House of God

House of God

Track Listings

1. Upon the Cross

2. Trees Have Eyes

3. Follow the Wolf

4. House of God

5. Black Devil

6. Pact

7. Goodbye

8. Just a Shadow

9. Help!!!

10. Passage to Hell

11. Catacomb

12. This Place Is Terrible

13. Peace of Mind [Instrumental]

House of God,King Diamond,Metal Blade,Heavy Metal,Neo-Classical Metal,Pop,Progressive Metal,Rock,Thrash

Jane Eyre, the Musical (Original 2000 Broadway Cast)
Average customer rating:

Great Buy!

Perfect Match

Probably the most beautiful musical of all time

Beautiful!

A good musical

Jane Eyre, the Musical (Original 2000 Broadway Cast)
John Caird
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks
Similar Items:

Little Women The Musical (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

The Scarlet Pimpernel: The New Musical Adventure - Original Broadway Cast Recording

The Secret Garden (1991 Original Broadway Cast)

The Light in the Piazza (2005 Original Broadway Cast)

Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B000051Y31
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Tracks:

The Orphan
Children of God
Forgiveness
The Graveyard
Sweet Liberty
Secrets of the House
Act One: Perfectly Nice
Act One: As Good As You
Secret Soul
Finer Things
The Pledge
Sirens
Things Beyond This Earth
Painting Her Portrait
In the Light of the Virgin Morning
The Gypsy
The Proposal
Slip of a Girl
Sirens (Reprise)
Farewell, Good Angel
My Maker
Rain
The Voice Across the Moors
Poor Sister
Brave Enough for Love

Amazon.com

Here's another to join the parade of page-to-stage musicals inspired by 19th-century fiction. This ambitious adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's haunting classic Jane Eyre for the musical theater seems to be part of a trend represented most famously by Les Misérables. It also reflects the increasing pressure to schedule an original cast recording release as close as possible to a new show's Broadway opening: in this case, in fact, the CD was both recorded and released prior to the show's opening in December 2000 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. But what's most significant for the artistic character of Jane Eyre: The Musical is found in yet another pattern: like a number of his colleagues, composer-lyricist Paul Gordon comes to the project from a pop music industry background (best known for his hit "Friends and Lovers"). And quite a few of the show's numbers benefit from Gordon's catchy craftwork, weaving melodies that are clearly destined to be whistled long past curtain. Yet the effect is sometimes too facile, not diving as deep as we would like into the emotional predicaments of Brontë's characters. You begin to crave a more deftly defined and imagined variety of sound worlds (especially for the darker aspects of Thornfield Hall) than what is hinted at. Gordon doesn't forge any new paths, but his melodic fluency does have its moments of payoff--especially in the moving final duet "Brave Enough for Love," which is also strong enough to stand on its own.

Gordon's predilections as a would-be son of Sondheim are nevertheless clear, and he's telescoped the story into mostly effective lyrics, with some thoughtful juxtapositions of material. Most importantly, he understands that this is more than a Gothic romance, foregrounding the central message of forgiveness that Jane learns as a girl. He attempts to explore the injured sense of self shared by both Jane and Rochester and sets them on a painful, mutual voyage of discovery.

The creative team also includes the veteran duo John Caird (book and direction) and John Napier (scenic design), who have collaborated on such epics as Les Mis and Nicholas Nickleby (not to mention the Las Vegas Siegfried and Roy extravaganza). And the show's creators seem to share a vision geared toward the more operatic end of the spectrum (it was opera composers, after all, who early on claimed 19th-century Gothic fiction for the stage, as in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor), with an actual parody of coloratura in one showstopper ("The Finer Things") given to Blanche Ingram. Fortunately, the two principals have large, richly expressive voices to encompass the large, complicated emotions of these characters. Marla Schaffel singswith unusual beauty and brings dimension to her Jane, while James Barbour (whose resumé includes Beauty and the Beast) is never really threatening as Rochester, but rather a tortured soul who is sweet-voiced even at his most cynical. Mary Stout is a stitch as the blustery Mrs. Fairfax. While the show has already undergone a lengthy evolution from its very first workshops, the viability of its final, fully staged realization has yet to be determined. But this cast recording conveys an authentic sense of the musical's atmosphere and emotional scope. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Great Buy!.......2007-06-08

Not only was this CD super cheap, it also arrived at my house 3 days later!

Perfect Match.......2007-03-16

The music in this album really gave me the feeling of reading the book. I think the songs were well chosen and well written, except of course for the songs sung by Mrs. Fairfax... I could have done without those. Jane and Mr. Rochester's songs carry the story well and they sound lovely. For any musical lover, or romance fan I definitely recommend this album.

Probably the most beautiful musical of all time.......2007-02-16

This is a hidden gem and if you buy it and listen to it, I don't see how you can not love it. I have bought many, many Broadway cast albums but I still am a popster at heart. With all that said, this is a cast album that soars above the crowd.

I bought this several years ago and have listened to it repeatedly since I got it. Why do I love it so much? First of all, the lyrics are full of heart and emotion and tell the story ably. But it is the music and the performances that are truly remarkable here. The melodies are memorable and absolutely exquisite. The orchestration is lush but not sappy. The performances by the two leads are nothing less than stunning.

I never get bored with this wonderful cast album and it is very, very highly recommended.

Beautiful!.......2007-01-28

I listen to this soundtrack all the time and I never get tired of the songs. If Charlotte Bronte story was written as a musical, then this would definitely be it.

A good musical.......2006-07-20

if you like old-fashioned romantic stuff, this one's for you. Some songs are very inspired, the music is,for the most part, quite beautiful, and the story line keeps the essence of the Bronte novel. I heard this right after "Wuthering Heights: the musical", which is quite good, yet this is superior. Give it a try and you might be nicely surprised. I would highly recommend it to the ones who know the novel and to English Literature students: it offers a different and interesting approach to the novel.

Average customer rating:

AWESOME CD !!!!
Great to hear her again
Up Lifting
Very Happy
Uplifting CD

God on the Mountain
Lynda Randle
Manufacturer: Spring House / EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Timeless
Tribute to Mahalia Jackson
Lynda Randle Christmas
The Best of Guy Penrod
Hymns

ASIN: B0008ENI02
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

God On The Mountain
Someday Loves Me
One Day At A Time
He Will Carry You
Until I Found The Lord
That's What Jesus Means To Me
Since Jesus Passed By
There's Power In The Blood
Give Them All To Jesus
I Will Serve Thee
Soon And Very Soon
The Only Real Peace
On My Way On My Own
It's All Right

Customer Reviews:

AWESOME CD !!!!.......2007-03-24

I watch the Gaithers on TV all the time. The first time i heard Lynda sing "God On The Mountain" , touched my heart and soul so deep. I had to buy this CD of hers. She is an awesome child of God. Her voice is beautiful and i know God is proud of his child for using her voice for his glory. I am blessed over and over listening to this CD. Thank you and God Bless all who reads this.

Great to hear her again.......2007-03-14

Lynda stayed with my family for 2 or 3 weeks when I was in Jr. High while she was healing from an absessed tooth that had poisoned her body (she'd kill me if she ever read this). At the time she was Lynda Tate. Well, I can tell you that she is like her music - real. She doesn't put on airs like many artists do and that is one thing that makes her so appealing. When she healed up, she'd take my brother and me out places and would burst into song ANY time. Once she stopped right smack in the middle of the mall with us by her side, and belted out the Star Spangled Banner out of nowhere; even the security guards left their stations to watch. She also funny. She was always teasing our family that we needed to learn to cook "soul food" (we're a white family) like "chittlins".

Once she sang the best rendition of "He's Alive" that I ever heard. If anyone knows where I can find it, I'd like to know. She doesn't have it anymore, we called. If you enjoy music from the heart mixed with great talent, get this CD. Enjoy!

Up Lifting.......2007-02-21

Every song on this CD is awesome. I listen to it all the time in the car. I enjoy giving this CD to others so they can be ministered to as I am.

Very Happy.......2007-01-12

Thank you for being so prompt on my order.
It was in great shape and played terrific.
My mom loves it and plays it all the time.
Im very happy with my orders from amazon.
I have order a few things and everything
i have ordered has just been great.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Mary

Uplifting CD.......2007-01-11

My Dad requested this CD for Christmas and I had never heard it before. I am glad I purchased it and had the chance to hear it. I could not find it locally and was glad I could get it for him.

Average customer rating:

Bryn Terfel's beautiful voice.
Why do people think this guy can sing??
Relaxing
Bryn Terfel's Simple Gifts
A Heartfelt Offering Reminiscent of An Earlier Era

Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bryn Terfel Sings Favorites
Bryn Terfel - If Ever I Would Leave You (Songs from My Fair Lady, On a Clear Day, Camelot, The Little Prince, Brigadoon)
Sacred Songs
Bryn Terfel - Something Wonderful (Bryn Terfel sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Renee and Bryn: Under the Stars

ASIN: B000B8ISN2
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Ave Verum Corpus, K.618 - Adapted by Chris Hazell
Deep River - Arranged by Chris Hazell
The Lord Bless You and Keep You
I'll Walk Beside You - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Stabat Mater
Still, Still, Still Weils Kindlein Schlafen Will
Simple Gifts - Arranged by Chris Hazell
How Great Thou Art
Panis Angelicus - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Bless This House - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Ave Verum Corpus
Cavatina - Arranged by Chris Hazell
The Rose
Amazing Grace - Arranged by Chris Hazell
God's Mercy
Morning Has Broken - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Nearer My God To Thee - Arranged by Chris Hazell
Ave Maria
Send In The Clowns - Arranged by Jonathan Tunick
God Will Be With You

Amazon.com

Everything about Bryn Terfel is over-life-size: his physique, his personality, his breath-control, and of course his extraordinarily beautiful voice. This recording displays his stunning vocalism and versatility to full advantage, but its title belies its content. Alhough it does include some simple pieces, the execution is fussy, overdone, and calculated for maximum external effect. The program ranges from Mozart, Pergolesi and pseudo-Bach to Sondheim in arrangements that are pure Hollywood, complete with throbbing strings and rolling drums, often destroying the spirit as well as the letter of the original compositions. It begins with Mozart's heavenly "Ave verum" arranged for baritone solo and chorus, frustratingly cut off after a few phrases (another setting of the same text by Karl Jenkins, written for Terfel, is more satisfying, being complete and original). The splendid baritone Simon Keenlyside joins him here as well as in the opening number of Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater;" originally for soprano and alto, this must be the baritones' revenge on female singers who usurp songs written for men, like Schubert's and Schumann's cycles. Franck's "Panis angelicus" also inexplicably becomes a duet; unfortunately, Terfel's and tenor Aled Jones' voices do not match. Bach-Gounod's popular "Ave Maria" is all swells and exaggerations. The rest of the program consists of folksongs, hymns, show and film tunes, inflated to operatic proportions and generally ending in a fade-out or a flourish. Even the title song is anything but simple. This record is not for purists who like their music performed the way the composer wrote it, but aficionados of great singing will love it. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Bryn Terfel's beautiful voice........2007-05-13

Bryn Terfel has a beautiful voice. Listening to him is very pleasant and definitely something to look forward to. I read a review saying he would replace tenor Pavroti. However, I believe that Mr. Terfel is a Baritone and not a Tenor. That does not detract from the fact that he should be considered one of the world's top male singers. His voice is truly impressive. This CD by Bryn Terfel is one from our collection that is outstanding and a favorite.

Why do people think this guy can sing??.......2007-04-27

Sorry, I think this guy is one of the most overrated singers out there today. He always sounds like he is singing holding his nose shut. VERY nasal sounding.

If you want to listen to an incredibly beautiful voice, buy one of Josh Groban's CD's--you won't regret it! He has the voice of the century!

Relaxing.......2007-02-03

Excellent selection of music. It covers many different types. My wife likes being able to hear the words with out instruments drowning out the vocals. I find it relaxing and many of the songs are familiar and very well done.

Bryn Terfel's Simple Gifts.......2006-02-25

Simply superb. I don't know what our local (Wash DC) paper was talking about when they said Deep River was the weakest link. I was enthralled from beginning to end. I have had the pleasure of hearing Bryn Terfel live in recital at the Kennedy Center. I can assure you that his voice has only improved with age. He was wonderful then and is spectacular now!

A Heartfelt Offering Reminiscent of An Earlier Era.......2006-02-15

Bryn Terfel harkens back to earlier American operatic stars such as Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill who crossed grenres to satisfy their unquenchable need to sing any and all songs that moved them to an appreciative public. These great singers all had their origins singing sacred music from their respective religions and learned to lay their considerable talents before the altar of the simple inspirational song.

This recording is wonderful on many levels. The selections are an unusual mixture of classical sacred music, spirituals, hymns, Lieder, Austrian Christmas and Gaelic songs, musical numbers and movie theme songs harmoniously combined to touch the soul of the listener in a gentle ebb and flow of devotion, intensity and tenderness. All of these songs are beautiful in and of themselves and in his hands, we experience them anew.

Bryn Terfel sings with the commitment necessary to make the awesome challenge of simplicity look easy. To my way of thinking, he is the most communicative and articulate singer today, bar none. He is a poet who savors the sound, feeling and meaning of each and every word and marries it uniquely and faithfully to the music. He transports the listener into the life of a song and transfixes us each and every moment. His enormous talent is not overwhelming or distractive and is inextricably and wholly intertwined with the music. This is greatness and it is very, very rare today.

I like the inclusion of the choir in several of the numbers as it reflects on the nature and context of the songs. I am less fond of the selections with the guest soloists as I feel they do not match his ability to "get inside" a song. The orchestra and orchestations are sensitive and enhancing.

This recording is simply wonderful and should have a broad appeal. It will move and inspire the believer, satisfy and fulfill the otherwise spiritual, calm the troubled and renew a flagging soul.

Average customer rating:

Moving forward in a positive way.
This cd is every bit as good as previous Bent albums.
Good and Bad
Meet them - they always has something to play...
Ah BENT, how could I ever have doubted you?

Intercept!
Bent
Manufacturer: God Like & Electric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ariels
Later: Compiled and Mixed by Bent
Pocket Symphony
The Everlasting Blink
Fabriclive.11

ASIN: B000I0SGH6
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Exercise 7
To Be Loved
Stay Out All Night
Breakfast At 80,000Ft
Tired Of The Show
Wendy, Darling
Waiting For You
As Seen From Space
The Handbrake
Leavin' Me
After All The Love

Customer Reviews:

Moving forward in a positive way........2007-07-26

I have all of Bent's albums (even Downloaded for Love). This is my favorite release from them, thus far. However, I give everything by Bent a fiver. This album has more of a disco feel to me. My favorite track on here is probably, "After All the Love." It has great lyrics, and the melody is most delicious. A harmonica plays at the end while the melody is whistled. "Wendy Darling" is a short track containing some good bass and a synth loop. "Breakfast at 80,000 ft." is my favorite lyricless piece on here. "As Seen from Space" features a dominant piano loop and this track echoes Brian Eno. I hope they change it up a little on their next release. I love delightful surprises, and this album was that. If you liked previous albums by Bent, then I encourage you to give this one a shot.

This cd is every bit as good as previous Bent albums........2007-07-01

This album is just as strong as Bent's previous albums. It is for me a total evolution of the group's sound and combines the sounds of previous albums to create something new and interesting. This one is more on the "quirky" end of the Bent spectrum and is less like the ethereal Ariels. Highlights for me are Stay Out All Night, Leaving Me and The Handbrake. This album is a must have for any fan of intelligent and unique electronica.

Good and Bad.......2007-06-28

The Good: Attempting something different. Stay Out All Night and Waiting for You are excellent.

The Bad: Sounds like Erasure had an influence, and it's the weakest effort from them. Even the Exercise is a bit muddy and erratic.

Beautiful Otherness is still the best song.

Meet them - they always has something to play..........2007-05-06

Ooh Bent, they are one of my favourite. I have all them releases and I always wait for new to come. Great work like all previous - interesting...highly recommended.

Ah BENT, how could I ever have doubted you?.......2007-04-08

I originally came to Amazon to buy this CD but was scared off by the negative reviews. And let's face it -- the short, lo-fi samples here don't always help fill in the gaps. But I came back and bought it anyway, and I LOVE it! There is enough of the classic Bent sound to make me feel at home while I go along for the ride, as they channel ELO harmonies, provide snappy hooks and otherwise offer much needed ear candy. As usual, they are detached enough to make you wonder if they take any of their pathos seriously, but I do. This ranks right up with the rest of their work, IMHO...

