The Apprentice

The Apprentice

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The Apprentice was mostly completed a full two years before it was released. Martyn's record label, Island, rejected the tapes of the songs in 1988, even though artistically they were not too far removed from his previous release, Piece By Piece. In fact, this album turned out to be the more cohesive of the two. Eventually released by Permanent Records, it's by and large a well-crafted collection of songs. Its only weaknesses are the sometimes too-strong dependence on synthesizers and the song "Deny This Love," which is Martyn doing bad dance music (and featuring a truly horrible a cappella introduction). Otherwise, it's an enjoyable album. 'Look at the Girl' is a wistful follow-up to his 1974 song 'My Baby Girl,' while the haunting and moving 'Patterns in the Rain' features Martyn's first recorded acoustic guitar playing in years (even though it's not very predominant). 'Income Town' is an upbeat, more

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - (by Bach)
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Chinese Dance
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Dance Of The Reed Flutes
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Arabian Dance
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Russian Dance
The Nutcracker Suite Op.71A: Waltz Of The Flowers
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Rite Of Spring

Tracks:

Symphony No.6 ('Pastoral') Op.68: I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Symphony No.6 ('Pastoral') Op.68: II. Andante Molto Mosso
Symphony No.6 ('Pastoral') Op.68: III. Allegro/IV. Allegro/V. Allegretto
Dance Of The Hours (From The Opera 'La Gioconda')
A Night On Bald Mountain
Ave Maria Op.52 No.6

Amazon.com essential recording

It's hard to believe now that Walt Disney's bold 1940 impressionistic experiment in wedding then-state-of-the-art animation with classical music was a rather resounding failure upon its release. The cliché proves the rule: Fantasia was decades ahead of its time (Disney even launched a "psychedelic"-themed rerelease campaign in the late '60s). It's even harder to fathom that then-Disney management spent over a million dollars in the early '80s replacing the muscular Leopold Stokowski score with a digitally recorded clone, then another undisclosed fortune to digitize Leo and put him back alongside Mickey at the conductor's podium in the '90s! This much-traveled Stokowski score will gain no points for subtlety (a symphonic Shaq attack is more like it), but it was Walt's first--and only!--choice and has never sounded better. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Mickey mouse on cover, elevator music for 70 year olds.......2007-06-04

I bought it a couple of years ago looking at the cover but was extremely disappointed when my 18-month old insisted on "Mickey" today and I chucked it into my DVD player. Our baby started crying aloud suggesting "what is this rap?" Disney folks ought to know better not try and market elevator music for 70-year olds to little toddlers regardless of how fantasia the cover looks like!

Optical soundtrack recording limitations.......2007-03-05

The soundtrack recordings for "Fantasia" were provided
to the theaters of 1940 as optical tracks on the side
of the film being shown. Such recordings cannot be
compared to the magnetic tape recordings made after WWII
(using captured or "liberated" German machines at first),
to say nothing of the current digital technology.

An analog optical soundtrack on motion picture film was
bad enough, but the film itself was nitrate, notorious
for disintegrating over a relatively short period of time,
as well as for its flammability. The prints in
circulation wore out until "the sound had gotten so bad,
theaters were refusing to book the film" according to a
Disney spokesman quoted in the New York Times of March
11, 1982.

Stokowski knew what a difference stereo recording made,
compared to mono, because almost a decade earlier, he and
the Philadelphia Orchestra participated (without the
players' knowledge) in a series of experimental high
fidelity and stereo disc recordings made by Bell
Telephone Labs. At the time, Bell Labs and Western
Electric tried to interest several manufacturers of
phonographs in the new technology, but the Great
Depression was underway, and the idea of marketing
phonographs with two stylii and two loudspeakers was
deemed unfeasible. (The Bell system had 33-1/3 rpm
discs with two parallel grooves, requiring two stylii
for playback.)

The Fantasound process, as I understand it, required a
theater to install a single loudspeaker behind the screen
and three loudspeakers along each of the two side walls,
resembling somewhat today's "surround sound." But the
idea was not to produce true stereo sound, but rather
the "ping-pong" stereo concept, with the sounds from the
loudspeakers following the cartoon characters as they
moved back and forth across the screen.

I sometimes wonder if the original recordings were made
with discs, not on soundtrack film -- in which case they
might still exist somewhere in the Disney archives. The
many thousands of original cartoon animation cels used to
create the film images were not treated as archival
material, such as the original Technicolor negatives
of "Gone With The Wind" which were stored in underground
Kansas caves, where the temperature remained steady for
decade after decade. Instead, the cels were either
destroyed or individually distributed to interested
parties. All told, it's remarkable that the film and
soundtrack have survived almost seventy years in the
shape they're in.

Stokowski was not thrilled with the end product
of "Fantasia" because, reportedly, Disney engineers
played with his recording, snipping off beats to match
the animation and enhancing crescendos. Stravinsky --
the only composer represented who was still living at
the time -- also was appalled at Stokowski's rearrangement
of his work (which Stravinsky sold to Disney for $5,000
because he needed the money at the time), to say nothing
of the dinosaurs prancing about to his ballet. The 1940
audiences were either outraged (the purists), puzzled or
bored (the general public), or snickering that Disney
had "lost it" (the film industry). But some of us loved it.

Yet "Fantasia," like "The Rite of Spring," proved far
more durable than its critics could imagine. At the
time, I was familiar with the music of Beethoven's Sixth
Symphony, Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker", Bach's "Ave Maria,"
and even Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours," but "The Rite
of Spring," and "The Sorceror's Apprentice," and "Night on
Bald Mountain" as well as Bach's "Toccata and Fugue" were
revelations for me. I didn't know then that Stokowski
tinkered with those scores, but now I have a large number
of various performances of all of them in my recording
collection. My "Fantasia" recordings were issued on LPs
in the 1970s and are treasured as historic artifacts.

In effect, that is what this two-CD album is. It's a
mistake to listen to it as performances comparable to
modern digital recordings. Enjoy them for what they are
- historical efforts to popularize classical music.

Richard Q. Hofacker, Jr., Basking Ridge, NJ

Review of soundtrack Fantasia issues.......2007-02-16

Thanks to the other reviewers for honest opinions on sound quality of this product issue. The FANTASIA soundtrack deserved better, and fortunitely, I once bought a 2-volume cassette edition of Fantasia, remastered original soundtrack edition, purchased at Tomorrowland souvenir shop at Disneyland back in 1990. Still have it, in great condition box set, and even the new boom boxes sold in todays market, feature cassette and cd play. Muchos grac!

Fantasia.......2007-01-10

I am satisfied that the CD is of the original production of Fantasia, which I feel is superior to the current DVD. I hope that a DVD version of the original version will be made available at some time. The sound quality leaves a little to be desired, however.

low-fi fantasia.......2007-01-10

I was disapointed with the low-fi recording. I realize the soundtrack is from the 1940's, but I assumed it has been re-mastered. Rather muddy sound.

Average customer rating:

Just for kids?? No way!!
The best classical album for kids!
Great for Preschool Children

Classics for Kids

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003FE3
Release Date: 1993-06-08

Tracks:

The Nutcracker Excerpts (Tchaikovsky)
The Nutcracker Excerpts (Tchaikovsky)
The Nutcracker Excerpts (Tchaikovsky)
Parade of The Wooden Soldiers (Jessel-MacDonald)
Carnival of The Animals Excerpts (Saint-Saens)
Carnival of The Animals Excerpts (Saint-Saens)
Carnival of The Animals Excerpts (Saint-Saens)
THe Girl With The Flaxen Hair (Debussy)
Hoedown from Rodeo (Copland)
Little Waltz from The Toy Box (Debussy)
Viennese Musical Clock from Hary Janos (Kodaly)
Mother Goose Suite Excerpts (Ravel)
Mother Goose Suite Excerpts (Ravel)
March of the Siamese Children from The King and I (Rogers)
Dreams frin Scenes From Childhood ( Schumann)
March of The Toys from Babes In Toyland (Herbert)
Childhood Games Excerpts (Bizet)
Childhood Games Excerpts (Bizet)
The Toy Trumpet Al Hirt, trumpet (Scott)
The Little Train of Caipira (Villa-Lobos)
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Dukas)
Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty (Tchaikovsky)
Lullaby (Brahms)

Customer Reviews:

Just for kids?? No way!!.......2005-04-08

This is wonderful classical music. If the kids like it, great! But, make no mistake about it, this is good for anyone. This is wonderful study music, reading music, or just plain relaxing music. Highlights include "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"; "March of the Toys" (from BABES IN TOYLAND -- the reason I bought this CD); "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"; "The Little Train of Caipira" (no longer little when the music is over); and the audience favorite "Hoedown" (i.e. "Beef, it's what's for dinner!").

If you're into that whole thing of classical music sharpening a youngster's intellect, then this won't disappoint. If you're just into good old fashioned classical music in general, it won't disappoint you either. Also, I highly recommend to both groups the classical CD BUILD YOUR BABY'S BRAIN.

The best classical album for kids!.......2002-12-12

This is a wonderful album. Very high quality, and every selection is beautiful. My daughter (who usually asks me to turn my classical music off) loves to pretend to gallop like a horse during "Rodeo" and march like a soldier during "Parade of the wooden soldiers". This is a pleasure for the whole family!

Great for Preschool Children.......2000-10-12

I use this CD with my preschool music group. The kids love it! This CD enables children learn about classical music without over extending their attention spans.

Average customer rating:

Children's Favorites a solid purchase
The perfect package
A Wonderful Introduction to the Classics

Children's Favorites

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music
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Bernstein Favorites: Children's Classics
World's Very Best Opera for Kids... in English!

