Heroine

Heroine

Track Listings

1. I Don't Want to Think About It

2. Careful

3. Heroine

4. Fall

5. Invitation

6. On My Own

7. Debutante

8. Aisle C

9. Fine

10. Everytihing That Rises

11. Give It Up

12. Everybody Loves You When You're Dead

Tracks:

Autumn: Heroine's Theme/Deep Summer's Sleep/The Winter Long
Sad Young Man
Just Love
Shine On Silver Sun
Hero And Heroine
Midnight Sun
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
Lay A Little Light On Me
Hero's Theme
Still Small Voice
Lay A Little Light On Me

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of the group's 1974 A&M album with two tracks from the album's sessions added as bonuses: the previously unreleased 'Still Smart Voice' & an early version of 'Lay A Little Light'. 12 tracks total. 'Hero And Heroine' was their first album to break the U.S. top 100 & features the line-up of Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, John Hawken, Chas. Cronk and Rod Coombes. 1998 A&M release.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered with Two Bonus Tracks: Still Small Voice and Lay a Little Light on Me (Early Version).

Customer Reviews:

Solid Prog, Blast from the Past.......2007-03-24

The product description says 1974 A&M release. I am certain I first heard this in 1973. It might have been a promotional copy or a different UK release date. I was living in Trinidad managing a ganja plantation (kinda) at the time. Fresh music was far and few in between then. It came via a British friends UK visit. It was an authentic hippie pseudo-spiritual existence. So when spinning this LP, besides the nice prog music, we found all sorts of deeper meanings and messages. I hope you are laughing. Maybe you had have been there. I've listened to and purchased other Strawbs releases but none reach the accomplishments of this one IMO. Cousins vocals may be an acquired taste for some but will never be mistaken for anyone else by all.

I Sense Reflection Coming On..............2007-01-01

Hello my dedicated people. I hope this holiday season brings lots of joy to all. Yes. Where was I? Oh yes-explaining my absence for such a long time. I do not want to get into great detail here. (I have been accused of being "too wordy"--Imagine!). In essence it was all legal wrangling over getting my new book "How to Bargain with the Universe and Win!" published. It was a nightmare. And after many lawyers and no progress (but much money I assure you), I had had enough. I escaped and conducted Ghost Tours in the northeast for some quiet and peace of mind. I am now just getting back to reviewing music so forgive me if my reflections are a little rusty at this point.
I started writing reviews roughly a year ago and the very first one was on The Strawbs excellent "Hero and Heroine". Unfortunately, something went wrong and it was cast into the void of that Holy Grail we call the internet. So-someone out there has it. I've been told some Chinese lady got it and, since she couldn't read it, handed it over to the government.
So- I tread lightly now. In this day and age of political prisoners, Metamorpho can't afford to be clumsy.
O.K. enough about my plight-lets get to this review.
I think The Strawbs have created a perfect prog-rock masterpiece with this one. In fact, I have always thought so after first listening to the intro of "Autumn" so many years ago. How can I explain the music here? Some rock-some classical runs-wonderful songwriting-superb musicianship. However-thematically- it is a contrast of opposites- just as the title "Hero and Heroine" suggests. It is light and dark, it is positive and negative-and the sum result is a glorious balanced album.
There is certainly despair, perhaps more than we would want-but Cousins and company somehow always manage to throw that quality of "hope" into alot of the songs here.
As in "Autumn" when things die and cease to be, we can go on and survive if we hold on to each other. It is this "rising above the situation" that gives this piece so much meaning. In "Sad Young Man" we are treated to the idea that we struggle for things that make no sense to us. That your own gloom or mood depends on you. "You are your own creation", one of the very best lines I've heard. After "Just Love" (a much needed bouncy tune and diversion in this epic), we are treated to more bleakness and despair. Cetainly being "Out in the Cold" is no joy ride as Cousins suggests. And drawing the blade "across my wrists to see how it would feel" is not exactly encouraging. However-wisely- we have the Midnight and Silver sun peeping in to give us a way out. Incorporating an "escape hatch" with this music was very genius. Then again, they may not have been aware of this when they wrote the songs. If so, aren't the things in the sub-concious pretty amazing?
Then we get to "Hero and Heroine" and the lines really start to fade with this one. Not only could it mean a destructive love relationship (between human beings) but also as a drug addiction. Extremely clever. And if you then add in the premise that the things we love the most can kill us, you can have a Doctorate's thesis just waiting to be written! But don't look at me. Metamorpho, at the moment, is looking for a gratuitous invite to a New Year's Party. Nothing so far. Must I always be a wallflower? Must reflect more is now my resolution.
In closing, this is definitely one of my all-time favorites. Yes, it can be unsettling, however, the excellence of the songs, the construction, and production far exceeds the realm of the mundane. Need I say- prog-rock is a "listening" experience for thinking minds. So, if that's what you like then by all means experience this recording. Truly great. Truly fine "musicians".
In closing, let me say, that if you are into reflection, then it is a terrible injustice not to hear it. It is a rare and beautiful find.
To my readers (you know who you are!), a heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your votes. Metamorpho is, after all, a servant of the people (without being corrupt! How novel!), and you all know that life would be nothing if we all couldn't have a little fun. Enjoyment is our need, reading Metamorpho is our creed!
To the faithful- a blessed and wonderful New Year! To new-comers-hope you enjoy all of my reviews and have a prosperous new year! And to all those who have seen fit to be against my reviews-I wish a fine New Year as well. You thought I would say something negative, didn't you? Ohno- you cannot trap an old Seer like myself into an unconditional love quagmire. You see-you all are worthy of the best.
Gotta go. HAPPY NEW YEAR- to you all!
In spirit and light--------your dedicated Metamorpho

This was my first Strawbs album that was introduced to me by a really cool Record Store sales clerk in Detroit.......2006-12-30

I think it was in 1978, when I was looking for something unique that was similar to the sounds of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, King Crimson, and Yes. I don't remember what Maxell was promoting at the time, but they had this really cool Progressive Rock collection on an album. Maxell usually sells tapes (cassettes and Reel to Reel at the time). So I bought this Maxell collection LP and took it home. On the album there was a track called "Deadly Nightshade" by The Strawbs. Although that Maxell album had several already familiar tracks and some duds, it was this Strawbs track that really caught my interest. So I went back to Harmony House and browsed through a few of the many Strawbs albums that were already there. I didn't see any Strawbs album that had "Deadly Nightshade" but I still wanted to go home with a Strawbs album. I asked some guy who worked there which would be the best Strawbs album that I should buy. He took me to see someone who worked in the back who was a serious Strawbs fan. He suggested right away, that I should buy the album "Hero and Heroine". In fact, he had an open album of it available and played some of it for me. Right away, I loved the dark instrumental opening of Heroine's Theme that was the start of the track called "Autumn". I didn't have to hear any more. I was sold! I even bought two Strawbs albums that day. I bought "Hero and Heroine" and "Ghosts". I was a content Strawbs fan from that day, and even to this day. I collected all the Strawbs albums that were available at the time. It was suggested, even then, that I should stick to the A&M releases. Strawbs became just another band where I thought every member was an immortal God to music.

After their next album called "Nomadness", the Strawbs continued to have band member changes and they drifted further away from both of their Folk and their Progressive influences and started to sound more like a typical pop music group that was already the sound that was saturating the pop music charts. It was all so easily dismissible since the Strawbs were so strong during their A&M days. Only true Strawbs loyalists continued to buy the Strawbs albums (I'm guilty of this too, nowadays) even after A&M gave up on them. Their immediate follow-up albums (from the Oyster label) were "Deep Cuts" and "Burning for You". There are a few good tunes, but these albums are easily and regrettably forgettable.

The album afterwards, called "Deadlines" ended strong. Their songs "Deadly Nightshade" and "Words of Wisdom" are two of Dave Cousins best songs ever.

Strawbs continued to perform and release albums in later years. Dave Cousins still likes to find old band members who probably have nothing better to do, and they've done some shows and released some albums. In 1988, their album "Don't Say Goodbye" and 1991's "Ringing Down the Years" are both pretty good. I think these two albums are better than their albums from the late seventies after "Nomadness".

But, alas, they were running out of creative ideas yet again, and started to lose their appeal once again. What's frustrating about the Strawbs is that Dave Cousins likes to keep re-recording earlier songs, like he thinks he's improving on them. I wish he wouldn't do this. In 2002, Dave Cousins got together with Rick Wakeman and recorded another album together. Rick Wakeman left the Strawbs back in 1971 to join Yes and to do solo projects. And even on this Cousins and Wakeman album, Cousins still did some re-recordings that Rick Wakeman had nothing to do with back in their heyday.

Dave Cousins seems to be the only member of the Strawbs that was on every Strawbs album. All the other members just came and went over the years. But, I'm sure that every Strawbs fan will agree that the Strawbs best albums were the albums of the A&M years (1969-1975). If you can find it, look for their double CD called "Halcyon Days" (the US version). It is the very best of the Strawbs put together all in one great double CD package. In fact, it was done so well that it is very obvious that A&M have no intentions of releasing their albums separately. You'd have to buy their expensive imports as I have.

I hope someday they will release the Hudson-Ford albums on CD. These two guys contributed to what made the folk side of the Strawbs so strong back in their earlier days.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, the Strawbs, Yes, Pink Floyd, Triumvirat, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Rick Wakeman, and Monty Python's Flying Circus. These were the strongest influences in my life as a kid. The Strawbs are still performing shows throughout England. They have a following just like the Grateful Dead had here in America. I'd like to see them come do a show here in California. Perhaps they could do a double billing with maybe Blackmore's Night. That would be a great show where they would actually compliment each other being seen together. What do you think? Strawbs fan's should check out Blackmore's Night.

Totally great folk/prog rock album, lots of Mellotron.......2006-07-27

I have some serious catch up work to do with The Strawbs, all I have right now is From the Witchwood and this one, Hero and Heroine. The Strawbs was a band I was aware of forever, but never bothered buying any of their albums, until now. Well, better late than never. I realize the stuff they released from Grave New World (1972) to Ghosts (1975) are regarded as their best albums, so obviously I need to get all those albums too.

Strawbs were never known for a steady lineup, and the lineup that recorded Hero and Heroine consisted of Dave Cousins (of course) (vocals, guitars), Dave Lambert (guitars, vocals), keyboardist John Hakwen, drummer Rod Coombes, and bassist Chas Cronk. John Hawkwen, Rod Coombes, and Chas Cronk were all new members for this album, as the band witnessed one of their periodic lineup changes after the release of Bursting at the Seams (their previous album). Hawken was the original keyboardist for Renaissance, way back during the Keith Relf/Jim McCarty days. The back cover of the album shows all five of the guys dressed in white suits and ties against a white backdrop, as if these guys were in heaven. And you couldn't mistake who Dave Lambert was, he's the guy with the streaked hair, he did that sort of thing way before it became trendy to do so.

This was the album that started breaking the band in the States, although apparently their popularity in England was already declining at this point. Many regard this as one of their finest albums, and after a few listens, I have to agree. Certainly the band reputation in the prog community was now fully established (it was since 1972's Grave New World), they still had not abandoned their folk roots. "Autumn" starts off with some really juicy Moog from Hawken and some amazing Mellotron. The second part has more of a Moody Blues-like feel, while the final part demonstrates how the band still kept their folk roots intact. Rod Coombes gave us "Sad Young Man", which features some nice guitar work, and some nice progressive passages. Dave Lambert gives us "Just Love", starts off as a rather straightahead rocker, but unexpected the music shifts to symphonic gear in the middle part with a mellow part, complete with Mellotron. Dave Cousins gives us "Shine on Silver Sun", which I wouldn't call progressive, but a nice singalong, that the band often had a habit of including on many of their albums (like "Part of the Union" or "A Glimpse of Heaven"). The title track features some truly majestic Mellotron, but you can hear the folk roots still, because it has an almost jig-like feel. The next two songs tend to be mellower and more folk-influenced, "Midnight Sun" and "Out in the Cold", before going back to prog territory with "Round and Round". "Lay a Little Light On Me" is another great prog number courtesy of Cousins, where he sounds more like Peter Gabriel, and there's an almost Genesis-like feel, without exactly copying that band's sound. I have my suspicion that Cousins had heard his share of what Genesis was doing at that time.

I have to admit this isn't exactly the most complex prog rock out there. The Strawbs weren't exactly Gentle Giant here. Instead they focused on the songs themselves which showed to more or less degree their folk roots (depending on song). Regardless this album is truly a must have.

Bleak progressive folk rock with some upbeat moments .......2006-04-09

Released in 1974, a lot of folks regard this as the first prog album for the Strawbs (and their best), although I felt they were proggy as early as 1972 (with Grave New World). The musicians on Hero and Heroine included former Renaissance keyboardist John Hawken (acoustic/electric piano, Hammond organ, mini-moog, mellotron w/voice and string settings, and string synthesizer); Chas. Cronk (bass); Rod Coombes (drums); and Dave Cousins/Dave Lambert (acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and vocals). I should note that the vocals of Dave Cousins may be an acquired taste, but I actually like them quite a lot. The playing on the album is generally very good, with John Hawken creating wonderfully gothic atmospheres with his haunting and sweeping work on the organ, and especially the mellotron. In fact, his wall of minor keys and somber tones sets the melancholic mood for much of the album. On the whole, the pieces comprise a nice blend of prog, folk, and rock styles and range in length from 2 - 5 minutes, with one track at 8'27". The album opens with a brooding swirl of mellotron, string synthesizer, and some very gloomy guitar chords on Autumn, which is the longest track and a personal favorite. The proggy track Round and Round is also great - as an aside, this track was included on the prog rock box set by Rhino and was my first exposure to the Strawbs. Added bonus tracks include the excellent Still Small Voice and an early version of Lay a Little Light on Me. Although I generally liked this album, the upbeat rock piece by Dave Lambert (Just Love) does not fit very well with the gloom and doom of the remaining pieces. Apart from this minor complaint, Hero and Heroine is highly recommended to those folks interested in exploring progressive folk rock. Other albums by the Strawbs that might also be enjoyable include Grave New World (1972) and Ghosts (1975), which features the Hero and Heroine lineup.

Average customer rating:

Deviating from post hardcore
How did such a good band get such a worthless vocalist?
Sub-Par
Here comes Heroine, the revolution of emo!
(3.8 stars) May sound a little different, but a lot better!

