Circus

Circus

Editorial Reviews
Card catalog description
A farm family takes off a half day from school and chores to go see all the amazing things at the circus.

Tracks:

Between Me, You & Liberation (feat. Cee-Lo)
Aquarius
Electric Wire Hustler Flower (feat. Sunny of P.O.D.)
I Got A Right To (feat. Pharrell Williams)
Jimi Was A Rock Star (feat. Erykah Badu)
New Wave (feat. Laetitia Sadier)
Star *69 (Ps With Love) (feat. Bilal)
Heaven Somewhere (feat. Omar Lyefook, Bilal, Cee-Lo, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu & Lonnie Lynn)
The Hustle (feat. Dart Chillz)
Come Close (feat. Mary J. Blige)
Ferris Wheel (feat. Vinia Mojica & Marie Daulne of Zap Mama)
I Am Music (feat. Jill Scott)
Soul Power

Amazon.com

Rock & roll has grabbed Common by the neck and given him a good shake. With its heavy, multilayered sound, Electric Circus is steeped in the Chicago-born and Brooklyn-based rapper's newfound love for Pink Floyd, Traffic, and, above all, Jimi Hendrix. But, like many new converts to anything, Common goes a little off the deep end. His ambitious quest to expand the boundaries of hip-hop is crammed to the gills with a thousand motifs and is a little too busy to be a complete success. Perhaps not surprisingly, Common's rhymes (sample lyric: "my mind screams like Al Green to stay together!") take a distant second place to the complex musical landscape he's fashioned. In addition, a sidereal array of vocalists (including Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Cee-Lo, Bilal, and Common's main squeeze, Erykah Badu) and musicians (Prince, Bobbi Humphrey, Nicholas Payton) add to the sonic density. All in all, Electric Circus mightn't strike the universal chord that Common sought, but it's a bold, elaborate project that's definitely worth a listen. --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews:

This Album Sounds Like An Electric Circus...And I Kinda Like It (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars).......2007-08-03

I think this album angered a lot of Common fans, espeically since he showed his experimental side of himself on this LP. Also since this is between Like Water For Chocolate and Be, two of his softer and more soulful LPs. This album has so many influences and contributions (see the front cover) that people may believe that Common stepped out of his range. I personally find it to be an excellent album.

The Roots' ?uestlove produced some of the tracks. "Between Me, You, & Liberation" is one fine track, especially with the drum pattern that he made. "Come Close" was the lead single featuring Mary J. Blige, that was excellent. The creativity shows when the song "Electric Wire Hustle Flower" plays and features Sonny of P.O.D. Say what you want, but I like that song. The sex song "*69 (P.S. With Love)" is another softer sounding beat and features Bilal. The last 30 seconds of the track has a nice mellow beat that is worth waiting for.

There are a few rough spots on this album though. "I Got A Right Ta" featuring Pharrell is one rough song that I really didn't have the mood for. "Soul Power" I was thinking the beat was going to drop, but never came. And the final two tracks are great, but could have been shortened since they are 8+ minutes. Other than that, this album is excellent.

Don't hate on this LP. It is very creative and experimental. Many people have gotten settled with the soulful type Common, so this did kind of come from left field. I didn't think this album was going to get bad reviews until I saw this album received 4 mics in The Source, so I thought it was dope. If you listen to this without thinking about his other albums, you will find that this album is very underrated. Peace.

If you don't know alrady, the tracklisting is incorrect. Here is the correct track listing:

1. Ferris Wheel
2. Soul Power
3. Aquarius
4. Electric Wire Hustler Flower
5. The Hustle
6. Come Close
7. New Wave
8. Star *69
9. I Got A Right Ta
10. Between Me, You & Liberation
11. I Am Music
12. Jimi Was A Rock Star
13. Heaven Somewhere

Lyrics: B+
Production: B
Guest Appearances: A-
Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Between Me, You, & Liberation (featuring Cee-Lo)
2. *69 (P.S. With Love) (featuring Bilal)
3. Come Close (featuring Mary J. Blige)
4. Electric Wire Hustler Flower (featuring Sunny of P.O.D.)
5. Ferris Wheel (featuring Vinia Mojica & Marie Daulne of Zap Mama)

Honorable Mention:
1. Jimi Was A Rock Star (featuring Erykah Badu)
2. Heaven Somewhere (featuring Omar Lyefook, Bilal, Cee-Lo, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu & Lonnie "Pops" Lynn)

Common- Electric Circus.......2007-08-03

Well i am not gonna lie, this album did disapoint me a little bit. I was expecting so much better for a follow up to Like Water for Chocolate. But he changed his song so drastically, it was shocking to listen to this album. He changed his sound to a Funk sound as apossed to his phenominal soul hip hop sound he had before. And the other thing that bothered me a bit about this album was that he had someoned featured on every song but one, and i am cool with good features with good artists but 12 out of 13 songs is a bit over doin it i think. But the one song he does alone "Soul Power" was definetly a gem amongest alot of just ok songs. Mostly because this song was produced by J Dilla. And then you cant argue with the great "Come Close" with the great Mary J, which gained a fair amount of airplay. The only other song on this album that really sticks out in my mind was "Aquarius" featuring Bilal which is one of those classic dreamy sounding Common songs. I mean even though this album was a bit disappointing compared to some of his others, it still beats 90% of the other rap music out today. So pretty much this was a bit of an off album for Common but it is still ok compared to other albums that came out this year.

Grade:
C

Dont get it twisted!.......2007-07-15

You want to ruin a album?- put the Neptunes in charge of making the beats. This is hands down is the worst album Common has made with the neptunes. I dont know what common was thinking but this isnt even hip-hop. The only good song is Come Close with Mary J. Blige. I tried to listen to the album but after the second time around I knew i was right the first time. The beats are some kind of phsycadelic sounds that could be appreciated by Wood Stock fans. If you dont believe me, sample the beats-I dont make this stuff up people. Ive been listening to Hip-Hop since the 80's so I should know the difference.

Eclectic Circus.......2007-06-11

This is still the same Common that gave you Resurrection, Like Water For Chocolate and Can I Borrow A Dollar. He's just rapping over far out but innovative production. Listen to Soul Power, Aquarius, Electric Wire Hustler Flower and New Wave. The same Common spitting dope rhymes, criticizing wack Mcs for being industry hoes. He's just spitting over unique production. I Got A Right To(featuring Pharrell) is another solid track and The Hustle is good too even though its sounds like a leftover from Like Water For Chocolate. I Am Music which features Jill Scott on the hook is as catchy as it is noteworthy as Common spits over a 30s beat. The only songs I didnt feel was Star 69 and Between Me, You And Liberation. The rest of the album was exceptional. All in all it was a great effort by Common and it shows his growth as an Mc as he pushes the envelope instead of remaining the same like every other MC. Standout Tracks: SOUL POWER, AQUARIUS, ELECTRIC WIRE HUSTLER FLOWER, THE HUSTLE, NEW WAVE, I GOT A RIGHT TO, I AM MUSIC, JIMI WAS A ROCK STAR. Bottom Line: If you're into a MCs who stay mundane day in day out then by all means stay away from this album but if your into an MC who raises the bar by being creative then this album is for you. Dont cheat yourself out of a great album by being close-minded. Creative and all its still a hip hop album. Kudos to Common!

3.5 stars: Eclectic, ambitious gumbo............................2007-04-24

This is a acquired taste type record. But Com gets props for pushing the artistic envelope musically and lyrically.

Songs I Like:
New Wave
I am Music
Star 69
Soul Power

Average customer rating:

Sounds A Bit Like M E H D I
Fantastic!!!
Ka- Fabulous!!
Strong and refresh music
Made me a true Cirque fan

KÀ
Cirque du Soleil
Manufacturer: Cirque Du Soleil
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Cirque du Soleil - Alegria (Live in Sydney)

ASIN: B000BC8SMO
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

O MAKUNDE
PAGEANT
KOUDAMARE
STORM
DEEP
SHADOWPLAY
PURSUIT
FOREST
FLIGHT
THREAT
LOVE DANCE
BATTLEFIELD
AFTERMATH
IF I COULD REACH YOUR HEART
WEVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG
REACH FOR ME NOW

Album Description

The soundtrack of the show KÀ is the most ambitious musical project produced by Cirque du Soleil to date. While remaining firmly rooted in Cirque du Soleil musical tradition, the recording features a symphony orchestra and a 40-member choir, as such creating a unique musical universe both epic and lyrical.

The powerful percussion and distinctive sound invites comparisons with classic movie soundtracks creating "a rich soundtrack that lives up to the overarching eye-candy on display", says Variety. To create this sound, KÀ was recorded at the renowned Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in Montreal, where Cirque du Soleil is based. Hollywood veteran Simon Leclerc, the conductor for Star Trek: Voyager and Enterprise and the play Les Misérables, conducted the orchestra in Los Angeles.

Composer René Dupéré has been part of Cirque du Soleil since the very beginning. KÀ is the first work Dupéré has composed for Cirque du Soleil since 1994's Alegría, the best-selling Cirque du Soleil recording to date. "We pulled out all the stops in the making of this album, and the result is, I believe, a record of the highest quality," says Dupéré. The album KÀ is worthy of the show that Time magazine called "bigger than Vegas."

Both the stage production and the soundtrack called for highly innovative use of musical technology. Says Martin Lord-Ferguson, co-producer of the recording: "Technological innovation, artistic audacity and technical prowess are all features of KÀ that the soundtrack had to reflect."

Customer Reviews:

Sounds A Bit Like M E H D I.......2007-07-28

Oh, Wow! This is a cd that will be liked by all who enjoy M E H D I, E N I G MA or even Loreena Mckinnetts Previous works. It is the very essence of good new age. So tranquil, yet so spirited, this cd is a refreshing break from my well-worn collection, I just keep wanting to listen to it over and over again. I am amazed! It reminds me somewhat of Dralion , but still very unique. This is music to the soul.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: M E H D I ~ Instrumental Paradise Volume 8..A True Gem, JUST GO LISTEN TO THE SAMPLES !

Fantastic!!!.......2007-05-22

Only by listening to the CD, I'm already captivated.
Can't wait for the chance to go Vegas to attend the show....!!

Ka- Fabulous!!.......2007-05-07

Cirque du Soleil's Ka is a beautiful acrobatic show. I so much loved this show, that I wanted the music. And the score doesnot let one down. From it's wonderful rhythmic songs to it's bombastic tones. I thoroughly give it my highest recomendation.

Strong and refresh music.......2007-04-12

I own several Cirque Du Soleil's CDs, this comes to my 2nd favorite. My all time favor of Cirque Du Soleil is Varekai because of its story line, the composition of the music, needless to say, the Fire Within on Bravo TV.
KA is good as well, but I just don't like that last few pieces, specifically, my ears just don't do well with that female singer's voice. Nothing against her personally, just don't feel right to hear her voice.
The choir is great, music is great, if you can listen with good sound system, you should be able to feel the battle field.
It has the 5-star potential if they have different female singer.

Made me a true Cirque fan.......2007-04-01

My husband and I have always enjoyed watching Cirque du soleil on TV, but when we saw KA while on our honeymoon in Las Vegas, we were hooked and saw another show before we left that week. We purchased this album after we found ourselves humming it as we walked down the strip. Now we listen to it whenever we want to remember our honeymoon! Brilliant music that still gives me chills.

