Betsy

Betsy

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
11 track CD incl: You want it you got it/Devil made you do it/Flesh and Blood/Get Out and more.

Tracks:

Let's Face The Music And Dance
I Got The Sun In The Morning
How Deep Is The Ocean?
What'll I Do?
Blue Skies
It's A Lovely Day Today
They Say It's Wonderful
Say It Isn't So
Cheek To Cheek
Isn't This A Lovely Day?
Always
The Song Is Ended
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
It Only Happens When I Dance With You
Easter Parade

Amazon.com

After several recordings of American popular music, Te Kanawa has become a very effective crooner, phrasing with heretofore missing panache. The easy, jazzy Riddle-like arrangements are bouncy and appealing. But after 15 selections, the mysterious dissatisfaction of eating Chinese food and feeling hungry an hour later remains. Tunick writes in his program notes that "the waltz ballads ... are poignant and moving, but never stray into sentimentality." But why not? A little mushiness would serve this recording well, and also contribute to a desperately lacking variety of interpretation. Still, the voice is consistently gorgeous; it would just be nice to distinguish the happy songs from the sad. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

Irving Berlin at his best.......2007-06-26

Kiri's glorious voice interprets Irving Berlin masterpieces beautifully with expression and respect for these American favorites.

Get's my vote!.......2004-04-03

OK. Full disclosure: I'm one of those helpless souls who is just madly in love with the sounds that emanate from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's vocal chords. I suppose there are many artists who can interpret Irving Berlin's songs with more, what's the word, authenticity?

And I've heard many of them, and I love their work.

But Kiri Te Kanawa is different. She was given one of the most beautiful instruments in the history of sound recordings. Thank God the recording companies figured out what they had and put her in front of a microphone early and often.

We have had a rare opportunity to experience a great artist from almost the start of her career clear through to what now must be it's final stages.

I, for one, feel privileged.

Thank you, Dame Kiri. The world is a little better place because of you.

Jazzy and Beautiful.......2002-09-01

This album exemplifies Kiri's amazing, vast dose of talent for musical interpretation. Though I tend to enjoy mostly classical music, this album has opened doors to a wonderful world of classical-jazz, which I find quite beautiful! Perhaps for some, it is an aquired taste...yet I was hooked the moment I heard track one...and have since become quite the "modern Kiri" fan!~Brava once again~

I love it!.......2002-05-14

If you like Irving Berlin and Kiri Te Kanawa you'll probably enjoy this album as much as I do!

I can imagine Nick and Nora Charles listening to this at one of Nick's favorite dives! It will transport you to a sophisticated time and place that may have never existed except in literature and debutante coming out parties.

Gatsby would have loved it, and surely would have invited Kiri to all his parties!

Simply Dreadful.......2001-01-17

Just terrible! Although her voice has mellowed and is quite beautiful, Ms Te Kanawa has absolutely no instinct or feel for this distinctly American music. She's just lost in her own peculiar Kiwi wonderland. She is not aided but what have to be some of the worst arrangements of this music ever recorded.

Her version of "What'll I do" alone earns her a place on the top ten list of abominable recordings of American music.

Alleluia: An American Hymnal
Average customer rating:

The best choir out there

Gorgeous

An Excellent CD

A moving survey of American hymns

a listener from North Kansas CIty

Alleluia: An American Hymnal

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Thompson | Thompson, Randall | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Fern Hill

Sergey Rachmaninov: Liturgy Of St. John Chrysostom, Op. 31

Eternal Rest - Phoenix Bach Choir, Kansas City Chorale

Nativitas: American Christmas Carols

O Come Let Us Sing

ASIN: B00000DG26
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

Southern Harmony: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal (Invitation) - Rebecca Lloyd
Southern Harmony: Come Away To The Skies (Exultation)
Southern Harmony: Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Maitland) - Sandra Brennan
Shaker Songs: I Want To Shake With Indignation - Pamela Williamson
Shaker Songs: I've Set My Face For Zion's Kingdom - Rebecca Lloyd
Shaker Songs: The Precious Way Of God
Shaker Songs: Encouragement
The Sacred Harp: Wondrous Love (Wondrous Love)
The Sacred Harp: Saints Bound For Heaven (Saints Bound For Heaven)
Sunday Morning: Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Nettleton)
Sunday Morning: Alleluia
Sunday Morning: E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
Sunday Morning: All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name
Sunday Morning: Sing Me To Heaven
Spirituals: I Wanna Be Ready - Paulette Votava Resch
Spirituals: We Will March Thro' The Valley - Jo Anne Taylor
Spirituals: I Want Two Wings
Spirituals: Is There Anybody Here - Barbara Meyer
Spirituals: My God Is A Rock - Todd Berry
Spirituals: Give Me Jesus

