Free as a Bird

Editorial Reviews
- Kathy Parsons, Solo Piano Publications
Omar's Free as a Bird is a sparkling follow-up that is bursting with joy and smoldering passion.

Product Description
Composer/Pianist Omar thanks piano legend David Lanz in his liner notes, and like Lanz has done recently, takes a radio friendly smooth jazz sojourn on many of the tracks here. Every other track alternates between soaring, self-produced atmospheric and exotic pieces and more in the pocket rhythmic tunes produced by smooth jazz keyboardist Gregg Karukas (who has also produced Lanz). Working with top outside musicians (from violinist Charlie Bisharat to saxman Eric Marienthal), Omar creates a wonderfully diverse collection, which allows him to remain firmly at center stage.

On the title track, his sensual musings are given dreamy and elegant harmonic support from Bisharat, while other pieces involve interaction with strings and percussion ("Passage Into Midnight") or gentle, electronic grooves...Omar's nod to the Orient is the sensuous and atmospheric "Beauty Unveiled," which begins in an ambient trance state with intermingling sitar and flute before the pianist enters and begins a more upbeat adventure.

For all the lush production values, it's Omar's piano, beautiful in its elegance and rich in its quiet rhythmic power, that proves the most unforgettable element.

~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Free as a Bird

Free as a Bird,Omar,Real Music,Blues,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Smooth Jazz

Free as a Bird

Tracks:

Free as a Bird 5:05
Passage into Midnight 4:21
A Day With You 5:08
Falling Through the Rain 4:49
Beauty Unveiled 4:25
Dancing with the Wind 4:51
Surrender 6:41
Riding the Current 3:59
Never Let Go 3:33
Trust Unspoken 3:59
Flight of Mystery 5:05

Album Description

Composer/Pianist Omar thanks piano legend David Lanz in his liner notes, and like Lanz has done recently, takes a radio friendly smooth jazz sojourn on many of the tracks here. Every other track alternates between soaring, self-produced atmospheric and exotic pieces and more in the pocket rhythmic tunes produced by smooth jazz keyboardist Gregg Karukas (who has also produced Lanz). Working with top outside musicians (from violinist Charlie Bisharat to saxman Eric Marienthal), Omar creates a wonderfully diverse collection, which allows him to remain firmly at center stage.

For all the lush production values, it's Omar's piano, beautiful in its elegance and rich in its quiet rhythmic power, that proves the most unforgettable element.

~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews:

Just GREAT , GREAT MUSIC !!!.......2007-05-13

One of the songs was one of the free samples that came with my laptop when I played Windows Media for the first time and i loved it. I started my research about OMAR and found here on AMAZON. The music is just great, instrumental that combines guitar, piano and some violin . If you like something smooth but at the same time not boring this is your music and also has a twist of arabic music, JUST AWSOME I really enjoy it.

Omar "Free as a Bird".......2007-04-16

What a truly gifted artist! Omar's CD, Free as a Bird, is hauntingly beautiful. I could hardly wait until my copy of this CD arrived so that I could "rip" it to Windows Media Player. After that task, I downloaded the entire CD to my MP3, so that I can listen to it while I am working out at the fitness center. What relaxing music Omar has composed. I play it over and over and never get tired of any of the eleven songs on the CD. My next task? To find out where Omar is performing and enjoy a live performance.

What Would Bach Say?.......2007-03-29

My mother was a very talented pianist and had quite the ear for music as well. She once said of jazz "it doesn't go anywhere." I understand the frustration that some might feel about jazz. Especially smooth jazz as it is really the light version of the old American invention.

However, I have a bad feeling, a really bad feeling, that for the most part: it has all been done before. The last rock riff, the final power cord, the last minuet, perhaps, even the last solo...has been done. Smooth jazz perhaps is where we tie it all together and rearrange the music for the encore. And this is where Omar shines the brightest. His music will not challenge your ear. In fact, I think he just nudges it in the slightest way with "do you remember when?" His music revisits the history of music. I hear flamenco, and latin sounds, Handle's garden parties, the dark ages...perhaps even Pan playing his flute.

This CD is a good place to turn to when you need to unwind, take a bubble bath, entertain some friends in a quiet moment, or turn down the lights and caress your lover. Its good. Thanks Omar, you and your musicians have a smooth sound, a quiet moment, a riff, a beat to make even the most jaded ear a happy one.

-John

an amazing talent.......2006-03-31

After hearing a sample of Free as a Bird, I was instantly drawn in and extemely impressed. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this cd. Omar's music is beautiful, romantic, and brings a sense of peace and calm. It's music that you can't get tired of. I highly recommend it to all music lovers.