Average customer rating:

Great movie, better soundtrack
great collection of unusual music
Supurb
Amazing!
excellent

Mirrormask
Iain Ballamy , Stuart Hall , Martin Sharp , Matthew Sharp , Burt Bacharach , Dave McKean , Martin France , John Parricelli , Neil Percy , Iain Bellamy , Ashley Slater , Arve Henriksen , Chris Batchelor , David Powell , Josefine Cronholm , and Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: La-La Land Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Mirrormask
The Alchemy of MirrorMask
MirrorMask: The Illustrated Film Script of the Motion Picture from the Jim Henson Company
Where's Neil When You Need Him?
Mr. Punch

ASIN: B0007RTARU
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Sock Puppets / Flyover
Circus Overture
Spanish Web
Gorillas!
Running For The Bus
Abandoned Hall
Leaving The City
Arresting Helena
The White Queen Sleeps / The White Palace
Rabbit Band
The Library
The Myth Of Creation
Fish Street
Looking Through The Window
Giants Orbiting
Outside Bagwell's
Mrs. Bagwell's Rhumba
Meeting The Sphinx
Monkeybirds
Dream Park / Meeting In A Dream
Conjuring A Dome
In The Dark Forest
Betrayed!
Close To You
A New Life
A Rather Tense Dinner Party
Butterfingers
Discoveries / Fight Or Flight? / Goodbye Evil Helena
My Waltz For Newk
If I Apologised

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, better soundtrack.......2007-05-19

I just recently saw this movie and the only thing I could think about afterwards was that I had to get this soundtrack. I'm not usually a big fan of movie soundtracks, but this cd is unlike any other out there, soundtrack or not. The use of strings and carnaval type instruments is completely unique and makes this a must by for any fan of music.

great collection of unusual music.......2007-05-07

Rented the movie on reccomendation from Netflix, it was pretty good. But the music was the star of the show. The soundtrack follows the course of the movie pretty closely, it's kind of like listening to the movie. Each track brings to mind a specific scene in the movie. One of the highlights is the ecclectic treatment of Burt Bacharach's "Close to You". Most will remember the super-sweet Carpenter's version, but this interpretation was the main reason I bought the music. Unusual augmented chord progressions and almost minimalist format (complete with the mechanical background sounds made by the female jack-in-the-box-like, life-sized, mostly metal toy dressers) make the tune as captivating as in the movie when they 'convert' the trapped Helena into the black princess. Great music to play while relaxing, too.

Supurb.......2007-03-08

This soundtrack is truly a delight to listen to. It ranges from quirky circus music to deep and melodic mysterious tunes. It is a great CD to relax to and to use as background music for most any relaxing time hanging out with friends.

Amazing!.......2007-02-24

This is a very good soundtrack to a very good movie. The music is amazingly composed and is nice to listen to.

excellent.......2007-01-17

This CD is excellent! All the music from the movie in its entirety, all the songs are complete songs, and the songs are all top notch compositions.

Average customer rating:

Great Album
A SUPERSTAR WHO IS GOOD!
BEST TIM MCGRAW ALBUM!
BEST TIM ALBUM TO DATE!!
things change

Set This Circus Down
Tim McGraw
Manufacturer: Curb Special Markets
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors
Place in the Sun
Everywhere
All I Want
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ASIN: B000059S87
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

Cowboy In Me
Telluride
You Get Used To Somebody
Unbroken
Things Change
Angel Boy
Forget About Us
Take Me Away From Here
Smilin'
Set This Circus Down
Angry All the Time
Let Me Love You
Grown Men Don't Cry
Why We Said Goodbye

Amazon.com

As a singer who has parlayed boyish charm and modest talent into a multiplatinum career, Tim McGraw seems like the guy next door who got incredibly lucky--and not just with his marriage to Faith Hill. This easy-listening collection features a generous 14 cuts, heavy on power ballads ("You Get Used to Somebody," "Take Me Away from Here," "Why We Said Goodbye") with soaring choruses and frothy sentiments, but light on soulful substance. For variety, McGraw proves a dead-on Springsteen mimic with "Forget About You," dubiously links himself to Hank Williams and Elvis with "Things Change," and crosses over toward Ricky Martin territory on the Spanish-tinged "Let Me Love You." Hill joins hubby on background vocals for the comparatively subtle "Angry All the Time." --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

Great Album.......2007-04-02

The songs on this album are melodic and I like the stories that they tell. I like this particular album better than most of Tim's other albums.

A SUPERSTAR WHO IS GOOD!.......2006-04-26

I was a little hesitant to buy an album by a big star. But, this cd is great! All tracks are good. My best is FORGET ABOUT US and the title song. Great sound and production. This would interest country, pop, folk, and rock fans. A CAN'T MISS!

BEST TIM MCGRAW ALBUM!.......2005-06-19

This is Tim McGraw's BEST album yet. I love "Angel Boy", "Cowboy In Me", "Telluride" (since I ski there), "Grown Men Don't Cry" and "Angry all the Time". Of course all the songs are AMAZING, but those are the best. There is not one song on this album that I skip over, which I do A LOT when I listen to other CDs. If you are looking to purchase a Tim McGraw album get this one. Trust me, I have every Tim McGraw album.

BEST TIM ALBUM TO DATE!!.......2005-04-06

My favorite Tim McGraw album to date. This album has some of the best songs that he has recorded. Many of which he never released which is a real shame. Telluride has got to be in my top 5 Tim songs. He has such a way about his music that you cannot help but be pulled in and carried along for the ride. "Take Me away from Here" really is one of those songs that makes you look at your life, and it makes you think.
When He shot the video for "The Cowboy in Me" I was at the concert, and you can see me in the video. I am holding this flashing red light that says "Tim McGraw - Bud Light" and they kept it in the video so I am also a fan of that song just for that!! J

