Best of 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Earth, Wind & Fire retained their hit-making touch into the '80s, as this sequel to their 1978 best-of makes clear with "Let's Groove" (1981) and "Turn On (The Beat Box)" (1988). Still, the disc concentrates on their '70s work, from the early "Mighty Mighty" to the later, slightly slicker "Boogie Wonderland" and "After the Love Is Gone." And those who can't get enough of "Fantasy," which appeared on volume 1, will be glad to see it repeated here. --Rickey Wright

Best of 2,Earth Wind & Fire,Sony,Pop,R&B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Best of 2

Tracks:

Una Voce Poco Fa - Sherrill Milnes
Dunque Io Son - Sherrill Milnes
Contro Un Cor - Sherrill Milnes
Ah, Qual Colpo Inaspetatto! - Sherrill Milnes
E Il Sol Dell'anima... Addio! Speranza Ed Anima - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Gualtier Malde... Caro Nome - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Tutte Le Feste Al Tempio... Compiuto Pur Quanto... Si, Vendetta - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
V'ho Ingannato... Lassu In Cielo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere... So Anch'io La Virtu Magica - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Pronta Io Son... Vado, Corro - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Via, Caro Sposino - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Tornami A Dir Che M'ami - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
La Morale In Tutto Questo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Tracks:

Vilia - Beverly Sills
Ah! Je Suis Seule... Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
Cielo! Che Diverro?... Si, ferite... Dal Soggiorno... Ah! Che Spiegar - Beverly Sills
Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - John Alldis Choir
Un Di Felice, Eterea - John Alldis Choir
E Strano... Ah, Fors'e Lui... Follie! Follie!... Sempre Libera - John Alldis Choir
Pura Siccome Un Angelo... Ah! Dite Alla Giovine - John Alldis Choir
Che Fai? - John Alldis Choir
Addio Del Passato - John Alldis Choir
Parigi, O Cara - John Alldis Choir

Amazon.com

Beverly Sills hardly needs an introduction. She sang on the radio as a child and on the operatic stage as a teenager; her meteoric international career was launched by appearances in several virtually unknown bel canto operas at the New York City Opera. This compilation of arias and ensembles from some of her signature roles, recorded in the 1970s, with splendid partners like Nicolai Gedda, Alfredo Kraus, and Sherrill Milnes, displays her unique vocal and dramatic artistry at its peak. Her voice, effortlessly produced over an enormous range, is bright, pure, infinitely variable in color, inflection and intensity. Her intonation is impeccable even in huge leaps, and her breath is endless. The coloratura roulades are like strings of perfect, luminous pearls, clearly articulated in seamless legato. But this stunning technique (whose only flaw is a sometimes wide, wobbly vibrato) is never used for show; every note has life and expression, serving the music and the dramatic situation. Indeed, her characters are flesh-and-blood human beings, whose thoughts, emotions and interactions, from inwardness to ecstasy, from lamentation to overflowing joy, she projects with riveting concentration. Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville is a charming, mischievous minx who succumbs to delighted tenderness; Pamira's great scene from his Siege of Corinth shows clearly why her Metropolitan Opera debut in that role was a sensation. In Verdi's Rigoletto, Gilda's hopeful innocence turns into hopeless despair: she dies, palpably, on a floating, celestial pianissimo. In his La traviata, Violetta's initial cool, hesitant restraint gradually melts as she opens herself (and her voice) to Alfredo's ardor and the bliss of love. The vocal balance in their final duet is uncanny; its tremulous tenderness in the shadow of death breaks the heart, as does her duet with Germont. Massenet's Thais is sensuous; Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Lehár's The Merry Widow provide comic relief. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Here's what the fuss was all about!.......2007-07-17

It would have been even better if they had included at least one Cleopatra aria and something from Baby Doe, but it doesn't really matter, because this collection will allow younger listeners especially to hear what the fuss was all about! There are moments listening to Sills, especially from Traviata or Manon, that are so beautifully sung and so genuine that they are heartbreaking. I feel so fortunate to have heard her Queen of the Night, Manon, Violetta, and Baby Doe. She was so generous as a performer and as a humanitarian, and she really brought opera into the American mainstream.

Beverly Sills - The Best.......2007-04-01

What a voice. No coloratura can compare, and she makes it seem so easy.

Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking!.......2006-09-18

Adio del Passato is incredible! Beverly's high, floating coloratura is no less than ethereal which takes you to another world. Her voice has given me so much joy that it is hard to say one recording is better than another because I love her Mozart album equally with her Bellini/Donizetti. It is so wonderful to have these recordings captured on CD! Enjoy!

THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR.......2006-08-19

THIS CD WAS THE BEST OPERA CD ISSUED LAST YEAR, AND HAS CAUGHT THE WORLD'S EAR IN NO TIME. I WAS BUSY WRITING IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHILE THE STATEOWNED FM RADIOSTATION, DEDICATED TO CULTURE, WAS SOFTLY PLAYING OPERA ARIAS IN THE BACKGROUND. SUDDENLY I HEARD THE MOST FANTASTIC RENDERING OF "SEMPRE LIBERA" FROM "LA TRAVIATA". I GOT UP, SAT BY THE RADIO AND WAITED TO KNOW WHO WAS SINGING... THEN GOT BACK TO THE COMPUTER TO ORDER THIS CD FROM AMAZON! INCREDIBLE: ONLY 17 BUCKS FOR THIS, WHILE QUITE A BIT OF TRASH IS SOLD FOR 30.40 AND MORE...
A LADY FRIEND ONCE TOLD ME SHE COULD NOT LISTEN TO THE DUET IN "MADAMA BUTTERFLY" WITH MIRELLA FRENI AND LUCIANO PAVAROTTI (RECORDED IN 1974, BY VON KARAJAN) WITHOUT CRYING. WELL, YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO SILLS IN "LA TRAVIATA" DRY-EYED, NO MATTER WHO THE TENOR IS. SHE PROJECTS THE SAME DRAMATIC FEELING OF "LA DIVINA" CALLAS WITHOUT THOSE SHRIEKED HIGHNOTES; SHE OFFERS THE SAME COLORATURA VOCAL GYMNASTICS AS "LA STUPENDA" SUTHERLAND BUT WITH WARMTH... WHEN BEVERLY SANG, AS IN EVERYTHING ELSE SHE DID, SHE ALWAYS GAVE HER UTMOST. SHE WAS "LA GENEROSA" TO BE SURE.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE READING WHAT OTHERS THINK.
ORDER THIS CD NOW AND MARVEL AT HOW THIS GREAT AMERICAN LADY, IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS, ALSO COULD SING!

EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute.......2005-07-22

EMI's "Very Best Of" series are perfect introductions to operatic singers of the 20th century. Once you hear these artist tribute albums (much like The Singers series) you will get hooked on the singer and seek out their full-length studio recordings. Beverly Sills was the first truly famous American opera star. One may argue that she was not, that she was merely a continued tradition of American divas such as Mary Garden and Lily Pons and which still continues today with Renee Fleming, Elizabeth Futral and Susan Graham. Beverly was raised in New York City, which is still her home, and which is the home of the New York City Opera and the Met, opera houses which rocketed her to fame. Her first success (not featured in this recording...UH WHY ?) was Cleopatra of Handel's Julius Caesar, a performance she sang opposite the illustrious baritone Norman Treigle. Those performances were legendary because coincidentally at the same time the Met was opening its new theatre and season with what became a disastrous Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra starring Leontyne Price in an overblown, big-budget, epic fiasco. The great roles that followed the 1965 Cleopatra were Manon, Queen Elizabeth I in Roberto Deveraux, Maria Stuarda and Anna Bolena in the Donizetti Tudor Queen operas, Pamira in The Siege of Corinth (which were Sill's La Scala and belated Met debut. None of the Queens are featured in this recording, though its supposedly the Very Best Of. An aria from Rossini's Siege of Corinth is featured here however. What we are treated to however are fine lyric roles- Beverly Sills shone brightly and acted convincingly as Gilda in Rigoletto (the final scene is featured here) as Violetta in La Traviata, Thais, The Merry Widow (the beautiful Vilja is featured here)and the ingenue role of Norina in Don Pasquale is also showcased here. To each of these roles, Beverly Sills delivered an authenticity and dramatic interpretation, not ot mention beautiful, sweet tone. I love her pianissimos, her high notes, her chest register. It was the voice of Beverly Sills who first hooked me into opera. For a recording that should showcase her best work, Manon is not featured nor any of her prized French heroines- Marie in The Daughter of the Regiment and the heroines in Tales of Hoffman. Also not in here is the role that was her first success- the Broadway opera Ballad of Baby Doe. Even as such, the arias here are gorgeous. The Barber of Seville is in here and as Rosina she is playful and charming. Sills was a modern singer, with a voice that was beautiful but willing to sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic content. When Sills was once asked what she thought of the supposed rivalry with Joan Sutherland (which was never real and only gossip from partisan fans) Beverly said something to this effect -Joan and I are apples and oranges in our take on opera, we are Picasso and Monet. She would do anything for the effect of beauty and tone, I'd sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic text. Even as such, I see no ugliness to any of the roles here. All of them are beautiful to hear, full of rich floating celestial tones. It would have been nice to hear the roles that did call for Sills to step up the tense drama - Norma, will her recording ever be reissued by EMI ? Also, few people know that Beverly Sills sung role most would consider dangerous for her voice (though she sang them long before her career even took off)- Aida and Carmen!!

Average customer rating:

Disney's greatest hits, volum 3
Timeless Disney Music
Disney songs are the best
Great Disney Music
Not as good as Vol 1 and Vol 2

Disney's Greatest 3
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Disney's Greatest, Vol. 2
Disney's Greatest, Vol. 1
Disney's Greatest Vol. 2
Disney's Greatest, Vol. 1
Disney's Greatest Hits 1 & 2

ASIN: B00006EXKT
Release Date: 2002-08-20

Amazon.com

Cynical types will accuse Disney of milking the "greatest" concept until it's drier than Tinkerbell's fairy dust ("Supercalafragilisticexpealidocious," "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Da," and "Heigh Ho" were hits off of Vol. 1; "Bare Necessities," "It's a Small World," and "Some Day My Prince Will Come" stole the show on Vol. 2), but a glimpse of this installment's track listing is all it'll take to squash their suspicions. Once again running reverse-chronologically, Vol. 3 opens with Jonatha Brooke's gorgeously achy ballad "I'll Try," from 2002's arguably not-so-great Return to Neverland, and gradually reaches back through the years to re-raise the curtain on Toy Story 2 ("When She Loved Me," performed by Sarah McLachlan), The Lion King ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight"), Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews's classic "A Spoonful of Sugar"), Pinocchio ("Give a Little Whistle"), and a bundle of treasured others, bottoming out at 1933's "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" from The Three Little Pigs. Vol. 3 is not without its weak moments--would a G-rated movie-goers' poll produce Beauty and the Beast's "Gaston" or The Hunchback of Notre Dame's "Topsy Turvy" on a hits list? Seems unlikely. Still, the bulk of these tracks are, as the included Little Mermaid song goes, "Part of Your World," and the spread of decades they represent proves their staying power. Don't expect Disney to latch the lid on its inexhaustible archives until a dozen or so of these records, each as strong as the next, beckon you back for more. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Disney's greatest hits, volum 3.......2007-05-13

This is one of the better volums for kids and for those who are
above 18 but still have some kid in them

Timeless Disney Music.......2007-05-07

Nothing brings sweet recollection of Disney movies like hearing the wonderful songs. In an age where there so much music with no redeeming qualities, these Disney CDs are priceless. Wonderful for the entire family to listen to around the house or in the car while traveling. We can't help but sing along. We love that these are the original tracks from the movies! Wonderful! We now have all three volumes.

Disney songs are the best.......2006-03-18

I love the songs on this volume. I'll Try by Jonatha Brooke is such an amzing somg. I especially bought this CD fort that song but, was pleasantly surprsed by the rest of the playlist.

Great Disney Music.......2006-02-21

I have bought the first 2 volumes of Disney's Greatest Hits and the 3rd volume doesn't disapoint. My 2 young children love to listen to this CD and talk about the movies that they come from. A definate must have!

Not as good as Vol 1 and Vol 2.......2005-09-11

This Disney CD represents the "leftovers" that didn't make it on Vol 1 and Vol 2 of this series. Although it has some of my favorites, I don't listen to the entire CD often. Disney could have done a better job of editing the which sound files should make the cut on this one. Still, it's nice to have all 3 CDs.

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The Best of Erick Satie
A forerunner to minimalism
Wonderful
Richard review of Best of Satie
Got Satie?

The Best of Erik Satie
Erik Satie , Jérôme Kaltenbach , Klára Körmendi , and Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Fauré
After the Rain...The Soft Sounds of Erik Satie
Satie: Piano Works
Satie: Gymnopédies No1-3; Gnossiennes No1-6
The Magic of Satie

ASIN: B00004SYFP
Release Date: 2000-05-16

Tracks:

Trois Gymnopedies (Pno Version): No.1. Lent Et Douloureux
Trois Gymnopedies (Pno Version): No.2. Lent Et Triste
Trois Gymnopedies (Pno Version): No.3. Lent Et Grave
Six Gnossiennes: No.1. Lent
Six Gnossiennes: No.2. Avec Etonnement
Six Gnossiennes: No.3. Lent
Six Gnossiennes: No.4. Lent
Six Gnossiennes: No.5. Modere
Six Gnossiennes: No.6. Avec Conviction Et Une Tristesse Rigoureuse
Je Te Veux (Valse)
Avant-dernieres Pensees: 1. Idylle/2. Aubade/3. Meditation
La Diva De L'Empire (Intermezzo Americain D'apres La Celebre Chanson)
Les Trois Valses Distinguees Du Precieux Degoute: 1. Sa Taille/2. Son Binoche/3. Ses Jambes
Sarabandes: Premiere Sarabande
Sarabandes: Deuxieme Sarabande
Sarabandes: Troisieme Sarabande
Trois Nocturnes: Premier Nocturne
Trois Nocturnes: Deuxieme Nocturne
Trois Nocturnes: Troisieme Nocturne
Reverie Du Pauvre
Trois Gymnopedies (Orchestral Version): No.1. Lent Et Couloureux - Orchestre Symphonique Et Lyrique De Nancy
Trois Gymnopedies (Orchestral Version): No.2. Lent Et Triste - Orchestre Symphonique Et Lyrique De Nancy
Trois Gymnopedies (Orchestral Version): No.3. Lent Et Grave - Orchestre Symphonique Et Lyrique De Nancy

Customer Reviews:

The Best of Erick Satie.......2007-06-11

The reason I bought this product, is because I was familiar with the 3 Gymnopedies of Erick Satie and also another of his work: The Gnosiemme (I'm not sure about the spelling) No. 4. After listening to the CD I felt very happy with it because include both versions of the Gymnopedies, the Orchestral and the one for piano and of course the Gnosiemme No. 4 which I now like it very much. The pianist makes justice to Satie's work and if you like his work is a good buy.

A forerunner to minimalism.......2007-04-13

Satie is a forerunner to minimalism. Each piece of his music is a beauty. He also had great influence on many famous composers and musicians in his age. This album is one of the best piano classical.

Wonderful.......2006-07-07

Just a great collection from Erik Satie. I would highly recommend this one!

Richard review of Best of Satie.......2005-09-02

The recording is well done. Eric Satie is not the type of music that many people will appreciate. I like his music and this particular recording.

Got Satie?.......2005-07-27

... Well folks. This may be the perfect album to get started. This features some of the best-known works by the wierd and witty Erik Satie, including the Gymnopedies (both the original piano and the orchestrated versions), the Gnossiennes, just to name a few.

The performance done by pianist Klara Kormendi is relatively plain and simple, just as Satie might have wanted. Some of his music is actually not too difficult to play... A great CD at a budget price. Kudos to Naxos for a good performance at a good price.

Also, what I'm equally impressed is the fact that in this "appreciation" album, the listener will actually be listening to many "sets" of pieces. Some of those albums (Beethoven and Mozart for example) are mere collections of selected tracks, many just one movement of a large work, such as a symphony. In some you will only be listening to selected numbers of different large "sets" of pieces. In Chopin's for example one may listen only few of the 20+ nocturnes (No. 2 for example), 15+ waltzes, and 20+ mazurkas he wrote, so one would not feel complete listening to the whole "cycles" of short pieces. Satie, fortunatley, prefered using tiny sets of pieces, most of them only comprising of three movments each. Plus each piece is short. ALL of the three Gymnopedies. ALL of the six Gnossiennes. ALL of the three Sarabandes. ALL of the three nocturnes. One can already feel happy listening to couple "sets" within a single CD.

Once again, this may be the perfect album to get started with Erik Satie. And get ALL out of those pieces!!!

Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's

Average customer rating:

Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's
Fantastic
DOMINE LABIA MEA APERIES
It's a stinker!!
Unbiased reponse to Caesarmagnus

Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's
Denis Stevens , Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's de Laudes , The Monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Benoit , The Ambrosian Singers , and Fr. Joseph Montalbo
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants, Vol. 1
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Chant
Chant II
Salve Regina: Gregorian Chant

ASIN: B000001VIR
Release Date: 1994-08-02

Tracks:

Sancte Dei
Salve Sanctus Parens
In Paradisum Angeli
Sanctus & Benedictus
Conditor Alme
Organ Voluntary
Te Lucis Ante Terminum
Christus Natus Christos
Kyrie Christe Eleison
Organ Voluntary
Gloria
Puer Natus Est
Sanctus & Benedictus, II
Beata Dei
Veni Sancte Spiritus
Organ Voluntary
In Paradisum Angeli, Reprise
Dominus Exsultemus

Customer Reviews:

Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's.......2007-01-11

The CD was in perfect shape, was shipped very promptly and I have enjoyed listening to it - especially when feeling stressed.

Fantastic.......2007-01-10

The is one CD that is calming to everyone even an overactive, over excited puppy.

DOMINE LABIA MEA APERIES.......2006-05-08

"Lord Open my Lips......"

I would suggest that anyone REALLY interested in PURE, GREGORIAN CHANT to access the following Carthusian Link:

[...]

You will hear Gregorian Chants as you have never heard before.
As a former Trappist Monk, where the Choir Monks sang the Divine Office each day - a total of about 7 hours - and in the Cistercian Chant, the CARTHUSIAN CHANT is by far the most pure of the two traditional chants. The Carthusians do NOT utilize any musical instruments as is used in some Trappist Communities and Benedictine Communities.

This recording is a rather poor rendition, but seems to please some listeners. For those purists among you, access the above site.

The Carthusian Gregorian Chant has its own renditions. You will notice whenever the Nuns or Monks are chanting the 'GLORIA' that the tempo is drastically reduced, and not rushed thru.

Background noises in this recording make it difficult to really appreciate the Chant.

In the Carthusian Chants - especially those from La Grande Chartreuse, France, the diction is crisp, clear and every Latin Word is distinguishable.

It's a stinker!!.......2006-03-13

The cover art is good, but the music is horrible! This is a REALLY bad recording!

Unbiased reponse to Caesarmagnus.......2005-04-22

Agreed, the fan IS there, but I must admit they are actually singing well in the actual Solesmes style (based on these samples). I have heard superb chant and frighteningly bad chant. This is not as bad as it gets I assure you. Try to find something from a Seminary or Monastery.

Encore: The Very Best of Rod Stewart, Vol. 2

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the very best of rod stewart, vol 2
Encore: The Very Best of Rod Stewart, Vol. 2
Even Better Than Volume One
Better than Volume 1 or that Greatest Hits!
More Classics From Rock's Spanner In The Works

Encore: The Very Best of Rod Stewart, Vol. 2
Rod Stewart
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Very Best of Rod Stewart
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Unplugged...and Seated

ASIN: B0000ALFYD
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

Your Song
Having A Party (Live)
Don't Come Around Here
So Far Away
The Motown Song
Broken Arrow
Crazy About Her
Lost In You
Love Touch
People Get Ready (Live)
Infatuation
Baby Jane
Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)
That's What Friends Are For
Passion
I Don't Want To Talk About It
I Was Only Joking
The First Cut Is The Deepest

Album Description

75 minutes of newly remastered classics! Contains no track duplication from any other previously released Best Of. 18 unforgettable selections spanning 1975-2001, including the signature songs 'The First Cut Is The Deepest', 'Tonight I'm Yours' and 'Infatuation'. Slipcase. WB Records. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

the very best of rod stewart, vol 2.......2007-05-18

i love everything he does. been in love with him for 20 years. his work comes from his heart and his soul

Encore: The Very Best of Rod Stewart, Vol. 2.......2007-03-21

This is a great cd. The music is quality Rod Stewart at his best. I have enjoyed it very much!! A great buy!!

Even Better Than Volume One.......2005-03-06

Anyone knows that one disc can't possibly hold all of Rod Stewart's best songs, so naturally a second volume will have to be made. "Encore: The Very Best Of - Vol. 2" adds 18 Stewart classics not found on 2001's "The Very Best Of Rod Stewart". This disc has some great stuff on it, and is actually slightly better than the first volume.

"Encore" features pretty much every significant hit not featured on the first volume, from the soulful "The Motown Song" to the turbo charged rocker "Lost In You" to the new wave synth pop chugger "Baby Jane" to the somber " I Was Only Joking", you will find that you will love every song on this cd (even the much criticized "Love Touch" (which is one of my all time favorites). This set is also notable for inckuding Rod's popular on radio but otherwise hard to find cover of Carole King's "So Far Away" and "Don't Come Around Here" from 2001's "Human". Plus, anyone who's only familliar with Sheryl Crow's version of "The First Cut Is The Deepest" should really listen to Rod's version. It's truly better.

An added bonus to this disc is a booklet with commentary on each track and how it came into being, given to to you by none other than Rod. A great collection of Rod's music. Get this one as well as volume one.

Better than Volume 1 or that Greatest Hits! .......2005-01-10

I liked that he put out a second album of his greatest hits on Warner Bros. And clever since he's finishing out his contract with them because he's on J now. But this album has songs he left out on the first one. I like that Crazy About Her is on here, for I played that the most from Out of Order! Very big sound on it! Infatuation I still love. And Passion is another solid song on here. There are some bluesy numbers,some soul-driven numbers and rockers here too. I loved his version of That's What Friends are For, even if Dionne Warwick's version was a big hit in late '85. It's kind of mixed up, not in chronological order, but the songs blend well. Stewart may be on this standards thing now, but pop/rock is what he can do the best and he should go back to it for his next album. This album just demonstrates his many talents as a singer and artist.

More Classics From Rock's Spanner In The Works.......2004-11-02

Rod Stewart is a singer whose appeal has probably outlasted anyone in rock and roll with the exception the Beatles, the Stones and Elvis. He is adored by millions young and old. He has been named a perosnal favorite singer by every singer, from Elton John to Lindsay Lohan. Plus, he had an incredible run of hits between 1971 and 1998: 35 top 40 singles, 14 top 10 hits, 3 number one records (including one that was on top for 8 weeks). "Voice - The Very Best Of Rod Stewart" featured 16 of those hits. It had all his most memorable work on just one disc. It was excellent, but there was something missing. That missing void was filled with "Encore: Very Best Of 2".

This cd includes most of those remaining hits, including "Love Touch" (don't tell me anything bad about this song, because I love it), "Crazy About Her", "Passion", and the uplifting "The Motown Song". Also included is a vast number of underrated songs like "Broken Arrow", his original version "That's What Friends Are For" (not as good as Dionne Warwick's version, but it's still good), "I Don't Want To Talk About It", and "I Was Only Joking". Fans may miss "Handbags And Gladrags" and "The Killing Of Georgie Pts. 1 and 2", but that's a matter of opinion.

Get this and "Voice", and you're well on your way to owning all of Rod Stewart's best cds. Also pick up "Gasoline Alley", "Every Picture Tells A Story", "Out Of Order" and "Vagabond Heart", all great albums. Oh yeah, and the 3 "Great American Songbook" cds. They show how versatile the Rodmeister really is.

Average customer rating:

customer
WONDERFUL CD
Good upbeat working music

Very Best of Hooked on Classics

Manufacturer: Double Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Hooked on Classics 3: Journey Through the Classics
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ASIN: B000028CJX
Release Date: 1998-09-28

Tracks:

Hooked on Classics Pt. 1 & 2: Piano of the Bumblebee No. 1/Fli [Medley]
Hooked on Haydn: Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat (3rd Movement) [Medley]
Night in Opera: Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat (3rd Movement)/Hall [Medley]
Tales of the Vienna Waltz: Blue Danube Waltz 1, Theme 1/Blue D [Medley]
Hooked on a Can Can: Orpheus in the Underworld (Can Can)/Thund [Medley]
Hooked on Marching: Under the Double Eagle/The Stars & Stripes [Medley]
Journey Through America: The Star Spangled Banner/Oh Susanna/M [Medley]
Hooked on Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish March, From Sonata [Medley]
Hooked on Bach: Ave Maria/Minuet [From the Notebook of Anna Ma
Symphony of the Seas: The Sailors Hornpipe/Portsmouth/Anchors [Medley]

Tracks:

Hooked on Classics: Wedding March [From a Midsummer's Night's
Hooked on Romance (Opus 3): Gymnopedie No. 2/Nocturne Opus 9, [Medley]
Hooked on Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien (Introduction)/Swan L [Medley]
If You Knew Sousa/The Liberty Bell/Blaze Away/The Liberty Bell [Medley]
If You Knew Sousa and Friends: Entry of the Gladiators/Colonel [Medley]
Also Sprach Zarathustra [Medley]
Can't Stop the Classics: Overture 2 Russian & Ludmilla/Czardas [Medley]
Hooked on America: Rhapsody in Blue/Camptown Races/Rhapsody in [Medley]
Hooked on Romance: Air Form Suite No. 3 (Air for G String)/Ave [Medley]

Customer Reviews:

customer.......2007-06-26

cd arrived fast, in excellent shape as promised, well packaged to protect it during shipment. I'd heard the CD during an exercise class and had trouble trying to get it from other vendors so especially appreciated Amazon.

WONDERFUL CD.......2007-05-08

I was so happy to find this on CD I have the original on a cassette from childhood. I loved it then and now and now my children listen and love it.

Good upbeat working music.......2007-03-08

I love these CDS . . what a brilliant idea to add a beat to the most popular classical songs of all time. It is great upbeat music that gets you going. I specifically use it for when I need a boost to get me going on housework. It get you in just the right mood to start working. My kids love it too.

Average customer rating:

Girl Groups Vol 2
More from the Great Age of Girl Groups
Back to the 60s
Girl Groups
girls groups

The Best Of The Girl Groups, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Girl Groups | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

1960s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000032TL
Release Date: 1990-08-07

Tracks:

My Boyfriend's Back - The Angels
Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons
The Loco-Motion - Little Eva
A Lover's Concerto - The Toys
The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget - The Raindrops
You Don't Know - Ellie Greenwich
Chains - The Cookies
Popsicles And Icicles - The Murmaids
The One You Can't Have - THE HONEYS
Tell Him - The Exciters
Don't Say Nothin' Bad (About My Baby) - The Cookies
I Met Him On A Sunday - The Shirelles
Wonderful Summer - Robin Ward
It Might As Well Rain Until September - Carole King
You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry - The Caravelles
Easier Said Than Done - The Essex
I Love How You Love Me - The Paris Sisters
Johnny Get Angry - Joanie Sommers

Customer Reviews:

Girl Groups Vol 2.......2007-06-27

more great sixties music, i play it in the car and sing all the time when i am not playing vol 1

More from the Great Age of Girl Groups.......2007-06-20

Rhino Records finishes what it started with "The Best of the Girl Groups, Vol.2," giving us another good-sounding, good collection of girl group standards, some better-known than others, from the Great Age of the Girl Groups,the early 1960's, before the British Invasion drove the girls from the charts. And once again, the melodic hand of those Brill Building songwriters is much in evidence.

The collection opens with The Angels' hit, "My Boyfriend's Back." This is a pretty white bread-sounding song; and believe me --I've seen them-- the Angels were kind of a white bread group. But the lyric is pretty flavorful: legend says the songwriter, at a diner, just wrote down a waitress's outburst at a guy who'd obviously pushed her too far. "Sweet Talking Guy," by the Chiffons, follows; plenty of Bronx flavor to this one. I've also seen them perform, and let me tell you, these were girls who still got a kick out of singing, and hitting those notes. Then follows a great dancing song, "The Locomotion," sung by Little Eva, whom, legend says, was the maid of Carole King, who wrote it with her usual partner, Gerry Goffin. Carole King also sings "It Might As Well Rain Until September," the only one of her many creations on which she, herself, had the hit. Ellie Greenwich, another Brill Building regular, much better known as a songwriter than performer, sings her own "You Don't Know." The Toys give us a song I particularly loved, and still do, "Lovers Concerto;" legend says the immortal classical composer Friedrich Handel ("Music for the Royal Fireworks") gave them the music for that one. The Cookies contribute two more dance numbers -- those girls could rock: "Chains," and "Don't Say Nothing Bad About My Baby." Those perennial favorites, the Shirelles, give us "I Met Him on a Sunday." The Exciters give us another good dancing song, "Tell Him," and Essex comes in with another one, "Easier Said Than Done."

Once again, there are no representatives from Motown, Phil Spector's Gold Star Studios, or Philadelphia's Cameo Studios, and that leaves out a lot of great songs. The selection of songs on Vol. 2 is also not quite up to that on the first volume, but it still brings together a lot of songs that a lot of people love, and haven't been able to find. Worth getting if the budget allows.

Back to the 60s.......2007-05-18

Most of these songs are goodies from the 60's...2 or 3 songs were completely unknown to me, but the others made up for it...I know all the words!! (of course I'm over 13....that's why I know all the words!)

Girl Groups.......2007-05-13

Well done, original artists, good fidelity. Well worth the price! Buy and enjoy.

girls groups.......2007-03-08

this is a good grouping of the old time "girl groups", that i remember from years ago. Glad someone made a CD of this type.

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

Average customer rating:

Waste of money
Great Music Compilation
If you like classical music don't buy this CD.
A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music
A great compilation

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

Manufacturer: Utv Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
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25 Classical Favorites
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II

ASIN: B00004GOZA
Release Date: 2000-02-08

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor
Jesu, Joy OF Man's Desiring
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio sostenuto
March Of The Toreadors (Carmen)
Celebrated Minuet
Polovtsian Dance No. 1 (Prince Igor)
Cradle Song
'Minute' Waltz
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune
Largo
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
Rhapsody In Blue - Andante And Finale
Peer Gynt Suite: Morning
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Liebestraum
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March
'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Rondau (First Symphonic Suite)
The Great Gate Of Kiev

Tracks:

Eine klein Nachtmusik - Allegro: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Allegro
Orpheus In The Underworld: Cancan
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
Canon In D
Lietenant Kije Suite - Troika
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - 18th Variation: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini- 18th Variation
Bolero - Conclusion
The Tale Of Czar Sultan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
William Tell Overture - Finale
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Gymnopedie No. 3
Ave Maria
Blue Danube Waltz
Thus Spake Zarathustra - Sunrise
Firebird Suite - Finale
1812 Overture - Finale: 1812 Overtune - Finale
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
Anvil Chorus (II Trovatore)
The Four Seasons - Largo From 'Winter'
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries

Amazon.com

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, played by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) and one Mozart (A Little Night Music conducted by Herbert von Karajan), but this is still a nice collection--perhaps the starting point for a budding collection of classical music. This set's downfall? Unfortunately, though the liner notes discuss the evolution of classical music chronologically, the tracks are programmed in alphabetical order by composer's last name. This makes for some startling transitions! Emil Gilels's reflective performance of the Adagio from Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata is followed by the crashing cymbals and bombast of Carmen's "March of the Toreadors," a recipe for a heart attack if there ever was one. Still, there's something here for everyone and the liner notes even explain what movies this music can be found in. A nice touch. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Waste of money.......2006-01-12

Watch out for the volume leveling mentioned in another review. Surely the compliers could have come up with a better sort order than by composer. The change in tempo/volume between pieces makes it impossible to enjoy. My two CD's ended up in the trash.

Ken

Great Music Compilation.......2005-08-15

This is a great CD full of many songs that you will recognize and enjoy. If you are someone who likes classical music but doesn't necessarily know which songs or which composers you like, then this CD is for you. You will likely recognize many of the songs as the classical songs you would have picked out to be your favorites.

If you like classical music don't buy this CD........2005-03-11

Most of the tracks were chopped down to 3-4 minutes so some of the best parts of the compositions are missing. I don't know what I was thinking trying to buy 40 classical songs on two CD's. If you really want to enjoy the music you would do better to purchase a CD with fewer, but better quality tracks.

A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music.......2005-02-23

In my years of experience teaching Fine Arts to high school students, I know that the majority, if not all, of the music included on this album is commonly used in collge music appreciation courses. This is an excellent sample of truly all the "greatest hits" of classical music. My students enjoy listening to the music and have later told me when take their required music apreciation courses in college that they "already know it all" because of this CD! The recordings are clear, the selections are passionate, and the listener will gain a familiarity with all of the most commonly heard classical music used in tv commercials, movies, etc.
I recommend this album, along with the boxed set, "Age of the Classics" for anyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the most famous staples of classical music.

A great compilation.......2005-02-09

This cd somes up some of the greatest pieces of instrumental (and is some cases choral) music ever written. It is a great starter for a beginning classical music lover or a quick and easy all-in-one for those of us who study classical music for a living. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who wants to love or already does love classical music.

The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection

Average customer rating:

Pavarotti's best songs
uplifting

The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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The Best of the Three Tenors

ASIN: B0002KQOB2
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Tracks:

Santa Lucia
Vieni Sul Mar'
La Danza
La Donna E Mobile
M'appari
Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici
Caro Mio Ben
Lunge De Lei - De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti
Mattinata
Torna A Surriento
Funiculi, Funicula
O Paradiso
Amor Ti Vieta
Una Furtiva Lagrima
Core 'Ngrato
Ave Maria
Nessun Dorma!

Customer Reviews:

Pavarotti's best songs.......2007-07-24

I love this CD. It has the best songs and my favorite one. I listen to it a lot.

uplifting.......2007-02-15

Pavarotti's voice will lift your spirit and fill your home with rich sound. He is the best.

Average customer rating:

Smooth as silk
Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!
A Must Have CD!!!
Great compilation of some of smooth jazz's greatest hits
great

The Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Best of Smooth Jazz
The Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 3
The Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 4
Smooth Jazz at Midnight
Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards Collection

ASIN: B000007NCT
Release Date: 1998-06-23

Tracks:

Sweet Thing - Boney James
Since I Fell For You - Bob James
After The Dance - Fourplay
If Only For One Night - Kirk Whalum
Who's Crying Now - Randy Crawford
Biggest Part Of Me - Take 6
I Can't Make You Love Me - Kevin Mahogany
Neither One Of Us - David Sanborn
That Girl - Mark Whitfield
Hey Girl (Remix) - Michael McDonald
For The Love Of You - Earl Klugh
Tears In Heaven - Joshua Redman
Blackbird - Brad Mehldau
On Broadway - George Benson

Customer Reviews:

Smooth as silk.......2006-08-25

The had many song that are classic I never get tried of hearing them.

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful!!.......2006-03-13

This complilation of music with the various artists on this one CD is great. The choices of the songs in this order seems to flow very smoothly. I recommend the other volumes 1,3 and 4 to complete the set. I have been searching for more in this style but no other can match this Smooth Jazz set. This is a wise investment.

A Must Have CD!!!.......2001-04-04

I have the entire Best Of Smooth Jazz Collection. The entire set is great, all you need is some chilled wine!

Great compilation of some of smooth jazz's greatest hits.......2001-02-26

What a super compilation. The name is actually a bit of a misnomer. A lot of the music here is not merely smooth jazz instrumentals. Most are actually smooth R&B vocals. No matter, this is a great CD. You may not know all the songs by title, however you will recognize them when you hear the CD. Almost worth the price of admission is the inclusion of the Al Jarreau/David Sanborn/Bob James version of "Since I Fell For You". Every song is a solid 10, plus this is a definite "Shut Up and Kiss Me" romantic CD.

great.......2000-05-01

a good time for romance.just a great gig!

R&B Music: