The Art of Balance

The Art of Balance

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
2002 album, band toured with Unearth Scissorfight, Lamb Of God and Darkest Hour as part of The White Trash Thrash Metal Comeback Tour.

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And The Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise And The Hare
It's Up To You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is The Day
Melancholy Man
The Balance

Customer Reviews:

Just Slightly Off-balance .......2007-06-07

I hesitate to even write this because I know I am going to feel guilty for speaking ill of my beloved Moodies. In posting, it will be evident that I am not so biased in my love for Hayward and Lodge that I can't give a critical assessment, contrary to what some of my other glowing reviews might lead one to believe. I did give AQOB 3 out of 5 stars so I didn't think it was ALL bad: my all-time favorite Justin Hayward song (written/sung by him for the MB'S) is on this CD.

The Hayward-penned 'Question' is reason enough to own this album. This is the BEST of his Moodies songs, bar none. It should be the one Justin is remembered and lauded for, not NIWS. This brilliant song is superior to 'Nights' in every way possible- arrangement, melody, tempo, lyrics- not to mention the way JH absolutely sings the living daylights out of it. The fact that the song was an "accident" just shows the depths of this man's awesome talents. He tells the story of how he needed a song at the last minute for a recording session and didn't have one ready. He did have 2 songs that were both unfinished AND in the same key. He decided to just go to the studio and fake it, as he put it. The result is just pure brilliance! Unfortunately nothing else Justin contributed to on this album appealed to me at all, save his great backing and harmony vocals on Lodge's 'Tortoise and the Hare'.

Speaking of my dear Lodgie and 'Tortoise': this is a rocking, fun, little song that for some reason has been sadly over-looked. I love the unique way JL re-tells the classic story. The words, music, beat and tempo are great, not to mention the great harmonies from J&J. John's other offering, 'Minstrel's Song' has taken me some time to warm to it, though I don't quite know why. Perhaps this song is a reflection of how John sees himself: as a simple minstrel traveling around singing his songs for the people. Both Graeme's percussion work and Justin's guitar riffs are outstanding on this song, and John's voice is so strong and pure. I have to say though, that I am liking 'Minstrel' better and better every time I hear it. Maybe it's one of those songs you have to listen to several times to fully appreciate how good it actually is.

Ray Thomas' 'And the Tide Rushes In' is a breathtakingly beautiful song and Ray sings it to utter perfection.

Apart from the one song from Justin, one from Ray, and the two from John, this album really just didn't "do it" for me, sorry. Nevertheless, it's still infinitely better than 99% of the drivel that's passed off as music today.

Don't Question This Classic Collection! :).......2007-06-02

To start off, what a topnotch remastering job on this splendid release! :)

Here is where my favorite mix of "Question" can be found (I prefer this mix over the mixes featured on the "This Is The Moody Blues" and "Voices In The Sky" collections, because I was first introduced to the album mix). The loud and energetic introduction, with the crashing drums, mellotrons, and chanting vocal, really gets me psyched, whenever I hear it! Good for the 1996 compilation, "The Best Of The Moody Blues" (And 1998's "Moody Blues Anthology") featuring the album mix of this Justin Hayward hit, I might add. :)

"How Is It (We Are Here)" features outstanding mellotrons, making me think back to the mellotron-driven sound of "To Our Children's Children's Children" ... This Mike Pinder track sounds more like a track from "Children's," more than any other on "A Question Of Balance." The instrumental break is out of this world, featuring the electric guitar (sounding like a prelude to the "bee buzz" electric guitar heard on "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" and onward) blending in with the mellotrons, as well as the super-cool high "squeaking" synthesizer effects, giving the song an otherworldly sound.

"And The Tide Rushes In" makes for a calm and beautiful tune, and the instrumentation creates the setting of a tranquil seashore with waves "rushing in," in the distance. :)

"Don't You Feel Small" sounds a bit on the eerie side, with the whispered voice accompanying the singing (You can hear the same style of vocal overdubbing on The Doors' hit, "Riders On The Storm"). Ray Thomas plays the flute in a similar fashion to the solo heard in the middle of "Legend of A Mind," from "In Search Of The Lost Chord," and it sounds superb! You can also hear some deep haunting sounds from the mellotrons, near the end of the song, reminiscent of the mellotrons heard on the "Children's" track, "Eternity Road." This is an unusual but cool sounding Moody Blues' track. :)

The percussion sounds excellent on John Lodge's "Tortoise and the Hare," and so do the rockin' double-tracked lead guitars, during the instrumental break ... Also, notice that John Lodge's voice is double-tracked (And also separated, slightly, from one another, in the stereo field, as heard through headphones), as he sings in two octaves during the "While you were sleeping" parts of the song.

"It's Up To You" reminds me of "Lovely To See You," from "On The Threshold Of A Dream," only slightly more mellow. The double-tracked electric guitars sound wonderful, once again, and I like the "wave-like" effects from the drums during the "If they knew that we have got nothing to lose" parts of the song. :)

"Minstrel's Song," much like "Every Good Boy's" track "Nice To Be Here," is an upbeat, cheerful tune, and the flutes and percussion really stand out, on this track. Justin Hayward's brief solo, "Listen to the One ... Who sings of love," near the end of the song, is sung with perfection, and right on the beat!

"Dawning Is The Day" reminds me of "Tuesday Afternoon," from "Days Of Future Passed," when listening to the combination of the flute, mellotron, and piano. Notice how, near the end of the song, the Moodies chant, "Listen, we think we have found you," repeatedly, but right before the song fades into "Melancholy Man," the lyrics switch over to "Listen, we think we can see you" ... How sneaky! :)

Similar to the "Caught Live +5" track, "What Am I Doing Here?," "Melancholy Man" makes for a beautifully dramatic dark Moody Blues' composition ... Just like "How Is It (We Are Here)," loads of interesting sounds and keyboard elements are featured on this particular Pinder tune. The combination of the wind (or "whirlwind") effects and the intense synthesizer sound, in the middle of the song, puts the "icing on the cake," when it comes to following through with the theme of the song! Nice job with the backing vocals on the choruses, mainly from Justin and Ray.

"The Balance" made for the perfect poetic finale to the album ... The chorus is catchy and the instrumentation is arranged beautifully. Also, the individual band members' voices are heard, near the end of the song, as they take turns singing lines like, "Do you realize?," "Yeah, yeah...," and "Just open your heart." Also, is that John singing in falsetto behind Mike's narration? :)

In conclusion, ask no "questions" about adding this classic Moody Blues release to your audio library! Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

the Flash, then the Dud.......2007-04-14

The Moody Blues were for my generation the Powerhouse Band that fused hard rock with classical to create dreamscapes. Their signature sound enthralled millions!

Yet they started to slip from their pedestals, beginning with this album.

The Song "Question" was by far one of their most powerful, beautiful and brilliant pieces ever created. Yet the other songs and ballads on this album are, in my opinion, mediocre.

The blues resurfaced and climbed their pedestal once again with "Seventh Sojurn." From then on, they have never been as creative as they were on "To Our Children's Children's Children."

