When Will I See You Again [SACD]
Track Listings
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1. When Will I See You Again
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2. Long Lost Lover
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3. Can't You See What You're Doing to Me
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4. Lonelier Are Fools
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5. I Didn't Know
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6. Here I Am
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7. T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia) {Theme from the the Television Sho
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8. Dirty Ol' Man
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9. Love Is the Message [Single Version]
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10. Take Good Care of Yourself
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11. If and When
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12. Year of Decision
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13. Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon [Live]
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14. Get Your Love Back
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When Will I See You Again,The Three Degrees,Sony,Disco,Philly Soul,Pop,R&B,Smooth Soul,Soft Rock,Soul,Soul/R & B
When Will I See You Again [SACD]
Average customer rating:
- The Philly sound period
- When Will I See You Again My Favorite Song "Maybe"
- The TRUTH about The Three Degrees
- The brief reign of the Three Degrees as disco queens
- The Three Degrees
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The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again
The Three Degrees
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Similar Items:
- The Best of Love Unlimited
- The Best of the Three Degrees
- The Best of the Stylistics
- Love Is the Message: The Best of MFSB
- Cowboys to Girls: The Best of the Intruders:
ASIN: B000002ADL
Release Date: 1996-06-04 |
Tracks:
- When Will I See You Again
- Long Lost Lover
- Can't You See What You're Doing To Me
- Lonelier Are Fools
- I Didn't Know
- Here I Am
- T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
- Dirty Ol' Man
- Love Is The Message (Single Version)
- Take Good Care Of Yourself
- If And When
- Year Of Decision
- Everybody Gets To Go To The Moon (Live)
- Get Your Love Back
Customer Reviews:
The Philly sound period.......2004-10-30
The Three Degrees were one of the most successful groups to emerge from the Philadelphia soul scene in the seventies. Their American success was limited to their Philly sound period but they continued to have success in Europe, particularly Britain, for a few years after that. Their music is a wonderful mix of ballads and up-tempo material but may generally be described as easy-listening disco music.
This collection focuses on the early part of their career, their Philly sound period. Among the hits included here are TSOP (their only American number one hit) and When will I see you again (their only British number one hit). Other great songs including Dirty old man, Year of decision and Take good care of yourself, the last two of which charted high in the UK.
After they switched labels to Ariola, their British hits included Golden lady, Jump the gun, Giving up giving in, Woman in love, The runner and My simple heart. You must look elsewhere if you want those tracks.
As a collection of their Philly sound music (the only part of their career that most Americans are interested in), this is brilliant.
When Will I See You Again My Favorite Song "Maybe".......2004-04-17
I have this CD and it's wonderful. My only complaint is that the Record Companies keep releasing many alternate versions of my favorite song "Maybe"
The version I would like to see on CD is from the album "Maybe" 5:37 Roulette (SR-42050) or the "45" "Maybe" 5:37 Roulette (19924) bw "You're The One" which ever information is helpful.
The TRUTH about The Three Degrees.......2003-07-22
This venerable, talented trio has never been fully captured on CD. This one is your best bet.
The problem? These girls had two career phases, utterly irreconcilable to most of their fans. Phase one is The Three Degrees most of us know and love: the Philly International years. They were to this label what The Superemes were to Motown, but their monster hits "When Will I See You Again" (1973), "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," (1974) and their grace notes on Tom Moulton's brilliant 1977 remix of "Love Is The Message" did not commercially sustain.
Still, every album they cut on this label is worthwhile. Even minor R&B hits like "Take Good Care Of Yourself" (1975) still send a chill up the spine with their corny but wistful power.
When the hits dried up, the girls teamed up with Giorgio Moroder, the Italo-German wunderkind who made Donna Summer. Most fans of the 3D's early years HATE these records. I like one of them.
The earlier records are better music overall, but the first album cut they with Giorgio ("New Dimensions," 1978) has a thrilling side-one suite. Think of "Givin Up/Givin In," "Lookin' For Love," and "Falling in Love Again" as the Three Degrees five years later...no longer spring chickens, angry with the downside of the love they used to coo about, but not quite through with it.
Side two is notable for "The Runner," a big disco hit in early 1979. Too bad the second album they cut with Moroder, "3D" (1980) is mostly junk, in the same Eurodisco vein.
An ideal compilation would include most of "New Dimensions," plus one or two sweet singles these girls cut before they hit big, including their 1970 remake of The Chantals' ballad "Maybe."
Alas, soul sisters rarely get their due...
The brief reign of the Three Degrees as disco queens.......2003-06-15
The Three Degrees were originally a Sixties Girl Group out of Philadelphia, discovered by producer/songwriter Richard Brrett, who also had Little Anthony & the Imperals, the Chantels, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers in his stable. However, all of the songs on "The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again" are taken from the Seventies, when the group was signed to Philadelphia International Records and their albums were being produced by Gamble & Huff. At that point the Three Degrees consisted of Valerie Holiday, Sheila Ferguson, and the only remaining original member Fayette Pickney and the R&B Girl Group was now doing lush disco songs starting with their first hit for their new label, "Dirty Ol' Man." Then they got to sing with MFSB on "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" the new theme song for television's "Soul Train," which went #1 on the Pop Charts in 1974. That same summer the Three Degrees hit the charts with their mega-hit, "When Will I See You Again," which made it to #2 and became their signature song (and therefore the title for this hits collection). The group's other charting songs were "Love is the Message," "I Didn't Know" and "Take Good Care of Yourself," but they were minor efforts compared to "When Will I See You Again." But when the disco bubble popped the Three Degrees went another evolution, changing members and doing a lot of performing and recording in the U.K., where they had always enjoyed more popularity (they played at Prince Charles's 30th birthday party and were invited to his wedding). I was trying to track down the group's Girl Group songs, so this album was not what I was looking for, but in terms of the disco sound these songs have a certain touch of elegance (I wanted to say the Three Degrees have a smoother sound than a lot of their disco contemporaries, but that don't sound classy enough). As is often the case with groups like this, the hits are not necessarily the best of the lot and I would declare a preference for "Can't You See What You're Doing to Me," "I Live Being a Woman," "A Woman Needs a Good Man," and "A Year of Decision" as being the songs worth discovering amongst these 20 tracks.
The Three Degrees.......2003-04-10
Here is one of the best groups that are in the league with The Emotions. Sheila Ferguson, Valerie Holiday, and Fayette Pickney had some of the tightest harmonies, only second to the harmonies of the Hutchinson sisters of The Emotions. I love all of the songs, but, my favorite song has to be "Love Is The Message", that fused them with the other Philly powerhouse, MFSB (the group that is responsible for the "Soul Train" theme song, TSOP [The Sound Of Philadelphia}, in which The Three Degrees colaborated on, as well).
