Spy With My Face
12. Second Season Main Title
13. Alexander the Greater Affair
14. Ultimate Computer Affair
15. Very Important Zombie Affair
16. Dippy Blonde Affair
17. Seadly Goddess Afair
18. Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

1. One of Our Spies Is Missing
2. Third Season Main Title
3. Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
4. Galatea Affair
5. Pop Art Affair
6. Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
7. Off-Broadway Affair
8. Concrete Overcoat Affair
9. Napoleon's Tomb Affair
10. Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
11. Fourth Season (End Title)
12. Test Tube Killer Affair
13. Prince of Darkness Affair
14. Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Average customer rating: Great performances-lacks quality recording Nothing New Here!

Not Sousa: Great Marches Not by John Philip Sousa, Vol. 1 Kenneth J. Alford , Edwin Eugene Bagley , Charles S. Belsterling , William Paris Chambers , Henry Fillmore , Julius Fucik , Louis Ganne , Edwin Franko Goldman , Johannes Hanssen , Karl L. King , Pierre Leemans , Alex F. Lithgow , Johann I Strauss , Carl Teike , William Walton , and Performed by the United States Marine Band "President's Own" Manufacturer: Altissimo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Johann Strauss Sr. | Strauss Sr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Walton | Walton, Sir William | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Music of Kenneth Alford Forward March! Great American Marches ASIN: B000H7JCQO Release Date: 2006-09-05

Tracks:

1. National Emblem - Edwin E. Bagley
2. Old Comrades - Carl Teike
3. Entry of the Gladiators - Julius Fucik
4. Radetzky March - Johann Strauss
5. Invercargill March - Alex F. Lithgow
6. Valdres - Johannes Hanssen
7. Purple Pageant - Karl King
8. Rolling Thunder - Henry Fillmore
9. Inglesina - Davide Delle Cese
10. Coronation March, Crown Imperial - William Walton
11. H. M. Jollies - Kenneth Alford
12. The Chimes of Liberty - Edwin Franko Goldman
13. March of the Belgian Parachutists - Peter Leemans
14. Father of Victory - Louis Ganne
15. The Boys of the Old Brigade - W. Paris Chambers
16. March of the Steelmen - Charles Belsterling

Customer Reviews:

Great performances-lacks quality recording.......2007-07-18

It is The President's Own and the playing on this is superb. However the recordings were obviously done at many different times and lack a consistent sound quality. Most of these marches appear on some other recording I own, but I was stoked to find all of them on a Marine Corps Band CD. My excitement dwindled with the sonic quality. Oh well.

Nothing New Here!.......2006-11-26

Despite putting together a CD of non-Sousa marches (something very hard for Altissimo! to do) there is really nothing new and interesting here. Most of the marches taken from the Marine band Library are very popular works that are almost as well known in the USA as Sousa himself! Altissimo! managed to cull some stuff from the Marine Band library and threw them together onto a CD with a catchy cover! The reason why some tracks may sound different is because they are from different years under different directors. Most mature record labels tell you when recordings were taken, and who conducted. Not with Altissimo! The result is that you are not getting an accurate idea how the Marine Band sounds today. Many of these marches have been previously released from the Musical Heritage Society who have recorded the Marines numerous times over the years. Altissimo! probably gained the rights to some of these recordings and threw them in as is. The linear notes are an improvement from the past when they were non-existant! I love the Marine band, and getting them on a CD like this is better than nothing, but for the price and over all quality this is a second rate product.

Average customer rating: Hail To the Thief! Hail to the Chief Another Great Altissimo! Release Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief Manufacturer: Altissimo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Paine | Paine, John Knowles | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Three Hit Albums from the U.S. Military Bands Music of the U.S. Armed Forces Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches Hollywoodland (Widescreen Edition) ASIN: B0006SSP6C Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

1. President Garfield's Inaugural March
2. The Star Spangled Banner (Historic Arrangement)
3. Inaugural Address Excerpt Franklin D. Roosevelt
4. March "Franklin D. Roosevelt"
5. Auld Lang Syne
6. Thomas Jefferson March
7. The Blue Danube Waltz
8. The President's March (Hail Columbia)
9. Inaugural Address Excerpt Harry Truman
10. The Sleeping Beauty Waltz
11. Easter Monday on the White House Lawn
12. Hungarian Dance #3
13. The Pride of the Wolverines
14. The Maple Leaf Rag (Historic 1906 Recording)
15. Inaugural Address Excerpt Dwight Eisenhower
16. Listen to the Mockingbird
17. The Marseillaise
18. Solemn March
19. Presidential Polonaise
20. The March from the Nutcracker Suite
21. Inaugural Address Excerpt John F. Kennedy
22. Guadalcanal March from Victory at Sea
23. Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
24. Eternal Father (The Navy Hymn)
25. A Message from President Ronald Reagan
26. Hail to the Chief

Customer Reviews:

Hail To the Thief!.......2005-08-06

Despite the fact that most of our presidents are not worth remembering in music; this is none the less an interesting CD. Altissimo! has done its usualy bit of culling through the Marine Band library to dig out enough appropriate pieces to put together on one CD. No original recordings here! We should be glad that its a full length selection of over 60 mins for a change, instead of the old 45 min. cheats in the past! Still, the different sound qualities of the various tracks is distracting at times.

Most labels when they combine different recordings together usually list the recording date and who conducted the band at that time. Altissimo! has not graduated to that level of professionalism in their products yet. Hence we just get The US Marine Band, not when it was recorded and who might be directing it!

Fortunately, the quality of the Marine Band is so good that it does not matter what Altissimo! does in putting together a CD. That said, the music provides an interesting chronology of ceremonial music played at the White House over the years. The linear notes are an improvment over the past, when little or nothing was provided. All and all, not bad from what we have come to expect from Altissimo!

Hail to the Chief.......2005-02-02

Hail to the Chief is the latest of about twenty-seven CDs offered by "Altissimo!", which offer recordings of the USA's fine military service musical organizations. Until Altissimo!, these recording were very rare and just about impossible to find. Thanks to Altissimo! every one can appreciate and enjoy the fine music of these top-notch musical organizations.
The program in Hail to the Chief is a tribute to our presidents. It is a varied program that shows the depth of the music played by one of America's oldest, established in 1798, and finest musical organizations, the United States Marine Band. This CD contains twenty-one marches and other classical numbers from Sousa to Strauss to Tchaikovsky. Some of the music in the CD is rare and for this reason alone of interest to music history buffs. One of these selections is a recording of the "Star-Spangled Banner" using the earliest published arrangement (1814) of the anthem. Another is the "Solemn March" played at Lincoln's funeral. Also included a rarely recorded Sousa piece, "Easter Monday on the White House Lawn." There is also an historic 1906 recording of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag."
The recording also contains excerpts from speeches made by five of our presidents four of which were from inaugural addresses. The program notes explain the musical selections and how each was of interest to the various presidents.
The only negative, and it is not with the CD itself, is that the program notes do not include recording dates, where recorded and who the conductor of the band was. I highly recommend this CD to all interested in the America's patriotic music as well as the serious collector of military music and those interested in the musical roots of our country.
George Barkman

Another Great Altissimo! Release.......2005-01-13

Listening to the latest CD from Altissimo! brought pleasure to my ears. Whether you like listening to ballads, waltzes, Hungarian Dances, or marches you will find something on this CD that you will love to listen to. This wonderful compilation presents the listener with music favored by 23 of our United States Presidents, and includes bonus tracks of excerpts from four inaugural speeches.

Hail to the Chief.......2005-01-11

Hail to the Chief is unique, educational and without question, absolutely wonderful!

I was initially puzzled by the selections but as I began to listen and read the short narrative that is offered I started to realize I was being taken on a very different trip through American history. Consequently, the impact of the program had a totally unexpected and fascinating effect.

