Baker Street [Import]

Baker Street [Import]

Track Listings

1. Baker Street

2. Right Down the Line

3. City to City

4. Waiting for the Day

5. Get It Right Next Time

6. Take the Money and Run

7. Days Gone Down

8. Why Won't You Talk to Me

9. Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin')

10. Wastin' Away

11. Bring It All Home

12. Don't Close the Door

13. Sleepwalking

14. Change of Heart

15. On the Way

16. Night Owl

Tracks:

Baker Street
Right Down the Line
City to City
Waiting for the Day
Get It Right Next Time
Take the Money and Run
Days Gone Down
Why Won't You Talk to Me
Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin')
Wastin' Away
Bring It All Home
Don't Close the Door
Sleepwalking
Change of Heart
On the Way
Night Owl

Customer Reviews:

Baker Street is excellent........2005-05-10

My comments regard only the songs that are found on the "City to City" album, including "Baker Street."

Of course I love Baker Street. There is a lot going on in that track, sophisticated and excellent. Comparing it with the (obscenely bad) Foo Fighters cover shows both the weaknesses of the Fighters' arrangement as well as the talent, polish, intelligence, and diligence of Rafferty's producer.

I personally don't like solo sax much and so it doesn't touch me as much as it seems to touch others, but even so I can see that the sax intro and other sax parts are electrifying. I respect this production choice because for so many people the sax is the only part of the song they identify and according to some reviews the sax bought most of that copious radio air-time in 1978. On the other hand, it's a shame to see this overstated sound overshadow the rest of the beautiful song in peoples' minds.

The swooping guitars are awesome and yet subtle and fill a crucial spot in the intro melody. The guitar solo is masterful. Much of the time in the solo is taken up with only a few sustained and repeated notes and the bulk of the solo is made up of bends, trills, swoops, dives, and inventive tremelos. Each note of the minimal note count speaks out to us in important ways. It reminds me of lyrics that say volumes with just a few words. It's one of my all time favorite guitar solos.

The two featured analog synthesizer sounds are way cool. The synth during the verse sounds like falling leaves or water. The bass synth sound that counterpoints the vocal during the chorous, again, is inventive: an interesting, unusual sound, delightful instrumental melodic counterpoint to the vocal, a melodic sound in this region of the bass territory is also unusual in pop. You usually have the bass drum and the bass guitar in the bass region and that's about it. This synth sound and melody is something like a `cello line, lending an orchestral feel while still using pop instruments.

The lyrics to Baker Street are good, but I wouldn't say great. They give an overall impression of loneliness, futility and yearning for something better in the future. What's there is good but it's not great because the song does not tell a complete story. The "City to City" album from which this song is taken is a concept album and every lyric addresses these issues of loneliness and itinerant living on the road. Considering the entire album's lyrics as a whole pushes them up a notch as ambitious, intelligent, very good, and maybe you could consider the whole as a complete story. They fall short of something blisteringly great like "Eleanor Rigby" (The Beatles) or "She Always a Woman" or "AllenTown" (Billy Joel).

Regarding the Foo Fighters' cover version: The Foo Fighters skip the swooping guitars during the intro melody and you can hear it as dead space, causing a drop in intensity there resulting in an undesirable volume pumping effect. The Fighters copy the guitar solo note for note, what's the point? We've heard that already, and much better, so why bother? Granted I'm not that familiar with post 1989 Pearl Jam clone musical styles so I might be missing something, but to me the Fighters' guitar version of the sax intro melody is just plain wrong. The rhythm is wrong and corny, the accents are in the wrong place, and the guitar sound is so anemic when compared to the sax. Why would a band of the Fighters' stature cover a song anyway? The whole thing is just wrong.

Excellent collection.......2003-02-20

Excellent greatest hits CD of Gerry Rafferty. Contains 4 songs from his best album, City to City, and a total of 16 songs. Great sound (remastered).

