12 Hits & A Bump

12 Hits & A Bump

Track Listings

1. Love Song (All up in My World)

2. Hit It and Quit It

3. I Will

4. Indanee

5. Turning the Other Way

6. Too Many Mountains [Big Daddy Mix]

7. Sweet Thang

8. Don't Know Why I Love You

9. Grow

10. Repetition

11. Soul Search [Mother Mix]

12. Win

13. Hots on for Nowhere

14. Soul Search [*]

Tracks:

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Preludes, Book One: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
Two Nocturnes: Fetes
Preludes, Book One: The Sunken Cathedral
Suite Bergamasque: Claire de lune
Children's Corner Suite: Golliwogg's Cake-Walk
Reverie
Iberia: Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete
Deux Arabesques: Arabesque No. 1: Andante Con Motto
Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian: Prelude To The Council Of The False gods
String Quartet In G Minor, Op. 10: Scherzo. Assex Vif Et Bien Rythme
La Mer: I. De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer
La Mer: II. Jeux De Vagues
La Mer: III. Dialogue Du Vent Et De La Mer

Customer Reviews:

Probably the best compilation of a single composer's works. Ever!.......2007-05-06

Claude Debussy is perhaps the most understated composer in the history of man. His ability to compose both on the piano and for orchestra is unmatched, in my humble opinion. The fact that Debussy was able to also arrange many contemporary and previous composers' works just adds to his resume. He had a gift, pure and simple.

Although this album doesn't (well, honestly it couldn't) contain all of Debussy's catalog, it does certainly contain some of his best work. There is actually only one track on this CD that I don't care for; that would be Golligwogg's Cake-Walk; it is just a bit annoying to me.

Beyond my dislike for that one track, the entire CD is a beautifully aranged, beautifully played, well recorded compilation with good sound mixing and it is a respectful tribute to a truly great composer.

"Claire de Lune" (Moonlighting) is perhaps one of the most gorgeous pieces of music ever composed; this is the orchestrated version, which I prefer, but the piano version is nice. "Arabesque No. 1" is superb. "Fetes" is both haunting and airy. "Reverie" is the best piano piece I have ever heard. "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" is also a wonderful piano piece. "The Sunken Cathedral" is dark and mysterious, a true wonder.

The rest of the album is fantastic. Listed above are just my personal favorites from the disc. I listen to this CD at least once a week, but often more. It is perfect for relaxation, for listening while reading, or for my personal favorite use, to block out noise while I am writing.

I would recommend this to any classical lover.

If you have not heard Debussy's music, you must get this CD; it will have you ordering more of his compositions almost immediately.

The man was a genius.

I would also add that if you enjoy this, I recommend that you continue your Debussy experience with the following: Debussy: Orchestral Works I and Debussy: Orchestral Works II

This is a brilliant assembly of Debussy. .......2006-07-08

After listening to his "Greatest Hits," I know why he is considered one of the best.

THIS IS THE STUFF RIGHT HERE!.......2005-09-12

I BOUGHT THIS BECAUSE I WAS TRYING EXPAND MY HORIZONS, YOU KNOW? CULTURALLY AND MENTALLY, YOU KNOW? SERIOUSLY THOUGH I WAS IN THE SHOP AND I WAS HAVING A GAZE AROUND THE PLACE AND THEN THIS PICTURE JUST JUMPS OUT AT ME, AND I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS THIS DEBUSSY CHAP AND ID HEARD ABOUT HIM ON THE BBC LEARNING ZONE SO I THOUGHT ;why not?; SERIOUSLY THOUGH I DRAGGED IT HOME AND I POPPED IT IN THE OLD CD PLAYER AND IT FLOORED ME.......I MEAN SERIOUSLY THIS THING...AMAAZING STUFF..I MEAN TODAYS MUSIC HAS NOTHING, NOTHING NOTHING ON THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE.

SOME GOOD TRACKS ARE:
TRACK 1 IS THE BEST. THE OPENING FLUTE ON THE TRACK IS TOTALLY CHILLED AND COOL, REMINDS ME A BIT OF TRACK 13 ON ILL COMMUNICATION BY THE BEASTIE BOYS...A COINCIDENCE???

THE ONLY WEAK TRACK ON THE ALBUM IS TRACK 6, THE UNFORTUNATELY TITLED "CHILDRENS CORNER SUITE: GOLLIWOGGS CAKE WALK" THE MUSIC IS JUST DATED MAN, JUST AS DATED AS THE TITLE.

OVERALL THOUGH THIS IS A QUALITY ALBUM, WITH CHILLS, SPILLS AND THRILLS. SERIOUSLY THOUGH A FINE EFFORT.

Debussy is the best. Ever........2004-07-23

I love Debussy and all of his brilliant work. I barely listen to any other classical music, so I am not an authority, just an honest lover of music. I play piano and love piano music, so I was not disappointed at a piano Flaxen-Haired Girl. I've never heard an orchestrated version and don't need to. This is a good introductory CD to Debussy's work, I love it! The only thing I don't care for is the Arabesque #1 (Track 9). The horn is kind of grating and clunky to hear in such an otherwise beautiful piece. Still, its interesting and different. Everything Debussy made is purest gold.

i am dumb.......2004-07-01

And I'm a doomass because I didn't proof-read my other review and I wrote that Clair de Lune was performed by piano on this disc, which it isn't. Anyway, the piano version is better.

Average customer rating:

Yes
A decent introduction to the music of Rachmaninoff
Great Collection of "Hits"
One of the best CD I own

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Debussy's Greatest Hits
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ASIN: B000002A1L
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: III. Allegro scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: 18th Variation
Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: III. Adagio
Prelude In G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5
Prelude In G-Sharp Minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2
Cello Sonata In G Minor, Op. 19: II. Allegro scherzando
Etude-tableau In D Major, Op. 39, No. 9
Six Pieces, Op. 11: Scherzo
Six Pieces, Op. 11: Slava
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: III. Lento assai

Customer Reviews:

Yes.......2003-04-03

This is a marvelous collection. There were a few pieces I wish that it would include, such as the rest of his Piano Concerto No.2, or perhaps The Rock, but the fact that the performances are generally great and the recording quality is near-perfect makes up for that.

I would recommend this to anyone who is just starting to become interested in the works of Sergei Rachmaninov.

A decent introduction to the music of Rachmaninoff.......2001-08-12

Sergi Rachmaninoff was the last of the great Romantic composers, especially since the Romantic period had ended for European artists when he was at his height. Although a composer and a conductor, Rachmaninoff was also a virtuoso pianist, which explains why his best compositions feature the piano, either in solo work or with an orchestra. His "Prelude in C-Sharp Minor," which he wrote when he was 20, made him famous throughout the world. This collection also includes several other preludes, "Vocalise," and the famous 18th Variation (Andnate cantible) from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. My only serious complaint about this collection as an introduction to Rachmaninoff is that it only has one movement from his Second Piano Concerto and I have other CDs that include the entire work, which I thing is a good idea.

Great Collection of "Hits".......2000-06-22

This is actually not a bad collection of Greatest Hits. Usually the problem with collections like these is that they have bad recordings and not very good performances but some of these ones are actually okay, and it features performances by Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax among others. In general these are the works of art you think of when you think of Rachmaninoff and so these pieces are a perfect representation of his style.

One of the best CD I own.......1999-12-30

This is one of the best I own. The music is so great, hard to explain...so moving, especially the first track. It reminds me of Russia a lot. I listen to it everyday while driving to work. I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

More like Three and a Half Stars
Good, not Great
Five Stars for Chopin
Chopn's Greatest Hits
Fantastic!!

Chopin: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B000002A1N
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Polonaise In A Major, Op. 40 No. 1: 'Military'
Waltz In D-Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 1: 'Minute'
Mazurka In C Major, Op. 24, No. 2
Waltz In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64, No. 2
Mazurka In D Major, Op. 33, No. 2
Fantasie-Impromptu In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 66
Nocturne In E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
Waltz In G-Flat Major, Op. 70, No. 1
Prelude In A Major, Op. 2, No. 7
Polonaise In A-Flat Major, Op. 53
Etude In E Major, Op. 10, No. 3
Prelude In C Minor, Op. 28, No. 20
Prelude In D-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15: 'Raindrop'
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35: 'Funeral March'
Etude In C Minor, Op. 10, No. 12: 'Revolutionary'
Mazurka In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 6, No. 2
Waltz In E-Flat Major, Op. 18: 'Grand Valse brillante' From Les Sylphides
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Minor, Op. 21: 'Allegro vivace'

Customer Reviews:

More like Three and a Half Stars.......2006-02-05

When I think of the piano, the first composer that comes to my mind is Chopin. Chopin was a composer who excelled in small form writing for the piano. He wrote beautiful melodies with complex accompaniment that was both challenging for the performer and enlightening for the listener. Chopin did not write many multi-movement pieces and what he did write is generally not as good as his solo piano pieces anyway (this is my opinion, not a fact).
When buying recordings of Chopin's music, there are basically two options. You can either go with a "Greatest Hits" type collection, which works very well with Chopin, or you can buy collections that assemble all he wrote for a certain form (preludes, nocturnes, etudes, etc...). If you are new to Chopin, I suggest buying a "Greatest Hits" collection, though not necessarily this one, even though this is the CD in my car right now. The playing is okay but it's nothing really that special. Considering all the masterful Chopin interpreters out there, such as Rubinstein, Ashkenazy, Argerich, Pollini, and Perahia, it seems silly not to start with a pianist that you really love, since almost every great pianist has recorded works by Chopin. Having said that, this collection contains almost all my favorite works by Chopin, my only complaint being I wish it had more than one nocturne. Thus it serves as a good introduction to Chopin's music. I would recommend the Favorite Chopin collection by Ashkenazy over this collection because not only is he an amazing pianist and a masterful interpreter of Chopin, but it's two discs for the price of one.