I was not just mesmerized by the sounds I heard, the arrangements which were presented or the memorable utterances of some of our Chief Executives. I was completely entranced by the realization that these men and others who had held the office of President of the United States, had listened and reacted to the same music the CD offers. It gave me an insight into their humanity that text books cannot provide.

As an example, I hadn't known the original sheet music for the "Star Spangled Banner" was arranged differently from the way we listen to it today --- who know how many Americans heard it played that way?

I had never actually thought about the fact that Washington might have actually heard "Hail Columbia" played, just as I was hearing it.

I was a bit startled that Chester Arthur commanded Sousa to compose what became the "Presidential Polonaise" and tried to imagine how much pressure he, (Sousa), must have felt in doing the President's bidding. (By the way, after listening to that unquestionably superb composition of the "March King", I must admit despite its delightful sound, I'm very pleased that we no longer use that as the official march of the President and we have returned to "Hail to the Chief".)

I vividly recall watching the casket of President Kennedy being carried over the steps of the Capitol and listening to "The Navy Hymn" and the music recaptured that moment as if it was yesterday.

It wasn't solely the music I savored but it was also the historical images they engendered. Indeed, music affects all "ages"!

The CD is a professional product that will hopefully be enjoyed by thousands for many years to come.

Average customer rating: simply grand

Howells: Requiem; Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | 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 CDs Under $7 | Requiems | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Requiems | 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 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Stanford: Anthems and Services Walton: Choral Music Elgar: Sacred Choral Music Lo the Full Final Sacrifice & Other Choral Works Kenneth Leighton: Sacred Choral Music ASIN: B000026D1K Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

1. Magnificat: Magnificat - St. Paul's
2. Nunc Dimittis: Nunc Dimittis - St. Paul's
3. Like As The Hart
4. Paean For Organ
5. Requiem: Salvator Mundi
6. Requiem: Psalm 23
7. Requiem: Requiem aeternam (1)
8. Requiem: Psalm 121
9. Requiem: Requiem Aeternam (2)
10. Requiem: I Heard A Voice From Heaven
11. Requiem: Long, Long Ago
12. Office Of Holy Communion - Collegium Regale: Kyrie
13. Office Of Holy Communion - Collegium Regale: Credo
14. Office Of Holy Communion - Collegium Regale: Sanctus
15. Office Of Holy Communion - Collegium Regale: Benedictus
16. Office Of Holy Communion - Collegium Regale: Agnus Dei
17. Office Of Holy Communion - Collegium Regale: Gloria in Excelsis
18. Rhapsody No. 3 For Organ
19. Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing

Customer Reviews:

simply grand.......2000-05-02

Tremendous clarity and musicianship from all concerned. If this Howells is your cup of tea then go to his 'Hymnus Paradisi" which is based on his requiem recorded here. The man's music stirs my soul

Average customer rating: not to great Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$ You get what you pay for. Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ...

100 Favorite Patriotic Songs Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by MacDowell | MacDowell, Edward | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: United We Stand: Songs for America America's Favorite Patriotic Songs American Pride: Sixteen Stirring Patriotic Themes America's Bugle Calls Patriotic Country ASIN: B0000A1HT8 Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

1. America the Beautiful
2. All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
3. Ballad of the Green Berets
4. On Top of Old Smokey
5. Coyote Warrior
6. Semper Fidelis
7. Breeze from Alabama
8. Onward Christian Soldiers
9. Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
10. Patriot
11. Sweet Betsy from Pike
12. Marines' Hymn
13. America Is
14. When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
15. Happy the Soldier
16. American Trilogy
17. Home Sweet Home
18. Washington Post March
19. Enraptured I Gaze
20. Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
21. Yellow Rose of Texas
22. Over There
23. Simple Gifts
24. Liberty Bell
25. Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

1. God Bless the USA
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy
3. Katy Cruel
4. I Vow to Thee My Country
5. King Cotton
6. Beautiful Dreamer
7. America
8. American Patrol
9. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
10. Mohican Dream
11. Red, White and Blue
12. Some Folks
13. Liberty Song
14. Pomp and Circumstance
15. Hail to the Chief
16. Bennington Rifles
17. Peace on the Battlefield
18. I've Been Working on the Railroad
19. Under the Double Eagle
20. Red River Valley
21. My Country 'Tis of Thee
22. Camptown Races
23. Wild Blue Yonder
24. Hands Across the Sea
25. Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

