Out of Darkness

Out of Darkness

Track Listings

1. Eyomzi

2. Walk of Life

3. Ms. Bon Vivant

4. By the Light

5. Bee La Manch

6. Doin' That Zydeco

7. Julia's Jumbalaya

8. Watch That Dog

9. Just Passin' Through

10. Take it to Me

11. Knee Deep in Zydeco

12. City Driftin'

13. She's Got a Hurt

Editorial Reviews
The Boston Globe
"One of New England's Best Party Bands"

Product Description
This disc is a beautiful combination of soulful Cajun and Zydeco rhythms with just a touch of blues and gospel thrown in for good measure. Whether your at home cookin' up some Jumbalaya or hosting an all out Bayou Bash, "Out of Darkness" is just the ingredient you'll need to heat thing up.

Out of Darkness

Tracks:

Realm of Shadows
Darkness Descends
Born of the Night
Return of the Apparition
Legions of the Dead
Eye of the Storm
Solemn Reflections
Nightstalker
Noctem Aeternus
Haunted Nursery
Sanctuary
Into the Abyss
The Night Beckons
Masque of Sorrow
Forbidden Crypts
Theme to "The Dead Matter" ("Vampire's Kiss")
Darkfolk ("Shadows")
Soliloquy
Beyond the Gates
Eclipse
Scenes from "The Dead Matter"
Prisoner of Time
Theme to "Journey Into Dementia"
Druids

Product Description

"Out of the Darkness (Retrospective: 1994-1999)" features re-recorded, re-mastered horror music instrumental classics from Midnight Syndicate's "Midnight Syndicate," "Born of the Night," and "Realm of Shadows" CDs as well as four rare, previously unreleased tracks. Before the Haverghasts, before the haunted asylum and the Crypts of the Foresaken, there was Arcacia, a ruined village by the sea with a dark past and a sinister link to an ancient tower hidden away among the cliffs of the Northern Jarls. Containing close to 70 minutes of music, "Out of the Darkness" features both the band's and the fans' favorite songs from their first three CDs re-recorded, re-mastered, and sounding better than ever. Looking at it as an opportunity to breathe new life into the material, Midnight Syndicate attempted to maintain as much of the sound and character of the original versions while still making minor changes to the arrangements and performances to bring them closer to what they originally envisioned. The disc also features previously unreleased material including selections from two of Edward Douglas' early horror films ("The Dead Matter" and "Journey Into Dementia"). An updated take on the early signature tracks that helped launch Midnight Syndicate, "Out of the Darkness" invites listeners to return to the haunted village of Arcacia where it all began.

Customer Reviews:

Deliciously Dark Music.......2007-05-18

OUT OF THE DARKNESS is a collection of tracks from three early Midnight Syndicate albums of mid to late 1990s. For those unfamiliar with the band, it is composed of Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka. Their music is a horror lover's dream; its eeriness and atmospherically creepy notes will please even the most demanding Halloween music or Gothic symphony aficionados.

Back to OUT OF THE DARKNESS. The songs (they're really instrumentals, save for one) have been re-mastered and re-recorded for this release, making them sound even better than they must have sounded originally now that they've grown musically. Some of the standout tracks include "Born of the Night" (my personal favorite), "Eye of the Storm" (the piano in these songs is haunting), "Legions of the Night", "Eclipse", and "Darkfolk".

All in all, this album has a total of 24 songs and also includes some previously unreleased tracks as well as two songs from Edward's short horror film, The Dead Matter (which will become a feature-length horror film in 2008).

This one's a winner. Everything these guys put out is simply awesome. I'm a horror writer and I always seek out good atmospheric music, such as horror film scores, when I write; Midnight Syndicate have become regulars in my player. If you don't have any of their albums yet, this is a good place to start. Then get THE 13TH HOUR, their masterpiece, in my opinion. Highly recommended!

Great way to start your Midnight Syndicate collection!.......2007-01-19

Since I don't own any of this band's CD, I figured this one would be a great choice to become aquainted with them since it has songs from their other CDs.

If this CD is any indication of what their other music sounds like, I'M IN! I wish I'd heard of them sooner. My only problem now is trying to decide whcih CD of theirs to buy next.

Wonderful.......2007-01-16

I really enjoy this CD. I have been a fan of Midnight Syndicate for several years, and I look forward to each release. When I heard this CD was going to be a retrospective, I must admit I was a little disappointed as I was hoping for new material. I bought the CD anyway and it has exceeded my expectations.

First of all, there is new material! There are four tracks that were previously unreleased, so that satisfied my need for something I hadn't heard before. Also, there are tracks from Midnight Syndicate's first release, which was self-titled and which I hadn't heard before - so that was new to me, too!

Second, I very much enjoy listening to how the tracks have changed from when they were first released on "Born of the Night" and "Realm of Shadows". They seem to have a bit more depth - to be more finely tuned than they were before, but not changed so much that they're too different to enjoy if you liked them the first time around.

This is Halloween.......2007-01-15

I grew up with Halloween albums filled with screeching cats, laughing witches, rattling chains and howling wind. Those were great, but if you're hosting a haunted house or are looking to set a darker mood, this is the best Halloween music out there.

Sophisticated, varied and truly dark, Midnight Syndicate has the corner on the market as far as I'm concerned. I've had people ask me what music was playing and how where they could find it. If you're a Halloween afficianado or are simply looking for a gothic sound, I can't recommend Midnight Syndicate highly enough.

fair, but not original........2007-01-08

There are some nice things to say about this album. It was actually the 1st "gothic" CD I ever bought at hot topic and listened to it right away.

Now that I have several other pieces by different artists, I am noticing that there is something missing from this. A certain pizazz.... I like it, but don't listen to it much anymore.