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set]

ASIN: B00062FLI8
Release Date: 2004-11-30

The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs

Average customer rating:

The Price Club
A living legend
not your daddy's old timey spiritual
Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price
Great Gospel Stuff

The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection
Spirituals in Concert
Leontyne Price Christmas Songs Chants de Noel.Weihnachtslieden Wiener Philharmoniker Herbert Von Karajan
Amazing Grace: Jessye Norman
Spirituals

ASIN: B000003FWE
Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees - Various Artists
His Name So Sweet - Various Artists
'Roun' About The Mountain - Various Artists
Swing Low , Sweet Chariot - Various Artists
Sit Down, Servant - Various Artists
Were You There - Various Artists
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Various Artists
Deep River - Various Artists
Honor! Honor! - Various Artists
My Soul's Been Anchored In De Lord - Various Artists
On Ma Journey - Various Artists
A City Called Heaven - Various Artists
Ride On, King Jesus - Various Artists
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Various Artists
Sinner, Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass - Various Artists
Sweet Little Jesus Boy - Various Artists
There Is A Balm In Gilead - Various Artists
Let Us Cheer The Weary Traveler - Various Artists
Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit - Various Artists
My Way Is Cloudy - Various Artists
Nobody Knows The Touble I've Seen - Various Artists
I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray - Various Artists

Tracks:

Holy, Holy, Holy - Leontyne Price
Lead, Kindly Light - Leontyne Price
Blessed Assurance - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
What A Friend We Have In Jesus - Leontyne Price
Amazing Grace - Leontyne Price
The Lord's Prayer - Leontyne Price
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior - Leontyne Price
The Church's One Foundation - Leontyne Price
Bless This House - Leontyne Price
I Need Thee Every Hour - Leontyne Price
Schlesische Volkslieder: Fairest Lord Jesus - Leontyne Price
I Wonder As I Wander - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Porgy And Bess: Summertime - Leontyne Price
America The Beautiful - Leontyne Price
Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing - Leontyne Price
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - Leontyne Price
Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Leontyne Price

Customer Reviews:

The Price Club.......2005-04-28

"I am here," said Leontyne Price when interviewed as she opened the new Metropolitan Opera with Samuel Barber's underrated ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, "and you will know that I am the best and will hear me. The color of my skin or the kink of my hair or the spread of my mouth has nothing to do with what you are listening to." Back in the 1960s Price was one of the greatest divas in all of opera, and it wasn't just her voice but her magnificent stage presence, combined with her social activism. All of the above come into play in this collection of secular songs and ditties, some of them traditional plantation chanties and others, art songs and a scattering of pop music. And some of them, like Gershwin's "Summertime," cross the ever-permeable boundaries between Broadway and classical. These recordings were made at different times in Price's career, and her voice, while always angelic, has different shadings and reaches a different range of timbre in each separate recording date, but there is no question that, as time goes by, she is able to impart a richness of life experience noticeably absent from some of her earlier work.

"Ave Maria" sounds heavenly no matter which way you slice it, and as for "I Wonder As I Wander," it brings tears to your eyes. If you have a heart that's beating you will be moved by this rendition. "Ein feste Burg" is pretty strong, but Price seems more comfortable with the traditional spirituals, though perhaps it is the slightly off-kilter sounds of the Ambrosian Singers (what a name) who back her up on many of these tracks, that detract slightly from the experience. Compare "Lead Kindly Light" for a clear sense of what constitutes authority vs. what is a wee bit overproduced. If you had this compilation, and perhaps one of Leontyne Price's Christmas albums, you could attain nirvana any time you wanted to, just flip a switch and close your eyes, let her lift you up on wings of song.

A living legend.......2005-03-10

Leontyne Price (still alive) and already passing into immortality amongst vocal artists, both classical and popular. Leontyne Price stands at the pinnacle of her classical art, but those who only know her work in La Forza del destino or the Verdi Requiem are in for a heart rending treat with this album where Leontyne Price goes home to her roots in Mississippi and gives an unabashed account of the classic spirituals she sang as a young woman. Like John Mc Cormacks rendering of Irish songs there is a personal longing and devotion expressed here that reveals a side of the artist not known in the bulk of their "classical" repetoire. A sense of going home like Citizen Kane's rosebud, or as Dorothy Gale observes at the end of the Wizard of Oz "everything I could ever have wanted was right in my own backyard "

not your daddy's old timey spiritual.......2004-06-23

Agreed this is a good cd for a beautiful voice, but this is not, repeat not, for someone who wants to hear that old-timey religious fervor that you think of when you've been to a Black Baptist hand-clapping, standing, swaying, and singing service.

Immaculate Vocals of Leontyne Price.......2003-12-31

IMMACULATE, SUPERB vocal range and style! There's no other words that can complement Miss Leontyne Price's vocal arrangements. Miss Price's voice is strong, and shrills very nicely to the instruments played on many songs listed on this double CD which is a joy to treasure; every song listed are songs I was raised to hearing and singing. Miss Price is the reason why many of these songs remain in popularity and presently used. Miss Leontyne Price has been incredible in many of her past performances. This is my fourth CD of Miss Price and I am glad to own this particular CD forever and ever. Many thanks to the executors who found this remarkable album and upgraded it to a CD format! **Angi**

Great Gospel Stuff.......2001-04-12

This is a great CD. The only problem I have with it is that on some of the selections there is a boy's choir screaming in the background, and this takes away (a bit) from her performance. That said, her best selections are those that are either unaccompanied or those where her voice is not buried. Songs that strike me are - His Name So Sweet, He's Got The Whole World, Were You There, I Wonder as I Wander, Lift Every Voice and Sing, and my all time favourite Summertime. Enough said.

Average customer rating:

Packing List for Eternity
great cd that (eventually) grows on you
Good music, bad theology
Once Again, We Dive Into the Dark Corners of Religion.
I REALLY LIKE THIS ALBUM!!! GREAT KING DIAMOND ALBUM!!!

House of God
King Diamond
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Thrash & Speed Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Voodoo
Abigail II: The Revenge
The Graveyard
The Eye
The Spider's Lullabye

ASIN: B00004TQUM
Release Date: 2000-06-20

Tracks:

Upon The Cross
The Trees Have Eyes
Follow The Wolf
House Of God
Black Devil
The Pact
Goodbye
Just A Shadow
Help!!!
Passage To Hell
Catacomb
This Place Is Terrible
Peace Of Mind

Customer Reviews:

Packing List for Eternity.......2007-07-15

Friends, when I die, at an absolute minimum, please pack among my provisions for the journey, the following tracks from this album: Peace Of Mind.

great cd that (eventually) grows on you.......2007-01-18

Wow, at first I couldn't really get into this cd, but after several listens it really grows on you. At the forefront of course is Kings insane vocal technique (you either love it or hate it).

The concept of this album follows the theory that the Nazarene survived crucifixion and married Mary Magdelene and had offspring and died an old man. Being a Gnostic myself I don't really follow this theory but there are some Gnostics that do, so whatever works for you I say.

Anyway it turns out that Jesus mummified remains are hidden in the catacombs in a french church (based on a real building?!) King being the central character is suckered in to guarding this mysterious church by a wolf/attractive woman. Being in this church he is privy to spiritual info that man is not strong enough to take, (Jesus survived the crucifixion and the "Forced of the Universe" kept his mummified remains hidden away so man could not "torture" him again, and these entities actually control GOD, The devil and other man-made spiritual beings) This info drives Kings character insane (gee, thats never happened to any King first person characters before lol) and unable to stand the hatred he feels eminating from the mummified Nazarenes remains and the confessions from the entities he suicides by hanging to escape, you hear him die on "This Place Is Terrible."

The first song "Upon The Cross" has King doing a deeeep gutteral growl that make most death metal vocalists sound like Shirley Temple lol.
Of course being a concept album, the first song is an intro that starts out with peacefull choral chanting that is soooo peacefull that you could almost leave your body to it, only to be broken up by King growling comprehendable lyrics!!! Yes I know most death metal vocalists make you run for the lyric sheet, but this is clear as day, and it sounds so much harsher than the incomprehensible vocals on most death metal cds (& for the record I am a huge death metal fan).

Anyway "The Trees Have Eyes" the 2nd song is a standout and an obvoius single (not that KD releases singles lately) the drum sound is almost galloping where King is horse riding toward the hidden (evil) church. (Apparently this was based on a real church in France!!) Yes the good old King Diamond "make the music fit the lyric mood technique is alive and well.

"Follow The Wolf" continues the story of how King gets in the church. Great lead break in this song.

"House Of GOD" is a weepy song that gradually picks up speed. It has the lyrics "I Grabbed A Silver Crucifix, Expecting Evil To Be Next" which I'll elaborate on further. Some of the high pitch vocals on this song seem to be for the hell of it.

"Black Devil" is a well written up tempo number, and I suppose the sex on the alter stuff is supposed to be blasphemous, but comes of as more braggart.

"The Pact" has a great grove to it, and I assume the penning their names in blood, and further sex on the alter braggings are supposed to be blasphemous, but to these ears seem cliche' and an attempt to create controversy. King don't worry about that the whole Jesus sidn't die on the cross, had offspring and GOD is a puppet on higher strings theories will create enough controversies (and probably death threats from those "forgiving literallists") that it was redundant.

"Goodbye" basically just continues the story doesn't really add anything musically to the cd.

"Just A Shadow" shows Kings spiral into insanity and the music really fits the lyrics. The band really come together in this song.

"Help!!!" (yes with 3 exclamation marks) is a powerfull song as King delves further into his insanity lyrically while the chainsaw style guitaring and music makes the listener feel as though they are drowning in insanity. Brutal stuff. Especially King begging for "HEEELP" you can really hear the desperation in the vocals.

"Passage To Hell" is a very atmospheric song and the music during the chorus is straight from "Life After Death" on the Voodoo cd. When King tells us "STairs down below, Stairs I know my feet must GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH" you feel like your climbing down into the catacombs.

"Catacomb" is a cool song where all the mysteries are solved, great guitar work in this song. When King finds the mummified Nazarene and asks "Jesus Christ, what have they done to You?" sounds way cool. There are some techincal errors in this song that I will expose in my summation.

"This Place Is Terrible" is a good song where the insanity is completed. The guitar work has a sense of finality to it. And hearing King choke after hanging himself is stunning you can see him falling from the church tower to his hanging death.

"Peace Of Mind" is the compulsory instrumental, it almost seems to tell us that in death he found peace, nice soft intertwining guitars, personally I usually skip this song.