1. Stars and Stripes Forever
2. Living in America
3. Home on the Range
4. Old Colony Times
5. Clementine
6. Invincible Eagle
7. Ring Ring de Banjo
8. Yankee Doodle
9. Largo from "The New World"
10. To a Wild Rose
11. Hail Columbia
12. Alexander's Ragtime Band
13. Gettysburg
14. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
15. Capitan
16. Prairie Daughter
17. Little Brown Jug
18. Marching Through Georgia
19. Entertainer
20. Steamboat Around the Bend
21. Revolutionary Tea
22. Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
23. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
24. Amazing Grace
25. Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

1. God Bless America
2. National Emblem
3. Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
4. Anchors Away
5. Oh, Susannah
6. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
7. Toast
8. Dixie
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Appalachian Spring
11. Bonnie Blue Flag
12. Old Hundreth
13. Swanee River
14. Battle Cry of Freedom
15. U. S Field Artillery
16. Sidewalks of New York
17. Chester
18. Auld Lang Syne
19. Kingdom Come
20. My Old Kentucky Home
21. Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
22. Battle Hymn of the Republic
23. Shenandoah
24. Abraham's Daughter
25. This Land Is Your Land

Customer Reviews:

not to great.......2007-04-04

We were disappointed with this CD, but for the price I guess we can't expect much. I didn't care for the new style presentation of the songs. I like a more traditional rendering.

Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22

I red the comments of two other people who have bought this 4 CD BOX SET and it is not really so bad. I will even add that there are some excellent tunes. However, I must agree with the fact that few tunes seem to have been recorded 40 or 50 years ago, mainly when you hear the scratches of an old turntable but it is just 2 or 3 tunes. Furthermore, if you do not know American music, it is a good BOX SET to buy if you consider that you received 4 CD for 4$ including 100 tunes. On these 4 CD, I have heard some orchestration that I have never heard before and I consider that they are different but interesting. Any way, after hearing these 100 tunes, you will say to yourself that you like this tune, this other tune, this other tune and so on and you will be able to buy a more expensive CD with the tunes that you like. However, I have bought many CDs in the last few weeks and as you know, there are always some tunes that you like and some tunes that you do not like on every CD that you will buy. So, don't buy it at 25$ but at 4 or 5$ dollars, it is a very good choice for 100 tunes.

You get what you pay for........2004-07-04

You get what you pay for. The singers put their own spin on the singing of each song. If you didn't hear the words you would not recognize some of them. Even some of the music sounds like a bad recording of music played on a turntable. Definitely not worth the price.

Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04

I wish this review had been here when I was thinking of purchasing it. I guess you get what you pay for. If you are thinking of buying this, you are better off recording your own CDs (or at least buying one that you can listen to a sampling of the songs). This album includes songs that were mere recordings of the songs playing on an old record player. It's almost so unbelievable that it is funny.

Average customer rating:

English Choral Music Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Finzi, Gerald | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Howells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Rubbra, Edmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tavener | Tavener, John Kenneth | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Walton | Walton, Sir William | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Elgar: Sacred Choral Music Lo the Full Final Sacrifice & Other Choral Works Walton: Choral Music Stanford: Anthems and Services Kenneth Leighton: Sacred Choral Music ASIN: B0002BXO78 Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

1. Magnificat In G Major
2. Nunc Dimittis In G Major
3. Justorum Animae
4. Ave Verum
5. Give Unto The Lord
6. The Call
7. Magnificat, St. Paul's
8. Nunc Dimittis St. Paul's
9. Paean For Organ
10. Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing
11. Litany To The Holy Spirit
12. Welcome Sweet And Sacred Forest
13. I. Eram Quasi Agnus Innocens
14. II. Una Hora Non Potuistis
15. III. Seniores Populi
16. Magnificat In A Flat Major
17. God Is Gone Up, Op.27, No.2