Amazon.com

Few recording producers and performers take the time and care to so intelligently exhibit a sampling of the rich and colorful American hymn repertoire. This thoughtful and varied program of hymns, Shaker songs, anthems, and spirituals shows what good things can happen when a top-rank choir and director and an accommodating record company join in such a project. The 20 selections come from a variety of sources, including The Southern Harmony (published in 1834) and The Sacred Harp (published in 1844). The Shaker tunes are from the vast collections at New Lebanon and Pleasant Hill, New York, and Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Four of the six spirituals and several of the hymns are arrangements by Alice Parker; others are arranged by James Mulholland. Among the hymns and spirituals are two American choral classics: Randall Thompson's famous and oft-performed "Alleluia" and Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven." --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

The best choir out there.......2004-03-02

The Kansas City Chorale is a SUPERIOR vocal group. I am impressed by its large and wholesome sound that is produced by such a small group. The Alleluia CD is beautiful and also very diverse. "Sing me to Heaven" is gorgeous. The harmonies are beautiful on the page, but are even more beautiful when sung by this ensemble. "Alleluia" is also wonderful, and I was impressed by their interpretation of the many shaker songs and spirituals. This cd is a MUST HAVE for any choral singer or enthusiast.

Gorgeous.......2003-03-24

My choir sang "Alleluia", and used this recording to learn the dynamics. A brilliant performance of that piece. The others are, too, excellent. Good balance, dynamic, and overall sound. But the "Alleluia" really stood out for me.

An Excellent CD.......2002-01-23

My pastor bought me this CD and I wasn't sure I'd really like it. Chorale music? You must be joking. But I popped it into my CD player at home and was immediately astonished at what I heard. The Kansas City Chorale have done an outstanding job of singing hymns of various types, most without musical accompaniment. Track 7 ("Encouragement") is my absolute favorite song on this CD. It is so beautiful to hear, especially when I crank it on my big stereo or over my headphones.

Bottom line: if you like chorale music, religious music, or even classical music, you will really enjoy this CD. The quality of the recording is very good.

A moving survey of American hymns.......2002-01-02

This is an excellent, deeply musical performance of a wide variety of hymns, Shaker tunes, and spirituals. The choices provide variety and a thumbnail sketch of a time in America when hymn-singing was a part of every week's activities. I agree with another reviewer that "Precious Lord" is a highlight. Also noteworthy is "Give Me Jesus" at the end. Both the singing and acoustics of the recording are top notch. I have already played this CD many times since receiving it two days ago. I'm ordering copies for friends! Among my many choral CDs, this one stands out as a favorite.

a listener from North Kansas CIty.......2001-06-27

What a excellent CD! I got this for Christmas after going to a couple of their concerts and it sounds just as good as it did live. If you like chorale music then this is the cd for you. I personally know a man that sings in this group and is very talented singer along with the rest!

Puttin' on the Ritz: The Great Hollywood Musicals

Average customer rating:

If you like great musicals you'll love this!

Puttin' on the Ritz: The Great Hollywood Musicals
The Singing Hoosiers
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Lerner & Loewe Songbook for Orchestra
Rodgers & Hammerstein: Songbook for Orchestra (Orchestral Suites)
Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Complete Overtures ~ Opening Night / Hollywood Bowl Orchestra · Mauceri
Beautiful Hollywood
Bond and Beyond

ASIN: B000003D05
Release Date: 1995-09-26

Tracks:

That's Entertainment
Blue Skies
Cheek To Cheek
Puttin' On The Ritz
Over The Rainbow
Forty-Second Street
Singin' In The Rain
Lover
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
The Continental
They Can't Take That Away From Me
I've Got you Under My Skin
On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe
A Fine Romance
Thanks For The Memory
Lullaby Of Broadway

Customer Reviews:

If you like great musicals you'll love this!.......2007-03-20

Eric Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops have done it again. This is a spectacular collection. It makes you feel like getting dressed up with a lot of glitz and glam and going dancing. Though I must admit that Fredrica Von Stade's rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" will definitely touch your heart.

