For the Cool in You

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In a rhythm and blues era when not just rappers but most singers as well try to outdo each other with the biggest beats, the roughest vocals, and the rawest attitudes, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds swims against the tide on For the Cool in You, a collection of understated, satiny romantic soul. It's a big gamble, for such an evocation of Smokey Robinson's "Quiet Storm" in 1993 invites charges of wimpiness and crossover sell-out. The charges are often accurate, for it's very hard to do atmospheric pop-soul without tumbling down the slippery slope of sentimentality. The triumph of "For the Cool in You" is that it avoids just that danger by building the songs on rhythmic and harmonic tensions that are no less effective for being subtly tucked behind the seemingly serene vocals. --Geoffrey Himes

For the Cool in You,Babyface,Sony,Pop,R&B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

For the Cool in You

Tracks:

For The Cool In You
Lady, Lady
Never Keeping Secrets
Rock Bottom
And Our Feelings
Saturday
When Can I See You
Illusions
Bit Old-Fashioned, A
You Are So Beautiful
I'll Always Love You
Well Alright
For The Cool In You (Quiet Storm Vocal Mix)
When Can I See You (Urban Soul Basement Mix)
For The Cool In You (Midnight Luv Instrumental Mix)

Amazon.com Music Reviews

In a rhythm and blues era when not just rappers but most singers as well try to outdo each other with the biggest beats, the roughest vocals, and the rawest attitudes, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds swims against the tide on For the Cool in You, a collection of understated, satiny romantic soul. It's a big gamble, for such an evocation of Smokey Robinson's "Quiet Storm" in 1993 invites charges of wimpiness and crossover sell-out. The charges are often accurate, for it's very hard to do atmospheric pop-soul without tumbling down the slippery slope of sentimentality. The triumph of "For the Cool in You" is that it avoids just that danger by building the songs on rhythmic and harmonic tensions that are no less effective for being subtly tucked behind the seemingly serene vocals. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

tight Album by Babyface.......2007-05-15

along with R.kelly, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie, Babyface for me is in that list of the Most Important Living Artists. not only has he left a lasting mark as a Songwriter and Producer for others,but his solo career was also banging as well and this Album is tight and is my last Fav Babyface album. the title track was smooth as was "Lady,Lady", when can I see you again", and Our feelings. Babyface truly showcased his versatility as a All Around Artist. Babyface was tough in the 80's and 90's. this Album along with R.Kelly's 12 Play were my two most played albums that i grooved to back in 94. tight album by Face.

When R&B was just that.......2006-04-27

This is a Babyface classic and in my personal opinion the only "must-have" Babyface LP that should be in any R&B lovers collection.

Babyface (who, incidentally graduated from my high school -- Indianapolis North Central representin' ... sorry, had 2 do a quick shout out) is a megaproducer who'll go down in history and always be remembered for his hitmaking with basically everybody who's anybody.

However, as a singer and solo artist, his career for the most part rightfully took a back seat to more seasoned and charismatic vocalists of various stages of late 20th Century R&B (Keith Sweat, Bobby Brown, Al B. Sure, R. Kelly, Brian McKnight, D'Angelo, Maxwell, Usher, Joe ... there was always someone out harder and stronger e'ery time 'Face dropped an LP of his own).

However, listening to "For the Cool in You" 13 years after its release is a sweet reminder of the way things used to be.

Back in the day, R&B singers didn't HAVE to have rappers and multiple artist collaborations on their LPs to get noticed -- and "For the Cool in You" is an LP that's 100% 'Face and 100% R&B.

Babyface doesn't have a powerful voice or a deeply soulful voice. I can only offer that his swagger is more laid back and more conservative.

But sometimes less is more. That's what you get here.

The title track, "Lady, Lady, Lady," "And Our Feelings, "Never Keeping Secrets" and "When Can I See You Again" are all slow to midtempo tracks more appropriate for down time, perhaps low background music at your desk/on the job or just plain old great music to unwind to.

Babyface got the ladies hooked on this LP b/c he comes correct with clear, simple, honest and heartfelt lyrics.

