Beyond the Dream

Track Listings

1. Captains of Fate

2. Two Towers

3. Path of the Strong

4. Goddess of Fortune

5. Paragon

6. Madman

7. Dance with Me

8. Child of the Sea

9. Love Won't Stand Still

10. Cascade

Beyond the Dream,Steve Jolliffe,Horizon Music,Ambient,Contemporary Instrumental,Electronic,Fusion,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Beyond the Dream

Tracks:

One Fine Day (Un Bel Di From Madame Butterfly)
Sempre Ricordo (Piano Concerto in A minor)
There's A Place (From The New World Symphony)
Beyond Imagination (From A Midsummer Nights Dream)
O Fortuna (From Carmina Burana)
Lakm2O (Flower Duet)
Ebben?..Ne Andro Lontano (from La Wally)
You Live On In My Heart (Cinema Paradiso)
Chanson Boh (From Carmen)
Remember Me
Stranger In Paradise (From Kismet)
Ode II Joy (From Symphony No. 9)
1001 Nights (From The Nutcracker Suite)
Barcarolle (From The Tales Of Hoffman)
LakmVibeTribe Mix)
Ave Maria
Vittoria! (Aida 2002)

Amazon.com

Plucked from a wet afternoon of busking Bizet and Puccini to passersby on the Piazza in Covent Garden in the spring of 2001, soprano Rebecca Knight and mezzo Karen England soon found themselves singing in slightly larger venues: the FA Cup and Champions League soccer finals. That the management company doing the plucking had recently performed a similar Cinderella crossover act for Russell Watson offered portent, and indeed the Babes--the moniker began as a joke--were soon on their way to this recording debut. The marketing shtick and its soccer connections may offend purists, but it's the football hooligans that the Babes are trying to win over here; can Borodin soothe the savage Manchester United fan? Their classically trained voices mesh gloriously, with England's warm mezzo showing particular character in her solo turns.

The repertoire choices here cover material that may already be familiar to fans of Charlotte Church (i.e., Delibes "Flower Duet") and other crossover acts, but they do include some pleasant surprises, like Offenbach's Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann and "You Live On in My Heart," a reworking of Ennio Morricone's enchanting Cinema Paradiso theme with lyrics by Knight. But in a rush toward the musical middle of the road, it's the productions themselves that sometimes overwhelm the Babes with bathos ("Ave Maria"), hollow thunder ("Aida 2002"), and electro club kitsch (the 'Vibe Tribe' mix of "Flower Duet"). Former Art of Noise mainstay Anne Dudley's tastefully restrained coloring of Tchaikovsky's "1001 Nights" is one of the notable exceptions. They're babes, they sing opera--with fair promise--for the masses, and if they turn one in a hundred from football hooliganism to a well-mannered appreciation of Grieg and Dvorák, won't it all have been worth it? --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

wallpaper.......2007-07-12

overorchestrated, overproduced aural wallpaper...that said, still, these women have wonderful voices and are worth hearing. They are oversold,too...Opera Babes! Indeed. Folks who like Enya will like this.

simply beautiful, so just enjoy it.......2007-06-11

my daughter has taught me to love opera. this immediately captured me. the Babes' voices blend so beautifully. I love it! who cares about Puccini, Classic Opera, blah, blah, woof, woof. I love this album

Sloppy renditions and amateurish.......2007-05-15

I heard one of the selections on Sirius and liked it so I bought the CD. Upon hearing the entire CD I was disappointed that the only selection I liked was the one that prompted me to buy the product. The voices are nice but they are simply adding voice to opera masterpieces that do not fit. They are certainly not of the caliber of Sarah Brightman or Charlotte Church and don't look for that. Their sound is mellow, dim and without the emotion that does an inservice to the opera pieces they sing. I found the CD lackluster and in all honestly very "amateurish".

