Picture This

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Pianist Jim Brickman would like you to picture a world that is prettier, more contented, and more emotionally in-tune than the world you probably see through your windshield each day. It may be just wishful thinking, but Brickman's music indulges in the dream anyway, and those inclined to share in the momentary journey will find it is a lovely, often romantic ride. The Cleveland-born pianist understands his strengths and sticks close to the white keys in this very inviting 13-track collection. Brickman specializes in crafting pop-influenced melodies that, to his credit, aim for the heartstrings through intelligence and subdued elegance rather than schmaltz. The album's most circulated cut is its lone vocal selection, the soft-pop hit "Valentine," sung by Martina McBride, but all 12 instrumentals are individual jewels of understated beauty. "Secret Love," for example, opens with sparkling, hopeful passages, followed by the hesitancy and uncertainty of a muted cello, resolved by a flood of expressive flourishes that beautifully convey pent-up romantic release. Even his reworking of "Frère Jacques" suggests a thoughtfulness that can make listeners rethink the tune themselves. A great choice for clear-eyed romantics. --Terry Wood

Picture This,Jim Brickman,Windham Hill Records,Adult Contemporary,Contemporary Instrumental,Jazz Music,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Solo Instrumental

Picture This

Tracks:

What's Wrong With This Picture
Whinin Boy Moan
Evening In June
Too Many Myths
Somerset
Meaning Of Loneliness
Stop Drinking
Gold Fish Bowl
Once In A Blue Moon
Saint James Infirmary
Little Village
Frame
Get On With The Show

Customer Reviews:

You Don't Know what u are talking abaht.......2006-06-15

Stick to reviewing Elvis and books about hairstyles from the 1980's. Van IS still the man, and will always be so. He knows more about music and writing music than any band to come through over the last ten years. Guns and Roses...... rubbish

Get over yourself, fat boy.......2006-04-15

Just who wants to hear Van Morrison complain like an old ninny about the press, or the pitfalls of being a godlike, mythical celebrity trapped by his own legend and fame--and all of it contained in bland rocking-chair Muzak jazz. Three chords and some bad lyrics and right away they come on with a messiah complex. (You fans and your empty lives are partly to blame for all this.) "I just want to sing my songs," he whines. (Who's stopping you?) John Waters once said: if you want to be left alone, pick up a monkey wrench and fix toilets and stay out of show business. Besides, I didn't know Van the Man was all that famous. Does anyone under 50 know who he is? I sure haven't seen any articles in the paper about him lately. Old hippies might still babble about "Into The Mystic" and his performance in "The Last Waltz." I heard him sing "Gloria" on an oldies station the other day and I went straight for Rush Limbaugh. Are the royals in England so desexed these days that the Daily Sun has to write up Van Morrison to this degree of musical paranoia??

a great CD.......2006-03-25

This CD is one of Van's best. I highly recommend to not only Van fans, but casual listeners.

A nicely diverse album with Saint James Infirmary.......2005-10-20

A nicely diverse album, one of Vans best in many years. Saint James Infirmary is a much recorded standard that dates back to Joe "King" Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Stan Kenton, Pete Seeger, Josh White, Dave Van Ronk, Jackie Wilson, Joe Cocker, White Stripes, Eric Clapton. Van Morrison's version makes a worthwhile addition (for a very different interpretation, try the excellent Joerg Sommermeyer 2002 version on "Total Overdrive", [...])

jimmysun

I never "got" Van Morrison...till now..........2005-07-19

I never "got" Van Morrison. For years reviewers (Lester Bangs for instance) have gone ga-ga over Astral Weeks placing it 2nd only to the Beach Boys Pet Sounds in their all-time hit parades. When I was a kid I bought TB Sheets & thought "What's all the hub bub over this guy? This LP is gawd awful!" Sure I heard the hits on the radio. Good stuff, but I never bought another Van record. Plus I thought Them rocked & Morrison would never be as good as that again.
Then came the Martin Scorcese films on the blues on PBS, the one on the British blues scene in particular. While Jeff Beck & Tom Jones (Tom Jones?) are stumbling around listening to & trying to emulate a great old blues song, in walks Van Morrison, picks up an acoustic guitar & starts wailing the blues like falling off a bike. At that moment, my opinion of the Man changed. I went out (to Amazon) & immediately purchased "What's Wrong With This Picture" his, at the time, latest album. Slowly but surely I am now on a quest to buy every Van Morrison CD & book. Even went to Atlantic City to see him last month on a rare concert date & paid the most ever for a show. Color me converted. Hell, I'm even trying to "get" Astral Weeks...maybe Lester was right...