Average customer rating:

From Solo Piano Publications

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
Michael Stribling
Manufacturer: Leela Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Songs of Hope & Healing
Journey Within
Immersion: Two

ASIN: B000L22UT6
Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

- Driven
- Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
- Northern Lights
- Letting Go/Afterthought
- Seven Faces of Home
- Ripples of Awareness
- Reflection
- Longing
- Water Nebula
- Glory and Honor/A Glimpse Beyond

Product Description

The follow-up to the #1 debut album (Songs of Hope and Healing), "Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a collection of 10 new age instrumental compositions that celebrates the journey from our ego-driven nature to higher levels of awareness and consciousness. There's plenty of evocative heart music here, with lush harmonies and moving melodies.

Customer Reviews:

From Solo Piano Publications.......2007-01-19

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is multi-instrumentalist Michael Stribling's follow-up to 2006's chart-topping "Songs of Hope and Healing." I haven't heard Stribling's earlier work, but I sure like this CD! Most of the ten tracks are ambient and spacious, but there are a couple of very rhythmic, uptempo pieces that make you sit up and take notice. The piano appears in several of the pieces, but this is much more of an electronic CD. Stribling's mission is "to help others in their journey toward wholeness through the gift of music, by creating works that inspire and uplift the human spirit" (from his website). Stribling calls his label "Leela Music," and "leela" means "divine play," so this music obviously comes from a rich variety of sources. Stribling has been playing the piano since he was seven, and was a percussionist for Johnny Mathis early in his career. After several years working as a studio musician, playing in musical theater, and radio announcing, Stribling went back to graduate school in 1981 and became a marriage and family therapist. After working in that field for many years, life changes brought him back to music in 2005. Lucky us!

The CD opens with "Driven," a piece whose pounding beat and intoxicating rhythm I find completely addicting. In the car, I had the volume up to the point of being almost painful and kept hitting the "repeat" button on the CD player. My piano students could probably hear me coming from several blocks away! Sure to bring a smile and more than a few head bobs! From there, we get down to more serious business. The title track takes us on a journey that begins with the feeling of dark mystery that is non-threatening, but not entirely comfortable. As the piece unfolds, it explores several themes, gradually brightening until it breaks into the light as the darker theme fades out. "Northern Lights" gives the feeling of floating in darkness that is deep, but also very peaceful and beautiful. Various sounds suggest the changing colors of the Northern Lights as they melt from one breathtaking hue to another. Gorgeous! "Letting Go/Afterthought" is much more introspective and melancholy. The middle section of the piece is solo piano, personalizing it even more. One of my favorite tracks is "Longing," which begins with a very simple but compelling rhythmic theme that suggests a plucked stringed instrument. That theme continues throughout the piece as string washes add fullness and color. Becoming more orchestrated as it evolves, the simple theme comes to the forefront from time to time. As feelings of longing are, the piece is tinged with sadness and loss, but is not without hope. Very effective! "Glory and Honor / A Glimpse Beyond" begins on a jaunty, upbeat note. More melodic than most of the works, it also has an infectious rhythm and a playful spirit that segues later to the ambient feeling of crystalline open space and of floating peacefully on air.

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a fascinating musical journey and one that I really enjoyed. Recommended!

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock

Average customer rating:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty
So Fashionable, and So Disappointing
A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal
Wait! Before you buy...
La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock
George Frideric Handel , Arleen Auger , Anne Sofie von Otter , Trevor Pinnock , The English Concert & Choir , Michael Chance , Howard Crook , and John Tomlinson
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner
Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel
Beethoven: Symphony No 9 /ORR * Gardiner
Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74

ASIN: B0000057DB
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

Tracks:

Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17

This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Coro de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica...) A pesar de su voz tan oscura, es tremendamente agil cuando le toca cantar los melismas y es genial al alcanzar la tonalidad brillante en las partes de notas altas y agudas...; por ejemplo: "The people that walked in darkness..." y "Why do the nations..." Tengo seis años de experiencia, interpretando musica coral y tengo que decir que espere esos seis años, desde 1999, para felizmente cantar esta obra "El Mesias". Ha sido fantastico finalmente lograr este objetivo..., la espera valio la pena y debo admitir que mi inspiracion ha sido sin duda alguna, la version que puede usted encontrar en este disco compacto. Doy gracias a todos los que intervinieron en esta grabacion (al maestro Trevor Pinnock, al English Concert and Choir y a los solistas ya mencionados), en nombre mio y en nombre del maestro Handel.

Average customer rating:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane
The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Vol. 3
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The Saint/Secret Agent
Honey West

ASIN: B0006SSQ7U
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Tracks:

First Season End Title
Vulcan Affair (Suite No. 2)
Iowa-Scuba Affair
Shark Affair
Deadly Games Affair (Suite No. 2)
Meet Mr. Solo
Giuoco Piano Affair
King of Knaves Affair: Suite No. 2
First Season Main Title [Revised]
Deadly Decoy Affair
Spy With My Face
Second Season Main Title
Alexander the Greater Affair
Ultimate Computer Affair
Very Important Zombie Affair
Dippy Blonde Affair
Seadly Goddess Afair
Moonglow Affair

Tracks:

One of Our Spies Is Missing
Third Season Main Title
Sort of Do-It-Youself Dreadful Affair
Galatea Affair
Pop Art Affair
Come With Me to the Casbah Affair
Off-Broadway Affair
Concrete Overcoat Affair
Napoleon's Tomb Affair
Alternate Fourth Season Main Title
Fourth Season (End Title)
Test Tube Killer Affair
Prince of Darkness Affair
Seven Wonders of the World Affair

Customer Reviews:

Another great trip down the MFU memory lane.......2005-10-19

Volume 2 (comprised of 2 CDs) is another first rate compilation of the series' original music and not to be missed by U.N.C.L.E. fans. The liner notes are wonderful and add a lot to ones appreciation of the music.

