Wild Heart

From Jazziz
Few artists have the power this Gypsy guitar-violin duo boast to transport listeners to an exotic universe. For Willie & Lobo, it's their regular haunt in a Puerto Vallarta cantina by the sea. On Wild Heart, the duo bring that bar to life with gently swaying tunes that go down as easy as that last corona. Typical of their laid-back style is "Egyptian Odyssey," which rings like a theme to a dusty Western in which the cowboys have to head south of the border. Producer Rick Braun toggles the record between hip-hop grooves and more organic percussion. He also picks up his trumpet to turn the loping "Rosas Hermanas" into a graceful Herb Alpert-type gem. Violinist Willie Royal shows his diversity on this cut, laying down his violin and picking up an acoustic guitar to jam with his partner, Wolfgang Fink, and with pop-flamenco guitarist Marc Antoine. It's a formidable triple threat, with the focus more on subtlety than jamming.

Willie & Lobo's more boisterous side (think last call, with the crowd getting rowdy) comes alive on "El Niño." It begins with a weird violin vamp, then explodes into vocal cries and empathic guitar - all over a percolating funk groove. The two also enjoy playing somewhere between the beaches of Mexico and a field in Ireland on "Rita's Jig." That piece is all Royal's (Lobo plays percussion) as he zigzags over the throbbing Celtic drum of Scott Breadman.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Wild Heart,Willie & Lobo,Atlantic / Wea,Contemporary Flamenco,Contemporary Instrumental,Ethnic Fusion,Flamenco,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Smooth Jazz,World Beat,World Music,Worldbeat

Average customer rating: I'm afraid.. Brilliant rock from the Queen Stevie Nicks And Her Wild Heart Stevie Nicks - The Wild Heart (1983) Wild Heart

The Wild Heart Stevie Nicks Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bella Donna Rock a Little The Other Side of the Mirror Street Angel Trouble In Shangri-La ASIN: B000002JK0 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Wild Heart
2. If Anyone Falls
3. Gate And Garden
4. Enchanted
5. Nightbird
6. Stand Back
7. I Will Run To You
8. Nothing Ever Changes
9. Sable On Blond
10. Beauty And The Beast

Customer Reviews:

I'm afraid.........2007-06-17

of Changes.But this cAn be goOd.Stevie Nicks I love you so.Your special.Your flamboyant costumes,the reminder of how you were a little girl in the enchanted box set mirage collage of you looking in the mirror at yourself.The love you put in.The safety one feels from self harming thoughts when their with you or your music.The wild eighties sex and beat of "Stand Back","Wild Heart"..The sheer brilliance and originality of "Nightbird" and the sex in the dark that that invokes.The lonely gotH relates that song.The Boots all summer long? Resilience is what I get out of that liNe.I'm afraid of changes and yet:The Landslide did not bring yoU down.

Brilliant rock from the Queen.......2006-12-03

Stevie Nicks is a legend, and her second solo album from 1983, "The wild heart" is brilliant. A huge hit when it was released, this album spent 11 weeks in Billboard's top ten, peaking at #5, and was the number one selling female album of the year according to Billboard's 1983 chart reviews."Stand Back" was the lead single, and spent weeks in the top ten singles chart and MTV's top ten video charts. It propelled Nicks with a dancy modern sound at the time and the song even made the top 15 on the dance charts. The second single, "If anyone falls" was also a huge hit, peaking at #14, and #4 on the MTV video charts, and features sensuous vocals by Nicks, infectuous guitar licks and a dynamic keyboard sound."Nightbird" was the 3rd single and made the top 30 singles charts, but didn't feature a video, which might be why the song didn't make the top 20, as it's an amazing song, with guest vocals by Sandy Stuart. "Enchanted" also got massive play on album oriented rock radio, and also made the top 20 on Billboard's album rock cuts chart(AOR).Besides the hits, the rest of the album contains no filler and is a solid rock and roll effort. "Gate and garden" is gorgeous with an addictive repeating chorus, and I love the piano on it. Nicks sounds so focused here."I will run to you" is a nice mellow duet with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and "Nothing ever changes" is a frenzied mid tempo rocker with a killer saxaphone solo. "Sable on blonde" features guest Mick Fleetwood on drums, and is a gorgeous honey dripped vocal arrangement, with Nicks slowly building up to a truly impressive wail ending the song. Truly classic. And the set closer, "Beauty and the beast" featuring a full orchestra was recorded in one take, and is chilling, with it's fabled lyrics and Stevie's trademark vibrato commanding this classic ballad. This is a classic rock and roll album, by rock's legendary queen. Spectacular.

Stevie Nicks And Her Wild Heart.......2006-08-12

Wow!!! is the best way to describe this album. I love everything she's done, including the stuff with Fleetwood Mac. This album is my favorite. I remember hearing some of these songs a lot on the radio back in 1987. I'm the same age as this album, 22.

I love Stevie's voice. "The Wild Heart" is a great song. A solid way to open the album. "If Anyone Falls" is not a personal fave but is still a toe tapper. "Gate And Garden" has become a personal hit after just 2 listens. Stevie shows us that she can rock yet again with "Enchanted". "Nightbird" is a great song to relax to. "Stand Back". What else can you say about this song except AWESOME!! The next song, "I Will Run To You", just doesn't do anything for me. "Nothing Ever Changes" is another rocker on here. "Sable On Blond" is similar to "Nightbird" but not quite as forboding. Now comes the finale, "Beauty And The Beast". What can you say about this song? I'd call it Stevie Nick's best song ever! I'm a sucker for ballads, and the portrait of Belle and the Beast is nailed dead on.

song ratings? All get 5 stars except "If Anyone Falls", which gets 4 stars, and "I Will Run To You" which gets 3. Overall though, this album gets 5 stars. A big leap forward compared to her debut "Bella Donna". Recommended if you liked "Timespace: The Best Of Stevie Nicks" and "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac.

Stevie Nicks - The Wild Heart (1983) .......2006-06-27

Coming off the massive success of Bella Donna, which easily overshadowed Mirage, Fleetwood Mac's well-crafted but tepid 1982 release, Nicks side-stepped the sophomore slump by topping herself with The Wild Heart. Although "Stand Back" was a smash that has become her most popular song, The Wild Heart is not obviously as commercial as Bella Donna. The Wild Heart is more of an artist's album, and Nicks' spreads her wings to command and fill the entire effort with admirable authority.

For a Nicks' fan, The Wild Heart is nirvana: longer songs with more passionate, imagistic lyrics than ever. The title track and the album closer are epics - each over six minutes long - that work the opposite ends of Nicks' spectrum. "Wild Heart" is a thunderous, passionate anthem with her most thrilling vocal work ever, and "Beauty and the Beast" is symphonic gothica for which the term `ballad' is just inadequate. In between, Nicks indulges her mixture of rock and fairydust with alluring results. "Enchanted" and "Nightbird" are pure Nicks and would never have seen the light of day in the more structured programme of Fleetwood Mac.

The Wild Heart also finds Nicks updating her sound into the 80s with striking ease, especially when you consider how most 70s acts that tried to do this either completely sold out or made fools of themselves. She stretches herself well beyond the Fleetwood Mac sound (the torrid "Nothing Ever Changes") and kicks out a trendy hit (the synth-pop confection "If Anyone Falls"). Tellingly, the one weak spot is the out of place Tom Petty duet ("I Will Run to You"). Another Nicks cut, such as "Sleeping Angel" or "Blue Lamp" (both of which ended up buried on soundtrack albums) would worked much better.

If you are a hard core Stevie Nicks fan, The Wild Heart is superior to Bella Donna. For the casual listener, it would be a toss up between two classic albums. However, Nicks' vocal performances, expansive writing, and the way she sells these songs makes The Wild Heart the more personal, adventurous, and therefore better effort. Maintaining careers in Fleetwood Mac and on her own, however, was bound to keep her from burning white hot for long. Her next solo album, Rock a Little, would show the strain.

Wild Heart.......2006-06-12

This is my favourite Stevie album. All of the songs flow together so nicely.Even if the pop hits werent on it it would still be a great record.Listeners who dont like songs like Sabel on the Blonde and Gate and Garden just simply cannot get into there unique groove. Stevies voice is vevety and very sexy on both these song. This album made me relize why Stevie Nicks is so much more than just a rock star she is truely an artist.If you dont think all the songs one this album are good your just not getting them.It dosent sound like anthing eles.Buy it

Average customer rating: Great set of wartime rarities Cure for the Blues Standard Transcription Collection

(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection Spike Jones Manufacturer: Collector's Choice ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Contemporary Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Novelty Music | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: Strictly for Music Lovers Spike Jones - Greatest Hits Fonk Spiked!: The Music of Spike Jones The Spike Jones Story ASIN: B00007JR3K Release Date: 2003-04-08

Album Description

Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet—79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14

Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!

Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25

Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12

This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.

Average customer rating: Return to Sanity Have Some Madeira British humour at its best If you haven't heard this... Gentle Satire

Complete Flanders & Swann Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music Comedy & Spoken Word | Box Sets | Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Songs of Michael Flanders & Donald Swann At the Drop of a Hat The Best of Flanders & Swan - A Transport of Delight Beyond The Fringe (1961 Original London Cast) Too Many Songs by Tom Lehrer ASIN: B000006T4S Release Date: 1997-04-30

Tracks:

1. Warthog, The (The Hog Beneath The Skin)
2. The Sea Horse
3. The Chameleon
4. Whale, The (Mopy Dick)
5. Je Suis Le Tenebreux
6. Songs For Our Time
7. A Song Of The Weather - Flanders & Swann
8. The Reluctant Cannibal
9. Greensleeves
10. Misalliance
11. Kokoraki
12. Madeira M'Dear?
13. Too Many Cookers
14. Built Up Area
15. In The Bath (From 'At The Drop Of A Hat')
16. Sea Fever
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Tracks:

1. The Gas Man Cometh
2. Sounding Brass
3. Los Olividados
4. In The Desert
5. The Sloth
6. The Rhinoceros
7. Kangaroo Tango
8. Jaguar
9. Dead Ducks
10. The Elephant
11. By Air
12. Slow Train
13. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice - Flanders & Swann
14. The Humming Bird
15. The Portuguese Man-Of-War
16. Sea Fever
17. The Hippopotamus Song

Tracks:

1. The Gas Man Cometh
2. Sounding Brass
3. Los Olividados
4. In The Desert
5. The Sloth
6. The Rhinoceros
7. Kangaroo Tango
8. Jaguar
9. Dead Ducks
10. The Elephant
11. By Air
12. Slow Train
13. A Song Of Patriotic Prejudice - Flanders & Swann
14. The Humming Bird
15. The Portuguese Man-Of-War
16. The Wild Boar
17. The Ostrich
18. The Wompom
19. Twice Shy
20. Commonwealth Fair
21. P** P* B**** B** D******
22. Paris
23. Eine Kleine Nacht Musik Cha Cha Cha
24. The Hundred Song
25. Food For Thought

Album Details

Fantastic Triple CD Box Set of the Recorded Works of One of Britain's Most Popular Comedy Duos. Their Keen Observations of Everyday British Life and Abilities to Exemplify them in Song Made them the Darlings of the UK. Cleverness, Wit and Absoute Hilarity were the Order of the Day, in Just About Any Style of Music. Pure Comic Genius on Three Discs!

Customer Reviews:

Return to Sanity.......2005-07-27

Before Monty Python, before the Beatles, before "'Enery the Aigth Oi Am" there was the subtle, sweet, insdious humor of Flanders and Swann, and their lyrics remain part of the recognition rituals of Ivy Leaguers of the sixties. For any aging hippies or yuppies who find life WAY more stressful than we ever expected, and for whom the down side of alcohol, sex, and drugs has become apparent, I recommend listening several times to "In the Bath". It raises a cry for peace among the nations by inviting all the leaders to sit congenially steaming in a communal bathtub. And they reminding us of our essential self-interest when they add the proviso "as long as Swann and Flanders get the end without the taps." On those nights when we suspect that there isn't any point to it all, reach for the Flanders and Swann. They won't convince you there is any meaning to life, but they'll make it a lot easier to bear. Don't even try to do without it.

Have Some Madeira.......2005-07-06

Not every line in Flanders and Swann has become part of our 37-year marriage, but many have. As our turntables fail, we are pleased that we can relive all the fun stuff we used to collect. Nothing is like this duo, especially what you usually hear as French horn by Mozart converted into "I found that horn go(r)ne." And, of course,
"Have some Madeira, m'dear" is an all-time favorite.

British humour at its best.......2003-03-15

When I started out as a teacher of English, I had the most wonderful colleague as a mentor -- when she retired she gave me three LPs with much of what is on these CDs, and it must be one of the best gifts I have ever been given. Practically all of it makes me smile or laugh out loud (although I must admit that some, like The Armadillo and Slow Train, make me so melancholy that I can just feel my lower lip tremble and my eyes fill up). How can you beat lines like "Hail to thee, blithe Wompom", or "The English are moral, the English are good / And clever, and modest, and misunderstood"? I find they make great listening exercises for my teenaged students as well -- they consider it ancient, but incredibly funny!

If you haven't heard this..........2003-01-16

The great comedic pairing of the late Michael Flanders (vocals) and Donald Swann (piano and occasional vocals) must surely rank among the hall of fame of comic singers and songwriters. Descended from the British music hall tradition, these two men wrote and performed music which still sparkles with wit today, some 40 or more years since it was recorded.

After being told to take up singing as a means of strengthening his polio-weakened lungs, the wheelchair-bound Flanders teamed up with pianist Swann and proceeded to write such classic songs as "The Hippo Song (Mud Mud Glorious Mud)", "The Gasman Cometh", "The Gnu Song", "A Transport of Delight" and many others. As well as a gently satirical spirit, all these songs feature the sublime wordplay and interplay of both men.

The first two discs of this box set are actual concerts - "At The Drop Of A Hat" and its successor "At The Drop Of Another Hat". Recorded at the height of the duo's popularity and form, the sound quality is surprisingly good for recordings this old.

"At The Drop Of A Hat" opens with three of the Flanders and Swann classics. "Transport Of Delight", a song in praise of the "97 horsepower omnibus" features the wonderful harmonies of the duo on lines like "any more fares" and Flanders' dead-on impression of a London busdriver "Geddardait, we're full right up inside". "Song of Reproduction" deals with the new, as it was then, stereo technology and features Flanders delivering an incredible monologue using every conceivable piece of audiophile jargon. "The Gnu Song" (in which "gnu" is pronounced phonetically) is a real treat. The audience's reaction to the reappearance of the gnu is superb.
As well as this opening trio, the disc features Flanders' snippets of "Songs For Our Time" (in which he experiments with conventions of hit songs), "Song of the Weather" (a rundown of English weather throughout the year), "The Reluctant Cannibal" (featuring Swann in the tititular role and the chorus "I can't eat people/I won't eat people/eatin' people is wrong"), Swann's foray into Greek folksong "Kokraki" and the justifiably famous "Madeira M'Dear". The performance ends with a rousing version of "The Hippo Song".
Flanders is in fine voice throughout and his comments introducing each song are delivered with deadpan accuracy. The story behind "The Gnu Song" is an absolute masterpiece. Flanders' monologue about the creation of "Greensleeves" is also superb - "'Greenfleeves'. That's an interesting name for a fong" (referencing old English script) being just a taste.

"Another Hat" begins in equally fine form with "Gasman Cometh" and "Ill Wind". "Gasman", presaged as "a tale of unending domestic upheaval", is sure to have most people who've ever dealt with unreliable tradesmen nodding in agreement, while "Ill Wind" is Flanders' attempt at setting words to a French horn concerto featuring the immortal lines "I lost that horn/lost that horn/lost that horn/found that horn/gorn". The performance continues with Swann's Russian/English song "In The Desert", the ending of which is truly side-splitting. "All Gall" (a reinterpretation of "This Old Man" to fit then-French President Charles de Gaulle) is a little dated but very cleverly done. "Song of Patriotic Prejudice", with its introduction and opening lines grabbing the audience's attention is another triumph, while the "Hippo Encore" is a great end to the performance.
Again Flanders is at his peak. His loving description of the Spanish olive-stuffers ("Olividados") and his superb story about flying ("By Air") are both brilliant examples of the shaggy dog story.
My favourite from both of these discs would have to be "First and Second Law". Flanders decides to educate Swann in elementary science and picks on the first and second laws of thermodynamics ("heat is work and work is heat" and "heat cannot of itself pass from one body to a hotter body") and the repetition of these phrases in time to Swann's barely-there piano accompaniment is one of the finest moments in British comedy.

The third disc is largely forgettable. It begins with a series of animal-related songs performed in a studio and without much of Flanders' rambling introductions. "Warthog" has its moments, while the others were clearly not performed in front of an audience for a reason. "Wompom" is also mildly diverting, presenting a story about a made-up substance which is the answer to everything.
The rest of the disc is then filled out with much earlier material in a rather poorly-recorded concert. "20 Tons of TNT" (related to the calculation the pair had done which gave that as the amount of TNT per person on the planet at the time) provides food for thought, but little more.

