Sing the Real

Amazon.com
The nine-piece group Quetzal certainly loves cross-cultural fusion. Sing the Real is ripe with Mexican roots and Afro-Caribbean music merged with rock, folk, and jazz influences. Given the diverse backgrounds of the members--including a Brazilian percussionist and a guitarist of Japanese-Mexican heritage--such variety comes naturally. These sensual, earthy, and generally slow songs feature passionate vocals with stirring melodies and address issues of personal struggle and maintaining one's dignity and identity. Queztal brings their musical traditions into the current century by subtly integrating modern influences such as rock and R&B ("The Social Relevance of Public Art"), hip-hop (the vocals of "20 Pesos"), and jazz ("Emotions"), and by mixing older forms into something new, such as giving southern Mexican folk an Afro-Cuban flavor on "Jarocho Elegua." This bilingual band aspires to draw a wide range of listeners to its music, and with Sing the Real, it creates eclectic music to blur boundaries. --Bryan Reesman

Tracks:

Queen of the Night Aria [From The Magic Flute]
Serenata Mexicana
Musical Snuff Box
Like a Bird
Bell Song [Lakme Dub]
Charmant Oiseau [Perle du Brl]
Adele's Laughing Song [Die Fledermaus]
Biassy [Prelude XVI]
Valse Caressante
Little Jack Horner - Alexander Kipnis
Sing a Song of Sixpence - John Charles Thomas
Blue Danube - Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Josephine Tumminia
Little Old State of Texas - Ezio Pinza, The Sons of the Pioneers
Fireman's Bride [Up in Central Park] - Jeanette MacDonald, Robert Merrill
Song's Gotta Come from the Heart - Jimmy Durante, Helen Traubel
Real Piano Player - Jimmy Durante, Helen Traubel
Please Don't Say No [Thrill of a Romance] - Lauritz Melchior

Customer Reviews:

Must be heard to be believed.......2006-04-09

Even the brilliant Judy Kaye in the recent play "Souvenir" about Ms. Jenkins couldn't quite match the unique sound of this singer, although she came close. For those who like this sort of thing, this is the real thing. The sound on this Naxos CD is superior to RCA's "Glory of the Human Voice??" which covers most of the same territory. The Naxos CD also restores the piano intro to the Bell Song and the heretofore rare Valse Caressante of which only a few pressings are known to exist.

That said, the rest of the (non-Florence) cuts are mostly forgettable. More kitch than camp. Annoying music abounds but the in the realm of the truly, stupendously awful Florence Foster Jenkins remains in a class by herself. No one can really compete with Ms. Jenkins on her own camp grounds and there is no sense in trying. The one exception being the sung "Blue Danube" with Josephine Tumminia and the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra which falls in the "what could they have been thinking?" department.

Personally a little of this sort of thing goes a long way. The Faust Travesty on the RCA set holds a bit more interest (but not all that much). I think a more interesting compliation would consist of "straight" renderings of the various arias and pieces contrasted with Madame Florence's so the listener may fully savor what she achieves in these performances.

Florence gets five stars but the rest of it gets a minus one, so it ends up with four.

This is the definitive FFJ!.......2005-01-09

A fellow reviewer has not paid close attention to the contents of "Murder On The High C's": this release actually contains every recording that FFJ made. She recorded 9 arias and released them on 5 78's (the fifth, "Valse Caressante", was split), all of them gathered here for the first time. What this album omits from the previous cd release ("The Glory??? of the Human Voice") is the arias by an almost equally incompetent baritone. "Murder..." more than compensates for this with the inclusion of some unbelievably tragic recordings by artists who could actually sing but found themselves saddled with shockingly bad material; it's an absolute feast for those who love outsider music. The 'nursery rhyme' songs provoke bewilderment, the swing version of "Blue Danube" must be heard to be believed, and the excellent liner notes accurately describe Lauritz Melchior's valiant performance of "Please Don't Say No" as "the single worst recording of anything ever made by an opera star who should have known better". "Murder On The High C's" is an insanely delirious treasure.

Sounds Like A Vacuum Cleaner Ingesting An Owl.......2004-10-15

Florence Foster Jenkins was a socialite who enjoyed singing in vast disproportion to her musical talent. This CD has some of her greatest works (so to speak) although the disc pales in comparison to her masterwork "The Glory (????) of Human Voice." (In fact several of the songs on this CD are available on that recording.) Particularly ear-shattering are "Musical Snuff Box" (watch out for that last note if you have pets, they will seriously dislike it), "Bell Song" which is essentially a series of a cappella pentatonic scales by and large, and finally the unique rendition of "Valse Caressante" (which was actually released as a single!) which will leave any listener in a near delirium.

In short, these rare Jenkins masterworks are amazing and hilarious. I can't recommend them highly enough to anyone even mildly curious about outsider music. Why the three star rating? It is certainly not due to Florence's participation, rather due to the packaging. The cover boasts "Florence Foster Jenkins and Friends." Little will most people suspect that the "friends" make up about half of the CD, and are totally unrelated to Jenkins except for possessing no musical talent. Some of the songs are merely boring (like the Jimmy Durante selections), and some are quite laughably funny like the dreadful "The Fireman's Bride," and "Please Don't Say No." Finally there is the real puzzler from the "what were they thinking?" file, "Little Jack Horner," an operatic retelling of the classic children's tale. The other reason I only give this disc three stars is because four of the nine Jenkins' songs are available on "The Glory (????) of Human Voice." I had expected different material on this CD.

The bottom line is that this CD is for Florence Foster Jenkins completists. (Ponder that.) People who want more exposure to Florence should buy her delightful "The Glory (????) of Human Voice," which I can't recommend highly enough.

comedy classic.......2004-05-27

In the summer of 2003, I had the luck of hearing Florence's recordings. Even though no one is quite sure whether she meant to be funny or not, listening to her cds always puts me in the best mood. Hearing her try to reach those high notes and missing terribly is the funniest thing in the world!! My family and I love Florence!!!

The "joke", never funny, is now painfully shabby.......2004-03-07

It is sad that a person who apparently had too much money and time to waste could have done so in preserving for an unsuspecting posterity such awful sounds. The so-called friends who flocked by invitation to her concert to relish an event of mockery were at least as much to blame as the poor woman herself for having encouraged such eccentric egocentricity.

Tracks:

Silent Night
What Child Is This?/Hava Nagila
Dance Of The Reed Flutes
Up On The Housetop
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Dance Of The Sugarplum Fairies
Jingle Cats Medley
Angels We Have Heard On High
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
Carol Of Teh Bells
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Oh Christmas Tree
Ode To Joy
Deck The Halls
Good King Wenceslas
We Three Kings Of Orient Are
Waltz Of The Flowers
Auld Lang Syne

Amazon.com

When George Frederick Handel wrote "Joy to the World," which contains the immortal line "Let heaven and nature sing," he probably didn't mean it literally. But Meowy Christmas takes him at his word as Cheese Puff, Max, Sprocket, Binky, Clara, Cueball, Graymer, Twizzler, Petunia--and the occasional dog--meow and bark and let their animal nature sing 20 (count 'em 20!) holiday favorites. You'll be awestruck, dumbstruck, and struck yet again hearing these felines "sing" and, ah, scat their way through the usual round-up of holiday music, relying on a beat box and different arrangements, including a folkish, harmonica-driven version of the Handel hymn. You're bound to find your own favorites here (while trying to figure out how in the heck mastermind Mike Spalla pulled this off), but you're definitely bound to be roused from your comfort and joy by "What Child Is This/Hava Nagila" that trades kitty meows and doggy barks back and forth in a spirited ecumenical dance of the four-legged. The disc comes with an order form for its own line of Jingle Cats merchandise. --Martin Keller

Album Description

JINGLE CATS 'MEOWY CHRISTMAS CD AND CASSETTE: The world's first album of songs sung by real cats. A phenomenon! This is the album that started it all. Seen on television ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and in newspapers, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and magazines such as CATS Magazine and People Magazine. The Jingle Cats album brought cat fanciers a roaringly funny album which speaks to humans and cats! Warning: listeners have reported losing control of their cars while listening to this album. The #1 requested Christmas album for radio stations nationwide, the #1 Christmas novelty album and Tower Records #1 selling Christmas CD in 1993, and a ranking in Billboard's Top 10 Holiday Album List for 1994.

Customer Reviews:

Hilariously awful.......2007-05-03

This is one of the most stunningly bad records I've ever heard, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Silent Night is a particular favorite. I've bought copies of this CD for friends' Christmas presents before, and it never fails to amuse.

THIS IS PURRFECTLY FESTIVE.......2007-01-11

This CD is not some cheesey strange sounding production of artificial meows. This is a thought out and well done fun addition to your Christmas CD collection, EVEN IF you are not a "head over heels catpawser" like I am. The producers of this CD have taken real cats "speaking" and a couple of dogs too, and put these real sounds to harmony with classic Christmas tunes. You WILL smile when you hear it and by the second song, you will be meowing too.

Makes ya smile.......2007-01-10

Not my all time favorite christmas album but certainly one of the top ten. You can't help but smile when you hear christmas carols being meowed and yowled!! Our cats were a bit freaked at first but have adjusted. Certainly a great gift for any cat lover of any age.

Great for kids, too!.......2006-12-21

I'm a cat lover, and I've heard about this CD long time ago, but purchased it only recently mostly for my 3 y.o daughter. Oh my, we both laughted so hard! It's hysterical! I purchased 2 more CDs - for my daughter's day care and for my g/f and her kid as a Xmas gift. My g/f's daughter loved it too (she's 2 y.o). I want to buy a VHS now, but unfortunately, this time of the year it's out of stock on all web sites
:-(

You will have a Hair....Ball!.......2006-12-14

Okay, shush, I purchased this CD last year because I am obsessed with cats, that and I am a sucker for anything slighty off the wall. If you arent a cat lover you will immediately hate this CD, but if you have cats like I do, and whenever they "talk" you just smile , you will love it. I had this huge grin on my face while i listened to it in my car, giggling and laughing at the different meows these kitties can make, especially the "browwwr" one. Its not something you would put on at a party unless you want everyone to start looking uncomfortable and head out to thier cars. Its something you put on while decorating your tree, so you could prance around embarassing yourself while your husband looks on wondering if I ate something bad for lunch.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful album
FANTASTIC!
Great Music!! Beautiful vocals!! Latin Pop + World + Jazz
Great, Unique, Soulful Band
Musical Fusion

Sing the Real
Quetzal
Manufacturer: Vanguard Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Rock | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Worksongs
Die Cowboy Die
Coming Up
Street Signs
Embrace the Chaos

ASIN: B000060OXJ
Release Date: 2002-03-05

Tracks:

The Social Relevance Of Public Art
Cenzontle
20 Pesos
Desahogate
Emotions
Mia
Pesadilla
Vagabundo
Mayahuel
Jarocho Elegua
Matanzas

Amazon.com

The nine-piece group Quetzal certainly loves cross-cultural fusion. Sing the Real is ripe with Mexican roots and Afro-Caribbean music merged with rock, folk, and jazz influences. Given the diverse backgrounds of the members--including a Brazilian percussionist and a guitarist of Japanese-Mexican heritage--such variety comes naturally. These sensual, earthy, and generally slow songs feature passionate vocals with stirring melodies and address issues of personal struggle and maintaining one's dignity and identity. Queztal brings their musical traditions into the current century by subtly integrating modern influences such as rock and R&B ("The Social Relevance of Public Art"), hip-hop (the vocals of "20 Pesos"), and jazz ("Emotions"), and by mixing older forms into something new, such as giving southern Mexican folk an Afro-Cuban flavor on "Jarocho Elegua." This bilingual band aspires to draw a wide range of listeners to its music, and with Sing the Real, it creates eclectic music to blur boundaries. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful album.......2005-11-12

After seeing the music video of "Jarocho Elegua" I was instantly hooked to the truly amazing vocals and instruments of Quetzal. I recently moved to Tokyo and whenever I get homesick or a little nostalgic of home I always listen to it. One of my favorite albums purchased in the past year. Being of Mexican descent it means so much to me to see this type of music being created with meaningful lyrics. I love it!

FANTASTIC! .......2005-08-24

I bought this album on a whim a few years ago, not really knowing anything about the band, and it has become a treasured addition to my music collection since then. Nearly every song on this album is amazing! Songs are mostly Spanish, with a few in English as well, but you can enjoy this album without speaking Spanish. Notable songs on this album include: "Cenzontle", "Mia", "La Pesadilla", "La Vagabundo", "Mayahuel", with "Jarocho Elegua" being my favorite on the album. Also, if you get the opportunity to see them perform live, they are amazing in concert!

Great Music!! Beautiful vocals!! Latin Pop + World + Jazz.......2005-03-03

Quetzal is unbelievably talented!! This is a 5 star plus album, and is climbing its way to becoming one of my favorites!! The best way to describe Quetzal would be to take all kinds of combinations of music from pop sounds of the beatles to traditional mexican lullabys and african rhythms fused into a beautiful medley. They utilize several instruments including violins, guitar, and several percussive instruments as well, but they never 'over use' these instruments, knowing how to appropriately taking advantage of spacings. The highlights are within every song!! When I first listened to the CD I had my favorites and got into the singing of Martha Gonzales, (absolutely beautiful vocals)that I had to listen to every song and began to like them all. This is the best Latin-American Pop music/ jazz fusion that I have ever heard. The melodies are infectious, and the passion and soul can be definately heard on this album!! I bought 3 copies, 1 for myself the other 2 for b-day gifts.

Great, Unique, Soulful Band.......2003-12-02

I've followed this band for several years and they continue to grow and enlighten me. If you are looking for music with a message, this is the CD for you!

Musical Fusion.......2002-04-19

Quetzal's second cd, "Sing the Real" has been able to keep the flavor of their self-titled cd with a touch of new. I can't help to think that this group is a perfect blend of several types of music mixing traditional Latin Folklore, with Blues, Jazz, Rock and Caribbean rhythms. The lead singer has an amazing voice that carries the music to another level and the violin playing is amazing. I have seen this band perform live and they are just as energetic and soulful as well as concious driven as they are on the Cd. I would recommend this cd to lovers of any kind of Latin flavored music.

Average customer rating:

Harlious
Cute, cute, cute!
Be aware that I DO NOT want this cd for my self.
Irresistible Chrismtas Spirit
Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay

Christmas Unleashed
Jingle Dogs
Manufacturer: Jingle Cat Records/Ka
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Meowy Christmas
Here Comes Santa Claws
A Dog's Christmas - Holiday Songs with Dog Bark Sounds
Rhythm and Mews
Happy Clucking Holidays

ASIN: B000001UET
Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

Jingle Bells Boogie
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Waltz of the Snowflakes
O Christmas Tree
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Nutcracker March
Carol of the Bells
As with Gladness Men of Old
Away in a Manger
All Through the Night
Pat-A-Pan
Sleigh Embarking

Album Description

The Jingle Dogs, Christmas Unleashed, includes the hit song Jingle Bells Boogie and is truly an all-time Christmas classic. This album features twelve holiday tunes sung by dogs.

Customer Reviews:

Harlious.......2006-02-12

This is one funny Cd. It is unique with singing dogs and cats as background singers. My favorite song is Jingle Bells Boogie. I was laughing until I was crying.

Cute, cute, cute!.......2005-07-13

I ordered this for my dog daycare to play at Christmas but I just had to hear it in the heat of July. Everyone who hears it just LOVES it!! I'm a bah-humbug type person but this CD just makes me smile (and my dog "listens" intently too)!

Be aware that I DO NOT want this cd for my self........2005-05-08

Though this seems to be strictly seasonal-christmas rock, it is the ONLY music group I can find that is done strictly by dogs. You see, I am a HUGE music-lover, but my dog Morris just doesn't seem to be able to relate to any of my music. This is really disappointing to me, and sometimes really frustrating. I can't imagine how someone could not react in ANY way towards some of my favorite artists and albums. He is kind of letting me down because I have a little idea to record a demo song with me on harmonica while Morris barks the melody. I get a little upset with him sometimes when we try to play it, even though it's probably not his fault. Dogs just aren't very smart.

So basically I did some research for music that had dogs in the band, or music where the dog may be used as an instrument of some sort. This Jingle Dogs cd really caught my eye! I listened to some of the samples of the songs, and lo and behold, Morris reacted immediately! He wasn't smart enough to actually sing (or rather bark) along, but with time anything is plausible. I looked around, and as far as I can tell, The Jingle Dogs only seem to play christmas songs. This is a bit of a disappointment as well, because it's a little too seasonal for my tastes. Hopefully Morris can overlook this aspect of it and just enjoy it, seeing as so far, it is the only dog-rock I have beeen able to find for him, and he does seem to have a strange affinity for Christmas.

In conclusion, this will have to do for now until I can find something less seasonal, yet still made by a dog-group. Although Morris seems like more of a Hard-Rock Dog to ME, he should be lucky that The Jingle Dogs even exist. At the very least he will probably be more inspired to help me with my demo song. Later.

howardtuttleman.com

Irresistible Chrismtas Spirit.......2002-11-30

This cd is my favorite for getting in the holiday spirit. It is so well done, you can see the dogs all sitting in a row barking on cue,even if that is not the way it was really recorded. The flow of songs and the arrangements of each song are done with great energy and humor. Always gives me a lift.

Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay.......2000-10-28

I don't really know what to say about this cd...I think I'll let my Mini Pinscher Nibbles speak for me this time. Nibs?

"Woof woof woof...bowwowwoww. Yip! Yip! Grrrrrr....woof woof woof woof! Bow wow wow...ruff!"

thanks, Nibs...what he said was this is one of the finest collections of dogs barking (and cats meowing, although he didn't like them as much) out holiday tunes in existence today, and if this sounds like your thing, then by all means grab this one!

I'll Cry Tomorrow
Average customer rating:

SUSAN HAYWARD BELTS IT OUT

I'll Cry Tomorrow

Manufacturer: Film Score Monthly
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

With a Song In My Heart (from the 1952 film)/ Pal Joey (with 1952 cast members)

I'll Cry Tomorrow

My Heart Speaks

I Want to Live!

Valley of the Dolls (Special Edition)

ASIN: B0006SSQ2K
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

Main Title
Don't Cry/Bye l'Ums
Sing You Sinners - Susan Hayward
David/How Soon/Help
When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along - Susan Hayward
Trance/Mama's Plea
Confused/Pour Me
Transition/Also/Tony
Stood Up/Shattered/Tortured
Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe - Susan Hayward
Ashamed
String Chord/Real Heel
Down Girl/Ashamed
Home Sweet Home/This Is It/Hold It
Light
Fight to Live/Serenity
Burt/End Title
Ashamed/Home Sweet Home [Original Version][*]
AA Medley [*] - Susan Hayward
End Title [Original Version][*]
I'll Cry Tomorrow [Single Version][*] - Johnny Green And His Quartette, Susan Hayward
Vagabond King Waltz/I'm Sitting on Top of the World [*] - Susan Hayward
Starlight Romance/Presently
Waltz Huguette/Bar Mitzvah Rhumba
Source Music Medley: Good Morning/Ropin'/Beautiful Girl/We'll Make Hay
When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along
Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe

Customer Reviews:

SUSAN HAYWARD BELTS IT OUT.......2005-03-31

This CD is a rare treat for Susan Hayward fans - a chance to hear her do her own singing in the film "I'll Cry Tomorrow" based on the story of Lillian Roth, who battled alcoholism in her life. The sound quality is EXCELLENT and the CD includes extensive notes, and even includes unused tracks, such as the vocal efforts of studio vocalist Sandy Ellis, who was originally going to dub for Hayward. Many people are not aware that the real Lillian Roth was disapointed that her own voice tracks were not used for the film. But, Hayward surprised everyone with her surprisingly goodvocal range. The background music is exceptionally fineas well, and is all included here. This CD is a must-have for Susan Hayward fans - and lovers of fine film score music as well.

On the Banks of the Seine-Music of the Trouovères

Average customer rating:

Delightful
Delightful!
Too ambitious!

On the Banks of the Seine-Music of the Trouovères

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Chants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Virelais | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Dufay Collective:Miri It Is
Johnny, Cock Thy Beaver: Popular Music-Making in 17th-Century England
A Dance in the Garden of Mirth: Medieval Instrumental Music - The Dufay Collective
Cancionero -- Music for the Spanish Court 1470-1520
Medieval Dance Music

ASIN: B000000B17
Release Date: 1997-06-17

Tracks:

Dance: J'aloie l'autrier
Ses tres dou regars
C'est la fins
Prendi garde
Pucelete - Je languis - Domino
On parole - A Paris - Fr nouvele
Dance: Les un pins
Volez vous que je vous chant
La septieme estampie Real
A Dieu commant amouretes
A jointes mains vous proi
Hieus, quant verrai
Tant con je vivrai
Fines amouretes
La dours del tens novel
Dance: La dours
En ung vergier
Dame or sui tra
Chanter voel par grant amour
Quant voi la flor nouvele
L'autre jour par un matin
Amor potest
Dieus soit en cheste maison
Je chevauchoie l'autrier
Dance: Je chevauchoie l'autrier

Customer Reviews:

Delightful.......2006-01-27

I've only just listened to a few samples of this album, and I, too, strongly disagree with the poor review below. Vivien Ellis has a wonderfully sweet soprano. As for the men, well, classically trained singers hardly existed in the 12th and 13th Centuries (unless you sang in a monastery). That's what makes this album sound so authentic. Everyone sounds so REAL. 4 stars from me - good album, but not really outstanding. Still, I could fall in love with Vivien Ellis' voice pretty fast. Nice work!

Delightful!.......2004-03-19

I have to disagree with the poor review below. This is a WONDERFUL CD of medieval music, and I have many to compare it to! The instrumentals are light, fun and cleverly arranged. And I love the vocals. They're perfect for this style of music - clean, clear, and sometimes folksy. Vivien Ellis's soprano is lovely. The nasal intonation of the men on a few of the numbers (and it is not extreme--I've heard it done much stronger) reflects a choice some early musicians make based on the remnants of this music that still exist within the modern folk music traditions that descend from it. Give this gem a chance and you won't be disappointed. It's a joyful and refreshing trip into the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with elements both gently alien and pleasantly familiar. I play it over and over again and have not yet tired of it. Happy listening!

Too ambitious!.......2001-11-22

The only reason I give this album a rating as high as two stars is because I love the music, because the instrumental pieces are great, and because it's always a pleasure to hear the delightful voice of Vivien Ellis.

But who told the guys, who are skilled instrumentalists, that they could sing??? The tenor sings flat, the baritone is totally drowned out by the tenor, the bass seems to be just going through the motions, and they all seem to sing through their noses. Skilled instrumental musicians they may well be, but these guys obviously don't have much training or experience in any kind of singing. The complex rhythms and precise tuning necessary for this kind of music seem totally beyond their current capabilities.

If this album had been done by anyone but the Dufay Collective, the Chandos A&R representative would have promptly sent the demo back to them with a form rejection letter. The guys may have talent as vocalists, but before they try to promote themselves as singers I would recommend that they get some voice training, do a lot of practicing and get some performing experience. Only then should they try to cut another album where they sing. Boys, for now at least, let's stick to the instruments!

Real Mother Goose, Vol. 3
Average customer rating:
Real Mother Goose, Vol. 3
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Laserlight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008IN6
Release Date: 1990-11-27

Tracks:

Mother Goose: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary/The Robin/Hokey Pokey/Little Tom Tucker/Rain...
Mother Goose: Handy Pandy/Big Brass Drum/Sulky Sue/The Clever Hen/Ring-A-Ring A Roses...
Mother Goose: Introductory Song/As I Was Going Along/Oats And Beans And Barley Grow...

Average customer rating:

Real Mother Goose, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Sing-A-Longs | Children's Music | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008IN5
Release Date: 1991-02-12

Tracks:

Mother Goose: Introductory Song/Nuts In May/A Candle/Where Are You Going My Pretty Maiden...
Mother Goose: Jack/Duke Of York/Thirty Days Hath September/Sing A Song Sixpence...
Mother Goose: The Little Mouse/There Was An Old Woman/The Balloon/Bedtime/The Blacksmith...

Average customer rating:

This is a CD for the workplace.
"The Cat's Meow!"

Rhythm and Mews
Jingle Cats
Manufacturer: Jingle Cats Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Meowy Christmas
Christmas Unleashed
Here Comes Santa Claws
Silent Night Christmas Music For Cat Lovers
A Dog's Christmas - Holiday Songs with Dog Bark Sounds

ASIN: B0000SVZVU
Release Date: 2002-12-01

Tracks:

Over the Rainbow
Secret Agent Man
Linus and Lucy
Young at Heart
Home on the Range
Git Along Little Dogies
Santa Lucia
Star Spangled Banner
Yankee Doodle
I've Been Working on the Railroad
Give My Regards to Broadway
O Sole Mio
Dueling Banjos
Down in the Valley
Happy Birthday
That's Entertainment

Album Description

This is the latest release by the world famous singing cats. The Jingle Cats "Rhythm and Mews" features sixteen YEAR ROUND classics such as Over the Rainbow, Secret Agent Man, Happy Birthday and Home on the Range!

A two disc set, the second disc is a DVD for cats entitled CAT TV.

Customer Reviews:

This is a CD for the workplace........2005-11-28

If you enjoy this cd because you like cats meowing to christmas music, then you are probably a moron. The only use for this cd is to bring it to work to watch your co-workers writhe in agony over the horrible taste you have in music. FIVE STARS!

"The Cat's Meow!".......2004-11-21

That sly, irrepressible impresario Mike Spalla, and his chorus of melodious cats, the Jingle Cats return with a third collection of popular standards in the CD "Rhythm and Mews"-love that title! (The first two collections are found in the Christmas-themed CD's "Meowy Christmas" and "Here Comes Santa Claws".)

The songs chosen for "Rhythm and Mews" include beloved and timeless classics such as "Over the Rainbow" and "Young at Heart"; contemporary ditties such as "Secret Agent Man" and "Dueling Banjos"; and traditional tunes like "Home on the Range", "I've Been Working on the Railroad", and "Yankee Doodle". There's something for everyone in this assortment.

And regarding the Jingle Cats' performances, their singing voices are strong and stay remarkably in tune with first rate orchestrations. You will be impressed with these kitties' vocal abilities. And you will be amused, even amazed by the professionalism of Mike Spalla's fusion of feline voices with an orchestra. His creation is really a stroke of genius resulting in a production that is quite charming and often hilarious. It's obvious that these kitties take their music quite seriously. And that's no joke, folks!

Also included with the "Rhythm and Mews" CD is the "Cat TV" DVD. In "Cat TV", you and your feline friend will see images and hear sounds that appeal to cats such as birds chirping, a fish-filled aquarium bubbling, or a can of cat food being opened. Mr. Spalla also uses trick photography for humorous effects. Both you and your cat will appreciate this lively and imaginative DVD.

Mike Spalla and his harmonious Jingle Cats are some of the coolest and most talented entertainers in show business. Without question, they are the "Cat's Meow"!