Dreamy, Romantic, Exotic.......2005-08-23

I sampled omar free as a bird album and i bought it instantly, the music is so much dreamy , the piano sound seems like he is playing in front of me and its flawless, my favourite tracks are all of them,now im listening to beauty unveiled, all i can say is wow,it takes you to a different world, i cant skip any,its that good, if you are a fan of yanni, chris spheeris buy this album, cant wait for his next album, keep it up Omar.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic "new" Beatles music
What a treat!
In Dreams
Excellent CD single
"Whatever happened to the life that we once knew?"

Free as a Bird
The Beatles
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Real Love
Baby It's You
Real Love
Love (CD + Audio DVD)
Live at the BBC

ASIN: B000034CGB
Release Date: 1999-11-19

Tracks:

Free As A Bird
I Saw Her Standing There
This Boy
Christmas Time (Is Here Again)

Album Description

Deleted in the U.S.! The only single taken from the Fab Four's 1995 collection 'Anthology' (Volume 1). It's backed with three non-album tracks, 'I Saw Her Standing There' (Studio Take Nine), 'This Boy' (Alternate Take) and 'Christmas Time Is Here Again'. NOTE - this was the first 'reunion' trac k to feature the three remaining members voices electronically overdubbed to John Lennon's original vocals. Slimline jewel case. 1995 release.

Album Details

Now Deleted in the USA. Includes Exclusive Versions of 'This Boy'& 'i Saw her Standing There' plus the Rare 'Christmastime is Here Again'.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic "new" Beatles music.......2007-03-09

I have a hard time listening to "Free As a Bird" as I can't help thinking about what George said in the Anthology CD: It felt weird for the three of them to be working on John's song and he wasn't there. He stated that he felt like John was in another room.

Besides that, the melody and the finished product in general just gets a Beatlemaniac to thinking about what John would have thought of major events that have happened since his murder (not the least of which were the Reagan years).

This import CD single, as everyone knows by now, includes alternate versions of "I Saw Her Standing There" and "This Boy," and the short version of "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" (minus the mini-skits that was released to their fan club).

It amazes me, someone born years after the end of the original Beatlemania, that the Boys' music endures and that this single, released 25 years after their public breakup, went to Number One. - Donna Di Giacomo

What a treat!.......2007-02-25

This is such a joy to hear! I'm glad that the producers decided to put these tracks on a single instead of back in the vaults. Tracks 2 and 3 are a great insight into recording sessions for "This Boy" and "I Saw Her Standing There" . "Christmas Time is Here Again" is a great nonsense song from the Christmas fan club discs that have yet to see a reissue. Even though it's only 4 tracks, it is worth the money for these rare performances. RECOMMENDED!

In Dreams.......2006-08-16

The Fab 3 managed to enhance John's basic track without destroying its simplicity, its delicacy, or its beauty. The song is one of the most ethereal, mystical, spiritual, soul-grabbing, life-yearning songs ever to be born. It must be, to make me use words like mystical and soul and spiritual; me being the total heathen that I am. One of the best Beatle songs of all.

Excellent CD single.......2004-03-24

In 1995 and 1996, The Beatles Anthology set was released. This was a six disc set (three volumes of two discs), and it featured a plethora of rare tracks. Among the tracks on the sets were two old John Lennon demos which the remaining members of the band got together to finish - Free as a Bird and Real Love. Read on for my review of the former single.

The title track here is John Lennon as you knew and loved him. It's just a shame this little rarity didn't surface earlier! But, the surviving band members' new touches to the song make it nothing short of excellent. Furthermore, the single includes some rare B-Sides! First and foremost, you get early demos of the classics I Saw Her Standing There and This Boy. But the biggest rarity of all is the final track - Christmas Time (Is Here Again.) It's simply insulting that these tracks weren't included in the actual Anthology, because they are great!

The Free as a Bird and Real Love singles have been discontinued in America, but if you're a Beatle maniac, I recommend hunting them down, as the rare tracks make them a worthwhile purchase.

"Whatever happened to the life that we once knew?".......2003-06-11

As others has pointed out, the 3 volumed Beatles Anthology sets didn't include all they could have (particularly the 1st 2 volumes). Since there are 3 tracks not on any of the Anthology CD's, this is worth collecting (it's too bad this and the Real Love CD were discontinued in the USA).