Is this box set for everyone? No. Much of the humour both within and without the songs does require a bit of background knowledge to what was going on in Britain and Europe at the time (1960s), John Profumo is referenced a few times as well as Charles de Gaulle and the Common Market, while a smattering of classical music knowledge can help out a bit with Swann's work and "Ill Wind". The fact that my grandfather (who's in his late 70s) recalls hearing these songs and laughing may give an indication as to the age of some of the subject matter. Equally the fact that "First and Second Law" references an awful lot of physics might do the same.

Nevertheless, for anyone who loves British humour done in a gentle manner or who is interested in the source of "mud mud glorious mud/nothing quite like it for cooling the blood", give these CDs some serious consideration.

Gentle Satire.......2002-04-03

I've been singing Flanders and Swann every day In the Bath since I first heard them in 1964. If you don't know them, think Gilbert and Sullivan by way of English music hall and Noel Coward, with a bit of Tom Lehrer musical satire and classic Bob Newhart or Charlie Manna monologues. F&S commented gently on their times: "The purpose of satire, it has been rightly said, is to strip away the veneer of comfortable illusion and cozy half-truth. And our job, as I see it, is to put it back again." Quite simply the best comic songs and patter of the 20th century. Michael died in 1975, Donald in 1994. Goodnight, Mabel Figworthy, wherever you are.

Here are some samples of Michael's verbal wit.

Wordplay:
- "A Transport of Delight," their song of the pleasures of the double-decker bus "has recently been adopted as the theme song of the Underground resistance movement."
- Speculating that Henry VIII wrote Greensleeves: "and the royalties go to royalty."
- About a tennis referee late in the day: "the umpire upon whom the sun never sets."
- Explaining how he was hoisted in his wheelchair onto airliners by a fork lift: "Why they need a great machine like that to lift forks I do not know. Well, they're only plastic, now, aren't they?"
- On status symbols: "The object is to Gunga Din your neighbor: 'I'm a better man than you' is the acid test," and, "let's bang our status cymbals with the best."
- To a disenchanted cannibal: "You used to be a regular anthropophagi."
- Of a lecher: "And he said as he hastened to put out the cat, the wine, his cigar, and the lamps," while the girl "lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes, and his hopes."
- At the corrida d'olivas (the Andorran festival of olive stuffing, not to be confused with the Spanish corrida de toros, or bullfight): "And a great cry goes up of Ole! He has made an 'ol."
- "It's no good going up to a scientist and saying to him like you would to anybody else, 'Good morning, how are you, lend me a quid, and so on.' He'll just glare at you, or make a rude retort."

Throw-aways
- During the height of the cold war the Soviet Union sent the Moscow Ballet on a world tour. Donald sang one chorus of the Hippopotamus Song "mud, mud, glorious mud - nothing quite like it for cooling the blood" in Russian. Michael: "That should improve our cultural relations."
- During the 1963 Mandy Rice-Davies and Christine Keeler scandal: "None of that going around saying no smoke without fire. Nil cumbustibus, Profumo." Also, from "Friendly Duet," "such models of friendship are precious and rare, while the friendship of models is not."
- "Now if you're writing a musical, as I'm sure practically all of you are, . . ."
- Of Donald: "You know that no one has a higher regard for your music . . . than you do yourself. I merely meant that you are not great because you are not dead. If you wish to be great you must stop composing and start decomposing."
- "We never found a rhyme for (Soviet Premier Nikita) "Kruschev" until he was dead: Did he die or was he "pushed off"?"
- "We spent two dreadful, uh, delightful years, entertaining the Americans whose need, let's face it, is greater even than yours. Of course, when we're over there we say that the other way 'round."
- "No matter what you may say about the Germans, and who doesn't . . ."
- "Some of the songs that have made our names a household word, like slop-bucket . . ."
- "They've started testing cars now. They started at 10 years, then 5, now three. There's even some talk of having them tested before they leave the factory."

Absurdities
- "I'm delirious about our new oven fitted with the eye-level grill. This means that without my having to bend down the hot fat can squirt straight into my eye."
- A spectator during the construction of Stonehenge: "So, it's not going to be lived in. Well, that's something anyway. So what is it, then? It's a what?! A calendar?! A bit big for a calendar isn't it? You'd look pretty foolish with that on your desk."
- "Donald knocked himself out this morning. Got one of those new pop-up toasters. Nasty things."

Incredible multiple rhymes:
- "The fair hippoptama he aimed to entice from her seat on her hilltop above, as she hadn't got a ma to give her advice, went tip-toeing down to her love."
- Of Josephine: "Nonsense, said Bonaparte. She lives on her own, apart, in her own apartment."
- "Oh let us be married if our parents don't mind. We'd be happy and inseparable. Inextricably entwined. We'd live happily every after, said the Honeysuckle to the Bindweed."
- "And you'll always see a single lace-less left-hand leather boot. A bootless British river bank's a shock. We leave them there at midnight, you can track a member's route by the alternating print of boot and sock."

Average customer rating: My idea of heaven Wonderful, but not quite the best of I had hoped A treasury Chanticleer: A Portrait

Chanticleer: A Portrait Caroll Coates , Harold / Mercer, Johnny Arlen , Spiritual Traditional , Vince Guaraldi , Joseph Jennings , Ettore Stratta , Eric Alatorre , Tim Krol , Corey McKnight , Kevin Baum , David Munderloh , and Dawn Upshaw Manufacturer: Teldec ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tavener | Tavener, John Kenneth | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chanticleer | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Our American Journey How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music Wondrous Love: A World Folk Song Collection Sing We Christmas Where the Sun Will Never Go Down ASIN: B00008J2VP Release Date: 2003-03-18

Tracks:

1. Quem Terra Pontus Sidera
2. Ave Maria (Gregorian Chant)
3. Alma Redemptoris Mater
4. The Angel Cried Out
5. Angelicas Milicias
6. Wherewithal Shall A Young Man...
7. Love Is A Beautiful Dream
8. This Heart That Flutters Near My Heart
9. Wild Grass
10. Labbra Vermiglie E Belle
11. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
12. Dulaman
13. Shenandoah
14. Spanish Carol
15. Love Is Letting Go
16. Blues In The Night
17. Wade In The Wate
18. We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace
19. Christmas Time Is Here

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With this disc, Chanticleer, the internationally renowned, all-male 12-voice chamber choir, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Presenting songs from earlier albums plus one not previously recorded, the selection displays the group's remarkable stylistic and linguistic versatility, as well as all the qualities that have made it famous: the impeccable precision and intonation; the pristine tonal purity; the deep, inner expressiveness; the infinitely variable range of colors, textures, dynamics and moods; and the incredible vocal control that allows voices to stand out as well as to blend into a seamless, sonorous whole. Not for nothing has the group been called "an orchestra of voices" with its ability to sound like a big band in chordal passages and to imitate bass pizzicati as well as patter-songs and gospel shouts. The sopranos take off into stratospheric heights with florid coloratura; it is hard to believe that these are male voices. The program ranges from Gregorian chant and liturgical music of the 16th and 17th century, through traditional and jazz-influenced folk songs and spirituals (some in deplorably bad arrangements), to works by contemporary composers. Chanticleer's mostly vibrato-less vocal style still reflects its roots in its original Renaissance repertoire, but the way the singers use their voices in the popular, jazzy songs makes one aware of the evolving kinship between the two traditions. Though primarily an a capella ensemble, Chanticleer is occasionally joined by various instrumental groups, from period instrument orchestras to a jazz trio, and Dawn Upshaw adds her radiant, smiling, unmistakably "real" soprano to a delightful, high-spirited performance of a Spanish Carol. This disc is a fine, varied sampling of Chanticleer's discography and should inspire listeners to search out all the complete albums. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

My idea of heaven.......2007-02-17

If you liked Norman Luboff's Song's of the Sea's "Shenandoah", the price of this CD is worth it alone. That's why I ordered the CD. I heard Chanticleer's version and immediately ordered it. The rest is just the icing on the cake.

Then there is the one Kiri Tekanawa (sp?) offering, which is the only female voice on the recording.

Wonderful, but not quite the best of I had hoped.......2006-07-18

Some great material truly shines on this album, but I wsih that the group had been a little less populist in their choice of repertoire. There is a little too many arrangements and folk-like material, with the exception of the wonderful "Dulaman", and I would like to have heard some more varied repertoire. That said this is an excellent starting point for this amazing group.

A treasury.......2005-11-06

As you can tell from the samples, the music here is amazing and covers a wide territory. It is less obvious that much of this is available on other CDs. I am confident, for example, that "We Shall Walk Through the Valley In Peace" is the same track that you will find on their phenomenal and highly recommended gospel collection, _Where the Sun Shall Never Go Down_, and I see a number of familiar-looking titles from other CDs. My advice is: if you're looking for a broad sample of the group's repertoire, then you can't go wrong here -- but if you've already got several Chanticleer albums, then you'll want to check your existing collection for potential duplications before buying this 'treasury.'