Average customer rating:

Doesn't work for me.

Sing Irving Berlin

Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mood Swings
Ticket to Ride: A Beatles Tribute
Keyboard Classics
Christmastime
1812

ASIN: B00008YGWJ
Release Date: 2003-07-28

Tracks:

Top Hat, White Tie and Tails
How Deep Is the Ocean?
It's a Lovely Day/Isn't It a Lovely Day
Blue Skies
Always
They Say It's Wonderful
No Strings
Song Is Ended
Stepping Out With My Baby
Let Yourself Go
Cheek to Cheek/Let's Face the Music and Dance
Marrying for Love/The Girl That I Marry
What'll I Do
Puttin' on the Ritz
Abraham
Change Partners
Heatwave
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
Count Your Blessings
White Christmas

Album Description

Quality music at a great price, this collection features 20 tracks including 'How Deep Is The Ocean', 'No Strings', 'Puttin' On The Ritz' & 'Heatwave'. The Swingles have, unusually, incorporated electric keyboards, horns and drums into their usually acappella approach, resulting in some thoroughly modern interpretations of Berlin's classics. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Doesn't work for me........2006-05-04

I LOVE the Swingle Singers. The first time I heard them sing Bach back in the 60's I was driving a car and I was so blown away that I had to pull off the road. And I LOVE Irving Berlin's music; his message is simple and direct and tuneful. And therein lies the rub. To me, the jazz vocal styles, the contemporary harmonies and the whimsical utterances of the Swingle Singers go together with Irving Berlin's music like oil and water; they just don't mix. The words and melodies are those of Irving Berlin but the end result isn't Irving Berlin. Admittedly this is one man's opinion, and others might take great pleasure in the Swingle Singers' unfailing virtuosity and inventiveness. But if you anticipate the straighforward tunes and emotional directness in Berlin's music, you are apt to be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

What a fantastic album!

American Choral Music

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rorem: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello; After Reading Shakespeare
Dance Suite and Cello Concerto
Samuel Barber: Choral Music
Stephen Albert: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2
Hailstork: Symphonies 2 & 3

ASIN: B000IY066Q
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Flowers Of Stone
Spouting Violets
Early Flowers
Is There A Flower
A Yellow Flower
The Rose Is Dying
Lily Has A Rose
Psalm 90
Fern Hill
Behold, I Build An House
In The Beginning

Customer Reviews:

What a fantastic album!.......2006-12-06

This album features a talented group of singers performing such an interesting and challenging collection of repertoire!

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

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | 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:

America the Beautiful
All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
Ballad of the Green Berets
On Top of Old Smokey
Coyote Warrior
Semper Fidelis
Breeze from Alabama
Onward Christian Soldiers
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
Patriot
Sweet Betsy from Pike
Marines' Hymn
America Is
When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
Happy the Soldier
American Trilogy
Home Sweet Home
Washington Post March
Enraptured I Gaze
Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
Yellow Rose of Texas
Over There
Simple Gifts
Liberty Bell
Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

God Bless the USA
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Katy Cruel
I Vow to Thee My Country
King Cotton
Beautiful Dreamer
America
American Patrol
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
Mohican Dream
Red, White and Blue
Some Folks
Liberty Song
Pomp and Circumstance
Hail to the Chief
Bennington Rifles
Peace on the Battlefield
I've Been Working on the Railroad
Under the Double Eagle
Red River Valley
My Country 'Tis of Thee
Camptown Races
Wild Blue Yonder
Hands Across the Sea
Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

Stars and Stripes Forever
Living in America
Home on the Range
Old Colony Times
Clementine
Invincible Eagle
Ring Ring de Banjo
Yankee Doodle
Largo from "The New World"
To a Wild Rose
Hail Columbia
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Gettysburg
Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
Capitan
Prairie Daughter
Little Brown Jug
Marching Through Georgia
Entertainer
Steamboat Around the Bend
Revolutionary Tea
Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Amazing Grace
Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

God Bless America
National Emblem
Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
Anchors Away
Oh, Susannah
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
Toast
Dixie
St. Louis Blues
Appalachian Spring
Bonnie Blue Flag
Old Hundreth
Swanee River
Battle Cry of Freedom
U. S Field Artillery
Sidewalks of New York
Chester
Auld Lang Syne
Kingdom Come
My Old Kentucky Home
Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Shenandoah
Abraham's Daughter
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:

The artistry and allure of a French nightingale
High note feast :)
Simply beautiful high notes
Mady Mesplé's wonderful album
A glorious bit of memorabilia from a sadly forgotten soprano

The Very Best of Mady Mesplé

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs D'opérettes
Very Best of
Natalie Dessay - French Opera Arias
The Very Best of Kirsten Flagstad
The Very Best of Lucia Popp

ASIN: B0006VYELY
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Ah!...Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue?
Ah! Je Veux Vivre
Oui! Pour Ce Soir...Je Suis Titania La Blonde (Polonaise)
Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille
A Vos Jeux...Partagez-vous Mes Fleurs...Et Maintenant, Ecoutez Ma Chanson!
Una Voce Poco Fa
Ah! Non Credea Mirarti...Ah! Non Giunge
Di Piacer Mi Balza Il Cor
Gualtier Malde...Caro Nome
Il Dolce Suono...Ardon Gl'Incensi...Spargi D'Amaro Pianto

Tracks:

Quartet No.2 For Soprano, Violin, Viola, & Cello
In Furore Giustissimae Irae
I. La Dame D'Andre - Gabriel Tacchino
II. Dans L'Herbe - Gabriel Tacchino
III. Il Vole - Gabriel Tacchino
IV. Mon Cadavre Est Doux Comme Un Gant - Gabriel Tacchino
VI. Fleurs - Gabriel Tacchino
Les Chemins De L'Amour Op.106 (Anouilh) - Gabriel Tacchino
A Chloris (Viau) - Dalton Baldwin
Si Mes Vers Avaient Des Ailes (Hugo) - Dalton Baldwin
L'Heure Exquise (Chanson Grises, Verlaine) - Dalton Baldwin
Le Chapelier (Chalupt)
Dapheneo (Godebska)
La Diva De L'Empire (Intermezzo Americain) (Bonnaud & Bles)
Ecoutez, C'est Le Chant Des Cigales
Au Bord Du Chemin Qui Passa A Ma Porte
La Bergere Colinette (Villanelle)
Tout Est Soleil, Tout Est Printemps

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

The artistry and allure of a French nightingale.......2007-06-03

This is one of the rare cases when the title of a CD matches completely its content. The Very Best of Mady Mesplé showcases the amazing talent and legacy of the beautiful lady that was the star coloratura soprano of the Paris Opera during the second part of the twentieth century. The first CD is dedicated to opera arias, and only a hearing of the first number, The Bell Song from Delibes' Lakmé, gives us a summary of what makes Mesplé so special. There is hardly a more musical or virtuosic version than the one presented here (from her complete recording of the opera). The legend is presented by the soprano with engaging interest and great attention to the words. The bell refrains are amazingly fast, with diminutive stacatti, a great trill and ravishing high notes. The final cadenza is very exciting, ending with a firm, beautiful high E that soars triumphally over the orchestra. All these qualities are present when she is singing Juliette, Philine, Ophélie and Olympia. Particularly on this last aria she conveys in her voice the illusion of hearing an automaton instead of human being and there is no ornamentation except on an interpolated high Eflat at the end. It is remarkable how Mesplé always is musical with her ornamentation. The Italian arias that end the first Cd are very pretty, even though they are not as successful, given the distinctive sound of the soprano, more in her element with the nuances of her native language than the legato singing that is proper to the belcanto style. However, the arias are still lovely, specially Una voce poco fa, where Mesplé showcases not only her high register but also the lower part of her voice by singing the first part of "Io sono docile" exactly the way it is written. CD number 2 takes the listener to a totally different aspect of Mady Mesplé's artistry with incursions into contemporary music, a Baroque cantata, French art song and French operetta. The Quartet no.2, for soprano, violin, viola and cello is a very demanding piece where the soprano becomes another instrument: dissonant and difficult intervals are required in all the registers of the voice. The soprano succeeds on this as well as the motet by Vivaldi, a totally different number of equal difficulty. A great part of the CD is then dedicated to songs by Poulenc, Hahn and Satie, where the singer perfectly conveys the mélodie style with her very distinctive sound, that can convey all degrees of emotion, from innocence to worldliness. Specially remarkable are Poulenc's Le chemin de l'amour, Hahn's Si mes vers avait des ailes and Satie' La diva de l'empire. The final part of the CD is dedicated to French operetta arias, a very important part of Mesplés discography. All the selections are a delight. It is worth noticing that she recorded the virtousic aria from Massé's Les noces de Jeanette in 1981, in the later part of her career and there is no difference in the sound and technique from Mesplé's debut recordings. The CD ends in a high note (literally and metaphorically) with a delightful waltz by Johann Strauss where she ends with a stunning Aflat over high C. In summary, this is a superb presentation of the career of Mady Mesplé, a singer who was not only one of the most stunning coloraturas of all time, but also a gifted and versatile artist.