This album is proof you don't always need Usher's kind of high energy, Janet Jackson-esque dance-track-ability or beggin' ass Keith Sweat's persona to tell that special someone how you really feel about them.

Short, sweet and cool.

Recommended LP!!!!

So worth it.......2006-02-09

This is definitely a good buy. I owned a copy when it came out and it went missing. I have for a while been meaning to replace it and glad I did. It took me back down memory lane , but also, it brought back the joy I experienced listening to this. Definitely his best album in my view.

Chillin'.......2005-10-26

For The Cool In You is the follow-up to Babyface's debut solo career and did not lose his step from Tender Lover. This LP was entirely produced by Babyface, L.A. Reid & Daryl Simmons and Face wrote and or co-wrote eleven of the twelve featured songs on here. The only one that was not is a remake of "You Are So Beautiful" and it is just that. The formula here is good wholesome R&B with a pop twist to it. As for a standout, the acoustic driven "When Can I See You Again" balances this album for a more sincere feeling. The two titles that are more or less up-tempo is the title track and "Saturday" as the remainder is either slow or laid back. Lyrically Face has captured the full extent of a true relationship from asking for the initial commitment in "Lady, Lady" to the devastating breakup in "And Our Feelings". But, this is Babyface and one should expect nothing but the best.

Best of his CD's..By Far.......2005-03-15

Adult contemporary R&B. This CD is still in rotation at my house, in my car and at my office. Each and every song, sounds as good as they did when he released this gem. This CD displayed how much Babyface matured over the years. Poignant pleading jams, tasty midtempo jams, juicy slow jams and fast paced, finger popping, sing with me..jams! This CD has it all start to finish...I promise you!

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll

Average customer rating:

Nice Collection
PERFECT!
Great singing and excellent value for money
More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll
Henry Purcell , Nancy Argenta , and Nigel North
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort
Essential Purcell
Bach: Cantatas
Gabrieli · Monteverdi · Vivaldi - Venetian Church Music / Taverner Consort, Choir & Players · Andrew Parrott

ASIN: B000059LOH
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Ah! How Sweet It Is To Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Not All My Torments - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
Stripp'd Of Their Green - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
If Music Be The Food Of Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Hark! Hark! The Echoing Air - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
The Fatal Hour Comes On Apace - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Incassum, Lesbia - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
Sweeter Than Roses - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
Cupid, The Slyest Rogue Alive - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
From Silent Shades - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Dear Pretty Youth - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
From Rosy Bow'rs - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Now That The Sun Hath Veil'd His Light - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
Beneath A Poplar's Shadow - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
Let Us Dance - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
Fairest Isle - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby

Tracks:

Nymphs And Shepherds - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Amidst The Shades And Cool Refreshing Streams - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
Love In Their Little Veins Inspires - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/Nigel North
Fly Swift, Ye Hours - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
They Tell Us That Your Mighty Powers - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
The Plaint: O Let Me Weep - Nancy Argenta/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
In The Black, Dismal Dungeon Of Despair - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
See, Even Night Herself Is Here - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones
Why Should Men Quarrel? - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/John Toll
Seek Not To Know - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Sophia McKenna/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Retir'd From Mortals' Sight - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
To Arms, Heoric Prince - Nancy Argenta/Mark Bennett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
O Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Halcyon Days - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Bid The Virtues - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Lord, What Is Man? (A Divine Hymn) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Music For A While - Nancy Argenta/John Toll
If Music Be The Food Of Love (1st Setting) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/John Toll
Sawney Is A Bonny Lad (A Scotch Song) - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
When I Have Often Heard Young Maids Complaining - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
Ah! Cruel, Bloody Fate - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
Thy Hand, Belinda... When I Am Laid In Earth - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North

Customer Reviews:

Nice Collection.......2007-03-05

I have many collections of Purcell's Music. This collection stands up to them at half the price. Solid buy.

PERFECT!.......2006-10-26

There is only a word with which I can describe this set of discs: perfect!
The only flaw there is, is not related to the singing or playing: no text enclosed.

Great singing and excellent value for money.......2004-09-19

This is probably one of the best anthologies of Purcell songs around, and not just because it's two-for-one pricing means it contains twice as much music (CD1:74'24" & CD2: 77'41")! Nancy Argenta has an irrepressible sense of style and crystal clear diction. But unlike Emma Kirby, whose vocal purity can become tiresome, these renditions radiate warmth. She is also, I have found, more consistently involving than any one of the singers in Hyperion's three disc survey of Complete Secular Songs (recently reissued as a single set). One marvels at how she judiciously balances restraint and emotional forthrightness. The accompaniments (archlute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ) are well judged and blend with the voice, all helped by an excellently defined recording acoustic. This is an absolute winner at any price!

More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'.......2001-08-02

Two CDs, totaling more than 150 minutes of sparsely-arranged (never more than 3-5 instruments at a time), sweetly-sung, 350 year old 'ayres' (a typically English form of secular music). Nancy Argenta's soprano voice is lovely, silvery indeed as her name implies. The instruments are a discreet but friendly accompaniment to her solo voice. Perhaps the instruments are a little too discreet -- there are times when I wish they were a touch more prominent. But that is a very, very minor complaint. A beautiful collection, and quite well worth the money.

Average customer rating:

Intimate and tuneful
Underrated Previn
What happened?

Ballads/Solo Jazz Standards

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Alone: Ballads for Solo Piano
After Hours
Andre Previn Plays Jerome Kern
We Got Rhythm: Gershwin Songbook
Andre Previn Plays Harold Arlen

ASIN: B000002SLK
Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

More Than You Know
It Could Happen To You/Here's That Rainy Day
My Funny Valentine
How Are Things In Glocca Morra?
Have You Met Miss Jones/Nobody's Heart
In Our Little Boat
As Time Goes By
My Melancholy Baby
It Only Happens When I Dance With You
Angel Eyes
In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
It Might As Welll Be Spring
The Second Time Around
Dance Of Life

Customer Reviews:

Intimate and tuneful.......2005-01-14

I'm an admirer of Previn as both classical and jazz musician, and in both categories he excels. This album has the same intimate, highly musical quality that you'll find in Keith Jarrett's The Melody at Night with You. What I appreciate about both is the fact that the pianist's invention always serves the music; it's never obtrusively artful or showy. Highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and get Jarrett's disc to go along with this.

Underrated Previn.......2002-01-14

Andre Previn has always been an underrated jazz pianist. Because of his astonishing variety of successes as a classical conductor, pianist and composer; a film composer; a songwriter; and a performer of romantic cocktail music, he has been eyed suspiciously by the jazz community. In fact, his Tatum-like virtuosity, and his wildly unique and often playfully humorous piano style has made him one of the most interesting, innovative, and entertaining jazz pianists around. His many trio albums on Contemporary Records in the '50s (with Red Mitchell and Shelly Manne) still hold up as some of the best of their kind. But like Rodney Dangerfield, he never gets any respect. Thus, even his most kind critics are likely to throw darts at "Ballads" as too sweet and not swinging. Nonsense! It's not Monk, but it is nevertheless a beautiful set and a loving tribute to some of the greatest songwriters in Tin Pan Alley. Previn squeezes out every harmonic nuance of each song, yet he sounds like he's playing off the cuff in his living room late at night just to amuse himself. Previn may not swing like Teddy Wilson or Oscar Peterson on this offering, but I can't imagine any serious listener being left unmoved by his version of Burton Lane's "How Are Things In Glocca Morra?" It's simply gorgeous. Previn's amazing talents and his proficiency in many musical styles all come together in this unjustly overlooked CD. Give it a chance!

What happened?.......2001-10-03

THe magic is gone. After reading the liner notes, I learned that someone at the studio asked Previn to make an album of just ballads. BIG MISTAKE. I think he was not in the mood.