Heroine
From First to Last
Manufacturer: Epitaph / Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount
A Death-Grip On Yesterday
Louder Now
Voices
They're Only Chasing Safety

ASIN: B000E6GBYO
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Tracks:

Mothersound
The Latest Plague
...And We All Have A Hell
Afterbirth
World War Me
Shame Shame
The Crows Are Coming For Us
The Levy
Waves Goodbye
Waltz Moore
Heroine

Album Description

This group heads into 2006 with freight train momentum, closing out last year with a sold out national tour, extensive video play, and sales of their previous album, "Dear Diary My Teen Angst Has A Body Count", topping 120,000. Now comes "Heroine", which showcases a band evolving; reaching past their post-hardcore roots and into metal, industrial, and emo with the most creative and genre-busting material they've ever recorded. Produced by Ross Robinson (Slipknot, At The Drive-In, Korn), and mixed by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Avenged Sevenfold, System Of A Down).

Customer Reviews:

Deviating from post hardcore.......2007-07-15

I became an instant FFTL fan upon hearing "Secret's dont Make Friends" and "Ride the Wing's of Pestilence". The songs were melodic with screams thrown in at all the right times. A great example of what the post hardcore scene is supposed to sound like. When I went out and bought "Heroine" I was excited to hear how they had progressed since "Dear Diary". The music is bearable but it was nothing that I had expected or really wanted. Songs like Mothersound were OK but lacked the intensity and were easily forgotten in my MP3 player. It seems that they had completely deviated from the post hardcore sound apparent in "Dear Diary", much as Funeral For a Friend has with their last two CDs.

I'll be interested to see in what direction they go since Sonny has quit the band. Although its sad to see the original singer leave the band it could also lead to a much different sound then the 2nd CD which is what they really need.

How did such a good band get such a worthless vocalist?.......2007-03-04

The grand majority of the music on this album is refreshing and inventive. Sadly, it's nearly impossible to listen to the songs, thanks to the absolutely atrocious lyrics and vocal delivery. There really is no poetry here, only infantile ramblings that would receive rolled eyes from even the most uninformed of listeners.

Sub-Par.......2007-01-10

This release is a great one. However it does not compare with the original "Dear Diary, My Teenage Angst has a Bodycount" It seem almost all of the tracks are filler tracks and the entire album must have been spit out at the last minute. That being said the band From First To Last is still very talented both musicaly and lyricly.

Here comes Heroine, the revolution of emo!.......2006-12-17

This album was amazing, great for many emo kids! But I'm not emo. My favorite tracks are "Mothersound", "The Latest Plague"(of course), and "World War Me", I liked listening to the bass lines at the solo in the end of "Mothersound". "Latest Plague" was catchy and my most favorite!! And "World War Me" was incredible, I wonder why some people think this song in just OK? "Waves Goodbye" was very different from other songs, more soft and more of techno. It's kinda unusal that FFTL combiners their music of emo, hardcore, and techno. But I still love this band!

(3.8 stars) May sound a little different, but a lot better!.......2006-12-02

This album was tremendous! A lot of emo and more screaming! "The Latest Plague" and "World War Me" are the best tracks in this album.

1."Mothersound" 10/10- Yes, a ten of course, with really nice solo at the end and great chorus! Usually, in From First To Last's songs, they usually sing then stop a while, but in this song, Sonny sang for a long time and then there came some guitar works.

2."The Lastest Plague" 11/10- I had to give this 11 out of 10, first of all, the chorus was amazing, so catchy! Love when he first whispers, and then he screams out "so don't you PLAAAACE!!" The drumming was good, and so were the guitars.

3."... And We All Have A Hell" 10/10- The intro was amazing! I heard that this song was about rape or being raped. I love when Sonny sings fast in some parts.

4."Afterbirth" 9/10- This was a beautiful song, sounded sorta sad since he's singing that he just figured out that he was adopted. I really love how the ending sounded.

5."World War Me" 12/10- I just had to give this 12 stars out of 10, there were more screaming than in any other songs they've ever made. This had the catchiest chorus. The drumming was amazing at the ending.

6."Shame Shame" 9/10- The intro was great! But the chorus was kinda boring.

7."The Crows Are Coming For Us" 9/10- The chorus was okay, the intro had drumming in it. Love when they go "you walk on water, you sing that lovely tune".

8.'The Levy" 9.5/10- This song was OK too, but I don't understand why sooo many people love this song?! This song is like everywhere where you check out From First To Last. There's nothing special, Sonny barely sings in here, many parts were soft and silent, it's just the ending that got my attention.

9."Waves Goodbye" 2/10- This was the world's worst song in this album!! I HATED THIS!!! This album would be better without this song. this sounded more of techno and more like pop.

10.'Waltz Moore" 9/10- I really like this song, this was kinda addicting, and the chorus was good too.

11."Heroine" 7.9/10- This was so-so, Sonny's voice sounded louder and slower in here, it's just the chorus that I only liked.

This was a great album, sometimes it could get a little boring, the drumming was amazing! The guitars were great! Love Sonny's singing! I just love this band!

Average customer rating:

Solid Prog, Blast from the Past
I Sense Reflection Coming On.......
This was my first Strawbs album that was introduced to me by a really cool Record Store sales clerk in Detroit
Totally great folk/prog rock album, lots of Mellotron
Bleak progressive folk rock with some upbeat moments

Hero and Heroine
The Strawbs
Manufacturer: A&M Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Ghosts
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Bursting at the Seams
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ASIN: B000005RXI
Release Date: 1992-05-21

Tracks:

Autumn: (i) Heroine's Theme (ii) Deep Summer's Sleep (iii) The Winter Long
Sad Young Man
Just Love
Shine On Silver Sun
hero And Heroine
Midnight Sun
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
Lay A Little Light On Me
Hero's Theme

Album Description

Album Details

Old Unremastered Version.

Customer Reviews:

Solid Prog, Blast from the Past.......2007-03-24

I Sense Reflection Coming On..............2007-01-01

This was my first Strawbs album that was introduced to me by a really cool Record Store sales clerk in Detroit.......2006-12-30

Totally great folk/prog rock album, lots of Mellotron.......2006-07-27

Bleak progressive folk rock with some upbeat moments .......2006-04-09

Average customer rating:

Fine reissue of a classic set

Purcell: Theatre Music

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Cantatas for Solo Countertenor
Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll
Monteverdi - Madrigali guerrieri ed amorosi / Concerto Köln, Jacobs
Lawes: The Consort Setts for 5 & 7 viols and organ

ASIN: B0001Y4JHA
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

A Purcell Sampler, or a Greatest Hits disk, if you prefer.

The Glory of Purcell

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Essential Purcell

ASIN: B000004CYK
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

The Douple Dealer: Overture/Hornpipe - Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood
Come Ye Sons of Art/Sound the Trumpet - Alfred Deller/John Whitworth/St Anthony Singers
The Old Bachlor: Rondeau/Menuet/Boree/March/Jig - Academy of Ancient Music/Chrostopher Hogwood
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Crown the Altar, deck the Shrine - Emma Kirkby/Anthony Rooley
Oedious: Music for a while - James Bowman
Amphitryon: Hornpipe/Scotch Tune - Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood
King Arthur: Fairest Isle - Catherine Bott/Paula Chateauneuf
Divine Andate, president of war... - James Bowman/Martyn Hill/Christopher Keyte/Taverner Choir/Parrott
The Fairy Queen: O, o let me weep - Emma Kirkby/Catherine Mackintosh/Anthony Rooley/Richard Campbell.
Son No.9 in F (Ten Sonatas in Four Parts) - Catherine Mackintosh/Monica Huggett/Christophe Coin/Christopher Hogwood
Dido and Aeneas: Thy hand, Belinda....When I am laid in earth... - Catherine Bott/Orch And Chorus of the Achedemy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood
Abdelazer: Overture-Rondeau - Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood
Bess of Bedlam - Emma Kirby/Anthony Rooley/Richard Campbell/Christopher Hogwood
The Married Beau: Trumpet Air-March-Hornpipe on a Ground - Academy of Ancient Music/Christopher Hogwood
Hear My Prayer, O Lord - Winchester Cathedral Choir/David Hill
Rejoice In The Lord Alway - Stephen Roberts/Christopher Robson/Winchester cathedral Choir/Brandenburg Consort/David Hill

Customer Reviews:

A Purcell Sampler, or a Greatest Hits disk, if you prefer........2006-02-05

This is a compilation disk of Greatest Hits, as it were, of Henry Purcell recorded by various artists from 1953 (the Alfred Deller track) through the 1970s through 1994. The point of the disk was part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the much to early death of this great composer and one of the great geniuses of music that England or Britain has ever produced. I have always been a devotee of his music and absolutely adore the way he set English. It is absolutely unique to him and so full of wonderful effects that create a greater whole than the music or words alone.

1995 was a year when we got to revel in everything Purcell. I was able to see a very delightful staging of "The Indian Queene" in London at the Barbican. It had narration, dancing, the singing, and wonderful playing. At the other portion of the concert, I enjoyed a performance of "Come, Ye Sons of Art" and other works by Hogwood et al. I was hoping to hear Kirkby, and she was billed. However, she was ill. Catherine Bott did a fine job as did John Bowman (both on this disk). Another counter-tenor I was so impressed with was Robin Blaze. I haven't heard much of him since, but he was terrific that night.

There are selections from his works for stage such as "King Arthur", "The Fairy Queen", Did and Aneas, and more. The disk also provides a selection of instrumental works, some sacred selections, and all the works are a delight. The track of "Come, Ye Sons of Art" is from 1953 and recorded by Alfred Deller. If you love the movement of historically informed performance, you do owe some debt to Deller. He was an early reviver of the counter-tenor voice and trying to create a style of performance that might be more appropriate and true to the music of earlier times. He helped bring about new interest in madricals, and other early music forms.

That Emma Kirkby sings on the disk is, of course, a delight for me. I have been captivated by her singing since I first heard her live in December 1980. We also get to delight in the singing of soprano Catherine Bott and counter-tenor John Bowman. All are led by the great Christopher Hogwood (except for the Deller track, obviously).

Average customer rating:

Purcell: Ayres for the Theatre

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Henry Purcell: Ayres for the Theatre
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ASIN: B000026BOK
Release Date: 1999-07-13

Average customer rating:

Philadephia Brass BAD. New England Brass GOOD.
A fine, clean performance

Glorious Sound of Brass

Manufacturer: Sony
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The Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli
Music Of Gabrieli
The Glory of Gabrieli
Gabrieli in San Marco
Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0000029X0
Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

Two Pieces: Almand
Two Pieces: Gaillard
Toccata 'Athalanta'
Brass Suite: Intrade
Brass Suite: Sarabande
Brass Suite: Intrade
Brass Suite: Sarabande
Brass Suite: Bal
Brass Suite: Courente
Brass Suite: Bal
Brass Suite: Sarabande
Brass Suite: Gigue
Providebam Dominum
Three Sonatas: Sonate No. 21
Three Sonatas: Sonate No. 24
Three Sonatas: Sonate No. 22
Renaissance Suite: The Marie-Golde
Renaissance Suite: Night Watch
Renaissance Suite: Patiencia
Renaissance Suite: The Choise
Renaissance Suite: Honie-Suckle
Renaissance Suite: Last Will And Testament
Renaissance Suite: The New-Yeres Gift
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Two Ayres: A Trumpet Voluntary From 'Ode For St. Cecilia's Day '
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Two Pieces: Voluntary For Organ And Trumpets
Six Diverse Pieces: Fanfare
Six Diverse Pieces: Trumpet Tune 'Bonduca'
Six Diverse Pieces: Ayre For Organ
Six Diverse Pieces: Trumpet Tune 'Martial Air'
Six Diverse Pieces: Trumpet 'Tune Cebell'
Six Diverse Pieces: Voluntary In C Major
Overture From 'Der Gutreue Musikmeister'
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Honor
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Charm
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Bravery
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Quietness
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Vigor
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Love
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Vigilance
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Playfulness
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Gentleness
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Generosity
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Hope
Heldenmusik (Heroic Music): Joy

Customer Reviews:

Philadephia Brass BAD. New England Brass GOOD........2004-01-17

This CD is a combination of two recording sessions. The 1966 recording of the Philadelphia Brass rates maybe two stars. Not only does the recording itself have a dry, studio sound to it, but the performance of the Philadelphia Brass cannot be recommended. They stomp their way through the loud parts; and the expressive parts are done in a perfunctory manner. It all has a real mechanical, connect-the-dots feel to it. There is a significant amount of imprecision in the attacks. Without checking the original scores I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking that some pieces were transposed into more comfortable keys.

The 1962 recording of the New England Brass is vastly superior. It's a good recording technically (considering the year -- certainly better than the 1966 recording) and a good performance that I'll rate four stars; so the whole CD averages out to three stars. The New England Brass deliver elegant high notes, spirit, and artistic expressiveness that are missing in the Philadelphia boys. This might explain why they are featured second on the CD: Save the best for last! If you are a real stickler for accuracy in Historically Informed Performance (based on whatever definition happens to be in style these days), you might find a few things to criticize. But hey! This was 1962. Cut 'em a little slack and enjoy the show.

Since this is a budget price, I would suggest you look at it this way: You're paying a budget price, so you can ignore in good economic conscience the mediocre part of the CD done by the Philadelphia group and enjoy the part done by the New England group without feeling like you wasted any money.

A fine, clean performance.......1999-12-08

I bought this CD for track 13. Providebam Dominum by Lassus, and, while that track is a bit of a letdown, the rest of the CD is superb.

This CD offers a range of brass music composed in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The performance is very clean as far as intonation as well as phrasing and dynamics.

This is a remastering of a 1960's performance, although you can't tell that just by lsitening, as it is free from noise, pops, and hiss. The liner notes weren't updated since the original recording (they attribute the Trumpet Tune to Purcell and not Clark, as it has been discovered recently), but that's not much of a concern, as the recording pretty much speaks for itself.

I was very happy to find a brass recording of Providebam Dominum, but I was a little disappointed by the recording on this CD. Overall, the song is played beautifully and gracefully. However, toward the end of the song there are accented notes that I feel are unnecessarily harsh. The three or four blatted notes in this track is the only blemish on this otherwise great CD.

The rest of the tracks, however, are played very nicely and without any unusually harsh notes. The Purcell/Clark Trumpet Tunes are played especially well, and the addition of the organ for a few tracks is a nice touch.

All in all, this is a great CD, and worthy of any brass music collection. It's not as refined or stylistic as some of the Canadian Brass recordings, but it offers a great deal to the early brass music enthusiast.

Honky Tonk Heroine: Classic Capitol Recordings, 1952-1964
Average customer rating:

Classic is right

The Original Honky Tonk Woman

True Country, True Opry!

If you like Jean Shepard this cd is a must.

Honky Tonk Heroine: Classic Capitol Recordings, 1952-1964
Jean Shepard
Manufacturer: Country Music Found.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000000QJ8
Release Date: 1995-10-31

Tracks:

Twice The Lovin' (In Half The Time)
Crying Steel Guitar Waltz
A Dear John Letter
My Wedding Ring
Two Whoops And A Holler
Don't Fall In Love With A Married Man
A Satisfied Mind
Beautiful Lies
Sad Singin' And Slow Ridin'
Under Suspicion
I Want To Go Where No One Knows Me
The Other Woman
Act Like A Married Man
A Thief In The Night
He's My Baby
How Do I Tell It To A Child
Color Song (I Lost My Love)
The Root Of All Evil (Is A Man)
Under Your Spell Again
One White Rose
I've Learned To Live With You (And Be Alone)
That's What Lonesome Is
Cigarettes And Coffee Blues
Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar)

Amazon.com

Her pleasant smile on the cover notwithstanding, Jean Shepard was no polite "girl singer," and it didn't take long for her to prove it. After Hank Thompson helped her secure a contract with Capitol in 1952, Shepard, not yet 19, recorded her first single, on which she defiantly declares: "I'll go where I could get twice the lovin', baby, in half the time." The ensuing years found Shepard boldly singing about "male subjects" like cheating and drinking, going so far as to ask in "Two Whoops and a Holler": "How come a man can fight and cuss and smoke and drink and chew, step out on their wives and do the things they shouldn't do?" Though Shepard only infrequently pierced the Top 10 between 1952 and 1964--"A Dear John Letter," with Ferlin Husky's recitation, was one of the biggest country hits of 1953--she helped establish the fact that a woman could sing honestly and powerfully without becoming "the lowest thing in town." Thanks to her commitment to traditional hard country, her unwavering crystal-clear voice, and hotshot musicians behind her such as steel wiz Speedy West, Shepard carved herself an important niche in country history. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Classic is right.......2003-01-05

This disk was just as I expected, no dissapoitments.

The Original Honky Tonk Woman.......2002-03-09

Jean Shepard's career as a country singer was often diminished by the long shadow cast by her peers, Kitty Wells and Patsy Cline. She proves to be thier equal in this 12 year retrospective of her early recordings. In the early 1950s,when women singers in country music were denegraded as "fern thrushes", Jean Shepard's music was a breakthrough, exploring near-taboo topic of marital infidelty. Her sweet, but full bodied alto voice counterpointed her tough minded song lyrics. This collection features Shepard in her finest stipped down traditional form with the amazing steel guitar of Speedy West. Later in her career, Shepard succumbed to producers who drowned her beautiful voice in overblown string arrangements and annoying Mitch Miller type chorus singers. This is the real Jean Shepard, the orginal honky tonk woman.

True Country, True Opry!.......2000-12-01

I've enjoyed seeing Jean Shepard several times at the Grand Ole Opry and have of course seen her on the telecasts. She used to be a regular on TNN's Ralph Emory talk show. As she nears seventy, her voice is as strong and vibrant as ever; she's one of those lucky singers who can just keep going!

Shepard's distinctive accent shines through on all of these recordings. There is an obvious progression in recording quality from the first to the last of this CD, but all the cuts sound clean and showcase her abilities.

This is a voice that will stand out from the crowd fifty years from now, one that you will either love or hate. It's a long way from Faith Hill!

For those who like their country music without rock influence, try this. You'll become a fan like so many of us!

If you like Jean Shepard this cd is a must........1999-04-07

I have this CD and it really does justice for Jean Shepard. The last song "second fiddle to an old guitar" she yodels it is great. Would like to have a cd with more yodeling on it. One of the best cd's and singer's.

Purcell: Suites and Transcriptions for Harpsichord

Average customer rating:

Very pleasant listening

Purcell: Suites and Transcriptions for Harpsichord

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Giovanni Gabrieli: Music for Brass, Vol. 1

ASIN: B0000014FW
Release Date: 1998-09-16

Tracks:

Ste No.1 in G, Z.660: Prld
Ste No.1 in G, Z.660: Almand
Ste No.1 in G, Z.660: Corant
Ste No.1 in G, Z.660: Minuet
Ov in Gamut flat, Z.T693 (The Virtuous Wife)
Ste No.2 in g Z.661: Prld
Ste No.2 in g Z.661: Almand
Ste No.2 in g Z.661: Corant
Ste No.2 in g Z.661: Saraband
Chaconne in g, Z.T680 (Timon Of Athens)
Ste No.3 in G, Z.662: Prld
Ste No.3 in G, Z.662: Almand
Ste No.3 in G, Z.662: Courante
A New Ground in e, Z.T682
Ste No.4 in a, Z.663: Prld
Ste No.4 in a, Z.663: Almand
Ste No.4 in a, Z.663: Corant
Ste No.4 in a, Z.663: Saraband
Ov in C (Bonduca Z.574/1)
Ste No.5 in C, Z.666: Prld
Ste No.5 in C, Z.666: Almand
Ste No.5 in C, Z.666: Corant
Ste No.5 in C, Z.666: Saraband
Ov in D, Z.T692 (The Fairy Queen)
Ste No.6 in D, Z.667: Prld
Ste No.6 in D, Z.667: Almand
Ste No.6 in D, Z.667: Hornpipe
Ov in d, Z.628/2 (King Arthur)
Ste No.7 in d, Z.668: Almand 'Bell-Barr'
Ste No.7 in d, Z.668: Corant
Ste No.7 in d, Z.668: Hornpipe
Round O (Abdelazer) Z.684
Ste No.8 in F, Z.669: Prld
Ste No.8 in F, Z.669: Almand
Ste No.8 in F, Z.669: Courante
Ste No.8 in F, Z.669: Minuet
Alternative Prld in g For Ste No.2
Alternative Prld in a For Ste No.4

Customer Reviews:

Very pleasant listening.......2004-06-26

It's not earth shattering music, but for relaxation it's great as background music. If you're tired of New Age prozac, this is a refreshing change, being just a harpischordist banging away...

Average customer rating:

Symbolism is the lyrics of songwriter Ken Harrison
Canadian, eh!
why didn't i hear of them sooner?
Bjork gone Canada
a Favorite CD in my Collection

Heroine
Wild Strawberries
Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Quiver
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Deformative Years
Big Beautiful Sky
The Open Door

ASIN: B000005DBY
Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

I Dont Want To Think About It
Careful
Heroine
Fall
Invitation
On My Own
Debutante
Aisle C
Fine
Everything That Rises
Give It Up
Everybody Loves You When Your Dead

Customer Reviews:

Symbolism is the lyrics of songwriter Ken Harrison.......2002-07-12

I picked up this album because I was making a point of having all of the current CDs by all of the artists I heard at all three of the Lilith Fairs I attended. This might explain Canadian couple Ken and Roberta Harrison are supported by Sarah McLachlan, Ashwin Sood, and Brian Minato on various tracks on this 1995 album. Ken Harrison might have been the most prominent male performer in the three-year history of Lilith Fair, but the really interesting thing is that he wrote the words and music. The lyrics clearly reflect a woman's perspective and there is a lot of bitterness involved in most of these songs. "I Dont' Want to Think About It" and "Heroine" are the two best known tracks. The former is about an abusive relationship and the latter is about a failed relationship, with the album's most evocative lyrics:

I played the fool
I played the drowning man
I will play your heroine
I know the rules
You wrote them on my veins
I will play your heroine

Ultimately the lyrics are more captivating that the music and although they are far from poetic there is a heavy-handed sense of symbolism that is impossible to ignore. Just check out the lyrics of "Everybody Loves You When You're Dead," which is actually one of the more upbeat songs on the album. This is one of those albums where you simply have to pay attention to the words.

Canadian, eh!.......2001-02-10

An excellent album from Canadian couple Ken and Roberta Harrison. Roberta's voice is very dreamy in the Margot Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) style. Ken plays a variety of instruments on this album, including piano, organ, and guitars, plus he wrote all the songs. On the first 2 tracks Sarah McLachlan plays guitars, and on various tracks Ashwin Sood (Sarah's husband) plays the drums and other instruments. This is a dreamy album...synth rock/pop at its best. The booklet contains all lyrics.

why didn't i hear of them sooner?.......2000-03-07

the first time i heard of the wild strawberries was when i heard the song 'i don't want to think about it' on the foxfire soundtrack. it was a great song, so i decided to get the cd, hoping there were a few other good songs on the album. heroine turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. i found that as much as i loved the first track, it was way down on my list of favorites from the cd. heroine is one of those rare cds that i can listen to without wanting to skip a single track. the title track is great, and the true gem on this cd is the haunting 'everybody loves you when you're dead' which keeps you thinking long after you've finished listening to the cd. combined, the richness of the music, the poetic lyrics, and her beautiful accent make this a must have for any collection... i'd bet that long after i've sold my other cds from the time period, i'll still be listening to heroine.

Bjork gone Canada.......1999-12-14

Both this album and Quiver are excellent. The instrumention, sound and mix are something like Bjork - modern, clever, sophisticated - but where Bjork would go operatic, the Wild Strawberries have gone '60s black-girl electro-pop. A lot of quirky character in the music and a lot of fun. A truly great electro-pop band.

a Favorite CD in my Collection.......1999-01-23

Saw the Wild Strawberries at Lilith Fair in Vanc,BC last August 98. Although I was not familiar with the band-I loved their performance and their music was so unique and melodious. The lyrics are great. Any friend I've lent the CD to buys their own because it becomes one of their faves too.Favorite song: "Heroine" but all the songs are great!

Music Info:

Music Info

music info

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