Average customer rating:
- I waited for this for five years
- Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE!
- ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS
- SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
- A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans
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Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
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Similar Items:
- Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection
- The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection
- Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration
- Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masterpiece (Collector's Edition) (Bonus CD)
- Sunset Boulevard (1993 Original London Cast)
ASIN: B00005R5UJ
Release Date: 2001-11-20 |
Tracks:
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
- Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
- Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
- Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
- Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
- Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
- Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
- Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
- Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
- Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
- Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
- Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tracks:
- Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
- Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
- Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
- Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
- Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
- Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
- Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
- The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
- The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
- The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
- Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
- Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
- Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
- Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman
Tracks:
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
- By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
- By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
- By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
- Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
- Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
- Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
- Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
- Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
- Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
- Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
- The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
- The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
- The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
- The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir
Tracks:
- Oh What A Circus - David Essex
- Memory - Betty Buckley
- The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
- All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
- Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
- Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
- Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
- As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
- The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
- With One Look - Petula Clark
- You Must Love Me - Madonna
- The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
- A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
- No Matter What - Boyzone
- The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
- Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
- Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church
Tracks:
- Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
- Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
- I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
- Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
- Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
- Try It And See - Rita Pavone
- Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
- Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
- John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
- What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
- Disillusion Me - Gary Band
- The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
- Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
- It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
- It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
- Magdalena - Tony Christie
- Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
- Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
- I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
- I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
- Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers
Album Description
Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance
Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love
Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game
CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church
Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers
Customer Reviews:
I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30
Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.
The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.
I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.
There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."
But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.
First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.
Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?
On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?
The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).
There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.
With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?
Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.
In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.
Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10
Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.
ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21
Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.
Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.
Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:
* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.
* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.
* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.
* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.
* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.
Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.
SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19
"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.
A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21
This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!
Average customer rating:
- The Last Of The Best...
- Their unjustly underrated 1983 and 1984 albums now on CD.
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When Will I See You Again/Love & More
Ojays
Manufacturer: Edsel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Philly Soul
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Quiet Storm
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
R&B
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Rock
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Emotionally Yours
- So Full of Love/Love Fever/Let Me Touch You
- So Full of Love/Identify Yourself
- Message in Our Music/Travelin' at the Speed of Thought
- Love Fever/Let Me Touch You
ASIN: B000AZ794A
Release Date: 2005-10-03 |
Tracks:
- I Can't Stand the Pain
- Betcha Don't Know (What Comes After That)
- When Will I See You Again
- House of Fire
- Letter to My Friends
- Put Our Heads Together
- Ain't Nothin' Wrong with Good Lovin'
- Nice and Easy
- I've Got to Fall in Love
- Extraordinary Girl
- I'm the Kind of Man (Every Mother Wants Her Daughter to Love)
- Everybody's Dance Krazy
- Summer Fling
- I Really Need You Now
- Love You Direct
- Let Me Show You (How Much I Really Love You)
- Give My Love to the Ladies
Album Description
Currently unavailable on CD in the U.S., these two early `80s titles are an R&B fan's dream come true! The O'Jays remain one of the most popular soul vocal groups ever and features the unforgettable voice of Eddie Levert, father of `90s soul great Gerald Levert. Although these albums don't contain any significant chart hits, they are firm favorites with fans of the band and each album contains enough memorable performances to keep R&B and smooth grooves fans happy. Edsel. 2005.
Album Details
Originally Released in 1983 and 1984 Respectively on the Philadelphia International Label.
Customer Reviews:
The Last Of The Best..........2006-10-06
This European import pairs the last two great albums the O'Jays recorded for the Philadelphia International label before they moved on to further endeavors with other labels and producers in the post-Gamble/Huff era(a recently-packaged so-called 'lost' album of unreleased(unfinished)Philly tracks are probably all of what was left over after their departure from the Gamble/Huff organization). At this time; however - (1983/1984) - individual members Eddie Levert, Walter Williams and Sammy Strain(who several years earlier efficiently filled the void after the death of original member William Powell) had become much more involved in the writing, development and production of their material. These two early 1980's releases showcase the most significant contributions from the group members as well as other writers, arrangers and producers besides Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff; who, for close to a decade, masterminded nearly every hit from the label's major acts. Most longtime fans and critics agree that of the several phases of the O'Jays fascinating career in R&B/Soul music, the Gamble & Huff years were the most fertile; mainly due to the consistently high quality of songwriting, arranging and musicianship from the Philly musical community. Unfortunately, the early 1980's period in popular music was a transitional one of both styles and tastes with new ideas and values emerging in the commercial arena. And many of the 'Old Skool' R&B artists found their musical fortunes beginning to decline as record companies started vying for a younger buying audience base. Soon, new jack swing and hip-hop would replace traditional soul music as the 'new' R&B with younger, fresh faces and sounds; leading up to where music is at now in the next millenium. Though there aren't any notable chart hits from these sets, both albums are still solid packages with strong contributions from everyone involved. For most listeners, the familiar Philly Soul sounds are readily evident, with some hints of experimentation in direction; perhaps lending some new colors to the musical palette. If you have most of the big hit releases from the era, these are a nice closing chapter to the incredible string of albums that was initiated with 1972's chart - topping 'Back Stabbers'(possibly the best Gamble/Huff production of all time). Die-hard fans and collectors won't want to miss out on being able to own digital versions of these works since most of the original vinyl versions are long out-of-print and imports are; in some cases; the only way to get it on glass format. And these are some of the last great recordings featuring actual live musicians playing "in the pocket" on the tracks before drum machines, digital electronic keyboards, synthesizers, computers and sampling all but replaced real musical instrument sounds in much of popular music(what I used to refer to as 'regional sounds' have practically disappeared). So, order now - while you can - when these versions eventually go out-of-print, who knows whether the titles will ever be seen again!
Their unjustly underrated 1983 and 1984 albums now on CD........2006-03-14
The two LPs reissued on this CD were originally released in 1983 and 1984 respectively. Although neither album spawned a major hit single, songs like "Extraordinary Girl", "Summer Fling", "I'm The Kind Of Man", "Give My Love To The Ladies", "House Of Fire" and "Put Our Heads Together" proved that The O'Jays could still turn out extremely high-quality R&B music and that PIR veterans such as Dexter Wansel, Bunny Sigler, Gamble and Huff and even The O'Jays' own Eddie Levert and Walter Williams could take the classic "Philly Sound" effortlessly into the '80s.