Tracks:

1. Set Me As A Seal Upon Thine Heart
2. Coronation Te Deum
3. Gloria
4. A Hymn To The Virgin
5. Jubilate Deo
6. Hymn To St. Cecilia, Op.27
7. The Lord Is My Shepherd, Op.91, No.1
8. Crux Fidelis, Op.43, No.2
9. Look Up, Sweet Babe, Op.43, No.2
10. Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis
11. Collegium Magdalenae Oxoniense
12. An Easter Sequence-Sortie
13. The Lamb
14. The Lord's Prayer
15. Song For Athene

Average customer rating: Fine reissue of a classic set

Purcell: Theatre Music Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Hogwood, Christopher | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Cantatas for Solo Countertenor Purcell: The Fairy Queen Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll Monteverdi - Madrigali guerrieri ed amorosi / Concerto Köln, Jacobs Lawes: The Consort Setts for 5 & 7 viols and organ ASIN: B0001Y4JHA Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

Fine reissue of a classic set.......2006-05-24

Think about the stupidest, most formulaic Hollywood movies you can think of: cheesy action pictures, fluffy, unfunny comedies, big but stiff epics. Now imagine that one of the greatest living composers was working in Hollywood, turning out astonishing, hauntingly beautiful and stirring musical scores for these throwaway movies. That's what you get with this set: music Henry Purcell composed for some two dozen often utterly forgettable plays (trust me--I've read a number of them!) Occasionally, when he teams up with a playwright worthy of his stature, such as John Dryden, Aphra Behn, or William Congreve, the results are even better, but for the most part you can enjoy the music here without knowing anything about the original plays.

This set originally appeared as separate LPs in the 70s and 80s, and has been long out of print. That's a pity, since Purcell spent a good deal of his short professional life in the theatre, either writing the incidental music contained on these CDs, or the music for his larger works, the semi-operas (King Arthur, The Fairy Queen, and the like). Almost all of these works are enjoyable gems; certainly, they represent a pinnacle of English 17th century music. Purcell had a genius for spinning musical gold out of the most leaden lyrics (check out his Odes and Welcome Songs on Hyperion if you don't believe me), and he does the same with the song texts in these plays.

Hogwood and the AAM offer clean, listenable performances, and the sound on these old analog discs has been cleaned up and brightened--although they were pretty good, even in the late 70s. As with most Hogwood, emotional extremes are kept to a minimum, so the "otherworldly" nature of late 17th century music, so often emphasised in more recent Baroque performances, doesn't come across here. It would be interesting to see what a group like The King's Consort would do with this music, but this set fills the major gap in the Purcell canon quite nicely.

My only beef with the reissue, as with many reissues, is that the liner notes are rather thin for a 6-cd set--the lyrics to the songs, for example, are especially missed. Still, it's a worthwhile set, and a must for fans of Purcell, English Baroque music, or anyone who just wants to experience a taste of the last days of the Restoration stage.

Mexican Music:

1. Fun With Sound Effects, Vol. 1
2. Fun With Sound Effects, Vol. 3
3. Gay Comedy Jam - Freedom Tour Live [Live]
4. Give 'em Hell Harry
5. Goofy Greats
6. Greatest Comedy Hits [Explicit Lyrics] [Live]
7. Halloween Horror
8. Hung Like a Fly [Explicit Lyrics]
9. In His Own Words (Featuring Speeches Given by Robert F. Kennedy)
10. Indiana And Other American Standards (Book & CD Set)

Mexican Music

mexican music

Mexican Music

Neon Reels: A History of Martin Craig

Symphonic Fantasia/Symphony No.4

Sings for Children

Music CD: Perdidos [CD-single]

Texas - Greatest Hits [Import]

Romantico Y Tropical

Songs, Rhythms and Chants for the Dance

Porgy & Bess/Showboat [Cast Recording]

Same Old Me

Paulina

Symbolic

Songs to Make You Feel Good [Import]

Technodisco [CD-single] [Import]

Contact

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