Crescent Moon

Amazon.com
Middle Eastern multi-instrumentalist Omar Tekbilek gets solo billing for Crescent Moon even though it is produced by longtime collaborator and keyboardist Brian Keane. Keane also contributes as a musician, along with fellow synthesizer player Steve Roach and several other more-acoustic performers, but the overall sound is close to Tekbilek's roots and traditions. With a couple of exceptions (notably "Salute to the Sun," a heartfelt ambient piece with some vocals from Tekbilek), the 10 cuts are upbeat acoustic exercises using percussion and string and woodwind instruments in traditional settings, with just the slightest hint of electronic washes in the production. Not that the music needs any bolstering; it is sonic enough in its own right. With Crescent Moon, the ancient symbol of the Ottoman Empire and Islam, Tekbilek builds on his reputation as a master musician of great integrity who is interpreting ancient music for today's audience. The liner notes could be a little more informative about the musicians and the recording. --Derek Rath

Tracks:

Crescent Moon
First Recollection
Ring On The Sill
Anniversary Song
White Sail
Seven Years
Pale Sun
The Post
Cold Tea Blues
Hard To Explain
Hunted
Floorboard Blues

Amazon.com

The Cowboy Junkies' Michael Timmins is a most literary songwriter. On the Toronto quartet's Pale Sun Crescent Moon, Timmins imbeds lines from William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom into the song "First Recollection" and a line from Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "The General in His Labyrinth" in the song "Seven Years" without it seeming the least bit awkward. He has found the perfect literary voice for his writing in his sister Margo Timmins, whose alto is all smoke and suggestion. Songs are not poems, however, and never was that distinction more obvious than it is here. The album's so-called songs float in atmospheric harmonies, unshaped by melody or meter. This droning music may seem haunting on first encounter, but by the third song the melodic monotony encourages dozing. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Subtle Charms.......2006-12-21

Another fine album from the Cowboy Junkies. "Pale Sun" is more brooding moody music created by Michael Timmins and sung by his sister Margo. Highlights include "Anniversary Song", "Crescent Moon", and the haunting "Floorboard Blues". I really find it hard to describe just exactly what this band does, but they do it so well it tends to seep into your being.

i think once you hear this album "your mind will change and your heart will lose it's pain".......2006-06-24

after 16 years this is still one of my favorite albums of all time. Margo's voice gets in your heart and you can feel her emotions as she sings. if you buy any albums by the cowboy junkies this should be the one.

Bill says.......2006-03-15

When she asks me what it is I am playing, I know the stuff is good. When she asks me to leave the music for her to play, I know the stuff is excellent. On this one she followed me and grabbed it. Five stars. You'll only need to play it once and you'll see.

It'll cut right through you.........2004-07-18

I'm generally indifferent to the Cowboy Junkies, but on this CD Margo Timmins' vocals reach right into your being. The tunes are outstanding and there are some nice rockers (for this band).

For those who like incandescent vocals, this CD ranks right up there with albums like Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece.

Other than Trinity Sessions, which is in a world of its own, I haven't been too impressed with the other CD's by this band, but in this effort Margo and the boys found something that reaches deep and will stay with you.

4.5.

My stars go to "anniversary song".......2004-02-11

I bought this c.d. probably 10 years ago for the 'anniversary song'. It is the best thing going for this tedious disc.
I like women in rock with harmonious and soothing voices, and the singer here definitely falls into the category. However, I found this album very boring, but her voice is excellent. Most of the songs sound alike with the exception of it's most commercial recording of the anniversary song.
I don't know their catalog of music but I hope that the rest of their records aren't as bland as this one. Just my thoughts..I seem to have the lowest star review here so other people seem to appreciate their haunting lyrics hopefully over their non melodies.

Average customer rating:

Turkish delight!
A MUST BUY For lovers of Turkish and Meditteranian music
enticing and playful
Tekbilek captures your soul
Faruk RULES!

Crescent Moon
Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Turkey | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

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Mystical Garden
3
Fire Dance
Suleyman The Magnificent: Original Soundtrack
Alif: Love Supreme

ASIN: B00000DHIU
Release Date: 1998-11-24

Tracks:

Crescent Moon
Yalel
Salute To The Sun
Tamzara
Baglama Delight
Hijaz Raks
Last Moments Of Love
Adanali
Azeri
Yunus

Amazon.com

Middle Eastern multi-instrumentalist Omar Tekbilek gets solo billing for Crescent Moon even though it is produced by longtime collaborator and keyboardist Brian Keane. Keane also contributes as a musician, along with fellow synthesizer player Steve Roach and several other more-acoustic performers, but the overall sound is close to Tekbilek's roots and traditions. With a couple of exceptions (notably "Salute to the Sun," a heartfelt ambient piece with some vocals from Tekbilek), the 10 cuts are upbeat acoustic exercises using percussion and string and woodwind instruments in traditional settings, with just the slightest hint of electronic washes in the production. Not that the music needs any bolstering; it is sonic enough in its own right. With Crescent Moon, the ancient symbol of the Ottoman Empire and Islam, Tekbilek builds on his reputation as a master musician of great integrity who is interpreting ancient music for today's audience. The liner notes could be a little more informative about the musicians and the recording. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

Turkish delight!.......2007-02-13

You can't go wrong choosing any of Omar Faruk Tekbilek's albums! "Crescent Moon" is a beautiful collection of Turkish melodies and exotic rhythms; guaranteed to thrill lovers of Middle Eastern music.

A MUST BUY For lovers of Turkish and Meditteranian music.......2006-03-21

I love it. Especially that last track - it just takes me away from this world and lifts me up somewhere up there in the heavens...

enticing and playful.......2004-03-21

Omar Faruk Tekbilek's "Crescent Moon" is a great CD. The first time I heard it, I was taking a Belly Dancing series. We began to work on veil, and the instructor put on this CD. It took me right into a trance-like state. I was no longer in a room with other people. I was in the marketplace, and in India. I was entirely moved by the sensuality of the music, and also the playfulness of some of the faster tracks. I would definetly recommend this CD, particularly for veil work. Enjoy!

Tekbilek captures your soul.......2001-01-28

Crescent Moon is a masterpiece. Omar Faruk Tekbilek will touch your soul. I usually reserve praise of this magnitude, but there are few albums in the world as beautiful as this.

Faruk RULES!.......2000-07-18

....if I may be so cliche! He just gets better, and this CD is for ANY collection of ethnic music. Frame drum,doumbek and nay; just to name a few of the instruments played (superbly).....Don't like the nay? This will even please sensitive, western ears. Dancers will find that unusually sensual and 'something special' to dance to. This CD will hold any fan of Mr. Tekbilek until the next one comes!

Average customer rating:

The Age of the Info-Critic
Heavenly Violin, Lovely Performance!
Outstanding
It's been established she can play the Tchaikovsky.....
She can play in tempo.

Violin for Anne Rice

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Interview With The Vampire: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Leila Josefowicz: Solo
Bohemian Rhapsodies
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1; Violin Sonata
Leila Josefowicz Plays Beethoven, Ravel, Salonen, Grey, Messiaen

ASIN: B0000041O3
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

Moon Over Bourbon Street
Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso, Op.28
Thais: Meditation
Carmen Fantasy, Op.25
Sonata In E Minor, Op. 27, No. 4: Sarabande
Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: Allegro Moderato
Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: Canzonetta - Andante
Violin Concerto In D, Op. 35: Finale - Allegro vivacissimo
Crescent Moon (Leila's Dance)

Amazon.com

As if practicing one's fingertips to the bone isn't punishment enough, some young violinists in today's glutted market are now having to put in long hours each day blow-drying their hair; Leila Josefowicz displays several dos in the book that comes with this CD. The performances, mostly of showpieces by Ysaye, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, and the like, are clean but shallow (not that these pieces are terribly deep to begin with). The first and last cuts are pop tunes: Sting's "Moon Over Bourbon Street" and Robert Sadin's "Crescent Moon"--music sure to soon be piped into an underwear store near you. Anne Rice was evidently preoccupied with Josefowicz during the writing of her novel Violin and the two became friends, hence the title of the disc. -- Jennifer Loflin

Customer Reviews:

The Age of the Info-Critic.......2006-02-25

Most critics are a self-doubting bunch and some review books, CDs or restaurants without benefit of first-hand experience. Or, as is the case here, they introduce unrelated material in order to bolster their pre-set opinion. This is a stunning CD, deeply romantic and satisfying. Yes, it is parochial and one whose origins are the stuff of fiction but does that invalidate the virtuosity and lushness? I enjoyed the music immensely even though I stopped reading the Vampire series after the second book. At times the music soars and I too have thought of "old" New Orleans many times while listening to this recording. Rush out and buy it now!

Heavenly Violin, Lovely Performance!.......2005-06-30

The world is full of self appointed, self glorifying CRITICS in all fields of human endeavour. They sit in their imaginary lofty perches to look down on and lash out at those under their scrutiny with disdain, contempt, insults and envy even. Maybe they do so to `paint' a certain veneer of credibility, profundity and `gravitas' over their opinions. Or maybe because critics are more often than not, LESS talented, gifted, well-known, well-liked and well-endowed physically than those they criticised. Instead of providing useful information, constructive criticisms, enlightening perspectives or deep insights into musical performances and recordings, we get brief, superficial, meaningless comments on what is but personal and normal i.e. hairdos. The great works by Tchaikovsky and other renowned composers, works that are beloved by many and have been similarly performed by famous violinists like Anne Sophie Mutter, David Oistrakh, etc, have been simply and derisively brushed aside as "not terribly deep". I wonder who really is superficial!

Anyway, I see no book nor am I interested in what's in it. I am interested however in Ms Josefowicz CDs, which I came across whilst browsing for more performances of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto which is one of my favourites. I was attracted enough to want to buy but was apprehensive because I was not familiar with the musician and could not audition the CD where it was available. After doing a bit of research on the Internet, I took the risk to buy this CD. I understand that the violin used by Ms Josefowicz was a Guarneri and I have never heard one before (all recordings I owned are Stradivarus - I think!?). So I felt I MUST listen to this! I was not disappointed and was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the performance instead. As a `nit picking' audiophile, I find the recording quality excellent. The performances were relaxed but nonetheless, lively and emotionally engaging. The sound of the violin was heavenly - tonally rich and full. Ms Josefowicz performances may not be at the level of the "old masters" or the "famously great" - but this does not make them any less musically satisfying and enjoyable to ordinary music lovers like me. The CD now takes its place of pride among my other revered older recordings, to provide a different, fresh and interesting take on a great piece of musical work. I personally feel that Ms Josefowicz has it in her to be among the first and best, if she ignore ignorant critics and if she focus on the classical music repertoire, avoiding the modern cross-over type of music like those two out-of-place pieces found here on this CD. Leave these to violinists like Vanessa May!

So to all my fellow music lovers, do give this a try; you may find yourself falling in love with it like I did...

Outstanding.......2004-07-12

This is the first Classical collection I have ever bought and I will not lie. I bought it because it had something to do with Anne Rice. But when I started to listen to it, I was blown away. Leila has amazing talent and she is just so good. Brava.

It's been established she can play the Tchaikovsky............2000-06-18

Don't get me wrong when I say that, she is very talented, but she all ready made a recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. There were a few new things on this CD which she was great at, but those two other tracks, one at the beginning, one at the end, were very annoying. They aren't classical! If she wants to do stuff with jazz, then she should make an individual CD for it. Overall, she displayed her talent, but most of that CD was a waste for me.

She can play in tempo........1999-06-04

Just the other day heard a piece by Sarasate performed by Ms. Josefowicz.She DID play it in tempo, throughout. ("Tempo is the most important part of music", Mozart--quoted from memory, possibly inexactly.) Now, whether it be Mozart, or Sarasate or other lesser ones, if not played in tempo they would better be left alone. That remark applies to the bulk of what is nowadays produced in the classical field, Ms. Josefowicz being one of the FEW noble exceptions.The review by a professional (?) critic as printed above is just fiddlesticks--I mean, it is a bunch of baloney and misses the point completely. Though I have not heard the whole album, I think it presumably correct to expect that if Ms.Josefowicz could play one thing in tempo, she would be able to play other things in tempo too. And, again, anything played otherwise should not have been played at all. Karajan has uttered some pointed remarks on the subject just as well. Ms. Josefowicz does fulfill the very first requirement there is of music. She is one of the rarities.I am shocked and offended (alas, not the first time) by a critic sicked on an innocent and excellent artist. Thanks to the Internet though, the era of the Crrrtc Almighty may be nearing its end, and I sincerely hope for just that.That the cited reviewer might simply be ugly-looking is the most likely explanation after all. Oh, well, maybe it is just one of those deep-in-thought cases.

Average customer rating:

So New Orleans...

Crescent City Moon
Jumpin' Johnny Sansone
Manufacturer: Bullseye Blues
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music

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Watermelon Patch

ASIN: B0000004CF
Release Date: 1997-03-11

Tracks:

Give Me a Dollar
Anything Anytime
Your Kind of Love
Popeyes and a Hubigs, Part II
Sweet Baby
Crawfish Walk
Destination Unknown
Crescent City Moon
Uncle Joe
Just Say Yes
The Talkin' Is Over (The Walkin' Has Begun)
Please Please Me

Amazon.com

Jumpin' Johnny Sansone released Crescent City Moon on his own Shortstack label in 1996, but it inspired such a positive buzz on the blues circuit that Rounder's Bullseye Blues label decided to pick it up and give it the national distribution it deserves. Like the better known John Mooney, Sansone takes the Mississippi-Chicago tradition of the blues and infuses it with New Orleans second-line rhythms that transform the genre completely. Sansone plays harmonica and accordion and sings in a gruff, authoritative baritone, but everything he does is locked into the syncopated beats that get the party going in his native Louisiana. The album features guest appearances by such local stars as slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, pianist Jon Cleary, and the Iguanas, but Sansone dominates the proceedings. He wrote 11 of the dozen tunes and he produced them all. He pays tribute to fellow Louisianan Slim Harpo with the fat harmonica tone and swamp-boogie beat of "Crawfish Walk." Fats Domino meets Buckwheat Zydeco when Sansone's squeezebox and the Iguanas' horns hook up on the well-greased New Orleans R&B of "Your Kind of Love." The push-and-pull, Professor Longhair shuffle of "Give Me a Dollar" perfectly evokes the hustlers who tapdance for dollars in New Orleans' Jackson Square. For all his Gulf Coast influences, however, Sansone can still turn in a good impersonation of Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter as he does on "The Talkin' Is Over (The Walkin' Has Begun)." --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

So New Orleans..........2004-11-06

This album is so New Orleans. I saw this guy last year at Marguaritaville and had a great time. In addition to vocals, Sansone plays accordion and a mean harp. Special guests include Sonny Landreth, Jon Cleary and my cousin, Joe Cabral.

Average customer rating:

dangerously addictive

Songs of Desire

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Customer Reviews:

dangerously addictive.......2007-06-26

This CD contains an excellent selection of songs from the Russian 5. I was atrracted immediately by the Borodin songs which open this CD, and was suprise to find that the quality of the songs are just as good for the less well known Balakirev and Cui. And maybe because of their lack of formal music training, they tend to excel in this short genre. Borodina does justice to all the songs. Her voice is dark and seductive and her interpretation tends to understate (when comparing to Gorchakova), which is perfectly fine. Once I know the songs, I find myself hard to stop listening to them, it seems like each repeated listening reveals something new.

Average customer rating:

very enjoyable
The showcase for the Spinto soprano
Flawed but beautiful

Memories of Love: Russian Romances

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Vzoshel na nebo mesyats yasy
Ispanskaya pesnya
Zhavoronok
Ya pomnyu chudnoye mgnovene
Bolero
Ty skoro menya pozabudesh
Kolybelnaya, Op. 16 No. 1
To bylo ranneyu vesnoy, Op 38 No. 2
Zabyt tak skoro
On tak menya lyubil
Ya vso eshcho evo lyublyu
Yunosha i deva
Mne grustno
Chesnadtsat let
Chto mne do pesen
Plenivshis rozoy solovey, Op. 2 No. 2
Ployubila ya na pechal svoyu
Son, Op. 8 No. 5
Siren, Op. 21 No. 5
Molitva, Op.8 No. 6
Ne ver mne, drug !, Op. 14 No. 7

Customer Reviews:

very enjoyable.......2001-07-19

At first, I'd like to correct error. The pianist, Larisa Gergieva is NOT Varely Gergiev's WIFE! She is his sister. (Elder one, I think.)

About this disc, I enjoyed this recital. Gorchakova is one of my favorite soprano. Her voice is suited well to these Russian songs. It's interesting for me to her Russian songs. If you want to hear more Russian songs, try "Songs of Desire" by Olga Bolodina from Philips.

The showcase for the Spinto soprano.......2000-04-25

Galina Gorchakova, Kirov's leading lady, is a true spinto soprano, not the more common forced lyric one. Her sound is unique and quite unusual, almost "mezzo-ish" at certain times, but with surprisingly easy resonant top. I could not help being reminded of another great Russian Galina - Vishnevskaya, the Bolshoi prima donna of 60s and 70s up to her departure from Communist regime with her husband Mstislav Rostropovich. Since then, there was an unsettling vacuum in the realm of sopranos capable of singing Russian and Italian repertoire. Luckily, Gorchakova seems ready and able to take on most of Vishnevskaya's signature roles, including Katerina of Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk." Her clarity of diction and musical intelligence are a pleasure to hear particularly on the Programme presented here because the romances (a leader-like Russian art songs) are written to some of the most beautiful Russian poetic texts.

I feel it is important to note that neither the singing nor accompaniment here is flawed at all, as the reviewer below found. Furthermore, there is no tendency to "go flat". The only thing that came as a surprise to me was inclusion of several numbers written originally for a baritone or even a bass, such as "It Was in Early Spring" or "I Remember the Wonderful Moment." However, they were executed so brilliantly, it made me forget about the specifics and just enjoy Gorchakova's beautiful voice and expressiveness.

Most of you probably got a chance to see the MET's magnificent production of Tchaikovsky's "Pique Dame" with Gorchakova, Domingo, Borodina and Hvorostovsky in leading roles. Aside from Lisa, Gorchakova is also an incredible interpreter of highly demanding role of Elisabetta from Verdi's "Don Carlo" and Leonora from his "La Forza del Destino." I can't wait to hear her "Aida." Amazingly she does not struggle with dramatic Verdian repertoire, even though it lays relatively high for such a voice. And its power allows her to cut through heavy orchestration with ease, preserving flowing, and seemingly endless vocal line with no audible breathing. Philips generously provided us with several phenomenal Russian complete opera recordings featuring Gorchakova's talents: check out "Prince Igor," "The Maid of Pskov," "Iolanta," and "The Fiery Angel," the latter one being a rare jewel and destined to become one of the greatest recorded achievements of all time. Ms. Gorchakova is also a very good actress with a beautiful stage presence and somewhat reserved but passionate delivery. Hearing this CD is essential for Russian romance fans as well as for those who want to hear a true spinto soprano at its full glory, accompanied only by a subtle gentle piano of Larissa Gergieva. I was particularly impressed with a booklet that finally has Cyrillic texts instead of despicable way of spelling Russian words with English letters. There are also good English translations by Philip Taylor that stay true to the texts but also convey their romantic feel. If I could, I would have given this disc ten stars!

Flawed but beautiful.......2000-03-16

This album of wonderful Russian romances and art songs is marred only slightly by Galina Gorchakova's tendency to go flat. Still, her unbelievably beautiful soprano voice and emotional connection with these pieces more than makes up for this. Gorchakova has never become quite as well known as her compatriots Olga Borodina and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and hasn't recorded as much as they have either. This is a shame; I would love to hear her in some of the Italian verismo repertoire. Her rich spinto sound would serve her well, and I believe that she is known for such interpretations as Butterfly, Liu, and Tosca. I would also like to her her Lisa on recording (from Pique Dame).

Anyway, this album is truly beautiful. Larissa Gergieva, the pianist, is the sister of Valery Gergiev, the director of the Kirov Opera in St. Petersburg. I think possibly some nepotism is happening here, as she is not an ideal accompanist. Still, she supports Gorchakova well, and doesn't detract from the beauty of these pieces.

Crescent Moon
Average customer rating:
Crescent Moon
James McMillan
Manufacturer: Savoy Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001CVC
Release Date: 1996-01-23