ASIN: B00004Y6T3
Release Date: 2000-09-05

Tracks:

March Of The Tin Soldiers - Leon Jessel
Variations On 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' - Walter Klien
The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Reed Flutes - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
The Sorceror's Apprentice - Paul Dukas
Peter And The Wolf (Extract) - Brandon de Wilde
Invention No. 8 In F Major - Christiane Jaccottet
Invention No. 11 in G Minor - Christiane Jaccottet
Invention No. 13 in A Minor - Christiane Jaccottet
Prelude And Fugue No. 21 In B Flat Major (Book 1) - Christiane Jaccottet
Sonata For 2 Pianos In D Major, K. 448, 1st Mvt. - Rudolf Firkusny
III. Allegretto - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Of Strange Lands And People - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Curious Story - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Entreating Child - Walter Klien
Kinderszenen: Perfect Happiness - Walter Klien
Introduction And Royal March - Marylene Dosse
The Elephant - Marylene Dosse
Kangaroos - Marylene Dosse
The Aquarium - Marylene Dosse
Cuckoo In The Woods - Marylene Dosse
Birds - Marylene Dosse
Fossils - Marylene Dosse
The Swan - Marylene Dosse
Finale - Marylene Dosse

Customer Reviews:

Children's Favorites a solid purchase.......2006-03-09

This CD mostly delivered what was expected of it. The only critique I have is that some of the tempos could have been cleaner, and that it should be cross-referenced by the other composers besides J. S. Bach.

The perfect package.......2005-10-23

This is the most wonderful collection to have on 1 CD. Children from birth on up can benefit from this musical collage.
Songs from the "Nutcracker" are familiar and comfortable for many children. What child wouldn't love "March of the Tin Soldiers?"
Selections from Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals" is a must in my creative movement library. Every child should be exposed to this music. Well,I believe every age should be.

A Wonderful Introduction to the Classics.......2003-03-11

With total playing time clocking in at 78:04 minutes of music, you'll be paying about 6-cents/minute, which is a better bargain than long distance phone calls, and often more rewarding!

This disc is far superior than most other "Classics for Kids"-type recordings I've sampled for a number of reasons:

1) This album was expertly engineered. The production quality on this disc is first-rate from start to finish with crisp, clear sound.

2) The pieces were expertly picked. There is wonderful sonic variety here, spanning hundreds of years of wonderful melodies. There are orchestral pieces, harpsichord pieces, solo piano, and a piano concerto, capped off with Saint-Seans whimsical Carnival of the Animals. What kid (or adult) wouldn't love that?

3) The performances are, without exeption, expert! The pieces were definately screened for quality as well as content. Many are simply a joy to behold. Walter Klein is a particular stand-out, almost giddily prancing through Schumann's pieces. Believe it or not, he sounds even more impressive when backed up by the always inspiring Minnesota Orchestra on Mozart's Piano Concerto #17.

Tracks:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble Bee
Bernstein: Scenes from West Side Story
Dukas: The Sorcerers Apprentice
Ravel: La Valse (po choraphique)
Friedman: Tabati usique, Op. 33 No. 3
Rachmaninoff: Moments musicaux, Op. 16 No. 4
Rachmaninoff: Ele from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3
Debussy: LIsle joyeuse
Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28
Bowen: Toccata, Op. 155
Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt, Op. 23

Amazon.com

Their story is truly one of the more unusual tales of classical music today. Pop music has produced world-famous examples of all-in-the-family groups (which typically gave way to one or two solo stars as the years passed). And of course there's the Trapp Family singers of The Sound of Music fame. But the sibling pianists known as the 5 Browns are in a category all their own. They've gotten mega-exposure from profiles on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and the like as the first example in the history of the esteemed Juilliard School of Music in which five members of the same family have won admission (scholarships at that!) and studied concurrently. But if this sounds like a P.T. Barnum publicity stunt, make no mistake: Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan are the real thing--musicians of intense dedication and talent. Their debut CD offers different perspectives on this pianistic quintet. It's not surprising that the literature isn't exactly overflowing with arrangements for five pianos--so only 4 tracks here actually have all ten hands busy tickling the ivories (arrangements of "Flight of the Bumblebee," West Side Story scenes, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from Grieg's Peer Gynt). The flip DVD side includes videos of their amazing in-sync dexterity for "Flight" and the Bernstein excerpts, plus a charming interview introducing the very down-to-earth Browns. They talk about how they took to the piano, one by one, at a very early age and also point out that they remain each other's best friends, which helps them weather the stresses of the competitive classical performing arts world. Other tracks involve several four-hands settings and some solos (my own favorite is Melody's beautiful rendition of Debussy's gorgeous "L'Isle joyeuese"). We're sure to hear more from this amazingly talented family--whether as a group or as soloists. --Sarah Chin

Album Description

CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album

DVD SIDE: * Entire Album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo * Video Performances: - Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumble Bee (arr. Jeffrey Shumway) - Bernstein: Scenes from "West Side Story" (arr. Kendall Briggs) * Exclusive interview footage with The 5 Browns This disc is intended to play on standard DVD and CD players. May not play on a limited number of models.

Customer Reviews:

Not all that impressed.......2007-06-01

I can't help but thinking that this is just another group of virtuoso kids that is being used for the fame of another. The music lacks fullness and invention, and tends to be a doubling of a lot of standard voicing. There is some ornamentation, and there's no doubt that each of these kids is a giften pianist, but as a group, I was not all that impressed. Cute group, though.