Great songs reinvented, with a twist.......2006-09-30

Expanding upon the recent interest in Gregorian chant fusion as well as rich-voiced solo vocalists such as Josh Groban, operatic soprano Rebecca Knight and mezzo soprano Karen England offer full-vibratoed, somewhat modernized interpretations of favorite classical themes. Backed by chorus, orchestras, keyboards and drums, they draw from such diversely satisfying works as Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly," Grieg's "Piano Concerto in a minor," Dvorak's "New World Symphony," Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream," Orff's "Carmina Burana," Delibe's "Lakme," Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," Offenbach's "The Tales of Hoffman," Schubert's "Ave Maria," and Verdi's "Aida." Some of the arrangements are fairly traditional, while others are noticeably enhanced. The emphasis tends to be on pretty pieces with sweet melodies, though a few are more intense in nature (#1, 4, 5, 15 and 17). A couple of pop songs, still sung in operatic style, are thrown in for good measure, although they don't have the same appeal and mystique as the old favorites. All of the selections feature both vocalists together, singing in lovely, close harmony. The arrangers of this elegantly hip music include Jon Cohen, Noely, Frank Gallagher, Deni Lew and Anne Dudley, with multi-language lyrics (for the adaptations of instrumental works) by Rebecca Knight and others. I have to admit that I occasionally found myself longing for the modern additions to be more consistently interesting and distinctive--in other words, equaling the artistry of the classics that they're accompanying. Track #1, which really shines, is a well-done example. Alternately, perhaps the source songs might have been better off left in their pure, original styles rather than watered down with schmaltzy, predictable underpinnings that don't add much to the music. But like Enigma did for medieval chant, the Opera Babes are endeavoring to bring some wonderful, time-tested music to a wider audience, fusing it with modern idioms in way that is artistic and generally appealing. For more opera fusion, compare the work of Amici Forever (a group of five singers, both male and female), and the oddly packaged but similar-in-concept album "Coco de Mer" by Adam Plack.

Praise for Beyond Imagination.......2006-02-26

What I really enjoyed about this album was its distinctive sound and arrangement of the material. I enjoy classically performed opera and was surprised how much I like the Opera Babes' versions. Of course, the wonderful voices added immensely to the high quality of this product.

Average customer rating:

Inspiration for the active, involved , listener. She has other more casual, lighter albums
A Comfort To Me
Sorry Guys
Her Best Album by Far!
The one that got me hooked . . .

Beyond a Dream
Twila Paris
Manufacturer: Sparrow
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005KU8
Release Date: 1995-01-10

Tracks:

God Is In Control
Watch And Pray
Neither Will I
All About You
Visitor From Heaven
Seventy Years Ago
I Will Worship
All My Heart
Rescue The Prisoner
What Am I Without You
The Light Is Shining

Customer Reviews:

Inspiration for the active, involved , listener. She has other more casual, lighter albums.......2006-04-07

For warm fuzzy feelings, pop style and, easy listening, this would hardly even rate "3 stars".

But "Neither Will I" and the first two
("God Is In Control", and
"Watch And Pray" )
you have an intimate insight into the writer's personal disappointments, trials and victories.

Buy this album and hang on to it for when your own personal trials come, THEN you'll be able receive strength and inspiration, and have some left over to give.

It's well worth it just for the one song
"Neither Will I" ...
Can't imagine anyone in any of life's trials, that wouldn't receive confidence, hope and renewed staying power from this song!

A Comfort To Me.......2001-10-03

I was introduced to this CD following the death of my infant granddaughter last summer. We used "A Visitor From Heaven" during her memorial service and it was a comforting conclusion to a beautiful service. For several weeks "Visitor" was the only selection I listened to, then I listened to the rest of the CD and found other wonderful songs of praise and comfort. I listen daily to all or some of the CD and continue to be comforted by Twila's beautiful songs.

Sorry Guys.......2001-04-13

Twila Paris is a very gifted and prolific songwriter but I was sorry I bought this CD. I listened and listened to this CD and I was highly disappointed. This CD is VERY rock oriented.If you were to erase the lyrics and just listen to the music you would not be able to distinguish it from a hard-rock album. Most people buy the CD because they have heard "God Is In Control" and have heard it was her best album, but I advise that you save your money. I really do not think its worth buying.