My only problem is that THE CDs ARE COPY PROTECTED! Considerable work is needed to get the music onto your iPod, if you really want the music in your mp3 collection. This is a major hassle and a surprise, since the first set in the series was not copy protected.

The best of the three Double CDs ORIGINAL soundtrack release.......2005-07-12

Many of us have always thought The Man From UNCLE had the best music for a TV series ever, and this three double CD release confirms this. Wow! I'd be just happy with one CD, but having SIX (three double CDs packages) is absolutely out of this world, I mean, a lifetime wait come true.

Indeed, this is an unbelievable collection of three double CDs packages with the complete series soundtrack, and I mean the complete music, not a tune is missing.

And this is the ORIGINAL Man From Uncle music. Let me stress the point: this is the four years ORIGINAL soundtrack with the original recordings as they were heard throughout the series, not a no-name orchestra doing personal versions of the stuff. The audio transfer is very, very good, the music from late episodes is even in stereo.

Each individual CD carries over 70 minutes of music. All in all there you have the four TV seasons main titles and all, absolutely all of TMFU unforgetable music.

This is not a chronological release, meaning, all CDs have a mix of music from all four TV seasons. Volume 1 is heavier on early TV seasons stuff, fans of Jerry Goldsmith will love it. Those of us who prefer what Gerald Fried and later Richard Shores did with TMFU music, then volume 2 is mandatory. If you are a fan, you can't miss any of these six CDs. However if buying all three double packages is too much for you, you must go with Volume 2, no questions asked. Volume three is the weakest of them as it brings "suites" and a whole CD with "The Girl From Uncle" soundtrack, but you have a bonus "Open Channel D" beeper.

Each package is gorgeous, each with a glossy color booklet with extensive liner notes with details on how each tune was written to a specific TV series episode and how it was used onwards. You have bios on the composers, on how the recordings were made, even an overview on how many instruments were available in each of the years the music was recorded.

So, throw away your Hugo Montenegro Man From Uncle CD, this is the REAL thing.

Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Tribute
A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles
Terrific tribute to Ray Charles
My favorite Shirley Horn
Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire

Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)
Shirley Horn
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

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I Remember Miles
You Won't Forget Me
Here's to Life
Loving You
The Main Ingredient

ASIN: B0000046QQ
Release Date: 1993-09-21

Tracks:

Hit The Road, Jack
Just A Little Lovin'
You Don't Know Me
Drown In My Own Tears
Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp Of Savannah)
Georgia On My Mind
Makin' Whoopie
Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)
Bye Bye Love
The Sun Died
How Long Has This Been Going On
If You Were Mine
I Got A Man
Just For A Thrill
Light Out Of Darkness

Amazon.com essential recording

Shirley Horn's tribute to Ray Charles is typically idiosyncratic yet unaffected by a need to justify the critical hype. She plays organ as well as piano while Charles Ables doubles on bass and guitar and Gary Bartz adds soulful alto-sax obliggatos. Horn's versions of "Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Got a Man" replace the gospel fire of the originals with sexy, lighthearted swing, while "Drown in My Own Tears" is more torch ballad than bluesy hymn. The album's emotional centerpiece is "Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)," a tune Brother Ray borrowed from Kermit the Frog. Amazingly, Horn finds deeper meaning in the lyric than either of them. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Tribute.......2003-10-04

The song selections and the heartfelt delivery make this a wonderful tribute to Ray Charles and his gift to the world! Add Shirley Horn to the mix, and you have an outstanding musical release!

A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles.......2002-07-27

This is a departure from the usual material that Shirley Horn does but it comes off well. There are more uptempo tunes than she normally does and certainly, in spirit, you have to think of Ray Charles as you listen to her renditions of the songs associated with him.

My favorites are the ballads because, in my opinion, that is her strength and in this area, I think she has few peers. She sings the way Miles Davis used to play a ballad with his trumpet, making extremely effective use of space within the melody. As such my two favorites on this cd are "The Sun Died" and the title song.

Especially Ray Charles or Shirley Horn fans should enjoy this one.

Terrific tribute to Ray Charles.......2001-10-18

This is a wonderful tribute album to Ray Charles. Shirley Horn is just fabulous as are the other musicians. "Green" happens to be my favourite track, which is just Shirley's voice and piano and is just wonderful. But each and every track on here is great, couldn't be better. She puts such feeling and meaning into each song, and I am so glad I finally discovered her. This may be my first Shirley Horn album, but it will not be my last. The 12 page booklet has great liner notes as well as a few photos.

My favorite Shirley Horn.......2001-09-19

This is worth getting if only for her "It's Not Easy Being Green," the best reading of that song I have heard by anyone. It's one thing to read the lyrics and understand the meaning, but Shirley really makes you feel it. Just deeply beautiful. And in a perfect world, it would have ruled the radio in '93 and Ken Burns would've talked about the great Shirley Horn revival in these last 10 years. Ah, well. If the record couldn't sweep the nation, at least it could be a big hit in your house.

Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire.......2000-07-09

Maybe some say it is not the most representative Ray Charles. Also maybe some say it did not tingle but Ms.Horn did hit the road and made it with the personal Ray Charles material. Great renditions of "Being Green" and Gershwin's "How Long Has This Been Going On". There is also an extraordinary rendition of "The Sun Died", a French song wonderfully recorded by Mr. Charles. Impressive!