Average customer rating:

Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman
my favorite JB cd of all time...
very calming cd
Missing the 'tude of earlier records

Picture This
Jim Brickman
Manufacturer: RCA Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000000NMG
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

Dream Come True
Sun, Moon & Stars
Sound Of Your Voice
Picture This
Edgewater
You Never Know
Coming Home
Frere Jacques
Secret Love
First Steps
Valentine
Sweet Dreams
Hero's Dream

Amazon.com essential recording

Pianist Jim Brickman would like you to picture a world that is prettier, more contented, and more emotionally in-tune than the world you probably see through your windshield each day. It may be just wishful thinking, but Brickman's music indulges in the dream anyway, and those inclined to share in the momentary journey will find it is a lovely, often romantic ride. The Cleveland-born pianist understands his strengths and sticks close to the white keys in this very inviting 13-track collection. Brickman specializes in crafting pop-influenced melodies that, to his credit, aim for the heartstrings through intelligence and subdued elegance rather than schmaltz. The album's most circulated cut is its lone vocal selection, the soft-pop hit "Valentine," sung by Martina McBride, but all 12 instrumentals are individual jewels of understated beauty. "Secret Love," for example, opens with sparkling, hopeful passages, followed by the hesitancy and uncertainty of a muted cello, resolved by a flood of expressive flourishes that beautifully convey pent-up romantic release. Even his reworking of "Frère Jacques" suggests a thoughtfulness that can make listeners rethink the tune themselves. A great choice for clear-eyed romantics. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Jim Brickman.......2007-02-16

Here's another one of Jim's cd that I found to be equally and beautiful and the next cd I bought. It's an awesome cd. I saw him in concert in Houston Feb. 13 '07

He has magical fingers when playing his music.

SJE

Jim Brickman .......2007-01-11

I love the cds I got from you! They shipped fast and they looked nice, They also sounded great. I am a piano music lover and I thought those cds were great! Thank you very much. A++

my favorite JB cd of all time..........2006-10-04

by far, Picture This, is my favorite cd from the JB collection...have three copies...one for the home, one for the car, and another he personally signed for me at one of his concerts! Been a fan of his since he appeared on tv talk show back in late 1997...despite our daily hectic schedules, his music always brings us back to a place that is calm, relaxing & peaceful...now that we have small children, they are even accustomed to listening his music, which makes bedtime even sweeter! :)

very calming cd.......2004-10-20

This is a very pretty cd. The songs are uncomplicated and easy to listen to. A nice way to unwind at the end of the day! As far as more enticing, illusionary music, I tend to prefer Living the Drama, by Kendell Healy. Also enjoyable after a long day, it evokes more passion. If you like brickman, check out www.kendellhealy.com You'll really love this, too. May the classical hits keep coming!

Missing the 'tude of earlier records.......2004-07-02

Neophyte Brickman's effort is admirable on this outing, but where in the world is the Rolling Stones'-like swagger and 'tude of earlier records?? Cuz it sure as hell ain't here!! Talented Brickman shines bright on a few memorable tracks on "Picture This," but the album lacks the Guns 'n Roses'-type grit of his earlier chart-topping efforts. Please don't misunderstand: A few key tracks on "Picture This" are guaranteed to get ya slam-dancin' on a Saturday night, but the record leaves behind the Brickman cockiness so prevalent on earlier projects.

Well, hang in there, Brickman fans, for I think this piano metal-head might just have a few restless tricks up his sleeve yet. Word on the streets is that Brickman is gearing up for a HOT summer tour with his fellow rehab buddies in Velvet Revolver. Stay tuned for more...

BRICKMAN SHINES YET AGAIN!!!!

Picture This
Average customer rating:

Sports preview from Huey Lewis and News.

The album that put The News into the news

The album that put The News into the news

Hard Workin' Band

My friend Mark Donaldson's favorite rock'n roll band review!

Picture This
Huey Lewis and the News
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Fore!

Sports

Huey Lewis and the News

Hard at Play

Plan B

ASIN: B000008HPG
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Change Of Heart
Tell Me A Little Lie
Giving It All Up For Love
Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do
Workin For A Livin
Do You Believe In Love
Is It Me
Whatever Happened To True Love
The Only One
Buzz Buzz Buzz

Customer Reviews:

Sports preview from Huey Lewis and News........2006-02-10

Huey Lewis and the News' sophomore album, the self-produced Picture This (1982) was a warmup for the colossal explosion that would become Sports. While not as polished as Sports, Picture This does feature HL&N's trademark 80's rock fused with soul and doowop stylings, not to mention their appealing falsetto harmony vocals and some downright fiery guitar from lead guitarist Chris Hayes, and snappy percussion from drummer Bill Gibson. But the synergistic teamwork ensured that Huey Lewis didn't steal the spotlight just because he was lead singer. In examining the people consisting the groups, I note how they play an instrument and do vocals.