Her Best Album by Far!.......2001-03-28

I have all 16 of Twila's albums. ...I have to say that this is her very best album. "God is in Control" was the #3 Christian song in the 1990's (CCM). I like the rockier edge she puts into it. "Watch and Pray" "All About You" "God is in Control" "Seventy Years Ago" "Rescue The Prisoner." So, I guess I like that it is more jumpy and exciting, something you can really rock to in the car or whatever. However, also the Ballads really hit home to you and bring you spiritual peace. "Visitor From Heaven" is one of my favorite Twila songs. It's used a lot at funerals and used to help grieving parents feel at peace with the loss of their child. "All My Heart" reminds me of the Relationship (not the Religion) that we need to have with the Father. "What Am I Without You" sounds so peaceful and Twila's voice sounds so angelic and just reminds me I am nothing without Him. It's also her Number 1 album because she won more Dove Awards off this album than any other.

The one that got me hooked . . ........2000-05-02

Twila has twice topped this CD since its release--with "Where I Stand" and "True North." Unlike those two, "Beyond a Dream" has a few "filler" songs on it, including "Rescue the Prisoner." Although the message to the song is right on, the music style does not compliment Twila's vocals. My brother calls it the "shoes in the dryer" song; listen to the first ten seconds and you'll know why! : ) However, this was the first Twila Paris CD I ever heard, and soon I was a loyal fan. I've backtracked so that I know own everything from 1985 to current, and she is the most talented songwriter I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. I completely agree with Twila when she says that each of her songs is "a gift from God." What great gifts, and how wonderful that she's shared them with us!

Average customer rating:

Excellent Music. Happy to discover another Jewel.
Pure piano, pure Lorie, pure pleasure

Beyond a Dream
Lorie Line
Manufacturer: Time Line Production
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Prince Of Tides (Main Title)
Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves; Everything I Do
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Les Miserables; A Little Fall Of Rain
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Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Clos
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Customer Reviews:

Excellent Music. Happy to discover another Jewel........2000-04-09

Very beautiful compilations. Bought 2 CDs at first to "try out". Now, back to Amazon to get the whole lot!

Pure piano, pure Lorie, pure pleasure.......1999-08-26

Lorie plays with ease, skill, and dexterity that soothes and amazes. She did "Blowing in the Wind" as a conclusion to one of my Chapel talks - it is here in all of its intricate, melodic glory. She carries you back and forth with imaginative trills between the theme notes. A wonderful adventure!

Average customer rating:

extremely poor re-mastering
An excellent CD!
Nelson Eddy on CD - always a pleasure

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ASIN: B000001ZRF
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

Carousel in the Park - Jeanette MacDonald
It Doesn't Cost You Anything to Dream - Jeanette MacDonald
Close as Pages in a Book - Jeanette MacDonald, Robert Merrill
Fireman's Bride - Jeanette MacDonald, Robert Merrill
Big Back Yard - Robert Merrill
When You Walk in the Room - Robert Merrill
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Customer Reviews:

extremely poor re-mastering.......2004-12-21

I listen to many (re-mastered) historical recordings. Jeanette MacDonald is certainly one of my most favorite sopranos. For some reason, I haven't been able to find a decent, or even acceptable, re-mastering of her recordings.

While this one certainly contains many valuable tracks, the re-mastering is horrid. The songs sound stripped yet still maintain a great deal of distracting noise. I conjecture that the re-mastering was done simply by increasing the bass and decreasing the treble.

An excellent CD!.......2004-03-29

This is an excellent collection of the Screen Sweethearts of the 30's, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, *not* singing together, in the 40's (except for a few of Jeanette's songs).

For Jeanette, it has numbers from Up In Central Park: Carousel in the Park, It Doesn't Cost You Anything to Dream, Close as Pages in a Book, Fireman's Bride, The Big Back Yard, When You Walk in the Room. She and Robert Merrill sing these together and on their own, and very charmingly, too. There are also Love Me Tonight, Isn't It Romantic, and Beyond the Blue Horizon.

For Nelson, he sings music from The Student Prince with Rise Stevens: Golden Days, Drinking Song, Deep in my Heart Dear, Serenade (which is BEAUTIFUL!), Just We Two, and Come Boys. He also sings all the songs from Northwest Outpost - thankfully, without Ilona Massey! Also, the Willie the Whale segment from Make Mine Music is on this CD - just as it is in the movie, with the narration and everything - it's great! (The Tristan und Isolde part is not included, however - not sure what the reasoning is behind that.) He also sings a duet with Jane Powell - Why Do I Love You? from Show Boat.

I say this is a must for fans of Nelson and/or Jeanette, not to mention Rise Stevens!

I particularly enjoy "When You Walk in the Room". It's a charming little tune, with ridiculous but adorable lyrics! "Fireman's Bride" is very funny also - Jeanette barely sounds like herself!

I hope this will help others to choose this CD - it's a pity there's not a list of the titles here!

Nelson Eddy on CD - always a pleasure.......1998-08-30

It's always a pleasure to find Nelson Eddy's wonderful voice on CD and this one has some of the harder-to-find pieces in it, including collaborations with Jane Powell and the wonderful mezzo Rise Stevens. The recording of "The Whale Who Sang at the Met" is a must for any collector as are the excellent recordings (better than on the movie) for "Northwest Outpost". The baritone singing opposite Jeanette MacDonald also has an excellent voice (though his name temporarily escapes me)

Average customer rating:

Pure instrumental magic!

Great American Light Orchestra

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ASIN: B0002PZW74
Release Date: 2006-04-17

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Brazilian Sleigh Bells - Percy Faith & His Orchestra
Anna - Victor Young & His Orchestra
No Stings Attached - Richard Hayman & His Orchestra
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Dance of the Violins - MGM Studio Orchestra
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Toyland Waltz [From Babes in Toyland]
Manhattan Masquerade - Paul Whiteman Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

Pure instrumental magic!.......2007-06-13

The purchase of this CD was highly recommended by a fellow member of Yahoo's "Beautiful Instrumentals Group." Containing several formerly unavailable on CD selections, this album is pure instrumental magic! For example, some of you may recall Monte Kelly's mid-1950s rendition of "Tropicana," from the LP of the same name, and other songs from that collection. They are here at last! I have been waiting since CDs came out to see "Tropicana" and many other "magical instrumentals" from the US and Europe finally appear on CD, and this is the first in a series of new CDs produced by Nick Acquaviva to hit the market that feature these wonderful instrumentals. I highly recommend that anyone who loves classic instrumental check this and the entire series out. You will not be disappointed!

Average customer rating:

BOB BRINGS BACK HIS FLEETWOOD MAC YEARS
FLOORED !
A Masterpiece
Good job Bob
Outstanding

His Fleetwood Mac Years & Beyond
Bob Welch
Manufacturer: One Way Records Inc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00009YXAI
Release Date: 2003-07-08

Tracks:

Oh Well, Pts. 1-2
Future Games
Revelation
Miles Away
Hypnotized
Emerald Eyes
Bermuda Triangle
Angel
Silver Heels
Sentimental Lady
Ebony Eyes
Hot Love, Cold World
Precious Love
Church
Like Rain

Album Description

Full Title - His Fleetwood Mac Years & Beyond. Ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist/vocalist/songwriter & platinum solo recording artist Bob Welch went into the studio & re-recorded songs from the early years of Fleetwood Mac as well as his solo hits. The result is a great collection of songs that encapsulate his illustrious career. There are 15 cuts, of which 9 are Fleetwood Mac songs (including an outstanding 9 minute version of the classic 'Oh Well'), 4 solo hits, & one previously unreleased track...66 minutes of music! Signed & numbered slipcase. One Way. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

BOB BRINGS BACK HIS FLEETWOOD MAC YEARS.......2003-08-03

WITH THIS NEW ALBUM BOB BRINGS IN NEW FANS WHO DID'NT KNOW HIS WORK WITH FLEETWOOD MAC,WHICH HAS BEEN OVER LOOKED FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS.FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL FANS BUY IT. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NEW TO BOB WELCH TAKE A CHANCE.

FLOORED !.......2003-07-29

I just finished listening to your new release (F-Mac Years & Beyond) & I am FLOORED!!! Great songs, Great Production, etc. The cuts ARE so true to the original but with BALLS!!! I love it (I am the proud owner of disk # 0277). Mark Lesko

A Masterpiece.......2003-07-28

I picked up the new album over the weekend. It is a
masterpiece. I am usually skeptical when artists
re-record their classic hits because the results are,
more often than not, vastly inferior to the original
work. I think that you have raised the bar on this
release. Every cut is at least as equal in quality as
its original and some are, as U2 might put it, "even
better than the real thing". The drum sound on
"Sentimental Lady" is wonderful and the guitar work on
the older Mac songs is not only current but classic. I
can't wait for an album of all new Bob Welch songs.
Again, congratulations on a remarkable job well-done

Thomas Helnick

Good job Bob.......2003-07-28

I got my signed limited edition copy today, (2100/2500, nice number! haha).