Now for the mistakes:
1)In the cd cover King tells us that this is a story that someone told him first hand over 200 years ago (I didn't know King was that old lol) and that King has told the story "as if it happened to me" (himself). Now if this guy who forwarded the first hand account of this story DIED at his own hand TRAPPED in the church, alone, how was the story told???? Oiuja board anyone???
Also in "Catacomb" King stumbles upon the mummified remains of the Nazarene, who survived crucifixion and went on to grow old with a family, why the hell are the mummified remains wearing a "crown of thorns" obvoiusly to identify the remains with the Jesus myth. Also whats the point of using a silver crucifix if your fearing evil (in the song House Of GOD) if the crucifix is not a symbol of the alleged death & resurection of the Nazarene then if he survived crucifixion it would have no talismatic power?? Unfortunately, that is an oversight.

All in all an enjoyable cd, I give it 8 out of 10

Good music, bad theology.......2006-09-27

I would have given this record more stars if it wasn't for the theme.
This is King's more controversial album to date, but I gotta say that I preffer his purely "ghost" stories that don't have anything to do with religion.

Okay, I'm a catholic, so the whole idea in which this record is all about is not precisely pleasant to me. Not just because it is offensive to my faith, but because it is based on very bad historical sources (the kind of ones no serious historian would take into account). The idea of Jesus married to Magdalene is a very old "heresy" if you will, never proved, but always deared by those antagonists of Christianity.

Anyway, leaving the topic behind (the reason why I discounted two stars from this album), I think the music and the overall production may be ranked around King Diamond's best. He never sounded so mellow, yet still powerful, and tracks like "Help!", "Follow the wolf" and "Catacomb" you gotta hear over and over again. This is not a follow up to Voodoo (my King's favorite album for two reasons: the topic -I live in Louisiana, and I think this is his best-told story- and the music, which is so incredible). I think the House of God musical concept was very ambitious, unique among the gothic metal industry and, why not, genious. It shows mature musicianship, song-writing and story-telling. Even though there's a weakness in the end. In the beginning of the booklet, King writes that this story happened to a friend of his, but he choses to tell as if it happened to himself. Until here, things are fine. But, in the end of the story, the main character commits suicide... so, in a logical manner, how did this story ever became known by anybody? By revelation?

In "This place is terrible", King makes a bizarre use of theology. He claims that there is some kind of entity which is superior to God and Satan, which happen to be just "nothing but puppets on their strings" (was he already thinking about the puppetmaster??). Then he explains that good and evil are just relative and partial (Christians have the belief that good is an absolute entity and comes from God, and evil is the departure from goodness, therefore evil is not an value in it itself, but a "void"), but, if you pay real attention to the overall song, this so called "superior entity" gives the impression of being as evil as the devil that we "know"... (the main character is so terrified about "it" that ends up commiting suicide), and thinking about it, how could a mixture of good and evil not be evil? Cyanide dissolved in water still kills doesn't it?

This reminds me of the Abigail II album in which beginning it is claimed that "her spirit is not evil, nor is it good", but we know that Abigail is evil, therefore she wouldn't be looking for revenge, would she?

To conclude, as you may have guessed, my recommendation is: ENJOY THE MUSIC, FORGET THE THEOLOGY.

Once Again, We Dive Into the Dark Corners of Religion........2006-04-18

In a way, this release reminds me of the Eye, another concept album from the King about religion. Without any doubt, this is his most controversial release to date. It's not as gruesome as say Puppet Master in that sense, but what the story tells is where the listener truly begins to question what has been told throughout history. It is loosley based on the story of the church out in France where someone found documents stating that Christ never died on the cross and was married to Mary Magdalene. Whether or not the story is actually true is yet to be revealed, so it let's you draw any conclusion you so choose to.
Musically, the album is great, if not a bit repetitive. It's more riff driven than any other releases in the past, but there is a strong sense of progression, which helps in the flow of the constantly changing story. A story of love, deception, fear, death, and universal truth, it's one of those albums that should be classified as one of the most important in history as far as the message it portrays. The Trees Have Eyes might sound like a silly title, but it's catchy riffs will stay laden in your head for days. The title track is absolutely beautiful in the way it is structured. The coupe de grace are the last two songs, "This Place is Terrible" where the main character learns the truth about "God, Satan, Heaven and Hell", and "Peace of Mind" closes the story with a beautiful and nearly tear inducing instrumental by Andy LaRocque.
Glend Drover is also hear, and his guitar work is worthy of being on a KD release, unlike some guitarists like Herb from previous releases.
WHile not as easily deemed as a classic like KD's first several releases, this album is one of his best since he started in the mid-80's. This should not be missed by any means as it is an important piece of work in music history in my opinion.

I REALLY LIKE THIS ALBUM!!! GREAT KING DIAMOND ALBUM!!!.......2005-02-17

I really enjoyed this album from start to finish!!As a Long-time King Diamond Fan I really feel this to be one of the Bands BEST concept story/albums yet!! King's vocals on this album are TERRIFIC!! and the guitar work on this album is AMAZING!!Andy La Rocque is truely a GUITAR GOD!! In my opinion this is some of the absolute BEST guitar work in ALL the recent albums!!( although All the guitar work on ALL the past albums are FANTASTIC!!)This is definately an album that the more you hear it the more you WILL truely LOVE IT!! The album is BEST heard with headphones on (this way you get to hear all the sound effects and really get into the atmosphere). A FANTASTIC story (One of King Diamonds's Best!)Great Cover art too!! I really don't feel 5 stars is enough for the musical Masterpiece that is "House Of God" NEW fan's this is an excellent King Diamond album to check out!!( but be sure to also check out "Abigail","Them" and "Conspiracy" especially!!)The production and sound quality is also Fantastic on this album! Great Album!, Don't miss out on this one!! I really DON'T think you will be dissapointed!! LONG LIVE THE KING!!and LONG LIVE METAL!!(PS:) You will really love track #9 "HELP!" and track #13 "Peace Of Mind" is absolutely beautiful!! Terrific Guitar work!!AAAA+++++!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