Fifty Very Talented Fingers..........2006-12-05

I got this CD for Christmas, and I was a little reluctant to listen to it, thinking "Oh what a yawn. Probably Mozart and Bach and--horror of horrors!--Rachmaninoff!" Well needless to say, boy was I wrong! I caught the name 'Bernstein' in the track listing, and although I had never really listened to Lenny's works, I always thought he sounded like an interesting guy, so in went the disc into the player, and on went 'Scenes from West Side Story.' I listened to it once. I listened to it twice. The third time I was hooked. I didn't recognize anything they were playing, but man it was good! It was awesome! The Browns' masterful piano version of Bernstein led me to explore deeper the marvellous music of West Side Story. To this day, after listening to recording after recording of Bernstein's West Side Story suites, the 5 Browns have a timeless rendition. It's positively brilliant. That's the only word for it--for them. They're glorious. Let classical music bore you no more, for the piano has found fifty VERY talented fingers to capture its beauty. Personally I think the very best track is West Side Story, but don't forget about The Flight of the Bumble Bee and the very fun In the Hall of the Mountain King. This is music at the height of its glory. And of course don't miss No Boundaries (note my review: I was the one who raved about The Firebird.) Enjoy, bambini!

The Browns are Great.......2006-08-04

I had vaguely heard of the Browns before I popped their CDs in my player. WOW!! What playing & what great enthusiasm. They obviously have fun making music together and they have the chops to make it exciting for the listener. Especially fun are the excerpts from Bernstein's West Side Story & Grieg's Peer Gynt. The DVD video bits are a nice bonus.

Outstanding Young Pianists.......2006-07-14

I was fortunate to see the 5 Browns in person therefore, it has been enjoyable to listen to the music that they performed in the concert. These 5 siblings are so refreshing and so talented. I recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for a CD that has outstanding piano music performed by 5 very talented young people.

Disappointed.......2006-06-07

BUYER BEWARE! When the CD Cover warns you that the "...audio side of this disc does not conform to CD specifications and therefore not all DVD and CD players will play the audio side of this disc." THEY ARE DEAD SERIOUS. I bought the album, tried it in FIVE different CD and CD/DVD players - NONE of them would play the CD. Fortunately, the retailer who I bought the CD/DVD from was willing to allow me to return it (sounds like they have had similar problems!) The 5 Browns are great artists, however, it is VERY disconcerting that their CD producers/manufacturers are putting these kind of limitations on their product.

Average customer rating:

Hallo-wha?
An interest take on the usual
Could have been great but . . .
It's not That bad...
Tries to please everyone

Halloween

Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000AOV3N
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

Toccata In DeMole
Hall Of The Mountain King
Harvest Dance
The Flying Dutchman
Z-Row Gravity
Funeral March Of A Marionette
Rock & Roll Graveyard
Night On Bald Mountain
Crystal
All Hallow's Eve
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
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Tracks:

Enchanted Forest
The Other Side
Enchanted Forest II
The Reaper
Ghost Voices
Alien Spaceship
Enchanted Forest III
Mountain King
Digital Death
Souls Demise

Customer Reviews:

Hallo-wha?.......2006-04-19

Let me start by saying I've never listened to Steamroller before picking this up. I am a big fan of Halloween and have quite a collection of music/sound fx so naturally, this was a must buy when I saw it.
Strictly from a Halloween fan's point of view, I can't recommend this except maybe for a kids party. The synth on the tracks really removes any spookiness from the tunes and makes them fall short of Halloween-worthiness. Tocatta and Hall of the Mountain King are some of my absolute favorite classical pieces and here they are given a royal treatment...if they were produced on a Commodore 64, or Casio keyboard for you younger folk.
The FX disc isn't horrible, but it's below the average generic sound fx you find in the bargain bin. Again, not much scary except for the fact that I spent money on this.
If possible, check it out before you buy.

An interest take on the usual.......2005-11-06

I wasn't sure what I'd think of this from reading other reviews, but I really did like it. I'm not really familiar with Mannheim's other stuff (but if the rest of the Autumn cd is anything like Harvest Dance, I'm looking forward to getting it), so I didn't have any preconceived ideas. I have a lot of the classical pieces on other cds, but I like the different twist given to them here. And I did like the sound effect cd. Nicely spooky (I have enough other sound effects cds with screaming and muching ghouls, etc).

Could have been great but . . ........2004-10-15

As a big Steamroller fan, perhaps my hopes were set a little too high. I envisioned more original music (perhaps a more scarier vibe than the silly one this CD has to it) and maybe a few covered tunes. Chips originals (from the Fresh Aire series)found on this CD outshine the weak efforts put forth on the covered and rearranged tracks. The sound effects disc sets a great(and creepy)mood, that should had been followed through with some new and equally scary compositions.

If you're a die hard Mannheim fan (as in 'I just have to own everything Chip puts out') I say go for it. But otherwise spend your Halloween money elsewhere. Overall this is a forced and lazy effort.

It's not That bad..........2004-06-14

It's not scary. There, you have it, that's what it all boils down to. With a creepy cover like that, you'd think it would be terrifying! It's not, but it's not bad, either!

A lot of the songs sound kind of like low-budget MIDI tunes that are sometimes embedded in websites.. but I think that might have been what the Steamroller was going for. Kind of like a broken Music Box? Anyway, only a few sound low budget, the rest sound good, even a few are a little "eerie" but at the same time, there's a lot that pretty much remind me of something you would hear come out of sesame street toy. The sound effects are great, though.

There's a few songs that are bad. there's a few that are "babyish" but there's also Lots that really capture the mood of halloween and some of it's eerieness. I can't really recommend it for Halloween itself (maybe if you already have every halloween cd already) but I think any Chip Davis fan should give it a listen.