things change.......2005-04-02

Set this circus down is a step in a different direction for Tim McGraw. While it still has the same style of his earlier albums, it also takes a deeper step into what he was attempting with "A place in the sun".
"The cowboy in me" is rockier than his usual music, and has strong guitar themes throughout it, yet the voice is still pure country, as are the lyrics. The lyrics are song, and it's either a song you get or you don't. It either will strike a chord in you, and make you sit up and realise "Hey I get that. I get what he means by the cowboy in me" or you won't.
"Teluride" talks about a young boys innocence fading, and the bittersweet remembrance of young love.
You get used to somebody is the traditional love song that appears on McGraw's album, with strong poignant lyrics such as "I never dreamed when i was letting you go that i would wake up and miss you this much" that touch even the coldest of hearts.
"Unbroken" borders on as pop country as perhaps McGraw gets, and has a great beat to it.
"Things change" is a must listen to song, and it looks at how music has changed throughout the years, and it's something a music lover who knows their music can listen to and relate to. it talks about the perjudice, and how much music has changed over the years from Elvis Presley to now. With strong guitar, and strong vocals this song is a pure winner.
The line that really touches deep is "they say it's too country, it's too rock n roll but it's only music if you can feel it in your soul." Pure magic.
I think one of the biggest gems on this album is the song "Angry all the time" which talks about the breakup of a relationship, and what made it disintegrate. the lyrics are powerful, strong, and touch deeply.
Right throughout the album the lyrics are strong, the vocals of Mcgraw goes from strength to strength.
His relationship with his group The dancehall doctors is strong, and it shows throughout the whole album.
An album worth having in the collection, and it's understandable why Mcgraw keeps on winning with his music.

Average customer rating:

Circus Diablo
Circus Diablo
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000R56PEI
Release Date: 2007-07-03

Tracks:

Loaded
So Fine
Restless
Shine
Mad Parade
Red Sun Rising
Commercial Breah
Hello, Goodbye
Ants Invasion
Rollercoaster
Dignified

Under the Big Top: 100 Years of Circus Music

Average customer rating:

perfect circus party music
Memories of Happy Times
Perfect!!!
Great cd!
just like being there

Under the Big Top: 100 Years of Circus Music
Great American Main Street Band , and Traditional/various
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Circus Music from the Big Top
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Screamers (Circus Marches)
Circus Clown Calliope
Clown and Midway Calliope Music Vol. 1

ASIN: B000002SKA
Release Date: 1993-01-19

Tracks:

Entry Of The Gladiators
Memphis The Majestic March
Caesar's Triumphal March
Miss Trombone (A Slippery Rag)
The Cantonians March
Broadway One-Step
Wedding Of The Winds (Waltz)
Honey Boys On Parade (March)
Kentucky Sunrise (Two-Step)
Jungle Queen (Oriental Two-Step)
The Big Cage (Circus Galop)
Trombone Blues
Royal Decree (March)
The Booster (An American Absurdity Rag)
Russian Circus March
Olympia Hippodrome March
Clownette (Novelty)
The Circus King (March)
Walking Frog (Two-Step)
A Night In June (Serenade)
Stop It! (One-Step)
Folies Berg (Marach And Two-Step)
Fan-Tan (Chinese March Characteristique)
Copa Cabana (Samba)
Crimson Petal (Valse Caprice)
Circus Echoes (Galop)
Storming Of El Caney
Barnum & Bailey's Favorite (March)

Customer Reviews:

perfect circus party music.......2007-05-19

I purchased this for my daughter's 1st birthday party, and it was fabulous background music for the event.

Memories of Happy Times.......2007-04-11

Being a professional performer myself, I really enjoy listening to this music from the circus. It really puts you in a positive mood for the rest of the day no matter what happens. I will often play it when driving to one of my performances to put me "in the mood". I am so glad to have it on CD since my cassette of this item is rather frail. Highly recommended

Perfect!!!.......2006-11-18

I used this CD in a mix for a Big Top themed company picnic. The music was awesome and provided great atmosphere music and made you feel like you were at a real circus.

Great cd!.......2006-02-26

I ordered this so that I could use it at a circus-themed birthday party for one of my friends, and I am absolutely crazy about it! Even before it arrived, I became addicted to the songs; I would get on here and listen to the samples almost every day. After it arrived, not only was I delighted to find that the cd is great quality, but I was also delighted to discover just how great the musicianship is! One of my favorite features is that the little leaflet tells which songs are traditionally played with what kinds of acts, and as I listened, I was amazed at how fitting they each were. I can't decide which tune is my favorite and they are all really catchy. The only problem I have had with this cd is just that--- the catchiness. :) I have been whistling the songs "Clownette", "Wedding of the Winds", "The Booster" and "Broadway One Step" for about three or four days, unable to get them out of my head (my poor friends!). But it's totally worth it! :) I hope you will love this fantastic cd as much as I do!

just like being there.......2005-09-27

This group of performers is smaller and more intimate than the Eastman Wind Ensemble which recorded "Screamers," and therefore feels more like part of a smaller circus traveling the backroads, and performing at schools or in church parking lots. The musical content is just as well done, and just as pleasing. It makes a great compliment to "Screamers."

What a treasure of old style, authentic Americana this music presents. If you haven't been to this smaller type of circus in person, you've certainly seen it in the movies. And this puts you right in the front row. The liner notes are great, as you can picture the sequence of the performers; from their grand entrance, to the finale, with the clowns slipping in here and there.

Wonderful music. I am very happy that I now own it. And I become happier each time I listen to it!

Average customer rating:

Advertise DVD and get CD ??
as if anyone wouldn't love this...
great view of the sixties
No Polished Diamond, but Surely a Jem!
HMMMMMMMM....... YEAH

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
The Rolling Stones
Manufacturer: Abkco
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Rolling Stones - Rock and Roll Circus
Stripped
Love You Live
Dirty Work
Still Life

ASIN: B000003BD3
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

MickJagger's Introduction Of Rock And Roll Circus - Mick Jagger
Entry Of The Gladiators - Julius Fucik
Mick Jagger's Introduction Of Jethro Tull - Mick Jagger
Song For Jeffrey - Jethro Tull
Keith Richard's Introduction Of The Who - Keith Richard
A Quick One While He's Away - The Who
Over The Waves - Juventino Rosas
Ain't That A Lot A Love - Taj Mahal
Charlie Watt's Introduction Of Marianne Faithfull - Charlie Watts
Something Better - Marianne Faithfull
Mick Jagger's And John Lennon's Introduction Of The Dirty Mac - Mick Jagger And John Letter
Yer Blues - The Dirty Mac
Whole Lotta Yoko - Yoko Ono And Ivry Gitlis With The Dirty Mac
John Lennon's Introduction Of The Rolling Stones/ Jumping Jack Flash - John Lennon/ The Rolling Stones
Parachute Woman - The Rolling Stones
No Expectations - The Rolling Stones
You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones
Sympathy For The Devil - The Rolling Stones
Salt Of The Earth - The Rolling Stones