94 Baker Street: The Pop-Psych Sounds of the Apple Era: 1967-1969

Average customer rating:

Despite Muffed Track Listings, Pure Sixties Gold from the UK!
94 Baker Street: One of the best compilations I've heard!
Great Iveys tracks, the rest mediocre
A collection of history
Iveys stuff is the best, the rest, so-so

94 Baker Street: The Pop-Psych Sounds of the Apple Era: 1967-1969
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rpm Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000BZYRA
Release Date: 2004-04-05

Tracks:

Sycamore Sid - Focal Point
Love You Forever - Focal Point
Never Never - Focal Point
Girl on the Corner - Focal Point
'Cept Me - Focal Point
Dear Delilah - Grapefruit
Ain't It Good - Grapefruit
Lullaby - Grapefruit
Another Game - Grapefruit
Breaking Up a Dream - Ways And Means
I'm Too Shy - The Iveys
Maybe Tomorrow - The Iveys
Tube Train - The Iveys
She Came Out of the Cold - The Iveys
I've Been There Once Before - The Iveys
Getting Ready for Love - Paintbox
Romantic Attitude - John Fitch,
Find the Hidden Door - The Misunderstood
Stoned Out of It - John Fitch,

Album Description

Full title - 94 Baker Street - The Pop Psych Sounds Of The Apple Era '67-'69. 2003 compilation highlights the exciting pop & psych sounds that originated at 84 Baker St., where The Beatles launched their Apple organization. 21 tracks from the likes of Focal Point, Grapefruit, & The Iveys (who would evolve into Badfinger). Includes many very rare, previously unreleased, & exclusive tracks. RPM. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Despite Muffed Track Listings, Pure Sixties Gold from the UK!.......2005-12-14

Despite substantial track listing errors (titles of songs #1 and #2 are reversed and there are 18 songs, not the 21 listed on the cd back cover--tracks by The Misunderstood are missing), the music contained within is fantastic and really grows on you.

You should also know that the bands on the disc were signed to and represented by Apple Music Publishing. Some had Apple Records releases. Some did not. Do not think you are purchasing a collection of non-Beatle Apple 45's as I did.

Also, don't expect a collection of Beatle clones. Certainly, their influence is felt, but the major influence on many of these songs is the Hollies! (For example, "Breaking Up a Dream" by Ways and Means sounds exactly like the Hollies to me.)

If you love Syd Barrett you must own a copy of "Sycamore Sid" (actual track one) by Focal Point. It is the best Syd Barrett-style lyric I've ever heard, other than Syd's own. Truly, one of the greatest and most hilarious unheard sixties gems. If the disc contained only this song, it would be worth your few quid.

You must also experience the mind-blowing psych of "Lullaby" by Grapefruit, also one of the greatest sixties obscurities, fusing elements of Hollies, Beatles and Beach Boys. Utterly lovely.

Certainly, the Iveys (who grew up to be Badfinger)demos are fantastic,propelled by the energy of the Who (especially the dead-on Who impression "Tube Train") and the harmonies of the Hollies and Beatles. Tremendous stuff.

94 Baker Street: One of the best compilations I've heard!.......2005-10-31

I bought this cd because the lead singer of Focal Point (group on the cd) told me about it, The first tracks (from Focal Point to The Iveys) were great actually after the great demo of "Maybe Tomorrow" it went a little downhill, and the tracks didnt match the listing, but The Focal Point, Grapefruit, Iveys and Ways and Means tracks were some of the best songs I've heard. A definant buy.

Great Iveys tracks, the rest mediocre.......2005-03-22

As a big Badfinger fan, this was a must purchase. The Iveys tracks are really nice to have in my collection. The rest is simply ok. The person writing the liner notes would have you believe that the rest are lost shoulda-been hits- gems. That is simply very far from the truth. They are merely anachronistic samples of a bygone era. Interesting only as a reminder of what else was going on musically at the time, besides what the biggies like the Beatles, Stones, and Who were doing. For fans of the genre, Iveys/Badfinger or pop music historians only

A collection of history.......2005-03-17

I am the writer and lead singer of Focal Point, and was very amazed when this album was released. All the tracks by Focal Point were recorded at Decca Records, with the exception of 'Cept Me. Unfortunately, this was a demo of myself sitting in front of a mike singing a song. It was never intended for a general release, or any release of any kind. It was as I said a demo. It was however, good enough to impress John Lennon and Brian Epstein, and got us a recording and publishing deal. All the tracks on the album are expressive of the time, and all the writers, singers, guitarists whatever all worked hard, and had hopes and aspirations. This album is part of history, so the quality of recordings may not be the best, but it is what it is a collection of songs from an era that was probably the most influential in history.