Tries to please everyone.......2004-06-02

One of the neat things about the holiday of Halloween is that it is so versatile. Where Christmas has a very straightforward story (Santa or Jesus, take your pick), Halloween can be many things. Some people see it as a sort of Mardi Gras atmosphere, where any kind of costumed theme is suitable. Others see it as a dark holiday, only suited gothic castles, zombies, and monsters. Still others celebrate it in the style of gory slasher movies, complete with deranged serial killers and buckets of blood. And then there is the non-scary childrens Halloween, where the ghosts are cute and jack-o-lanterns all have goofy grins.

Tracks:

Someday
My Lover's Keeper
Sunset Woman
Let Me Go Now
So you Couldn't Get to Me
Please Come To Boston
Girl From Knoxville
Second Hand Lady
My Father's Fiddle
Wonder'n As The Days go By

Album Description

Dave Loggins is a cousin of singer Kenny Loggins. He had a Top 100 Billboard charting album in 1974, "Apprentice (In A Musical Workshop)". It garnered a top 5 single ,"Please Come To Boston".

Customer Reviews:

whiny, pathetically self-indulgent, and shallow; an offensive folk-rock album.......2007-05-21

Dave Loggins is the second cousin of the far more famous Kenny Loggins, and Dave had actually already contributed some material to Loggins & Messina records by the time of his own second album, 1974's "Apprentice (In A Musical Workshop)".
I'll readily admit that Dave Loggins does have some excellent songwriting to his credit, such as the powerhouse rocker "Stones (Dig A Little Deeper)" as recorded by England Dan Seals. The respectable acoustic guitar accompaniment of this album suggests that something at least decent could have come out of all of this. However, "Apprentice (In A Musical Workshop)" turns out to be a disgraceful folk-rock album that presents Dave Loggins as a can't-be-trusted womanizer, and then tries to sugar-coat it with nauseatingly sickly-sweet orchestrations and Loggins' insincere, weepy, over-exaggerated vocals.

Dave Loggins has sole writing credit for all 10 songs on this album. The opening track "Someday", with its cheesy synthesizer washes and ridiculously out-of-place "ooh la la..." chorus, has him supposedly deeply in love with a woman, and he tries to string her along, promising over and over again that SOMEDAY, they'll be together forever, when it's clear, especially after taking in such subsequent tunes as "Let Me Go Now" and "Wonder'n As The Days Go By", that he has no intention of being true to her and that "someday" really means "never". On "Let Me Go Now", "Second Hand Lady", and "Girl From Knoxville", Loggins demonstrates that he sees women as having little or no value other than providing sex.

The album's claim to fame is the big hit "Please Come To Boston", a laughably 'sentimental' ballad where Loggins once again tries to string a woman along, first to Boston, then to Denver, then to L.A.--in real life, any woman in the right mind would have dumped him by the end of the song. Loggins even slips over into downright misogynistic territory on "Sunset Woman", where he accuses a woman of being "worthless" for doing the same kind of polygamous activity that he seems to think is acceptable for himself to engage in--he says to her "no one needs you", although he himself seems to take great pleasure in what he refers to as her "wishing well of sin", otherwise why would he be doing this 5+ minute super-slow 'tribute' to her?

Even when Loggins switches gears and pays tribute to his family on the nostalgic, childhood reminiscence "My Father's Fiddle", you still have to deal with the overblown harmonies and Loggins grating vocals and sentimentality.

Just look at the track sequence of the first three songs on 'side 2'. First we have "Please Come To Boston", where Loggins' companion wants him to forget about going to all these other places and come home to her in Tennessee. On the very next song, "Girl From Knoxville", he decides to do just that, figuring it's an effective way for him to get laid, as evidenced by the lyrics which describe how he looks forward to bathing her in a stream and using his arms for her blanket. Then, with the following song "Sunset Woman", after having gotten the sexual cravings temporarily out of his system and realizing he wants no long-term obligations, he accuses her of being "worthless". Loggins tries to wrap an overwrought "woe is me" schtick around it all, and the results are incredibly annoying and offensive.

For goodness sake, stick with James Taylor, and Jackson Browne, etc. Avoid this cloying disgrace.

the best.......2007-03-10

I have the album, the tape, and now the disc, it have been one of favorite albums since it first came out many years ago.

A Great Folk Rock Album..........2006-12-28

has finally made it to CD. I don't have the CD yet, but I do have the original vinyl and cassette tape. I highly recommend this album, it's a great listen all the way through. I'm amazed how it has seemingly remained such a hidden gem. 'Someday', 'Sunset Woman', and 'Second Hand Lady' are all beautiful songs that I always enjoy hearing. Dave Loggins has also written hits for many other artists.

A sin that has finally been corrected!!!.......2006-10-15

This, Dave Loggins' second solo album (his first being "Personal Belongings" for Vanguard), is finally available in its entirety on compact disc. "Apprentice" not only showcases Dave's beautiful "Please Come To Boston", a standard by any measure, but his thoughtful "Sunset Woman" and an overlooked gem, "My Father's Fiddle". The production on this album, released in 1974, is top-notch and features some of Nashville's finest studio players for that time. Thank you, Wounded Bird Records, for correcting such a monumental oversight and getting this classic album to the public!