High note feast :).......2006-10-02

I love this set. Her voice is similar to that of Pons, but this is in clear stereo sound! And her highest notes don't sound like whistle tones! The Bell song won me over; Sutherland is still my favorite singer, but she did not have the acuti of Mesple. Very good listening here.It is all so effortless - that final note on CD 2 (A-flat above high c''') is astonishing!

Simply beautiful high notes.......2006-08-14

I feel ashamed of myself. Really. For all the years I have been listening to pons and sutherland and callas and the more recent dessay and jo, I never really paid attention to Mady Mesple. I really wished I had. Her voice is so pure and bell-like similar to Pons but with a much richer middle range and with the most impressive solid low range I have heard on a coloratura sopranos. It is a tragedy that she was over shadowed by the coloratura powerhouse which is Joan Sutherland. Her high notes are to die for and really it would hard to find anyone who can hit them like her. She may not have Pons agility but the lightness and tone of her high e flat can certainly go head to head with pon's and may possibly be a tiny step above pon's which up until this point didn't think was possible.

Mady Mesplé's wonderful album.......2005-08-30

I felt a sense of awe listening to Mady Mesplé's voice. Of the two CD set, I much prefered CD #1 as #2 was a bit too modern for me. #1 has many of my favorite soprano arias, and Mlle. Mesplé did them all justice.

A glorious bit of memorabilia from a sadly forgotten soprano.......2005-05-10

Mady Mesple is one of the best kept secrets of the music industry today. Of course, when you're singing around the same time as Joan Sutherland you're rather likely to be overshadowed. Still, Mesple offers a wealth of musical goods that even Sutherland never could have given. Not only is her coloratura technique virtually flawless, she (gasp)inflects every word she sings with great sensitivity to the text, never losing grasp of the character she is striving to portray. Of course, she does have a rather controvertial aspect to her voice that many listeners may object to, As a classic french coloratura, her vibrato is VERY fast, fluttering tremulously at all times but never getting in the way of her pitch. Still, her high notes are exceptional (the second CD ends with a glorious high A flat) and the fresh, girlish beauty of her tone is unsurpassed even today (my apologies to Natalie Dessay). Be sure not to miss her Bell Song, by FAR the best I have ever heard! Her voice has a crystaline quality that is PERFECT for that particular aria. Her Doll Song is rather weak, but her mad scene from Hamlet MORE than makes up for it (can we say eight seconds of beautiful high F harp?!!). The second CD offers Mady in a more matura phase of her life, singing sensuously in more traditional art songs before going on to challenging operetta arias. And you won't want to miss the violin, viola, cello, soprano quartet that opens the CD!!! Let's just say you're in for a surprise... this CD is a must-have!

Average customer rating:

from Solo Piano Publications
A tranquil and serene respite from a hectic world
THE FIRST HOME THEATURE ARTIST:MAGNIFICENT!!

A Dream Come True
Betsy Foster
Manufacturer: The Orchard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000UYTLQ
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

Mark''s Song
The Christmas Waltz
She Will Rise Again
Music Box
Make a Joyful Noise
Loving You
Long, Long Ago
Chances
Have I Told You Lately
Monday Morning, A Rainy Day & You
Loving You (Instrumental)
Longing
Hope
The Highlands
Going Home

Album Description

Betsy Foster's debut album comprises a collection of original works spanning twenty-five years, including sensual, passionate love songs, piano interludes, and sweeping orchestral soundtracks.