Iveys stuff is the best, the rest, so-so.......2004-08-24

If you're a Badfinger fan, the Iveys tracks are a must. The rest of these tracks are OK, but there's a reason they weren't hits...

Baker Street, A Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes (1965 Original Broadway Cast)

Average customer rating:

intriguing Broadway flop...
Necessary! Necessary! Necessary!
An Enjoyable Surprise
HOORAH FOR BAKER STREET - AT LAST!!
A FASCINATING, HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MUSICAL . . . .

Baker Street, A Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes (1965 Original Broadway Cast)
Marian Grudeff , Kai Winding , Richard Hayman , The Baker Street Irregulars , Richard Hayman Symphony Orchestra , The Baker Street Orchestra , The Kai Winding Orchestra , Daniel Keyes , Fritz Weaver , Inga Swenson , Martin Gabel , Martin Wolfson , Patrick Horgan , Peter Sallis , Richard Burton , Theodore Green , Virginia Vestoff , and Raymond Jessel
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000CQQGVE
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Tracks:

Overture - Marian Grudeff,
It's So Simple - Patrick Horgan, , , Fritz Weaver
I'm in London Again - Inga Swenson
Leave It to Us, Guv - Teddy Green
Letters - Inga Swenson
Cold Clear World - Fritz Weaver
Finding Words for Spring - Inga Swenson
What a Night This Is Going to Be - Inga Swenson, , Fritz Weaver
I Shall Miss You
Roof Space - Teddy Green
Married Man
I'd Do It Again - Inga Swenson
Pursuit - Fritz Weaver
Jewelry - Martin Wolfson
Married Man [*] - Richard Hayman & His Orchestra
Baker Street Mystery [*]

Customer Reviews:

intriguing Broadway flop..........2006-09-23

A singing Sherlock Holmes? It happened in 1965 with BAKER STREET, the ill-fated, ill-conceived Broadway musical written by Marian Grudeff and Raymond Jessel, with book by Jerome Coopersmith. Taking as it's starting point the original "Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the final product bore a closer similarity to a second-rate variation on "My Fair Lady", with Holmes and Watson accompanied by lovely singer Irene Adler, traipsing all over London, closely pursued by arch-enemy Professor Moriarty.

The one thing that BAKER STREET has in it's favour is a fabulous cast, including Shakespearean veteran Fritz Weaver as Sherlock Holmes, Martin Gabel as Moriarty, Peter Sallis as Watson and Inga Swenson as Irene.

Fresh from the national tour of "110 in the Shade", Inga Swenson shines with the lion's share of musical numbers, including "I'm in London Again" (cut shortly after the opening), "Letters" and "Finding Words for Spring". "I'd Do It Again" is the perfect 11 o'clock number. "Cold Clear World" is an ideal summation of the Holmes character, and Weaver delivers handsomely as well.

For all BAKER STREET's similarities to "My Fair Lady", Weaver and Swenson had the last laugh, when they were quite ironically reunited for the 1968 City Center revival. BAKER STREET also faced some competition from other musicals of the 1965 season ("Half a Sixpence", "Fade Out-Fade In" and "Golden Boy"), but gamely hobbled along for 313 performances at the Broadway Theatre, moving to the Martin Beck shortly before it closed.

Decca Broadway's CD premiere of the original cast album is crisply remastered. Bonus tracks comprise of Richard Burton's take on "A Married Man"; and Kai Winding's orchestra performing "Baker Street Mystery" (adapted from the "London Underground" sequence).