The "new" Beatles song actually evolved from a 1977 John Lennon demo and the other 3 added their musical contributions onto it. There is a demo of "I Saw Her Standing There" (the entire 9th take). There are 2 takes of "This Boy," which feature John and Paul giggling during vocal snafu's! Finally, there is the complete musical version of the Beatles' "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)," taken from their 1967 Christmas record (with individual Christmas greetings from Paul, John, George and Ringo from the previous year). George Martin plays "Auld Lang Syne" on the organ as John recites a Christmas poem.

Included on the cover is John Lennon's unique artwork.

Free As A Bird
Average customer rating:

4 SONGS of DELIGHT..............

The Beatles wish you a merry Christmas

A 5 star nostalgia item

O-U-T spells "out"!

Free As A Bird
The Beatles
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Real Love

Real Love

Baby It's You

Baby It's You

Beatles for Sale (1964) / Rubber Soul (1965)

ASIN: B00000DEWZ
Release Date: 1995-12-12

Tracks:

Free as a Bird
I Saw Her Standing There
This Boy
Christmas Time Is Here Again

Customer Reviews:

4 SONGS of DELIGHT.....................2007-02-03

You just have to hear these recordings done by The Beatles as a few are done a little differently and sound great. "THIS BOY" is hilarious, as our boy Lennon was always apt to miss his lines and here's the proof, a little humour not heard on other "straight" recordings.

The cover is interesting and worth having, as it was said to have been a drawing by John for his best friend and original QUARREYMEN member, Pete Shotten. The Quarreymen was John's first band, and, as of February 2007, still plays today.

The real nice piece is a number originally recorded, probably 1/2 dinking around, by John and later given to the remaining Beatles at the time, George,Ringo, and Paul, who recorded it in 1994 and placed it on The Beatles Anthology series #1.

The Beatles wish you a merry Christmas.......2005-12-28

Highly recommended for the great track CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE AGAIN. Christmas never rocked that way before. It was a song recorded for fan clubs and sent to the fans around Christmas time. It's very rare to hear the Fab Four sing about Christmas.
A little joke by John at the end of the song!!!!

A 5 star nostalgia item.......2004-10-19

This record is a 5 star item, diehard FAB fans will love it for the nostalgia feeling it brings back.If you're a real FAB fan you may not appreciate the techno tricks which mix up John's taped vocals and the other Beatles' freshly sung ones, you may not appreciate the song itself but you'll shiver and tremble as soon as you hear John and then Paul and then again George singing "together" on the very same record for the first time after all those years! And the magic gets back for a few minutes more....

O-U-T spells "out"!.......2003-11-30

This was the first single released from the Beatles Anthology. The CD contains three bonus tracks that were not featured in the Anthology. "Free As a Bird" is a "new" Beatles song, on which the three living Beatles overdubbed vocals and instruments onto a John Lennon demo. It is pretty good, although not up to the standards of the Beatles legendary classics. "I Saw Her Standing There" is an alternate take which mainly differs from the master take by some faulty harmonies. "This Boy" is a false start and an almost complete take, where a minor mistake is made and the recording breaks down in laughter. "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)" is an edited version of an unreleased Beatles song. The complete version is about twice as long as what is included here, although you are not missing much by not hearing the complete version. It gets pretty repetetive, with the song's one verse being repeated over and over again. Diehard Beatles fans will want to get this CD for the three otherwise unavailable tracks.

Average customer rating:

breathless
Beatles Like I've Never Heard Before
Interesting Cover, but Bad CD
Beautiful and Relaxing
Lovely and powerful

Imagine

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Revolution: A Rock Tribute to the Beatles
Beatles
Vivaldi: Complete Cello Concertos
Beatles for Harp
Nothing's Gonna Change My World

ASIN: B000003G0A
Release Date: 1996-03-26

Tracks:

Free As A Bird
Eleanor Rigby
Here, There And Everywhere
In My Life
And I Love Her
When I'm Sixty-Four
Michelle
Nowhere Man
Yesterday
Girl
Across The Universe
Here Comes The Sun
Norwegian Wood - For No One
She's Leaving Home
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Octopus's Garden
Imagine
Hey Jude
Golden Slumbers - Carry That Weight - The End

Customer Reviews:

breathless.......2006-05-31

The sound from harnoy;s cello is enough to make me cry. she produces such tone and anyone that doesnt agree is uneducated. what can i say elanor rigby the phrassing outstanding ofra has been and still is one of my favorite cellist.

Beatles Like I've Never Heard Before.......2005-02-10

I borrowed this CD from the library out of curiosity and what a delightful suprise. The interpretation of Beatles music is wonderfully simple - I especially love the different variations done with the same tune in some of the pieces giving them a fresh sound. Harmonies between cello and violin in "Norwegian Wood", "Across the Universe" and "Girl" are mesmerising. Mostly played with a slow tempo, this is great soothing music after a stressful day. This CD is definitely worth purchasing for a twist in popular Lennon-McCartney compositions.

4 stars for song selection, otherwise 5 stars for interpretation.

Interesting Cover, but Bad CD.......2004-06-05

I can not believe that Ofra is even famous. Her playing is so stiff and lacks phrasing. Her tone quality is horrible. The only reason that she makes recordings is because her father is rich and he bought her a several million dollar cello and paid symphony orchestras to let her play solos with them. But, it is interesting to hear a cellist play the Beatles. Only buy this CD if you have boughten every cd on this webstite and have a little money left over.

Beautiful and Relaxing.......2004-05-21

The Beatles and Ofra Harnoy! The best of both worlds! What more could you ask for? A friend gave me this CD, and I have enjoyed listening to this right before bedtime every night. Ms. Harnoy, I applaud you for making some of the finest renditions of my favorite Beatles tunes. If you're a semi-professional classical musician like me and you don't have this in your CD collection, you're missing out--Big Time!!! 5 + stars for a wonderful CD!!!!

Lovely and powerful.......2002-01-01

Before you write this off as another attempt to "muzak" the Beatles, listen to Harnoy's lovely playing on "She's Leaving Home," "Across The Universe" and "Girl" and see if you still feel that way once you've heard them. A great set of interpretations by a most evocative cellist.

Average customer rating:

Supertramp's major letdown following promising predecessor without Hodgson
FREE AS A BIRD ... in a gilded cage
Rick Davies solo
Undiscovered gem
Grow up........why????

Free as a Bird
Supertramp
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brother Where You Bound
Indelibly Stamped
Slow Motion
Some Things Never Change
Supertramp

ASIN: B000069HJM
Release Date: 2002-07-30

Tracks:

It's Alright
Not the Moment
It Doesn't Matter
Where I Stand
Free as a Bird
I'm Beggin' You
Never Can Tell With Friends
Thing for You
An Awful Thing to Waste

Customer Reviews:

Supertramp's major letdown following promising predecessor without Hodgson.......2006-08-18

Supertramp's last album for A&M and for ten years called Free as a Bird was released in October of 1987.
The album was the band's first album since 1985's Brother Where You Bound.
Unlike that classic album, this album is fair and some songs were too 80s for my taste.
The good of the album was the album's title cut is a great ballad and the video was superb(I saw it on VH1 Classic) and was the reason I rebought this album(but is on the 2005 Retrospectacle best of). I'm Begging You is also a great song as well. The video for that track was groundbreaking yet MTV ignored it but can now be appreciated on the Supertramp DVD The Story So Far.
Other great songs on this album are It Doesn't Matter and the finale An Awful Thing to Waste.
Rick Davies' vocals and keyboards shone on this album as did John Helliwell's sax, Bob Siebenberg's drums and departing bass player Dougie Thomson whom would not rejoin in 1996 and left because he was outraged that Rick broke his word that none of Roger Hodgson's songs would be played live and Dougie was ashamed of playing Roger's classics without Roger.
Speaking of Roger's replacement, Mark Hart made his debut on this album playing guitars and keyboards and shares vocals with Rick on two tracks(the very good Where I Stand and the end of the title track).
The bad was the opening It's Alright as that song is just cheese.
The ugly was the other tracks I didn't mention.
The album was not well received at the time of its release peaking at #101 on the album charts, seeing that Americans were into fluff like Michael Jackson, Poison, Cinderella, Eurpoe and the rest of that cheesy hair metal fluff.
This album was reissued in July of 2002 but the sales were so bad as opposed to the other A&M albums from Supertramp that it is out of print!
NO COUNTER REVIEWS PLEASE!!!

FREE AS A BIRD ... in a gilded cage.......2006-05-09

Coming out from 1987, wherein rock music at that time have evolved into another phase of a generation - in this case with avant-garde sounding alternative bands, consisting a mix of classical, choral, jazz fusion and some mixture of a highly developed punk sound in their forte - mainly headlined by the likes of The Pursuit Of Happiness, R.e.m., Bolshoi, Peter Murphy, Clannad, Midnight Oil, the Prefab Sprout among others, and most notably U2 itself which released their epic THE JOSHUA TREE album - along fellow veteran art-rock group Yes coming up with their highly powered follow up album BIG GENERATOR to their biggest hit 90125 (geared under the influence by South African artist Trevor Rabin (who've had himself collaborated with Roger Hodgson on Yes' TALK album)) at the same time -- Supertramp under the tutelage of Rick Davies presented this album, which in an attempt to carry on and fly-off without the band's other wing Roger Hodgson - which comes as perhaps the palest album that could ever be encountered from the band.
Sounding nothing less than an adult contemporary oriented stuff, it opens with Davies' "It's Alright", wherein it could be cited thus as Supertramp's equivalent to Queen's take on the pop/dance genre with the album HOT SPACE, along U2 itself for the album simply called POP --- thus as certain rock bands who've taken such attempt in their stride (whether for commercial or experimental reasons) are well scolded, ridiculed and scoffed at out of it; and all for the good reason, being that none of these bands are really well with trying to tread upon such a territory where they are not well inclined nor are apt with for their own grounds. Hence Supertramp's FREE AS A BIRD (not the Beatle track of course) is a mediocre album.

Considering Supertramp's set of fanbase along with other faithful Supertramp-fans across the globe, perhaps Davies is right to pursue Hodgson not to leave the band, considering the materials that Hodgson came up with on his first solo album EYE OF THE STORM, that if matched along with the combination of what input that Davies is capable to contribute on his own credit to juice up their broth - doubtless that Supertramp may've been among the biggest established band that there is amongst the other veteran rock bands out there, that is, if Hodgson did stick around with the group.
Thus as what Davies have spoken of from the lines on the song "Waiting So Long" of their final album with Hodgson, the FAMOUS LAST WORDS Lp=

"Did you say what you mean?
Do you mean what you say?
About this new scene
Is it really that way...

Yes I've been waiting such a long time
Just for something to ring true
Now I'd rather taste the old wine
Than mess around with something new.

And the blindness goes on..."

FREE AS A BIRD however gives a straight shot of what would turn out completely for the direction that the band went into under Davies' complete control - which is fully realized in their album SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE that came up exactly after a ten-year span from this album; where in that one, the band is consisting a host of band members that rivaled the size of other groups by the likes of Chicago or Electric Light Orchestra (for that matter), along with original SUPERTRAMP regulars John Helliwell and Bob Siebenberg in the line-up, and featuring Mark Hart coming on as an equivalent to fill in the space that Hodgson left within the band of sorts, who've first spew his own shot of vocals on the title track to this one "Free As A Bird", along with the song "Where I Stand" which is the first to come out written by Hart with Davies. Hart did a good take on the said album SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE though, with the songs "Sooner or Later" and that grooving track "Give Me A Chance", which subtly as such comes as a plea of his of sorts for the fans, that are both co-written with Davies as well.
Hart's compositions are pretty good enough to pass on par with something a little bit like those of Todd Rundgren's songs.

FREE AS A BIRD also continues with the thematic lyrical persuasions by Davies of sorts to Hodgson (hidden behind coated scenarios of a guy pursuing a chick) within as it went with for a number of the songs that Davies have came up with since Hodgson's departure from the band, quite peculiarly with this album FREE AS A BIRD is the song "It Doesn't Matter", which featured in its back-up vocal lines something that is sounding like a mock-like parody quite obviously and nothingless of Hodgson's vocal style - that goes similarly to the case of the song from SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE, its feature track "You Win, I Lose" along with the pun implied within its lyrics (that however nearly ruined the band's reputation with the presence of big-hooter model
Anna Nicole Smith on its video clip - so goes for such with the bile of Music Videos' inherently evil downsides), also along with the tracks "Live to Love You", and more openly on "And The Light" from SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE, where Davies appears to be even coming on to the point of breaking out.
FREE AS A BIRD ends with a track that recycles the lyrics (a trait that the band's inclined to, time and time again) - thematically to "Child of Vision" (the track that closed their biggest album BREAKFAST IN AMERICA) with various languages inserted, including a tagalog line `hindi ko alam' (meaning: I don't know) - which perhaps lived up to its title - "An Awful Thing To Waste", being that Davies' songwriting for the most part seem to have arrived at certain points as a cheat for the fans, considering that with his Roger Waters-esque like songwriting type of rendering for some of the songs he'd come up with - often there would be lengthy half-an-album-side tracks which seemed to've been written only within a whim of a minute.
Furthermore, Hodgson however, is reportedly generously appreciative of SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE, and coming on to good terms have agreed to finally return with the band, but all prospects for the possibility of this reunion have shortly vaporized when Davies broke the vow not to perform any of Hodgson's materials in the band's live shows in his (Hodgson's) absence.