Customer Reviews:

from Solo Piano Publications.......2004-10-26

"A Dream Come True" is an eclectic album that showcases a variety of Betsy Foster's composing styles. From love ballads to piano pieces to sweeping soundtracks, she feels equally at home in many genres. One of the things that I found interesting about the layout of the CD is that it begins with five instrumental pieces that are primarily piano and would probably be filed under "new age," followed by five vocals that are in a more pop style, and then five much bigger orchestrations. What ties the styles together is the sincerity and honesty of the music, as well as the deeply-felt emotions. Personally, I like the first five tracks the best, but the whole album is fascinating and engaging, and it's fun to experience such a variety of music on one album. Catherine Styron plays piano and synth on all but two tracks, where Gene Rabbai takes over on the bench. Vocals are performed by Heather Blair Jones and Brian Glenn. Most of the other instrumentation is on acoustic instruments, so this CD has a very full, rich sound.

"Mark's Song" opens the CD with a soulful piece composed after the death of Princess Diana, and later named for Betsy Foster's husband. Oboe and violins combine with the piano to make this an exceptionally poignant piece. "The Christmas Waltz" is light and charming - it is easy to picture bundled up couples ice skating on a frozen lake or pond to this piece. I like the mysterious quality of "Music Box, a duet for flute and piano. "Make A Joyful Noise" starts out as a simple "song without words," but builds into a full orchestration full of happiness and optimism. The five vocals are very well done and enjoyable, but I prefer the instrumentals. I do like "Chances" a lot - the lyrics are kind of different, and Heather Blair Jones makes them very personal. The instrumental version of "Loving You" is very gentle and sweet, with kind of a country feel to it. "Longing" has the sweep of a powerful soundtrack and packs an emotional wallop - what a beauty! "Hope" starts out big and becomes a gorgeous piano piece with accompaniment by a rich variety of instruments, becoming bigger again as the piece develops. "The Highlands" is another departure, with a Celtic feel and expansive style - haunting and lyrical.

"A Dream Come True" is a most impressive debut, and gives us a fascinating sampling of what Betsy Foster is capable of as a composer. I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from her in the future!

A tranquil and serene respite from a hectic world.......2003-12-10

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Turn off the lights. Sit alone, quietly, as day fades into night. Listen with your heart to "Going Home", as it conjures the honor guard, in full-dress; the soldier's coffin, horse-drawn and flag-draped; the widow and child, proud in their grief; and the comrade, straining to trumpet a dirge through his tears. If you see naught, you are already dead yourself, or certainly your soul must be.

Turn off the lights. Sit alone, quietly, liqueur glass in hand with sweet amber anesthetic, and let "Long, Long Ago" take you back -- if only for a fleeting moment -- to that one great love you let slip away.

Turn off the.... Well, no, actually, turn on the lights. Gather the family round and decorate the tree to the airy tinkle of the "The Christmas Waltz". Or walk down the wedding aisle to "Loving You". Or simply enjoy the serene lushness of "Mark's Song".

Out of my 500+ CD collection, this is one of the few I can listen to over and over, never growing weary of its musical delights and variety. Containing five piano pieces, five vocals, and five instrumental arrangements, the CD is a wonderful and tantalizing sampling drawn from a deep well of talent. Unlike most albums that contain such a wide range of styles, "A Dream Comes True" never jars the listener with dissonant transitions. Whether light classical, smoky jazz, or Celtic, the serendipitous pieces remain true to an underlying theme of soft romantic emotion. Even the saddest, or the most stirring, are but ripples in a tranquil pool.

Although Betsy's health problems no longer permit her to perform, she has gathered together a wonderful ensemble of musical talent, and their performances burnish her compositions, as polish does a diamond. If I sound slightly prejudiced in my praise of Betsy's musical gift, it's probably because I am. But then again, that's only one of the reasons why I married her.