Average customer rating:

Nice discover !
Scandinavian laid-back

Darkness Out of Blue
Silje Nergaard
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nightwatch
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ASIN: B000NQDCEM
Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

Paper Boats
Darkness out of Blue
Diner
Wastelands
When Judy Falls
Beachcomber
What Might Have Been
Aren't You Cured Yet
Who Goes There - Mio Faraco, Silje Nergaard
Before You Called Me Yours
How Are You Gonna' Deal with It
Let Me Be Troubled

Album Description

2007 album from the Norwegian Jazz vocalist, the follow-up to her 2004 album Nightwatch. Silje has been through many changes in the interim including working with an entirely new band that Nergaard says challenges her to leave comfortable warm waters and dive into the deep end, expanding her musical horizons and artistry. 12 tracks including 'Paper Boats', 'Wastelands' and 'What Might Have Been'. Universal Classics.

Album Details

2007 Release that Arrived Over Three Years after It's Predecessor "Nightwatch". The Norwegian Jazz Singer Has Assuredly Been Through Many Changes in the Interim, Not the Least of These is the Presence of an Entirely New Band that Nergaard Says Challenges her to Leave Comfortable Warm Waters and Dive Into the Deep End, Expanding her Musical Horizons and Artistry. This Album Debuted at No. Three on the Charts of her Homeland.

Customer Reviews:

Nice discover !.......2007-05-25

I was really pleased to discover recently in Hong Kong this norwegian singer with an excellent group of talented musicians . Silje write her own music and has the feeling to take you in this jazzy mood waters, but please don't compare her to Norah Jones , because Silje is much more talented than the annoying Norah ! I will check for her previous CD's ! Thanks for those northern feelings .

Scandinavian laid-back.......2007-05-19

'Space', Norwegian jazz-singer Silje Nergaard tells, 'is perhaps the best asset Norway has to offer'.

Her music on 'Darkness Out of Blue' fully reflects this view. Nergaard deliberately sings in a minimalist style, leaving as much as possible to the imagination of her listeners. 'A typical approach from Northern Europe', she reveals. Nergaard's modest & laid-back ways are quite in line with her thinly populated country, where the breathtaking nature sometimes overwhelms the human factor -- coming with dark winters that last for nine months a year.

However, you cannot be more wrong than by taking Silje Nergaard's modesty for incompetence. On 'Darkness Out of Blue' her very good, versatile voice excellently harmonizes with the high-quality performance of her musicians. Producing alltogether a very well balanced jazz, influenced by folk and pop. A great CD, earmarked by Silje Nergaard's special Scandinavian approach.

Handel - Messiah / McNair · von Otter · Chance · Hadley · Lloyd · Marriner

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
I really love this recording
Some very good parts
Great mezzo and trumpet
And He Shall Reign Forever and Ever, Amen.

Handel - Messiah / McNair · von Otter · Chance · Hadley · Lloyd · Marriner
George Frideric Handel , Neville Marriner , Anne Sofie von Otter , Michael Chance , Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields , Sylvia McNair , Jerry Hadley , and Robert Lloyd
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel - Messiah - The 250th Anniversary Performance / Marriner, Academy and Chorus of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner
Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (The Historic 1955 Debut Recording)

ASIN: B00000414Y
Release Date: 1992-11-17

Tracks:

Messiah: Part I: Symphony
Messiah: Part I - No. 1 Accompagnato: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye, My People
Messiah: Part I - No. 2: Air Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
Messiah: Part I - No. 3 Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord
Messiah: Part I - No. 4 Accompagnato: Thus Saith The Lord
Messiah: Part I - No. 5 Air: But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
Messiah: Part I - No. 6 Chorus: And He Shall Purify The Sons Of Levi
Messiah: Part I - No. 7 Recitative: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
Messiah: Part I - Nos. 8-9 Air And Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
Messiah: Part I - No. 10 Accompagnato: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth
Messiah: Part I - No. 11 Air: The People That Walked In Darkness
Messiah: Part I No. 12 Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Messiah: Part I No. 13 Pifa: Pastoral Symphony
Messiah: Part I No. 14 Recitative: There Were Shepherds - And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - And The Angel Said Unto Them - And Suddenly There Was
Messiah: Part I No. 15 Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest
Messiah: Part I No. 16 Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
Messiah: Part I No. 17a Recitative:Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
Messiah: Part I No. 18a Duet: He Shall Feed His Flock
Messiah: Part I No. 19 Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy
Messiah: Part II No. 20 Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God
Messiah: Part II No. 21 Air: He Was Despised
Messiah: Part II No. 22 Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
Messiah: Part II No. 23 Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed
Messiah: Part II No. 24 Chorus: All We Like Sheep

Tracks:

Messiah: Part II No. 25 Accompagnato: All They That See Him
Messiah: Part II No. 26 Chorus: He Trusted In God
Messiah: Part II No. 27 Accompagnato: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
Messiah: Part II No. 28 Arioso: Behold, And See
Messiah: Part II No. 29 Accompagnato: He Was Cut Off
Messiah: Part II No. 30 Aria: But Thou Didst Not Leave
Messiah: Part II No. 31 Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads
Messiah: Part II No. 32 Recitative: Unto Which Of The Angels
Messiah: Part II No. 33 Chorus: Let All The Angels Of God
Messiah: Part II No. 34a Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High
Messiah: Part II No. 35 Chorus The Lord Gave The Word
Messiah: Part II No. 36 Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet
Messiah: Part II No. 37a Arioso: Their Sound Is Gone Out
Messiah: Part II No. 38 Air: Why Do The Nations
Messiah: Part II No. 39 Chorus: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder Let us break their bonds asunder
Messiah: Part II No. 40 Recitative: He That Dwelleth In Heaven
Messiah: Part II No. 41 Air: Thou Shalt Break Them
Messiah: Part II No. 42 Chorus: Hallelujah
Messiah: Part III No. 43 Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
Messiah: Part III No. 44 Chorus: Since By Man Came Death
Messiah: Part III No. Accompagnato: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
Messiah: Part III No. 46 Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound
Messiah: Part III No. 47 Recitative: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
Messiah: Part III No. 48 Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
Messiah: Part III No. 49 Chorus: But Thanks Be To God
Messiah: Part III No. 50 Air: If God Be For Us
Messiah: Part III No. 51 Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb - Blessing And Honour
Messiah: Part III: Amen