And it was so that the ghost of having the presence of Roger Hodgson in the band would forever haunt Supertramp's continued existence, as permeatedly(sic) found upon many lines from the songs of the band since Hodgson's departure came in place.

Thus with the case thereof -- the line from the title track (which is something that came around long before the ever-suicidal Kurt Cobain of Nirvana came up with his epitaph-like swansong "You Know You're Right" of such in its lyrical veins) - apparently reflecting the notion or Davies' wishful-thinking that the band might somehow still be able to take-off, despite of Hodgson's absence (that is seemingly then refuted by the track "I'm Begging You" that followed which opened side two on the lp):

"Now I'm free as a bird
As I walk out of that door you have my word
I wont bother you no more
Yes Im feeling OK
As I face a brand new day"

and...

"It's gonna be a brand new story,
What's the use of former glory"

Yeah, right.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REVIEW ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED 30 APRIL 2006, supposedly Crutchead's 76th review For Amazon

Rick Davies solo.......2005-11-05

This is a Rick Davies solo album. Shouldnt call this Supertamp because the Supertramp sound is gone. The songs are very poorly written, the arrangements are lame, this is not Supertramp. Brother Where You Bound was surprisingly good considering the 80's had arrived, Roger Hodgson had left the band, and the band was now past their prime. I love the title song with david Gilmour and some of the other songs on the album have a very unique style and flavor to them. Rick's sarcasm and emotion poured out in the music and it was like Supertramp Phase 2. But that ended after that CD and would never be recaptured again. Actually something seemed to happen to Supertramp after Breakfast In America. It seemed like they hit all their creative forces with that masterpiece and then ran out of steam. Crisis What Crisis, Crime Of The Century, Even In The Quietest Moments, and Breakfast In America is some of the best prog rock ever made. Breakfast In America added a carnival atmosphere and every song on the album was catchy. But with Famous Last Words, the sound started to change and they made a pop album. With the exception of the last two songs, Waiting So Long and Don't Leave Me Now, the rest of the album was forgettable. Well, give credit where credit is due, In The Eye Of The Storm was a pretty good CD by Roger and Brother Where You Bound by Rick and Supertramp was also a surprise. But that was it, the end of it all. Some artists and songwriters lose it completley and that is the case here. Too bad Supertramp wont reunite with the original band (Rick, Roger, etc) and have a reunion tour. It would be nice to hear the band and the old classic songs. It's sad to think that the reason Roger left in the first place was because their wives didnt get along. It I would have been Rick or Dave, I would have taken the b**** aside and told her to stay the f*** out of it. It would be like your wife coming to your business and fighting with your business partners wife and coming between the two genuises and breaking up a great partnership. In this case, both of them should have stayed home and stayed out of it. That's why the great Supertramp broke up, sad to think? Anyway avoid this one, sounds like some experimental 80's crap. Stick with everything made before this.

Undiscovered gem.......2005-10-20

I have always been amazed at the hoopla surrounding the origins of this band. Money can't buy talent and while their benefactor may have greased the skids, the preceding three decades have borne witness to that man's ear for talent. Rick Davies and his cohorts have produced many great songs over the years - songs that stand the test of time - unlike many of their contemporaries I might add. And let's face it, few albums consist of one great song after another. Of course, this is all subjective and the masses generally vote with their wallets but I suggest that you revisit these fine songsmiths.

This album is one of my favorites, having as it does, a strong Latin flavor. From the opening Tito Puente like percussion of "It's Alright" through "I'm Beggin' You" to "An Awful Thing To Waste", this album swings. I don't say "rocks" as this band was never your typical rock band. Each album was a concept and a little different from what went before.

I will admit that their ballads never quite cut it for me but unlike another great band, Chicago, they didn't lose sight of the music.

No discussion of Supertramp is complete without mentioning Roger Hodgson. For Supertramp fans this was comparable to parental divorce - many of whom suffer its effects still! In my opinion, the seperation was inevitable and the product of the rift has been even more great music. From his debut "In The Eye of The Storm" through three albums, Hodgson has crafted some great music.

So for those of you late to the show, do by all means pick up a Greatest set. And if you like rhythm and roll, buy this album.

Grow up........why????.......2005-05-05

Imagine Paul and Ringo going out on tour, calling themselves The Beatles. Talk about outrage..........its no different here except its a lower level comparison.

In Free As A Bird, I have nothing positive to say about it. This is not a release that I will remember Supertramp by.

One original Band Member left for WHAT?? To go out on tour and score some Easy Money??? Let it go, I say.......unless Roger is willing to return.

Don't waste your time with this release.

Average customer rating:

Free as a Bird
Supertramp
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Indelibly Stamped
Supertramp
Some Things Never Change
Slow Motion
Famous Last Words

ASIN: B000008LAC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

It's Alright
Not the Moment
It Doesn't Matter
Where I Stand
Free as a Bird
I'm Beggin' You
You Never Can Tell With Friends
Thing for You
Awful Thing to Waste

Average customer rating:

Free As a Bird

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000024E6I
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Average customer rating:

GREAT RECORDING, BUT THE PRICE...

Janácek: Osud (Fate)

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Janácek: The Cunning Little Vixen
Leos Janácek: The Cunning Little Vixen - Lucia Popp / Eva Randová / Dalibor Jedlicka / Vienna Philharmonic / Vienna State Opera Chorus / Sir Charles Mackerras
Janacek - From the House of the Dead / Mackerras
Janácek: Jenufa
Rimsky-Korsakov - Sadko / Vladimir Galouzine, Gegam Grigorian, Sergei Alexashkin, Larissa Diadkova, Nikolai Putilin, Valery Gergiev, Kirov Opera

ASIN: B00001T6K3
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

Osud (Fate): Act I: Orchestra
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Free As A Bird I Bask In The Sunshine'
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Heavens, It's Him!' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Is It Your Child You've Come For?' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Sun In The Heavens Up On High'
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'We're Back Too Late' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'The Sun's Vanished' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act I: 'Never Will I Forget This Fleeting Moment!'
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'Slumber On Undisturbed In The Shadow' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'I Do, I Do!' (Mila)
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'We're Married Now' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'Mummy, Mummy!'
Osud (Fate): Act II: 'Unspoken Thoughts Go Far Beyond Words' (Mila's Mother)
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Listen To The Thunder Over The Horizon'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Endless The Pain I Must Suffer'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Enough Of That!'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Mummy, Mummy! Do You Know What Love Is?'
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'People Said It Must Have Been His Falling In Love' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'Bitter Memories' (Zivny)
Osud (Fate): Act III: 'It Seems To Be So Clear' (Zivny)

Customer Reviews:

GREAT RECORDING, BUT THE PRICE..........1999-12-01

This is 20th century opera at its most vivid. Once considered a failure, Osud was resurrected in an English translation that actually improves upon the original libretto. The music is as vital as anything in Janacek: the piece starts a churning riff strangely reminiscent of Philip Glass; the ending is equally memorable -- startlingly brusque and humorous. Throughout, we get musical drama tied to the quick of spoken language; conversations overlap, or suddenly fall silent. At times the story is ridiculous, but the production rides over any problems. Philip Langridge, as always, is great. My only qualm: this was originally a single disc CD on EMI, for a single disc price. Though the package is nice, the price is steep for some 70:00 odd minutes.

Average customer rating:

Simply amazing
Great Flute Variety
Astounding! Inspiring!
From a flutist
from Wind and Wire, Issue 11

Free as a Bird
Rhonda Larson
Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Distant Mirrors
It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush

ASIN: B00000I6ND
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Peregrine
Loner Song
Maskell's Harbor
Lament
Rhuah Returns
Movin' On
Adoro Te
Ekkaleo
Vocalise
Bach in a Minute
Alleluias

Customer Reviews:

Simply amazing.......2006-01-28

I picked up this CD at the National Flute Association convention in 1997, and to this day it continues to inspire and rejuvenate me. As a flute performance major, I sometimes had moments when I was down about my playing or wondered why I was pursuing a career in music. Rhonda Larson's heartfelt album always reminded me--and continues to remind me--why I loved music and playing the flute so much. Her playing is organic and seems to speak directly from her soul. One can tell from the first hearing that Rhonda is in love with making beautiful music, and even through this recorded medium, that love is infectious.

Listening to this album never gets old. Perhaps the album's longevity is due in part to its interesting and diverse programming. There are original compositions as well as arrangements of standard flute repertoire and folk music. Rhonda's playing is technically unbelievable throughout, and she does not hesitate showing it off. She plays flute, alto flute, and even tin whistle, and on each instrument she has an intimate, glowing, beautiful sound. Wonderful audio engineering presents her warm tone and subtle changes in color clearly and without distractions.