Amazon.com

Conceived in late-'60s London, this literal three-ring would-be "television spectacular" featuring the Stones and a select cadre of friends and associates became (along with the Beach Boys' Smile album and Bob Dylan's Albert Hall concert) one of the era's greatest unreleased projects. When it finally surfaced in the late '90s, those overinflated expectations all but guaranteed it a tepid response. Legend has it that the Stones originally nixed it because they felt overshadowed by the Who, but it's likely the shelving had more to do with the band's then-unsettled state of affairs. The Stones' raw, powerful set here both bridges the first Stones era with what was essentially the swan song of band's ill-fated cofounder Brian Jones, who would be fired for ongoing substance-abuse problems. (That really took some doing in a band that also featured Keith Richards!) Also notable is the one-time-only teaming of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Richards, and Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell (as "The Dirty Mac") for a long, loud, and lugubrious workout of Lennon's "White Album" standout "Yer Blues." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Advertise DVD and get CD ??.......2007-05-06

I was so looking forward to seeing the "young" English cats, but the product was just a CD of the Circus, not a DVD ! Don't even know if I got credit when I returned it !!

as if anyone wouldn't love this..........2007-03-18

Antone alive in the mid-late 60's couldn't, wouldn't and shouldn't NOT love this- flashbask to the center of youth- old folks- we are still there in our minds!

great view of the sixties.......2006-08-13

i love this cd, the dirty mac is the a great combination ruined on the second song by yoko ono's wailing, this contains the best preformance of a quick one by the who and an excellent preformance of sympathy and you cant always get what you want by the rolling stones, the early preformance by jethro tull is intresting and i like the taj mahal song, buy this cd

No Polished Diamond, but Surely a Jem!.......2005-11-02

Rock acts in the sixties never took themselves too seriously, and this production of the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus is no exception. Sex, drugs, and rock & roll were the order of the day, not high-tech professionalism, and members of "the Establishment," such as television producers, had no choice but to conform. Obviously, this project was an attempt to assemble a handful of British rock acts for a loosely thrown together BBC variety show, modeled on America's zany and popular "Rowen & Martin's Laugh-in." Set under a circus big top, the result is revealing window into what was then coined "The British Invasion" of the classic rock era.

One has to look below the surface of this light-hearted production to appreciate its magic. Tony Iommi, the left-handed guitarist, later to become the driving force behind Black Sabbath seemingly goes unnoticed as Jethro Tull's side man in "Song For Jeffrey." The falsetto harmonies of the Who's quiet bassist John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, barely able to contain himself, highlight Pete Townsend's "A Quick One While He's Away. "Ain't That A Lot of Love" and some extra performances resurrect the nearly forgotten blues group Taj Mahal.

Girlfriends and wives also got in on the act, and contributed performances. Marianne Faithful, then Mick Jagger's main squeeze, delivers a cutesie virbrato rendition of "Something Better." Yoko Ono (with classic violinist Ivry Gitlis) reminds all within memory just how horribly wretched her dying animal, no talent voice passed off as art, can be on "Whole Lotta Yoko."

Dirty Mac, an all-star garage band featuring the late John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richard on bass, and Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell, resurrect a lost art: the Jam. Lennon's powerful vocals leads the ensemble through a rendition of "Yer Blues," while a youthful Clapton gently caresses a beautiful red Gibson ES-335. Richard, surprisingly competent on bass, provides a solid foundation along with the ever meticulous Mitchell. A lose ending nearly spoils a perfect performance, but hap-hazard endings have always been a Rolling Stones trademark anyway.

Predictably, the Stones highlight the show with six exceedingly rare performances. The late Brian Jones, an original founding member, who would be fired by Jagger & Co., then mysteriously drown shortly thereafter is seen here in this unique footage. The Stones remain true to the studio version of the now classic "Jumping Jack Flash," as the crowd needs no cue to come alive. Richards launches the band into the slow blues "Parachute Woman." Mick's harmonica and the honky-tonk piano of the late Nicky Hopkins fill the gaps nicely. Jone's hauntingly beautiful slide guitar, Richards' acoustic rhythm, Hopkins' pounding fills, and Jagger's intoxicating vocals nail "No Expectations." The Stones increase the tempo with yet another classic, "You Can't Always Get What You Want," then launch into the sinister "Sympathy For The Devil." Charlie Watts' rim work coupled with guest conga man, Rocky Dijon lend a raw authenticity, later lost in stadium venues. Ever the front-man, Jagger's voodoo screams are climaxed by him kneeling submissively, peeling off his shirt, like a slave about to be whipped, only to reveal some devilish, if temporary body tattoos. An audience participation finale of "Salt of the Earth" highlight Jagger and Richards vocal harmonies quite nicely.

Despite the few legitimate circus acts interlaced with humorous, if sometimes ridiculous witticisms by Jagger, Lennon, and others, this nicely arranged package is a must for any die-hard Stones fan, or afictionado of classic rock history.

HMMMMMMMM....... YEAH.......2005-09-08

VH-1 pulled this out of the vaults about six or seven years ago and I can remember loving the special on TV. There is a DVD out now which I haven't seen so I don't know if theres anything new on it.

The music is live but in front of a selected audience in an atmosphere made up to look like an actual circus.

The cuts don't sound live, but for the most part are actually EDGIER than their actual studio cuts.

BEST EXAMPLES ARE:

JETHRO TULL: SONG FOR JEFFREY, I remember this because, this was the first time I ever heard this song. I went out and found it on TULL's THIS WAS album and I was extremely pissed. Actually the reason I purchased this disc was solely for the version of this song WHICH ROCKS!