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-10-21

The "Messiah" was composed by Handel at his London home in the late summer of 1741..Charles Jennens described his libretto for the 'Messiah' as a "Scripture Collection", because it consists of a cleverly-arranged selection of biblical texts. Musically speaking, the recitatives and arias are definately in a style derived from opera, supplemented by choruses of the type Handel has developed in his English odes and oratorios-the presentation of the story was unconventional. The work is divided into three acts or parts, but the narrative is largely confined to Part Two: Part One is mainly concerned with prophecy and its fullfilment and Part Three with commentary on the importance of the previous story. This recording of the famous 1992 performance at Dublin took place at the Point Theatre on the 250th anniversary of the work's premeire which took place in Dublin on April 13th 1742. It is an outstanding performance, especially chorally and instrumentally. The soloists: Sylvia McNair(soprano)-Anne Sofie von Otter(mezzo)-Michael Chance (alto) were superb!!! Personally I was not pleased by Jerry Hadley's interpretation of Handel; I have a recording of him singing show tunes, and I think he does that best! Robert Lloyd's (bass) diction was most peculiar and annoyed me. However, the last 2 comments may not be universally accepted. All in all, it's one of the best 'Messiahs' I have heard, and is actually my favorite of many that I own.

I really love this recording.......2005-03-26

While I haven't sampled that many different recordings of the Messiah, I really like this version. I sometimes find myself singing it, and this is the version I hear. One thing I don't like about it is that it is a 2-disc set, but the Messiah has three parts. Part II is divided -- the first half on disc 1 and the second part on disc 2. It would be nice if the parts weren't divided in the middle.

Some very good parts.......2002-12-14

This is my fifth Messiah disk and I had hoped my last. Von Otter is a real draw and she is truly great. Marriner's pacing is still good. But many aspects of this CD pull it down. I have a theory that the tenor (Jerry Hadley) was mad at Marriner and sang technically perfect with zero emotion. I don't how he was allowed to get away with this. I also did not like the baritone. While I think varying the size of the chorus in this piece has merit, this choir is generally on the small side and does not have the punch when needed. Messiah choirs carry a two edged burden, either the choir is large and it gets muddy in the delicate sections or it is small and can't punch the big sections. This disk errs on the small side. The recording quality is very good, something that dodges many Messiahs. The violins are too close to the soloist microphone (or poorly mixed) and come in much too loud. So whenever there is an sprite from the violins it jumps out at you and drowns the soloists.

The best Messiah for me is still Marriner's 1976 disk, much better overall rendition.

Great mezzo and trumpet.......2002-05-17

This is one of the better Messiahs, although not quite up to Westenberg's level.

Its world-beater aspects include mezzo Anne-Sophie von Otter, whose "He was despised" is well north of magnificent: Warmly mournful in the slow sections, snarling and spitting in the center section.

Trumpeter Mark Bennett does by far the best trumpeting on any of my 30 complete Messiahs. "Glory to God" and "Hallelujah" are as good as it gets -- no, better than any other recording gets.

Countertenor Michael Chance is quite good in "If God be for us" -- I say that as someone who doesn't like countertenors.

Some of the other choruses are also well done. But tenor Jerry Hadley seems to have thought he had more lucrative things to do with his time than to think about Messiah.

And He Shall Reign Forever and Ever, Amen........2002-01-01

This recording ranks itself on the top of the greatest recordings of Handel's Messiah. Being a live recording, it surpasses every other studio recordings of this piece in terms of interpretation and drama. The soloists are superb, the chorus are crisp and vital, and the ensemble plays with great virtuoso. My special remark goes to Miss McNair, I simply cannot grow tired of her! Her lyrical voice is simply destined for this work, especially in aria no 16 `Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion' - rejoice indeed! It is to Marriner we should all be grateful for producing this remarkable recording in the first place. Known mainly for his stupendous recordings of Mozart, it is not surprising that he's able to interpret in a true Handelian way. It's a pity that he seldom records works by Handel - I don't know if he performs them unrecorded.
There are actually two versions of this live performance, the one here and the other is available on LaserDisc. I believe that they were recorded on two different performance time, for on some arias the soloists have different style in singing the cadenza. Whichever you prefer, this is a recording you must simply own - even when your music library boasts a dozen or so of Handel's Messiah!!

Handel - Messiah / Vyvyan · Sinclair · Vickers · Tozzi · Royal PO · Beecham

Average customer rating:

Beecham's noisy Messiah
The Big Victorian Handel 'Messiah': Indulge Yourself!
Comfort Ye!
Familiarity hasn't bred much affection
Thanks to Jon!