My Opinions
A cool dance AND worship Album
Wow!
The exercise gospel
A great vision

Jumping in the House of God
World Wide Message Tribe
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

We Don't Get What We Deserve
Revived
Frantik
Heatseeker
The Real Thing

ASIN: B000002N6Q
Release Date: 1996-07-16

Tracks:

The Real Thing - World Wide Message Tribe
Kik-Start - World Wide Message Tribe
Joy - Sani
Jesus, Name Above All Names - Shine
Jumping In The House Of God - World Wide Message Tribe Vs. Hog
Holy - Hog, Doug Walker And Shine
Hear My Prayer - Lynsey Berry
Reach For Heaven - World Wide Message Tribe
Hosanna - Sani
The Year Of The Lord's Favour - World Wide Message Tribe
Be Still - Simon Jinadu And Sani
Glory - World Wide Message Tribe

Customer Reviews:

My Opinions.......2004-07-10

There are two versions of this cd. The first one I purchased was the US version. The songs are awsome. The second one I recently purchased is the UK version and I like it a lot better. The songs on the UK version are new to me, unlike some of the songs that are on The US version. Both covers look the same but the UK has a total of 18 songs.

A cool dance AND worship Album.......2002-02-04

This cd is cool and great to dance to and when you ever want to worship God you should pop this cd in! Here are my song ratings:
#1-5/5 my favorite song on here because it's fast and has great voices singing it with a great tune and instruments! Our youth group has played this song in our meeting room! This song is cool to play at a dance party!A popular song in my youth group!
#2-5/5 a cool fast song that has lyrics that can make you dance and worship God at the same time!
#3-4/5 has a good tempo that is danceable
#4-4/5 a more jazzy song that starts out slow but isn't a fast enough tempo to dance to. It is a pretty song!
#5-5/5 a fast song that also makes you dance and worship at the same time! A popular song in my youth group!
#6-4/5 not much of a sweet dance song but has an okay tempo and tune.
#7-4/5 same as #6 only more slow and prettier.
#8-5/5 a cool dance tune! Also a help to worship!
#9-5/5 a very cool beaty tune version of the well known classical worship peice(maybe not that classical) Hosanna!
#10-5/5 A fast very cool dance song with a pretty tune!
#11-3/5 my least favorite song that has a slow beat and I really don't think is awasome but it has an okay tune.
#12-5/5 this is a reprise of Hosanna only it just has people singing Hosanna and Glory. Has a beaty tune!
As you read above this is a powerful danceable cd that has good enjoyable tunes! If you like dance music and worship, here's a cd with both of them mixed together! Enjoy!

Wow!.......2001-08-11

My youth group has this cd and our dj played the first song lot's of times. One night I asked to borrow it and took it home. When I listened to the whole cd, I thought it was really cool! The Real Thing is my favorite song off the album and there are really cool fast dance songs on this cd. #6,7,11 are sorta slow but they are still good songs.Most of the songs make you wanna dance. You would think it's cool when you first play it.

The exercise gospel.......2000-11-22

The reason that I am so in love with this CD is because, the music just keep you moving and groving. I would also recomend this CD for those who are finding it hard to praise God and who would like to get stress and day to day problems as far as possible from them. I am going to buy it for myself that is the reason that I am recomending people to buy it. Love and Peace.

A great vision.......2000-05-29

this cd and the people behind it have helped spread the vision of the work God is doing in European countries. it has greatly encouraged me in my world view.

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | 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

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

General | International | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Favourite Welsh Choirs
Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics
Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs
Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome
Traditional Songs of Wales

ASIN: B0009SOFXG
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Dies Irae
Men of Harlech
You'll Never Walk Alone
Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
Old Folks at Home
Il Liza Jane
Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Vergine Degli Angeli
Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
My Hero
God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
German Mass/Gloria
German Mass/Sanctus
Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Arwelfa
Invictus
Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

Diolch l'R L
Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
Memories of Martha
I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
Creation's Hymn
In the Spirit!
Shall We Gather at the River
Nos a Bore
Very Best Time of Year
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Thanks Be to God
Flower That Shattered the Stone
Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
Where Shall I Be?
Bywyd y Bugail
Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
Cymru Fach
Nidaros
Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
Watching the Wheat
Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
Misbles/Stars
Rachie
Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
My Lord, What a Mornin'
Bryn Myrddin
Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
Ride the Chariot
Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

Y Nefoedd
Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
By Babylon's Wave
I'm Gonna Sing
Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
That's All I Want from You
Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
Give Me Jesus
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
My Wish for You
Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
Mose in Egitto/Prayer
Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
God's Choir in the Sky
Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
Smilin' Through

Tracks:

Calon Lan
True Love
Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
Aberystwyth
Comrades in Arms
Cats/Memory
They Led My Lord Away
State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
When I Fall in Love
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Windmills of Your Mind
How Soon
Non Nobis Domine
Rhythm of Life
Kalinka
Sound an Alarm
Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
Turandot/Nessun Dorma
Christus Redemptor
Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Songs of Free Men/ A Paul Robeson Recital

Average customer rating:

Robeson on wax
The voice, the sound quality and the interpretation
A Voice from the 40s, often dated, often moving
Robeson at his best
some of the greatest songs of the last century

Songs of Free Men/ A Paul Robeson Recital

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Baritones | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Paul Robeson Live at Carnegie Hall
Ballad for Americans
Ol' Man River: His 25 Greatest
Paul Robeson - Here I Stand
Spirituals

ASIN: B0000029YJ
Release Date: 1997-12-09

Tracks:

Balm in Gilead
Chassidic Chant
Quiet Flows The Don: From Border To Border
Quiet Flows The Don: Oh, How Proud Our Quiet Don
Elijah, Op. 70: The Lord God Of Abraham
The Purest Kind Of Guy
Joe Hill
The Peat-Bog Soldiers
The Four Insurgent Generals
Native Land
Song Of The Plains
Cradle Song
Within Four Walls
By An' By
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
John Henry
Water Boy
My Curly Headed Baby
Mah Lindy Lou
Wagon Wheels
The House I Live In
Showboat: I Still Suits Me
Sylvia
Showboat: Ol' Man River
Porgy And Bess: It Ain't Necessarily So

Amazon.com

There was nothing like the Robeson sound, ever. To describe his deep, rich, perfectly equalized instrument is futile. Go instead to "Balm in Gilead," the opening track, and see if you can listen to the last pianissimo phrase without falling to pieces. Robeson was at his best when the music was slow and the words contained spiritual or social messages. Faster, lighter fare like Kern's "I Still Suits Me" or Gershwin's "It Ain't Necessarily So" find the serious-minded singer out of his element, lacking irony and swing. "Old Man River," though, gets a simple, dignified treatment. It's Songs of Free Men, though, that will just keep Robeson's artistry rolling along, especially in Sony's astonishing transfers. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Robeson on wax.......2007-06-19

I found this album in a thrift store last week, for a couple of dollars. It's the original pressing on four 78 RPM records, in a gatefold format. It's in pristine condition. I really bought it for the incredible cover art, although I hope to be able to listen to it in this format at some point.

The voice, the sound quality and the interpretation.......2004-09-24

Put this on your stereo and if it is good enough the depth and richness of Robeson's voice will make your fillings rattle and your chest rumble. The power of his voice is awesome. This CD is superbly recorded with no audible noise at normal listening levels.

A Voice from the 40s, often dated, often moving.......2002-09-01

"Red diaper babies" have greeted this disc with nostalgic joy, and it captures a time and an aesthetic and a political belief with precision. Anyone interested in the emotional life of the pro-Soviet left of the 1940s should buy this disc. It's something like Henry Wallace set to music. There is much more to Robeson than that, however, and Sony has given us Robeson whole: there are songs by American masters of the musical, there are labor songs, religious songs, as well as the kind of faux-folk songs which the butcher supreme Josef Stalin encouraged and which were not taken seriously inside the USSR (except at gunpoint!!) but which were taken up by dupes around the world. This is Robeson at his least savory - willing propagandist for a vile mass murderer. Songs such as "Native Land" (fittingly, Robeson is referring to the Soviet Union) and the Red Army song are the equivalent of the "Horst Wessel Song", anthems of murder, and it is difficult to listen to the worst of them without retching. On the other hand, Robeson's commitment to American folk culture was real. "Balm in Gilead" is deeply beautiful; "John Henry" is heroic; "By an' By" is both resigned yet hopeful. "Joe Hill" captures an era in labor history. Anyone interested in American popular song should hear these. Turning to Broadway, his "Old Man River" is very fine, though Robeson changed the lyrics for political reasons and Leonard Warren has done the song better. I disagree with the editorial reviewer: "I Still Suits Me" is wonderfully playful and shows Robeson using his gorgeously rich voice to tease and poke fun. However, Marc Blitzstein's "Purest Kind of a Guy" is beyond saving - another example of Robeson recording an unworthy song by a political fellow-traveller. Ugh. But for every miss there are two hits. Robeson performs Mendelssohn's Elijah with nobility, and sings his favorite song, "Water Boy", with joyous pride: "There ain't no hammer that's on these mountains that rings like mine, boys, that rings like mine."
No one need have any fears about the mono sound quality. The orchestra in the second half of the program is at times a little dwarfed by Robeson's voice, but it generally sounds clean and colorful, and the great artist's voice rings like no other.

Robeson at his best.......2000-05-12

It's hard to believe that most of these recordings pre-date the advent of magnetic tape: the CD transfer is superlative. The songs and performance are beyond reproach. Notable is the imaginative packaging in miniature 'record album' format, complete with the original cover art, and a replica of the original Columbia record label applied to the CD.

In response to a previous question: Robeson's performance of Danny Boy (Londonderry Air) can be found on the Vanguard LP entitled "Robeson" (VRS-9037).

some of the greatest songs of the last century.......2000-05-05

In the 1940s, before rabid McCarthyism and racism had taken its toll on him, Robeson made these wonderful recordings of spirituals, classics and pop tunes. Accompanied by the solo piano of the incomparable Lawrence Brown, or by an orchestra, the songs ring out with pride, dignity, skill and unmatched integrity. The shameful treatment that Robeson was subject to from American authorities certainly seem grotesquely absurd to a modern listener. The wonderful version of "The House I Live In" included on this cd should forever kill off any suspicion that Robeson did not love his country deeply. This album ought to be heard by millions of people, world wide. Robeson's voice is nothing less than a glorious high point in 20th century music, and it's hard to think of any recording capturing it to greater advantage.

Music Info:

Music Info

music info

Recommended Music:

Mardo

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 8; Bax: Oboe Quintet

Vagn Holmboe: Works for Choir

Patto

Three Parts to My Soul

THE COME UP [Explicit Lyrics]

Time for Love

The Virtuoso Guitar, Vol. 2

We Thank Thee [Import]

Tiny Grimes & Friends

Up Up Up Up Up Up

Voce Vai Ver O Que E Bom [Import]

Tour d'Electro [Import]

Tunesmith

Rockford