THE WHO's: QUICK ONE, this one sounds as if it were written just for this performance. Way better than the studio.

THE DIRTY MAC: YER BLUES, in case you don't know THE MAC was compiled of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The Beatles album was brand new but since they were the biggest coveted thing on the planet, they weren't ever gonna be on this show.The Mac version is way full of sound. It's to bad this faux rock band only played together this one time.

Then you got TAJ MAHALL and MARIANNE FAITHFUL doing some cool tracks and all THE STONES stuff at the end.

Even though there is a lot of bogus clown music involved between tracks the cuts are so good that I will give it 5 stars.

Average customer rating:

Nice collection, but...
Merle at his best

Circus Music from the Big Top
Merle Evans Circus Band
Manufacturer: Legacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Grand Old Circus Band
Under the Big Top: 100 Years of Circus Music
Circus Spectacular
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Screamers (Circus Marches)

ASIN: B000002NRK
Release Date: 1994-07-05

Tracks:

Triumphal March (The Grand Entry)
The Walking Frog (Used For Performing Seals)
Embossing The Emblem (Performers On The Trampoline)
The Booster (Music Accompanying The Unforgettable Clowns)
International Vaudeville (The Acrobats On The High Pole)
Dusty Trombone (Music At The Intermission)
Gallito (Three Rings For The Horses)
Thunder And Lighting (Acrobats With Feats If Strength)
Siamese Parade (The jugglers Perform)
Valse Bleue (The Flying Trapeze Acts)
The Southerner (The Tent Is Made A Fairyland Of Clowns)
Walsenburg Galop (The Grand Exit With Chariots Galloping Around The Big Top)

Customer Reviews:

Nice collection, but..........2002-09-21

This collection of exciting arrangements wonderfully executed by professional players is unfortunately marred by old technology and carelessness. The short, twenty nine minute CD seems to be copied from an LP. The pops, clicks, distortion and glitches are all there. At one point you can even hear the annoying pitch wow commonly heard on LPs pressed out of round. The tone arm is obviously being dragged right and then left as the off center groove dictates the key.

Should Legacy International ever locate the master tapes and produce a cleaner version of "Circus Music from the Big Top," I will be first in line to buy. Frankly, Merle Evans deserves better--much better.

If you are adding to a collection of circus music, you do need these arrangements. However, if you are just beginning a circus music library, your first purchase should be "Screamers" from Frederick Fennell. It delivers over an hour of expertly performed circus marches recorded with precision.

Merle at his best.......1998-08-24

Merle evans was the greatest since sousa. please come out with more of his albums. Harvey Esto

Average customer rating:

Rough and Raw with Lots of Energy
Lots in common with vacuum cleaners . . .
Excellent recording for the money!
WOW! it will make you want to run away to join the circus!

The Grand Old Circus Band
The Grand Old Circus Band , and Jimmy Ille
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Circus Music from the Big Top
Under the Big Top: 100 Years of Circus Music
Circus Spectacular
Screamers (Circus Marches)
Circus Clown Calliope

ASIN: B000001VEH
Release Date: 1997-10-21

Tracks:

Fanfare
The Caravan Club
Georgia Girl
Entry Of The Gladiators
Slim Trombone
Amparita Roca
Broadway One Step
Trombone Blues
Crimson Flush
Espana
Abdullah
The Teddy Bears Picnic
Jungle Queen
Bombsto
Ringling Reminiscence Medley: Be A Clown/The Circus On Parade/Greatest Show On Earth
The Cantonians March
They're Off
Billboard March

Customer Reviews:

Rough and Raw with Lots of Energy.......2006-10-15

This sounds authentic. These guys never let ragged timing or wrong notes get in the way of the excitement and energy they are trying to convey. Don't let their lack of polish or correctness deter you. This is the real circus experience.

Lots in common with vacuum cleaners . . ........2001-07-21

Oh, it's authentic all right - an authentic pick-up band (hopefully) sight-reading isolated parts from marching band arrangements. Poor voicings, arrangements and technically sloppy - at best! I believe this is the worst recording I have ever heard of a more-or-less professional recording group. Buy it if you must, in quantity even, and make a beeline for the nearest skeet range so this recording will not have been made in vain. I do believe I smell horses . . .

Excellent recording for the money!.......2001-01-02

I agree with the previous reviewer that this recording is the real thing, as opposed to many other "circus music" compilations. As the liner notes state, "You don't have strings or saxophones in a circus band". An interesting comparison would be Circus Spectacular, by Matthew Phillips and his Circus Band, which leans very heavily toward woodwinds, especially saxophones, as opposed to brass. However, this seems to work much better for the 3/4 or so of the marches on that CD which were not written for the circus. This album, however, gives you that authentic circus feel - sawdust, clowns, high wire, etc., and every piece is something that would be very much at home in the Big Top. Some things that could have been better include more liner notes with information about circus history, the compsers and their music. One of the composers that was mentioned should have been Charlie Duble (not Dougal). Also, the composers of each included number were not mentioned. For those interested, they are: The Caravan Club, Georgia Girl, Broadway One Step, Abdullah, The Cantonians March - Karl L. King; Entry of the Gladiators - Julius Fucik; Slim Trombone - Henry Fillmore; Amparito Roca - Jaime Texidor; Trombone Blues, They're Off - Fred Jewell; Crimson Flush - Russell Alexander; Espana - Waldteufel; The Teddy Bears Picnic - John Bratton; Jungle Queen - Barnard; Bombasto - O.R. Farrar; Billboard March - John N. Klohr. All in all, though, this is a superior circus album, highly recommended for anyone who collects circus or march music, or even who doesn't , for that matter!

WOW! it will make you want to run away to join the circus!.......1999-04-27

This album is outstanding for several reasons:

1. There is a realism that is not found on some of the "slick" and over-produced albums of this type. This is NOT an orchestra simply playing circus music...it is an authentic Circus Band...with all of the wonderfully brassy and gutsy enthusiam that might be expected during a live presentation under the Big Top! This "brassiness" make for a realism that you seldom hear on other studio produced circus albums. This recording brazenly hits you with fantastic music...along with an assortment of melodic toots, plunks, squawks and squeeks. These do not distract in the least and absolutely add to the overall presentation of this fantastic music. You'll have to hear it to appreciate what I am talking about.

2. The choice of songs are not the standard High school band marches, but are mostly the "novelty" songs usually associated with parades, entrances, clowns, and assorted acts. You can almost visualize the type of performances that each song accompanies. If you CAN'T tell, then you need to get yourself to a circus as soon as possible!

3. The sound on this disk is excellent. The blare of the brass and the chest bumping "thump" of the bass drum give the listener the feeling of actually being under canvas.

As one who has been a long time circus fan (and who began his love of the circus by seeing the Ringling Brothers under canvas in the mid 40's) I would heartily recommend this as the single BEST circus band album that I have EVER heard! And that includes a lot of them - good ones! But this one is the zenith! It is pure pleasure - and if you don't find yourself tapping your toes, snapping your fingers, and generally moving other assorted body parts - you just need to hurry to a circus and remember how great an experience this is!

Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Average customer rating:

Andrew LLoyd Webber - Gold Hits

The Gold By Andrew

The best of Webber

THE BEST OF LLOYD WEBBER MADE FOR THE AMERICAN AUDIENCES

Super good CD

Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: Original Soundtracks

ASIN: B0000657XY
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

Superstar - Murray Head w/ the Trinidad Singers (Jesus Christ Superstar)
As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand (Sunset Boulevard)
The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman & Michael Crawford (The Phantom Of The Opera)
You Must Love Me - Madonna (Evita)
Any Dream Will Do-Donny Osmond (Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Memory - Betty Buckley (Cats)
Pie Jesus - Charlotte Church (Requiem)
The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford (The Phantom Of The Opera)
I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman (Jesus Christ Superstar)
Don't Cry For Me Argentina -Patti Lupone (Evita)
Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball (Aspects Of Love)
All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman (The Phantom Of The Opera)
The Perfect Year - Glenn Close & Alan Campbell (Sunset Boulevard)
The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones & Sounds Of Blackness (Whistle Down The Wind)
No Matter What - Boyzone (Whistle Down The Wind)
Oh What A Circus - Mandy Patinkin (Evita)
Whistle Down The Wind - Sarah Brightman (Whistle Down The Wind)
Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman & Jose Carrerras (1992 Olympics Theme)

Amazon.com

The critical debate over Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical legacy will no doubt rage for decades. Is he the shrewd populist composer who almost single-handedly revived the moribund stage musical--or a crass, Barnum-esque showman (who almost single-handedly revived the moribund stage musical)? This 18-track anthology chronicles the high points of Sir Andrew's enduring songcraft and the irrefutable impact it's made across a remarkably disparate swath of tastes and genres, from Broadway to Top 40 radio and even the classical repertoire.

If some have accused Lloyd Webber's songs--like "The Music of the Night" (from Phantom of the Opera) and the title tune from Whistle Down the Wind, included here--of having all the melodic and lyrical sophistication of a children's lullaby, that's likely the very element that's made them so appealing to a mass audience. If nothing else, it's a compelling argument for that old notion about it being "the singer, not the song." Indeed, there are few contemporary composers whose music could entice divas from Streisand ("As If We'd Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Blvd.) to Madonna (Evita's "You Must Love Me") and Charlotte Church ("Pie Jesu" from Requiem) to cover it, let alone forge the very careers of artists like Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. And if there's any substance to that other criticism of Lloyd Webber lifting the melodic ideas of composers from Verdi to John Williams (we swear that's the theme to Jurassic Park bubbling up in Tom Jones's camped-up take on Whistle's "The Vaults of Heaven"), at least, like virtually every major composer, he's stolen--er, borrowed--from the best. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Andrew LLoyd Webber - Gold Hits.......2007-07-13

I sent this CD to my parents and they love it! It is nice to preview the songs on-line instead of with greasy headphones in a music store! The shipping is always speedy and makes sending gifts across the country so much easier.

The Gold By Andrew.......2007-04-23

This cd is a must have for any Webber fan. It has many great songs from his most sucsessful musicals. But something I don't like about this cd is that some of the singer how sings some of the songs arn't the onse that sings the originals. Like "The Phantom Of The Opera" and "Love Changes Everything". Witch is so sad. Couse the original songs are so much better.
But besides that this cd is very good. With manye nice and difficult songs (I've sung some of the myself in siningclass).
So if you like Andrew's music this most sertanly is a most have.

The best of Webber.......2005-09-12

Although I like Andrew Llloyd Webber and his music very much, this collection earns only 4 stars and it's not because of the quality of the music but the level of performers. If a best of collection is made it should contain the best version ever done and this time it's not true. I could write the same review for the European edition (labeled import here) because the blend of the two would be a perfect best of.

Some examples: this version contains Memory sung by Betty Buckley while the Elaine Page version is light years better. Then it contains Patti Lupone's version of Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Even though Madonna wasn't the best Evita, she definitely sung Argentina in a way no-one could before or will ever. Whistle Down The Wind is represented with 3 songs - the place of the Tom Jones song is not here (the same could be said of Tina Arena's song o the European edition). Instead of the TJ song they could have included Take That Look Off Your Face by Marti Webb - one of the best songs by Webber. Pie Jesu from the Requiem is much better sung by Sarah Brightman. These are the faults.

What about the rest? Pure joy and material worth of 6 stars. Superstar, Phantom Of The Opera, Music Of The Night, I Don't Know How To Love Him, All I Ask Of You, No Matter What, Oh What A Circus - wonderful songs and wonderful performers. My all-time favorite from Webber will always be Music Of The Night and the version included here is the mesmerizing adaptation of Michael Crawford.

I don't advise anyone not to buy this album - it's good material, however it's far from being perfect.

THE BEST OF LLOYD WEBBER MADE FOR THE AMERICAN AUDIENCES.......2005-01-31

There are numerous compilations out on the market full of Andrew Lloyd Webber's music. As most people know, Lloyd Webber is the most successful musical composer of all time and many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. This compilation captures some of the best songs he has ever written, he personally supervised it and it is the best thing to have if you can't afford his five-CD compilation called "Now and forever", which was selected and supervised by him as well. You should bear in mind, however, that there are two compilations called Gold out there: The one made for the European and the British market, and this one, made for the American buyers. Some of the songs on both of them are the same, the others are performed by different artists and some can be found only in one of the two. This one here was issued later and it is digitally remastered. Therefore you should check your favourites and buy accordingly, or, if you can, buy them both, since both of them contain interesting songs and performers.

So here are my thoughts about the tracks in this one:

1. "Superstar" and "I don't know how to love him" are both from the concept album of "Jesus Christ Superstar". They sound wonderful as ever, although the orchestrations may seem a bit dated by now.

2. "Sunset Boulevard" is marked here with two songs. Barbra Streisand's powerful voice shines all the way through in "As if we never said goodbye"; it's a shame she never played Norma Desmond on Broadway, since Patti LuPone wasn't allowed to take her Norma to New York, and Glenn Close butchered the role. Her limited vocal abilities were hardly suited for the material, as it is shown by the second Sunset song, "The perfect year", performed by Close and Alan Campbell. They both lack a decent singing voice, so this is the one song I skip regularly. The song itself sounds much better in its single version with pops orchestration, as can be heard on the European version of this compilation, where it is performed by Dina Carroll. This version here can hardly be considered a gold one.

3. "The Phantom of the Opera" is represented by three songs. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman performance in the song of the same title is amazing. They were both born to play their roles in this show and their voices fit together perfectly. Sarah can hit the high notes in the end like no other Christine. Cliff Richard and Sarah sing the lovely ballad "All I ask of you" with passion, and Cliff has a wonderful warmth in his voice. Finally, Michael Crawford gives his unique and mesmerising interpretation in "The music of the night".

4. The 1996 movie version of "Evita" is Madonna's best role to date and it brought an Academy Award for Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who wrote "You must love me" especially for the big screen. This is another wonderful ballad with the haunting cello and piano solo. It just proves that Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice were the best collaborators. They really should do another musical together.

5. "The Joseph and his amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was Webber's first musical and the signature song "Any dream will do" is performed here by Donny Osmond, who also appeared in the video version. I find his rendition even better than London's Jason Donovan, since Donny isn't strictly bound by the notes and so sings it more casually. A wonderful pop piece.

6."Memory" from "Cats" is probably the most famous of all Webber's songs, recorded by numerous artists. This version is sung by Betty Buckley, who was Broadway's Grizabella. Although Betty's performance can't be considered bad, I prefer Elaine Paige, who sung the song first, in the London production. Elaine has a note of sorrow in her at times husky voice, which I found very intriguing. Her performance can be considered definite, as heard on "Cats" DVD or in her latest two-disc compilation, "Centre stage: The very best of Elaine Paige", issued in May 2004. Still, those who prefer Ms. Buckley or who saw her on stage in this role won't be disappointed.

7. "Pie Jesu" is the best known song from Webber's "Requiem", written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. I'm not too keen on the version included here, performed by Charlotte Church, because her voice isn't as pretty as Sarah Brightman's on the original recording and the tempo is somewhat faster here.

8. "Don't cry for me Argentina" is among my all-time Lloyd Webber's favourites. I like all the ladies who performed "Evita" on the stage and on the screen (Julie Covington, Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone and Madonna), but on this disc is the version I am most satisfied with, since it is sung by Patti LuPone. Ms. LuPone has a very powerful voice with an amazing range and she deserved her Tony Award for this role. She was able to sound both vulnerable and decisive while singing this, whereas the other leading ladies emphasized one or the other in their interpretation. Mandy Patinkin's "Oh what a circus" is not the best, the orchestration is a little bit weak and his voice sounds thin to me. David Essex on the London cast recording is more suitable.

9. "Aspects of love" boast here with its top song, "Love changes everything", performed wonderfully by Michael Ball. It was his #1 hit and is probably one of the most beautiful love anthems ever written.

10. Three songs come from "Whistle down the wind". The studio release of the same title is one of the reasons I bought this compilation, although I already have the European one. It is performed by Sarah Brightman with Lloyd Webber playing the piano and a symphonic orchestra who nicely takes the lead of the main melody. Sarah voice is angelic; she sings it like a little bird. Very charming. Boyzone's "No matter what" was a huge pop hit in the charts. Again, we have a song with the suitable orchestrations and vocals. And lastly, Tom Jones' deep voice in combination with the back vocals of "The Sounds of Blackness" gives a rocking rendition of the church hymn "The vaults of heaven". It can't be found on the European version and Tom's voice shows it hasn't aged. Way to go.

11. For the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Webber wrote, together with his long-time lyricist Don Black, this last song, "Amigos para siempre or Friends for life". It's a nice duet between Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras, their voices sore when bound together. The melody itself is neat, especially when the orchestra takes the lead.

Besides the fact that some of the performers here were not the best for my taste, there is also the fact that some of Lloyd Webber's shows are omitted in this version, most notably, "Tell me on a Sunday". Also, unlike its European counterpart, this compilation isn't aligned chronologically, so we have 1970 Superstar being the first song, 1993 Sunset Blvd comes the second, followed by The Phantom from 1986 and so on. None the less, this CD is excellent as an introduction to Lloyd Webber's music and one can continue with his cast recordings from there. It's also very handy as a single disc compilation for the American fans.

Super good CD.......2004-12-31

The songs on this CD are great. If you also play piano, the book of the same title goes perfectly with the CD. You can following along with the music and learn the songs on the piano.

Music Review:

Music Review

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