Average customer rating:

Kid in the Mirror

Manufacturer: Butter-Dog
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA6TCQ
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Tracks:

The Dinosaur, the Dodo and the Unicorn
Video Game
The World's Fastest Bicycle
There's a Monster in My House
I Dreamed that I Could Fly
The Tiger and the Zebra
Crazy Mountain Road
The Kid in the Mirror
The Elephant Song
The Tale of the Sun and the Moon

Yvonne Kenny Sings Great Operatic Arias, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Yvonne Kenny Sings Great Operatic Arias, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Yvonne Kenny - Great Operatic Arias / Philharmonia Orchestra · David Parry [in English]

ASIN: B0000A2ZVE
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

Ah! Cruel Man
Letter Duet: How Delightful 'Tis To Wander'
Ah, Forgive, My Love, Forgive Me
He's Not The One Who Is Right For Me
By Tomorrow We'll Be Together
A Vilia Who Liv'd By A Cool Forest Glade'
Where Are They Now?
Where Is My Brother?
By Strauss
Some Day My Heart Will Awake

Average customer rating:

Transcendent Vocalism
Beautifully delivered as always, but not my material.
Lives up to their reputation
One of the best I've picked up in ages
Fantastic recording of contemporary choral works

Colors of Love
Steven Stucky , John Tavener , Bernard Rands , Long Zhou , Chen Yi , Augusta Read Thomas , Steven Sametz , Marianne Kach , and Chanticleer
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Our American Journey
Wondrous Love: A World Folk Song Collection
Tavener: Lamentations & Praises
Lost in the Stars
Chanticleer: Magnificat (A Capella Works by Josquin, Palestrina, Titov, Victoria, and Others)

ASIN: B00000IWR3
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Cradle Songs: Rouxinol do pico preto (Brazil)
Cradle Songs: Lilajze, Jezuniu (Poland)
Cradle Songs: Buy Baby Ribbon (Tobago)
Village Wedding
Canti d'Amor: 'Winds of May, that dance on the sea'
Canti d'Amor: 'O cool is the valley'
Canti d'Amor: 'This heart that flutters near my heart'
Canti d'Amor: 'Silently she's combing her long hair'
Canti d'Amor: 'Gentle lady, do not sing sad songs'
Canti d'Amor: 'Sleep now, O you unquiet heart'
Canti d'Amor: 'All day I hear the noise of waters'
Words of the Sun
Tang Poems: Written on a Rainy Night
Tang Poems: Wild Grass
The Rub of Love
in time of
Love Songs: 'Look out upon the stars, my love'
Love Songs: 'Love is a beautiful dream'
Love Songs: 'Alas, the love of women!'
Love Songs: 'For stony limits cannot hold love out'
Love Songs: 'All mankind love a lover'

Amazon.com

This compilation of modern-day madrigals, the latest in a fascinating series of discs from the San Francisco-based all-male vocal group Chanticleer, won the Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance of 1999. The selections range over a variety of styles and aesthetics, from the haunting, hypnotic sounds of Steven Stucky's Cradle Songs to the archaic, ethereal beauty and Eastern inflections of John Tavener's "Village Wedding." There are the soft (and somewhat affected) asperities of Bernard Rands' Canti d'Amor as well as the gentle, almost English pastoralism of Zhou Long's "Words of the Sun" (beautiful!) and the colorfully exotic Orientalism of Chen Yi's Tang Poems. Other examples of the wide range here are the self-conscious busywork of Augusta Read Thomas's Love Songs to the darkly lush, 12-part weave of Steven Sametz's "In Time Of," with its radiant climax and pulsating chordal sonorites like the tolling of bells. All of this Chanticleer sings with striking freshness and commitment, virtuosic to a fare-thee-well, always sensitive to the emotional cues of the texts. The recording, made at Skywalker Ranch in January of 1999, is vivid and warm, and so is much of the music. Truly a winning disc. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Transcendent Vocalism.......2005-01-31

This compilation is essential listening, especially (but not exclusively) for those already introduced to the marvels of Chanticleer. It features a wide variety of contemporary madrigals all dedicated to the theme of love. Gorgeous polyphony, entrancing dissonance; the music is very difficult, but Chanticleer's vocalism is exemplary, as always. The whole feel of the album takes some getting used to for the uninitiated. After a few listenings, though, one can fully perceive its unique and sublime beauty.