The album itself yielded three singles, two of which the Top 40. The first was the Mutt Lange-penned smooth pop song "Do You Believe In Love," a #7 hit which contains the aforementioned hallmarks of their sound, where the title chorus features harmonies from the group. The #36 "Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do," had a more leisure doowop/jazz sound, with some stylings that would later be used in "If This Is It" in Sports. Finally, the snappy and upbeat "Working For A Livin'", which has some cool organ and which I remembered being played over the speakers at the 1992 Democratic Convention, missed the Top 40 by one spot. "I'm taking what they're givin cuz I'm working for a livin'" goes the chorus, as Lewis and buddies sing of the hardships of trying to make ends meet, such as a check that's already spent for expenses such as a $100 condo and $200 rent. It seems a bit unfair that a song aimed at those of us hard workers didn't do as well, and yet the equally upbeat "Hip To Be Square" made it to #3 years later.

As for the rest, "The Only One" with some hard-driving guitar from Hayes, is a fond remembrance to a classmate who had what it took to be cool and was an inspiration to his peers, only to have a not-so successful life, losing his girl, and finally dying in an accident. This catchy tune could've been a single due to its resemblance to the pop-rock performed by Rick Springfield, Jackson Browne, and Loverboy. Ditto for "Whatever Happened to True Love" on the protagonist's idealistic belief that they were going to be different from the breakup couples, yet in musing on the title words, tries to figure out what went wrong.

"Change of Heart" benefits from some strong guitars and a consistent rhythm section and is a great opener. It's classic 80's material. They cover the Hollywood Flames' #11 1958 hit "Buzz Buzz Buzz" to close things off, and their fondness for early rock and their influences are evident with this decent and upbeat cover.

Cutting their teeth on this Sports preview proved worthwhile, as it gave them a warmup at the gym-I mean studio, to produce their best album and arguably one of the best albums of the 1980's.

The album that put The News into the news.......2002-07-14

Their first album was great, but overlooked. This album would put them into the music mainstream. With their top ten single, "Do You Believe In Love", Huey Lewis & The News gained fame overnight. This album was almost never released though. Prior to release, Huey Lewis & The News looked over the album, realized it had plenty of great songs, but they needed a hit single. At this point they added "Do You Believe In Love" to the album in order to get it to sell. In retrospect it was a brillant move. Some of the other songs like "Tell Me A Little Lie", "Workin' For A Livin'", and "The Only One" are fine examples of the News's talent. This album is pure gold. No Huey Lewis collection is even partially complete without this. And for those who don't follow the News this album will get you hooked in minutes.

The album that put The News into the news.......2002-07-14

Hard Workin' Band.......2000-07-11

Picture This was Huey Lewis & The News' breakout album. It contains one of the ten best songs of the 80's in "Do You Believe In Love". Try listening to the song without singing along. The rest of the album is a collection of catchy, hummable tunes including "Giving It All Up For Love", "The Only One" & "Buzz Buzz Buzz". The rolicking "Workin' For A Livin'" defines the band's attitude. There are no messages here, just fun, good-time music, that's easy on the ears. Great to throw on at a party. Sit back, crack a beer and enjoy the ride.

My friend Mark Donaldson's favorite rock'n roll band review!.......1999-06-30

You people out there if you think Huey Lewis and The News is the best CD album yet. I recommend you buy this second album of 1982's "Picture This". Because it's the landmark of the artist ever to perform in their eighties decade career!

Average customer rating:

Another Rap-A-Lot Masterpiece
Strong yet slightly uneven debut (3.5/5)
Hardcore, Pimp, Gangsta!!!
best do or die release
Kodak Moment

Picture This
Do or Die
Manufacturer: Asylum Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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Headz or Tailz
Pimpin' Ain't Dead
Victory
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Back 2 the Game

ASIN: B000000WBZ
Release Date: 1996-09-03

Tracks:

Alpha And Omega
Shut 'Em Down
Po Pimp
Kill Or Be Killed
Paterchase
Playa Like Me And You
Promise
6 Million
Search Warrant
Anotha One Dead And Gone
Money Flow

Customer Reviews:

Another Rap-A-Lot Masterpiece.......2007-03-30

Rap-A-Lot has been putting out classic after classic in the 1990's, ranging from H-Town's Scarface, Bushwick Bill, Ganxta NIP, Devin The Dude, among countless others, to Cali's Mad CJ Mac and Poppa LQ, and to in the midwest, these guys and A-G-2-A-Ke. Picture This is Do Or Die's first album from 1996. Go Chi Town!!! The production is varied, but hot. The beats range from laid back G-Funk to rattling hardcore with loud whiny keyboard synths. These cats can rhyme fast too. I love the lac thump of the smoking Po Pimp with relentless flows by Do Or Die and Twista perfect for the sunny ride down the ave. "Paperchase" is another laidback rider anthem with a nice guitar riff ridden beat. Then, as for the had core tracks, you get "Kill Or Be Killed;" these guys drop dog eat dog sociology knowledge of the hood over a menacing beat with a Dr Dre influenced whiny synth. "Shut 'Em Down" and "Alpha and Omega" also represent the hardcore side of Do Or Die. "Money Flow" is a slick anthem with a Zapp "Computer Love" sample and an accompanying talk box. These guys are lovers and fighters all the same! This album is underratedand should be in anyone's collection. Support the Rap-A-Lot legacy! These guys helped put it down for Chicago with the help of a legendary label!!

Strong yet slightly uneven debut (3.5/5).......2006-12-03

Do or Die's debut album "Picture This" is a very enjoyable but slightly inconsistent album. Released in 1996, Do or Die position themselves with a style somewhere between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia, obviously drawing comparisons to both for their triple-tongue fast rap style, but they do have a good deal of originality being from Chicago. Through the album's eleven tracks, there are two songs that are absolute classics, a handful of other good songs, and some definite filler material. The trio of Belo Zero, AK-47, and Nard are all blessed with a quick tongue and good voice, and while they are all talented lyricists at some points the subject matter does get repetitive. The production is mostly handled by Traxster, a good producer who definitely lends some good beats to "Picture This." The production style consists of heavy, slow rolling bass, usually whiny synths and some other sort of instrumental. A lot of tracks are perfect riding, g-funk songs, but the production is lacking in some spots. Overall, I am impressed by Do or Die on "Picture This," which is an enjoyable album that I recommend.

The first song, "Alpha and Omega," has a good intro and some fast rapping over a high synth and good bass. It's a hard track and a good album opener. "Shut `Em Down" is pretty good, musically very similar to the first track, so it may be skip material for some. "Po Pimp" is the first of two classics on this album, an absolute banger. The beat is excellent, with upbeat bass and cymbals, and a dark kind of sound, perfect for the car. The chorus is excellent, and fellow quick-lipped Chi-Town rapper Twista makes a great appearance. "Kill or Be Killed" is pretty forgettable, but it is followed by the second classic, "Paperchase." It has the best beat on the album, laced with a droopy guitar and synths. The quartet (aided again by Twista) sings the chorus excellently, and the lyrics are encouraging and kind of sad, I just love this song. "Playa Like Me" has is a good song overall, the only thing I don't like about it is that if you listen, you'll notice that the chorus and most of the verses are lyrically almost identical to "Po Pimp"'s. "Promise" is a tough sounding track, but not too memorable, and "6 Million" is a little better, the singing on the chorus of the latter is really nice. "Search Warrant" tells some cool stories, and "Anotha One Dead and Gone" is a sad, mourning kind of song. "Money Flow" is standard gangsta-rap fare, but Twista saves it with another appearance.

"Picture This" is worth a purchase just for "Po Pimp" and "Paperchase," which are two simply awesome songs. While the album is inconsistent and plagued by some filler tracks, it is certainly a solid album. This is the first Do or Die album I have listened to in full, and it leaves me hungry for some more, better albums. Do or Die shows a lot of potential and I think they are capable of making a better album than "Picture This," which I recommend.

Hardcore, Pimp, Gangsta!!!.......2006-11-20

The classic debut release from DO OR DIE should please any fan of rap music. While everyone was listening to Bone Thugs, I was pumpin this shh... in the system. No disrespect to Bone's fans, but I honestly feel that these cats are a lot more talented in every way, shape, and form. I don't expect a lot of critics/reviewers to agree, but all should agree that this was a great record from start to finish! Peace

best do or die release.......2006-04-11

this cd is the best do or die release, it is old skool and hardcore. Its the perfect kind of music to ryde to in the streets of chi,,, every song is good , these guys are legends in the chi
alpha & omega - good start, hardcore lyrics 5/5
shut em down - great track 4/5
po pimp - classic 5/5
kill or be killed - good chorus, awesome lyrics 5/5
paper chase - commercial release, still good 4/5
playa like me - awesome with j.p. 5/5
promise - good track and beat 4/5
6 million - hardcore lyrics, sick beat 5/5
search warrant - great lyrics 4/5
another one dead - j.p. makes this song 4/5
money flow - crazy rydin track 5/5

overall - best song i own 12/10

Kodak Moment.......2005-11-18

Chicago freshmen, Do Or Die, debut album Picture This is a glimpse of the slow movement tracks with the rapid fire delivery that is accustom to Chi's other artists. Eight of the eleven tracks were produced by The Legendary Traxster which brought the best out of the trio. The beginning and the end or "Alpha And Omega" is a slow gangster groove to begin this LP off and sets the pace for the entire album. On "Shut 'Em Down", it if filled with high paced, intense highs to offset the slow tempo of the track for more dimension. To get a closer look of their lives they ask "...Do you wanna ride in the backseat of a Caddy and chop it up with Do Or Die?" on "Po Pimp" featuring Tung Twista & Johnny P. They take it back to the streets with gun slinging on "Kill Or Be Killed" featuring Psycho Drama. For a more commercial feel and keeping the same tempo as the rest, "Paperchase" featuring Tung Twista fits well with the formula as did "Money Flow" with the "Computer Love" sample. D.O.D. takes us back on a ride as they take a smoke on "Playa Like Me And You" featuring Johnny P. "Promise" is a tale of a point blank murder and how it's done. Speeding up only slightly on tempos, "6 Million" is only one example of a way to die. They also talk about a raid without a "Search Warrant" and how they got out of a jam. Belo, Nard and AK-47 have a good flow for your interest, especially if you're into Twista, Crucial Conflict, Psycho Drama and Triple Darkness. This album almost fail because of diversity, this is only rider music with slight variations. The whole ride of Picture This is in the backseat of the Cadillac.

Average customer rating:

A Great CD
Nothing is wrong with this picture!

What's Wrong with This Picture?
Andrew Gold
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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Thunder Island

ASIN: B00078GHQG
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Tracks:

Hope You Feel Good
Passing Thing
Do Wah Diddy
Learning The Game
Angel Woman
Must Be Crazy
Lonely Boy
Firefly
Stay
Go Back Home Again
One Of Them Is Me
Lonely Boy (Original Version)
Firefly (Early Unfinished Version)
Gorilla Jam
Feel it
Hope You Fell Good (Live)

Product Description

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

A Great CD.......2007-03-09

I remember this from high school. I think it is a great CD. The songs are great. Some albums have some what I call "throw away" songs. This one doesn't. Every song is strong. I catch myself singing along with the songs. Lonely Boy was the one that got my attention when I first heard it on the radio back in the late '70's. Linda Ronstadt gave us some great musicians out of her bands. And Andrew Gold was no exception. Another "lost" gem on the CD is "Stay". I think you will enjoy the entire CD.

Nothing is wrong with this picture!.......2006-03-16

Little-known artists like Andrew Gold could have many hit songs. This album was originally released on the Asylum label,the sister of Elektra. Gold began his musical career as a session musician for Linda Ronstadt,a labelmate of Gold's. This album is Gold's second,the first being self-titled. Gold's other labelmates include the late Warren Zevon and the Eagles.This album's biggest hit is LONELY BOY,which appeared on a variety of compilations subsequently. Gold also covers Maurice Williams' STAY. The other songs are cool.

Lest We Forget the best of "special collector's edition" Contains Bonus DVD of unedited video collection never before released in its entirety... PLUS Colored picture booklet.

Average customer rating:

Lest We Forget the best of "special collector's edition" Contains Bonus DVD of unedited video collection never before released in its entirety... PLUS Colored picture booklet.
Marilyn Manson , ********TRACK LISTINGS******** , Personal Jesus, Mobscene, The Fight Song, Tainted Love, The Dope Show, This Is The New Shit, Disposable Teens The Love Song , Lunch Box, Tourniquet, Rock Is Dead, Get Your Gunn, The Nobodies, Long Hard Road Out Of Hell, The Beautiful People, Reflecting God Sweet Dreams , ********UNEDITED VIDEOS IN THEIR ENTIRETY******** , and Sweet Dreams, The Dope Show, Beautiful people, Mob scene Personal Jesus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000RDOEMU

Picture This: Artistic Transcriptions for Brass

Average customer rating:

Picture This: Artistic Transcriptions for Brass

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

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007X9TVG
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Promenade
Gnomus
Promenade
The Old Castle
Promenade
Tuileries
Bydlo
Promenade
Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks
Samuel Goldenberg And Schmuyle
Promenade
Limoges, The Marketplace
Catacombs
Con Mortuis
Baba Yaga, The Hut On Fowl's Legs
The Great Gate Of Kiev
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Les Toreadors
Prelude
Argonaise
Intermezzo
Seguedille
Les Dragons D'Alcala
Marche Des Contrebandiers
Habanera
Chanson Du Toreador
La Garde Montante
Danse Boheme

Album Description

This is a reissue of a recording that was scantily distributed first time around. The works selected for this recording were originally conceived for a different instrumentation. Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky and Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 were both written for solo piano, while Bizet's Carmen Suites were taken from the opera. As this recording will demonstrate, the brass quintet is more than capable of doing justice to such challenging works. Widely acclaimed as one of the world's finest brass ensembles, the Atlantic Brass Quintet has been heard in 48 of the United States and more than a dozen countries across four continents, performing a unique repertory spanning the Renaissance to the present.

Average customer rating:

Like taking a scented bath in sheer symphonic sound...
Pure Orchestra
Tesh, a savior..... maybe, just maybe
Did not reach its fullest potential
Uplifting

Pure Orchestra

Manufacturer: Garden City Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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The John Tesh Project: Pure Movies 2
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Monterey Nights

ASIN: B0000560S9
Release Date: 2001-01-16

Tracks:

Book of Days
After the Sunrise
Picture This
Silk Road
Song for Jennifer
Marching Season
Watermark
Longing / Love
The Mummer's Dance
Dancin' In The Stars
Havana
Angel Eyes
Blue

Amazon.com

The thinking behind Pure Orchestra is as follows: select 11 familiar melodies composed by New Age-related artists, arrange them for a 60-member orchestra, then hope something special happens. Alas, nothing much does. This installment from John Tesh's music factory is a decent, well-intentioned effort that may find fans among listeners drawn to symphonic renditions of pop music. Yet for anyone who holds dear the compositions addressed on Pure Orchestra (Enya's "Book of Days," Jim Brickman's "Picture This," "Marching Season" by Yanni, and so on), these lightweight, soundtrack-like interpretations will probably only make you long to hear the originals. Tesh's role here is only as a producer, not a performer, though he does include two original, though uneventful, pieces of his own ("Song for Jennifer" and "Blue"). Kenny G's "Havana" sounds as though its re-creation was being handled by 101 Strings. Meanwhile, the interpretations of two Yanni tracks pale compared to what can be found on Live at the Acropolis, and truly affecting solo pieces such as Brickman's "Angel Eyes" and "Longing/Love" by George Winston gain nothing by orchestral treatment. Sometimes it's better to leave well enough alone. --Terry Wood

Album Description

Lose yourself in a dynamic swirl of strings, horns and percussion as performed by a 60-piece Symphony Orchestra! Powerful melodies transform 13 memorable songs from the world's most popular new age composers into fully orchestrated, symphonic

Customer Reviews:

Like taking a scented bath in sheer symphonic sound..........2004-12-09

This album comes in handy when you want to take a break from all those Mancini, Bacharach, John williams etc. reissues. The program is drawn from compositions of top New Age artists all arranged for a sixty piece orchestra. The arrangements are quite weighty for the most part with a lot of bravado during the big moments. Strings breeze from speaker to speaker, with glissening brass and horns throughout. Yanni, Chip Davis, and Tesh himself have all used orchestras extensively. Keep in mind
John Tesh does not perform on the album; he produces and had a hand in choosing the selections. One does not have to be a New Age fan to enjoy this disc; in fact I was not even familiar with most the compositions. When your in the mood for a semiclassical atmosphere this will fit the bill. Add a star if you think this album will inspire you to pursue more on the original artists.

Pure Orchestra.......2004-08-11

I loved it! I enjoyed every piece on the album. I have played it several times and have enjoyed just as much each time. I bought a copy for my Sister & Brother-in-law.

Tesh, a savior..... maybe, just maybe.......2003-07-31

If you are looking for some powerful and great new age music, and who is, this disc is not for you. i feel like i should be crossing a finish line in the olympics every time i hear tesh. to call the music corny would be the greatest compliment, and accomplishment for tesh to this day. much worse words are needed to truely describe the music of the infamous, john tesh. now, if you dont take my word, and you actually go through with the purchase of this cd, please, please, make sure your running shoes are laced, be sure to have plenty of water and run that mile. make sure there is something for you to run through at the end of the mile, and time it so a big orchestra stab hits at that moment. well, i dont care for tesh, but i am looking very much forward to the day when tesh, hasselhoff, kevin bacon, keanu reeves (sp) & william shatner all join forces to create a monster, star-laden group, that all sorts of people will buy, even though it truely smells of week old britches that have been soiled and sitting in the sun.

Did not reach its fullest potential.......2003-01-04

I hate to be the only partly dissenting review so far (taking a deep breath), but here goes:

This is a wonderful album in concept, but earns about a C+ in execution. The song selection is wonderful - truly some of the best melodies from the modern "new age" genre. (I agree with John Tesh in his liner notes: "...'new age' music never really gets much respect as a musical genre. It's a shame, because I believe these melodies to be strong and vital.") Unfortunately, this album may not advance the "new age" genre's reputation as he (or I) had hoped.

It is vital to note that John Tesh didn't do the arranging or orchestrating on this album. One can almost immediately hear it doesn't have his trademark lush, full sounds. Arranger, orchestrater, and conductor J. Eric Schmidt didn't take full advantage of his source material. Most of his arrangements sound thin, especially considering the intent was to fill-out the songs with a 60 piece orchestra. Almost every piece sounds rushed and too staccato. There's no hallmark fermatta-type chords one can hang on to and truly luxuriate in.

Though I do enjoy a few pieces on this album, the tracks I'm most disappointed in are the songs with which I'm most familiar. A couple of examples: Jim Brickman's "Angel Eyes", normally a very pensive and peaceful piece, is so fast it sounds like the conductor just couldn't wait to get out of the studio. Enya's "Book of Days" starts out impressively, but again, there's an underlying rushed feeling and Schmidt changes some of the original chords in the chorus that sound like either lazy arranging or mistakes. The horns in the 2nd and 3rd choruses sound really frail, almost pathetic.

Ultimately, this is a collection of great songs that under poor management falls flat and short of its grander intent. One can enjoy it simply because the skeletons of each piece is so strong. The fleshing out leaves something to be desired.

Uplifting.......2001-10-20

This is the album I selected to be played around the clock in the hospital room of a dear friend who was in a coma. Every selection is uplifting, the melodies and instrumentation beautiful. There are no howling wolves, crashing waves, or dripping water...just music that makes you feel good all over. I am buying it for my dad who is a classical music purist (distrusts the contemporary composers.) It will convert him immediately!

Average customer rating:

Great,Great Album
What a difference!
best blues in years
great
Great debut album!

Picture This
Debbie Davies
Manufacturer: Blind Pig
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Loose Tonight
Love the Game
Tales from the Austin Motel
All I Found
I Got That Feeling

ASIN: B000000N8F
Release Date: 1993-07-14

Tracks:

Picture This
Don't Take Advantage Of Me
24 Hour Fool
I Wonder Why (You're So Mean To Me)
Livin' On Lies
Better Off With The Blues
Sidetracked
Lovin' Cup
Buzz Me
San-Ho-zay
How Long Till I Win Your Love?
Going Back To Iuka

Amazon.com

After three years as the second guitarist and warm-up singer for Albert Collins, Debbie Davies released her first solo album, Picture This. Combining Collins's "ice-pick" guitar style with the warmer folk-blues vocals of a Bonnie Raitt, L.A.'s Davies is good enough at both styles to make her talent obvious but not good enough to sound truly singular. For example, on the title track, which she wrote herself, Davies plays some fast and pointed guitar breaks against the horn riff and belts out a promise of romantic bliss to a potential lover. The guitar solos, however, are a bit too generic to be personal, and the vocals are a bit too tentative to be totally convincing. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Great,Great Album.......2001-02-27

I don't give out good reviews easily, this one deserves all five stars. All around great album, not a clinker on it. Great singing ,songwriting, guitar playing, even I can't think of anything bad to say about this album. Buy It!

What a difference!.......2000-07-25

I canned the other album "Tales from the AustinMotel" as sweet studio plastic muzik. It's difficult to believethis is from the same artist! Real blues feel, much more laid back licks, great vocals. I don't think Eric will feel too threatened in spite of the optimistic rewiewer from "Music Connection" "Davies exhibits guitar playing virtuosity with the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan" Well they are certainly entitled to think that, but I think Ms Davies real strength is in her voice, good guitar, great voice!

best blues in years.......2000-05-24

Debbie Davies is the best thing to happen to the blues since Stevie and Albert passed. She is simply one of the best guitarists I have ever heard. I've had the pleasure of seeing her live and it's not studio magic, she really is that good. Of all her releases this one ranks as my favorite. It is pure blues and all about guitar. Later releases concentrated more on her vocals, to the detriment of her guitar playing.

great.......1999-02-17

can`t go wrong with this cd...some of the best blues around!!

Great debut album!.......1998-07-16

Debbie Davies backed Albert Collins for years in his band the Icebreakers. Dueling guitars with him sharpened Davies skills. Imagine Stevie Ray Vaughn and Albert Collins rolled into one and female and you have Debbie Davies. One of my favorites!

This Is My Life: Music From The Motion Picture

Average customer rating:

Simple words highlight weak but eligent film.
Woody Allen and Pumpernickel Bread
A Carly Simon Classic
A Carly Classic
Delilia brings us Carlys masterpiece

This Is My Life: Music From The Motion Picture
Carly Simon
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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The Bedroom Tapes
Coming Around Again
Come Upstairs
This Is My Life
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ASIN: B000002LTC
Release Date: 1992-04-14

Tracks:

Love Of My Life
Back The Way (Dottie's Point Of View)
Moving Day
Easy On The Eyes
Walking And Kissing
The Show Must Go On
Love Of My Life (Toots)
Back The Way (Girls' Point Of View)
Little Troupers
The Night Before Christmas
This Is My Life Suite: Pleasure And Pain/Coming Home/Uncle Peter
Love Of My Life (Drive To The City)

Customer Reviews:

Simple words highlight weak but eligent film........2000-09-10

On "this is My lif" Carly Simon gts in touch with the skill that made her famous ... painting a vrbal picture of everyday life on the verge of the extraordinary. The album shows a great longing on the part of the characters it is representing It can be derived that Ms Simon has befriended her fictional subjects. She understands the longing behind there laughter on the track "Bak the Way" where ms simos muses "Back the way it was before, Before the door was broken". In this work Ms Simon has shown her loyal fans that the preparation is still there and the skill still backs it.

Woody Allen and Pumpernickel Bread.......2000-04-06

Carly Simon is the only songwriter who would put Woody Allen and pumpernickel bread into the lyrics of a pop song, and that's why we love her. Still, being a soundtrack for a mediocre Nora Ephron movie does not a great Carly Simon album make. The highpoint is "Back the Way," which sounds like a fun jam session in Carly's living room. I could take a whole album of that.

A Carly Simon Classic.......2000-02-21

My mom made a tape for my 13th birthday. The first song on it was Love Of My Life from Carly Simon. It describes our relationship perfectly. Now at 17, I still listen to that song and The Night Before Christmas. Moving Day is quite moving also. The first song describes the wonderful relationship between the parents and the daughter.

A Carly Classic.......2000-01-28

"This Is My Life" is a case where a great soundtrack strengthened a mediocre film with strong music scoring and one of the most beautiful and poignant love songs written, "Love of My Life".

Written as a love song to her children, Carly Simon has composed a simple yet sublime melody and lyric that bookends this unique and thematic soundtrack and provides the major motivation of the movie's central character. Though never commercially popular, those who've seen the movie comment on the lovely love song that weaves throughout the film.

"Back the Way" provides duality in view points, both from the adult and children and the use of ukelele keeps it playful and personal.

"The Night Before Christmas" should become a contemporary holiday classic. Carly's strong vocal, a lush arrangement and sweet children voices provide the background support to a strong cut which has also been beautifully covered by Amy Grant on her first Christmas collection.

The only unqualified disappointment is "The Show Must Go On", Carly's failed attempt at a theatrical song. The song is whimsical and clever but the vocal and arrangement never quite gel and it becomes increasingly tedious to the end.

Overall, Oscar winning Carly and often professional partner Frank Filipetti have produced a unique and engaging soundtrack that should satisfy most discerning listeners.

Delilia brings us Carlys masterpiece.......2000-01-16

This CD is one of the best soundtracks ever recorded.I can't understand why a fantastic song like,"Love of my Life," wasn't played by all the radio stations. Thank God Delilia is playing this song almost every night on her radio program. People are asking her to play this song to show how much they love there children. "The night before Christmas," is played every year at Christmas,and was on Amy Grants Christmas CD. "Back the Way" is my favorite.It reminds me of my childhood,and how you want things to be the way they were. This record never even made it to the top 200 in Billboard. What a dissapointment this must be for a great artist like Carly,to work her behind off every time,and not get played by the closed minded radio stations. Thank God for Delilia

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