The best way to buy this album is to get on an online MP3 service and purchase only the song: "Question."

The Perfect Balance Between Prog and Rock.......2007-01-30

The best set of songs and most hardrocking set by the Moodies. Good album.
They tried to get away from overdubbing here so they could do it live.

My least favorite of the Classic 7.......2006-11-23

But still, when it works, it's great. By now, the MBs world view is incorporating environmentalism (we'll spoil the seas with the rivers we've lost, concrete caves with iron doors), give-and-take with relationships (the tide rushes in), and sobriety (the overall feel of the album is certainly less spacey). Especially for Pinder's contributions, their familiar themes are for the first time sounding a bit weary, like the interminable "Melancholy Man" and the sappy "Minstrel's Song", and the more-preachy-than-protest "How Is It". Justin Hayward's songs are top-notch, "Question" I find a bit disjointed but the two parts that comprise it are brilliant. "Dawning is the Day" is a beautiful song, brimming with optimism and Ray Thomas's best flute break (if you can call it that). "It's Up To You" is a fine, uptempo rocker with very nice guitar/bass interplay. John Lodge's "Tortoise and Hare" has a mesmerising 12/8 beat (but you don't have to know that to like the song, which is a hard rocking musical version of the old fable), and "Minstrel Song", once you get past the sappiness, has beautiful melodies and harmonies. Graeme Edge makes his songwriting debut here with "Don't You Feel Small", and it's actually a very effective song. Ray Thomas's only song is a bit lightweight (Tide Rushes In) but inoffensive, and the song he co-writes with Edge, "The Balance", shows admirable restraint, given that it is widely seen as a standard pompous portentious philosophic statement that is supposed to end this particular opus.

Average customer rating:

"Don't Question This Classic Collection," Deluxe Edition! :)
HEADACHE
A Question Of Mix
INTENSE re-mastering...
Beautiful Sounds

Question of Balance
Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

On the Threshold of a Dream
To Our Children's Children's Children
In Search of the Lost Chord
Days of Future Passed
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

ASIN: B000EHQ57Q
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Album Description

UK SACD Deluxe Edition. Features five bonus tracks, Question - Alternate Version (Bonus Track), Minstrel's Song - Original Mix (Bonus Track), It's Up To You - Original Mix (Bonus Track), Don't You Feel Small - Original Mix (Bonus Track) and Dawning Is The Day - Full Original Mix (Bonus Track). Universal. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

"Don't Question This Classic Collection," Deluxe Edition! :).......2007-06-02

*The following comments are in regard to the bonus tracks on this release. To read my opinions on the original content of this album, check out my review under:
"A Question of Balance" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered

Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...

"Mike's Number One:"
An upbeat and beautiful spiritual sounding Mike Pinder tune ... Based on the lyrics, this song could have been titled, "A Happening," "Do You Know?," or "See The Glory." The track definitely has that "A Question Of Balance" sound to it, but it also would have made a fine addition to Mike's 1976 solo release, "The Promise," or could have made a possible bonus track for that CD release. :)

"Question" (alternate version):
This mix is like an extended version of the single mix of the song ... The sound quality is outstanding on this mix, especially on the louder elements of the song. The track also comes to a full ending with somewhat of a Spanish-flavored guitar style, at the very end. :)

"Minstrel's Song" (original mix):
This is probably the least interesting of the bonus cuts, because the song fades in, on this occasion, with very faint vocals heard in the intro. The song also fades out in the exact same spot as the album mix, because while the final version fades into "Dawning Is The Day," we can still hear The Moodies chanting "Around, around," one last time, very faintly, at the beginning of "D.I.T.D." The only positive side to this mix is that it is not cross-faded with the tracks that surround the song, on the final version.

"It's Up To You" (original mix):
Much like the single and "Best Of" (Ex: "The Best Of The Moody Blues," "Gold") mixes of "The Story In Your Eyes," from "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," this version of "It's Up To You" is similar to the original album version, but the instrumentation near the end of the track is carried on a little bit further, before the fadeout ... It's good "ear candy" which listeners haven't heard before. :)

"Don't You Feel Small" (original mix):
This version has an extended beginning AND ending to it! The instrumental lead-in, at the beginning, is awesome, and sounds similar to the instrumental fadeout, near the end of the song ... Nice job on the guitars, mellotrons, and percussion, all at the same time! :)

"Dawning Is The Day" (full original mix):
Same format as the previous mix (above), and the deleted material sounds just as great! :)

In addition, the CD booklet, that accompanies this release, provides readers with the details on the controversial album cover to this LP (rear sleeve) ... Check out this release to get the full story (Page 13). Fans who own both this CD release and the 1997 CD remaster will notice that this version features the artwork that was changed while the 1997 version features the original artwork.

Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "A Question of Balance," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

HEADACHE.......2007-04-08

I love the Moody Blues. I love this album. Alas, I am no audiophile. I dont have a turntable that is aligned with the axis of the earth OR a surround sound system or SACD--you get the picture. I got the disc for the bonus tracks (I paid 30 bones--buyer beware)....But the album itself on this disc sounds terrible! Its like they threw all the levels in the red (I just got done listening to it and my ears feel terrible!) and compressed the ever living life out of it! All levels red with no compression works for Iggy and the Stooges (thank goodness) but not the Moody Blues.....

the other discs in the European SACD series have sounded spectacular even on a regular player but this one is horrible! Im not trying to be negative....This is the first disc I have owned to give me a HEADACHE! Im serious! LET IT BREATHE!

A Question Of Mix.......2007-01-13

Okay, let's start off by addressing some of the complaints that most people have. As far as the bass being mixed too low on this release I have to say after owning this in every lp and cd edition that the bass was always a bit lower on this album than on some of the other Moodies albums. The mix itself is from the original quad lp versions done by producer Tony Clarke in early 1972. The quad mixes were different in order to take advantage of the four way split instead of the regular stereo two way split. This meant mixing the album differently from a conventional stereo album. Many of the "effects" that are in the backgroud of the stereo version are turned up here changing the overall "balanced" sound of the album in order to give the best quad sound. As far as the music itself, this album has a much more basic feel than the band's last, To Our Children's Children's Children which might have had in part something to do with the fact that it wasn't the big hit the band wanted at the time it was released. That was the first released for their label Threshold. The opening song Question had been released on single a few months before this album's release and had become a big hit for the band. This album includes many Moodies classics and doesn't have a bad song on the release. Songs like Question, Melencholy Man, And The Tide Rushes In, and It's Up To You sound just as well today as they did back when this album was released. If you like the Moodies, you'll love this album.

INTENSE re-mastering..........2006-07-15

Well shame on the people involved in this "SACD Deluxe Edition" project. Oh, maybe that's a little harsh.
First off, as another Amazon reviewer noted, the sound has been aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the later stages of the album, you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix. Another sign of over compressing. It seemed to help at least a couple songs "The Balance," where the bottom end was a lot more in control and "Never Comes The Day," which sounded really clear and focused. But, overall, has the whole music industry gone "compression" crazy? Or, are the Moody Blues worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) was lacking musical muscle, and are super charging it with heavy compression?

Also, another reviewer talked about the bass being too quiet for the surround sound mix, but I felt the bass wasn't as strong on the "regular" mix, as it is on the other "SACD Deluxe Editions." It's reasonable, but not as breathtakingly boosted as the others in this deluxe series.

Another thing about aggressive compression, this also happened about a year ago when I bought the EMI "re-master" of Deep Purple's 1973 album "Who Do We Think We Are." By the time I got towards the end, my ears were tired. So, recently I bought the gold disc version which avoids over compression, and it not only sounded better, but my ears weren't tired by the end. But, since the Moodies don't play as loud, it shouldn't be a problem. Now that I got that off my chest...

Secondly, the "SACD Deluxe Edition" bonus track enticement, just ticks me off to no end. Sure, there's a good rare track here, from keyboardist Mike Pinder, but the rest is nothing special.

Thirdly, as another Amazon reviewer noted, the great cover artwork has been ruined by the people in charge of reproducing the cover! The cover images have been reproduced way too light so that nearly all the detail has been faded. But, the booklet is great with lots of color photos, stories and studio information.

In conclusion, after hearing a number of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still look and sound great. So now I'll have two versions of each album. Just what I needed?!

Beautiful Sounds.......2006-07-14

The Moody Blues albums have always been famous for their sophisticated production and engeneering (in the vynil era at least)but the CD transfers up ' til now were absolutely disastrous sounding.
These SACD re-issues finally seem to make things right.
I have only listened to "Question" but was amazed at the clarity and power of this remastering.
I have not heard the 5.1 suround mix because although i have a Sony dvd player with SACD capability you also have to have a receiver with the proper connections wich is not the usual optical one used for getting surround from movies and such.
Anyway,the stereo remastering has been supervised by Justin Hayward and it shows in the care that was put in this project.
Truly beautiful sound that finally matches the quality of the original recording and does justice to a great album.

Ah yes ! It sounds very good on an ordinary cd player too.

Average customer rating:

Their Best
Still One Of The Best ELO CD (Monkees886@aol.com)
Nice addition to your ELO collection
EL-Oh...
great music, from a modern leader in pop and classic music

Balance of Power
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Out of the Blue
Secret Messages
Out of the Blue
A New World Record
On the Third Day

ASIN: B000LE0TGK
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

Heaven Only Knows
So Serious
Getting To The Point
Secret Lives
Is It Alright
Sorrow About To Fall
Without Someone
Calling America
Endless Lies
Send It
Opening
Heaven Only Knows
In For The Kill
Secret Lives
Sorrow About To Fall
Caught In A Trap
Destination Unknown

Album Details

This was the Last Studio Album from Elo (Before the Comeback Zoom), Issued in 1986. The Original 10 Track Album Includes Three Tracks that were Originally Issued as Singles, and of the Seven Bonus Tracks Five Are Previously Unreleased and the Other Two were Issued as UK Only B-sides.

Customer Reviews:

Their Best.......2007-06-15

I know I'm in the minority of ELO fans that would call this their best CD, but it is. It came toward the end of the run of their original line up, but the songwriting and catchy keyboarding was top-notch here.

Still One Of The Best ELO CD (Monkees886@aol.com).......2007-05-19

This is the Last ELO cd. Sad to say but true. But this cd has left some good tunes for everyone to enjoy. The nice thing about it, Its Remastered.

Nice addition to your ELO collection.......2007-05-14

I have always liked this album and having the new remaster just adds to the enjoyment. Sound quality is really good.

EL-Oh..........2007-05-14

Not the greatest album they did, I read others reviews of this and hoped it would be a great on, I have listened to it a few times and find it not to be on my list for the futute fave category.

great music, from a modern leader in pop and classic music.......2007-04-11

This is just another fine example of great music revisited with added tracks that add even more fun to an already great release from ELO! I can't express my pleasure it is to hear this again and again, and whish there is more to come! This kind of talent is a gift that has to be heard over and over. GOD Bless all!

Average customer rating:

One of Modern Day Metal's Finest
Average Shadows Fall
I Wrote This Back In 2002
Not As Good As The War Within
Real metal spawned within the last decade? It's true!

The Art of Balance
Shadows Fall
Manufacturer: Century Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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War Within
Of One Blood
Fallout from the War
Somber Eyes to the Sky
Threads of Life

ASIN: B00006IQLG
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

Idle Hands
Thoughts Without Words
Destroyer Of Senses
Casting Shade
Stepping Outside The Circle
The Art Of Balance
Mystery Of One Spirit
The Idiot Box
Prelude To Disaster
A Fire In Babylon
Welcome To The Machine

Album Description

2002 album, band toured with Unearth Scissorfight, Lamb Of God and Darkest Hour as part of The White Trash Thrash Metal Comeback Tour.

Customer Reviews:

One of Modern Day Metal's Finest.......2007-05-29

My friend had been telling me about these guys for awhile, but I never really listened to them or looked 'em up. Man was I missing out. If you want pure, American, no bull, heavy/speed/thrash metal, look no further. These guys can shred like no other. They are leading the forefront of NWOAM for a reason. They ROCK! They're complex and intricate arrangements should leave any metalhead in satisfaction and wanting more. I sure did after hearing this. This album greatly mixes melody with brutality and aggression. They show off their acoustic skills on the two instrumentals- Casting Shade and Prelude To Disaster. The later sounds like there is a crackling fire in the background (quite soothing).

There are also clean vocals on many of the choruses which sound excellent. Most notably would be on Thought Without Words and Stepping Outside The Circle with Matt Bachand screaming and Brian Fair cleanly singing. It makes for an excellent mix. The title track is mostly acousticly oriented, but gets heavier as it goes on. Favorites would include Thoughts Without Words, Mystery Of One Spirit, and A Fire In Babylon, which is the only epic on here and a great one. I love every song on here, but if I had to choose least favs. I would say The Idiot Box and the Pink Floyd cover- Welcome To The Machine. I think A Fire In Babylon would have been a much better way to end the album off on. All things considered, I see this as being a modern day classic, along with the likes of Lamb of God's Ashes of the Wake.

Shadows Fall are one of this day and ages bands that keep true metal alive. If you want some good modern day thrash esque speed metal, go with The Art of Balance.

Average Shadows Fall.......2007-04-20

This album is usually heralded as Shadows Fall's best (actually Of One Blood) and most complete (actually The War Within), but this falls short in that it sounds like a thrash compilation. There are too many influences dominating this album to make it exciting or cohesive. There are some great songs (The Mystery of One Spirit, A Fire in Babylon, Stepping Outside the Circle), but overall it seems like at an attempt at greatness that just does not get there. Of One Blood was that acheivement, and the follow-up to greatness is found in The War Within.

I Wrote This Back In 2002.......2007-02-18

Once upon a time there was a band named Metallica who found inspiration in the NWOBHM and created a new genre, becoming legends in the process. Ever since they forgot what they learned and began writing for radio, fans and critics alike have hoped for Metallica's second coming. Not only have they arrived in my opinion, but they've been here for years. They are called Shadows Fall and the albums that have made a believer out of me are Of One Blood and their latest, The Art Of Balance.

"Idle Hands", the galloping mid-tempo mauler of an opener, instantly made it clear to me just how important this band can and should become. As with Metallica's early work, the magic and efficiency of the NWOBHM can be heard, but instead of filtering it through Motorhead, Shadows Fall burn it to a blackened crisp. The Art Of Balance is a Rainbow Bridge that links the metal of the early 80's to the metal of the 90's and beyond. "Mystery Of One Spirit" which plays In Flames' hand only to trump them by invoking Iron Maiden and Accept halfway through, exemplifies this band's mission.

New classics jump out from around nearly every corner. "Thoughts Without Words" absorbs the infectious, funky misery of Down towards the middle and expunges it via the cold machinery of Meshuggah. "Destroyer Of Senses" absolutely shatters with its nasty, reverberating riffage, and the stirring penultimate track "A Fire In Babylon" succeeds as a philosophical and timely epic that Rush might have thought of had they formed in Britain circa 1980.

However, The Art Of Balance is a slightly flawed gem to me. I would have preferred the songs to be entirely done with the clean vocals which recall James Hetfield. The rough vocals don't really detract much, but I get the vague feeling the record would have levelled the joint even more without them. I also felt that the reworked version of "Stepping Outside The Circle" was ever so slightly inferior to the version found on the band's Deadworld EP. One other minor problem I had was with the band's merely serviceable cover of Pink Floyd's "Welcome To The Machine". I would have preferred and expected a band as inspired as Shadows Fall to pay homage to their fiercely metallic roots instead of remaking a song which has been well worn by rock radio.

But those missteps aside, I am thoroughly enjoying The Art Of Balance for its craftsmanship, its intelligent songwriting, its marvelous guitar work, its thoughtful lyrics, its modern yet vintage riffery, and for the fact that it truly lives up to its title. Crusades have begun with lesser works than these. Here's hoping that Shadows Fall never stray from the path.

Not As Good As The War Within.......2006-09-06

I gave The War Within 5 stars. I was disappointed with The Art of Balance. War Within had more of what I was looking for, for instance, good riffs and more melody. The Art of Balance strikes me as being a little weak compared to The War Within. I gave TAOB 3 stars because the Pink Floyd cover (Welcome to the Machine) was very good. Other than that TAOB has few redeeming qualities in my opinion.

Real metal spawned within the last decade? It's true!.......2006-09-01

I picked up this one on a recommendation from a friend of mine. He is a true metalhead, and for the most part, he can't stand "metal" that had come about in the last 10 or more years and neither can I. So when he recommended Shadows Fall and told me that they were one of the few modern metal bands that he really likes I had to check them out. I am defintely impressed.
What immeditately hooked me was the riffing. The guitars have that classic 80s style metal vibe with all the great hooks and melodies that I love about thrash metal. It maintains what classic metal is all about without sounding like a cover band, but also manages to be new and innovative without going into "Nu" territory.
The vocals are one of the most interesting things about this band. The songs go from melodic vocals to thrash metal vocals to death metal vocals and it all sounds awesome. I know that the guitarists contribute to the vox as well as the lead singer, so I am not sure who contributes the different styles, but it's all great.
If you haven't heard Shadows Fall and you like thrash metal, you should definitely check them out. Standout tracks are "Stepping Outside the Circle," "Idiot Box" and "A Fire in Babylon."

Fauré - Mélodies / Souzay · Ameling · Baldwin

Average customer rating:

Le parfum d'extase
Superb chansoms. Superb Ameling. Buy It.
Great!!!
A delightful programme
Limpid, refined, elegant music.

Fauré - Mélodies / Souzay · Ameling · Baldwin
Gabriel Fauré , Gérard Souzay , Elly Ameling , and Dalton Baldwin
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Debussy - Mélodies / Ameling · Mesplé · Command · Souzay · von Stade · Baldwin
Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin
Susan Graham - La Belle Époque (The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn)
Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
A French Song Companion

ASIN: B000002S30
Release Date: 1992-01-23

Tracks:

Le papillon et la fleur: Le Papillon et la fleur, Op. 1, No. 1
Mai: Mai, Op. 1, No. 2
Reve d'amour: Reve d'amour, Op. 5, No. 2
Dans les ruines d'une abbaye: Dans les ruines d'une abbaye, Op. 2, No. 1
Les Matelots: Les Matelots, Op. 2, No. 2
Lydia: Lydia, Op. 4, No. 2
Hymne: Hymne, Op. 7, No. 2
Seule: Seule, Op. 3, No. 1
L'absent: L'Absent, Op. 5, No. 3
L'Aurore: L'Aurore, Op. posthume
La Rancon: La Rancon, Op. 8, No. 2
Chant d'automne: Chant d'automne, Op. 5, No. 2
Aubade: Aubade, Op. 6, No. 1
Tristesse: Tristesse, Op. 6, No. 2
Chanson du pecheur (Lamento): Chanson du pecheur (Lamento), Op. 5, No. 1
Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Op. 7, No. 3
2 Duos pour deux sopranos: I Puisqu'ici-bas, Op. 10, No. 1
2 Duos pour deux sopranos: II Tarentelle, Op. 10, No. 2
Ici-bas !: Ici-bas !, Op. 8, No. 3
Au bord de l'eau: Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8, No. 1
Serenade toscane: Serenade toscane, Op. 3, No. 2
Apres Un Reve: Apres un reve, Op. 7, No. 1
Sylvie: Sylvie, Op. 6, No. 3
Le Voyageur: Le Voyageur, Op. 18, No. 2
Automne, Op. 18, No. 3

Tracks:

Poemes d'un jour, Op. 21: 1. Rencontre
Poemes d'un jour, Op. 21: 2.Toujours
3. Adieu
Nell, Op. 18, No. 1
Les berceaux: Les Berceaux, Op. 23, No. 1
Notre amour: Notre amour, Op. 23, No. 2
Le Secret: Le Secret, Op. 23, No. 3
Chanson d'amour: Chanson d'amour, Op. 27, No. 1
La Fee aux chansons: La Fee aux chansons, Op. 27, No. 1
Aurore: Aurore, Op. 39, No. 1
Fleur jetee: Fleur jetee, Op. 39, No. 2
Le Pays des reves: Le Pays des reves, Op. 39, No. 3
Les Roses d'lspahan: Les Roses d'lspahan, Op. 39, No. 4
Nocturne: Nocturne, Op. 43, No. 2
Les Presents: Les Presents, Op. 46, No. 1
Clair de Lune: Clair de lune, Op. 46, No. 2
Larmes: Larmes, Op. 51, No. 1
Au Cimetiere: Au Cimetiere, Op. 51, No. 2
2 Cantiques: 1. En Priere
2 Cantiques: 2. Noel, Op. 43, No. 1
SPLEEN: Spleen, Op. 51, No. 3
La Rose: La Rose, Op. 51, No. 4
Chanson de Shylock: Chanson de Shylock, Op. 57, No. 1
Madrigal de Shylock: Madrigal de Shylock, Op. 57, No. 2
5 Melodies: 1. Mandoline
5 Melodies: 2. En sourdine
5 Melodies: 3. Green
5 Melodies: 4. A Clymene
5 Melodies: 5. C'est l'extase
Serenade du Bourgeois gentilhomme

Tracks:

La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 1. Une Sainte en son aureole
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 2. Puisque l'aube grandit
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 3. La Lune blanche luit dans les bois
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 4. J'allais par des chemins perfides
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 5. J'ai presque peur, en verite
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 6. Avant que tu ne t'en ailles
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 7. Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d'ete
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 8. N'est-ce pas ?
La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 9. L'Hiver a cesse
Le Parfum imperissable: Le Parfum imperissable, Op. 76, No. 1
Arpege: Arpege, Op. 76, No. 2
Pleurs d'or, duo pour soprano et baryton: Pleurs d'or, duo pour soprano et baryton, Op. 72
Melisande's song: Melisande's song, Op. posthume
Prison: Prison, Op. 83, No. 1
Soir: Soir, Op. 83, No. 2
Dans la foret de septembre: Dans la foret de septembre, Op. 85, No. 1
La Fleur qui va sur l'eau: La Fleur qui va sur l'eau, Op. 85, No. 2
Accompagnement: Accompagnement, Op. 85, No. 3
Le plus doux Chemin (madrigal): Le plus doux Chemin (madrigal), Op. 87, No. 2
Le Ramier (madrigal): Le Ramier (madrigal), Op. 87, No. 2
Le Don silencieux: Le Don silencieux, Op. 92
Chanson: Chanson, Op. 94
Vocalise-etude

Tracks:

La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 1. Paradis
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 2. Prima verba
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 3. Roses ardentes
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 4. Comme Dieu rayonne
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 5. L'aube blanche
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 6. Eau vivante
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 7. Veilles-tu, ma senteur de soleil ?
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 8. Dans un parfum de roses blanches
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 9. Crepuscule
La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 10. O mort, poussiere d'etoiles
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 1. Exaucement
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 2. Quand tu plonges tes yeux dans mes yeux
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 3. La messagere
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 4. Je me poserai sur ton coeur
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 5. Dans la Nymphee
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 6. Dans la penombre
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 7. Il m'est cher, amour, le bandeau
Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 8. Inscription sur le sable
Mirages, Op. 113: 1. Cygne sur l'eau
Mirages, Op. 113: 2. Reflets dans l'eau
Mirages, Op. 113: 3. Jardin nocturne
Mirages, Op. 113: 4. Danseuse
C'est la paix !: C'est la paix !, Op. 114
L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 1. La ber es infinie
L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 2. Je me suis embarque
L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 3. Diane Selene
L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 4. Vaisseaux, nous vous aurons aimes

Customer Reviews:

Le parfum d'extase.......2007-05-18

This 4-CD set receives five stars from me in spite of some flaws. I'll outline those flaws first.

Firstly (a flaw to me, perhaps not to others), I'm not very fond of Gérard Souzay's voice and vocal approach. He frequently sounds blustery and the timbre does not really appeal to me. Yet his commitment to these beautiful songs is impeccable, and he has a wealth of experience, beautifully authentic French (of course!) and occasionally the singing is very effective indeed. I agree that the "La bonne chanson" set is sensitive and moving - it's Souzay at his best. But in general... Souzay is not one of my favourite baritones.

Secondly, as other reviews have mentioned, no translations are included. However, the full text of each song is contained in the accompanying booklet, and for those who don't read French well enough to translate, there are translations on-line of all of the poems set by Fauré. I agree this is not an ideal solution, and that the boxed set would have been improved by translations.

Thirdly, one is sometimes overwhelmed by the balance of the voice compared to that of the piano - this is particularly noticeable in Souzay's singing. However, the piano is still audible. The solution is mostly to turn down the volume for one or two tracks.

Let me now explain why, in spite of the above faults, I still consider this a superb set.

Firstly, the truly lovely singing of Elly Ameling. What a gloriously pretty sound - and I mean "pretty" without any denigration whatsoever. It's not JUST pretty - it's beautiful as well. This is a lovely gleaming sound, perfectly placed, and with a wealth of intrinsic and elegant interpretation that is native to Elly Ameling's singing. She's a miracle - no matter what she sings, it sounds "sung in" and perfectly understood, perfectly interpreted. (I admit Ms Ameling's French is slightly accented at times, but it's completely understandable and very good. It doesn't impair the performance of these songs at all.)

Secondly, Dalton Baldwin's playing is sensitive and impassioned in turns - always lyrical, always attuned to the requirements of each song. What a huge amount of work must have gone into this mammoth 4-CD task!

Thirdly, these vocal compositions are exquisite. Several of them are justly famous as works of genius, and fall so delightfully upon the ear that it seems they have always existed, perfect and full of wonder... that Fauré plucked them out of semi-existence to give them reality.

Fourthly... it's 4CDs of Fauré's vocal works. For those who love French vocal music, it's an extravagant delight to have such a thorough and wide-ranging collection. For singing students, how marvellous to have such a collection to hand to help when choosing songs. For fellow singers, what joy to have all of these songs in such a fine collection in order to note details and particularly admirable points.

In short - this is a set I wouldn't be without. While it's not flawless, it's full of delights. Ameling's singing of "La rose" is one of the highlights, and Fauré's three exquisite duets are all represented here. Highly recommended.

Superb chansoms. Superb Ameling. Buy It........2007-03-01

This EMI Classics package of four CD's for the price of two (plus) is really the way I like to buy classic recordings, where the complete set covers all of a single especially interesting grouping of works. This set, like the comparable one on Debussy, is simply grand, especially, as noted by other reviewers, with the contribution of Ameling, a soprano from whom not much is heard of today, but who, in her prime, was on top of her game.

My only objection to the package is that while the notes five the French text of the songs and the author of the text, there is no translation. Otherwise, this is a super buy.

Great!!!.......2006-06-19

The music on this compilation is beautiful. It is also beautifully sung. Amelling is amazing, as always!!!

A delightful programme.......2006-01-20

Faure was a genius and his songs are some of the most beautiful ever written, being animated by the spirit of beauty itself (Ms Venus:-).)

The performers did an outstanding job singing this repertoire, and especially Elly Ameling's performance is pure *delight*
- honestly-.

I hope others will enjoy it as much as I have.

Highly recommended.

Limpid, refined, elegant music........2001-04-04

This famous set provides on 4 CDs the complete songs (mélodies, he preferred to call them) by Faure. They are entrusted to the native French baritone, the Dutch soprano, and their accompanist Dalton Baldwin, and were recorded in the early 1970s. The set is not inexpensive, so I shall try to outline its merits. The music itself is enthralling. Faure set, over a period of sixty years, texts by French poets. Limpid, refined, elegant music, it repays repetition and close listening. One reviewer has suggested that no listener will want to listen to umpteen of these mélodies in one sitting, but I have never had too much of them. If slow tempi and arpeggio accompaniments begin to pall, listen to "Nell" (CD 2, Track 4). The performers satisfy on all counts. Souzay's contribution reflect a life time's association with the music, and a tradition that goes back through his teachers to the time of Faure himself. His definitive version of "La bonne Chanson" is especially fine. If his style is more suited to the impassioned, ardent items, it balances well with the cooler, more detached singing of Elly Ameling. So that you will not be disappointed, I should also mention that translations of the texts are not provided. I also wish that the balance had been better engineered. Sometimes Souzay seems to have the microphone in his mouth, and always the piano seems too distant. These are but minor flaws, however, in a long necklace of priceless pearls.

Average customer rating:

Valuable compendium
Rareties available on CD at last!
Heavenly
WHO ELSE CAN SING LIKE THIS TODAY?

The Art of Joan Sutherland

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Joan Sutherland: BBC-Recitals 1958, 1960, 1961
The Art of the Prima Donna
Serate Musicali
The Voice of the Century
La Stupenda ~ The Supreme Voice of Joan Sutherland

ASIN: B000654OUQ
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Customer Reviews:

Valuable compendium.......2007-01-24

This set is extremely valuable, not only as an overview of Dame Joans career but because it contains three complete LP sets that have been very hard to find. The sets are the 2 LP French opera (operetta) set, the Mozart album and the Wagner album. Although some of these do not show her to her best advantage (the Wagner set) they all have some very beautiful things and the French items are superb. The annotations and photos are interesting as well and there are some piano songs with Bonynge that are released here for the first time along with a scene from a live Covent Garden Norma.

Rareties available on CD at last!.......2006-03-29

While Joan Sutherland has recorded a number of impressive aria collections throughout the many years of her recording career, they tend to get lost in the shuffle of the countless reissues Decca/London has endlessly repackaged. While some of the original collections have appeared intact on CD--"The Art of the Prima Donna," "The Age of Bel Canto," "Love Live Forever" (her operetta collection that was originally titled "The Golden Age of Operetta"), to name a few--others are currently represented in the CD catalogue by only a few selections on discs that also include excerpts from complete opera recordings or duplicates of selections from other original collections. As a result, it has been impossible to assemble a CD collection of her recordings without a LOT of duplication, and some of the most interesting collections are still unavailable (e.g. "Command Performance" and "Serate Musicale").

While this newest set does include a lot of bits of this and that, ranging from her very first LPs to excerpts from complete recordings most Sutherland fans already have and a few "live" performances, what is perhaps most significant about it is that it features the complete contents of the "Sutherland Sings Wagner" LP--a real repertoire departure for her--and the double-LP album called "French Opera Gala" (in the U.S.--the British title was "Romantic French Arias"), neither of which, to the best of my knowledge, has been available on CD before. "Opera News" magazine once ran an article in which they asked various stars to name the one album that they felt best represented their artistry for future generations, and Dame Joan selected the "French Opera Gala," so for Sutherland fans, this is a long-awaited treat.

I'm not going to waste space saying how miraculous I consider Dame Joan's artistry. If you are familiar with her work already, you know whether you adore her or not; and if you aren't, this massive set is probably not the best place to start (that would be "The Art of the Prima Donna" album that introduced her to most listeners decades ago)--especially since this newest set doesn't contain the lyrics, a must for newcomers. Let's hope Decca/London gets around to releasing the rest of her recordings intact instead of endlessly scrambling and repackaging the same selections over and over.

Heavenly.......2006-01-31

I first heard of Dame Sutherland while on the internet while listening to a internet radio station. I was instantly a fan, her control, technique, and tone is perfectly executed and rivals the equally fantastic Maria Callas. She has a powerful voice and presence that will evoke every emotion from her listeners. Highly recommended to all Opera Diva fans.

WHO ELSE CAN SING LIKE THIS TODAY?.......2005-04-10

This is Decca's second multi disc evaluation of this fantastic singer's long career and many recordings. True that a lot on the first set is duplicated here, but there are a few exceptions here and there that make it a worthy addition. Of particular interest are the very early items of Handel and Italian baroque arias, some forgotten song recordings and a live performance of the duet from Norma. It can't be said too many times - who can sing like this today? For sheer vocalism it's hard to find anyone on the same wavelength. This set will give very young opera goers an idea of what they missed.

Average customer rating:

Great way for ELO to say goodbye
swansong....til 2001
Judge this album on its own merits or lament the band's departure from its trademark soundscape: the choice is yours
Out of the Box
Don't knock it Just Because it was the 80's

Balance of Power
Electric Light Orchestra , and ELO
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Secret Messages
On the Third Day
Time
Face the Music
Discovery

ASIN: B00000264E
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Heaven Only Knows
So Serious
Getting To The Point
Secret Lives
Is It Alright
Sorrow About To Fall
Without Someone
Calling America
Endless Lies
Send It

Customer Reviews:

Great way for ELO to say goodbye.......2007-02-27

it was 1986 and Jeff Lynne had enough of ELO plus the band's fortunes were going down the drain, the Orchestra was gone replaced with synthesizers and eletronic drums. People need to understand what Jeff was going through at the time his marriage was falling apart and so was his band. ELO were no longer the big band they were in the 70's the band had fallen off thier pedestal so Jeff decided after one more album he would bring ELO to an end for good. anyways BOP is a great way for a a great band to say goodbye. We miss ELO. 1970-1986.

swansong....til 2001.......2006-09-18

Critics and fans alike seem to regard Balance of Power, ELO's final studio LP from 1986, as little more than a footnote to the band's illustrious hit-making career. Yet the album is a superbly crafted and consistently appealing pop record (there's not a single clinker in this ten-track bunch, a rare accomplishment indeed for a singles-oriented band) and is of historic importance when viewed as Jeff Lynne's opening bid for artistic credibility in a post-Xanadu age, which ultimately proved so successful that he realized his life's dream, that is, to work with the, um, Beatles.

Lynne abandons the excesses of his previous few outings here, stripping the short, simply structured songs to their melodic and harmonic core, with synths playing a far more subtle role than previously. Even the cover graphic indicates a retreat of sorts, replacing ornate adolescent silliness with a simple visual pun.

"Getting to the Point," the first and finest of the record's three ballads, explores with a new-found maturity the dying embers of a relationship, with the first-ever appearance of solo sax on an ELO record. "Without Someone" is similarly restrained in tone, also calmly reflecting on a lost love. Finally, the initially off-putting "Endless Lies," with its operatic chorus, finally clicks when one realizes the song is a tribute to future-Lynne collaborator Roy Orbison.

The remaining seven brief pop-rockers are uniformly excellent. "Sorrow About to Fall" makes an inspired swipe of FOREIGNER's "Urgent," with sax again stepping into the spotlight, while "Is it Alright" (sic), a simple letter checking up on a friend who felt the need to move on, deftly weaves together several joyously Beatle-esque, octave-leaping melodies with a latter-day Steve Winwood synth pattern and a mildly sinister bass chug. "Calling America," a minor stateside hit, is a similar exploration of a friend who has left town, which bemoans high technology's inability to connect the two across the Atlantic; a far cry from the excessive technofascism of 1981's Time LP.

The final track, "Send It," inclusively ends the string of album-closing "rock and roll" numbers begun with Discovery's "Don't Bring Me Down," and continuing through Time's "Hold on Tight" and Secret Messages' "Rock 'N' Roll is King." The song succeeds especially when set in low relief to the previous album-closers' synth-based clutter, which betrayed their hollow insincerity. Here, the melody and the steady beat carry the song along handsomely, and the album arrives at the terminal in tip-top condition.

Within the year Lynne was already collaborating with George Harrison on a number of projects, and his production career began in earnest, offering his now-stripped-and-clean sound to the likes of Del Shannon, and fellow Traveling Wilburys Roy Orbison and Tom Petty (Bob Dylan approached Daniel Lanois for his first post-Wilburys project, to the likely disappointment of Lynne).

After his work with Ringo Starr on the excellent Time Takes Time record, the pieces were in place for Lynne to make his final move. Since his teen days with the Idle Race, singing of John and Paul and Ringo and George's "lovely tunes," Jeff Lynne, a good-natured working-class lad from a northern industrial city, imagined a better life. In 1995, reality caught up with imagination, and "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" are the glorious if sadly incomplete results.

Judge this album on its own merits or lament the band's departure from its trademark soundscape: the choice is yours.......2006-09-12

I've been enjoying ELO's music since I heard "Don't Bring Me Down" for the first time in the late 70's. I own the entire ELO catalog on CD (including some of the reissues with bonus tracks) as well as the Afterglow and Flashback boxsets and Jeff Lynn's solo LP. The bottom line for this album is simple: If you like "Armchair Theater" and Jeff's work with the Travelling Wilburys, you will enjoy listening to "Balance of Power". It certainly is not as well crafted as some of the band's earlier LPs, so less serious fans can do without this album. "Calling America" is supposedly the lone "hit" song on this album, but I can't remember ever hearing this song on the radio. The song I like best is track 10, "Send It". It is as good as almost anything I've ever heard by ELO. It may not sound like older ELO tunes (it has some brief segments that remind me of Thomas Dolby's "Flying North") but at least "Balance of Power" shows that Jeff wasn't trying to milk the ELO "formula" ad nauseum. ELO devotees will certainly hear segments throughout "Balance of Power" that are reminiscent of the earlier LP's, but Jeff and company make an effort with this album to cover new ground by adding saxophone accompaniment into the mix. In my case, I saw no compelling reason to purchase this album and only recently acquired it. However, as a completist, I would always wonder what I would have been missing if I never purchased "Balance of Power". If initially you find "Balance of Power" a difficult listen, try loading the disc into a 10 disc changer along with the earlier ELO CDs. Set the playback mode to shuffle, and then you may find yourself growing oddly appreciative of the 10 songs found here.

Out of the Box.......2006-09-11

This is the last ELO album, for all intents and purposes. And it's missing several things:

It's missing, most notably, the strings. Every reviewer can and will comment on the lack of even a Time-style synthesized orchestra.

Also missing is Kelly Groucutt, which people will tell you because they want to feel intelligent.

But the major draw for me, and others, i imagine, is the pervasive sadness that is felt, from one song to the next. Not the tired feeling of someone who doesn't care anymore, but the depressing end to a fifteen-year career with largely the same group of people. Jeff sounds completely down throughout the album, trying to put his best face forward. It's sad, it's beautiful, and, with the ambiently blue songs throughout, it's nice to have a bit of the perky, pseudo-campy ELO back at the end with 'Send It' -- a fitting way to say goodbye.

Don't knock it Just Because it was the 80's.......2006-06-09

The tendency is for people to knock albums just because it was the 80's. It's very trendy and politically correct to knock the 80's just because it was the 80's..

This album has superbly crafted pop/rock songs. The single, "calling america", was actually one of the weaker songs in my opinion, and with it being the single I believe it damaged some the chances of the album being a "hit".

Interesting title though. Jeff Lynne definitely is a control freak. I think it's best when he writes and has other musicians help fill things out. On the last album "zoom", he played almost everything and it felt a little stale.

With "balance of power", it doesn't feel stale. It feels like ELO.

Average customer rating:

Traditional ballads that rock
A different sound
Sorry Tempest...
Unbalanced
Great!

Balance
Tempest
Manufacturer: Magna Carta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Shapeshifter
The Gravel Walk
Turn of the Wheel
Sunken Treasures
The Double-Cross

ASIN: B00005B5AH
Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

Captain Ward
Dancing Girl
Dance Of The Sand Witches
Iron Lady
Two Sisters
Wicked Spring
Old Man Flint
Willemann
Battle Mountain Breakdown
The Journeyman
Between Us
Royal Oak

Album Description

New studio release from Tempest continues to strike a perfect balance between folk music and high-energy rock and roll. 12 tracks including 'Captain Ward', 'Dancing Girl' and 'Iron Lady'. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

Traditional ballads that rock.......2003-09-02

An energetic marriage of folk ballads and rock, the music of Tempest deftly weaves traditional melodies with modern riffs. This is the first album of theirs I have listened to, and basing my judgment on its own merits I think it's very well-crafted (although no recording could match the band's live performances). Whether a sentimental acoustic piece or a lively number infused with edgy riffs, each track has a captivating rhythm that makes for really pleasurable listening. And the medleys have seamless transitions that in themselves exhibit the professional level of Tempest's craft. Though I personally like the instrumental sections best, frontman Lief Sorbye's vocals offer an irresistible storytelling flavor to the songs. Like "The Journeyman," his earnest intonations invite the listener to follow wherever Tempest roams.

A different sound.......2001-08-22

This album is different than previous albums by Tempest. Yes there are a couple of songs with a heavy metal sound BUT they are great songs. Listen to Dance of the Sand Witches and the Battlea Mountain Breakdown. Todd Ewveans has done a greqat job on guitar. The fiddler is not as good as Michael was and is no lo0nger with the band and haas been replaced by Susan who, while not a Michael Mullen yet has great promise in replacing him. (Just saw the band tonight as a matter of fact). This band can play rock with the best of them. The mixing on this album was poor and I remixed it a bit on my own computer and it drastically improved some of the songs.

Sorry Tempest..........2001-07-19

As much as I love Tempest's music (and have for years), I simply cannot give this CD a good review. It seems to me that Lief and company simply went into the studio and said, "okay, let's just play loud music" They've gone back to a garage band sound, which doesn't bode well with folk fans. The guitar is all reverb with very few clear notes. Lief's singing sounds flat and the mix is all over the board. Sorry guys, but these sessions should have been scrapped.
Addendum: After sitting on the shelf for quite a while, I decided to give this CD another spin and it is now growing on me. I'm still quite disappointed in the quality of the recording, but the music is enjoyable, if you give it a chance.
Cheers
2nd addendum: The CD was sitting on the sehlf, not me.

Unbalanced.......2001-05-31

As much as I hate to admit it after anxiously awaiting the release of a new Tempest album, the review by bogobundus2 has hit the nail directly on the head -- Balance is not only "a little bit off," but it truly does sound "like a group of less-skilled musicians trying to imitate Tempest." I seriously doubt the end result has anything to do with allowing the new lineup time to gel, remember -- Turn of the Wheel, their first Magna Carta release, and a killer Tempest album -- was recorded shortly after Jay Nania joined and Michael Mullen rejoined. Balance is truly a case of a band who has lost it's focus and has been unable to recover from the long-term and consistent loss of truly fantastic musicians. Gone is Robbie Wulenjohn. While Rob may not have been the most technically gifted guitarist ever to grace Tempest's lineup, he certainly had a flair for creating dangerous yet memorable solos. Gone is Michael Mullen. Michael truly added a tremendous amount to the band. Compare Balance to Turn of the Wheel or the fantastic Gravel Walk and you'll know what I mean. Gone is Jay Nania. Bravo for bogubundus2 in referring to Jay as one of the most underrated bassists of all time. I don't think it's a coincidence that when Jay joined Tempest that the band dramatically changed for the best. He was truly a dynamic force and was one of the best bassists I or anyone who had been to a Tempest show during his tenure had ever seen. When he played, jaws dropped. Since the departure of these members, or what I call the "classic Tempest lineup," the band has never been able to recover. Sometimes it's just not possible to fill those shoes. Lief's lackluster performance and Robert Berry's surprising drop in production values are testament to this. Lief sounds as if he's going through the motions fully aware of the fact that he is no longer surrounded by a killing machine. There is very little about Balance that could excite a Tempest fan, particulary fans of the classic Tempest. Do yourself a favor and check out Gravel Walk or Turn of the Wheel. Those are really the albums that defined this formerly great band. Maybe someday they will truly achieve Balance, however, it hasn't happened with their latest release.

Great!.......2001-05-31

Wonderful cd, I did not regret buying it, and can hardly wait until the next cd of this wonderful celtic rock (or folk rock, or whatever...) band as the new players become better and better at their teamwork.

Felicity Lott - Mélodies sur de poèmes de Victor Hugo / Graham Johnson

Average customer rating:

Beautiful songs, performed perfectly

Felicity Lott - Mélodies sur de poèmes de Victor Hugo / Graham Johnson
Georges Bizet , Léo Delibes , Gabriel Fauré , César Franck , Charles Gounod , Reynaldo Hahn , Edouard Lalo , Franz Liszt , Camille Saint-Saëns , Richard Wagner , Maude Valérie White , Felicity Lott , and Graham Johnson
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Melodies Sur Des Poemes De Baudelaire

ASIN: B00004TVGI
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Ser
Guitar
Guitar
Farewell Of The Arab Hostess
Eclogue
If There Is A Lovely Lawn
The Butterfly And The Flower
The Absent One
Reverie - Since In This World
Waiting
Oh! When I Am Sleeping - Felicity Lott/Graham Johnson F
Comment, Disaient-ils
Evening At Sea
The Kettledrummer's Bride
Sing, Sing, Inspired Maid
If My Verses Had Wings
Reverie

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful songs, performed perfectly.......2002-03-24

Felicity Lott, accompanied by piano, performs 19th century songs from a variety of composers. Lott's voice is astonishingly clear and pure. One hears only the perfect portrayal of the song without any hint of breathing or effort. She makes it possible to enjoy the soprano as the paragon of the human voice.

All the songs are pretty but the several Saint-Saens melodies are a hightlight, especially "Soiree en Mer." Victor Hugo's wonderful ideas and words add to the pleasure. Imagine how wonderful it would be if contemporary culture offered a popular form of art in which composers put music to recent poems. Thanks to the 19th century we know.

Question of Balance
Average customer rating:

An Example of the Moody Blues at their peak

Reply to bill

Their best ever album

'MUDDY BLUES', NOT 'MOODY BLUES'

Question of Balance
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

ASIN: B00000G2OW
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And The Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise And The Hare
It's Up To You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is The Day
Melancholy Man
The Balance

Customer Reviews:

An Example of the Moody Blues at their peak.......1999-10-22

I'm trying to figure out what album Bill listened to. I might agree with him if he was talking about Octave.....but certainly not a A Question of Balance, which is one of the best Moody Blues Albums of all. Granted it was not an official 'CONCEPT' album as were the 4 prior to that....but it still turned out that way...I remember still the day the album came out and I heard it for the first time back in 1970....As a total Moody Blues freak at the time (and still to this day)....I was certainly not dissappointed...and it was probably the last album that they released that I felt that way...although I have enjoyed them all. Their latest Strange Times...recaptures some of that great energy of their first 7.....I Believe that Question is one of thier very best albums...EVERY song on it is classic Moody.

Reply to bill.......1999-06-27

Yes Bill this album wasn't planned. The Moodies went into the studio and constructed this album in 5 weeks. If yo had gottewn Time traveler you would know this. but the range of music IS tied together...even though it wasn't planned. Even though Question was the HIT of the album there were a few songs that should have recieved airplay. Songs such as Don't You Feel Small?; Its Up to You; and How is It We are Here? If a song moves you in an emotional sort of way....and that was the arttists intent...then they have been successful. I LOVE this ALBUM. The Best album the Moody Blues recorded in the 70's

Their best ever album.......1999-03-21

First of all I would like to correct the bad impression given by the previous reviewer. Question is only one of many fine songs; from And The Tide Rushes In and Melancholy Man to more up-tempo numbers like It's Up To You and Minstrel's Song, the standard never slips. The fact that I own 2 vinyl versions & 2 cd versions speaks for itself. After 28 years this is still one of my favourite albums.

'MUDDY BLUES', NOT 'MOODY BLUES'.......1999-01-21

I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE TITLE TRACK; IT IS INDEED A POWERFUL STATEMENT. BUT, THE REST OF THE ALBUM HAS ALL THE APPEARANCES OF SOMETHING THAT WAS ASSEMBLED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PLANNING OR DIRECTION. FOR A GROUP WITH THE LONGEVITY AND (USUAL) QUALITY OF THE "MOODY BLUES," THE "QUESTION OF BALANCE" ALBUM IS A TOTAL SHAME! NO TWO SONGS ON THE ENTIRE ALBUM ARE SIMILAR, AND THEREIN LIES AT LEAST PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT SOUNDS FOR ALL THE WORLD AS IF THE BAND MEMBERS WERE AVOIDING EACH OTHER, ADDING THEIR OWN CONTRIBUTIONS WHEN NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND! WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A LANDMARK ALBUM INSTEAD BECAME SOMETHING TO BE AVOIDED, SUCH AS A MUSICAL DETOUR!!! THE GROUP WAS FAR MORE TALENTED AND PURPOSEFUL THAN WAS DEMONSTRATED BY 'BALANCE,'AND, OVER THE YEARS, THIS ALBUM HAS LOST MUCH OF THE INITIALLY HIGH HOPES THAT THE PUBLIC HAD FOR IT. THE MOODY BLUES WERE CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE, AND, THANKFULLY, THEY SHOWED IT, IN THEIR FOLLOWING WORKS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TITLE TRACK, 'QUESTION OF BALANCE' IS AN ALBUM THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY ANY REAL FAN OF THE GROUP. IT'S JUST THE RESULT OF A SEEMINGLY VERY LONG AND VERY BAD DAY IN THE CAREER OF THE 'MOODY BLUES'.

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