Good, not Great.......2002-03-02

Revolutionary Etude and many other performers are good. However, Fanastie Impromptu I've heard performed much better. Raindrop Prelude is played okay, but the song is so low in volume that I can hardly hear it. Good deal though.

Five Stars for Chopin.......2002-01-27

What can I say! This is a wonderful collection of music. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves his music.

Chopn's Greatest Hits.......2001-04-08

Not a good version of Les Sylphides (#17); which is only a 5 minute excerpt. Any other Les Sylphides pieces are sprinkled throughout the CD as piano.

Fantastic!!.......1999-08-15

Frederic Chopin is a very talented artist and composer. A must have of any Chopin collector.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Stunning
Patsy, Patsy, Patsy!!!!!....
Can bring tears to your eyes - not for the depressed
Praise Patsy
SIMPLY FABULOUS !

Patsy Cline - 12 Greatest Hits
Patsy Cline
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Blue
Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits
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16 Biggest Hits

ASIN: B000002NVT
Release Date: 1990-11-01

Tracks:

Walkin' After Midnight
Sweet Dreams (Of You)
Crazy
I Fall To Pieces
So Wrong
Strange
Back In Baby's Arms
She's Got You
Faded Love
Why Can't He Be You
You're Stronger Than Me
Leavin' On Your Mind

Amazon.com essential recording

In the late 1950s and the '60s, country music was essentially a singles medium. This album, first released in 1967 and reissued on compact disc in 1988, collects Patsy Cline's biggest hits--all of them from the country singles market--including "Walkin' After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams (Of You)," "Crazy," and "I Fall to Pieces." Producer Owen Bradley surrounds Cline's full-throated, emotionally charged vocals with lush, sophisticated arrangements that set the standard for Nashville's "countrypolitan" sound. Before Shania Twain found a new (though not necessarily improved) way to combine country and pop in the 1990s, this was the top-selling country album of all time by a female artist. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Stunning.......2006-10-06

Patsy Cline will always be considered one of this country's best female vocalists. Her distinct sound and style made her songs instant classics. The 12 songs compiled here are her best works, in my opinion. If you want to hear how singing should really be done, add this one to your collection. You won't be disappointed.

Patsy, Patsy, Patsy!!!!!...........2006-03-30

I was first intoduced to Ms. Cline by an old girlfriend, Karen. She used to love to sing "Crazy."
Although she could do it serious justice, when I heard Patsy embrace that song, I was blown away!
That's why I bought this CD...I needed more.
"Walking After Midnight" is a classic. You feel like you are there with her as she croons desperately about her guy. "I Fall To Pieces", "She's Got You", "Back In Baby's Arms"... Heck this entire collection is a must have.
Country fan or not, this CD belongs in any music lover's collection.
Karen died a few years ago of a brain tumor, but I can believe she's up in heaven singing "Crazy" with Patsy.

Can bring tears to your eyes - not for the depressed.......2005-11-19

If you would like to hear what the sound of yearning is , then Patsy Cline may give you some idea .

Luckily she had a producer who kept the sound mostly non intrusive , though the sound of the strings can make things a little melodramatic .

It makes me a little sad that country music seems to be taken less seriously and that cliches are applied to it .

The lyrics to some of the songs have a self pitying slant to them , but that is obviously what listeners wanted .
Not all of them are like that on this CD .

People who have never heard Patsy are lucky as they may end up thinking ' how come I never heard of this singer before ' ?

This CD is a bargain , especially with the quality of the material .

Buy and marvel at Patsy's ability to move you .

Praise Patsy.......2005-09-24

There are very few people cabable of just opening their mouth and having such beauty come out so effortlessly. Patsy is one of them. Her voice is so glorious and this CD takes a great collection and makes it avaible on 1 CD. A must have for all music lovers.

SIMPLY FABULOUS !.......2005-08-12

WITH ALL THE LAME ELECTRONIC HIP HOP AND ALTERNATIVE OF TODAY, ITS SO REFRESHING TO HEAR 'REAL MUSIC" LIKE PATSY CLINE...THIS GAL WAS A RARE TALENT AND HER VOICE HAS NEVER BEEN DUPLICATED..THOUGH LORETTA LYNN AND TANYA TUCKER ARE GOOD...THEY STILL DON'T COME CLOSE TO THIS...'BACK IN BABY'S ARMS' AND STRANGE...HOW YOU STOPPED LOVING ME...HOW YOU STOPPED WANTING ME...IT MAKES YOU CRY...INDEED...GOD TOOK THIS LADY AWAY FROM US IN A PLANE CRASH BACK IN THE DAYS THAT IT SEEMED THEY WERE ALL DYING IN PLANE CRASHES...MY DAD WOULD PLAY CRAZY OVER AND OVER OUT IN THE FRONT ROOM...BUT I WOULD LATER GET THIS DISC AND START 'LEARNING' MORE ABOUT PATSY CLINE AND THEN I WOULD BEGIN COLLECTING ALL HER RECORDS...THE 60'S WERE SO GREAT...I WONDER WHAT HIT SONGS WERE TO COME FROM THIS GENIOUS....

Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 12

Average customer rating:

The Rave-Ups
Images from Heaven makes this a five star
not bad

Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the '80s, Vol. 12
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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New Wave Dance Hits: Just Can't Get Enough, Vol. 5
New Wave Dance Hits: Just Can't Get Enough, Vol. 15

ASIN: B0000033JU
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Tracks:

Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
It Must Be Love - Madness
Gold - Spandau Ballet
Come Back And Stay - Paul Young
Oblivious - Aztec Camera
They Don't Know - Tracey Ullman
Positively Lost Me - Rave-Ups
Fields Of Fire - Big Country
(She's) Sexy + 17 - Stray Cats
Sixty Eight Guns - Alarm
Our Lips Are Sealed - Fun Boy Three
Only You - Yaz
The Politics Of Dancing - Re-Flex
Calling Your Name - Marilyn
Sensoria - Cabaret Voltaire
Images Of Heaven - Peter Godwin

Customer Reviews:

The Rave-Ups.......2007-07-26

I only bought this CD for The Rave-Ups Positively Lost Me. Thank you for including this super rare, out of print song!

Images from Heaven makes this a five star.......2007-06-20

The heart felt songs of the 80's are well captured in the Just Can't Get Enough series, they did a very good job of finding some of the more obscure songs of the 80's but unfortunately they spread them out to force you to buy the set. Yet still as far as the collection is concerned this is one of the best because of Peter Godwin's Images of Heaven. Play the song for yourself and you'll see why.

not bad.......2005-03-06

If you grew up in the Eighties most of these songs will be familiar to you. Some of these are quite good ( Only You, Oblivious, Come Back and Stay ) and hold up nicely after repeated listening. Some do not, unfortunately. And for the record, the version of Our Lips Are Sealed here ( by the Fun Boy Three ) is NOT the original, as stated by the reviewer above. It was recorded after the Go-Gos did it ( although the lead singer of FBT - Terry Hall - co-wrote the song with Jane Weidlin of the Go-Go's). Overall, a fun nostalgia trip.

"Neil Diamond - 12 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2"

Average customer rating:

Feel-good music from a golden age.
My favorites
Nice CD
All of my favorite Neil songs on here
Diamond A Stalwart Pleaser

"Neil Diamond - 12 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2"
Neil Diamond
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

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The Neil Diamond Collection
Classics: The Early Years
Neil Diamond - His 12 Greatest Hits
Neil Diamond - The Greatest Hits (1966-1992)
The Jazz Singer

ASIN: B0000025RD
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Beautiful Noise
Hello Again
Forever In Blue Jeans
September Morn
Desiree
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
America
Be
Longfellow Serenade
If You Know What I Mean
Yesterday's Songs
Love On The Rocks

Amazon.com essential recording

While Diamond has never topped the work he did in the "Cherry, Cherry" days, some of his late-'70s adult-contemporary hits have aged better than they perhaps had a right to. If nothing else, his gruff voice can now be heard as a rebuke to Barry Manilow's chirpy tones. To paraphrase Neil Young, when Diamond answers Barbra Streisand on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," he very nearly pushes the song out of the middle of the road and into the ditch. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Feel-good music from a golden age........2007-06-12

Neil Diamond produced some really beautiful feel-good music, and really memorable stuff from the golden age of the 70's. His powerful voice combines with strong melodies to produce really immortal music.
This collection showcases some of his materpieces from the late 70's.
Notable is the powerful Beautiful Noise, the melancholy Hello Again, the laidback Hello Again, the romantic Desiree, the famous duet with Barbara Streisand, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, the triumphant patriotic America, and the passionate Love On The Rocks.
This certainly is a mood lifter, and takes one back to a better, simpler time.

My favorites.......2007-01-09

I listen to this one over and over and never tire of it. Actually
had friends over and played it and one of the women agreed with
me that this one puts us in the mood. His voice has a certain
quality to it that makes me just sit back, forget what I'm doing,
and just listen. The hits I remember him for are all here to
bring back wonderful memories.

Nice CD.......2006-03-26

I enjoyed this CD even though many songs were new to me. The more I listen, the better I like it. What's not to like about Neil Diamond?

All of my favorite Neil songs on here.......2006-02-06

I recall this period of Neil Diamond's hits between about 1978 and 1982. I still like Yesterday's Songs and that smooth groove. I love September Morn and its relaxing pace--sounds like you could hear it on a quiet breezy day with the windows open. America means so much now in its patriotic theme. I still love Love On The Rocks--unlike anything I heard on the radio back in 1980--it's so adventurous when I hear it. I like the rock stomp on Forever In Blue Jeans. But let's cut the chase to his classic duet with Barbra Streisand in You Don't Bring Me Flowers. At times, it's humorous, playful, romantic and emotional. It probably led to a huge duets boom in music in the late '70s as a lot of artists did duets. These days, the term most used is collaborations for these kinds of duets. But it's a pretty song, one of Neil's best songs since his upbeat '60s pop. Diamond's new album "12 Songs" has been selling well and it might get him back on top like he did with these songs on Volume 2.

Diamond A Stalwart Pleaser.......2005-12-30

It's easy to pick on Neil Diamond's work. As a culture, we've been conditioned to be sarcastic and "savvy". We expect our art dark and jaded. You could even say it is now more rebellious to embrace Neil Diamond's music than to embrace someone more "dangerous". This, of course, makes Diamond counter-culture, which makes him cool.Each song on this CD is enjoyable. Light? For the most part, yes, but light in a way that reveals the great skills of the singer/songwriter. Catchy, uplifting, or comfortably melancholy, these songs are wonderful examples of why Diamond has been a success for 40 years. Ignore anyone who tells you this is nothing but fluff. Put "Neil Diamond: 12 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" in your CD player and ENJOY it. It's okay. It really is.

Average customer rating:

Vol. 12
Now that's what I call this music.
not good
Exactly 50/50, split down the middle
Now 12 suffers from boring [...]

Now That's What I Call Music! 12
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Now Hits Collections
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Now That's What I Call Music! 11
Now That's What I Call Music! 10
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Now That's What I Call Music! 14

ASIN: B00008CQUJ
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

'03 Bonnie & Clyde - Jay-Z / Beyonce' Knowles
Bump, Bump, Bump - B2k
Jenny From The Block - Jennifer Lopez
Don't Mess With My Man - Nivea
Luv U Better - LL Cool J
Air Force Ones - Nelly
Made You Look - Nas
Beautiful - Snoop Dogg
Blowin' Me Up - J.C. Chasez
Like I Love You - Justin Timberlake
Breathe - Telepopmusik
I Should Be - Dru Hill
Stole - Kelly Rowland
Miss You - Aaliyah
Angel - Amanda Perez
Pretty Baby - Vanessa Carlton
Somebody Like You - Keith Urban
The Red - Chevelle
Always - Saliva
When I'm Gone - 3 Doors Down

Amazon.com

The pop music business just goes `round in circles, with cohesive, track-deep albums once again taking a back seat to uber-marketed pop star singles. But Virgin's Now That's What I Call Music! series of hit compilations have given consumers a smart avenue for having it both ways. This 21-track collection revolves around a hip-hop dominated, groove-savvy collection of 2002 chart fodder that kicks off with the smartly segued duo of Jay-Z/Beyonce Knowles' "`03 Bonnie & Clyde" and B2K/P/ Diddy's "Bump, Bump, Bump," and J-Lo's slinky "Jenny From the Block" before showcasing a strong slate of urban vets (LL Cool J, Snoop Dog, Nas) and newcomers like Nivea and Nelly. The latter's "Air Force Ones" is a playful standout. But Telepopmusik's dreamy electro-pop hit cum Mitsubishi car commercial icon "Breath" also heralds the collection's turn into more expansive territory that spans some nouveau R&B, the energetic contemporary country, and bright pop. The bracing modern rock of Chevelle, Saliva, and 3 Doors Down bring up the rear, echoing the genre's general fade from prominence. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Vol. 12.......2006-07-19

The 12th 'Now!' could use a little revamping, some trimming here and there and maybe even some alternate versions of the better songs. First they should have cut out some of the fluff, like 'Angel' by Amanda Perez and 'Luv U Better' by LL Cool J...I mean don't get me wrong, I love LL but this song was the start of his downslide. And Amanda Perez just is a talentless puff of crap that should have never landed a record deal. Then there's some good songs that could have used a little spice. There's a great remix of 'Bump, BUmp, Bump' out there, that would have been prefered, and there's a killer version of 'Made You Look' by Nas that would have been appreciated...but this version is still hot.

Jennifer Lopez has given us great songs in the past but 'Jenny from the Block', while hot in the beginning, has lost a lot of steam. Again, the remix with Fat Joe would have been a beter choice for the final cut. At least it would have added some flavor to her dish. Nelly's 'Air Force Ones' had some fire to it, but it didn't hold my interest for very long. I did however really like Snoop's 'Beautiful' and was glad to see it included.

The highlights are two very different songs. First up is Justin's solo effort 'Like I Love You' which is lightyears ahead of his former bandmate J.C. Chasez crap of a single 'Blowin' Me Up'. Justin brought out his inner soul and thrives on his single, while J.C. falls into cliche and becomes another failed solo artist trying to capitalize on previous fame. Justin reinvents himself, steps away from N'Sync and becomes a real artist. The next highlight is Vanessa Carlton's beautiful 'Pretty Baby' which has every touch of class and vulnerability and becomes a beautifully brilliant track worth multiple listens.

Dru Hill deliver as does Aaliyah (RIP), and Kelly Rowland would have really stolen spotlight for her debut solo single 'Stole' if it weren't for the fact that Beyonce serves up along side her boyfriend Jay-Z on one of the best tracks here '03 Bonnie & Clyde'...and it didn't help that Beyonce has never looked as good as she did in that video...

As far as the closing rock tracks, I would have scraped 3 Doors Down's piece of overhyped overrated garbage, while sticking with 'Always' which was a turning point for Saliva and keeping 'The Red' by Chevelle since, even though it's so overplayed, it adds a lot to the presence of this album being the heaviest and most interesting song presented here.

Now that's what I call this music........2006-02-07

Hey, if this is what you call music then I have to show you the poop my dog took in my yard. Perhaps you can call that music, as well.

not good.......2005-12-05

One of the worst in the NOW series. Half these songs were not even popular when this CD came out. The only ones that I can even stand listening to are Jenny from the Block, Air Force Ones and Stole. Come on, NOW people! you can do better.

Exactly 50/50, split down the middle.......2005-08-03

10/20 tracks are good
2.5/5 stars - rounded to 3

Those are:

03 Bonnie And Clyde
Luv U Better
Made You Look
Beautiful
Stole
Miss You
Angel
Pretty Baby
The Red
Always

This is a pretty good Now CD. 13 and 19 are so much better, though.

Now 12 suffers from boring [...].......2005-01-10

Is it just me, or do people not reliaze that this CD [...]. I mean come on! Actually, I was going to bootleg this CD, but at about the 12th song...I just said "Nah!" Now, your 12th edition of your series suffers from filler! Seriously, if I was to ask someone if they've heard of "Luv U Better", "Breathe", "I Should Be", or "Made You Look", they would be like WHAT?! You listen to techno still!!! No, I don't listen to techno. I listen to pop, hip-hop, r&b, and a bit of rock. Later on in life, you'll look on the back of this CD, and you will only know 2 or 3 of the songs on here. Really, Now 12 is an opposite of a TH complication. On Now 12, the crappy songs are at the beginning and the ending has all of the good tracks (there are only about 2 or 3). And still, some of the good songs are filler! The only songs on this entire complication I will remember are "Miss You", "Stole", "When I'm Gone", and maybe "Angel". The rest is either [...]

GO GET NOW 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and later 18+. NOW 12 [...]

Average customer rating:

Selection of Songs?
If you are a violin lover, buy it
This is "THE" Greatest Hits alum by Perlman
This is a relaxing, however, somewhat disjointed collection.

Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Itzhak Perlman's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Cinema Serenade
Concertos From My Childhood / Perlman, Foster
Masters of the Bow
Itzhak Perlman - A la carte / Lawrence Foster

ASIN: B000002RZO
Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

Salut D'amour, Op.12
Songs Without Words, Op.19: Sweet Remembrance
Humoresque
Berceuse, Op.16
Flight Of The Bumble-Bee
The Girl With The Flaxen Hair
The Swan
Cavatina, Op.85, No.3
The Old Folks At Home
Liebesfreud
Moto perpetuo, Op.11
Vocalise, Op.34, No.14
String Quartet Op.11, No.1: Andante cantabile
Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op.55, No.4
Guitarre, Op.45, No.2
Romance In A Major, Op.94, No.2
Nocturne In E Flat, Op.55, No.2
Zapateado, Op.23

Customer Reviews:

Selection of Songs?.......2006-07-02

Perlman is a man of extraordinary clarity and tonality also one of my favorite violinists. After I finish practicing a piece I usually find a recording to listen to different interpretations. Most of them are by Perlman and Heifetz. Unfortunately this album has some obscure songs and the songs itself do not do justice to Perlman what some other songs may have done. Still it is important to broaden the scope, so I would recommend this to all music connoisseurs :). btw i'm only 16 so...don't take this review too literal huh?

If you are a violin lover, buy it.......2003-01-19

It's beautiful. Simply put.

This is "THE" Greatest Hits alum by Perlman.......2000-12-03

Perlam is already a great player like the whole world knows. But the music selection couldn't better! I espacily like the piano accomplimant. Perlman pays the pieces with true style. The working realtionship between Perlman and the Pianist is truly incredible. Before geting any of Perlman's other greatest hits albums, get this one!

This is a relaxing, however, somewhat disjointed collection........1998-11-12

This collection of familiar tunes will provide a relaxing hour with one of the world's premier violinists. However, the combination of "The Old Folks at Home" and "Motto perpetuo" is somewhat difficult to assimilate. At any rate, Perlman is a listener's joy!

Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 12

Average customer rating:

One of the strongest volumes in the Have a Nice Day series
Finally Found It!
1974 Nostalgic Hits
Better Than Most of The Others In Series
Good collection of 70's hits

Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 12
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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Oldies | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music

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Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 13
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Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 14
Super Hits Of The '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 16
Super Hits Of The '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 18

ASIN: B0000032N0
Release Date: 1990-10-15

Tracks:

Seasons In The Sun - Terry Jacks
Spiders & Snakes - Jim Stafford
Jim Dandy - Black Oak Arkansas
Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer
Rock On - David Essex
Star - Stealers Wheel
Hooked On A Feeling - Blue Swede
Eres Tu (Touch The Wind) - Mocedades
Come And Get Your Love - Redbone
The Lord's Prayer - Sister Janet Mead
The Entertainer - Marvin Hamlisch
The Streak - Ray Stevens

Customer Reviews:

One of the strongest volumes in the Have a Nice Day series.......2006-07-28

Moving on to 1974, this is an incredible mixture of MOR, hard rock, novelty, and one-hit wonder songs, and easily one of the most replayable volumes in Rhino's Have a Nice Day series.

The hot: Jim Stafford's "Spiders and Snakes", often written off as a novelty hit, is a great mix of guitar licks, goofy corn-pone lyrics, and Southern-fried sensibility. Stafford's work with the Bellamy Brothers would prove more successful, but this is one of the most listenable songs of the blurred line between rock and country that occurred in the early 70s. Black Oak Arkansas' "Jim Dandy" can't hold a candle to the Lavern Baker version of the 50s, but it's a great example of country rock tearing up the charts in '74. This song and the next, "Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo", would enjoy a renaissance when used in the 90s cult classic DAZED AND CONFUSED. Rick Derringer of The McCoys somehow never made a follow-up hit to "Hoochie Coo", but this is a killer record guaranteed to get even the most stuffy listeners rocking out. David Essex' "Rock On" may take a while to grow on you, but its hollow sound with an infectious bass line and sparse percussion is unique. Stealers Wheel's "Star" sounds a lot like a Beatles single circa the White Album, and is not at all like their previous "Stuck in the Middle with You", but it's not bad. I originally didn't like Blue Swede's "Hooked on a Feeling", but I eventually surrendered to the Hooga-Chocka and the good times took over. I still love B.J. Thomas' original 1968 chart hit, but this one is pure 1974 good vibes. "Eres Tu" is a rare example of a Spanish-language chart hit, and it's just exquisite. TOMMY BOY used it to good effect (along with The Carpenters' "Superstar"), and its sweeping vocals, perfect orchestration, and romantic lyrics weave a spell over you. Redbone's "Come and Get Your Love" is so much better than the terrible 90s cover version, and it appeared in the film DICK. This song will make you wish the sitar would make a comeback. Who am I to knock "The Lord's Prayer"? Well, it's an unlikely chart hit, but hey, so was "Eres Tu", and it's a true sign of the times, so it's essential to have in your 70s music library.

The not so hot: Terry Jacks' "Seasons in the Sun" was one of the biggest hits of the year, but Jacks' whining vocals are grating to the extreme. It's clear that of the Poppy Family members, his ex-wife was the true singing talent (her work on the group's hit "Which Way You Going Billy" is extraordinary). Jacks even managed to make a movie based on this song's popularity! Unlike Gilbert O'Sullivan and Lobo, similar-sounding wimpy pop male vocalists around the same time, Jacks couldn't make lightning strike twice. Marvin Hamlisch's "The Entertainer" just seems odd to include here, though it was in the motion picture smash THE STING. Ray Stevens' "The Streak" is a far cry from his excellent "Everything is Beautiful" a few years earlier; it's a good time capsule tune but you'll find yourself stopping the CD after Track 10.

Despite the opening track being an annoying experience and the last two songs ending the CD on a lame note, the songs in-between are strong enough to warrant a 5-star rating, especially as many of them are so rarely compiled.

Finally Found It!.......2006-02-23

Unlike the other reviewers....the only reason I bought this disc was for "The Lord's Prayer"! I've been looking all over for a copy of this!! Many of the other songs on this CD I already own on other compilations, but there were at least 5 I didn't have yet and "The Lord's Prayer" is the one I wanted the most! It's a beautiful version of this prayer.

1974 Nostalgic Hits.......2005-06-12

"Seasons In The Sun" and "Spiders In Snakes" are included here along with a few other good 70s hits like "Rock On" and "Star". (About half the album is EXTREMELY BAD, including the last 6 songs.)

Better Than Most of The Others In Series.......2005-04-03

Who ever puts together these compilations has no sense whatsoever. Case in point--Rick Derringer and Marvin Hamlish on the same CD? This series could be much better if someone had of put some thought behind the song selection and sequence.....

Good collection of 70's hits.......2003-03-24

The 12th edition of Super Hits of the 70's contains a bunch of smash hits from early to mid 1974 and it has a bunch of great songs on this CD.
Terry Jacks had his one and only solo hit with 'Seasons in the Sun' which went all the way to #1 and it still gets timeless FM airplay to this day, he also played guitar for the Poppy Family which had a Top 40 hit in 1970 with 'Which Way You're Going Billy', Jim Stafford enjoyed a smash hit with the laid back 'Spiders and Snakes' which is one of the comic reliefs on this CD, The next song is a little dose of southern rock with a top 30 hit from Black Oak Arkansas's 'Jim Dandy' which was featured on a 1993 hit movie with Dazed and Confused, even though Black Oak Arkansas never returned to the Top 40 but drummer Tommy Aldridge went onto success in the 80's with Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake, Rick Derringer is also featured with his one and only hit with 'Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo' and it is now an heavy FM classic rock staple, David Essex enjoyed a smash hit with 'Rock On' and although he never scored another U.S. hit, but he got the satisfaction when Michael Damien did a remake of this song which became a #1 hit in 1989, Stealers Wheel enjoyed a Top 30 hit with 'Star', although not a classic like their smash hit 'Stuck in the Middle With You the previous year, not long after 'Star' came out, Stealers Wheel broke up and singer Gerry Rafferty would enjoy success in the late 1970's with 'Right Down the Line' and 'Baker Street', Even though I'm not a fond of remakes, I actually like Blue Swede's version of 'Hooked on a Feeling' (which was a successful hit in 1968 from B.J. Thomas) and it became a #1 hit in the spring of 1974, Mocedades had a hit with 'Eres Tu (Touch the Wind)' and although they never achieved another hit but you probably remember hearing this song on Tommy Boy, now for my favorite song done by Redbone with 'Come and Get Your Love' and I wish that a 90's band Real McCoy never did a remake of this song cause this song was a classic, Redbone also had a Top 30 hit in 1972 with 'Witch Queen of New Orleans', Sister Janet Mead enjoyed a hit with 'The Lord's Prayer' but that was the only success she got and this song was my least favorite song on this CD which was the reason why I only give this CD 4 stars instead of 5, Marvin Hamlisch enjoyed a smash hit with 'The Entertainer' and it was featured on a classic movie 'The Sting' and Marvin Hamlisch won a grammy award for 'Best new Artist' and 'Best pop instrumental Performance', now for the final track with veteran comedian Ray Stevens who had a #1 hit with 'The Streak' and boy that song is hilarious and too bad that they don't make songs the way they used too anymore, Ray Stevens enjoyed a Top 10 hit with 'Ahab the Arab' in 1962.

If you love pop music from the early to mid 70's, then you should cherish this CD cause it has timeless hits that you've probably haven't heard since high school.

Neil Diamond - His 12 Greatest Hits
Average customer rating:

Great songs

The First and the Best

Neil Diamond - 12 Greatest Hits

A Slight Correction

A great Diamond collection

Neil Diamond - His 12 Greatest Hits
Neil Diamond
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music
Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
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"Neil Diamond - 12 Greatest Hits, Vol. 2"

Classics: The Early Years

You Don't Bring Me Flowers

Stones

The Jazz Singer

ASIN: B00000DWHI
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Sweet Caroline
Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show
Shilo
Holly Holy
Brooklyn Roads
Cracklin' Rosie
Play Me
Done Too Soon
Stones
Song Sung Blue
Soolaimon
I Am.. I Said

Customer Reviews:

Great songs.......2007-07-28

Four stars because by now there are many more extensive Neil Diamond compilations available. This set of 12 classic songs demonstrates Diamond's compositional skills and great voice with catchy tunes, heartfelt delivery and impressive arrangements. The many cover versions of these tracks are proof of their enduring appeal. A song like I'm A Believer has more depth of feeling in Diamond's own version than the more popular Monkees cover, while on the ballads like Shilo his voice has a certain haunting tone that still gives me gooseflesh after all these years. Sweet Caroline, Holly Holy, Cracklin' Rosie and I Am I Said are my personal favorites on this collection. These are classy pop songs by a great composer and lyricist.

The First and the Best.......2005-12-03

There have been many Best-Of Neil Diamond Compilation albums
released by MCA.But this is the first,and by far the best.Every track fits the track before and after it.The studio versions instead of live recordings.All his MCA hits are here,and they still sound great.

Many of MCA's other compilation have lacked the simple focus of this album.These are Neil's big MCA Hits soon after they were hits.The compilations from later years have been more about non-singles that became concert favorites.

The late 60's/early 70's was the best period of Neil's career:Powerful songs with personal lyrics and soaring arrangements.And great rockers with a distinctive honey-and-toast flavour.

Neil Diamond - 12 Greatest Hits.......2005-09-30

The best Greatest Hits album of Diamonds career. It doesn't have the live versions of Holy Holly or Sweet Caoline like the vinyl album and tape had. That's a negative. They are way better than the studio recordings.

A Slight Correction.......2004-11-10

To The Previous Reviewer:

There isn't a cover song on this album, professor, Mr. Diamond wrote all of these tunes. Furthermore, many of his originals have been hits for others, such as "Red Red Wine" (UB40), "I'm A Believer" (The Monkees), "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (The Hollies) and "Solitary Man" (Chris Isaak). I'm not one of those people that think Neil Diamond was the greatest artist that ever came down the pike - I believe his musical legacy would have enjoyed much higher critical, and possibly, public acclaim if he had foregone the heavy-handed horns & strings, but his finely-honed melodies from the late 60's & early 70's are among the finest examples of the singer-songwriter genre.

A great Diamond collection.......2004-10-29

Apparently the genius who wrote the first review doesn't know what a cover is. These songs are all Mr. Diamond's and are all excellent. My old cassette has worn down though, so I'll be purchasing one of the used CDs soon enough.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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