Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD] (Clean) [Clean] [Limited Edition]

Track Listings

1. I Love You

2. Sleep in the Middle

3. Unhappy

4. Impatient - Blu Cantrell, Fat Joe, Lil' Kim,

5. Breathe [Rap Version] - Blu Cantrell, Sean Paul

6. Risk It All

7. Don't Wanna Say Goodbye

8. Happily Ever After

9. Holding on to Love

10. Let Her Go

11. Make, Me Wanna Scream - Blu Cantrell,

12. No Place Like Home

Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD] (Clean),Blu Cantrell,Arista,Contemporary R&B,Pop,R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Tracks:

Come Away With Me (originally by Norah Jones)
Yellow (originally by Coldplay)
Here With Me (originally by Dido)
Millennium (originally by Robbie Williams)
Hero (originally by Enrique Iglesius)
What Can I Do (originally by The Corrs)
Flying Without Wings (originally by Westlife)
Everybody Hurts (originally by REM)
Every Breath You Take (originally by The Police)
Let It Be (originally by The Beatles)
A Whiter Shade Of Pale (originally by Procol Harum)
Nights In White Satin (originally by The Moody Blues)
Candle In The Wind (originally by Elton John)
Imagine (originally by John Lennon)

Tracks:

Beautiful Day (originally by U2)
Champagne Supernova (originally by Oasis)
Handbags & Gladrags (originally by Stereophonics)
Why Does It Always Rain On Me (originally by Travis)
Livin' On A Prayer (originally by Bon Jovi)
Layla (originally by Derek & The Dominos)
Stairway To Heaven (originally by Led Zeppelin)
Bat Out Of Hell (originally by Meat Loaf)
Run To You (originally by Bryan Adams)
China In Your Hand (originally by T'Pau)
Torn (originally by Natalie Imbruglia)
Bittersweet Symphony (originally by The Verve)
Good Vibrations (originally by The Beach Boys)
Bohemian Rhapsody (originally by Queen)

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Pure & Beautiful.......2005-10-31

If you buy no other classical music, buy this collection. CD 1 (Relax) is perfect for dinner, quiet entertaining or just soft music while you're working. From "Come Away With Me", to "Whiter Shade of Pale" to "Knights in White Satin"... each piece is it's own movement - and moved you will be... Perfect for a romantic evening. CD2 is more robust, but equally entertaining. "Layla", "Livin On A Prayer", Stairway to Heaven", "Run to You" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" - you owe it to yourself to hear these licks performed by the RPO.

Symphonic Rock.......2005-07-25

It really isn't rock, but it is a very pleasant presentation of popular music, rendered in creative ways by a full symphony orchestra. It sounds like the orchestra had a great time making these CD's.

pleasant easy listening.......2005-07-19

It's not extremely interesting music, but nice background, relaxing and pleasant with full orchestra. Not a bad buy at all!

Excellent CD.......2005-03-20

I received this as a present and at first I wasn't sure if I would like it because I don't like some of the original songs, but there's something about hearing the orchestra play that makes me like all of them. Just try it out.

luke.......2004-12-12

well, if you like elevator music then you should get this cd. if not then dont waste your time, its lame. big time lame. just listen to the audio samples im so glad i didn't waste my money on this piece of crap.

Average customer rating:

Cher: Bittersweet-The Love Songs Collection (1999)
Simply Stellar! Simply Cher!
TORCHY & SOULFUL CHER CLASSIC! BRAVO CHER!!!
My favorite music of Cher....Bittersweet- The Love Songs Col
bitter not...

Bittersweet: The Love Songs Collection
Cher
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000HZCZ
Release Date: 1999-01-26

Tracks:

By Myself
I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
Am I Blue
How Long Has This Been Going On
The Man I Love
Jolson Medley: Sonny Boy/My Mammy/Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody
More Than You Know
Why Was I Born
The Man That Got Away
What'll I Do
The Long And Winding Road
Greatest Song I Ever Heard
David's Song
It Might As Well Stay Monday
Don't Try To Close A Rose
He'll Never Know
The Way Of Love

Customer Reviews:

Cher: Bittersweet-The Love Songs Collection (1999).......2005-05-12

In 1999, just one single year after releasing BELIEVE, Cher released her next album entitled, BITTERSWEET-THE LOVE SONGS COLLECTION, a compilation album containing all of Cher's love song ballads, instead of her usual uptempo tracks. I am usually in the mood to hear more of Cher's uptempo songs, but hearing her ballads is just pure relaxation.

BY MYSELF
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Not bad.

I GOT IT BAD AND THAT AIN'T GOOD
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Not bad.

AM I BLUE
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Impressive.

HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Not bad.

THE MAN I LOVE
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Okay.

JOLSON MEDLEY: SONNY BOY/MY MAMMY/ROCK-A-BYE YOUR BABY TO A DIXIE MELODY
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). I have enjoyed this song since day one. There is something about medlies that I just love.

WHY WAS I BORN?
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Beautifully done.

MORE THAN YOU KNOW
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Amazingly beautiful

THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY
From the album BITTERSWEET WHITE LIGHT (1973). Not bad.

WHAT'LL I DO?
From the album DARK LADY (1974). Great.

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
From the album DARK LADY (1974). This song was originally recorded by The Beatles. Cher's version is absolutely beautiful, but The Beatles had the more definitive version.

THE GREATEST SONG I EVER HEARD
From the album DARK LADY (1974). Not bad.

DAVID'S SONG
From the album DARK LADY (1974). Great.

IT MIGHT AS WELL STAY MONDAY (FROM NOW ON)
From the album FOXY LADY (1972). You know, I agree with the title of this song. I mean the weekends go by so fast, that it might as well just stay Monday.

DON'T TRY TO CLOSE A ROSE
From the album FOXY LADY (1972). Why would anybody want to close a rose? Roses, in my eyes, are the most beautiful flowers on this planet.

HE'LL NEVER KNOW
From the album GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES (1971). Not bad.

THE WAY OF LOVE
From the album GYPSYS, TRAMPS & THIEVES (1971). Not bad.

Most of the songs on here are not that impressive, but they are enough to make feel at ease. So, if you want Cher's most cherished ballads, then buy a copy of BITTERSWEET-THE LOVE SONGS COLLECTION. You're guaranteed the relaxtion you want from this album.

Simply Stellar! Simply Cher!.......2005-04-08

Having completely worn out 3 copies of the "Bittersweet White Light" LP, I was glad to see the songs on a CD. This album is by far my all-time favorite of Cher's recordings. It's such an overlooked classic that it does deserve a new listen. I remember the day I bought the first copy of the original lp. I listened to it for 3 straight hours until turning it off to get some sleep. I played it so much that I went through 3 copies of the album before finally putting away a new and still sealed copy that I have today. One day I'll open it and transfer it to CD. Boy, were my neighbors ever glad that I moved!!

Believe me, transferring from an LP to CD is such a great thing to do. The sound is so much richer and more lush than that of a factory produced CD. Factory bought may be pristine but they cannot capture the lushness and richness of an LP; it's just not possible technically. I'll take the occasional 'pop' or 'tik' any day. I've transferred all of Cher's recordings to CD rather than purchasing the factory produced product. Unfortunately, most of her 70's work isn't available on an album by album basis. Seems there's always 'bonus tracks' or 'extra tracks' , etc.; Doing them myself, I have just the 10 or 11 tracks that are on a particular album. They sound lush, rich and gorgeous when compared to the factory produced products. Try it and see for yourself. You'll know what I'm talking about after you've transferred music from LP' to CD's.

Cher was only 27 when she laid down the vocals to the standards she chose to sing. She's truly an old soul as she sounds many, many years older than 27. She made these songs her own. This was pre-Ronstadt and pre-Natalie Cole. Cher started the trend and I wish she would revisit these songs and re-record them. She now has the life experience to give to them. Who knows, maybe she do just that. With Cher, anything is possible. Lucky for us it is. Having seen her in concert with Sonny in 1973 & early 1974, then seeing her twice this year, I'm very lucky and grateful to have had the opportunity to hear her sing live on those four occasions.

Do yourself a favor and by this CD already! The sooner you do, the sooner you can bask in just how great this part of her work truly is. You can't explain it. You just have to experience it for yourself. You'll see...

TORCHY & SOULFUL CHER CLASSIC! BRAVO CHER!!!.......2004-05-13

"Bittersweet White Light" has for many years been my favorite Cher classic set as it captures the timeless Diva at her soulful best in a great collection of all time classic standards! Opening with a great rhythmic "By Myself", it is clear that Cher knows her way with a great song and completely in her own way!! This original classic stylist continues with a haunting take on "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good" that is bluesy and soulfully stirring and fades into a brilliant version of "Am I Blue?" that is passionate and powerfully sung. "How Long Has This Been Going On" becomes a soulful athem that beautifully flows into a riveting and soulfully sung up-tempo "The Man I Love" which is breathtaking and beautiful. A really memorable hightlight is a classic Medley inspired by Cher's great solo moments from "The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour" is a complete winner and never has Cher sounded better than on "Sonny Boy", "My Mammy", and "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody". Another standard that is given a great and soulful workout by Cher is "More Than You Know" and also the wildly rhythmic "Why Was I Born" which flows into a mesmerizing and hauntingly glorious version of Judy Garland's "The Man That Got Away" which would have thrilled Garland herself!!! Credit for this daring and inspired masterpiece must also go to the late and great Sonny Bono whose vision of Cher's greatness produced this wonderful and sadly overlooked classic which was brilliantly arranged by Michel Rubini whose masterful keyboard playing add greatly to the magnificence of the songs throughout. Bonus tracks include a great version of "What'll I Do?", a moving "Greatest Song I Ever Heard", a stunning "Don't Try To Close A Rose", and the masterfully sung "He'll Never Know" & "The Way Of Love" which closes this collection of beautifully sung Cher Classics!!! BRAVO CHER!!!!!!!!!

My favorite music of Cher....Bittersweet- The Love Songs Col.......2003-10-15

I TOTALLY agree with the "music fan of USA". This is the type of music I wish Cher would re-create. This music came from the Sonny & Cher show and her own show in the 70's.

I love her music from the 70's and that is why I listen to today. I don't care for Cher's music of today. (Just my opinion)Give me her older music like this CD.

My older sister and I were a TOTAL Sonny & Cher fan! We never missed it on tv! She sang the majority of these songs on the series & she looked BEAUTIFUL. The fun part was always wondering what kind of outfit she would be wearing and what color her nails were going to be! We were in TOTAL AWE of her!

When I saw this CD at the store, it brought back a lot of wonderful memory's! I remember my sister listening to this album in her room with the sound blasting. So when I bought this CD, I remembered ALL of the words of the songs. It's GREAT!

Hey females,...you will be empowered by, "By Myself". Play it very load!.

Best regards,
Diane

bitter not..........2002-08-04

It makes some sense for Cher to record an album of standards. She hit on a few that worked back on her TV show, and there are hints of the right sound in some songs like "The Way of Love." But to really sing the standards, you either have to invest your life in them, like a Rosemary Clooney, or -- like Linda Ronstadt -- study like a monk and train like a triathlete. Cher did none of the above in putting most of these disasterous recordings together. Add the tricked-up arrangements and you've got the worst collection of standards I've ever heard. I love Cher, but this is the least successful combination of singer and genre since "Merman sings Disco." Nice cover photo.

Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]

Average customer rating:

WOW SHOCK~~~~
I'd Rather Sleep In The Middle
Arista records should be ashamed..
Her promoters need to be shot!!!
A buy.... but only if you must.

Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD]
Blu Cantrell
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00009PJSU
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

I Love You
Sleep In The Middle
Unhappy
Impatient
Breathe (Rap Version)
Risk It All
Don't Wanna Say Goodbye
Happily Ever After
Holding On To Love
Let Her Go
Make Me Wanna Scream
No Plave Like Home

Amazon.com

Despite living in a generation of R&B females overshadowed by the indomitable Mary J. Blige, Blu Cantrell can hang. Blessed not only with a strong voice, but a jazzy style that comes across more subtly on this, her sophomore effort, than on 2001's So Blu. Bittersweet finds her teamed at various points with a handful of hot producers, ubiquitous dancehall artist Sean Paul, and some predictable lyrics, but nonetheless showcases a supple vocalist with her own mind. At the same time, Cantrell recalls some of the best of her influences on the Stevie Wonder-like "No Place Like Home" and "Happily Ever After," which would've fit in on any number of Prince records. If Cantrell continues to get the attention she deserves, she may well prove to be an artist we'll be following for decades. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

WOW SHOCK~~~~.......2006-12-22

She has a voice that is amazing and she sounds really great. How is it that we don't see her at all performing or receiving any awards??? That is a surprise to me I love Blu Cantrell when she first came out I enjoy her music. I just don't get the industry to not have her out there doing anything with an album as great as this??

I'd Rather Sleep In The Middle.......2006-10-08

Reflecting on some of the great songs of the past sends you right back to cd's like 'Bittersweet'. Packed with great vocals and great lyrics. I thought 'Sleep in the middle' would have been a huge hit. Music is suffering and why are the great ballads being passed over for one note, one beat songs. How did Mariah manage to sell so many copies of ' Mimi'? Why is Blu not doing so well. Mariah can sing but her songs have little emotion. Blu is the complete opposite. Help someone, please help the music industry. Help the great singers to reach platinum - please promote them well. I am looking forward to more music from Blu.

Arista records should be ashamed.........2006-07-27

Blu Cantrell has one of the best voices in the industry. "Sleep In The Middle" had the potential to be a huge hit. So why didn't Arista records promote it?? The only single released was "Breathe" which was not well promoted. If you want people to buy your products you need to PROMOTE them!!!! Maybe they should go back to college and take marketing/business classes over again. This underrated cd has some great cuts on it. "Don't Wanna Say Goodbye" and "Holding On To Love" are two more of my favorites. If you like r+b/soul music check this cd out.

Her promoters need to be shot!!!.......2005-08-30

Blu Cantrell is very beautiful and very talented! So why then, is she not a superstar? Probably-hate to say- it is her age which I believe is in her mid thirties. That is too bad because I love Blu's voice. This album is very different in the fact that Blu's voice is powerful but with a slight jazz style. Her lyrics are very mature and is straight "grown folks music" that should be appreciated. On Sleep in the Middle Blu really blows the song out of the water! I also like Unhappy and Let her go! Blu emotes a certain type of pain and joy (which ever type of song at the time) that isn't found in too many artists. She knows what the hell she is talking about yall! I think Blu Cantrell's music is very focused and it almost seems as if Blu isn't following any cut song format... just singing!
She does uptempo too. Breathe(with Sean Paul) and Impatient(with Lil Kim and Fat Joe).Happily Ever After that is very jazzy!
I recommend this Cd highly. I didn't appreciate it at first but I had to realize what a gem this is!
My favs: Sleep in the Middle, Unhappy, Let her go, Risk it all, and Breathe

A buy.... but only if you must........2005-03-13

Not the worst R&B I've ever heard, but she's no Billy H., or even Erykah B. Something is missing here but it's difficult to say exactly what. This album is technically proficient, yet lacks the sexual subtlety or painful authenticity of a really great musical work. If your looking for either of these qualities, then go try Billy's stuff. Buy this to bop your head, but buy Billy to blow your mind.

Average customer rating:

Refreshing..... like a big drink of water
beautiful, organic
Winds Take No Shape, But Call & Response Do

Winds Take No Shape
Call & Response
Manufacturer: Badman Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005QBZU
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

colors bleed
trapped under ice
eclipse
silent chill
landscapes
station
before the dawn
time lapse
misty moon
silhouette

Album Description

Modern Rock for all peoples

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing..... like a big drink of water.......2005-03-24

I purchased this album not having any idea what it would sound like. I knew that I had wanted the CD but I could not remember at all what it had sounded like.

Upon recieving the album, I placed it into my CD player, and I am VERY pleased with it. The vocals are lovely and it is a great album to just sit back and relax to.

If you are hesitant... just buy it. TRUST ME.

beautiful, organic.......2004-08-26

beautifully rendered melodic pop for the masses. accessible, but almost haunting and mellow as a late summer day. brilliant disc.

Winds Take No Shape, But Call & Response Do.......2004-06-24

You wont find any paeans to rollerskating on C&R's new disc, but nonetheless, this is easily the rollerblading album of the year. It's also great music for windsurfing and paragliding. Imagine driving with your best friends on a windy country road by the sea (after a day of rollerblading, windsurfing, or paragliding). None of you say a word to each other for 38 minutes, entraced by Clough's rose petal soprano, Rubi's crystal machines, Loewenthal's magical singing bass guitar, Dalrymple's metro-gnome kit (built by woodland elves in the beforetime), and Judd's post-Nascimento riffing. You've heard their old songs on MTV's The Real World, but this is the music for the real world. Also available on cassette in the Philippines.

Average customer rating:

music to dream to
beautiful, gorgeous, romantic, lush...
In the Spirit and Vibe of the Cocteau Twins
Awesome female etherial music
Easy listening

Ever
Love Spirals Downwards
Manufacturer: Projekt Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Idylls
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ASIN: B000000BE4
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

El Pedregal
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Ipomoea
Delta
Cay At Dawn
Promises
Lieberflusse
Ananda
Above The Lone

Amazon.com

Vocalist Suzanne Perry and guitarist Ryan Lum seem like just plain folks--you know, that cute couple from next door who invite you over every once in a while for a tofu stir-fry and sulfite-free wine. Ever, the band's third disc, telegraphs that kind of unassuming charm. It's a languid, atmospheric, but unfussy affair, built around Perry's airy, pretty voice and Lum's echoing electric and calming acoustic guitars. The dreamy, contemplative music is not unlike some of the Cocteau Twins' quieter moments. (Indeed, the strongest track here, "Delta," could have been plucked directly from the Twins' Blue Bell Knoll.) In many ways a transitional album, Ever sees LSD taking small steps away from the spare acousticness of 1992's Idylls and 1994's Ardor and tinkering with denser mixing and light electronic percussion--presaging the confident drum & bass they would employ on 1998's Flux. --Steve Landau

Customer Reviews:

music to dream to.......2006-10-13

Not alot of bands could even come close to sounding like the cocteau twins. LSD is probably that band. They create rich atmospheric music without sounding like knock-offs. Ryan lum is a genius guitar player suzzanne perrys voice floats over the music effortlessly. Ever is probably one of their best albums, all of the songs blend together seemlessly as if they all relate to each other. The music is just heavenly.

beautiful, gorgeous, romantic, lush..........2002-01-02

After a hard day at the rock quarry come home and kick off your shoes, jump in a hot bath with a glass of bubbly, turn on "Ever", and be transported on a gossamer breeze to a mystical, otherworldly, more relaxing realm.

In the Spirit and Vibe of the Cocteau Twins.......2001-07-26

This CD is completelely astounding! Its a band with an incredibly talented vocalist and an instrumentalist who seem to be inspired on taking the Cocteau Twins style of ambient/gothic dream-pop to a whole new level. All of LSD's albums are worth owning for any fan of this genre. Ever is my favorite because it has the spiritual vibe of their first two albums with the electro-hypnotic sound of Flux. This particualar album is in my opinion the best of both worlds in that respect. Along with Ardor, its perfect for meditation. You may have an out-of-body experience if you listen too intently! I hope LSD's upcoming release is more balanced like this than having the strictly drum n bass sound of Flux.

Awesome female etherial music.......2000-03-12

Few bands are essential to a music collection but LSD is perhaps the flagship of the "Heavenly Voices" genre.

Like much on the Projekt label, they are under appreciated, but if you like excellent etherial "heavenly voices" or "angelic" music, buy all three of their CD's. You won't regret it.

Easy listening.......1999-12-30

If you're hooked on Cocteau Twins, the finely-textured and ethereal music of LSD might be just the thing while you're waiting for the next CT album. Although many of the songs here sound quite similar, that's not necessarily a problem; there's not a bad track in the bunch, and the album as a whole has a pleasing, hypnotic quality. It deserves to be heard by a much larger audience.

Average customer rating:

"Drop all your troubles by the riverside..." -Blood Sweat and Tears

Bittersweet Sixteen
Black 47
Manufacturer: Gadfly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Home Of The Brave
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For What It's Worth
My Love Is In New York
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Joe Hill's Last Will

Customer Reviews:

"Drop all your troubles by the riverside..." -Blood Sweat and Tears.......2006-03-21

Time passing has a way of creeping up behind your turned back and slapping you right in the face when you least expect it.
I don't think of myself at 16 years of age when I reflect on the title "Bittersweet Sixteen",
(the less I reflect on years spent in near worship of Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue the better...)
I think of where time has brought me in the past sixteen years.
That is, from 1990 to here and now.
Very pleased to have Black47's music amongst my personal soundtrack for those years,
Bittersweet Sixteen could have easily been writen off as an appriciated but none the less, cop-out greatest hits compilation,
(a road many great bands before them have gone down in effort to get one last bang out of a wanning career)
Much like Black47 however the album refuses to be pigeon-holed so easily into a rock and roll stereotype.
It's good.
Really good.
The first track, Home of the Brave having not appeared on the Black47 album that bears that name,was a surprise to me however, I do like a show that begins with a punch and that track ceratinly is a sucker punch if I ever felt one.
From there the disk eases the listener into the more familiar opening cry of "Bridie!",
off to twists and turns of a most delightful nature,
(John Denver and the Muppets team are the only other people to ever take Stephen Stills' "For what it's worth" for all it's worth...)
and round back again to the completely unfamiliar drop off at the end of Joe Hill.
No matter if your river be the Hudson, the Charles or points beyond, it's best to keep it flowing.
I guess the greatest compliment I can give this disk is that it's a nice one to have along for the ride.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Hitting Your Stride at 40!
Hitting Your Stride at 40!
At Last!!
Bittersweet: Carmen McRae
An absolutley stunnig performance of ballads.

Bittersweet
Carmen McRae
Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000063IVU
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

When Sunny Gets Blue
How Did He Look
Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
The Meaning Of The Blues
If You Could Love Me
Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
Second Chance
If You Could See Me Now
Here's That Rainy Day
I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life
Ghost Of Yesterday
I'm Lost
Come Sunday

Customer Reviews:

Hitting Your Stride at 40!.......2004-07-09

Excellent comment so far, but I have another point to make. It seems to me singers like Carmen and Betty Carter didn't really hit their stride until they hit their 40s. Until about the time of this recording Carmen was caught up in "singing" as in she sounded pretty at the expense of interpreting the song, living the song, feeling the song. Bittersweet hits a perfect balance of artistry and heart. Many years later Carmen talked about Billie Holidays' Lady in Satin in the film "The Many Faces of Lady". She spoke of how ravaged Billie's voice was, but that it was more moving, more honest than much of her early stuff when the voice was supple, smoothe and youthful. Without going down that same suffering road, Carmen began to draw from the depths of emotion and honesty without sounding like she was crawling to the bitter end. She left an impressive legacy. Carmen is high up on the hill when it comes to the artistry of song. Carmen McRae...shines!

Hitting Your Stride at 40!.......2004-07-09

At Last!!.......2004-01-23

I'll try to keep this simple. she's one of the best ballad singers ever. mundell lowe is one of the best sidemen ever. If you don't think this is the best of carmens ballads, i'll... nevermind. an old beatnik pal remembered these tunes being "juke box" cuts {2.5 3.5 minutes} and i bought the vinyl. spring can really hang you up the most"will rip outyour heart."how did he look"is great carmen and guitar as it should be. I waited years for this C D and would have paid almost anything for it,and then voolah|| there it was. buy it you wont be happy, you'll jump up and down!!!

Bittersweet: Carmen McRae.......2003-06-07

I have been a fan of Carmen McRae since I was fifteen, and heard
her album entitled "Torchy." Her voice is distinctive and lyrical, her enunciation, perfect, and her choice of material always stellar. Bittersweet is no exception.
For me, "Torchy" (out of print in USA) has always been the ultimate Carmen---until "Bittersweet."
Give yourself a special treat. Buy it.
HCS: Ventnor, NJ

An absolutley stunnig performance of ballads........2002-09-17

I recorded this LP from a friend years & erased/lost the tape.I knew it was excellent but was a lot younger then & did not realize how exquisite.Gag me with a spoon on "If You Could Love Me";the story of my life; don't remember that one,this my favorite ballad of hers & have been collecting Carmen's for 30 yrs.It is refreshing to hear Carmen do 4 or so Sarah Vaughan classics,a different but superb approach.All of the other songs are impeccable.The liner notes are interesting how Carmen called Mundell Lowe at the last minute because a previous hired guitarist couldn't read Norman Simmons' arrangements.Funny Sarah did a fantistic accompany by Mundell & just a bass vile on a Roulette recording entitled"After Hours".Carmen sings all these pithy standards with a piano player,guitarist & a bass vile player.Sarah also does another Roulette"Sarah+2"with just a guitarist,Barney Kessel& bass vile Joe Comfort backing her where Sarah also sings that lovely song "When Sunny Gets Blue"This Bittersweet& the 2 Sarah albums are not rythmical with big orchestras but are filled with pithy standards enunciated & sung to perfection for the jazz connoiseur;nothing light to click to click your heels up to."Bittersweet" surpasses "Book of Ballads" on Decca which is also excellent.When you think of all ballads by an artist, you say OH NO! But not with Carmen or Sarah.I fully agree with the other review.Beg,borrow,buy or steal this one it is a must.It says in the notes distributed by Atlantic if so why can't they manage to reprint Carmen's 1st album on Atlantic "For Once In My Life" an absolute masterpiece.They say there is one reprinted in Japan.They say there are free computers, pictures of Big Foot,and a CD of Carmen McRae doing "For Once In My Life" but I have never touched,seen or had one in my hand.

Average customer rating:

Sometimes these things just don't work
an enterprising collection of gems!

Memento Bittersweet

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Out of the Depths
Kevin Oldham: Piano and Vocal Music

ASIN: B000003EL5
Release Date: 1994-04-12

Tracks:

Tango Bittersweet - Fred Hersch
Concerto for Piano - Kevin Oldham
God Is Our Righteousness - Chris DeBlasio
Triad-O-Rama - Lee Gannon
Variations on "Amazing Grace" - Lee Gannon

Customer Reviews:

Sometimes these things just don't work.......2003-09-12

I found this CD to be rather disappointing. I bought it for Fred Hersch's "Tango Bittersweet," a cello/piano duet featuring Erik Friedlander, but also hoped that the rest of the CD would be worthwhile.

Well...

First off, Tango Bittersweet is amazing. It's a truly beautiful, haunting piece of music, that is brilliantly performed by Friedlander and Hersch.

Secondly, Chris DeBlasio's "God Is Our Righteousness" for guitar and organ is also quite a nice work. It has a very majestic and expansive quality about it that I think is nicely pulled off by both composer and performers.

"Triad-O-Rama" by Lee Gannon and "Variations on 'Amazing Grace'" by Lee Gannon and Calvin Hampton, respectively, are unfortunately throw away pieces. They're rather cliched and trite.

This leaves Kevin Oldham's Concerto for Piano, a track I found myself coming back to a bit. It's a bit of an uneven oddball. It has its fantastic moments, but is generally rather sophomoric. It sounds to me as though he didn't truly finish revising this work, due to this uneven nature. And this is extremely frustrating, as the music provides several glimpses of what this piece was capable of becoming. It's still worth hearing...though it is a fitful listen.

Overall, you probably should pick up this CD for, if nothing else, the Hersch composition. The rest of the CD has its moments, but its otherwise nothing to write home about. The cause that prompted the CD is great, no doubt, but the actual product leaves something to be desired.

an enterprising collection of gems!.......2003-05-09

This is a compilation of works composed ... The heart of the CD is the Oldham Piano Concerto, an uneven work with some very shallow, trite gestures in the outer movements balanced by a very poignant slow movement. The guitar and organ piece is a gem, as is the delightful wind instrument work. Performances and recording is exemplary...I believe this CD is out of print, so snatch it up if you can. All the works are quite listenable and even more bittersweet since their composers are no longer with us. A "must"!

Average customer rating:

Beautiful music
bittersweet

Bittersweet

Manufacturer: Bradley Sowash
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Jazz Piano | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000044TXS
Release Date: 1996-09-15

Tracks:

First Light
Thirty-Three
Bittersweet
Red Ball Jets
Pinky's Dream
Summer's Last Song
Clear Air
Sodie
Bijou
Just For Fun
Blackberry Winter
Daedalus
L'Aventure
Take It On Faith

Album Description

Peaceful, like listening to the retelling of a favorite family story - journey through a familiar range of emotons with interesting side trips along the way.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music.......2007-06-09

We often use this CD for relaxing background music. It's very pleasent and enjoyable.

bittersweet.......2000-01-25

Bradley Sowash is a very talented jazz pianist with a sophisticated style. This is not elevator blah or redundant mass market mush.....this is the real thing. Bittersweet goes especially well with a good red wine, pungent cheese and intelligent conversation after a long day. It is nice to discover talent and style and this cd has both. Buy the CD and the wine, you won't be disappointed.

Bittersweet: The Very Best of Nina Simone

Average customer rating:

This CD Has Been Bettered By Other Nina Simone Compilation CD's Elsewhere
Finally the True "Best of Nina Simone"
Good Overview
Nina Simone always the best.

Bittersweet: The Very Best of Nina Simone
Nina Simone
Manufacturer: House of Hits
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004ZBDI
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

My Baby Just Cares For Me
Don't Smoke In Bed
I Loves You, Porgy
Nobody Knows When You're Down And Out
Trouble In Mind
Mississippi Goddam
I Put A Spell On You
Ne Me Quitte Pas
My Man's Gone Now
I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl
Blues For Mama
To Love Somebody
Ain't Got No - I Got Life
Do What You Gotta Do
To Be Young, Gifted And Black
Jelly Roll

Customer Reviews:

This CD Has Been Bettered By Other Nina Simone Compilation CD's Elsewhere.......2006-05-26

When "Bittersweet: Best of Nina Simone" was released in 2000, it was extraordinary for a major label like RCA to encompass recordings of a big-time artist like Nina Simone from all the labels she recorded (Bethlehem, Colpix, Philips, and RCA). At the time, it seemed almost revolutionary for a record label to do this.

Since then an influx of newer, bigger, better Nina Simone Anthologies and "Best Of" series have glutted the market and this one really seems dated. And no compilation CD of Nina Simone really does her any justice by squeezing the songs onto only one CD, when a double-CD set is required. The producers didn't even bother to extend the number of songs beyond the minimal 16 selections. They could have at least try to go with 20 or 22 songs (one disc can fit that many). It is hard to fault the selections here, most if not all are signature songs by "The High Priestess of Soul". I would question the inclusion of "Jelly Roll" or maybe "Ain't Got No-I Got Life". Sound quality ranges from OK (RCA years) to Excellent (Colpix).

If you are just discovering Nina Simone, I would suggest the great double-disc set "Nina Simone Anthology" with 31 songs, also released by RCA in 2003 (hmm....maybe RCA learned their lesson?). "Anthology" is an excellent intro and is a good place to start. It also covers her material from all four major different labels and gives you a better song selection and range of this remarkable woman's talents. The sound remaster quality has improved as well. It includes the remarkable track "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" not found on previous Nina Simone compilations.

Finally the True "Best of Nina Simone".......2003-02-04

Like many artists who recorded for many labels there are as many "Best of Nina Simone" albums as there are labels she recorded for (Philips, Bethlehem, RCA, etc.....) Each album typically has the versions of the hits that she recorded for that label, plus remakes (often not so great) of hits she recorded for other labels.
What RCA has cleverly done is to go back to all the companies that Ms. Simone recorded for and got rights to the original hits, so this is the only Simone collection of which I am aware that has the ORIGINAL version of the many hit recordings from the several different companies she recorded for over the last 40 or so years.

Good Overview.......2003-01-08

I happen NOT to like late 60's/early 70's anthem-like, join-the-bandwagon-for-a-cause type music (and in fact, am not fond of any genre of that era), so I simply programme my player to skip tracks 12-15. The mark of a work of art is timelessness, and several of La Simone's pieces are extraordinary: My Man's Gone Now, Mississippi Gaddam, I Put a Spell on You, and Ne me quitte pas particularly. She is better in old school blues and songs of slow tempi, rather than pop-esque music as some vocal strain shows in a machine-gun vibrato. If you are unfamiliar with Nina Simone this is good place to start since this disque presents a compilation from a number of her periods of growth as an artist.

Nina Simone always the best........2000-11-29

Different takes on some of her songs I liked it.

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