Necessary! Necessary! Necessary!.......2006-07-10

1. There were two Broadway shows that somehow unfairly did not get the "press & praise", or whatever, to get the attention of the theatre-going public to catch on and become smash hits.

2. Luckily for us, there were recordings of these two Broadway shows on lp.

3. Sadly, for those of us who enjoyed those old lp albums and wished and waited for years and years for them to be remastered to cds, it seemed we would never be able to enjoy these "lost" scores ever again.

4. Now, through some lucky stroke of unlikely chance, we have recently been twice blessed with the remastering and release of BOTH of them on compact disk! All I can say is "There IS a God!" and also "Thank You", "Thank You", "Thank You" to those responsible for the "saving" and "preservation" of these two works by digitizing and releasing them for us again.

One of these two works is "Cyrano" with the great portrayl by Christopher Plummer of certainly one of the greatest characters in all literature. This show sadly closed after only a very few performances. The songs, while not really "great" are certainly quite listenable--but ONE, is spectacular and makes it worth the cost of the whole album, and that is "You Have Made Me Love"--what a winner it is!

The second of these works is "Baker Street" with Fritz Weaver and Inga Swenson. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to see this one before it closed, also, shortly after it opened. I could never understand why it did not catch on. Weaver and Swenson were simply marvelous, it was exciting, funny, and had great tunes and catchy lyrics. I dispaired for years over the non-release of this show on compact disc. I even wrote Universal, who has the rights to Decca's catalogue, and they blew me off. Then, out of the blue this spring there it was listed as a pre-release on amazon here! I immediately went to my local music shop and ordered a copy. And guess what.......there is a bonus track of the Great Richard Burton singing the best song from the show "A Married Man"!

If you love Broadway Cast albums, you need these two disks. If you remember the shows, you need these two disks. And lastly, if you are totally unfamiliar with these two works, you need these two disks. In short--You Need These Disks! Period!

Take my word, both of these albums are wonderful "keepers" that you will listen to over and over, both because they are unusual and not so well known, and also because they are truly great works. I wish you much happy listening to them. ~operabruin

An Enjoyable Surprise.......2006-06-29

I have had the record album of Baker Street for years, but have not been able to play it for a loooong time. My parent's owned a copy, and around the time of my early teens when I got into Sherlock Holmes, I listened to it and was quite delighted with it.

I purchased the cd with some trepidation, not knowing if it would have the same affect on me now that I am in my early 40's. Although a song that I loved back in the day, does not resonate with me now...others do. All in all a delightful musical.

If you are into musicals one can hear elements of "My Fair Lady" and "Oliver!" as well as early hints of "Sweeney Todd" types of musical stylings.

What makes this an even better cd is the booklet that describes the show, its changes, and its problems.

If you are into classic musicals and/or a true Sherlock Holmes fan you will probably enjoy this.

HOORAH FOR BAKER STREET - AT LAST!!.......2006-03-09

I was lucky enough to see this lush musical twice - once on opening night and the second time when they changed Inge Swenson's opening number (I thought that "I'm in London Aagin" a much better and more appropriate opening number for Irene). I sorry though that the second number was not put on as an extra on this CD for posterity - it may never have been recorded. I have been waiting for years for this to appear on CD - well worth the wait. Inge Swenson is absolutely glorious and well balanced against the cold, clear portrait of Fritz Weaver's Holmes. Then there is the exhuberance of Teddy Green, who also brought his great presence to Darling of the Day. The musical may have been a 'flop' but I am sure that those who saw and loved it will always have fond memories of a 'hit'. An intriguing score with the soaring voice of Swenson so very memorable. It will more than likely never be revived to the level it was originally produced but thank you Decca for bringing this marvelous musical to life again on CD! Now how about "A Time For Singing".

A FASCINATING, HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MUSICAL . . . . .......2006-02-22

Fascination with "Baker Street, a Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" during the years since the final curtain came down at the Martin Beck Theatre on the night of November 14, 1965 has grown to the point that Decca Broadway has finally released - for the first time on CD - the long out-of-print original cast recording. All of us who share an interest in the history of the American musical should raise a glass of stout and say, "Well done, mates."

I've probably listened to my LP no more than once or twice, but "Baker Street" always has maintained a special place in my memory. It is, after all, one of the two recorded shows that features my all-time favorite actress/singer - and fellow Nebraskan - Inga Swenson. First appearing in "The New Faces of 1956," she went on to win the 1957 Theatre World Award for "The First Gentleman" and understudied Julie Andrews ("Camelot") before receiving her first Tony nomination for "110 in the Shade." ( In spite of its wonderful Tom Jones/Harvey Schmidt score and Ms. Swenson's outstanding performance, RCA has had the chutzpah to drop the OC recording from its catalogue. Go figure.)

I must admit that I was disappointed the first time I listened to the CD. For the most part, the score sounded derivative and uninspired. What disappointed me most was the fact that, as wonderful as Ms. Swenson is, the songs she is given to sing can't hold a candle to those in "110 in the Shade." Furthermore, one gets the impression, just from listening, that the creators of this show never really decided what the focus should be. Instead of ending Act I with a dramatic musical spot, it ends with a "Perils of Pauline" ticking time bomb. Additionally, the final number, sung by a band of thieves, falls quite some time before the end of the show, which ends with Holmes disappearing into the fog, presumably on his way to America in romantic pursuit of Irene Adler (Ms. Swenson).

Only after reading the published script (Doubleday & Company) and listening for a second time, did I come to appreciate the way the musical numbers fit into the play. Not only was I able to better appreciate the songs, but now, for the life of me, I can't get "What a Night This Is Going To Be" out of my head!!!

With Oliver Smith's Tony-winning sets, Motley's period costumes and the Bill Baird Marionettes enacting the Diamond Jubilee parade, it must have been a fun show to see. But 1965 was the year of "Man of LaMancha" & "Sweet Charity;" "Hello, Dolly" & "Fiddler on the Roof" were still going strong. "Baker Street" closed after 311 performances, with a loss to its investors.

Recommended, especially because of Inga Swenson. ALSO recommended is "Holmes and Watson Sing," Ken Mandelbaum's expert critique of the "Baker Street" CD and fascinating background of the show. If you buy this recording - and I hope you will - then you must read this article. You can find it at www.Broadway.com.

Average customer rating:

Great unsung artist of the 70's!!
Please disregard walton32's review...
Baker Street is excellent
Best-sellers, but not all his best songs
EXCELLENT OVERVIEW MINUS STEALERSWHEEL

Baker Street
Gerry Rafferty
Manufacturer: EMI Gold Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ultimate Collection

ASIN: B000024ZW3
Release Date: 2002-12-06

Tracks:

Baker Street
Right Down the Line
City to City
Waiting for the Day
Get It Right Next Time
Take the Money and Run
Days Gone Down (Still Got the Light in Your Eyes)
Why Won't You Talk to Me
Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin')
Wastin' Away
Bring It All Home
Don't Close the Door
Sleepwalking
Change of Heart
On the Way
Night Owl

Album Description

Mid-priced hits compilation from EMI's Gold series pressedon a gold & black picture CD. Containns 16 of the softrocker's best for the label 1978-1982, including 'BakerStreet', 'Right Down The Line', 'Get It Right Next Time','Night Owl' and 'Take The Money And Run'. 1998 EMI release.

Customer Reviews:

Great unsung artist of the 70's!!.......2007-03-21

Once you hear the saxophone riff on "Baker Street" you're hooked. Listen to the rest of the album and you will recognize a couple of other low level hits such as "Right Down the Line" and "Get It Right the Next Time." Some say that Rafferty's music is catchy and hook laden. Exactly! There is a great memorable hook in each and every song! Isn't that what artists are supposed to do? Take a few minutes, take off the critics hat and sit down with this recording. I'm sure you will come away wondering what I do, "Why wasn't this guy much bigger?" Excuse me, I think I need a fix of sax from Baker Street right now!