Chanticleer: A Portrait.......2005-10-26

This is a marvelous singing group of all males with a little addition of Dawn Upshaw on a couple of pieces. They are thourally amazing at what they can sing with Male Voices usually unaccompanied. Obviously they have good strong Contra-Tenors that can manage the high notes without any problems. I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys vocal music, unaccompanied and like Male Voices

Average customer rating: David Lynch makes a mix tape for the adventurous. "Im Abendrot" lynch is a tripper It's rockin' good news! one of the best soundtracks to one of the best films

Wild At Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Various Artists Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Blue Velvet: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Wild At Heart Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (Soundtrack) The Straight Story: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack Mulholland Drive: Original Motion Picture Score ASIN: B000001FXD Release Date: 1990-08-07

Tracks:

1. Im Abendrot ( Excerpt) - Gewandhausorchester Leizpig
2. Slaughterhouse - Power Mad
3. Cool Cat Walk - Angelo Badalamenti And Kinny Landrum
4. Love Me - Nicolas Cage
5. Baby Please Don't Go - Them
6. Up In Flames - Koko Taylor
7. Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
8. Be- Bop A Luna - Gene Vincent And The Blue Caps
9. Smoke Rings - Glen Gray And The Casa Loma Orchestra
10. Perdita - Rubber City
11. Blue Spanish Sky - Chris Isaak
12. Dark Spanish Symphony ( Edited) ( String Version) - Angelo Badalamenti And Kinny Landrum
13. Dark Spanish Symphony (50's Version) - Rubber City
14. Dark Lolita - Angelo Badalamenti And Kinny Landrum
15. Love Me Tender - Nicolas Cage

Customer Reviews:

David Lynch makes a mix tape for the adventurous........2005-03-15

Not one of my favorite Lynch films... but one of my all-time favorite soundtrack compilations. The reason? Sheer ballsy ecelecticism. Who else would follow up Strauss with speed metal? Or big band music with rockabilly? Yet it somehow all makes sense, creating an almost indescribable atmosphere that's at once totally intense and totally cool. In a perfect world, radio would always sound like this: An uber-hip DJ picking songs not because they *sound* appropriate together... but because they *feel* appropriate together.

Worth mentioning are Chris Isaac's two contributions here, in my opinion among his best-ever songs. There's the hit "Wicked Game," of course, but "Big Blue Spanish Sky" drips mystery and melancholy in a pretty wonderful way. Longtime Lynch collaborator Angelo Badalamenti's requisite instrumental contributions seem to key off Isaac's vibe.

One drawback: you get Nicholas Cage singing not one, but two Elvis tunes. He's not as good as Elvis.

"Im Abendrot".......2004-07-10

is not by Wagner - but the last of the 'four last songs' by richard strauss.

lynch is a tripper.......2004-06-13

unlike most the other collaborations between lynch and angelo badalamenti this soundtrack is very diverse inthat it features everything from 50's rock to speed metal and of coarse those lavish instrumentals.for some reason I don't like w@h as much as the other lynch soundtracks,but it's still better than 90% of the majority of film music out there today(hence the 4 stars).with songs like chris isaak's"wicked game"(my favorite part in the film),the instrumental of "cool cat walk"(lated rerecorded w/julee cruise on vocals), the original version of "up in flames"with raspy vocals(another song later redone by julee on her 2nd cd),and the cool-but-laughable "slaughterhouse"by powermad(think slayer meets motley crue sorta)THIS ALBUM IS DEFINATLY WORTH YOUR $10!(or $2.50 if you can find one used like I did!)

It's rockin' good news!.......2003-02-26

A knowledge of David Lynch films might help to understand the selection, but it isn't neccessary to love every song. Though "Wild At Heart" offers metal, oldies, and rockabilly, most of it is cool and collected. Two tracks of the "kings", and two from Chris Isaak are great, but it's the odd-balls and instrumentals that make this essential. "Perdita" is one of the coolest things I've ever heard in my life. However, the BEST reason to own this soundtrack, is to hear Nicolas Cage sing the two Elvis songs. Now that's cool. I may as well also say this is likely my favorite movie of all time. Enjoy.

one of the best soundtracks to one of the best films.......2000-06-30

this cd has some eclectic tunes but it works because they are all alive with the rhythm of life. this cd is thrilling to me, from the painfully heavenly im abendrot to the frightening slaughterhouse, to the very square and unhip smoke rings. it all works though, with a recurring musical motif being the dark and lonely reverb guitar and 50's style songs. i get tingles just thinking about it.

Average customer rating: not to great Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$ You get what you pay for. Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ...

100 Favorite Patriotic Songs Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by MacDowell | MacDowell, Edward | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: American Pride: Sixteen Stirring Patriotic Themes United We Stand: Songs for America America's Favorite Patriotic Songs America's Bugle Calls Patriotic Country ASIN: B0000A1HT8 Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

1. America the Beautiful
2. All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
3. Ballad of the Green Berets
4. On Top of Old Smokey
5. Coyote Warrior
6. Semper Fidelis
7. Breeze from Alabama
8. Onward Christian Soldiers
9. Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming
10. Patriot
11. Sweet Betsy from Pike
12. Marines' Hymn
13. America Is
14. When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
15. Happy the Soldier
16. American Trilogy
17. Home Sweet Home
18. Washington Post March
19. Enraptured I Gaze
20. Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair
21. Yellow Rose of Texas
22. Over There
23. Simple Gifts
24. Liberty Bell
25. Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

1. God Bless the USA
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy
3. Katy Cruel
4. I Vow to Thee My Country
5. King Cotton
6. Beautiful Dreamer
7. America
8. American Patrol
9. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Beauty
10. Mohican Dream
11. Red, White and Blue
12. Some Folks
13. Liberty Song
14. Pomp and Circumstance
15. Hail to the Chief
16. Bennington Rifles
17. Peace on the Battlefield
18. I've Been Working on the Railroad
19. Under the Double Eagle
20. Red River Valley
21. My Country 'Tis of Thee
22. Camptown Races
23. Wild Blue Yonder
24. Hands Across the Sea
25. Fanfare for the Common Man

Tracks:

1. Stars and Stripes Forever
2. Living in America
3. Home on the Range
4. Old Colony Times
5. Clementine
6. Invincible Eagle
7. Ring Ring de Banjo
8. Yankee Doodle
9. Largo from "The New World"
10. To a Wild Rose
11. Hail Columbia
12. Alexander's Ragtime Band
13. Gettysburg
14. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny
15. Capitan
16. Prairie Daughter
17. Little Brown Jug
18. Marching Through Georgia
19. Entertainer
20. Steamboat Around the Bend
21. Revolutionary Tea
22. Cassions Keep Rollin' Along
23. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
24. Amazing Grace
25. Grand Old Flag

Tracks:

1. God Bless America
2. National Emblem
3. Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me
4. Anchors Away
5. Oh, Susannah
6. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
7. Toast
8. Dixie
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Appalachian Spring
11. Bonnie Blue Flag
12. Old Hundreth
13. Swanee River
14. Battle Cry of Freedom
15. U. S Field Artillery
16. Sidewalks of New York
17. Chester
18. Auld Lang Syne
19. Kingdom Come
20. My Old Kentucky Home
21. Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
22. Battle Hymn of the Republic
23. Shenandoah
24. Abraham's Daughter
25. This Land Is Your Land

Customer Reviews:

not to great.......2007-04-04

We were disappointed with this CD, but for the price I guess we can't expect much. I didn't care for the new style presentation of the songs. I like a more traditional rendering.

Not so bad, 100 tunes for 4$.......2005-06-22

I red the comments of two other people who have bought this 4 CD BOX SET and it is not really so bad. I will even add that there are some excellent tunes. However, I must agree with the fact that few tunes seem to have been recorded 40 or 50 years ago, mainly when you hear the scratches of an old turntable but it is just 2 or 3 tunes. Furthermore, if you do not know American music, it is a good BOX SET to buy if you consider that you received 4 CD for 4$ including 100 tunes. On these 4 CD, I have heard some orchestration that I have never heard before and I consider that they are different but interesting. Any way, after hearing these 100 tunes, you will say to yourself that you like this tune, this other tune, this other tune and so on and you will be able to buy a more expensive CD with the tunes that you like. However, I have bought many CDs in the last few weeks and as you know, there are always some tunes that you like and some tunes that you do not like on every CD that you will buy. So, don't buy it at 25$ but at 4 or 5$ dollars, it is a very good choice for 100 tunes.

You get what you pay for........2004-07-04

You get what you pay for. The singers put their own spin on the singing of each song. If you didn't hear the words you would not recognize some of them. Even some of the music sounds like a bad recording of music played on a turntable. Definitely not worth the price.

Now I know why there were no song samples to listen to ..........2004-07-04

I wish this review had been here when I was thinking of purchasing it. I guess you get what you pay for. If you are thinking of buying this, you are better off recording your own CDs (or at least buying one that you can listen to a sampling of the songs). This album includes songs that were mere recordings of the songs playing on an old record player. It's almost so unbelievable that it is funny.

Average customer rating: worth money Great Patriotic Music A good choice of tunes with good quality Brilliant!!! Best Patriotic Music I've Found

Stars & Stripes: America's Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Compendia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Morton Gould | Gould, Morton | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ives, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schuman | Schuman, William | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Smith, John Stafford | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Houston Symphony Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Gospel | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: American Anthems Marches: The Greatest Hits American Jubilee God Bless America: Ult Patriotic Album The Military Band: Salute to the Services ASIN: B000000BMS Release Date: 1997-02-25

Tracks:

1. The Star Spangled Banner
2. George M. Cohan Medley: Yankee Doodle Dandy/Harrigan/Mary's A Grand Old Name/You're A Grand Old Flag
3. American Salute
4. The Washington Post
5. El Capitan
6. Armed Forces Medley: The Army Goes Rolling Along/Anchors Aweigh/Semper paratus/The U.S. Air Force...
7. God Bless America
8. Colonel Bogey
9. National Emblem March
10. Americans We
11. Manhattan Beach
12. Deep In The Heart Of Texas
13. The Yellow Rose Of Texas
14. Hoe-Down From 'Rodeo'
15. Shaker Melody from Appalachian Spring

Tracks:

1. Fanfare For The Common Man
2. Overture To 'Strike Up The Band'
3. America The Beautiful
4. 76 Trombones
5. Victory At Sea Suite
6. America From 'West Side Story'
7. Liberty Bell
8. Variations On 'America'
9. The Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

worth money.......2007-05-24

this cd set is definately worth the money spent. i haven't heard some of the music before but was willing to give it a try.

Great Patriotic Music.......2007-02-21

Beautiful music perfect for feeling patriotic. Received CD promptly and in great condition.

A good choice of tunes with good quality.......2005-06-30

If you like military tunes and marches, this 2-CD is a good choice. The orchestration is good, it is well played and the quality of recording is good. If you like this kind of music, it is a good choice to buy.

Brilliant!!!.......2003-08-11

I have the CD at home and the songs sound fabulous. I've heard the Houston Symphony's version of the Star Spangled Banner many times on TV as this anthem has been used at sign-off (when this was happening). It's as powerful a version you'll hear. Probably the finest patriotic music CD you can find out there.

Best Patriotic Music I've Found.......2001-09-20

Loved the CD! I am buying it to use with a Musical Freestyle Ride for a Quadrille. A horse oriented endeaver. The music will be perfect to bring positive patriotism to fairs and fund raisers for NYC.

Average customer rating: A mixed bag of romantic offerings The best tenor ever The greatest singer of all time!

Be My Love Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herbert | Herbert, Victor | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lanza, Mario | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rodgers, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Brodszky, Nicholas | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Kern, Jerome | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hardelot, Guy d' | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Herbert, Victor | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: You'll Never Walk Alone Lanza: Greatest Hits Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince & The Desert Song / Romberg Christmas with Mario Lanza For the First Time/Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites ASIN: B000003F3C Release Date: 1991-01-18

Tracks:

1. Be My Love (The Toast Of New Orleans)
2. Serenade (The Student Prince)
3. Temptation (Going Hollywood)
4. Wanting You (The New Moon)
5. I'll Be Seeing You (The Royal Palm Revue)
6. With A Song In My Heart (Spring Is Here)
7. Without A Song (Great Day)
8. Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
9. My Wild Irish Rose
10. And This Is My Beloved (Kismet)
11. Because
12. Only A Rose (The Vagabond King)
13. Funiculi, Funicula
14. Come Back To Sorrento
15. Maria Mari'
16. O Sole Mio
17. Neapolitan Love Song
18. Arriverderci, Roma
19. Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life (Naughty Marietta)
20. Look For The Silver Lining (Sally)
21. Memories
22. The Song Is You (Music In The Air)
23. Ave Maria
24. You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel)

Customer Reviews:

A mixed bag of romantic offerings.......2001-12-17

BMG's Lanza collections are usually a mixed bag, and this album of love songs is no exception. Interspersed with some magnificent performances are an assortment of the good, the bad, and the mediocre. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that BMG simply doesn't appreciate what treasures it has buried in its recording vaults. It's enough to bring back Lanza from the grave, swearing in High C (as Time Magazine once tut-tutted) at the injustice of it all.

Lanza, in fairness to BMG, was an inconsistent performer. In the earlier part of his brief career, he had a tendency to sing sharp, and at times his approach to various arias and songs lacked sensitivity. That's not to say he couldn't get it right. At his best he was extraordinary, combining one of the most powerful voices on record with just the right degree of melting mezza voce and a dazzling array of vocal colours. His sense of phrasing was, as Enrico Caruso Jr noted, "instinctively right", and his ability to get into the heart of a song was unquestionable. Even at his roughest, his singing was usually compelling, and one could never label any of his performances "boring".

The bad recordings generally fall into three periods of his life: the Coca-Cola Radio shows of 1951-52, the disastrous Lanza on Broadway album of 1956, and the illness-affected stereo remakes of his Christmas Carols and Student Prince albums, both recorded in 1959, the year of his death. The present CD includes material from the first two periods.

The "Coke" shows, as I've opined in a number of other reviews, produced some amazing performances of both arias and love songs. Unfortunately, however, lack of rehearsal time coupled with poor arrangements often led to the kind of wild, unrestrained singing that Lanza's detractors love to attack (while at the same time overlooking his great performances). On this CD, a number of Coke recordings were released for the first time: Danny Boy; My Wild Irish Rose; Neapolitan Love Song; and Torna a Surriento. The first two are lovely, notwithstanding a poor ending on Danny Boy and some uncertain moments in the tenor's lower register in this song. Victor Herbert's Neapolitan Song contains some piercingly sharp singing, a rough ending and some agreeable mezza voce. Torna a Surriento is too fast, too unpolished and not a patch on the piano accompaniment-only version that Lanza recorded three years later for the movie Serenade.

Among the other Coke selections is the sublime Memories, and the alternately touching and thrilling I'll Be Seeing You, with a B Flat climax that will knock your socks off. Wanting You is rough and exciting in equal measure - ditto the powerhouse Ah Sweet Mystery of Life with its ridiculously fast tempo.

Two songs from the ill-fated Lanza on Broadway album have been inexplicably included, though it must be said that at least these represent the better moments from this dreadful session. You'll Never Walk Alone contains more sharp singing, uneven rhythm and a certain bleariness, while the Borodin-adapted And This Is My Beloved is alternately belted and seductive. Incidentally, Lanza recorded a superior version of You'll Never Walk Alone for his Coke Shows; this is featured on the CD of the same name.

The real highlights for me are the immortal Serenade from The Student Prince; a thrilling Only a Rose (recorded three months after the Lanza on Broadway session and featuring a completely different voice); the aforementioned My Wild Irish Rose & I'll Be Seeing You and a mature rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria. Fans will also enjoy Arrivederci, Roma, and the ubiquitous Be My Love.

All in all an enjoyable hour, but if only more thought had been put into some of the selections...

The best tenor ever.......2001-03-01

Mario Lanza is indeed my favourite of all tenors either living or not. I must have almost everything he ever recorded. This album has a whopping 24 tracks including 5 previously unreleased recordings, which make this a must for any true fan of Lanza. This album has some of his most romantic songs, mostly from stage and film. You won't find any opera here, which is fine, there's plenty of his other albums that have that. These are songs that are guaranteed to stir your heart and soul while Mario's voice will melt them. This is a must-have and at this price there's no reason not to have it.

The greatest singer of all time!.......2000-06-29

This is one of the greatest compilations of Tenor Mario Lanza, The Voice of the Century, ever made. Mario Lanza had such a broad, well focused voice and he is represented to good measure here on songs like "Wanting You", "Neapolitan Love Song", and "Without a Song". On these selections one hears how the Lanza voice had a largeness, depth, and warmth from the bottom all the way to the very top. One will never hear songs like "O Danny Boy", "My Wild Irish Rose", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Torna Surriento", "O Solo Mio", and "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" sung any better or with more feeling. My favorite on this CD, "And this is my Beloved" from Kismet displays the full Lanza Range. This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest single recordings ever made. Here Mario sings the most melting pianissimo and builds to an exciting, full bodied, heart stopping fortissimo High B flat. What passion! The particular recording of "Only a Rose" on this album has been regrettably absent from the catalogs for quite some time. It is a shame too, because Lanza makes this Vagabond King selection sound free and effortless like only Mario Lanza could. Lanza takes the listener through a guided tour, so speak, of truly the greatest singing the world has ever heard. After hearing the final selection, "You'll Never Walk Alone", there won't be a dry eye in the house. This, along with the "Don't Forget Me" Lanza CD, is one of the greatest single CD collections ever put together of Mario, or anyone else for that matter. Lanza was the greatest singer of all time and this is a must have album. The sooner you own this one, the better.

Average customer rating:

Broadway: America's Music 1935-2005 Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Morton Gould | Gould, Morton | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Letters from Iwo Jima (Two-Disc Special Edition) ASIN: B000B8I93Q Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

1. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'
2. Summertime
3. I Could Write a Book
4. It Never Entered My Mind
5. I Can Cook Too
6. Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please
7. If I Loved You
8. My Heart Belongs to Daddy
9. Thou Swell
10. I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen
11. There's No Business Like Show Business
12. South American Way

Tracks:

1. Shall We Dance
2. Ohio
3. Luck Be a Lady
4. Mack the Knife
5. There's a Small Hotel
6. Once in Love with Amy
7. Yodel Blues
8. Lazy Afternoon
9. There Must Be Somethin' Better Than Love
10. You're Just in Love
11. Now Is the Time

Tracks:

1. Impossible Dream
2. Love Makes the World Go 'Round
3. Try to Remember
4. Put on a Happy Face
5. I Say Hello
6. Happiness
7. She Loves Me
8. What Kind of Fool Am I?
9. Shy
10. Consider Yourself
11. Poor Little Person

Tracks:

1. Magic to Do
2. They're Playing My Song
3. I Don't Know How to Love Him
4. I Won't Send Roses
5. Good Morning Starshine
6. Don't Cry for Me, Argentina
7. Hard Candy Christmas
8. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
9. Won't You Charleston with Me?
10. Applause

Tracks:

1. Phantom of the Opera
2. Memory
3. On My Own
4. Muddy Water
5. How Could I Ever Know
6. American Dream
7. I Know Him So Well
8. Dr. Jazz
9. Me and My Girl
10. Suddenly Seymour

Tracks:

1. Mamma Mia!
2. Popular
3. Seasons of Love
4. Oh, the Thinks You Can Think
5. Whatever Lola Wants
6. Crazy
7. How Deep Is Your Love
8. Stars
9. People Like Us
10. I Go to Rio

Average customer rating: I waited for this for five years Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT! A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now & Forever Various Artists Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Contemporary Musicals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Broadway & Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Gold: The Definitive Hits Collection The Very Best Of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Broadway Collection Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration Andrew Lloyd Webber - Masterpiece (Collector's Edition) (Bonus CD) Sunset Boulevard (1993 Original London Cast) ASIN: B00005R5UJ Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. Jesus Christ Superstar: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
2. Jesus Christ Superstar: Everything's Alright - Yvonne Elliman/Murray Head/Ian Gilllan
3. Jesus Christ Superstar: I Don't Know How To Love Him - Yvonne Elliman
4. Jesus Christ Superstar: Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say) - Steve Balsamo
5. Jesus Christ Superstar: Superstar - Murray Head
6. Evita: Oh What A Circus/Sing You Fools - Antonio Banderas
7. Evita: I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You - Elaine Paige/Joss Ackland
8. Evita: Another Suitcase In Another Hall - Barbara Dickson
9. Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
10. Evita: High Flying, Adored - Mandy Patinkin/Patti LuPone
11. Cats: The Jellicle Ball - Andrew Lloyd Weber
12. Cats: Memory - Elaine Paige
13. Cats: Gus: The Theatre Cat - Susan Jane Tanner/John Mills
14. Cats: Mr Mistoffelees - Paul Nicholas
15. Song And Dance: Take That Look Off Your Face - Marti Webb
16. Song And Dance: Tell Me On A Sunday - Marti Webb
17. Song And Dance: Unexpected Song - Sarah Brightman
18. Song And Dance: Nothing Like You've Ever Known - Sarah Brightman
19. Song And Dance: Introduction - Andrew Lloyd Webber
20. Song And Dance: Variations 1 -4 - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tracks:

1. Starlight Express: Starlight Express - El Debarge
2. Starlight Express: Crazy - Greg Ellis/Reva Rice/Caron Cardelle/Samantha Lane/Voyd
3. Starlight Express: Next Time You Fall In Love - Reva Rice/Greg Ellis
4. Starlight Express: I Am The Starlight - Lon Satton/Ray Shell
5. Starlight Express: Light At The End Of The Tunnel - The Company
6. Requiem: Hosanna - Placido Domingo
7. Requiem: Pie jesu - Sarah Brightman/Paul Miles-Kingston
8. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Phantom Of The Opera - Michael Crawford/Sarah Brightman
9. The Phantom Of The Opera: The Music Of The Night - Michael Crawford
10. The Phantom Of The Opera: All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Steve Barton
11. The Phantom Of The Opera: Entr'acte - Andrew Lloyd Webber
12. The Phantom Of The Opera: Masquerade - The Company
13. The Phantom Of The Opera: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Sarah Brightman
14. Aspects Of Love: Aspects Of Aspects - Orchester Der Vereinigten Buehnen Wien
15. Aspects Of Love: Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
16. Aspects Of Love: Seeing Is Believing - Michael Ball/Ann Crumb
17. Aspects Of Love: The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson/Diana Morrison
18. Aspects Of Love: Anything But Lonely - Sarah Brightman
19. Aspects Of Love: Chanson D'Enfance - Sarah Brightman

Tracks:

1. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do - Jason Donovan
2. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Joseph's Coat - Maria Friedman/Richard Attenborough/Donny Osmond
3. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Close Every Door - Donny Osmond
4. By Jeeves: Travel Hopefully - John Scherer/Martin Jarvis/Don Stephenson
5. By Jeeves: When Love Arrives - Steven Pacey/Diana Morrison
6. By Jeeves: Half A Moment - Sarah Brightman
7. Sunset Boulevard: With One Look - Glenn Close
8. Sunset Boulevard: New Ways To Dream - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
9. Sunset Boulevard: The Perfect Year - Glenn Close/Alan Campbell
10. Sunset Boulevard: Sunser Boulevard - Alan Campbell
11. Sunset Boulevard: As If We Never Said Goodbye - Glenn Close
12. Whistle Down The Wind: Whistle Down The Wind - James Graeme/Lottie Mayor
13. Whistle Down The Wind: Cold - Everly Brothers
14. Whistle Down The Wind: No Matter What - Children/Adult Chorus
15. Whistle Down The Wind: The Nature Of The Beast - Marcus Lovett/Lottie Mayor
16. The Beautiful Game: Overture - Andrew Lloyd Webber
17. The Beautiful Game: The Beautiful Game - The Company
18. The Beautiful Game: Our Kind Of Love - Hannah Waddingham
19. The Beautiful Game: Dont Like You - Josie Walker/David Shannon
20. The Beautiful Game: Let Us Love In Peace - Josie Walker/Omagh Youth Community Choir

Tracks:

1. Oh What A Circus - David Essex
2. Memory - Betty Buckley
3. The Phantom Of The Opera - Sarah Brightman/Steve Harley
4. All I Ask Of You - Sarah Brightman/Cliff Richard
5. Love Changes Everything - Michael Ball
6. Any Dream Will Do - Donny Osmond
7. Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life) - Sarah Brightman/Jose Carreras
8. As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
9. The Perfect Year - Dina Carroll
10. With One Look - Petula Clark
11. You Must Love Me - Madonna
12. The Heart Is Slow To Learn - Kiri Te Kanawa
13. A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste - The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra
14. Whistle Down The Wind - Tina Arena
15. No Matter What - Boyzone
16. The Vaults Of Heaven - Tom Jones
17. Try Not To Be Afraid - Boy George
18. Pie Jesu - Charlotte Church

Tracks:

1. Make Believe Love - Wes Sands
2. Down Thru' Summer - Ross Hannaman
3. I'll Give All My Love To Southend - Ross Hannaman
4. Believe Me I Will - Sacha Distel
5. Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969 Radio Luxembourg Commercial) - Joseph Consortium/Pete Murray
6. Try It And See - Rita Pavone
7. Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You - Time Rice And The Webber Group
8. Goodbye Seattle - Paul Raven
9. John 19:41 - The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra
10. What A Line To Go Out On - Yvonne Elliman
11. Disillusion Me - Gary Band
12. The Ballad Of Robert And Peter - Tim Rice
13. Christmas Dream - Maynard Williams
14. It's Only Your Lover Returning/All Through My Crazy And Wild Days/Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Julie Covington
15. It's Easy For You (1977 Jungle Room Session Version) - Elvis Presley
16. Magdalena - Tony Christie
17. Buenos Aires - The Roja Rockers
18. Pollicle Dogs And Jellicle Cats - Andrew Lloyd Webber
19. Mungojerrie And Rumpleteazer (Live At The Sydmonton Festival 1980) - Gemma Craven
20. I Could Have Given You More - Petula Clark
21. I've Been In Love Too Long - Marti Webb
22. Benedicite - The Stephen Hill Singers

Album Description

Disc 1: Selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and Song and Dance

Disc 2: Selections from Starlight Express, Requiem, Phantom of the Opera, and Aspects of Love

Disc 3: Selections from Joseph nad the Amaziong Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, and The Beautiful Game

CD 4: 1. "Oh What a Circus" --David Essex 2. "Memory" - Betty Buckleey 3. "The Phantom of the Opera" -Sarah Brightman, Steve Harley 4. "All I Ask of You" --Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard 5. "Love Changes Everything"--Michael Ball 6. "Any Dream Will Do"--Donny Osmond 7. "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends for Life)"--Sarah Brightman, Jose Caerras 8. "As if We Never Said Goodbye"--Barbra Streisand 9. "The Perfect Year"--Dina Carroll 10. "With One Look" --Petula Clark 11. "You Must Love Me" 12. "The Heart Is Slow To Learn" --Kiri Te Kanawa 13. "Whistle Down the Wind"--Tina Arena 14. "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing To Waste"--The Metal Philharmonic 15. "No Matter What"--Boyzone 16. "The Vaults of Heaven"--Tom Jones and Sounds of Blackness 17. "Try Not To Be Afraid"--Boy George 18. "Pie Jesu"--Charlotte Church

Disc 5: (All tracks available for the first time) 1. "Make Believe Love"--Wes Sands 2. "Down Thru' Summer"--Ross Hannaman 3. "I'll Give All My Love to Southend"--Ross Hannaman 4. "Believe Me I Will"--Sacha Distel 5. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: 1969 Luxembourg Radio Commercial--The Jospeh Consortium, Pete Murray 6. "Try It and See"--Rita Pavone 7. "Come Back Richard Your Country Needs You"--Tim Rice and the Webber Group 8. "Goodbye Seattle"-- Paul Raven 9. "John 19:41"--The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra 10. "What a Line To Go Out On"--Yvonne Elliman 11. "Disillusion Me" --Gary Bond 12. "The Ballad of Robert and Peter"--Tim Rice 13. "Christmas Dream" --Maynard Williams 14. "It's Only Your Lover Returning/All through My Wild and Crazy Days/Don't Cry for Me Argentina--Julie Covington 15. "It's Easy for You" (1977 Jungle Room Session version)--Elvis Presley 16. "Magdalena"--Tony Christie 17. "Buenos Aires"--The Rioja Rockers 18. "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats"--Andrew Lloyd Webber original demo 19. "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" (Live at Sydmonton Festival 1980)-Gemma Craven 20. "I Could Have Given You More"--Petula Clark 21. "I've Been in Love Too Long"--Marti Webb 22. "Benedicte"-- Stephen Hill Singers

Customer Reviews:

I waited for this for five years.......2006-06-30

Between Amazone, Ebay and Napster, I don't usually buy CDs anymore, and I usually wait till I can buy them cheaper "new and used". When this set came out, I was excited, mainly by Disc 5, but wasn't going to spend $70 on it. I waited till it was cheap enough, and got it for Father's day this year.
It was worth the wait.

The concept is great. The packaging is great. The recording is great. Disc five is really cool for an ALW aficionado. There are a few real gems on it; my favorites are Petula Clark's "I Could Have Given You More" and "Benedicite."
I've always thought "Gus the Theatre Cat" made a great medley on the piano with "Unexpected Song" and "I DOn't Know How to Love Him," but wished there was an alternate lyric to match the other two songs. Now that I know there *is*, and it's a good lyric, it's a dream come true.
The melody of "Benedicite" is one of my favorites from _Sunset_ (the book mis-identifies it as "SUrrender"; it's actually "The Lady's Paying" and "Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering"). The lyrics are the canticle from Daniel 3, which comes up every odd Sunday in the Divine Office, so it's nice to have cool music to sing it with.

I haven't bought _By Jeeves_ or _THe Beautiful Game_ yet, to it was great to sample them.

There are other parts of the CD taht aren't found in my collection. I like CD 4 "The Hits."

But the selections on CDs 1-3 don't make sense.

First, any self-respecting ALW fan has the Original London Cast of _Phantom_, so six tracks are totally useless. Why not draw from the Canadian cast with Colm Wilkinson? Or pull out some obscure recordings never published.

Why two different tracks with Michael Ball singing "Love Changes Everything", yet they're hardly any different?

On Disc 5 is "It's Only Your Lover Returning," sung by Julie Covington. It's an early draft of the song (Lloyd Webber and Rice went through several suggested titles) and quite nice. The very thing one expects on a Boxed Set.
So why have the Julie Covington "Don't Cry for Me" on disc 1?? The only difference is a few words, but it's otherwise identical. Why not Elaine Paige or Patti Lupone or Madonna?

The _Evita_ section is otherwise the best, choosing a sample from each major recording, though I'd have chosen slightly differently (as above).

There is a great selection of "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" from the Sydmonton festival, using the original music that was changed when _Cats_ went to Broadway_. It would have been nice if they'd included more recordings from Sydmonton, like the original lyric of "All I Ask of You" shown on the second DVD to the _Phantom_ movie.

With so many great actress-singers who've played Norma Desmond, why does the collection beat us over the head with Glenn Close?

Paul Miles Kingston must be set for life in royalties, for the number of albums the original recording of "Pie Jesu" has appeared on. "Amigos Para Siempre" is nice, but it reminds me of Shari Lewis's "The Song that Doesn't End," especially when it's been used on so many compilations.

In short, this is a great collection for the obscure material, if you can get it cheap. But for a boxed set, it's a poor sampling, drawn mostly from the most familiar recordings.

Excellent collection but BIG PUBLISHING MISTAKE! .......2006-01-10

Please beware they made a mistake on this. It's actually the shortened Ray Shell version of STARLIGHT EXPRESS from the original 1984 London cast - NOT the El Debarge single from 1987 like it says on the box. I don't know how they let that goof pass. Sorry to Ray Shell. Having said that, this is an outstanding compilation of Lloyd Webber's greatest hits.

ONE OF LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST COMPILATIONS, DESPITE A FEW FLAWS.......2005-03-21

Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging.

Over the years many compilations of his work have emerged. In the late 80-is and early 90-is it was the "Encore" series and lately the one-disc collection called "Gold". The one in question here can be considered one of the best currently on the market. First, it includes a 3-disc selections from all of his shows, minus the latest one, i.e., "The Woman in White", which, considering the triviality of the score, is no great lost. The fourth disc covers some of his most known songs sung by the famous artists. Then, there is the fifth disc with previously unreleased material, most of which are the songs ALW wrote with Tim Rice for various artists during the 70-is. The disks are all neatly packed in a hardcover book that features 67 pages of pictures and text with information about each of ALW's shows. One of the other assets here is the perfect sound quality, since all of the tracks have been digitally remastered.

Here are my basic impressions and comments regarding the material on the discs:

* Disc #1 has the selections from "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Evita", "Cats" and "Song & Dance". The Superstar material mostly comes from the Concept Recording. Although the songs sound beautiful as always, their orchestration is a bit dated now. Only Steve Balsamo's "Gethsemane" from the 1996 revival cast has a modern rock sound. "Evita" comes with the material from all of the major recordings: London, Broadway and the movie productions, as well as the Concept album. No objections here; since this is one of ALW's most satisfying works, every song is just perfect, although Patti LuPone, the Broadway and overall the best Evita, is left with only a couple of lines. With the selections from "Cats", however, I have some doubts. A plus to the choice of the "Jellicle ball" impressive orchestral sequence from the 1998 movie version and "Mister Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast. One of the best known ALW's songs, "Memory", also comes from that album. It's a pretty version and Elaine Paige's rendition cannot be matched, but why include this when the definite version, featuring an 80-piece orchestra and Elaine Paige with much better interpretation, can be found in the same movie version. Thusly, one has to buy Elaine Paige's latest 2-disc compilation "Centre Stage: The very best of Elaine Paige" to get that one. And "Gus the theatre cat" is more a recital than a song, so there was not much point in including that. Marti Webb brings her vocal charm to the "Song & Dance" sequence, Sarah Brightman sings "Unexpected song" with her famous soprano, but as much as I like her version, Bernadette Peters, who was in this show on Broadway is strangely left out here.

* Disc # 2 starts with "Starlight Express". This was never one of my favorite ALW's shows; the plot is even lighter than in "Cats" and the 1984 original cast recording is terribly dated. Yet, here we have one terrific duet, "I am starlight" from the original together with three songs from the later revivals and it seems that fresh orchestrations were just the thing Starlight needed. My favorite remains a touchy ballad, "Next time you fall in love". "Requiem" is the most solemn of all ALW's compositions, written in 1985 to commemorate the death of his father. Placido Domingo's tenor rides together with the chorus all the way through the strong "Hosanna", only to be joined by Sarah Brightman in the final moments of this song. She then gives an echoing deliverance of "Pie Jesu". What can be said of ALW's next show, "The Phantom of the Opera"? A phenomenon in its own right, it's easy to see from the six numbers included here why this is one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time. The cast, the music, the story - everything is perfect. Although "Aspects of love" was never a popular hit, it does have some of the most beautiful love melodies ALW has ever written. "Love changes everything" sung by Michael Ball is probably one of the best tunes ever about love. The rest of the selected material here has a dreamy love flavor and the melodies find their way into your brain in the best Lloyd Webber way.

* ALW's first musical, "Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dreamcoat" was more successful in its revival form than the original from the 70-is. The three songs included here are sung by the show stars, Jason Donovan and Donny Osmond. Maria Friedman was not a lucky choice to play the narrator, as the track from the 1998 movie version shows. "By Jeeves" was ALW's only big flop when it came to the stage in the 70-is. The 1995 revival sounds much better though, full of funny numbers in the best manner of the musical comedy. "Travel hopefully" remains one of the show's highlights on this compilation. "Sunset Boulevard" comes next. "Sunset" remains for me one of Webber's best scores; lush and beautiful. I listen to the original cast recording with Patti LuPone all the time. However, here most of the songs are performed by Glenn Close. A big mistake. If you've ever listened the American premiere recording with her, you'll know what I am talking about. She may have a strong stage presence, but her vocal abilities are too limited, and her aggressive approach to the role lacks any subtlety. Therefore, the two big numbers from this show, "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" are ruined by the fact she can't sing. The same goes for the American Joe Gillis, who was played by Alan Campbell. Luckily, Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, the original Norma and Joe from the London production, make their brief entrance here with the "Perfect year"; enough to show how better they are. The funny thing is, on the jacket and inside of it, Glenn Close and Alan Campbell are credited as performers in this song as well. If this was a mistake on ALW's part, it was a good one. The next ALW's show, "Whistle down the wind" was never a critic's dear and yet the audiences rushed in to see it in London. The score brings back ALW to his rock and roll roots of the seventies and the story is quite interesting. But the selections here are not the happiest, since the cast recording boasts with much better songs. And finally, "The Beautiful Game". Again, we have one of those ALW's shows that is worth in its individual parts rather than as a whole. "Our kind of love" and "Let us love in peace" are two catchy ballads. The latter is a nice amalgam version not available elsewhere. The two other tracks here I could live without.

* Disc # 4 has the songs from all the above shows performed by different artists. The assembled tracks have their pros and cons. For example, we have some previously unreleased stuff, like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's operettic rendition of "The heart is slow to learn", or a stunning and epic "A kiss is a terrible thing to waste" from "Whistle down the wind", performed by The Metal Philharmonic Orchestra. Then again, what was the point in including almost identical tracks as the ones on the previous disks? So we have Michael Ball again singing "Love changes everything" with only a bit different orchestration; Sarah Brightman comes out again with the same Phantom duets, but only with the different male singers. It would be much more appropriate to include tracks from the Toronto Cast of the Phantom, with Colm Wilkinson. Other pop deliverances (Tina Arena's "Whistle down the wind", Barbra Streisand's "As if we never said goodbye", Boyzone's "No matter what" and many more) were wisely chosen. Patti LuPone is again nowhere to be found and Petula Clark's "With one look" sounds too worn-out.

* The last disc is probably the one that will be of most interest to Lloyd Webber aficionados. It consists of entirely previously unreleased material ALW for the most part wrote for various artists during his early years, with Tim Rice. Some of these tunes, not successful as a singles, were later used in his shows. Thus "Down thru' summer" became "Buenos Aires"in Evita, "Try it and see", an unsuccessful attempt for the Eurovision was used for "King Herod's song" in "Superstar" and so on. Some of these songs are nicely made pop songs: "Make believe love", ALW's first recorded composition, for which he provided the lyrics; "Goodbye Seattle", sung by Paul Raven, who later became Gary Glitter; "Come back Richard, your country needs you", from a never made musical, sung here by Tim Rice, or Latin flavored "Magdalena", with Tony Christie singing. My all time favorite here is a song called "It's easy for you", sung by none other than Elvis Presley himself. Lloyd Webber and Rice sent him a demo recording that he accepted and recorded this live version a couple of weeks before he died. It's amazing to hear how his voice remained in the perfect shape. Also, there is a track of Andrew Lloyd Webber singing "Policle dogs and Jellicle cats" while plying the piano. His voice doesn't sound bad at all.


Taken as a whole, this compilation makes a perfect birthday or Christmas present to any fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber shows, or just anybody interested in some of the best tunes from the modern era of the musical theatre; despite the flaws I mentioned above. To the former, it may just be the final addition for the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection.

SUCH MAGICAL MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!.......2003-01-19

"Evita." "Sunset Blvd." "Starlight Express." "Jesus Christ Superstar." "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." "Requiem." "Aspects of Love." The man who is the most recognized composer in the history of the musical theatre, the man who has won more Tonys than any other composer, the man who boasts the best-selling show of all time ("The Phantom of the
Opera") and the longest-running show of all time ("Cats"), the man whose homes are filled with three Grammys, five Oliviers, a Golden Globe, and Oscar and too many other honors and hosannas to mention, the man knighted in 1992 certainly doesn't need an introduction. Now Decca Broadway pays tribute to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with "Now and Forever," a spectacular 5-CD set compiled and produced by Sir Andy himself. It's cheaper than a
ticket to "The Producers" ... and more much exciting. This treasure trove contains highlights from all of Webber's shows, and a bonus disc of tunes sung by Betty Buckley, Barbara
Streisand, Jose Carreras, Boy George, Charlotte Church, Madonna, Tom Jones, Petula Clark, even Elvis! A must for lovers of theatre---and good music.

A Must Have for Sir Andrew fans.......2002-05-21

This five-CD collection of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career is fantastic. It leaves virtually no stone unturned. I have no doubt that diehard Webber fans will love this, especially for the 5th disc entitled "From the Vaults." This disc alone is worth the price as it contains tunes never before heard by the typical fan. Who knew Elvis did a Lloyd Webber tune?!? I didn't! Also the tune "Benedictine" which the composer wrote for his most recent marriage is not only pretty, but it has the same medley as "The Lady's Paying" from "Sunset Blvd." which I found highly enjoyable. Another great track is the composer himself singing a cut song from "Cats" entitled "Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats" which has the same tune as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats," but to hear Sir Andrew sing is a blast...he sounds a lot like Al "Year of the Cat" Stewart.
The cuts from the musicals are great but are likely owned by ALW fans as they are on the original cast albums. And I'm glad that there were tunes included from the composers most recent efforts which have yet to make it beyond London (Whistle Down the Wind, Beautiful Game).
My only complaint is the inclusion of way too many tracks by Sarah Brightman. She must've received a great divorce settlement that included having tunes on any ALW collection until the end of time!! Her interpretations of some of the tunes were limp and uninspired. I would've much rather heard casts from around the world rather than yet another song by this disdainful soprano! How about Colm Wilkinson's version of "Music of the Night" from the original Canadian cast of "Phantom"? Or Michael Crawford's version of "Unexpected Song"? What? No Betty Buckley from "Sunset Blvd."? And of course there are songs you KNOW are going to be on the collection before you even listen to it as they have been on EVERY ALW collection for the past decade or so.
A great collection but too much Sarah Brightman!

Rock Music:

1. World 2004
2. Woyaya
3. Yiddish-American Klezmer Music 1925-1956
4. Zion Roots
5. Zu & Co (Italian Version) [Import]
6. A Tábua de Esmeralda [Import]
7. Acoustic Soul
8. Alexei and the Spring
9. All The Best From France: 40 French Favorites [2-CD SET]
10. Ancora Tu: Greatest Hits [Import]

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

Memory Analysis [Import]

Verdi: Simon Boccanegra - New Zealand Festival 2000 Production

Unleashed

Idletime

Titanic (Dts) [Soundtrack]

Tutto Disney [Import]

What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid

We Break our Own Hearts

The Rough Guide to West African Music

Urban Classical: The Music of Ed Bland

Valentine Wheels

Testarda Io [Import]

This Time It's Personal

Mathias: Dance Overture, Op. 16; Divertimento/Op.25/Sinfonietta, Op.34; Laudi, Op. 62; Vistas, Op. 69

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