I really can't find enough great things to say about this album. It has been in my six-disc changer for nine years. If you are a flautist, musician, or music lover, you need to pick up this disc. I guarantee you'll love it.

Great Flute Variety.......2004-02-16

Larson shows her capability and capacity to play all types of music on different instruments exceptionally well.

This spirited collection by Larson and collaborater pianist Halley provides entertaining new music on what is becoming quite a virtuoso instrument, the flute.

Especially fond of "Bach In A Minute" and ""Maskell's Harbor."

Astounding! Inspiring!.......2002-12-19

As a flautist myself of 14+ years, albeit with no degrees or teaching credentials, I find Larson's expression and dexterity to be positively astounding. I am also quite delighted with the breadth of her musical style. So often one finds musicians who bind themselves within the confines of percieved parameters of what "should" be a certain style of music. While it is true that specific styles are characterized by specific forms of expression and technical and artistic interpretation, I find it positively refreshing to come across someone so incredibly talented who is also enlightened enough to realise that all music is music, and that a multitude of what we call "styles" can be combined to create new and inventive aural experiences. My own flute sits in my locker on campus, in need of new pads and spring adjustments; my skills are in need of refreshing. Having listened to Larson's album, I am inspired to affect the repairs, and to hit the books, the stand, the lessons, afresh.

From a flutist.......2002-02-10

I do like it that Ms. Larson plays on a great deal of different flutes. I wish more people would do that. But the down thing is that on her "Vocalise" her playing so much of the time sounds like A Sax! How does she do that?! I would not want my flute students to get that kind of sound in their ear. I have them pick up Elaine Shaffer, Paula Robison, Alexa Still and Katherine Kemler. That is real flute playing! I don't mean to be insulting, but this is what I hear.

from Wind and Wire, Issue 11.......2000-02-06

The flute seems to really be coming into its own as a lead instrument, and Rhonda Larson's first solo album should rightly put her at the forefront of the movement. Formerly with the Paul Winter Consort, Larson was named as one of James Galway's favorite flutists. Defying categorization, Larson combines her classical roots with jazz, Celtic, ethnic, and sacred music. Eight of the eleven tracks were written or arranged by Paul Halley, who also accompanies Larson on piano, organ, and vocals; they obviously really understand each other musically. Larson also debuts her first two original compositions, "Lament" and "Movin' On" (presented without accompaniment) as well as her arrangement of Rachmaninoff's haunting "Vocalise". Larson plays a variety of flutes, including the Indian Bansuri flute, crystal flute, penny whistle, and alto flute, and the styles of playing vary widely from piece to piece. "Peregrine" (my favorite track) and "Ekkaleo" positively soar, while "Loner Song" and "Lament" are more somber and quiet. "Maskell's Harbor" combines the sweet melody from a traditional Irish hymn with a whimsical jig, and then the crystal flute slows it's frantic pace to softly describe the fog skimming over the surface of the water at the Harbor; other melodies flow in and out, and then the jig is revisited, ending on a sprightly note. "Rhuah Returns" is a tribute to a mountain wind in Israel - freedom and beauty flow through this piece of inspiration. "Movin' On" and "Bach in a Minute" clearly demonstrate Larson's virtuosity. "Adoro Te" and "Alleluias" are very spiritual and sacred in feel. Drawing from such a variety of musical styles and influences, Rhonda Larson brings a real richness to this CD that is often missing from the more "homogenized" recordings that stick to one mood or theme. This is one outstanding CD, and I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Free As a Bird (Earth Sea Records)

Manufacturer: EARTH SEA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00094H7EY

Product Description

1. Peregrine 2. Loner Song 3. Maskell's Harbor 4. Lament 5. Rhuah Returns 6. Movin' On 7. Adoro Te 8. Ekkaleo 9. Vocalise 10. Bach in a Minute 11. Alleluias

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

Recommended Music:

Muerte del Toro

Elgar Symphony No.1 Overture "In The South" (St. Martin-in-the Field/Marriner)

Classic Blues, Vol. 6 [Import]

Music: United Trance [Import]

Electric Institute [CD-single] [Import]

Fully Automatic: Drum & Bass Mixed by Ak1200

Go on Baby [CD-single] [Import]

From My Heart

Deaf, Dumb & Blind [Enhanced] [Limited Edition] [Import]

Dvorák: Legends

Crock of Gold [Import]

Event 76 [Import]

Como Una Fiera [Import]

Urbal Beats, Vol. 2

Pop Music pop-music-23