Please disregard walton32's review..........2005-05-31

If you hated the music that much, why did you even bother reviewing the album unless you were hoping for better results? If you think Baker Street was nauseating, first of all, you're in the minority and second, you need to spend your time eslewhere. This is some of the most intelligently performed and produced 70s music this side of Supertramp. Baker Street's sax solo is one of the most memorable things to ever come out of the radio and he will always be remembered for that and for Stuck in the Middle With You...his voice evoking thoughts of Lennon and Jeff Lynne...hardly the stuff of shame. If you don't like it, don't bother trashing it in a review when enough people obviously liked it enough to merit a collection with the word Gold in the title!!! This is a great starter collection for anyone wanting the hits...and City to City is his masterpiece!

Baker Street is excellent.......2005-05-10

My comments regard only the song Baker Street:

Of course I love Baker Street. There is a lot going on in that track, sophisticated and excellent. Comparing it with the (obscenely bad) Foo Fighters cover shows both the weaknesses of the Fighters' arrangement as well as the talent, polish, intelligence, and diligence of Rafferty's producer.

I personally don't like solo sax much and so it doesn't touch me as much as it seems to touch others, but even so I can see that the sax intro and other sax parts are electrifying. I respect this production choice because for so many people the sax is the only part of the song they identify and according to some reviews the sax bought most of that copious radio air-time in 1978. On the other hand, it's a shame to see this overstated sound overshadow the rest of the beautiful song in peoples' minds.

The swooping guitars are awesome and yet subtle and fill a crucial spot in the intro melody. The guitar solo is masterful. Much of the time in the solo is taken up with only a few sustained and repeated notes and the bulk of the solo is made up of bends, trills, swoops, dives, and inventive tremelos. Each note of the minimal note count speaks out to us in important ways. It reminds me of lyrics that say volumes with only a few words. It's one of my all time favorite guitar solos.

The two featured analog synthesizer sounds are way cool. The synth during the verse sounds like falling leaves or water. The bass synth sound that counterpoints the vocal during the chorous, again, is inventive: an interesting, unusual sound, delightful instrumental melodic counterpoint to the vocal, a melodic sound in this region of the bass territory is also unusual in pop. You usually have the bass drum and the bass guitar in the bass region and that's about it. This synth sound and melody is something like a `cello line, lending an orchestral feel while still using pop instruments.

The lyrics to Baker Street are good, but I wouldn't say great. They give an overall impression of loneliness, futility and yearning for something better in the future. What's there is good but it's not great because the song does not tell a complete story. The "City to City" album from which this song is taken is a concept album and every lyric addresses these issues of loneliness and itinerant living on the road. Considering the entire album's lyrics as a whole pushes them up a notch as ambitious, intelligent, very good, and maybe you could consider the whole as a complete story. They fall short of something blisteringly great like "Eleanor Rigby" (The Beatles) or "She Always a Woman" or "AllenTown" (Billy Joel).

Regarding the Foo Fighters' cover version: The Foo Fighters skip the swooping guitars during the intro melody and you can hear it as dead space, causing a drop in intensity there resulting in an undesirable volume pumping effect. The Fighters copy the guitar solo note for note, what's the point? We've heard that already, and much better, so why bother? Granted I'm not that familiar with post 1989 Pearl Jam clone musical styles so I might be missing something, but to me the Fighters' guitar version of the sax intro melody is just plain wrong. The rhythm is wrong and corny, the accents are in the wrong place, and the guitar sound is so anemic when compared to the sax. Why would a band of the Fighters' stature cover a song anyway? The whole thing is just wrong.

Best-sellers, but not all his best songs.......2002-11-08

A good CD with Rafferty's biggest-selling songs. The addition of a couple of tracks would have made this a 5-star disc--Whatever's Written In Your Heart and The Garden Of England, both great songs (although not big sellers). For fans of Gerry Rafferty this compilation may seem incomplete, but listeners new to Rafferty would likely rather have the radio hits presented here. All in all a decent showing, and paired with the Stealer's Wheel greatest hits CD it gives a fairly broad representation of Rafferty's output. Fans of 70's/80's pop rock will be pleased with this disc.

EXCELLENT OVERVIEW MINUS STEALERSWHEEL.......2001-04-30

Lets start off that its a shame that to get this Scot's best work we must go to the import bin! To truly get the complete work of Gerry Rafferty, this album plus purchasing the Import "Best of Stealer Wheel" will do it. The "anthology" albums miss primary cuts and major singles which I can't understand.

This album is a great sampler of the Rafferty music style. Of course the major hit "Baker Street" is here, (which you rarely hear on radio anymore). One of my personal favorites "Days gone Down" is here also.

"Right Down the line" "Take the Money and Run" " Get it Right the Next Time" are also included. All cuts reflect is unique songwriting style and the ethnicity of his work. His never copied vocals make this a one of kind alum well wirth the price.

While primarily a 4-5 piece band with some brass, orchestration is brought in when needed, ( as seen "Baker Street" versus "Right Down The Line".

This is a 70's artifact, but "Baker Street" is a timeless song well worth having.

Tracks:

221B Baker Street - Patrick Gowers
The Seven Percent Solution Suite - John Addison
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Main Title - Cyril Mockridge
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Moriarty - Cyril Mockridge
A Study In Terror - John Scott
The Universal Holmes - Frank Skinner
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Game Is Afoot - Cyril Mockridge
Young Sherlock Homes - The Riddle Solved - Bruce Broughton
The Red Circle - Patrick Gowers
The Seven Percent Solution - I Never Do Anything Twice - Stephen Sondheim
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Elementary - Cyril Mockridge
The Masks of Death - Malcolm Williamson
The Hound Of The Baskervilles - Main Title - James Bernard
Dressed to Kill - The Music Box - Frank Skinner
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes Suite - Miklos Rozsa
Without A Clue - End Title - Henry Mancini

Customer Reviews:

A good collection.......2002-03-27

I have always been a fan of the Sherlock Holmes books, but the films and TV shows have never impressed me. (Except for the originals starring Nigel Bruce and Basil Rathborne.) However, I loved most of the music on this CD, especially the Victorian sounding piece from "A Study in Terror". I also enjoyed the song "I Never Do Anything Twice". (OK, its very blunt, but the tune is original, and I was humming the song for days after I first heard it!) I recommed this album to any Holmes fans, or anyone who likes unusual soundtracks.

Great music to accompany your favorite detective stories!.......2001-09-13

I'm going to say this upfront because I wish I had known it before purchasing this cd. The music on this cd is not original. In other words, a single orchestra has redone the selected pieces. For the most part, they are loyal to the originals - however, there is a difference between what you've heard in these programs or films and what is on this cd. The Granada piece, which I was most excited about, did use an annoying bass drum which, in my opinion, was a bit over the line (a bit too much of a "rock" feel, if you will), but it is very brief and used in a musical bridge. The violin part is intact and impressive.

The Young Sherlock Holmes suite is nearer the original film score than anything on the cd and is very enjoyable. I could have done without the Sondheim vocal piece all together as it breaks the instrumental flow and feeling. The "aztec flute" piece (from the Woman in Green I believe) that is visted three times is slightly annoying - particularly since it is very short in a couple of places and again, interrupts the flow of the album.

Surprisingly, I will say that overall, I'm pleased as a Sherlock Holmes fan and happy to add the album to my Holmes collection. It will make superb reading music when I pull out my Holmes books again this fall - granted, I may put the vocal piece on skip. However, I'm am more anxious to own the TV soundtrack to the Granada/Jeremy Brett show - as, I suspect, it is probably the superior album.

Excellent Collection of Pieces from Many Sources.......2001-06-01

This is an excellent compilation of music from various Sherlock Holmes movies, with the addition of music from the Granada TV series that starred the late Jeremy Brett. The excerpts are really very enjoyable,and cover films from the 1930s onward, so represent a mix of film music styles. Particular favorites of mine are the music from "Young Sherlock Holmes" (when is this going to be on DVD??) and a suite from the underrated Billy Wilder film "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes." The latter derives from a gorgeous violin concerto by Milos Rozsa, which seems to be appropriate for our violin playing detective. An item some people may like is the Stephen Sondheim song "I Never Do Anything Twice," heard here with its full set of lyrics.

All of the music is very well played (and the one sung well sung) in this well-filled CD. It is definitely a treat if like Sherlock Holmes and have seen any of the movies for which the music was written or the Granada TV series.

Superb, otherwise unavailable music.......2000-01-17

This is a soundtrack that no lover of good film scores should be without. Virtually none of the music is otherwise available. Thanks to Sherlock Holmes' affinity for the violin, much of the music here features that instrument prominently. None of the cues disappoint.

There are two cues from the Granada TV series (which ran on PBS from the mid-80s to mid-90s, starring Jeremy Brett). Patrick Gowers' music is available on a CD collection, but this is out of print and becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Similarly, the score excerpts from The Seven Percent Solution (Addison) and A Study in Terror (Scott) are lovely, lyrical, and melancholy. Ditto for Young Sherlock Holmes (Broughton) -- it is a crying shame that this wonderful score is not available on CD, but this cue is an excellent gloss on the best themes of the score.

I am also fond of the suite from The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (Rozsa); though the score is derived from Rozsa's violin concerto (which exists on a very fine coupling featuring Jascha Heifetz, with the Korngold violin concerto, and Waxman's Carmen Fantasie), it is different enough to be worth hearing on its own.

The other cues are also worthwhile listening. The interruption of the Sondheim song midway through the tracks is something of an annoyance (even though I like the song itself); given that it was available elsewhere it seemed sort of pointless to include it in this collection, which is otherwise all-orchestral.

Highly recommended.

Superb, otherwise unavailable music.......2000-01-17

Tracks:

Baker Street
Right Down The Line
City To City
Waiting For The Day
Get It Right Next Time
Take The Money And Run
Days Gone Down
Why Don't You Talk To Me
The Royal Mile
Wastin' Away
Bring It All Home
Don't Close The Door
Sleepwalking
A Change Of Heart
On The Way
Night Owl

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Great unsung artist of the 70's!!.......2007-03-21

Please disregard walton32's review..........2005-05-31

Baker Street is excellent.......2005-05-10

Best-sellers, but not all his best songs.......2002-11-08

EXCELLENT OVERVIEW MINUS STEALERSWHEEL.......2001-04-30

While primarily a 4-5 piece band with some brass, orchestration is brought in when needed, ( as seen "Baker Street" versus "Right Down The Line".

This is a 70's artifact, but "Baker Street" is a timeless song well worth having.

A good album which many may not be aware of.

Hanging On For Dear Life
Average customer rating:
Hanging On For Dear Life
The Baker Street Irregulars
Manufacturer: Atomic Mouse Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000H8RYNG
Release Date: 2006-08-01

Tracks:

Hold Me (Someday)
Keeping Secrets
Life In Town
Hanging On For Dear Life (v.1)
Tony's Song
The Ballad of Sally Brown
You Used To Be Mine
There They Were
Love Me Again
This Time
The Harbour at St. Serendipity
I Wish You Well
I Can Be Loved
Untitled
Lilies and Ribbons
Hanging On For Dear Life (v.2)
The Ballad of Frankie and Johnny

Product Description

Singer/songwriter Brian McKnight (not to be confused with the R&B vocalist) compiled Hanging On For Dear Life at the end of the last century. A summation of his 20th century work, as it were. The songwriting is literate and melodic, and while the nods to Dylan and Lennon are obvious, McKnight's voice is more contemporary. Brian himself describes the disc as being "in the footsteps of Plastic Ono, of Wings, and of Rolling Thunder... it is a collection of songs that I want to sing. Me: a gay male actor, director, songwriter, human being -- emphasis on the human being."