Highlights abound. The first three tracks, all lullabies by Steven Stucky, are brilliantly executed, but it is track four, Village Wedding by John Taverner, that first knocked my socks off. It seems to represent the absolutely ideal match between composer and performer, between written and sung text. It consists of a wonderful poem by Greek poet Angelos Sikelianos, with a recurring excerpt from the Eastern Orthodox wedding ceremony interspersed throughout. Taverner is himself a member of the Eastern Orthodox church, and the song is as much a spiritual experience as a musical one.

Another fantastic piece is Words of the Sun, by Chinese composer Zhou Long. It is probably the most accessible song on the CD, with numerous lovely subtleties and nuances that can be fully appreciated after multiple exposures.

Lastly, I'd like to express my sincere conviction that In Time Of (by Steven Sametz, set to a poem by E.E. Cummings) is the single most gorgeous piece of music I have ever had the great fortune to hear. The sonority is perfectly balanced, each arching phrase better than the one before. Please, for the sake of pure unadulterated beauty, purchase this CD. You will not regret it.

Beautifully delivered as always, but not my material........2002-07-30

I came to this album as a fan of Chanticleer more than of contemporary art music, though I like to think I do have a certain ear for the stuff. I haven't been educated in it, but I've sung some in my time in choruses, and I learned to appreciate those pieces the way that I learned to appreciate the more classical stuff as a child--by feeling it and hearing it come out of my own body, the ways that it worked, what was exciting, ect. That said, there is a point where I don't get it, and I reached that point all over this album. I thought I'd pass it on because it is hard for most of us to pick this kind of music off the shelf--there will be pieces that skewer us and some that make us fidget. For my part, I am grateful to have the album for the sake of three (long) songs. The Tavner Wedding song itself is probably worth it. But the album will never be put on leisurely.

Lives up to their reputation.......2001-03-07

Just recently had the opportunity to hear Chanticleer in concert...this CD certainly gives a cross section of their range...especially liked the "Tang Poems" and "Words of the Sun", which they performed live...very esoteric mix of musical styles...well worth the purchase for Chanticleer lovers!

One of the best I've picked up in ages.......2000-11-25

First of all let me state that the 4 stars isn't for the performance...which is truly outstanding...it is for a few pieces that are a tad sub-par. I also want to mention that its not that the pieces are modern either, I happen to be extremely sympathetic to modern music.

I usually don't like to do reviews this way, but I'm going to make a few comments piece by piece:

1) CRADLE SONGS - The first two of this trio of lullabies are great...the ones from Brazil & Poland are hauntingly beautiful...I'm not so crazy about the one from Tobago. A fairly strong piece, its certainly interesting.

2) VILLAGE WEDDING - This is one of the best three pieces on the album, and probably the best. Hearing John Tavener's work next to his contemporaries is an easy indicator of why he is considered one of this century's greatest and certainly one of the greatest living composers. Simultaneously it is joyous, austere, reverent & spiritual. Simply beautiful & amazing.

3) CANTI D'AMOUR - This is an up & down work. I'm not sure what the composer had in mind, but I find the first part to be amusing. It reminds me of barbershop quartet. It has more somber moments too that are quite moving. Overall though, its okay.

4) WORDS OF THE SUN - After the Tavener piece, this is my favorite one. I would like to hear some of Zhou Long's other works. It is a very subtle piece. Very Chinese too, yet simultaneously western. This is one of my favorite pieces by eastern composers of western music. Lyrically, it is amazing. Its borrowed from a 20th century Chinese poem that is gorgeous in English, I'm sure its even more so in Chinese. Musically, it is very stirring.

5) TANG POEMS - This piece too is written by a Chinese composer (Chen Yi) and it is distinctly Chinese. I am intrigued at some of the techniques used by the composer. I am really pleased with the piece, although I'm sure some find it a little "too eastern." It is extremely pretty if one is accustomed to eastern melodies. The 2nd part is a bit sharper and probably less accessible than the first part.

6) THE RUB OF LOVE - One of the duller pieces on the album.

7) IN TIME OF - Sublime. The opening few bars are unearthly. Definately one of the three best pieces. They definately need to keep this one in their concert repetoire (along with the Tavener and the two pieces by Chinese composers.) This is one of those works you have to hear to believe.

8) LOVE SONGS - This is a quirky collection of tunes by Augusta Read Thomas. It runs the gamut of serious to extremely silly. There are some strong points here, but some of it is too silly to stand the test of time ("Alas, The Love of Women"). Eventhough it is extremely unconventional, the part entitled "For Stony Limits Cannot Hold Love Out" is powerful. It is piercing & strange, but it really works with the text.

There are times when I love everything on this CD, and times when some of it gets on my nerves. It is, however, never boring and the performances are superb. I highly congratulate Chanticleer for not sitting on their laurels. This is adventursome stuff and it works 90% of the time, which is more than I can say for 99% of the ensembles out there.

I highly recommend this disc for "Village Wedding," "Words of the Sun," "In Time of," and "Tang Poems."

Pick it up, be adventuresome. Enjoy.

Fantastic recording of contemporary choral works.......2000-09-21

Chanticleer is one of the USA's finest choral ensembles, and they have picked a marvelous and diverse program for this recording -- with something that would appeal to absolutely everybody. The inclusion of two "husband-wife" pairs in the choice of music also makes for a special connection to the theme of the disc. Of special note to this reviewer are the "delicious" sonorities of Bernard Rands's "Canti d'Amor" and Augusta Read Thomas's "Love Songs" -- Chanticleer is a group who is able to pull off this difficult music beautifully. This recording was absolutely deserving of the Grammy that is received -- one of the finest discs of modern choral music in the past few years.

Average customer rating:

60,000 Years
Superheavygoatass
Manufacturer: Arclights Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0009KCWQG
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

Backside
Druglord
SSOB
Lasting Kind
Best Friend
Slave
Built to Last
Ms. Underhill
Soundman

Product Description

This is the brand new 2005 release for this band.

Average customer rating:

Complete Secular Songs (3cd)

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs of Henry Purcell / King's Consort
Sacred Music Complete
Purcell: Complete Ayres for the Theatre
Dowland - The Collected Works / The Consort of Musicke, Rooley

ASIN: B0000DJENT
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Average customer rating:

CLASSIC PLASTIC
Musical pleasure

Classic Gershwin

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000026H2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue (Original Version)
George Gershwin: An American In Paris
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: Medley From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhattan'
George Gershwin: 1.- Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
George Gershwin: Three Preludes For Piano
George Gershwin: 3. - Allegro Ben Ritmato E Deciso
George Gershwin: Embraceable You
George Gershwin: Liza
George Gershwin: A Foggy Day
George Gershwin: Overture To Porgy And Bess
George Gershwin: Medley From Porgy And Bess: I Love You, Porgy
George Gershwin: Medley From Porgy And Bess: I Love You, Porgy
George Gershwin: Medley From Porgy And Bess: I Love You, Porgy

Customer Reviews:

CLASSIC PLASTIC.......2005-07-21

Gershwin CD is strangely lacking in atmosphere and reference, with over an hour of Gershwin's more classical side, including Michael Tilson Thomas conducting The Columbia Jazz Band's "Rhapsody in Blue", featuring Gershwin's original 1925 piano roll, Leonard Bernstein conducting The New York Philharmonic's "An American in Paris", and composer John Williams on guitar in "A Foggy Day". With song titles like, "Medly From The Woody Allen Film 'Manhatten", at just over three minutes, and "Medly From 'Porgy and Bess'", the CD is a classy cash cow thrown together by CBS Records. Tilson Thomas' "Three Preludes for Piano", stops and takes a dramatic musical breath in the context of these slam-bang offerings. Truly bland CD liner notes by Bobby Finn and Kay Swift, whoever they may be.

Musical pleasure.......2001-07-16

I have always loved the Gershwin music. It seems to Americana. When I first heard the recordings of the music from the piano rolls, I was fascinated. When I then heard this album with the jazz sound and the symphony sound combined with the pure sounds from the piano rolls, I was captured by the sound. The mighty ending of The Rhapsody in Blue is as powerful as this music can be. Add songs like Summertime and the Porgy N' Bess favorites and I find that this album is just the right combination of composer, performer and directors. Michael Tilson Thomas pulls forth from the group he is directing, a crisp and powerful sound. Bernstein needs no critique. If you are a lover of Gershwin and piano music, you can't miss with this.