THE FIRST HOME THEATURE ARTIST:MAGNIFICENT!!.......2003-11-06

This is the long awaited release by composer Betsy Foster. There are 15 songs. Five are vocals. The running time is 55 minutes, 10 seconds. The sound, production--by Denny Martin, and graphics are outstanding: very professional. I especially like the 11 page cover booklet, with pictures of Betsy (that span her life), lyrics, song commentary, and credits. The piano is the main instrument. You will hear many instruments that are found in a classical orchestra, plus the usual pop music ones. Heard are pop vocal ballads, movie theme, and semi classical. Most of the tracks sound like a classical orchestra, many with percussion added. I like 13 of the 15 selections. Everyone will love the 4 vocal ballads by Heather Blair Jones, Marlene O'Neill, and Brian Glenn. They are well worth the price of the disc! The fifth vocal is a jazz piece which isn't my cup of tea. The instrumentals I like the best, in that order, are: SHE WILL RISE AGAIN, HOPE, THE HIGHLANDS, LONGING, AND GOING HOME. The vocal selections I like best are: CHANCES; MONDAY MORNING, A RAINY DAY, AND YOU; HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY; AND LOVING YOU. LOVING YOU is played at weddings. It was made to sound like a folk song by Peter, Paul, and Mary. (Included, is an instrumental version of LOVING YOU.) Also, the piece, HOPE, is absolutely THE BEST composition, classical or otherwise! Nothing compares! Many composers can write complicated charts; not many can produce material with beautiful melodies and great emotion--and Betsy is the best!! This CD would make great holiday gifts. BUY THIS MAGNIFICENT OFFERING!!

Average customer rating:

Great stuff
i LOVE THIS, if i don't buy it...you can atleast!!
beautiful album
if you're askin me...
Pre-Sleater-Kinney Calculated Angst

Calculated
Heavens to Betsy
Manufacturer: Kill Rock Stars
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Riot Grrl | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Indie & Lo Fi | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Excuse 17
Sleater-Kinney
Call the Doctor
Personal Best
Make Yr Life

ASIN: B00000372O
Release Date: 1994-03-24

Tracks:

Nothing Can Stop Me
Decide
Stay Away
Calculated
Waitress Hell
Intermission 247
Axemen
Donating My Body To Science
Terrorist
Complicated
White Girl
Paralyzed

Customer Reviews:

Great stuff.......2007-02-04

This is not like Sleater-Kinney, for those who are looking for that. At least the last two CDs (which I live, btw). It's much more visceral and raw, and a lot of time better. Of course, there are bad moments too (hence it doesnt get 5 stars from me), but for a young band that's natural. Overall, this is a really really good, raw album that even during riot grrrl got lost what with all the Bikini Kill (another great riot grrrl band) and Bratmobile being wrongly thought of by many as the only real grrrl bands.

i LOVE THIS, if i don't buy it...you can atleast!!.......2004-03-07

this album is amazing...
a very emotional, pre-grunge type atmosphere, screams don't get annoying here, screams are very neccessary.
there ain't no playing about here, this is all very serious stuff, you won't find songs about a load of silly things in this album, everything is no nonsense and every song is amazing and moving.
you HAVE TO buy this album, you reach a crisis in your life time, you feel half-dead, slowly deteriorating...you turn this cd on...don't let your soul break alone...have the company of good music to nourish your harmed soul...
BUY HEAVENS TO BETSY "CALCULATED" ALBUM!!

beautiful album.......2003-12-11

this is a beautiful record. i don't know if it's punk or not, and i really don't care, the songs are great, and i like the not-so-trashy ones the most. complicated is just beautiful ('if you want to go just go go go, i'll die if you go just go go go, and i'll watch you go away..'), i can't think of a better song about love, relationships, and the defenses people build after they get hurt, and how this affects our new relationships ('i've built this walls around me, i'm begging you to knock them down', if that's not the greatest love line out there, i don't know what it is).

at times when MTV and other mass media giants are selling blink 182, papa roach and limp bizkit as 'punk' and 'hardcore' to the kids, and were women have once again been pushed back to the place of sexual adornments in the rock music world, this is a beautiful and necessary record. i don't remember the exact sentence, but Lisa Carver said it on the liner notes to EVOL, 'give it to your little sister'.

btw, the liner notes from KRS are right, this one will indeed keep you up at night (it did it for me).

if you're askin me..........2003-12-03

corin pre s-k. i prefer this album to some s-k. it has a grittier sound as the s-k albums are getting progressively slicker. i defy you not to listen to this cd late at night while driving around in the back country.

Pre-Sleater-Kinney Calculated Angst.......2003-09-02

This album is back when Corin still dated girls, back before she and Carrie were in a band together, a melodramatic and raw album in classic riot grrrl mode, these songs will take you back to high school, even if you never have heard it before.

It's an unrefined diamond, down to it's anatomy depicted cover, a zine in pure audio form.

It's not for everyone, but if you let it get under yr skin, it is definately worth the experience.

"Axeman" is the strongest song on the disc, a dirge of rage on football and hormonal craziness and the "punk-white priviledge scene.