Average customer rating:
- The Philly sound period
- When Will I See You Again My Favorite Song "Maybe"
- The TRUTH about The Three Degrees
- The brief reign of the Three Degrees as disco queens
- The Three Degrees
|
The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again
The Three Degrees
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Disco
| Dance & DJ
| Styles
| Music
General
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Philly Soul
| Soul
| R&B
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- The Best of Love Unlimited
- The Best of the Three Degrees
- The Best of the Stylistics
- Love Is the Message: The Best of MFSB
- Cowboys to Girls: The Best of the Intruders:
ASIN: B00005A8GZ
Release Date: 2002-01-08 |
Tracks:
- When Will I See You Again
- Long Lost Lover
- Can't You See What You're Doing to Me
- Lonelier Are Fools
- I Didn't Know
- Here I Am
- T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia)
- Dirty Ol' Man
- Love Is the Message [Single Version]
- Take Good Care of Yourself
- If and When
- Year of Decision
- Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon [Live]
- Get Your Love Back
Customer Reviews:
The Philly sound period.......2004-10-30
The Three Degrees were one of the most successful groups to emerge from the Philadelphia soul scene in the seventies. Their American success was limited to their Philly sound period but they continued to have success in Europe, particularly Britain, for a few years after that. Their music is a wonderful mix of ballads and up-tempo material but may generally be described as easy-listening disco music.
This collection focuses on the early part of their career, their Philly sound period. Among the hits included here are TSOP (their only American number one hit) and When will I see you again (their only British number one hit). Other great songs including Dirty old man, Year of decision and Take good care of yourself, the last two of which charted high in the UK.
After they switched labels to Ariola, their British hits included Golden lady, Jump the gun, Giving up giving in, Woman in love, The runner and My simple heart. You must look elsewhere if you want those tracks.
As a collection of their Philly sound music (the only part of their career that most Americans are interested in), this is brilliant.
When Will I See You Again My Favorite Song "Maybe".......2004-04-17
I have this CD and it's wonderful. My only complaint is that the Record Companies keep releasing many alternate versions of my favorite song "Maybe"
The version I would like to see on CD is from the album "Maybe" 5:37 Roulette (SR-42050) or the "45" "Maybe" 5:37 Roulette (19924) bw "You're The One" which ever information is helpful.
The TRUTH about The Three Degrees.......2003-07-22
This venerable, talented trio has never been fully captured on CD. This one is your best bet.
The problem? These girls had two career phases, utterly irreconcilable to most of their fans. Phase one is The Three Degrees most of us know and love: the Philly International years. They were to this label what The Superemes were to Motown, but their monster hits "When Will I See You Again" (1973), "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)," (1974) and their grace notes on Tom Moulton's brilliant 1977 remix of "Love Is The Message" did not commercially sustain.
Still, every album they cut on this label is worthwhile. Even minor R&B hits like "Take Good Care Of Yourself" (1975) still send a chill up the spine with their corny but wistful power.
When the hits dried up, the girls teamed up with Giorgio Moroder, the Italo-German wunderkind who made Donna Summer. Most fans of the 3D's early years HATE these records. I like one of them.
The earlier records are better music overall, but the first album cut they with Giorgio ("New Dimensions," 1978) has a thrilling side-one suite. Think of "Givin Up/Givin In," "Lookin' For Love," and "Falling in Love Again" as the Three Degrees five years later...no longer spring chickens, angry with the downside of the love they used to coo about, but not quite through with it.
Side two is notable for "The Runner," a big disco hit in early 1979. Too bad the second album they cut with Moroder, "3D" (1980) is mostly junk, in the same Eurodisco vein.
An ideal compilation would include most of "New Dimensions," plus one or two sweet singles these girls cut before they hit big, including their 1970 remake of The Chantals' ballad "Maybe."
Alas, soul sisters rarely get their due...
The brief reign of the Three Degrees as disco queens.......2003-06-15
The Three Degrees were originally a Sixties Girl Group out of Philadelphia, discovered by producer/songwriter Richard Brrett, who also had Little Anthony & the Imperals, the Chantels, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers in his stable. However, all of the songs on "The Best of the Three Degrees: When Will I See You Again" are taken from the Seventies, when the group was signed to Philadelphia International Records and their albums were being produced by Gamble & Huff. At that point the Three Degrees consisted of Valerie Holiday, Sheila Ferguson, and the only remaining original member Fayette Pickney and the R&B Girl Group was now doing lush disco songs starting with their first hit for their new label, "Dirty Ol' Man." Then they got to sing with MFSB on "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" the new theme song for television's "Soul Train," which went #1 on the Pop Charts in 1974. That same summer the Three Degrees hit the charts with their mega-hit, "When Will I See You Again," which made it to #2 and became their signature song (and therefore the title for this hits collection). The group's other charting songs were "Love is the Message," "I Didn't Know" and "Take Good Care of Yourself," but they were minor efforts compared to "When Will I See You Again." But when the disco bubble popped the Three Degrees went another evolution, changing members and doing a lot of performing and recording in the U.K., where they had always enjoyed more popularity (they played at Prince Charles's 30th birthday party and were invited to his wedding). I was trying to track down the group's Girl Group songs, so this album was not what I was looking for, but in terms of the disco sound these songs have a certain touch of elegance (I wanted to say the Three Degrees have a smoother sound than a lot of their disco contemporaries, but that don't sound classy enough). As is often the case with groups like this, the hits are not necessarily the best of the lot and I would declare a preference for "Can't You See What You're Doing to Me," "I Live Being a Woman," "A Woman Needs a Good Man," and "A Year of Decision" as being the songs worth discovering amongst these 20 tracks.
The Three Degrees.......2003-04-10
Here is one of the best groups that are in the league with The Emotions. Sheila Ferguson, Valerie Holiday, and Fayette Pickney had some of the tightest harmonies, only second to the harmonies of the Hutchinson sisters of The Emotions. I love all of the songs, but, my favorite song has to be "Love Is The Message", that fused them with the other Philly powerhouse, MFSB (the group that is responsible for the "Soul Train" theme song, TSOP [The Sound Of Philadelphia}, in which The Three Degrees colaborated on, as well).
Average customer rating:
- "The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me."
- Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative
- Absolutely Breathtaking!
- A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring.
- The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible
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Wagner: The Valkyrie
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Wagner
| Wagner, Richard
| ( W )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
German
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Operettas
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
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- Wagner: The Rhinegold
ASIN: B00004YU6Z
Release Date: 2000-11-28 |
Tracks:
- Act I: Prld - English Nat Opr Orch/Reginald Goodall
- Act I, Scene 1: The Storm Drove Me Here - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 1: This House And This Wife - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 1: Evil Fortune's Never Far From Me - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 2: There He Lay, Feeble And Faint - Margaret Curphey/Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 2: Through Field And Forest - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 2: Friedmund No One Could Call Me - Alberto Remedios/Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 2: The Neidings Raided Again - Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 2: So The Norn Who Dealt You This Fate - Clifford Grant/Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 2: I Know A Troublesome Race - Clifford Grant
- Act I, Scene 3: A Sword Was Pledged By My Father - Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 3: Are You Awake? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 3: My Husband's Kinsmen - Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 3: Yes, Loveliest Bride - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 3: Winter Storms Have Vanished (Siegmund's Spring Song) - Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 3: You Are The Spring - Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 3: Oh Sweetest Enchantment - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
- Act I, Scene 3: The Stream Has Shown My Reflected Face - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund Call Me, And Siegmund Am I! - Alberto Remedios
- Act I, Scene 3: Siegmund, The Walsung, Here You See! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
Tracks:
- Act II, Scene 1: Go Bridle Your Horse, Warrior Maid! - Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Brunnhilde's Battle Cry) - Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 1: The Usual Storm, The Usual Strife - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
- Act II, Scene 1: Pretend That You Don't Understand! - Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 1: Now It's Come To Pass! - Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 1: So This Is The End Of The Gods And Their Glory - Ann Howard
- Act II, Scene 1: You Never Learn What I Would Teach You - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
- Act II, Scene 1: What Must I Do? - Norman Bailey/Ann Howard
- Act II, Scene 1: Hiaha! Hiaha! Hoyotoho! - Rita Hunter/Ann Howard/Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: Fricka Has Won The Fight - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: When Youth's Delightful Pleasures Had Waned - Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: She Refused To Reveal More About It - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 2: There's More To Tell - Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: Yet One Can Accomplish What I May Not - Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: But The Walsung, Siegmund - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: Then Siegmund Must Fall In His Fight? - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act II, Scene 2: I Give You My Blessing, Nibelung Son! - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 2: No, Have Mercy - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Tracks:
- Act II, Scene 2: So I Obey His Command - Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 3: Rest Here For A While; Stay By My Side! - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
- Act II, Scene 3: Away! Away! - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
- Act II, Scene 3: Where Are You, Siegmund? - Margaret Curphey/Alberto Remedios
- Act II, Scene 4: Siegmund! Look At Me! (Announcement Of Death) - Rita Hunter/Alberto Remedios
- Act II, Scene 4: And If I Come - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 4: Then Greet For Me Walhall - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 4: Woe! Woe! Sister And Bride - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 4: Two Lives Now Lie In Your Power - Alberto Remedios/Rita Hunter
- Act II, Scene 5: Charms Of Sleep Are Sent To Still - Alberto Remedios
- Act II, Scene 5: I Hear Your Call - Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey
- Act II, Scene 5: Wehwalt! Wehwalt! - Clifford Grant/Alberto Remedios/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
Tracks:
- Act III, Scene 1: Hoyotoho! Hoyotoho! (Ride Of The Valkyries) - Katie Clark/Anne Evans/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Shelagh Squires/Anne Conoley
- Act III, Scene 1: Shield Me And Help - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
- Act III, Scene 1: Hear While I Tell You - Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne Evans/Sarah Walker...
- Act III, Scene 1: Pray Suffer No Sorrow For Me - Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen Attfield/Anne...
- Act III, Scene 1: Fly Him Swiftly, Away To The East! - Rita Hunter
- Act III, Scene 1: O Radiant Wonder! (Parting Salute) - Margaret Curphey
- Act III, Scene 1: Stay, Brunnhild! - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
- Act III, Scene 2: Where Is Brunnhild? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
- Act III, Scene 2: Weak-Spirited, Womanish Brood! - Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 2: Here I Am, Father - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 2: No More Will You Ride From Walhall - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
- Act III, Scene 2: Did You Not Hear What I Decreed? - Norman Bailey/Margaret Curphey/Rita Hunter/Katie Clarke/Anne Conoley/Elizabeth Connell/Helen...
- Act III, Scene 3: Was It So Shameful - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: I Know So Little - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: You, Who This Love Into My Heart Revealed - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: You Indulged Your Love - Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: Unworthy Of You This Foolish Maid - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: You Fathered A Glorious Race - Rita Hunter/Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: In Long, Deep Sleep - Norman Bailey/Rita Hunter
- Act III, Scene 3: Farewell, My Valiant, Glorious Child! (Wotan's Farewell) - Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: These Eyes So Warm And So Bright - Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: Loge, Hear! Come At My Call! - Norman Bailey
- Act III, Scene 3: Magic Fire Music - Norman Bailey
Customer Reviews:
"The death-doomed alone are destined to look on me.".......2007-06-12
Okay, so we have the Solti, Bohm, Karajan, Goodall, Boulez, Janowski, Levine, Haitink, and Sawallisch Rings on the market (I haven't listened to the other Ring recordings yet, sorry to say). And all of these leave me to one conclusion: the many differences lead me to believe that all of these ring sets have their own authenticities and setbacks. And here they are:
TIMING (Estimate):
Solti's Ring: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Bohm's Ring: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Karajan's Ring: 14 hours, 50 minutes
Goodall's Ring: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Boulez's Ring: 13 hours, 40 minutes
Janowski's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
Levine's Ring: 15 hours, 20 minutes
Haitink's Ring: 14 hours, 10 minutes
Sawallisch's Ring: 14 hours, 0 minutes
CONDUCTING:
Solti: Solti's conducting is driven with sheer muscle, but sometimes he makes the Ring overemotional. His Walkure & Gotterdammerung Preludes are clear examples: they're annoyingly bombastic. Nonetheless he almost seldom loses control with anything. His clear focus on the drama is astonishing.
Bohm: I must say his live Bayreuth recording brings out some of the best. He puts more faith in the orchestral score, but he also gives it more intensity. His tempi are some of the quickest, but they still don't seem rushed at all (except maybe "Wohin schleich'st du eilig und schlau"). I especially like his "Forging Scene" & "Hagen Summons the Vassals"; both are the most energetic on disc.
Karajan: Karajan's chamber approach is very interesting. Instead of going for the drama or the energy, the conductor goes for the beauty. Almost everything in his Ring sounds very ethereal because of his excessive use of lyricism. His orchestral preludes (except Walkure Act 1) sound more beautiful than others, and much of the soft parts (such as Siegfried Act Three Scene Three) are controlled nicely. His "Funeral March" and "Immolation" are recommendable. Siegfried Act Three Scene Two could have improved with more tension.
Goodall: Oh, boy. While I do praise Goodall with his amazing attention to detail, his ridiculously sluggish tempi will tick some Wagnerites off: nothing is faster than andante. But I did enjoy listening to the slow beauty of his "Wotan's Farewell/Magic Fire Music". This was recorded live and sung in English.
Boulez: Here it is, folks - the controversial Centennial Ring. To fit the Ring Cycle in the industrial age, Boulez gives it a very Schoenbergian, Bartokian atmosphere. Much of his tempi are very quick, very Bohm-like, though they're still not as fast as Bohm. Keep in mind, though, this live Ring works only if you hear AND see it (the DVD's work best).
Janowski: This is a very classical Ring. Instead of bombast, spacious, or lyrical passion, maestro Janowski gives us the straightforward approach. He goes straight for Wagner's original intentions (precise tempi, dynamics, flow of leitmotivs, etc.), which makes this another exquisite Ring. "Hagen Summons the Vassals" is probably the fastest I've ever heard (along with Sawallisch's). Rheingold Scene Four can be best described as "sensational".
Levine: While he does stay true to the score like Bohm, this conductor makes for a somewhat dull Ring. His handling of the orchestra is nice, but the moderately slow tempi he chooses is flawed. It should be more animated. His beautiful "Funeral March" and "Erda's Warning" are two of the few flawless features.
Haitink: This might be seen as a disappointment. If you want great conducting, then this is for you. If you want a persuasive array of singers, look somewhere else. Haitink's conducting saves this work from being a total flop. There is nothing quite like his Rheingold & Gotterdammerung ("Siegfried's Rhine Journey" is a bit forced, but magnificent nonetheless).
Sawallisch: I guess you can say that Sawallisch is half-Karajan, half-Janowski. While he does stay true to the orchestral score like Janowski, he also puts in a little Karajan-like lyricism. At some points he loses track with orchestra and singers (as does every live recording) but Bohm has more control. This was also recorded live.
ORCHESTRA:
Solti's Vienna Philharmonic: The woodwinds are the most beautiful in Solti's Ring (the "Forest Murmurs" is clear evidence of that). French horns and Wagner tubas make this a recommended listening. The strings in "Heda Heda Hedo" could've added a bit more work, but they are strikingly spectacular everywhere else. The orchestra gives it their all in Siegfried Act Two & Three, but they are at their weakest in Walkure Act One & Three (Bohm's Bayreuth does it better). Overall, it's the loudest and certainly most bombastic out of all the Ring orchestras combined.
Bohm's Bayreuth Festival: The ultimate Wagnerian orchestra gives it their all. The brass both high and low are the most powerful, while the woodwinds are the most delicate. The strings are muffled only a few times, otherwise the eighteen anvils are perfectly loud and clear. Erda's scenes aren't as effective as Janowski's, but the entire Walkure is more successful than Janowski's when it comes to tone & technique. Overall, this orchestra is the most dramatic.
Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic: The entire orchestra sounds polished, not to say that it is bad. Indeed the drama is still there, but much of the suspense is lacking (the scenes with Fasolt and Fafner come to mind). The brass sometimes overpowers the strings, which can be a serious problem. Gotterdammerung "Three Norns" Scene sounds very mysterious, very eerie.
Goodall's English National Opera: This orchestra sounds nice, even if the sluggishness can bring them down at times. The Flight of the Valkyries doesn't sound too good in a slow tempo, but the entire orchestra does sound lucid here. Siegfried Act Two Prelude is the creepiest. All of the leitmotivs are heard loud and clear, just like in Janowski's version.
Boulez's Bayreuth Festival: While it doesn't really pack the same punches as Bohm's Bayreuth, it still delivers a stunning performance. Orchestral interaction between characters (Ex. Siegfried's motifs mixed in with Mime's motifs) fares better than Berlin's and English National's. Rhine maiden motifs are given more wit, while the Dragon motifs are played with less eeriness. Beauty makes up for the irritatingly quick "Wotan's Farewell".
Janowski's Staatskapelle Dresden: This orchestra has the same force & flair as does Boulez's Bayreuth Festival, only Dresden sounds much clearer due to the fantastic digital sound. Even minor details are heard clear in this Ring. The strings imitate the Siegfried forest very well, while the woodwinds representing the songbird are wonderful (but not as wonderful as Solti's songbird). Dresden's "Magic Fire Music" (along with Berlin's) is the most extravagant.
Levine's Metropolitan Opera: The brass and woodwinds are the true stars. The strings sound too tired to continue on in Siegfried & Gotterdammerung. The Finale to Rheingold is absolutely stunning (the trumpets and trombones will not disappoint), and the Second Act of Walkure is the most impressive, the most refined.
Haitink's Bavarian Radio Symphony: This may very well be like Metropolitan, only this sounds much more poignant. The strings sound better and the percussion sound clearer. The leitmotivs are almost never screwed up. First scene of Rheingold will take one's breath away.
Sawallisch's Bavarian State: Wrong notes in this live recording won't matter, as the entire orchestra gets everything going in all four nights at the opera. The strings never surrender to imperfection, and the winds are marvelously aligned. I just wish that some of the singers would keep up with the orchestra.
SINGERS:
-Wotan
Solti: Hans Hotter is the superior Wotan. He sounds powerful throughout the Ring (except Rheingold, in which a less stellar George London performs).
Bohm and Janowski: Theo Adam in Bohm's live recording is another treat. While he is not as equally impressive as Hotter, he can certainly conjure up everlasting emotions. Adam sounds weaker in Janowski's studio recording, but he still doesn't disappoint.
Karajan: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau plays Wotan in "Rheingold," while Thomas Stewart replaces Fischer-Dieskau in "Walkure" and "Siegfried". I don't think Fischer-Dieskau was a good choice; he sounds too humane and too light. Stewart makes an astounding improvement in both "Walkure" and "Siegfried".
Goodall: Norman Bailey has that divine spark that Hotter used to cherish. He's heavy and unblemished, and he handles the English text with flair and sheen.
Boulez: If you watch Donald McIntyre on the Centennial Ring production, then you can tell that he's a fine "industrial" Wotan. If you just hear him on CD, then you'll be disappointed. His diction is weak, his emotions are forced, and his voice sounds robotic. The DVD's will do.
Levine and Haitink: James Morris is a notch below Hotter, Adam, and Bailey, but he overpowers Fischer-Dieskau pretty much throughout the Levine's and Haitink's Ring.
Sawallisch: I may be biased, but Robert Hale just didn't do it for me. He sounded dull and tedious, and his Wotan's Farewell wasn't enough to sadden me.
-Brunnhilde
Solti and Bohm: Birgit Nilsson is the best Brunnhilde on the market. Her Valkyrie cry is delightful, and her final scene in Gotterdammerung is brilliant beyond belief.
Karajan: Regine Crespin is without a doubt one of the finest Brunnhildes after Nilsson. She's fantastic in Walkure Act Three. I just wish she stayed on as the Valkyrie later on in the Ring (Helga Dernesch is no good in Gotterdammerung, sorry to say).
Goodall: Rita Hunter is at her strongest in Walkure and Siegfried. She is at her weakest in Gotterdammerung. What may have caused her downfall in the fourth installment? "The world may never know."
Boulez: How can anyone not be impressed by the Brunnhilde of Gwyneth Jones? One can almost feel her excitement during Siegfried Act Three, and her fear in Walkure Act Three. Her weakest point is probably during her Gotterdammerung Prologue (a bit too stressed).
Janowski: Jeannine Altmeyer is basically the most controversial Brunnhilde on CD. Some people say that she's too light and weak, while others say she sounds young and very enchanting. I'm with those who think Altmeyer was a good choice, but you yourself (the shopper) are going to have to decide whether she's good or not.
Levine and Sawallisch: Hildegard Behrens is just like Nilsson and Crespin: while she's not the best, she is definitely another perfect Brunnhilde of choice. She's at her most dazzling when she performs Walkure (Levine) and Siegfried (Sawallisch).
Haitink: Hmph. I was hoping that Eva Marton would do well here. I was seriously let down by her strained singing. She does okay in "Annunciation of Death", but she is at her worst in "Immolation".
-Siegmund & Sieglinde
Let's see. For the Siegmunds, we have James King for Solti and Bohm, Jon Vickers for Karajan, Alberto Remedios for Goodall, Peter Hoffman for Boulez, Siegfried Jerusalem for Janowski, Gary Lakes for Levine, Reiner Goldberg for Haitink, and Robert Schunk for Sawallisch. For the Sieglindes, we have Regine Crespin for Solti, Leonie Rysanek for Bohm, Gundula Janowitz for Karajan, Margaret Curphy for Goodall, Jeanine Altmeyer for Boulez, Jessye Norman for both Janowski and Levine, Cheryl Studer for Haitink, and Julia Varady for Sawallisch. Hmm . . . Jerusalem is good . . . and so is Vickers . . . Janowitz is charming, and so is . . . Oh, what the heck? All the singers for Siegmund and Sieglinde are fantastic. Three exceptions, though: Goldberg and Schunk don't sound heroic enough, and Norman for Levine doesn't sound young and innocent enough.
-Siegfried
Solti and Bohm: Wolfgang Windgassen may very well be the best Siegfried for the ages. His `Forging Scene" in both renditions are defiantly inspiring. His last scene in Gotterdammerung is celestial and overwhelming.
Karajan: Jess Thomas (Siegfried) and Helge Brilioth (Gotterdammerung) may not be as ideal as Windgassen, but they do know how to be a magnificent heldentenor. Thomas pulls it off with Act One and Three.
Goodall: Wow! What a singer that Alberto Remedios! He never drags in either of the last two installments, and he uses the correct emotions in every scene that he is in.
Boulez: Is Manfred Jung a good tenor? Yes. Is he a good Heldentenor? NO. He doesn't have that heroic voice like Windgassen and Remedios. Again, the DVD's are your safest bet.
Janowski and Sawallisch: Rene Kollo's Siegfried is a poetically expressive one. In Janowski's version he sounds playful when he's in Mime's home, and he sounds willed when he's in the Gibich Hall. He is not good enough in Sawallisch's version, however. His tiresome "Forging Scene" is obvious evidence of that.
Levine: Oh, Reiner Goldberg. At least you tried. Seriously, he sounds too tedious (especially in Gotterdammerung Act Three Scene Two) and too old. Levine should've chose Kollo or Jerusalem when he recorded his studio Ring.
Haitink: Have you ever seen Siegfried Jerusalem on the Levine/Metropolitan DVD? Well, here he is again, and this time, he sings with more valor and enthusiasm. Bravo!
-Alberich
Solti and Bohm: Gustav Niedlinger has a heaviness that overwhelms a few other baritones. When he sings his only sequence in Gotterdammerung Act Two Scene One, his emotion is so pure that his son Hagen would've drowned himself in tears (Too melodramatic? Sorry about that.). The only problem is that his character sounds too one-dimensional. Alberich isn't just some cardboard-cutout bad guy. He has a very good reason why he wants to take revenge on the world. Overall, Niedlinger is amazing throughout Wagner's Ring (He deserves many awards for "Bin ich nun frei?").
Karajan: I guess you can say that Zoltan Kelemen tries his best throughout. He is not good in Rheingold, but he gets better in Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.
Goodall: Derek Hammond-Stroud is three-dimensional, but not that much. Still, he can sound very demanding in Rheingold Scene One and Siegfried Act Two Scene One.
Boulez: What we have here is the weak Alberich of Hermann Becht. When he's in Nibelheim, the authority isn't there. When he's in the Neid-Hohle forest, the creepiness isn't there. And when he's near the Gibich house, the misery isn't there. Even on DVD he's unsatisfactory.
Janowski: Siegmund Nimsgern may be the most humane Alberich yet, but it's all good. He sings with more passion than Kelemen and more robustness than Hammond-Stroud. Niedlinger's ferociousness puts him below, however. "Schaf'st du, Hagen, mein sohn?" is noteworthy.
Levine and Sawallisch: Ekkehard Wlaschiha is one hell of a vigorous Alberich. I praise him in Rheingold Scene One and Three. His performance in Siegfried (both versions) could've improved with more distrustfulness towards Mime and the Wanderer.
Haitink: No offense, but Theo Adam as Alberich? Come on . . .
-Mime
Solti and Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is the creepiest Mime ever known to humankind. This dwarf outsings other Mimes on the market. When he sings "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" his anger and fear is the most effective to almost all Ring listeners.
Bohm: Erwin Wohlfahrt wins second place. He gives a first-rate performance in Siegfried Act One, but loses some of his edge in Act Two. He is an exceptional Mime nonetheless. Look for him in Karajan's Rheingold, also.
Goodall: Gregory Dempsey isn't emotional enough. He doesn't sound fearful or depressed at all, which makes him the dullest Mime for the Ring.
Boulez and Levine: Heinz Zednik is yet another excellent Mime, VERY fun to listen to. There is much humor and eccentricity in his voice, and that's what makes his dwarf much more compelling than Dempsey's dwarf. His performance in Rheingold Scene Three is pure gold, while his performance in Siegfried (particularly "Willkommen, Siegfried!") is a stunning achievement.
Janowski: Peter Schreier is for Siegfried, while Christian Vogel is for Rheingold. Vogel is less than perfect, while Schreier is way beyond outstanding. Schreier is less ghoulish and more benevolent, more three-dimensional than Stolze and Wohlfahrt. He is equal to Zednik when it comes to humaneness and lyricism. The only flaw I can find is his handling of "Die stucken! Das Schwert!" He could've added a bit more fear in that sequence.
Haitink: Peter Haage sounds like he's entertaining young kids. His version of Mime is a bit childish, and the dark humor that the dwarf brings out sounds-over-the-top here. Nonetheless, he is still entertaining to listen to ("Wer halfe mir?" has never sounded better).
Sawallisch: Helmut Pampuch is just like Schreier and Zednik: he's very VERY good. Nuff said.
-Loge
Solti: Set Svanholm may be the weakest Loge. He is not very ominous throughout all of his scenes, and his lack of a sinister atmosphere is greatly affects the entire Rheingold. But he'll soon be forgotten later on during the Trilogy.
Bohm: Why the heck would the conductor have Wolfgang Windgassen play both Siegfried AND Loge? The demi-god needs to sound different from a son of a Walsung. Again, another Loge that's marred by lack of cunning.
Karajan: Gerhard Stolze is easily the most entertaining Loge to listen to. He has the wit, the craftiness, and the untrustworthiness that the character deserves. His scenes in Scene Three are delightful.
Goodall: Emile Belcourt isn't as good as Stolze, but he certainly can make some of the best of an English-speaking Loge.
Boulez and Haitink: I can summon Heinz Zednik's performance in just three words: Brilliant Beyond Belief!
Janowski: Peter Schreier is the most eccentric out of all of them, and that's a fact. Much of his singing involves imagination, peril, vengeance, and deviousness. Belcourt and Zednik depend only on vengeance and deviousness, Stolze only imagination and deviousness, Windgassen and Svanholm only peril. His odd conversations with Alberich and the gods/goddesses are classic.
Levine: Siegfried Jerusalem doesn't seem like a good choice for Loge. He's better off playing Siegmund or Siegfried, but not a demi-god.
Sawallisch: Robert Tear is on par with Stolze and Zednik. Sometimes he takes things too low, but all is forgiven with his management of character development.
-Everyone Else
Uh-huh, what can I say? Everyone else does a good job in all Ring recordings. Matti Salminen is the perfect Hagen (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch), while Kirsten Flagstad is the most brilliant Fricka (Solti). Anja Silja is the most memorable Freia (Bohm), while Kurt Moll makes the most fabulous Hunding yet (Janowski, Levine, and Sawallisch). The Norns and Rheinmaidens do a splendid job in Solti, Janowski, and Levine. The Vassals (male choir) are at their unsurpassed in Bohm, Goodall, and Boulez. The only flawed Erda is Anne Collins (Goodall), maybe too light and too heavy at times. All in all, no one here is graded C or lower.
CONCLUSION: I have yet to listen to Barenboim's Bayreuth presentation, Neuhold's Badische version, and the essential mono recordings (Furtwangler, Krauss, etc.), but I'm pretty sure that have their advantages and disadvantages. So there you have it. We have the histrionic Solti, the energetic Bohm, the otherworldly Karajan, the spacious Goodall, the industrialized Boulez, the truthful Janowski, the unhurried Levine, the abnormal Haitink, and the serious Sawallisch Rings. They have their own authenticities and setbacks, and they certainly have their own significances for Ring listeners everywhere.
The Box Set: Wagner: The Ring Cycle (Box Set)
The Rhinegold (Part 1): Wagner: The Rhinegold
Siegfried (Part 3): Siegfried (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Twilight of the Gods (Part 4): The Twilight of the Gods (Goodall Ring Cycle/Chandos Opera in English)
Breathtaking, powerful, accessible, not just an alternative.......2005-05-03
This is one of three Walkure's in my collection: the very underrated Leinsdorf, the thrilling Boehm and this one with Goodall. I believe Goodall is right up there with the best of them. Remedios, Hunter and Bailey sing beautifully and with sufficient drama. I'll go out on a musical limb and say I believe Bailey is one of the finest Wotan's on disc. Many will disagree but I think he has the measure of the role, the power to pull it off and a burnished timber that never becomes coarse under powerful climaxes... Remedios may well be the star of the trilogy along with Hunter and Bailey. His Siegmund is beautifully sung and his Siegfried by the way, is no mean stint either. Would that we had tenors that could sing Siegfried without sounding stretched beyond their limits. I am continually puzzled by the bad reviews that the orchestra playing receives from ARG, Classics Today and a few others. The ENO is not a Concertgebouw or Vienna Philharmonic but I think they play beautifully, a few clinkers notwithstanding. For a live show, they do a pretty d..... good job. THe sound from both orchestra and singers is exceptionally fine. This set belong in your collection if you like Wagner and, Die Walkure, in particular. If I had been at the performance in the 1970's I would have come home very happy, satisfied and richer for the experience.
Absolutely Breathtaking!.......2002-09-13
I had long cringed at the thought of this magnificant masterpiece recorded in English. Even after reading several rave reviews on this cylce that I've read by authoritive Wagnerites and critics, I was still skeptical. Finally, I decided to add Goodall's 'Ring' as my third complete cycle (after Solti & Bohm) for one reason: because it was in English and I felt it would enhance my understand of 'The Ring.' In fact, after achieving that "higher understanding" I was planning on selling this set on Ebay. That was, of course, before I heard this magnificant recording.
During the course of my research on 'The Goodall Ring' most of the praised seemed to heighten around 'Siegfried,' which is my absolute favorite of the cycle. That also helped to seal the deal. As the critics said, 'Siegfried' under Goodall is excellent, but not as monumental as Solti's reading, which IMHO is the greatest recording of 'Siegfried.'
The set that stands out, to me, in 'The Goodall Ring' is this recording; The Valkyrie. It is absolutely breathtaking. Not only is it my favorite of this set, it is my favorite Valkyrie recording period (I am very familiar with Boehm's, Solti's, Karajan's, Furthwanglers, Levines, and others). Alberto Remedios (Siegmund here and Siegfried in the last two operas) is truly magnificant. It is the best Siegmund I have heard on disc (and his Siegfried rivals Windgassen). Coupled with Margaret Curphey (Sieglinde), you get the most beautiful and moving duo I have heard on record. The duet in Act I is simply glorious. You also get the bonus of Norman Bailey's triumphant Wotan (and Wanderer too). He has such command and prescene. He sounds like a God. Throw in Rita Hunter, who holds her own as Brunnhilde, Goodall's miraculous conducting, and excellent playing by the orchestra and it all adds up to a stunning recording.
I can only say that in a way it's a shame this set is in English. Were it not, I believe Goodall's 'Ring' would be one of the most talked about, popular, and sought after complete recordings of the cycle. I can only say that I am so happy that I finally opened up to opera recorded in a different language than written.
I have fallen completely in love with Goodall's entire cycle. And, I have fallen in love with 'The Ring' all over again.
A powerful reading of the most moving opera in the Ring........2001-08-30
This performance of *Die Valkure,* the second and most popular opera in Wagner's Ring Cycle, is musically splendid. Its special significance, however, is that it is sung in English. An English performance of the Ring is perhaps more important than that of any other opera(s), because Wagner's libretti are suffused with his ideas about society, fate, justice, and love. Even if (at times) you need to read along to understand what the singers are saying, *hearing* the lyrics in English is truly stirring in a way that performances in your non-native language cannot match.
A particular stand-out on this recording is the Wotan. His timbre, diction, and delivery perfectly embody the troubled god who tries desperately, and in vain, to keep the world under his control. His angst and wrath are utterly convincing.
The power of Wagner's music drama is now fully accessible.......2001-01-30
I have never been a fan of opera in translation, but I must say that Andrew Porter's rendering of The Ring in English is amazing. He uses modern, not archaic, English, and the word choice is so very earthy and Germanic that the noble yet somewhat severe atmosphere of the Teutonic myths is conveyed perfectly. The sound, in other words, is an elegantly Germanic, and totally appropriate for the music and the Story it tells. It is not true that you can't understand the English anyway, because you can understand if you care to pay any attention at all. The translation is lucid, and so it the marvelous singing that conveys it.
Goodall's sense of music drama is lush, and takes some getting used to after the crash-and-burn Solti set, but after a time or two it seems just right. Goodall is not always slower than the rest, either; for example, the famous Ride of the Valkyries that begins Act III is quicker than Solti's surprisingly slow and heavy account. It is the most exciting that I have heard--and I have heard quite a few--but it is not so fast that the power is lost in favor of urgency.
This is not an urgent Die Walkure, and it is all the better for it. Goodall takes the time to actually tell the story, and is sensitive to the drama's needs over what could be called convention. For example, Wotan's Farewell doesn't thunder out after Brunnhilde's final declamation, like in so many recordings; rather, Goodall's interpretation is more dreamy, mysterious, and appropriately trance-like, in keeping with the action on stage.
I own the complete Solti Ring, but I must say I will be the first in line to get each new installment of this remarakable Ring as soon they hit the shelves. If you are new to Wagner, and are willing to make the plunge into a complete Ring, then start with this one and see if you want to continue. This recording is definitely one of the great Rings, and the superb translation will open up the work in ways that following the libretto just won't. I promise that you won't be able to put this one away easily. Get it!
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- Graziella, Please Tell Me How To Reach You
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When Will I See You Again
The Three Degrees
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ASIN: B0009X58HS
Release Date: 2005-03-09 |
Tracks:
- When Will I See You Again
- Take Good Care of Yourself
- My Simple Heart
- Woman in Love
- Long Lost Lover
- Heaven I Need
- Get Your Love Back
- Red Light
- Together
- Take Me Away
- Sound of Philadelphia
Customer Reviews:
Graziella, Please Tell Me How To Reach You.......2007-08-05
Olá Graziella! We were on opposite sides of the big black fence on Friday night at Rib-Fest, ribs of steel between us, when you sauntered over to share your wine (obrigado!), dazzled me with your Brazilliance and became my muse. Your English is excellent, but your Portuguese is incredible. You said: "Oh don't you think you'd be smitten by me if I sang you a Joplin tune. Hey, I can tell that you like those bossa novas, but I just love Janis singin' the blues. Please don't ask me for help, cause I'm out of practice and I'm way too lost for that. My friends all drive Porsches, but I just want a man who knows where I'm at!" Please Grazi (if I may be so informal), please tell me how to see you again. I am worth it to treat you wonderfully the way you deserve to be cared for - as the wonderful and wild woman that you are - such a wonderful woman. Adeus - no not goodbye - até logo, Graziella! Please Tell Me How To Reach You One More Time. Smitten
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When Will I See You Again
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ASIN: B00003WGJJ
Release Date: 2001-01-01 |
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- There Goes My Baby - The Drifters
- On Broadway - The Drifters
- Love Grows - Edison Lighthouse
- Will You Still Love Me Tomarrow - The Undertakers
- My Guy - Mary Wells
- Rock Your Baby - George McCrae
- Try a Little Tenderness - Tom Jones
- Aint No Sunshine - Al Jarreau
- After the Lovin' - Engelbert Humperdinck
- Unchained Melody - Gerry & the Pacemakers
- When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees
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When Will I See You Again
Three Degrees
Manufacturer: Krb Music Companies
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ASIN: B00000JJXA
Release Date: 1999-06-08 |
Average customer rating:
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" When Will I See You Again " - The Three Degrees - (London Import)
Manufacturer: Javelin
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
General
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Philly Soul
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ASIN: B000GFDI7Q |
Product Description
London Import - 15 Great Songs;
1)Dirty Ol' Man - 2)I'll Be Around - 3)T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia) - 4)Do Right Woman, Do Right Man - 5)When Will I See You Again - 6)Midnight Train - 7)Vital Signs - 8)Let's Get It On - 9)Make It Easy On Yourself - 10)After The Night Is Over - 11)A Tender Lie - 12)Lock It Up - 13)Are You That Kind Of Guy - 14)I'm Going To Miss You - 15)I'm Doing Fine Now
Average customer rating:
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Best of the Three Degrees (Pegasus)
Manufacturer: Pegasus PEGCD170
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Philly Soul
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ASIN: B0009JMKLY |
Product Description
A great collection of hits by the Philly soul vocal group, The Three Degrees. Includes "When Will I See You Again," "Dirty Ol' Man," "The Heaven I Need," and more!
TRACK LIST:
1) Jump the Gun
2) Long Lost Lover
3) Red Light
4) Together
5) Take Good Care of Yourself
6) Giving Up, Giving In
7) Year of Decision
8) When Will I See You Again
9) Woman In Love
10) Take Me Away
11) My Simple Heart
12) TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)
13) Dirty Ol' Man
14) The Runner
15) The Heaven I Need
16) Get Your Love Back.
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