The One and Only

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. I Got a Woman

2. Midnight Hour

3. I Love You, I Love You

4. Can't You See My Darling

5. I'm Just a Lonely Boy

6. Come Back Baby

7. Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)

8. Ain't That Fine

9. Hey Now

10. Why Did You Go?

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. She's on the Ball

2. Sentimental Blues

3. You Always Miss the Water (When the Well Runs Dry)

4. Let's Have a Ball

5. Baby' Won't You Please Come Home

6. Walkin' and Talkin'

7. Blues Before Sunrise

8. Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket

9. What Have I Done?

10. If I Give You My Love

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 1
1. I Got a Woman
2. Midnight Hour
3. I Love You, I Love You
4. Can't You See My Darling
5. I'm Just a Lonely Boy
6. Come Back Baby
7. Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)
8. Ain't That Fine
9. Hey Now
10. Why Did You Go?
See all 15 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. She's on the Ball
2. Sentimental Blues
3. You Always Miss the Water (When the Well Runs Dry)
4. Let's Have a Ball
5. Baby' Won't You Please Come Home
6. Walkin' and Talkin'
7. Blues Before Sunrise
8. Don't Put All Your Dreams in One Basket
9. What Have I Done?
10. If I Give You My Love
See all 15 tracks on this disc

The One and Only,Ray Charles,Legacy,Blues,Country-Soul,Pop,Pop-Soul,R&B,Soul,United States of America

The One and Only

Tracks:

The One And Only
We Ain't Kool
I Got Dat Candy
That's What's Up
Talkin' Ain't Walkin'
Get High
It's On
Feelin' Real Pimpish
Get Wrong
Chappa On Da Back Seat
Gettin' Money Boy
Cake
Got'm Lookin
Fu*k'd Up
Suicide
Ghostin'
Do It Fluid
Dat Boy
Gun Do Da Talkin'
Outro

Album Description

Three 6 Mafia is ready to present Lil Wyte. The One and Only features collaborations with the notorious rap group as well as joint ventures with everyone's favorite hood rat, Project Pat. Featuring hits like "I Got That Candy" and "Ghostin'" Lil Wyte breaks onto the scene with full force.

Customer Reviews:

LIl Wyte's third release.......2007-07-30

Great beats and realistic lyrics from lil wyte again!! Most tracks are awesome. Tracks, 7, 16, 17, and 19 are the best in my opinion. If you know anything about life as people like lil wyte, you will definitely identify with the lyrics on weed, pills, acid, and life on the streets.

DA 1 AND ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-07-24

MAN I BEEN A FAN OF ANYTHING H.C.P. 4 A WHILE NOW. THEY GOT DEM ARTISTS DAT APPEAL TO REAL N****S OUT THERE AND LIL WYTE IZ MOST DEFINITELY A SOURCE OF DAT REAL MUZIK. FROM DOUBT ME NOW, TO PHINALLY PHAMOUS, ALL DA WAY UP TO THE 1 AND ONLY LIL WYTE KEEPS BRINGIN DEM CLASSICZ DAT U CAN PLAY FROM INTRO 2 OUTRO W/OUT SKIPPIN 1 TRACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!. SO IF U A REAL N***A DAT WANT REAL MUZIK U DEFINITELY NEED TO GET DIS ALBUM, AND ANY OTHER LIL WYTE CD U DON'T HAVE.

P.S. IF U AINT GOT NO OTHER H.C.P. CD'Z COP DEM 2

"Lil' Wyyyyte!!!!".......2007-06-28

I agree with all the other reviews of this album...Just do me a favor and have alot of highway ahead of you when u put this in your cd-player...It's just marva-lous...Songs like "Get High"(listen to the violins) makes me feel glad to be alive and free..They move my soul.. "Suicide" (when it's 2:00 A.M) and your on the road by yourself, just ridin, chillin, headin to the house or something, and "Fu*k'd Up", (when you reachin your destination of your road-trip).Ima HUGE Hypnotize Mindz fan, Three 6 fan, etc.. Got ALL they muzik, even some underground.. I only wish 106 & Park, BET, MTV, etc would give Three 6 the credit they deserve, but their music is targeted to a specific group of people ( Real Niggas) not EVERYBODY like that bull-**** that's out there now.... Sorry.....uhh,, BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!

You Thought Your Boy Done Overdosed!.......2007-06-27

As the Hypnotize Minds label (and Three 6 Mafia specifically) gets thinner and thinner, there is still talent left on their short roster. Lil Wyte, a mostly underground MC who broke through with tracks like "Oxycotton" and "Acid", has remained very consistent with his music. Even though his "hits" probably never got play on the radio, you can almost guarantee every dirty south Hip-Hop fan knows the name Lil Wyte. With two successful albums already under his belt (2003's "Doubt Me Now" and 2004's "Phinally Phamous"), Wyte is back with his 3rd studio album, "The One and Only". As always, DJ Paul and Juicy J are behind the boards to deliver the raw production that they always come with. Rather suprisingly, Lil Wyte doesn't have guests on the album, with the exception of Project Pat on three cuts where he's on the chorus. Other than that, it's just Lil Wyte doing his thing.

Some of the standout cuts on here are "Feelin' Real Pimpish" with Project Pat delivering a perfect chorus, and the laid back production really compliments Wyte's flow well. "I Got That Candy" has a smooth chorus with Wyte giving his ode to candy paint. "Suicide" is a track where Wyte spits fire about how he feels and how he wants to end his life. "Get Wrong" has that intensity you're going to feel when listening to a Lil Wyte album, and so does "Choppa On Da Back Seat", "We Ain't Cool", and "Talking Ain't Walking". He delivers his mandatory drug raps on "F***** Up", "Get High", "Do It Fluid". He lets you know he has paper on "Cake" and "Gettin Money Boy". I really can't say there is a bad song on here. If you're a fan of Hypnotize Minds and Three Six Mafia, then pick up Lil Wyte's third album. It won't disappoint.

ANOTHER HCP CLASSIC.......2007-06-16

This album is another Three 6 Mafia Produced BANGER! If you Love Three 6/HCP your gonna love this one beats are hot lyrics go right along wit it NICE ONE WYTE U 3-0 HOME BOY ...

Average customer rating:

The Final Amazing Concert!
Extraordinary-One Night Only

One Night Only
The Bee Gees
Manufacturer: Reprise
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Very Best Of
One
Number Ones
Bee Gees - One Night Only (DTS Edition)
Their Greatest Hits: The Record

ASIN: B000EXZI14
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

Intro - You Should Be Daning/Alone
Massachusetts
To Love Somebody
Words
Closer Than Close
Islands In The Stream
Our Love (Don't Thrown It All Away)
Night Fever/More Than A Woman
Lonely Days
New York Mining Disaster 1941
I Can't See Nobody
And The Sun Will Shine
Nights On Broadway
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
Heartbreaker
Guilty
Immortality
Tragedy
I Started A Joke
Grease
Jive Talkin'
How Deep Is Your Love
Stayin' Alive
You Should Be Dancing

Album Description

Brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb made musical history for close to four decades with their magnificent vocal harmonies and ever-evolving styles. Masters of orchestral pop, blue-eyed soul and R&B, dazzling dance grooves, and disco fever alike—as well as uniquely blended hybrids of all these genres and more—the Bee Gees delivered album classics and top chart hits throughout their enduring career. On this newly remastered edition, the amazing genetics of their harmonies shine, as does the ongoing artistic evolution that's made them one of contemporary music's most successful and legendary acts.

Customer Reviews:

The Final Amazing Concert!.......2007-07-02

"One Night Only" is a good a masterpiece of live recording as 1977's "Here At Last...Bee Gees...Live" was. All the great songs are here, plus a few odd album cuts that truly make this set shine. Highlights include, "Grease" with a thunderous crowd roaring approval; "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away', a true tearjerker with prerecorded Andy Gibb singing with his brothers and "Immortality", with a wonderful Celine Dion backed by the brothers. The CD is crisp, clean and clear. It is amazing to hear such fantastic producers who's studio recordings sound the same in concert. This is a classic CD!

Extraordinary-One Night Only.......2007-04-10

The previous reviews we read before getting this production fell short to what we got...not only a flashback to our 'Saturday Night Fever' times but also the lasting impression it has left in our 11-yr old kid. He has managed to learn & sing all the selections, particularly "Words", "Lonely Days" and the "New York Mining Disaster". Absolutely EXTRAORDINARY!

Average customer rating:

Women dig it
Definitely the best love album!!!
Excellent as compilations go

One and Only Love Album
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Utv Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ultimate Love Songs: Vision of Love
Everlasting Love Songs
Heart Beats: Now & Forever - Timeless Wedding Songs
Pure 80's Love: The #1 Hits
Love Songs: Gold

ASIN: B0000069OP
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

Your Song - Elton John
Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
I'm Not In Love - 10cc
Never My Love - The Association
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart - Bee Gees
True - Spandau Ballet
I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Make It With You - Bread
More Than Words - Extreme
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders

Tracks:

Nassau/Baby, I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
I'd Really Love To See You Tonight - England Dan & John Ford Coley
Never Knew Love Like This Before - Stephanie Mills
Without You - Harry Nilsson
Reunited - Peaches & Herb
Get There - Oleta Adams
Fernando - Abba
All Out Of Love - Air Supply
How Much I Feel - Ambrosia
Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Nights In White Satin - The Moody Blues
Reason To Believe - Rod Stewart

Customer Reviews:

Women dig it.......2001-04-04

My friend got this cd for my birthday and it works great! All the ladies that hear these soothing love songs totally dig it... and then they dig me. Even though this is a 2 cd set, the music usually runs out before we're done. I with they had a volume 2 or something.

Thanks, JenH.

Definitely the best love album!!!.......1999-09-09

I bought this a year ago when it was first released,and I still find myself listeneing to it everyday,and falling asleep to it everynight. The ballads on here are beautiful and touching. Especially,"I'm Not in Love"by 10cc & "I Wanna Know What Love is" by Foreigner. I recommend this album to everyone!

Excellent as compilations go.......1999-03-03

Excellent selection of songs is transformed into a must have by the inclusion of the FULL versions of these songs. I have purchased many compilations from Amazon, but this is one of a select few that actually contain the full versions of the songs (with the notable exception of Nights in White Satin): 10cc's "I'm Not in Love" is 6 minutes, Stephanie Mills "Never Knew Love Like This Before", and Peaches & Herb's "Reunited" is 5:42. I only wish it had "Sara Smile" by Hall & Oates. Recommended.

One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found

Average customer rating:

More important than the bible
Young, female, and unknown
Superb Overview Of The Girll Group Era
Outstanding!
SIMPLY BRILLIANT!

One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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What It Is! Funky Soul And Rare Grooves (1967-1977)

ASIN: B000B5KRV6
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Tracks:

Needle in a Haystack
He's Got the Power
Nobody Know What's Goin' On (In My Head But Me)
I'd Much Rather Be with the Girls
Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
Nothing But a Heartache
You Don't Know
Boys
Big Bad World
Out in the Streets
Is It True
Please Don't Wake Me
I'll Keep Holding On
Oh No Not My Baby
May My Heart Be Cast into Stone
Magic Garden
I Never Dreamed
He's a Bad Boy
Happy, That's Me
Dream Boy
Try the Worryin' Way
I Can't Let Go
Go Now
You're No Good
Opportunity
Life and Soul of the Party
Break-A-Way
What Am I Gonna Do with You
He Did It
Baby That's Me

Tracks:

I Adore Him
Train from Kansas City
Please Go Away
Let Me Get Close to You
I Have a Boyfriend
I'm into Something Good
I'll Come Running
If There's Anything Else You Want (Let Me Know)
When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes
It Comes and Goes
Baby, Baby (I Still Love You)
Girl Don't Come
That's When the Tears Start
What a Lonely Way to Start the Summertime
Don't Drop Out
One You Can't Have
I'm Nobody's Baby Now
You're So Fine
When You're Young and in Love
My One and Only, Jimmy Boy
Friend of Mine
Chico's Girl
Cause I Love Him
Bye Bye Baby
First Cut Is the Deepest
I Won't Tell
Egyptian Shumba
I Sold My Heart to the Junkman
Walking in Different Circles
Hideaway

Tracks:

Trouble with Boys
Lookin' for Boys
Dream Baby
Condition Red
Should I Cry [Alternate Take]
I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)
I've Been Wrong Before
Love's Gone Bad
Nightmare
She Don't Deserve You
Will You Be My Love
Take Me for a Little While
Funnel of Love
I'm Gonna Destroy That Boy
Terry
Untrue Unfaithful (That Was You)
Sophisticated Boom Boom
Saturday Night Didn't Happen
Don't Ever Leave Me
Don't Forget About Me
Wanna Make Him Mine
Only to Other People
Big-Town Boy
Daddy You Gotta Let Him In
After Last Night
How Can I Tell My Mom & Dad
Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much in Love to Say Goodbye
Up Down Sue
When I Think of You
Good, Good Lovin'

Tracks:

When the Boy's Happy (The Girl's Happy Too)
Don't Drag No More
I'm Afraid They're All Talking About Me
That's How It Goes
Some of Your Lovin'
Peanut Duck [#]
Thank Goodness for the Rain
Steady Boyfriend
He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'
I Know You Love Me Not
Whatever Happened to Our Love
Heart
I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You
He Makes Me So Mad
I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face
Crying in the Rain
We Don't Belong
You Don't Love Me No More
Hey, Tell Me Boy
Brink of Disaster
Who Do You Love
I'm 28
They Never Taught That in School
Dressed in Black
Ain't Gonna Kiss Ya
Every Little Bit Hurts [Del-Fi Version][Version]
Mister Loveman
Make the Night a Little Longer
Mixed Up, Shook Up, Girl [Live]
Good Night Baby

Amazon.com

Girl groups have enchanted humankind since the era of the ancient Greeks, when legend has it the Sirens attempted to lure wayfarers Odysseus and Jason to their fates; Persephone's chanteuses would eventually even lose a battle of the bands to the Muses. A couple millennia later, female singers would become a dominant force in the pop and rock of the `60s, the era anthologized on this four-disc, 120-track collection from Rhino. If the "group" tag is something of a misnomer (many of the acts here are solo artists), the vibrant female pop spirit of the times gets showcased in rare fashion by a collection that eschews the obvious to revel in showcasing rarities and surprises at every turn: the bittersweet, life-is-over-when "I'm 28" musings of a two-decades-pre-"Mickey" Toni Basil; a healthy sampling of gems by the Cookies and their various alter-egos, including the Palisades' fervent ode to uber-necking, "Make the Night Just a Little Bit Longer"; the Shangri-Las' mini-epic, "Out in the Streets"; hit songwriter Ellie Greenwich's solo turn on the haunting "You Don't Know." An impressive collection with an inclusive bent, its tracks range across the classic r&b of the Marvelettes, Chiffons and Irma Thomas, country-crossovers Skeeter Davis and Wanda Jackson, the blue-eyed soul of Jackie DeShannon and Dusty Springfield and wounded white-girl pop of Lesley Gore and Connie Francis. It's all contained in one of Rhino's most elaborately designed packages yet: each disc comes in a mock compact; its extensive liner notes and track info printed as a mini-diary; all housed in a smart replica of a vintage hat box--a treasure-packed delight for lovers of the genre and curious novices alike. -- Jerry McCulley

Album Description

It's the kiss that will be heard 'round the world: Rhino salutes the fabulous girl group genre with what is-amazingly and historically-the first boxed set ever to do so! This supersized collection luxuriates through almost five hours of the plethora of sounds, styles, and subjects that represent the beautiful, vibrant, and influential music women were making in the early to mid-60's. A footnote to the pop and rock of the day no longer, the raw emotion and spirited savvy of girl group greatness finally gets its due. Compilation producer Sheryl Farber notes, "Fans have always known how rich and varied this music is-how the sound encompasses soul, garage, Bacharach-style pop, countrypolitan, the British take on the American girl group sound, and more." Now the world will know and fall in love with girl group music too!

Customer Reviews:

More important than the bible.......2007-03-09

First, the downside: no Phil Spector. But, plenty of Shadow Morton and "wall-of-soundalikes." Decent mix of ballads and uptempo numbers. If you like the Detroit Cobras, come find all the originals here! Oh, and the booklet (hell, more of a book than a "-let") has got info on every song and every artist, plus pictures galore. The folks at Rhino continue to add to their superlative reputation for box sets and reissues. Buy or die!!!

Young, female, and unknown.......2007-02-24

ONE KISS CAN LEAD TO ANOTHER * GIRL GROUP SOUNDS LOST & FOUND is truly one one the most unique box sets ever issued. It's also definitely not for everybody, not even all fans of late '50s - early '60s AM radio stuff.

DESIGN:
Remarkable-- simply outstanding. A miniature heavy board glossy hatbox, complete with a sturdy pull string that holds the box lid in place-- inside are four CDs surrounded by gray foam. They're stored on plastic holders that are covered by hard-paper books. Each of these packages has silver paper inside the front cover, and the overall look is of four differently styled powder compacts. Also included is a luxurious 204-page book that sets the standard for all-time. The jewel case sized book, made from heavy stock semi-gloss paper is replete with studio and other photos, advertisement and 45 label repros, and some of the most detailed text ever.

CONTENT:
This is where not all will be interested in this set. It's ideal for the obscurity collector, but not necessarily the TOP 40 fan-- there's only a sprinkling of commonly known tunes here. A lot of these tracks are unknown for a good reason-- some aren't even 'B' side quality. A good percentage of artists in this collection are as obscure as the songs they perform, and for the familiar groups or vocalists, many of their songs may not ring a bell either. This collection is called "LOST AND FOUND" for a good reason.

TOTAL RUNNING TIMES --
DISC ONE -- 77:34
DISC TWO -- 76:19
DISC THREE -- 75:17
DISC FOUR -- 75:50

Superb Overview Of The Girll Group Era.......2007-02-19

With this superb collection of some hits, and many misses during the 'girl group' era that really stretched between 1960 to 1969. The sound pretty much peaked in 1965 while the British Invasion more or less took over the American Top 40 charts, replacing teen anguish and a woman's point of view of growing up in love to what men really wanted to say. That is actually a flip-flop of what men were saying before the 'girls' had their turn, when Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, and other male teen idols dominated the charts. So, in essence, it was the 'girls' turn after male teen idols were growing older, and the girls had to give some answers.
This set, which is highly imaginative in packaging, includes some rather rare tracks that one would at times would need to find the original 45 release to get in order to hear.
I won't dwell on the obvious tracks here, like by the Shangri-Las, Darnells, Chris Clark, etc., but a few are worth the price of the whole.
My favorite is the contribution by Dolly Parton, "Don't Drop Out". Her voice seems so appropriate, but as we know which direction she chose, this track is one of the best unheard of gems, which is sad, as it should have done something.
Another classic is the 'stereo' version of Alder Ray's "Cause I Love Him", which in sound is alot different than the mono 45 version I possess. Crystal clear in sound, it still packs a punch.
One last great track that this package includes is Reparata & The Delron's "I'm Nobody's Baby Now". This track literally jumps out and bites. Not a Phil Spector sound-alike in intention, but does have a Righteous Brothers "Lovin' Feelin'" to it. Again, another clear and clean production.
I will say that with any package, there will be a few tracks that seriously should have been omitted, like "Egyptian Shumba" by The Tammys, which could have been replaced by another rarity that is not included, like Suzy Walli's "Be My Man" a powerful David Gates production from 1965, but everyone has different tastes. I for one admit that despite the few clunkers, this package is an excellent example of a time when girl groups and girl singers were everywhere.
Consider the fact that about 200 singles were released a week, and only a handful were graced on the Pop Charts. There are bound to be many that are excellent songs, but without the proper advertising, radio play, and touring, the obvious would happen. A good single that bombs.
One of my favorite artists is included, April Young. A shame that this package only inlcuded one track, "To Be Loved By You". It is a good song, but her energetic and rather forceful "Gonna Make Him My Baby" still sounds fresh.
Maybe in time Rhino will release a companion to this set. Sure, there are literally thousands of girl group records that were released in the 60's, like Marcia Strassman's "Out Of The Picture". Who's she? She later played the wife of Mr Kotter in 'Welcome Back Kotter", or "He's My Dreamboy" by Maria Antoinette, and other great girls like Beverly Warren, Roberta Day, Candy & The Kisses, The Joys, The Gleams, Carol Connors, etc. Can go on and on, but this package is worth the price, even to the most infrequent listener of the 'girl group' genre.
There are 4 cd's, so my advice is to just take a lazy afternoon, and while listening to the tracks, read the diary that is supplied. It's a good read, and at times rather refreshing, especially the rare pictures and even the pictures of the rare labels that sometimes one has never seen before.
Like i said, this package is worth the price.

Outstanding!.......2007-01-16

I'm a fanatic for the sound of the girl groups of the early 1960s.
Before it goes out of print, you need to pick up this incredible Rhino box
set.
One little problem is that Rhino's definition of "girl group" was too broad; some songs are female solo recordings on which backup singers play little or no role. And in an apparent attempt to appeal to the British market, they put on some British songs by people such as Cilla Black. The English had no handle on the girl-group sound at all; it was strictly an American phenomenon.
But with four CDs and 30 songs on each CD, who can complain? Some songs, such as several Shangri-Las rip-offs, are hilarious. Then
there's one called "He Makes Me So Mad" by the Hollywood Jills on which the lead singer is reciting her complaints about her boyfriend, and after each gripe the rest of the group comes in with a sarcastic reply. Example: "He told the gang that I swim raw." The reply: "Well, don't you?" Classic!
There's a great Wall of Sound-type song called "Bobby's Come a Long Long Way," produced by Al Kooper. I can't make out any of the lyrics, but
supposedly the song is about Bob Dylan!
You won't regret buying this box.

SIMPLY BRILLIANT!.......2007-01-04

Who ever thought of this, is a GENIOUS! There's so much good stuff in here it's like an overdose of REAL GOOD music. So many great female groups in here, like the Supremes (of the 60's), Reparata & the Delrons, the Marvelettes, Goldie and the Gingerbreads, the Lovelites, the Blossoms (I love their harmonies), and on, and on, and on. GREAT stuff! you wont be dissapointed.

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Wonderful set of orchestral music for an amazing price
A good gift for novice

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00012QLTQ
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful set of orchestral music for an amazing price.......2007-08-05

I will admit that when I first ordered this 20 cd set from Amazon I was very skeptical and hesitant. I figured what kind of quality am I going to get for $16.97?! But when I got it in the mail and started listening to some of the cd's I was more than pleasantly surprised. The music contents on each is cd has the complete versions of the each song or theme. You know how a lot of cd sets just have the short versions or arrangemnts of songs to cut down on the price, but not on this set. Every cd runs anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours of listening time. Even though the box set is called orchestral spectaculars if you like piano music there is a Liszt cd in the set with The Fantasy on Beethoven's The Ruins of Athens for piano, Malediction for piano and orchestra and Grande Fantasie Symphonique on Berlioz's Lelio for piano and orchestra. There is also a Rachmaninov in the set with his First Piano Concerto in F Sharp Minor and the original full length 30 minute version of his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Even if you listen to mostly piano music there are many versions based on them. For example, Brahms 21 Hungarian Dances that were written for solo piano, but in this set they are orchestrated. I had never heard the pieces like that before. It was nice to get a different perspective of the music. The same goes for Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition also written for piano, but here it is in a symphonic form and I enjoyed it just as much as the solo piano version. If you love opera, but are maybe someone that likes the orchestral part more than the singing there are many cd's in this set for that as well. There are 2 cd's of Wagner's music with my favorite prelude of all time Isolde's Love Death from Tristan and Isolde. Overtures from all of Rossini's and Rimsky Korsakov's operas. I think this cd would be a great place to start for someone who is new to classical music and doesn't want to spend a lot of money or if you love classical music as I do and want to hear new versions of your favorite pieces or just want to add to your cd collection you can do that for under $1.00 a cd. How many times have we all spent more than the price of this set for only one cd? I highly recommend this set. The sound quality and choices of music are excellent. Anyone who buys this will not be disappointed.

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Jerry Hadley - Golden Days - Tenor hits from the Golden Age of Operetta

Average customer rating:

Jerry Hadley - Golden Days - Tenor hits from the Golden Age of Operetta

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

In the Real World
Standing Room Only
Jerry Hadley and Thomas Hampson - Famous Opera Duets (Tenor/Bass)
Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast Highlights)
A Song of Naples - Neapolitan Songs

ASIN: B000003FQQ
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

Song of the Vagabonds
I'm Falling in Love With Someone
Streets of New York
Neapolitan Love Song
Desert Song/One Alone
Every Day Is Ladies' Day with Me
Donkey Serenade
Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
Drinking Song
When You're Away
I Love to Go Swimmin' With Wimmin
I Might Be Your Once-In-A-While
Marianne
Serenade
Indian Summer
When I Grow Too Old to Dream
Gypsy Love Song
Golden Days - Jerry Hadley, Mario Lanza

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration

Average customer rating:

A good value
The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann
Good mix of film music
A mixed collection of movie music
Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration

Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores
In Session: Film Music Celebration
The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection
Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music
The Incredible Film Music Box

ASIN: B00008WI90
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

The Man from Snowy River (Bruce Rowland)
The Winds of War (Bob Cobert)
Blue Velvet (Angelo Badalamenti)
Witness (Maurice Jarre)
Raising Arizona (Carter Burwell)
Pee Wees Big Adventure (Danny Elfman)
Halloween (John Carpenter)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (Charles Bernstein)
The Fly (Howard Shore)
RoboCop (Basil Poledouris)
The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams)
The Right Stuff (Bill Conti)
The Final Conflict (Jerry Goldsmith)
The Abyss (Alan Silvestri)
Brainstorm (James Horner)
Peggy Sue Got Married (John Barry)
My Left Foot (Elmer Bernstein)
The Dead (Alex North)
Stanley & Iris (John Williams)
The Milagro Beanfield War (Dave Grusin)
Driving Miss Daisy (Hans Zimmer)

Tracks:

Steel Magnolias (Georges Delerue)
Unforgiven (Lennie Niehaus and Clint Eastwood)
Raggedy Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
The Grifters (Elmer Bernstein)
Green Card (Hans Zimmer)
City Slickers (Marc Shaiman)
Father Of The Bride (Alan Silvestri)
While You Were Sleeping (Randy Edelman)
Babe (Nigel Westlake)
The Adventures Of The Great Mouse Detective (Henry Mancini)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (Erich Wolfgang Korngold)
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (Laurence Rosenthal)
The Secret Garden (Zbigniew Preisner)
A Little Princess (Patrick Doyle)
Rudy (Jerry Goldsmith)
Iron Will (Joel McNeely)
Memphis Belle (George Fenton)
Eye Of The Needle (Mikl)
Total Recall (Jerry Goldsmith)
Back To The Future Part III (Alan Silvestri)

Tracks:

To Die For (Danny Elfman)
The Player (Thomas Newman)
Black Robe (Georges Delerue)
Medicine Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
2001 (Alex North)
Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire (Joel McNeely)
The Crow (Graeme Revell)
Blade (Mark Isham)
The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith)
Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann)
Scream (Marco Beltrami)
The Sixth Sense (James Newton Howard)
Xena: Warrior Princess (Joseph LoDuca)
Air Force One (Jerry Goldsmith)
Starship Troopers (Basil Poledouris)
The Matrix (Don Davis)
The Iron Giant (Michael Kamen)
Youve Got Mail (George Fenton)
A Little Romance (Georges Delerue)
Pleasantville (Randy Newman)

Tracks:

Sunset Boulevard (Franz Waxman)
L.A. Confidential (Jerry Goldsmith)
Rounders (Christopher Young)
The Score (Howard Shore)
The Replacements (John Debney)
Gone In 60 Seconds (Trevor Rabin)
The Bourne Identity (John Powell)
Rush Hour 2 (Lalo Schifrin)
XXX (Randy Edelman)
Die Hard (Michael Kamen)
The Last of the Mohicans (Trevor Jones)
Moby Dick (Christopher Gordon)
The Mists Of Avalon (Lee Holdridge)
Cleopatra (Alex North)
Life As A House (Mark Isham)
Emma (Rachel Portman)
In The Bedroom (Thomas Newman)
Cast Away (Alan Silvestri)
One True Thing (Cliff Eidelman)
Unfaithful (Jan A.P. Kaczmarek)
Far From Heaven (Elmer Bernstein)
Ice Age (David Newman)
Shrek (Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell)

Customer Reviews:

A good value.......2007-05-17

I wasn't expecting to have 4 discs for this price, and the music is a quality selection of film music, giving a good scope of the genre, and a very listenable transfer.

The Sound Track Since Bernard Hermann.......2006-07-25

This collection is bound to capture your heart and evoke a tin ear on successive tracks. I found much to like and some duds - easy to skip over.
Very good value.

Good mix of film music.......2006-07-02

Good mix of films!
I'm a big fan of this soundtrack music and will be looking for more CD's like this.

A mixed collection of movie music.......2006-02-23

For the price, this CD is a great bargain. The musical selections, as you might expect, are mixed in quality ranging from extraordinary to so so, the balance being worthwhile and interesting. Sonically the CD is excellent.

Uplifts your soul, takes your mind into the heavens.......2006-01-06

I have been listening to great scores for many years and this collection is truly inspirational in so far as the choice of different scores takes you on a journey of listening pleasure matched by only a few collections.The price is incredibly reasonable for hours of listening pleasure. Don't pass this one up

Average customer rating:

Sublime and ridiculous
Eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwww
Better than I thought it would be
Brava Renee
Art is always new.

Haunted Heart
Paul McCartney , Gustav Mahler , Joni Mitchell , Emile Paladilhe , Arthur Schwartz , James ("Jimmy") Van Heusen , Various Composers , Heitor Villa-Lobos , Jimmy Webb , Richard A. Whiting , Stevie Wonder , Guy Wood , Bill Frisell , Fred Hersch , and Renée Fleming
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Sacred Songs
Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss
Renée Fleming
Handel
Renee Fleming: By Request

ASIN: B0007Z9QUS
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Haunted Heart
River
When Did You Leave Heaven?
You've Changed
Answer Me
My Cherie Amour
In My Life
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
Wozzeck/The Midnight Sun
Liebst du um Schit
My One And Only Love/This Is Always
Can do Amor
Psych
Hard Times Come Again No More

Amazon.com

While countless fans flock to see soprano Renee Fleming's performances of the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro because she's got the voice and the dramatic ability to handle such meaty roles, the versatile singer throws her fans a curveball on Haunted Heart, singing popular standards and ballads as well as a few altered classical pieces. In her liner notes, Fleming calls this album a "look back at the road not taken" -- she played a weekly gig in a jazz club while in school. Nonetheless, her feel for the material here is undeniable. Interestingly, she drops her voice a full octave from her usual tessitura, and the change reveals a robust gospel-oriented approach filled with dramatic breaths and moans. The lyrical Fred Hersch (piano) and the idiosyncratic Bill Frisell (guitar) provide support, and both are adventurous jazz players who create subtle and uniquely haunting backdrops. It adds up to an interesting cross-section of ideas well carried off by the generous talents of all involved. --Tad Hendrickson

Interview with Renee Fleming
Renee Fleming speaks about recent projects, including her memoir The Inner Voice and her recent Handel CD, in our interview.

Customer Reviews:

Sublime and ridiculous.......2007-06-13

The sublime: much of the artistry of this recording is about sound, and the subtle blending/responding of voice with guitar sounds and / or piano sounds. It is in the sensitive musical interplay between the artists where this effort shines. Definitely not recommended for road trips!

The ridiculous: Fleming ended the majority of most phrases in most of the songs with a guttural of some sort which for me becomes irritating to the point of distraction. These punctuations are mostly quite awful: really tasteless, clumsy, and overused big time and I'm amazed at how this ever got released. Without these ersatz testifyin' noises this CD would be stunning.

So, if you have the ability and inclination to edit out this garbage from your perception as you listen I think you'll be glad you experienced these artists at work together. (Unfortunately I'm not up to it).

Eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwww.......2007-06-06

Ugh. Like a manufactured home vs. a stick-built house, Fleming's manufactured (aka "training and technique") blues voice compares unfavorably to other jazz/blues singers/lounge acts. Would not, COULD not, listen to this recording straight through--one big long, breathy, minor key train wreck in the making. Took the CD on a road trip and had to pull over and remove from queue--either that or drive into a wall.

Better than I thought it would be.......2007-04-10

I have to admit, Haunted Heart was a lot better than I thought it would be,especially her recordings of "River", "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress, "My Cherie Amour" and "In my life".
I think this is the most artistically successful recording of Pop/Jazz by a classical singer. I enjoyed it even better than the Anna Sophie Von Otter'/ Elvis Costello CD.
The perspective I am coming from is that of a classical singer who started out as a pop singer/songwriter. I perform and teach cross-genre but love a world class instrument such as Flemming's
I wanted to get the perspective of a friend who used to sing jingles and is also a trained singer but is usually critical of any attempts that opera singers make at crossing -over.
My friend is very familiar with Flemming's voice, but did not recognise it in this context when I played the CD for her. Her reaction was very complimentary, although she did comment that the diction was a bit strange.
She then played it for her brother a well known jazz singer and arranger who had a somewhat negative reaction.He found the singing to be overly dark and round. He prefers a cleaner more 'spoken' approach to this style of singing. I understand this perspective and therefore personally prefer Ella to Sarah as well, but let's not get too picky. Obviously, Rene Flemming is of the Sarah Vaghan School of jazz singing, which is not too shabby.

I will continue to enjoy this CD and will wait for another opera diva to top this one. But, somehow I think the next really good CD of Pop/ jazz from an opera star will also come from Rene.

To those who have been unreasonably mean and negative towards her, I can only say you are not fit to polish her shoes!

Brava Renee.......2007-04-09

This talented woman can sing anything. I really enjoyed this cd with the lights turned down and a glass of wine to relax after a very stressful day at work. Renee could definitely have another singing career outside of opera should she choose. Hearing her drop that gorgeous voice down one octave rivals the best chanteuses in the business - Cassandra Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Regina Belle, Sarah Vaughan, etc. This cd of different musical styles reminds me of Nina Simone and Cassandra Wilson, two great singers whom could interpret any song genre and make their versions special. I loved all the songs and the standouts here are "Haunted Heart", "River", "My One and Only Love", "My Cherie Amour", "Cancao do Amor", and Beatles "In My Life", and "Hard Times Come Again No More".
I hope Renee keeps recording whatever catches her fancy because I'll certainly always listen.

Art is always new. .......2007-03-10

Renee Fleming is an artist bringing us something new, and beautiful. The poor will always be with us as manifest in those who resent other's movement from their established zones. Renee Fleming is a great female voice with accomplishments her detractors will never have, but in their dreams.

I welcome Renee's elan demonstrated with her recent recordings, Love sublime with Brad Mehldau, and Haunted Heart with Fred Hersch and Bill Frissell. Bravery, fun, and talent combined by artists and for people who are listening. Hearing long time favorites Mehldau, Hersch, and Frissell is all the more sublime.

Average customer rating:

A wonderful offering.
I disagree with the consensus here
Don't hesitate to get this set
Superb interpretations by Katchen
A little rushed sometimes, but beautiful

Brahms: Works for Solo Piano

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Liszt: Piano Works
Chopin: The Piano Works
Works for Solo Piano
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116

ASIN: B0000042GM
Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op.35: Book 1 - Heft 1
Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op.35: Book 2 - Heft 2
Variations And Fugue On A Theme By G.F. Handel, Op.24: B Flat Major
4 Ballades, Op.10: Andante
4 Ballades, Op.10: Andante
4 Ballades, Op.10: Intermezzo. Allegro
4 Ballades, Op.10: Andante con moto

Tracks:

Works For Solo Piano: Ziemlich langsam
Works For Solo Piano: Poco larghetto
Works For Solo Piano: Allegro
Works For Solo Piano: Walzer Nr. 1 - 8
Works For Solo Piano: Walzer Nr. 9 - 16
Works For Solo Piano: Scherzo es-moll

Tracks:

Works For Piano Solo: Allegro
Works For Piano Solo: Andante
Works For Piano Solo: Scherzo. Allegro molto e con fuoco
Works For Piano Solo: Finale. Allegro con fuoco
Works For Piano Solo: Allegro non troppo ma energico
Works For Piano Solo: Andante con espressione
Works For Piano Solo: Scherzo. Allegro
Works For Piano Solo: Finale. Introduzione (sostenuto) - Allegro non troppo e rubato
Works For Piano Solo: Agitato
Works For Piano Solo: Molto passionato, ma non troppo allegro

Tracks:

Works For Piano Solo: Allegro maestoso
Works For Piano Solo: Andante espressivo - Andante molto
Works For Piano Solo: Scherzo. Allegro energico
Works For Piano Solo: Intermezzo. Andante molto
Works For Piano Solo: Finale. Allegro moderato ma rubato
Works For Piano Solo: Presto energico
Works For Piano Solo: Andante
Works For Piano Solo: Allegro passionato
Works For Piano Solo: Adagio
Works For Piano Solo: Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento
Works For Piano Solo: Andante teneramente
Works For Piano Solo: Allegro agitato

Tracks:

Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op.76 - I Capriccio in F sharp minor
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - II Capriccio in B minor
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - III Intermezzo in A flat major
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - IV Intermezzo in B flat major
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - V Capriccio in C sharp minor
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - VI Intermezzo in A major
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - VII Intermezzo in A minor
Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - VIII Capriccio in C major
Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - I Intermezzo in A minor
Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - II Intermezzo in A major
Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - III Ballade in G minor
Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - IV Intermezzo in F minor
Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - V Romanze in F major
Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - VI Intermezzo in E flat minor
Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - I Intermezzo in B minorn B
Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - II Intermezzo in E minor
Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - III Intermezzo in C major
Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - IV Rhapsody in E flat major

Tracks:

Works For Solo Piano: Andante moderato
Works For Solo Piano: Andante non troppo e con molto espressione
Works For Solo Piano: Andante con moto
Works For Solo Piano: g-moll
Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
Works For Solo Piano: F-dur
Works For Solo Piano: fis-moll
Works For Solo Piano: fis-moll
Works For Solo Piano: Des-dur
Works For Solo Piano: F-dur
Works For Solo Piano: a-moll
Works For Solo Piano: e-moll
Works For Solo Piano: E-dur
Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
Works For Solo Piano: D-dur
Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
Works For Solo Piano: B-dur
Works For Solo Piano: f-moll
Works For Solo Piano: fis-moll
Works For Solo Piano: D-dur
Works For Solo Piano: h-moll
Works For Solo Piano: e-moll
Works For Solo Piano: e-moll

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful offering........2007-08-03

There may be the individual recording made by others - Gilels, Rubinstein, Arrau - of a particular work which might be preferred but as a collection of the Brahms piano works, this set has to take the prize.

The quality of recording is high - here I must sadly observe that the date of recording offers little guide to the quality thereof - and there is a remarkable consistency of piano sound despite the three years spanning the recording dates. One has to listen very attentively to detect which of the four Ballades was recorded monaurally; a strange anachronism in the 'sixties.

As another reviewer has suggested, the accompanying notes in french and german do provide interestingly different perspectives; what I find surprising and more than a little irritating is that beyond a passing (and, seemingly, grudging) mention, no biographical nor any other information is provided about the pianist. Julius Katchen was a consummate musician, very highly regarded in his day but whose achievements (like those of Witold Malcuzynski) are not so well remembered now. This set serves to redress the balance and I recommend it highly.

As an irrelevant aside, some fifty years ago and quite by chance, I found myself sitting next to Katchen on an aircraft. I remember he had unusually expressive hands; a useful attribute as the noise level of a DC3 cabin was not conducive to easy conversation! At the time, I was struggling to learn the G minor Rhapsody and he was very generous with his support. A charming man who prematurely died in 1969.

Buy this set - you won't regret it.

I disagree with the consensus here.......2007-07-11

I was disappointed by this set and would not recommend it. It's great that all of Brahms' piano works are included here and the boxed set includes some difficult to find works (like those Op. 21 variation sets) as well as the better known and wonderful later piano pieces and the Op. 39 Waltzes.

The problem is that Katchen's performances are flawed and often unpleasant. The worst problem is that he bangs the keys a lot. Fortissimo passages are ideally not supposed to be noisy; they are intended to be loud and forceful without being unpleasant. It's a key distinction that Katchen fails to realize. I also think that Katchen's technique is a bit patchy. He blurs the passagework and there is a lack of both accuracy and delicacy in the fast passages. To take an example, the Op. 76 set is marred by both of these problems: a lack of accuracy and a tendency to bang on the keyboard. I also found many of the passages that didn't suffer from these problems to be interpretationally uninteresting (the slow parts of the Paganini Variations, Bk II are undistinguished, to take an example). Big thumbs down.

I did some direct comparison of sets to the Katchen performances and in every case Katchen was far inferior.

Take the Op. 39 Waltzes: Leon Fleisher's old recording is wonderful and much more sensitive and interesting than Katchen.

I also listened to Radu Lupu's recording of the Opp. 117-119 pieces (THAT is a wonderful recording - if you are looking for a superb recording of Brahms piano music, get that one and save yourself the aggravation of the Katchen set) and it's simply no contest.

I also sampled the terrific Op. 79 Rhapsodies and the Paganini Variations as played by a favorite pianist of mine, the lesser-known French pianist Nicholas Angelich, and Katchen's sloppy and undirected interpretations pales before the versions by a "non-superstar" pianist.

So while I admit I haven't listened to every portion of the Katchen set, I found every reason to avoid it when compared to some alternatives available.

Don't hesitate to get this set.......2007-07-04

It's a good thing I waited to write this until I'd heard these CDs a few times. I would have been guilty of understatement. Katchen's work grows on me in much the same way Brahms' music itself does. It is rich in nuance and insight, and never fails to please.

I'll confess, I bought this set to fill the gaps in my piecemeal collection. What a delightful surprise to find my "stopgap" set more than holds its own against recordings by the likes of Richter, Rubinstein and Gilels. To help the reader overcome any reluctance I offer a few comments on the few "downsides" mentioned by others:

Yes, Katchen does play fast, but not always, and certainly not out of inability to hold the listener's attention through more artful means. Katchen's track times are often slower than Rubinstein's or even Gilels'; but where the spirit moves him, he can go like a rocket. He's generally fastest in the earlier works, where a case can be made for playing them with youthful ardor; Katchen does this to a T. This applies to the first 2 sonatas, the Paganini variations (why would anything associated with Paganini lack splash and dazzle?) and to a much lesser extent, parts of the Handel variations. The main thing is, it works. The very few places where I felt Katchen was rushing the music are heavily outnumbered by places where the added energy seems to "fit" like a glove.

Yes, in an exhaustive set you inevitably endure the "bottom of the barrel." I'm surprised how little of this 6-CD set strikes me as anything less than indispensible. Every track is worth hearing. Katchen has been surpassed here and there, but he doesn't put in a bad performance in the whole batch.

Yes, the recordings are more than 40 years old. They will not satisfy the most jaded audiophile (there's not quite the "presence" of a good recording today). But they are amazingly clean and lifelike for their age (even the 3 tracks that are mono). They sound noticeably better than the popular Rubinstein recordings of equal vintage. At first I thought I heard a touch of bass-heaviness, but now I just think Katchen gives us a strong, clear bass line. Once again, it works. The sound is simply not a problem for a normal listener.

Finally, there's the small stuff. Getting the CDs out of their tight-fitting sleeves without putting your fingerprints on the playing surface is well-nigh impossible, unless you give in and apply a letter opener to solve the problem once and for all. Is that any reason not to get this much wonderful music at such a low price? London has even revived the old practice of offering different program notes in different languages, so that multilingual readers can benefit from more than one set of comments. All around it's a winner!

Superb interpretations by Katchen.......2006-11-16

Katchen's performace throughout this collection are excellent.Brahms integrates many of Schumann's,Bach's and Beethovens compositional ideas into his own works.He is a master of the appoggiatura(suspension of the dominant chord).And the ghosts of Bach,Schumann,and Beethoven appear at intervals throughout this collection of his piano works.The VARIATIONS ON AN ORIGINAL THEME is an ethereal experience,and the Op.09 VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY SCHUMANN, composed after his death,Brahms's pathos,especialy in the slower variations, make you aware of his sadness of Schumann passing, as there is vivid sense of despair and remorse you can hear throughout.It is well documented the profound influence Shumann had on Brahms's compositional process.OP.76 is a passionate performance by Katchen.You also have short piano works culminated in Op116,Op 117,Op.118,which includes the great masterpiece in Ebminor,and Op.119.The Pagganini Variations,Variations on a theme by Haydn,the Ballads Op. 10.And both volumes of the HUNGARIAN DANCES,the 2 Rhapsody's,and VARATIONS ON A THEME BY HANDEL.It quite remarkable that such music could be created by such a young man in the astonishing Sonatas,OP.1,OP.2,and OP.5.The slow movements in all three sonates are very inspiring,and heart fealt.It makes you glad to be alive in order to hear such remarkable music.A well balanced performance throughout.If your a Brahms lover,this is a must for your collection.Enjoy

A little rushed sometimes, but beautiful.......2005-02-03

To be honest, I can't really figure out how much I like Katchen's performance. It's hard to gauge because Brahms's piano music is inherently exceptional played by just about any performer.

I feel that the ballades, op. 10 are played way too fast (although I'm not exactly sure how close Katchen is to Brahms's tempi indications). I've heard them by several other performers and, being a Gould fan, would have to say that his slower interpretation really captures how beautiful the pieces are more than anyone else. I also enjoy Kempff's performances of many later works. Katchen really seems so rushed for some reason. To me, that really takes attention away from the fine details, which I think are so essential to Brahms's piano music. He's not quite delicate enough with some of the pieces.

This faster speed is only very slight for the rest of the set, but pretty consistently. I think he does a better job with more intense pieces like many of his larger-scale variations and the sonatas. Those I would give 5 stars, but only 4 stars for the op. 116-119, for they're a little too fast.

My only other qualm is the arrangement of the set. It would be nice to have all the sonatas together on a disc, 116-119 on a disc, etc., going along with the whole chronological thing..

However, all these things are personal preference. I would definitely recommend this set. It's made up about 1/2 of my music listening for the past couple months. It's not expensive at all for what you're getting, and if you get just one Brahms piano cd, you're going to want to get more, so you should just get it over with and have this whole set, it's fabulous music. Just keep in mind that this is not the only interpretation that should be considered.

Average customer rating:

Wondrous gentle music
hauntingly beautiful
The voice of the soul
Divinely Joyous
Breathtaking!!!

Isabel Bayrakdarian ~ Joyous Light
Armenian Anonymous , Sahag Bartev , Khacadour Vartabed of Daron , Mekhitar Vartabed of Ayrivank , St. Gregory of Nareg , Gomidas Vartabed , Raffi Armenian , Isabel Bayrakdarian , and Elmer Iseler Chamber Orchestra
Manufacturer: Cbc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00005S6VZ
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Tracks:

Where Are You, O Mother
You Are A Profound Mystery
Trisagion - Isabel Bayrakdarian
We Celebrate
Chosen Of God
Joyous Light - Isabel Bayrakdarian
My Heart Trembles
Lord Have Mercy - Isabel Bayrakdarian
Entrance To The Tabernacle
The Fowl
The Mother Of The Lord
Open For Us, Lord - Isabel Bayrakdarian
Be Delighted, O Holy Church
Rejoice, O Holy Church - Isabel Bayrakdarian
You Are The Only Holy One
Doxology
O Gardener
The Lord's Prayer

Customer Reviews:

Wondrous gentle music.......2007-01-10

I first saw Isabel on an SBS programme and was amazed at the glorious sounds she was producing. This album is great, relaxing, full of strength and beauty. My only word of caution would be that unless you are in the right mood it can sound a bit repetitive by the time you get to the end of the album. However, I am very glad that I bought it.

hauntingly beautiful.......2006-08-22

Very beautiful melodies and a gorgeous voice - doesn't vary as much though as a whole cd -
can get monotonous after a few songs

The voice of the soul.......2006-01-01

Growing up in the Armenian church, it was impossible not to be powerfully moved by the music. Isabel Bayrakdarian was clearly also moved in the same way. Her singing is so flawless, yet it conveys the depths of her spiritual feelings. It is wonderful that people who have not been exposed to this music will have a chance to experience its power and beauty.

Divinely Joyous.......2005-09-28

Isabel Bayrakdarian is a certified classical music diva today, an excellent Mozartian, Handelian, songs and lieder recitalist and overall a very bright star in the current line-up of young sopranos. And this is how she started her recorded career- with a disc of Armenian liturgical music.
For me it is actually very refreshing to listen to songs in language that I don't understand at all- and a nice break from the usual Latin, German, and my native ones- but at the same time, knowing that they are sung by someone who understands the texts and has a spiritual connection to them is a nice bonus. (And if you want to explore the meaning behind the sounds, the original Armenian texts and translations are included in the CD booklet...) It's also a new musical experience to my ears- I am used to certain melismatic forms of Indian music, and Soeur Marie Keyrouz records of Byzantine chants, yet this music still sounds quite exotic to me. And, at all times, very beautiful.
Like Gregorian chant in its pure form, it would get somewhat monotonous, if it wasn't for Bayrakdarian's heartfelt delivery. I find that the opening song is my favourite and often end up listening to it over and over again, but the whole album is very addictive. Not all the songs have the same joyous rapture feel- some are melancholy tinged, some are both at the same time. You need to listen to this music to appreciate its strange charms. It's beautiful and deeply spiritual, all in one. It is certainly Sacred Joy for my ears.

Breathtaking!!!.......2002-08-14

This is a stunning recording. Isabel Bayrakdarian's voice is a wonderful clear soprano, rich and warm throughout its range and free of any roughness. Her long familiarity with this repertoire lets her shape each phrase beautifully and, apparently, effortlessly.

The disk derives from a concert that took place in Toronto in September, 2001 commemorating 1700 years of Christianity in Armenia. It consists of 18 pieces of liturgical music. In some Bayrakdarian sings a capella, but in most she is supported by a chamber orchestra. One is aware that this is not western music, but the modes in which it is written are just unusual enough to European ears to be a little exotic while remaining entirely accessible. It's not quite melodic, but not quite chant either. Bayrakdarian's melismas are always sensitive and subtle. The whole effect is soaring, haunting, ethereal, transporting, utterly wonderful.

This is a desert island disk for sure.

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