Not quite a one-way ticket.......2006-09-03

Dave Loggins has a great voice and has written some wonderful songs, but his best album ever was "One Way Ticket to Paradise" - why won't someone re-release that? This'll have to do, I guess.

Average customer rating:

Classic Scary Music
Classical and great
Great collection, but they missed one
The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album
Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!

Classics from the Crypt

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Halloween Hits
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Very Scary Music: Classic Horror Themes
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Halloween Howls

ASIN: B000003FAI
Release Date: 1992-09-08

Tracks:

Toccata & Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Danse Macabre
Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
Night On Bald Mountain
Symphonie Fantastique - March To The Scaffold - Georges Pretre
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - In The Hall Of The Mountain King
Mephisto Waltz - Fritz Reiner
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Symphonie Fantastique - Dream Of A Witches' Sabbath - Georges Pretre

Customer Reviews:

Classic Scary Music.......2007-01-10

If you're looking for classic haunted castle type scary music, this is a good CD.
Used this in a haunted maze in our basement, and it helped freak the kids out fairly well.

Classical and great.......2006-11-28

A must-have for your Halloween music collection. Different and strong, the music will definitely get you in the Halloween mood. I played it on my stereo while answering the door to trick-or-treaters. It made me feel "oh-so-spooky" and festive.

Great collection, but they missed one.......2006-06-10

An excellent compilation of the darker side of classical music, although I would have preferred a different rendition of Toccata and Fugue in D (New York Philharmonic perhaps), it's still quite good.

But how could the series producer leave off Ravel's Pavane For a Dead Princess? It's preferable to Symphonie Fantastique - March to The Scaffold, plus Berlioz already makes an appearance with Dream of a Witches' Sabbath. If there was room, Verdi's Requiem would have been a nice addition too.

So I have to go with 4 stars only.

The Perfect Halloween-Themed Classical Album.......2005-10-17

What better way to celebrate Halloween than by throwing a party and popping this recording on the stereo. This is classical music with a Halloween theme. Conductors Eugene Ormandy and George Pretre (whom I would have never believed did this kind of stuff) conducts classical music with a dark and Gothic twist. The cover is attrative- a cartoon drawing of the Phantom of the Opera playing on his organ. The first track is Bach's Toccata and Fugue for organ in D minor. It is genuinely considered a Halloween piece, and has been associated with such films as Dracula. The malevolent sound of the Toccata (the opening chords) are especially memorable. Danse Macabre was Saint Saen's ode to Halloween and it is a devilish waltz for violin. Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette became famous for the theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky was used in Disney's Fantasia, in the last segment and is very frightening and brisk. Lisz's Mephisto Waltzes are piano pieces that evoke a wild frenzy but I find nothing dark about it. It is difficult music to play however. The music of Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique utilizes many horror themes. In the Romantic Era, Gothic lore spread and such figures as Mary Shelley and Bram Stroker would write novels of Gothic horror -Frankenstein and Dracula. In the Symphony Fantastique, a young man falls in love with an elusive woman. He imagines she is unfaithful to him and then has a disturbing dream in which she is a witch in a coven. Then he is marched to a scaffold and beheaded. The music is very compelling and dark. All the music here is great to listen to on Halloween and the conductors and orchestra play them well. A must have.

Spooky Classical Music That Is Great For Halloween Or Anytime Of The Year!.......2005-10-16

I love Classical music, it is one of my favorite styles of music and I also like Halloween and scary movies, etc, I bought this CD because I heard, In The Hall of the Mountain King, Night on Bald Mountain, Dance Macabre and Funeral March of a Marionette and I liked them. Dance Macabre was used in a season 4 episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called Hush. Also Funeral March of a Marionette was used as the theme for Alfred Hitchock Presents. All of these pieces are great and I also liked Tocata & Fuge in D minor. This CD with it's spooky sounding classical music is great for playing on Halloween but can really be listened to anytime and not just on Halloween and I highly recommend it!

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Dukas: L'Apprenti Sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice)

Average customer rating:

An incisive, dramatic performance, in better sound than Karajan's
Fantastic
Magnificently performed, better than Karajan
there's something missing
Hermoso disco.

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 "Organ"; Dukas: L'Apprenti Sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001G85
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Symphony Nr.3 C-Moll Op.78 (Orgel-Symphonie): 1. Adagio - Allegro moderato
Symphony Nr.3 C-Moll Op.78 (Orgel-Symphonie): Poco adagio
Symphony Nr.3 C-Moll Op.78 (Orgel-Symphonie): 2. Allegro moderato - Presto - Allegro moderato
Symphony Nr.3 C-Moll Op.78 (Orgel-Symphonie)): 2. Maestoso - Allegro - Molto allegro - Pesante
Der Zauberlehrling Scherzo nach einer Ballade von Goethe

Amazon.com

James Levine's is currently the hottest version of the Sorcerer, rivalling the old Toscanini account in impetuosity, but far better recorded. The choice of companion piece is a good one, though the length (47:05) is unpleasantly short for a full-price disc. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

An incisive, dramatic performance, in better sound than Karajan's.......2007-02-25

Every breakthrough in audio technology calls for this show-off piece to be recorded again. James Levine's reading of Saint-Saens' massive "Organ" Sym. #3 was DG's bid for a sonic spectacular, even though they already owned Karajan's magisterial version with the same Berlin Phil. Despite some digital glare in the upper strings and brass at loud volume, they succeeded in advancing the knock-out power of organ, pianos, and massed brass in the finale, the payoff movement. Simon Preston interprets the organ part very musically--it isn't just amorphous thunder--and Levine's overall approach is crisp and brisk. That's a help in a work that can sound tubby and whose slow movement is a rather uninspired semi-dirge. Karajan didn't have sound this good, and his reading by comparison has a touch of pomposity. The filler is a Sorcerer's Apprentice played with wonderful panache. Highly recommended for audio buggs, even if you already own a classic like Munch and the BSO on RCA.

Fantastic.......2004-04-05

This is the CD to buy if you are looking for the definitive recorded version of both Saint-Saëns' great "Organ" Symphony and Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice. James Levine, a master in his own right, brings vision and energy to these famous orchestral staples. Levine and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra play with vigor, power, and gusto is this polished, yet spontaneous sounding recording from DG. I will agree with some of the other reviewers in saying that the performance does not sound particularly "French." Indeed, the orchestral forces are not as smooth as in Dutiot's recoding of the symphony. However, that by no means suggests that this recording is incorrect or bad. I like the think, creamy, powerful sounds Levine creates with the BPO. Climaxes are terribly exciting while the sublime second music is inspiring. Simon Preston's accompaniment is equally dazzling. All in all, this recording of the "Organ" Symphony is top-notch.

Dukas' musical career rests in a handful of works, the most famous being this piece, the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Made famous by Fantasia, this work is truly a masterpiece of the French romantic tradition. Its influence on future composers also makes this a historically important work. Stravinsky, who was a pupil of Dukas, was certainly inspired by this piece in some of his earlier works. Levine's reading with the BPO is awe-inspiring. The playing is perfect, the recorded sound is crystal clear, the energy and emotion is unmatched. This is the version to own.

This CD is highly recommended. You cannot go wrong.

Magnificently performed, better than Karajan.......2003-03-28

Currenlty, I own two different recordings of Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony. Both is under the same company (Grammophon), and played by the same orchestra (Berlin Phil).

This recording, with the orcehstra under the baton of Maestro James Levine, and the organ soloist being Simon Preston, is magnificently played. I rate it a superb performance. The balance between the organ and the orchetra is great. No brass overblowing, and no strings making a drudging heavy play. The timpi, especially each different detail of the mighty second-half of the concluding movement (the music you might have heard in the movie "Babe") is just the way I favor; crisp, smooth, and a perfect timing on ending the piece.

The other recording I own is with Pierre Cochereau on organ, and the conductor being the famous Herbert von Karajan. Yes, that performance is great, but it's a bit too "heavy". Karajan was a man who tends to add weight on the orchestra's sound pretty often, but I didn't think the Organ Symphony had to be so compressed. At some time, the organ is a bit overpowering the orcehstra. I didn't quite like the tempi either.

Both recordings is great, but I rather recommend this CD under Levine.

there's something missing.......2001-07-28

Certainly Levine and BPO play magnificently. However, the problem is, it doesn't sound like Saint-Saens. Levine performs this piece like the Bruckner. There's no Gallic charm at all, it sounds just heavy. And BPO betrays too much of its German quality. The Dutoit on Decca has more idiomatic Saint-Saens sound with full of Gallic nuance.

Hermoso disco........2001-03-07

Una poderosa y brillante interpretación de la Tercera Sinfonía de Saint Saens, la que nos entrega en esta lectura el Maestro James Levine. La concepción entusiasta con un tempo correcto más una espléndida sonoridad de la Berliner Philharmoniker, hacen de este disco probablemente la mejor interpretación de la obra en DDD, puesto que hasta el momento nadie a podido superar la versión de Charles Munch con la Boston Symphony Orchestra en RCA (ADD). Prepárese antes de la entrada del Organo en el movimiento final, pues es sencillamente IMPRECIONANTE, apoyados por una excelente grabación de la Deutsche Grammophon. Además el disco nos entrega una hermosa interpretación del "Aprendiz del hechicero" de Dukas, comparto la opinión de Ted Libbey de que esta interpretación no trae un recuerdo a la famosa del Maestro Toscanini.

Tracks:

I. En Bateau
II. Cortege
III. Menuet
IV. Ballet
Marche Ecossaise Sur Un Theme Populaire
I. Pour Invoquer Pan
II. Pour Un Tombeau Sans Nom
III. Pour Que La Nuit Soit Propice
IV. Pour La Danseuse Aux Crotales
V. Pour L'Egyptienne
VI. Pour Remercier La Pluie Au Matin
Lindaraja
I. Avec Emportement
II. Lent - Sombre
III. Scherzando
Prelude A L'apres-Midi D'un Faune
I. Nuages
II. Fetes
II. Entre-Cloches

Tracks:

I. Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant
II. Petit Poucet
III. Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes
IV. Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete
V. Le Jardin Feerique
Frontispice: For Two Pianos And One Hand
Mouvement De Vaise Viennoise
I. Prelude A La Nuit
II. Malaguena
III. Habanera
IV. Feria
I. L'Escarpolette
II. La Toupie
III. La Poupee
IV. Les Chevaux De Bois
V. Le Volant
VI. Trompette Et Tambour
VII. Les Bulles De Savon
VIII. Les Quatre Coins
IX. Colin-Maillard
X. Saute-Mouton
XI. Petit Mari, Petite Femme!
XII. Le Bal
L'Apprenti Sorcier

Customer Reviews:

Superlative Performances.......2007-03-07

Superlative Duo in superlative music - really sums up these performances. The Debussy is sublime from the "Six Epigraphes antiques" the exotic,"Lindaraja", the spirited,"Marche Ecossaise",the charming, "Petite Suite", to the modern abstract,"En Blanc et noir". The Ravel is as ravishing and the music's strong linear sweep is revealed in two pianos or four hands(with Ravel's "Frontispice" for two piano with one hand - an unusual combination). This is music that brightens up your aural realm!

Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain

Average customer rating:

Great value
Orquesta Grandiosa
Bravo!
Brilliant Berlioz

Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture
Symphonie Fantastique
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
Holst: The Planets; Walton: Facade
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture

ASIN: B00005YMJI
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Symphonie Fantastique: I. Reveries; Passions - Largo; Allegro Agitato E Appassionato Assai
Symphonie Fantastique: II. A Ball - Valse: Allegro Non Troppo
Symphonie Fantastique: III. Scene In The Country - Adagio
Symphonie Fantastique: IV. March To The Scaffold - Allegretto Non Troppo
Symphonie Fantastique: V. Dream Of A Sabbath Night - Larghetto; Allegro
Symphonie Fantastique: V. Dream Of A Sabbath Night - Dies Irae
Symphonie Fantastique: V. Dream Of A Sabbath Night - Sabbath Round
Symphonie Fantastique: V. Dream Of A Sabbath Night - Sabbath Round
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Night On Bald Mountain

Customer Reviews:

Great value.......2006-11-01

I bought this disc principally to get a good recording of Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain to play for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. It turned out to be a great deal. The recording quality is good on all tracks, and the performances are solid throughout. Although the liner notes do not specify the dates of the recordings, the original copyrights date from 1961, 1964, and 1968, and it is all in stereo. At the bargain price, this one is a steal.

Orquesta Grandiosa.......2004-09-30

La orquesta de Filadelfia y Ormandy hacen en este Cd algo impresionante es musica al máximo nivel, inigualable. Desde los primeros acordes de la Sinfonia Fantástica sentira el poder de Berlioz en una interpretación soberbia, es lo que Berlioz deseaba una orquesta a plenitud, vibrante, poderosa, sonoramente imparable, y eso es la orquesta de Filadelfia un conjunto insuperable.
La sinfonia comienza sútil y portentosa, es elocuente y apasionada, es fuerza, vigor un inicio abrumador. A ball (el baile)es gratificante, sencillo, enternecedor, genial un momento delicado en la voragine de esta sinfonía. La suavidad, el sublime devenir de las tierras campestres se manifiestan con dulzura, con nostalgia, genial un momento de serenidad inolvidable. La paz se acaba el dolor, el sufrimiento, el castigo se hacen presente, avancen con la orquesta hacia la muerte, es una pesadilla inimaginable, nostalgia, sufrimiento que otra cosa puede sentirse ahora. La Sinfonia acaba no nos queda mas que sucumbir ante el encanto de la excelencia.
Dukas continua en esta función de sonidos fantásticos, "el aprendiz de hechicero" es una pequeña obra maestra, escuchela y se le vendra a la mente mickey y las escobitas, es una mágica sesión del máximo expresionismo, adorable, tentador.
Para finalizar los acordes de Moussourgsky nos hacen estremecer una vez mas, el sonido es penetrante, aterrador sino atemorizante, no hay escapatoria, la orquesta nos envuelve y no tenemos mas que dejarnos llevar y esperar que toda esta magnificencia musical no termine. Ormandy y la Orquesta de Filadelfia lo hicieron nuevamente, es sencillamente grandioso, no podra decir otra cosa, un CD de colección a precio económico, no es posible no tenerlo.

Bravo!.......2003-11-29

Excellent Recording. The price was cheap but the quality is unbelievable. If you want a good, affordable, and classic recording(especially the Berlioz), then get this one! You won't regret it!

Brilliant Berlioz.......2003-01-21

In the 1950s and 60s, CBS/Columbia (now Sony Classical) had the great fortune to have three of America's best orchestras and their conductors on its recording roster -- Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. Nearly a half-century later, only Leonard Bernstein remains a name that even the non-classical music world knows well. But in the world of the compact disc, this is a wonderful thing, because while Leonard Bernstein analog stereo recordings sell at mid-price, classic performances by Ormandy and Szell are regulated to the budget line. Well, my friends there is justice in the world because the vast majority of these "budget line" recordings are simply amazing. I have close to a dozen recordings of Symphonie Fantastique and Ormandy's ranks right up there with the best. (I would probably rank it fourth behind Munch, Paray and Cluytens but only the Munch is readably available.) And I probably have even more versions of Sorcerer's Apprentice and Bald Mountain, and Ormandy's performances are among my favorites. The fact that they are all together on one CD is where the real bargain lies. Never did something of such high quality come at such a small price. Enjoy!

Music Review:

Music Review

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