It's very very good indeed. All the numbers have stayed true to the originals but have been changed in a very good and interesting way with new technology playing it's part, the sound quality is outstanding for a start.

Bob's new tune "Like Rain" is a subtle song that flows very well. Good melody and as Bob says in the notes it would fit easily into anything Fleetwood Mac or solo that he has done.

A new very well textured version of Oh Well (parts 1 and 2) opens things up and it gets better with a nice new version of Future Games. Bob's voice is as good as I've ever heard it (must be the cleaner air of Nashville!).

In fact I love every track on the album and Bob seems to be in a really creative phase here.

Anybody even remotely interested in Bob's music it's worth a listen for sure, especially any Fleetwood Mac fans from the Buckingham Nicks era that want a "new" introduction to earlier times, anybody that love's Bob's work (you there ChiliD?) it's an absolute must.

Hey, and if you're reading this Bob, very nice work my friend. I look forward to your next project with enthusiasm
madformac

Outstanding.......2003-07-26

outstanding <
It's been my experience that classic material re-recorded,by the original artist or any other capable artist,never delivered the fresh sound and feel as the original.This CD delivers!Bob went through this collection of great songs with tender,loving care. With his modern interpretations and punchier deliveries through digital recording,down to the song,I prefer the new versions over the originals.Great CD!Great job,Bob!!

Average customer rating:

By All Means - A forgotten group

Beyond a Dream
By All Means
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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It's Real

ASIN: B000008DWD
Release Date: 1990-06-15

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Let's Get It On
Do You Remember
Early Fall
Tender Love
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Point of View
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More You Give, the More You Get
I Know You Well

Customer Reviews:

By All Means - A forgotten group.......2005-07-07

This was one of the best R&B albums to come out that year but for some reason they did not get the air play and recognition they deserved. I still listen to this album and it is right on time even today. All of the songs are upbeat, danceable and have great lyrics.

Average customer rating:

OH WELL, Bob Did NOT Sing On This Classic
A good album but I like the originals better
Real nice try, but no cigar
The Art of Musical Re-Invention
Bob Welch: That was then...This is NOW

His Fleetwood Mac Years & Beyond
Bob Welch
Manufacturer: One Way Records Inc
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ASIN: B00009YXAJ
Release Date: 2003-07-08

Tracks:

Oh Well (Pt. 1 & 2)
Future Games
Revelation
Miles Away
Hypnotized
Emerald Eyes
Bermuda Triangle
Angel
Silver Heels
Sentimental Lady
Ebony Eyes
Hot Love Cold World
Precious Love
Church
Like Rain

Album Description

Full Title - His Fleetwood Mac Years & Beyond. Ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist/vocalist/songwriter and platinum solo recording artist Bob Welch went into the studio and re-recorded songs from the early years of Fleetwood Mac as well as his solo hits. The result is a great collection of songs that capsulate his illustrious career. There are 15 cuts, of which 9 are Fleetwood Mac songs (including an outstanding 9 minute version of the classic 'Oh Well'), 4 solo hits, and one brand new (2003) track...66 minutes of music! Also available for a limited time, One Way is offering their 'Limited Edition Signature Series' which is a hand signed slip sleeve by Bob and hand numbered strictly to 2,500 copies. Slipcase. One Way.

Customer Reviews:

OH WELL, Bob Did NOT Sing On This Classic.......2005-07-06

Give Us All Fleetwood Mac fans a break! For Bob Welch to imply[even by rerecording the song]that "OH WELL Pts.1&2" is a Fleetwood Mac song which he sang lead on is a huge mistake on his part and all involved in the marketing and production of this compilation. The enduring "OH WELL" was vocalized by Peter Green, on Fleetwood Mac's 1969 classic album, "THEN PLAY ON", which listed members Danny Kirwan, Jeremy Spencer, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and also included "guest" musician[and future longtime Mac member]Christine McVie on backup vocals and keyboards. Bob Welch was NOT even a member of Fleetwood Mac, and didn't join till a couple years later. This new version of "Oh Well" lacks the sparkle, shimmer and shine of the original's eery, hauntingly beautiful instrumental extension after the vocal. Mr. Welch may have sung "OH WELL" 'live' on early 70's tours during his Big Mac era, but, his vocalising was slightly adequate and still lacked the bite and zeal of Peter Green's intense delivery...Lindsey Buckingham would perform a remarkable rendition on Big Mac tours throughout the 70's/80's/90's and into the new millenium. Welch fared better with a half dozen hits[some included here]during the latter half of the 70's with his solo career, during which he scored Top 10 success with his previous[circa 1974]Mac contribution - "SENTIMENTAL LADY" - rerecorded and coproduced/featuring backup vocals by Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie. Welch also contributed a classic rock radio staple to Fleetwood Mac's catalogue in "HYPNOTIZED" - but, as a few other reviewers here also noted, the original versions are preferrably better. "THEN PLAY ON" is still available and is an incredibly produced album all music fans should explore and include in their essential collections.

A good album but I like the originals better.......2004-12-31

After listening through twice, I have to say that for the most part, I prefer the original versions of most of these songs. Maybe that's just because I had the old Fleetwood Mac albums and listened to them only a few hundred times! However, I am all for Bob's getting these songs back out there because they're good and should not be forgotten. And the one new song (Like Rain) is very good also! So I really do highly recommend this album.

Real nice try, but no cigar.......2003-09-14

I'll admit some skepticism to the idea of an artist 'updating' their own catalog, particularly when the original music has withstood the test of time (and changing tastes) well. I think this is true of Welch's tunes as they appear in various FMac and solo recordings, though as Welch states in his interesting liner notes, today's technology DOES show the limitations of those analog originals. Welch's aim with this recording seems two-fold: he re-creates hundreds of sonic details from his older tunes, while fashioning new arrangements or instrumentation. He also plays every instrument you hear in this collection.

So, given good intentions, ample talent, and a songlist that includes both hits and great Welchian nuggets, how could this album possibly go wrong ? For my part, it's entirely a matter of execution. While there are some great self-covers I'd gladly play over and over, there are at least as many sour listening experiences. And though this album is mixed with richer sound than any other in Welch's repertoire, the added musical dynamic casts his singing voice in poor light.

I'm not a vocal purist, but I am a realist...and when Welch claims (again, in his liner notes) that his voice has never sounded better, I must respectfully disagree. In this context it doesn't matter if he can hit all the right notes if he's singing with a stuffed nose. I don't mean that as a dig, and will freely admit that a few of his vocals here ("Revelation," "Bermuda Triangle," "Angel") are among his best. But elsewhere his nasal tone is simply grating.

The updated arrangements are hit and miss. To my ears, his FMac tunes fare best: "Revelation" kicks and cooks, "Hypnotized" is given a light jazzy feel and deep rhythmic pulse, "Bermuda Triangle" is actually danceable in this take, and "Angel" never sounded this good. But Welch's stylistic re-treads of "Miles Away" (with it's annoying big beat syndrum), and "Ebony Eyes" (think cheesy 80's new wave synth) are uninteresting genre experiments that do nothing for the songs. Welch's most familiar solo hits, "Sentimental Lady" and "Precious Love" are all but unlistenable in these versions. Kudos to Welch for his attempt to re-create Lindsey Buckingham's arrangement for the former, but the track sounds flat and tinny. "Precious Love" is my pick for worst song here...his multi-tracked vocals are out of time (not to mention relentlessly nasal), and the backing track is so homogenized that it sounds like it was lifted from a Karaoke collection.

I've been following Welch's music for about 25 years, and with a couple of exceptions ("Silver Heels" and the new track, "Like Rain") I wouldn't change the tune selection if I were making my own compilation of the originals. Such a collection would easily get five stars from me, not to mention a prominent spot in my CD rack. This disc is problematic for me in a number of ways that I think are worth mentioning to other longtime fans. Most will probably buy this album any way, and I hope they find at least as many gems as I have. But if you're a newbie, or just looking for Welch at his best, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.

The Art of Musical Re-Invention.......2003-08-30

If you appreciate catchy 70's pop rock or if you are one of the few people on this planet who appreciates Fleetwood Mac's pre-Rumours material~ this is an album I highly recommend. Bob Welch completely redoes his old Fleetwood Mac material as well as gems from his solo career.

This is more than just a rehash. Technical advancements in recording, in addition to Bob Welch's musical creativity, make this a package worth checking out. The tunes on here are familiar to many of us but now they have a distinctly atmospheric and jazzy feel, without losing the original spirit of the songs. A case in point is the first track, as Bob revisits and re-interpretes Peter Green's classic "Oh Well" . Clocking in at 9 minutes, the second half of this song evolves into musical ecstasy as guitar exploration blends beautifully with ethereal musical effects. The funky sound of "Angel" and the up-tempo "Silver Heels" stand out vibrantly, much moreso than they did on Mac's 1974 dog of an album "Heroes are Hard to Find"

If you are a purist, then fret not: The songs on this collection are still as catchy as you remember, only now Welch has kicked it up a notch and brought'em into the 21st century. Besides, the production and the sound quality are so much better!

This album is a testament to Bob Welch as a musical artist and a producer.

Bob Welch: That was then...This is NOW.......2003-08-09

Fans of Bob & Fleetwood Mac will absolutely fall in love again with new renderings of these timeless classics. While many solo re-recording projects tend to be rather self-indulgent re-hashings of past glories, this one NAILS IT. The production value is first rate. The songs are all readily familar however, using today's technology, they have never sounded more dynamic and bold. My favorite aspect was to listen to the songs while reading Bob's enlightening liner notes. You'll discover what a brilliant singer (better than 20 years ago), musician, lyricist, and producer Bob is. Yup, you heard it all before, but NEVER this good! A previously un-released song,"Like Rain" is included in this compilation. It melds just beautifully with the overall flow of this album. Finally, the packaging,is limited addition, hand signed,with excellent graphics together with the tremendously personal liner notes. There are only 2,500 of these gems available. Don't wait too long!!

Average customer rating:

"Eloquent, Exquisite, Exciting"
A Gem!

Dreamer: A Portrait of Langston Hughes
Darryl Taylor , William Warfield , Maria Corley , Erik Santos , and Patricia Terry-Ross
Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Voice of Langston Hughes
The Negro Speaks of Rivers: Art Songs by African-American Composers
You Can Tell the World: Songs by African-American Women Composers

ASIN: B00006I9HH
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

My People - William Warfield
Heart
Island
The Weary Blues - William Warfield
Litany
A Black Pierrot
March Moon
Negro - William Warfield
The Negro Speaks Of Rivers
My People
Song To The Dark Virgin
Evil - William Warfield
Joy
Lonely House
Minstrel Man
Sunday Morning Prophecy - William Warfield
In Time Of Silver Rain
Carolina Cabin
Madam And The Census Taker - William Warfield
Lovely, Dark And Lonely One
Sylvester's Dying Bed - William Warfield
Sandman/Birth
Bound No'th Blues
To Artina
Down Where I Am
The Dream Weaver/Bouquet
Still Here - William Warfield

Customer Reviews:

"Eloquent, Exquisite, Exciting".......2004-08-18

"Dreamer" is unquestionably the finest recording of original songs by black composers available today. The singing of tenor, Darryl Taylor is superb and demonstrates a vocal beauty, musicianship, and interpretive sensitivy that is rarely equaled. The selection of poems of poet laureate, Langston Hughes is first rate, and even more important, the songs themselves are original, varied and well written. I think every listener will find "Dreamer" an exciting musical experience, and I predict for Darry Taylor a distinguished career as an interpreter of art songs. For the Naxos price, buy two albums and give one to a friend!

A Gem!.......2002-10-17

This collection is a gem! Langston Hughes was a very "musical" poet who was inspired by a variety of forms, from jazz to classical. His poetry in turn inspired a whole generation of composers, thirteen of whom are represented here in fifteen art songs. Additionally, eight Hughes poems are read by William Warfield.