fly away [Import]

Product Description
upbeat, rumba,

fly away,Alex Fox,Shaibari

Average customer rating: Wow. Love this CD Could it get any better? Moulin rouge tried to fill up the GAP ahahahahaha

Moulin Rouge 2 Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge! (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) Chicago William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music From The Motion Picture, Volume 2 (1996 Version) William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music From The Motion Picture (1996 Version) [Enhanced CD] ASIN: B00005YW4Z Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

1. Your Song
2. Sparkling Diamonds [Original Film Version]
3. One Day I'll Fly Away
4. The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular) [Original Film Version]
5. Come What May [Original Film Version]
6. Like a Virgin [Original Film Version]
7. Meet Me in the Red Room [Original Film Version]
8. Your Song
9. The Show Must Go On [Original Film Version]
10. Ascension/Nature Boy (From the Death and...)
11. Bolero (Closing Credits) [Original Film Version]

Amazon.com

There are but two kinds of people in the world: Those captivated by Baz Luhrmann's heady, postmodernist musical romp Moulin Rouge--and everybody else. Oddly, the film's initial soundtrack release may have been the project's most traditional element, marketing a slate of pop-star contributions that gave listeners a sometimes-skewed perspective on its true musical charms. This follow-up corrects much of that oversight, offering original film versions of "Sparkling Diamonds" (the lavish, Nicole Kidman-performed medley of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "Material Girl"), Jim Broadbent's and Richard Roxburgh's loopy take on "Like a Virgin," as well as the lively Offenbach "Can Can" parody "The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)." It also pays homage to the efforts of composer Craig Armstrong, whose quietly compelling underscore often binds the film's other far-flung musical influences together, be they stately orchestral readings of Elton John's "Your Song," a dramatic arrangement for Kidman and Ewan MacGregor's original film duet of "Come What May," or his dark, melodramatic take on Queen's "The Show Must Go On." The first Moulin Rouge soundtrack collection flaunted the film's bold, cross-genre ambitions; this one chronicles its nakedly emotional heart and soul. --Jerry McCulley

Album Details

Volume Two Includes the Memorable Renditions of 'like a Virgin' and 'your Song' and 'the Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular).' It also features a Mix of the Nicole Kidman Song 'one Day I'll Fly Away.'

Customer Reviews:

Wow........2007-01-15

I must say...I was very glad when they released Part Two of the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Don't get me wrong...the first part was great and all, but it was nothing spectacular. I was specifically looking for certain songs from the movie, and I was completely disappointed when they were on there. The release of a second soundtrack was, in my opinion, an absolute necessecity.

The highlights of the album are:

-Your Song (Instrumental)
-Sparkling Diamonds (original film version)
-Come What May (original film version)
-The Show Must Go On (original film version)

In my opinion, "The Show Must Go On" is the best song on this album...it was just so perfect for the ending of the movie, and I fell in love with the song. I was so disappointed that it wasn't on the first soundtrack. This song is part of what makes the second soundtrack so amazing...the song is fierce!!

If you love the movie and are a fan of the first soundtrack, then definitely, get this one. Many of the songs are versions taken straight from the movie - I recommend this with 4.5 stars...you will NOT be disappointed!

Love this CD.......2006-07-04

I love everything about this movie. The music is amazing and the instrumental songs on this CD are perfect. The first CD seemed to be more for a bunch of teenyboppers that wanted to hear the worst song on the whole CD (Lady Marmalade). If only they could combine the good songs from the first CD into this one.

I gave this 5 stars even though it's about a 4.5 because they split the soundtrack over two seperate cds.

Could it get any better?.......2006-03-02

So i thought that the first instalment in these soundtracks was great (and it was) but the purchase of this sequel is a must if you want the full effect. With the original film versions of these songs, sung by the stars of the movie, you get the real feel that was the magnifisence of Moulin Rouge! Ewan McGregor is still by far the star, with his talent spilling over the dramatic lovesong 'Come What May' and 'Your Song', but Nicole's brilliant performance as Satine definatly takes front and center in 'One Day I'll Fly Away' and the film version of 'Sparkling Diamonds'...I have noticed that many complain about how the first soundtrack did not include the film version of this song...well you need this CD then...you will not be dissapointed. Other highlights include 'Like a Virgin' which is downright histarical, and the dark cover of 'the show must go on' which highlights the tragidy behind this tightly woven tale. THis is one must have soundtrack for your ever growing collection. A perfect companion to soundtrack number 1!

Moulin rouge tried to fill up the GAP.......2006-02-12

This contains many great tracks missing from the original soundtrack, including Like A Virgin, Spectacular Spectacular and The Show Must Go On. I thought the inclusion of two instrumental versions of Your Song might be a bit redundant, but upon listening to them I really enjoyed them and they are quite different from one another. OK, it's not the best soundtrack that could have been put out. But it's pretty darn close. One thing that many DEDICATED fans of the movie (including myself) said is that the original movie soundtrack lacked the actual original movie score. There are 10+ songs in "Moulin Rouge" and many didn't make the final cut.

Baz did the smart thing, taking the audiences favorite music, a few gems from the first soundtrack such as "Come What May" and "Sparkling Diamonds" as well as a few new songs, like "Like a Virgin", "The Show Must Go On" and "The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular)" and releasing the Original Film versions, allowing for the amazing vocal performances of the actors, including the fabulous Jim Broadbent, to be shine through. Also, released is background music "Meet Me in the Red Room", played during Christian's arrival in the elephant, marking the only non-actor/orchestral piece within the context of the CD.

One thing that this soundtrack included that I didn't expect was several orchestral pieces that were mostly used as background music throughout the film. "Your Song - Instrumental" (#1) has personally become a favorite and is constantly being repeated in the CD player. Also included is the ending credits music "Bolero" and the final piece ... known as "Ascension/Nature Boy". Also included is a remix of "One Day I'll Fly Away", and like all MR remixes, is a little tough to listen to at first but after repeat listening, it becomes music to your ears.

To all you MR diehards out there: this is a must. Not like I could stop you anyways. To others who haven't been introduced to the spectacular (spectacular) world of Moulin Rouge, this is a great introductory piece, especially side-by-side with the first soundtrack.

ahahahahaha.......2006-02-01

Everything the other customers are saying is true: more music from the film, thankyouverymuch, not irritating pop conceits like the first. However, I would not have reviewed this album unless I found it absolutely necesary to point out that, in the climactic moments of track 5 "Come What May," Ewan MacGregor's voice is for some reason missing and replaced by a bizarre, operatic man's voice. It truly had me crying with laughter the first few times I heard it, and I wanted to share this wondrous discovery with the world.

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

Varese Sarabande 25th Anniversary Celebration Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Elfman, Danny | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Kamen | Kamen, Michael | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Waxman | Waxman, Franz | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Star Wars | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Paramount 90th Anniversary Collection: Scores In Session: Film Music Celebration The Essential Elmer Bernstein Film Music Collection Jerry Goldsmith: 40 Years of Film Music The Incredible Film Music Box ASIN: B00008WI90 Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. To Die For (Danny Elfman)
2. The Player (Thomas Newman)
3. Black Robe (Georges Delerue)
4. Medicine Man (Jerry Goldsmith)
5. 2001 (Alex North)
6. Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire (Joel McNeely)
7. The Crow (Graeme Revell)
8. Blade (Mark Isham)
9. The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith)
10. Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann)
11. Scream (Marco Beltrami)
12. The Sixth Sense (James Newton Howard)
13. Xena: Warrior Princess (Joseph LoDuca)
14. Air Force One (Jerry Goldsmith)
15. Starship Troopers (Basil Poledouris)
16. The Matrix (Don Davis)
17. The Iron Giant (Michael Kamen)
18. Youve Got Mail (George Fenton)
19. A Little Romance (Georges Delerue)
20. Pleasantville (Randy Newman)

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating: Mad about Baroque The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes Brilliant Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames). Brilliant Purcell Disc

Essential Purcell Henry Purcell , New College Choir Oxford , King's Consort , Robert King , Roy Goodman , Charles Daniels , John Mark Ainsley , James Bowman , Peter Buckoke , Jane Coe , Rogers Covey-Crump , Gillian Fisher , Michael George , Miles Golding , Jane Norman , Barbara Bonney , Mark Caudle , William Carter , King's Consort Choir , Helen Gough , Paul Nicholson , Angela East , Barry Guy , Tessa Bonner , Jerome Finnis , Rupert Bawden , Lucy Howard , Richard Campbell , Susan Addison , James O'Donnell , and Stephen Saunders Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bonney, Barbara | Divas | Opera & Vocal | 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 CDs $7 - $10 | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bonney, Barbara | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort Purcell: The Fairy Queen Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx Purcell: Full Anthems & Organ Music ASIN: B000002ZDU Release Date: 1995-04-10

Tracks:

1. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 5: Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn. Symphony And Opening Chorus
2. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol. 3: Be Welcome Then, Great Sir
3. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: Oh, Fair Cedaria
4. The Choir Of The King's Consort: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
5. Great Baroque Arias: When I Am Laid In Earth ('Dido's Lament')
6. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.1: Let Mine Eyes Run Down With Tears (Part 1)
7. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.4: The Sparrow And The Gentle Dove
8. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.1: If Music Be The Food Of Love (First Setting)
9. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.5: Rejoice In The Lord Always ('The Bell Anthem')
10. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Hosanna To The Highest
11. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.7: Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts
12. Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures: Fairest Isle, All Isles Excelling
13. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.6: Mark, How Readily Each Pliant String
14. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: Sound The Trumpet
15. Complete Secular Solo Songs Vol.3: She Loves And She Confesses Too
16. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.8: O How Blest Is The Isle
17. Complete Anthems And Services Vol.3: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences
18. Complete Anthems And Services Vol. 11: An Evening Hymn
19. Complete Church Music Vol.2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day
20. Complete Odes And Welcome Songs Vol.2: With Rapture Of Delight... Hail Bright Cecilia

Amazon.com essential recording

The "Essential" Purcell? Well, you could get a bunch of critics to argue about that for a few days, but in the meantime, here is a sampler of highlights from the King's Consort's three admirable Purcell series: the Complete Odes and Welcome Songs, Complete Anthems and Services, and Complete Secular Solo Songs. There are, of course, some of Purcell's most-performed pieces (which probably are "essential"): Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, "Sound the trumpet" from Come, ye sons of Art, Rejoice in the Lord alway (the "Bell Anthem," named for the string figure at the opening that sounds like pealing bells), the gently patriotic "Fairest isle, all isles excelling" (sung by a miscast James Bowman), and a selection from the funeral music for Queen Mary. There are also some delightful surprises--particularly among the little-known secular songs and church music. The plaintive "O fair Cedaria" gets a lovely performance by Barbara Bonney (a singer not usually associated with Purcell); tenor Rogers Covey-Crump (possibly the ideal high tenor for Purcell) sings the enchanting "If music be the food of love"; the church anthems "Let mine eyes run down with tears" and "Remember not, O Lord, our offences" have some startling harmonies as daring as any Monteverdi ever wrote. If you're unfamiliar with Purcell, this reasonably priced disc is a good place to start exploring without a big initial investment. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Mad about Baroque.......2007-02-12

This is a terrific CD. The music is breathtaking. Just buy IT !!!!!

The beauty of the songs brings tears to my eyes.......2002-08-21

Absolutely beautiful baroque music! The arrangament, singing and instrumentation is superb. It is too bad that Henry Purcell is not as widely known as Bach, because he should be recognized equally well."The Sparrow and the Gentle dove" is alone worth the price of the album! I can not stop playing it!

Brilliant.......2001-10-31

Like in his renditions of Handel's oratorios, Robert King manages to bring a freshness and strenght to Purcell's music that I had seldom heard before. This CD also features some of the best performers of early music in the world. My favourite tracks are Oh, Fair Cedaria, sung by the multi-talented Barbara Bonney; Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher; She Loves and she Confesses too, sung by the wonderful Susan Gritton; and Welcome, Welcome Glorious Morn, sung by Rogers Covey-Crump. The only track I didn't find absolutely wonderful is Fairest Isle, sung here by James Bowman. Don't get me wrong, I generally love Mr Bowman, I think that his performance in Mr Purcell's Most Admirable Composures (also conducted by Robert King) makes it another essential Purcell recording; but I find that Fairest Isle was much better done elsewhere, particularly by Christopher Hogwood and Barbara Bonney.

These songs aren't only beautiful, they're also poignant, sweet and unpretentious. I think that it will be very clear to anyone who listens to this recording that Mr Purcell was one of the finest composers that ever lived.

Be Welcome then, great Sirs (and Mesdames)........2001-10-20

If anyone has benefitted from the reversion in the last three or so decades to period instruments and historical reconstruction, it is Henry Purcell. Before, he was merely great, the peerless word-setter in the English language, a virtuoso of boundless range, a professional composer whose offical commissions were always imbued with personality and invention. But period instrumentation has added to this a greater depth, an other-worldly texture of sound. With his intricate, multi-part vocal writing, his preference for low, rumbling instruments such as the bass viol and the strange and remarkable theorbo, as well as his often sombre and low-key subject matter and treatment, Purcell creates a round, glowing, humming sound as pregnantly full as dub reggae.

This has an extraordinary effect on the listener. Whereas Bach, with his mathematical abstractions, sounds universal and timeless, Purcell's music takes the listener back 300 years, back to different ways of thinking about, feeling about and addressing things we still think etc. about today - death, love, friendship. The emotion is timeless, but the music's beauty is alien, THEIRS, hence its preciousness.

A lot of intelligence has gone into the unity of this compilation, beginning with two Welcomes (to the dawn and to the listener, in this case a King), and ending with thoughts of evening, death and a Baroque 'Thank you for the music'. These are bright, fanfare-like works, but the predominant mood is slow, ruminative, quiet. The selection covers the wide range of Purcell's oeuvre, from opera and funeral marches to secular songs and odes, and includes his most famous vocal works - Dido's Lament from Dido and Aeneas, sung by Gillian Fisher, and never more evocative of pagan loss and death; the massive 'Bell Anthem', with its ingenious opening symphony and joyful antiphon; and a miraculously serene 'Evening Hymn', Dido's opposite, death indicating hope, the treble voice swirling over the heavy ground bass like the soul released from the inert body.

it might seem quixotic to choose highlights from an exemplary collection of highlights, but the entry of the strings washing over the serene repetition of 'Be Welcome then, great Sir' always makes my heart stop still, while the musical picture of 'Bold Honour', the 'noisy Nothing, stalking shade', blocking the poet's amorous intentions in 'She loves and confesses too', adds a chilling hint of life's transience to a bouyantly bawdy song.

Brilliant Purcell Disc .......2000-11-30

With this album director and Purcell expert Robert King provides the listener with an excellent introduction to the composer's vocal works. The pieces presented here were taken from Mr. King's recordings of 'The Complete Odes and Welcome Songs', 'The Complete Anthems and Services', 'The Complete Secular Solo Songs' and diverse anthology discs. King, his wonderful soloists and musicians do the brilliance of Purcell's music fully justice. Whether he was commissioned by royalty, the church or theatre, Purcell shone in all areas. This disc certainly demonstrates the variety and originality of his craft, not to speak of his uncanny ability of setting words to music.

An outstanding Purcell offering. With a beautiful perfomance by Barbara Bonney of 'Oh, fair Cedaria'. Susan Gritton is equally captivating in 'She loves and she confesses too'. Gillian Fisher's rendition of the famous 'Dido's Lament' is haunting and poignant. Further an intelligent and brilliant 'Hosanna to the highest' by Michael George. James Bowman and Michael Chance sparkle in the countertenor duet 'Sound the trumpet' (from 'Come Ye sons of Art away'). And I should not forget to mention the joyous, luminous performance of the beautiful 'Bell Anthem'. To name but a few favourites, only James Bowman's 'Fairest Isle' was a disappointment.

Those who are familiar with Purcell's music will get an excellent disc with some of his most beloved works. If you are new to Purcell, this is, as already said a great introduction. Which might be the incentive to further explorations of Purcell.

by stardustraven

Average customer rating:

I'll Fly Away: Country Hymns & Songs of Faith Various Artists Manufacturer: Sparrow ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Country | Styles | Music Country Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Similar Items: Vol. 2 -Very Best of Dolly Parton ASIN: B000R7I2JM Release Date: 2007-07-17

Tracks:

1. I'll Fly Away - Kortnie Heying
2. It Is Well With My Soul - Sara Watkins
3. River Of Happiness - Dolly Parton
4. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing - Ronnie Freeman
5. Get Right Church - Marty Stuart
6. He Leadeth Me - Sara Watkins
7. Crown Him With Many Crowns - Kortnie Heying
8. Uncloudy Day - Ed Cash
9. 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus - I'll Fly Away: Country Hymns & Songs Of Faith
10. Nothing But the Blood Of Jesus - Ronnie Freeman
11. Holy! Holy! Holy! - Kortnie Heying

Average customer rating: If you liked O Brother

I'll Fly Away Chuck Wagon Gang Manufacturer: Music Mill ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Country Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Looking For a City Mighty Close To Heaven Headed for the Promised Land Live in Branson America's Popular Family Quartet ASIN: B0002584OM Release Date: 2004-04-29

Tracks:

1. I'll Fly Away
2. Echoes From the Burning Bush
3. Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All
4. God Put a Rainbow In the Cloud
5. This World Is Not My Home
6. He's Everything To Me
7. Where the Soul Never Dies
8. I've Found a Hiding Place
9. I'll Be No Stranger There
10. He Said If I Be Lifted Up

Customer Reviews:

If you liked O Brother.......2006-08-10

The Chuck Wagon Gang have the purest sound while maintaining an upbeat tempo of any old time Gospell group you will ever hear {the originals, any thing with Rose and Anna}. I heard a LP I found in A library IN 1974 and have been a fan ever since. Great to have them remastered an on CDs. Just sit back to some of the best music ever recorded.

Average customer rating: She's fantastic, but... Beautiful blend of rock and folk No dimming of her talent Great one Pretty Good

Dreams Fly Away: A History Of Linda Thompson Linda Thompson Manufacturer: Hannibal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Hannibal Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Fashionably Late The Best of Richard & Linda Thompson: The Island Records Years Shoot Out the Lights Richard Thompson - 1000 Years of Popular Music (2 CD & 1 DVD Set) Separate Ways ASIN: B00000062E Release Date: 1996-07-02

Tracks:

1. Lonely Hearts
2. Walking On A Wire
3. I Live Not Where I Love
4. Sometimes It Happens
5. For Shame Of Doing Wrong
6. Talking Like A Man
7. Sisters
8. Shay Fan Yan Ley
9. One Clear Moment
10. First Light
11. Pavanne
12. Many Dreams Must Fly Away
13. I Want To See The Bright Light Tonight
14. The Great Valerio
15. Insult To Injury
16. The Poor Boy Is Taken Away
17. Blackwaterside
18. Telling Me Lies
19. I'm A Dreamer
20. Dimming Of The Day

Amazon.com

Linda Thompson, of course, is Richard Thompson's ex-wife and performing partner, and her retrospective is most appealing when she's soberly intoning his bleak and brusque admissions. "For Shame of Doing Wrong" and "Walking on a Wire" are perfect forums for Linda Thompson's stately, weary vocals. She never found quite so sympathetic or prolific a source of songs after her marriage to Richard broke up. Attempts to modernize her surroundings met with mixed results, but Dreams Fly Away sifts through the chaff to come up with 20 worthy and frequently rare Linda Thompson tracks. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

She's fantastic, but..........2005-11-20

How can you leave out "Can't Stop the Girl"? Have to agree with the previous reviewer. Wondering a bit about the song choice here.

I love "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight", "One Clear Moment", and everything else I've heard from this disc. One more song, I would have bought it...

Beautiful blend of rock and folk.......2004-10-28

This compilation showcases Linda Thompson's monumental contribution to rock and folk music from 1973 to 1988. It contains 10 previously unreleased songs, including four duets with Richard Thompson: live versions of Pavanne, The Great Valerio, Walking On A Wire produced by Gerry Rafferty plus a demo of First Light. My favourites include her interpretations of Sandy Denny's I'm A Dreamer and the old standard Blackwaterside plus her solo version of Dimming Of The Day. And the beautiful track Sisters and the yearning I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. With Richard, Linda was an originator of a seamless blend of rock and folk. Dreams Fly Away proves her prowess as an emotive vocalist and her great achievement as a musician. These timeless songs with their poignant words and gripping melodies will never fail to move the serious music lover. The classy CD packaging contains witty and informative historical notes by Linda. I also recommend the classic albums Pour Down Like Silver and Shoot Out The Lights, for more of Linda and Richard's exquisite and memorable music.

No dimming of her talent.......2003-04-11

Richard is the better known and much more prolific of the former duo, but Linda's voice and presence make any recording she works on worthwhile. Dreams Fly Away consists of a mixture of previously released tracks (from her work with her former husband), live recordings, remixes (the remixes of the One Clear Moment tracks are an actual improvement. The annoying echo producer Hugh Murphy put on her vocals is much less noticable if not altogether gone) and demos.

The notes and interviews are interesting and provide a unique perspective on Linda and her step out of the limelight. Her medical condition has obviously been overcome to some extent (her latest marvelous album is ironically titled Fashionably Late)but, for a while, this was the last word on Linda's music. While Linda may have been Richard's muse for a brief period and his voice for a number of their classics, she deserves recognition as an artist in her own right. This collection puts things right.

Great one.......2002-12-15

I usually don't buy compilations - to me, most are merely commercial and do not break any new ground. Well, here's a noticeable exception. Dreams fly away has a great selection of tracks, and it's very well designed. Sisters and Lonely hearts (from Richard & Linda Thompson's Sunnyvista) are remarkable in every way. Lonely hearts, in particular, has the greatest opening words I've ever heard. I could do without the (slightly) irritating backing vocals - she has a great presence and doesn't need anybody else - but why, nobody's perfect. I'm not going to quibble.
Another favourite of mine is the cover of Sandy Denny's I'm a dreamer - it's really, really great, and so is the Dimming of the day.
As to the live versions of Pavane or the Great Valerio, I think they are weaker than the original studio releases, but still very emotional. She sounds so tense on stage it almost makes us uncomfortable.
I'm glad that, on the whole, I wasn't disappointed by this release. Before I got it, I had hardly ever heard of Linda Thompson. The fact is, I went for Dreams fly away after hearing her cover a traditionnal song on a Simon Nicol solo album. I was stunned by what I heard and decided at once to go for more - that's how I picked this one.
I think she's really a great singer. I mean, when she sings, it's as if she's walking on a wire - she's likely to fall any minute, and her voice may break into a hundred of pieces. I find that truly amazing.
Another enjoyable thing about the record is the inner sleeve. She wrote funny and wistful notes for the songs, and Richard Williams did a nice job too, summing up the ups and downs of her intermittent musical career (I think she would resent the word "career" !).
To make it short, Dreams fly away is a wonderful document to her contribution .. and a welcome addition to my Cds collection.

Pretty Good.......2002-10-30

A pretty good assembly of bits and pieces from Linda's somewhat intermittent career. Deserves its place in a Richard and Linda fan's collection, and is definitely an essential purchase for the more hard core dedicated Linda fans amongst us. My only criticism is it tends to be a bit monotonal.

Average customer rating: At LAST!! GOOD MUSIC LIVES! ONE OF THE BEST!! GET IT NOW!!

Invisible Tears: We Can Fly Up Up & Away Johnny Mann Singers Manufacturer: Taragon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sixties Mann Great Band With Great Voices: Swing the Great Voic Al-Di-La and Other Extra-Special Songs for Young Lovers Something Special for Young Lovers From Nashville...The Hit Sound ASIN: B000071WX6 Release Date: 2002-12-10

Tracks:

1. Invisible Tears
2. People
3. Love Me With All Your Heart
4. The Girl From Ipanema
5. Everybody Love Somebody
6. Hello, Dolly!
7. Shangri-La
8. The World I Used To Know
9. Al-Di-La
10. Today
11. A World Without Love
12. Blue Velvet
13. Up-Up And Away
14. Somethin' Stupid
15. I Got Rhythm
16. Portrait Of My Love
17. Go Where You Wanna Go
18. Dedicated To The One I Love
19. Yellow Balloon
20. This Is My Song
21. Monday, Monday
22. Release Me
23. Joey Is The Name

Customer Reviews:

At LAST!!.......2006-05-12

Like countless thousands of other true "music lovers," all I could say when I first spotted this CD was a resounding, "At LAST!!" I am one of the most loyal Ray Conniff fans in existence, but can I still be a lover of Johnny Mann's offerings to the world of great music? You bet your music-loving life I can, and so can you! This "two-fer" CD features some of the best selections Johnny Mann ever produced, and like you who sample this CD, I cannot wait for other collections to come out. His treatments of many songs that were successfully interpreted and produced by Conniff and the Ray Charles Singers still feature Johnny Mann's special individuality, and such songs as "People," "Al-Di-La, "Love Me with All Your Heart," and "Shangri-La" are special indeed. But the best are "Blue Velvet," "Portrait of My Love," and "The World I Used to Know," which are songs that passed "special" at a sprint, and which I am certain you will enjoy immensely.

GOOD MUSIC LIVES!.......2005-05-26

I am purchasing this CD as soon as possible, as I have not been able to find any re-issued material from the Johnny Mann Singers until now.

All the albums by the Johnny Mann Singers always featured an excellent choice of material, great arrangements and harmonies, and were a staple of programming at "Good Music"/"Easy Listening" stations, which are few and far between these days.

Kudos to the folks at Tarragon for re-mastering and re-releasing great music of the past such as Johnny Mann Singers, Bert Kaempfert and others.

If you like your music on the easy side, without it being from the Elevator Genre, then get this CD..you won't regret it!.

ONE OF THE BEST!! GET IT NOW!!.......2003-01-26

The Invisible Tears lp from the Johnny Mann Singers is one of my all-time favorite lp's. It has great sentimental value and I'm so GLAD that finally someone--the great Taragon-- has had the class to put this one out on CD, with an extra Johnny Mann Singers lp to boot!! With the abysmal [stuff] that now is called music nowadays, let's support the companies that are offering wonderful old recordings on CD. This CD's time has finally come!! One of the greatest in choice of selections AND harmonies etc.... thanks TARAGON! (And now how about a great complete BOX SET from the Johnny Mann Singers??)

Average customer rating: Disco goes on holiday great "souvenir" from the end of the 70's Great album but beware of CD releases. looks like a homemade cd Hard-Core Leather-Bar Disco-Action

Let's Fly Away Voyage Manufacturer: Hot Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Disco | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Voyage Ultimate, Vol. 1 Cerrone 3: Supernature Poo-Say The Best of Voyage ASIN: B000001QUD Release Date: 1993-12-15

Tracks:

1. Souvenirs
2. Kechak Fantasy
3. Eastern Trip
4. Tahiti, Tahiti
5. Let's Fly Away
6. Golden Eldorado
7. Gone With The Music

Customer Reviews:

Disco goes on holiday.......2007-01-03

This is a fine concept album that takes your imagination on a bit of a journey away from the usual disco themes centered around the dancefloor, shaking your thing and being in/out of love. Musically it blends a few "exotic" influences that make it a little more diverse sounding than your average disco themed LP. The last song on the first side with the "tahiti style" disco number is the most obvious example. However it remains firmly "disco" in spirit suggesting good times and an escape from the everyday. I listen to a lot of electronic/dance music and I am quite entertained by it whenever I put it on.

great "souvenir" from the end of the 70's.......2005-09-24

such a joy to get it now in CD, i've got it on vinyl, and i'm glad to listen it now everywhere!!!
a very good work of some genius french musicians, who let us a fine "audio print" of the disco period ...
a great mix between, cerone, boney m and santa esmeralda, with a french touch bonus!!!...
such great moment that the was!

Great album but beware of CD releases........2005-02-20

This is a great album but beware of the CD releases. I ordered two from two separate distributors and both CD's have lots of errors meaning silent breaks that don't belong there. They are Hot Productions releases not bootlegs. I am hoping that it was just a bad batch and that there are good copies out there. It would be a shame to have such a great classic album release destroyed by "poor management" Thanks Hot Productions.

looks like a homemade cd.......2003-11-07

a real nice cd of this group, but the one was sent to me is a home made cd, the 4 songs of side a and the 3 ones of side b in the original lp were blended, and this edition has all the songs separated, as if it were recorded in track at once mode, moreover, the print of the disc itself doesn't look original, looks as if it was printed with a thermal printer, instead of silkscreening method. and guess what the cd is a cdr one not a pressed one .
too bad HOT PRODUCTIONS is making this kind of things
however the sound quality is real good

Hard-Core Leather-Bar Disco-Action.......2003-07-15

If listening to this album doesn't make you break out in a hot sweat, and suddenly smell a dirty carpet reeking of spilled beer, leather soaked in perspiration, and empty popper vials in a filthy restroom, then you probably missed out completely on the party scene described by Randy Shilts in his book "And The Band Played On" in the "Before and After" section.

Average customer rating: Nice Collection PERFECT! Great singing and excellent value for money More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'

Purcell: Songs & Airs / Argenta, North, Boothby, Nicholson, Toll Henry Purcell , Nancy Argenta , and Nigel North Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Purcell: The Fairy Queen Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day - Music for Queen Mary / Taverner Consort Essential Purcell Bach: Cantatas Gabrieli · Monteverdi · Vivaldi - Venetian Church Music / Taverner Consort, Choir & Players · Andrew Parrott ASIN: B000059LOH Release Date: 2001-06-05

Tracks:

1. O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
2. Ah! How Sweet It Is To Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
3. Not All My Torments - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
4. Stripp'd Of Their Green - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
5. Tell Me, Some Pitying Angel - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
6. If Music Be The Food Of Love - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
7. Hark! Hark! The Echoing Air - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
8. The Fatal Hour Comes On Apace - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
9. Incassum, Lesbia - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Paul Nicholson
10. Sweeter Than Roses - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
11. Cupid, The Slyest Rogue Alive - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
12. From Silent Shades - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
13. Dear Pretty Youth - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
14. From Rosy Bow'rs - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
15. Now That The Sun Hath Veil'd His Light - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
16. Beneath A Poplar's Shadow - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby
17. I Attempt From Love's Sickness To Fly - Nancy Argenta/Paul Nicholson
18. Let Us Dance - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/Richard Boothby/Paul Nicholson
19. Fairest Isle - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
20. O Solitude - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby

Tracks:

1. Nymphs And Shepherds - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
2. Amidst The Shades And Cool Refreshing Streams - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
3. Love In Their Little Veins Inspires - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/Nigel North
4. Fly Swift, Ye Hours - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
5. They Tell Us That Your Mighty Powers - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
6. The Plaint: O Let Me Weep - Nancy Argenta/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
7. In The Black, Dismal Dungeon Of Despair - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
8. See, Even Night Herself Is Here - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones
9. Why Should Men Quarrel? - Nancy Argenta/Rachel Becket/Marion Scott/Richard Boothby/John Toll
10. Seek Not To Know - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Sophia McKenna/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
11. Retir'd From Mortals' Sight - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
12. To Arms, Heoric Prince - Nancy Argenta/Mark Bennett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
13. O Lead Me To Some Peaceful Gloom - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
14. Halcyon Days - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Pauline Nobes/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
15. Bid The Virtues - Nancy Argenta/Paul Goodwin/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
16. Lord, What Is Man? (A Divine Hymn) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
17. Music For A While - Nancy Argenta/John Toll
18. If Music Be The Food Of Love (1st Setting) - Nancy Argenta/Richard Boothby/John Toll
19. Sawney Is A Bonny Lad (A Scotch Song) - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North
20. When I Have Often Heard Young Maids Complaining - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Richard Boothby/Nigel North/John Toll
21. Ah! Cruel, Bloody Fate - Nancy Argenta/Nigel North/John Toll
22. Thy Hand, Belinda... When I Am Laid In Earth - Nancy Argenta/Nicholas Robinson/Fiona Huggett/Trevor Jones/Richard Boothby/Nigel North

Customer Reviews:

Nice Collection.......2007-03-05

I have many collections of Purcell's Music. This collection stands up to them at half the price. Solid buy.

PERFECT!.......2006-10-26

There is only a word with which I can describe this set of discs: perfect!
The only flaw there is, is not related to the singing or playing: no text enclosed.

Great singing and excellent value for money.......2004-09-19

This is probably one of the best anthologies of Purcell songs around, and not just because it's two-for-one pricing means it contains twice as much music (CD1:74'24" & CD2: 77'41")! Nancy Argenta has an irrepressible sense of style and crystal clear diction. But unlike Emma Kirby, whose vocal purity can become tiresome, these renditions radiate warmth. She is also, I have found, more consistently involving than any one of the singers in Hyperion's three disc survey of Complete Secular Songs (recently reissued as a single set). One marvels at how she judiciously balances restraint and emotional forthrightness. The accompaniments (archlute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and organ) are well judged and blend with the voice, all helped by an excellently defined recording acoustic. This is an absolute winner at any price!

More than two hours of beautiful 17th century 'ayres'.......2001-08-02

Two CDs, totaling more than 150 minutes of sparsely-arranged (never more than 3-5 instruments at a time), sweetly-sung, 350 year old 'ayres' (a typically English form of secular music). Nancy Argenta's soprano voice is lovely, silvery indeed as her name implies. The instruments are a discreet but friendly accompaniment to her solo voice. Perhaps the instruments are a little too discreet -- there are times when I wish they were a touch more prominent. But that is a very, very minor complaint. A beautiful collection, and quite well worth the money.

Average customer rating: When I directed her in muscials in High School, I knew she was special What a superb CD!! A Blythe Spirit and a Magical Duet With David Daniels La Reina! Solid baroque

Stephanie Blythe - Handel & Bach Arias / David Daniels · Ensemble Orchestral de Paris · John Nelson George Frideric Handel , Johann Sebastian Bach , John Nelson , Stephanie Blythe , David Daniels , and Ensemble Orchestral de Paris Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Brahms: Alt-Rhapsody; Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder; Mahler: Der Abschied Handel: Opera Arias; David Daniels Sento Amor; David Daniels; Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto Songs by Mahler, Handel & Peter Lieberson ASIN: B00005A9NK Release Date: 2001-11-06

Tracks:

1. Serse: Recitativo: Frondi Tenere
2. Serse: Aria: Ombra Mai Fu
3. Hercules: Recitative And Aria: Where Shall I Fly?
4. Semele: Recitative: Awake, Saturnia
5. Semele: Aria: Iris, Hence Away
6. Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Aria: Al Lampo Dell'armi
7. Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Recitativo Ed Aria: Dall'ondoso Periglio... Aure, Deh, Per Pieta
8. Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Aria: Priva Son D'ogni Conforto
9. Giulio Cesare In Egitto: Recitativo E Duetto: Madre!... Son Nata A Lagrimar - Stephanie Blythe/David Daniels/Martin Isepp
10. Saint Matthew Passion, BWV 244: Aria: Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott
11. Saint Matthew Passion, BWV 244: Aria: Konnen Tranen Meiner Wangen
12. Saint John Passion, BWV 245: Aria: Von Den Stricken Meiner Sunden
13. Saint John Passion, BWV 245: Aria: Es Ist Vollbracht! - Stephanie Blythe/Emmanuelle Haim/Jerome Hantai
14. Mass in b, BWV 232: Agnus Dei

Amazon.com

This is a lovely recording. Stephanie Blythe's voice must be one of the most beautiful to be heard today: smooth as silk, warm as velvet, pure, dark, almost masculine at times, even in quality across a big range down to F-sharp. She can spin out endless phrases without strain. Her intonation is impeccable, her expressiveness heartfelt, simple, and direct. The program is a string of priceless jewels, opening with the famous "Ombra mai fu" from "Serse" (better known as Handel's Largo) and closing with the Agnus Dei from Bach's B minor Mass. However, with the exception of Juno's furious outburst of jealousy from Handel's Semele, the dramatic "Where shall I fly?" from his Hercules, and one fast, light aria from Giulio Cesare, everything is slow and primarily mournful. This seems to be in the nature of the contralto repertoire, but it does generate a certain sameness despite all attempts to create variety.

One of the highlights is the heartrending mother-son duet between Cornelia and Sesto from Giulio Cesare with the splendid countertenor David Daniels, but Blythe includes both Cornelia's and Cesare's arias, fulfilling a wish no doubt cherished by many great contraltos, but impossible to realize on stage. She seems more at home in Handel's worldly arias than in Bach's sacred ones, some of which--notably the "Erbarme dich" from the St. Matthew Passion--sound a little too operatic. The violinist who plays the wonderful obbligato here is not named (and often inaudible); the fine wind soloists in the St. John Passion are also unidentified. The orchestra is good but rather stiff, the rhythm pedantic, the style, with normal tuning, semi-baroque. This is underscored by the truly baroque gamba solo in St. John. However, the beauty of the singing triumphs over all misgivings. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

When I directed her in muscials in High School, I knew she was special.......2005-07-08

I was Stephanie's teacher in High School and directed her in several theatrical productions. Not only was she an immensely talented actress, her voice always took my breath away. The other instructors and myself knew that Stephanie had "IT" and would someday be recognized for all the beauty her voice contains. I have seen her perform live and each and every time am amazed at the depth and feeling in her voice. This cd will not disappoint.

What a superb CD!!.......2005-02-27

WOW,

I bought this CD after I discovered this artist totally by accident (well, I usually do not listen to the vocal selections on the sampler CD from the British magazine "The Gramophone"). I guess that it was either fate or luck that made me listen to her selection of Wagner Lieder.

As I have always been a fan of alto/contralto's, I find Stephanie Blythe's voice to be smooth, creamy, solid, and very thrilling!!! I really like all of the Handel arias (which are top notch!!), and I will spend more time with the Bach.

This Virgin Classics CD is up to Virgin's usual high standard of recording, though I do wish that her voice was more centered between the right and left channels. Then again, my new system still needs some dialing in in my room.

I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who likes vocal music, opera, and best of all, for people who simply like stellar singing!!!

Well worth the 5 stars!!!

A Blythe Spirit and a Magical Duet With David Daniels.......2004-09-02

Contralto Stephanie Blythe has a warm, fluid voice that reminds me immediately of countertenor David Daniels, especially since she sings more accurately in the mezzo-soprano range. What they have in common is an artful blending of male and female vocal characteristics that produces a strong sound, rich and seductive. Dramatically she is not quite at his level yet, but it is a tribute to her interpretative talents that she can convincingly sing both Cesare and Cornelia in "Giulio Cesare in Egitto" in the four beautiful arias here. The disc's high point is in fact, a mother-son duet performed with Daniels, "Madre!...Son nata a lagrimar". Their voices meld together wonderfully. What I find intriguing is how his higher, more nuanced voice brings out the dramatic intensity of the piece, while Blythe's superb lower register brings out a lovely contrast since her voice dips deeper than Daniels'. It is as perfect a match as you'll hear in the Baroque world.

The remainder of the Handel arias displays her exceptional range, especially the plaintive "Ombra mai fù" from "Serse" and the vocal agility she displays in "Iris, Hence Away" from "Semele". The second half of the disc features four arias from Bach's "Passions", all more spiritual in tone than the Handel pieces but not as interesting dramatically. She still sounds lovely, but a certain monotony creeps into the last half-hour since these arias seem to create the same dream-like atmosphere and consequently do not require her to utilize her interpretative skills fully. John Nelson conducts the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris effectively, and perhaps to embody the spirit of the Bach pieces, the disc was recorded in a church, the Eglise Notre Dame du Liban in Paris. It is an impressive recital debut and makes one look forward to Stephanie Blythe's next work.

La Reina!.......2003-10-13

Stephanie Blythe is a name honored in the circles of the music cognescenti where she is considered nearly without peer as the reigning contralto of the day. In this very generous sampling of arias by Handel and Bach the reason for such admiration/devotion becomes readily apparent. Blythe may be called a 'contralto' and, indeed, she has that lush dark burnished tone so often conjured by the contralto roles in opera and oratorio. But she has an amazing range that allows her to effortlessly scale the contralto to mezzo to lyric to coloratura like few other singers. Only Marilyn Horne comes to mind as one with the beauty of voice in tandem with impeccable musicianship and technique for comparison.

Opening this recital (accompanied by John Nelson conducting the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris) she wisely selects the well-known 'Ombra mai fu' and allows first time listeners to bask in the beauty of tone and perfection of execution she brings to every subsequent work on this CD. Unlike other singers who attempt this repertoire Blythe shows no audible break in register as she soars into the passionate stratosphere of 'Where shall I fly' from Handel's "Semele" or plumbs the depths of Bach's touching arias from both the St Matthew and St John Passions.

As far as the perfect display of all her gifts in one piece then her duet with countertenor David Daniels in the 'Madre..Son nata a lagrimar' from Handel's "Guilio Cesare" is that pinnacle. This duet has to be one of the most beautiful baroque experiences ever captured on disc. A singer to watch and collect!

Solid baroque.......2003-09-03

Blythe has an excellent voice. She isn't Marilyn Horne or Ann Murray or Sarah Walker, but she's first class nonetheless, and this album is certainly worth having. The knock on Blythe, in my judgment, is that she lacks emotion and fire. She just sings, and the listener's mind might stray. The duet from Julius Caesar is the finest feature of the album, and is simply glorious. David Daniels is in a class all by himself.

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6. In a French Cafe [Import]
7. Italian Popular Songs
8. J'ai Vu le Loup, Le Renard et la Belette
9. Japanese Taiko
10. Juventude / Slow Motion Bossa Nova [Import]

Rock Music

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