Handel - Messiah / Vyvyan · Sinclair · Vickers · Tozzi · Royal PO · Beecham
George Frideric Handel , Sir Thomas Beecham , Jennifer Vyvyan , Monica Sinclair , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Jon Vickers , and Giorgio Tozzi
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel - Messiah / Harper, Watts, Wakefield, Shirley-Quirk, LSO, C. Davis
Handel: Messiah
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Samson

ASIN: B000003FB8
Release Date: 1992-07-14

Tracks:

Messiah: Overture - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Messiah: Recit: Comfort Ye, My People (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Air: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Air: But Who May Abide (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Chorus: And He Shall Purify - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
Messiah: Air & Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings (Contralto) - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: For, Behold, Darkness Shall Cover (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Air: The People That Walked In Darkness (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - John McCarthy
Messiah: Pastoral Symphony - Royal Philharmonic Chorus
Messiah: Recit: There Were Shepherds Abiding (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
Messiah: Recit: And The Angel Said Unto Them (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
Messiah: Recit: And Suddenly There Was (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
Messiah: Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest - John McCarthy
Messiah: Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
Messiah: Recit: Then Shall The Eyes (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
Messiah: Air: He Shall Feed His Flock; Come Unto Him (Contralto & Soprano) - Monica Sinclair
Messiah: Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy - John McCarthy

Tracks:

Messiah: Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God - John McCarthy
Messiah: Air: He Was Despised (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
Messiah: Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs - John McCarthy
Messiah: Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed - John McCarthy
Messiah: Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: All They That See Him (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Chorus: He Trusted In God - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Air: Behold, And See If There Be (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Recit: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Air: But Thou Didst Not Leave (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads - John McCarthy
Messiah: Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
Messiah: Chorus: Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands - John McCarthy
Messiah: Air: Why Do The Nations So Furious Rage (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Chorus: Lets Us Break Their Bonds Asunder - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: He That Dwelleth In Heaven (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Air: Thou Shalt Break Them (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Chorus: Hallelujah! - John McCarthy
Messiah: Part III - Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan
Messiah: Chorus: Since By Man Came Death - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb - John McCarthy

Tracks:

Messiah: Recit: Unto Which Of The Angels (Tenor) - Jon Vickers
Messiah: Chorus: Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him - John McCarthy
Messiah: Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High (Bass) - Giorgio Tozzi
Messiah: Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word - John McCarthy
Messiah: Recit: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass (Contralto) - Monica Sinclair
Messiah: Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? (Contralto & Tenor) - Monica Sinclair
Messiah: Chorus: But Thanks Be To God - John McCarthy
Messiah: Air: If God Be For Us (Soprano) - Jennifer Vyvyan

Amazon.com essential recording

Sir Thomas Beecham's Messiah has become notorious among baroque purists (like this writer) for embodying the worst excesses of pre-1960 Handel performance: ponderous tempos, stentorian opera singers, huge lumbering choruses and orchestras, crashing cymbals, clanging triangles.... Well, we'll need a new straw man: this performance is WONDERFUL. Jon Vickers and Giorgio Tozzi negotiate Handel's writing surprisingly well; Jennifer Vyvyan takes to it naturally. The chorus and orchestra (yes, including trombones, tuba, triangle, and cymbals) may obscure the part-writing, but they fill the music with power, grandeur, and faith. If Mozart could re-orchestrate Messiah, why not Beecham? This may not be Handel's Messiah as such, it may even be a period piece itself--but it's magnificent. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Beecham's noisy Messiah.......2006-12-23

Here's the famous Messiah from Thomas Beecham and forces that uses crashing cymbals, enhanced timpani and brass to make it sound like a collusion between classical forces, a rock band and Canadian Brass. Listen to second CD excerpt from "Hallelujah!" for the opening cymbal crash to get an idea of what's going on.

This performance has been debated for 40 years as to whether it is musically adept, musically correct, an exemplar of the English choral tradition, or just a big old batch of fun at Handel's expense. I first owned this during a time when I also owned a recording Handel's "Royal Fireworks Music" featuring 40 woodwinds. The two made roughly an equal amount of noise.

There isn't much question this performance is completely out of step with the way Handel is performed in most venues today. Check out the wonderful Jon Vickers' highly operatic opening aria, "Comfort ye", then compare that to any leaned-out period group you've heard. You'll get another idea of the dimension of Beecham's project.

While not on the agenda of the Flat Earth Society, the only real interest in a performance like this -- especially having to endure it on three CDs when just about everyone else puts it on two -- is nostalgia or history, whichever happens to be the case for you.

My personal favorite version is in the 4-CD box of "Messiah" and "Israel In Egypt" where Andrew Parrott leads his Taverner Choir & Players and some of the best early music singers including Emma Kirkby, Emily van Evera, Margaret Cable, David Thomas, and Joseph Cornwall. HIs Messiah isn't perfect -- it uses a countertenor for a bass in one aria -- but it is more moderate than most PPP recordings and has a wonderful romantic edge to most of the score. It comes with a top notch recording of "Israel in Egypt" and still costs less than the Beehcham.

The Big Victorian Handel 'Messiah': Indulge Yourself!.......2006-12-16

We live in an era when purity of intent and respect for composers' works is at an all time high. Not only are we blessed with superb 'authentic' performances on period instruments and with small choruses and countertenors and state of the art bel canto singers for Handel's evergreen "Messiah", there are many superlative recordings that are as polished as any one work on current recordings. Supposedly we are hearing Messiah the way Handel envisioned it. Perhaps so, but who is to say that had Handel the resources available today he wouldn't have jumped for joy at the drama of the old British Choral Societies version that Sir Thomas Beecham conducts on this anything but dusty recording from many years ago. The 'Old School' had its good points.

Beecham goes all out with an orchestration, while attributed to Sir Eugene Goosens is also probably some of Beecham's own inimitable tinkering, that adds instruments not only in numbers but also in color and depth of sound. Winds double strings, percussion includes the full battery instead of just tympani, the big cello and viola sound stand equally with the big violin sound, etc. The chorus is huge, and while this allows the big dramatic moments to be intense, the fine diction Beecham demanded remains solidly intact.

The soloists are in an operatic class of their own. Jennifer Vyvyan and Monica Sinclair were major singers when this recording was made and their singing is big and well ornamented. Jon Vickers and Giorgio Tozzi bring Verdi into the room and he is a welcome visitor to Beecham's vision of this work.

For this listener, who prefers the 'correct, authentic' performance, this recording and others even older that celebrate the BIG Messiah are a delight. And that just proves that performance standards, no matter the interpretation of the conductor, are paramount: Beecham gives a solid, convincing interpretation to the operatic Messiah. It is lush, and huge, and absolutely wonderful to hear again! Grady Harp, December 06

Comfort Ye!.......2006-10-30

If your not familiar with "Messiah" don't let the reviews scare you - this is certainly a great choice for your first or only recording. There is a lot of feeling in the playing and singing, and i feel it is quite respectful not only of the composer, but the subject matter. It includes a booklet with all the lyrics, and an essay by Beecham himself about the piece. It is a complete recording, with a "bonus cd" of extra verses not usually performed (as explained in the essay). The audio quality is great for the time it was recorded. Its much more worthy to be listened to and contemplated than to be put on as backround music at Christmastime. The price is certainly reasonable in light of the quality of the performance.

Familiarity hasn't bred much affection.......2005-11-02

I first became acquainted with this recording at the tender age of 12 when I received the original Soria edition as a Christmas gift. I remember being intensely disappointed at what seemed to me then as more circus than music. Time has mellowed that negative reaction and gives a more balanced assessment of Beecham's achievement - I bought the CD reissue after all. It still doesn't inspire much affection in yours truly although I can appreciate the soloists' contributions, particularly Tozzi. The lamented Vyvyan was in better voice with Boult. Here she has a rapid vibrato and a curious way of articulating the high notes. The orchestrations seem to maintain more of the clarity of the writing by concentrating on the bass and the top without clogging up the middle voices in the manner of the Victorians. There are three pieces where it just doesn't work at all to these ears: the brassy "All we like sheep," "Hallelujah" (which summons visions of Fucik's 'Entry of the Gladiators' every time I hear it), and the disintegration of the obbligato trumpet into flute noodlings in "The trumpet shall sound," in a lightweight performance that is at odds with the grandeur of the text. I'll also admit that the splashy brilliance of "For unto us a Child is born" and the surging drama of "Surely, He hath borne our griefs" are very satisfying.

In the forty some recordings I own (and the many performances I've attended) there's no best and no definitive. This is one I respect but don't care to hear very often.

Thanks to Jon!.......2005-03-08

This recording is worth having first of all beacause of the credible singing of Jon Vickers! Yes, he really sings on the words. The "Comfort Ye" and "Every valley..." have a knew dimension after Jons reading of the score. Of course I know that in tradition we want a very much more lyrical voice to this masterpiece. But he's not alone here, and now we are already into the problem; the choir! It's just terrible, yes terrible!
I'm just ending up with "Thanks to Jon!"

Average customer rating:

Beautiful music.
5 stars for performance, 4 stars due to omissions
"Hammer & Silva...raises the hair on the back of your neck"

Hammer the Studio That Dripped Blood
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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House of Frankenstein
The Hammer Studio Frankenstein Film Music Collection

ASIN: B000063IUP
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Main Theme/Inside Castle Darcula/Lure Of The Vampire Women/Dracula's Rage/The Kiss Of The Living Dead (Dracula)
Funeral In Carpethia/Finale: Confrontation & Climax/The Fall Of Dracula (Dracula Prince Of Darkness)
Love Theme (The Scars Of Dracula)
Finale/Dracula And The Crucifix (Dracula Has Risen From The Grave)
The Blood Of Dracula (Taste The Blood Of Dracula)
Romance: The Young Lovers/Shadow Of The Tomb (Taste The Blood Of Dracula)
Ride To The Ruined Church/Romance At Dusk (Taste The Blood Of Dracula)
Dracula Triumphant/Pursuit/Death Of Lucy (Taste The Blood Of Dracula)
The Victory Of Love (Taste The Blood Of Dracula)
Christina (Frankenstein Created Woman)
The Power Of Evil (The Devil Rides Out)
Invocation To The Devil/Dance Frenzy (The Devil Rides Out)
Awakening And Absolution (The Devil Rides Out)
Vampire Rhapsody (Kiss Of The Vampire)

Tracks:

Cosmic Sequence/Tumak Meets Luana/In The Domain Of The Shell People/Eruption Of The Volcano (One Million Years B.C.) - Mario Nascimbene
Main Theme/Storm Over The Sea (When Dinasours Ruled The Earth) - Mario Nascimbene
Life Of The Tribe/Finale (Creatures The World Forgot) - Mario Nascimbene
The Tomb/The Desert (The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb) - Carlo Martelli
Ayesha - She Who Must Be Obeyed (She)
Bedouin Attack & Desert Quest (She)
In The Kingdom Of She - Processional/The Cruelty Of She (She)
The Eternal Flame And The Destruction Of She (She)
Main Title (The Abominable Snowman) - Humphrey Searle
Defeat Of The Aliens/Finale (Quatermass II)
Main Titles/Anna's Theme - Christopher Gunning
Prologue (Vampire Circus) - David Whitaker
Main Themes (The Vampire Hunter) - Jamed Bernard
Pastorale/The Werewolf At Bay/Aptheosis (Curse Of The Werewolf) - Benjamin Frankel

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music........2007-01-10

I sat back with the lights dimmed and a cup of hot coffee and enjoyed the beautiful haunting music of years gone by. Memories abound.

5 stars for performance, 4 stars due to omissions.......2006-08-29

Why doesn't this get a perfect five stars?

Simple reason.

The producers at Silva, for wahtever reason, decided to cut down their SHE suites and Hands of the Ripper suites.

On the previous Hammer releases, "Draculas - Classic Horror Films", released in 1993, recorded in 1989, they had seven additional minutes of "Hands of the Ripper" that could have been included on this set.

Additionally, The Devil Rides Out: Film Music of James Bernard, released in 1997, recorded in 1995 and 1996 had about a minute more of additional music from SHE, PLUS about seven minutes worth of suites from Quatermass and X: The Unknown.

Both discs in this new re-issue round out at around 68 minutes, so there was room for some of these omissions.

Silva Screen gets big kudos for a reissuing these recordeings in the remastered HDCD format, but I don't understand these omissions. In fact, one of the tracks included, "Vampire Hunter" isn't even from a Hammer film, and its the only recording on this collection not on previous Silva CD's.

Again, 5 stars for the performances, the 1989 performances with Neil Richardson and the Philharmonia are fantastic. (Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Dracula Has Risen From The Grave, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Hands of the Ripper, Vampire Circus.)

Additionally, The Westminster Philharmonic under the baton of Kenneth Alwyn do an excellent job as usual (Kiss of the Vampire, Curse of the Mummy's Tomb, She, THe Abominable Snowman, Quatermass II and Curse of the Werewolf.) Finally, the City of Prague Philharmonic, who get a bad rap more often than they deserve round out hte album and IMHO, deliver the goods, under the trusty batons of Paul Bateman (Scars of Dracula, Frankenstein Created Woman, additionally, Bateman also plays the piano solo on Kiss of the Vampire.) and Nic Raine (The Devil Rides Out, One Million Years BC, When Dinosuars Ruled the Earth, Creatures The World Forgot, The Vampire Hunter)

I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.

Much thanks to producers David Wishart, Eric Tomlinson and James Fitzpatrick and recording engineers Mike Ross-Trevor, John Luard Timperley and Jan Holzner for contributing to these fine historical film music recordings.

"Hammer & Silva...raises the hair on the back of your neck".......2002-04-09

Silva Screen takes us on tour through the castles of Transylvania with a collection of
outstanding scores from James Bernard on Disc One ~ "DRACULA" (1958)..."KISS OF
THE VAMPIRE" (1964)..."DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS"
(1966)..."FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN" (1967)..."THE DEVIL RIDES OUT"
(1968)..."DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE" (1968)..."THE SCARS OF
DRACULA" (1970)..."TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA" (1970)...even though the
blood doesn't flow as easily in "KISS OF THE VAMPIRE", the score from Bernard is
seductive, sensual to say the least for "creatures of the night", masked ball scene blends
atmospheric trance-masquerade themes, intoxicating main title is hauntingly mesmerizing with
"VAMPIRE RHAPSODY", just listen to the piano solo from our character in the film Carl
Ravna (Barry Warren), son of Dr. Ravna (Noel Willman) along with daughter Sabena Ravna
(Jacqueline Wallis), a cult of vampires in early 20th century Bavarian, praying on a young
honeymoon couple...Bernard's rhapsody captures the listeners heart and BLOOD!

Let's look at Disc Two with the other Hammer themes and their composers ~ "THE
ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN" (1957-Humphrey Searle)..."QUATERMASS II"
(1957-James Bernard)..."CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF" (1960-Benjamin
Frankel)..."CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB" (1964-Carlo Martelli)..."SHE"
(1965-James Bernard)..."ONE MILLION YEARS B.C." (1966-Mario
Nascimbene)..."WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH" (1969-Mario
Nascimbene)..."HANDS OF THE RIPPER" (1971-Christopher Gunning)..."VAMPIRE
CIRCUS" (1971-David Whitaker)..."VAMPIRE HUNTER" (2000-James
Bernard)...difficult as it may be, there is a stand out ~ "THE CURSE OF THE
WEREWOLF", fine direction from Terence Fisher (director) with an outstanding cast Oliver
Reed (Leon-the Werewolf), Clifford Evans (Alfredo), Yvonne Romain (Servant Girl) and
Catherine Feller (Christina), Hammer's departure from the old stereotype of the beast is
refreshing, Reed's performance as the tormented sole, from man to wolf is touching, the score
by Ben Frankel is tense building at it's best, to say the least, setting the tone and mood for the
transformation with counterpoints is stimulating, inclusive orchestration development for what
lies ahead during a full moon.

Without a doubt the highlight pick hands down is "SHE", composer James Bernard gives of
himself without question, the SUITE takes the orchestra into lilting melodic exercises with
percussion chiming in, the harmonies are hypnotic blends of textured fabric, listen as The
Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Kenneth Alwyn display stirring strings and
a solo harp run the scales in "THE ETERNAL FLAME AND THE DESTRUCTION OF
SHE", hold-fast arrangement has haunting echoes of Bernard's constant theme, with a final
beat from a drum in the percussion section.

Must make mention the cast of players that made this possible ~ The Philharmonia Orchestra,
The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, The Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra ~ and
their various conductors Kenneth Alwyn, Paul Bateman, Nic Raine and Neil
Richardson...supported by the illustrious staff from Silva Screen Records LTD ~ Reynold da
Silva (executive producer), David Stoner (associate producer), Gareth Williams (Dolby
Surround/HDCD Mastering) and of course James Fitzpatrick (compilation producer), who
has the knack of developing quality in every Silva Screen release...similar to "A History Of
Horror:From Nosferatu To The Sixth Sense" (SSD-1111/2CD Set), guaranteed to raise the
hair on the back of your neck!

Total Time: Disc One 68:01 on 14 Tracks & Disc Two 68:46 on 14 Tracks ~ Silva Screen
Records SSD-357 ~ (2002)

Music Review: